Days out with Mom

I still need to go through my workshop photos! I'm sorry to be so slow to post those photos. But I haven't had time to do that yet because my mom came in town the day after our workshop ended. I quickly washed sheets, cleaned house and tried to make things pretty for my mom's arrival (the bathroom looks quite clean here, doesn't it? I stashed away all the kiddy stuff!) Whew. I managed to tidy up well enough and then almost as soon as she got here, we were busy out and about most days that she was here. We had a great time. We mostly visited some of our usual favorite places. Liberty is always a must, shown below, but I also took her to a few places she hadn't been before.

A Little Gem

Today I took Lois to a cooking class in Hither Green. I knew nothing about that neighborhood other than what I could see on street view the night before, which didn't look like much. But right near her class I found a wonderful tea room-flower shop called You Don't Bring Me Flowers. I didn't even need to step inside to know I'd love it. I could tell from the outside that it would be great, with its cute terrace tables and pots of flowers and bins of books. Stepping inside was wonderful too. As soon as you walk in the door you're greeted by the wonderful smell of flowers and coffee and the sound of music like this, playing on a record player! I love the duck egg blue walls and all the mis-matched, colorful mid-century decor.

L'OisiveThé for Mollie Makes

Oooh, I'm so excited to have written another article and taken the photos for Mollie Makes! This time it's on the best knitting shop and tea room in Paris: L'OisiveThé. Aimee, the owner, is wonderful and her shop is equally great. If you like to knit or like tea, or if you just like to find cosy lunch spots in Paris, make sure to visit!

Mamie Gateaux

A few people have mentioned Mamie Gateaux, a tea room and cafe, which is just around the corner from our apartment. I've walked by a few times, once when it was open and packed, and once when it was closed. There are some really great photos of Mamie Gateaux in Paris Brocante, an adorable Paris Brocante guide book, which unfortunately for me is in Japanese, but it's still super cute, and all the addresses are listed so it's still a good guide. Today I thought I'd take Lois there for a lunch date.

L'Oisive Thé

Today I went back to L'Oisive Thé, the wonderful tea room I went to last week for knitting group. Today I brought Lois there for lunch and to buy some knitting needles. Aimee, the owner, is so nice, and it was a real treat for Lois that her adorable son Maximilien was there. I just love this place! It's so inviting and cosy.

More Tea, Please

I'm still on a tea mission of sorts (the reveal on that topic will be January 31), so I headed to one of my favorite places today with Lois, Vintage Heaven. The front room is filled with vintage treasures and the back room is the Cake Hole Cafe. More on Vintage Heaven later this month. For now here's just a little  peek. 

Tea Treat

Last weekend I visited Le Chandelier. I don't get down to this part of the city often, but Le Chandelier is worth the short trip. I needed to visit Le Chandelier again to take some new photos for a an exciting tea project I'm working on, which I'll share with you soon. I made sure to take time to sit down with a delicious apple tarte tatin. It was sooo good. Click here to see more photos from my frist visit. I just love Le Chandelier. And East Dulwich is very charming if you've never been. 

Having My Tea and Drinking it Too

I recently read about a secret tea room here in London, and I can't wait to check it out. Obviously it's not super-duper secret, but it is inside a pub, tucked away, and available to you once you ask for the tea room. It looks so pretty. You can see more pictures here too. I might go next week when my sister's in town (yay!). Our place isn't quite all together, but I'm ready for a wee tea break after all this unpacking. In the meantime, I'll peek at some tea inspiration and have a cuppa at home. But just for a few minutes. Lots more to unpack! Sources for these images are in my Pinterest. 

Tea is Served

Earlier this week, my friend MN came over for a tea visit. Our place isn't exactly together yet, but presentable enough. I made a pear-almond upside down cake, some tea sandwiches, a little salad, and tea, of course! And I had wee tea ready for our little ones as well. It wasn't exactly easy to eat in peace with the little monkeys dangling from us, but we had a really nice time. Tea is so fun. (The upside down cake recipe is in Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone, in case you're interested. I didn't fan the pears right, but it was sooo delicious.)

Le Chandelier

Yesterday I visited Le Chandelier, a beautiful cafe-restaurant and atelier in East Dulwich. I always love discovering new tea spots here in London, and when I read about Le Chandelier on Tea for Joy, I put it at the top of my list. It was as beautiful in person as it is in pictures. The light-filled space, with white washed walls is narrow and long, with high ceilings, and the cosy atmosphere and decor make you feel like you're in a 17th century salon. You can choose from more than 25 loose leaf teas, which are selected by Le Chandelier's very own tea master. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (dinner on certain nights), as well as a beautiful selection of sweet delights from their patisserie. As you sit and sip your tea and indulge in a nibble, it's easy to be dazzled by all the beautiful chandeliers overhead, which are for sale, and sourced primarily from France. Le Chandelier also has a vibrant Moroccan room, which can be reserved for private parties, and the entire space can be made available through 1st Option for photoshoots as well. If you go to Le Chandelier, I'm sure you'll leave feeling refreshed and inspired like I did. I can't wait to go back.

Le Chandelier

161 Lordship Lane
London
SE22 8HX
Tue-Thrus 9:30am-6pm
Fri and Sat 9:30am-11pm
Sun 10am-6pm