As a member of the Starbucks Coffee Blogger Community I received samples to facilitate this post. As always, all opinions are my own!

Everyone has something they are passionate about. It could be a hobby, a job, an interest, a cause, or even something as simple as a good book with a deep message that touched you. Passions come in many shapes and sizes. Mine just happens to come in the form of a good cup of coffee, Starbucks® to be more specific. Starbucks® coffee has been my guilty pleasure and addiction for a solid 6 years. I didn’t really find my love for the brew until I had my daughter and it’s no surprise that it kept me sane during those sleepless nights every new parent experiences. We all have to pay our dues! It’s not that I need the caffeine to function, but truth be told it sure makes each day more enjoyable. The smell and taste of freshly brewed coffee makes my heart melt and puts me into one of those “feel good” kinda moods.

Having an addiction to coffee can be intense. Not in that weird kinda way where I need an IV full of of the creamy caffeine concoction to get out of bed in the morning. More like, sometimes I don’t want to leave my house to get that savory cup of happiness between my little fingers. Honestly, I have two Starbucks® within two miles of my house-one to the left and one to the right. To give you an idea of how often I visit these locations I will shamelessly share that half the baristas know my “usual” order. While I adore seeing their friendly faces each day, I don’t always want to leave the house to get my fix. This is where brewing from home comes in and makes like much more easy for coffee crazies like myself.

Last year I was selected to be a part of the latest and greatest Starbucks® Coffee Blogger Community. I could use the next 450+ word to describe my excitement but I think you all get the idea. A kid in a candy store… eating a hot fudge sundae… wearing footie pajamas. That’s the equivalent but with my Starbucks® White Chocolate Mocha in hand. I was ready to take on this glorious adventure as it would not only give me the chance to try the newest products but also find other coffee lovers like myself.

As a welcome gift I was sent a box full of goodies including three Starbucks® coffee blends- Veranda Blend®, House Blend, and Cafe Verona®. There was also a Starbucks® calendar and Coffee Passport outlining the fundamentals of coffee along with interesting information on each blend they offered. As nerdy as it sounds, I was excited to receive one of their Dot Collection Drink ware pieces because I have an obsession with cute mugs. Last but not least, a Pour Over Brewer and filters to BREW AT HOME!

I have been wanting to try the Starbucks® Veranda Blend for quite some time so this was the first one I broke open to taste test. If there is one thing every coffee lover should have on hand it’s a coffee grinder. I don’t use mine very often but now that I have a reason to it has been permanently attached to the kitchen counter. Using the Pour Over Brewer is really simple and once you’ve finished breaking down the beans it’s smooth sailing.

All you have to do is pick your favorite coffee mug and place the Pour Over Brewer on top. Add your coffee grounds and pour hot water over them to begin the brewing process. It may take longer than you are used to but each cup turns out delicious. The flavors of the roast are distinguished and rich. Depending on your mood you can enjoy it hot or over ice. I REALLY enjoyed the Veranda Blend® because blonde roasts are just my thing. So good!

This was my first time experiencing the Pour Over Brewer process and I am happy to have yet another way to enjoy my coffee. My grinder is finally getting a little bit of extra love and I have some new blends to try.

In addition to the yummy coffee I found the Starbucks® Coffee Passport to be really interesting. It’s packed with information like tips on how to taste coffee, the distinct notes within each blend, and stickers that are used to mark off each flavor you have tried. I can’t wait to put this thing to good use and broaden my coffee horizons.

Stick around and explore the world of Starbucks® with me in 2015! I will be sharing my experiences with new products, tried and true favorites, and ways to brew the perfect cup of delicious coffee from the comfort of your home.