Our Favorite Coffee Breaks of the Year

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1. Thoughts on the quality of Ikea’s towels? I live in the SEUS, so looking for a towel I can get 4 sets of that is not too fluffy (otherwise, will not dry or takes too long to dry in the clothes dryer). If there is a specific one to recommend, I’d appreciate that. I will have to order since my Ikea trip yielded 3 of this type and another type was stocked only in giant bath sheets (too long — would drag on floor given towel bar placement). My old towels started as “fancy brand” towels and just have not held up well. When Ikea is good at something, it is really good and I’m hoping that towels are really good there (I swear by their giant blue bags for just about everything and if they moved into women’s accessories proper, would definitely give them a try).

   1. I’m a big fan! Ours are currently 10 years old and just starting to look a bit worn, but we haven’t replaced them as we no longer live near an IKEA and it doesn’t look like they have this exact style or color anymore (they’re a waffle style in navy). They’re not super thick and plush, but I dislike that type of towel anyway, so they’re perfect for me, dry fast, and have held up way better than more expensive towels I’ve bought.

      1. I miss the waffle style IKEA towels. I still have some and when they die, I will cry real tears.

   2. consider Turkish towels. they are very fast drying and eco friendly and soft.

   3. I have some from 8 years ago that are going strong but bought more about a year ago and they already unraveled at the edges and look awful from fading.

   4. I have “H & M home” towels and they are amazing. East coast humidity and they actually dry!

      1. I read this as Harry and Meghan and was so confused for a second.

   5. I got some Turkish style ikea towels recently and they are great for the damp climate. Way less likely to get musty.

      1. +1 to Turkish towels. I switched a year and a half ago and haven’t looked back. I bought from Etsy that are actually from Turkey. They were way cheaper than any American retailer.

         1. If you’re still reading Anon at 3:25, do you have a specific seller to recommend?

            1. Very different price point from Ikea, but I’m 10+ years into my Turkish towels from Coyuchi – a small, CA brand.

   6. I have had good experience with IKEA towels so far, although I prefer fluffier Zara Home towels or linen waffle-texture towels. Softened linen towels might actually work for you if humidity is your concern.

2. Do we have any ‘rettes based in the Netherlands? I am going to accept a job offer and need to find housing in Rotterdam. The rental market seems to be … very competitive and I would appreciate any advice on where to look [specific realtors or where to find private listings]. I have searched through 2 free sites, but am not happy with the response rate. TIA

   1. I just moved back to the US, having lived in The Netherlands for 8 years. Funda.nl is really the only answer. Is that one of the sites you’ve already looked at? You can switch the site to English (usually) but if not, you’re looking for Te Huur (rental). JLG Real Estate has also had some good listings in the past, but I’m not sure if they have listings in Rotterdam or just Amsterdam. Getting connected with a good makelaar (property agent) who does rentals in addition to sales may also be another way to go or good to do in addition to looking at listings directly.
      One note re: response rates. Businesses are basically closed between now until well into the new year – usually around January 8 or 9, things pick up again.

      1. Thank you so much for this! It always amazes me how this community has answers even to such distant topics.
         Yes, Funda and Pararius are the two sites I am now stalking; as well as some sites of local realtors. The response rate is probably low due to holiday season, as you say. I started getting a few replies and it seems me offering to pay 6 months’ rent upfront seems to be doing the trick to boost owners’ confidence. I just wish things would move faster so that I can focus on the actual relocation. Patience will be my word of 2023. I will check the reco as well.
         Thank you so much again!

         1. Of course! Best of luck to you. It’s a truly wonderful place – I hope you enjoy living and working in NL as much as I did. Post again if any other questions.

3. Pants question: I haven’t gained weight but inexplicably over the past few months I find sitting in any pants with a yoke super uncomfortable/ as if they need to be pulled up constantly or something. Any recs for comfortable non-sweat pants for WFH?

   1. Loft pull on look great – suit weight Ponte- but are so comfy!

      1. Work pajamas for the win!

4. Those loafers in orchid have captured my attention. Has anyone tried this brand?

5. My motivation to do work this week is at a negative 10. No one else is really online, so I don’t have any meetings, but I really do have sh!t that needs to get done before everyone else comes back! SOS

   1. Me too! You can do it!!

   2. Saaaame.

   3. Also have negative motivation. My kid is off school, my parents are visiting, and I’m planning to give my 2 weeks’ notice at the end of the week. I actually have a project I need to finish though.

      1. want to finish. reframe it to make it easier.

6. My main 2023 resolution is to focus on my health more (coming out of a year with multiple physical and mental health setbacks, so starting from zero basically). Does anyone have recommendations for where I can find apartment friendly beginner workouts? I have downstairs neighbors and want to be considerate, so no jumping and the like.
   I used to pull up videos from a specific YouTube channel that had videos tagged as beginner friendly, but it seems to have gone defunct.

   1. For yoga, I think Yoga with Adrienne is very beginner friendly and there’s a ton of variety including some 30 day series on YouTube if you’re looking for a daily routine.

      1. And the calendar for the new 30 days that kicks off Jan 1 is already out. Beginners will be in very good company.

   2. I subscribe to barre3 online, and it might suit what you’re looking for. There is a lot of lunging and energetic stepping around, but not much actual jumping that would disturb neighbors. As far as being beginner-friendly, I think the movements are mostly not complicated or difficult to understand, and the instructors are really good about giving an easier option and a harder option for most moves. I guess this sounds kind of like an ad, but I promise I have no affiliation with them! I just subscribed during covid and have been pretty happy with it.

   3. yoga for beginners. tons of videos online or via library

   4. If you are on IG, check out heidinealfitness. She posts a ton of only body weight, low impact workouts.

   5. I love Les Mills on demand as they have wide variety of types of workouts: cardio, strength, pilates, dance, yoga, core…. you name it. I do have basic equipment at home [weights, step, resistance band] and a spinbike and do a workout every day. The instructors always show/give alternatives for those who cannot/do not want to do jumping. They often do free trials and if you post an email, I can send you a link for a 30-day free trial. I started with a free trial and have been subscribed for 4-5 years.
      I have also seen that Netflix will be offering Nike workouts included in subscription in Jan’23, which might be worth checking out. My experience with Nike training programs was not great, which is why I switched to Les Mills.

      1. Not the OP, but I am curious what you found problematic with Nike workouts.

         1. It is simple – I didn’t enjoy them :) They were thoughtfully designed and all, but I didn’t look forward to my workouts, I didn’t enjoy doing them and I could have created the same workout on my own while listening to better music. I am sure this is personal preference and that they have evolved over the last few years.
            I have tried LM and never looked back. I am excited when I see a new workout [Strength, Core, Grit, Trip, Yoga] is added and I cannot wait to try it out the same day. I think I also prefer to see other people suffering while doing the workout [IKR?] and LM delivers on this. You can often see the instructors or crowd push themselves to max and struggle.

            1. Thanks. I don’t currently use online workouts, but am considering adding some to my gym schedule, so was really curious what makes so me more appealing. Helpful

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