{2 of My Favorite Things} Ashley Brooke Designs Giveaway

Okay, there's no denying it. This truly is the best, most cheery mug I've ever seen! You all know I'm such a morning tea person, so this adorable mug from Ashley Brooke Designs made the perfect addition to my morning routine. Can we also talk about the cutest notecards I've ever laid eyes on?! Hey There Buttercup-- it doesn't get any sweeter. They are bright, flowery and the perfect notecard to send out to girlfriends in the summer for a quick hello.

Since two of my favorite things are writing handwritten notes and drinking tea, Ashley Brooke Designs is kindly giving away one of each to one of my readers! What a lucky gal she will be. ABD offers unique, spunky and sweet paper designs and it's safe to say I'd buy out her entire shop if I could! Check out the shop full of mugs, notecards, prints and calendars. This print is one of my favorites :)

Simply enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter tool below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck & have a wonderful day!
xoxo

PS. Google Friend Connect/Reader are going away on July 1st, so you can follow me on Bloglovin and Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest.

61

DIY Polka Dot Tea Cup

photos taken by alyssa marie photography

If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with two things: tea & Kate Spade. We received these cute little white teacups from Megan's bridal shower as our favors. I loved them plain white, but got the crafty itch one day and headed out for some Martha Steward glass paint. A sparkly shade of gold and some round stamp brushes later, I have myself a polka dot tea cup.

Directions:
1. Clean your cup and saucer well. 
2. Paint your design on the cup
3. Cook your cup and saucer in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees on the top rack.
4. Let sit for 24 hours, then wash in the dishwasher.
5. Enjoy your tea in your new tea cup.

This is one of the simplest little DIYs I've done...and I'm quite excited about it. Maybe it'll sit on my bookshelf when I'm not using it...just for decoration :) Have you done any simple DIYs lately?

Have a great Thursday!
Love,

35

It's Just My Cup of Tea

I love tea.  Always have.  It started when I was little.  You know, the classic "Do you want some tea, Bitty Baby?" (My American Girl Doll).  Tea parties thrilled me.  Getting dressed up in a fancy outfit, pretending to be older than I really was, eating the little tea sandwiches and drinking out of dainty cups.  When my great grandma died, she left me 5 tea cups and I simply adore them.  Now, I collect tea cups!

I've never been a coffee person, just not my cup of tea (; So, when I found my favorite shop in Seattle called The Tea Cup, I was so excited.  They have so many flavors!  My favorites are their French black teas.  Silk Road, Creme Brulee Early Gray and Madagascar Vanilla.  YUM!  I go almost everyday  and spend at least 3 hours doing homework.  It makes homework enjoyable.  It's my favorite place in Seattle.  My home away from home, really.  That's my biggest piece of advice I give to anyone who goes out of state for college: always find a place you love going and go to often.  Meet the people who work there, get comfortable!  For a while there last year, my place was Nordstrom...but then I found The Tea Cup.  My bank account is thanking me (:

They give you this little hourglass that lets you know when your tea leaves are done seeping.

I was there last night doing some homework, and it was so quiet...my favorite!  Except, see that fireplace over there?  The girl who's sitting by it took my favorite spot! It's warm and cozy and has the perfect lighting.  But you'll never get the full effect until you come and experience the delicious smell of the tea when you first walk in!

Sometimes dogs come in.  And then I have to take a picture because, really, it's a golden retriever and reminds me of my sweet puppy at home.

The biggest reason I love this place is that it's unique.  While starbucks is good for on-the-go, it just doesn't have that personalized feel that The Tea Cup offers.  I love the exposed brick, warm lighting and smell of tea.  It makes me feel like I'm home.  And I like that feeling!  So if you're ever in Seattle, put this on your list of places to visit (:

Love and Tea,

2