Teas for The Tortured Poets Department

My favourite blonde songwriter released a new album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), last Friday. The standard album (16 songs) were released at midnight, followed by a surprise drop of 15 more songs at 2 am! Of course, this Swiftie stayed up all nigh to listen to the 31 new songs.

TTPD's dark academia vibes inspired me to drink some literary teas to celebrate the album's release.

Literary Tea #1: Editors Blend black tea by Murchie's

 

 

Literary Tea #2: Bookish Blend black tea by Monarch Tea Co.

 

Literary #3: Library Blend by Murchie's

 

 

Literary #4: Publisher's Blend black tea

 

I purchased the standard TTPD cd and vinyl from my local record store. 

 

Me trying to process the 31 new songs:

real quick how is anyone having a single coherent thought right now in relation to tortured poets because i’m currently operating on the highest levels of mental mush known to mankind with lyrics floating around in my cerebral cortex like alphabet soup

— jessica (@enchantedjess13) April 19, 2024

Steve's Teas

A few weeks ago, I visited Steve's Teas store and tea room in Brantford, Ontario.

I had been following Steve's Teas on Instagram for a while, but this was my first time visiting their storefront and tea room!

 

 

The spacious tea room serves lunch and cream, low, and afternoon tea.

 

 

I loved how the bone china teacups and teapots were displayed.

Steve's Teas has a collection of more than 300 (!) teas.

 

This wall featured oolongs and black teas.

 

 

 This wall featured the herbal and green teas, as well as mugs.

I exercised GREAT restraint and only brought home 5 teas.

 

Steve's Teas had an impressive collection of Earl Grey blends.

Left: The Raspberry Cream Earl Grey black tea was a unique, fruity twist of the classic Cream Earl Grey.

 

Right: The Butterscotch Cream Earl Grey black tea was a smooth and creamy blend.

 

 

I also went bananas for the  Banana Pancakes black tea (left) and Banana Bread Chai black tea (right). Both blends also tasted amazing with milk!

I'm always on the lookout for watermelon teas and was thrilled to find this delicious Summer Melon black tea.

 

The staff at Steve's  Teas were so friendly and helpful. I look forward to going back to try their afternoon tea and purchasing more of their in-house tea blends!

Brantford Potters Guild Spring Sale 2024

 Last weekend, I attended the Brantford Potter Guild Sale.

 

 

 Mugs!

 

 

Mugs!

 

 

I loved these pretty floral mugs. But the 3D flowers made it a little awkward to hold the mug.

 

The only teapots that I spotted.

 

 

I always loved Em Gabriel's beautiful designs.

 

 

I had been hoping to snag one of Paula Caltagirone's book mugs, but alas, they were sold out by the time I arrived.

 

So I brought home this gorgeous floral mug instead.

 

I also couldn't resist purchasing this adorable knitted mug by Cottage Studio Art!

Easter Tea and BBW Haul

 Hello, April!

During Easter weekend, I enjoyed Lord Lancaster's Easter tea, a green tea blend of sweet pomengranate and wild raspberry.

Are you a fan of the Bridgerton books or Netflix series?

Bath and Body Works (BBW) recently released a Bridgerton collection. I couldn't resist snagging the limited edition Queen Charlotte's Tea candle (regular price: $32.95 CAD) when BBW's 3-wick candles were on sale for $13.95 CAD each.

The fragrance notes are "rich bergamot, bold citrus and black tea leaves". I could smell the citrus notes, but it didn't really smell like an Earl Grey tea to me.

When the the Bridgerton collection launched, the hand soaps were on sale for $3.95 CAD each, so my mom picked up the Queen Charlotte's Tea and Danbury Shortbread foaming hand soaps.

I'm waiting for the Tea Cup Wallflowers Scent Control™ and the Tea Pot PocketBac Holder to go on sale... 

March tea empties

What I will or have already restocked:
1) Geek+Tea's As You Wish black tea
2) DavidsTea's Lavender Buttercream rooibos

What I may repurchase in the future:
1) Dessert by Deb's Strawberry Oat Milk rooibos tea
2) Murchie's Tea Lavender Cream black tea

Easter Decor 2024

I'm hoppy to share my Easter decor this week.

 

 

 

I just need some bunny to love!

 

 

 

March hares

 

 

  

Purple teawares 

 

 Green teawares

 

 

 

 

Have an egg-cellent Easter!

Green Teas for St. Patrick's Day

 I celebrated St. Patrick's Day by drinking green teas!

Green Tea #1: Green Tea Beauty Guaraná is a delicious fruity blend with a taste dragonfruit. 

Guaraná is a plant native to Brazil. The seeds are highly caffeinated, so this tea will boost your energy. A work friend purchased this tea when she went to Brazil to visit relatives. I was incredibly touched when she gave me the tea. She and her family ended up moving back to Brazil a few years ago. Every time I drink Beauty Guaraná, I think of her!

 

 

Green Tea #2: DavidsTea's Cherry Blossom Matcha latte

 

 

Green Tea #3: Dessert by Deb's Earl's Seville Orange Marmalade is a delicious cream Earl Grey green tea blend.

How did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Creative teabags

I'm a sucker for creative packaging. So I was delighted to receive a variatea of teabags featuring beautiful artwork!

 

Albert EinsTEAn - Moroccan Experiment Tea

 

 

Fred Tea Mercury - Bohemian Raspberry

 

 

Vincent Van Goghji: Goji Berry Tea

 

 

 

FriTÉ Khalo - Watermelon Rose Hibiscus Tea

 

 

ShakeSpearMINT Tea - Spearmint Tea

Come Shop With Me at Winners

At a recent trip to Winners (a T.J. Maxx store in Canada), I spotted some cute teawares.

How cute are these Peter Rabbit teacups, mugs, and tiered trays?

I came thisclose to bringing one of the blue and white mugs home...

I was also tempted by these Wizard of Oz mugs by Rae Dunn, , but my willpower prevailed!

 

 

February tea empties

 

What I will or have already restocked:
1) Justea's Purple Chocolate

What I may repurchase in the future:
1) Monarch Tea Co.'s Double Cream Earl Grey black tea
2) Dessert by Deb's Fireside S'Mores black tea

Belated Birthday Gifts (Tea Version)

 Let's wrap up February with some belated birthday gifts.

 

This cute Alice in Wonderland Time for Tea set includes 3 classic blends: Earl Grey, Peppermint, and Jasmine Green Tea.

 

A metal mug for outdoor tea time!

Can't wait until the weather is warm enough for drinking tea outside!

Five Love Teas for February

I 🩷 drinking teas in lovely mugs in February.

  

1. Monarch Tea Co.'s Love You Tea black tea (strawberry flavour)

 

 

2. Dessert by Deb's  Strawberry Chocolate Mint Love Potion black tea

 

 

 

3. Daniel's Chai Love Note black tea (strawberry and peach)

 

 

  

4. Geek+Tea's As You Wish black tea (chocolate rose with cardamom)

 

 

 

 

 

5. DavidsTea's Cupid's Breakfast black tea (creamy rose)

Tea for the Lunar New Year 2024 - Year of the Dragon

 The Lunar New Year fell on Feb 10th this year.

 

 

 

I waited until last weekend to try the Harney & Sons Lunar New Year 2024 - Year of the Dragon tea which was a Christmas from a tea friend. 

 

The tin is gorgeous and featured information for people born in the Year of the Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012).

The tea is a blend of black tea, toasted rice, coconut pieces, sesame seeds, and natural flavours (coconut, caramel).

I'm not a fan of the "silky" sachets, so I put the tea in a metal infuser.

 

 

My taste buds were wowed by the delicious coconut and caramel flavour with a faint toasted rice note.