Menu

Addiction

starbucks-kakaako8

Starbucks Kaka’ako Now Open

, , ,

Starbucks Kaka’ako has been open for business for a few weeks now but is celebrating its official grand opening today, in fact right now! If you visit between 12pm and 1pm, you’ll receive a free tall beverage.

While you’re there, you can check out this store’s unique decor. Every Starbucks has common design elements, but you do see differences from store to store. At this Coral Street location, you’ll see a mix of industrial and natural designs. The floor is concrete with divits and discolorations but features many in-ground electrical outlets, especially alongside the window seating.

There are a number of window-side stools and higher bar stools and tables for patrons. There’s a single elongated table in the middle and a few comfortable chairs near the front entrance. It seems Starbucks doesn’t want you getting too comfy and camping out for long durations (that’d be you UH medical students 🙂 ).

The best accent of this location is the wood bar facade and countertop. There’s a wood “brick” appearance topped off with a dark wooden counter. This adds organic naturalness that contrasts the hard concrete.

Oh, don’t mind the napkins. I guess they ran out of the Starbucks logo-ed ones and had to settle for generic. Opening day issues I guess.

While no Starbucks in Hawaii is a Clover location, I could see this spot featuring the Clover one day. And it just struck me that like the tall exterior of this location, there are lots of tall, skinny elements inside the store. The tables and stools emphasizes a more vertical space if that makes sense.

One last note – don’t forget that the Holiday drinks are now available – Peppermint Mocha Frap, Gingerbread Latte, and the Caramel Brulee Latte.

lego-catalog

This Is Just Cruel

,

Aww man, look what came in the mail the other day.

 

As one addicted to LEGO, this is just cruel sending me a catalog of fun stuff in time for the Holidays. And look, there’s a 10% coupon on the back. And October was double points month for VIPs.

pepsi-paradise-mango

Passing on the Pepsi Paradise Mango

, , , ,

Spotted the Pepsi Next Paradise Mango drink at the Palama Market, and though the thought of the mix of flavors baffled me, I had to try this drink.

That was one week ago. Today, I’ve already forgotten the flavor. Okay, I do remember one tidbit, my initial taste. On my first sip, I do remember thinking, “Whaaaaa?” as in what was Pepsi thinking combining a cola with mango. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of the Paradise Mango. I just didn’t get it. Maybe I needed to be eating some salty, spicy kim chee to complement the taste.

If you want a different opinion about the Pepsi Next Paradise Mango, check out the review on the Impulsive Buy.

sbux-venti

The Faster Starbucks Rewards Debuts Tomorrow

, ,

On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, Starbucks launches its revamped Rewards Program. As you recall, this program is now faster. Get a free drink after accumulating 12 stars vice 15. Freebies are available automatically, not via a snail mail-delivered postcard. Oh, and the Starbucks iOS app integrates with Passbook,

Are you excited? I’m excited! Or maybe it’s just the effects of this venti iced coffee…

starbucks-kau

Starbucks Reserve Ka`u Now Available

,

For a limited time, Starbucks is selling Kona Ka`u coffee from its Reserve line of premium coffees. And these are limited with only 600 bags available for sale online.

Here’s how Starbucks describes this coffee’s tasting profile:

Tropical coconut with sweet caramelly and citrus notes.

Cost is above average at $25 for an 8-oz. bag. And um, Starbucks needs to figure out where Hawaii is on the global map (assuming that big dot indicates the coffee region).

sbux-disney

Tidbits About Starbucks

,

This MSN Money post has some interesting tidbits about Starbucks and its locations.

  • 80% of Americans live within 20 miles of a Starbucks
  • The farthest you can get from a Starbucks in America is 140 miles.
  • That point is on the Idaho-Wyoming border near Grand Teton National Park.
  • Your rent is higher when you live closer to a Starbucks location.

For more information, read the entire post.

lego-mini-8-santa

More From Series 8

, ,

Got a few more additions to my LEGO Minifigure Series 8 collection.

So far, Santa has been the hardest one to get, probably since he’s in high demand with Christmas coming up. For the DJ, feel for his round record. The alien female is the only one in Series 8 with the “skirt” piece. The bat dude should be easy to find because of his winged arms, but I lucked out on picking him.

starbucks-reward-faster

Starbucks Rewards Are Getting Faster

, , , ,

Starbucks is adjusting its Rewards program, making it “faster.” What’s that mean? Starting on October 16, Gold level members get free drinks after earning 12 stars instead of 15 currently. Instead of waiting for your freebie via a postcard in the mail, you’ll get faster access with your physical card or smartphone app. The freebie is no longer limited to beverages with food items now eligible. Here’s the official announcement.

Subtracted from the program is the free additions of flavored syrups and soy milk. And did you know you were entitled to a free tall coffee when you purchased a bag of coffee beans? I never used that promotion, and now it’s gone. There are more nuances to the updated Rewards program, and Starbucks has a comprehensive FAQ.

Some commentary…

12 Stars

I’m liking the change to 12 stars for a free drink. I’m not sure if the recent 12 Star Dash was a final test case. I doubt it, but looking at my Starbucks habit, I did learn that getting 12 stars in 2 weeks wasn’t that easy. During the Dash, I spent about $57 in 13 transactions (stars). Using that as a baseline, with the update to the Rewards program, I’ll also get a free drink which could roughly be 10% ($5) of what I spent.

The Postcard

I have mixed feelings about this. While it did feel archaic to get a postcard via snail mail, it was a treat when opening the mailbox. Getting an electronic delivery feels more cold and detached. Will I remember to redeem my free drink before it expires? This is a tricky one. At least the postcard was a physical reminder. Sure, I could have forgotten to bring the postcard or worse, have lost it. At the same time, I think about all the electronic Groupon and Living Social vouchers that I forget about until the expiration date is upon me.

Food Stuff

The addition of getting free food is a good move. I don’t pay much attention to the food, but now I might. On Starbucks’ side, giving away a free pastry is more economical since these cost less than $3 vice a $4-5 coffee drink.

Bonus Star

Did you catch the new Bonus Star? Here’s the description:

Periodically, the My Starbucks Rewardsâ„¢ program will offer Bonus Stars as a promotion to our members. During the promotional period, when you purchase one of the featured products, you will receive a Star for the transaction (as normal) and an extra Star for the specified product. This is another way we are helping you earn Stars and free drinks and food faster!

All in all, these are welcomed changes to the Starbucks Rewards program.

sbux-psl-via

Done with the Starbucks Dash

, , , ,

Sunday, September 9, 2012 marked the end of Starbucks’ 12 Star Dash. Did you finish the dash or did you coffee out along the way? I started with a simple iced coffee on Day 1, August 27. The SBUX treat receipts were still active so I have a couple two-a-days to finish up August.

In September, I had a steady stream of visits, culminating in my final drink, a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Late (PSL) with whip cream. Normally, my drinks are all non-fat, no whip, but this drink was an anomaly. I got the non-fat part, but the barrista still topped off the PSL with whip. Oh well, I took the drink as a reward for finishing the dash. 😉

On a side note, I thought the PSL was completely transformed with the whip. Normally, the drink tastes hallow, if you know what I mean. I like the spices and flavors, but it’s probably the non-fat and no whip combo that eviscerates the drink. Just with the whip alone, there was a whee! factor that I guiltily enjoyed.

Back to the Dash. When all was said and done, I totaled up the cost of participating in the Dash. I missed the transactions for two visits, estimating $4 per visit. The result came out to $57.48 in 13 transactions, which averages out to $4.42 spent per visit. All of that to get $5 in Starbucks credit, an 8% return. Worthwhile? Ehhhh, so so, but nevertheless fun to do. I did set a personal best of Starbucks visits with 24 in August 2012.

Here are some caveats. I didn’t split any purchases into singles to maximize my Starbucks (Gold) Rewards card. On one occasion, I bought some extras like a pumpkin scone and Pumpkin Spice VIA packets (which is selling well).

I’ll leave you with pictures of the $58 of yumminess I enjoyed while dashing.

Pumpkin Spice Latte (non-fat, no whip)
Seasonal Pumpkin Scone
Pumpkin Spice VIA Ready Brew
Salted Caramel Mocha
19410796_BG1

Wash Your Clothes With Starbucks

, , , , ,

Talk about looking out for the environment. Starbucks is investigating ways where its used coffee grounds and unsold baked goods could be transformed into plastics and laundry detergent. Yes, in the near future, you could be washing your clothes in a blonde roast scented by a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. Or maybe you prefer a load of dark roast? I wonder if the detergent will feature the Starbucks mermaid logo?

But no matter what, reducing, reusing, and recycling to sustain our environment is a good thing.

orangedew-412x550

Mountain Dew in the Morning?

, , ,

Sure why not? If coffee addicts can drink the brown elixir any time of the day, why can’t Dew fans enjoy the same privilege?

Taco Bell is making Mountain Dew in the morning easy for you. Stop by for their FirstMeal A.M. Crunchwrap and pair this breakfast alternative with Mountain Dew A.M. Mountain Dew and OJ mixed fresh in the morning? Now that’s the way to start your day!

I wonder if you can get a Burrito Supreme for breakfast? For the health sakes for Hawaii residents, local Taco Bell locations are not on the list to serve FirstMeal along with Mountain Dew A.M. But just in case, keep your eyes out for these signs.

Are You Done with Your Dash?

, , ,

Did you get your 12 stars for the Starbucks 12 Star Dash? The end date of September 9 is almost here so hopefully you’ve accumulated enough stars starting on August 27.

I think I have 11 stars and should be able to complete my dash this afternoon. It’s harder than I thought, but if I analyzed my Starbucks behavior I would have known that ahead of time.

Because of the Starbucks Treat Receipt program and the 12 Star Dash, I did set a personal best. Should I be proud of that? 😉

Load More