Jen A. Miller Consulting

Tag: TOMS

Behind the Scenes! Michelle Edgar Interview

For our interview, Michelle agreed to meet me at Toms’ Flagship store on Abbott Kinney. You’re likely familiar with Toms as the brand behind the now famous, and oft replicated one for one model. For every pair of shoes purchased, Toms donates one to someone in need.

While their flagship location serves as a storefront for the famed shoe brand, it also offers guests an introduction to the many other parts of the brand, in particular, Toms’ coffee. Their roasting club is a subscription service that gets you one bag of coffee every month. For every bag purchased, Toms provides one week of water to someone in need.

At the Toms store you can sample their single origin brews and nom down on a delicious mix of pastries. Order at the counter, then mozie outside and find and find a seat on their outdoor couch.

You’ll find plenty of blankets to cozy up with, ample power outlets for those in need, and a host of people who are sure to become your new BFFs while you enjoy your coffee.

If you haven’t yet caught on, I’m a bit obsessed with the place. It was only a matter of time before I found my way there for an interview. To catch mine with Michelle Edgar, the founder behind The XX Project click here.

Cheers!

Jen

June 5, 2015
Single Girl Obsessions | Fall Wish List

Catherine shares her must-haves for fall

One of the worst things about being out of school (aside from bills and adult responsibilities) is the absence of back-to-school shopping. Who doesn’t love a new notebook and a fresh start? Though school’s been back in session for well over a month, I’m just now feeling summer drift into memory. With that, I also feel a little more motivation, a little more inspiration. Here are the things on my fall wish list to aid in tapping into that creativity.

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October 13, 2014
Wake Up with the Perfect Cup of Coffee

All You Need to Know to Brew the Best Cup of Joe

In general, I would consider myself a fairly good cook in the kitchen. Give me a recipe and a little room for creative interpretation and I’ll whip you up pretty mean meal. Yet, despite my kitchen finesse when it comes to cooking, there has been one menu item that has remained outside of my capabilities. I have been plagued with an ineptitude to brew a great cup of coffee.

At first glance, the process seems simple enough. Pour hot water through coffee grinds until it turns into a black liquid, sweeten up with milk and sugar, and serve. Though, time and again my attempts turn out less than satisfactory. I can’t seem to get the water to coffee ratio correct; always ending up with a drink that taste watered down or far too bitter.

These epic fails have resorted to the use of a Keurig to get through my morning ritual. I have a love/hate relationship with my Keurig. I love it for its simplicity but hate it for what it stands for–my complete ineptitude to master the most basic of kitchen skills. The latter seems to have been more pronounced as of late and has me stirring to break out of my training wheels. After experiencing the cafe culture of Vienna I decided to do a little research and attend a tasting at my favorite coffee shop to learn how to step up my coffee game.

Though the practice has just begun, I’ve already picked up quite a few helpful tips that have taken my coffee capabilities from a few notches up. Whether you’re a brewmaster or just getting started, read on for the tips that will help you too to serve up the perfect cup of coffee.

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September 29, 2014
What I Love About My City | Catherine’s Los Angeles

Catherine reveals her top ten in the Los Angeles Westside

PHOTO: Catherine Abalos

Welcome to a special edition of 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. This time I’m taking over with a twist, bringing you the best of Los Angeles from my perspective.

If you haven’t heard the news, I’m in transition moving from L.A. back to my hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area. In an ode to my home of nine years (I spent the first four in college), I wanted to share my City of Angels. Los Angeles is made up of over 80 neighborhoods, and mine is part of the beautiful Westside. One of the best things about this major U.S. city is its diversity and space for everyone to create their own version of the city. You can be a struggling actor (literally) or a multi-millionaire and find activities, food, and people that appeal to you; granted, it takes some work. I love that Los Angeles is something different to every single person that lives there. I love how much flack it gets from people who don’t truly understand the hidden nuances. I love how you can drive to a different neighborhood and feel like you’re somewhere new entirely. You never run out of places to explore. Each of those 80 neighborhoods has its own character, and I’m so excited to share some of the best things about the Westside.

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July 7, 2014