Vanilla Bean Latte, a great copycat of Starbucks Vanilla Latte, and healthier for you too!

I spent my day walking around a gigantic mall, attempting to finish up my holiday shopping before the masses get turned loose into the public. One thing about gigantic malls is that they are filled with multiple Starbucks and a Teavana thrown in for good measure. While not a fan of over-priced, high calorie drinks, I ♥LOVE♥ the smell of coffee. It's just magical.

I resisted the urge to stop in and buy one of those crazy expensive drinks, but now that I am home and am breaking out the Starbucks coffee grounds (reserved around here for limited occasions as I am not a fan but once in a while you need that super strong coffee to make a perfect drink!)

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I walked into work on September 4th and over half my coworkers were carrying around Starbucks coffee cups, sipping on a pumpkin spice latte. I, however, refuse to indulge in a "fall treat" when it is 79 degrees outside and not a single leaf has fallen from the trees. Maybe if I still lived in Ohio where it was in the 50's a few weeks ago I'd have indulged in this wonderful treat, wait...no I wouldn't. I am just not a fan of Starbucks. I have never acquired a taste for their coffee in general. Also, I am poor, I cannot afford $5 drinks. I am much happier making my own coffee drinks. Plus I know exactly what goes into it. 

Cinnamon Caramel Macchiato

I might be a morning person but I still NEED my coffee fix to face the day. Especially when I wake up an hour before my alarm goes off.

I also live in a town that does NOT have a Starbucks! It's probably better that it's not around, I really don't need to be spending $5+ on my morning addiction each day.

Since there is no Starbucks near by, I typically make my own coffee creations using my wonderful Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker.

I buy the Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee at Wal-mart. I have one of those reusable coffee filters for my Keurig (because I'm too cheap to spend $0.75 per cup...although I do get them when I have good coupons!)