Why is this cool?

Well — it’s always cool to find your passion! And, helping other people find theirs? EVEN BETTER!!

What is this coaching stuff anyway?

Coaching is pretty neat.  It is sort of like working with a personal trainer — except in this case, you are not only setting goals and working towards them, you are also focused on the things that might be holding you back — thoughts, feelings and emotions that are preventing you from achieving success.  Until you figure out exactly what is stopping you, it is really hard to make a lot of progress.

Why does this matter to me?

Are you feeling stuck in your career or life? Are you feeling lost, tired, or confused? Or do you have a dream but you have no idea how to make it happen? What is that dream worth to you? This is why coaching matters — working with a coach helps you figure all of this out, and then make it happen!

What else is cool?

Two things: 1. Did we mention that there is also a blog? Helpful tips and tools for finding yourself and your life!

2. It’s a club — so you get the support of a coach AND a network — EVEN BETTER.  So, go and check out the new site at…

www.therevolutionaryclub.com!

(we’re kidding Ashley, um…. totally….. kidding… )

Anyway, back to Ashley. Besides her powerful proximity to a warehouse of wine, she is interesting to us in other ways. Like many of us, she wasn’t content to simply punch a clock day after day but instead decided to strike out on her own, be her own boss, and all that stuff that we all dream about. Not ONLY that, but she’s doing it with her husband/business partner Ryan (who just so happens to be a former classmate of ours from Belgium–we know, long story). So we thought, what a fascinating CityGirl life journey–finding love, marriage, wine, and your own business in one package. I mean, what a difference a few years can make, right?

Since she’s pretty much living our dream, we were eager to pick her brain and find out a little more about how she pulled this off. We’re also curious about that shiny mane of blonde hair and, worry not, we asked about that too.

Without further ado, meet Ashley!

***********************************

CGW: Hi Ashley! Let’s start with the basics. Name, place of birth, education?

A: My married name is Ashley Grace Sytsma. I used to be Ashley (no middle name) Southwick. I had a hard time ditching the part of my name that had to do with my heritage. And since “Ashley Southwick-Sytsma” seemed like a mouthful, I took my mother’s middle name as my own to hold onto some of my pedigree.

I am thirty years old, and I was born in the OC…Newport Beach, CA. I am forever grateful that my parents took me out of SoCal when I was seven and raised me in Seattle, WA. I have nothing against the OC, per se. I just have more grunge-loving, granola-eating, coffee-drinking tendencies than Newport Beach would foster.

I graduated from the University of Washington in 2003 with a double degree in International Relations with a focus on Latin America and Spanish. However, I spent much of my college time studying and working in Ecuador and Bolivia.

I completed one day of law school in 2005. It wasn’t law classes that scared me. It was the “how to manage your student loans” class.  I wanted to go to law school, but I also didn’t want $150,000 in debt. I ran as fast as I could, and I’m glad I did. I spent the next two years being a professional mosaic artist. But that’s a different story.

CGW: How tall are you? (Indulge us. There is a 6 inch height difference between us and we’re height obsessed)

A: At a little over 5’9”, I am actually the short one in my family. My father is 6’8”. My brother is 6’5”, and I have an uncle that’s 7’1”. Sometimes I wish I broke the 6’ mark, so I fake it with heels. Good thing my 5’10” husband likes his tall-blondy wife!

CGW: We’ll count that one as a win on Christie’s side then. Speaking of your husband, we’re dying to know –how did you meet him and how did you know he was the ONE?

A: Ryan and I worked together at the World Affairs Council. When I first met him, I must admit that I wasn’t too impressed. He came across as “boring”, but if anyone knows Ryan will tell you, that is far from the truth. We worked closely together on a large black-tie event that included a lot of long nights and a ton of stress. We became friends and confidants quickly under those conditions.

I can remember the very moment when I fell in love with him. The event was over. The last attendees had gone. I was standing exhausted in the foyer. He walked out of the ballroom, and with his hands in his adorable suit pockets, he strutted confidently…proud of the event…toward me. We had done it! The event was a smashing success. And we did it together. And it was time to party.

From that moment on I knew this was someone I wanted around me all the time. That project set the stage for many other great projects and adventures to come.

CGW: Wow, we kind of love that you debunked the love at first sight concept. It’s like Patti Stenger says, women are fondue pots. You have to add heat SLOWLY or they’ll burn out. And hey, looking at this photo, we are dying to ask you. How do you get your hair to be so long and thick and beautiful and blonde? Seriously, what’s your secret?

A: Have parents with thick, blonde hair genes. Wish I had tips, but it just grows that way!

CGW: Figures! Ok, let’s move on. We want to ask you about some of your favorite things.

Favorite pair of shoes you own?

A: My vintage Goodwill cowboy boots.

CGW: Favorite cocktail?

A:  Old fashioned fall and winter. Portonic winter and spring.

CGW: Favorite wine drinking memory?

A: Sitting cross-legged with Ryan in Sienna’s square…drinking a super Tuscan out of the bottle…munching on floppy slices of pizza…watching Italian teenagers strut their stuff.

CGW: We believe that female friendships basically make the world go round. Who is your best friend?

A: My best girlfriend is the strongest, most amazing woman I know. We bonded in college over sappy travel-related romantic comedies (Only You) and Russian literature (Dostoyevsky). As roommates we stayed up late together as she soldered circuits over and over again for her electrical engineering degree while I drilled verb conjugations for my Spanish degree. She did not run away from law school like me, and she is now a very talented, successful patent and intellectual properties attorney  – kicking ass in an area of law dominated by men. Her career originally took her to Silicon Valley where she met her adorable husband, former Apple computer engineer and current computer game designer.  I am monumentally proud of her.

CGW: So, tell us more about People’s Wine Market and the wine business in general. How did you come up with the idea and how does it work?

A: My first business married my love for wine and my love for Latin America. As a wine importer focusing on Argentinean brands, I wanted a way to get rid of last year’s wines while still maintaining my wine’s reputation. I couldn’t find it…so I decided to start my own and thus, People’s Wine Market was born.

People’s Wine Market is an online outlet for exceptional artisan wines. We taste wineries’ overstock, snag the wines that are actually improving with age rather than turning it to vinegar and sell it online to our customers at discounted pricing – and only $5 shipping per pack.

It is a win-win for everyone. The wineries get rid of their old stuff in a way that saves their reputation, the customer gets deals on the best-of-the-best, and we make a little money.

CGW: We love all of that, and we almost cried when we heard about the $5 shipping. What are your wine shopping tips for the clueless?

A: First, frequent a wine shop (or an online closeout wine website J) with a good reputation. If their wine buyer is good, then you should be happy with anything on their shelf…no matter the price.

I can’t take credit for this second tip. It’s all Ryan’s, and it really does work. Say you’re far away from your trusty wine story. Go to the grocery store or wine shop. Think about how much you want to spend on your bottle. Skim the shelves, then grab the bottle in your price range that has the most bottles taken from the shelf. If it’s on sale, and you have to stand on your tip-toes to snag the last bottle, you know you’re in for a treat. If the locals are snatching it up, it must be worth drinking. We use this method all the time when we travel…and it’s never failed.

[editor's note: Ha! We TOTALLY remember Ryan telling us about this method in grad school]

CGW: How much wine is stored at your house at this very moment?

A: Oh…geez…perhaps 90 bottles. I don’t have a pantry. I have a “wine closet”.

CGW: We think a wine closet is admirable. ADMIRABLE, we say. Hey, when can we come over and how many glasses will you serve us?

A: As much as you want! I have a booze motto: I never push…only pour. If your glass is empty, I’ll put something in it until you say, “STOP!”

CGW: We really, really, really, really like your motto. How do you feel about mixing wine with other things (spritzers, coca-cola, etc)?

A: Thank you for asking this question! I think wine cocktails are in need of a revival. There is a reason the fashionable women in Casablanca ordered champagne cocktails. It’s because they’re delicious! They are low alcohol, so you can drink more of them without getting drunk. They are easy to make, and it’s a great way to use up icky wine. Above I listed one of my favorite drinks as a “portonic”. It’s the national drink of Portugal. Mix one part white port with one part tonic. Serve over ice with a healthy squeeze of lime. It’s light, tasty, and refreshing.

CGW: What is it like to be married to your business partner?

A: It is rewarding and challenging. You can’t go home and complain about your bitchy workmate because…you’re married to him. Your “get work done” self can be much more abrasive than your “snuggling on the couch” self. And it’s hard to switch it on and off without clear boundaries. So we’ve set some rules. No work-talk at the dinner table. No work-talk on our morning walks. Ashley gets a morning all to herself every Friday for some “quiet” time. Etc.

But the rewards, especially with our work, are incredible. For example, instead of going to a wine conference in Venice with a bunch of hobos from work that you don’t like, you get to go with your best friend and partner. Plus there is something fundamentally beautiful about building something together.

CGW: So what makes People’s Wine Market different from some of the other online wine retailers or local shops?

Here are our 6 points.

One, we are tough critics. If it isn’t improving with age, we don’t sell it. If it isn’t of the highest quality, we don’t sell it.

Two, we tell our customers what it tastes like right now. Even if wine is improving with age, it’s changing. After five-six-seven years, old reviews may not accurately describe what it tastes like now. Our reviews do, allowing customers to buy exactly what they like.

Three, we only sell artisan, family-produced, environmentally-friendly wine.

Four, we give people access to new wines. Whether you live in a wine growing region or not, our web-based sales model gives customers access to wines never before available in most communities.

Five, we keep the shipping costs low. Standard shipping is only $5 a pack — always.

Six, we have a unique wine subscription. Similar to a farmer’s produce delivery, we pick the cream of the artisan wine crop, offer it at a screaming bundled discount, and ship it to our customers for free. Customers can choose from monthly or bimonthly deliveries and a mixed or reds-only box.

CGW: We have to say that we think you have an unbeatable business model and we are sincerely impressed. More importantly, we have sampled the wine ourselves and know it to be good!

Follow us later this month when Christie and I sample more of People’s Wine Market wines, sober up, and then blog to tell you all about it!

Yet we all know that long hair can be a burden when the sun is so hot that your delicate tendrils are sticking to your neck. There’s nothing cute about that.

But take heart. We’ve newly discovered a few adorable and super easy up-dos to wear when the weather is punishing but your social calendar calls for more than a scrunchie.

Summer heat meets date night.

1. The Kardashian Pony: Pull out the front section of hair from front of forehead until about 2 inches back. Clip it to the side and pull the rest of your hair into a tight high pony tail. Now, grab the front section and tease it into a small dome (or for those with thinner hair, there’s always the “bump it”). Voila, a glamorous pony tail.

2. Ballet Bun: This is my new go-to night out look on hot days. It’s a 40s inspired look but always reminds me of a ballerina (tutu, anyone?). Make a side part first. Take a small front section of hair on either side of your head, twist and pin back on each side of your head. (Tip: To prevent the bobby pin from sticking out, insert the pin with the closed side down and then flip it over once you have the hair in the pin). Secure the rest of the hair at the back of the head into a pony tail with an elastic band, and wrap the tail back through the hair band to make a loose loop. You can also swap out the twists for french braids if you’re shooting for a bohemian look.

3. Sloppy Pigtails: Pigtails over the age of 10 are a slippery slope. The key to success here is loose and soft. In fact, the messier the better. Avoid a perfectly symmetrical part or a neatly wrapped bun. Keep the pig tails low at the neck (high pig-tails can look cartoonish). You can keep them loose or pull them into a soft bun or loop as in the photograph to the right. If your hair is a bit shorter, I like the idea of teasing the pieces out a little bit to give it more spunk. Although pig tails are an obvious day-time choice, I love the idea of complimenting this style with a sexy and sleek night time look and smokey eyes. The contrast of sophisticated and playful is really fun. And since it drives some men wild, a great option for date night.

Well, I stared at them many a time thinking: “Do I really need this? I don’t need this! Do I need this?” and basically not doing much except mentally talking to myself while standing oddly in stores and potentially scaring the sales team.

But then, after a fortifying three beignets and a round of chandelier staring, I stumbled upon a bejeweled purse-thingy, and I just went for it.  And I LOVE it.  So handy, so easy. So works even with a giant overloaded bag on a random happy hour table.  BEHOLD!!

And a more legitimate (non-action) picture!

And that leads me to a great date idea: Monday dinner and Chess Night! So, here’s how it goes down: head to Dupont in DC or Rittenhouse in Philly and meet your honey.  Bring a chess set or take on one of the uber-talented street chess players (they will usually charge you to play, winner takes all. Plan on losing $2-$5 a game), have fun with a few rounds of chess, take a walk and then have a glass of wine or dinner with your man.  In Philly, we like Parc for wine and frites.  In DC, we feel like a good burger is key, so head to West-End Bistro at the Ritz for some outside eating, or BGR in Dupont North.  Both are AMAZING. And most importantly, you can use your awesome new purse-bag-holder thingy! Yes!! Genius!!

Pros: You get out in the springtime, you enjoy the flowering trees in the city, and you do something different.

Cons: You lose $5 at chess.  But, you laugh hilariously about it and you up your street trash talking game (critical in street chess).

Purse holder here!

Ironing

Jess: Yeah…… not so much. In fact, I find myself admiring pretty collared shirts in shops and then stopping short when I remember that they need ironing. 9.9 mornings out of 10 I will not choose something from my closet that needs to be ironed. Because that’s 5 minutes I could be spending on hair (or more coffee). Right?

Christie: I am making a single handed attempt to bring back “wrinkled clothing” as the new chic.  Granted, in moments of crisis (job interviews) I would attempt to iron on my floor…because let’s be real, me and ironing boards? Not friends.  I did it this way for ages until an ex took pity on me and bought me a steamer.  Because it only takes 45 seconds to use, I do tend to “iron” slightly more often…but honestly, sometimes when I wear a cardigan — it’s to hide my wrinkled shirt underneath!!

Bugs, rodents and icky things

Jess: Apologies to my feminist foremothers, but I file this chore under “Boyfriend, Dad, or (If All Else Fails) Pay Someone to Do It.” Once, after seeing a mouse in my kitchen, I locked myself in my bedroom for an entire weekend (also a not so brilliant diet plan)

Christie: Agreed!!! In college we always lived near boys and had a “bug cup.”  When we saw a bug, our M.O. was to scream loudly, run downstairs, and hand the cup to whatever man was home.  He got to be the hero, we made him cookies, and everyone slept better .

Vacuuming

Jess: I’m not gonna say that we spend a TON of time together but I am a fan of the vacuum because I have a purse-size dog that sheds about one purse a day on my carpet and couch. And one zip of the vacuum makes the house look magically clean. Plus, you’d be amazed at how many cheese and chocolate crumbs it can pick up.

Christie: I have a dyson! It changed my life and now I vacuum aggressively. Whoop!

Dishes

Jess: Bane OF MY Existence. Seriously. Dishwashers should be a mandatory install in all homes. Not that I’d be good at loading and unloading it but at least it’d be something. Right now, I operate on a binge and purge cycle. I also use paper products and then chastise myself extensively for ruining the environment.

Christie: I have a dishwasher, and it is my friend. However, I hate unloading it. Tip: Only use one pot when cooking and eat directly from it .

Cooking

Jess: Whee! I love to cook. The end.

Christie: I like things that I can cook in one pot as I *cough* mentioned above. Soup anyone? Also, Jess has been known to feed me.

Grocery Shopping

Jess: I try to keep the 3 major food groups (pyramid, whatever) stocked at all times — cheese, booze, and chocolate.  And I don’t mean the cheap shit either (see Whole Foods and DiBruno Brothers for reference). It’s a cold day in hell if my house is lacking in any of those. In fact, thinking about it, I’d like to head home right now. I have a blue cheese dolce, espresso chocolate truffles, and pear brandy waiting. Dinner. Of. Champions!

Christie: People have called my fridge that of a 50 year old Bachelor Man. So…ummm…yeah.  Not brilliant.  However, I ALWAYS have chocolate. And peanut butter.  Tip: put your hands together! Yummmm.

Taking out the trash

Jess: The first time I lived alone, I remember walking by the burgeoning trash can and thinking, “Jesus, someone is really behind on their chores” and then it hit me like a terrifying bolt of lightning. There was no one else to do the trash but me. Its been a long and weary toil ever since.

Christie: Taking out the trash makes me feel productive. Look ma–I did something! Also, having a gentleman caller has paid off. He’s been known to take out the trash and I love that about him

(photo credit)

But then, we had a makeover together.

And I attended a beauty event.

And my life was changed.  Dude. DUDE. I cannot even believe I’m going to say it for a third time but DUDE.

Laura Mercier has rocked my world.

Not only has she made a foundation that I like (versus one that I want to spit on),  but she has also made it anti-aging. ANTI-AGING.  How is that possible? I feel the need to ask again in a bad French accent: How eez that possebleh???

Answer: I don’t know.

But I do know I love it. The foundation provides heavy mosturizing coverage, goes on with your fingers, and lasts for FREAKING ever.  And it makes your face look pretty flawless. Even if you have eaten way too many carbs/sugar/soda and as a consequence your face has revisited a time we like to call “embarrassing middle school years.” Even then!

And here is a tip: no need to buy said foundation.  Actually, we recommend going to an uberfriendly department store (Nordstroms?) and asking for a sample once they’ve tried it on your skin.  The tiny container that they will give you has lasted us for 7 weeks.  7 WEEKS! Granted, we weren’t applying it every day, or all over our face, but it works. And for that, we will be forever grateful.

PS: Beauty Girl Laura pointed out that you need to be well moisturized and primed before using the foundation. Fortunately, you can get a free primer with purchase if you buy it off of the laura mercier website.

Product: Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation, $50

Rating: Till Death Do Us Part

Teuscher Chocolate

Most times, unexpected arrivals come in the form of bills, IRS audits, or nosy neighbors. Occasionally though, there are good surprises. Like the time when your boyfriend shows up with flowers for no reason. Or when a woman named Rachel descends into your life like an angel —an angel bearing a box of gourmet Swiss chocolates from Teuscher. Hey, blogging has its benefits.

Christie and I consider ourselves experts on chocolate.

Our credentials?

** We both lived in Brussels, Belgium for several years (that’s how we met, c’est vrai! het is waar!) where we spent countless hours “researching” the chocolatiers of Galler, Pierre Marcolini, Cote d’Or, Leonidas, Neuhaus, and many others.

** Christie was born in Switzerland so we just assume there was some sort of intravenous cocoa transfer that takes place during all Swiss births.

There. I think you can see that we come highly qualified though, strangely, Christie always seems to prefer Belgian chocolate whereas I prefer Swiss (I think you can see where this is leading).

Chrisite’s reactions?

** “Classy chocolate and very tasty”

My reactions? (no surprise to anyone –I have a bit more to say)

** I was already in love just looking at the packaging. It’s dainty and it has an orange ribbon (like a real ribbon, not one of those papery, plasticy ones).

** I dove right into the chocolate covered candied orange. I had no idea how good those were. NO IDEA. I’ve always skipped over them for the truffles. No more! The chocolate covered orange was my favorite thing in the variety box.

** There was SALT on top the chocolate covered caramel. Genius. The salty chocolately caramel was a close runner-up.

** Dear lord, a small box of chocolates goes a long way! I can only speak for myself (Christie’s rate and speed of consumption of chocolate are legend) but I couldn’t get through more than 3 in a sitting. So rich!

** The chocolates were a superb accompaniment to a glass of scotch.

What you need to know:

** Teuscher Philadelphia is located inside the lobby of the (swanky) Bellevue Hotel at 200 S. Broad St. (one of our fave bar/restaurants XIX is located upstairs).

** There is no Teuscher in DC but fear not, they will deliver!

** Delivery is shockingly quick. My box arrived by bike messenger in a matter of hours. Christie’s arrived in DC overnight.

** Rachel is a dear and she will make sure you are well taken care of. Find her at the Teuscher store or on Twitter @RachelGoldberg or @TeuscherPhilly

So go forth, enjoy, and tell them CityGirls sent you!

Everyonce in a while, Lauren finds a great buy at one of the local bodegas or pharmacies. Several of these “over the counter” (in other words, on the more affordable end of the cost spectrum) turn into daily must haves. Below are Lauren’s 5 “OTC” items that have made it in the daily routine.

1. Aveeno’s Positively Nourishing Calming body wash. Several weeks in Provence sold me on the soothing qualities of fresh lavender. For a body wash, this is as soothing (and as natural smelling) as you can get. Warning: I’ve found that this is SO relaxing that it’s better to use at night. It’s refreshing but can easily make me want to hop back into bed and dream about fresh lavender.

2. Confetti Long Wearing nail polish. With cute, bright colors like electric pink and muted lavender, these are perfect for a week at the office or just for jazzin’ up those toes. I’m a sucker for marketing, so I felt especially cute with colors like “Belle of the Ball” and “Fashionista.” Pros: CUTE Cons: It’s not the greatest quality polish that will last weeks, but who wants the same color on their nails for weeks anyway?

3. Olay Complete all day UV moisturizer. Several years ago, I saw my grandmother apply this to her face. I immediately realized that this magic lotion had something to do with her flawless skin which has carried well into her 80’s. With that kind of proof, I’ve been wearing it every day for at least 3 years. Made for Sensitive Skin, Normal or Combo/Oily, all are welcome Come find me in 30 years and you’ll be amazed at my skin. *I hope*

4. Neutrogena On The Spot acne treatment. Ok…Ok…I don’t always have flawless skin, apparently. This baby is great for on the run spot treatments. CVS has essentially the exact same product for a few pennies less. Works relatively quickly and pretty effectively for a quick grab from the skincare aisle. Tip: It can dry crusty so be sure to rub it all in

5. Kiwi Leather Shoe Cream. Obviously this doesn’t go on your face or skin, but its just as important. The cream clicks up like a deoderant and takes just seconds to touch up your heals, loafers, purses, etc. This is a must-have! Shoes can make or break outfits from your power suit to your cutest Fall boots ensemble. I don’t want to see any ladies out there with scuffed tips to their black stilettos. This is a quick fix and it fits in your purse. Be careful of the cream as it clicks up – it can pop out from the pressure in the tube [face it away from your clothes!].

Then there are those times that I try and be positive about Monday.  “Monday,” I say in an upbeat manner, trying not to sound insane while talking to myself: “Let’s just try and be friends.  Not, like, best-friends or anything, but maybe friends that get the occasional cup of coffee or pint of ice cream.  Snack friends…you know?”

And it is on these “Snack-Friends Monday” days that I try and inject some positivity into my life by seeing the glass as half-full.  So, full of crazy ideas from my weekend trip to New York (I randomly attended a lot of bridal events, due to it unexpectedly being bridal fashion week and the fact that I don’t turn down events that involve any sort of free champagne), I spent a lot of time thinking about relationships.  And cool traditions.  And then I thought about things that make me happy that involve relationships and cool traditions.  And three things came to mind:

1. Buying a bottle of wine with your husband or someone special, and saving it for your 5 year, 10 year, or 15 year anniversary (or buying three bottles of wine!)  I love the idea of choosing something together, that you can save and open on an occasion that means something like a milestone anniversary…allowing you both to remember where you were however many years ago, and how far you’ve come today.  I have to admit, I did not come up with this idea myself–but stole it from the lovely StellinaEvents.

2. Choosing a special perfume for your wedding, wearing it to all wedding events and on the day, and then only wearing it once a year on your anniversary.  “They” (random scientists? Aliens?) say that the sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses, especially when invoking memory.   I love having a special routine on milestones, and a wonderful perfume tradition is one I can get on board with! (Any excuse to shop here really….)

3. Getting away from it all at your favorite iconic hotel or nature spot. So, this one is obvious–but I love having a tradition where you get away with your husbands (or girlfriends) and return to a special place year after year.  I have experienced both: friends and I go away to the mountains in Utah every year to refresh, and every year I realize how happy I am to be in a beautiful place with amazing people…nothing replaces girlfriends!  And the same is true for the iconic hotel; my gentleman caller and I have started a tradition of going to the Willard in DC every year (tip: telling them it is your anniversary scores you an upgrade if they have a room open!).  It is sort of like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (the movie): Much like Audrey Hepburn, I believe that nothing bad ever happens at the Willard.  And I love sharing that with someone special!

What are you traditions that make you happy? Anyone else on board with “Snack-Friends Monday?”  Don’t make me talk to myself here…

(photo credit by Elizabeth Anne Photography on Flickr under the CC License)

If you follow our daily ramblings here at CityGirls, then you know how much we enjoy our nights IN (and you have heard more than enough about our love for our couch and TV). What you may not know is that we actually (sometimes) can cook. Or in certain cases (*cough* Christie), we know how to recruit people to cook for us. Either way, we know the value of a home cooked meal.

And as city dwellers, we also know the drudgery that is super market shopping.  If, like me, you don’t have a car then you have to be very choosy when it comes to picking items that you can physically carry back to your home through subway tunnels, gum speckled stairways, and broken escalators. If it were an Olympic sport, I swear I’d medal.

Now, as tempting as it may be SO OFTEN IS to order take-out, we try to eat in a healthy and responsible way (not to mention our trainer Serena is one scary chick). And healthy and responsible leads us to organic produce. You don’t need a lecture and I don’t have time to give you one but let’s just say that even a small peek into the world of “industrialized farming” will have you running, like us, into the organic food aisle. Or maybe you like your tomatoes lacquered with insecticides and injected with chemicals to force the ripening process. Have at it!

For the rest of us, we’ve looked into farm shares, farmer’s markets, and organic supermarkets. All great, but as a car-less urban singleton, I find it hard to get to those places and the portions don’t always make sense for the amount I can consume per week.

One long Facebook rant later, a friend introduced me to Door to Door Organics, and I cannot say enough about them. They offer a delivery service of organic fruits and vegetables with a flexible schedule for quantity, selection, and payments. I subscribe to the “Bitty Box” and I get 9 portions of fruit and veg every other week for $70 a month. A portion can be a head of lettuce, 4 tomatos, 3 apples, or a butternut squash. It’s plenty of food for me and I find that I have just finished everything up by the time the next shipment arrives. Perfect. They also have extras like coffee or Atlantic salmon that you can add on as you like.

For me, it’s a miracle solution! Tons of fresh produce on my doorstep which nudges me into eating better and saving money on expensive meals out AND it saves me from lugging around back-breaking bags.

Door to Door East operates all throughout the northeast: CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC.

Door to Door Central covers Colorado, the Kansas City area, Michigan, and the Chicago area.