1. First order of business? The impending demise of Google Reader.
We have a mere 3 days left before Reader bites the dust, so I hope everyone’s been getting comfy, cozy with their backups. I have to admit that I’ve been clinging to Reader without any desire to abandon ship, especially since I can’t quite decide between Feedly and Bloglovin. I’m not entirely sold on either one so… July 1st is not a day I’m looking forward to.
2. Second order of business? Will you allow me a moment to brag? Just one? Because I’m kind of excited about something. I mean, I was – the novelty of it sort of wore off already, BUT!… I decided to take a shot in the dark and finally submit a photo to Foodgawker…
Imagine my surprise when it was actually accepted. I may or may not have done a happy dance at 5 in the morning, and I may or may not feel a strange urge to come up with more recipes now. We shall see.
3. I was really hoping to include this next thing in this month’s monthly favorites post, but I’m afraid it didn’t quite measure up to favorites material.
I finished reading And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, and although it wasn’t a bad book by any means, I just didn’t love it like I loved his other two – I actually found myself struggling to finish it. Don’t get me wrong, Hosseini’s writing is beautiful and, as always, he manages to capture the human condition perfectly, but… I don’t know – there was just something about it that didn’t appeal to me. Maybe it was the fact that each chapter was written with a different character as the focal point, meaning that you really had to piece the story together yourself. It was a clever approach and added a nice level of complexity to the story, but it also made it really hard to feel for any of the characters.
4. While we’re on the topic of books, the strangest thing that happened to me yesterday… I was in the bookstore looking for something new to read, and walked out without buying anything 😯 I honestly can’t remember the last time that’s happened… I usually walk out with at least 3 or 4 new books, but yesterday? Nothing seemed to appeal to me. One book that did catch my eye was Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, but I wanted to do a little more research before I committed. Seems like a good read, though, so I’m probably going to go back and pick it up. Has anyone read it?
5. On that note, I also walked out of Sephora empty handed. Hell hath officially frozen over.
6. But look!! Remember my pig mug? I found a matching cow!
Now all that’s left to complete the series is a sheep, but it continues to evade me…
7. I was at Starbucks the other day (what else is new?), when I saw this:
That would be a sneaky iPhone picture that I managed to snap of a couple getting their wedding pictures taken inside Starbucks. And here I thought I loved coffee. Future husband? Take note and be prepared…
8. New music this week! I’m currently repeating to death obsessed with USS’s newest song:
[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6LGi2Y9GYk&w=560&h=315″]
9. Oh! And speaking of Starbucks, I’ve been getting super lucky with my purchases lately…
I managed to be “randomly selected” to fill out a survey and get a free drink on two occasions this week. Usually I’m getting “randomly selected” to get an extra pat-down at the airport when I travel, so this is much better. I mean, free coffee? Ain’t no one gonna say no to that!
10. Thunderstorms and heavy rain at 1 AM do not make for sound sleeping. Looks like that free coffee is going to come in handy today…
Have an awesome Thursday, you guys! 😀
. – . – . – .
You get a free drink at Starbucks: regardless of calories or nutrition, what do you order?
Do you tend to get obsessed with a new song, play it to death, and then not be able to listen to it for a few months?
Yay! Congratulations on food gawker! I of course think you should make lots more amazing recipes for all of us too gawk at too 🙂 was it a really pretty Starbucks or are they just that in love with coffee? I know some random buildings in Minneapolis are really pretty but you wouldn’t know it from the outside.
It was in one of the trendier areas of the city, but I wouldn’t say there was anything all that special about it… I guess they just really like coffee, or maybe they had a lot of dates there 🙂
Congrats on your first foodgawker recipe! I’m sure you’ll have many more to come 🙂
Congrats on the foodgawker submission!! That’s so exciting! As for Starbucks, I will always get a tall decaf soy latte if I have a free drink coupon. Seriously my favorite thing!
I prefer the emails through wordpress. Currently I have feedburner but I don’t like the way it formats my post. I’m looking to change it up too.
I’m sticking with Feedly for now, but I agree that Reader is still the best of all the options. It makes me sad that it’s done soon.
And my Starbucks choice would be the berry refresher thing…yea, I’m exciting. 😉 But wow, that lady loves her Starbucks. I can totally picture you doing that.
And congrats on Foodgawker!!! P.S. yesterday I could smell rice krispies in my office for some reason, which made me really want to make those squares…must happen soon, especially with it being Foodgawker-approve 😉
Lady! My willpower is seriously waning here, and if I see you making a batch, you know I’m gonna have to follow suit 😛 (read: do it so I have an excuse to make more!)
Oh my god, don’t even get me started on Chapters. I have to seriously limit the amount of times that I go there otherwise I will be broke in 2.2 seconds flat. Although, for me, nothing quite beats hitting up my favourite one on Whyte with a Starbucks in hand. Pretty much my idea of a perfect day. 🙂 I need to get that book though! I’ve been craving a good one and have been too indecisive to actually decide on one, haha 😉 Congrats of Food Gawker!
Im a starbucks junkie (at least once a day…) and my free drink is always something with a few extra espresso shots, and lots of calories. ALWAYS.
Personally I like getting the blogs I read in my email. Call me old school but it’s just easier for me, I redirect them all to go into a separate folder that way it doesn’t clog up my inbox, but every day its nice to go into that folder and see everything I want to read.
I’ve still been using Reader…I signed up for Feedly but don’t like it as much so I’m honestly thinking I might just visit each blog separately…I feel like I should cut back on my blog-reading in general, so that could help me do it. Yours will DEFINITELY still be in the mix though 🙂
With total free reign at Starbucks…maybe a green tea frappuccino? Or a salted caramel hot chocolate (which I’ve never actually tried!). I don’t go to Starbucks all that often because there are so many lovely local coffeeshops where I live that I prefer to support. I’m not a big fan of flavored coffee (much prefer a regular cappuccino, latte or black coffee), so if I’m getting crazy at Starbucks, it probably wouldn’t be anything coffee-based. I seriously cannot STAND pumpkin spice lattes…pretty sure I’m the only one in the world who feels that way haha
And OMG so embarrassing creeper time…I got totally hooked on Stompa after you posted it a while back and played it nonstop for a good 2 months, and now I have to immediately switch songs when it comes on my iPod because I’m so sick of it haha. So yeah I totally feel you!
Two months is pretty impressive! I usually never last that long with a song. And I’m actually not a huge fan of the pumpkin spice lattes either, so you’re definitely not the only one 🙂
Woohoo congrats on Foodgawker- that’s awesome although I can’t say I’m surprised they let it through…your pictures always leave me gawking ;)! Hilarious about the Starbucks shoot- and here we thought we were Starbucks loyalists! Speaking of which, I would probably still order a tall soy cappuccino, extra foam or a tall soy chai tea latte regardless of calories/nutrition- I’m just really loving both lately. As tasty as the funky drinks are (e.g. java chip fraps), I can only handle a few sips before it’s too sweet!
Wedding photos in Starbucks? Really? I guess they really love their ‘bucks. And I actually stepped in and out of Sephora the other day as well. It took a lot out of me but I managed to step away from the face cream and exit without dropping a dime.
I -almost- picked up another blush from Tarte, but ended up talking myself out of it. I actually need a good eye cream but have no idea which one to go with 😯
I am in love with Eye Hope by Philosophy. It is a bit pricey but it works so well. I have puffiness under my eyes (damn genetics) but this stuff works wonders to reduce it.
Thanks Christine! I’ve actually been thinking about that one for a while now, so it’s always great to hear from people who like it 😀
free starbucks, heck yes! thats hilarious that they got pictures at starbucks 🙂
Congrats on getting your rice crispy treats accepted to Foodgawker, thats not an easy feat! They deserve though, they look amazing!
I started using Bloglovin and I like it so far. Although I still tend to go to my favorites more often, whoops.
I reeeaaally like bloglovin and have actually never even used Google Reader! It’s really simple and clean and organized. Give it a whirl! 🙂
I never used google reader either…just bloglovin.
Congrats on the food gawker! I hear you on the not liking that book as much, I felt the same way. I wanted to like it, I really did… but it felt so disjointed to me. Even tho it ended up coming together at the end, meh.
Lol, congrats on the random selection for free drinks, I don’t know that they do that over here. Jealous!
I wanted to like it so badly too! The ending wasn’t too bad, but yeah… the whole process of reading it just felt so random. Like, the stories were all connected in some way, but I had no idea who I was reading about in the beginning of every chapter.
I just switched to Bloglovin, I like it
I love the soy green tea lattes :))))
I actually just recently started using bloglovin’ and love it but I never used Google reader so maybe it really isn’t as great, I’d prefer not to know though!
If I love a song I listen to it on repeat my entire car ride then get so sick of it! I really should stop doing that…
That’s awesome that you got accepted by Food Gawker!! I love love love your cow mug! I want one now. On instagram this morning I saw someone who got an iced cinnmon dolce latte so I want to try one of those. Otherwise I’m good with some iced vanilla coffee 🙂
Whaaaat? I never would have thought to go to Starbucks in my wedding gown. But hey- to each her own! As for books, I’m finishing up Cutting for Stone now. It’s good, but the end is dragging a bit. I picked it up at the library. If I actually went to *gasp* a book store for books, I’d be broke.
Tell me about it… Books, coffee, makeup, and food is pretty much where all my money goes…
Ahh i hear you on the storm thing! I’m dragging today because of storms we had tuesday night followed by a late night last night with joe and his dad working on my car…i hope today goes fast ha. I hate walking out of the bookstore empty handed 🙁 i haven’t heard anything about that book but it looks interesting! Have to look into that myself 🙂
I am depressed about Google Reader. I have all of my blogs transferred to Blog Lovin’, but I will be using Reader until the last possible second.
That couple in Starbucks <3. So creative and adorable! I love it!
I use Bloglovin’. I used Google Reader for about a total of about half a day and decided I didn’t like it. One of the things I really like about Bloglovin’ is that their website and their mobile app is pretty much the same, so you don’t have to learn a completely new interface. And it’s just the easiest for me to use. I’ve actually never used Feedly though, so my comment’s a little biased…
Free drink at Starbucks: iced soy latte. Every. Time.
Hahahah remind my future husband to take me to Starbucks post wedding! Bummer about the book…I’m still going to read it though. I’m so partial to Kite Runner, though. We’ll see. My family has so many mugs my mom and I had to clean out an entire cabinet in our kitchen to make space for them. You can never have too many!
Aww, I think that I like the cow mug even more! Too cute! 🙂
And can you believe that I wasn’t using ANY blog reader until about a week and a half ago when I joined Bloglovin’? I was WAY behind the times. I am really liking it, though!
I’m really liking Bloglovin’. Their iPhone app is actually pretty handy, too! 🙂
Do you ever find that it lags on updating new feeds though? Because I’ve noticed that new posts pop up a lot faster in Feedly and Reader than they do in BL.
You are probably right! I tend to read everything in bulk, so the timeliness of them hasn’t been a big issue for me. What do you think of Feedly?
I like it! It’s pretty minimalistic and reminds me a lot of Reader. Easy to use and organize too, so that’s a plus.
Congrats on getting accepting to foodgawker! That’s awesome and well-deserved!
Love the matching cow mug! 🙂
Too funny that they bride/groom were getting their pics taken in Starbucks! Guess they really like coffee! 😉
Congrats on getting your photo onto Foodgawker!! Photography skills is something I wish I had but nope, I didn’t get that talent and am always impressed by people who do!!
I read blogs via email and/or old school.
I’d get a decaf Americano with half and half, because: OBsessed. 🙂
How cool about that bride and groom. I bet they’d adore having your photo in their collection. It’s gorgeous. Oh, and congrats re: Foodgawker! That recipe (and photo) is definitely worthy.
Woah!! Can I get yo numberr & autograph?? Getting your photo accepted onto food ghawker pretty much makes you a celebrity!!
Aw congrats on the photo acceptance. You’re photography skills are beautiful!
Wahoo for foodgawker! Obviously your picture would be accepted because they’re always gorgeous.
I love that we both chatted about google reader today, because I’m secretly hoping they’re playing some sort of evil joke on us all and it’s really not going anywhere.
I feel you on the coffee today – much needed.
And that’s usually what happens to me and music – I overplay it to death until I’m so sick of it! Whoops.
OH and I also meant to say you should try theoldreader.com !
It seems to be the closest thing to google reader I can find!
Hmmm… I just looked in to it, but I’m having issues importing my feed from Reader… Any advice?
I have a book on my nightstand right now that I’m trying to push through…I think I’m going to take it back to the library though I don’t have enough mental power to force it :0 ) I will have to check out some of the others you loved because I’m always looking for new authors
I use bloglovin and I’m Lovin it 😉
I used to do it the old school way but now I read a lot of blogs and it’s hard to keep them all locked up in my favorites.
I always LOVE the music you select. I love hearing new bands and it’s great because you’re in a different country and it seems like we have the same taste in music! You should listen to the Avett Brothers. They’re different but good. (Heart like a kick drum will get you hooked)
Ahh definitely a good song! It’s like the perfect feel-good song for summer 😀
I always adored your photographing skills – so CONGRATS!!! And the cow mug is the cutest. I might purchase a Swiss Mug for you – they are pretty darn adorable too.
If I could order a drink without calorie thoughts at Starbucks, it would be a huge, rich hot chocolate.
haha I had to laugh at the randomly selected airport pat down. That always happens to someone in my family when we travel together. But free drinks are always a good thing! I think I’d get one of those frappe things. I don’t really like other drinks at starbucks and I feel like I’d like that. I use bloglovin’ and I really like it a lot. I think any switch takes getting used to but at the end of the day they pretty much all do the same thing. Congrats on food gawker! You’re officially a food blogging celeb 🙂
My biggest beef with Bloglovin is that it doesn’t seem to update as quickly as Feedly or Reader do. I find that new feeds take a while, and I have no idea if I’m supposed to be refreshing it or what…
I am a combination of Bloglovin and old school haha. I use it when I remember 🙂
Of course your food picture was accepted to Foodgawker! I’m surprised you haven’t submitted to the site before because your foods always look delicious and so crafty! Mmm a free drink at Starbucks sounds nice. I would definitely get a Frapaccino! I want to try the new cookies flavor.
Yayyyy for food gawker!!! You deserve it 😉 That’s hilarious that they were getting pictures done there. I freakin’ love coffee, but seriously? Haha. You cannot go wrong with a free cup! Free is always better. I tried both bloglovin’ and feedly, and I like feedly better. It seems closest to google reader in my opinion!
Congrats on Food Gawker! Your pictures are always great. And that is too funny people taking wedding pictures at Starbucks. I would be embarrassed to do that haha.
Congrats on the Food Gawker acceptance! I love that site and would LOVE to get a picture on it one day! Their standards are SO high! So definitely a nod to your awesome photo taking skills!
LOL- that’s soo funny about how we both started off with the “order of business” intro today! Ha great minds 🙂 and congrats on getting accepted by foodgawker!! that is certainly well deserved. also omg not only do i love that couple for taking pictures inside starbucks, i love the back of her gown. thats gorgeous. also also- i love the cow mug to match the pig mug 🙂 have a great day my dear!
I definitely got a good kick out of that this morning as well. Great minds for sure 😉 Have an awesome day, Charlotte!