Suzanne's Bridal Shower Tea Party

Yesterday I had the honor of providing a tea party for Suzanne's Bridal Shower. It was a wonderful group of ladies who came together to celebrate, and since Suzanne and her soon to-be-husband live in Guam for their work it was extra special to see them have a great time. The entire afternoon was filled with LAUGHTER. This was the most laughing group I have been around, and I loved it. I love hearing laughter. Especially at the part where they are having a fashion show from the gals dressed-up in the toilet paper wedding gowns game. Perhaps it was because of the southern punch with spirits, and they didn't know it was spiked?

The shower was held at the bride-to-be sister's home, Nanette, who was the hostess of the event. It ended up being a beautiful, sunny afternoon, but we were worried for a while since that morning it was very windy and looked like possible rain. But we kept praying to the weather gods, and they must of heard us...

I made all the floral decor, menu cards and napkin "rings".

The red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. The ones I was going to make the cupcake cuddlers for. Didn't happen. Had way too much to do and ran out of time. But it is still very pretty.

Suzanne, the bride-to-be holding "the lovers" teacup I picked out for her to use.

Since she is a worldly well-traveled gal, I included a shower activity of signs posted with the words "I love you" in different languages and the ladies had to figure which language was what.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery and all the details.

I'm still fixing a lot of the photos since I used my new camera, a Canon Rebel XTi which I am still getting used to, and need to figure out the settings. Manual schmanual.

Tea sheets. I mean, tear sheets.

Back in March I posted a really cute pattern for this tea apron from a really cool crafty mag called Adorn. Well here is the recipe on how to make these yummy petite fours.

And here is an idea on how to adorn your own teapot.

I've been looking all over for this magazine with no luck, so I guess I will just have to contact them directly. I DO NOT want to miss out on this eye candy! Believe me, it is rare to find really cute, funky tea party layouts to put in my notebook to savor. So if my audience of three out there ever comes across tea-related tear sheets, by all means tear away and mail 'em my way!

I'm such a hoarder....

Photos from Adorn Magazine

The Gap...generations, not the store

Today:

"Hi, this is Risa, The ParTea Planner returning your call."

"Oh hi! Thanks for calling me back, how are you? "

"Well, to be honest I have caught my son's cold so you'll have to excuse the Brenda Vaccaro voice. "

Silence. Obviously the caller doesn't know who she is.

"Sooooo....how can I help you out with your tea party?"

*****************

A few months ago when I was planning the Mary Poppins party:

"Good afternoon, XYZ Prop Company. This is Ashley, how may I help you?"

"Hi Ashley, this is The ParTea Planner and I need to rent an ice cream parlor prop that will make the space look like you are in a Farrell's."

Silence.

"Ashley, do you know what Farrell's is?"

"Uhm. Like. No."


Sigh.
Man do I feel old.

P.S. This is the final product of my vision:

Our Easter & Tea Party

I bought this dress at a thrift store when I was still pregnant with her. I loved the delicate pink and green flowers in the pattern, and especially the collar. Back then I thought This is going to hang in her closet FOREVER before she will get to wear it someday.

Well, that day was today. And all day I had an almost sad, melancholy mood and I knew it was because I can't believe she is already big enough to wear a dress I got almost three years ago. Can I get a remote like the one Adam Sandler had in Click and just put my life on Pause for a while?

Here is the tea table I threw together. I wasn't planning on doing a tea, but since dearest hubby was glued to watching The Masters golf all afternoon and me and kids were on our own, I decided to have them help me have an Easter tea. I put a link to view all the detailed photos and menu at the end.

My tee shirt and jeans kinda gal.....
New tights.....already torn.
New shoes.....already scuffed.

I actually have caught number two son's cold and feel very yucky right now, so I won't type out our entire day's activities or the tea party details. If you would like to view the photos from our Easter and the tea party, click here. If you click on Start Slideshow, it will have music and comments on the top left side. Thanks for visiting.

I need to get another kleenex.

Have a Hoppy Easter and much chocolate...

My Virtual Potluck Recipe contribution

Here is my recipe contribution for Shabby in the City's Virtual Potluck!

The San Clemente Pier

Since I live in sunny southern california in a beautiful beach/surf town called San Clemente, I would have to say THE MOST popular item here would be the Fish Tacos (Baja style). I know it sounds gross (I didn't try it out for the longest time because it sounds ick), but they are delish!

Baja Fish Tacos
From Cooking Light

The cabbage slaw adds a nice crunch and peppery bite to the delicate fish tacos.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 pound mahimahi or other firm whitefish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups pre-sliced green cabbage
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
8 lime wedges

Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl.
Add fish; toss to coat.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add fish; sautê 5 minutes or until fish is done.
Combine cabbage, onions, and sour cream in a medium bowl.
Warm tortillas according to package directions.
Spoon about 1/4 cup cabbage mixture down center of each tortilla.
Divide fish evenly among tortillas; fold in half. S
Serve with lime wedges.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 fish tacos and 2 lime wedges)

CALORIES 327 (26% from fat); FAT 9.4g (sat 3.3g,mono 1.3g,poly 2.8g); PROTEIN 26g; CHOLESTEROL 98mg; CALCIUM 182mg; SODIUM 624mg; FIBER 4.6g; IRON 2.4mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.8g

Great with spanish rice and pinto beans. So make a margarita (strong or virgin) or open a Corona brewski with a wedge of lime shoved down in the bottle neck, and enjoy.

Surf's up, bro!

Mother's Day Goodies Giveaway

Click here to read all the details!

Please help me with my first giveaway. Since I am new to the blog world and have only, like, three blog friends, I need all the help I can get with spreading the tea luv!

For organization purposes, if you are going to enter to win,

be sure to leave a comment on the goodies giveaway blog, not this blog.

- Thank you! *Risa

Me Loves the Thrifty Loot

Yesterday I went to my favorite thrift store, which I like to support because it runs a local women's safe home shelter. I found some great silver pieces to use for my tea party buffet tables which will need some TLC . Like I need any more......but I can't resist silver serving pieces!

But the pièce de résistance was when I was paying for everything (I also got some cool tee shirts for number two son) a volunteer worker was pricing stuff behind the counter, sitting on the floor. I leaned way over the counter and spotted a plate on the floor and firmly requested (because a lady next to me saw it too) May I please see that plate? It was gorgeous! Loden green and mulberry, like my company colors! The floral pattern with the curvy edges is screaming at me with beauty. I assume it is a cake plate because of the cut-outs on the two sides (?). But it is a standard size plate, not larger like a cake plate.

On the back, it is stamped in red Royal Coburg Germany with a crown emblem. Any of my antique dealer blog friends out there know anything about that maker?

And everything was 50% off! Gotta love that. I was doin' a jig when I left the store! So, now where to hide everything for a while so hubby doesn't notice "more stuff"? I'm running out of hiding places....

UPDATE:

I forgot to mention the procured pretty-in-pearls earrings.

Sometimes after polishing and cleaning, me thinks that I would not use the piece for use at my tea parties. Either it just didn't have the post-cleaning sparkle factor, there is too much wear or it is just icky. So I'll find another use for it.

How do you like my new key & cell holder I'm going to put by the front entry?

Fluff and function!

P.S. So why is it I will spend a couple of hours cleaning thrift-find junk, when I should be cleaning my house?

No longer a swap virgin

In a session of going into a very deep blog surfing journey (you know how you click on a blog, click on their blog links so on and so forth to the point you have no idea how you got there.....) I came across Rebecca's blog and read about their next Sweet Goodness Swap . I have always wanted to participate in one, but was always too late.

NOT THIS TIME!

And it is a PINK and GREEN swap. Score - my fave colors.

The details are:
Theme: SPRING! and a bonus theme of Pink & Green

Details: You will send your partner 6 items that are in the color scheme of pink and green. At least one of these items should be hand made and one should be second hand or thrifted. The others can be crafting supplies, candy, paper, you name it! Easy right? Well here's the catch . . . each item must represent one letter in the word SPRING.

So for example (but not limited to):
S - sewing supplies
P - pencils
R - really pretty yarn
I - "in my opinion this is a cool mug" (LOL)
N - nicely knit monkey
G - gummi bears

As you can see, you have room to use your creative license to make things fit.
HINT: Both P for pink and G for green are in there and no we didn't plan that.


UPDATE:
I just got my swap buddy assigned to me!
Her name is Heidi and this is her blog.
I feel like I'm in junior high again and have a new penpal.

WooHoo! New header!!

A big cyber {{{{hug}}}} to Sarah who led me in the right direction on how to change my blog header.

You rock! Thank you so much!

So..........whadya y'all think of the new banner? Of course I will probably change it, like, three times now that I know the trick.

*smooch*
Blowing an air kiss to Sarah!

Also, Phyllis thank you for your input. I absolutely love Avalon Rose Design.net - where were they when I re-designed my Romanza Events website not too long ago? I love that romantic style!

Newbie Blogger Needs Your Help!

So, being new to the blogging world I could use some help. I really loathe the boring header. I've been trying to figure out how to upload my own graphic banner to it. I don't know code.

Can someone give me some advice on how to upload my own header or direct me to someone I could pay to create me a custom template?

I'd appreciate it!

Thanks in advance! Risa

Tea time coloring pages

Someday I will have a "how to" tea party book published. I already have the title, content, photos (in my head) and everything. It's number 102 on my list of life goals. In the meantime, I do my research and dream of who I would love to illustrate my someday children's tea party book (number 103). I love the work of Michal Sparks, she's done the art for Emilie Barnes' books on manners for children.

Anyhoo, I came across Michal Sparks' website and she offers free coloring pages, and some of them are of a teacup, teapot, tea treats etc. Click here to find the links under Complete Coloring Book to download the coloring pages (you'll have to right click, "save as" to your computer, and then print).

These are great for Mommies, party planners, teachers, Grandmas, Sunday school teachers etc. for a tea theme time. There are also some darling bookmarks on manners to print.

Enjoy!

The Party Planner & The ParTea Planner

David Tutera & me at The Special Event Convention

Shabby in the City left a comment to my **blushing** post:

"Your designs make me think of David Tutera-the party planner...do you know him? His show, I mean"

Yes, I know of David Tutera and his gorgeous work. I think I have tivo-d all his shows, and own most of his books. I still want to get his new book on Big Birthdays. I have actually had the pleasure of meeting him twice. Because of my wedding & event consulting business Romanza Events, I attend wedding & event-related seminars and conventions. The first time I met him was May 2005 at The Wedding March where he was a guest speaker, and he signed my book.

The second time was at The Special Event Convention at the L.A. Convention Center in Jan. 2007. He was just standing at one of the trade show booths, and I introduced myself, we chatted a bit, and then I gave him my business card of my The ParTea Planner business. He cracked up from the play on words. Really nice guy. But while I was talking to him, his violet colored contact lenses were distracting me - he is so darn cute, why the fake color lenses?