Jen A. Miller Consulting

Category: At Home

How to Savor Christmas All Month

12 ways to make your holiday last throughout December

Since I left for college many moons ago, I have grown to appreciate the holiday season more deeply. It’s the time of year when all of my childhood friends and family are gathered in one place. You wind down from another year and remember what’s really important. The chaos of life matters a little less. Spending time doing nothing with people you love means even more. When “holiday break” in my hometown went from a month in college to a week and a half in the work world (and I know even that is a luxury!), I learned how to savor Christmas in less time. One of my favorite parts of moving back officially is that I get to see a full-size Christmas tree when I come home every day. I started to make a conscious effort years ago not to look forward to anything too early. I felt that it made time move too quickly, and I for one want to extend every happy memory for as long as possible. With that, here are my twelve ways to spread holiday cheer in small ways and celebrate your holiday last throughout the month.

(more…)

December 3, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving!

Contributors share traditions and what they’re giving thanks for

PHOTO: TV Media Insights.

I used to mark my year in reasons to fly home, and one of the biggest trips was naturally for Thanksgiving. LAX is reportedly the busiest airport in the US during Thanksgiving week, and from the endless delays, cancelations, and hours spent at a terminal during that week for the past decade I can say proudly that it’s true.. and I survived. Last year in the cab ride to the airport, a thought casually crossed my mind: “This is the last year I’ll travel for Thanksgiving.” It came and went before I had a chance to challenge it, but a year later I smile at my personal premonition.

For the first time since 2005, I am staying put for Thanksgiving. I see my family every day, yet the festive air is contagious and the holiday spirit feels even more magical now that I’m in a city in which temperatures drop for the season (plus you have to admit San Francisco feels like a snow globe city, without the snow). 2014 has been quite a year. I don’t know many who didn’t go through some kind of major change—a decision to change jobs, move into a new apartment, relocate to a new city, go back to school, start a company—and we are all better for it.

This Thanksgiving, take a pause before you begin your meal or before you change into your Thanksgiving pants, and give thanks to those around you (literally and figuratively). Here are what our single girls are grateful for this year.

(more…)

November 27, 2014
How to Eat Healthy All Week Long

Jen’s tips, tricks, and recipes to help you eat healthy all week long

It’s rare that a week goes by without someone I work with commenting on my healthy eating habits. I eat breakfast everyday, bring my lunch to work, and rarely eat out. I’m not a stickler about what I eat when it comes to the weekends but M-F I do what I can to keep my diet reeled in. Might sound a bit boring to some but for me this plan works. I figure if I can make the right decisions 80% of the time, there’s no reason to feel guilty about the 20% I’d rather feast on chocolate, cheese, and wine.

Aside from the general commentary, I often get asked how I manage to do it. I wish I could tell you there is some secret formula or magic trick to it all. In reality, however, the trick is quite simple. Sticking to your healthy habits all comes down to being prepared.

(more…)

November 3, 2014
Your Single Girl Goals | Fall Edition

5 Single Girl goals to bring to life this fall

PHOTO: Pinterest.

It’s hard to believe that another month is coming to an end. Halloween is tomorrow, which means the holiday season is looming, which means we will soon cross the 2014 finish line. You may not want to hear that, but I believe that acknowledging the inevitable is the first step in making the last months count. We put a lot of emphasis on setting goals this year, so today’s post is your reminder to review your year thus far, revisit your vision board, and make sure you leave your mark on 2014. Already accomplished everything on your list? Over your goals and need some new ones? Read on for fall goal inspiration from your 2014 boards.

(more…)

October 30, 2014
Orange October in San Francisco

Catherine reflects on cheering on the Giants from San Francisco

PHOTO: Ramses Bulatao.

The last time I was home for the World Series, I was in high school. I remember visiting California Adventure that October and seeing a Giants sign hung proudly across the faux Golden Gate Bridge (to be fair… and especially since we were in Angels country, there was a halo around the A in the life-sized California letters). In 2010, I watched the Series with my cousin in our Los Angeles apartment. In 2012, I watched the Series with a couple hundred Bay Area fans in Manhattan’s infamous Finnerty’s. That was the closest I came to experiencing a Giants World Series celebration with alcohol.

This year I moved home, and I was thrilled to be working walking distance to AT&T Park—home of the Giants. My first fall home, my first World Series of-age. What have I learned? The Giants aren’t just from San Francisco. They are San Francisco. And San Francisco is them. Here are 7 truths I’ve experienced over this Orange October.

(more…)

October 29, 2014