Coffee Dates // May

Welcome to the May Coffee Date! I hope you'll enjoy the fun things we have to share with you today!

Obsessing over...

Annie Sloan chalkpaint.

Ya'll. If you're into DIY projects, this stuff is where it's at! Based in the United Kingdom, the Annie Sloan company specializes in chalkpaint but also sells other home decor and craft products including furniture waxes, fabrics, and even home fragrances. If you pull up her website, some of the quotations are downright funny but also quite true. For example and my personal favorite: "Annie Sloan paint was invented by angels to make everything fun." While this quotation may be somewhat hyperbolic, the wonders of this paint deserves such lofty praise. 

Why you ask? Because it requires no prep work. Yes. You read that right. NO PREP WORK, ladies and gentlemen. This means no sanding prior to applying paint. This wonderful time-saver not only cuts down on project time but also prevents sawdust mess. This is especially great if you're an at-home crafter like myself, with very little yard space within which to do your DIYs. In case you're wondering, this is the paint we use to do our furniture renovations at the shop. I highly, highly recommend it. 

My personal favorite chalkpaint colors? French Linen, Provence, Paris Grey, and Coco. If you have any chalkpaint or DIY related questions, please feel free to contact me! 

A life update...

Before and since running the Rugged Maniac 5K obstacle race, Mark and I have been getting more and more into physical fitness. Since January, we have done a series of fitness programs designed to whip you in shape for summer. Mark regularly subscribes to the magazine Muscle and Fitness and we have really benefited from the workout programs included in its pages. We've done the eight week Rock Hard Challenge and most recently the Summer Shred program. Since beginning this fitness regime in late January, I've noticed a definite change in my overall fitness and physique. My legs and arms are becoming more toned and-- drumroll, please--I've lost 6 pounds! While I know that six pounds isn't tremendous on the grand scale, I personally am quite proud of it. This is undoubtedly the most motivated I've ever been to stay in shape, and I hope that I'll be successful in continuing it!

Check this out...

1. If you could see what your significant other would look like at age 90, would you want to? This video of this engaged couple "meeting" each other at various ages (50, 70, and 90) is so touching and funny. 

2. This article about marriage was so eye-opening and sweet. The writer shares some interesting points on communication and mutual respect. 

3. My sweet friend Steffani shared her adoption story this week. Warning: you may need tissues. But if you're in the mood for a sweet story, this is it! Plus, their daughter's nickname "Super Nova" is just too stinkin' cute. 

4. This week, I ordered a few eyeglasses frames for free "at-home tryon" from Warby Parker. They sell sunglasses and eyeglasses. I'm so excited to try them out! 

5. I hear that this company is like a Netflix for books. I haven't tried it out yet, but am very intrigued. 

Coffee Dates // April

Welcome to April's coffee date! I don't know about you, but I am enamored with this spring weather! I just can't get enough of the sunshine, birdsong, and blossoms everywhere. Today in Maryland would certainly qualify as a dreary spring day--with this cool breeze and the slow-moving clouds. But I would still take this weather over the frigidity of winter... any day! So in honor of this new warm(ish) weather, brew yourself a cup of iced coffee and settle in for this month's coffee date!

Obsessing over...
Capsule wardrobes.

You may or may not have heard of this concept, but lately it seems like every where I turn this topic crops up. Whether it be in my email inbox, my Facebook homepage, my Bloglovin' feed, or Instagram. In keeping with a minimalist philosophy, a capsule wardrobe consists of a pared down clothing selection. You essentially limit your wardrobe to a predetermined number of clothing items from which you can create numerous outfits. The often-used number seems to be 37. Thirty-seven pieces including tops, bottoms, dresses, outwear, and shoes.(Your capsule wardrobe understandably excludes your PJ's, undies, workout gear, accessories/jewelry, and swimsuits. Because let's face it: we all need more than, say, two pairs of undies.)

At first, the idea of a "capsule" or "minimalist" wardrobe rankled me. Why toss out all your perfectly good clothes? After all, you spent good money on them! Yet, as I mulled over the idea, I found myself slowing agreeing with the philosophy. Why do I think I need so many pairs of leggings? Or jeans? Or heels? Or cardigans? How much money have I wasted on clothes that were oh-so-cute in the store... only to take them home and find myself wearing them only once or twice. While such a lean closet does still sound a little intimidating, I do find myself wearing the same pieces over and over again anyway. Why not just donate or sell all those pieces I never wear?

So, this weekend... the closet blowout shall begin. I may as well give this a try and see how it goes. Stay tuned for updates!

A life update...

You may remember in this post that I recently began a new job for the vintage furniture shop Repurposed and Refined in downtown Frederick. Three weeks later and I am still in love! I'm sore, creaky, and covered in paint by the end of the day, but I always begin and end the day with a huge smile on my face. While working in a creative capacity does have its drawbacks (less pay, for example), I find myself making time for the things that truly just make my soul happy. I now have time to read, sip my coffee, and meditate in the mornings, whereas before, the long commute to work required that I roll out of bed before the birds even began tweeting. I have time to work on my own creative projects-- such as my Etsy, our home renovations, and my writing. Just this week I was able to add five new items to the Etsy shop!  Plus, working downtown allows me to walk to work, which not only saves on gas money but also provides an opportunity to get some exercise and to enjoy this wonderful spring weather we have been having.

Frederick readers, please feel free to stop by the store and say hello! We are located at 217 W. Patrick Street.

Check this out...

1. the ultimate guide to building your own capsule wardrobe

2. some spring outfit obsessions that I found myself drooling over

3. Don't forget about our book club with Wit&Spice! The general busyness of spring has pushed our April read to May, so you still have time to catch up on your reading if you want to join us. This month's book is The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling.

Image source for the capsule wardrobe shot can be found here. All other images are my own. 

Coffee Dates: February/March

Welcome to March's Coffee Date. I totally missed February's date. Somehow, every year, it surprises me when February is a short month. I find myself blinking in shock at the truncated calendar thinking "Wait, what?" I've been on this earth 24 years; you'd think my brain would adapt to the fact that February is short. But no. Every year the sudden end sneaks up on me, and I find myself hurriedly writing those end-of-month checks and missing blog posts.

So. Let's talk about this weather. Do we all just agree that this sucks? I stepped outside this morning into a gust of wind that I'm quite certain was attempting to perform some type of insta-freeze. Either that, or Frozen's Elsa  was around the corner singing a power ballad. Either way, I did not appreciate the harsh chilling slap to my cheeks and nose.  Needless to say, coffee is much needed today!

Obsessing over...
Cookbooks and cookware. I recently bought this classic and this newbie for half-price on Amazon. The blustery weather prompts me to do one of two things: snuggle with a soft blanket and a good book or don apron and begin baking. The past few weekends have found me in the kitchen, bustling back-and-forth between sink, counter, and oven creating desserts, casseroles, stews, and pastas. In short, a variety of dishes determined to pack some winter fluff on my hips. To avoid that scenario, I force sweets on my friends and then hit the gym in earnest.

What are some of your favorite winter recipes?

A life update...
As some of you may know, this past week was particularly difficult for Mark and me. Last Saturday, I stumbled, half-asleep, to the bathroom only to turn on the faucet and hear a dreaded sputter-sputter-pffft that instantly jolted me awake. "Maaaaark!" I yelled.

We had no water. A dilemma that lasted nearly five days and resulted in a mountain of laundry, no heating, dirty floors, a torn-up basement, and a gaping hole in the street outside our house. Finally, the city of Frederick installed a new pipe from the main to our house. I can't tell you how much you enjoy flushing toilets, washing clothes, and brushing your teeth until you've been robbed of those under-appreciated luxuries.

Now that the No-Water Fiasco is resolved, we've moved onto happier things: namely, beginning our kitchen renovation. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share some fun DIY projects and their (hopefully successful) results. Stay tuned for updates!

Check this out...
1. The Oysterman. One of my professors said that a life which to us may seem simple, common, mundane may to others be exotic, if it's something that they don't know. I feel that Amy Evans does a good job capturing the uniqueness of one of my favorite places in the South: Apalachicola.
2. DIY blanket scarves.  I'm dying to try this!
3 .this Instagram feed  I love her recent photos of Scotland and its wild green.

Coffee Dates

One of my favorite things to do when meeting an old friend is to swing by a coffee shop. Hands cradling a warm mug of something sweet, we'll just sit and chat about anything. About what's going on in our lives. About funny or sad anecdotes. About new things--books, clothes, trends--we're into.

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to touch base with my readers once a month and share a little "coffee date," if you will. The posts will highlight an interesting fact, share a bit about what's going on in our lives, and also include a few of our favorite links. The overall concept will be similar to our previous Currently series but hopefully be a bit more interactive, as readers are encouraged to suggest topics for upcoming Coffee Dates. After all, real coffee dates are a conversation between friends--and I hope this space will be that for you as well!

This month, I'd like to chat first about scarves. After all, we will all be needing some with this winter weather blowing through.

Tartan Scarves

Lately, I've been obsessing over tartan scarves. Apparently, "tartan" is the correct term for the criss-cross lines pattern that we Americans call plaid. While visiting Scotland during my undergraduate years, I learned that tartan is quite the big deal (nah duh, right?). Individual families have their own tartan patterns. Apparently, you can even purchase "your" tartan. The Royal Mile vendors sold both "Black" and "Hobbs" patterns. However, since I didn't have $400 to shell out, I didn't purchase either pattern. Interestingly enough, I also saw my first pickpocket occur in Edinburgh. But that topic aside... I am very much in love with oversized tartan scarves. Whether its their association with Burberry and all things equestrian or whether its just my own imagination... when I see tartan scarves, I think "classy." Also, I think "hey that looks warm, gimme."

Here are a few that I've been coveting lately: 1, 2, 3.

A Life Update...

Last Thursday marked my last day working at Mount St. Mary's University. My final week was the week before students returned from break; so the normally bustling quad was deserted as I walked away. Nothing but the wide stone buildings, the snow-covered ground, and a harsh wind. Leaving was a good bit harder than I anticipated, and I couldn't suppress a few tears. I guess it's lucky to have had the type of job that makes you sad when you leave. Of course, I am looking forward to my new position which I begin Monday morning! Woohoo!

Check this out

1. Mark has decided that we need to just forgo buying a bigger house next time and instead downsize. I personally would prefer that my next house not fit inside the living room of this house. But hey that's just me. Although... the Linden house makes his argument very tempting, especially when that guy starts talking about lower utility bills. 

2. I believe Averie over at AverieCooks has created a cookie bar that will make me "sit pretty and beg" like Solo. Something this gooey and delicious-looking will make me bust out the apron. 

3. The Bitter Southerner recently determined the best Southern albums of 2014. My listen-to-this list just expanded. What, you don't have a listen-to-this list? Well go and get thyself one, friend! Actually, don't becasue then, like me, you'll feel guilty about never quite knowing all those hip indie rock songs you should know. Oh wait. I'm a old married fart now? I don't have to know them? Oh okay, cool then. Back to Disney Pandora then.

Happy weekend, friends!