Restaurant Reviews: Freedom of Expresso – Franklin Square

So reviewing a coffee shop is kind of a cop-out, but humor me for a moment. The funds (and thus, the eating out) haven’t been in great supply lately, and so in my past two posts I’ve had to venture into more affordable territory. Besides, who ever said beer and coffee weren’t part of a complete meal?

Yesterday, after buying my eggs and weekly treats at the CNY Regional Farmer’s Market and then heading around the corner for 45 minutes of necessary-but-aggravating Carousel Mall crowd navigating, I stopped at Freedom of Espresso’s newest digs in Franklin Square.

Opened in April of 2007, the most recent FOE franchise isn’t exactly new. But tucked in the Lofts at Franklin Square building at the corner of Solar and Plum Streets, this café provided a pleasant change of scenery from the usual Saturday study spots. Surrounded in re-vamped industrial buildings and with a view of an urban park across the way, you can pretend you’re somewhere else for an afternoon. Somewhere like Brooklyn, or Prague, or wherever you might be nostalgic for on that particular day. It was my first visit, and I was impressed with its comfortable, clean and modern atmosphere, much like the Fayetteville location offers.

Canvas: A Portrait of Hope

Obama’s Tuesday night acceptance speech left me with chills. The large stage in Grant Park, Chicago was surrounded by a 125,000 version of the American melting pot. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic—it was a sea of ethic color. I watched the next First Family—the first black family—walk out onto the blue stage seeded with American flags, and I was humbled.

This will become one of those “where were you when…” moments. It’s a moment that will write itself in the history books of tomorrow, and is already inspiring the artwork of today. 

Obama represents change and transformation. It only makes sense that the artwork inspired by him veers away from the traditional serious-faced White House portrait. He is a man that is rocking this country to its core—reminding Americans why we should call ourselves great and why we can always hope to be better.

 Art reflects and reinforces history; Obama is man of change, and the artwork done of him embodies that same ideal—this artwork will become the visual reminder of Obama’s election for generations to come. 

Untailored fashion: For the Love of Green

Designers are taking everything from the beer bottle cap you just flipped off, to the tires on your car to create clothing and accessories. Even the buttons on your keyboard are up for grabs.

However green fashion is not something new. Many designers including Maison Martin Margiela (who I profiled earlier this year) have based their design techniques off of eco-friendly habits.

Green fashion is often referenced as crazy houte couture pieces that are completely un-wearable. However, while these are really the most exciting type of recycled fashions, there are many wearable designs available.