Twitter Basics Tea Parties

This weekend saw my very first Twitter Basics Tea Party, which - you guessed it - was all about Twitter, the ever growing popular social media website.

The easiest way to tell non Tweeters what this social media site is all about it, is to liken it to Facebook and Tweets to Facebook status updates....and that's pretty much what Twitter is. No frills, games, pages, groups, advertising getting In the way. Just getting your word out, sharing links, photos and making new contacts. 

It really is simple and once they get started, people kick themselves for not using it sooner, especially for their business and blogging for example.

I will most likely have so called "Twitter Gurus" and "Social Media Moguls" jumping on this and no doubt having their say on my opinions... By Twitter is meant to be fun, fantastic for networking and getting what you want to say out there. I don't care what people say, it's not tricky, it's not complicated and on the whole, it s fantastic tool for connecting with people.

I'm no social media expert...I mean, for goodness sake, what course or degree will actually qualify you to call yourself a Twitter Guru?? - if there is, then best of luck with the course!

There are huge arguments out there and debates on all of this and to be completely honest with you, I'm not interested in any of it. 

I use Twitter for The Secluded Tea Party and for my new & upcoming Cambridge-based social group and it works wonders for my personal social life. That's plenty for me to know it works, once you get your head around the layout and de-Facebook your mind.

Twitter is there, as is Facebook and other such Social Media sites.. But one conversation that I have over and over again with my Secluded Tea Party guests is about them wishing they could get to grips with Twitter and not to be scared of it.

In my personal opinion, there is nothing much to it to get started and get to grips with the very basics. It just sometimes needs somebody who uses it to physically show you what to do. And this is where I have offered myself to my tea party guests to do just that. 

So here I am, offering my personal thoughts and experience on Twitter. Alongside a fantastic cup of tea, some warm Cheese Scones with Chive Butter, a plate of melt in the mouth Rocky Road Chocolate bites and my signature Coffee & Walnut Layer Cake with A Mocha Buttercream. What more could you want to kick start your weekend?!

Joined by 5 lovely guests, at The Secluded Tea Party HQ no less, we tucked in and sipped away on Earl Grey Tea whilst chatting about our experiences of Twitter, Facebook and Blogging. The conversation brought the guests together strongly from the very start and by the end of the event, everybody had more inspiration, contact suggestions and business ideas than they knew what to do with. That was the aim 110%.

And that was just them talking between themselves. It was fantastic fun and great to see such helpful and kind guests helping each other and offering advice to one and another. This was before I even started to talk about the subject in hand or before I shared with them of some of my very favourite Tweeters and bloggers! 

I'm personally sick of being told how I MUST Tweet or use Facebook, or how to blog. 

Everybody has completely different requirements and needs for these things and there is no right or wrong way to Tweet in my personal opinion. You do what works for YOU and with the support of people Tweeting around you, you will soon learn how you Tweet best, what gets people responding and interacting with you and how many times a day you need or want to Tweet. I won't tell you if your last Tweet should have been a Direct Message rather than a public Tweet. I'm no teacher, expert or official, I'm just an addict and it works very well for me, so use my experience to ask questions and I will answer as best I can. 

If I can't answer, I will find out for you. I'm 100% honest and will never boss my guests around on this subject. It's not in anybody's interest to do that.

One of my guests had paid good money a while back to gain the help of one of these so called "Social Media Gurus" and she had been made to feel like she was silly for not understanding or getting what she was being taught.

This makes my blood boil, especially as she had paid for their help and they hadn't done the job she had expected. She had been brave to admit this to us all and I really I hope I helped her with my hands on "show and tell" between my laptop, iPhone and iPad, which had various people confused as they all have slightly different layouts. I think this helped them all to see this is what we all find, depending on what we us to get online. 

This "Guru" had set up her up on Tweetdeck without explaining Twitter or even how to start with the basics of what a Tweet actually was and how to do it. She had blown her mind with talk of Google Analytics and SEO and various other puzzling elements and had actually found our chat over afternoon tea and my physical helping of her sending out some Tweets on the day more helpful than this paid for session.

I'm glad I was able to help and never claim to be an expert. But what I can offer is a relaxed environment and my own experiences with Twitter, including how I can fill an entire table at The Secluded Tea Party just through the use of Social Media. Im proud of this and I'm happy to help where I can. 

There are no secrets to Twitter in my eyes, just patience and knowing how to use it effectively.

I provided my tea party guests with some basic "How to" Guides before the event, to help them log on to Twitter and slide through the very basics, such as setting up their profiles, biographies, adding a photo and how to Tweet, as well as the terminology and the dreaded Hashtag, which was the topic of the event. By the time I had shown them all what it was all about, they were all smiling and have since been Tweeting and moving forward with their accounts, which was exactly the aim of the event.

In fact, this was one of my most favourite events to date, as we got to discuss our favourite Tweeters and follow some that we each recommended to one another. All of this helpful Twitter chat and advice over my home made afternoon tea in a warm and cosy kitchen on a cold Saturday morning. 

As mentioned, I'm a hater of being told HOW or WHAT to Tweet, but I am more than happy to answer questions on getting started and help over a relaxed and informal cup of tea and a slice of something sweet. I don't claim to know absolutely everything, but I can point you in the right direction should we need to seek some further advice of suggestions... Thanks to Twitter ; )

There will be another Twitter Basics Tea Party in the future, so get in touch if you fancy joining.

Or if you would like to book a private picnic-based or afternoon tea chat on Twitter with me, I am more than happy to discuss this, either as a group or individually, just email me at: cake@secludedteaparty.com

Tweet Tweet

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The Secluded (Tea Tasting) Tea Party - Booking Now!

The Secluded Tea Party is extremely excited to be offering a real first... A fantastic opportunity to enjoy an Afternoon Tea Party in Cambridgeshire with Miss Sue Flay whilst sampling a huge selection of the finest loose leaf teas with local Cambridge- based tea supplier, Kandula Tea.

The Kandula Tea Company, run by the lovely duo Jane & Gail, has grown out of a passion for real tea and the fascinating country of Sri Lanka. As animal lovers, seeing the importance of elephants in Sri Lankan culture inspired them to dedicate their brand to these magnificent creatures.

They had noticed, amongst family and friends, a desire for better quality teas that offered them a healthy beverage as well as interesting choices for different moments. And so KandulaTea was created.

All Kandula Teas are picked, processed and packed in Sri Lanka, which contributes to the local community. And their selection of teas are growing and growing, having even won a Gold Star Award at The Great Taste Awards 2011. They are rising stars in the tea world and I personally check every tea shelf in independent shops on my travels as I think any tea selection is incomplete with their unique loose leaf blends. I'm a convert to loose leaf tea thanks to these passionate ladies.

Their Ceylon Pink Tea is a firm favourite at The Secluded Tea Party, being the first ever naturally pink tea, it's beautiful... and said to be the perfect romantic cuppa. It has been suggested to serve with an edible flower,  enjoyed naked with a loved one.... However, please keep all clothes on whilst enjoying at our event... Hehe. 

On Saturday 26th May 2012 at 2.30pm, 

we will be enjoying a table of home made Afternoon Tea Treats to match their many sample cups of tea, so come with a hunger, as well as a thirst : )

Guests are invited to arrive alone or with friends and family, as The Secluded Tea Party offers a superb oppurtunity to meet lots of interesting and lovely new people over a cuppa and a slice of delicious cake.... You will leave with new friends and a smile on your face, it's a fact that makes Miss Sue Flay so happy at each of her events.

AFTERNOON TEA MENU:

HOME MADE LEMONADE 
SERVED IN GORGEOUS JAM JAR CONTAINERS


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SAVOURY CHEESE SCONES
WITH HERB BUTTER & HOMEMADE CHUTNEY 

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CUCUMBER & CREAM CHEESE PENNIES

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RASPBERRY COULIS MERINGUES
WITH LEMON CURD SWIRLED CLOTTED CREAM 

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LIGHT MOCHA LAYER CAKE
WITH CHOCOLATE CROWNS

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BRITISH STRAWBERRY TARTLETS
FILLED WITH VANILLA CREME PATISSERIE

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MIDNIGHT DARK TRUFFLES
TO MATCH A CERTAIN TEA FROM THE SELECTION


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Unlimited amounts of tea for every taste and favoured blend, prepare to be educated by the fabulous team at Kandula Tea.

The Afternoon Tea Menu will be designed to match the tea selection perfectly and will be confirmed nearer the time after secret cahoots between your tea hosts. 

Book your ticket to The Secluded Tea Party to come along and enjoy the fun alongside copious amounts of tea as well as lots of tasty afternoon tea treats such as finger sandwiches, gorgeous cakes and fluffy scones all homemade by Miss Sue Flay herself.

So hopefully see you at the very next Secluded Tea Party table in May at a secret Cambridgeshire Countryside location for an educated afternoon of Tea & Cake.... It's going to be fantastic!

There will also be the opportunity to purchase your favourite tea blends throughout the event should you wish to do so, so do bring your pocket money along and treat yourself at tis very special and tailor made event.

Book your Tickets Here.

Visit Kandula Tea Here. 

See you very soon!

Miss Sue Flay

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"I Saw You Coming" Shops - A Rant

I am not usually one to rant about these things, but after the Blogfest last year and some blog advice given to me on writing passionately for what you believe in and feel angry as well as happy about... so here it goes... Apologies in advance, but this has to be done. 

In recent months, the term "I Saw You Coming" has been frequently used in the Flay household and it is now increasingly common to hear this phrase uttered from our lips at The Secluded Tea Party HQ...

On shopping or even just window shopping in any town or area populated with gift shops and tourist attractions of any kind, no matter where you go, there are always rows upon rows of these little gift shops that we seem to be magnetically drawn to. You know the ones... The shop window is covered in floral and paisley home ware, teacup candles, Cushions embroidered with "Home Sweet Home", useless metal & wooden scrolled words such as "Love" or "Indulgence" and wooden rocking chairs painted a dull shade of beige. Amongst other such useless utensils and gadgets that nobody will ever use. And don't get me started on the INSIDE of the shop. And yes, I feel I'm allowed to rant about these shops that suck us in, as they get me EVERY time! And I mean, Every time. 

The last time was one of these shops with a soap and herbal section, where the very lovely lady (bless her, she was very sweet) sold me a bottle of herbal cough medicine for £11(!!!??).. Which I bought into, as her friend, Florence and her daughter Daisy swore by the stuff. I was SUCKERED in, well and truly. It didn't work- shocking.  

Once you are inside these shops, you end up tip toeing around, smiling politely at the shop keeper who is crammed into the far corner surrounded by fluffy pram toys and bath bombs disguised as cupcakes and unable to move from their post in fear of knocking these items flying if they do. The customers, myself included are shuffling around the shelves in a clockwise direction, as we Brits seem to automatically do SO well, whilst tutting at the slow mover in front of us holding up the ever expanding queue of fellow suckers who want to look at the useless "Vintage" tat adorning the glass shelves and beige bookcases furnishing the  tiny shop. Yes, those unique looking bath bombs in the shape of fricking cupcakes have  

been spotted in Royston, Cambridge, Southwold, Ludlow and some "I Saw You Coming"  

  shop in London....NO! They are not unique and handmade just for this lovely little shop, 

  they are generically made to sucker us all in. Every time.  

I dread the moment that the mister has found something ludicrously expensive and tacky and shouts to show me, and the other hushed customers who can all hear your hilarious piss taking, and when you do turn around to look, you don't want to move too fast in fear of knocking something over with your handbag. It must happen though...These shopkeepers, I am sure, find it amusing to stack their ridiculously oversized teacups and saucers in a precarious manner so that if somebody does knock them over (it's a dead cert to happen to somebody, although I haven't managed to do it just yet myself!) they can then point to the tiny hand written sign that says "All breakages must be paid for".

Don't get me wrong, I do support local and independent shops and businesses I am sure, however it annoys the heck out of me that I can find a tiny metal sign with a humorous 1940's quip about women and their place in the kitchen for 99 pence in one shop, but the very same sign is sold for £11.99 in yet another "I Saw you coming" shop. 
Does anybody ever buy anything seriously in these shops? How do they decide that buying that hideous star-shaped & sparkly rainbow candle holder would look fabulous on their bedroom dresser or that generic vintage bird print bunting would look stunning in their kitchen?! 
I don't always know why I go into these shops myself, I must admit. I think I trick myself into believing that if I don't go in and have a look then I might miss out on a bargain or a new trinket for my tea party table. But do you know what?... I NEVER come out of these shops with anything. Well... rarely!
I just wonder if anybody else does exactly the same thing with these type of shops or do they actually buy these overpriced novelty items religiously? Do they buy these ridiculously overpriced Welsh Dressers and Bedside Cabinets for £600 each just because they have the word "Vintage" slapped on the label? 

Why do I call these type of shops "I Saw You Coming" shops? Just watch an episode of "Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry & Paul” with Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse.
And for an example of me uttering this phrase, without it even being scripted, visit my first ever and very recent video blog post on YouTube which does actually spill out of my mouth quite naturally - I’ve just noticed this phrase had slipped out without a thought of it haha. 

Does anybody else find these truly, eye-wateringly expensive shops both frustrating and amusing as well?... Or do you perhaps have a different story or opinion on these types of shops?
Miss Sue Flay
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Tea Party Photo Shoot... With Liquidphoto.co.uk

A few months back, I arranged with the lovely Tom Allen and Lina Orsino of Liquid Photo, a photographic duo based in Cambridge who not only offer fabulous wedding photos, but also photos for events, theaters, galleries and even promotional photos for local businesses and the like. 

They are both extremely professional and made sure that they ran through exactly what we wanted before and during the shoot to ensure that they captured everything we wanted as well as photos they thought wold work for us, that we hadn't even considered. 

It was just so much fun to work with these guys that it didn't feel like a chore at all, they were both super at helping to gain the trust and relaxing our younger cake-eating models for the day by running around the beautiful garden we were using with their camera joining in with their game of Pirates vs Fairies... Hehe a very surreal experience for a bleary-eyed Sunday morning ; ) 

Everything ran smoothly from start to finish and it didn't take any prompting from my part, the guests tucked into our afternoon tea spread and Tom & Lina worked their magic producing some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen, I couldn't be more pleased and proud to use them for The Secluded Tea party. 

Some of their pictures are now viewable on our brand new and beautiful website... 

Which has literally just launched in the last week or so... 

www.secludedteaparty.com

As well as being able to view the full gallery on our Facebook Page. 


If you need a wedding photographer in Cambridge, or somebody happy to help create beautiful photos for your own event, look no further, Liquid Photo are superb! 

But, here are a few sneaky snapshots to give you an idea of what fun and shenanigans we all got up to....

And don't forget, you can book your very own Family Tea Party and enjoy just as much fun and tasty treats as my friends and their beautiful children did on this sunny winter Sunday in Cambridge. 

Just email: cake@secludedteaparty.com to discuss further : ) 

Miss Sue Flay 

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