joy money club

I had an amazing opportunity yesterday to spend a lovely fall afternoon outdoors drinking coffee and tea with eleven lovely Calgary girls. I have joined a Joy Money Club. The concept is simple and thoughtful: twelve women are invited to participate over twelve months. Every month each woman brings a set amount of money and it is thrown into the pot. A name is drawn and that special lady gets to take home all of the money that month and spend it on something nice for herself. Think heading to the spa, buying a new pair of shoes or just going out for a nice meal. This continues until everyone has received the money. It is amazing because at the end of the year you will be neither owing or short the money – it all equals out! Plus, it is so nice to get together each month and get to know some new faces and enjoy an afternoon of tea and snacks.

Yesterday was our first get-together and I won the money! I couldn’t believe it! It was only that morning I had used loose change (think dimes and quarters) from the bottom of my purse to buy an Americano! I certainly felt very lucky to get it just as I most needed it. And the other exciting thing is that I get to host the next afternoon tea at my house at the end of next month! I put together this little mood board inspired by the Joy Money Club – a little bit of tea party inspiration.

After meeting Nanette Lepore this week, I fell in love with her gorgeous dress silhouettes and I think this turquoise number would do the trick for hostessing though I might have to join a couple more Joy Money Clubs to save up for it.

A lover of everything made of paper, this kraft paper envelope caught my eye with it’s pretty floral insides. Perfect for storing and keeping safe next month’s draw ballots in.

There is something to be said for a great teapot and Marimekko hits the nail right on the head. Simple design and the coinciding tea cups are the perfect minimalist addition to a potentially overly-girly tea party.

These gold leaf bowls (learn how to make them here!) are so glam and I think they would be so lovely (and lucky) to draw next month’s winners name out of! Or maybe to serve up some delicious bonbons in.

I just discovered an amazing new place in downtown Calgary that sells French Macarons for an excellent price. I have to pick some up for when I host next.

A fortune cookie coin purse to bring your monthly donation in? Way too perfect for an occasion like this.