#also life pro tip: do not plan traveling to and from somewhere

[mmriesoftvat]

.

[deakydeaky]

HC of you meeting of of the boys(preferably Ben or Joe) before COVID and when it hit you stayed with them because you were far from home. Is this too much? Btw I love your posts and just want you to post more again 💀

How it started:

You were traveling around a lot before it was finally after the holidays

You were in New York, staying in a hotel when the news about COVID was getting big

In your final days you were going to a shop everyday, just to grab what you needed for the day

That’s when you ran into Joe. You knew you knew him from somewhere but didn’t say anything until you saw him there the next day

“Are you stalking me?” You would ask as you grabbed a bag of chips. He would let out a loud laugh as he looked at you

“Yeah actually, what gave it away?” People sworned around them.” This is crazy huh?”

“Yeah, I gotta get home soon if this keeps up.”

“Or stay in New York? Maybe run into each other before we turn into zombies?” He joked. “Totally.” You would agree and leave it at that

You two saw each other a few more times and gave flirty smiles through out the week and some small talk. He told him about his place and you talked about where you lived

A few days later when you realized that things weren’t going to get better you packed your bags. You first stopped at the shop to grab a few things because you didn’t know what the airport could be like

When you walked in, you saw Joe with a big shopping cart

“Oh my god, I totally started the zombie apocalypse.” Joe said when he saw you

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” You told him as you walked down the isle

“Are you going to be comfortable staying in a hotel?” You would give him a weird look. “I’m heading to the airport.” You told him with a laugh. “All of the airports shut down. No flights anywhere right now.”

“Oh my god. Oh my god.” You would start to call every hotel as Joe was checking out. Everything seemed to be booked or they were taking anyone new. How caught you outside as you stood by the cab, calling places

“You okay?”

“Everything is booked, Damnit!” Joe would hate to see it. “S-stay with me.” You gave him a look. “You could be a murderer.” You told him before he laughed. “I’m not and I’m serious. You can’t be on the streets right now and I have another room. And I think I have more reason to be worried, get in the cab crazy.”

You stayed in the guest bedroom, and even alone you felt awkward. You thought you should just try to call someone willing to drive all of the way to get you but you couldn’t ask anyone to do that and you didn’t think they would

The next morning you woke up to him pouring coffee. As he gave it to you and started small talk you stopped him.

“Stop. This is super nice but weird. I will call someone and leave. I- I think I should leave but this is great. If you start a bed and breakfast I will def give a good Yelp review.” He would laugh at you.

“Please don’t. Just stay until something opens up and you can safely be on a flight or a hotel. It could be fun. You could tel you kids about it one day or something. I swear I’m not a creep and I really would feel bad if I left you ok your own.”

Staying:

You called your family and told them you were staying with a friend and to not worry

It was awkward at first because either of you knew how to be comfortable with the other but it got better

Making breakfast for each other, being a good house guest, watching a few movies together a week, all around stuff

After two weeks of being in a house together, you thought it time to know each other and started to cook dinner. But horriblely messed up and Joe called his mom for cooking tips

“Mom I’m not joking, no she didn’t add water.” You blushed heavily as he talked to her. He ended up cooking for you which made you feel even worse

“Why were you cooking anyways?” He questioned. “I wanted to be something nice. We’ve been in the same house now for two weeks straight and I don’t know you. You could still be a murderer.”

“I’m an actor actually, pretty sure you knew that. I’m a Virgo, I play bass-“

“And you like long walks on the beach? Real stuff Joe! Also, I guessed Virgo, your earth sign energy is crazy, what’s your moon?”

“I- I don’t know. Ask me something then, anything.”

“Do you like coffee?”

“You crossed the line.” He told you, making you both laugh

Through out quarantine:

Going through 2020 together was the most chaotic thing that happens to you

Watching just about every show on Netflix

Everyday something worse happens you two take a shot and then put a tally on a peice of paper

Having 2020 bingo cards, literally

Ordering a lot of games to pass time

Making bets about what next month will hold

Getting to know Joe in weird ways

Having to explain to where you work that you’re now working from New York

Joe being the most chill person, even with the things that are happening

Him trying to make the days better

Joking about separation anxiety with each other but lowkey if one of you goes to the store for too long the other ones is worried

“What day is it?”

“Thursday.” Joe would question everything he’s done all week but can’t remember a single thing

Becoming rather close and very chaotic

“This is everything we need to do after it’s over.” You would tell him

“An aquarium?”

“Well it’s that or we could get high and watch Jaws, your choice.”

“I’m glad we aren’t those people that go on walks and zoom with their families, that’d make us seem way to normal.”

Trying your best to pass the time, April and May being the worse

Getting a lot of little arguments

“You called me a child when I bought them, and then you took HALF!” You would yell

“You’re fighting with me about this?”

“Yes because you made fun of me. You either get more or we fist fight.”

Neither of you know how to shop for food in the beginning because everything was being taken from the shelves

“You bought two packs of energy drinks?”

“Everyone was taking the water and soda, I had to act fast.”

Catching yourself falling for him

How could you not? He took you in, cooks dinner, helps ease your pandemic anxiety

Him being the biggest goof

“Joe, it’s 1am, I’m not making a fort with you.”

“Why not?”

When the summer came you two held out hope for better things to come but they just seemed worse

Meeting the boys over zoom

“Sorry, we’ve all been really surprised when we heard the story. It’s very Joe but we were scared some weird things would happen.”

“Yeah, I don’t watch him sleep or anything like that.”

“Really? I’m a beautiful sleeper.”

Making him tea

Hearing him over sing in the shower

After the summer with numbers rising again, going home seemed like a dream

You didn’t want to risk your family getting sick but staying with Joe more seemed too much

Wishing you had met at another time because it seemed too weird to make a move. You were getting almost a middle school feeling crush. This ended up in a debate with yourself, talking about pros and cons and leaving and all of the things you have wanted to say since March

“You can do this. You are a strong woman, you are to the point and the worst thing he could say is no and that’s okay, you’re still that bitch.”

“Who’s saying no?” Joe asked you as he came in

“No one, maybe you, I don’t know, wanna watch a movie?” Joe would look at you as you stood awkwardly.” Don’t look at me like that.”

“What’s happening right now.”

“I’m sorry, it’s not you. It is but it’s like your fault but I also have some blaming but you did it.” Joe would nod his head, trying to make sense of anything that was happening.” I have developed, a sorry of, very tiny and minor, crush. That I’m sure it just because another man hasn’t looked at me since March but at the same time I think it’s because you’re a really great person and now I’ve made this awkward and we won’t talk about it ever again.”

“A crush?” “I just said we won’t talk about it.”

It worked out because he ended up liking you back but it was definitely weird for a little

You two felt more in the way or each other than living together

But after a few weeks you two realized how weird you were being and figured out it was nothing

“Trump got COVID.” “Shots?” “Yep!”

As you two were drinking you looked at each other and laughed, spitting the drinks everywhere.

“Wanna order in? Act like this week didn’t happen?”

“Yeah.”

Felt like you were living out a literal movie

Making the best of 2020 although it was weird

Dating:

The same as before but now it’s this new part of Joe

He’s more romantic but still funny and himself

Having “date nights” once a week. That just meant he would light candles and turn the lights out and pretend it was a fancy restaurant

Finding out a lot about each other

Him telling his family about you and how it’s been with you. Making you freak out a lot on the inside

The boys all telling him they were calling it

“You can’t just threaten to lock yourself in the bathroom just because I said I didn’t want pasta tonight.”

“Watch me!”

Still tiny agruments but nothing serious, ever

“It doesn’t matter why! He just did!”

“Then where did the hammer go when he left! He took it with him but when he came back old all he had was the shield!”

Planning out where you two would travel next

You two having the weirdest comfort level with each other

Talking about what would have happened between you two of the pandemic didn’t happen

Game nights becoming twice as better now that you’re both more comfortable with each other

Making both of your guys friends join a zoom to play with

Flipping coins to see who makes dinner

Whenever you don’t eat what he makes he always threatens to never cook again

“Have peanut butter and jelly everyday, I don’t care. You’re missing a real Italian man right now!” He said, coping an accent

Coping each other all of the time just to see what the other one will do

Having the most fun you’ve ever had with him, even with you two stuck in a house

Realizing the a pandemic made you find the love of your life

[midnightrooftops]

Batfamily: My Hero Academia AU

Done before? Probably. I’ve become obsessed with bnha (better late than never) so here’s my headcanons for a bafamily in the bnha verse. This was with the help of a friend.

Bruce Wayne | Batman Quirk: Shadow (not widely known) Bruce’s quirk is actually highly debated by the public. His name suggests he has a “bat” quirk and he leans into that as the playboy billionaire he is. But really, his quirk is a shadow quirk that allows him to hide and travel in shadows. 

He’s a unique hero in that even his personal identity is a mask. “Bruce Wayne” is a public face for Pro Heroes. Rated #2, he uses his wealth and prestige to do a lot of work outside hero work. Anyone that knows him knows that he isn’t the playboy he plays up for the press. People have a hard time remembering that his persona is a fearsome hero and many of his arrests go without proper credit. If he does make a public debut as “Batman”, it’s a campy, played up version that supports his personal identity. 

The way his false “Bruce Wayne/Batman” identity encourages heroing is a direct contradiction to the way he really is. He tries to minimize the message but after his parents were murdered by a villain, he attempted to the vigilante style. However, he found it wasn’t plausible with the way the world was evolving. He then turned to using his fame and wealth to make sure that any hero was better equipped. He has the leading company of support gear and will often gift gear to anyone in need of it, hero or not. 

Dick Grayson | Nightwing Quirk: Low impact Dick’s quirk makes him light on his feet, able to maneuver quickly over any terrain. It took years, but he’s been able to apply his quirk to any part of his body, not just his feet. The bounce his quirk gives him makes him hyper-reactive and able to spring into action faster than most anyone else.

Dick grew up in a circus, exploiting quirks for amazing physical feats but when his parents were killed, there wasn’t any place Dick could go. Taken in by the pro hero Batman, Dick learned from the best of the best at a young age and often accompanied his teacher on cases as young as twelve years old. This put him on the top of the charts when he got into hero school and he quickly rose to the “Top Three” of the school. By the time of graduation, he, Wally West and Donna Troy, had broken pro records. 

He has since made his own agency and brought on many sidekicks the media calls “titans”.

Barbara Gordon | Oracle Quirk: Information Gathering By look or touch, she can gather a huge amount of information about someone and their activities. She also has a perfect memory.

The daughter of the chief of police, Barbara sees the difference between “heroes” and police and hates it. She’s dedicated to bridging the gap between public law enforcement and the private job of “hero”. Somewhere along the way, she’s starting to understand the difference. She has a pro license but she stays out of the spotlight these days. She prefers to bring in the bad guy and doesn’t care who gets “credit” for it. 

Jason Todd | Red Hood Quirk: Phoenix (Unknown to almost everyone) Every time he’s burned, that portion of his body gets temporary stronger. Total regeneration results in partial mental instability.

Jason was thought to have a useless quirk - he was immune to fire. That didn’t stop him, however, from using it to the best of his abilities. Jason grabbed the attention of pro Hero Batman by stealing the tires off his car. As Dick had just graduated hero school, Bruce was looking for another young sidekick to mentor and teach. Jason was brash, hot-headed and, to put simply, not liked. The press tore the poor kid apart for his poor behavior, the hero community wouldn’t defend him and, while he DID get into the top hero high school, he was ostracized from the beginning because of his origins. 

Tragedy struck when, during an internship, Jason ran off to protect his mother and he was captured. A vote was submitted to the public, asking them to vote for his fate. While there was massive amounts of cheating and it was rigged from the start, it was still a terrible shock when the vote decided his death. Batman was not able to save the boy. 

However, the explosion made to kill him actually activated his quirk. While he burned, his body regenerated, stronger and he returned as the villain, Red Hood. Batman, after discovering his adopted son was still alive, kept his identity a secret and they have a public back-and-forth about heroes-verses-villains. Many don’t see Red Hood as a pure villain, but instead an anti-hero, taking out the worst of the worst. Have Batman or Nightwing teamed up before? Not publicly, but that’s neither here nor there.

Tim Drake | Robin/Red Robin Quirk: Memory Replay Touch activates memory of an object or person. The duration or clarity is dependent for how long that person/thing was touched and how connected it was to the events around it.

Tim never set out to be a hero. With the neglect of his parents, he had a lot of downtime and he saw the downward spiral of Batman/Bruce Wayne before anyone else did. Yes, a death of a sidekick was bad but Tim was predicting this years beforehand, seeing beyond Bruce’s public persona. His natural knack for information gathering had him saving the pro hero from doing something horrific. In exchange for his heroic deed, Bruce offered to train him. Always eager to learn more, Tim accepted and was eventually accepted into a hero academy.

This new path on the road to becoming a hero would eventually lead to the death of his parents and being adopted by Bruce. But for the time being, he’s trying to find his place in the “hero” world as a relative outsider. 

Cassandra Cain | Black Bat Quirk: ???

The daughter of villains, breed to be the best assassin in the world, Cassandra was raised in isolation, taught by killers and knew little of the world until coming to Gotham. After her first kill, she fled her teachers and sought something better.

She was one of the most important people involved in the earthquake of Gotham, saving two-thirds of the survivors by herself. The press never knew she existed so she went unrecognized. Bruce adopted her secretly and keeps her hero activity away from the press. He worked with the police to clear her past crimes. Now, she’s focused on understanding the world around her and making the best of her quirk. 

Stephanie Brown | Spoiler Quirk: Deconstruction Anything she touches can be deconstructed, depending on the size of the objects and how long she holds it.

Nothing disgusts Stephanie more than villains. Her father has been in and out of prison her entire life and the news knows him by name. She hates it. It’s made her life a living hell. She hates it more that she shares his same quirk. 

She knew she would never be a hero. Despite her submissions, no hero school would take her and she was forced to a regular public high school with the same bullies as before. But she’s made it a habit to spoil her father’s plans. After being let down by heroes in her past, she takes it upon herself to make sure none of her father’s plans work. Call her a vigilante. This, of course, spiraled to ruining his villain-friend’s plans and, well, being in the wrong place at the wrong time may be habit for her now.

She met Tim and Cass while doing her very illegal night activities and, despite their warnings, they haven’t turned her in yet. She’s learned how to be a better “hero” from them and they, in turn, seem to appreciate her tips about the underground. 

Damian Wayne | Robin II Quirk: Regeneration He can regenerate from wounds. Total amputation may take time to regenerate but will grow back slightly stronger. 

Unknown to the press, Damian is the son of Bruce Wayne and the villain Talia al Ghul. While his parent’s relationship is complicated, he has been nothing but tenacious when it comes to fighting evil, even at the age of twelve. Much of the public regards Damian as the next “Jason Todd” but Damian is adamant about proving himself. Even with his “older brother” at hero school, Damian isn’t interested in waiting for regulations to let him do what he was trained from birth to do. He’s been known to cause problems for local police and heroes alike more than once. 

[youaremylittlesunshine]

Eve/Villanelle Fanfic Rec List

A very very long list of my favourite Eve & Villanelle multichapter fanfics that are still in progress.

Quid Pro Quo by Fixy (E) 

Divorces are sad and expensive and time consuming, so it helps when your solicitor isn’t all that bad.

Or!

A divorce au featuring ‘I fell asleep on my arms’ Eve and business attire Barbie

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21637660

Imagine Me And You (And Our Parents) by imunbreakabledude (E) 

“Eve, we are all adults here.”

“It’s hard to take that seriously when you have your hand in my pants.”

-

The chemistry between Eve and Villanelle is obvious and immediate, so it's awkward when they find out their parents are getting married.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22864576

Babysitting Grief by uncreativerabbit (M)

Set after the events of episode five. Eve is stunned when Konstantin approaches her outside a pub on a dreary London day, frantically offering her the world in return for a favour only she can do. Eve is reluctant until she realises that she is the only person in the world for the job. Struggling through both her emotions and Villanelle's, she learns about the why - why Villanelle is like she is, why she is drawn to her inexplicably, and why that bus moment actually happened

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24139228

The Long Way Home by Spayne (M) 

Villanelle is forced to take the long way home.

Eve thinks that perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24943183

Twisting Vines by Kai_ROz (E) 

“You can’t be serious, Bill.”

“I’m perfectly serious. She’s one of the biggest names in the business, a positive word from her would go a long way to getting this place back on the right track.”

“I don’t want or need anything from her.”

“If you say so. But I think you’re making a mistake.”

“So be it. There will be plenty of time for me to rub her stupid, smug review into her stupid, smug face.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24578872

Define Normal by Jean Genie (LetYourselfGo) (E)

How do Eve and Villanelle end up living a not-so-normal life together in a chateau in the south of France nine months after realizing that they can't walk away from one another? A lot of traveling, shopping, kissing, fucking, dancing, laughing, crying, coping, topping, bottoming, murdering, and some truly fabulous food and drink.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24889048

Specialities by villanellesgun (Teen And Up Audiences) 

Eve is an established Trauma Surgeon working at St. Thomas�� Hospital in Central London, England.

Villanelle is a second-year registrar and has transferred to St.Thomas due to an incident at another hospital.

Villanelle still hasn’t completely decided on her chosen specialty, despite the pressure from her peers and consultants, but there’s one thing she is sure of -- Eve.

And Villanelle always gets what she wants.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24766636

The Miseducation of Eve Polastri by Justanothergirl (M)

My own take on "What happens after the bridge scene."

Rating changes in Chapter 5.

Also, Villaneve is canon, y'all. Let's drink to that.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24717658

now we walk by behindthec (M)

“Stay until you hate me.” Post 3x08.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24498097

lost on you by charizona (E) 

“Eve,” Villanelle says. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” There’s a pause, then a breathless laugh. “So I waited a socially acceptable amount of time to call you.”

Eve fights a smile. “It’s been, like, five hours.”

“I am social,” Villanelle argues, “and I’m accepting it.”

OR

A very loose, very chaotic Mr. and Mrs. Smith AU.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24528724

are you bored yet? by crowdyke, Toucanna (M)

They stare at each other for a long time. Thirty seconds after the Season 3 finale, Eve and Villanelle answer the question "Where do we go from here?"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24597121

Albuquerque by oksana1 (Not rated) 

“Eve,” the woman enunciated the name like it was fine art, tongue slipping around each sound with care. She had a cheshire cat smile, and she was suddenly closer, too-close, elbows propped up on the counter, inches away from Eve’s face, “so you are Eve, and you sell artifacts.”

OR

Eve sells antiques in New Mexico. Villanelle is a collector with very specific tastes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24671413

From The Same Star by almostafantasia (M)

In a world where your soulmate’s initials appear on your skin after you meet for the first time, Eve’s life gets turned upside down when the single letter ‘V’ appears on her abdomen on the same day that a senior MI6 official gets assassinated just down the road from where she works.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24544438

At The Cliff's Edge by filthy_nebula (M)

Eve is living in self imposed isolation along the coast. Oksana washes up one morning after a storm. Cue uneasy domesticity, secrets lives, and confessions in the rain à la Notebook (2004).

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19732525

The Heat of the Moment by imunbreakabledude (M)

Olympic boxer Oksana Astankova is looking to break into MMA.

Sought-after manager Eve Polastri is looking for a brand new fighter to coach from the ground up.

They'll beat the crap out of everyone in their way.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23262682

Death Wears McQueen by HenryMercury (E)

Reporting on Fashion Week isn't the investigative journalism Eve Polastri signed up for.

That is, until a runway assassination and a one night stand throw her into the path of Oksana Astankova—the unbearably hot new Editor of Villanelle Magazine.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24404530

Love at First Swipe by estvillanelle (M)

The tinder AU no one asked.

Eve's being catfished.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24451078

these mortifying ordeals by coldmackerel (M)

it only takes one summer to: retire, go on holiday, try fishing, get half-stabbed to death in the aftermath of a fallen global crime conglomerate, fake your death, get nostalgic for an ex, show up unannounced, get answers.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23364403

Two wrongs make a right by Vracs (E)

Just two morons on a mission to take down the bad guys and get in each other's pants.

No but seriously, it's a little story of give and take, hard and soft, until they finally meet somewhere in between.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24026908

Notting Hill by Wrongplaceperson (Teen And Up Audiences)

Eve Polastri is the owner of a quaint little bookstore in London.

Villanelle Astankova is a Hollywood superstar.

Villanelle lives in Beverly Hills. Eve lives in Notting Hill.

Their lives couldn't be more different

They meet when Villanelle visits Eve's bookstore one morning.

Will this meeting change their lives?

Notting Hill AU

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24647626

what we deserve by lisewrites (M)

“But I deserve to be kissed nicely. I want you to kiss me nicely Eve.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24717211

You, Me and The Twelve by HardSeltzer (Teen And Up Audiences)

Eve and Villanelle are competing CEOs fighting for the biggest deal. Who will come out on top? Or will they just end up on top of each other?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24361501

darkest minds by deletetheadjectives (M)

Almost two years after Rome, Eve is living a bitter life as a dish washer in London—the only job she could get without proper identification when Carolyn made sure Eve Polastri was dead to those who knew her.

Following a tip from an unexpected source, Eve learns of Villanelle’s location: working as a waitress in a diner in the Middle-of-Nowhere, USA.

And so Eve’s plans for revenge start to form…

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20825711

My Darling, I Am Yours (And You Are Mine) by Trufreak89 (M)

“Shh. It’s okay.” She tenderly tucks a strand of the woman’s hair behind her ear. “I’ve got you, Eve. I’m going to look after you… You’ll see.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18965383

She's (Not) Afraid by villanellessuit (M)

Villanelle sticks by her 'no dating rule' until a certain curly-haired woman makes her a coffee on her way to work one cold morning.

or

That one where Villanelle is a rich interior designer and Eve is the owner of an unsuccessful coffee shop.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24668410

and i like the way you kiss me (don’t know if i should) by taare (Teen And Up Audiences)

Having Eve this close again is intoxicating.

Eve, for her part, is looking directly at her, breathing hard, eyes wide open, closing the distance between them.

And then Eve’s lips are on hers, and her eyes are still open — Villanelle knows, because her eyes are open too — and she does not know what to make of this new sensation because how do you react when what you’ve been chasing for the better part of a year (and maybe your whole life?) finally catches up to you?

—

If Episode 3 had ended the way we all wanted it to.

I can't, I won't. by p28 (M)

POST 3x08. Sooooo not only do we get survive 3x08 but now we also have to survive until s4 so rip us clowns.

"I can't, I won't."

"Aren't you quite the romantic?"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24505006

Powerful Beyond Measure by Kai_ROz (E)

After their encounter on the bus, Villanelle knows she has the upper hand and wants to make her next move ...

OR

Villanelle is a chaotic idiot when it comes to Eve.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23925631

First Comes Marriage... by melvncholymvmi (M)

'"So," Hugo asked, grinning as wide as the Cheshire cat, "how's the sex?"

"I have had better." Villanelle responded with a shrug as she stared Eve down.

"Baby, you've never had it as good as me." Eve replied, grip on the crystal tumbler tightening.

"We will see."

Fuck, she hadn't meant that the way it came out. Or had she?'

OR

The Proposal AU where Villanelle's visa expired and Eve needs her to stay.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23685679

Say Something Before I Go Crazy Now by KillingVillanelle (Not rated)

"I was wondering if we could switch to weekly sessions?" Villanelle asks, biting her lip to contain a smirk.

"Why?"

"Well, with this movie and stuff. I'm worried it might stir up some stuff and you are so good at helping me. Only if you can fit it in your schedule."

"I can. Anything to help you," Eve says, not hiding the way her eyes traveled down to Villanelle's lips.

"Anything?"

Or the one where Eve is a very ethical and rule following therapist and Villanelle is her most challenging client to date.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22281589

Enemies With Disregard by yotoob (Not rated)

It's probably easier for them to not be in the same room, at least for a while.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19163476

Home by emdash90 (M)

The interior design slow-burn romcom AU literally no one asked for.

OR!

Newly single and (begrudgingly) ready to mingle, Eve trudges her way through the unspectacular world of online dating as she takes on an 8-week interior design reno with Konstantin's niece at the helm.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21538177

Oceans Brawl by emdash90 (M)

When time slinked forward, glacially, endlessly, and Eve had run out of ways to keep herself distracted, her attention diverted, her thoughts desperately anchored to anyone, anything else — there she was.

Waiting to bulldoze through the delicate balance of sanity she had managed to piece together, grain by grain, since Villanelle had set her world alight with a douse of gasoline and a match tossed carelessly over her shoulder.

or

Thrown in opposite directions in the aftermath of Rome, Eve and Villanelle find their own ways to cope with the fallout. But with the Twelve knocking on both of their doors, it's only a matter of time until these two are reunited — whether they like it or not.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20129578

Ghost of Murder's Past by Aerstes (M)

TAKES PLACE AFTER THE SEASON 2 FINALE SO SPOILERS BEWARE. Eve is recovering in the hospital. A familiar face begins to appear while she sleeps. I have no idea where this story is going...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19021294

If she belonged to me by songforeverystory (M)

Post Season 2. Eve is recruited as Villanelle's handler. Neither are very happy about it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19860391

Now I Don't Feel Those Kinds of Things by saltandsunscreen (M)

“Do you two know each other?” Elena asks, passing Eve a fresh cup of coffee. “You and the new lawyer, I mean.”

For a second, Eve imagines telling her everything. Saying, remember that night Niko left last year, and I thought we were really one? Well, I went out, got drunk, met her, and we fuc--

Eve can’t even make her pretend-self confess it all to Elena, not under the stark fluorescent lighting of their office. She can’t come up with a good lie, either -- a whole two seconds after seeing Villanelle again, her brain is still busy numbly cataloguing her every too-fast breath and rushed heartbeat. “Uh, I’m pretty sure we ran into each other at a conference, once?”

“Oh.” Elena pauses. “I wish I had her jacket. Her outfit is amazing.”

Eve’s smile would probably be a little less fake if she could entirely convince herself that she’s also thinking about Villanelle’s clothes, and not what’s underneath them.

But she and Niko are trying, right? So she smiles harder.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19113304

[moonlight-frittata]

I’m Not Drunk, You’re Drunk

@sailorsunspot​ gave the prompt, “Catra and Adora get drunk while they’re in the Horde together” 

They’re about 16 or so in this (I put them at around 18 or 19 in the show).

Word Count: 1913

---

Adora twisted the cap off a glass bottle Catra handed to her with a shit eating grin. The harsh stench of alcohol assaulted her senses, forcing her to hold the liquor at arm’s length. She blinked over and over, trying to stave off tears caused by the strong fumes. The clear liquid inside was most likely Horde back alley hooch, but could just as likely be fuel for a Class B skiff from the smell of it.

“Where the hell did you get this?”

Catra leaned back against a crate, looking quite pleased with herself.

“I have connections. A few of the senior cadets have a still system somewhere. And one of them owed me a favor.”

The pair sat across from each other behind a pile of spare tank parts, holed up in a storage room of the vehicle hanger. It was one of the numerous hiding spots they snuck off to after dinner to unwind before curfew. Catra dropped hints all day she had a special surprise for this particular evening, keeping tight lips whenever Adora tried to needle the truth out of her.

“You sure this won’t kill me immediately?”

“Live a little Adora, no one lasts forever.”

“Not wanting to die is living plenty!”

“Helen assured me it’s safe enough.”

Adora sighed.

“Have you tried this before?”

“No.. but that’s why I thought we could do it together.”

Adora turned the bottle over in her hands one more time, the smell of alcohol still irritating the tip of her nose.

“I don’t know, Catra.”

“Come on, are you scared I can handle it and you can’t?”

Adora rolled her eyes as Catra snatched the bottle out of her hands and took the first swig. She tipped the bottle upright and swallowed a mouthful. The effect was immediate. Tears stung the corners of her eyes and her face scrunched up in pain. A rough, uneven cough escaped her lips from the burn in her throat that traveled to her chest.

“...yep!..*cough cough*..it’s...good stuff..*cough cough*..Adora!”

Catra shoved the bottle into Adora’s hands and continued coughing into the crook of her elbow. Despite the self induced pain, Catra’s mismatched eyes twinkled with mischief. Adora knew exactly what she was trying to do. A challenge had been issued. One that would be held over her head with unrestrained malace and taunting until the end of time if she refused to rise to the occasion. Adora turned the bottle over in her hands for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her head while Catra recovered her composure and flashed a cocky grin.

“Ah, what the hell..”

Adora tipped the bottle in Catra’s direction, raising it in a gesture she once saw Shadow Weaver use with a goblet of wine at a banquet for Hordak, and swallowed. 

There was no real flavor to the swill she somehow willfully ingested, except maybe an after taste of rusty metal and jet fuel. Adora’s torso hitched in a shudder as the bite of drink seared her tongue and back of her throat on the way down. The warmth of alcohol settled in her belly like hot embers in a furnace. She sucked in air through her teeth and nodded her head encouragingly at Catra before another shudder rippled through her body. 

“Bleh. Okay, we did it. Now what?”

Catra took the bottle back and set it between them on the concrete floor. The clear liquid swished back and forth inside before it settled, the container still mostly full.

“Um, I don’t know. It’s supposed to make you feel different. Do you feel different?” Catra asked.

Adora ran her fingers over her chest where the lingering tingle of alcohol settled uncomfortably under her sternum. She felt like her insides had been cleaned out with hot metal, but other than that she didn’t feel anything in particular.

“Maybe we need to drink some more?”

---

“...ahahaha, how many reps are you gonna mess up until you finally fall over, Adooora.”

Catra lay sprawled across a bundled up tarp she pulled off a pile of broken turret parts. Her tail drifted slowly back and forth.

Adora swayed on her feet, one hand propped against the wall, the other holding the half-empty bottle of liquor. Every time she bent over to put the bottle down, the world rushed up to meet her eyes and she had to shuffle her feet to keep from falling down. Catra joked she looked like she was attempting a kettlebell exercise from training.

“You’re just jealous I’m super strong, and can balance real good and can do, other stuff, Catra. Ca-tra. Cat rahh.”

The usual lilt of her best friend’s name felt strange on her tongue. Cat..ra. Adora moved her lips in silence, trying to figure out the normal sound they were supposed to make. Catra. She lifted her fingers to her lips, noticing they felt numb and slow. Just like everything else floating on the fringe of her sight. 

“I, think you are drunk. Adora.”

Catra fell back against the tarp and laughed in a raspy staccato clip. After a beat, she moved to sit up but without any of her usual feline grace and nearly tumbled onto her face. It only made her laugh even harder.

The point of Adora’s shoulder blades dug into the concrete wall behind her, solid and steady against the rocking motion of everything else in the room. She gave up the effort to place the bottle on the ground, deciding instead to join Catra on her tarp. Adora made it across the room in a few strides, falling heavily beside her friend. 

She lifted a limp wrist and pointed her finger.

“I think you’re the one who’s drunk. Ca-te-rah.”

The glass container dropped between them with a soft thud against the canvas, the liquid inside too shallow to spill out when the bottom hit the ground.

“I mean, that was the point...”

Catra’s words slurred together, a drawl in her annunciation. She turned over towards Adora.

“I’m impressed you didn’t chicken out. Miss future force captain.”

Adora leaned back to close her eyes for a moment, thinking better of it as the world tilted too much. 

“I’m not as good as you might think. I can be insubordinate.”

Catra watched closely as Adora sounded out each syllable like a foreign word.

“Pffft, when have you ever been insubordinate in your life?”

Adora’s eyebrows knit together, her blue eyes grey and cloudy with thought.

“I’m...I’m being insubordinate right now! I do stuff people think I won’t do. I didn’t tell Shadow Weaver when Lonnie cheated on her Geometry exam. I lied about Kyle’s one mile time so he wouldn’t fail for the fifth try in a row. I cover for you when you’re late to training, or when you piss off the instructors.”

“Oh yeah, you’re such a martyr, Adora,” Catra whispered. The reply came out sharp through the haze of intoxication.

Adora turned to her. 

“Whaat’s that supposed to mean? You’re the one who’s always telling me to lighten up and not care as much.”

“That dumb stuff doesn’t mean anything, Adora. Geometry test? One mile? What does that even really matter. None of it involved you or could actually get you in trouble.”

“Are you serious??” Adora’s voice rose to a breathy shrill. “It could put any future promotions at risk if they knew I lied!!”

Catra shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes, but her usual flippant tone was less convincing than usual. The tips of her claws dug into the soft skin of her palm at her side.

“Yeah right Adora. We all know you can get away with anything in Shadow Weaver’s eyes. Perfect Adora! Pride of the Horde! That old witch could walk in here right now with us piss drunk and I would be the only one to get the living shit beat out of me. Once for the drinking, and twice for getting you drunk.”

“That’s not..that’s not true!”

Adora’s head bobbed back and forth, the slur in her words growing more pronounced with every sentence. Her forehead wrinkled from how hard she seemed to be concentrating on the conversation.

“I would definitely get punished, are you kidding me? But I got drunk anyway! Because I always go along with your plans in the end.”

She flourished her arms and fell back dramatically. Catra scowled at her, then stared at a spot on the ceiling, annoyed by the turn of their conversation. Adora stayed silent for so long after her outburst Catra wondered if she fell asleep.

“And also Catra,” Adora said bolting upright. “If none of that stuff matters, why are you giving me a hard time about it?”

The hair on Catra’s back bristled. She stared at her knees and bit the inside of her cheek.

“Catra?” 

Their shoulders were flush against each other where they sat on the tarp. Catra’s heartbeat spiked in her ears. The comfort of the closeness grew stifling and too much. Adora tried to place her hand on Catra’s forearm, but she moved it away. Nothing dramatic. A subtle shift of the elbow, but it said enough.

“Wait, are you mad at me?”

“We’re just drunk. Don’t read into something that’s not there.”

“Catra..”

Catra rolled to her side and onto her knees, leaning heavily against the crates around her for support as she rose to her feet. Everything moved back and forth like a pitching ship, no matter how still she held herself. Something screamed danger to where the conversation was taking a turn. The drunken cloud was not clearing, instead focusing on a place she was not interested in talking about. 

“Come on,” Catra groaned between deep breaths, “we should get to bed before -”

Her ears twitched to the side as the inevitable sound of too much fun filled the storage room. Adora was on hands and knees, retching over and over off the edge of the tarp onto the concrete floor. Catra bit her lip, trying hard not to get sick herself from the sound. It wasn’t something she usually had an issue with, but she also wasn’t normally drunk off her ass when she held Adora’s hair back from a fever. 

The dry heaving stopped almost as fast as it began. Adora whimpered quietly, crawling a few feet away from the puddle of puke on the floor. Catra sighed, her anger flickering out before it ever grew into something else. With slow, deliberate steps she closed the distance to help her best friend. Because even if she was mad at Adora, she’d still always have her back.

“Alright cadet. Let’s get you to your bunk.”

Catra held her hand out. Adora lifted her head, eyes glassy and lidded with drunken fatigue. She took the outstretched palm, but Catra still needed to half drag Adora to her feet. 

As they turned to go, the back of Catra’s foot bumped into the glass bottle on the ground. It still had some Horde hooch left inside. She started to bend over and pick up the bottle, but her eyes swam and stomach flipped and she decided to leave the spoils of war alone. With one of Adora’s arms slung over her shoulder, the pair shambled back to their barracks.

“...so I guess we lived a little, huh?” Adora mumbled, barely coherent.

Catra chuckled.

“Oh yeah. And I won’t let you forget it for a loooong time.”

[havekiddoswilltravel]

News Flash: Family Travel Doesn’t Even Require a Passport

Passport free affordable family travel inspiration that will get you to actually leave the house with your kids.

Often times, I have parents ask me for advice regarding travel with children and I remind them that international travel is not the only way to expose and share experiences with your kids. I’m well aware that if you search the hashtag #travel or #familytravel, you will come across many staged and photoshopped images of what seems like perfectly behaved jet setting families in Paris, Malasia, Kenya, Greece and every international Disney Park, yet I’m here for the family who’s trying to figure out how to pull off a simple in state road trip, overnight trip or weekend adventure. While we love exploring so many amazing places that are ideal family travel locations, I’m also all about the local and regional travel experiences. Why? It’s more realistic that the average family will be able to plan, afford and actually pull off an overnight trip or weekend getaway, than a safari or two week long trip through Europe. Realistic and affordable family travel is imperative to breaking the obstacles to family travel for most people. 

Family travel is not something we do to simply check off a box, say that we’ve been there and because it’s currently the trendy thing to do. We were those lone black people hiking, camping, skiing and in typically not family orientated travel destinations, before family travel became the “in” thing. It’s been an integral part of our family values and way of life for over nineteen years. This means that we place as much emphasis on the experiences and lessons learned while taking a day trip to Block Island, Rhode Island or a weekend trip to Acadia National Park, Maine, as we do on our trip to Havana, Cuba. Travel is truly as much about the process of getting to the destination, as it is about experiencing said destination with our children. What do I mean? Children who grow up to be adults who love adventure and experiences are born in transit. They are born in their ability to pack their bags, organize the car, plan their trip and live in the moment once they arrive. They’re born in the ability to make the most out of the unexpected or hiccups in their plans, without those challenges completely ruining their trip. 

These lessons can be learned without even owning a passport, a car or the funds to take you on that bucket list trip. You don’t need to have TSA Pre Check, Global Entry or Mobile Passport to raise travel loving and adventure seeking children. You can accomplish these goals by teaching your kids how to explore their own back yard, state, region and country. The United States or your own home country are filled with incredibly beautiful places just waiting for you to experience them. I challenge you to rethink the passport stamp seeking family travel culture that we’re bombarded with daily on social media and you will realize that it’s not as unattainable as you once thought. Even as a family travel blogger, I find myself rolling my eyes at some of the elitists posts that I see on social media these days. I’m here to tell you that it’s perfectly okay if your kids don’t leave the country until they have their first job and can afford to buy their own flight. While we do travel internationally with our four children, I must acknowledge that international travel is not something that is immediately available to most families with two children, much less those with four. I encourage you to start traveling with your kids by choosing trips that meet your personal family budget. Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s paralyzing.

The older I get, the more I appreciate a good long weekend family trip. I don’t have the attention span for most 7-day trips with kids. I love long weekends and 5-night trips because they allow our family to create amazing memories while not completely disrupting our daily flow, routine and wallet. Also, as a large family, lodging, food and transportation costs add up quickly. I’d rather travel more often, than travel longer in one single trip. This is our family’s preference and you will figure out your own family travel flow, the more you get out of the house with your kids. I’ve written previous blog posts about the fact that family travel is not a vacation. It requires a shift in thinking and an acceptance to what your reality is as a parent leaving the house with children. It’s a fact. You will have to put in all of the work required to parent on a daily basis while you are away from home. Travel will only accentuate your troublesome family dynamics. Ugh, sorry I had to say that! It’s reality. I’ve spoken to so many parents who say that they don’t travel with their kids because their kids don’t listen, misbehave and thus damper their travel experience. Those are issues that I highly recommend that you address and deal with before you embark on a week long trip with children. Traveling didn’t cause these issues, but having kids out of their element accentuates all of those things to a degree that will cause you to never leave home again. Thus, be realistic in your travel expectations with children. You may be in a season that requires shorter trips. Embrace that. The season of longer travel will be here before you know it.

Don’t be paralyzed by all of the family travel posts to expensive travel destinations, that leave you feeling inadequate, despondent and slightly depressed. Start somewhere. Start Local. Start now. You won’t regret it and in the meantime, you’ll be planting those seeds that you will surely sow at the right time in your family’s lifetime. These are some of our favorite family travel destinations that hopefully will get your wanderlust juices flowing. I bet some of these are close enough to you that you can make a long weekend out of them.

-          The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff Arizona, U.S.A.

-          The Monterrey Peninsula, California, U.S.A.

-          The Pacific Coast Highway, California, U.S.A.

-          Coronado Beach, San Diego, California, U.S.A.

-          San Francisco’s Cable Cars, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

-          Sequoia National Park, California, U.S.A.

-          Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

-          Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.

-          Essex, Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Litchfield Hills in Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Amelia Island, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Everglades National Park, U.S.A.

-          Key West, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Marco Island, Florida, U.S.A.

-          South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A.

-          Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

-          Acadia National Park, Maine, U.S.A.

-          Kennebunkport, Maine, U.S.A.

-          Ocean City, Maryland, U.S.A.

-          Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          The Lakes Region, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

-          Mount Washington, North Conway, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

-          The Adirondacks, New York, U.S.A.

-          The Catskills, New York, U.S.A.

-          Lake Placid, New York, U.S.A.

-          Lake George, New York, U.S.A.

-          Finger Lakes, New York, U.S.A.

-          Hudson Valley, New York, U.S.A.

-          New York City, U.S.A.

-          Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.A.

-          The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A.

-          Gettysburg National Military Park and Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A

-          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Block Island, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

-          Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

-          Manchester Village, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Stowe, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Killington, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, U.S.A.

-          Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.

-          Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.A.

-          Nova Scotia, Canada

-          Niagara Falls, Canada

-          Quebec, Canada

-          Montreal, Canada

-          Exploring any Chinatown, Koreatown or little Italy in any major city.

 What are some of your favorite affordable family travel destinations? What are some of the obstacles that you face in starting to travel with your kids?

Pro tips for affordable local family travel:

- Travel off season. Island destinations like Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard are just as stunning, more affordable and less crowded in the off season. Ski resorts make amazing Spring, Summer and Fall destinations. Off season travel also mean that you won’t face minimum night requirements and thus allow you to take a weekend trip rather than a full week. 

- If you have young children and don’t need to work around a school schedule, hotels are cheaper on Sunday nights and mid week. Avoid Friday and Saturday nights unless traveling to business destinations and then weekends are actually less expensive at some of the really nice business hotels.

- Brand loyalty does pay off. If you do stay in hotels, follow the deals and not the destinations. Also, stick to one brand and sign up immediately for their rewards programs. Many of our annual hotel stays are free nights using rewards.

- Don’t be afraid to book Airbnb’s. As a large family, we often book condos and full houses at a significantly cheaper rate than a hotel stay.

- I use Costco often for car rentals. They offer the best deals for vehicles that can accommodate our family. 

- Be flexible and creative in your lodging options. We’ve stayed outside of beach towns for 1/4 of the cost of staying on the beach. Flexibility in family travel is key to actually going anywhere. 

- Be willing to try new things. We’ve stayed in cabins, RVs and tent camped. I honestly never pictured myself having some of the amazing experiences that we’ve shared with our children. To think that I may have missed these memories if I stuck to that which I was comfortable with. 

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[glamrus-puta]

Help I Start School Tomorrow: A Check List

Do you need some sweet ass advice from somebody who’s spent no less than 18 years struggling through the muck of academia? Of course you do! Here’s a handy-ass dandy-ass guide to wtf should be going on in your pre-school prep!

Let’s get started~

1) What should I do with my day before I go back to the hell hole that is school?

I’m glad you asked! Do things that make the start of the semester feel like a fun and luxurious adventure awaits you! Especially for college and university people, the start of the semester loses pizzazz with age (and time).

Hype yourself up with some simple self care, these things don’t have to be expensive or cost anything at all if you can utilize what’s lying around in your kitchen, bathroom, neighbour’s house or wherever.

Wash your damn hair! Shower and take all the time you need, shave if you want to while you’re in there. The goal is to feel fresh and a lil less greasy the next morning.

Are you a lazy ass that doesn’t have time to moisturize? Me too! Get some Nivea in-shower lotion if you can, and before you towel dry douse yourself with baby oil gel (or literally just some olive oil or coconut oil- whatever you got lying around). Show yourself some love!!

Now is a great time to style your hair for tomorrow and protect it with a low pony or a night cap, btw

Do a face mask! Do a hair mask! Do a foot mask! Do whatever tf kind of mask you got handy! Use foods from your kitchen, or try Freeman masks they’re around 4$ each. Dollar store prices, department store quality.

Take an hour to fix your nails, toe nails, wax the stache or do any body maintenance you usually do. Pretend you’re going to a sick ass party and you’re grooming your meat vessel to perfection.

Lay out your sick outfit for tomorrow- pro tip: you want to be comfy and functional on buses/trains/on foot or however you commute. Think hard about the kind of weather you’ll be up against, and the general state of the terrain on your commute. Put your outfit on a hanger so it’s ready for tomorrow, even if you can’t do this every night during the school year it’ll get you in the right mental state to have your first day

Prep your meds! A big part of feeling good is taking our medications on time to reap their maximum benefits. Put them out on your kitchen counter if you think you’ll forget, go through your medicine cabinet: is there anything you need to remember to take with you to have during the day? Set alarms on your phone if (like me) you’ve got pills to take at different times of day- label them something that you’ll understand. (I use the names of the doctors that prescribed them so I know which pills are physical health and which are mental health).

Pack your lunch for tomorrow. Fruits and veggies bitch none of this “I’ll buy it when I get there” nonesense. Remember to stay hydrated! Bring some kind of receptacle to hold water/tea/coffee whatever. This is a solid habit to have year round, but remember the first couple school days can frazzle you pretty good and it’s good to have snacks on hand.

CLEAN YOUR GODDAMN ROOM. You’re gonna be shooketh in a bad way if you wake up on the first day of classes with a messy bathroom and shit strewn all over your sleeping space. Take all the time you need to put things lovingly away, if you’re feeling ambitious update your calendar and spray a little room spray or light a scented candle. Ooh la la

Do something fun. Do something distracting. Go out with a friend, read a book, take a couple hours of ‘me time’. You’ll be ready to die for it during the semester.

Feeling nervous? Call literally anybody you can stand to talk to for more than five minutes. Talk about dogs, talk about boats, ask them to guess how many jelly beans you’re holding right this second (sike b the answer is 0)- take a couple steps away from the whole school thing.

2) What the hell do I put in my backpack??

So this is where I fly into an unGodly rage. I’m so tired of seeing Instagram posts telling people their make up, perfume and breath mints are the most important of their school arsenal. What’s gonna save you when you bleed through your pants at school cause Aunt Flo decides to come chill on campus? Your perfume? Unlikely.

Here’s the real tea on what you should have in your bag, based on years of oopses, dire situations, and general mishap management.

A pencil case. Preferably full of writing implements. I can’t believe I have to tell people this but like......I do.....y’all childish

MEDICAL BAG: A small pouch is all you need! Tuck this away in your bag’s inside pocket, or in your purse, it could save not only your life but somebody else’s too. Get your prescriptions you need throughout the day like inhalers, anti anxiety meds, lactose intolerance pills, Imodium, symethicone etc.

Pack some ginger gravol (or regular drowsy gravol) for motion sickness or for when the flu season hits

Benadryl pills (and your epipen if you have one!) this is one of those things you should always have lying around at home and in your car

Alcohol swabs and band aids of your choice. Most pharmacies will sell 100 swabs for around 3$, look in dollar stores for discreet 1st aids packs and band aids. Stash them in your little pouch, it might not be you who falls down a flight of stairs and needs to bandage up their elbow- but at least you can help. (Based on a true story!!!!)

Panty liners/ tampons/ pads- this is another one of those things that others may benefit from

Get yourself a mini deodorant (3$ at Walmart) and wrap your hair ties around it. Double trouble, double storage capacity!

Tylenol/Advil, hunt around for little plastic pill holders like Pill Pals, they’re not usually more than 2 or 3 bucks and they hold A TON of pills

Vagina Bonus Round: do you take birth control? Have a tube of Canesten/Monistat/Vagisil or whatever for when the yeast season is upon us

Remember to carry your hospital card and/or medical insurance card on you at all times

Pharmacies will give face wipes individually wrapped for free. Usually brands like Cetaphil will dump them off as testers for customers- ask your local pharmacy cashier for stuff like mini hand creams, spf lip balms and face wipes. We’re happy to give them to you and you’ll get some real use out of them!

ASS WIPES. GET SOME. You can wipe down your bag with them, wipe down tables with them, flush them, and do all kinds of damage control. Trust.

Emergency money- the medical bag is a great place to hide emergency money (think bus fare, or 5$ for emergency food) because people are unlikely to rob what looks like a 1st aid kit

3. Friends come and go but portable chargers are forever- you can find cheap key chain ones at dollar stores. If you’re going to spring for one that lasts a few days on one charge I suggest the OKZU from Amazon. It’s HELLA SLIM and I can hold a charge for about 3 days before it reaches even 75% battery capacity. (It’s also the most budget friendly I’ve found to date about 14$ after shipping).

4. Remember make up, gum, little travel items and perfume can have a place in your bag but I would suggest transferring as much as you can into smaller and smaller containers. A whole bottle of perfume is a lot to carry around, imagine a water bottle bouncing around your bag- that’s the kind of space you’re using up. Be mindful of just how many books/ copy books/ textbooks you’ll be toting around and if it gets to be too much- get an actual tote!

5. A little clip on hand sanitizer never hurt anybody...also Kleenex I promise you’ll use it. (And if you don’t I’ll be there to borrow it lmao) ALLERGY SEASON BONUS ROUND: a small bottle of off brand artificial tears are great to stow in your glasses case for all those shitty October mornings where your eyes refuse to act like eyes and not the Sahara Desert 🐫 off brand artificial tears run for between 2-4$ at most Walmarts!

3) I’ve used my last 24 hours to get my shit together- but I have a horrible impending sense of doom! What should I do?

Ah anozzer day in bikini bottom, which means another day of crippling anxiety for 25% of adult Canadian students! (Wow that’s a lot of students!) Boy do I know how tough it is to be thrown back into the pressure cooker of life that we call school. Here are some tips from me to you that I hope help a little bit:

I believe in you! It’s not a tip, but I want you to know that I do. If you’re feeling unsure/ silly/ out of your element/ etc think about me wandering around just as confused as you are! And have a good laugh at my expense! Shoot me a DM, scroll around my nonesense blog- wow check me out I’m a real living person and I made this post for you- because why? I care about your well being! Sometimes it just helps to know that there’s somebody out there thinking about you and wishing for your safe return home at the end of the day~ for the start of your semester I’ll be that person. *smooch*

Arrive early! My therapist once told me that rolling out of bed five minutes before I have to be somewhere limits my chances of having a calm and meaningful experience where I’m going. I hate to admit it but she makes a good point. Wake up early and do something nice for you: have breakfast, just sit on your balcony and breathe some fresh air, pet your cat and gaze upon their stupid face. Take the time.

Arrive early BONUS TIP: get to where you’re going an hour early and just wander! Window shop, roam the building, learn where the fire exit is, sit outside on a bench and watch the students come in and out. The longer you chill at school the homier it’ll feel, and the more you feel at home somewhere the more you feel at ease. Strike up random convos with strangers if you’re feeling brave, or text an understanding friend to meet you there and roam alongside you.

Plan your day! Get an agenda if it’s in your means, or just scribble on some scrap paper. Make your grocery list, write your tasks of the day, your goals of the day, or even just a positive affirmation. Sometimes even when I know exactly what I’m doing that day, or have something trivial to do (like laundry) I’ll write down “do laundry” to feel like I have a clear path to follow.

Embrace your local accessibility Center and school councellor. Don’t live in fear of the resources your school provides. It seems scary/embarrassing/weird to have to have special accommodations to deal with your anxiety or depression but GIRL once you’re all set with the appropriate tools there’s truely nothing that can stop you. This was my experience anyway, but I strongly urge everybody I meet to take advantage of school services and wring them for all they’ve got. They’re there for you boo!

HOT TIP: feeling dizzy and overwhelmed on the bus? Look at the wall or something that isn’t moving. DONT LOOK OUT THE WINDOWS AS THIS MAKES DIZZINESS WORSE. Breathe in 2 beats and out 3 beats- this cuts your fight or flight. If you’re going to drink take small sips out of a straw or without moving your head. My GP gave me this advice and it’s saved my whole ass quite a few times.

Download free apps that are anti anxiety in the form of fun games. I’ve had positive results with Viridii (where you grow a little succulent garden) Tap Tap Fish (basically you’re a sentient coral that decorates the sea floor) and Polytap (you basically count the vertices of spinning polygons). A cursory google search will reveal more fun games for emergency anxiety relief! I also like to go on YouTube and search for positive affirmation anxiety videos, or storm/white noise/ ocean anti anxiety sounds the night before to get me in the right headspace to sleep!

So this has been your lightning round/ crash course for what to do the 24 hours before school! I hope you feel a little more prepared to take on the start of the semester!

A dios hoes!!

[merciattire-blog]

12 Wardrobe Essentials You Shouldn’t Live Without

Let’s pause and take a second to look back and mentally picture the clothing items we had hanging in our closets ten years ago. Did you just cringe as much as I did? It’s likely that the most memorable items that came to mind were those short-lived trends that, if you are anything like me, you now choose to repress into your deepest, darkest memories. (If someone back then had just let me know that middle-school Paige was going overkill on the neon fad, the world would truly be a better place.) My point here is, you never know what the next hottest fashion trends will bring, nor what beloved pieces you have today will make you red in the face ten years down the road.

Nonetheless, there are some fashion staples that have stood the test of time and are here to stay. In today’s blog, I will elaborate on these basic, yet timeless pieces that every wardrobe should encompass to remain eternally stylish and chic.

1. White Tee

As a disclaimer, the listing of these wardrobe pieces has no rhyme or reason – except for this first item. This is the most important. You literally can never go wrong with a plain white tee (unless you’re a spiller). In my personal experience, I wear my simple white t-shirt about 80% of the time and I have absolutely no shame. To back up this fashion pick, let’s play a game. What goes well with some distressed jeans? A white tee. Some black high-waisted jeans? A white tee. Your favorite pair of shorts? A white tee. A pair of overalls? I think you see my point. Take my word that this is a timeless piece that should always hold a special place in one’s heart, or closet. Whatever.

2. Little Black Dress

No further explanation is really needed, right? It’s that one dress in your closet that all your other dresses wish they could be. One good-fitting LBD (little black dress) is your best friend when it comes to classy events without much notice. By simply switching out accessories, this piece can go from casual to elegant in seconds. To better ensure its versatility, aim for one with a modest length and high neckline.

3. Button-Up Shirt

As a business major, I would like to stress the importance that my white button-up serves in my closet. If you’re in need of a classy ensemble, there’s no going wrong with this piece. Throw this on tucked into some black pants or a pencil skirt and you’re good to go. Even if you’re going for an off-duty look, this classic top half-tucked into some high-rise jeans paired with some booties or heels is an effortless, yet totally chic look.

4. Jean Jacket

Ah, my trusty ol’ jean jacket. It truly holds a special place in my heart (and my closet). After becoming the hottest trend in the 80’s, it’s one that is sure to stick around for many years to come. Nothing spruces up an old t-shirt quite like a light-wash jean jacket, especially if you’re going for that 90’s grunge look. Even here in Wisconsin, where the weather is typically either 20 or 80 degrees, I find a way to sneak this classic in somewhere within the glimpses of spring. Pro tip: don’t make the same mistake I did; go for one that is a bit oversized so you can layer, layer, layer! Mine is a bit snug, but being a bit chilly sometimes is still 100% worth it.

5. Leather Jacket

The one piece of clothing that you can throw over any outfit and BAM! Instant badass. If you don’t own one yet, there’s plenty of styles to choose from. A faux leather moto jacket is the perfect starting point and you can find one pretty much anywhere. Coming from someone who looks for any reason to bring out my inner rebel (spoiler alert: it’s pretty much nonexistent), I guarantee you won’t regret it. Once you get a basic black one, you can even extend your collection by adding in some other colors. My closet consists of leather jackets in black, gray, white, brown, pink (for when I’m feeling more feminine vibes), and, my personal favorite, a floral embroidered one. Do I have an obsession? Probably. Am I ashamed of it? Not in the slightest.

6. Knit Sweater

Nothing says “cozy” quite like a big, soft sweater. As a college student that faces the true brutality of Wisconsin winters, chunky sweaters have been a lifesaving essential. This is probably the one item that I would vouch for as being most splurge-worthy. There are far too many itchy sweaters in the world that fall apart after two washes, so my advice to you is to seek out a comfortable, long lasting one. You deserve it. Now, say it with me: “I am better than itchy sweaters”.

7. Go-To Jeans

So, you had a plan to go over to meet a friend for lunch, but you overslept, you’re already running late and you have yet to get dressed... and do your hair… and makeup. We’ve all been there. There’s always the option to hit cancel on the hair and makeup; just bun it up and go for the au naturel makeup look that is so in. Alas, you probably still need to put on some clothes (I know what you’re thinking, but let’s just assume your just-slept-in yoga pants just won’t cut it this time). You don’t have the time to try on every pair of pants in your closet, not this time. So, what jeans are you thinking? If you have one specific pair in mind, your one true pantsmate, you are a lucky gal. If not, you owe it to yourself to go find that special pair. High-rise, low-rise, boot cut, skinny, whichever you fancy. Go find that pair that speaks to you. One you can always rely on, even around the holidays (i.e. stretchy fabric is your best friend). If you’re having trouble finding your pantsmate, here’s a helpful article on which jeans are best for your body type. Go on, get educated; become a jeanius.

8. Leggings

This is just a given, we all have ‘em. They’re truly amazing. Life-changing, even. Finding a sturdy, warm pair of black high-rise leggings will surely get you through any challenges life throws at you. Hence, why they make up half of the official finals week uniform, along with a greatly oversized sweatshirt that probably hasn’t been washed since syllabus week. On top of that, they serve an even greater purpose rather than wallowing in salty finals tears: working out. Who knew? I can’t be the only one who only works out 2% of the time when I wear these. Nonetheless, leggings are an essential for both everyday wear, or for the workout buffs (kudos to you, brave warriors). Also, I must add that leggings with pockets do exist and they are a total game-changer.

9. Pencil Skirt

The ultimate formal attire must-have. For any occasion where you just aren’t feeling a dress, a solid pencil skirt with a nice blouse or button-up is your best friend. This simple, timeless piece is one that will never not look classy and stylish. Plus, if you find a good quality one like I did, it may just last you for over 10 years. (I bet middle-school Paige didn’t see that coming.) My pencil skirt has gotten me through almost every single presentation in college thus far and I don’t plan on trading it in anytime soon.

10. Ankle Boots

Who doesn’t love a good pair of booties? They are the ultimate autumn fashion staple that you are guaranteed to fall in love with. I own two trusty pairs of booties: one in black faux leather, and the other in taupe suede. Both have been through countless lectures, business meetings, and crunched their way through the crisp fall leaves on the way there. They are the ultimate comfort shoes.

11. Black Pumps

Now, I’m going to assume here that no one likes walking in heels. We typically wear them to dress up an outfit, improve our posture, accentuate our legs, or to give us a little confidence boost. No matter what the reason, a pair of simple black pumps can really do it all. Whether you’re heading to a business meeting, happy hour, or a casual date night, they’re one accessory that won’t let you down (unless a heel breaks and in that case, they are quite literally letting you down). I suggest you invest in a pair that is somewhat comfortable. Believe it or not, there are some shoe makers aren’t out to kill your poor feet. Here are some top-rated heel brands based on their comfortability.

12. Basic Sneakers

If you were to see me any day during the week, odds are that I’d be wearing either my Slick Adidas or my Snappy Vans. That’s right, I even named them. Walking-friendly shoes are a necessity, especially for college students. I honestly have not realized the amount of walking I would face in my life until I entered college. However, with a nice pair of worn-in sneakers, the lack of car travel is no problem. I’d recommend either black or white; that way, they pair well with any outfit.

So, there you have it: the wardrobe pieces that have a lifetime membership to my closet. What is one timeless wardrobe piece you couldn’t live without?

[christofarrx-blog]

Too Late | Brookes

March/April 2017

Chris had known this day  was coming. He'd been happy when Steffanie signed her shiny new contract with the WWE; knew she'd be moving to the States. Hell, he'd been one of the first people she'd told. And been one of her final matches at FCP. He'd had time to prepare himself for her leaving but no. They were best friends. He'd mentored her, teamed with her, beat the shite out of her and had the tar beat out of himself by her. Somewhere along the way, though, things changed. There'd been the night they'd gone out to celebrate a win around Christmas, Vulture Squad style. Drinks all around, laughing, the usual. Or so they'd planned. And then there they were, waking up together the next morning, neither really regretting it but also knowing they didn't want to ruin things. They'd both tucked it all away, continued their friendship like it never happened. He still thought about it sometimes, late at night when he was home alone after a show. He was dating Fern, she was with Travis. They were friends. That was all. Or at least that's what he said. That wasn't the case, though. No. Chris Brookes had gone and caught feelings. He'd fallen hard for the girl from the Welsh Valleys. The one that fought with the boys and kicked anyone's ass. The one that didn't even have to try but always earned a smile, laugh, or affectionate bump of the shoulders. They'd laughed together, celebrated together, lost together. He'd been there when she broke her collarbone, was there for her return. They'd hugged, traveled together, roomed together, everything together. It was impossible not to fall for her. Or at least that's how he justified it to himself.

After their last match against one another in FCP, as he lay draped over her for the pin, there was something more there. It had been a rough match, each doing their best to essentially destory the other, one last time. And then the pin- he'd held her gently, whispered to her as the bell rang, It was over and he hated it. As they'd hugged in the ring, and he'd had his time to brag and reflect on her career, his heart was breaking. He wanted so badly to tell her. Four words, that's all it would take. Even if she didn't feel the same, he wanted her to know. Then they were backstage and she'd picked all the drawing pins from his back, wiped him down as always, and he'd sat on the floor, plucking shiny gold pins from her legs, just taking the time to admire her. He was going to tell her. Then and there. As he'd finally gathered the courage, she'd been whisked away to talk to someone. And the next time he'd seen her, she was in the back with Travis, her emotions getting the best of her. He'd wanted to hold her but that wasn't his place so instead he'd just packed his stuff and disappeared for the night. So many times he'd almost told her. "I love you, Steff." That's all he needed to say. He fought with himself about it for months but never managed to say it. It killed him.

And then there they were. The airport, surrounded by her family- blood and the one she'd spent four years building. Well, except for Chris. Oh, he was there, but she hadn't known it for a while. He couldn't bring himself to get too close. Knew that if he did, he'd ruin everything. Instead of being close to her, hugging her, wishing her all the best, he'd stood back in the distance. He'd watched her as she hugged everyone else. Laughed with them. Cried with them. Everyone was proud of her, including him. He thought back to the first time he'd met her and how he'd needed a tag partner for one match and he'd chosen her. Talked the promoter into letting them tag. One match. That's all it was supposed to be. Later he'd found himself talking to Martin, bragging on her. Convincing him to take a chance. Then it'd happened. She made history- the first woman of Fight Club: PRO. He didn't feel like four years was long enough to get to spend with her. That was the thing about their jobs. They may have both worked for the same companies but that didn't mean they'd always get to see one another. She could be at FCP while he was booked for ATTACK or somewhere else. Thatdidn't change things for them, though. They made time for one another.

Chris stood there, watching the scene before him. He wanted to be part of it. Wanted to tell her how proud he was, how much he'd miss her, but how he believed in her. How he'd known she was destined for great things. What did he do, though? He stood there. He never once got close enough to even speak to her. To even hear her voice. Why? It wasn't that he thought he was too good to go over there. It wasn't like he worried people would say things. Everyone knew how close they were. No, none of that had anything to do with it. He'd fought with himself the night before, told himself to man up and tell her. But seeing her there, happy, he couldn't. So many times he tried. He took a few steps closer but every time, he found a reason to turn away. His heart was breaking as he stood there, trying his best not to let it show. There was a part that wanted to leave. She wouuldn't notice. Would she? She had everyone else around her. He made up his mind and turned to leave. That's when he saw her actually notice him. She smiled and Chris cursed himself mentally. Her smile was always a weakness for him and though he was torn between two things- leaving and walking over, grabbing her, confessing and kissing her- he stood still. He gave her a small wave and an attempt at a smile. When hers wavered for a moment, he worried that she could tell. To reassure her, he stuck his tongue out playfully before giving her a full smile. When her smile returned, he sighed softly to himself. He'd somehow managed to make her believe that everything was okay. Managed to hide the fact that his heart was breaking.

And then he heard it. They called for her flight to board and the rounds of hugs began again. This was his last chance... He could still tell her. Taking a deep breath, Chris stepped toward her, the words right there on the tip of her tongue. As she grabbed her bag, though, their eyes met and he froze. She looked so excited. So happy. How was he supposed to hurt her like that? It wasn't fair to confess his love for her now, not when she was getting on a plane to fly to another country to live. Start a new life. What most would call a better life. Their eyes met again and she'd mouthed for him to come over and he shook his head slowly, motioning to all those around her, then to the watch on his wrist. They'd said their goodbye already. Backstage at FCP. He'd only been able to see her once after that night, and even then, it wasn't just them. He watched as she walked to her gate before glancing back over. Sure, there were loads of people between them, but to him, she was only looking at him. He gave her a reassuring smile and another small wave, the gestures met with that smile he'd fallen in love with and a small nod. Then she was gone. As everyone else prepared to leave, Chris found himself drawn to the window. He knew he wouldn't see her again but he stood there, staring out at the planes. There was this part deep down inside that almost hoped that they would have that cheesy movie moment- she'd come running back through the gate, looking for him. He'd see her, catch her, be able to kiss her. That was movies, though. This was real life. And he just stood there, one hand pressed flat against the glass, all those thoughts and 'what ifs' in his mind. That part deep down kept hoping, though. Steff loved Disney and cheesy movies so there was hope. Right? He kept letting himself hold onto that tiny shred of hope for just a bit longer. Then it was gone. Just like that, her plane began moving and he knew he'd lost her.

Chris wasn't the most overly emotional person but as he stood there, palm flat against the glass, he'd be lying if he tried saying it didn't hurt. She was never his to begin with so why did it feel like his heart was being ripped out and destroyed. "Goodbye, Steffanie Newell... I love you, little dragon..." The words fell from his lips so easily now. Now that it was too late. Now that she wasn't there to hear them. It had been so much easier to let his own heart break, to feel the pain of his mistake than to ever let her know. There's no way he could tell her that day. What if he'd told her and she'd felt the same? It was too late to do anything about it. She was gone. And if she didn't feel the same? Then she had the entire flight to think about it. No, he could never do either of those things to her. She meant for too much to him for that. He didn't know when he'd see her again, didn't even know if they'd still talk. All he knew as he turned to leave the airport was that the girl he'd fallen in love with was gone. It wasn't even like it would be a short trip. Shoving his hands into his pockets as the cold air hit him, fingers brushed his house keys. He pulled them out, a quiet sigh falling from his lips. Hanging from his keys was a single key chain and on that key chain, a dragon. It was something they'd bought on one of their trips. It was the first time he'd driven them to a show and on the way they'd made a stop. She'd found the key chain and he'd always called her his little dragon after one of their first conversations about where they were from. Her Welsh pride had always made him smile so when she'd found it, he'd immediately bought it and onto his home keys it'd gone. And now here he was, his little dragon spreading her wings elsewhere.

Eyes closed, a single tear managed to escape before he was able to stop it. He'd lost her. Really lost her. He hadn't just missed out and she was dating someone else. No, this time she was gone and he didn't know when he'd see her again. "Really fucked it up good this time," he mumbled under his breath as he started out. All he wanted now was a pint and a nap. 

@wrachsteff

[wineanddinosaur]

Next Round: James O’Brien, Owner of Brooklyn’s Popina, on Pivoting to Fast-Casual During Covid-19

Airing between regular episodes of the VinePair Podcast, “Next Round” explores the ideas and innovations that are helping drinks businesses adapt in a time of unprecedented change. As the coronavirus crisis continues and new challenges arise, VP Pro is in your corner, supporting the drinks community for all the rounds to come. If you have a story or perspective to share, email us at podcast@vinepair.com.

In this episode of “Next Round,” VinePair CEO and founder Adam Teeter sits down with James O’Brien, the owner-operator of Popina in Brooklyn. Like every “Next Round” guest before him, O’Brien has dealt with his share of difficulties as he restructured his restaurant to function during Covid-19.

While expanding to outdoor dining meant placing tables over a former bocce ball court, it also meant switching to counter-service dining. In a restaurant that prioritizes hospitality, a stellar wine program, and relationships with its regulars, this wasn’t always easy. Moreover, the changing weather has brought its own hassles in terms of rethinking the menu and choosing the perfect, no-hassle rooftop.

Throughout it all, O’Brien manages to stay positive as he describes these frustrations, and even opens up about his own experience in lockdown. After Popina closed for a month, he emerged and decided to be more mindful about creating a good work-life balance for himself and his team. This approach weighed into recent discussions about what to do when the winter sets in, as Popina is one of many “cozy” New York restaurants that has refused to seat guests indoors. All in all, O’Brien discusses his plans with a level of gratitude for the regulars who have helped keep Popina afloat.

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Or Check out the conversation here

Adam: From Brooklyn, New York, I’m Adam Teeter. And this is a VinePair “Next Round” conversation. We’re bringing you these conversations between our regular podcast episodes to give you a clear picture of what’s going on in the industry during the Covid-19 crisis. Today, I’m talking with James O’Brien, partner of Popina restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. James thanks so much for joining me.

James: Hey, thanks for having me.

A: So, I obviously am familiar with the restaurant. I think for those who don’t know about you guys, you’ve really, I don’t want to say quietly anymore, but really become a spot in the city that’s just become known for really awesome takes on Italian food. You do some really cool — I don’t want to call it fusion cuisine, but interesting mashups. Your Milanese hot chicken is ridiculous, but then also a just incredible wine program. And a place that lots of people who are wine geeks and people in the industry seek out to drink at. And that was well before all of this happened, but you guys have built this incredible reputation for yourselves as just having this amazing place where people can go and drink really delicious stuff. So for those who do not know about Popina, you gotta go check it out after this interview. But can you just give us a little background on the restaurant, and your background, and how you guys started?

J: Yeah, for sure. So we opened up Popina, myself and Chris McDade, who’s my business partner and the chef of Popina. He is originally from Georgia. So that helped create the food programming. He’s always cooked Italian food. I always worked in Italian restaurants, and he basically took up his upbringing, his nostalgia, and the ingredients of the South, but he applied them in an Italian context. So, we met at Maialino in Gramercy Park, one of Danny Meyer’s restaurants, and we just kinda hit it off. I mean Chris has an incredible work ethic, and that was one of the things that attracted me to continuing the conversation with him. And obviously he cooks delicious food. He’s a pasta guru. If he’s not actually cooking, he’s studying pasta, reading about it, learning new things. Whether it’s a traditional shape or technique. So he’s really into food in general, but obviously pasta is one of the strong suits of the restaurant. So we met, we worked over there. I worked all in a lot of Danny’s restaurants. I started at Tabla. When Tabla closed I went to Maialino and then I actually joined the team over at Marta for a little bit, before taking some time off and doing a year of travel. And when I got back, Chris at that point had moved back to Atlanta, then moved back to New York. And we linked up and we were just talking about what we wanted to do. And we overlapped on a lot of what that vision was. I mean, we started out with a ton of ideas, but at the heart of all of it was we wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant. It was important for us to create a space that could be a special occasion place, but was more a community gathering place where people could come and have a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine and not break the bank. And they can do it on a regular basis. So, that being said, we also wanted to make sure we were elevating it. More so than your neighborhood restaurant, in the food, the beverage, and also the hospitality. So, you come in, if you like ice in your water our staff would remember that. And, you would continue to create regulars, and create kind of “wow” experiences. But do it in a context that wasn’t forced and just kept people smiling. We started the restaurant with one goal and that was to like, make your day a little bit better. And if it could be a lot better, that’s even better. That’s even greater, but we live in New York City, and it is so tough, right? Everyone’s just trying to make a living and get by. And sometimes it’s hard and it chases people out. And I think that food is super powerful. And if people could come into our restaurant and kind of forget that they just worked a 12-hour day, or maybe they’re thinking about their rent bill, or thinking about a bad subway experience, or whatever it could be. If we could transport you and make you forget about the everyday worries of living in New York and just make your day a little bit better with a glass of wine or a bowl of pasta, then that’s our goal. And if we could build on that, even better. But it’s as simple and as complicated as that.

A: That’s really, really cool. And so obviously, the restaurant has been around for a few years and has been really doing well. You guys have had a bunch of really cool winemaker dinners and things like that. Can you take me through what has gone through your head and how you guys have changed, or done different things since basically March 13th? So I think March 13th, everything across the country changed for a lot of people, for most people, and especially for restaurants and bars. So I’d love to get an idea of what you guys have done, and take us from that point to like where we are now, basically.

J: Yeah. So in March, a lot of other restaurant owners had to let go of their staff. And it was a crazy year. It was our first January and February that we were busy. The last two winters were, if you came to Popina on a Wednesday, Thursday, pretty much any day but a Friday, Saturday in the winter, it was crickets, right? We excelled in the summer and on the weekends, but it was so difficult to get people in there on a Wednesday in January and February. And so we were feeling so good about that. And then basically, March was a busy time. Chris was cooking at the Food and Wine Festival down in Charleston. I was down there with him and then I came back to work at La Paulée with all the winemakers, which is crazy to think that that was in March. And that’s right before all this shutdown and just all those people together, sharing glasses, hugging.

A: Totally crazy.

J: Crazy. And then, fast forward, and we get to the 14th or somewhere around that date where we had a conversation with our staff, I want to say Thursday or Friday, that it was going to go to half capacity. And we said, we’re a small restaurant, guys. And we don’t think this is going in a positive direction. And we just want to be upfront with people. And we don’t think that half capacity works for us. Inside Popina, for those of you who have been, 36 people sat in there and seated. It was like sardines. Right? Hopefully it didn’t feel like that. Like, I feel like it felt more cozy than cramped. But yeah, we used to fit 36 people in there, but under these new Covid guidelines, it’s like even at half capacity it was just too close for comfort. We can’t really responsibly sit people in that space. And that kind of goes to our plan as of now, which is crazy that we’re talking about March and that was our mindset, and we’re still dealing with that same issue now that we can’t really use the outside space again, it’s a little colder. But we don’t feel like it would be responsible seating people inside under these circumstances. So we gave our team a big tip before we actually had to shut down. We gave our team the heads up and basically told them that they should start applying to unemployment and we gave them a little cash in hand, as like a little severance of sorts and just said, “Hey, hopefully this will float you just in case you have any issues with unemployment.” And also during the shutdown, we did I think two or three rounds of employee fund outreach. So basically, we had our guests donate. We didn’t do it through GoFundMe because I feel like they take a percentage of it, or at least that was my understanding of it. So we did it through our Instagram and our Venmo and stuff like that. So we raised some money for them, and everyone was so grateful. I mean, it wasn’t a ton of money, but just a little something. I think our staff was just pumped that we were continuing to look out for them, even though technically the likelihood of bringing them back was a long shot, at least in recent times. So then, we tried delivery for a week with a bare bones staff. Me, Mike, who is our executive sous chef, Chris, and Sean, who was the G.M. We were doing actually decent business because I think people just wanted to support us. Our delivery business, in general, is pretty terrible. We just don’t do a lot of it. Especially because we don’t do pasta to go. That’s one of Chris’s things that he just won’t bend on. At all.

A: I understand. If he doesn’t think it travels well, then he doesn’t think it travels well.

J: Yeah. That’s kinda what it boils down to. And we actually over time we’ve started doing some pasta kits and some other delivery alternatives. but as far as cooking pasta and putting it in a box, it’s just like not his thing. So we have to continue to think about creative ways to not do that, but still continue to try to make people’s day a little bit better. And when you can’t actually have people at the restaurant, we found that that’s incredibly challenging. So we do delivery for a week with the bare bones staff, things get worse, obviously everyone in New York kinda knew. If we think about late March, early April, New York was a scary place. And so we decided to call it. Then we cleaned out our fridge. We told our staff that if anyone wanted some things to take home, but when Chris orders he does an amazing job at basically ordering enough food for said service or two services or whatever. So there’s not a lot of extra food. Which from a business standpoint, I’m always like, “Man, you’re good.” Like this is awesome for business. But then when I’m rummaging around the fridge for an extra snack at the end of the night, that’s not always the best, but we had some leftover product. And any dried pasta we were using doesn’t really go bad, but like if people wanted the greens, we had some produce, we had some meat, and we reached out to our staff and we said, “Hey, if you want some food, come on by.” And I would go to the restaurant regularly just to check in. And one of the things that was super sad, but helped out a lot was I liquidated my inventory. I had probably close to 60K of wine inventory, and then in like two weeks, I brought it down to $10,000.

A: How did you do that? Did you sell to other restaurants? Did you sell it to customers?

J: I reached out to a couple of my wine regulars that I knew drank really well, and I had offered them some pretty good discounts with what’s still making money. I mean, there was this one guy that probably bought $15K of wine by himself, and he bought it all at list price. And I told this guy, he will forever have a reservation for a table in the backyard. I might even name the table after him and his wife, seriously. He continues to buy wine and he’s a wine collector, but the best kind where he doesn’t always talk about it. He just loves wine, and he loves really great wine. And he continues to buy. So it’s been great, especially with the loosening of the S.L.A. guidelines. So when he comes in to dinner, he’ll come in and spend a couple hundred bucks on dinner, but then before he leaves, he’ll pick up a case of wine and that helps us, especially on the rainy days. It’s either feast or famine with us. It’s either the backyard is jammin’ from 12 to 8 on a Saturday, the sun is shining. It’s amazing. Kind of like last Saturday, especially with all the good energy.

A: Oh, yeah. With the election.

J: Yeah. But then yesterday, it was raining and I saw three people yesterday, and you know what I’m saying? Like, we didn’t do any business yesterday. So those guidelines, although they’re annoying with the whole, like “we have to sell food” and all this it at least allows us a little bit of a lifeline. So basically, I sold a bunch of inventory to some of my wine regulars, and then just basically was like, “Hey guys, New York is a sad place. It’s probably going to get sadder. If you want a case of wine, come on by.” I also gave industry people who got laid off wine at cost and the whole idea behind that was it’s like these people lost their job, but they still need good wine and stuff like that. So I put it out there to our channels on Instagram or whatever. And I said, If you’re in the industry, and you lost your job, wine at cost. Whether it’s the $15 bottle of wine or the $100 bottle of wine, I don’t really care. And that also helped us decrease inventory. When you still have to pay rent, and do all these other things, paying all the invoices, a bottle of wine is not going to really help you. So I liquidated a lot of that, which again it was sad because it was three years of me building up what I thought was an awesome list with back vintage this, and this rare wine from here. And it was sad to let it go. But I know they went to good homes. And I really like when I open that bottle for somebody and they drink it with the food at Popina and you see this reaction and you create this special food and wine experience. And when you sell it retail you just hope that they served it right. Or they enjoyed it as much as they would if they were at Popina. So basically after doing that, I just took a break. Like, I took a month, and it was kind of wild. I don’t think besides traveling throughout the last couple of years, if I took a big trip, or took that year off and just traveled, I haven’t stayed at home. And I was actually super scared, and I had to like buy a spice cabinet. I didn’t have salt. My fridge was Champagne, white wine, and hot sauce. I didn’t have anything else. So I’m building a spice cabinet. I’m taking the stickers off my pots and pans. I live by myself, and I was super scared of “what am I going to do with all this time?” I had to update all my Hulu or Netflix because I get home from work and I go to sleep. I won’t spend a lot of time at home, and I was kinda nervous about it. Chris was super pumped, ‘cause he has a 2-year-old, and he was just pumped to be at home with the kid and have some family time. ‘Cause in our industry, it’s a tough thing to come by. But for me I was just like, “Oh s***, I don’t really do well by myself,” or at least I didn’t think I would. But it was awesome because I was in New York. I got to read a book that wasn’t about wine, or I got to learn Spanish. I got to start doing yoga and do all these things that I’m always like, “I’m too busy for it.” I wake up and I’m back on this grind, unfortunately, where I don’t give a lot of me time, but I wake up and I’m like, “I got to go to work.” And then I work until my eyes are shutting and then I go to sleep, you know what I’m saying? So, the month was great, obviously a lot of s*****, I don’t really mean great, but it allowed me to have this time and really hopefully take advantage of it and put in a little self-care, which I think is hard in our industry. And I think if there was anything that came out of this is I think, I’m going to try to be more mindful about myself and my team, creating a good work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle where people don’t feel like they just need to grind it out all the time. But as a business owner, it’s hard, because every day I wake up and I’m like, “OK, no one’s going to hand this to me. I have to go out and get it.” And it makes you motivated.

A: Well James, at any time during this period, were you freaking out about — I mean, I assume you guys felt pretty comfortable where you guys were as a business. ‘Cause at any time were you freaking out about, “Well, what about our landlord? Could we get evicted, or what’s going to happen?” I don’t know if at this point, PPP, everyone was talking about it, but I know none of us knew if we were going to get it. Was that all happening too, or, were you pretty confident that you could manage it to get to where you’d maybe be able to reopen?

J: Well, our landlord was really great throughout this. He didn’t necessarily give us any rent concessions or a discount on rent, but he made us aware that he was there. And he actually got engaged at Popina, which was pretty awesome. And I think he just wants us to be around, especially because there are a couple of restaurants in his spaces that are shuttered. And I think he helped us. And one of the first things that I actually did is we had a driveway space next to us that used to belong to Pok-Pok when we took over the lease. But then we actually were like, “Oh, we don’t want this driveway.” And Pok-Pok was still on the corner. So they kept the driveway space. And, long story short is there was this empty driveway. And I asked him, I was like, “Hey, can we get that driveway?” ‘Cause this was in March, so I had no idea what it was going to look like. I think a lot of people were like, “Oh yeah, by summertime, we’re going to be good. Back to normal.” But I was just like, outside space is going to be the biggest, hottest commodity. So, I’m like, we need this outside space. So I called him, and I think he was already on the defensive because other businesses were calling him like, “Hey, Greg, can I get a discount on rent?” And I was like, “Greg, I’m not asking for a discount. I just want the driveway space next to it. It’s been vacant for a year. I know it’s not our space right now, but if we could attach that to our lease at a reasonable rate, hopefully, free rate, that would help us. That would make us so much more comfortable going into this uncertain period.” And he agreed to it. And so we took over the space, and basically that space has allowed us to spread out the tables this summer and we created a very different service model than we used to do at Popina. So Popina used to be full service, and now we’ve pivoted to a counter service. We didn’t want you to walk into Popina, go into the backyard, and have this QR code here, and have like a very “airport” kind of experience, right? Where you’re ordering through an iPad or your phone or whatever. Like as much as safety was our biggest concern, we wanted to have at least one “Hello,” you know? So the guests walk into Popina, “Hello, welcome.” And then they order their drinks and their food, and then we give them their drinks, and then they take a number. And they could sit anywhere they want in the backyard, which also allows different people to have different comfort levels. So if you want to be at this table, in the corner where no one will pass you or anything, that’s cool, grab that table. If you want to be closer to the door so you could reorder, cool, grab that table. So, we’ve done that, and we’ve set up the wine shop where people could come in and just grab their bottle. So we wanted to basically take less from the full-service model of giving more is actually giving less. So we wanted to have that “Hello” point, but then we want to say, “Hey, once you’re in the backyard, we’re just going to bring you food.” And it’s evolved. We used to bring people’s stuff in to-go containers. And then one day we were like, “Hey. Maybe we should put it on plates.” And then it was plates with wrapped-up silverware, and then we’re like, “Hey, maybe we should give people real silverware, because those knives don’t really seem like they’re cutting the chicken.” So it’s evolved a lot into what it is right now. And you know, we’re still asking ourselves, “How could we do this better, beyond the guest side of making it easy and comfortable?” So it’s continuing to evolve, for sure. But right, now we are in this sweet spot where I think a lot of people really like it, and there’s some people that don’t get it. And I think a lot of those people are the first timers who are probably reading old Infatuation reviews, but we have an amazing group of regulars who come every week and they love the system, and they know the system. So if you want to start with a cocktail, but you’re going to get a bottle of wine, get it all, you know, get it all. And we pop the bottle. We’ll give you your glasses, give you your cocktails. And then you literally don’t have to come back in. And then what we do is all the pricing includes a gratuity. We built it in because of this fast-casual service. And so if you don’t want to come back into the restaurant, we just close out. We close out your check, and everything’s good. It’s like if you went to a Superiority Burger or whatever. You pay up front, and then you’re good. You don’t have to come back in or anything. You could order your whole meal, and we still course things out for you. But, yeah, it’s definitely new to us, but we will likely change it going into the next spring or fall or spring or summer, but right now it works and people seem to dig it. And we don’t worry about turning tables, because we don’t take reservations. It’s first come, first serve. And yeah, it’s how we’re doing it right now.

A: So it’s really funny because you mentioned Atlanta earlier, and I lived in Atlanta for a little while, and there’s a restaurant I used to like when I was in my early 20s called FIGO Pasta, which was like this model. And it’s always been interesting to me that you never really found that in New York, so it’s cool that you guys have adapted it and moved to that now. Because to me, it seems like it does make a lot of sense and you have such a nice backyard, and kudos to you for being willing to do that, and figuring out what could work for your customers. I think that shows what everyone is having to do, which is try to change their models to make it work. What are you thinking about now? It’s November 12th, and we’re talking. We had a gorgeous weekend, as you mentioned last weekend, but it’s gonna start to get colder. The city has just passed the ordinance that you can’t stay open until past 10, as opposed to 11, which I don’t understand why Covid spreads further past 10 than past 11. And as you mentioned earlier, the space inside is small. In the winter, it actually feels super cozy, and that’s what makes it special. But obviously, no one wants to feel super cozy in a pandemic. Right? They don’t want to be right next to people. Are you guys buying heaters? Have you thought about that kind of stuff? Have you thought about trying to cover parts of your backyard? What’s going through your mind?

J: Yeah. Pretty much all those things. So, we’ve had like a million plans. And we always come in and we’re like, “OK, well maybe how about this? Or how about that?” And we always decide on something and then things change. I mean, the fact that it was 70 degrees last weekend, it was kind of crazy. So the plan right now is we ordered heaters two months ago. They just got here last weekend. It’s, a pain in the a**. And now we’re faced with, OK, we want to start using the heaters, but now we’re trying to jump over all the hurdles and obstacles related to getting them going with the fire department. One thing that Chris and I always agree on is we always want to do things the right way, and sometimes that’s either expensive or time-consuming. And right now, it’s like doing everything properly with the FDNY and the registration of the heaters and the placement of the propane cage and getting a fitness test related to using the propane heaters. So we’re doing all that stuff, but it’s very time-consuming and expensive. And, part of us sometimes are like, cool, we’re over in Red Hook. Let’s just take a chance, and are they going to really come to get us? And then, and then we think maybe if we owned the restaurant and didn’t have any investors, but then we’re like, cool. Our pool of investors are a little bit more prudent. And we just want to make sure we’re making the right decision for them. And so the heaters are to be determined. Hopefully, we could get all that stuff squared away, but the one thing that we didn’t notice, the weekend of Halloween, it was super cold. And even if we had heaters, the food gets cold. And then when you’re doing pasta, it’s like sure, people might come out and dress warm — throwing their long johns on or whatever — but what’s the deal with the food? And we want the food to be good and delicious and hot, you know? And so that’s the latest conversation I’m having with Chris, is “How do we create a menu without getting far from what we do?” ‘Cause if we don’t do pasta, then pasta is one of the things that people come for, and if we don’t do pasta, then our menu changes, and then are people coming to Popina for that stuff? And that’s the challenging part. Figuring out the food. So, yesterday I actually had somebody come by and quote me on a retractable roof, which I think I will have to sell way more wine or maybe even like a body part to afford. But it’s long-term, and we’re trying to link up with our landlord to see if he has any interest in either splitting the cost with us or doing something that will allow us to afford to do it, because Popina is not covered in the backyard. So basically anytime it rains, you’re kind of screwed. We work with a tent company when people have events. But it’s like $1,700 every time you want to put up a tent. That’s a lot of money, especially because when we’re selling events, we’re not charging people that much to have our look, have the space, and the food, and the drink. So it’s like that tent could double the price of your event real quick. So we’re considering that, and looking into other alternatives. Unfortunately, everything is either kind of shoddy and cheap, or very expensive. And if there’s anyone out there that has any good recommendations on outdoor coverings — and that’s the tough part too, our backyard. We don’t want there to be a tent around it all the time, because part of being outside is you want to see the sky and the tree and all that. So we’re trying to figure out how to cover it, and I’m also not trying to put up a big-a** tent every time I think it’s going to rain.

A: That’d be the worst. You’re running out into the backyard. You’re getting all the stakes. You’re like trying to build the tent as fast as you can. Yeah, that would be the worst.

J: Yeah, no, I got enough stuff to do. And so we’re trying to figure that out. We actually are considering closing for January and February and just going on a little sabbatical of sorts.

A: Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of restaurants were considering that.

J: Yeah. And I was fighting against it, it was actually Chris’s idea, and I was like, “Chris, we need to be there for our people and our community that have supported us.” And I was super against it. ‘Cause I’m just like, we got to figure out a way to keep the lights on, and if that means reducing salary or whatever I have to do to make that happen, I’ll do it. But then I thought about it, I played it out in my mind and it’s like Chris boxing up to-go food, me trying to sell some wine — if the S.L.A. keeps restrictions loose. And I didn’t see us coming out of this, maybe better financially than closing, but not in the best spirits. A lot of people that stayed open for delivery since March, they were like, “Cool. I was the most expensive to-go boxer in all of New York.” And I don’t want us to grow to resent doing the delivery or just the restaurant in general. I want us to be excited about it and go back to that time in April when we took off. I also want to be able to think about things outside the everyday running of the restaurant. Sometimes I’m like “s***, I don’t think about the long-term plan, because there’s not enough hours in the day, because I’m putting in orders or making sure we’re staffed or whatever it is.” There’s not enough hours in the day. So if we close down, that would allow us to think about the long-term business or “how do we revamp the backyard?” Since summer’s our strongest season, right? How do we basically make it into the most efficient, profitable, situation that we could? And right now, if we’re just going to be doing the grind of the everyday, it’s hard to think about that kind of stuff. So, we’re considering closing for those couple months. And obviously it sucks, because rent is still due and all those things, but I think it will give us a different way to look at business, and hopefully just get re-inspired and dive into those creative thoughts of what the future looks like. There’s a restaurant, I think they’re called The Willows Inn, that I think they do that every year. In the winter, they just close up shop and then they go travel and do this and do that. And they work so hard during the rest of the year, that they’re like, “Cool, we’re going to take a couple of months off.” And again, we’re way different. We’re a neighborhood restaurant, but I think we’re still trying to think about how to make people’s day a little bit better and how to revamp the food program and the wine program or think about creative partnerships. You know, maybe we’ll have a Popina wine or a beer on tap. These are things that I always wanted to pursue, but there’s just not enough time, because I am checking in a delivery or ordering our dry goods or whatever it is. And so, I think we’re leading towards that, but if we could get our S.B.A. loan and we could get this retractable roof that we could actually use year-round, and stay open January, February, that’s also not a bad alternative, too. So, the plan is right now to close for a couple of months, but who knows? We’ve made changes before. And one of the good things about being a little shop is we can make these decisions day to day. We don’t have to make an announcement. It takes less to steer the ship, you know?

A: Yeah. Well, James, it’s amazing how much you guys have adapted and how well you have adapted. And this has been just like a really interesting conversation to hear what’s happening with you, but also hopefully gives other people listening some perspective on what’s happening for neighborhood restaurants and how neighborhood restaurants are figuring out how to make it work. So I really appreciate you taking the time today, obviously also understanding that you’ve basically given me almost an hour to talk about this when there’s probably a lot that you need to do as you, as you mentioned throughout the podcast. So thank you so much. This has been really awesome.

A: You’re welcome. We wouldn’t be able to do without people like you, so I really appreciate you coming on. And I can’t wait to see you at Popina again soon, definitely a few times before you guys close for January and February, but I support the decision.

J: All right, my man.

A: Thank you, James.

J: Have a good one.

Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair Podcast. If you enjoy listening to us every week, please leave us a review or rating on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever it is that you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show. Now, for the credits. VinePair is produced and hosted by Zach Geballe and me, Adam Teeter. Our engineer is Nick Patri and Keith Beavers. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to my VinePair co-founder Josh Malin and the rest of the VinePair team for their support. Thanks so much for listening, and we’ll see you again right here next week.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity

The article Next Round: James O’Brien, Owner of Brooklyn’s Popina, on Pivoting to Fast-Casual During Covid-19 appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-james-obrien-popina/

[johnboothus]

Next Round: James OBrien Owner of Brooklyns Popina on Pivoting to Fast-Casual During Covid-19

Airing between regular episodes of the VinePair Podcast, “Next Round” explores the ideas and innovations that are helping drinks businesses adapt in a time of unprecedented change. As the coronavirus crisis continues and new challenges arise, VP Pro is in your corner, supporting the drinks community for all the rounds to come. If you have a story or perspective to share, email us at podcast@vinepair.com.

In this episode of “Next Round,” VinePair CEO and founder Adam Teeter sits down with James O’Brien, the owner-operator of Popina in Brooklyn. Like every “Next Round” guest before him, O’Brien has dealt with his share of difficulties as he restructured his restaurant to function during Covid-19.

While expanding to outdoor dining meant placing tables over a former bocce ball court, it also meant switching to counter-service dining. In a restaurant that prioritizes hospitality, a stellar wine program, and relationships with its regulars, this wasn’t always easy. Moreover, the changing weather has brought its own hassles in terms of rethinking the menu and choosing the perfect, no-hassle rooftop.

Throughout it all, O’Brien manages to stay positive as he describes these frustrations, and even opens up about his own experience in lockdown. After Popina closed for a month, he emerged and decided to be more mindful about creating a good work-life balance for himself and his team. This approach weighed into recent discussions about what to do when the winter sets in, as Popina is one of many “cozy” New York restaurants that has refused to seat guests indoors. All in all, O’Brien discusses his plans with a level of gratitude for the regulars who have helped keep Popina afloat.

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Adam: From Brooklyn, New York, I’m Adam Teeter. And this is a VinePair “Next Round” conversation. We’re bringing you these conversations between our regular podcast episodes to give you a clear picture of what’s going on in the industry during the Covid-19 crisis. Today, I’m talking with James O’Brien, partner of Popina restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. James thanks so much for joining me.

James: Hey, thanks for having me.

A: So, I obviously am familiar with the restaurant. I think for those who don’t know about you guys, you’ve really, I don’t want to say quietly anymore, but really become a spot in the city that’s just become known for really awesome takes on Italian food. You do some really cool — I don’t want to call it fusion cuisine, but interesting mashups. Your Milanese hot chicken is ridiculous, but then also a just incredible wine program. And a place that lots of people who are wine geeks and people in the industry seek out to drink at. And that was well before all of this happened, but you guys have built this incredible reputation for yourselves as just having this amazing place where people can go and drink really delicious stuff. So for those who do not know about Popina, you gotta go check it out after this interview. But can you just give us a little background on the restaurant, and your background, and how you guys started?

J: Yeah, for sure. So we opened up Popina, myself and Chris McDade, who’s my business partner and the chef of Popina. He is originally from Georgia. So that helped create the food programming. He’s always cooked Italian food. I always worked in Italian restaurants, and he basically took up his upbringing, his nostalgia, and the ingredients of the South, but he applied them in an Italian context. So, we met at Maialino in Gramercy Park, one of Danny Meyer’s restaurants, and we just kinda hit it off. I mean Chris has an incredible work ethic, and that was one of the things that attracted me to continuing the conversation with him. And obviously he cooks delicious food. He’s a pasta guru. If he’s not actually cooking, he’s studying pasta, reading about it, learning new things. Whether it’s a traditional shape or technique. So he’s really into food in general, but obviously pasta is one of the strong suits of the restaurant. So we met, we worked over there. I worked all in a lot of Danny’s restaurants. I started at Tabla. When Tabla closed I went to Maialino and then I actually joined the team over at Marta for a little bit, before taking some time off and doing a year of travel. And when I got back, Chris at that point had moved back to Atlanta, then moved back to New York. And we linked up and we were just talking about what we wanted to do. And we overlapped on a lot of what that vision was. I mean, we started out with a ton of ideas, but at the heart of all of it was we wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant. It was important for us to create a space that could be a special occasion place, but was more a community gathering place where people could come and have a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine and not break the bank. And they can do it on a regular basis. So, that being said, we also wanted to make sure we were elevating it. More so than your neighborhood restaurant, in the food, the beverage, and also the hospitality. So, you come in, if you like ice in your water our staff would remember that. And, you would continue to create regulars, and create kind of “wow” experiences. But do it in a context that wasn’t forced and just kept people smiling. We started the restaurant with one goal and that was to like, make your day a little bit better. And if it could be a lot better, that’s even better. That’s even greater, but we live in New York City, and it is so tough, right? Everyone’s just trying to make a living and get by. And sometimes it’s hard and it chases people out. And I think that food is super powerful. And if people could come into our restaurant and kind of forget that they just worked a 12-hour day, or maybe they’re thinking about their rent bill, or thinking about a bad subway experience, or whatever it could be. If we could transport you and make you forget about the everyday worries of living in New York and just make your day a little bit better with a glass of wine or a bowl of pasta, then that’s our goal. And if we could build on that, even better. But it’s as simple and as complicated as that.

A: That’s really, really cool. And so obviously, the restaurant has been around for a few years and has been really doing well. You guys have had a bunch of really cool winemaker dinners and things like that. Can you take me through what has gone through your head and how you guys have changed, or done different things since basically March 13th? So I think March 13th, everything across the country changed for a lot of people, for most people, and especially for restaurants and bars. So I’d love to get an idea of what you guys have done, and take us from that point to like where we are now, basically.

J: Yeah. So in March, a lot of other restaurant owners had to let go of their staff. And it was a crazy year. It was our first January and February that we were busy. The last two winters were, if you came to Popina on a Wednesday, Thursday, pretty much any day but a Friday, Saturday in the winter, it was crickets, right? We excelled in the summer and on the weekends, but it was so difficult to get people in there on a Wednesday in January and February. And so we were feeling so good about that. And then basically, March was a busy time. Chris was cooking at the Food and Wine Festival down in Charleston. I was down there with him and then I came back to work at La Paulée with all the winemakers, which is crazy to think that that was in March. And that’s right before all this shutdown and just all those people together, sharing glasses, hugging.

A: Totally crazy.

J: Crazy. And then, fast forward, and we get to the 14th or somewhere around that date where we had a conversation with our staff, I want to say Thursday or Friday, that it was going to go to half capacity. And we said, we’re a small restaurant, guys. And we don’t think this is going in a positive direction. And we just want to be upfront with people. And we don’t think that half capacity works for us. Inside Popina, for those of you who have been, 36 people sat in there and seated. It was like sardines. Right? Hopefully it didn’t feel like that. Like, I feel like it felt more cozy than cramped. But yeah, we used to fit 36 people in there, but under these new Covid guidelines, it’s like even at half capacity it was just too close for comfort. We can’t really responsibly sit people in that space. And that kind of goes to our plan as of now, which is crazy that we’re talking about March and that was our mindset, and we’re still dealing with that same issue now that we can’t really use the outside space again, it’s a little colder. But we don’t feel like it would be responsible seating people inside under these circumstances. So we gave our team a big tip before we actually had to shut down. We gave our team the heads up and basically told them that they should start applying to unemployment and we gave them a little cash in hand, as like a little severance of sorts and just said, “Hey, hopefully this will float you just in case you have any issues with unemployment.” And also during the shutdown, we did I think two or three rounds of employee fund outreach. So basically, we had our guests donate. We didn’t do it through GoFundMe because I feel like they take a percentage of it, or at least that was my understanding of it. So we did it through our Instagram and our Venmo and stuff like that. So we raised some money for them, and everyone was so grateful. I mean, it wasn’t a ton of money, but just a little something. I think our staff was just pumped that we were continuing to look out for them, even though technically the likelihood of bringing them back was a long shot, at least in recent times. So then, we tried delivery for a week with a bare bones staff. Me, Mike, who is our executive sous chef, Chris, and Sean, who was the G.M. We were doing actually decent business because I think people just wanted to support us. Our delivery business, in general, is pretty terrible. We just don’t do a lot of it. Especially because we don’t do pasta to go. That’s one of Chris’s things that he just won’t bend on. At all.

A: I understand. If he doesn’t think it travels well, then he doesn’t think it travels well.

J: Yeah. That’s kinda what it boils down to. And we actually over time we’ve started doing some pasta kits and some other delivery alternatives. but as far as cooking pasta and putting it in a box, it’s just like not his thing. So we have to continue to think about creative ways to not do that, but still continue to try to make people’s day a little bit better. And when you can’t actually have people at the restaurant, we found that that’s incredibly challenging. So we do delivery for a week with the bare bones staff, things get worse, obviously everyone in New York kinda knew. If we think about late March, early April, New York was a scary place. And so we decided to call it. Then we cleaned out our fridge. We told our staff that if anyone wanted some things to take home, but when Chris orders he does an amazing job at basically ordering enough food for said service or two services or whatever. So there’s not a lot of extra food. Which from a business standpoint, I’m always like, “Man, you’re good.” Like this is awesome for business. But then when I’m rummaging around the fridge for an extra snack at the end of the night, that’s not always the best, but we had some leftover product. And any dried pasta we were using doesn’t really go bad, but like if people wanted the greens, we had some produce, we had some meat, and we reached out to our staff and we said, “Hey, if you want some food, come on by.” And I would go to the restaurant regularly just to check in. And one of the things that was super sad, but helped out a lot was I liquidated my inventory. I had probably close to 60K of wine inventory, and then in like two weeks, I brought it down to $10,000.

A: How did you do that? Did you sell to other restaurants? Did you sell it to customers?

J: I reached out to a couple of my wine regulars that I knew drank really well, and I had offered them some pretty good discounts with what’s still making money. I mean, there was this one guy that probably bought $15K of wine by himself, and he bought it all at list price. And I told this guy, he will forever have a reservation for a table in the backyard. I might even name the table after him and his wife, seriously. He continues to buy wine and he’s a wine collector, but the best kind where he doesn’t always talk about it. He just loves wine, and he loves really great wine. And he continues to buy. So it’s been great, especially with the loosening of the S.L.A. guidelines. So when he comes in to dinner, he’ll come in and spend a couple hundred bucks on dinner, but then before he leaves, he’ll pick up a case of wine and that helps us, especially on the rainy days. It’s either feast or famine with us. It’s either the backyard is jammin’ from 12 to 8 on a Saturday, the sun is shining. It’s amazing. Kind of like last Saturday, especially with all the good energy.

A: Oh, yeah. With the election.

J: Yeah. But then yesterday, it was raining and I saw three people yesterday, and you know what I’m saying? Like, we didn’t do any business yesterday. So those guidelines, although they’re annoying with the whole, like “we have to sell food” and all this it at least allows us a little bit of a lifeline. So basically, I sold a bunch of inventory to some of my wine regulars, and then just basically was like, “Hey guys, New York is a sad place. It’s probably going to get sadder. If you want a case of wine, come on by.” I also gave industry people who got laid off wine at cost and the whole idea behind that was it’s like these people lost their job, but they still need good wine and stuff like that. So I put it out there to our channels on Instagram or whatever. And I said, If you’re in the industry, and you lost your job, wine at cost. Whether it’s the $15 bottle of wine or the $100 bottle of wine, I don’t really care. And that also helped us decrease inventory. When you still have to pay rent, and do all these other things, paying all the invoices, a bottle of wine is not going to really help you. So I liquidated a lot of that, which again it was sad because it was three years of me building up what I thought was an awesome list with back vintage this, and this rare wine from here. And it was sad to let it go. But I know they went to good homes. And I really like when I open that bottle for somebody and they drink it with the food at Popina and you see this reaction and you create this special food and wine experience. And when you sell it retail you just hope that they served it right. Or they enjoyed it as much as they would if they were at Popina. So basically after doing that, I just took a break. Like, I took a month, and it was kind of wild. I don’t think besides traveling throughout the last couple of years, if I took a big trip, or took that year off and just traveled, I haven’t stayed at home. And I was actually super scared, and I had to like buy a spice cabinet. I didn’t have salt. My fridge was Champagne, white wine, and hot sauce. I didn’t have anything else. So I’m building a spice cabinet. I’m taking the stickers off my pots and pans. I live by myself, and I was super scared of “what am I going to do with all this time?” I had to update all my Hulu or Netflix because I get home from work and I go to sleep. I won’t spend a lot of time at home, and I was kinda nervous about it. Chris was super pumped, ‘cause he has a 2-year-old, and he was just pumped to be at home with the kid and have some family time. ‘Cause in our industry, it’s a tough thing to come by. But for me I was just like, “Oh s***, I don’t really do well by myself,” or at least I didn’t think I would. But it was awesome because I was in New York. I got to read a book that wasn’t about wine, or I got to learn Spanish. I got to start doing yoga and do all these things that I’m always like, “I’m too busy for it.” I wake up and I’m back on this grind, unfortunately, where I don’t give a lot of me time, but I wake up and I’m like, “I got to go to work.” And then I work until my eyes are shutting and then I go to sleep, you know what I’m saying? So, the month was great, obviously a lot of s*****, I don’t really mean great, but it allowed me to have this time and really hopefully take advantage of it and put in a little self-care, which I think is hard in our industry. And I think if there was anything that came out of this is I think, I’m going to try to be more mindful about myself and my team, creating a good work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle where people don’t feel like they just need to grind it out all the time. But as a business owner, it’s hard, because every day I wake up and I’m like, “OK, no one’s going to hand this to me. I have to go out and get it.” And it makes you motivated.

A: Well James, at any time during this period, were you freaking out about — I mean, I assume you guys felt pretty comfortable where you guys were as a business. ‘Cause at any time were you freaking out about, “Well, what about our landlord? Could we get evicted, or what’s going to happen?” I don’t know if at this point, PPP, everyone was talking about it, but I know none of us knew if we were going to get it. Was that all happening too, or, were you pretty confident that you could manage it to get to where you’d maybe be able to reopen?

J: Well, our landlord was really great throughout this. He didn’t necessarily give us any rent concessions or a discount on rent, but he made us aware that he was there. And he actually got engaged at Popina, which was pretty awesome. And I think he just wants us to be around, especially because there are a couple of restaurants in his spaces that are shuttered. And I think he helped us. And one of the first things that I actually did is we had a driveway space next to us that used to belong to Pok-Pok when we took over the lease. But then we actually were like, “Oh, we don’t want this driveway.” And Pok-Pok was still on the corner. So they kept the driveway space. And, long story short is there was this empty driveway. And I asked him, I was like, “Hey, can we get that driveway?” ‘Cause this was in March, so I had no idea what it was going to look like. I think a lot of people were like, “Oh yeah, by summertime, we’re going to be good. Back to normal.” But I was just like, outside space is going to be the biggest, hottest commodity. So, I’m like, we need this outside space. So I called him, and I think he was already on the defensive because other businesses were calling him like, “Hey, Greg, can I get a discount on rent?” And I was like, “Greg, I’m not asking for a discount. I just want the driveway space next to it. It’s been vacant for a year. I know it’s not our space right now, but if we could attach that to our lease at a reasonable rate, hopefully, free rate, that would help us. That would make us so much more comfortable going into this uncertain period.” And he agreed to it. And so we took over the space, and basically that space has allowed us to spread out the tables this summer and we created a very different service model than we used to do at Popina. So Popina used to be full service, and now we’ve pivoted to a counter service. We didn’t want you to walk into Popina, go into the backyard, and have this QR code here, and have like a very “airport” kind of experience, right? Where you’re ordering through an iPad or your phone or whatever. Like as much as safety was our biggest concern, we wanted to have at least one “Hello,” you know? So the guests walk into Popina, “Hello, welcome.” And then they order their drinks and their food, and then we give them their drinks, and then they take a number. And they could sit anywhere they want in the backyard, which also allows different people to have different comfort levels. So if you want to be at this table, in the corner where no one will pass you or anything, that’s cool, grab that table. If you want to be closer to the door so you could reorder, cool, grab that table. So, we’ve done that, and we’ve set up the wine shop where people could come in and just grab their bottle. So we wanted to basically take less from the full-service model of giving more is actually giving less. So we wanted to have that “Hello” point, but then we want to say, “Hey, once you’re in the backyard, we’re just going to bring you food.” And it’s evolved. We used to bring people’s stuff in to-go containers. And then one day we were like, “Hey. Maybe we should put it on plates.” And then it was plates with wrapped-up silverware, and then we’re like, “Hey, maybe we should give people real silverware, because those knives don’t really seem like they’re cutting the chicken.” So it’s evolved a lot into what it is right now. And you know, we’re still asking ourselves, “How could we do this better, beyond the guest side of making it easy and comfortable?” So it’s continuing to evolve, for sure. But right, now we are in this sweet spot where I think a lot of people really like it, and there’s some people that don’t get it. And I think a lot of those people are the first timers who are probably reading old Infatuation reviews, but we have an amazing group of regulars who come every week and they love the system, and they know the system. So if you want to start with a cocktail, but you’re going to get a bottle of wine, get it all, you know, get it all. And we pop the bottle. We’ll give you your glasses, give you your cocktails. And then you literally don’t have to come back in. And then what we do is all the pricing includes a gratuity. We built it in because of this fast-casual service. And so if you don’t want to come back into the restaurant, we just close out. We close out your check, and everything’s good. It’s like if you went to a Superiority Burger or whatever. You pay up front, and then you’re good. You don’t have to come back in or anything. You could order your whole meal, and we still course things out for you. But, yeah, it’s definitely new to us, but we will likely change it going into the next spring or fall or spring or summer, but right now it works and people seem to dig it. And we don’t worry about turning tables, because we don’t take reservations. It’s first come, first serve. And yeah, it’s how we’re doing it right now.

A: So it’s really funny because you mentioned Atlanta earlier, and I lived in Atlanta for a little while, and there’s a restaurant I used to like when I was in my early 20s called FIGO Pasta, which was like this model. And it’s always been interesting to me that you never really found that in New York, so it’s cool that you guys have adapted it and moved to that now. Because to me, it seems like it does make a lot of sense and you have such a nice backyard, and kudos to you for being willing to do that, and figuring out what could work for your customers. I think that shows what everyone is having to do, which is try to change their models to make it work. What are you thinking about now? It’s November 12th, and we’re talking. We had a gorgeous weekend, as you mentioned last weekend, but it’s gonna start to get colder. The city has just passed the ordinance that you can’t stay open until past 10, as opposed to 11, which I don’t understand why Covid spreads further past 10 than past 11. And as you mentioned earlier, the space inside is small. In the winter, it actually feels super cozy, and that’s what makes it special. But obviously, no one wants to feel super cozy in a pandemic. Right? They don’t want to be right next to people. Are you guys buying heaters? Have you thought about that kind of stuff? Have you thought about trying to cover parts of your backyard? What’s going through your mind?

J: Yeah. Pretty much all those things. So, we’ve had like a million plans. And we always come in and we’re like, “OK, well maybe how about this? Or how about that?” And we always decide on something and then things change. I mean, the fact that it was 70 degrees last weekend, it was kind of crazy. So the plan right now is we ordered heaters two months ago. They just got here last weekend. It’s, a pain in the a**. And now we’re faced with, OK, we want to start using the heaters, but now we’re trying to jump over all the hurdles and obstacles related to getting them going with the fire department. One thing that Chris and I always agree on is we always want to do things the right way, and sometimes that’s either expensive or time-consuming. And right now, it’s like doing everything properly with the FDNY and the registration of the heaters and the placement of the propane cage and getting a fitness test related to using the propane heaters. So we’re doing all that stuff, but it’s very time-consuming and expensive. And, part of us sometimes are like, cool, we’re over in Red Hook. Let’s just take a chance, and are they going to really come to get us? And then, and then we think maybe if we owned the restaurant and didn’t have any investors, but then we’re like, cool. Our pool of investors are a little bit more prudent. And we just want to make sure we’re making the right decision for them. And so the heaters are to be determined. Hopefully, we could get all that stuff squared away, but the one thing that we didn’t notice, the weekend of Halloween, it was super cold. And even if we had heaters, the food gets cold. And then when you’re doing pasta, it’s like sure, people might come out and dress warm — throwing their long johns on or whatever — but what’s the deal with the food? And we want the food to be good and delicious and hot, you know? And so that’s the latest conversation I’m having with Chris, is “How do we create a menu without getting far from what we do?” ‘Cause if we don’t do pasta, then pasta is one of the things that people come for, and if we don’t do pasta, then our menu changes, and then are people coming to Popina for that stuff? And that’s the challenging part. Figuring out the food. So, yesterday I actually had somebody come by and quote me on a retractable roof, which I think I will have to sell way more wine or maybe even like a body part to afford. But it’s long-term, and we’re trying to link up with our landlord to see if he has any interest in either splitting the cost with us or doing something that will allow us to afford to do it, because Popina is not covered in the backyard. So basically anytime it rains, you’re kind of screwed. We work with a tent company when people have events. But it’s like $1,700 every time you want to put up a tent. That’s a lot of money, especially because when we’re selling events, we’re not charging people that much to have our look, have the space, and the food, and the drink. So it’s like that tent could double the price of your event real quick. So we’re considering that, and looking into other alternatives. Unfortunately, everything is either kind of shoddy and cheap, or very expensive. And if there’s anyone out there that has any good recommendations on outdoor coverings — and that’s the tough part too, our backyard. We don’t want there to be a tent around it all the time, because part of being outside is you want to see the sky and the tree and all that. So we’re trying to figure out how to cover it, and I’m also not trying to put up a big-a** tent every time I think it’s going to rain.

A: That’d be the worst. You’re running out into the backyard. You’re getting all the stakes. You’re like trying to build the tent as fast as you can. Yeah, that would be the worst.

J: Yeah, no, I got enough stuff to do. And so we’re trying to figure that out. We actually are considering closing for January and February and just going on a little sabbatical of sorts.

A: Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of restaurants were considering that.

J: Yeah. And I was fighting against it, it was actually Chris’s idea, and I was like, “Chris, we need to be there for our people and our community that have supported us.” And I was super against it. ‘Cause I’m just like, we got to figure out a way to keep the lights on, and if that means reducing salary or whatever I have to do to make that happen, I’ll do it. But then I thought about it, I played it out in my mind and it’s like Chris boxing up to-go food, me trying to sell some wine — if the S.L.A. keeps restrictions loose. And I didn’t see us coming out of this, maybe better financially than closing, but not in the best spirits. A lot of people that stayed open for delivery since March, they were like, “Cool. I was the most expensive to-go boxer in all of New York.” And I don’t want us to grow to resent doing the delivery or just the restaurant in general. I want us to be excited about it and go back to that time in April when we took off. I also want to be able to think about things outside the everyday running of the restaurant. Sometimes I’m like “s***, I don’t think about the long-term plan, because there’s not enough hours in the day, because I’m putting in orders or making sure we’re staffed or whatever it is.” There’s not enough hours in the day. So if we close down, that would allow us to think about the long-term business or “how do we revamp the backyard?” Since summer’s our strongest season, right? How do we basically make it into the most efficient, profitable, situation that we could? And right now, if we’re just going to be doing the grind of the everyday, it’s hard to think about that kind of stuff. So, we’re considering closing for those couple months. And obviously it sucks, because rent is still due and all those things, but I think it will give us a different way to look at business, and hopefully just get re-inspired and dive into those creative thoughts of what the future looks like. There’s a restaurant, I think they’re called The Willows Inn, that I think they do that every year. In the winter, they just close up shop and then they go travel and do this and do that. And they work so hard during the rest of the year, that they’re like, “Cool, we’re going to take a couple of months off.” And again, we’re way different. We’re a neighborhood restaurant, but I think we’re still trying to think about how to make people’s day a little bit better and how to revamp the food program and the wine program or think about creative partnerships. You know, maybe we’ll have a Popina wine or a beer on tap. These are things that I always wanted to pursue, but there’s just not enough time, because I am checking in a delivery or ordering our dry goods or whatever it is. And so, I think we’re leading towards that, but if we could get our S.B.A. loan and we could get this retractable roof that we could actually use year-round, and stay open January, February, that’s also not a bad alternative, too. So, the plan is right now to close for a couple of months, but who knows? We’ve made changes before. And one of the good things about being a little shop is we can make these decisions day to day. We don’t have to make an announcement. It takes less to steer the ship, you know?

A: Yeah. Well, James, it’s amazing how much you guys have adapted and how well you have adapted. And this has been just like a really interesting conversation to hear what’s happening with you, but also hopefully gives other people listening some perspective on what’s happening for neighborhood restaurants and how neighborhood restaurants are figuring out how to make it work. So I really appreciate you taking the time today, obviously also understanding that you’ve basically given me almost an hour to talk about this when there’s probably a lot that you need to do as you, as you mentioned throughout the podcast. So thank you so much. This has been really awesome.

A: You’re welcome. We wouldn’t be able to do without people like you, so I really appreciate you coming on. And I can’t wait to see you at Popina again soon, definitely a few times before you guys close for January and February, but I support the decision.

J: All right, my man.

A: Thank you, James.

J: Have a good one.

Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair Podcast. If you enjoy listening to us every week, please leave us a review or rating on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever it is that you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show. Now, for the credits. VinePair is produced and hosted by Zach Geballe and me, Adam Teeter. Our engineer is Nick Patri and Keith Beavers. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to my VinePair co-founder Josh Malin and the rest of the VinePair team for their support. Thanks so much for listening, and we’ll see you again right here next week.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity

The article Next Round: James O’Brien, Owner of Brooklyn’s Popina, on Pivoting to Fast-Casual During Covid-19 appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-james-obrien-popina/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/next-round-james-obrien-owner-of-brooklyns-popina-on-pivoting-to-fast-casual-during-covid-19

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Folding Mobility Scooters: A Buying Guide

Folding Mobility Scooters are great options for those with decreased mobility, or those who are not able to walk long distances. It is a sub-category of the electric scooter that caters mostly to the elderly and disabled. With these wonderful mobility scooters, getting from point A to point B is made simpler and easier.

With recent innovations, lightweight mobility scooters aren’t just able to take you to shops, malls, or to the office—they can now be brought on a plane or train to travel with you on a holiday! Such features make the power scooters favorable not just for those with reduced mobility, but also for those who generally want to improve their lifestyle.

Freedom to move and get around is definitely one of the main purposes why one would buy his very own folding mobility scooter. In this guide, we will show you not just the pros of doing so, but also some tips before making the big purchase. Finally, we will also present some of the best folding electric mobility scooters available in the Australian Market!

What are Folding Mobility Scooters?

As we have defined in our previous blog post, an electric mobility scooter is a mobility aid that is designed like a wheelchair, but configured as an electric scooter. However, there are mobility scooters that can be folded, and some cannot.

For some, the general rule in buying a mobility scooter is to find one that is highly-portable. This is because of some instances where one would need to fit his scooter in the car boot, or when he needs to bring it with him on a plane, a cruise ship or a train.

This is where transport-friendly mobility scooters come in handy. This kind of power scooters come in two types: the fold and go mobility scooters, and the mobility scooters that can be disassembled. Most people who travel and prioritize portability prefer the foldable ones over the other.

Folding mobility scooters are designed to be portable and lightweight. They are made to aid you to be able to go from place to place with less to no hassle. However, there are some points to remember before choosing portable mobility scooters. Let’s find out about them on the next part!

Points to Consider Before Buying a Folding Mobility Scooter

Part of the freedom someone with limited mobility wants to achieve, is to be able to travel and go wherever he wants to go. Fortunately, with the help of folding mobility scooters, everything is possible. They offer a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to leading one’s daily life. However, one should be able to understand that mobility scooters, much like other things, also have their limitations.

In this part, we will show what to expect in a foldable mobility scooter, and other factors that you’d need to remember before deciding whether to own one.

Suitable and unsuitable conditions and terrain. One should note that because of their lighter weight, these scooters might not have the same range, speed, or power the heavier electric scooters have. Lightweight mobility scooters function well on flat and dry surfaces, paths with limited grass covering, small inclines and ramps. They are ideal for running errands, transport, schools or offices, or other trips where conditions are not very intense. Some foldable mobility scooters might not be able to handle conditions like snow or mud, and might not be able to climb steep inclines and got through rough terrain. These conditions might require heavy-duty electric scooters or electric bikes. Therefore, it is important to know the folding mobility scooter’s capacity first before buying one.

Folding mobility scooters cost. Generally, folding mobility scooters can be loaded anywhere within seconds. This is unlike other travel scooters that require more time disassembling, and loading them up individually. In that sense, foldable mobility scooters might cost more than others. This is because of the technology and materials used in each of them. Don’t worry though—most of these portable mobility scooters are still very affordable, and starts at around $2,000. The more expensive scooters will fall somewhere at $5,000 above, but you are sure that their qualities and features are very much worth it.

Air travel-safe batteries. If you are worried that you might not be able to tow your mobility scooter in the aircraft with you, then rest your mind. There are folding mobility scooters that are equipped with airline-approved batteries, making the scooters allowable for air travel. Airlines allow those with sealed-lead acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and some, not all, lithium batteries. Larger lithium batteries can also be brought, but with certain limitations. If you are planning to fly with your foldable mobility scooters, it is a must to consult your distributor whether the batteries are plane-safe or not. Moreover, you should also get in touch with the airline to confirm that the batteries are allowed.

Driving and maneuverability. Just like with any other electric rideable, one thing that could make or break a foldable mobility scooter’s reputation is its maneuverability. When buying a power scooter, take note that you shouldn’t judge by its speed and distance alone. The best fold-up mobility scooters will have tillers that will allow one to take control of his ride. They should also have a sharp turning radius that will allow one to navigate in narrow spaces like grocery aisles. Moreover, these scooters should be able to climb up an incline of at least 6 inches, and have high ground clearance so they won’t damage their motors when rolling over humps or unexpected objects.

Storage and portability. As mentioned above, folding mobility scooters can be loaded anywhere within seconds. This is because they can also fold in seconds! There are mobility scooters designed to fold within the push of a button. Some scooters can also be pulled around like a trolley, increasing its portability by the numbers. Folding mobility scooters take up the minimum amount of space once folded, opening more chances for the elderly and those with disabilities to bring them along wherever they want or need to go. Scooters that dissemble into several parts might not give you the same convenience, and you won’t always have enough time to assemble and disassemble them. 

Now that you have an idea on some key points to remember before buying a folding mobility scooter, how about we take a look at some of the best models in the market?

Staff Picks: The Best Folding Mobility Scooters in Australia

In this section, we have curated some of the best-selling folding mobility scooters from our collection. Let’s take a look at them!

Relync R1 Mobility Electric Scooter Regular Price: $3,499.00

Number one on this list is probably one of the most stylish folding mobility scooters out there. The award-winning mobility scooter from Relync is cleverly designed, and weighs only 26kg. It is also airline-approved, and compact enough to be carried in a plane, train, or even a bus. The Relync R1 folds in seconds, and is arguably the fastest-folding mobility scooter in the market.

The R1 is designed for those who are after functionality and style both at the same time. One could enjoy his freedom while being exceptionally stylish aboard his Relync R1 Mobility Scooter.

Specifications:

Weight Capacity: 120 kg Driving Range: 15 km (1 battery), 30 km (2 batteries) Max. Speed: 6.4 km/h Folded Dimensions (LxWxH): 23.6″ x 21.6″ x 11″ Unfolded Dimensions (LxWxH): 43″ x 21.6″ x 35″ Product Weight (without battery): 26 kg Battery Weight (each): 1.2 kg Max. Climbing Angle: 6 degrees Battery Safety Certification: IEC 62133 Battery Sea & Air Transport Certification: UN 38.3, MSDS Battery Capacity Output: 36V 208W (1 battery), 36V 416W(2 batteries)

Solax Genie Plus Mobility Scooter Regular Price: $3,890.00

Next in our list is one of the best sellers from Solax. The Genie Plus is one of the most advanced travel scooters, and is sure to be your favorite travel companion. With convenience in mind, the Genie Plus is designed with innovative features like its fully-automatic folding mechanism. With the push of a single button, you can stand back and watch your mobility scooter as it folds itself to its most compact version!

Specifications:

Tiller Angle: Adjustable Tiller Height: Adjustable (430 mm-710mm) Battery: 24V/10Ah x 1 (Lithium) Battery Range: up to 15KM Battery Weight: 1.7KG Foot Room: 480mm Front Wheel: 150mm Ground Clearance: 40mm Max. Speed: 6KM/H Slope Ability: 12 degrees Weight Capacity: 125KG Product Weight: 25KG with battery, 23.5KG without battery

Solax Transformer Soft Tail Mobility Scooter Regular Price: $3,985.00

Another one from Solax that made our list is the Transformer Soft Tail Mobility Scooter. Just like the Genie Plus, the Transformer is an automatic folding mobility scooter that’s perfect for travel and daily use. One can enjoy his new-found mobility to the fullest with this portable mobility scooter that’s equipped with an upgraded rear suspension. This upgrade ensures a comfortable ride when used outdoors, and will protect your back from all the bumps. This makes it the perfect folding mobility scooters for the elderly and those who might have back problems.

Specifications:

Tiller Angle: Adjustable Tiller Height: Adjustable (430 mm-710mm) Battery: 24V/10Ah x 1 (Lithium) Battery Range: up to 15KM Battery Weight: 1.7KG Foot Room: 480mm Front Wheel: 150mm Ground Clearance: 40mm Max. Speed: 6KM/H Slope Ability: 12 degrees Suspension: Rear Weight Capacity: 125KG Product Weight: 25.5G with battery, 24KG without battery

Solax Smart Traveller Mobility Scooter Regular Price: $4,550.00

Another exceptional model from Solax that we absolutely love, the Smart Traveler is an all-in-one mobility scooter. It offers everything from convenience, functionality, and portability. Coming from the pricier side compared to other Solax models, the Smart Traveller is equipped with an electromagnetic brake system that ensures its rider’s safety. It also boasts of auto-folding with a smart remote control, or an electric switch. It has a unique and original design that’s truly Solax-grade, and can definitely aid in one’s mobility, and improve his quality of life as well!

Specifications:

Weight: 25.5kg without battery Turning Radius: 1.55m Max. Curb Height: 25mm Ground Clearance: 64mm Battery: Lithium with MSDS Certificate Australian Standards/ISO Standards: Yes Slope Ability: 8 degrees minimum, 12 degrees maximum (depending on terrain and weight) Controller: Dynamic/PG, 45A

Luggie Super Mobility Scooter Regular Price: $5,190.00

Capping off this short list is the most recent power scooter from Luggie, the Super Mobility Scooter. This is also the priciest among our range of folding mobility scooters, and its exquisite features will explain why. The Luggie Super Mobility Scooter is made for the luxurious traveler. Not only that, it is equipped with amazing features that will definitely aid in one’s mobility. It has a wider and deeper seat, extra legroom, wider handlebars, armrests, and a more powerful motor.

Compared to other Luggie models, the Super Mobility Scooter boasts of a 163kg weight capacity, which is exceptional for a portable mobility scooter. Moreover, it still has the unique folding design Luggie has always incorporated in their earlier models.

Specifications:

Max. Safe Slope: 6 degrees Max. Climbing Ability: 6 degrees Ground Clearance: 2.5 inches/6cm Turning Radius: 41.34 inches / 105cm Battery weight: 10.5Ah Lithium Battery Pack (2.3kg) Total Weight: 26KG without batteries Max. Range: 18KM (at 69.8KG) Max. Speed: 6.4KM/h

(Note: the following folding mobility scooters are available within Australia. If you have any questions about airplane safety, you can contact the retailers/manufacturers of the scooters.)

Where to Buy Folding Mobility Scooters in Australia

In addition to the points that we have previously stated in this article, it is also important to know where to purchase the best folding mobility scooters in the market. Mobility scooters can be bought straight from the manufacturer, or retailers that specialize in electric rideable and mobility products. Purchase can be done in three ways, either in person, through the phone, or online. E-Ride Solutions is one of the most trusted online electric rideable stores here in Australia. We do not only specialize on mobility products, we are also a proud member of the NDIS, which gives us an opportunity to help the elderly and those with disabilities. With our wide range of electric mobility products, freedom is just one click away!     In case you are looking for a trusted online retailer to help you with your first mobility scooter purchase, our staff are always ready and prepared to take your queries. You can visit our website send us a message on Facebook, or contact us at 1300-617-339.

[happyweddingblogs]

Wedding Expenses Checklist

Not only Indian Weddings are elaborate affairs, but also they are pricey affairs. Families spend a lot of money in order to celebrate the big day and entertain wedding guests. No matter how much money you are planning to spend on a wedding, having a budget is imperative. Also, your wedding budget will significantly be affected by the size of your wedding. For instance, if you are planning a big fat wedding, you will need to spend a lot more compared to an intimate wedding ceremony. On average, a middle class or budget Indian wedding cost you around 10 lakhs – 12 lakhs.

In such a scenario, it’s essential to have your wedding cost calculations so that you don’t end up borrowing money from friends, family, and banks. Here in this post, we are sharing with you the wedding expenses checklist. Read this checklist and get ready to plan your wedding in your budget, like a pro.

Read on…….

PRO TIP: Compile a list of finance sources. It will include you, your significant other, both sets of parents, and your family members, relatives and friends.

The Deciding Factors

Below are the deciding factors on which the cost of a wedding in India is based on. Remember that the cost of a wedding in India varies dramatically. No two weddings will cost you the same amount, because of the different variables involved. However, the wedding cost in India varies depending on the factors below:

The size of the wedding

The type of wedding

Number of functions

Venue location

Guest count

Catering

Wedding décor

Number of activities

Wedding attire and makeup

Professional wedding photography

The purpose of this post is to help you understand the different variables involved in an Indian wedding, along with the various costs that you will need to incur while planning a wedding in India. We have tried to cover all the aspects of a traditional Indian wedding along with their costs. Know that the requirements of every religion differ widely, due to which the wedding budget also differs. But this will give you an overall idea about the wedding expenses in India.

The areas where you will need to incur the cost include

Wedding Venue

Wedding Decor

Wedding Food/Catering

Wedding Attire for Bride and Groom

Wedding Photography and Videography

Wedding Invitations

Accommodation

Transportation

Wedding Favors

Miscellaneous expenses

1. Wedding Venue

A wedding venue cost will largely depend on the number of guests you are planning to invite or the size of your wedding. A venue can cost you somewhere around a few thousands to lakhs to even crores. Besides, the location and the city of the venue will also affect your cost. For instance, if you are getting married I a tier-II town, then your venue for 1000-1500 people may cost you anywhere around INR 1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000. However, in the metro cities, like Mumbai, Delhi, etc. the cost may automatically go high. Also, how richly decorated the venue is will again add up to your cost.

PRO TIP: Instead of planning a week-long wedding, you can cut short your wedding functions or perform them within a couple of days. It will save you both time and money. Moreover, your guests will be able to enjoy most of your ceremonies.

2. Wedding Decor

One of the most significant wedding expenses is – wedding décor. Of course, each bride wants to marry in a fairytale style. A typical wedding decoration set up (depending upon the size of the venue) can cost you anywhere between INR 100,000 up to INR 3,00,000. You will get a simple yet elegant venue set up with flowers and other decorative accessories. However, if you are planning to style it up, then cost may go up to as high as INR 30,00,000.

PRO TIP: You don’t need to go extravagant for your wedding décor. Like if you want to spend too much on fresh flowers, then you should know that these flowers will be of no use the next day. Also, seasonal flowers are very costly. Most venues these days are ready to use. You can also opt for the venue that already has a beautiful décor so that you can save money.

3. Wedding Food/Catering

The cost of catering will majorly depend on the caterer you are going to hire for your wedding. Let me tell you that Indian weddings are very much about food. Your guests may forget about your wedding décor, but they will never forget about the food at your wedding. So it is imperative to do enough research before you finalize a particular caterer. Also, the cost will be affected by the number of food items and vegetarian and non-vegetarian food choices. The more food items you add to your menu, the more your cost goes up. On average, a vegetarian plate cost around INR 600 per plate and a non-vegetarian plate costs around INR 1,000 per plate or more.

RELATED: Latest Indian Wedding Food Menu Lists

PRO TIP: You don’t need to spend lavishly on food. Instead, add the most popular dishes in the food menu. You don’t have to compromise on quality, just keep a check on quantity. Also, having a limited number of dishes will help your guests to make easy choices. And yes, food wastage will be minimized by doing so.

4. Wedding Attires for Bride and Grooms

Every bride dreams of a unique look and attire at her wedding. And why not, after all, her wedding is a once in a lifetime event. In India, brides wear Lehenga or Sarees, which can cost her anywhere between INR 25,000 to INR 1, 00, 000 to INR 10,00,000 or even more. More often than not, the cost of Lehenga depends on the intricacy of work done on Lehenga, the material, and the designer. The cost of Lehenga will also vary based on the market you buy it from. For instance, if you buy your wedding lehenga from Chandni Chowk, Delhi, it will be too little compared to the South Delhi Market.

Then, there are other expenses, as well. Like, Mehndi Dress, Cocktail Dress, Reception Dress, Haldi Dress, Sangeet Dress. This may cost you somewhere around INR 100,000. Apart from this, gold jewelry, which is considered necessary in an Indian wedding. If you are buying gold jewelry, for every tola of gold that you wear, INR 40, 000 will increase in your list.

Then there is bridal makeup and Mehndi. You will need to hire professionals for makeup, hairstyle, and mehndi. It may cost you anywhere around INR 25,000 to INR 75,000 (depending upon the reputation of the makeup artist in your town).

Similarly, a groom’s sherwani would cost INR 35,000 to INR 75,000 (averagely priced) along with other accessories, such as jutis, turban, etc.

PRO TIP: Instead of buying a new wedding attire, you can choose to rent one. This way, you can save thousands of bucks. Of course, hardly anybody wears his/her wedding dress once the wedding is over. So far, gold and diamond jewelry are concerned; you can consider wearing your old jewelry at your wedding. Not only will it look classy, but also you will save a lot of money. Or you can choose to wear artificial jewelry at your wedding and buy lighter jewelry to wear post-wedding.

5. Wedding Photography and Videography

Believe it or not, wedding Photography and videography are a vital part of any wedding. Of course, you need to have pictures of your BIG DAY that you can cherish all your life. The cost of wedding photography and videography will depend on the status of the wedding photographer and Videographer. A good photographer may cost you around INR 40, 000 per day, and a videographer may cost you around INR 50, 000 per day. But, if you hire a professional photographer from some other town, then their travel and accommodation cost will also be taken care of by you, which will add to your cost.

PRO TIP: If budget is a constraint, you can opt for a digital album rather than choosing hard copies. Avoiding prints can save you around INR 15,000 -25,000. Or you can opt for a packaged deal of photo and videography as a bundle. It will not only help you get both the facilities from one vendor but also it will help you save money.

6. Wedding Invitations

Indian wedding invitation cards are again very costly. A lot of money is spent on wedding invitations alone. The cost, however, varies based on the number of wedding invites, type of paper, design, and artistry on wedding invites. A wedding invitation card may cost you somewhere around INR 50 – 100 per card. And if you go for a more graphically created content, then the cost may go up by thousands per card.

PRO TIP: Go paperless. You can consider inviting your loved ones and friends via video messages and e-gift cards. Not only will it add a personal touch, but also it will help you save money. Besides, it is the most economical, eco-friendly & fastest way of delivering wedding invites for your big day.

Related: A New and Revolutionary Trend – Digital Invitations for Weddings

7. Accommodation

Indian weddings are considered incomplete if there are no relatives. In India, guests travel from far and wide to attend a wedding. So, for those guests, you will need to make proper arrangements. Of course, accommodation for guests traveling from other cities, states, and countries. On average an accommodation may cost you INR 1,000 per room on a twin or triple sharing basis or more, depending upon your wedding budget. Also, the number of out-of-town guests you are expecting at your wedding will affect your total cost.

PRO TIP: You can consider booking rooms at your wedding venue only. This way, you will be able to save a lot of money.

8. Transportation

If your wedding venue is at a far distance, then you will have to arrange for transportation as well. Also, you will have to arrange for the transportation of your out-of-town guests. More often than not, cars are arranged for marriage ceremonies. The cost of transportation will depend on the number of vehicles, type of cars and number of days you will rent them. On average, the transportation may cost you somewhere between INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000.

PRO TIP: Book your guests’ accommodation close to your wedding venue, it will save you a lot of money and yes, complaints as well.

9. Wedding Favors

Wedding favors have become an integral part of any wedding. In an Indian wedding system, people prefer to give clothes or silver coins or sweets to wedding guests. The cost of the wedding favor will depend very much on your budget. On average, a wedding favor may cost you around INR 500 to INR 5000 or even more depending on your budget.

PRO TIP: You can consider DIYing your wedding favors. It will help you give a personal touch, and save money on wedding favors. Make sure you give something useful and meaningful to your guests so that they don’t leave it at the table.

10. Miscellaneous expenses

There are a dozen things to take care of when it comes to an Indian wedding. Therefore it is essential to keep a small amount of money aside for miscellaneous expenses. Cost like, last-minute supplies, transportation costs of paying drivers, tips to waiters and caterers, alcohol for a cocktail, etc., can add up to your total wedding cost.

Besides, wedding music for different ceremonies, like wedding sangeet and wedding reception, will again add to your cost.

PRO TIP: Keep track of all the expenses related to the wedding budget. It will help you avoid unnecessary costs. Also, you can ask your wedding vendors for the best deals. Undoubtedly, we Indians are great at negotiating. So, don’t miss to use the skills of negotiation while dealing with your vendors. You might get some additional benefit of a 10-15% cost reduction.

WEDDING EXPENSES BASED ON THE TYPE OF WEDDING

The big fat Indian wedding

The big fat wedding or a grand scale Indian wedding can cost you around INR 50 lac to 80 lac or more. The significant portion of your wedding budget goes to wedding vendors, and the remaining money is spent on personal things, like, wedding attire, makeup, etc. The average price of a Big Fat Indian wedding will be:

Wedding Planner – 5 lac – 7 lac

Venue – 10 lac INR

Photographer & Videographer – 5 lac INR

Tent house & DJ- 5 lac INR

Catering- 20 lac INR

Bridal dress -5 lac INR

Groom’s attire – 3 lac INR

Invitations – 2 lac INR

Transportation – 3 lac INR

Makeup artist- 5 lac INR

Miscellaneous – 5 lac

Medium Scale Indian Wedding

Medium-scale weddings are for the upper medium class families. This is the most popular wedding style in India. This kind of wedding cost around INR 25-35 lac on an average. Here is the average cost breakdown for various vendor services:

Wedding Planner – 1.5 lac – 2 lac

Venue – 2.5 lac INR

Photographer & videographer – 1.5 – 2 lac INR

Tent house & DJ- 3 lac INR

Catering- 8 -10 lac INR

Bridal dress -50k – 1 lac INR

Groom’s attire – 50k – 1 lac INR

Invitations – 50k – 1 lac INR

Transportation – 1.5 – 2 lac INR

Makeup artist- 50k – 75k INR

Miscellaneous – 3 lac

Budget Indian Wedding

Budget Indian weddings may cost you around INR 8 lac to 10 lac. This kind of marriage is for the lower-middle-income class group. Here is the average cost breakdown for various vendor services.

Venue – 50000 INR

Photographer & videographer – 25000 – 35000 INR

Tent house & DJ- 25000 INR

Catering- 2 – 3 lac INR

Bridal dress -25000 INR

Groom’s attire – 20000 INR – 30000 INR

Invitations – 25000 INR

Transportation – 25000 INR

Makeup artist- 20000 INR

Miscellaneous – 1 – 1.5 lac

Besides these types of weddings, there are intimate weddings as well. Intimate weddings are the best option to save a lot of money and effort. Most couples these days are opting for low key celebrations.

Summing it up…..

Weddings in India can range anywhere from a few thousand to a few lac or even more. However, if you will use this wedding expenses checklist for your wedding, you will be able to save a lot of money. As we have given you pro tips with each expense. You can use these pro tips while planning your wedding.

Happy Wedding….

[svetlanawagner-blog]

Ever since we lived in an RV for 3 months, we fell in love with RV life. Every time we see one on the road, we point it out, and time to time, we browse online to see which model we should add to our family. When we purchased a car this year, one of our priorities was towing capability so that we could eventually add a trailer. While we’re saving up for an RV, we’re scratching our RV itch by renting one and going on a trip next month.

A big thank you to Go RVing’s Kickoff to Camping Season, Outdoorsy, and IZEA Worldwide for sponsoring this post. All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: July 18, 2019

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Since attending RVX earlier this year and seeing all the best of the best, we’ve been excited to try out different types of RVs. When we were full time RVing for 3 months, we lived in an Airstream and loved our time in it, but before we settle on what exactly we want to purchase, we decided to try a different type of RV for our upcoming trip.

If you’re new to RVing, there are tons of different options to fit every lifestyle and travel style. To help you pick, we’ve listed some of the most popular types of RVs and our thoughts on them.

More: The Best RVs of 2019 Revealed at RVX

The Different Classes of RVs - Which One is Right for You?

Class A

The biggest ones out there built on a truck chassis. They often look like huge buses. The interiors of these things are luxurious! Check out the photos below – it’s bigger than our apartment was in NYC.

If you plan on living in an RV full time or are traveling with a big group, this gives you the most amount of space and luxury. Most people tow a smaller vehicle so they can maneuver around town too.

PROS

Large living space

Lots of storage and cargo

Most luxurious amenities

CONS

Largest to drive / can be most intimidating

Can’t easily take day trips (unless you tow a vehicle)

Expensive to purchase, repair, and insure

Class B

Campeans with raised roofs. These cover a wide range of vans from smaller ones that are converted vans to larger ones built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis.

We’ve stayed in a really basic campean that had a bed and kitchen, which works for a weekend, but we want to experience one that actually has standing room and a bathroom to see if it’s something easier to live in for an extended period.

PROS

Easy to drive and maneuver

Less costly fuel and maintenance

Convenient for excursions

CONS

Limited amenities

Smaller interior living space

Less storage and cargo

Class C

Built onto a minimal truck or van chassis. Usually looks like a big box with the front of a truck and ranges from 20 to 33 feet. Most of the branded rented RVs you see on the road are Class C. It’s a popular introduction to RVing, although aesthetically we don’t like them as much.

PROS

Has all the basic necessities

Extra space above the driver’s cab

Self-contained

CONS

Pricey to maintain and operate

Some luxury amenities may not be available

Difficult to take on excursions due to larger size

Travel Trailer

Trailer that is towed by a truck or SUV. These come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them are boxier, but we really loved our Airstream travel trailer because it was such a sleek design.

We also liked that we could leave the trailer in the RV park when we were exploring. The downside is that if we wanted to access the trailer when we were on the road, we had to pull over.

PROS

Can tow with a variety of vehicles

Towing vehicle can be used for day trips

Lots of different options and models

CONS

Can be hard to maneuver in restricted areas

Learning cue to drive

M0re difficult to drive in reverse

5th Wheel Trailers

Similar to travel trailers but connects to a truck in the bed of the vehicle.

PROS

Better connection to the towing vehicle

Overhanging section gives more space

Plenty of options for amenities

CONS

Limited types of towing vehicles

Less passenger space on long trips

Difficult to maneuver in restricted spaces

Pop Up Camper

Lightweight trailer that folds up when traveling but expands when camping. We saw some interesting pop up camper models during RVX. They seem great for weekend trips or if you love camping. Since it folds down, it also makes it easier and more aerodynamic for towing.

PROS

Lightweight and easy to maneuver

Wide range of towing vehicles

Inexpensive to own and operate

CONS

Limited interior space

Little to no cargo and storage

More exposure to weather

Renting from Outdoorsy

Checking out RVs online or in a showroom can only do so much. We were initially intimidated by RV life, but after a few days experiencing it, we knew we wanted one of our own. Whether you just want to try it out for a weekend, or are considering purchasing your own, we always recommend renting to test out the waters first.

We rented our RV from Outdoorsy.com, the largest RV rental marketplace. Unlike other companies that only carry the same classes of RVs, it had every type imaginable. After browsing the site for days to see what was available in our area, we decided to try a Class B van with a slide-out and bathroom – check it out here. We’re excited to give a try. You can also search for rentals at GoRVing.com.

Deciding Where to Go

After renting our RV, we had to decide where to go. It’s hot in the Southwest during the summer but since we’re limited on time, we decided not to go too far. We wanted to prioritize two things we love – photography and the outdoors.

Even though we love those two things, we have a hard time waking up for sunrises. We’re both not morning people, and if it takes effort to get out somewhere, we tend to bring each other down and stay in bed instead. That changed with our first RV experience. We found that if we were right where we needed to be, it was a lot easier to roll out of bed and step outside for the views.

Even though we’ve lived in LA, San Diego, and Vegas, we’ve never made it out to Bishop or Alabama Hills. We’ll be heading out there to do some early morning climbing, hiking, and taking plenty of photos.

We can’t wait to share our trip with you as well as our thoughts on the Class B motorhome. If you want to come climb with us or hang out, send us a note and we’ll let you know our plans.

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What to Pack for Your RV Trip

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Best Places to Stay

Here are our favorite RV Campgrounds and RV Parks so far.

More Resources

How to Get Internet While RVing

Your Essential RV Checklist

How to Travel with Cats in an RV

Which class of RV do you think is right for you?

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Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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If you’ve just had a beautiful baby, you’ll have to put camping on hold for a few years… just kidding!

Despite what many might think, camping with a young baby is entirely within your reach. I’m not suggesting you book your first trip away with a baby the day after you get out of the hospital, but once you’ve settled into a good routine there’s no reason why you can’t head away on your first camping adventure.

There’s a rather steep learning curve that needs to happen but at the same time, there are plenty of things you can do to make it easier. Don’t let a baby stop you from heading away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Babies need 5 things; to be fed, cleaned, loved, and kept warm and safe. Whether you do these things at home, in the middle of the Simpson Desert or on one of Australia’s pristine beaches is entirely up to you!

There are so many memories to be had with your baby. Photo: Aaron Schubert

How soon can you go camping with a baby?

There’s no hard and fast rule here –  when you feel comfortable taking your baby camping, go for it! Some babies are born on the road and live the camping lifestyle even from day one. We didn’t head away until Oliver was nearly 5 months old but have done many trips since.

I would say give it at least a month to get used to the new addition to your family at home!

When you decide to take your child on their first camping trip is up to you! Photo: Aaron Schubert

How does camping change with a baby?

Like most new parents, I only had a narrow perspective of how a new baby was going to change camping. It most certainly does change it a lot, and you’ve got to adapt, learn and be flexible.

You’ll need to slow it down

The first and most obvious change when you camp with a baby is the pace needs to slow down. We’ve always been fairly active campers, filling our days with fishing, diving, hiking, exploring and 4WDing.

You don’t get the luxury of go, go, go with a baby, and things have to slow down. It’s not a problem (in fact it’s quite relaxing in many ways!), but it’s most certainly an adjustment you need to get used to.

Camping will take some getting used to with a little one in tow! Photo: Aaron Schubert. 

Be flexible

If you could put your baby to sleep and know the exact time they’re going to wake up, when they’ll want their next feed or nappy changed, you’d have a pretty cruisy camping trip. Unfortunately, you won’t get that luxury, and this means you need to be flexible. Have a rough idea of what you’d like to do, allow lots of time in between and then just take it as it comes.

If your baby wants a feed and you’re doing a long drive, pull up earlier, have the break and then continue on your way. If you aren’t flexible with your plans, you’ll soon find they don’t come to fruition and you’ll get frustrated.

Top tips for making camping with a baby easier

1. Bring a dummy with a clip

If you’re using a dummy, get one that has a chain and clip. Yep, they might look daft, but picking a dummy up from the dirt and cleaning it gets old real quick (especially when they’re supposed to be run under boiling water for the first few months!).

A dummy on a chain will save you a lot of trouble at a dirty campsite. Photo: Aaron Schubert

2. Organise food in advance

When your baby is younger, they will be either breastfed or from a bottle, and things are relatively straightforward. Keep your bottles hygienic with boiled water, and feed them as required.

Once they start solids though, things get a bit interesting. There are plenty of ways you can feed a baby, from the little baby food jars through to pouches and making food on the spot. If you have access to a fridge and freezer, we’ve found the best way is to pre-make food before the camping trip.

You don’t have to make complete meals, but having frozen ice cubes of everything from fruit to vegetables and meat allows you a huge flexibility in preparing food.

Everything is harder and more time-consuming when you’re camping, so being able to grab a few cubes of food, warm them up over the stove and feed your baby easily and quickly will make your life easier.

Keep it easy by preparing food for your child before you go away. Photo: Aaron Schubert

3. Clothes and sleeping bags

No matter how much time you spend looking at the weather forecast when you’re camping it’s often not very accurate. Take clothes for both cool and warm weather, and you’ll be laughing.

Beyond this, babies will have mishaps, and you want to have plenty of clothes to change them into. It’s not like they take up much room or weight anyway!

A pram is great for putting a baby to sleep in while on a trip. Photo: Aaron Schubert

4. Prams, bouncers, and baby carriers

Space and weight is often a problem when taking a baby camping. You’ll need to prioritise what’s important, and the best way to do this is with small, regular camping trips to see what works.

For the younger months, a bouncer is priceless for being able to put your baby down while you prepare dinner. A baby carrier is also extremely useful, as it keeps both of your hands free and babies enjoy the comfortable position.

A pram is good for walking on relatively flat and hard ground. The problem with camping though is this rarely exists. However, what they are exceptional for is putting babies to sleep. Walking your baby around for a few minutes with the hood down and they’ll have a pretty good sleep in the shade of your campsite.

5. Take a big blanket

You’ll do a fair bit of sitting around camp with a baby. Having a big blanket is hugely important for them to lay on, play with toys and stay relatively clean. At Steep Point, we found mesh floors to be fantastic – they allow the sand to fall through and plenty of room for babies to play.

 A blanket gives a baby somewhere flat to play on to keep them entertained. Photo: Aaron Schubert

6. Bug nets

You’ll want to take a bug/mosquito net for your pram and cot. Bugs can be a right pain for little babies, and knowing they are safely protected from nasty mosquito bites gives you great peace of mind.

7. Cots

Portable cots are a fantastic way to ensure your baby gets a safe sleep each night, and for the day sleeps. We sometimes move ours from inside to outside as a playpen as required.

A cot provides a safe place for your baby to sleep. Photo: Aaron Schubert

It’s not always sunshine and rainbows

If you think camping with a baby is always going to be an amazing experience, you’ve got it coming! Babies require a fair bit of attention, and you can’t always make them content. When they are teething, or sick, there will be times you wish you were back at home. I guarantee it. There have been nights where Oliver spent most of it awake and unhappy, and it wasn’t easy.

However, daylight eventually rolls around (even though it can take forever!), and you’ll have a ball overall. We’ve made some truly amazing memories camping with Oliver.

It does get easier

Looking back at our camping trips with Oliver, it’s great to see the changes. The older they get, the easier camping is, but the challenges change. Go with the flow, enjoy the moment and you’ll love it.

The challenges will be different as your baby grows. Photo: Aaron Schubert

Who should you go camping with?

When you eventually do decide to go camping, have a think about whether you want to go alone, or with others. There are pros and cons of both choices.

If you go with others, be aware that unless they’ve been around a baby they won’t have any idea of what’s required. Just know that they can easily become impatient with your delays while you stop to feed, change nappies or let your baby stretch.

The benefit of going with others is that they’ll often help out with the child. If there are a few kids, one parent can easily look after a few while the others relax, or get food ready. This shares the workaround and everyone can have a good time.

On the flip side, going just as a family means you have to do everything, but you can do it in your own time without worrying about holding others back.

Babies do need a bit of patience, so make sure the group is prepared! Photo: Aaron Schubert

Long drives in a car

Babies usually travel pretty well. You’ll have to stop every 2 – 3 hours to feed, change nappies and allow them to stretch out, but they are usually pretty content to travel for at least 350 – 500km.

Anything over 600 – 850km a day is a bit of a stretch for babies that don’t regularly travel. The more you push your driving days, the grumpier they will get, so find a decent balance that keeps everyone sane.

Toys make a world of difference, as does a tablet to play some videos for babies when they get upset and you’re still a little way from the next stop!

A solidly made, cushioned baby seat is a must for car travel. Photo: Aaron Schubert

4WDing

One last thing to consider when camping with a baby is the 4WDing side of things. Babies have very poor neck control and strength for the first few months, and you need to support their heads extremely well when off-road.

A quality baby seat along with cushioning as required is an absolute must, or avoid the bouncy tracks until they can comfortably hold their necks.

Take your baby camping!

You’ll have a great time taking your baby camping, as long as you take it slowly and remain flexible. Start with short trips until you’re confident, and enjoy each moment as it comes!

Have you taken your baby camping? What have you found that makes life easier?

The post How to Go Camping with a Baby appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[marquetteglobal]

The Down Under Diaries: Doing Journalism Abroad - Andrew Goldstein

4.5 million people in this city and I’ll have interviewed maybe 20 of them by the time I leave. Four months and hours upon hours of work, and I’ve covered about .00004% of the story possibilities. Makes me think.

Somewhere along the line, I turned into the kind of person that just can’t take extended vacations.

Please don’t ask what’s wrong with me because I’ll tell you right now that I don’t know. It wasn’t always like this. In middle school, I used to be able to play video games for eight hours straight without giving a second thought to the beautiful day that was just squandered. Now it’s the opposite; I need to either do something productive or have plans to do something productive every day.

Besides making me the worst retiree of all-time in 50 or so years, this constant need to do stuff has also made me uniquely unsuited to studying abroad. Semesters in other countries were made for people who love wandering around with no particular plans. That goes double for Australia, the most nonchalant, chill place on Earth, a country where “no worries” might as well be the national motto.

I don’t do “no worries” very well. I’m a lifelong East Coast native and a journalist. Being on deadline and power walking through crowds of people is kind of how I prefer to live. It’s such a strong inclination that the thought of NOT rushing around for a few months was my main deterrent to studying abroad.

Eventually, I settled on doing the Snapchat journalism project. (See the stories here if interested.) There were a lot of good reasons to do it, but the most compelling one was also the most selfish — it let me keep up my old life. I could look at the work that my friends in the Marquette Wire were doing and not feel totally guilty about failing to do the same amount of stuff.

It might not be immediately apparent, but journalism has a couple of unique perks. There are a lot of downsides to being a reporter– low pay, long hours, travel, declining job prospects, etc — but one irrevocable upside is that you have license to talk to anybody about anything. Email a person, say you’re a journalist, and the chances of that person telling you his or her life story just went drastically up. You can ask almost any question to anyone you’re curious about and are likely to get an honest response.

(That paradigm is different for reporters covering politics or other subjects of that ilk, but we’ll leave that discussion for another day.)

This makes doing journalism a wonderful way to get to know a place quickly. I’ve had Snapchat subjects speak with me about everything from gay culture in Melbourne to Aboriginal artwork to antique maps of the world. One interview subject in Townsville picked me up in his car and gave me an impromptu tour of the city before going to his house for an interview. People have nearly as many questions for me even though we’ve barely known each other for 10 minutes.

It’s the perfect situation for somebody who has a deep curiosity about the way things and people work, but is often too introverted to ask. I’ll forever envy those who feel totally comfortable walking up to strangers and talking to them, because it’s something I don’t think will ever feel totally natural. Doing journalism lets me shed those usual feelings of awkwardness; in fact, it demands that I do.

Aboriginal artist and electric didgeridoo inventor Stan Yarramunua was the subject of a Snapchat profile. He was kind, interesting and thoughtful; just like most people I’ve come across in Melbourne.

That brings me to my other pet project for the semester: a longform profile story about Marquette basketball player Harry Froling and his journey from Australia to America. There was nothing to indicate that this story was going to be anything close to the 3,000-word monstrosity that is now on campus newsstands. Initially, I was just going to visit Harry’s prep program for a few hours during a weekend trip in early March, talk to his coach and write a short feature. Filing a story from Australia would be a nice thing to say I did, if nothing else.

Section by section, the story expanded beyond that narrow scope. One of Harry’s coaches told me about his short training stint with a professional team, so that had to be at least a paragraph or two. It turned out that Harry’s brother Sam was at the program too and he gave me a bunch of great childhood stories; some of those had to make it in. All of a sudden, it seemed like this piece was turning into something more than just a curiosity.

Two puzzle pieces remained missing: Harry and his parents. I had everything around the periphery of the story, but the essential details needed to come from them. After failing to find Harry’s dad’s email address anywhere on the internet, I resorted to one of my old tricks: look him up on LinkedIn and send him an invite explaining who I was.

(Pro tip: If you ever want to get in contact with ANYONE and you can’t find an email address, search on LinkedIn. It works amazingly well.)

Harry’s dad said that he and his wife would love to be interviewed and what time would work best for a phone call? I always prefer to get my interviews in person, so I looked up where the Froling family lived. It was approximately two-thirds of the way up Australia’s coast, about a three-hour flight from Melbourne.

One deep breath later, the reply came tumbling off my keyboard and on to the screen: “actually, I was hoping to fly up there and talk in person.”

Fast forward another three weeks and I’m in the living room of the Froling family’s home, which is built on the slopes of a mountain on the edge of town. Whatever I’d come to Townsville expecting to find, the Frolings gave me way more. Pictures from years ago, details about Harry’s recruitment, interesting stories about the father’s professional career; everything. It could hardly have been better if they’d shown me a pre-produced documentary.

Harry’s childhood basketball court, one of the many places his dad showed me. Most of the courts have no air conditioning and the temperature is usually over 85 degrees in the summer.

That left Harry as the last necessary interview. My editor and I waited until March Madness ended, and then contacted athletics to set up a time. Because of the volume of media requests that men’s basketball usually gets, it can be difficult to book players for an interview. Between practices and classes, there’s often not a lot of wiggle room in the schedule even if you do get through.

When athletics got back the next day and told me to call at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, it was a huge relief ... until I did the math and realized that this translated to 4 a.m. Melbourne time. But what are you going to do? It’s quite possible that 1 p.m. was the only time Harry had available, so I set a bunch of early alarms and went to sleep.

Six hours later, I woke up and checked my phone. 4:02 a.m. Not only was I late for the interview, but the phone alarm had probably been sounding on and off for the last hour, which my roommate probably found soothing enough. (Brendan, if you’re reading this, sorry.)

After grabbing my phone, iPad, laptop, notebook and pen in 40 seconds, I ran out to my apartment’s common area and called. Everything about that interview felt like it happened in slow motion. None of his answers or my questions are committed to memory, nor do I recall passing out right there on the couch some amount of time later. The only thing that I can vividly recall is waking up to radiant sunlight, panicking about sleeping through the interview all over again, then logging on to my iPad and seeing a 25-minute recording in my files. Whew.

From there, it was a lot of working sessions in a lot of cafes — because apparently I’m a walking writer stereotype now — before the piece got done. Part of it was written in Townsville, parts were written in Melbourne, it was finished on a plane to Tasmania and edited into a final draft at 2 a.m. in Wellington, New Zealand. And of course, it was assembled in the basement of Johnston Hall at Marquette, the world’s best university. (Fine, I’m a bit biased.)

Now I’m writing this blog post in Sydney, although it’s time to wrap this up. Bondi Beach is calling and I kind of want to give this whole “no worries” thing a try.

You know, a fella could really get used to living like this.

The conclusion of the Down Under Diaries, including some of Andrew’s favorite random travel stories, will be out in a couple weeks. Thanks for reading!