Weekend Coffee Share

Has been a while since we participated in Weekend Coffee Share.  Being the run up to Easter weekend it was busier than usually this week. Trying to squeeze in time to get Easter goodies.  Discussing how not to go overboard for Easter. Decision was have a set amount and not enter the stores until you knew what you were picking up. No wandering around putting all and sundry in the cart.  One bunny per child and eggs scattered around the house.  The non-chocolate item was summer pajamas for everyone. That was fun picking out colors and themes for each child.  I felt good this year knowing I didn’t overspend and where wouldn’t be tons of sweets around the house.

Time to start swapping the winter clothes out. Have a bag for goodwill near the closet and tossing anything I don’t want to see next winter. In the past, I put items away knowing I didn’t enjoy wearing, but they still fit and a good piece.  Winter rolls around again and out it comes back into circulation. Again not feeling it when I wear it, but oh well it still fits. Nope this year a few items are heading to goodwill. I will NOT be wearing items I don’t feel good in next winter. 

Also looking at summer/spring gaps in the wardrobe.  Need new summer walking shoes for sure. Always like to pick up a few pretty tops in the latest colors. We had some damp cold days this week so still have the winter coat out and on. What I always look forward to the most is bare legs in the summer.  I’m hoping by May my legs will be bare – hoping is the keyword here. I’m being optimistic!

That is the short version of what has been going on this week. Hope everyone is having a good week.  Long weekend for me so excited about that!

It is all eye candy over on Esty!

This is an eye candy post.  We each picked out an item we are currently oohing and ahhing on over on Esty. In no particular order......

This vintage leather shoulder-bag   It is soft looking and color goes with anything.

Our gardener is gushing over these cylinder concrete planter.  She already has the plants to go in them.

Cultured freshwater pearl bracelet.  I mean really - this is classy. You could dress it up or down. I can see myself in a pair of jeans with this bracelet on.

A conversation piece says someone! These  silver vine ear rings totally caught a few eyes.  

This vertical black and white dress could be for formal events we might have in the coming season.

Let us know what is catching your eye!  

Getting ready for spring!

The calendar says it is official. Spring is here.  For some parts of the world not so much. I'm excluding Australia where it is autumn and leaning towards North America where it is still winter in places, regardless of what the calendar says.  That said we want a positive post.

We came up with a few things we are putting on the list for the new season. In no particular order......

• Lipstick trends. Find out what colors are in this spring and summer. A relatively cheap way to get some new shades on!
• Check your spring/summer clothes.  Is there anything missing? Did you toss a worn out piece last year and now have a gap in your closet? Spring/summer clothes are full on out. Now is the time.
• Pursues - brighten it up ladies
• Check sandals and shoes.  Is there anything that needs a trip to the shoe maker before the season?
• Spring/Summer reads.  Start getting that list ready.
• Fleece sheets - take off the bed. Now
• If you decorate for Easters.  Put it out now to enjoy.
• If you have lighter pillows, rugs and accessories get them out and start airing them. Maybe put out April 1st! Fresh month.
• Nail polish - seriously start picking up some pretty colors.

If you have any "to do" for Spring and Summer let us know.

Ideal coffee shop

We are taking the challenge - well not exactly a challenge - more of a response to You can always start now post "what is your ideal coffee shop".  Since we love coffee - hence blog name - we're on this.  Bullet form as many opinions here:

• Good internet. Seriously don't want anything that cuts out.
• Good coffee and choice of coffee and drinks. Yes we're including herbal teas here
• Lounge chairs in a few places with small table between them. 
• Good lightening
• A work space.  This could be a long table or bar height area for people working.
• Enough electrical outlets for work space. 
• Staff strong enough to tell people they are taking up too much space.  Example one person on their device taking up a table for two-four people. If there is a work space use it.
• Music at a decent volume so people are not shouting to be heard.
• Choice of sweets, sandwiches and gluten free items
• Parking
• Someones wants clean written down.  Fine, but I thought that went without saying
• More than one or two bathrooms

That is it for us. Or at least for now.  What does your ideal coffee shop have to offer?

Happy International Women's Day

Sitting here wishing everyone a Happy International Women's Day and also thinking how far have we come?  Not feeling great about it actually.  It is just recently women are coming out over abuse. Keeping their mouths shut to get ahead, not rock the boat or be labeled "that women" in the past.

This is not the first time I have thought women are harder on women in certain aspects than men. We are often the first ones to criticizes a women's looks and choices. Do we feel that success is that limited we have to take other women down to get our share? Look at shows like the Bachelor - getting women to compete for one man (or woman). Seriously?  We all know they were picked for their looks not necessarily their personality. What are we showing young girls?

This is the last International Women's Day in this decade. Next year is 2020. What do we want to take into that year? Outdated attitudes?  Mouthing we here but not taking the actions to show it?  Some of us are privileged by where we live. We should be the voice for those we can't speak.

Let's not just mouth Happy International Women's Day. Let's support, encourage, respect and be there for women (and men). No judgement here.  We don't know people's baggage. All we can do is help them carry it or help them toss it.

Winter Reads

We have a variety of tastes.  One of us has at least two or three on the go at once. Another enjoys a good read but it might take a month and a day to get through one book. The rest of us are average.

Discussion ensued over what is average and decision was two books a month. You might read more or less but we're going with that.  Okay one of us can read a book in a weekend but we're not counting her as average. Done.

The summer before the war. By Helen Simonson
It's the summer of 1914 and life in the sleepy village of Rye, England is about to take an interesting turn.

The Serial Killer's Daughter.  By Lesley Welsh

Suzanne Tyler barely knew her father. But when she’s given a series of secret diaries and eight mysterious photographs of women from his possessions, she knows she won’t be able to rest until she knows the truth about him. 

You are a Bad Ass. By Jen Sincero

Offers a blunt and irreverent guide to achieving the money, relationships, career, and happiness that one desires through recognizing and doing away with self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors.

Becoming. By Michelle Obama

"An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.

Blogging for Creatives.  By Robin Houghton

How Designers, Artists, Crafters, and Writers Can Blog to Make Contacts, Win Business, and Build Success

If you got a tattoo what would you get?

Deep discussion here that might effect the world. If you were considering getting a tattoo what would you lean towards.

Would you consider getting a sleeve?

 

The general consensus was no. None of us would consider going that far.  One of us would consider getting a smaller tattoo.  Likely spot shoulder. Something smaller and that meant something. This picture is larger than we would like but general idea of tattoo. 

One person does have a tattoo on their shoulder. It is the Celtic symbol for family.  Majority of us felt if we did get a tattoo we would lean more towards this type of design.

 Do you have a tattoo? If so how did you go about choosing it?  We would love to know.