5 Favorite Midwest Coffee Shops

One thing I've shared numerous times with you guys (here, here and here just to name a few) is my love for iced coffee - Year round, all seasons, hell or high water...it's my jam. My husband doesn't drink coffee, so in our house, I sometimes feel alone in my obsession. He is a tea drinker, which I enjoy, but I rely on my Mom and my girlfriends when it comes to sharing a cup mixed with a good conversation. I'm no stranger to Dunkin Donuts (my preferred chain) or Starbucks (mainly because it's right next to my office), but given the choice, I prefer a non-chain coffee establishment. It's one of my favorite parts of visiting new places...whether it's a surrounding suburb or a different state, I always insist we try a local coffee spot for breakfast. 
Maybe it's the charm, maybe it's supporting the local community, but whatever it is, it makes my heart happy. In fact, one day I imagine taking a coffee tour of the U.S...sort of a, Jack Kerouac-caffeine themed joyride. I could plan the route via Roadtrippers, planning coffee & pasty spots in each state along the way. How much fun would that be? 
But for now, here are a few of my favorites in the Chicago(ish) and surrounding areas:
The Coffee Mill Fontana, Wisconsin
Okay, local might be a bit of a stretch for Chicagoans, but it's only an hour an half north, nothing too outlandish for a little weekend trip, right? As you all know, we spend a good amount of time at our lake house in Wisconsin and with that, comes supporting all of the local companies. The Coffee Mill is staple for us during each visit, not only because are we big fans of the exclusive menu but if I'm being honest, it's just one of the cutest places! 
I'm a sucker for a chalk board menu, wire basket lights AND any place that also sells treats for my dog. Plus, they make a baked oatmeal that is out of this world and their honeybee coffee drink is our go-to. It's made with local honey (like, we've seen the adorable elderly man drop it off, fresh!), espresso, steamed milk, and nutmeg. Plus, is anyone else totally impressed and mesmerized by coffee art? I give in to hot lattes every so often, partly because I'm fascinated by that :) 

Brew Point Elmhurst, Illinois
The first time I was here last Spring, I ordered an iced honey lavender latte and I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't STILL thinking about it almost a year later. Being that this suburb is a few over from mine, I can't just swing by here on the way to work for my morning cup of joe, which is highly unfortunate. I would probably say it was my favorite coffee of all time so I was thrilled so visit again recently and for a few seconds, I considered trying another delicious concoction on their menu (the bartolome is next on my list!) but I had to have the lavender yet again and it did not disappoint. 
Something about Brew Point just feels so homey...it's always full of friends and family having conversation and I love how they offer a wide selection of board games for a rainy day. Also, I met one of the owners, Melissa, both times we were there and she was eager to make sure we had a great experience. It's really cool to see the owners working the register and interacting with the customers...you can tell they truly love what they do. P.S. They serve a variety of donuts from the donut drop every weekend...The pistachio? Yes please!
P.S. My cousin actually just wrote a wonderful post on this place as well. We experienced it for the first time together and obviously it left a big impression :)

Boxed and Burlap Delavan, Wisconsin
Boxed and Burlap is the newest addition to my coffee stops in Wisconsin. I met the owners at a Lake & Country party just before they opened their shop and their business card alone was enough to make want to stop in. Having been there multiple times now, it makes sense - the card was a bit of rustic, a bit of modern and gave you the idea that there was a lot of heart and soul poured into the place. Turns out to be true...
The coffee is custom roasted and cannot be found in any other mid-western coffee shop and they offer a full service espresso bar along with a selection of tea and pastry items. The story of the shop is a true American small town dream. It is owned by a husband and wife couple and built through the help of family and friends. The coffeehouse was woven together with the garden center and studio space, so during the warmer months this year, we stopped by to grab a few succulents as we sipped our coffee. Basic just got even more basic ;)

The Corner House Lombard, Illinois
I consider this place to be somewhat of a "hidden gem." I used to work on North Avenue fairly close to this place and there wasn't much else around in terms of restaurant or more specifically, coffee choices unless you wanted a scalding hot generic drink from McDonalds. While grabbing lunch one Friday, my co-worker and I stumbled upon this place and it was love at first entrance due to the costume style furniture and fun menu board. Could it be? There was a unique coffee house in the northern suburbs close to the office? We loved our first visit so much that we made it a weekly Friday treat, saving ourselves for coffee, tea and the most amazing muffins. One of my favorite things is the selection of holiday flavors yea round - If' you're feeling a pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha in July, there's no holding back. I regularly got the coconut iced coffee but the whole menu is great and changes all the time so it always feels new and fresh.
Plus, I love that the staff works with local artists to curate their ever-changing Corner Gallery. While waiting for your drink, you can check out the creative work that adorns the walls, all submitted by local artists. Many of the artists are first-time exhibitors and their work is for sale so you can purchase if you want one to take home. They also have a coloring station with pages created by a local Lombard artist. So much fun, right?

Graham's 318 Geneva, Illinois

Geneva is one of those suburbs that makes you feel happy to live in Illinois and the café itself is just as cozy and welcoming. The comfortable, cottage-next-door features an outdoor patio, an enclosed porch, a fireplace and couches downstairs and quiet nooks up the winding stairs. The coffee is great and so are the breakfast croissants...MAYBE the best I've ever had. 

If you visit, try the choccocino, a chocolate hazelnut combo...and if you manage to refrain from ordering a candy or gelato, you have more willpower than I. This is not a place to count calories...if you're here, you stay awhile and you say yes...to every delicious offering.

What are your favorite local coffee shops?  I'd love some new recommendations to try this weekend!

Two Summer Obsessions

Two things I can never get enough of: stripes and iced coffee. My closet is filled to the brim with striped pieces while my fridge is currently home to two very large jugs of Starbucks iced coffee (one being the skinny caramel macchiato and yes, it's fantastic.) I know that if I'm shopping with Lisa and trying to decide which item I should skip (because I've undoubtedly already spent too much), she will always choose to the stripes based on my current collection, but honestly, can you ever really have too many? They go with everything.

And when it comes to iced coffee, my husband is the same way. "When did you start this obsession? Is it REALLY necessary?" Much like the stripes, the answer is no, it's not necessary, as I don't drink it for the benefits of caffeine so I suppose I could go without it...I just happen to love the way it tastes...Especially if we're talking about Honey Bee's from the Coffee Mill...seen obsessing over below ;)

So to everyone I ask, why should we ever have to give up the things we love? 

Dress: LOFT | Jacket: Forever 21, old (similar) | Sandals: LOFT 

Sunnies: ZeroUV | Watch: JORD | Bag: Old Navy (similar) | Bracelet: Old (similar)

What are your summer obsessions? 

Confessions of a Blogger: Volume 1

Sometimes, you don't want to take outfit photos outside when it's -7 degrees. Sometimes, you don't  have time to blog your look until 8:00PM because you worked out, went to work, threw dinner together and worked an upcoming event until it was time to sleep and do it all over again. 

Sometimes you realize that you've already worn this sweater three times and somehow managed to not snap photos so you have to throw it on and just make it work. Sometimes, you feel so bloated due to so much weekend fun that you can't stand the thought of posing for an #ootd...

Let me back up a bit: Lisa and I spent this evening together getting ready for our upcoming #SwapInTheSuburbs event and decided to squeeze in some outfit photos. I'm not typically a fan of shooting inside (especially so late in the evening with no natural light) but I'm getting real cranky about the wrath of Chiberia, so alas, here I am on my couch. Before Lisa started snapping, I quickly grabbed my favorite coffee cup and started rearranging our PILES of party decor on my table and Lisa said, "wait, what are you doing?!"

Than I stopped and thought for a moment: I don't drink coffee at 8:00pm. My table was nowhere NEAR clean. My dog had dropped crumbs (in the midst of sharing our snacks with him) all over my carpet. And lezbihonest, if Lisa wasn't over, I would have been in a really embarrassing (but SUPER comfy) pair of pj's by this point.

This situation brought up a point I continuously encounter in my head: Why do we as bloggers feel the need to stage every second of our lives? I realize this makes me sound like half a hypocrite because I love lay flat photos and lovely detail shots on Instagram as much as the next #fblogger (and fully intend to continue sharing these because I actually love creating a beautiful picture). 

However, it tends to makes me feel a little fraudulent. Sometimes I question how blogging, which is supposed to essentially read as an online novel about your life, has turned into more fiction than non.

Sweater: c/o Sheinside | Scarf: Target | Jeans: LOFT (similar) | Boots: Sole Society (now just $20!)

Earrings: Kate Spade | Bag: Sole Society | Mug: Coffee Mill | Swap Pillow: custom made on Tiny Prints

So, no...there wasn't coffee in that cup, and while it's one of my favorites, it just didn't serve any purpose in this moment. And while I'm debating whether or not that's okay with me, I'll just continue to let my 50 lb dog sit on my lap, because that IS real life and one of the best chapters in my story ;)

What are your thoughts on staging photos for the blog and social? Let us know...

The Mad Plaidder

I'm lucky plaid is everywhere this fall because it's always been one of my favorite prints - from the Britney to the Serena (not so Catholic) school girl days, I love how preppy and classic it feels. 

Still to this day, I swoon for knee-high socks, a plaid skirt and loafers but these days, plaid has become much more versatile, showing up in scarves, shoes (my favorite pair!) and of course, jackets. When I spotted this coat, I figured it would be ultimate addition to my fall wardrobe and it's a great layering piece!

Jacket: c/o Sheinside (similar)  // Sweater: H&M (similar) // Jeans: LOFT (similar) // Boots: Just Fab

Bag: Just Fab (Swap w/Lisa) // Beanie: Forever 21

P.S. In case you're questioning my drink of choice, let me be clear: I am an iced coffee girl year round and this particular concoction (the Honey Bee) is from the Coffee Mill in Wisconsin, where I would spend all day if I could. There's something about small town coffee shops that can't compete with Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts...Maybe it's the charm, maybe it's the generosity, but either way, it always makes for a special visit.

How are you wearing plaid this fall?