green leaves tightly bound
slowly sway as steam rises
petals blossoming
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photo credit: austin.happel
Tags: blossoming tea · flowering tea · tea haiku · teaspoons & petals · teaspoons and petalsNo Comments.
tea party in style
June 18th, 2009 by
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when planning a tea party, I tend to focus on the delicate leaves and dainty cups, and unfortunately forget to give much thought to my outfit. although while planning ahead for a few summer tea parties, I want to ensure that I will be serving in style.
while window shopping online (my favorite form of retail therapy), I came across the Floral Halter Layer Dress from Forever 21, that combined my love of the vintage, floral look with a modern twist (pictured above). I adore each detail of this feminine frock, from the floral print, to the pintucking, vertical pleat and layered hem. And at only $22.80, I can splurge on floral centerpieces for the table.
This dress would pair perfectly with a menu of lavender scones and jasmine oolong tea…or maybe even a white peony.
What is your favorite tea party outfit?
Tags: Floral Halter Layer Dress · floral tea · forever21 · jasmine oolong tea · tea · tea party · tea party dress · tea party style · teapoons & petals · teaspoons and petals · teaspoonsandpetalsNo Comments.
TEA TODAY: Davids Tea’s White Tiger
June 16th, 2009 by
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One powerful tea
Look out for white fur, black stripes and ice-blue eyes. White tigers tend to be bigger and stronger than their orange cousins. This blend is just as powerful. It’s got the smooth, immune-building strength of organic white peony tea. Plus the additional antioxidants of pomegranate essence and whole blueberries. A real fighter! It’ll scare off every free radical in the area.
As I shuffled through my bags and containers of loose tea, I was instantly drawn to its fierce and enticing name, White Tiger. As soon as I broke the seal of the bag, the dry aroma of the sweet pomegranates and blueberries instantly brought me to a sweeter state of mind.
As I poured the almost boiling water over the leaves, the hot aroma of the pomegranates and blueberries was sweet, fruity and slightly tangy, and was followed by the light floral notes of the white peony.
First sip: smooth white peony with slight floral notes and subtle grassy undertones builds into the flavor of the tangy pomegranate and finishes with the sweetness of blueberries. Although delicate, the white peony tea is the perfect canvas for the sweet fruity notes. The white peony, although floral, is more refreshing and clean than perfumy like that jasmine tea. The natural floral notes take turns with the sweet fruity elements, a seesaw of flavors, until the final flavor combination blooms.
After a few more sips, the white peony presence intensifies, although the blueberry and pomegranate still maintain a delightful flavor presence.
I would imagine that this would be a fabulous beverage companion to a dessert, like a blueberry pie. It would also freeze into amazing White Tiger popsicles, perfect for your next BBQ. Or if you’re looking to spice things up a bit, White Tiger would be a wonderful addition to your favorite martini, especially if you opt for blueberry vodka. The name does lend itself to a drink menu.
Overall, a lovely, clean, refreshing and sweet tea that I will continue to enjoy all Summer long.
Tags: best white tea · blueberry · blueberry tea · david tea · pomegrante · tea · white peony · white peony tea · white tea · white tigerNo Comments.
celebrate national iced tea month
June 10th, 2009 by
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For the past ten days I have been gleefully celebrating National Iced Tea Month! After stocking my freezer with ice, I reached into my cabinet to happily retrieve my Bodum iced tea pitcher tucked away during the chillier months. This iced tea pitcher (purchased from Mighty Leaf’s site) is probably one of my favorite pieces of teaware, as it holds 50oz of tea, has a built in infuser that you can remove after steeping, along with a ridged spout that catches any tea leaves that escape into the pitcher while brewing.
As I set the pot of water on the stove, I reached for the stalks fresh mint just picked from the garden and filled the pitcher with the vibrant green herb. I knew that a black tea would compliment the intense mint flavor, so I chose Tavalon’s Ceylon King (sent to me the month before from their sommelier’s choice tea of the month club - a Christmas gift I am still enjoying!).
Ceylon King: A smooth, pure black tea with bright notes of honey and fruit.
I gently placed 6 teaspoons (1tsp per 8oz of water) of the beautiful deep brown and delicately rolled whole Ceylon leaves into the infuser. The grand tea leaves truly live up to their majestic name, Ceylon King. I poured the boiling water over the leaves and steeped the tea for 5minutes. The tealeaves bounced about as they painted the water a deep golden brown shade.
After removing the infuser, I added two teaspoons of honey before allowing the tea to cool to room temperature. After speaking with many tea experts, I’ve learned that it’s best to let the tea cool before adding any ice, as the ice will instantly melt in the hot water, dilute the tea and shock it to a state of bitterness.
The heat of the tea released the intense aroma of the mint in my kitchen as it cooled. I impatiently waited for the heat to rise and escape before filling the pitcher with ice.
I poured myself a tall glass. First sip: The strength of the Ceylon King is complimented by the refreshing dose of mint. The bit of honey cut any bitterness that the Ceylon, when iced brewed, might have had. The mint sensation offers a naturally sweet and incredibly refreshing flavor, and continues to linger on your palette after every sip.
The intense mint flavor is followed by the crisp and hearty taste of the smooth Ceylon. The bright notes of Ceylon’s honey are subtle but beautiful in this brew, as the taste of mint dominates the sweet sensory experience. Although, the addition of honey along with Ceylon’s natural notes of honey provide a sweet foundation to this bold tea. My taste buds also pick up on Ceylon’s fruity element, which tastes very citrusy in this particular brew.
Ceylon King is a wonderful companion to the refreshing mint addition, and a fabulous tea for icing. I’m looking forward to replacing the mint with a nice dose of milk and a bit more honey during the next brew, as I create an icy, sweet treat.
Happy Iced Tea Month! Cheers!
Tags: best black tea · best iced tea · black tea · bodum · bodum iced tea pitcher · brew iced tea · ceylon king · ceylon tea · iced tea · iced tea pitched · make iced tea · mint tea · tavalon · tavalon's ceylon king · tea1 Comment
Steep It “The Simplest Internet Tea Timer Ever”
June 6th, 2009 by
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I often steep my tea in the comfort of my own home, experiencing the peaceful moments as I watch the minutes dwindle and tea leaves unfurl. Although when I step outside my four walls and into a nearby cafe, I normally can’t replicate that experience and instead attempt to check the time on my computer as I skate through emails. I inevitably lose track and sometimes over-brew a cup, which is my tea-loving heart skipped a beat when I stumbled across the web tea timer “Steep It-the simplest internet tea timer ever.”
Just type the time in the box, click “go” and you’ll be redirected to a new page displaying the diminishing time. The screen’s color changes mimicking the transformation of your steeped water. And finally, a pleasant bell rings, which lets you know that it’s time to take your infuser or tea sachet out of the water. And if you’re unsure about proper brewing time, Steep It has a tea time cheat sheet to calm your over-brewed fears.
Happy Brewing!
for more info, follow them on twitter and read their blog
Tags: brew tea · steep · steep it · steep tea · tea · tea time5 Comments
tea on etsy
June 3rd, 2009 by
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on lazy Sunday afternoons I can often be found peeking at etsy’s tea accessories. here are a few gems that sparkled during my last search….
tea party-tea towel from stitchado
100% cotton tea towel, measures approximately 25″ x 25″.
100% handmade embroidery from a vintage pattern
silkscreen art print poster from BluLima
“I have designed and hand screen printed these lovely posters on Rives Heavyweight printmaking paper. It is just off-white and oh so tough-but-tender in character. Natural and torn deckle edges, each print is signed and dated on the verso. Image size is 9″x12″, easily framed with pre-cut mattes. Open edition in multiple colors, check out my other listings and look for more to be added!”
tea-time small stamp set from CraftChi
“Tea Time stamp set includes 5 charming tea friends: April Apron, Tizzy Teapot, Tilly Teacup, Tom Teaball, and Teeny/Tiny Teabag. All stamps are 1×1inch except for Apron (1×1.5inch) and Tea ball (1×1.25inch).”
Tags: etsy · screen print · tea · tea on etsy · tea party · tea print · tea towelsNo Comments.
well that’s new: teaspoons & petals haiku teaware
May 31st, 2009 by
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I’ve experimented with a new font and some new cup styles that I hope you’ll like. I’ve also welcomed a new ceramic duo to the teaspoons & petals’ family, the cream and sugar set, inspired by creamy chai tea.
(these cups will be coming to my etsy shop soon!)
And over the next few months I will be seeking out the perfect vintage cups to add to my etsy shop (summer flea markets, where are you?) I’ll also be adding a new limited edition tea haiku line shortly (since I was tickled pink when creating the Philadelphia line). But until the big reveal, I wanted to give you a hint about the new line before I release anything in my shop. Fill in the lyrical blank: “come on babe. why don’t we paint the town. and all that _____.” Hope you guessed correctly!
Have a lovely day filled with countless cups of tea!
Tags: etsy · haiku tea · haiku teacups · haiku teaware · tea · tea cup · tea haiku · teacups · teaspooons & petals1 Comment
a nibble & a sip: tea party baked goods
May 27th, 2009 by
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“Handpainted flowers atop almond royal icing on scalloped vanilla sugar cookies.”
“Reminiscent of pretty vintage fabric or a lush blooming garden, these cookies are sure to delight. Scalloped vanilla sugar cookie rounds with almond royal icing.”
My favorite Philadelphia Baker, Zoë Lukas of Whipped Bakeshop, is always tantalizing my taste buds by sharing photos of her latest sweet creations on her site or in her etsy shop. I was particularly drawn to her most recent batch of artistic sugar cookies (shown above), as I could envision them as the edible centerpieces for a summer tea party. The vivid colors and vintage floral patterns are so feminine and dainty! I would serve iced jasmine green tea and a formosa fancy on a wooden picnic table draped with an old lace table cloth.
p.s. if you’re not in the Philadelphia area, Zoë will ship her cookies to you whether you’re near or far. lucky you!
Tags: best tea party food · cookies · cookies and tea · sugar cookies · tea · tea and cookies · tea party · tea party cuisine · whipped bakeshop2 Comments
teaspoons & petals father’s day promo in Etsy Finds!
May 26th, 2009 by
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Many thanks to Etsy for all the love they have given to teaspoons & petals over the past week. I’m thrilled that they included my father’s day promotion in their Etsy Finds:48 hours of Deals for Dads email and Storque article.
I intended to share this promo via a blog post today, but I guess they beat me to it
Looking forward to writing custom haiku for Father’s day teacups this year!!
Tags: etsy father's day gift · father's day · father's day gift · father's day tea · haiku cup · haiku teacup · handmade father's day gift · tea gift · tea haikuNo Comments.
tea today: yumchaa’s regent’s park blend
May 24th, 2009 by
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My dear friend, Jolene, recently returned from a quick trip to London. While there, she picked up a Yumchaa tea blend to surprise me with when she returned. Much love to such a thoughtful lady!!!
Here are my thoughts on Yumchaa’s Regent’s Park blend of green tea, papaya, pineapple, strawberry, raspberry and rose petals: The dry aroma is incredibly fragrant with intense fruity notes (although pineapple seems to dominate my sense of smell). Visually, the dry blend is quite beautiful with pops of pink and yellow fruits peeking from under vibrant green tea leaves.
Considering that it’s quite warm in Philadelphia today, I decided to brew an iced pitcher of Regent’s Park blend. I added 5 spoons of the blend to the infuser of my Bodum iced tea pitcher, which I then steeped in just boiling water for 4 minutes. (Note: I only filled half of the pitcher with almost boiling water since I will be adding ice after the liquid reaches room temperature)
It was beautiful to watch the leaves gently float to the top of the infuser as bits of pineapple and papaya lingered at the bottom, the anchors of the blend.
After the 4 minute steep, the water transformed into a golden color with hints of green. I impatiently waited for the tea to cool to room temperature before filling it with ice cubes and popping it into the fridge. The berries also dominate the brewed aroma, offering a bright sensory experience.
Sip #1: The first word that comes to mind is “refreshing,” not just because it’s chilled, but rather the grassy green combination with fruit creates a flavor that awakens my taste buds with crisp green notes and bursts of berry gently supported by tropical flavors of papaya and pineapple. I didn’t identify the rose petal presence, but then again I am a bit of a novice when it comes to that particular ingredient. There is a smidgen of faint bitterness at the end of the first sip (that eventually disappears from my taste buds after a few more sips), but it was the risk I was willing to take with the first iced brew of a new green tea. I’m sure once I become more familiar with the tea after a few more steepings, I will find the perfect brewing process.
overall, I truly enjoyed this fruity green tea blend. It’s refreshing and has clean taste thanks to real bits of fruit that offer their natural flavor. On a scale from 1 to 5, I would give it 4 cups up!
Tags: best green tea · fruit tea · green tea · green tea blend · green tea with fruit · iced tea · london · regent's park · tea · tea today · yumchaa · yumchaa regent's park2 Comments
teaspoons & petals on etsy’s front page! hooray!
May 22nd, 2009 by
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One of my haiku teacups was included in the list of “handpicked items” on Etsy’s front page yesterday afternoon-May 21st (top right)! This was teaspoons & petals’ first front page showing! hooray!
I was thrilled to find out that etsy had a widget for such an occasion (noted in my sidebar).
The featured haiku:
tea leaves leaping through
water gracefully as the
steeping dance begins
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Thank You Etsy!
UPDATE!!
While I was out and about visiting family during the holiday weekend, I returned home to find a lovely tweet from @handmadeinpa letting me know that another haiku cup (shown below) was featured on etsy’s front page at 10 am today (May 23rd).
2 front page honors in 3 days! I am so thrilled and thankful!!
Tags: etsy · etsy front page · haiku · haiku tea cup · haiku teacups · tea · teaspoons & petals · teaspoonsandpetals1 Comment
tea today: narien teas’ formosa fancy
May 20th, 2009 by
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“Formosa is a handmade oolong with carefully selected leaves from the Taiwan Island. Its sweet flavor and elegant aroma gives it the reputation of one of the finest teas in the world.”
Formosa Fancy, organic handmade oolong from Taiwan, is one of my favorite tea indulgences. the dry aroma is that of a blooming garden; earthy with a hint of sweet floral notes. As it steeped in boiling water for 3 minutes, the leaves slowly colored the water to a deep amber shade. The taste strikes a nice balance between bold and smoothly elegant. Its flavor achieves a delicate sweet peach note rounded out by a soothing smoky quality. The tea is gentle yet invigorating to the senses.
Simply stated, this tea lives up to its name, beautiful (the Taiwanese word “formosa” translates to “beautiful”). This fine tea stays with your taste buds minutes after the last sip, prolonging your tasting experience (one can hope that its lingering flavor is everlasting). I intend to greet several mornings by brewing a pot of formosa fancy and sipping it from a delicate cup.
Tags: best oolong tea · best tea · formosa · formosa fancy · narien tea formosa fancy · narien teas · oolong · oolong tea · tea blog · tea review · tea today · teaspoons & petalsNo Comments.
sweet tea treats: green tea kit kat
May 19th, 2009 by
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as the weather warms, my sweet tooth seems to dominate my mind and senses, causing unexpected cravings for green tea ice cream. so, you can understand why my taste buds leaped in anticipation when I saw this picture of green tea Kit Kats. unfortunately, these limited edition edible delights seem to be discontinued. let the hunt begin…(FYI-my sweet tooth doesn’t like to lose).
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sweet tea treats: tavalon’s menage a gummies
May 13th, 2009 by
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teddy bears and tea, the perfect pair at any tea party. now fast forward from days of finger painting and imaginary friends, and bears and tea are still the fabulous duo, especially when those bears are tiny, edible sweet tea treats. lucky for me I won a tin of Tavalon’s tea gummies via a twitter contest.
Tavalon’s “menage a gummies” tantalized my taste buds with the trio of acai blue, pom white and peach green tea flavors. Along with organic sugar, these sweet treats are actually made with green tea powder and white tea. The peach green tea gummy bear has the most complex flavors, as the peach taste pops while leaving room for the green tea to have its shining moment.
Overall these antioxidant-rich tea gummies achieve the perfect amount of sweetness thanks to “hand selected, organic ingredients” and “real fruit extracts. And if a sudden sadness looms as you realize the tin is bear (ah-silly pun!), then remember that the petite container can double as t0-go loose tea container.
*tea party idea: make a tea gummy centerpiece by filling three over-sized teacups with each flavor. and if you don’t have enough to fill up the cups (because you ate them before the guests arrived), place a few gummies in neat stacks on each saucer.
Tags: acai berry · green tea · gummies · gummy bears · menage a gummies · organic tea · peach green tea · sweet tea treats · tavalon · tea · tea party · tea treat1 Comment
teacups light up my life
May 11th, 2009 by
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This beautiful cluster of “ted lights” was created by domestic construction. Here’s what they have to say about their well lit wonders.
The vintage ceramic or porcelain teacups, acquired from flea markets and thrift stores all over the country, dangle delicately on the end of an 11 foot chord with an attached plug…ready to illuminate any space. Single teacup light too minimalist for your tastes? Don’t worry…domestic construction offers their ted lights in cluster and chandelier form. Ranging from 3-13 exquisite teacups, these bundles of beauty are hardwired and fully prepped for immediate installation in the ceiling. This gives the phrase “tea time” a whole new meaning.
Tags: domestic construction · tea · tea lights · teacups · ted lights2 Comments
join me for an early mother’s day tea party
May 6th, 2009 by
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Join me for an afternoon tea tasting this Saturday at the Whole Foods on South Street in Philadelphia. I’ll be selecting and brewing a variety of fine tea sold at WF (mighty leaf, two leaves and a bud, etc), talking tea and showcasing my haiku teacups. Whole Foods will be celebrating Moms a day early with this tea tasting and other in-store events. Come say hello!
Tags: mothers day tea party · philadelphia · tea · teaspoons & petals · teaspoons and petals · teaspoonsandpetals · whole foods · whole foods tea partyNo Comments.
if you were a tea….
May 3rd, 2009 by
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while sipping on a fabulous blend, my imagination meandered as I tried to select the various elements that would make a signature blend that truly represented me. as my favorite teas floated in a thought bubble above my head, I decided to share this thought with my twitter community via my account @teaandpetals. I tweeted: “If you were a tea, what would you be?” and here are the fabulous responses:
@MandyBee: If I were a tea I’d have to be a toasty black tea with hints of honey and something nutty… hmmm… almond?
@FoodPreserver1: black currant because I want to be dark and mysterious
@the_skua: I would be an aged full-leaf lightly-oxidized oolong, whose leaves open with subsequent steepings.
@RedLeadTea: Herbal: it’s complex but smoothing. There are so many sides to herbal tea
@cupcakie: great topic! i’d be something fruity and sweet, like raspberry with petals floating in it!
Over the past few days my signature blend has transformed (ah the wide world of tea), but at the moment I feel very springy and delicate like a light gyokuro. Although during the craze of Monday morning I might align myself with a hearty black tea blended with various fruits and dried nuts (as I approach the week ready to use my multi-tasking abilities).
so glad that I (along with my fellow twitter community) can truly identify with tea!
so, now I ask you: if you were a tea, what would you be?
Tags: black tea · gyokuro · tea · twitter4 Comments
tea today: ginger milk tea @radiance tea house
April 29th, 2009 by
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Nature is in full bloom and the visual delight of the blossoming flowers excites me greatly, expect for the fact that I am now experiencing seasonal allergies for the first time. That being said, I was in search of a tea to relieve my allergic symptoms in lieu of medicine that clouds my mind. So while visiting one of my newly discovered favorite tea spots in NYC, Radiance Tea House & Books, I explored the wellness tea selection and chose the Ginger Milk Tea.
Ginger Milk Tea 姜汁奶茶
Fresh ginger, brown sugar, milk, black tea.
Good for: warming the body, blood circulation,
congestion, aids body to fight common cold.
The wellness tea was served in a large glass teapot, and the soft brown, honey-like color instantly grabbed my attention and was visually soothing.
The the pungent aroma of ginger awakens my senses and gives me hope that my seasonal allergies won’t ruin this cup.
First Sip: the subtle sweetness of the brown sugar hits my tongue first, followed by the comforting milk that lingers. The most prominent taste is of the ginger that envelopes my tongue, igniting and exciting each taste bud before tickling my throat. The balance of the invigorating ginger and calming milk are truly wonderful. My body, annoyed by allergies, is soothed by the milk. The spicy ginger seems to be just the cure for seasonal congestion.
The black tea serves as the hearty base to the wellness blend; the solid stage for the tea as the other ingredients have solo performances.
The warmth of the tea is amplified by the dash of ginger’s natural spicy heat. Even as the tea chilled, the ginger offered a nice dose of spiced warmth, tricking my senses.
I love how the froth of the milk clings to interior of the glass cup. It creates a beautiful pattern that resembles the shadow of a mountainous landscape (ah yes, I am quite taken by this tea).
Overall, a fabulous tea house and an amazing tea blend. My mind was put at ease knowing that I had an entire pot of delectable tea to ease me back to a state of wellness, and that it truly did.
Tags: black tea · ginger · nyc tea · radiance tea house · radiance tea house & books · tea · tea in nyc · wellness · wellness tea4 Comments
I’m a sucker for a tea treat: Lollipop Labs Early Grey Pop
April 23rd, 2009 by
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A few weeks ago I serendipitously connected with Kelly, the confectioner behind Lollipop Labs, via twitter. An executive chef for a Tampa hotel, Kelly is used to concocting creative dishes. She discovered her new sugary passion while searching for a way to use absinthe in a dish. This quest for the perfect culinary accessory came to a halt when she created a heart shaped absinthe lollipop that she titled, “Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder.” This was not a one stop culinary adventure, as she would soon launch Lollipop Labs and continue to “experiment with sugar and flavors to create the ultimate gastronomic experience on a stick.”
Although I am quite tempted by the Lavender Rose, Kaffir Lime-Lemongrass, Dirty Martini (sugar, corn syrup, olive, vermouth, vodka-yes, vodka), my taste buds were most thrilled by the fact that she infused unique flavors with black tea to create an Earl Grey pop (her favorite tea). This teatime treat is made with bergamot, lavender, orange zest, black tea, sugar and corn syrup.
First Taste: My taste buds instantly experience a strong, fragrant cup of Earl Grey with a nice dose of sweetener. The heat of your mouth truly releases the extremely well blended chorus of flavors, although the signature bergamot and lavender had their solo flavor performance. The elegant, floral fragrant taste/sensory experience of lavender pairs nicely with the warm spicy flavor of bergamot oil.
In addition to the taste bud sensation of the lollipop sensory experience, the Earl Grey treat also offers a bit of visual stimulation. The color of the pop is reminiscent of a burnt orange fall leaf. If you hold it up to a light, the bits of orange zest, lavender, and black tea captured in the sugar really pop.
Looking for another way to use this little sucker? Then why not sweeten up your next cup of Earl Grey with this sugary creation to get a double dose of the tea experience. Although soon after this little thought popped into my head, Kelly emailed me to let me know that she is working on lollipop stirrers for tea. How fabulous! These pops would be the perfect accessory for your next tea party!
So here’s to Kelly from Lollipop Labs! I raise my Earl Grey pop and cup of tea to you. Cheers!
To learn more about Lollipop labs, visit: www.lollipop-labs.com and www.lollipoplabs.etsy.com And to keep tabs on their newest creations, follow Kelly on twitter: @lollylabs
Tags: early grey · lollipop · lollipop labs · tea · tea lollipop · tea treatNo Comments.
teaspoons & petals in dailycandy!
April 6th, 2009 by
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I am beyond thrilled that teaspoons & petals’ custom haiku teacups were featured in DailyCandy today! The process of making a custom haiku teacup is truly wonderful. Whether for a friend’s birthday, holiday (mother’s day), baby shower, bridal shower, wedding, or just because you want to give your tea loving friend a gift, I love to tailor a cup or an entire set for any special occasion. Maybe you’re looking for a custom haiku or maybe you’d rather have my original haiku with a personal detail (such as their name) on the inside of the cup. Want to know a bit more about my custom cups? Then email me at alexis.siemons@gmail.com
p.s. the lovely image above was styled and photographed by the amazing Courtney Apple.
And while we’re on the subject of haiku teacups, I just added some new cups to my etsy shop. I would love to hear your thoughts. Here’s a peek at a few…
Tags: custom haiku cups · dailycandy · haiku · haiku cup · haiku teacups · tea1 Comment
