If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at a new-to-us little coffee shop. I'd order an iced mocha latte and a sweet treat. Lately, I've been drinking more refreshers, so I'll definitely order one of those to go. We'll enjoy our drinks and treats indoors and then go for a walk around the area since the weather has been nice.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm starting to feel better after being in pain for about a week and a half, followed by an awful cold. And let's not forget how exhausted I was feeling, too. I'm not sure what in the world was going on, but I finally went to see my doctor, and I'm so thankful to be feeling better. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I received some really good news, which is now stressing me out a bit. It's a huge decision I have to make and is related to my career goals. I'm not entirely sure what direction I'll take, but I've been doing so much research, sending emails, making phone calls, and the list goes on and on. I'm not ready to share much more information or details, as I'm still processing and figuring things out, but I'll definitely share more soon.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you this past weekend was, for the most part, a relaxing and chill one. On Saturday, I celebrated Indie Bookstore Day by ordering a book on Bookshop.org and selected one of my favorite bookstores, Sincerely Yours Bookstore, to support. A few hours later, I decided to head over to the bookstore and bought a really cute hair clip. Then on Sunday, John and I went to the Spring Jonquil Festival and walked around for a bit. I was really excited for this festival because it means the Smyrna Market will be back. In fact, the first day of the market is on Sunday, May 3, 2026. I can't wait to buy some local foods, drinks, maybe some honey, and a couple of gifts for the boys' teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you it's been kind of a slow reading month, and it's not really bothering me because the books I have been reading are pretty great. I picked up a bunch of books I had on hold at the library, and I'm still reading a lot of books I received from NetGalley. I've been really trying to read more of those, so I can review them soon. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I haven't really been watching much TV or movies. However, I'm really looking forward to watching Remarkably Bright Creatures, which is the film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's novel of the same name. I haven't read the book yet, but it's on my TBR list. I usually try to read books before the TV show/film adaptations, but I think I'm going to make an exception this time. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to meet this month. We definitely cut it really close, and I'm in shock that we're just days away from May. I'm really excited for May's arrival because it means we only have a few weeks of school and work left. Then it's summer break! I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the month. I can't wait to catch up again in May. 

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our favorite woman-owned local coffee shops. I'd probably have a hard time deciding which drink to get because we're in that strange seasonal transition time. I'm still craving the winter seasonal treats, but also wanting the spring seasonal flavors. Maybe I'll order a winter seasonal treat to enjoy at the coffee shop, then a spring seasonal treat to go.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that Daylight Saving Time is and always will be annoying. I'm still struggling with the time change and probably will for the next few weeks. It seems so odd that the mornings are so dark. I just checked my weather app, and it says today's sunset is at 7:42 PM... and tomorrow's sunrise will be at 7:53 AM! 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I just finished reading one of the most amazing books I've ever read. I actually finished it about a week ago and can't stop talking about it. I was so lucky to get an eARC of T.J. Klune's upcoming novel, We Burned So Bright, from NetGalley. This was a beautiful and powerful read. I actually cried at the end, and it takes a lot for a story to make me cry. T.J. Klune is a fantastic storyteller. We Burned So Bright is probably going to be on my list of 12 favorite books of 2026. In fact, it's probably going to be a top contender for my number one favorite book of 2026. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm hoping to go to the Marietta Square Artisan Market and the St. Patrick's Day Festival. It's been cloudy and at times rainy this week, so fingers crossed that the weekend has clear skies and warm(ish) weather.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I've been going on more walks, and it's been such a comfort. It's been a great way to decompress after work and chores at home. One positive thing about the time change is that there's still daylight during my walks, even at 7 PM!

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that the countdown has begun for the end of the school year. I'm still shocked that it's March and by the end of this week, we'll be halfway through the month! I can't wait for spring break next month. We don't have any plans yet, aside from our usual spring break traditions, but I'm so excited. I also plan to get some spring cleaning done soon. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. As always, these coffee chats are one of the highlights of my month. Next time we meet, it'll officially be spring, and I'm so excited. I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the month and the rest of winter. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd have to meet via Zoom or something similar, unfortunately, because I'm feeling under the weather. I have an incredibly awful cold and have been stuck at home for days now. I'd be in my pajamas, with something warm to drink (possibly some terrible tea and a delicious coffee) and a massive bottle of water on the side. No pastries this time, but there will be a big bowl of chicken noodle soup.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you this isn't how I expected my winter break to turn out. I fully expected to have some rest and relaxation...just minus the sickness. I did go to the doctor and now have a couple of prescriptions to help me get better. I've gotten plenty of rest and have read quite a few books.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you another unexpected thing that's happened during our winter break is that we will have to get new flooring throughout the downstairs. We have had a few leaks get on our carpet, and honestly, it's just time to get new flooring. I'm both excited and a bit anxious. We are going to get vinyl flooring instead of carpet. John and I are so excited, especially John, as he's been wanting to change the flooring for a while now. It's going to be annoying to move everything out of downstairs, but it's going to be worth it.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you, although I'm under the weather, it's been a productive week. I am still working on the next steps for my career and have even considered pursuing a master's degree. There are a couple of programs I'm interested in, but I'm definitely going to take some time to do thorough research before I decide. However, I will say I'm so excited because I feel like I'm really getting close to making a decision.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm dreaming of spring. I really can't wait for farmers' market season. I'm already looking forward to spring break. I'm also looking forward to March and am hoping for a calmer month. February has been full of unexpected events, and I'm hoping to get back to a regular routine.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up again. I thought we wouldn't be able to catch up due to how busy this month has been. I also just realized that next week is the last week of February, which is wild to me. This month has truly felt like it's flown by. Here's to good health and peaceful days. I hope you enjoy the rest of February. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a new-to-us coffee shop that we've been wanting to try for a while. We'd order a warm drink since it's so cold outside, and we'll opt to stay indoors. We'd order a few pastries to pair with our drinks. And perhaps a couple of bowls of soup to enjoy at our homes.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am so saddened by the state of the country. It's honestly just so exhausting. It seems like so many people have become desensitized, and it's so sad, awful, disappointing, and scary.  I read a beautiful tribute by Peter Moore to Renee Macklin Good and humanity. Also, please read this poem by Amanda Gorman.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've been wintering and really ramping up on my self-care routine. I'm being mindful of the foods and drinks I'm consuming. I've been gravitating towards healthier snacks and coffee. I've also been trying to get more movement throughout my day. I'm currently working on limiting screen time. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it has decreased for the second week in a row.  

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm currently reading Held by Anne Michaels. This is the book club pick for Exhale, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I'm still reading How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson, and it's also a good book. I have so many other books I received from NetGalley that I really need to finish reading. I'm hoping to finish reading a few books before I even think about reading a new one. But we'll see how that goes because there are quite a few books I'm so excited to read this year. But we'll see how that goes.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. So far, January has been a month. There have been some fantastic days, a few weird days, and a couple of difficult days. It's been a month of mixed emotions, a lot of reflecting on the past, and keeping hope alive for the future. I hope the rest of the month goes well for you. May you continue to take care of yourself. Here's to good days and cozy vibes. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd go to one of our favorite local coffee shops. We'd order a couple of seasonal drinks and a couple of pastries. Maybe even buy a few coffee treats to take home... maybe some ground coffee blends or syrups? 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this month was a lot. It was incredibly busy, and a few unexpected things happened. December truly had its highs and lows. I'll start with the highs. We celebrated Gabriel's birthday. I can't believe my second-born is fourteen! What an honor it's been to watch him grow. We also got our dryer fixed for free (thank goodness for warranties!). We went to see the Christmas tree lighting in our city. I visited a few holiday markets. We indulged in holiday treats.  I read a few good books. John and I went to Raphael's class holiday party. Overall, there were more highs than lows. There were only two things that came to mind when I thought of the lows for December. The first being that Gabriel got the flu (definitely had it on his birthday, unbeknownst to us), but thankfully, it didn't really hit him hard. The other stressful thing was when our dryer suddenly stopped working. I'll say it again, thank goodness for warranties. I was really hoping we wouldn't have to shop for a new dryer.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that Christmas this year was very low-key, and honestly, I really liked it. Mami and I decided to switch it up this year and have a nice breakfast spread on Christmas Day instead of dinner on Christmas Eve. However, since Gabriel was still recovering from the flu and John was feeling a little under the weather, we had to cancel. We ended up going to Mami's on Friday and had a lovely brunch. We all slept in a little longer than usual on Christmas Day. Once we all woke up, we opened presents. Then John and I made breakfast while the boys looked through their presents and stockings. Throughout the day, we all grazed. I made a charcuterie board for lunch. I was even able to sneak in a nap. It was a wonderful Christmas. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I think I finally found my word (or maybe the word found me?) for 2026. I won't reveal it just yet, as I want to make sure this word truly sticks with me. As for documenting my word, I plan to use the prompts from Ali Edwards' 2025 One Little Word course since I didn't finish it this year. I also plan to use many of the One Little Word supplies I already have. I'm hoping to use most of my current supplies for most, if not all, of the projects I plan to complete in 2026. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm excited for 2026. I'm looking forward to taking the next steps in my career. I'm looking forward to my birthday, which is a little over a week away. I have so many hopes for 2026, and I'm just excited to see how this new year turns out. May this be a year of peace, fun adventures, and good fortune.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm so glad we were able to catch up before the month and the year ended. We definitely cut it incredibly close. I hope you enjoy the last few days of December. I hope you have a wonderful New Year. I hope you are surrounded by love, luck, prosperity, and happiness. May 2026 be a kind year to you. See you next year!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time....

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at one of our favorite coffee shops that's near the grocery store. It's the day before Thanksgiving, so we'll take our drinks to go, brave the crowd at the grocery store, and buy the last-minute things we forgot to buy earlier in the week. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to spend time with family, eat good food, and watch the Thanksgiving Day parade. I'm also looking forward to playing board games, reading a good book, and maybe (hopefully) taking a nap.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I can't believe November is almost over. This month flew by even faster than October. I'm excited for December. I already know December is going to be another busy month. I just looked at my calendar, and my jaw dropped at all the events, appointments, and meetings I have already scheduled. I am already looking forward to our two-week holiday break. It is very much deserved.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm still dealing with this creative rut. The main issue is that I'm having trouble deciding which journal/notebook to use. It seems like every time I sit down to make something and look at several new notebooks and journals, I end up unable to pick which one to use. The sketchbook is either too big or too small. Or it doesn't have the right paper. I've been thinking of using my Get Messy Art Journal, and it would be a perfect sketchbook, but I wish it were smaller. Then I think about using a Moleskine sketchbook or a watercolor sketchbook, but I can't decide which paper to use. I've also been unable to decide whether to use a landscape or portrait sketchbook. Every time I think I've made my decision, I end up changing my mind, and then I get frustrated. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I can't wait to put up our Christmas tree and Christmas lights. I'm also looking forward to buying a new ornament for the tree. This is one of my favorite family traditions. We'll visit a few of our favorite small businesses to check out the ornaments. I'm also really excited to check out the Kris Kringle Market during our city's Christmas tree lighting. A few of my favorite vendors and small businesses will have their booths set up. I can't wait. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I have been devouring Terry's Chocolate Snowballs. These are so good. I've tried the original Terry's Chocolate Orange, and it's pretty good too. I've also been drinking a lot of hot chocolate, and sometimes I'll add a piece of chocolate like Ghirardelli squares or even a slice of Terry's chocolate to it. 10/10 highly recommend.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at one of our go-to coffee shops near a few of our favorite shops. I definitely plan to order a seasonal latte and pastry. We'd stay indoors since it's cold and has been raining for most of the week. If the rain lets up, maybe we'll stop by a few shops after enjoying our drinks and pastries. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so excited for Halloween! I can't wait to take the kids trick-or-treating and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters as well. I'm looking forward to Florence + the Machine's album, Everybody Scream which will be released on Halloween. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm starting to get in the holiday/Christmas spirit. I'm already thinking about how I want to decorate our home for Christmas. I even started reading holiday-themed books. I recently finished reading Mistletoe Meet Cute by Bella Matthews and absolutely loved it. Then I found out there will be an author signing at one of my favorite local bookstores, Sincerely Yours Bookstore, featuring Bella Matthews and S.J. Sylvis. I've never been to an author signing, but I think I may go to that one. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this month was a fun-filled month. We went to a couple of festivals, like the Spooky Festival and Crafts & Drafts Festival. We also went to our city's birthday celebration. We went to the farmer's market almost every week. I was a bit sad when we went to the last farmers' market of the season. However, I am looking forward to the holiday market pop-ups. We celebrated my little sister's birthday, and I was so excited to see my niece and my nephew. They have grown so much. Gabriel received an honor roll award from school, and we're so proud of him. Raphael and Michael are also doing well in school. Overall, October has been such a fantastic month, and I'm so grateful for that.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I hope everyone is exercising their right to vote. I took advantage of early voting and went immediately after I got off work. It didn't take long at all. I was surprised that many people didn't realize there were two elections in our county, only two weeks apart. So this is your friendly reminder to go vote. Also, please, please, please make sure to research your candidates and go vote. Make your voice heard. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up this month. It's been an incredibly busy month. October is almost over, and I was genuinely worried that we wouldn't be able to catch up this month. I really hope we get to catch up next month, and I'm hoping that it won't be so late in the month. I hope you enjoy the last couple of days in October, have a wonderful Halloween, and have a great start to November.  See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at our favorite coffee shops near the downtown square. I'd order a pumpkin spice latte because 'tis the season. I'd also order an apple cider donut and maybe a pumpkin spice donut. We'd stay for a while and then head out to the newest store that recently opened near the downtown square.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm enjoying our fall break. We have been decluttering the boys' room, and I already got several boxes to donate and a couple of bags to throw away. It still baffles me how much we can accumulate. The next room I plan to declutter is my closet. I'm both dreading and excited about this.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I celebrated the first day of fall by getting a pumpkin spice latte. Later that day, we went to the fair. We all had a great time. The boys had fun getting on some rides. We also bought fried Oreos, and they were so delicious. Going to the fair is one of our favorite fall activities, and I hope we get to go to a few fall festivals this season.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I have so many hopes for fall. I want to bake all the fall goods. I want to make apple cider donuts, a pumpkin spice banana bread, caramel apple nachos, and all the s'mores. I want to watch all the fall movies and read all the fall books. I want to buy the coziest sweater I can find. I want to go to fall festivals and other local events. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm bursting with creative energy. I've finished going through a bunch of my art and memory-keeping supplies again, as it's now a new season. Going through my older scrapbooking and memory-keeping supplies definitely helped inspire me. Current events, books, music, newsletters, and other random things have given me so many ideas for things I'd like to create and document. This season, I hope to break out of the creative rut that has been plaguing me for the past few months. It's been frustrating to want to create, but the moment I open a sketchbook, I get stuck on whether I should use that particular one or a different one. And then I end up not making anything at all.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to meet up. As always, meeting up for this little coffee chat is one of my favorite monthly highlights. The next time we meet, we'll be in the thick of autumn, and I can't wait to catch up on everything. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month and have a great time celebrating the arrival of fall. 

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our favorite small coffee shops. We'd stay indoors because it's raining. We'd order a few pastries and wonder when the fall seasonal drinks will finally come back. Last week, we had a taste of fall, and it looks like we're going to get another round of "fake fall" again this week.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this seasonal transition from summer to fall always has me feeling...conflicted. I'm so excited for autumn's arrival and will always prefer autumn to summer, but I still want to savor summer's last few weeks. The signs of autumn have been making their appearance, but summer is still making itself known. For some reason, the seasonal transition from summer to fall is the one I notice the most. It's just not the same as the other seasonal transitions (i.e., fall to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer). 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm still trying to decide how I want to decorate our dining room table for fall. I have an idea of what I'd like the centerpiece to be, but I need to decide if I want to add anything else to the centerpiece. Honestly, the main base of the centerpiece will determine what else I decide to add. I'm also excited to bake all the fall treats. I've found a few recipes I'd like to try this fall. Yes, I'm also working on my fall bucket list.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that the first week of school has come and gone. We're all settling back into a routine. The boys had a great first week of school, which I'm so thankful for. Waking up to go back to work on the first day was a struggle (still getting used to waking up super early), but overall it's been alright. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I noticed that my screen time on my phone has decreased by almost 50% for the week. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the notification stating how much the amount had decreased. To be fair, I use my phone to read a lot (Substack newsletters, ebooks, etc.). 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I've been enjoying ELLE's Office Hours series. Shout out to Cup of Jo because they are the reason I found out about the series after they shared Jenny Han's interview on their latest post. After reading Jenny Han's interview, I went down a rabbit hole and read a few other interviews.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm so glad we were able to catch up. It's always a blast when we have these little coffee chats. Also, can you believe that we're almost halfway through August? This month is already going by so fast. Maybe we'll catch up next month before it's officially autumn. I hope you have a great rest of your month and continue to savor the last few weeks of summer. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at one of our favorite local coffee shops, located right in the heart of downtown, surrounded by a variety of cute shops. We'd debate whether to stay and enjoy our drinks (it's scorching outside) or take them to go and walk around the area. Perhaps we'll stop by a few shops and pick up some goodies. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so sad that summer break is almost over. The month of July is rushing on by. I can't believe it's nearly August. The boys will be back in school soon, and I'll have to go back to work. I have mixed feelings about that, but I do have plans for the new school year, and I'm feeling hopeful.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I may be a little bummed that summer break is over, but I am excited that fall is almost here. Many of my favorite shops have already unveiled their fall displays or announced that they will release their Autumn collections in August. I already have my eyes on a few things. I'm so excited to find a new centerpiece for our dining room table. I think I may buy a candelabra and use these cute candles I purchased a few weeks ago. I'm so ready for cooler weather and can't wait to use my simmer pot kits.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've read so many great books. I recently finished reading 31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate, and it made me even more excited for Halloween. This was a great collection of short, spooky stories. I also read A Rebellion of Care: Poems and Essays by David Gate. 10/10 highly recommend this one. I also read and enjoyed Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green and Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. I've read several other books, but these are the ones that really stuck with me.

I've just started reading "The People's Project" by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith. I'm really excited to dive into this one. I'm also currently reading Girl Warrior by Joy Harjo, which has been a real treat. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm going to try to get back to meal planning. This will ultimately save us time, money, and help us reduce waste. Plus, I really love the idea of trying new recipes or switching up a few of our go-to meals. I especially want to improve my lunch choices, especially since school will be starting back soon.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up this month. I can't believe the month is almost over, and we (I mean I) definitely cut it close to meeting up for our coffee chat. As always, it's been fun catching up. I hope you continue to enjoy the last few days of July and savor the rest of summer. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our go-to coffee shops. I'd order a refresher instead of a cup of coffee since it's so hot outside. The heat has been unbearable, so we'll just stick to staying indoors for now. I'd also order a pastry and a large slice of cake to share.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm enjoying my summer break. It's been nice being able to sleep in and go to bed late. It's been nice being able to read on and off all day long. We've gone on a few adventures. We've visited the library a lot, and I even completed their summer reading challenge. I've tried a couple of new recipes and drinks. It's been absolutely wonderful.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm reading a lot of books. I'm still reading Letters from Gaza, and this book has been breaking my heart. I'm almost done with the book, but I'll try to post a review soon. I also picked up Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green, and it's been an interesting read. A newly added book to my TBR list is Jo Harjo's Girl Warrior. I was excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley. I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm excited about the next steps in my career. Having this summer off has allowed me to really focus on what I want to do and the steps I need to take to achieve my career goals. I'm really excited to continue working on these goals, and I'm feeling so hopeful.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I was able to work on some layouts for my family and personal Project Life albums. It really hit me how much I missed creating. I still have to finish the layouts, but I got so much stuff done, and I didn't stress about not completing them all. It was simply nice to play with my crafty supplies. I also organized a lot of my supplies and found some fun stuff to use in my sketchbook. I'm really hoping to actually take some time to work in my journal/sketchbook sometime this summer.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm on a horror film kick, and a few days ago, I rewatched The Nun. Now I want to watch all of the films in the Conjuring universe. If you have any horror film recommendations (both old and new), please don't hesitate to share them with me.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to meet this month. It's always lovely to catch up, have a cup of coffee, and a pastry or two with a friend. I hope you have a great rest of the month and continue to enjoy summer. See you next month!

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at one of our new favorite little coffee shops. It may be the afternoon, but I could definitely use a little pick-me-up, especially since I didn't have a morning coffee. I'll probably order a pastry or two as a snack. The weather is much nicer this afternoon, so maybe we'll even go for a little walk around the neighborhood.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we are just days away from the last day of school, and I am so excited. I can't wait to have the summer off. However, I have thought of maybe picking up a temp job related to my potential career field, but it would also be nice to just have the summer completely off. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we had a great time celebrating Michael's birthday. I still can't believe he's 15! Time is going by so fast. His birthday happened fall during the middle of the week, but we still did our birthday traditions. Since the weather had been so awful for most of the week, including the weekend, Michael decided he wanted a more laid-back celebration at home. However, we are still planning to celebrate his birthday all month long. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm currently reading an arc of Nikki Giovanni's upcoming final book, The New Book. This collection is filled with poems, letters, blurbs, etc., about her early life while also addressing recent current events. So far, this book has been absolutely amazing, and I look forward to reading more of her work. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that there's so much I'd like to do this summer. I think I may join Exhale's 100 Days of Summer on Film class, and I'm also thinking about joining another creative class or challenge. I want to try new recipes and work in my journal and sketchbook. I also plan on working on my Project Life album. I'm craving getting back to my creative projects, and I'm tired of being stuck in a semi-creative block. I have so many ideas and plans, but once I sit down to work on something, I get stuck. It's been really frustrating. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. Summer is almost here, and by the time of our next coffee date, it'll definitely be here. Maybe during our next coffee chat, we'll order some refresher drinks to go and check out a farmer's market. One thing I've been looking forward to is buying some Rainier cherries. Here's to counting down the rest of the days until summer break. Here's to peaceful days ahead. I hope you enjoy the rest of May. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Daniel Campbell on Unsplash

If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a new-to-us coffee shop. We'd order some seasonal lattes and a couple of pastries (and by a couple...I mean a lot). Thankfully, we'll order enough pastries that we can take some to-go.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so saddened by what happened in the Dominican Republic. I am praying for my motherland. Watching the videos of the families trying to find answers about their loved ones was gut-wrenching. I also feel like it made so many of us think about how life is short and how things can change instantly. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we had a blast celebrating Raphael's birthday. Since his birthday happened to fall during spring break, John and I thought it would be fun to go on a staycation. We decided to go to The Great Wolf Lodge. The boys absolutely loved the indoor water park. We also loved bowling and playing mini-golf. We plan on finding local bowling allies for family fun/game nights. When we returned home, we gave Raphael a few gifts and got him a birthday cake.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that although spring break is over, I'm excited that school will be over in just a few weeks. I'm looking forward to summer break, and I know the kids are too. I'm counting down the days already. However, there are so many things that I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that although I'm looking forward to the summer break, there are so many things I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to celebrating Easter. I'm also looking forward to celebrating Michael's birthday. I'm still figuring out what we'll do to celebrate his day. Seriously, why did no one tell me how difficult it would be to celebrate a teenager's birthday? I'm also looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've been reading many of the books on my DNFY ("did not finish yet") list. I've done this occasionally, but I noticed that I've been reading a lot more of those books recently. Also, I recently read this post by Brittany, in which she perfectly described my feelings on DNF and DNFY.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to meet. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. Also, how are we already almost at the halfway point of April? Here's to more sunshine and flowers but less pollen. Here's to better days...always.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Christelle Sison on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our go-to coffee shops. Instead of ordering our usual, we'll opt to try something new. Maybe a seasonal drink or pastry. Since it'll be close to lunchtime, I'll order a Chipotle chicken sandwich. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that Daylight Saving Time is kicking my butt. I hate when the time changes because it takes me a while to get used to it. However, I love that it's not getting dark so early, and the time change is a sign that spring is almost here. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I went to the grand opening of the cutest little bookstore in my city. It's called Sincerely Yours Bookstore. The store is super pink and heavy on romance, but it also carries some other genres. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this month feels weird. I'm experiencing waves of grief, yet I am having more days of feeling settled, grounded, and relieved. It's odd how I feel opposite emotions at the same time. I could ramble on about this, but I think I'll just sit with these emotions for a bit and try to reflect on them. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm in this weird creative rut. It's not that I don't have time to create or ideas on what to make. It's simply that I can't decide where to begin. I have a couple of sketchbooks and notebooks that I want to use, but I can't decide on which one to try first. It's really frustrating because I'm dying to play with paper and make something, but what's holding me back is which sketchbook to use. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up. Our little coffee chats are a highlight of my month and something I really appreciate. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. Here's to better days ahead, giving ourselves grace and being kinder to ourselves and each other. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at the new little coffee shop that's about ten minutes away from the downtown area. We'd order something close to our usual drinks but try some seasonal treats. We'd stay indoors because the weather has not been great.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I finished watching La Ciguapa Siempre, a 12-minute thriller/horror. I loved the premise of the story, especially since it is based on folklore from the Dominican Republic. I vaguely remember hearing stories about ciguapas as a child. This was an odd film and an interesting take on the myth. However, the film did not do justice to the myth of ciguapas.  

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm really excited for Valentine's Day, and I can't wait to give John and the boys their gifts. All week long, I plan to wear something pink or red to help celebrate Valentine's Day. I'm usually not really into this holiday, but I am this year for some reason.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to so many things in the upcoming days and weeks. I'm looking forward to winter break. No school and no work sounds great. I'm looking forward to some much-needed rest. I'm looking forward to catching up on a few shows. I'm looking forward to some pre-spring cleaning (I guess winter cleaning). I'm hoping to get started on that, maybe over the weekend. I'm looking forward to reading some good books.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've been having a hard time creating. I have so much to say and so many things I want to make that I just don't know where to begin. I keep grabbing a new sketchbook and worrying about messing up the pages. It's incredibly frustrating, and I hope to get out of this creative rut soon.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to meet. January was a crazy month, and so far, this month has been a bit quieter. And for that, I'm grateful. I hope you have a great day, and may the rest of this month be a good one for you. I hope to see you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Aliaksandra Abramovich on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a small, new-to-us local coffee shop. We'd order some seasonal drinks and pastries. While waiting for our treats, we'd probably decide to stay inside for a bit and then walk around the area.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I recently went to the Smyrna Handmade Holiday Market and had a blast. I loved supporting so many of the small businesses that were at the market. I bought cookies and some mini pies from two of my go-to vendors. I also bought several book-themed products like stickers and bookmarks. My favorite finds were a couple of simmer pot mixes. I've been on a simmer pot kick, and for months now, I have been trying to find a local store that sells them. Imagine my surprise and delight in finding a local shop, Aly & Ellie Artisan Co., that sells them.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we have been enjoying the little joys of the holiday season. This past weekend, we saw Santa and got our pictures taken. Raphael was so excited, and my heart felt like it would burst from sheer happiness. I love hot chocolate, and it's made my heart so happy that the boys will ask me to make some hot chocolate almost every night. I've been listening to holiday music off and on. Some of my favorites are Michael Bublé's cover of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC, and Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to celebrating Gabriel's birthday. I can't believe he's turning 13. We already have some plans in place to celebrate his day. I can't wait. I'm also looking forward to winter break, spending time with family, and getting some much-needed rest.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. This is a hectic time of year, and I know everyone is busy preparing for the holidays and taking care of other responsibilities. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. However you choose to celebrate the holidays, I hope it's full of joy, peace, and love. See you next year (yes, I had to say that).

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at our favorite Target, which has a Starbucks inside. I'd order my current favorite drink, a Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher, and a sugar plum danish. Then, while we chat, we'd browse and maybe start some holiday shopping.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this has been a heavy month. The election is finally over, and I still don't have the words to describe how I feel about it. I've been distracting myself with lots of good books, newsletters from my favorite writers and artists, new-to-me music, and all the other things that bring me comfort. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am in full holiday book mode. I've been reading several Christmas-themed and holiday-themed books, which have been such a big comfort. I'm looking for a few holiday-themed children's books to read with Raphael and already have a few put on hold at our library. As for non-holiday-themed books, I just read Bariloche Sector by Lexi Foss and enjoyed the story. I'd definitely watch for any triggers you may have because the story is emotionally distressing.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to going to a few holiday markets and events. I'm also excited to start holiday baking. I want to bake something (preferably something new) at least once a week. I also can't wait to start watching our favorite holiday movies and some new ones. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am so glad we were able to catch up before Thanksgiving. It's been a busy month, and December will be even busier. I'm looking forward to a week off work and spending it with my family. However you decide to celebrate the holiday, I hope you enjoy it and have a great rest of the month. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

If You And I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our favorite local coffee shops. I'd order a seasonal flavored latte and a pumpkin scone. We'd stay at the shop and then maybe walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the fall weather.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I am so excited about all the fall events and activities. I look forward to dressing up in our costumes and attending our city's Spooky Festival this Friday. I've wanted to use my Fall simmer pot pack and plan to use it this weekend. I also can't wait to go to some farmer's markets and buy some seasonal treats.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I can't believe Election Day is almost here. Early voting started today, and I cast my vote early. I'm documenting the days leading up to Election Day using Paper Person's Election Countdown Kit. I'm making sure to document my everyday life and political-related events.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm reading as many fall and spooky-themed books as I can. I'm looking forward to reading Elise Kennedy's Cozy Nights in Vermont series and Joe Hill's Ushers. I just received an arc of Maggie Smith's upcoming book, Dear Writer, and I can't wait to dig into it.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I have been so inspired by a few of my favorite artists and writers. I have so many ideas that it's hard to decide which project I want to work on. I bought a few new-to-me art supplies and can't wait to test them this weekend. I also hope to have time to work on my new sketchbook this week. I plan to use this sketchbook for the season and hope to overcome the fear of messing up the first page. I also hope that playing in my sketchbook will help me develop a better idea and plan for one of the projects I've wanted to work on.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up. So far, it's been a busy month, and I can't believe how fast the month is going by. I hope the month goes smoothly for you. Here's to good days, fall and spooky vibes, and finding little bits of magic this month. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Danilo Acosta on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet a new-to-us local coffee shop and order some seasonal lattes. Of course, I'd order a pumpkin spice latte because how can I not. I'd also order a few pastries...perhaps an apple cider or pumpkin spice donut. We'd stay at the coffee shop instead of going for a walk because it's been raining the past few days, and it looks like it might just start raining again.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so excited for the official start of fall. Even though I consider the fall season to start once the boys start school again, there's something about finally sensing the actual transition of the season. It's been getting cooler, and we've had a few rainy days. We even had to break out our sweaters over the weekend. I've started cleaning and decluttering again...it feels like I'm nesting, and no...I'm definitely not pregnant. I'm in a full-blown, comfy, and cozy mood. And I absolutely love it.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I recently found another writer on Substack. I've been enjoying reading Brittany's Notebook. Brittany has some really great series in her newsletter, like her "Lovin' Lately" series and "What I Read" series. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that after feeling unsettled for the past few weeks, I'm starting to feel more at ease. I've been trying to come up with a better routine and have been focusing on self-care. Things have been too hectic, and there simply isn't enough time for everything I have to do. 

That said, I'm looking forward to the fall break. I hope to relax and spend as much time with my family as possible. I'm also looking forward to reading some good books and getting some crafting time.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up. My coffee chats are always one of my highlights of the month. I can't wait for our next coffee chat. Until then, here's to hoping for more peaceful weeks ahead. 

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Breakslow on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at our favorite local coffee shop. It's pumpkin spice season, so I'd order a pumpkin spice latte and a pastry. I'd also like to apologize for not being able to catch up. I've had such a busy summer, and with school and work starting back, it's been really hectic. Can you believe it's been two months since our last coffee date?

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that although we had a busy summer, it was a fun summer. We took the boys to a bunch of fun, different places like FunBox and Urban Air. We took a much-needed, last-minute vacation to Savannah and Tybee Island. I absolutely fell in love with Savannah and want to go back. John and I celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary in July. We spent countless hours at the pool and visited Mami. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so excited about autumn being right around the corner. I come alive during this season. I'm so ready for all things spooky! 

I'm looking forward to cooler weather, pumpkins, and the changing color of the leaves. I'm so excited about our local fall festivals, trick-or-treating, and other fall events.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm feeling a little conflicted about some career and school-related things. Right now, there are two different paths that I can take in my career, but I don't know which one to choose just yet. However, I'm really close to figuring it out. I'm hoping to have a better idea by September. I'm just glad that I've started preparing for both paths.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've started watching A Discovery of Witches and I'm really enjoying this series. It's spooky season, so I'm on the hunt for a lot of shows related to magic, witches, autumn, etc. I'm also adding Mayfair Witches to my list of shows to watch.

I'm reading Load in Nine Times by Frank X Walker, and so far, it's amazing! I've had to stop and research so many of the names mentioned in this book. I've been learning so much about the lives of African Americans during the Civil War era from this book than from all my years in school. 

I also borrowed some books from the library that I'm excited to read. I purchased Maggie Nelson's Bluets and the latest issue of In Her Studio at Barnes & Noble.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to finally catch up. I've really missed our coffee chats, and they are one of the highlights of my month. I hope we get to catch up next month. Here's to slower and calmer days ahead.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash