My Portland Coffee Tour - Part 3

My coffee tour continues this month. We've had some really nice days at the beginning of the month, making it nice coffee weather, because I could sit outside if I wanted, and walking to one shop from another is fun and not miserable. I love that sort of weather. Actual Spring weather where it's sunny and warm enough to not wear a coat, but not so warm that you're sweating from walking three blocks.

This month I found some winners that were based on Instagram, Swarm friend suggestions and good old fashioned map Googling. I was pretty lucky with my visits too. You'd think that'd be easy with a coffee loving city like Portland, but not every coffee shop is created equal, which I have found out fairly quickly with this blog series. Anyway, let's get to the brews:

Peaks Coffee PDX

It's amazing what sort of connections you can make on Instagram. I found Peaks by following other coffee shops in the city. It's pretty much brand new and took over a tiny space in SE. They sucked me in with their minimalist design and their delicious coffee pics, including their new Mt. Tabor, which I decided I needed to try when I went in.

There were a couple really nice days in Portland, so everyone was getting excited about iced coffee, but it was back to dreary when I visited, so I ordered the Mt. Tabor hot and then a Mt. Hood bagel sandwich. The Mt. Tabor is a latte made with fresh mint. The hot version isn't that minty, though my breath was extra fresh for an hour after. It also has the added challenge of having floating leaves in the cup, which would probably easier to drink if it were cold and you had a straw. It was good though. It had a pretty good flavor that wasn't too bitter or too sweet, but I'd probably try something else next time.

The sandwich was awesome though. The Mt. Hood is a sandwich with cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. I got salt and pepper on it and it was one of the most delicious bagels I've ever had and it would be on the top of my list if I returned.

Peaks is small and only has bar stools for seating, so you're not going to go there and work on your novel or chat with your friends for an hour. You're going to go, chat with the barista while they make your drink and then sip it while watching people walk along the street, or you take your drink with you and become one of those people. Their prices are pretty consistent with the other coffee places in town, with a latte costing $4.75 and a bagel sandwich just $4. I'd say less than $9 for breakfast is a pretty decent deal.

Deadstock Coffee

This tiny little coffee joint is like walking into a little bit of an old school hip hop video. They have sneakers and sports memorabilia and a fun piece of art that features a boom box. They have a few stools to sit at, but when I was there they were full, including someone doing homework on a laptop, so they obviously are pretty social in their small space. You won't find food here, or a menu, but they claim they'll make any coffee you want, or you can ask for their specials. They didn't have any when I visited, but I asked them to just make me something cold and the barista suggested the Zero Chill (also seconded and applauded by a customer, or possibly another worker on break). 

It is a cold brew coffee mixed with ice tea. Those are my two favorite things to drink! He was nice enough to pour it into an espresso cup first so I could taste it before I committed to a full size, but I was in. It only cost $4, which I thought was a decent deal, considering how good and refreshing it was. If homeless people bother you, maybe just park across the street in the paid lot instead of finding street parking. I'm used to it and no one bothered me, even after I took my drink to go and drank it on my way to my next coffee adventure.

Courier Coffee Roasters

This little European style cafe is in a fun shaped building that's also home to several other eateries, including Portland landmark Sizzle Pie. They don't really serve food here either, but they have places to sit and their coffees are affordable. I asked for their most popular drink and they told me it was probably their lattes and also that the espresso was "especially good" that day, so I ordered that and a canelé (what I'm told is a baked custard pastry). The two cost just $6 - $4 for my latte and $2 for my pastry. 

The coffee had a lovely rich flavor with a little bit of sweetness that eliminated the need for any sugar at all, plus it was pretty to look at! The pastry was amazing. I'd never had a canelé before and I look forward to having another one. It was crispy on the outside and like a super moist cake on the inside. I loved it. I'll definitely be back next time I'm downtown, and maybe I'll head around the corner to one of the three places to eat as well. I was very impressed, and I'd have to say this is in a much more approachable part of Portland, right across the street from the North Park Blocks and a few blocks from Downtown proper with a ton of food cart pods nearby.

Heart

This was another shop that was my second visit of the morning. If you didn't know where Heart was, you'd probably not even notice it. It blends in with the buildings on the block and their monochromatic color scheme. The sign is small, but once you get there, you wonder how you missed it.

I found the prices of this minimalist coffee place a bit high. The prices seemed a $1 more for coffees and $1.50+ more for pastries. I had already had one coffee when I visited, so I opted for a small Americano and a blackberry blueberry scone. With a dash of sugar, the coffee was perfect. They use a mix of beans to get a lovely bold roast that is very satisfying. My scone had a nice crisp on the outside and was fluffy on the inside with that burst of fresh fruit. The two cost me a total of $7.50 ($3.50 for an 8oz $4 for my scone). 

For the price, you get the added convenience of a Downtown location, but unless you're visiting on a weekday morning, you probably are going to end up paying for parking as well. Although, if you're already downtown, it's easy to walk to and close to the mall, Target, Powell's Books, and Pioneer Square. There is plenty of inside and outside seating and the space is airy and bright. It's a friendly place to pop into for a to-go cup or to sit and relax for a bit. Don't expect any substantial food though, as I think I picked the heaviest thing on offer.    

There you have it. Four coffee shops that you may not have heard of and may be interested in grabbing a cuppa on your next visit to Portland. 

What's your favorite coffee shop from home or your travels?

Review: Pakems Packable Boots

I travel a lot in the fall, when it can be cooler than expected. I have often flown with boots, some better than others, but they tend to take up a ton of space in my carry-on. I could check a bag, but then there’s the worry that my bag won’t even make it to my destination, plus I don’t really want to drag a big bag around with me. My rule is: If I can’t pick it up, then it’s too heavy to come with me on vacation.

Pakems has created a true packable boot that’ll take you from city sightseeing to winter fun. Maybe you plan to play in the snow, or you just need a good warm boot so your toes don’t freeze and fall off while you’re strolling the city. Pakems come in their own little duffle, so you don’t even have to pack them in your carry-on if you don’t want. You can throw the strap over your shoulder and wear them like a purse.

Guess what I just got in the mail? #Pakems! . . #jetsetter #jetset #ilovetravel #tourist #tourism #tblogger #tbloggers #travelblog #travel #travelblogger #travelgirl #travelgram #instatravel #traveler #traveller #budgettravel #budgettraveler #budgettraveller #travelshoes #snowshoes #packableboots

A post shared by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle) on Apr 19, 2017 at 12:14pm PDT

Pakems are fun to wear, are cozy in the cold weather, and the new style is waterproof, so you can even tromp around in the pouring rain without worrying about your feet getting all squishy and gross. As a Portlander, this is pretty important to me, as it rains a lot during the year, including all through the winter, so I need a good waterproof boot to deal with life here.

Pakems were designed as an alternative to snow boots, because you could easily take up most of a suitcase with just one pair. They aren’t very travel-friendly. Pakems do the same job as you favorite snow boot, but can roll up to a fraction of the size, so you still have room for all the sweaters, pants and thick socks you need to take with you. They have tension straps that allow you to make them tighter or looser and they have a special strap that lets you keep them squished down to packable size, so they fit in your bag (or their own bag) better. They can be as small as 2 inches tall! Crazy, right?

Not only are they packable, but they won’t weigh down your luggage either. They are super lightweight at just 15 ounces. That means you won’t hate your carry-on more than usual, because it won’t be any heavier than with your normal shoes. In fact, it might actually weigh less.

The inside of the boot is lined with faux fur, that feels a bit like fleece, so it keeps your foot nice and warm, even without your favorite socks. The top can be tightened, so you can keep water and snow out of your boot. I love that, because there’s nothing worse than having a great pair of boots that still allow your feet to get cold and wet, because the top doesn’t conform to your leg. Pakems lets you control your fit all over, making it perfect for your foot. This is awesome, because they work skiing and other activities, but then you can loosen them up for walking around the city. Un-cinch the top and roll the tops down to make a more casual statement.

These shoes are made for everyone, and if you want to go play out in the snow and leave your purse behind, or keep your pockets empty, they have a handy dandy zipper pocket on each boot that’s just the right size for your hotel key card, a credit card, ID and even some cash. This allows you to go out unencumbered and still have all the important stuff with you. Play out in the snow and then go directly to the ski lodge for cocktails to warm up. Also, because they zip, you can’t accidentally lose important things while you’re out having fun.

Pakems are comfortable to wear and come in a several different styles/colors. You can even buy short Pakems if you like a lower profile boot, because not everyone is the same. My boot looks great with jeans and I loved wearing them around town. I look forward to taking them on my next cold weather vacation, because they look fun and I can hide some emergency money in my boot in case of pickpockets.

Keep your kids busy by purchasing them the Bodie boot. They are black and white and come with markers, so they can design their own boots. This can give them something fun to do while waiting in line, sitting at the airport, or traveling on the plane. Awesome, right?

These make a great gift as well! Remember that Father’s Day and Graduation is happening pretty soon here.

Other details

Where to buy them: On the Pakems website

How much are they? $65 for the Cortana’s I’m wearing

Colors they come in: black/purple (shown) | pink camo | brickell

Additional specs: lightweight rip stop fabric & rubber soles for traction, each shoe has an anti-bullying message (“be kind”) inside.

Who else needs a great packable boot to travel with?

If you want a pair of Pakems and love to see their new innovative designs, check them out online:

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Disclosure: I was provided with a pair of Pakems for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Hitting the Beach On a Budget

Got aspirations to go to the beach this summer? Well, you’re likely not the only one, especially since the kids are out of school and the sun is out and that makes people flock to beaches near and far. The problem with heading to the beach during the warmest months is that it is often quite expensive and crazy crowded. Considering most people are just lying on the beach on their trip, it makes no sense to spend a ton of money that you don’t have to. So, here are some tips on how to spend less than expected.

It’s summer, which means you don’t need to take much with you. Getting everything in a carry-on will save you checked bag fees and also get you on your vacation as soon as possible after your plane lands. Keep your travel wardrobe to a minimum by taking one nice outfit and then several tops and bottoms that mix and match. This way, even if you took only 3 tops and 3 bottoms, they could make two week’s worth of different outfits. I then suggest taking two pair of shoes that will work with your outfits as well. Normally, I take a nice pair of sandals that can also work with dress clothes and a good pair of walking shoes. This way, you will be prepared for anything. Throw in a pair of flip flops (which I don’t count as shoes, since they take up almost no space) and you’re set for bumming around on the beach or at the pool.

Change Location

Trade in the ocean for a nice lakeside location. Not only will it be a fraction of the price of an oceanfront property (or even an ocean “view” one), but you can do almost the same things you can otherwise. You can lay out on the beach, make sandcastles, go snorkeling, fishing, swimming, jet skiing and almost everything else you can do at the beach by the ocean.

Book a Rental 

Look for an apartment/condo/house rental instead of a hotel. I keep saying this, but it really can save you a lot of money. Many times you can find something for $300-400 per week, when most hotels you find are going to be well over $75/night, and that’s only for two people. On top of the savings per night and per person, you’ll also be able to shop for your own food and make as many meals as you like. I tend to like to buy breakfast fixings, because I don’t usually like to go out for breakfast and I don’t like to rush in the morning. I can eat a bowl of cereal or a bagel while I’m getting ready for the day and I’ve saved at least $8/day just for me alone. A lot of restaurants charge more than that. Heck, you could easily spend that much at Starbucks for a muffin and a coffee. And if you come back in the middle of the day for a nap or to rest your feet, you can make yourself a sandwich for lunch, too!

Go on a cruise

There are tons of deals going on right now, which means you can hang by the pool on the ship and then check out different beaches when you reach port. You also have the option of trying cool cuisines, saving money on food and accommodations while at sea and having a lot of shopping and sightseeing options.

Go South

Head to South and Central America where even during the summer, rates for hotels are pretty affordable. Places like Ecuador and Belize have wonderful beaches and budget-friendly food and lodging. Stay at a more luxury resort for a fraction of the price, which will help you stay on track with your travel budget and also give you more for your money. The beaches are just as good, plus you get to brush up on your Spanish or Portuguese.

Become Unpopular

Head to less-popular locations like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and other beachfront locations that have late summer travel deals. Many of these are located in the Southeast and in smaller towns, like Daytona Beach. While they may not seem very exciting at first, there are plenty of things to fill your spare time with, yummy fresh seafood and cool day trips as well. Fodor's has this great list of under-the-radar beach spots in the U.S.

So, if you’re hoping to work on your tan and enjoy some sand between your toes, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, your sunglasses and a bunch of sunscreen and start booking your flights, which will not be cheap this time of year. Where will you be headed this summer?