One of my favorite pastimes is enjoying afternoon tea at a tea house and catching up on girl talk. It’s relaxing, fun and just a pleasant experience. While it’s fun to go out from time to time, I wanted to try and replicate this experience at the comfort of our own home. We went ahead and shopped for some of our favorite finger food, sliced and diced seasonal fruit, put together a variety of finger sandwiches (egg salad,  chicken salad, smoked  salmon and cucumber) and visited the local bakery for another helping of sweet treats. By the time the girls rang the doorbell, we were ready for our girls’ date of afternoon tea and crafts.

There’s something about locks and schmear, bite-sized sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres, mararons, and mini desserts – too delicate to eat – that warms the heart and opens up the conversation. Pair this lovely spread with some blooming artisan tea and it’s pure decadence.