I happen to be very clumsy. I've been living with my hubby for about 2 years now and have broken at least 3 glasses. Every time I wash the dishes, I'm a bit nervous that I will end up breaking another drinking glass. Not only is it terrible that I just destroyed something of his, glass is a real pain to clean up.
In my parents' house, we used mugs for everything. We used mugs to drink tea, coffee, juice, milk, soda, etc. We used mugs to eat cereal and ice cream. It was a great multi-purpose vessel and it wasn't nearly as scary as glass should one break. I could try to encourage the use of mugs for everything in our household, but I've always found it so wonderful and charming to drink juice and water out of a glass. Maybe it's because my parents never got into drinking out of glasses.
That is not to say that my parents didn't have glasses to drink out of. They have some nice ones that came as a set and yes, I've broken some so the set is no longer complete. They also have some very beautiful crystal glasses and yes, I think I've broken at least one of those too. However, these glasses generally were only used on special occasions. I think we did use the tumblers regularly, but after I (and probably my parents) realized that I can't be trusted around them without eventually destroying one, mugs just seemed like a safer choice.
So now that I'm slowing outfitting my newly formed household, I am on the hunt for unbreakable stuff! Or at the very least, less breakable stuff! I made sure to buy a Corelle set of dinnerware for us, dreaming that the stuff will last as long as my mother's set. I think my mother's Corelle stuff may be as old as, if not older than, me! I also got some Anchor Hocking glass containers, feeling that tempered glass is sturdier than regular glass containers. Pyrex is also a favorite of mine. Generally, when it comes to cooking and leftovers and dinnerware, I think I'm set and I know what I want.
However, drinkware is an entirely different story. Yes, we do have mugs - lots of them, in fact. Our Corelle dinnerware set came with a set of mugs. So we're set when it comes to mugs, but how about drinking glasses and barware? Let's first talk about drinking glasses.
My hubby told me about his mother's indestructible glasses. These glasses were, apparently, super sturdy and refused to break. Enchanted by these fabled glasses, I wanted a set of my own and went online to search for some. Most items that came up in my search for "indestructible drinking glass" were made of plastic. I specifically don't want plastic. It just doesn't feel classy or homey to be drinking from plastic in your grown-up home. I want a sippy cup for adults that doesn't look like a sippy cup. Eventually, I came across a couple of viable options.
The first option is by a brand called Duralex:
http://www.duralexusa.com/Picardie-Tumblers-cat1.html?parentId=0
These are reputed to be shock resistant, good for hot and cold drinks, impact and chip resistant, microwave and dishwasher safe and made to resist sudden extreme temperature changes. Can you ask for more from a glass?
The second option is to get barware made of titanium crystal:
http://www.schott-zwiesel.com/en/tritan1_e.htm
It's crystal, but more durable, so it's good for clumsy adults like me. I don't think these are as durable as a Duralex glass for everyday drinking purposes, but they look very classy. If you have the money, you can buy an entire matching set of barware and tumblers. However, is it worth it to buy drinking glasses from here?
I think if I want my glasses to survive me and my future kids, I should opt for Duralex. I do really like these and would love to get a set. The great thing for me would be less fear of washing glasses. Lol! Like my Corelle dinnerware, I can see Duralex glasses lasting a lifetime.
However, I also crave a good set of wine glasses. Again, I'm always afraid of breaking one of our wine glasses. If we could get some that are a bit more durable, there's a chance that we won't have to replace them as often.
I'm all about durability and I don't mind paying more for it. Things that last a lifetime means less money spent over the years to replace them and less waste generated throwing away stuff that broke. Plus, I have very fond memories of my mother's indestructible dinnerware and cookware. I didn't appreciate the stuff growing up, but seeing the stuff when I visit, I get all sentimental and nostalgic. I wouldn't mind passing that kind of experience to my own children some day.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Fighting Bullying with Babies
Lots of people these days are lamenting the lack of empathy in today's society. With feelings of intolerance being widespread, there are more and more reports and fears of bullying. I often wonder, if people are more empathetic, would it make them less likely to act like a jerk? Being insensitive is one thing, but to know how it feels when someone is hurt and to actively hurt them is malicious behavior, pure and simple. It's the difference between being amoral and immoral. Is it still considered malicious if a person understands that an action will hurt you, but they just don't care because it doesn't hurt them or that hurting you is to their advantage? Would empathy mitigate selfish behavior as well?
In any case, the below article seems to suggest that with empathy, people are more likely to be nicer and kinder. I don't know to what extent people become nicer and kinder in the experiment cited, but it gives evidence that perhaps, most people are jerks because they're insensitive rather than malicious. Maybe there is hope of mankind after all?
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/fighting-bullying-with-babies/?src=me&ref=homepage
In any case, the below article seems to suggest that with empathy, people are more likely to be nicer and kinder. I don't know to what extent people become nicer and kinder in the experiment cited, but it gives evidence that perhaps, most people are jerks because they're insensitive rather than malicious. Maybe there is hope of mankind after all?
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/fighting-bullying-with-babies/?src=me&ref=homepage
Monday, November 8, 2010
Versatile clothing - Layerable stuff
So in my previous post, I gushed about convertible clothing. Today, I want to gush about clothes that can be layered. There is nothing more versatile than a piece of clothing you can wear to a variety functions in a variety of ways.
Take, for example, a pair of comfortable black slacks. Black slacks can be dressed up or down, worn with pumps, sneakers or boots. They match most tops and can be worn in warm or cold weather. When it gets colder and the slack aren't warm enough, wear a pair of microfiber tights underneath. When it gets super cold, wear pair of knee high or thigh high socks over the tights. So in this case, these slacks can't be the slim-fitting kind. There needs to be some room for layering underneath it.
Another favorite item is the thin, v-neck sweater. This sweater can be worn alone as a top, or over a collared shirt or turtleneck. It can also be worn under a cardigan. It can be dressed up or down with brooches, necklaces or scarves and a classically-styled v-neck sweater never goes out of fashion! Of course, it doesn't have to be a v-neck. I just happen to like the v-neck.
Microfiber tights are also another indispensable item in my wardrobe. As I mentioned before, I wear them under my slacks for extra warmth. They can also be worn alone with a skirt. The nice thing about tights is that they are more durable than stockings and you can wear them with loafers, oxfords, mules, certain pumps and boots. I stick to plain black tights because it matches just about anything I have.
I also happen to love the basic cardigan. You can layer it over the above-mentioned v-neck sweater or wear it on its own. You can also use it in place of a summer jacket and it's super handy to have if your office air conditioning is too strong.
In terms of lighter wear, there's always the trusty camisole. You can wear it under your shirt, blouse, sweater, or just about any kind of top. A nice, plain camisole made of good material can be worn casual as well as dressed up. I've layered my winter wear with my camisole underneath a turtleneck underneath a v-neck sweater underneath a heavier-weight, long, button-down sweater. Yes, it's bulky, but it keeps me toasty!
Going heavier, a nice heavy-weight, long, button-down sweater is another favorite. I wear this when I want more coverage and warmth, and the cardigan is just not enough. It can also double as a fall or spring jacket in a pinch.
Some things that I've found to be helpful when choosing which pieces to add to my wardrobe. First, it's totally worth the extra money to buy something made with natural fibers. Not only are natural fibers more comfortable to wear, but also reduces static electricity in the winter. As a girl with long hair, and I can attest to the nightmare of walking into a public bathroom stall and having all my hairs stick to the walls! Alpaca is warmer than sheep, but if you have the money, pay for cashmere. Not only is cashmere really soft and warm, it's lightweight because it doesn't require as much bulk to maintain warmth. Silk is also a great material. It's cool in the summer and warm in the winter and nothing drapes and flatters you like silk. Silk can be dressed up or worn casually depending on the weave, cut and style. If can't afford silk, cotton is just as good for light-weight clothes. It's breathable, absorbent and very durable.
Well, that's all I have on this topic. Until next time, have an awesome day!
Take, for example, a pair of comfortable black slacks. Black slacks can be dressed up or down, worn with pumps, sneakers or boots. They match most tops and can be worn in warm or cold weather. When it gets colder and the slack aren't warm enough, wear a pair of microfiber tights underneath. When it gets super cold, wear pair of knee high or thigh high socks over the tights. So in this case, these slacks can't be the slim-fitting kind. There needs to be some room for layering underneath it.
Another favorite item is the thin, v-neck sweater. This sweater can be worn alone as a top, or over a collared shirt or turtleneck. It can also be worn under a cardigan. It can be dressed up or down with brooches, necklaces or scarves and a classically-styled v-neck sweater never goes out of fashion! Of course, it doesn't have to be a v-neck. I just happen to like the v-neck.
Microfiber tights are also another indispensable item in my wardrobe. As I mentioned before, I wear them under my slacks for extra warmth. They can also be worn alone with a skirt. The nice thing about tights is that they are more durable than stockings and you can wear them with loafers, oxfords, mules, certain pumps and boots. I stick to plain black tights because it matches just about anything I have.
I also happen to love the basic cardigan. You can layer it over the above-mentioned v-neck sweater or wear it on its own. You can also use it in place of a summer jacket and it's super handy to have if your office air conditioning is too strong.
In terms of lighter wear, there's always the trusty camisole. You can wear it under your shirt, blouse, sweater, or just about any kind of top. A nice, plain camisole made of good material can be worn casual as well as dressed up. I've layered my winter wear with my camisole underneath a turtleneck underneath a v-neck sweater underneath a heavier-weight, long, button-down sweater. Yes, it's bulky, but it keeps me toasty!
Going heavier, a nice heavy-weight, long, button-down sweater is another favorite. I wear this when I want more coverage and warmth, and the cardigan is just not enough. It can also double as a fall or spring jacket in a pinch.
Some things that I've found to be helpful when choosing which pieces to add to my wardrobe. First, it's totally worth the extra money to buy something made with natural fibers. Not only are natural fibers more comfortable to wear, but also reduces static electricity in the winter. As a girl with long hair, and I can attest to the nightmare of walking into a public bathroom stall and having all my hairs stick to the walls! Alpaca is warmer than sheep, but if you have the money, pay for cashmere. Not only is cashmere really soft and warm, it's lightweight because it doesn't require as much bulk to maintain warmth. Silk is also a great material. It's cool in the summer and warm in the winter and nothing drapes and flatters you like silk. Silk can be dressed up or worn casually depending on the weave, cut and style. If can't afford silk, cotton is just as good for light-weight clothes. It's breathable, absorbent and very durable.
Well, that's all I have on this topic. Until next time, have an awesome day!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Versatile clothing - Convertible stuff!
I've been thinking about paring down my wardrobe. I can't bring myself to do it yet, but I'm thinking about it. I'm inspired by a woman in a NYTimes article that wore only 6 pieces of clothing for a month and nobody noticed! That means that we really don't need a giant closet of clothes. It also means that if I were to purge my closet, the pieces I keep will need to be versatile, able to be worn to a variety of functions and able to be worn in a variety of ways. Versatility includes the ability to layer and be worn with other clothes to create warmth and new looks. Clothes also need to be comfortable. If a piece of clothing is not comfortable, I am less likely to wear it. So that means that the clothes I keep in my closet need to be made of comfortable, breathable fabric. Natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk feel the nicest to me. The last thing to consider in a piece of clothing is fit. Even if I can fit into a piece of clothing, I'm not going to wear it if it makes me feel self-conscious, fat or insecure. Clothes that make me feel good about myself tend to be ones that fit me in all the right places. On this front, I can either shop until I find pieces that fit me or I can make my own clothes. :-)
Right now, my favorite clothes tend to be convertible clothing. I've been fascinated with convertible clothing! From the convertible dress to the convertible scarf, these are clothes that I think gives the most bang for the buck. The fact that they can be worn a variety of different ways means that they can be worn over and over again without looking boring. Part of the fun is finding new ways to wear it!
One such item is the convertible/infinity dress. It's a simple dress you can make yourself. Instructions can be found here: http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/infinity-dress.html
I made one earlier this year and plan to make another one later with some alterations using the lessons learned from my first one. If you're not into sewing, you can also buy one. Victoria's Secret, Monif C and Dessy all have their own version of the convertible dress. Simply put, the convertible dress is a skirt with two fat, long straps attached. Styling is varied depending on how your wrap the straps.
Another favorite convertible dress of mine was actually found at a street fair for 20 bux! I am told it was made from old silk saris, but I have no idea really where the fabric comes from though I do believe it is silk. Anyways, it's basically a two layered wrap skirt with long straps extending from the waistband. There are a few ways to wear it as a skirt, but my favorite is wearing it as a dress. It can be worn many different ways as a dress and it is one of the most comfortable items of clothing I own. You can buy a version of this online and see the different ways to wear it here: http://www.karizadesigns.com/
Continuing on this convertible stuff tract, I also love convertible wraps! I've made a few of these and as long as you make the wrap light and thin, you can wear it as a belt, scarf or wrap. Add buttonholes all around the edges, connect a bunch of buttons with jump rings to make them like cuff links, and your wrap can also be turned into a shrug or poncho. See the knitting pattern and ways to wear it here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTconvertible.html
The last convertible item I have are convertible mittens. Okay, I know convertible mittens are not versatile like the above examples, but I still love them! As much as I prefer gloves, the truth is that mittens are warmer. However, there are times when I need fingers! With convertible mittens, you can flip the cap off to expose your fingers and when you're done, you can flip the mitten caps back on. Perfect!
Maybe I love convertible clothing partly because of my love of cool, well-designed gadgets like the iPhone. Or maybe I just love cool clothing. Whatever the case, I am really, really happy to have some convertible items in my closet!
Right now, my favorite clothes tend to be convertible clothing. I've been fascinated with convertible clothing! From the convertible dress to the convertible scarf, these are clothes that I think gives the most bang for the buck. The fact that they can be worn a variety of different ways means that they can be worn over and over again without looking boring. Part of the fun is finding new ways to wear it!
One such item is the convertible/infinity dress. It's a simple dress you can make yourself. Instructions can be found here: http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/infinity-dress.html
I made one earlier this year and plan to make another one later with some alterations using the lessons learned from my first one. If you're not into sewing, you can also buy one. Victoria's Secret, Monif C and Dessy all have their own version of the convertible dress. Simply put, the convertible dress is a skirt with two fat, long straps attached. Styling is varied depending on how your wrap the straps.
Another favorite convertible dress of mine was actually found at a street fair for 20 bux! I am told it was made from old silk saris, but I have no idea really where the fabric comes from though I do believe it is silk. Anyways, it's basically a two layered wrap skirt with long straps extending from the waistband. There are a few ways to wear it as a skirt, but my favorite is wearing it as a dress. It can be worn many different ways as a dress and it is one of the most comfortable items of clothing I own. You can buy a version of this online and see the different ways to wear it here: http://www.karizadesigns.com/
Continuing on this convertible stuff tract, I also love convertible wraps! I've made a few of these and as long as you make the wrap light and thin, you can wear it as a belt, scarf or wrap. Add buttonholes all around the edges, connect a bunch of buttons with jump rings to make them like cuff links, and your wrap can also be turned into a shrug or poncho. See the knitting pattern and ways to wear it here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTconvertible.html
The last convertible item I have are convertible mittens. Okay, I know convertible mittens are not versatile like the above examples, but I still love them! As much as I prefer gloves, the truth is that mittens are warmer. However, there are times when I need fingers! With convertible mittens, you can flip the cap off to expose your fingers and when you're done, you can flip the mitten caps back on. Perfect!
Maybe I love convertible clothing partly because of my love of cool, well-designed gadgets like the iPhone. Or maybe I just love cool clothing. Whatever the case, I am really, really happy to have some convertible items in my closet!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Toadstool table and chairs set
Okay, I admit that I am mildly obsessed with mushrooms. What can I say? They're just SO AWESOME!! Not only are they adorable, they are also really delicious! So when I saw the picture in the link below, I can't tell you how I gasped and ogled!
http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/toadstool-table-chairs-set/productinfo/26401/
http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/toadstool-table-chairs-set/productinfo/26401/
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Love my new earrings!
I found these on Etsy and have been coveting them for about a year now. Finally, I treated myself to a pair.
Check out the Etsy shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/strungoutdesigns?ref=pr_shop_more
Check out the Etsy shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/strungoutdesigns?ref=pr_shop_more
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
It's NaNoWriMo, baby!
Once again, it is time for National Novel Writing Month! Every November the challenge goes out to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. Writing begins at midnight, November 1st and ends midnight, November 30. It is an intense amount of writing to do. I've tried to do it a couple of times before, but have never succeeded. This year, I have a writing buddy! Maybe that will spur me onto NaNoWriMo success in 2010!
Before I began this, I had some ideas of what I was going to do. Originally, I was going to prepare an outline for the novel, but never got around to it. So I am now just writing and letting the story take me where it will. I also originally planned to do a high fantasy novel, like the ones I was obsessed with reading in my adolescence. Currently, I find myself writing something more like chick lit taking place in a weirdly modern fantasy world.
It's only Day 2 in the challenge, so the story and characters are still being fleshed out. Right now, the main character is female and she starts the story at a low point in her life. After spending Day 1 writing the beginning, I got tired of it and skipped to another scene. Today, I can't seem to stay focused on my scenes, feeling uninspired and aimless. I hope that the novel will gain some substance and excitement as I trudge on!
Check out NaNoWriMo here:
nanowrimo.org
Monday, November 1, 2010
Quality education for all
I honestly believe that quality education should be made available to everyone. We all know and see the benefits of getting everyone in a country to learn how to read, write and do math. Educating the population elevates everyone's potential, which elevates an entire country's potential. If every country's potential is elevated, our entire world's potential is elevated. Think of what can be accomplished if everyone in the world was afforded a good, basic education?
That is why this article makes me happy!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/europe/01iht-educLede01.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world
That is why this article makes me happy!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/europe/01iht-educLede01.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world
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