Leah McCann Smith | Writer & Editor

“Better coffee is more important than fast coffee.” —Chemex Couldn’t agree more. In fact, I believe it so much, I we wanted to dig into some of the coolest, most intricate, most unusual brewing methods out there—all in the name of a glorious cup of coffee. Check out these five unique brewing methods you may…

When I wrote “Really Good Coffee,” I had no idea anyone would see it. I had no idea anyone even read this blog. (Mostly true.) But I like to write, and this site gives me a place to practice. So I do it without expectations. Without the need to build a following (though I admire…

Wanted to share some coffee I’ve had lately that has knocked my socks off. 2. Slingshot Coffee Co. (Raleigh, NC; bought at ELK Local Foods in Apex) — Ready-to-drink cold brew. Probably the smoothest canned cold brew I’ve ever had. 3. Counter Culture (Durham, NC) — Fast Forward blend. This is a CC blend I’d…

What a year. But also, what a great time to recommit to reading. At one point, TJ Maxx was closed—what else was I to do with my Saturday?—so amid all the downtime came a lot of reading, and a lot of new/used books for my yes-I-am-one-of-those-people-who-color-codes-her-bookshelf bookshelf. Here were five of my favorites (some new,…

Here are some shitty craft projects I did while in quarantine — December edition. This one might have to be the shittiest of all. Because these DIY ornaments — and the chalkboard instructions I made to entertain to instruct my nieces and nephews on how to do the project — do not exist. Forgot to…

Here are some shitty craft projects I did while in quarantine — November edition. Well, since there’s nothing else to do this year, may as well start on Christmas presents early. This beautiful number I made from some leftover hardwood I had when we got our downstairs carpet replaced in the new house. It’s a…

Here are some shitty craft projects I did while in quarantine — October edition. I mean, the lettering isn’t all bad. Dare I say this one isn’t so shitty? Shitty Quarantine Crafts = a campaign by Leah McCann as proof that I did something creative, whilst shitty, between March and December 2020.

Here are some shitty craft projects I did while in quarantine — September edition. OK, I’m pretty proud of this one. Since the pandemic f**ked up my (and everyone else’s) wedding plans but Brian and I decided to get married anyway, my mom and I made my bouquet out of grocery store flowers. Not too…

Here are some shitty craft projects I did while in quarantine — August edition. Wow, look at these shitty paper cutouts from boxes that I clustered together. Truly horrendous. If you’re a subscription box basic like me, you’ll know exactly where I got this cardboard from. If you know you know. Shitty Quarantine Crafts = a…

It’s a somber week as we mourn the recent loss of our Kelly Johnson, my company’s accountant extraordinaire — but first, and most importantly, a wife, grandmother, friend and mother. Kelly was our company mama bird. With Kelly in your nest, everything felt warm and safe. We were all Kelly’s baby birds, learning how to fly…