Packed

I'm packed and ready to head to Italy! Here's what I have for nine days and nights:



In the backpack (above):

• Peep toe platforms


• Flip flops


• B&W striped calf length leggings


• Black leggings


• Lacy foot socks, 3 pr


• Bathing suit


• Goggles


• Black capris (channeling Ms. Hepburn)


• Gold high-waisted pants


• LT grey khaki cutofffs


• Long sleeve denim snap shirt


• Tan merino cardigan


• Travel skirt (can pull up to strapless dress)


• Grey cotton dress (pajamas that can double as an outfit w/ leggings)


• Tanks, white, yellow & white, magenta


• Camisoles, navy, white


• Sheer hexagon print top


• Sheer metallic ribbon top


• Brown cotton ruffle lace t shirt


• Floral print t shirt


• Ribbon hat


• Pink handknit shawl


• Leopard print neck scarf


• Cosmetics


• Toiletries

 

Worn:

• Black cashmere sweater


• Dark wash jeans


• Foot socks


• White blazer


• Loafers

Purse (above):

• Wallet


• Passport


• Phone


• Earphones


• Adapter


• Charging cord


• Travel wetnaps


• DSLR camera


• Scarf-cum-camera wrap


• Glasses


• Sunglasses


• Eye patch


• Ear plugs


• Umbrella (rain forecasted!)


• Handkerchiefs, 2


• Moleskine


• Lip balm


• Eco bag

Tucked in a linen napkin and tenugui after reading an email, from the trip coordinator, warning that Italian hotels tend not to provide washcloths.

We'll see how well I did as the trip goes. Weather us supposed to be like So Cal, in which case I am quite confident. Off I go--ciao!

Artsy Autumn: Natural History Museum

I can't recall whether the NHM feels familiar because I went here on a school field trip back in the day, or because Night at the Museum was filmed there. In any case, it's an awesome space and was a treat to make a day of attending. I was especially excited about the Dinosaur Hall, which was very educational and well done, in terms of information and presentation.

[triple t-rex]

[feet]

The Pacific Standard Time exhibit was small, covering only the second story in the rotunda area. Still, I appreciated the timeline presentation and the historical tie the NHM has to Los Angeles art and artists. (We tend to forget that Exposition Park -- now sadly in disrepair and neglected with more recent and glamorous event venues -- lies in a very central part of LA. I hope that changes and this wonderful area is restored to its 1984 Olympics glory.)

After a delicious lunch of Peruvian fare, and a walk back through the Rose Garden, NHM Visit Part 2 commenced: American history hall, gemstones, and dioramas of African and American mammals. Delightful!

I now have a handy PST booklet and have marked all the exhibits I'd like to see. Onwards!

Coffee with Chemex

I had a chance to purchase filters and brew coffee in the unmarked but unlikely faux Chemex coffee maker I thrifted a few months ago.

The filter is actually a sheet folded into quarters. The paper is supposed to be 30% thicker than regular filters, therefore straining more impurities out if the grounds.

Thanks to my awesome jot water kettle, I have 210-degree water at the touch of a button. I placed the filter in the Chemex (3-layered side against the spout), scooped in my grounds, added enough water to just cover them to allow "bloomage," and then slowly poured additional hot water until I got to my serving size. Took about four minutes, same as the brew time in a French press. Cleanup was a snap: lift filter and toss; rinse glass. Et voila:

I'm not sure if you can see from the photo, but the Chemex brews a mighty clean cuppa. And it tastes clean, too. Verdict: yum. I can see why so many reviewers say they'll never have coffee any other way again.

Now that there's a coffee maker for my section, I can deal with mediocre brew during the week and enjoy the slow drip-drop Chemex coffee on weekends. Now, off to the grinder.