Living

A Place for Everything

by Emma / September 1, 2011 / 4 comments

I’m still unpacking from my move on Monday. It’s tough because I’ve moved into my fiance’s place, so there’s already stuff everywhere. We also have lots of duplicate items — pans, irons, vacuum cleaners, etc.

One thing I’m really glad we did ahead of time was have the hall closet redone. See, the bedroom closet is tiny, so he’s using the entire thing. The only other closet in the place is a large walk-in hall closet. And while it had lots of storage potential, it was outfitted only with one hanging bar and a few sad shelves.

So, we had California Closets come in and redo the thing. They added a lot more hanging space, and stacked it to maximize the high ceilings. They added shelves and hooks for my scarves and belts.

I’m so happy with the outcome. Even though I just carted off 8 bags of clothing to Goodwill this morning, I still have tons of clothes left (it turns out I’m something of a hoarder), and the closet manages to fit it all. Check it out.

A Place for Everything

The view from the hallway. On the right, not visible, there is some taller hanging space for long dresses and coats and shelving for shoes.

A Place for Everything

The hooks for scarves and belts help me utilize these items because they’re all on display.

A Place for Everything

Skirts and pants on bottom; shirts and jackets on top.

A Place for Everything

I folded sweaters above the coats and long dresses. I like that I can see everything.

A Place for Everything

Shoes, shoes and more shoes.

Even though my fiance gets the bedroom closet and I have to walk across the hall, I’m pretty sure I got the better end of this deal.

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My Must-Have Travel Packing List

by Emma / August 30, 2011 / 3 comments

I’ve begun packing for the massive trip I’m taking on Sunday. While this isn’t a business trip, the goals are similar: packing light, comfort while I travel, and accessibility while I’m away.

Here are my must-have items for traveling:

1. Earplugs. These are my most essential travel items. On planes, on trains, and in automobiles (okay, buses), I can’t live without earplugs. You never know when the person sitting directly behind you on the train will have a cell phone conversation in your ear, or whether the two seatmates in front of you on the airplane will discover they’re soulmates. I’ve tried many different brands, but Hearos score the best for noise reduction and comfort.

2. Diaper Bag. You heard me. Diaper bags fit a lot of stuff, are lightweight, comfortable, and durable (usually made of nylon), and many of them don’t even look like diaper bags. For toting around a lot of touristing items during the day (including my large camera), a durable diaper bag fits the bill. I have this Marc Jacobs bag. By the way, anyone need a Marc Jacobs diaper changing mat?

3. Large pocketbook/wallet. I want to fit all the documents I need in one secure wallet — passport, ID, credit cards, money, boarding tickets, itineraries, etc. You don’t want your boarding ticket floating around loose in your purse; bad news if that baby falls out. These Vera Bradley travel wallets are inexpensive, colorful, and hold it all.

4. Plug adapter. This really only applies to international travel, but it’s a good idea to grab a Cetaphil.

6. Big scarf. A big, soft scarf can double as a shawl or small blanket when the plane or train gets too cold. I also use a scarf as a makeshift blindfold when I want to block out light — but you could also just buy a sleep mask.

What are your must-have travel items?

P.S. The Kate Spade Sample Sale is going on now through September 1. Over 50% off many fantastic office-ready bags.

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Commute via Slide

by Emma / August 5, 2011 / 5 comments

Commute via Slide

The Dutch thought it would be a cool idea to install an alternate way to get to the train: a giant slide. Er, sorry, a “transfer accelerator.”

From The Pop-Up City:

Installed next to a stairway at the newly renovated railway station Overvecht in the city of Utrecht, the slide offers travellers the opportunity to quickly reach the railway tracks when they’re in a hurry. But above all, the slide is a great instrument to make the city more playful. The ‘transfer accelerator’ was designed by Utrecht-based firm HIK Ontwerpers, and installed as the final piece of the renovation of the Overvecht railway station.

Would you take the slide to work? Here are some things that I would need to know before making my decision:

  1. How often they clean it.
  2. How many people are allowed to slide down at once (so as to avoid bottleneck situations).
  3. Whether any sharp objects protrude along the slide route, potentially causing runs in tights.
  4. The static electricity potential — will I look like a mad scientist after?

Otherwise, I’m in!

But seriously, what do you guys think? Cool feature or just a gimmick?

[via Cup of Jo]

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Home Office Envy

by Emma / August 2, 2011 / 3 comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a home office envy post (wherein I collect pictures of stylish home offices to ogle and drool over).

I figure it’s high time I post another one.

Home Office Envy

via DesignSponge. I love inspiration boards.

Home Office Envy

via DesignSponge. The sprigs of greenery liven up the space. How comfy does that sheepskin look?

Home Office Envy

via DesignSponge. A home office housed in an awesome nook.

Home Office Envy

via DesignSponge. Bright colors create energy and positivity. Love the polka dot rug.

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Washing Your Dry Clean Only Items

by Emma / July 29, 2011 / 5 comments

Washing Your Dry Clean Only Items

The Laundress has a variety of detergents for special fabrics.

Lately I’ve been hearing of people who don’t dry clean their “dry clean only” clothes. Instead, they handwash them or throw them in the gentle cycle, and let air dry. The always knowledgeable gals in the Corporette comments first clued me in to this, and now commenters on a Jezebel post are saying the same thing.

From a Jezebel commenter:

I used to manage a dry cleaners. You definitely don’t need to dry clean most “dry clean only items.” The only things I wouldn’t wash myself are leather/suede and fur. Otherwise, you can hand wash it or wash it on a gentle cycle and air dry it yourself. Dry cleaning is great if you can afford it or don’t have the time to do it yourself but it’s not necessary. The only time I’ll take something in for dry cleaning is if there’s a stain I can’t get out myself. But even then…you can get most stains out yourself if you get to it soon enough and look up the appropriate method of dealing with it.

I don’t know about you, but this has opened up a brave new world of laundering for me. As I commented on Corporette, I never feel like things come back from the drycleaner’s truly clean. Also, the drycleaner actually lost my last set of clothes (horror). I’m going to test out the handwashing method on a few items of dry clean only clothing soon.

In the meantime, what do you think? Have you washed dry clean only clothes? Any tips?

Also: Check out this great “Can I Be Washed?” chart from The Laundress.

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Why Men and Women Cheat

by Emma / July 26, 2011 / 0 comments

Why Men and Women Cheat

In the past, most infidelity studies have examined demographics. Now there’s a new study from the University of Guelph in Canada on the personality characteristics of male and female cheaters — looking at interpersonal factors and sexual personality in addition to demographics.

The findings: The biggest indicators in cheating men are “propensity for sexual excitation” (becoming easily aroused) and concern about sexual performance failure. For women, it’s relationship dissatisfaction.

While the fear of sexual performance failure would seem to be an odd reason to be unfaithful, researchers say this finding has been discovered in other studies.

One reason for this association may be that “People might seek out high-risk situations to help them become aroused, or they might choose to have sex with a partner outside of their regular relationship because they feel they have an ‘out’ if the encounter doesn’t go well – they don’t have to see them again, ” said Milhausen.

For women, relationship happiness is the key. Women who are dissatisfied with their relationship are more than twice as likely to cheat; those who feel they are sexually incompatible with their partners are nearly three times as likely.

I wonder how this fits in with the genetic theory of cheating. Perhaps the size of a man’s vasopressin receptor gene is somehow tied to his “propensity for sexual excitation”? I’m not going to pretend to attempt any scientific analysis of this… I’m a lawyer, after all. But I think it’s fair to say that the reason why anyone cheats is a complicated, complex question.

Another interesting tidbit: 23% of men in the study reported infidelity, which is not much more than the 19% figure for women.

Maybe I’m extremely cynical, but 23% seems low to me. I see this as good news! Fewer than 1 in 4 men cheat (if the figure is reliable). Well done, men and women!

[via PsychCentral]

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It’s Hot

by Emma / July 22, 2011 / 3 comments

My walk to work this morning was brutal. The air was thick, damp, and hot. I actually started to feel a little woozy by the time I got to work. Yikes! Stay cool, everyone.

If you’re in one of the heatwave-affected areas, and you find yourself outside for awhile — bring along a cold bottle of water. To drink, yes, but also to apply to your pulse points (e.g., inside of wrists) for an instant cool down.

If you’re not in a heatwave-affected area… carry on!

In the meantime, I’m going to stare at this picture for awhile and wish I was there.

Its Hot
Ahhh, Alaska.

If you have any other cool-down insight, share here.

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Luggage for Traveling Light

by Emma / July 20, 2011 / 17 comments

Starting in September, I’ll be traveling around Europe for a month. I’ll be in between jobs, and I’ve never done a big European trip before. I’ll be going to England and Scotland with my mom, and Croatia, Budapest, and Berlin with my fiance. It’s going to be glorious!

I’m already stressed, though, about the packing situation. I plan on getting a few basic, washable cotton dresses that I can wear again and again. I realize, though, that I need to replace my 10-year-old, heavy luggage with something lighter and more portable.

I’ve gathered up a few options here for my trip, that would also be great for business travel. But, I would love to hear your suggestions before I purchase anything!

Also: Any travel tips for Dubrovnik, Croatia, Budapest, or Berlin? Please share!

Luggage for Traveling Light

The High Sierra 26″ Wheeled Duffle ($103) is a wheeled upright bag, duffle bag, and backpack all in one. I like the versatility. It’s gotten great reviews on Amazon. At 12 pounds, though, I’d like to go a little lighter.

Luggage for Traveling Light

The Skyway Sigma 26″ Expandable Packing Case ($120) lacks the versatility of the High Sierra — it looks like you can only use it as a wheeled bag. But, it’s only 9 pounds, and reviewers say it’s sturdy.

Luggage for Traveling Light
LL Bean’s Quickload Upright Duffle, 26″ ($149) is the lightest at just under 8 pounds. Reviewers say it’s durable and packs a surprising amount. It doesn’t have much structure, so things inside will probably get crushed — but structure’s what you sacrifice for a lighter weight.

What do you use when you travel?

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What’s In a Name

by Emma / July 18, 2011 / 22 comments

Whats In a Name

I’m getting married in April. We’re doing a small ceremony and reception in my hometown, and the preparations for that are well underway. Got the dress, the venue, the band, and the photographer. We’ve started thinking about our honeymoon (Bora Bora’s the frontrunner). But we haven’t talked much about the mechanics of marriage: how we’ll deal with finances, splitting holidays, and the like. We should. We also haven’t talked much about whether I’ll change a name.

We have talked about it a little. Every time I bring it up, our conversations go like this:

Me: I haven’t decided whether I’m changing my name.

Him: Oh?

Me: Yeah. Would you be upset if I didn’t?

Him: I want you to do whatever you want to do.

Although supportive, his response doesn’t help me muddle through this issue. So, I’ve come up with a list of pros and cons regarding the name change.

PRO NAME CHANGE

1. Having one name is simpler for our married life.

2. Having one name would be simpler if we have kids.

3. … ?

ANTI NAME CHANGE

1. I like my last name, and I identify with it. It’s me.

2. I’m not the type to follow tradition just for the heck of it. What’s the point of this tradition, in our modern age?

3. My last name is more unique. There are probably 5 people in the country with my current name, as opposed to hundreds if I used my husband’s.

4. My graduate school classmates all know me by my nonmarried name (obviously). It may be helpful for my career to remain consistent. On the other hand, I haven’t been working long enough to have made a big reputation for myself.

I’m leaning towards keeping mine. But as you might tell from these lists, I’m pretty ambivalent about the decision — not passionate about either choice.

I would love to hear, if you’re married, how you made your decision. Were there any unexpected consequences of your choice? Or, if you’ve thought about this before, what would you do? Are there reasons for changing your name that I’m missing?

P.S.: Apparently this website, MissNowMrs.com, is a good resource if you are planning on changing your name. They’ll do the legwork for you, for a fee.

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Wear Your Seatbelt

by Emma / July 5, 2011 / 6 comments

This weekend, my fiance and I were driving back in a rental car from a visit to a friend’s house in the country. We were crossing a highway on a green light during a food detour, and out of nowhere, a car slammed into us. The other driver ran a red light, going 50 or 60 miles per hour. Our front and side airbags inflated and we spun around on the highway. It was very, very scary, but we were all — my fiance and I and the other driver and his passenger — okay.

A few observations:

1. No matter how careful a driver you are, you have no control over how responsible over drivers choose to be.

2. The Nissan Cube, although not the most attractive vehicle, is very solid! Thanks, Enterprise.

3. Airbags can give you very painful scrapes when they inflate similar to rug burn, but a lot worse.

Anyway, I know this is off-topic, and I know that you know to wear your seatbelt. But, if you ever needed anecdotal evidence that wearing a seatbelt is very important, here’s my anecdote. It’s a good thing we were wearing our seatbelts.

An on-topic post is on its way — I’ll share my tips for dressing up a cubicle tomorrow!

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