Coffee Break: Davey Heels

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1. My good friend is buying her first house after living in a 1-bedroom apartment for 10 years. I’d like to send her something to celebrate, maybe $100ish. Any suggestions?

   It’s the first time she’s had a bathtub in 10 years so I was thinking of some nice bath stuff (any specific recommendations?) But I would be happy to hear other ideas from any homeowners.

   She’s single/no kids, not handy and not interested in being handy, into running marathons/triathlons in her spare time. Not a new city or neighborhood, just the homeowning is new!

   1. Bath stuff is tricky because some people are picky about scents. What about really nice wine/champagne glasses? Or a houseplant.

   2. If you want something really luxurious, check out the brand Fresh. Its based out of Boston and I have to fight myself every time I go past it to not go in and get myself high priced but amazing products. Their lip treatment that includes an exfoliator and a lip serum were some of the best things I’ve ever put on my face.

   3. Home Depot gift card! Even if she doesn’t want to be handy, she’ll end up at a Home Depot for light bulbs, toilet plungers and the like. . . all the things her landlord might have handled in the past.

      1. +1.

      2. +1 They also sell decorative items like lamps, curtains, welcome mats, etc.

         1. Or Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

   4. What about nice Turkish bath towels in a neutral color?

   5. I just got a wooden bathtub tray from Amazon… it was maybe $50? It’s adjustable for the size of the tub. Has a holder for an ipad, phone, glass of wine, and glass of water. Maybe something like that and a fun robe? Or towels? Or gc to Lush?

   6. Do you live in the same city? A list of contractors, lawn services, electricians, etc. that you’ve had good experiences with would be thoughtful and helpful.

      1. Omg that’s an awesome idea!

   7. I love Herbivore Botanicals for gorgeous bath stuff

2. My new-ish coworker, whom I like a lot but am not close to yet, just lost her beloved dog. Trying to think of something to cheer her up that isn’t overly intimate.

   1. I’ve donated to an animal-related charity in the name of the deceased pet in situations like this. It’s been well recieved so far.

      1. my friend did this when my family dog died – she donated $50 to the shelter that I adopted him from 15 years prior. I was so amazingly touched and moved.

   2. Honestly, if you don’t know her that well, I would just be extra empathetic and leave it at that. I feel like a lot of people kind of react with like a “oh, that sucks” shrug to pet deaths. It’s nice to hear from others who understand that it can be seriously traumatic.

   3. They make cards for pet deaths. I appreciated this when my cat died.

   4. How about just grab a drink or a coffee with her and be a good listener.

   5. Maybe invite her out for happy hour after work? It would also be a good way to get to know her. It really sucks to go home after work when you know that your pet is not waiting for you anymore. She may appreciate the change in routine.

3. Please recommend your preferred leather protector for “better” leather boots. I have some booties that I got for a trip abroad, but it looks like there will be a couple rainy/muddy days in the wine country and I would like to avoid damp toes and ruining the boots.

   Related: Has anyone Scotchguarded a Longchamp Pliage? I am thinking about taking one for my daily bag (packs small, holds what I need), but want to protect the pretty plum color.

   1. Kiwi select. I use it on all my leather shoes and bags.

      1. +1 Target carries it.

4. Am I the only one who can’t do zippers up the back of the heel? It’s never comfortable. Doesn’t matter how big the shoe. And my heels run narrow, so don’t think it’s a matter of foot mass. Wish I could. These shoes look lovely.

   1. Same here. They never fit right. I think it’s because I have narrow protruding heels and the zipper doesn’t like to bend to hug that curve between heel and ankle.

5. I am looking for vacation ideas for this summer. DH and I usually like to visit cities and enjoy the culture and food in short bursts, but we are both a little burnt out on that and want to try a relaxing vacation to really disconnect. Historically we have not enjoyed the caribbean beach getaway (too touristy, too few dining options, too beach focused) and that’s all I ever I hear about people doing for a relaxing vacation. I would like to go to a luxury resort and do yoga and nature hikes by day and eat really delicious food by night plus have things that will interest DH. Where should I be looking? Maine? Napa? A safari?

   1. How about Arizona? Hiking, golf, pool, jeep safaris, art galleries, etc.

      1. Not in the summer (but AZ is a great destination in the spring and fall). Signed, someone who moved into Phoenix in 124 degree weather (and whose rubber flip flops literally melted off onto the pavement)

         1. Taos or Flagstaff might be nice

   2. Hawaii? Stay in a quieter resort, rent a car and explore the hiking trails?

   3. The Seychelles is hard to get to but would fit the bill. I am not sure where it is with hurricane reconstruction by Dominica in the Caribbean also sounds like what you describe.

      1. I might not have been clear enough about this but we have hated pretty much every caribbean vacation we’ve ever been on and we have been on 4. Nothing in or near or remotely like the caribbean please.

         1. She’s suggesting it because Dominica is known for its eco-adventures and has no beaches. You obviously don’t know everything about the Caribbean—all the islands are not the same, they’re literally different countries. It’s like saying because you don’t like Texas, you don’t like the United States.

            1. +1. You’re coming off a little racist here OP. Or at best really snobby. I understand you don’t want to go to an all-inclusive with mediocre food and lie by the pool all week, but the Caribbean offers a lot more than that.

            2. I’m with the poster. I’ve been bored with the Caribbean too and wouldn’t want a suggestion to go there. I too find it touristy and lacking in history that interests me, compared to, say, Western Europe. How is that “racist”? Are people not allowed to have preferences?

   4. Costa Rica?

   5. Finger Lakes sounds perfect for you. Plenty of wine and good food but also close to nature. Idk how crowded it gets during the summer months, though, I’ve only ever been during the off season.

      VA wine country was also really nice and laid back. There’s a lot of gorgeous countryside so there must be good hiking trails somewhere. I stayed at the Lansdowne resort and I was not impressed by what passed for a hiking trail next to the resort, but the resort and nearby towns were nice.

      1. Ugh yes. I went to college in the Finger Lakes region. Beautiful. Lots of wineries. My favorite is Three Brothers on the west side of Seneca lake. Ithaca is at the southern top of Cayuga lake along with beautiful gorges and great restaurants. Watkins Glen State park is also gorgeous and at the southern tip of Seneca lake.

         1. JK Three Brothers is on the east side not the west.

   6. All this depends on budget, how long you have, and how long you’re willing to fly, but a few thoughts:

      -Hawaii. Beach is an option, but there’s a ton of other stuff to do, good food/hotel options, and it’s incredibly beautiful.

      -Sicily, especially Taormina. You’ve got the Mediterranean, but you’ve also got all kinds of interesting cultural and natural stuff to see, and the food is great.

      -Sedona. Incredibly beautiful, very peaceful, lots of hiking and yoga options, nice hotels and food.

   7. Aspen or Telluride CO

      1. +1

   8. Greece or Italy if you want to go to Europe
      I’d be cautious about AZ in the summer. Hawaii could be great though.

   9. We’re doing the south of Spain this summer, it’s one of my favorite places. We’re going Barcelona to Seville, to Madrid with stops along the way to enjoy the coast. And it’s way cheaper than some other parts of Europe.

      1. I recommend Hammam al Andalus when in Seville.

      2. I just did that same trip last year and it was amazing!!! It was the most relaxing European vacation we’ve ever taken. There was a lot to see and do, but it was at a slower pace with tons of good food and wine.

      3. South of Spain in summer is crazy hot… I would not do it beyond May or June.

         1. We’re doing it in early June. I’m not insane and not that fond of scorching heat.

   10. I’m not sure what your budget is or how far you’d be willing to fly, but if you’re open to somewhere far-flung I’d suggest Bali. The flights are pricey but there are very cheap luxury resorts once you’re there. The island is filled with amazing food, hiking, temples, history, yoga, spas, etc. It’s gotten pretty touristy in some parts because of Eat, Pray, Love and it’s always been a cheap Aussie destination (it’s their Caribbean), but as long as you avoid the tourist beach towns on the southwest coast it’s still peaceful in other parts. I stayed in a resort outside Ubud for a week and it was heaven. I highly recommend the sunrise hike at Mt. Badur if you end up going!

   11. Napa or Carmel Valley would fit the bill. Napa/Yountville in particular has incredible dining options. I think there are also some good options near Santa Barbara.

   12. What about a ski town in the off season?

       1. I vote for Jackson Hole.

   13. What’s your heat tolerance? Being outdoors in the middle of the summer in searing sun, among tourists, is not my idea of fun at all. For this reason, I’d head north or to the mountains rather south or somewhere hot. Still tourists, but at least it’s cooler.

   14. Rancho La Puerto in Mexico, south of San Diego? Its many fitness/art/wellness classes can be hard to pass up, but you could choose to only hike, do yoga, lounge by a pool, and eat good food. Very pretty grounds and more spiritual in tone than many places I’ve been.

6. I’m drooling over the tote bags and some of the crossbodies from Allsaints. I’ve never bought anything from them – any good/bad experiences?

7. Anyone live or grow up in Rye, NY? Thinking it might be time to leave NYC soon (two preschoolers), and so far my husband and I liked the feel of Rye from our one trip there. Obviously, we know we need to spend more time and are planning to speak to an agent up there. Looking for some insight on the feel of living there.

   Thanks!

8. These shoes look to me like something you’d wear to the opera in the 1920’s, in a good way.

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