Spring is all about lovely little things popping up out of nowhere: tulips, daffodils, crème eggs – all wonderful. But when I heard the buzz of a new, quirky, vintage-inspired afternoon tea 'experience', popping-up at a mystery location in Leith, it sounded like my kind of Spring thing.

Pop-up shops will appear where there was nothing, do their thing for a short period of time, and then disappear: kind of like the superhero of the shopping world. But what is a 'pop-up afternoon tea', and how exactly does it work with scones and clotted cream?

The women behind the mystery are Katey Lee, Michelle Holden, and Sarah Bell. They are all passionate bakers, cake lovers, and vintage aficionados, and have combined their three loves into making exquisite afternoon teas.  Under the name 'Tealicious', their mission is to offer an exquisite afternoon tea that is quirky, with an emphasis on vintage fun and the unexpected. As Katey says of the experience, “Think sophisticated tea party in the parlour of an eccentric old auntie who likes to keep your drinks topped up. “ Oh, and beautiful cakes too.

Highlights of the classic menu include goat's cheese and sweet potato tartlets, cheese and apple scones, lemon and stem ginger cheese cake, chocolate raspberry mini cakes, violet and chocolate and white chocolate, passion fruit and basil macarons.

Each of their pop-up tea parties will have a theme, with plans for upcoming Alice in Wonderland, cocktails, and Americana events in the works. Cakes will be made to match the theme, and as all grown up parties should be a bit tipsy, the (super secret) venue is licensed to serve cocktails! Cost for a party is a suggested donation of £15, with a £10 booking fee payable up-front.

Since secrecy is part of the fun, I can say no more, but you can follow Tealicious on Facebook, twitter, or http://tealiciousedinburgh.co.uk for details of upcoming events.

And while crocuses, tulips and daffodils do put a smile on my face, beautiful little cakes and afternoon teas are perhaps even better. This is one experience I hope lasts longer than the season! (R. Edwards)