A Real Live Tea House

Let's face it.  Our dolls live the good life.  And we live our lives through them sometimes.  Those hopes and dreams that we don't feel we will ever get to, we let our dolls do it for us.  Tea and Tea House dioramas are very common in the fashion doll world.  How many cups of tea have your dolls had over the years?  For some of us, too many to count.  I have wanted to go to a tea house for years.  I have collected tea sets for over 12 years now and I drink about 3 cups of tea a day.  So when I recently got the opportunity, through Google offers, to experience a tea house, I jumped on it.  I decided to go today.  I had a pretty tough week and I needed a pick me up.

For $9 (normally $20) I got unlimited tea and this 3 tier plate of goodies.  When the lady said go ahead pick out your tea, I looked at the tea menu and thought, "yeah right".  There were well over 100 teas on the list.  How was I going to pick a tea?  One caught my eye immediately.  It was called "Wedding Tea".  How appropriate.  I knew I would have that one along with a few others.

The lady suggested I start with a black tea first, then move to the white and green teas.  Didn't know I needed a strategy for tea drinking. I was grateful for the suggestion.  The cute little tea pot is made of cast iron.

 Remember when Nikaya had her sleepover and she and her friends got treats on my Rement 3 tier stand?  I was a little giddy at this point.  I had my Rement reference sheet with me that had a picture of the 3 tier stand.  I wanted so badly to show my waitress and say "look".  But I didn't.  

I've always heard of cucumber sandwiches, but had never had one.  This was 3 of the 4 sandwiches I had. Little food never tasted so good!  Of the 4, the cucumber was my least favorite.   Still very good, though.  The other 3 were heavenly. At the top of the stand were 2 scones with lemon curd.  My first time having a scone, and  I didn't have a clue what lemon curd was.  My dolls have scones all the time.  I figured I would eat just one of them.  I put some lemon curd on the scone.  There are no words!  I didn't remember what she said the lemon stuff was, so I had to call her over and ask.  That stuff was delicious!  She had the nerve to bring me out another serving.  So I ate the second scone and the other lemon curd. 

I decided to take a picture from where I was sitting. I was the last person left in the place. 

It was a really cute little place.

This was the fireplace room.

This was the fourth and final room.  I imagine they do lots of tea parties for big and little girls in this room.

So today another thing got checked off my Ultimate To Do list!  It lived up to the hype.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The Ladies are Headed to the Church

The ladies are finally leaving for the church.  Their hair has been styled enough to get them to the church.  Of course the real styling will happen once they get to the church .  That's where the veil and flowers will be added.  They decided to wait until Ciana gets into her dress before they complete her hair.  They were still on the fence about putting it up or keeping it down.

"You look beautiful.  Your curls will fall a little over the next couple of hours and be perfect when it's time to walk down the aisle." (Kara)

"I love it.  Thanks so much."  (Danielle)

"I'll stop by to help you with your veil when I get to the church." (Kara)

"Thanks India. Ciana would thank you too, if she wasn't sleep." (Leslie)

"You're welcome. Have a wonderful time. Take lots of pictures so I can see what hairstyle Kara comes up with for Ciana." (India.

"Thanks ladies! Kara, I will see you at the church." (Danielle)

"Poor thing.  She is still sleeping." (Kara)

"We better get a move on it.  I'm sure Adele is wondering where we are."  (Leslie)

"I'm surprised she hasn't been blowing up my phone." (Danielle)

So why was David late?  He was doing a Trayvon Martin Tribute.  This is a picture I posted for the TAG GAME on Flickr.  It is my first TAG GAME ever.  This one was important enough for me to participate.  David was all too eager to help.  I love this mandoll.

LIV Bodies Meet Stardoll Shoes

I knew the Stardoll shoes fit the Monster High dolls, but I didn't know they could work for the LIV bodies.  This is perfect!!  I hated buying the accessory packs and not being able to use the shoes.  Seemed like such a waste of money.

They are not a perfect fit, but the bendy LIV ankles is what makes this possible.  

I got my one Stardoll today in the mail.  She was my Barbie Collector.com coupon doll.  Of all the Stardolls, I figured if there was one that would make my collection, it would be this one.  I loved her dress and the doll.  I immediately put her on a LIV body.  I have a TON of LIV bodies.  I don't like them for my older looking dolls, but I really like them for this doll.  Most of the Stardolls are pretty young looking to me.  They are in their very early 20s for me and I like the LIV bodies for the young adults and some of my Asian dolls, regardless of age.  I have her pictured next to my Marisa doll, which is also on a LIV body.  As a matter of fact they are both on Danielle bodies.

The Stardoll shoes are perfect for the early 20 something year old.  So this is a match made in heaven all around.  Sorry for the bad pictures.  It's late and I'm tired.

DID YOU SEE THE WEDDING PIC UPDATES FOR THE DAY?  They were posted just about an hour ago.  

Checking on the Wedding Progress

Last I checked, the ladies were still at the salon.  They were in the midst of hair drying.

"Let me call my mom to make sure they are okay."

Poor Ciana has fallen asleep. She did well getting her hair rolled.

Joseph also fell asleep.  David, Leslie's husband was supposed to pick him up by now, but he called to say he was running late.  No problem, Leslie went to her backup plan.  She knows that she always needs a backup plan to keep her sanity.

Why are these two just shooting the breeze?  HELLO, can you do something to hurry along this drying process?  We are on a schedule here.

Meanwhile, Adele is at the church, checking to make sure the dresses arrived safely.

"Well here's the flower basket.  Now where are the flowers. And I don't see the ring bearer pillow."

"Okay, little man.  Let's get you fed and dressed."

Leslie's backup plan was to call Olivia, David's sister, to come get Joseph.  She is recently back in town after spending months away on an assignment.  Danielle had already invited her to the wedding.  If you remember she was one of the guest at the beach house.  She and Ian became a hot item at the beach house and dated briefly once they returned home.  I wonder if Ian knows she's coming.

"Red" got a haircut.  I have never cut a doll's hair immediately after taking her out the box, but her hair was causing me issues from the very beginning.  I am not finished with it, but it's a good start.  Turns out her family owns the hotel where the reception is being held.  

Crazy Target Sale!

This is a commercial break from the Rod and Danielle show. LOL!  I had read on numerous blogs about the Stardolls being on sale at Target through 4/7/12.  I figured I would stop by and get the two accessory packs that I didn't have.  When I got to Target, I was not prepared for what I saw.  EVERYTHING in the toy department was on sale.  The Basics Barbies and accessory packs, the Fashionista fashion packs, the Stardolls, the Moxie Girls, and the list goes on.  I had a hard time finding something that wasn't on sale in the entire toy department.  I am not sure if this was just a local thing or nationwide.  Sometimes Target will do local sales too.

If you recall, a couple of months ago, I mentioned the Our Generation, small scale horses that I thought would be perfect for Barbie.  Well they were on sale, too!  Originally $20, on sale for $16.90.

Here are the two new horses for Morristown.

They come with lots of grooming accessories.

Shantavia decided to show them off for you.  We'd better hurry because she really should be at the church by now setting up her photography equipment.

I guess I will need to find or make a couple of saddles.

Isn't he beautiful? 

Let's not forget about the new little lady.  She's a beauty, too.

I did buy a few accessory packs; 2 of the Stardolls, and 1 of the Barbie Basics.  They were each about $12.99.  I did my normal pick up each Stardoll and try to fall in love.  Again it didn't work.  I left without any of the dolls.  I do have one coming in the mail.  It is the red head because I love her and the outfit. I had to use my $20 Barbie Collector coupon before it expired, so I got her for 99 cent.  The doll below was put in the basket and taken out several times.  I can do without the doll.  When she was initially announced I thought I would want her in my collection.  She really doesn't do much for me, but I've been wanting one of those red and white outfits for the longest.  So I bit the bullet, since they were on sale.  

Danielle and Leslie at the Hair Salon

The ladies arrived at the Mane Event where Kara and India were waiting.  The salon is not open for regular business today because of the wedding.

"Well Ms. Danielle, how are you feeling?  You look surprisingly calm." (Kara)

"I am a nervous wreck.  I much prefer hosting the events than being the event." (Danielle)

"You are going to be a beautiful bride." (Kara)

"So what are your thoughts for your hair?  Are we thinking up or down?" (Kara)

"I don't have a clue." (Danielle)

"So I was thinking maybe up with a few curls on the end." (Leslie)

"I can do that and I think that will look pretty." (India)

"Mommy, look.  It's Daddy." (Ciana)

"That's not your daddy. (Leslie)

"Girl, you hair is growing like wildflowers.  Must be all that good loving." (Kara)

Leslie checks on Danielle, who is still trying to decide on a hair style.

"Danielle, where's Nicole? Why isn't she here?  I almost forgot she was in the wedding." (Leslie)

"Long story.  She almost wasn't in the wedding, but Rod got it all ironed out with her mother." (Danielle)

"Oh wow. Is she giving you guys a hard time?"  (Kara)

"Are you okay? (India)

"Uh, huh." (Ciana)

"Hello ladies."  (Adele)

"Adele, is that you?  What are you doing here? " (Danielle)

"I just dropped Sydney off at my sister's and I was headed to the church.  I thought I would stop by and see how things are going." (Adele)

"We are still trying to decide on a hair style." (Danielle)

"Why don't you try some nice loose flowing curls first. If it doesn't look right, then she can pin it up." (Adele)

"Okay.  Let's try that."  (Danielle)

"I'm going to say hi to our flower girl and then I will leave you ladies to it." (Adele) 

"Hello Miss flower girl.  Are you getting all beautiful?" (Adele)

Well they have a lot of work to do, so we better leave them to it.

The Morning of the Wedding (Video)

Well it's April 2nd and the wedding activities have begun!  It's the morning of the wedding.  The ladies are getting ready to get their day started.   It's about 8:30am and the wedding starts at 4pm.  This will give the ladies enough time for hair and makeup, before they land at the church to relax and get dressed.

Leslie arrives to pick up Danielle.  That is my real deck and backyard in the background.

Julian in his Joe Boxer boxing shorts.  I still need to put the waffles in the store. Should be there by tomorrow.

I sure am glad Danielle's mom came into the picture. She has been an incredible help already.

If you have been following the series, you know that Ciana fell in love with Jacob the first time she laid eyes on him.  This helped Danielle decide on her as the flower girl.  She knows that Ciana, who is smart beyond her 3 1/2 yrs, will help get Jacob down the aisle at the wedding.  Jacob is also sporting Joe Boxer briefs.

Double-click on the YouTube icon to view in Full Screen Mode.

Rod and Danielle Go Viral! Thanks Everyone!

I have to take time out to say thank you to all my YouTube viewers!  My channel just went over 2 million yesterday.  That's so unbelievable to me!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  It was just January when I announced the channel had reached 1 million.  So two months later, we have added another million.  Who needs $640 million dollars, when you can get your millions in video views?

There is one video that has gone viral.  It is the video where Rod and Danielle met the first time.  I noticed something strange was happening with it because every week the blog views for that one was showing up as one of the most viewed.  When I finally took a look at the YouTube numbers I was in shock.  HUH?  Anyway, that video just turned a year old on March 22nd and is currently at

599,817

Crazy, right?  It only has 61 dislikes, so I guess it's not a total fluke.  I did find out, looking at the stats, that 63% of the views are referrals from within YouTube.  So I am eternally grateful for all the love and support you guys are showing Morristown.  How perfect that today I start shooting the wedding activities.  I should have a video up no later than Wednesday.  Mind you, this wedding will take the entire month of April to get through.  We don't want to miss any of the good stuff.  

In this video, it is the morning after they arrived at the beach house. Danielle was the work-a-holic who got up early to do some computer work.