Is Halloween more of a trick than a treat for you? Have fun this Halloween without stressing about the perfect Halloween outfit! We’ve got you covered (literally) with spooktacular styles to last you past the 31st and printable DIY masks to complete your look.
These DIY masks feature original illustrations based on some of our favorite fall graphics. To make your own masks, you’ll need:
Sturdy paper
Printer
Scissors
X-Acto knife (to cut out holes for the eyes)
Hole puncher
String
Click here to download a PDF of all 12 animal illustrations, including a sweet tiger, fierce wolf, and a sly fox.
Don’t forget to share your fun Halloween outfits and DIY masks by tagging us on Instagram @teacollection, and follow along for more projects and festive activities like this!
“We will have time to debate what went wrong in the war in Afghanistan, but in this critical moment we must listen to the voices of Afghan women and girls. They are asking for protection, for education, for the freedom and the future they were promised.” -Malala Yousafzai, Education Activist in the New York Times
Since the Taliban took control over Afghanistan in August, over 120,000 people have fled the country (Source: BBC News). Those left face a growing humanitarian crisis, and girls are expected to face increased obstacles to accessing education. In response, Tea is donating $10,000 immediately to support the Global Fund for Children’s network of grassroots organizations on the ground helping those in need.
These organizations include the Afghan Institute of Learning and the Oruj Learning Center. Both groups are focused now on meeting the basic needs of over 60,000 displaced people in Afghanistan who are in need of food and shelter. These groups also run schools and are planning to invest in online classes in the event the Taliban prevents girls from attending schools or female teachers from teaching.
Outside of Afghanistan, the GFC is working with an array of local partners in Southeast Europe supporting migrant children and youth, including those from Afghanistan. With the surge of Afghani refugees and asylum seekers, these partners are in need of additional resources to ensure the safe passage of nearly half a million Afghans expected to flee the country by the end of the year.
Tea has and always will be committed to making the world a better place for children everywhere. By supporting us, you help us continue to fulfill this mission. To donate directly to the GFC’s efforts in Afghanistan, click here. To learn more about how the GFC is helping those affected by the crisis in Afghanistan, visit globalfundforchildren.org.
While we couldn’t travel to Sweden to make pancakes, we did the next best thing—joining Katja Borner and her daughters Louva (6) and Amelie (8) in Petaluma, CA at Swedish restaurant Stockhome.
Want to make your own Swedish pancakes? Stockhome was gracious enough to share their recipe so you and your kids could make your own version at home:
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp unsalted butter
Instructions:
Whisk eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk together.
Sift flour, sugar, and salt in.
Add milk. Whisk until nice and smooth.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Warm a 12 inch pan over the stove.
Add 1/4 tsp unsalted butter to your pan.
Pour 1/2 cup of pancake batter in the middle of the pan.
Move the pan so the batter reaches the edges and forms a nice round circle.
After 1-2 minutes, shake the pan to release the pancake and flip to the other side.
Cook for 30 seconds.
Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries. Enjoy!
If you’re in Petaluma, be sure to give Stockhome a visit, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @teacollection for more fun activities like this.
Each season, we travel to a new destination around the world and draw inspiration from the places we visit. This season, we’re inspired by the amazing culture, history, architecture, nature, and people of Sweden.
One common symbol you’ll find throughout the country is the Dala horse. A Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse is a carved, painted wooden statue of a horse that originated from the Swedish province of Dalarna. It became a popular children’s toy in the 17th century, and has come to symbolize good luck. You’ll find these wooden horses all over Sweden and in our latest fall collection.
To get a little more inspiration, a few of our team members made their own Dala horses in a virtual Dala Horse Carving Workshop. Here’s how they turned out:
Kim’s Dala Horse (Brand Marketing Director)
Jordan’s Dala Horse (Textile Designer)
Alisha’s Dala Horse (Assistant Textile & Graphic Designer)
Nicole’s Dala Horse (Director of Textiles & Graphics)
Meet Juvilyn Arbuthnot (@jaeve__ ), Bay Area photographer, stenographer, meme queen, and mom of Soren (2), Stella (4), and Skylar (6). We got the opportunity to have the Arbuthnot crew model our Sweden collection as they roamed the beautiful fields of Petaluma and hung out with not-so-sheepish-sheep for the day. Read on to learn more about their family, their go-to style, favorite books, and more.
Who is the funniest member of the family? Why?
Soren because he makes everyone laugh and is so cute.
What is the family’s favorite activity to do together?
Spending the day at the beach or pool.
What’s your favorite book?
Skylar: Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea
Stella: The Book With No Pictures
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Skylar: Paris
Stella: Anywhere with a bouncy house
How do you express yourself with clothing? How would you describe your style?
Skylar: I like to wear things that are cute but also comfortable.
Stella: I like colorful clothes.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Skylar: Art class
Are you involved in any after school activities or sports?
Skylar: singing lessons, gymnastics
We also asked Juvilyn a few questions about her children and how they express themselves through fashion:
What’s one word you would use to describe each of your kids?
Skylar: Magical; Stella: Adorable; Soren: Sweet
How do your kids express themselves with clothing? How would you describe their style?
Skylar: If it were her way, everything would be pink and purple only; she’s really into clothing now and loves to pick her outfits – bubble jeans, skinny jeans, shorts, tees with cute graphics, dresses – she’s a little fashionista in the making.
Stella: No preference; mommy still gets to choose, and she always thinks whatever mommy chooses is “So cute!”
Want more stories and Q&As like this? Be sure to follow @jaeve__ and us on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out our latest styles inspired by our travels in Sweden.
Instead of putting her daughter’s outgrown Tea into a donation box or the back of a closet, Holly decided to do something different with it. With a little creativity and overwhelming support from her online friends in the Tea Buy Sell Trade Facebook group, she began turning pre-loved Tea into handmade dolls.
Read on to learn more about Holly’s story.
“I began making dolls a few years ago and thought it would be fun to find a Tea dress from every destination and have a Tea Destination Doll sale for my Buy Sell Trade group friends. It was a hit, and so began my Tea Collection dolls!
From there, I started making custom dolls for little girls and boys with their matching Tea clothing. It has been so much fun to be able to make keepsakes for other kids (and my daughter, of course!). My daughter is seven, so she still has a few more years left to wear Tea, but I realize that the day will come when she outgrows these beautiful clothes. Making the dolls is a way to remember these sweet Tea fabrics and memories of her childhood.
It’s incredibly hard to pick one favorite Tea destination, but if I had to choose, it would be India since the Kantha Birds dress was my daughter’s first Tea. That dress started my obsession with Tea Collection six years ago. I hunt that dress down every year for her and will probably make her a doll with that print eventually.
Thank you Tea Collection for making beautiful, inspired clothing for little kids. We will love Tea Collection long after my daughter is all grown up!”
We love seeing the creative ways you repurpose your outgrown (but much loved) Tea! If you or someone you know has an inspiring story like this, send us a note at service@teacollection.com—we’d love to share it! Be sure to check out our latest styles inspired by Sweden, and don’t forget to tag us in all your fun adventures @teacollection on Instagram.
You may recognize these sweet faces and lovely family from last fall. Joining us again this season repping our Sweden collection is Naomi Phan-Quang and her crew of kiddos Luke (age 10), Abel (8), and Cole (6). With back to school officially back on, we wanted to learn more about what the PQs are excited about this year, as well as learn a little more about their family. Read on to find out about their favorite subjects, hobbies, and what they’re wearing for their first day this year!
What are 3 words that describe each one of you?
Luke: “Outdoorsy, creative, a gamer.”
Abel: “Kind, playful, helpful.”
Cole: “Friendly, chatty, sassy.”
How would your siblings describe you?
Luke: “Energetic.”
Abel: “Crazy.”
Cole: “Happy.”
Are you excited to go back to school? What are you most excited about?
Luke: “Being the oldest grade on campus.”
Abel: “Seeing my friends again.”
Cole: “Meeting my new teacher.”
What do you like to wear to school?
Luke: “Shorts and long socks.”
Abel: “Sweatpants and sneakers.”
Cole: “Fancy dresses and leggings.”
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Luke: “Science.”
Abel: “Writing.”
Cole: “Math.”
What’s in your lunch box?
Luke: “Chips, burrito, and water.”
Abel: “Hot dog and lemonade.”
Cole: “Apple, grapes, and chicken and rice.”
Are you involved in any after school activities or sports?
Luke: “Baseball and football.”
Abel: “Baseball and theater.”
Cole: “Baseball and theater.”
Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Luke: “Science, building things, gaming, sports, and biking.”
Abel: “Biking, baseball, and singing.”
Cole: “Playing pretend, dressing up, and reading.”
We also asked mom to answer a few questions about the upcoming back to school season and her kids:
What are you most looking forward to as your kids start school again?
“A routine! And for the kids to see their friends again and carve a little place for themselves that’s just theirs.”
What’s one word you would use to describe each of your kids?
How do your kids express themselves with clothing? How would you describe their style?
“My kiddos wear a lot of hand-me-downs, so generally I would say we look for well-made clothing that can last three times over. Luke is creative, so he likes to mix prints. Abel is pretty conservative, so he gravitates towards basics and neutrals. Cole is in a dress phase, so she loves anything she can twirl in!”
Want more stories and Q&As like this? Be sure to follow @naomipq and us on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out our latest styles inspired by our travels in Sweden.
