Monday Musings- Shoes, Eggs, and Travel Outfit

Happy Monday, ladies. This week’s musings are more random than ever, which I think is a sign of either genius or stress šŸ™‚ I’m guessing the latter.

What’s Your Fav?

I’ve been logging more miles on the treadmill lately, and as a result, my feet aren’t happy campers. Yesterday, I had to give them a break and just do some yoga at home. I’ve ordered a few different pairs of casual sneakers and these M. Gemi driving loafers that Elizabeth recommended last week. They were already in my cart, so her recommendation sealed the deal…fingers are crossed they fit.

PASTOSO DRIVING LOAFER

I love my Munro loafers and ballet flats,Ā  but I know our feet are all so unique they won’t work for everyone. I wondered what your favorites are. Do you have an especially comfortable brand of loafer or ballet flats to recommend? I’d love to do a round-up for you as a resource. BTW, my new AGLs showed up and don’t fit, so back they go. I checked the size against my old pair, and it’s the same, but I’ve obviously stretched the heck out of them as my feet have gotten wider with age. Sheesh.

Checked bags

I’ve only checked a suitcase once in 20+ years, and that last time it went badly. After I got to my gate, they canceled my flight, and it took me days to get my bag back. Luckily I was going home, but still! It confirmed I was better off just going carry-on. I will have to break that rule for my trip to Miami next week, and I’m sort of nervous about it. I know people successfully check their bags all the time, but I’ve only had disasters doing it. I’m bringing some outfits to shoot for the blog and just can’t get it all in my carry-on.

I often pack my hats inside my carry-on, but I decided this hat clip looked like a great idea because it will hold several hats simultaneously. I hope it arrives in time for my trip.

Cooking failures

I’ve become a fan of Egg bites lately but am struggling to make them successful. Starbucks does a fab job with theirs, and I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong, so I hope to get some ideas from you. I’m using four whole eggs, and the rest are egg whites. I put chopped red pepper, a tiny bit of red onion, and spinach in each cup, then top it with beaten eggs. Maybe, I’m putting too many veggies in mine??

THEY ARE NOT THE MOST APPETIZING LOOKING, BUT I PROMISE THEY TASTE GREAT AND ARE A GREAT QUICK BREAKFAST

My non-stick muffin pan is proving to be a disaster for these things. For my first batch, I sprayed the heck out of the pan, but they stuck, and I lost 1/3 of each one glued into the pan. Then I tried using muffin liners which turned the inside of the pan bright blue, so I worried they’d done the same thing to the eggs. They were also a nightmare to peel off the eggs, so we only ate the center and wasted a ton of the “bite”. These things aren’t large, to begin with, so I want to be able to consume all of them.Ā  I’ve been googling options lately and discovered food-grade silicone liners. Have any of you tried them? Everything I read seems to indicate they’re safe to use. I love crowd-sourcing ideas from you ladies, so any advice is welcome.

Outfit of the week

I have travel and what to wear on my mind this week. This one features the Eileen Fisher crepe pants that I never travel without. I have them in several colors, many over 15 years old. They’re super comfy, never wrinkle, and are machine washable.

SLIM KNIT PANTS / SLIP-ON SNEAKERS / BASKET STITCH SWEATER / OPEN CARDIGAN / SHOULDER BAG /Ā  NO SHOW SOCKS / HUGGIE EARRINGS / AIRPODS / CARRY-ON SUITCASEĀ 

The sneakers look super comfy, and the no-shoe socks will come in handy if you’re not TSA Pre and have to take off your shoes to go through security. Airpods or noise-canceling headphones are mandatory when I fly, and layers for fluctuating airplane temperatures.

Have you got any upcoming trips?

 

 

 

170 Comments

  1. I like the idea of the egg bites. Quick and easy to warm up in the morning! On our recent travels I put Apple Air Tags in each of our suitcases. Luckily we have never lost a suitcase. I don’t like to mess with the carry on bags.

  2. I am a daily walker and boy have I had to learn a lot about my feet and what shoes work. My Podiatrist said to always buy a half size bigger for walking shoes. I also need a bigger toe box. It really helps to get fitted. Have a wonderful trip.

    1. Iā€™m also leaning forward onto the balls of my feet when I walk, which is adding extra pressure. I think a podiatrist trip sounds like a great idea. I havenā€™t seen one in many years.

      1. You may need more padding in the forefoot if you have a heavy foot strike.

      2. I think you’re right

    2. Lynne A Johnson says:

      You might try when baking egg dishes to put the pan in another pan filled with water. My eggs cook better and don’t stick.
      I like Clark, Ecco, Sacony and Vionic shoes for comfort. Clarks nearly always fit my foot perfectly. I’m 75 and don’t have foot issues. Most shoes aren’t made as nicely as they used to be, but sadly, most things aren’t. Looking forward to your posts this week. There are some yummy colors for spring!

  3. Pat Englund says:

    The egg bites! I love Starbucks but Iā€™ve never attempted to make them at home. Iā€™ve bought the Costco version and theyā€™re ok but not as good. There are some great ideas here this morning.
    I have a favorite pair of flats that are cream with black patent heel and toe trim by White Mountain which I love. Theyā€™re super supportive and comfortable and can go polished casual or a little dressy. I love them for travel with nice black leggings and a long cardigan and simple accessories including a lightweight crossbody bag that I can put in my larger ā€œpersonal itemā€ that also contains some essential items.
    As for travel, we do long trips annually and itā€™s a challenge to pack for an extended stay.. Weā€™ve only had a few issues but itā€™s never nice. I like the idea of the air tags.
    I hope your trip is perfect in every way!

    1. You ladies always have the best ideas. Your travel outfit sounds much like what I wear.

  4. After several surgeries and breaks, my feet require comfort and support. I recommend On running shoes. I have 3 pairs now. The ones I use every day walking on the treadmill are these: https://www.on-running.com/en-us/products/cloudnova-26/womens/navy-white-shoes-26.99114. But I do still have days my feet hurt too much to walk. Also, I add Superfeet insoles to all my shoes. There are many different Superfeet insoles so I’d recommend going to a running store that sells them and they can help you figure out which ones will work best for you.

    1. I just ordered a pair of those. I hope they’re comfy. Thank you

  5. Hi Jennifer,

    Love your travel outfit! We have not visited FL, on our travel list though.

    Good luck, must try the egg bites! Thanks for being so humble and honest, it is the reason I read your blog first thing every morning.

    Safe travels my friend!

    1. Thank you, Mary Ann! I love this community of women and Iā€™m so glad youā€™re here.

  6. Perhaps try a carbon steel muffin pan. Once it’s seasoned, it should work fine. Chef Erica Wides (@funnypeoplemakingfood on IG – highly recommend!) turned me onto carbon steel. Another non-toxic option would be ceramic.

    Looking forward to seeing your trip outfits and I hope you’ll have a great time.

    1. Her account sounds great, too!

      1. I use Circulon baking pans of all types and everything just seem to slide right out of them without sticking. Perhaps that would work for your egg bites.

  7. Good morning Jennifer, I am enjoying reading A Well Styled Life! My advice to you in making egg bites would be to Sous Vide them. They turn out amazing and they taste better than Starbucks! If you do some research on this method of cooking you will find that you can sous vide almost anything!
    Have a wonderful trip and I am looking forward to hearing all about it! Sherry

    1. Good morning, Sherry. Youā€™re the second person to mention the sous vide. Iā€™m going to have to check into them. They sound fascinating.

  8. Deborah H says:

    Jennifer, my grandchildren love the Starbucks egg bites and my daughter bought an egg bite maker. I think she ordered it on Amazon. They cook evenly and look just like the Starbucks ones and she can control what goes in them.

  9. I have foot issues with bunions. I walk everyday and so as of right now I am wearing On Cloud, I like them but they can be pricey. I also need dress shoes and a nice pair of sneakers to wear out on the weekends. Its hard to find shoes the older you get.Thanks for everyones recommendation.

    1. Mary Frances says:

      If you have ball of foot issues, i recommend Fitflops with their heavily cushioned soles. You need to read about their various soles to get the most cushiest ones. Also, I highly recommend Hoka sneakers, but, again, read to find a Plush sole.

  10. Being a FL girl, its usually either Nikes or sandles. When my feet are really yelping, the most comfortable are fitflops – the only thing comfortable with a flare up of plantar fascititis. I use a silicone cupcake tray – no spray necessary & just throw in the dishwasher. I’ve never had lost luggage, knock on wood, but always anxiety causing to wait for checked luggage on the conveyor. Hope you have a fabulous vacation & trip.

  11. I recently bought a pair of Vivaia ballet flats, and they are wonderful. The claim of no break in time is true. Very comfy! Lots of styles and colors. And machine washable, which is great for a travel shoe. Happy travels!

  12. There are quite a few recipes for Starbuck egg bites online. I would have said that you are missing cream, which is what goes in a quiche, but it turns out that they use cottage cheese. Good luck.

  13. Love that travel outfit! Eileen Fisher crepe pants are truly perfect for traveling. I have had a black pair for over fifteen years–worth every penny. For shoes, have you tried Hoka? More like a workout shoe, but quite comfortable. P.S. I almost always check a bag and have only had problems with late luggage once. Chances are, you will be ok. But if you are worried, an air tag might be worth the cost. Have a great trip!

    1. They are the best! Iā€™m packing several this time. I bought an air tag after my last lost luggage experience šŸ˜

  14. Mary Charters says:

    For comfy shoes my very favorites are Rothy. The styles I find most comfortable are the round toe V, the point toe V and the original sneaker. Sneaker is a bit heavier but all are super comfy. I also have their loafer but it seems to run a tiny bit smaller. Probably perfect 1/2 size up though. My next favorite are Tory Burch ballet flats. Cole Hahn used to have Zero Gravity shoes that are like wearing slippers but not sure if they still make them.

    Now Iā€™m going to have to make some egg bites after hearing how great they are from everyone!

    1. Rothyā€™s are my favorite too! My current obsession is The Loafer. My feet have gotten too wide šŸ«¤ for the pointed toe flats I used to love. The Loafer is so cute, not quite a sneaker, a little dressier but still very comfortable.

      1. My Rothyā€™s are pretty well worn and old. I should try the loafer.

  15. beth byrd says:

    I’m not a traveler, but if I were I’d probably pack it all in a carry on. That way you know where everything is at all times. As for the egg bites, I use an aluminum pan with parchment liners and they come out perfect with no sticking. It looks like you make have too many veggies. Also, if you are using frozen spinach make sure all of the water is drained out. Your travel outfit is lovely!

    1. Iā€™m thinking too many veggies too. It only occurred to me as I uploaded my picture.

  16. Good morning! In all my years of traveling I have only had 1 misplaced checked bag incident – sending positive thoughts for your upcoming trip! I use the silicone muffin cops all the time and love them – I agree that you should cut back on veggies – they are probably adding too much moisture. Count me in the I Need New Sneakers Club – after hip replacement surgery my surgery leg is considerably shorter than the other causing back and ankle pain – I need better footwear and a walking routine! Loved the teals in the travel outfit – would definitely wear !

    1. Who knew sneakers were such an issue? Glad to hear your surgery went well. Iā€™m finding that having the right shoes is critical.

      1. I always fret about losing my luggage. My husband hates to drag even his carryon and always checks it, too. Despite flying to Florida every year and internationally twice a year, we haven’t lost one yet, not even when we miss a connection. I still believe it is just a matter of time… For ballet flats, I love Ann Klein and Naturlizer.

    2. I have had three hip replacements and also ended up with one leg 3/4ā€ shorter than the other. I ordered in-shoe heel lifts on Amazon to help even me out on the shorter leg and they help considerably. They come in different heights and colours so I can also use them in my Fitflop sandals and sneakers.

      1. Thank you so much for sharing those, Lynda. They sound so helpful.

    3. CathšŸ‡ØšŸ‡¦ says:

      Paula, I discovered that I have a length disparity as wellā€¦ due to scoliosis in my lower spine ā€¦ so other than having a good cobbler add 1/2-3/4 ā€œ to my left shoe, such as a slip on , I can add soft cushion lifts in shoes that have deep insides at back heel and that is all I require. Funny how ā€˜out of whackā€™ I feel when trying on new shoes without any lift on my left sideā€¦it is so obvious.
      Because having one shoe lifted, which can be rather expensive, I tend to buy shoes on sale ,if possible , to allow for the expense. I have hip and lower back because of this disparity, and rarely go shoeless anywhere. Even my slippers are fixed. Hope this gives you some ideas.

      1. Thank you for sharing, Cath

  17. Regarding the Egg Bites, I make mine with the same ingredients you do or I will put some bacon bits in as well. I do 3/4 eggs to 1/4 egg whites and they seem fine. I also use parchment paper muffin liners and they work wonderfully!

    1. I have parchment paper and never thought to try it. Sheesh. It seems a natural.

    2. I TOTALLY agree with the parchment muffin cups. I use them for Yorkshires and never have a problem and they make for an easy cleanup.

  18. I make baked eggs in my muffin pan … crack a WHOLE egg in each WELL sprayed muffin cup; use a fork and break the yolk, bake at 350 for 12-13 minutes. I remove them from the cup immediately … sometimes they stick a little, but not so much to be “disastrous” … I like to top my baked egg with hot sauce or salsa because I like them spicy šŸ˜‰ Maybe the key is to use whole egg.

    1. Thatā€™s beginning to seem like a big part of my problem. Thank you!

  19. Good morning! Always enjoy your blog and happy travels to you. Just wanted to share with you that I also have bad feet (cosmetologist standing on cement floors for 42 years) plus hips and lower back. I had to give up on treadmill and now only use the elliptical. It works great for my daily work out. A visit to the podiatrist every year and a list of approved shoes have helped immensely..
    Blessings to you.

    1. My favorite at home/walking shoes are the eSplash shoes from Easy Spirit.
      Not stylish but I have bunions, fallen arches, wide width, the whole gambit. I also have hot feet. These walking shoes/ sandals are amazing and work well for my issues. I have yet to find a stylish, comfortable pair of loafers or flats that offer any comfort. Mind you I own those shoes, just am crippled wearing them by the end of the night. When I was younger I crammed my feet into shoes that were not wide enough just to be stylish. As a senior, all I want is happy feet.
      https://easyspirit.com/products/splash-nubuck-flat-hiking-sandals-in-dress-blue-multi?_pos=7&_sid=a26156930&_ss=r

      1. I hear you!! I want happy feet too.

    2. I feel so short on the elliptical, as though I have to lean forward. Iā€™ll have to her then to show me what Iā€™m doing wrong.

      1. The elliptical is made for a long stride. We had one for years and my husband loved it and it always caused me problems. I am 5ā€™2ā€ and have short legs. I switched to the Nordictrack bike which now has a 22ā€ screen and with your Fitbit account you can ride anywhere in the world. So fun. Alternate with the treadmill and you get a better balance in your cardio workouts. Add light weights and a yoga routine and youā€™ll be magic.

      2. Thanks for explaining, Sydney. I have tried them several times and they hurt my lower back. This may be why.

    3. Jan Finger says:

      I’ve seen the hat holder in ads and am wondering if they really hold. I’ll be curious to hear how it works for you.

  20. Janis Laws says:

    Jennifer, as a daily walker for exercise, I too had my share of issues. My pediatrist recommended Hokaā€™s and Brookā€™s for activity and Vionic for dress.

  21. Silicone muffin cups (from Amazon) are great! I took muffin sized individual pizza bites to a meeting and they slipped right out of the cups and the clean up is a breeze. Use them all the time for individual servings .

    1. Great to know! Thanks

      1. Parchment paper baking cups will solve your muffins from sticking in the pan. It works like a charm! There is no need to buy new muffin pans. I made bran muffins this morning and they were prefect in my old muffin tins that Iā€™ve used for 40 years.

  22. Pat Patterson says:

    Good morning Jennifer, I also had checked luggage not arrive with me at my destination. Iā€™ve never rd used air tags but several friends have and say they would never travel without them. My husband and I are taking a nine day Mediterranean cruise in august and will be checking 2 bags, hoping for the best šŸ˜„. Have a great time in Miami. Safe travels

    1. Your cruise sounds dreamy. Have fun

  23. I so enjoy your Monday musings, the more random the better.
    Have you thought of going for a shoe fitting at a specialty running store? As a former runner, I still buy my walking shoes at The Running Room as they are experienced at finding the shoe that is the best fit for you.

    1. Thatā€™s a great idea. Iā€™ll need to drive a ways to find one but the payoff will be worth it.

  24. Iā€™ve been making Vegetable Quiche Cups from the South Beach Diet for many years. The ingredients are the same as what you are making, so you may want to give it a try (the recipe can be easily found by googling). The cups are small, only about halfway up the muffin cups, low cal, and delicious. They are good hot or at room temperature, and Iā€™ve often taken then to gatherings as an appetizer. They are always eaten right away.

    1. Those sound yummy. I just checked the recipe. The joy sauce sounds like a great idea! Thanks

  25. I can heartily recommend the silicone muffin cups. I have had mine for years, bought them at Crate and Barrel. The egg or conventional muffins slip out with ease and clean up is a breeze, either by hand or in the dishwasher. (Mine look like the paper ones, without the little handles, and are also available on Amazon for half the price)

    1. Great to know. Thank you.

  26. Joe Ann Kingdon says:

    Jennifer, we have been making “egg cups” for my husband for several years and after disasterous results from those nonstick muffin tins, I found that these all aluminum heavy duty ones work splendidly–with little spray and hand washing:
    Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Muffin Pan, 12 Cup–from Amazon, of course! I will say that we use a dozen whole eggs so maybe that makes a difference?
    Good luck!

    1. I was wondering if the whites made a difference. Thanks Iā€™ll check that pan out.

  27. I know other people who have used Fed Ex and UPS as Janet suggested. My friends have had good results with this option. Safe travels Jennifer.

  28. Kathleen Ryan says:

    Really appreciate your input on shoes. Iā€™m tiny but my feet are wide at the toe (bunions!) and narrow at the heel so Iā€™m going to try some of your suggestions.
    I NEVER check a bag, either!

    1. Let us know what works for you

  29. Good Morning Jennifer – Lost Luggage Option – Since we are experiencing so many air cancellations, have you thought about Fed Ex, UPS, other mail delivery services for overnight delivery to your hotel? This has worked in the past for my by alerting the hotel that the luggage would be arriving. Also eliminates baggage claim. Have a wonderful trip to Miami?

    1. I discovered Mgemi shoes a few years ago and love them. They are so comfortable and cute. I have a size 5/5.5 foot and they came in my size. Great as your feet widen and last. They run a bit large, but worth every penny. I find the regular loafers better than the driving ones. I have begun putting AirTags in my luggage. They were so helpful when British Air lost my luggage at Heathrow. Enjoy your trip. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

    2. I had not thought about that and itā€™s a brilliant idea. Thank you, Janet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *