Style: What to Avoid When Flying

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window view of an airplane

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‘Tis the season to be traveling. If your plans involve air travel — commercial, that is; you private plane people can wear whatever the hell you want — this timely advice (adapted from a post on WhoWhatWear) should come in handy. Click here for the full piece.

Tight Clothes

You want to avoid cramping and swelling caused by too-tight clothing and inactivity. Problems can range from the serious (DVTs) to uncomfortable bloating. An elastic waistband is your friend, and with a nice top layer no one needs to know you’re channeling Edith Bunker.

Anything Flammable

One more reason to choose natural fabrics! And cover your arms, legs and feet in case the unforeseen happens and you have to go down the emergency slide. A long-sleeved cotton t-shirt is breathable as well as protective.

High Heels, Backless Sandals, Flipflops

They make it difficult to quickly evacuate the aircraft, and could hurt others if they go flying off.  Heels could puncture the evacuation slide and they’ll sure make it a lot harder to run to another gate if necessary.

Meanwhile, that tiny airplane bathroom is even nastier if something on the floor gets on your toes. ‘Nuff said.  Opt for closed shoes such as sneakers, low heels or flats, or boots.

Studs, buckles, zippers, belts can set off metal detectors and slow you down. The same is true for bold jewely. And it’s better not to put your valuables on the conveyor belt; just store them securely in a small case in your purse or carry on until you’ve gone through security.
Not Enough Layers

Airplane cabins can be frigid, so wearing layers makes sense.  You can always remove a sweater or cashmere shawl if you get too warm.

Pack a change of outfit in your carryon if possible, too — fresh socks, a tee and underwear at a minimum. It makes life much more pleasant if you’re stuck on the tarmac in an emergency, or your checked luggage is delayed or lost.

Safe travels,

xoxo Alisa

Gift Ideas When Money Is No Object

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While you’ve been agonizing over finding the perfect gifts, this post is sure to inspire a giggle or two.  It kinda gives new meaning to the phrase “insanely rich”.  Enjoy!

abundance bank banking banknotes

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Good News Monday: Pigments of Your Imagination

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Sorry for the groaner, as this is a really bright idea!

Did you know that more than a half-million pounds of partially used crayons are discarded every year? As you might imagine, they turn into a nasty, waxy sludge that clogs landfills and never biodegrades.

The nonprofit Crayon Initiative has come to the rescue, solving two problems in one. First, it gathers crayon stubs from restaurants, schools and homes, melts them down and remanufactures them, reducing waste.

Even better, the recycled crayons are donated to art programs at 240 children’s hospitals, brightening the lives of young patients across the USA.

Color me impressed!

arts and crafts child close up color

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Random Act of Kindness

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The world certainly needs more “raves” and fewer “rants”, per this lovely blog post I’m sharing today.

msw blog's avatarReal Life of an MSW

I want to offer a huge shout out to fellow riders of the northbound Link Light Rail from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle recently. Mid-route, the doors opened and a homeless man carrying a crate and a shopping bag entered the train and slumped to the floor. A train employee approached the man asking if he was OK, and would he please move to a seat so the train could continue running. The man did seem inebriated but moved to the seat indicated by the employee near another passenger.

This smartly dressed male passenger repeatedly told the train employee to kick the homeless man out, that he did not want this man sitting next to him. The homeless man covered his head, distressed almost to tears.

Most of the other passengers called out things like, “Leave him alone, he’s OK.” My heart swelled to hear so many kind and compassionate riders…

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A Lighthouse In Winter

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Although our local lighthouse is attractive in the summer, I find its stark winter beauty even more compelling. Yaquina Head, Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, rises a majestic 93 feet above the westernmost point of the basalt headland which juts one mile into the Pacific Ocean.

The lighthouse has guided ships along the west coast since August 20, 1873, when the first keeper climbed its punishing 114 steps to light the oil burning wick.

Today, of course, everything is fully automated.

But on a crisp, cool day with few visitors, it’s easy to imagine how lonely and desolate this remote spot must have seemed to the lightkeeper’s family.  IMG-1653.jpg

 

Good News Monday: A Rise in Monarchs

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Butterflies, that is.  Although current interest in The Crown television series may indicate increased popularity for the current Queen as well.

Back to the winged kind.  The World Wildlife Fund reports that the forest area where monarch butterflies hibernate during their annual migration — leaving the US and Canada to spend the winter in Mexico — has more than doubled, the largest increase in 12 years.

To help improve the butterflies’ chance of survival along their migratory route, conservation efforts include planting milkweed in the US — it’s the only plant where monarchs lay their eggs — and establishing flower gardens in Mexico to provide them with nectar.  What a sweet homecoming!

brown black white butterfly on green leaf plant

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Shopping Frenzy

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My inbox is shrieking with Black Friday this, Cyber Monday that — all the bargains we have to have NOW! Because they’re GOING FAST! In a sale I WON’T WANT TO MISS!

The urgency is terrifying.

Here’s what I’d like to see reduced for the holidays at a new, LOW! LOW! PRICE — for all of us:

  1. The cable bill
  2. Property taxes
  3. Medical fees
  4. Legal fees
  5. The phone bill
  6. Utilities
  7. Insurance: car, homeowners’, medical, dental, you name it

And I don’t mean some temporary, lull-me-into-thinking-it’s-forever, special short-term deal; I want to see a minimum 50% off.  Is that too much to ask?!?

Guess I will have to settle for a new pair of boots, a replacement for my worn-out black cashmere cardigan, and my favorite about-to-be-discontinued lipstick. Sigh.

Are you shopping the sales? Finding some good bargains? Do share!

paper bags near wall

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Gobble, gobble: US Edition

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Happy Thanksgiving, dear US readers!

If you’re wondering what wine to bring or serve with turkey, here are the top suggestions, according to a search of the all-knowing Internet:

  • Chardonnay.
  • Pinot Noir.
  • Viognier.
  • Gamay.
  • Dry Riesling.
  • Zinfandel.
  • Champagne.

Plus, a few hints to avoid overeating today — or at any large holiday meal this season:

  1. Your brain can only crave 3 or 4 things at a time.  So decide what you most want to eat, instead of trying a little bit of everything.  If you go back for seconds, that’s the time to sample other foods — you’ll eat a lot less.
  2. Experts say that a serving is the size of your loosely held fist, not the entire plate.
  3. Eat slowly and stop after 10 minutes to let your brain register whether you’re satisfied. After a five-minute break, you may find that you don’t want much more.
  4. Plan ahead to “save” room for dessert, rather than “making” room for dessert; ie, be sure you’re actually still a bit hungry.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday, however you’re spending it! xx, Alisa

bread food plate light

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