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| Wedgwood: a favorite of both BTS and Jane Austen. We're never sad with our Wedgwood blues. |
It may be self-validating or just an affinity for an annual activity that has ebbed more than flowed in recent years, but, we at BTS are thrilled to see that In/Out lists are, in fact, "in". As reported last week in the New York Times, (What's 'In' in 2024? In-and-Out Lists, Apparently), there has been a resurgence of media sources who opine on what's trending for the new year and what should be left behind in the old.
Although Barb's Tea Shop blog was not cited in the NYT article, we are comforted in the knowledge that we have been on the verge of a trend for over a decade. BTS began its In/Out list at the end of 2010, pooling from a variety of industry experts as well tapping into our own keen sense (or is that non-sense?) of all things fashionable.
With newfound support and a host of things to share, BTS, once again, offers up what it sees coming and going in 2024.
In and Out 2024:
In: Recluttering. A term coined in a Washington Post article last November and featured in the newspaper's In/Out list for 2024. It's defined as a "celebration of your stuff - stuff that you just want to hold on to, stuff that makes you happy, stuff that makes you feel nostalgic for a moment, a memory, or a loved one". That pretty much describes/gives justification to most of BTS' "ins". But style experts caution - recluttering isn't a "free for all". One must find balance.
Out: Clutter. Of course and once again. We feel there's progress made with the case for recluttering. We'll take the win.
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| Recluttering: Wedgwood Jasparware |
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| Two trends unite. Barbie & Wedgwood |
In: Wedgwood A classic. BTS has been a collector for decades, finding great company with impressive loyal fans such as Jane Austen. With recent additions of jasperware plates and an equally impressive reference tome, we're never sad when we get the Wedgwood blues. (see also: Barbies, see also: recluttering)
Out: Butter crocks. We dodged this failed trend by, we must confess, not knowing it existed. According to the New York Times, "What will life be like in 2024?" (January 1, 2024), butter crocks did not get the traction predicted for 2023. A quick check on the "internets" found, there was, indeed, some support for butter crocks invading last year's kitchens. The Spruce Eats, in March of 2023, recommended eight butter keepers with the tagline, "never struggle with cold, crumbly butter again". Apparently, the struggle was not real (enough).
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| Plaid is in! Tartanry is out! |
In: Mad for plaid: Inspired by a recent stay in Scotland, we have embraced plaid from apparel to home decor. The Princess Di plaid pattern scarf, with its soft blended hues of pinks and blues, adds a regal touch to almost any wardrobe, but we aren't stopping there. We've moved on to tartan touches in the guest bedroom and holiday tables.
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| Plaid for the holidays! |
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| Plaid for the bedroom. |
Out: Tartanry: A sentiment that fabricated tartan patterns along with a few other highly merchandised Scottish traditions are based more on marketing than long established traditions. However, after two hundred years of promo, BTS feels this can easily qualify for historic tradition. To those who hold on to this old belief, we say, put your tartanry in your bagpipe and smoke it.
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| Bridgerton, Season 3 is coming! |
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| Bridgerton in Bath, ready for our next tea. |
In: Season 3!! The third season is a "go" for both Bridgerton and The Gilded Age. The Bridgerton series is moving forward with Penelope and Colin's story in May. And, dear gentle readers, BTS is launching its new season in February with a Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea talk. (and, of course, more Gilded Age coming to BTS, too!)
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| Pride and Prejudice in Chinese |
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| Jane Austen in Bath and beyond. |
In: Jane Austen Everywhere! We love Jane and not only for her loyalty to Wedgwood. After two hundred years, the Regency-era author maintains rock-star status, inspiring movies, festivals, fan-fiction and a global following.
Jane may spur one to take a long (trip to) Bath, read her classics in different languages (we were gifted "Pride and Prejudice" in Chinese) or attend one of BTS' Austentacious Afternoon Tea Talks. We say all have much to recommend. But, wait, there's more. . . !
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| BTS has Austentacious teas ready for 2024 |
In: Being Mr. Wickham: It took us a trip across the pond to discover that Adrian Lukis, the actor who portrayed George Wickham in the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice (1995), had co-written and starred in a one-man play about the future of the rakish character that fooled even Elizabeth Bennet. (Adrian Lukis was a guest on a BBC morning show in October which we viewed on the telly in our London hotel). "Being Mr. Wickham" had a stint on Broadway this past June. This play would receive our greatest approbation if it returned for a fortnight or two.
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| Being Mr. Wickham continues this rakes tale. |
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| Adrian Lukis, aka "Wickham" chats on the telly. |
Out: Being Richard Simmons At least according to the former exercise guru and the star of "Sweating to the Oldies". A new biopic, starring Pauly Shore, is in the works, however, Richard Simmons was quick to post on social media that he is not involved with the movie and doesn't plan to be. Although Pauly Shore did not receive Simmon's approval, he believes, as quoted in Variety, that, ". . . We all need this biopic now more than ever". Hmmmm?
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| Prosperitea, players don tiaras and fascinators, and drink tea from Wedgwood cups (BTS version) |
In: Party games, with hats! We are excited to participate in "Prosperitea", a game of "artisanal tea blending". When we sit down to play, we and our guests will don requisite fascinators and tiaras. But, that trend doesn't end with refined afternoon tea festivities. We've expanded it to pinochle club, where guests select their appropriately-worded (and beautifully embroidered!) baseball caps to alert partners whether they were "going for jacks around" or will "bid like an Engman and play like a Gulley".
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| Elevate your card club with assorted snappy hats |
Out: Accessorizing for Wordle. We don't think this was ever in, but, to set the record straight, formal attire is highly discouraged for this daily challenge. Sweats and/or pj's are di rigueur. Same for Connections or Spelling Bee.
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| Harewood House, home to Princess Mary |
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| Spare may be "out" in the cold |
Royal In: Princess Mary. We're going back a century-plus, but with a recent biography on the only daughter of King George V (great Aunt of King Charles III) and given a subplot in the first Downton Abby movie, Princess Mary's story is back in the news. We visited her home, Harewood, (also featured in Downton Abby) this past fall and will share more in upcoming blogs! Royal On-the-Outs: Prince Harry. With last year's "Spare", Prince Harry spilled the tea on all the Royals, teeing up a somewhat chilly family reception when he returned for the King Charles III's coronation. To be continued, we're quite sure.
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| Chris before December of 2023 |
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| Chris proudly sporting Honolulu blue |
Out: "Viva Magenta" Pantone's color of 2023. It was chosen for being "brave and fearless" and promoting "joyous and optimistic celebration."
In: Colors of the year: While Pantone unveiled its color of 2024: "Peach Fuzz" for its "radiant and warmth and modern elegance. . . [noting it] effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless", we at BTS offer Honolulu Blue. Like Viva Magnta of yore, its fans have been brave and fearless for thirty years. May we be so lucky to experience a joyous and optimistic celebration!
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| Taylor Swiftea mug, also in. |
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| Taylor Swift is in. |
In: Taylor Swiftea Mug (and Travis Kelce). Fantasy football members and Swifties unite under one roof, or dome, or open air stadium (those in the northern climates, really need to rethink the latter). While we watch winter NFL games in Buffalo and Green Bay, and shudder in empathy with the players on the frozen tundra, we'll raise a cup of our favorite hot beverage in a Swift-tea mug.
(Possibly) Out: Jason Kelce. Talk of retirement just after a loss in the playoffs. A win would have meant a date with the Lions. Although no mug to commemorate just yet, whatever JK decides, our helmets are off to a Kelce who wasn't so much the Swifties' center of attention, but an Eagle-eyed centered center, nonetheless.
Only IN:
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| Holiday Barbie's, part of our recluttering. |
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| Barbie's Tea Service, Barbie fans |
In: Barbie: Embrace the pink and more recluttering. Barbie, the movie, brought back the spotlight to this ageless fashion doll who Barbie's Tea Service has been devoted to for almost a lifetime. Our Barbie collection makes us both "happy" and "nostalgic", but we're experiencing some pressure on the home front to find a little more "balance" in what we keep and what we display.
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| Strawbridges are coming to the US (beyond the telly!) |
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One of the Chateau's tour stops!
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In: Escape to the Chateau Tour of the US and Canada: There's so much to love about this show: the engaging hosts, Dick and Angel Strawbridge and their children; their centuries-old French chateau rehab; and the updated venue's vintage tea parties and weddings. Check out their website for upcoming dates this February and March. Will BTS be attending? Yes, we'll be escaping soon!
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| Knife rests and salt cellars, still in. |
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| Invested in salt cellars, luckily not butter crocks. |
In: You may be relieved to know, we predict knife rests and salt cellars are still headed for tablescapes this year. Move over butter crocks! Set your teaspoon down for a practical and elegant repose on a knife rest and fill your cellars full of lemon curd and clotted cream.
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Downton Abbey/Gilded Age
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| Tea Tasting and Tea Etiquette |
In: Barb's Tea Service tea programs! Last year was filled with a variety of BTS tea talks and tea tastings and we can't wait to see you all in 2024! We served up several different Jane Austen teas (including a Jane Austen Christmas tea), along with Downton Abbey, Tea Etiquette and Tea Tastings. New this year - Bridgerton (and more!). Call or email us to customize a tea event for you and your special group. Reach us at barb@barbsteaservice.com or 248-840-4356.
BTS knows that all tea friends are always "in" and in our hearts. We look forward to much tea time fun with you all in 2024! 💗
