miss b loves......'teacup on thomas street', Manchester

I regularly visit Manchester but for some time now I have been disappointed by the distinct lack of really good tea shops until two weeks ago when I discovered teacup on thomas street in the heart of the trendy Northern Quarter. It's light and airy - so much bigger than you expect from the front window and so quirky with its polka dot table cloths,vintage-style crockery and bright red chunky tea pots........

                     

miss b loves..... animal print

         

  

I have often been a little wary of wearing animal print - well, too much of it, as in a dress or coat. Last winter, I wore my silk leopard print scarf now and again but having seen some stylish interpretations on the catwalk  I have become  addicted (still only accessories though!)........

miss b loves........afternoon tea at Gilpin Lodge Hotel, The English Lake District

I love the English Lake District at any time but especially in the autumn with the gorgeous rich golden colours.

I like it even more with the promise of afternoon tea on a Sunday afternoon in a Relais & Chateaux Hotel! The Gilpin Lodge afternoon tea is a very traditional affair served in the wonderfully comfy yet stylish lounge - this really is an upmarket English country house hotel!  

miss b loves....cocktails at the Voda Bar, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, The Palm, Dubai

The ultra-chic Voda Bar

The new Ottoman-themed Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel is located on the west cescent of Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Its interior is lavish, influenced by Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with extravagent chandeliers and colourful artwork and marble but the purpose of our recent visit was to enjoy the ultra-chic surroundings of the Voda Bar, located on the ground level of the hotel.

The beautiful moon design chandelier
 in the opulent hotel lobby

This sophisticated bar just oozes style with the futuristic, white minimalist interior setting, sixties-style egg chairs and white sofas.

miss b loves..........The Alchemist's Chocolate Cake

                         

I'm a true chocoholic and I can't resist a new chocolate cake recipe. When I saw that one of the ingredients in The Alchemist's Chocolate Cake was pears, I knew I had to try it(Pears and chocolate are a perfect match - Poire Belle Hélène is one of my favourite French desserts.)

miss b loves.........Rosso Pink Fizz

miss b's pink fizz

I have been trying to recreate a delicious lemony Prosecco-based cocktail  which I recently discovered at Rosso at the Amwaj Rotana Hotel at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina. It has been an absolute pleasure(!) experimenting with the measures but after several attempts I think I've got it right (well it's very very similar) and I'm calling it 'miss b's pink fizz' of course!