So, here we are, what, 9 days away from the big day? If you have given absolutely no thought to what you want to get for the love of your life you could end up getting something that is unimaginative, boring, and uninspired. Do you really want to do that?

Nope, you don’t. Why? Because you want to be known as the most romantic person ever. You want your Love to write about you on the walls of every public restroom in the state…you want them to gaze at you adoringly, you want them to …

Well, you know. So…you need a great idea.

Being somewhat of a romantic myself, I have lots of great ideas. These apply to tea drinkers. And mostly this post is written for men, because women usually have great ideas. If you are a woman and you don’t know what to get for the love of YOUR life then check out nearly anything on Love Fifi ..Disclaimer: That site has lingerie, so if you are thinking of getting your guy a necktie for Valentines Day, you won’t find what you are looking for there.

First of all, guys, presentation is everything. Handing her a Walmart bag with a box of Lipton in it will not be impressive. Use a Fair Trade Native Leaf gift bag, or a gift wrap made of sustainable materials or recycled paper. A cool idea is to use a vintage tea cloth, or table cloth to wrap in, or create a basket.

• Valentine’s Tea from Adagio-Chocolate, strawberries, and black Ceylon tea. Yum.
• Tea, Chocolate, Love, and Whimsy from Serendipitea comes with three teas and a heart tea infuser. Best of all the company is socially and environmentally responsible.
• Harney & Sons Silk Purse and Valentines Tea-The tea is chocolate and rose. Enough said.
• Silver Tips Tea StValentine is described as black tea flavored with red fruits, rose and vanilla.
• Numi Flowering tea- If you haven’t seent hese they are beautiful. You put the tea bud in a glass teapot, pour in the boiling water, and as the tea steeps a flower blooms.
• Teavana Rooibus Sweet Amore- rooibus tea is red. Great color for Valentine’s Day.. This one is also flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, almonds, apples, peach, and pear.

• The Teapot Shop is absolutely fantastic. I fell in love with this Summer Rose Tea for Two Set.

• Again, from the Teapot Shop, this Tea and Toast Set. I would feel like a character from a Jane Austin novel.

Vintage tea things are always awesome, to me. I love antiques, and I think that alot of women that are into tea (although not all, obviously) do love vintage tea items. eBay is a great place to find the vintage things. Check some of these out that I found today:

• This cup is incredible! It was just listed so you could actually bid on it.

• This early 20th century cup and saucer set is beautiful as well, in a soft green and rose floral.

Are you inspired? If coffee is your thing, tomorrow is coffee gift day… Check back.

And don’t forget, please Vote for me in the Death by Chocolate contest!

top image courtesy of morguefile.com, photographer: digiology99@gmail.com

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I wish I could review tea shops all over the world but, alas! I can only do local at the moment.

I went shopping today to pick up some things for the My Favorite Things Give Away. I had heard that there was a tea shop at Northpark Mall (Dallas, Tx) so I thought I would pick up some tea while I was out. I had been hoping for a good tea shop locally for a couple of years but hadn’t actually gone to look for one. I guess the Internet is too easy!

The shop had numerous samples of tea, hot and iced, ready and waiting. Some of the samples were lukewarm, and perhaps should have been freshened. It was only mid afternoon so it wasn’t like they were closing any time soon.

I had hoped to get a picture of the display but I needed the manager’s o.k. for that and they were somewhat busy, so perhaps I will be able to do that another time. I will say that the color and design of the store was very attractive.

The scent of the tea when the canisters were opened was incredible. It was so hard to decide which to buy! The barista that was weighing out the tea for me was very friendly and helpful, and answered questions readily.

There was a huge number of teas to choose from and a number of teapots. Teavana has carries teapots and gifts as well, mostly an oriental type of selection. If you are looking for a beautiful china pot you will want to look elsewhere.

So, I got four types of the tea, 2 oz. each. I will be doing reviews on the teas over the next few days. I can tell you that I quickly brewed two different cups when I got home and was very pleased.

Teavana

Northpark Center
8687 North Central Expwy
Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: 214-691-1101

For other locations check Store Locations

Post from: Kettle and Cup