Spring is my favorite season especially because of the great weather and all of the blooming flowers. I love this feminine romantic dress from WAYF. The Eliza Ruffle Midi Dress has a vintage sensibility to its style with the shoulder baring neckline, tiered skirt and what appears to be English roses on it. It is reasonably priced and sold by Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Zappos for a special occasion dress. It is a perfect choice for a spring wedding, shower, tea or luncheon. This is a dress to keep on hand to wear for multiple occasions.
If you missed the super blooms of poppies in California and the ranunculus flower fields of Carlsbad be sure to go see the exquisite rose garden at Huntington Gardens in San Marino. 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
The entrance to the Rose Garden Tea Room and Herb Garden are within the Rose Garden. With all the colors and fragrances of the roses combined with the many perfumes and textures of the Herb Garden, it is a sensory delight that brings visitors back time and again.
Besides the rose garden there are acres of different gardens, plants and museums to enjoy. Check out the what to see section of the website for more information about what is blooming in the gardens and currently in the galleries and exhibition hall. It is $25 for weekday admittance to the gardens and $29 on the weekends. Learn more about hours and admission here. Reservations for the rose garden tea room are through Open Table.
Tea Party
I love this Gracie China by Coastline Imports Pink Petite Fleur Porcelain 2-Piece Snack Set. You can buy it on Amazon Prime and it is a two for one tea gift because it comes with a cup and a small toast or dessert plate to rest on. Place your favorite tea treat or gluten free mini toast with peanut or almond butter. It is both charming and space saving. The pink petite fleur teapot is sold separately on Amazon and makes about 3 cups of tea.
I was delighted to find this Tea Forte Jardin Rose Gift Set at the Huntington Gardens gift store located at the front (you do not need to pay admission to go the store.) The boxed set is a perfect gift or treat for yourself to experience the sampling of five organic teas infused with either chocolate rose, strawberry hibiscus, green mango peach, vanilla pear or chamomile citron flavor. You can enjoy it in the pink teacup that comes with its own cover to steep the hot tea and a mini tray to rest your tea bag after use. Buy the set on sale at Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s or Lord & Taylor.
Invite your girlfriends over for a millenial tea party and movie fest with a romantic movie. Go to your local market for some fresh roses and serve a warm cup of tea with your favorite treat. Perhaps you can even make some treats together and to take to share with others.
Movie Suggestions: Belle, Ever After- A Cinderella Story
Below are recipes for a delicious gluten and dairy free rose cookie bar and pretty cupcake.
Rose Tea Cookies featuring Diamond of California Heirloom Reserve Walnuts
Thank you to the Sweel Laurel Blog
Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup arrowroot
1/4 cup 100% maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/2 cup finely crushed walnuts
1/4 cup dried rose petals
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix together almond flour, arrowroot, pink salt and baking soda. Slowly add maple syrup and coconut oil stirring until dough forms. Add rose petals.
Place dough between two sheet of parchment paper and roll out until about 1 inch thick. Place dough in fridge for about 15 minutes, then remove from oven and cut into squares.
Bake on a pan lined with parchment paper for about 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool, then enjoy!
Thank you to the Sweet Laurel Blog Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Place eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a bowl. Whisk until well incorporated. Add almond flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix until batter is formed. Using ice cream scooper, scoop batter into prepared cupcake molds.
Bake about 20 -25 minutes. Allow to cool.
To prepare yellow icing:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut butter
2 teaspoons 100% maple syrup or honey
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon turmeric (more or less depending on the brightness you’d like)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients except turmeric over very low heat. Allow to cool. If too thick, add a bit more coconut milk. Whisk in turmeric to color icing.
Dip cupcakes into icing. Repeat with all cupcakes. You may want to double dip them for deeper color. Enjoy!
Top with fresh, organic chamomile flowers.
