Saturday, August 17, 2013

a whirlwind week.

companions.

This past week has been a crazy one, but I am glad to say the stress and negativity have passed. The bronchitis has finally left me, and I am beginning to feel more like my old self again. I am incredibly relieved to have full sinus function, and to not cough at every deep breath taken.

My mother and father found the perfect dress for me! They're certainly helping me step up my "cat lady" game with lots of cat prints. I couldn't resist having Ryan photograph me holding my little Chai-kitty with my new outfit. My coworkers cracked up when I wore it to work, and simply said, "Oh Dani, that is so YOU." I think this is a sign I gush about my cat's antics a little bit too often at work...

Really though, how can I not gush about my cat when she has such personality!? I try and catch her sassiness on my instagram. I'm glad my followers aren't sick of seeing her little face pop up amidst the teacups!

weimar teacup.

The folks at Verdant Tea were incredible enough to send me a brand new Jingdezhen red lotus gaiwan after reading my sad story about how porcelain and gravity work poorly together. She's a beaut, and I am being extra careful with it so that I don't break it again. I also purchased a new teacup as a treat for myself to counteract the sad stuff going on in our building. It is a gorgeous Weimar teacup (from Germany!) and it oozes elegance. It's so lovely that it makes me feel like a princess when I sip from it!

In the gaiwan and teacup today is Red Blossom Tea's Organic Golden Monkey! It is a lovely, earthy black tea with pretty golden buds amidst the dark twirled leaves. True to what they said on the product page, it does carry a scent and flavor reminiscent to roasted sweet potatoes. Even the reddish amber color of the brew makes me think of that delicious root vegetable. It is very mild and not at all bitter, and I brewed it both with my gaiwan and "Western style" in my teapot. It was rather enjoyable both ways!

I can see myself stocking up on this tea for the autumn weather. It has a sort of autumn feel. Hearty, warming, but gentle and refreshing. Like sitting next to a bonfire on a chilly night!

golden monkey.

7 comments :

  1. Your new cup is gorgeous and I'm so glad that your gaiwan is whole again. As closet cat lady myself (even if my cats now reside with my ex-boyfriend, I adore the print of that dress :)

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    1. Thank you! It felt so glad to be reunited with that little gaiwan ... no more burning fingers with tea time!

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  2. Bravo on getting the new gaiwan! The tea cup is gorgeous as well. I looked at the tea ware on both the sites listed in this post. They look really nice. I might have to splurge a little and get something from them.

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    1. Thanks, I'm so happy to have it back in one piece. :) I really love the porcelain that Verdant Tea has ... and I'm pinching pennies in the hopes of buying a yixing teapot from Red Blossom Tea for my Dragonwell obsession.

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  3. Hi there, I recently started to follow you through Instagram and decided to sneak a peek of your blog too!
    I don´t regret my decission: you have the most lovely place here, all about cats and tea (!) just the two things I love the most in the world apart from books. Besides, your blog has a really personal style, which is really rare these days.

    Well, I hope you get better and get rid off the bronquitis soon. I suffer from asthma, so I know really well how you feel.

    Regards!

    Violette.

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Violette! I wandered on over to your blog, and found that the feeling of blog-love is mutual! I love your style, and all your photographs. ♥ Can't wait to read more about your move to Romania (how exciting!!)

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  4. How lovely you are! Today I found your blog, it's quite peaceful and charming. Keep going.
    Greetings A.

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