Time For Change

 There comes a time when changes need to be made, when capacity has surpassed that former space, and now craves a bigger, better challenge; a new opportunity. When I began my blog, Teatime Thoughts, the title was appropriate for the season I was in, and as I continued to learn, grow, and move toward the passion and dreams for my life, it has brought me to a place where that title no longer feels sufficient. While I still do love tea, and the bond that is shared between friends over a warm cup of chai, the overall direction of my blog has changed and matured over the years, and the title needs to fit that transition. So with that said, you'll see some changes around here, beginning with the title, and continuing toward exciting, fresh things! I'm really grateful to all of you who have faithfully read from early on, and for those who have joined along the way. There's a lot more in store, and I cannot wait to share more details soon! 

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Thursday Giveaway

It's Thursday Giveaway..let's be honest, who doesn't love getting fun things in the mail? Especially when it's free, yay!

As a little treat to you, we're giving away a beautiful journal set, perfect for writing out those goals and dreams for your life, along with an adorable gold-foil embellished notecard set by Graphique with 4 different prints included!

To enter, check out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Favorite

Today I thought it would be fun to look back a little, and share some of my most popular posts. These are ones that have been enjoyed most frequently..from inspiration to fashion, there's a little bit of everything in there. Enjoy!

This outfit from Weekend Wanderings went all over Pinterest & Tumblr. Who knew everyone else loved mint pants & stripes too? :)

Sunsets & Sequins.. still one of my favorite combinations, and it's perfect for the holidays coming up! The mix of textures and color is fun and pretty!

Wordless Wednesdays were actually started because I had writer's block and couldn't think of what to say..sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words :)
and here's a few other favorites.. Wordless Wednesday

A Girl's Guide To Simple Entertaining
I really love to plan and host parties..yay for celebration! Here I shared some some tips so you can throw a beautiful event with ease! I couldn't have been more thrilled when Lucky Magazine picked this one up..how exciting!! :)

What fun is fashion if not for Glitter (Miu Miu inspired!) and a little Break The Rules (do you dare?) :)

We've chatted with rising stars over cappuccinos Coffee Talk: Shelby and got an inside look at the life of a professional ballerina.

And last but not least, we've talked about how to manage busy schedules and Big Rocks and what to do when things don't go your way, Oh Joy!

Have a favorite? Let me know which one you've enjoyed! If you have any favorite posts not mentioned here, leave them in the comments as well! I'd love to know :)

Happy Monday, everyone!

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Coffee Talk: Amanda

Today you're in for a treat! I've got the lovely Amanda here to chat about style, fall trends, and a little behind the scenes of blogging. You're going to absolutely love her! Make sure to check out her blog afterwards! Ok, grab your mocha and let's chat!--C
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Hi there!  I'm Amanda and I blog over at Eloquent English!  A blog that has nothing to do with speaking eloquently, and everything to do with fashion, lifestyle and stuff.

a little about me and a little about style...

So, how did you get into blogging?
To be honest, boredom.  With my job responsibilities, I found that I would go through major spurts of downtime.  I use to shop a lot online and I'm pretty sure the UPS man figured if there wasn't a package delivered that day I must have fallen ill.  I figured I should probably do something else other than spend money, so I started a blog.

What's the one thing you learned about yourself from blogging?
That the word 'eloquent' is rather ironic as I am a terrible writer!  Over the last year I've been able to practice my writing skills and hone in on what I really enjoyed writing about.  I think that's one of the most important things about having a blog.  Write about what you love!


I so agree! Now, let's talk fashion..How would you describe your personal style?
From day to day that can change, but for the most part I'm pretty simple and classic.  Some days I dress in Banana Republic and others I like to dress a little more down to earth in Urban Outfitters.  I guess it just depends on my mood.

What was your most recent purchase?
Hunter Rain Boots!  I'm not sure why I wanted so long to purchase them, oh I know why, because my husband thought I'd never wear them.  He was wrong!  I'm so glad I bought them!

You've hit snooze one too many times..yikes! What's a quick go-to outfit when your running late?
I tend to layer a lot of clothes since I'm always cold.  I'd probably throw a pair of skinny jeans, my polka dot sweater and a cute pair of heels AND if my hair isn't blown out, I'd throw it up in a big ole bun!


What are your fall style essentials?
I think there are definitely some essentials for a persons closet including: Trench coat, nude pumps, skinny jeans, neutral cardigans, good watch, a pencil skirt or two, chambray shirt, colorful skinny belts to add a pop of color, well made t's and maxi skirts.

Fall Must Haves by eloquentenglish featuring tall skirts

J.Crew long sleeve top / J.Crew button shirt / Calypso St. Barth long top / Mango double breasted coat / 7 For All Mankind skinny fit jeans / J.Crew tall skirt / J.Crew tall skirt / Ankle length skirt, $52 / Camel pumps / Black shoes / FOSSIL sparkle jewelry / Warehouse metallic belt

Can you share your top 3 style tips?
1. If you find something that you love, it's okay to buy more than one of it.  If it works well, why not?
2. Be open minded!  Sometimes we say, 'it's cute, but it's not me'.  Try it on anyways, you never know!
3. Scarves are a great affordable accessory this time of year.  You can wrap it around your neck, wear it as a headband, tie it on your purse or wear it as a belt.  So many options!

Jeans and t-shirt or dress?
I'm definitely a jeans and a t-shirt girl.  I'm one for the utmost comfort!  Don't get me wrong, I still own plenty of dresses!

Flats or heels?
Heels all the way!  I have a lot of shoes, but I find myself grabbing my nude heels a lot.  For one, heels make you taller and at 5'4" I need a little height.  The nude color also makes your legs look longer! and the nude color matches almost everything.

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Celebrate Summer Giveaway

What better way to celebrate these last sweet moments of summer with a giveaway?! Some of my sponsors have generously teamed up to put together a fabulous bunch of prizes for some lucky Teatime Thoughts readers!

A $20 Forever 21 Gift card from Dulce of Dulce Taylor

*for Blogger only*

A total blog redesign (a header, about me blurb with photo, navigation bar, and social media icons) 

From Emily of Oh Hello Love

A surprise Summer Essentials gift package from me :) 

There will be 3 winners (one for each prize) and winner will be contacted by email, so please remember to leave that in your comments! There's lots of chances to win :) The giveaway will run until Tuesday, August 21st! Best of luck to you! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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New Friends

It's always such a delight to introduce you to some of the coolest and most talented girls around. Somehow I get so blessed to have them as sponsors here at Teatime Thoughts! You are going to absolutely love these fabulous ladies, so I encourage you to check out their blogs, get to know them and let them know I sent you :) 

Hi! I'm Ariel, a student, living in Seattle, loving every moment of life. I am working towards a degree in Communication and Psychology and hope to pursue a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I love dancing, drinking coffee, learning, my family, and above all, my creator God. I have no idea where the events in life will take me, but I am having so much fun waking up each day and seeking the ways that God wants to use my life for his glory. 

My blog, On A Whim, is a place to document the things and people that I love. I love using pictures to tell stories. I blog about fashion, cooking, my job, my travels, and events in my life that I find especially inspiring or amazing. I hope you will soon be a part :)

Twitter  Pinterest  Blog Lovin  Instagram

Hey y'all!  I'm Gennean, and I'm the girl behind the blog Loved, not Lost.  Once very lost, lonely, and searching for love, I am now a beloved daughter of God who has been saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.  I view the life I've been given and everything that comes along with it as a gift from God to be used for His glory.  Loved, not Lost is where I share my thoughts and revelations on my faith in Christ, including the good, the bad, the exciting, and the painful.  I'd love for you to grab a cup of coffee, hop on over, and stay a while... I can't wait to meet you!

Twitter  Pinterest  Instagram 

One part theologian, one part rebel, completely God's. Tiffany is a recent college graduate who can't wait to be a teacher. Among her favorites are Jesus, reading, travel and other cultures. Currently, she's preparing for the adventure of lifetime: moving overseas. Her blog, The Wandering Theologian, is a place of theological musings, travel journaling and a smattering of book reviews. 
Twitter   Bloglovin  

Looking For You!

Are you looking to get the word out about your fabulous blog, business or Etsy shop? 

I'd love to have you as a part of my sponsor team! 

With the blog world growing as rapidly as it has, sponsoring is an excellent opportunity for you to get some exposure, as well as a chance to make friends and meet some of the most fun and fantastic readers around. Here, at Teatime Thoughts, you'll have chances to guest post, host giveaways and much more. 

Check out my Contact page for more info on becoming a August/September sponsor!

Can't wait to see you on the blog!

-Candice

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So Why Do You Blog?

I am so happy to welcome another fabulous blog friend of mine to be here with you guys! Jenny is a total sweetheart...can't wait for you all to meet her too! Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello! Thanks for being here, girl! xoxo

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Hello, lovely readers of Teatime Thoughts! I am excited to be here on Candice’s blog today.  My name is Jenny and I am the author of Jeneric Generation, where I attempt to write about my Y-generation tendencies in a way that is honest and frank. I love reading Teatime Thoughts, and think Candice has great style, but most importantly, I love how she uses clothing and color to reflect her personality. That is truly “personal style”, is it not?

So, a little about me and why I blog…

This is a picture of me in a graveyard on my honeymoon a few months ago. It was the best picture I could find to set the mood for a light-hearted discussion on blogging. Just kidding. But did you know that an appreciation of irony is a key part of being in Generation Y? I am so serious about that.

Last October, I married a guy who is not even in my generation. Isn’t that crazy? When we first started dating, some of our discussions caused me to question a few pre-conceived notions I had about the world--simply because we grew up 8 years apart.

Despite my blog name, I am not completely absorbed in analyzing Generation Y. That would wear me out completely. I get tired just thinking about that, actually. I want to stress that I have always been skeptical of labels…I used to call myself a perfectionist until I realized that was more of a mental trap than anything else. Hi, I’m Jenny and sometimes I go crazy if things are not perfect. But nothing in this world is perfect, so this is me telling you all that I am going to just relax.

But occasionally, I do like to focus on the fact that I am part of Generation Y. Not to close myself in, but rather, because it is a good place to start asking questions--and I find knowing the why to be very therapeutic.

Like most other bloggers, I strive to always be honest and to write what I know and what I feel with the full knowledge that I might look back and laugh at myself one day.  But most importantly, I write to confront myself, always. And I love it when other people tell me they can relate to what is most consuming my thoughts at the time. None of us are as original as we imagine ourselves to be, and I for one find that to be so refreshing.

In summary, my primary goal for blogging is a little selfish: I wish to poke fun at myself in the hopes of sorting out thoughts that could be ensnaring me without my knowledge.  I love discussion and long for clarity in my thinking, and articulation in expressing my thoughts.

So here I raise a glass (or tea cup?) to honesty and candor, and hope that we can all learn a little bit more about the commonalities that make us human. If you care to stop by for a visit, I would be more than happy to meet you.

Thanks again, Candice, for letting me take up a portion of your cozy little blog. Teatime Readers, it’s been a real pleasure.

-Jenny

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