Mother's Day Afternoon Tea of dreams with Amara Living.

I love a bit of Afternoon Tea. Cakes, cupcakes and teeny tiny sandwiches cut into little rectangles, with no crusts in sight. But that is nothing compared to tiered cake stands, delicate bone china tea cups with saucers, sassy little plates and cake slices that are fancier than anything I've seen in a long time. When Amara Living asked me to create a Mother's Day Afternoon Tea themed post, I practically jumped at the chance because I love love loooove afternoon tea. I'll actually take cake and tea at any time of day, but I think that there's something so special about having it in the afternoon, and what could be more wonderful than sharing it with the people that you love the most? In this case, it was my parents, and for a little pre-Mother's day celebration, as I'll be working all day on the actual day that is Mother's Day. So, to celebrate we had some amazing Victoria Sponge cake slices, lemon drizzle cupcakes, ginger cake squares with a ginger syrup... yum.. but before that, the sandwiches. Smoked Salmon, Cucumber and a slather of cream cheese in crustless bread as well as creamy, soft egg mayonnaise sandwiched between two fluffy pieces of bread. I'll stop now to let you wipe away the salvia that's dripping from your mouth... because believe me, just by writing this, I am drooling.

Crumb speckled Kate Spade tidbit plates* were used to be the means of hoarding all of the sandwiches and cake, because hey, in my house, an afternoon tea session is an excuse to eat a ridiculous amount of cake.. whether in a pretty little package, or looking like a small doorstop. We don't discriminate when it comes to cake. With slogans such as Salut!, Care for seconds?, Pull up a chair and What a spread! these plates are as perfect for an indoor treat as an outdoor one, thanks to their beautiful and sturdy plastic nature. I can imagine these holding numerous little delicacies whilst the sun beams down, and I'm sat on a little gingham throw, with daisies and buttercups all around. I'm nothing if not a romantic when it comes to situations involving food.












Not only were they carriers of tiny sandwiches and robust cupcakes, but they were home to delicious slices of Victoria Sponge cake, which looked like a dream, sprinkled with icing sugar snow and little jewels of red strawberry popping out from under the thick deluge of cream. It's all so good. So good. You can bet that after these were taken, the cake slices were quickly demolished... as who can say no to a cake that's light, moist and so quintessentially wonderfully? Two sponges sandwiching jam, sliced strawberries and dollops of cream - it's everything I dream about. Yes, I do dream about cake... you jealous?

And what better to slice and manoeuvre one of my favourite foods, than a cake slice that's pretty much fancier than any other cutlery that I own? Say hello to Baci Milano's Evergreen Cake Slicer* in a beautiful clear finish, making is seem like a ghost cake slice... adding to my theme of the Afternoon Tea of dreams. It's a stunning addition to a table of roses, cake and sandwiches. With curved edges and an ornate handle, this baroque meets contemporary cake slice is definitely one that I'll be using to impress anyone who wants a slice of cake... and who wouldn't want one when it looks that good? The most important piece that you'e going to ask me... was the cake slice easy to use? It's a piece of cake. Haha. I had to go there. I just had to. A sturdy cake slice and a cake with too much cream may seem like a bit of a disaster, but I'll have you know, I actually managed it quite well. Me being one of the clumsiest and messiest people ever. No cream on the table cloth, and no jam on my fingers. It's a small success, as I do love licking strawberry jam off of sticky fingers.









Amara Living has some beautiful items, ready to be dispatched next day, so if you're struggling to find anything for Mother's Day, then take a quick peek... you won't regret it. From homeware and  kitchenware to luxurious candles and elegant furnishings, it's a website that's gathered all of the best things together, so you can get it easily, and as quickly as possible. It's as easy as pie. Damn, there was no pie on my table during Afternoon Tea... I'll just have to organise another. Oh what a shame.

You can find the beautiful and quirky Kate Spade plates (£26, here) and the Baci Milano Cake Slice  (£8, here) on www. amara.com. If anyone would like any recipes, just let me know, so then you can all enjoy the most delicious Victoria Sponge cake.