I am so excited to chat with you about a great gift you can give your fave coffee lover!!
(PLUS a giveaway so keep on reading)
Advertisements
Here’s an easy gift idea for someone who loves coffee (like me)!
I’m sure you’ve been in a similar boat as me where you want to find more unique gifts for your loved ones that aren’t just generic things on amazon. I’m here to recommend JORD watches. They have much more than just wooden watches. Thank you to JORD for partnering with me on this post!
They have a Barista Collector’s Edition Watch!!!!
Advertisements
The Barista Watch Gift Set for Coffee Lovers
JORD Watches is known for the materials they incorporate into their unique accessories. Some examples in the past have been wood, stone & even marble; they focus on sustainably sourced, natural materials.
But now….
JORD watches have been able to create a way to suspend REAL coffee beans around the watch (and it’s even cooler looking in person)!! This is such a cool watch for any coffee lover you have in your life.
This watch is a collaboration with St. Louis Roaster Kaldi. The dial of the watch actually depicts the coffee bean roasting process and the band is a deep roasted brown made of JORD’s vegan cork leather.
I’m not much of a watch wearer myself, but with the minimal style and cool features of the watch I can’t help but admire it! The Barista Watch is a unique gift idea for anyone.
Shop Small this Holiday Season
Something I didn’t realize was that JORD watches actually is a small family run business out of St. Louis with less than 10 employees!!! As I’m personally trying to shop small this Christmas it makes me happy knowing that shopping from JORD is supporting a small family owned business.
Advertisements
Other JORD Gift Ideas
All of JORD’s signature timepieces pieces are available with custom engravings (like the back plates and cedar gift boxes can be personalized with monograms, images, & personal messages).
JORD watches also sells unique vegan cork leather luxury handbags, natural sunglasses, blue light glasses, gift sets, hats and limited edition wood & leather apple bands like these ones!
Giveaway Time!!!!!
Want to win a custom JORD gift set yourself? Just enter from my custom link here.
Just by entering you’ll get a 20% of coupon code to shop!
Giveaway ends in two weeks!!!
Advertisements
I am just as excited as you are!
*LINKS are AFFILIATE links so using them does support me*
Big thanks to JORD Watches for working me on this giveaway!
Hello! It’s been a bit since I really sat down to give a mini life update. Work over at Lululemon for the holiday season has definitely been keeping me busy, as well as I am slowly starting to upload more content over on my youtube!
Advertisements
Not much to update on in regards to my graduate school journey; still some back and forth on final paperwork and deposits so I can get my certificate of enrollment to then FINALLY be able to apply for my Australian Student Visa. A lot of stuff with the process is just a stepping stone to then have another thing to do and check off the list. Also, there’s still hope I can move to Aussie in Jan/Feb but not getting my hopes up as that’s SO CLOSE!
My recent vlogs over on my youtube are pretty accurate representations of my life lately. I’ll put them here for you!
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
How’s everyone doing prepping for the holidays? do we feel good? are we stressed?
As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read this!
So excited that even after a few bumps in the road I FINALLY got my new camera in the mail. A couple people I follow recommended this camera and I was instantly pretty sold on it.
I sat down and did an unboxing and initial thoughts here! woo!
Advertisements
Advertisements
I am so impressed with the video and audio quality of my new camera! I can’t wait to really start using it.
Soho NYC is a neighborhood densely packed with lots of boujee cafes and coffee shops: some are a hit and some are a huge miss in my opinion.
To preface this, I did write a whole blog post on NYC cafes that seem all perfect on platforms like Instagram, but don’t actually have good coffee. Hence, people just go for the photos… ouch.
Also, I started off this New York City Neighborhood Coffee Guide with the West Village, which you can find HERE
Advertisements
I’ve made the decision to only chat about and mention the BOMB places in Soho so that I’m not wasting anyone’s times on the bad… head to my Instagram Hyped Coffee Shops of NYC Post to see some of the hard misses….
Okay, okay. Soho – let’s get into it.
Here are my favorite spots to get coffee in Soho of Manhattan.
Advertisements
Darby Coffee Club
Advertisements
First Impressions: I first heard about this spot on Instagram when they first opened this past June. It’s an Australian inspired cafe (whoop whoop) that has a slogan “wtf is a flat white”. That sarcasm makes me crack up every time.
Atmosphere: Darby is a super small coffee shop in the front of a gym. The interior is pretty dark and very small (the epitome of a takeout coffee shop). Definitely more of a metal/industrial vibe. It was very hard to photograph the interior.
It’s a great spot for coffee but the dream would be that they expanded to be a more bright, adorable & more welcoming atmosphere.
Final Thoughts: Super good quality coffee & the flat white definitely was a good one. It’s a great spot if you’re in the central Soho area and wanted quality to-go coffee with no frills.
Gasoline Alley Coffee
Advertisements
First Impressions: I didn’t really ever see much of this spot on social media (nothing wrong with that). It’s definitely a popular spot with the locals. There was a steady line when I went.
Atmosphere: It’s a nice warm-toned spot with some spots for outdoor seating. I’d be really interested to go back here to have coffee there in a nice ceramic cup (if that’s their thing).
Final Thoughts: Gasoline is a pretty popular spot with the locals, which is generally a great sign. Pretty good coffee with talented baristas.
Advertisements
Cafe Leon Dore
Advertisements
First Impressions: A really cute spot in the center of Soho. Adorable & bright French vibes with a decent amount of outdoor seats and tables. It is actually a coffee shop in a clothing store but they have a cute little window to order from on the street.
Atmosphere: Also a pretty popular spot with the locals – usually a good sign of quality coffee. It was a really nice spot to just relax and people watch. It was hard to see what the interior normally looks like but I’m sure it’s adorable! Honestly so obsessed with the branding that was on all of their tables.
Final Impressions: When visiting Cafe Leon Dore I think I was on coffee number 5 for the day. I switched up my usual order of a flat white or latte and instead ordered a cortado (less milk kinda like a flat white but doesn’t have the velvety microfoam that a flat white does). Decent espresso and a good cup overall! It was definitely one of the most ample amounts of outdoor coffee shop seating I’ve seen so far in the city.
Advertisements
Happy Bones
Advertisements
First Impressions: Okay. This spot has been on my list since DAY ONE! I’ve seen them all over Instagram for well over a year now and even heard of the name “Happy Bones” before then. I use the app called “Mapstr” and its been on my map/list to try for a while. I’ve passed it multiple times walking as well. Long story short: I’ve been wanting to try it for a while but it never was on the top of my list.
Atmosphere: With the pandemic, you can’t even go past the doorway. Regardless, I love the vibe. It’s bright and rustic and also seems to be very popular with the locals.
*tip of the year* follow & trust the locals.
There were a couple small tables near the curb to sit down and have your coffee but nothing beats a ceramic cup.
Final Thoughts: It was a good latte! The barista was super chill and again, I’d be really interested to go back once the world calms down a bit. I’m sure it’s a nice place to go and get work done.
Honorable Mention: Maman
Advertisements
Although I haven’t been to Maman’s Soho location (these photos are from their Tribeca location), I’ve heard great things about it and I still wanted to mention it as I’ve been to two of their other locations.
First Impressions: Very aesthetic – to the point where I was worried the quality wasn’t going to be any good because it was so “Instagram worhty”
Atmosphere: Very Instragrammable, very pretty, very dainty with a French vibe. Anytime I’ve been, they’ve been pretty popular – but honestly for good reasons.
Final Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee was actually pretty good. It’s a GREAT spot to go and grab a coffee and a sweet treat (I got a vegan carrot & pumpkin loaf and it was divine). Thankfully, this spot not only has the aesthetic, but has the quality too. praise.
{Tribeca location on the left, Flatiron location on the right}
Advertisements
Thanks so much if you came this far! I’ve been enjoying putting together this “mini series” of coffee guide to different neighborhoods in Manhattan.
Are these New York hyped cafes worth your time and money?
Advertisements
Advertisements
Urban Backyard
Advertisements
Coffee: 5/10
Aesthetic: 11/10
I really wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt after the first time I went… so I went again; the second time sadly wasn’t any better. It’s hard because the aesthetic is so adorable and on point, I just wish the coffee was actually good. When I went here I genuinely pulled the “take photos, have a couple sips, then throw out the coffee”. Sadly just wasn’t worth my money.
Advertisements
Maman
Coffee: 8/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
I was worried going here the first time that this wasn’t going to live up to the hype. To my surprise, the coffee was pretty good, especially at their Flatiron location. The have the cutest and most delicious baked goods (even vegan ones too) and it’s a nice treat to go for a latte and a sweet treat for sure. I still dream about my vegan carrot and pumpkin loaf.
Advertisements
Coffee N’ Clothes
Coffee: 9/10
Aesthetic: 9.5/10
A pretty popular find on instagram with the way you can pick what designer logo to have sprinkled on top of your coffee. I was a bit worried coming here at first, as just because people post about it for its’ looks doesn’t exactly mean quality.
Nonetheless, the barista was very talented and I would totally go back! It was honestly a really good latte. It’s just outside of Soho too so it’s a more convenient location.
Advertisements
Remi Flower & Coffee
Coffee: 6/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
With Remi, the best way to sum this spot up is it’s a flower shop first and a coffee shop second. Their coffee was okay but in my opinion I felt this place is really only popular because of the instagram aesthetics and stunning flowers. The coffee was good but in a place like NYC you need to be incredible or it just doesn’t cut it for me. Also, it could have been an off day for the barista so I wanted to make sure to mention this place regardless.
I definitely will at one point go back to give it another shot, even if it’s just for the aesthetic. Also something to note is this cafe is out of the way of a lot.
Advertisements
Felix Roasting Co
Coffee: 7/10
Aesthetic: 8.5/10
Advertisements
This coffee shop only recently has been hyped on both Instagram & tiktok. Nonetheless, of course I had to try it. Similar to Remi, the barista could have had an off day but the coffee wasn’t anything great. The aesthetic was pretty cute but I am definitely a plants – bright light – kind of person. Probably won’t go back though. There are so many other incredible Soho coffee shops just down the street.
SOHO COFFEE GUIDE COMING SOOOON!
Advertisements
What do you think of Instagram hyped cafes? Do you find yourself falling into the trap and going to them?
As always, thanks so much for reading. Make sure to follow me over on my…
Check out this delicious and simple vegan pumpkin donut recipe I found from “Peanut Butter & Jilly” ! I had so much fun making them yesterday and they honestly turned out SO good! Check it all out in my video below!
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Thanks so much! I had so much fun putting it together and having my mom there for commentary.. ha.
Check out a typical “day off from work” in my life! I sat down and chatted about Instagram and how I go about doing my own coffee reviews. I also touched on the pressures of working with brands on Instagram.
Advertisements
Advertisements
Thanks so much for all the support! More coffee guides coming soooooon! Next up is Soho!
