The Coffee Break

The Monday Mug!

2010-01-18T21:46:00.003-05:00

This week's Monday Mug is actually 3 mugs, all centered around one idea: Going Green. That's right, Starbucks has created a series of mugs made from 20% post-consumer recycled clay. Starbucks' Reincarnate, Renew, and Reinvent mugs are an easy way to going green one sip at a time. You can purhcase these mugs at Starbucks.

NPR's 2010 Music Predictions

2010-01-12T16:44:00.002-05:00

I found this article on NPR's website and I have to say it's pretty funny. I feel like some of these "predictions" are far from coming true, but it's very entertaining to read. I especially love numbers 4 & 6. Take a look!

The Monday Mug!

2010-01-11T19:25:00.000-05:00

This is the Rosenthal A La Carte Tatami Mug (if you ask me that's a-lat-to-say) and what really made this mug stand out to me was the the pinched-like handle on the side. Very chic and very modern. You can purchase this mug at All Modern for $20.

The Best Coffee

2010-01-06T15:35:00.001-05:00

Want to try a new coffee? Can't decide on a brand to pick? Problem solved. Real Simple has complied a list of the best coffee from whole bean roast to ground coffee and from light to dark roasts. Check it out at: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/beverages/best-coffee-00000000008163/index.html

The Monday Mug!

2010-01-04T21:44:00.001-05:00

Now, here are some pretty amazing coffee mugs. These magnetic mugs have a detachable handle with a magnet on it so you can actually attach the mug to any metal object or to another magnetic coffee mug. They come in a variety of colors and are perfect for saving space in the kitchen. You can purchase these magnetized mugs at http://www.invaltdesign.com/

What's In & What's Out for 2010?

2010-01-02T12:39:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope you guys are having a great start to the new year. My aunt in Seattle sent me this article about what's in for 2010 and what's out and I thought it was pretty interesting. Check it out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/features/2009/holiday-guide/the-list-2010/

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Clothbound Penguin Books

2009-12-29T10:23:00.005-05:00

I found these beautifully embossed books at Anthropologie and just fell in love with them! Each book has it's own unique vintage design on them along with a ribbon bookmark and can be purchased at Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters for only $20. Coraline Bickford-Smith, senior designer at Penguin UK, came up with the idea of pairing contemporary design covers with vintage classics that include favorites such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, and Cranford. In an interview with The Casual Optimist, Smith was asked about the future of book cover designs and responded that:

Covers are still a lot of the time the only piece of marketing material to attract the customer so I don’t think that is going anywhere fast. We might go through a wave of utter tripe as everyone gets all excited about 3D or animated covers, and the novelty of technology takes precedence over good design. Electronic books are inevitably going to impact physical publishing, but the printed book is a very successful technology in its own right and I don’t think it will be entirely displaced. For all the advantages of ebooks — portability, interactivity, production and distribution savings — there’s something potent about the physical object that will always have a strong appeal. I like to think that as the volume of physical books declines, the average quality of the design will increase, because books will have to work harder to justify their physical presence.

I think that Smith does make a valid point in her response that most people are attracted to the physical object and it most likely will not be replaced. I personally feel that reading books, especially some of literature's best works, on an electronic screen is not the same as actually holding the book itself. Now, I know that I wrote a whole article on Barnes and Nobel's Nook and I have nothing against it, I think it's a pretty innovative gadget, but I'm just bringing up a point that if you really want to enjoy a story, why spend $300 on a device to read books on, when you can just go to the bookstore and buy one for $10? What are your thoughts on electronic books?

The Monday Mug!

2009-12-28T12:02:00.001-05:00

Either this was an art project or someone must have loved that coffee flavor so much that they glued the beans all over their mug. If you ask me, that's one intense-tasting cup of coffee right there, but it looks so cool. I love how the photographer enhanced the color of the beans by placing the mug in front of a dark brown-black background which reminds me of the actual color of coffee. I don't know if you can actually purchase this particular mug, but hey if you really wanted to, all you would need is a bag of coffee beans, a mug, and some glue.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 24

2009-12-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

Today is Christmas Eve and there's only one song that basically sums up what's going to happen tonight: "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town" by Jackson 5. Even if you think Santa doesn't exist, there's still a little Santa Clause in each of us. Enjoy!

"Santa Clause Is Coming to Town"

The Monday Mug!

2009-12-21T23:52:00.001-05:00

This mug puts a whole new twist when it comes to enjoying milk and cookies. It features a small compartment to store cookies for dunking and if that's not enough it comes in either right-handed or left-handed mug styles. This mug is perfect for holiday cookies and also can be used to keep milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. This mug can be purchased at Mocha for about $22.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 21

2009-12-21T10:53:00.000-05:00

Today has been a pretty mellow day for me and this morning, while I was doing my crossword puzzle and enjoying my coffee in front of the Christmas tree, I was listening to "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. The song has such a pretty sound to it and the lyrics have so much meaning within them. Since today is also officially the first day of winter, I thought this might go perfectly with it. Enjoy!

"Winter Song"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 20

2009-12-20T23:33:00.000-05:00

In searching for some new Christmas tunes, I stumbled upon "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Death Cab for Cutie. They're one of my favorite bands and I'm kind of happy that they finally made a Christmas song. Enjoy!

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 19

2009-12-20T22:54:00.000-05:00

So, my mom just finished finalizing our Christmas family visits for later on this week and we are going up north to visit family including my grandpa and grandma. And I know this sounds terrible, but every time my mom is talking on the phone with my grandma in front of the Christmas tree, the only song that comes to my head is "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandma so much, but it's hard not to laugh and sing-along to this song. Enjoy!

"Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 18

2009-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

It finally snowed today! Well, it was more like a flurry and some slush, but to me that still counts as snow. Christmas break also started for me today which is great because it's a much needed break from school....and it means I don't have to wake up at 5:45 every morning. To help celebrate all of the excitement, I chose "Little Saint Nick" by The Beach Boys because it's such an upbeat and cherry song, that it fits today perfectly. Enjoy!

"Little Saint Nick"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 17

2009-12-17T20:36:00.000-05:00

What I love most about the holiday season is the fact ABC Family shows Christmas movies ALL the time especially the older movies such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"and "Frosty the Snowman". I never get tired of those movies because I watched them so many times when I was little. I picked "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives because I just love him! He plays the snowman in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and was one of my favorite characters. Hope you enjoy it!

"A Holly Jolly Christmas"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 16

2009-12-16T22:43:00.000-05:00

The weatherman told us that we were supposed to get snow this weekend so, I picked "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby to celebrate. Enjoy!

"White Christmas"

The Monday Mug!

2009-12-14T23:47:00.000-05:00

This festive mug features a prancing reindeer pattern along with a glossy red interior sure to warm your holiday spirits. The Reindeer Relief Mug can be found at Starbucks for about $6.95, perfect for that special someone this holiday season.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 12

2009-12-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Since today is the 12th it's only fitting to have "The 12 Days of Christmas" as today's pick. I found this video of the song sung by an a capella group called Straight No Chaser and it is so funny! I love how they included other Christmas songs into it and their voices sound amazing! Check it out!

"The 12 Days of Christmas"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 11

2009-12-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" says it all! I always here this song in my head whenever I go Christmas shopping. Maybe because I'm just so excited about Christmas. Enjoy!

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 10

2009-12-10T22:39:00.000-05:00

Today's pick is the classic "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" by Dean Martin because not only do I wish we had snow here, but there is a lot of news about the terrible snow storms in the midwest and farther up north. On a happier note, Christmas is only 15 days away! Enjoy the song!

"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 9

2009-12-09T18:57:00.002-05:00

Since tonight is the season finale of 'Glee' I'd thought I'd put up "Last Christmas" as today's pick. Enjoy!

"Last Christmas"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 8

2009-12-09T18:57:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas tree is finally up which means that the holiday season has officially started in my household. Here's "Christmastime Is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy!

"Christmastime Is Here"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 7

2009-12-09T18:43:00.002-05:00

Here's the number 1 song on iTunes, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You". It's such an upbeat and catchy song that never gets old. Enjoy!

"All I Want for Christmas Is You"

25 Days of Christmas Music: Day 6

2009-12-09T18:36:00.000-05:00

I saw on TV Michael Buble perform "The Christmas Song" in the Christmas tree lighting in NYC's Rockefeller Center so I decided to pick this song for today. I love his smooth sounding voice in this song. Just makes you feel all warm and cozy inside. Enjoy!

"The Christmas Song"