This was a day I will never forget. So civilized and doing everything I love - Spending time with friends & Family, English Tea & Dressing up in Costume. I still can’t believe how wonderfully lucky I am to have friends and family willing to do this for me.

I brought out all the gear I use for The Gatsby Summer Afternoon. Thanks to my mom, we have this lovely set of folding chairs to go with our card table, picnic baskets and multi-layered table cloth covered surfaces. We also set up a folding plastic table and covered those with table cloths. I used tiered stand to display my teapots. The English Tea-in-a- Box were ordered for each guest, from Malaya Tea Room.

I had been to Malaya Tea Room, before the pandemic, so I knew the goodies would be delicious. We were not disappointed. Each box had little sandwiches, a macaron, a scone with clotted cream and lemon curd, various assorted pastries and Tiramisu. Each box also had a little wafer with a purple potato paste flower and toped off with a fresh flower and a tiny bouquet of flowers as well. So perfect.

Robb, pictured above in his own self made costume. brought his portable bar. I believe he built the Bar itself and made the cordials inside the bar. I’ll have to admit, the tea held less interest for me than Robb’s Cocktails which were absolutely delicious.

Do you see the basket of champagne in the corner? I do have fun friends! ha ha. My mom came dressed the in the regency upcycled spencer and dress that I made along with a brand new coordinating bonnet. Friends Lisa and Rob wore their own self made costumes. I hope Lisa does a blog post (How’s Robb Blog) about her dress, as the construction of the back is really interesting. The two of them make a gorgeous couple, don’t you think.

My long time student and dear friend Julie came wearing a dress from Historical Designs and a Bonnet she purchased from Etsy.

The Day was absolutely gorgeous. Not too hot or too cool. Perfect weather! Jone, in purple, above, made her dress using cotton Dobby Fabric from my Shop & the La Mode Bagatelle Pattern that I used for my dress and spencer. She wore my 1830’s Bonnet and I think she looks smashing. Julie B. is wearing my BBC dress and Lisa (Lisa and Robb) is wearing the bonnet I made, originally, to coordinate with that dress. You can see their fabulous picnic below.

So, if you look closely at this photo of Lisa and Robb, you can see that they have a lovely chaise lounge as well as a rug, table and pillows. Robb made that lounge and it actually turns into a dolly so they can use it to get their entire picnic back to their car. These two are my Heroes!

Erika is wearing a dress and that I made for my mom for the Sanditon premier at the Castro theater earlier this year. You can read about that here. I love that she wore a sugar skull mask (and she brought Mexican Pastries as well). It was Dia de los Muertos after all (Day of the Dead / November 1st).

And here is the lady who made this all possible. My Mom! I’m so lucky to have her in my life. Thank you mom for all you do and the wonderful woman you are!

Until next Time, Happy Sewing!

xo Jennifer