The return of afternoon tea.

Is it just me, or is there an abundance of vintage-style teacups and cupcake paraphernalia in the shops at the moment? This can mean only one thing - afternoon tea is back! Hurrah! Wave goodbye to coffee mornings and afternoon frappacinos and go buy yourself a teapot.

2011's afternoon teas are super-sweet, preferably al fresco and involve a lot of florals. Here is my checklist for throwing the perfect afternoon tea:

• Mismatched vintage teacups and saucers (try charity shops or ebay for these or get new vintage-style lones from http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/)

• A teapot (because, lets be honest, proper tea needs one)

http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/search/content/teapot

• Cute gingham or floral tablecloth (ooh maybe some bunting too?)

http://www.cottonbunting.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Shades_of_floral_bunting.html

• Cupcakes (for extra cute-factor get a stand too)



Wilton 307-831 13 Count Cupcake Stand

• And proper tea (none of this green stuff!)

Taa Daa! Now you have an afternoon tea perfect for catching up with good friends, or celebrating something fabulous. 

If you prefer to let someone do the hard work for you, here are my fave afternoon tea venues:

• The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne http://www.grandeastbourne.com/dining-afternoon-tea.html
• Browns (here you can opt for a G&T instead of tea - I know... genius!) http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/locations/bristol/menus/food/pudding-afternoon-tea-0211/
• Boston Tea Party http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/