Girl Time! A Sipping Beauties Tea Party #SipbySip #Sponsored

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SipbySip.
I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #SipbySip recipes. 

All opinions are mine alone.

Sponsored by The Republic of Tea, in support of their Beautifying Botanicals release, I invited some blogging friends to join me in making something made with tea, something to eat at a tea party, or a product review of the Daily Beauty or Beauty Sleep teas.

#SipbySip Posts

• Afternoon Tea by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Blueberry Lavender Tea Cookies by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Blueberry Lavender Tea Infused Chia Seed Pudding by Kahakai Kitchen
• Color Changing Sparkling Tea by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Creamy Pasta with Vegetables by Simple and Savory
• Girl Time! A Sipping Beauties Tea Party by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Mini Spinach Frittatas by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• No Churn Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream by Our Good Life
• Rose Water Tea Cake by Family Around the Table
• Summer Berry Pudding by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Time to Relax and Rejuvenate by A Day in the Life on the Farm

  Beautifying Botanicals

Okay, first, a disclaimer: techinically, 'tea' — white, green, oolong and black teas — comes from the same plant, called Camellia sinensis. Without Camellia sinensis leaves — think peppermint or chamomile  — it really isn't a tea. It should be called a tisane, an infusion, or a decoction of herbs, spices, or even fruits. But I'm willing to overlook that imprecision because The Republic of Tea is making some delicious tisanes that are gorgeous as well. I mean, look at that beautiful hue in my cup. 

I don't think it's a stretch to say that we all know to put good things into our bodies. So, I was excited to try these new products: Daily Beauty or Beauty Sleep.

The Daily Beauty is the Blueberry-Lavender Tea and also includes blue butterfly pea flower, hibiscus, rose hip, bamboo, and schizandra berry. I think most of the gals approached this one with trepidation, thinking that the lavender would be overwhelmingly floral or too reminiscent of soap or lotion. I know that I was pleasantly surprised by the understated flavor of lavender. And it has a beautiful look in the teacup.

The Beauty Sleep is the Chamomile-Rose tea and also includes blue butterfly pea flower, chamomile, hibiscus, rose hip, bamboo, and schizandra berry. This one was also lovely in the cup with a slightly more rosey hue. One of the girls said that this one was her favorite of the two. I still haven't decided, but I plan to brew a cup before bed tonight!

A Sipping Beauties Tea Party

When I decided to host a girls' tea for the Beautifying Botanicals release — since I have worked with Le Creuset in previous events —  I emailed my contact there and she sent me the Classic Whistling Kettle and a set of four tea mugs for my party. I placed tulips in the mugs and intended to send them home with my guests as goodie bags. But they all left without them. So, I'll have to have another party soon.

I also asked my best friend to borrow some tea cups, saucers, serving platters, and tea pots. She wrapped up and brought me a great selection. After I hand-washed them all and had them on my counter, Jake noticed them. "What are those for?" he asked, hesitantly since we are in the middle of a major downsize. Don't worry!  I assured him. They are all Jenn's and they will go back to her when this party is over. 

So, on a sunny Sunday, I sent Jake and the boys off to see the new Avengers movie and turned my patio into a girly haven. We cranked up ABBA's greatest hits, soaked up the sun, chatted, sipped, nibbled, and relaxed.

Here's my sipping beauties crew. I have known these ladies for over three decades each. And I'm appreciative that they answer my call to come over and give me feedback on teas or whatever I happen to be writing about at the time.

Forever grateful to have girl time! Thanks, Denise, Stephanie, Erin, and Jenn for coming over. Pia, you were missed.

On the Plate

Inspired by the flavor profiles of the Beautifying Botanicals, I planned a menu that included blueberries, lavender, and chamomile. I served blueberry scones with clotted cream, jam, and lavender-lemon curd; I poached chicken in chamomile tea and shredded that into a chicken salad for tea sandwiches; and I made pickled red onions and blueberries for my smoked salmon-mascarpone tea sandwiches.

We ended the meal with a refreshing salad of mixed greens, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, and goat cheese dressed in a light vinaigrette. I will post all of these recipes, eventually. For now, I'm just sharing the scones recipe.

Blueberry Scones 

makes 16 small scones or 8 large ones

Ingredients

• 2 ½ C flour
• ½ C organic granulated sugar + more for sprinkling
• ½ t baking soda
• 1 t baking powder
• 8 T cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 C sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1 C fresh blueberries

Procedure
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Using a pastry cutter, blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the dough resembles pea-sized chunks. Add the sour cream, egg, and blueberries, using a spatula to form a ball. Divide the dough in half.

Transfer to a floured surface and gently press into a disc. Place it on a silicone mat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and press the sugar lightly into the top. Cut the disc into wedges. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. The scone will be nicely raised and slightly golden. Serve with lemon curd, jam, and clotted cream.

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*Disclosure: Bloggers received complimentary products from sponsors for the creation of this event. This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are our own.*