Misc Fall

Fire place & candle in the master

Tryna strip that dark outa my hair

knee high boots & leggings for cold weather

knocking one football out of the tree with another football

trying some local beers with joe

flowers from my mr. before a long weekend

pretty mug i eyed for weeks before purchasing

gel manicure and a glass of wine

...if only it was that easy.

The Buscuit

Jacob&I enjoyed breakfast at The Biscuit in Holland this past weekend. It was a cute, little restaurant in an area I'd never been to before. The menu was mostly local and very vegan/vegetarian friendly. Ironically, I didn't get a biscuit - I'm not a biscuit girl - but my meal was delicious and (as always) the company was excellent.

Morning Frapp

I'm in love with Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos from Starbucks,

so obviously when I had a free drink with my rewards points,

I splurged on a light-nonfat-sugarfree venti.

MochaAlmond Coupon

On one of our walks from a Tiger’s game someone handed Mr.U&I Dunkin’ Donuts coupons and – you know me – we had to use them before they expired. Multiple times we’ve said: “Let’s use those coupons!” But we could never find a Dunkin’ Donuts or remember our coupons at the same time. Finally, though, today was a morning of determination to get a $.99 iced coffee. And I drove out of my way twice to get one.

.Iced-Mocha-Almond with fat-free milk.

.NomNomNom.

Starbucks Christmas

I made a quick, mid-afternoon Starbucks run yesterday for a quick caffeine pick me up. All I wanted was a simple-triple-tall-non-fat-latte, but I got in line behind two teeny-tiny Asian women struggling awkwardly with the menu. The barista tried his hardest to help them – deciphering their questions and meticulously answering. When they got their order, though, they were confused. They were expecting something bigger – yes, bigger than their grande frappuccinos that dwarfed their arms – and two blended green ones instead of one blended and one plain (at least that’s what I gathered from their broken&frustrated comments). Everyone kept a smile on, though – the baristas and the customers – throughout the whole confusing ordeal. Suddenly, the two women smiled&nodded then walked away. Puzzled, we all moved on from the moment and I waited for my latte. When the barista turned from his station with another grande, green-tea frappuccino in his hands, he was shocked to see I’d taken the place of the other two.
“I thought they wanted another one.”
“Um… well… they left.”
He sighed as he finished topping the whipped cream mountain.
“If you’re going to throw it away, though, I’ll pay for it and take it – I’d hate for it to go to waste.”
“Well, if in 5 minutes, they haven’t taken it, you can just have it.”
“Ok.” I wasn’t about to turn down a free drink, but 5 minutes was kind of long to stand awkwardly waiting to grab it.
“They’re gone-gone, I promise. Just take it.” said the manager – a man who sees me at least once a week.
“Wow, thanks! It’s like Christmas! Starbucks Christmas!” I squeaked with a grin and all the baristas chucked. As I walked out with my two drinks, I passed by the manager one more time.
“Merry Christmas!” I said.
“Merry Christmas to you, too!”

Coffee Home

A Starbucks is a Starbucks is a Starbucks…

I head a joke the other day in which the comedian referred to his confusion every time he walked into a Starbucks – wondering if he’d been transported to mid-90’s Seattle. Some Starbucks, no matter how cookie-cutter, seem like home, though. Over a recent weekend ‘back home’ I wandered into the Starbucks I frequented all last summer and I had a sweet, nostalgic, 2011esque feel wrapped around me… even though there’s not much special about its décor.

Gold Status

After a summer filled with crazy work hours, long afternoon classes, and miles&miles of driving, I finally earned my Starbuck’s Gold Card. Now I get, well - let’s be honest - little to no benefits. BUT, a pretty, gold Starbuck’s card with my name printed on it is pretty legit.

Favorite Drinks

These a few of my favorite drinks:

Black Coffee with an Ice Cube - Mason Jar - Grandma & Grandpa's
Black Coffee with Ice Cubes - Recycled Cup - Campus Cafe
Dragon's Milk - Pokal Beer Glass - New Holland Brewery

Dragon's Milk - Happy Hour Special - New Holland Brewery

Red Wine - Snuggled in my blankie - Bunni's Dad's House

WindyCity Weekend

Mr.U and I decided to take a last-minute trip to Chicago this weekend.
Friday, we stayed with his cousins on the south side. I love meeting people’s families. You know you’ve got a good person on your hands when you love their family. We had homemade pizza, drank a ton of beer, and I toured the neighbors’ houses – absolutely in love with all the architecture.
Saturday we got up and got mexican breakfast at Bialy's – went into the city and walked around – laid on a bench in Millennium Park for a couple hours – checked into our hotel room – took a nap – went to dinner and drank all night at Timothy O’Tooles.
Sunday we woke up – had sex – and I went out for coffee while he slept some more. When we finally got around we headed to Wrigleyville for the day – got breakfast at Pick Me Up Café and drinks with friends at Red Ivy. A million too many shots later and I was turned away from the next bar – passed out on the train – wandered away from Mr.U and got a ride from some generous college students.
I need to stop getting lost and being saved by strangers. One of these times I won’t be so lucky. And one of these times he won’t be so forgiving. Fortunately, he was and our weekend was wonderful.

Baristas

It’s funny how I’ve gotten to know the Baristas at my local Starbucks. After 5 years of triple tall skinny lattes (sometimes I switch up the flavors), I enjoy the warm smile I get from my morning elixir experts.
This morning, though, my order was incorrect. Two of my biggest paranoias in life: de-caf coffee & not non-fat milk. I fear my skinny Caramel Macchiato wasn’t so skinny and its height exceeded Tall all the way to Grande, but Dorkis’ pleasant conversation coaxed me into refraining from releasing the complaint that lingered on the tip of my tongue. I decide to live with the mistake today, because holding up the line & scolding my Baristas is no way to start a beautiful Tuesday morning – even though I’d already gotten a parking ticket in my own neighborhood.
I won’t let it slide every time, though, my dear Baristas, but today I’ll skip breakfast to enjoy the full-flavored goodness.