The Gym Dilemma

New job, check. New apartment, check. New boots, check. New gym...not so much. 

Sure, I can blame it on the west coast's ridiculously early sunset (darkness descends at 4:45), or my "I'm still getting settled" excuse, but I'm running out of reasons to not visit the very cool gym across from my office building. Watching all those fit people cycle and run on fancy machines does have a certain appeal (and very significant guilt factor). Plus, I realize that my short, albeit brisk walks to the bus stop do not abs of steel make. So it's time to suck it up and get the free-week pass. But for over $100/month, will I really even USE the climbing wall?  Seems I also need to check out the slightly cheaper gym closer to my apartment (which also happens to be next to a Trader Joe's, so I figure at least 45 minutes at the gym earns me some black licorice Scottie dogs or peanut butter-filled pretzel bites, right?). Hmm, if they also give me a free week, I just might be able to put off actually joining a gym for another month or so.

Of course, I hear it may snow this weekend, so maybe I'll just do another plank on my industrial carpet, follow it up with some wall squats, and settle in with a bottle of red for my much-loved Golden Globes on Sunday night.

 

Rockin Elmer Fudd Style

One of my first discoveries during OD2S (Operation Dallas to Seattle): earflap hats are a MUST. Sure, they keep your ears warm (esp at a windy bus stop), but more importantly, it's totally part of the required Seattle fashion vernacular. Thank God my mom is the best hat-knitter in the South so I've already commissioned one ASAP! Who knew huntsman fashion could be so chic? No bunny harm required.

Best. Hair. Ever.

My nephew, Graham, truly has THE best hair I've ever seen. Not only does it defy the need for any product, but his dad has literally been stopped by 20-something hipsters who told him, "Dude...I'd KILL for that hair!"

God love our youth. And their priorities.

Hungary for a Custom Handbag?

As you know, I adore a well-made, beautiful handbag just as much as I love shopping on etsy.com.*  So you can imagine my elation when I discovered an amazing custom handbag-maker on my favorite website for hand-crafted goodies.  My search started when I was looking for a stylish yet structured bag that would be sturdy enough for work stuff but also unique.  My initial searches resulted in pleather totes (you know my aversion to faux leather), boring rectangle briefcases with useless locks (I'm not a lawyer, nor am I carrying Oscars results), 1980s attache cases (a la Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl"...alas, I don't have the hightop Reeboks to complete the look),  or bullet-proof laptop bags (not necessary since I'm not exactly auditioning to be 007's next Bond girl).  

So I was thrilled to discover Farrago bags on etsy:  Custom Hungarian Handbags

Not only does Daniel make all of his bags by hand (and great small leather goods including phone and pad cases), but he's also extremely attentive to detail and a great communicator (esp. considering English is his second language).  Sure, I'm a bit biased since my heritage is Hungarian (my maiden name is Szecsy), but I can honestly say, his bags are extremely well-made and amazingly priced for the quality.  He even customizes each bag with your initials (on the bag or a bonus keychain).

 

My stylish, croc-embossed, leather work tote has endured heavy binders, plane trips, and countless walks between office buildings among the elements for the past two years, and it barely shows any wear (yet I'm still anxious to order my next one in a new color).  Can you believe it was only $99??  (Plus $22 for shipping, but well worth it, since he ships them quickly).

And my gorgeous, tan nubuck tote is perfect for weekends and traveling - it even has adjustable straps (with cool knots vs. bulky, heavy hardware).  Somehow, it manages to hold everything without ever feeling like a bottomless pit - I think it's because of the light interior and huge opening. And at $148, it was a steal, as it's super soft (yet durable) and has also held up like a champ!



So next time you're looking for a seriously unique, beautiful, and well-priced bag, I highly recommend Daniel and his Farrago bags (in fact, I'm planning an iPhone case purchase very soon). 
Magic K8 Ball Says: 8 (Gotta Have It!)

* If this is the first you've heard of etsy, shame on you!! Almost all of my cool jewelry and unique gifts come from that uber-cool site).

Skip the Steps (A K8 Revelation)

Quite often, I find myself in a "Thanks, but no thanks" moment, typically related to a fashion or beauty suggestion.  It happens a lot when I'm thumbing through a fashion magazine and see what appears to be the Holy Grail of some new beauty routine that includes nine steps and 17 different products.  I initially read it with excitement and wonder, but by step 6 1/2 (and product A + B layering over C), I realize, "Thanks, but no thanks - I'm all good with my Clairsonic and trusty Clinique cleanser."  My quick dismissal is always satisfying because it's somehow defiant and victorious at the same time (and typically means I don't have to invest in something new, try a crazy process, or leave my house with an unforeseen side effect).

I just enjoyed this experience as I was flipping through my recent issue of InStyle and seeing all the new holiday hairstyle how-to's - who really has the time for the multiple steps involved in making your hair look perfectly "UNdone?"  (I suppose I have an automatic "Get out of Gel Free" card with my short do, but it's still really nice to be able to flip right past "A Great Blowout in Six Easy Steps" or "20 Minutes to the Perfect Conditioning Treatment."  Then again, the grass isn't always greener - a bad hair day for long hair is easily solved with a ponytail, while us cropped-cut gals are stuck, literally, layering on the product or positioning a hat with the precision of a surgeon to reveal some hair while also covering the scare hair).

So next time you have a "revelation" about some process, product, or trend you can skip (neon..really??  The 80's don't EVER need to come back, in any form or fashion - um, even the 80's Sharpies colors didn't sell!), revel in the moment knowing you just saved yourself time, money, and the avoidance of entering into any kind of "multiple step program."

I'm So Martha...(A K8 Flashback)

Originally published: 9/19/07

Update: I'm no longer as jazzed about Merona dresses, as I've discovered I can now find much better quality for only slightly more cost at Last Call!  But I still use the Blister Block, and I still think Louboutins are a bit overpriced; I've since converted almost exclusively to Stuart Weitzman (who incidentally, never requires Blister Block).

Okay, I couldn't help passing on a couple little tips I've come up with (I'm sure Martha or Heloise had these years ago, but I like to think I sort of discovered them myself)...

I just bought a couple new dresses at Target (side note - Merona has GREAT dresses, all for around $25 - throw on some Pradas with it, and no one's the wiser...except for all the girls I tell about it of course).  Anyway, on to the cheesy but useful tips...

As I was removing the extra buttons and tags, I realized that one of the tags was attached with a tiny black safety pin.  I'm using that very same pin today to keep the wrap top of the dress closed over "the girls" a bit more (proper ladies do NOT display overt cleavage at the workplace unless it's in reference to toes).  It's amazing how much better a black pin is vs. the shiny silver ones when you are attempting to keep your bosom covered. 

Regarding those extra buttons (which I keep in a little "button box" and have for years...funny how your extra buttons are around a lot longer than the actual garment), notice how they sometimes come in a tiny little ziploc bag?  These little bags are perfect for pills in your purse - you know, the extra strength Advil and Midol you would kill for on a bad headache or cramp day?  Just slip a few in the "ziploclette" (that's a mini ziploc), and put it in the secret side pocket of your handbag! 

Oh, and another quick recent discovery - Johnson's Blister Block (in the Band-aid aisle).  I've had to use it religiously to break in the Louboutins (which have disappointed me in how much they've stretched out), and it works well.  It's like a mini deodorant stick that you can rub all over your blister-prone places before and during shoe wearing, and it leaves no residue behind.  And based on my experience with expensive shoes, they should all come with a CASE of this stuff!

(Ginger) Snap to It!

The only thing I dread more than wearing pleather anything is the predictable 3pm craving for something sweet (also typically occurs around 8:30 pm).  But I've found a decent work-around that has more benefits than gum and is way more convenient than brushing your teeth (it's so weird when people do that at work).  I recently discovered "candied" ginger.  Not only does it help in digestion, but it's quite spicy, which means it's nearly impossible to eat something afterward, unless you like that whole toothpaste-orange-juice thing. 

You can find it in the bulk bins at Whole Foods, but I prefer Reed's - this fun pre-packaged brand comes in a variety of options.  My husband prefers the crystallized cubes, but I like the individually wrapped "chews" that you can take anywhere (also, they come in a cool little box that looks like cigarettes but are much healthier) - plus, you can find them in flavors like peanut butter and spicy apple!  I will warn you that the chews are pretty...chewy, so watch your dental work.  And while the crystallized cubes are much friendlier to your crowns and fillings, the "crystals" can stick around on your fingers (but are definitely less guilt-ridden than bright orange Cheeto residue).

So next time your sweet tooth starts twitching, pick your ginger poison and pop one in your pie-hole before, well...a piece of pie.  

Magic K8 Ball Says...

• Ginger Chews: 7 (Signs Point to Yes)
• Crystallized Ginger: 6 (Outlook Good)

Reed's Ginger Chews

Reed's Crystallized Ginger Cubes