I sometimes feel guilty when I take time for myself. With a busy business and personal life, including my kids' sports activities and running my household, I'm wired to stay busy. However, watching my mom not relax while caring for my sick dad and managing her household made me realize the importance of self-care. So I remind myself to recognize when I'm feeling exhausted and irritable and practice self-care. It's just as important as exercising and eating healthy to live an enjoyable life. I want my daughter to find balance in her adult life and remember me as someone who took care of herself.
As we start 2024, I encourage you to develop daily habits that help you find balance and practice self-care. You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook for fun ways to do this. I intentionally design products to promote self-care through daily use.
In 2023, I accomplished many of the things I set out to do and more. But as I look ahead to 2024, I want to make sure I prioritize the things that truly matter, such as spending more time with my family, growing my business, and exploring new places. I believe that doing the things we love and spending time with the people we care about is what makes life worth living.
One of the things I've realized is that life is too short to hold grudges or be angry. That's why I told my husband that in 2024, I want to love people more. Even when someone irritates me, I will choose to double down on loving them rather than reacting with anger or bitterness. I believe that spreading love is one of the best ways to make a difference in 2024. So, as we embark on a new year, I'm excited to see what opportunities and adventures lie ahead. I'm determined to make the most of every moment, to prioritize the things that truly matter, and to spread love wherever I go. Watch out, world, because there's love in the air!
]]>This year, I received a vintage teapot as a present, and it was one of the best presents I have ever received. The teapot was a work of art, with intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship that added beauty to the tea-drinking experience. Collecting teapots can be more than just a hobby; it can be a way to cherish memories and bring people together. My collection started with two teapots that my dad bought over 40 years ago, and I have carried them with me through various moves. Over the years, I have steadily grown my collection, and each teapot has a story to tell.
For me, a teapot represents love, friendship, and community. It can be used every day, and it can be a companion for a solitary tea-drinking experience or shared with friends and family, bringing people together. I dream of opening a Gala Tea and Gifts location one day, where I can serve my customers with my teapots and share my love for tea with others. As I plan for 2024, one of my goals is to use my teapots more often and not just when guests stop in but develop a practice of using them each day.
A thoughtful gift such as a vintage teapot can be much more than a teapot. It can be a work of art that adds beauty to our lives and represents love, friendship, and community. It can be a way to cherish memories and bring people together and a source of joy and inspiration. Dreaming of opening a Gala Tea and Gifts location can be the starting point for a wonderful journey that brings happiness and fulfillment to our lives.
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You want to make sure to use the whipped lotion that will keep your skin supple and soft. Applying it all day keeps you in a sweet smelling cold of fragrance. If you like Vanilla, bergamot, sweet orange and delicate musk scent than this combination is your you.
Pink diamonds are a girl's best friend. #smellgoodallday #pinkdiamonds
]]>I have a confession to make, and you should sit down and get cozy for a bit. I am admitting that I lost my true identity after having kids. I need you to hear me when I say I love my kids. But the reality is I have put my needs and feelings aside for about a decade since raising my kids.
Can you relate? I hope so; otherwise, it will be side-eyes and awkward conversations from you the next time we see each other at an event. If you don’t have kids at home, have you buried yourself in work and don’t know where you start and your job ends? Working from home has created the never-ending work day.
Here’s the reality, as busy moms and co-workers, it is hard to balance it all. Some days I am a great mom and a terrible employee; other days, I am a rockstar employee and a terrible mom. What I am learning is I need to take control of my life again. I am learning to put boundaries up to keep my time sacred. I let my husband drive the kids to school in the morning, giving me 30 glorious minutes to myself. I drink a cup of tea, write in my journal and sit before I start my day.
P.S. Please join me on the path of prioritizing yourself too. You can start by picking up one of our loose-leaf teas or our fan-favorite chai teas.
Cheers,
Angela
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This pop up event is the Springtown Hop & Shop on the Square. Below is the Facebook events page about the who/what and where. Looks like there are going to be things for the kids and adults. We will be at Market 76082 in their parking lot.
https://www.facebook.com/events/683852692818151/
This event is by far our one of favorite events of the year and if you only make it out to one event this April, make it this one. Come out and enjoy the vendors, music, the great German food and rides....and of course Gala Tea and Gifts. Last year was such a blast seeing old friends and meeting new ones.
http://muensterchamber.com/about/
Please come out and enjoy these two events with us. We can't wait to see everyone and catch up.
Cheers!
Angela
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Do you love chocolate? Join me in welcoming the newest addition to the Gala Tea and Gifts "Taste Good" Collection
Just in time for the holidays, we are pleased to announce our newest product in our “Taste Good” collection, the Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans. They come in three flavors: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and Marble. You will find that these treats make easy stocking stuffer gifts that family and friend will enjoy.
Great for a delicious snack and pick me up.
Perfect size for a gift or stocking stuffer.
Pair the expresso beans with your favorite chai tea for an after-dinner dessert experience.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
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Brr, fall has finally shown up in Texas. I hope your lawns appreciated the rain and your air conditioner gets the rest it needs before next summer of 2022. Christmas is 51 days away!
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We are entering the final stretch of 2021. Are you ready for the holiday season? What in the world are you going to bring to your mother-in-law’s for Thanksgiving? Is she incredibly picky about what you can get?
Your problem is solved – bring a teapot size of Pumpkin Bliss Chai tea. This drink can be part of the appetizer or dessert round of Thanksgiving. A definite crowd pleaser and delicious compliment to the actual pumpkin pie.
Now let’s get ready to talk about Christmas shopping. I will be out at pop up events at the following locations and dates:
Lastly, keep your eyes open for our Black Friday deals and CyberMonday offerings.
I hope you stop by in the next couple of weeks to say hello.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
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Hi Friends,
Do you ever wish you had more time? I certainly do, and I don't want to give up sleep to get more done in my day. So here are some easy 15-minute time-savers that can get your mornings and day moving swimmingly:
1) Prepare and pack lunches and snacks the night ahead. When I make the kid's lunches the night before, it honestly makes the morning coordination of humans and backpacks easier.
2) Plan everyone's outfit the night before.
3) Do a brain dump of all your "need to get done" in a journal and feel the joy when you check or cross them off during the day/week.
4) Avoid the drive-thru line and fill your tea kettle the night before with water so you can enjoy your chai tea in the morning
5) Grocery shopping online. I typically make all my shelf-stable items purchases online, and then I run in to select my meat and veggie products.
Save the date & some money: Tuesday, September 21, is National Chai Day.
Just in time for our first cold front of the fall season on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, is National Chai Day. You can save 25% on your chai tea online order for one day only! I will enjoy the high 50's in the morning for the next couple of days. Yay!
Pop up shopping event - Oktoberfest in Muenster, TX
See us in person on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Muenster, TX Oktoberfest from September 30, 2021, to October 2, 2021. If you have not been to this great event, make time and enjoy the German music and delicacies. New whipped soaps are debuting at the show just in time for early Christmas shopping.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
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Do you ever have a week that just stinks? Well, last week has brought me challenges in spades. Relearning 4th and 6th-grade math to help my kids, navigating drop-off and pick-up lines in the rain, and vendor shipping delays have been some of the issues that made me cross. So how do I not let that spiral into a grand pity party, the one that just creates more strife in the family and business?
I count my blessings. I write down ten things that I am grateful for in my journal. I try to make my blessings different, and sometimes that is hard. But as a Walk the Moon song lyric goes:
No matter what you want,
Somebody else wants it just as bad
No matter what you got,
Somebody else has got it worse
So here are my blessings, I am grateful for:
Come tell me about how you count your blessings at our next popup shop on Saturday, August 28, 2021. We will be at TF Vineyard & Winery in Boyd, TX. Enjoy the newly built covered patio and the tasty wine as you shop. We will have our Artic Cooler with us to keep you comfortable as you shop.
Address: TF Vineyard & Winery - 162 Pr Rd 4689, Boyd, TX 76023
Event hours: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Cheers,
Angela Booth
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The best part of vendor shows is seeing our customers in person. The second-best part of vendor shows is getting to meet the other show vendors. For example, if you stopped by the Germanfest show in Muenster, TX, you might have visited Batter’s Up bakery. I was thrilled that I had easy access to a baker for three days. Out of Valley View, TX, Amanda Williams runs Batter’s Up, and she is baking and creating amazing dessert delights every day.
You can find Amanda online at her Facebook page, Batter’s Up, Gainesville CAB Market on specific days, and at the CAB main market open on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. In addition, Amanda offers kids cooking classes with additional details on her Facebook page. Amanda’s long-term plan is to open up a retail storefront to expand her menu offerings, including breakfast and lunch items. I wish her great success as she works on her plan.
Summer Vacation Note
The dog days of summer are upon us, and we are in the home stretch going into August 2021. Chris and I are taking a family vacation from Friday, July 23, 2021, to August 1, 2021, to spend time with the kids before school starts on August 12, 2021. So if you place an order on Thursday, July 22, 2021, please note your items will ship on Monday, August 2, 2021.
Get your orders in before our short vacation.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
]]>Cheers,
Angela Booth
]]>Hi Friend,
Let me share what moms want for Mother's Day.
As a kid growing up, Mother's Day was a craft-filled bonanza. Glitter and Elmer's glue were my tools. As a mom, I love getting my kids clumsily-made gifts. They are sweet with honest affection about how much they care for me and I have a box of them that I treasure.
But let's get real and countdown what mom truly wants for Mother's Day:
5. Hand-made crafts are still awesome. Writing a letter to your mom to say how much you love her, list out the five things you appreciate her or how she inspires you. Text messages are okay, but the real deal goes a long way.
4. Permission to take her leadership hat off. Give Mom a break and don't let mom get stuck making decisions on where to eat, how to dress people, or doling out punishments.
3. Chore-free day. Mom does not want to make anyone a meal, load the dishwasher, run the laundry machine, vacuum, sweep, or go to Walmart to pick up groceries. Honestly, when Chris loads the laundry machine and dryer, it makes me love him all the more. Bonus, he does not just do it on Mother’s Day but helps out all the time.
2. Give her permission to put herself first for the day. Seriously, you have to tell the mom in your life (or if you are a mom reading this email to tell yourself); it's okay to take time to herself. The gift of reading a book, or taking a bath with NO DISRUPTIONS is heaven on earth.
1. Pamper her and let her take time to honor herself. Give her a gift basket with all the items she loves to eat, drink or read.
If you need ideas on how to pamper mom, check out our online store for inspiration. The last day for local delivery is Friday, 05/07/2021. If you need items shipped, please submit your order by Tuesday, 05/05/2021, end of business in order to deliver by Saturday, 05/08/2021.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
Owner
Catching up
Woo wee, where do I start? It has been a stretch of time since I sent out a note from Gala Tea and Gifts. Honestly, life has gotten hectic at the Booth household in between kid baseball and soccer games. Clearly, my mommy hat has been squarely on my head. I am ready now to switch over to friend and purveyor of all things tasty and smelling great.
Are you looking for a road trip?
I hope you got the Facebook note that we were in Aubrey, TX last month for the TX-Ture Farms Alpaca festival. Are you feeling adventurous and looking for day trip fun during the next couple of weekends? Come out to Springtown, TX on Saturday, April 17, 2021, for a local artisan spring shopping event at the Cowboy Church, 790 County Road 3696, Springtown, TX 76082-3847. There will be about 25 - 30 vendors in attendance along with Gala Tea and Gifts.
You can also take a drive to Muenster, TX for Germanfest the weekend of April 23 to the 26, 2021 at Heritage Park, 301 N Ash St, Muenster, TX 76252. This 3-day event starts Friday night and runs through Sunday afternoon. Bring the kids on Saturday or make it a date night and come on Saturday night by dancing the night away. This event is full of artisan crafts, live music, as well as great food. We will be in attendance as a vendor enjoying the warm hospitality of the german atmosphere.
Savings baby
You don't want to forget to take advantage of the event discounts. We discount our products for the events! Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9, 2021; save time and money while picking out unique gifts for her. While you're at it, gift yourself at the same time - win/win.
New Products - woo hoo!
What's ahead: I added new whipped soaps in Honeysuckle Blossom, Into the Rose & Woods, and Love Potion #11. I am finalizing my product packaging for the silky body oil line that I am adding this Spring 2021. All the new products are available for purchase at the upcoming April 2021 shows. I am crossing my fingers that I'll get them up and loaded on the website soon.
I promise to keep the updates coming and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Cheers,
Angela Booth
Owner
That's right; we are talking about Valentine's day already.
]]>What is the #1 tip for an enjoyable Valentine's Day? Planning and effort.
That's right; we are talking about Valentine's day already. You don't want to wait until the last minute for making a dinner reservation (although this year eating a home would probably be better) or worse yet, grabbing something from the grocery store last minute that says, "Hey, look what I just picked up....again."
If you plan on getting a gift for that special someone, make sure:
1) You make your dinner reservations ahead of time - call or use Opentable.com
2) If you order an item, make sure it is in stock
3) If you order the item, can it be delivered in time to make it on or before Valentine's Day.
What is effort? Some years it's just saying Happy Valentine's day and a quick peck on the check. Other years it is a surprise trip out of town and some well-deserved relaxation and snuggling time. Think about what your special someone likes and dislikes. One year Chris wrote me a letter, and I have saved it to this day. It means remembering that Valentine's Day is Sunday, February 14, 2021, this year.
I wish you a fun and festive Valentine's Day. The world needs more love and I hope you take a moment to love those near and dear to you.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
]]>Hello Friends,
Great news Chris and I have been thinking about how to offer a larger value size to our fans of chai teas.
We are now offering a large 10 serving size of our chai tea and in all of the flavors.
The Gala size is our best value for super fans of specific flavors or those who are looking to entertain and want to provide their guests with an amazing chai tea experience.
We find that a Gala Size will last about a month before you need to reorder again.
Cheers!
Angela Booth
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Question 1: Who are we?
Chris and I are transplants from Southern California and moved to Texas 15 years ago. Hands down this was the best decision we made as a couple - no regrets. We enjoy traveling as a family and prefer to drive over flying. We have two amazing kids and we love serving others.
Question 2: Why do you run a small business?
We like how it allows us to be creative with developing our products and offerings. The business allows us to have freedom and to serve others while meeting new people. Going into the new year, we both think that self care is very important and we hope that in 2021 our friends take steps to actively take care of themselves.
Question 3: What are your favorite chai tea flavors?
Question 4: What's it like to run a family business?
Running a family business is both fun and challenging at the same time. The fun part is working together towards the common goal of providing taste good, feel good and smell good products. We both like finding solutions to problems together and brainstorming what value we can bring to our fans. It is also great that we can involve the kids and extended family at our popup events. The challenging part comes from the fact that we're both passionate about the business but we have two different approaches. We end up picking the best one or a blend of our two approaches to get the results we need
Question 5: Where are we going to travel to in 2021?
I think we'll be making our yearly trip to Destin, FL at some point this year and go check out the Georgia mountains to go hiking.
Cheers,
Angela Booth
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Cheers,
Angela Booth
]]>Can you believe it? There are 26 more days until Christmas. Today's sale will help you knock out the remaining gifts on your list. 20% off the entire store!
Cheers
Angela Booth
]]>Are you ready for today's Black Friday weekend sale? Have you been waiting to share the chai tea flavors with your family and friends? Today is the perfect day to pick a variety of the single serving chai tea flavors and share the tasty goodness. The single serving chai teas make great stocking stuffers as well.
Today is also support small business Saturday. I hope you pick the savings and support small business buy shopping locally today.
Cheers!
Angela Booth
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