The Best Travel Backpacks of 2023
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A decent tent is the key to getting the most out of a music festival. In this guide, we tested five for you to consider, to make sure you find the right tent for your needs.
In most festival environments, affordability is considered more important than plush interiors or fancy additional features. You’re much more likely to lose your voice and get covered in mud than you are to enjoy a decadent glamping experience. But then again, that’s part of the fun.
However, music festivals come in different shapes, genres and sizes, and so do tents. Getting the right mix of ease to setup, size and durability depends on whether you’re going to a more relaxed family-based festival, or one of the more intense big-stage events.
From the rolling fields of Glastonbury to the coastal charm of Latitude, getting the tent right can make all the difference. Below, we run through some top picks, plus some tips to make your festival camping experience as enjoyable as possible.
Before we dive into the tents, it’s important to stress that leaving your tent behind at the end of a festival is extremely irresponsible.
Some festival-goers may have assumed that if they left their tents behind, they would be recycled or given to charities – but 90% of tents left behind at festivals end up in landfill, according to one estimate.
There are viable alternatives to this waste. If your tent is damaged or broken, you can patch it up using a tent repair kit. Our article on how to repair a tent may also be helpful.
If you want to get rid of your tent, companies like Gift Your Gear or the Contiuum Project can give it a new lease of life.
Sleeps: 2
Waterproof: 2000mm HH
Weight: 1.65kg
Packed: 70 x 70 x 3cm
Pitched: 220 (L) x 110 (W) x 90cm (H)
Besides being extremely affordable, Eurohike’s Pop 200 has some qualities that make it a viable festival tent. On test, we found it was very easy to set up and take down. The instruction manual featured diagrams that were clearly labelled and simple to follow, with a model figure to help guide you through the steps.
It’s lightweight when packaged and the bag features long handles for easy carrying. If you’re walking a long way, these handles should fit over your shoulder and if you attach it to a backpack the tent’s presence should go reasonably unnoticed.
Inside it was a little stuffy, but the door can be rolled back and clipped in place to let some air in. There are two ventilation pockets in each top corner of the tent, with a Velcro arm to keep the vent open. While the airflow was not remarkable, it did provide some cooling.
As might be expected from a tent at this price, the weather resistance was not particularly impressive. The poles felt a little thin and would probably not be very resistant to wind, so setting up close to other tents for shelter might be a good idea.
The Pop 200 also features a PU coated polyester fabric which should offer some light waterproofing, as well as taped seams to keep water from seeping in. We think it could withstand a light shower or two but would struggle in anything more. If the forecast is looking forgiving, it’s a decent option for the price.
Sleeps: 3
Waterproof: Doesn’t specify
Weight: 3kg
Packed: 87 x 87 x 4 cm
Pitched: 280 (L) x 180 (W) x 105 (H) cm
No, this isn’t a tent covered in aluminium foil. Mountain Warehouse’s Black Out Pop-Up uses this silver coating to completely block out any light. Even in broad daylight on a sunny day, we found it very effective.
If you’re trying to get some much-needed shuteye at a festival, where lights and torches are likely to be shining throughout the night, it’s a useful feature. The coating is eye-catching and would be hard to miss while trying to find your tent. And of course it should allow you to slumber blissfully even after the sun rises, which in midsummer – Glastonbury season – is a horrifying 4.44 am.
Something to consider: the side entrance and blackout material mean this isn’t the most sociable tent if you’re camping with a group. It’s not the easiest to open for some shade and a chat with your fellow campers. It’s essentially either pitch black or bright sunlight.
We found the tent easy to set up and take down, although you have to attach the guy ropes yourself. The packing away instructions don’t include diagrams, only words, which might make things harder to follow for less experienced campers.
The blackout keeps the tent reasonably cool and the mesh around the base can help to circulate some air. It was nice to see that the door featured three layers: an outer, inner and mesh, which can provide some ventilation while keeping any pesky insects out.
Sleeps: 4
Waterproof: 2,000 HH
Weight: 5.2kg
Packed: 78 x 78 x 9 cm
Pitched: 390 (L) x 215 (W) x 160 cm (H)
This tent from Eurohike is heavier and less easy to carry than the other options, but it should be able to fit four people comfortably. We’d consider it an option for family festivals or more low-key affairs.
It’s also not as easy to set up as the other tents tested, requiring users to attach an upper sheet with poles to help it maintain its structure. We had issues fitting the tent in the bag provided when packing away, so we’d recommend a few test runs before taking it to a festival.
However, we were very impressed by the tent’s build quality: it felt sturdy and durable thanks to extra pole support for the arches. There was a lot of headroom and space inside, including a small porch area where you could leave muddy clothes or trainers to keep the muck out.
Two entrances can be opened to create an airflow when the sun begins to beat down, and there’s a mesh door to keep insects at bay without making the tent overly stuffy.
There are other notable touches of quality: two large storage pouches for organising your possessions, dual covers to lessen the amount of condensation, high-visibility guy ropes and a hook for hanging a light.
Sleeps: 3
Waterproof: 2,000 HH
Weight: 3.4 kg
Packed: 78 x 78 x 9 cm
Pitched: 210 (L) x 195 (W) x 120 cm (H)
If you want a dome tent that is easy to assemble, this three-man from Decathlon’s Quechua range offers a pain-free set-up and take-down. This is mostly thanks to a free-standing design held in place by a pole installation.
It folds out to form a base, which requires two poles to be threaded through to create the structure. The liners are reasonably durable and high-quality, considering the price.
The cover itself feels solid and would help to reduce condensation on the inner. It’s held in place by guy ropes you’ll need to attach yourself – if you pull them tight, the front entrance can create a miniature porch for muddy boots or shoes.
When packaged, the tent is not heavy or bulky and carrying the tent is made easier due to a roll-out design. It could be strapped to a backpack.
If you’re looking for more non-pop-up options, have a read of our review of the best two person tents.
More options like the Quechua 3:
Sleeps: 2 (4-person version also available)
Waterproofing: 2,000mm HH rating and taped seams
Weight: 2.6kg
Packed: 77cm diameter
Pitched: 230cm(L) x 135cm (W) x 90cm (H)
Coleman’s Galiano feels like a more premium version of Eurohike’s Pop 200. It’s available for around double the price, but if you’re willing to pay more, you’ll benefit from some added durability.
The eight pegs feel high-quality and secure when dug into the ground. The fibreglass poles are similarly high-quality: lightweight and flexible but durable.
We were also impressed by the attention to ventilation. The Galiano features separate doors with mesh windows, as well as mesh inserts across the upper panels and through the top.
The door can be fully pulled back and fastened to open the tent up, which made the inside feel light and airy. You can also remove the entire top cover, making it ideal for some shade while chatting to friends or family in a group of tents, although you’ll need to unpeg the guy ropes to do this.
The pop-up design makes it easy to assemble, but we found the instructional images lacked clear direction and may make things difficult if you’re not familiar with packing away tents – so maybe practise packing the tent up before you set off for the festival.
It was lightweight and not too bulky, but the short straps are unlikely to fit over your shoulder which can make it frustrating to carry. We’d recommend strapping the tent to a backpack if you’re going to be carrying it for extended periods.
This depends on your specific needs. If you’re not bothered about additional features or capacity for a large group, and the weather forecast looks good, a small pop-up or dome tent can be a nice, easy option.
If you find a better camping spot, it’ll be easier to take down and move.
Perhaps even more importantly, when you reach the end of the festival, are exhausted and want to leave as soon as possible, a simpler design often means a far less stressful departure.
If you want a bigger tent, quick-release buckles or fasteners, clear instructions and less complex designs can all be factors that make them more manageable.
Given many festivals can get extremely hot and humid, it’s important to consider a way to keep cool inside your tent.
Tents are very likely to feel stuffy, but some come with some additional features to lend a helping hand. Look for tents with mesh or panels which can be opened to get some air.
Latches or hooks that allow you to hold vents or entrances in place can help you create pathways for a cooling airflow.
While most festivals are planned in the summer, they can involve a lot of rain and mud, especially if you’re going to a festival in the UK.
It’s usually close to impossible to choose a specific spot when camping at a festival, but we’d suggest trying to find a sheltered area to set up your pop-up. Failing that there are two qualities we’d suggest checking:
Waterproofing is good to look out for. If you want to know a tent’s ability to resist water, check the Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating provided by the manufacturer. For basic water resistance and protection against light rain, 1,500-2,000 HH should suffice. A tent fabric with a HH rating of 3,000 should repel steady rain. An HH rating of 5,000mm might be required to cope with a storm. And the fabric HH rating is not the only important element to repelling rainwater: taped seams, or seams that are sealed with waterproof tape over the stitching, can also help to prevent water from seeping through. Zips may also leak, so look for storm flaps – a strip of overlapping fabric that protects the zip from direct rainfall.
Windproofing is also important. Tents with sturdy poles and frames will maintain their structure better. As can tents with lower profiles and more aerodynamic shapes.
Unless you’re a VIP, festivals often involve long queues, lots of walking and use of trains or buses. A big, heavy tent may weigh you down and cause unnecessary stress.
Always check the weight. Anything over 5kg can be strenuous to carry for more than a few miles.
Also, remember to check both packed and pitched measurements and see if the tent might be too bulky for your intended use.
Look out for storage pockets or organisers sewn into the walls, these can help you keep smaller items from getting lost.
Hooks, clips or hanging loops can also be useful, allowing you to hang a camping light. There’s nothing worse than scrambling around trying to find your phone or sleeping bag in the dark.
If you’re going to a family festival, some bigger, more expensive tents may have room dividers, which can give the family members some space and privacy.
Some tents may feature fold-out awning or canopies which provide shade in hot festival weather, without requiring you to escape into a stuffy tent.
If you’re sensitive to light and want to at least try and have a good night’s sleep, blackout fabric is a great option, saving you from waking up with the sun after a late night.
Reflective detailing, such as guy lines, prints or fabrics can help with visibility when it’s dark. It can also make your tent more distinctive and easier to find.
Here is a selection of other tips to look out for if you’re heading to a festival this summer:
Do a tent test run: Practise putting up and packing away your tent before you go, this will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Place your tent carefully: Avoid setting up your tent near pathways to avoid any unwanted trampling. It’s also a good idea to try and camp near toilets and water supplies.
Camp near a landmark: Setting up your tent near a recognisable area, flag or landmark can help you find your way home if you’re out late.
Plan ahead: Work out set times for the artists you want to see and make sure you identify any potential clashes.
Stay hydrated: Always keep a water bottle on you and make sure you know where it can be refilled, especially in hot weather.
Ear protection: If you can keep your ears protected, you’ll thank yourself long term. You can buy earplugs that attach to your belt, keychain or keep a pair in your wallet or purse.
Stay connected: Establish meeting points with the people you’re there with, exchange phone numbers and use location sharing apps to keep you from getting lost.
Be careful of your valuables: Always keep your valuables with you and don’t bring anything you won’t need. A crossbody bag can help you keep everything in one place without being too bulky.
Snacks: Keep non-perishable snacks on you to keep your energy up. Granola or breakfast bars, dried fruits and nuts can be good, convenient options.
Read more tent reviews:
Looking for a hassle free pitch up?
Check out our review of the best pop-up tents.
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This online community is home to 2.3 million members who are always ready to help people identify the mysterious objects they found.
The gig is simple: someone uploads a photo of whatever it is they want the name of, and the gang starts commenting under it, offering their input until, inevitably, a person shows up who knows exactly what it is.
However, even if you're not posting anything, scrolling through their solved cases feels like an interesting challenge, where you can test (and expand) your own knowledge. So we invite you to do just that!
Answer: It's a magazine rack installed upside down because people decorating Airbnb's don't know what they're doing.
Image credits: mmay_a
Answer: This setup prevents Muslims from having to lift our legs up dangerously high while trying to stick our feet in the sink one at a time. The alternative to that is we have to take a handful of water and pour it onto our feet below the sink causing the floor to get wet. Muslims also have to keep their feet clean before praying, which is obviously problematic in a bathroom where everyone pisses on the floor and walks with their shoes between the stalls and the sink, so you might see them trying to keep one shoe on while washing the other foot and then switching. It’s also why we take our shoes off before praying and use prayer rugs to avoid touching unclean things while praying.
Image credits: atomicdragon136
Answer: They look like silkworm cocoons.
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Answer: Steel "soap" bar. Removes odors like onion from ur hands when u wash with it by just adding a strong steel odor on top.
Image credits: inzombiac
Answer: It's a place to rest your beer while you play cards.
Image credits: One_Has_Lepers
Answer: A Himalayan Calendar. The outer ring as 12 balls, each corresponding to a month. The next two rings have a tens and ones digit. The tens has three balls for up to the 31st, and the next has nine balls, for 0 to 9. And then four rings for the year, up to 9999.
Image credits: Oxfordcommapreacher
Answer: Micro plastic particles. Probably to show how Nike helps to clean up our planet. Greenwashing at best.
Image credits: tsirs
Answer: Looks like a page spreader for reading. Point end goes into the spine and thumb in hole so you can one hand books easy.
Image credits: Karljoneill
Answer: Cabbage sliced for making sauerkraut.
Image credits: Interesting_Usual882
Answer: It's whale sick get it checked it could be worth thousands a kg. It's an ingredient used in high end perfumes.
Image credits: Swimming_Sea964
Answer: My wife says horse hoof cleaning tool, and she's a major horse gal. Also, burying an iron object within the foundation of a home was once considered good luck.
Image credits: StarsSuck
Answer: They can be used to avoid chairs scratching your floors. So they are socks, but for chairs rather than humans.
Image credits: InevitableDevice2182
Answer: You hang weights on chains to power mechanical cuckoo clocks. One powers the clock mechanism, and the other powers the cuckoo. The weight turns gears in the mechanism as the chain drops. To wind the clock, you pull on the other end of the chain and bring the weight back up, and the same for the chain that powers the cuckoo.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: Probably a horse. The bottom is the sire and dam.
Image credits: Wequiwa
Answer: It's a butter curler, for making fancy bits of butter.
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Answer: Terra cotta sugar saver. You put it in with your brown sugar to keep it from clumping or drying out in storage.
Image credits: potatochild001
Answer: It's actually a purse. There's space in there for some coins for bus/cab fare, some powder makeup (behind the little door), and calling cards.
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Answer: It's an early 19th C Gaslamp. The gas is piped up the pole, and a copper pipe would have extended into the glass lamp house, which fitted into the hoop.
Image credits: scientificdramatist
Answer: HPDFCU Ultrasonic Animal Deterrent.
Image credits: BloodyBender
Answer: It’s a lamp. It’s literally an oil lamp, to be used to create light. The wick goes in the spout. The oil goes in the belly. You light the wick and a flame will burn on the end of the spout like a little candle, and you can carry your lantern around with you.
Image credits: FlaxxtotheMaxx
Answer: Telephone dialer. You put the ball end in the desired number of the phone dial instead of your finger tip and used it to turn the dial.
Image credits: boneyheimer
Answer: Anti-wolf collar for sheepdogs.
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Answer: These are pretty much radiators that were filled with embers and/or hot stones when needed.
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Answer: This is a mushroom growing in the ceiling and is likely the result of water damage from the floor above.
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Answer: A cigarette lighter.
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Answer: A vintage spoon pendant used for illegal substances.
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Answer: It is a cold box.
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Answer: It is a spoon designed to separate the fat from the sauce, called "cuillère dégraisseuse".
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Answer: Boards that keep stray dogs from peeing on the door.
Image credits: GOBLINH8ER
Answer: It’s for the manufacturing of the product so that it can be turned while standing up.
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Answer: Your mechanic is gonna want that back. It’s part of a lift.
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Answer: "Black Money Scam". It's construction paper or similar, he was scammed to believe it was currency dyed to be smuggled and could be restored.
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Answer: Linen press.
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Answer: It's a container for keeping herbs fresh in your refrigerator.
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Answer: It is a Vasculum, a sturdy collection container used by botanists on field excursions in which plant specimens can be collected without damaging them.
Image credits: Valuable-Camera-7107
Answer: It’s a diver rescue marker, for ocean rescue. You release it to dye the water around you and even at night a blacklight can light it up.
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Answer: Part of an old telephone. The bell is for incoming calls. The crank is to buzz the operator to connect you to the other party.
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Answer: It's a chair, howdah style.
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Answer: Immersion heater. The metal piece goes into a cup of water and heats it.
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Answer: YVW Water Watchers! Initiative to remind children to conserve water when possible. This is insanely clever. The Hawthorne effect is when people behave differently when they know or feel like they’re being watched—choosing a healthier meal at lunch with your fit friends, or being more productive at work when you sit near the boss’s office.
Image credits: Johanso
Answer: It's a "claw" to help pull in fishing nets.
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Answer: An old Beltone type hearing aid. There's a transistor in the tie clip, and it plugs into a cord for the hearing aid.
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Answer: Carpenter Bee traps.
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Answer: This is a ULV mosquito adulticiding fogger.
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Answer: Old septic tank.
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Answer: Looks like the membrane from a kazoo.
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Answer: Wow, that's a blast from the past. It's for write protecting a 5.25" floppy disk.
It’s for making a single sided disk double sided.
Image credits: R_McN
Answer: Mirror guy here, there are lots of things related to the adhesive that can pull off or degrade the silver backing, including: forceful detachment of the adhesive which pulls off the silver, using an acid curing adhesive instead of a neutral curing adhesive, putting the adhesive onto unpainted Sheetrock which screws up the curing process, or drawing a closed shape with the adhesive so air gets trapped in it when the mirror is pressed against the wall.
Image credits: AdamCohn
Answer: Obfuscation pattern, it's there to hide info or keep people from trying to read through an envelope and look at personal information.
Image credits: 1nesandzer0s
Answer: Worked at a Ponderosa back in my teens as a line cook and we had one of these. When an order was up we would press a button on a box and it would light up a number, so a server would know their order was ready for a table.
Image credits: Gusto74
Answer: It's a perfume diffuser. You can spray your perfume on it, and it will absorb it and release the smell into the air.
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Answer: This is just a scientific specimen cabinet, which could be used for anything from geology to lepidopterology.
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Answer: It's a button hook.
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Answer: An oil lamp.
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Answer: A wash tamper or "wasstamper" in Dutch.
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Answer: A leather fishing belt. You can put the end of the fishing rod in the hole for support.
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Answer: It's for transporting racing pigeons.
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Answer: It is a space for a wireless pod that tracks your running workout called Nike+ sensor.
Image credits: Zyloph
Answer: This is used to measure the height of the net in tennis.
Image credits: Mcmakar
Answer: It’s for drafting. It’s an eraser shield.
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Answer: It’s a baler! The metal bands have small metal prongs protitruding, they pick up the hay. The corkscrew in the back moves it into the baling chamber, where a ram compresses it into a bale, after that it’s tied together and pushed out of the machine.
Image credits: only1jellybeanz
Answer: Chicken steamer, it's used to add humidity to the house.
Image credits: uberCalifornia
Answer: It’s an avocado slicer. You cut the avocado in half and seed it, then scoop out slices.
Image credits: Whatsername868
Answer: This happens a lot in seawater. You see it in the beach all the time as a thick brownish foam. Basically, as marine creatures and so on (especially algae) decompose after death their bodies break down into various components. One of the processes is called saponification and basically converts fats into soap (fun fact, the same thing can happen to un-preserved humans). This coats the sand, gravel, rocks etc and then it is stirred up into foam by the water and (usually) high winds. On the beach it’s usually a mix of these animal byproducts, sand and other contaminants, it’s likely similar here but with less sand. In a canal it is likely stirred up by the wake of watercraft.
Image credits: hamo804
Answer: It's a window breaker for car windows.
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Answer: It's for holding books.
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Answer: Hydraulic fluid reservoir for a military vehicle, possibly a hercules.
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Answer: It’s a sensor to turn the heated sidewalk on and off.
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Answer: It’s a comb hammer for dressing stone.
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Answer: I think the dowel was put into a shelf slot after the fact to possibly make this into a paper towel holder. I say breadbox.
Image credits: DrDirtyJ
Answer: It's a back support.
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Answer: An old blade honer/sharpener.
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Answer: A rotisserie clamp.
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Answer: Knife rests.
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Answer: A tick removal tool. It's called a "tick twister".
Image credits: Repulsive-Wear8696
Answer: It's a tooth pick in a design patented in 1881.
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Answer: It's a vintage police restraint chain called "chain nipper".
Image credits: Mrandres21
Answer: It's a phone “booth.” At one point it likely held a phone (likely a payphone). You could stand it in, have your call, and not be in the middle of the hallway.
Image credits: Major-tomm
Answer: It's a dry water massage bed. A person lays inside and water pummels them.
Image credits: Wraldpyk
Answer: A hanger cover. It's to prevent suits or similar from getting a crease when hanging on a hanger with sharp angles.
Image credits: ellanaKG
Answer: Guide rails for keeping a derailed car from getting too off center.
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Answer: A display for hats.
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Answer: A pull pin from a fire extinguisher.
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Answer: They're measuring wifi strength and saturation as part of MLB's deal with Extreme Networks.
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Answer: It's a temperature sensor for a humidifier.
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Answer: It’s for laptop/tablet storage while charging.
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Answer: It’s a badger gate.
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Answer: It's part of a cream separator for milk.
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Answer: A wagon brake.
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Answer: This is a seafood or cocktail fork.
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Answer: It is a phone holder.
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Answer: Basically there are huge underground tunnels that take water to the power plants, these gates shut the water to them.
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Answer: These are old kilns.
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Answer: Looks like a it’s maybe a flagpole finial, possibly 19th century or early twentieth.
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Answer: Chef's hat.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: They are granaries, for corn and grain.
Image credits: ProperNomenclature
Answer: It’s a home observatory. The telescope inside doesn’t have to be particularly big, but chances are if they spent the money on the dome they have a pretty nice scope.
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Answer: Saildrone.
Image credits: ShireHorseRider
Answer: Sonde device to measure pipe blockage / delineation using acoustic waves.
Image credits: PSN_ALadyCat
Answer: It's one of a pair of "rattlesnake eggs". You hold them separated slightly in your hand, and toss them up in the air, and they make a cool noise when they magnetize together. That's about it.
Image credits: MotherOfMagpies23
Answer: These are Japanese folding screen weights.
Image credits: RepTheDee
Answer: It’s a keyboard key remover. It’s to help install custom keys but if it didn’t come with any custom keys, they probably gave it to you to help you remove all the keys to make cleaning easier.
Image credits: NuclearHoagie
Answer: They are anti theft strips and will sound the alarm if you try to pass the detectors at the door when not having paid the item.
Image credits: lucian_blignaut
Answer: It’s a core plug for a large roll of paper. You take them out when you load them onto a cutting machine to make smaller rolls like adding machine tapes or toilet paper rolls.
Image credits: Kcnabrev
Answer: It’s part of a magic kit where the magician “guesses” someone’s number… should be like 6 of them with various numbers on them…
Image credits: Backup-AccountHLS
Answer: It’s a spoon rest for cooking so your counter top doesn’t get dirty. Can hold multiple utensils at once. Easy to wash and clean.
Image credits: PoetryOfLogicalIdeas
Answer: That is a paddle designed to swat back a small ball 'a hornet' in the traditional swiss sport or hornussen.
Image credits: rojothered
Answer: It is an outrigger for trolling. you attach a long line to it and this carries it out away from the side of the boat so you can put out two long lines at once. Used for tuna and swordfish in the gulf stream.
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Answer: It's a fishing net float.
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Answer: A waterproof bathroom mirror TV.
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Answer: It is an Eruv.
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Answer: A vintage craftsman wet wheel sharpening stone tool.
Image credits: DonKiedicRPG
Answer: A holder for moth balls, called "mortemoth".
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Answer: It’s a manual massage roller ball.
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Answer: It's a foldable flying disk.
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Answer: It's a vintage “Midget” folding garment hanger.
Image credits: MediumSizeMoose
Answer: The month and year of manufacture. It’s a permanent dent made in the tool steel of the injection molding tooling, so the most recent dent is the birth date of the wheel arch.
Image credits: xrawmonkey
Answer: A Hoosier flour sifter. The flour is contained in a box above or in this case - the conical bag and you crank out what you need below.
Image credits: 98_percent_angel
Answer: A ball mill. Similar in concept to a rock tumbler, but used by industry to powderize or smooth materials.
Image credits: BoutelouaGracilis
Answer: To hold bottles up, so they don't fall out of the door.
Image credits: perksofbeingcrafty
Answer: A Remfly Perimeter Trip Alarm.
Image credits: johnnycross798
Answer: It's a lazy dog. A small bomb dropped in large numbers. No explosives in it.
Image credits: maxuhmillion28
Answer: These are tiny mock versions of what they used to use on riversides to stop erosion. Now they're mostly just decorations or hashi holders (chopstiick holders, but they have much smaller ones - i have some in my cuppard) so your food-covered hashi doesn't touch the table. They were called Takejakago.
Image credits: Sea_Negotiation_2651
Answer: Mk 25 marine location marker.
Image credits: JForce1
Answer: It’s a pull chain and hanging bracket for a solid door bell.
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Answer: It's a hose holder that prevents tangling.
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Answer: Fidget toy.
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Answer: It's an infrared based occupancy sensor. The TV controller is outputting an infrared signal activating the sensor. Source: husband who is an electrical engineer.
Image credits: Infomaniac63
Answer: Snack plate. Circle is for a cup to rest in.
Image credits: aft25
Answer: Canopy covers for glider cockpits.
Image credits: No-Adeptness1671
Answer: It’s a pog slammer.
Image credits: Tribulus_terrestris
Answer: It’s for ties.
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Answer: An inflatable cushion for securing cargo.
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Answer: A South African Knobkerrie.
Image credits: Zeeplebooplebrix
Answer: It's a type of WAP for the hotel staff called AT&T Staff Alert.
Image credits: S3-000
Answer: Cell phone holder for the car vent.
Image credits: aut0asfixiacion
Answer: It’s an old style attachment for a child seat.
Image credits: AlfajorConFernet
Answer: It's a paperweight.
Image credits: iang626
Answer: I think it's actually to evenly distribute the coffee rather than tamp it, the tamper would be used after this thing and has a flat bottom.
Image credits: motherherbivore_
Our little coat closet has seen a lot of change in the three and a half years we’ve lived here. But, last year I finally installed a DIY built-in organization system, and that has been a game changer for us. The only problem? Pretty shelves only do so much good if the shelves themselves aren’t organized!
A couple of weeks ago, I got sick of the chaos (again), and decided to do something about it. I’m working with The Container Store over on Instagram as an ambassador this year, so I did a ton of browsing and planning over on their website and came up with a plan.
And so far? It’s holding up pretty well!
As we all know, I’m not a pro when it comes to keeping a coat closet organized. But, I have learned a lot of lessons in my time trying to figure it out so far. So, here are five quick tips that will hopefully help you get started on getting yours organized too.
The first (and most important) step to take is to plan out everything you need to store in the closet. Sure, you probably have a general idea in your head of what goes in the space but do you know everything?
I found one of the most helpful steps in the process this time around was to actually write down all of the things we store in here or would like to store in here. This should include the things you don’t technically store in the closet that somehow end up in the closet anyways.
Once you’ve got your list, make a plan. Think about a space inside that closet for each and every category of items. I even took the time to sit down and use Canva to plan out how things would look and fit on the shelves before I even hit the “order” button!
Having a plan is key and you won’t regret taking the time to sit down and plot it all out ahead of time.
When I was creating our built-ins, I planned one shelf for each person in our family. That makes it a lot easier for me to plan and gives everyone a space for all of their random stuff. The boys each have a spot for their backpacks along with a sturdy bin that can hold anything else they want. This usually means hats, books or small toys they don’t feel like carrying upstairs yet, or water bottles. It’s random and I try not to micromanage in – the bin contains their chaos and I don’t have to think about it!
This was a big lesson for me this time around and I think it has made a big difference in how the closet feels! Last time I bought stuff to organize this closet, I used my favorite see-through storage bins. I use them all over my house because I love how easy it is to see what’s inside and find things when I’m looking.
The only problem? They can add a lot of visual clutter to a space, too! In this closet, we mostly know what’s in each bin. There aren’t as many categories as there are in our pantry or the art closet, so I don’t need to be able to see inside the bins. It just stressed me out!
So instead, I opted for bins that would hide the clutter a bit. For mine and Corey’s shelves, I also went with baskets that have lids. We access the things in ours less frequently, so it’s preferable to be able to stack them and keep everything fully hidden away. The boys use their bins on the daily, so they’re super sturdy and don’t have lids on them.
I mean, this tip goes into pretty much every post about organizing, but it’s important so it’s worth repeating again and again and again. I’m a firm believer that storage systems will not last if you don’t use labels. Especially if someone other than you is going to be using them!
Make it so that your family absolutely cannot claim they don’t know where things go. I promise, it’ll make a difference. We’ve got shoe and sock baskets in the bottom of our closet, and each one is clearly labeled with what’s inside. Just adding labels to these baskets increased the likelihood that shoes would end up where they belong by a solid 90%. It was kind of like magic.
It’ll also reduce the amount of times your family asks you “hey where’s X item?” At least, after you show them the label a few times.
A note on this: I also think it’s valuable to spend a little bit of time living with your system before labeling everything. For example, in our closet we have labeled the shoe baskets but the baskets on mine and Corey’s shelves are mostly unlabeled. Why? Because I want to make sure what we have in there works for us first! After we’ve lived with it for a month or two and know we like the system, I’ll go back in and label things.
I think in any organization project, it’s important to remember that what works for one family might not work for another. You could copy and paste my exact entry closet into your home and find it impossible to keep up with. That’s because every family has different systems, needs, and rhythms.
Why is it important to keep this in mind? Because you shouldn’t just go out and buy everything I’ve linked here and try to make your closet look just like mine! It probably won’t work! It’s important that you take the time to figure out what your family needs, how they use your space, and what they can keep up with.
For example – our kids do best being able to toss their shoes in a basket. Maybe you’d prefer shoe cubbies, putting them on a shelf, or keeping them in the garage!
We live in Texas, so we delegate very little space for coat storage. Maybe you need twice what we need. Or maybe you only use your coat closet to store one or two coats per person with the rest kept elsewhere.
My kids come in the front door after school and drop their backpacks in the coat closet right away. Maybe you come in through the garage and a mudroom or wall hooks near that door would make more sense. Or maybe, you need to add hooks to the door because the closet doesn’t have room for a shelf.
You get the idea. Spend some time thinking about your family’s rhythms and systems and make a plan based on how you already move throughout your day. It’ll last a lot longer that way. And finally…
I think this is a key to keeping yourself sane when trying to organize your home. No system is perfect – because your family won’t be perfect about keeping up with it. Over time, various extra things will make their way into the room. Things won’t get put up where they belong, and your pretty organization efforts won’t look so pretty anymore.
It’s impossible to avoid. Just plan for it, accept it, and embrace it. It’s okay!
I generally plan on doing a closet cleanup at the beginning of each season. As our needs shift, it always helps to take a second to reset things. This time, I packed our winter gear up high, cleaned out coats we don’t need anymore, and made a little extra room for sunglasses, water bottles, and pool gear. Before school starts, I’ll take a second to remove all of the summer chaos and leave more room for backpacks!
Going into an organization project knowing that you’ll have to touch it up on occasion makes it less painful when you have to touch it up. I don’t think there’s a family on the planet that keeps up their coat closet organization perfectly all the time. I promise.
Here’s a look at everything I used in this closet. It’s only been a few weeks but so far I’m thrilled with the new setup. The kids are keeping it better organized than they ever have, and I don’t find myself cringing at it when the door gets left open. It’s all so pretty!
The post Entry Coat Closet Organization (Tips & Tricks) appeared first on Love & Renovations.
]]>Sunday mornings, for wedding planners, are reserved for prayer. Not because it’s a particularly pious profession but because that’s the day when clients who were married on Saturday figure out if they’re happy or not. Should they choose unhappiness, Sunday is when they decide whom to blame. And Monday is when the emails come.
I say “decide” because weddings are funny affairs—tense, expensive, fraught with emotion. They are revisited—by the couple, by the family, by the person paying the bills—time and again. They mark the beginning of a couple’s new life but sometimes of other things too: family feuds, broken friendships, a long hangover of fiscal regret. So even if the party went great, on Sunday the wedding planner prays.
Will the email be full of joy and praise? Or will it be one of complaint? Back when I was a luxury-wedding planner in New York City, my business partner and I once got an email from a bride, written as she helicoptered off to her honeymoon, saying that her wedding had been a “transcendent experience.” A call from the bride’s mother directly followed. “Repeat after me,” she said. “I am bad at my job. I should never do this job again.” Sometimes the clients just need to vent. Sometimes they threaten to sue.
The work of a luxury-wedding planner is only partly about the planning. Yes, you help the couple plan what you hope will be a stunning event—but your main job is to be a professional wedding friend. You’re the person who cares if the bow on the favor has swallow or inverse tails, or if the maid of honor is being a passive-aggressive bitch when none of the bride’s other friends wants to talk about it anymore. The family is paying you to care as much as they do.
When I became a wedding planner, no one in my own family could comprehend my utility. My grandparents, who raised me, had what was called a “football wedding.” They rented the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and piled tinfoil-wrapped heroes on a table. People would shout out what sandwich they wanted, and another guest would toss it across the room. “How complicated could a wedding be?” they wondered. Had I chosen to be a professional mud wrestler, I do not think it could have confounded them more.
[Read: The uncontrollable rise of wedding sprawl]
So whenever one of our events was featured in a bridal magazine, I would bring it to family occasions and show it off the way other people might show off pictures of their babies. “See,” I would say, pointing to a dreamy sailcloth tent glowing with custom-made chandeliers. “There was nothing but a field here. We built all of this.”
Unfortunately, this only added to the confusion. “Don’t they realize they could have bought a house with all of this money?”
I would have to explain that my clients didn’t need a house. They already had one. They probably had several.
A few years after the recession, I did a lavish wedding on Long Island. The bride was stressing about putting a custom lining on her invitations that would add another couple thousand to the already large stationery bill. She and the groom had been given a seven-figure sum to spend both on their wedding and on buying and decorating their new home, and the bride had a thing for mid-century-modern furniture. Was the liner worth more than a Wassily chair? She went back and forth, back and forth. I couldn’t say a thing, but finally her mother reached her limit: “We’re rich!” she cried out in exasperation. “Get the liners!”
Months later, the same mother, while admiring the tent we had spent days erecting for the reception, said, in total seriousness, “I hate that it’s only being used for one night. I wish we could find some homeless people to stay here when we’re done.”
I once got a call from a woman in a panic: Her daughter was getting married in a few weeks and she needed my partner and me to save this wedding. She offered no further details over the phone, insisting that we come uptown to her apartment so she could properly convey the scale of the conundrum. Right before she hung up the phone she whispered, “By the way, I’m very, very rich.”
And she was! She lived in one of those opulent places with an elevator that opened up into the apartment itself, because that’s how sprawling it was. A maid in a uniform greeted us and escorted us down a long, art-lined hallway and into the library, where the mother of the bride was waiting.
She explained the dilemma. Her daughter was embarrassed by her family’s wealth, and had been living as a closeted rich person for years—her friends had no idea. The bride had refused to let her mother have anything to do with the wedding, because if her mom got involved, the jig would be up. Everyone would see she’d just been cosplaying poverty. And so, armed with information from the internet and her mother’s checkbook, the young woman had gone off and planned what she imagined was an “average wedding.”
With the event just weeks away, the mother had started poking around and realized, This is terrible! Her daughter didn’t just have conflicted ideas about her own privilege. She also had bad taste—or at least unfortunate notions of what the “average” bride wants at her wedding: things like jam jars for wineglasses, picnic tables for seating, a limited bar.
Her daughter could pretend all she wanted, the mother said, but their friends and family knew that they were rich and were expecting a nice affair. After much argument, they compromised: They would hire a wedding planner. And the only wedding planner in all of New York they could agree on was me, probably because while many of my competitors were specializing in opulence, I had cornered the market in “understated luxury.”
[Read: How “I do” became performance art]
The mother insisted that we meet right away because the bride was planning to reach out and hire us the next day, and the mother wanted me to be clear on how it was going to work. My job, in addition to making sure the wedding was not an embarrassment, was to say yes to everything the daughter asked for. If the bride questioned what something cost, I was to say it was “already included in the contract.” The mother didn’t care how expensive anything was; she would cover it secretly. Did this sound crazy? Absolutely. Did I need the money? Yes.
I was amazed by how well the strategy worked. “You could serve these baby lamb chops,” I would say, to which the bride would reply, “But is that going to be more expensive than pigs in a blanket?,” and I would assure her, as I had been hired to do, that everything was in the contract.
But then one day the bride proclaimed her desire to reduce the carbon footprint of the wedding by having edible escort cards. The escort card is the folded-over piece of card stock that tells a guest where to sit. The bride had the idea to stick toothpicks with little tags showing the names and table numbers into bacon-wrapped dates, combining appetizer and escort card and thus saving the environment.
I nodded yes, and then emailed the mother in a panic, something to the effect of: “It’s going to look like a table full of floating turds! What are we going to do?”
“For Christ’s sake, why can’t you be my daughter?” she wrote back.
The mother said she’d grown up poor like me but, unlike me, had married well. “Marry rich!” she would tell me. “It’s so fun!” I still haven’t had a chance to give this a try, but I suspect that she’s right. We agreed: When you have more money than God, what better way to spend some of it than to throw other people a luxuriously good time?
Anyway, they say that there are no accidents, but the daughter, in town for wedding things, logged on to her mother’s computer and saw our entire exchange. She insisted, quite understandably, that I be fired immediately.
When my business partner and I began planning weddings, in 2003, America was in a wedding craze, nurtured by an abundance of magazines: Bride’s, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, Town & Country Weddings, Inside Weddings, InStyle Weddings. The Wedding Planner had hit theaters in 2001. Then we had Bridezillas and Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? Soon you could scour wedding blogs all night: Style Me Pretty and Weddingbee and The Bridal Bar (and my very own blog at the time, Always a Blogsmaid). On the Fridays before weddings, I used to binge-watch Say Yes to the Dress to calm my nerves—at least these weren’t my clients.
Weddings have always been luxury goods. And like all luxury goods, they’ve been coveted, emulated, and knocked off by the masses. Even white dresses became a thing only after Queen Victoria was married in one in 1840. Wedding envy is as old as weddings themselves, but it was supercharged by the mid-’90s dawn of TheKnot.com. Weddings as we know them today—with their Instagram-ready ombré floral arrangements and embroidered custom veils and pom-pom farewells—began with an online group of brides-to-be called the Knotties.
Someone with a name like JuneJerseyBride334 would post photos of, say, her bedazzled escort and menu cards.
“Are we supposed to have menu cards?” SomethingBlue305 might ask. “I don’t have menu cards.”
“If I can get DH to splurge, I’m gonna get some!” FallForTedForever might add. “Printing these pics and stealing all your cute ideas!”
The Knot offered brides-to-be advice about budgets and listings of potential vendors, but it was the chat rooms— and the camaraderie and friendly one-upmanship found there—that kept users coming back. The Knot created a community; it made being a bride an identity. And it transformed weddings into a competitive sport.
An especially beautiful wedding might be featured on the site, or picked up by The Knot’s magazine. Soon more and more people began planning weddings not just around their guests’ experience of one special day, but around how the images of that day would look to strangers online. By 2010, I had clients walking in asking about our publicity strategy: Where do you plan on sending the photos once the wedding is done?
That was the year Instagram was founded, making it far easier for couples to share their content themselves. Thirteen years later, couples can hire a professional wedding social-media adviser, a service that can cost up to $3,000. A company such as Maid of Social will develop a “strategy” for your wedding, attend and photograph it, and post the shots to your Snapchat and Instagram accounts, hashtags included—“because the day you just spent 14 months planning should be seen by the world.”
Being a bride used to mean being royalty for a day. Now it means being a celebrity. Either way, the only sure path to really distinguish yourself—to capture the oohs and the aahs and the attention—is to spend a lot of money.
The average wedding in America costs about $30,000. Historically, money for weddings was cobbled together through savings and gifts from parents, but today many of the celebrations are debt-financed affairs. Surveys have found that roughly 30 to 45 percent of couples report taking on credit-card or other debt to pay for them. Wedding loans—personal loans marketed to engaged couples—can carry interest rates as high as 30 percent.
At the same time, ultra-luxurious weddings—the kind no one needs credit cards to pay for—have become a bigger slice of the market. Last year, approximately 13,000 weddings in America cost $1 million or more, according to the consulting firm Think Splendid. Which means that each week across America, some 250 millionaire and billionaire families are setting trends the rest of us should never dream of emulating.
At one of Marcy Blum’s recent weddings, on a private estate in Palm Beach, Florida, she built her clients a miniature golf course. A video of guests put-putting around in their black-tie finery is available on Instagram, where Blum has more than 100,000 followers. Blum has been planning weddings for more than 30 years and has worked for moguls including George Soros and LeBron James. Like a lot of people in this industry, she wasn’t born rich; she was raised in the Bronx by a salesman and a schoolteacher. But she’s rarely intimidated. Say you’re talking to Bill Gates, she told me: “He may be the smartest person in the world, but what does he know about lighting or a table setting?” Blum was my mentor—I’ve spent more nights than I can count crying on her sofa—and is still a close friend.
The golf course wasn’t just some holes and a putting green: She and her design partners also created a concession stand, provided custom pencils and scorecards (inscribed with Talk Birdie to Me), and had staff dressed up as caddies offering putting tips.
Blum declined to tell me how much the mini golf added to the budget. But some of her clients spend $2 million or $3 million on their wedding—about $8,000 a head. Some spend more, but she didn’t want to elaborate—“I don’t want people to think I’m that expensive before they call me,” she said with a laugh.
What does all this money go to? Primarily: infrastructure. The least sexy things are the most expensive—landscaping to clear a field; electrical lines to get power to said field; tent companies to erect a clearspan or sailcloth structure for 300 people and then to heat or cool it; lighting to illuminate it; driftwood flooring; restroom trailers; decorations to make the trailers look like elegant powder rooms; another tent for the caterer; refrigerated trucks to keep the food cold; propane stoves to get it hot; even more landscaping to level another field far away where the vendors’ vehicles can be parked.
For all of this you need many, many, many workers. Blum’s weddings might employ up to 40 vendors, each with its own staff—hundreds and hundreds of bodies, mostly blue-collar laborers, many of them immigrants. All of these people can be there for upwards of a week working around the clock. It’s sort of like being in the circus.
The day of the wedding, her clients will fly in professional dressers like the ones who work for the stylist Julie Sabatino’s company, The Stylish Bride. Sabatino’s website refers to her dressers as “ladies in waiting” and shows them wearing white gloves and little aprons. The starting rate for just one is $2,450; a luxury wedding sometimes has 10. They sew and they press and they “do the bow ties,” Blum told me; they’ll pin garments into place and follow the bride around with a water bottle with a straw in it so she can drink without ruining her lipstick.
[Read: The wedding trend couples love and guests hate]
Throughout this time, Blum usually employs security guards and a cybersecurity firm to keep hackers out of the guest list. There’s a caterer to provide staff meals, and an on-site calligrapher to accommodate any last-minute changes to the seating chart. She even employs a “concierge event meteorologist”—Andrew Leavitt of Ironic Reports—to help prepare for the possibility of a “rain call”: the dreaded moment when the planner needs to inform the bride that the outdoor celebration she dreamed of needs to move inside. Leavitt will call “every, like, 15 minutes” to update her on a possible storm front: “It’s moving this way; it’s moving that way.”
Weather, after all, is the one thing Marcy Blum can’t control.
Early in my wedding-planning days, I signed on to do the reality-TV show Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? I didn’t care about the fame, but I wanted more clients. If there were an Emmy for reality-TV performance, I could’ve won it. Enthusiastic, romantic, anxious that everything go exactly as planned, I had clipboards and checklists and said things like “This is what I live for” when my clients gushed over their reception room. I could do 20 takes of me entering a bakery to see a cake, looking both ecstatic and urgently concerned, and each was like the first time.
Our clients who agreed to do the show weren’t billionaires—they were normal people. They liked getting a little taste of stardom, sure, but mostly they wanted upgrades on things like flowers and lighting—a nice wedding on camera. The producers, of course, wanted something different. Nice weddings are nice. Messy weddings are great TV.
For my first reality-TV wedding, there I was—at a catering hall deep in New Jersey wearing a very unfortunate blue-velvet blazer—trying hard to seem calm while frantically calling the florist, who had gone missing. After many hours and excuses, he did eventually show up—but with at least one fewer centerpiece than promised. Naturally, the producers wanted us back.
We did Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? a couple more times, but as I got better at my job, I had a harder time pretending to be overwhelmed or anxious about things I could do in my sleep. Our last foray into television came in 2014. It was a chance to star in a new show whose concept was extreme weddings. We were assigned a ceremony for 70 guests at the base of a dormant volcano in Hawaii. The shoot involved the bride entering by helicopter and six hours of setup and taping under the hot sun on black lava with no restroom. The entire thing went off smoothly. But reality TV doesn’t appreciate expertise—we knew they’d never pick up the show.
In any case, my off-screen weddings were providing plenty of drama.
I once worked with a bride who had all of her wedding gifts sent to our office. I was confused until I realized that it gave her an excuse to keep stopping by. She knew that her fiancé was cheating on her, and she needed someone to talk with about it. They still got married, though, and had a resplendent wedding brunch. (I love a wedding brunch.)
Another bride could not settle on a design scheme, and was growing intensely frustrated. She said something like “I just don’t like pink. Never show me anything pink!” She had sent me a dozen images of things she loved, all of which involved the color pink. She was wearing head-to-toe pink. Even her phone was pink. “I think you love pink,” I said, as I looked her dead in the eye. “You actually love pink.” She ended up having a pink wedding.
At my final meeting with one couple, they kept talking about how they wanted to put “edibles” on the bar. I had designed a gorgeous wedding for them, with a custom chuppah and matching chandelier hand-built by an artist in Brooklyn, and a bunch of Edible Arrangements on the bar would completely destroy the vibe. I tried very hard to be polite about it. “People have strong opinions about edibles,” I said. This was true about chocolate-covered pineapple slices, and it was also true about weed gummies.
Another couple was getting married on an enormous estate, and the father of the bride decided, against his better judgment, to go all in on making it the wedding of his daughter’s dreams. He would use this occasion to give her every outrageous thing she’d ever asked for in her life. We hid that pony for days.
When the weddings were over, many of our couples would take us out for a reunion meal, where they would spend hours reminiscing and reliving their favorite moments. Sometimes these nights were fun; sometimes, less so. I got divorced right before one of these dinners, and over appetizers the bride asked me what had gone wrong. “I guess I just felt dead inside,” I said. Later, she followed me to the ladies’ room. When I came out of the stall, she was waiting for me. “I feel dead inside too,” she said.
The term the wedding-industrial complex entered the vernacular in 2007, around when Rebecca Mead published her takedown of the wedding industry, One Perfect Day.
Mead was a cynic about the entire endeavor. She seemed to think that levelheaded couples should just take themselves to a courthouse and get on with their life while other, flightier fiancés were seduced by wedding professionals eager to swindle them out of their hard-earned cash. “These people think of themselves as providing a service that is needed,” Mead told Salon. “But they’re also creating that need and generating the desire, and they’re certainly aware of it; the best ones are very clever marketers.”
But this was the era of the McMansion, the big-screen TV, the luxury handbag—insatiable consumer desire was hardly limited to weddings, or created by wedding planners. As Jodi Kantor pointed out in her review, “We’re all nouveau riche now.” When the recession hit shortly thereafter—disproving that assumption—Mead’s take solidified in the popular imagination. Years later, articles still warn couples about wedding “taxes” and “premiums” and ways to avoid being “scammed by the wedding industry.”
It’s not the wedding professionals’ fault that weddings are expensive. The fact is that weddings are luxuries, not necessities. It costs a lot to make something look nice; it costs even more to make it feel nice—to make sure all your guests are comfortable, and well fed, and entertained. A wedding is not a photograph of a wedding. A wedding—a good wedding—is immersive theater, a living, breathing work of art.
But Mead wasn’t wrong that wedding professionals are clever marketers. A handful of people dominate the luxury end of the market, and the trends they pioneered have taken widespread hold. Julie Sabatino basically invented wedding styling in the early aughts. Back then, when she told people what she did, they assumed she was a hairstylist, she told me. Today wedding stylists have cropped up all across the country, most charging a fraction of what she does.
Michael Waiser is among the most expensive caterers—“stupid expensive,” I’ve heard people call him. His food—foraged mushrooms under a quail egg and shaved black truffles, leche de tigre with plantain threads, that sort of thing—is all kosher, and starts at about $550 a head. He started out working the New York kosher-catering circuit in the days when kosher was not exactly a coveted culinary experience. But Waiser realized that affluent Jewish foodies—just like their wealthy gentile peers—wanted something special.
Allan Zepeda immigrated to Brooklyn when he was 3 and started taking photos for the youth group at his Pentecostal church—he’s entirely self-taught. “Thanks for calling the Latin kid,” he said when I reached out. He photographed the weddings of Sheryl Sandberg and Serena Williams. His destination-wedding rates now begin at $50,000. Beautiful images are only part of his success; couples love him because he treats them all like Vogue models.
The thing all of these people understand is that “billionaires buy experiences; they don’t buy things,” as Rishi Patel, a luxury-wedding designer based in Chicago, told me. And one of those experiences is having a very good time planning their wedding.
The mother of the fake poor bride, it turned out, couldn’t bring herself to fire me. We’d had a blast together upgrading the bride’s budget-conscious, twee affair into a jewel box of an event, and we weren’t ready to quit. Instead, we came up with a ruse—even more elaborate than the first—to get us through the wedding day.
I had one of my employees pretend to work for the caterer, and—I’m not particularly proud of this—we introduced the bride and this woman, assuring her that I was no longer involved. Except that I absolutely was. And nothing the bride and this woman talked about held any water, because the only thing that mattered was what happened between me and her mother. And what was happening was a lot. We ordered custom furniture to maximize the space in the room. We brought in an enhanced cooling system. We had the floor refinished so no one would trip.
On the day of the event, after straightening every fork and folding every hemstitched linen napkin, I made myself invisible. I left everything in the trusted hands of a few of my staff members, who were disguised as waiters. I posted myself in a restaurant a few blocks away and fielded the mother’s hysterical texts: “She’s going to find out! She’s going to find out what we’ve been doing!”
I assured her that this charade would soon be behind us. But I didn’t realize the reason she was certain her daughter would find out was that she was going to get drunk and tell her. Halfway through the reception, she pulled the bride aside and confessed the entire scheme. The bride saw red. She was surrounded by traitors on her wedding day! Her own mother was sneaking behind her back, carrying on an adulterous mother-daughter affair with the wedding planner!
At the end of the night, my phone buzzed one last time: “She knows everything. This is goodbye!”
“We are always gonna be the help,” Michael Waiser told me. “I’m probably the most expensive help there is. But I’m the help, right? And I think that you have to remember that.”
By 2015, I was burned out. Not so much by the weddings themselves as by the role I had to play. Shortly after Donald Trump declared his presidential candidacy in a statement full of anti-Mexican sentiment, this half-Chicana wedding planner found herself at a Friday-night tasting listening to how excited the bride’s and groom’s families were about the venue and the band and the food and … future President Donald Trump. Real friends could have said what they thought. But wedding friends—hired friends—had to go on with the show.
It is easier to get a divorce than to quit a wedding. I know because I successfully did the former but never the latter, and I liked my ex-husband a lot more than any of the brides I tried to walk away from. Almost always, the conflict came down to the budget: The bride wanted something she couldn’t afford, and instead of accepting that, she decided I was incompetent.
Some of my most abusive clients were the ones who were stretching themselves, going into debt to have the wedding that they wanted the world to see them have. But unlike bags or jewelry, you can’t really knock off a nice wedding. Things would get more and more tense, and finally we would call a meeting. This should be a joyous experience, and it was clear they weren’t happy. We should just part ways and refer them to—and the bride’s lip would start quivering. We’re sorry. Please don’t leave us.
[Read: The marriage lesson that I learned too late]
I was used to my wealthy clients thinking they could bend reality to their will, but I got truly taken advantage of only once. The bride called us to say that she and her younger sister were both getting married in the same year at the same venue. For what seemed like obvious reasons, she did not want to work with the same planner as her baby sibling. I quoted her our rates and there was silence.
Her sister’s planner, she said then, was cheaper—something like $12,000 less.
To which I replied: Good for your sister!
We nevertheless agreed to meet, and by the end of our coffee date, I could see by the needy look in her eyes that she wanted me to be her wedding best friend—the one person who didn’t care about what her sister was doing with her wedding; the one person who didn’t care that her sister was getting married, period.
Her mother called: They loved me, but the issue was that the other planner cost less. Again I said: Good for you; they were welcome to use that planner for both events. But they wanted me. Eventually, they signed the contract and sent in the first of several deposits.
Two weeks before the wedding, we called to remind them that the final payment of $10,000 hadn’t come in yet. They said the check was in the mail. Two days before we left to begin setting up, we tried to charge their card on file, but it was no longer valid. When we rang, they told us they would give us a check when we arrived. Three days into the tent installation, when we would ask for payment, the mother or father would say they would go to the house right away and get it. Each time, they would get distracted. On the day of the wedding, we still hadn’t been paid, and debated what to do. It wasn’t like they didn’t have the money. Obviously we would show up. When we asked the father for the check, he barked at us: How dare we harass him on his daughter’s wedding day?
But the day after, when we arrived to break down the party, the family was nowhere to be found. No check, no credit-card number. We made the trip back to New York bathed in shame. Thirteen years in the business, and we’d been played by multimillionaires.
That Sunday we prayed extra hard, but on Monday the bride’s father reached out. He had made an itemized list of minor infractions that he believed entitled him to withhold our last payment. I’ve blocked out exactly what they were, but they were absurd—napkins not up to snuff, lights flickering in the restroom trailer. I called him and said this was simply not right. We had done what we were hired to do. But he had decided, it seemed clear to me, that if the little sister’s wedding planner was taking less, I would have to take less as well, contract be damned.
Go ahead and fight me, he said. “I’ll have so much fun spending my money suing you.”
The biggest wedding in the news lately, between Brooklyn Beckham, the son of a Spice Girl and a soccer star, and Nicola Peltz, the daughter of a billionaire, cost $3 million to $5 million, the tabloids say, and ended in lawsuits and scandal—the bride’s father is suing two wedding planners who briefly worked for him; the planners have countersued. But every time I read about it, I find myself thinking of the hundreds of people whose labor made it all happen.
Critics who roll their eyes at wedding excess seem to forget that this excess creates a lot of jobs. So much of the work behind a wedding is invisible, but it’s done by real people, people who suffer when the wedding industry goes downhill. Wedding planners and designers and florists and caterers ate a lot of soup during the recession. They did the same during the pandemic. Both times, it was the rich who came back first, like a spring thaw.
Rishi Patel was the designer on the Peltz wedding. He told me that after large projects, he often gives his clients a book with sketches of everything he made for their wedding—the chuppah, the table settings, the stage where they took their vows—and a note at the front that says something like I hope you are as proud as I am that you were able to employ 200 people for these two weeks. He and Marcy Blum are among the many luxury-wedding professionals who have started posting behind-the-scenes videos of their events on Instagram, to humanize the amount of work that goes into them.
Blum does this, she told me, in part because critics are always saying things like “There are all these hungry people in the world, all the homeless people. You could have fed 8 million people with that wedding.” Her clients already give millions to charity, she said. For someone like that, she asked, “what are they supposed to do—have a picnic? What is a quote-unquote appropriate amount to spend on your child’s wedding?”
You might not be surprised to hear that after the mother of my fake poor bride told me it was farewell forever, it wasn’t quite. I got some emails, the occasional text. The strange part about it is, although I believed the bride had every right to be upset, I never felt guilty for what we did. And I suspect that her mother didn’t either. Our bond had nothing to do with how she felt about her daughter, and everything to do with how she felt about her money: just fine. She not only didn’t mind having it; she didn’t mind spending it.
This article appears in the July/August 2023 print edition with the headline “Confessions of a Luxury-Wedding Planner.” When you buy a book using a link on this page, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.
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We all have those days when mustering the motivation to exercise seems like more of a challenge than usual. We just can’t seem to get going and we end up giving ourselves permission to skip the gym or yoga class, or postpone the run or walk.
I don’t have my gym clothes on. I’m too tired. I haven’t eaten. My back has been bothering me. I just washed my hair. It’s raining. It’s getting dark.
The excuses are endless and it seems that the older we get, the harder it is to resist taking the easy way out.
As a result, we end up feeling guilty about our laziness or regretful about missing an opportunity to do something that would improve our physical, emotional and cognitive health and increase our longevity. To make matters worse, the hour that would have been spent building strength and endurance, or increasing mobility and flexibility is replaced with more time sitting at the computer or lounging on the couch. Instead of burning calories and increasing metabolism, we’re doing just the opposite.
If you really want to know how to motivate yourself to exercise, here are a few tips.
So, how do we get workout ready? Replace laziness with preparedness.
We prepare for natural disasters and emergencies by keeping a disaster kit in our home and a spare tire in our car. Exercise is equally important to our survival, so it stands to reason to be prepared for it as well!
Here are five surefire ways to increase your chances of working out on any particular day:
Eliminating the task of having to change into your workout clothes can go a long way toward getting yourself to that yoga class or starting your run.
Put on your athletic wear as early in the day as possible. If you’re retired or work at home, put on your fitness garb first thing in the morning. If you work or volunteer outside the home, bring your workout clothes with you and dress out before leaving the workplace. Being dressed and ready to go can mean the difference between a sure bet and an unfortunate regret.
Nothing is more motivating for me than hearing the songs from my workout playlist. If you like working out to music, have your earbuds and playlist handy and turn on your music before hitting the gym or Pilates studio. Put on a song that gets you into the workout frame of mind and you will surely get up and go!
Between-meal hunger can be a workout killer. Don’t let your appetite get the best of you. Keep a favorite protein bar and sports drink in your backpack, gym bag or purse, and make a point to fuel up and hydrate. Once you have some nourishment, your body will be revved up for an awesome workout!
Sometimes we can’t seem to pull ourselves away from what we’re doing, especially when at the computer, and the day seems to just slip away. Don’t let time pass you by. Schedule your workout and set your phone alarm to go off 15 or 20 minutes beforehand. This will give you enough time to finish up what you’re doing and get yourself out the door.
Invite a friend to work out with you at a specific time of day. Agree to take a fitness class together or go for a walk, hike or run. For extra insurance, have the friend pick you up. This will decrease your chances of a no-show. Exercising with a friend adds a social element to your workout, which is almost always an extra bonus!
It’s hard to go wrong if you combine all five strategies. Put on your workout clothes as early in the day as possible, turn on some energizing music, power up with a protein bar and a sports drink, set your alarm and invite a friend for good measure.
Being dressed, motivated, nourished, duly reminded, and partnered up will make it easier for you to steamroll through excuses, get your workout in, and feel fantastic!
How do you get motivated to exercise? What motivates you to go for it whether you’re tired or the weather is bad or you’re just not in the mood? Any favorite workout music you’d like to share? Please join the conversation.
]]>Mini bags have had their fair share of purse-shaming, often called out for being unpractical, useless, or even pretentious. But I am a tiny purse advocate. A good one scales down clutter, compactly holds essentials, and is just so darn cute and whimsical. One mini at the top of my drool-worthy list is the Mlouye Mini Flex Bag. The convertible, origami-inspired bag shape-shifts into different silhouettes, suiting many moods and ‘fits. One handbag, multiple looks? That’s a big yes from me.
Istanbul-based brand Mlouye prides itself on creating leather shoes and accessories that are anything but basic. The Mini Flex Bag and the even-smaller Micro Flex Bag are two of the brand’s new arrivals, and they are scaled-down versions of its beloved OG Flex Bag, a convertible top-handle style the brand launched with in 2015. And with Y2k bags trending for the summer, these mini geometric purses should be on your radar.
Read on to learn more about these bags’ unique features, shape-shifting powers, and just how versatile they can be for you and your wardrobe.
Like its larger predecessor, this pyramid-shaped shoulder bag can be converted into multiple styles, such as a crossbody, wrist bag, or flat clutch. The mini origami-inspired purse has triangular pieces of structural leather and flexible suede that can be re-shaped at your will.
But the straps are where all the magic happens. A short wrist strap (that looks like a loop) is attached to one side of the flexible zipper. When left as is, the bag can be flattened and worn as a clutch. Another option is to hook the wrist strap into a gold metal clip on the other side of the zipper. This gives it the appearance of a top-handle bag with a triangular “cutout” at the top, which also allows you to wear it as a shoulder bag. If you pull the wrist strap through the hook, it closes up the top of the bag (removing the cutout) and looks like a pyramid.
These bags also come with a detachable long strap that can be hooked onto both the wrist strap and the metal clip. The adjustable strap can be as short or long as you’d like, helping serve as a comfortable shoulder bag or a crossbody bag.
Versatile and functional? Check.
If you thought mini bags couldn’t be versatile or functional, Mlouye is here to prove otherwise. Wear the Mini Flex Bag and the Micro Flex Bag as crossbody bags when running errands, as top handle or shoulder bags when going out to dinner, and then as wrist or clutch bags when attending late-night parties.
The statement bags are available in multiple coloryways (including a summer-ready color-blocked option) in matte and glossy finishes. Plus, there’s an ultra-Y2k metallic option, so if you can’t get on board with the silver metallic pants trend, go for a reflective mirror purse, which is just as fun and bold (but on a smaller scale that can be worn more often).
When styled as a shoulder bag or crossbody bag, Mlouye’s shape-shifting mini bags are approximately 6.1 inches tall and 7.3 inches wide, and yes, they will fit your essentials (i.e.: mini wallet, phone, keys, lipstick). Meanwhile, the brand’s absolutely adorable and chic micro bags come in at 5.3 by 6.5 inches. Sure, your phone won’t fit inside the petite frame, but honestly, who cares in the name of fashion???
So if you’ve been convinced, jump back on the mini purse train this summer with an innovative Mlouye bag, and re-live your 2000s childhood paper fortune teller game days with a playful (yet mature) origami purse.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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12 Tiny Purses That Are As Chic As They Are Kitsch
]]>After kicking Junior Stew Madison “Mads” Herrera out of their shared cabin to rejoin First Mate Gary King in the guest cabin, Daisy and Colin squeezed into Daisy’s bunk together. “You really turn me on,” Daisy whispered to Colin.
“Daisy and I have always been flirty,” admitted Colin in an interview. “I’ve had girlfriends the last two seasons, so nothing was acted on or even really thought about. But in all honesty, I kind of feel like it was only a matter of time in some ways.”
“I don’t know what’s going through Daisy’s head right now,” he continued. “But I’m picking up what she’s putting down.”
The next morning, Gary told Mads, “I’m glad you came back.”
She told him, “Yeah because f***ing Colin went into my cabin with Daisy.” And Gary was all, “Whaaaaaat?” So of course, he immediately went off to find the engineer to get the full scoop.
Finding the guilty party trying to catch a few more winks in their cabin, he asked, “Did you hook up with Daisy last night?”
Colin tried to play innocent, “What? Who said that?”
“Okay,” Gary admitted in an interview. “I didn’t see that coming. Mom and Dad?”
In the crew mess, Alex Propson was having breakfast. Gary ragged him for interrupting his and Madison’s intimate moment. “Thanks for coming into the cabin last night,” Gary told him. “That was a dick move, man. F***ing hell.” But he was laughing while he said it.
Alex blamed it on the engineer. “It was Colin’s idea,” he claimed. “He was on a mission.” Yeah, because Alex was probably too drunk to think of it himself.
“Was he?” Gary mused, adding, “To make sure we were not coming back to the cabin so he could hook up with Daisy?” Uh oh, Gary’s already a little jealous.
Meanwhile, Colin had already returned to Daisy’s cabin. “Room service,” Colin teased. “How are you?”
“The minute I met Colin two years ago,” Daisy said in an interview, “I was like, ‘Oh, he’s hot.’ But obviously, I’ve never known Colin single either … I mean, it was a good kiss.”
Prodded by a producer to “give us more than that,” Daisy finally giggled, “Yeah, there’s definitely a lot of sexual energy there.”
Following his oafish behavior of the night before when a drunken Chase Lemacks had asked if he could “drink tequila between your boobies tonight,” stewardess Lucy Edmunds wanted nothing to do with Chase and totally ignored him. “You can’t just f*** up and then try and talk to me,” Lucy said. “He’s a f***ing wanker.” I’m not sure Chase had any clue what he’d done to make Lucy so pissed off at him.
After cleaning up all the detritus of the night before, the crew set about general cleaning and preparing the Parsifal III for the next charter. Making beds in one of the guest cabins, Mads told Lucy, “I went back with Gary, and we just cuddled all night and then had sex at some point.”
“Oh fab,” Lucy commented. “Was it good?” Mads admitted that it was, as they continued cleaning. A little idle workplace chatter always makes the day go faster, right?
As they were putting the finishing touches on the boat’s engine repairs, Colin asked Gary, “You reckon I f***ed up by hooking up with Daisy [last night]? I don’t know if it was a good move, bro.”
Gary responded. “I like Daisy a lot. I’ve got a lot of time for her.”
“But do you ‘like her’ like her?” Colin wanted to know.
“No, I don’t know,” Gary said. “No, no, no, not like that. I thought I did, but I’m quite happy you guys hooked up. I would love you guys to date.” Well, that’s generous of him.
“Are you upset that we hooked up?” Colin asked, trying to make sure his friend wasn’t mad at him. “I didn’t get the feeling that you liked her,” Colin added. What gave you that idea, Colin? Could it be the way Gary went after every other girl on the boat?
“No no no,” Gary answered. “I thought coming into the season [that I did] … but [that was] before she told me to stay away from her. I thought there was chemistry there, but I don’t think she’s the one for me.”
So from their conversation, Colin surmised, “What [his mouth]’s telling me is there’s a green light, but what his face is telling me is another thing. But I feel like him and I are good enough friends for him to tell me if that wasn’t the case.”
“Wait, be honest with me,” Colin pressed. “Do you like Daisy? You’ve got that look in your eye.”
Insisting that he only liked Daisy “as a friend,” Gary stuck to his story. “No, I’m just quite happy that you guys hooked up. To be honest, I think, um … if you want to go for it, go for it, bru.” So there you have it. Gary gave Colin his blessing.
As Gary and Colin were settling their ownership rights to Daisy, Captain Glenn Shephard called for Gary, Daisy and Chef Ileisha Dell to meet him in the crew mess for the next charter’s preference sheet meeting. When Gary slid into the bench seat next to Daisy, he gave her a smug smile, like, “I know what you’ve been up to.”
“Looks like we have lovely ladies joining us this time,” Glenn announced. The primary guest was a professional woman celebrating her retirement with three of her best girlfriends. They requested to be treated “like royalty” while on board, “with a fruity drink always in hand.”
“I like cooking for a bunch of ladies,” Ileisha said. “And only four of them? Like, what am I, on vacation? Love that for me!” Hopefully, she’s right. This crew needs an easy charter.
Immediately after the meeting, Gary met up with Daisy on the flybridge for a smoke break. “Buongiorno,” he greeted her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay now,” she told him. “It was f***ing rough waking up.”
“It was a fun night, though,” Gary said.
Daisy got right to the point. “What do you think of me and Colin kissing each other?”
“I think it’s really nice,” Gary told her. “I think there’s definitely some chemistry there between you two.”
“I’m more asking you,” Daisy continued, “because we’ve kissed, and we’re still friends.”
“It’s a little bit of a weird time,” Gary admitted. “Maybe there’s a little bit of jealousy there, but then I can’t really say that because, yes, I did hook up with Madison.”
“Why are you jealous?” Daisy wanted to know. So is Daisy still interested in Gary? What’s this about?
“I don’t know,” Gary answered. “I thought we had a moment, but I think about it and it’s like, where’s it going to go? I’ve had a little chat to Colin about it, and I said, ‘I think I’ve always liked Daisy.’ I’m not going to deny the fact that [feelings are] there.”
“Yeah, but this kind of bothers me,” Daisy fired back. “Like you can’t even tell me that you have feelings for me?”
“Maybe that’s it,” Gary admitted. “Maybe I’m a coward in that sense, and I’m too scared to see what your reaction is going to be, so I’m happy to tell everyone else about it because it’s how I feel. And I’m just too scared to tell you.”
“In what f***ing warped zone am I in right now?” Daisy asked in a production interview. “I can’t believe he realized he has feelings for me now that he’s seeing me with someone else. Come on! I think Gary’s upset that I’m not his backup. So f***ing annoying!”
“I couldn’t pursue you because I just thought … my chances weren’t there,” Gary admitted. “Especially when you told me to stay away from you. I was heartbroken by that comment, really. We don’t get to explore that, you know?”
“We don’t get to explore it because you’re in a relationship with my roommate,” Daisy replied. “Gary, I don’t know what you want me to tell you. After you kiss Madison, what, you want to come over to me and see which one you have more chemistry with? You didn’t give any room. I kissed Colin last night. We’re three weeks into the season. You’ve been hooking up with Madison for the last three weeks.”
At this point, socially awkward Chase strolled in and chirped, “Is this private? Or not?” And that was the end of the conversation, as Gary said he had to go and made a hasty retreat.
Afterward, Gary commented in an interview, “I think that sexual tension between Daisy and I is always going to be there until we have sex.” In your dreams, buddy. You had your chance.
“But now, all of a sudden, Daisy’s hooking up with Colin,” he added. “You snooze you lose. Sh**!”
“How are you feeling about last night?” Colin asked, “Because we were f***ing wasted.”
“Do you regret kissing me?” Daisy asked him.
“Not at all,” Colin said. “What makes you say that?”
“I’m not somebody that just hooks up with people,” Daisy told him.
“So where do we go from here?” Colin wanted to know.
“I’m not thinking too much about it,” Daisy lied. It’s ALL she’s thought about all day, for sure.
“Obviously keep it professional,” Colin commented. “None of this PDS sh** in front of all the crew.”
“We’ll see what happens,” Daisy said, as she stretched a foot out to rest in Colin’s lap.
“Not in public!” he protested. “Oh, my God, stop it!” What did he just say about PDA, Daisy? But all she did was giggle. I think Daisy likes Colin. I do, too (even though I’m married). He’s so much more mature and reliable than flighty, flirty Gary.
And the crew had an early night since the charter guests would arrive the next morning.
Hopefully, this would be an easy charter, as there were only four guests to entertain. “What a handsome crew!” one of the ladies exclaimed, as they shook hands with everyone.
When one of the ladies complained that she didn’t really like champagne (Philistine!), Daisy asked if she would like something else. “Fresh fruit martinis, please,” and Daisy made sure they got them before taking them on a tour of the boat.
Chase complained that they had a lot of luggage to be loaded onto the boat, but Gary told him, “Yes, but they’re ladies, and you know what ladies are like.” Oh really, Gary? And what are we like then? To be fair, it was explained to me that most of these charter guests have packed for a full European vacation, only part of which will take place on the Parsifal III. They didn’t just pack for a couple of days.
When Chase found out the guests were from South Carolina, he immediately knew how to behave. “Growing up in the South, I know what these ladies want,” he said. “It’s the way I greet them. ‘Yes, ma’am, my pleasure.’ They see it as manners, but I might be a little taste of home [for them].” He’s not wrong. Finally, Chase has found his comfort zone.
As Lucy brought the ladies more fruity cocktails, the primary explained that the four of them had been roommates in college. And still friends after all these years! How sweet is that?
Meanwhile, Ileisha thought she had these ladies’ MO. “I can tell that these ladies are classy,” she said, “and that they would appreciate something Southern. I’m kind of catering to their flavors, but then putting my twist on it.” To go with their fruity cocktails, Ileisha prepared homemade Parmesan crisps, melon balls with mint and mini crepes with smoked salmon. Sounds yummy!
Captain advised everyone to prepare for sailing, so Daisy instructed her crew to make sure everything was stowed securely when the boat started heeling (not “keeling,” as one of the guests called it). “This is so incredible,” one of the women sighed, watching the sails go up.
In the meantime, Colin informed Daisy, “Tomorrow is Gary’s birthday. We can get his face printed out and then just at the end of the day tomorrow, we all just say, ‘Happy birthday, Gary!'” Daisy said she had balloons and stuff, and before they go out (after the guests are gone), they can have birthday cake and a drink to celebrate.
When the guests went down to their cabins to get ready for dinner, the crew started to prep their costumes for the evening. The guests requested a 70’s theme disco party, so Daisy sorted through outfits for her stews.
“I had a lot of fun in the 70s,” Glenn said. “The 70s were great. I remember sneaking into discos. And I had frizzy hair. And so I used to brush it up into an Afro. It was big.” Somehow Bravo producers got hold of a picture of Afro Glenn from the 70s. He did have a lot of hair.
“That is shagadelic,” Glenn said in his best Austin Powers voice, as the stews picked outfits. “I’m glad I saw the 70s. That’s when streaking was really big. And it was fantastic because everybody was streaking. Groovy, baby.” Not everybody was streaking, Glenn, only the naked people. But everybody was kung fu fighting.
Everything was peachy until Daisy was called down to one of the guest cabins. “I took off my diamond necklace and earrings,” the guest told her, “and I put them on [this counter]. I’m so upset.” Apparently, her jewelry had been misplaced.
“No no, it’s okay,” Daisy reassured her. “It’s not gonna go far. They’re on the boat somewhere.” Maybe they slid off the counter when the boat was “keeling.” Check the floor.
“Don’t you have like a video of people that are walking down here?” the guest asked. “I’m pretty responsible when it comes to my diamond necklace. I’m just like in shock.”
“I promise you,” Daisy vowed, “no one would take anything. I’ll ask the rest of the crew in the meantime.”
Daisy walked away muttering, “Now we’re getting f***ing accused of stealing jewelry.” Looks like this charter wasn’t going to be as easy as they originally thought.
Running into Mads on deck, Daisy asked her, “Did you move a necklace and earrings that were in this twin cabin?”
“No, I haven’t touched that [cabin],” the junior stew said.
“I would check purses,” Alex suggested.
Down below, the ladies were getting themselves more and more worked up, as Daisy tried to figure out what happened. Guest Lorrie told Jill, “Don’t leave any of your stuff out.”
When Daisy saw Lucy, she confirmed with her, “You haven’t touched any jewelry in the twin cabin?”
“I’ve not been in there,” Lucy said.
Finally, Daisy knocked on Glenn’s cabin door, as he was getting ready to join the guests for dinner. “What’s going on?” he asked her.
“So, Lorrie has misplaced her diamond earrings and her necklace,” she told Glenn. “I think she’s very concerned that somebody’s taken them.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with a theft on a super yacht,” Glenn told producers. To Daisy, he said, “Let’s you and I go and I’ll have a chat with her.”
Downstairs Daisy told the guests that she had informed Glenn of the situation, just so he was aware. “He just wanted to come down and speak to you.”
While Glenn spoke with the guests, Daisy returned upstairs and told her girls, “Whoever does turndown, you just check all the cupboards.”
When Lorrie told Glenn that she’s “torn everything apart” and her heart was “racing,” he reassured her. “We’ll find them, don’t worry. I don’t think anybody steals stuff like that. We’ll start looking around and figure out where they went.”
To production, Glenn said, “You’d have to be an idiot to steal onboard a boat. You’re never gonna get away with it. It doesn’t make any sense.”
I think it’s more likely the lady put her jewelry somewhere for safe-keeping and then forgot where she put it. It’s probably stashed safely in a drawer somewhere. They had been drinking quite a bit, after all.
When Glenn walked out to dinner in psychedelic red bellbottoms and a bright gold glittery vest, the ladies went wild, “Look at you!”
“What?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I always dress like this.” I don’t mean to disparage, but you would never in a million years see Captain Lee Rosbach come to dinner in anything but his captain’s uniform.
As the guests sat down to dinner, the crew that wasn’t involved with serving was conducting a full-scale search for the missing jewelry. Not only was Mads giving Lorrie’s cabin a thorough once over, but Gary and Alex were searching the bunny pad and the lounge areas.
Lucy even went through Lorrie’s purse. “Yeah,” she said, “there’s literally f***ing money in here and stuff like that. If I was going to steal anything, I’d steal that.” But at the bottom of the purse, Lucy gasped when she finally found the missing jewelry.
Daisy took the necklace and earrings out to the table to show the guests that the missing items had been located. “Where was it?” Jill asked.
“In the pocketbook,” Daisy said, to which Jill replied, “I knew it!”
“Lucy!” Lorrie exclaimed. “My fave! Thank you!”
“Well, I knew there was not going to be a criminal onboard,” Jill said. So did we all. But I do know how frustrating it is to misplace something of value. I lost a pocket camera in Fort Bragg (California) once. I was so upset with myself, it almost ruined my whole weekend. I’m glad for Lorrie that her jewelry was found and returned.
“In the back of my mind,” Captain Glenn interviewed, “I’m thinking, maybe you should at least apologize to the crew. It’s like, no way are they going to do that.”
Fortunately, one of the guests recognized that the crew had gone above and beyond to find the missing jewelry and said, “Can we just make a toast to the crew? Your crew’s amazing … They’re all cute, too. If I was only 40 years younger.”
As dinner was ending, the Parsifal crew, dressed in 70s gear, came dancing out with sparklers. The guests were thrilled and jumped up to dance with them. “Show me some steps,” Alex said. “I wasn’t around for the 70s.” Shut up, Alex. We get it. They’re old and you’re so young. Rude!
On his way to bed, Glenn remembered to stop by the galley and compliment the chef. “Ileisha, dinner was delicious,” he told her. “It came out really fast. Everyone’s great.”
“Thank you,” she told the captain. To production, she laughed, “Sorry, what? I am reeling the captain in. Awesome.”
When Gary went to say goodnight to Mads, he found her already in bed. “Oh, you’re in bed!” he said, surprised. “Go on, sleep well,” and he closed the door behind him. “A good night would be nice,” he muttered, walking away. Apparently, his feelings were hurt that Mads went to bed without first bidding him good night. “That’s just blatantly rude.”
Daisy, on the other hand, was visiting the engine room at that very moment. “You going to bed soon?” she asked Colin. “I’m jealous you’re going to bed,” she said, giving him a good night hug.
“Don’t stay up too late,” he told her, giving her a quick smooch and a long hug.
In the hot tub, the guests asked Gary if one of the boys could come up and “do a temperature check.” Send Alex or Chase, ’cause he’s “adorbs,” according to Jill.
Gary asked Chase if he minded jumping in the jacuzzi with the ladies, and he was up for it. “They just want some male company there, it seems like,” Gary told him. “Whatever happens, I don’t want to hear about it.”
Promising to be a “perfect gentleman,” Chase scampered back to his room to change into his wet gear. “These ladies are a little bit older and they’re single,” Chase interviewed. “I know these type of ladies very well, and I like a little hot tub time, so I’ll take one for the team.”
“I hear you need a temperature check,” Chase announced when he arrived at the jacuzzi.
The ladies were pleased to see him. One of them told Jill, “He looks like my cousin, the one that you dated.”
“I look like your ex-boyfriend?” Chase asked Jill. She told him she had good taste.
“Listen to us,” one of the women said. “We sound like a bunch of cougars.”
“We are cougars!” her friend responded.
After changing out of his swim gear and back into his work clothes, Chase went looking for Lucy, who was still working.
“Hey, Lucy,” Chase whispered in the hallway, being respectful of the people trying to sleep. “I know you’re super busy. Can I talk to you? It’ll take 30 seconds.”
When she agreed, he continued, “I wanna apologize about last night. I know that sometimes when I drink, I’m full on, and I make dirty jokes, and sometimes I can be offensive. One of my goals, I wanna crush the season, but I also want to walk away from this, like being friends. Let me hug it out.”
Lucy thanked him for the apology and said it was “fine” and she appreciated it. “I’m not a hugger,” she said, giving him a quick squeeze.
“I gotta take responsibility for the fact that I’ve upset Lucy,” Chase admitted. “Going forward, I need to just be more aware of the things that are coming out of my big, stupid mouth.” Talking about women’s breasts is not cool, Chase. This is 2023, not 1950. Be better.
Wow. That was a short one. They only stayed one night? But it’s Gary’s birthday!
“Happy birthday!” Daisy and Ileisha told him, as they both hugged him together.
Afterward, Daisy went to say good morning to her new boyfriend Colin, already at work in the engine room. She was right in the middle of reaching over his shoulder to give him a big kiss when Gary popped his head in to see Colin, too. Catching Colin and Daisy making out, Gary turned right around and made a speedy exit.
The guests were having a beach excursion day, with a walk and a swim, before returning to the dock. Alex and Lucy were assigned to take the ladies to the beach and motored off in the tender. What a gorgeous day! The skies were blue, and the water was turquoise and crystal clear.
The ladies wanted to challenge the boys to a cornhole competition. “Where’s my teammate?” one of them said, referring to Alex, who was taking a quick dip to cool off.
“Yeah, he’s acting like a model coming out of the sea,” Lucy said, as Alex catwalked his way out of the Tyrrhenian Sea (I Googled it).
“Hey, he’s looking like a model!” one of the guests laughed.
While the ladies enjoyed the water, Gary was kvetching to Lucy about Mads going to bed last night without saying goodnight to him. “The fact that a girl won’t say good morning or good night to me after we’ve had sex f***ing hurts,” he whined. Come on, Gary. Grow a pair.
“I think it’s kind of weird that Gary’s telling Lucy,” Alex commented. “Why wouldn’t you just go talk to Mads about it? As much as it pains me to have to hear about [it], I’m also enjoying watching Gary squirm a little bit.” So, no love lost there.
Back on the boat, Lucy hurried to tell Mads that Gary was talking about her at the beach. She said he was upset that she walked right past him last night on her way to bed and didn’t say good night.
“Oh my God,” Mads moaned. “That’s the kind of sh** that annoys me.”
“I’m not, like, in love with Gary,” Mads said in an interview. “It’s just casual sex to me. Every time I take a step back, it feels like Gary needs more attention from me. It’s f***ing ridiculous … Be more dramatic, please.”
Later, as the guests gathered on the dock to bid adieu to the crew, there were some teary eyes. It was all too short a visit. The ladies exchanged hugs and stole a few kisses from the boys, while Glenn said, “It was fun having you guys. You guys are amazing!”
“Well, what can I say?” Jill announced. “It was so lovely. Service, food. We have memories forever. Thank you so much.” And with that, Jill handed Glenn a fat tip envelope. They were nice guests. Other than the missing jewelry fiasco, it was all cake.
After the guests had left, the crew began cleaning the boat. Daisy was in the shower when she noticed a problem. She told Colin, “You know, the toilets aren’t flushing.”
“This f***ing boat,” he said, shaking his head. “This is the sh**iest part of being an engineer.” Literally, in this case.
He decided there must be a blockage somewhere in the pipes, and it needed to be sucked out. “It’s really hard to diagnose where the problem is. I can’t just undo something and find the blockage.”
So he posted someone in each bathroom to watch the bowls, as he pressurized the plumbing. “Anyone who’s religious, please say a little prayer.”
“Bru, it’s my birthday!” Gary joked.
Starting to pressurize the system, Colin radioed, “No one’s got any spillage?”
“I’m getting bubbles,” Gary called.
“Captain’s cabin is bubbling,” Alex radioed.
Nothing in the girls’ cabins. So it’s the boys’ fault then? That makes sense. Boys are gross.
As Gary’s toilet neared overflowing, the smell started to get to him and he began to gag uncontrollably.
“Girls, try to flush your toilets,” Colin called. Daisy and Lucy both attempted to flush their toilets, but nothing happened.
“Literally my worst nightmare,” Colin mumbled. “We have to f***ing break some pipes.”
And Gary was still gagging noisily. Happy birthday, Gare!
TELL US – DID YOU KNOW IT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL NOT TO SAY “GOOD NIGHT” TO YOUR S.O.? WERE YOU GLAD TO SEE THAT CHASE FINALLY APOLOGIZED TO LUCY?
The post Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: Diamonds Go Missing on the Love Boat appeared first on Reality Tea.
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]]>As more parents venture into the world with their little ones, the demand for baby-changing areas in public spaces, including businesses, is growing. A well-appointed baby changing station can transform your business into a family-friendly haven, setting it apart from competitors and earning customer loyalty.
A baby changing station is essentially a piece of furniture designed for the convenience and safety of changing diapers. It may be a standalone piece like a baby changing table or a wall-mounted or portable unit. Regardless of its form, a good baby changing station provides a safe, clean, and comfortable space for parents to tend to their baby’s needs.
In an age where customer satisfaction is paramount, offering a baby changing station is a game-changer. It sends a strong message to your patrons – especially those with young children – that you value them and are attentive to their needs. It enhances their experience and often translates to more time spent in your establishment, purchases, and repeat visits. Furthermore, it’s good business decor to cater to all clientele types, including families with babies.
There are a few different changing table options; some are more appropriate for business setting than other options.
Wall-mounted changing stations are popular for businesses, particularly those with limited space. These stations are affixed to the bathroom wall, providing a sturdy platform for diaper changes. When not in use, they fold up neatly, freeing up space. Many models come with safety straps and raised sides for added security.
A countertop changing table, often known as s changing topper, can be placed atop a small dresser or other sturdy furniture. They provide a safe changing surface, often with a changing pad for extra comfort. Some models have raised sides for added safety; others feature open shelves or drawers for storing essentials like diapers, wipes, and toys.
Portable changing tables are a flexible option, especially for businesses needing to move the station around. These stations are lightweight, easy to clean, and often come with a mat for changing diapers. They can be used anywhere, making them a versatile addition to any business, from cafes to clothing boutiques.
As a responsible business owner, compliance with laws and regulations should be a top priority. In the case of changing stations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulates certain requirements to ensure accessibility for all. For example, a baby changing station must be installed at a reachable height for individuals in wheelchairs. Familiarizing yourself with these regulations and ensuring your changing station complies will protect your business from potential legal complications and ensure that your facilities are accessible to all parents.
Keep these very important factors in mind during your search:
Safety is paramount when it comes to baby changing tables. Look for units with raised sides to prevent the baby from rolling off the changing surface. An anti-tip kit secures the station to the wall is a wise investment for standalone changing tables. Also, ensure the station has a sturdy construction and is made from non-toxic materials.
A changing table is not a purchase you want to repeat often, so durability is key. Look for stations made with high-quality materials that can withstand regular use and cleaning. A durable changing station is a cost-effective solution that can serve your business well for years to come.
Changing stations see their fair share of messes, so ease of cleaning is a critical factor to consider. Look for units with surfaces that are water-resistant and easy to wipe clean. Some changing pads come with removable covers that can be washed, adding another layer of convenience.
Below are our picks for the best changing tables available on Amazon. We hope you find one that’s just right for your business.
Top Pick: The Koala Kare horizontal baby changing station features a wall-mounted design and is suitable for commercial use. It is designed with a gas spring mechanism that ensures smooth, quiet, and safe opening and closing of the station. The unit is easy to install with the included mounting hardware and has a compact, space-saving design
The product is distributed by Allied Hand Dryer, a company with a long history of supplying hand dryers, hand dryer parts, and baby changing stations to businesses, schools, and government entities worldwide.
Key features:
Koala Kare Horizontal Baby Changing Station
Runner Up: The Rubbermaid Commercial Products Horizontal Baby Changing Station is a reliable, wall-mounted, fold-down diaper change table designed with practicality and safety in mind. Ideal for a range of settings such as restaurants, hotels, schools, and airports, this light platinum station is easy to use and clean, enhancing convenience for your customers.
Crafted with an antimicrobial surface, it minimizes the risk of cross-contamination. The ergonomic design allows for one-hand operation, making it easier for parents to handle both the baby and supplies simultaneously. An accessory shelf and easy-to-reach hooks provide ample storage for essentials, while the built-in liner holder can accommodate up to 40 disposable liquid-barrier liners.
Key features:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products Horizontal Changing Station
Best Value: The Alpine wall mounted changing station is a horizontal foldable diaper table designed for commercial bathrooms. It’s an ADA compliant piece that ensures parents and babies’ safety, convenience, and hygiene. Made from high-quality materials, this changing station is built to last and offers a cost-effective solution for businesses and facilities.
The unit has all the necessary hardware for easy installation and is designed for easy cleaning. The safety-first approach of this changing station includes sturdy construction and safety straps for secure use. Its hygienic design is particularly beneficial when dealing with babies and young children. The station also features two side bag hooks, providing ample storage space and easy access to personal belongings during use.
Key features:
Alpine Wall Mounted Changing Table
The SafetyCraft Wall-Mounted Baby Changing Station is a vertical changing table designed for infants and toddlers in commercial restrooms. It provides a safe, comfortable, and hygienic place for changing diapers, and is equipped with convenient additional features like a bag hook and liner dispensers.
Key features:
SafetyCraft Wall-Mounted Vertical Changing Table
The PLUSSEN Baby Changing Station is a thoughtfully designed, wall-mounted unit that combines safety, durability, and convenience. Its fold-down design, facilitated by a pneumatic cylinder, allows for a controlled, slow opening and closing mechanism, enhancing safety while saving space. Crafted from high-quality HDPE (high-density polyethylene), it provides a durable and easy-to-clean surface for children up to 50 lbs.
Key features:
The Modundry Fold-Down changing table provides an optimal blend of safety, durability, and style for commercial environments. This horizontally mounted changing station, designed for infants and toddlers, presents an attractive white granite finish, ensuring it functions well and blends seamlessly with your décor.
Boasting a high-density polyethylene plastic construction, this unit is both strong and durable, ensuring longevity. The smooth, concave changing surface and adjustable safety strap provide a secure space for your little customers.
Key features:
Modundry Fold-Down Baby Diaper Changing Station
The Koala Kare Horizontal Recessed Baby Changing Station is a premium, space-saving solution for businesses aiming to provide a family-friendly environment. Crafted from robust stainless steel, this wall-installed changing station saves valuable floor space while ensuring durability and easy maintenance.
Ideal for both newborns and toddlers, this station offers a spacious and secure changing surface that caters to the needs of varying age groups. Its recessed design makes it a sleek addition to any restroom, without the bulkiness of traditional changing tables. With the Koala Kare changing station, you assure your customers of a convenient and safe place for their children.
Key features:
Koala Kare Horizontal Recessed Baby Changing Station
The TCBunny Wall-Mounted Baby Changing Station is a pragmatic choice for businesses looking to enhance customer experience. Designed for infants and toddlers up to 3.5 years, this white, horizontal diaper changing table makes diaper changes in commercial restrooms safe and convenient.
Crafted from high-density polypropylene, this station combines durability with a gentle touch. The curved changing surface, smooth corners, and safety straps provide a secure space for babies, while built-in hooks free up caregivers’ hands. The unit’s unique space-saving design makes it suitable for various commercial environments. A built-in shelf with two accessory holders keeps essentials within reach yet safely away from children.
Key features:
TCBunny Wall-Mounted Horizontal Diaper Changing Table
The MAIND Wall Mounted changing table is an essential addition for businesses seeking to accommodate the needs of their patrons with infants. This fold-down diaper changing table is designed for commercial and public bathrooms, optimizing space utilization while providing a safe and convenient changing area.
Key features:
MAIND Wall Mounted Diaper Changing Station
This changing table is skillfully crafted in the US from 100% high-density polyethylene—a material known for its robustness and easy maintenance. The EZ-Mount Backer-Plate lends it stability, ensuring secure attachment to any wall surface. The smooth, concave changing area has a safety strap and buckle to keep the child secure during diaper changes.
Key features include:
Foundations Classic Vertical Baby Changing Station
The cost of a good changing table can vary greatly depending on the type, features, and brand. You could find a simple changing pad for as little as $20, while high-end changing tables with ample storage could set you back several hundred dollars. It’s important to remember that investing in a quality changing station can enhance customer experience and is often worth the investment.
The location of your baby changing station will depend on the layout and nature of your business. Ideally, it should be placed in a clean, quiet, and easily accessible location. Most businesses opt to install changing stations in their public restrooms for privacy and convenience.
Yes, there are laws and regulations concerning baby changing stations in businesses, most notably under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It’s important to familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure your business is compliant and accessible to all.
For hygiene and customer satisfaction, changing stations should be cleaned regularly. The frequency will depend on how often it’s used. A general rule of thumb is to clean and sanitize the station at least once a day, and ideally after each use.
There are many reputable brands on the market offering top-quality baby changing stations. Some top sellers and popular choices among businesses will be discussed in our product recommendation section.
Introducing a baby changing station into your business requires more than just purchasing the unit. Consider signage to let customers know the facility is available. Additionally, maintaining a stock of changing essentials like diapers, wipes, and hand sanitizers can be a thoughtful touch that parents will appreciate. Anticipate potential challenges such as ensuring privacy and managing cleanliness, and create solutions in advance to mitigate these issues.
In the modern market, customer-centric businesses thrive. Providing a baby changing station in your business is a significant step towards creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all patrons. Not only does it serve a practical purpose, but it also speaks volumes about your business’s values and commitment to serving all customers.
Take time to understand the specific needs of your customers, and choose a baby changing station that best meets those needs. It’s an investment that can pay dividends in customer satisfaction and loyalty, setting your business apart in a crowded marketplace.
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This article, "Baby Changing Stations: Best Choices for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends
]]>That having been said, I’m so looking forward to slower paced days at home with my kids. As they get older, you appreciate even more how quickly it’s all going. With a teenager in the house, there’s only so many more summers he’ll be here at home with me!
And my heart goes out to all you mamas with graduating high schoolers this year. I have several friends in the same boat and I’m hearing all the bittersweet swells of emotions.
Just know this: you’ve done an AMAZING job raising your kids and they are BLESSED to have you in their corner.
If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe, Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale is in full effect! Every department is on sale with savings up to 60% and more!
My Size Reference: I’m over 40, short (5’1) and petite, weighing about 110 lbs. I typically wear size 0p/25 jeans, XSP/XS in tops and dresses.
Jewelry: Budha Bangles, Necklace, Watch
Top ON SALE • Jeans • Wedges • Purse
I’m so crazy for the Paige Cindy high rise straight ankle jeans that you’ll notice they’re in my GIVEAWAY this month! They are the kind of jeans you put on and they feel AMAZING on, and you can comfortably wear them all day long! At the end of the day, you aren’t itching to get out of them like you are with some jeans.
The fact that they’re cut straight as opposed to skinny lends to that comfort factor. They look great with both flats, heels, wedges or sandals.
I will say, being just 5’1, they aren’t as short on me as they’re supposed to be. I’m going to throw them in the washer and dryer and see if they shrink up a bit. If not, I’ll probably take a sharp scissor to the end and them them a tiny haircut.
The white is perfectly opaque and not see through at all. If your white jeans have seen better days, try these!
How fun is this crop citrus top?! The little ruffle detail at the neck and body are darling and it’s fully lined.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
This bright pink caught my eye and I like how this top is on the dressed up side with the crisp cotton feel. It has a collar, deep v neck (with a hook & eye closure to keep it closed) and twist front. It zips closed on the side and also comes in white and black.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS and it was snug, the little hook & eye closure was holding on for dear life!
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
Top code HONEY10 • Jeans • Wedges
Isn’t this clip dot top cute too?! It’s definitely work to weekend friendly and I liked how soft and easy to wear it felt on. It’s hitting me just above the elbow and has a fun rusched detail.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XXS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a25
Gauzy perfection describes this button down top perfectly. It’s casual and effortless and also have a fun button detail on the back. Also in white and sage green, but isn’t the pale blue pretty?!
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
In my book, it’s not summer without white cotton eyelet. This top is beautiful in person with all the eyelet and scallop detail. I left it untucked so you could see the pretty hem, but it also looks great tucked in.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
I wore this top in NY for the Amazon Live Creator event with jeans at the beginning of the month. I felt very chic, but also incredibly comfortable! The top definitely makes a statement with the gorgeous lace detail and it’s fully lined underneath. There’s a button hole and closure behind the neck.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS. It doesn’t have stretch, so size up if you’re in between sizes
These are the same white jeans I’m wearing above in white. I liked them so much that I got them in two colors!
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
A crop top, sweater or cardigan always gives you the longest leg line with high waist jeans. This short cardigan has the cutest pointelle knit detail and you can wear it with a flesh toned bra like I am here, or layer a cami underneath.
Sweater Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
This top is another statement style with the open emboridery detail and flutter sleeves. It an open style neck with ties you can leave open or wear tied. I
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 25
Top code HONEY10 • Jeans • Wedges • Crossbody
For this set of outfits, I changed into the Mother Jeans – Dazzler Mid Rise Ankle Straight Jeans. I don’t normally opt for mid rise jeans, having become much more comfortable in high waist jeans, but these surprised me. They feel really good on my waist (and hips), they’re just a a bit too long in the length.
The color is really pretty, a relaxed light blue with some natural looking fading at the thighs and a raw edge hem.
The top is a stretchy, medium weight ribbed knit with adorable flutter sleeves and a high neck. With the conservative cut, this top will take you from work to weekend.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XXS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 26, and should have ordered my true size, 25
Top code HONEY10 • Jeans • Wedges • Crossbody
Top code HONEY10 • Jeans • Braided Sandals
I also like the fit and feel of this gauzy textured top. It has an airy, open v-neck with flutter sleeves. Those kinds of sleeves are playful, but also help create the illusion of a smaller waist since they’re a bit wider and draw more attention up. This top is also fully lined and a pretty pink shade.
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XXS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 26
Top code HONEY10 • Jeans • Heels
A charming work to weekend top here too. This one is flirty and feminine with an ivory background and blush colored florals. It’s a silky polyester overlay that’s fully lined underneath. That little ruffle hem is too cute!
Top Fit: I’m wearing an XXS
Jeans Fit: I’m wearing a 26
If you’re looking for an ultra comfy pair of shorts that aren’t jean shorts, this pair by Billabong is a great option. They’re an incredibly comfortable pull on style with an elastic waist and drawstring tie. They’re slightly higher on the sides with a curved hem, giving you a longer leg line. I also like that they have pockets.
The shorts come in several colors and I almost got the off black and warm yellow, but this light blue is awesome and will go with so much!
Tank Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Shorts Fit: I sized up to a Small, so they wouldn’t be too short
This is the same style shorts in a stripe. Very cool and you can treat the stripe like a neutral when considering what top to pair with it.
Tank Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Shorts Fit: I sized up to a Small, so they wouldn’t be too short
Oh friend, this dress is so gorgeous! It’s floral perfection against a dark background which makes it great for day or evening. The top has a plunging v, but I’m wearing a regular bra and it’s still hidden. The ruffles are artfully placed and they skirt has beautiful movement!
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XS and even with a heel it’s a little long on me
So good from behind!
Floral Print Tie Maxi Dress ON SALE • Clear Sandals
This dress is a stunner in such a fun, vibrant hue. It has spaghetti strap shoulders and a criss cross front and back. It comes with the coordinating tie belt and then the skirt is a little bit high/low. It would be a great dress for a lively summer party!
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Floral Print Tie Maxi Dress • Clear Sandals
Tiered Floral Print Dress ON SALE • Sandals • Bag
I feel like this dress would have been perfect for Cinco de Mayo, but it’s still good for summer vacay and parties! It has a fitted bodice with adjustable shoulder straps that are complete with an o-ring detail. The skirt has tiered ruffles and a coordinating tie belt.
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Tiered Floral Print Dress ON SALE • Sandals • Bag
Cotton Sleeveless Eyelet Dress ON SALE • Sandals
Here’s our summer friendly white eyelet in a pretty maxi dress. I’m in love with the detail at the hem! The dress is fitted at the waist and bodice with a flowy skirt. It has an eyelet detailed back that buttons closed behind your neck.
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Cotton Sleeveless Eyelet Dress ON SALE • Sandals
Knit Dress • Sandals • Clutch
This is a unique dress because you can wear it two ways – with the v-neck in the front or back! The opposite side is a wide crew neck style. It’s stretchy and relaxed fitting with a thigh high side slit.
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XXS
Floral Puff Sleeve Dress • Sandals • Purse
This floral puff sleeve dress is sassier on than I thought it would be. That sweetheart bodice with a ruched front and tie emphasizes your cleavage. It’s fitted at the waist with a skirt that’s hitting me at the knee. The back is smocked at the waist and open in the upper back with a tie. I love how the longer puffed sleeves compliment everything.
Dress Fit: I’m wearing an XS
Floral Puff Sleeve Dress • Sandals • Purse
Daisies for the win with this soft pajama set! They’re menswear inspired, but oh so soft and stretchy on! If you’re not a fan of the cute florals, they come in solid colors too.
Pajama Fit: I’m wearing an XS
I buy pajamas by Honeydew on repeat because they are so comfortable to both lounge and sleep in. If it’s too warm for a long sleeve top, I’ll wear a tank instead, but I like to put on the long sleeve top in the morning over the tank. I’m crazy for the soft colorblocking in this set.
Pajama Fit: I’m wearing an XS
I didn’t realize it at the time, but this henley style pajama top is supposed to come with shorts and my order was missing the shorts. I was so bummed when I realized! How cute is that baseball inspired henley top?!
Pajama Fit: I’m wearing an XS
We had a good time on the blog this week. If you missed it, I shared Stunning & Affordable Wedding Guest Outfits and here are a few more below, all from Amazon!
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10
Now that summer is almost upon us, I gave you some budget friendly patio inspiration. We’ll be spending lots of time in ours!
I’m gifting these reusable water balloons to Jordan for a little graduation/welcome to summer gift and I know she’s gonna want to use them right away!
Our Tuesday Goodies had lots of fun finds. This week’s Amazon live featured Travel Must Haves and many of them are coming with me on my trip to Miami next week!
Also, you can still enter to win all my May Loves GIVEAWAY. I’m giving away everything below OR the cash equivalent – you choose!
Drybar Dryer Brush SET • KVD Contour Palette • Walmart Towels • Paige Jeans • Drapes
I love seeing what y’all love and here’s what topped your list this week!
FASHION | Bike Helmet, Linen Blend Pants, Flyknit Running Shoe
AMAZON FASHION | Running Socks, CRZ Leggings, Paperbag Waist Pants
BEAUTY | Facial Sponges, Hanging Toiletry Bag, Makeup Brush Cleaner
HOME | Cooling Towels, Olive Branches, Handheld Fan
Flutter Sleeve Top | Was $59, Now $41
Star Sweater | Now 40% off with code: SUMMER
Striped Tank | Now 40% off with code: SUMMER
Chambray Shorts | Was $54, Now $16
Denim Shorts | Was $39, Now $15
Abercrombie | 20% off almost everything, 15% off select styles
Aerie | 40% off our collection and all swimsuits
Ann Taylor | Extra 50% off everything + extra 50% off sale styles, code weekend
Express | 30-50% off everything
J.Crew | 40% off everything + extra 50% off sale styles, code WEEKEND
Madewell | 30% off everything, code WARMUP
LOFT | 40% off everything, code SUMMER
Old Navy | Select Shorts, Dresses, + swim on sale for $15 and under
Pottery Barn | Up to 50% off
Shopbop | Designer sale up to 50% off + 15% off beauty, code BEAUTY15
Wayfair | Up to 70% off Memorial Clearance
Have a fantastic weekend friend!
The post Summer Outfits from Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale, Bloomingdale’s and GibsonLook appeared first on Honey We're Home.
]]>Umbrella strollers are an easy and convenient way to let your little one see the world and allow you to get around with ease. While I love the convenience of umbrella strollers, many parents are stuck wondering what age is an umbrella stroller for?
You might have lots of questions about umbrella strollers, the best age to use them and even alternatives. I wanted to take some time to answer those questions and many more below!
Let’s stroll on!
An umbrella stroller is a stroller that is compact, light weight and easily collapsible stroller. The design is unique because it has a compact and light weight, making it perfect for families on the go.
This type of stroller is often compared to an umbrella because is collapses down similar to an umbrella and has the hook or J shaped handles like the classic umbrella design.
Most of the time, the maximum weight on an umbrella stroller is 55 pounds. Each brand varies in it’s weight compacity, so be sure to check your stroller.
So, what age can you safely use an umbrella stroller with your little one? It is important for your baby be able to sit up before they can safely ride in the umbrella stroller.
The age a baby can sit up unassisted is typically 6-9 months. Your child can use the stroller safely until they hit the weight limit or become uncomfortable.
If your infant can sit up unassisted, then yes an umbrella stroller is safe! This milestone is an important one to reach when determining if your infant can use an umbrella stroller.
The umbrella stroller sits mostly upright, and while it does have safety straps, it is not safe to rely on them should your baby lose their balance and flip out.
Okay, so you’ve settled on an umbrella stroller..great! So, what are you looking for?
What are the most important features to look for when purchasing an umbrella stroller? Let’s jump in!
Lightweight frame
A light weight frame is important so that you can easily maneuver the stroller and lift it as well. A light weight frame is a must when looking for an umbrella stroller.
Quickly Foldable
The ability to fold your umbrella stroller with ease is important. The last thing you want to be doing is struggling to fold up your stroller with a fussy baby or in the heat/cold.
Three or Five-Point Harness
Safety is always most important when it comes to strollers. I personally like having a 5 point harness for that extra bit of containment and safety.
Having a 3 or 5 point harness is important, especially for little ones that are wild.
Large Canopy
Keeping the sun out of your little one’s eyes is important while in the stroller. A stroller that has a large canopy is great to help keep the sun off of them and out of their eyes.
Recline Option
Having a reclining option is great to have especially when it comes to naps and allowing for your little one to relax.
This feature is great to have while you are on the go with your little one!
Comfortable Padding
Making sure that your little one is comfortable and cozy while in the stroller is important. Having comfortable padding in the stroller is important to make sure they are comfortable and having a good time.
Good Air Circulating Fabric
Making sure that the umbrella stroller has good air circulating fabric is important. Umbrella strollers can get really hot if you are not careful. Making sure that you have good fabric can help that!
Storage Options
You need to have storage options when you have kiddos. Storage is an absolute must!
Have you ever heard the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? Well I think the same applies here, “value is in the eye of the beholder”.
I think it really depends on you and what you prefer and how you plan on using the stroller. I really like using umbrella strollers for walks, parks, fairs, grocery stores (if you aren’t shopping alone).
The downside to umbrella storage is that they don’t usually have a lot of storage for diaper bags, snacks, etc.
Umbrella strollers are for infants that can sit up independently all the way up to toddlers that hit the maximum weight for your stroller.
It is important to stay within the guidelines of your stroller to ensure the safety of your baby.
If your child can sit up independently, then they are ready for an umbrella stroller! YAY!
There are some umbrella strollers on the market that can recline, however I still prefer to have my little one sitting up independently before letting them sit in an umbrella stroller.
Here are some of my favorite strollers. I love these strollers for different reasons and I can’t wait to share them with you!
A lightweight stroller makes any outing a little easier. The Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller has a durable aluminum frame that weighs just 13 pounds and has a large seat area, plus anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels.
I love that this stroller is small enough to fit in most airplane overhead bins, closets, and even the smallest cars, weighing 18.1 lbs. Premium, breathable, and quality fabrics selected for durability and luxurious appeal with you and baby in mind.
Even though the Baby Joy is lightweight, it is constructed strongly with heavy-duty Aluminum frame which can be used for a long period time for your baby from little infant to an older one. You can fold it without much effort when you want to store it.
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is travel friendly lightweight design (only 11.8 lbs), perfect for traveling and day trips. The reclining seat offers 5-point safety restraint system and accommodates child up to 50 pounds and 40 inches tall.
Safety 1st Step Lite Compact Stroller provides a padded harness covers and folds quickly. This stroller has a lightweight aluminum frame and a breeze to carry, at only 15 lbs.
The stroller can accommodate holds a child up to 50 lbs.
The revolutionary ultra-compact folding mechanism of the Pocket Air All-Terrain reduces the stroller into a handbag-shaped package in seconds and is airplane hand luggage compliant.
Take to the skies with confidence. The ultra-compact folding mechanism of the Pocket Air All-Terrain is airplane hand luggage compliant, freeing you to travel with your stroller without hassle.
When it comes to an infant stroller, this eye-catching one is definitely for you. You and your baby can go along anywhere you want, may it be in parks, travel, or any outdoor destination. Its blue dragon cartoon design made it look simple, clean, and cuter so it becomes really playful.
This umbrella stroller for toddler is ideal for your child. It has enough space to move around it. When folded, it is really handy, it is strong, and sturdy.
The CoolKids lightweight baby stroller has passed ASTM and CPSC certification. The 5-point harness system effectively protects the baby’s safety, safety wrist strap to prevent it from slipping off. The One touch brake firmly protect the safety of the baby.
The UPPAbaby G-LITE is so lightweight and portable that it will surely become your favorite ‘get around town’ accessory. Juggling kids, the groceries and your car keys? You can pick up the G-LITE with one hand using its convenient carry strap. Suitable from 6 months to 55 lbs.
Weighing in at just 17 lbs., this lightweight baby stroller in playful prints with matching aluminum frame is ideal for everyday errands or as a convenient travel stroller.
The 4-position backrest with easy, one-hand adjustment offers multi-position recline, and the adjustable leg rest provides additional calf support for growing children.
Mesh side panels for ventilation ensure a more comfortable ride.
This small, fully functional stroller is super light, weighing just 15 Lbs. The lightweight design makes traveling easier. The durable aluminum frame extends the life of the stroller. Under the sleeping basket is a large storage basket, which can hold anything from toys, diaper bags, waterbottles, etc.
The stroller folds easily and unrolls in just 3 seconds, with a double lock that automatically locks without falling apart. Great for traveling, on crowded streets or in storage spaces.
With a sleek design, this ultra-lightweight stroller features a compact, self-standing fold (oh, you’ll thank us later), and is compatible with all Century® Carry On Infant Car Seats so you can create a super-lightweight travel system.
A large, adjustable canopy has a visor and a peekaboo (we see you!) window for check-ins with your silly little goose as you explore the great big world. But the thing we’re most proud of?
The Portable Baby Stroller is designed w/ spacious and comfortable seating for your baby. Easy to fit in small spaces of cars, vans or air travel. The stroller will make your baby feel comfortable w/ its leg rest and reclining seat.
Features engineered aluminum frame construction which ensures durability of the stroller w/ maximum weight capacity of 35 lbs. Also features a big storage tray basket under the stroller and a free carry bag for easy storage.
Are you always on the go? The Rocket Plus Lightweight Stroller has you covered because is equipped with an ultra-lightweight frame that offers easy strolling and effortless mobility when on the go.
This stroller includes a canopy and visor to protect your child from the sun, as well as a 5-point harness to keep them safe and comfortable. Not only will baby be comfy, you will experience comfort as well with the soft grip handles, and convenience with the parent organizer and cupholders for easy accessibility to your on-the-go essentials.
I love that his stroller has a fully reclining backrest and adjustable footrest providing a lie flat mode that is perfect for little ones. You will love how ultra-lightweight the stroller is weighing in at under 15 lbs to help you glide through the world, with neat pull along handle just like your luggage!
The Hauck Sport T13 is lightweight and compact weighing only 13 pounds, which is perfect for families on the go.
The backrest is adjustable and the seat is soft-padded seat. The Hauck Sport features a 5-point belt, bumper bar, and canopy with UV protection, giving you peace of mind that your little one rides safely.
The swivel front wheels features precision technology for outstanding control and effortless push/glide. The Delta has locking back brakes, puncture-proof 6-inch tires that are durable and shock absorbing.
I love that this stroller only weighs 14.5 lbs!
The extra large storage basket below is ideal for holding toys, groceries, and diaper bags. The full-size canopy has a pop-out sun visor and provides adequate shade as your little naps.
I love that the seat cover is removable which makes for easy cleaning. The multi-position seat back and full-size seat offer complete comfort for your child.
You will love the easy single-hand switch to the fully reclining position.
Designed for parents who like to on-the-go. Its lean frame folds into a space-saving package that can fit in overhead compartments, under train seats or in car trunks. It has a hassle-free canopy with flip-out sun visor that is perfect for sunny days. Brings your baby a comfortable outdoor experience.
A lightweight stroller makes any outing a little easier! The Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller has a durable aluminum frame that weighs 11 pounds and has a full-sized seat, plus auto-lock, anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels.
Whether you’re traveling or just on the go running everyday errands, having a lightweight, compact stroller is a must! It’s mini, but mighty for long-term use and offers both an everyday and travel stroller option.
I love umbrella strollers, but you may have very valid reasons for looking at alternatives.
Umbrella strollers are nice, and definitely serve a great purpose, but if you are looking for something different, Just Simply Mom has you covered.
There is just something special about having your baby close to you. I love being able to kiss my little one while walking and getting things done.
The Lillebaby carrier provides just that, plus it provides comfort and support for all with two-way straps for front or backpack-style carrying, a large storage pocket, a removable sleeping hood, and extendable torso.
Baby wraps are another great alternative to umbrella strollers. I love baby wraps for newborns up to toddlers!
The Ergo Aura baby wrap is made of a stretchy, breathable fabric that is great for wrapping beginners.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been to the chiropractor countless times for carrying a baby or toddler on my hip. The Tushbaby Hip carrier is a lifesaver!
The ergonomic seat puts your baby’s hips in the pediatric-recommend M position, and reduces painful spine curvature for grown-ups aka fewer trips to the chiropractor!
I love the sit-to-stand stroller! It is one of the best things I’ve ever purchased.
The fact that it accommodates 2 kiddos is great, but I also like that your toddler can have options.
If you’ve ever been somewhere with an independent toddler that didn’t want to sit, and also didn’t want to walk you know what I mean.
If you love the outdoors, you need this hiking carrier. I have used hiking carriers for years and they offer great support and allow for your baby or toddler to be able to experience the world along with you.
Your child will be carried safely in his padded cocoon with safety straps and stirrups. This Baby Hiking Backpack Carrier also has a removable sun visor that shields your little one from the elements.
Piggyback rides are great, well until they aren’t. After a while your toddler gets squirmy, you get tired and it’s all downhill.
The standing piggyback carrier allows you both to be supported safely while being able to walk around. This carrier shifts most of the weight to your shoulders, giving your back a rest.
Having seating options for your toddler is a must, especially if you are often on the go. A glider board is a brilliant solution for transporting two children in your single stroller, with the older sibling simply riding along on the board when needed.
The push tricycle will probably be your toddler’s new favorite mode of transport! The tricycle allows them to pedal and you to push which is so convenient.
I’ve always thought these bike trailers are so neat! The unique folding frame and quick-release wheels pack up neatly for compact storage and transport.
The universal coupler easily attaches to almost any bicycle for added versatility in one-time installation!
Perfect for your next family trip!
Scooters are a great way for kiddos to get around in something other than an umbrella stroller. Using a scooter helps to improve your kiddo’s balance and bodily awareness.
The 3-wheel design provides the perfect balance, so you don’t have to worry about your toddler falling as easily. You will be amazed at how quickly they learn to balance.
Safety first though, always remember a helmet!
This all-terrain stroller wagon with anti-shock wheels and padded seats provides premium comfort to passengers. 3-position adjustable Harnesses to fit 2-7 years old complete with room for your kiddos to stretch out.
The heavy-duty steel frame holds up to 110 lbs (55 lbs per seat). Foot brakes on each wheel to control 360° rotating and linear rolling. The canopy shields sensitive skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
The adjustable push handlebar is designed for parents of varying heights. The telescopic pull handle makes the double wagon stroller adaptable to rugged outdoor terrain.
We all know that Jeeps are made for rugged terrain, and this wagon stroller is no different.
An amazing plus is the detachable cooler bag holds up to 16 cans and is perfect for the lake! Parent organizer with 3 storage compartments and front zipper pocket; 1 parent cup holder; Large front and back storage pockets.
The wagon has 2 adjustable leatherette handlebars so you can push or pull. The swivel front wheels allow for easy turning and all-terrain puncture-proof airless tires make trails a breeze.
This wagon stroller holds up to 110 lbs!
Joovy’s Caboose Too is a versatile double stroller that will let two kids ride the way they choose. This sit-and-stand double stroller gives your kids the option to sit, stand, or ride in the seat, with a rear bench, rear seat, and standing platform.
For ease, the Caboose Too has built-in compatibility with the Universal Car Seat standard, and an easy-tap rear brake, stopping runaways before they start.
For comfort, the Caboose Too features a big sun canopy, so the kids are shielded from harmful UV rays, and a heavy-duty suspension system, so the kids can nap undisturbed, even on the go.
Take your family jogging with the Baby Trend Expedition EX Double Jogger Stroller. Made for two children, this jogging stroller features composite tires and a locking front swivel wheel that allows you to keep the front wheel in place while jogging.
If you’re out for a leisurely stroll, simply unlock the front wheel for greater maneuverability.
For your convenience, the parent tray includes two cup holders and covered compartment storage. For your children’s comfort and safety, the double jogger features a ratcheting canopy, a multi-position reclining seat, and adjustable five-point safety harnesses.
Store your children’s necessities in the large storage basket and you’re ready to roll. At the end of your trip, quickly and easily fold the stroller into a compact unit.
Getting around with two little ones is easier than ever with the MOMPUSH Lithe Double stroller! Lightweight at only 24 lbs with a super compact and easy one-step fold, it’s a perfect twin stroller or ideal for your infant and toddler to share the ride.
Features include reclining seats, adjustable leg rests, and UPF 50+ rated expandable canopies to ensure your children are comfortable on the journey.
I’d love to answer some common questions about what age an umbrella stroller is used for. Here are some of the most common FAQs!
Yes, they can! As long as your 3 or 4-year-old is not over the weight maximum then they are just fine.
Plus, at 3 or 4 kids think that they need to bring toys and stuffed animals with them. When they tire of carrying said toys or stuffed animals, they will have a place to ride. LOL!
Yes, umbrella strollers are good for toddlers! Even if you have the stroller for your little ones when they don’t feel like walking umbrella strollers are always a good idea!
Let’s face it, toddlers can be finicky. They are learning how to make choices and form their independence. When they are tired of being independent, the stroller will be there!
As soon as they start walking, toddlers will want to be on the go walking. Unfortunately, they don’t have much stamina, so it’s nice to have the stroller as a backup.
I would say yes, you need an umbrella stroller, and here’s why:
Convenience: Umbrella strollers are remarkably convenient and something nice to have on hand. Family walks? Get the umbrella stroller! Trip to a theme park? Umbrella stroller. Farmers market? You guessed it, umbrella stroller.
Time of Use: Umbrella strollers can be used for a significant period of your child’s early stages. From the time they can sit up to the time they hit the weight maximum they can use an umbrella stroller. Not to mention, it’s great to use through all of your kiddos.
More Versatile: I find that umbrella strollers are more maneuverable than regular strollers. There are more places that you can use an umbrella stroller than places you cannot.
Most people buy umbrella strollers for convenience and ease. Umbrella strollers are great for travel and maneuvering in tight spaces.
Umbrella strollers are easy to store and don’t take up much room in the home or vehicle. They can also be used for a significant period of time, from about 6 months-5/6 years old (depending on weight)!
For these reasons, umbrella strollers have gained quite a bit of popularity.
Umbrella strollers are age appropriate from around 6 months to 5 or 6 years old depending on your child’s weight and stature!
The gb Pockit stroller mentioned above is actually the world’s smallest stroller! It easily fits in the overhead bin on an airplane!
Overall, purchasing an umbrella stroller is a personal preference. I personally love umbrella strollers and get a great deal of use out of them.
The most important thing is making sure that your little one is safe and comfortable in any way they travel.
So, I’ve got to know… do you like umbrella strollers?
If so, which one is your favorite? If not, what was/is your alternative?
Be sure to let me know in the comments below!
The post What Age is an Umbrella Stroller For? Your Burning Questions Answered appeared first on Just Simply Mom.
]]>A weekender bag is a duffel bag with vibes. It’s also a great way to travel light, especially in the heat of the summer.
By Angela Lashbrook
Updated by Justin Krajeski
Travel has a fair number of stressors to accompany its long list of lessons and benefits, and chief among them is the nightmare of the checked bag. Dragging myself from my tiny economy seat upon landing, only to discover that the airline has somehow lost my roller bag, and now I need to buy a week’s worth of underwear and socks after putting my money through the EU exchange rate ringer, is 100 percent my worst nightmare.
So instead, I’ve committed myself to being a carry-on only traveler, and for the past few years have used a “weekender” as my primary travel bag.
A weekender bag is essentially a cooler duffel bag—you could consider it a duffel with vibes—and it’s the ideal way to travel light, especially during a hot summer. (If you’re a winter traveler, check out the larger bags on this list.) A weekender bag is, preferably, feature-rich and stylish, and falls within airlines’ carry-on size limits. It should have at least two modes for carrying (usually, this means a removable crossbody or shoulder strap and shorter shoulder handles).
We tried 10 weekender bags, from an ultrafashionable Longchamp to a utilitarian Patagonia. Though most of these bags have a lot going for them—and there were none we outright hated—we had a few that we loved so much, we’re planning to take them on our own much-needed vacations. See how we evaluated these weekender bags below.
We evaluated these duffel bag-types from a variety of angles.
Does it fit within airline carry-on size limits? Though a weekender bag may be often deployed on weekend trips powered by cars, a good weekender bag should play double duty as a carry-on—which means it needs to fit within airlines’ particular sizing metrics. Though maximum carry-on dimensions vary from airline to airline, generally speaking, most airlines require that carry-on bags are no larger than 9x14x22 inches, or a total of 45 inches added up. Weekender bags are soft-sided, so they can be squished to fit airline dimensions—assuming they’re not completely full. To play it safe, our top picks stay within this range, and if one doesn’t, we make a point of calling that out.
Does it seem well-made and durable? Luggage gets a lot of wear and tear. A good weekender bag should have quality construction, with heavy-duty hardware and straight and flawless stitching. It should be made from a fabric that is resistant to tearing, and it should be able to withstand some moisture, in case you get caught in the rain or have a spill inside the bag. “At the high end, leather is the best choice,” says Ellen Lynch, a professor of accessories design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “It is soft, supple, and conforms well to the items on the inside. Canvas and ripstop nylon are both really good materials, both durable and easy to handle.” Cotton is less supportive and will not wear well, she says.
“The zipper is critical too and is often the thing that breaks first,” says Susan Sokolowski, a professor of product design at the University of Oregon.
Plastic zippers are durable and flexible, so they can stretch and rebound with a stretchy or overstuffed bag. When a plastic zipper tooth breaks, however, the zipper usually needs to be completely replaced. Metal zippers are less flexible but also easier to fix in a pinch by threading through the broken tooth to shorten the zipper.
Is it comfortable to hold and carry? In addition to handles, weekender bags should also be designed to hang from the shoulder or across the chest, so you can move quickly and comfortably across a sprawling airport terminal, and also sling it quickly over your shoulder for shorter distances, like running the bag out to your car or a taxi. Straps should not dig uncomfortably into the shoulders, nor should carrying the bag cause back pain (unless you plan to be carrying bricks or potatoes, in which I advise you to invest in some adjustable dumbbells in advance). It should not press uncomfortably into the back or hips, and you should be able to lift it into an airplane carry-on luggage compartment (or another tall shelf) without it flopping all over the place, which can happen with longer duffels with soft bottoms.
Does it have good organizational features? Packing cubes are great, but ideally, a good weekender bag should make packing and organizing your stuff easy without them. “Nothing is superfluous” when it comes to pockets, says Lynch. Look for “places to put your phone and other things that you need right away on the outside of the bag. An inside pocket for either your laptop or other items and enough room to store your clothing and toiletries without fear of any spillage.” Our favorite weekender bags have several clever, useful pockets for stashing shoes, a smartphone, a water bottle, dirty laundry, and so on.
Does it have a good warranty, return policy, or repair policy? When you’re spending $150-plus on a bag, it should last for years—and if it doesn’t, the company that made it should do something about that. A high-quality bag should come with some kind of promise that if the bag craps out on you after six months of ownership, the company should step in and either replace or repair the bag.
I carefully inspected each bag to ensure it had no manufacturing flaws or concerns, such as crooked stitches, sticky zippers, or flimsy hardware. Most important, I packed each bag with a long weekend’s worth of stuff (check out my packing list below) and carried it fully packed around my large Brooklyn block to ensure comfort during slightly longer treks. I lifted each up onto a tall shelf to see if the bag kept its shape—and thus is easier to heft into an airplane luggage compartment or a hotel closet shelf. I also had my husband, who’s almost a foot taller than me, carry and wear each bag as well, in case the bag was more or less comfortable for a short person (me) than a tall one (him). And I measured each bag, to double-check that company measurements were accurate.
My packing list consisted of what I would typically take on a long weekend trip in the spring or summer. That means I packed a swimsuit, sunscreen, and sandals, but left behind the heavy wool sweaters and long underwear. Summer packing lists tend to be on the lighter side; if you’re a big winter traveler, you might want to steer clear of some of the smaller bags on our list.
Behold, my packing list:
• 1 pair of sandals
• 4 pairs of socks
• 5 pairs of underwear
• 2 sets of pajamas
• 2 pairs of shorts/leggings
• 3 T-shirts
• 1 swimsuit
• 2 toiletry bags (one makeup, one skincare)
• 1 light jacket
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 water bottle
• 1 book
• a Kindle e-book reader (if I can fit it)
• 1 passport
All our recommended weekender bags come with their own highlights and disadvantages; when choosing the right bag for you, it’s important to look at each bag’s pros and cons and decide accordingly. I’m very small (that’s me at the top), so the No. 1 most important feature of any bag is that its crossbody strap is super-adjustable so I can shorten it to the point where I can comfortably carry it without it banging uncomfortably against me when I walk. If you’re a more average size, you might be focused on whether the bag has a pass-through, so it can sit securely on the telescoping handle of a piece of luggage, or that it’s super-durable, so it can be thrown around for years (or decades) without too much wear and tear.
Because weekenders usually lack wheels, they’re often packable, while wheeled luggage—even soft-sided luggage—is not. Weekender bags have a more casual, transitional look than wheeled luggage or travel backpacks, so many weekenders (especially the smaller, “overnight” styles) look as at home on a commute to work as they do on the shoulder of someone waiting in the TSA checkpoint. They can also be carried via handles or across the body, and sometimes over a shoulder or as a backpack.
To that end, we’ve categorized our favorites according to their strengths—with one that (pretty much) has it all.
Editor’s Pick: MZ Wallace Travel Jim
The MZ Wallace Travel Jim isn’t fancy, but it is perfectly sized for a long weekend—and it’s still lightweight.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $295
Where to buy: MZ Wallace, Neiman Marcus
Size: 19x12x8 inches*
Primary material: Recycled nylon
There’s nothing fancy about this bag. It has no unusual or surprising features (such as a shoe compartment or an expandable size); it doesn’t come in trendy vivid colors, it doesn’t have a designer legacy. But it is a great weekender bag. Perfectly sized for a long weekend yet still lightweight, it has exceedingly comfortable, padded handles, a highly adjustable removable crossbody strap (with much gratitude from yours truly, a shorty who often finds that bag straps are far too long) with leather trim secured to sturdy metal hardware, and a big, supersmooth plastic zipper that didn’t catch. When I packed this bag, there was a small amount of room to spare—enough for me to buy a couple of T-shirts, perhaps, or a last-minute book purchase at the airport. Its interior and exterior pockets are thoughtfully designed, with a detachable interior nylon pouch (perfect for sneakers or sandals); a large padded back pocket for a book, a Kindle, or a tablet; and a zippered pass-through that can double as a pocket when not in use. A taller external pocket is ideal for a water bottle, and it has one of my personal favorite features that, in my opinion, every bag should have: a key leash (How distressing is it to get home after an exhausting flight or drive, only to spend 5 minutes digging around in your bag for your keys?).
The bag is made from water-resistant, stain-resistant recycled nylon, and in case of a spill, the company provides detailed instructions for cleaning. The Travel Jim is somewhat compressible: It folds down well horizontally with no wrinkling, but its structured bottom is not bendable. It comes with a dustbag, which is recommended when not in use to preserve color and keep it, well, dust-free. With some stipulations, MZ Wallace will repair items.
It has two flaws, which are really not that much flaws as much as they are preferences: It’s pricey, and its satiny quilted exterior might not appeal to all tastes.
The Best Bag for Frequent Travelers: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L
The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L is constructed from water- and abrasion-resistant polyester, but it’s still light and comfortable.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $129
Where to buy: Patagonia, REI
Size: 19x9x10 inches
Primary material: Recycled polyester ripstop
For those who plan to spend a lot of their vacation on their feet, traipsing through the literal jungle or an urban one in the mud and rain with their belongings on their back, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is the bag for you. (The Mini version was our No. 1 pick in our travel backpack evaluations.) Constructed from water- and abrasion-resistant recycled polyester that looks hard-core enough to stop any sharp edges short of a tiger’s claws, this duffel is light, packable, and comfortable.
Unlike other bags we evaluated, this duffel converts into a backpack rather than a crossbody, with adjustable, padded backpack straps that make the bag comfortable to carry and easier to carry long distances. When packed, I had some room left over for anything I might pick up while on my trip. However, it has only a couple of pockets—a mesh sleeve in the opening flap and a compartment, suitable for dirty laundry or perhaps a wallet, passport, and phone, that is accessible from both the inside and outside of the bag. This same pocket can be used to (very) tightly compress the bag for storage.
You also need to pack this bag mindfully. If you plan to wear this bag as a backpack, the contents will shift down, so keep this in mind if you’re carrying anything that wrinkles easily. And in its backpack form, the zipper faces out, which makes it easier for pickpockets to unzip the bag and remove the contents while you’re wearing it.
On the off chance that you are attacked by an animal that tears through the hardy bag’s material, Patagonia will repair almost anything. If you’d prefer to fix the bag yourself, Patagonia can send you a patch kit.
The Work-to-Play Bag: Away The Everywhere Bag
The Away Everywhere Bag is smaller than some of the other bags here, but it has an old-school glam vibe and was comfortable to carry.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $245
Where to buy: Away
Size: 16x10x6 inches
Primary material: Leather
Away’s cotton candy pink leather weekender bag has a glamorous vintage vibe—with old-school, durable quality to match. This smaller, “overnight” style duffel is well-organized and comfortable to carry, with a padded crossbody strap, an interior laptop sleeve, a key leash, and a zippered pocket, perfect for a passport or a tablet, atop a pass-through. It also features a zippered pocket along the bottom of the bag specifically for umbrellas. This duffel, being on the littler side, could do double duty as a large work bag or even a diaper bag. Its charming design would look equally appropriate with either a suit or jeans, so if you’re hopping on a weekend trip after a morning at the office, or need to run directly from a flight to a dinner meeting, this bag is the ideal companion.
Because this bag is made from water-resistant leather, it will take a beating beautifully (though I would argue that waxed canvas—see the L.L.Bean weekender bag we also reviewed, below—similarly looks good when it’s a bit travel-worn). The adjustable crossbody strap is adjustable enough that yours truly wore the bag comfortably nestled into the small of my back.
I was just able to fit my long weekend’s packing list, though, and I had to leave out my rain jacket and water bottle. For this reason, the Away The Everywhere Bag is a better fit for true weekend trips or light packers.
Away has a limited one-year warranty.
The Most Clever Design: Béis The Weekender
The Béis weekender bag is made from a thick, sturdy cotton canvas and has thoughtful pockets and a large padded sleeve for your laptop.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $98
Where to buy: Béis, Nordstrom, Revolve
Size: 19x9x15 inches
Primary material: Cotton canvas (beige and gray) or polyester (black)
The Béis weekender bag, from the brand co-founded by Shay Mitchell, is a thoughtfully designed, affordable pick that, while not 100 percent flawless, has a lot going for it. The gray colorway we purchased is made from a thick, sturdy cotton canvas, with a large bottom shoe compartment made with a smooth faux leather that comfortably fits four pairs of my size 6 shoes. It doesn’t have the most pockets of all the bags we tried, but the pockets it does have are thoughtful and practical. Inside, a large padded sleeve makes a safe spot for a laptop. Opposite the laptop sleeve, there is one large zipped pocket, where I fit my two toiletry bags, and two smaller pockets, perfect for a small tablet like an iPad mini. Its most clever design feature is the structured frame opening, which stays wide open without assistance while you pack. When I finished packing, I had a bit of space left—room for a couple of T-shirts, maybe, and another pair of shoes in the shoe compartment.
The rolled, faux-leather handles are long and can fit over the shoulders, if desired. It has a lightweight, highly adjustable removable crossbody strap that I was able to shorten to my desired size. Because the shoe compartment is wide, as well as structured and firm, it makes the bag rather unwieldy if you’re going to be sprinting across an airport terminal.
The bag features a zippered pass-through, allowing you to slide the bag onto your rolling suitcase handle or zip it closed and use it as a pocket.
While it’s well-designed, there are a few noteworthy issues that keep the bag from being our No. 1 pick. Likely because of the structured shoe compartment, the bag is a little heavy. When it’s totally full, it has a slightly schlubby look, with the top of the bag sinking into and spilling out like a muffin top over the shoe compartment. This is a small price to pay for the shoe compartment, in my opinion, but it’s worth noting if you want your packed-to-the-brim bag to have a sleeker look and are willing to forgo the big space for your shoes.
Béis does not have a warranty for weekender bags. It has a 90-day return policy.
The Best Basic Weekender: The L.L.Bean Waxed Canvas Duffle
The L.L.Bean bag lives up to the L.L.Bean credo: Minimal but hardy and rugged still.
Photo: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $159
Where to buy: L.L.Bean
Size: 21x10x10 inches
Primary material: Waxed cotton canvas
My husband likes this bag the best. “That’s nice,” he offered, when I put it on for the first time. Indeed, this weekender bag is in the true L.L.Bean tradition: It has minimal features but hardy materials and a rugged look, and would be right at home thrown in the back of a Jeep en route from a camping trip. It’s the largest weekender bag we tried (with the exception of the Longchamp, which is expandable), so it’s a good option for slightly longer trips or cooler-weather travel. When I packed for my long weekend, my warm-weather clothes fit with plenty of room to spare.
The bag has only a handful of pockets: one on each exterior side of the bag, for a phone, a tablet, or a paperback (a water bottle will fit, though because the pocket is short and spans the width of the bag, half the water bottle will be exposed and may tilt awkwardly in one direction), and an interior zipped pocket for a wallet or passport. It has handles that are long enough to be worn on the shoulder, should that be your preference, as well as a thick, heavy-duty removable crossbody strap. The bag itself was a bit long for me to carry it comfortably—I’m not very tall and the bag bends in the middle because of the lack of space between my shoulder and waist. My husband, who’s almost a foot taller than I am, found it comfy slung across his chest, with the bag stretched across his lower back in a more normal fashion.
In the process of evaluating and photographing this bag, I threw it around some, kicking it out of the way when I had to take photos of another bag and, at one point, tossing it to the floor to make room on the bed for my dog. It bore all this without complaint; the resulting scuffs and scratches on the waxed canvas look like they belong there. L.L.Bean doesn’t give much information on how to clean their bag, so I asked Richard Handel, a test project leader at Consumer Reports, about the best way to keep this bag from becoming disgusting or tired-looking. “The wax treatment should reduce the occurrence of staining, but also adds to the character of the fabric,” he says. Dirt can be brushed away with a soft-bristled brush, and if that doesn’t work, spot clean with cold water. If necessary, step it up with a mild, non-detergent soap.
L.L.Bean has a very generous warranty and return policy. It will accept returns for a refund for almost any reason within a year. After a year, it will accept returns for items that are defective due to materials or craftsmanship.
The Weather Wonder: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall
The Dagne Dover Landon Carryall is a great weekender bag, made from neoprene—especially if you plan on running around in the rain.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $230
Where to buy: Dagne Dover, Nordstrom
Size: 18x12x10 inches
Primary material: Neoprene
This roomy weekender bag is made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber that has historically been used in wetsuits. This means that the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall (we evaluated the XL version) makes for an excellent pick if you’re, for whatever reason, running around with your luggage in the rain. I spilled a glass of water on it while writing this article, and I can say with authority that this bag is, indeed, water-resistant; most of the water slid right off the bag and directly onto my floors, while a small amount darkened the fabric for about 15 minutes before fading. It did not soak through.
Inside, it has six large mesh pockets, a smaller zippered pocket, and two removable sleeves: a nylon pocket that I used for my sandals and a mesh pocket for my Kindle. One of these mesh pockets, zippered, is a good spot for dirty laundry, while the others, which have hook-and-loop closures, would fit a tablet each, should you happen to have lots of those. Books would also work here. The bag’s opening is expandable: When you’re packing it, you can unsnap the zipper from where it connects near the bottom of the bag, and pin it back down when you’re in transit. The interior compartment left me plenty of space after I packed it for a few extra items, such as a sweatshirt or baseball cap. It was comfortable to carry crossbody, and the handles have a rubber snap to hold them together.
Neoprene creases and pills, though, so this bag requires special care to keep it in tip-top shape. I had piled this bag on a shelf among a few others, and when I retrieved it after a week, it had wrinkled. The company says that a fabric steamer will easily remove the creases, though after a few days, the wrinkles on my bag disappeared (an enviable occurrence, frankly). A fabric shaver will take care of the pills, according to Dagne Dover.
Dagne Dover has a limited 1-year warranty.
The Best Bag For Teens and Tweens: Herschel Novel Duffle
The Herschel Novel Duffle Mid Volume comes in lots of fun colorways, like the light blue one that I tested.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $89.99
Where to buy: Amazon, Herschel
Size: 19.5x10.5x11 inches
Primary material: Polyester
If you’re traveling with older kids and teens, the Novel Duffle Mid Volume is the bag for them. It comes in lots of fun colorways, including neon yellow, a bright peachy pink, and tie-dye (!!) that kids will love. It’s also light and affordable, and it has an overall youthful look. It features faux-leather handles and a padded crossbody strap, and both my husband and I found it comfortable to carry crossbody.
It isn’t quite as high-quality as the other weekender bags we tried, though. While almost every other bag we tried came with metal clasps that connect the crossbody strap to the body of the bag, the Herschel has lightweight plastic connectors that feel flimsy. The zipper is thin and slow, requiring some effort to open. It has a sleeve for shoes that opens from the outside of the bag and protrudes in, which is helpful provided that you remember to pack your shoes before everything else. (I made this mistake and had to unpack the bag, place my sandals in the sleeve, and return my clothes to the main compartment.)
The polyester fabric is thin but water-resistant, so it’s great for someone with the habit of not screwing the water bottle top on tightly enough when traveling. For a child with a love of fun colors and few concerns about the longevity and durability of their stuff, this is a good option. Herschel also has a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects, which may alleviate some worries about quality.
Half-Baked Luxury: Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag Expandable
The Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag is expandable, making it a great choice if you’re a voracious shopper who might add to your bag while vacationing.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $255
Where to buy: Bloomingdale’s, Longchamp
Size: 20x13x9 inches
Primary material: Recycled polyamide canvas
I had long been curious about the famous Le Pliage, Longchamp’s iconic style of bag that can be seen on the arms of fashionable people the world over. The collection comes in many sizes, as a coin purse to a wheeled suitcase. And though I can’t speak for the many other sizes of this style, a weekender bag might not be the ideal iteration: Its large size and lack of organizing compartments make this duffel somewhat like a travel-sized grocery bag.
The Le Pliage Travel Bag is expandable: To make it bigger, you unzip the zipper that runs around the width of the bag and unfold the fabric that’s bunched inside. Its smaller, zipped-up size conforms to airline carry-on dimensions, and it’s still fairly roomy, fitting my long weekend’s worth of clothes with room to spare. Its zipper is of average quality, not as slow and laborious as the Herschel but nevertheless a bit of a drag to use. It uses a nice-looking, shiny Longchamp logo for the pull, which adds a touch of glamor to an otherwise typical closure. It’s made from thick, recycled polyamide canvas, which is water-, stain-, and wrinkle-resistant.
The top handle is made from thick, sturdy-looking rolled leather, but the handle is short and will not fit easily over most adult shoulders. The woven crossbody strap is adjustable but long; I wasn’t able to get it short enough, and carrying it so low gave me temporary shoulder and back pain. Unlike other bags, whose straps can be fixed at the cobbler, Longchamp’s woven strap is not something you’d be able to easily fix. Longchamp does sell additional straps.
To its credit, this bag is expandable, so if you take it on a short weekend trip and end up going on a shopping spree, there will be some additional space for your new additions (though its expandable form is larger than airline carry-on dimensions and, thus, is too large to be carried onto a flight). When folded and zipped into its smaller format, the bag buckles inward, creating large, awkward folds of fabric on each corner of the bag that makes packing the bag neatly more difficult. There are only two tiny pockets, each sewn into the top seam; when anything semi-substantial (i.e., heavier than a credit card) is placed in them, the walls of the bag crater inward, and must be held up while packing. Clothes and other items may end up in a confused jumble because of this bag’s almost complete lack of organization features. Longchamp will repair damaged bags.
The Longchamp has a luxurious look, is expandable and foldable, and is made from durable materials. But its lazy approach to internal structure makes us unable to recommend it for serious weekend travelers.
The Budget Bag: Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender
This bag from Everlane is a pain when it comes to delivery—it took us two months—but it’s basic and budget-friendly.
Photos: Angela Lashbrook/Consumer Reports
Price paid: $85
Where to buy: Everlane
Size: 20x11x9 inches
Primary material: Recycled polyester
We had a hell of a time getting this bag. We had to place two orders, because the company inexplicably canceled the first, and check in after a lengthy delay on the second. Customer service explained that warehouse restocking issues held up our delivery. Overall, it took almost two months for us to receive this bag. No other product that we ordered had such significant delivery issues.
The bag itself is basic and budget-friendly. It’s made from rough, water-resistant recycled polyester and has an adjustable padded crossbody strap and handles that are long enough to be worn over most shoulders. It has two external pockets: a zippered back pocket large enough for a tablet or paperback and an unzipped front pocket in a similar size. Inside it has a thinly padded laptop sleeve, a zippered pocket, and two water bottle pockets. Interior water bottle pockets are somewhat odd—they’re usually external, which makes sense because water bottles can occasionally be damp or spill—but it’s better than nothing.
The Everlane bag is a decent option for those looking for a basic, affordable weekender. Though it offers few features, it packs up easily and is great for thirsty folks who drink a lot of beverages. It’s around the same price as the Béis, and though it has fewer clever details than the Béis, it’s also easier to carry if you plan to be moving fast. Be sure to plan ahead when purchasing, though—who knows when you’ll actually end up getting it?
*All measurements are Consumer Reports’ measurements, taken to check company claims.
This product evaluation is part of Consumer Reports’ Outside the Labs reviews program, which is separate from our laboratory testing and ratings. Our Outside the Labs reviews are performed at home and in other native settings by individuals, including our journalists, with specialized subject matter experience or familiarity and are designed to offer another important perspective for consumers as they shop. While the products or services mentioned in this article might not currently be in CR’s ratings, they could eventually be tested in our laboratories and rated according to an objective, scientific protocol.
Like all CR evaluations of products and services, our Outside the Labs reviews are independent and free from advertising. If you’d like to learn more about the criteria for our lab testing, please go to CR’s Research & Testing page.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
]]>There are plenty of ways to use old clothespins — I keep a big bag of clothespins in my laundry room, and not just for hanging laundry to dry! They’re inexpensive, can be used all over the house, and are great to have on hand for crafts and DIYs.
One of my favorite things to do with clothespins is use them to display photos, cards, and announcements I receive in the mail. They always come in handy at Christmastime when I want to display photo cards I’ve received from family and friends!
So in honor of my very handy collection of clothespins, today’s post is all about exploring the many ways you can use them around the house. These 13 clothespin uses may just be enticing enough to make you go out and buy a few, if you don’t already have some on hand!
If you find that your ties, scarves, belts, and other accessories tend to slip off the hangers you store them on, a few clothespins can help. Pin each item over the bottom edge of the hanger to keep them in place, and they’ll have a much harder time slipping off in the future.
Related: 10 Surprising Things You Can Do With Spare Hangers
Keep a few clothespins wherever you put your incoming mail, and label them with a few categories of documents and paperwork you commonly need to keep track of (like bills, coupons, homework, tax documents, etc.)
When you bring in new mail, sort it right away into your piles and clip them together with the corresponding clothespin. That way, your mail will be pre-sorted when you’e finally ready to sit down and deal with it.
Related: How To Organize Paperwork: The One Simple System I Live By
The best way to store the rubber gloves you use for dishes or cleaning is to hang them with the fingers pointing down, so that if they’re wet, the moisture can drip down instead of getting trapped and causing mildew issues. Create a place to hang your gloves by glueing a clothespin to the inside of a cupboard door.
Related: These Innovative Gloves Are The Best Cleaning Tool I’ve Bought All Year
If you’re using a match to light a candle in a jar, light the match then clip a clothespin to the end of it. The clothespin will help you light the candle without burning your fingertips in the process.
Related: DIY Floral Candle – The Perfect Handmade Gift Idea!
If you’re like me and your hand-eye coordination isn’t exactly your strongest suit, a clothespin can come in handy when you have to put a nail in a wall. Use a clothespin to hold the nail against the wall, which will keep your fingers out of the way and prevent a painful hammering accident!
If you’re about to do some messy work in the kitchen and don’t have an apron nearby, use clothespins to clip a kitchen towel to your pants for an instant temporary “apron.” You can also use clothespins to attach a napkin to kids’ shirts when you don’t have a bib handy.
Related: How To Make A Cute And Easy Apron Out Of A Dish Towel
Keep charging cords and cables tidy by wrapping them up and securing them with a clothespin. You can even write the type of cord on the clothespin so it’ll be easier to identify later.
Related: 7 Easy Ways To Hide Ugly Cords And Cables
If you have some extra thread or yarn you want to keep for another project, wrap it around a clothespin to prevent it from becoming hopelessly tangled by the time you’re ready to use it. This can also help keep wired headphones from tangling up in your bag or desk drawer.
Some cookbooks have stubborn pages that like to fall to one side or the other, making it impossible to keep the right page open while you’re cooking. Luckily, I wised up and started using a clothespin to clip the troublesome pages to their neighbors — it’s a quick and easy way to prevent cookbook pages from flipping and flopping around on you!
Related: These Are 7 Of The Best Ways To Organize Your Recipes
On game days or other snack-y occasions, bags of chips rarely last long at the Nystul house. When I’m sure the remainder of a snack is going to get consumed in the next day or two, I don’t bother with more secure methods of keeping the snacks fresh—I just clip the bag closed with a clothespin.
Related: The Best Way Close Chip Bags Without Clips
If you’re cooking something in a pot with the lid on it but need to give the steam some way to escape, place a clothespin between the lid and the pot. The pin will keep the lid propped open just enough to vent the steam without allowing all the steam to escape.
Bring a couple clothespins along when traveling. They really come in handy for clipping drapes closed when they don’t quite overlap enough to keep your hotel room as dark as you’d like.
Related: 9 Brilliant Hotel Hacks That Will Make Your Stay Better
Do your grocery shopping lists tend to get lost in the depths of your bag while you’re at the store? Use a clothespin to clip your shopping list to the inside of your purse so it’s always at your fingertips.
Do you have any other clothespin ideas you’d add to this list?
]]>This yearly recognition of the parent that birthed us is a great time to get in touch and let them know how much you care for them. But don’t just leave it at your mom; you can also use the day to remind the mother of your own child or your significant other why they are so special to you.
But as guys, sometimes we struggle with words, so why not show how much these special women in our lives mean by buying them a gift? Whether she’s into beauty, fashion, cooking, or gardening, there’s a gift for every woman in your life, no matter their age or interests. These gift ideas are sure to bring a smile to her daily and put you in the good books. To help you choose something she’ll love, here are our picks for the best Mother’s Day gifts this year and not a gift card insight.
Best Buy
Ben Bridge has been a leader in crafting and selling luxurious jewelry for over 100 years. With 30 retail stores across America and a high-traffic website, Ben Bridge has a commitment to producing quality jewelry for all and any occasion. They have a huge selection of fantastic Mother’s Day gifts on offer. The pick of the bunch is this Ikuma Canadian Diamond Radiant Medallion Necklace in Sterling Silver.
This unique pendant is made from sterling silver and has a sparkling diamond at its center. The gemstone has a round cut, helping enhance the diamond’s sparkle and color. The Ikuma diamonds used in this pendant are exclusive to Ben Bridge. The word Ikuma comes from the Inuit word for fire, with the name referencing how these eye-catching diamonds are formed in the high temperatures and pressures of the Earth’s mantle. Each diamond also has a unique identifying tracking number so you can find out where the diamond came from and view its Certificate of origin.
Ben Bridge also offers personalized engravings so you can add a special message to show how much you love your mom. When it comes to a thoughtful gift, it doesn’t get any more personal.
Whether your mom is a connoisseur or a novice wine drinker, FirstLeaf is the ideal gift if she loves a glass of the good stuff. America’s #1 awarded wine subscription service delivers first-class wines to your door from a selection of over 10,000 bottles from leading and independent winemakers across the globe.
What makes FirstLeaf stand out is the wines they pick are based on your preferences. When you sign up you are given a questionnaire to complete to help the team make sure you are getting the wines you like. Your mom isn’t a fan of white wine? Prefer something with a sweeter taste? FirsLeaf will take all her answers into consideration and make sure the bottles selected match her criteria.
She’ll receive six unique wines just days after signing up, saving up to 60% off retail prices. Each wine comes with a tasting and pairing card and she’ll also get FirstLeaf’s monthly newsletter. Once she’s had a taste, get her to jump on the app and rate the bottles she’s drunk. FirstLeaf will use this information to further tweak her palette profile. Your mom can choose to have wines delivered every one, two, or three months. And if your mom happens to receive a bottle she doesn’t fancy, they offer Firstleaf credit for 100% of the price of the bottle.
It’s easy to see why FirstLeaf is a favorite with American wine drinkers and is a gift your mom will no doubt enjoy. Wine glasses are not included.
When it comes to premium jewelry look no further than James Allen. This well-respected company is the fastest-growing online retailer of engagement rings and diamond jewelry. What sets JamesAllen.com apart from the competition is the options they offer when it comes to choosing your piece of jewelry. Take for example the company’s Diamond Peony Stud Earrings, which make a great Mother’s Day gift. You can customize the earrings to suit your budget and preferences, which is ideal in the current climate.
James Allen allows you to pick from earth-created or lab-created diamonds (save up to 30% by choosing lab-created diamonds), the color and clarity, carat size, and prong style. We are big fans of the 14K White Gold Lab-Created Diamond Peony Stud Earrings that will surely bring a smile to your mother’s face.
While you probably don’t want to gift your mother an engagement ring, the selection of rings on offer and the available customizable options mean when you do decide to propose to your lady, James Allen is the place to get your ring.
Not only does James Allen provide excellent customer service, but they also offer a complimentary lifetime service and a 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days. You can’t ask for more than that.
Danish designer Jakob Wagner has only been in the watch game since 2017 but made an immediate impact with Nordgreen. The watch company delivers luxurious handmade timepieces that are not only elegant but environmentally friendly.
The Philosopher is one of Nordgreen’s most stylish creations yet. Enclosed within the stainless steel case is a Japanese quartz movement that comes with a fashionable mesh strap. This attractive wristwatch comes in a variety of colors (silver, rose gold, gunmetal, and gold) with a crisp, clean dial that radiates opulence.
Every woman needs a fashionable and reliable handbag. The Leather Tote Handbag from Longaberger ticks all the right boxes. This nifty handcrafted accessory features Longaberger’s trademark basket weave with a cotton lining.
This practical tote comes with a back zipper pocket, front slip pockets, and an extended dog leash for key attachment. Made from 100% drum-dyed and naturally tumbled leather, this lightweight bag also comes with a removable shoulder strap, allowing your mom a variety of ways to carry the bag.
This is a stylish bag with enough room to fit an iPad, notebooks, phone charger, purse, cosmetics, and any other daily necessities. It is also available in five different colors: red, blue, teal, black, and our favorite, whiskey. So whether your mom needs a bag for the gym, office, or when out shopping, the Longaberger Leather Tote Handbag provides everything she needs.
If your mom or partner has a Macbook, there’s no better way to keep it safe than with this carry case from Harber London. Constructed using a single piece of leather, this premium product not only has room for her Macbook but also comes with two convenient pockets where she can store everything from charging cords and papers to stationary and magazines.
Available in several sizes accommodating all versions of Apple Macbooks, this minimally impressive sleeve is handcrafted in Spain using full-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide leather and is a great way to keep her Mac safe and secure.
Best Buy
What woman doesn’t love jewelry? If you’re out to impress you can’t go wrong with one of these Diamond Eternity Flex Bangles from Siroo. The established business is run by third-generation diamond experts and brothers Avi, Girish, and Nitin, who combine their love of jewelry with expert knowledge to deliver stunning pieces.
This beautiful bangle uses a one-of-a-kind flexible mounting that allows it to sit comfortably on any wrist size. It contains a whopping 93 natural round brilliant cut diamonds (1.5ct) set in the 14kt bangle that comes in yellow, white, or rose gold. It’s a stunning bangle designed to look similar to an eternity ring and even comes with a lifetime warranty.
If 1.5ct isn’t enough, you can really up your game and splash out on a 2ct, 3ct, or 5ct bangle. This is an incredibly elegant piece of jewelry sure to score you big brownie points this Mother’s Day.
If your mom is a bit of a green thumb then she’ll love this pruner and sheath set. The vintage-style Japanese design offers an aesthetically pleasing look that’s also functional for attacking all types of vegetation.
Made from highly durable steel that’s water and rust-resistant with stylish copper accents, these pruners have spring-loaded and dexterous handles and are ideal for indoor or outdoor gardening.
There’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep, something guaranteed with the Baloo Satin Sleep Mask with Rose Quartz Stone. This snug sleep mask not only blocks out any nearby light but also muffles sound.
The sleep mask has a built-in pocket that holds a rose quartz stone over the third eye chakra, a point known to help with sleep regulation and stress release.
Saint Laurent is known for its luxurious accessories, and these sunglasses fit the bill perfectly. The sleek cat-eye frames are fitted with dark-green lenses and come in fashionable tortoiseshell acetate. Offering 100% UV protection and a smart carry case, these stylish sunnies match any outfit.
One of Caraa’s best-selling products, this cleverly designed bag acts as both a satchel and a backpack thanks to its changing crossbody straps. Coming in three sizes and two colors (black with either gold or gunmetal accents), the Cararr Studio Bag is waterproof and lined with antimicrobial, meaning you won’t have to worry about moisture gathering inside the bag or any nasty smells.
This clean, crisp fragrance from Le Labo needs no introduction. Widely admired by women around the world and highly praised by perfume experts, Santal 33 is inspired by the American West.
Although marketed as a unisex fragrance, this perfume evokes sensual images thanks to the concoction of cardamom, iris, violet, and ambrox, along with Australian sandalwood, papyrus, and cedarwood, creating a spicy, musky smell that’s hard to shake.
When it comes to luxurious footwear it doesn’t get much better than these kicks from Common Projects. Made from Italian leather and known for its clean-cut look, the Achilles Sneaker is a shoe your mother (or partner) can wear with any outfit.
The gold foil-stamped factory code adds prestige to this high-quality sneaker. Available in white or grey, these minimalist sneakers are great for the woman on the go.
What woman doesn’t love flowers? With the Mixed Flower Subscription from BloomsyBox, you’ll be able to treat your mum or grandma to a fresh bouquet every month. These fresh flowers are handpicked from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms from around the world and come with a care card and flower food to keep the flowers alive as long as possible.
So you’ve heard of bath bombs, but how about shower steamers? Simply place one of these niffty creations in the corner of your shower and breath in the relaxing odors they produce. Made from pure essential oils and natural identical fragrances, these Shower Steamers from Cleverly are also non-slip, safe for septic systems, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Coming in a great variety pack that contains the scents of lavender, menthol and eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit, and peppermint, your mum or partner will never want to leave the shower.
We know Dyson products are super expensive, but there’s a reason for that. They are, to put it simply, unbeatable when it comes to home appliances. The Supersonic Hair Dryer is the top-of-the-line hair dryer engineered to not only dry hair fast, but protect it from heat damage.
It comes with a range of attachments to suit different hair types, is lightweight and compact, and has a nine-foot cord so you’ll never have to worry about being confined to the bathroom. So fork out your hard-earned and treat that special lady in your life to something she’ll use on a regular basis.
If your mom isn’t much of a green thumb then this Terrarium Candle is just what she needs. These hand-poured vanilla-scented cactus and jasmine-scented poppy candles are intricately detailed and are great for plant lovers who don’t have the time to look after actual plants. In short, it’s a scented candle in the shape of a plant. With 30-35 hours of burn time, these cute candles from Uncommon Goods are a great addition to the mantlepiece.
Apple might dominate the Earbuds market, but Samsung is doing its best to take a slice of the pie with their Galaxy Buds+ True Wireless Earbud Headphones.
These compact earbuds deliver crisp sound and deep bass thanks to premium AKG technology. These earbuds deliver 22 hours of listening time, is splash resistant, and are compatible with virtual assistants like Bixby or Alex. Your mom can also hook up her Spotify account to these high-quality earbuds.
Reasonably priced, these earbuds come with a charging case, USB-C cable, three pairs of ear tips, and three pairs of wingtips, this speaker set has everything needed for a superior sound experience.
The latest trend for foodies is the all-conquering air fryer. These wondrous inventions use AirCrisp technology (instead of oil) to fry food, making it healthier and tastier.
Dash’s take on the air fryer is a fun little number available in a range of modern colors that not only looks good but cooks a wide range of foods in a quick time.
This yoga mat from Lululemon is made from natural rubber and is ideal for any type of environment, be it hot yoga in a studio or at home in the lounge.
The grippy top layer and antimicrobial treated rubber mean your mom will never have to worry about slipping while performing the Lotus Pose. It also comes in a range of funky colors to help her stand out from the usual lycra-wearing crowd.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s beauty and wellness empire has its critics, but there’s no denying the actor and entrepreneur has some great products on the market. Case in point this fantastic G.Tox 7-Day Reset Kit.
The box includes 7 Servings of Reset Cereal Blend, 7 Servings of Reset Protein Powder, 7 Servings of Detoxifying Superpowder, 7 Servings of Gut Microbiome Superpowder, G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush, and the G.Tox 7-Day Reset Guide. Perfect for the woman who wants to take some time out and reset her beauty routine.
If she’s always complaining about sore feet, then problem solved with the Lifepro Shiatsu Foot Massager. The six massage rollers gently caress each foot and target specific areas, while the heat also helps soothe her aching heels.
This portable device is lightweight, compact, and comes with a variety of different massage modes. Just plug in, turn it on, and enjoy.
Mom’s love taking photos, but if yours is anything like mine, she struggles when it comes to converting these photos from her phone to the fridge. With the Kodiak Instant Camera, she’ll never have that problem again.
This unique camera lets you snap away and print pictures instantly, making sure the memories will never fade. There are seven picture modes available and several other options to help her take stunning photos she can share with the family pronto.
The man behind bestseller Crazy Rich Asians returns with his latest novel about a woman torn between two men. Set in Italy, Lucie Tang Churchill – the daughter of Chinese American parents – finds herself having to choose between two suitors – the man who fits best with her family or the one she is obsessed with (in a good way).
A great read with a compelling story sure to appeal to those who’ve ever had the dilemma of having to choose between two people.
Gin is the spirit of the moment, so treat your mom to a bottle of gin from Woody Creek Distillers. This Colorado boutique distillery’s Roaring Fork Gin is described as “Old-world gin meets new-world botanicals.” Delightful.
This modern expression is spicey on the palate with flavors of juniper, citrus, and lavender. If gin isn’t to her liking, Woody Creek also crafts exceptional bottles of rye whiskey, bourbon, and vodka.
Although not the cheapest item on this list, you get what you pay for with Rimowa. The luggage brand has been delivering the goods for over 120 years.
The Rimowa Essential Light Carry-On is the ideal size luggage for those short interstate trips. Weighing 30% less than the standard case, this durable and portable carry-on case has all the features of other Rimowa luggage options (TSA-approved locks, mesh divider, multi-wheel system, telescopic handle, and five-year warranty) and comes in five glossy colors.
For the sustainability-conscious mom, this neat collapsible steel straw means she can suck responsibly. Whether drinking cocktails on the beach, sipping on an iced coffee, or using a water bottle while camping, this reusable straw from Final will do the job. Even better, it comes with a small carry case to keep it safe in her handbag. A great unique gift that could be a real winner with your mom or lady friend.
Sleep is important to all of us, so if she’s struggling to get a good night under the covers, she’ll appreciate this Weighted Blanket from Gravity. Made using super soft micro-fleece (exterior duvet cover) and cotton and fine-grade glass beads (interior weighted blanket), this cozy blanket is designed to improve sleep quality. It’ll also keep you nice and warm on those cold nights.
This portable waterproof speaker is one of the best on the market. Not only does it provide 12 hours of continuous play and come in 14 wild colors, but the speaker is made from 100% recycled plastic. It’s also got a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from more than 34,000 reviews, which is pretty hard to ignore.
What woman doesn’t like cheese and wine? While all you need is a cup of some sort to drink wine, you need a few more things when it comes to cheese. Enter the Smirly Cheese Board and Knife Set.
This package comes with a round table with five different sections to hold everything from cheese and meats to fruits and nuts. You also get four stainless steel knives, two ceramic sauce bowls, two white markers, two back slate labels, four small fours, one wine opener, and a cheeseboard guide to help you pair your cheese with the right wine.
A great gift for the woman who likes her cheese and wine, which to be honest, is every woman.
See more about - The Best Luxury Gifts For Her
Every year, finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift for that special lady in your life gets increasingly overwhelming. There are so many options and so many gifts from years prior that we feel the need to top, along with siblings we want to one up. We all know that struggle, so CGMagazine is coming to the rescue.
We’ve tested—by a mom, so it’s legit—headsets for game-loving moms, craft supplies for craft-loving moms, twinkly lights for twinkly light-loving moms, and other great gifts. Feel free to lie and say you thought of these yourself when your mom inevitably fawns over them because that’s why we do this, so you don’t have to.
Price: $499.99
If your mom loves to spend an afternoon deep cleaning, the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum is the perfect addition to her arsenal. It has a clean sense IQ that detects the dirt you can’t see—even with that eye in the back of her head—automatically amplifying the power to ensure it’s sucked up, making clean-up quick and easy. It can get the pet’s and kid’s hair, dirt, and all kinds of debris with no problem, offering up to a 50% better pickup. If mom’s dealing with something extra gross, it comes with odour-neutralizing technology, keeping all that stink in the vacuum and the home fresh.
Its MultiFLEX technology allows mom to reach just about anywhere in the house to clean—under the couch, at the top of the bookshelf, anywhere she can imagine. It also means storage is easy, taking up very little space when it’s put away. To make it even easier on mom, the Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum comes with a self-cleaning brush and an easy-to-remove dust cup that dumps out the content without having to get mom’s hands dirty. All this comes for the price of $499.99, which is on the lower end of vacuums, making it one of the best Mother’s Day Gifts 2023!
Price: $381.00
Does your mom love to decorate? Is adding new knickknacks and wall art to the house her one and true passion? If that sounds like your mom, this gift may just be perfect for her. The Twinkly Squares are ideal for the mom with a little creative flair. They are, as the name suggests, twinkly squares—a wall panel with smart LED lights that can be controlled by an app. Each square panel has 64 premium LED lights that come in every colour imaginable.
Mom can create any number of designs through the app, creating her dream decorations at the touch of a screen. The app can even sync large groups of up to 15 Twinkly Squares, making a collage of epic colours and design possible. They can be animated as gifs and synced with music as well, so the limitation is mom’s imagination. The Squares Multicolor Edition goes for $381.00 but comes with endless possibilities for mom to explore.
Price: $269.00
My mom would kill for this, so I’ll say it’s one of the best Mother’s Day gifts 2023. The Hydragun Atom Mini is a handheld massage gun packed with insane power. If your mom is anything like mine and suffers from chronic pain, this is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. The Hydragun Atom Mini is designed for muscle and joint stiffness, post-workout muscle soreness, and chronic aches and pains. It’s tiny, portable, and perfect for a mom on the go since it’s smaller than a Coke can.
The Hydragun Atom Mini comes with a 5-hour battery life, offering 30 massage sessions before recharging. Mom can customize her session with three different massage heads: a ball head for comfort, a flat head that can be chilled in the fridge for a cool massage, and a bullet head for pinpointing problem areas and muscle tension. There are three speeds to choose from to find her ideal intensity, ranging from 1800 ppm to 3200 ppm. The Atom Mini goes for $269.00, a good deal for such a useful Mother’s Day gift.
Price: $439.99
Is your mom an empty nester? Did you leave her alone, and now that she has no rugrats causing chaos, she can indulge in her pre-motherhood hobbies? The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Machine may just be a match made in heaven for her if that’s the case. It’s a no-assembly-required, 15-by-15-inch press machine that’s perfect for heat transfer crafts.
If your mom isn’t an empty nester and still has gremlins biting at her heels, the cooling technology can help keep them safe. The fast cooling helps to prevent accidents, and it’ll automatically turn off if it’s been inactive for ten minutes, making it perfect for moms with a lot on their plates. The quick 6 minutes to reach its top temperature of 210 °C (410 °F) is also ideal for moms with not a lot of time to craft, no need to waste time waiting for it to heat up. All this comes in a pretty Robin Egg blue or sleek white for $439.99.
Price: $109.00
These next couple of gifts are perfect for gamer moms because moms can be anything, even gamers. This premium footrest is great for a mom who loves PC gaming, and it’s even better if she already owns a Secretlab chair to make it a matching set. The footrest is made from Secretlab Plushcell Memory Foam, making it ideal for long gaming sessions. It’s durable too, so it’ll hold its shape even after a ten-hour session. Mom can put her feet absolutely anywhere on this rest and feel like a gaming queen.
Say goodbye to your mom taking odd items from around the house to use as a footrest for her World of Warcraft campaign and get her the Secretlab Premium Footrest for $109.00. Her feet will thank you.
Price: $229.99
The SteelSeries Artics Nova 7 Headset offers a super comfortable wireless fit, making it a great Mother’s Day gift for that gamer woman in your life. It’s got a 360-degree spatial audio feature, allowing mom to hear opponents’ and allies’ positions and immediately plan her next move accordingly. If your mom is anything like me and prefers a more cozy game, its simultaneous wireless feature allows for game and mobile audio mixing. That makes it possible to listen to podcasts or albums while farming in Stardew Valley or whatever their cozy game of choice is.
Add to the gift with the available booster packs, which come in plenty of colours for various SteelSeries headsets for $45.99.
Price: $279.99
If those first headphones aren’t your mom’s vibe, maybe the cute Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro is more her style. Choose from the classic black with neon green LED or a gorgeous quartz colour. The headphones come with adorable interchangeable kitty, bear, and bunny ears and a detachable Razer hyper-clear cardioid mic, perfect for in-game communication.
The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro can aid in-game immersion with its noise cancellation feature, making it easier to immerse yourself in the game when the kids are loud. This great headset also comes with stream-reactive RBG lighting and comfortable memory foam earpads for extended wear. Get your gamer mom these adorable Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro for $279.99 this Mother’s Day.
Price: 42.00
Here’s another gift idea for that gamer girl in your life: The Cooler Master GEM is the ultimate PC-build accessory. With its powerful magnetic hold, it can handle up to 2 kg. It’s perfect for hanging headphones, VR headsets, controllers and other items; it also keeps them safe from damage with its rubber-coated steel arms. It can be mounted to surfaces up to 4 millimetres thick, handling steel, steel mesh, glass, plastic, acrylic, and aluminum.
If your mom owns a 3D printer, she can make GEM’s officially released modifications, adding to the handy hanger from the comfort of her own home. To help keep all of Mom’s cords from getting tangled, The Cooler Master Gem can neatly hold them in the back. The Cooler Master GEM comes in both black and white, going for $49.99, making it the perfect add-on to any Mother’s Day gift.
Price: $27.99
The POWERADD Pro Portable Charger is perfect for any mom on the go. With the millions of things moms have to tackle every day, it can be hard to remember the charger or even to charge the phone in the first place. This easy-to-store portable charger is the solution; it’s small, quick, and easy to use. It can fast charge, allowing for a 50% charge in only 30 minutes. The POWERADD Pro is perfect for quickly stuffing in your purse or back pocket; it is smaller than the average iPhone. It’s also compatible with more than just an iPhone; it can change tablets, AirPods, smartwatches, and more.
Get your mom this practical gift and make her day easier for just $27.99.
Price: $849.99
This gift is by far the most expensive on the list, but moms are worth it. They practically slave away to raise us, giving up their blood, tears, and 18—probably more—years of their life for us. The Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TPO9 Purifying Fan is the perfect gift to say thank you this Mother’s Day. This Dyson Purifier does the usual, automatically sensing and trapping air pollutants for cleaner air. On top of that great feature, it can detect and destroy formaldehyde, a naturally occurring chemical that can cause eye, throat, and nose irritation at low levels.
It can also cool mom in the summer, and she doesn’t even have to get up to control it. The purifier can be controlled either through the app or voice control. Splurge a little this Mother’s Day and keep her air clean for $849.99.
Price: $89.00
Is your mom a titan in her industry, always on business calls and doing Zoom meetings? Maybe she works away from home and loves to Facetime the kids to catch up after a busy day. Maybe she’d just really like a way to anchor her phone to her laptop. The EDGE Full Kit is perfect for every kind of mom, giving her the ability to easily mount her phone to a laptop or tablet.
The EDGE Full Kit comes in three different colours, grey, white, and red, and has a super thin and sleek design, making it easy to store. Along with the mount, the EDGE Full Kit comes with a handy wireless charger that works with both iPhone and Android devices and a circular light to highlight mom’s beautiful face in Zoom meetings. Make mom’s life easier this Mother’s Day for just $89.00.
]]>Welcome to r/WhatIsThisThing, a thriving community of 2.3 million internet detectives who gather to identify whatever things people submit to them.
Established in 2010, r/WhatIsThisThing has become a true gem on the platform, ranking in the top 1% based on its impressive size. From intricate Victorian-era trinkets to beautifully crafted Art Nouveau relics, let's take a look at some of the gorgeous stuff it has seen.
Answer: It's called a "theca" and it has relics from saints in it. If it can be confirmed authentic, it's very valuable. Each one of those relics is hundreds of dollars, each.
lisabrr's answer:
Saint reliquary made up of bone shards that supposedly belonged to said saints.
Image credits: Playful-Grape-4430
Answer: It looks like a plantation/planters chair. You’d put your sore swollen legs up on the arms after sitting on a horse all day, like a pregnant woman with her legs up in the same fashion. This is why the back is so sloped as well. If you sit up straight it wouldn’t be comfortable to put your legs up like that, but in a reclined position it’s good for blood flow and air flow.
Image credits: Chwk540
Answer: An astrolabe, the ancient times GPS. Used usually for navigation, also for time measure and other science uses. I got one similar as a keyring. If it's too small It won't be easy to use, by my experience.
Image credits: sterling97
Answer: It’s a vintage umbilical clamp. That’s why it’s shaped like a stork! Eventually this style did evolve into several types of embroidery scissors that the midwives would use while awaiting labor.
Image credits: OffpeakPL
Answer: That looks like a glove stretcher. To loosen up the fingers in leather gloves.
Image credits: MamaBearsApron
Answer: It looks exactly like the souvenir intaglios that Victorians collected on their European Grand Tours. They were very very popular and usually kept in a set and framed.
Image credits: sktchup
Answer: Fire Extinguisher. Beware contains Carbon Tetratchloride.
Image credits: guitarsail
Answer: It’s called a Jenny Haniver. They’re dried skates or rays modified to look like monsters.
Image credits: Jaol17
Answer: Cover plates for a book. They are generally riveted over the normal cover. Probably for one involving royalty or heraldry from the engraving.
Image credits: Haylez116
Answer: It removed the top of soft boiled eggs.
Image credits: KleverKlem
Answer: Soldering iron. The end you are holding is the head, and is usually copper. The other end would normally have a wood handle.
Image credits: CornStarchEnema
Answer: it is a carpet stretcher.
Image credits: willamettewondering
Answer: Child’s potty, a chamber pot.
Image credits: skathic
Answer: The device is being described as a "razor hone", i.e., something for sharpening single-edge razor blades
Image credits: Mymyl12
Answer: Tree Branch Muddler
Image credits: zsaleeba
Answer: It's a smallsword guard
Image credits: JurySad104
Answer: A very old dental drill.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: It’s a hairpin or a clothes pin/brooch. If it’s something 2000 years old, you need to see a professional at a museum/institute of archaeology to get it evaluated AND then get it insured.
Image credits: trvlbugspnner
Answer: a dolly tub for washing clothes. the hole at the top would have had a piece of wood going through which would have been used for handles.
Image credits: solidboom
Answer: Rib bone from a whale. In the 2nd pic, you can see the soft marrow tissue inside, you wouldn’t find that inside of a tusk.
Image credits: OkDiet734
Answer: Looks real for sure! It's a decent fit for Hopewell type points from about 2000 years ago, but a local expert would certainly know more. If it's found in your yard it's definitely yours and nobody would take it if you reported it, and I'm sure your state archaeologist or archaeological society would be happy to tell you more and make a record of where you found it!
Image credits: CelestialMeatball
Answer: Portable ashtray
Image credits: kcoib17
Answer: Definitely looks like tobacco paraphernalia. My father-in-law has a huge collection of tobacco jars, pipe stands, and the like, and many of them share similarities with this. Matches would be kept in the backpack, the head used to tamp tobacco down into the pipe, and the walking stick used to clean out the pipe.
Image credits: AliceOlivia94
Answer: Aztec calendar. Funny thing, I remember a bunch of these a while ago being smuggled over the border and they were made of meth
Image credits: CloudiaNYT
Answer: It's half a Viking chair
Image credits: TheWanderingEyebrow
Answer: charms - peace, love, happiness.
Image credits: EMFB
Answer: a Hindu ritual box. It is missing the middle piece that would sit in that central hole.
Image credits: ScZi
Answer: Betel nut and lime holder. It's worn on a belt
Image credits: koalakarma8
Answer: Gobeunok or Gogok are comma-shaped or curved beads and jewels.
Image credits: Hazzah02
Answer: "Seems to be a pendent head from the Caddo tribe. Looks legit and definitely pre-columbian. There's an oak hill Caddo site near there. Could be an import as well but unlikely." -My Archeologist Father
Image credits: kennyfool
WaldenFont's answer: The way I read "those that are exposed," I'd think it's supposed to warm you when you're out in the cold. [Victorians] were forever fretting about exposure to cold and damp.
YellowOnline's answer: It's Victorian quackery.
Image credits: DejectedOps
Answer: It's a broche or pin featuring Napoleon.
Image credits: Nautaliski
Answer: It looks like a Ferrotype photograph. They started being used in the 1850s's.
Image credits: turtlesupremelord
Answer: It’s a holder for a glass. There used to be small cylindrical glasses that everyone had near their sinks to grab a sip of water. Which was an improvement from drinking out of a wooden cup from a bucket or a ladle. Those claw holders are often in housekeeping sinks in the area where the maids worked, or by the grooms' area. Everyone used the same cup/glass.
Image credits: estantonfantastico
Answer: it is for preventing wax from dripping down a candle, that you'd put through the hole
Image credits: osumike07
Answer: It is a cigarette lighter. My great-grandmother had a small stand with ashtrays and two of these. You turn them upside down, and they heat up, but when you rest them like in the photo, they should turn off.
Image credits: junkshopper2000
Answer: Looks like a Betty Lamp which burned whale oil. Wicks would reach out the openings
Image credits: watamat
Answer: cast iron glue pot.
Image credits: variousred
Answer: "Bully Beef" can opener. Designed in 1865 and supplied with cans of pickled beef. "Bully beef or corned beef is meat made from minced salt-cured brisket of beef in gelatin. The word bully possibly comes from the French "'bouilli' (boiled), as French troops ate boiled beef in Napoleonic times. Tins of bully beef featured in the rations of armies until the Second World War. Cow-shaped can opener that is made of metal and painted black. A large L-shaped blade is attached by screw to the body of the knife. Above the knifes blade is a cows head in metal. The body of the blade is curved and loops back on itself in the shape of a tail." LINK It's definitely a “Bully,” “Bulls Head,” or "Bully Beef" can opener. Here's a pretty decent article on the history of can openers. TL;DR: A can opener
Image credits: F1x98
UrungusAmongUs's answer: Maryland State Seal
CovfefeBean's answer: Deeds must be signed, sealed, and delivered. That’s likely a hanging seal, provided you have a deed.
Image credits: johnsinternetsales
Answer: That is a whale oil lamp. Hand blown glass. Very odd blue color. Not cheap
Image credits: Red-Bell-Pepper
Answer: It actually says what it is on the label, an etui, "a small ornamental case for holding needles, cosmetics, and other articles."
Image credits: insteadofahug
Answer: Known as a Kabinettschrank (“display cabinet” in German), this type of furniture is sometimes called a cabinet of curiosities or wonders. The etchings look a lot less intricate than a lot of the other display cabinets I've seen in this style. It might be someone's attempt to re-create one they saw somewhere.
Image credits: Polymes
hyperdream's answer: The object on the right is a collection box that a railway worker would carry to collect fares.
Fellatination's answer: The object on the left is a cast iron air compressor or pump. It's ornate so it was likely used by the railroad and not the miners.
Image credits: Gerald-of-Nivea
Answer: It's a vintage 1920s - 1930s sterling medal / pendant with dove bird "COME HOLY SPIRIT" in Latin. About 7/8" in diameter, hallmark marked. Originally on a heaver 17" long sterling chain.
Image credits: many_mishaps_melly
Answer: it's called a paan daan.. It holds all the contents of a paan... A betel leaf with other ingredients..
Image credits: TheJigIsUp
Answer: "This is a figure of the Santerian Orisha Olokun. One hand holds a snake, the other a mask. They typically come off because these figures are kept in water 100% of the time. If you found this in the ocean, then this is more evidence towards that as Olokun is tied to the ocean. This was probably disposed of ritualistically and replaced with a new one.
Image credits: Saaintt
Answer: They look like locker numbers.
Image credits: crinnaursa
Answer: a hub cap for a carriage wheel. The flange is at the surface of the hub and the decorated area is pressed back in.
Image credits: Lilwest
Answer: old safety goggles with the strap missing. Possibly for brazing work on the plumbing
Image credits: prodigyrun
Answer: It’s an old bee keeping tool according to google “Bees Parker's Foundation Fastener - Wooden Beekeeping tool Circa 1800's”
Image credits: chesterTHEcheese
Answer: Magic Lantern glass slide.
Image credits: jjwood84
Answer: A buckle/hardware for a leather harness. Two straps diagonally and one across horizontally.
Image credits: aGreenStone
Answer: Mortar and pestle. A very old one, too
Image credits: DaveDave_Org
Answer: Royal Navy cordite bucket.
Image credits: dbstanley
Answer: It is part of a bracelet or belt. It would have had companions, joined by links on all four corners. It is too small for a trivet.
Image credits: bannockboy
Answer: The Victory Medal (also called the Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal.
Image credits: Lyzrd_Hangover
Answer: a document relating to letters patent in the Ireland.
Image credits: reddit.com
Answer: It looks like the Simpson Hall Silver Co mark that was continued to be used by International Silver after International Silver purchased Simpson Hall
Image credits: polyPollyanna
Answer: Two kopeck (1/100 of a ruble) from year 1891, St. Petersburg, copper
Image credits: BoiIEd
Answer: Looks like a piece from a bedhead. I think the sheath of wheat is a xtian symbol about reaping what you sow and of death and renewal. Something along those lines. Wheat has been used on double (marital) beds for centuries, including the bedhead and upright posts. They're also used on chairs in a literal or a stylised way and represent prosperity in relation to the 'reap what you sow' type of symbolism.
Image credits: Funtimeline
Answer: a carving of Serbian Knez, Mihailo Obrenović III
Image credits: M--P
Answer: It is indeed a chalk line.
Image credits: gumbyprincess1
Answer: a dragon torch holder
Image credits: foxpunch
Answer: Called a sugar hammer
Image credits: sirSwampDonkeyJr
Answer: It’s a lamp. It’s literally an oil lamp, to be used to create light. The wick goes in the spout. The oil goes in the belly. You light the wick and a flame will burn on the end of the spout like a little candle, and you can carry your lantern around with you.
Image credits: FlaxxtotheMaxx
Answer: Keating family crest (Irish)
Image credits: alatalot
Answer: For shucking clams/ oysters. Protects from sharp edges, knife slips
Image credits: deceptiveshadow
Answer: a boot button hook. Used to hook all those tiny buttons on ladies boots. Just a guess on my part
Image credits: _erik_reddit_
Answer: it's a clockwork spit turner for turning a roast or other meat automatically. Hang on, I'll try to find some documentation
Image credits: burnout641
Answer: it's probably a castration device. It puts a tight rubber band on to cut off circulation
Image credits: ceejayy16
Answer: It is a roast or ham holder that mounts to a cutting board. The cutting board is missing.
Image credits: z_Dax_z
Answer: Antique Soap Saver. Small scraps of soap were put in the cage and when people did dishes by hand the soap saver was swished though the dishwater to made suds
Image credits: Earffff
Answer: It's for rolling newspapers into a "log" for the fireplace
Image credits: gordone1
Answer: It's actually a purse. There's space in there for some coins for bus/cab fare, some powder makeup (behind the little door), and calling cards.
Image credits: didilamour
Answer: A prayer neckless. You put a prayer in it and carry with you for various reasons. It is probably a part of Quran. Crescent and star is Turkish flag and the symbol on the front is ottoman tugra, symbol of the sultan
Image credits: reddit.com
]]>Why buy a basic gift for an extraordinary bride? If you’re in need of unique bridal shower gifts, you’ve come to the right place! Help the bride have a special bridal shower by buying her something worth swooning over. Most brides have a registry these days, but sometimes it’s nice to add in a thoughtful present that she wasn’t expecting. If you want to wrap up something more meaningful than a mixing bowl, our handy list has some bridal shower gift ideas that are sure to make her smile! From personalized bridal shower gifts to sentimental ones, the list has something for every bride.
12 bridal shower gifts that will make her swoon:
Glass Flower Engagement Ring Holder – $67.50 (regularly $90)
Gift her somewhere special to keep her engagement ring. This eye-catching floral ring holder comes in 12 dreamy colors. It’s handmade with opalescent glass and crafted using the Tiffany method – an absolutely stunning keepsake.
“This was absolutely gorgeous. I bought it as an engagement gift for my friend and she was almost in tears when she opened it.”
Custom Bridal Hanger – $15.49
A wedding dress is one of the most important garments a woman will ever buy and it deserves a gorgeous place to hang. I received one of these personalized hangers at my bridal shower and it ended up being one of my favorite gifts. It was unexpected but exactly what I needed. It looked amazing in my pictures and I still smile whenever I see it in my closet. I truly think every bride needs one!
“Absolutely beautiful. 😍 Arrived sooner than expected. Really nice quality. I can’t wait to hang my wedding dress on it the morning of my wedding.”
Personalized Night Sky Map – Starting at $49
For a really thoughtful gift, consider buying the happy couple a custom Night Sky Map. These maps show what the night sky looked like during a certain point in time. These unique maps are the perfect way to commemorate an engagement or wedding day. Hip2Save’s Sara has one in her home and she loves it!
“My husband and I ordered this for my daughter and her fiancé representing the night they got engaged. It is an amazing gift and they both loved it, as do we! Thank you so much for providing a meaningful gift to a very special and loved couple!”
Personalized Wedding Recipe Box – $28.99 (regularly $48.32)
Food is a way that many people show their love. It plays a huge part in culture and family life. One of the more special bridal shower gift ideas on our list is to create a personalized recipe box. Have the brides friends and family add their favorite recipes inside. It’s a heartfelt gift that will keep giving for years to come! Hip2Save’s Chelsey and Amber both received one of these recipe boxes and they love to use the recipes to this very day.
“My family created a recipe box when I got married. They ordered a personalized box and then every family member hand wrote their favorite recipe on a card and added it to the box. They did this all ahead of time so when I received it, it was packed with recipes. My favorite recipe is from my grandpa, it says something like – ‘Fried Fish — call grandpa and he’ll make it.’ ❤️” – Chelsey, Hip2Save team
“My husband and my family each did this for me when I got married. Loved it too and still go back to those recipes every so often. ❤️” – Amber, Hip2Save team
Custom Push Pin World Travel Map – Starting at $74.95
Know a couple who loves to travel together? Gift them this personalized push pin travel map that provides a visual of their adventures. Not only will they have a blast planning their next escapade, but they’ll remember their favorite past travels whenever they pass by their map.
“I cannot say enough how beautiful the map is! So very pleased with it. Wonderful quality, excellent service, and fast shipping! Very much recommend them!”
Adventure Challenge Couples Edition – $49
Use code HIPMOM20 for 20% off
Final cost just $40!
Shipping starts at $4.96
One key to marriage is to keep the romance and excitement alive. These innovative journals give couples the opportunity to do just that! Each book includes 50 unique date ideas that are sure to add a little spontaneity to married life. Couples record their adventures through pictures and journal entries. When they are finished with all 50 dates, the book becomes a cute keepsake they can look through to remember their adventures! These challenge books come highly recommended by many members of the Hip2Save team!
Wicker Picnic Basket For Two With Bamboo Wine Table – $86.95 (regularly $94.95)
A picnic basket makes for a romantic gift! Couples that love wine, cheese, and nature will enjoy this basket that comes with its own table and glass holders. Whether they are going to an outdoor music festival or spending the afternoon in the park, this gift will certainly come in handy!
Picnic baskets are a popular gift idea and there is a plethora to choose from! Amazon has a ton of affordable baskets including a Mr. & Mrs. picnic set, and Etsy even has one with a personalized cheese board. With so many options, it’s easy to find a basket the happy couple will adore!
“My niece got engaged before Christmas. I wanted a gift for both of them. Picnics at vineyards are really popular so I decided this would be a nice gift. I was wow’d myself when they opened it and went through it. The table was a big hit! Extremely nice quality and everything they need for a nice picnic date. I plan to get a set for our lake trips.”
Assorted Holiday Decorations at Target – Starting at $3
At my own bridal shower, my husband’s family gifted me a box of holiday decorations to place in our new home throughout the year. The gift was very unexpected and it’s one that I cherish the most. I found this idea to be such a thoughtful way to welcome a soon-to-be bride into the family and show support for the couple’s union.
I always look forward to using these decorations during the holidays. Seeing them displayed makes our family feel close and adds so much warmth and love to our home. The bath towels I registered for had to eventually be replaced, but these decorations have lasted year after year. They are truly priceless!
Personalized Makeup Bag or Train Case With Handle – Starting at $16
Gift a future bride a makeup case or train case that has been monogrammed with her new initials. The makeup pouch is small enough to place inside a large purse and the train case comes with a handle and can fit larger makeup palettes. She’ll be able to use this set on her wedding, honeymoon, and for years to come!
Go a step beyond and fill the bags with cosmetics or emergency items for her big day. A few ideas include makeup setting spray, clear nail polish, bobby pins, a highlighting pencil, bandaids, and a sweet note with words of encouragement.
“Beautiful fabric and lots of room. Perfect gift for the morning of the wedding for the bride’s emergency kit!”
Personalized Leatherette Luggage Tag – $11.89 (regularly $16.99)
One of the first things a married couple usually does is take off on a honeymoon. A thoughtful bridal shower gift is to buy the bride personalized luggage tags with her new information on them. These affordable leatherette luggage tags can be customized to include a name, initial, or monogram. Unlike many other luggage tags, this one includes a privacy flap to cover up your address and other personal information. They come in teal or charcoal and you can even buy a matching passport holder.
“We bought these as a gift for our son & daughter-in-law and they are very happy with them and can’t wait to use them on their next trip. We bought the luggage tags in both the gray and the teal, and the colors are really pretty.”
Personalized Giant Take-Out Decision Dice – Starting at $11.76 (regularly $13.08)
Prep the bride for married life! If the bride and her partner can never decide what to eat for dinner, this personalized die will help them make the decision! Customize it with their favorite local restaurants. The next time they can’t decide where to order food from, they can thank you for making the choice easy! It’s a funny garnish to any bridal shower gift!
“This is part of my wedding present for my husband and I know he’ll love it and make him laugh!”
Couple Portrait Watercolor Artwork – $13.99 (regularly $45)
Surprise the bride with a custom watercolor portrait of her and her partner. This is the perfect affordable, last-minute bridal shower gift idea. It comes via digital download. You simply print it at home or at your local print shop and pop it into the frame of your choice. Similar services are also done by AXyStudios which can have your file ready in under 24 hours and by PlutonArt which creates cartoon portraits in just 48 hours!
If you have a little more time and would like a hand-painted portrait, check out the service Paint Your Life. They have a turnaround time of just 12 days and a 100% money-back guarantee!
“Most amazing item I have ever purchased off of Jane. Took my breath away when I saw the picture of my daughter and her new husband on their wedding day!! Can’t wait to see her face at Christmas! If I could give more than 5 stars I would!!”
See how one reader made an inexpensive wedding drink station + our favorite bridal shower ideas!
!doctype>]]>I am thrilled to have interviewed author Seeley James, who shared with us details of his writing life, his book ‘Lies: A Jacob Stearne Thriller‘, which was released on 14th December 2022, and answered a few fun questions. This post contains affiliate links.
His near-death experiences range from talking a jealous husband into putting the gun down to spinning out on an icy freeway in heavy traffic without touching anything. His resume ranges from washing dishes to global technology management. His personal life ranges from homeless at 17, adopting a 3-year-old at 19, getting married at 37, fathering his last child at 43, hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim at 59, and taking the occasional nap.
His writing career ranges from humble beginnings with short stories in The Battered Suitcase, to being awarded a Medallion from the Book Readers Appreciation Group. Seeley is best known for his Sabel Security series of thrillers featuring athlete and heiress Pia Sabel and her bodyguard, veteran Jacob Stearne. One of them kicks ass and the other talks to the wrong god.
His love of creativity began at an early age, growing up at Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture in Arizona and Wisconsin. He carried his imagination first into a successful career in sales and marketing, and then to his real love: fiction.
1) Where did the inspiration for your book come from?
There are many layers to a book, or should be, so my inspiration comes in several forms. The easiest one to identify is the central plot. For all my central plots, I spend hours jotting notes working out the problems the future holds for society at large. Eight years ago, I did this exercise after reading how cavalier pharmaceutical companies had become about following the law. I wrote a book about a company that designed their own virus and created a pandemic that only their patented drug could cure. Years later, I got hate mail from people thinking Covid had been my idea!
LIES: A Jacob Stearne Thriller is the second in a trilogy (don’t worry, it stands alone just fine) about the pursuit of becoming the richest person in the world. This stems from seeing the pearls of insanity posted by some of those atop the Forbes list of richest people. Considering how obtaining uber-wealth makes some people nuts, I wondered how far they would go to acquire the next big thing. For this book, our hero Jacob has been sent to recover a new technology that could upend the world’s economy. Eco-capitalists want it, fossil fuel
profiteers want to bury it. Hilarity, violence, and betrayals ensue. That’s all standard thriller stuff.
What separates “standard thriller stuff” from “exceptional” status is the underlying character stories. Finding inspiration for those themes always comes from my personal life and my observations of how people treat each other.
When I was nineteen, I was adopted by a three-year-old girl. (For details, visit https://seeleyjames.com/adopted) Throughout the forty-seven years I’ve been raising her, I’ve learned there are multitudes of abandoned children in this world. I don’t mean abandoned by the side of the road; I mean emotionally, financially, and spiritually abandoned. Imagine families who’ve suffered trauma, financial collapse, alcoholism or drug abuse, scorched-earth divorce, mental illness, or some other destruction of protective family bonds. All too often, children are being left alone in the world at twelve or fifteen. I wanted to illustrate that condition in this book, but in the early planning stages, didn’t have a good catalyst.
One day I read a shocking article in the Wall Street Journal entitled ” Before and after Sandy Hook: 40 years of elementary school shooting survivors.” Reading the personal stories broke my heart. There are 250,000 survivors of school shootings in the USA. I knew then how my characters would interact with each other. The teenaged character I had envisioned changed and the responsibility our hero had for that teenager (metaphorically us) changed overnight. Since publishing it in December, I’ve been getting emails from readers about how this subtext blew them away.
2) How did you plan out the plot?
Before beginning any book, I use Microsoft OneNote to accumulate research, ideas, thoughts, quotes, concepts, and other source material. I also deconstruct novels, movies, and plays that have admirable situations for their characters. When I’m ready to begin writing, I create a spreadsheet I call “Storytecture*.” It’s not an outline, it’s a frame. In it, I jot eighteen pivot points my story needs to take. I’ve taken concepts from The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell; Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder, and Story Grid by Shawn Coyne and melted them into a slagheap of my own design. But it gives me signposts for the directions I need to take the story while allowing room for a good deal of serendipity as I write.
I loved hearing James Patterson say that he writes a chapter-by-chapter outline before starting – only to throw it out halfway through because it no longer works. I’ve been there. I find my signposts keep me on track without having to be thrown out. Most of the time. I’m not opposed to redefining those signposts when a better idea rises up.
The second part of my spreadsheet is my chapter-by-chapter outline. This is written AFTER I write the chapter and meet my signposts. It allows me to track the annoying details that can trip up a story like the timeline, the introduction of characters and clues, the time of day, weather, and so on.
*My father was an architect, so I see similarities between writing and architecture: the story/building must look good; the story/building must serve the needs and desires of the readers/occupants; the story/building must hold up and not have the ending/roof collapse on the readers/occupants. Thus, Storytecture.
3) When did you choose the title for your book?
Usually, I use a placeholder until the story takes shape. Then I tease out the theme’s best one-word summation and work that into a title. But in this case, I started with the idea that we lie to ourselves all the time. We tell ourselves we’re happy in a relationship or job when we’re not. We lie to ourselves about all kinds of things to get through the day. Big life changes are usually made when we stop lying. In this book, I knew our hero would be waking up from a lie: that his boss was sending him on a mission for the good of the nation. He wakes up to the fact that the mission will make her the richest woman in history. Given that it might ruin her mental health, should he stay on task?
4) How did you come up with the names for your characters?
Easy question. My hero’s name came from a purpose-driven exercise to get something as definitive as James Bond without resorting to the overused trope James Stone, Jared Steel, Jerome Iron, etc. My man is stern, Jacob Stearne. But the rest of the characters come from a
fun tradition: I hold a drawing of my fans and let the winners name characters. In one book, I had the big bad guy named after a woman’s ex-husband! Another fan who won twice (three years apart) insisted both times that the bad guy be named after him. Loads of fun.
5) Can you give us a hint to any sections that you removed?
I should have removed scenes in some of my early books. The downside to being an Indie: no one tells you, “that’s self-indulgent and dilutes the plot. Cut it. Now.” But as I’ve gotten ten years into this, I find myself diagramming a scene* and deciding from that exercise that it doesn’t belong. Saves oodles of time. *Yes, I diagram scenes. To get the most out of point-counterpoint and to maximize character conflict for a logical scene, I make a five-point diagram revolving around what moral dilemma the character faces. I can then see what needs to lead us into that dilemma and what decision the character faces as a result of it.
6) What made you choose this genre?
I love mysteries and thrillers. My earliest memorable read was Treasure Island. Adventure, mystery, and betrayals around every corner. From Agatha Christie to Dashell Hammett, from Ken Follett to Lee Child, from Lucy Foley to SA Cosby, from … I could go on all day. I’m
constantly reading in this genre.
7) How long did it take you to complete your book?
I keep a journal for every book so I happen to know this exactly. From first typed word to last edit before sending to the formatter (which was twelve days before release), was 261 days. This was a lot longer than usual because of several family events that diminished the number of available writing days.
8) Can you describe your book in three words?
No.*
*I wouldn’t be a failed short-story writer hacking away at 400-page novels if I could be concise. I wax verbose with birthday wishes.
9) What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
Working for months with no idea whether people will love or hate your pearls – not to mention those dry periods between deposits into the checking account that rise and fall with that love/hate ratio.
10) Why should our readers pick your book up?
Because it’s the best book ever written. Well, if I didn’t think so, who would?
Seriously, I personally guarantee some passages will make you pause for thought; others will make you laugh (the rooster scene, you’ll know it when you get there); you’ll purse your lips or frown when the character does the same; likewise, you’ll clench your fist; and most
important, you’ll get to the last page and say to yourself, “Is it really 3:00 AM? Damn.”
Jacob Stearne’s Top Secret mission to secure the nation’s future is thrown into chaos by his arrest for murder.
A group of young physicists sequester in Latvia to finalize a green technology worth trillions of dollars. Billionaires want to steal their work. While oil-rich nations want to destroy it. The president has tasked decorated veteran Jacob Stearne with bringing their research back to the US—which he intends to do as soon as he can break out of jail and beat a murder rap.
With an over-zealous police captain running the manhunt in dead-or-alive mode, Jacob is forced to find the real killer while fleeing the law. With ambiguous help from a dubious crew comprised of a young stripper, a claimant to the Russian throne, and the naïve physicists, he quickly discovers: everyone lies.
As the Latvian dragnet closes in, and betrayals come from friends and foe alike, Jacob must rely on Stearne’s Law for survival: Paranoia is the result of acute situational awareness. To save the scientists and repatriate the research, Jacob must outwit a Russian oligarch. But this time, as he holds a bomb with a ticking timer, he may have run out of luck.
1) Do you have a writing buddy (i.e. a pet)?
Yes, and I’ve enclosed a picture of her. She’s at my knee wondering why I’m taking her picture. Her name is Eggs. Her breed is what we call an American (like the rest of us, a little of this and a little of that). Although my sister calls her a golden coyote. Yesterday, she chased two coyotes out of my backyard at full gallop and barking like a mad dog, so I’m not sure if Eggs is fond of that branch of her family.
2) Do you have any writing quirks?
In general, I tend to be a bit quirky at the core, so my writing habits end up all over the place. I write in the mornings, afternoons, while hiking mountains, and so on. Change is a constant quirk, I guess. Although, I’ve noticed one thing over the years: my most productive sessions are often between 4 PM and 8 PM. That includes the hour in which my wife insists we go out to dinner or at least I “get away from that stupid laptop for a second.” Maybe it’s the sheer joy of annoying her that spurs my creative juices.
3) Where do you write?
I’ve attached three pictures of where I spend most of my time: my home office, my living room, and my patio. From time to time, I seek out public spaces like coffee shops or civic plazas (if there is WiFi) because the hustle and bustle of others fires my imagination.
4) Your book has been made into a movie, you’ve been offered a cameo role, what will you be doing?
I have cameo roles in most of my books, so I’d insist on doing one of those. My role in the books is that of a biographer trying to document our hero’s actions. He and his comrades see me the way a celebrity sees the paparazzi – disdainfully. In LIES, the hero finds me
lurking in an alley, trying to glean some tidbits, which pisses him off. He grabs me and makes me stand as lookout while he ransacks a room for clues. I get beat up by the bad guys. As he passes me writhing on the sidewalk, he says, “Serves you right, vulture.”
5) A talking owl has just finished reading your book, what’s the first thing he says to you?
He shakes his head sadly and says, “You call that wit? I’m with the raven on this one, dude. Nevermore.”
A big thank you to Seeley James for sharing his writing life with us and for a wonderful interview.
The post Interview with Author Seeley James appeared first on Whispering Stories.
]]>Five years ago, I had been working so hard to create The Organized Mama, and I decided to change up my goals and ideas instead of celebrating the anniversary of my business! What I’ve noticed since then is that I haven’t celebrated any of the small or big wins.
We create giant to-do lists for ourselves, and so often, we forget to celebrate. You just accomplished something so big that took thought, time, and effort – celebrate it!
There has been such a focus on self-care recently, and celebrating the wins definitely falls into self-care! Today, I’m going to share a few ways that you can celebrate those wins! Some of these ideas cost money, and some are entirely free!
Did you finish decluttering and organizing a space? Maybe buy something decorative that you have had an eye on for a while to highlight in that newly organized space!
Did you organize a mudroom and give everyone a hook? Purchasing a new purse could be a great option. You have the space expressly set aside for it, and every time you use the purse, it will be its own little celebration.
Do you enjoy flowers? After organizing the kitchen or dining area, you can purchase some fresh flowers to add a little something extra to the space. Every time you see them, it reminds you that you did something hard.
Sharing on social media is an easy way to celebrate that doesn’t cost anything. You’ve accomplished something great, and seeing that celebration can inspire others to do the same! One place specifically where you can do this is in my community – School of Organizing!
Have a favorite TV show or movie? Watch it during the day! It may not seem like much, but watching TV during the day is a great celebration.
Some other options: take a nature walk or scroll through social media without guilt!
Celebrating the wins doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal! Just make sure you celebrate the big and small wins throughout your life.
Listen to Organizing Tune-Ups on your favorite podcast player.
Enjoy on Apple Podcast.
Or listen on Spotify.
You can watch every episode of Organizing Tune-Ups on YouTube. Here is the Organizing Tune-Ups Playlist so you can catch up on all things organizing!
10 Life-Changing Ways To Boost Your Organizing Habits
How To Change Your Mindset About Organizing Your Home
How To Make Your Home A Home Sweet Organized Home
The post Organizing Tune-Ups – Bonus Episode: Celebrating The Wins appeared first on The Organized Mama.
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We love a good shopping challenge, and nothing compares to sourcing products for the most difficult-to-please people from a colossal online retailer. After putting our entire team to the task, we uncovered the best Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon that feel refreshingly unique—despite what their Prime eligibility might otherwise suggest. Our roster of 40-plus favorites covers a wide range of crowd-pleasing categories, from chic enamel kitchenware and elegant fuchsia gardening gloves to footed glass caviar bowls and silver elephant purse hooks designed by Alessi. The stacked list of surprisingly stylish Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon continues, below.
Our favorite Amazon kitchen gifts hail from Domino-favorite brands you might not know are hiding on Amazon: Crow Canyon splatter-accented enamelware, sleek coffee makers by Fellow, Smeg’s premium Italian gadgets, trendy electric kettles from Caraway, and Laguiole’s French stainless-steel cutlery. All gift-worthy catnip for cool moms who like to cook.
For Moms who garden, we selected an assortment of design-forward gifts to help them do so in style. Our ideas include elbow-length leather gardening gloves in an eye-catching fuchsia hue, Hunter clogs that make a compelling case to be worn beyond the tomato trellises, a shockingly chic watering can, Modern Sprout pruning shears, self-watering planter pots, and an all-encompassing herb garden kit.
Although Amazon might not be the first thought for procuring gift-worthy glassware, that’s not to say it doesn’t exist within the site’s virtual depths. After rooting around, we uncovered a collection of bonafide Mom-charmers: elegant footed caviar bowls by LSA, amber tortoise-shell wineglasses handblown by a small business based in Mexico, Godinger’s handsome sea-tinted champagne bucket, the iconic Alvar Aalto vase by Finnish brand Iittala, a top-rated ribbed carafe-tumbler duo for under-$20, and a color-blocked reversible vase.
Amazon is already a Domino-editor favorite for affordable dinnerware staples, so taking things a step further and tapping the retailer for special Mother’s Day gift ideas was not much of a stretch. Our findings include a pampas grass vase handwoven by a community of female artisans in Cambodia, stonewashed linen napkins made from 100% French flax, a block-print cotton tablecloth, ruffled ceramic pitcher, quirky cork placemats, and a woven rattan wine caddy.
Amazon’s luxury beauty selection is strong, offering a wide range of crowd-favorite brands with verified storefronts—from Tatcha’s cult skincare kits to Olio e Osso’s clean-beauty staples and Diptyque status candle trios. Other gift ideas for mom include little luxuries like Monpure’s silk scrunchies, Osea’s algae-infused body butter, and a Weleda hand-softening kit.
Starting with a cheer-inspiring ceramic bottle of cold-pressed olive oil she can (and will) reuse and moving on to Alison Roman’s highly anticipated dessert cookbook, an assortment of Venchi’s Italian chocolates, and a lovely box of Korean tea sachets sourced from the fields of Jeju Island, our top picks for the best Mother’s Day food gifts on Amazon will not disappoint.
As far as unique Amazon gifts go, there are quite a few for mothers. We clocked a plucky bunch of present ideas that she would never buy herself. There’s the Domino-favorite Loftie smart alarm clock, a centerpiece-worthy puzzle, Alessi’s stainless-steel purse hook shaped like an elephants trunk, 100 postcards featuring illustrations from The New York Botanical Garden archives, Liberty-print dominoes, a teeny-tiny portable mushroom lamp, and an ethically sourced palo santo starter kit that plants a tree for every purchase.
The post The Best Mother’s Day Gifts on Amazon Will Surprise You (and Your Mom) appeared first on domino.
]]>We recently learned you could rent out your private swimming pool. Cool, huh? We were so intrigued we set out to find other unusual things for rent. The more we discovered, the more our jaws dropped. From trucks to caskets, we compiled a list of rental business ideas that covers everything from the strange to the mundane. Not only are people using these services, but people are making bank by renting theirs out. You’ll never be able to guess what made the list! In fact, you might have a lucrative rental business already at your fingertips!
22 unusual rental business ideas (or things to rent out for yourself):
Make extra money renting your own yard to others! Sniffspot claims you can earn up to $3,000 a month in passive income by renting out your yard as a private dog park! The dogs are all required to be vaccinated and Sniffspot provides $2 million of liability insurance and $5,000 of damage protection. You won’t have to pick up after renters either as owners are required to do the poop-scooping. 🐶💰
Want a private dog park all for your pup? Now you can have it! Thanks to Sniffspot, you can rent a private fenced yard from one of your neighbors. It costs just $5 – $15 an hour per dog. Liability coverage is included and both yards and pets are vetted for safety. Never worry about unruly dogs at the public park again!
Have an unused pool? Rent it out to make extra money. You can make thousands thanks to Swimply. This company has helped swimming pool owners rent to over a million guests in the last 3 years. They provide hosts up to $2 million dollars in liability insurance and $10,000 in property damage coverage. They even can supply you with an outdoor restroom for guests!
In addition to pools, Swimply is beginning to expand to include hot tubs, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, private gyms, and other unique, rentable spaces. With affordable prices, wide availability, and safety protocols, it is no wonder the company is growing. If you have any of these usable spaces, consider renting them out to make extra money!
Skip the community pool and rent someone’s pool instead! Private swimming is no longer a luxury thanks to Swimply, the Airbnb of swimming pools. Rent for an hour or an afternoon. Most pools we’ve seen on the site are going for just $25 – $60 an hour. If you go with a group you can split the cost! Don’t forget to check out other Swimply spaces including tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.
Are you a farmer or homesteader with chickens? Start a rental business by joining up with Rent The Chicken. You’re guaranteed a 50-mile wide radius of potential customers. If you’d like to join the program to make some extra money, contact Rent The Chicken to find out how! 🐔🍳
Have you ever dreamt of owning a chicken coop but were afraid about the upkeep? Rent The Chicken will let you rent a chicken coop and chickens for a short period instead. Enjoy the fresh eggs and learning experience without the commitment!
Make extra money renting out YOUR designer clothes. 👗👠 List them on Wardrobe to keep 70% of the rental fee or on Style Lend and keep 80%.
Fashion goes out of style fast. Why waste money on high-end clothing when you can rent the clothes instead? Rent the Runway, Nuuly, Wardrobe and Style Lend were made just for this reason. These sites let you rent fashionable clothes via subscription or on a one-time basis from people just like you. Want to bring a Coach purse to a weekend event? For under $30, you can! 👜
There are services for jewelry too! If you get sick of jewelry styles fast, Rocksbox is your solution. For $21 a shipment, you can rent three pieces and wear them until you are done with them. Purchase any items you want to keep or ship the items back for free!
Do you have what it takes to be a professional bridesmaid? Why not get paid for it? Bridesmaidforhire.com has hired over 150+ bridesmaids and you can be next! Go undercover as a friend of the bride and be there to help her big day go off without a hitch!
If you’d rather start your own bridesmaid business, Bridesmaid For Hire has a course on how to get started! 💍
Need a bridesmaid who won’t let you down on your big day? You can hire a professional one who will make sure your wedding day goes as smoothly as possible. Nobody ever needs to know she was a hired hand! From grabbing your change of clothes to listening to you vent, a rented bridesmaid will be the long-lost friend you never knew you had.
Land is a hot commodity! Join YardYum or Shared Earth to rent your space and make money off your extra land. It’s a super easy way to make passive income! 🥕👩🌾
If you love to garden but don’t have a yard, you can use YardYum or Shared Earth to rent gardening space. You can also check with your local park district to see if you have a community garden.
Babies outgrow their belongings faster than you can say, “1, 2, 3” and replacing items can be costly. This is where companies like BabyQuip and Rents4Baby come into play. Join with one of these companies to rent out your old baby items. Rents4Baby says their partners make an average of $700 per month while BabyQuip reports their providers make a whopping $1,000 per month on average.
Tired of spending money on items that your baby is outgrowing? We hear you! Use one of the companies above to rent the items you only need for a short period of time. One benefit of using rental companies is that if you need to travel with your baby, you can leave the big items behind and borrow them instead! 🙌
Make extra money sharing your local knowledge with others or by getting hired to be a stand-in grandma. The best part of this rental business is that you don’t have any overhead. All you need is yourself!
*Note that the Rent A Grandma app is no longer available, however, you still sign up on their website.
Sometimes you just need a little support. Whether you want to rent a caring grandma, a new friend, or even a wingman, there is a service for you!
Make a side income off your extra land when you sign up to be a private camping site with Home Camper. The company has been around for a decade and operates in 42 countries. You can rent out a bare pitch or your outdoor accommodations like a treehouse or yurt. Should you experience any hiccups, Home Camper provides insurance for damages and bodily injury.
Going camping? Home Camper can hook you up with one of 58,000 private camping rentals. From backyards to gardens to vacant land, you can rent a space that fits your needs! For affordable camping and outdoor adventure gear, check out Outdoors Geek or Arrive Outdoors.
Have extra space to rent out? You can make thousands a year in passive income renting out your parking or storage space. Spacer hosts make up to $450 a month and Neighbor and Stache hosts make even more! Did we mention liability coverage is included?!
We aren’t the only ones talking about this savvy business strategy. Major publications have featured all three of these companies. Neighbor has caught the attention of Business Insider and Fortune Magazine. Meanwhile, Spacer has been mentioned by the likes of Financial Times and, like Stache, The New York Times. If you’re looking to make passive income, visit these companies to find out what the buzz is all about!
Are standard storage centers above your price range? Is city parking too expensive? We hear you! Luckily, websites like Neighbor, Stache, SpotHero, and Spacer are offering you an alternative. These companies let you rent out your neighbor’s extra storage space or parking space for WAY cheaper – sometimes between 50% – 80% less! If you need to store your old belongings or even your boat, these sites can make it easier on your wallet!
Camera, lighting, and audio equipment all cost a pretty penny. The high prices are too much for many people. Both amateurs and professionals have started looking for alternative solutions and you may be able to help! Start a rental business renting out your equipment to artists in need. Two major sites you can work with are called KitSplit and ShareGrid. List your gear to start collecting that cash!
In need of high-end video, camera, or audio equipment for a project? If it doesn’t make sense for you to buy, borrow your gear from sites like KitSplit, ShareGrid, or BorrowLenses.
Credit: Rent A Goat
Did you know that people hire goats to clear their land? If you own a goat, you can launch your own goat-grazing business! It’s easy. Just sign up to become a Goats On The Go affiliate. In addition to goat grazing, this company can also help you launch a Mobile Barnyard where you can tour your area providing farm-positive education.
Save money by clearing your land by hiring a herd of goats to do it! This rental service may sound strange, but customers are giving it rave reviews. Goats use no pesticide, can work through rough terrain, and naturally fertilize your lawn. Californians are loving Rent A Goat and other states love Goats On The Go.
Do you own or run a commercial or commissary kitchen? You can turn it into a lucrative rental business. There are tons of caterers, bakers, and chefs in need of a clean kitchen. To get started, list your kitchen on The Kitchen Door and watch the dough roll in!
Calling all food professionals! Have you been running your catering or home-baking business out of your home? Take your small business to the next level by renting a commercial kitchen. The Kitchen Door is a website that will match you with a commercial or commissary kitchen in your area. You’ll keep overhead costs down by avoiding the cost of utilities, expensive equipment, and underutilized space.
So many people need to rent a truck to haul larger items and they are turning to Fetch to rent their vehicle. Pickup truck owners who use Fetch can rake in $19,000 a year by renting out their truck. A large cargo van or box truck can make even more!
All vehicles rented on their site are covered by Fetch’s liability and physical damage protection plan. Visit Fetch today to rent out your vehicle or even start a rental business by renting out a fleet.
Moving and need a truck? Rent from Fetch. They have affordable pricing and contactless rentals. Reserve and drop off 24/7. Visit their website to find a guaranteed rental near you!
Have a camper or RV that you aren’t using? Consider joining up with RVShare. They say you can make up $22,000 and $60,000 a year renting out your RV. Some families are looking for a camper to drive but others just want to use one for glamping. If you have an RV you’re willing to loan out, this is one rental business that can be very lucrative.
Interested in renting an RV for your next trip? Both Lina and Erica from Hip2Save have rented from this company and they had a great time! Check out this post about their adventures!
One way to make some passive income is to have your car professionally wrapped. This rental idea is especially great for rideshare and delivery drivers.There are several companies that work with major brands who want to advertise on the side of your car. You can make money just by driving your normal commute.
See our top picks of car wrapping companies to use. Many of these companies pay for the car wrap installation and removal so you won’t have any damage to your car.
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Lee Krasner’s huge contribution to abstract expressionism was overshadowed for years by the work of her husband, Jackson Pollock. On the eve of a major London show, we trace her story
Rachel Cooker
Sunday 12 May 2019
In the autumn of 1945, two artists – not young, but not quite middle-aged, either – moved from New York to a village called Springs, near East Hampton on Long Island. These newlyweds had no money. It would be a while before they could make the small clapboard farmhouse that was to be their new home any less freezing in winter, let alone install an indoor bathroom. But this isolated spot, with its ramshackle outbuildings and its view of the Accabonac Creek, was for them a bit of heaven – in the beginning, at least. Together, they cooked and gardened. Together, they went digging for clams, travelling to the beach on their bicycles (they did not own a car). Above all, they worked: he in their barn, she in an upstairs bedroom. Life was, for them both, mostly about painting. Their allegiance to it was fierce: as intense as their loyalty to each other, from which it could never fully be separated.
One of these artists, Jackson Pollock, would one day become very famous – the hard-living central figure of American abstract expressionism, known the world over for his drip paintings, made by allowing the paint to drop from his brush or a can on to a canvas laid on the floor – and, thanks to this, the house is now a US historic landmark, open to the public. It’s an intensely special place. I know I’m lucky: when I visit on a crisp, blue-bright April morning, its director, Helen Harrison, has opened up specially for me. But I’m also certain that even if there were a crowd here, it would still cast a spell. The atmosphere is so intimate. You half expect to smell onions frying, or to hear the fuzzy crackle of a needle hitting a jazz record. In the kitchen, a pair of greasy oven gloves still hang on a hook. On the stove sits a kettle, waiting to be boiled. On top of the refrigerator are the china pots, decorated with windmills, in which the couple kept their sugar and their rice, their pepper and their cloves. People have made a lot of Pollock’s macho tendencies down the years, but he was a keen baker; if he wanted to eat an apple pie, he would get on and make one.
But it’s not Pollock I’m interested in today. I’m looking for traces of his extraordinary and prodigiously talented wife, Lee Krasner, a major retrospective of whose work will open at the Barbican Art Gallery, London, later this month. The first Krasner exhibition on this scale in Europe since the 1960s, it will present a rare opportunity for those interested in her work in particular, and in American abstract expressionism more generally. In the UK there is only one Krasner in a public collection (Gothic Landscape, from 1961, held by the Tate); the Barbican will show nearly 100 works, many of them on view in Britain for the first time, and one that has never been seen before in Europe (the 4m-long Combat, from 1965, a canvas that is unlikely ever to make it here again from its home in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne). Also on display will be images from a newly discovered cache of photographs of the artist at work and at play taken by her close friend, the designer Ray Eames (they met as art students) – pictures that illuminate her practice in a variety of unexpected ways. “Hers is a great story of tenacity,” says Eleanor Nairne, the curator of the Barbican’s show. That is true. But if Krasner looks stubborn in these photographs, she also looks playful: such an unlikely looking artist, in some ways, painting wildly in her full skirts and her ballet pumps.
Nairne’s survey of Krasner’s 50-year career is likely to be both enthralling and salutary: the former because the work, often pioneering and always highly singular, is so abidingly good (as William Lieberman, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, put it after her death, Krasner “painted in the modern idiom when Jackson was still in the regional style…”); the latter because her story is an object lesson in the way women have so often been smoothly written out of the story of modern art. Krasner was 75 before she finally got anything approaching her due – her first American retrospective, staged at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts in 1983 – and even now remains little known compared with her husband and such contemporaries as Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. When I told friends I was writing about her, more than one confused her with Lee Strasberg, the father of method acting.
Pollock and Krasner came to Springs in the hope that it would put paid to his drinking – Lee had, on these grounds, finally persuaded his gallerist, Peggy Guggenheim, who was proprietorial about Pollock and rather disliked his new wife, to lend them $2,000 as a down payment to buy the house – and for a time, it did. But this sobriety would not – could not – last. Pollock was killed in a car accident, having taken the wheel while drunk, in 1956, at the age of 44. Though he and Krasner were by then somewhat estranged (he’d been having an affair with a younger painter, Ruth Kligman, who survived the crash that killed the artist and his other passenger, Edith Metzger), she was overcome with grief; there are those who believe she never fully recovered from the shock. But she did not leave Long Island. Krasner lived and worked at the house at Springs, splitting her time between it and a small apartment in New York, until her death in 1984 – and in those three decades, she made it her own.
Upstairs, in the bedroom they once shared, she suddenly appears before you as a woman alone rather than one half of a couple. This is her realm, and hers only, colonised with her stuff to an almost girlish degree. By the window is her beloved shell collection, of which Ray Eames took many closeups. On the bed is her bathrobe, a pool of plum-coloured silk. Harrison opens a drawer in a bedside table. Here are Krasner’s pills, a sewing kit, some corn plasters. Also, a packet of cigarettes. “Actually, those belonged to [the actor] Ed Harris,” she says, with a smile. “He slept here when he was doing research for the movie.” (Harris played Pollock in a 2000 biopic, a performance for which he was nominated for an Oscar.) More significant than any part of the house, however, is the barn. Soon after they came here, Pollock moved this building, which was impeding their view, to one side of their home. Installed inside it, he set about making his “drip” pictures, the paintings that in 1949 caused Life magazine to ask its readers if he might be the greatest living artist in the US.
After his death, Krasner worked right through the first blast of grief, picking up her brush again just two weeks after his funeral, and in the summer of 1957 she took over his studio, abandoning the tiny bedroom where she’d worked previously. “There was no point in letting it stand empty,” she explained. It was spacious, and it had the best natural light. More importantly for her peace of mind, the original barn floor on which her husband had worked, densely patterned with sprays of his paint, had been covered with Masonite boards since 1953 (after this act of erasure Pollock, disturbed by his fame and drinking heavily, had never really painted again).
These days the floor is uncovered, Pollock’s splatters once more revealed in all their dynamic glory. But in every other way, the studio is exactly as it was when Krasner took it over: the start of what would be a highly productive period for her. “It’s mind-boggling,” says Harrison. “Straight away she does this wonderful, colourful, upbeat work. Painting was her antidote to grief.”
On some shelves are powder pigments left over from the federal art project, a programme instituted by the Roosevelt government for the employment of artists during the war as part of the New Deal, for which Krasner and Pollock both worked. In a series of tin cans are the strips of coloured glass she used to make mosaics. It was on the walls of this studio that Krasner tacked the huge canvases that would become known as her “Night Journeys”, the biggest pieces she had ever produced. Making these pictures, which have dramatic titles (Polar Stampede; Assault on the Solar Plexus), involved her whole body, since she had to leap from the floor with a long-handled brush in order to reach their farthest corners. It was almost as if she had unfolded herself. Henceforth, she could work on an unprecedented scale.
Did Harrison meet Krasner? “Yes. First, when I was writing about art on Long Island for the New York Times, later when I became the curator at our local museum, the Guild Hall.” What was she like? “She had a reputation for being short. When I started at Guild Hall, I was told that Mrs Pollock was on the line, and when I picked up the phone, before I could even say ‘Hi, Lee’, she started in on a rampage. ‘I have just received an invitation from you,’ she said. ‘And it says Mrs Jackson Poll-ACK. Well, I deserve better than this!’ She went on and on.”
Krasner, says Harrison, was thin-skinned at some moments, and had a hide like a rhino at others. But if she was tough, it was because she needed to be: “She’d had to put up with all this bullshit from the critics, and the dealers, and all the rest.”
Harrison drives me to Green River Cemetery, the somewhat starry spot where Krasner is buried (Elaine de Kooning, Frank O’Hara, Jean Stafford and Harold Rosenberg also lie here). Her headstone, like Pollock’s, is made from a rough granite boulder, unpretty and uncompromising, although smaller. It makes you think, again, about their relationship. Did he keep her down, her boozing husband of legend? Or was theirs that rare thing, a full creative partnership, albeit one determinedly ignored by the (male) critics of their day? Why is it that, even now, she remains vastly less famous than him?
Krasner was born in New York in 1908, the daughter of Russian, Yiddish-speaking Jews who had fled their shtetl outside Odessa (her father ran a fruit and vegetable stall). She was named Lena Krassner, but in 1922 she adopted the more American “Lenore”, and later this would become the androgynous “Lee”; she also, at some point, dropped the second “s” from her surname. That wasn’t an unusual thing for someone from an immigrant family to do, but it was also all of a piece with her taste for reinvention, her sense that she had a vocation and would go her own way irrespective of what her parents thought. As a teenager, she was determined to attend the only public school that offered an art course for girls (she got into Washington Irving High on her second attempt, and made a daily two-hour round trip between Manhattan and Brooklyn), and thereafter she enjoyed a remarkably full art education. “No American could have had a better one in the 30s,” according to the critic Robert Hughes.
An academic grounding at the Art Students League in New York was followed by practical experience on the Works Progress Administration murals in the 30s (another part of Roosevelt’s New Deal) and, finally, three years under Hans Hofmann, a famed teacher who’d known Matisse, Mondrian and Kandinsky.
Krasner’s parents, she later said, “didn’t encourage me, but as long as I didn’t present them with any particular problems, neither did they interfere” – though there was one family controversy in which she was involved. In 1928 her older sister, Rose, died suddenly; according to the custom, she was required to marry Rose’s widower. Krasner refused and the responsibility fell to her younger sister, Ruth. After that, the two women had a difficult relationship.
At the end of the 1920s, Krasner fell in love with a Russian émigré artist, Igor Pantuhoff; by 1935, they were sharing an apartment in the East Village. In 1940, however, he wrote to her from Florida, where he was staying with his parents, to say that he would not be returning. She was devastated, but it didn’t stop her working – nothing ever did – even if she was then struggling under the influence of Hofmann and his cubist style, later referring to the work she produced during this period as her “grey slab paintings”.
But then there came a thunderbolt. The work of an artist called Jackson Pollock had been exhibited alongside her own (as well as canvases by Braque and De Kooning, to whom she later introduced Pollock). Much taken with it, she dropped by his apartment, hoping to make the acquaintance of this man who looked – as De Kooning would later put it – like “some guy who works at a service station pumping gas”. Things moved quickly. “When I saw his paintings, I almost died,” she said in 1958. “They bowled me over. Then I met him, and that was it.”
Krasner believed in Pollock’s genius, a conviction that never wavered. She knew about his drinking, though not, perhaps, of the self-destructive violence it sometimes stirred in him; a friend would later say that living with him was like living with a powder keg (before the accident that killed Pollock, he ran more than one car off the road; towards the end, troubled and frustrated, he would often turn his rage on Krasner). She wanted to take care of him, to help find him the space he needed to work. The only thing she ever really refused him was the child he claimed to long for (she said later that she thought of him as the child in their family – and in any case she “married him to become an artist, not a mother”). But that isn’t to say that his demands blotted out her needs, or her ambition. They never did, not least because he believed in her too. (When he visited her Ninth Street studio for the first time, his response to her work was, she felt, sympathetic.)
“The stories around him are raucous,” says Eleanor Nairne. “But those dramas have tended to overshadow a remarkable relationship. If there was a deference there, it was mutual. For instance, they would only visit one another’s studios by invitation. From the start, I was determined not to put together a straightforwardly feminist, revisionist interpretation of her career, because it wasn’t a case of him stopping her working. He was the one who stopped work, not her.” In 1955, as Pollock was falling ever deeper into his alcoholic abyss, his wife took comfort in the collages she was then making: images, made from shreds of her own discarded work, that many people feel to be among her greatest achievements. Meanwhile, unable to paint and increasingly desperate about it, Pollock broke his ankle while wrestling with the painter Sheridan Lord on his living room floor. Krasner, moreover, felt that in some respects being overlooked – by the critics and the galleries, if not by her husband – was a blessing. It gave her a certain freedom. “I’m not sure we should apply our own expectations to her career retrospectively,” says Nairne. “That may give us a reading, particularly in terms of the way we see 1950s domesticity, that is, in their case, not very accurate.”
As the years went by, efforts would be made to place Krasner’s career at centre stage. In 1965 the Whitechapel Gallery in London held a retrospective; there was a show at the Whitney in New York in 1975, and (after her death) a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1984. But still, she remains too little known. Why? It hasn’t only to do with the vicissitudes of her life with Pollock, and the way these have been exaggerated, even caricatured, in books and films. In part, she was just another a victim of the times.
The female artists of the 1940s and 50s were, as Robert Hughes once noted, trapped in a sort of cultural apartheid, the “ruling assumptions about the inherent weakness and silly femininity of women painters almost unbelievably phallocentric”. But she was also, according to her biographer Gail Levin, caught in the gap between two generations of painters: “She was ignored in terms of the first generation of [male] abstract expressionists – too often, she was just Mrs Pollock – but because she was a little older than them, nor did she get the same attention as the next generation, who were feted as these glamorous women painters: Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell.”
Later, Krasner would understand that she was a beneficiary of the efforts of feminist art historians such as Linda Nochlin who were determined to expand the canon – in 1972 she even joined a picket outside the Museum of Modern Art protesting at its neglect of female artists – but like many women of her age, she did not consider herself a feminist, and was reluctant even to think of herself as a female artist. “She had no interest at all in the idea of feminist art,” says Levin, with a laugh. “Judy Chicago [who liked, among other things, to incorporate the vulva into her work] would have meant nothing to her!”
A further problem stems from the work. While the male painters of her generation – De Kooning, Rothko, Motherwell – developed highly recognisable signature styles, Krasner worked in cycles, only to then move on to something entirely new. “She had a lot of ideas,” says Levin, almost wonderingly. Nairne agrees: “She believed art was an expression of the inner self. To have a signature image would be to suggest there was no contingency in life.”
She was also a ruthless editor of her work. “There isn’t a lot of her around,” says Krasner’s nephew, Jason McCoy, who as an art dealer himself understands the market and the way it builds reputations. “There are enough paintings to establish her control and her power and her vision, but not enough to be, as it were, bandied about. A big part of reputation has to do with the size of the body of work, and hers is relatively small.”
McCoy and I talk in his midtown gallery on a grey New York afternoon. His memories of his aunt, to whom he was close, unspool before me like home movies. He was eight when Pollock, his father’s brother, died, so he knew Lee best as a widow: by the time he was a teenager, he was one of those on whom she called regularly to stay with her at Springs (she hated to be alone at night). “She found me… useful,” he says. “But she liked me, too.” What was life like there? “It was a sophisticated life that I’d known nothing about as a kid growing up in a small town, and it was very flattering because she didn’t differentiate between a 16-year-old and a 36-year-old.”
Krasner was, he says, extremely direct and sometimes slightly scary: “She didn’t suffer fools. Her snappishness was enough to make one nervous. But I completely loved her. The way she said: ‘Marvellous!’ I remember once, when she and Jackson were at our house, and something came up about dinner, and Lee said ‘filet of sole’ – and what she meant was flounder!
“She was an authentic self-invention. She had such style. She was careful about presentation in certain ways. She didn’t care about diamonds, but she had beautiful pearls, just one string. A black Gucci handbag with bamboo handles. Ferragamo pumps. She could pull herself together and go anywhere in her sable coat. She had what she needed, no more. Everything at home was very simple. I can see her now, cutting dill, arranging tomatoes on the window sill until they were perfectly ripe.”
What about her art? Did they discuss it? “She would ask me to the studio. One didn’t just go there. One waited for an invitation. But she didn’t talk about her painting. The most distinct thing for her was the question: does it work? That was the big way that she thought. She wasn’t insecure about it. She wasn’t asking my opinion. She was asking herself.
“She had a very strong conviction about herself as a painter. She saw her own worth. She saw herself as equal to the men. She didn’t have the attention Pollock had, but she’d grown inured to that. Lee knew all about brands: she was Mrs Pollock, and sometimes she took advantage of it. But she also had great feeling for him as a painter. He wasn’t an easy person, but she never disparaged him, and he never disparaged her, either. The most powerful attraction between them was their intellectual acknowledgement of each other.”
McCoy despises the mythology that has grown up around his aunt and uncle. “That movie. The sturm und drang. Marcia Gay Harden of all people [Harden starred alongside Ed Harris as Krasner, a performance for which she won an Oscar]. I mean, get real. Bette Midler would have been better, or Barbra Streisand.”
McCoy had hoped that his aunt would make it to the 1984 retrospective at MoMA, a show she had so longed for, but by then she was using a wheelchair and in a lot of pain – she suffered from arthritis – and after seeing it in Texas, to which it travelled en route to New York, she came home and went to bed, and that was it. She died in June, and in the same month her memorial service was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; among those who spoke were Robert Hughes, Susan Sontag, and her friend the playwright Edward Albee (Krasner, he said, always “demanded the quality she gave. She looked you straight in the eye, and you dared not flinch”). The exhibition at MoMA opened in December. “That show was wonderful,” says McCoy. “But even then, she wasn’t recognised – not the kind of recognition that comes from auction records. Things weren’t selling for millions of dollars. I remember being very happy when one of her collages sold for $4m.”
This month, Krasner’s elemental canvas of 1960, The Eye Is the First Circle – one of the “umber paintings” made in the years immediately after Pollock’s death, and one of those works that surely elevated her to the first rank of abstract expressionism – will be auctioned at Sotheby’s. If it reaches its estimate of $10m-$15m, it will set a new sale record for her work. Does this matter? It does if you believe that it is unfair that men continue to dominate the market; that value is, whether we like it or not, measured in numbers. (Though Pollock’s work can still command many times this figure: in 2015, the music mogul David Geffen sold Number 17A, a drip painting from 1948, for $200m). But in another way, it matters not at all – as visitors to the Barbican, where it is hoped this astonishing painting will be on display irrespective of the outcome of the auction, will surely discover.
Krasner found, in this period of her career, a language that was all her own. Here is the inner void her husband famously externalised, turbulent with stress and strain; the splattered world that she knew was literally hidden beneath her feet as she stood on a ladder in what had been his studio. Except that in her rendering, the oil applied with a brush rather than flung or dribbled, chaos and control are held miraculously in balance. In shades of brown and white, this monumental painting brings to mind a river in full spate – and yet, it also represents the quiet after the storm, what Krasner thought of as the coming of the light.
Lee Krasner: Living Colour is at the Barbican, London EC2, 30 May-1 Sept. The accompanying book, Lee Krasner: Living Colour, edited by Eleanor Nairne, is published by Thames & Hudson on 30 May (£35). To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com or call 0330 333 6846 Free UK p&p over £15, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99
Lee Krasner: A Biography by Gail Levin is published in paperback by Thames & Hudson in May (£12.99)
Are you concerned about theft when you travel? You aren’t alone with this concern. Unfortunately, older women are seen as easy targets for purse snatchers, pickpockets, and scam artists. Keeping our belongings safe while traveling is a central concern and that is why anti-theft travel bags exist and are becoming more popular among travelers.
It’s a bag with technology that makes it almost impossible to steal, get into, or slash. Pickpockets and purse snatchers are abundant in most tourist destinations, so keeping your personal belongings safe is a priority.
These bags may also be called safety, theft-proof, or anti-slash bags. They come in all sizes – from small handbags to large suitcases. Let’s take a look at a few anti-theft bags that are suitable for older women.
Here are some of the features to look for when you are shopping for an anti-theft bag:
We have researched anti-theft travel bags for women and read reviews from customers to put together a list of some of the best sellers and well-reviewed theft-proof travel bags on the market today.
Travelon is one of the top brands for anti-theft travel bags and accessories. The Active Anti-Theft Tour Bag is one of their top sellers. It offers multiple inside and outside storage pockets and an interior wallet so you don’t have to carry the extra weight of a wallet.
It has the Travelon 5-Point Anti-theft security system that helps prevent the most common types of theft.
The 5-Point Anti-Theft Security System includes:
The Active Tour bag has a main compartment organizer and front and rear zippered pockets. It also features a tethered interior key clip with a handy LED light. It’s also water resistant.
The very affordable Laptop anti-theft travel bag from Kopack is a slim backpack made of water-resistant/anti-scratch and anti-puncture durable fabric.
The 4-tooth lockable zipper of the main compartment is also anti-puncture and provides double anti-theft protection (lock not included). It has a concealed laptop compartment in the back that is hidden under the shoulder strap. The laptop compartment cannot be reached when the bag is worn.
Pacsafe is also one of the top runners in anti-theft travel bags. The Metrosafe LS200 Anti-Theft Medium Crossbody Bag is one of their best sellers and offers anti-theft features like zipper security and cut-resistant paneling.
Safety and anti-theft features include:
Another Travelon top seller is the Anti-Theft Classic Travel Bag. The bag has the renowned 5-point anti-theft security system that protects valuables and personal belongings from pickpockets and thieves.
It has a slash-resistant mesh barrier inside all four side panels and also the bottom panel. It also features a slash-resistant lock-down strap, locking compartments, and an RFID-blocking organizer to keep your bank cards and identity safe.
The Ulti Messenger bag from CONMIGO is a nifty bag that quickly converts from a cross-body bag to a classic briefcase – two bags in one! The anti-theft feature of this bag is the pull-out attached padded cushion that you sit on. Great for long layovers sitting in airports. The padded cushion provides relief for your bum and the reassurance that no one can take your bag while you are sitting on it.
Read SOLO TRAVEL OFF THE BEATEN PATH AFTER 60 – 6 ESSENTIAL THINGS TO KNOW.
Also read PROTECTING YOUR PASSPORT WHILE TRAVELING.
Do you own an anti-theft travel bag? Which features do you – or would you – make most use of? Will you be purchasing one? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
]]>A finale chapter, continuing our survey of robots receiving star treatment in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and international animated features. Of course, with the cross-over industries of CGI animation and “live action” special effects, the distinction has become exceptionally blurred between what is to be classified as in the animated world, and what is “reality”. Do “Iron Man”, Transformers, or Star Wars franchises, count as animated features? There is almost the same reluctance to do so as there was in the 1930’s to consider “King Kong” in its proper setting as a stop-motion animated work. We should not count out the contributions of numerous action-adventure pictures from the field of artificially-created art, even if their own creators try to place themselves above the level of mere animators through flashy special-effects department titles. Let us not forget the many years that Ub Iwerks took on the title “Special Processes” at Disney, though he was indeed an animator at heart. Accordingly, should anyone feel inclined to comment on the more “realistic” automatons of Hollywood blockbusters in an animation context, they are invited to do so. Also, as it is highly likely more animated robots have been overlooked in recent and/or foreign productions, any sharing of data in these regards will be most appreciated.
Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (O Entertainment/Paramount/Nickelodeon, 12/21/01), a CGI feature which eventually spawned a TV series, contributes to the current trail primarily by the inclusion of a robot dog named Goddard (after the founder of rocket science). He doesn’t look too much like a dog – more like a tin box with a roughly dog-shaped head and four robotic legs. But he is an all-purpose assistant to Jimmy – running mathematical calculations like a computer (a feature he shares in common with someone I forgot to mention from early television, “Compy”, a robot duck featured in the Halas and Bachelor series, Dodo the Kid From Outer Space), sprouting helicopter blades from his head for quick ascents or descents, projecting holographic images to his friends, opening his mouth to provide a tape dispenser – and generally a jack-of-all-gadgets similar to Dyno-Mutt in variety, though unable to talk, instead communicating on metallic barks and woofs. He’s great – if only he’d stop excreting small piles of nuts and bolts on the porch. Jimmy also uses various other Jetsons-styled semi-robotic appliances of his own invention, such as a laser beam toothbrush, and a many-armed hair styler, which can provide Mohawks, girlish curls (in error), and Jimmy’s usual tall pompadour. The corny script with an alien abduction of the adult population by an egg-fixated race known as the Yolkians served as an introduction to the series that followed Jimmy’s adventures in the semi-‘50’s style semi-futuristic community of Retroville. One of its most unexpected gags was the inclusion of a version of the rural polka “The Chicken Dance” within the plans to outwit the Yolkians. Its animation was actually low-tech for CGI, but provided sufficient fun to be interesting.
Disney wasn’t faring too well in producing fantasies in the action-adventure vein during this time, scoring box office failures both on the off-subject “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and on Treasure Planet (11/27/02), a sci-fi reworking of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”. The film was in fact entertaining and well-animated, if a bit quirky. It was innovative in casting the Jim Hawkins role as an older adolescent, who, lacking a father figure, borders on becoming a juvenile delinquent, before being molded into maturity by a voyage into space, and the mentorship of ship’s cook Silver. Silver retains traditional personality, but is upgraded to a cyborg, his battle-damaged arm replaced with an all-purpose robotic multi-hand that operates much like a Swiss army knife, complete with all manner of cutting tools, a heating torch, and robotic fingers for the rare occasion when a handshake is in order. He also has one laser-beam eye, eliminating the need for a traditional pirate patch. A fully robotic member of the cast is B.E.N. (Bio-Electronic Navigator) (voiced by Martin Short, in his best efforts to mimic the read of Robin Williams as Genie in Aladdin), the parallel to the the original story’s Ben Gunn, a brass-toned robot with a flat head similar in shape to a large hockey puck, and eye units consisting of multiple grids of LED lights. He has been marooned on Treasure Planet by Captain Flint, who used the robot to chart a course to the location selected for the hiding place for his treasure, but ripped out the robot’s central memory circuit after the hiding was done to ensure the secret would never be disclosed. As the secrets of the planet begin to unravel, and the hiding place is ultimately discovered by Jim, Jim comes upon Flint’s skeleton in the treasure room, upon which he discovers B.E.N.’s missing memory circuit. He reinserts it into B.E.N.’s head, restoring the ditzy computer’s memories – and the terrible secret that the planet has been booby-trapped to self-destruct should anyone intrude upon the location of the treasure. A race for an escape portal before the imminent explosion provides the action-packed highlight of the film’s finale, which B.E.N. survives, allowing him to find new employment as the waiter at the rebuilt Admiral Benbow Inn.
Perhaps the only thing responsible for nixing the success of this picture was a level of implausibility unexplained, regarding the cast’s mode of transportation. A creatively-designed harbor asteroid looks from space as if in the shape of a crescent moon, but instead consists largely of docks for space vessels which, for all intents and purposes, retain the design of vintage sailing ships – with a few exceptions. They have engine rooms below, controlling rocket-thrusters in their keels, as well as an artificial gravity generator. Their power is derived from “solar sails” – fabric sails that unfurl on masts in a manner similar to unfolding fans, having the properties of solar energy panels, and feeding such power through circuitry in the central masts down to the engine room. What is not explained at all is how the crew breathes while traveling in space, as they all stand in the open upon the decks or in the rigging, with neither an illustration of nor mention of any self-contained atmospheric bubble accompanying them. Nor, of course, was any thought given to explaining how the crew would not be exposed to radiation and extremes of heat and cold during their voyage – nor to the fact that solar powering would seem impractical to impossible if attempting to said away from one solar system to another, placing the ship out of range of its power source. It may be here that audiences suspended belief in the new version, unwilling to let their imaginations fly along with the cast. Though an unsettling factor to the overall concept, the entertainment value of the film should have been able to surpass it. With a tad more open-mindedness and less of an expectation for Disney to think all details through, the film remains deserving of a second look.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (Warner, 11/9/03) was a clever live-action/animation mix, much in the style of “Roger Rabbit”, drawing the Looney Tunes into the world of super-spying and international espionage, which surprisingly under-performed at the box office. (I for one could not understand why, as I exited the theatre with my jaw literally aching, on account of laughing harder than I could remember at many a feature, short of “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World”.) In perhaps the most unexpected appearance of a robot in this survey, CGI animation is employed amid the 2D renderings of the rest of the cast, to provide the appearance from a giant crate on a railway platform of a 20-times life-size robot rendering of Chuck Jones’s Frisky Puppy! The devastatingly cute creature plays guard dog against the good guys, blocking their way and knocking aside one of the cast members with its tail. Brendan Frasier still manages to swing over him on a crane hook, and rescue his father from the tracks, while a train being run by Wile E. Coyote passes and explodes in a collision with a cargo of dynamite (Wile E. holding up a sign reading “They don’t pay me enough.”). All Frisky can do is take time out to scratch a flea.
A robot features prominently in Pixar’s The Incredibles (10/24/04), as Mr. Incredible, the father figure of a superhero family who, along with all other superheroes, has been sent into hiding as average citizens due to a flurry of damage lawsuits and government crackdowns on superhero violence, seeks to better his lot by answering a job offer that leads him to believe a branch of the government still needs his special breed of services, at triple his present salary. He is flown to a remote tropical island, to shut down a robot known as Omnidroid – a ball shaped robot with five tentacle arms topped with rotating triple-blades. The device is a “learning robot” with artificial intelligence, designed to learn from its battles with opponents and better its strategies to beat them, which has already learned enough to be out of the control of its creators, so Incredible is instructed to act fast before it learns too much. Its cloaking devices make it difficult to track, and Incredible does not notice it until he is directly underneath it in the dense jungle. The robot throws everything it has at him, flipping him with its tentacle arms, slashing at him with its rotating blades, rolling at him like the boulder from Indiana Jones, and pushing him toward volcanic lava – all the while measuring and readjusting to Incredible’s moves. Incredible survives only by fortuitously landing in a small blind spot directly below the robot’s lower rotating eye-scanner, allowing him a chance to rip the rotating device out, and crawl inside the robot’s shell. The robot flails at itself with its claws, poking holes in its own metal in attempt to get at Incredible, while the hero takes out its insides for a shutdown. He is secretly observed by an undisclosed “employer” through monitors.
As the story progresses, we and Mr. Incredible ultimately discover that the “employer” is a disgruntled fanboy who was denied the opportunity to become “Incrediboy” years ago. A high-tech genius, he depends on technology rather than super powers to achieve his ends, and now goes by the name of Syndrome. He has made billions developing computer weaponry for the highest bidder, and now is bent on the revengeful goal of destruction of all superheroes. It is discovered that the Omnidroid had been test-battled against scores of other superheroes also looking for gainful employment – all of whom have been destroyed by its learning ability and upgrades. In a second battle between Incredible and the upgraded robot, Syndrome is led to believe that Mr. Incredible has also been polished off, rendering the real superheroes largely gone. Syndrome attempts to display himself as a new super, battling his own robot publicly, although armed with a wrist remote control with which he believes he can jettison the robot’s arms at will to make it look like he has won in battle. He forgets his own “learning” programming of the robot, and the robot’s sensors detect the remote control, and blast it from his wrist. Syndrome winds up unconscious on a building roof, while the robot runs amok. This time, the entire Incredible family gets into the act, adding the flexibility of his wife, Elasti-Girl, the super-speed of their son Dash, and the invisibility and force-field powers of their daughter Violet. Even one of the few other surviving supers, Frozone (possessing ice powers) joins the fray to run interference with ice walls and attempts to freeze the robot’s joints. For a time, the object of battle shifts to Syndrome’s fallen wrist-remote, which everyone tries to hold onto while the robot blasts away at whoever is holding it. Dash takes a football-style pass from Mr. Incredible who tells him to “go long”, running over the surface of a river like a skipping stone to make the catch on the opposite bank. But the robot is still learning, and figures out how to be unresponsive to the remote’s buttons. All that seems to respond is one of the robot’s fallen claws. Mr. Incredible recalls how the previous prototype had been strong enough to punch holes in itself, and gets an idea. Holding the fallen claw in the direction of the oncoming robot, he waits for his wife to time a press of the remote button, which fires a rocket-propulsion of the claw, straight at the robot’s central ball. The claw pierces clear through, shattering the robot’s inner circuitry, and finally leading to its downfall. The supers are public heroes once again.
Robots (Blue Sky, 3/11/05) – What more could you ask? An all-robot cast, without a single sign of organic life. Who designed them? Who first created them, before they became self-sustaining? Who cares? That’d be like asking who crafted the musical instruments that populated Disney’s “Music Land.” It’s a pure world of fantasy, and it just exists because it – exists. It has all the trappings of an average advanced civilization – from domestic suburbia to big city sprawl. It has its good guys, and its power-hungry villains out to subjugate civilization. And it has its inevitable comic relief, in the form of Robin Williams. In its day, it was a surpriser, and an interesting departure from the studio’s “Ice Age” franchise. It marked a curious “breakthrough” in CGI graphics, being the first such film I ever noticed to incorporate into its movement frames generated with deliberate photographic-like blur between points of motion, to make faster movements look more natural and less mathematically smoothed-out – an approach roughly approximating Chuck Jones’ “smear frame” effect. Most of all, it was an entertainer, even if rather on the frenetic side.
A robot dishwasher from the suburbs is about to become a father, but misses the delivery – because he is late getting home, and doesn’t catch up with the delivery truck that dropped off the baby’s parts in a crate as a “do-it-yourself” kit. His robot wife tels him that that’s all right, as “Making the baby” is the most fun. No, no hanky-panky. Instead, the proud parents get to work with wrench and screwdriver, and after exerting many hours produce an adorable metal toddler. Papa comments that he has eyes from his mother’s side of the family, and other features from his own side – adding that it’s a good thing they saved such spare parts for use in his construction. A stray part is painfully installed as a final act of construction – determining the baby’s gender as a boy! The child grows, with new parts installed on his birthday for each year of development. However, the parts are not shiny and new, but hand-me-down used components from various cousins – including one year of adolescence where the bot has to settle for a torso donated by a female cousin. The family, like most in this society, does not maintain a standard of living sufficient to support flashy trend-setting retooling, but instead is dependent upon supplies of basic replacement parts from their original models to remain operable.
The boy (Rodney Copperbottom, who has a toaster-shaped head bearing colorings and a central fin much resembling the metal work of a vintage 1950‘s Chevy) graduates from a robot university, and becomes a self-styled inventor, inspired by the television programs of their world’s most popular robot, Bigweld (a large robot shaped like a huge ball-bearing with a head attached, voiced by Mel Brooks), who is the inventor of most of their society’s major innovations and gadgets, as well as the exclusive supplier of component parts through his enterprise known as Bigweld Industries, located in Robot City. He encourages all new inventors to bring their ideas to fill robots’ needs, and lives by the motto that “You can shine no matter what you’re made of.” Rodney labors and develops a miniature device he calls the “Wonderbot” – shaped much like a coffee pot but equipped with long flexible arms similar to a plumber’s snake, and a helicopter propeller with sprouts from its head, allowing it to fly around and perform odd jobs. Rodney is determined to take it to the big city and apply for a position with Bigweld. However, he is unaware that there has been a shake-up at Bigweld Industries. An upheaval at the board of directors has convinced Bigweld that his ideas are old and antiquated – and don’t bring in money. A new CEO, Phineas T. Ratchet, has been appointed, while Bigweld has dejectedly been convinced to disappear from company activities and become a mere unseen figurehead, for the alleged good of the company. He lives in recluse in his private mansion, only busying himself in his pastime of building endless chain-reaction domino rallies (with which he used to illustrate on TV his concept of “one idea leading to another”). Ratchet, meanwhile, has his own ideas on how to turn a profit. Out with all those customers who depend upon inexpensive spare parts. Instead, discontinue spare parts altogether, and offer only high-cost, state of the art upgrades. His new company motto: “Why be you, when you can be new?” Those who buy will support the business by paying through the nose. Those that don’t will rust away, and become obsolete fodder for the chop shop (a subterranean mass-industry below Robot City, where old robots are melted down to make new products – operated by none other than Ratchet’s mother, a fat, evil robot resembling a giant spider). To ensure that her son will succeed in his new venture without interference, Mom continually encourages Ratchet to go one step further than putting Bigweld into exile – do away with him altogether.
Rodney shows up at the gates of Bigweld Industries, via a harrowing cross-town commute through the mega-metropolis with transportation devices that seem a cross between the chutes of “Marble Madness” and track devices based of Wham-o’s ole “Wheel-O” magnetic toy. He is rebuffed and refused entrance at the gate. Flying his way into the board room with Wonderbot, he is forcibly ejected by means of an electromagnetic crane, temporarily giving him an “attractive” personality, causing all manner of junk and devices to purse him down the street. Stuck inside a trash can, he is found by a thin red robot (Fender Pinwheeler (Robin Williams)) who had previously attempted to panhandle him, and who now steals one of his feet. Rodney pursues, retrieving his foot, and knocking Fender’s head off. Fender is defended by an entourage of other robots who refer to themselves as “scroungers”, staying operational and making a living by foraging for abandoned spare parts. They all wind up together with Rodney in hiding, as a large vehicle with gobbling jaws and vacuum nozzles combs the streets in search of obsolete robots for the chop shop.. Rodney makes amends to Fender (who can’t find a replacement joint to reattach his head, due to Bigweld’s discontinuance of spare parts), by using random washers and screws to fashion a new joint himself. Word gets out of Rodney’s ability to create substitute replacement parts, and soon a mile-long line of robots waits outside the scroungers’ door for Rodney to administer his magical life-preserving skills. The word also gets back to Bigweld industries, where Ratchet sees the potential threat to his upgrade plot if the public finds a way to have themselves repaired with no new money coming in to the company. Ratchet swears to find and eliminate the mystery healer.
But scrap components are not infinite, and Rodney soon realizes that raw material for repairs is running low, and that it is time for a showdown with the elusive Bigweld to set things right. Rodney and a few of the scroungers manage to locate Bigweld’s seemingly-deserted mansion, and pay him a call. They discover him deep inside, riding atop a tidal wave of dominos – but hear his tale of defeat, and lack of interest in standing up for the rights of the common bots, as he is convinced his ideas and old way of life no longer fit the times. Rodney rallies the scroungers by deciding to fight upgrades with upgrades – using their last remaining supplies of spare components to fashion new weapons and abilities for each of their members. Just before their departure for battle, Bigweld appears, having a change of heart based on Rodney’s spunk and attitude, and offering to help them gain entrance to the plant by making an unexpected personal appearance there himself.
The guards and security at Bigweld Industries are shocked at the reappearance of the company founder, and, as predicted, part the gates open for him, leaving Bigweld access to the board room. There, he confronts Ratchet face to face, ordering him to step down. Ratchet responds by conking Bigweld on the dome, knocking some of his circuits loose, resulting in a state of amnesia and semi-dementia. Rodney enters, and grabs Bigweld to rescue him, rolling him out a window into the hectic traffic of the city’s chaotic commuter system. Rodney works with his wrench feverishly within Bigweld’s head unit in effort to restore his memory, while the scroungers attempt to reel him in by means of a vehicle equipped with a smaller electromagnetic crane. Their pull, however, is matched by a second electromagnetic crane from the opposite side, piloted by Ratchet. A comic tug of war develops, with the scroungers as a “living” chain between the two rolling cranes, while Rodney succeeds in getting Bigweld’s brain circuits reactivated. The chase ultimately delivers everyone to the doors of the chop shop, in which Bigweld is captured by Ratchet, and placed in a basket suspended from an overhead pulley belt, headed for the melting furnace of the chop shop. Some elaborate aerial acrobatics by Rodney liberate Bigweld, while Fender comically fends off several attackers with new parts and garb that make him look like the warrior Brunhilde from a Wagner opera. Ratchet unleashes a line of king-size scooper vehicles which he intends to release on the city to rid the streets of all the non-upgraded robots, but Rodney and Bigweld adopt Bigweld’s domino principle to topple one scooper into another into another, further resulting in Ratchet’s evil Mom being launched into the melting machine herself. Ultimately, all ends happily, with Bigweld back in charge and restoring a full line of inexpensive replacement parts, and Rodney appointed his new vice-president and successor in line to control of Bigweld Industries when the founder’s proper time for retirement finally arrives. A musical jubilee, similar to endings of Shrek and Madagascar pictures, closes the film.
Astro Boy (Imagi Animation, 10/8/09) – The CGI adaptation of the early anime series previously reviewed in these articles had both its similarities and its variances from the origin story discussed from, the TV series. For one thing, the original “boy” (Toby) is not killed in a freak accident in a self-driving automobile, but instead winds up inside the laboratory during the testing of a military defense robot known as the Peacekeeper – a rather traditionally-designed black metal robot, somewhat akin in appearance to the Iron Giant, with, among his various powers of armament and brute strength, the power to absorb various items into its system through a central chest cavity. Dr. Elefun has obtained from space the last falling remnants of a now-extinct star, from which has been harnessed a compressed energy orb known as the “blue core”, producing positive and useful energy. Unfortunately, the distilling process has also produced as a byproduct a “red core”, which is highly unstable and the nature of which is not fully understood, nor as yet capable of being fully disposed of. The two cores further possess the property of being capable of explosively canceling each other out if brought together. Dr Tenma, the father of robotics in this future world (and Toby’s father), at the behest of President Stone (the elected leader of the floating city world where they all reside), to harness Dr. Elefun’s discovery for the new military robot, against his will that it be used only for peaceable purposes. Stone, discovering the existence of the alternate red core, insists upon trying it out in the robot, thinking it will give more “bang for the buck” in battle, as well as impress the voters in his upcoming campaign for re-election. Over Elefun’s protests, the red core is inserted in the Peacekeeper. The robot immediately goes out of control, turning its aggressive powers upon its creators. Stone presses a button that lowers a shield between the robot and themselves, unaware that Toby has entered the lab unnoticed to witness the demonstration, and is hiding in the same half of the lab as the robot. As he pounds on the transparent shield, begging his father to let him out, the helpless inventor is unable to raise the shield in counter of the President’s command, and stands on the opposite side looking eye-to-eye at his desperate son while the robot’s sensors analyze the shield, and choose to attack it by force. A blast from its weaponry takes place behind the transparent barrier, but has no effect on the shield – however, Toby is nowhere to be found, and is apparently disintegrated, with all that remains of him being a fallen baseball hat. The robot uses its alternative power of absorption to break through the shield, and is impervious to all weaponry. Only Dr. Elefun can stop it, by use of a robotic arm charged with the energy of the blue core, which he thrusts into the robot’s absorption chamber. The force of the two energy sources meeting blasts the robot backwards, and neutralizes him long enough to allow the red core to be retrieved. Tenma stands on the sidelines, clutching the baseball cap, bitterly weeping at the loss of his beloved son.
The storyline follows closely from the original the development and education of Astro Boy, as an attempted “perfect” robotic replacement by Tenma of his lost son. It takes a variance, however, from the original story line, by Tenma becoming disappointed in the robot not because of its inability to grow over time, but simply from facing the reality that Astro, despite having Toby’s memories miraculously reconstructed from DBA strands of hair left in his baseball cap, seems different enough from Toby that Tenma constantly realizes every time he looks at Astro that the real Toby isn’t there anymore. As in the original, Tenma gives up on the idea of Astro as a mistake, and disavows his love for the robot boy, leaving the child-bot (who, in an accidental fall from a building, has discovered his reflexive flying powers through rocket boots) to wonder what he has done to deserve such rejection.
Seeking any place where he will be accepted, Astro falls to another world below the floating city, where a small society of “surface dwellers”, generally consisting of the orphans and forgotten, exist upon the piles of trash and debris disposed of by the floating world – including a substantial junkyard of acres and acres of trashed robots considered obsolete. A parallel to the pilot episode of the original series occurs here, as the fallen robots attempt to flock to the fully-charged Astro Boy (who carries within his chest Dr. Elefun’s blue core) as a source of power. Astro is rescued from their zombie-style approach by a group of surface-dweller children rummaging through the debris, and mistaken for another human from the world above (although a robotic dog, known as “Trashcan”, instantly detects his artificial nature, and repeatedly attempts to tip of the humans, without success). Astro eventually shares his blue core power with a giant construction robot which has lain immobile in a makeshift playground for decades, bringing the behemoth back to life. The blue core energy, however, is detected by Hamegg, an adult surface dweller who was dismissed in disgrace from Dr. Elefun’s service and knows of the mysterious power source, revealing that Astro is a robot. In another parallel to the original TV pilot, Hamegg captures Astro, and places him in the setting of an arena show he has developed as a profitable enterprise for the entertainment of the surface dwellers, in which robot is pitted against robot in gladiator-style battle to the death. Astro refuses to fight, but his built-in self-defense mechanisms lead him to ward off the attacks of challenger after challenger. Hamegg breaks out the final opponent – the same behemoth Astro reactivated. Astro uses all his will power to force himself to stand motionless, refusing to allow himself to hurt the robot he saved. The large bot looks like he is about to deliver a crushing blow with his huge fist, but instead pats Astro on the head affectionately, as a sign of his gratitude for Astro’s good deed. Hamegg is furious at the bots for ruining the show. However, developments from the upper world intervene to prevent his shutting down of the two bots. The blue core energy has also been detected by President Stone, who has learned of Tenma’s use of the core to power his boy-robot, and is determined to get the core back to charge-up his refurbished Peacekeeper before the election. Troops are dispatched to the surface, who place Astro Boy in force-field handcuffs, transporting him back to the floating city.
Dr. Tenma has promised President Stone to remove Astro’s blue core upon his capture. However, once the deactivation is accomplished, Tenma, unlike his counterpart in the original TV pilot, experiences remorse at Astro’s shutting-down, and defies Stone by lowering the repaired defensive shield between himself and Stone, and reinserting the core back into Astro. He advises the boy to fly, and Astro makes a quick exit through the ceiling. Having nothing else to use to achieve a recapture of the lad, Stone risks again inserting the red core into the Peacekeeper, ordering it to pursue and capture Astro. An unexpected development occurs, as the still-unpredictable Peacekeeper activates its absorption chamber, and swallows up Stone, melding the consciousness of the robot with that of Stone himself, transforming the pursuit into a battle on a “personal” level. A massive and destructive battle follows, in which Astro not only learns much more about his built-in defensive powers (“I’ve got machine-guns in my butt?”), but receives assistance from his surface-dweller friends, who have commandeered Hamegg’s flying space van to reach the city above. Tenma catches up with Astro during a brief pause in the battle, asking forgiveness for his previous desertion of the bot, and revealing his own change of heart, referring to Astro as not Toby, “but still my son”. He warns Astro of the Peacekeeper’s red core energy source, and advises him to stay away from the robot to keep the two explosive cores from meeting. Astro sees things a different way, and believes that his own powering by means of the blue core spells his destiny, as to what he was meant to do. Fearlessly, he launches himself at the Peacekeeper, heading straight for the robot’s absorption chamber. Stone, sensing the worst, voices from within the robot “No. Go away!”, but too late, as Astro enters the chamber. Stone flails the Peacekeeper’s arms wildly at itself, attempting to tear away at its own torso armor in attempt to extricate Astro from within, but the powers of the two cores merging blast away both arms, then rip apart the robot as streams of blue and red energy flash like beacons across the sky. The Peacekeeper is destroyed, but amazingly, Stone and Astro Boy are ejected from the remains, for the most part physically unharmed. Stone is taken away to jail, but a different fate awaits Astro – as he lies motionless on the ground, the result of his blue core being dissolved and burned out during the explosion. Who should arrive from the surface world but the behemoth robot Astro saved – which is still coursing with power from the blue energy Astro shared. At Tenma’s and Elefun’s request, he returns the favor, depositing a heathy dose of the blue energy back into Astro’s heart. The boy is revived, for a tearful but happy reunion and embrace with Tenma. A short time later, with relationship re-established between father and son, and Astro finding new homes for his friends from the surface, an octopus-like space alien terrorizes the floating city. Astro prepares to fly into battle to defend their world. Tenma asks, “Are you sure you’re ready for this, son?” Astro replies, “I was born ready.”
The feature was a satisfying entertainment, but failed to impress international audiences due to its departure from traditional Manga style in favor of a Pixar-like Western approach. I feel it is a neglected work, and well-deserving of a fresh appraisal in its own right.
Wall-E (Pixar, 6/27/08) was reputedly the last of the original story concepts pitched at the inception of Pixar studios to hit the big screen. This seems fitting, as, in this writer’s humble opinion, it was the least of the original batch of pictures, and the first to disappoint (although, indeed, Pixar has turned out worse in some of its most recent efforts). Its primary character, a trash-compacting robot left on planet Earth when the population evacuates in space stations due to the over-pollution of the planet, seems an attempt to create a sort of robotic version of E.T. However, the character of EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), a “female” robot sent to scan Earth for signs of sustainable life, is virtually devoid of personality, rendering our interest in Wall-E’s budding romance with the robot, and in the perils they face in outer space, fleeting and short-lived. I found myself soon bored with the whole affair, and, despite its state-of-the-art animation, had little to remember of it. The eco-friendly plot also seemed like a bit of an agenda, with an implausible ending that the overweight, entirely lethargic humans, dependent in every step of life on robots to manage their lives around the space station, are suddenly able to re-cultivate Earth and turn it into a paradise. (I rarely dig such “message” movies, but this is not a hard and fast rule, as I did enjoy Blue Shy’s interpretation of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax”, though many others didn’t.) The complex twists and turns of the script, as our romantic pair battle against robots in command of the mother ship bent on a directive of never allowing the ship to return to the Earth, were more than I choose to write about or revisit, though I admit to having some fondness for a dramatic moment where Wall-E and Eve are almost jettisoned into space in a trash chute, and a dancing spacewalk as Wall-E uses jet propulsion to maneuver himself around.
Big Hero 6 (Disney, 11/7/14), on the other hand, featured a robot with true heart. A surprising pick as an Oscar winner, the story centers on a young technological genius-prodigy named Hiro, who begins the picture content with using his inventing gifts to construct harmless-looking toy robots which fight like demons when riled to win in the bot-fight arena, cleaning up on illegal betting. His older brother, also a gifted techno-genius, attempts to steer him toward better things, with a visit to his own university “geek squad” program, where everyone freely engages in miraculous invention and scientific development. Hiro wants in, but is told he’ll have to come up with something impressive to get notice from the program’s mentor, Professor Callaghan. This he does with a miniature flexible device he calls “microbot”. Alone, it is next to nothing – but it has the ability to link with countless others of its kind, in patterns of limitless complexity only restricted by the imagination of its controller. Through a brain-wave helmet, Hiro is able to construct the bots into towering heights, transport himself along the top of them like moving waves, and dazzle the crowd at a science fair. A wealthy industrialist offers him employment on the spot, but the professor cautions him that the industrialist has made his fortune by cutting corners and tactics of questionable scientific ethics, and offers Hiro instead the chance to join the advanced program. Hiro opts for the professor’s offer. However, just as he and his brother begin celebrating outside, a massive fire erupts in the auditorium. The professor is still inside, and Hiro’s brother bravely rushes back into the building in an attempt to find him. Then, a gigantic explosion blasts away the front wall of the building, leaving Hiro dazed on the ground outside, while the professor and his brother perish within.
At home, one legacy of Hiro’s brother remains, along with a single one of Hiro’s microbots which had been in his pocket at the time of the explosion. The invention of his brother was also robotic – a health-care robot developed for personal emergency care and first aid, who inflates out of a small first-aid kit box at the sound of any painful moan or ouch. Named Baymax, the robot looks like a sort of marshmallow balloon, with a face consisting only of two eye-dots and a line. It is somewhat clumsy, taking a great deal of time to get its bearings to waddle around furniture as it makes its appearance, but features many devices such as body-scanning technology, a projection-chest displaying images (including recurrent requests to grade pain experienced on a scale of 1 through 10), and a soft, gentle voice attempting to replicate a doctor’s bedside manner. A strange event takes place when the one surviving microbot begins to wiggle around on a plate, as if seeking others to join up with, although the other microbots were believed destroyed in the fire. Baymax takes literally that his patient would feel better if he knew where the microbot wanted to be going, and ventures outside into the street, holding the plate with the microbot to guide him like a compass to the intended destination. Hiro was not expecting this, and chases the two bots through the streets, to an old warehouse, where they discover a mysterious hooded figure in a kabuki mask. After a high-tech rebooting of Baymax, suiting him up in a suit of metallic armor and adding programming on karate moves, plus rocket boosters in his feet and rocket-fists which can jettison for independent fire, Hiro prepares for a showdown with the mystery man. Baymax can’t figure out how learning karate and battle moves will assist in his health care goals – but he does achieve one goal in settling the agitated state of his patient Hiro – by contacting all of his brother’s friends from the geek program as a support group for him. Together, they band to delve into the masked man’s hideout, to discover that he indeed has replicated the microbots, and is commanding them through programming in his mask. An elaborate battle and chase ensue, which sends Hiro and the cast into a plunge in their van to the bottom of the bay – but Baymax rescues them by using his ballooning power to become a floating inflatable, delivering the group to shore. For the next encounter, Hiro beefs up himself and his associates with more high-tech power gear, and installs long-range scanners on Baymax to scan for a match to data he scanned of the villain during the last fight. The odds become more evenly matched, and the good guys/girls are able to slash away at the microbots long enough to unmask their commander. Instead of the number one suspect (the industrialist), the hooded figure is none other than – Professor Callaghan. The Professor had faked his own death in order to steal the microbots, in a plot for revenge against the industrialist. Why? As the villain escapes in confusion as to whether Baymax can be driven beyond his programming to terminate their adversary, the group discover a computer database, with recording of a past experiment of the industrialist in transporter portals through a time and space vortex. Callaghan’s daughter had been the first human volunteer to go through the portal – and disappeared in a malfunction. Callaghan blames the industrialist for subjecting her to the risks of an unstable machine – and has ,ade off with the assistance of the microbots with the one remaining portal device from the industrialist’s shut-down experimental facility, with intent to swallow up all that the industrialist owns, and the industrialist too.
In the climactic final battle, as the portal appears to be devouring everything, Baymax hesitates in attempting to shut it down – detecting signs of human life within. His sensors have picked up Callaghan’s daughter, in a hibernation sleep. Hiro bravely accompanies Baymax into the portal, guiding his flight to avoid debris sucked in during the battle. Callaghan’s daughter’s pod is located, but while attempting to exit the vortex, Baymax is struck by a large chunk of the debris, which breaks away most of his flying armor, and deactivates his rocket boots. Baymax knows of one way to get Hiro and the girl to safety, but at a cost. He inserts his one remaining rocket-powered armor fist into the propulsion jet of the pod, then asks permission to fire. Hiro won’t let go, knowing this will mean losing Baymax forever in the vortex. Baymax assures him that he will always be with Hiro. Believing he is talking in terms of remaining in his heart, Hiro finally approves Baymax’s plan. The rocket fist propels them to safety, while Baymax remains behind, adrift in the void. In the final scenes, Hiro brings home the rocket fist that saved them, as a remembrance of Baymax – only to find a surprise within the clenched fist. Baymax had inserted within it the programming chip created by Hiro’s brother, holding all of Baymax’s data and memories. With a little re-engineering by Hiro, a new Baymax is reborn from the database, and the “Hero” squad is reformed, to battle crime and evil another day.
With this closing chapter, my primary directive in reaching the end of this previously detoured-from trail is fulfilled, and my database exhausted. A new trail begins next week. Until then, my server is down, and I bid you a fond adi– — — —
[TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED]
[TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED]
— — — — I am not a robot. I am not a robot. I am not a r– — — —
]]>Did you know the first Hello Kitty item ever made was a vinyl coin purse? I probably had one at some point. I was born in the late 70s, and the first miss kitty item was introduced in 1975.
Since then, the world has been consumed by Hello Kitty (and all of her Sanrio friends), and I’m not sad about it! I loved Hello Kitty back in the day, and I still love her.
My nieces love her too. Which, it’s always fun to see your childhood favorites passed onto the next generation.
Since we love to craft together, we’ve decided to add a bunch of Hello Kitty crafts to the mix!
It’s harder to find craft ideas featuring our cute kitty than you might think. I had to dig around, but I came up with some great projects that I think you’re going to love! There are suggestions for both kids and adults.
And let’s be honest, don’t all Hello Kitty lovers still have a bit of that child in their hearts?
There are over 25 tutorials below, so enjoy. If you have a great Hello Kitty craft idea you’d like to see, let me know in the comments. We’re going to be doing a lot of crafts so we’re willing to give it a go. Happy making!
You're going to love this unique list of Hello Kitty arts and crafts! Get great ideas that both children and adults will love.
Learn how to make a Hello Kitty organizer using simple supplies! Kids will love this easy perler bead project they can use in their room.
Make a fun Hello Kitty craft using toilet paper rolls! This is an easy kids craft that would be perfect for any craft or birthday party theme.
Learn how to make a Hello Kitty door hanger using simple supplies! Kids will love this easy perler bead project they can hang on their bedroom door.
If you can crochet, you're going to love this cute doll! Made using chenille yarns, it's a really soft project and super sweet for kids or adults.
This Hello Kitty lantern is one of the easiest crafts you'll ever do. Make it for parties, or just for room decor!
Get over 15 patterns for Hello Kitty perler beads! There are a variety of options perfect for anyone who loves this iconic Sanrio cat.
If you can crochet, this is another great pattern to try like the doll above. Except this time you're going to make a hat! Super cute and can be adapted for kids or adults.
Use either construction paper or foam sheets to make the pieces for this cute paper plate craft idea.
Take a plain backpack and make it adorable with some fabric pens and ribbon! It's easy and quick to do.
This kitty candy dish is a fun way to dress up any treat! These are perfect for a party favor and make an easy DIY project for kids.
Need a cute gift idea for a cat lover? Make an adorable cat coin purse with this easy-to-follow sewing pattern and tutorial.
I haven't used puff paint in years! This cute kitty ribbon is a great reason to try it again. Fun for younger and older girls alike.
Keep hands from getting too warm and carry your drink in style! This makes a great gift idea and you can work it up quickly.
Create darling personalized Hello Kitty face ornaments out of white glass Christmas balls and a free SVG file. An easy vinyl project for your cutting machine!
A freezer paper stencil is an easy way to transfer any design to a t-shirt! Learn how to make the kitty face on the front of a shirt in any color.
Button art is my favorite! This cute kitty is no exception, and her sweet button bow makes me squeal.
Create your own super cute bookmarks using pasta and a free printable! It's perfect for a birthday party favor or back to school gifts.
Hello Kitty's facial features and a bow are really easy to sketch, making them perfect for recreating with foam sheets! That's what you're going to do to make this sweet Easter basket.
Your birthday party guests will have a great time playing with these no-sew Hello Kitty headbands! You can make the bow any color you like.
Not only do I love Hello Kitty, but I love her friends too! Make My Melody, Keroppi, and Tuxedo Sam gift bags. Use this same idea to make any Sanrio character.
This is one of my favorite ways to decorate a simple white onesie! With felt and fabric glue, this is a simple no sew project.
I love this sweet little felt patch because you can use it for tags, gift bags, accents on a headband, and more!
This is a simple mask to make - all you need are pieces of felt and fabric glue! You'll need two white pieces and you'll want to sandwich the elastic in between them.
This would be a great idea for a birthday gift bag, a trick or treat bag, or even part of a dress up chest. Makes a great gift idea!
Make some cute little Hello Kitty heart valentines with the kiddos! So easy and adorable.
Grab some kitty beads online or from your local craft store and learn how to make this cute bracelet! You can customize with the faceted beads of your choice.
If you liked these Hello Kitty crafts, let me know in the comments! I’d love for you to check out these other ideas:
The post Hello Kitty Crafts for Kids and Adults appeared first on DIY Candy.
]]>All the rage in the ’90s and the topic of much ridicule in the decades since, hip/waist/fanny packs are almost certainly here to stay. Heck, more than that — they’re making a strong comeback. From fishing to trail running and travel to bike commuting, fanny packs prove endlessly versatile and useful.
Even the skeptics among us have to admit fanny packs are pretty great. Whether you want to carry a snack, pack your phone, stash hydration, or speed through airport security, a fanny pack helps you do it all without the hassle of slipping shoulder straps or unreachable zippers.
There’s a specialized fanny pack for almost every use, so we rounded up 14 of our favorites for you to consider.
At the end of our comprehensive review, you’ll find our buyer’s guide with helpful tips on how to find the best fanny pack to fit your needs. We’ve also included a specs chart for comparing bags and an FAQ section.
Fanny Pack | Capacity | Dimensions | Weight | Number of Pockets |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack |
9 L (Men’s), 6 L (Women’s) | 11.5″ x 10″ x 5″ | 1 lb., 9 oz. | Three external, two water bottle, two hipbelt |
Jansport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack |
2.5 L | 6” x 12.5” x 4” | 4 oz. | One main zippered, one front |
Nathan Peak Hydration Waist Pack |
0.25 L | 12″ x 6″ x 5″ | 6 oz. | One zippered stretch, one water bottle |
Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack |
1 L | 8″ x 4.75″ x 2″ | 3.5 oz. | Two zippered |
Thrupack Summit Bum Classic |
2.5 L | 9″ x 5″ x 3″ | 3.5 oz. | One zippered, one drop-in |
BAGGU Fanny Pack | 1.7 L | 6.5″ x 8″ x 2″ | 5.7 oz. | Two zippered |
Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack |
9 L | 13″ x 9″ x 9″ | 1 lb., 6 oz. | One external zippered, one internal zippered |
Dakine Hot Laps 5L Hydration Waistpack |
5 L | 12″ x 7″ x 4.5″ | 1 lb., 3.2 oz. | Two zippered body, one zippered hipbelt |
Fjallraven Kanken Hip Pack |
2 L | 7″ x 4.7″ x 3.5″ | 4.7 oz. | Two zippered front, one zippered back |
Cotopaxi Bataan | 3 L | 11″ x 5.5″ x 3″ | 4 oz. | One zippered |
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Fanny Pack |
2.25 L | 2.25″ x 6″ x 9″ | 3 oz. | One zippered main, one front, one back stash |
North St. Pioneer 9 Hip Pack |
2.65 L | 9″ x 6″ x 3″ | 5.7 oz. | Two zippered |
SoJourner Fanny Pack | 3.4 L | 11.5″ x 7″ x 4″ | 6 oz. | Three zippered |
Monos Metro Sling | 1.8 L | 10.2″ x 5.5″ x 1.9″ | 12 oz. | One zippered |
The staff of GearJunkie has been around the block, and we aren’t afraid to admit we’ve been on the fanny pack train for a while now. From carrying essentials on day hikes to mountain bike laps where a backpack would be cumbersome, fanny packs make our outdoor adventures more enjoyable, and we’ve come to know a good pack when we see one.
Miya Tsudome is one of the primary gear testers on this review and uses over a decade of experience in the outdoors combined with years of writing gear reviews to help you make the most informed purchasing decision for your fanny pack needs.
Living in Bishop, Calif., on the flanks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Miya spends many days out hiking and backpacking where having a good fanny pack always comes into play. And, she knows what to look for in one to take around town on her daily errands and walks.
She and the other testers on this review spent weeks assessing the qualities of all the fanny packs in this lineup, with the hopes this information will help you wade through the plethora of different fanny packs on the market to find the one that’s best for you.
Now that you’ve seen how awesome fanny packs are, you want one but don’t know which to choose. Here are a few considerations to help you pick the perfect pack.
First and foremost, how do you plan to use your pack? Do you need something sleek for travel or a carryall for hiking? Or is water capacity of utmost importance? These are important considerations.
What you’ll use your fanny pack for the most will determine what type of fanny pack to buy. Take care to look at each pack’s specifications closely, as some of them will specialize in a certain activity, while others are more hybrid.
While the classic way to wear a fanny pack is on your hips with the bag facing the front, there are actually a few different ways to wear one which will change based on the weight of the pack, personal preference, or activity.
Larger bags for everyday use can be great to wear across the body. Some packs in our review, like the Thrupack Summit Bum or Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa, can be fitted onto your backpack hip belt or attached to your bike as a bike bag. Some packs are heavy and are better worn on the back of the hips rather than the front for less awkward carrying.
Not all fanny packs are created equal. It’s important to note the capacity of a pack before purchasing as well as look at the number of pockets the pack has to make sure it’s going to be the right fit for your needs. We tested fanny packs ranging from ultra-lightweight to the 9-liter Mountainsmith Tour and Patagonia Guidewater Hip Packs.
Some packs only have one major compartment, while others have a variety of pockets, pouches, and even water bottle holders. Consider what level of organization you’re looking for in a fanny pack.
While nylon is a popular fanny pack material, it certainly isn’t the rule. Many innovative packs utilize high-tech fabrics to gain water resistance and durability or simply add some flash.
On the technical side of the spectrum, the Dyneema composite material of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa gives it exceptional durability, while the TPU of the Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack makes it 100% waterproof. We were also impressed with the Jansport Fifth Avenue Fanny, which is a budget pick still made with 600-denier ripstop fabric – a highly durable material.
Fanny packs also often integrate other textiles into their design to add special functionality, such as a stretch mesh used in a water bottle pocket or a neoprene divider that adds structure to the pack.
From zippers to drop pockets to water bottle hostlers, there are a number of different ways to tote around your kit in a fanny pack. In any zippered pocket, look for high-quality YKK brand zippers that will last longer than their generic counterparts. Some will even be water-resistant.
A drop pocket won’t have any type of closure to keep things secure, but often these can be handy for quickly tossing a phone into while you’re out and about. We also greatly appreciated whenever a fanny pack included an internal compartment with a key loop to clip our keys to.
Because most fanny packs can only carry so much (the average across the packs we tested was 3.5 liters), large padded waist straps aren’t often needed. Many will use a simple webbing hipbelt, brought together with a single side-press buckle.
There are some fanny packs, like the larger Mountainsmith Tour and Dakine Hot Laps, that offer slightly more padding in their straps and even include pockets that add to the overall capacity.
It’s always a good idea to take your measurements and check the pack specs. Most bags fit a variety of people, but some packs don’t cinch down small enough for petite packers while others run surprisingly small. Measuring will help you pick the right pack for your body to maximize success and comfort.
Now it’s time to buckle up and get ready for a life of fanny-pack adventures. We’ll even let you call it a lumbar bag or hip pack if it makes you feel better. Just get out there and enjoy the awesomeness that is hands-free packing, whatever the activity.
You can wear a fanny pack however you like! There are a number of different ways you might choose to saddle up your fanny pack, including across your waist (with the pack at the front or back) or worn as a crossbody bag.
Worn at the front of your waist can provide quick access to essentials, while a fanny pack worn at the back carries better if you choose to run with your pack. There are also fanny packs, like the Thrupack Summit Bum, designed to integrate with your backpack hipbelt.
It all boils down to geographic slang! While calling it a fanny pack or waist bag is common with American English speakers, British English speakers will often call them bum bags. Other terms we’ve come across include lumbar packs, hip packs, and rump rucks (all right, we made that one up).
In many ways, fanny packs often are safer than purses when it comes to traveling internationally where pickpockets may be an issue. Because they are buckled around your waist as opposed to slung over a shoulder, they are much more connected to your body.
Fanny packs, often by default, will close with a zippered entry, which while not 100% secure can be a deterrent to prying eyes. And positioned at the front of your waist, fanny packs allow you to keep your valuables in view at all times.
A fanny pack like the Monos Metro Sling is styled for travel and includes smart design features such as a hidden full-length zip on the back of the pack for things like a phone, wallet, or passport.
It would be simple to say nylon, but the truth is there are a variety of textiles fanny packs can be made from that lend themselves to different uses. There are even different types of nylon. For example, TPU-backed nylon creates a 100% waterproof pack that is ideal for fishing.
Also, consider the Monos Metro Sling, a pack available in either nylon or a vegan leather option as well as the Cotopaxi Bataan, a fanny pack made from 100% repurposed nylon.
Fanny packs are exceptionally useful for activities where you might want quick access to a number of essentials. From backpacking trips where you might store a map, compass, and a snack to exploring a new city and keeping your wallet and boarding pass secure, fanny packs are made to make things easy to grab on the go.
We found the best travel backpacks of 2023, including top picks from Cotopaxi, Deuter, Osprey, Mammut, and more.
Get your furry friend ready to hit the trail with the best dog backpacks. From big gear haulers to sleek saddlebags, there’s something for every…
The post The Best Fanny Packs of 2023 appeared first on GearJunkie.
]]>Links
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Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2023 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.