Hey Alice, Welcome to the TEA PARTY!

Tea for Two!

When Alice sat down at the table to have tea with the Mad Hatter, she never thought the experience would be so chaotic. Little girls often love to “play tea.” When some women get together to chat, some of us will enjoy “tea”. Whatever the situation and however you enjoy it, TEA is a part of most societies.

Tea can refer to different meals, depending on the area and time.

·         The English have afternoon tea that occurs during the hours 2-5pm, which consists of tea (of course), finger sandwiches, cookies and pastries. High tea occurs during the hours 5-7pm and is followed by a light meal. You will have your tea with sandwiches, cold meats, and eggs.

·         The Japanese have traditional tea ceremonies that date back as early as the 9^th century that are based from Buddhism. Their tea gatherings are known as chakai, which consists of thin tea, confections, and maybe a light meal.  A chaji is a much more formal gathering, usually including a full-course kaiseki (a large multi coursed meal) meal followed by confections, thick tea, and thin tea. A chaji can last up to four hours.

So why all this talk of tea?

Some recent fashion trends have been pointing to tea length skirts and dresses. For those who don’t know, a tea length skirt or dress end just below the knee to the bottom of the calf muscle. Although most tea length dresses and skirt are worn in the summer to weddings and garden parties, you can actually see tea length skirt trending this fall. Pairing skirts with boots and sweaters can add a fall twist to the tea length skirt. This chic and slightly conservative look can be worn in the office or casually around town.

And since you have taken out that “tea length” skirt, why not go out for some tea. If you have not gone out for “tea,” it is a fun experience. Although you may enjoy it with “the girls”, you may have a wonderful lunch with your significant other. Some places like “Alice’s Tea Cup” in NYC or “Tea & Sympathy” offer great deals on tea lunches that usually include: finger sandwiches, tea, scones, cookies, and various jams and clotted creams. I highly recommend going with your daughter, your mom, your best friend, or even your husband/boyfriend to have tea. It is fun to try yummy treats, sample various teas and the conversations you will share will be so memorable.

So warm up your fall weekend with a day of TEA!

Happy Shopping!