Tea at the White House's New Location

Last week, I had plans to meet a friend for afternoon tea at Tea at the White House. Unfortunately, my friend got sick...but rather than cancelling our reservation, I opted to go on my own instead!

Tea at the White House opened their beautiful tea shop at their new location (35 Main St North, Waterdown, Ontario) in September. The tea room opened in late October. Reservations are a must! 

 The great wall of 170+ teas.

Because I love all things banana, I tried out the Darjeeling Select Reserve tea which "offers flavors of flowers, freshly sprouting buds, pomello and even green banana." (Source: Tea at the White House). I couldn't detect the banana, but I did enjoy this light, floral tea.

My delicious cream tea was quite filling!

 Tea at the White House Impulse Purchase
How are adorable are these vintage-style teapot and teacups necklace and earrings?

I'm so glad that Tea at the White House has found a permanent location so that I can enjoy their wonderful food, teas and service again!

Tea at the White House was recently featured in the local morning news. Click here to watch the 15-minute video which includes: discussion of afternoon tea vs. high tea, tea blending, scone baking, and a tea and chocolate pairing.

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

2nd Annual RBG Tea Festival

The 2nd Annual Royal Botanical Gardens Tea Festival returned earlier this month bigger and better than ever! There were 35 vendors, 13 educational presentations, and 6 demonstrations offered during the 2-day festival. This year, I focused on visiting the vendors whose enthusiasm and passion for tea were truly inspiring.

 Uva Teas Canada offered a commemorative tin to mark the 150-year anniversary of Ceylon tea.

 

The Monarch Tea Co.

The Hamilton-proud owner, Katie, is one of my favourite tea entrepreneurs and delivers excellent presentations. 

Tea samples (bottom): Madeleine Cookie Black Tea (left); Warm Peach Pie Green Tea right)

Booch Kombucha

10 am isn't too early for some  kombucha, right?!?

Blue Mountain Tea Company

Sample: Up and At Them Organic Black Tea

Victoria Road Chai Co.

Sample: Garden in Bloom Chai

Steeped Tea

Steeped Tea is another Hamilton-based company and offered their own Advent tea calendar: 

"24 Steeps 'till Christmas."

The Sugared Teacup

The Sugared Teacup offered beautifully decorated boxes filled with tea things from Tea-ronto businesses. I am soooo tempted to sign up for their subscription boxes...

Teas and Toasts

This was one of the prettiest booths at the festival. 

I loved the tiered trays made of saucers and the charming infuser holder (right).

Zhen Tea

Sample: Guan Hin Yong

Kevin Kong Wellness Centre

Samples: A black tea (top) and a Pu erh from 2007 (bottom).

The festival was sponsored by the Consulate of Sri Lanka.

Their booth gave out free samples of different types of Ceylon teas.

The Travelling Tearoom

How cute are these teapot necklaces?

The Algonquin Tea Company

"100% certified organic, hand-picked, indigenous Canadian herbs and blended herbal teas."

Samples: Awakening Tea (left); Sacred Blend Tea (right).

Left: I'm not a big fan of tumeric teas, but I enjoyed the sweet tumeric latte served by Genuine Tea.

Middle: The Matcha Uji was made from green tea leaves plants that were exposed to Mozart music to foster their growth.

Right: Vanilla matcha from Steeped Tea.

Top left: Afternoon Blend Black Tea by The Tea Stylist who wrote the award-winning Tea Book (one of my faves!).

Top right: Cinnamon Dream by Teas and Toasts.

Bottom: Samples from Chayo Tea (left) and Bon Tea Place (right).

 Tea Postcards!

Tea Butler Canada (available at the RBG)

Christmas herbal teas samples

I brought home these 2 fun tea shirts by Tea Life Brand.

I also stocked up on my favourite tea-infused lip balm by Bare English & Co.

I exercised GREAT restraint and only purchased 3 teas: 

1) Madeline Cookie; 

2) Ginger, Papaya and Peach Chai (I was intrigued by the exotic combo);

3) Garden in Bloom Chai sampler

Another wonderful tea festival in the books!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Bazaar Times

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to check out the Christmas Bazaar at my parents' church.

I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous gift baskets containing teapots, teacups, infusers and teas...

...and vintage English bone china teacups! 

Be still my heart!

I didn't need any more teawares, but I figured that the $$$ would go to a worthy cause...

...so I brought home this fun basket!

Contents included: a purse, scarf, Frieda Kahlo socks, water bottle, memo pad and chocolates.

The reason I got the basket: My eagle-eye spotted this super cute teapot on this fun purse.

I also couldn't resist bringing home this pretty teacup with a lavender band which is part of the Royal Albert's Gaiety Series - Tango.

Have you shopped for a charity recently?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

2017 Fall Teacup Exchange

It's time for The Enchanting Rose's 11th Teacup and Mug Exchange reveal! 

Special thanks go out to our amazing hostess, Stephanie, for undertaking the Herculean task of coordinating this fall's swap and ensuring that it ran smoothly for more than 200 international participants. Thank you, Stephanie!

I sent a teacup to the lovely Deborah from The Beautiful Matters who expressed her gratitude for her package with this pretty thank you card. You can see what I sent Deborah by visiting her blog here. 

I was delighted to receive a package from Cindy at Creations by Cindy.

Polka dots and purple are two of my favourite things!

My teacup was safely packaged in this charming box.

The beautiful "October Calendula" teacup and saucer is perfect for sipping autumn teas.

How pretty is this Earl Grey Tea's packaging?

These yummy cookies and chocolates made my sweet tooth VERY happy.

Cindy also generously sent me: super cute funky socks (in purple and yellow!), stickers, a tea-themed magnetic calendar, a tea towel, a book and bookmark.

Thank you, Cindy, for spoiling me with such a wonderful package!

2014-2017 Teacup Exchanges

The Enchanting Eight!

Please visit The Enchanting Rose to see the other fun teacup and mug swaps!

The Enchanting Rose's 11th Teacup & Mug Exchange Reveal

2017 Fall Pottery Show

Last weekend, I went to the 2017 Fall Pottery Show in hopes of finding some new tea-themed ornaments for my Christmas tree.

There were lots of festive holiday decor...but no tea-themed ornaments.

Can you guess what this is?

It's a "Sugar Baby" container!
(I don't think I'd be able to sleep if this creepy head with gold eyes was in my home.)

Some seasonal teapots.

An interesting teapot wall art.

I came thisclose to bringing one of these teabag holders home with me, but the loooooong line-ups at the cashier made me realize that I didn't really need another teabag holder!

While I left the pottery show empty-handed, I did pick up this puny mug from The Handmade House.

It's now my favourite mug to use at the office. HA!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea