24
Apr
Down-filled bedding doesn’t belong in a landfill, especially when there are many better options for…
The post How To Reuse or Recycle a Down Comforter (and Why You Should) appeared first on Earth911.
Month: April 2025
23
Apr
Should you move to avoid climate-related extreme weather, drought, or disasters? There is certainly an…
The post Home Buying Risks From Climate Change appeared first on Earth911.
23
Apr
Dig into the history of the the green transition on this Best of Earth911 Podcast…
The post Best of Earth911 Podcast: Green Hydrogen’s Role in Decarbonizing Industry and Daily Life appeared first on Earth911.
22
Apr
Bubble hems had their big fashion breakout moment in 2024, and this year, they’re only getting bigger (literally and figuratively). What started with mini dresses and skirts has blown up into full-on mania, with the voluminous look now bubbling up in just about every category imaginable. We’re talking bubble-hem tops, matching sets (skirts! pants!), and maybe the cutest twist yet: bubble shorts. (No surprise there — we did call pantaloons as a major spring 2025 fashion trend, and these sweet bloomers are right on cue.)
Just like at the start of last year’s resurgence, these puffy silhouettes aren’t just a fleeting trend — they’re sticking around because they’re fun, wearable, and surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re after crisp poplin minis, floaty printed midis, denim bloomers, or a vacation-ready two-piece set, there’s a bubble-hem moment waiting to round out your spring and summer wardrobe. Ahead, the very best ones to shop now.
From left to right: Alaïa, Khaite, LaQuan Smith
Bubble Hem Tops
The bubble hem gives spring and summer classics a twist, turning tanks, cropped blouses, and cotton and eyelet tops into standout pieces thanks to bold colors, sculptural silhouettes, and special detailing like peplums.
Bubble Hem Shorts
Shorts, but make them Victorian. This look is all about taking boudoir style into the daylight — whether it’s a lace-trimmed bloomer or a classic gingham print. The trick? Balance the sweetness with a longer trench, tall socks, and Mary-Jane flats to give the silhouette a more substantial, styled-up feel.
Bubble Hem Sets
Double the bubble, double the fun. Sets are always a dream for taking the guesswork out of getting dressed, and now bubble hems are giving the formula a playful upgrade. Think oversized button-downs with balloon shorts, cropped tanks with full skirts, and two-pieces ready for everything from OOO days to office hours.
Bubble Hem Mini Dresses
Bubble-hem mini dresses made their mark last year, and this season, the trend is leveling up with even bolder volume and new silhouettes. Whether a sleek mini, puff-sleeve frock, or smocked number, this season’s newest arrivals show just how versatile the look has become.
Bubble Hem Mini Skirts
The mini skirt is no stranger to a reinvention, and the bubble hem is its latest upgrade. Crisp pleats, ballooned denim, swingy A-lines — whatever your vibe, there’s a mini ready to add some literal bounce to your step.
Bubble Hem Midi Dresses
Bubble-hem midi dresses are leveling up with fresh twists, too — from ruffled strapless styles to bold patterns and punchy colors. Bright hues demand attention, while striped ruffles and delicate thin straps make these midis truly stand out.
Bubble Hem Midi Skirts
Last year’s bubble-hem midi skirts leaned crisp and classic in black and white — the perfect base for any wardrobe. This season, the trend is expanding: colorful cottons, bold prints, and breezy neutrals like khaki are bringing new life (and movement) to the silhouette.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
24 Spring Fashion Must-Haves Editors Are Wearing
22
Apr
You know when you have two friends from different groups finally for the first time, and you (being the common link) knew they would get along? Learning about Amika’s new collab with indie fragrance brand Ellis Brooklyn felt exactly like that — but in beauty product form.
For starters, both brands have roots in NYC, and as I chat with both Shapiro and Amika CEO Chelsea Riggs, it’s immediately clear this isn’t just another beauty collab — it’s a friendship. (“Amika” actually means “friend” in Esperanto, the world’s most popular international auxiliary language.) The fact that I also happened to find the dry shampoo I’ll be using nonstop this summer? A total bonus.
“Perk Up has been in the market for almost 15 years, and it’s also ranked as the number-one premium dry shampoo,” Riggs tells Refinery29. “We knew we wanted to have a moment for that, and fragrance was where we wanted to lean in.” Ellis Brooklyn was a natural fit; during our conversation, Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro shared that she was a former client of Amika’s (sadly, now closed) salon in Williamsburg. Kismet!
Amika x Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar Perk Up Dry Shampoo, $28
Just in time for summer, Amika has reimagined its bestselling Perk Up Dry Shampoo with the scent of Ellis Brooklyn’s Miami Nectar. The result? The same instantly refreshing dry shampoo, now with tropical notes of pink pineapple, coconut water, and amber. “We tested a bunch of different fragrances that Bee and the team sent, and I really thought we were going to end up with Sun Fruit, given the color and it feeling very Amika,” Riggs shares, adding that it was a lab sample of (then-unreleased) Miami Nectar that wont the team over. “It smelled as if Amika had gone to the beach.”
But this sun-soaked version of Perk Up isn’t just a way to refresh your roots and add a boost of volume; it’s an invitation to layer your fragrance for a unique blend of good smells. I’ve been using it nonstop in my hair, adding a floral scent like Aesop’s new Aurner Eau de Parfum when I’m feeling more feminine, or leaning more into the warm, woody notes by wearing something like Le Monde Gourmand’s Santal Supreme.
“We were thinking about what exactly is ‘functional fragrance?’” Shapiro tells me. “And at the end of the day, what’s more functional than my favorite dry shampoo with our amazing scent?” While Amika products are already beloved for their fruity-floral scents, Shapiro says this limited-edition collaboration was a chance to take things to a whole new level. “There are already amazing scents in hair, but we’re coming at it with a little bit more complexity [with this launch],” she adds. Miami Nectar Perk Up retails for $28 (the same as a full size of OG Perk Up), and is available at Sephora, as well as Amika and Ellis Brooklyn‘s respective websites.
If you’re not already using Amika products, chances are you could spot a brightly-colored, patterned can from across the room and know it was the brand’s. A closer look at the packaging reveals Easter eggs that nod to the fragrance (coconuts, pineapples, groovy florals) and Miami’s sun-and-fun lifestyle (pool slides, ice cream cones, seashells, and even a few dolphins). In the few weeks since I received an early sample to test, I’ve been using it nonstop — after workouts, to add texture to my style, or simply as hair perfume. (BTW, I’m a dark brunette, and this stuff disappears into my roots without a trace.) I was already a fan of Ellis Brooklyn’s Miami Nectar fragrance (especially as someone living in Miami) and Amika’s dry shampoo, so to have them combined into one? Nothing less than a match made in beauty heaven.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I Created A Signature Scent — For My Wedding
21
Apr
Bubble hems had their breakout moment last year. But if you thought they were a fleeting trend, think again.
What started with a few puffed-up skirts and dresses in the fall of 2024 has officially snowballed into a full-blown takeover: bubble-hem tops, shorts, matching sets — you name it. But if you’re a purist (or just love a good aughts throwback), the bubble skirt remains the gold standard for making a voluminous statement.
Designers have doubled down for spring 2025, delivering everything from Chloé’s dreamy high-low dresses to Alaïa’s sculptural duvet-like skirts, diaphanous draped versions at Stella McCartney, and cocktail-ready takes (hello, wedding guest season) at Emilia Wickstead and Dries Van Noten.
The best part? Bubble skirts are surprisingly wearable and easy to style. Pair a midi with a simple tank and loafers, layer a mini with a spring jacket and ballet flats, or throw one on with sneakers and a sweater tossed over your shoulders (so street style coded) — the drama’s built in.
Ahead, 16 bubble-hem skirts and dresses that’ll have you swishing through spring and beyond.
Bubble Hem Mini Dresses
From Free People’s bright red stunner to Reformation’s gingham drop-waist and Gap’s tie-strap mini, these bubble-hemmed dresses deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. Crisp cottons, airy prints, and easy silhouettes make them feel light, playful, and ready for every spring plan.
Bubble Hem Mini Skirts
The 2000s fashion favorite is officially back — and looking fresher than ever. Think utilitarian-inspired pleats, pinstripes, and pouffed-up color pops made for movement (and a good twirl).
Bubble Hem Midi Dresses
Bubble midis are getting the 2025 upgrade: dreamy draping, voluminous hems, and punchy tones built for sunny days and RSVP season alike. Whether you’re after floaty pastels, sleek sheers, or something in between, there’s a bubble midi for it.
Bubble Hem Midi Skirts
The silhouette that started with crisp black and white is getting a colorful refresh. This season’s bubble midis come in bright cottons, bold prints, and easy neutral shades, made for spring days, rooftop hangs, and everywhere else you want to make a sartorial statement.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
24 Spring Fashion Must-Haves Editors Are Wearing
21
Apr
The warm weather is begging us to lace up our shoes and start skipping, running, hiking, and dancing our way to summer. Enter: a fresh pair of spring sneakers — the perfect way to embrace a new season and refresh your wardrobe.
While fall’s back-to-school season brought us bold sneaker trends like Mary Janes and nostalgic wedges, spring is ushering in loads of new statement-making pairs. Some, like leopard prints and platform soles, have endured from last year, while others — think boxing sneakers and shoe charms — are stepping into the spotlight and earning their place in your rotation.
Read on for the seven spring sneaker trends that’ll be everywhere over the next few months, plus the best styles to shop now.
Ballerina Sneakers
On the feet of the popular coquette aesthetic, the ballet sneaker (aka “sneakerina”) trend is dominating this spring season. The whimsical It-girl-approved shoe has many interpretations, from slim ballet flats with rubber soles to sneakers with satin finishes and hybrid styles with Mary Jane straps and lace-up cords. After you pick the perfect pair, you’ll find yourself dancing throughout the season.
Silver Sneakers
Metallic sneakers have been trending for a while, but this spring, the focus is all on silver. From slim, sporty silhouettes to cushy, chunky soles, brands are embracing chromatic finishes in every form. Need more convincing? Cecilie Bahnsen just debuted a new Asics silver sneaker collab at Paris Fashion Week, proving just how versatile this metallic can be, dressed up or down with any outfit.
High-Top Sneakers
Queue the Rocky theme music — boxing-style sneakers are officially in the ring. And yes, you can wear them whether you’re training for a match or just making a statement. This might be the boldest take on the retro-meets-sporty sneaker resurgence. Whether you score a pair from an athletic brand or a high-fashion house, there’s no shortage of standout styles, especially in spring-ready shades like pink and yellow. You can also lean into the high-top trend with basketball-inspired kicks. Style them with classic athleisure or spring dresses for a knockout look.
Animal Print Sneakers
Yes, animal print — especially leopard spots — is still going strong in 2025. But to stay ahead of the trend curve, there are a few more patterns to keep on your radar this spring. Our prediction? Going all-in on cow print with sneakers as part of the equation. Trendy snakeskin and zebra stripes are also making waves across both lifestyle and athletic sneakers, including fun pops of color for a truly wild approach.
Hiking Sneakers
Hiking sneakers aren’t just for the trails — they’ve been hitting the streets, especially during Fashion Month. Translation: You don’t have to be an avid nature enthusiast to embrace their rugged aesthetic. Features like supportive and cushioned insoles, grippy outsoles, and durable waterproof materials make them an all-around win for days you’re clocking 10K steps or more. And thankfully, the era of clunky, not-so-cute hiking shoes is long gone. Vibrant, retro-inspired color combos and versatile neutrals lean into the “dad sneaker” vibe with a fashion-forward twist.
Platform Sneakers
Okay, platform sneakers never really went out of style, but right now, they’re majorly in. While suede Isabel Marant wedge sneakers made a comeback in fall 2024, we’re betting on souped-up classics this season, especially tried-and-true white versions as the look. Whether you go for a sleek, minimalist pair or a chunky, futuristic take, consider it the perfect way to dodge spring puddles in style.
Sneaker Charms
Bag charms have been stealing the spotlight — think beaded keychains, mini plushies, and coin purses — but now it’s time to give shoe charms their moment. Because let’s be honest, your sneakers deserve a little razzle-dazzle, too! From jewelry-inspired accents to quirky baubles and statement laces, these decorative add-ons usually come in sets, so you can mix, match, and customize to your heart’s content. Options abound, from beaded bows and vintage-y trinkets to shoelace clips and more.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
JD Sports Is Our One-Stop Shop For Spring Sneakers
21
Apr
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a vice president working who makes $305,653 per year and who spends some of her money this week on impulse-purchased chocolate chip cookies.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up diary. You can read the original diary here. All amounts appear in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stipulated.
Occupation: Vice president
Industry: Insurance
Age: 40
Location: Toronto, Ontario (I moved here from Chicago at the beginning of 2025).
Salary: $305,653, plus bonus (which this year was $198,871 in cash and $132,583 in RSUs. My bonus has fluctuated between $50,000 and what I received this year over the years I have been with this company); rental income for my US condo: $50,340 (USD); housing allowance: $53,775 (each year for the next two years); Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): $50,328 CAD (each year for the next two years). A quick note about my bonus: I’m aware that it makes a significant difference to my compensation, and I did consider how this could make the title of my diary seem misleading, but it is never guaranteed, so I treat it as just that — a bonus — every year.
Assets: Canadian checking account: $14,567; US checking account: $4,937 (USD); Canadian HYSA: $18,021; US HYSA: $86,954 (USD); US brokerage account: $121,842 (USD); IRA: $382,949 (USD); 401(k): $265,048 (USD); unvested RSUs: $13,210 (USD); condo value: $595,500 (USD) — this is according to Zillow. The assets I’ve listed do not include any of the payout for my bonus mentioned above — that hasn’t cleared my bank account yet.
Debt: Mortgage: $371,033 (USD)
Paycheck Amount (Biweekly): $6,801 — this includes the housing allowance, plus an additional $6,291 every quarter for the COLA; $4,195 (USD) monthly for rental income.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: Rent: $4,600 for a two-bed (plus den), 2.5-bath condo that includes all utilities (except internet) and a full gym, pool, tennis court.
Loan Payments: $0
Mortgage: $1,881 (USD). The mortgage, additional principal, and HOA are all covered by the rental income, which is $4,195 a month (USD). I make around $75 a month in net income from renting this out.
Additional Principal: $1,219 (USD).
HOA: $1,017 (USD).
Cell Phone: $50 (USD). I pay $90 to our family plan but my company reimburses me $60, which is ~$40 in US dollars.
Internet: $68
Netflix: $26 (USD). My sister pays for Hulu and Disney+ and we get Max for free from our cell phone company — although Max doesn’t work in Canada…
Charity: $50 (USD) — calm down, I give more to charity, but this is what I give monthly to World Central Kitchen and Planned Parenthood.
ESPP: $350
Home Cleaning: $486
Annual Expenses
US Credit Card: $95 (USD).
Monarch Money: $100 (USD).
Duolingo: $93 (USD).
Google Drive: $20 (USD).
NYT Games: $44 (USD).
LTD: $81
Amazon Prime Canada: $99 (includes DashPass).
Zwift: $196 (USD).
Canadian Credit Card: $120
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, absolutely. I am not really sure I ever realized there was a path other than a four-year university. My mom didn’t graduate college until I was in high school, so she was always adamant that we not repeat that. Plus, I was an excellent student, so the path fit. If I could go back and do it now, I would definitely go to community college for a couple of years and/or take a gap year — I was too young and too naïve and really struggled in college. I was fortunate that my parents paid for my schooling and room and board at a public state school. They said if I wanted to go out of state, I would have to pay the difference, so it was a no-brainer to stay in-state. I worked a couple of jobs every year to have spending money and was fortunate to graduate undergrad with no debt. I got my MBA while I was working full time a couple years later. My company at the time paid for 100% of tuition and books, so I was also able to graduate with my master’s with no debt as well.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
We learned how to balance a checkbook and had savings accounts. The message was always don’t spend more than you have and save as much as possible, but specifics were lacking. They did tell me to put as much as I could into my 401(k) when I started my first adult job, which was very good advice. We now talk more about finances since my parents are nearing retirement. It has been extremely helpful to see their perspective now as well as to know what their financial situation is to make sure they have enough to do what they want/need to in retirement.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked at a gym folding towels and cleaning locker rooms when I was 16. I got a free gym membership, and we had a lot of fun. I got it for spending money and an international student trip I was going on. I mostly used it for Auntie Anne’s pretzels and Abercrombie & Fitch sweatpants.
Did you worry about money growing up?
Worry is a strong term — aware is probably better. My parents divorced when I was very young and split custody. My mom remarried fairly quickly and was well off. We had a nice house, went out to eat, had all the latest gadgets, etc. My dad was single for a long time and was unemployed many times. We lived in a tiny apartment and never had any luxuries. We always had food on the table and were able to do school activities, but it was a strange mindset to have such opposite lifestyles for half the week. My dad remarried when I was in high school, and things evened out much more, and I wasn’t concerned after that.
Do you worry about money now?
Not really. I would like to retire early so I am always concerned I am not putting enough away or that I am doing too much reckless spending. I am prone to anxiety, so I’ve got to have something to worry about! But day to day (and even long term), I know I am in a good spot.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
At age 22, when I moved out of my parents’ house. I had a full-time job when I graduated college, but I lived at home for about 10 months (for free, thanks dad!) to save up money. I have a decent amount of savings as a financial safety net. I also know that I would be able to move back in with either set of parents if I needed to.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
My mom gave me $35,000 to help with the down payment for my first condo. The agreement was that I would pay her back with a percentage of the profit when I sold. However, I sold that condo for a loss, so she told me to just roll the money into a new condo. I also sold that second condo for a loss (buy high, sell low — that’s how real estate works right?!) so she told me to roll the money over again. If I had to guess, she will never make me pay it back. I know she gave my sister some money when she needed it with no expectation of repayment. But I will continue to ask her about it, as I am in a spot to pay her back if she wants me to. I assume we will inherit some money when my parents die, but my wish for them would be to spend everything they’ve got while they can, and I am planning my life as if that is the case. I also just started receiving $50,340 (USD) rental income annually when I rented out my condo after I moved at the beginning of the year. I make very little money off this; the intent was to cover my mortgage and HOA.
Day One: Monday
12:10 a.m. — I wake up to an awful noise. After a few delirious minutes trying to figure out what is happening, I realize the fire alarm is going off. I know I am supposed to wait for instructions, but I panic trying to decide if I should at least try to corral my cats into their carriers. I walk to all the windows to try to see if I see any smoke or fire and look out in the hallway. Nothing appears to be happening. They finally make an announcement that we should await further instructions (helpful…) so I sit tight, slowly pacing by all the windows to see if I notice any change. They make another announcement saying the fire department is on site and to keep waiting. After about 30 minutes of the alarm blaring every few seconds, the fire department finally makes an announcement that it was an accidental pull, and we can “resume our normal activities”. Like trying to get enough sleep. I finally fall back asleep around 1:30 a.m.
5:45 a.m. — My sunrise alarm starts to brighten, and I immediately shut it off before any noise happens and try to get some more sleep. At 7:30 a.m. I finally decide I must start getting up. I do my NYT games and Duolingo (185-day streak!), and read the news. I finally get out of bed just before 8 a.m. I grab a Diet Coke and decide I am too exhausted from my interrupted sleep to start work yet. I decide to read a couple chapters of my book The Three Lives of Cate Kay. I am almost done and can’t put it down. I also grab my laptop and some papers I need to read and bring them to the couch. I decide today will be a couch working day. I very rarely do this, but it is nice that I have the option when needed. I start my workday covered in a blanket and cats.
9:30 a.m. — I finally get around to making breakfast — a couple pieces of French toast leftover from yesterday. I also fill up my water glass so that I hopefully remember to drink water today. I brush and floss my teeth and wash my face and try to motivate myself to have a productive week. I have a day free of meetings (a rarity) so I try to take advantage of it. I move back to the couch and put on my Normatec compression boots. I have been ramping up my workouts the last month or so and haven’t had much recovery time, so I take advantage of my meeting-free morning to sit in those for a couple hours while I work.
12 p.m. — I have a productive morning responding to emails, reading some technical reports, and finalizing the itinerary and food for a multi-day meeting I am hosting later this week. I finish in my Normatec boots and decide it is time for lunch. I empty the dishwasher and then heat up some leftover pasta I made over the weekend. While I eat (and drink a Diet Coke of course) I read some more of my book. I am so close to the end! I have some fruit snacks for good measure.
1 p.m. — Back to work. I turn on some Parks and Rec in the background and do a little more work for my meeting this week and get through a few other things on my to-do list. I also send some info in for my taxes. My taxes are complicated this year as I have to file in two countries. My company is paying for the tax prep as part of my moving compensation, but it has still been a lot of work to get them everything they need. I drink a Cove orange soda to give myself some energy at some point.
4 p.m. — That’s enough for the day. I make sure my to-do list is in order for tomorrow and shut down my computer. Tomorrow will be an office day, so I make sure my gym bag and work bag are packed. I take some chili out of the freezer to defrost for dinner and head back to my book to finish it. Once I finish that, I heat up some chili and have that with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips and a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I watch a few episodes of Schitt’s Creek and heat up a frozen cherry pie and have a (large) slice. After a few more episodes, I take my vitamins, brush my teeth, wash my face and head to bed around 9 p.m. I put on more Parks and Rec and fall asleep by 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two: Tuesday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I immediately do my NYT puzzles and Duolingo before putting on my workout clothes, grabbing a cheese stick and heading to my personal training appointment at 7 a.m. I paid for 24 sessions a couple weeks ago for $3,100 ($129 per session), so I don’t pay anything today. There is no membership for this facility, you just pay for the sessions. I shower and get ready for work in the locker room and head to the office. I put on brown and black checked pants that are cute work pants, but also elastic waist, with a black tank, black blazer and black ankle boots. I settle into my desk around 8:30 a.m. and check my emails before my first meeting. I have a Diet Coke while I power through meetings up until lunchtime.
12 p.m. — We have a celebratory lunch meeting for a large piece of business we bound a few weeks ago. I get a sushi bento box and some zeppole for dessert. I don’t know how much the bill is because my colleague pays, but for five of us at a pricey restaurant, I imagine it was at least $300 (expensed).
2:15 p.m. — Back at my desk for another hour and it is a parade of people in and out of my office asking questions or chatting. We have another work even tonight, so I leave the office around 3:15 p.m. This time we are going to an escape room ($479, expensed) and then dinner. This is the first time many of my team members have seen each other in person (or I have met them), so it is great to have some team bonding time. I have never been to an escape room before so we will see how it goes!
4:30 p.m. — We escaped! It was fun and did turn out to be a good team building exercise. We head to a local bar/grill for dinner. Since we are so early, it is happy hour. Lots of drinks/mocktails/food and dessert is had by all. I don’t see the bill because my colleague pays, but I imagine it was around $400 (expensed). We chat for a while and then we all leave. I suspect many people decide to go out, but I head home.
7:30 p.m. — I get home and immediately change into pajamas. I feed my cats and watch a couple episodes of Schitt’s Creek before doing my nightly routine and heading to bed. I fall asleep around 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Wednesday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I snooze it a couple of times. I do my NYT puzzles and Duolingo and finally get up around 6:45 a.m. I brush and floss my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair, get dressed in jeans, a cute white blouse, houndstooth blazer, and black ankle boots and put on a minimal amount of makeup (foundation stick and mascara is about as fancy as I get). I head to the office and get to my desk around 7:30 a.m. I want to get a few things done before meetings the rest of the day. I drink a Diet Coke while I check my emails and prepare some documents for my meetings today.
8:30 a.m. — Our breakfast arrives ($265, expensed) and my team sits and eats together. We start our meeting right at 9 a.m. We have various sessions all day, some guest speakers, but mostly team discussions and trainings to help us have a successful year. This team, more than any other team I have managed, is super engaged and we have a really productive day.
12 p.m. — Lunch arrives ($295, expensed) and we take a break for an hour before heading back into our meeting for the rest of the afternoon and more productive sessions. My boss calls me into his office during our break to give me my bonus ($198,871 cash and $132,583 RSUs that vest in two years). Because I spent half of last year working for the US and the other half working for Canada, my bonus is very convoluted, and I had no idea what to expect. It is by far the biggest bonus I have received since I have been here (and this company is notorious for excellent bonuses) so needless to say, I am happy! I also receive a 1% raise, which is nice because I just started in August in this role and wasn’t expecting an increase to my salary so soon.
4:15 p.m. — We finish for the day. Everyone heads back to their desk to do some actual work before we head out to dinner around 5 p.m. We go to an Italian place, and everyone has drinks/mocktails and lots of food and good conversation. Dinner was $975 for 12 people (expensed.)
8 p.m. — We finish dinner and I head home. I assume most of the rest of the team stays out to have more drinks, but I am fried. I come home, get in pajamas and watch a couple of episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I feed the cats their wet food and some treats since I have been gone so much. I order a new litter mat and some face cleaning wipes from Amazon and head to bed around 9:30 p.m. after washing my face and brushing my teeth. $79.08
Daily Total: $79.08
Day Four: Thursday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I snooze a couple of times, then I do a few NYT games and my Duolingo and get up to take a body shower. I brush and floss my teeth and get dressed in jeans, a sweater, and rain boots, since it appears to be raining outside? I head to the office to do a bit of work before the rest of our team meeting this morning. I go back and forth about taking an Uber but just suck it up and walk. It is starting to turn into snow, which sucks, but is actually a little better for walking than cold rain.
8 a.m. — Our breakfast gets delivered ($268, expensed) and the team slowly trickles in and eats breakfast before our 9 a.m. start. Once everyone is settled, we dive into a few more topics before we conclude at noon.
12 p.m. — I have box lunches delivered so people can take them and go if they are heading to the airport ($302, expensed). I eat my lunch with the team and then go back to my desk to send out takeaways from our meetings as well as any follow up material I promised. I have two more quick meetings that could have been emails and decide to head home around 4:30 p.m. since my brain hurts.
5 p.m. — I change and get ready for spin class. I signed up for an introductory month with this studio and this is my last class. I can’t decide if I am going to continue — I like the owner and the spin classes but haven’t really enjoyed any of their other offerings.
6:30 p.m. — I get home from spin class starving. I take a quick body shower, heat up some leftover pasta and turn on Schitt’s Creek to veg out. I finish the NYT games I didn’t get to this morning and eat some leftover cherry pie. At around 9:30 p.m., I do my nightly routine and head to bed. I slept terribly the last few nights, coupled with extremely extroverted days, so I am exhausted and hope I sleep well tonight!
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Friday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I am not up for getting out of bed. I shut it off and go back to sleep for a bit. Once I am awake, I do my NYT games and Duolingo before getting up to brush and floss my teeth and wash my face. I put on leggings, a workout tank, and sweatshirt along with my gym shoes to get ready for my workouts later. I start a load of laundry, and I have an English muffin and butter for breakfast paired with a Diet Coke, since I am mostly out of food. Once I finish that, I head to my desk and start work.
9 a.m. — Why is Friday so busy? I have two meetings this morning before I head to my personal trainer for another session. I switch my laundry quickly before I go. At around 10:45 a.m. I log off and walk to my PT appointment at 11 a.m. We have a good session, and I know I am going to be sore tomorrow. I head back home and don’t have time for lunch before I have to jump into my 12:30 p.m. therapy session. I grab a cheese stick to hold me over. I was with my old therapist for five years, but since my move from the States, I have had to start with a new one. I thought it was important to find someone right away as I adjust to a new city/country, so I am planning to do monthly sessions. The cost is $190, but I get reimbursed $185 from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) within two days. $5
1:30 p.m. — A woman from TaskRabbit comes to hang all my artwork. This is the last thing I have to do to be fully settled in my new apartment. I have already figured out where I want everything, so I show her what needs to be done and then I do my work while she does hers, answering questions when needed. Once she is all settled and knows what she is doing, I heat up a bowl of chili and grab another Diet Coke. I do a bit more work, have one more meeting and then get myself organized for next week.
4:30 p.m. — I thought three hours would be enough time to get all of my pictures hung, but I grossly underestimated. Since I have to leave, I will have to have her come back another day. It cost $242 for three hours of work and everything looks great so far. I grab my Pilates socks and head out for my Pilates session. I take the bus since I am running late (the bus costs $3.30, but I use my prepaid Presto card). I paid $990 ($99 session) for 10 Pilates sessions a few weeks ago so I pay nothing today. Between this and the strength session, movement tomorrow might be problematic! $242
6:30 p.m. — I get home from Pilates and take a quick shower. I fold my laundry before heating up the last of my leftover spaghetti and have that with a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I should clean up the dust and put the room back in order from the work earlier, but I can’t get myself to do it. Instead, I watch a few more episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I really want some dessert but have nothing left in my house and use every last drop of willpower I have not to order something. I head to bed around 9:30 p.m., exhausted from the week and all my workouts today.
Daily Total: $247
Day Six: Saturday
6:15 a.m. — I wake up with a headache after a horrible night’s sleep. I lay in bed for a while trying to go back to sleep before giving up and doing my NYT games and Duolingo. I finally get out of bed around 7:30 a.m. and move to my couch with a Diet Coke. I decide to watch To Catch A Killer.
9:30 a.m. — I still have a headache, so I grab a cheese stick and see if doing a bit of work helps. I clean up the detritus from yesterday and put my furniture back in order. Once that is done, I start Roomba. I finally break down and take some Excedrin and brush/floss my teeth and wash my face.
11 a.m. — I was planning to go to a new brunch place but it’s pretty far away and it’s super cold out, so I decide to walk to a nearby food hall instead. I get a cheeseburger, Diet Coke and chocolate chip cookie ($21.75). Magically I start feeling better almost immediately. Was it the burger grease or the Excedrin? Who’s to say? On my way out of the food hall, I see a dessert place and impulse buy four cookies for later ($28.06). In case you are keeping track, yes, these four cookies did cost more than my entire lunch. They better be the best cookies I have ever eaten. $49.81
12 p.m. — Now that I’m refueled, I decide to brave the grocery store to stock up for the week. I am going on vacation on Friday, so I don’t need too much. I get berries, Greek yogurt, lunch meat, cereal, and pesto. This small shop doesn’t have any Diet Coke so I will have to stop somewhere else tomorrow. $34.39
1 p.m. — I get home and unload the groceries. Now that all my errands are done, I can settle on the couch for the rest of the day and rot. After scrolling for far too long trying to find something, I finally settle on Enola Holmes 2 since I watched the first one not too long ago. I make sure I’ve got water and a Cove orange soda, so I won’t have to get up for quite some time. I grab a couple of the cookies as a snack and they were definitely excellent cookies! Worth almost $30, not sure, but definitely top notch. I put on Back In Action and continue to rot on the couch covered in cats.
6:15 p.m. — I make some pasta with pesto for dinner and eat while I watch 21. Every time I watch this movie, I am convinced that I can count cards. Spoiler alert: I can’t, but it’s fun to think about being a high roller anyway. I put away my hang dry clothes and give Roomba a quick clean because she worked hard today. Since my day was so taxing, I decide to call it a night early and head to bed around 8:30 p.m. I take my vitamins, wash my face, and brush my teeth. I put on some Parks and Rec and try to fall asleep early.
Daily Total: $84.20
Day Seven: Sunday
7:30 a.m. — I woke up at 5 a.m. but was able to sort of fall back asleep. I lay in bed for a few minutes doing my NYT games and Duolingo before getting up. I grab a bowl of cereal (unfortunately I don’t have any hot dogs in my house, otherwise I would have had a couple for breakfast!!) and watch some campervan building videos. I have started thinking about building a van and have become pretty obsessed with the idea (reader please note she has no skills or know how to do such a thing). I should get on my bike trainer and do a ride but I’m not feeling up to it yet.
9:15 a.m. — I decide to go to brunch instead of working out. I brush and floss my teeth and wash my face and put on some fleece leggings and a wool top. It is extremely cold out, so I decide to take the bus part way instead of walking. It is $3.30 but I have money on my prepaid Presto card, so there is no charge today. I walk through Kensington Market on my way to brunch from the bus stop. Nothing is open this early on a Sunday, but I make some notes about places to go back to.
10 a.m. — I sit down to brunch and immediately order a chai latte to warm up and the char sui Benedict. I start a new book, A Killer’s Code, while I eat. The food is delicious and I’m glad I made the effort to come here today. $34.58
10:40 a.m. — I see the streetcar coming so I hop on that and take that back to the bus (both the bus and streetcar are covered by my prepaid Presto card, so no charge for these). The timing works out perfectly for the transfer, which caps off a good morning. I run into the grocery store before heading home to pick up a 12 pack of Diet Coke. Once I get home, I grab the last cold Diet Coke and the rest of the cookies from yesterday and sit on my couch to read some more of my book. $9.59
1 p.m. — I force myself to get up and ride my bike. I do a fitness threshold test since I haven’t been on my bike since I moved. It is the worst, but I am glad I get it out of the way. I watch some episodes of Parks and Rec while I ride. Once I finish that, I take a long Epsom salt bath and read some more then do a hair mask and face mask. Then I do a full shower before moving back to my couch. I have a cherry Coke Zero and spend the rest of the afternoon reading.
5 p.m. — I empty the dishwasher, feed the cats their wet food, heat up the rest of the pasta from last night, and drink a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I spend the rest of the night reading on the couch and am able to finish my book — it was a quick read, but good. One of the benefits of moving to a new city by yourself is you can have a quiet weekend alone without social obligations getting in the way, especially after a really long week. I am sure at some point it will get lonely, and I will wish for built in social connections again, but for right now, I am enjoying the freedom and solitude.
9 p.m. — I quickly check my calendar for the week and add some things to my to-do list before doing my nightly routine and heading to bed. I fall asleep around 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $44.17
The Breakdown
Conclusion
“I wasn’t sure if I should write a diary for a week when I had so many work events expensed, but after looking at my schedule over the past few months, I realized that weeks like these are more common than not. This week was pretty much what I expected. I started getting pretty religious about tracking my spending and net worth a couple of years ago when I decided I wanted to retire no later than 55. I wanted to write another diary after my move to see if my spending habits had changed much. Right now I am trying to balance getting to know a new city with staying within a budget. So far I am managing well, but it is still winter, so once summer comes, I am assuming I will want to get out more. I am looking for things that I can cut down/out that won’t dramatically change my life. Rent seems to be the easiest one — I love the apartment that I found and am not excited to move again, but seeing everything in print does give me something to think about.”
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