Under The Hammer...

This weekend was great! We hired a van and set off on our journey to Nottingham - via Billericay, via Worcester, via Leicester,via Oxford.  Oh yes, we were on a mission...we had equipment to collect and furniture to bid for!

We managed to find some amazing deals, so travelling around the country in a hire van on the hottest day of the year, that smelt like dogs with no air-con was worth it.

My first ever auction was incredible! If you ever want to go to an auction 'Arthur Johnson & Sons' in Nottingham is definitely worth a visit. Set in the old cattle market, the vast rooms are filled with hidden treasures waiting to be taken home and turned into something beautiful again. The adrenalin from entering into a bidding war with someone is great fun - however think I annoyed a few professional dealers by pushing up the prices with each subtle nod of the head - and then dropping out of the deal last minute when the stakes were too high - leaving them paying £100 for a small wooden table that they only wanted to pay £10.  If looks could kill! Whoops.

All in all it was a blast - and the furniture we managed to get was just great.

Getting our purchases into our van was like a game of Tetris - luckily we had some mathematical minded friends who after scratching their heads for a few minutes managed to squeeze and squash the abundance of mirrors, tables, chairs and a huge dresser into this tiny van!  Putting it all away at the other end was also fun - and now our dining room is full from floor to ceiling with our goodies.

Bargains of the day included - a gorgeous 'standard lamp' for just £5 which will look just gorgeous when we shabby chic it up... and a not so great bargain of the day - mother unwittingly bid for a collection of milk jugs and pretty china for £10 only to discover upon collection they were a miniature set of 'toot' from Skegness, Blackpool and Cleethorpe!  Note to self; don't let mother loose in an auction house unsupervised.

A lot of items hidden behind the sideboards... 

A great weekend - and I am getting so excited as the Tearoom is really starting to come together.

THE VINTAGE CAKE HOUSE COMES TO FARNHAM

The time has finally come - after long, late nights struggling through a business plan and endless meetings with 'The Bank' - I can finally announce that The Vintage Cake House will be opening in a charming premises in the historic town of Farnham, Surrey.  

Everyone is welcome at The Vintage Cake House - so tell your whole family, your friends, granny, granddad the lot! We welcome you into our world of Vintageness and Cake.

We will display a delightful array of Wedding & Celebration cakes as well as running a Vintage Style Tearoom - where you can enjoy the traditional Afternoon Tea experience - with cream tea, scrumptious home-made cakes and other yummy treats. 

There are some traditions that never change - so what better than to relax and enjoy fine tea, freshly made scones with home-made preserves and clotted cream - in an elegant, vintage location. You don't need an excuse to treat yourself! Or for those of you who simply don't have the time to linger - why not pop in and take a slice of cake home for tea? 

We aim to open mid June - official launch date will be released soon. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far, its an amazing journey and I hope to see you all at The Vintage Cake House.  

Love Natalie 

 

Happy Baking & Vintage Recipes

It has been a busy past couple of weeks, with juggling a full time job and business plans coming out of my ears, in preparation to open The Vintage Cake House to the public. However, I have managed to perfect some cake recipes recently - and have succeeded in making a gorgeous Carrot Cake, which has a lovely home-made taste and texture to it. 


It got me thinking that I would love a collaboration of every ones favourite recipes that have been passed down by a Granny or Nanny, Auntie or Mum.  What recipe gives you that warm, nostalgic feeling when you smell the aromas coming from your oven? There really is nothing better than a home-made feel to a cake - or any dish for that matter.   


One of my special recipes would have to be 'Aunty Joans Grantham Gingers' - which we loved as small children (and still do!). They are quick and effective little treats and this recipe brings back such fond memories from time spent with my two brothers, at our Auntie Joans. 

So now, I would love for people to share their special recipes, as I would like to include interesting and unique treats within the Vintage Cake House's menu - for our new Tearoom (opening soon).  I want everyone to experience good, wholesome, honest food that brings back memories from the past and accentuates the Vintage feel of the tearoom. 


If anyone would like to share their recipe and for it to be included on our menu, then please feel free to do so - maybe include the name of who passed it down to you, or, a name you like to call this recipe - so we can do it justice on the menu!

Happy Baking