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.  

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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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So here it is...

Confession: I don't know how to make coffee. Between the filters, the ground beans and the machine itself - I just find it a little overwhelming.

Also, I just never learned how. (Like a few other vital things in life - like how to drive. Oops.)

I'll figure it out one day, I'm sure. It can't be that hard. Until then, a few reasons it's a good thing I don't know how to make coffee:
- I can avoid the "classic intern" task
- ... Well, that's the only advantage I can think of right now (suggestions?)

In the meantime, I guess I'll just keep buying my lattes. Considering I'd need a espresso maker for that one anyway!

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Spotlight: Espresso Royale

There are an impressive number of places to get coffee on BU's campus - by my count we have at least four Starbucks, three Dunkin' Donuts, an Einstein's, and four City Conveniences... but they're all (with the exception of the occasional Starbucks) much more pick up coffee places than actual coffee shops, which is why I love Espresso Royale.

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Sure, it can be crowded (I'd take it as a positive sign of good business!), but the atmosphere's great. And their Spanish Latte, made with condensed milk, is actually one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had. Plus, they recently redid the one on Comm. Ave. for more space - and it's great for people watching!

The last time I was home, I found an Espresso Royale in Dinkytown - it was an exciting moment for all involved (read: myself)... so now I can get my Spanish Lattes at home, too, although I never realized that Espresso was all over the country.

Espresso Royale is located at 736 Commonwealth Avenue, check it out!

Recipe feature: Starbucks' mocha raspberry brownies

These. Are. Delicious. Food Makes Fun Fuel is a new partner at springpad (the company I intern for), and I get to spend all day looking at Evan's recipes - and they're great! I tried this one and it was, well... wonderful. I'd definitely suggest it.

Starbucks' Mocha Raspberry Brownies by Food Makes Fun Fuel

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 applesauce

1/4 cup coffee yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup raspberry preserves

 

Get the full recipe and directions here!

What's your favorite coffee-inspired dessert?

Fail.

Trader Joe's had free samples of one of their new coffee blends today and I decided I'd try it. It was a bad idea and an epic fail. Despite my love of lattes and ability to drink plain or flavored coffee when lightened with milk and Splenda, the black coffee clearly has not happened for me yet.

No matter, I'll continue wearing myself down until I can drink it. Eventually I'll get there.

Banana pancakes

Disclaimer: this post has nothing to do with coffee. Other than that a good cup of it would have been a great addition to the meal.

This afternoon we were supposed to go to the Harvard vs. UPenn football game. Because of Boston's penchant for rain, we didn't. Something about sitting outside in the pouring rain just wasn't so appealing. We did, however, make a great brunch at my friend's apartment - pancakes (plain, banana, and banana chocolate chip) with strawberries! ... And then the futon claimed me for a 2 hour nap. Glorious.

Looks delicious, no?

 

And, of course, there's no banana pancakes brunch without listening to Jack Johnson's song:



Perfect for a rainy day. What's your favorite brunch pick?

Can you imagine?

Things I learned today on Twitter: there are 24 hour Starbucks. Seriously, what a great idea. I mean, I wish they had one (or more!) in Boston, but still... can you imagine? Tall skinny vanilla latte whenever I wanted. I would spend hours there, especially come finals period.

There are at least 4 Starbucks on BU campus... if one of those were open all night (maybe the one in SMG?), they'd get whole lot more business. What do you think?


Is there a 24 hour Starbucks near you? Check it out!

The most wonderful time of the year

I know this blog has been a little bit of a Starbucks lovefest (really just because it's the closest coffee place), but  I was so excited to see their holiday cups out when I went for my coffee today. The holiday drinks (peppermint mocha, eggnog latte, caramel apple cider... yummm) are being made, the gift sets are out, and the stores are playing Christmas songs... and I love it!

Experimenting with the color highlight on my camera.

Even though I don't celebrate Christmas (and it is pretty early to kick off), I love the holiday season. The holiday parties, the annual tree lighting in the Commons, and the cheer - it really is one of my favorite times of the year. Sigh. And the holiday cups at Starbucks are the first sign. Here we go...

My coffee date

I'm a creature of habit. I spend my time between classes on the same couch at Hillel every Tuesday and Thursday with whoever's around the building at the time. But since I've started on this coffee bit, my friend Stephanie and I have made Tuesdays and Thursdays our coffee date days - we head to the Starbucks under Warren Towers and we drink lattes (or Americanos, in her case), catch up on life, and do a little gossiping.

It's the perfect break from class and a good way to keep up during an otherwise crazy busy day... plus, I reward myself for making it through my first class of the day with a Skinny Vanilla Latte - my favorite. Plus, it gets me one step closer to my secret dream of becoming a regular at a coffee shop. My goal by the end of the semester: for the barista (it's always the same one) to know my drink. We'll see how it goes!

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Movin' on up

Today I made the leap to lattes. And it was a success! I finally decided it was time to move up from mochas, and I'm glad I did. The skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks is my new favorite... and it's a great way to get my calcium in (helpful, because I've never really liked milk).

Anyway, I'd call that an accomplishment. Moving onwards and upwards.