Coffee Break: Blue Pure 511i Max Air Purifier

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1. Does anyone do any advent calendars they love? We somehow never did this tradition when I was growing up (and I was raised Catholic!).

   1. Following! I’m Jewish but thinking I need the added cheer this year.

      1. We get the Hanukkah versions, Modern Tribe does a fun one

         1. Ooh thanks!

   2. My kids love the ones with chocolate candies in them. Generally purchased at Trader Joes. I suppose you’re looking for something fancier though.

      1. Godiva or See’s.

         1. I love chocolate but I think Godiva is really overpriced for the quality.

      2. Just a PSA that my cat did not like the Trader Joe’s cat treats calendar last year.

   3. The Bonne Maman one is a classic

      1. +1

      2. Any tips on where to buy these? I know popular calendars go out of stock quickly. My husband would love this.

         1. My mom gets them at Costco.

         2. https://www.amazon.com/Bonne-Maman-LIMITED-Calendar-spreads/dp/B08D98XBX8

            or direct from Bonne Maman

         3. World Market usually has the Bonne Maman calendar, along with a few other options.

      3. I buy this one for myself every year.

   4. I’ve done the Bonne Maman preserves advent calendar for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. I didn’t eat a preserve every day, but for a couple of months in the winter to have a new jelly to try out was fun. The tiny Bonne Maman jars are both cute and reuseable later after.

   5. as a kid we had a mini Christmas tree (like, a foot tall) in the kitchen and a set of tiny ornaments – I hung one each day in December.

      I actually asked for the Bonne Maman one for Christmas – no way am I eating preserves daily, I just want to try all the flavors!

      1. Is it really that bad to eat a small amount of preserves every day? I guess I need to evaluate my eating habits.

         1. I love them, but my issue (such that it is) is that after a week or two or toast with preserves, I want something else for breakfast. I think I might try mixing them into plain yogurt this year.

            Open to suggestions for other ways to consume them, lol.

            1. I put preserves on my cottage cheese!

         2. oh no no, it’s more that I only do leisurely breakfast that I’d savor the jam on weekends. weekdays it’s yogurt cup thrown in tote.

   6. For adults, the Flaviar brand liquor advent calendar is great. Lots of unusual varieties.

   7. On the spendy side, the high end department store beauty ones are fantastic. Sadly, Harrod’s won’t ship their to the US anymore, which was my all time favorite. Other options that have been nice are the bonne maman jam advent calendar and various tea options. Costco had a Lindt one last year that was better quality chocolate.

   8. I like the fancy tea ones. Palais des Thes is the best.

   9. I grew up Catholic and the only home Advent practice I know of is the wreath. I don’t think the calendars are necessarily Catholic.

   10. I loved the Sephora one.

   11. I got given this large wooden music box one from Fortnums & Mason that plays different holiday songs every day when you open the little door: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums-musical-piccadilly-advent-calendar

       The first year, I got the Fortnums filler but now I just buy Lindt truffles because they’re tastier.

   12. If you are into games or puzzles, I highly recommend the Exit: The Game advent calendars. There are at least 3 of them, and they are highly imaginative. My husband and I really enjoy solving the puzzle every day. Occasionally our young teen son gets involved too.

       I enjoyed the L’Occitane one last year, but not sure I will do it again this year – you end up with a lot of tiny tubes of creams and such. But I am not into beauty stuff as much as many people. I also found the Bonne Mamman one a bit overwhelming; I guess I don’t eat as much jam as I imagined.

   13. If you use a Keurig, Coffee & Tea Junkie does a coffee one that my husband enjoyed. Some of the flavors are a little far-fetched, but it was still a big hit. Looking this year for a non-Keurig coffee (or bean) option if anyone has suggestions.

   14. Fever tree has a nice gin & tonic calendar.

   15. I was gifted the dandelion one last year and now am in a predicament, because it was so amazing but I can’t quite get my head around the price.

   16. I had fun with the Costco wine “advent/ure” box one year. I admit that there were only a few that I’d really repurchase, but I enjoyed trying new things and learning a little about where each wine was from, and it made the holiday season feel special. I also didn’t have the issue of opening a big bottle and realistically having to drink only that for however long it takes before it is done (I prefer variety!).

   17. My mom and I do one from a local tea shop. It’s fun comparing notes on which ones we do and don’t like.

   18. My son does the jigsaw Advent calendars. There are a bunch of them, but every day has 35-40 pieces that make up a section of a larger puzzle.

       I rarely repeat Advent calendars, but I’ve enjoyed coffee, tea, and chocolates in different years. I might try the Palais de Thes one recommended above this year.

   19. If you’re looking for a candy version, the Williams-Sonoma chocolate advent calendar is pretty classic – a step up from some of the basic calendars, but with candy that will appeal to pretty much everyone. They also have a Peter Rabbit-themed one, plus some fancier ones if you want to spend more.

2. What is some info about your industry that you wish people knew? (E.g. “I am a librarian and I wish people knew you can check out all sorts of things, not just books.”

   1. i am a lawyer and almost everything people ask me isn’t legal but rather a personal (or professional) preference.

   2. I wish people knew that not all CPAs do taxes. I can’t do my own tax return without the help of TurboTax, never mind help you with yours…

   3. I’m a policy analyst (NOT American). I wish people realized I write the policies, lobbying elected officials doesn’t work. Policy is developed based on science, behavioural economics and general public perception, private interests don’t factor in.

      1. I am an American policy analyst. This is not at all how our system works. Lobbyists write the policies here.

         1. That is deeply concerning.

      2. Do you not report up to an elected official at all?

   4. By and large, it’s not really lawyers that are responsible for overly fussy requirements in the name of “liability.” Usually it’s an insurance carrier.

   5. if you anticipate having kids/dependents/being the higher earner – get life insurance asap (hopefully while you’re young & healthy) and before you get pregnant. Always max out your employer-provided option (guaranteed issue, which doesn’t require individual underwriting). And don’t lie on your application!

   6. For my husband: having a job in tech does not mean you want to/are able to serve as family tech support for your iPhone breaking or your home internet not working.

      1. +1. I work with a specific type of software. Unless your iPhone is producing a balance sheet I have no idea how to troubleshoot your problem. Also, a lot of us who work “in tech” are businesspeople who happen to know the functional side of software. Most of us aren’t writing code.

   7. Scientist and I wish people understood how much science has been under threat this last year. The US government is the largest funder of basic research by like a factor of 4, which is paid back by new ideas, new technology and the best trained workforce in the world- the US is the biggest publisher of scientific research by # of papers published, though China is getting close.

      In the past year, the likelihood of a grant getting funding went from like 10-40% to 4-10%, several universities are still in a funding blackout (northwestern still can’t pay anyone), major training programs are shuttered or slashed (like a prestigious training program for grad students that usually funds 3-5k students funded ~1k and absolutely no one from the life sciences) and visa shenanigans means that we’re losing out on good people who will now go elsewhere.

      1. Right? Also that viruses are real and listening to people on YouTube is not “doing your own research.”

      2. I’m not a scientist but am in research administration. The last year has been brutal, and nobody’s paying attention to what this means for the long term.

         1. Thank you- it’s great to point out that even if these changes were reversed tomorrow, it’ll have generational effects on the research landscape.

      3. They are already going elsewhere. The brain drain is real and already underway. We’ll have lost decades of American-based accomplishment (and cures! and drugs!) in life sciences because of this administration, his voters and the nonvoters who were OK with it.

         1. Can confirm my student has left the country for grad school in the sciences. And tuition is $3k per yr total. Multiply this by many others= generational loss.

3. I wish people knew it was incredibly insulting to imply that I could or would help “fix” their legal issues.

   1. Threading fail.

4. Favorite mild salsas for crockpot salsa chicken? We don’t eat a lot of chicken but we got some by accident in grocery delivery and I thought I’d make shredded chicken for us and a baby to eat.

   1. I haven’t tried cooking it with chicken, but the pineapple salsa from Trader Joe’s is a hit with our kid.

   2. I like plain old Pace’s Picante salsa in the mild variation. You can always just use less salsa and add some plain crushed tomatoes and a bit of orange juice if you need it even more mild.

   3. i use whatever i have in the house. if i have medium or spicy i cut it with chicken broth or a can of chopped tomatoes because i like to make it mild. this is a wildly forgiving recipe, can’t be bad.

   4. I like to get the refrigerated one from the grocery deli instead of a canned one

   5. agree you can’t go wrong here. We like to use a chunkier salsa w/ corn and black beans in it.

   6. Newman’s Own peach salsa

   7. I use a can of Rotel. It’s less expensive than a jar of salsa.

   8. Hello! Credentials – my husband owns a food manufacturing company that primarily does salsa, BBQ sauce and tomato based products. The answer is Mateo’s. You can get the medium at Costco nationwide, but there are so many different versions (mild, etc) that are fantastic. I throw it in a crock pot easily once a week for something.

5. Anyone want to do some vicarious shopping? I’ll be attending a holiday event this year and the invitation requests white tie, with a note that black tie is acceptable. I have a dress similar to this one (https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/bhldn-delaney-scoop-neck-scarf-high-shine-satin-maxi-dress) that I’ve worn to black tie weddings, but I’m not sure it’s enough for this.

   Budget is up to $300. I have a pretty straight up and down build; I usually feel better in dresses with some definition through the waist; and I do not need to wear a bra. Size 2.

   1. Something like this? https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/aqua-burnout-gown-exclusive?ID=5665719&pla_country=US&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-S21+High+Opportunity+Brands-_-Aqua-_-195170400061USA-_-go_cmp-12731782004_adg-124409716241_ad-513824168629_pla-1152765265571_dev-c_ext-_prd-195170400061USA&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12731782004&gbraid=0AAAAAD0PCJQpFM-MG97hFM2ngTL9b1e6g&gclid=CjwKCAjw3tzHBhBREiwAlMJoUstsij2tsrEhCQsn2WoAInOhzR2nIDGERLDKawVvC3Z_mfs1xd_djhoCiz4QAvD_BwE

      1. Ooh that’s gorgeous.

   2. do you want white tie? because these are both lovely but probably not.

      1. Yes, I’m looking for white tie options if my only long dress doesn’t qualify (which I didn’t think it would).

   3. This is my favorite kind of thing to shop for! White tie is the most formal of the formal. Floor length gowns (not ankle length or tea length) are a must. Generally want some luxe-looking fabric or sparkle or something special as well. I often find good options at Macy’s in your price range, but also check Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth.

      A bit over-budget but pretty – https://www.macys.com/shop/product/donna-karan-new-york-womens-metallic-print-surplice-neck-gown?ID=22526313

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-womens-floral-print-halter-neck-dress?ID=24071606

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/mac-duggal-womens-ieena-sequined-one-shoulder-cut-out-gown?ID=18067927

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/betsy-adam-womens-one-shoulder-scuba-crepe-gown?ID=15912976

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/betsy-adam-womens-long-sequined-halter-neck-gown?ID=23825085

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/alfred-sung-womens-deep-v-back-satin-trumpet-dress-with-cascading-bow-at-one-shoulder?ID=18823945

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/cynthia-sahar-womens-cascading-bow-one-shoulder-stretch-satin-mermaid-dress-with-slight-train?ID=14804805

      https://www.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-womens-twist-front-cape-gown?ID=23281565

   4. Check back for a response with l!nks that got stuck in m0d, but I often shop Macy’s for white tie event dresses. Floor length gowns (not ankle length or tea length) are a must. Generally want some luxe-looking fabric or sparkle or something special.

      1. Thanks! I’ll go poke around the Macy’s website.

6. new yorkers who unexpectedly have a few days midweek with no kids this winter. we are well travelled but looking for something easy, drivable or short flight, 3 days two nights. we like restaurants and cities mostly. considering: richmond, niagara falls/toronto, fayetteville. other suggestions?

   1. Charleston or Savannah with a short direct flight

   2. We were in Pittsburgh this summer and really enjoyed it. It’s a longish 6 hour drive but a short flight. Not sure how it is in winter though.

   3. Charleston? Otherwise I might just check myself into one of the fancy spa hotels (Canyon Ranch, Miraval, Mayflower Inn) in the CT/MA region.

      1. +1 a high end hotel with a great spa is our favorite kid free trip.

         I also think Charleston and Quebec City are good ideas. We liked Philly but there’s SO much to do there with kids that it doesn’t make sense to me to spend a (presumably somewhat rare) adult getaway there.

         1. We found Quebec City to be overrun with people getting off cruise ships and nothing special. Love Charleston though.

      2. Agree with this. Though I would add Quebec City as another good city option too. Richmond and Fayetteville seem like odd choices to me for a kid free trip.

   4. We were pleasantly surprised by Philly (assuming you haven’t been a lot). Hubs was delighted to take many pictures on the Rocky steps, museum and food scene is great. Not a popular destination, but I would also consider taking a quick pop up Ottawa or Quebec City (if you are ok with cold) and staying at their respective Fairmont hotels – both have good restaurants on site and the right mix of meet cute winter things to do.

      1. +1 – I love Philly. The new Four Seasons is gorgeous and the pool is fantastic, I can see that being a great, easy, long weekend.

      2. If the timing lines up with winterlude in Ottawa skating the canal and all the festivities are magical.

   5. Montreal or Quebec City for cities that embrace winter and have great French food? Niagara Falls I recall, from visiting as a kid, the town felt dumpy.

   6. Like Richmond, VA? VA native here but I’d do Niagara Falls/Toronto. Richmond isn’t really a destination for that distance/time.

      Charlottesville, VA could be an option for food/college town.

      1. Richmond is less weird to me than Fay*tteville! I’m not sure if she means the one in NC or Arkansas, but neither is worth a trip from NYC imo.

         1. surely not the one in NC??

            1. I initially assumed it was Arkansas, but I’m in the Midwest. The AR one is quite a haul from NYC and I can’t imagine flying all the way out here for it (no shade to anyone who lives there or went to the U of Arkansas – it’s a cute college town, just not much of a tourist destination) so I assumed it had to be a closer one? Especially since OP said she wanted only drives or short flights.

      2. I live in Richmond and take Amtrak to NYC for short trips. You could go the other way and get by without a car if you stayed in the city of Richmond where there are a decent number of rideshares. Check out the National, the Tin Pan, and Reveler for music. Eat at Lillie Pearl. Visit the VMFA.

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