“Don’t worry, the fans don’t start booing until July”. – Earl Weaver
Lightening bugs and mosquito bites, gardens preparing to burst, the smell of charcoal, Pirate baseball on the radio and the pungent odor of a skunk under the air conditioning unit that wakes you up like smelling salts. It is summer once again.
Off topic-At the shop the other day while soaking in the dreaded humidity of the afternoon as the fans were blowing warm air, I discovered a radio station on Pandora. I did a search on Paul Simon and the songs coming from the speaker took me to another time in my life. Did you ever hear one song in particular that really sparks a memory? I do. Every time I hear Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John it takes me to the midnight shift at the former Liberty Mirror in Brackenridge and the year is 1973. (One advantage of the midnight shift was we could play a radio). I was a fresh graduate of Highlands High School and was given the choice to go to business school or go to work. I was so done with school and I wanted the cash so I could move across the country to Oregon, which I did.
I’m back.
One of the things we pride ourselves in at Diamond Antiques and Gifts is keeping the store tidy. We clean the windows and the glass doors. We keep the shop floors swept and the displays are always very well done from vendor to vendor. We have little fairy lights in the window that light the streetscape at night giving the shop a charming and inviting look. The one thing that presents a challenge is keeping flowers in the urns out front. It was difficult keeping the geraniums watered in the growing season so we switched over to really very nice artificial ones. Well, some jag off took the flowers out of one of the urns. Looks like cactus will be the way to go with that.
In spite of our loss of balance with only one urn sporting flowers, we shall persevere. Diamond Antiques is in full bloom with so many cool furnishings and decorations your head will explode! One thing to keep in mind when you go to Diamond Antiques and Gifts facebook page to peruse the pictures of current listings is if you see a piece you fall in love with, it is best to call the shop for prices and measurements on a piece. It’s also good to be sure the piece is still in stock. The furnishings are awesome and as a rule they don’t stick around very long.
I guess I am kind of known as “the tea lady”. I’ll take it. But hey, guess what? I don’t sip tea. I am strictly chamomile and chamomile blends. When a “tea” is made of herbs or flowers only it is called a tisane. I also start my day with coffee and decaf coffee to boot. I know, I know. You think ewwww, what’s the point. I consume Trader Joe’s french roast decaf and it’s terrific! I’m jumpy enough so the trade off is nice.
July and August are the best times of the year to brew up some awesome iced tea! Here is my go to recipe for a fast, thirst quenching beverage. Boil water and fill a large mug about a quarter of the way up and add your favorite bagged tea flavor. (I am on a strawberry tisane kick). Sweeten the hot water so it dissolves. After brewing time, fill the mug with lots of ice. The ice will melt a bit as you add it to the hot water. Then top off with cold water and there you have it. Summer is a great time to take advantage of the huge selection of tea flavors at The Stillroom Gift & Tea Shop!
The Stillroom Gift & Tea shop is located inside of the fabulous Diamond Antiques and Gifts at 311 E. Sixth Avenue in Tarentum, PA. The Stillroom has the best tea selection of tea north of the city. If you need more selection, I’ll send you to Squirrel Hill to Margaret’s Fine Imports on Forbes Avenue. Margaret has an extended selection of loose teas and a variety of tea from many different tea companies.
Alas, The Stillroom carries only Stash bagged tea and Harney & Sons fine loose tea. We have tea accessories, local honey, hats, gloves, teacups, teapots, culinary lavender and essential oils of lavender and peppermint. Locally made goodies include lavender sachets, organic catnip toys, tea wallets and greeting cards. The Stillroom is a cool little space with fun and unusual touches of vintage and new decor.
If you really want to step back in time and shop at your leisure, do stop by. The clerks are knowledgeable and helpful. If you can’t find it here we are happy to tell you where to go. We don’t know everything in the book but we sure try and help you while we learn something new too!
Give a piece of the past for the present 🙂
Have a safe and happy summer and stay hydrated! Keep check out the blog for updates on summer happenings at Diamond Antiques and Gifts!
Hours-Wednesday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5
Remember we open at 8 a.m. on Fleatique Sundays
The Stillroom 
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