~Classic Bean~

Have you ever been to Classic Bean? If not you should go. I absolutely love the atmosphere of the place. It's warm, cozy and welcoming. It is also very spacious and has a lot of choices on where to sit. There's comfy couches and chairs and then there are regular tables and chairs for people to eat at. It's a wonderful place to study or just hang out with friends. I think it's especially nice this time of year when it's cold out. There's a holiday feel to the coffee shop because there is a really beautiful Christmas tree shining through their shop window. 

I've been to Classic Bean a couple times before.The bartistas have always been friendly. I have always gotten a caramel iced latte with whipped cream, but this time I had a cinnamon latté with soy milk. Doesn't sound very good right? It was not good so I gave it to my sister. She liked it. I like really sweet coffees and to me it tasted plain. There was no flavor to it. 

I plan to go again. There's so many food and beverages to try. They have a lot of different options. I recommend everyone going there. You won't regret it. 

Christmas Music Podcast with Bradley and Jacqui

Listen to this episode

~ JAVA BAR ~

About a few years ago I was introduced to this little coffee shop called Java Bar. In all my years living in Topeka Kansas I had never heard of it until a friend took me there. I personally don't think a lot of people know about it, maybe it's because the outside sign says "ICE & OLIVES." The shop has two sides to it. One side is a deli and the other is the coffee shop.

They have delicious foods like soups, quesidillas, and sandwiches with sides such as chips, cole slaw, and potato salad. Then they have desert pastries and more. Of course they also have coffee drinks and teas.

The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. They have tables and chairs for people to eat at, or if people just want to get together to have a drink and visit with friends and family, but they also have an excluded corner where there's a big comfy red couch. I tend to sit there and study a lot.

If you ever want to check it out it's on 3627 SE 29th Street Topeka, KS 66605. Their hours on this website. http://www.iceandolives.com/#!hours-/-contact-us

~ Funny Story ~

I have a funny story to share. The other night I went to the store to buy some groceries for the week and as I was walking down the aisles I came across coffee. I wasn't planning on buying any considering I'm always going to coffee shops and buying my specialty drinks. However, I thought I'd save some money for once by purchasing some I can make at home. Well the funny thing is I ended up buying the wrong kind. 

I ended up getting Starbucks Caffe Verona Dark Roast instead of Starbucks Caffe Verona Ground. The difference is my coffee maker wont brew roast unless it's grounded. So when I went to make a cup the other night I found out I couldn't use what I bought. I tried grounding it myself by putting the coffee beans in a ziplock bag and trying to crush them with a knife over the kitchen counter but they were just too hard. Needless to say I was disappointed. Maybe this story is more sad then funny.

Anyway, you would think a coffee fanatic as myself would know what kind of coffee to buy, but you have to understand I've NEVER bought coffee for myself. I guess because I've never had to until now. Until last year I hadn't owned a coffee maker, but last November on my birthday I recieved one as a present and along with it I got a bag of Starbucks Dark Cafe Verona coffee. I had never had it before but I ended up really liking it. I don't drink coffee all the time so the bag lasted me most of the season. 

You may be wondering why I am just now buying coffee. Well as it gets cooler out I'm wanting that steamy hot cup of coffee in the morning to get through my day. Personally I'd rather have coffee at my house then have to rise early, drive across town and wait 20 mins in line just to order coffee. It's a time saver really to just make it at home. I learned a valuable lesson, make sure you know there are different types of coffees out there and make sure you buy the right one because sadly I wasted $10.

   The wrong coffee

~ Norah Jones ~

Today I woke up not feeling well. I had the worst headache, sinus problems and asthma problems so I stayed home from school and work. Whenever I'm home feeling sick I tend to just stay in bed and listen to music. There's not really anything else to do, plus I find listening to music helps me get my mind off how bad I'm feeling. It's an escape and makes me feel a little better. Most of the time I'll put on Pandora instead of listening to my iTunes music. Of course I like my own music, but I suppose part of me likes not knowing what song is going to play next.

So I was listening to the coffee shop soundtrack station and came across several music artists I enjoyed, but there was one specific person that stood out. Her name is Norah Jones. I've heard her music before but had forgotten about her until today. Listening to her song "Don't Know Why" helped me recall why I liked her so much in the first place. She's an unusual artists. I think Norah Jones is unusual  because I haven't heard many artists that have her same sound and style. Normally when I hear an artists I can say they sound a little like another artists, but she's different.  She brings a different sound to music. She strips down her music to help audience relate. I definitely recommend listening to some of her music because she has won Best Jazz Vocalist and Best Original Composition.

I decided to look up information to understand a little about her background how she grew up because she intrigued me. I  found out she had to make her way up in music and earned her place. When she was young she sang in church choirs and took piano lessons. She went to the Dallas Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and majored in jazz piano at the University of North Texas. I think the most interesting fact about her is she waited on tables and sang jazz standard in local clubs. She worked hard to get where she is and I think for that she deserves to be recognized. 

http://youtu.be/8u1DdbNC7DM

~ The Refresher ~

Ok so recently I've been obsessed with the Cool Lime Refresher from Starbucks. I've gotten one almost everyday within the past two weeks. You could say I'm addicted. I guess I like this drink because it not only has a wonderful taste, but on top of that gives you energy. If you're a college student like me you can use all the energy you can get. I don't know what it is about the refresher but it helps me through the day. It gives me that boost I need and makes me feel overall perkier. 

To give you an idea of what the Cool Lime Refresher is, the Starbucks website states Cool Lime Refreshers are made with real fruit juice and green coffee extract. The ingredients includes lime, citrus and hints of mint and cucumber, but I can't taste the mint. It taste more like limeade having that little tartness.

This drink comes in 4 different sizes, yes I said 4. I say that because most people think there's only 3 sizes. There's the tall size (12 oz) which is considered a small, a grande size (16 oz) which is a medium, a venti (24 oz) which is a large, and then TRENTA (30 oz) which is extra large. I recently found out about the trenta size. Anyway, I get that size because the bartistas likes to fill the cup with ice and I get less of the drink itself but I like lots of ice. However, if you want to save money and go for a smaller size just ask for "light" ice so you get more of the drink. 

The price is to be expected. Depending on the size you get it ranges from like $2.95 to $4.45. It's worth the money though. I also love that they are healthy for you. The calories range from 40 to 105. That's not too bad if you ask me. 

~ It's That Time of Year ~

It's that time of year again! It's my favorite time of year. It's the time of year where my favorite season aproaches, Fall. I think I can speak for most of us when I say it's time for that brisk breeze cool weather. A lot of us are ready for sweaters, boots, scarfs, corn mazes, hay rides, pumpkins, crunchy colorful leaves, bonfires, and everything else that comes along with the season. At least I know I am. I've never been a fan of the heat though, and I love the cool weather.

Part of the reason Fall is my favorite season is because of the seasonal coffee. There is one particular coffee drink I wait all year for and I have to say it is one of my favorite coffee drinks ever. What is this drink you ask? It is is the famous "pumpkin spice latte."

If you're a regular customer like me you know the "pumpkin spice latte" is from Starbucks. Starbucks is one of my favorite coffee hangout spots and I go there at least 2 times a week, but as Fall arrives I tend to go more like 4 days a week. Yes, you could say I'm a tad obsessed. I really like it though. I guess I not only go there for the drinks, but I also enjoy the environment. The small dainty shop has a warm and cozy feel to it, plus the aroma of coffee fills the air.  

Anyway, the "pumpkin spice latte" is heaven. It screams Fall. The best way I can descibe the drink is that it's taste is creamy, sweet, and kind of tastes like pumpkin pie. If you like pumpkin then you'll like this drink and of course the color of the drink is orange which kind of makes it fun. I personally don't feel like I'm giving this wonderful coffee drink justice. Go try it for yourself and then you can thank me later.