About the CoffeeMate Blog
CoffeeMate developed out of a lack of basic information about the coffee shops around me while I was a student at Cal State Long Beach, 2016-2018. I was a barista at the time (+1 year stint as a bartender) and I was (and still am) passionate about coffee -- so exploring new coffee shops was a past time for me, the way bar hopping was for others.
I wanted to know if a cute coffee shop had a parking lot or only street parking, outlets or no WiFi, comfy seating or NO seating, restrooms or nada... My list of questions was endless, and I didn't want to have to interrogate a busy barista on the phone every time I went to a new coffee shop (not to mention, the info on Yelp could be pretty spotty and always left something to be desired).
Thus, CoffeeMate was born!
I describe CoffeeMate as a "utilitarian guide" to LA coffee shops, also dedicated to amplifying small businesses. But in the years that followed, it became much, much more. Now, I'm lucky enough to have roasters around the country asking for coffee reviews, companies ask for product reviews and I quickly pivoted at the height of COVID by adding lists, 101s and more, to the mix.
My (corny) ratings scale for coffee shops and coffee tastings is as follows:
(5) Balanced
(4) Strong
(3) Bitter
(2) Weak
(1) Stale
I wanted to know if a cute coffee shop had a parking lot or only street parking, outlets or no WiFi, comfy seating or NO seating, restrooms or nada... My list of questions was endless, and I didn't want to have to interrogate a busy barista on the phone every time I went to a new coffee shop (not to mention, the info on Yelp could be pretty spotty and always left something to be desired).
Thus, CoffeeMate was born!
I describe CoffeeMate as a "utilitarian guide" to LA coffee shops, also dedicated to amplifying small businesses. But in the years that followed, it became much, much more. Now, I'm lucky enough to have roasters around the country asking for coffee reviews, companies ask for product reviews and I quickly pivoted at the height of COVID by adding lists, 101s and more, to the mix.
My (corny) ratings scale for coffee shops and coffee tastings is as follows:
(5) Balanced
(4) Strong
(3) Bitter
(2) Weak
(1) Stale
Fun Fact:
I've been asked how I came up with the name for my social handles and blog.
No, it's not because I'm a fan of the namesake coffee creamer, Coffee-mate (R), I am actually just a super corny human (see ratings scale) and it was my nom de plume for... dating apps. Lol. GET IT? To be fair, "CoffeexMate" worked as a username, just ask my now-husband. ;)
I hope you enjoy the blog and I love working with brands big and small for all things coffee, F&B, hospitality, etc.
I can be reached at skinner1029 (at) gmail (dot) com for consultation, freelance writing, partnerships and more.
I've been asked how I came up with the name for my social handles and blog.
No, it's not because I'm a fan of the namesake coffee creamer, Coffee-mate (R), I am actually just a super corny human (see ratings scale) and it was my nom de plume for... dating apps. Lol. GET IT? To be fair, "CoffeexMate" worked as a username, just ask my now-husband. ;)
I hope you enjoy the blog and I love working with brands big and small for all things coffee, F&B, hospitality, etc.
I can be reached at skinner1029 (at) gmail (dot) com for consultation, freelance writing, partnerships and more.
Additional Passion Projects
Another huge passion of mine is the environment.
I'm extremely eco-conscious and I think one of the most underrated ways everyone can be more green is by shopping secondhand! I hoped Macklemore's Thrift Shop would help out the cause, but it was a pretty brief piece of publicity for thrift shops. I'm trying to change that.
Around 99% of my closet is from my favorite thrift store: Savers.
And that includes Halloween costumes, purses, and even housewares like mugs, dishes, decor and more. I use my Instagram not only to showcase amazing coffee roasters, but also to show that secondhand style can be affordable, eco-friendly and fashionable.
I'm extremely eco-conscious and I think one of the most underrated ways everyone can be more green is by shopping secondhand! I hoped Macklemore's Thrift Shop would help out the cause, but it was a pretty brief piece of publicity for thrift shops. I'm trying to change that.
Around 99% of my closet is from my favorite thrift store: Savers.
And that includes Halloween costumes, purses, and even housewares like mugs, dishes, decor and more. I use my Instagram not only to showcase amazing coffee roasters, but also to show that secondhand style can be affordable, eco-friendly and fashionable.