My Day in Cups of Tea (Inspired by The Simple Things)
The Simple Things magazine, my favourite cosy read, has a page each month that features an interview with a difference. Rather than answering the usual questions, the interviewee describes a typical day through the drinks they consume. I always love reading this feature and I've dreamed of taking part myself for over 5 years. While I wait for the magazine to get in touch, I thought I’d take matters into my own hands…
My Day in Cups of Tea – Anna of And Hope Designs
Morning! Tell us a bit about where you’re waking up...
I live in a house in East Belfast, Northern Ireland, on a quiet, family-friendly cul-de-sac with my husband and our four children (who definitely make it less quiet!)
How early do you start on the cuppas?
My children are often awake from 6:30am, but they know to wait until 7am before getting up. My husband usually gets up with them and brings me my first cup of tea in bed. I’m not a morning person, and I enjoy a slower wake-up time.
Usually, I do the New York Times puzzles while I sip Empress Grey tea from M&S with a splash of oat milk. This is the only tea I drink at home. It’s like Lady Grey but more citrussy. Most days, I’m up, dressed and almost done getting the children ready for school around 7:45 or 8am. It is complete chaos until we’re all in the car and on the way to school at 8.40am. How do shoes that were put in the right place the night before disappear when it’s time to go?!
What do you do for a living?
I am a stay-at-home mum, and I run a small business illustrating, painting, and hand lettering. I do commissioned pieces and create cards, stationery and homeware from my art.
What does your working day look like?
Every day is different. Most of my work is done from home with trips to school and back as well as a walk to the post office to drop off orders. Sometimes I mix it up with a trip to a local coffee shop. When I’m out, my favourite drink is a London Fog in the warmer months and a Chai Tea Latte in the cooler months.
Ooh, what’s a London Fog?
It’s an Earl Grey Tea latte with vanilla syrup. Absolutely delicious.
Do you have a favourite mug?
I have a few. My mug collection is one of my favourite things. I enjoy choosing a mug and deciding the size and feel of each cup of tea.
If I want a large cup of tea, my Newcastle-upon-Tyne mug from Starbucks is the one I go for. I’ll have a couple of cups of Empress Grey in this while I’m working, and one more while the children eat dinner. I also have a growing collection of Emma Bridgewater mugs – my current favourite is a new summer flowers one, though I also love my Christmas Joy mug.
To hide a can of Pepsi Max, I always use a mug I designed myself which is dark blue and fits the whole can perfectly. And it says ‘my cup overflows’ from Psalm 23 on it, which is a pun and a verse I always enjoy. Somehow, I prefer this to a glass.
What do you love best about what you do?
I love the flexibility of being a mum at home, as well as having the opportunity to be creative every day. It is not high pressure, and the most stressful thing about my job is when Royal Mail misplaces a parcel or something is delayed in transit. First world problems, right?! I also love that my work is something that brings joy to others and enables people to send encouragement that focuses on their faith.
And how do you like to wind up your day?
Work for me usually finishes just before 3 pm when I collect the boys from school, and my mum duties begin again. Their dinner is around 5, the younger two are in bed reading by 6:30, and the older two by 7:30/8pm. In the evening, my husband and I get to enjoy reading alongside each other on the sofa with a cuppa (and perhaps a little bowl of pick n mix) or we might watch something if we have a series on the go. I’ll have one final cup of tea in bed around 10pm.
Christian Mugs by And Hope Designs
If you’re looking for a new favourite mug, I have a small collection you can choose from here >>> Christian Mugs by And Hope Designs
