Favorite Coffee Shops

Heyyy! I made a list of my favorite coffee shops that I have visited at least three times throughout the years of being addicted to coffee. I love venturing out to try new coffee shops around the area I am living, or while I am on vacation. I decided not to rank them because I love coffee and it’s very hard to disappoint me when it comes to my coffee preferences. In case you are interested, I also included the town that I tried each coffee shop in.

Arusha’s (Belton, Texas)

Thatcher's Coffee (Vancouver, Washington)

Monks Coffee Shop (Abilene, Texas)

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (a few different states)

Jo's Coffee (Austin, Texas)

Summer Moon Coffee (Austin, Texas)

Mozart's Coffee (Austin, Texas)

Mazama Coffee Co. (Dripping Springs, Texas)

Austin Java Cafe (Austin, Texas)

Sleepy Monk (Cannon Beach, Oregon)

Insomnia Coffee Co. (Oregon)

Sweet Lemon Cafe (Georgetown, Texas)

Dutch Bros. Coffee (many towns but I visit while I am in the Northwest-- Oregon and Washington)

Dunkin’ Donuts ( I visit the one’s in Texas ** good coffee and super inexpensive)

Cianfrani’s Coffee Co. (Georgetown, Texas)

Rolling In Thyme and Dough (Dripping Springs, Texas)

Starbucks (All Towns and is Convenient)

A little note about my favorite coffee drinks… I could go on and on about the different coffee drinks that I enjoy.  I have never liked straight black coffee with no milk, cream, or sugar (hence, the closing of my blogs). However, I have definitely gone from getting the sweetest drinking on the menu, or adding a ton of flavored syrups to only getting a small amount and trying drinks that have more coffee flavor and less sweet intensity. I love a good latte, but recently I have tried a few more drinks that have caught my attention. But, when in doubt I add caramel or vanilla to my drinks. I will make another post about my favorite coffee drinks later on.

Cream and Two Four Sugars please,

Lauren

“Like coffee, enjoy your life hot or iced but never lukewarm!” -Me

Sleepy Monk 

P.S. Feel free to comment some of your favorite coffee shops for me to try! I am always up for something new!!

Bad Hair Day

Heyyy! A curly bad hair day is the same as a bad hair day for every type of hair. The frizz makes our hair into an afro. It unravels the curl and creates a frizzy mess. Here’s the thing about frizz though, for curly hair it is not the worst thing to have. There are routines that create perfect spirals, yes, but the right amount (the more natural amount) of frizz creates the volume for you hair. Eliminating the unwanted frizz is what most people see as getting rid of ALL frizz. The bad hair day comes from a variety of things but I can give you a few tips for eliminating the unwanted frizz every time.

Tips: 1. Make sure you put moisture into your hair right when you leave the shower. -This can be a smaller amount of your regular conditioner (this is what I do), some type of oil (as long as the hair is completely wet and that is not the only thing you use), or the purposeful product: leave-in conditioner 

2. Detangle the hair while it is wet (Gently!) with your fingers, a tangle-free brush, or a wide tooth comb. -I usually detangle my hair in the shower with conditioner in my hair and then once more before putting product in it. 

3. Style your hair in sections

-This does not have to be itty bitty sections as if you were straightening your hair. However, it should reflect the thickness of your hair. I want to add that this takes trial and error, as do a lot things when it comes to taking care of your curly hair.

4. Use a styling product that not only defines the hair but gives a proper amount of hold.

-Depending on what your curls are (every curl pattern is different, just like a snowflake) be sure to use products that are going to shape the curls and hold them in place. **Some people like more hold than others.

5. Style the hair wet, leave it where it is, and DO NOT touch your hair until it is completely dry. -I have found that this is a HUGE factor in eliminating the unwanted frizz. Wait for the curls to dry and set, then take an oil (so your hand doesn’t frizz the curls) and shake out your curls and scrunch out the crunch.  (a pick or wide tooth comb can also be used, but I like using my hands).

** When it comes to defining the curl (let’s say for formal or special occasions), I use a different technique for creating a more perfect look, with the steps above and a couple other tips that give my hair more structure.

**I will discuss these tips in the future.

Cream and Two Four Sugars please,

Lauren

P.s. EVERYONE EXPERIENCES BAD HAIR DAYS! My advice for curly girls is to embrace the frizz and love your hair on the good days and the bad. Just like your body, skin, and the overall you. We are not perfect and your hair won’t be everyday either. If you feel like you can’t wear it down. Try a different hairstyle. Try something new...after all that is my motto for the year.

“Like coffee, enjoy your life hot or iced but never lukewarm!” -Me

Upcoming Travels

Heyyy! This summer I am visiting family in the northwest. I am looking forward to getting away from my normal routine and taking some time to reflect on myself. Although, I am visiting family, taking some online classes, and making some money along the way, I will still have time to try new things and make memories for the summer of 2019. I am halfway through Undergrad and this time is for me to take one long deep breath, so I can stride out the last two years until I graduate.

Deep Breaths

Sometimes during a vacation, travel, or getaway it is the best time to take a self-reflection. I have used the past couple of months to start my reflection, but I know this time during summer will be the turning point. To prepare for this, I have written down goals in various categories that I want to either reach or get closer to, by the time I get home. The deep breaths come as I sit down and transfer my thoughts onto paper. Yours, may not be a gigantic list, or several paragraphs like mine can sometimes turn into, but every little piece will help. I like to make my goals visible, by putting them up on the wall or a mirror, so I can see them everyday, or writing in a journal that I look at least every couple of days. By doing this, I can prepare for the self-reflection. So sit down, take a deep breath or two, and focus on what you yourself want to accomplish this week, month, couple of months, year, whatever timeline it may be. The start is to sit down and visualize.

Learning About Yourself

It is important to be open in many ways to learn about yourself. Some people may love where they are in the present and that is amazing (Good for you girl!). Others, may want to create growth and change and that is perfectly okay too. The second option is what my focus is on. To learn about myself is the key. What triggers me to act in a way that I am not proud of? Do the people I am surrounded by make it difficult for me to grow into the person I want to be? Do I mold to their actions and personality? While this may or may not be you, find out what it is about yourself that makes you, not YOU. Let’s take a look at another perspective. You don’t have to be alone to learn about yourself. The relationships and people around you can help you along the way. You just have to figure out which ones will help you move in the right direction. Take a moment to learn about yourself and find out how you can either do better, or stay on your path.

And you thought I was going to talk about my upcoming travel (where was I going, what was I packing). Life is a journey.

Cream and Two Four Sugars please,

Lauren

“Like coffee, enjoy your life hot or iced but never lukewarm!” -Me

College Transition into Summer

Heyyy! The past week I have been organizing my stuff after moving home from college. The start to my transition, was of course, chaos! My room is filled with all of my college stuff in every corner. Now I have my belongings that were already here...and my college things.

What is the point?

Personally, I have learned that life comes with lots of chaos (anyone else??) This madness comes in many different ways for everyone, but for me it starts with my environment. I have noticed that my “workspace” (bedroom, study area, kitchen, etc) has become increasingly messy over time. In order to keep a clear mind and limit my stress or anxiety, I need to keep my surroundings as organized and neat as possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect organized piles, but it can be neat enough to look at and not want to scream. This will be a challenge to keep up with. But, I encourage you to take a clear look at your areas around you as I have done myself and see what you can improve on.

Let the Summer Begin

I get to start my summer off with a clear and fresh mind. Less materialistic things to worry about because I have either sorted through them, or put them in their proper place around the house. Classes are done and finals have been taken. Registration for fall, check! A clear mind allows me to feel relaxed and take in the moment of what each day will bring. This is my college transition into summer.

Cream and Two Four Sugars please,

Lauren