I Just Might Explode

Adventure Four

I'm once again excited to bring you a once monthly feature called 'The City and a Cup of Joe' where I venture into coffee shops in New York City with my camera, a fine tip sharpie, and my thoughts to keep me entertained. It's not a formal review, because I'm not much of a coffee snob, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

I first visited Nero Doro months and months ago at the beginning of the school year with Alli. We went to the Salvation Army and stopped into this cafe on the way to back to campus. I visited again myself on Thursday.

It's odd how that felt like just yesterday. Alli and I adjusting to our new home, waking up to classes, painting for the first time. I'm becoming more sentimental about leaving, but really restless to get up and just go. The last months have been hard. I'm that person who, once I've decided to change, I want to quickly close that last chapter and move on. I have loved this year and this city, but I'm ready to start over again. 

Cherish this time in New York. I know. I know. 

I brought a book to read at the cafe, but spent most of the time reading the New York Times on my phone and staring out the window. Classon is a quieter street and the patrons of the cafe were calm, but alive. A pretty blonde woman discussed Miley Cyrus with a fellow with bad posture in a plaid shirt. A guy flirted at the counter with the barista and a businessman talked on his cellphone and a student in a tie-dye shirt worked on his computer. 

I like that I can sit in a coffee shop and stare out a window with myself and be fine. I think that's the best thing this year has taught me. To be comfortable with myself and ease into my surroundings and just be enough. 

I wanted to write more of a reflection on this year but can't quite do it yet. Or at all. This is all I have to say for now. That I love New York and am ready to start the next adventure and that I love the silence of my own company. I think that's pretty wonderful by itself. 

The City and Cup of Joe was brought to you by... 

Patty of Pattycakes Vintage is the curator of an awesome Etsy vintage store. Scoop up this steal of a fondue set while it's still there! Patty is offering a 10% coupon code for I Just Might Explode readers. The code is FROMOURSPONSORS. Thank you Patty!

If you have a coffee related business or would like to sponsor this feature, contact me at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for special pricing.

adventure three.

I'm excited to bring you a once monthly feature called 'The City and a Cup of Joe' where I venture into coffee shops in New York City with my camera, a fine tip sharpie, and my thoughts to keep my entertained. It's not a formal review, because I'm not much of a coffee snob, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

I know it's a lot to say that last Friday was the best spring day of my entire life, but I think it was the best spring day of my entire life. Spring as a season is sort of a weird concept to me. It never seems to come and I always feel like, when I was living in Idaho, that it didn't come until mid-May, but it was still cold and then suddenly it was June and 95 degrees every day. Spring is nice in theory, but I never actually felt it...

But... last Friday? It was in the mid 60s in New York. This was pure ecstasy.  I took the liberty to wear more eyeliner than usual, doodle on a sharpie tattoo, and wear my favorite long skirt with a tank top. I think I said "I love this weather, I am so happy I could die right now" about ten times.

My lovely friend Janet and I took a walk down to Smooch. I  had looked it up online, but couldn't remember what the name or the street name were... I knew it was very close to the Fort Greene park and on the right side, but we found it, so all was well.

I knew we were in a good place when the cute and charming British barista, when asked what kind of coffee they had, responded "the best fucking coffee". I was charmed to say the least.

I ordered a cappacuino and Janet ordered... something... weird... that I can't remember... And I have to say that this was the best  cup of coffee I've had in New York yet. Go Smooch!

Afterwards we headed to the Fort Greene park to bask in the sunshine:

The sharpie tattoo:

 

I had Janet doodle on my napkin(I did the smooch part and she did the rest):

It was truly the best way to end a fantastic Spring Break(still need to edit about my adventures with Steph!

This feature was brought to you by Indie and Chic:

Samantha of Indie and Chic has a new line of darling flower accessories called "Coffee Shop Chic" that are seriously perfect for a random coffee date or study session. I think the Fancy Mustard Flower Ring is my favorite!

Samantha is really awesome and offering free shipping for the next week on everything in her shop! Just enter FREESHIP in the coupon code box.

If you have a coffee related business or would like to sponsor this feature, contact me at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for special pricing.

adventure two

I'm excited to bring you a once monthly feature called 'The City and a Cup of Joe' where I venture into coffee shops in New York City with my camera, a fine tip sharpie, and my thoughts to keep my entertained. It's not a formal review, because I'm not much of a coffee snob, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

I love the rain in New York. It has drizzled here some, but it always seems that when it rains... Well, it pours. I adore pouring rain. Last Thursday it was dark and rainy and I decided to stay in Brooklyn for my coffee adventure partially because I was feeling lazy and cheap and partially because the world seemed too cozy to leave the neighborhood. I headed to Bittersweet down DeKalb.

I just want to say that even though I live in New York and am extremely lucky to be able live and do what I get to do, my life isn't quite the quirky Brooklyn indie movie thing. It's mundane. It's hours of what feel like pointless projects, wanting more, irriatating people, bad thoughts... It's just life... But, there are moments where I take a deep breath and feel my blessings deep inside. When the beauty of this city and the world God created really hits me. Thursday was a day like that.

It was later in the afternoon and kids were coming home from school and the rain  politely subsided as I walked there. I arrived at Bittersweet and ordered an Americano because I forgot to bring more cash with me. The shop is small and there isn't much seating, but I sort of liked it that way. Two ladies were reading books and sipping on coffee and shortly after I situated myself in a wooden chair, a young guy arrived and ordered a chocolate croissant and coffee. He read a book and kept glancing at me as I took pictures of my coffee and the play I was reading for English class.

I quietly sipped my coffee and finished up Streetcar and doodled on my napkin and thought romantic thoughts.

This feature was brought to you by Elise Joy.

Elise has the darlingest coffee inspired prints and I think you should snatch them up for that coffee loving lovely of yours. She has the print in tan too! Elise is also selling some great holiday crafting books. So fun!

If you have a coffee related business or would like to sponsor this feature, contact me at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for special pricing.

 

I'm excited to bring you a once monthly feature called 'The City and a Cup of Joe' where I venture into coffee shops in New York City with my camera, a fine tip sharpie, and my thoughts to keep my entertained. It's not a formal review, because I'm not much of a coffee snob, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

Adventure number one was to Tillie's a few blocks from school. A few friends accompanied me this time and we had a lovely morning where we discussed politics and babies.

I got a red velvet cupcake...

And an iced vanilla latte which I apparently forgot to photograph.

Me enjoying my cupcake...

More photos and friends:

Tillie's was so cute and I think it'll be a fast favorite because of the close proximity to school and the perfect coffee shop atmosphere. If you're in the Fort Greene Brooklyn neighborhood, I would definitely check it out. 

This feature was brought to you by Wayside Violet.

Jessica has the perfect cozy and eco-friendly cozies for your winter coffee needs.

If you have a coffee related business or would like to sponsor this feature, contact me at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for special pricing.