Who says you need a guy (or significant other as the case may be) in order to have fun on Valentine's Day?
My friend and I were both flying solo this Valentine's Day (hubby is still away overseas). Instead of staying at home in PJs with a large box of wine, over-sized bags of chips and endless sappy romantic comedies on Netflix my friend had the brilliant idea to go out for high tea and celebrate GALentine's Day in style.
That meant:
– ditching the PJs, taking a shower, putting on fancy clothes & makeup
– no over-sized bags of questionable chemical laden grease filled fluff, but rather gourmet elegant bite sized mouthfuls to be savoured slowly rather than thoughtlessly stuffed
– being served by a handsome man in a tux, instead of snoozing with a snoring pug who is currently shedding her weight in pug fur daily
– and laughing with a dear friend, instead of sobbing uncontrollably after watching The Notebook
SO much better than doing a Bridgette Jones.
I don't know if you remember this little Polyvore set that I made way back when…but this is the dress from it and doesn't remotely resemble PJs.
I wanted to wear this for a dance at Christmas but then the weather ruled that out so the dress wasn't worn. I figured Galentine's was a perfect occasion for it.
Very lady-like don't you agree?
Dress – Ruche, Shoes – Nine West, Belt – Anthropologie, Bag & Earrings – Vintage
We went to Langdon Hall in Cambridge Ontario. It is gorgeous and I would highly recommend it to anyone that should want to come and experience the Canadian countryside in high style. It is a 45 minute drive from my house so if you're coming let me know and I'll come out and visit! : )
Of course high tea starts out with some bubbly. What? You didn't know that? That's what the little British Granny's don't tell you.
Actually I can tell you that during all of my time working for little old ladies in England only one of them was dipping into the sauce for high tea. The rest just had biscuits and tea. boring!
Landgon Hall knows how to properly start a high tea.
Then you move onto the refined delicate food…thankfully they bring each of you your own tiered tray. Don't want to be fighting over those baby sandwiches.
These were high fat scones. I could tell as soon as they hit my mouth. Nothing gives that little crust on the outside and the fluffiness on the inside quite the way butter can. They were small so I figured it was okay. I won't even mention that we asked for more. Please Sir! May I have another scone?
The best bit out of the lot for dessert was the cupcake and the meringue. Although I do love a good rose petal, they don't quite fill me up.
And of course there was the tea. We both had a lovely exclusive Langdon Hall herbal tea mix.
When I lived in England I was addicted to tea. I could drink 8 cups Earl Grey tea per day no problem.
I was instructed on the "proper English" way to make tea.
Make sure the water really boils.
Pour some of it into the pot to heat it for a few minutes. Swish it around the inside of the pot and pour it out. If you really want to be anal you can also heat the cups with some of the hot water. Thankfully I didn't have to do that.
Add the hot water to the pot and the tea. If it is loose tea you can add that before the hot water, tea bags should be added after the hot water.
Allow to steep for around 3-5 minutes. Less for tea bags, more for loose tea generally, but you need to check it.
When pouring the tea always serve the guest. Heaven forbid they should pour their own tea!
Always pour the milk or cream in the cup before the tea. This is very important. I didn't do it the first time we had guests over for tea and Mrs. Watson was quite embarrassed by my mistake. I think she may have blamed it on the fact I was from "the colonies" and one really couldn't expect much from them. LOL
Add the sugar they request and place a teaspoon on the saucer to allow them to stir their own tea. People with no sugar do not need a teaspoon. The milk/cream will mix in on it's own because you've added it first.
Thank you Mrs. Watson for the detailed lessons on tea service!
She actually was a fine old lady. Very witty and sharp as a tack. It saddened me that instead of family looking after her they hired out for help.
I've since kicked my tea habit. Now I drink hot water and my teeth thank me for it.
This reminded me of another old woman I looked after in the UK. I'll call her "Elderly Amazon That Carries A Big Stick & Sleeps With A Sword".
I'll tell you all about her next time ; )
Are you a tea drinker? Have you ever gone out for high tea? Did you enjoy it?
PS none of this post was sponsored in any way unless you count my girlfriend since she invited me out. Thanks for a fun afternoon Hazel!
Linking up with : Visible Monday Tres Chic Style Bits
Beautiful..you look lovely for tea and the fit is perfect!! The desserts look yummy as well! Gorgeous dress….
Wow, I clicked across from Patty’s as you really caught my eye! That is a gorgeous dress and a lovely belt too! The Galentines is a super idea!! Definitely a great idea for being single but wanting fun on Valentines! My Valentines started with dinner with my husband but he fell asleep on the rug at 8pm after dinner and refused to budge until 1am! That was not a romantic Valentines! Where did you live in England? I drink about 8 cups of Earl Grey tea a day too- I have got too used to it as we received some plain English Breakfast for Christmas and so I have been using those up and boy, they taste boring in comparison!
Wow. GORGEOUS dress! Looks like you had an amazingly elegant high tea!
You and Hazel really know how to do a holiday proper. Love your brilliant dress. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xoxo
Wow, what a fun outing. I would love to do that sometime. I am afraid though that I would thoroughly embarrass the little old English ladies as I have never been to an actual tea. Your dress is gorgeous!
GALentine’s Day, love it! You both look so elegant and that tier of tea goodies is making my mouth water.
My mouth is watering! Looks like so much fun!
Also, you look ladylike as can be.
Your photo is arresting. Absolutely stunning. I love that you went out with your friend and appreciate that you captured the event in pictures. I’ve had high tea in Victoria, BC. Very proper, don’t you know, but then that’s what high tea is about. Your friend looks fabulous in red!
Love that dancing dress! Anytime is a good time to wear a party dress.
I am a tea drinker, but only of recent. I am an american tea drinker tho; I drink it in a thermos type cup. I drink loose tea, the Teavanna flavored type–none of the earl grey for me! I have been to a few high teas actually. New England has maintained some of the British traditions altho I am sure watered down a bit! I’d rather have a cocktail…and the champagne sounds like a great addition. xoxox
You’ve got some fantastic lady-like pieces in your closet – the emerald green is glorious on you!
But was there clotted cream? Clotted cream with high tea is a wonder.
I love your dress. It’s stunning. I recently wore an all teal confection that reminds me of yours. Teal is on its way back, baby, at least in my world and yours.
You are so right Charlotte. You don’t see big shots of the clotted cream here since I basically slathered on the whole lot and gobbled it down with my first scone. It was a whole lot of cream with a bit of scone.
Poor Hazel was left scraping out the last specks.
I tried to convince her that she hadn’t missed much really. ( I don’t think she believed me)
Clotted cream and I have a whole history of romance together. Under no circumstances does it enter my house.
Your dress is gorgeous! What fun getting dressed up and going out with another woman who can really appreciate the elegance of high tea.
But I have to take issue with Mrs. Watson’s instructions about adding tea bags after pouring the hot water. My husband and most Brits I met will insist that the tea has to have boiling water on it as soon as possible. Every second post-boil is crucial, crucial, I say!!!
I’ve actually started drinking tea a bit now – I used to only drink it at my MIL’s or at tea shops. Now I have my latte at breakfast and my tea at elevenses.
You both look stunning – and what a fun way to spend a silly day. I love GAlentines Day! The desserts look amazing. And I am quite the fan of the North American style scone. I had high tea last time I was walking in the UK, at Edinburgh Castle. I was in hiking boots and alone, but I thought why should that stop me? It was fab!
I lived in London while I was in college and loved having high tea. It’s been a long time since I’ve attended high tea and need to find some girl’s day out. Love your dress and I agree – it’s the perfect occasion for it.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
A wonderful idea, your high tea looks really lovely and of course a glass of bubbles, always essential. Your dress is stunning on you, perfect for the day.
Allo Suzanne!
What a wonderful idea you had!I dream of going for high tea somewhere in Montreal- I must find a place, maybe the Ritz Carlton downtown – You Ladies look amazing – The color of that dress is perfect for you Suzanne!
Have a great day
Arianexo
It was explained that if you are too rambunctious with the pouring of the boiling water it can sometimes break the tea bags…
Everyone is picky as to how it should be made though. That is for sure.
When I lived in Victoria we went for high tea on a regular basis. One of the most memorable was at the Princess Hotel with my Mom where we had our own “tea man” dressed very spiffy with white serving gloves that made darn good and sure that we never poured our own tea. He stood at the side and would constantly refill our cups. I guess he was a tea jockey!
So glad you did it! did you take photos? Share!
They often do a brilliant high tea at Ritz Carlton hotels if there is one not too far from where you live.
They do a fab rendition at the Ritz Ariane. We went to one in San Fran and just loved it.
Fun post and you brightened my morning!
You look smashing Suzanne! Love this colour on you! You and Hazel both look so elegant, definitely lady-like!
I have had the pleasure of enjoying an afternoon at Langdon Hall several times! I live 5 minutes away from this off-the-beaten-track luxurious place. The only reason that I don’t go more often is the price.
Have a great week!
♥ carmen
How fab you live so close to there! Isn’t their food divine?
I would like to do this every week, I am sure we can find a reason 🙂
You both look lovely, that photo of the pair of you should be on Langdon Hall’s menu! Your dress fits like a dream.
I’m a rubbish Brit, I drink tea at home but I’d never dream of paying for it! A drink out involves copious amounts of booze and definitely no sweet things, beer and chips all the way! xxx
“Galentines” Love it! I especially love that the two of you dressed all up for this occasion. There is nothing better (in my book) than having high tea with girlfriends. I think the whole ritual of high tea is fantastic, including the delicate and enriching way it is brewed. We must do tea some day together!
Oh my, how sweet is this! The material and color of that dress is magical. High tea should be celebrated every day. Such a nice girls’ day thing to do.
Oh my goodness, you look gorgeous! That color is perfect on you…what a pretty dress and belt! Looks like a fun time 🙂
Tiffany Ima
Style Honestly
wow…..I like…
Beautiful, beautiful dress! you two are gorgeous and what a wonderful Galantines day, blooming brilliant idea, I have never had high tea, I am clearly common as muck as I make my tea in a throw together manner, it does have to be hot though (I also like ‘builders tea’ very strong, could stand your spoon in it!) x x x
What an elegant Galentine’s Day you had! Your dress is so lovely (and I’m thinking I need to get myself a belt/sash like yours). A good scone is a beautiful thing–I’ve been known to eat more of them than I ought to.
Best dress everrrrrrrrrrrrr Suzanne, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Absolutely magic, and the belt is perfection
I am a tea lover.
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what a great day! and of course you look lovely as ever!!
What a gorgeous dress! You wear it so beautifully.
Maybe you can answer this for me: I always thought ‘high tea’ referred to a savory heavy meal taken by the working classes at around 5 o’clock, while ‘afternoon tea’ referred to refreshments and light snacks taken in the mid-afternoon, started by nobility (I can’t remember her name.)
However, I hear a lot of people in the US (and now Canada) referring to afternoon tea as high tea. Is there another etymology that I’m not familiar with?
That is interesting.
I can only answer based on what I’ve experienced while living and working abroad and what we consider High Tea in Canada and where I’ve also had it in the US.
Normally in the UK it was served at 4. Since they don’t eat until around 8 at night you need a bit of a snack to get you through the day. Most people just have biscuits and maybe some cheese but some offered sandwiches too. I considered it a big “coffee break”. Depending on the people it could be light or a decent sized meal. I must admit I think I gained weight while living over there.
In Canada and the US it is normally served between 12-4 in the afternoon. I think it is because most people eat supper between 6-7 here. Also it is quite fancy. Items are brought in on tiered trays, sandwiches are bite sized etc. It is more of an event. It’s not something I do daily like in when I lived in the UK.
When I lived in Victoria BC where high tea is still something that many people do, adopted by the British traditions, it often replaced lunch, instead of going out for lunch we might wait a bit and go for High Tea instead. And they definately refer to it as High Tea.
It is probably just how the idea has evolved over time.
Maybe someone else from the UK knows the answer to this.
Yes, delicious food, great ambiance and a lovely setting in the woods!
Galentine’s Day is a brilliant idea. Your dress lives up to all expectations for such a festive event. Bubbly and scones? What could be better?
First things first – your dress is stunning! Gorgeous colour, and a perfect fit.
I am liking the Galentines idea, why should romantic couples have all the fun? Your high tea looks great, a little too frighteningly dainty for me though!
I am a big tea drinker, we always make it in a pot at home and it MUST be made with boiling water, poured straight onto the tea bags (they can take it!) Yes, I am particular!
Aya made me laugh with her reference to high tea as a heavy savoury meal taken by the working classes! We refer to our evening meal as “tea” and yes, it is savoury but not always heavy… It’s what posher folk call dinner! The kids always come in from school and ask “what’s for tea, mum?”
Afternoon and high tea are interchangeable terms, I think, and yes, it’s a mid-late afternoon dainty sandwich-and-cake affair, often served in a tiered stand, with, of course, a pot of tea. Nice enough, but a curry and a beer is better! xxxx
Thanks for solving the mystery Curtise! : )
I also must point out that when I lived in the UK I was often looking after elderly people…so they probably had totally different schedules and ideas than everyone else.
That dress is beautiful! And looks like you had such a fun time at your tea, all those little foods look so yummy 🙂
Glorious dress and you! Beautiful in every possible way. Hope you had some snuggles and junk food with the Pug baby afterward … the combination sounds wonderful! ( I think your friend looks a lot like a much younger version of me. Or, I look like an much older version of her. Do you see the resemblance? I wonder if she would agree.)
The delicate tea offerings look lovely. We took my mother to a “high tea” at the Empress Hotel in Victoria BC many years ago. She had the most amazing time, and the champagne to start was the perfect “adjuster” for her slight discomfort at the unfamiliar formality, and she ate it up, literally and figuratively. My treat, but she was appalled at the bill! She just had to be nosy and look …)
Lovely detail about the tea traditions.
So glad you had fun, and hope you make up the romance when he returns home!
Galentines sounds amazing! Gorgeous dress!
http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/
You choose a brilliant place to have tea with your Mom. I also splurged with my Mom there and she too was horrified by the bill! LOL
I LOVE your dress!! So elegant, sexy and feminin.
The color is gorgeous!
have a nice week
Dana
Love this post! What fab gal time! Love your glam dress! I had high tea once at The Empress in Victoria and once in London! I felt so fancy! 🙂
What a fab day! I absolutely adore this! That belt is amazing. I remember seeing it online, but the colors look so much more vibrant in person. You look absolutely chic and ladylike. The shots of you and your girlfriend are great. What a fun day! And that fooooood…omg, that food. Is it lunch time yet? I kind of feel like tea sandwiches for some reason…
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
I did a long comment but somehow I lost it when posted 🙁 Dam!
Oh well…. I want to tell you that you look awesome with such a fabulous dress.
What a great idea you and your friend having tea…. you look like two divas.
I love the way you did this post with so much detail and those pictures OMG!!!
Thank you so much for linking with Très Chic Style Bits.
xoxo
Very gorgeous outfit, Suzanne. Loving all about it: the dress, it’s color, the shoes and the magnificent belt! Wow!
And that Galentine’s looks lovely and delish. Remember how mine turned out? Quite Bridget Jonesy? Well, yours looks indeed wayyyyyyy better!
How shall we call mine, btw: Singlentine? Couchpotatotine?
Loved this post! Especially your tea tales and the little old ladies you cared for there – would love to hear about the sword brandisher!
You look divine! The dress and belt are gorgeous! Galantine – what a great idea! I adore high tea – it should be dress up high tea for Galantine’s every weekend.
I am not a tea person as I prefer a cup of coffee, but your tea beak looks delicious!
What a good idea. I love high tea although it usually is too much for me. I start wanting everything and more, but have to give up quite quickly. Adore scones.
You looked so lovely in your green dress! What a pity for your gorgeous husband to be missing this. You have to wear it on an outjng with him as well. Promise.
And no I don’t drink tea, I drink coffee: 2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and 2 in the evening. If it was up to me I would drink 20 cups a day but apparently that is bad for you.
Drinking only hot water is such a strange concept to me… I have a colleague who does the same. You two are the only ones I know who drink that.
Greetje
Believe me every time we go out my husband is horrified that I ask for hot water like “an old lady!” LOL But often I get people telling me that they do the same. I gave up the tea for my teeth, it was staining them too much and since I truly do hate going to the dentist it wasn’t as hard as I thought.
I did wear this dress and Christmas with my hubby…so he did get to preview it before everyone else : )
I like couchpotatotine : )
I totally agree that this needs to be more than once-a-year. Although I could also be convinced that we could switch out between this and martini afternoons : )
The post on the sword lady is coming up tomorrow…
I don’t know why some people have difficulty leaving a comment. Almost makes me want to change my blog hosting company. Sorry about that.