No afternoon tea party is complete without a gorgeous teapot and a string of pearls! I pounced on this divine silver plated teapot in Venice and lugged it around for three months, much to my husband’s dismay. The pearls are costume jewellery from the amazing treasure trove that is Portobello Markets.
Notes
This blog is a journey that encapsulates a number of my life’s loves….drawing, baking, family and friends and teacups! Over the years I have collected, some would say, a ridiculous amount of china, silver, linen and lace. Each piece is cherished with a story just begging to be told.
When I started this project I was amazed at the generosity of family and friends who threw open their secret family recipe files and donated their favourite afternoon tea treats. As with my beloved objects, every recipe comes dripping in history.
Each week I will share with you a new illustration, a new recipe, a new tale. I hope you enjoy my musings as much as I have enjoyed creating them.
The Art of Afternoon Tea has been featured in publications including delicious. Magazine, Home Beautiful Magazine, Madison Magazine, Harper’s BAZAAR Magazine, SHOP Til You Drop Magazine, Bride to Be Magazine, WHITE Magazine, Wedding Celebration Magazine, Complete Weddings Melbourne Magazine as well as the online sites and blogs listed under the Blog Love section on the side bar.
A little about me…
I studied at Fashion Design at East Sydney Technical College, Sydney, graduating in 2002. I have worked in the Fashion Industry for the past ten years as a Senior Designer at labels Ted Baker in London, Collette Dinnigan and Little Joe Woman in Sydney as well as being the director of my own label Alexandra Nea.
The love of painting and illustrating has been with me from a very young age however it has been only in the past few years that I have begun to reconnect with my favourite pastime. The Art of Afternoon Tea is my way of sharing my illustrating world with you, dear reader.
There is something so homely and comforting about your illustrations, recipes and accompanying tales. I love it!
Thanks Mich! Great to have you on board..look forward to a new illustration and recipe each week x
Yummy!
Al congratulations, this is amazing! And so heavily into the digital world – good work! Am absolutely loving the illustrations as well, they’re stunning. xx
Wow, this is an absolutely beautiful blog – unique and inspiring! Look forward to future posts.
I love this illustration. I could almost pick up the pearls and feel their meatiness and weight. Your choice for the first recipe is really lovely.
Good luck with your new project
Al,
I want a seat at your table! Cannot wait to try your chocolate cake as it is everyones favourite!
Congratulations on such an exquisite blog. I would love these illustrations as stationery………mmm!
Yes a good thought Anna! Well if the demand is there…
What a beautifully crafted site. I look forward to receiving some inspiration in the kitchen!
Brilliant idea!
I was made aware of this blog through a friend of yours. I am a lover of cooking, so look forward to seeing more of your recipes, and the drawings an amazing touch. Good luck with your blog.
I’m salivating at my desk and waiting eagerly for your next post.
xxx
How gorgeous is this? Tried and true recipes – what a winner! I echo the stationery idea, and how lovely it would be to receive a birthday card which includes the recipe illustrated on the front? Can’t wait to see more!
What a beautiful site! I love the illustrations and I am looking forward to some of your family’s treasured recipes from those famous cooks.
Hi Alex, enjoyed a great meal with your folks last night. Love your work. Cheers Colin
Hi Al,
Still trying to subscribe, am loving the blogs and the beautiful drawing.. Cant wait until it gets published xoxox
Hi there,
I’ve just come across your blog (thanks to Love You Big) and thought you’d love this: http://www.suessi.at
It’s a French tea room in Vienna, Austria – I realise it’s a bit far away, but I still thought you’d like it! I personally prefer regular Viennese cafés, but the cups at Süssi (a word play combining Empress Elisabeth, called “Sisi”, and the German word for sweet, “süß”) are lovely.
Looking forward to reading your blog,
Christine
What an utterly gorgeous site! Thanks for sending this through Christine, I love visiting Tea Houses the world over so when I next find myself in Vienna I will be sure to look this place up. Great inspiration!
Dear Alexandra,
WOW……………………What a stunning blog, you can count me in for your exciting updates each week. Just adore your beautiful drawings as the art of afternoon tea is something to be treasured. I look forward to baking your delicious recipes. Julie-Ann x
Hi, Alex. I am delighted to see this project taking off, having admired your drawings and the whole concept. Just reminds me to find a recipe and a setting for you. Good luck! It all looks wonderful.
Sue H.
Al, these drawings are just amazing.. Can’t wait for the next blog.. Love Pip xox
Hi Alex
My daughter lucette is in London and loving your blog! she made the lamingtons for Aust Day and they were a big hit! She said they made her feel home sick! You could be responsible for getting her back here!!!!
Hi Chris,
I take it that would be a good thing if she came home! Great to see the blog has fans all around the globe, thanks for spreading the word!
This website is beautiful! At my workplace we have a tradition of chatting over a cup of afternoon tea- I might be inspired to bake some of these goodies to accompany the tea!
Hey Al,
CAN DRAW! This looks amazing and Catherine and I will be following!
Take care and catch you and Jim soon.
Jason
Hi Alex,
I enjoying seeing the delicious recipes, I will try them very soon.
BUT, the thing I truly love with a passion is the beautiful crockery…..I have quite a collection myself. I inherited my mothers magnificent tea sets….they are a simply gorgeous.
Keep up the great work. Jenny. (Robyn & I were work buddies at Santa)
Heavens, what a lovely combination of two things I love: drawing and baking! Loving your site and illustrations, looking forward to trying the recipes!
Thanks Ema, enjoy your baking time and make sure you sign up to receive future posts/recipes via email!
Hi Alexandra,
Accidentally stumbled across your blog and I am now absolutely enchanted. I think your drawings are beautiful and just wanted to let you know that I’m having a tea party this week and am using four or 5 of the recipes you have shared! I’m so excited!!
Will continue checking your blog every week!
Hi Ragini,
Welcome to the world of The Art of Afternoon Tea! I would love to hear how the recipes go for you, all the best for your tea party this week!
xx
Pecking away online for some “Hospitality” inspiration, I stumbled upon your most lovely and unique blog. A feast in the digital world – good for my soul and inspiring for my table. Thank you!
From sunny California,
Suzanne
So great to hear, thanks Suzanne!
What a beautiful blog. Your illustrations are just divine. Thank you for sharing your passion for food and design! I look forward to following your blog-story.
Thank you Kate and welcome to The Art of afternoon Tea!
I love what I am seeing and reading – absolutely fabulous – baking, afternoon teas, fashion & tea cups. (I collect and use unusual and beautiful teacups.)
Hi Lindi, Lovely to hear and so pleased you are enjoying my ramblings!
Your drawings are absolutely gorgeous! There’s both freshness and old world charm in them that draws you in, making you want to know more about the artist and her lovely food. I happened upon your blog because I was looking for a Chai layer cake to serve after an Indian meal (I wouldn’t normally go for a cake after an Indian meal, but this is a birthday dinner party for 10 to celebrate my partner’s uncle who is turning 80, and I know they are expecting a cake
I’m so pleased to have found your lovely blog! Now I’m going to go back to the recipe ~
Have a delicious day!
~ Marie
Thank you Marie! I do hope the Chai Cake works out well for your birthday dinner, it is certainly a favourite of mine and a great party dish!
What media do you use? I cant seem to tell because the work is so great!!
I use mainly coloured pencils and graphite and occasionally pantone/copic markers. Thanks for the lovely compliments!
Your blog is really a jewel, it just came across when I was blog-hopping one of the last days and what I’ve seen up to now is wonderful! Thanks for adding the rss-feed, so following will be easy. I love your drawings very very much, thanks for sharing.
Regards from Hamburg, Germany.
Thanks very much. I have seen a massive spike from Germany in recent days. It is fantastic to see people clicking through from all corners of the globe!
Hi Ally
After reading all these comments- ALL fabulous, I thought I should add something (being the oldest “family” member now- that hurts). Each week when I visit your site, I feel enthused to try the recipe- I don’t always unfortunately, due work commitments. Your illustrations continue to be beautiful as does the story behind the illustration. You deserve every success. x
Thanks Rhonda, it is always so nice to receive such enthusiastic responses to my works each week, makes my day reading all the lovely comments!
I’m so happy I spotted your blog today, it’s just lovely and so creative and clever.
I just found you from your friend Vickie Archers blog & I’m going to like your blog. Love your drawings & can’t wait to try some of your recipes. I agree with another follower , your illustrations & recipes would make brilliant cards. Can’t wait to read some of your older posts.
Thanks Barbara, am working on the card angle as we speak! Stay tuned..