Nikki's Starbucks Reviews

King City Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:54:00 +0000

It's a dog-day-afternoon at a King City Starbucks.
The City of King is situated on Highway 101 in South Monterey County in the heart of the California's Salinas Valley.
Agriculture is king in this city and surrounding areas. But this pooch is king of the patio. Most of the other stores are empty in this round-type strip mall, "For Lease" signs everywhere you look. :-(
What would John Steinbeck say if he could see this today?
I'm hoping he'd write another book.

Beer and Wine at Starbucks?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:45:00 +0000

"Starbucks to add beer, wine to menu at select coffee shops
January 24, 2012 Starbucks customers are about to get a different kind of buzz.Already a go-to for morning commuters and afternoon pick-me-ups, the coffee giant is going after a happy hour crowd by offering wine and beer at select Southern California locations. Starbucks said it would bring alcoholic beverages to four to six new or remodeled stores...The introduction of beer and wine was met with skepticism by some customers at a downtown Starbucks on Monday afternoon. "If I wanted a beer, I'd go to a bar.".......
By Tiffany Hsu and Matt Stevens, Los Angeles Times"

REALLY?
C'mon.
Not a good move!

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

29  96

Timestamp: 2012-01-19 17:02:15 UTC

There were 104 entries!

Jolene & Family won "The Scorpio Races" and

I.S. won "Deadly Little Voices."

Congrats to the winners!
Thanks to all the wonderful participants.
Stand by, because I love to do Giveaways!

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:40:00 +0000

WELCOME TO THE SECOND ANNUAL DREAMING OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP!!!!!! Hosted By: KATHY, of I AM A READER NOT A WRITER Nikki is giving away ....... 1) "THE SCORPIO RACES" by Maggie Stiefvater 2) "DEADLY LITTLE VOICES" by Laurie Faria Stolarz Nikki's Rules: 1) Become or Be a Follower 2) Leave me a comment or shoot me an email with your relevant information 3) Winners will be chosen by a Randomizer 4) Good Luck!!!!! And here's the linky list of participants: ~I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (Int)
2. Reviews by Marthas Bookshelf (Int)
3. Once Upon a Twilight (Int)
4. Happy Endings (Int)
5. Jennifers Musings (Int)
6. mymcbooks (US)
7. Bookworm Lisa (Int)
8. ~Minding Spot (US)
9. In The Next Room (Int)
10. Taming the Bookshelf (Int)
11. The Guardian Legacy (Int)
12. E. B. Walters Weblog (Int)
13. Manga Maniac Cafe (US)
14. The Itzel Library (Int)
15. Happy Endings (US)
16. Babs Book Bistro (US)
17. Good Family Reads (US)
18. EDGE of ESCAPE (US)
19. Inside BJs Head (US)
20. Lah @ LazyGirl Reads (US)
21. Mommies Point of View (US)
22. Attack of the Book! (Int)
23. Laurie LC Lewis: A View From The Other Side of the Hill (Int)
24. One Book Shy of a Full Shelf (Int)
25. Genre Reviews (US/Can)
26. Dearest Dreams (Int)
27. Books Thoughts And Just A Few Adventures (US)
28. Lis Careys Library (US)
29. Books for Company (Int)
30. Nikkis Starbucks Reviews (US)
31. Read for your future! (Int)
32. PageTurners Blog (Int)
33. Ashley Suzanne (US)
34. BookHounds (Int)
35. BookHounds YA (Int)
36. Tifferz Book Review (Int)
37. Reader Girls (US)
38. MyLadyWeb Womens History and Women Authors (US)
39. A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust (US)
40. Uniquely Moi Books (Int)
41. BOOKS R US (US)
42. Just One More Chapter (Int)
43. My Reading Room (US/Can)
44. Reading Challenged (US/Can)
45. Loris Reading Corner (Int)
46. Library of Clean Reads (US/Can)
47. Simply Ali (US)
48. Reading In Wonderland (US)
49. My Inner Muse (US)
50. The Mod Podge Bookshelf (US)
51. Stories and Sweeties (US)
52. Me and Reading (Int)
53. A Family Friendly Blog (Int)
54. Beverly @ The Wormhole (US)
55. Living, Learning, and Loving Life (US)
56. To Read, Perchance to Dream (Int)
57. ~Pandora Poikilos - Peace from Pieces (US)
58. Letters Inside Out (Int)
59. Audacious Reader (Int)
60. Krazy Book Lady (Int)
61. Kid Lit Frenzy (Int)
62. Just Childrens Books (US)
63. The Muse in the Fog Book Review (US)
64. Tune into L (US)
65. Beckys Barmy Book Blog (Int)
66. Some Like It Paranormal (US)
67. Moirae the fates book reviews (Int)
68. Good Choice Reading (Int)
69. Snarkymamma Hop (US)
70. Dianas Amazing Book Adventures (US)
71. The Book Cellar(US)
72. My{reads}da (US)
73. Michelle @ Book Briefs (US)
74. Everyday Is An Adventure (US)
75. Tiffany Reads (US)
76. Late Night Reads (US)
77. ~Lindsey @ Babies, Books, and Signs (US)
78. Truly Bookish (US)
79. Eli to the nth (US)
80. Bibliosaurus Text (Int)
81. Rachel Brooks Writes (Int)
82. primrose musings (Int)
83. ~True To Type (US)
84. Seven Things I Love (US)
85. Ashley @ Bookaholics Anonymous (US)
86. The Book Garden (Int)
87. JJ @ JJ iReads (US)
88. Chapter by Chapter (Int)
89. Mug of Moxie (Int)
90. Jessica @ Thoughts At One In The Morning (Int)
91. Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf (US)
92. ~Sweeping Me (Int)
93. The Irish Banana Review (Int)
94. The Bookish Babes (Int)
95. Good Family Reads (US)
96. Kristis Book Nook (US)
97. The Non Reluctant Reader (US)
98. Page Flipperz (Int)
99. Livre De Amour-Books of Love (US)
100. Cheri Schmidt, author of YA Paranormal Romance (Int)
101. Books and Needlepoint (US)
102. Practical Frugality (US)
103. Reviews by Karen (US)
104. Darlenes Book Nook (Int)
105. Charla@ Book Talk With Charla (US)
106. Pen to Paper (Int)
107. ~Hippies Beauty and Books Oh My! (Int)
108. JeanBookNerd (Int)
109. Mommy Adventures With Ravina (US)
110. Isis Rushdan_Dare to Discover the Unexpected (Int)
111. Tethered Mommy (US/Can)
112. Passion for Novels (Int)
113. Keepin Up With LDS Bookstores (US)
114. Living, Loving, Laughing, Reading (US)
115. Cedar Fort Publishing (US)
116. Lauries Interviews & Reviews (Int)
117. Megan @ Reading Away The Days (Int)
118. The Spunky Diva (US)
119. Annabells Book Nook (US)
120. Chocolate Chunky Munkie (Int)
121. BookStacksOnDeck (Int)
122. Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World (Int)
123. ~A Thousand Wrongs (US)
124. Beck Valley Books (Int)
125. Simple Wyrdings (US)
126. Of Thoughts and Words (US)
127. Book Brats (US)
128. ~Orangeberry Book Tours (US)
129. the bookish mama (US)
130. Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry (US)
131. Bonnie Gets A Say (US)
132. Dr. Stravagantes Traveling Book Circus (Int)
133. Myne Whitman Writes (US)
134. A Sense of Fiction (US)
135. I*m Loving Books (Int)
136. Joan Holubs A Kiss For You! (lift the flap board book with magnet) (US)
137. Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book (US)
138. The Stubby Pencil (US)
139. Making Time For Mommy (US)
140. Working for the Mandroid (US)
141. MamaNYC (US/Can)
142. Popcorn Reads (US)
143. Butterfly-o-Meter Books (Int)
144. Getting Your Read On (Int)
145. My Devotional Thoughts (Int)
146. Sarah Ballance (Int)
147. Workaday Reads (Int)
148. icefairys Treasure Chest (US)
149. Reviews From My First Reads Shelf (Int)
150. Endlessly Bookish (Int)
151. Suzannes Place: The Magic of Writing for Children and More (US)
152. A Life Full of Laughter (US)
153. Cozy Mystery Book Review (Int)
154. Aimee Laine (Int)
155. Book Him Danno (US)
156. Epic YA Reads (US)
157. J. A. Belfield (Int)
158. ~Cheri Lasota (US)
159. The Companion of Lady Holmeshire (US)
160. English Historical Fiction Authors (US)
161. Juniper Grove (US/Can)
162. Dani Harper, Paranormal Romance Author, blogs at WAY PAST NORMAL (US/Can)
163. Mels Random Reviews (Int)
164. Acting Balanced (Int)
165. Sweeping The (US)
166. Jocelyn Adams (Int)
167. The Cozy Reading Corner (Int)
168. Karissas Reading Review (Int)
169. Prissy Fit (US)
170. Cicis Theories (US)
171. storyweaver (US)
172. Van @ Short and Sweet Reviews (Int)
173. The Secret Writer (Int)
174. But What Are They Eating? (US)
175. Id Rather Be At The Beach (US/Can)
176. Keeping Up With The Rheinlanders (US)
177. Book Dreaming (US)
178. Nadja Notariani ~ An Authors Adventures (US)
179. By The Book (US)
180. A Casual Readers Blog (Int)
181. Stealing Mercy (US)
182. Reading World (US)
183. The Hook (Int)
184. WriterMom (US)
185. ~The Write Obsession (Int)
186. Sometimes Its Cloudy, Sometimes Its Clear (US)
187. The Science of Romance (Int)
188. Boos Place (US)
189. My Bookish Ways (US)
190. Actin Up with Books (US)
191. The Busy Bibliophile (US)
192. Gypsy Mama Logs (US)
193. The Book Monsters (US)
194. Book Flame (Int)
195. From Meredith Allard (US)
196. A Three Way Tie (US)
197. Rikkis Teleidoscope (Int)
198. Empowered to Prosper (US)
199. Memrie @ darkangel88 (Int)
200. In the Mind of Ley Mesina (Int)
201. Nothought2small (US)
202. Jude @ In Between Writing and Reading (YA) (US)
203. Novel Reflections (Int)
204. ~A little bit of everything (US)
205. Valeries Reviews (US/Can)
206. Trini @ A Book-Lovers Review (US/Can)
207. ~Sarah @ The Book Life (Int)
208. Believe! author Mimi Barbour (US)
209. chanakeefer. com (US)
210. Runaway Bridal Planner (US)
211. Mimi @ Mimi Reads (Int)
212. Gotta Have YA (US)
213. Amaleen Ison - YA Author (Int)
214. Life and Love Letters (US)
215. Laurie Here Reading & Writing Reviews (US)
216. Ezmirelda @ P A R A F A N T A S Y (Int)
217. Simply Infatuated (US)
218. Kat @ The Aussie Zombie (Int)
219. Fiction Enthusiast (US)
220. ~Luv My Books (Int)
221. ~Heaven Liegh Eldeen~The Demon Side (US)
222. Gloria Schumann - Romance~A Book Away (Int)
223. Sam @ Falling Books (Int)
224. Helen Smith (Int)
225. A Monster Ate My Book Report (US)
226. Books, Books, and More Books (US)

WELCOME TO THE SECOND ANNUAL DREAMING OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP!!!!!!

Hosted By: KATHY, of I AM A READER NOT A WRITER

Nikki is giving away .......

1) "THE SCORPIO RACES" by Maggie Stiefvater

2) "DEADLY LITTLE VOICES" by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Nikki's Rules:

1) Become or Be a Follower

2) Leave me a comment or shoot me an email with your relevant information

3) Winners will be chosen by a Randomizer

4) Good Luck!!!!!

And here's the linky list of participants:

~I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (Int)

Reviews by Marthas Bookshelf (Int)

Once Upon a Twilight (Int)

Happy Endings (Int)

Jennifers Musings (Int)

mymcbooks (US)

Bookworm Lisa (Int)

~Minding Spot (US)

In The Next Room (Int)

10.

Taming the Bookshelf (Int)

11.

The Guardian Legacy (Int)

12.

E. B. Walters Weblog (Int)

13.

Manga Maniac Cafe (US)

14.

The Itzel Library (Int)

15.

Happy Endings (US)

16.

Babs Book Bistro (US)

17.

Good Family Reads (US)

18.

EDGE of ESCAPE (US)

19.

Inside BJs Head (US)

20.

Lah @ LazyGirl Reads (US)

21.

Mommies Point of View (US)

22.

Attack of the Book! (Int)

23.

Laurie LC Lewis: A View From The Other Side of the Hill (Int)

24.

One Book Shy of a Full Shelf (Int)

25.

Genre Reviews (US/Can)

26.

Dearest Dreams (Int)

27.

Books Thoughts And Just A Few Adventures (US)

28.

Lis Careys Library (US)

29.

Books for Company (Int)

30.

Nikkis Starbucks Reviews (US)

31.

Read for your future! (Int)

32.

PageTurners Blog (Int)

33.

Ashley Suzanne (US)

34.

BookHounds (Int)

35.

BookHounds YA (Int)

36.

Tifferz Book Review (Int)

37.

Reader Girls (US)

38.

MyLadyWeb Womens History and Women Authors (US)

39.

A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust (US)

40.

Uniquely Moi Books (Int)

41.

BOOKS R US (US)

42.

Just One More Chapter (Int)

43.

My Reading Room (US/Can)

44.

Reading Challenged (US/Can)

45.

Loris Reading Corner (Int)

46.

Library of Clean Reads (US/Can)

47.

Simply Ali (US)

48.

Reading In Wonderland (US)

49.

My Inner Muse (US)

50.

The Mod Podge Bookshelf (US)

51.

Stories and Sweeties (US)

52.

Me and Reading (Int)

53.

A Family Friendly Blog (Int)

54.

Beverly @ The Wormhole (US)

55.

Living, Learning, and Loving Life (US)

56.

To Read, Perchance to Dream (Int)

57.

~Pandora Poikilos - Peace from Pieces (US)

58.

Letters Inside Out (Int)

59.

Audacious Reader (Int)

60.

Krazy Book Lady (Int)

61.

Kid Lit Frenzy (Int)

62.

Just Childrens Books (US)

63.

The Muse in the Fog Book Review (US)

64.

Tune into L (US)

65.

Beckys Barmy Book Blog (Int)

66.

Some Like It Paranormal (US)

67.

Moirae the fates book reviews (Int)

68.

Good Choice Reading (Int)

69.

Snarkymamma Hop (US)

70.

Dianas Amazing Book Adventures (US)

71.

The Book Cellar(US)

72.

My{reads}da (US)

73.

Michelle @ Book Briefs (US)

74.

Everyday Is An Adventure (US)

75.

Tiffany Reads (US)

76.

Late Night Reads (US)

77.

~Lindsey @ Babies, Books, and Signs (US)

78.

Truly Bookish (US)

79.

Eli to the nth (US)

80.

Bibliosaurus Text (Int)

81.

Rachel Brooks Writes (Int)

82.

primrose musings (Int)

83.

~True To Type (US)

84.

Seven Things I Love (US)

85.

Ashley @ Bookaholics Anonymous (US)

86.

The Book Garden (Int)

87.

JJ @ JJ iReads (US)

88.

Chapter by Chapter (Int)

89.

Mug of Moxie (Int)

90.

Jessica @ Thoughts At One In The Morning (Int)

91.

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf (US)

92.

~Sweeping Me (Int)

93.

The Irish Banana Review (Int)

94.

The Bookish Babes (Int)

95.

Good Family Reads (US)

96.

Kristis Book Nook (US)

97.

The Non Reluctant Reader (US)

98.

Page Flipperz (Int)

99.

Livre De Amour-Books of Love (US)

100.

Cheri Schmidt, author of YA Paranormal Romance (Int)

101.

Books and Needlepoint (US)

102.

Practical Frugality (US)

103.

Reviews by Karen (US)

104.

Darlenes Book Nook (Int)

105.

Charla@ Book Talk With Charla (US)

106.

Pen to Paper (Int)

107.

~Hippies Beauty and Books Oh My! (Int)

108.

JeanBookNerd (Int)

109.

Mommy Adventures With Ravina (US)

110.

Isis Rushdan_Dare to Discover the Unexpected (Int)

111.

Tethered Mommy (US/Can)

112.

Passion for Novels (Int)

113.

Keepin Up With LDS Bookstores (US)

114.

Living, Loving, Laughing, Reading (US)

115.

Cedar Fort Publishing (US)

116.

Lauries Interviews & Reviews (Int)

117.

Megan @ Reading Away The Days (Int)

118.

The Spunky Diva (US)

119.

Annabells Book Nook (US)

120.

Chocolate Chunky Munkie (Int)

121.

BookStacksOnDeck (Int)

122.

Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World (Int)

123.

~A Thousand Wrongs (US)

124.

Beck Valley Books (Int)

125.

Simple Wyrdings (US)

126.

Of Thoughts and Words (US)

127.

Book Brats (US)

128.

~Orangeberry Book Tours (US)

129.

the bookish mama (US)

130.

Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry (US)

131.

Bonnie Gets A Say (US)

132.

Dr. Stravagantes Traveling Book Circus (Int)

133.

Myne Whitman Writes (US)

134.

A Sense of Fiction (US)

135.

I*m Loving Books (Int)

136.

Joan Holubs A Kiss For You! (lift the flap board book with magnet) (US)

137.

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book (US)

138.

The Stubby Pencil (US)

139.

Making Time For Mommy (US)

140.

Working for the Mandroid (US)

141.

MamaNYC (US/Can)

142.

Popcorn Reads (US)

143.

Butterfly-o-Meter Books (Int)

144.

Getting Your Read On (Int)

145.

My Devotional Thoughts (Int)

146.

Sarah Ballance (Int)

147.

Workaday Reads (Int)

148.

icefairys Treasure Chest (US)

149.

Reviews From My First Reads Shelf (Int)

150.

Endlessly Bookish (Int)

151.

Suzannes Place: The Magic of Writing for Children and More (US)

152.

A Life Full of Laughter (US)

153.

Cozy Mystery Book Review (Int)

154.

155.

156.

157.

158.

159.

The Companion of Lady Holmeshire (US)

160.

English Historical Fiction Authors (US)

161.

Juniper Grove (US/Can)

162.

Dani Harper, Paranormal Romance Author, blogs at WAY PAST NORMAL (US/Can)

163.

Mels Random Reviews (Int)

164.

Acting Balanced (Int)

165.

Sweeping The (US)

166.

Jocelyn Adams (Int)

167.

The Cozy Reading Corner (Int)

168.

Karissas Reading Review (Int)

169.

Prissy Fit (US)

170.

Cicis Theories (US)

171.

storyweaver (US)

172.

Van @ Short and Sweet Reviews (Int)

173.

The Secret Writer (Int)

174.

But What Are They Eating? (US)

175.

Id Rather Be At The Beach (US/Can)

176.

Keeping Up With The Rheinlanders (US)

177.

Book Dreaming (US)

178.

Nadja Notariani ~ An Authors Adventures (US)

179.

By The Book (US)

180.

A Casual Readers Blog (Int)

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

~The Write Obsession (Int)

186.

Sometimes Its Cloudy, Sometimes Its Clear (US)

187.

The Science of Romance (Int)

188.

Boos Place (US)

189.

My Bookish Ways (US)

190.

Actin Up with Books (US)

191.

The Busy Bibliophile (US)

192.

Gypsy Mama Logs (US)

193.

The Book Monsters (US)

194.

Book Flame (Int)

195.

From Meredith Allard (US)

196.

A Three Way Tie (US)

197.

Rikkis Teleidoscope (Int)

198.

Empowered to Prosper (US)

199.

Memrie @ darkangel88 (Int)

200.

In the Mind of Ley Mesina (Int)

201.

Nothought2small (US)

202.

Jude @ In Between Writing and Reading (YA) (US)

203.

Novel Reflections (Int)

204.

~A little bit of everything (US)

205.

Valeries Reviews (US/Can)

206.

Trini @ A Book-Lovers Review (US/Can)

207.

~Sarah @ The Book Life (Int)

208.

Believe! author Mimi Barbour (US)

209.

chanakeefer. com (US)

210.

Runaway Bridal Planner (US)

211.

Mimi @ Mimi Reads (Int)

212.

Gotta Have YA (US)

213.

Amaleen Ison - YA Author (Int)

214.

Life and Love Letters (US)

215.

Laurie Here Reading & Writing Reviews (US)

216.

Ezmirelda @ P A R A F A N T A S Y (Int)

217.

Simply Infatuated (US)

218.

Kat @ The Aussie Zombie (Int)

219.

Fiction Enthusiast (US)

220.

~Luv My Books (Int)

221.

~Heaven Liegh Eldeen~The Demon Side (US)

222.

Gloria Schumann - Romance~A Book Away (Int)

223.

Sam @ Falling Books (Int)

224.

Helen Smith (Int)

225.

A Monster Ate My Book Report (US)

226.

Books, Books, and More Books (US)

This linky list is now closed.

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop Sign Ups

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop

In My Mailbox

Closest to UCLA Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:26:00 +0000

Just a not-too-distant walk from Royce Hall, or the student union, or Pauley Pavilion. Here's where Bruins find a little caffeine before/after/during classes.

And at night, sometimes star-studded premieres at the Fox or Bruin theaters, a couple of the last one-screen movie theaters around.

Ms. Long-Pony-Tail is about to have company at her window perch.

Did he, Guy-in-Purple-Shirt, talk to her? Maybe ask her out?

I'll never tell.....

Day after Christmas Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:26:00 +0000

San Francisco, characters abound. Some guy's got his bike parked right at my table. But that's ok, somehow. Anything goes. There's a lady with waist length gray hair and another in a Russian fur hat. Double electric buses on market street with accordion-like connectors, revving up for après Christmas sales and returns. And the homeless? They've already got their shopping carts....

Merry merry

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:34:00 +0000

Santa's reindeer?

All closed up

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:30:00 +0000

No one sitting on these chairs, for once.
Hey, even the chairs need a once a year respite, right?

Tarzana Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:21:00 +0000

Yoga, anyone?

Roll up your mats, and de-sweat in a new-ish Starbucks on Ventura Boulevard. A hop-skip-and-jump from Whole Foods and T.J. Maxx.

But longtime Tarzanans (or is it Tarzanites?) will remember the old Mann Theater, which was torn down to make way for this new development. :-(

Ah, progress......

Named in honor of the writer of the ape-man series of books and movies, Edgar Rice Burroughs, who lived in Tarzana.

But not a whiff of a jungle here, and I'm still looking for Jane.

Taylor the Latte Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:30:00 +0000

O.K. Toooooo funny

Coming Soon! Two Giveaways!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Stay tuned for giveaway details and rules......

Happy Holidays!

Universal City Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:57:00 +0000

City Walk.

City lights.

Neon lights.

Even swinging Gorilla lights.

The best concentration of honky-tonk you can get in Los Angeles.

But, dang, they're pretty.

Hollywood Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:17:00 +0000

At the busy intersection of Hollywood Blvd., and Western Ave., just at the edge of Little Armenia, a tangerine mini-mall anchors this little slice of Hollywood.

Go west on Hollywood Blvd., lots of boarded-up shops and velvety-pink curtains. A little further down, signs of renovation, and mixed-use construction.

A big, concrete hot dog bun (with cracked stucco onion relish) sits atop the north/west side of the street, fenced in now.

Drive further north on Western and you'll get to Griffith Park and Los Feliz.

I like the way the orange light floats above the woman in white, like a signpost, a halo?

Are there still angels in the City of Angels?

Little Tokyo Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:28:00 +0000

Little Tokyo, re-imagined, and reborn with lofts and condos and Starbucks and Quiznos.

Further north, there's the Geffen Contemporary Museum, and the Japanese American Museum.

Lots of history here, if you're interested -- the Yagura Tower and a Buddhist temple.

And the statue -- he's looking out for all of us.

Another view?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Sorry, folks, another long hiatus, but I'm on board once again. For keeps.....

Another photo of a Vienna Starbucks sent by pal, Cathi.

Not like me to duplicate, but the coincidence was tooooo delicious.

Hmmmmm. Nice sportscar. Makes me want to go, go, go. :-)

Hope everyone had a woooonderbar Halloween.

Vienna Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:04:00 +0000

Yes, sorry I know it's been a looooong hiatus.

But who can resist a photo from Vienna (sent by pal Joey).

I couldn't. :-)

So.....A little coffee, a little pastry, a little waltz.

Dubai Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:04:00 +0000

Carolyn and Lance send Starbucks photo from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a 28-day cruise from Singapore to Rome via Suez Canal.

Whoa.

Singapore to Rome via the Suez Canal?

What will they think of next?

Kauai Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Yes, paradise.

The misty-mountained and barely touched northernmost of the Hawaiian islands. Who needs coffee when there's a forever sky, an aqua ocean and air like silk?

And....wild chickens and fancified roosters, roaming the island (and who like to crow loudly at 2:00 a.m.)

But who cares.....

Paradise.

The Power of Words

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:43:00 +0000

Not Just a Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:51:00 +0000

There wasn't always a wall there.

Not too long ago, there was a door to a bookstore, and the door swung easily, back and forth between coffee and books.

But...despite a Facebook protest, and neighbors holding up placards, the Barnes and Noble closed up, gone, and the Borders is about to close too.

So what's behind the wall?

Soon to be another CVS pharmacy, even though there's another CVS less than a mile away. (And a Walgreens too)

There's no prescription to cure this ailment.

:-(

Istanbul Airport Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Robert's back in Turkey, supplying me with some new Starbucks photos, this time from the Istanbul Airport.

Everything looks pretty much Starbuckian here -- the barista, the glass counter of baked goodies.

Everything but that large machine in the background, with oranges (?) floating around.

Anyone know what that's all about?

Orange latte?

:-)

Photo Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The Japanese Maple tree is just starting to bloom.

Every year, I wait for the fiery-red leaves to suddenly appear in mid-March like little gifts.

This year, the leaves are especially beautiful, whispering laments and hopes for its brothers and sisters across the Pacific Ocean, caught in the earthquake, and the tsunami.

Bloom away....

Saturday Story

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:24:00 +0000

Ancient relic from the past?

Can't remember the last time I used one of these...Did I ever?

Beep, beep, your call is waiting.

Burbank Airport Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:36:00 +0000

Someone is singing "Come Away With Me" as I walk in. Nice intro to the Starbucks closest to Bob Hope, Burbank Airport.

It's not in the terminal, like most airports, but a short block away, tucked into a strip mall, very close by.

It's my absolutely fav airport...small and retro. You can actually walk up roll-away stairs to the airplane, just like in the movies. (So cool, except when it's raining, ha)

I was a bit disappointed when I realized the Starbucks had no windows facing the airport...but....if you walk around the left side of the building, there are some scattered chairs and you can watch planes take off and land to your heart's delight.

And you can pretend you're going somewhere.

Even if you're not.

SIGH.

Olympic and Doheny Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:16:00 +0000

Red light, red car.

I think the red car just got flashed.

(If you sit near the window, you can actually watch the automated traffic enforcement lights flash at errant drivers)

Whoohoo.

Free entertainment, if you like that kind of thing.

Someone's seeing red.