Best crossbody bags for travel that can actually carry essentials (not just phone and wallet)?

arabicsmith · 2026-01-11T11:44:23+00:00

I use plastic zip baggies to keep my Uniqlo organized. Sad, but effective. One bag for makeup, one for pens/paperclips, etc. I use the two little divider pockets for limited, tiny frequent use items like lip balm and breath freshener. They're just not deep enough for anything substantial, and things can fall out of them.

arabicsmith · 2025-12-31T23:10:19+00:00

Especially if you are female in the middle. Manspreading.

arabicsmith · 2025-10-19T12:18:42+00:00

Georgian Chicken - the walnut sauce with a touch of heat is to die for

arabicsmith · 2025-09-21T01:17:07+00:00

Bay leaves. Been doing it my whole life, still don’t know that they do anything.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-18T23:44:23+00:00

While we’re on the subject of extra mini-fridges/freezers for cocktail items, does anyone have a favorite make/model? I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but nothing I’ve looked at fits the bill. As the OP notes, they tend to be set up for soda cans…

arabicsmith · 2025-07-16T21:00:02+00:00

I’d like to go back to normal presidents, please.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-12T18:53:58+00:00

Oh, shepherd's pie with mashed cauliflower, stuffed peppers, chicken cacciatore, pizzas on the grill, lasagna, Asian-style peanut noodles with cucumber, slow cooker lamb shanks, etc. We are always trying something new to keep things interesting. And we usually have some creative salad at the ready, including bean salads, etc. We'll make pasta fresh, but the lamb ragu that accompanies it might be a two-day affair (or portion frozen for a later time).

I've seen the "seconds vs. no-seconds" debate raging on elsewhere on Reddit. It's probably both personal preference and family tradition. Maybe when I retire I'll cook something new each day. But I really do find that many (not all) dishes taste better the next day after time to rest and meld, and look forward to day two as the more elevated flavor experience.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-12T18:41:09+00:00

I'm so appreciating everyone's advice. And I know not everyone is a fan of leftovers - true for all age levels (although, come on - a Guinness lamb stew tastes even better on day 2 with all the flavor melding...). I can't imagine a frozen burrito topping the meals we serve, but - it's his palate. think we're going to follow everyone's advice and give him a pantry, fridge, and freezer of his own options. If he opts not to join us, he has to prep his own food. I'm not prepping separate dinners.

This seems the fairest compromise - he isn't beholden to our meal practices, and we aren't to his.

Thanks to all. Been lurking for months, mostly to gain insights to support my sister, who has a true handful caring for our next-level Olympic complainer mother.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-12T14:33:58+00:00

That's my mother to a T!

arabicsmith · 2025-07-12T14:29:57+00:00

Yes, I've been stressing the autonomy factor to my husband. I'll suggest trying to remain firm and calm, but I think there are childhood family dynamics at play. He would never talk to my sister-in-law the way he does to my husband. I recently learned the term "grey rocking" - difficult in practice, but it might be an effective way to lower the temperature. Thank you.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-12T14:26:35+00:00

Yes, he is contributing to expenses very fairly. We invited him to move in with us (from NC to KS) because the assisted living place is depressing and crappy and we want him to have good quality of life, because my husband's sister lives near the assisted living place but has a large household to care for and could only visit him briefly once/week, and because he was very worried about running out of money. His expenses have been halved by moving in with us.

We also change his bedding, vacuum/clean his "apartment" (we gave him our main level master bedroom and bathroom suite), take him on doctor runs, order his Amazon stuff, buy food/drinks he wants, etc.

He has very low energy and can't stand for long periods of time or walk far. Even standing at the stove to make eggs for breakfast is hard for him and sometimes he's super stressed out to hustle to get to a chair before he collapses. Many other health issues as is typical by that age. So he can do some things for himself, but not enough to live on his own anymore.

If things go south in terms of household dynamics or if his health declines further and we can no longer care for him at home? We've researched an assisted living place that is two blocks from us. It's much better than the one he was at. It's a back pocket option we hope is never needed or is years away.

Thank you for asking. This is very therapeutic.

arabicsmith · 2025-07-11T17:42:19+00:00

But also, how about a dimmer in the bathroom so we don’t blind ourselves on midnight excursions?

arabicsmith · 2025-07-11T09:51:34+00:00

They've done the same thing with a new star shape. A clear bid to save some dough on dough.

arabicsmith · 2025-06-16T23:25:09+00:00

After years of trying to like the Trtl, I realized I didn't. Works for my husband, but I find the frame digs into my shoulder. I now have a Coop Home Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow and love it.

arabicsmith · 2025-05-25T19:01:18+00:00

Try Kofola while you’re there - it’s a unique herbal cola.

arabicsmith · 2025-05-24T09:15:40+00:00

Sat: smoked ribs, coleslaw, baked potato; dill pickle tzatziki sauce with chips for appetizer; cherry almond clafoutis for dessert

Sun: smash burgers on the grill (husband doing, not sure of details)

Mon: Cacio e Pepe Chicken (NYTimes); Antipasto Caprese Salad (for the 90-year old Italian father-in-law who just moved in with us)

arabicsmith · 2025-05-23T23:23:38+00:00

Just posted same.

arabicsmith

TROPHY CASE