Tag Archives: Coffee

10 Things I Love Tuesday

Posted by dannidupa in 10 Things I Love Tuesday and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1. .COLLECTIONS.

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I was an avid collector of erasers throughout elementary school followed by a short-lived stint with soap collecting. I need a new focus (jewelry excluded).  Any ideas?

2.  .THIS MOMENT.

3. .ARM ART.

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4. .CATCHER IN THE RYE.

Rest in peace, J.D. Salinger. You provided me with many lively discussion sessions.

5. .WOODSTOCK PICTORIALS.

Especially with the adorable Bar Rafieli.

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6. .MY DREAM PROPOSAL…

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AND MY FEELINGS, EXACTLY.

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7. .MOLESKINE NOTEBOOKS.

The minute my pen hits the page, it’s rapid-fire writing and scheduling.

8. .RECORDS.

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9. .COMIC STATEMENT NECKLACES.

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10. .JIM MORRISON DOING…ANYTHING.


Peace,

10 Things I Love Tuesday: Christmas Style

Posted by dannidupa in 10 Things I Love Tuesday, Green Living and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1. .FESTIVE BEVERAGES.

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2 .FIREPLACES.


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Don’t think the latter of the two is very Santa-friendly. Silly Swedes.

3. .PRETTY PAPER.

(Eco-friendly, of course.)

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4. .SNUGGLING TO THESE MOVIES.


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I simply cannot get sick of these three films. Year after year, I’m pretty sure they get better.

5. .BOSTON AT CHRISTMAS.

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^This site has some spectacular Bostonian photography.

6. .CANDY CANES.

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7. .BOHEMIAN CHRISTMAS DECOR.

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Hm…I wonder why those big blow up lawn decorations aren’t on this list…

8. .RECREATING THIS LATER WITH MY OWN DOG.

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9.  .CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS.

I’m sorry; I had to. It’s a disorder.

10. .WHITE CHRISTMASES.

And pretty pretty snow in general.

Hope everyone has a lovely day full of shopping and holiday goodness!

And, hopefully you’re making up for the hyper-commercialism by being a good person this season!

Peace,

Exploring Boston Part II

Posted by dannidupa in Boston-ness, Veg-Life and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

SOUTH STREET DINER

South Street Diner

Boston is very far from being the city that never sleeps. It’s more like the city that shuts down around you while you are overcaffeinated or just trying to keep the night going a little longer! Enter stage left: South Street Diner. Well-known around Boston and even featured in the movie 21, this adorable 24/7 joint literally made a recent Thursday’s adventure much more memorable! It’s tiny and dimly lit. And the options are endless. My table consumed (respectively) a Belgian waffle, some turkey wraps, and a veggie burger. Delicious and spontaneous. Stumble in during your next 2 am food craving.

Get here: Take the Red Line to South Station. It’s located across the street at 178 Kneeland St.

South Street Diner Boston

THE 1369 COFFEE HOUSE

The 139 Coffee House in Cambridge

1369 has the makings of my new favorite coffee place. Friendly staff, interesting patrons, and great coffee. The noise level was perfect for studying or chatting, and both provide for ample eavesdropping on some deep conversations. The shop brews three dozen varieties of coffee and tea from around the world, as well as homemade muffins and cookies baked by local bakers. Plus, on my first trip here, I failed to notice the handwritten “cash only” sign before paying. Upon brandishing my credit card, the cute and friendly cashier let me run down the street to the nearest ATM. I’m sold.

Get here: Take the Red Line to Central. It’s located at 757 Massachusetts Ave.

1369 Cambridge

OONA’S “EXPERIENCED” CLOTHING

Oona's thrift in Harvard Square

This consignment store is stuffed to the gills with good finds. The piles upon piles of clothing is not all filler: the tiny store has some concentrated gems! The staff even helped me think of DIY projects for unwearable but potential-possessing garments. Among our finds: paisley scarf, brocade skirt, and printed skirt for me, and for a friend–sunglasses and a [definitely real] Chanel bag. Success!

Get here: Take the Red Line to Harvard. It’s located at 1210 Massachusetts Ave.

Oona's experienced clothing

BORDER CAFE

Border Cafe in Cambridge

While you are all tuckered out from your vintage scouring, head down the street to this Tex-Mex joint. My mom and I discovered the one in Saugus (it’s a small chain) and I’ve been dragging friends here ever since. The atmosphere is loud and fun with delicious food and a whole page of vegetarian options! CAVEAT: Your table will inevitably devour two of the baskets of tortilla chips. They’re warm and delicious and are served with homemade salsa. Accept this fact and get over it.

Get here: Take the Red Line to Harvard. It’s located at 32 Church Street.

Border Cafe in Harvard Square

For more ideas: check out part one of this series!

Peace,

Exploring Boston Part I

Posted by dannidupa in Boston-ness, Veg-Life and tagged with , , , , , , ,

CASTLE ISLAND

Castle Island Boston

Castle Island Boston

This gem is a lovely walking loop that provides your exercise with surrounding ocean views and green grass that you see very little of on your city campus.  Combined with ample people-watching, a picture-friendly stone fort, and a cute (though unhealthy) snack shop, this South Boston haven is a relaxing afternoon trip.

Get here: Take the Red Line to Andrew. It’s a bit of a walk but the scenery is nice.

The fort at Castle Island

The fort at Castle Island

GARMENT DISTRICT

Garment District Boston

Garment District Boston

Need a decade-themed costume or even just a vintage piece in general? Plan a little jaunt to the  smartest part of the city (right by MIT, of course).  This indie shopping joint has racks upon racks of cheap, stylish, secondhand and sometimes new fashions.  Tack on a veritable room of clothes where you dig on the floor for good finds and you’ve differentiated Garment District from your standard Goodwill.

Get here: Take the Red Line to Kendall/MIT. It’s about a ten minute walk from the stop at 200 Broadway.

$1.50/pound room at Garment District

$1.50/pound room at Garment District

COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE

Interior of the Coolidge Corner Theatre

Interior of the Coolidge Corner Theatre

“Who wants to see a movie tonight?” It’s funny how, at least with my friends, this craving is usually a spontaneous yet collective idea. Fenway 13 is great and all, but maybe you might be looking fr a theatre with a bit more charm and a tad less of that hyper-commercial feel.  Luckily, I’ve lived ten minutes from Coolidge Corner for the past two school years and from Milk to (500) Days of Summer, I’m promising you that the dimly-lit, old-Hollywood feel of the place will enrich the whole outing. Start your experience at Ana’s Taqueria and end it with some JP Licks Oatmeal Cookie ice cream and you’ve got the makings of a perfect night/date!

Get here: Take the Green C Line to Coolidge Corner. It’s down the street at 290 Harvard St.

Coolidge Corner Theatre

Coolidge Corner Theatre

MY THAI VEGAN CAFE

"Beef" Lemongrass and jasmine rice

"Beef" Lemongrass and jasmine rice

The day I stumbled upon this place, I barely believed the menu’s promise that everything is prepared vegan. I was walking around on break from work about to settle for a yogurt or granola bar, when I spotted it. The door and stairwell leading to the eatery are undeniably sketchy. But overlook this. Continue on up and behold: great Thai food that’s all vegan and relatively cheap! Take your order to go and walk a few blocks to the Commons. Enjoy.

Get here: Take the Green Line to Boylston. It’s around the corner at 3 Beach Street.

ESPRESSO ROYALE

Espresso Royale on Comm Ave

Espresso Royale on Comm Ave

Feel like a Beatnik and stop by this bustling cafe for a coffee or mmm Mate tea (I acquired a taste for this stuff in Argentina visiting my cultured and hilarious cousin). Choose a pretty mosaic table and people-watch, overhearing some intelligent conversations. Bring some homework or a newspaper and settle in. You will fall in love with the beverages, the music, the setting, and your new favorite afternoon activity!

Get here: Take the Green B Line to BU Central. It’s located across the street at 736 Commonwealth Ave.

For more ideas: check out part two of this series!

Peace,

See September’s Sun Sinking In The Autumn Sky

Posted by dannidupa in Photography and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

sitting in the woods

So, in no particular order are the things that make fall my absolute favorite time of the year:

1. Foliage.

foliage

folia

blowing leaves

2. Switching to hot coffee.

coffeeeeee

pretty cofee

Cat Power

Cat Power

3. Apples and apple-picking trips.

apple orchardheartapple

4.Crunching leaves.

crunching leaves

crunching leave

crunchin leaves

5. Fally desserts.

apple pie

heart pie

pumpkin pie

6. Crisp air.

Feist

Feist

Hope everyone enjoyed the crisp air like I did today. Have a lovely Friday night.

Peace,

Title from “September Baby” by Joseph Arthur

Not Much Heart To Fight Black Coffee

Posted by dannidupa in Musings and tagged with , ,

Really cute coffee cups

Coffee is good great for you.

According to just about everyone…

“The average cup of coffee has hundreds of different chemical compounds. Maybe that’s why news reports about coffee vacillate between lauding its health benefits and labeling it harmful. Still, the benefits of coffee seem to outweigh the negatives. To name just a few: Some Arizona researchers recently discovered that caffeinated coffee helps improve memory in older adults. A new study from the United Kingdom suggests that small amounts of coffee consumed throughout the day can increase alertness and improve performance on all kinds of tasks, including those that require hand-to-eye coordination and attention to detail. Preliminary studies suggest regular coffee drinking may lower risk of type 2 diabetes.”

“After 30 years of research, it’s been proven that caffeine before a workout can make you faster and improve your athletic performance. Between one to five milligrams of caffeine per kilo of body weight can help to improve your performance by up to five percent. However, nine mg of caffeine per kilo can actually decrease your performance, so don’t go overboard.  Recent research shows significant evidence that caffeine before exercise results in reduced soreness.”

That’s it, I’m heading to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Peace,

Title from “Black Coffee” by Ray Charles