If you’re a long time follower or have read my “Full Circle” post, you already know the story of how I came to be interested in Tea Parties. (If you haven’t yet, click here to catch up!) This post isn’t about that. This post is all about my Firsts from that day!

Guest List – I didn’t want too many people where I couldn’t have conversations with each of them. I also wanted to make sure I wasn’t just choosing people that I liked or was already comfy with, but new ones that I wanted to get to know. I went with 8. Four of my current girlfriends, and four I wanted to get closer to.

Invitations – One of my friends was a big scrapbooker. She would host scrapbooking nights and invite me. I came to a few, so I had all these supplies. Being a longtime event planner prior to this, I knew that the invites set the tone for the gathering. I thought too that this would be a good time to use up all the stuff I had + practice my DIYing skills…so I handmade each of them! (Another event planning tip: make more than you need!)

Outfit – Since I was only 6-months postpartum here, I wanted to make sure I’d be comfortable. Squeezing into anything with breastfeeding boobs and a swollen/bloated tummy was not the business! I didn’t know how people dressed for tea parties. I’m not a fancy dress type of girl, but I also knew enough not to wear my ever-loving sweats!! (hold on- and if you’re thinking right now “What? She was an event planner and didn’t know how people dressed for tea parties!?” … I was new at this still mmkay.) I decided on my cotton dress I wore to my baby shower: newspaper gray with a little floral action on the skirt part.

Ambiance – What’s that phrase? ‘A little kid in a candy store’? Yeah, that was me. I felt like a tourist in San Francisco, with the camera strap hanging around my neck, taking pictures of all the cute little bits and pieces all over this tea room! Aside from my old friend’s facebook posts, I didn’t really know what to expect in here!? I was overwhelmed. But in the absolute best possible way.

(snort) I’m still laughing at the flowers and sugar. Have yall ever seen sugar before?? Apparently, I thought that was a necessary photo to take. (laughing crying emoji)

Tea – I didn’t take notes or have a journal entry from this or anything, but if I remember correctly we probably had their House Blend and Ginger Peach. Their house is a black tea with strawberry + kiwi, and I will always associate Tyme for Tea with a ginger peach tea. It’s a core memory for me for sure.

Food – Just as I had told the story in my Tyme for Tea post, I had never had scones warm before this visit. This was my first experience having it the “right way” and with all the fixings. Even now, when I go to each tea spot, I will ALWAYS try my scone first!! Cuz they come out warm! Also a first: being served food on 3 tiers! As a nerd/rule-follower, I just loved how there was one each of everything for everyone. I took each bite of sandwich, savory, and sweet with such awe to the detail + love that was put into making em.

Please excuse the blurry, grainy, rough photos. It was 2011 and I was working with an old digital camera! Oh!! And this was also my first introduction (and subsequent addiction) to LOTUS BISCOFF BISCUITS!!!

I hope you enjoyed reminiscing on my first hosted tea party with me!! It was fun going down that Memory Lane. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the author behind this Blog. This helps me practice vulnerability, gives me something to write about between Spots, and lets you know a little more about the human being typing all these words! Our next Tea Spot is coming soon!! See you then!

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