Tea Time at Kensington Close Hotel

In the last couple of years, I've noticed more and more hotels offering 'Afternoon Teas'. In all honesty I only noticed as a lot more of my friends had started to suggest them as things to do instead of lunch or dinner, and even my mum and her pals went for tea at The Ritz.

As a non-tea or coffee drinker (hot choc is more my thing), afternoon tea didn't really appeal to me. I could definitely be swayed by the cakes on offer, but tea? No sale. It all seemed very fancy and la-dee-dah and just didn't seem like something I would enjoy.

I was wrong.

For my friend's recent birthday, she organised an afternoon tea at Kensington Close Hotel. I'd never been to or heard of this hotel before, even though it was tucked just behind High Street Kensington station. From the front, the hotel seemed very non-descript and the lobby was busy with people checking in and out.

The inside of the hotel was much nicer than the exterior and nicely decorated. It had just had a little revamp, so I was told.  We headed over to the bar area to where we would be sitting to have tea, and saw a few tables were already reserved for other afternoon tea-ers.

Now, I'm a greedy guts and suffer from eyesbiggerthanbellyitis. I always think that something like afternoon tea is not going to fill me up. How can a few tiny finger sandwiches, scones and a few cake samples fill me up? Well I was mistaken. It did fill me up and it was delicious.

When the waitress came over and presented us with a box of teas we could select from, I was extremely baffled. There was breakfast tea, earl grey, fruit teas, and tea blends. It was a box of mystery to me. Everyone else seemed to be having earl grey, so I went with the masses and opted for the same thing.

If you ever meet me, never ask me to make you a cup of tea. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know how long to leave a teabag in for, how much milk to add, basically I don't know how to make a cuppa. I didn't know how my tea should taste, so I just made up a cup of what looked like beige milk.

Anyway, this is the important part, what our food selection looked like, a veritable feast of tasty delights...

All in all, I would probably have afternoon tea again somewhere. Whether you are visiting London or live here, I would recommend it. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee approaching you could try one of the Jubilee  themed teas at the Haymarket Hotel or try the TLSee tea - Tea, London, Sightseeing - at Swissotel, where you'll find biscuits in the shape of London landmarks.

More tea anyone?

I Dream of Boracay!

I've been back from Philippines for a whole two months now and I am only just getting around to posting about it. Some of the details may have faded, but I will try and tell you as much as I can remember. So sit back and get comfy, as this post is going to be about as long as the journey itself.

The main reason I was going to the Philippines was to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday, which was of course fun, filled with family, and all the tasty food I could eat. Eating was a big part of this holiday.

Anyway, whenever I visit the Philippines, we usually just hang out with family and don't do many touristy things. However, this time was different. Mr B was coming to the Philippines for the first time ever and so we were going to fully embrace being tourists. After all, (to quote their current tourism slogan)  "It's more fun in the Philippines!" 

One of the things we were most excited about was going to Boracay. Frequently featured on the World's Best Beaches list, could this small island live up to its hype?

Errrm, yes.

Station 1: White Beach

We had talked about going to Boracay as part of our Philippines trip, but we didn't actually book it until two days before we were due to leave for Boracay. I can't remember the reasons for leaving it so late, and yes doing that did make it a bit stressful, but we got there in the end.

FLIGHTS
Boracay is only an hour by plane from Manila, and we had wanted to ideally fly from Clark airport, but there were no flights. Turns out, we were heading out to Boracay during one of the busiest times - Chinese New Year! Flights to Boracay though are very frequent and there are lots of airlines to choose from.

We booked our flights online with Cebu Pacific which was easy and relatively hassle free. We paid extra to be able to choose our seats on the plane. On the way to Boracay it was fine, but on the way back we weren't allowed to sit in our chosen seats; so that was a waste of money that we were not refunded for.

Tips: There are two airports that serve Boracay - Caticlan and Kalibo. I would suggest going to Caticlan as the transfers from there to the resorts/hotels are shorter, so you can start your holiday much sooner.

The traditional boats that will take you from Caticlan to the island.

Carry On Longchamp

Seriously, I don't know why I don't just buy one of these Longchamp bags. I seem to be always 'wishing' I had bought one.

First I let this Jeremy Scott credit card pliage bag slip by.

Then this very appropriate Jeremy Scott 'Greetings from Paradise' tote ...

Hmmm, I'm starting to see a Jeremy Scott theme here. 

Anyway, as both of these bags are long gone and consigned to the 'I wish' pile, my attention has been drawn to this Mary Katranzou 'Lantern' print tote. 

Available from Selfridges, £125

Wouldn't it just make a great holiday bag? I think so. 

Aren't They Handsome?

In just a few days I will be in the Philppines [insert excited fit here]. The main reason I'm going is to see my family and celebrate my granny dearest 90th birthday, but whilst I'm there I plan to take in some sights, visit a beach, and y'know all the usual holiday things you do.

I'm also doubly excited as not only has it been about 4 years since I last visited, it will be Mr. B's first time in the Philippines.

Anyway, my thoughts have turned back to packing for this trip and after seeing this We Are Handsome instagram photo, I started to think about swimwear...

I own one swimsuit and a couple of bikinis. However, I've never been a fan of bikinis, mainly because I just don't feel confident in them. It's just a lot of flesh on show for me. Really, do people need to see my belly button? So I have fully embraced the swimsuit. Problem is I need more.

That's where Australian brand We Are Handsome come in with their inspired printed swimwear - animals, underwater divers, galaxies, or '50s retro photos have all become covetable We Are Handsome swimwear.

Here is a small selection of We Are Handsome swimsuits that are on my 'Want' list:

We Are Handsome, Peacock Print - Net-A-Porter, £180

We Are Handsome, The Knight Print - Coggles, £120

We Are Handsome, Owl Print - Far Fetch, £185

More images after this short break...

Philippines via St. Tropez

After the torrential rainstorm that just passed over London, I cannot wait to see some sunshine.

Fortunately that won't be long now as next week I'll be heading for the Philippines. Excited at this point would seem like an understatement.

So of course my thoughts have turned to what to wear, what toiletries to bring etc.

As I make my virtual shopping list of 'essentials' that I must have for this trip, a couple of items that are screaming "TAKE ME" are these Wildfox Couture tees from ASOS...

Wildfox St Tropez T Dress

Wildfox Jet Set Inside Out Tee

Obviously I neeeeed these tees. If I don't have them, how will my fellow travellers know that I'm part of the jet-set? It's all very self-explanatory.