Monday, September 25, 2023

Sweater Weather

It's my favourite time of year: cozy sweater weather!

 

I don't need another mug, but I just couldn't resist this charming "Sweater Weather" mug from Winners (similar to TJ Maxx stores).

 

 
Can't stop, won't stop buying these adorable teapot sweaters from KnitzbyTamara.

 

My mugs also got some cosy love!

 

These beautiful bespoke mug cosies were made by Tafferty Designs.

Judith did a fantastic job creating my mug cosies inspired by the Eras Tour surprise piano! 

Monday, September 18, 2023

Autumn Teas: Salted Caramel, Toffee, and Maple

The autumn leaves are falling into place and I've been sipping salted caramel, toffee, and maple tea lattes!

 

 Salted Caramel / Maple Teas

Top: Dessert by Deb's Salted Maple Sugar Croquenbouche oolong (left) and Salted Caramel Pancakes black tea (right)

Bottom: DavidsTea's Salted Caramel Oolong (left) and Dessert by Deb's Roasted Hokkaido Roasted Caramel Milk Tea (right)

 

 Toffee Teas

Left: Dessert by Deb's Hojicha Sticky Toffee Pudding roasted green tea

Center: DavidsTea's English Toffee pu-erh

Right: Murchie's Maple Toffee black tea

 

 Maple Teas

Left: Monarch Tea Co.'s Maple Cream black tea

Right: Geek+Tea's Dark Side oolong

Monday, September 11, 2023

Fall Seasonal Teawares

How early do you decorate for fall?

 

 
My pumpkins came out during the last weekend of August.

 

 
Pumpkins and sunflower teapots

 

 
Brown and black seasonal teapots and teacups

 

 
Fall tea time (Evermore version)

 


 Fall tea time (Folklore version)

 


Monday, September 4, 2023

Three Thrifted Teapots

It's a new September!

This week, I'm sharing teapots that I thrifted during the last few months.


Teapot #1: This vintage Sadler sunflower teapot was in mint condition and was only $4.55!

 

I was thrilled to finally have a bell-shaped Sadler teapot in my collection!

 

Teapot #2: I initially passed on this Whittard of Chelsea blue starry teapot because it was stained inside. But I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I went back to the thrift store and bought it for $4.55.

 

 
I figured that if I couldn't get the stain out, I could use it for decoration. I soaked the interior with vinegar for a few hours and the stains came out easily. So the teapot looked as good as new!

 

 The teapot also came with a tea strainer.

 

Teapot #3: I hit the jackpot when I spotted sitting on the store shelf this beautiful teapot made by a Canadian potter, Deborah Doran. I've always admired her work at the pottery shows, but I couldn't afford her teapots which sold for $90 CAD.

 

Deborah Doran's teapots are known for their cute little feet, the handle at the front, and the witch hat-like lid. I practically skipped to the cash register when the price tag said that it was only $14.99!

 

 August tea empties

What I will or have already restocked:
1) Pistachio Ice Cream black tea (DavidsTea)
2) Lime Gelato green tea (DavidsTea)
3) Horchata Chai mate (DavidsTea)

What I may repurchase in the future:
1) Vanilla Cinnamon Rose Sugar Shortbread black tea (Dessert by Deb)

Monday, August 28, 2023

Summer Teas: Watermelon fruit infusions, matcha, and oolongs!

Watermelon teas are my favourite summer flavours. So I was delighted when tea companies started offering more watermelon blends over the last several years!


 
I can always rely on DavidsTea for some tasty watermelon fruit infusions.

Cold-brewed Witchy Watermelon (left), Watermelon Heat (center), and Watermelon Mint (right) kept me cool during the heat waves!

 
DavidsTea's Watermelon matcha (iced) was also great for the hot weather!
 
 

I also quenched my thirst with Dessert by Deb's Watermelon Lime Slush and Watermelon Jasmine Sorbet oolongs (but I kept forgetting to take photos of my cold-brewed watermelon oolongs).

 

 

A few months ago, I asked Deb if she could create a watermelon lavender blend. She said that she'd give it a try...and I was thrilled when she added the Watermelon Lavender Blush oolong to her summer collection! It's such a lovely balance of the watermelon and lavender!
 

August sipped away like a bottle of cold-brewed tea!

Monday, August 21, 2023

Garage Sale Haul #3: Mugs!

Guess who scored some more great deals at a community garage sale!

 

This charming mug was only 10 cents!

 

I also picked up this HUGE pottery mug for 50 cents. I was drawn to the unique design and knew that pottery by this artist sell for wayyyyy more than 50 cents!

 

 This cute animal tea cosy was a dollar.

What are the best treasures that you've scored at garage/rummage sales?

Monday, August 14, 2023

Custom character tea cosies

I'm enchanted to introduce the newest members of my band of tea cosies...


 
Tea Swift!
 
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home



 
I scoured the internet before I finally found a Etsy seller in Ireland (!!!) who had the skills and talent to turn my wildest dream into a reality!

 

 
I also ordered this bespoke E.Tea cosy.

Got a feelin' your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life.

 

Sweet tea in the summer...
Love you to the moon and Saturn

Monday, August 7, 2023

Testing out a new milk frother

When I spotted the Elita Pro Double Whisk milk frother at the Dollarama store for only $5 CAD, I bought it to see if it would be good for making matchas and lattes.

 

The handheld, batter-operated milk frother came with a stand and an egg beater (not pictured).

 

 
It took just a minute for the Elita Pro to create a thick foam from my 2% partly skimmed cold milk.

 

 
 
 It also did a great job making hot matcha!  


Monday, July 31, 2023

July wrap-up: new teas and tea empties

We're in the thick of summer and I'm still drinking hot teas!

 

New tea #1 (Murchie's): Victorian Garden is a delicious fruity black and green tea blend.

 

New tea #2 (Tealish): Fairy Dust is a strawberry kiwi roiboos that would also make a tasty iced tea.

 

New tea #3 (DavidsTea): Pink Papayadise fruit infusion was a refreshing cold brewed tea.

 

 July tea empties

What I will or have already restocked:
1) Lavender Peach Pound Cake green tea (Dessert by Deb)
2) Rated R black tea (T by Daniel)
3) Sleepy Lychee fruit infusion (DavidsTea)
4) Lavender Buttercream roiboos (DavidsTea)

 Tomorrow: Salt air, and the rust on your door

Monday, July 24, 2023

Christmas in July: Thrifted Teawares

I always keep an eye out for Christmas teawares, even when it's out of season. This past weekend, I scored a couple of great holiday finds at my local thrift stores!

 

I initially passed on this large poinsettia teacup by Gracie's Teawares because I thought that the $7.99 CAD price tag was expensive for a secondhand teacup. But I couldn't stop thinking about it and it's so hard to find poinsettia teawares so I went back the next day and bought it! The large teacup is about twice the size of a standard teacup!


I didn't hesitate to snag these cute reindeer mugs which hold your tea and cookie at the bottom. I was gifted the same mug a few years ago, and the price ($3.99 CAD for the pair) was right!

Only 5 months left until Christmas Eve!

Monday, July 17, 2023

Church Garage Sale Haul #2: More teawares

I'm trying to be more intentional with my tea-related purchases. But I have no willpower against garage sale deals!

 

 
I rescued this orphaned Coalport teacup. The pretty blue and white bird design just spoke to me.

 

 
I also picked up this cute jug (which is perfect for our milk bags) and green mug.

 

I thought this miniature teacup would make a good ornament for my tea-themed tree. I just need to glue the teacup to the saucer.

 


A 2-tier "Shadow Rose" by Royal Tudor Ware

These 5 items cost me a grand total of $3 CAD!

 


Do you remember the cracked Paragon teacup?

I used my cracked teacups and tiered tray to organize my charging cables!

Monday, July 10, 2023

Purple teawares for Speak Now TV

Taylor Swift's third album, Speak Now, is my favourite album of hers, so I was beyond excited for the release of Speak Now (Taylor's Version) on July 7th.

 

 
 
The Speak Now era colour is purple (my fave colour!), so my tea wagon was decked in different shades of purple!

 

This gorgeous cast-iron teapot is the only purple teapot in my collection.

 

I may not have purple teapots, but I do have purple knitted tea cozies!


My lavender-themed tea corner. 

I purchased this Southern Belle upcycled vintage linens tea cosy from a Canadian Etsy seller.


I stayed up past midnight for the music drop and listened to Speak Now TV on Spotify.

On Friday morning (I took the day off because I don't work on new Taylor Swift album days), I watched the YouTube lyric videos while drinking Sakura Milk Pana Cotta oolong by Dessert by Deb (who is also a Swiftie!).

It's tough to be a Canadian Swiftie because the cds and vinyl are harder to find at here. I had to call multiple record stores before I found one (20 minutes away from me) that literally just received the package that morning! So I rushed over to secure the goods!

Long live all the magic we made.