Classic Kia's Guide to Getting It All Done for the Holidays! (+ Great Gear for Traveling with Food)

One of the things we love to do most when we’re not buying, selling, and leasing cars is to take our show on the road!  From road trips to vacations to visits with loved ones, we love to be on the go.  And of course, that means we need plenty of coffee to keep us going and stay awake for all those miles of highway. more Today, we’re sharing our gift guide to great portable espresso makers!  From camping to the football field to the dog park to the office, we love these on-the-go coffee makers that are travel friendly and fit in totes, work bags, and even backpacks.  You or your gift recipient can have fresh, smooth java anytime, anywhere! Plus, we’re sharing some great local coffee shops that you can support this holiday season with a gift card or two for your friends and family!  And feel free to let us know your favorites in the comments on any of our social media.  Cheers to the start of the holiday season! First up we have the WACACO Minipresso portable espresso machine, currently on sale at the time of publishing this blog for just $54.90! It’s manually operated, making it convenient for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities with no batteries or electricity required.  You just need a camping stove or fire to boil some water, and you’re good to go! The Wacaco Picopresso is another pocket sized option with it’s own secure carry case, but a little higher end in model and price point at $130~ish.  It’s one of the more luxurious options in small portables, creating very little bitterness and a deliciously lush crema!  You’ll have cafe ready drinks whether you’re on the beach or at the top of a mountain, or even your kids hockey game at 9AM on a saturday. The Aeropress is a classic and a household name for a reason! It’s affordable, convenient, and makes a great brew!  You can make an espresso or even some cold brew, making it a great all-weather option for your outdoor adventures. Affordably priced on Amazon for just $34.99 on sale right now. Best Local Spots for Espresso Prairie Espresso + Wine Bar in Lake Bluff, IL Drip and Culture in Waukegan, IL Hansa Coffee Roasters in Libertyville and Lake Bluff IL It’s All Good Coffee & Espresso in Zion, IL AREA Coffee in Mundelein, IL Tina’s Italian Bake Shop in Gurnee, IL Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea in Vernon Hills, IL Gurnee Donuts in Gurnee, IL Coffee Break and Lunch in Waukegan, IL Milkcow Cafe in Vernon Hills, IL Birdy’s Coffee House in Libertyville, IL Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters in Libertyville, IL Dalton’s Cakes in Grayslake, IL Something’s Brewing in Grayslake, IL Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe in Libertyville, IL He Brews Coffee Shop in Winthrop Harbor, IL

Just like your car requires gasoline or electrical charging to go, go go, so do humans!  Many of us get a little extra pep in our step thanks to our bff, coffee.  Since today is National Coffee day, we’re celebrating with some fun facts about nature’s magical bean brew, and we’ve gathered up some suggestions for best coffeeshops in our area and across Illinois. Check it out! more Five Fun Facts about Coffee: Did you know that Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee every day? That’s right, and in a year’s time we consume about 146 billion cups of coffee here in the US. In 2022, Finland is leading the charge as the world’s biggest consumer of coffee per capita, drinking an average of 4 cups a day!  In fact, the country even legally mandates  that workers be allowed two 10-minute breaks for coffee on shift. The United States has the largest coffee market globally, reaching more than 80 billion USD in revenue; second in line is Brazil, followed by Japan and then Canada. The Number 1 coffee brand in the world is Starbucks. The company reported annual revenue of $23.52 billion, and has over 33,000 stores in 80 countries. There is even a Starbucks on site at the CIA headquarters (where they don’t allow any names on cups, for obvious reasons.) The average 12oz cup of coffee contains somewhere between 90 to 150 beans per cup. Where to get the best brews in Illinois (in alphabetical order, because we aren’t playing favorites; we love them all!): AREA Coffee in Mundelein Bean Counter in Springfield Brewpoint Coffee in Elmhurst Common Grounds Coffee in Carbondale Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters in Libertyville Custom Cup Coffee in Springfield Daisy’s Artish Cafe in Lake Villa Dark Matter Coffee in Chicago Flipside Coffee and Espresso Bar in Rock Falls Gaslight Coffee Roasters in Chicago He Brews coffee shop in Jonesboro Honey Hill Coffee Shop in Wauconda Little Bean Coffee Company in Antioch Mad Goat Coffee in Danville Maeva’s Coffee in Alton Metric Coffee in Chicago Milkcow Cafe in Vernon Hills Oromo Cafe in Chicago Pilot Pete’s Coffee in Elmhurst Prairie Espresso + Wine Bar in Lake Bluff Sawada Coffee Co in Chicago Something's Brewing Downtown in Grayslake Stompin Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich Strange Brew Cafe in Palos Hills The Wormhole Coffee in Chicago Thirty Thirty Coffee in Peoria Three Twigs Bakery in Springfield

It’s National Tailgating Day!  Whether you’re at the stadium or arena for a big pro ball game, or you’re hanging out with fellow parents at your kiddos’ local tournament, there’s never a bad time for a tailgate party. Get ready for the upcoming sports season with these fun car gadgets and travel worthy barbecue gear. more Great Gadgets for Tailgating at Home or Away with Friends Even if you opted out of season tickets this year, we’re bringing you plenty of ways to party with your friends and social bubble and recreate the game-day experience.  Gather your friends in your driveway, the cul-de-sac, or a local parking lot for some good ol’ fashioned tailgating with modern convenience. Camp X Chairs from REI Co-Op (currently on sale for 50% off at time of posting!) have a max capacity of 300lbs, making them very size inclusive.  They have integrated cup holders to keep your drinks from spills, a convenient pocket for your cell phone, and easy to clean mesh and polyester fabric. They’re light weight and packs up into its own carry bag. You’ll want to have at least a set of four on hand at all times! The Eureka Camp Table at REI (currently on sale under $100!) folds flat, stows easily, and pops up in no time! It can hold quite a lot of equipment and food at a 90lb capacity total, making it very convenient for tailgating and serving meals!  As an added bonus it comes with its very own carry bag for portability. We love it when gadgets are not just useful but also conveniently practical! This combination storage cooler and ottoman is the best of both worlds! Stuff it to the gills with your favorite drinks, meats, fruit, and other goodies. Empty it out, fire up the grill, and when you’re done you can pack it up flat to stow and go!  Great for all-year round use anywhere. Available at Overstock in multiple colorways. Looking for a portable and affordable grilling option?  Take your show on the road with this 13” barrel charcoal grill for less than $50 (and at the time of posting, it’s on a closeout deal!)  Easy maneuverability and ample space to do kebabs, burgers, hot dogs, and more. Available here at Wayfair. Even though Autumn usually ushers in the cooler weather, it’s still important to remember protection from the sun! The SUV Tailgate Canopy Tent attaches easily to the rear hatch and allows your guests to enjoy some shade. It’s also great for those misty, foggy days for a little protection from the elements so you can enjoy your games no matter the weather! Flexible set up for SUVs, Crossovers, Mini Wagons, or Pickup trucks with a cap. Available here at Sharper Image. Great Tailgating Recipes and Cooking Gear Every good tailgating grill master will want to have the following on hand at all times to ensure their toolbox has all the essentials for an outdoor ‘cue or picnic: High heat silicone tongs 1 high heat silicone spatula Large metal serving spoons Metal serving bowls set Grilling tools set Industrial trash bags Camping plates and cups set or disposable plastic/paper 100% Compostable Utensils Set Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap, Ziplock Bags A Lighter and/or long matches Charcoal or Butane fuel Tired of the same ol’ same ol’ grilled meats and bottled beverages? Spice things up with these new recipes and impress your guests. Easy BBQ Brats Must-Try No-Cook Tailgating Recipes by Mighty Mrs 11 Best Tailgate Grill Recipes Pullapart Dogs in a Blanket Ring Mary Alice’s Hoagie Dip Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars Mini Sliders Grilled Beer Punch Venezuelan Empanadas Devon’s Award-Winning Chili Spiked Lemonade