1. They’re here!!!
Could there be anything more fun than the Starbucks holiday cups? Every year I’m excited to see the new designs. The crazy thing is… I don’t even get the fancy drinks. I just keep drinking my Earl Grey tea- but out of a festive cup.
Speaking of which…
2. Hello, Christmas mugs!
My fall mugs at home suddenly looked so blah… so I got out the Christmas mugs! So bright and cheery.
3. I ordered a planner!
My At-A-Glance planner was perfectly adequate this year, but I wanted something a little more luxurious for 2026. I think I’m really going to like this one- I’ll report back when it arrives!
4. This podcast…
On the Currently Reading podcast, Meredith and Roxana are doing a series of deep dives into Louise Penny’s books. This month they discussed The Long Way Home, which happens to be the last one I read. I like Louise Penny but don’t LOVE her like a lot of people do. Interestingly, it seems this book was not a favorite for many people, but I liked it.
Meredith and Roxana’s discussion was so thoughtful and interesting, it’s giving me a new and different appreciation for Louise Penny! Now I want to read the next book in the series, so I’m ready for the next episode. Speaking of books…
5. This book is fun!
Phew- I was worried it would be TOO light and frivolous- but so far it’s just right. Not great literature, but well-written enough, with lots of fun plot lines to keep me reading. It’s exactly what I needed right now.
Do you like the Starbucks seasonal drinks? What do you think of the cups this year?
Are you reading or listening to anything fun right now?
32 Responses
I got my first holiday cup in Melbourne today — that’s pretty fun. And the closest they had to half and half was whipping cream, I think!
I just started Guilty By Definition. If it’s good I think you’ll like it — based on the theme.
That book does sound REALLY good! I’ll wait for you to finish it so you can let me know.
And… I’m not sure what the difference is, but whipping cream seems like a luxurious addition to your drink!
Oh, I am so intrigued. I have looked at this planner before. Please let me know what you think when you have it in hand!
Also, I bought a holiday mug today (don’t tell Jon – he’ll kill me LOL)…. I am so excited to drink all my coffee and tea out of holiday mugs in the next few weeks!
Okay, I will give a full review of the planner when I get it! And… one new holiday mug per season is just fine! Actually no it isn’t, because then we would have waaay too many. Oh well- enjoy!
That planner looks great! I hope you end up loving it! I am still using the notes pages in my 2023 planner! I like the idea of a paper planner but my life is too digital right now. I will get back to paper someday!
I got a latte at work yesterday and was thrilled with the cup designs at SBUX! I am pretty much always happy with them. I do not get the seasonal drinks either. I stick with my skinny vanilla latte.
Right now I am reading ‘A Marriage at Sea’ which is a short non-fiction book about a couple whose boat capsizes. It’s been fascinating to read about their survival!
I’ve heard of that book and it sounds really good! Also- yay for Starbucks holiday cups in Minneapolis! Didn’t you not have them a couple years ago?
Yes a few years ago we didn’t have them as they weren’t recyclable. Now we have compostable cups so they must have figured out how to still use the dye!!
I don’t go to Starbucks regularly, but I made an exception last weekend on the way out of town for my trip. I treated myself to a pumpkin cold brew, which somehow I learned about from you. It’s so good that I will only let myself have one a year because otherwise it’s going to become a habit.
Ha, the only way I would have mentioned a pumpkin cold brew is if it came up that my daughter likes them… or maybe someone left a comment on one of my posts? Anyway, pumpkin is out now- it’s all about the peppermint!
I love that you are jumping right into festive season! My Starbucks did not have holiday cups yet as of yesterday, so I will keep an eye out!
Gasp! Really? What is wrong with them? They should have them soon.
I do not go to Starbucks. I might be the only one in this boat, but I don’t drink coffee and the only time I drink tea it has to be Irish Breakfast Tea by Barrys – I think that’s who makes it, but I rarely buy it so not sure. That cup is definitely cute. I can see why you’d be excited about it and taking out cute mugs each season sounds uplifting. We use Spode Christmas dishes for our everyday dishes and it is fun to take those out.
I’m reading Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please. It’s light and fun. I’m waiting for the Correspondent, but I might try to get a copy of Sandwich in the meantime.
So- you don’t drink coffee and you rarely drink tea? I’m intrigued by this situation! I kind of want to take you to Starbucks and get you an English Breakfast tea in a holiday cup. I mean- I don’t know who made me Starbucks ambassador, but it seems like something fun you might like.
I love the Gamache books but only on audio.
Love the juxtaposition of your winter mug and fall tablecloth.
Also got a Starbucks holiday cup (and drink!) this week.
Yes, I guess it’s time to get rid of my Halloween tablecloth! Also- I’ve never done the Gamache books on audio, only print. Weirdly, I never listen to audio books.
I don’t really go to Starbucks, so I don’t know about their seasonal drinks, but I am having coffee in my Buddy the Elf mug right now!
PERFECT! You don’t need Starbucks.
I might check out the Clever Fox planner. I like my planner, but I feel like I might like to try something more compact. Thanks for the suggestion!
They also have other choices- I’m not sure if this one is exactly “compact” as it’s kind of big. But there are other sizes. I’ll definitely give more details once I get it!
I don’t go to Starbucks often anymore but I realized I still have a gift card there so I should, but I usually only get the iced teas so I can’t enjoy the seasonal cups, but I do like the designs! Maybe I’ll get one hot drink at some point just to get the cup!
Yes, get ONE hot drink this season! Also- the cold cups also have a holiday design! It’s not as apparent as the hot cups, but they’re still Chtristmas-y.
I got my first holiday drink, but it wasn’t in a holiday cup. 🙁 I will have to check back this week. I use a Happy Planner and I got an 18 month in August, so probably not getting a new one for the new year this year. I need to get my holiday mugs out, but we had a roof leak this week and my house currently looks like a bomb blew up, so thinking about bringing in more stuff right now seems overwhelming. It is also in the mid-70s this weekend, so it is not feeling very seasonally appropriate. 🙁
WELL, Sue, it’s getting up to 88 degrees here tomorrow, ARRRRRG! But, I ignore that and just pretend.
This sounds like a major roof leak! I hope everything is okay.
I love seasonal cups! they are something I used to look forward to. It makes the season magic!
Yes, I agree! They just make everything more sparkly.
There aren’t many Starbucks here; most Melbournians drink proper coffee from local cafes. Flavoured drinks are not really a thing, and most Starbucks are probably too sweet for us. There are a number of Starbucks in the CBD, which probably mainly cater to tourists and students. I’m almost finished Dream Count and am loving it.
That’s interesting- as you have probably gathered, Starbucks is HUGE here. There is some backlash, and people wanting “proper” coffee from a coffeeshop- but Starbucks really does the holidays right.
I had my first peppermint mocha of the season on Friday and I WAS SO HAPPY!!!! It hit the spot. I’m getting my second one tomorrow morning. 🙂
I’m glad that Christmassy mystery worked well for you. It has such a great cover!
I’m not fond of the seasonal drinks, and I don’t really notice the cup, so the effort is wasted on me. I don’t occasionally go to Starbucks. My drink of choice is a blonde latte with Splenda. Straight coffee hurts my stomach. I haven’t tried their Earl Gray yet.
I used to enjoy the seasonal Starbucks drinks but they are just too sweet for me.
occasionally I have one to treat myself but ask them to do one pump less of the sirup.
I am using my Secret Santa cup from last year the entire weekend for my drink and loving it.
Planner shopping is so so fun.
Love this list of simple and satisfying pleasures, Jenny
I’m glad you can enjoy Earl Grey again and in that shine-y mug!
(I’ve been to Starbucks maybe three times in my life, because… IDK. I’m reading Jesmyn Ward’s _Salvage the Bones_ and not having a good time. It’s the common reader for the honorary society I advise, so I have to read it. But all the graphic descriptions of this 12-year-old having transactional/survival sex is making me miserable.)
Jenny, I’m going to confess that right now I’m reading Moby Dick and listening to 12 Years a Slave and have decided my next book is 100% going to be a romance novel. I need something light.