Coffee & Honeycomb: currently

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VENTURING FROM STARBUCKS: THE BEST ICE CREAM LIKE EVER

Sunday, September 21, 2014

You read that right. I discovered the best ice cream LIKE EVER. and it's called, Sweet Science. It's comparable to Jeni's, but entirely made with organic dairy, organic sugar, and locally sourced ingredients. I know that's how Jeni's started, but once it grew nation-wide, not much of the local/organic aspect remained in the formula to continue.

So why do I have a picture of tea up there? You can only find Sweet Science in this cute tea shop called, Verdant Tea. I should probably rate the tea, but as much as I like to think I'm a classy broad, I don't know the first thing about tea and rarely drink it. I've actually been trying to dabble it in lately, though, to get my caffeine fix without the calories I consume in my coffee. But if you have a deep appreciation for tea, this place is for you. All tea is freshly brewed and loose-leafed, and made by very trusted workers. The workers are super cool and view tea as an art form and believe in the culture even more seriously than coffee culture.

They offer tea leaves on a shelf so you can smell before you buy, monthly tea tastings, and 'tea flight' on their menu - meaning they continue to bring you hot water to add to your various tea bags while you stay there for one price.

The environment there is great, too. It's designed to be like a greenhouse with large windows, natural lighting, decorative plants, and rich wood furniture. With free wifi, you could stay there for days and keep your creative juices flowing. Good tea + good ice cream + inspiring space = productivity. ;)

Okay, now to the main point. What we've all been waiting for. The ice cream. YES. Guys, I am not hyping this stuff up. At one point, I had $80 worth of ice cream sitting in my freezer... And as a result of it, I am now poor. And let's talk about the flavors. Oh my gosh, the flavors. The most unique and delicious and rich tasting flavors. I tried... salted caramel, vanilla mint squared, berry crumble, coffee toffee, sweetcorn blueberry, and green tea. But they also have much more. Your favorites (chocolate, vanilla, chocolate chip) and ones you've probably never dreamed of (olive oil, vegan roasted banana, root bear float, etc.) My goal is to try every flavor at least once. So far, the berry crumble and coffee toffee are my favorites. It's addictive and I have a problem.

Ps. Isn't the packaging and overall branding so cute?! I love the consistency.

LAKESIDE

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Minnesotans love their lakes. I guess they are called the land of 10,000 lakes for a reason. ;) Rain or shine, people always seem to be flocking lakeside. If they can't be IN the water, you bet they're still biking/rollerblading/sitting to at least enjoy the waves from a distance.

Growing up in the midwest burbs, I was never much of a water person. I never lived near a body of water and the changing seasons didn't exactly cultivate that kind of culture. (Not to mention my swimming skills were limited to doggy-paddling until my freshman year of college. Yikes.) But fortunately for me, it looks like things are changing! And you know what they say, when in Rome... I now live VERY close (5-minute walking distance) to a lake and can't help but to be so attracted to it every time I pass by it. There's a 3-mile bike/walk path surrounding the water and I've gone around it a couple of times so far and it was so much fun — not to mention beautiful. I definitely understand they hype now. Count me in!

1 down, 9,999 to go...! Cheers to new adventures and cultures!

TWENTY TWO

Friday, August 29, 2014

In a couple of days, August will be over.
In a couple of hours, it will be my last night in Naperville with my family.
In a couple of (more) hours, I will be a Minnesota resident.
In a couple of weeks, I will be a full-time worker.
So, so, so weird.

I was taking a look at my baby steps for August; reflecting and reevaluating how this month went. I completed a lot of the tasks I had set (minus the bonfire and Japan scrapbook), but overall, the month was a pretty tough one. Creatively, I felt no motivation or juice left in me to make anything. Physically, I felt like a squishy sloth (lolz @ the alliteration) all of the time. I wasn't eating healthy or being active or sleeping regularly, so my body often felt sluggish and slow. (But hey, calories don't count in your birthday month.) Spiritually, I was inconsistent; very reactive to my surrounding and circumstances versus standing firm and remaining bold. Overall, I treated August as an 'interim' month, just a fill-in until real life began. Don't get me wrong, the break was really nice and probably much my last one ever, but everyone around me was starting life and school and work, and for me, I was on pause.

And let me tell you, I hate pausing for too long. I just hate it. I've never been that kind of person. I hate being stagnant. It makes me restless and lazy and crazy. I need change and movement and projects and challenges and surroundings and new grace thrown my way. I like to be elbow-deep in work, in growth, in dreams — and not just any kind, but meaningful work, intentional growth, and ginormous dreams/prayers. Hey, that's kinda catchy. Maybe I should make that my slogan for the year... ;)

One of my "baby steps" were to turn 22. I'll save ya the suspense, I succeeded. I turned 22. I'm sure the suspense was just killing ya on that one. Anyway, with a new year, I made a list of 22 vows/dreams I'd like to do before I turn 23. :) This is my first time doing this so I threw in a mix of lifestyle changes, bucket list-worthy tasks, and also some simple ones. It's on the calm side — nothing like go bun-jee jumping or drink 22 shots in 22 hours or whatever people actually add to their bucket list. But this is mine, and this is what it looks like. Inspired by Elise's #makeitpublicmakeithappen, to share things with you. Here it goes!

22 VOWS:

1. Memorize 22 verses.
2. Cook 22 dishes.
3. Read 22 books.
4. Send 22 letters.
5. Do quiet time daily.
6. Take more photos.
7. Develop more photos.
8. Learn something new.
9. Start a bible study.
10. Pick up a new sport/physical activity. Barre?
11. Develop Etsy shop.
12. Be deeply invested in a community.
13. Be intentional with my time and relationships and money.
14. Run a race.
15. Visit 22 different cities.
16. Write a song.
17. Call family often.
18. Serve at a retreat.
19. Give the blog a makeover + ad spaces.
20. Volunteer.
21. Love my job.
22. Love God more than I did the year before.

XO. CHEERS!

LIFE LATELY : BABY STEPS

Friday, January 17, 2014

currently :
- Reading "Restless" by Jennie Allen. I'm only on chapter four, but so far? It is an absolute gem. I would recommend it to any senior in high school or college — or anyone in transition. (I plan on doing a separate post on this book later, but if you're feeling eager to check it out, find it here!)
- Applying to jobs... There's really not anything else I'd like to add to this. It's just... going. (Please lift up a prayer for me for God to open doors!)

- Playing Dutch Blitz! Have you heard of it? Think solitaire + speed!
- Watching "Pretty Little Liars."
- Drinking soy iced chai almost everyday. I think I need to find a good recipe to substitute the cash I'm dropping at Starbucks.

baby steps :
What are baby steps? They're like goals—only less intimidating and less measurable. They're baby steps toward permanent lifestyle changes.

- Create a mood board.
- Apply to three new jobs a week.
- Eat turkey bacon and egg whites.
- Visit a new city.
- Keep squatting.
- Read a fiction book.

currently watching: "revenge"

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I'm a little behind, though. Season two is on air so I try hard to stay away from discussions on the lastest episode. (ex: OMG VICTORIA DIED!)

... WELL THANK YOU FOR GIVING THAT AWAY.

Guys, while I do love our mutual appreciation for the same television show, I'm still on season one. Let me catch up! Those are the days I feel like social media stabs me in the back.

My roommate introduced me to this show two weeks ago and it happened to be on Netflix so I checked it out
~~and watched 4 episodes straight in one setting. I'm obsessed.~~ It's not bad. Each episode is about 45 minutes long and I'm already on episode 26. Where did all that time go.

If you like mystery, romance, and good-looking rich people, then this show is for you.

What's your favorite show? Share here.

XO.