Time for tea

There is something special about a cup of tea. After years of being a coffee fiend, I am a recent tea convert with a secret penchant for being fussy about how I drink it. Thankfully I'm in good company, with high standards when it comes to tea drinking set down by Japanese Geisha tea ceremonies and the resurgence of the English High Tea.

Everyone has their own rules about how to make the perfect cup of tea, but whether you put the milk in before or after you pour your tea (or prefer yours au naturel) there is bound to be something to catch your eye. And I promise not to tell anyone if you prefer yours from a teabag in a big mug...

Witty mugs from Brittany Garner Design

Shhh... There's Wine in Here mug (above) from Brittany Garner Design in Roseville California, who makes witty mugs and tote bags along with pretty digital downloads.

Upcycled vintage tea sets from Yvonne Ellen

Gin & Tonic tea set (above) by Yvonne Ellen. A vintage tea cup and saucer set with milk jug, upcycled in London, England into a quirky set that would be perfect for an English mad hatter's tea party. Dust off the baking gear (or pay a sneaky visit to your favourite deli) and treat some old chums to delectable dishes showed off on Yvonne's Whale of a Time plate sets.

Grow your own green tea courtesy of Plants from Seed

For green thumbed tea drinkers or those who prefer to be self sufficient, you can always grow your own green tea with a Plants from Seed kit (above).

Oh, Little Rabbit upcycle vintage flour sacks into funky tea towels

For some tea party eco cred, Oh, Little Rabbit in Oregon, United States recycle flour sacks into tea towels. Their Revolver and Daisy tea towel uses a screen printed design onto an upcycled cotton flour sack, which would be prefect to tuck over the top of some freshly baked scones.

Rockabilly style enamel teapot from Sugar and Vice

Sail Away teapot (above) from Sugar and Vice in Cape Town, South Africa. A rockabilly style enamel teapot illustrated with vintage sailor tattoo designs. Just like Nana used for her tea, only cooler.

Vintage trios from The Whistling Man

Vintage Harlequin tea trios (above - pick your favourite colour) from The Whistling Man in Kilwinning, Scotland. A selection of mid century vintage china trios in a rainbow of colours, which would be perfect to mix and match with. For a touch of shabby chic, there's a huge range of other eclectic vintage goodies from the UK in this Etsy shop including a pretty floral Colclough set.

Haters gonna hate mug from Printable Wisdom

Finally, if you prefer your cup of tea with pretty typography and a touch of wisdom, Printable Wisdom have a range of wise quotes to get you through the day. Boil the jug and pop on a brew because at the end of the day this haters gonna hate mug (above) says it all - but a cup of tea will help get you through.