Chicken Checking Out Coffee
Here’s a chicken checking out the neighborhood Starbucks. Wonder if he ever made it inside before? I felt somewhat obliged to hold open the door for a fellow patron.
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Analyzing My Starbucks Rewards Behavior
One of the interesting aspects of joining the Starbucks Rewards is not just the program’s perks but taking a look at your coffee-addicted behavior. Okay, so you may not really want to know how many times you’ve visited Starbucks (thankfully, there are no (visible) dollar amounts spent at each visit), but looking at your Rewards History, you can easily chart your visits and stars earned. Here’s what my July 2012 looked like.
I earned 12 Rewards stars during the month and as you can guess, I treat myself to a drink on most Fridays. On July 13, I earned a free drink (every 15 stars at the Gold level).
Doing a real quick analysis on a monthly basis gives me the chart below.
Starting in June 2012, my Starbucks visits (and consumption) went up considerably. I should take a look at blog posts from that month to see what was up. For the on-going 12 Star Dash, I added the orange reference line. Interesting… If I had seen this data before, I wouldn’t have taken the contest so lightly, having met the 12-star goal only three times all in the past three months. To complete the Dash, I need to rack up 12 stars in less than half a month.
Hmmm, time to strategize…
The 12 Star Dash Is On!
With my order of a basic iced coffee, I’ve officially started my 12 Star Dash sponsored by Starbucks. The goal? Twelve Starbucks transactions in 14 days to win $5.
Can. Much better chances than this one. 😉
One down, 11 to go…
Starbucks Getting Competitively Playful
Have you noticed Starbucks’ recent forays have been playful competitions? There’s the (ending) game to bring the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) to a city near you. Each day of the PSL competition brings new challenges to rack up more points for your favorite PSL city.
Today, I get a somewhat mysterious email from Starbucks for their upcoming 12 Star Dash competition. All that’s known is the task of earning 12 Starbucks Rewards stars between August 27 and September 9 to win $5 in assumed Starbucks “coffee cash.” Typically, you earn one star per transaction at Starbucks, but this contest will probably introduce some playful wrinkles. No additional details are provided even after registering to compete in the 12 Star Dash.
Anyways, I’m game for some playful competitions.
I Got (Half)Tone, I Got (Half)Tone
Sorry for the Top Gun reference, but I couldn’t resist when I saw the Starbucks Pick of the Week app, Halftone. Halftone has nothing to do with Top Gun, but this app lets you create comic-like panels from your pictures. Think Instagram meets Comic Life.
Anyways, head on over to a well stocked Starbucks to pick up this freebie. I’ve only seen this app at one of three Starbucks I visited this week so your luck may vary. Here’s a quick sample of a Halftone created comic panel.
Something and Sounds at Starbucks
Picked up Draw Something and SoundHound from Starbucks today. These are the weekly Pick of the Week freebies, and as an added bonus, the Starbucks treat receipts are back. Buy a drink in the AM and get any grande iced drink for 2-bucks after 2 PM. That’s any drink including a custom creation with extra shots.
Starbucks in Stainless Steel
I’m not sure how I feel about this stainless steel Starbucks cup. It looks cool, but its appearance appeal might just be a passing fancy. After much use, its sheen will probably look tarnished with water spots or scuffs.
Brown Paper Bag Book Cover
It’s been a long time since I made a book cover from a brown paper bag. I looked up instructions just in case.
I forgot the tricks I used to do to bling up the covers. What kind of tape did I use, and where did I tape?
Looking on Pinterest for ideas, I spotted a cover using a Starbucks bag. Of course! Next book…
Which State Has the Most Starbucks?
Which state has the highest number of Starbucks locations per capita? It’s kind of a trick question since the number one spot is held by Washington D.C. Hawaii is in the top ten pulling in at the #7 spot. Check out the infographic for the entire breakdown.
Oahu in a Cup
What does the essence of Oahu taste like? Take a sip of Starbucks’ new (and limited) Oahu Coffee to find out. Check out the coffee’s description:
This 100% Oahu Coffee is grown in rich volcanic soil amid gentle Pacific breezes, resulting in sophisticated notes of baking chocolate and dried fig, and a silky, smooth texture.
Who knew our trade winds induces flavors of chocolate and fig? Anyways, look for this limited release in-store or better yet, order online at StarbucksStore.com.
Starbucks Pearl City Shops Is Refreshed
It’s not just the Enchanted Lakes Starbucks getting refreshed. The Pearl City Shops Starbucks is also charged up for the national launch of Starbucks new Refresher flavors.
Check out this electrifying display! I didn’t see this at Enchanted Lakes.
Since it was lunchtime, there were samples of hand crafted Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus. What did I think? Well… I expected more tartness from the Cool Lime. That or I would have preferred some carbonated zing. But the carbonation is reserved for the canned Refreshers (Raspberry Pomegranate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Orange Melon). Both the Lime and Very Berry drinks are available either hand crafted (made in the store) or in instant VIA form. Of course the hand crafted versions have fresh ingredients added that are not in the VIA packets. As of now, there are no canned versions of Cool Lime or Very Berry Hibiscus.
Next I sampled the Very Berry Hibiscus and true to my expectations, I was reminded of the Hibiscus flower while drinking this. It’s a better blend than the Cool Lime, but I can’t shake that flowery image as I drink it. Oh, and a word of caution. After sampling the Refreshers, your palette is in for a bitter shock if you chase it with a coffee-based drink.
So the Refreshers live up to their namesake and is refreshing. This marks a different market for Starbucks, going beyond coffees and teas. But I’m still a coffee fan, addicted to its taste, color, and scent, so I’m sticking with the brown stuff. 🙂
Here are a few more pictures of the Starbucsk Pearl City Shops location.
Starbucks Enchanted Lakes Got the Refresher Refresh
Stopped by the Starbucks Enchanted Lakes location this morning and saw the new Refresher look.
The bright, bold colors reflect the new Refresher flavors of Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus. Today marks the national launch for these flavors. Inside and out, the store is really pushing these fruity additions.
You can score a coupon for 50% off any Refresher flavor.
If you want to sample these new drinks, head on over on Friday, July 13, from noon to 3pm. You’ll receive a free tall sized Refresher.
While you’re bedazzled by all the Refresher activity, don’t forget to pick up this week’s pick, the Tasting Table Cookbook.
I haven’t yet had the chance to sample the Cool Lime or the Very Berry Hibiscus. Cool Lime sounds like a natural match for this iced drink. I’m a little wary of the Hibiscus drink, not really wanting to drink a flower you know. 😉
I have had the original three Refreshers, Raspberry Pomegranate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Orange Melon. From the names alone, I would have guessed Orange Melon would be my favorite, but instead, it’s Raspberry Pomegranate. To me, this had the best flavor combination. There was an aftertaste to the Orange Melon. It started good then the aftertaste kicked in, negating the initial yumminess. I didn’t feel that way with the Pomegranate. The Strawberry Lemonade was okay, not great, not bad, just okay. I am looking forward to Cool Lime, but given my experience with Refresher flavors, maybe Very Berry Hibiscus will be my new favorite.
For more info on these new Refreshers, check out the coverage by Starbucks Melody.
Oh, a few more pictures of the Enchanted Lakes store (which was still setting up in the morning).
