Woo hoo!  I got an early birthday present this week!

I just saw the commercial that Dunkin’ Donuts now makes the K cups for my Keurig coffee machine.  Happy Day!

For those of you who didn’t know, I had been searching for a coffee maker for a while and finally decided on the Keurig B30 because it was on clearance and it was small and compact enough for my kitchen.  My only regret was that because of the model I got, I could not use the My K Cup filter which allows you to use any kind of ground coffee for the machine.

No worries now!

I guess I wasn’t the only one who was bummed that I couldn’t get my favorite coffee for my coffee maker!  Now, my only challenge is to actually find it in stock to buy.  We only have two Dunkin’ Donuts stores in my city and the one that is “closest” to my house was sold out.  *sigh*

Well, if you’ve followed some of my previous posts, you know that I have been wanting a Keurig Coffee machine.  I guess some would call it “campaigning” to get my husband to notice   You can see my older posts here: The Great Coffee Maker Debate: Tassimo vs. Keurig and Tassimo vs. Keurig: And the Winner is…

About 5 months ago, I actually purchased my own Keurig B30 machine.  I had the opportunity to get a red one when it was on clearance at my local Sears store.    I seriously couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it on clearance for about $60 – amazing considering the regular price was about $109.99  - so I decided to give it a try.

Even though I wanted the Keurig because it had the My K Cup capability to use any coffee you wanted with the machine, the Keurig B30 actually isn’t set up to use the My K Cup filter.  Let me tell you, that’s a major bummer for me.

However, I decided to keep the machine to try it out, make sure I liked the coffee pods available and the machine itself.

Overall, the machine is pretty easy to use, compact and makes good coffee.  Since there are SO many options available, I’m still working my way through the different flavors to find ones I like.  I can tell you that the main reason I wanted to use the My K cup filter was to get my favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee.  Alas, I have tried Keurig’s Donut Shop version which I’m assuming is supposed to be like Dunkin Donuts coffee.

It’s not.

It’s stronger and has a bitter after taste.  In my opinion, Dunkin Donuts coffee is smoother, less bitter and has more “nutty” notes than “coffee” notes.  Maybe that’s just me

The other “con” for this machine is that it only makes about 6 oz. of coffee at a time and only a standard coffee cup fits.  If you want more coffee, you’ll have to keep making individual cups and and them to a larger cup.  By the time you are done, you will probably have to reheat the bigger cup so you can drink it.

I like this machine enough to keep it for now, but I am already hankering for the upgrade to the Keurig B60.  I don’t want anyone to think I don’t like this machine, it’s good enough for now and overwhelmingly better than my Senseo.  I just want more.

On a separate but related note, the only reason I chose a Keurig over a Tassimo was because of the My K cup capability.  I have been following many Tassimo lovers and reading the reviews.  I’ve got to say the Tassimo has caught my interest again because so many people rave about the wonderful coffee.

I don’t call myself a coffee connoisseur, but I know good coffee.  And while the Keurig coffee is good enough, it doesn’t have me shouting from the roof tops like Tassimo owners do.  So I honestly have to wonder how really good it is.  Part of me thinks the coffee is so good because it’s consistent and the barcode scanner on each T-disc heats the water to the perfect temperature.  While you can’t use “any” coffee in a Tassimo, it’s probably that same reason why it’s consistently good because the “user” can’t screw it up.  Like me!

So I think the only way to determine which one is better, is to try them side by side in a taste test.  Not sure how I’m going to do that unless I get a Tassimo as a gift or one to review.  Highly unlikely.

So for now, I will still use my Keurig B30 and make my morning coffee.  It’s good enough, satisfies my need and it’s easy to use.  That’s no easy order to fill for a busy mama of two toddlers and two businesses!

Hi everyone!

So sorry I haven’t posted in a while — this last month has been crazy.  I’ve been planning this post for a few weeks so I thought I should get busy since Mother’s Day is in about 10 days.

The “Money Is No Object” List

This is my selfish girlie list of goodies that I would love to get someday.  You know, someday when we win the lottery, become independently wealthy and have no bills.  :)

1. A weekend retreat at a spa – with the works!  Massages, pedicures, manicures, facials and SLEEP!  Food would be good in between naps.
2. Keurig Platinum Brewing System – all moms know why we NEED coffee, not much explanation is needed.  Truth be told the new Mini Plus Personal Brewer is probably a better size for my kitchen but I want the special My K-cup to make my favorite coffee.  Even though the reviews aren’t great on this item, I’d still like to try it.  Would definitely have to purchase it somewhere that offers an extended warranty option because most negative comments come after the first 9-12 months of use.  And, of course I would need a huge supply and wide variety of K cups, the carousel, etc.
3. Housekeeping services for a full year – no explanation necessary!
4. momAgenda Personal Portfolio in the Crocodile print – Yes, I am still a paper planner person.  I have tried PDA’s and haven’t found one that works for me yet.  Plus, I have little ones that always want the electronic stuff and when I don’t give it to them, the crying begins.  It’s just best to avoid that for now.  I’ve tried other “mom” planner products and in my opinion, momAgenda is the best.  I really like everything they offer from the Kitchen planner, to the family planner, All-in-One folio…I just want and need one of everything!
5. Kindle eBook Reader –  complete with accessories and my full book wish list.  Easily about $1000 value.  I really do love to read, I just don’t have the time or extra money to buy all the books I want to read.  I need to start going to the local used bookstore!

The “Within My Price Range” List

OK, time to be serious.  The list above are luxury items for me right now, we have other priorities.  So the following is a short list of things that can be purchased at a store:

1. Edible Fruit Arrangement – you know, I’ve always wanted one of these.  The fruit looks so good on the commercials that it makes me crave fruit immediately.  Plus, it’s no fuss:  no cleaning, cutting, etc.
2. Chocolate covered strawberries - pure decadence in my book.  And, the funny thing is that I’m not really a fan of chocolate!  But the combination of strawberries and chocolate is hard to beat.
3. Manicure and Pedicure – there’s a nice Aveda spa close by, would love to get a couple of hours to myself.
4. Eyebrow Wax – this really isn’t a wishlist thing, it’s a necessity thing.
5. New clothes – a new top and capris would be nice for Spring.  I don’t even have time to shop for myself.  Good thing is that I’ve lost some weight, bad news is that I have to actually try the clothes on.

The Truth

All I really want for Mother’s Day is to have a good day.  You know, the kind when I can sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast, read the newspaper and spend the day lounging.  It would be great if the kids would behave and give me hugs and kisses all day too.

What do you want for Mother’s Day?

Keurig by a landslide!

A couple of months ago, I began asking for opinions of coffee brewing systems.  My blog post The Great Coffee Maker Debate:  Tassimo vs. Keurig vs. ? is one of my most viewed posts to date.  I received a few comments on the blog, but most came from my tweeps on Twitter.  And overwhelmingly, the feedback was Keurig was tops.

I really put a lot of value into what bloggers, tweeps and commentors on my blog have to say.  Why is that? Simply put, I trust their opinion more than I do any commercial.  In my other blog post, What Kind of Influence Do Bloggers Have? I put the question out to everyone to see who’s opinion matters most.  And I found out I am not alone…

So what is it about the Keurig that made me change my mind?  What feature(s) really made a difference for me?

THE ABILITY TO USE ANY BRAND OF COFFEE!!!

Keurig sells a resusable coffee filter that allows you to use any gourmet coffee.  This seals the deal for me because I LOVE Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.  And, this even helps reduce costs even more because you don’t have to buy their K Cups.  (Of course, I’ll still want to because I want the other range of flavors they offer.)

Aside from the reusable filter, I really like the variety of cup sizes available (4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz and 12 oz), the setting to make iced beverages and their trademarked QuietBrew technology.  (This feature is a must when I actually wake up a few minutes before my girls and I want to enjoy some coffee.  My Senseo is LOUD!) 

So, now my quest/hinting/begging begins.  Dear Hubby, if you see this post, this is what I want for Mother’s Day.

Disclosure: These are my Amazon affiliate links. If you use them to buy your own Keurig, I might earn enough money to buy a K Cup.

I want need a new coffee maker.  That’s not a typo – I did that on purpose.

I have a Phillips Senseo coffee maker and it works “fine” but, I don’t like it anymore.  Why? Because, ever since @TassimoCanada ran a Twitter promotion a couple of weeks ago, I have been ga-ga for a Tassimo brewing system.  There was a fury on Twitter for some lucky Canadians.  @TassimoCanada was giving away brewing systems complete with a huge assortment of TDisks.  If I remember correctly, (as in, don’t quote me on this) the only qualifications to get a machine were that you had to have at least 300 followers and a Canadian resident.

I watched the flood of tweets over the course of about a week from people who wanted one, people who got them, and the people who didn’t.  A simply genius marketing plan if you ask me. If you didn’t live in Canada, you were tweeting about why not “my country”.  If you did live in Canada, you actively tweeted to get the followers to qualify for the machine.  EVERYBODY seemed to be talking about @TassimoCanada and the Tassimo brewing systems.

I even got swept up in the excitement and did a little research on the Tassimo brewing systems.  I read enough to know my Phillips Senseo machine was no match for the Tassimo.  So now, I want one.  Terrible huh?

Well, before I drop down  huge chunk of change (unless Santa brings me one for Christmas!), I’d like to get some feedback on different coffee makers and brewing systems.

My Phillips Senseo machine works fine, and I can’t complain.  I got it for under $30 a year ago and the coffee selection is OK.  I really do like the Godiva Creme Brulee coffee pods.  But, there are two things that I really don’t like about it.

1. The coffee is not hot.  It brews fine, but once I add a little milk, its room temperature at best. I don’t like to reheat freshly brewed coffee in the microwave – seems like such a waste.
2. The selection of coffees is minimal, and that’s it, you can only buy coffee pods.  When I want tea or hot chocolate, I have to make it the old fashioned way.

I really like the individualized brewing systems because I can make just enough coffee for me.  My husband doesn’t drink coffee at all.  But he does like hot tea and hot chocolate in the winter.  So this type of machine would work out well for us.  I have also heard great things about the Keurig brewing systems.

So, if you have either of these brewing systems, I would love your feedback.  I want to make an informed decision before making a purchase.  Hopefully some of my Twitter followers who received a Tassimo Brewing system from @TassimoCanada will share their experiences with us.  So far, I have only heard raving reviews on Twitter.

So, which brewing system will it be?  Tassimo? Keurig? Or another system?  You decide!