The Weekly Wrap: May 26, 2024

Over a decade ago, the husband and I went to his cousin's wedding. Since we were out of town guests, our hotel room came with the standard welcome bag of goodies. The goodies I can't remember at all, but the bag is something I use all the time.

At first, I didn't think much of this bag. It's a kind of loud, blue patchwork style. Each of the squares is a different striped tartan pattern. The bottom and straps are a denim blue. Honestly, the look is not my style in the least. It is, however, well-made in a sturdy, almost canvas-like fabric. It is also the perfect size. It's about two inches larger than letter-sized all around. There is also a tiny interior pocket ideal for holding Chapstick, business cards, and a hotel room key.

Ever since that wedding, this bag has become my go-to conference tote. In fact, I find this bag so perfect that I always turn down the free totes they hand you at registration. Those bags are always far too large with too long a handle drop. My blue bag tucks perfectly under my arm and doesn't hit me when I walk. The main pocket can hold my work laptop (and power cord), conference program, water bottle, and the pashmina I carry when rooms are far too cold. I can even slip in a snack or two. There's just enough room leftover to stash freebies and handouts.

I also use this bag for my D&D session days, as an airplane carry on (when I don't need my laptop bag), and for parenting days when I want something bigger than a purse but smaller than a diaper bag. This blue bag is perfect. At this point, it lives on my travel packing list because it works for so many things.

And it's washable! I've sent this through the washer and air dried it several times with no issue.

So, thank you husband's cousin, you've given me one of my hardest working accessories.

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• The allure of the airport lounge. [The Atlantic - gift link​]
• Eating a salad at your desk is still a growing trend. [The Atlantic - gift link]
• How to take a workcation. [Career Contessa]
• Is your pantry for cooking or for Instagram? [Food & Wine]
• The nearly extinct fish that lives in just one place. [LAist]
• We were "great" whenever you were 11 years-old. [WaPo - gift link]

• Why you should reconsider what you sharent. [Life Kit]
• The problem with the 401(k). [The Daily]
• Men of the cloth. [Articles of Interest]
• The abortion pill is safe. Really safe. [Science Vs]
• We could have had great mass transit if it weren't for racism, NIMBYism, and bureaucracy. [99% Invisible]

• While I was at my conference, I didn't want to start a new show. I also wasn't enthralled with the regular stuff on TV. Thankfully, the TV let me log in to my Netflix account and I decided a rewatch of Bridgerton was in order. This is my third (maybe fourth?) rewatch of this romance. At this point, it's comforting background noise. I did, however, stop watching before season three. That I'll get to when the entire season is up and the husband and I can watch it together. [Netflix]
• Whelp, I need to find a campfire immediately. [@stephaniehannahome]

• While I was at my conference in Portland, I ended up eating at the same fast casual restaurant three times. My hotel was in the land of chains, so this hole in the wall stuck out. Bistro Elysium bills itself as Asian fusion. I'm not quite sure what was fusion about it, but the food was tasty. I'm still thinking about the kimchi and pineapple fried rice I had. I added shrimp and the entire meal was divine. The portions were also normal sized which was awesome. I left full but with no leftovers. Since my room lacked a fridge, I'm glad I didn't waste a single bite. [Bistro Elysium]
• On Thursday, the husband made chicken marsala from a new to him recipe. It was phenomenal. The sauce was slightly thicker which I very much enjoyed. Also, the addition of white onion was a great flavor enhancer. We served this over a bed of linguine with roasted asparagus on the side. [Budget Bytes]