Tea Loaf

On Saturday I had a real urge to bake a tea loaf, so I boiled the kettle, made some tea and left the fruit to soak overnight. In the morning I got out this simple recipe, which does what it says on the tin: easy! No butter is required (healthy!) so you just combine 8oz self raising flour, 4 oz sugar, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of marmalade and combine with the fruit and remaining tea. I also added a teaspoon of mixed spice. 180deg and one hour later - voila! Quick and easy tea bread.

Tea Pigs

When we were in Cambridge the weekend before last we had brunch in Fitzbillies. To quench my thirst I had a good ol' cuppa; but it wasn't any old tea. It was a teapig. Even though it was just an English breakfast, it was the most delicious tea I've had, ever I think! Even better than my favourite Lady Grey! Teapigs come in tea temples, biodegradable bags which are better for proper tea and they come in some most magnificent flavours: popcorn tea, jasmine pearls tea, spiced winter red tea, super fruit tea, chilli chai and chocolate flake tea. I'm just gonna have to get trying!

Images from teapigs

Macaroni & Tea

We've been exploring Manchester alot since we moved up. I've already set my sights on doing a ballet and jazz dance class on Mondays (I forgot I even had muscles after this week's class!) Luce and I stumbled across Sugar Junction in the Northern Quarter, a cute little tea shop on Tib Street. We were served a delicious macaroni cheese and I'd definitely like to go back for an afternoon tea.

TLV: Spending Sheqels

The Flea Market in Jaffa is open throughout the week though mainly on Tuesdays and Fridays. There are bric-a-brac stalls and permanent vendors, such as shoe makers, Aladdin's caves of everything that comes to your imagination - hundreds of hanging scissors - and trendy homewares.

Nahalat Binyamin is an arts and crafts market which we wandered through on Friday. You can buy from delicate glass vases to faces carved into wood.

Ha Kamel is the food in Tel Aviv which is open early everyday. The sight and smells of the fresh fruit, veg and herbs is incredible as well as spices and teas. Baklava, pastries and sweets are also for sale.

Gavriel by Rubi Israeli is a homewares store, a bit like Laura Ashley but a tad more vintage. Alongside crockery and vases, there is jewellery, globes and even an old car. I bought a cute glass cup and saucer for just 10NIS (£2!)

Sabon started off in Israel but now has shops around the world - except in the UK! It's interior is like an old chemists shop and sells gorgeous products.

The Farkash Gallery in Jaffa has a massive range of vintage posters, many from El Al airlines and tourism artwork. I got one of a woman working on a kibbutz.

The Palais Des Thes on Dizengoff is an upmarket tea shop which sells a variety of loose teas and beautiful Japanese teawares. We were greeted with a mango tea taster too.

...and that's just a taster!

Images 1&2: Jaffa Flea Market 3: Jersularm Arab Quarter 4: Ha Kamel market 5: Rubi Israeli

Tea or Cocktail

My pipe dream - as I'm sure I've mentioned before - is to have a little tea and cake shop with creative bits and pieces on the side. My new friend Emma at work has a similar one, maybe it's something to do our creativity needing more than design on CAD.

I got reading David Gandy's blog following an interview in Stella, and he mentioned this place in North London called Drink, Shop & Do. You can drink tea or cocktails, eat cakes or go to a knit or pumpkin carving evening that they have each week. It sounds right up my street - I must pay a visit! (Plus I would not be disappointed if we bumped into Mr Gandy there!)

Image from Drink, Shop & Do