Cafe TableAU- North Philadelphia

Cafe TableAU-  Located on Broad street in Philadelphia right on the beautiful campus of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (right next to the giant paintbrush) .  This gorgeous cafe was a perfect backdrop for a fun meeting with City Year, and the guys from Mind Your Business- a class that will totally change your life.

The large windows, with that early spring sun pouring in, while looking at original student art work made me so happy that I got there a little early, and was able to have some time to enjoy this gorgeous space, before the meeting.  (Fun fact: this cafe is run by students from the food ordering to the procuring of art work)

After the barista made my latte, he asked if he could take a picture.. it is picture perfect! 

Cafe Du Monde- New Orleans

Just an update for your fave coffee blog..

I'm going back in the coffee time machine to a warm January day in New Orleans!  While Renee was experiencing the deliciousness of another Cafe. I had the opportunity to go to the iconic, historic Cafe Du Monde! 

Cafe du Monde is always packed, there will be a line but it's always fun, exciting, and full of deliciousness.  

While I was there I got to hang out with some of my fave City Year Alumni. We chowed down on beignets, and coffee all while soaking in the sunshine and awaiting to start our day of fun in New Orleans!  

OCF Coffee House in Old City

OCF Coffee House in Old City was a good spot to sit, have a snack, and people watch from one of the bar seats at the window. Newly opened at 3rd and Market, Arianna and I found ourselves stopping in for a girls afternoon to talk about other projects and enjoy our sister time at this sweet spot.

chhaya cafe in South Philly

chhaya cafe in South Philly is a pure delight on a winter morning. My childhood friend Katie lives close to the cafe and mentioned we should visit as a part of this cafe project.

When I arrived, I enjoyed being able to just stay near the entrance and really take in all the spaces offered to retreat to within the cafe space. The room is divided with a high bar top in the middle for seating, a front sunny window space with cushy chairs for relaxing, and then tables running along the long wall to the back where there are more tables. 

My rooibus tea was delicious and seeped unusually by having a skewer through my tea bag that then hung on the top of the cup. Katie and I both got the truffle toast and just take a look below, there was nothing missing from seat to standing here. We were more than pleasantly surprised with this first visit here.

In keeping pace with another project of interviewing people using the StoryCorps app, Katie was more than gracious to talk to me about some of the steps she has been taking lately and how she has been addressing some self-care this year.  My dear friend explored with me why women hold so much in still today and how she is trying to use her voice as a way to process, to heal, and to help others. 

Katie is my running buddy from grade school where we had a fairly talented relay team. I find that when you work together to make something work so well in one place in life, it creates a special bond that often can be transferred to other areas in life. Today, Katie is a source of constant support for those around her with holistic energy practices and essential oils. She has introduced me how to best use essential oils and works with doTERRA (and if it sounds like a plug, I most certainly am making it, I will gladly connect you to learn more, just say the word). It's been so good to reconnect with someone passionately figuring out their next big steps in how to spread their light best in the world.

Check out our interview here.