Tea With Kate Spade

One of the goals for me this year is too spend more time with close friends and what better way than with sharing tea. The other evening Ms. L came by with her new black dresses and an evening of girl chat. The weather has been so unpredictable this season - one day it's sunshine filled with  double digits - the next a brrrr freezing one with temperatures plummeting into minus double digits. So what better way to warm up than with a fabulous garden inspired tea set by Kate Spade ( a wonderful gift from my sister and her hubby).

We sipped on some tea from Laduree...

The teacups bring back warm memories of afternoons spent in the gardens. And the saucers offer up an image of the warm sun ... with the yellow stripes.

How gorgeous is this silver tea strainer adorned with raised Angels. This was a priceless find at our dear friend Mariette's boutique last year. This photo really does not do this piece justice.

If you have not yet discovered  Mariette's Back to Basics Boutique I suggest you stop by for a bountiful selection of unique and wonderful items from a time when simplicity was truly appreciated. Mariette also has a wonderful blog by the same name Mariette's Back to Basics where she shares wonderful memories of her and her husband Pieter's adventures living in various places throughout the world; their breathe taking gardens and their feline furbabies.

With our tea we enjoyed some Amaretti cookies...

and we may or may not have enjoyed a  tiny sip of Anisette Liqueur - a product from the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. We had a great time chatting away ... there was just one missing piece....

Our friend Ms. J.  ... 

with a quick call and speaker function on the phone , Ms. J. joined us.

No matter how busy you get in life - remember to make time for your besties and it's always a good time to enjoy a cup of tea.

Sharing this post with:  Little red House for Mosaic Mondays ~Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday  Table Top Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday ~  between naps on the front porch Thursday My Simple Country Life for The Country Homemaker Hop ;Katherine of Katherine’s Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home; Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold; At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday; Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. ~  What Inspires Me Friday