Teavana: Heaven of Tea

If you haven't heard of Teavana, you've been missing out. Until recently, it's just been the cool tea store with the free samples of delicious tea at the St. Louis Galleria Mall. Then I went inside and fell in love with the gorgeous China sets and teapots. Forget wedding china. This is the stuff of dreams. This stuff is mad expensive, so I actually spent around $50 on an infuser mug, tea tin, and 5.30 oz of Dragon Pearl Tea Mix ($25 worth of tea ... I KNOW).
[info and images taken from Teavana website]

Song Dynasty Poem Bone China Tea Set $189.95

Grand Peacock Infuser Tea Mug $19.95

Green Cherry Blossom Sushi Set $39.95

Now here is the stuff I actually bought :

Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl Green Tea $12.00 for 2 oz (expensive!)

- This exceptional tea consists of the youngest green tea leaves scented 8-10 times with fresh jasmine blossoms. After the lengthy flavoring process, the leaves are hand-rolled into the shape of a pearl. During the infusion, the pearls unfold, slowly releasing the rich and surprisingly smooth fragrance and flavor of jasmine flowers. Good for multiple infusions. This is a perfect morning and afternoon tea.
- Jasmine blossoms added to this very high grade tea aids to relax your body and mind. Studies show green tea aids in detoxifying the body, regulates blood sugar, and promotes healthy teeth, skin, and bones. Green tea also contains polyphenols, which is a type of antioxidant that connects with free radicals at the cellular level to help prevent them from becoming cancer.
* Definitely not too sweet, a very light, calming tea with fragrant aromas. Hella expensive but some damn good tea.

Rooibos Tropica $4.80 for 2 oz

- A flavorful and amazingly fragrant blend of Green and Red Rooibos, strawberry, peach, sunflower and cornflower petals, and orange peel.
- High antioxidant content and rich in vitamins and minerals. Caffeine free, may aid in relieving allergies, and great for hair, teeth, skin, and bones.
* Part of the mix they had in the sample brew. Yummm.

Yves Glass Tea Infuser Mug $14.95

- This contemporary infuser mug is completely made of glass, so you can watch the tea leaves unfurl during steeping and enjoy the color of your tea as you drink it. Composed of Borosilicate glass that is stronger and more heat resistant than conventional glassware. You can steep tea completely in this mug, then simply remove the infuser to enjoy your hot tea. 12oz capacity. Top rack dishwasher safe.
* I'm tired of swallowing tea leaves and I refuse to use a tea leaf ball thing xD Worthwhile investment, methinks!

8 oz Teavana Tea Tin $6.00

- Keep your favorite teas fresh for up to one year! Our large air-tight tea tin protects your teas from light, air and moisture while sealing in the freshness. It will hold approximately a half-pound of tea, depending on the size/weight of the tea.
- This tea can also store Rock Sugar or any other food that needs to be sealed in a container. Front is designed to fit the removable tea labels so you can keep track of your teas. Tea tin is 6.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches in diameter.
* I got suckered into buying this ... oh well. We all need fresh tea!

I am very happy and $50 poorer. And I splurged on other stuff at the mall ... yeah ... about that shopping obsession? Working on it -____-

My Favourite Things: Gold Peak Iced Tea

I love a good iced tea, especially as motivation for cram night or a relaxing reward while reading a good book. Here at WashU, the on campus grocery store sells Gold Peak Iced Tea, bottled yummy tea of wonder. Though it's heavily overpriced, we still drink it up, quite literally. [My friends are probably laughing their faces off at the fact that I'm writing a post about this, but I know they'd love a bottle right now too xD]

It's very tasty and comes in 5 flavours: Sweetened (blue cap), Lemon (yellow), Diet (white), Green Tea (green), and Orange (Unsweetened). Though I haven't tasted Unsweetened because my school doesn't carry it, but I can testify that the 4 others are amazing and fresh. My favourites still have to be Sweetened and Green Tea because they're sweet and simple.

If you want to try some, you can find Gold Peak at local grocery stores and online. This site gives a good deal. 12 bottles for $16. Here it costs probably $4 a bottle. Oh private universities :( ...

This is probably the best iced tea you will ever drink!

OOTD + My Favourite Things: Forever21 Preppy Chic Sweater Tunic

I obsess drool love love LOVE this sweater dress! When I saw it on Forever21's site, I HAD to get it. I normally don't buy things on the internet because I'm too lazy to punch in my card number and don't like paying shipping, but $6-$7 extra was a good price to pay for nabbing THE LAST ONE off the internet :D However, it's a Medium so I was so scared it'd be too big on me. Luckily, it fits just right - not too loose, not skin tight ^__^

Total + shipping came out to be $33 something. The dress itself is $25.

A lot of people stared as I shopped in Forever21, probably wondering where I got it and which rack they can find it on hahhaa. I'll take that as a compliment? I loveeee this top/dress. It's definitely my style : ) Cute, with ruffles and semi-casual.

Hahaha I took these in H&M's dressing room. Note the red sale tag on the floor I was too lazy to pick up. I'm wearing flats but soon to change into red sexy pumps :D

Dress/Top: Forever21 Preppy Chic Sweater Tunic $25
Tights: Forever21 $6
Shoes: American Eagle Flats $20
Heels: Forever21 Erin Bowtie Patent Pump $19

With pumps:


Heels! (with the string still attached hahaha fresh out of the store)


And then I found out Taylor Swift bought it too and it instantly became less cool. I still love it though and I'm pretty convinced I make a cuter schoolgirl than her : ) She should stick to her cowboy boots and elegant dresses. Mine mine mine mine Forever21! (in the fashion of Finding Nemo's seagulls).

A few of these were left (Mediums) in San Jose's Westfield Mall, but I didn't see any in St. Louis Galleria. If you find one at your local Forever21, nab it! It's too cute to pass up.

My Favourite Things: Chi Chai Monchan

I'm going to start writing tidbits about things that give me joy in life. My favourite things may not be raindrops on roses (though they are very pretty) or whiskers on kittens, but I have lots and lots of them. Life's not made of all the huge achievements or the finishing line at the end of the road. It is the small things that make us smile when we're angry or on the verge of tears, it is the comforting pillow that we squeeze when we're in pain, it is the first kiss in 4 months worth of break. I love cute stuff :3

Chi Chai Monchan is a pink monkey from Sanrio (Hello Kitty's company).
He is: "A fun-loving little boy monkey with a whirly-curly tail, Chi Chai Monchan lives on a small tropical island in the South Seas where he spends his days climbing trees and eating bananas."

Chi Chai Monchan is not the most popular Sanrio character, which makes me feel special for liking him : ) I have a Island Monchan plushie at school living with his panda friends :D


Also, Charmmy Kitty, Hello Kitty's pet cat (I know, right?) is much cuter than her owner (who is getting old, at 35 this year)!