I cannot believe it is Friday again already. This week has flown by and I have not bought a single article of clothing, though I am ramping up for some shopping soon. Time to start purchasing winter apparel. I am itching to buy a new pair of boots and a new windbreakerstyle jacket to wear for walks on the beach.

Anyway, today is events planning Friday and I have a fun social event to share with you today, a vegan tea party. Every girl loves a tea party, after all didn’t we all throw them as kids.

Okay, so our number one ingredient for today’s event is of course tea. Not just any tea, but organic fair-trade tea. The absolute best place to order loose tea online is through Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a fabulous selection of green, red, black and herbal teas. Don’t forget to get some tea bags while you are there!

Make sure you put out plenty of garnish for your tea. I suggest plain rice or soy milk, raw sugar, agave syrup and lemon and orange slices. You may even want to put out some mint leaves or lavendar. Be creative.

Okay, no tea party would be complete without cucumber and watercress sandwiches. We will be making ours a bit healthier than the original by using whole-wheat bread, vegan butter spread, cucumber slices and watercress lettuce. To make them fun get out the cookie cutters so you can make them different shapes, like hearts, flowers, shoes if you can find them. Have fun with it. First spread vegan butter spread on bread slices (the number of slices depends on the number of guests–about two mini sandwiches per guest), then place cucumber slices on top of butter and top with watercress lettuce. Form a sandwich and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Arrange on a beautiful crystal or silver platter for dramatic effect.

This next recipe is one of my favorites. Next to cucumber and watercress sandwiches, nothing goes better with tea than biscuits and I have beautiful biscuit recipe for you.

Strawberry-Blueberry Biscuits

1 package frozen strawberries
½ container fresh blueberries
2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup agave nectar
3 cups Bisquick

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a saucepan heat strawberries and blueberries in olive oil. Add honey or brown rice syrup and cook until strawberries are completely thawed and a syrup begins to form in the pan. Place Bisquick in a mixing bowl and add berry reduction. Mix lightly until all Bisquick is moistened. Oil muffin pan with olive oil spray. Evenly distribute biscuit mix amongst muffin cups and cook in the oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the tops begin to lightly brown.

Then I would break tradition and add spinach dip and hummus to my list of goodies to serve.

Finally, you must have at least one elegant dessert to serve to your guests. I would suggest strawberries dipped in chocolate, and pear pie. I promise you, your guests will leave very satisfied.

Next order of business is what to serve these wonderful treats on. I used to have the most beautiful silver tea service set. My husband got it in Saudi Arabia, but alas it was destroyed during hurricane Andrew, back in 1992.

If I had my choice of any set I would choose this beautiful Crystal Tea Service by Sophie Villepique.

It is so elegant and I love it so. Though priced at over $1100 to serve myself and 7 of my dearest friends, this one is a little out of my price range.

My second choice is a bit kookier, but I think it captures the spirit of having fun with your girlfriends.

This is Gigi Tea Set, which is made of hand painted ceramic and is $39.20 for a set.
Tea parties are meant to be elegant affairs and call for elegant outfits. Fitted jackets, pencil skirts, elegant heels and beautiful blouses are what tea party outfits are made of. Here is the perfect outfit for a social afternoon with friends.

The beautiful black fitted Tie-Front Cardigan jacket is by Barrie Pace and costs $149. This jacket is perfect paired with this black Hold-You-In-Pencil Skirt by Newport News. Underneath the jacket is a simple dark red jersey knit camisole by Harolds. This simple, yet elegant Emily shoe is by RSVP and costs $64.95. The compliment of this outfit and food screams (okay politely emphasizes) elegance.

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