While we wait for the fall weather to catch up with the official start of the season, people are already beginning to enjoy fall traditions and activities. From apple-picking to carving pumpkins to anything fall-flavored, we all have our favorite customs. One trend that has taken the fall season by storm is the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Starbucks is the original inventor and distributor of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, creating its signature flavor and launching the invention in 2003 as part of the company’s special seasonal flavors. At first, the drink was only released at the Starbucks locations in Vancouver and Washington D.C., but it was an immediate hit with the customers and was soon expanded to their other locations. 

20 years later, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has become Starbucks’ most successful seasonal drink with hundreds of millions sold over the past 20 years during the fall seasons. Their menu has also expanded to include their Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, which are available during the fall season as well.

Before the creation of the Pumpkin Spice Latte by Starbucks, the pumpkin spice flavor and scent was not yet present in the marketplace. Now in 2023, you can’t walk into a store during the fall season without seeing a pumpkin spice-flavored drink, candle or a variety of other products emulating the signature combination. 

The extreme popularity of the Pumpkin Spice Latte took off with the arrival of social media sites Facebook and Twitter in 2006. Media exposure through celebrity endorsements, viral videos and more brought the Pumpkin Spice Latte to its current status as a cultural symbol of fall. The original Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte has also been copied by innumerable coffee shops and can be found in almost every store that you visit in the fall. 

In Liberty and nearby areas, some of my personal favorite places for a Pumpkin Spice Latte (hot or iced) include:

Starbucks: There are various locations around Liberty. You can never go wrong with the original.

Hammerhand Coffee: Located near Downtown Liberty, Hammerhand offers their delicious Spiced Pumpkin Latte and Spiced Pumpkin Chai drinks that have a perfect blend of fall spices.

Paisley Perk: Located in Kearney (a short 15 minute drive from Jewell). Their Pumpkin Pie Latte has a rich flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the espresso.

Make sure to take advantage of these indulgent flavors before they disappear at the end of the season!

The walk from Jewell to Holy Grounds is around 10 minutes. Google Maps will tell you 13, but if you have long legs and/or embrace your inner New Yorker, it will take you 10. It is a nice walk through the historic neighborhoods of Liberty. Since the space is not a traditional coffee shop, it is quite an adventure. The front door to the coffee shop is on the south entrance of the church and down the stairs to the church’s basement.

The space is full of old books from the church’s library. alls that are not covered in books showcase the church organist’s original paintings. The dark oak of the table and bar creates a lovely, warm feel that contrasts with clean white spaces. They are always playing Gregorian chants or Anglican choir music, so, depending on your relationship with religion, you may find it peaceful and centering. However, if you are not used to being in church settings, you may find it a little strange. If you are not interested in the music, there is plenty of seating on their patio with shade and a peaceful ambience. 

The coffee shop’s menu is pretty standard, though a lot of their products are sourced from local small businesses. They roast their own coffee and they brew tea from Anna Marie’s Teas on the Liberty Square. I love their matcha because it is more on the gritty side. Their ratio of matcha to milk is the best in Liberty; many other local coffee shops dilute their matcha to the point where it is basically just green milk. Their espresso-based drinks are fine compared to the local standards of Liberty, but their espresso is just not quite up-to-par in my opinion. If you consider yourself a coffee snob like me, I would recommend getting a tea, a matcha or a drink with one of their many syrups. They make most of their syrups in-house, including my two favorites: vanilla lavender and cinnamon almond coconut.

There are many food options including pastries, and an extensive menu of more savory foods. Plus, they always have fudge samples from a local fudge maker up in Kearney.

Overall, it is a lovely walk from campus and a quiet place to study or hang out with friends. If you try it out, I recommend trying the fudge and getting a drink with one of their homemade syrups.

As a new student at William Jewell College, one of the first things I noticed was the popularity of The Beak. For those who don’t know, Jewell offers a coffee shop on campus — usually open during normal academic hours — on the third floor of the Pryor Learning Commons (PLC).

Officially being on campus for only a month, I’ve already spent my fair share of Cardinal Dollars on The Beak’s delicious drinks. I prefer their coffee drinks, as tea has never been my cup of tea. Iced coffee — a sweet, sugary and caffeinated beverage — became a favorite of mine way back in high school, and it has since become a big craving throughout a typical day in my life. I guess I could live a day without a coffee, but I won’t be happy about it! 

Now that I have daily access to The Beak, here are my three favorite drinks, how I order them and what makes them stand out to me.

Iced Crunched For Time

Crunched for Time — a macadamia nut latte — is my favorite by far. I can, and will, drink this all day every day. The drink is not too sweet, but also not bitter like other iced coffees can be. White chocolate is added in just the right amount so that the flavor doesn’t overwhelm the drink; the coffee taste is still present, despite the add-ins, and is actually enhanced by the macadamia nut and milk. I usually order the drink with oat milk, which makes the taste lighter overall.

Iced Sweet Mocha Madness

Another favorite of mine is the Sweet Mocha Madness, a white and dark chocolate latte — though this one is more of a treat than coffee to me. A decadent combination, the white and dark chocolate come together to create a chocolate-y pick-me-up that I can enjoy if I am craving a really good chocolate milk-type drink. The Sweet Mocha Madness can also tolerate milk substitutes well, so don’t be afraid to add oat milk like I do.

Iced Cardinal Grind

This was the first signature drink from The Beak that I tried — mainly because it was the first recommended to me. The combination of the mint and espresso always hits in just the right way, even though I’m not a big fan of mint. The drink boasts a minty-fresh aftertaste that combines well with the strong chocolate milk flavor. Although I wouldn’t drink it every day, I think once or twice a week is a good compromise. Since the Cardinal Grind is made with chocolate milk directly, adding a milk substitute takes away some of the signature flavor of the beverage. The Cardinal Grind, iced and hot, is a favorite at Jewell, and for good reason.

I still have a long way to go before I graduate, but until then, you will absolutely see me ordering these drinks and maybe trying new ones. 

This Valentine’s Day weekend, you may be trying to find last-minute gifts that will warm the heart of someone special. Finding the perfect gift is a daunting task, especially when you may be on a budget. Luckily, a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be a big expense to make Valentine’s Day memorable. Here are eight gift ideas that will make your special someone and your pocketbook happy this Valentine’s Day:

Cozy slippers or pajama set

A nice pajama set doesn’t need to be expensive and will be a practical gift anyone would appreciate. With Zoom classes and cold nights ahead, a pajama set is a perfect gift for a homebody. Most people don’t buy cute or cozy pajamas for themselves, so this would be a thoughtful and cozy gift. You can buy pajamas and slippers at Old Navy for under $20. 

Tea or coffee to make at home

For a coffee or tea lover, the perfect gift may be trying a new brew that you can share together. A nice bag of coffee beans or tea leaves is a thoughtful gift for your at-home barista. You can shop local at Anna Marie’s Teas or Hammerhand Coffee.

Cologne or perfume

Nothing says romance like a fragrant perfume or cologne. A bottle doesn’t have to break the bank this Valentine’s Day. You can get them a new signature scent that will make them smile, and spend under $35. At Ulta or Sephora, you can purchase rollerballs or travel-sized perfumes that will last for a while and allow them to try a new scent.

Prepaid date for a rainy day

If you can’t spend Valentine’s Day together or if you want to celebrate your Valentine at a later time, a prepaid date is a thoughtful gift to make fun and lasting memories. You can make this date as expensive or budget-friendly as you wish. An affordable outing could be reservations for a romantic dinner or prepaid movie tickets.  

Matching trunks

You can get you and your special someone a cute gift with matching underwear to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This gift is not SIMPly romantic, but it’s also comedic. You could have lots of fun picking out a fun pattern or color to bring a smile to their face and share a laugh together. There are plenty of options and variety online.

DIY spa day 

Celebrate your Valentine by treating them to a relaxing spa day. You can pamper them with face masks, body scrub, fragrant lotion, and other luxurious products. A DIY spa day is fun, romantic, and budget-friendly. You can purchase these spa day accessories at your local Target, Walmart, or Ulta.

Heart-shaped waffle maker

Surprise your Valentines with breakfast in bed after making them heart-shaped waffles in a mini waffle maker. It’s a loving gesture that warms the heart and feeds the soul. You can purchase toppings for a yummy Valentine’s Day treat and buy the waffle maker here.

Picture frame and personalized letter 

Nothing is more romantic and personal than a special picture and heartwarming letter for your special someone. This gift is affordable, but most importantly shows care and thought. You can remind them of a fond memory and share a warm sentiment. There are a variety of options for picture frames at Hobby Lobby, Homegoods, or Target.