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October 3, 2013

Elizabeth Essex: Buns and Roses Literary Tea

Buns and Roses
Literary Tea for Literacy

After a long summer spent with my nose to the writing grindstone, I’m ready for a little fun. And a little hat wearing. 


This Sunday will mark the third year that I have participated in a local charity event known as Buns & Roses Tea to benefit the Richardson Adult Literacy Center. Literacy is a cause that is near and dear to most writers’ hearts—without a literate population, we have no readers. This years Buns & Roses will feature 25 authors, it is a wonderful afternoon full of fun, meeting readers and making new friends. And I’ll have my own fan-girl moment—this year's acclaimed historical romance author, Cathy Maxwell, will deliver the keynote address. 



But honestly, all altruism aside, for me it’s all about the hats. I am entirely convinced that tea tastes better when one is wearing a hat—the sillier the better. (I have tested this theory both at high tea at the Ritz Carlton, and at Buns & Roses.) The first year I attended, I wore a simple black feather fascinator. Last year I decided I needed to up the ante, and MADE my own over-the-top fascinator of brightly colored butterflies. This year I am faced with a choice: a gorgeous full hat with curling pheasant feathers for fall, or a peacock feather bedecked fascinator. 


What do you think, readers? Which hat should I choose? And what kind of hat would you choose to wear if we were to have an imaginary Plotting Princesses High Tea?

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15 comments:

  1. B ReadingOctober 3, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    They are both nice hats but I guess it would depend on the weather and the occasion, meaning how formal it is. I like the floral headpiece.

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  2. Kathy IvanOctober 3, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    By all means, wear the floral one, that way we can see your pretty face. Of course, I love big hats too, although never wear any.

    Have a wonderful time this year and party on without me (I'll be working the day job this year).

    I'm sure whichever hat you choose, it will be awesome.

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  3. Vicki Batman, sassy writerOctober 3, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    I love your hats. Have a fun party!

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  4. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Jane,

    You are quite right, so I will wait on the day and see what the weather is like. :) In the mean time, I will pull together an outfit to go with each hat, so I'm ready no matter what the weather brings!

    Cheers, and thanks for stopping in today! EE

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  5. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    Kathy,

    I will miss you this year. :( But one of the reasons I LOVE doing this benefit is that it gives me an occasion for exercising my hat-love. :) I'll take every excuse I can get. :)

    Cheers, and thanks for stopping in to chat! EE

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  6. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks, Vicki. :)

    I love them too! Any excuse, and a big formal tea is the perfect occasion to indulge. I think hats are to me what handbags are to you! :)

    Cheers, and thanks for stopping in to chat! EE

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  7. chris kenistonOctober 3, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    love the big hat in the first photo - it looks so - royal wedding! lol- or maybe ascot -

    and I agree - tea always tastes better in a fussy hat!

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  8. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    Yes, Christ!!!! Royal Ascot is my idea of a perfect day—hat, horse racing and perhaps a little adult beverage = BLISS!

    ANd with that comment, I'm leaning toward to pheasant feather be-decked hat. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping in to chat! Cheers, EE

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  9. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    OH!!!

    AND I"VE DECIDED I NEED TO GIVE AWAY A BOOK TODAY TO A RANDOM COMMENTER -

    SO SPREAD THE WORD! :)

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  10. SylviaOctober 3, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    I love the floral one. See you Sunday. I'll be sitting at your table.

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  11. Kathleen BaldwinOctober 3, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    You cutie pie!!! I love the big one with the feathers. But face it, you look adorable in both.

    Have fun fun FUN at the tea! I wish I could be there. I'm head down working on massive revisions and have company.

    Big hug!

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  12. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    Sylvia:

    Well it's not really floral—those are butterflies, made out of feathers. And I've retired that one. No way I could wear it two years in a row. I need to come up with something new and different!

    But thanks for your enthusiasm. :) I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

    Cheers, EE

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  13. UnknownOctober 3, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    Kathleen,

    You are too kind. :) I have given myself this weekend off, as my revisions finally ended on Wednesday, when I made the last few required tweaks, and the next book went into production. Fingers crossed that it is as good as I think. :) I will, of course, change my mind during copy edits and decide it's the worst book I've ever written. But that's part of my process.

    Cheers, and thanks so much for stopping by. EE

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  14. LindaOctober 4, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    I quite like the 1st one but I think Jane is has the right idea to wait to see what the weather is like.

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  15. UnknownOctober 4, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    Linda,

    I think she's right, too, but patience is not one of my finer virtues. :) Determination? Check. Positivity? Check. Work ethic? Check. Patience? Patience?

    Nowhere to be found. :)

    But I'll pick on the day and see where that takes me. :)

    THanks so much for stopping by! Cheers, EE

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