While planning an upcoming Bohemian Tea Party, which you will see here on the blog, I have come across many inspiring ideas that I wanted to share here. When I start thinking about a party, usually I have some sort of theme in mind like last summers Midsummer Masquerade, to an Indian inspired intimate dinner for 4, it helps to plan the decor, menu and music. If you checked out the Convivial Bohemian Table post, you may have had some inspiration to make your everyday dinning special and uniquely your own, or so I hope anyway!
Here I wanted to share with you my process when it comes to planning a special party for friends and family. It usually starts with something that captures my attention, that I am interested in and would enjoy exploring further. In the case of the Bohemian Tea Party idea, I started to read and experiment with Moroccan cooking with a tagine, couscous and Ras El Hanout spice blend, all of which I will share more in depth in this Bohemian Tea Party series. This is just a sneak peak at some of the things that got my creative juices flowing.
Colorful Tunisian ceramic bowls
When I think of entertaining with bohemian style, my mind often thinks of mixing cultures to capture a worldly vibe that brings to mind a gypsy nomadic feel. Like sharing your travels with your friends by bringing out the treasures of those travels. These Le Souk bowls are the perfect addition to a bohemian collection of serving wear, even if you haven’t been able to travel to Tunisia in person.
I am thinking bright colors and a mix of patterns for our Bohemian Tea Party table.
I have been slowly collecting bright and colorful glass bottles, candle holders, lanterns, tea cups, bowls and platters to serve and decorate for the party. I have been looking at what I already have, online, thrift stores and international markets for these supplies. I am thinking fresh flowers and fruit to accent the tables with the collected treasures.
I have started collecting some pretty Moroccan tea cups similar to these.
I enjoy the process of preparing for a party as much as the celebration itself. Gathering all of the lovely items to use in making an event special is like a treasure hunt, imagining along the way how a piece or collection will work with the theme.
Other inspiration comes in the form of travel, or looking at pictures of destinations I would love to visit. In a way the party itself kind of reflects those exotic places I have been or imagined, bringing a taste of them home. Planning the menu around a theme is another way to experience cultures to satisfy my bohemian craving for travel. Bringing in the cuisine of far away places is the next best thing to dining at a local cafe in Istanbul. Including the scents you might find in Morocco like orange blossoms or goat (ha! just kidding) can help to evoke the ambiance of a special place you may fondly remember from traveling.
I love to let my imagination take me to far off destinations when planning a party.
Taking into account the sights (decor, think fabric, pillows, table settings), smells (fragrance such as candles and food), and of course sound. I will plan a special playlist for the gathering, thinking of the tone I want the party to have. The playlist for a Bohemian Tea Party will be eclectic and include world mix and some classic rock maybe and a little modern music thrown in too. Something new, something exotic and something familiar. I happen to play the doumbek and the darbuka, so I am particularly fond of Arabic music and will include that in the mix.
The food will include some exotic spices from the regions included in our party theme. Image via hungryforchange.tv
The menu will include exotic spices, something savory, something sweet and I usually like to have a signature cocktail to have before the meal, and no tea party would be complete without tea! Moroccan mint tea in the traditional style perhaps. In the upcoming series of posts I will go step by step with our party creation, including the recipes for the menu, what we gathered and how we decorated for the party and the playlist. You are invited to come enjoy a cup of tea and a meal with us, as we celebrate in bohemian style!
