⋅HOLIDAY BREAK Happy New Year! I can’t believe that it’s 2018. The older I get, the more it feels like I close my eyes to one year and open them to another. Our kids went back last Wednesday, but I’m still trying to get myself out of the fog and flash that was Christmas. I know so many people enter the new year with resolutions, clarity, and drive…I’m sadly lacking all of those at the moment!
IMAGES VIA SRETSIS PARLOUR
⋅TEA I’m calling it now: tea is going to have a moment. Between The Crown and traditionalism finding its place back in mainstream design, tea is bound to make a comeback. From beautiful cups and saucers to lovely loose leaves in pretty infusers, the act of drinking tea is dainty and refined and takes time. My parents have always been tea drinkers, and because I don’t drink coffee I’ve always enjoyed tea now and again. But lately I’ve been drinking at least a cup a day this is my favorite quick and easy tea. The slow down feels good and tea can be so good for you too!
If I have a bit more time I love to use loose leaf tea and Fortnum & Mason is kind of the epitome of English tea drinking. I really enjoy their breakfast blend. They have the most beautiful accessories like this infuser and this teapot. I’m hoping tea rooms will start popping up here in The States, but until then I’ll admire this one that just recently opened. Sretsis Parlour may look like it’s somewhere in England, but it’s not. Designed by House of Hackney whose work I admire so, it’s in Bangkok, Thailand. If only it were a bit closer!
⋅MASTERCLASS I don’t know about you, but my Instagram and Facebook feeds have been filled with ads for Masterclass, and I want to take them all. I absolutely love learning, and this website allows you to learn from the best. From Annie Leibovitz to Alice Waters. Move over Netflix binging, this is the kind of screen time I’m talking about. One that leaves you feeling informed and there’s no test after class!
⋅FRENCH SIDEBOARD I spend a lot of time on Craigslist, between personal searches and client work, and I often stumble across things that I can’t use anywhere but are so good. This French sideboard is one of them…someone in Kansas City, please give this a good home!
FLORAL SNAKE SILK | CHANTILLY LACE
⋅LONG DRESSES I’ve been wanting a long dress with long sleeves for a few years now they’re just so chic but have never come across something that was just right. They’re either thousands of dollars or vintage and dated. Gucci has been sending them down the runways for a few years now, so I just keep waiting for the right knock off. The cut highlights the right areas for me while minimizing the things I wouldn’t mind changing if I could tall but short-legged girl over here. Have you seen any budget-friendly versions?
⋅ARIZONA This weekend I’m doing something I haven’t done in years: I’m going on a girls’ trip! Two of my childhood friends and I have been saying for way too long now that we need to get away somewhere, but we’ve all spent the last nine years pregnant or nursing! This fall we just decided to book it and figure out babysitting and finances along the way. I’ve learned that sometimes that’s how you have to live to really do anything adventurous! So this week we’re headed to Scottsdale for a bit of rest and relaxation, and I’m hoping for some resolution and clarity to spring forth from it too!
Any ideas of things to do in Scottsdale? We’re just a group of stay-at-home mom’s looking for some R&R and I wouldn’t mind a good store or two but I haven’t been there since college!
LET’S CONNECT! FIND ME ON…
Marty says
It depends on where you are staying, there are so many wonderful places to shop. Try Biltmore or Scottsdale Fashion Square if you want an easy relaxing stroll and some great places to have lunch.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for this, Marty!
Devon says
Zara’s had a bunch of long sleeved dresses this season and I think they’re all now on sale!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I’ll have to take a look, thank you!
Bethany says
I’m from Arizona! The weather is perfect in January! Go to the Desert Botanical Gardens and Taliesin West if you have time! The art galleries downtown Scottsdale are fun and Kierland Commons is the best outdoor walking mall.
themakerista@gmail.com says
It was so beautiful, thank you for the the recommendations!
C.B. says
We have a couple tea rooms here in my city (Ottawa, Canada’s capital) but my favourite place for a traditional “tea time” à la British is the Château Laurier located downtown. It’s this old hotel (1912 or so) that was made to look like a castle and they have a tea parlour where you can book a Sunday afternoon tea time. I’m talking large tables surrounded by huge comfy chairs, they come by with an antique “tea cart” from which you choose your tea which they prepare in those gorgeous long spout silver pots (and every guest at your table gets their own tea pot) and then they bring 3 tier trays with fresh scones with crème Anglaise and jam and little savory sandwiches to go with your tea. My best friend brought me and another friend there one day to thank us for our help organizing her wedding. We had an absolute blast and I can’t wait until I go again (it’s not cheap obviously but oh so relaxing). Hope you get one in your area soon 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Sounds amazing and yes, I want something very traditional, a bit over the top even! Sounds incredible!
Stacie Harper says
That floral dress is amazing! 😍 Check asos.com
They have a few options.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Good idea, thanks!
Linda says
Try Eshakti.com for a long dress with sleeves. A lot of their dresses have a vintage vibe and you can change necklines, sleeves and length. I order almost all my work dresses from them.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I’ve never heard of this, thank you!
X.F. says
Most people like to go around old town Scottsdale and check out the shops. Another thing would be to go to Butterfly Wonderland. The scottsdale museum of contemporary art is also in old town and has some interesting exhibits sometimes there is a really good gelato shop called Cool next to it as well. There is an antique shop called the antique trove that’s nice. If you are exploring Phoenix in general downtown Mesa has nice antique shops and if you like consignment shops I recommend Turnstyle which is a chain with five locations including one in Scottsdale.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, we had a wonderful time!