Browsing Tag

tea party

Visual Splendor

A Perfect Day for a Tea Party

10/09/2011

Today we did our photoshoot and it went very well. I must say I feel bad for Jamie getting stuck with me as a model, though. In every single photo I’m leering from the sun and have my chin in the double position. Ahh! How embarrassing! I’ll be sure to show you her shoot when she uploads it.

We’re already planning a new one and I can’t wait. This was so much fun.

If you’re looking for where to buy the goodies in these shots head on over to Sugar Junkie and our shop.

Hair and Makeup: Pajamie
Stylist: Amber Renée
Photographer: Amber Renée
Accessories: Sugar Junkie and Miseducated
Clothing: Miseducated

scenery

take a bite

you're my cuppa

tea party

cup of tea

having tea

Diary

Why Can’t Everyday Be Like My Birthday?

02/14/2011
jamber tea party

We’re often told to do what we want to do on our birthday. We’re able to enjoy sweets without guilt and to celebrate with friends and family. It’s a relaxing day and I want to take time out though today to enjoy every single thing with my family. I want to remember this day.

Why can’t I do that everyday? Why can’t I just take time out to do what I want and enjoy every moment? That’s my new goal this week, for everyday to feel like a special day. To take time out during the day to do things that I want and to make sure to enjoy them.

1. Eat and really enjoy sweets and coffee.
2. Sit outside on the balcony all snuggled in a fluffy blanket and have cocoa toped in marshmallows.
3. Paint colorful deericorns on tiny canvases.
4. Have tea and dessert at a local coffee shop.
5. Read in the bathtub.
6. Have champagne with friends.
7. Dip strawberries in chocolate.
8. Make and decorate cupcakes.
9. Have a tea party.
10. Have a movie marathon.

Write down a list of things you enjoy doing. Write down things that cheer you up even when you’re feeling blue. This is a great list to refer to when you’re feeling bored, unmotivated or a little overworked. You’ll be surprised how much better just doing a few things on your list will make you feel.

Soon I’m going to create little printable journal pages for you to use when reading these posts — I’m hoping it will encourage you to take part in the lessons that have helped me when in need. What sorts of journal pages would you prefer?

Mew for Today Visual Splendor

Mew for Today Vol 4.19.10

04/19/2010

So there are a quite of a few things I cannot get enough of, things I enjoy that make the days a little more magical and aesthetically tasty. In honor of these wondrous things decorating the world I’ve started a new ‘Favorite Things’ post — so expect to see follow up posts with more more more.

Favorite things are things I’ve loved for awhile and that are very special to me in some silly or not-so-silly way. What are a few of your favorite things?

Boopsiedaisy Bunka Dolls

4381371968_3d870eee03_o 4329620740_9866079816_o
4291342329_f1ba6171ff_o 4173363328_25a528943a_o
{ Photos and dolls by Boopsiedaisy }

Sidewalk Chalk

sidewalking it

Irregular Choice

Bambino
Trinkettina
in her shoes

.. and yes I had to wear the Blythe heels in my wedding along with a Hello Kitty tiara because both characters mean so much to me. Ha! I definitely recommend putting your own spin on any event that you’re involved in. .. and yes, even if your spin is of the cute and colorful sort (especially then)!

Small Cacti

f0074940_17351490img10331712189
img10331935269

Tea Parties

with wine…

trois tea
DIY

It’s Time to Throw a Tea Party!

04/02/2010

It’s spring and sunny here in Victoria, so what better time to have a tea party, and I invite you to host your own! If you are much like me and don’t have a fantastic matching bone china set, no worries you can always pick some très chic mismatching ones from thrift shops and any store where you find these items.

tea

Tea

Offer the basic black orange pekoe, earl grey, and herbal teas. Have sugar lemon slices and cream available.

Tea Cups, Saucers and Teapot

All of which you find anywhere that sells house wares, and vintage and thrift stores.

Table Décor

a cute centerpiece, table linens

Tea Treats

Tea sandwiches, scones, cookies, because what’s a tea party without scones? Clotted Cream or Devon crème pairs well with the scone and tea.

Cucumber Mint Tea Sandwich

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, rinsed, spun dry, and chopped fine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons cream cheese
6 slices of white
3-inch length of seedless cucumber, cut into thin slices

In a small bowl combine the mint, the butter, and the cream cheese and stir the mixture until it is combined well. Spread the bread slices with the butter mixture, top 3 of them with the cucumber, distributing the cucumber evenly and seasoning it with salt, and top the cucumber with the remaining bread slices. Cut off the crusts, and do the basic rectangles or use cute cookie cutters

Have fun!

Self Decoration

Blythe Gets Dressed in Dessert 1.4

09/22/2009
candystripe

No matter how busy you are you should always make time to get dressed-up! Today she’s a candy striper and she’s loving our friends that are new to the dessert party, little odd forest and Mod Cloth.

Introduction

Now what kind of character model can wear clothes similar to human-style? What model inspired millions and millions of people to create, do, go, wear, buy, sew, photograph… ?

If you thought BLYTHE, then that’s right! I decided my own little milky Amelia would be perfect with some miseducated touches.. So here she is, Miss. Educated on her debut and dressed for dessert. Not only does this bubblegum princess make the rainclouds pour star sprinkles but she has the best taste — she just whispers what she would like to wear for today’s theme and I dress her! With the help of many amazing designers and *soon* diy goddesses.

Would you like to see her dressed in your creations next? Or perhaps you’d love to decorate her apartment with your interior goodies? Want to suggest the next theme? Answer all these questions and more in the little white comment box. It’s just waiting for you to feed it puffy pink marshmellow rope letters dusted with pink lemonaid LETTERS.

Past Outfits

Visual Splendor

All About Tea and Tea Time Talk

04/04/2009

There’s nothing that fills my beating heart with as much happiness as a steamy cup of hot tea and the soft pages of a new book. Lucky for me, tea comes in a multitude of flavors, styles and pretty little boxes, all the more reason to spend hours admiring my options in the tea aisle of my local grocery.

Now, I’ve tried a variety of teas in my day, from strawberry iced goodness to chocolate-lovers delight. All have proven to be extraordinary! So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered the positive, health benefits associated with sipping the delicious beverage! And, imagine my double delight as I discovered that each kind of tea has its own benefits to boast! Let me share:

tea time talk

Rooibos (or Red Bush) Tea

This red tea comes from Africa and can do a body good. It is a pure tea, meaning there are no additives, and it helps slow the aging process. This non-caffeinated tea is great to drink before bedtime because it helps with insomnia, headaches, nausea and heartburn!

Herbal Tea

One of the best things about herbal tea is that you can drink it before bedtime (or if you just want to refrain from caffeine in general).

One of the most popular herbal tea’s is world-approved Chamomile. There’s a reason your mother served you chamomile before you laid your sleepy head to rest. One of its most obvious effects is that it is a muscle relaxant! It also helps with skin issues (from rashes to burns to irritation to acne) and fights off all kinds of unwanted illnesses and diseases. Not to mention it smells heavenly…

Anyway, some other great herbal tea’s include: Ginseng (Chinese, cures just about everything just as its name implies: “all heal.”), Ginger (helps with motion sickness/nausea/indigestion), Peppermint (muscle relaxer, stomach cramps, freshens breath), Cinnamon (lowers cholesterol/blood sugar),

Black Tea

I enjoy a Black tea to help wake me up in the morning. I appreciate how stable my body is throughout the day after a hot cup, as opposed to the high and low I get with coffee. Black tea is especially great for cardiovascular issues and is rich in antioxidants and cancer-fighting agents. According to TeaBenefits.com, “Recent studies in leading medical journals declare black tea a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier.”

Some great Black tea’s to try include: Darjeeling and Nilgiri (both from India), Yunnan (Chinese) and Keemun (also from China).

Green Tea

Green tea is famous for its beneficial effects, so it should come as no surprise when I tell you it’s probably the healthiest kind of tea for you! In fact, it’s commonly believed that by drinking more green tea you can increase your longevity and lead a happier life. So what, exactly, are the great benefits? Let me get you started.

Green tea is linked with weight loss, reduces the risk of all types of cancers and lowers cholesterol levels. In addition, it prevents/helps rheumatoid arthritis, infections and inhibits blood clots! All because of a very powerful antioxidant called EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) that stops cancer cells from growing (by killing them), all the while nurturing healthy body tissues. Sweet!

TIP #1: Let your tea bag, or tea strainer for loose tea, steep for at least 3-6 minutes in order to get the most out of it (taste wise and health wise).

TIP #2: Add a slice of lemon to your tea and be amazed as your headache eases (or even melts away completely).

Business Features Visual Splendor

Tea for Two at the Indianapolis Propylaem

01/15/2009

As a former tea room employee (hey, high school counts), I searched high and low for the best tea rooms in Indianapolis shortly after moving there to attend school. While there were very few tea rooms in the area, I found a few that were spectacular. One of those is the Propylaeum located just minutes from downtown Indianapolis on Delaware Street (in Indianapolis’ Old North Side).

the tea room!

tea for two!

yum!

This hidden gem is fit for any royalty, but don’t feel pressured to dress to the max or spend a lot of money. It’s menu, prepared by Chef Mike, is tiny, but that means that what they do serve is extra delicious. The items listed are also inexpensive. One of my favorite things to order is a hot cup of tea and strawberry shortcake paired with delicious and creamy vanilla ice cream.

strawberry delight~

The best part about this establishment is that it is housed in a to-die-for facility. It’s an old and beautifully detailed Victorian mansion that was founded in 1888 by May Wright Sewall. It was originally a social and culture center for Indianapolis women and is currently the oldest private club owned and operated by women. It’s name -Propylaeum – is a greek word that means “a gateway to culture” and that’s the philosophy of this lovely tea room.

adventure for two!

After lunch, take a tour of the large mansion and discover what’s hidden in all its nooks and crannies! You’ll find a number of private bedrooms that are rented out nightly to those visiting Indianapolis. Each room is uniquely decorated and sure to inspire feelings of “old time” and good cheer!

tea for two!

Address 1410 North Delaware Street; Indianapolis, IN 46202
Please Ring 317.638.7881 (call for reservations)
Hours Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

DIY Recipes

Teacakes to Bake in the Microwave

11/10/2008

Have only a few minutes or a tiny-kitchen but want to make a yummy cake for yourself or friends? Make sure after you’ve finished the cake to pop a few coffee mugs with water for 1.5 mins and add your favorite tea to each cup!

Applesauce Cakes

Ingredients
microwavable coffee mugs or similar
non-stick spray or butter
mixing bowl
flour: 1 1/2 cup
baking soda: 1/2 tsp
salt: 1/2 tsp
cinnamon: 1 tsp
cloves: 1/2 tsp
nutmeg: 1/2 tsp
allspice: 1/2 tsp
shortening: 1/2 cup
packed brown sugar: 1 cup
egg
unsweetened applesauce: 1 1/4 cup

Instructions
Line a 1 1/2 quart glass baking dish with wax paper. Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices together into bowl. Cream shortening and brown sugar into mixture. add egg and beat thoroughly. Mix well after each addition. Fill greased mugs half-way with batter. Bake in microwave for 10 minutes.

Cheesecakes

Ingredients
microwavable coffee mugs or similar
non-stick spray or butter
mixing bowl
package of cream cheese: 8 oz
sugar: 1/4 cup
egg
vanilla wafers or cookies
vanilla flavoring: 1/2 tsp

Instructions
Soften cream cheese. Mix in other ingredients and beat well until smooth. Place vanilla wafer or cookie in microwavable coffee mug or tea cup. Spoon cheese filling on top and microwave on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until filling is set. This will make 6 cakes. when cool, top with pie filling or piece of fruit.