Let’s be clear about one thing….

Here in Vegas, where we currently live, it is not common for most people to have “Garden Parties”…especially during the summer.  It is VERY hot and, thanks to the lack of water and dry ground, most people do not have lush green yards with vegetation growing and flowers aplenty.  This has been hard for me.  Being a native Californian and from the Sacramento area (a.k.a. The City of Trees) and adopted Texan by marriage (where we have lush, green rolling hills and gorgeous trees and farms outside all big cities where it becomes rural), this desert landscape has been one of the HARDEST adjustments for me when moving here last year.

That being said…..

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will keep me from having a garden party!  I will find a way around it.  We may not have a garden or vegetation in our backyard.  We have cement walls instead of fences and desert rock instead of lush, green grass.  But we have a fig tree and a couple of bushes!  And I have a gorgeous vintage tea cart and roses from the grocery store!  So by golly….we will have a garden tea party LOL!  Perfect timing, since I had a few special guests for tea JUST as the sun was going down, it was cooling off, and a breeze started to grace us with its presence.

I found this gorgeous cart a few years ago, back in Waco, Texas. I painted it another color after washing and cleaning it originally but then repainted it white the other day and I’m loving how it looks now!  I always have fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s in my kitchen on a weekly basis but loved using my daughter’s roses that we gave her at her dance recital last night.  It was the perfect touch!  Here’s where I found everything else used in this picture:

Cake pedestals, cake stand, bottled sparkling lemonade, clear hobnail glasses, floral teapot and matching teacup/saucer, porcelain strawberry basket, “delish” napkins:  Home Goods
Hobnail pedestal bowl and teaspoons:  World Market
Pair of white teacups/saucers:  found at antique store on anniversary trip
Small rod iron chairs. grey galvanized metal napkin holder:  Hobby Lobby
Floral tea tray:  TaiPan Trading Company
Tea Towel:  handmade by Candice Lee
The Afternoon Tea Collection Book: Magnolia Lane Boutique (but also found on Amazon)
Birdcage:  Ross Stores
Berry Twist Cupcakes and fruit: Smith’s Grocery Store

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Many people sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Not me.  I’m a Diet Coke or Herbal Tea kind of girl. My very favorite is Mint Majesty at Starbucks.  When I’m at home, I make Tazo Refresh Mint Tea.  It’s the one Starbucks used to carry before Mint Majesty :-).  Anyway, I like a lot of Tazo’s herbal teas and have found it, over the years, calming and relaxing to sit and enjoy a cup of tea.  Plus, it has many health benefits.  As we moved into this new house, I had this vision of making a tea station with all the essentials all in one place. I love it!  It’s convenient, functional AND it’s pretty!

Any 3-tiered stand will work if you want to re-create this look in your kitchen.  I found this one at Rod Works several years ago.  I used to use it in my boutique and at shows for displays but now….it’s the perfect tea station!  I’ve found my mugs and jars at TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Laurieanna’s Vintage Home, Home Goods, Michael’s (hobnail jar), IKEA and at antique sales.  I added the greige-colored straws (from Michael’s in the wedding section) for a cute touch, but they also make for great stirrers  I have a few teapots but none of them are solid white.  Until the other day…I found one at Ross and added it to my stand.  It’s perfect.

I’d love to see where you keep your tea or coffee at your home!  Feel free to share in the comments below or email me a picture!

xoxo, Summer

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