The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

A Royal Wedding cream tea.

This is my hat for the day - a Red Hat!

From the moment I Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their wedding date, I knew that it was an event that I simply couldn't miss!  

It helped that I had lived in Pimlico, London, for a time.   I got to visit Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace (where I had tea at the Orangery), St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.  

I even visited Althorp, where Princess Diana is buried.  I saw her wedding dress, and I met her brother, Earl Spencer there.  He autographed a copy of his book, Althorp: The Story of an English House for me.

I took the day off and prepared to celebrate the nuptials in my own way - with an English cream tea, my style!  

I live on the East Coast of the USA, so I woke up early - at 4:15 A.M.  It was perfect timing, and I was able to watch the wedding while commenting on the entire experience with friends via Facebook and Twitter - something that wasn't around when Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married.  My fingers flew across my iPad and iPhone and we gossiped and commented on all of the proceedings from four different countries - The USA, South Africa, England and Australia.

I absolutely loved the entire experience.  The term "Waity Katy" became a thing of the past the moment HRH Catherine Duchess of Cambridge stepped out of Westminster Abbey on the arm of her beaming new husband,  HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge.  His surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.

Our verdict - the bride was simply stunning and elegant, while her husband was intense and dashing, and he looked like he was completely in love with and enthralled by his new bride.

Her dress was gorgeous - simple yet intricate - apparently the seamstresses had to wash their hands every thirty minutes and change out their sewing needles every three hours in order to keep the dress as perfect as possible.

I was disappointed by the lack of flowers in Westminster Abbey.  The trees were a nice touch but I felt that it looked rather like trees in a shopping mall.  I think even just a few flowers would have been a nice touch.

Kiss and kiss again! The two kisses on the balcony were enough to make William flush with embarrassment and pleasure, it seemed, making him appear to be even more down to earth and appealing.

And as they drove off to Clarence House after the reception, in Prince Charles' vintage car, we all wished them well and everyone really does hope that they get it right and live out a happy life together.

Scones with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam.

As for our cream tea, I had to have my all time favorite - Twinings English Breakfast Tea, served with raisin and orange walnut scones with clotted cream (yes, the real thing) and strawberry jam.  If you have never had clotted cream before, you should try it.  It is an extra thick velvety cream that is made by heating milk and then leaving it to cool slowly in a shallow pan.  Cornish clotted cream is made only by using milk from cows in Cornwall.

Chocolate Petit Fours and a Vanilla Petit Four shaped like a red hat with a flower were perfect to nibble on.

A Teapot Teaspoon is a nice touch.

Cheesecake, orange cake and a cherry tartlet helped make my simple tea simply decadent!
 

My favorite cuppa - English Breakfast Tea.

If you are interested in Cream Tea or High Tea (which includes sandwiches), check out the two videos that I included in this post.

I make a point to have cream tea or high tea wherever I am in the world, including The Ritz in London and The Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace Hotel in Egypt.  Below are two videos that I made, one about the charming New Leaf Tea Room in Riverton, New Jersey, and the other about The Victorian Lounge in Egypt.  Enjoy!

If you watched the Royal Wedding, I hope that you had as much fun as we did!

Until next time!

- The Sassi Wench

Afternoon Tea at Sofitel Old Winter Palace, Luxor, Egypt

My mother and I recently returned from Egypt, where we had the most incredible holiday experience.

To see a video about my experience, click here:

We were fortunate enough to stay at the Sofitel Old Winter Palace in Luxor, which has housed many famous guests since it opened in 1886.  Prince Charles, Agatha Christie, the famous archeologist Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhmun in 1922, have all stayed in this hotel.

The afternoon tea included cake, fruit scones, custard, macaroons (which were incredibly delicious!), and assorted toasted sandwiches.

The Victorian Lounge

The hot tea was just perfect!  It was piping hot, and I had mine as I usually do, with milk. The sandwiches and cake were good - I have had better, but then I have had tea in several different countries, including The Ritz in London.  While the sandwiches at the Old Winter Palace certainly can't compare, the actual hot brewed tea most certainly can!

We loved the macaroons!

A part of the hotel is new, built in the 1990's and the other part was built in 1886. The Victorian Lounge is in the old building of the hotel.  Upon entering, you feel like you are in another time and place.  We felt like we were in the board game, Clue (or Cluedo, as it is known in some countries).  I expected Colonel Mustard to meet me in the Billiard Room, which is just down the hall from the Victorian Lounge! 

The Victorian Lounge had great ambiance.

An Oasis in the Desert.

I was captivated by this painting.

The staff in this hotel are very friendly and provide exceptional service.

Overall, I would highly recommend this incredible and literal oasis in the desert - The Sofitel Old Winter Palace Hotel, and along with that recommendation, afternoon tea there is a must.  It harkens back to another era, and it's a welcome reprieve from the incessant heat of the desert.

- The Sassi Wench

Afternoon Tea at The New Leaf Tea Room, Riverton, New Jersey USA

The Stunning New Leaf Tea Room

The New Leaf has great ambiance.

There are 3 separate dining rooms.

Attention is payed to every detail.

Tea cups hang from a chandelier.

The meal was inventive, tasty and bountiful.   

I decided on a crisp, fresh salad to start.

The bill/check, is left on the table in a black rose ribbon purse.

The Gift Shoppe

It's all very romantic.

I was fortunate enough to spend a delightful afternoon having tea at The New Leaf Tea Room in the quaint Victorian town of Riverton, New Jersey, USA.

We had "Royal Tea", which included a pot of hot tea, freshly baked scones served with Devonshire cream and preserves, an assortment of tea sandwiches and savories, dessert, and your choice of a soup or salad.

Owner Phyllis Rodgers has paid the utmost attention to even the smallest detail, and even the power room is one of the best that I have seen.

While you are there, visit the beautiful gift shop, and stock up on tea, scented candles, dried flowers and other gifts.

Service was attentive and excellent, the tea was hot, and the food sumptuous. You feel completely relaxed, as if you have been welcomed into a cozy and charming home. I highly recommend this tea room.

The New Leaf Tea Room caters to special occasions, and it's perfect for birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers or red hat gatherings!

The Tea Room is located in a house built in 1889. The adjacent building was built in 1910 and was originally an apothecary.

The New Leaf Tea Room & Gift Shoppe
606 Main Street
Riverton, NJ 08077
856-786-0323
USA

Reservations are required.

Riverton is a listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is located near the scenic Delaware River.
http://www.thenewleaftearoom.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverton...

Special thanks to the owner Phyllis, who was kind enough to give me permission to film inside the buildings.


Email sassiwench@gmail.com http://twitter.com/sassiwench


- The Sassi Wench

My Dream Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Miracle

Afternoon Tea at Sea.

The Carnival Miracle.

Gatsby's Garden.

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.

We just returned from a vacation of a lifetime!  We have an incredible experience on the Carnival Miracle Cruise ship to the Caribbean.


Firstly, kudos to Carnival - the ship was clean and safe, the staff friendly and helpful, and the food and entertainment was outstanding!


The ship itself is an incredibly kitschy Las Vegas Style work of art that has to be seen to be believed!


All in all, we had the most memorable and fun experience.  If you like the video I posted above, click below to see me talk about my vacation.


- The Sassi Wench