Monday, November 30, 2020

Five on November

We made it to the end of November!

1. I was delighted when my African violets bloomed again this month.
 
 
2. My haul from my first visit to the Dollar Tree since March.
  

3. I've been watching as many Hallmark Christmas movies as possible during my free preview of the W Network. So these cute socks from my friend are perfect!
 
 
4. My November empties
 
Oldest (2017?): The Michigana and Magical Motown teabags by The Rendezvous with Tea.

Newest (November 2020): Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait herbal tea by DavidsTea.


5. My DIY Tea Advent Calendar. 

I found the HUGE stocking at HomeSense a few years ago and filled the pockets with teas that I already own.

It seems like every tea company has their own 12 or 24 Days of Tea calendars. Tea with Jann did a 25-minute video listing all the tea Advent calendars that she found online.

 
Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

Monday, November 23, 2020

In search of holiday teas

Christmas won't be Christmas without any Celestial Seasonings holiday teas.

When my local Bulk Barn store didn't get the Celestial Seasonings holiday teas this year, I scoured the internet to find a Canadian company that sold them online. 

In September (!), I bought one (1) box of Candy Cane Lane at Well.ca

Then last month, I found Sugar Plum Spice, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, and Candy Cane Lane at London Drugs. I was worried that they'd sell out so I paid full price ($4.49 CDN - NO REGRETS!), and purchased two (2) boxes each to maximize the shipping costs. They're currently on sale: $3.49 CDN each or Buy 2 or more for $3 each.

I'm now well-stocked on these classic holiday teas for two (2) Christmas seasons!


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I've been preparing for the looooong pandemic winter by stocking up on teas from my favourite local tea companies. I'll be sharing these teas throughout the holiday and winter season.


Dessert By Deb specializes in dessert-themed teas. My friend Deb recently released her Holiday Cookie Party Collection, as well as some super cute tea tins and gift sets. 

If you subscribe to her weekly e-newsletters, you'll receive promo offers and deals (e.g., free shipping with $50 purchase + bonus goodies). I can't wait to receive my sticker-adorned package!


Geek + Tea specializes in geeky and fandom teas. Aly grows and blends the organic teas on her herb and flower farm called Holly Frost Farm.


Monarch Tea Co.'s holiday tea line includes teas, tea-infused candles, gift sets, and a cozy crew neck sweater.


T by Daniel recently released a limited edition luxury teabag collection. The black and gold tea canisters are beautiful and the pyramid sachets are 100% biodegradable. I'm excited to try the new teas, and restock on a fave--the Almond Cookie Crumble black tea.

Three of the teabags sold out quickly on T by Daniel's website, but you can still get them on Well.ca (which offers free shipping with $35+ purchase).



Tea Amo has gifts for all tea lovers: teas, teapots, teacups, infusers, treats, earrings, and tea-infused perfume oil. If you're lucky enough to live in the Greater Hamilton Area, Heather and Marian will hand deliver At Home Tea Afternoon Boxes to your house!


Tea at the White House (TWH) offers teas (loose or tea bags), teawares, teapot masks, tea-inspired candles, and treats (e.g., Buckingham Palace Collection biscuits). 

TWH recently won the well-deserved Readers' Choice Platinum Award for: Atmosphere, Desserts, Business that Gives Back to the Community, and Grocery Pick-up and Delivery.

TWH's tearoom is currently closed, but the tea shop is opened for retail sales with extended holiday hours (11 am to 7 pm, Friday & Saturday).

 

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This post is not sponsored. I work hard for my money and like to support small tea businesses that offer unique and delicious teas, and exceptional customer service!

Monday, November 16, 2020

Cozy tea-inspired candles

We're heading into the dark days of winter. Fortunately, I'm well equipped with my cache of cozy tea-inspired candles which I've accumulated over the last several years!

Bath and Body Works candles (left to right): London Calling (smells like lemon tea!); White Tea & Ginger; and Blackberry Tea Leaf (doesn't really smell like tea, but the bear holding a cup is cute!).


Yankee Candle's White Tea


Clintons' Green Tea & Bergamot tinned candle


 
Tea at the White House: Cream Earl Grey and Scones & Jam candles


Crown Point tea-infused candles: Monarch Tea Co.'s Cream Earl Grey and Chai.

  

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” - St. Francis Of Assisi

Monday, November 9, 2020

Fall Teas: Apples, chais, cinnamon buns, and more!

I've been drinking up my fall teas!

Apple Teas: 

Geek+Tea's One Apple a Day Keeps the Dark Lord Away is an apple black chai (left); Dessert by Deb's Cranberry Crabapple Jam herbal tea (right).


DavidsTea's caffeine-free chais: 

Butterscotch rooibos chai (left) and Coco Mango Chai fruit infusion (right).


Cinnamon bun-inspired teas: 

Dessert by Deb's Caramel Apple Cinnamon Bun black tea (left); DavidsTea's Cinnamon Bun Chai (right).

 

 
Some unique dessert teas: 
 
Dessert by Deb's Hojicha (roasted green tea) Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding (left); DavidsTea's Sweet Potato Pie black tea (right).
 
 
In a few weeks, I'll be transitioning to the holiday teas!

Monday, November 2, 2020

Teas in my collection that I will never drink

I cannot tell a lie: I've already started buying holiday teas! 

These holiday teas will be featured in upcoming posts.


Since I didn't stick to my tea buying freeze in October, it's a good thing that I sipped down a lot of teas that month!

Oldest (2018): Spiced Chai Tea by Crabtree & Evelyn

Newest (Oct 2020): Pumpkin Spice Rooibos by Clearview Tea Co.

 

There are some teas in my collection that I'll never open...

I will never drink these Twinings Teas because they were signed by Stephen Twining! He was in town in 2016 to promote the launch of the Twinings Large Tea Leaf Discovery Collection!

Stephen Twining is a 10th generation Twining who has worked in the family business for over 30 years!

 

 
A few years ago, my aunt gave me the Ahmad Tea Britannic Collection which commemorated the birth of Prince George in 2013. The "Best Before" date is 2015 so the teas are wayyyyyy past their prime. The British-themed tins are super cute though!

Do you have "collectible teas" in your stash?