Caribou vs. Starbucks

The lifelong debate I've been having amongst myself has come to an end - the debate over which coffee shop is better, Caribou or Starbucks.

To finally come to a conclusion, I obviously had to go to both coffee shops this past week.

First, I went to Starbucks - my go to drink: either a Chocolate Smoothie or an Iced Caramel-Macchiato. I would definitely recommend either of those options. The worst part though, is that a lot of Starbucks don't offer the Chocolate Smoothie option!  They have a Strawberry Smoothie and an Orange Mango Smoothie, but I just haven't had the heart to try either of them - I am such a sucker for the combination of chocolate and bananas!

*Side note: Whenever I go to another great place called The Tea Garden I always get a Chocolate Banana Shake with coffee jellies! ... I know, it's weird!

Guilty as charged, here's my Iced Caramel-Macchiato.

 

To be honest, I never thought I would be a Caribou Coffee girl.  I went from growing up in Iowa, where Starbucks is the way to go, then moving to Minnesota, where I can't get away from Caribou!  Nonetheless, I think I would admit now that I would in fact choose Caribou over Starbucks.  My go to drink would be a Berry White Mocha Cooler.  Even more than I love chocolate and bananas ... I LOVE chocolate and raspberries!!!! If you're not into that, I would also recommend the Campfire mocha (hot, iced, or cooler are all delicious!).  This last time, I ordered a Dirty Chai Tea Latte (aka Chai Tea Latte with Espresso), while it kept me awake on little sleep, I don't know if I would drink it just for fun - I think I still would order a regular Chai Tea Latte before a Dirty Chai!

It took everything in me to not buy this entire sale table at Caribou.  

I actually have a coffee addiction.

Caribou also has a cute chalk board and everyone can share - I love stuff like this!

And of course, I had to answer the question for myself!!!

The reading nooks are so much more cozy than in Starbucks.

I'm just clearly having more fun with friends when I am at Caribou.

I hope many people are able to sleep better tonight knowing that I now prefer Caribou over Starbucks!  Sweet dreams, friends!!!

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis
Lexi

The Imitation Game

I watched the movie called The Imitation Game last night.  Based on a true story, the movie is about the decrypting of the Germans code Enigma.  Not going to lie, much of the math, codes, and war history was over my head BUT what caught my attention was the end of the movie.

As the war ended, the four men and one women were instructed to destroy all that they had created.  It could never be known that they had broken Enigma.  They had to move on with their lives and act as if they never knew one another and like they had never even been involved with the war.  Their new lives were a lie wrapped around another lie.

It it struck me today at 12:17 AM when the movie finished that Jesus Christ died for the imitation game that I play every single day - where I am not vulnerable about burdens in my life when I should be; where I am not completely honest about the hurtful words people say; where I put on a mask some mornings, hiding my struggles and stress level before heading off to class.

Jesus died for the imitation game - by his grace alone, I am healed from all that I pretend to be.

"You know the Room of Grace was never just about getting healed, right?  The goal has always been to free your release into your particular destiny.  I have a feeling that's what you're waking up to.  It happens to all of us.  What you're experiencing tonight, it's real.  It's God telling you, 'I didn't forget.  I made you for this - for the unique influence you have on others.'  You, my wandering friend, are right on time."     - The Cure

I'm learning to be thankful for death on the cross, the grace of God, and the chance to be redeemed and healed, not just on Easter Sunday, but every day of my life.  These daily reminders point me towards the God-given desires that have been burned on my heart since I was created.  Because of the conquered death, I have a great destiny waiting to be discovered beyond the painful mistakes I have made.  Destiny is the ordained intention God has sacredly prepared with your name on it (The Cure).

Happy Easter Sunday!

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis

Lexi

chocolate, tea, and the finer things in life

I've been learning a lot this year, but I keep consistently going back to the quote that inspired me to start a one year bucket list and this blog; the quote that is inspiring me to do the finer things in life that are good for my soul!

"Enjoy the little things for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."

I love eating chocolate, and it may sound ridiculous but I haven't done enough of that lately.  This past weekend, I ate a delicious "Chocoholic" cupcake (check out Scratch Cupcakery) and a half bag of Brookside chocolate covered raspberries (potentially one of my favorite things on the planet!)

I'm becoming more of a tea drinker.  I can't give up my morning coffee, but I've started to drink a daily cup of tea as well.  Now, all I need are some beautiful pastries and the Queen of England to join me!

When people told me that I wouldn't have time to read for fun when I came to college, I thought it was a joke.  Unfortunately, it's kind of true, but I've learned to make time for reading books and the newspaper because it makes me happy and I learn a lot through reading.  I was also told this year that the more you read, the better writer you become so I'm hoping that's true!!!

I love creative projects - I am taking a ceramics class and I LOVE putting in the extra work and going to work on new pots, vases, pitchers, whatever with my roommate or a lot of times by myself! I've also taken up painting again this year and it's become a new thing of mine to catch up on my favorite TV shows or watch movies and paint!

I've started to go on long runs a lot more this year, especially since January.  The cold never bothered me anyway, so I ran outside a lot even in the slush, wind, and snow!  It's been a good way to get fresh air outside, clear my head, and obviously, exercise!

And with that, I want to encourage you to start today and take on the small things in life that bring you joy!

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis

Lexi