Coffee Culture in CLT

Location: Pure Intentions Warehouse | N. Tryon

Y'all, did you know there is a whole really awesome coffee scene in Charlotte?  I had no idea how amazing this collective is until I was invited to an event.  This night was a latte art competition and coffee warehouse space opening.  I felt so cultured and honored to explore a new [to me] aspect of Charlotte.  These photos by no means do the event justice as I was only armed with my iphone after a yoga class.

I have an obsession with coffee.  I love writing over a cup of coffee, it truly helps my process and flow. After getting to see the talent and passion there is for coffee at Pure Intentions I am excited to truly explore charlotte's coffee scene a little more.

There is a whole group of people out there who love coffee even more than me.  They are educated about the origins and were rocking some coffee trivia at this event.  I find this whole world fascinating.  I am so grateful for just a small glimpse into learning all about the ins and outs of coffee.

I am now on the hunt for the perfect spot to blog and admire latte art in Charlotte. The atmosphere of coffee shops capture my heart. Any recommendations?

All of these photos are from Pure Intentions new warehouse, you can find this delicious coffee in various places all over Charlotte.  He also just starting canning his cold brew [pictured above], oh my goodness, once this goes on sale you have to get some. Talk about the perfect way to have a coffee on a hot day.  This will be my go to afternoon summer drink for sure! If you do try any Pure Intentions coffee let me know about it and be sure to use the hashtag #pourPure on social media!

What is your favorite thing about coffee? Besides drinking it of course!

You Are Not the Number of Followers You Have.

Sweet friends, these words I share today were put on my heart to share with all of you in the hopes that you will read some truth and be encouraged. I am fairly new to this blogging / social media for your blog world.   Already, I have noticed a few things.

People seem to want validation through the number of followers and likes that they have. This is evident by the follow you, so you follow back, then I unfollow because I am not interested in you or your content but only the number of followers attached to my name. I too, fall victim to this.  Just the other day, I was exclaiming, with joy and excitement, the number of followers I have seemed to gain in a short amount of time.

But sisters, we are so much more than the number of followers we have.  We are so much more than being defeated because someone else has more followers or their images are always styled just so.  We have the genuine opportunity to share our lives with other women and to build an authentic community.

The ever so common quote "comparison is the thief of joy" speaks so much truth.  Yet, it's even more than that.  When we compare our blogs to hers, our instagram feeds to hers, our lives to hers, we are turning away from the plan that God has laid out for us.  God has a special and unique plan for each and everyone of us because He loves us. He wants the best for us.  Comparison has us lose sight of God's unique and beautiful plan for our own life.

He sees us and knows us so deeply and so intimately. He created us in the image and likeness of him.  So with that knowledge why are we not trusting him with His plan for our life?

This is not to say that growing your business and side hustle are not goals we should have.  By all means.  That is my goal too.  Yet, my mindset is shifted.  I want growth authentically.  I want to build relationships.  I want to share my passions and my heart.  I want to genuinely love God and what I am doing here on this blog & social media.  I want to follow people who are encouraging and share their hearts as well.  I want my feed to be filled with positivity.  Most of all I want to follow His plan for MY life.

My life is not hers and that is okay.  I can see small glimpses of Gods plan for my life when I practice gratitude. God shows himself to me when I am very intentional about being present in the moments that I get to have.

You are worth so much more.  

Our Christmas Tree Finding Adventure

cable knit sweater | alpine beanie | pendant necklace [similar]

You know that phrase, if you want to make God laugh make plans? Yeah I am slowly learning that about my life. You see, I had all this magical plans for chopping down my first real live Christmas tree in my big girl apartment. I planned the perfect outfit to have a little photo shoot on the tree farm.  We were going to wander through the trees, embrace the memories of the mountains where we met, and pick out the perfect tree for our first Christmas together.  It was going to be seasonal, romantic, and just the kick off to the holiday season I was craving.

Well, God laughed. Hard.

It was pouring down rain and hovering just over freezing in Boone when we got up the mountain.  We drove up to the farm basically had the guy cut down the first tree we saw.  It was so cold and so wet. I hopped right back in the car and blasted the heat.  It was magical alright, haha.

The day ended up being just what our souls needed, though.  We headed to town to Appalachian Mountain Brewery, one of our favorite spots when we lived in the mountains, and asked a few friends who still live in Boone to join us.

Our plans may have changed from Christmas tree farm to an afternoon full of community, laughter, and catching up with old friends.  God seemed to have known that I needed my people more than I needed a few good pictures and a frolic in the field.  It was just one of those days that soothed my soul. I am so thankful for road trips that end up with good people and catching up with my community, no matter where they may live.

Now we will have a story about our first tree for years to come.

What is your favorite Christmas Tree hunting memory?