Like Your Living Room, Only Much, Much Cooler

This morning I was dragged away from my cozy home office; where did I go? The Living Room. No, not the next room, The Living Room Coffee Shop in Valley Junction. The Living Room is the brainchild and heart's desire of my friend Elisabeth Ballstadt. Elisabeth is one part 1960s housewife, one part socialite, one part best friend to the world--and that's pretty much the atmosphere of her coffee shop.

The furniture is retro-velour sofas, chairs in zany colors, and old wooden booths. Elisabeth is an amazing shopper, and now, she has an outlet for all the vintage lamps and glass bottles she's been stock piling in her basement. Elisabeth was working behind the counter today wearing gorgeous, designer knee high boots, and a vintage-print apron. I just love that girl.

I had a delicious cafe au lait with skim milk and some homemade ice cream (dreamsicle without the creepy orange color). It was the perfect antidote to a chilly, damp October morning. I couldn't believe how peaceful and charming Valley Junction is in the morning; it's quiet and welcoming, without the crowds of the farmers market and there was nary a red-behatted-antique junky to be seen.

Perhaps I have two cozy places to work, my office and the Living Room. Stop by and say hello to Elisabeth at 117 5th Street, Valley Junction.