Mini Pet Adventure #5

Tatlo

Minis on the Move

Where do you think the minis are going?

How do you think they got Tatlo to help?


Best wishes,

Fashion Review: OG Cabin Chic

Melody on Fashion

Our Generation: Cabin Chic

You might remember that my sisters gave me the Our Generation Cabin Chic outfit for my birthday. It's really cute. I wore it for the Thermos Tea Tumbler post.

The vest is cozy and soft. You can wear it tied in a bow (like above), untied, or loosely tied. I don't suggest untied; you could trip on the sash.

Inside the vest is striped, but isn't really reversible. That would have been fun.

The skirt is soft denim with faux pockets. I wish the pockets were real; the stitching detail is nice.

It closes with Velcro in the back. The back seam could have been sewn a little better, but it's still comfy.

The socks are thick and soft. They bunch a little in the shoes, but not badly enough to throw off my balance. The flats are adorable. Black molded plastic. Not as rigid as My Life As shoes, but not fabric. I love these shoes. They will go with so many outfits. I kind of wish they were navy, but we have other navy shoes. (I'm really happy they aren't pink - we have plenty of pink shoes.)

Okay, you may be thinking, "That's not the same outfit I saw in Target or online." You're right. Since it is cold and snowy here I added the grey leggings from the Coconut Fun Outfit. Plus there was a slight problem with the blouse, so I pulled out the yellow mock turtleneck Gramma Enne sent us a couple of years ago with the butterfly jumper. It matches the argyle in the socks.

What's with the blouse? The wrist cuffs are too small. I can't get my hands through either one.

Haley couldn't either. Xyra thinks she may be able to split the seam at the cuff only.

Overall this is a fabulous outfit! Lots of great pieces for mixing and matching. 

Which is your favorite part of this outfit?
Have you ever had an outfit where one of the pieces didn't fit? If yes, were you able to fix it?

Have a great day!

Best wishes,

Doll Find: Target Dollar Spot

Laundry Baskets!

I always browse Target's Dollar Spot when I enter the store (doesn't everyone?). This last time I found a set of two baskets.  They are supposed to be used for desk or other organization. I think they are the perfect size for doll laundry baskets. 

The plastic isn't super flimsy, so they should hold up with regular play. The baskets are flexible - not rigid. Would be good for storing doll shoes, stuffed animals, socks, tights, purses, etc. Whatever your doll wants.

It's a set too. You get 2 for $1.

Best wishes,

How Do You Take Your Tea? 2

Another Way to Take Your Tea To Go

Simply Good Tea's Infuser Bottle

Melody mentioned seeing a really great infuser bottle at the Philly Coffee and Tea Festival. It was at the Simply Good Tea display. We ordered one in November and I'm finally getting a chance to show it to you. Our order...

The infuser bottle is in the white box and the tea packets are to the left.

The bottle has three parts to it: double-walled, BPA free plastic bottle; infuser sipper; and lid.

The infuser sipper has a great handle. It can slip over your wrist or you can just slide your fingers through when you grip the bottle to drink.

You don't have to prime this bottle with hot water, but I'm going to try it. The lid screws on even without the infuser in between.

With this bottle you add in your tea, water, close it up and go. Simply Good Tea offers lots of loose leaf tea blends in single serving packets. They are perfectly measured for brewing in this bottle.

For tea we chose the Red Horse Rich Black Tea. Its description reads, "The delicate, golden leaves of Red Horse black tea yield a fruity, sweet brew that is rich in both flavor and aroma. These small leaves are picked early and then fully oxidized and rolled into their final form. With hints of chocolate and honey, this is a great choice for anyone with a sweet tooth."

Here I've added the tea and the water.

Infuser sipper and lid on; we're ready to go.

Since you don't remove the leaves, you want a blend that won't oversteep and get bitter and you don't want to have to add anything. The Simply Good Tea blends are perfect for this. The Red Horse Rich Black blend can be re-steeped several times. Just add, fresh, hot water throughout the day.

While the bottle is double walled, it does not keep the tea piping hot over a long period of time. You'll be able to and want to drink your tea right away; it will be lukewarm in an hour and cool after two. (Yes, we tend to drink very slowly.)

Xyra's Notes

• This is a great bottle for loose leaf tea lovers who are always on the go. Simple to use. Super easy to clean. 
• I've found the first time I try a new tea blend I almost always have mixed feelings. The first tasting of the Red Horse Rich Black was a bit strange - not what I'm used to (it's not Earl Grey) so I tried adding a bit of honey. BIG MISTAKE! This blend does not require any add ins. As Kaya mentioned above, these leaves can be re-steeped. The flavor changes a bit each time, but in a good way. The different notes mingling and tempering and shifting importance. 
• This blend mentions a hint of chocolate. Chocolate lovers be forewarned chocolate in tea is more like that found in mole sauce and not in a box of Godiva.

Happy sipping!

Best wishes,

Editorial Note: Tea Time with Melody Q is not affiliated with Simply Good Tea. We purchased the products to add to our collection and satisfy our curiosity. The review is not solicited and the opinions shared are completely our own. All links are for educational and informational purposes - no purchase is required. However, should you be so inclined we were graciously provided with a coupon code for our readers; just type in MelodyQ at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

#SimplyGoodTea

Mini Adventure #10

Last Glimpse at Christmas

Felicity, Holly, Rebecca, 2 or more

Almost everyone has their decorations down now.
It's nice to see this display still up.

I think it will be coming down soon too. I love the green lights.
This Santa is fun and the train, too.

Such a pretty Nativity scene.

And darling figurines.

(Not sure why this picture flipped.)

Check out the angel.

Ooo. So pretty!

Xyra Note: The angel was found at Ten Thousand Villages in Souderton, PA before Christmas. Their displays are always changing. 

Do you still have Christmas decorations up?

Best wishes,

How Do You Take Your Tea?

Not Your Add Ins...

Take it To Go!

It's National Hot Tea Month! How do you take your tea...to go? In many of our earlier reviews you have seen Xyra's travel mugs. Especially the one with the two smiling kitties. One of us will tell you about that another day. Today, I want to tell you about a wonderful tea tumbler that was a gift from Lady Grey. It's made by Thermos Nissan of stainless steel. This is the box; it gives you details on the features.

It has four parts to it: tumbler, infuser, sipper or drink lid, and cover. The great thing is you can steep your loose tea and run out the door with a piping hot cup of tea.

When you put the kettle on, fill the tumbler with hot tap water and affix the infuser with the cover. Let that sit until you water is ready. Actually, I have the sipper and the cover on here.

Dump the tap water, add your loose tea, and fill with kettle water until the leaves are covered.

Put the cover back on and steep as long as needed for that blend.

At the buzzer, turn off your timer, remove the cover and infuser, add your sweetener, affix the sipper and cover and go. I've used honey today.

The hot water step is necessary to prime the insulation on the tumbler. 

When primed your tea stays hot for hours. Yes, seriously, HOURS! With the cover off - approximately 5 hours; with the cover on - all day. 

That being said, be very careful with your first sips. The tea is hot and you could burn your tongue.

Xyra Note: The timing on the primed tumbler is accurate. I regularly take this tumbler to work now. I will brew the tea at 6:30 or 7:30 AM and still have piping hot tea at lunch. The other day I brewed two kinds of tea to take with me on an outing. The first a travel mug that I drank from throughout the morning and afternoon as it turned lukewarm and then cold. The tumbler I left covered until I got home at 6 PM where I sipped still hot, hot tea from the tumbler. LOVE this devise.

We did not search out further information on this tumbler. You can google it if you like. Type "thermos nissan 12-ounce tea tumbler with infuser" into the magic search box and go from there.

How do you usually take a beverage with you? A favorite travel mug or bottle? In the original can, bottle, box, or pouch?

Happy sipping!

Best wishes,

Note: We are not affiliated with Thermos, Thermos Nissan, or any other company shown in this post. All opinions and findings shared in this review are unsolicited and our own.