Sipping Coffee with the Enemy: also titled, the reluctant Starbucks fan

Those who have been eating with me the past months know that I indulge myself in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.  I just love their fragrant hot teas -- the hints of fruits and leaves are wonderfully comforting. When it comes to coffee though, I love the strong flavors of Seattle's Best.

For the past months however, I have been sipping coffee with the enemy.

Admittedly, the Starbucks planner this year is just too elegant to resist.  Yes, it is a tad heavy, but just peek in those clean pages, and you'll be able to imagine all the wonderful dreamy plans you want to make this year.  I guess this is why most of my friends have been lusting over it to give to loved ones or to satiate their own personal desires.  Not to mention that these friends are Starbucks fans in the first place.

got the black one for my mom

So I waved the white flag and gave in. When your own mother is a Starbucks fan, then you know you have to give her the gorgeous planner as a Christmas present.

Deadline for Starbucks planners has been extended to January 20, 2013. So you can still drown yourself in coffee the next few days if you want to score a planner.  In case you're wondering how much a Starbucks Planner costs, here's an infographic from myManila.net:

This year, I discovered there were some Starbucks drinks I could live with.  Their cakes, pastries, and sandwiches I always had heart for, but their drinks were another matter.  I love my coffee strong and sweet and Starbucks never really fit the grade. So I tried their Christmas drinks and while the Dark Cherry Mocha was still too weak in my book, I was pleasantly surprised with their Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha.  As an aside, permit me to say that Seattle's Best' Cookies and Mint Christmas drink packs a meaner minty-dark chocolatey punch better. But you know...all eyes should be on the pretty planner.


My Starbucks Picks (pretty extensive list for someone who calls herself a non-fan):

Peppermint Mocha (Christmas drink 2012)
Multi-Grain Bagel (served with jam, butter, and cream cheese)
Caffe Mocha
Very Berry Hibiscus
Roasted Chicken Pesto and Shiitake Mushroom on Flat Bread
Christmas Turkey and Chicken with Chuttney on Cranberry and Walnut Bread
Classic Chocolate Cake
Banoffee Pie
Danish

With all the Starbucks I downed and ate the past months, I have been feeling a bit of a traitor. But if you're sipping coffee and refreshments with friends, then it doesn't matter where you are, right?  After all, the coffee is only as good as the company.

Rekindle the Joy sticker sheet for the 2013 Starbucks planner

Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus - I'm a fan of this refreshing cooler

birthday drinks with Leo

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Thank you Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf!

It's mine, it's mine, it's mine!  I was craving for Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Giving Journal, and thanks to all my  friends who helped, the craving has been satisfied.

Doesn't it look great on my bedside table?

Staying true to its name, this journal has lots of space to plan what to give and who to give to everyday, every week, and every month for the whole year.  It also has 12 coupons of CBTL freebies.

For my first CBTL giving date,  the helpful CBTL Gateway girl cut out my February coupon and served Leo and I a Blueberry Cheesecake and our choice of free cheesecake, Toblerone Cheesecake.

After-dinner cheesecakes!

Leo and I especially enjoyed the Blueberry.  Think about biting into a fluffy-sweet cloud topped with blueberry stars...hmmm..yum!

I love my Giving Journal!

Thank you CBTL!

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Why I Choose Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Desire is sitting down at Coffee Bean with Oscar Wilde and some sweet dark brew. There will be nothing between me and the pages, except the turning. ~ abbygabyfoodie

What's on your cup?  Mine's definitely filled with The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Tea Latte .   I didn't really jump on the coffee shop craze, because I think many of these stores sell overrated, overpriced brews.  The Coffee Bean is a different story though.

CBTL mixes up a lip-smacking, luxurious tea latte that just begs to be inhaled and imbibed in your system.  Made with delicious Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf French Deluxe Vanilla, fat-free milk, and dream-infusing foam, this is a heartwarming, soul-refreshing, lovely blend.

 I can stay at Coffee Bean for hours listening to soothing guitar music, while gulping down a Chai Tea Latte with my favorite author.  Or I can just sit there and talk to a close friend, while delicately sipping the warm goodness of an Apple Pie Tea Latte.  For tea-lovers and romantic bookworms like me who beg to be enchanted, CBTL is the perfect choice.

Coffee Bean with my friend, Leo. She got Mocha Ice Blended, while I got my usual tea latte in Apple Pie flavor
Thanks to Leo for this photo 

I also love Coffee Bean's Give in to Giving campaign, which they started in 2010.  This year, they're giving out Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Giving Journals if you complete 18 beverage orders from any Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch.  The best part about it?  Proceeds directly translate to the sponsorship of 8 university scholars through Real LIFE Foundation's "Adopt-a-Scholar" program.  Aside from Coffee Bean freebies, the journal gives you the opportunity to give back and share joy and inspiration to others.  Isn't that so gratifying, heartening, uplifting... and just plainly cool?

Coffee Bean and Tea Life 2012 Giving Journal

You can get your Giving Journal until January 31 from any Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch.  If I were you,  I'd ask friends to meet me in a CBTL branch and everyone can order tea lattes in different flavors.  It's the modern version of a tea party. African Sunrise, a favorite of mine, would fit those who would like to try a vanilla sweetness with a hint of orange tang.  Those with a sweet tooth could try Double Vanilla.  The safest choice and easy favorite is Chai.  Other brews are Moroccan Mint, Tropical Passion, and English Breakfast.  Their coffee also delivers a strong kick that puts other high-priced caffeine to shame.

Why Coffee Bean? Because taste and lots of love matter.

If you need a coffee shot for instant revival or would love to wax sentimental over a cup of tea latte, please call me. I'd be more than happy to go with you and place your order to complete my 18 cups of happy warmth.

This Apple Pie Tea Latte (P140, regular) is bought from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf  Gateway Mall.

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