A Tea Party for the Birds

What you need:

1. Antique tea cups and saucers (3 of each)
2. Diamond drill bit and electric drill
3. 3 x 6mm threaded steel rods
4. 3 x 6mm Wing nuts and 3 x 6mm standard nuts

Instructions:
Get together some old tea cups and saucers. We purchased a bright coloured mixed set of 3 from our local thrift shop for 50 cents each piece. Sets displayed in odd numbers always look nicer.

Drill holes through the centre of each cup and saucer the size of your steel rod. To drill the holes, place your cup or saucer securely in a vice, wrapped in a tea towel for extra protection. We used a small diamond drill bit to get through the ceramic. It is a very tough material, and it was a slow procedure (about 10 minutes per hole). Go slow and rinse the drill bit with water after every 5 seconds to keep the drill bit cool. There may be other drill bits more suited for this material.

Once drilled, thread a wing nut upside down onto a rod, thread the saucer on top, then the tea cup and then the bolt on top. Tighten the wing nut and bolt so all is secure.

Once finished, you can decide if you want to fill the feeder strictly with birdseed or use the cup for water and the saucer for seeds. Now just sit and wait while your backyard birds sing for their supper. And of course, as with any project, there are as many variations as their are people.

3 Healthy Summer Blender Drinks to Try for your Summer Party

For these fresh, light and low cal. summer drinks that are an easy breezy treat! All you need is a blender. These are easy and healthy for all your summer party entertaining. 

Watermelon Breeze

3 cups cubed chilled watermelon

1 cup coconut water

squeeze of fresh lime

Ice if needed

Sprig of mint

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Makes two servings.

90 calories per serving.

Melon Mojito

2 cups cubed Honeydew Melon (I like to freeze mine)

1 cup cubed English Cucumber

1 cup coconut water (I freeze this into cubes too!)

12 fresh mint leaves

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Agave or honey squirt

Blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

95 calories per serving.

Vanilla Peach Treat

2 cups sliced fresh peaches

1 cup cubed Asian pear

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1 cup coconut water frozen cubes

Dash of cinnamon

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

160 calories per serving.

CHILL OUT this Summer: A Cool Way to Entertain

 Summer heat waves can make anyone feel lethargic and we all need a way to cool off. Try these delicious and healthy solutions to beat the heat this summer. Use fresh fruit, herbs or edible flowers to make popsicles, flavoured ice cubes for drinks or get even more creative.

Fill your favourite blend into popsicle molds for children's treats or garden parties and have everyone talking about your incredible edibles!

 Use fresh citrus or berries in ice cubes to add a zest of colour and taste to your summer punch!

If you are feeling adventurous, use two bowls as an ice mold and fill it with edible herbs and fresh mint to compliment punch or fruit salads!

Try any of the following delicious and healthy combinations or get creative and make your own. Just remember to always make sure you are certain that you are using the correct herbs and flowers and that any fruits and flowers are small enough to freeze in y our molds.

Orange and Mint

Rose petals and Mint

Pansy and Blueberry

Strawberry and Mint

Strawberry, Raspberry and Blueberry

Pansy and Lemon Verbena

Pineapple and Pansy

Orange and Pineapple

Raspberry and Rose petals

Rose Petals and Pomegranate

Rose petals and Orange

Orange and Pomegranate

Strawberry and Rose Petals 

Orange and Pansy

Orange and Blueberry

Lime and Mint 

Blueberry and Rose Petals

Violet Flowers and Blueberry

Pineapple, Orange and Violet Flowers

Strawberry and Pineapple

French Bedroom Set

Drop by the store and visit our new pieces which are perfect for your summer bedroom redecorating!

 French chest of drawers

 French Vanity with fold up mirror

French side tables

Jewelry Storage Tips

Now that Spring Cleaning is over and you have started to show off your summer collection, it may be time to de-clutter your space. If you are someone who has the perfect accessory for any outfit but no time and space to organize them all, check out these unique, time-saving storage ideas that will have your friends talking about your innovative ideas that show case all of your lovely items while keeping your space clutter-free.

 Old teacups are great for rings, earrings and bracelets, leave them on a vanity table or placed as an accent in your room to create an interesting look and organized space. Hit thrift sores, garage sales or grandma's cupboards to find elegant old teacups with a stylish look.

 Dessert trays are excellent for storing small brooches or hair clips, especially if they have bright colours.

 An old mannequin or sewing Judy will make an excellent brooch or necklace holder and fits into most corners with no hassle at all. Plus they come in handy when figuring out a new outfit combination.

 To make a quick jewelry display, buy some gorgeous decorative handles and place them on a cork board which has been painted or covered in fabric, you could even use an old antique frame to accent them.

 Imagine Champagne glasses filled with gems and sparkling jewels, what an elegant way to let your treasures overflow.

 An old drapery rod and some shower hooks are great for storing necklaces without getting them tangled and broken. This idea is like a closet for all your best pieces.

Antique thread spools are great for storing bracelets or necklaces. They add character and vintage charm to any space. Hang them on a wall fro necklaces or stand them stacked with bracelets.

Petit Trianon Style Table

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for a new way to display your elegant desserts and beautiful French pastries that you enjoy with tea. In My Paris Apartment Antiques, this elegant side table would make a lovely corner addition to any room and weighs so little that you can bring it on your lawn for a picnic. I don't doubt that Marie Antoinette would have had a table such as this at her relaxing retreat, Petit Trianon.

Whether you want it for your Paris Apartment or your palace in Versailles, this elegant side table is just what you're searching for.

It is the perfect size for tea and macaroons

These drawers are perfect for playing cards, small books or jewelry

Vintage Bombe Shaped Side Table with Bow Front. High style shabby chic table with two drawers in a French design. Dimensions: H27"xW18"xD18." 

Pamper yourself this summer... Your home is your palace after all...