Serious Eats: coffee chronicles

I found this post from Serious Eats the other day, chronicling the history of coffee drinking in America from 18th century tea parties (after the Tea Act) to the 20th century's notion of a "coffee break"... it's pretty interesting, I'd suggest giving it a read!

via, courtesy of robotbastard

The coffee shop collection

I have an admittedly unhealthy obsession with OPI. I own over 25 bottles and have the tendency to buy multiple bottles when I'm stressed. I've made it my goal to eventually own the entire French collection, and I'm working on a few others... it's also pretty much my dream job to work for them.

That being said, I would love to know how they come up with names - for the collections and the polishes themselves. And I think that they should consider a coffee-themed collection - warm, mellow colors, browns, golds, taupes, maybe a deep red.... the Coffee Shop Collection. Maybe they could even partner with a coffee chain the way they're working with Dell right now. And think of the fun they could have with the names!

Mauve-lous mocha, barista by day, thanks a latte!, dark roast, no beans about it, caffeine buzz... okay, so mine aren't that great, but I'm sure the creative people at OPI would have some better ideas! (Also, how cool of a job would that be?!)

Recommended read: How Starbucks Saved My Life

I can't go into Barnes and Noble without buying a book. I walk in to waste a little time and leave with at least one new book that I don't have time to read. It's beginning to be a little bit of a problem, but oh well.

I went in the other day, and saw this book - How Starbucks Saved My Life - and it got my attention. I love Starbucks, I [now] love coffee (my ability to grow an addiction in such a short period of time is actually kind of impressive), but to claim it saved my life? I clearly had to investigate further.

The tagline is A son of privilege learns to live like everyone else, so I'm giving it a try (reading it, that is)... and it's actually pretty good. Michael Gates Gill basically tumbles from his spot on top of the world, loses it all, and then grows by becoming a barista at Starbucks. Interesting, definitely. His writing is conversational and it gives you just a little more insight into the people behind the bar serving you your morning latte. Check it out!

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My favorite holiday

Aside from the fact that I had a large latte to keep me functioning all day, this post has nothing to do with coffee.

When I was a kid, my favorite holidays were my birthday and Chanukah, because I like presents. Getting them, giving them, and unwrapping them... it's all wonderful. Black Friday is like a giant present from the stores to me, hence the reason it's now my favorite holiday.

Feeling ambitious, we headed to Mall of America to take advantage of the sales... and it was wonderful! I came home with two jackets (for $50, thanks H&M!), the perfect red strapless dress, a cross-body bag, tights, and some accessories. It was crowded - enough to dissuade us from Nordstrom Rack - but not as overwhelming as it could be. Plus, we were helping the economy! Mission very accomplished.

Earn the bird

Happy Thanksgiving! The rest of today looks like: watching the [DVR-ed] Macy's parade, hanging out with the family, and a big Thanksgiving dinner (I made this pie, yum!)... and sharing with everyone what I saw at the gym this morning - a woman wearing a shirt that said "Earn the Bird." I loved it!

For you, today, a list of Thanksgiving and holiday-themed coffee drinks and mocktails from the Intoxicologist. Check it out!

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Welcome home

 

Caribou in Mall of America.  

Image via. 

I talk about Starbucks a lot, but that's mostly because it's what's closest and most convenient (there are at least 4 on campus), but I do love other coffee chains - Dunkin' Donuts (a new love, considering we don't have them in Minnesota), and my original favorite: Caribou Coffee. Despite the fact that they're second only to Starbucks in size, I see them in so few places outside of Minnesota that I often forget about them.

Now that I'm back home for Thanksgiving break, I'm getting Caribou in its best form. Before I liked coffee, I'd drink their mango tea and their smoothies, and the coffee coolers when I was feeling adventurous, but I had a Northern Lite vanilla latte this afternoon and it was great!

Plus, the ones closest to my house are attached to Bruegger's Bagels - the perfect morning pick-me-up! Now, if only we had Caribou in Boston...

Wish list: Keurig coffee maker

Remember how I can't make my own coffee? I found the solution: the Keurig single cup coffee maker! It brews basically any kind of coffee that comes in these cute little cups (called K-cups) and it's actually the easiest thing I've ever done.

All you have to do is put a K-cup into the top, close it and push the brew button! ... And then coffee drips down into the mug that you've put in the bottom of the coffee maker.

We have one at work and I'm actually in love with it. I've been making hazelnut flavored coffee... mixed with Splenda and soy milk. It's wonderful. (And a step closer to my goal of drinking plain black coffee!)

It's definitely on my holiday wish list - what's on yours?

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