Dormitory Bathroom Basics May 2, 2009

The university has been chosen and the deposit check mailed, so it’s time to start planning what you need. This will be the first in many posts to help you get ready for college and the dorms. All will be in the category ‘Gift for College Student‘ to make it easy to find them all. Today, the focus will be on bathroom basics.

Dorm Caddy Shower Tote ($3.99) from OrganizeIt – variety of colors available. Easy for toting toiletries to/from the bathroom – and storing them in-between.

Bath Sheet 35″x70″ ($16.93) from Linen Source. Covers even the tallest of showered students.

Classico Chrome S-Hook ($3.99) from Container Store. If hooks are not abundant in the bathroom, this hook could be handy to put over the shower rod or door for your towel to stay off the ground and handy from either side. Also useful if you need to hang your toiletry bag/tote.

Throw Some Sunshine On Yourself April 9, 2009

Silk evokes visions of elegance, luxury, softness, and beautiful hues. Why not skip the vision and bring a bit of silk right to you with Lands Ends’ Silk Throw ($49.99, originally $119.50). It is 100% silk and available in two sunshiny colors: Jonquil and Terracotta. Silk has the ability to feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so an ideal lightweight yet substantial throw in a generous 50″x72″ size. 

Since silk is fairly fine it would do nicely to pack as a travel blanket, though I usually reserve that role for machine washable items.

 

Lands' End Silk Throw

Stylin’ in the Rain… or Sunshine March 30, 2009

I once thought rain coats should be big, shiny, and yellow, but now I know that those are not the elements that keep me dry in the rain. Now I am loving my microfiber rain coat (in sand) from Lands’ End. The coat seems to be worth a few versions so you may also wish to look at the Microfiber Rain Coat with Zip Out Liner (pink or blue, $69.99), Regular Microfiber Raincoat (navy or sand, $79.50), Microfiber Rain Coat (black, $59.99), or Regular SunShower Raincoat (six solid colors or four patterns, $79.50).

What makes this coat a personal favorite?
* It doesn’t look like a raincoat – Can be worn like a trench or overcoat, but I’m prepare in case of scattered showers or a surprise downpour.
* It is machine washable - I’ve gotten it muddy and washed it to look new again, still handles rain like a champ.
* It has a pretty lining – When I bought the coat I didn’t think much of the lining, but a few people have commented on the nice lining.
* It doesn’t wrinkle and is built to last - Even after wearing it in a rainy climate for over seven months and washing it at least once, it doesn’t wrinkle and resists the rain.

Not only does this coat not make you look like Paddington the Bear awaiting the rain when it has not yet arrived, but it resists wrinkles. I have made a habit of rolling the coat up to fit in my big handbag in case of rain and even after that it looks lovely. Did I mention they now have sweet Microfiber Rain Hats ($22.50) in coordinating colors and patterns? The coat itself does not have a hood, but the hat does the trick without taking away from the everyday elegance of the coat’s classic silhouette. They have a similar coat for men in their Regular Stormer Raincoat ($79.50-$89.50).

Lands' End Microfiber Raincoats for Sunshine or Rainy Days

Countertop Road Trip March 23, 2009

Feel groovy with The Vermont Country Store’s VW Bus Tin ($10). At just 9.5″ x 3.75″ x 4.5″ it is just the right size for your treasures. Personally, I’d use it to hold pens and highlighters on my desk – or a candy stash!

VW Bus Tin from The Vermont Country Store

Romance from the Unromantic Husband February 11, 2009

I just read ‘Julie’s Gift’ written by Kevin Kirsch, a husband who is not a feelings sharer, but through this novella lets us all know (including his wife) that he does have deep feelings. It is a nice light read that may make you look at your unromantic partner a bit differently since it reminds you that just because feelings are not shared doesn’t mean they’re not felt. Julie’s Gift is available for $11.95 from Amazon and BookLocker ($5.95 as a download) or $8.63 from Discount Book Sale.

If you are a partner/spouse unable to share your feelings, but want to show that it’s inside somewhere so why not use Mr. Kirsch’s words instead and give the book as a gift. Even better if you slip in a pair of tickets to London to complete the gift! Julie’s Gift has great sample itineraries (how they actually spent their days in London) as well as the author’s Top Ten London Travel Tips for the Guys (funny and useful list).

The plot is not riveting and you won’t find a car chase, but that’s the best part. It revolves around a couple’s anniversary trip to London, England. The husband admits his idea of a trip is from the couch to the fridge, but goes out of love for his wife. It unfolds from there. The coolest thing about this book is that it was penned in secret by the husband and presented to her as a Valentine’s surprise!

Not everyone is romantic or able to share feelings aloud, and many of those people are men. This book is a thoughtful and dare I say passionate shout to his wife to tell her that even when he doesn’t say so, he is happy and lucky to be with her. 

 

A novella by Kevin Kirsch proclaiming his love for his wife while telling us about a fabulous London getaway.