The Beehive Tea Room

A few weeks ago I was out of town on business/fun with friends, and made a little unexpected discovery~ The Beehive Tea Room, in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. My friend Deb and I were just taking a walk around the block of our hotel and I did a double take. (I think my heart even skipped a beat.) I went to the door to check the hours and take a peek. They were closed, but the owner, Lisa, came to the door and invited us in and ended up giving us a little tour. I'm so glad that she did!!This cozy, comfy tea room is a little gem in the heart of the city. When you walk in, you feel like you've stepped into a 1920-30's bohemian scene where artists and writers hang out. Lisa use to work in set design for film and television, and she definitely used her talent to create an incredibly inviting place to meet with friends, stop in for lunch, or just hang out and drink tea. That evening a book club was starting to gather in the lounge, and let me tell you-- I didn't read the book--but wow, I would have loved to have joined them!

These photos are from a couple days later, when my friends and I came back for lunch and tea. (I have no idea who those people in the photo are, but I really wanted a shot of this corner.) My awful photos just don't do it justice. There isn't a lot of natural light in The Willow Room, so I had to use a flash-- and well, you know how great that makes a photo look.

These rooms were vintage heaven... the furniture, the art and accessories... all of it! She hired an artist to paint the scenic murals. She told him that she wanted it to have the feel of a Maxwell Parrish painting. I think he did an incredible job!

This is the funky-fun hallway heading back to the front of the shop...

I love this cafe area in the front also. Lovelovelove those lanterns hanging from the ceiling. I tell you, this place has a magical feel to it. Again, my photos just don't do it justice!! Luckily, there's a pro out there who filmed a music video at the Beehive Tea Room, so you can enjoy a little bit of a "tour" also... oh, and the guy in the video is not so bad to look at either.

Although I'm not a food blogger, I've just got to mention that the food is great. I had the best quiche of my life here. I kid you not. Everything is made fresh-- including those wonderful warm scones that Lisa surprised us with! (Thank you sooo much, Lisa-- if you are reading this-- that was so thoughtful, and they were delish!) I sort of wish that I had taken photos of our food (like a good blogger), but I just wanted to be-in-the-moment with my friends. Oh, and I was hungry. Heehee.

So, if you somehow find yourself in downtown Salt Lake City, this is a great place to eat lunch and to drink from a great selection of tea. (They have other beverages also, if you aren't a tea drinker.) Give yourself time to enjoy the surroundings and to chat with your friends while they prepare everything fresh.

Seriously, if I lived or worked near downtown Salt Lake City, this would be my hangout. I'd buzz right back in a heartbeat.

Hugs,

PS: Be sure to check out their website for more details than I could fit in this post. Oh- and word has it, The Beehive Tea Room will be moving to Trolley Square, another historical location-- with very convenient parking and a beautiful new Whole Foods!

A Little Box Of Sunshine

A few months ago when we were experiencing our rainy season here, I was really craving spring. I wanted sunshine.... so I splurged and bought me some. I've always loved Elyse's blog, Cottage, and the sweet, enchanting "tinkered treasures" she creates. Soooo, I did it. I finally placed an order. So, how 'bout some "Show and Tell"??

First of all, look how sweet everything is wrapped. (You all know by now that I totally love great presentation!) Everything was so carefully wrapped, it felt like I was opening a birthday gift from a friend!

Just look at all this sweetness! I love Elyse's "signature colors"-- pink, aqua/blue... so soft and pretty! She even enclosed what I call a "cupcake ballerina", some blue flowers, and a book marker. Can I just tell you how much I love those ballerinas? I love those ballerinas. I had a ballerina birthday party when I was little, back in the (ahem) late sixties. (I was really, really little then. Not very old at all.) These ballerinas were on my birthday cake. After the birthday debut, we kept the ballerinas in my mom's green metal picnic basket where we stored all the cake decorating supplies. (For you metal basket collectors, it's the green "basket weave" one.) I think my mom still has that basket-- and those ballerinas. Anyway, those "cupcake ballerinas" always bring back sweet memories when I see them.

Okay, back to my box of sunshine... I love these tinkered clothes pins. I think they'd be so great clipped onto a bulletin board-- you know, the ones made out of a frame with the wires strung across. (Note to self: find frame, paint it, wire it.) I think they'd also be darling used to clip a gift tag onto a gift bag. Cutecutecute.

These little tinkered matchboxes are even sweeter in person-- I love the little ribbon/rose detail and the little sequin "drawer pull" (can't see it in this photo). And how cute is that little "wish ticket"?? I love to give earrings for gifts, and these little boxes are perfect! This little sweetie was a little stowaway! (Thank you so much, Elyse! I love unexpected "extras"!) I've named her Ellie, and she has found her home among the glittery goodness in my playroom. (Yes, I have a playroom, but that's for another post...) I think Ellie will be very happy among the sparkle and, uh, what I call crafty chaos. Anyway, I hope you've liked this sweet little box of sunshine~ please click on over to Elyse's lovely blog. It's a little ray of sunshine too!

Okay, so did I mention it was a rainy year? Yeah, I ordered some more sunshine. Sunshine was on sale that day. It was a sign. I knew that I had to have these bowls the moment I laid my eyes on them! I don't know what this style of printed enamel bowl is really called, but I love them. These ones are much smaller than I imagined that they would be, but they will be great for serving stuff... and snacks. I like pretty snacks. Now this really made my heart pitter-patter.... teacups, saucers, and dessert plates. I see another tea party in my future. I really love these teacups. I used every one of them within two days of receiving them. Loooooove. Them. They make me feel like a little girl playing tea party in her play house. Well, whatdayaknow...These cups also coordinate with my embroidery projects~~ all three of them. Yes, my dear-sweet-giveaway-winners (and my awesome swap partner)-- I have been stitchin' like a mad woman. The embroidery part is done, but my sewing machine decided to break down. (Great timing.) Okay, I have more excuses but I don't want to bore you with them. I am hoping to resolve the sewing machine problem in the next week, and then I'll be very close to shipping some stitchy goodness off to their new homes.

I can't wait to reveal what I've been up to!

Hugs,