This past Saturday I frocked up in the middle of the day to attend a Bridal Shower for my friend and editor of Onya Magazine, Sandi. After a fabulous morning of shopping – the Satch sale was to die for! – I wore a daffodil yellow silk dress purchased at the aforementioned sale, with gunmetal grey Betts heels and purple Faith quilted clutch. Heading to the Langham hotel in Melbourne for High Tea in a cab (and running a tiny bit late because of roadworks) I couldn’t help but feel a bit special. The Melbourne sun was shining, I had an excuse to get dressed up when it wasn’t evening and I was about to spend an afternoon doing glamorous and refined things with a group of wonderful women. When the concierge at the Langham opened my cab door, I wondered how much better the day could get.

But it did. As I walked up the wide staircase at the Langham, water fountains and chandeliers abound, I entered the Aria lounge where the chocolate bar is located and the High Tea was to take place. Tiny sandwiches, scones, jam and cream covered our tables (gluten free sandwiches and fresh fruit for me!) with linen napkins wrapped in Alice in Wonderland inspired napkin rings and plenty of tea for the table. Only a hop and skip away, the glorious chocolate bar – an indulgent table covered in gourmet chocolate goodies of all types, shapes and sizes – lay in wait for us to collect our plates and succumb to the lure of tarts, tortes and tea.

The afternoon was all things fabulous and just the kind of thing I love to do. In fact, we did discuss the possibility of undertaking this kind of thing more often, perhaps taking up a life of leisure and enjoying High Tea of a daily basis. Unfortunately this soon seemed unlikely due to monetary constraints.

As our High Tea drew to a close, six of the lovely ladies continued on to Left Bank, a lounge/bar located at Southbank. With the weather being as brilliant as it was, the balmy atmosphere while we strolled by outdoor street entertainers and Melburnians enjoying their Saturday made you wish the day could last forever. Left Bank has a spectacular cocktail list, of which I enjoyed a Raspberry and Vanilla Collins followed by a Left Bank Iced Tea. I could have stayed for hours. The décor is muted and with curtains, cushions, mirrors, opulent fabrics and earthy colours and the bar is a great place for relaxing and casual catch ups.

Unfortunately my Hawks got run over by the Magpies on Saturday night, but nothing could really take away from what was an amazing day. I still secretly hope one day I might be able to live a life where high tea and cocktails are the way I spend my days, but I think I have more chance of the Hawks having at least one win this year. I can dream.

Image One: Chocolate Bar at the Langham, Melbourne
Image Two: Cocktails at Left Bank – Peach and Basil Martini and Left Bank Iced Tea
Image Three: Bride to be Sandi and I at Left Bank
(all images thanks to Sandi Tighello)