Party like a princess

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Vicki Roach is seen inside her tea house on County Road 119.

PEDRO — Feather boas, jeweled tiaras, princesses and of course, tea. At Tea Party Treats & Sweets, that’s precisely what will be offered up at a tea party in the cottage on Ben Howell Road, about 2.5 miles out State Route 93, with Vicki Roach as hostess.

“It’s every little girl’s dream,” Roach said. As the mother of two sons and two daughters, now grown, Roach enjoyed having tea parties with her two daughters. She then had parties for her nieces and now for her great-nieces, and now offers her services to the public.

“It’s always been my dream. I loved to do it with my girls, but they’re grown up,” Roach said. “I love this and wanted to continue to do it.”

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Roach said her family has been supportive of this endeavor. She had been doing the parties for several years in a room in a business owned by her in-laws. Hoping to see the business grow, Roach and her husband decided to build the cottage for hosting the parties.

A stone garden path leads from the driveway to the cozy white cottage adorned with white window boxes filled with climbing pink and yellow petunias, and a sign on the door, reading, “Welcome to my tea party.”

Once inside, a wall mural of an entire assembly of Disney princesses — Belle, Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella and Tiana — is the focal point of the room. A table with white metal chairs, and white and pink table linens are in the center of the room.

China teacups and saucers, dishes of pink candy and a delicate chandelier with pink jewel accents add to the princess feel of the room.

Roach said the china teacups and dishes are all flea market finds, so no child or parent needs to stress if there are any accidents. She has plenty of replacements.

Adorning one of the walls of the cottage is compilation of dress-up clothes and accessories to make every little girl feel like a princess.

The collection includes princess dresses, tulle tutus, bangle bracelets, tiaras, feather boas, hats and flower hair wreathes, to name a few.

“Everything a little girl wants to play with,” Roach said.

During a 90-minute party, the children play dress up, play games, eat and open presents. For an extra fee, Roach’s niece will dress up as a princess and polish the girls’ nails and put glitter in their hair.

Also, for an additional fee, Roach will provide photography for the party to enable the parents to enjoy the party without having to be behind the camera.

For food, Roach serves cupcakes and scones with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream, along with pink candy and tea.

Roach provides parties for adults too, from birthday parties, bridal teas, ladies’ auxiliary, wedding and baby showers, or just for ladies to get together.

More information can be found on the website at www.teapartytreats.com.