You’ve probably heard me talk about wine more times than you can handle, so today I want to turn all of the attention to wine’s second runner up, coffee! It’s hard choosing a favorite between the two when the real truth is that coffee keeps me going until I can make it to the wine 😉

Take it from someone who has pretty much been drinking coffee since the bottle feeding days, I know a good cup of coffee when I see one. Granted my coffee used to be more milk and sugar than actual coffee, I’d say I’ve learned to appreciate a really good cup of coffee over the years. Whether you are in need of a little pick-me-up, wanting to meet up with a friend, or need a new study spot, Houston has the best coffee shops that you should check out!

Top: Gap | Jeans: Nordstrom | Shoes: Nordstrom | Hat: Similar | Purse: Charming Charlie | Planner: Lily Pulitzer

Photos by: Banavenue Photography

TOUT SUITE

All of the pictures from above are taken from one of my favorite places to grab a flavored latte with a side of avocado toast and macaroons. Tout Suite definitely gives off that cool vibe and you will probably end up staying for hours. Their space is large and offers free wifi.

COMMON BOND

The only place I’ve found that has a lavender latte and a picture perfect scenery to match. This coffee shop seems like it has been plucked straight out of Cali and the food is something out of this world. Save room for a tasty sweet from a full selection of macaroons, pastries, tarts, cakes and other assortments. The space here is pretty small so it is best for a quick meeting or pit stop.

REVIVAL MARKET

Known mostly for their meat and cheese market, Revival Market is much more than that. Not only is the coffee phenomenal, the friendly staff will make you feel right at home if the coffee hasn’t already done the trick. Stay for brunch as the food is just as great as everything I have described. This is one of my go-to places for a weekend meal or study spot but keep in mind they do close early.

DOWN THE STREET

I like to think of this one as a hidden gem as it is tucked back in a neighborhood but don’t let that fool you. This cute and casual spot is about to become your new favorite hang out. From a hot brew to a cold brew, they have it all and you can’t go wrong with any pick. My personal favorite is the Egg On An Island with a side of cheese grits, paired with a hazelnut latte. Hang out on the patio, play a little ping pong, or even stop by for their monthly Bingo nights.

MORNING STAR

Looking for something a little smaller and perhaps a tad hipster-esque? Morningstar serves your hot brew up with a homemade donut or acai bowl. Lunch dishes include a little asian flare or honey butter chicken biscuits. Again, their space is little so it is best for those looking for a quick bite to eat.

BOOMTOWN COFFEE

Definitely a step up from your local Starbucks, Boomtown started out by selling their perfectly roasted artisan beans to other shops around the city and state. They now have opened up their own storefront to sell a wide variety of brews from expressos to lattes to toddys. Make sure to try the milk and honey latte and if you love what you try you can take a bag of beans home with you 🙂

INVERSION COFFEE HOUSE

Nestled into the heart of Montrose, Inversion is the place to be. The creative coffee menu is something you wont find anywhere else and if you are looking for something new, then look no further! Being that I am a latte girl, my top recommendations are the salted caramel, chai cream and honey badger lattes. Added pluses include food trucks parked outside, local art inside, free wifi, and late hours.

ANTIDOTE COFFEE

This is my kind of place since they serve both wine and coffee- can you say genius?! This quaint, homey atmosphere features couches inside and a patio outside. Popular drink items include the 24-hour cold brew, Cajeta latte (made with goat’s milk), craft beer and wine. There is also a nice array of local sweets and good eats.

PAPER CO

Coffee with a cause? Now that’s something I can get behind if being down right tired wasn’t reason enough! 100% of Paper Co’s proceeds go to helping the homeless. Sip on your favorite coffee while enjoying the vaulted ceilings of the church next door and chowing down on Kaya french toast (french toast with coconut custard and glazed almonds), Nashville style chicken, or a hearty burger.

BLACKSMITH

Another Montrose favorite, Blacksmith continually dishes out some of the best coffee around. That is entirely due to the fact that you are sipping on David Buehrer’s famous Greenway Coffee. You can order his roasts in everything from lattes to cappuccinos to cortados while going to town on the best home-cooked style breakfast you’ve had in awhile. Blacksmith is known for their sausage, egg and cheese breakfast biscuit. Trust me on this one!!

With so many great coffee options around town, how can you blame a girl for wanting (more like needing) several cups a day?! The coffee addiction is real and it has taken a serious toll on the color of my teeth. Thanks to Smile Brilliant I have been able to slowly get my white smile back. I say slowly because it takes an army to battle the amount of coffee and wine I drink! But nonetheless, Smile Brilliant has done wonders for me and in a short amount of time! I am almost embarrassed to share what my teeth used to look like but here is the before and after!

 I have to brag on Smile Brilliant for a minute because I’ve known my teeth were starting to get a little yellow now for awhile but I was just too lazy to do something about it. Smile Brilliant did absolutely all of the work for me! I didn’t have to go out and find a teeth whitening system at the store or dentist, all you have to do is sign up online and everything else is done for you. They send you the teeth impression kit to do yourself and a mailing label to return the molds. They even graciously sent me extra molds when I screwed up the first time. It took about a week to get my custom made trays back and then I was set to go. All that was left was to wear my trays for a couple of nights a week.

With my busy schedule I stuck to every 3 nights or so and left the trays in for 1-3 hours depending on my schedule that night. The whitening gel is 22%, which compared to other systems that I had used is pretty high. The higher the percentage, the stronger the whitening effect. I was worried about this at first sense I have sensitive teeth but Smile Brilliant had already thought about that! They send you desensitizing gel to rejuvenate and rehydrate your teeth after you whiten them. I found this to greatly help my sensitivity, which is saying a lot because every other whitening system that I had tried left me with high sensitivity the next couple of days.

For more information on Smile Brilliant and how it can help you get your brighter smile back, check here for reviews and here for a video further explaining the system.

*Thank you Smile Brilliant for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*