Tis the Season.... (almost)

Have been wrapping homemade Christmas Puddings in gingham and vintage fabric ready to sell at 'The Loft' and the forthcoming Christmas evening (9th December).

Homemade Christmas chutney next.

tasty tweets!!

Just to let you all know you can now follow 'The Loft' on Twitter! Thank you for your support  and lovely comments so far.  It is very much appreciated.

Follow us_ 

Just a note.....

....to say that 'The Loft' now has a facebook page - we will be adding photos etc. and information on our wall.  Find us here. 'THE LOFT'
We have also changed our opening hours for the winter months to:

TUESDAY - SATURDAY - 10.30am - 3pm.

See you soon.....

Homespun Style

A little while ago, interior stylist Selina Lake author of gorgeous interior books Bazaar Style, and Romantic Style, came to my home with photographer Debi Treloar to take some pics for Selina's new book 'Homespun Style'. Was lovely to see Selina again (she came to my home in 2008), and to meet Debi Treloar whos photography I have admired in books such as Flea Market Style, Modern Vintage Style, Recycled Home, and Contemporary Country to name just a few. Selina's  new book looks great and I'm really chuffed to report that my dining area is featured on the front cover, and a credit to 'The Loft' mentioned in the back!! The book launches in the spring and we will hopefully be selling some copies at 'The Loft'.  I'll keep you posted.  The book is also available for pre-order via amazon.

w E a R E O p E N !!!

Phew - we have literally not had time to breath - so firstly let me apologise for the delay in updating the blog!!

We had whats known as a 'Soft Launch' on Sunday 25th September, basically family and friends came!  We cooked lots of mini treats and served cocktails made from tea (and vodka!) which were very popular, and the Champagne flowed.

Angel Adoree - The Vintage Tea Party

The cocktails were inspired by this book, which you must see/read if you haven't already!

The launch went really well, and a BIG BIG thank you to our family and friends whom without their support and enthusiasm, I may not be writing about our success so far today!

We officially opened on 28th September, a beautiful sunny day in Tollesbury, and since then the Sun has not stopped shining!!
The support and feedback from our first few weeks has been great.  We have opened with a relatively simple menu offering light lunch and homemade cakes!  Whilst talking cakes, I must mention that Emma has had nothing but compliments about her delicious treats!  Here's a list of just a few we have offered since opening:
Coconut and Lime,
Sticky Apple, Gingerbread and Pecan Loaf,
Lumberjack cake (apple and date with a coconut topping)
Mocha (made with our own freshly ground coffee)
and of course not forgetting her daily special of freshly baked scones! and plenty more...
Is your mouth watering yet?? Emma changes the cakes a few times a week so generally customers never know what to expect!!
The weather is now turning a little chilly so our menu will be changing to include homemade soups and stew etc. 


Our Tea and Coffee supplied by the lovely 'Butterworth and Son' have also been receiving their own fair share of compliments too.  It's a pleasure to serve such quality products!  This week we have started serving their new addition to loose leaf tea 'GLAMOUR' A half-fermented Oolong tea delicately blended with exotic fruit & rose petals. Pleasing to the eye and exciting to the taste. It tastes beautiful!



Ingredients: Oolong Tea, aronia berries, mango cubes, passion fruit flavouring, rose petals.



So if you live nearby, or can come and visit we would love to see you.  Thank you to all those that have been keeping an eye on the blog and have already visited, especially Jenny, a very talented local artist who has been following the blog and will be displaying some of her beautiful work at 'The Loft', I will share more in another post very soon.  I will leave you with some pics.  I'll add some more in another post, you can also see some more in my Flickr photostream, see link at the bottom of the page.

A customers bike parked outside!



tEaPoT uPdAte...

A little while ago we were researching the possibility of using beautiful teapots made by zero japan.  A friend (thanks Jane), then alerted us to these beauties, made by Typhoon with Ching He Huang.

So we have ordered some and as you can see they are just as beautiful and come with their own fine mesh infuser, perfect for our delicious loose leaf teas. Can't wait to try them out!!

Follow the Sign...

Design by Stuart Hammersley 'Give up Art'

Our lovely friend Tim, a local artist, has painted our sign! It will be going up on the front of the Loft over the next couple of days.
Tim is a brilliant artist and has studio in the village that he shares with his also very talented wife Julie.  Check out their blog 'Saunders & Co' to see some of their brilliant work. 

Tim and Julie will hopefully be displaying some of their work at 'The Loft'. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks Tim - Love the Sign x