miss b loves .......a surprise afternoon tea and 'couture' nail polish.

Regular readers of my blog already know about my obsession with afternoon tea and a surprise visit to Great John Street Hotel in Manchester was the highlight of my birthday the weekend before last.....

This beautiful building was formally a Victorian school and there are reminders throughout this sympathetically restored hotel.

Old photographs hang on the walls .......

This little boy doesn't seem too keen to be there!

This was very much a summery afternoon tea with flowers and fruit adorning the traditional three-tiered stand which was laden with sweet treats.

Our table was on the mezzanine level next to the Headmaster's Office.

Pretty mismatched china .......

As much as I would like to agree with Katherine Hepburn when she said 'Life is short. Eat dessert first', we started with the savoury part of the feast...finger sandwiches ... possibly the softest bread we have ever tasted!

The beef with horseradish filling and the smoked salmon and cream cheese were definite favourites.....

Warm scones......and the inevitable discussion followed.....jam or cream first? Once home, I decided to do my research. Apparently in Devon it's cream on the scone then jam but in Cornwall it's jam first. Arguments continue about whether Devon or Cornwall is the original or true home of the 'cream tea'. I don't care ...they're delicious however you choose to eat them!

Cakes followed ........

......with an interlude ..... fruit to cleanse and freshen the palate....

More cakes ....strawberry meringues .... A sweet, delicious birthday treat and certainly one of the prettiest afternoon teas we have seen ........

There was definitely a theme this year.......so many cards featured cakes, fashion, shoes, handbags, Paris! Friends and family know me well!
  

Cute cupcake gift wrap too .....

The Paris theme continued with three scented sachets and an Eiffel Tower charm ...

We need to organise a trip to Paris(maybe several!)to complete these walks ...... 

This nail varnish really took me by surprise ... have you spotted the name of the colour?

Particularly special as the cap is adorned with pearls, my June birthstone.  Nails Inc Couture is such a clever idea. You can customise the nail polish for a truly unique, personal and useful gift and this neutral shade seems to match just about everything in my wardrobe!

I've been truly spoilt again!