A Casual Winter Afternoon Tea

Hello friends...  Happy New Year to you all!

One of the highlights of the New Year at our home is putting all the holiday away and refreshing the house.  Unused decorations get donated or gifted, seasonal linens get washed, and holiday china gets stowed away for the next season - finally, the house gets a deep clean.

We certainly appreciate the end of the holiday rush and enjoy the quiet of winter.  Rooms get a lighter feel and simple things such as reading a new book, planning for the New Year and catching up with family with family take precedence.

This year, I invited my sister and nieces for an intimate winter afternoon tea.  My goal was to keep things casual but also making them feel extra special.  Of course that a winter afternoon tea requires a pretty table with plenty of charm, and that we definitely had.  A few specialty teas and mini homemade fruits tarts was all that this relaxed gathering with some of my favorite ladies required.

A Winter Afternoon Tea is also the perfect time to bring out the pretty china and set a lovely table with some favorite pieces.  Since January's color palette takes on a softer tone, I pulled out all the pastel pinks and my beloved Marchesa Gilded Pearl China - it's white with intricate gold bead detailing.   

 

I began with a white tablecloth and added a Periwinkle linen table runner.  Each place is set with a pastel pink charger, gold beaded dinner and salad plate, white and pink napkins, gold and white flatware, gold trim glassware and a tea cup.  A delicious homemade fruit tart finished tart finished each place setting.

I did not have any luck finding pretty fresh roses at my local market so I used faux flowers.  For a touch of old world charm, I added a sweet vintage bust that has been in my collection for many years.  It has a very place in my heart since it was was a gift from my mother-in-law.  And lastly, my signature pearls had to be included in this symphony of loveliness....

Here you can get a glimpse of the roses, pearl napkin rings, pretty china and delightful sweet treat.  It's a feast for the eyes and for anyone with a romantic heart.  What lady wouldn't feel special sitting at this charming table!

   

I hope that my winter afternoon tea has been a treat for you.  Thank you for visiting.  I hope that this year brings you lots of health, love and happiness.

Hugs,

Janet