Best Spots in Asheville for Coffee and Quiet Time

Sometimes it's nice to get away from your room or campus to study, create and write. You can look up and not recognize someone, for once, and you can be inspired by an ever-changing atmosphere. I prefer it, even. The surroundings are very important for me when picking where to go. I am introverted when it comes to my study style, so I like to be able to close off the craziness of the world for a bit and get away in a nice, quiet spot. Being a college student also makes it quite hard to really pay for $5 coffee every time I have a paper due, so I look for reasonable prices which isn't easy to find in a world that loves their high-dollar espresso. And good chai. Always good chai. Check out my favorite spots to wind down, drink coffee and get inspired in the Asheville area below. 

1. Battlecat Coffee Bar

373 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC

If you’re anything like me, you have to be surrounded by people doing shit in order to get your own shit done. Battlecat is a beautiful mix of Asheville flavor and hard work, artsy flare and quiet time. I love this place mostly for their low prices and iced specialty drinks like their iced chai (my go-to order) or their thai iced coffee, a wonderful blend of thai tea, cream and coconut. The wifi is fast, the chairs are comfy and the vibes are great. Go here if you feel like blogging or finishing up some homework in nice natural light. In the back of the coffeehouse, Tigerbay Cafe houses colorful, fresh brunch options for the early parts of the day, and the room is covered in a signature Paper Frank mural of pink, yellow and tigers. The crew is super friendly also.

2. High Five Coffee Bar

13 Rankin Ave, Asheville, NC

Oh how I love this little spot! You’ll probably catch the Let It Be Yours team here on a random morning planning and plotting, ‘cause this is our favorite place to get things done. The coffee is delicious every time. Although it is a little pricey for my college wallet, I learned what suits me and I love supporting the High Five crew of talented baristas. This place fills with sunlight early in the day, with awesome seating high up or down low. The tunes are eclectic, ranging from old school hip hop to chillstep. The cool thing about High Five on Rankin is that it stays open until 8 p.m., even on weekdays. So even if you’re procrastinating that paper, you can still start it here as the sun is going down.

3. Filo

 1155 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC

This is quite possibly Asheville’s coffee scene’s best kept secret. Filo is a one-room stone house in East Asheville serving up fresh pastries, warm coffee and dinner to a cozy crowd. I went in here during exam week alone not knowing what to expect. I ordered their supposedly popular grilled cheese dinner with a vanilla latte and man did I fall in love! The grilled cheese rested lightly on a homemade tomato soup, serving as a sauce to the sandwich. They are open until 12 a.m. (yeah, seriously) so they are pretty much a godsend to the late starters in search of an off campus hideaway.

4. Vortex Doughnuts

32 Banks Ave #106, Asheville, NC

Okay, yes, this place might have the best doughnuts you've ever tasted. But stop for a sec and focus. I know. The coffee here is actually just as dope. Yes, it's true. And the vibes, even better. Head down to Vortex Doughnuts to not only be overwhelmed by the aroma of glaze and sweet, sweet icings, but also head down there to finish that paper due at 5 p.m. Go! This spot is beautiful and comfortable, with lots of space to breathe and think. You've gotta grab a doughnut, of course, but you'll want to come back for another flavor, another drink, and another spot near the window. You're welcome.

5. Bomba

1 N Pack Square, Asheville, NC

Wondering where all the cultural flare in Asheville is at? I’d like to argue it all resides within the walls of Bomba, right across the street from Vance monument downtown. Walking into this half-windows, half yellow establishment will warm you up instantly. The menu is Mexican and Latina-inspired with lunch and dinner dishes with delicious espresso creations. It’s slightly cramped, but the food is worth it. Take a seat on the side and people watch like crazy. Oh, and please order the plantains.

  

Honorable Mentions

Old Europe DOWNTOWN

This place is always open. Like, I don't think I've ever seen it closed. Known for being downtown's oldest coffee shop, Old Europe keeps an old timey style in pastries and coffee drinks. The vibes give it a romantic quality that makes it great for studying or hanging out with significant others. I wouldn't study here alone, but the coffee selection is reasonably prices and the desserts are to die for.

Firestorm Co Op WEST

Best book selection in town although the coffeeshop side is kinda over-priced. Great events and meetups for twenty-somethings throughout the week. If you dig social justice, you'll love this spot.

Izzy’s Coffee Den DOWNTOWN

Coffee lacks where the vibes pick up. Sometimes the baristas were pretty rude to me, but I brushed it off because of the cool factor and artsy quality of the spot.

World Coffee  DOWNTOWN

Super touristy, tasty, and upbeat spot. Although the priciness breaks my heart, the coffee specials are so on point and great for dessert-drinks. Treat yoself.

Edna’s NORTH

Weird place and the wifi sucks, but it’s very spacious and has an eclectic menu. I've gotten lots of things done here, and it's north Asheville location is nice to get away from downtown sometimes.

Double D's Coffee & Desserts DOWNTOWN

 This red european double-decker bus in the heart of downtown may be a super hot tourist spot, but they definitely have some of the best coffee and prices in downtown Asheville. Climb up to the top floor of the bus to find some nice quiet space when downtown isn’t too hectic.

Jams 001: New Year, New You

Listen to our January playlist, New Year New You below! It features awesome upbeat tracks from artists like the one & only Erykah Badu, mixed with some chill underscores for a nice evening full of productivity. This playlist will surely get your creative juices flowing. Here's to the new year, you, and new hope & dreams closer to your reach.

A Complete Guide to Thrifting Clothes and Still Looking Good

Part One: Why Should I Thrift? 

You know what I love? Clothes? You know what I really love? Not spending money on clothes. Maybe you haven’t noticed recently, but full-priced clothing is expensive. And when you’re a broke post-grad who buys snacks in the vending machine with quarters you found in the couch, it’s pretty hard to justify spending $34.99 on a pre-ripped, see-through T-shirt. (I’m looking at you, Urban Outfitters.) I’d rather spend my money on oh, I don’t know, experiences? Like, I want to look cool, but I’d rather take road trips and drink cocktails with multiple ingredients. 

That being said, my passion for consumerism knows no limits. I must have not only the road trips and cocktails, but also a killer wardrobe. I need it all, damn it, and I’m not embarrassed! How do I indulge my vanity on a budget? The answer, my friend, is thrifting, and I’m here to teach you how to do it. Consider me your spirit guide. I will gently and powerfully guide you through bargain bins full of 80s tracksuits and embroidered turtlenecks that smell like jolly ranchers to where the good stuff is, and help you curate a better wardrobe for a fraction of the price you’d spend elsewhere. Better yet, all you need is twenty bucks, hand sanitizer, a little patience, and a TON of espresso! 

One of the most important qualities to be a smart shopper and a great thrifter is commitment. So real quick, before we dive into the nitty gritties of how and where, let’s review a few of the reasons about why this should be your new lifestyle.

Wait… Why Should I Be Thrift Shopping? 

1. Because capitalism sucks and advertising is destroying your soul.
   Need I say more? The prosperity of fashion and beauty companies literally rests on convincing you via advertising that you are fundamentally inadequate, and you would be sexier, more fun, and invited to more parties if you would just buy their clothes. Also, 90% of hip, affordable clothing is made by factory workers in third world countries who work in incredibly unsafe conditions to make those $5 crop tops we all love so much. Buying used is a really great way to be a conscious consumer and put your money where your mouth is.
2. Because you’ll look really cool.
   Sorting through mass quantities of ugly, poorly made clothes has taught me more about what flatters my body and makes me feel good than any fashion magazine ever has. Don’t be a slave to trends! Also, never again must you endure that deeply uncomfortable moment when you walk into a room and someone is wearing the exact same Target dress that you are. 
3. But if you happen to be into Target dresses, guess what? Thrift stores have them too.
   And trust me, there is nothing more obnoxious than seeing something you paid full price for last year on a rack with a tag that says $3.
4. Because thrift shopping is one of the easiest actions you can take towards a more ethical and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
   Reduce, reuse, recycle isn’t just for your empty wine bottles. When you buy secondhand, you’re making use of things that might have otherwise gone to a landfill and not to mention, many thrift stores are also involved in charity work (Goodwill is a notable exception; this is a for-profit company).

Nothing says modern girl like looking amazing and having the savvy to back it up. Stick with me - in the next post I’ll spill all my secrets on how to sort through your closet and make a wants and needs list, the ultimate outfit to wear thrifting, a handy checklist to help you figure out whether that sweater is hot or not, and more! 

What's in a Name?

Introductions: What’s in a name anyway?

It tends to start the same way everyday. I’m woken up by a sudden whole body jerk from the same fatal shot to the back by the figure with the mask who has been haunting my dreams for the past few months. Elevated heart rate, my sheets soaked in sweat, and my white pillow cases are smeared with yesterdays mascara.

The split second after the body jerk, I tend to find myself drowning in anger and frustration. Arguing with myself over my incapability of identifying the masked figure. What does it want, or rather yet, what can I offer that is worth killing for? I am defenseless when I am with my own mind, so lately, I’ve been teaching my consciousness to be fearless, especially in the face of a gun preparing to end my life. I mean, what is the worst thing that can happen from dying in a dream, really? The thought of death doesn’t seem to scare me, as I have already had my fair share of brush encounters.

Part of my morning routine is sitting on the edge of the left side of the bed, the side that faces the oversized window, and remind myself of a lesson I learned the hard way. I remind myself that it is a beautiful thing to simply not be restrained by the most human of concepts: staying alive! 

See, death, my death, doesn’t scare me. 

As a living organism I am inclined to do two things out of innate habit: Fuck and Fight to stay alive. I'm a fan of the former and I always have been.

Before I go into any more detail about myself, I want to address a couple misconceptions that will come into your mind. First, I was never sexually abused as a child or teenager. Second, I’m not alone in thinking the things I do, or wanting the things I do. I'm not an outlier, I’m not a stranger over the world wide web, for all you can know, I might be someone sitting next to you, or maybe even laying in your bed. 

That being said, I would like to formally introduce myself to you. I'm the girl in an oversized t-shirt and jeans. I'm also the girl in the short skirt and crop top, the one who leaves a little to the imagination. I’m your girlfriend, your best friend, your secret admirer, or maybe even your sister. I'm everyone and no one all at once. I don’t like names, so I won’t assign a name to what or who I am. For all you can know, I might be nothing more than an idea, or better yet maybe even your subconscious, but there are only a few ways to find out. 

I look forward to telling you my story. It isn’t necessarily a pretty or straight forward one, but I promise it isn’t a boring one. Tragic, maybe, to some extent. Humorous, most definitely. I count on you to keep reading so I know that someone is still keeping tabs on me, even after all that has happened.  

Until next time, sweet dreams. 

Craggy Gardens

I had so much fun doing this shoot with Makeda! She is one awesome photographer. For our first shoot, we decided that we’d take it to the mountains of North Carolina. It makes it more special for you because you get to see not only my outfit, lol, but you get a glimpse of some beautiful scenery. 

Craggy Gardens isn't just an overlook on the parkway. 

Craggy Gardens is located at mile marker 364 heading north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, coming from downtown Asheville. If you guys are familiar with the area, we took Town Mountain Rd, passing the Cove that looks over Asheville. It’s about a 30 minute drive from there. Craggy Gardens isn’t just an overlook on the parkway. If you drive one mile further, there’s a trail that you can take. It’s not long at all and it’s very easy to hike. I’ve seen many pictures, but this was my first time taking on this trail. As you can see, this trail looks just as craggy as it sounds. It kind of reminds me of Hocus Pocus and it was definitely worth freezing my ass off! You should definitely check it out if you haven’t already. Once you get to the top of the higher look over (there’s two off the trail), there is a magnificent 360 view of mountain range! It is definitely a healing experience. 

Now, about my outfit! I love to find great deals and I only have one brand that I admire more than I do any other. So you’ll hear a lot about me thrifting and a lot about Zara! 

So, my dress, that cute little baby doll dress is the only item that I’m wearing from Zara. Oh, how much I love it! It’s so comfortable and I can do a lot with it. I think the next time I wear it, I might do something a little bit more sporty. I’ve had that cream sweater for a while now and I’m pretty sure I got it at either Ross or Marshalls, Americas favorite discount stores. I go through phases where I like to wear it and then I don't, so it doesn’t get old to the point where I have donate it to a local charity. I could look at the tag and tell you where I got it, but I doubt you’ll find it. However, there are plenty of places where you can find something similar. 

 Eight bucks! Yeah, I scored fa sho!

My shoes and my socks are from Old Navy. I’m not ashamed to say socks are from the mens section, as most of my socks and 1/3 of my wardrobe are. Old Navy always has great prices on their mens socks. One time, I got 3 packs of socks with two pairs in each for $8! Eight bucks! Yeah, I scored fa sho! 

My classic choker? I got that from H&M. The other choker I’m wearing with the cute little cupcake was made by a girl I went to high school with. Her name is Kay Millar and she makes her own little jewelry and paintings to sell on her website. Her brand is called Gypsy Creations. I love ordering from her because she sends these cute 3D stickers with your order. I have them on my laptop, lol. Here’s a direct link >> www.gypsycreations.storeenvy.com << Hope you find some things ya like!

I don’t know what I was thinking when picked this outfit out. I just knew I wanted wear this cute dress and I wanted to pair it with my burgundy socks and that the boots gave it a nice edge. I put the cream sweater on to balance all the colors out. Wallah! Magic...

Photos by Makeda Sandford