Hey, hey, hey friends! It’s the first LET’S LOOK of 2021!!
If you don’t know what this is, once a month, Erika and I do a little link up where we “look” at different aspects of our lives (and then if you blog, you share and link up too!). It’s often a random little assortment of topics. For instance, here’s what we “looked” at last year…
In January, we looked at our bedside tables.
In February, we looked at our winter wardrobe.
In March, we looked at what’s inside our bags.
In April, we looked at how we typically celebrate Easter.
In May, we looked at our weekend.
In June, we looked at how we can make sure we’re encouraging racial diversity at home
In July, we looked at our summer wardrobes.
In August, we looked at our desks.
In September, we looked at school pics.
In October, we looked at how we pumpkin
In November, we looked at our holiday menus.
In December, we looked at our Christmas cards.
So, that was 2020 (see ya!), and these are the prompts/topics for 2021…
…I’m excited because so many of them were recommendations straight from YOU!!
When I first read today’s topic, it was a suggestion from one of you guys that I thought was PERFECT for our January. Anyone else drink way more coffee in January than any other month??? I typically drink 2 or 3 cups a day, but in January, I drink more like 55 cups 😉 .
Over the years, Andrew and I have brewed coffee many different ways. We’ve used carafes, we’ve used pods and then about three years ago, I surprised him with a Jura for his birthday so he could brew his own “fancy” coffees at home…
…I bought it at Williams-Sonoma, and I don’t think our version is still around (newer models have replaced it), but it makes everything from hot water to a latte (and a plethora in-between), and that’s primarily how we “brew” each day.
Our current little coffee bar area is pretty straight-forward…
…Jura machine, frother right next to it, a little bowl for Truvia and then the cabinet above holds the mugs while the drawer below holds napkins and spoons…
And of course, always next to the coffee machine…
…our Leap Frog coffee maker which might go down as the “most played with toy ever” in the Shull’s house 🙂 .
My typical morning coffee (right when I wake up!) is brewed with Starbucks Pike Place Beans and includes a splash of creamer (right now, I’m using the Starbucks Toffee Nut creamer sold at my grocery store) and one Truvia. That’s my go-to basic cup.
I often have a second cup (prepared the same way) when I enjoy my breakfast a few hours later too.
Now, when I go to Starbucks…
…I’m pretty borning most of the time and just order a Venti Pike with cream and a Splenda, BUT if I’m feelin’ festive, I might also order a non-fat no-whip pumpkin spice latte or a non-fat, no-whip caramel brulee latte. I also regularly order a Veni Medicine Ball with light lemonade (they mix two different types of teas, steam the lemonade and add some honey). That is another one of my favorite drinks! If it’s super hot, maybe I’ll get an iced coffee with a splash of cream, but for the most part, I’m pretty basic.
In my new office, I will have a mini little coffee bar are that I will show you when it’s all done. One of these days. Eventually. Maybe. Sigh.
One of my sweet clients made me this card, and I absolutely love it!
So, I’m pretty basic and boring…but what about YOU! I have questions that I thought you could answer in the comment section today (and I’ll post this on Stories too!)….
That’s it for the first Let’s Look of 2021! Next month, let’s look at our love languages (awwwwww…coffee will be one of mine! Ha!). If you blogged with us today, make sure you link up below! I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow! xx
Erika Slaughter says
Whoop! Whoop! Excited to kick off the 2021 year with our first Let’s Look! And now I’m craving more coffee!
Laura m says
Yes to all the coffee! My husband spoils me and grinds the beans each morning then makes us a pour over in the Chemex. I love Oatley Barista blend milk and a smidge of stevia. I could drink coffee all day but usually it’s just 2 cups in the morning. First cup after my run and second cup after those kiddos are at school!
Becca Butler says
I have always loved the smell of coffee, but ha e tried several and I cannot get past that bitter coffee taste!!?
Elspeth says
My go to drink from Starbucks if dragonfruit lemonade! Yum!!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I never liked coffee until I was 27 and one day it just clicked haha!!! I drink coffee every single morning. I try to limit it to one cup a day. I have a Nespresso and love it! And I just add creamer–I’ve tried Nutpods and don’t like the taste (need something sweeter) so I either use a creamer from Chobani or Califa and both are very low in sugar content!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Dana P says
So fun. This post has me wishing I had my own blog, I have so much to say!
-My 16 year-old son bought me a Nespresso Vertuo for Christmas and I love it (thank you, Chick Fil A!). I’ve hated coffee my whole life but had just discovered the week before that I like it now. The white chocolate sauce found in the coffee aisle is the BEST to add a little to the coffee and then drizzle on top of foamed milk. Delicious!!
-I’m obsessed with tea so I drink that in the afternoon, always 2 cups and 2 different kinds. Still looking for delicious tea here that compares to my favorite French brands if anyone has a suggestion…
-We have dear friends in France who own a coffee boutique and would always lend us their Jura when we hosted large events in our house. My husband would LOVE to have one! Maybe one day I will surprise him, too…do you think it’s actually that much better than the Nespresso, Keurig, etc.?
Kristen says
I never drank coffee until the age of 35 when I had my first child!? Now I’m hooked..very basic. Keurig, and my coffee is cream& sugar.
KC says
I had a nespresso and I loved it! But it does not compare to the Jura in my opinion. The Jura is the second most used appliance in my house after the air fryer! But for the price point you can’t beat a nespresso. The Jura is definitely an investment! It was our 15 year anniversary gift to each other.
Sheaffer Sims says
I’m not sure how we’re friends. I mean, I don’t read and I don’t like coffee.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m not sure this friendship is meant to last 😉 .
Jen W says
Gotta be both your love for tacos
Liliane Dunham says
I love my coffee also… at least 4 or more daily and 2 right when I wake up. We use keurig with our own coffee with reusable pod. Splash of cream for me and hubby. Always hot coffee even in the hot hot weather. I stopped buying coffee out of the house as I liked the taste of mine more. I do enjoy a green tea once in a while but coffee is my vice. Great blog post?
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re a girl after my own heart!!
Shannon McConnell says
I love coffee. I could drink it all day long! I like it hot, even if it’s the middle of summer?
Tara G. says
I do not drink coffee; my very tall dad always said it’d make you short or put hair on your chest! ???? I’m more of a hot tea person and love a pretty tea cup. ?♀️
Mix and Match Mama says
That is too funny!!
Tracy says
We have a basic dollar store coffee pot. We brew Eight o’clock coffee in it. I drink it black, two cups a day. If I’m at Starbucks’s or Scooters I always order a hot caramel macchiato. I’m basic too!
MelanieL says
Good morning! I drink one cup a day in the morning while I read. 🙂 My husband and I use a Black & Decker coffee maker with Folgers and Coffee Mate French Vanilla creamer. Talk about basic, LOL, but I love my morning coffee!
Kathy says
I drink coffee every day, and usually just one cup in the morning right as I start working. If we go out to dinner, I may have a cup, and then on really cold days, I’ll turn on the fireplace and drink a cup. I have a Keurig with an attached frother, that will do cold foam, and regular latte or cappuccino foam. My husband despises coffee (he’s strange, I know). I’d love to get a Nespresso machine one day. I am currently obssessed with the Dunkin Donuts cinnamon nutmeg pods and half n’ half cappuccino foam. I squirt a little of the coconut (doesn’t taste strong) sweet drops that are zero calorie into it while the coffee is brewing. One of the best parts of my morning for sure!
Tracy says
This might be my favorite “Let’s Look” topic yet! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Awww! Yay!!!
Talia says
I only drink coffee in the morning (caffeine really affects me!). I drink 1 maybe 2 cups of hot coffee with half and half. While I don’t drink a lot of coffee, I do enjoy and need my morning cup.
Dollie says
Shay, I have to say you shared this post, absolute perfect timing because, Aaron and I have talked about buying a coffee maker to save on time, we’ve just not found one that makes it as good as a French press.
We’re buying one and will be trying it out! Thank you! We too our obsessed with coffee, and I must share where we buy our coffee, because it was found on a whim 2 years ago on a trip to Vegas. We have ordered our coffee from them ever since. We use to only drink Starbucks, but now just can’t go back to it. Goose bumps is our fav bag.
Thanks again for sharing about coffeemaker!
https://vestacoffee.com/collections/frontpage/products/goose-bumps-espresso-blend
Julie says
I LOVE this topic and am really excited for all your new topics this year! There is nothing I love more than coffee with cream and sweetener but I gave up sweeteners years ago in an effort to be more healthy, lol. Boy, do I miss them. But I can’t do without cream. Every morning I make my coffee at home (drip with beans from a local coffee shop) and then I do 1/4 cup of Chobani Vanilla oat milk. The oat milk is slightly sweet and delicious in coffee! That is it! Easy and simple but I love it. I’m the only one in the world who doesn’t like Starbucks (I know, I know) so if I treat myself to coffee out it’s usually at Peets. Though I do like the Starbucks salted caramel latte for a treat.
Susy says
My coffee bar has:
Nespresso and steamer
Frother
Wide variety of Nespresso pods in a clear acrylic box
Special small spoons (collected from Saudi Arabia) in a small jar
Espresso cups
In a drawer—tea bags, honey sticks, raw sugar
Allena Gurley says
I only started drinking coffee a few years ago and bought a Nespresso machine and LOVE it. BUT my problem is I like it really sweet (oh sugar, how do I quit you?!?!) ha! So I only let myself have 1 cup a day. I make it with honey and Nut Pods (which I learned about from doing Whole 30) and it is my TREAT – I save it until late morning and look forward to it every day. One upside is I used to get way too much Starbucks – I am a chai latte girl (again with the sugar, ugh), so this saves me money even if I’m still getting too much sugar haha. Your coffee bar area is simple but super cute!
http://agurleygurl.blogspot.com
Shavon says
I do love me some coffee and love to hear ideas from everyone else! I’m still stuck in 2010 using my Keurig. LOL! I buy Dunkin’ Donuts cinnamon caramel roll flavored coffee and then add a quick splash of Nitro Creamer (if you haven’t seen it, it’s by the Reddi Whip and is a game changer!). Great post!
Denise says
Love coffee and loved this post! My hubby doesn’t drink coffee so our home coffee bar is all mine ? I drink at least 2 cups every morning, 3 on hard mornings and sometimes will drink Tazo Wild orange tea in the afternoon! In cold weather I like hot drinks, but in hot weather I get iced coffee. My favorite find this past summer was Starbucks cold brew concentrate to make iced coffee at home, with a splash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk! For hot coffee at home, I drink flavored coffee black, but when I get regular coffee out, I need cream and natural sweetener. And if I’m getting a specialty coffee out, my favs are SB’s pumpkin chai, pumpkin cold cream or a peppermint mocha!
Lisa C in Dallas TX says
I only drink coffee brewed at home or at my office (no particular reason). Black or with a tiny bit of vanilla syrup. I drink half-caff so I can drink more – 3 total cups per day. I drink about 10 cups of hot tea per year.
Kate says
JURA is the best! We have one and love it. I never go to Starbucks, I prefer my JURA! I use a little FF half and half and a splash of flavored creamer. I drink 2 cups a day – HOT! I will drink an iced coffee every once in a while. I love hot tea and often have it in the afternoons! I wake up looking forward to my first cup of coffee! I am almost 40 and didn’t start drinking coffee until my late 20s and couldn’t live without it now!
Elizabeth says
I drink 2-3 cups each morning. Mostly black but when I feel the need for special (which has been a lot lately) I add some French Vanilla or Carmel NutPods…an awesome alternative to dairy and sugar. I then move on to tea in the winter and water in the summer. Drinking something warm almost all morning. Never had iced coffee.
Alexis deZayas says
I’m a “I like coffee with my creamer” kind of person :)I use a CC’s Cafe Special pod in the keurig with three tablespoons of Irish Cream creamer every morning (I cut it down from SIX during quarantine). When I get coffee from Starbucks I always get an iced caramel macchiato (even when it’s cold outside) but around Christmas I like to get a White Chocolate Mocha!
Patty says
AW! You should frame that card from your client and put it out every fall next to your coffee bar 🙂 I want to see exactly what a splash of creamer looks like in your cup! I am SO picky about creamer because I still want to taste the coffee and I find if I don’t add creamer myself, I will be very disappointed. #coffeecreamercontrolfreak
Maggie Eterno says
So excited to join you ladies for LET’S LOOK 2021!!! Thank you Shay and Erika for hosting this fun link-up!
Valerie says
My favorite “let’s look” ever! My mom says I drink coffee like my grandma–black and all day–:). I try to keep it to 2 in the morning and one at night–yes–the caffeine doesn’t bother me. On the weekends I sneak in 1 more in the afternoon. I love a dark rich coffee, so a Starbuck’s coffee pod in my Keurig or Peet’s. If I run through Starbuck’s I usually just get a black coffee or sometimes a flat white. The only time I cannot drink coffee…when I’m sick with with a cold and such, then it’s hot tea with honey or a medicine ball.
Jenny says
I don’t drink coffee. I love the smell, but hate the taste! We have a Keurig at home because my husband drinks a cup every morning and I love buying him fancy flavors that I think smell good. When we were in Maui a few years ago he got hooked on Kauai Coffee and started drinking the vanilla macadamia nut, which we order off of Amazon. It smells so yummy when he is brewing it, but I still don’t like the taste.
Amanda says
I love a good cup of tea and will rarely drink coffee. We use a keurig for both the hot water for my tea and my husbands coffees. He uses Starbucks blonde roast (in refillable pods). It’s a pretty basic set up, but works well and eliminates the need to also have a kettle running! We have had this keurig for about 2.5 years so when it’s time to replace it we might go a little fancier.
My fave part is my mug collection! Do you store your holiday mugs when the season is over??
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I don’t drink coffee but you’ve got me envious of your setup! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Serena Welch says
I just love a little coffee bar area, it’s so cozy. I just started drinking coffee about a year ago and now I can’t go a day without it and truly look forward to it every morning, especially on the weekends. I’m a one cup a day kind of gal but probably for the best since I like it sweeter than I probably should. I was always a hot tea person in the morning but then we got a fancy machine and it was all downhill from there. HA! I just started using Monkfruit sweetener, it’s really good and definitely cuts the calories. I still enjoy a cup of hot tea in the afternoon or at night when I’m unwinding from the day.
Melanie M says
Have you tried Armor Coffee, yet? We drove over there a couple of weeks ago and really liked it.
Jennifer Ward says
Coffee…my favorite topic! ? I have a Keurig and use k cups. I just bought a new keurig so I’m drinking the coffee that came with it. I like the Panera hazelnut pods right now. I add a little Italian Sweet Cream creamer to it. I loved Dunkin Donuts coconut seasonal coffee last year and hope it comes back. I also love the hazelnut cappuccino kcups from Kroger & Walmart. Starbucks is my fave & I usually get coffee with cream & Splenda but over Christmas I drank a lot of peppermint lattes. I also like medicine balls (I add peppermint) & London Fogs (add peppermint). Apparently I like peppermint!
Laura says
We have the Breville Barista Express because we like to be hands-on with the process and customize what we/our guests prefer (we tamp our own grounds and froth our own milk with this machine). We’ve been using this for six years and it’s become a very therapeutic morning ritual. And the Lavazza Super Crema espresso beans make, hands down, the best tasting espresso (for lattés, Americanos, cappuccinos, etc). Any time we have Starbucks now (or coffee from any other place) we’re always wishing it was Lavazza made on our machine, it’s that good!
Laurel M says
We have a very basic coffee maker at home, but my life was changed forever when I bought a Miroco frother off Amazon. Hot foam, cold foam, and a milk warmer for kids’ cocoas. I even throw my creamer in it for flavored froth. So good!
Jessica Tribbett says
I definitely wake up to drink coffee! The promise of coffee gets me through my workout in the morning. 🙂 We have a Cuisinart grind and brew. I did Whole 30 a few times and have drank it black since, but I get GOOD flavored coffee. I buy beans at Fresh Market or another “nicer” grocery store and the flavor changes with the season, have Salted Carmel right now. I drink 2-4 cups a day. I love iced coffee in the summer. I don’t like regular milk but love a splash of Coconut milk in iced coffee and use that in any latte’s I get at Starbucks.
Susy says
Nothing is as sweet as a flower picked from your yard (or small evergreen twig) placed in a small vase next to your coffee maker.
Laci says
I drink coffee once a day in the morning and we use my Keurig and I use International Delight WCM creamer. I also love Hazelnut coffee and creamer. I love iced coffee as well!
Kim Anne Lennie says
I drink about 2-3 cups of coffee a day. Just the basic Folgers with International Delight Hazelnut cream, sometimes I also have Folgers specialty hazelnut coffee with the same cream. I also drink tea in the late afternoon and that is just basic Tetley tea. I don’t like Starbucks or any kind of fancy coffee nor iced. A long time ago 7 eleven used to sell a blueberry coffee and that was so yummy which I had to have 2-3 times a week which I guess was about the fanciest I ever got lol.
Kim N says
Love this topic! One of my very first jobs was at a Coffee Shop and I have been hooked ever since! I drink one cup in the morning with caffeine or half-caff, then one decaf cup in the afternoon usually. I will add a splash of whatever milk or cream we have in the house, it’s usually one percent. If I am feeling fancy I will heat and froth the milk, but not always. For years I ground my own beans and brewed my own coffee, but I am the only one in my house who drinks it, so making a whole pot didn’t really make sense. I got a Nespresso Vertuo on a great Black Friday deal and I am loving it! The only complaint I have is I wish they had more decaf options. I also love tea and usually drink a cup or two of that a day as well. In the summer I sometimes do cold brew coffee and iced tea, but usually prefer hot. At Starbucks I loved the Citrus Defender (similar to Medicine Ball but less minty) but they discontinued it ?. I like trying their various holiday lattes, too. Salted Caramel Mocha is a favorite. But I don’t go very often, most of my coffee/tea drinking is at home.
Jennifer says
My husband and I thought we’d “made it” the year we bought our first Keurig. It was THE THING TO HAVE (we still have and love a Keurig). My middle son grew up loving coffee. He went to college and moved into his own apartment; we gave him our Keurig when we upgraded ours. One day out of the blue, he facetimed, “Look what I bought!! It’s a TIMED COFFEE-MAKER that makes a whole pot of coffee at a time with just scoops of regular coffee You can get it ready the night before and WAKE UP TO THE SMELL OF COFFEE!!! Don’t you love it, Mom?”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
He had discovered, bought, and fallen in love with an automatic Mr. Coffeemaker…
WHO KNEW?!
Everything old is new again! lol
Chrissy says
Everyday the same.. and yes, I wake up for it! A SF Bay Breakfast Blend pod (they are made with compostable mesh and not plastic) in my Keurig with a splash of non-fat milk. Afternoons, I may use the attached frother on the Keurig for a non-fat latte.
Brenda says
I’m all about the tea – have a slight problem where I now can’t start my day without it! I have an electric tea kettle (current fave from Costco) that I prepare the water in. Then I have two mugs of black tea (bag) + green tea (matcha, again from Costco). To these first two mugs I add a scoop of collagen. After that, anything is game! During the winter I love a London Fog from Starbucks (Earl Grey tea, sugar-free vanilla & either breve or non-fat, depending on what type of eating plan I’m following). Other times I mix it up and just randomly choose a hot tea they have or in the summer love an iced green tea, non-sweetened, one Splenda maybe. I have waaaay too many teas in my tea drawer in the kitchen, but typically go back to my green tea and/or black tea as my go-to drink. I’m working really hard at ensuring for every cup of tea I have, I drink a glass of water before or after also as lately it was too much tea and not enough water!
STEPHANIE SANDERS says
I love the smell, but can’t for the life of me drink coffee. I get my daily caffeine from Lipton ice tea with Equal. My husband loves coffee and I buy him the K-cups from Black Rifle Coffee Company. His favorite is the AK so I started a subscription for him. He also like just regular Folgers when he’s out of the AK. Here’s where he gets crazy though: for a medium coffee cup, he has to put 6 packets of Equal (and regular Coffee Mate creamer). When he gets a large Starbucks regular coffee, he asks for 14 Equal’s. Ugh.
Shawnee says
I never drank coffee until I was almost 40. I like a little coffee and a lot of creamer. I hate Starbucks coffee but I’m obsessed with iced coffee from Chick Fil A, large vanilla add chocolate syrup. I drink it when it’s 95 outside or when it’s 32 outside. I make my own at home most mornings though because I live 30min from Chick Fil A. I buy unsweet cold brew from the store put choc syrup down the side of my cup and in the bottom then fill cup a little more than half way with coffee, add lots of crushed ice and then pour vanilla Premier protein shake to the top. I drink one a day and maybe one cup of hot coffee with entirely too much creamer when I get to the office.
Molly says
This was a fun post! I drink my coffee black during the week, and sometimes a splash of cream on the weekends. I drink 1 cup in the morning during my quiet time and maybe another one while getting the kids up, fed and ready. We have a Keurig and I will often make an afternoon cup of coffee to go along with something sweet in when I go to pick up the kids from school. I love Starbucks and local coffee shops, I usually go for black coffee or a flat white. I love a PSL or Chestnut Latte as a treat when they are available! I just love our neighborhood Starbucks and I end up there more than I should 🙂
Lucy Bertoldi says
You’re never boring!! Have a great rest of the week xx
Barbara says
I’m sure you must realize this awesome coffee machine you use is not for the average coffee drinker, as it ranges in price from $1,500 to $6,000!
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course, I do!
Catherine says
I don’t drink coffee but love the smell of it brewing. My eldest sister tried to train me to drink it when I was 18 as she saw it as an important social habit but I can’t stand the taste so it never took. 🙂
Chrys says
Coffee is MY love language!! I drink 2-3 cups a day. I wake up every day looking forward to that morning cup of coffee. We have a drip machine, Nespresso, and Delonghi automatic espresso machine just like your Jura at home. And yes…we use them all!! Some people like wine, I like my coffee!
Beth Valenta says
Coffee is always NEEDED. My addiction pod is Vanilla Hazelnut Dreamstate by Caribou coffee. My husband bought me tons off Amazon and it comes with splenda and half and half. My afternoon Starbucks is always a London Fog with sugar free vanilla one pump. I love this cozy area with a candle in my morning. 🙂
Tami says
I also have a Jura. Do you think the Jura cooler is worth the extra money? Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
If you don’t use it all the time, then probably not.
Kacy M says
I’m so dependent on coffee, if I don’t have my daily dose I get headaches.
Kristy Moore says
I’m your super boring coffee girl. One cup in the morning-Starbucks Pike Placed brewed at home. Then usually have a cup of black tea in the evening. Everything (coffee and tea) is just black-no cream or sugar.
Tried my first Pumpkin Spice Latter for the first time this year-and I didn’t like it! 🙁 So tried 2 more times to no avail. I must be the only person in the world that doesn’t like these! LOL
Becky says
Oh man, coffee is my love language! I started drinking coffee when I was 9 in South America and never looked back. We have a Breville Barista Express machine which my kid’s have mastered so they now make our coffee every morning. We usually drink americanos but on special occasions will make a latte. My favorite coffee bean is Mayorga brand organic whole bean. So delicious! I could drink it all day long!
Detroit Duchess says
That Leap Frog toy is SO cute! I need to get that for my niece! I’m not a coffee drinker but love my tea! I’ve been on a little hiatus during my pregnancy since I was so sick that I didn’t want anything, but I’m getting back into it in the third trimester. I have been thinking about making one of the cabinets a place to keep all my teas (I’m obsessed with loose leaf teas), mugs, and travel containers. I wonder if anyone has a tea bar? I need some inspiration, lol!