
If We Were On A Traveling Coffee Date…#3
Helloooooooooooo friends! It’s time for one of my favorite types of posts again – our virtual coffee date posts! This time I’m taking us on a traveling coffee date!
If you haven’t read one of these before it’s basically just a post where we can sit down together over a cup of coffee (or a latte, or a cup of tea – you can pick your poison) and chat about life! I know we aren’t actually sitting down together, but it’s the next best thing.
If you missed the others check them out here: coffee date #1, coffee date #2! As always, if you have any questions you want answered in the next post, feel free to shoot me an email, or leave a comment below! Do you have your coffee? Let’s get started!
If we were on a traveling coffee date, what would we talk about?
There are so many things that are on my mind right now. I’d share some of them with you!
Catching up with you.
I hope you’ve been well since then! In the last post I’d spoken briefly about two goals I had been working towards, the first of which being actually getting my newsletter up and running.
Well, I have some wonderful news – it’s finally up and running!!!! You can sign up for it today! It’s at the top of my sidebar – yahoo!
Getting a new camera.
I’d also follow up about finally getting a DSLR. I am still saving (but I’m very close to my DSLR budget) and I’m in need of recommendations!!!! So this is where I’d ask you to help a sister out! What are your favorite cameras and lenses?
I’ve been doing so much research, but I’m in need of your help! As you know, I do mostly lifestyle and closeup photography (food, travel, fashion, daily life, etc) and would love advice for the best cameras and lenses you know about!
Let’s talk about the blog topics.
If you’ve been following the blog for a long time you’ve probably noticed a variety of new content being introduced over the past two months since our last coffee date!
I still love sharing tons of tasty recipe posts (like my recipes for peach bruschetta, breakfast popsicles, tomato plates, skillet pizza bread, mini strawberry pies, cheeseburger pasta, and my favorite cinco de mayo recipes) with you, because cooking nourishes both my belly and my soul.
BUT I’ve also added in some fashion posts (featuring my 4th of July outfit, my go-to hiking attire, and a favorite LBD of mine), because fashion is a huge part of who I am, and style is one of my favorite ways to express myself.
I’ve also added some travel posts (like hiking around LA, and visiting the aviation museum), because it’s an area of my life I wish I paid more attention to. I think sharing my travels with you will keep me more accountable!
I always seem to have the travel bug, and I want to share all of my adventures, stories and photos with you!
I’ve also added more tutorial style posts (about productivity, online shopping, and what to pack for the beach) because those have gotten really positive reception in the past, and I figured you’d like to see more of them!
Is there a specific type of post you’d like to see more of, or a type you really enjoy reading? I’d love to share more of that type of post with you!
Lets talk to you about traveling.
Since this is a traveling coffee date, after all, I think it’s time I mention traveling! I’ve been doing quite a bit of it this month, and I’m super excited about it.
My boyfriend and I took a day trip to Santa Barbara and it was so much fun! It was good to get a little bit of a change of pace from LA. One of my favorite stops of our trip was when we had our own coffee date at Lilac Patisserie (wish you could have joined us!).
We sat down at this adorable table outside, which was perfect for people watching. The table was tiny, but it was just big enough to hold our sunglasses, coffees and tmy new pink wallet. We loved our time in Santa Barbara but there’s so much we still want to see of California, like Big Sur, San Francisco, Carmel and San Diego – just to name a few! I can’t wait to fill you in on all of our adventures.
In addition to visiting Santa Barbara, I just recently I got back from a trip to New York for a friend’s wedding! It was such a wonderful trip, and I got to share in a beautiful ceremony bringing their love together, and also spend a lot of needed time with friends!
I was there for almost a week, but I honestly think that you can never have enough time in NY! It really is the city that never sleeps – I feel like I’m still trying to catch up on my zzzzz’s!
Let’s talk about Snapchat. Do you like it? I used to not know how to use it, but over the past couple of months I’ve been using it more (especially while I’ve been traveling) and I really like it! It gives a quick way to show a sneak peek into my life.
I like Instagram a lot, because it shows photo memories, and Snapchat is a really easy way to start to explore video memories. Follow me on Snapchat at @Jess.Speake to see all my snappys!
I’d talk to you about dreams. When I was in New York, I met up with one of my friends and we talked for a long time about our dreams and what we want out of life. I would say to you the same thing I said to him –
We were not put on this earth to pay bills and die. I read that a while ago and it really resonated with me. I think it’s so important to follow what you love doing, and spend time doing the things that make your heart happy.
I’d tell you that I’m working on a solid editorial calendar. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to lose track of time. I’m working to making a solid editorial calendar for the blog so that everything will stay organized.
For example, I’d love to do these coffee date posts more often! Having a well organized editorial calendar will really help the content I share with you stay more consistent!
I think I’ve got my tricks to be more productive down to a fine art, but making sure I have a detailed plan to go along with the productive mindset is definitely something I’ll be working on for our next date! I have one of those large dry erase calendars that has been helping me stay organized so far!
I’d ask you how you were doing! I would love to hear about any fun things you’ve been up to, or things you really liked about the blog, or questions you have! Anything you’d like to tell me on our coffee date, I’d love to hear in the comments. I’d also wish you a very happy and safe 4th of July!
Feel free to take a peek at my 4th of July outfit if you’re in need of some inspiration today! ♥
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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4th of July Outfit

24 Comments
KIm
Excellent post, I enjoy reading all of your content such a nice variety! I haven’t tried Snapchat yet but thought about giving Beme a go. With regards to a DSLR, I invested in a Canon 6D with a 50mm 1.2 lens based upon a lot of research on various blogs/Youtube channels and I love it!
Have a great week, look forward to your next post!
Kim
http://www.thebeachedbrunette.com
Jess
I’m glad you like the variety! And I’ve never even heard of Beme, I’ll have to check it out!! Thank you so much for you camera and lens recommendation! I’ll definitely add that to the list of cameras I am researching! I’ve definitely heard good things about the 6D! Have a great week Kim. 🙂
Meghan
So excited you’re about to pull the trigger on a DSLR! You are going to love it. I’m also excited that you’re traveling more. Can’t wait to read more about. And hopefully you can make it up to SF sometime!!
Meghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com
Jess
I am so excited to get a DSLR. You know how I was drooling over yours last time we shot together!! I’m taking a trip to North Carolina in the fall and I can’t wait to capture all of the trees changing colors with a great camera! And YES, SF is at the top of my list. <3
mallory
Thanks for sharing!! I love this type of post! Great way to get to know the blogger 🙂
mallory | http://www.the-drifter.com
Jess
So glad you enjoyed reading this post!
Tamara
Such a cute idea!
Personally I prefer canon cameras. Andif you wanna get just one lens I’d recommend the 24- 70mm, it’s a lens that will cover all your needs.
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
Jess
I have really liked all the cannon cameras I’ve seen! Thanks so much for your lens recommendation! I love your photos, so I’ll definitely keep that one in mind when I get my camera! SO excited!
Carmen
What a cool little coffee date. I felt like I really got to know you. Your recipes look so delicious & hearty. :]
// â–² itsCarmen.com â–²
Jess
Aw, thank you Carmen! I’m so glad you liked the post, and the recipe photos!?
Dylana
This is a great post!
xo
http://www.dylanasuarez.com
Jess
Thanks so much dear! 🙂
Dominique
This is such a fun post! Loved reading it hun! xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Jess
aw, yay! So glad you loved reading it! <3
Lara Rose Roskam
Looks great! Nice blog you have!
xx
Jess
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed reading it!
portiastylebook
Enjoyed reading this! great blog!
http://www.portiastylebook.com
Jess
What a sweet comment, thank you so much!
Patty
It’s my first time reading your blog :))) You had a great idea on inventing coffee dates :)))
I invite you to visit my travel blog and read my latest posts… I hope you’ll like them 🙂
Jess
I’m so glad you like the idea of these coffee date posts!
Victoria
This is sucha cute idea Jess! Coffee dates are definitely one of my faves; they’re the perfect way to catch up with old friends or just talk about your day! I am also starting to think about beginning an editorial calendar. I started one a while ago but it didn’t stick. Hopefully this time I make it more realistic and then I will be able to keep up with it much easier!
xx Victoria
Jess
I’m so glad you liked reading the post! I feel the same way you do about coffee dates – they’re the best! Good luck with your editorial calendar. The biggest tip I have to getting one that will stick is to make it manageable! After all, an editorial calendar is there to help motivate and organize you, not to stress you out.
Lauren
Okay, first of all, you are precious! So happy to have stumbled upon your blog. Secondly, if it’s in your budget, the cannon rebel s1 (I think- it came out around December) is unbelievably fast, clear, and easy to deal with.
Thirdly, this post idea is adorable. Can’t wait for the next one 🙂
Lauren
Jess
Aw, thank you so much Lauren, what a sweet comment! I have heard great things about the Canon’s rebel line but haven’t looked into the S1. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll definitely check it out! And I’m glad you liked the post idea, I’m excited to write the next one!