2019 Tea-Themed Christmas Tree

Did you know that the first Saturday of December is National Christmas Tree Day in Canada?

My tea-themed Christmas went up a few weeks ago.

Left: My brother gave me this cute teapot with the striped handle and spout last Christmas.

Right: The Hallmark Keepsake Tea Time! Nutcracker set was a post-Christmas sales purchase (I'm currently stalking at Hallmark: the "Chimney Sweep" teapot and Mrs. Potts and Chip.)

The following photos feature the new additions to the tree this year.

A green matcha tea frappucino ornament from Michaels.

I hemmed and hawed over buying this Hallmark teacup ornament for regular price. But I hadn't seen it at other Hallmark stores and it was the last one left so it went home with me!

I normally don't invite skunks into my home, but this purple-coat wearing, teacup-holding little fellow made me smile.

Here's the sparkly teapot broach that I purchased at the RBG Tea Festival!

My mom gave me these elegant pink and gold tea ornaments from The Tea Room in Streetsville. The teacup is the size of a demitasse. Can you spot the gold forks and spoons?

Also from my mom: this adorable bunny in a pink teacup! (This will also be part of my Easter decor.)

This is my favourite new ornament: an embroidered teapot from HomeSense.

My tea-themed ornaments bring me joy during the festive season.

Do you have any tea-themed ornaments or Christmas decor?

4th Annual RBG Tea Festival

In early November, I went to the Annual RBG Tea Festival. This is the fourth year that the tea festival has been held at the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.

I arrived promptly at opening time and made a beeline for Dessert by Deb's charming booth. I had a great chat with Deb (her past business was a tea subscription box called The Sugared Teacup). The dessert teas all smelled sooooo good! 

I also had a nice chat with Katie (not pictured), who owns one of my favorite local tea companies: Monarch Tea Co

Top: Tea with Tracie

Bottom: 3 Teas

 The lovely Linda from The Travelling Tea Room

Relaxing Rocco: This is the first tea business (to my knowledge) that is named after the owner's cat!

Samples from Teas and Toasts

Samples from Blair Elements (left) and Blue Mountain Tea Co (right).

Sencha green tea and matcha samples from Momo Tea.

Infusions Organic Tea

The "Addicted to the Pot" sign made me smile.

Samples from Tumeric Teas

My favourite was the Bliss Organic Cocoa Lattle Blend.

The matcha hot chocolate from Plan De Vida was a big hit and sold out quickly.

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka was giving out free samples of their Ceylon Teas. It was interesting to see and taste the differences in teas from varied elevations.

I purchased this sparkly teapot broach from Teas and Toasts.

My tea haul from Blue Mountain Tea Co, Dessert by Deb, and the Monarch Tea Co.

My tea empties from the November sipdowns.
Whoops, I did it again! I brought home more teas than I finished!

Today is Cyber Monday. If you're looking for new or unique teas, please consider ordering online from these tea companies. Many of them are currently offering special promos. This is not a sponsored post. I just like to support local Canadian tea businesses--they work so hard to share their love and bring us high-quality tea!

Ladurée Boutique and Tea Salon

Back in September, I visited the Ladurée Bouique and Tea Salon in Yorkdale Mall for the first time!

This Parisian-style tea room opened its first Toronto located in 2017.

Ladurée is world renowned for its French macarons. At the the tea salon, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, desserts, and of course, the Ladurée Afternoon Tea Experience!

Seating is limited so reservations are a must! 

(We went on a weekday morning when it wasn't busy yet.)

I ordered the Mélange Ladurée Special--a delicious sweet fruity black tea.

We didn't have time for the Afternoon Tea Experience, so we enjoyed the macarons (Chocolate Earl Grey, Maple, and Marie Antoinette) with our tea.

Ladurée also has a Tea Salon in Vancouver and will be opening its second Toronto location in the downtown Financial District.

Cozy chais

In addition to the Pumpkin Juice Chai that's on my fall tea rotation, I've also tried some interesting chais this month.

This smoked chocolate chai by Mad Hatter Tea Co. was delicious!

This is the first time I've seen this sampler tin--you press down on the middle and the top pops open.

I also enjoyed this Organic Saigon Chai by Davids Tea.

Stash's Chai Green was my least favourite tea. I've liked the other Stash chais, so I think I prefer my chais as a black tea!

What is your favourite chai?

Tea Time at the Watering Can Pastry Market

November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. We honour the veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country by wearing a poppy. Lest we forget.

My poppy tea set is currently on display. 

I won this at last year's Secret Santa exchange at the office.

Last Saturday, my friend and I visited The Watering Flower Market in Vineland. The greenhouse was filled with charming succulent decor.

Inside the greenhouse are "eclectic dining nooks" where you can enjoy food from the Pastry Market. I enjoyed a delicious pot of Sloane Tea's Perfect Pear white tea with my roasted veggie wrap and snickers cheesecake (not pictured).

"Garden Tea" is also available, but reservations are required. I'll have to go back and try the Garden Tea!

Starting a new Royal Albert collection

I've always been a fan of the Royal Albert Flower of the Month Series and have been hunting for the January (my birth month) set for years!

So I was beyond thrilled when I FINALLY found the January (Snowdrop) teacup and saucer at a local thrift store for only $7.99!
 

The matching plates (January, February, March) were also available for only $9.99!

 Then I spotted the February teacup and saucer (also only $7.99)!

 Reader, they all went home with me!

Now, I have to find the March tea set...

 The teas that I finished in October (with my co-workers' help!).

Gotta make room for all those holiday teas!

Autumn Colours

The autumn colours are in full bloom in my little corner of the world.

This beautiful tree was close to my work.

My mom found this tablecloth; its pretty colours scream fall!

This cute pumpkin teapot was a gift from a friend.

The teapot and sugar were a gift from my boss.

 

The yellow teapot with matching creamer and sugar used to belong to my friend's mom. I was touched when she gave it to me after her mom passed away.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some of the local fire services are raising cancer awareness with their pink trucks, or selling pink tees or socks to raise funds for cancer research. The Burlington Fire Department (BFD) is supporting the firefighters, admiring the survivors, honouring the taken. The BFD concluded its Pink Campaign on Oct 26th by inviting cancer survivors to sign the truck in memory or support.