Tuesday, December 31, 2024

What's In My Bag? The 2024 Airplane Edition

Ever since I started traveling for work frequently after the pandemic, I’ve had the opportunity to test out many a tote for the airplane. See, it’s important that the bag holds my laptop, a book, headphones, and anything else I might need for the flight.

While I initially loved the design of Aesther Ekme’s Sac, the fact that it didn’t fit under an economy-sized seat was a deal-breaker for me. Regular canvas totes were also too floppy and open, causing my stuff to roll out. After trying out many bags, I have to say my go-to now is the Cara by the German company Agneel. It is the perfect size to hold exactly what I need.




On my recent trip to Japan, I also experimented with using the Large Park Tote by The Row as my airplane bag. It was definitely roomier and could hold more than Agneel’s Cara, so I think I’ll use it for longer international flights when I need more items. For shorter domestic flights, Agneel’s Cara will remain my go-to.

Here’s a rundown of what’s in my bag:

  • Bose headphones
  • Notebook
  • Monocle Magazine
  • Workbook
  • Sleep mask
  • Pen case
  • Laptop and case
  • Louis Vuitton wallet
  • Phone (not pictured)
  • Summer Fridays toiletries pouch, which includes:
    • Advil
    • Glasses cleaner
    • Glasses wipes
    • Ear plugs for altitude
    • Gum
    • Bonine for motion sickness
    • Summer Fridays eye cream, lip gloss, and moisturizer


Saturday, December 21, 2024

Seattle Cafes 2016-2024

In my mind, Seattle has a reputation for good coffee. Maybe it’s because Starbucks is from Seattle. Maybe it’s because the weather is cold and dreary like Portland – the perfect coffee weather. Maybe it’s because it’s a big city with a large international population. Or maybe it’s because all my other food and beverage experiences there have been so positive.

Whatever the reason, I had high expectations for Seattle. I asked friends for recommendations and researched extensively to find the best of the best. Over the course of many weekend trips to Seattle in the past few years, I managed to visit all of these cafes.

When I first started my quest, I was disappointed that the cafes I visited didn’t wow me. As it happens, they were all establishments that had been around for a while. But over the years, as new and interesting places cropped up, the coffee scene got better and better.

Here is the list in its entirety: the old and the new, the good and the bad. It’s certainly not every cafĂ© in Seattle – not even close – but it’s a fairly accurate representation of some good options at this point in time.

Victrola, 2016


Zoka, 2016



URD, 2024



Union, 2018



Storyville, 2021



Sound & Fog, 2018



Slate, University District, 2016 [closed]



Phin Cafe, 2023



Mr. West, 2019



Little Oddfellows, 2019


La Marzocco, 2018 [closed]



Herkimer, 2022





Hello Em, 2023



Evoke Cafe, 2019 [closed]



Elm Coffee Roasters, West Seattle, 2019



Elm Coffee Roasters, 2022



Craftworks, 2023




Capitol Coffee Works, 2023 [closed]



Broadcast, 2018 



Anchorhead Coffee, 2019 



Analog Coffee, 2022



Ada's, 2022



203 F, 2024



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