A vintage tea party with VV Brown

Tea. Do you survive on it? Well, not only is it a Great British staple, it's also getting uber-fashionable.

Personally, I'm not a massive fan of your bogstandard cuppa cha; what I love is a posh mug o' tea (in my world that means anything other than Tetley) and swanky tea-inspired cocktails sure do stir me up. Add a big fat spoonful of vintage fashion to the tea drinking and I'm a happy chappy.

So as far as Sunday afternoon activities go, it doesn't get much better than sipping an ice cold "passion fruit tea" (avec rum) in the centre of the cooliverse (Brick Lane), rubbing shoulders with the beautiful VV Brown and getting my paws on a veritable haul of vintage booty...

This gorgeous event was held in The Brickhouse, a stylish warehouse-esque venue in the heart of the East End. Aptly named Just My Cup of Tea, it was hosted by the UK Tea Council and sought to blend the Great British tea party with the cult of vintage fashion; VV Brown was the MC, guests were treated to vintage styling tips from Alexis Knox and the main event was a swish (clothes swap) - every guest brought a special item of clothing to throw into the mix.

After an afternoon of retro glamour, sexy beverages, chocolate eclairs and being "beehived", we're now inspired to upscale our own little swishes and get the mismatched china out, shabby-chic-stylee. Here's why...

Arriving at the tea party we headed straight to the garden area; the sun was out for once and I finally got to wear the Ingenue "Fonda" sundress I've borrowed (and am now desperate to buy) with the Red Herring blazer I bought yesterday

Decadent floral arrangements summered things up outside

My radiant friend Rose (rocking neon and skull print) accompanied me to the event

Back inside we check out the schedule

Stylist Alexis Knox picked out her fave pieces from the swish swag to style on stage (how could ANYONE let that jacket go???)

This is the kind of vintage beauty that just makes me swoon

Hostess VV Brown takes to the stage (looking slick in a foil 80s dress)

Alexis Knox goes to work on the first vintage look - an 80s shirt dress

She adds a scarf to give the look a 70s twist

Next up, loud 'n' proud culottes were teamed with a simple white tank - great for holidays

This kimono style silk dress took everyone's breath away - great with the nude heels

Alexis suggests adding pearls for evening glam

Knotting the blouse takes this classic 50s look to the seaside

The final look showcases a statement jacket - good shoulders!

Alexis also shared her tips for wearing a timeless "LBD" - vintage style; I'm mad for boucle jackets at the mo, and this neon green one is gawjus

A pyjama jacket provides a sports luxe look

Finishing with a flourish: It's that statement jacket we all wanted

Add a glitzy bag and killer heels and that's your evening sorted

All that vintage-themed information gave me a raging thirst - what better way to quench it than a passion fruit, tea and rum cocktail

Rose road tests an Earl Grey martini - check out that awesome glass

The UK Tea Council is launching an app to help people plan a tea party - judging by the sweet tables at this event, they're an authority on the subject

Hopefully the app will include a recipe for these tea-sprinkled macaroons

When you invite lots of fashion industry / fashionable people to a swish, you get an awesome standard of swappage

The motto of the day was "one woman's trash is another woman's treasure" - I certainly found mine and it now hangs happily in my wardrobe

Last thing on the agenda? A beehive for me...

...and make-up for Rosie

Last orders in the garden and we get another chance to check out VV's lovely dress (see how 80s evening wear can look super stylish at a summer garden party?)

One last martini in the sun - with that terrific eye make-up

And I bus out my beehive with the Ingenue sun dress and red Ecco wedges

Big hair, big smile - and even bigger thanks to the UK Tea Council for a brilliant event

Fonda sundress by Ingenue London.