The Coffee Pub

I'm going to sound like a food critic here but I think I may have discovered one of my new favorite breakfast/brunch spots....The Coffee Pub....While attempting dinner at Ramsey's on Saturday night, we parked in front of this cute, little, stone building: 

Now maybe I've been living under a rock, but I had no clue

this place even existed. How, when I live so close?? I have no clue, but nonetheless, I hadn't even heard of it.  I loved how "cute" it was so I told M, we needed to try it out after church on Sunday. My non-coffee loving beau, agreed, even though I could tell he wasnt too excited about it. He's not big into bakery type places, but after our deeelish meal, we both knew we would be frequent visitors! For starters, its just cute inside with its exposed brick walls and beam exposed ceilings. It has sort of a Charleston feel inside with a mix of horse country...I snapped a few pics with my phone while trying to not seem like a total creeper...

We had to wait about 10 minutes because it was packed (it only seats 40 people), but were taken to our table by this sweet, bubbly, lady. She apoligized for our wait and very happily told us the day's special..The Go Big Blue Blueberry Pancakes...and yes, she made sure to cheer as she said "Go Big Blue." So stinkin' cute :)

We scoped out the menu which is breakfast only on Sundays, but serves other food Mon-Sat. The menu is Kentucky/horse themed with its Bourbon Glazed Rolls to its "Thorough Breads" sandwich section. I've been cutting back on carbs and trying to eat as naturally as possible, so I opted for a spinach and egg omelet with fresh fruit, while Michael ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and toast. What was even better was my freshly squeezed OJ. They make it fresh each day and it brought back memories of the fresh OJ we used to make each day on high school spring break in FL (SACC crew, you will know exactly what I'm talking about)



The coffee/juice bar

My food was great and the scoop of grits I stole from M were fabulous- so creamy and good! The prices are reasonable as well...around $10 a person including beverage. It is open each day from 8-2, but can be rented out for special events such as baby and bridal showers after normal hours. It is located behind the Ramsey's on H'burg Road...I highly recommend it!! Teacher friends, I'm thinking some spring break brunches next week are a must!!

Lanterns!!

I love Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn..... A lot. I'm sure you do too, but we all know these stores were defintiely not designed with teacher's budgets in mind. One thing, in particular, that I've had my eye on since last summer were these lanterns :
I just think they are so classic and fun and I have been dying to have some for my deck. However, with prices starting at $40 for the small one, I just couldn't do it...I've been waiting for them to go on clearance....and waiting....and waiting.... Well, a few weeks ago, while at TJ Maxx (Great store for home decor setals) I stumbled upon lanterns. After realizing I could purchase all 3 for $40 total, I knew it was a match made in heaven!! I purchased them, then went to the Dollar Tree and grabbed some shells, candles, and pebbles for the inside and Vola! for a grand total of $50 I have fun PB, RH look-alikes on my deck! They had several other options, so if you're in search for some, TJ Maxx may still have a few!!

XOXO,

Your bargain shopper ;)

DC Cupcakes!!

I just ate a cupcake for breakfast. It was cinnamon flavored, so it's okay, right?! Ha ;)
Let me explain....
A week ago, I was told I had a surprise coming to my house. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was arriving on Friday... So, as I was out enjoying a day off, with its perfect sunshine and warmth (yay spring), I arrived home to find this on my front porch

If you watch the TLC show, DC Cupcakes you would know exactly what piece of heaven just arrived at your house....cupcakes!! But not just any cupcakes, Georgetown Cupcake cupcakes. Insert excitement scream here: Eeeeeeee! I opened the incredibly cute box to find these babies...

Holy cow. Uh- Mazing in every word imaginable. Now, we all know we have some pretty fab cupcake bakeries here in Lex, but as an avid cupcake connoisseur, I have to say these are better. Their flavors are like some I've never seen locally and their icing is just heavenly...For example, the cinnamon cupcake I just consumed almost tasted just like a cinnamon roll, icing in all (making it totally approved breakfast food...wink wink) and the cookies and cream icing, almost like ice cream. Even my non-sweets loving man says they're great! They are the perfect size and not overwhelmed with icing like some cupcakes, so you don't feel like you're going into a sugar coma after indulging. Plus, according to the MyFitnessPal App, they are only about 250 calories each!

The best part is, anyone can order them and they arrive to your house fresh and perfect. The Fed Ex man left my box sitting on it's side, so I was expecting to open a bunch of smooshed up cupcakes, but, they are packed  well, and on ice, so they arrive in sheer perfection! You can order them from the TLC store, but M ordered these directly from the bakery, which allows you to pick and choose your flavors! (Isn't he wonderful with his thoughtfulness??) 

 Here's the link to the bakery http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/ Not only is this a bakery started by two women, but they sport super cute pink aprons and boots while working. How fun?! Love it!  Order yourself some deliciousness, your tummy will thank you :)

XOXO,

Ash

Teaching on Survivor

I received this from a co-worker today. If you work in education, you will find this super true and amusing ;) If you're not an educator, it sheds some light on what teachers/educators face in today's world.


Have you heard about the next planned "Survivor" show?




Three businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped in a public school classroom for 1 school year. Each business person will be provided with a copy of his/her school district's curriculum, and a class of 20-25 students.



Each class will have a minimum of five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.H.D., one gifted child, and two who speak limited English. Three students will be labeled with severe behavior problems.



Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance, with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organize, or create their materials accordingly. They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, write referrals, correct homework, make bulletin boards, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents, and arrange parent conferences. They must also stand in their doorway between class changes to monitor the hallways.



In addition, they will complete fire drills, tornado drills, and [Code Red] drills for shooting attacks each month.



They must attend workshops, faculty meetings, and attend curriculum development meetings. They must also tutor students who are behind and strive to get their 2 non-English speaking children proficient enough to take the CATS tests. If they are sick or having a bad day they must not let it show.



Each day they must incorporate reading, writing, math, science, and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment to motivate students at all times. If all students do not wish to cooperate, work, or learn, the teacher will be held responsible.



The business people will only have access to the public golf course on the weekends, but with their new salary, they will not be able to afford it. There will be no access to vendors who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to thirty minutes, which is not counted as part of their work day. The business people will be permitted to use a student restroom, as long as another survival candidate can supervise their class.



If the copier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials before, or after, school. However, they cannot surpass their monthly limit of copies. The business people must continually advance their education, at their expense, and on their own time.



The winner of this Season of Survivor will be allowed to return to their job.

Give and Get

Note: I am not a shopaholic. In fact, I am quite proud to announce that I have not purchased a clothing or shoe item for myself since 2010. I know I blog a lot about great deals, so some may think I shop a lot or too much. I really don't. Promise. Ok, read on.....

If you're a teacher, you need to sign up for this website...
www.myeducationdiscount.com
It sends you emails (usually 2 to 3 a month) about discounts companies are offering teachers. This week, I received an offer for the Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy Give and Get program. This is a wonderful program where as you get 30% your entire purchase (sale prices included) AND Gap will then donate 5% of your purchase price to your chosen charity. Pretty neat, right?! There are several charites to choose from, including Habitat for Humanity, Juvenille Diabetes and Teach for America. Just think how much money can be donated to these charities if tons of people participated. Lots and lots.

The dates for the program start next weekend, March 17th-20th and can be used at all Gap stores INCLUDING outlets!! They ran the same program last year and I was able to score some major dicounts at the Banana Republic Outlet while donating to charity! Double Score! Here is the link to the different stores if you'd like to cash in on the offer. No, you don't have to be a teacher to use the offer. In fact, if you are a Gap cardholder, you may even receive a mailer about it.
However, if you're neither a teacher nor cardholder, here's your invite:

Gap:http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/gap.htm
Old Navy:http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/oldnavy.htm
Banana Republic:http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/bananarepublic.htm

Here's some other fun shopping discount news! If you are reading this today, Saturday the 12th, Loft is offering an additional 30% off of EVERYTHING in their stores!! They only do this a few times a year and today is the day!! If you cant make it out to the stores and want to shop online, simply enter the code MARSE312 at checkout to get the discount!!

Happy Shopping!!

-Ash

The 4 S's

There are 4 things that I am simply loving right now: Sniqueaway, Slimware, Spring, and Southern Living



1. Sniqueaway.com is kind of like a Groupon for travel. Every few days there are great hotel deals offered for wonderful hotels across the globe!! Most rates are at least 50% off and new hotel offers appear each day straight to your inbox! It's a free service, but you can only receive these offers if you are a member. Lucky for me, my friend Lyndsey referred me so lucky for YOU, I can refer you :) Here's the link to join!! http://www.sniqueaway.com/invite/AshleeCoo



2. Slimware is a cool product that helps with knowing just how much of each portion you need on your plate. If you're like me, you never know just how much meat to have or how many starches is too much, etc. These super cute plates have designs on them where as the veggies go in the biggest design, starches in the next, meats in the smallest and healthy fats in the extender area. If I wasn't so blog-impaired I would post a picture, but every time I try to add a picture, it posts it really large at the start of the post. Weird! Anyway here's a link to my favorite ones: http://www.slimware.com/Articles.asp?ID=141
It's such a simple idea, I wish I would have thought of it, don't you?!


3. Spring. I mean after the winter we've had, how can one NOT be pumped for spring?! These past few weeks have had some warm days and holy mercy has it been great!! It's been so wonderful getting to talk walks outside vs the treadmill, drive with the top down, grill out (we've only done this once, but it was so nice) and of course, wear a few of my beloved spring/summery type clothes and shoes!! Speaking of fashion, have you checked out Target's spring collection? They have some super cute dresses and such and of course, at amazing prices!! Spring is such a happy time. Flowers blooming, fun pastel colors everywhere, an approaching week off from teaching, horse racing, patio's re-opening, baseball, march madness basketball....oh I could just go on and on and on.......

And the last one.....

4. Southern Living . Growing up, Southern Living magazine was always in mom's magazine rack. I used to read it from time to time and never thought I'd reach the point where I to, would LOVE this magazine because I always remember thinking it was an old lady magazine...ha ha :) Well, I've had a subscription for the past few months and, call me and old lady, but I LOVE it! There are always several great recipes, and of course, tons of home decorating ideas!! I get excited when my issue shows up in my mailbox each month and I cant wait to apply some of what I've found into my own home!! Here's their link: http://www.southernliving.com/


XOXO,
Ash