31 days strong

back in november

on the night before black friday we were sitting around the table

talking about what things we wanted to get

while out shopping

i had ONE item that i wanted

starbucks was selling a mug

that once purchased

could be refilled with any espresso drink

for the entire month of january

for $65

between stacey and i

we drink quite a bit of coffee

so we thought it would be fun to do 

and that at the very least we could break even

without a problem

i got my mug

and was SO excited

january couldn't come soon enough

THEN ...

my friend was out shopping the day after christmas

and called to say that the starbucks was clearancing out these mugs for 50% off!!

i didn't hesitate for a second ...

starbucks is MUCH better with a friend (or husband)

and for $35 ... 

stacey needed one too!!

going into january i don't think we realized how much fun we would have

or how many different drinks we would try ...

but when you aren't paying for them

it's a lot easier to rationalize trying different combinations.

if they're horrible ... you aren't out $5!

on top of that ...

stacey got laid off 2 weeks before christmas

SO ...

this was a perfect way to enjoy our extra time together

and a way to add something fun to our day

without spending money -

every morning we got the kids off to school

and then headed off on our coffee date

we even found a few times to sneak in drinks for the kids ...

they loved trying new things just as much as we did

they have a new found love for the cotton candy frappucino

of course we got plenty of our favorites ...

the gingerbread latte

caramel macchiato - white mocha

and cinnamon dolce latte

BUT ...

we also had a LOT of fun trying new things

many times i would walk in to a store

ask the barista for a fun combination

and then walk out with what they suggested

a few of my favorites were -

a raspberry white mocha

a caramel gingerbread latte

a combination of white mocha, cinnamon dolce, and caramel

and my ultimate favorite ...

the one i plan to get a LOT of ...

especially in the summer 

a frozen caramel macchiato

you start with a cup full of vanilla bean frappucino

dump the espresso over the top

and then cover it in caramel drizzle

it will start out looking like you ordered a mug full of espresso

but the espresso will slowly sink in

and you will be left with a cup of absolute GOODNESS

mmmmmmm .....

unfortunately ...

our 31 days of fun has come to an end

and i'm not sure why we're smiling in this picture :/

i'll miss the 'free' drinks ...

but i'll miss our morning outing even more!