It's a BESTeam Monday!

HEY!  I've got good Internet connection again!  I feel like I've been missing soooo much lately.  I haven't been able to click on treasuries, comment on tweets and my favorite blogs, and share some wonderful shops with you.  But today, I'm back...*sigh*.  Now let's see what my BESTeam buddies have been up to....first we'll check on Lilly at Ancient Oils.

I am a firm believer in natural medicine, aromatherapy, and herbal supplements to maintain our health.  Simply put, living the way God created us to live, after all He's the one that created this world and all that's in it.  So when I saw this Biblical Gift Set, I thought, what a perfect item to share on our blog.  This gift set comes with resins and soap, and is created with the holy oils God gave to Moses for health and protection by increasing our immune system.  Look for Lilly here.... Web site / Etsy / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

My next shop is one of my favorites!  Redemption Art!  The last time I featured this shop, I ended up purchasing the really cool 70's macrame handbag I was sharing, lol.  Connie lives in Hawaii, and you will never know what she finds there on her island travels.  Connie loves antiquing and loves to share what she finds.  I was drawn to this Vintage Hawaii Shawl.  The design is so delicate and lacy, and the fringe trim looks so soft and full.  She also finds books and jewelry and other wonderful things on the Big Island.  Follow Connie in her vintage journey on her blog, Island Buzzy, where you'll also be treated to great Hawaiian history lessons.  You can also find her here.... Etsy/Twitter/Facebook

And lastly, here's Annie with her shop Empty On the Inside.  Annie is a great artist and she sells her artwork as cards.  And the name Empty On the Inside is due to the fact that while Annie lovingly decorates the front of the card, she leaves the inside blank so you can let others know how you feel, in your own words.  Since I have daffodils now blooming in my yard, I chose this Daffodils card to share with you.  This is another shop I have purchased from, and I can promise you that the quality of her work is outstanding.  In fact, I have framed the cards after using them so they get a second life for a lasting reminder of that special note.  Check out Annie here

Etsy / Blog / Facebook / and her Vegan Blog

And that's is for my Besteam buddies this week.  So go visit them, and I'll see you all tomorrow.

Debbi

Time for tea with BEST friends

Ok, I know there is only 12 days till Christmas, but what better way to slow down, relax, and enjoy your day than sharing a nice cup of hot tea with friends.  I think it's my English heritage, because I love tea!   My granny used to insist that we were related to the Queen even though we have never been invited to the weddings, lol.  I drink tea like others drink water, all day long, every day of the year.  It could be 100 degrees outside, and I would still have a cup.  I have all types of tea in my house, Earl Grey tea, Chamomile tea, mint tea, and even a tea a friend gave me from Argentina.  My all time favorite tea is Salada tea, which I have to have beloved family members ship to me from New York because I can't find it here in the south.  While shopping a few weeks ago, I discovered Twinings of London Christmas Tea, a fine black tea perfectly balanced with the traditional holiday spiced flavours of cinnamon and cloves, perfect when sitting in the dark with the only light coming from the decorated tree.  ummmmm.  So since it's time for my weekly BESTeam feature, I decided to have a tea party.

First we need to send out the invitations.  For my tea party I chose this Striped Heart Card from Empty On The Inside.  Annie handpaints these cards, and leaves the inside blank so you can add your own special thoughts to each card you send out.  I have purchased several cards from Annie, and I have never been disappointed with the wonderful quality of her work.  I chose the heart card because I "heart" tea! heehee.  You can find more cards, and more of Annie at any of these links.  I recommend her blog, she is not only a talented painter, but a talented writer.  She is also a vegan, and shares recipes on her vegan blog.

Etsy/ Blog / Vegan blog / Twitter / Facebook

Now to make the tea.  This Tea Time Victorian tea infuser is a new addition to the shop Poison Garden.  This shop is the dream child of 3 amazing women, Suzette the butterfly queen, Crystal the pumpkin tender, Melissa the toad catcher.  (I have a feeling there is a wonderful story behind Melissa's title).  It was when they joined our team that I first "discovered" steampunk, and I LOVE IT!  Now you may not think that this infuser is steampunk, and it's not, but it is definitely Victorian, which is another style that these woman create so well.  See for yourself by visiting them here.

Etsy / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Tumblr

Well, we have our guests and our tea, it's time to head outdoors with our handmade leather bound journals from The Orange Windmill.  Yes, of course I picked the orange journal, you silly.  Now, inside these journals you can keep your thoughts and ideas, but for the purpose of my story, in your journals are poems written in the style of the novel "Jane Eyre".  And with so many styles and sizes available, you can find the perfect journal for you, and meet Shirley here.  Etsy / 2nd Etsy / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Tumbler

Ahhhh, I can see it now.  My friends and I have thrown a blanket on the ground, we're sharing our poetry, and sipping our tea....and getting HOT!  It's a beautiful summer day with the sun high in the sky, and we're drinking hot tea.  Do we give up our tea and switch to soda?  Of course not...we just whip out our wonderfully Victorian Parasol by KC Dragonfly.  My niece used parasols in her wedding, and they were beautiful, and when I was a little girl, I had a small one my mother got me at a local fair.  I felt like a storybook princess walking around holding my parasol over my head.  And you will too if you let Kristine make the perfect one to fit your own unique style.  You can find her here.

Etsy / Blog / Twitter / Flickr / Website

So now I'm finished with my little escape story, and since I drank 3 cups of tea while composing this piece, it's time for me to visit the powder room.  See you all later, and have a blessed day.

Debbi