Finding Narnia, inspiration, and a friendly swordfish.

And now, a few places I have come across in recent travels:



1) THE LOFT- Dexter, MO. I was a town that had a Walmart and not much else. After being there a week and a half I felt very claustrophobic. The roads seemed to lead to nowhere. I didn't feel like I could get out. That is when I found Narnia. There are times in life when Narnia needs to be found. Of course I am not talking about the real Narnia, but the concept. A magical place that draws you in a teaches you things. This one was called The Loft. On the outside it is a brick building with fancy doors. On the inside it is like something out of a novel. They sold lotions and candles and jewelry and weird foods and hats and ties and furniture and plates and Christmas ornaments and weird dolls and quill pens and a large assortment of other strange things. Upstairs there were four separate rooms, each decorated to the max with expensive art and comfy couches. And there was a huge wardrobe(see, I told you it was Narnia). One the roof there was a long couch, a grill that was shaped like a bull and made of copper(it looked like a monster from a Percy Jackson book), there we tables with umbrellas, and there was a seven foot tall giraffe(for no apparent reason). Downstairs there was an outside patio with a fountain and chairs and plants and table and a gate. And downstairs inside there was a grand piano and a little coffee set up. The machine they used was probably a couple a thousand dollars and one of the best parts of the whole thing was that the workers had no idea what they were doing.It all felt very innocent and welcoming. The guy making my Café Au Lait was asking my for directions.When I asked the owner why he had this whole incredible set up he said he just wanted a place where people could just come and drink their coffee and enjoy themselves. And he succeed at just that.

                                        

                               

                               

                                                                                                                                                               






2) THE BLUE DOOR COFFEE BAR, Stuart FL. Named Appropriately. It's hard to miss the yellow building with the bright blue door. This little gem inspired me mostly because of the art. When I walked in I saw it almost instantly. It was a huge painting done with oil paints that took my breathe away. This summer I decided I wanted to learn to work with oil paints because I usually use water and acrylic. So when I saw this painting I was reinspired. I must learn how to this.
  And every time I went back to Blue Door I found another little painting or sculpture hidden somewhere in the tiny shop. There was even a little upside-down bird sculpture under the counter where I sat one day. 
  The coffee was lovely. And the tea. I really appreciate when coffee houses have good tea. They did that too. When I can go into a coffee shop and order tea that I know will be unique it just makes me happy. Oh, also they had Lavender syrup to flavor drinks with...I think I will explain why that is important in another post because it's kind of a long story.

3) STUART COFFEE, also Stuart FL. This little place is filled with art and conducive to community. Also, while in town I got two free drinks by using their punch cards. (: Along the walls and shelves there is an assortment of local art. And on certain days artists come and paint in the window. I love how they support local artists. And their coffee was pretty good. I also like how they had a bookshelf with games and novels. And a comfy couch. That was good too.

  I think it is very important in a coffee house to make sure your iced coffee is just as good or pretty close to your hot coffee. Sometimes people get lazy with the iced coffee and that is just a shame. Also, at Stuart Coffee I got a s'more iced coffee... now that was good. I'm always a huge fan of creative drinks.

  My only complaint would be the workers. From their outfits to their attitudes it just all felt too professional and stiff. The drinks and atmosphere were relaxing and very Florida themed, but I just don't like when coffee is over professionalized. I like when people feel at home making coffee and people feel a sense of home in drinking it. I like when workers talk to me about life and coffee. I guess I feel like coffee is a universal language so when I'm treated like a costumer I feel jipped. I suppose I shouldn't be too upset since I am a customer... But I'm not just that. I'm a person. And so are all the other people who come in.
Coffee of all things reminds us that we are human. And coffee houses should be a place where we can come and feel like humans.
  That's all I have for now. More to come soon. But until then remember that the people you come in contact with are actually people. I think sometimes we all forget that.