How to throw the perfect Mother’s Day high tea, according to flatlay queen Emma Lauren

For Mother’s Day this year, why not pamper the most important woman in your life with a visually-appealing, picture-perfect high tea spread instead of breaking the bank at an over-the-top session in a fancy hotel? Preparing an indulgent feast is easier than you think—all you need is a lovely table setting, and homemade treats or sweet French morsels. Insta-queen of flatlays and lover of all things floral Emma Lauren shows us how it can be done, fuss-free and without burning a hole in your pocket—but will definitely make mum smile:

Mother’s Day is coming up! Every year I try to plan a memorable gesture for my mum to show my appreciation for everything she has done and continues to do for me over the years. Last year I decided to surprise her by traveling back home to Australia. I couldn’t find a box big enough to jump out of, so I hid in the boot of my Grandma’s car and when she opened the boot, I gave her the surprise (read: scare) of her life.

This year, I am planning something that I know she will like a lot more. My mum gave me my love of tea, vintage crockery and flowers so this year I am going to throw an afternoon high tea session for her to show her how much she means to be. I enlisted the help of Boxers Yan and Dana to get everything I need ready for my flight to Australia.

Here is an early preview of some of the things I have planned:

France is the perfect place for dessert and all things tea related. Boxer Dana actually travelled around the city of Paris for an entire day to source all the items I needed many from small stores that I couldn’t buy from online.

The first stop was Laduree for beautifully packaged tea. The one I chose has roses and raspberries and smells just like my mum’s garden in bloom and for me—it brings back many happy childhood memories with her. My love of baking is also from my mum and grandmother, and one of the first things I learnt to make as a small child was scones. I plan to make some on Mother’s Day and to accompany them I chose a gorgeously packaged peony jam and exquisite rose jam with real rose petals suspended inside.

I bought several packets of madeleines and palmiers—crisp buttery biscuits. To my delight the madeleines came individually wrapped so I can enjoy one at a time without the worrying that the remainders will grow stale. No order from Paris would be complete without macarons and caramels. And the best part is that Dana picked them up the day she mailed my package so that they would be bakery-fresh.

USA always has the most delightful party supplies, including a range that I have not seen in Australia or Hong Kong! (I have already seen a whole array of mermaid-themed supplies which I would love to order for my next birthday).

The first thing I ordered was cursive letter cookie cutters. These are SO amazing! It is also something you will definitely use for many years to come. I am thinking to use letter cookies to decorate and garnish a small cake for my mum—really, the possibilities are endless.

I also fell in love with a unicorn cookie cutter which was sold out in store. Luckily, Boxer Yan searched nationwide and found it for me! Growing up my grandma taught me how to use royal icing and I really hope my mum will love these unique cookies I make her.

I didn’t want to spoil our high tea with a lot of cleaning so I also ordered some paper plates and table cloth. The plates are the most gorgeous I have ever seen. I honestly thought I had misread the description of the tablecloth as the texture does not feel like plastic at all (as stated on their site)—more like extremely delicate paper! This cloth would be perfect for any event adult or children as well as protecting your table, while adding a stylish touch to your table setting—a far cry from the plastic table clothes from my childhood!

The pinwheels will make a perfect backdrop for our high tea. They fold up beautifully and so will be perfect for travelling. My mum always taught me about the importance of reusing recycling which has inspired me to think about creating a fun headboard of them in a guest bedroom after our high tea. They are so pretty not to want to reuse again and I am sure it will make her smile whenever she comes to visit.

What do you plan on doing for your mum this year?

ShopandBox Emma’s Mother’s Day high tea essentials:

1. Confit de Pétales de Rose, Albert Mns, EUR6.70, + Add To Wishlist
2. Gourmet Madeleines, Monoprix, EUR3.08, + Add To Wishlist
3. Poppy and Peony Jam, Laduree, EUR11.20, + Add To Wishlist
4. Eugenie Tea, Laduree, EUR14, + Add To Wishlist
5. Gourmet Palmiers, Monoprix, EUR1.28, + Add To Wishlist
6. Macarons Bouillet, Bouillet, EUR11.05, + Add To Wishlist
7. Le Caramel à la Fleur de Sel, Violette Berlingot, EUR9.20, + Add To Wishlist
8. Goddess Blush Whirlwind Tablecover, Harlow and Grey, USD12, + Add To Wishlist
9. Goddess Marble Hexagon Party Plates, Sweet Lulu, USD6, + Add To Wishlist
10. Unicorn Cookie Cutter, Meri Meri, USD7, + Add To Wishlist
11. Party Fan Set Princess, Sweet Lulu, USD28, + Add To Wishlist
12. Alphabet Cookie Cutter, Meri Meri, USD20, + Add To Wishlist
13. Mini Balloon Peach Bellini, Sweet Lulu, USD7.99, + Add To Wishlist

Bake a tray of unicorn cookies for mum this weekend—follow Emma’s recipe here:

Ingredients:

3/4 cups butter, softened
1 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1.Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Cream butter and sugar with electric beater.

2. Add eggs and vanilla into the mix.

3. Fold in flour and other dry ingredients wrap in cling film and put in fridge for one hour.

4. Cut out shapes and place on baking tray with baking paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes and allow to cool before icing. For the royal icing I use Alton Brown’s icing recipe and just add the pastel colours afterwards.

5. When icing the unicorns, I applied the white first and then did the pastel manes and the tail. For those, I separated the icing mixture into two cups—one of it pink, which I made half into purple after and the other mint. The unicorn eyes are small chocolate beads (like the silver ones), and for the horns I just dipped into the silver balls. The icing takes about 30 minutes to dry, and then they can be packaged.

 

Get started in less than 10 seconds here!

1. Simply click on the ”Add To Wishlist” links above!
2. This will automatically add the items into your ShopandBox wishlist after it prompts you to sign in/sign up.
3. You can add as many items as you want into your wishlist (even items not mentioned above).
4. Simply select the items you want bought, name your order, and hit the “Submit Order” button.
5. A personal Boxer will be assigned to you and will help you buy all your coveted items.
6. Your box of goodies gets shipped to your door in 1 – 3 days wherever you are in the world!

Featured image: Emma Lauren