Old Navy Kids & Baby Sale!

How cute are these bright skinny jeans!?  Have you been to Old Navy recently!?  If you haven't - I'd like to suggest that you make your way there just as fast as you can!  I recently learned about the huge Kids & Baby Sale they are having - everything is marked down up to 40% off.

The sale couldn't have come at a better time.  I wanted to update Zion's closet in preparation for our travel to Alaska.  I am so in love with their bold colored toddler clothes - truth be told I wanted to buy EVERYTHING in the store.  There were adorable Spring dresses, patterned denim and the most adorable shoes and sandals.

I would have loved to stock up on one of everything in their current collection- and honestly at the insanely low prices - I wouldn't have broken the bank if I did!  When all was said and done, I still made out exceptionally well.  I even found a couple of clearance items that were even less than the sale items -- like the cute little Fox t-shirt and snow-bear girl shirt below, which were just $3.49/each!

Everything we grabbed from the sale fit Zion's personality, as well as her style - can you tell her favorite color is pink??  I was able to get everything pictured above for around $90!  That is 3 T-shirts, 1 Sweatshirt, 3 Long Sleeve T's, Swimsuit, 2 pairs bright skinny jeans, 4 pairs of socks, 2 Pairs shoes - plus the cute bag for under $100!!

Zion couldn't wait to try on and model her new clothes.  And, of course, she wanted to wear all pink first.  Such a little girly girl she is!!   Always a willing model for my little photo shoots.  

 

I love being able to get Zion stylish clothing at such an affordable price!  The sale is still going on through this Wednesday, February 20th, and don't worry if you can't make it there in person - its online as well!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

       

Disenchanted Coffee Date Vlog

[Coffee Date Video]

Hey there lovelies!  I had hoped that time would work in my favor to have me post this on Friday - but life gets busy and sometimes things don't go as planned!  I am happy to be sharing a bit of where I've been, how I'm doing with my PTSD, a big announcement about an upcoming adventure as well as thoughts on blogging.  Sorry for the super long video - thought I could edit it to be shorter, but in the end it just made sense to keep it as is!

I would love to also hear how you are doing...I haven't had a lot of time, with my husband travelling often for business, to do my normal blog reading - but I'd love to connect with you!

Linking up with Alissa.

       

The Search for the Best Coffeein New York City The Chipped Cup - Hamilton Heights

I'm back, albeit slightly off schedule, but hey, you'll understand why if you come back for my coffee date vlog tomorrow - where I'll be making a big announcement. Spoiler alert: I'm not pregnant.

I'm honored to bring you to the next stop on the NYC Coffeehouse Tour, this time touching the outer edges of Harlem on the West side of Manhattan - a little treasure buried beneath a Hamilton Heights shop, called The Chipped Cup.

Making their debut less than a year ago, this coffeehouse deserves mad respect for bringing quality coffee affection to this neighborhood.  I have to give you a side note really quick, because this comes up in conversation all of the time uptown where I live - WHY is their no single noteable coffeehouse from 149th street to 187th street on the West side of Manhattan?  And seriously - if it weren't for The Chipped Cup moving in you'd need to travel another 20+ blocks South before making it to any coffeehouse worth stopping into!  

From the moment I entered The Chipped Cup, I felt the familiar Seattle Coffeehouse vibe that brings me immediately back to the nostalgia of living in the best place on Earth....for coffee that is.  Everything about the atmosphere - from the partially exposed brick wall to the distressed wood tables, made this seemingly small space immediately cozy and inviting.  

 

I got into my usual chatting with the baristas to find out the details on the coffee roasters, the space and what kind of specialties they might be able to offer up.  For my palate I ordered a double espresso and a Papa New Guinea blend drip coffee.  I got a little fancy and ordered the Pumpkin Spice latte after the charming barista sold me on their homemade recipe.  Before leaving the counter I noticed an enticing looking pastry, an almond croissant, but the name doesn't do it justice.

The double espresso, was at first glance slightly confusing - no more than an ounce of liquid, hardly seemed accurate in size for a double, however; their was an assurance that this was most certainly a double and there was a lovely crema on top anxiously waiting to be enjoyed.  The espresso was dark bold and intense followed by a smooth balanced finish, a pleasant surprise.

The Papa New Guinea blend had a sweet, smooth - light, almost airy flavor.  Rich, dark roasted in perfect balance - and easily enjoyable without a hint of cream or sugar by any average coffee drinker.  This is the kind of brewed cup that will cause a hesitant light-and-sweet New Yorker to reconsider the possibility of finding delights in a pure black cup.

For those who get excited for Fall flavors - this Pumpkin Spice Latte will take you immediately beyond your days of lining big corporate pockets to a place where life was simple, sweet and full of warmth.  The natural pumpkin flavor and richness is a perfect compliment to the aforementioned espresso.  Was there milk in this drink? If so - it may have added depth but not flavor to this drink where the pumpkin and coffee are definitely dancing a solo in your mouth.

 

The unanticipated and oversimplified "Almond Croissant" - wow!  Dense flaky pastry layers with magical sweet almond filling, topped with an ample dusting of confectioners' sugar.  

As I explored The Chipped Cup, even more hidden charm was revealed; there is a secret garden in the back of the cafe, which is open to the public when flowers are in bloom.  I will definitely have to return this Summer for a glimpse of it to compare my imaginative rendering - which put me sitting for hours while writing with a steamy cup of Counter Culture brew - to the reality of what it will look like.

 

As I finished my visit, I took a couple last glances at decor - charming, rustic, vintage - and save for an odd choice of top 40ish club music playing - I found this to be exactly what New York has been missing.  

 

Perhaps there is hope for you yet, New York!!  The Chipped Cup is located on Broadway between 148th/149th and they are open 7 days a week.  If you are heading uptown - this is your last chance for a good cup of coffee until you almost reach the end of the island!

Coffeehouse Rating:

Next stops on the tour: Lennox Coffee, Cafe Buunni & Indian Road Cafe.