fall tea party details

Today I’m sharing the second part of our collaborative autumn tea party from this past Wednesday, as a follow-up to yesterday's blog post. 

We set up a separate little table in Pelican Courtyard for tea and used a few different patterns from Elizabeth’s beautiful Pacific & Rose block printed textile line in pinks, reds and coral colors to compliment the main table and the vintage transferware tea cups.

These pretty red and  white pillows are also from Pacific and Rose. I love how all the textile patterns mix and match so easily. This is actually the back side of the pillow, which is just as pretty as the front which features a large paisley design.

This chintzware tea pot and accessories was found at the Tustin Flea Market last summer, and they fit in so nicely with Elizabeth’s table linens. The tea cups were found here and there, and the vintage pink tea pot was a gift from my friend Brenda. 

  

These little fruit tarts were perfect with tea. 

And the little seating area we set up with tea service is right next to the main table. Isn’t this garden courtyard cute? 

The pattern of this table runner and the cocktail napkins is called Doodle Berry. It also comes in blue and white, which I also love!  

This gathering of friends covers two of my most favorite things, a good old-fashioned tea party and celebrating the fall season. 

  

Do you like tea, or do you prefer coffee? 

I like both, and I do like the variety of choices you get with tea. 

Crystal of Studio C Florals created this smaller flower arrangement for this tea table. You can also spot this same arrangement at the end of my story yesterday, as we styled the mantel with it, just for fun. 

Elizabeth, Crystal, and I had so much fun putting this tea party together.

Thank you, Elizabeth and Crystal ! 

🍰☕🌺 

ciao! fabiana 

Table linens:  Pacific and Rose

Flowers:  Studio C Florals 

Calligraphy:  Inkchanted 

Venue:  Pelican Courtyard 

Accessories:  Seaside Gallery and Goods 

Tablescape:  Ciao Fabiana 

Paintings: Honey Hostetler, available at Seaside Gallery

The beautifully fringed throws are 

also available at Seaside Gallery & Goods.

thoughtful holiday gifts

from the east india company

Looky what arrived for me in the mail yesterday!  

A beautifully wrapped box from 

the East India Company 

sent to me by a dear friend as a thank you.  

She knows me well, because inside this lovely red box 

I found a few of my favorite things. 

 

I got to treat myself to an elegant cup of 

Staunton Earl Grey tea, 

which was perfectly paired with 

the Caramel & Sea Salt Biscuits.  

The Dark Chocolate Enrobed Strawberries 

were an extra delight.  

What a quintessentially British experience!

  

I've never before tasted Earl Grey tea quite like this.  

The flavors are extra refined and aromatic.  

The Caramel & Sea Salt Biscuits are 

oh, so decadent and so crisp and yummy with the tea.  

They would also be perfect with coffee, cocoa and milk.  

And the Dark Chocolate Strawberries are to-die-for.  

The chocolate is extra rich and luscious! What a treat!  

I went straight to their website, 

and I discovered that 

the East India Company has 

a whole line of delicacies that 

I am going to share with my friends 

and family this Christmas.

A little bit on the “The Story of Tea” 

from the East India Company.  

This is so interesting that 

I had to share it with all of you... 

When tea was newly discovered, 

it was believed that “Tea is water bewitched”. 

New traditions were established when The East India Company introduced exotic delights to England – 

arguably the most famous of these being tea.  

Brought by The Company as a gift for 

King Charles II during the 17th century, 

these leaves were passed on to his wife, 

Queen Catherine of Braganza, 

who had grown up with tea in her native Portugal. 

She then slowly introduced 

this curious drink into aristocratic and noble societies, beginning a tradition that would last for centuries.  

Initially tea leaves arrived in small quantities 

and were so expensive, 

that only the upper class could afford them.  

In fact, tea was once considered 

so valuable that it was kept locked in caddies.

Flowering Tea is a new discovery for me. 

I'm going to try some myself 

and give some as lovely gifts to friends. 

A symphony for the senses!  

These delicate, 

flowering teas 

gently bloom in hot water 

to unfold an exquisite bouquet of 

colors, fragrances and flavors. 

These clear glass tea pots make the tea look magical!  

  

For centuries, 

The East India Company transformed tastes 

and social customs. 

Ships and explorers returned from distant lands carrying exotic and vibrant flavors, 

changing our palates forever. 

Chocolates, spices, and tea 

* once new and extraordinary luxuries * 

soon became an indispensable 

part of our lives.  

To make shopping more fun, 

I found out that the East India Company's products 

can be found exclusively at Neiman-Marcus 

stores in California (including Newport Beach, Palo Alto and San Francisco) and several other states.  

The East India Company’s 

delicacies can also be purchased online, 

for the greatest of ease!

ciao! fabiana