Living with Flowers Roses

("A Gift" by Sweetblue on Etsy)

Who doesn't love roses? Probably the most recognized, loved and generally romantic of all flowers, roses are deeply ingrained in our culture and lives. Whether it's a floral print blouse, your grandmother's china, or your perfume, chances are you experience roses in at least some capacity every day.
In Victorian times, as well as today, roses symbolized love. Different colors, number, and stage of openness could change the connotation slightly, but the main theme of love was always there.
Here are a few different ways you can enjoy roses even more in your home..

Potpourri:
While potpourri can contain many different kinds of flowers, there is just something about a potpourri with roses in it that makes it so pleasing. You can put it in sachets to give as gifts or scent your linens, or put it in a glass bowl in your home as a lovely and aromatic decoration.

Here is a beautiful potpourri of rose petals from Marimakingsupplies on Etsy

Rose Teas:
Teas with roses in them are both delicious and have many health benefits, such as being high in vitamins and strengthening the immune and digestive systems. This article explains some of the properties of rose tea in more detail:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71165-rose-tea-health-benefits/


Paulajeansgarden on Etsy offers this beautiful and delicious looking Sweet Heart Tea with rose petals.

Rose Hips:

("Yesterday's Roses" by Lynda Naranjo on Etsy)

Rose hips are so pretty, and don't get nearly enough attention as their blooming friends! They can be found in jams, teas, wine, natural remedies, and even soap!

This natural and vegan soap by CrowleyManor on Etsy is a gentle way to exfoliate for sensitive skin. The rose hip powder in this soap is high in Vitamin C and promotes collagen production!

Tea Time

We've been drinking a LOT of tea this winter, and I thought I would share some of my favorite teas for different occasions!

Best Chai: Bigelow Spiced Chai
I love soy chai lattes from the coffee shop, and never knew that they could be so easily recreated! Bigelow Spiced Chai is nice and spicy, and add some soy milk and honey or other sweetener and it tastes like a real latte (at a fraction of the price!)

Best Tea for a Cold or Sore Throat: Yogi Throat Comfort
I could (and do) drink this tea constantly, regardless of a cold or not. It's soothing and sweet, with no need for anything added to it. The flavor is hard to explain, but it leaves a sweet, anise taste coating your throat after every sip. It feels like a little golden ball of happiness is sitting in the bottom of your throat!

Best Before Bed Tea: Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer.
Tense or not, this is tea is very relaxing and satisfying. Lemon, chamomile, ginger and I don't know what else, but it is the perfect tea to unwind with just before bed.


Best Tea for Indulging: Tea Forte "White Ambrosia".
Tea Forte is an amazing tea company that makes delicious tea and cool tea accessories. You can buy their cups which are ordinary tea cups but with lids with holes in the center. The teabags have little wire "tails" that, when seeping the tea, stick up through the holes in the cup. It's not the cheapest tea out there, but well worth trying. They have dozens of flavors including classics like Earl Grey and Darjeeling to the exotic such as African Solstice and Coco Truffle (made with real cacao beans). Anyway, one of my favorites is their White Ambrosia...a white tea with vanilla and slices of coconut.

Best Breakfast Tea: Tie between Twinnings
I love a strong breakfast tea, either black or with some sugar. It's almost too hard to pick a favorite so I'm kind of cheating here. Twinnings makes a breakfast selection box that includes Prince of Wales, Irish Breakfast, Lady Grey, and English Breakfast and I can grab any one out of the box and know it will be delicious.


What are some of your favorite teas? Any other occasions you have a special tea for?

Tea Time!

This necklace from ABoxForMyTreasure lets you take the fun and charm of a tea-party with you wherever you go! I love the detail, from the little sugar pots right down to the teeny silver spoons.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/44245014/madhatters-tea-party-necklace

How nice would this sweet print from Aurorart look in your breakfast nook or above the tea table! So delicate and pretty, you can almost taste the warm tea.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39785011/tea-time-refined-limited-print-of


I love this handmade tea rose bowl by InspirewoodStudio. The dainty pink rose petals are so lovely against the white curvature of the bowl. Fill it with your favorite tea time goodies!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/38985195/tea-rose-bowl


Look at these cute little buttons from ButteredParsnips! Just think of all the projects you could incorporate these into- jewelry, buttons for a little white shrug, or vintage inspired mixed media!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46579421/four-fabric-covered-buttons-tea-time