(ABOVE) Meeting the Queen (I wish) at Brambles Tea Room on Fifth Avenue South, in Naples, Florida.
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April 24, 2023 / Video Post Notes
LUNCH AT BRAMBLES ENGLISH TEA ROOM; WHITE BUTTON-UP SHIRT, BLACK AND WHITE SKIRT OUTFIT
Lunch and Tea on Fifth Avenue South
In this YouTube vlog and blog post, I returned to Olde Naples to meet *CSG at Brambles English Tea Room. (I last vlogged there in this 2016 post–it was so long ago!)
While the Brambles Gift Shop is located on Fifth Avenue South, the entrance to the Brambles Tearoom is off of the Rue de Fleur passageway. (This passageway leads from Fifth Avenue South to an alleyway and parking lot behind Brambles.)
Established in 1995, this tea room became a favorite tranquil spot for me during the early 2000s, when often I would go there by myself to work on an essay while I dined on tea sandwiches, a pot of hot tea, and a scone with clotted cream and preserves. Now, I have just a salad and tea, due to health issues (see more about that here), but I still love it nonetheless. In fact, it’s one of my favorite restaurants in all of Naples. The food is delicious, they have an extensive selection of teas and tisanes (50 in fact), and the decor is so cozy and charming. I love the adorable mismatched floral teapots, teacups, and saucers. They all are so pretty.
CSG and I both ordered the Tuna Nicoise Salad (see photographs below). Although it isn’t on the online menu, it is still on the menu at the restaurant, and it was delicious! (I brought my own dressing: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, Himalayan salt to taste).
Because the restaurant is so popular, reservations are suggested January through April. There are a few tables outside, but most of the dining is indoors. If you have been here, I’d love to know what you ordered. Also, did you enjoy a tea or tisane, too?
My Black and White A-Line Skirt
On this day, I wore a White Cotton Shirt, Pastel Blue Pima Cotton Cardigan, and a Black And White Jacquard A-Line Skirt. Oh, do I love, love, love this skirt! First, it’s jacquard, which gives it a dressy, refined look and feel. It also conceals lumps and bumps because of it’s thicker texture. Also, because it’s black and white it goes with so many solid color tops. Plus, it has a flat front–no bulky zipper–so any tops worn on the outside lay smooth and flat. This also is why I love side-zip pants. Both are so flattering to the figure, especially from the side view. (I also don’t need to fuss with a belt.) I just adore it.
Speaking of tops, this shirt is one I have had for years and wear all the time–for both dressy, casual, and in-between looks. It goes with shorts as easily as it does a ball skirt.
If you are interested in any of the items I show here, the shopping links are located at the bottom of this post.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog!
~ Janis
Janis Lyn Johnson
Classic-Style Lover. Happily Married. Born in 1960. Fan of Understated, Timeless Fashion and Healthy Living.
Editor
JLJBackToClassic
*CSG Camera-shy girlfriend
My Previous Posts:
Vlog: Kate Spade Wicker Bag, Sweater Set, White Pleated Skirt OOTD; Lunch Jane’s Cafe, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Vlog: SLG’s in My Louis Vuitton Trouville; Shirtdress OOTD; Lunch Campiello, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Vlog: Fendi Selleria Mini Peekaboo, Tan Tunic Sweater, White Jeans OOTD; Lunch The 239, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Vlog: Christian Dior Lady Dior Bag, Leopard Top, Ivory Trousers OOTD; Lunch Ridgway, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Vlog: Louis Vuitton Vernis Alma BB, Pink Cardigan, Ruffle Blouse, Grey Pants OOTD; Lunch Sante Fe Cafe, Waterside Shops, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Vlog: Louis Vuitton SLG’s in My Ralph Lauren RL Handbag; Striped Oxford Shirt, Ankle Jeans, Cardigan; Lunch Grain de Cafe, Naples, FL
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Timeless Fashion: 10 Classic Wardrobe Essentials That Never Go Out of Style
Blog Post, YouTube Video
Scenes From The Video
Brambles Tea Room and Passageway
(ABOVE) The Rue de Fleur passageway leading to Brambles English Tea Room.
(ABOVE) For lunch, my friend CSG ordered Nicoise Salad, Earl Grey Tea, and (BELOW) a Traditional English Scone with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserves. I loved her dress!
(ABOVE) For my lunch, I had Gunpowder Green Tea and (BELOW) Nicoise Salad with my own salad dressing (2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, Himalayan salt to taste). I forgot to request that they leave off the potato salad (due to the eggs in mayonaise), so I just didn’t eat it.
(ABOVE & BELOW) If you love tea sets, Brambles Tea Room is a wonderful place to shop after your lunch or tea.
(ABOVE) I still cannot believe this wonderful woman has left our planet.
What I Wore
Inside My Handbag
(ABOVE & BELOW) Prada 2005 Re-Edition Saffiano Leather Handbag (preloved here). I purchased this handbag from Saks Fifth Avenue last summer and use it quite a lot for both casual and dressy occasions. It comes with both the gold chain strap you see here and also a nylon web strap and a matching coin purse. I clipped the coin purse to the zipper pull, but it also can be attached to the web strap or one of the loops on the side of this handbag. I use the coin purse for keys. Also see a Similar Kate Spade Bag.
(ABOVE) This slim Prada Saffiano Leather Card Holder comes in several different colors. I like to use it in smaller handbags, because it takes up so little room.
(ABOVE) Because space is limited in this handbag, I chose to use my Pink Faux Snakeskin Key Pouch (also at Walmart) for my Lipstick (also at Amazon), Lip Brush, hand sanitizer, and other cosmetics. It takes up less room than cosmetic pouches.
(ABOVE) I put my Salad Dressing Bottle in this Nylon Zip Cosmetic Case, which I carried in a washable Black Canvas Shopping Bag.
(ABOVE & BELOW) All the makeup I’m wearing is from clean cosmetic brands. This shot was taken in my car after lunch. I applied the lipstick without petroleum jelly, so you could see the color full strength. I think it’s such a gorgeous color! Gabriel Lipstick, Pomegranate (Gabriel, Amazon).
Mineral Fusion Powder Foundation, Warm 3 (Amazon, Walmart)
Gabriel Powder Blush, Willow
Gabriel Lipstick, Pomegranate (Gabriel, Amazon)
Gold Dual-Ended Retractable Lip Brush, for lining and filling-in lips with lip color
Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette, black shade as eyeliner (Ulta, Target)
Sigma E21 Smudge Brush, to smudge liner on lid and under lower eyelashes (Neiman Marcus)
RMS Beauty Un-Powder Powder, for setting eyeliner (Nordstrom, Amazon)
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer in One (Ulta, Amazon, Target)
Set of Four Portable Eyelash Combs, Pink, to comb out mascara
Vaseline Triple Purified, 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, applied to cheeks and cheekbones as highlighter (Amazon, Target)
Nourish Organic Shea Butter, I rotate this with petroleum jelly (Amazon)
1-Ounce Glass Jars (Set of 6), for storing Petroleum Jelly, Shea Butter, Etc. (Amazon)
(ABOVE) Before lunch, shown here, I wore Gabriel Lipstick, Pomegranate (Gabriel, Amazon) mixed with Triple Purified 100% Petroleum Jelly (Amazon, Target) to lighten the color a little.
HER CLOTHING
DRESS: J.McLaughlin
MY CLOTHING
(I am 5’8” tall; size XS or 0-2 in most tops (PP at Talbots, XXS at Ann Taylor, J.Crew); size 2 or S in most pants, and size 26 in most jeans; size 9.5-10 in most shoes)
SHIRT: Talbots / CARDIGAN: Brooks Brothers Cardigan and Shell / SKIRT: Talbots.
MY ACCESSORIES
EYEWEAR: Kate Spade, 53 mm, old (alternative I just bought here) / HANDBAG: Prada 2005 Re-Edition Saffiano Leather Handbag (preloved here; similar Kate Spade) / CARD HOLDER: Prada / KEY POUCH: Walmart, Amazon / NYLON POUCH: Amazon / CANVAS SHOPPER: Amazon / BALLET FLATS: Lindsay Phillips (with changeable, clip-on shoe adornments)
MY JEWELRY
EARRINGS: blue topaz, old (similar here) / MULTI-GEMSTONE RING : from my husband years ago, similar here / BRACELET: Roberto Coin / WATCH: Cartier 18K Gold Small Tank Watch, Alligator Strap, gift from my husband 4 years ago (preloved here)
MY PERFUME
PERFUME: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum (3 x .2 FL OZ)
MY MAKEUP BRUSHES
PINK MAKEUP BRUSH SET: 13 Piece Set with Case
MY MAKEUP (Clean Ingredients)
FACE:Mineral Fusion Powder Foundation, Warm 3 (Amazon, Walmart) / CHEEKS: Gabriel Powder Blush, Willow/ EYES: Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette, black shade wetted as eyeliner (Target, Ulta) / smudged the line on eyelid and under lower lashes with the Sigma E21 Smudge Brush (at Neiman Marcus); set with RMS Beauty Un-Powder Powder (Nordstrom, Amazon) / LIPS: Gabriel Lipstick, Pomegranate (Gabriel, Amazon) / LASHES: Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer in One (At Ulta, Amazon, Target) / CHEEKBONES HIGHLIGHTER: Triple Purified 100% Petroleum Jelly (Amazon, Target)
YouTube Video
(ABOVE) If you are seeing this message, then I have published the video and it should be appearing above. However, if for some reason the video isn’t appearing above–and you have refreshed your page and cleared your cache–you also can view the video at my JLJ Back To Classic Channel on YouTube.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Intense Mini Twist Spray (3 x .2 fl. oz. or 3 x .7 fl. oz.)
Classic Black Sunglasses (narrow, medium, wide widths)
Pastel Blue Supima Cotton Cardigan
Pastel Blue Supima Cotton Shell
Black and White Jacquard A-Line Skirt
Black Leather Ballet Flats (with snap-on adornments)
Hi Janis,
Hope that you and hubby are doing well!
I love the outfit that you are wearing! There’s nothing like a crisp white shirt and red lips! To me it’s classic elegance; very Grace Kelly. I must own over 10 white shirts! Some of them I’ve had for over 10 years! The funny thing is, the style is all the same! I have to stop myself every time I see one that’s on sale. Anyway, you look great, as always. I love the baby blue sweater! Looks fabulous with the bag and black and white skirt! You have a real talent in pulling outfits together! I try, but, I’m not as good as you! Please take care and stay safe! Love and light, Sarah🙏❤☀🙋🌷
Sarah, it’s wonderful to hear from you again. I understand your love of white shirts. What is it about them that makes them so wonderful in a wardrobe’s? Somehow they have a way of making every outfit just a bit more refined and elegant. Also, for me, the bright white color against my face seems to liven me up. I know many people don’t like the color of white against their skin. I really like it. My hubby is doing well. I hope yours is. How are you doing? I hope you are well. You take care and stay safe, too. Love and light back. Janis
I remember well when you last visited Brambles and I fell in love with it then and even more so now . The colours of the flowers along the little alley way are so so pretty ..
What a divine little tea shop, I am sure our beloved departed Queen would be at home there as afternoon tea
is very much a royal tradition every day. It was only a few weeks ago our new King Charles entertained dear
President Joe Biden to afternoon tea., it was a brief visit before the President flew to Ireland to reconnect with
his Irish roots.
Anyway Janis thank you for taking us to Brambles both your Salads looked fresh and the Scone , well say no more it looked scrumptious.
Take care ,
Pamela from Wales UK .
Pamela, thank you so much for letting me know you remember the other post when I went to this tea room. I don’t know where the time went! I appreciate you being with my blog for so long. I hope you are doing well in lovely Wales. Take care.
HI Janis!
Love it all as usual! Standouts to me are you look fantastic in a darker lipstick.. a lovely variation from your usual more subtle ones.
Also.. the Prada bag is great. It’s youthful but just right for ladies our age as well.
Last but not least we were away last week in Europe and I went to Boucheron in Monte Carlo and tried on your ring. It’s FABULOUS!! The different colors of gold are so eye catching in real life. It lays so beautifully on my finger too.. so comfortable.
I hope I can find it pre-loved in my size sometime soon.
Thanks for the ideas and the smiles.
Oh my gosh, Claudia, how exciting to be able to go to a Boucheron in none other than Monte Carlo. That must’ve been so much fun. I am thrilled you got to see the ring in person. I agree it’s definitely beautiful and comfortable. I hope you can find it pre-loved in your size. That would be fantastic.