A Tall Drink of Water

I admit it - I don't like drinking water.  It's boring and has no taste.  So trying to ensure I get all my "super healthy" water to "cleanse out the toxins" and make my skin "glow like I'm lit from within" is indeed a challenge.  You know I've tried the Mio (not a bad option), and I've learned to like tea (it's blasphemy not to drink iced tea in Texas, and God love my little Keurig for hot tea), but remembering to partake at work is such a chore.  I shun plastic water bottles (mostly because Seattle is WAY green), "reusable" restaurant cups are always sweaty (not to mention I really don't need my fellow colleagues knowing I ate at Lil' Woody's), and the plastic cups in the office kitchen are the size of shot glasses.  What's a girl to do??  Enter the Tervis tumbler.

I first saw the Tervis in a magazine ad (yes, traditional print media still actually works, especially for a marketing sucker like me).  Then my sister endorsed it as well ("You know K8, you can buy those at Bed, Bath & Beyond.") which always means it's a winner.  Basically, the Tervis is a "smart cup" that's insulated for hot or cold drinks, knows which is which, and it absolutely does not sweat!  Plus, you can order it in all sorts of fun colors, prints, or even customize it ("Drink More Water K8!").  It comes in a few different sizes, so I'd suggest at least the 16 oz, even though the 24 oz is more practical (all the 16 oz does make me get up more often and walk to the kitchen to refill it, so a little activity is probably good).  The 8 oz is basically worthless unless you need an expensive sippy cup for your kiddo.

They're not cheap (16 oz size with a lid was around $20), but so far, it's been 100% worth it.  Not only do I have a sleek purple cup on my desk that doesn't leave a soggy mess behind, but I'm also a little more motivated to keep refilling it and drinking up. And worst case, you just bought yourself a cute M&M's holder.

Happy Tervis Cups

Magic K8 Ball Says:7 (Outlook Good)

Winter Wardrobing 101

As you know, part of my Seattle hazing has included one of the worst snow and ice storms in the city's history. As a result, I've had to work from home (translation: been apartment-bound) for the past 48 hours. And while I do enjoy "me" time, I'M even tired of me when there's only 600 sq ft to explore. So I forced myself to venture outside (and resisted the urge to sled down the hill with the neighborhood kids since my health benefits don't kick in til February). Keep in mind, my winter wardrobe is still not quite "wear" I want it to be (the ridiculous earflap hat is just a stand-in until mom finishes a real knitted one), but ya can't go wrong with a black wool coat (Banana Republic, three employee discounts ago), black patent rain boots (Neiman's sample sale circa 2009), and my trusty Hungarian etsy bag. The overall look is actually not too shabby...and certainly Northwest chic.

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."