Happiness at the Bottom of My Mug.

My coffee addiction is not something I hide from you guys.  It's a serious joy (problem) for me. It runs far deeper than just my need for caffeine.

Coffee has a huge symbolism to me.  The smell is a comfort, it reminds me of early mornings with my dad, when I was little, we would sit and eat breakfast before he went to work.  It later became a way that we bonded when I was finally old enough to enjoy the drink itself.  There are still times, after a hard day, that I just want to make a cup of coffee to smell it, and hold a warm mug in my hands.

*not my hands*

Now that I am an adult, I find that coffee is my outlet for so many other things that make me happy.  I have reconnected with old friends at the bar of my favorite coffee house.  Memories stem from the worn booths and chipped mugs. Adventures are had by exploring new cafes and chatting with regulars about their favorite drinks.  These are things I thank my coffee addiction for. 

Latte Love. 

Coffee to me is happiness in a warm drink.  The end of every cup is the middle of a good conversation. So here is to celebrating a drink that brings people together. 

These pictures are from my adventure with Erika at Rowster Coffee with our sweetened lattes! 

Best Friends.

This weekend I was graced with a visit from two of my very best friends!  Girls Weekend!  It was a much needed break from the stress that I've had this quarter.  Having two girls who are so willing to just go and explore the city with me, makes for some adventures!

Friday; we were able to just explore.  We walked down through town, past restaurants, coffee houses, and cute boutiques.  Taking pictures and making friends!

We stopped at a coffee house called "Quills" chatted with the barista and got permission to play in the shop and take all the pictures we wanted!  And there was free coffee involved so, naturally, I was thrilled!

Behind the lens. 

Free Coffee! 

We then wandered around, and found a small catholic church build out of grey stone with wonderfully red doors. Naturally we took some pictures around it and met Leo.  Honestly, we assumed he was just a really friendly guy walking by the church and saw us with our cameras and wanted a picture!  Turns out he is the custodian of the church we were photographing!  After talking to him, we found out he had been working in churches for almost twenty years and has a little sister in culinary school as well!  We chatted and he asked if we wanted to come inside and see the church.  We accepted and I'm so glad we did!  The church was small but beautiful, with gorgeous stain-glass windows and artistic details.  

*Leo

*

Our Saturday adventures included me heading off to work!  Then thrift shopping, where I got some "new" props for my food photography, more on that to come!  After a long day out, we headed to the apartment for the night.  It was great to just be able to spend quality time with these girls again.  Spending mere days at home every three month and even less time with them, doesn't fill my need for girl time!  So Saturday was spent doing what all girls should do during a girls night...

We laughed.  We cried.  We had noodles.  

Life is good and my friends are pretty, enjoy more pictures!

I am truly blessed with two amazing friends who spent their weekend, and twelve hours in a car, to come visit me!  I can feel really alone here in Kentucky.  I have a lot of people around me, but not many I would call true friends.  These girls sat with me and we talked about our lives, boyfriends, my struggles with school and being away from home, and as I began to feel overwhelmed, I just broke down.  Before the first tear left my cheek, I was surrounded by my friends.  Arms around my shoulders and prayers being whispered to me. They are amazing and I don't know what I would do without them!

Love you girls!

-Lauren


* These pictures were taken by Erika Wells.  Check out her website here!

Coffee and Eggs.

Due to my alarmingly early schedule this quarter, I have a hard time sleeping in.  Meaning, that when I am awake at seven and no one else is, the list of things to do are severely limited.

So this morning I decided to play around with a bit of food photography, something I have been interested in for a while, but had yet to completely delve into.  At seven in the morning, there isn't a ton to photograph, plus I have a bit of a one track mind in the mornings.

Coffee and Eggs it is!