tea party planning is no joke..

I'm here! Sunny (sometimes annoyingly so) Florida has welcomed me with open arms. At least its as windy as if a hurricane were actually here, but none of the horrible side effects to go with it. Seriously, we didn't even have to drive away from the airport, we literally got blown all the way home. How energy efficient is that!

So I only have a bittersweet week here before I'm off to Georgia, and as promised, I have a tea party to plan. I also have a beach side picnic, spa day with the girls, and Sex and the City slash Greys Anatomy marathon dessert night to plan as well, but let's do baby steps. This tea party is giving me anxiety attacks. I've been prepping my friends for the most lavish and decadent treats, that now I have no idea where to start when it comes to the menu and decor. Oh my! So below are my little trails of thoughts. I leave Monday, so I think aiming for Sunday afternoon would be perfect. Please, please help me out. You readers are quite savvy with some amazing ideas and family jewel recipes. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

photo here

Menu

Tea Sandwiches
classic peanut butter & jelly (too boring? yeah too boring. hmmm)

nutella and banana

pulled pork with lime and ____

avacado puree with something (perfectly refreshing for the summer heat, and twist on guacamole)

need more ideas! unique, fresh, summer produce

Fresh Fruit Skewers
pineapple, kiwi, chocolate strawberries, and melon from a farmer's market

Cupcakes
new and beloved cotton candy cupcakes

red velvet

hot chocolate cupcakes

hmm, what else says summer Floridian cupcake?

ohh! look up recipes in Pamela Clark's book

Strawberry Lemonade
Fresh squeezed lemonade with strawberry puree and seltzer sparkle

use Tastespotting for more summer-friendly ideas (like hibiscus mint granita with rum)

Tea & Minis
green tea coolers

(too hot for classic black teas, need alternatives)

crumpets?

pain au chocolat cinnamon rolls

petit fours

macarons

Location

Celebrate summer outdoors in a place cool enough to indulge buffet style...

• Bill Baggs Cape in Key Biscayne island?
• Crandon Park, also in Key Biscayne but there are carousels! Ahh nostalgia...
• Halouver Beach Park?
• Newly renewed, redesigned and renovated South Pointe Park in South Beach. Watch the cruise ships pass by during sunset while eating scones and jam, why yes, yes I shall!
• Cottage rental?
• Boat rental?
  

Sitting Pretty
Make the table a rhapsody in pink and white (lace! doilies!)
At each place setting…

1. A luminous play on the eyes, making use of summery bright pastel color schemes from sunshine yellow lemons to bubble gum pink straws. Bell jars will hold sweet and tangy lemonades and punch while small mason jars are perfect for the alcoholic elixirs. (Note: Dujour Magazine has a great recipe for strawberry ice cubes as well!)
2. Head to bargain fabric shops for pastel floral scraps for the making of a perfectly pretty table runner.
3. Flea markets or garage sales are sure to have doilies I can use for place mats.
4. Florals...oh florals. Still lost there. Definitely sunflowers! Make use of mugs for arrangements, or a floating petal bowl as a centerpiece.