Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter had their November luncheon at Audrey’s Attic, one of the busiest high-end consignment shops in Naples, Florida. In this shop (named after fashion icon Audrey Hepburn) you can find brand names on secondhand clothing, estate jewelry and antiques. The British woman who owns the shop had always wanted a tea room as well, so the tea room, “Tea with me at Audrey’s,” which adjoins the shop, came into being last year.
The Tea Room at Audrey’s is decorated in a Victorian style and has tea-related décor wherever you look: chandeliers fashioned from tea pots, tea cups and saucers; all manner of tea pots and cups arranged in collectibles display cases; tea-time sculptures; and fine china cups and saucers on a serving buffet, on small tables around the room and on the walls.
First-off, we were offered our choice of tea, served in individual mini-tea pots filled with tea leaves and hot water, which we strained into our cups. Our tea choices consisted of English blend, papaya mango, green tea and white peony with lavender. Our lunch was served on a three-tiered serving dish with finger sandwiches of smoked salmon, egg salad, ham and Swiss and cucumbers. On the upper tiers were homemade raisin and cranberry scones and mini pastries.
After lunch we had a short meeting during which there was a discussion about attending the Alpha Chi National Convention in Orlando, Florida, in June, 2016. Several members already have plans to go. Sasha Williams reported that there were 170 initiates at the newly formed Alpha Chi chapter at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. Donna Porter announced that Pam Lawson, Esther Lawson’s daughter, and Debbie Phillips, daughter of Bobbi Hanson and niece of Betsy Townsend, would each become an Alumna Initiate and be initiated at the national convention. Sue Halvorson reminded members to wear something red to the Christmas meeting at Imperial Country Club, where the Lydia Singers will regale us with Christmas hymns and carols.
On our way out, it was impossible not to start browsing through vintage and designer clothing, accessories and costume jewelry, but the shop comprises 4,000 feet, so it’s not a place that you can do justice to in a brief time.
Nancy, Rosemary and Carolyn at the entrance to Audrey’s Attic
A view of the tea room
A Tea pot chandelier
Amy, Judy, Jennifer and Susan, pledge sisters at the University of Miami a few short years ago
Shirley, color-coordinated as usual
Sandi, Scottie, Rosemary, Carolyn and Sandy
A collectibles display case in the tea room
Kathy, Pat and Scottie
Pat with a mannequin in vintage clothes
Brenda, Zarie, Sasha, Kerry and Jean
A tea pot chandelier
Sasha, Carol, Paula (a server) and Mary
A tea-time sculpture/lamp and accessories
A cups-and-saucers chandelier
Kerry and Jean
Kerry, Carol, Mary Lou and Sue
A serving buffet with tea-time accessories
Phyllis, Carol and Sasha
Ann and Shirley
Phyllis and Nancy with our three-tiered tray
Becky, blog writer/photographer
Susan, Nancy, Carolyn and L.E.
Julie, L.E.’s daughter and Valary
Serving trays laden with food
Carolyn, L.E.’s other daughter, received a surprise sparkler flower birthday candle.