Tea Party

A Perfect Pastel Christmas Par-Tea

December 22, 2015May 19, 2016 by Alyssa Garrison

We’ve all heard the phrase “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”, but for years I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my holiday season as pastel all possible. Typically defined by red and green, Christmas isn’t all that pastel friendly, but every December I find more ways to celebrate RAOP style. Last year I started a collection of treat-themed decorations, and a few years before I bought myself a tiny pink sparkly tree, but there’s always been something missing: a pastel Christmas party!

After almost a month of waiting I’m so thrilled to finally be sharing the Pastel Christmas Par-Tea photoshoot. I dreamt up this styled tea party with Sophie from Kitten and the Bear, and together we reached out to some of our favourite local talent. One by one the dream team came aboard, each offering something unique and sparkly to the tea that was too sweet to resist.

On the day of the shoot we all met at Blush and Bloom’s floral studio, a space that smelled like roses and Christmas cheer all at once that morning. We unpacked boxes of sparkling flamingo sugar cookies and christmas tree cucumber sandwiches topped with gold leaf stars. Next we hung the stocking with care, sprinkled glitter in each of the model’s hair, and added a few pink birds to Blush and Bloom’s wreath creation.

In the end everything came together so flawlessly that it truly felt like Christmas magic- from the glittering wardrobe to the sugary sweets table, it truly was a perfect Pastel Christmas Par-Tea.

Tea has a way of bringing people together, and we highly recommend you find the time this holiday season to get all dolled up with your besties and enjoy a hot cup, some sweets, and maybe even a cocktail (or two!)

Credits //

Stylist and Director: Random Acts of Pastel

Co-Director + Buttermilk Scones and Artisan Jam: Kitten and The Bear

Photography: Sounds Like Yellow

Florist: Blush and Bloom

Sweets: Sweet Bake Shop

Tea Sponsor: Sloane Tea

Watercolour Details: Johanna Martin

Calligraphy : Alena Ravestein

Party Supplies via Meri Meri

Originally published on the Hooray Magazine Blog

Sips, Sweets & Snacks

Pastel Christmas Par-Tea: Mini Festive Scone Canapés

December 8, 2015December 8, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

It will still be a few weeks before we’re able to share all of the images from our glittery Pastel Christmas Par-Tea shoot, but in the meantime we’ll be sharing some of our favourite DIY’s and recipes so you end up with everything you need to host your own pastel holiday soiree. Sounds fun right? We thought so too!

No matter what time of year it is, a party isn’t a party without fancy food, and there’s no one better in the city at delicious bites than Kitten and The Bear. Makers of seasonal artisan jam, fresh buttermilk scones, and all sorts of other tasty delights, we teamed up to plan the Pastel Christmas Par-Tea together. Sophie and Bobby took over all of the savoury items for the shoot, and these mini-scone canapés were a truly drool-worthy addition to the menu. Created with handmade cheese from Salt Spring Island, festive Pear & Mulled Wine jam and mini scones from Kitten and The Bear’s shop, and topped with rosemary and rose petals, these bite-sized beauties are truly a show stopper at holiday parties.

Scroll down for full recipe…

Ingredients //

Kitten and the Bear Ready to Bake mini Buttermilk Scones (available at the Kitten and The Bear cafe)

White Juliette Goat cheese from Salt Spring Island Cheese Company

Kitten and the Bear Pear and Mulled Wine Jam

Fresh Rosemary

Fresh baby rose petals (optional)

Recipe //

It’s fairly simple! Bake your frozen mini scones using the recipe on the package. When they’ve cooled fully, Cut each mini scone in half, then lay them flat on a serving platter and add a small piece of cheese to each side. Top with a generous dollop of jam, a sprig of rosemary, and fresh rose petals if you feel so inclined!

Party Time

Pastel Christmas Par-Tea: An Introduction

November 13, 2015November 13, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

Every year the holidays roll around, and every single year I have a whole list of big plans that I never get to execute. As happy and bubbly as I am year-round, Christmas time really brings out the best in me, but sadly I always end up too busy with work to really enjoy the magic of the season. From ice skating to sugar cookie baking, the little pleasures I associate with this time of year always seem to escape me, but this year I’m putting my foot down- this year, I’m going full elf.

I’ll be sharing a list of all my favourite holiday “to-do’s” here very soon so you can follow along, but in the meantime I’m hard at work planning something that has managed to escape me for years: a sparkly pastel holiday photo shoot! I’ve teamed up with Kitten and the Bear, and together we’ve dreamt up the concept of a pastel christmas tea party (henceforth to be known as #pastelxmaspartea!) Think Blush and Bloom florals, Sweet Bakeshop sugar cookies, and sequins, tinsel and fairy lights in every corner- all captured by the very talented Gillian of Sounds like Yellow!

Over the next few weeks as we get everything together we’ll be sharing sneak peeks, plus exclusive holiday DIY’s and tutorials, so be sure to keep an eye on our hashtag for updates (or take a gander at our inspiration Pin Board!)

We hope we’ve got you dreaming of a Pastel Christmas like we are!

All images via my Pinterest