Ann-Margaret's cupcake visions

Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe's Tea featured in "Strawberry in Chocolate" Etsy Treasury

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I received a sweet surprise the other day when the owner of "All Made with Love" on Etsy let me know she had included my Tropicana Tango loose leaf tea in her beautiful treasury! I'm always so excited to find out that one of my items has been included in a treasury.  And, i always have such fun checking out all of the other shops.  There are so many creative and talented people on Etsy, and I just love being a part of the Etsy community!  This treasury is called "Strawberry in Chocolate", and I think this is such a perfect name since all of the items include such rich, warm tones.  It really evokes all sorts of thoughts related to fall!  I hope you'll grab a cuppa tea, and take a little stroll through the shops in the "Strawberry in Chocolate" treasury.  Have fun!  And, just so you know...Etsy can be a little addictive!  You may already know this though!  Do you shop on Etsy?  If so, what do you love most about it?

Umm...chocolate...strawberries...yummy...are we getting some ideas?  Sounds like a sweet treat to me!

Many thanks to "All Made with Love" for including one of my teas in this beautiful treasury!

Tropicana Tango is a new flavor recently added to my tea armoire, and I think you will really like it.  It is an herbal tea so it is naturally caffeine free and is so good hot or iced.  I know some of you really enjoy iced tea, and I will assure you...I do, too!!  I really enjoy making a pitcher of a flavored tea to keep in the refrigerator, and I really like to add a little squeeze of fresh lime, lemon, or orange depending on the flavor.  You'll find this new flavor in my personal shoppe, Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe, as well as, my new tea shoppe on Etsy, Ann-Margarets Tea Shop.

Next week I'll be starting something new here on the blog.  On Thursdays I will add in "Tealightfully Thursday" and will share a photo with you that just makes me feel "tealightful"...a photo that delights me, makes me smile, or just makes me feel happy! That day's post may still include other things, as well, but even if I'm not sharing something else that day I will be sure to post a "Tealightfully Thursday" photo for you.  And, I hope it will add a little dose of HAPPY to your Thursday!  Be sure to visit next week to see what the first photo will be!

2010 Copyright Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe/Ann-Margaret's Visions
Please do not copy/use photos, text, or images (graphics) without permission.
Thanks so much!

Tuesdays with Tucker...Beginning My Inspirational Journey

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Last week I told you I was going to start a little journey and call it "Tucker's Inspirational Journey".  You may go back to last week's post to read all the details, but it's just a little something I thought we might all enjoy.  Lots of things inspire me, and I figure you are inspired by tons of things in your life, too.  So, I thought we could spread a little of that inspiration by sharing some of your photos and letting you tell us about what inspires you.  Maybe it's a sweet picture of your children, a touching photo of your pet (ahem..."furry baby", please!), an afternoon shared with your granny, that infamous fishing excursion with your dad or hubby, a flower, a sunset, something random, or something extraordinary...whatever it may be, I hope you will share a little piece of it with me...with all of us.  Just as people may "pay it forward" with a kind deed or act of thoughtfulness, well, I hope we can "pay inspiration forward"!  Something you say or a photo you share may be just what someone needs the day they stop by my blog.  Maybe your inspiration will open a door or window for someone else, and before long, maybe our hearts and our minds will feel more inspired and encouraged than ever before!

I am so excited to introduce you to a very special friend ~ Laurie Harris.  Laurie is sharing a beautiful photo with us, and I just love the message she conveys...I think you will, too!

"PEACEFUL solitude and yet, kayaks waiting for the arrival of wilderness ADVENTURE enthusiasts.  Not my normal day at the beach of sand and water, but rather a different kind of EXPLORATION...along a rocky shore in Alaska.  Pictures from my trip to Alaska still resonate strongly with me, and I'm grateful that I was able to experience and see such awe struck views of God's creation."
                                                                                                                                                            ~Laurie Harris



Laurie, thank you so much for sharing this with us.  I have not ever been to Alaska, nor has my mom (Ann~Margaret).  However, now I feel as though I can imagine the type of serenity and peace that may be found there.  Definitely a place where one could truly feel inspired!

Won't YOU help me with my INSPIRATIONAL journey?  It's easy as can be...just send my mom a photo that you would like to share (see the "contact" link above for her email).  And, this journey is going to be ongoing so please be sure to share it with your friends and family.  You may just learn a little something about someone you know!  I'll share a picture each week and will continue to do so as long as you will keep those pictures coming!  Did I mention that I am sooo excited about this?!!! Well, I am...means alot to me...I'm just sayin'!!



Hope you're having a great Tuesday...one that just makes your tail wag!!

2010 Copyright Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe/Ann-Margaret's Visions.
Alaska Photo Copyright Laurie Harris Photography
Please do not use/copy text, photos, or images (graphics) without permission.
Feel free to link to my blog.  Thanks so much!

Tuesdays with Tucker...Feeling Inspired by Chester the Cat

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

No, no...don't adjust anything about your computer screen...It really is me...Tucker...yes, I'm back to blogging!  I know you think I just took a little vacation or a really long siesta so please forgive me for my lack of attention to my blogging day.  "Tuesdays with Tucker" are rolling again!  And, well, maybe I found a bit o' inspiration when I was looking through my mom's pictures and came across this one of Chester.  Yes, this is my cousin Chester; he lives the high life in LA (you were thinking Cali, weren't you??...C'mon, you know I mean "lower Alabama"!!! ).  Anywho, he belongs to my grandparents, and yes, he is rather spoiled...look whos' talking!  My mom found inspiration in the above photo and thought of a few words to go along with it.  I tend to agree with this sweet message!

My mom had a little impromptu photo shoot with Chester during one of her trips home.  He was just hanging out, following her around, and she said it was as though he was just modeling for her.  Sounds like me, don't you think?!!

I just love this photo of him.  It just looks as though he is so inspired by what he sees, as though he finds so much beauty in what he has found.  Now, can you see why I felt a bit inspired when I started looking at these pictures?!  My mom has taught me that a picture can speak a thousand words; it can touch your heart and resonate such a variety of emotions.

Do you have a favorite photo that does this...touches your heart, inspires you, resonates emotions that you sometimes lose touch with?  I'd love to hear about it, and I would love it even more if you would share your photo with me.  I will share it here on the blog and include your name and message.  And, let's call it "Tucker's Inspirational Journey"!  C'mon, please help me out with this one...I wanna make my mama proud!

Just hop up to the "contact" link at the top of the blog, and send your photo and message to my mom's email address.  And, not to worry, you know she is good about marking her photos so she will be sure to put your name on your picture so no one tries to claim it as their own.  Yep, that's why we go to so much trouble to put that sweet copyright stamp on ours...another post for another day...but, I'll tell you a little story about where one of our photos ended up.  Yep, we caught 'em!

Ok, I'm counting on ya'll...start looking for your inspirational photo, and I'll share it here on "Tuesdays with Tucker".  Oh, I'm so excited...I hope you'll join in the fun, and tell your friends about it, too!  Let's be inspired together, and let's INSPIRE one another!

2010 Copyright Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe
Please do not copy/use text, photos, or images (graphics). Please ask for permission to use photos.
Feel free to link to my blog.  Thanks so much!

Flowers in Old Town Alexandria

Monday, August 16th, 2010

We were in Alexandria, Virginia back in June, and I snapped a quick picture of these beautiful flowers on the sidewalk in Old Town.  I just love the simplicity of this tall pail, and of course, I love these geraniums!  Geraniums are another one of my favorite flowers!  I have some pretty ones out on our patio, and they are pink with red stripes in the center.  I must say though, they are not quite as pretty and full as these are...think they have had enough of the heatwave we've been having! 

Can't wait to share more details about our trip to Old Town Alexandria!  We had such fun...

~seeing sweet friends
~dining at our favorite restaurants and trying new ones
~checking out a new CUPCAKERY (it will get a post all of its own...stay tuned!)
~strolling the streets of this quaint town (one of my favorite spots!)
~hanging out in DC and checking out some of the neatest restaurants and hot spots

Be sure to check back in to see what all we got into on our fun trip! I'll introduce you to some of my/our sweet friends, too!

My Cuppa Inspiration for your Day:

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in His power the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect!
                                                                                                         ~Steven Curtis Chapman


I hope your week gets off to a beautiful start!

2010 Copyright Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe
Please do not use/copy text, photos, or images (graphics). Please ask permission to use photos.
Feel free to link to my blog.  Thanks so much!

Friendships and Front Porch Swings

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Daily Soul Vitamin:

"The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had!"
                                                                                                                        ~Unknown

Hope you have a SWEET Sunday!

2010 Copyright Ann~Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe
Please do not copy/use photos, text, or images (graphics).
Feel free to link to my blog and to ask permission to use a photo.
Thanks so much!

Lovin' Lime Green!

Friday, August 6th, 2010

My sister and I would probably argue over just which one loves LIME GREEN the most!  And, then, there's Kaylee, my niece, and she loves it oh so much, too!  So, needless to say, they were both reaching for this cute bag when I showed it to them on a recent trip home.  No reaching for this one, girls!! This bag is not up for grabs!! haha  But, this cute, stylish "purse pendant" is!!  Yep, that's right, this pendant is a new design I added to the shoppe not long ago called "Queen Diva Pendants".  It measures 2 inches in diameter so it is a nice, chunky pendant.  Now, I know there are alot of you gals out there that just love a funky pendant that's a bit larger than all the rest!  This one is for you, chickies! And, it comes in a square shape, too!

This pendant is perfect for a slide necklace, or add it to a chunky bead necklace for a stunning look!  But, if you are not into wearing larger pendants, this one is just great for accessorizing your fave purse, carry on bag, diaper bag, gym bag, or anything else that needs a stylish touch.  Have it designed with most any of my designs in my shoppe, with or without a name, monogram, or initial...the options are endless!

If you would like to be able to clip this pendant onto a bag, purse, necklace, or such you may choose to purchase it with a lobster clasp.  I have chosen a special lobster clasp for this pendant so that it will hang just as it needs to.  And, its a nice size so it will be easy to attach!

This pendant makes a great gift for a girlfriend, mom, teacher, or anyone that loves being stylish and unique!  Remember, you may choose most any design from my shoppe to be used to create this pendant.  And, it looks stunning in the square shape, also!  And, if you see my sister, please tell her that she must get over her "lime green purse crush"...it's just not gonna happen!! teeheehee  I can assure you I am keeping my eyes on this baby when I am around her.  Not that she would try to quickly dump my stuff and fill it with hers...no way...not...I'm just sayin'!!  She knows I love her and will happily share anytime....just not this purse!!

Keepin' it real,  SISTAS!!  You do the same!

*Find this pendant and many more at Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe or AnnMargaretsSpecialT on Etsy *

**These pendants are beautiful as a Christmas ornament! Choose to have one created with a special photo or choose from my holiday designs...more coming soon! **

2010 Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe
Please do not copy/use text, photos, or images (graphics). 
If you would like to use a photo on your blog, please ask permission.   
Feel free to link to my blog.  Thanks so much!

Cute Cupcake Note Cards...and, a Cute Shoppe, Too!

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Isn't this just the cutest shop you've ever seen?!! On one of our trips to Texas, I was shopping with my friend Leslie, and she took me to a cute little town filled with adorable shops.  And, yes, I just loved it.  We had the best time checking out all of the quaint little shops and perusing all of the unique gifts they offered.  I just loved this cute house/shop photo and came across it the other day while going through some of my pictures.  After looking at it, I thought...this picture just makes me HAPPY!  And, since we can all use a little more HAPPY in our lives (I mean really...you cannot ever have too much HAPPY, now can you?!!), I decided I would have to share it with you here on my blog. 

bright colors
oozing with SWEETNESS
nooks and crannies filled with treasures
a porch full of stories and life
gingerbread trim...makes it even SWEETER
step inside and feel enchanted

And, that's just what we did!  We checked out each little shelf, each little corner, each little spot of all that sweet goodness!  This shop was full to the brim with CUTENESS!

So, in the spirit of CUTENESS I thought I should share these new cupcake note cards with you that I have just added to my shoppe!  I love these sweet cupcakes displayed on this cute and sassy stand!  Have these cards personalized with a name, "thank you", or "thinking of you".  They will arrive in a clear box and make the sweetest gift.  Or, keep them for yourself, and enjoy sharing them with those you love.  They are great to have on hand since they are blank inside, and you can use them for whatever occasion presents itself.

These cards also make sweet gifts for teachers.  You may purchase these cute cupcake cards at Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe under "Creative Cards and Notes" or my shoppe on Etsy ~ AnnMargaretsSpecialT.


Hope your day is filled to the brim with a whole lotta HAPPY!!

2010 Copyright Ann-Margaret's SpecialTea Shoppe
Please do not copy/use text, photos, or graphics (images) without permission.
Feel free to link to my blog.  Thanks so much!