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:
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!
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?
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.
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
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 ahuge 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 IGTVvideo 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!
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.
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.
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:
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!
Happy April 2nd, 2020! I hope today finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy and doing well.
In today’s blog post, I will be hosting a fun giveaway on behalf of OHM Beads! For the month of April, OHM Beads is having daily giveaways, games, and themes. The official hashtag for the month is #OHMinApril. A new giveaway/game/theme will be happening every day and they will be hosted by either OHM HQ, an OHM Team Member or an OHMbassador. I am so excited to be hosting #OHMTeaforTwo for the April 2nd giveaway!
Today’s theme is #OHMTEAFORTWO and I one lucky winner will have the opportunity to win the OHM Tea Bag BOTM! To find out how…keep on reading!
Photo courtesy of OHM Beads.
As all of you know, I am a HUGE tea addict and I have embarrassingly large cupboards of teas (yes, I said cupboards). But not to worry, they are all organized by tea type (green, oolong, black, etc.) as well tea bags and loose leaf teas. It is very safe for me to say that I could probably open up my own tea shop, with the amount of teas I have!
Am I the only one? Do you have a large tea cupboard? Or cupboards?!
One of the reasons I love tea is because of the experiences that goes along with it.
Here are some of my favourite tea experiences:
– the art of making tea is a relaxing experience that provides a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. I love preparing the perfect cup of tea or tea latte. It is a time to stay present, in the moment!
– picking out the perfect mug or tea cup is such a fun experience!
– afternoon tea or high tea is honestly the BEST way to catch up with loved ones and create memories to last a life time!
– having a friend over for tea!
– after dinner dessert…usually mean tea! And usually means time with love ones!
– TEA PARTIES!!!!
– going to a local tea shop and smelling and sampling hundreds of amazing teas…one of the best ways to spend an hour, if you ask me!
– grabbing a tea-to-go and going for walk in a winter wonderland or on an autumn day…nothing quite like it!
– bubble tea or iced tea…on a hot summer’s day. Again…nothing quite like it!
– sharing a cup of tea with a guinea pig named, Harlow. THE BEST!
– Unboxing a tea order! OR…the OHM Tea Bag BOTM Bead!!!!
What are some of your favourite tea experiences?
As mentioned, OHM Beads is giving away the OHM Tea Bag BOTM (Bead of the Month)! This is one of my favourite OHM Beads and is an incredible experience to unbox. If you’d like to watch my first impressions and unboxing of this bead, you can watch it HERE or down below:
Fast Forward to around 6:13 to see the tea bag unboxing.
The OHM Tea Bag BOTM comes with TEAriffic packaging. When you first open it, you will see that it comes inside an OHM tea tin. From there, you will pull out an OHM tea infuser and inside you will find tea bag. After gently opening the tea bag, you will find your bead!
Share a photo on your instagram profile, sharing a memory/experience that involved tea! Make sure to use the hashtags: #OHMINAPRIL #OHMTEAFORTWO #BEADSANDTEA and tag @fashionstoryteller and @OHMbeads.
For a bonus entry: leave a comment down below with your instagram name and what your favourite type of tea is.
One qualifying winner will be drawn and will have 24hrs to claim their prize. If the winner fails to claim their prize in 24hrs, a new winner will be drawn. To qualify to win, the winner must complete actions 1 and 2 correctly. Giveaway ends on April 3rd, 2020 at 11:00 AM PACIFIC. Winner will be announced on my Instagram stories. Void Where Prohibited.
Best of luck to all who enter! A special thank you to OHM Beads for this giveaway and for making the month of April sooo fun!
A new video is up on my Youtube channel. If you remember my last blog post, this is the video about the OHM Beads Alice in Wonderland collection. I also share some scenes from when Nichol (MyPandoraCharmedLife) and I went to the Ivy Tea Room. They were having an Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party and this was one of the reasons I came to visit Nichol, at the end of February/early March (I also just LOVE her and missed her terribly, haha)! #beadsandtea was so much fun!
You can watch the video, HERE. Or you can watch it down below:
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!
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and doing well, during this outbreak. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Have a wonderful rest of your day!
Left: WALL-E added an addition smile to my first visit…and every visit afterwards. Right: We walked into the tea room, which shares space with a local coffee shop. I looked up at the logo…and instantly felt I had found some where special!
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.
Harlow truly loved her tea and loved to #HarlowApprove my tea of the day.
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.
My Husband’s First Visit.
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 😉
Some of the delicious teas I have tried since my first visit!
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.
Ella being the cutest Paragonmodel, besides WALL-E, of course!
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.
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!
Back in 2012, my fiancé (now husband) and I started a new Christmas tradition with DAVIDsTEA #24daysoftea. Every evening, we would enjoy a tea of day, along with our baby guinea pig, Harlow (she liked to take little licks from our fingertips). We looked forward to discover what tea awaited us: black, green, oolong, herbal…what would it be?
Photo of the DAVIDsTEA Advent Calendar back in 2012The calendars have come along way!
A tea advent calendar was the most perfect invention for me! And I was instantly obsessed and just knew I had to get my family and friends involved in the fun too.
In 2012, I had just moved across the country in July…and I knew this would be a special way to still feel close to them, at such a special time of the year. It soon became my tradition to stock up on calendars (as soon as the store opened) to make sure my family and friends could all get one! DAVIDsTEA would sell out DAY OF…if not, MORNING OF! Luckily, last year…they seemed to finally have better stock!
A photo of DAVIDsTEA 2013 #24daysoftea Advent Calendar…and all the calendars I bought for family and friends. I would line up to the store, first thing in the morning!Baby Georgina investigating!!!
Each year and onwards, it became a time to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the holidays…and became a time of day we treasured. It warmed out hearts and souls…and we loved that our loved ones, though far away, were sharing in this wonderful experience with us.
2015 Advent Calendar #24daysofteaIn 2015, Glitter and Gold was one of the #24daysoftea…and it was our featured wedding day tea!!! So crazy cool!
The #24daysoftea calendar also became a heartwarming tradition with a very special guinea pig; my beloved Harlow. Harlow passed away this year…and it will be the first year I do not get my tea taster/tea assistant to help #HarlowApprove the tea of the day. It’ll be different, but I know she will be there in spirit, in her own way. Here are some of my favourite photos of Harlow during the #24daysoftea countdown!
#HarlowApproved #24daysoftea DAVIDsTEAI’m not sure about this one, Mom! #24daysofteaI like the smells of this one, Mom! #24daysofteaWhat day are we on now, Mom?We miss you, Harlow!
I also enjoy the Christmas countdown with…ALL OF YOU!!! On my Instagram, it has become my tradition to also share the tea of the day with you all…through fun photos of the day!!! I love hearing your thoughts on the teas and seeing your photos too!
Pandora Santa
And now…for some truly exciting news to share with all of you:
I am now part of DAVIDsTEA Affiliates Program. It honestly feels like a dream come true because besides jewellery, #tea (and especially, #Davidstea) is my biggest obsession. What this means, is if you order through my affiliate links (featured in my blog posts, on my Linktree, instagram stories and youtube channel), I’ll receive a small commission, much like a sales associate would, at a retail store. It’s pretty cool and I’m so thankful. 🥰💕 I would not have these amazing opportunities without each and every one of you…so a HUGE HUGE THANK YOU!!! 🍵☕️ And an additional thank you to any one who wants to shop with these links. That’s super kind and generous of you! 🍃🍵🍂 .
For Valentine’s Day, my husband and I went for high tea, after work! We had made a reservation to one of our favourite high tea spots and had been looking forward to it, for quite a few weeks.
This particular high tea spot is soo wonderful if you have gluten, dairy allergies or are vegan. They have a wonderful set menu for each or both of the concerns, so you never feel you have to make special requests. I cannot have gluten or dairy, so I always get the vegan option. It is amazing and their Valentine’s Day high tea was so beautiful done.
Vegan, Gluten Free High TeaDelicious dark chocolate, rose and coconut chocolateValentine’s Day Cupcakes
Another lovely thing about this tea spot, is that you can have unlimited tea. This means, you can try a variety of tea and are not limited to one pot. If fact, you can even take a cup of tea to go, when you are done. And this is all included in both of their set high tea menus ($38 and $48 for the bubbly high tea).
They also steep and prepare the tea to the perfect temperature and time before bringing it to your table, so you are not obligated to time the steeping yourself. I love this because your tea is delicious and perfect upon serving!
They have a mix match of the cutest tea cups! And I also decided to go for a glass of rose!
They also have a large tea menu with the cutest names! Many of them are named after the fairytale, Peter Pan.
I love the tea, “Take Me To Neverland”. It is a mint and chocolate flavoured black tea.So many delicious options to choose from…and you can try a variety!
The tea salon is decorated beautifully, with nods to Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and beautiful balloon and tea inspired details.
Spot the cute vintage balloon picture!Tea is always a good idea.Before heading out, you can take some treats to go too!
We had such a lovely time and my husband surprised me with some beautiful Valentine’s Day gifts, including two new Pandora charms! Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on these items.
What could be inside?
We had such a wonderful time! Always amazing service and a romantic, yet fun dining experience. After we were done, we got some teas to go, packed up some treats we were too full to finish and headed to go see the new movie, Alita!
