In my last blog post, I shared six coffee shops in Downtown Green Bay. Downtown De Pere also has some great local stops to get your caffeine fix. In this blog, I will cover a few of my favorites, but I know there’s still more of De Pere that I need to explore! If you have any favorite coffee shops in the area, leave me a comment at the end of this post.
Luna Cafe
This is one of my favorite spots to grab brunch. They feature different daily sandwiches and wraps, so there’s guaranteed to be something new to try. The De Pere location is nice and cozy. It’s a great spot for getting some stuff done on your laptop or meeting up with friends. My go-to order here switches between a lavender honey latte or an iced americano with a splash of milk.
The Exchange
The best way to describe this coffee shop is aesthetic. It’s very industrial, with lots of wood, black, metal, and gold furniture and decor. I always enjoy their honey lattes (with almond milk) and their avocado toast. Speaking of their avocado toast, it’s not what you would typically expect. The base that would usually be bread is swapped out with a bubble waffle. My first impression was a bit skeptical, but after tasting it, I was a fan.
One piece of advice if you visit this shop on the weekend: get there early! It can get pretty busy, and it can be difficult to find a table. But it’s worth it.
Tazza Italian Coffee Co.
With exposed brick and greenery, this coffee shop is also very cute. I love this cafe for their seasonal flights. They have latte flights, hot chocolate flights, and even lemonade flights. Their latest round of lemonade flights features lavender, strawberry rose, hibiscus, and honey jasmine flavors. It was delicious, so try it while you can!
One of my favorite cozy-time drinks is the Honey Citrus Mint Tea from Starbucks. You may also know this drink by its nickname, Medicine Ball. I find this tea so soothing when I need a little pick-me-up or a drink to cuddle up with. It’s the kind of drink that I like to have especially during snowy or rainy days. It tastes fruity, tart, and extremely refreshing. The best part? It’s super easy to make at home!
Seriously, you don’t have to be a barista to successfully make this beverage. Plus, you can most likely find everything you need to make it at your local Target.
Step 1: Heat up a cup of equal parts water and lemonade
You don’t have to be too scientific with the measurements here. I typically just grab a mug and fill it halfway with lemonade and then fill the rest with water. I microwave it for about 60-90 seconds. You can heat this mixture over the stove as well; it just takes a little longer.
Step 2: Add honey to your mug
After the water and lemonade mixture is heated, I stir in a bit of honey. I use about a teaspoon. If you prefer sweeter tea, add extra honey. If you want it more tart, add less honey.
Step 3: Add one of each tea bag to steep
It’s the mix of 1 Peach Tranquility tea bag and 1 Jade Citrus Mint tea bag that really gives you the delicious sweet yet minty flavor. I like to let these tea bags steep for about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Enjoy
Once your tea is done steeping, you can remove the tea bags or leave them in for continued diffusion. Then, all that’s left to do is enjoy your drink!
What’s your favorite Starbucks drink? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
The gift-giving season is approaching: are you ready?
If not, no worries! I’m just preparing too. This year, my goal is to be more intentional with my holiday shopping and actually plan ahead.
Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 26th, and Downtown Green Bay has lots of deals. Not only can you get some gift shopping done, but you may even win a treat for yourself. When you shop small at participating businesses in Green Bay, you can enter to win a staycation prize package! You can check out the details here. I think it’s a great incentive to support your favorite local spots.
To prepare for Small Business Saturday, I looked through all of the deals and created my own list of places to stop. This list features some of my favorites and some places that I am excited to explore more. Read on for some great deals and personalized recommendations.
Daily Buzz Espresso Bar, White Dog, and Fox Harbor are all offering deals on gift card purchases (check out the details here). Daily Buzz is also offering 20% off all food and drink on Small Business Saturday! So, it’ll be the perfect first stop of your shopping journey. I plan on fueling up with a seasonal latte and their delicious bodega breakfast sandwich (with vegan bacon).
Cockloft Vintage is offering a free vintage mug when you spend $25. This shop has a beautifully curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and home items.
LoCo WisCo will have 20% off storewide with the exclusion of 10% off alcohol. They have lots of locally crafted goods and plenty of WI/Green Bay themed items. I’ve only stalked them on social media, but I’m looking forward to checking out their shop.
Lion’s Mouth Bookstore is offering a free Lion’s Mouth mug when you spend $50. If you have a bookworm on your shopping list, stop here!
A Bag Lady will have 20% off all items. I always have fun shopping for accessories at this glittery boutique. You can expect to find tons of jewelry options, a variety of purses, and a nice selection of clothing.
Beerntsen’s Candies will have 10% off all items. All I can say is YUM. I’m sure I’ll buy gifts here that I’ll have to resist eating.
Kavarna& Glas Coffeehouse will be offering buy-one-get-one 50% off bags of coffee. Here’s a great opportunity to treat yourself or a coffee lover in your life.
Captain’s Walk Winery is giving you a chance to win with your purchase. Every $5 spent will be an entry to win a Captain’s Walk gift card. Small Business Saturday will be the perfect opportunity to stock your wine racks.
Titletown Brewing Company is offering buy-one-get-one tap beer. In case you need a spot for kicking back to wrap up your day of shopping, here you go!
Want more spots to shop locally? Check out the full listing here.
Where will you be shopping on Small Business Saturday? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Here’s to another blogaversary! MeganRoshak.com just turned three years old today.
Before starting this annual post, I looked back at what I wrote for year one and two of blogging. It was interesting to open up the digital time capsule and see what I was thinking and feeling at those times. The posts still resonate with me, yet I know so much has changed for me personally from the time those were written to now.
When I wrote about year one of blogging, I was still in college. When I wrote about year two of blogging, I was just getting into the groove of post-grad life. Now, I’d say that I have more of my ish together. I don’t mean to say that I have it all together because that’s just not true, but I feel good about the place that I’m at.
During year three of the blog, you may have noticed some changes too:
I had the opportunity to share way more experiences and dabbled in travel blog posts. My trip to Nashville inspired me to write about travel and capture memories as well as recommendations.
I shared a couple of new Q&A posts with people/brands I admire. For our mostly female community, I found Victoria Lyons’ story especially important to share. I’m glad I had the opportunity to speak with her about her female-first condom brand, Slipp.
I brought you to my home in Wisconsin through a few posts. If you find yourself in Madison or Green Bay, you may recognize some of my favorite places.
In year four, I want to continue sharing adventures on the blog: big and small. You can also expect Q&A posts from time to time with lifestyle and fashion content in the mix. As always, if there’s anything that you’d like to see, you can let me know! I appreciate your ideas and input.
Thank you for following along and celebrating year three with me; I’m happy you’re here!
What would you like to see in year four? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Over the weekend, I enjoyed exploring a variety of resale and consignment shops in the Green Bay area. There were quite a few shops on the 2022 Fall Shop Hop list that I had never visited. It was great to discover local businesses to shop for pre-loved clothing, accessories, furniture, decor, and more!
I began my Shop Hop journey at Three Lil Birds. This shop had lots of home decor as well as clothing. If you are in the market for second-hand designer purses, this is the place to go. They had lots of Dooney and Bourke and Coach bags. Three Lil Birds also had a big selection of Harley Davidson gear (including boots, shirts, leather jackets, belts, pants, etc.).
Next, I visited Uniquely Yours Antiques. This shop had lots of home decor items. I loved the teacup candles that one booth was selling. Another item that caught my eye was a wooden croquet set (if I had a yard, this would’ve come home with me).
Wonderland Vintage Market was a short stroll away from Uniquely Yours. This shop featured decor, collectibles, antiques, and some vintage clothing booths.
I loved when I found a Beavis figurine at Wonderland, but the booth that stood out to me the most was BLK & WHT. All of the prints were so fun and gorgeous. I adored the drinkware, the gold decor items, and the overall vibe of the booth. I will have to revisit it.
One of my favorite shops, the Green Bay ReStore, was on the Shop Hop route. This place has been my go-to for furniture and frames since I moved into my current apartment. I always enjoy looking around the ReStore to see what’s new.
Across the street from the ReStore is The Mixed Basket. They have lots of home decor items, as well as some larger furniture pieces. You can also depend on The Mixed Basket for unique glassware and drinkware.
The last shops I made it to were the Allouez Cottage and Interior Motives. Allouez Cottage offers a unique shopping experience since it’s an old house that was turned into a vintage shop. They had decor, some clothing, and other vintage finds. Interior Motives had lots of larger furniture pieces and upscale home decor. They also had perfect candles for fall, along with a large selection of Berres Brothers Coffee.
I didn’t make it to all of the shops on the Fall Shop Hop list over the weekend, but I’m happy to explore more another time! If you are in Green Bay, I encourage you to do the same. We have so many unique small businesses to shop and support!
Where is your favorite resale store? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
August has been a month full of live music! I couldn’t imagine a better way to wrap up summer.
Back in June, I wrote a blog post with Goodwill NCW that covered four thrifted concert looks and discussed the beginning of the festival season. In the post, I talked a bit about attending an Eric Church concert, a Jason Derulo concert, and Freedom Country Festival. It feels like it was just yesterday since the piece was published, but I’ve been to three more concerts since then.
Early in August, I saw 3OH!3 perform in Green Bay’s Titletown District. I have to admit that I listened to them quite a bit in middle and early high school, so it was cool to see them live. Yes, I fangirled when they played “Don’t Trust Me.” I wore a “black dress with the tights underneath,” (*wink, wink*) paired with a black denim jacket and faux snakeskin booties.
Last weekend, I saw Oliver Tree perform at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI. His openers were Huddy and Jawny. The whole show was incredible, energizing, and engaging. If Oliver Tree is ever in your area, go to the show! Just be prepared for lots of jumping up and down and screaming. Also, be prepared to join in on a few chants. Did I mention that Oliver also likes to open up the mosh pit? Oh, and he has a cow statue and other props handy. It’s an absolute blast.
For this show, I went for a casual yet accessorized look. I threw on some white tennies and a white tank with my black denim shorts and jacket. I brought my completely bedazzled purse along and put on a fuzzy black bucket hat. With how warm the venue got, I definitely could’ve left my jacket in the car; but hey, fashion over function.
Last night, I attended the “Sounds of Nashville” show at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens. This concert was unique since it featured a few country songwriters. JT Harding and the Warren Brothers played #1 country songs that they wrote. You may know the song “Alone With You” performed by Jake Owen or Blake Shelton’s hit, “Sangria.” Well, those were both written by JT Harding! The Warren Brothers wrote Chris Young’s “Sober Saturday Night,” Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” and more (of course)!
This concert was also unique because the songwriters shared stories of how the country hits came to be. They shared a bit about their journeys as artists as well. It was a very relaxed, conversational, and good show.
For this concert, I kept my outfit country with my tall black cowboy boots and a little black dress. I can’t wait for another excuse to break these boots out.
I think that’s a wrap on concerts for me this summer, but I’m excited to see what fall may bring for events!
Do you have any upcoming concert plans? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Summer is not over yet! There is still lots to do before we wrap up July and August, especially in Green Bay.
In this post, I’ll share five things that I’ve been enjoying this summer. If you also live in Green Bay, we may have some favorite things to do in common. Yet, I hope that you can find something new to try in this post! If you are not from Green Bay, I believe this post offers some good recommendations for a visit.
Go To the Downtown Farmers’ Markets
When the weather starts warming up in Green Bay, I always look forward to farmers’ market season. On Wednesday nights, you can catch the Farmers’ Market on Broadway from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There are local produce vendors as well as a few food trucks and beer tents. Also, you’ll find a handful of vendors selling floral bouquets.
On Saturday morning, there’s a farmers’ market from 7:00 am to noon on South Washington Street in Downtown Green Bay. I love to catch the free yoga at 8:00 am. This market also has a lot of local vendors and food trucks. I always have to stop by Coffee Wizardz‘s nitro cold brew stand; their draft lattes are incredible.
Enjoy Live Music, Wine Slushies, and Sangria at Captain’s Walk Winery
Captain’s Walk Winery is currently hosting a Summer Concert Series on Thursday nights (you can check the dates here). They have wine slushies on the menu Thursday through Sunday throughout summer. Yes, these are absolutely delicious.
Before summer is over, I need to make it to one of their Sangria Saturdays. From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays in the summer, you can get 1 liter of sangria and a basket of chips with homemade salsa for just $14!
Attend Titletown District Events
There’s always something going on in Titletown. Lately, they’ve been hosting a series of free concerts with some pretty big names. I’m looking forward to seeing 3OH!3 on August 13th! In the district, they also host workout classes, outdoor movies, and more! You can check out their full calendar of events here.
Go Out On Downtown Dinner Dates
A few of my favorite places to grab dinner in Downtown Green Bay include Copper State, Vintage Cantina, and Fox Harbor. I probably frequent Fox Harbor the most, but Vintage is a close second. You can depend on these three for a good meal and good drinks.
Enjoy Live Music and Brews at Badger State Brewing
Badger State Brewing has live music in their beer garden every Friday night (now through August)! It’s the perfect spot to kick back, relax, and have a good time. They have a huge beer selection, and they frequently feature new brews. Lately, I’ve really liked Tiki Tom Margs, Stateside Seltzer’s Hard Lemonade, and Badger State’s Cran-Delusion.
What are your favorite things to do in the summer? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
I feel like the title “Content Creator” gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but what does it actually mean?
I consider Content Creators to be people who actively share and communicate their interests via media. Maybe you are someone who is passionate about fitness, so you decide to share workout videos on TikTok. Maybe you are an expert on all things tech, so you decide to share tips and tricks on a blog. No matter your niche or hobby, you can create content based on it that provides value to others.
I truly believe that everyone has a unique perspective and story to share. If you want to begin sharing your journey, I have a few questions to help you brainstorm.
First, why do you want to start creating? You have to consider your goals and your overall “why.” This is going to be what you come back to when things get tedious or tough along the way. Your “why” will be what keeps you going!
What type of content do you want to create? Common content pillars include education, entertainment, and inspiration. You can use these pillars to brainstorm the type of content that you want to work on. You’ll want to consider what you’re interested in and what topics or experiences matter most to you. If you create content in a niche that’s authentic to you, then you will always have ideas to share.
Who is your audience? Simply creating content is great, but it can be very impactful when shared. Also, when you share content, you are able to form communities and connections with others who have similar interests. Consider who you want to reach (aka your target audience).
Where will you publish your content? Based on the type of content that you want to create and your audience, you’ll want to choose an appropriate platform. If photography is your medium, then Instagram may be a great place to show off your content. If writing is more your style, maybe you should start a WordPress blog. There are tons of options out there! Just pick what works best for you, and go for it!
When will you publish content? You’ve probably heard this a lot, but consistency is key. So, you’ll want to create and stick to a schedule that works for you. Be realistic about how many hours are in a day when you set this expectation for yourself.
After you answer these questions, you should have a decent idea of how you want to move forward. An idea is all you really need in the beginning. You will learn and grow along the way as you continue creating. The biggest thing is simply getting started!
Do you consider yourself a Content Creator? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
And we’re back with Shines & Wines! In case you’re new here, Shines & Wines posts are where I share recent happenings and wine recommendations. Let’s jump right in.
Recent Shines
I refined the categories on the blog. For a while, I wanted to tackle my “categories” section of the blog. I didn’t really feel like the categories I had listed were reflective of the content I create now. So, I did a bit of brainstorming and came up with the following content groups: Fashion, Lifestyle, Q&A Interviews, Travel, and Wisconsin.
I had the fashion and lifestyle categories previously, but now I have spots for interviews, travel adventures, and locally-based/Wisconsin content. Speaking of local content, it’s my goal to create more of that! I enjoy the area I live in and would love to show more of it on the blog.
I had the opportunity to collab with Wendy’s. You may have already seen this on the ‘gram. I had a fun time creating video content with Wendy’s and trying some new foods. I am always amazed by the networking and collaboration opportunities available through social media.
I’ve enjoyed a couple of weekend getaways. Recently, I went to Chicago, and then this last weekend, I visited my friend in Madison. It has been good to get out a bit and hang out in different cities.
Recent Wines
Strawberry Rhubarb Yooper Wine. This is a delicious, sweet wine from Yooper Winery. I love most things strawberry-rhubarb, so this was no different.
Lazy Bones Cabernet Franc. This was a good and cheap wine from Trader Joe’s. Enough said.
Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon. If you need a wine to enjoy with dinner, this is perfect. It’s the type of wine that tastes more expensive than it is.
What are some of your recent shines & wines? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
After months of thrifting, vintage shopping, and styling, I’m ready to show you my *mostly* finished apartment.
I moved into my current place in August 2021 and have been slowly but surely making it home. So far, it’s definitely my favorite apartment that I’ve lived in. It just feels right and cozy.
Without further ado, let me give you a lil tour of the space!
When you walk into the apartment, you are met with a couple of Purple Rain original lobby prints. I picked these up at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con. They were such a fun find, and I knew I could fit them into my space somehow.
In the living room, I have a Valley of the Dolls movie poster hanging. I also have a basic IKEA couch. I added a few colorful pillows to the space along with some velvet and patterned floor cushions. My coffee table luckily fits two floor cushions perfectly; it was a thrifted find from the Green Bay ReStore.
Also, in my living room, I have a bench shelf. It’s more for decor than it is for actually lounging on. On top of the bench, I like to keep my on-the-go necessities. On the shelves, I have a stack of my favorite books, and a few vintage finds.
To the left of the bench, I have a plant that I’ve proudly kept alive since moving in. On the right-hand side, I have candles and a few of my favorite prints. First, there’s the iconic Bettie Page. Next to her, is my favorite girl in comics: Tank Girl.
I’m very happy that I have the room in this apartment for a dedicated workout corner. I just have a big basket that I keep all of my equipment in/next to. I also have a big wooden mirror in this space that I found at the Green Bay Restore.
From the living room space, we can move into the dining area. In the entrance arc, I have a coffee cart complete with k-cups and various syrups. In the dining space, I have a shabby chic table from Ye Old Goat with two chairs on one side and a bench on the other. All of the seating is covered with blankets and some throw pillows for a cozy feel. On the wall, I have a Casablanca movie print of Rick in front of his bar.
One of my favorite things in the dining space is my music section. I have a stand that’s a repurposed newspaper holder for my record player. Alongside it, I have a crate and my boombox (yes, I still have a healthy collection of CDs).
From the dining room, you enter the kitchen. In this space, I also have a touch of artwork/prints. There’s a Colectivo coffee poster and a Frida Kahlo print hanging above the stove. On the fridge, I have another Bettie Page, a Marilyn Monroe, and Van Gogh’s sunflowers.
My kitchen is home to my baby: my pink espresso machine. I had been dreaming of this espresso machine for a while, so I finally got it when I moved into this apartment.
Speaking of drinks, I have a basket stocked with bottles to host. The cute cowgirl bottle opener was another Ye Old Goat find.
There’s not a whole lot that I need to show off in my bathroom; it’s literally just your basic bathroom complete with a toilet, sink, and tub/shower. However, I will show you my very fitting wall art. This is a piece that I usually get quite a few comments on.
Last but certainly not least, here’s my bedroom! I kept the room pretty simple to allow my orange velvet comforter to really pop. I have two Amy Winehouse prints, a Marilyn Monroe, and quite a few Cindy Sherman postcards prints. Something I would love to add to this space is a black and white Bettie Page.
Styling this apartment has been and continues to be a fun project to work on. I’ve always wanted a space that feels creative and versatile. I feel like this apartment is exactly that.
Thank you for following along with the tour! Feel free to let me know if there is any additional apartment content that you would like to see.
Do you have any questions about apartment living? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Megan Roshak 