Monday Musings- Shoes, Eggs, and Travel Outfit
Happy Monday, ladies. This week’s musings are more random than ever, which I think is a sign of either genius or stress 🙂 I’m guessing the latter.
What’s Your Fav?
I’ve been logging more miles on the treadmill lately, and as a result, my feet aren’t happy campers. Yesterday, I had to give them a break and just do some yoga at home. I’ve ordered a few different pairs of casual sneakers and these M. Gemi driving loafers that Elizabeth recommended last week. They were already in my cart, so her recommendation sealed the deal…fingers are crossed they fit.
I love my Munro loafers and ballet flats, but I know our feet are all so unique they won’t work for everyone. I wondered what your favorites are. Do you have an especially comfortable brand of loafer or ballet flats to recommend? I’d love to do a round-up for you as a resource. BTW, my new AGLs showed up and don’t fit, so back they go. I checked the size against my old pair, and it’s the same, but I’ve obviously stretched the heck out of them as my feet have gotten wider with age. Sheesh.
Checked bags
I’ve only checked a suitcase once in 20+ years, and that last time it went badly. After I got to my gate, they canceled my flight, and it took me days to get my bag back. Luckily I was going home, but still! It confirmed I was better off just going carry-on. I will have to break that rule for my trip to Miami next week, and I’m sort of nervous about it. I know people successfully check their bags all the time, but I’ve only had disasters doing it. I’m bringing some outfits to shoot for the blog and just can’t get it all in my carry-on.
I often pack my hats inside my carry-on, but I decided this hat clip looked like a great idea because it will hold several hats simultaneously. I hope it arrives in time for my trip.
Cooking failures
I’ve become a fan of Egg bites lately but am struggling to make them successful. Starbucks does a fab job with theirs, and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong, so I hope to get some ideas from you. I’m using four whole eggs, and the rest are egg whites. I put chopped red pepper, a tiny bit of red onion, and spinach in each cup, then top it with beaten eggs. Maybe, I’m putting too many veggies in mine??
My non-stick muffin pan is proving to be a disaster for these things. For my first batch, I sprayed the heck out of the pan, but they stuck, and I lost 1/3 of each one glued into the pan. Then I tried using muffin liners which turned the inside of the pan bright blue, so I worried they’d done the same thing to the eggs. They were also a nightmare to peel off the eggs, so we only ate the center and wasted a ton of the “bite”. These things aren’t large, to begin with, so I want to be able to consume all of them. I’ve been googling options lately and discovered food-grade silicone liners. Have any of you tried them? Everything I read seems to indicate they’re safe to use. I love crowd-sourcing ideas from you ladies, so any advice is welcome.
Outfit of the week
I have travel and what to wear on my mind this week. This one features the Eileen Fisher crepe pants that I never travel without. I have them in several colors, many over 15 years old. They’re super comfy, never wrinkle, and are machine washable.
The sneakers look super comfy, and the no-shoe socks will come in handy if you’re not TSA Pre and have to take off your shoes to go through security. Airpods or noise-canceling headphones are mandatory when I fly, and layers for fluctuating airplane temperatures.
Have you got any upcoming trips?
Traveling monthly for 13 years, I only had 1 bag lost–and only for a few hours. For longer trips, I carry too many liquids for carry-on only. You can track your bag on the American app–other airlines probably have the capability, too, and of course, using your own trackers you add to your bag. I wish more people would check their bag–it’s painful to wait so long for people to put up and take down their bag in overhead bins. IMO, airlines should charge for carry-ons, as they contribute to people missing connections! As for shoes, for walking or lots of standing, I have had great luck with On Cloud (best for real exercise), Ilse Jacobsen, and L’Amour des Pieds, and I have had foot issues in the past. I also get lots of compliments on the latter two.
Jennifer, as a semi retired personal trainer, I’m on my feet a lot, and together with my own workouts, my feet take quite a beating. May I suggest you go to a reputable running shoe store for a professional fitting? The staff is well trained, and will assess your gait, as well as measure your feet accurately, and then recommend appropriate brands/models/sizes. My PCP recommended same to me when she diagnosed osteoarthritis. Wearing the correct shoes (and changing them when they break down, as they will) makes for much happier joints and feet.
Also, please don’t rush headlong into working out. You must pace yourself, or you’ll burn out too quickly and likely just give up.
Love Sheec no-show socks! The shoes (Naturalizer) are cute, but one person commented about them being narrow. Same goes for Nike – too narrow. I love Alegria shoes and Jambu. With arthritis and needing a wide toe box, many shoes don’t work. I usually need to wear orthotics but with Alegria can sometimes wear their insoles. I enjoy the clothes, shoes, etc. you often style; however, they’re about double the cost of what I’m able to spend. I do, however, watch for sales and love thrifting where I find amazing clothes.
And I should have mentioned “lighted” travel mirror…
Speaking of traveling…have you found a good compact magnifying travel mirror? I’m not happy with the one I’ve been using. You always find the best things!
We’re off to Mexico later this week. We’ll be visiting friends who live in the highlands east of Mexico City, so not as hot as the beach resorts, but still a lot warmer than Alberta in February! We’re going to travel carry-on only and I’ll definitely be wearing comfortable layers to travel in.
Bon Voyage Jennifer! Here are a few things I do on the rare occasion I have to check a bag: I never put my jewelry in it, or anything irreplaceable, that goes in my carry on tote, and I put a complete outfit in my husbands bag (and vice versa). I also include a toothbrush in my make up bag in my carry on, and all medications. Sometimes an extra top, sweater (wrap), socks or slides, depending on the weather. You’ll have what you need if your bag doesn’t arrive with you (speaking from experience). Note to self: don’t ever buy another purple suitcase, it gets pulled for inspection every time!
I’m in Miami Beach now with my husband of 38 years on vacation! The weather is perfect; about 80 during the day, but breezy and chilly in the evening when the sun sets.
I have plantar fasciitis so I look for shoes with good arch support and it has helped me a lot (I’m almost 60).
Enjoy your time in FL!
I make egg bites all the time. I use parchment paper muffin cup to line my pan and they peel off perfectly. I always sautée my veggies, cook the meat if using, if using cheese stir it into the eggs works for better consistency.
I really enjoy hearing all these shoe recommendations! Thanks everyone
Jennifer , check out Once Upon A Chef she has a great recipe for copycat Starbucks egg bites. I personally have not been impressed with silicone for baking ?
Thank you, I’ll check her out. I love the Starbucks ones
I cured my foot pain with Merrel Mocs. I have found them to be more comfortable and supportive than athletic shoes. I wear them around the house, shopping, working in the woodshop with my husband and for walking. I haven’t had foot pain for many years.
I am a former business traveler who traveled 3 weeks out of four. I always placed a copy of my itinerary in my suitcase of top of my stuff so it was clearly visible. It had my contact information and where I was going and where I was staying in case my bag got lost. I did however, try to avoid checking my bag because I hated waiting at the luggage carousel for my bags.
I am interested in articles about narrow shoes. I currently wear Cobb Hill, Ecco’s, New Balance and Asics for walking and Riekers for boots. I have a hard time finding any loafers or ballet flats to work because of my narrow feet. Also interested in an article on how to pack for a long vacation. Going to Alaska this summer for 11 days, part cruise and part land tours. Your article today was very interesting. Thanks.
Luggage woes- use the apple luggage pod. My daughter used it on trip to Italy – fabulous.
Egg bites. I load mine with veggies. Put veggies in first, then egg mixture. I use silicone muffin pans. 400’ for 20 minutes. Sometimes I add shredded cheese in egg mixture and a pepperoni on top before baking. So easy for work mornings!
Jennifer, I have travelled extensively and never had lost luggage. It may be that I always fly with the one airline for the whole trip… if there’s a connection.
Eg. Vancouver to Toronto to Barbados on Westjet or Air Canada.
Long haul to UK and beyond is the same … British Airways has been super reliable in that respect ( plus I collect and use Avios points ) . My luggage is also easily recognized… colourful maps on sides from Heys Canada.
Try a silicone muffin pan for your breakfast treats…should pop out easily with little clean up. I agree that you might need to cut back on mushrooms ( you could pre- sear them) due to high water content, and spinach too.
Due to my ‘unfriendly feet’, I cannot walk for long or be on my feet in the kitchen for too long … so bike riding ( outside) works, as well as my WaterRower inside on damp days. I have waxed on about my love for Pilates, but there’s a cost to it, so my weekly deep water pool workout is only $42 CAD for seniors for 10 sessions. It keeps me off my feet and is a powerful workout. But I think you steer clear of pools, right ?
Hope you find solutions to your sore feet, but high five ✋ to you for getting back to the gym.
I am not a water person, correct 🙂
Try heating up your muffin tin before adding the egg vegetable mixture spray inside of muffin tin after heated.
OK
I love the Greek Egg Muffins from Ikneadtoeat.com. I just spray muffin tins and that works well. I had some silicone liners but they held on to the eggs and wouldn’t let go. I wonder if the brand matters.
Have a wonderful trip and don’t forget your charging cords. Every time I had to fly through Chicago on my way to Florida, they lost my luggage for days. The air tags sound like an excellent idea. If you are gone a long time, the FedEx sounds like a winner. Have fun in all of your cute outfits!
Thank you
I have one of those hat clips–I LOVE it for the on/off hat situations or travel. I even use it in the car and hang my hat from the dry cleaner/coat hook on the side!
My favorite flats are now from Vivaia! I tried both Rothy’s and Birdies-Vivaia have more support and squish if that makes sense. Padding I suppose. LOL. The other shoe that I’ve found actually helps my *lower back* of all things is Oofos. Not the prettiest but I have a pair of flip flops and also my slippers. Wow, my back actually unclenches when I put those on. Ahhh.
I just ordered a pair from Amazon…I hope they fit.
Love your travel outfit. Cant wait to see if you have one closer to spring. I make egg bites all the time. I use 5 eggs and 3 egg beaters which is 9 tablespoons of egg beaters and 1 cup almond milk. I use whatever vegetables I have usually onion pepper broccoli and mushrooms and a little turkey sausage. Mine turn out great and I just spray my muffin pan.
WOW…my pan must be bad.
Jennifer- hope your trip goes well. After traveling constantly for 20 years for work I learned to put into my carry on what is critical. And for sure a complete outfit or two in case you have to wait luggage to be delivered.
Shoes- I have Achilles issues and have found brands Sesto Meucci ( not a bargain brand but last forever) and Van Eli and Stuart Weizmann ( preferably on sale as this brand has really gone up in price!). All are comfortable and fit well.
I have used the silicone baking cups for a frozen dessert. I got mine on Amazon.
I will be very interested in what you learn from everyone on here about shoes.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing those brands. I’ll check them out.