Last First Day of School Coffee

Well the day has come...

this will be my last first day of school.

I never really thought about it all those years ago,

 but I'm getting very sentimental that my son will be starting his Senior year.

In the past friends and I have celebrated the first day of school, 

and I thought this year was the most important to commemorate.

Let's kick this year off with a roar...

I made simple stir stick mounted invitations 

and used them with the amazing logo cups of the venue...

Here's to a school year full of lasts and first and lots of new adventures...

The Power of Breakfast...

Food can mean so much to us and
we all connect with food in different ways.

Food is fun...


Food is pretty...

Food is fuel...

I live in an affluent area in the heart of Silicon Valley, steps away from Stanford University.
But even in communities like ours, people are hungry, especially children.
My own kids know students that regularly come to school hungry.
When you haven't eaten things are cloudy, it's hard to think and concentrate.
It makes the school day even harder.

1 of every 5 children in America live in households without consistent access to adequate food. Nearly half of the eligible children (5 million of them) 

do not receive free or reduced-price school breakfast.

3 out of 5 K-8 public school teachers report regularly seeing students coming to school hungry.

Hunger Is has partnered with Safeway supermarkets,
to expand breakfast programs, providing children with a healthy start to their day.

They want to, "Make Breakfast Happen So Kids Can Be Hungry For More."

So this month, while you are picking up your breakfast essentials, 

please consider giving to make someone else's morning a little more powerful.

From September 1 to 30,  2016, all you need to do to help, is purchase participating items and a donation of at least $0.10 up to $1 million will be made.  Look for tags on participating items in store 

or click here for more information. 

Many of the items such as Peet's Coffee, Quaker Oats and O Organics were already in my cart!

You can also easily and quickly donate at the register,

by adding $1, $3, $5 or any amount onto your purchase.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Companies & Hunger Is. The opinions and text are all mine.


linkpartypalooza

Grilled Donuts and Coffee Ice Cream

I did it...

I managed to combine 3 of my husband's favorite things,

into one amazing Father's Day dessert.

Coffee, Donuts and Grilling...

Donuts and coffee are a classic combo,

 but when you lightly grill the donuts and serve with coffee ice cream, 

your taste buds will never be the same.

To make these, I sliced glazed and sugar donuts horizontally and buttered the cut side. 

Then cooked them on a grill pan over medium heat for just a minute or two.

(you could also use a bbq)

Serve with your favorite cup of joe ice cream...

and of course you will want to dunk...

but this time it's the coffee ON the donut!

Witches' Cold Brew - Iced Coffee Cocktail

I've always loved Witches.

The good Witches that is...

the ones that are pretty, kind and twitch their nose to make magical things happen.

This Halloween I've cast a bewitching spell on my cocktail creations.

A combination of sweet spirits and cold, brewed coffee.

Vanilla Vodka, mixed with coffee...

then sprinkled with Sweet 'N Low and stirred.

I love using Sweet 'N Low in cocktails,

since it has zero calories, it adds the perfect flavor without the added guilt.

A witch has got to keep her stylish figure all year long!

Then pour your potion over ice...


and top with a touch of cream...


The cocktail cauldron is not only sweetened with Sweet 'N Low,
 but with a witch's favorite accessory,
a Cinnamon Licorice Broomstick.

The broomsticks only take seconds to make, 

I whipped these up as the coffee brewed.

Cut a piece of black licorice into 4 equal parts, 

lay on top of a piece of kitchen twine then with a cinnamon stick.

Tie the string into a double knot, trim ends
and you are ready to take flight.

There is nothing better on Halloween than a 

Wickedly Sweet Brew...

Pick your poison!

Witches' Cold Brew Cocktail
Makes 3 cocktails

3 cups brewed coffee, chilled or at room temperature
3 oz. vanilla vodka
4 packets of Sweet 'N Low or more to taste
3 tablespoons heavy cream

In a pitcher, stir together coffee, vodka and Sweet 'N Low until combined.  Pour into glasses filled with ice.  Add 1 tablespoon heavy cream to each and garnish with broomsticks.

Need a Summer Hostess Gift? it's all in the numbers

So far this Summer, 

we have visited some amazing friends in their fabulous homes.

I thought I would address the issue of hostess gifts...

For us, it has been all in the numbers.

Street numbers that is...

A set of coffee cups with their address,

to count all the ways you are thankful you are there...

Hit your local Michael's Craft Store ASAP!

I've got many, many more gift ideas on Pinterest...

Follow Alexis Murphy's board Great Gifts on Pinterest. 

 

The So Vanilla Gift

I have a friend who is so Vanilla.

Vanilla ice cream, vanilla lotion, Coffee-mate Vanilla creamer in her coffee.
It is her favorite flavor and smell - EVER.
We give her a hard time about it but she doesn't care.

Vanilla is often taken for granted.

It is always there for you -
familiar and calming but it is also upbeat and exciting.
Did you know vanilla has over 170 notes to it?
It can taste and smell like
marshmallow, bean, vanillin, icing and cream- all at once!
Next time anyone calls you vanilla, take it as a compliment.

So,
I have decided to "take back vanilla" with a fun filled gift for my friend...

a vast variety of vanilla indulgences...

Once you have perfume, a candle, candy, nail polish and your favorite creamer, 

what else could you possibly need?

After hard work on her gift I decided to have my own 

"vanilla moment" and enjoy a little iced coffee.

Believe me, it was a tough choice between French Vanilla and Classic Vanilla to top it with.

(if you want to try the Classic flavor, click here to locate a store near you!

Coffee-mate would love to see how much you love vanilla.  Snap a photo of your own vanilla moment and share it with the hashtag #TakeBackVanilla on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for a chance to have your photo featured on Coffee-mate's social channels.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Thank you for your support as I work with fabulous companies

to be able to keep creating for Jaco'lyn Murphy Designs.

link party palooza, say g'day project inspired homework  bloom designs tidy mom shabby nest

Fall is here...Fresh Ground Coffee for those cold days

As a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community I have been compensated for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

 My favorite time of year has hit Northern California

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, the days are getting shorter.
Football games, tailgates, upcoming holidays...

I know weather-wise, we are wimps.

49 degree mornings and 78 degree afternoons, is not typical October weather for most.

Often it is colder here in the Summer than Autumn.

But we pull out the gloves, 

put on our cozy sweaters and warm up with Fresh Ground Coffee.

Yesterday I tried the Seattle's Best Coffee Kiosk for the first time...

I was at Safeway,

cold, grouchy and frazzled with a million things on my list.

I headed straight to Rubi, the Seattle's Best Coffee Kiosk,
and decided to warm up before I hit the aisles.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee for $1.50??

I could not resist...

I pushed the button and within seconds, 

I could hear the coffee being ground and poured into my cup

Hot, delicious with just the right amount of Pumpkin Spice...

Do you have any idea how often I am at Safeway?

I am so thrilled that I can spend $1.50 or less on a great cup of coffee and be on my way.

Bring it on Fall

(and Winter, you too)

we are ready!

You have got to give Rubi a try

(not only are the drinks great and convenient, it is so fun to order)

if you text BEAN2CUP to 727272 you will get a code for a free cup!

and for more fun follow Hello Rubi on Twitter

also on Whimsy Wednesday

Drinking In the last day of Middle School... Mom's Pre-Graduation Coffee

Over the last 2 years, we have celebrated The First Day of School

with 

Mom's Only Back to School Coffees 

(Mama Java1 and Mama Java 2)

Most of my friends have graduating 8th Graders, 

and I thought it was only fitting to host

Last Day of School/Graduation Coffee Party 

to celebrate.

The end of the school year is so hectic, 

and I wanted to make this party special for everyone but easy for me.

Thanks to Safeway's convenience and selection and Gevalia's fabulous coffees,

it was a breeze to put together.

(the Gevalia Graduate!)

Graduation Granolas...

and

Commencement Coffee Cakes...

Gevalia Coffee is the perfect compliment for the simple breakfast foods I purchased at Safeway.

Their cast-iron roasting in Sweden, dates back to 1853.  

It is rich, never bitter and comes in so many flavors.

(and I have to admit, I am a sucker for the bright, fun packaging).

I can't wait to reminisce and laugh over the last 8 years.

Everyone is bringing some of their favorite school pictures of our little angels.

I am sure we will be amazed at how young they were (and WE were!).

It is hard to believe how quickly time goes.

I will be sending everyone off with a box from the,

Tower of Tissues,

complete with a quote, that is sure to get the tears flowing...

In the past,

I have handed out small packs for any

Tearful Moms at Graduation.

(here and here)

I decided to super-size them this year...

Well, the party is set,

I hope I am ready to have a daughter in High School.

Wish me luck!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.


also on Skip to my Lou, Sunday Showcase, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, 2 cup Tuesday, Homework, A to Zebra, Homemade Ginger, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely,  Someday Crafts, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello,  Its Overflowing,  Be Different Act Normal, Too Much Time, Frugal Foodie Momma, Sunday Showcase, Monday Funday