I’ve read many articles about how the “Latte Factor” eats into budgets, so I made a conscious effort to cut back on my visits to Starbucks.  The trouble is that, especially at this time of year, I wanted to continue to consume delicious coffee (and get that much needed caffeine intake) so I invested in a quality coffee maker.

And I’m glad I did.

Today, my “Fridays for Gratitude” selection is my coffee maker:

With its elegant, sleek design, practical thermal carafe, GoldTone filter,* and auto shut-off, this Capresso MT500 Coffee Maker offered everything I wanted in my coffee maker.  I wish it had a larger capacity (only makes 10 cups) but, other than that, it’s the best I’ve owned.**

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*When I purchase coffee, I ask the barristas to grind it for a gold filter.

**Not including my French Press, but I’m only talking about standard coffee makers here

and asked the waiter if the restaurant sold them or if he knew where I could buy one.  The restaurant did not sell them and he had no idea where they were from.

Enter my handy dandy iPhone.

I read a few key words on the carafe, entered them into Google on my iPhone and in a matter of minutes…voilá! I found the website for these thermal carafes.

Isn’t technology grand?

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UPDATE (11.30.08):

Want something more elegant (as requested in an email to me)?  How about this one?

Or visit the Alfi website for a variety of well designed carafes.