My Mornings with Millstone® & the Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Drip Coffee Maker from Wal-Mart #CoffeeJourneys #Cbias #Giveaway

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias, Millstone® Coffee, and Mr. Coffee®.  #CoffeeJourneys

I love my morning coffee, don't we all?  Although a lot of people are using the single brew/pod coffee machines, I think a drip coffee maker is still my best bet.   Combining Millstone® french vanilla coffee and the Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™ coffee maker from Walmart  is just heaven in my book.

Now to make this an even better deal,  #CollectiveBias have given me the opportunity to not only try this winning combination for myself, but I'm able to give one away to a lucky reader! Could it be you? 

Well, you've gotta go on a little journey with me first before we can get to the good stuff.   Keep scrolling....

Heading out to Walmart is nothing new for me, I'm there all the time.   I have to say I've never been in a Neighborhood Market store though.   It's gorgeous, green and full of great buys.

First stop on my journey is the coffee aisle to grab some Millstone® french vanilla coffee. (I'm a flavored coffee kinda gal.)   Millstone® has several other coffee roasts like a  Kona Blend, Hazelnut Cream,   Breakfast Blend and Decaf versions just to name a few, so there's something for everyone.   Did you know that  Millstone® is made from 100% Arabica beans and should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and not refrigerated?  I had no idea, all these years thinking once I opened a package of coffee it had to go in the refrigerator.   Oh well, moving on.....  Next it's to pick up the Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal coffee maker.   Personally I can't use a coffee maker with a glass pot, I'm way too much of a klutz.  I can't tell you how many I've broken over the years.    So not only is a thermal pot the way to go for us "accident prone" people, it also keeps your coffee hot and fresh for hours longer.   Another great function of the Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™  is the pause 'n serve, it allows you to have a cup of coffee before the full brewing is done.  Awesome feature for when you just can't wait for that first cup of morning coffee, right?    

Mmmmm.... I wish you could smell this!  There's nothing that gets you ready the day ahead then the aroma of that first cup of coffee.

I have to admit, I like to have a little "french vanilla" with my french vanilla.   Sometimes I do use a flavored creamer with my flavored coffee.  What can I say?  

Here's a little  Instagram video of how my morning  #CoffeeJourneys goes.   After I get Thomas on the bus I brew myself a pot of coffee, sit at my computer and call my mom.   The only thing that could make it better, would be if I was at the beach with my mom and my cup coffee but that's a whole other story.

Don't forget after you watch the video make sure you enter the giveaway below for one of the best coffee makers and coffee around! 
 Are you ready to head out on your own #CoffeeJourney? Then enter to win the Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Drip Coffee Maker and a package of Millstone® flavored coffee below. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating International Women's Day with The Walmart Bakery and Starbucks #DeliciousPairings #Cbias

Friday March 8th was International Women's Day.   I think as a women we SHOULD be celebrated and appreciated way more then we are.

Last week I was able to spend the day with a very special woman in my life, my friend Cheryl.   Between her busy family's schedule, my husband having surgery and the snowy winter we've had here in Connecticut, we haven't been able to get together in a long time.
  
Originally we had planned a lunch at my house to celebrate her birthday, but because of the threat of yet another snow storm we had to change it up a bit.   We decided to meet for a little shopping and lunch halfway between our two towns so that if the weather got bad, we could each quickly get home.  
It actually worked out perfect.  I was able to run into the local Walmart SuperCenter, which is like having a Walmart and a full grocery store all in one place.
Cheryl loves her coffee and baked goods, so I knew I could pick her up a little gift before meeting her for lunch.
First stop.....  The Bakery!    
 

 The bakery is full of yummy treats everywhere you turn and can I tell you, the smell was fantastic.  While walking around drooling over all the baked goods I came saw these Atlanta Bread Brownie Bites.    What woman doesn't love some chocolate?!
I grabbed a box of the plain for Cheryl.   I knew my husband wouldn't forgive me if I didn't bring him box of the walnut brownie bites and my son is a peanut butter lover, so those were coming home with me.

Cheryl LOVES her coffee, even more then she loves chocolate!  Starbucks is one of her favorite brands.  I don't normally go for Starbucks because they tend to have bold flavors.  I like a light roast, so it was always a turn off to me.    I had been hearing about this new roast from Starbucks called Veranda Blend Blonde.  It says it's mellow and soft.  (funny, I'm neither of those things)  So I grabbed a box of K-cups for Cheryl and a bag of grounds for myself.    From what I understand there was suppose to be a display about pairing the coffee to the bakery items, but unfortunately this store didn't have one of those.

 This is the reason I love Walmart, all in one stop I can buy coffee, baked goods, flowers and ribbon to put together a quick gift.

After a great lunch, I sent Cheryl home with her coffee and baked goods.    It was perfect we could both share a treat while snowed-in on Women's Day.

I couldn't wait to try the new Blonde Roast from Starbucks, so when I got home I brewed a much needed cup of coffee and opened the box of brownie bites.  I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee was not overpowering.  At that point I thought it tasted just as good as the coffee I had been buying until......

The next day I made my regular morning coffee and out of habit just grabbed the brand that was in the fridge.    I instantly knew the difference.   I honestly didn't think that a brand of coffee mattered that much because I add flavored creamer.   Well, I am now a convert.  

Did you celebrate International Women's Day?  Did you even know it was a day?  It's not too late, It's NEVER too late to celebrate a special women or even celebrate yourself!  Girls Rule!


I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DeliciousPairings

Hanging Out With Friends From McDonalds, Newman's Own, Green Mountain and Oh Yeah.. There's Free Coffee For A Year!

***Closed*** 

Giveaway:  Free Coffee once a week for a year!

Only valid in New England & Albany, NY 

(except Fairfield County, CT)

Last Monday I was invited to participate in a chat about one of my favorite beverages, COFFEE!  

Not just any coffee, but Newman's Own Organic Coffee that is served only at McDonald's here in New England.   

The live virtual coffee tasting/chat featured Nell Newman, President of Newman’s Own Organics along with local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Wayne LeBrun and Green Mountain Coffee experts

*  The history of Newman’s Own Organics coffee with McDonald’s in New England

*  Behind-the-scenes info and tour of the Green Mountain roasting plant in Vermont

* Roasting process and taste of Newman’s Own Organics McDonald’s blend

At 9:50am I made myself a cup of Newman's Own Organics coffee (light and sweet) in my Keurig and sat at my computer for the event.     You can check it out for yourself  here.

 I had a lot of fun chatting with everyone and learning all about the process.   I have to say I was so impressed with how serious they all were about making sure we get the BEST cup of coffee when hittin' MickeyD's.    They are so passionate about their jobs and coffee,  I guess that's why they are all very successful. 

Now for the BEST part of this whole post. THE GIVEAWAY!  

My great friends at McDonald's have given me, not 1, not 2 but 3 punch cards for  free coffee at McDonald's for a year!  You will receive one free small Newman's Own Organics Hot Coffee each week for a year!  Yup, that's 52 free cups of coffee!  Awesome, right?  

I'm going to make this easy and quick because I want you to get your card ASAP, so you can start using it right away!     Remember, this giveaway is only valid in New England & Albany, NY (except Fairfield County, CT) 

Rules:    * Leave me a comment telling me how you take your coffee?   (Mandatory)
              (Make sure you leave your email address so I can let you know if you win!)  
              *Extra entry, Follow me on Twitter @DecoratingDork (leave a comment telling me followed and your Twitter handle)
              *Extra entry, "Like" my Facebook page The Decorating Dork
The giveaway will end on Thursday Oct. 4th at 11:59pm.   I will choose the winners on Friday Oct. 5th using Random.org.

GOOD LUCK!  

Disclosure:  I was given a Keurig machine and coffee for participating.