Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Thought this was cute at Java Nation (BTW, they are a better Starbucks!).

A mini sink that says:

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Truly, that sorts of like what they are since they sell coffee but also wine!  

How did we ever come up with this saying about kitchen sinks to begin with? 

Like would you ever make an offer on a property, and say:

 I'll take it, but you keep the kitchen sink.

There must've been some pretty cruddy kitchen sinks along the way. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Israel 2020: Day 2

So went to Nahariya today near the Labanon border.

Nice shopping strip and gorgeous beach. 

Had a nice cappuccino at Cofix.

Got a new modern Kiddish cup for Shabbat and a washing cup for Netilat Yadayim.

Enjoyed the train ride up and back on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea shore.

Had dinner at Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv and marvelled at all the shopping and crowds on a Tuesday.

Real contrast between more sleepy resort town, Nahariya and high-tech, bustling city Tel Aviv.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Israel 2020: Day 2

Dunkin' Mugs

I love my new Dunkin' Coffee Mugs.

Got one in each color: blue and orange. 

Inside the mugs, there is a finger sign "V" (for victory) and it says "Be Awesome".

These oversized mugs are so happy and I can't wait to fill 'em up.

And they really do make me ready to "Wake Up" for a brand new day. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dunkin' Mugs

What REALLY Happened to Jeffrey Epstein

It was incredible to find out today what really happened to that convicted sex offender, slime bucket, Jeffrey Epstein. 

He was murdered!

How do I know?

It was on the coffee cup at Starbucks, of course. 

Honestly, I don't really care that much how he died, but am just grateful that sick louse is a goner.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, and no, it's not my coffee!)

What REALLY Happened to Jeffrey Epstein

Capital One Cafe Catastrophe

So I've seen the advertisement for Capital One (Bank) Cafes on TV for some time now.

Well I saw my first real one in Fort Lauderdale this week.

It was big, bright, comfortable and had children's games and a host of meeting and breakout rooms. 

They even gave us two cards for some free coffee at the embedded Pete's Coffee.

It was a corner store in a large, expensive space. 

It was great place to get some work done or relax. 

But aside for a cash machine or so, there was nothing that I could see having to do with banking in this place. 

Also, there were also almost no customers for the coffee.

Basically, it is totally confusing idea from a marketing and branding perspective--Is it a bank or a coffee house?  And why would I go to Capital One to get coffee or to Pete's Coffee to do my banking????

While I think that Capital One has literally outdone Starbucks in building a great cafe space, I don't think anyone will actually get what this is or why it is!

My guess is that whoever came up with this idea is going to be looking for a job within about 6 big money-losing months. ;-)

(Credit Photo:  Andy Blumenthal)

Capital One Cafe Catastrophe

Monument To The Homeless

I really had to take a second look at this. 

From a distance, it looked like another homeless person sleeping on the bench in Washington., D.C. 

But as I got closer, I realized this was a statue of a homeless person.

And the only thing real about it was the empty cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee next to it. 

Honestly, I am not sure what the point of this statue is. 

There are enough REAL homeless people to remind us of their serious plight and the critical need to help them. 

The money that went into creating this monument would've been far better spent on helping these real people in need. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Monument To The Homeless

Strong Coffee People

This was great when they drew this muscle guy on my coffee cup. 

Two arms and a big "A" in the middle.

Need to remain strong despite whatever life throws at us. 

So it's not just strong coffee or biceps!

But rather strong character, integrity, spirit, and faith that's really important. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal with compliments to the artist)

Strong Coffee People

Walmart Ain't Got Nothing On The Shuk

The Shuk (Marketplace) in Jerusalem is one of the most exciting and affordable shopping experiences. 

Vendor after vendor.

Row after row. 

Items stocked high for the taking and eating.  

From the most delicious foods to Judaica items.

Fresh-baked breads and gooey chocolatey pastries. 

Halvah and baklava!

Fruits and vegetables.

Spices, olives, figs, and dates.

Fish and meat.

Nuts, cheeses, and wines.

Candy, coffee, and slushes.

Hamburgers and falafel. 

Virtually endless. 

Dizzying in a good way from all the people and products.

Like the old times, but anew.

So much life and you never know what you'll find. 

It's exciting in a way that big box Walmart will never be. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Walmart Ain't Got Nothing On The Shuk

Walking The Pink Carpet

Only in Starbucks Florida...

Does Buddy the bird sing and dance inside the shop next to the coffee drinkers.

Here, my wife was doing some writing for the Federal Communicators Network.

And she is very serious about her writing--and don't bug her when she's into it.

But Buddy was a different story...

He proudly walked right over the iPad pink keyboard.

And then headed for another circuit around the table.

Picking up keys, ripping up the New York Times, hanging upside down, and playing with everyone who was only too happy to pay him attention.

When I asked Buddy if he liked Starbucks coffee, he started bopping up and down like crazy--it was hilarious.

As to my wife's computer and writing, this was about the only thing that she would allow to disturb her. 

I was surprised she didn't eat the bothersome bird, but even she had to laugh at his gall to step into her virtual world of writing, brands, and social media. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Walking The Pink Carpet

Owl Mugs

Just wanted to share these three new owl mugs we got. 

One is orange, one is brown, and one is light blue.

The eyes are adorable on these cups. 

It's almost like a family the way they look together. 

All the other coffee/tea cups we have are now officially obsolete. 

These are the only ones getting any thirsty attention. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Owl Mugs

Making a Right, Left, or Straight

This was a funny sign to an Ethiopian cafe in downtown Washington, D.C. 

"When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left."

(and next to it is another sign that says, "Money isn't everything, but it keeps the kids in touch.")

So what type of person are you?

When the going gets tough and nothing is going right, where do you go--to the coffee shop, door on the left--or more seriously do you:

- Close your eyes and keep marching forward like a good soldier?

- Get scared off, turn around, and run the other way?

- Take a break or slow down, stopping long enough to figure out what's wrong, and come up with solutions? 

Maybe you do a little of all three--sort of the Curly Shuffle. 

But aside from faith in G-d (and coffee-drinking), perhaps two really critical traits for success in life are resilence in the face of adversity and your problem-solving skills.

That doesn't mean that you never plow on or turn back--these are appropriate at times too--but that you know when to turn right, left, or make a straight dash to the goal line. ;-)

(Source Photo: Danielle Blumenthal)

Making a Right, Left, or Straight

Bodega D.C.

This little deli and grocery in downtown D.C. always reminds me of the spanish bodegas back in NYC. 

The smallish store has just a couple of aisles of stuffed shelves of all sort of fast food eatsies. 

Usually not very organized, but more like you see something from all the grab it type foods and drinks and just go for it. 

Signs are handwritten and taped on to shelves, doors, and counters. 

Food packages jut out from shelves into the aisles and frequently get knocked down by customers on to the floors of the narrower aisles. 

Pour your own cup of coffee or softdrink.

Sandwiches in the back are freshly made while you wait and come heaping with toppings and the price written with a black marker on the celaphane wrapping. 

The store is laidback and informal with the proprietor at the counter reading from his newspaper as people come by to check out and he looks up between paragraphs.

Very working class and for students in the area, the lines can get long to the door at lunch hour. 

A little unkept and no place to sit and dawdle--this is a get in and get out little neighborhood store. 

A big contrast with the cookie-cutter chain stores and franchises--this is mom and pop style. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Bodega D.C.

The Many Faces Of Coffee

Coffee wakes us the "f--- up". 

There is enough time to sleep when we are dead. 

Coffee isn't just a nice to have.

It's always coffee time.

Coffee beans give us the sharp flavor and the quick pick me up.

Coffee is not only for working, but for relaxing.

I'll take mine iced with half & half and plenty of sweetener. 

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

The Many Faces Of Coffee

Dancing With "The Stars"

I took this video when we stopped for a nice Italian coffee at Grand Forno Pronto on Las Olas in Florida. 

A good song pops on the speakers, and all of a sudden the waiter and waitress just start dancing it up behind the counter. 

The customers are ecstatic and egging them on.

Florida is one of those places where people just break out in fun--it's awesome.  ;-)

(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Dancing With "The Stars"

Doggie On Nervous Lookout

So this dog is outside Starbucks.

And looking anxiously for its owner. 

The problem is the lady is inside the store and and the dog doesn't see her behind the glass window. 

Lady says to us, "Bang on the glass...so he'll know where I am."

We "obediently" bang, but the dog is still looking off down the block.

Lady is getting her coffee, dog is NER-VOUS jumping up and off the chair armrest to get a better look. 

Nope lady is not there.

An occasional bark, but no answer.  

Hope the dog doesn't pee the seat. ;-)

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal--she had the better angle)

Doggie On Nervous Lookout

Royal In Red

Took this photo on posh Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale. 

First, I thought this lady was asking for a handout with the cup.

But looks can be deceiving...

As I got closer, I realized that was her morning coffee...really!

Must've been some wild night out.

How come I never get to go to parties like that? ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Royal In Red

Balloon Mug

Love this new balloon mug from Starbucks.

Most of their tchotchkes are so ugly or cheap looking, but this mug rocks.

Got this for my daughter, but I want one too.

Reminds me when we went air ballooning in Las Vegas together.

Great memories and a really beautiful mug.

Too nice to drink out of. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Balloon Mug

War Of The Coffees

Funny shirt being sold at Dunkin' Donuts.

"Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Starbucks."

Now that's a Double D frontal attack on Starbucks. 

Let's see what Starbucks hits back with. 

Who would've thought coffee could be so bitter?  ;-) 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

War Of The Coffees

Starbucks - BYOF

Okay, this was the second week in a row at Starbucks that I've seen people BYOF.

BYOF = Bring Your Own Food.

This gentleman relaxing on a Sunday has brought his ziplock bag and with some nice looking pound cake at that.

Message to Starbucks...either your food is really bad, overpriced, or perhaps a little of both. 

You pride yourself on your coffee and everyone pays a premium for it, but you are slacking on the food side of the coffeehouse. 

Seems like a big opportunity--fix your food (finally!) and make gazillions of dollars more off the addicted masses that flock to your coffee havens. 

My consulting fee...we can discuss. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Starbucks - BYOF

Not For Drinking {Funny}

For funny Friday, here's a photo that I took of the Toilet Coffee Mug (for real). 

It's cute in a certain miniaturized way, but I am not sure who would want to drink their coffee from this thing. 

Or imagine this, you go to the leadership meeting at your important organization, and there sitting across at the table is the Big Kahuna executive with this mug.

No, it's not a great brand making statement, but it definitely is a conversation piece. 

Hey, will they put Starbucks in here, if you ask nicely?  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Not For Drinking {Funny}