6.25.2010

Tea for One, Two, Three ... everyone!!!!! (+ Giveaway)

(Let me tell you up front, you will get an extra chance to win the butterfly pendant if you follow my blog. OK, now carry on ... :o) )
The ladies in my family do high tea once in awhile for an extra special treat. It is usually once a year, or more if we have something special to celebrate. It is difficult to find a quaint little tea house that does things extra special, so my mother, aunt, cousins and I have all dreamed of opening our own little tea room that does things just right. Last month Grandma hit a milestone in her business that she felt she wanted to celebrate with the ladies. So we all got dressed in our little summery outfits, dropped the children off at the sitters, and met the ladies for tea. The chatting and laughing with the ladies is always fun, and this tea room where we met added a little extra something on top. They had you pick out your cup from the tea cupboard, and after the tea was over they wrapped it up for you to take home as a keepsake. Nice touch. I love the little blue cup that I was able to make a part of my mismatched tea set. I have to say, my overall favorite tea is at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Phoenix. There are several reasons why. First, it is decorated beautifully with amazing, giant chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Just so ya know, I have a thing for glass. My etsy shop will probably indicate that more later on (when it is done). And a light fixture like that just does it for me.
Secondarily, the food is presented in such an artful manner and tastes every bit as good as it looks. They also have a giant selection of teas to chose from. AND everyone at your table can pick a pot to share or each have their own.
I am a freak for scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd. If you don't serve both at tea, it seems like something is missing. The Ritz serves both and a fruity compote, as well. Oh, and they serve them in little chocolate cups. Cute!
I also adore the little deserts that they serve at the end. I like how there is a bite of each one for everyone. My favorite is the fruit tart, followed closely by the French macarons.
But, overall, I have to say the best part of tea at the Ritz is your tea server, Jeffrey. On more than one occasion has he made me choke back tears with a special song for a birthday girl or, like last time I was there, saying just the right things to the terminally ill child who was visiting the head chef to fulfill his Make-A-Wish foundation wish of being a chef for a day. Jeffrey is an amazing person with a knack for making everyone feel absolutely beautiful inside.

On that note ... I am leaving this party for you all to enjoy. Please take some of the macarons to munch on as you visit other tea parties.

I almost forgot. (Don't know how) But I am having a give-away you don't want to miss! For the lucky winner, I will custom create a 3D butterfly shadow box pendant. Please just comment below with your favorite color (I will use it for the background). The photo doesn't do this piece justice, but this pendant is now owned by my sister-in-law who has it on every time I see her. I think she loves it. :o)

For one additional entry you can follow my blog by clicking on the link up and to the right, under where it says "Followers."
And for another Follow me on Twitter ... or be my friend on FaceBook.
Make sure your comment indicates what you did for additional entries, 'cuz it is likely I won't go hunting for you. The drawing will be held and announced on Wednesday, June 30th.

Peace out, tea partiers!!!!!

46 comments:

  1. Thank you so very much for sharing your fantabulous Tea Party. The food looked absolutely unbelievably scrumptious and the chandelier had me at 'hello'.
    Please come and visit me for some more Mad Tea, in the Secret Enchanted Forest at:
    http://greenandwhitegarden.blogspot.com/2010/06/mad-tea-party.html

    ~Vicki

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  2. OOps...I forgot to tell you a colour. It has to be deep red!!

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  3. high tea! what a treat- and those little desserts are just *sigh* yum! So great is it that the ladies in your family do this!

    Have a madly spectacular day!

    oh yes. i love all colors- if picked, I would prefer that the artist choose :oD

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  4. I have heard that the afternoon tea at the Ritz is the best...I will have to make a trip there soon! Love the pendant and I will follow your blog, twitter and facebook. Thank you for the lovely day!

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  5. ~*~*~*Hip hip hurray it's Tea Party Day!*~*~*~

    What a beautiful table setting! My favorite color is pink! :D

    Thanks for having me at your tea party! if you haven't been already, you're cordially invited to my mad tea party! Have yourself a mad sort of day! :)

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  6. Oh, what a wonderful post, and a Happy Tea Party Day to you!

    You are so sweet to make that offer, and I would love to have a chance to win. My favorite color is robin's egg blue, but I also like turquoise.

    I hope you'll visit me at my blog, too...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  7. Deeeeeeelightful! Sorry about eating all of the fruity compote...it was the chocolate cups fault.
    **blows kisses** Deb

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  8. What a delightful tea! Your refreshments were devine! Sam and I especially loved the fruit tarts. I also have to say that the butterfly charm was especially charming. THank you for having Sam and I at your party. We hope you will stop by to see us!

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  9. What a wonderful tea party. Those chocolate cups are to die for!

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  10. *raising tea cup*
    Wonderful Party... sooooo many goodies!
    yum!

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  11. Those chocolate cups look divine and it sounds like the world could use a lot more Jeffreys. :)

    My favorite color is purple. And, If you would like, feel free to stop by for a cuppa.

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  12. Such a pretty party, and those chocolate cups look yummy. I love your chandelier, and the table looks lovely.
    Happy Mad Tea Party,

    Karen

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  13. Beautiful pendant.. I don't really have a favourite color!! I love all colors!
    Scones and Devonshire cream is a definate love :O) and the chandelier.. gorgeous!
    Thanks for visiting my party :O)

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  14. Thank you for stopping by my party! So I am stopping by yours as well !! I had a great time, everything was so elegant ! And those chocolate cups were so decadent and delicious!! MMmMmMMm I love chocolate!! Well I hope you decide to stop by my blog again soon !
    -Justina
    La Boheme Magique

    http://labohememagique.blogspot.com/

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  15. Whoa, that butterfly pendant is wicked cool! Please enter me for the giveaway. Also, I cannot believe how beautiful your tea time was. I am practically drooling with chocolate and danish cravings now :) Thanks for visiting my party, it means a lot to me.

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  16. Such fun! There is a tea house near us that we love to go to. It's always fun to celebrate over tea :)

    My color choice would have to be pink. And I'm a follower :)

    Thank you for visiting my tea party :)

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  17. What a great tea party....I love being able to pick out your tea cup and getting to take it home! Thank you for inviting me over....and thank you for visiting me at my tea party. I would LOVE to win the butterfly pendant....it is beautiful. My favorite color at the moment is orange. I will also become a follower....thanks!

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  18. High tea is a wonderful treat. I've had a few occasions in NYC to enjoy a formal tea. Your giveaway is beautiful and generous. If I am the lucky winner, I would be happy with any color. Lately, I wear a lot of purple, but I get the most compliments when I wear teal or dark blue.

    Thanks for visiting my tea party and the sweet comments.

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  19. I'm now following your blog! Yeah a second chance at winning the beautiful pendant (in purple or blue).

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  20. You are right about the tea rooms. It's hard to find a special place for tea.

    The Ritz is a great spot for tea. They always do a wonderful job with presentation and service.

    Thanks for visiting my tea party.

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  21. That looked wonderful! Thank you so much for stopping by my party and inviting me to yours. What a beautiful pendant. My favorite color is light pink. Happy Mad Tea Party!

    darryen8808@yahoo.com

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  22. Thank you for visiting my blog! Had a wonderful time at your party!

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  23. Hi Kandes,
    Thanks for visiting me! I have enjoyed your tales of tea in Phoenix. The Ritz sounds amazing and if I ever visit I shall be sure to go. Jeffrey sounds lovely!
    The pendant is beautiful. If I was lucky enought ot win, my favourite colour is turquoise. I love the colour of your blog background in fact!

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  24. The tea shope where you pick your cup and get to keep it sounds lovley as does the Ritz, Ooo chocolate cups :-) Please come and visit my party too
    Mt favourite colour is green of any shade.

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  25. I have never been to an afternoon tea, espcially at the Ritz! But, I have had scones with lemon curd and tea---mmmmm---delicious!

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  26. Thank you for sharing your tea party. I'm going to remember to go to the Ritz for tea the next time I'm in Phoenix. It looks special!
    Thank you for entering me in your giveaway. Purple would be my choice of color.
    Hope you'll have time to stop by for a cup of tea with me. ~ Sarah
    PS.
    I've added myself as a new follower.

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  27. That tea looked delightful! My fave colors are seafoams or aquas.

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  28. Delightful tea party! Lemon curd in a chocolate cup - Oh! My! I adore seafoam!
    Thanks so much for having us, Zuni and I had a wonderful time! Do drop by for a visit when you can!
    ♥♥♥

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  29. I loved the luxurious tea party you put on. It was magnificent. I hope you have time to stop by my Mad tea party to have a spot of tea at anaboocreationsbysylvia.blofspot.com
    Also, I would love to be entered in the beautiful pendant giveaway. I'd love the pendant in Alice blue of course.
    Thank you,
    Sylvia

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  30. What a fabulous tea party you had! That is amazing and I wish I could have shared the experience with you. The food looked amazing!
    That pendant is beautiful and my fav color is pink!!
    Come visit mine if you have time!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  31. What a great post! I think that Jeffrey sounds a bit magical.
    I would love to be entered in your drawing. I love reds and purples and blues. I also love surprises ;-)
    Come visit my party post for a chance...or four... to win. http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  32. Excuse me for being so fashionably late...I hope you will not be irate. Such YUMMY treats. And thank you for offering such a lovely dor-prize! If you have not already done so, I'd be honored if you would sit a spell with me~for tea...http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-mad-tea-party.html
    Sincerely, Theresa (aka The White Queen)

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  33. What a gorgeously set table! Thank you for inviting me!

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  34. Oh yum! It sounds delish! ^_^ Thank you for visiting my tea party & inviting me to yours! Love the pendant!

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  35. I had a wonderful time at your party. the tea and the sweets were wonderful. Everyone was very friendly ,so I mad a lot of new friends. i hope that you will come to mine and stay a while.
    momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

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  36. Hi Kandes,
    From the other Candace. Thank you for your visit and kind words. I very much am delighted to stop in. What lovely photos and I do love Arizona! The best tea I had once was at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta... those days are long gone as I give teas myself now with some friends. Always fun!
    Say, I need one of each here, scoot over,would you?
    Hope to see you in Blogovia and good luck with your giveaway.
    Take care,
    Candace, still in Athens

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  37. Oh I love scones! Yummy! The Ritz sounds like such a lovely place to go for tea! :)

    My fave color is blue! Thanks for having me over!

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  38. Greetings. Beautiful tea party at the Ritz Carlton! Love your butterfly pendant and would love to be in the running!

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  39. Sorry I'm so late. I love how you have wonderful memories of your special tea parties. I'm trying to do the same for my girls.

    Love your pendant and best wishes on your new blog.

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  40. Wonderful creations! Glad to see I'm not the only one that is still running around the party scene. I just became one of your new followers.

    My favorite color is black!

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  41. Hi, its so nice to meet you. I am in Tempe, I guess we are practically neighbors:) I love your work. The tea was delicious and so beautiful. I signed up to follow your blog and twitter. When I went to FB it was locked and I couldnt figure out how to request you as a friend. But two out of three is good! lol

    The butterfly pendant is beautiful. There will be one happy winner. My favorite color is Pink:)
    Thanks, and happy creating, Gail

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  42. Beautiful pendant! I followed your blog so I can participate in the give-away. My favorite color is blue.

    I love going to a tea room with girl friends. We have a couple around here that serve the most delicious goodies. I'm with you on the scones, Devonshire cream and lemon curd. Yum.

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  43. What a gorgeous tea...and at the Ritz Carlton no less! Those treats are beyond mouth watering. What a lovely time to share with the special ladies in your life. Thank you for visiting and for inviting me over. Yor pendant is beautiful

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  44. What a lovely party, I so enjoyed hearing about your tea experience at the Ritz Carlton. I definitely want to try that! :) Hope I'm not too late for the giveaway, the pendant is gorgeous! I am a new follower, and my favorite color is pink :) ~Lauren

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  45. Whew! I fell down the rabbit hole at the last party and it’s taken me days to find my way out. What a lovely gathering and such delightful company! Thanks so much for having me! (And for not mentioning those crumbs on my dress).

    What lovely work you do! I think my favorite color of the moment (it changes don't you know) is plum.

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  46. Hi Kandes,
    Oops, I guess I missed the drawing, but I still loved your party! Those chocolate cups looks scrumptious!

    Thanks for stopping by my Mad Tea Jamboree, glad you enjoyed yourself :0)

    ~♥~
    Kristal

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