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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?

15 comments:

B Reading said...

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.

Kathy Ivan said...

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.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

I love your hats. Have a fun party!

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

chris keniston said...

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!

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

OH!!!

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

SO SPREAD THE WORD! :)

Sylvia said...

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

Kathleen Baldwin said...

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!

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Linda said...

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

Unknown said...

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