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Thursday 23 November 2017

An Opportunity Missed



Afternoon tea, in November.

Oh how tempted I was to wear a dress, but I chose to wear something more practical for the weather.



A classic "safe" look for when you don't really know what to expect, dress-wise.



Black trousers, ivory layered blouse, stripey cardigan, a pearl pendant and earrings, black courts (pumps) in a reptile-effect leather (I really am your friend, Jules!)
There isn't much safer than this.  If the event is informal, the cardi stays on.  If I discover it's a posher affair, off comes the cardi.



On the way to tea in a black trenchcoat and ooh-la-la beret.  My pops of colour were restrained and subtle - the embroidery on the Primani scarf, my wine coloured bag ... oh how am loving this bag 2nd time round, now that I have discovered my love for wine!


And I'll set the scene for you, dear reader.

I arrived at the Duke of Richmond hotel and entered the uber-glam foyer. 


Lobby

This stylish black and white area was awash with ladies dressed in the prettiest afternoon tea dresses I ever did see! 
Oh how I wanted to about-turn and go back home for a quick dress-on.  But The Photographer made me see sense.  Actually, I think I'd arrived just as a huge influx of Hash House Harriets were congregating; they'd obviously all got the club memo and were beautifully dressed up to the nines.  Otherwise, anything went dress (or not!) wise, there was no prescriptive dress code.

But opportunities to wear pretty dresses in winter don't come along too often and on this rare occasion when the opportunity offered itself, I missed out.  Well, there was much internal boo-hoo'ing going on, I can tell you.  The good thing that came out of this disappointment is that I've signed up to go again next year to this fund raiser for a most worthy charity, Help The Heroes.  No not just to wear a dress, I'm not that shallow! It's a charity I want to support.  But I will wear a dress.  And what are the chances that next year's HHH memo will say "black trousers and a smart top"!
On a positive note, at least I matched the foyer's flooring!


The well-supported event was held here, The Duke of Richmond.  Follow the link and tap on Take A Tour on the home page to share my Afternoon Tea experience.  It will be like you're sipping tea with me there, but virtually!
I, of course, was too busy enjoying all these scrummy delicacies to take many photos, so I really do suggest you take the tour for the full experience.  However. I give you here the sum total of the Afternoon Tea photos that I could muster. 

Afternoon tea us usually made up of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes.  We had all of those.  This tea had some interesting and yummy additions.

The first surprise was little shot glasses filled with prawn cocktail.  No photos, totally devoured.




The yummsville sandwiches plate was nigh-on demolished by the time I took the first shot.  The second twist was that the cake selection included cute little milk bottles of a panna cotta topped with fruit compote.  I hear they were yummy but I didn't quite have room for one.



The reason I didn't have room was probably down to this twist on the classic afternoon tea - these tasty morsels.
A little slice of beautifully spiced up sausage roll and a slice of the most heavenly chicken mousse tossed in an oaty nutty breadcrumb mix.  Exquisite!

On reflection, this must have been a modern foodie take on High Tea.


Despite the missed flowery tea dress opportunity, I came home pretty happy in my black and ivory.  I'd supported a worthy charity and had eaten my bestest afternoon tea ... ever!

Duke of Richmond ... I will be back!


A la perchoine.

14 comments:

  1. When it's cold and windy pants are often a better choice. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Nicole at High Latitude Style

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    1. Wise words, Nicole, though you do still bravely enjoy skirts in Alaska the winter snow. I'm a bit of a wimp at the first sign of a breeze! Hugs, x.

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  2. Wowzers! I am ready to book my stay at The Duke of Richmond. The rooms are so gorgeously appointed, chandeliers are my love language! The food looks absolutely delectable.
    I think you were dressed quite well and props to TP for pointing out what was really going on with that other group (HHH)! I'll tell ya what I am becoming a fan of TP more and more!
    Thanks for taking us along on another wonderful adventure!
    Hugs my friend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Glad that the DoR is speaking your language becaue it tells me it would love to welcome you!
      I tell you, TP is thrilled to hear he has a fan club and me too as sometimes he gets bad press on this platform :-(.
      Hope you had a good day yesterday with your loved ones, hugs for Boxing Thanksgiving x.

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  3. You need not a flowery tea dress when you look that classy and smashing in ivory and black! That food looks scrumptious! I would love if we could go dress shopping and then wear them to tea! We'd have a grand time! xo

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    1. Oh Andrea, how you brighten up my days, thank you so much for popping in. Pretty dress shopping then tea, what a lovely girlie date that would be ... when are you coming over ?!!
      Hugs, x.

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  4. Tat hotel looks gorgeous Mary! And I love your outfit. But then I'm a safe dressing kinda girl xx
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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    1. Oh yes, Laurie, the hotel is so glam. eh?! And it's got a Leopard Bar, as well as all the zebra print lurking around. It's a jungle in there!
      Hugs, x.

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  5. You look pretty and you made me laugh when you said you matched the flooring :-) I would say you made a perfect choice not knowing exactly what the "dress code" was.

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    1. Aww thank you, sweet Sue, I know it may not always be the adventurous way to go, but I feel more comfy going for safety dressing when unsure, anything for an easy life, eh. Hugs, x.

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  6. I'm bad about wanting to wear pants to dressier occasions. I always see it as a challenge. Probably, the only time I won't is Saturday night at the symphony.
    Your story telling is so wonderful and I enjoy reading about your adventures. And black and ivory-how classy is that anyway.

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  7. Hi Teri Well, my view is I've got black trousers and I've got to wear them to some dressier occasions, otherwise they're wasted! Awww, thanks so much for your nice words about my story telling. I guess that's the best bit about blogging, engaging with readers. Hugs, x.

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  8. You look so cute in this outfit. I love that striped cardigan on you!

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    1. That, Amy, you are sweetness itself. It's a very old cardi I've fallen back in love with. Hugs, x.

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