Tea for two

For most people the thought of having an afternoon tea would be a delight, but when the only hot drink you like is hot Vimto and the only tea you like is a Long Island Iced Tea it's not as exciting.  However, with the inclusion of champagne I was easily persuaded.

I'd seen the champagne afternoon tea advertised on Cloud 23's Facebook page (see here).  Michelle and I have been a few times for various different things, and typically we book in advance using the guest list (see here).   Each time we treat ourselves to the odd cocktail or two, but if you book in advanced you are given a 45 minute slot which means that it's best used as a stop-gap before you head out or perhaps a nice end to a night after a meal.

Cloud 23 is a lovely place to go if you fancy a little luxury.  For our afternoon tea we were booked in to the Iris lounge.  It was refurbished not that long ago and it does ooze class and refinement.  Most people, it seemed at least, were having lunch with their mothers as an early Mother's Day treat.   I wish I could say people thought that about me and Michelle but clearly she looks too young – better way of saying I look too old!

As far as the service goes I'd have to say it was excellent.  The staff were very courteous and attentive to our needs; although one man was rather jovial with us – did he sense we were common folk?  We did our best to dress for the occasion, with Michelle adopting the persona of Cruella Deville.  I, however, was practically head to toe in my Primark wears, but I think I looked rather dapper and styled myself well enough to pass for one born of proper lineage.

As far as the food goes Michelle's review was pretty much on point.  As a fussy eater – I blame my parents – I was thankfully to find the inclusion of some small but perfectly formed ham sandwiches.  Although, I often find expensive food to taste not only rich but at times sweet, peculiar I know!  Perhaps this is just a private delusion of what expensive food is like?

My favourite part of most meals is the dessert, and that was true of this afternoon tea, excluding the champagne which was yummy!  The desserts were delicious, even the unusual banana flavoured macaroons.  I'd agree with Michelle that the scrummy scones – pronounced with an extended 'O' – smothered in lashings of clotted cream and jam were the perfect embodiment of a quintessential English afternoon tea.

All in all this was a wonderful afternoon and there is no one I would rather spend it with.

Neil x

p.s. Michelle has used all the good photographs so I've chosen to just use the one.

A bit about me

Loads of people have been doing similar posts recently so I thought I would be a sheep and follow.

1.  I have a Frug (pug/frenchie) who I love more than anything.

2.  When I was 15 I fell and broke my elbow and wrist; I now have metal pins holding it together.

3.  I have a phobia of fish; dead or alive it doesn't matter, I WILL freak out when I see one.

4.  I have six tattoos. They all started off small and gradually I keep adding bits and making them bigger.

5. My childhood nickname off my brothers is 'Buttonhead', this was becuase I had a head shaped like a button apparantly.

6.  My body clock is broken: it is completely normal for me to go to sleep at 5am and wake up at 2pm.

7.  The reason there are very few photos of me on the blog is because I am incredibly shy (when sober).

8.  My hair is purple at the moment, but before I started dying it I had mousey blonde locks.

9.  My dream is to one day own a vintage VW camper van in baby blue.

10.  I am incredibly clumsy, I am the sort of person to fall UP steps and end up so bruised I look like I've fallen off a cliff.

If I can think of anything else I will do another list.

Michelle x

Dodge the Frug

Champagne Afternoon Tea?? That's how we roll!

So the other day Neil and I decided to experience how the other half live with a champagne lunch at Manchester's Cloud 23.  Situated on level 23 of Beetham Tower, this bar is more well known for its 3 month waiting list to sample the delicious but pricey cocktails, but they also do an afternoon tea menu (see here).

Lucikly for us there was a special promotion on where the champagne tea was only £22 (considering the cheapest glass of champers was £12 this was a great deal) so we put on our glad rags and pretended this was just a regular lunch for us.

We each had a glass of champagne; a collection of sandwiches, wraps, cakes; and I had a pot of tea to soak up the tipsy feeling the bubbles gave me.  The sandwiches included ham, some type of fish paste, and a cucumber/hummous wrap - now not to be a snob but they were just average.  Having the crusts removed and them cut into dainty triangles did make them more appealing but they were neither delicious nor disgusting.  The scone on the other hand was AMAZING, we smoothered them in clotted cream and rasberry jam, and it was well worth ruining my diet for.  The rest of the cakes were just 'nice' (hate that word but it sums up my indifferent opinion of them.)

Overall the atmosphere, champagne and company made it a perfect afternoon tea, and I would definately love to do it again.

I'm sure Neil will do a more in depth and well written review also.

Have a great weekend,

Michelle xx

 

Ones to watch

For me a watch was something that I couldn't get used to.  As a little kid I know I wore them, and somewhere I still have the remnants of a Turtle's watch that amazingly had interchangeable straps - Leonardo was the best!  But as a teen I couldn't stand them; my dislike continued for years.  I guess like most people I tended to rely on my phone, thinking that a watch was simply unnecessary.   However, I'm now definitely a convert.  They not only help me to be punctual, they also are an excellent accompaniment to any outfit.  For most guys a watch is the one form of acceptable jewellery/accessory.  For me I think it gives you that extra touch of class or style.

I'm now going to give you a rundown of my favourite watches from my own private collection.  Over the years I've always gone with my gut and chosen items that I personally like.  Most of them are classic shapes and styles that are highly wearable; although, there is the odd exception.  Labels are nice but I air on the side of more affordable luxury, but if anyone out there would like to buy me a Rolex I wouldn't complain.

Probably my favourite watch, and the one that means the most to me, is this funky D&G watch.  I inherited a small amount of money from my Granddad when he passed away, and I set out to buy something as a kind of keepsake.  I'd actually seen a friend wearing this watch, but he had the metal chain-link version.  As soon as I saw the TV test card face I wanted it so I had a look online.  Then when I found it in white I HAD to buy it!  This truly is a statement piece that just oozes cool.  In search of a bargain I bought the watch online from Nigel O'Hara and paid £99.00, back in October 2010.  There are few places which have it in stock now but I did see it listed on Amazon for £64.95, which if you ask me is a steal!

With an attractive metal mesh strap this stunning modern watch looks good with almost any outfit.  To be honest this purchase snook up on me.  I was walking through Debenhams when this caught my eye, and now it's mine - oops!  Although their are alternative shapes and colours available I thought this was the best because black is highly wearable and the shape is sleek.  In store at Debenhams it cost £80.00 back in August 2011.  Prices seem to be exactly the same and you can pick it up for £79.99 from STORM or the Watch Shop.

The classic black dress watch is an essential for most men.  This watch grabbed my attention with its detailing.  The leather strap has a reptile skin patter that makes it that little bit different.  I also loved the tiny accents of blue that highlight the hands on the dial and also the winder.  I bought the watch in May 2012 from Debenhams and I paid £84.00.  The best price I can find where the watch is in stock is at the Watch Supermarket for £85.50.

This simply elegant watch is one I am mad about.  I saw it ironically on an MSN article called Best watches for men under £200.  As I scrolled through I saw this beauty.  Straight away I was taken aback by the colour, which is the main reason I bought it.  It matched so perfectly a dark blue three piece suit I had got from Topman.  Simply put it's clean, classic and a definite must have item.  I bought the watch in June 2012 as a post birthday treat.  It cost £100.00 and I got it direct from Simon Carter, and I can't find it cheaper anywhere else.

I hope you've enjoyed having a glimpse at some from my own private collection.  I love them and hope you do to.

Thanks,

Neil x

p.s. Keep a look out as we're soon going to be introducing a selection of unique fashion watches to the Cherry Rainbow site!  I've already got my eye on one (or several) for myself.

Sneaky Peak

Neil and I have been working our little bottoms (or fingers) off looking for new stock for the site, and here is a sneaky peek of a few of them.

Hope you're excited because I am!!

Michelle x

You're A Star

If you follow Jelly Button on Facebook (and if not go now and follow here) you will have seen I have set up a Just Giving page to raise money for a good cause.  I love helping out charities so I am offering a bracelet to everyone who donates, the worthy cause this time is Parkinson's UK; however, I plan to do raffles and similar things for other charities in the upcoming months.

My reasons for donating to Parkinsons UK can be seen in a previous blog. My Dad is a very special man to me and if raising money can help find a cure so other people don't have to go though what he has then it is worth every penny of my own money I use to fund these incentives.

If you would like to do your bit for charity and get a cute bracelet in the process, please go to my Just Giving Page.

In other more selfish news I have been lusting over some bits and pieces I would buy if I had the pennies.  It's a whole 6 months until my birthday so I may have to keep dreaming for now.

TeeShirt - Brat and Suzie

Filofax - Findsbury

MAC Archies Girl Collection

Skirt - Topshop

New Goodies

Is anyone else spending the weekend in? Well I am but don't worry I am more than happy to spend it listing new products! I've had a box full of items ready to go on the site for weeks now, and I've finally gotten round to listing them (well some) so take a peek and head here to browse.

I have also regained my zest for making frames, this is yet to be listed online but if you would like a custom one please get in contact (please put FRAME in the subject line).

I have also had a brill new site designed, what do you think? :) 

 

And finally remember to enter the competition!! 

Enjoy the weekend!!

Michelle xx