Tea of the Month Clubs

I have recently learnt of such thing, "Tea of the Month Club". Why has it taken me so long to be made aware of this.... You tell me, my so called TEA LOVING FRIENDS!!!!

Tea of the Month Clubs are where you receive specially selected Tea's over a period of time via snail-mail. A very neat idea, not only for people like myself who review Tea's as a profession (ha ha) but as a fabulous Gift for a Tea Lover. Seriously it doesnt get much better than a gift that gives every month. Brilliant if you ask me!

I did my research and found companies who offered "Tea of the Month Clubs" in hopes to shed some light on this concept, and of course encourage you all to "sip" outside the box at least once a month. This coming from someone who sipped Earl Grey for the past 20 years of my life....I'd say I'm as perfect of a Candidate as Sarah Palin would be as a Geography Teacher! 

As I am sure their are many-o Clubs out there, these are the few that I have came across in my findings that looked extremely "sip worthy". Please note all the below pricing are subject to shipping and sales tax.

Happy Adventurous Sipping

The Art of Tea | Twelve months for $150, Six months for $75 and Three months for $40

Teavana | Twelve and Six month packages starting at $100

Teatulia | Twelve month packages for $100

The Tea Emporium | Twelve month packages between $130 and $190

Mighty Leaf Tea | Six months for $144.95 , Four months for $134.95 and Three months for $71.95

The Boston Tea Company | Coming soon!

Tavalon | Six months packages between $60 and $110

XOXO

Yours Truly

Tea Facts...be in the know!

So today I thought I should pump you all with some good warm, wholesome Tea knowledge. What did you think I was going to teach you? Sex Ed? Common!

I recently created an account with Adagio Tea and joined in on their TeaChat they offer to the online Tea Community. However even better I learnt they also have a section that you can learn and eventually test yourself on Tea Knowledge. Having passed my first chapter in Tea Basics, moving to Intermediate, I feel like I can actually inform other of some information that may not have known before.

Yes Ma'am - That's Right! I am one step closer to becoming a "real" professional sipper! Apparently in my world my professional sipping qualifications don't quite stand up to much in the Tea Industry. When the Tea Sommelier Class finally shows face in Vancouver - Ill be all over it like an Electric Shaver to Donald Trumps Head!

Soak it all up readers....here are some fun facts to bring to your next Tea Party an If a Tea Party just isn't the way you roll, then here are some Tea Facts that you can throw in the faces of Coffee Drinkers - Ha Ha! Only Kidding my Coffee Friends!!!

If the Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino and me were any closer, I'd for sure have to enroll my first born "puccino" into CA (Caffeine Anonymous)!

~

Drum Roll....and the Top 2 Beverages are!
Tea is the second-most consumed drink in the world, surpassed only by water.


Where does Tea come from?
Black, Green, Oolong, White Tea all come from the same plant, The Camellia Sinensis Plant.


If it's not Tea, what is it?
Chamomile, Rooibos and Fruit Teas are not Tea's at all and are more accurately called Herbal Tea or Tisanes (Tee-zan)


Tea Liquor? I'll take a shot!
The three primary components of brewed tea, also called the "liquor" are the following: 
Essential Oils - these provide tea's delicious aromas and flavors
Polyphenols - these provide the "briskness" or astringency in the mouth and are the components that also carry most of the health benefits of tea.
Caffeine - found naturally in coffee, chocolate, tea and Yerba Mate, caffeine provides tea's natural energy boost.


Caffeine Myth Buster!
Caffeine; who contains more of it, Coffee or Tea. While this is true when measuring Coffee and Tea in its dry form, this is false when being comparing after its brewed. We normally use 2 grams of Tea per 6 ounce cup, and 10 grams of Coffee for the same quantity of water. A widely cited 2004 British study looked at 200 cups prepared by consumers going about their normal brewing routines. It found that the average Caffeine level in the cups of Tea (Black English style Teas) was 40mg vs 105mg in the average cup of drip Coffee.


Tea's Health Benefits!
L-theanine, an amino acid found only in tea, has a relaxing effect that counteracts the jitteriness of caffeine without reducing the increase in alertness.


Where did Teabags come from?
The first tea bags were made from hand-sewn silk muslin bags. Thomas Sullivan, a tea and coffee merchant from New York City, attempted to cut sampling costs by sending loose tea in small silk sacks. Potential clients, confused by this new packaging, threw the tea in hot water-- bag and all. Thomas started getting many requests for these "teabags" and realized that he had struck gold. The quick and easy clean-up of the leaves (due to the fact that they were still contained in the silk bag) made it enticingly convenient.



XOXO
Yours Truly

Mr. Tea? Really is that you?

This just makes me giggle!

Thanks to Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell the writers and producers behind The A-Team Movie, Mr. T has once again made itself a house hold name. Whether or not that's a good thing, has yet to be determined. This Friday, we shall find out if children idolizing a team of "A's" is a good thing for society.

"I pitty the foo" that gets dragged to watch this movie!

Chuck Norris vs. Mr. T - Hmmmm that would be interesting - for comedy purposes!

XOXO

Yours Truly

Tea Tasting Notes: Organic Assam

After my visit to The Angelic Teapot in White Rock a few weeks ago I was left with a sample of the Organic Assam that Owner, Maureen had just brought in specifically for a client. My first ever try of the Assam Tea and - Oooo Weee! Wakie Wakie....Chose to "sip" this bad boy in the evening - Good thing Late Night TV was invented, I caught up on all my shows!


Tea Name: Organic Assam Tea
* received as a sample from The Angelic Teapot

Tea Type: Black

Tea Tasting Location: My Comfy Cozy Couch, giggling up a storm with my Husband, thanks to “Last Comic Standing”

Tea Accompaniments: Cream and Sugar

Leave Rating: 4.4
5 being the best - 1 being the worst

Dry Leaf Appearance: It looked of tiny beads of dried, dark chocolate, dirt. In fact it looked just like the Instant Coffee that my Grandpa Tony used to drink. Ha Ha This is what it reminded me of.

Wet Leaf Appearance: Mud! When the piping water went in it looked just like a mud pie I used to make as a child. Rich Brown, Mushy (for lack of a better word) - but with Aroma's that could knock you off your socks.

Liquor Color: A Deep Rich Mahogany Brown  - couldn't see to the bottom of the Cup. Pure Brown Beauty!

Aroma: The moment the water hit cup, I can only describe it with these words: Rich, Bold, Strong, Dominance and Nose Candy.

Taste: Malty Tongue Coating Creamy Goodness. Full-Bodied, Silky, and a very pleasing lingering flavors! I love my Tea strong.... Assam Tea just might be a new addiction of mine - was a treat for me!

Comments: I think Assam should be deemed a Tea for Hercules. Beautiful, Bold and Intense. A Great choice for a lover of Black Tea and and even better choice for someone looking to add a "jump start" to their day - if this Tea doesn't awake your senses - I suggest researching the quote you want on your Tomb Stone!


XOXO
Yours Truly

The lonely cup awaits, as the Water takes its sweet time to boil

In goes the Water

and now we wait....complete torture!

All About Me...Thanks to Apron Anxiety!

I have been inspired today by my new love in the world of bloggers Apron Anxiety! If you have not had a read, its best you get crack-a-lackin and head on over. She will keep you in stitches from start to finish. Her raw humor, her straight to the point explanations and her witty tales of Life from Men to Magazines to Rocking the Apron!

Alyssa's post today shed a little more light about her as an individual - and it really opened my eyes to the fact that you all only know of me as a paper cut-out, flat and one sided. Today you shall know all sides of me! And Mum, if your reading this - it is merely a check list of what you already know and love:



I’m a sweets person, a spur of the moment person, and the kind of person who has a love hate relationship with Reality TV.

~

I’m a loud person (who thinks they are using their inside voice at all times), I’m a proud person, and the kind of person who gets gut wrenching cramps when someone proves I’m wrong.

~

I’m a pedicure person, a humorously dramatic story telling person, and a person that's takes the word loyalty seriously.

~

I'm a person who loves, to be loved. I'm a person who takes passionate to its next level, and I'm a person who surrounds themselves with family and friends because they are what make my life so warm.

~

I’m a true believer than Mondays should officially be a weekend, I believe your Birthday should be celebrated all month (including daily gifts and cake) and I believe that Calories can Rott in Hell along with Contract Small Print, Garden Weeds with Roots that show face in China and Single Pane Window in the Winter.


I URGE you all to post about yourself today! Be selfish....go on, I know you all have it in you!

Let's all "ting" our fine china in celebration of me..........okay and you!  But really its about me today....and tomorrow.... and the start of next week ,which will flow into the week after and until the end of the year!

To all fours sides of me! Cheers

XOXO
Yours Truly

New Tea Sighting: Teavana

So, I can't help myself - I know I said I wouldn't be back until Monday, BUT.... I found something that I needed to tell you all about.... I'm screaming it at the top of my lungs!

TEAVANA

Maybe you already know of them, maybe you don't. Either which way I have found a new love for Teavana.

I don't know if its just me, but when I go to a new Tea Website I always seem to find myself at the Tea Gifts or Teaware section. I have this thing for "giving" I guess.... OK, I lie, I have a thing for receiving and I also have this thing called "hint, hint, nudge, nudge" that I like to send my husband every so often. Helps with making sure I get the "gifts" I want and ensuring he gets the "kiss" he deserves!

So after finding myself on the site for 30 minutes, I've already found my desktop full of opened tabs that I have accumulated all of  Teaware that I "need"....Honest, I really do need it all! What? it doesn't work with you guys either? I've tried this on Sam before "but....but....I need it" and it never seems to do the trick, so ladies if you have any successful tips you can pass along, please don't hesitate! Men, if you have any recommendations on things you might actually go for, don't hold back!

I narrowed my favorite items to 4, with the thought in mind I might have a better chance with 4 items vs. 57 items.

So here they are, tell me they aren't gorgeous!

The Vine Cast Iron Teapot | in Green for $129.95

The Shogun Cast Iron Teapot | in Black for $69.95

The Gold Square Top Cast Iron Teapot | in Gold for $149.95

The Noble Poppy Bone Tea Set | in Yellow for $99.95

They really all need to be sitting pretty in my house right now!


Teavana, I give you a "F" for Fabulous! A job well done, beautiful products, make me sing aloud "I wanna be a Billionaire, so frickin' bad!" and thanks to Travie McCoy I can do this and just pretend I singing along to the tunes! No but really, I do wanna be a Billionaire - then maybe one day I can stop dreaming and travel the world for Tea, Fashion and Food! What a life.................................okay - back to reality!

XOXO

Yours Truly

Weddings, Birthdays and Family - OH MY!

This weekend will be filled with Festivities - all of which include FAMILY. And I say this with all honesty, "I've been counting the sleeps and I cannot wait any longer"!

I love it when we all get together - its always made for a great time. Lots of Fabulous Food, Grand Giggles, Divine Dancing and of course Massive Memories! This is why, I can't wait. 

The last time we were all in one Venue was for my Wedding in December 6th, 2008. All the Men enjoyed their beverages as the Women danced the night away.... and I have proof thanks to Jennifer Kirk.

When we all get together - its electric!

This weekend is my Brother, Dustin and his Wife, Jennyfer's, Vancouver Wedding Reception. As you will all recall they were married in Hawaii last month. It is also my Mothers Birthday tomorrow (turning 29 again) as well as Grandmothers 75th on Monday and Cousin, Josh's Birthday on Wednesday - since they are all in town, we shall celebrate! And by Celebrate Josh, I do not mean snorting salt and shooting Tequila! We had enough nose bleeds to last a lifetime.

DON'T ASK!!??!! I said my Family was Fabulous I didnt say they were Brilliant!

So, long story short. I will not be here this weekend to entertain you all - so make sure you call up the friends and start making some plans! Ha Ha

I shall be back on Monday with many many stories and hopefully some pictures that have already surfaced themselves....

Have a Fabulous weekend and to leave you all with a line to live by this weekend:

"Never trust a man, who while left alone with a Tea Cosey... Doesn't try it on"- Billy Connolly

XOXO

Yours Truly

Afternoon Tea Tours - New York Style!

Now isnt this just Splendid, Tea Tours around New York City!

We need something like this here in Vancouver and by "we" I mean I want and think that everyone else in this world would better from having it.

Tea with Friends, New York Tea Tours. Hosted by Elizabeth Knight, a Certified English Tea Master, Author (Tea with Friends, Tea in the City: New York, and Celtic Teas with Friends)and Tea Sommelier. With the idea in mind, of spending the day Touring New York, shopping and Sipping makes me want to weep. Weep with joy that is! What a day that would be for me! 

Its official, added to my Bucket List. "have Tea with Elizabeth Knight on a New York Tea Tour". Written in pink pen, right after "Tea with the Queen"!

What??!!?? It could happen! Bunch-ah Negative Nacies.....whats on your list huh??!!??

I think the concept is fabulous and when I do make a trip out to New York I will be sure to cross another thing off the good ol' Bucket List and go on a Tea Tour with Elizabeth herself.


XOXO
Yours Truly

Every girl NEEDS a Craft Room!!!

So, this weekend was very unexpected. My Husband and I had no official plans - however I think it was our most productive weekend since moving in  to the Home last May.

My Papa came over in the early AM to pick up his trailer, that my husband so graciously filled with busted-up concrete (yes, onto the next renovation project). After making my Papa some Creamy Earl Grey in a "to-go" cup, off to the dump/thing they went. Its not a Dump as we had to pay $100 to leave it with them, but its something like that. A Concrete Old Folks Home if you will.

After it was dumped it came back to our house ready to fill with....wood!

While the men in my life were gone I decided to pick up some power tools and get to working myself. A little surprise for when they got back. A surprise like "Hey, look what I can do....I can break SH&T too!" Okay, the real reason I got my hands dirty, I spotted this Vintage Dresser that the old Home Owners used as a prop for their "make-shift" Wine Seller (and by make-shift I mean using a coiled hide-a-bed frame grid, propped up vertically to make many metal squares that fit Wine Bottle ends - yes I'm serious). 

Anyways, I wanted this Dresser as I knew it would be just perfect for all my Crafts and it would look awesome with the Vintage Desk that my husband bought me not too long ago. They would be a match made in heaven.

I grabbed a Drill found some Drill Bits that seemed to fit the screw I could see, and off I went.

By the time the men got home I have taken off all the "wood" bits, removed my new piece of furniture and was about to start on taking down the "hide-a-wine-rack". They arrived in perfect timing - taking the rack down looked as thought it could get dangerous. I stood back and let my husband, the pro handle it.

Upstairs I went to give my new baby a good clean and disinfectant. A good hour passed by and She was as "purdy" as she will ever be.

Into the room she went and out came all the craft supplies.
Organize! Organize! Organize! So much fun, I got it all to fit and now I can't stop thinking about the next Craft idea to tackle.

Jill, from This Life of Mine Blog, is going to be so happy to see I borrowed my Mama's Sewing Machine (Definition of Borrowed: Keeping for a long period of time until its Original Owners requires it back). Looks like our Crafting Project of Vintage Aprons will be sooner rather than later.

As for Craft Ideas, anyone have any suggestions??!!??
Post a comment or drop me an e-mail lahteadah@mail.com


XOXO
Yours Truly

The newest addition to "The Craft Room" full of amazing "Bits and Bobs"

The Gorgeous Desk that my Husband bought me and Chair from my Mama and Papa - goes just perfectly! Oh yeah and the Fabulous Craigslist Chandelier (painted and beautified with hanging Crystals)

Tea Tasting Notes: Tazo Green Ginger

Here are my Tea Tasting Notes on the Tazo Green Ginger I got from the one and only Summer Knowles! Best surprise received in the mail since...... well ever! One of those times in life where you really appreciate the simple things in life.

Thanks for making my week Summer and Andrea and better yet thanks for making my Sunday Morning so Yummy and Fabulous! 

Tea Name: Green Ginger
* received in the mail from the ever so precious Summer and her Mum, Andrea

Tea Type: Green

Tea Tasting Location: My Home, while eating breaky with my husband

Tea Accompaniments: A Drizzle of Honey (just as I was told)

Leave Rating: 4.0

5 being the best - 1 being the worst

Liquor Color: A rich Gold tone with a very soft hint of Sunflower Yellow 

Aroma: At first smell, I caught Ginger (Naturally - Oh I know, what gave it away??!!??) however thereafter sniff two, three, and four gave me some Spice, and smooth Lemony Citrus Aromas. A perfect morning cup to wake the senses!

Taste: At first taste, again the Ginger stood out to me. It had some fabulous undertones of lemon and a sort of earthiness. I didn't catch as much spice in the taste as I did in the smell - however to me this was a good surprise. I don't know how this woulda tasted with an additional KICK of Spice. 

Comments: Re-freshing and Surprisingly Extremely Great Tasting! My first real "step outside the Black Tea box" experience, and it was a pleasant one. Very happy with this Morning "cuppa" and would be more thank willing to re-visit..... shall it be next Sunday?

XOXO
Yours Truly

In goes the Honey....only a Drizzle!

MmmmMmmmMmmm.....Perfect Sunday Morning!

Proof my FAMILY Rocks!

So, you may all think that you have amazing Families, which may be true, however I'm going to have to go out on the limb here, offend some, and make other envious....

I have the most AMAZING Family known to man-kind.

A few weeks back, I have sent a mass e-mail out to all my Family and Friends, enlightening them on my new life's adventure, my blog. I received a letter in the mail yesterday when I got home from work. Which for me is excitement in itself, I love getting mail, I couldn't help but think that it was probably a Wedding Invite or Bridal or Baby Shower Invitation - These are the types of things that I normally get in the mail (Again tooting my horn, my Husband gets and deals with ALL Bills - fabulous right??!!?? I dont lie people, my family is by far the best!). However, I was wrong, I got an absolutely adorable, unexpected card from my littlest fan.

My cousin, Andrea, recently had a baby at the end of last year. Miss Summer Mellieha Knowles - now reaching the ripe age of 8 months she can apparently write letters. I know AMAZING - right!!??!! AGAIN, my family is Brilliant!

She wrote me a letter letting me know that her Mum enjoys my Blog very much and would like to share some of her Mum's Favorite Tea with me! Inside the Card was a little Tea Bag waiting to be steeped!

Now tell me that isn't the cutest thing you have ever seen. I love my Family, and I love receiving random things like this in the mail. Life's little surprises like this, are the best! Leaves you feeling just as good as a Warm Cup of .... you guessed it...Creamy Earl Grey!

Can't help but share this adorable piece of mail I got yesterday!

Thank You Summer, Thank You Andrea! Love You!

I will be sure to blog my tasting notes on Andrea's Favorite Tea (Tazo Green Ginger), Steeped to perfection with a Drizzle of Honey (just like she likes it) this weekend! Watch out for it!


XOXO
Yours Truly

I want a Tea Dress DAMN-IT !?!

So I have come to the conclusion that the reason I do not own a Dress to sip in the same excuse Lindsay Lohan used for not flying home to attend her court hearing....a obvious pile of crap that was made up on the whim, while intoxicated!

I need a Dress DAMN-IT!

So the decision is - do I buy it or do I design and make it myself.... Hmmmmm. My heart says make it, but my lack of patients says support ETSY!! Ha Ha - By the way my patients is quite good friends with my head and knows that I will always SUPPORT a cause!

I have been doing some research and not only have I come up with a brazillion ideas on what I want them to look like (yes that's right - Ive gone from needing one dress to many dresses), but I have also researched a new kind of Credit Card...one that never sends you a bill and lets you charge it up without having to pay it back! The Credit Card I am talking about it called a "Sugar Daddy" - usually aged, extremely unattractive and enjoys to talk in the third person.

So, back to the drawing board I go. LITERALLY!

Looks like I will be designing my own - and please note "do not hold your breath". I do not own a sewing machine so I have to beg, borrow and steal from my Mama Dukes.....one day!

I will update you once I have taken the next step....buying the fabric! I shall leave you with some that I saw that I enjoyed!

XOXO

Yours Truly