No More Vegan Leather Shoes For Moi

Take a look at the last pair of vegan leather shoes I expect to ever buy. I'll consider imitation leather for handbags or articles of clothing, but not for shoes. In my experience, ''liberated leather'' just can't match the fit or comfort of genuine leather shoes. There's always an unexpected issue with them.

To the left is exhibit A, my JBU walking shoes: Adorable style ... and for short walks, they are fine. But, the vegan leather is stiff, and it never softens. After a summer of wear, the shoes haven't conformed to my feet fitting like a glove as real leather tends to do. Fake leather doesn't seem to stretch or give to accommodate a toe ... and the sides of the shoes puff out when I take a step, not hug my feet as leather does. 

Luckily they were a T.J. Maxx find, so a bargain. Certainly, I like the brand, JBU, which makes a quality orthopedic-approved footbed, but in the future, I'll always pursue this retailer's and all shoes carefully to ensure I'm buying real leather. These shoes in leather would be perfect!

For the lesser ticket price I paid at TJ Maxx I'll get my money's worth, yet I want shoes to do it all, i.e. carry me over short and long terrains so I can own fewer pairs of shoes.

Still, I gave it a try. I wonder how people who wear only vegan leather shoes manage? Are they mostly in sneakers? Do they avoid hard concrete pavement? Are they the taxi and Uber set? Hmm, I would miss the sights, sounds, and easy exercise of walking all over Manhattan.

Next let's look at another brand, a leather shoe I may buy next time! Technically a sandal -- a hybrid, closed-toe walking shoe, if you will. Customers rave about them: The Keen Women's Rose Sandal has tons of glowing customer reviews on multiple sites! Similar to the JBU in style, support, and rubber soles.

Two brands to keep on our leather-preferred radars! What's more, both companies bring back their popular walking styles season after season (with minor tweaks) and you won't miss out by not ordering them before you need a pair. Should you need a pair though, the sales are on!

Teva Leather Omnium 2 for men

Another company, Teva, with a similar type of walking/sporty shoe is perhaps superior in quality -- but has only a leather option for men right now. Check back in the future to see what comes out for women. Not everybody needs waterproofed shoes all the time, which may explain why leather is disappearing as the material for these types of airy walking shoes.

A closed-toe-airy-walking shoe is versatile. Not only will it take you from summer to fall, but you can wear them when open-toe sandals are too slight or casual. They are sandals bumped up a notch to casual smart. Make them in durable leather, please!

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Test Kitchen's Easier Ever Drop Biscuits

All photos courtesy of Test Kitchen

Since America's Test Kitchen uploaded its video on YouTube, I'm bringing it here for you, my readers. Thank you, TK for making the recipe publicly available for all of us to make! 

The drop biscuit recipe uses cream instead of butter and buttermilk, and this allows us to break a cardinal rule in biscuit making which is keeping ingredients ice cold. It also eliminates the steps of rolling out and cutting the dough into biscuits.

Test Kitchen's Easier Ever Drop Biscuits

Ingredients:

Dry:

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons sugar (it browns yet will not noticeably sweeten the biscuits)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda (for flavor and browning)

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Wet:

1 cup cream 

Directions:

1) Toss the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them together.

2) Heat the cream in a microwave to 95 - 100 degrees F. Takes 60 - 90 seconds. You can't omit this step as it melts the butterfat in the cream thinning it to get the right consistency to make a dropable dough. If you leave the cream cold as you would to make the perfect classic biscuits, the batter will be too dry and then if you add more cream to combine into a dough, the butterfat will melt while baking in the oven, turning the drop biscuits into pancakes.

3) Combine the heated cream into the dry ingredients and don't be afraid to mix well. The high-fat content in the cream will keep the dough from forming too much gluten. Another rule you can break with this recipe is not touching the biscuit dough too much.

Now we come to the easy part!

4) Spray a 1/3 measuring cup with cooking spray, scoop up the dough and drop onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat for 10 biscuits. With your hand feel free to get in there to pretty up your biscuits.

5) Bake in a 450 degree F preheated oven for 10 - 12 minutes. Rotate the tray halfway through the baking. When golden brown and done in the middle, remove from the oven. (see top image👆).

Test kitchen suggests melting 2 tablespoons of butter to brush on the top of each biscuit after you pull them out of the oven.

Eat the biscuits while they are warm. Enjoy!

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The Swing Dress Is The Bomb

Retailers are now running their end-of-summer sales, so I bought 2 new bargain swing dresses for next year. Moreover, I could still wear at least one of them during our Indian summer, early fall days.

IMHO, the swing dress is very stylish on most figures, and on hot summer days with no seam grabbing you at the waist it's cool and comfortable too.

So without further ado, let me tell you about the 2 dresses I bought. From Landsend and with a swingy-silhouette, the two dresses are 100% linen, machine washable, above-knee in length, and have pockets! All features I love! Regularly $68 bucks, luckily reduced to under $30! A steal considering how long they'll last with proper care. 

Ordering from a catalog can be tricky, especially with a swing dress. You don't want a swing dress that is too boxy or long, as it will look like you're wearing a tent or sack. Fortunately, these two do not disappoint. They are cut to flatter, a perfect fit, and feminine. In fact, they look much cuter trying-it-on than they photograph! What a relief!! I am glad I ordered them!

Can you guess which of the two, in my opinion, might take me into the early fall?

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Baked "Fried" Catfish And Chips

Photo: Delish Restaurant Fied Fish

Fried fish and chips (a/k/a french fries) are a favorite meal of mine when eating out. I grew up in a town where you could order scrumptious fried fish and fries in many places from seafood restaurants to Catholic parishes and the American League. It was a cheap eat! For this reason, we never made it at home.

Surprisingly, it's harder to find good fish and chips in Manhattan although we are surrounded by water ... and when you do find it, it can be expensive.

In August I discovered just how easy it is to make homemade fish and chips. I defrosted 1 pound of catfish filets, but you can use whitefish or your favorite mild fish. I've made it 3 times already and will publish my recipe so you and I can return here to make it again. (After 3 Fridays, I don't wish to keep reinventing the wheel!):

Fish and Chips

Ingredients for the Baked "Fried'' Catfish

16 oz of catfish filets 

1/4 cup of all-purpose flour

2 eggs

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

2/3 cup cornmeal (I have sometimes mixed cornmeal with bread crumbs, but the cornmeal is all you need.)

1 1/2 teaspoons of Zatarain's Creole Seasoning (or salt)

Sprinkle of garlic powder

12 turns (1/2 teaspoon) of the black pepper mill

1/4 teaspoon of paprika

1 tablespoon Zatarain's Crab Boil seasoning (Omit if you don't have it.)

Directions:

1) Pour the all-purpose flour into a bowl (or onto a big plate) and roll the fish filets in it.

2) Scramble the eggs and add the lemon juice in a bowl and dip the fish into the egg mixture.

3) Next coat the filets of fish with cornmeal and spices.

4) Lay on a cookie sheet (I use a non-stick silicone mat) but you can butter the pan, or spray with non-stick butter or olive oil to keep from sticking.

Ingredients for the French Fries

4 long potatoes, cut lengthwise

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt or Creole salt

Black pepper to taste

Directions:

1) Toss the raw potatoes into a bowl.

2) Coat with a tablespoon of olive oil and salt, pepper and spice to taste.

3) Line the raw fries on a cookie sheet.

4) Place the trays of fish and french fries into a preheated 425 degrees F oven. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until both are cooked and golden brown. 

Alternately, if you don't mind the cleanup or calories, you can deep fry your fish and fries in very hot vegetable oil ... for 5 - 8 minutes. 

Reheated ... browner but still delicious. Steak fries stay moist and crispy the 2nd time around.

When I moved to New York City, the meal I missed the most was fried fish with french fries. So ingrained was it to eat out, I never tried making fish and chips at home. It's so simple. Better late than never. Don't forget the ketchup or tartar sauce. (I'm happy with ketchup.)

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The Beauty Advent Calendars Are Out

Beauty Advent Calendars are always sold in limited quantities, and they launch in autumn 3 months prior to Christmas. Liberty London, the Holy Grail of calendars, comes out in October, selling out within days. So hyped is the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar, after it's gone some customers sell their empty Liberty boxes on eBay ... yes, an empty box!

Frankly, I don't have the patience, nor wish to pay the piper for such Limited Luxe Editions marketed by high-end retailers to create demand and company buzz. Instead of joining the flock, I can find equally winning splurges for less moola and be happy! Still, they make nice gifts!

The following are 5 lovely 2021 Advent Calendars already out. They, too, will sell out by December, so wannabe buyers must grab them now:

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1) Elemis No. 25 Beauty Advent Calendar  - Skincare and pampering items. Contains:

- Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 50ml – Full Size
- Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g
- Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil 5ml
- Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix 15ml
- Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser 30ml
- Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal 5ml
- Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask 4ml
- Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter 20ml
- Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser 20ml
- Superfood Facial Wash 30ml
-Superfood Day Cream 20ml

- Superfood Night Cream 20ml
- Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice 20ml
- Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial 15ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask 15ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Skin Smoothing Essence 28ml
- Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads 14 pads
- Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash 30ml
- Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
- Herbal Lavender Repair Mask 15ml
- Balancing Lavender Toner 50ml
- Frangipani Monoi Body Cream 50ml
- Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 100ml
- Sea Lavender & Samphire Body Cream 50ml
- Sea Lavender & Samphire Bath & Shower Milk 100ml

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2) NYX Gimme Super Stars Advent Calendar -  Not as upscale or costly as the others, yet fun eyeshadows and lip glosses fit for younger customers, especially early teens. Contains:

- NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Mini 11ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator Mini 2 x 13ml
- NYX Professional Makeup HD Finishing Powder Mini 3.3g
- NYX Professional Makeup Eyeshadow Base Mini 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Eyeshadow Singles 6 x 1.7g
- NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream 6 x 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss Mini 6 x 4.7ml
- NYX Professional Makeup #thisiseverything Lip Oil Mini 4.7ml

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3) L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar - My kind of skincare, everything needed to lube up with moisturizers in our upcoming battle with Old Man Winter. Contains:

- Immortelle Precious Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Shea Butter Ultra Rich Lip Balm Net Wt. 0.13 oz.
- Rose Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
- Almond Shower Oil 1.6 fl. oz.
- Shea Light Comforting Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Almond Body Milk 1.6 fl. oz.

- Cherry Blossom Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
- Aromachologie 5 Essentials Oils Shampoo 1.1 fl. oz.
- Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream Net Wt. 0.17 oz.
- Shea Butter Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.
- Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap - Milk Net Wt. 0.8 oz.
- Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm Net Wt. 0.35 oz.
- Soap with Verbena Leaves Net Wt. 0.8 oz.
- Aromachologie 5 Essentials Oils Conditioner 1.1 fl. oz.
- Verbena Cooling Hand Cream Gel Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Verbena Shower Gel 1 fl. oz.
- Shea Butter Foot Cream Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Almond Delicious Hands Net Wt. 0.3 oz.
- Lustrous Hair Treatment - SOS Shine Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Gel Cream Hair Treatment- SOS Moisture Net Wt. 0.6 oz.
- Aromachologie Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo 1.1 fl. oz.
- Shea Honey Hand Cream Net Wt. 0.34 oz.

- Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum 0.17 fl. oz.

************************************************************************

4) Rituals Advent Calendar - Another personal care option I like. Formulated with botanicals, it contains:

- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- Océan Infini, 15 ml
- Amsterdam Collection Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Samurai Ice Shower, 70 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Sleep Pillow & Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Karma Body Shimmer Oil, 30 ml
- Fortune Balms - Repair, 4.8 g

- Serendipity Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Sakura Shampoo, 50 ml              

- The Ritual Of Sakura Conditioner, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Hand Lotion, 70 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Scrub Glove
- The Ritual Of Ayurveda Hair & Body Mist, 20 ml
- The Ritual Of Karma Mild Body Scrub Clay, 70 ml

- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Imperial Rose, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Jade Vine, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Orris Mimosa, 25 g
- Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Sweet Jasmine, 25 g
- The Ritual Of Oudh Foaming Shower Gel, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Jing Mini Fragrance Sticks, 50 ml
- The Ritual Of Namaste Anti-Aging Serum, 10 ml
- The Ritual Of Sakura Body Cream, 100 ml

**********************************************************

5) Charotte's Beauty Dreams & Secrets Beauty Advent Calendar - Every year I'm on the fence about recommending the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar. Love the makeup, but is the calendar worth it? Or should you just splurge on lipstick and/or favorite full-sized items? Definitely a luxe gift, but for the price, why only 12 products and travel sizes? Not the best value, readers, compared to its competitors. Nonetheless, just like many luxe advent calendars, it will sell out by December. It contains:

- Hollywood Beauty Light Wand Spotlight FULL SIZE

- Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in Pillow Talk FULL SIZE

- Matte Revolution Lipstick – Medium Pillow Talk FULL SIZE
- Multi Miracle Glow 15ml TRAVEL SIZE

- Goddess Skin Clay Mask 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir 8ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Charlotte’s Magic Cream 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Wonderglow 15ml TRAVEL SIZE
- Walk of No Shame Eyeliner TRAVEL SIZE
- Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara TRAVEL SIZE
- Lip Cheat Pillow Talk Medium TRAVEL SIZE
- Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray TRAVEL SIZE

How crazy to think about buying Christmas gifts in September, yet every year Advent Calendars sell out months before Christmas, so it's never too early to peruse them. (Newscasters warn in 2021 there will be shortages of goods across categories, so do your holiday shopping early.) Just for fun, look for the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar in early October ... said to be the company's fastest-selling product in its 145-year history. For the luxe price, at least they don't skimp you on products! The following are niche beauty brands customers will find inside this year's festive box:

************************************************************************

UOMA BEAUTY DRAMA BOMB EXTREME VOLUME MASCARA MINI IN BLACK | LE LABOANOTHER 13 EAU DE PARFUM 15ML | OLAPLEX NO.3 HAIR PERFECTOR 100ML | VOTARY BRIGHTENING HYALURONIC SERUM 50ML | DAVINES MOMO CONDITIONER 75ML | AUGUSTINUS BADER THE RICH CREAM VEGAN 15ML | QMS MEDI COSMETICS INTENSIVE EYE CARE CREAM 15ML | DR SEBAGH SERUM REPAIR 20ML | AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES CLEAR MIND ROLLER BALL 10ML | (MALIN+GOETZ) LIP MOISTURISER 10ML | REN CLEAN SKINCARE READY STEADY GLOW DAILY AHA TONIC 100ML | DERMALOGICA MULTIVITAMIN POWER FIRM 15ML | SURRATT EXPRESSIONISTE BROW POMADE | LIXIRSKIN UNIVERSAL EMULSION 30ML | LIBERTY £15 GIFT VOUCHER | OMOROVICZA PERFECTING LIP BALM 10ML | SUSANNE KAUFMANN MALLOW BLOSSOM BATH 30ML | HAIR BY SAM MCKNIGHT HAPPY ENDINGS NOURISHING BALM 30ML | TRISH MCEVOY BEAUTY BOOSTER® MOISTURE STICK | FRANK BODY CHARCOAL FACE CLEANSER 35ML | VILHELM PARFUMERIE DEAR POLLY, MORNING CHESS + MANGO SKIN EAU DE PARFUM 3 X 2ML | OLVERUM BATH OIL 15ML | 111SKINHYALURONIC ACID AQUA BOOSTER 20ML | DECREE SOS REVITALISING EYE MASK | LIBERTY STARBURST PRINT SMALL WASH BAG

Update: The Liberty London calendar is available when the clock strikes midnight on October 6th. Here.

Extra tips: Sometimes Beauty Advent Calendars in the $24 range end up at T.J. Maxx. Not Liberty London, but I see Crabtree & Evelyn, The Body Shop, and Ole Henrikson. Also at a great value, Macy's Beauty Advent Calendar is spectacular. Staller skincare or makeup at budget-friendly price points!

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For Comfortable Support: Bra30 & Tommie Copper

Tommie Copper Compression Tops

Recently I mentioned my dislike for loungewear.👎 Often made of terrycloth or sometimes called sweats, I never ever wear it ... not around the house, nor in public. To me, it looks like pajamas and feels like never changing out of them.

IMHO, dark (especially black) sleek leggings or yoga pants are just as comfortable, but can be disguised as trousers with the right shirt, sweater, or blazer, so that's what I wear to look casual smart at home, as well as, away from home.

Absolutely, the desire to dress in comfort is understandable. Two brands make it easy to do so in style. First up is for women only ... support bras and bra tops designed by a woman, originally to wear just for herself before she put them on the market ...

Bra30 styles

Bra30 makes tops that are 100% supportive and 100% soft and cozy. You get the support without the structure of a built-in bra. Made of 90% Supima cotton with 10% spandex which hugs your chest, it has a pull-on closure, keeps you dry, and is machine washable. It's the bra top some women like to sleep in as it's that soft and comfortable.

Tommie Copper Compression Bottoms

The 2nd support apparel is designed with 3 levels of support: (1) for daily wear; (2) athletes; and (3) people with aches and pains. Tommie Copper creates a complete line of support tops, bottoms, and accessories for both men and women. There are 3 constructions that correspond to the 3 levels of support:👆1) core - for everyday support, followed by 2) performance - with extra support (suitable for runners) and 3) pro-grade - offering ultimate support. The pro-grade pieces support various pain points like the upper back, lower back, shoulders, forearms, elbows, core, or biceps. 

Still, as specialized as the merchandise is, both retailers are super affordable! You pay less and get more for active and casual wear -- greater value over what some other well-known competitors offer.

The Bra30 top comes in 4 colors

There's no good reason not to live in comfort, support, and style every day at very reasonable prices!

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Homemade Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies

Although Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies still exist, I can't find them at my supermarket nor at Target. A customer can buy a very expensive bite-size pack at CVS Pharmacy, but I'd like more than 1 ounce, especially if I'm paying nearly the same price as I would for the 15-16 ounce missing family size. 

So after a dozen+ trips of coming home empty-handed, I decided to make a batch at home. How hard could it be? Not very ... as it turns out. Here's the recipe I came up with for 18 single -- 9 stacked sandwich cookies:

Homemade Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients for the cookies:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup peanut butter

a pad of butter (= 1 - 1.5 teaspoons - I eyeball it.)

1/3 cup of brown sugar syrup + 2 tablespoons of dry granular brown sugar - I make and stock brown sugar syrup for pancakes. You can substitute either 1/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup of brown sugar, or use any pure syrup you have at home -- maple syrup, golden syrup, etc.

1 teaspoon baking soda

a pinch of salt

🥄🍽🥄

Butter to grease the baking sheet

Extra all-purpose flour if needed to work with the cookie dough.

Directions for the cookies:

All for you readers I ate 2 cookies. Testing.:)

1) In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, peanut butter, and butter together. 

2) Stir in the syrup, extra brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

3) At this point use your hands to fold and mix the dough until you get a solid texture that is no longer sticky. Sprinkle a tad of flour on your hands and the dough to help with the task. [If you go up to an extra 1/4 cup of flour as you mix, the taste and texture of the cookies will still be fine.]

4) Form into 18 round balls by rolling them with your palms. Dip out about a tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Flatten and place each round ball on a buttered cookie sheet.

5) I don't shape the cookies into peanuts like the store-bought Nutter Butter cookies, but here's how to make the peanut shapes: Divide one round ball of dough in half; flatter each round half; lay the 2 halves side by side, then seal the adjacent sides of each circle that are touching.) I'm fine with circle cookies. [My mom was always the cookie fuzz pot, making cookie shapes and decorations. I simply aim for a good taste for the piehole, neat in appearance, cute optional. Hey in a cookie, you can always make ugly disappear!😋]

6) With a fork, score the tops of each cookie horizontally than vertically.

7) Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees F oven for 10 - 12 minutes until slightly brown.

7) Let cool while you make the Peanut Butter Filling.

Ingredients for the filling:

1/3 cup of peanut butter

1/4 cup powdered sugar

a pad of butter

Drops of milk (or cream)

Directions:

1) Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter together until combined. Use the drops of milk to get the consistency smooth, creamy, and spreadable.

2) Spread the filling on a cooled Nutter Butter Cookie and top with a 2nd cookie for one sandwich cookie. 

In the recipe, you can get away with omitting the 2 pads of butter and extra 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a less in calories cookie, but adding them makes a tastier, richer, sweeter cookie ... without oversweetness. This recipe for homemade Nutter Butter Cookies has fewer ingredients than the commercial ones, but is very peanut-nutty and tastes much like the original. Enjoy!

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What Coffee Table Style Are You?

Photo: Wayfare Sobo Mini-Fridge

When I saw the top👆mini fridge coffee table on Refinery 29 I fell in love with it! It's the coffee table I wish I had room for in my small Manhattan apartment, but alas, there's no way unless I move out!🙂 (Do I really need a refrigerator in my living room? No. Better for me to think about having a snack and walk into the kitchen to get it.)

In fact, a coffee table was the last piece of furniture I bought after decades of not having one out of fear it would only add clutter to my space. What I decided upon was super conservative ... two 15'' x 15'' foldaway storage ottoman cubes pushed together, and I put wheels under them. I even shied away from their larger 30" single ottoman version, which now I see would also work. Yet, I don't mind the 2 separate ottoman cubes as they are even more versatile! I can push them almost anywhere if I wish. Since they sit in front of my couch, I store blankets, as well as, pen and paper for a quick note inside the cubes. They fit so well in the room, I never fold them away! When guests come, we flop the tops over to use as trays to hold our refreshments. Also, I sit and stand on them as needed. The standing, I don't recommend on a regular basis, but in a pinch, yes, they hold up to 200 pounds.

Living in Manhattan has taught me to never bring anything into a home that doesn't have 2 -3 jobs, and now I'm forever a minimalist.

Photo: Raymour & Flanigan's Cross Island Lift-Top here

For a huge living room I'd simply size up the furniture, and you could get away with heavy, solid pieces, but keep the multi-functional aspect of a coffee table. I love how the Cross Island Lift Top coffee table (above↑) can hold a spread of food and drink (or work papers), and its bottom has several drawers for storage. The challenge is not to fill up storage with useless things you should get rid of instead of forgetting you own them.

Photo: Houzz - GDF Studio Leather Storage Ottoman here - A style that looks mod in a big living room.

The final idea (below↓) is also clever. For a tiny space, you still can have a designated spot to rest a coffee cup, computer, or phone. Behold a table that slides into almost nothing when not in use! What it lacks is a charging plug, which the manufacturer should include, though adding a charging portal would surely up its price.

Tuc-A-Way Table - the closest I can find is offered by Wayfair.

What's your coffee table style, my lovelies?

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The Sweater Vest Is Back

Photo: Storets

Cooler temperatures call for layering, and this fall the sweater vest is back in so many attractive ways. Never out of fashion, you'll just have more lengths and style choices in 2021 with many design houses jumping on the sweater vest bandwagon updating its appearance. The following are a few interpretations from well-known retailers:

Photos: 1) Endless Rose; 2) MUNTHE Rowland; 3) Sandro Evone available at Nordstrom

As you can see, a v-neck in the vest is popular, yet there are as many flairs as there are tastes: Feminine, chunky,  smooth, textured, checkered, and cable-net to name a few.

Photos: 1) Urban Outfitters; 2) & Other Stories; 3) Mango

A sweater vest is not just for librarians anymore! The look is polished and practical, sophisticated, chic, and warm. 

Photos: 1) Rag & Bones; 2) Maje Maela - available at Nordstrom; 3) No Comment - available at Macy's 

The sweater vest can pull an outfit together, plus keep you in toasty comfort with just enough coverage. Covering your trunk minus sleeves avoids overheating ... plus hides a wrinkled blouse!😄 Worn solo, it looks fashionable and edgy; or layer over a top for a classic vibe.

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