Road Trip Highlights

December 31, 2009

Until someone thinks of something better, a bus dragging a trailer must be the perfect family trip vehicle. Inside the bus would be the same number of sealed Plexiglass chambers as there are family members. Each would have its own thermostat. The chambers would be soundproofed so we wouldn’t all be subjected to the squelching, sucking, soggy, and altogether disturbing sounds of Pirates of the Carribean 2.

After 2 weeks of going around to different people’s homes, sitting on different couches and eating anything I want, where wrapping gifts was the most strenuous activity, I’m on a cleansing kick.

I’m not a big detox affiliate. The closest I get is a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon and a generous grating of ginger several times a day. That alone feels like hitting the reset button. You could add honey but the less simple sugars, the better, at this point. Bill asked if it will improve my shit zing (the closest he could get to feng shui, as he clumps all forms of personal wellness, growth, energy, etc. as one).

Two wonderful days in Freeport, ME, have taught me that LLBean has now moved into the top spot for my favorite clothes, for outerwear at least. I was there with my Starbucks at 5 AM, by no means the only one in the store. It feels very interesting to actually buy something that I may never have to (or want to) replace. They make coats you sweat in. The boots are beyond great.

Their marketing strategy is interesting. Like Apple, there’s never a strong upsell. You find yourself involved in an engaging conversation about the merits of this fleece or that fleece. By the time you’re done, you’re thinking “Well, I gotta have that”.

These gloves were among the best of my purchases. They have little suede insets sewn into the fingertips and palm. You can dial a cell phone without hitting 2 buttons at once. You can grip a steering wheel with finesse. You can separate the 2 sides of the filmy plastic produce bag to get it open (works better than bare fingers!). You can separate bills in your wallet with fingertip precision. They’re warm and stylish, without being quite as proper as leather gloves. I wear a size 8 ring and bought the Large, which just fit.

I don’t have a new professional wear favorite, or an old one for that matter. I believe it does not exist. Banana Republic maybe (badly in need of PCA’d clothes but they could take over the world).

The boot cut fitness pants are awesome. I’m a 7-8 and bought a Small, which is a little too big. After my brother told me to stop dressing like a teenager, I’ve been looking for something I can wear on weekends that are not wind pants, jeans, or cords. These are great and not too tight, cut more like a trouser pant than yoga pants. I’m 5’4” and they fall well below the ankle.

I bought no makeup. What is the world coming to.

Posted by Christine Scaman | Filed Under Outside The Box

Comments

7 Responses to “Road Trip Highlights”

sonja on January 1st, 2010 8:39 pm

Hard to take yourself seriously with a husband who asks about your shit zing. Men like that ought to come with a disclaimer: sense of humour a must, yours, that is.
Laura-Jane on January 2nd, 2010 10:09 am

What kind of detox are you doing?
gina on January 2nd, 2010 1:41 pm

No makeup? Well, you were in Freeport, after all. Not exactly the makeup capital…. more the LL Bean capital! Bill must have been able to enjoy the LL Bean experience at least….tends to be the place I leave Kevin and pick him up later, usually find him under an over turned suspended canoe reminiscing about what our life could have been, if he had been able to convince me that cycling and canoeing were the two most worthwhile vacation themes. He was unsuccessful
Isn’t BR the upgraded version of the Gap which is the upgraded version of Old Navy? Wonder what the upgraded version of BR is? Lord, the musings of 2010. I really should start with the ginger grating instead of pondering cremesicle cheesecake with a creme brule top …sigh.
Happy New Year!
Caroline on January 5th, 2010 2:42 am

Thanks for the gloves recommendation. I’ve been looking for a good pair for a few months.

And I’m redoing my apartment – wonder if there are any shit zing consultants in my area.
Christine Scaman on January 6th, 2010 8:07 am

Hi, Laura-Jane,

Good to hear from you. After spending the holidays stomping around the red mud, which was pretty wet mud as you know, I needed something to clear my mind. I don’t really fast or do seaweed wraps or start in with odd concoctions. Many would say my regular diet is an odd concoction. I just get rid of the wrong things and add this drink as often as I can. If nothing else, it keeps me from eating anything else!
Christine Scaman on January 6th, 2010 8:10 am

Hey! Happy New Year! Bill hangs out in his cave at the hotel. He and Greg often do something. But he does like Freeport. He gets less irritated there than any other shopping destination. The restaurants are good too. We liked Pedrillo’s and Siano’s. In some future life, we can meet there!
Christine Scaman on January 6th, 2010 8:11 am

…and those gloves are really surprisingly warm!