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Victoria Lauren's quirky cafe has won her a loyal following online who keep up with all her latest brews and views.
Between commuting to and from work, and getting on with responsibilities, it can be hard to keep in touch with friends, but one woman's inventive way of getting her busy group of friends together has won the hearts of viewers online.
Victoria Lauren, 25, took to Instagram on July 7 to showcase her charming weekend tradition of hosting an elaborate coffee morning for her group of 20-something friends. The video, shared by the marketing professional who is known on the platform as @viclauren_, has garnered more than 242,000 likes on Instagram, drawing praise for its aesthetic, trendy and thoughtful execution.
The creator's curated spread is in line with Gen Z's current interest in all things girlhood, quirky maximalism and spending time with friends without cellphones. Her idea of bringing the coffee shop to the home can also, for guests, cut the cost of enjoying a sweet treat in a cafe amid the industry's rising prices.
"As most of my friends work 9-to-5s and live in different neighborhoods in the city, I started hosting my 'Saturday Café' back in February as a way to bring all my friends together and prioritize some social time during the rough winter months," Lauren, who is based in Montreal, Canada, told Newsweek. "I have been hosting these café days monthly ever since. I have always wanted to open my own café, so you could say this is a way for me to manifest on a micro level!"
She added: "I got inspired after seeing the idea online, and wanted to create my own spin on it with some homemade sweets, coffee from my favorite local roasters, pastries from my neighborhood bakery, and a full brand identity that would allow me to explore my curiosity in graphic design."
Viewers could see Lauren transform her open-plan living room and kitchen counter into a trendy coffee shop, complete with rows of pastries, a variety of milks, and a fully stocked coffee bar. The setup includes detailed signs that mimic those one might find in a stylish cosmopolitan cafe, adding an authentic touch to the otherwise homey environment.
An overlaid text on the video read: "Hosting another Saturday cafe at home."
The video captured not only the creatively decorated space but also the joy and camaraderie of Lauren and her friends as they enjoyed the event. Lauren has become known online for her impressive hosting skills, frequently sharing her elaborate setups that often trend on social media. The creator showed off her espresso-based drinks—a regular fixture at her weekend bash—and her specialty drinks for the month.
Sticking with the theme, Lauren had also created a custom "Saturday Café" stamp for her pastry bags, and got her friend, Kate, to bake the cookies and cakes that were on display.
"It's been quite surreal to see how engaged people are with the idea," Lauren said. "As I mentioned earlier, I didn't invent the concept of an at-home café, but it's been incredibly heartwarming to see people draw inspiration from my menu and pastry setup, and to hear of how much they love this style of hosting.
"I just love knowing that these videos inspire other people to gather over coffee and make time for their friends."
The video has sparked a wave of positive reactions, with viewers praising Lauren's hosting ideas. However, some viewers have said that they feel Lauren's idea is unattainable for people facing financial hardship.
"I strive to be this level of rich and unemployed," one user, @be.niamino, posted.
Another, @josh_pateman, added: "This is cute, it's the adult version of when you were a kid and had those plastic kitchens."
"I got scared I wasn't invited for a sec," a third user, @gabcolatosi, shared.
One comment read: "This is adorable!"
"Stunning! Will forever love your idea," one viewer, @marangelinari, commented.
Another, @atomiccoffeeroasters, added: "These are so wholesome."
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