Living

Do You Tattoo?

by Emma / June 29, 2011 / 9 comments

I don’t have a tattoo, but my fiance does. A superhero emblem on his left bicep that he got when he was 18. He defends it if anyone asks, but I think deep down he wishes he hadn’t gotten it (hi, honey!).

But it’s not a big deal at work, because it’s always covered.

I have some friends with tattoos as well. Generally in places that clothes cover, but some ankle tattoos too. I think tattoos can be beautiful, but I would worry too much about how a visible tattoo might affect my career. Sure, in some professions tattoos are celebrated as a mark of individuality, but in my profession (law), that’s not the case.

What do you think? What’s your experience with tattoos and the workplace?

Do You Tattoo?

Do You Tattoo?

Do You Tattoo?

[via Tattoologist]

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Work Snacking

by Emma / June 24, 2011 / 3 comments

Work Snacking

I have a crazy amount of love for sweets — particularly pastries. A friend told me that she once gave up sugar for a month (including sugar substitutes) to recalibrate her sweet tooth and get her cravings back to sublunary levels. Not even honey is allowed — the only exception is fruit.

I’m on day three, and so far, so good. To last a month, I’m thinking about letting sugar slide on Sundays. Otherwise, I might not survive. One thing that’s been problematic, though, is snacking at work. I often rely on my boss’s candy bowl to get me through the afternoon hours. Now that I can’t grab a Snickers when I need an energy boost, I have to think more strategically about what snacks to bring to work. (Don’t you just love the word snack? I do.)

Here’s what I’ve been packing lately to stay healthy and satiated:

1. Raw almonds. I have a big sack that’s sitting on a shelf that I can turn to for a quick nibble. As far as nuts go, they’re pretty low fat. Also, maybe I haven’t eaten almonds enough in my life, but these are the first almonds that actually taste reminiscent of amaretto, the almond liqueur, or Italian almond cookies.

2. Veggie chips. Umm, these are awesome. I got a package of these from Whole Foods, made in-store, but you can find them online also (I like the thick cut kind, not the thin wafers that resemble potato chips). Mine are green beans, carrots, zucchini, sweet potato, and squash lightly fried in canola oil. You can also make your own. Filling and delicious.

3. Carrots and hummus. I keep ‘em in the fridge. We don’t have a problem with people stealing food in our office, but if you do — I feel for you. That’s another post for another day. I like getting jalapeno or spicy hummus — provides a nice kick.

4. Laughing Cow Cheeses. I eat them alone, but you can also pair with crackers (obviously). The Mini Baybels are only 70 calories, and very tasty. Plus, the packaging is so cute that you can’t help but eat them up.

5. Bananas. The perfect fruit. Enough said. They’re also ridiculously cheap.

What are your go-to snacks at work?

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A Statistic I Like to See

by Emma / June 20, 2011 / 3 comments

I’m getting married next April, and I just ran across this nice tidbit in a NYTimes article on divorce:

But divorce statistics, which have followed a steady downward slope since their 1980 peak, reveal another interesting trend: According to a 2010 study by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, only 11 percent of college-educated Americans divorce within the first 10 years today, compared with almost 37 percent for the rest of the population.

The same article says that the divorce danger zone is the first ten years of marriage. So, it looks like our (and many other couples’) odds for survival are good, in the abstract at least. The piece explores some reasons behind the downward trend, mainly citing a modern desire to “tough it out” when things are rough. That’s not so bad, right?

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Size Matters in Relationships

by Emma / June 2, 2011 / 1 comment

Size Matters in Relationships

Apparently size does matter — and get your mind out of the gutter, that’s not what I’m talking about. On the advice of my friend, in light of my impending nuptials, I’m reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s book about the history and culture of marriage, Committed. I guess I’m late to the science party on this one, but I was stunned to read that the length of a certain gene regulates how promiscuous a man is.

From Committed:

This is the famous “Dads or Cads” theory. In evolutionary circles this is not considered a moral judgment call, but rather something that can actually be broken down to the level of DNA. Apparently, there is this critical little chemical variation in the male of the species called the “vasopressin receptor gene.” Men who have the vasopressin receptor gene tend to be trustworthy and reliable sexual partners, sticking with one spouse for decades, raising children and running stable households. (Let’s call such guys “Harry Trumans.”) Men who lack the vasopressin receptor gene, on the other hand, are prone to dalliance and disloyalty, always needing to seek sexual variety elsewhere. (Let’s call such men “John F. Kennedys.”)

The joke among female evolutionary biologists is that there’s only one part of a man’s anatomy that any potential mate should worry about measuring, and that is the length of his vasopressin receptor gene. The scantily-vasopression-receptor-gened John F. Kennedys of this world wander far and wide, spreading their seed across the earth, keeping the human DNA code mixed up and jumbled—which is good for the species, if not necessarily good for the women who are loved and then often abandoned. The long-gened Harry Trumans, in the end, often find themselves raising the kids of the John F. Kennedys.

This is science, people.

I researched a little more on the topic, and found this interesting Q&A with the author of a book on the male brain.

According to that author, scientists noticed that two related species of voles had drastically different mating styles — one bonds with females for life, the other mates with one lady vole and then turns to the next. The difference came down to the length of the vasopressin receptor gene. When they injected the longer gene into the promiscuous vole, he suddenly became chaste.

So does this mean there can be a cheating vaccine? That men can be tested for the propensity to go all Arnold or Tiger on you? No one’s ever accused me of being a science guru, and I have no idea what the answers to these questions are (or if they’re even appropriate questions to ask). But it’s interesting to think about.

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Commuting Is Responsible for Everything Bad in Life

by Emma / June 1, 2011 / 3 comments

Commuting Is Responsible for Everything Bad in Life

Well, almost everything. It’s common wisdom that commuting is awful and to be avoided. But apparently commuting is to blame for a host of terrible things that may happen to you.

To name a few:

  • “Freeway particulate matter” encountered during commutes — exhaust, car parts, and pavement — may make you dumber.

And commuting just generally makes people unhappy. From a great New Yorker piece published a few years back:

The source of the unhappiness is not so much the commute itself as what it deprives you of. When you are commuting by car, you are not hanging out with the kids, sleeping with your spouse (or anyone else), playing soccer, watching soccer, coaching soccer, arguing about politics, praying in a church, or drinking in a bar. In short, you are not spending time with other people. The two hours or more of leisure time granted by the introduction, in the early twentieth century, of the eight-hour workday are now passed in solitude. You have cup holders for company.

Moral of the story? There really isn’t one. Most of us need to commute to get to work — a necessary evil. But, if you’re considering asking your boss to work at home day a week, you should arm yourself with some of these statistics. These findings suggest less time spent commuting will make you happier and healthier. And, happy and healthy employees are the best kind.

What’s your commute like? Right now, mine’s the best possible — a 15-minute walk to work. That will change next year, when I’ll probably take a bus and arrive at the office 30 minutes later. How much does commuting factor into your decision of where to live?

Image via flickr.

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Beach Weekend

by Emma / May 26, 2011 / 1 comment

So excited for Memorial Day weekend! A three-day weekend is always such a treat. My fiance has to work, so we’re staying in the city, but I’ve got pools and beaches on the brain. So, if you’re soaking up some sun, enjoy it extra for me.

I love that one pieces have made a huge comeback. I always feel self conscious in bikinis, so these stylish maillots are just the ticket for me. What are your thoughts on one pieces? Stylish? Too old lady-esque?

And remember: Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Beach Weekend
Beach Weekend

Swimsuits: Anthropologie, $79.95 (orange is sold out online, but check stores); Diane von Furstenberg, $262; Topshop, $60; Paul Smith, £100; Anthropologie, $79.95; Seafolly, $119.
Wedges: Boutique 9, $112; Guess (similar), $110; Topshop, $100.
Accessories: Natori, $30; H&M, £6; Shiseido, $27; Kate Spade Kindle Cover, $70.

What are your Memorial Day weekend plans? Bringing any work along?

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The $150 Hair Brush

by Emma / May 24, 2011 / 5 comments

The $150 Hair Brush

I’m always on the lookout for things that make my life easier and my routines better. Recently, I saw a reference to Mason Pearson hairbrushes, so I scoped them out online.

First thing I discovered: They’re very expensive. Different models hover above and below $150.

Second thing I discovered: People absolutely love them.

In reading the reviews, I tried to figure out why people love these hairbrushes so darn much. The reviews actually make amazing promises. One said that brushing your hair with the Mason Pearson actually cleans your hair (which would be great in between shampoos), and another said that if you brush your hair after blowdrying, the Mason Pearson will straighten it!

Hmm. How can one brush do so many things, I wonder? But believe me when I say that the reviews are rave:

From a Folica.com reviewer:

This has got to be the best hair brush ever. My hair has never been this shiny and full of body before. I will never purchase a cheap hair brush again. Well worth the money!!!!

And a MakeUpAlley.com reviewer:

I love this hairbrush! It’s totally overpriced but worth it! My hair is super long, flat and thin. After using the brush, I can tell my hair is shinier and smoother, especially at the ends. I’ve been looking for something to make my hair smooth and shiny but I had using hair products! This brush really massages your scalp when you use it. The nylon and boar bristle seems to be a good mix.

So if a hairbrush could do all this, would you spend $150 on it?

Call me crazy, but I already ordered mine.

Mason Pearson Hair Brushes.

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Pumping Iron

by Emma / May 17, 2011 / 1 comment

Pumping Iron

I’ve never been a get-up-and-go morning person. I’ve always slept until I absolutely have to get up for work, school, what have you. And then I sleep ten more minutes on top of that.

So I’ve never been able to exercise in the morning. And finding time after work is difficult — especially because I prioritize meeting up with friends for drinks or dinner during the week. My gym membership is sitting unused.

Recently I started doing Jillian Michaels workouts at home. And I’ve got to say — it’s the solution I’ve been looking for. They’re short, only about 25 minutes, so easy to squeeze in. On the other hand, they’re really high intensity. The first one I did, I was sore for a full week after. The workouts definitely give you cardio — your heart rate is pumping the entire time — but the strength training is out of this world. You also don’t need much space (I do the workouts in my small studio).

If you have cable, you should try to find one of the workouts on OnDemand — that’s how I first found Jillian Michaels, for free. There’s actually a ton of at-home fitness stuff on there.

So what do you do to stay in shape? What time saving methods have you found work for you?

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The Most Controversial J.Crew Ad

by Emma / April 14, 2011 / 9 comments

…has the Creative Director, Jenna Lyons, talking about how she likes to paint her son’s toenails his favorite color, pink.

The Most Controversial J.Crew Ad

I remember getting this ad in my email box awhile back. I thought, “Well, that’s something you don’t see everyday — a boy with hot pink toenails,” and then didn’t give it a second thought.

Over the past few days, however, I’ve learned that people are fuming over this ad.

Says Culture Media Institute’s Erin R. Brown:

J.CREW, a popular preppy woman’s clothing brand and favorite affordable line of first lady Michelle Obama, is targeting a new demographic – mothers of gender-confused young boys. At least, that’s the impression given by a new marketing piece that features blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children.

And Fox News health commentator Dr. Keith Ablow:

Yeah, well, it may be fun and games now, Jenna, but at least put some money aside for psychotherapy for the kid—and maybe a little for others who’ll be affected by your “innocent” pleasure.

This is a dramatic example of the way that our culture is being encouraged to abandon all trappings of gender identity—homogenizing males and females when the outcome of such “psychological sterilization” [my word choice] is not known.

Wow. This reminds me of the media frenzy over Shiloh’s clothing choices. Who cares? What’s wrong with liking hot pink? Does that mean it’s “unnatural” for me to like the color blue? Last I heard, color preferences weren’t hardwired into our genetic code.

And anyway, as the WSJ’s Rachel Emma Silverman points out, it used to be the norm for boys to like pink and girls to like blue:

As a Ladies’ Home Journal article in June 1918 said, “The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.”

It seems people are trying to make this into a political issue. But why? Can’t a kid just like what he likes?

Saying that the sexes should conform to the roles that society has set out for them over the past few decades is harmful, for a number of reasons. Stop putting pressure on people, especially kids, to act a certain way. It’s not that big a deal.

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Some Amazingly Useful Things I’ve Learned Lately

by Emma / April 13, 2011 / 1 comment

Last night it was pouring, so I wimped out of going to the gym. Instead, I did a Jillian Michaels workout I found on my cable’s OnDemand. This morning, my legs are so sore it hurts to walk. Youch.

So yesterday I wrote about how I was at a loss for some career-related things to say, and a few of you encouraged me to go off topic (which I do sometimes, anyway, but I try to keep at a minimum). Today I thought I’d share some things I’ve discovered recently that I’ve found to be really helpful.

1. Epilating is better than shaving. The first time was brutal, yes, but now it’s nothing—and it lasts a lot longer.

2. Argan oil replaces regular conditioner as a natural, nice-smelling leave-in conditioner. I find it leaves my hair less greasy, but still shiny and healthy. It’s relatively inexpensive too—just a few drops, run it through wet hair, and you’re done.

3. Moleskin effectively prevents blisters with new shoes. (No more Band-Aids for moi.)

4. Drinking a glass of skim milk in the morning before leaving for work makes me more energized and full. I think it has something to do with the protein.

5. Spraying alcohol on stinky stuff makes the stink go away. (Useful for in-between drycleanings.)

6. Many sugar substitutes still give you a sugar high—and a resulting sugar crash later on. Stevia, the sweetener used in Truvia, won’t give you that “high” like sucrose or aspartame. And it doesn’t taste half bad. (I use it in my oatmeal and my smoothies.)

7. An Amazon Prime membership is a lifesaver.

Do you have any helpful things you’ve learned recently to share? I’m always on the lookout for new gadgets, fun facts, and how-tos.

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