I work remotely a couple days a week, as my office is a two hour commute each way for me. Most of the time I work from my home office, since I usually take early morning calls on these days. However, occasionally I will take part of an afternoon to go work from local coffee shops. It sparks creativity in me and makes me feel connected to people all while enjoying a good hot drink (I live by the motto of "But first, coffee" while I work). 

Big Mug is located in Santa Clara in the South Bay. It's one of my boyfriend's favorite coffee shops and he introduced it to me a couple years ago. While I can't eat any of their pastries or breakfast menu (wheat / dairy allergies), I hear it's all excellent! I like their Green Tea (Matcha) Latte with whatever dairy alternative they have on hand. 

It's a local favorite and has the following to prove it (it's perpetually busy on weekends)! I recommend on going on a weekday afternoon or a quiet rainy day. I've found this is a great spot for blogger meetups or group studying. If you'll need more than 3-4 spots at a table I advise calling in advance or sending someone ahead to save a larger table. 

Have you been here before? What did you think? If not, give it a try and tell me about your experience. I'm always looking for great coffeeshop recommendations so let me know if you have a local favorite in the Bay Area I should check out. <3

One of the things I love about the weather getting warmer is the chance to get outside and go exploring. I have discovered a new found love for riding bikes around downtown San Jose to investigate the area where I live. The Bay Area offers "Bike Share," a local pilot program that rents bikes with the community at affordable prices. You may "check out" (rent) a bike at your convenience from any of the 16 stations downtown. You buy daily, 3 day, or annual passes and when you are done you simply return the bike to any of the stations closest to you.  

I spent the afternoon riding with one of my blogger girlfriends, Nancy from Spiffy Kerms, exploring Japantown and northern downtown. Having Bike Share near my house is perfect for when friends and family visit. We can all go for bike rides together with ease and little inconvenience. 

Can't miss my classic "Derp" face below when I was turning the bike around for pictures.

If you live in downtown or if you're visiting take the opportunity to use the Bike Share system. Ride one of the 150 bikes to a coffee shop (such as Roy's), lunch, farmer's market, or even to connect to other public transportation. 

Learn More: 

Bay Area Bike Share

855-480-2453

Cost: $9 / day, $22 / 3 days, $88 / year

Stations: bayareabikeshare.com/stations

Twitter: @SFBayBikeShare

IG: @bayareabikeshare

FB: www.facebook.com/BayAreaBikeShare

www.bayareabikeshare.com

I love flower stands and searching for just the right mix of florals and branches to make the perfect bouquet for my home. If possible, I prefer these "boutique" style florists over grocery store bouquets any day. Often the selection is better, fresher, and the local florists are there to help you with all their skilled knowledge. Besides, I will always vote for the chance to pull together my own bouquet over pre-made arrangements. 

5 Tips for Buying Flowers: 

1) Don't feel too intimidated to ask questions! The florists LOVE what they do and have a wealth of knowledge that will help. They can reveal everything from what kind of florals shed the quickest to what ones can last several weeks if well cared for. 

2) Check to see if the bottom of the stems are wet and don't look dried out. Sometimes, if different flowers are grouped together in a container, they can suck up the water faster than others and leave some dried out and wilting. They will expire faster if this is the case so you'll want to avoid them. 

3) Get a variety of textures, sizes, and elements. Just like any good piece of art you'll want depth in your bouquet. 

50% Fillers: Greenery 

20% Disks: Something that adds texture and is great for filling in holes (such as berries or large round headed flowers like hydrangeas)

10% Branches/Vertical Elements: Something that adds drama and height 

10% Airy Pieces: Whimsical and light. These elements create movement and softness to your arrangement (Examples: Lavender or these pictured soft, textured flowers I chose for mine to combine as the focal and the airy). 

10% Focal: The stars of the show. Flowers that the bouquet is designed to compliment and show off. Sometimes these are colorful, large, and bold (like roses, sunflowers, or peonies) or sometimes they're minimal and muted (like daisies, lilies, or anemones). 

4) Pick a color palette. There is harmony and drama in a color palette. You can go subtle and monochrome (as I did here with neutral greens and whites) or bold with all reds and burgundies, or pick three colors to create harmonic balance (such as red, yellow, and orange, or blue, purple, and pink). 

5) Get what is in season. These will likely be the freshest, last the longest, and be the cheapest. Plus, you can use it as part of your seasonal decor! 

This flower stand is one of my new local favorites. Michelle's Creations is located in downtown San Jose's SoFa district. Check out her creations or let her help you select your own every Saturday in front of the SoFa Market. (Bonus: She takes both cards and cash!)

Michelle's Creations

SoFa Market

387 S 1st Street

San Jose, CA 95113

831.229.8060

creationsbymc@yahoo.com

Do you like to have flowers in your home regularly or are they just for special occasions?

What is your favorite kind of arrangement? (I love a variety of flowers but I really have been obsessed with greenery such as eucalyptus or peppercorn lately.) 

Do you feel inspired by making your own arrangements? Or do you prefer ones that are already grouped together? 

Where do you usually buy your flowers? (If I don't get mine at boutique stands or farmers markets I usually grab a couple from Trader Joes or Whole Foods and combine them to make my own arrangement).