December 8th at Ottawa City Hall, Habitat for Humanity and a group of dedicated volunteers with the help of the Ottawa community put on an afternoon show, of dancing, music, entertainment, dignitaries and local vendors to help raise much needed money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. TEAroma was in attendance to help raise money, and raise money everyone did! I am happy to say that over $10,000 was raised and with Federal Government of Canada money matching, this brings the total to over $20,000 for the victims of the typhoon.
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| Thank you everyone for coming out to donate and lend a hand |
The city of Ottawa, and the local Filipino community answered the call. There were hundreds of visitors who took time out on Sunday to drop by and donate and take part in the afternoon's events. Mayor Jim Watson was on hand as was the Ambassador of the Philippines, Leslie B. Gatan. A token of appreciation was presented to the Honorable Jason Kenney from the Filipino community in appreciation of all that Canada and Canadians have done during this crisis.
For a great selection of pictures from the afternoon, take a look at this facebook album.
If you are interested in learning more about the Philippines or wanting to know how the city has been responding to this crisis, try looking to the Philippine Embassy Facebook page.
If you wish to help the victims and want to donate, Habitat for Humanity can help. The Canadian Government will match you dollar for dollar until December 23rd.
The following are a few quick pictures we managed to snap, but if you goto the above links you can find many other pictures as well as a link to the ctv news segment.
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| TEAroma table |
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| List of those who helped |
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| Still setting up for the afternoon |
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| Starting the afternoon off |
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| Christmas display next to our table |
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| The crowd was starting to grow |
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| Nicky lending a hand on stage to draw the grand prize raffle winner |
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| Nicky helping draw the raffle winning number |
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
~Nicky and Mark
Monday, December 09, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
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| Awards Gala for The Love Your Local Business 2013 |
This past few weeks has been extremely busy for us, with a couple trips to Montreal. The Love Your Local Business contest has been a whirlwind adventure from the vote gathering during October, to the Jury interview to start November, and then the big Gala award ceremony on the 21st to end November. As promised here are some pictures from the gala event. An amazing and fun night was had by all who attended and again we would simply love to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who voted for us and helped us to be a finalist and voted among the top five for this years Love Your local Business Contest. Thank You so much!
The following is our award that we were presented for being voted in the top 5, an achievement we could not have accomplished without each and every vote. This award we all won, thank you!
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| Finalist for Quebec's Love Your Local Business 2013 |
And side by side with Steffanos, another finalist, who by the way makes an amazing gelato.
And to go with the trophy was a matching certificate. (Pictured Below)
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| TEAroma, Finalist for Love Your Local Business |
The following were various random pictures taken at the awards Gala.
4 Course Dinner was superb, from start to finish:
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| Salad or Artwork? |
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| Dessert |
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| Mark, Nicky and Dianne Buckner at the Gala Awards |
From the VIP Lounge:
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| Mark and Nicky |
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| Mark and Nicky in the VIP lounge |
Inside the Dining Hall:
The Finalists posing with John Buck from CEDEC and Dianne Buckner
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| All 5 Finalists pictured with Dianne Buckner and John Buck |
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| John Buck, Dianne Buckner, Nicky and Mark in the VIP Lounge |
Again we can not thank everyone enough who helped make this all possible. To all our fans, our customers, family and friends, Thank You for believing in us.
Professional pictures to come in the near future. (most of the above were snapped with phone camera's)
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
~Nicky and Mark
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
The last month and a half has been a whirlwind for us here at TEAroma ~ THÉaroma. We are so thrilled, excited and proud of what has happened during the last 5 weeks. It is because of you, our customers, friends, and family that our spirits are flying so high. So again we say a heart felt Thank You, your every vote and support was most appreciated.
For those of you who are wondering what we are speaking about, a month ago we started a month long contest sponsored by the Suburban newspaper, CEDEC, CBC, Dragons Den and many others. The Love Your Local Business contest, that saw over 100 Local Companies across the province of Quebec compete for your votes. On November 1st it was announced that we indeed finished in the top 5, and we are now a finalist and in the running for the Grand Prize offered by the CBC.
On November 5th we made the trek to Montreal to stand before a panel of judges, Dragon's Den style to answer a series of questions and make our case as to why we should be this years Grand Prize winners of the Love Your Local Business Contest. It was an amazing experience, one we will not soon forget and it was all because of your votes and support. We will find out on Nov 21 who, out of the top 5, is the Grand Prize winner. Dianne Buckner, Host of Dragon's Den will be our host for the gala in Montreal. The Jury consists of, Michael Sochaczevski Publisher of The Suburban Newspaper, David Blair CBC Radio's national morning business reporter, Yona Shtern CEO of Beyond the rack, and Christa Fairchild the Lead Mentor for CEDEC.
If you are curious as to what the studio, judges chairs, stage and all the production crew and judges look like, head on over to our facebook page for sneak peeks and photographs.
The Suburban newspaper (page 45, 46, 47) has been running articles and stories as well, so has the CBC.
Again we would like to thank everyone who has helped bring this contest together and a huge heart felt Thank You to all those who supported and voted for us. TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
~Nicky and Mark
Saturday, November 09, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
Well today was Day 1 at the National Womens Show and we were thrilled to get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. It was a long day and quite busy for most of the day so we didnt have much time to wander about or to take many pictures. We did however snap a handful minutes before the doors opened this morning.
If you are heading to day 2 at the show, please drop on by and come check us out, we would be happy to share our loose tea's with you and answer any questions you may have.
We are about to start restocking our tea, print some more flyers and prep for the 2nd day. Please also remember that we need your votes for the Love Your Local Business contest. Every vote makes a difference as we are in 6th place as of now and need to finish in the top 5. Thank you for all those who have already voted, and shared our link, your support is truly appreciated.
Thank you,
Nicky and Mark
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
It is that time of the year! The annual Love Your Local Business Contest, that is a celebration of local businesses across Quebec. This year the format is the same, for the month of October, businesses vie for a spot in the top 5 by collecting as many votes as possible. Each day anyone and everyone can place a vote. Once the top 5 are announced, they are asked a series of questions before a panel of judges and then the judging begins. The prizes for this years contest are a trip to the front of the line for the Dragons Den, a month long run commercial on the CBC as well as a professionally designed website to name just a few of the prizes.
By now you are likely thinking to yourself if we entered? You would be correct! And to have a chance at the top 5, we need your help! We need your friends help, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers and Sisters help! A share or two would also go a long way as well.
To vote for us simply head on over to Love Your Local Business and toss a vote our way. We would be super thrilled if you can take the time to help us. The first time you goto the site you need to register but after that it is simple to cast votes daily or whenever you can. You can even use Facebook to log in! We even added a widget on our sidebar to the right to simplify the voting process to make voting daily simple.
So with that said, we would be very appreciative if you could help us out by sending some votes our way.
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
~Nicky and Mark
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
One more day until the Steering Towards Hope Poker Run/ Show N Shine. This family fun event is entering its second annual event, that will prove to be a full day of fun, be it a poker run or a show and shine on site at the Walter Baker Park. If this is not enough to grab your attention then perhaps come drop by to see many of the vendors who will also be taking part in this charity event. TEAroma will be offering up delicious tasting loose tea and iced tea. There will be live bands and music, food vendors as well as a kids zone offering up a splash pad, bouncy castles, glitter tattoos by sparklingexpressions and much much more.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Not only can you have loads of fun but also be helping others as this event is offering all the proceeds to the Kidney Foundation of Canada to help fund disease research as well as raise awareness of kidney disease.
For more information on this event please visit the following link at facebook.
For a photo gallery of last years event and for information on registering for the show n shine or poker run please visit Steering Towards Hope.
Still need to find some more information on this fun filled car, truck and motorcycle enthusiast event please visit this facebook page.
We hope to see you there as this will prove to be one of those fun filled summer events that you just don't want to miss.
Where? Walter Baker park in Kanata
When? Sunday July 7th at 9am till 5pm.
Free admission although if possible a non perishable donation for the food bank would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma.
~Nicky and Mark
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
TEAroma ~ THÉaroma would like to invite everyone in the Ottawa/Gatineau and surrounding area's to join us for what should be a fun filled afternoon and night of music, vendors, games, children's activities, food, and community spirit at the Potty Rocking in the Park event in Carleton Place Ontario. Just a short drive from Ottawa/Gatineau.
"Potty Rocking in the Park" is an outdoor family music festival, taking place on June 22 2013 from 4-10pm at Riverside Park in Carleton Place. The event is being organized by a volunteer group to raise funds for the rental and maintenance of porta potties at our local playgrounds.
There will be many great vendors taking part as well as activities for children ranging from glitter tattoo's, to games, dancing, a bicycle safety rodeo put on by the OPP. Contests, raffles and much much more! All are welcome to come on out and enjoy the fun! Click the above link to get more information on who will be attending, the activities, and the fun that everyone will be having.
"In addition to our fabulous live music, let's not forget all the other fun happening at the park:
> The CP Canadians own Bruce the Moose
> The Shriners and their wonderful balloon art
> Star Wars Characters visiting with attendants/taking pics
> Obstacle Course (courtesy of Greco Fitness)
> Helium Balloons (courtesy of Napa Auto Parts)
> Bean Bag Toss
> Colouring/Craft tent
> Temporary Glitter Tattoos (Sparkling Expressions)
> Mini Family Photo Shoots (Amy Eaton)
> OPP Bike Rodeo (2-4pm)
> Food Vendors (Cotton Candy, baked Goods, yummy BBQ, Chips, Drinks)
> Prizes, prizes and more prizes
Not to mention the playground and splashpad that are already there ;)
Sounds like some great reasons to come and spend the day! "
The list keeps growing with more and more fun being added! This is one event not to be missed.
You can follow this event on twitter using the hashtag #pottyrockinginthepark.
Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to look about our blog. We can also be found on facebook at, TEAroma ~ THÉaroma .
~Nicky and Mark
Friday, June 21, 2013
Posted by
sparklingexpressions
