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!

Image via

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?

Photo via.

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!

Image via

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...

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.

Spotlight: Zumes

I intern in an adorable area of Charlestown - old buildings, active neighbors, and one of the cutest coffee shops I've ever been to.

Zumes (pronounced Zume-eez and named after the owner's dog) is a quintessential neighborhood coffee shop - the kind of place where people come at the same time every day, spend their afternoons inside working on laptops or watching their children, and everyone knows each other. It's got a great atmosphere - makes me want to be one of the regulars, where I come in and they start making my drink for me before I even order - just because it's that kind of place.

And they make a killer raspberry mocha. Hot. Iced. Anything. And their sandwiches and bars are great, too. It may actually be a little more expensive than Starbucks, but the quality is worth it (and I love Starbucks). Plus, the free wi-fi is great for working from the coffee shop instead of the office!

Zumes is located on 233 Main Street in Charlestown, check it out!

Photo via.

Because I want to

There's actually a pretty long list of things that I don't like but wish I did: ketchup, pickles, most cheeses, salad dressing, cottage cheese... and coffee tops the list, so I'm working on it! Most people try to ween themselves off of coffee, but I'm going at it full speed - why? There's so much you can do when you drink coffee!

Coffee dates. Whether it's a romantic interest or just to catch up with a friend, going for coffee's a classic activity (especially when you can't go out for drinks)... but it's kind of strange to suggest going to coffee and then, well, not getting coffee. It just doesn't fit.

Coffee shops. They're everywhere and they're adorable. I love trying new ones and I dream of being a regular at the cute coffee shop right around the corner from my future apartment.

Coffee ice cream. ... Is amazing. Even though I don't like coffee. Yet.

Caffeine. Yea, I know it's supposed to be bad for you (granted, I'm done growing, so is it really a problem that caffeine stunts your growth?), but it's just so helpful! Especially as a college student. Plus, I recently heard of a study saying that caffeine helps prevent Alzheimer's, so sign me up!

Starting slow

My roommate and I just started season 2 of Desperate Housewives, and Bree starts one of the episodes by saying that there are 2 types of people in the world: the ones who are useless before their first cup of coffee, and the ones who aren't. I've never been a big coffee person - love the smell, hate the taste, never saw a purpose for it. But, for some reason, I just want to like coffee. Really badly.

So that's my project: I'm training myself to like coffee. Everyone else bemoans their caffeine addictions, but I secretly want to see what it's like (I guess not so secretly anymore). So as of now, I'm on the bean. Starting at day one with my raspberry mochas - sweet, chocolate-y, with a hint of raspberry and basically no coffee taste... and working my way up. One day soon: plain black coffee!