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Clueless About Coffee Cup Couture

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Obviously, I am clueless about what’s fashionable for coffee cup designs. This morning, Starbucks announced their limited edition Swarovski mug to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL). My reaction at seeing this bedazzled mug – “meh.” Crystal-studded and holding 12 ounces of coffee doesn’t equate to $150 in my book.

Starbucks Swarovski Mug
Starbucks Swarovski Mug

But yet, after a few scant hours, all 600 of these Swarovski keepsakes were purchased. Coincidentally, eBay has them with bids ranging from $300 to $700. Besides resale value, I don’t see the appeal. The crystals are sorta cool, but I can’t imaging holding the cup with the crystals biting into your hand. The ombre hue is nice but alone not worth the $150-price tag.

And that green crystal circle. I’m guessing it’s supposed to represent the Starbucks mermaid logo, but it’s so abstract, I wouldn’t recognize it unless you told me this was a mug from Starbucks. I’d rather order $150 worth of PSL to drink, but that’s my cup couture-less opinion.

Starbucks Star Dash for the “Pros”

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Starbucks has gotten smarter with its promotions and who’s eligible for these promotions. Previously, it was a free for all. Once a promo was known, pretty much anyone could use it. Not so anymore. Case in point. Were you informed of the recent Star Dash? It just completed where you get $10 back after 12 stars (and $5 for 6 stars).

Even if you knew about this dash, you couldn’t join unless your specific account was offered this deal. Before, someone could forward you the Star Dash link, and you could sign up. Try that now, and you won’t see the promotion for your account.

Did you know about the Star Dash that starts today? Seems like this dash is for the “pros,” the caffeine addicts, the gold level members, the hardcore Starbuckers. Instead of the lower goal of 12 stars for $10, this Dash demands 20 stars for $10 or 10 stars to earn $5.

Star Dash, Aug 14-27, 2013
Star Dash, Aug 14-27, 2013

You got a little less than two weeks to complete the dash so drink up (or eat up or charge up)!

Coffee While Cruising (Part 3)

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Setting the stage for Part 3 of Coffee While Cruising is easy – chilly Alaskan weather, event-filled days, and the lax diet of vacation. Perfect conditions for an absolute coffee fest!

On the Disney Wonder

Did I mention that brewed coffee onboard the Disney Wonder is free and always available. Let’s repeat that, free and always available. Whoa.

Cove Cafe that connects to Cove Outlook
Cove Cafe & Outlook Cafe
But now, let me inject a moment of sobriety. The free coffee ain’t that good. As imagined, it’s an instant mix pumped out of an industrial-sized coffee urn. The coffee is hot and caffeinated, but the taste is blah. Luckily, the hot cocoa maker is right next to the coffee, so it’s easy to make your own “Sweet Wonder Mocha.” Luckily, there are other coffee options onboard, but there’s a premium involved. Every dining facility serves espresso-based drinks for an additional fee (but this fee is included with the cost of dining at Palo). Then there is the Cove Cafe.

This espresso bar is happening. From the outside, it appears deceptively simple. Step inside and let the luxury enfold you.

Inside Cove Cafe
Inside Cove Cafe

The baristas can make all kinds of drinks, but again, for a price. Be prepared to wait since some days are slammed with caffeine addicts. There’s plush outdoor seating or you can go upstairs to the posh Outlook Cafe. I opted for outside whale watching while drinking my mocha.

Enjoying a mocha on a cool day at sea
Enjoying a mocha on a cool day at sea

Skagway

So staying caffeinated at sea is easy to do, but what about in Alaska. Now that’s a different story. First port of Skagway, Alaska with a population of 800 locals. Four cruise ships in dock, each transporting at least 2000 passengers and 900 crew members. So roughly 12,000 visitors crushing into this “city.” Could the coffee keep up? If you’re a business entrepreneur like the Excelsior Coffee Cafe, you see a definite opportunity.

Found in Skagway, Alaska
Found in Skagway, Alaska

Located inside of a jewelry store (and what is with all the jewelry spots in Alaska?!?), this cafe serves Starbucks but is NOT a Starbucks. But really, when you see that green mermaid logo in the window, do you really care? The menu is, not surprisingly, more expensive, and due to the constant flow of visitors, they ran out of cup sleeves, but it’s all good when the coffee enters your bloodstream. Walking around the blocks of Skagway and checking out the shopping spots is just a little more fun holding a cup of coffee.

VH07V and Starbucks in Skagway, Alaska
VH07V and Starbucks in Skagway, Alaska

Juneau

Our cruise’s second port was the capital of Alaska, Juneau. Of course I’d find coffee places in the capital, right? Yup, but with our activities and limited transportation, squeezing in a coffee pit stop was too tough. But after visiting the sights of the Mendenhall Glacier, we had enough time to check out the area around the dock. That’s when we came across Tracy’s Crab Shack. Featured in a Top Chef Quick Fire Challenge, this place is really a shack, a very, very crowded shack that serves the hugest crab legs you’ll ever see.

But wait, we’re talking coffee, not crabs. Luckily for me, a few shacks down from Tracy’s is the Crepe Escape. Where there’s crepes, there’s coffee, and sure enough, their full menu offered coffee options.

Crepe Escape but here just for the coffee
Crepe Escape but here just for the coffee

Did I have a mocha? I forget already, but that is my “safe” drink. If you screw up a mocha, you don’t belong in the espresso game. A mocha with king crab, crab cakes, and crab bisque? Sure, why not?

Ketchikan

A private fishing tour with Captain Jerry for four hours will make you thirsty as well. Or maybe it was from reeling in 40 salmon? Maybe it was just the salt of the Pacific Ocean, but after some great fishing, I needed a pick me up. At 3:45pm, that shouldn’t be a problem right? Hold up there, visitor of Ketchikan. Things work differently here. The Yelp app helpfully listed many coffee spots. I headed to the closest one – open but no longer brewing for the day. Headed to another location. Closed. Did more shopping and came across another closed cafe. What’s with that?

The Disney Wonder was in port for several more hours and other cruise ships were also docked so people were aplenty. But why all the early closures? I guess that’s the way Ketchikan rolls?? Did more shopping and spied this garage-looking space with people in it. And they were drinking coffee! I hurried on over and yes, the Good Coffee Company was open, even after their posted closing time. The workers said they go with the flow so if there’s business, they stay open. I had another “safe” mocha but should’ve gotten a larger size since it was so good.

Good Coffee Company, only open coffee place I found in Ketchikan
Good Coffee Company, only open coffee place I found in Ketchikan

So coffee addicts, there you have it, my coffee tales in Fresno, Vancouver, and lastly, Alaska. After writing three installments, I’m tired. I think I need some coffee. 😉

Don’t forget about Part 1 and Part 2 of Coffee While Cruising.

Future Starbucks at Windward Mall

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Here’s proof positive that Starbucks is headed to Windward Mall.

Coming down the center escalator, what’s that white walled off area?

What's that behind the white wall?
What’s that behind the white wall?

What does that sign say?

Can you read the sign?
Can you read the sign?

Yup, Starbucks coming soon.

Starbucks coming soon
Starbucks coming soon

And I know what you’re asking… where did Cinnabon go? Still listed on the Windward Mall web site, I didn’t see a relocation for Cinnabon, and I remember that the long time Kahala location also closed down. There are still Cinnabon locations at Pearlridge and Ala Moana, right?

Oh, and I don’t know when the new Starbucks location at Windward Mall is opening up. 😉

Well Played, Windward Mall

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Well played, Windward Mall, well played. Revenge has been exacted, and in this case, I am its target. I’ve poked fun at this caring mall in the past, but in recent times, Windward Mall has found its groove, catering to kids, families, and the community. New stores like Charlotte Russe and Sports Authority have come in and on-going is the popular indoor farmers market.

And now, now Windward Mall is vindicated with its upcoming addition of Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks is making a return to the mall after its days inside of the now closed Borders. The Star Advertiser says this is the mall’s first Starbucks which I guess is technically true.

I do feel bad for Mocha Java Cafe which has been filling the mall’s caffeine niche very nicely for the past two years.

Coffee While Cruising (Part 2)

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The first installment of Coffee While Cruising covered the early FAT leg of my vacation. Like I mentioned before, from FAT we headed to YVR in Vancouver, Canada. Before the trip, I learned of a Starbucks Clover location on Robson Street. Oh, and I managed to get a Groupon for Starbucks Canada. Bonus!

Clover location on Robson St., Vancouver
Clover location on Robson St., Vancouver

What did I see when entering a Canadian Starbucks? A scene not much different from that in America, but Starbucks CA is promoting their True North Blend. True North is a blonde roast that’s “named by Canadians for Canadians.”

Introducing True North Blend
Introducing True North Blend

While I’m not sure if True North is merely a Canadian-version of the regular Starbucks blonde roast, I had to pick up a bag just because. I also got a Canadian Starbucks card featuring the iconic maple leaf.

Canada SBUX card
Canada SBUX card

Not a bad introduction to Starbucks Canada, eh?

Clover brewed and a bag of True North
Clover brewed and a bag of True North
Clover brewed!
Clover brewed!

And although we stayed in Vancouver for less than three days, I managed to go back to the Robson location for yet another Clover brew. 🙂

But Starbucks definitely isn’t the only coffee game in town. There are independent cafes and coffee bars on each city block, and I came across many Blenz locations. While hiking back from Stanley Park to the hotel, I had to take a pitstop for an iced mocha. Damn good stuff I must say.

While in Canada...
While in Canada…

Simple but refreshing
Simple but refreshing
One morning we bused to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and stayed there for hours walking on the bridge, on the Cliff Walks, and the through the Treetops Adventure. Lunch was at the neighboring Bridge House Restaurant. Who knew a simple iced coffee could taste so good?! I’m sure the whipped cream helped a little. 😉

That’s it for Part 2. My Coffee While Cruising series will conclude in Part 3 as I stay caffeinated in Alaska and onboard the Disney wonder.

Coffee While Cruising (Part 1)

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While going on vacation typically means new experiences, it doesn’t necessarily mean old habits are forgotten, such as getting a healthy intake of coffee.

The only real way to start time off is with good coffee and good kicks. That means a cup of Kati Kati Blend from Starbucks while wearing (gasp!) New Balance MO673.

Starting vacation with coffee and kicks
Starting vacation with coffee and kicks

From HNL to SFO and stuck there for a bit due to continued delays from the Asiana Airlines accident, I partook of a Peet’s Iced Coconut Latte. I didn’t take a pic of this sweet (and airport-overpriced) concoction though. From SFO, we flew to FAT to spend a few days in the scorching heat.

I have my usual coffee sources in Fresno but changed it up just a bit, visiting Barnes and Noble (remember bookstores?) and its cafe.

Starbucks in a bookstore (remember those?)
Starbucks in a bookstore (remember those?)

From FAT, the next vacation leg was to YVR in Vancouver. Did I mention FAT now has two Starbucks locations? There’s the one in the forest check-in area and the newer location is inside of the security gate, making it easier to stay caffeinated while waiting for your flight.

Another FAT Starbucks location
Another FAT Starbucks location

This location still seems new with newbie employees. While the workers were courteous, asking each other to how assemble a sweetened iced coffee was a little disconcerting for me. But if you’re still looking for that limited edition wooden Starbucks cards, I found a cache for you!

Cache of wooden SBUX cards
Cache of wooden SBUX cards

Hmmm, I have more coffee pictures from my trip than I originally thought, so I’m gonna break this up into a series of posts. Part 2 will cover coffee in Canada, but here’s a peek of my pictures without all the backstory.

From Cronuts to Frissants to Croissadas

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The foodie fad that is the cronut has made its impact across the globe. The cronut craze started in New York then Canada’s take on the croissant/donut is the frissant, mixing a fritter and a croissant.

Locally in Hawaii, the cronut now takes shape as the croissada. Yes, that’s a croissant and a malasada. Available exclusively at the Pacific Beach Hotel, a croissada is:

a delicate blend of a croissant and malasada filled with a Polynesian vanilla Bavarian cream.

croissada

Damn, my idea for a local-style cronut would have been called Cheeholes, playing off of the “cheehoo” exclamation. The tagline for Cheeholes would have been, “They’ll make you” (it’s meant to be an open ended question), and the URL would have been cheehol.es. There goes a fat fortune. 🙁

Essential But Did Not Make the Cut

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Out of the blue, Nike.com had a sale on clearance items where I found these Nike Air Max 1 Essentials. Already discounted, the sale took off an additional 20% so of course, it was a must buy. In black, grey, and orange, it’s easily wearable too.

But when I tried them on, I understood the “Essential” tag. I’ve noticed other designations on the Air Max 1 line – Premium, no designation, and Essential. I’m guessing the Essential model is at the bottom of the pecking order. Don’t get me wrong, these shoes were solidly built and were not “B grade,” but the materials were not of premium quality. The shoe itself felt a little stiff and not that comfortable. So while I loved the colorway and the price, this Essential wasn’t so, not making the cut, and easily returned to Nike.com.

Nike Engineered Mesh – Tianjin or Rio?

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Modern Nike Engineered Mesh molded to classic Air Max silhouettes? Yes, please to this mashup, but which ones, the AM90 Tianjin or Beaches of Rio?

Nike Air Max 90 Tianjin

The multi-hued grey combination is demurely alluring. Speckled midsole – Jordanesque. The Tianjin namesake on the tongue. Red flecks lacing the laces. Then the translucent Air Max bubble, in red – completes the shoe.

Nike Air Max 90 Beaches of Rio

A distinct contrast from the dark Tianjins is the vibrant Beaches of Rio. Lively turquoise with citrus orange highlights. Yes, although both AM90s, the Rios and Tianjins look unrelated. Speckled midsole still there but no signature name on the tongue. The Air Max bubble is a light, bright blue.

Only one AM90 EM make would stick, the other returned. Which one? Seemingly I have a thing for greys as seen in previous buys. Maybe, too much grey in the current rotation. The Rios are summertime loud, a little outside of my style scope, but then this happened.

Nike Air Max 90 Beaches of Rio
Agent P (Perry the Platypus) and the AM90 Beaches of Rio

Thanks Agent P, decision made!

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