Mail Order Lifestyles: LeTote

A few weeks ago, my sister recommended LeTote, calling it "Netflix for clothes." Since my curiosity was piqued by the description, and because it sounded like an interesting concept, I decided to give it a shot.

I've been feeling a little bored and dissatisfied with my wardrobe for a while. Some outfits get worn all too often, or are worn out, or looked good when I tried them on but pose unanticipated problems when I'm wearing them out in the world (flimsy buttons, for example). Still, the prospect of going on a shopping spree to find replacement outfits is daunting, and likely to be expensive. Plus, even if I like a piece of clothing well enough in the store, it's difficult to predict whether I'll want to incorporate it into my regular wardrobe.

LeTote helps to alleviate this problem, since it essentially gives you a rotating wardrobe for a $50 subscription fee. If there's an article of clothing you like particularly well, you can buy it (at a discounted price) by holding on to it or ordering it at the website later.

Specs and Other Stuff

One of the fun things about poring through old journal entries is finding a record of exactly when certain minor events occurred. For example, I learned that I last got eyeglasses in September 2009. Although I mostly use them as 'backup' in case I can't wear contacts, I have been needing new glasses for some time now. So it's nice to have a newer pair with a stronger prescription.

I worry that my vision may have deteriorated over the past couple of weeks, though. I am hoping it's a temporary thing, brought on by increased screen-staring hours at work. Nonetheless, it is still something I should keep an eye on (no pun intended).

In the past month, I cashed in my accumulated credit card rewards points.which gave me the opportunity to do something nice for myself without sabotaging my budget. The biggest ticket item that I purchased was a fancy messenger bag to use when I am at work or carting my laptop around.

When I started work at my law firm, I bought an old-school style briefcase, and have used it my papers and other items. However, the briefcase is cumbersome (on several occasions, people have been compelled to joke about how the briefcase is larger than I am), and it just isn't well-suited for carrying stuff around on a day-to-day basis. It has a pocket of space at the top which isn't very usable, and doesn't have enough space designed for carrying random small items (for example a computer mouse, a checkbook, or a small book). I figured a nice messenger bag would be work-appropriate, but would also be easier to take around if I am carrying work with me during the weekend.

The bag seems to be pretty well-designed, with compartments for different items. It even has a removable sleeve for a laptop (my laptop is large, and therefore a little too big for the sleeve, but still fits in the bag itself). Even though I will probably use the briefcase from time to time, it'll be nice to have a more convenient alternative, and I hope it'll encourage me to work outside more often.

Maul

After getting up late, I made my way to the King of Prussia Mall, one of the larger malls on the east coast. I was able to get a white May Day dress for tomorrow (I am great at planning ahead). While I was there, I was also able to get some camera stuff and a few other articles of clothing). I was also able to get a good amount of reading done; one of the advantages of taking public transportation is that you don't have to pay attention for long stretches of travel time and can devote yourself to reading.

And then I got back, read some more, and slacked.

The Saga Continues

Of course, on the day that Thursday class wasn't held, I got up bright and early. How typical.

Anyway, after wasting my time, I headed to the Barnes and Noble and Acme (yes, there are Acme supermarkets here, but they don't sell anvils) to get a 'bedtime story' book for tomorrow night's hell week tradition and some alcohol for trials (seniors were requested to bring some). I got 'Make Way For Ducklings' as a nod to the Saturday duck pond run. On the way, I bumped into the infamous 'Barnes and Noble Guy', who was working at the counters. Here's the BANG (don't you adore acronyms?) story... I used to go to Barnes and Noble a lot during my freshman year, but this guy who worked there kept on following me, and asking if I needed help or about the books I was looking at. Needless to say, I learned to take the longer walk to Borders eventually, and didn't see him after my sophomore year (on Halloween, appropriately enough). I figured that he eventually found a job somewhere else. Well, I bumped into him today, and he observed that I hadn't been around lately and asked whether I was a student. I tried to be polite, but it was a weird, uncomfortable situation. Heh, poor guy.

I then went to the Acme; however, I learned something about Pennsylvania state law that day. Apparently, they only allow liquor stores to sell alcohol. I guess my lack of knowledge just goes to show what a party animal I am. I didn't have the time to get the alcohol, so I just decided to let it be. I rushed back to my fencing class. Because of Hell Week, the frosh were dressed in different outfits according to their 'home dorms' (such as the Denbigh Debutantes, the Rhodes Rodents, the Rockefeller Rock Stars, and, most famously, the Pembroke East 'whore corps' - the legend is that the dorm used to be a brothel or that the women living there, uh, sold themselves to get money for the war effort). During class, one of the girls had to say a Three Musketeers line whenever the teacher uttered the word 'fencing'; she learned to spell it out pretty quickly.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...

With all that's been going on around here, I haven't gotten much of a chance to update. Luckily, I have a few spare minutes to give all the juicy details of my thrilling existence.

On Friday, I finally flew home. It was a 6:00 flight, which was good because I needed time to finish up some yearbook spreads. I got on the train at around 3:30 and got to the airport at around four. It was a good thing that I left myself enough time, though, since it took me 40 minutes just to check my luggage. I later found out that I could only take one carry on, and I had to check my backpack before getting on the plane. Fortunately, most of my things were already in my other bag anyway. The plane ended up leaving 45 minutes late, as one of the passengers couldn't find their insulin and had to be escorted off. After landing in LA, I found my dad and sister, picked up my luggage, and went back home.

On Saturday, I met Marina and Sherilyn to see The Lion King at the Pantages theater in Hollywood. First, we went to a new mall that had opened in the area which my sister had told me about. After wandering around there, we made our way to the theater and saw the show. It was pretty well-done; many of the designs and dances were really wonderful. I'm glad that we got to see it.

After seeing Marina and Sherilyn off the next morning, I went with Chrissie to do some pre-Christmas shopping. It wasn't too bad at first, but as the day dragged on, the lines got pretty long and I was tired out. After dinner, we started wrapping the presents we had gotten. I had to stop once it had gotten late, but I was able to work on part 2 of my comic, which I'll try to put up soon.

Today has been uneventful so far, though my family is planning on seeing a movie later today.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great holiday season!

1997 Trip: Leaving London

Today we went to Hamley's the biggest toy store in the world (5 stories) & got some stuff, like stuffed animals (me & Chrissie), posters (m & C), small trinkets (C), a "Gromit" pen (M), & craft books (Mom). After having lunch, we saw Jesus Christ Superstar, at the Lyceum (I rate it between Oliver & Guys & Dolls - pretty good). After dinner, we went back to the hotel to get ready for bed.

1997 Trip: Visiting Rochester

Hi there!! Sorry I haven't written, but I haven't had the time. Here's a synopsis of what has happened so far:

1. We went on a tour of the Mayo clinic. Before the tour itself, we watched a dumb 70's film about Americans in France which we laughed through (Chrissie does a great imitation of the "pecan" part) & a dull one about the founding of the clinic itself. The tour was pretty nice and the older building has a classy style. Then we went to get Sean and went went over to the galleria (accessible through an elevated walkway), a nice Barnes & Noble, and the gallery which had Sean's artwork (medieval-style manuscripts). Sean left & we then saw the Rochester federal buildings and the nearby lake. We reunited for dinner at Henry Wellington's and, later, Baker's Square pies at Betsy & Sean's home.
2. We went over to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, looked through the shops, went on some rides in "Camp Snoopy," went through "Underwater World," and ate at the "Rainforest Cafe." I learned not to go on the log ride, since, on the big drop, a huge wave went over the boat and straight onto me (I was in front, of course). At least I was set for "Underwater World." I would have preferred just getting sprayed, like on Splash Mountain, but oh well. In "UWW," a shark kept following dad overhead. We then walked around & had dinner.
3. Today we had breakfast in the hotel & are getting ready for Venice.

That's pretty much it. Bye!!