Jen A. Miller Consulting

Category: Living

My First House | Lessons From a First Time Home Owner

Kristen Proctor Shares the Experience of Buying Her First House

Have you ever considered becoming a homeowner? Many of you have probably let the idea pass through your thoughts at least once. For some like myself, we’re still trying to get a grip on managing our apartments but owning a home is a long-term goal. Others, however, might be more ready to invest in a permanent place. Wherever you are with the decision, most of us can agree that the idea is a bit daunting.

Single Girl Kristen Proctor recently made that big decision and took the leap from tenant to homeowner. She shared with The Single Diaries what that experience was like, the lessons she learned, and tips for others Single Girls looking to make the jump.

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February 27, 2014
Single Girl Stays | ACE Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Catherine reports on her experience at the ACE DTLA and shares tips on planning a “staycation”

PHOTO: Catherine Abalos.

I love everything about staying in hotels… fresh sheets, fresh towels, a mountain of fluffy pillows, the option to order food straight to your room, the free Bible. A couple years ago I made my first trip to Palm Springs and was introduced to the ACE Hotel. I was an immediate convert to the laidback, urban cool vibe of the compound and have considered visiting new cities in order to stay at the ACE. The ACE is purposely a little undone and can feel like glamping. I was fortunate to take refuge in my sister and brother-in-law’s room at the ACE when all of us were stranded in Manhattan after Sandy hit. When I heard that they were opening up in Downtown L.A., I vowed to book a night for some personal R&R. A staycation is a mini vacation from your life, without the inconvenience of leaving your town. A solo version should be purposeful and a way for you to invest in yourself.

A solo staycation has been on my to-do list for a long time. To have an immaculate suite to myself for one night (or more) to relax on thousand-count sheets is more luxurious to me than a day at the spa. However, when I mentioned my weekend plans to people, four times out of five their first response was to ask whom I was going with. For some, the idea of staying in a hotel by yourself for pleasure is comparable to eating alone at a restaurant or going to a movie theater alone. It sounds scary, you would feel judged, you may judge people who are doing it. When you find the courage to face your fear of being alone in any situation, you have the potential to liberate yourself from the constrictions of popular opinion and discover something new about yourself. One night away from my living space filled with material possessions and the figurative weight of the current ups and downs in my life gave me refreshing perspective.
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February 24, 2014
What I Love About My City | New Orleans

Sarah Walsh shares how The Big Easy called her home, plus her insider tips for Mardi Gras

PHOTO: Deconcrete.

Welcome back to What I Love About My City—a series in which our favorite single girls dish on everything from the best places for a single girls weekend to the secret spots only the locals know about. If you’re thinking about moving or just planning your next trip, we’ll fill you in with all the essential details on the cities our crew knows best.

Originally from San Rafael, California, Sarah Walsh is a hair, makeup and food enthusiast living in New Orleans and loving every second. I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah in high school in San Francisco. She was a swimmer. I was a dancer. What has kept us connected since 2005 despite never being in the same city since (and aside from the outbreak of social media in our generation) is our obsession with and absurd ability to quote the TV show FRIENDS. A natural long-distance friendship was inevitable. I have yet to meet someone my age who, like Sarah, is so connected to a new city and feels indubitably that it has been and always will be the place she calls “home.” This is Sarah’s NOLA, and after hearing her vivacity in talking about this fair city, it is now on my shortlist of new places to visit.
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February 20, 2014
How I Learned to Love Running

And 10 tips for how you can learn to love running too!

As a marathoner and runner who’s been at it for over a decade, I often get into conversations with people about running. The good, the bad, the hard, the ugly, and mostly the excuses. Coming from a girl who laced up ballet slippers long before sneakers, believe me when I say anyone can become a runner if they set their mind to it. Here’s a little inspiration from my own relationship with running and my best advice to get you going.

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February 17, 2014
10 Ways to Show Your Love this Valentine’s Day

Inspired by Celebrations of Valentine’s Day Around the World

Here’s a fun fact, did you know that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in nearly every country across the world? The exact date and the name of the holiday may differ but almost unanimously our global society recognizes a day to celebrate love. For some nations the focus is on romantic love, for others friendships or family. Yet, at the heart of every celebration is a desire to show and grow our love for each other. Pretty spectacular when you think about it.

By now you’ve probably run through all the traditional ways to celebrate V-Day—quirky cards, boxes of chocolate, teddy bears. This year, why not approach Valentine’s Day not just as a reason to give a gift but as a reason to sincerely show your love for all the people you appreciate in life? The holiday may seem frivolous at first, but with the right mindset it can be an annual reminder to have fun, celebrate life, and enjoy the gift of loved ones.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are 10 ways you can show that special someone you care, inspired by different celebrations around the world.

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February 14, 2014