On My Mind: I Caved and Bought a Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
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When our four-year-old Philips 2200 Series machine started acting up, I began researching semiautomatic and automatic coffee machines. We went in person to test a bunch of options at Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel — from Breville and De’Longhi to Ninja and Jura — and that’s when I eventually landed on the Jura E8.
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I know this is a very expensive espresso machine, and trust me when I say I did not make this decision lightly. I’ve triedmanycoffee methods over the years, including pour-over coffee makers, Fellow’sFrench press, the AeroPress, moka pots, and more. I also know Swiss-made Jura machines are somewhat polarizing: Some people love Jura for the super-automatic convenience and some think the espresso tastes awful. But I come from a Jura-using family. My dad — the Strategist’sultimate gadget dad— has owned his Z6 model for exactly a decade, and it’s only ever needed maintenance on one occasion, which required sending the machine in so Jura could take a look. I had my first cortado and flat white from a Jura. As someone who’s usually rushing out the door to start a long run or head to a group strength-training class, I’m partial to the one-touch convenience. I’ve always found it brews a perfectly respectable cup as long as you’re using fresh beans and have determined the right grind size. If I were an avid espresso drinker, that might be different — I know my fiancé would rather be perfecting his golden layer of crema. But because I like milk-based drinks, I find the Jura makes things fast and simple.
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To froth and foam milk, I had to separately order a dedicated container. My dad has a fancier version that offers active electric refrigeration of your milk, so it stays at the right temperature all day long and doesn’t spoil — but I opted for a basic glass carafe.
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We already own theblue banded bowlsfrom Jono Pandolfi, so I decided to buy a few new coffee cups with the same bistro-inspired design.
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Fable Espresso Cups
We love our dinnerware sets from Fable Home, and I noticed the brand also sells very nice-looking ceramic espresso cups.
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I have my eye on these spoons, specifically the tortoiseshell one, for stirring my morning coffee.
Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
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My fiancé gave me this perfume from French fragrance house Parfums de Marly for my birthday, and while I wasn’t completely sold on it at first, it has gradually become my most worn scent. It’s actually incredible — delicate and fresh with notes of linen, musk, and white flowers. I’ve received more compliments than I can count from family, friends, café waiters, and even a flight attendant.
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Last fall, I discovered this twice-boiled merino-wool wrap coat from Buck Mason. It became part of my everyday fall uniform; I dressed it up with trousers and wore it casually over sweats. I love how it’s reminiscent of a house robe. I was delighted to find it’s back in stock and there are two new colors available this fall: marled cardamom (shown here) and marled olive. If you’re in search of a new wool coat, I’d get this one.
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I’m working on a story about MZ Wallace bags, and while clicking around on the brand’s site, I couldn’t resist picking up this custom bag charm. I went with the black base and yellow cord on the oval clip, and I always catch myself admiring the dicelike blocks.
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I stumbled upon the Koester Company while looking for a new canvas everyday bag. The brand is based in Louisville and sells made-to-order bags that are all sewn by one person, Austin Koester. The Bucket Bag is my personal favorite because it has five exterior pockets and even has an optional slotted canvas tool strap.
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I’ve been trying out a new running-shoe brand called January that launched its debut model this summer. The Scignal features a single-piece dual-density midsole, making it plush at the heel and firmer toward the forefoot. During my testing, I noticed immediately that it’s a very springy shoe but feels much closer to the ground compared to other high-stack trainers like my favorites from Hoka. It’s also super-lightweight, which took some getting used to, but I see them as a nice option for my easy runs.
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