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So here’s the tea 🫖

Where to find tea around Lakeland
Table featuring afternoon tea at Lavender 'n Lace Tearoom
Pair your cup of tea with a scone or pastry for a picture-perfect treat. | Photo by @lavendernlacefl
Fancy a spot of tea? Next time you’re in the mood for a glass of Southern sweet tea, a full English tea time, or a cup brewed from the comfort of home, try one of these recommendations.

HTeaO, 3920 S. Florida Ave.
Fill a cup with one of 35+ flavors of Texas-style tea, then top it off with a fresh fruit garnish. For a twist, try a unique combination from the “Not-So-Secret Menu.” City Editor Connor’s favorite is the Wonder Woman (coconut, blueberry + watermelon tea).


Three cups of iced Color Theory Tea Co. tea from Black & Brew

Visit a local coffee shop for a cup of Color Theory Tea, or buy a bag to brew at home.

Photo by Color Theory Tea Co.


Color Theory Tea, locations vary
Brew your favorite cup at home by ordering online from this Lakeland-based company, or find it around town at locations like Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro or Pressed Books & Coffee. Pro tip: Sign up for the subscription service to get it delivered to you each month.

Sweet Magnolias Tea Bistro, 212 Howard St., Auburndale
Visit this tea room located in a historic home ~25 minutes from downtown Lakeland for an afternoon bite or special event. Kids will love a themed tea party for their birthday (and we would too).


A view from the window of Lavender 'n Lace Tearoom

Sit + sip a while as you enjoy the views over a hot cup of tea.

Photo by @lavendernlacefl


Lavender ‘n Lace Tearoom, 430 N. Lake Shore Way, Lake Alfred
Located ~35 minutes from downtown Lakeland, this quaint tearoom has been serving customers for over 30 years and is reopening today with new renovations. Stop in for afternoon tea, seasonal foods, and desserts that are pretty as a picture.

Kettle’s On! Tea Parties, locations vary
Gather a group of friends for a grown-up tea party, complete with scones + finger sandwiches from this mobile tea party company. Pro tip: You can choose your favorite Color Theory Tea Co. flavor here as well.

Where else are you getting a cuppa? Spill the tea on your favorite places and we may share them with our readers.
Ready to chai something new? Send this to a friend to schedule a tea party.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today
Thursday
  • ART Connects ALZ | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 2-3 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free | Individuals in the early stages of dementia + their caretakers can create and appreciate art together. 🖼
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth Education Classes | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Watson Clinic Main, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | $50 | Learn about childbirth from a licensed registered nurse, including breathing techniques + delivery medication options.
Friday
  • Women In Business Symposium | Fri., Sept. 16 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland | $40 | Recognize your professional potential at this symposium — tickets include breakfast + a discussion panel.
  • “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre | $20+ | This witty musical revue tackles modern love in all its forms. 🎭
Saturday
  • 8th Annual 7 Rivers Water Festival | Sat., Sept. 17 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Central Park, 401 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven | Free | Learn about Polk County’s seven watersheds + ways to help the environment through a hands-on experience for the whole family. 💦
  • Architectural Tour at Polk County History Center | Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. | Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St., Bartow | Free | Take a tour of this Polk County landmark to learn about ongoing restoration + preservation efforts.
Sunday
  • Public Skate | Sun., Sept. 18 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena, 3395 W. Memorial Blvd. | $12+ | Bundle up for a skate around Lakeland’s only real ice arena — bring your own or rent your skates. ⛸

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
100+ MORE EVENTS

Wellness

Put back in what you’re sweatin’ out 💦
Presented by a LALtoday Partner
LMNT-Sept-2022.png
LMNT is a healthy addition to every lifestyle. | Photo provided by LMNT
To perform at your mental + physical best every day, proper hydration is key. Unfortunately, most electrolyte drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients (read: stuff you don’t want in your body).

Enter: LMNT, a drink that replaces essential electrolytes without sugar, coloring, gluten, artificial ingredients or other junk. LMNT tastes great, too — you can even use it as a cocktail mixer. (Hello, weekend hydration.)

Bonus: Lakelanders get a free gift with any purchase.*

CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT

Weather
  • 87º | Scattered thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Development
  • There are more renovations to come for the Lakeland Public Library Main Branch. After reopening with the new Lakeland History & Culture Center last week, Phase 2 of renovations can begin. The Youth Services area will be closed for three to four months for ventilation system replacements. (The Ledger)
Ranked
  • 105. That’s what Southeastern University ranked on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges list for 2022-2023. Out of 1,450+ colleges, SEU ranked in the top 25% for social mobility and scored highly on the diversity index scale. Go Fire. 🔥
Legacy
Cause
  • Gospel, Inc. is hosting FriendRaiser events from Mon., Oct. 31-Wed., Nov. 2 to raise funds to house homeless individuals. Each day, guests can join a luncheon or dinner, tour Gospel Village, see progress on new units, and hear from Alan Graham, who created America’s largest tiny house village.
Feel Good
  • Lakeland’s Fred Koehler became a fairy god-author for Quinn McBride, who was granted a wish from Make-A-Wish after battling leukemia. Working with 50+ submissions from other artists, Fred created “Quinn’s Monsters,” a book of short spooky stories featuring 5 year old Quinn as the main character. 📖 (LkldNow)
Active
  • Paul Catala is running for his life — a longer life, that is. You can find him participating in Swan Brewing’s fun runs to stay healthy + beat his goals. Get in on the action with the Aching Quad Challenge on Fri., Oct. 7-Sat., Oct. 8. (The Ledger)
Drink
  • The perfect pair awaits at Nineteen61’s event, An Evening with Far Niente. Enjoy a five-course dinner featuring wine pairings from Far Niente, like Pinot Noir + espresso-crusted pork tenderloin. Buy tickets now for the event on Thurs., Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. 🍷
  • Tasty and healthy? Yes, please. Super Coffee is the energy-boosting, great-tasting drink with 0g added sugar, 10g protein, and 200mg of caffeine — and only 80 calories. Taste for yourself to see why it’s creating so much buzz. ☕ *
Shop
  • Attention all shoppers — The Curated Collective is extending its hours. You’ll now be able to shop for vintage finds on both Fridays + Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Can’t make it on those days? You can also set up a shopping appointment during the week.
Try This
  • Rec Room is bringing the Upside Down to Lakeland with its Stranger Things Night, happening this Fri., Sept. 16 starting at 8 p.m. Grab a bite from Fat Maggie’s, compete in a costume contest, and enjoy drink specials like the “Mind Flayer.” Pro tip: Kids are welcome until 9 p.m.
Coming Soon
  • We’re one day closer to the opening weekend for Bonnet Springs Park (Sat., Oct. 22-Sun., Oct. 23). Check out the August newsletter for development news + a behind-the-scenes look as construction wraps up.*
Home
  • Time for a new AC system? We suggest investing in a new Carrier AC system from Payne Air. The local company is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, which means technicians are more knowledgeable on Carrier AC systems for installation + maintenance. Bonus: Payne Air technicians are also NATE certified. 🌬️*
Real Estate
  • On the lookout for a home with max year-round outdoor living? Meet The Rhi by Hulbert Homes — a 5 BD, 4.5 BA stunner with a detached game room + patio along with a lanai that’s perfect for starting or ending the day. 🏡 *
Travel
  • Have company coming into town via Orlando International Airport (MCO) soon? Rental car options are changing with Terminal C opening next week. Rental car companies currently available at Terminals A + B (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt + Thrifty) will also be available at Terminal C starting Mon., Sept. 19. 🚘 *
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Bookish beverages ☕️

New fall drinks at Pressed in Lakeland, FL
A glass cup with a fall iced coffee drink and a wrapped muffin on a white plate at Pressed coffee shop in Lakeland, FL
Try your favorite seasonal drinks hot or iced. | Photo by LALtoday
Autumn is the perfect time to cozy up with a new book — and a new favorite drink. Pressed Books & Coffee has released three new specialty drinks named after books.

🍁 Little Women — This Maple Honey Cinnamon Latte has us quoting, “I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”

📚 Great Expectations — Put some Pip in your step with this Apple Pie Cold Brew.

☕️ Murder On the Orient Express — A cup of this Pumpkin Chai Tea is perfect for solving mysteries (like which book to read next).

Try one of these drinks on your next visit to Pressed, open today from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. We find they’re best paired with a baked good + a used book.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Want to try a fall-inspired tea from HTeaO? Consider this my addition to the Not-So-Secret menu: Fill your cup with Texas Chai + top it with a splash of Almond Green. Following Pressed’s lead, I’m calling this one The Catcher in the Chai.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Soak up the last bit of summer with the perfect pool day, here.
Read More
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Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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