Samantha K Schmidt

A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to announce to the people we love that we were expecting our first child. Those people just happened to be nearly 100 high school students. My husband works full-time with students and I've volunteered as a mentor since we began dating 2 years ago. Although we have a few close friends, those kids make up the majority of our lives. It was amazing to see their faces light up when we made that announcement. It brought me so much joy knowing that they were so joyful for us.

 After several go rounds at modern dating I decided to take a much needed break. I had realized a lot about myself after many failed relationships, but above all I realized that I was going to have to be content with myself before I could be happy with someone else. That break lasted 2 long years when Eddie finally came into view. I knew the moment I saw him there was something different about him. We had the same unapologetic awkwardness and accidental humor. Despite seeing his potential as a great partner, I kept my distance. I didn't want to make the same mistakes again, but fate had other plans. Since we couldn't seem to fight the gravitational pull, I allowed the "getting to know you" phase to begin, but I promised myself that I would not fall into my old dating habits. I forced myself into the backseat and let Eddie take the lead. The First Date : After spending 10 days together on a church trip, I promised myself that despite my interest I would postpone r...

Many men (sorry guys) have high expectations of marriage. They expect a woman who appears and acts like the 50's housewife of his dreams. Today, that vision just isn't realistic. The Feminist Movement has come too far for women to be perpetually fulfilling these unrealistic expectations. When millennials' grandparents got married it was quickly assumed that the man would work while the wife would stay at home and tend to all things "womanly": cooking, cleaning, etc. In the modern century, however, many wives don't have the option of staying home. Men and women are paired with the burden of providing for their families. In these instances, it would be cruel and unusual punishment for a woman to take on two roles (full-time business woman and housewife) while the man got to saddle back with his one role and relax the moment his feet hit the threshold of the home. At least this is the burden for many women. They feel crushed by their husbands expectations ...

Don't dismay, new things are coming your way. Thank you all for your patience while I continue to work full-time while still pursuing my passions. I have some exciting things that I can't wait to share with you all. In the meantime, make sure to follow me on Instagram for weekly updates. Stay tuned.

I think even the snobbiest of coffee lovers can admit they love a quick and easy stop at Starbucks every now and then. Okay, maybe not. The coffee giant isn't for everyone, but those of us aspiring connoisseurs like to take the easy route from time to time. However, there are a few drinks that Starbucks is fooling you with. The Coffee Let's start from the beginning. Many people have stated that Starbucks burns their beans during roasting. Beans are temperamental and require a slow process of heating.  This seems to be the culprit when it comes to the bitterness of Starbucks coffee. If you are going to make a Starbucks run it's better to go with an espresso drink or a dessert-like frappucino (which there is no shame in!) Macchiato What Starbucks calls a macchiato is actually more akin to a latte. The typical macchiato is made with one shot espresso and a very small amount of steamed milk. Starbucks version is about 3 parts milk 1 part espresso. Now it seems that...

Notes are the different flavor dynamics present in a cup of coffee. They range in intensity depending on the brewing method, but a quick guide can help you identify the notes that you like and avoid the ones you don't. Here are just a few notes and how to recognize them. Earthy vs. Fruity Coffee notes are typically categorized by either earthy or fruity. Earthy notes range from subtle to intense. More intense notes tend to be present in darker roasts and have a richer flavor. Fruit notes represent most of the acidity in coffee. Notes are distinguished by their similarities to other foods and elements. However, just because you like fruit doesn't necessarily mean that you'll like a fruity note in your coffee since it contains more acidity. Ask for a description of the coffee when you go to a cafe. After a while you will be able to recognize the different notes and determine your preferences.

If you're a coffee snob you probably spend a large portion of your monthly budget on the delicious libation. If you're budget conscious like me you probably take advantage of every Starbucks reward upgrading to Trenta size (yea, it exists). There's an easy way to save money on your morning (or all day) coffee. Even if you aren't a coffee connoisseur there are a few brews that are easy to make at home you just need a few inexpensive tools. Coffee Grinder Grinding your beans at home is the best way to get the most flavorful, fresh coffee. Plus, you don't have to buy anything fancy. I got mine at Marshall's for under $10 and this one is available on Amazon for $14.99.    You can use the grounds in everything from your home brewing machine to any of the options below. Coffee Dripper Pour over coffee is just as popular as drip coffee these days and creates a much tastier cup. Plus, it's just as quick and easy. You'll need a coffee dripp...