Tea for Two

I spent one gloriously lazy summer afternoon skimming the pages of the 1922 edition of Etiquette, and I emerged from my languid stupor fully resolved to resurrect Miss Emily Post’s delineations of debutantes, invitations and afternoon teas. It was quite simply, a most amusing undertaking, for a certain Miss with far too much time to accomplish far too little during the blissful weeks that follow semester finals. Behold dear reader, the fruits of a sugary and indulgent little endeavor, perhaps at home amongst Gatsby and Gershwin, delightfully fanciful, shamefully superfluous and sweetly celebratory of a lovely friend’s nineteenth birthday.Let them eat cake.
Regrettably, any form of entertaining coaxes forth a culinary conundrum, for the kitchen is most certainly not my domain. The solution is a “menu” that is simple and light yet surprisingly satisfying. Small details of presentation can be added with ease, from neatly cropped, crust-less sandwiches to delicate mint leaves suspended in ice cubes. An extra drizzle of chocolate or a flourish of frosting can take dessert from drab to decadent. And, for garnishes try raspberries, strawberries, mint leaves and cucumber slices.

Menu
Tea Sandwiches
Peanut butter with strawberry
preserves and classic watercress.
Fresh Fruit Skewers
Strawberries, melon and raspberries
from the garden.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Strawberries coated in sumptuous milk
chocolate with dark chocolate drizzle
Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcakes with delicate pink
icing and a celebratory candle.
Strawberry Lemonade
Fresh squeezed lemonade with
strawberry puree and seltzer
sparkle.
Tea
Classic black tea with cream
and sugar.

Sitting pretty.
Make the table a rhapsody in pink and gold.
At each place setting…
1. Golden chargers and cutlery add a touch of metallic extravagance that is perfectly offset by gold rimmed white china.
2. Cake-like tiers of charger, plate, and saucer are crowned by a delicately patterned menu. In slightly more muted tones than the coordinating table runner, its print is accented by an art deco font and an airy accent bow.
3. Cream colored muslin napkins, hand embroidered with a light pink chain stitch and solitary blossom, are folded simply into triangles.
4. My grandmother’s antique tea cups, of prim and graceful design sit centered above each place setting.
5. A handmade gift bag in coral and cream hides three bags of black tea beneath a cheery burst of birthday themed tissue paper. I'm considering adding a batch to my line of paper goods at Natural Historie.
On the table…
1. The extra wide table runner is actually a roll of matte wrapping paper from Martha Stewart Crafts, durably thick, beautifully printed and fabulously affordable.
2. Tea lights, in tins painted gold and be-glittered by me, rest inside varied glass votives.
3. A garland of golden beads lays strewn about the table.
4. Stacked cake stands showcase delectable desserts, alongside white serving ware and a crystal decanter of bright berry lemonade.

Putting on the ritz.
Put the finishing touches on a lovely affair with decorative details.
1. Paper starbursts in varied sizes hang from fragile white thread amidst swirled swags of white crepe paper. Learn how to make paper starbursts at marthastewart.com.
2. Twenties tunes hum in the background, consider some of Gershwin’s works or selections from Fascinating Rhythm.
3. A “Happy Birthday” garland fashioned from hand cut cardstock rounds and coordinating stripped ribbon hangs festively across the dining room hutch. Letter templates can be found at marthastewart.com.
4. Painted gold and adorned with snippets of vintage charm, a simple little scrapbook is the perfect place to preserve memories and snapshots of a lovely afternoon. Natural Historie

Good Things Come in Pretty Packages

I am notoriously guilty of seeing the gift for it’s garnishes. And I just can’t help supposing that packaging is a present of its own. It follows quite simply then, that the joy I take in pretty presentation should extend to the ribbons and wrappings that dress each and every little curiosity I craft. So without further ado, some highlights, past and present, from the shop. It’s not hip to be square. Puns aside, I am so taken with the gentle curves of rounded shapes. I especially like the way the oval Natural Historie tags contrast against the rectangular repetitions supplied by the printed “paper bands”, envelopes and art prints. Less refined than their elliptical cousins, quirky little dot stickers punctuate paper bands and the occasional envelope.

Printy in pink. A little repetition is good sometimes, especially when it takes the form of a pretty pastel pattern with a simple, understated leafy design. Paper bands add a finishing touch to miniature boxes, translucent envelopes, notecard sets and art prints.

The boxy look. These tiny take-out boxes (local craft store) are so modern yet rustic in a natural brown. Earrings are nested snugly inside amidst cream colored crinkle cut paper shred. My favorite however, is the sea-faring little box, crafted from printed cardstock and embellished by hand with blue acrylic paint. It’s since set sail to be with a new owner, along with the blue glass bracelets it harbored inside.

Enveloped in beauty. I hand cut, fold and glue the translucent envelopes that house my tag sets, smaller prints and other paper goods. Soft in texture and appearance they allow color and light to pass through, hinting beguilingly of what’s to come inside. Natural Historie