Trend Series: Caffeine Culture
This is the first of what I hope will be a regular series where I explore trends that I've captured mostly through my iPhone.
As you may know from following my Instagram feed and reading my blog, I have a love / hate relationship with caffeine. Mostly love, of course. Starbucks was one of the first companies to develop a brand around coffee, modeling their in store experience after sophisticated European cafés. But with the saturation of Starbucks, the last few years have seen a distinct 180 shift from the Starbucks aesthetic. Perhaps due to the sea of chain restaurants, plastic, disposable and mass produced everything, we're desperately seeking more permanence. Growing coffee companies like Stumptown and Kaffe 1668 use the dim lighting of incandescent bare light bulbs, candles and mason jars to hark back to a time where the General Store dominated, long before mass production and globalization. But with the added conveniences of wifi and elegance of a Dwell-worthy spread. Patrons are reminded of the craftsmanship, personal touch and ritual that goes into caffeine consumption through porcelain cups and latté art. Baristas have become artists, identifying themselves by wearing the uniform of newsboy caps, vests and the occasional bright red lipstick to remind customers that they are part of the creative class.
In New York, the four dollar cup of coffee has held its ground despite our stagnant economy. Perhaps we use this perfectly poured cup of coffee to escape the realities of our fast moving world, filled with constant email pings and chatter of always being busy? Ironically this escapism is often ruined by the compulsion to document and share our coffee experiences through social media channels like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
In the last few years, it seems that Brooklynites are nearly obsessed with this pre World War II lifestyle. Can you spot some examples?
Coffee Tour!
If you haven't read this article in the New York Times yet about the best coffee places in the city, I highly recommend you read it here. I'm tempted to print out a copy and leave it in my purse at all times just in case. I can't believe how many places opened in the East Village area since I left for the Upper East Side about 8 months ago. Enjoy!
Java Girl
I spent the last hour sitting in Java Girl attempting to read The Law of Attraction but was distracted by the conversations around me. Two women sat next to me, one Brazilian, but living in the city. The other, a 29 year old from San Diego. Their conversation about men, the troubles with meeting them in the city, how they've dealt with friends who liked them, etc. mimicked some of my experiences to a T. I almost wanted to join in and become their friend. Instead, I moved outside where it was quieter. Two minutes later, a couple sat down. The guy started talking about his experiences with wheat and how he discovered he had a wheat allergy but couldn't understand why dairy gave him problems as well. I had to stop myself from chiming in that he should look into Celiac's and that people with Celiac's often can't handle dairy either. Finally, I gave up trying to concentrate and am now back in my apartment, waiting for my sis to come in from New Jersey.
New Apartment
I'm totally late on the new apartment update but have still spent the last few days unpacking and then simplifying my possessions so they fit in a smaller space. So yeah, for those of you who don't know, I moved from the crazy East Village, St. Mark's between 2nd and 3rd, to the Upper East Side (or Lennox Hill) in the East 60s on 1st avenue. I went from an insane street with a quiet oasis of an apartment to a quiet oasis of a neighborhood with a loud apartment from cars, buses and trucks on 1st avenue. Such is life. I'm waiting to hear back from my architect friend on what to do to block the noise but am so far, relying on my ear plugs. It's hard not to regret a decision that cost about $500+ in movers along with countless other costs associated with moving when the apartment is so noisy.. I guess neither my roommate or I heard the noise when we visited and we were under some serious time constraints. Such is life.
BUT I love my new roommate. We have tons in common and similar, sunny outlooks on life. I love the neighborhood. Despite flirting with the thought of moving to Brooklyn, I'm happy with my decision to stay in Manhattan. There will be time for BK when I'm knocked up.. or at least coupled up. I'm excited to explore upper Manhattan and feel I'm already familiar with most of downtown from Tribeca to Chinatown. I'm hoping being surrounded by the wealthy and the successful will inspire and motivate me, or at least one might accidentally hit me with their Lexus so I can sue.
Will update more when I have a legitimate internet connection. OH! And you'll be so proud, haven't watched TV (minus today) since last Thursday. New roommate and I are just getting internet and no cable which I'm totally okay with. I may not even watch any TV until I get a newer digital TV (makes no sense to drag my old TV and buy a $50 converter). So more time for blogging/ writing my novel/ coming up with an amazing business plan/ or getting serious about going to grad school.
P.S. There's an awesomely adorable cafe directly across the street from me called Java Girl with coffee and food far better than some old faves that shall not be mentioned. (Nothing beats Abraco so far YET).