11 years of 100 Cups of Coffee ✌🏼💖☕

Eleven years ago today, I started something called 100 Cups of Coffee as a fun Futurama fan project…#futuramaforever 🚀

At the time, I didn't know it would change my life.

I was standing at the beginning of a chapter I never planned for. 

Everything felt uncertain, and I could have chosen to hide and cry (there was a lot of that). Instead, I decided to start a beginning. Knowing that my life wasn't over...it was just changing.

One cup became another.

And somewhere along the way, this project became a place where I could write honestly about rebuilding, growing, and figuring out who I was becoming.

Eleven years later, 100 Cups of Coffee has grown into so much more than I ever imagined!

100 Cups Of Coffee socials + meet the cast

With 100 Cups Of Coffee (kinda) nearing the end of its second edit, it is proving more difficult than I thought to find time for it (I blame you day job! LOL). Though, I have found myself excited about getting ready for its inevitable release into the world. And making sure I grab all the socials I can. Here are a few things I've been working on lately:

ONE: Sharing a few more personal pieces. One of my favorite things is to drink wine while I write and decide which posts I'm adding to the blog. It makes me a bit more brave! So without any pause I added THIS cup to the blog. Plus it will all be out there one day anyways! I better get use to it now!

TWO: Instagram account + the photo challenge. So if you follow @thenerdygirlie on Instagram, you might have noticed the influx of coffee photos. One I LOVE taking them and two I've created a 100 Cups Of Coffee photo challenge. But to save you a bit from that, only a bit ;) you can follow me over on @100cupsof.coffee and through #100cupsofcoffee! Don't forget to play along!

Ok have you done all the things?! Well here is a little peak into a bit of the cast of 100 Cups Of Coffee:

The Ex - The man who started it all.
Tinder Travis - My very 1st adult date EVER!
Pie Guy - My very 2nd adult date ever, immediately following the first.
Number One - The man who started me.
Insta Greg - The perpetual teenager.
Ocean Eyes - My love language partner.

I am always looking to get feedback on what you think about the book! It's been a huge work in progress and I cannot believe how far it has come, and myself with it.

Thank you all for your support!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #10

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading and information for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

This was the hardest thing that I've ever done in my life. Telling your best friend you don't want to be with them anymore is heartbreaking for both parties involved. I soon discovered that the heartbreaking wave hit further than I'd ever could imagine.

10. Gotch family apartment. Marina Del Rey, CA. Black coffee, lots of grounds.

Grounds fill my cup of coffee. Ruined. Just like my marriage.

I'm leaving my husband. He thinks I'm coming back. I'm not. I've come this far; there is no turning back.

I roll out of the air mattress in our apartment for the last time and head straight for my morning cup of coffee. It’s been a week of this same routine. My husband and I haven’t been speaking, or even making eye contact. I have finally reached the end of my rope; we all have one. It had been unraveling for years now, and now there are only frayed ends to which I have been clinging.

And now this. My morning coffee, my daily comfort, ruined. Fuck you, coffee maker.

All day and all night, my husband lets the silence hang in the air, not knowing anyway to change my heart. To be honest there isn’t anything he can do. It is too late.

And now I’ve filled my car to the brim with everything I need to start a new life, yet I cannot turn the key. Instead I take a sip of my fresh cup of coffee.

Second time’s a charm, in life and coffee.

I continue to sit, staring at the grey blank wall of my apartment’s parking garage. After many drawn out sips, I buckled my seatbelt, finally my body takes over and I drive away from the only life that I’ve know for fourteen years.

An easy life.

I had to be drug into LA kicking and screaming. And now I am searching every corner of my life to figure out a way to stay in this town that moved my heart to take a chance. If my husband and I had never moved to LA I would still be with him.. I would be as happy as I ever was. But not the true happiness I knew is out there waiting in some corner of this city, this country, this world, daring me to take that leap of faith.

Now I move in with another man, my uncle. I leave the apartment I shared with my husband, and drive straight towards Glendale.  I was lucky enough to be able to move in with my uncle. As my late aunt’s husband. He wasn’t a blood relative, but he stepped up, welcomed me into his home, and made me his daughter, crazy FEELZ and all.

Bring it on.

Drink in more cups HERE!

14 Years of Blogging — To Whom It May Concern 💖

On July 27, 2012, I published my first blog post on The Nerdy Girlie.

I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew I had things to share and nowhere to share them.

Fourteen years later I'm sitting here with a stack of 30 signed copies of my debut novel on my kitchen counter, heading to San Diego Comic Con in less than two weeks, and I genuinely cannot believe the road that got me here.

So let's talk about it.

100 Cups Of Coffee: #3

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading and information for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

Adult dating is hard. I hadn't ever done it before. Ever. By this time, months had gone by since I left my husband and so had the number of dates I'd been on. I was finally finding my footing and confidence. I was ready to chase after what I'd always wanted. I wasn't afraid anymore. And taking chances began to pay off.

3.  Donut Touch. Scripps Ranch, CA. Just a dash of cream coffee.

I don’t want to move to Los Angeles, but I have no choice. My husband makes all the choices. I just follow.

I sit on one of my San Diego condo’s three balconies watching my favorite city’s sunrise for the very last time. My coffee steam curls up around me just as the marine layer curls up around the San Diego skyline. An early morning trip to my favorite donut shop was in order on this the last morning my my house. The boxes are packed up in the moving van, all that’s left is to say my goodbyes. My husband and I have been happy living in San Diego for the last six years, married for seven, together for fourteen. When my husband unexpectedly lost his job, a few months ago we had to go where the job was, and that was Marina Del Rey. Los Angeles, California.

Why don’t I want to move to LA? San Diego is safe. San Diego is relaxing. LA is the big city. Everyone is so cool there. I’m not cool. I am The Nerdy Girlie. Plus, moving is always a pain in the ass. I have an amazing home, job, family, and San Diego Comic Con all right here in my backyard. In LA I will have to start from scratch, again. As a military brat, I know I can do that, I just really don’t want to.

The traffic.

UGH!

The unfriendly people.

UGH!

But I go. I always go because that's what I do. I support my husband. I’ve never known what it’s like to think about what I want out of life. I’m a housewife pure and simple. That was what my mom was, so that is what I am. But I’m not leaving San Diego without this last little treat. All I need is coffee for this move.

It took a lot of hunting, but the moment my husband and I walk into this LA apartment, I know it is the one. I almost drop what is left of my coffee right onto the brand new tile floor. I forgot about how the light shines in through the large window and fills the entire space with warmth. I forgot about how cozy it was. Completely different from our condo back in San Diego, but I could like it. The balcony captures my heart. I imagine sitting out there with the ocean breeze flowing through my hair. If you squint hard enough you can almost see the ocean. I imagine watching sunsets over the marina. It could become my little slice of paradise. As long as I have my coffee. I might be able to like LA after all.

This is a start.

As the weeks go by my husband becomes wrapped up and focused on his new job.

Everyday he comes home to a dinner that I cooked, waiting along with hugs and kisses from me. Both go unappreciated. Or just expected.

He’s tired. It’s been a long day.

This meal is alright.

As soon as dinner is over, it is time for video games with his family. This is more important than any attention I long for.

I retire to my our bedroom.

Every once in awhile I’ll sneak out of the room, with only a tiny tank top on and try to snuggle into his lap and persuade him to join me in bed. He can’t pause the game on the computer, so he shoos me away. This is how it has been ever since we moved in with each other. And finally I’ve had enough. One can take only take so much rejection.

All of this alone time and rejection leaves me with a lot of time time to think--and I come to the realization that I finally want to be busy with my own career. I am ready to put all my energy towards my photography, my blog, and finally finding myself. All I know myself as, is a caregiver. Giving and never receiving the words of affirmation I need to feel like I’m appreciated in this marriage I’ve put my all into. I crave positivity and encouragement from my husband as I begin to make this self change. I need it from him most, I’ve done it for him all this time and would love the same in return, but I slowly begin to realize that he doesn’t see me anymore--truly see me. Maybe he never has. But I finally do. And LA is becoming the place to find myself.

The city I was afraid of slowly begins to pull me in. I force myself to get out of the house. I start making friends and I begin to push myself, for myself. This new city has flipped a switch in me with its music and its energy. This place I never wanted to live in has done something my husband could never do--inspire me.

Days and weeks continue pass, and I find I can sit out on our small beach balcony for hours, drinking coffee, listening to music, and writing. Always searching for my passion. I bring friends new and old there and we chat away the afternoons. But never with my husband. He doesn’t like coffee, or music, or just being. I never get my fill of this spot. I soon add wine to the drink rotation. Lots of wine.

A lot of thoughts and feelings begin to run through my heart, mind, and soul. What feels like a few minutes to one person could be hours for me. My heart slowly begins to evolve with each passing day in LA and on that balcony, sipping my coffee, I begin dreaming of my future. One that was finally about me. Successful and loved, the way I need to be. I just wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone yet, even myself.

Drink in more cups HERE!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #17

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading and information for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

Adult dating is hard. I hadn't ever done it before. Ever. By this time, months had gone by since I left my husband and so had the number of dates I'd been on. I was finally finding my footing and confidence. I was ready to chase after what I'd always wanted. I wasn't afraid anymore. And taking chances began to pay off.

17. Republic of Pie. North Hollywood, CA. Black coffee and iced coffee.

My first day of adult dating and I have two dates in a row. How did I let this happen?

Awwwww. Poor Pie Guy never stood a chance. With Tinder Travis texting me to come over directly after our Earth shaking kiss, I drove from Culver City up to North Hollywood, thinking nothing could top that. I’m not sure I wanted anyone to either. Pie Guy texted as on my way up the 101. I wished it was Tinder Travis.

Pie Guy was my second ginger of the night who unfortunately reminded me too much of Danny. Let’s face it, I was trying to find a Danny substitute in every guy I swiped right to. That and the fact that he was unknowingly unlucky enough to follow that crazy first kiss. DIRECTLY follow. I said my goodbyes to Tinder Travis and drove directly to Poor Pie Guy. I went from my first date ever to my very first second date ever with Poor Pie Guy. We met at my favorite spot in North Hollywood, Republic of Pie. The best part of the date was getting free pie and chai. Really isn’t that the best thing about dating? The free food? Please try to impress me with pie men of LA!

The drive from Culver to NoHo wasn’t too bad. Everyone talks trash about LA traffic, but if I can get somewhere in thirty minutes I am a happy Los Angelino. Republic Of Pie had become my home away from home. I should have been more wary about who I invited there. I didn’t want to get into a dating cycle of taking everyone there. And with my Tinder location set to Glendale and a fifteen mile radius, all of these guys would be in the Republic of Pie vicinity anyways. No need to point out where I always wanted to be! Hindsight is 20/20.

Poor Pie Guy met me at the front door. I always go in for the hug when I meet someone new. I can’t help it, it is in my DNA. He made that hug completely awkward. GREAT way to start out the date buddy. I quickly directed him to the pie line. It was why I was really here anyways. With our coffee and pie ordered, he paid, score, we could find a seat. The place was crowded, per usual and we found a table smack dab in the middle of everything.

He and I had great text conversations leading up to the date, where as Tinder Travis and I talked only to set up the date. I was more excited for Poor Pie Guy, but Tinder Travis made my night with his chemistry. At this point in my dating life that is what I was searching for. So I at least thought this date would be a fun way to get to know someone new. We had music in common, but that was about it. And not even the same music. I jumped up right away when I heard the barista call my name for my coffee order.

Poor Pie Guy could barely hold a conversation. I sipped my coffee wishing I was doing it alone. It might have been that he was a bit too old for me in. He was five years older. I was my bubbly and happy self, he was quiet and calm. The takeaway from this date? I need someone who can match my happiness and enthusiasm for life and conversation. Who can match my excitement, or at least meet a smidgen more than half way in the middle. No not even that! I want someone to be excited about me and being with me!

As the short date came to a close, I wanted it kept short, I was so ready to talk to Tinder Travis again, I broadcasted heavily the vibe of please “don’t kiss me, please don’t kiss me,” as he walked me past the crowded tables and towards the door. As we said our goodbyes outside, he leaned in for another awkward hug and thankfully decided NOT to walk me to my car. Instead turned and walked the complete opposite direction. I blocked and deleted him from my phone as I walked alone to my car and checked my Tinder for any new messages. There was a lot. There is always a lot.

Thank God that was that.

...Until one busy day I spotted a familiar face in the crowd during one of my days at work at Cinemark. I looked up and thought, hmmm, he looks familiar and let it go, we were so swamped. A time later, while walking down the hallway back to the office, I saw him again and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Embarrassingly enough I couldn’t even recall his name in that moment. I just kept walking down the hallway and it was then that he walked out of my life forever.

Drink in more cups HERE!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #6

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

For two years I'd wondered if I wanted to be married anymore. Two years of living in a relationship that was more friends than husband and wife. Now was the time to make the decision. Did I want this for the rest of my life? Or was it time to move on?

6. Black Eye Coffee. Denver, CO. Black coffee.

When you no longer want to wear your wedding ring, something is definitely wrong in your heart and mind. 

In a Denver jewelry store on South Broadway, a ring twinkled and caught my eye. I set down my coffee and tried it on. It was what I had been searching for but didn’t want to admit out loud yet. I bought it then and there, replacing my wedding band. It was modest. Even more delicate than the ring I already wore. Discreet. A way to test what not wearing a ring could feel like.

As I look down at my new ring, settled into it’s new home, a call comes in on my cell phone from my husband and I reluctantly answer. After the obligatory greetings, we begin to talk about how my trip is going and it quickly turns to an argument.

“So did you want me to buy you a birthday present?” he says after I mention making plans for my return. The trip to Colorado was technically my birthday gift, I knew that, but should you really need to ask your spouse this question? Aren’t I special enough to him to get a small surprise on my actual birthday? Flowers, a card, balloons? Anything? Disappointed, I stopped answering his calls.

I sit in this coffee shop surrounded by friends when my phone begins to buzz again. I glance down and it’s my husband. Accept or deny. I hit the big red button and pick up my latte instead of my phone.

Having all the emotions all the time, I can feel these opposing forces completely, simultaneously crashing into each other all at the same time. Some overwhelm the others at times, but they are all there, all the time. It is frustrating to live with personally; I acknowledge trying to love someone like that could be difficult. I needed my husband to understand me and in return give the most important emotions back to me: passionate love, excitement, appreciation, adoration and encouragement. Fourteen years later and many talks later and we are still arguing about it.

Days later my trip ends and I returned to LA to a less-than-excited welcome from my partner in life. I wanted him to miss me. He didn’t. I wanted to miss him. I didn’t. So much so that I almost grabbed a big cup of coffee and and drove straight back to Colorado that very night. I thought a longer separation might invoke the emotions I found myself longing for these last fourteen years and invoke the same in him. Instead I stayed in our LA apartment and contemplated ending my fourteen year relationship for good.

Drink in more cups HERE!

My Top 5 Favorite LA Coffee Shops!

Good bye Denver...HELLO LA!

For two weeks.

Then it is official. I'm moving to Denver nerds!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO time is ticking for me to have one last coffee at ALL of my favorite LA places! Here are my top five. Wish me luck.

1. Republic of Pie in North Hollywood. My very first place in LA. RoP will always be my special place. I found it all on my own and it became a place where I could relax, write and eat all the very best pie. It even gave me my very first latte art and had a drink named after me the first time I visited! I don't know if any place could ever live up to RoP, but I will do my darnedest to find one. I might already have a couple possibilities.

2. Philz Coffee in Santa Monica. This one is special for a few reasons. It ended one of my most favorite dates ever, it is right in the first neighborhoods I lived in in LA and of course the coffee is to die for. The best drink? Their famous Mint Mojito Iced Coffee is. Everything here is made right as your order it and you can customize it how ever you like! PLUS this location is right in the heart of Santa Monica...take your coffee straight to the beach!

3. Priscilla's in Toluca Lake. I LOVE Priscilla's atmosphere as well. It is a tad bit closer to my home in Glendale and so I rotate between here and RoP. I have a lovely little hidden alcove in the front where I'm surrounded by gorgeous green bushes filled with twinkle lights. Inside is an adorable Parisian like cafe. I've written away many hours in this place as well.

4. Sunset Junction in Silver Lake. Upon taking a stroll in one of my favorite neighborhoods, I stumbled upon Sunset Junction. They had me at homemade pop tarts and a coffee for only $5! But guess what they don't have wifi. I kinda love that. I've had many delicious meals here, PIE, coffee and a distraction and internet free place to just write. I even had a moment of creating a hand written letter as well. I love the old vibe and that just makes me want to create!

5. Caffe Luxxe in Santa Monica. During my 100 Cups Of Coffee journey. I found so many new coffee shops. My favorite? Caffe Luxxe. I usually ask what is the most popular drink and this place was no different. This was an espresso with cinnamon and orange. I was weary of the orange. But this lil cup was like drinking a warm breakfast. I loved it to death. Perfection. One of the best cups of coffee I've ever had.

I'm going to hit up all my favorite San Diego spots next! So stay tuned! When I get all settled in Denver expect a list for there as well!

Do you nerds have a special hometown spot that is your go to?! Share with me in the comments below and if you have and Colorado ones definitely share!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #16

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading and information for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

In this past year, I've found more love for myself. I'm proud of where I've come in a year and the life I've created for me. Soon after leaving my husband I was ready to find the love I thought I never received.  I quickly feel into the Tinder trap.

16. Starbucks. Culver City, CA. Black coffee.

Tinder downloaded. Welcome to the crazy world of adult dating…

...the good, the bad and the ugly.

Two months after I decided to leave my husband…I also decided I was ready to begin dating for the first time ever in my adult life.

My husband and I were eighteen when we started dating and were married at twenty-five. My entire adult life I was in a cocoon of comfort and ease. Once I popped that bubble, all the crazy feels I thought I had before moved in a direction I'd never navigated before, multiplied by one hundred.

Introducing Tinder. I had heard about it, but never really knew what it was. I thought I would give it a shot. YOLO and all.

So what the fuck is Tinder? Tinder came out while I was still in my marriage. I always feel super old when these “cool” new apps come out and I have no idea what they are and everyone is talking about them {Snapchat I’m looking at you!}. After two months of moping and feeling sorry for myself I decided one particularly lonely night…what the hell, downloaded it, set up my profile and the Swipe-a-thon began.

I had to rip the dating band aid off and what other way to get over my rebound than to date all the guys in LA?! Starting with lucky ginger number one and coffee. I have a type, what can I say?

Walking into the Culver City Starbucks, I found myself completely at ease going into this very first date of my adult life. I enjoy talking and meeting new people. No expectations. As a test to this first ginger, I have my Harry Potter Deathly Hallows tattoo completely visible. I want to find someone who is nerdy for the same things that I am. Guess what? He recognized the symbol! It only took half the date.

A couple hours later, our coffee drunk, we drop our cups in a nearby trash can on the way to our cars. We said our goodbyes and I go to cross the street to my car, he grabs my hand, pulls me back sharply into a kiss with all the chemistry I ever wanted to feel. It quickly darted from my lips to my toes. It was straight out of a movie. Shit. He even lifted me up! #swoon. In that moment I knew that what I wanted all these years could be real. My overly emotional heart and brain had thought they had found the one right out the gate and it was only because of the kiss…

Drink in more cups HERE!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #9

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading and information for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

One year ago this weekend was the weekend that I had finally told my husband that I was leaving him. I didn't want to go to Wonder Con. I didn't want to be happy. I couldn't. But with a little help from my friends, I found some happiness and was happy for a moment in time.

9. Wonder Con. Anaheim, CA. French press black coffee.

I have said everything that I could have ever said, more times than I could ever say it. I have used all the words, and he has none to give back.

I began my first full time job I had in years at Cinemark on the day I told my husband I needed a break. From then on I cried on my drive home each day from work, knowing I was coming home to a feeling of despair hanging heavily throughout our cramped LA apartment.

Because of those raw feelings, I almost backed out of going to Wonder Con in Anaheim, CA, which was usually one of my favorite events of the year. But how could I be in my happy place if I wasn’t happy?

With the help of my editor and friend at High Voltage magazine, Chelsea, I pushed myself to attend anyway. And I am glad that I did. Throughout the course of the weekend, I have brief moments of happiness. Most of them brought on my my new Pisces Soul Sister Kristen. This is the first chance we’ve had to get to know each other and we click immediately. We both get all the emotions, which is why we are perfect friends, but she can put them into logic, unlike me. She helps me make sense of my emotions.  

It is a relief to get away from my reality for a brief moment because I know upon my return I will be leaving the apartment, and the life, I have shared with my husband for fourteen years.

It is the end of first day of Wonder Con, and I need alone time to decompress. I find a hidden bench, lay down, and stare up at the stars, blowing my cigarette smoke up into the oblivion. I try to imagine the new path my life is about to take. It is so foreign to me that my heart can’t comprehend a life without my husband. 

Until my mind can.

Drink in more cups HERE!

100 Cups Of Coffee: #19

100 Cups Of Coffee is my journey through divorce, dating and self discovery. 

A little background reading for you all. My single life journey began a year ago, when I decided to leave my husband. I cannot believe that. It feels like yesterday and forever ago. It feels like I've been alone forever and that I've not had enough time alone.

I was in the Tinder trap for a good three months. The I found him. Number One.

19. Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. Glendale, CA. Black coffee.

This was the moment I had been waiting my entire adult life for, but didn’t know it yet.

Ugh I kinda hate myself for not remembering his name. This was HIGH speed dating for me. I was talking to tons of guys on Tinder. I was lining up dates left and right and this particular date did not end well, so I guess it’s better to have forgotten his name. Drinks at a cafe. He paid and I went back to his place which I immediately regretted. He kisses me on the way to the house and I felt nothing. That should have been my first clue. Then he tries to get me to smoke weed. Second clue. The third and final not clue, strike, he passed out on the couch all the while holding me tightly in his clutches not letting me get away.

At this point I begin to maneuver my way towards the door. He’s so handys I begin to get nervous, reminding myself where my mace is located all the while making him think I want to see him again. I didn’t. Blocked and deleted.

Ugh. Was this ever going on bad dates going to end? Says me, two months in. Numerous unsuccessful Tinder dates and I felt like giving up. Then I met him, Number One. I walked up to him on our very first date, scoffing inside my head. I expected nothing to come of this, per usual. But as I told myself, looks can be deceiving. I could never find myself falling for the cliche LA men, which he certainly wasn’t, in looks anyways. I always prefer the funny ones. I came into this date, exhausted after a long day at work, ready to meet another potential person to block and delete from my life. But, I was open enough to discover we had a lot in common.

Throughout the entire date, he made me laugh, a lot. When the check came, I politely went for my wallet.

“I love that you just pretended to try to pay for this meal,” I quickly blush, he totally got me and had the balls to call me out on it. “But it was a total turn on anyways.” Then I thought, why not dessert too?

Cupcakes and coffee were Instagram-ed happily under a starry LA sky. The Americana fountains flowing romantically in the background. Shit straight out of a Rom Com. As the coffee warmed my soul and the night slipped away, Number One offered to walk me to my car. I thought, I could really care less if he kissed me or not, a first on this dating journey.

Then he did.

Lightning ran through my entire body. But it could have also been the quaking of cars driving through the parking garage, shaking the ground we stood on. Nope. We really had all of the chemistry. He picked me up, passionately kissed me on the hood. #swoon. Soon we were making out in my car like teenagers until two o’clock in the morning. Fogging up the windows. I had finally found what I had been on this crazy divorce/dating journey for. A friend and a lover in one, could in fact exist.

He quickly became addicting and all consuming. We saw each other a lot in the first three weeks. Then he left for a two week business trip. Would the distance make my heart grow fonder?

Drink in more cups HERE!

#100cupsofcoffee Update + Photo Challenge!

NERDS!!!

I am sooooooo excited to tell you that I got my first complete edit done on 100 Cups Of Coffee! BIG shout out to Kendall for getting that done for me! She is an amazing local Colorado nerd that I met...you guessed it through this very blog! This site has brought so many amazing and talented people into my life!

Now next steps! I'm going to go back through one more time and add more details, maybe do some rearranging and then Kendall will go through and edit again.

During the second edit process, fingers crossed I can get my updates done in a month, by March we will be looking for BETA readers! Interested?! Let me know in the comments below!

I cannot wait to have a few of you test the waters for me! I plan to add a few more cups to the blog in February as a little teaser!

After I hear what you think, feel free to comment on ANY of my cups, I'll work on my proposal for agents and publishing houses. I cannot believe after almost three years, I am getting SO close!

NOW for even more fun! I want YOU to share your cups of coffee with me! I've created a photo challenge where we can have a cup of coffee together everyday!

Let me explain how to participate. Here are your daily prompts:

Mug Monday - Share your favorite mugs! Perfect for my day off and my HUGE collection!
Tuesday Travel - Where are you drinking your coffee today? Do you have a travel mug?
Wednesday Wisdom - Let's get deep today! Share something!
TBT - Forgot to share a cup? Today is the day!
Fri-YAY - Let's celebrate the weekend!
Caturday - Coffee and cats my two favorite things! Dogs welcome too!
Sunday Funday - My Saturday and the best brunchin' day!

Don't forget to tag me on Instagram: @thenerdygirlie and #100cupsofcoffee. The challenge NOW! Participate everyday or only your favorite day!

I cannot wait to see YOUR delicious coffee photos + share even more of mine. I feel like I have been slacking! Thank you nerds for all your amazing support throughout the years. I cannot say enough how much it means to me!

GIVEAWAY from Plant Haus Necklaces! {CLOSED}

I can never say it enough, but I have found the best people through my blog and social media.

One year ago I found a really awesome account called @plant_haus. Her necklaces and feed were beautiful. I followed her and liked her and stalked her! LOL

Then a few months ago one of my BFFs met her IRL and they became friends.

THEN I went to said BFF's house for brunch one night and guess who was there? Jasmine from Plant Haus! I was so excited I talked her ear off all night and asked her all the questions about her necklaces. It was that day that she said she would make me a custom piece of my choosing! I was so excited to finally have my own! It had been a year in the making.

But even better than her necklaces being gorgeous, is how gorgeous Jasmine is inside and out. Jasmine is kind, funny and one of the most genuine and friendly people I've had the pleasure of meeting here in Denver. Sadly she is moving at the end of the month BUT it so she can step out of her comfort zone and grow her jewelry business! Which I am defiantly all for!

After a year wait I am so happy to have my own piece of Jasmine's jewelry and to call her friend! The day she brought me my necklace all wrapped up, we had coffee and chatted like old friends. When I told her about my book, 100 Cups of Coffee she immediately wanted to help out!

SO we are doing a giveaway together! YOU can win one of Jasmine's beautiful one of a kind necklaces for you or your Valentine! Plant Haus necklaces are one of a kind. Jasmine hand picks all of her flowers in the wilds of Colorado. All necklaces are made completely by hand and are one of a kind!

All you have to do to enter is:

1. Follow @thenerdygirlie and @plant_haus on Instagram.
2. Share your favorite #100cupsofcoffee photo on Instagram. Get creative with those cups!
3. Tag #planthausgiveaway

Jasmine and I will be picking our favorite #100cupsofcoffee photo to win a one of a kind Plant Haus Designs necklace in one week {giveaway ends on February 8th at 7pm MST. Open to U.S. residents only}!

So get snapping and sipping those cups of coffee!