LilSugar

Tea Party: Food and Beverages

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:00:37 -0700

It's pretty obvious that tea will be the beverage of choice at this baby shower whether you choose to serve it piping hot or iced with lemon.

And, what goes better with the herbal elixir than savory finger sandwiches and sugary treats? From the traditional cucumber to the more worldly roasted turkey and mango chutney, tea sandwiches are a fun way for guests to sample several flavors on a plate.

Get creative with the nibblers by shaping them into bottles, teddy bears and baby feet with cookie cutters. To see what's for dessert, read more.

And, for something to satisfy the sweet tooth, buy some bakery made petit fours (32 lil cakes for $64) in the colors of the baby-to-be's nursery.

Source and Source

Tea Party: Sippers

babysugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:00:03 -0700

Tea parties can be old–fashioned, sophisticated or modern and cool – it's up to you. Set the tone for your tea party baby shower with cups and saucers that fit the mood. Spruce up your wares with these designs that keep things simple and aren't a huge expense.

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Tea Party: Decor

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:35 -0700

Forgo traditional flower arrangements and make blossoming tea your centerpiece.

Available in a variety of colorful blends that are sold in boxes ($9), the edible eye candy doubles as a conversation piece.

And, the delightful aromas linger in the air leaving your place party ready and smelling like jasmine, lavender, rose, citrus or whichever other scent you prefer.

To see more blossoming teas, read more.

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Tea Party: Invitations

babysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you're on board with the tea party theme, you might want to check out these simple and creative invitations that I crafted with supplies from my favorite paperie, Paper Source.

To see how to make them, read more.

I'm throwing this party for a friend who decorated her nursery in Tiffany blue, citrus orange, and brown. The couple doesn't know the baby's sex so I also wanted to be gender neutral with the invites.

What I need to buy:

5 1/2" orange square cards.
5" white square cards.
5 3/4" turquoise square envelopes. (note postage is $0.50 for square envelopes.)
Brown grosgrain ribbon with white pattern.
Brown pen for labeling.
Standard hole punch (matching the width of your ribbon.)
Decorative hole punch.
Double–stick tape.
Scissors.

Now it's time to get down to business.

First, decide on the text you want to put on the invitation. You might want to print a sample out on regular computer paper first to make sure there are no mistakes and so you don't waste the pretty (and more expensive) card stock. Once perfected, print out all of your invitations on the printer.
Next, place double–stick tape on the back of the invitation and firmly press it onto the center of the orange squares.
Mark two dots where you want to center your ribbon (about an inch apart) and punch holes on the marks.
Take your ribbon and cut it into 5" long pieces. Thread the ribbon through the holes from front to back so the ends are on the backside. Next, pull the ends through the opposite holes and tighten the slack. Cut the edges of the ribbon at an angle to give it a finished touch and to keep it from unraveling.
Use the decorative hole punch (a heart in my case) and punch a hole in the bottom right hand corner of your envelope.
Place the invitation in the envelope, address, stamp, and toss in the mail!

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April Showers: Tea Party

LilSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:00:09 -0700

Just a spoonful of sugar helps celebrate baby!

Whether you know a mama-to-be that was born with a silver spoon in her mouth or one that is into all things herbal, consider toasting a cup 'o tea in her honor.

Since tea is available in a wide range of varieties, you can go traditional classy with a silver service, petit fours and crumpets or shabby chic with mismatched cups and saucers and flavorful finger sandwiches or modern sassy with sleek sippers and fresh innovative eats. To see other ideas, read more.

And, you can throw the festive affair in the comfort of your home or take it outside for a garden party feeling. If you choose the latter to set the mood, suggest your guests wear a festive hat.

Tea Party: Hostess and Party Favors

babysugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Torn on what to give your guests at the end of your tea party baby shower? No worries, we've got you covered.

If you invested in inexpensive teacups for the shower, fill them with goodies and gift them to your party goers. Another idea is to wrap up beautifully decorated sugar cubes from Aida Opera Candies in cellophane and tie them off with a ribbon. Or, toss a few Twinings tea bags and the sugary sweets in the teacups to create an even prettier package.

To see another option, read more.

For favors that reflect the mama-to-be, gather her favorite candies – Skittles, Sprees, Tootsie Rolls, M&M's, etc - and fill big bowls with oodles of the treats in a circle on a table. In the center, fill a basket with pillow boxes from Paper Source.

When all of the petit fours have been eaten and the presents unwrapped, tell your guests to visit the candy wheel where they can stock up on sweets to go.

For the hostess with the mostest, spoil her with a tea set that she'll cherish for years to come. The Bodum Assam Tea Press is a fabulous teapot and is perfect for a single cup of tea. Add a set of tea bags and teacups to make her feel extra special.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Tea Party & Snakes" Episode

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:30:06 -0700

During last night's episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kate takes the younger girls to a tea party while Jon treats the older girls to a bonfire at home. Test your skills and see how closely you watched the show by taking this quiz!

Can't get enough of the Gosselins? For more on the whole crew, visit the Jon and Kate Plus 8 group over in our LilSugar community!

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Source: TLC

Take the quiz

Ecotot: Green Tea Set

babysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:00:03 -0700

My daughter is obsessed with tea parties. I love watching her gather her stuffed animals around the table and serve them cups of her finest brews, but I've been hesitant to buy her an actual tea set because the only ones I've seen are made with questionable paint sources and plastic.

The eco-conscious company Green Toys makes a tea set that will leave the worrisome mother gleeful. Crafted from recycled milk jugs, moms can rest easy knowing that the "green" tea their tot is steeping is phthalates and BPA free. For $25, the cheery hued plastic finery serves up four cups, saucers and spoons, a tea pot, creamer and sugar dispenser.

K Is For Keen on Kettles

babysugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:00:08 -0700

When a lady is expecting a baby, she often trades her mocha latte in for a hot cup of decaffeinated tea. Then the baby makes its debut, but mommy doesn't have to give up her affection for the kettle. She can still sip on the brewed herbs and rock her newborn in the comfort of a tea themed nursery. In lieu of books, line a row of teapots on a shelf. Polish up antique and family silver cups and place them around the room for a bit of sparkle and shine. Sass up the pots and cups with a teapot lamp, a fancy chandelier, a pearl adorned box, frilly aprons, strings of pearls or a framed pair of gloves. Splurge on a tiered sweet stand that can hold the babe's keepsakes instead of petit fours. But if mama sneaks one in, we won't tell! L is up next on our alphabet nursery series! Love, letters, lions, oh my!

Abigail Aprons - $30.00	Leapfrog tag™ activity storybook: "miss spider's tea party" - $13.99
Flora Green and Pink Chandelier - $318.00	Poodle Party - $39.00
KidKraft Garden Party Collection Canvas Art Set of Four - $56.99	Personalized Dot Bowl & Cup Set - $64.00
Reed & Barton Corp. Reed & Barton Baby Beads Single-Handled Cup - $48.99	Wallcandy RoCoco Decals - $36.00
Blik Classic Must Haves Wall Decals - $55.00	Cupcake on Canvas - $52.00
Carton Vase - $6.95	Straw Eyelet-Trim Hats for Baby - $10.50
Uli - pillows by uli - $107.00	Eco-Friendly Tea Set - $25.00
Roost Branch Teapot - $58.00	Guidecraft Tea Party Extra Chairs - $78.99
White Ceramic Teapots - $12.99	Edo Red Teapot (1.4-qt.) by Arzberg - $106.95
Kidkraft® Teakettle - $24.99	Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Apron Solid Pink - $19.99
Ralph Lauren Long Pearl Necklace - $58.00	Guidecraft Tea Party Rocking Chair - $109.99
Boho Holiday Teapot (46-oz.) by Rosanna - $39.95	Creative Designs Cushy Cafe Tea Party Set - $14.99
Flora Teapot - $6.95	Creative Designs Disney Princess Snow White Tea Set - $15.99

It's Time to Bid Adieu to Jon, Kate, and Their 8

babysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:48:25 -0700

Turn out the lights . . . the party's over. The reality show that once focused on a fun-loving and wildly entertaining family is coming to a halt. Jon and Kate Plus 8 captured the hearts of viewers (including our own) all over the country. The adorable children and their parents made the TLC show a hit, but it was the parent's marital demise that made it a phenomenon. While many couples could relate to their bickering, it got to be too much for the Gosselins themselves and eventually led to the announcement of their separation and divorce. As it often happens, things have turned sour and until the two can reconcile differences and iron matters out privately, TLC is turning off the cameras and refusing to air anymore dirty laundry . . . literally.

Perhaps the lack of camera crews will allow the family to focus on what is important and bring some sanity, or at least normalcy, to the wee ones' lives. While 63 percent of LilSugar readers believed the show should be canceled, will you be sad to see it go?

If you want to dish about all things Jon and Kate Plus 8, join the discussion in the Jon and Kate Plus 8 Group in the LilSugar community!

Source: INFDaily.com

For a bittersweet look back at photos of the family and episode recaps and quizzes from this past season, read more.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "School Days" episode

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Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Time to Organize" episode

View Time to Organize Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Tea Party & Snakes" episode

View Tea Party and Snakes Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Farm to Table" episode

View Farm to Table Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Dude Ranch and Dress Up" episode

View Dude Ranch and Dress Up Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Battleship and Barber" episode

View Battleship and Barber Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Beach and Kitchen Reveal" episode

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Vacations & Renovations" and "Backyard Camping" episode

Source: TLC