All I’ve ever wanted is to host my own damn tea party, and since that’s definitely not happening for a long while, it’s time to start dreaming. This week’s That Artsy Reader Girl topic is all about bookish parties, so I’m going to live vicariously through my own dreamt up bookish party virtually.

I recently learned how to make my own macarons, and they’re surprisingly easy. Honestly, the hardest part was getting the filling right, but I chose a lemon curd filling, which I had to put on the burner twice after it didn’t thicken enough, and that was what gave me the most trouble. And obviously, I’ve still got ways I want to improve the macarons themselves. My feet didn’t rise that much, a few of them cracked, and they weren’t even. But I’d like to think that by the time I actually get around to having a bookish party, macarons will be old hat, and I’ll have a whole tier of different flavored ones.

And what’s the point of pastries if you don’t have copious amounts of tea? Every time someone visiting our house says they want tea, my whole family shouts that they have to actively go into my room so they can see the insanity. You can’t just say you want tea in this house. I have a tea for every possible situation. Black, green, white, oolong, puerh, herbal–you name it, I’ve got it. Thus, I’d have not just a single teapot with a single type of tea. I’d probably have stations for tea testing. Little shot glasses to figure out what you liked best, and then there’s the teapot for it.

Obviously, I’m all about food, and we haven’t even gotten to actual bookish stuff yet, but you can’t just have macarons! We need scones, as well, and many different kinds. Wild berry. Orange cranberry. Chocolate chip. Apple cinnamon. Scones with frosting. Scones with clotted cream. Scones with jam. Sure, we can have madeleines and cookies, too, but there’s got to be scones.

I think we’re all catching on by now that my “bookish party” is actually a tea party, which is really just an excuse to make everything Mad Hatter-themed. Don’t worry, there are going to be other bookish elements, but the real decorations and aesthetic would be completely centered around the Mad Hatter’s tea party. There would be empty frames everywhere, stacks of teacups, a sleeping mouse magically suspended in a cloud overhead, clutching an umbrella, a pile of eat me drink me treats, and probably cupcakes that were half-painted red.

Temporary Dregs tattoos? HECK YEAH. Sure, we can have other temporary tattoos, too, but the most important ones are the Dregs ones. Maybe even face-paint. Want to look like the too-clever fox? Now’s your chance. Want a crow eclipsing half your face? Let’s do it. Want to swear your undying loyalty temporarily? HECK YEAH.

Here me out, guys. Edible crystallized flowers. What’s more fae than that? I recently discovered these in a witchy recipe book that my friend got me, and I need those in my life as soon as possible. It’s going to be the most extra, most aesthetically pleasing thing I’ve ever done, and I can’t wait. I’m gonna say it again. Edible crystallized flowers. OKAY.

If you liked this, then read this! There has to be a section for book recs since this is a bookish party, after all. I’m totally chill with it not being books, too. If you liked Six of Crows, watch Peaky Blinders! But a place where people can either just sit to chat about what books sound like other books, or a place where people can write down their recs in a jar, and then maybe we can play a game where we chaotically shout out what books are similar to those in the jar. This could get wild pretty fast.

Back to food! Look, I think about it pretty much consistently, so this shouldn’t be surprising. In addition to the homemade macarons, scones, edible crystallized flowers, and, uh, actually ALL the other Alice in Wonderland-themed treats, too, we’re probably going to have to be rolled out of this party, but we’re also going to have Harry Potter themed treats. Chocolate wants, Bertie Bott’s, a Happee Birthdae Harry cake, tiny treacle tarts, sorting hat cupcakes, the works, guys.

Let me take this appropriately-timed opportunity to remind you that I am trash for Morgoth & Sauron’s eternal undying love for each other, so I think we should also have a fanart auction. Apparently this thing has gone global? Anyway, we’re definitely going to have everyone in the world at it so that all artists can auction off their amazing fanart, including my favorite Morgoth/Sauron artist, Phobs, of which I will buy everything, and y’all can just have your Raven Boys fanart, okay bye.

And lastly, as a party favor, you’ll leave with a blind book date! You can look at them throughout the party, but you can’t take one until you leave, so I feel like everyone is going to be lingering at this table off and on so they can have multiple choices just in case. And if you think you know what it is, then you don’t get to take it! Let this be an honest blind book date party favor because that’s when the real magic happens.
UHM WHEN ARE WE HAVING THIS PARTY
i will bake an aggressively decorated cake, and so many treats
also, book suggestion jar game is the best idea ever and i want to play it right now.
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AS SOON AS IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!
Fussy, dainty treats all around.
Just chaotic shouting about books. It’s basically what we do every day, but in the form of a game, and yes, now I want it, too.
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Uhhh my dude this party sounds AMAZING. I am so impressed by how well thought out this is! It sounds so fun! And I absolutely LOVE the idea of people picking a blind date with a book as a party favor, that’s literally the best thing I’ve ever heard.
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RIGHT! I’m hosting, you’re invited, post-isolation party.
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OH I just had a thought! You could have everyone bring their own blind date with a book to contribute, already wrapped and described, so that no one had to spend a bunch of money on providing them, and then everyone could share one of their favorite books!
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Oh my gosh, yes, you’re a genius!!! Like a book swap, but even better!
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Oh, I’d rather be invited in your bookish party! Haha those are lovelyyy
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Thank you! We’re going to have so much fun!
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Thinking about books, have you seen any of the online services that send you a box of tea, and a reclaimed book ? We were signed up for one of them for a few months last year – when money is a bit less tight we will go back to it – so much fun unwrapping the book each month to find out what it might be.
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I’ve been part of a couple of them over the years, but same as you, money is too tight to have them going right now.
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AH! That is a great list! 😀 YES TO ALL THE YUMMY SNACKS!
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ALL THE SNACKS! It’s going to be the best party ever.
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This is epic! Count me in!
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Consider yourself invited! We’re gonna have a blast.
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I’ve always wanted to get one of those covered up books with a description on them. They sound so fun!! Great post!!
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Right!! I always see them on Pinterest and wonder where the heck they are in real life.
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This sounds amazing! I used to host tea parties for my book club and it was super fun! It got to be a lot so now we just do a luncheon but I still bring out my good dishes. 🙂
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Ahhh, I’m so jealous! I’ve never actually hosted or been to a tea party, and it just sounds delightful!
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It’s a lot of fun! After collecting all kinds of tea things for a few years I finally had to break down and just do it because I wanted to use all my stuff LOL. 😀
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