Coffee Break: Hugh Loafer

62 Comments

1. Does anyone else have a low-level headache all day after working out in the morning?

   I usually work out in evening, but in the warmer weather I go for 3 mile walks a couple mornings a week. I’m left with an unshakeable headache. Maybe I’m just not hydrated enough in the morning and fail to catch up throughout the day? Any tips appreciated!

   1. Down a gatorlyte or pedialyte as soon as you get home and drink through the day. Signed, trained for multiple marathons through the summer in SEUS.

   2. You aren’t adequately replacing your electrolytes.

      1. If she’s eating during the day I’m sure she is.

         1. People with blood sugar issues (a third of adult Americans) or dysautonomia (more common now than it was pre pandemic) tend to lose electrolytes and do better with beverages that contain them. I know it sounds like Brawndo nonsense, but it’s a real thing.

            I think it’s also harder than you’re making it sound to get all of them (how many people hit magnesium RDAs just from food?).

            1. Yup, everybody’s special!

            2. It’s really not special. That’s the point. It’s common and normal. It would be nice if it were more uncommon!

            3. Yep—my aunt really has to stay on top of her potassium or she can pass out

         2. For what this is worth, I share your skepticism about the general need for specific electrolyte replacement beverages. Also, adding one really helped my post-exercise headache issues. Plain water in the same or greater amount didn’t do it, and I don’t have anything even approaching a low sodium diet. There’s no reason I’m aware of tha it should have made a difference for me, but it did. Probably worth trying for OP, just to see if it helps.

         3. If she’s getting a headache only after working out outside on hot days, I’m sure she’s not.

   3. Beyond making sure you’re hydrated, check about allergies — when I run outdoors at different times of the day, sometimes my low-grade allergies present like a headache. So if you try hydrating and that doesn’t seem to work, see if popping a Claritin (or whathaveyou) helps.

   4. Okay, I’ve never gotten this from walking, but from training for many distance runs, I’ve learned that I get this from either not enough electrolytes, skipping caffeine because the timing gets wonky, dehydration, or the fact that I don’t eat enough to replenish myself (but that usually makes me sleepy).

      My current formula is that for runs longer than an hour I start with packing a gu for every 3 miles I’m running and then drink water. If I’m swapping out a gu for something with no or low sodium (applesauce pouches are good) I’ll add skratch electrolytes (no sugar, just electrolytes). If it’s over 70 degrees, I’ll do both gu and electrolytes. Part of my clues that I need more salt are if I can feel that salty crust on my skin post-run.

      I’d start with bringing a water bottle and sipping while you walk, then committing to drinking 20+oz of water with electrolytes with breakfast and also eating a breakfast with caffiene.

   5. Yep, my aunt has to really stay on top of her potassium or she can pass out

2. How would you start a convo with your partner about mixing things up in bed? We rarely do and it’s vanilla.

   1. Seductively

   2. I’m a very unimaginative person who had few experiences before DH. It can get vanilla easily.
      While we are in the midst of activities, DH will just suggest that we try someting new with specifics. And then he has to follow it with instructions: put your leg there, my leg goes here, etc. There’s never been a big conversation that we need to change things up. His approach works well with me.

      1. This sounds like nekkid Twister.

         1. Lol

   3. My recommendation is to suggest something in the moment (unless it’s something that you’re not sure if they’d be into or which would require a discussion about consent). I think people tend to get defensive or insecure or encourage overthinking when a topic is presented as a “we need to have a convo” and it can block actually taking steps. Sometimes just doing it is easier and more likely to inspire future new and exciting things than talking about the things and feeling pressure to follow through on the things you talked about.

   4. If there’s something you want, ask for it.

   5. Just don’t have the convo while wearing these shoes. You do not want the most unsexy shoes on the planet associated with that topic.

      1. Right?? I mean, to each their own but these loafers were frumpy back in the 1980s.

         And I love cardigans, so I do not use the word frumpy lightly. Maybe if the shoes didn’t have the ripples/pleats around the toe…

      2. Thanks. I really needed this laugh.

         My immediate thought with these shoes was – great, now we’re wearing grandpa black dress shoes.

         1. My first thought was “old man shoes” when I saw the picture.

   6. Probably depends on how not vanilla you want it to be. Like if you want to try out new positions, that probably doesn’t need a conversation prior. Although a suggestive text might be fun.

      1. Right. Certain kinds of k1nk need lots of discussion beforehand.

         If you just want to be on top rather than on bottom, put yourself on top.

3. This is timely! I’ve been looking at loafers. Has anyone bought women’s loafers from Meermin? Some of the suede colors look so dreamy.

4. long shot but where is the best place to stay at disney in FL?

   1. this is an extremely subjective question. “best” in what sense? price? luxuries? proximity to certain parks? theming? if you’re planning a disney trip use a planner, they are free.

   2. If money is no object, I hear people rave about the Four Seasons and the Grand Floridian.

   3. Everyone will have a different opinion, but I think the Beach Club and Yacht Club are the best. Nice hotels. Boardwalk is cool to walk at night. Right at the entrance to Epcot. Boat to Hollywood Studios.

   4. If I’m going to a work conference I tend to prefer the Beach/Yacht club or the Swan and Dolphin so I can easily walk to the other resorts and restaurants around the boardwalk vs. having to shuttle everywhere. For luxury, the Four Seasons is the furthest property but is a true 4 star hotel with a fantastic spa.

   5. People all have opinions. My controversial opinion is that I legitimately like the Contemporary and dislike Polynesian – but many Disney people would consider this blasphemy. All of the park hotels are going to have the Disney pixie dust and it is a matter of finding one that fits your budget and the space you need. If you post which hotels you are considering, people can weigh in.

      1. You’re not alone. I’m a travel advisor who sells Disney and I prefer the Contemporary to the Polynesian too.

         But yes, overall it’s highly dependent on budget, preferences, ages of kids if you have them, and which park(s) you’ll be visiting. Not really a question that can be answered in the abstract.

   6. If money is no object, the Grand Floridian. Yacht and Beach Club are my second favorites. Polynesian is too brown. The Contemporary is boring. Animal Kingdom is just far from everything, although the views are fun.

      1. too brown??

         1. The buildings, the decor, it’s literally brown.

   7. Look at Adam Hattan youtube. UK Disney blogger who’s really good.

      He’s got a recent video about budget options, but there are others less so, all of the vlogs have have great reviews, tips and pros and cons for the different places. Just saw the recent once, and based on that, on-site seems great, to get the bus transfers and early access.

   8. I stayed at Pop Century when I did a parks trip a few years ago and I think that’s considered one of the budget ones. It was nice – felt like a standard hotel room. I’ve also stayed at the Swan and Dolphin for conferences without going into the parks – that was nice from the perspective that I could get a little taste of Disney (we could walk over to the entrance to Epcot and see the fireworks and I got to walk the Boardwalk) without actually going into the parks.

   9. I have Opinions.

      Expensive: Animal Kingdom Lodge with the safari view (giraffes!), Four Seasons for traditional luxury, Grand Floridian / Yacht / Beach / Boardwalk for ease of access to different parks.

      Midrange: Coronado Springs in the tower. (This is my new favorite. Felt more luxurious than the price, very fun pool area), Port Orleans French Quarter (beignets, walkable, my kids love it)

      Less money: camping at Fort Wilderness. We used a local company to rent an RV and golf cart. The company set it up for us. Great pools, golf carting around is so fun, boat to Magic Kingdom, dinner show. I’ve done this twice. We got groceries and ate a lot at our campsite.

   10. I’d recommend the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Yacht Club/ Beach Club. All are excellent, deluxe resorts in great locations.

       With small children, the Contemporary is great because it’s a very short walk to the Magic Kingdom, and you can watch the fireworks from the hotel. We used to go to the park early, leave in the early afternoon, rest or go to the pool, have dinner, get into pjs, read a book, and end the night with fireworks.

       The Beach Club and Yacht Club share a pool, and it is objectively the best pool (other than the Four Seasons). A few years ago, we stayed there just for my son to play in the pool (no parks all weekend), and last week, he asked if we could do it again. It’s a short walk to Epcot, and you can take a boat or the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. There are also a couple of nice restaurants around the Boardwalk and a very fun ice cream parlor between the Beach Club and Yacht Club.

       The Grand Floridian is Disney’s attempt at being a true luxury hotel. A room on the concierge floor, in the main building, is amazing. Their bar is excellent. They have a spa, though I can’t recall having had any services other than a manicure and pedicure. There are several very good restaurants, but the casual/ fast dining options are actually worse than at the less expensive hotels.

       If you can “rent” Disney Vacation Club points, I highly recommend a DVC room (1, 2, or 3 BR) in all three hotels. It’s nice to have the extra space, plus a kitchen and laundry.

       I’ve never stayed at the Four Seasons, but I’ve had dinner there a couple of times. It’s a Four Seasons on Disney property. It’s beautiful but kind of boring, and it’s pretty far away from the Disney parks. The pool does look amazing.

       If money is a consideration, the French Quarter Hotel is extremely popular. It’s beautiful and quiet and has good food. People also say that the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs has a “deluxe resort” feel but is priced by Disney as a “moderate” resort. The Caribbean Beach has a fun Florida feel and connects to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner.

5. Where can is get one of those long tiered skirts with a wide smocked waist band? I saw some this weekend that were a lovely medium blue and white series of prints, like on porcelain, and they were so pretty.

   1. Abercrombie has a really pretty blue and white floral one.

      1. I’m upset I’m not an angsty teen to wear this and give my father a heart attack
         https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/lace-trim-boho-mini-skort-62561321?categoryId=13058&faceout=model&seq=01&pagefm=navigation-grid&prodvm=navigation-grid

         1. Hahaha

   2. Natural Life.

   3. Look for toile in the fabric description.

   4. Hill House

      1. Right shape but not the right blue or print. Very close though! This in a Duke-blue toile or block print.

         1. The Anthro Somerset?
            https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/the-somerset-maxi-skirt?color=526&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

6. if you wanted to try to “find” your fashion sense again, would you join one of those rental services? seriously pondering it instead of trying to buy a new summer dress that i’ll inevitably only wear once or twice.

   1. No. I had a friend join one years ago and all of the options looked cheap and too trendy. She always looked like she was cos-playing a stranger when she wore the items.

   2. Annoyingly, those work best when you’ve already built a wardrobe of great basics. Look at the pictures of girls in fabulous tops and frumpy pants and shoes. It’s fun to rent a pretty dress but without appropriate and stylish accessories and shoes the look falls flat and you’ll get discouraged. If his is not to say don’t do it but to thoughtfully develop your basics and your taste before or while you do it.

   3. I would instead really analyze what I like and dislike about the clothes currently in my closet (color, neckline, fabric texture, drape, ease of care, sleeve length, shoulder puffiness, waist fit, armhole style, skirt length, fullness, closures, opaqueness, etc.). Then try on with those features in mind.

      1. Yeah . . . I’d do a deeper dive into what’s wrong with those summer dresses you’re buying and why they’re not a fit for your life or tastes. There’s some kind of disconnect between the type of thing you’re buying and what you actually wear.

      2. This. A mirror selfie or five in your best outfits will help you figure out what you’re really drawn to.

         Then start figuring out where you’re adequately supplied and where the holes are in your wardrobe.

         For me, I like to have a list of use cases. I need things for:

         1) everyday WFH or weekend, suitable for walking the dog during a break & enough for a week

         2) a more formal business meeting or a presentation

         3) a night out (which in my area is pretty casual, but darker colored)

         4) an unexpected somewhat dressier event like a funeral

         This doesn’t consider working out, painting a bathroom, or sleepwear.

         I also do not keep a dress in my closet for a wedding or dressy occasion I haven’t been invited to yet. I’ve learned over the years that once I am invited and learn the dress code, I tend to start shopping.

   4. No.

      Would rather go to a thrift or vintage, and try on everything in a size adjecent to yours, that you like *something* about, whether that be color, fabric or style.

   5. Yes. I use nuuly and I’ve discovered new brands and shapes for my perimenopausal body in a low-stakes way.

   6. Counterpoint: I tried both Rent the Runway and Nuuly rental subscriptions and found them very helpful in finding pieces and styles that I love (some of which I bought from them; some of which I bought on Poshmark; some of which I just wore and returned).

      Among other things Nuuly forced me to accept that the Somerset dress was never going to work for me regardless of who adorable I thought it was on other people.

      I did not have any real luck with subscription services (like Style Fix) where you are sent a box of clothes “selected” for you by a “stylist” (I suspect an algorithm) for purchase. I found them over- priced, poor quality and usually a season out of date. I probably ended up buying one piece out of ten and finally cancelled.

      1. How adorable – I promise I can spell.

         Also having read the other comments: I own nice shoes and dress pants, but I do not want to wear the same thing every time I do into the office (couple of times a month) or to a conference (couple of times a year) I found it better to rent nice blazers or unusual tops and return them. Same with season-appropriate dresses for church. I do not want to own multiples for every variation of temperature, but I also do not want to wear the same thing every week. I do not get a delivery every month but find them a nice option for mixing it up and wearing very nice clothes without spending a fortune on things I will only wear a few times. (And I do not have the time or inclination to spend hours at vintage stores – which rarely seem to have my size in anything that does not scream 2010 – and my Poshmark luck with things I have not tried on is mixed at best).

   7. Try a personal shopper at a store like Nordstrom? I did this at Mm Lafleur a few years ago and had great results. She was able to pick things based on my frame and height and then I just kept what looks good. Two of those items are things I still consider my best pieces.

      1. This

Comments are closed.