Hi darlings,

It's been so long since I've touched this blog, yet alone even type anything.  I have some drafts saved from last year, hoping I'd build some momentum on doing consistent posting while sharing all the things during the pandemic that i've ventured to, or put together..

But sometimes all things aren't always peachy keen.  At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 M and I broke up, and a month after I had lost my job, along with everything not being clear, and not knowing how the future was like for anything I was at a low.  I'm so thankful for family and loved ones that helped me get through it, not long after I had met the sweetest film junkie (not to say nerd lol) and helped me see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, after almost dating for a year, we mutually had broken up and the rest was fat girl summer ;)..

I've been in therapy for 3 months now, I was blessed to have a job again and have been busy since, and my support system aka family and girlfriends have been stronger than ever. I'm so thankful to be able to have a job and still work from home, i'm sure my dog Winston enjoys it so much.

So now that we're up to speed, I want to continue to share more crafts, paper goods, home decor, and of course tea rooms and such.  This is the perfect time to start it all up since spooky season as already started. Just in case if you forgot checkout previous posts before of spooks at home and even at my happy place Disney :)

Afternoon tea at Disneyland Hotel: Trick or tea?:
http://www.raeandella.com/2019/10/halloween-time-trick-or-tea.html

Hello Hello!

Long time no blog? Yes you can definitely say that again.  Where do I even start? It's been nearly a year and so much change has happened both good and bad.  Can't we all agree that we're just all focused on taking 2021 bit by bit and just hoping for the best.

Even though 2020 had us staying at home for most of the time.. Life still happened and things we're still moving forward; I still had cards to make, snail mail to send, tea to be served, and dinners/brunches to host * of course in a very small capacity setting with distance ;).

I had a really lowkey Valentines day this year and had (2) different Galentines day with my closest girlfriends  which I went over their house,  with heart themed gifts and enjoyed take out or a home cooked meal with wine or rose!  Speaking of rose, i'd love to share a Galentines I put together last year for my best friend and a close friend that was visiting from Japan.  We had our Galentines day brunch for dinner.. does that make sense?! lol

99 Cents Store:
All the paper plates, paper straws and chocolates

Target:
Valentines day cards, and the pink, white, and red doilies.

Trader Joes:
Salad/Veggies, Smoked Salmon, Bagels, Rose & Cream Cheese.

Everything was so simple, but came out so festive and great.  Us 3 gals definitely had heart eyes the whole evening for dinner.  It's just so crazy to look back on that I had hosted this last year right before we went on lockdown in March. I'm so thankful I have a group of gals that are apart of my covid circle that I am able to see and spend time with even till this day.

It feels good to be able to share with you again, and bit by bit this year I will share all of things i've been doing during covid that can hopefully help or inspire you with your kids, or girlfriends or even significant other. :)

Where you able to do a Galentines day with your girlfriends or a Virtual one? XO

I'm very thankful for this time and each day i'm trying my best to focus on doing the things I haven't had time to do and solely focus on taking care of myself. As mentioned in my previous post, I haven't been going out as much only to grocery shop and weekly trips to the post office. My best friend did mention to me a few days ago that some grocery stores have stopped stocking bouquet of flowers and plants, that shipments have stopped coming to some stores..

I've been wanting to buy flowers for my place to add a little brightness and cheer.  But let's be honest, it's not really essential to go out and buy flowers.  Since I am staying home and saving money, I thought it'd be best to craft up some flowers to brighten up my quarantine days.




I had had a paper flower set from paper source for many years and haven't opened it up. I thought after doing a little work, i'd spend the rest of the afternoon crafting up flowers and i'm so glad I did!  It definitely brightens up the space and adds a little extra to the dining table as well.

The colors also worked out perfectly as it blends in so well in one of my consoles and dining room table. Another thing I've been trying to do daily is write letters, since April is National Letter Writing Month!  I have plenty of snail mail to share soon, as well as cards that i've been including when dropping off goodies to loved ones.

Have you done any crafting lately??!
Have a great weekend XO

This past Saturday we finally had some rain.  Well, maybe on and off sprinkles.  The weather was in the low 60's and rain was scattered on and off throughout different cities.  With the weather being this way I thought it'd be the perfect day to have afternoon tea. Plus, I try my best to go once a month ;)

My friend to whom I was spending Saturday with mentioned she's never gone to the four seasons tea room in Sierra Madre. If you know me well, this is one of my favorite tea rooms because the location is actually a house (& not in a plaza), and the scones are my absolute favorite. With the moody rain, and gloomy weather, catching up during afternoon tea was the perfect way to spend Saturday!


We both went all out and got the Royal afternoon tea which was a 4 course meal.  I'm always so satisfied as it starts off with a delicious spring salad with the yummiest vinaigrette.  After the salad is served in the beginning.. they bring out the tea sandwiches with edible flowers, following is the mouth watering fresh scones that they serve warm (right out of the oven!), and ends with little petite desserts that are easy to take home, since our tummies would be so full by then.

I've been to this tea room on so many occasions but have only shared it one other time here on the blog.  I even had rented out their garden outdoor area for my 25th birthday that I still have yet to share >.<.  I love this little gem of a tea room and can't wait to already go back :)

How did you spend your "rainy" day weekend?