Guests at Tropical Tea Party, originally uploaded by Ayala Moriel.

Guests at Tropical Tea Party, originally uploaded by Ayala Moriel.

Guests at Tropical Tea Party, originally uploaded by Ayala Moriel.

Guests at Tropical Tea Party, originally uploaded by Ayala Moriel.

And of course - the people make all the difference. I was fortunate to have the most amazingly passionate, sweet and fun guests at my last couple tea parties. I have a feeling they all enjoyed smelling the different raw materials, discovering my perfume collection - and of course, sipping on some fine tea and nibbling on the pastries and tea sandwiches we made for the party (this time I got my boyfriend and his sister to my rescue as temperatures went so high I had to leave baking to evening only (meaning: very last minute). Everything turned out delicious...!