The Search for the Best Coffee in New York City

The New York City Coffeehouse Tour has begun!  I am excited to give you my reviews of local roasters and coffee houses in NYC, from my viewpoint as a Seattle native.  Before I post my first review, I thought I would  share a little background about the coffee tour.

What made me decide to start this tour?  It all began in the Fall of last year as I contemplated the direction I wanted to take BaxtronLife going forward.  I started to ask myself questions like, "what am I really passionate about?"  "What are the big themes in my life that I can share?"  And undeniably one of the first things that popped into my mind was coffee.  You see, I'm sort of a big coffee snob, having grown up in Seattle - the home of an endless plethora of local roasters and coffee hangouts.  I got spoiled with rich coffee flavors, warm and inviting cafes and rarely a mainstream coffee establishment.

Then, I moved to New York City.  Within weeks of being here I became a Starbucks loyal.  Side  note - let me just tell you that Starbucks, while okay for the occasional Frappuccino, was never on the list of regular places I frequented in Seattle.  And I believe that 95% of Seattle natives will agree - it is almost a crying shame to frequent there when you have so many amazing locally roasted brew houses all over the city.  I don't say that to knock Starbucks - hey, like most of the bloggers I know, I get excited for the seasonal favorites, Salted Caramel Mocha anyone? 

Well, after my first few tries of what I like to call "coffee water" in New York City, I was discouraged by the lack of coffee brewing skills I encountered.  I mean, cart coffee is pretty disgusting.  (No offense if you like that stuff, but seriously!? How CAN you like that stuff?)  I started googling coffee houses in my neighborhood, and was stunned to find virtually nothing that appealed to me.  How could the biggest city in the U.S., the center of the world (lol) be lacking in the art of coffee appreciation?  So, I began investing hundreds of dollars in Starbucks without the benefit of profit sharing.  

So what is different now?  Over the last couple of years there has been a growing influx of coffee lovers, Seattle natives and people who are just realizing that New York needs help to raise its standard of coffee appreciation.  The coffee puritans have arrived!  There are so many new local coffeehouses popping up all over Manhattan, and it made me realize that it is time to give New York City another chance.  It is time to put my Goldcard away and go on the search for the best coffee in New York City!!  

How will the tour work?  I am starting my tour at the top of Manhattan and working my way to the bottom!  Every weekend I will visit a coffeehouse that meets my criteria - uses local roasters or specialty coffee beans, coffeehouse vibe and has received word-of-mouth recommendations.  I will be basing my review on comparison to my absolute favorite coffee roaster in Redmond, WA - Victor's Celtic Coffee.  I am excited to share my love of coffee with you as well as have fun opportunities for you to experience some the tour for yourself (giveaways - coffee exchanges - coffee of the month, etc.)

Come on the tour with me - with new review posts on Tuesdays!  Have a coffee house you'd like to recommend?  Own/work at a coffee house you'd like me to visit? Email me!  

Check back this Tuesday for my first stop: Darling Coffee in Washington Heights!

       

Age-Fighting Products for your Hair! Pantene Expert Collection GIVEAWAY

A couple of weeks ago I had the awesome privilege to attend a MomTrends beauty event, sponsored by Pantene!  This event was by far one of the most luxurious I've attended, starting with complimentary car service to and from the event!  As a busy mom in a busy city, I don't always have time to get pampered, and I have to say Nicole and the MomTrends team - fully understand this and always deliver an exceptionally great night out for us mamas!!

 

At this particular event, we learned about the signs of hair aging (guess what? It isn't just graying hair!) and how we can combat this through amazing new products in Pantene's Expert Collection.    Dr. Jeni Thomas, an expert in the field of hair aging, presented us with many stunning facts about hair thinning, dryness, breakage and even graying.  Did you know that as our hair ages it actually shrinks in diameter!?  Yeah - that got me worried considering I already have extra fine hair to begin with!

   

There was also plenty of time at the event for networking with other bloggers.  I got to visit with one of my favorite local ladies, Courtney of the Chirping Moms as well as meet some new friends too.  Also at  the event were the ladies of Echo Design Group, showcasing a colorful and beautiful collection of scarves - with tips on how to wear them.  The night was far from over though, after the presentation, we received complimentary hair makeovers with styling tips - we had a choice of beachy waves, loose bun or side ponytail.

 

I couldn't wait to see my hair with some beachy waves and learn how to perfect them.  I had no idea at the time, but my stylist was Wesley O'Meara, a celebrity hair stylist who's regular clientele include Sarah Jessica Parker, Chloe Sevigny and Uma Thurman!  I was floored to learn this fact, and felt honored that he was so freaking awesome at making me look beautiful and feel confident that I could achieve the same look at home.  

Pantene's new Expert Collection is truly amazing!  In order to find out what products were best suited for my hair, I took this fun little beauty quiz.  It told me my "Hair Age" which was, thankfully, only a year older than my real age.   The quiz suggested I use the Age Defy products, which I have been faithfully using for the past few weeks!  I have to say, I am truly impressed by the Age Defy Advanced Thickening Treatment, I saw results with the first use!!  According to Dr. Thomas, each time I use it, it is like I am gaining 6500 strands of hair - and I can tell.  My extra fine hair gets so much more lift and volume every time I use it.

The other big hit for me is the Keratin Repair.   I'm sure if you are big on caring for your mane you've heard the word Keratin before - and this collection, which includes the Split End Fuser, is fantastic at restoring smoothness and protecting your hair from further damage.  Every time you use this line it is like repairing two years of damage in just two minutes!!

How would you like to try the awesome new Pantene Expert Collection??  THREE lucky readers will have that opportunity, as I am giving away 3 Pantene Expert Collection Ageless Beauty Kits!  This kit is valued at $75 and includes the Age Defy Shampoo & Conditioner, Advanced Thickening Treatment, plus as a bonus, Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment!  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

       

Watch Worms Eat Garbage Family-Friendly Earth Day 2013 Events Page

What day is Earth Day? Do you even know what month it's in? The answer is April 22nd and it has been for 43 years. The modern environmental movement began in 1970 by activists encouraging others to gain consciousness of air and water pollution. After watching the outcome of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, the U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, gathered up Pete McCloskey (a Republican Congressman), Denis Hayes (current head of Bullitt Foundation) and 85 staff members across America to promote the first Earth Day events, Earthday (.org) reported.

Since then, awareness has spread, and this year more than one billion people from cultures across the globe are taking part in Earth Day. Let's face it, with the changes in the environment, a shrinking wildlife and dirty air pollution, every individual needs to get involved and do their part to reduce carbon footprint. Each little step helps.

So how do we emphasize to our kids the gravity of the situation? Take them on an Earth Day adventure by traveling to one of these Earth Day-friendly destinations (or get ideas for your own in town jaunt).

Los Angeles, CA

Parks across the city typically host a family day that includes storytelling, crafts and museum tours with hikes and ranger-led excursions on the natural trails on the 22nd. Also, look to the zoos in your area for events educating children on animals and how environmental protection helps them now, and how it can effect the future. In 2012, families turned to the LA County Art Museum where there was fun-filled educational events including nature sketching and films promoting bicycle riding, along with guided trail tours and other artist-led workshops, according to Calrecycle (.ca.gov).

Because the weather is so lovely in April, in most areas across the country, it's the perfect time to get out in nature and take your kids on a picnic, go camping and have a BBQ. Show them the root of this green earth and what they're fighting to protect.

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland has events year-round that celebrate sustainability and honoring the Earth. The city created their own Earth Day Coalition that does some valuable advocacy toward living in a healthy, greener environment. If you're interested in living a sustainable life every day, there are apartments for rent in Cleveland, along with volunteer opportunities that can enrich you and your family's living.

Want to get your artistic child involved? There's an art, poetry and essay contest that's open to students K-12. They're asked to express their emotions on "local, and sustainable food" through their own creations, whether it be photographs, essays, paintings, drawings, poetry or prose.

The winning entries are displayed at the Earth Day events. Earth Day Coalition's site allows you to view the creations from previous years.

Nashville, TN

The capital of Tennessee the home of country music Nashville always has some sort of celebration happening. It's a happy city and what better day to travel there than in celebration of our beautiful Earth. With the Blue Ridge Mountains bordering its state, the beauty is immaculate and the visual education opportunities are invaluable.

Nashville has hopes to be the greenest city in the Southeast, according to Nashville Earth Day (.org). Run, don't walk, okay, maybe skip to Centennial Park on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 for live music on not only a main stage, but a youth stage. If this year is anything like last look forward to reading circles, recycling games, a worm eating garbage display, building blocks, a camping experience, collaborative recycled art projects, tree planting and play time.

Contributed by:
Lisa Sampson

Lisa is a stay-at-home mom who writes for several family blogs (and she sells kitchen gadgets!).

Life in Stills

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-R, Top to Bottom:  1. Mary Kay Makeovers with friends, 2. New Favorite Flavor, 3. Husband's Birthday, 4. Happy Reunions, 5. 3-Tiered Tea Time, 6. Bridal Shower, 7. Mani-time, 8. Coffee Tour Kick-Off, 9. Honey Butter Biscuits, 10. Flowers in the Winter, 11. Butterscotch Pudding, 12. Lasagna pizza at Patzeria Perfect Pizza.