coffee diaries | la colombe

La Colombe always seemed to me a Philly coffee giant that I have always walked by. It's right off the trains station, and most times, I was too busy getting ready to scout other cafes to step inside. So I would walk by and never really consider going in.

Last week I was in the city for my sister's graduation, which was a nice ceremony but the circumstances of the day and lack of planning left everyone super stressed. Which led me to make this instagram caption when I first sipped this milky latte at La Colombe. Only a few minutes early for our train, snapping at each other, frazzled and in desperate need of something to make me happy, we chanced it at La Colombe. Best decision of the day.

Notes from the coffee diary:
- Heavy cream. Buttery, smooth.
- Mild. No sweetener added.
- single shot (I talked myself out of two, I'd be wired)
- Nice open euro-styled atmosphere
- careful craft and kind staff

La Colombe is airy, open, and I like the fact that you can stand by a bar like in Italy (although I never had the guts to do it in Florence). It is located right outside of city hall, with relentless action and bustle and smartly dressed city folk in 4" Louboutins (I am not making this up) walking about. I was feeling the stress but even a super-caffienated latte brought me a sense of calm - it was that and a blend of the easygoing staff behind the bar. That latte was poured for me, it felt like. So thank you, La Colombe. Consider this your amazing review. You earned it.

La Colombe 
Dilworth Plaza
1414 South Penn Sq.
Philadelphia

morning walk through town

Yesterday, S and I shared a perfect breakfast at one of our favorite little nooks in town. It was too pretty out

to go back home, so we decided to go for a leisurely stroll...even if it was only for a little while.

I love living near towns you can walk through. I wish, wish, wish that I could ditch my car

and have everything I need in walking distance. Traveling by foot is the bomb diggity. 

We found the local organic market teeming with flowers by its' storefront. 

It was too good to pass up a photo op. I love the spring time! Zero percent humidity,

people dining outside, perfect dress-and-a-sweater weather. I am hoping this week brings more days like this one.

ciaaaaaaaao, xo.

buon anniversario!

If it were up to me, May 18th would be an official holiday. It's my three year Sienaversary. Three years ago I hopped on a plane with complete strangers and began my study abroad experience.  I enjoyed life to the absolute maximum. I remember my thinking to myself, every night, no matter the occasion - I couldn't miss it. "Sleep when you're dead!" is exactly what I told myself. For a little while, Siena felt like the only other place on the planet that I knew. That summer really was one of a kind - the people, the gold man, the mid-day (sometimes twice a day) trips to Conad, skipping the bar for vino in the campo, the donkey garden, the fortezza, the awe-inspiring classes of Dr. Bruttini. I miss sitting on the warm Tuscan brick of the campo floor and writing in the journal. I miss the dry heat, the bats in the morning, the horrible internet connection. The bottiglie di acqua and coperti and the ritual of eating. I miss hanging my clothes on the line. I miss solo morning outings, like seeing the sun rise. I was so okay with being alone. Talking to a real Sienese here and there, being just as interested in them as they were in me. But the friends I was with made it all. Those total strangers became my good, good friends. I still count a few as my best. Words or photos are not enough.

ciao, xo

life at 1000mph

Somehow it is the end of the school year and I feel like I am more stressed than I have been in a while - like life is moving at 1000mph and it is very difficult to brake. All is great, in the big scheme of things. How is it that the everyday routine can be so exhausting and draining? Here are a few snippets from the week...

an excursion into philadelphia for my little sister's college graduation!

and of course, a pit stop for a philly pretzel...

 new shoes (they are already scuffed up a little, ugh)

may flowers. love you. the pollen is pretty overbearing, though...

 - - -

So, yes, the weekend is extremely necessary. Since our winter was so horribly snowy, it seems like a never ending year. Anyway, I hope to be remedying the constant moving/busy-ness with calming walks, cups of coffee (idk if that is always the best help), and of course, taking pictures. Even of the most repetitive thing - it's been flowers lately - taking pictures makes me just the happiest. And it makes me miss traveling, and the summertime. When things always seem brighter and more vivid. I am yearning for my summer self. I swear its an alter-ego and I wish desperately that I could always be Summer Taylor, or Siena Taylor (that was the best). She cooks, eats healthy, exercises more, gets up for slow leisurely mornings, is tanner yaaaay, and seems to feel lighter, mentally. I keep telling myself, just a few more weeks. Counting down the mondays. It is going to happen, it is going to be here!

Okay, end rant. If you're not sick of me then you should go on over to Elah Tree, where I am included in this month's advice column. Yipee! Click click clickaroo.