My new favorite hangouts in Norwich

It's not often that I pop into Norwich - or anywhere else for that matter at the moment.  I should cut bills and just live in the office ha ha!!

Anyway I met up with the lovely Ruthie and we popped to Talc  on Timber Hill for a spot of lunch.  Odd name for a restaurant but a cute place all the same.  It's a mix of vintage decors and crockery, warmth & friendly service - ooh and nice food too.  

And my fav bars are still Franks Bar, Birdcage and the fabulous X Bells which serves the best cocktails in town.  

Mr Fabulous & I popped in for a few on their finest.  They mix incredible Bloody Mary's, vintage style double G&T's yuuuuuum, Old Fashioned, Vespers .......  and yes, I did have a bit of a headache the next day!! Serves me right.  

Anyway as well as the superb drinks it's a pretty cool place with a log fire & Chesterfields, an old red phone box with a cash machine in it and a wall of whiskys! 

 and nice decor and friendly bar team.
I've even taken my parents there after a day of antique shops, vintage fairs & a jaunt to the cinema to see The Artist.

This weekend we have a 1940's event with a Big Band and a vintage flea market ooooh lovely, if I can fit a lay in and a walk on the beach it will be perfect!

Flea Market also on Sunday 25th March 11 - 4pm with local musicians, pop up bar & lounge, tea & cakes. £1 entry.  Can't wait!! 

What are you up to this weekend?  I'd love to know xxxx

Vintage Valentine

Vintage Valentines greetings to you all xxx

 Well it's that sickly day of the year again.  

Much to Mr Fabulous' dismay, I am not one of the great romantics! 

 I did however buy a card & write a little ditty in it....

 And I will dress up in a pretty frock (no ribbons in my hair though) for dinner tonight.

 I shall try my best not too drink too much & become irritating (argumentative!)

 And I will maintain my best table manners & behave like a lady.

 Honest!!

I should count my blessings ....One friend is desperately hoping that she won't get another heart holding cuddly teddy bear - could be worse if it was in a helium balloon too ha ha.

xxx

Rest in Peace Whitney Houston

Sad news, I can only assume that the addictions won in the end. 

However it was only last weekend I was on a hen do dancing away to a few of her best 80's hits - "I wanna dance with somebody" got the whole group going & some of the girls weren't even born in the 80's.  The bar played the video too with her huuuuge blonde curls - oooh the memories!!  I also confess to watching Thw Bodyguard on TV a couple of weeks ago - Everyone in my family had been given the soundtrack album forever ago ha ha.  Many an hour was spent warbling away to that!!! Also had a cringy crush on Keving Costner in this film ooohhhh dear; should I be admitting that!! 

Anyway I hope Whitney & her incredible voice are in a happier place now.  

xxx

It's almost here but Merry Christmas Eve Eve anyway! x

Seasons Greetings and all that jazz! 

I finally feel Chrismassy - it won't last as i have an 8 hour train journey before I meet up with the relatives and pop lots of bubbles.  Might have to sneak some Babycham in my bag as I shall be a grouch after about 2 hours. 

The reason for my Christmas mood arriving just in the nick of time is reading some lovely blogs. Ahhhh like a breath of fresh festive air with bells and baubles on!

Anyway I've finished work for a few days hurrahhh so I'm celebrating... Bambi makes me smile.

I do have some decorations to sparkle whilst I blog.  I'm also listening to the Puppini Sisters Christmas album an yes I bought the Buble too!!!  We have some big band going onnnnnnnn h

This is Albert, my miniature tree with  vintage chandelier crystal and little lights.

Dried hog weed (I think) with vintage baubles in silvers & golds and Albert in daylight!

We had an early family Christmas party - Puttin' on the Ritz at Mater & Pater's house.  Not the best photo but this is my brother's (he's the ginge) mother in law who is a sweetie (she was really ill & just flown in bless her) my mama, papa, Charles's No.1 in a mischievous mood, me in vintage but looking a frump ha ha.  Anyway it was a lovely eve, nice to black tie every so often & being a historically military family since forever. It was nice to see the mess dress.  My brother spent much time in a peace core re-housing & helping to smooth the hatred of neighbours who had different beliefs or opinions.  He as some lovely stories of the wonderful people he met, quite humbling.  Whatever people think of the reasons behind conflicts & wars, there are some incredible people fighting for independence & safety of their families & countries.  It's just a shame we can't all just get along.  

Anway guess it's time I ate, the glass of rose I had before the babycham has made me tipsy & ramble on!!!

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas eve eve, Christmas actual eve and Christmas day.  Hope you get to spend it with your loved ones, if only in your dreams as the song goes.  My bf is off the coast of Africa but I'm sure I can dream up some mistletoe ha ha xxxxxxxxx

Top Hat & Tails

Apologies for being AWOL for so long, juggling is clearly not my strong point!! Anyway this week was Mr Fabulous' Birthday so instead of prettily wrapped gifts I went for a flurry of evening events. 

Last night was a trip to see Top Hat at Norwich Theatre Royal.  We got all dressed up & forgot to take photos .  Not quite the full top hat & tails but we felt rather pleased with our efforts.  Going to the theatre always reminds me of being a little girl & Mummy taking me to the ballet.  I would have my prettiest swishy skirt on & hold my posture as best I could in the hope that someone would notice that I too was a ballerina - if only once a week!! My niece is just the same & loves performing pirouettes for anyone who asks!!

Anyway a very kind gentleman with the most fabulous moustache did complement me on my outfit & said that I looked as though I should have been on the stage too (I don't like to think that he meant sweeping it!!).

So sadly it was the last night in Norwich but it really was worth going to see if you love classic music from the movies, 1930's fashions, wonderful sets & magical choreography.  Anyway the tap dancing was superb and I think Fred & Ginger would have been pleased with Tom & Summer's dancing.  Following in the footsteps of two utter legends must have been super scary.  

Anyway I'm off to purchase the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers box set... I'm thinking evenings in with log fires, classic movies and possibly a cocktail or two.    

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend xxxx

My Vintage Tea Party

I've seen a few blogs about this wonderful book and two from very stylish ladies Fleur and Gemma who had the delight of attending the launch party. Their blogs cover this book in more detail too so you will see just how lovely it is.

Anyway I heard about this vintage tea party book & snapped one up straight away, immediately copied off an invitation template (from the book) added a date two days later (what was I thinking) and organised my very own vintage tea party.

The book covers all things from venues, decorations, vintage hair styling & make up to loads of inventive recipes. Lemon scones with lavender cream is something I'm keen to try out and the candy striped meringues may well be a feature at the next dinner party!! There are drinky poos ideas too & wild hibiscus champagne and Gunfire (Dark Rum & Breakfast Tea!!) sound incredible. .... temped yet??

Please excuse my poor & lack of photos but my friends arrived on time (a concept I struggle to achieve myself) and Mr F & I were still making sandwiches. Well you can't fault the freshness ha ha!!

The mini trifles and Pimms Jelly were my favourite makes - although using my old glass jelly molds didn't work. Basically they looked like they had jumped from the balcony and splatted on the plate!! What I really wanted was a selection of mismatched glasses for the jelly.

The open cream cheese & cucumber sandwiches idea in the book is fabulous & went down very well - mine were square due to time (lack of) but were popular all the same. Oh and I would always recommend cheese & pineapple on sticks - these went before I could blink!!

I also managed to have an empty plate on the table .... there were so many cakes thanks to Mummy Butterfly that the office has been stuffing their faces for Britain this week!!

Anyway everyone had fun & enjoyed the food & drinks - some even had tea!

The book is lovely and really inspiring, I think there may be a few spin off tea parties - I'll be glad to attend this time - as fun as it was, it's a lot of work.

Thankfully it's a nice relaxing bank holiday weekend for me -Pimms jelly for breakfast anyone??!! Have a wonderful weekend xxx

The Vintage Tea Party Book by Angel Adoree lovely £10.00 on Amazon.

Crafts, Cars, Chaps & Cakes

Last Sunday Mr Fabulous was enjoying a chin wag and a good ole mug of tea with Mr Perfect. Let me tell you that Mr Fabulous (self titled) boyfriend of mine’s ego smashes through the roof when he’s dressed up like the dapper chap he likes to be & Mr Perfect is yours truly’s Pater. Named actually by my Mater, as he can do no wrong (at least that’s what he thinks!!).

Anyway back to a very splendid sunny afternoon in the Norfolk countryside. We all popped along to the Norwich Rugby Club for a charity afternoon tempted by the lure of vintage cars and the best of British… the Spitfire!! The chaps were silent at last, just grins like small boys as the Spitfire spiralled, pirouetted and dropped through the air.. finally disappearing through a perfectly shaped hole in the clouds.

The fellas chuntered on some more, so their lasses sodded off for a coffee.

Anyway this Sunday is the great Burnham Market Craft Fair – the 36^th year indeed. This is possibly Mummy Butterflies & my favorite events. Great weather, lovely people, lots of gorgeous things to try & buy all in a beautiful setting. Saturday 20^th August 10am to 5pm there’s lots for everyone to enjoy.

Last month Mr Fabulous had been a pillar of support for us luck girlies at the Vintage London Festival. Doffing his hat and offering sweet salutations to ladies a plenty. There is no end to the suffering will go to for me… (seriously, his ego was the size of an airship and polished to mirror finish). When he was repeatedly asked by pretty young ladies if they could have their photo taken with him!! Ooh Rather!!!

Anyway I’m rambling as usual. So for anyone feeling that they would like to meet the real Mr Fabulous and you happen to be around North Norfolk on Saturday then please pop along and say whatto ole chap, how the devil are you & toodle pip old stick and so on. Anyway Mr F will be doffing the straw boater this very weekend or if you prefer jewellery of the vintage & up-cycled persuasion then come & see Mummy B & I. We are all dressing for the occasion in different eras.

I'm not photogenic at the best of times... but Elvis on the dashboard is!! Coool and check out his Hula hula lady friend!

Hope you all have a fabulous fun filled weekend xxx