Birthday Cake Teas

As a January birthday girl, I've been sipping cake-themed teas this month.

 

Dessert by Deb Cake Teas

 

Top Row: Peach Crumble Cake black tea; Lavender Peach Pound Cake green tea

 

Row #2: Thai Banana Cake black tea; Banana Pineapple Hummingbird Cake black tea/rooibos

 

Row #3: Earl's Rose Cardamom Tea Cake black tea; Vanilla Caramel Spice Snack Cake black tea

 

Bottom Row: Hojicha Pineapple Upside Down Cake roasted green tea; Blueberry Lavender Angel Food Cake black tea

 

 

 

Top Row: Gingerbread Pear Cake green tea (Clearview Tea Co.); Lemon Pound Cake oolong (DavidsTea)

 

Middle Row: Hazelnut Buttercream Cake Pol black tea (Totalitea); Royal Chocolate Biscuit Cake black tea (Tea at the White House)

 

Bottom Row: Strawberry and Vanilla Cake Afternoon Tea black tea (Buckingham Palace);Birthday Cake rooibos (DavidsTea)

Christmas Teawares

 Christmas time is here!

 

Pretty poinsettia teacups and teapots

The Grinch and friends

Day 9
DIY: Stash's Christmas in Paris herbal tea
Charbrew: Peppermint herbal tea

Day 10
DIY: Pluck's Chocolate Orange black tea
Charbrew: English Breakfast black tea

Day 11
DIY: T Kettle's  Gingerbreak Cookie Rooibos
Charbrew: Afternoon Black Tea

Day 12
DIY: DavidsTea Cardamom French Toast black tea
Charbrew: Summer Berries black tea

Day 13

DIY: Harney & Son's White Christmas white tea
Charbrew: Chamomile herbal tea

Day 14
DIY: Tea at the White House's Sticky Toffee Pudding black tea
Charbrew: Earl Grey black tea

Day 15
DIY: Monarch Tea Co.'s Tangerine Dream rooibos
Charbrew: English Breakfast black tea

Day 16
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Orange Cinnamon Rolls black tea
Charbrew: Rose Blush Black tea

Day 17
DIY: DavidsTea's Eggnog Matcha
Charbrew: Afternoon Tea black tea

Day 18
DIY: DavidsTea's Silver Bells oolong
Charbrew: Summer Berries black tea

Day 19
DIY: Murchie's Christmas Tea black tea
Charbrew: Rose Blush black tea

Day 20
DIY: Clearview Tea Co.'s Gingerbread Pearcake green tea
Charbrew: Chamomile herbal tea

 

Wishing you joy and peace on Christmas!

Repurposing broken teacups: Wall art

I've found a fun way to repurpose my broken teacups!

The hanging teacup wall art in my kitchen was inspired by this post.

 

Now I have something pretty to look at when I'm washing the dishes!

  

After supergluing the teacups and saucers together, I used Command Strips to hang the teacups and plate on the wall. They've been hanging on the wall for 6 weeks. So far, so good! 

June empties

What I've already stockpiled:

1) DavidsTea's Tropicalia fruit infusion

What I may repurchase from time to time:

1) DavidsTea's Very Cherry green tea 

2) Tea at the White House's Peaches and Cream oolong

3) Totalitea's Lavender Blues fruit infusion

Dessert by Deb's spring collection

It's been a hot minute since my last Dessert by Deb haul!

 

Deb never ceases to amaze me with her creative and unique collections. I loved the theme of the spring collection: Picnic Sweets & Treats!

 

The bonus goodies in my order. Deb surprised me with a couple of sweet surprises!

 

In addition to the subscriber promos (75g and 100g teas), I received several complimentary tea samples.

 

When you can't resist ordering the new teas in the spring collection!

 

 What I've already enjoyed from my order:

Top: Almond Peach Galette black tea (left) and Lemon Lavender Spritzer green tea (right)

Bottom: Concord Grape Jelly green tea (left) and Lemongrass Mimosa herbal tea (right)

 I also enjoyed the Sakura Strawberry green tea. 

This month's tea wagon vignette was inspired by the beautiful towel designed by Deb. 

 

May tea empties

What I've already stockpiled:

1) DavidsTea's Lavender Buttercream roiboos

What I may repurchase from time to time:

1) DavidsTea's Cardamon French Toast black tea 

2) Dessert by Deb's Spiced Earl Grey Muffin black tea

3) Dessert by Deb's Lemongrass Milk Pudding green tea

4) Tea at the White House's Bengal Tiger black tea

Summer Teas: Peaches Edition

Gonna drink a lot of of peach teas this summer!

 

Monarch Tea Co.'s Stay Young, Go Dancing is a tasty peach ginger black tea.

 

Ironically, I enjoyed Monarch Tea Co.'s Warm Peach Pie green tea as a cold brewed tea!

 

Tea at the White House's Peaches and Cream Oolong was another delicious cold brewed tea.

 

AM Tea's Creamy Peach fruit infusion

 

DavidsTea's cold-brewed fruit infusions: Peach Zing had strong ginger notes (left), while Playa Peach was an interesting floral-fruity blend (right).

 

 

My favourite peach tea blend: Dessert by Deb's Peach Crumble Cake Black and Rooibos Tea is sweet and with a touch of cinnamon.

What's your favourite peach tea?

2020 Wrap-up

 We've made it to the end of this loooong and difficult year!

Thank you for your visits and comments throughout 2020! The pandemic would have been much harder without your friendships.

 

Drink What You Own Advent Calendar: Days 21-24

One of my 2020 tea goals was to support small Canadian tea businesses. Nearly all of my tea hauls this year were from my favourite local tea companies.

Spring: Tea at the White House, Geek+Tea, Dessert by Deb, Monarch Tea Co.

Summer: Blair Elements, Blue Mountain Tea Co., Tea Amo, DavidsTea, Tealise

Fall: Monarch Tea Co., Tea Sante, Tea at the White House, Dessert by Deb, DavidsTea

Holidays: Celestial Seasonings, Plan de Vida, Geek+Tea

Other seasonal hauls (not featured): Clearview Tea Co., Tea Amo, T by Daniel, DavidsTea, Dessert by Deb 

My primary pandemic coping strategy was drinking lots of TEA!

 

Tea empties: January to June

 

 

Tea empties: July to November

 

 

May 2021 bring better days!

Please join me next week when I celebrate my 6-year-blogiversary. You don't want to miss out on my fun giveaway!

Holiday Teas: Peppermint Edition

 'Tis the season for peppermint teas!

This week, I'm sharing the delicious candy cane and chocolate mint teas that I've been enjoying this month.

Celestial Seasonings' Candy Cane Lane is one of my all-time favourite holiday teas. A friend surprised me with a case (6 boxes!!!) so I now have a Candy Cane WALL!

 

 

Dessert by Deb: Minty Matcha Meringues green tea.

 

Tea at the White House: Candy Cane black tea.

DavidsTea: Santa's Secret black tea (top) and Candy Cane Crush black tea (bottom).

Maisonette: Mint Chocolate black tea.

Dessert by Deb: Peppermint Patty black tea (top) and Mint Chip Cookie rooibos (bottom).

T by Daniel: Cocoa Mint Mirage rooibos.

My latest haul included Candy Cane Hot Chocolate and Evergreen (chocolate peppermint green tea) from Plan de Vida.

No matter how cold it gets outside, I must have my Candy Cane with Chocolate Fudge Crackle ice cream!

 

Days 1-12 of my drink what you own tea Advent calendar.

 

Do you have a favourite peppermint tea or treat?

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!

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