My friend Rose makes a good cup of tea, in a proper pot. She's also good at finding stylish things in charity shops - she just sent me photos of this lovely Thomas China coffee pot (but you could use it for tea!) and matching cups which she snaffled in a place in Kent for a bargainous £8. Puts my rather extravagant £12 espresso cup find to shame.

Inspired, I just spotted this lovely red and white Thomas China coffee set on Ebay, for £29.99. Let me know if you buy it...