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| Buc-ees continues to trend! |
Happy New Year!
At BTS we're once again ringing in the new and dispensing of the old with our highly anticipated (at least by three people!) Barb's Tea Service's In/Out List. The upcoming year is full of momentous commemorations including Jane Austen's 250th Birthday, Pemberly Pines Emerald Anniversary, a first birthday of a favorite podcast and, incredibly, fifteen years of the BTS In/Out List.
It's also a year of new launches and new seasons of television, movies and streaming shows. Along with our favorites period dramas like Bridgerton, a premier of the Meghan Markle's lifestyle series on Netflix was set to air this month. They both involve Royal drama, great wealth, scandal and tea. But, unlike Queen Charlotte's quest for the flawless diamond of the season, in "With Love, Meghan", the former "Suits" actress stresses, "We're not in pursuit of perfection, we're in pursuit of joy". (That's BTS' motto, too).
What is now our decade-and-a-half pursuit of reporting what's trending for the new year and what should be left behind gleaned, as always, from respected news sources, fashion experts and our own imperfectly, but joyous, humble opinions.
In/Out List 2025
In: Mocha Mousse: Pantone's color of the year was a bit of a surprise to some as, instead of a bold or vibrant shade, a neutral was chosen. But, per Pantone's press release, the earthy, simple brown color was chosen for its richness that "nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee (and, BTS adds, "tea"), answering our desire for comfort". And, as the magazine "W" sagely observes, "pudding can be elegant".
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| Honolulu blues lead to . . . |
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| mocha mousse, stat! |
Out: The Honolulu Blue Blues: Our Detroit Lions outdid themselves with a record-setting 15-2 season to become the NFC North Champion. Unfortunately, with a commanding performance, Washington beat us in the playoffs. We're looking forward to next season and another shot at the "bowl". In the meantime, comfort is needed - bring on a double mocha mousse, stat! - and we're not talking paint color here.
Books
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| Fashionable fashion books of Jane Austen. |
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| More DA fashions include tea time! |
In: Fashions of period dramas and favorite authors. With Jane Austen's Semiquincential birthday on deck as well as the new Downton Abbey movie scheduled for September, it's only fashionable to have books on their fashions. Two that we're adding to our bookshelves are: "Jane Austen's Wardrobe" and "The Costumes of Downton Abbey". Very new to the market, just published Fall 0f 2023, you'll find a lot of interesting information accompanied by lovely photos (including tea time!).
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| Rock Davenport, who later went on to become unknown, tells his own Tinsel Town tales. |
In: Rock Davenport. A riveting tale of near misses and unfulfilled Hollywood dreams of Rock D. An almost-extra in Spartacus (Spartacus #6), Rock knew he was facing an uphill battle due to lack of talent, but his tales of rubbing elbows with movie stars like Vic Tayback and Al Lewis will have you on the edge of your seat. (Bonus: "Match Game '74 Murder Mystery" will have you asking, what the blank?).
Out: Lemon Curd Killer. BTS reviewed this latest Laura Child's tea mystery in May (Return of the Lemon Curd). While lemon curd is always in (and "on" for scones), we propose a new whodunnit incorporating the color, flavor and mood of 2025: "Mocha Mousse Murder Mystery: Death by Chocolate" with the tagline - "the proof is in the (elegant) pudding".
In: Personal Libraries. There are two kinds people: those who buy books to add to their collections and those who tell the former to download more and bring home less. But, a personal library is sure to please both. A nicely curated bookshelf (or t wo, or three, . . .), can please even the most minimalist among us. The personal library says: "I'm not just random piles of books scattered throughout the house. I am organized by topic, size and color!"
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| Tearoom Book Nook - several hundred pieces, I'm on five. |
In: DIY Book Nooks. And, what better to add to your bookshelves (other than books), but a bit of whimsy that shows off your other passions as well. These come in the shape of miniature greenhouses, bookstores, coffee houses and, our personal favorite, tearooms. We're currently working on a several-hundred piece tearoom nook. (Check our progress in a few months.😀).
Accessories:
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| Pins are in! Two of my favs, from two generations. |
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| Afternoon tea where guests wore pins. |
In: Put a pin in it: At BTS, we're not afraid to broach the brooch, in fact, we hardily endorse it. A great addition to any festive gathering, including tea time. We hosted a recent afternoon tea party and encouraged guests to wear a favorite pin. It's an excellent ice breaker (or is that iced tea breaker?). We loved the stories behind the brooches - some heirlooms, some special interests - but all meaningful and, as one guest noted, it's nice to let them get "air" once in awhile. So, don't put a pin in it, put a pin on it and add that to your next invite.
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| Vintage-looking chain with both teapot |
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| . . .and teacup pendant |
In: Devine Chains: Vintage or vintage looking necklaces. We were gifted a lovely chain with a pendant that does double-duty, sporting a teapot on one side and a teacup on the other. Ours is from Devine Iguana.
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| Bridgerton fans are in. |
In: Fans: Bridgerton fans are already fans of fans. BTS provides them for Bridgerton teas, should guests find themselves in fear of a swoon.
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| Card holder serve dual purpose. |
In: Put a card in it: Those who participate in double deck pinochle can use some help - and no, were not talking just when you're partner gives you an unexpected jump bid. Playful card holders with a variety of designs (snowflakes, puppy dogs) are the perfect card-playing accessory to aid in keeping the cards in your hands. Also, these may be used as a fan, should you be victim of the jump-bid swoon.
Be present, be yourself, be on time!
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| Countdown clock can keep your podcast on time - and other uses, too! |
In: On time. We see countdown clocks as not only helping one's podcast stay on time, but can easily aid in other areas. Let your spouse set a ten minute limit for your recounting the latest Dateline episode or program a twenty-minute time constraint for selecting a restaurant for dinner this evening (this includes Tripadvisor consults).
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| Rock looks a bit like the author. |
Out: Lookalike contests. As noted in the Washington Post's In/Out list for the new year, these events are "out". The popularity of lookalike contests peaked in 2024. Competitors' hopes in lookalike competition for actors such as Timothee Chalamet and Glen Powell were overshadowed by the appearance of the actors themselves. Folks, be happy looking like you, and skip the unnecessary comparisons to Hollywood elite. Unless, of course, you're the confident of Rock Davenport. We spy a "dead-ringer" in the author (and, no, we're not referencing the ill-fated celebrity on Match Game '74).
Entertainment:
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| BTS kicked off the new year with two Downton Abbey-themed teas. |
In: Bridgerton, Gilded Age, Downtown Abbey, Jane AND Cassandra Austen. While we're still waiting on release dates for Bridgerton, Season 4 as well as Gilded Age, Season 3 (projections show end of 2025 or early 2026 for both), we already know we'll be in the movie theater on September 12th to see Downton Abbey 3 and viewing Masterpiece Theater on May 4th for "Miss Austen". You heard it here first: Miss Austen to air in May. . .we loved the book.
And, included in all the above, are the Barb's Tea Service's tea talks: Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Gilded Age and Jane Austen. BTS' calendar is filling up fast - contact us for a customized tea talk for your special group!
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| The Hoda-bration may have jumped the frog when Kermit sang his special song. |
Out: Hoda K. The beginning of the year, Hoda Kotb left her morning gig at the Today Show. We're fans of the journalist and wish her all the best in her upcoming adventures. We also applaud the end of the months' long Hoda-bration. When Kermit is asked to sing a special song for the early AM co-host, the tedious good-bye "jumped the frog".
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| Barb's Tea Service's podcast will celebrate its first full year in March. We love to host special guests! |
In: Barb's Tea Service Podcast. With even MORE love, Barb, of BTS, and co-host, arm candy and studio engineer, Chris, continue their weekly podcast about tea and tea-adjacent topics in under 30 minutes! This year, bring your BTS podcast Bingo card as we keep up with our favorites subjects (Austen, DA, Gilded Age, Bridgerton, salt cellars and the Gabor sisters) and add on new topics, served with tea and, of course, lots of love.
Out: With Love, Megan. This lifestyle series with the Duchess was scheduled to be out on Netflix, January 15th. Due to the California wildfires, it has been thoughtfully postponed.
Drinkware:
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| BTS mug, a not limited edition for our special guests. |
Out: Stanley cup designer water bottles. In a classic marketing ploy, Stanley, issued "limited editions" of their typical utilitarian thermos brand, in colorful offerings, and sent them off to social influencers to create a demand frenzy. The Tik-Tok'ers delivered. This $45 thermos sold out quickly, giving rise to a price-gauging secondary market. As one who was victim of Beenie Babies and other inflated "collectibles", I can say, today's hot item is tomorrow's Thrift Store bargain.
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| Special guests, Rik and Carol, received the BTS mug. |
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| You could be next! |
In: Barb's Tea Shop Special Guest mug. A timeless commemorative cup that comes with an appealing price tag - be a special guest on a BTS podcast!
Don't buck the Buc-ees trend!
And, our last, "buc" not least, emerging trend: Buc-ees! As we reported last January, Buc-ees is making its way north and we're ready with open arms. According to last month's Cincinnati Enquirer, a small legal dispute between neighboring counties (as to who would provide water and sewage services to the mega-marvelous highway rest stop), delayed construction - but only for three weeks. Our beloved Buc-ees, in its latest location just outside of Dayton, Ohio, is expected to be opening its doors in late 2025. We'll be there to order brisket sandwiches, kolaches, scones and fill up on gas. Such a magical place - and soon, a mere 3.5 hour drive from home.
Our tea friends are always "in" and we hope you will stay in touch. We don't strive for perfection, but we do aim for joy!
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With much more love, Barb, and all of us at Barb's Tea Service.
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