This morning I popped into at Starbucks around 8 a.m., wrote my morning blog post and awaited the arrival of my friend Cara at 9 a.m.
Since I love cappuccinos, Melissa recommended that I try a misto the next time I stopped by Starbucks. A few of you chimed in after her comment, echoing her recommendation and when I found out a misto is cheaper than a cappuccino, I was sold.
I ordered a grande misto with one pump of vanilla syrup and must say I am a fan!
For those of you in the dark about caffè mistos as I was, a misto is simply coffee with steamed milk. (Cappuccinos are espresso and steamed milk with foam.) They’re also know as café au lait in France and café con leche in Spain. I shall call them café con delicious.
My coffee date with Cara was a lot of fun!
Cara is the owner of Vitalize Nutrition, a health food, vitamin and supplement store in Ocala. Cara and I got together this morning to chat and discuss the Junior League of Ocala. Last year Cara joined Junior League, a charitable nonprofit organization of women, dedicated to promoting volunteerism and improving communities through action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Cara saw that I have an interest in volunteering and becoming more involved in the Ocala community on my blog and offered to tell me more about it. Since my volunteering with the Taste of Ocala ended last month, I’ve been on the lookout for something new and wanted to learn more about Junior League from someone who is directly involved.
I must admit, I had Junior League stereotyped in my head based on the only knowledge I had of the organization which came from the portrayal of the Junior League in the book The Help. It was not the best impression, but I loved what I read about Junior League online and it seems like a great way to get to know professional women in Ocala who are passionate about volunteering and active in the community.
Cara had great things to say about the organization and I’m hoping to attend a mixer toward the end of the month to meet some of the members and learn more. If you are or were at one time a member of your local Junior League, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I know chapters vary a lot, but I’d love to learn more.
Lunch
Lunch today was yummy, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be eating the exact same thing for dinner tonight since I made a very large portion, so I’ll save blogging about that meal for later so you guys don’t fall off your chair from boredom.
June Book Club
The winning book for the PBF June Book Club with a whopping 64 percent of the votes is…
I am really pumped that this book won because I’m actually about a quarter of the way through it already. I started reading it last week and really love the writer’s laid back, conversational writing style and humor. I’ve laughed out loud a handful of times and flagged a bunch of pages because there’s a lot I’m excited to discuss that I’ve read in the book already, like the fact that humans used to walk, on average, eight to 10 miles a day. Oh how our lifestyles have changed!
Just a reminder that we’ll be discussing the book on July 2 on the blog and the book club is open to anyone and everyone. Be there!
P.S. The Blog Travel page was updated today!
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This book has been buzzing lately… I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of it!
I already have that book so I will join the Book Club this month 🙂
I am so excited to read this book! I will definitely be participating in book club this month!
I’d love to learn more about Junior League – I hope some fellow readers have experiences to share. I’m excited about the next book club selection and can’t wait to start reading it!
I have signed up to start my provisional (first) year of my local Jr. League chapter in August of this year. I am really excited about it. My mom was in Jr. League when I was growing up so I have a very good impression of it. I think you would enjoy it. It really is focused on enriching the community. It’s not all like The Help anymore. 🙂
Misto is my drink also! Although sometime they are a pain and charge the full amount
Love Starbucks : )
I’m in JL in Philly. I’ve heard some of the southern chapters can still be kind of intense, but ours isn’t like that and overall I’ve had a good experience. I really like the volunteer and social aspects of it, and I’ve found it takes just the right amount of time to commit to it.
Misto is my go-to drink at Sbucks! Love it!
I have signed up for Junior League in Orlando and am really excited! I too had some apprehensions when first learning about it, but after seeing all of the organizations they were involved in, I was sold!
Drop Dead Healthy is a great choice! I am about half way through it. It is such an easy read and entertaining.
Yay, Carly! I’m a mentor to the provisionals in the Orlando League. We are excited to have you! 🙂
One of my closest friends did Junior League both in Tampa and now in PA and she always enjoys it. I was skeptical, as well, but they do a lot of great charity work!
Mistos are definitely my go-to at Starbucks (or any/most coffee shops). Not only are they cheaper, but they’re a bit healthier since there is less milk. I’ve actually come to prefer them over a latte because I prefer the stronger coffee flavor.
That’s great that you found a volunteer opportunity Julie! I’m excited to hear about your thoughts on Drop Dead Healthy too. I read another couple of pages last night and as usual was laughing out loud. Have you reached the bit about Nature’s Platform yet? 😉
I love your top! Where’s it from?
thank you! the brand is edge and i got it from marshalls.
Like you said, JL chapters vary by city/region. I have a friend who’s been in both the Stamford and Annapolis chapters and her experience has been great. I went to an info meeting for the NYC chapter and decided it wasn’t really for me for a bunch of reasons… I volunteered all through high school, college and law school but the NYC JL just didn’t seem like a good fit for me. A couple of my Twitter friends in the NYC JL have vented before about “retiring” after this year and it kinda helped reaffirm my decision not to do it. Nevermind the time that I don’t have!
I’m actually really excited about reading Drop Dead Healthy! I’ve been slacking on my book reading but I think this is the push I need.
Did you by chance get your hair cut? It looks a little shorter in that picture!
i did about three weeks ago! it’s definitely shorter!
I am in a southern chapter (not Florida) and my chapter is not intense from a social aspect, but can be intense depending on what committee you decide to join. Some committees require significantly more work, time, etc. than others. Your first year (provisional) normally requires a lot more time than the rest. It would be a great way to meet people your age in Ocala!
Jr. League is about 15% social, 15% volunteer activities and 70% money – paying for fees & dues, procuring & paying for auction items, spending money on food for meetings… the dollar signs seem reasonable at first but quickly add up. Be careful!
i second this statement. if you want to volunteer, go volunteer. you don’t need a social party planning committee to do it. i have found two awesome volunteer opportunities through volunteermatch.org. one was volunteering in the pr office planning events and writing press releases biweekly for three months. the other is helping record texts for blind and dyslexic readers. i do that one once a week and have for the past 3 years now. i went online searched and found both easily. done and done.
i’m sure that there’s got to be some kind of enriching volunteer opportunity around ocala that isn’t about showboating, dollar signs and wearing pretty dresses.
I would totally agree with this breakdown. I didn’t notice the money so much the first year, because all the provisional activities are usually free. After that it seemed everything had a dollar sign attached.
But the leadership and volunteer skills/opportunities jr league can cultivate may be worth it for you. Good luck!
That’s not really how it is in Ocala because it’s a small chapter. I’m a member and it’s not a bad financial commit at all. There are a lot of volunteering opportunities and the mtgs are classy. I’m sure you’d have a great time, meet good girls and make an impact in our community. Ocala is small town and so is our league.
I’d have to agree with Heather, Mandee and JM. I’m sure it varies by chapter and part of the country, but I found JL to be largely about showboating and social class. The chapter I joined in the Midwest was full of women looking largely to have another notable thing to put on their resume and boost their status in the community. Every little thing cost money, from joining JL to group dinners to tickets to attend our own anniversary celebration. And there was no real breakdown of where that money went-at least not that general members saw. While I know the chapter had a history of doing some wonderful charitable things in the past (think 50’s and 60’s) and the current chapter does do some good volunteer work, I have to agree with Mandee-you don’t need to join a group to be philanthropic or get involved in volunteerism. There are TONS of opportunities that are 100% free and in desperate need. One thing I really didn’t like about JL was I had to go with the group when it came time to pick a volunteer project and that project may not have been aligned with my own passions in the slightest. I don’t have a lot of free time and I prefer to spend it on things I really care about. Like I said, every chapter’s different and some women would rather volunteer in a group and really enjoy the social aspect. I just tend to be rather independent and the $$$/showboating aspect turned me off in a big way, so found it wasn’t for me.
This really doesn’t surprise me. I looked into my local chapter and was kind of appalled by the website’s preoccupation with money and exclusivity. The motivations sound great at the beginning but I was disheartened by the details.
I work for a NP organization and we’ve actually reached out to the JL before and were turned down for reasons that sounded like BS to me.
From what it sounds like it’s a sorority for adults. I say this as a former sorority girl myself. Although sororities proclaim to be all about philanthropy, much of our charity events were more like social events with omgsocool designed matching tee shirts! I would encourage you to volunteer somewhere out of your comfort zone.
I joined the local Junior League chapter after we recently moved from the city to the suburbs and ended up leaving the chapter about half way through. I felt like, at least my chapter, was more about throwing their own money towards an event rather than rallying the community and I wasn’t interested in investing upwards of $300 into the group. However, I have a good friend who is in the Junior League in her town and LOVES it so I think it’s important to really get to know the women involved before making a decision. Maybe attend some of their events before making the commitment.
I joined the Junior League of Dallas last year, and was apprehensive at first because the Dallas league is very large (about 5000 members), and almost didn’t go through with it but I am so glad I did! I have met so many nice women through the organization, and it offers a wide variety of volunteer and social opportunities. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do! Like any organization, you get out of it what you put in – so everyone’s experience can be different. I was in a sorority in college, so a lot of the things bring back found memories of having great gal pals! Also, the great thing about Junior League is that if you ever move, you can always find a league in another city so it gives you an instant group to network with. I say you should definitely check out some of the information sessions, I think you would really like it!
FYI, cafe con leche in Spain is actually made with espresso and steamed milk, not drip coffee like the misto at Starbucks. I used to live in Madrid and it’s virtually impossible to even find American-style drip coffee. Perhaps the phrase cafe con leche sinifies something different in other Spanish speaking countries, but in Spain, it is essentially what you and I think of as a latte (espresso and steamed milk).
Hopefully my library hold list speeds the heck up so I can read this before July 2nd. 🙂
Ill have to buy that book. I have never tried a cafe misto. I always go to starbucks and get a grande coffee. Thats it. Im plain jane like that. Cute top by the way!
I have heard mixed things about Junior League. I live in Texas and am originally from a smaller town and it was really more of a social/clique group than anything else. Yes, they were involved in helping some charities so I cannot knock it totally but the couple friends I had that were part of it referred to most of the women as ‘snobby”. I am sure you have to look at it on a chapter by chapter basis. Good luck with your decision!!
I was hoping to find the book at my local libraries…it must be very popular! Guess it’ll be a download on my Kindle 🙂
After reading your previous posts about volunteering, I hoped that you would be introduced to the Ocala JL. I move a lot for work and the great thing about being a JL member is that you can transfer from league to league easily. I have a new group of girlfriends and a tie to the community every time that I move.
yay! i can’t wait to start reading! 🙂
I have been wondering with a miso was – since I don’t care for espresso I might have to give it a go 🙂
I always order a soy misto. Delish!!
I’m knee-deep in Insurgent right now, but once I’m back to reality then that book looks pretty legit!! I’ll have to check it out.
And I never knew what a misto was….and that sounds like EXACTLY what I like to drink. Thannnnk you!
I’m an active member of my local JL in Texas. Short and sweet, it’s like a sorority for adults, it is what you make of it. There are many wonderful women that are in it for volunteering and there are wonderful women in it for the parties and networking. I’m in it for both reasons and there’s nothing wrong with that! I mean, who doesn’t love helping the community and going to a good party, right?!
In the end it’s a very personal choice, check it out for yourself. I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
A misto sounds yummy–I will have to try that next time I visit Starbucks. Can’t wait to read Drop Dead Healthy! I’m just finishing up The Time Traveler’s Wife so I could definitely use a light-hearted read.
Misto is my favorite drink from Starbucks! I always get a soy misto with sugar-free vanilla syrup. 🙂
I need to try a misto…
I am a provisional for the fall for JL of Savannah, I can’t wait to see what it entails. I have always volunteered for quite a few organizations and I just recently stepped down from chairing two boards. So I believe this will be a fun transition!
I’m excited to read the book as well.
Try with one pump vanilla one pump caramel – my favorite! 🙂
I just joined the Northern VA JL, after talking with a family friend about her experience in a JL in Ohio… I too was a bit skeptical, but thought, heck, why not! I was never in a sorority, so I’m hoping it doesn’t meet any cliches I have in mind. 🙂
You can always ask your barrista to make your misto with extra foam if you like the foaminess of the cappuchino!
I am a JL member in Pittsburgh! I was excited to see you posting about it. I love the league (and def disagree with comments above about the breakdown between volunteerism/friendship/money). I have met a lot of amazing women through the league. The league helped me meet new people when I moved to Pittsburgh, and helped me get acclimated to the city.
My experience is that you can be as involved, or not involved, as you want. Also, I love that the League provides me with so many different volunteer opportunities. Before joining, I knew that I wanted to volunteer, but wasn’t sure what specific organization I wanted to get involved with. The League gives you the opportunity to volunteer with different organizations though Done-in-a-Day’s (meaning, a 1 day volunteer event). In fact, we have participated in volunteer events in many of the organizations you have featured on your blog recently. From there, you can choose to get more involved with activities/organizations that interest you.
Also, the league provides you the opportunity to expand your own skill set. I didn’t really believe this when I first joined… but now, after being a chair and heavily involved with putting on the American Girl Fashion Show last year, I totally agree.
I could go on and on about this, so I’ll stop here. But feel free to message me if you have any questions. Overall, I think the League is a great organization. (Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if experiences differ by city.)
I’ll admit that the first thing I thought of when you said “Junior League” was The Help! But I’m imagining that it’s now much different – and it’s probably a great way to find out about lots of different volunteer opportunities! I know that a junior league near me helps with Meals on Wheels.
I love misto’s… SO good! I like mine with the cinnamon dolce syrup — usually get that in sugar free 🙂 REALLY good that way too!
Bahahaha cafe con delicious. Nice.
A misto sounds like the same thing as a Flat White!
here is what’s funny…the junior league in the help is not far off from how the one in Jackson, MS still is today. Trust me on this.
I hope I end up liking the book! And you should definitely join the Junior League! My mom was a part of ours in Kansas City for a while before she had kids!
Since work (at a school) and my grad school classes are winding down I think I’m going to participate in this month’s book club! I’m gonna have to get the book asap!
I just finished my provisional year for JL in Lakeland. It has been a great experience and has helped me to become more involved in the community since moving here about 2 years ago. You definitely should check it out, I think youll love it! 🙂
http://lapapeteriediva.com.br/2012/02/02/inspiracao-do-dia-antes-do-sim/
I saw this on pinterest and wasn’t sure if you knew that they’re using your picture. Just a heads up!
I totally forgot about misto’s! Thanks for reminding me! 🙂
ooh I’ll definitely have to try the misto! thanks for putting the spanish translation- I’m actually going to Spain in a few days (and I know pretty much no Spanish at all) so at least I know how to order a coffee! 🙂