I am so happy to be participating in the Tea and Roses blog hop hosted by the ever-inspiring Amber of Follow The Yellow Brick Home. If you are coming over from A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson may I say, “Welcome!” and weren’t her lilacs amazing? I also decided to host A Garden Tea Party, Edwardian style.
A Garden Tea Party
The endless rain has finally subsided and my garden is starting to come to life. It seemed like the perfect time to enjoy tea outdoors.
I recently found these vintage metal chairs in a neighbor’s curbside trash heap. They required a tremendous sanding down on Mr. Decor’s part to remove decades of rust. The addition of two new wooden seats and several coats of bright periwinkle spray paint has given the chairs new life.
The vintage tablecloth was topped with antique silverware and my grandmother Mary’s rose-covered teapot and crystal. The Edwardians were quite fond of flowers so a small posy was a must.
Festive Fare
The menu was kept very simple.
- Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Quiche
- Fresh Berries
- Tomato Salad
- Various Teacakes
- Hot Tea
- Pink Lemonade
I served rose tea in the lovely teacups that were most recently seen in my Royal Wedding High Tea Tablescape.
The tomato salad was simply dressed with oil and vinegar.
Two of my guests enjoying the tea.
Now for those who are cringing…
My thought is if it is good enough for a Queen, it’s good enough for me.
Queen Victoria (Victorian Era) and her son, King Edward (Edwardian Era), were both enamored by dachshunds brought over from Germany by Prince Albert. Here she is pictured with her standard red, “Boy”.
Just last week I wrote about the origins of afternoon tea which was beloved by both the Victorians and Edwardians. There you can find out the reason why they often had tea outdoors. As well as view an image of the current Queen enjoying tea in bed with her corgi’s. (smile)
To celebrate this garden tea party I wore an authentic Edwardian teagown graciously given to me by my sweet friend Rita. This was truly an amazing gift bestowed upon me and I am deeply grateful.
All images of the gown were taken by my tea party partner, the immensely talented Hannah Julia Photography.
For a garment that is almost 100 years old, the dress was in beautiful shape. It took only minimal restoration efforts on my part, in the way of cleaning and repairs, to bring the dress back to its former glory.
The dress is made from flannel backed cotton sateen. Sadly, this type of gorgeous fabric is no longer made. The lace on the skirt and cuff of the sleeves is breathtakingly beautiful. After viewing the construction methods I do not believe that the dress was made by a professional dressmaker but an everyday seamstress. Women in the Edwardian Era were known for their amazing needlework and sewing skills. I can only hope to someday achieve a portion of this level of skill.
I hope you have enjoyed my Edwardian Garden Tea Party. Up next, you are in for a true teatime treat at Petite Haus.
The Tea and Roses Blog Hop Schedule
Tuesday
The Painted Hinge | My Thrift Store Addiction | Everyday Living | Follow The Yellow Brick Home Poofing The Pillows | Have A Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson
Wednesday
Decor To Adore | Petite Haus | Art and Sand | Katherine’s CornerLora Bloomquist | White Arrows Home
Linky Party
Do you love a good tea party? I’d love for you to join in the fun of our Spring Tea Link Party this weekend.
Here’s to tea and roses!
Laura
Such a charming garden party, Laura! Your table and Edwardian clothing are just lovely! It’s been so fun participating in the blog hop with you. Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Gorgeous, Laura, in every single way. You have all the details down perfectly (of course you do! You know the English tea!) and it looks elegant and so beautiful. And the dress — Rita rocks, doesn’t she? This is beautiful and you look wonderful in it. The cream color is lovely and you look fresh as a spring blossom. Since it’s probably about 90 degrees where you are, I’m not quite sure how you managed it but well done, you! Perfection and confection in one post!
Laura, what a beautiful tea party. The presentation and the food are perfectly lovely! How stunning you are in the amazing dress! What a pleasure to blog hop with you!
Laura, you look lovely, in your vintage frock. I enjoyed the step back in time tea party. The doxies sharing in the fun made me smile. I love all of the photos but my favorite of all is the last one of you pouring tea from one of my favorite ( of yours) rose chintz teapot. It’s a pleasure to be part of the tea and roses blog hop with you. Hugs!
Laura, Your dress is amazing! I feel like your pic should be in a sepia toned photography! You menu is making me hungry, and I wouldn’t call that spread “easy” by an means! It’s all lovely! Fun “hopping” with you today!
This is so perfect and you look so beautiful
How lovely and interesting!Everything is so romantic and dainty…Exquisite Tea Time!
Beautiful! Your dress is amazing and the backyard tea is perfect.
Laura, I just loved this post! Your tea party is so beautiful! I love the teapot and cups and the gorgeous crystal! Your dress is exquisite! And how fun to learn more about the history of afternoon tea!! So enjoying this hop with you!
Laura I loved this! I especially enjoyed how you “got in on the act” in your vintage dress! – you look amazing! And your tea party menu looks delicious – I would have definitely enjoyed it if I was a guest! So happy to be part of the blog hop with you!
Laura, you look stunning in this dress and hat. What a perfect gift for you! Rita is a kind and generous soul! I love having tea out on the terrace. It’s the perfect spot to relax with a view of the garden and to unplug from all the electronics that seem to control our lives. Thanks for inviting us to join you.
What a stunning tea party! I adore your Edwardian style vintage dress and hat – couldn’t think of a better way to have tea! I enjoyed “having tea” with you!
How fun Laura, you look so cute all dressed up in vintage attire. Your garden tea party is charming. What a lovely menu, enough to appease anyone’s taste buds.
What a beautiful teatime in the garden, Laura, and don’t you look gorgeous!! I had to smile at the pups seated at the table….so cute! Your menu was perfect!
What a lovely garden tea party. I’m impressed by your attention to detail! Your two furry guests made me smile.
Laura I am blown away by the beauty and history of everything you shared here! What a truly lovely post, full of so much history (which I love). I also love that you made this post come alive by being in the photos too along with your furry guests! I also smiled when I read that Rita had sent you the costume. Isn’t she the best?
Thank you so much for joining the hop Laura, it has been wonderful!
Laura! This is just fabulous! Your entire past couple of months with all your attention to detail has been truly inspiring. You look terrific, and so does your tea service in the garden. I have already added a link back to this on my purge recap – very happy you are putting the vintage clothing to such good use! Thank you!
How sweet! (Your guests are so adorable too) I love your attention to detail and all the lovely treats you served for the party. Your gown is so pretty and in such good condition for its age. No polyester or acrylics in clothes then. How lucky you found those great chairs and your handy, dandy hubby restored them. (Isn’t it wonderful to have great husbands in our lives who will tackle these DIY tasks!)
Thanks for sharing your party! Almost as being there enjoying the lemonade and treats! 😀
OOZING with style!
And your hat….. it’s perfect !
I am fascinated by the dress. How sweet that Rita gifted you the dress, but I am not surprised. She gifted me quite a few items recently and she chose exactly what I would have chosen for myself.
Laura,
Your dress is incredible. Rita has a way of knowing just exactly what a person likes. The tea looks delicious. At our house, it is our kitties who would be joining the party.
So happy to say I was able to view this entire post and comment without a hitch.
Judith
P.S. What Comment widget do you use? Is it Disqus or something else? I am looking for something new. Judith
So charming Laura! You look fabulous in that outfit!
A lovely party! And the dress is terrific, I am sure you will find ways to wear it on many ‘historic’ occasions.
Laura,
O My Goodness!!
What an amazing tea post!! First of all, you look stunning in your Beautiful authentic outfit!! Simply stunning!! Your tea setting is lovely with the re-purposed chairs, the beautiful tablecloth and china and I just love the dogs!! Thanks so much for participating in this lovely blog hop and I am so looking forward to the link party!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hugs,
Deb
My goodness you look so beautiful. Your dress is gorgeous and looks so good on you! The photos are exceptionally good. Your tea table is elegant and so inviting. I would love to join you.
Rita, has excellent taste and such a knack for matching up items to friends. Great job, Rita. That dress is perfect for Laura. I still can’t believe how generous she was.
What a great job you did on the chairs. A big thank you to hubby I’m sure. You will enjoy them for a long time. Love the color.
This should be in a magazine.
Laura, I am just now finding time to visit yesterdays tour. Was gone all day yesterday and had Stitching Group this morning. I am so glad you rescued those chairs. Love their new color! Your Edwardian dress is fabulous! You truly are one talented gal!! Love your pretty teapot and the menu sounds delicious! Love the two cute tea totters too. 🙂
hugs,
Jann
Laura, your tea table is divine and your Edwardian dress is stunning!!! I shared your post on my Pinterest page for you and I apologize to all of you ladies on the Tea and Roses blog hop tour as I SHOULD have been sharing your posts all week. I am really enjoying reading through them all.
Happy tea to you and I’ll see you all again on Saturday for the Spring Tea link party,
xoxo Barb 🙂
Just fabulous!
An absolutely beautiful party!
LOVE your POST and your dress is FABULOUS !!!!,!! And your little dogs too !!!!
Oh my goodness, your post was beautiful and your photos are amazing. I truly need this hat in my life. But seriously, you fit so well in this period style. I can visualize you in this era without problem. Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us. And so glad I found your blog.
Laura, everything is beautiful! That dress! Funny, I have a teapot very much like this one and I also have those lemonade glasses. Think I’ll use them at my next afternoon tea!
Your Edwardian Tea Gown is stunning, Laura! You look absolutely lovely in it! Your table and teatime treats are lovely too. I also thought your companions were very sweet! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post at the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Sharing, including on the H&S Facebook page over the next couple days. Have a lovely weekend!
PS – I just wanted to let you know I will be featuring this post at tomorrow’s Hearth and Soul Link Party. Thank you again for sharing it!
Hi Laura,
What a lovely Tea Party, and I just love your dress and hat. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Oh My Goodness! Those are the two best guests in the world! Great conversationalists I’m sure. Love your dress and table setting. So beautiful!
We sure have enjoyed featuring your awesome post on Full Plate Thursday this week. We have pinned your post to our features board and thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Miz Helen