Bridgerton Garden Party at WS
Lux garden themed items that no one needs, but can we go halfsies?
One of my favorite Substacks is Drinks with Broads. Every once in a while they present a museum gift shop from somewhere across the country and review it. I stare at the clock until lunchtime when my students will go away squeal with delight and anxiously await my lunch “hour” so I can read about a mustard-themed gift shop or an early holiday gift guide that is both absurd and makes me question if I too need that item.
As I think about how I want this Substack to develop, I want to do something similar, but how? But then Williams-Sonoma’s Bridgerton-themed line appeared in my inbox, as if by manifestation, and I knew I had found it. Outrageously priced garden-adjacent goods that I can review and also ask myself “Do my kids really need new shoes or can I pay $50 for rice krispie treats?”
I should start by saying that I worked at Williams-Sonoma about 20 years ago when I was in grad school. I wasn’t really looking for a job as I already had one working for America Reads, a program that supports young students in reading, but as I was walking through the Upper East Side I came across a poster that said they were hiring. I LOVED that store. So I walked in, interviewed, and was hired. I would still work there for fun if I had the time. During my time there I got to help Renee Zellweger pick out a cookbook, watched Tyler Florence give a cooking demo, and accumulated an impressive kitchen as I took advantage of the huge employee discount and free samples we were given so we could promote the items we sold. Fast forward to today, I still love to cook, and historical fiction about rich people is one of my favorite genres.
I must begin with the Bridgerton Frame Rice Krispie Treat, 8 for $49.95. I’m trying to justify ever paying $50 for these. They sure are pretty and colored with vegetable extracts instead of red dye. They are made with organic and sustainable ingredients, although paying $50 for rice krispie treats is not sustainable for my wallet. But I must be fancy! Could I get people together to split this 8 ways or even 4 ways? How do I even start that conversation?
Moving along, we come to the 9-piece box of chocolates retailing for a cool $64.95. They are organic and handpainted, but again even splitting this 9 ways is a $7 and change piece of chocolate. My husband and I love fancy chocolate, and we splurge on it a few times a year, but this is bananas. Also, I want this.
Next up we have the Bridgerton Tea Time Tales 8 day Countdown Calendar for $39.95. I was wondering what we were counting down towards, but then I read the description- there is a treat for each new episode of the new season! I am already 5 episodes in so I am late to this tea party. I would buy this as a gift for a Bridgerton lover in my life, but none of my close friends watch it. One woman in my running club is very into the show and books, but I don’t know her well enough to show up with this gift.
My love of plates and tea cups knows no limits, except for the limit of shelf space in my kitchen. I am in the market for a fancy tea cup to photograph my garden teas for this publication. One of my students asked me what I loved, so I said fancy tea cups. She gave me a travel mug, which I like a lot, but now I must return to my hunt for a fancy tea cup. My friend suggested taking inspiration from this collection and scoping out Home Goods. Set of two tea cups is $49.95 and a set of 4 plates is $59.95.
Anyhow, I have been doing a lot with the lavender in my garden this week. I am off to Greece today, and I hope to do some writing on the plane. I can't wait to explore Greek gardens. One of the first optional excursions is a bee-keeping experience! There is also a grocery store near our first hotel. I consider exploring grocery stores in foreign countries one of my top five travel must-dos. Opa!