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starbucks reserve

March 31, 2020

logo sculpture

Have you been to a Starbucks Reserve?

I recently visited (seems so long ago now ☹ that walking around NYC was okay) the one in the meatpacking district in New York City that opened a little over a year ago.

Though not a big Starbucks fan myself (I get my joe at Dunkin’ thank you very much!), I found my visit to Starbucks Reserve fascinating!  It brings something surprising and multi-sensory to the coffeehouse experience.

starbucks reserve counter

On my visit, I ordered breakfast and coffee.  Although I usually drink my coffee black, I could not resist trying something different at this exciting location and decided on a cardamom latte. It was a great choice!  Enjoying my coffee and breakfast so thoroughly, I even ordered an additional coffee – iced (with lavender) as take-out!

avocado toast

cardamom latte

latte

It is an amazing space!  Covering 23,000 square feet, it brews coffee in seven different ways, has an expanded range of Reserve-exclusive coffee drinks, elevates the coffee aroma through in-house roasting, and serves artisanal food baked on premise.  In addition, on its second floor, is a full-service bar – a fun way to extend the Starbucks’ experience into the evening!

roasting tank

starbucks reserve beans

starbucks reserve equipment

There are several Starbucks Reserve locations globally; one of the largest bars, Starbucks Reserve SODO, is located on the ground floor of the Starbucks global headquarters in Seattle.  Check and see if there is a location near you or in a country you may vacationing in – it is worth a visit!

takeout iced coffee

Thanks for stopping by!  Please stay well and safe.

Remember, now more than ever, to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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make the list!

March 24, 2020

pansycloseup

I sat down one night last week and began to think of all the little projects that I always have on my mind but never seem to have the time to accomplish.  I thought I really didn’t want all this extra time at home to go by and find myself regretting not getting some of these projects accomplished!

So, I made a list of the projects I plan to tackle.  I don’t know about you, but the hardest part about spending all this time at home, for me, is to slow down my pace!  My normal routine of working 3 jobs doesn’t leave much free time and normally I am constantly on the go!  Without going to these 3 jobs, I really have to slow down my pace – otherwise I would have all my projects done in a few days!  My biggest challenge has definitely been pacing myself!

outside decor

You may remember I used evergreens to put together a holiday arrangement in my hanging basket.

In these uncertain times, I can’t make plans to do anything that would have a cost attached to it.  Of course, some of the projects I were imagining had to be eliminated from the list right away because they required a big purchase.  But the organized person I am, I had already acquired and stored away supplies for some of the projects I had planned for a future time.

Here are the first projects on my list!

  1. Create a spring planting for my hanging basket.
  2. Paint the legs on the Ikea bench by the back door.
  3. Refresh a sign that needs an update for my friend Wendy.
  4. Reorganize my top dresser drawer.
pansies

Number 1. on my list – check! An easy spring update for my hanging basket!

I had to spend a little bit to buy a couple weather-resistant plants – I purchased them at a local herb farm.  (Good thing they are weather resistant – it is snowing as I write this!)   I already have paint for the bench and I had purchased some organizers some time ago from The Container Store to help with my drawer organization when I was ready.  I have plenty of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on hand that I can use for Wendy’s sign.  The start of the list – with supplies at the ready!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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coquina

March 20, 2020

ocean side

Coquina is a new oceanfront restaurant set to a backdrop of the ocean breezes of Amelia Island, Florida.  While staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Coquina is a great place to order up local seafood and coastal dishes inspired by the island’s Spanish heritage.

private seating

This al fresco restaurant serves dinner under some beautiful coastal lighting (click here to see more) overlooking the resort’s dune-lined beaches. Coquina’s menu includes ceviche made from freshly caught fish and shareable tapas.  A full-bar overlooking the ocean is a great spot to order a signature cocktail.  (See some signature drinks by clicking here.)

indoor tables

cool seating poolside

One of the first to sit in this beautiful new spot with friends, I happened to be staying at the Ritz at the time Coquina opened, just this March.

firepit action

firepit

I hope you enjoyed these few photos of the new restaurant Coquina on today’s Friday field trip!

new seating

ritz bar

Thanks for stopping by!

seating inside pool

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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return to the giraffes!

March 13, 2020

long neck with branches

I was very fortunate to be able to revisit White Oak Conservation in Northwest Florida.  If you remember my post, the giraffes were my favorite animals at White Oak and I was so excited to have the opportunity to visit them once again!

giraffe drinking

close up giraffe skin

White Oak is one of the world’s premiere wildlife breeding, education, and training facilities.  This wildlife conservation facility spans 13,000 acres of pine and hardwood forest and wetlands.  Its mission is to save endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable conservation breeding, education, and responsible land stewardship.

giraffee with more branches

Meet Jigsaw and some of the other giraffes I was able to meet!

i'm looking at you

deadly bird

Did I scare you?  I threw a photo of this cassowary in here since you may have never seen one.  This one at White Oak is the first one I’ve ever seen!  Scary looking, isn’t it?  Considered one of the most dangerous birds in the world!  The cassowary can sprint as fast as 31 miles per hour and can kill a human being with slashing blows of its feet!  Huge contrast to the sweet, gentle giraffes!

Click here for ‘giraffe love’ – more on White Oak from my first trip!

tail end giraffe

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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lighting at coquina

March 10, 2020

best outdoor lighting

In my last post I shared some cool drinks I shared with friends at Coquina in Amelia Island, Florida.  Today, I am sharing some of the lighting at this new coastal restaurant.

nautical lighting

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love lighting – any new place I visit is a call to check out all the fixtures!

Because Coquina is basically right on the sand, the lighting is super cool coastal!

outdoor lighting

It looks great during the day, but even better as the day turns into night!

nighttime coastal lighting

pretty outdoor lighting

Wouldn’t you love to have some of these fixtures out on your patio!  Love them!

wall lighting

Thanks for stopping by.  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. Don’t worry – I will show you what the rest of Coquina looks like in an upcoming post!

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cheers to the weekend!

March 6, 2020

smores cocktail

Yes, it’s FriYAY!  I don’t know why I get excited, based on the fact that I am working Saturday and Sunday!  It just seems everyone is happier on a Friday afternoon – and it puts me in a better mood as well – work or no work!

For today’s Friday field trip, I am taking you to a brand-new restaurant – I just happened to be there for work on the day it opened.  I didn’t eat anything at this restaurant – I only sampled a couple beverages.

And, since it was a new restaurant, I wanted to try a new drink!  After looking over the drink menu, I had my eye on two different drinks that sounded unique and fun to try.

The first one I tried was called Violeta Magica.  The reason for the ‘Magica’ was that the drink changed color!  Yup!  After pouring in a little added test tube of yellow liquid into the glass, the blue drink turned violet.  Interesting since blue and yellow make green!  But the change in acidity seemed to be the reason it made the color change.  The drink tasted sweet and had a light rum base.  Tasty and interesting!

Click here for Violeta Magica!

The first day the restaurant was opened, the drink was served with rocks and the next day, when some friends ordered it, the same drink was served in a more elegant glass with a floral garnish…I guess being new the restaurant was still experimenting!  (The color transformation video of the drink in the rocks glass is posted on the pleasure in simple things Facebook page.)

violet magic

The second drink I tried was the S’more on the Shore: Ron Zacapa 23/Dry Sack Sherry/Graham Cracker Infused Syrup/Chocolate Bitters/Roasted Marshmallow.  Loved the chocolate bitters!

smores cocktail closeup

I hope I have inspired you to try a new drink this weekend!  Whether with alcohol or without, whether you make it yourself or order something out – try something new!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  The new restaurant is Coquina in Amelia Island, Florida.  I will show you more of this beach-side beauty in an upcoming post!

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