Teavana

Have you discovered Teavana in your local upscale mall? I first heard it mentioned by a cousin, followed by one of my collegiate nieces. She told me it was a very cool shop and they gave out samples of hot teas. My cousin claimed it was her new passion. I hope not supplanting her passion for wines. She is so knowledgeable and well informed. She's, also, one of the kindest and most generous women I'm grateful to have the pleasure to be related to. We're on the same wavelength about many issues and ideas. Our grandmother, the one who said "there is nothing a cup of tea can't cure" shared a common understanding of both of us. She was a strong, sober Irish-American maternal archetype with wisdom for our ears. She was a grand lady with the common touch. She was an ace bridge player and had a gaggle of girlfriends and sisters to travel, shop and play cards with.

It was towards the end of her life just before she got sick and we were standing in the living room of the apartment of her widowhood simply talking. She asked me if I believed in reincarnation. She groaned as I affirmed that I did. "Oh, I don't want to do it all over again. Once has been plenty." We both giggled.

"I want you to know that I did everything I wanted to in my life. I have no regrets. I went where I wanted and did what I wanted. You have moxie. You must do the same." Fortunately, neither of us knew what lay ahead. However, I never forgot her words as exchanged. Now we're making it happen!

So how does this relate to Teavana? In recognition and celebration of the launching of Tea With Dee my cousin gave me a gift set from Teavana and a sample of a special blend she exclaimed about. I was delighted and couldn't wait to open the box when I came home. Inside their were six vacuum sealed teas, a special teapot, German rock cane sugar, four copper-colored tins for the tea and a silver spoon. Everything for a perfect tea party!

I nearly swooned over my first cup of her special blend; White Ayurvedic Chai and Samurai Chai Mate. Now, I truly understand why tea has always been valuable across international cultures and borders. This brew aroused taste senses previously dormant. I was sold on the first sip. Yes, she cautioned, it was expensive but what isn't these days?

So off to the mall I go. Shopping is not one of my favorite past times which makes me unlike most women. I guess I get visually over-stimulated and overwhelmed. I cut through Nordstrom's on my way, catching glimpses of the current styles and awed by the shoe and cosmetics departments. What I need is a personal shopper. Not familiar with the layout of the renovated mall and without having a guide on hand, it took me a time to find Teavana. By this time I feel like a deer in headlights.

This was a small shop that could barely accommodated ten people and it was buzzing. A customer service clerk approached me almost immediately. "Hi, may I help you?" Those are among my favorite words. After a quick exchange of teapots, I inquire about the blend.
"We are serving it today, would you like to try some?"
"Actually, I have."
She rattled off all this beneficial information and how if I bought a pound I'd get x, y, and z savings. "OK", I heard myself say while wondering what I had agreed to buy. The clerk spoke with such authority and authenticity that I became an easy sell or mark.
"How much is a pound?", I asked as the clerk pulled from a back wall two, hatbox-sized tins and a smaller cylindrical tin.  She started scooping out the most beautiful looking teas with colors, spices, and flowers.

"$55 a pound and we guarantee freshness for a year in this tin."

OMG and you don't even smoke this stuff, I thought. What have I done?

I took out the debit card, noticed the store manager was smiling and made room for another woman with a same-sized tin needing to be refilled with her favorite brew. I took in the Japanese ambiance, the distinctive set-up to maximize space and the crowd of young, old and middle age co-mingling inside and outside the shop. Teavana has a formula and it works. Check it out, if you haven't already. You can buy it by the ounce. You do not need to buy it by the pound. Although, at my current rate of tea consumption, I'm glad I did.

It's delightfully delicious! Cheers!  teavana.com

Love Always Wins!
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