Things I want most this time of year? All the cozy things and all the coffee. Amiright?

These cold dark days definitely call for both! And, while many will sway you with fancy, simple pod coffee makers this time of year, this gal just isn’t impressed: a) I don’t want to buy the pods (huge waste of packaging, and there’s the hassle of ordering and recycling) and b) I honestly don’t love the coffee that comes out of them. It’s fine (and I know Imma stir up a little controversy over these feelings), but it’s no espresso machine, y’all.

Convenient? YES. Heck yes. I’ve used them many times when visiting friends and family, and they’re SO freaking easy. Good? Um, this Portlander who fancies herself a foodie for sure thinks no. (Please don’t come after me. This is just one person’s Coffee-Opinion!)

The Best Cozy Gift: My Home Espresso Machine

So, finally fulfilled this year, on my list, is an actual espresso machine. Hooray! I can now enjoy all the oat milk lattes and flat whites my heart desires, in the comfort of my home. What I love about this move is that we can use the same coffee my husband uses in his French press and just grind it finer for my espresso. BAM. No extra coffee buying, and these Northwesterners can now enjoy ridiculous amounts of coffee exactly the way we like it. I know, I know…it’s kinda over the top. But we love our coffee here, and it has actually kept me from buying as many $5 lattes lately, so I’m calling ridiculous a win! (This is my actual cup below…haha just kidding…it’s Pinky’s…haha kidding again. I honestly thought it was regular-sized when I ordered it! Perfect gag gift alert!).

In contrast to our ridiculousness, our daughter doesn’t even like the smell of coffee #kickherout. But she had a blast pretending to make some on that adorable KidKraft espresso set. Every coffee-loving family’s offspring needs one so they can begin to appreciate the magic that is coffee at an early age. And yes, the irony that hers is a pod-style machine is not lost on me #babysteps.

I will now rave about the Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker for a few seconds, and tell you it’s so easy to use, so easy to clean (I just do it right away, and it’s NBD at all) and makes a beautiful espresso drink. With crema. And you can program it to make your perfect single or double shot amount. Cool! Now I can do the pretending and put on my snarkiest barista face, and froth oat milk like the pros. Sometimes I even spell my own name wrong on the cup, just for fun.

Still with me? Brave ones. It might be that I’m over-caffeinated (no such thing) right now. I promise I didn’t actually fill up that cup up there…

Outfit Details

Adidas Stripe Fleece Lined Hoodie (s) Cozy. But wearable to answer the door or to school drop-off or to run errands. I’ve wanted this tracksuit forever, and I’ve worn it two full days since getting it. Sporty and classic.

Adidas Tricot Jogger (s) Love. I’m picky about joggers, and these are good. They’re classic and definitely fitted, but in a flattering way. Size up if between sizes.

Isotoner Microsuede Slipper – Super soft. Fabulous gift. They come in black, too. Runs a bit short, so maybe size up if you’re on the upper end of the size range.

Big Mouth The More Coffee I Drink…Mug – It’s huge. It’s also true.

On Sienna: Carter’s Unicorn Christmas PJs | KidKraft Espresso Coffee Set

Shop Coffee-Themed Gifts at JCPenney

Shop Cozy Gifts at JCPenney

Shop Gifts For The Mini Foodie

xo,

L

Thank you so much to JCPenney for sponsoring this post. Thank you for having so many accessories for us coffee lovers and all the cute, cozy gifts for the holidays. Thank you readers for your continued support. We take note of and really appreciate it so we can keep doing our thing here. Happy Holidays!

Check out the latest in my world over at @laurajansenstyle and join us in our everyday adventuring around Portland, Oregon. If you want to shop my current pieces I’m loving and wearing, head over to My Closet! Sweetest photos by Christopher Dibble.