VLOG: more bedroom furniture, organizing, renovation updates, + the yummiest dinner !

[@girlwithlemon413]

try adding brown sugar to the glass or espresso cup before brewing the espresso! this way the hot espresso melts the brown sugar and you can just stir it right in before adding to the latte!! :) a little bit easier and tastes great

[@KBNielRHS]

Get a big frame tv and move it lower!!!!! It’ll look SO good

[@carlyf7952]

The dresser was such a good find! I love watching the new home slowly come together ❤

[@laurenm7015]

I have this exact machine and LOVE it! You basically want the pressure gauge at 12 o'clock position when doing your shots :) Use a scale and weigh out 18g of beans (always buy fresh bags at coffee shops!) and just put that in the hopper. Adjust your grind setting based on how the pressure gauge is- too much pressure means increasing grind size, and too little means decreasing grind size! When you're tamping, use even pressure, and you dont need to press super hard, about 30 lbs of pressure. I recommend getting a rubber tamping mat to put on your counter so you can make sure you tamp evenly on your counter. You actually dont need to change the filter basket at all unless you want a single shot vs double shot. The pressurized baskets are just for beginners but dont make the coffee taste much better, stick with the one youre using and only use whole beans freshly ground in the machine :) It should run for about 25-32 seconds when doing the shot. Also, don't leave the portafilter in the machine WITH coffee in it to warm up, it'll burn the beans before you pour your shot! Put it in without any beans in it BEFORE you put your coffee beans in to warm it up. You'll get the hang of it over time!

[@cailinnbrooke]

everytime vlogmas comes around takes me time to catch up on everyone and seeing you unbox the breville machine and see you post today abt it makes me sad for you! u looked so happy

[@CiaraCoyle-x3x]

Hi Gretchen! The shell-like look you're looking for is called "Mother of pearl" incase you wanted to know for some googling. I love it too in my apartment. Also, think its so sweet Lucy lends you her car

[@tiffanystrattan]

Yayyy so glad you got the dresser. It looks so good.

[@Rocyyyyyyy]

I love this! I’ve been watching you for 10+ years and we’ve literally grown together. I just bought a house in late June and it’s so fun to see you going through the same things as me. I literally just bought the same espresso maker too hahah. It’s a bit annoying to use honestly, but I feel like once I narrow down the settings it’ll be fine.

[@mallorybrantley6150]

I love your new dresser! I would get a larger tv to take up more room. My tv is higher so it makes me look up when laying in bed and not giving me a double chin trying to look lower (if that makes sense). I find it more comfortable.

[@stephanydxo]

I've had the exact same espresso machine for a few years now and I highly recommend getting a knock box to get rid of the puck after making your coffee! I also prefer the coffee with full beans so you should definitely try once you've gone through your pre-ground ones!

[@kellypayton7686]

Hey girl, you don't want to press down on the tamper! That will pack the coffee in too tight. You just wanted to lightly place it on top, and twist it, that way the hot water can seamlessly run through the coffee without trying too hard :)

[@berose12]

Gretchen! You have to tamp on a flat stable surface to it tamps evenly. Also pre-ground coffee isn't best for an espresso machine since it needs to be group finer to brew properly with the amount of pressure needed for espresso. Also the different filters are for 1 and 2 shots, and single walled or double walled. The double walled one's are trickier cause they create more pressure. You'll get the hang of it eventually but those are my best tips and tricks!

[@nicolecross4862]

Definitely noticed the TV. Maybe the previous owner had a tall dresser? I would definitely move the TV down. And maybe upgrade to a larger frame TV?

[@claireg44]

Loved this vlog! I am super picky as well for furniture and decorations and such, so I absolutely understand what you're talking about. Also, you have to LOVE the space you're in and if one little thing is throwing it off, I never get to actually relax in my home. So be as picky as you'd like!

[@justinee550]

Loveeeee the dresser but I definitely noticed how high the TV was right away lol

[@XxAutumn4xX]

A frame TV would look sooooo good above that gorgeous dresser! And having a beachy piece of art as the background of the TV when you aren't watching it would make that part of the room stun! Maybe a large mirror instead of that other piece of art if you did the frame tv. Looking so good!

[@chantelle4307]

I have an idea! What about getting that shell round table you saw or a cute wooden step stool to set the pompass grass on to give it a little more height?

[@ladym2674]

Get yourself a mason jar with a lid or shaker and shake it rather than whisk it. You will love it even more.

[@julie_fitzgerald]

I have the same one. I use it every morning. The best shots ever! I get them over ice. When you get used to it switch out the basket to bottomless - to watch your pull and know what you are doing wrong and improve - to a better one and get a good tamp. Also use Halo beans from counter culture, the ship online. Use a scale do not fill the hopper. Weigh per time. like 16 gms per basket or 20 depending on basket you use. Only put the weighed out beans in the hopper turn knob to max. To start use the pressurized basket. It is more forgiving. I can link you to a few ppl. That explain this in detail. Also do not get pre ground . Get whole bean not from a supermarket get it from your fav roaster or cafe. Get 1 lbs at a time. 16 gas in 32 gm coffee out. Fresh beans mean cream and flavor. Happy tamping!

[@legallyblondiee]

Gretchen do the OXO salad spinner!!! Best one

[@kristinerwalsh]

You did a great job picking out a great dresser . Such a pretty front with mother of pearl look . Looking forward to seeing your kitchen when it is finished. It is going to be amazing. 🤍

[@kaz6655]

I’m loving watching you make the house into your home

[@brookeheller7101]

you should get little wood stools for your pots with the pampas!

[@miabullock7431]

Gretchen, you could either get a larger tv, a framed tv, or just get a circular mirror with a gold frame and put it on the dresser to give the illusion that the tv isn’t so high! It would take up some of the empty wall space. Your style is gorgeous!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Morning Gretchen happy Wednesday morning and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and I'm proud of you

[@keda.23]

I dont love the plant in the cornee, i think if the dresser was centered, and TV was moved (a frame TV!! Would be sooo cute!

[@marijkehroest]

And also I do a little over 4oz of espresso for my ice lattes ! Look to see how many grams of bean grounds your portafilter can hold and weigh them on a scale so it’s extra perfect. Good coffee is all about the ratios!

[@adriennehilll]

HOLY F that dresser is EVERYTHING 🥹 i live at the beach too and something like this would be a dreaaaam to have in my house ahhh happy for you!

[@Sara-qg5vs]

I’m obsessed with the dresser! I also wanted to do that look for my kitchen backsplash, it’s called oyster white pearl!

[@nickrajotte6802]

Quartz countertops aren’t bad, just takes a little more maintenance. Added them in my apartment and it looks tremendous

[@lizbethjurado5496]

Helpful tip, add something to the espresso asap if not the shots will “expire” within 10 sec of brewing.

[@mademoisellesachaaa]

A Frame tv would be so pretty over that dresser, to have the option to have it look like art instead of like a tv and to have it flush against the wall. But the dresser is lovely, enjoy settling in and take all the time you need. Home takes time 😊

[@ashleymoyers4019]

Hi! I love the dresser! It looks so good. Do you think you and Max will do a framed TV if you do move it?

[@camera0bsessedx]

that dresser is stunning, I love!!

[@JessicaH829]

i love the dresser!! i definitely think you need a bigger tv and lower on the wall!

[@nataliebrett5173]

Loved it!! Sensing the breville might appear in the 'worst purchases of 2023' video 😂🙈🙊

[@MissTaylorGirl]

Where is your grey t shirt from?? I love a good basic ❤

[@SemesterAtSeaHopeful]

Maybe the tv is mounted on a pull down mount?

[@taramarie7623]

Just wait until you start using the bean grinder 😂 even harder! The grind settings matter a ton! I use my exact Breville daily, you’ll get the hang of it girl!

[@adrianaluciani_]

Make sure you pour your espresso shot/ mix it soon after pulled, otherwise it dies & looses its freshness / taste

[@AllysonRose]

Love the dresser!! And seeing your house come together🤍

[@mauijen6085]

Wheres the dresser from??

[@averygaming8707]

Love these type of updates

[@carolinahernadez2473]

Is better if you put a large lamp than the base .the dresser is beatifulll🥰. Thank you for share 👍

[@rachaelmccabe7027]

Yay have been waiting all week for this!

[@rachaelmccabe7027]

The dresser is so cute!

[@someonethtlikestoeatsnacks]

dude im so proud of u!!!!!! I remember watching ur vlogs of ur ootds on ur moms porch and here u are buying countertops?????? like SLAY!!!!!

[@taylorblair5062]

Missed you!!!!

[@haileymeyer1897]

make sure you are adding milk almost right after you pull the espresso shots or the shots will “die” and it can affect the taste. starbies barista training had me locked in lolll

[@MikesVegas]

Nice Choice on that Espresso Machine 😎👍 I ❤️ Breville !

[@ryanrowe1975]

Good job!

[@phoff783]

You’re going to hate this after your TV hanging rant but that TV needs to come way down. Love the dresser!

[@Michelangelo-m1o]

I love your pink sweater! You look like one of the Plastics from Mean Girls the movie!❤

[@flohs51]

Gretchen !!! new car?

[@jayleen_miller]

Am I crazy or is the front left leg of the dresser tilted/and or broken?..

[@adrianaluciani_]

Does the espresso machine let you pull hot water to fill up for americano?

[@louram]

I have the same machine, and yes it does 😊

[@adrianaluciani_]

@@louram will I be able to brew hot water on its alone if I want a tea or something?

[@keda.23]

Ive been waiting!!! Yay

[@kaz6655]

I would get a bigger tv it looks to small for the space.

[@maleenamale6537]

Love the new dresser, but maybe if you got a taller one you wouldn’t have to move the TV

[@leanneess5957]

i will confirm that there is always something with a house. :)

[@SMackPC]

Gretchen girly ily but I miss when you used to vlog the fun things you were doing too, especially in the summer!

[@GretchenGeraghty7]

you’re so right!! I gotta show the fun stuff along with the home stuff💓 my Nantucket vlog coming soon is a lot of fun promise !

[@coffeeandplan4388]

Watching you work the breville has confirmed to me that will stay a nespresso girly lol. I’m sure it’s delicious and it looks so good on your counter, but too much work for me

[@nataliebrett5173]

Have a feeling she's going to feel the same way soon!

[@scooke5595]

Are you in a new car?!!! Looks like a Jeep grand Cherokee! Or is it Lucy’s jeep?

[@MikesVegas]

G the B ( Gretchen the Barista ) 😂👍☕️

[@destinynoel9714]

I’m guessing with limited space, they had a very tall dresser under the tv😅

[@zyciewusatvbygosia8880]

Tv looks small and maybe u could get bigger one and mount it

[@EM-nt3lr]

I agree with you. You are talking a lot about one subject. By now I know more than I need to know about your dresser. It's too much!!! It's constructive criticism and nothing else.

[@MikesVegas]

I own a Breville Juice Extractor 😎👍