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Archives for December 2011

Adorable Christmas gift for this tea lover!

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! I certainly did…spending time with family and friends is always fun, the food was delicious, the gifts were outstanding, and – oh yeah – I received several tea-related Christmas presents. 🙂

The teapot clock in the picture above is a Better Homes & Gardens piece, and it was a gift to me from my awesome mom (a contributor on this site as well). It’s hanging on my dining room wall now along with a few other coffee-and-tea pieces of art, and I loveeeeee ittttt. Thanks, Madre!

The Republic of Tea: New Teas on Our Radar!

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Republic of Tea Almond Coconut Macaroon Red TeaThe Republic of Tea Almond Coconut Macaroon Red Tea

Normally, Emily and I write tea reviews about teas we’ve actually tried and enjoyed. Kind of makes sense, right?  Well, you’ll forgive me if I break from tradition, here, and pay homage to a couple of teas I haven’t even tried yet (emphasis on yet).  If you have a problem with it, blame The Republic of Tea. They’re the ones who keep coming up with outrageously creative and wonderful teas.

I logged onto their website earlier, looking for a particular obsession.  I normally buy my The Republic of Tea lovelies at a local Joe Muggs.  However, the past few times I’ve been in there, one particular flavor has been sold out each time. Apparently, the people in my community have excellent taste.  Good on them.

So, each time, I just leave with my Chai Tea Latte in hand – determined to check back again in a few days.

The Republic of Tea Strawberry ChocolateThe Republic of Tea Strawberry Chocolate

This morning, I figured I’d just hit up The Republic of Tea online.  Problem is, I got incredibly sidetracked by a whole host of delicious-sounding blends and concoctions!  I’ve put a few here in the post for you to drool over along with me.   At first I was like, “I don’t know which one of these I want to try first..”  – then I remembered who I was (the queen of online shopping) and countered with, “Who says I have to choose just one?!?!”

My husband hates, hates, hates, when I present that counter argument.

I’m beside myself, right now, so forgive me if I’m rambling.  It’s just that these teas sound so amazing! First of all, I’m the biggest chocoholic in the world (a fact that can be proven with a quick stroll through my kitchen any time of day… any day of the year).  I’m also WILD about each of the flavors coconut, strawberry, and almond and have never met an apple cider I didn’t fall head over heels in love with.   So, when I came face to face with the three teas shown in this post, my jaw hit the floor and my heart raced the wind.

Almond Coconut Macaroon?!  Strawberry Chocolate (seriously, why haven’t other teas or coffees thought of this ridiculously perfect and outrageously delicious combination before)?! Apple Cider?!  The Republic of Tea is just showing off now.

Click through any of these amazing teas (image or link beneath the image) to take a closer look.  If you aren’t familiar with The Republic of Tea, rest assured, they are ALWAYS amazing.  What’s more, each pretty canister (they really are lovely) is packed with tea bags.

The Republic of Tea Hot Apple Cider Tea

The Republic of Tea Hot Apple Cider Tea

Earl Grey, Black Tea and Fresh Bergamot Soap & Candle Gift Set

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Earl Grey Tea Set on Etsy

I can almost smell the intoxicating aroma from here! I was bopping around Etsy today, something I do often.  I LOVE pretty things and, quite frankly, Etsy is covered up with prettiness. My infatuation for loveliness and my addiction to tea collided when I came across what you see here.

This gorgeous soap and candle gift set is ideal for those of us who can’t get enough of the one and only Earl Grey. I love everything about the Earl – the aroma, the flavor… even the name.

Click through to take a closer look at this particular gift set. Be sure to see the other products in this particular seller’s shop.  With me, anyone who pays tribute to Earl Grey has a fan for life.

More Holiday Beverage Recipes from Lipton Tea!

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Here are a couple of more gorgeous and delicious Holiday Beverage Recipes from Lipton Tea. I love that these drinks call for the greatest beverage of all time, tea and I love that all the ingredients are flavorful, healthy, and almost always on hand!

Holiday beverage recipes from Lipton Tea!FESTIVI-TEA COSMOPOLITAN

3 servings | Prep time: 5 minutes

1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton® Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry
3 tablespoons 100% cranberry juice
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour into chilled martini glasses.

Holiday beverage recipes from Lipton Tea!DAZZLING CREAMY DESSERT DRINK

5 servings | Prep time: 5 minutes | Stand time: 10 minutes
2 sprigs mint, large
1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton® Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry
1-1/2 cups light cream or half and half*
3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger

Crush mint with wooden spoon against side of medium pitcher to bruise. Stir in remaining ingredients.  Let stand 10 minutes; remove mint sprigs. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish, if desired, with additional mint leaves.

*Use fat-free half and half to make this dessert drink lower in saturated fat and calories.

For more wintertime recipes, visit Lipton Iced Tea’s Facebook page!

Lipton’s Holiday Green Tea Bellini

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Lipton Green Tea Holiday DrinkHoly moly, another use for something I’m already majorly addicted to: Lipton Iced Tea Green Tea with Citrus.  The strongest thing I drink is Chai Tea, so I’ll stick with the apple cider rather than the white wine.

Add a little apple cider and peach nectar and let the party begin! This beautiful drink is  ideal for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve…  basically anytime you want to celebrate. Now’s good for me.

Holiday Green Tea Bellini Recipe

4 servings | Prep time: 5 minutes


1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton® Iced Tea Green Tea with Citrus, chilled
1 cup sparkling apple cider, chilled
1/2 cup peach nectar, chilled


Combine all ingredients in small pitcher; serve immediately. Garnish, if desired, with fresh raspberries.

Tip: For a more authentic bellini drink, use sweet sparkling white wine instead of sparkling apple cider.

Quote About the Secret to Relaxation

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Relaxing picture and a relaxing quote!

“Don’t seek, don’t search, don’t ask, don’t knock, don’t demand – relax. If you relax, it comes. If you relax, it is there. If you relax, you start vibrating with it.” – Osho

I probably sound like a broken record with my family, but I love them more than I do my next breath, so their well-being means the world to me.  More than the world, actually.  I’m constantly encouraging them to…

  • Drink more tea – the health benefits of tea are astounding
  • Eat more fruit
  • Eat more vegetables
  • Eat less junk food, fried foods, soft drinks, etc
  • Relax more

If everyone made these things daily goals, think how much healthier we’d all be.

Great. Now I’m mothering all of you as well.  Now sit up straight!

Peach Passion Premium Oolong Loose Blend Tea: The Boston Tea Company Works Their Magic Again

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The Boston Tea Company's Peach Passion Tea

Well, hello there, sweet new addiction. How’ve you been soon-to-be lifelong obsession?

Are you guessing that The Boston Tea Company’s Peach Passion (Premium Oolong Loose Blend Tea flavored with Sweet Peaches and Sunflowers) is a hit in my kitchen? I’m actually enjoying the heck out of a hot mug of this fragrant, flavorful, and beautifully delicious tea as I’m typing.

Talk about inspiration.

Emily (known to you as “The Crazy Tea Chick” and known to me as my beautiful first born daughter) often rolls her eyes at my fascination with putting honey in hot tea. I add it to green tea, black tea, white tea… basically anything BUT Chai Tea (that’s a job for cream). I don’t add honey to iced teas but if it’s a mug of hot tea, you’ll find me and my honey bear (now don’t judge me) nearby ready to sweeten the deal. Every tea, every time.

A funny thing happened on my way to my hot mug of Peach Passion, though. I left the honey bear behind. After one Heavenly whiff and after one even more Heavenly sip, I felt that it’d be positively criminal to add anything to the mug except my lips.

I was slow in jumping on the loose tea bandwagon. I honestly assumed that loose leaf tea would be too expensive and complicated – that is before I actually tried it for myself.  Loose leaf tea is absolutely amazing and, although I still enjoy tea from bags as often, loose leaf tea is a real pleasure – especially when it’s crafted by perfectionists like The Boston Tea Company.

If you love high quality tea, I strongly urge you (with Peach Passion on my breath) to become a regular visitor to Boston Tea.com Every single tea I’ve ever had from The Boston Tea Company has left me speechless… and, trust me, for this gal that’s really saying something. The Peach Passion is one you simply have to try right away. The intensity of the peach flavor and the underlying sweetness is nothing short of perfection. You’ll also love the resealable bag. So convenient.

This tea is absolutely divine and, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for another cup.  Peach Passion and sugar cookies is a match made in Heaven.

Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass Review: Loose Leaf Tea on the Go!

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Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass

We were recently sent a wonderful Loose Leaf Tea Glass to review on the tea blog and we’re still buzzing about it.  Seriously, The Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass is absolutely beautiful and flat out ingenious. It’s one of those products that, within a week of having it, you ask yourself, “And just how did I ever get along without this?”

You’ll use this gorgeous infuser/travel tea glass (it’s simply too classy to refer to as a mug) daily as I do.  Not only is this little beauty perfect for taking with you (whether you fancy iced tea or hot), it’s just as convenient to use at home!

Here are just a few things I love about the Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass:

  • It makes brewing and enjoying loose leaf tea as convenient, easy, and delicious as other methods.
  •  The design is as beautiful and classy as any tea lover could hope for.
  • The glass fits perfectly into your vehicle’s drink holder.
  • The glass even fits in your purse!
  • Maybe best of all, the Libre Loose Leaf Tea Glass has a glass interior, meaning you’ll enjoy tea the way it was meant to be enjoyed: Fresh, wholesome goodness untouched by plastic of any kind.
  • I’ve never (as in not even once) had a problem with leaking.
  • This may sound pretentious and it may hit at tea snobbery, but I love that it looks so highbrow and classy. Wherever you go, people will want to know where you got this beautiful tea glass to go.

I could go on and on about how beautiful, convenient, and first class this product is, but I honestly think this would be a great time to encourage you to visit Libre’s Online Shop.  You’ll find a wealth of information, images, close-ups, and even videos.  While there, be sure to visit the main website as well – it’s a great, fun place for tea lovers to feed their passion.