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Bang For Your Buck: 7 Creative $3 Starbucks Concoctions

Emily Co — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:05:55 PDT

If you're looking to spend a little less at Starbucks, then there are plenty of cheaper options. (We always love opportunities that make the most of our money.) But if you want something unique and aren't willing to splurge, then what? Well, you can still be daring and opt for creative options that aren't always advertised on the menu.

Here are a few awesome drinks shared with us by a Starbucks barista who wishes to stay anonymous.

Note: Prices are for tall-sized drinks. Prices and selection may differ in different geographic locations.

Starbucks Summery Beverages: Which to Skip, Which to Sip

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:23:37 PDT

Warm, summery weather can't help but make us crave cupping our hands around a cool, refreshing beverage. If you find yourself wandering into your local Starbucks for a creamy, icy drink, check out which menu picks you should pass on and which you can feel good sipping.

Instead of	16 oz. Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino Blended Crème: Strawberries and whole milk blended with ice and topped with a swirl of whipped cream: 470 calories
Go For	16 oz. Strawberry Smoothie: A nourishing blend of natural strawberry puree, a whole banana, nonfat milk, whey protein, fiber powder, and ice: 290 calories
Calories Saved	180

Instead of	16 oz. Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: Espresso, milk, white chocolate flavored sauce, and peppermint flavored syrup on ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream: 500 calories
Go For	16 oz. Iced Skinny Mocha: Bittersweet skinny mocha sauce, espresso, and nonfat milk served over ice: 100 calories
Calories Saved	400

Keep reading for more lower-calorie Starbucks beverages.

Brilliant or Baffling: Using Bugs to Color Strawberry Frappuccinos

Emily Co — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:07:11 PDT

New alert for Starbucks fans: your strawberry frappuccino has crushed insects in it. The rose hue of the drink originates from cochineal extract, a key ingredient that is made from ground-up bugs. Before you start freaking out, this coloring agent is also actually commonly used in items like jams, meats, and alcoholic drinks and has been used for hundreds of years. Even the FDA says the extract is safe. Starbucks mentioned in its press release that its reason for using this ingredient is to help the firm "move away from artificial dyes."

So what do you think - is it a smart move for Starbucks to use the natural dye of dead bugs to color your strawberry frappuccino?

Would You Be Into a Fresh Juice Store From Starbucks?

Camilla Salem — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:58:02 PDT

The pressed juice craze is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, it seems to be picking up speed and going even more mainstream with today's opening of Starbucks's first Evolution Fresh Juice Bar in Bellevue, WA. The new juice store promises fresh meals like salads, wraps, and soups alongside its cold-pressed juices. The store even boasts an "interactive juice wall" featuring digital illustrations of juices and smoothies being created. Although finding fresh-pressed juice isn't a challenge in San Francisco, we are happy to see that this healthy and delicious trend seems to be sticking - and spreading.

Single-Serving Coffeemakers: Friend or Foe?

Camilla Salem — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:57:56 PST

The days of measuring out coffee grounds into a paper filter may be coming to an end, especially now that Starbucks is hopping on the single-serving coffeemaker bandwagon. While there are many conveniences of dropping a coffee pod into a machine and simply pressing a button, some of the romance associated with the morning cup of coffee has gone by the wayside. That said, we love our office Keurig. To take a look at some of the pros and cons of these high-tech java-makers and to share your opinion, just keep reading.

Two Is Better Than One (Just Ask Romeo and Juliet)

Sponsor — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

What happens when premium espresso meets rich, creamy cocoa? Aside from your coffee dreams coming true, the answer is simple and decidedly delicious - Starbucks® Caffé Mocha. Like the yin and yang, a blogger with their laptop, peanut butter and jelly, or Angelina and Brad, espresso and cocoa are better together. The icing on the cake? Every Starbucks® Caffé Mocha is handcrafted from the world's finest beans, wholesome freshly steamed milk, and premium chocolaty mocha. Rich and delicious (another winning combo) and perfectly balanced, being together has never tasted so sweet. The new Starbucks® Caffé Mocha (much like cookie dough and ice cream) is the perfect balance of fabulous flavors. So, @Starbucks wants to know, who would you share a Caffé Mocha with? #bettertogether.

Two Best Friends Put It All Out on the Table(top)

Sponsor — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

A graphic designer and grade-school teacher by day, Sarah Wilkinson and Karis Van Noord are at the tabletop press by night. The two BFFs manage to find the perfect balance for their love of paper goodies (their budget) and most importantly their friendship. What began as creative workshops in their spare time turned into an unexpected journey. Applying the skills from their day jobs to their passion, they're handcrafting cards that make a statement in more ways than one.

Watch as Sarah and Karis find the perfect balance (while even having fun) and making people smile all along the way (get ready to giggle, girl).

Two Is Better Than One (Just Ask Romeo and Juliet)

Sponsor — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

When Two Dear Creatures Find Balance, Beautiful (Clothes) Happen

Sponsor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:47 PST

Bianca Benitez and Rob Sinclair are finding the perfect balance between their love of fashion and their love for each other, making them about the cutest and most chic couple in the world. Their label, Dear Creatures, is a labor of love for the two fashion designers. They have been embracing their unique style, positive energy and boundless optimism, in each collection for the everyday woman who exudes those same qualities. They have somehow tapped into the perfect balance of love of design work and love of each other (awwwwww)!

Check out Bianca and Rob and see how they manage to find the perfect balance in the video below

Taste Test: Starbucks Blonde Coffee

Susannah Chen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:41:58 PST

Last Fall brought word that Starbucks would be introducing Blonde, and today, the new "super-premium light roast coffee" hits stores and retailers nationwide.

Starbucks Blonde comes in two different blends: the Veranda (described as "mellow and soft") and the New Age-sounding Willow (characterized as "bright and clean"). As a regular Starbucks drinker, I was curious to know what the coffee titan's cuppa joe lite would taste like, so I subbed it for my usual morning cup of choice, the Pike Place Roast. How'd it fare? Read on to find out.