Step Into Paris | Tony's Patisserie Moncton

First of all, a  pink and yellow roses tea cup for Tea Time Tuesday.
I don't know if this in any way resembles anything Parisian, I heard they much prefer coffee,  but it makes me think of the fashionable, ever lady-like atmosphere anyway.  How about Spring In Paris?

I had this cup with me as a constant companion, back in the days, when I used to work for a travel insurance assistance company.  Have you heard it said that sipping from an elegant tea cup instantly transport you into sophistication?  I have and I believe it :-)  At least it was a lovely refreshing sip in between tedious work.

Now, how about a mountain full of dessert?

Did I hear oh la la? :-)

It's a beautiful sunny morning, the beginning of a long weekend.  Normally, I'd be feeling a summer anxiety, anxious to set my foot somewhere outside where we could enjoy the sun.  But today wasn't one of those days, I much prefer to be in bed.  My fault, I just borrowed a book about tea from the library and it took my full attention the night before, robbing me off some precious rest.  But hey, it's Saturday and there are things that needs to be done.  Motivated by concern for others, we set out on our regular Saturday morning volunteer work.  Come around mid-morning, a much needed caffeine perk was due. We were driving around the area when my friend in the backseat mentioned she'd heard about a new cafe called Clementine.  We started singing the song and it, all the more, etched the needed boost.  Setting to find the cafe, we came across Tony's Patisserie. Oh la la!!!

I felt like I've stepped into another world as soon as I entered the door.  Several times I've told hubby how much I wish that we had a Paris-like bake shop somewhere in the city.  You know?  That lovely patisserie with the innumerable selection of sweets, beautifully garnished and presented.  I could only dream of going to Paris.  And then...

Did you notice those macaron sign holders.  Aren't they lusciously gorgeous?

We sat down to enjoy some coffee and desserts... Chai tea for me with these lovely "Paradis in a cup."  Tea is always special although this one is just one of those tea bags, the same as I have in my pantry.  So-so.  I should have opted for that creamy hot chocolate for the fun of  trying something new. The coffee, according to my husband is superb! {I thought it tasted the same as the kind he brews in his Keurig.  Although, he does buy the specialty k-cups to go with it.}  Hubby ordered some croissants and he gave me a big piece.  I spooned out some of my chocolate mouse into the moist croissants and gave it a generous bite.  Hmmm, it's delicious!  "Are you uplifting paradise?" my friend teased.  "Yes!" I replied merrily, "I'm taking it one step further."

The dessert, the atmosphere and my own little imagination blew me out of the water.  Imagination... that probably caused the experience to go out of proportions for me more that the actual food... oh wait, it's the food too!  Dining experiences are often more meaningful when that bite transports you into a lovely memory or a feeling you don't usually have daily.  At this place, I had a fanciful feeling of what it would be like if I were in a bistro somewhere in France.  Or else, I was that little puppy with eyes wide open and mouth down on the floor.

I am just happy we discovered a little taste of Paris in our own little city. {Take it from a girl who could only dream of France and who've never actually been there... yet... hehehe.}

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I am joining these lovely blog parties:

Our World Tuesday | Mosaic Monday | Rose Chintz Cottage: Tea Time Tuesday | Antiques and Tea Cups: Tuesday Cuppa Tea | Bernideen's Tea in the Garden on Friend's Sharing Tea |    Tea Cup Tuesday on Martha's Favorites |   Totally Terrific Tuesday on Live Randomly Simply |    A Return to Loveliness by A Delightsome Life |  Make it Pretty Monday by The Dedicated House  | Tuesday Afternoons:  A Spirit of Simplicity | Maria Elena's Tuesdays at our Home

Apple Blossom Cafe | Hillsborough NB

Welcome to the Apple Blossom Cafe in Hillsborough, New Brunswick, where the staff are super friendly and the atmosphere is so homey. On our way to the Fundy National Park during the weekend, I caught a glimpse of this lovely cafe.  We thought of trying it out for fun. We sat on that table on the left of the cafe :-)  Everything was slow and relaxed, a welcome change from the busy and rushing life we are constantly faced with in the city.

In Loving Memory | High Tea To Remember a Dear Mother, Family, Friend

"A good name is better than good oil,

and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

Better to go in the house of mourning
than in the house of feasting,

for that is the end of everyman,

and the living should take it to heart."

Ecclesiastes 7:1,2

Pretty Nails and Tea

    
    Each of my days start and end with a cup of tea. A rejuvenating, stimulating blend in the morning I like to call "wake-me-up" tea, then a relaxing, soothing one in the evening I love to call "sleepy" tea.  Then anytime in between, for any reason at all.... there's tea!  Before I do my toe and finger nails-routine, I also make sure that I have a comforting cup of tea, mostly a blend of floral and fruity flavors.  The floral tones provide a relaxing feeling, while the fruity flavors seem to enhance my creativity.  So there you go, relaxed clarity equals productivity (for me at least...)

     These are my passions at the moment - nail polish and tea.  Pretty sure I have made many of my friends happy by hosting a couple of tea parties in the past, nail art themed :)   What a pampering delight!  Their tummies are warmed by teas of different kinds and origins while they stare with great pleasure at their beautifully polished nails! It's suppose to be a design your own nail kind of party but most of the time, that would be me doing it, hahaha.  Oh well, the pleasure is mine.

     Two simple things in my life, I'd say. But no, not a token journey.  Each has a story to tell, each holds a special place.  There are moments when I hold a cup of tea with both hands and savor the delightful aroma of steeped leaves and wish I am able to share it with the best girls in my life.  (Yeah, that's you Mama, dear Baby-sis and one-and-only niece who lives many, many miles away...) Even when I paint my nails pretty.  My memories would traverse years of being away from home back to that sweet spot in our old home, sitting by the floor with my Mama as she painted my nails pink and gave each finger a silver quarter moon to finish... Ahh... I tell you, pretty nails and tea are bridges from my heart to my far away home. 

     So here it goes, a narrative-review type of a tale brought to you to recount memories of Pretty Nails and Tea while crossing new horizons to the ever expanding world of new product ideas and blends nowadays.  Please join me in this dramatic.... uhmmm I'm getting carried away, haha... Oh well, hope you join me in this nail art design and tea memento.  You'll also find reviews and storytelling about some products that strike my fancy.  I hope that you would join me on this amusing trip... Now, now... How about a cup of tea?

Hmmm, yummy and comforting chocolate-orange milk tea :)

     

Disclaimer:  The products discussed in this article are private purchases and  not company-gratuities.