Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[EmileH]

Your suspicions about artificial sweeteners making you feel hungrier has been confirmed by research. Unfortunately, I cannot drink black coffee, but with a little steamed soy (no lactose for me) I can avoid the sugar or equal. As mentioned, I do use stevia at times. I think it is the best of the not-great options. It is an herb, natural, but it has a bitter aftertaste unless it is processed to remove those bitter compounds, becoming no longer natural.

I am always considering rain boots since I live in Seattle, but I am unclear on the function and logistics. Do you wear them over your real shoes like galoshes? Do you bring your real shoes in your bag and change at your destination? Do you leave your boots in your car? I don't mind bringing extra things with me; for example a jacket to take on and off during the day, but it is much less messy to carry around a jacket compared to wet boots.

I agree wholeheartedly. The artificial sweeteners are bad in the long run. Stevia appears to be the best. But who knows what they will tell us tomorrow. I do crave a Diet Coke every 3-4 months and I just go for it. I can't believe I had those stupid Starbucks sugar free lattes everyday for 5 years.

Boots: in New England in the winter I refuse to wear my good shoes or boots outside. Once it starts to snow everything is a mess with ice, snow, mud and salt. I will wear snow boots outside and I carry my inside shoes or boots with me to work. I used to look like a bag lady with my lunch bag, shoe bag and purse. I broke down and bought a neverful GM. That can hold my insulated lunch container and my shoes in a shoe bag. Hopefully it looks a bit more presentable.

Other than work, where I have to go, I just won't go anywhere that they snow isn't cleared and the sidewalks cleaned it I can help it. I prefer valet parking. [emoji23] But I should invest in some nicer looking snow boots. It always seems a waste since they are going to get dirty.

 

[nicole0612]

He seems like a keeper.

Yes, I certainly hope so [emoji6] He loves things that are well-made and fashionable, but he doesn't like showing labels, which I find very attractive in a man (in anyone). His taste has rubbed off on me over the years, he prefers things a bit "fancier", eg he loves patent leather shoes/bags and dislikes distressed leather and I have come around to his point of view (though I still prefer matte leather above all). Maybe it is his influence, maybe it is just getting older.

I can't stand the rain. Especially when I have to be out in it for hours. It has been getting darker a lot earlier here too.

I can't stand it either. But I guess the good and bad of it is that summer will be here again before we know it. Time passes so fast always.

 

[nicole0612]

I agree wholeheartedly. The artificial sweeteners are bad in the long run. Stevia appears to be the best. But who knows what they will tell us tomorrow. I do crave a Diet Coke every 3-4 months and I just go for it. I can't believe I had those stupid Starbucks sugar free lattes everyday for 5 years.

Boots: in New England in the winter I refuse to wear my good shoes or boots outside. Once it starts to snow everything is a mess with ice, snow, mud and salt. I will wear snow boots outside and I carry my inside shoes or boots with me to work. I used to look like a bag lady with my lunch bag, shoe bag and purse. I broke down and bought a neverful GM. That can hold my insulated lunch container and my shoes in a shoe bag. Hopefully it looks a bit more presentable.

Other than work, where I have to go, I just won't go anywhere that they snow isn't cleared and the sidewalks cleaned it I can help it. I prefer valet parking. [emoji23] But I should invest in some nicer looking snow boots. It always seems a waste since they are going to get dirty.

I believe anything in moderation is OK, with a few notable exceptions. A few diet cokes per year or a few sugar-sweetened drinks are fine, it is when it becomes part of the regular routine that there is a problem. Good for you for kicking the sugar free latte habit. I worked very hard to stop using a lot of Equal in the past. I had quite a bad habit with it.

I see what you mean about the boots, in dirty or salty snow it becomes essential. We do not get much snow here, but we get such deep rain running down the streets at times that it will also ruin shoes (or just go right inside of them if they are not above the ankles).
I am also quite the bag lady going to work. I will never be a mini bag person unless the mini bag is inside another bigger bag. Right now I have 1) a work bag with my lunch, some files, gloves and an umbrella (I can also fit a pair of shoes), 2) another bag with my breast pump and accessories (I refuse to carry the yellow nylon bag that the pump came with) and 3) a third bag (my purse). Soon I will also be carrying a winter coat. It is ridiculous.
Do you wear your boots to your office and then change inside the office? That does sound like the cleanest method, though it involves tramping wet boots down the indoor hallway.
The Neverful is one that I have never quite jumped on. I use a really similar bag for my work bag, this LV empreinte leather bucket tote, but the straps are so thin that they dig into my arm. I always assumed the NF would have the same problem.

 

[EmileH]

I believe anything in moderation is OK, with a few notable exceptions. A few diet cokes per year or a few sugar-sweetened drinks are fine, it is when it becomes part of the regular routine that there is a problem. Good for you for kicking the sugar free latte habit. I worked very hard to stop using a lot of Equal in the past. I had quite a bad habit with it.

I see what you mean about the boots, in dirty or salty snow it becomes essential. We do not get much snow here, but we get such deep rain running down the streets at times that it will also ruin shoes (or just go right inside of them if they are not above the ankles).
I am also quite the bag lady going to work. I will never be a mini bag person unless the mini bag is inside another bigger bag. Right now I have 1) a work bag with my lunch, some files, gloves and an umbrella (I can also fit a pair of shoes), 2) another bag with my breast pump and accessories (I refuse to carry the yellow nylon bag that the pump came with) and 3) a third bag (my purse). Soon I will also be carrying a winter coat. It is ridiculous.
Do you wear your boots to your office and then change inside the office? That does sound like the cleanest method, though it involves tramping wet boots down the indoor hallway.
The Neverful is one that I have never quite jumped on. I use a really similar bag for my work bag, this LV empreinte leather bucket tote, but the straps are so thin that they dig into my arm. I always assumed the NF would have the same problem.

Yes, I change at the office. I try not to track in too much dirt but it's inevitable.

The straps on the neverful are thin. They mostly stay put. The nice thing is that if it gets ruined after a few years I will just replace it. And if it's really bad weather I can throw my wallet in it and not bring a purse. You have me beaten with the breast pump. That's one less bag I have to carry. I'm in awe of all that you moms do.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I also want to chime in on some safety issues.
1. Never click on a link in an email that you do not trust. Look at the originating email addy. That's one of the ways to verify the source. If you want to go to the email address, type it in. That way there's no malicious code.
2. Never volunteer personal information to anyone, unless you call a verified number, like the one on your credit card or go to a site you trust and it has the secure connection icon in the browser heading.
3. No one ever gives out free stuff, even if you fill out a survey.
3. If you think it's a scam, it most likely is; do a quick google search on the info or phone number associated with it first before you do anything.
4. Facebook too. DH was less savvy than I thought and sent me a link to a FB scam for free AMC movie tickets. I clicked on the link and when they wanted me to send the link to 15 friends, I knew it was a scam. Since I clicked on the link, I brought my iPad to the Mac store so they could run a diagnostic on it. Luckily it was fine.
5. The IRS never calls you if you have a problem.
6. Clicking on a link is how malicious code can get loaded onto your device. Periodically, delete the cache on your devices too.

 

[etoupebirkin]

For winter boots, I bought a lovely pair from Bottega Veneta. They are rubber with he interlocking leather pattern embossed on them. I bring my shoes separately. I'm a bag lady too. I carry my laptop in a Barenia and crinoline cross body Hermes Computer bag (rare find). I have my handbag and a third one to carry lunch, shoes etc.

I've been bad with shoes of booties of late. My favorites are a pair of Gravati low booties, Chloe high top suede sneakers and the MiuMiu ballet flats. I have not worn the H booties or the Prada black suede pumps yet.

 

[scarf1]

The same thing has happened to me multiple times! It is such a creepy, invasive feeling that people are out there with schemes like this. I figured out quickly not to call them back, but one time I was tricked. I got a letter from my credit card stating that "John Smith" (some named individual) had opened an account using my name and that if I wanted to dispute this to call the 1-800 number listed. When I called, a representative from the credit card answered and asked me to verify my info. I gave him my cc number, my name and was starting to give him my birthdate before I suddenly got a weird feeling. I put him on speaker phone and my husband came over. He told me to hang up the phone. He called the 1-800 number on the back of the card and we were told that this was a scam and to never call a number on a letter no matter who it is from, always call the card/bank directly. This letter from my "credit card" came with the same letter background, letterhead and logos that the real letters that my credit card sends to me (for example when they are notifying me of some little policy change). I fell for this scam because 2 people HAVE actually tried to open accounts in my name in the past, so I was in such a rush to stop the fraud that I fell right into their hands, exactly as intended.

Wow! I might have fallen for this one. It seems like once every 1-2 years, we get a fraudulent charge on one of our CC, and have to get a new card. A bit of a hassle, particularly if that card is tied to auto-pay for some bills.
I always notify the CC company before overseas travel.
I wish the us would switch to the European method for swiping cards at restaurants. There, the waiter brings the machine right to your table to scan your CC. ther is no chance for them to copy your CC info.

 

[katekluet]

For winter boots, I bought a lovely pair from Bottega Veneta. They are rubber with he interlocking leather pattern embossed on them. I bring my shoes separately. I'm a bag lady too. I carry my laptop in a Barenia and crinoline cross body Hermes Computer bag (rare find). I have my handbag and a third one to carry lunch, shoes etc.

I've been bad with shoes of booties of late. My favorites are a pair of Gravati low booties, Chloe high top suede sneakers and the MiuMiu ballet flats. I have not worn the H booties or the Prada black suede pumps yet.

Twins on the BV rubber boots, EB! They are cute and work well for rain....I've had mine a few years and they still look brand new...of course, not too much hard weather in California. I love BV shoes, and they really hold up. I just got two pairs of the patent leather low heels in rouge h and the best blue....go with jeans or dressy outfits.

 

[eagle1002us]

Rain coming for you? Our rainy season has arrived in full force.
The worst part is the days getting shorter. In the summer there is enough light to do things outside until 10:30pm. In the winter it is black out by 3:30 sometimes if it is raining/dark skies. I believe our actual winter sunset is around 4pm. In the last few months it has gone from having a few hours of sun after work to dark skies when I leave.

Sounds a bit like living in Labrador. Maybe Seattle and Labrador are same latitude? But it's interesting what you say. I did not know the climate in Seattle was so "northern." I heard someone checking into a hotel in Portland say that Portland's climate was just like Scotland's.

 

[Cordeliere]

Wow! I might have fallen for this one. It seems like once every 1-2 years, we get a fraudulent charge on one of our CC, and have to get a new card. A bit of a hassle, particularly if that card is tied to auto-pay for some bills.
I always notify the CC company before overseas travel.
I wish the us would switch to the European method for swiping cards at restaurants. There, the waiter brings the machine right to your table to scan your CC. ther is no chance for them to copy your CC info.

DH came up with the bright idea of having all our auto pay put on a single card that we don't carry. In our case, the Amazon visa. That seems to reduce the opportunities for fraud and we haven't had to change all of those auto pay in a long time.

But the idea of fraud not happening on cards that are not carried doesn't always hold true. We have a lot of credit cards but mainly only use two. We had a unordered Dell computer show up at our house that was charged to one of the cards that sits in the drawer. We called Dell. It seems someone in Kansas ordered it but for some freaky reason it showed up at our house instead of the address the fraudster gave. And when it didn't come to the fraud perp, he ordered another. I am thinking he purchased our credit card info off the dark net.

It is on my resolution list to sign up for one of those credit card monitoring deals. I like that they monitor whether your info is being sold on the dark net. I researched them all and picked one, but just haven't filled out the ap.

 

[gracekelly]

I also want to chime in on some safety issues.
1. Never click on a link in an email that you do not trust. Look at the originating email addy. That's one of the ways to verify the source. If you want to go to the email address, type it in. That way there's no malicious code.
2. Never volunteer personal information to anyone, unless you call a verified number, like the one on your credit card or go to a site you trust and it has the secure connection icon in the browser heading.
3. No one ever gives out free stuff, even if you fill out a survey.
3. If you think it's a scam, it most likely is; do a quick google search on the info or phone number associated with it first before you do anything.
4. Facebook too. DH was less savvy than I thought and sent me a link to a FB scam for free AMC movie tickets. I clicked on the link and when they wanted me to send the link to 15 friends, I knew it was a scam. Since I clicked on the link, I brought my iPad to the Mac store so they could run a diagnostic on it. Luckily it was fine.
5. The IRS never calls you if you have a problem.
6. Clicking on a link is how malicious code can get loaded onto your device. Periodically, delete the cache on your devices too.

Absolutely wonderful advice. Just because you have advanced degrees and business success doesn't mean that you can't fall for one of these scammers. My favorite instance was when an acquaintance, a superior court judge, fell for a scam involving Paypal. She gave all her personal information and had a heck of a time undoing the damage. The IRS scam is particularly upsetting to senior citizens. My mother used to receive letters from some group stating that if she did not donate money to them, her Medicare benefits could be in jeopardy. It actually frightened her even when I told her to tear up things like that.

With the you have won a free cruise phone calls, I don't even answer my phone unless I recognize the number. I figure that if it is a legit call, the person will leave me a message and I will call them back. The do not call list hasn't worked in forever!

 

[gracekelly]

DH came up with the bright idea of having all our auto pay put on a single card that we don't carry. In our case, the Amazon visa. That seems to reduce the opportunities for fraud and we haven't had to change all of those auto pay in a long time.

But the idea of fraud not happening on cards that are not carried doesn't always hold true. We have a lot of credit cards but mainly only use two. We had a unordered Dell computer show up at our house that was charged to one of the cards that sits in the drawer. We called Dell. It seems someone in Kansas ordered it but for some freaky reason it showed up at our house instead of the address the fraudster gave. And when it didn't come to the fraud perp, he ordered another. I am thinking he purchased our credit card info off the dark net.

It is on my resolution list to sign up for one of those credit card monitoring deals. I like that they monitor whether your info is being sold on the dark net. I researched them all and picked one, but just haven't filled out the ap.

I like that!! Yes a real PIA if you have to change all of those.

 

[nicole0612]

Yes, I change at the office. I try not to track in too much dirt but it's inevitable.

The straps on the neverful are thin. They mostly stay put. The nice thing is that if it gets ruined after a few years I will just replace it. And if it's really bad weather I can throw my wallet in it and not bring a purse. You have me beaten with the breast pump. That's one less bag I have to carry. I'm in awe of all that you moms do.

I am a huge fan of things that I don't have to worry about ruining! That is why I like LV to use and abuse, it is nice quality but not too precious to have to protect it
Yes, the breast pump can be left at home in a few months thankfully. I am one of those moms who is not at all a "mom" type. I am not into kids, but of course I love my own kid to death.

 

[nicole0612]

I also want to chime in on some safety issues.
1. Never click on a link in an email that you do not trust. Look at the originating email addy. That's one of the ways to verify the source. If you want to go to the email address, type it in. That way there's no malicious code.
2. Never volunteer personal information to anyone, unless you call a verified number, like the one on your credit card or go to a site you trust and it has the secure connection icon in the browser heading.
3. No one ever gives out free stuff, even if you fill out a survey.
3. If you think it's a scam, it most likely is; do a quick google search on the info or phone number associated with it first before you do anything.
4. Facebook too. DH was less savvy than I thought and sent me a link to a FB scam for free AMC movie tickets. I clicked on the link and when they wanted me to send the link to 15 friends, I knew it was a scam. Since I clicked on the link, I brought my iPad to the Mac store so they could run a diagnostic on it. Luckily it was fine.
5. The IRS never calls you if you have a problem.
6. Clicking on a link is how malicious code can get loaded onto your device. Periodically, delete the cache on your devices too.

Excellent info. Thank you.

 

[nicole0612]

For winter boots, I bought a lovely pair from Bottega Veneta. They are rubber with he interlocking leather pattern embossed on them. I bring my shoes separately. I'm a bag lady too. I carry my laptop in a Barenia and crinoline cross body Hermes Computer bag (rare find). I have my handbag and a third one to carry lunch, shoes etc.

I've been bad with shoes of booties of late. My favorites are a pair of Gravati low booties, Chloe high top suede sneakers and the MiuMiu ballet flats. I have not worn the H booties or the Prada black suede pumps yet.

Glad I am not the only bag lady! Do you have a pic of the BV winter boots by any chance? They sound great.