Afternoon Tea

This time of year presents so many special opportunities to get together with friends and family. For me, this holiday season is extra special with a little one in tow, and I can’t wait to introduce our baby girl to the many traditions that make the Christmas season so special in our family. Aside from decorating the tree and seeing the Nutcracker, some of my fondest holiday memories are of afternoon tea with my mother and late grandmother—the two women after whom Colette was named. I so look forward to many years of carrying on this tradition with Coco—to say nothing of the many pretend tea parties that will undoubtedly take place in the playroom.

The Vibe:

Styling Tips:

During holiday season chaos, it can be really nice (and restorative), to take an afternoon away from it all with your nearest and dearest. Afternoon tea (note, this is what the Brits actually call having tea, rather than “high tea”—which is more like an early supper), is perfect for taking your time, enjoying a quiet moment… and obviously enjoying sandwiches and treats in miniature sizes. Of course, the occasion also demands you don your most ladylike frock.

Indeed, a British-inspired afternoon deserves a dress to match, so for today’s tea I’m wearing the Floral-Appliquéd Cady A-Line Dress by Lela Rose. And while she’s an American designer, I think Lela Rose captured the essence of an English afternoon tea in one perfect, feminine dress. I love the way this lacy floral appliqué kind of encases the bodice of the dress, and gives it a level of interest that allows for very simple styling otherwise. The appliqué also slightly curves around the back, too, which I thought was a really beautiful detail (you can see the back better in photos below!).

LELA ROSE

Lace Trimmed Crepe Dress (affordable alternative HERE)

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Hangisi Pump (affordable alternatives HERE and HERE)

The dress doesn’t need too much by way of accessories, but Her Royal Highness Princess Coco certainly does. That’s why for our afternoon tea outing today she’s cruising to the Plaza in our Balmoral Hand-Crafted Pram Stroller by Silver Cross, which is quite honestly the nicest vehicle anyone in this house has ever ridden in. These vintage-inspired prams are actually handmade in Yorkshire and feel like they’re out of a different place and time. Undoubtedly, the baby will now be pushed in nothing else.

SILVER CROSS

Balmoral Pram

ALAIA

Square Sunglasses (affordable alternative HERE)

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Hangisi Pump (affordable alternatives HERE and HERE)

In sporting this look and nestling Colette in her pram, I couldn’t help but reflect on my baby shower prior to her arrival which was afternoon tea-themed, too. Now that she’s actually here, memories of that afternoon seem even more magical. I can’t wait to make many more afternoon tea memories with her for years to come. If she still insists on being pushed in a luxury pram at 13 though, we’ve got problems.