High-Low 10/28/13, Part 2: Dallas Moments ( last 5 out of 10) and Pushing Buttons

HIGH: My Trip Home to Dallas, Part 1

Well, my trip home to Dallas was just one big High, really. So here are the last 5 of my Top 10 Dallas moments.

5) Moments with Mom. My mom is my best friend and we have too, TOO much fun when we get together. Whether it be high tea at Eden Cafe

Tea w/ Mom is one of my favorite traditions that we have. We've been doing it since I was 8!!

or sharing shocking secrets at Mi Cocina

Oh, what will we talk about next? I suppose it just depends on the adventures we have between now and Christmas...

You never know what’s going to come up in one of our tête-à-têtes!

4) With all of my family and old friends in Dallas, it’s always fun to find a new one. That’s why I adored getting to happy hour it up at Truck Yard with my new friend, KellyAnn Sutton of Anthropologie. KellyAnn and I actually met through Instagram!! How current is that? And we were delighted to find that we’re definitely meant to be friends!! So thankful to know her.

Happy Hour at the super cool Truck Yard in Dallas with my new friend, KellyAnn Sutton of Anthropologie

 

3) While many of my friends have nieces and nephews, our family has always veered a bit from the norm. So, I was delighted to get to spend a little quality time with my big brother, David, and my stuffed coyote nephew, Archibald by the pool. Yep, totally normal – us McCoys.

With my stuffed-coyote-nephew, Archibald...don't ask.

 

2) As if you thought we hadn’t gone to Mi Cocina enough already as a family, we also take our friends. It’s become a tradition that we sip margaritas and snack on tex-mex at Mi Cocina with my dear friends from college, Tadd and Jenna Tate. We always laugh our way through the meal and we always – and I do mean, ALWAYS – close the place down!

Another night of oversharing & laughter at Mi Cocina with my family & friends

 

1) One of my favorite bakeries on the planet is Tart Bakery in Dallas. So I was delighted when Tart sent me back to LA in style with a BeautyFrosting-themed cakelet! What a sweet and delicious delight!

A BF-themed cakelet from Tart Bakery in Dallas

LOW: Pushing Buttons

No family is perfect...

Well, after that much fun, something a little dreary was bound to happen. And it did the last night I was in Dallas. Our family went to Meddlesome Moth and, well, my big brother and I ended up getting into a tiff. Here’s the thing about family – the fact that you know each other best and have known each other longest is truly a double-edged sword. After all, they totally understand who you are because they’ve seen everything you’ve been through; but in times of struggle and conflict, they also really know how to push your buttons. So I was sad to leave without telling my brother goodbye. And I hate, hate, HATE doing that. But the upside? We both realized our wrongs and apologized. We’re fine now but I just hate that I left Dallas on a sour note. My brother actually suggested coming up with a safe word so when we start pushing buttons again, we can agree to shelve the dispute for a different time. I liiiiiiike this. Now, just to put it into use…

Magical Monday: The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

If you have kids or just are a kid at heart like me, have I got a summer treat for you!

The London West Hollywood is celebrating the DVD release of The Great & Powerful Oz with an afternoon tea that’s sure to delight and excite even the grumpiest munchkin or most wicked of witches!

Feeling magical and fantastical at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Starting just over a week ago and running through every weekend over the next 6 weeks of summer, the tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm – 4pm at Gordon Ramsay at The London.

Tabletop fun! At The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

With staff dressed in Glinda-style tiaras and munchkin-style bowler hats, hot air balloon and magic star wand-centerpieces and the film’s soundtrack playing throughout the tea, you’ll feel less like you’re in Los Angeles and more like you’re in Oz for the entire afternoon.
Nerd that I am, I of course, dressed in Oz-theme with a blue and white polka dot dress and red patent leather heels. With all of the magic around me, I truly felt like Dorothy! And with my friend – and fellow blogger, Whitney Lader from hoopLA – there as my date, the afternoon was even more magical and memorable!

Teatime with my friend - and fellow blogger - Whitney Lader of hoopLA at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Whitney enjoys Bubbletime at The Great & Powerful Oz tea! I love the little girl at the table behind us looking like she either thinks we might be crazy or that we're good witches! I'm going with the second option, of course!

 

Whitney and I opted to share two pots of tea so we could fully appreciate all of the delicious Oz options. We chose the Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves and the Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean teas.

Selection of Teas

And adults can enjoy Glinda’s bubble champagne to feel a little “extra” magical.

Indulging in Glinda's Bubble Champagne

With courses including Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches and Canapes, Flying Monkey Bites and Evanora and Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats, you’re sure to leave feeling full and treated like the Wizard of Oz!

The tea tray at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

My favorite Oz bites?  The mini peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich straight from Kansas and the Roast Beef with onion marmalade finger sandwiches.

Fantastical Finger Sandwiches

The scones were utterly decadent…

 

Sinfully delicious scones with jam, cream and butter

and the Ruby Red Apple Crumble was scrumptious!

Wickedly delicious desserts: Opera cake, apple crumble and lemon meringue bars!

Make your reservation now for a day your whole family is sure to remember for a lifetime!

 The Great & Powerful Oz Tea Menu

$28 for adults

$14 for children

Selection of Teas

Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean

Mandarin, Brilliant Breakfast, Single Estate Oolong, Earl Grey ,

Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves

or

Wicked Witch Brew

100% Juice

 

 Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches & Canapes

Mini Tuna Fish Sandwiches

Mini Turkey Sandwiches

Mini Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Sandwiches Straight from Kansas

Hummus with Crisp Shallot

Curried Chicken-Golden Raisins

Roast Beef-Red Onion Marmalade

 

 Flying Monkey Bites

Blackcurrant Scones with Devonshire Cream & Lemon Curd

Peanut Butter Scones with Strawberry jam

 

 Evanora & Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats

The Dark Forest Chocolate Opera  Cake

Ruby Red Apple Crumble

Yellow Brick Road Lemon Meringue Bar

 

Sides for Munchkins

Sliced Carrots & Celery with Hummus

Fresh Fruit Cups

*Glinda’s Bubble Champagne Available Upon Request (Not for Munchkins!)

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: Are you a fan of teatime like I am? 

BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

This is the perfect non-alcoholic party punch and I’m always asked for the recipe!

Every. Single. Time.

BeautyFrosting's Ginger Tea Punch

If you want a punch that’s perfect for all ages, women AND men and isn’t overly-candy-sweet, this is your go-to punch. I love the stuff! And I always end up giving the recipe to my guests.

Here’s the tasty tea punch recipe that will be one of your favorites too!
BeautyFrosting’s GINGER TEA PUNCH 
Makes 1 gallon. I usually double for my 2 gallon punchbowl.

3 Tbl. Instant Tea (the “powdered” kind, plain, no sugar, no lemon)
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
6 cups warm Water
2 cups diluted Orange Juice
6 ounce can frozen Limeade, defrosted and undiluted
2 liters Ginger Ale (or enough to make 1 gallon)

Combine the instant tea, sugar and water. Stir well to ensure the sugar
is dissolved. Add the orange juice and Limeade. Refrigerate until ready
to serve.

Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make 1 gallon of liquid.

Garnish with orange slices and mint sprigs. Depending on “theme”, I have also garnished with limes and lemons.

Beautiful for a wedding shower, baby shower, ladies lunch, brunch, party or holiday!

As always, if you try it, please take pics and tell me how it worked for you!

xoxo,
BF 

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

In honor of the bridal tea I’m co-hosting for my best friend, Suzanne, this weekend in Dallas. This is the perfect non-alcoholic party punch and I’m always asked for the recipe! Every. Single. Time.

BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

If you want a punch that’s perfect for all ages, women AND men and isn’t overly-candy-sweet, this is your go-to punch. I love the stuff! And I always end up giving the recipe to my guests.

Here’s the tasty tea punch recipe that will be one of your favorites too!
BeautyFrosting’s GINGER TEA PUNCH 
Makes 1 gallon. I usually double for my 2 gallon punchbowl.

3 Tbl. Instant Tea (the “powdered” kind, plain, no sugar, no lemon)
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
6 cups warm Water
2 cups diluted Orange Juice
6 ounce can frozen Limeade, defrosted and undiluted
2 liters Ginger Ale (or enough to make 1 gallon)

Combine the instant tea, sugar and water. Stir well to ensure the sugar
is dissolved. Add the orange juice and Limeade. Refrigerate until ready
to serve.

Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make 1 gallon of liquid.

Garnish with orange slices and mint sprigs. Depending on “theme”, I have also garnished with limes and lemons.

Garnish with orange slices – BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

Beautiful for a wedding shower, baby shower, ladies lunch, brunch, party or holiday!

As always, if you try it, please take pics and tell me how it worked for you!

xoxo,
BF