A Special Halloween Birthday Tea Party

Welcome to the 738th Tablescape Thursday! Selma throws the most amazing tea parties! In a recent email, Selma wrote, "I wanted to do something special for my granddaughter for her birthday, and my first thought was a Princess Tea, but when her mom mentioned how much Gia loves Halloween, I asked (Gia) if she wanted a Halloween Birthday Tea. The answer was, YES! So, you know how it goes with the grandbabies-- … [Read more...]




How to Make Whimsical, Floating Teacups for an Alice in Wonderland Party

Welcome to the 638th Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party sharing fabulous Before and Afters! A few weeks back I shared this wonderful table setting Elena created for her daughter's birthday. Elena went with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme, a favorite of her daughter's.   As part of the decorations, Elena created these beautiful, magical floating teacups.   Every … [Read more...]




A Sweet 16 Tea Party with a Fun, Jungle-Jaguar Theme

Welcome to the 601st Tablescape Thursday! A few months back Selma, a reader of BNOTP, hosted a wonderful Sweet 16 Tea for Virginia, the oldest daughter of a dear friend. Selma said, "It was extra special for me because my friend and her girls have been coming over for tea for at least 6 years. The first time they came for tea, Virginia (guest of honor) and Ella (her sister) were 10 and 8 respectively, … [Read more...]




A Special Christmas Tea Party with a Scumptious Tea Party Menu

Welcome to the 570th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy New Year (almost) to you! I had planned to share a lamp switcheroo today but things have been so busy with the holidays, the kids out of school and weekend activities, I never got a chance to take photos in their room. I will do that soon and share how the new lamp looks with their holiday bedding.   The new lamp turned out to be not that … [Read more...]




Having Mile High Tea at 38,000 Feet and Horrifying an Innocent Flight Attendant

Welcome to the 569th Tablescape Thursday! For my flight back home from England, I decided to try Delta's "Premium Select" choice since surprisingly, when I booked the flight, the cost was not that much more than Comfort Plus. I can tell you now, I will try to fly Premium any time it's offered and fits within my budget because the experience was wonderful! I kept thinking the entire time, "This is every … [Read more...]




17 Charger Plate Ideas for Your Next Dinner Party

Welcome to the 454th Tablescape Thursday! Whenever I set a table for friends or family, I often use a charger plate underneath the dinner plate. I love the way they enhance a setting, adding another pretty layer and providing a base for each place setting. They are also practical as they help catch drips that would otherwise fall on the table or tablecloth. Back in early 2008, before I ever began … [Read more...]




We’re All Quite Mad Here! An Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Party

Welcome to the 415th Tablescape Thursday! Last October, Elena threw a fabulous Mad Hatter Dinner/Tea Party for her parents who were celebrating their 86th and 87th birthdays! The party was a big celebration and Elena ended up setting five tables, three indoor and two outdoor. Elena created the cutest "tipsy teacup towers" to use as centerpieces for each of the tables. The main dining table here in the … [Read more...]




Make Heart-Shaped Sugar Cubes for Parties: A Tutorial

Recently while reading a Country Living magazine, I came across the cutest heart-shaped sugar cubes.  The magazine shared where they could be ordered but I decided to try making my own.  I thought they would be fun for parties, especially tea parties or to offer guests with coffee after dinner. Instead of white cubes as shown in the article, I decided to color mine.  Since it's so close to Easter, I … [Read more...]




Decorating for Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the 160th Metamorphosis Monday! Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  I love that holiday.  How can you not love a day that's all about chocolate, romance and ♥ LOVE! ♥ It makes me smile when I remember bringing Valentine's Day cards to school.   If I close my eyes, I can still see all the colorful construction-paper folders we made and decorated.  They were strung along the wall where they … [Read more...]




Bridal Tea Table Setting

Welcome to the 155th Tablescape Thursday! I love it when you share your beautiful tablescapes with me!  I was so excited when Sue, a reader of BNOTP, emailed a few pics of a bridal shower she recently gave for a friend.  Sue loves growing lavender in her own garden and prior to the shower, she visited a lavender farm, Yule Love It Lavender Farm in Michigan.  She was so inspired by her visit to the farm, … [Read more...]




You’re Invited to a Tea Party!

Recently, I received some delightful pictures of a tea held by Meg, a reader of BNOTP. Meg was originally born in England but now lives in Canada. She wrote to me and said, "I recently gave a British afternoon tea for six friends, including cream horns for which I bought the molds from England last year." Meg told me the she went with a teacup theme and the cloth napkins were held by wooden teapots. Love … [Read more...]




Beautiful "Rote Rose" by Meissen

Welcome to the 104th Tablescape Thursday! Tablescape Thursday: For this week's Tablescape Thursday, we are international travelers again...jetting off to Switzerland to view beautiful china, crystal and silver in a most exquisite setting...Cornelia's beautiful home. Cornelia recently had a tea party with some dear friends. The children were invited for this special affair and I know everyone … [Read more...]




Alice In Wonderland Tea Party

Welcome to the 102nd Tablescape Thursday! A few months ago I stumbled upon a miniature Alice in Wonderland tea set...it was love at first site. We celebrated with an Un-Birthday Party out on the porch. This evening I've set up a tea party just for you in the guest room. Actually, there's room for two so, if you don't mind, I think I'll join you. Brought up a couple of the wicker … [Read more...]




An Impromptu Tea Party, Mad Hatter Style

This morning I heard such a ruckus going on in the upstairs family room! I hurried down the hall and threw open the door to see what in the world was going on in there! Look! It's a tea party, Mad Hatter style...and I wasn't even invited! Umpf! I don't know which I'm more obssessed with these days...this precious Alice in Wonderland china designed by Paul Cardew. Or these adorable sock … [Read more...]




Cozy Fireside Tea

Welcome to the 72nd Tablescape Thursday! Hey, come on in here out of the cold. I'm so excited that you've stopped by! I have a special evening planned for us.   Let's sit over here by the fire. I've made us a nice pot of hot tea. And some yummy snowball cookies. Would you like a chocolate-dipped peppermint stick? I sampled a couple before you got here...you know, just to make sure they … [Read more...]




Tea in Bed

Welcome to the 45th Tablescape Thursday! It's Tablescape Thursday and I positively love this day! Thursdays are filled to overflowing with links to some of the most delicious eye candy to be found anywhere across the Blogasphere! Today, you are my guest. And, I'm so glad you are here! How was your journey? I know you must be tired after such a long drive.   I have your room all ready. … [Read more...]




St. Patrick’s Day Tea Party

Welcome to the 29th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner...let's celebrate with some tea out on the porch!   And of course, we must have green tea, since we are celebrating St. Paddy's Day. (The green tole tray was a wedding gift 30 years ago.)   I picked fresh flowers from the garden..  Ahhh...their sweet, sweet fragrance is … [Read more...]




Celebrating the Winter Blues

A little birdie told me you had the winter blues... So I was thinking...since Old Man Winter is here to stay for while, instead of fighting those winter blues, why don't we just embrace them. Come on over here; I have the perfect spot for you...a comfy blue chair... And a nice, hot cup of tea, served from a Blue Willow teapot... How about a fluffy, soft pillow... With a … [Read more...]