Today, as a departure from the normal blogging schedule, I'm hosting a friend of mine from the writing half of my life. Meet Angela Bell!
I first met Angela through a creative writing critique group which I was a part of until it disbanded some time ago. Since then, we've kept in touch and I've been pleased to see her writing career take off in many fun ways. In celebration of the publication of her Victorian-Era novella, she's here talking about how to simplify a tea-parties. I am not a huge one for simplifying things - maybe I should try it sometime? So it's fun for me to get to peek inside an efficient mind and see how it works. Please welcome Angela to Lipstick + Gelato!
Novelist
Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities.
Her activities consist of reading, drinking tea, and writing letters
with a fountain pen. She resides in Texas with pup Mr. Darcy and
kitties Lizzie Bennett and Lord Sterling. Angela’s Victorian Era
novella, The
Substitute Bride,
just released in TheLassoed by Marriage Romance Collection.
Pop over to her website, www.AuthorAngelaBell.com,
to learn more and connect with Angela on social media.
Angela:
I
love fancy and frivolous, but I am also the queen of simplicity in my
family. Whether it be make-up, fashion, or tea party planning, I do
not like complicated.
Complicated
can very quickly cause me to hyperventilate.
This
recipe has twenty-one ingredients, fifteen separate steps, and takes
six hours to make! Does it come with Downton Abbey’s kitchen staff
as well, then?
Therefore,
if there is a way to simplify, I will do so every single time.
Mix
four ingredients and bake for ten minutes in a store-bought crust?
Why yes, I think I will.
I
love how simplicity frees one from the burden of perfectionism and
allows us to enjoy the extraordinary delight of celebration year
round. Here are a few ideas to simplify your next tea party, so you
can relax along with your guests.
Ways
to Simplify Your Tea Party
Forgo
Mini Portions
Yes,
teeny tiny deserts and sandwiches are traditional tea party fare.
However, I’ve found that preparing miniature delights can also take
significantly longer than their regular sized counterparts. If you
wish to spend more time eating than in the kitchen, opt to forgo mini
portions. Normal-sized quiche tastes just as scrummy as bite-sized,
trust me.
Host
a Potluck Style Tea
Instead
of feeling pressured to make all the party food yourself, simplify by
hosting a potluck style tea. In the invitations, state that you will
be providing the main course along with the tea and then ask those
who RSVP to bring either an appetizer or a dessert. This alleviates
stress from your shoulders and allows guests to feel more involved in
the festivities by displaying their culinary skills.
Invite
Fewer Guests
You
should not feel obligated to invite ALL your friends, relations, and
acquaintances to every single gathering you host. There is a time for
large parties, but there is also a time for intimate get-togethers
over a strong cuppa. By inviting fewer guests, you create a cozier
atmosphere and simplify your prep work. Organizing a tea party for
three is much easier than planning one for thirty.
Serve
Buffet Style
Arrange
your sweets and savories on a kitchen counter or side board and let
guests serve themselves buffet style. This is a great way to simplify
your hosting duties because you spend less time on your feet fetching
yet another round of scones.
Have
an Indoor Picnic
You
don’t always have to host a traditional tea party at a long,
elegantly decorated table. In my novella, The
Substitute Bride,
my hero Elliot arranges a tarp on the floor of his library, making a
casual indoor picnic tea for the heroine Gwen. Following the same
notion, pick a favorite room in your house and spread out a favorite
quilt on the floor. There’s just something so special about a
picnic! And by having it indoors, you can enjoy the charm of a picnic
tea even during the cold winter months.
Downsize
your Table
If
you don’t fancy a picnic but wish to try something other than the
traditional dining room setting, simply move to the living room and
down-size your table. Use whatever small table is
available—tea-table, coffee table, or even an old trunk or study
ottoman. Once you’ve selected your table, make a no-sew tiny
tablecloth out of a doily or handkerchief. By downsizing the table,
you simplify the amount of décor and china needed. And by having
guests sit round the table on living room sofas, it makes for a more
casual and comfortable vibe.
Great Tips, I want to throw a tea party now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Skye. Glad you enjoyed this post. And yes, by all means, throw that tea party! :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your name is lovely!
Aw, this makes me miss the tea parties I used to throw!! The last tea party, I invited some of my guests to come help prepare the food, it made it go fast and we all had a blast! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat another great idea for simplifying one's tea party, Melinda! I wouldn't have thought of inviting the guests to prepare the food, but then again, I have a teeny-tiny kitchen that doesn't accommodate more than two people comfortably. :-) But one day, when I have my dream kitchen with a center island and a window above the sink, I could see doing this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I hope you are inspired to host another tea party.