Oxford Exchange

Three Rainy Day Date Ideas

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There’s nothing worse than planning out a beautiful date on a warm summer day, only to have your plans ruined by RAIN! (Especially in Tampa… it’s raining as I write this! Welcome, summer!)

If a rain out happens- Don’t scrap the day, just turn it into a rainy day date! See below for three of our favorite date ideas to do when skies are grey.

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1) Sur La Table

To be honest, we’d suggest Sur La Table rain or shine- it’s great for a date night any time!

The building is nestled right in the middle of Hyde Park Village, which is an adorable shopping center you could explore for a whole afternoon. The shop is a full cooking supply store with a kitchen in the back for their classes, and weather you like to cook or not it’s easy to get lost in here! Though you have to park in a garage or the street when you go to the village, they have the cutest umbrella baskets floating around so you can snag one to keep dry!

Once inside you can begin your class with some wine (BYOB) and usually a snack, and then they’ll dive into the prepping! They walk you through the meal step by step and at the end, of course, get to munch on all you’ve created! They also send you home with the recipes and a discount you can purchase supplies in the shop with. The perfect (yummy) indoor date!

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2) Oxford Exchange

Oxford Exchange is truly a Tampa gem. Any time we take someone new here, they ALWAYS fall in love with the diverse options and unique aesthetic. In the building you'll find a coffee bar, tea bar, full restaurant, bookstore, and shop- making it the perfect rainy day hangout. Usually we’ll start an OE date with brunch in the restaurant (if avocado toast is on the menu, you can never go wrong). Then we head to the bookstore and each pick out a new read! (Easier said than done because they have so many amazing options). From there we usually grab a coffee from their buddy brew bar and cozy up on one of their leather chairs or comfy couches to read together. It’s easy to spend hours cozied up in this downtown Tampa favorite- no sunshine no problem!

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3) The Dali Museum

The Dali museum is located in downtown St. Pete and is always one of our go to date spots! Between the artwork, rotating exhibits, and snack bar, you can wait out the rain in this uniquely shaped space. We always love seeing Dali’s take on oil paintings- they are unique and always seem to spark a good conversation between us as we peruse them! Highly recommend. 

There you have it- three rainy day date ideas! This summer when the drizzle (inevitably) happens, we hope you’ll remember our favorite local spots and give them a try for date day! A rainy day date is ALWAYS better than no date at all!

Want to dream of sunny days? Click here to see Eric and Katie's outdoor LA engagement session!

Cold Pressed Cocktails :: Editorial with the Oxford Exchange Market

I had the pleasure to once again join forces on an editorial with the creative and amazing team at the Oxford Exchange. Our first collaboration was a Tea Pairing/Tea Party, and this time we went over to the O.E. Market to create Cold-Pressed Cocktails, just in time for Summer! Once again, we were featured on Style Me Pretty Living. If you'd like to see more images, and for the ingredients and directions for these tasty beverages, please check out the feature! I'm sure this won't be the last time we collaborate!Cold_Pressed_CocktailsCold_Pressed_Cocktails4Cold_Pressed_Cocktails2Cold_Pressed_Cocktails3Cold_Pressed_Cocktails5Cold_Pressed_Cocktails6Cold_Pressed_Cocktails7

Christa + Matt :: St. Pete Engagement Session

I truly believe the moments captured in this engagement session would've happened without any direction at all. Christa and Matt are so laid back and natural together, and Matt is a seriously awesome musician... I almost wanted to stop shooting for awhile just to hear him play. They have both been so fun and awesome to work with so far, so I know there's no question that I'll love their wedding at one of my absolute favorite Tampa Venues, The Oxford Exchange. November can't come soon enough!Guitar_Engagement_Session1Guitar_Engagement_Session3Guitar_Engagement_Session2Guitar_Engagement_Session4

How to Make the Perfect Tea :: Editorial

In just over a year of business, the Oxford Exchange has set the bar in Tampa. Their restaurant is booming for breakfast and lunch during the week, and might just be the most popular choice for brunch on the weekends. They also have the most fantastic shop, bookstore, offices, and coffee shop, but perhaps those will be saved for another SMP Living post. On the weekends, between 3-5 they offer Afternoon Tea. We decided to take it up a notch and add whimsical mismatched vintage plates and glassware, and a touch of florals. A special shout out to Courtney with Dishie Rentals for the lovely teacups, plates, and flatware, and Abigail with TeBella Tea for the delicious tea.

For a how-to on how to make a Salted Caramel Latte and a Lavender fog, please check out the feature on Style Me Pretty Living.

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Rachel + Marcus :: Oxford Exchange Wedding

On any given day, if you ask me where I'd like to eat breakfast or lunch, I will always say the Oxford Exchange. It's common for me to be at the OE at least twice a week. I'm either meeting fellow wedding vendors, or drinking Tebella Tea or Buddybrew Coffee while I dream up crazy and exciting ideas for the future. So long story short, this wedding was near and dear to my heart and it turned out to be even more beautiful than I had imagined. Vendors and guests alike were blown away by all amazing details, both big and small. And how perfect is Rachel's Reem Acra dress from Maliny Elene? So many great vendors, I'm so excited about the feature on Style Me Pretty Florida.

To see their beautiful Tampa Engagement Session, please click here.

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Rachel + Marcus :: Bayshore Boulevard Engagement Session

What could top a Bayshore Boulevard engagement session with gorgeous weather and light? An Oxford Exchange wedding on the first weekend of November. In an effort to avoid an endless list of why I can't wait for Rachel and Marcus' wedding, I'll give my top three. I absolutely love their chemistry and story, they've already chosen amazing vendors and an amazing venue, and they're so incredible easy to work with. Their day can't come soon enough! To make me love them even more, I just got back from a 5 day trip out west for a photography conference, and when I returned there was a handwritten thank you card with a gift certificate for Buddy Brew Coffee. If you've been to the Oxford Exchange, then you probably know how amazing that coffee is... And if you've asked me about the Oxford Exchange, thank you know how much I love their Mocha Latte.