Top 5 Gifts For The New You In The New Year 

First and foremost, each day should start with an attitude of gratitude. Your best self will most certainly be a thankful and appreciative one. You will never be happy with more if you can't be happy with less. The best part is, starting each morning with an attitude of gratitude and journaling about what you're thankful for will ultimately just make you happier. It's true! In a recent study by Harvard, In Praise of Gratitude, research found that, "those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation." Gift it or get it in the form of a journal. A proper classic: Moleskine 

2.) Museum Membership 

Should you hope to see the world differently, excite your imagination, or simply consume culture, an annual subscription to your closest museum is the perfect way to do it more frequently. Not to mention it makes for the perfect rainy day activity, fun date, or an educational outing for the whole family! Our two favorites: The Metropolitan Museum of Art  and the Museum of Modern Art

3.) Get Fit By Fitting In A Class 

We all know the benefits of exercise. Some make it an enjoyable daily discipline while some find it to be dreaded daily. Whatever side of the treadmill your on, we all know the importance of living a healthy lifestyle - working out is hard so make it easy on yourself in 2016 and get a gift card or multiple to your favorite workout class or yoga studio. By signing yourself up in advance you'll be more likely to get up and go, especially if you enjoy the class or the teacher. Some classes we sweat for: SoulCycle, Strala Yoga 

4.) Fry or Fly 

Don't let a bad diet weigh you down. Receive the gift of nutrition education and give the gift of cooking it for others! For healthy cooking classes in NYC, LA, or Chicago check out, Course Horse. Unique name but it dishes up some great options. 

5.) Daily Routine 

Success is a relative term but we can all agree that it requires continuous work to reach your goals and maintain a successful lifestyle. Improve your daily routine and channel The Art of Kaizen by doing one thing better each day. One thing we love and do daily is brew. If you're like us and love waking up to a great cup of coffee how about making your morning more successful by brewing a better pot. Check out these 5 easy steps to Make The Perfect French Press.

G&B Coffee - Downtown 

You'll find this place in DTLA's historic Grand Central Market with a shiny new bar. The experience is like ordering an alcoholic drinks: customers chill on a barstool and wait for the barista, as opposed to forming an orderly queue. It's pricey, but I love sipping their iced almond-macadamia latte (with house-made milk) or dreamy milkshakes with a dose of espresso. There's also free 5-minute parking right outside the stall, which is a game changer. 

The guys behind G and B (Kyle Glanville and Charles Bobinski) also have a second location called Go Get 'Em Tiger with a small kitchen in Larchmont Village.

G&B Coffee is located on the Hill Street side of Grand Central Market. 

Scapegoat - Hermosa Beach

The owners behind this tiny but mighty independent coffee shop found themselves continuously leaving the South Bay in search of some good coffee. Since they didn't want to drive to Venice or other parts of Los Angeles every morning, they decided to open Scapegoat close to home. There isn't seating, but it's right on the pier so you can order your drink and/or glazed donut and literally walk the 180 feet to the ocean and sip with your toes buried in the sand. The barista told me the beans come from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, based in Portland.

Scapegoat is located at 27 Pier Ave.

Intelligentsia—Silver Lake

If you're in Los Angeles and coffee is your thing, you should probably hit Intelligentsia in Silver Lake a.k.a. LA's urban paradise. The team opened its first location outside of Chicago at Sunset Junction in 2007 (and then two additional spots in Venice and Pasadena). The place buys their beans directly from farmers around the world. I love the Silver Lake location because it is prime people watching in LA. Between the so-called hipsters—cringe, I hate that word—to actors and models and Internet dog celebrities with their human owners, there's really something for everyone.

Oh, and the coffee is good too.

Intelligentsia's Silver Lake location is at 3922 Sunset Blvd. | Tap here for a list of other Los Angeles locations.

Menotti’s Coffee Stop—Venice

This place is ideal for people who live near the boardwalk, or anyone visiting for the day and wants to get a quick grab-and-go cup. It's small and not a place to spend seven hours typing a thesis paper, but rather to sip some of their Four Barrel coffee and soak in all the weird, creative and beautiful that is Venice, California. I usually order the iced brew with their delicious almond milk. The staff is chill and the drinks are like, really pretty. Seriously, one of their baristas is a Coffee Fest World Latte Art Champion.

Menotti's Coffee Stop is located at 56 Windward Ave. (near the V-E-N-I-C-E letters)

Groundwork Coffee Co.—Arts District

I first went to Groundwork Coffee's tiny Venice boardwalk location while in dire need of some caffeine after a night out on the town. I liked the barista, and I was secretly excited about the frequent customer card he gave me. Then I discovered the Arts District location—and the rest was history. Parking can be a hassle, but once you find a spot, it's the best location.

They have a wide selection of drinks and food. I love the Vietnamese iced coffee, the house-made edamame hummus and the Green Fiend juice they carry from The Raw Juicery. The split-level design also offers a great view of other people working on their laptops, so you'll be more inclined to get some work done too.

Plus they have a lot of outlets which should be the staple of every coffee shop, amirite?

Groundwork Coffee Co.'s Arts District location is at 811 Traction Ave. | Tap here for a list of other locations.

Kelly Taylor is an LA blogger at kmtwanderlust.com. 

1. Remind Yourself to Smile
Sounds obvious but if you’re like a lot of us and have resting “mirror face,” remind yourself to smile. Smiles start conversations. Conversations lead to stories. Stories share personality. Personality makes friends. And friends make memories.

Aside from it just being good practice to be a good person – being nice and making new friends in a new city leads to fun surprises, including but not limited to: the best of the best insider tips, party invites, free drinks and sometimes even free meals. Hey, if it worked for us, it will most likely work for you. 

2. Exercise
Wherever you go, wherever you stay, make time to move it. A quick jog in the morning before shoving off or an at home workout before going out, a quick exercise will work wonders. In addition to just keeping you healthy, exercise will give you additional energy for your travels, improve your mood, fight stress, and even help with back pain – one thing that will creep up on you when sitting in a car for long periods of time. Here are some quick at home workouts we love: Men’s Fitness – 10 At Home Workouts, Women’s Health Mag – Amazing No Equipment Workouts. 

3. Healthy Eats
Pack to snack. The road is wonderfully unpredictable but we’re willing to bet you’re going to pass a lot of fast-food restaurants on the road and that’s exactly what ya gotta do, PASS THEM. You might enjoy a quick meal but you’ll regret it afterwards. Avoid cravings and temptations by keeping your car stocked with healthy snack foods until you can land a proper meal. Don’t put diesel in your body when you function better on premium. For a list of healthy eats check out some that we love: From the greatest at Greatist 21 Portable Energy Boosting Snacks and from one of our favorites EatThis

4. Stops Between The Stops

Designed or denied, planned or whoops that happened, setbacks and delays are inevitable when traveling. Plan for the unplanned and give yourself some time cushions. Not having a super strict schedule keeps things a little less stressful and gives you the opportunity to stop along the side of the road for wild fun and wonderful photos. One of our favorite moments from our trip was making French Press coffee in the middle of West Texas. Brewing right off the Jeep’s engine we felt the warm breeze and beauty of the empty desert. With a vast landscape as far as the eye could see, it was just us, our brew, and maybe a rattlesnake or two. Part of being on the road is being able to experience the road, the stops between the stops. Give yourself some time to do just that and tack on an extra hour or two for long travel days, a little less for quick trips.

5. Keep Friends & Famly Looped In
It’s easy to get wrapped up when traveling that we forget to call home and or stay in touch. It’s good to go off the radar every now and then but remember friends and family want to hear from you when things are going well too, not just when you need advice, help, or want to complain…ha! And regarding safety – it’s good to let people know where you are and where you’re staying. Bad weather or an unfortunate run-in, you’ll be glad to have an extra set of eyes looking out for you and knowing your whereabouts. 

6. Postcards
Oh the simple and wonderful art of a postcard. When traveling to a new city I make it a priority to pick up at least 5 postcards. Sounds like a lot but it’s not - at around just a dollar apiece it’s a fun, cheap, and easy way to capture the personality of the town you’re in and send some love. Save one for yourself and mail the rest out. For me I know three are going to the most important ladies in my life, the lovely gf, the ever so supportive mother and the local barista back home, just kidding, the third one goes to Grandma – what up, Dotty! You’re getting a postcard from New Orleans and you bet your cigarette smokin’ butt I’m going to write it to you drunk! With the last postcard, track down a friend’s address and send them something weird. It’s fun to think the postman will read your note – “Hi Steven, let’s grab some organic candy from Whole Foods and dance in a pumpkin patch. Tomorrow and forever.” OR, more appropriately, go with words of encouragement – let your friend know you’re thinking about them and how great they are. They’ll appreciate it.

7. Make Your Own List(s)
Put together your own list for your perfect trip. Included but not limited to, road-trip playlists, a collection of specific sights & scenes you want to see along the way, gadgets and apps that can make your life easier on the go, necessary car appliances, adaptors and maintenance checklists, fun and unique personal or shared goals, and even a wish list of things you’re hopeful to do. Whatever you can think of, get it all down before you go, the more organized and prepared you are for your trip the easier it is to be spontaneous and live in the moment. Safe travels and all the best with your adventure!

The personality of Marfa, Texas...

And of course, a Prada Store in the middle of the desert.

It’s that kind of town. The kind of place the universe likes to show off and play around. Clean lines dividing endless country and a community. A town so small it could fit in a New York City apartment complex. Engulfed with nature’s emptiness this town has a strong authority and it’s fun as heck to be a part of that.

We like that. We like that a lot. And we really like how the universe showed off a bit with its uncanny character when we were there. Prior to Marfa we spent a week in Austin, Texas. 7 hours later, 421 miles from Austin, during a 15-minute intersection of time appreciating the Elmgreen and Dragset Prada Sculpture we crossed paths with Nicole, Katie, April, Pei, Stephanie, and Chelsea.

Striking up a conversation, it took 30 seconds to realize: 1.) we met in Austin, 2.) coincidently have already been following each other on Instagram, and 3.) are both involved in the coffee community. Talk about odds and the universe showing off. What’s even better is they said and showed something that really resonated with us, “community over competition.” What a great motto and practice. We couldn’t agree more and how refreshing to see a group of successful and talented ladies living this notion. Give them a look; their talents and success vary from creative writing, to top-notch crafts, to photography to quality knitwear...is there anything they can't do?!

Marfa, Texas. A town where the universe feels infinitely endless and incredibly small at the same time. It’s got a great sense of humor and fun way bringing worlds together.

Jordan Rosenacker, Atlas Coffee Club 

It’s good to see the good guys win and Gourdough’s is certainly one of them. Cheers to Gourdoughs, cheers to the good guys, and cheers to one of the greatest cities with some of the greatest people. In the voice of Wayne Campbell, we’ll be back, oh yes, we’ll be back.

New Orleans, Louisiana. A city so nice everything is dashed in spice. 

New Orleans is a city where you want to pick and choose your encounters carefully. Do you want to walk down Bourbon Street or Frenchmen Street. Grab dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or Coop’s Place. Beignets or…well yes, get Beignet’s, always. Always get Beignets. All day. Every day. Sure, obviously these decisions aren’t difficult to make but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be in the know prior to being entranced and enthralled by the rollicking streets of the French Quarter.

For starters you’re going to want coffee, maybe need it if you were out too late the night before. We always want the coffee. You want a good cup? Of course you do, it’s why you’re here, it's why you're reading this. In the off chance if you haven’t ordered a bag as part of your monthly subscription from/with us that you’ve neatly packed in your personal carry on alongside your AeroPess and Chef’s Choice cordless electric glass kettle... we suggest you hoof it straight to Spitfire Coffee. Just a block away from Jackson Square, here’s some premium java you won’t hate climbing through crowds to get. Kenya, Costa Rica, El Salvador, they’re sure to always have a strong selection for you to pick your poison…ok bad word choice, for you to pick your favorite. They brew each batch to perfection, take it how you please, pour over, cappuccino, or to keep you from making dodo, shot of espresso. Whichever you choose, the barista’s there at Spitfire will get ya your fix to keep you flyin’ high.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling feisty for a cafe' au lait and as many beignets as you can carry, because those things make you feel feisty, you probably already know where to go. On the opposite side of Jackson Square, plant yourself at a table at the original coffee stand on Decatur St., Café Du Monde. Go ahead and enjoy the delicious powdery pastries and prime people perusing.

In the meantime, as we traverse this great country, we’ll always be looking forward to our next date with Savannah.

We’re continuing our mission to share the world of coffee with our multi-city cross country tour. Our first stop after leaving New York City was the wonderful Washington, D.C. Partnering with National Geographic and GEICO in the Nation’s Capital was a thrilling feat. Having passed out more than 500 cups of coffee we were able to connect with travel enthusiast at National Geographic and raise money with the kind folks at GEICO for Children’s Hospital.

We couldn’t have had a better start to our trip and couldn’t be any more appreciative to the hospitality and support experienced along the way. From new friends at National Geographic, familiar faces at GEICO, and new fans in between, we find ourselves torn, wanting to stay in DC but excited to hit the road to new grounds.

Our next stop is Virginia Beach with Charleston, S.C. following closely behind and Savannah on it’s tail. Until next time, D.C., you’ve been absolutely beautiful, smart, and dynamic. What a city, what a town. 

Jordan Rosenacker, Atlas Coffee Club

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With help from our friend Alexa Curtis (who runs an awesome fashion / travel blog called A Life In The Fashion Lane) we wanted to highlight some other great coffee spots in Washington, DC.

Compass Coffee, founded by two former Marines, who grew to love coffee after using brewing beans as a hobby after long days on the job.

Qualia Coffee serves up coffee on the spot: beans are imported from fair trade roasters in El Salvador, and brewed in-house.

For those from New York, Los Angeles, or Boston, The Wydown should be your new home if you’re visiting or moving to D.C. Some of our favorite brands, like Blueprint and Intelligentsia, are served up here. If the coffee doesn’t keep you sticking around for multiple cups, the incredible atmosphere certainly.

Stay tuned for more updates from each city, and join in on social media to spread the excitement with us. 

For more information join us on: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. #BringTheBrewToYou 

Located in the heart of the booming city of Wynwood, Panther Coffee has become quite the Miami hotspot. You’ll notice that almost everyone has a hipster vibe, beards and vintage Ray-Bans included, when you walk through the massive wooden door. What’s suggested by the barista? Panther’s homemade almond milk latte, along with a gluten-free vegan cookie from a bakery down the street. Those who don’t dip their cookie in their latte are going against Panther tradition, of course. If the aroma of hazelnut and vanilla flavored coffee beans doesn’t convince you enough to splurge on a $5 latte, each cup of coffee is roasted on-site, making this a treasure for organic beans.

• A French Press
• Fresh Coffee Beans 
• Coffee Grinder
• Non-tap / Filtered water to heat

Instructions

Tune in to receive expert coffee brewing tips and tricks as well as learn about some of the new & exotic coffee we've got brewing over here.  

Sincerely,

Michael 
Founder - Atlas Coffee Club