I want this!

Genius. I think I'm in love.

Want one? Want to buy ME one? (Kidding. But seriously.)Find it at sewtara on etsy.

Homemade Coffee Syrup

So, yes, I may be mildly obsessed with this whole espresso machine thing. Just roll with it.

Anyway... I started thinking about how I not only love lattes, but I also really love VANILLA lattes. I got to thinking about how I could make one at home. Obviously, I could buy the vanilla syrup from the store, but that stuff is expensive! I figured there had to be some way to replicate it at home.

So I did some internet research and consulted my ever trusty Joy of Cooking Cookbook and came up with this super easy recipe. You're going to be oh so impressed with yourself.

You only need three ingredients. And you probably already have them in your cupboard. How perfect is that?

Even if you're not making lattes at home, you could still use it to spruce up your regular coffee. Or package it up pretty and give it as a gift along with some fancy coffee. Yum!

Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup
{makes one cup}
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Preparation:
Heat sugar and water together in saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently until sugar is completely dissolved. Cover, and let simmer for 5 additional minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool and transfer to glass or plastic container. Store in refrigerator.

I put mine in leftover balsamic vinegar bottle (which I washed out thoroughly, of course :). If you're transferring to something with a narrow neck, you're definitely going to want a funnel. Use some simple twine and a fine point sharpie, and you have yourself one cute little bottle of vanilla syrup, for a fraction of the cost of the store bought stuff!

Dark Horse...

I'm sure you've been anxiously awaiting the news. You probably can't take the suspense of waiting any longer. Well, wait no more! I am the proud owner of a new ceramic travel mug. Which one did I choose? #10! *insert scratching record sound here* huh? There wasn't a #10 in the post below... but I happened to be shopping at Ross this weekend and saw this gem:

So cute. I love all the colors, especially that sunny yellow lid. And no ordering online, paying for shipping and anxiously awaiting arrival. I'm an instant gratification kinda girl.

The best part? I turned that sucker over to find this glorious price tag:

$3.49? um. yes, please!

Of course, I picked up a few other things espresso machine-related on my shopping trip. If you give Lindsey an espresso machines she's going to want... an adorable chicken wire basket ($7.99 @ World Market, unavailable online) to hold all of the espresso machine accessories AND a stainless steel frothing pitcher ($6.99 @ World Market, unavailable online).

This is now my happy corner in my house.

Curious about that bottle of goodness on the right?  Post coming soon...

Ceramic Travel Mugs

I'm having a bit of  "if you give a mouse a cookie" syndrome.  See, it all began with a raffle I won at work. I won a prize of my choice and I picked an espresso machine. Woo hoo! BUT.... If you give Lindsey an espresso machine, she's going to want a really cute travel mug for all the fabulous lattes she'll be making. And then she's going to want some really yummy syrups, and a grinder and a metal frothing pitcher and...

OK. Focus, woman! *deep breath*

Back to the mug...I happen to love drinking out of a to-go cup. Don't get me wrong, I love me a big ol' mug, but that just won't do when I'm on the go. So, naturally, I'm loving the ceramic travel mugs made to look like the paper cups from our favorite coffee shops. Don't you love them too?


I've seen a lot at Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx, but none that I've loved enough to buy. I decided to do the leg work for both of us and get my google search on and find the cutest mugs the internet has to offer. Here are my top picks. Which one should I get???

1. Pagoda from World Market $9.99  2. Red Ikat from southmoonunder.com
3. Red Floral from southmoonunder.com $15 4. Pink Mustache from Etsy $14.50  
5. Black Mod Squares from carolinaclover.com $14   6. Green Floral from southmoonunder.com $15  7.Colorful Sqaures from Target $13.99  8. Mod Flower from Etsy $25 
9. Spice Route from World Market $9.99