CultureTea, Wilton's Own Tea Room

Keep warm in winter, one hot cup of tea at a time

Growing up in Wilton, there used to be nothing of major interest in the town center. Aside from three pizza parlors and four nail salons within a one-mile radius, outings were limited to the old library, the movie theater and Starbucks.

Much has changed since I left for college. A few restaurants closed, but several restaurants have opened and remained open since. Tusk & Cup opened a second location. The town finally allowed liquor licenses for package stores. 

And now there is a tea room.

CultureTea's space is a contemporary oasis outfitted with classic details. The arrangement of tufted leather burgundy seating along the wall, the black bistro chairs, and the marble top cafe tables in between feels like a cozy cafe. Even the soft, pale green walls and the white trim in the main space remind me of the elegant simplicity of Laduree's signature packaging. 

It's worth noting that the tradition of tea is British, but CultureTea is a far cry from uptight and formal. This is a place where you could sit back and chat for hours over a pot of tea, but out of sheer respect and decency for the establishment and the practice of tea drinking, please refrain from wearing sweatpants.

My mom and I browsed the menu and selected the Harmony Trio Afternoon Tea—it included two pots of tea, an assortment of tea sandwiches, scones and small desserts. I chose an organic white tea, Pai Mu Tan, and my mom chose an organic green tea, Genmaicha. Both of us were very happy with the teas and delectables we had ordered, but we both agreed that the fresh scones deserved a special kudos.

CultureTea is one of the special small businesses Wilton has needed. It's a warm gathering place for friends and family to catch up in town without having to eat a heavy meal. The tea room will be hosting special events in the future, including a tea and cheese pairing tasting, so be sure to stay updated on Facebook and their email list for more information.

Find of the Week | 42

Fall is here, which means it's time for denim, sweaters and boots!

The temperatures haven't dropped low enough to break out shearling-lined footwear, but damp weather means taking out the Hunter boots. I went to Chou Chou in Wilton to get a black, matte pair—I even bought shearling in-soles to make them extra cozy.

I forgot to feature this bag months ago, but it's a vintage Coach crossbody I bought at Wish Consignment in Newport. 

Wilton Library Hosts "Judgment of Paris" Lecture, Wine Tasting

I love white wine... Aside from that fact, I don't know much else about wine.

As a way to spark a more serious interest in wine, I signed up for the Wilton Library's event with author George Taber and his book, The Judgment of Paris. The premise centers on a 1976 wine tasting which sought to discern fine California wine from its French counterpart. 

The wine connoisseurs selected to participate in the legendary tasting were beyond qualified for the task—think chefs and sommeliers at Michelin star restaurants and editors of wine publications well-versed in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and the rest. 

Taber—the only journalist present at the wine tasting since the outcome was assumed by all else—highlights Napa Valley's pivotal turning point as a global player in the industry and how its precedent paves the way for other nations to make wine. 

The Judgement of Paris explores the game-changing event for the wine industry that not only validated the efforts of American winemakers in Napa Valley, but proved that a wine didn't have to be French to be superior.

To say that Taber offered interesting insight on the 1976 wine tasting is an understatement. One attendee asked if France publicized the results of the event—Taber gave a resounding no, which was quickly followed by a good laugh. Meanwhile, the news appeared all over Napa Valley headlines and expats looked for the wines used in the tasting. Taber continued to give the audience fun tidbits on personalities involved and illustrate the full scope of the event's impact on the wine industry today.

If you're interested on listening to Taber's take, check out this article on NPR.

I actually tried reading The Judgement of Paris over the winter, but I got caught up in my job search and reluctantly set it aside for another day. I couldn't have asked for a more engaging event hosted by the library and the author himself to renew my interest in exploring wine (and picking up the book!).

And unless I am carried away with prosecco cocktails, I will never pass up an opportunity to get a signed copy of a good book.

Interested? Buy your copy here or at your local bookstore.

Tusk & Cup Opens New Location in Wilton

Don't be surprised if the long line at Starbucks in Wilton begins to cut down—Ridgefield-based coffee shop Tusk & Cup has set up shop down the street!

Among many other advantages, Tusk & Cup is dedicated to providing amazing coffee and customer service. As someone who eats Starbucks' spinach feta wraps way more than I'd like to admit, the freshly prepared egg white florentine wrap at Tusk & Cup supremely lords over its corporate counterpart. 

Not to mention sipping on the perfect mint mocha latte feels like an absolute luxury...

Every detail that makes Tusk & Cup special contributes to the shop's overall fun, accessible and positive image. It could have been very easy for a coffee shop in Fairfield County to become unyieldingly pretentious, but Tusk & Cup continues to keep their cool. Above all, it embodies the spirit of community, something that's highly valued among Wilton Warriors. 

I prefer Wilton's layout over the one in Ridgefield. I'm not sure if they have the same square footage, but for whatever reason, it feels more comfortable.  

This may have to do with the fact that there is more seating that can be used for both the workaholics sitting with their arsenal of electronics and the lacrosse moms chatting about which impressive college their son or daughter will attend in the fall.

Honestly, I still go to Starbucks least once a day when I go to work—it's typically faster and less expensive, especially if you regularly reap gold membership benefits—but it's important to support your local businesses when you can.

When you support local business, you support your community. 

When you support your community, you help build a better and happier place to live.

...

Long story short, do what you can to make the world a better place to grow into something even more beautiful.

...

So basically just buy the delicious $5 latte handcrafted with Italian coffee beans and feel the amore.

Marvin Gardens' Closing Sale

My parents and I were on our way to Tusk & Cup when we saw that Marvin Gardens was hosting a going-out-of-business sale for their retail storefront on Danbury Road. While we were walking around the property and looking at the wrought iron gates, horse statues, and antique patio chairs, I was wishing that I had my own house and garden to redesign...

I did manage to find a few treasures--three vintage French books published by Flammarion. According to eBay, they have very little monetary value, but they're great books that I can bring with me wherever I go, just like How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are.

Although Marvin Gardens is closing the brick-and-mortar location, the company will still be offering their services (container gardening, garden design consultation, holiday decorating, etc.) and attending other events and shows (Trade Secrets, The Brimfield Antique Market).

Pic Stitch

Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram--without these apps and social media platforms, I would not be able to create the look I want for this blog.

For a long time, I noticed that some Instagram users create images that have multiple pictures in one frame. It is a nice touch if you are trying to capture the essence of a specific person, place or thing using more than one picture. I thought these layouts were part of the Instagram app, but it turns out there are several photo frame collage apps.

I randomly chose Pic Stitch--it has several layouts and does the job well. After selecting your pictures for each frame, you have the option to export your image to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or your iPhone's Camera Roll. I have been experimenting with Pic Stitch for the past twenty-four hours and cannot seem to stop, check it out:

Jack Wills

Farm stand

Swizzles Frozen Yogurt

Newbury Street

Newport

Dave's Coffee

The Gilded Nest

Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee

Wilton: The Gilded Nest

My mom and I stopped by an antiques store called The Gilded Nest on Route 7 in Ridgefield.

The Gilded Nest carries restored antique furniture and home accessories as well as jewelry, handbags, and select beauty products. The Gilded Nest also does interior design consultations and custom upholstered couches and chairs.

There was a summer sale, so we got great deals on a pair of restored headboards circa 1920s-1930s and a chandelier for the dining room.

The rest of day we ran more errands in town center and Norwalk. Another pasta dinner at home, we went to Swizzles Frozen Yogurt in town. I got a Cake Batter and Cookies 'n Cream blend with cookie dough bits and chocolate chips while my mom got chocolate frozen yogurt with strawberries and chocolate jimmies.

Swizzles is a bit more expensive than Beluga--Swizzles prices their yogurt at 60 cents per ounce, versus Beluga's price of 39 cents per ounce.

Besides Project Runway, I also want to catch up on What Not to Wear, at least for the summer before school starts. What Not to Wear airs new episodes on TLC, Tuesdays at 9:00pm. I cannot believe the show is on its ninth season!

Beryl on What Not to Wear, Season 9, episode 13--she is absolutely stunning to begin with. And then just when you could not think she could be any prettier...

She looks like this. Wow.

Wilton: "GTN" (Gym, Tea, and Nails)

It has been a while since I have been in Wilton.

As usual. 

Since most of our relatives live in Rhode Island and I now go to university in Rhode Island, we spend a solid chunk of time in Rhode Island. When we are in Wilton, we hit up the gym and Robeks, then run a ton of errands before running back to (you guessed it) Rhode Island...

We did go to the gym and Robeks and take care of the long, laundry list of errands, but we are preparing to visit relatives in Virginia. 

In light of reclaiming the beach body that I lost while in Oxford--the daily push-ups and crunches eventually succumbed to Digestives, les pains au chocolats, and tomato,basil, mozzarella paninis--I made a Pinterest board to inspire me to work out. It is titled "Do Your Bodywork" in honor of the single "Bodywork" by Morgan Page feat. Tegan and Sara. 

I guess the term emerging for fitness inspiration found on blogs and social media like Tumblr and Pinterest is called fitspo?

I also pinned a few pictures of Victoria's Secret models on "Do Your Bodywork." I cannot decide if doing so will work for or against me: it will inspire me to get a great body, but it may be disappointing if my torso does not look exactly like Miranda Kerr's. 

Oh well. It cannot hurt to give it a go. 

By the way, today is Alice Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the telling of Alice in Wonderland. This year marks the 150th year of the story. I was not able to properly celebrate with a "Mad Hatter" afternoon high tea, but I managed to pour a cup of tea in honor of Lewis Carroll's wonderful fiction. Oh Frabjous Day!

Every time I get my nails done here, it rains without fail.

Catching up on summer trends

New Shanghai Cafe is my favorite place for Chinese food in town. Even though it is right off of the main road, it is always quiet. It is a great place to sit down and have a meal and it never takes more than 15 minutes for takeout.

Mom's hydrangea plant. It doubled in size since we got it last year.

Organic Cranberry Herbal Tea served with Winnie the Pooh animal crackers

They were the closest food to "tea biscuits" I could  find in the house

The Jabberwocky

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!'

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood a while in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One two! One two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

'And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe. 

-Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll