Over the years, I’ve read multiple {Virtual} coffee or wine date posts from my favorite bloggers. These posts, along with Day in The Life posts, tend to be my favorite type of post, as they welcome readers into the person’s life and helps us get to know them better.
Since any of my friends know that my drink of choice since moving abroad is a cappuccino, why don’t you join me today for our first cappuccino date.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that putting myself on a shopping ban has been tough but beneficial. As I’d rather spend money on traveling, I told myself that between Christmas and the next time I’m in the United States, late March, that I wouldn’t shop. There should be no reason I need to shop during this three month period as I have a full closet and overflowing drawers. The urge to wear new things has forced me to dig into my closet and dresser, putting new outfits together and discovering items I forgot I even owned! I finally went through my workout drawers and donated any piece of workout gear that I avoid wearing. We all have this don’t we – a couple of tanks or shorts that don’t fit the way we like and are pushed aside each day when we go to grab an outfit. I donated two bags of tanks, shorts, spandex and sports bras!
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that I love how my girlfriends and I have been creative with finding time to catch up. Over the past few months, it’s been virtually impossible to find a night that works for girls’ night dinner. But, instead of letting that mean that we don’t see each other, we’ve met before work for coffee at our favorite coffee shop, gone to yoga or spin together, or hit the pavement for a few pre-work miles. While I love our dinner dates, I’m finding this one on one time even more valuable.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you how thankful I am for a running coach. Jess has made training an absolute pleasure so far, and she truly is our biggest cheerleader. Since this is her full time job, she can respond quickly to emails and last minute questions before workouts. She’s also worked to create a wonderful family of runners through her #racepacerunners emails and newsletters.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that Bo and I are traveling each of the next seven weeks. While it will be fun and I’m excited to see new places like Venice & Barcelona it can still be overwhelming. Typically this would be exhausting and result in more than a few extra pounds around my waistline. But, Bo and I are finding that by eating clean Monday through Thursday, we can enjoy our weekends away, tasting and eating the local cuisine, without gaining weight or feeling over indulgent. Investing in a coach and training plan is also helping me stay accountable to make time for each of my workouts.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that I never cease to be amazed at the cost of living in Geneva, especially in regards to the price of food. Our friends were shocked last week that just a few bags of ski weekend groceries cost almost 300 CHF. Keep in mind, 1 CHF = 1.06 USD, so the exchange is virtually 1:1. The prices in our basic grocery stores, such as COOP and Migros, make Whole Foods seem like a discount grocery store.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that lately Bo and I have become obsessed with soups and stews. Each week he makes a big batch so we can enjoy it for two nights then freeze the leftovers. There is no easier Sunday meal after a weekend of traveling than defrosted soup, salad and hunk of bread. In fact, last night’s beef & barley stew may be our new favorite.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that while I love my laptop and iPhone, I’ve started writing things down more and more. For some reason I find that I can think through my thoughts easier when they are on paper. Today alone, I outlined this post and an upcoming presentation on paper before transferring to PowerPoint and LiveWriter.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that while I know that Geneva’s winter has been nothing versus New York City or the rest of the east coast, I’m still craving warmth, sunshine and water. I’ve already requested a family boating day when I’m in Savannah next month.
If we were sipping a cappuccino together today, I’d tell you that I have enjoyed experimenting with my hair lately. I typically blow dry it each day then run a straightener or serum through it, ridding it of any frizz and wave. But, more often than not, I’m wearing it wavy since I’m lazy and tired of spending thirty minutes in the bathroom blow drying and straightening my hair. This weekend I may go for something a bit more polished, as Courtney’s post inspired me to try to curl my hair with my straightener. If I don’t burn my hair off while attempting to curl it, hopefully, this will make me feel more put together and stylish for our date night in Venice, the City of Love.
How about you, what would you tell me if we were sipping a cappuccino together today?
TOTALLY singed my hair off trying to do that. Oppps…
Loved the virtual sip and chat! <3
Oops! Yeah that’s why I feel like I need to start practicing with a cold straightener!
Yayyyyy! You must take photos if you try the straightener!!!
Haha, we’ll see if I’m brave enough to do it! I feel like I need a cold straightener to start so I don’t burn my hair while I learn the technique!
I’m on a shopping ban too and it feels SO good to have that extra money to put towards trips and savings. I did the same and donated several bags worth of clothing to Goodwill and I’ve been enjoying “shopping my closet” too!
If we were having cappuccinos today I’d tell you how darn obsessed I am with Bar Method, and that I haven’t run in ~4 weeks and that I’m OK with it. I’d also tell you that I’m beyond excited to plan a warm weather vacay, SOON!
I’m so glad we have our coffee dates over gChat Kristine 🙂
HI, love the blog, and all your travel recommendations. I have been meaning to ask if you had plans to go to Spain while abroad. I am planing a trip in June and would love to take all your recommendations! Are you planning on just Barcelona so far or any of the small cities outside?
Thanks!
Hi Becca! I studied abroad in Spain in 2004 so I’m less apt to go back there versus other cities and countries. However, we’re doing Barcelona and the South of France as neither of us have been there.
Love this! You two have inspired us to travel more too! So many amazing places just a drive away, though no amazing European trips for us!)! Have a great trip in Venice!
Thanks Taylor! There is so much within driving distance even in the States! 🙂
I LOVE this post so much! I have never been a fan of the virtual date posts but this one was awesome and I feel like I did really get to catch up with you. Now I may need to think about doing this meme on my blog as well…. 😉
XOXO
Thanks Laura! I’m so glad you liked it!
Loved this post! I cannot wait to read about your upcoming travel! I am planning a trip to Europe this Fall and know I will be in London for a few days, but I cannot decide where else I want to go this time around! Perhaps you will provide some inspiration!
Thanks Jane!! I can definitely help if you shoot me an email with your details as there are some great areas very accessible from London!
This is a great post. We are also going to be in Barcelona soon – maybe we’ll overlap! Venice is also high on my list for a weekend trip so I look forward to hearing how you get on. And, I agree on handwriting – sometimes it just helps me think to handwrite something out, especially to-do lists or strategy/visioning stuff.
Thanks Kathy! We will be there over Easter! I’ll share Venice recap in two parts, the first one tonight!
I love your shopping ban! I’ve been on a clothing shopping ban for months because I flat out refuse to buy clothes that will be too big…eventually! I’m going to buy a few workout items that will be good for taking pilates classes (ie a few more pairs of long workout pants!), but other than that, diapers baby food diapers! 😉 Hope to see you soon! Let’s catch up!
Thanks Kristin! Check out Old Navy & Target for pilates pants as a few people have been raving about them lately!
I really really need to take your lead and get rid of a lot of my workout clothes. I tend to hang on to things, especially race shirts, but I never ever wear them.
I need to do SO much more than I have but am waiting as I really want to donate it and haven’t found good ways to do that over here.
I can’t believe groceries are that much! Wowza! Do you utilize any strategies to try and save money? Are restaurants even more expensive to eat at?
The only strategies we can really utilize is to not buy pre-cut and cut ourselves, buy non-perishables in bulk.
Ashley, love the format of this post! I’ve been doing the same thing with shopping- haven’t done any since January 1st which is a big deal for me! I love love love your hair in the bottom picture. Experimenting looks good on ya 😉
Thanks Jenna! I think I’ll start doing one once per month as I enjoyed it too! Great job keeping the shopping ban in place 🙂