Tea Reviews

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    Tea PAWty | Ella’s “Gotcha Day” Celebration

    Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and well, during this time. 

    #BlackLivesMatter | To learn more, click HERE.

    Yesterday (June 28th, 2020), we celebrated Ella’s “Gotcha Day”. I had never heard of a “Gotcha Day” before adopting Ella. A “Gotcha Day” is like a birthday, however it is celebrated on the day you brought your furry friend home.

    Ella’s “Gotcha Day” was so fun! I made sure the day was extra special for her. We have Ella some special new treats and bones! And I also had a fun virtual Tea “PAWty” for her. I filmed the Tea “PAWty” for my #TeaTimeTuesday IGTV series. If you would like to join in on the celebrations, you can watch the video HERE or down below:

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDM07Xvjsy3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Have you heard of a “Gotcha Day” before? I think it is such a cute idea!

    I had so much fun enjoying tea and treats with Ella and Georgina. I hope you did too! xo

  • Afternoon Tea,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    TeaTimeTuesday | Neverland Tea Giveaway Prize!

    Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and well, during this time. 

    #BlackLivesMatter | To learn more, click HERE.

    In today’s #TeaTimeTuesday IGTV post, I am unboxing the giveaway prize I won from Neverland Tea. I still cannot believe that I won and a huge thank you again to Neverland Tea for having such a fun giveaway!

    Also in the video, I use the giveaway prize to make two delicious iced teas! One for myself and one for my husband…nothing like a delicious iced tea during a sunny Summer afternoon!

    You can watch the IGTV video HERE or down below:

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCo0f40j205/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Afternoon Tea,  Coffee Shop,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Pawfectella Everything!,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    The Mochi Kit | Paragon Tea Room | Tea-Infused Mochi

    Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and well, during this time. <3 

    #BlackLivesMatter | To learn more, click HERE.

    In today’s blog post, I am sharing my experience of making tea-infused mochi! Mochi is a delicious treat that pairs well with a cup of tea. When I saw that Paragon Tea Room came out with The Mochi Set, I couldn’t resist purchasing one and testing it out. I am not a big baker though, so I was a bit nervous. Michelle, the owner of Paragon Tea Room assured me that the recipe (included in the set) was “dummy proof” and making mochi is surprisingly easy!

    Last Saturday, I decided to to put my baking skills to the test and use The Mochi Set (you might have seen my Instagram stories of the experience)! If you would like to see a closer look at how my experience went, make sure to grab a cup of tea and let’s get started!

    What is Mochi?

    Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice, water, sugar and cornstarch. Mochi is typically flavoured with green tea and/or filled with a sweetened bean paste. This makes it a delicious vegan and gluten free treat.

    What does Mochi taste like?

    Mochi has a dough-like texture and makes me think of a gummy candy/marshmallow type dessert. It has a starch after-taste.

    If you have had mochi before, how would you describe the taste?

    The Mochi Set | Paragon Tea

    Your mochi dream comes true! This set is inspired by all of your creativity! In this set, you will be introduced to making your own TEA-INFUSED mochi with a side of tea dip at home.

    Paragon Tea Room

    The Mochi Set from Paragon Tea Room comes with nearly all the ingredients you need to make 6 servings of mochi. The set includes:

    Three Types of Tea Powders:

    It also includes:

    The set comes inside a rectangular box and is well packaged. Even Ella was curious about what was inside!

    Following the Recipe |
    Matcha-Infused Mochi

    After reading over the recipe, I decided to make a matcha-infused mochi and a matcha-infused dip.

    I found both recipes straight forward and easy to follow.

    After adding and mixing in all the ingredients together, it was time to microwave the dough! This part I found a bit challenging, as I don’t own a microwave. Steaming was the next option, but I wasn’t sure the best way to go about it! I asked my dear friend Angie (from Over-the-Kitchen-Counter) to help me out! Even though she had not heard of mochi before, she gave me the best advice and tips! I used two pots and my stove to steam the mochi dough. It steamed perfectly! A special thank you to Angie! <3

    Making the Matcha Mochi Dip

    While I waited for my mochi dough to cool, it was time to make the accompanying matcha-infused mochi dip:

    This was very fast and easy to make and I loved that I got to use Oat Mylk! I prepared the dip on my stove top.

    The dip turned out fantastic! And I loved the cheerful green colour from the Paragon Tea Baking Matcha.

    Roll it Out!

    After my matcha-infused mochi dough had cooled off, it was time to roll it out and create individual pieces. I made my mochi into balls, but you can make them into squares too!

    After the mochi balls were prepared, I decided to semi-stuff them with the dip. I also frosted the tops of them! I was so surprised at how well they turned out and how easy they were to make!

    I would like to do a better job on how they look visually, but I think that will come with practice and time.

    After I was done making the tea-infused mochi, I made two cups of Paragon Tea Ceremonial Matcha Lattes with Oat Mylk, for my husband and I. I thought they would pair nicely with the mochi. All the matcha flavours were happening that day! 😉

    It was time to taste test these tea-infused mochi balls and see how well I did:

    According to my husband, the matcha-infused mochi tasted amazing. He actually ate more than half of them, so I must have done something right!

    I also loved my mochi too! They tasted so fresh and delicious. I also love that I now have the opportunity to make mochi 5 more times, from this wonderful set.

    Have you ever made mochi at home before? If so, how did you find the experience? I am still surprised at how easy they were to make! I really found The Mochi set to be extremely helpful for a beginner.

    The Mochi Set retails for $53.35 CAD, but is currently available for a launch price of $48.00 CAD. You can order it online (they ship to Canada and the USA) or pickup in-store, if you are local! You can find it HERE.

    And that is it for today’s blog post! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend and talk to you all soon! <3

  • Afternoon Tea,  DAVIDsTEA,  Ella Adventures,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Pawfectella,  Pawfectella Everything!,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    DAVIDsTEA Haul | Tasty Summer Teas

    Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and doing well, during this time. <3

    In today’s blog post (and in honour of #TeaTimeTuesday), I am sharing my recent DAVIDsTEA* haul order (with the help of Ella the Mini Poodle). I needed to stock up on some favourites, but also wanted to try out some new teas too!!!

    *As some of you know, I am a huge DAVIDsTEA fan and this past year, I had the amazing opportunity to become a DAVIDsTEA Affiliate. Some of the links, in this blog post will be affiliated links.

    So, if you are ready: make sure to grab a delicious cup of tea and let’s get started!!!

    The Matcha Teas:

    I ordered three matcha teas from DAVIDsTEA. I am a huge matcha lover and enjoy it daily! It provides wonderful health benefits (check out my IGTV video to learn more), but also tastes soo so delicious too!

    Raspberry Matcha

    One of the teas I had to stock up on is Raspberry Matcha. You might remember seeing me review and talk about it on my IGTV videos, as well as my last DAVIDsTEA Youtube video.

    On IGTV, I made it iced and in the YouTube video, I made it hot. I absolutely love both options, but if I were to recommend how to try it first: make it iced! It is a refreshing, satisfying treat!

    We’re taking energizing matcha to new heights. Fuel your morning with this fruity and invigorating blend of Matcha Matsu powder, pure cane sugar and the natural flavour of ripe raspberry. Whether you sip it as an iced latte or in your post-workout smoothie, this finely ground flavoured matcha is an easy & delicious way to enjoy the feel-good benefits of green tea.

    – DAVIDsTEA

    This time, I decided to purchase the limited edition tin of the Raspberry Matcha. This is a tea I plan to always have at home, as long as DAVIDsTEA has it in their collection!

    You can also shop by gram below:

    Blueberry Matcha

    Another matcha tea I needed to re-stock on was Blueberry Matcha. I was long overdue to order some! Like the Raspberry Matcha, it tastes amazing iced or hot. I also like to add it to my vanilla protein smoothies or my dairy free/gluten free muffins.

    Kick your summer vibes up a notch with our sweet and revitalizing Blueberry Matcha. Bursting with freshly picked blueberries, mega-healthy matcha green tea and pure cane sugar, it’s an iced tea latte waiting to happen. The best part? This deliciously fruity blend is packed with all the energizing and metabolism-boosting benefits of matcha for an instant pick-me-up. Good vibes all around.

    – DAVIDsTEA

    I ordered 50 grams of Blueberry Matcha. But that was pretty silly of me! I regret not ordering more since I tend to go through it so quickly.

    Bubblegum Matcha

    The last Matcha tea I ordered is one that I have been quite curious to try! I had attempted to order it, on my past DAVIDsTEA order, but it sadly was cancelled. This time, I got lucky and was able to get it!!!

    Bubblegum Matcha does not sound like a drink I would enjoy hot, but as an iced matcha or popsicle, it sounded very appealing! Both Linda @LSN2 and I were so curious about it. I decided to order 50grams to try it out.

    Blue bubble gum fan? Go retro with this cool novelty fruity matcha. It’s made with a lively base of finely ground green tea powder – hailed for its energizing & detoxifying benefits – plus a sweet hint of natural apple, pineapple & vanilla flavouring. Try it on ice or add to homemade ice cream or popsicles. No matter how you enjoy it, this one-of-a-kind matcha is the nostalgic treat your taste buds have been waiting for. 

    – DAVIDsTEA

    It is available by the gram or inside a special limited edition tin:

    I have not had a chance to make it yet, but I will keep you all posted! Have you tried it? If so, what do you think?

    The Green Tea:

    I also ordered another favourite tea of mine: The Countess of Seville. I tend to stock up on this tea quite often! It is a delicious blend of green tea with bergamot and light citrus notes.

    This tea is an online exclusive. It does not always show up on DAVIDsTEA’s estore, when it is sold out. If you don’t see it right away, make sure to check back! As I write this blog post, it currently is sold out and it was harder to find! I ended up doing a google search to find a link for it!

    There are so many rumours about Earl Grey and his gallivanting ways. We like this one, about a trip he took to Spain. It’s said he fell for the Countess of Seville, a beautiful, dark-haired woman with a penchant for oranges. But did he really woo her with this green tea scented with bergamot, orange oil, cornflowers and orange zest? Either way, it’s a sweet, romantic twist on his original recipe. (MK Kosher).

    – DAVIDsTEA

    The Fruit Infusion Herbal Teas:

    The last two teas I ordered were both fruit infusion herbal teas.

    Unicorn Dream

    A new fruit infusion favourite is Unicorn Dream! I ordered it in my past DAVIDsTEA order and I became addicted! I especially love this tea iced, but it is delicious hot too. This tea is quite sweet and very flavourful. Usually, I am not a fan of teas that have stevia added, but this one is an exception! I also think it would taste delicious as a popsicle too.

    Warning: This tea will add some magic to your day. Our caffeine-free fruit infusion is filled with smile-inducing ingredients – from blue butterfly pea, yellow everlasting flowers & pretty pink hibiscus blossoms to unicorn & heart-shaped sprinkles. The result is an enchanting & addictive herbal tea that’s tart and lightly citrusy, with dreamy notes of sweet cotton candy and creamy marshmallow.

    – DAVIDsTEA

    Not only does this tea taste magical, it looks magical! It is very colourful and has adorable unicorn and heart shaped sprinkles, marshmallows and even glitter balls that add sparkles to your tea!!!!

    You can watch my reaction to the sparkle in my IGTV video.

    Can you spot the unicorn sprinkle?

    Unicorn Dream is also available inside a limited edition tin, but you can also purchase it by the gram, like me:

    Rainbow Lemonade

    The last tea I have to share with you is one that is also packed with flavour. It is called Rainbow Lemonade.

    I could not wait to make it! I made it iced first and it had a delicious tangy, but sweet vibe to it! I also think it is beautiful to look at!

    I also enjoyed it hot and it was delicious too, but honestly…I think this tea is a great iced tea choice for your Summer afternoons!

    Get your ice cubes ready – this next-level lemonade iced tea is about to add a mouthpuckering twist of flavour to your summer sipping. Think ripe and juicy citrus, a tropical splash of pineapple, and a sweet hint of raspberry. Tart and refreshing, this caffeine-free tea tastes amazing straight up iced or with a little extra somethin’ somethin’. Get ready to see some rainbows with this one. What makes it great With its fruity twist, this lemon iced tea is a fresh and delicious substitute for the classic store-bought lemonade. For those days when you’ve got company, cool off your guests by brewing up a big pitcher with ice and lemon slices. It’s caffeine-free so the kids can get in on the action too!

    – DAVIDsTEA

    And that concludes this blog post! I hope you enjoyed seeing the selection of teas I ordered.

    Have you tried any of these teas? If so, which ones do you love?

  • Afternoon Tea,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Pawfectella,  Pawfectella Everything!,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    High Tea Takeout | Neverland Tea Salon

    Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and doing well, during this time. <3

    In today’s blog post, I’ll be sharing one of my favourite “stay at home” treats: High Tea Takeout! During COVID-19, I have been trying especially hard to support small businesses, both near and far. One of my favourite high tea salons is Neverland Tea Salon. My husband and I have been going there for years, and it’s our “go-to” place to celebrate Birthdays, Valentines and Anniversaries. You might remember one of my blog posts about a Valentines Day High Tea. Or may have seen the inside of Neverland Tea Salon in some of my older YouTube videos!

    Neverland Tea Salon is such a magical place, not to mention the food and teas are amazing. I cannot have dairy or gluten and Neverland Tea Salon is known for providing the best vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free menu options!

    With many businesses and restaurants temporarily closing due to COVID-19, Neverland Tea Salon began to offer High Tea Takeout back in mid-March! And it was the best timing for me…I had just had my laparoscopic surgery and couldn’t go out. My husband picked some up for me and it was such a treat! The high tea was also Alice in Wonderland themed!

    Pictures from that first takeout order:

    Alice in Wonderland Treats:

    Neverland Tea Salon offers pickup (in the picture below you can spot my husband getting our wedding anniversary takeout), or delivery on Uber Eats!

    Over the last few months, I have continued ordering High Tea Takeout with Neverland and it has become something I’ve looked forward to. I love bringing out a pretty tea pot, my favourite tea cups and plates…and arranging all the delicious treats and sandwiches out.

    Sometimes, I will enjoy high tea with just myself and Ella, my mini poodle or virtually with my friends on FaceTime or Zoom. Other times, I will order high tea for two and enjoy afternoon tea with my husband.

    If you follow me on Instagram, you might remember a recent #StyleSunday IGTV video where I take you along to Neverland to pickup some high tea! If you’d like to watch that video, you can find it HERE.

    I tend to always order A Grand Adventure Vegan/Gluten High Tea, but if I am feeling celebratory, I love ordering their Take Me To Neverland Bubbly High Tea.

    Currently on the
    vegan takeout menu:

    Vegan and Gluten Free Sandwiches:

    • Vegan Lemon herb cream cheese and cucumber arugula
    • Red Thai Curry chickpea salad, red onions, red bell peppers, cucumber and mango chutney
    • Port Fig compote with pear, nut based “brie cheese”, and vegan mustard mayo
    • Avocado with cashew butter, pickled red onions, and cucumbers
    • Mumbai chai tea apple butter with freshly sliced Granny Smith apples and vegan “provolone cheese”

    Vegan and Gluten Free Sweets:

    • Vegan Cashew Mango Cheesecake
    • Pineapple Coconut teacake (my favourite)
    • Hazelnut praline chocolate mousse cup
    • Vegan orange chocolate opera cake

    Vegan and Gluten Free Scone:

    • Citrus gluten free scone with dairy-free cream and house-made strawberry jam

    The Teas:

    Neverland Tea Salon has so many amazing teas to choose from! AND…if you are not local, but would love to try their teas, they ship across Canada and the USA. You can shop their a small selection of their teas HERE. They have even more tea, in-store though!

    My Top 6 Teas (in no particular order):

    Which tea would you want to try first? Please let me know, down below!

    As much as I have been enjoying Neverland’s takeout options, I cannot wait to dine at Neverland again. Rumour has it they will be re-opening on June 10th, 2020. They will be adhering to all safety measures and following strict rules to keep their staff and their customers safe.

    And that is it for today’s blog post! I would love to know if you have a high tea takeout option in your local area. Have a safe and wonderful rest of your day <3

  • Afternoon Tea,  DAVIDsTEA,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    DAVIDsTEA Spring Collection

    Tea Haul, First Impressions & Review

    I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe, during this outbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I hope this blog post and new YouTube video adds a smile into your day!

    In this blog post/video, I share my latest DAVIDsTEA haul! I ordered two new teas from their spring collection, as well as a staple tea I was out of! Please note, that some of the links (in this blog post) are affiliate links.

    In the video, you will see a close up look at each of the teas. I share a close up look at the tea leaves/matcha powder, as well as show the teas being steeped and the final result. You will also hear my first impressions and taste reviews. You can watch the video HERE or down below:

    DAVIDsTEA Haul Items:

    DAVIDsTEA Unicorn Dream

    Shop DAVIDsTEA Canadian estore
    Shop DAVIDsTEA USA estore

    DAVIDsTEA Raspberry Matcha

    Shop DAVIDsTEA Canadian estore
    Shop DAVIDsTEA USA estore

    DAVIDsTEA Countess of Seville

    Shop DAVIDsTEA Canadian estore
    Shop DAVIDsTEA USA estore

    Unicorn Dream by DAVIDsTEA
  • Afternoon Tea,  Beads and Coffee/Tea,  Jewellery,  My Favourite Jewellery Brands,  Ohm Beads,  OHM News & Updates,  Ohm Reviews,  Ohm Style,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    OHM Beads is MAD | The Alice in Wonderland Collection

    “When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one!” 

    – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Chapter 4

    Happy Saturday! I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe, during this outbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I hope this blog post adds a smile into your day!

    I am excited to announce a simply MAD new collection from OHM Beads: the Alice in Wonderland collection! It will be releasing on April 1st, 2020. This collection is inspired by Lewis Carrol’s, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It features 9 new beads, 3 of which are made of Looking-Glass…oops, I mean OHM glass.

    A special thank you to OHM Beads for sending me these beads to review and design with. What a dream come true…not only to have this collection coming out, but to be gifted them! Thank you to the bead community, as well. I would not have these opportunities without your support. <3

    In this blog post, I will be sharing a bracelet design and an overview of the beads and their price points. Also, stay tuned for my OHM Alice in Wonderland YouTube video. This video will take a closer look at the beads, as well as share some clips from a “Mad Tea Party” that Nichol (@MyPandoraCharmedLife) and I attended at the Ivy Team Room in New Mexico.

    Speaking of Nichol, she recently posted a video that we filmed together! If you’d like to see our first impressions and us unboxing the OHM Alice in Wonderland collection, CLICK HERE or watch down below:

    Video from @MyPandoraCharmedLife Youtube Channel.

    “Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). 

    – Alice in Wonderland – Chapter 2

    When it came to designing my bracelet, I decided to incorporate all 9 beads on my silver OHM Twisted Bangle. Usually, this would be too many beads, for a bangle. However, my bangle is a size small and on the looser side. My wrist measurements is about 14.5 cm and I find the size small bangle allows more space for beads, but still provides a comfortable fit!

    I may ultimately decide to do a layered bangle or OHM Whip Bracelet stack, with this collection, but it was fun to pair all the beads together. I would love to see an “Alice Blue” or lavender OHM Whip bracelet release!

    It was all very well to say “Drink me,” but the wise little Alice was not going to do that in a hurry. “No, I’ll look first,” she said, “and see whether it’s marked ‘poison’ or not.” 

    – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 1

    For this bracelet design, I added a few more beads, to go with the wonderland theme.

    I chose to add OHM Pretty Tea Pot and OHM Pretty Tea Cup, (which pair with the OHM Eat Me and OHM Drink Me dangles). These tea themed beads are a perfect representation of the Mad Tea Party scene from the book! I love the floral detailing on both.

    I also added the OHM BOTM Tea Bag dangle (paired after OHM Painting the Roses Red). If you’d like to see a video, taking a closer look at the OHM Tea Bag, CLICK HERE.

    I also added the OHM Milky glass bead (paired beside, OHM Mad Hat). Tea with milk or cream…such a must! I also added my OHM Woodsy spacers to the bangle, as well. A representation of the woods that Alice wonders though, trying to find her way out of Wonderland.

    “Well! I’ve often seen a cat without a grin,” thought Alice; “but a grin without a cat! It’s the most curious thing I ever saw in all my life!”

    – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 6

    Now, it is time to share a closer look at the 9 beads from the, OHM Alice in Wonderland collection. All these photos below are courtesy of OHM Beads, minus the last photo.

    OHM White Rabbit

    “The Duchess! The Duchess! Oh my dear paws! Oh my fur and whiskers! She’ll get me executed, as sure as ferrets are ferrets!” 

    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Chapter 4

    OHM White Rabbit is magical, but running quite late for an important date! It has a thin, clear glass detailing surrounding a pure solid white core and magical bits of glittering sparkle! This bead retails for $60 US.

    OHM Saganistute

    The word “saganistute” appears to be a portmanteau for “sage” and “astute”. We love that word here at OHM; so as part of our own “Alice in Wonderland” series, we proudly present our new glass bead entitled, Saganistute. sage in classical philosophy, means “someone who has attained wisdom” or someone who lives “according to an ideal that transcends that everyday”. Astute describes one having “mental sharpness and perception”.

    Brilliantly, this creations transcends the everyday, and if you look astutely, you will find sage advice in the sprinkle of sparking magic wafting though the twilight sky and alluring depths of the wonderland around you. Saganistute: “a wise person of poetry and vision.” That’s you!

    – OHM Beads

    OHM Saganistute is whimsical! I love the purple shade of colour mixing with sparkle and magic. It pairs beautifully with OHM Gallymoggers (pictured below). This bead will retail for $60 US.

    OHM Gallymoggers

    OHM’s GALLYMOGGERS is a part of our Alice in Wonderland series. Look closely at and you’ll see splashes of euphoric cream in bubbles of delirious blue tea or perhaps you’ll see only the white teeth of the Cheshire Cat as the rest him fades into a transparent dream. Maybe you’ll see Alice’s blue-and-white dress as she tumbles down the rabbit hole into a realm of wonder. Once you wear our GALLYMOGGERS bead, you’ll believe six impossible things before breakfast!

    – OHM Beads

    OHM Gallmoggers is the last glass bead in the OHM Alice in Wonderland Collection. It will retail for $60 US and is that perfect “Alice Blue”. It is a magical reference to Alice’s blue and white dress.

    OHM Who Are You

    “Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.

    This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

    “What do you mean by that?” said the Caterpillar, sternly. “Explain yourself!”

    “I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, Sir,” said Alice, “because I am not myself, you see.” 

    —Alice in Wonderland – Chapter 5

    The OHM Who Are You silver bead is packed with detail! It captures every detail of a wonderland mushroom. It also shows evidence of the Caterpillar enjoying too much of his hookah (love those droopy “ears”/antennas). From every angle, there is something to appreciate. He will retail for $60 US.

    OHM Mad Time

    “In that direction,” the Cat said, waving its right paw round, “lives a Hatter: and in that direction,” waving the other paw, “lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they’re both mad.”

    “But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.

    “Oh, you ca’n’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

    “How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.

    “You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”

    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 6,

    OHM Mad Time is one of my favourite silver beads (if I had to pick). I love that we see the Cheshire Cat’s eyes and toothy grin. I also love that it resembles the White Rabbit’s pocket watch. Time is quite an interesting theme in Wonderland and I love the OHM Beads did a reference to it! I also love the back detailing that says: “We’re all mad here”. This bead can be threaded through the core or the little bale detail, on the top. It will retail for $65 US.

    OHM Mad Hat

    “Take some more tea,” the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.

    “I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone: “so I ca’n’t take more.”

    “You mean you ca’n’t take less,” said the Hatter: “It’s very easy to take more than nothing.”

    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 7

    My other favourite silver bead is the OHM Mad Hat. It is inspired by the one and only Mad Hatter! This silver bead has simply MAD details: a peacock feather, signs of age and wear and a saucer like base. It is truly a must for any Wonderland fan! This bead will retail for $60 US.

    “I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other; but the great question is ‘What?’”

    Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 4

    OHM Eat Me & OHM Drink Me

    OHM Drink Me and the OHM EAT ME beads look like they are straight out of wonderland! I love how they are crumpled slightly and have small tears…so realistic. They are very light weight and with a small bale, they are easy to squeeze onto a bracelet design! Separately, they retail for $30 US each.

    OHM Painting the Roses Red

    A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden: the roses growing on it were white, but there were three gardeners at it, busily painting them red.

    – Alice in Wonderland

    The OHM Painting the Roses Red bead is heart shaped. The Queen of Hearts would be very pleased, with this reference to her! It has the option to be worn as a bead or pendant. Some of my favourite details are the “painted” red enamel roses, followed by the beautiful vines and branch detailing. This bead will retail for $65 US.

    This concludes a look at the, OHM Alice in Wonderland collection. What are your favourite bead(s) from this upcoming release?

    As a reminder, this collection will release on April 1st, 2020 along with a huge launch of other OHM collections and beads (stay tuned).

    If you plan to make your first ever OHM Beads order, feel free to use my referral link or use code: EMILY1RVCHMDY (at checkout) to save 11% off your first OHM Beads purchase!

  • Afternoon Tea,  Ella Adventures,  Harlow,  Lifestyle,  Making Tea at Home,  Pawfectella,  Pawfectella Everything!,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    Paragon Tea Room | My favourite place to get tea, in the city | BUT AKA: how tea makes dreams come true.


    On April 10th, 2019…I did not realize I would be stepping into my favourite place for tea. One of my best friends, Tiara had been talking about this new tea salon that opened up beside her gym…and how I just HAD to go.

    April 10th, 2019…it was a really hard and emotional day. I was waiting to hear back about Harlow’s (my late guinea pig) test results, going through an extremely “burnt out” period of life, frustrated with health issues and needing to make some big life decisions. Tiara was so sweet and spent that entire day with me. As a doctor, she knew the best medicine for me: she took me to, Paragon Tea Salon for my first cup of tea misto.

    Tiara and I waited in line and I gazed up at the menu. I wanted to try EVERYTHING!!!

    When we got to the front of the line, we were greeted by Michelle, the owner of Paragon. She was a breath of fresh air and so welcoming. I was so impressed that she knew Tiara, by name…and you could just tell she genuinely loves her customers and takes time to get to know them and build a relationship.

    She was equally excited that I was about to try, the paragon way for the first time. After some helpful recommendations from, Michelle…I decided to settle on the, High Mountain Roasted Oolong Tea Misto. Although…I was very close to ordering a matcha misto, haha!

    When we were in line…I had to take a photo of the menu options! I wanted to be able to look back on it, to show my husband and talk him into coming back with me, haha.
    A smaller version of Paragon’s tea menu.


    Michelle started to make our tea mistos and I couldn’t get over how she was making them!!! TEA-like espresso! It was the coolest thing EVER. I actually ended up take a short video of the experience of making a cup of tea misto. It was so fascinating for me! 100ml of strong and delicious tea…

    Michelle making my first cup from Paragon!
    My husband’s first cup of Paragon!


    After our teas were ready, Tiara and I sat beside the window and chatted the afternoon away, as we sipped our delicious teas. She gave me sound advice.

    But how was the tea?!!! THE TEA WAS SOOOO AMAZING! Perfect temperature, perfectly steeped. Perfect frothed almond milk (although…I ended up switching to oat milk afterwards, thanks to Michelle’s advice on my second visit). And to top the drink to perfection: the perfect cup to truly taste the aroma and essence of the tea!

    I couldn’t wait to bring, Snowman (my husband) to try these teas!!! And I also couldn’t wait to go back myself.

    My first cup of tea from Paragon.


    During my conversations with, Tiara…I received a phone call from Harlow’s vet…that she needed to be brought in for more testing. The rest of this story, breaks my heart…as I didn’t know that only a few days later, my little Harlow would be passing away in my arms. Many of you know this story, so I won’t go into details here.


    I had hoped to do this blog post, shortly after my first visit, but with Harlow’s passing and that crazy “burnt out” period…I just didn’t have the time or energy.

    However, I continued to go to Paragon and fell more and more in-love with the atmosphere, teas and people! I also made sure to bring Snowman (my husband) and he instantly became a huge fan. He often joined my on these visits.

    e
    Harlow’s passing was a big wake up call to me, to start taking care of myself and my health more. Whenever I needed to take a break…I went to Paragon. It became the place where I started focusing on new goals and dreams; a place I could escape to and just “be”. I made some of my biggest dreams and goals there, while sipping tea and taking in the peaceful, creative atmosphere. I typed these goals and dreams into my phone, laptop or note paper. And the crazy thing is…every single one has come true, in less than a year. I still cannot believe that! It proves how magical tea can be…when you add it to your dream planning ingredients, haha. Oooh..and put those dreams and goals into action, of course 😉


    One of my dreams, popped into my head about 2 months after Harlow’s passing. I was sitting with my husband (at Paragon, of course) and I just had this thought and major gut feeling that I needed a dog. My husband stopped sipping his tea and just looked at me…”really? Are you sure the timing is right? Shouldn’t you just focus on your health, etc?” I explained to him why this was the BEST idea, BEST medicine (besides tea) and BEST dream ever.

    In that exact moment, I was convinced and when I want something, I will not give up, (poor husband). I wanted to adopt my very own puppy! I have always been a huge dog lover, since I was a little girl. But I never had the time or lifestyle to be able to take proper care for a puppy. After some big “life decision making”, the timing was perfect…and I just had a feeling that Harlow would approve of this decision. My husband soon (willingly, promise!) agreed and trusted my planner instincts, haha.

    Ella came into our life and I’ll never forget bringing her to Paragon for her first visit. It was like that goal/dream had literally come full circle. It was truly incredible and felt like the biggest, “God Wink”.

    Ella’s first visit to Paragon.


    And just before picking up Ella…another dream came true…and then another one and another one…it was incredible. And they just kept on blossoming, even after adopting Ella.


    That’s the thing with dreams and goals…you need to make time to work for them. And having a wonderful place to escape to…and focus on them, plan for them and to achieve them…makes all the difference. I am truly grateful for discovering Paragon, through a very transitional and difficult point, in my life. It gave me that space I needed to focus and I will forever be grateful for that! AND…for the delicious cups of tea!!!


    I now live in a new home (one of my goals)…where I have my own office/creative space to continue making my dreams and goals come true. I still love to go to Paragon, but I now have the opportunity to make their delicious teas, at home too!! Such a treat!!!

    My personal favourites are: Hojicha powder, Genmaicha powder, Mango Hojicha, Genmaicha (matcha coated) and the High Mountain Oolong (but I still have more to try)!

    Paragon also has an online store, if you would like to try some of their teas. They ship or you can pickup in-store, if you live nearby!

    My first time making Hojicha at home!


    They also have a wonderful mini gift shop…and I was able to get a beautiful new matcha bowl, right before Christmas! I love it soo much!


    Well, there you have it! Quite a long and personal blog post…that was suppose to be JUST a tea review…that turned into a much more personal story. But I feel right sharing it because that is one thing I get asked all the time:

    How do you stay so positive? Well, that’s for another blog post topic, if you’d like to hear it. But as you can tell, through this blog post…that period was extremely challenging, but when life gives you heartache and gloom…you make tea and focus on the true and good things in life.

  • Afternoon Tea,  Tea,  Tea Reviews,  Uncategorized

    Holiday Afternoon Tea | Langdon Hall Country House at Christmas Time

    My Grandma and I waiting to be seated for afternoon tea

    On December 20th, 2019 my Grandma, Husband, Mother and I went to Langdon Hall Country House for a Christmas Afternoon tea together. This was my husband and I’s second time going to Langdon Hall and we really wanted to take my Grandma and Mother, ever since our first visit! It is such a special place and I knew my Grandma had always wanted to go.

    When you walk up the steps and through the front entrance, you walk into an elegant atmosphere, surrounded by history and seasonal Christmas florals and greens, picked from the gardens and woodland outside the hall.

    After taking our coats, we headed into the waiting area that had a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with old fashioned charm and wrapped presents below it!

    Langdon Hall Christmas Tree

    Soon, they called our name and we were seated at a round table with their afternoon tea menus and beautiful seasonal decor. Afternoon tea is a seasonal, set menu, but if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, it is recommended to call ahead, when you book your reservation. Langdon Hall is fantastic at accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies, and we had called ahead about both my husband and I’s. The server let us know that my meal (and my husbands) were being served as gluten and dairy free and I loved that I didn’t even need to double check!

    Langdon Hall Tea Menu

    The server also explained their tea menu and also asked if we would like any champagne, mimosas, etc! My Grandma and I decided to go for mimosas. I rarely drink (just on special occasions) and this felt like a perfect occasion and a mimosa sounded so good! My Grandma agreed!

    There were so many delicious tea options on the menu. I had quite a few I was debating between. I settled on the, Blood Orange Oolong. Oolong tea is one of my favourites and I was intrigued by the hibiscus and citrus peel notes.

    A look at the Langdon Hall Tea Selection

    The server took our tea orders and brought our mimosas. As we were waiting for our tea and treats, we laughed and chatted away and enjoyed the understated music and outdoor views through the large windows.

    My Grandma also admired her tea cup and inquired about the little infuser inside her cup! I let her know it catches the fallen tea leaves from the tea pot! I hardly ever see this method being used and I absolutely love it!!!!!

    Langdon Hall Teacup and Saucer

    Our pots of tea arrived and they looked so charming! Every one enjoyed their tea selections! My mother actually got the same tea, as me! My Grandmother ordered a delicious ginger blend and my Husband got a peach tea.

    Such a beautiful table setting! And can you spot the blueberry jam, butter and clotted cream?
    My Grandmother enjoying the atmosphere and beautiful view outside!

    After all our first pours of tea were nearly finished, our delicious sandwiches, scones and treats arrived! Langdon Hall recommends eating their scones first, as they are fresh from the oven!

    Gingerbread and traditional scones. Mine were both gluten and dairy free!
    Such a treat.

    The sandwiches and treats were so delicious! Below is a photo of my husband’s selection of goodies.

    Overall, we had such a wonderful time together and Langdon Hall exceeded all our expectations for a lovely Christmas treat together. After leaving Langdon Hall, we drove to see some beautiful Christmas lights…such a lovely way to end the day!

    Which one would you try first?
    Comments Off on Holiday Afternoon Tea | Langdon Hall Country House at Christmas Time
  • DAVIDsTEA,  Jewellery,  Ohm Beads,  Tea,  Tea Reviews

    My Favourite Christmas Tea | Beadmas2019 Day 12 of #BeadmasStories

    St. Nick is checking his list…twice!

    As the Christmas season rolls in, it is time for my favourite Christmas tea: Santa’s Secret from DAVIDsTEA*! Have you ever wondered how Santa is able to deliver all those toys, presents and cheer in one night? Well, here’s his secret (besides Christmas magic, of course)! A delicious Chinese black tea with peppermint, vanilla and magical candy cane sprinkles!

    Santa’s best kept Secret!!!

    This tea is so delicious! I love having it black, but it also makes a delicious tea latte! There’s two ways I love to make it as a latte:

    Latte Recipe One:
    1. 3-4 perfect spoonfuls of Santa’s Secret
    2. Fill your Steeper with about 235ml of water (roughly right above the DAVIDsTEA logo)
    3. Feel free to add your choice of sweetener to the steeper (honey, agave, etc.) as the tea steeps. Roughly, 1tbs. Lightly stir in.
    4. Steep for 4-6 minutes, depending on taste level.
    5. Dispense tea into your favourite Christmas mug.
    6. Froth about 235ml of your choice of: Almond Milk, Soy Milk or Milk. I have a video about how I froth my almond milk, HERE.
    7. Pour your frothed milk over your Santa’s Secret Tea..and VOILA! Your Santa’s Secret Latte is ready to be enjoyed!


    Latte Recipe Two:
    1. 3-4 perfect spoonfuls of Santa’s Secret
    2. Fill your Steeper with about 235ml of water (roughly right above the DAVIDsTEA logo)
    3. Feel free to add your choice of sweetener to the steeper (honey, agave, etc.) as the tea steeps. Roughly, 1tbs. Lightly stir in.
    4. I also add a tiny bit of vanilla extract, just a drop!
    5. Steep for 4-6 minutes, depending on taste level.
    6. Dispense tea into your favourite Christmas mug.
    7. Froth about 235ml of Peppermint Chocolate Almond Milk. I have a video about how I froth my almond milk, HERE.
    8. Pour your frothed Peppermint Chocolate Almond milk over your Santa’s Secret Tea. Please note, the chocolate almond milk will not froth as much as normal almond milk…but this tastes like a peppermint hot chocolate and is sooo sooo delicious!

    HO HO HO!

    Now, as you know, today is the last day of Beadmas 2019 | #BeadmasStories. As for today’s giveaway, Ohm Beads and I are teaming away to give one lucky winner the Ohm St. Nick bead! This is a very special bead to me because he represents my chosen Saint Name. As a Catholic, I got confirmed into my faith when I was in grade 8. I remembering researching so many different saints, but the one that stood out to me the most, was my hero since I was a little girl: Saint Nicholas. He was so inspiring to me…and the fact that his memory lives on through one of the most magical and holy seasons was very special to me! Now, pretty much every single person made “fun of me” for picking a “boy’s name” as my Saint. But I didn’t care…it wasn’t about what people thought of me! And…my Confirmation Sponsor (unknown to me, at the time) had chosen St. Valentine as her saint!

    To find out how to win this bead, head over to my Instagram, @fashionstoryteller and look for one of those photos used in this blog post!

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!! xx

    Emily D.

    *P.S: some of the links, in this blog post are affiliate links.

    St. Nick by Ohm Beads