The County Hotel: Mother's Day Afternoon Tea with a Twist!

What can be more quintessentially British than Afternoon tea?! I'll tell you what! Downton Abbey inspired Afternoon Tea, that's what! It has became tradition to do Afternoon Tea for Mother's Day so when I seen The County Hotel advertising their Downton Abbey twist, I had to see if it really was an amazing as it sounded.

 

 

 

 

 

On entering the hotel we were directed to the 1st floor in the suite. We entered the room and were instantly transported to a distant time gone by. All female staff were dress in traditional maids outfits, tables were dressed with antique candelabras, draped in pearls whilst the butler tended to people. Once out booking had been confirmed we were shown to a table and my Mam was handed a lovely potted flowering plant, which was a gift from The County Hotel to all Mother's attending. I didn't see any mention of this little touch through social media etc so this was really unexpected and heart warming!

 

 

 

 

Once we were seated we had a chance to take in the atmosphere. There was a projector at the front of the room with a showreel of old clips of Newcastle through the years. Fenwick in the early days, trams and even street parades whilst the Downton theme tuned tinkled in the background. Not long after we were greeted with a lovely pot of tea for us to share (the Hendricks tea sets were gorgeous and totally necessary!)  

 

 

 

 

 

After sipping tea for a short while, the lovely butler informed us that food would be arriving very soon and right on queue, it did. The typical cake stand filled with treats graced our table. We started with sandwiches, of course daaahlings. Curried egg (very apt), salmon and cucumber - my personal fave, and ham with mustard seeds. 

 

 

 

 

Then moving on to the scones, topped with jam & clotted cream then mini Victoria sponges. Totally crucial key players in every afternoon tea. But we all know the top layer is what everyone lives for... That's where the culinary gems are. We started we the praline whipped chocolate mouse topped with cinder toffee, very rich but just enough.

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was the lemon drizzle cheesecake. Perfectly formed lemon topped cheesecake laid on a crunch base sprinkled with chocolate shavings. Both me and my mam loved this! Tangy and smooth and we wished there was more.

 

 

 

 

Then 2 macaroons, perfectly melt in the mouth texture, and also fruits of the forest mini tarts topped with blueberries, strawberry & kiwi chunks. 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst we got lost in the food whirlwind we were well looked after and our pot of tea was topped up numerous times. Because afternoon tea aint' afternoon tea if the ta is cold. The staff were amazing in making sure we both had an amazing experience and I seriously enjoyed this... oh and my mam loved it too. I kept forgetting this wasn't for me but I loved every second. My mam loved the experience and couldn't stop talking about all the little details once we got home. And as a fan of Downton Abbey I found myself imagining what it would have been like to be served on like a Lady.  For anyone looking to dine at The County Hotel I would highly recommend this, and truly feel that the staff went all out to make us welcomed and well served!

 

 

Oh and for what we couldn't manage, we had boxed up for us to take home to enjoy later. Perfect. Go check out the newly refurbished County Hotel and check out their other services too!

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

Pumpkins in my bath! LUSH Halloween Haul

The Halloween Collection everyone has been raving about. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, it keeps popping up on my feeds. So obviously I had to see what all of the fuss is about.

 

 

 

 

Off I trotted to my local Lush store (which is Eldon Sq, Newcastle) and bounded into the cloud of lushness. Those of you who have been into Lush, you know that smell.  I spotted the Halloween section and knew exactly what I had to do... Buy it all. Yep. That's what I did. And I have no shame ha!  

 

 

 

So first out of my bag is the Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar. Literally a glitter dipped bath bar. Glitter galore. If you love glitter then you need this in your life. If you despise glitter and its dark magic ways of getting everywhere then maybe avoid this one. This is specifically the one I've been seeing a tonne featured on social media. Probably because it is so 'instagrammable.' **

 

£3.95

 

**DISCLAIMER

 

I do not own the rights to this words and nor did I coin this phrase. This is all the work of fellow blogger Ruth. Ie. That is soooo instagrammable. The lighting is too dark in here, my photos really aren't instagrammable.

 

This bubble bar is to be broken off and melted under your running bath water (meaning it lasts a good while.) It smells like autumn in a bag. Even after a few days, I stuck my nose into the infamous Lush paper packaging bag and gave it a smell. Deep earthy tones and it's not a wonder as it is filled with essential oils which are released when it bubbles under warm water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next out of the bag (quite literally) was the Lord Of Misrule Bath Bomb. A gorgeous green bomb to be dropped in the bath with disarray and pure joy once you see it slowly froth away. A mischievous mixture of patchouli & black pepper oil with a deep wine coloured centre which reveals itself once the deep green exterior has vanished. When you get up close, you'll see this one is speckled with different colours. Kind of like a confetti covered bath bomb. On later inspection of the label, this one has popping candy in it. POPPING CANDY IN A BATH BOMB. I think life is now complete.

 

£3.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monster's Ball is the one with the character. I think we should name her Celia. Celia the Cyclops. This one has a sort of fruity smell to it, like mulled wine has a spike of orange. That's the only way I can translate this scent into words. And with the pink and blue, I'm guessing this one is going to be instagrammable when dropped into the bath leaving a trail of rainbow colours behind!

 

£4.25

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, so these had me curious. I thought the Boo Melts were a crumbly sort of texture just like the bombs and bars. But seemingly I was wrong. These are a waxy melt texture and they are to be used in the same way as a bath bomb. Apparently when dropped into the bath, they melt away and create a creamy, scented haven for you to lie back and indulge in. With a musky vanilla scent with ginger and Fair Trade organic cocoa combined with mandarin oil and sandalwood, this one smells divine.

 

£3.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but never least is the Pumpkin Bath Bomb. I am itching to literally drop this from a great height into my bath and watch the orange sphere fizz away until there is no more. There is something quite satisfying about watching them disappear, right? This design really reminds me of old

school hand carved pumpkins which parents all over the world would slave over for one evening of the year. Pumpkin spice, orange and cinnamon are what I can smell from this beauty. Enriching the smell of home baking and bringing the nostalgia of autumn & Halloween to make us feel super cosy and satisfied.

 

£3.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As far as seasonal products go, I think Lush really hit the nail on the head with this. I'm looking forward to what they have planned for Christmas products.

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

 

Luxe Scent: Si Le Parfum

 

It may have eluded some of you that I'm a bit of a luxe beauty lover. Go figure, right?! When Giorgio Armani invited me to their fragrance launch of Si Le Parfum in Fenwick Newcastle, I obviously obliged! If you haven't heard of the Si fragrance line, then I recommend you to explore. The 3 fragrances truly investigate many different levels of the Armani woman. Strong, sensual, glamorous whilst understated & accomplished. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Before getting our hands on the new scent, we were shown the other 2 from the Si range. The original - Si Rose Signature is a very light hearted carefree, springtime sort of aroma whilst Si Intense is deep and enveloping in many layers. I preferred the latter but the first was very refreshing too!

 

 

 

Between smelling each scent, we were given coffee beans to smell. This helps to clear your airway for the next scent, which in turn gives you a truer smell. Trying different scents can get a little full on and they all start to smell the same so doing this really helps you take in each fragrance and the underlying notes.

 

 

 

 

Si Le Parfum is true to the Armani spirit is sensual and yet chic and it lingers on the skin. When I was a child, women would pass me whilst shopping and they'd be carrying expensive designer paper shopping bags, dressed in camel coats and pretty heels and left behind was their perfume while I looked in awe at "the pretty lady." This scent reminds me of that, the woman who makes an entrance and wants to be remembered. However, not necessarily through her expensive handbag or pricey blow dry, but through her spirit, her words and her opinions. It is a true nod to adventure, sophistication, freedom and living life to the full!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What creates such a diverse fragrance I hear you ask (at your computer screens and phones of course because this is blog land and you're unfortunately not here to share my stories with.) This beauty of a fragrance is a delicate blend of blackcurrant essence and bergamot. It then moves in to hearty tones of frankincense, jasmine absolute & osmanthus  amber accord which trails off into vanilla and patchouli hints. This fragrance wraps around your skin with a glowing warmth and leaves you feeling like you can conquer all. With 25% essential oils, it is a true luxurious purchase which truly allows you to embrace your femininity, strength and confidence.

 

 

 

 

Prosecco and Italian nibbles kept us going through the whole scent extravaganza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fenwick concession of Giorgio Armani currently have a winter 'gift' with certain qualifying purchases. Head over their to get your hands on this beautiful fragrance and also pick up your gift too.  The gift is a beautiful pocket mirror which comes in a luxurious stitched wallet emblazoned with the gold GA logo and contrasting patent and matte leather. Such a lovely little treat to yourself if you're already on a spending spree.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're looking to buy for yourself or for a gift, Fenwick Newcastle offer Si Le Parfum at £115 for 40ml perfect for handbag adventures. It's also available in more substantial sizes at 50ml & 100ml.  

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X