Planning a vintage summer tea party

With the weather being so unpredictable, showers then sunshine, we have needed some activities for indoors. Since my son is cake mad, really cake crazy, we thought we would bake some cupcakes using my latest pretty paper cupcake cases. And how lovely and quirky they are! 72 pastel cupcake cases with a charming vintage childhood illustration on the bottom and a sweet pattern around the sides. They would be perfect for an afternoon tea party.

Baking is magic. Mixing up the ingredients, spooning into the cases and then popping them into the oven whilst the aroma of vanilla encircles the room until finally golden brown little cakes are ready for decorating with coloured buttercream and sprinkles.
Even better when having a tea party although they take a little planning. 

1. Bring out the colourful, flowery bunting and the Union Jack flags for a perfect British tea party. I also love cake bunting as a simple but effective decoration topper, you can make them with scraps of fabric or card.

2. Use some free vintage tea party printables,  tags for tea cup handles tied on with baker's twine or labels for the cakes and sandwiches.

3. Flowers, flowers everywhere. Pick roses and other seasonal flowers from the garden and plunge into jam jars or bottles as centrepieces and as summery decoration around the room. Use edible flowers dusted with icing sugar to decorate cakes or in drinks as an elegant summer touch. Borage or viola flowers liven ice cubes up.

 4. Have a variety of cakes, mix shop bought with home made. Include biscuits and scones too and arrange on cake stands and plates.

 5. For the savoury side make sandwiches, mini tarts and quiche. Use cookie cutters to make heart shaped sandwiches.

6. Use vintage crockery - teapots, cups, saucers, sugar bowls, cake stands. The more mismatched the better. Team with a lacy or flowery tablecloth, doilies and napkins for a sweet little tea room look.

7. Have a variety of teas and coffees - flavoured syrups, herbal and fruit teas and decaffeinated available.

8. Don't forget the cold drinks too. Jugs of orange squash, maybe bottles of Cloudy lemonade with Kilner jars and stripy straws. Perhaps a cheeky Pimms and pot of mint to add too.  Lavender gin anyone?

image source: Kilner

9. Have lots of seating, mismatched chairs, cushions, bean bags, picnic blankets. Use upturned crates as mini tables and have an informal relaxed feel for a summer garden party.
10.  Go crazy with the glitter and sparkles on the cakes, around the rims of glasses, the pinker and girlier the better. Bowls of bon bons, jars of dolly mixtures and strawberries and cream. is that enough sugary treats?

pretty cakes baked by my friend

**I received some cupcake cases to review, words are my own honest opinion**