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My new cake stands

2011-01-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

I've bought 20 new cake stands for the business to hire out. Pretty 2 tier pink glass and I think they are going to look wonderful at vintage style tea parties and weddings.

I've decided to have a New Years Resolution afterall.......Make Time For Teatime

In the tradition of this resolution Cherub & I baked today some lovely fairy cakes....yummy

Fairy Cakes

175g unsalted butter, softened

170g caster sugar

3 medium eggs from your chickens

1/2 t.spoon vanilla extract

150g self raising flour

1/2 t.spoon baking powder

2 tbl.spoons milk

Butter Icing

Sprinkles & all things yummy & pretty

Preheat oven to 180c/350f/gas 4.

Put the soft flour, sugar, beaten eggs & vanilla into a big bowl

Sift the flour & baking powder into the bowl

Add milk

Mix thoroughly to make smooth, thick cake batter

Spoon into paper cases, about half full

Bake for 12-15 minutes (you want the batter to spring back when touched)

Remove & leave to cool.

Decorate with all things yummy

Find your tea cups and pretty cake plates & enjoy

In respect of our new resolution for the year, Cherub & I will post more of our 'Make Time for Teatime' recipes!

New Year....New Blog

2011-01-29T07:52:00.000-08:00

I've been really busy buying in vintage clothes for the trunk. I've had a lot of enquiries for the hire of the trunk for 2011 and so I've needed to get on and get some extra bits. I've had great fun, the house is full of furs, rings, shawls and fabulous hats and I have loved parading about looking very glamorous!
I'm off to a vintage style tea dance at Chatsworth House very soon and think I may well have a good rummage in the trunk before I go......

2010-07-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

The wedding @thewhitworthcentre.co.uk went really well. The Bride had white covers with burgundy sashes and burgundy peony flower arrangements. It looked gorgeous in the huge, grand Ballroom. Thanks Pat for doing the flowers!

A quiet Sarah....

2010-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have lost my voice! This has posed a problem at work..afterall, how can I chat about cake when I have no voice. Thank goodness for email, I can at least communicate via the computer. However, it has made me realise...
a) How wonderful it is to share in conversation about common passions (mostly cake!)
b) How marvellous it is to be able to while away the time deep in discussion about flowers and tea cups and new recipes (again, mostly cake!)
c) How absolutely frustrating it is to have 3 children and a cat run amok gleefully aware of my inability to tell them otherwise!

Vintage Fashion Fair

2010-02-27T02:52:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 28th February I am off to Derby University for the vintage fashion fair. I'm hoping to find some lovely clothes for the Vintage Dressing Up Box!
If any of you fancy anything in particular for the dressing up box, then drop me a line and I'll do my best to source it!

Postponed Wedding Fayre

2010-02-24T09:43:00.001-08:00

What a disappointment to find the wedding fayre at The Red Lion was cancelled on Sunday because of yet more snow! I was so looking forward to meeting you and having a chat about your wedding and all the ideas you have and showing you my lovely new range of cakes.
I'm not sure when the next fayre will be but lets hope it's soon...I'll keep you posted!

We had an eventful return train journey from our weeks break in London (we went to sample the hotels 'afternoon teas'!) The train lost 2 of its wheels and we were jolted about, with flames and smoke and flying rocks! It was quite traumatic, especially when the windows all smashed...
However, we are ok, including my 'little tyke' who has informed me he will only travel by Thomas the Tank Engine in future......

My visit to Shottle Hall

2010-02-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

Today I had a visit to Shottle Hall just down the road from us here in Matlock. I love this venue. The views are amazing, the rooms are perfect for a wedding and the staff really work hard to ensure your day is perfect. Even with the wind and February weather, its easy to see why so many couples want to get married here when I looked out through the Georgian sash windows to the splendid gardens.......hmmm, a vintage tea party on those lawns, with bunting blowing in the breeze, children playing and a game of croquet underway in glorious warm English summer weather. Perfect.

Visit Shottle Hall at www.shottlehall.co.uk

Vintage Dresses

2010-02-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

Amy and I are busy designing our dresses for the 1940s day at Churnett Valley Railway, based on vintage patterns from the day. I fancy something quite glamorous, with lots of pearls and 'fake' fur!
Its a great day out with each train station bustling with people dressed from the era. We absolutely love the Spitfire Sisters and their wartime songs. The steam train chugs along miles and miles of beautiful countryside, with gorgeous walks and a country pub along the way. Its amazing to see the wartime jeeps and motorbikes..last year we all were allowed to have a sit in one of the cars! It was fab!
So, back to our dresses....any ideas girls? Do let us know if you fancy seeing Amy and I in anything particular...otherwise we may just end up in Landgirl dungarees!

Snow is on it's way......

2010-02-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Snow is on it's way I hear....I'm hoping for a day of lots and lots of white fluffy stuff so I can go sledging and make a snowlady. Then I'd like it to magically disappear!

It's been trying to snow here all day. We keep getting a few flakes. The kitten has refused to go out all day - far too cold for Florence!

The winter weather has been good for the business - my Brides are using the mirror tiles and candelabra to create warm, magical table centrepieces, with lots of candlelight to add glow to the room and help reflect light throughout. I really love this look, especially with pretty silver accessories and silver sashes.

Lovely to see you.....

2010-02-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

It was lovely to meet so many wonderful people yesterday at the Wedding Fayre in the Buxton Dome. I hope you all had a successful day and managed to take home lots of inspirational ideas from the fayre.

I had a marvellous time showcasing our gorgeous vintage china and flower arrangements. So many of you loved the flowers in the birdcages.......could this be the theme for 2010? I hope so, it's so pretty!

The vintage themed Hen Party that we offer here at Vintage By Zana looked like it may have been taken by storm by the Brides I met. I hope so! What fun to gather your friends and family, from nieces and best friends to your mum and gran and gather together to eat cake, drink champagne and play games whilst wearing vintage clothes from our treasure chest. Now thats certainly a memorable way to spend your hen night.....

The next wedding fayre will be at The Red Lion in 2 weeks time....more details to follow.