Kate and the Finn
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Women’s Utility Coveralls Under $100

I find everything is easier to accomplish with a uniform, and DIY/home improvement projects are no exception. I’m not very good at hanging on to old clothes (nor do I have the closet space to do so), and after ruining too many perfectly good leggings with splattered paint, I decided I needed to invest a few years ago in a pair of coveralls. Unfortunately, women’s work coveralls – not a jumpsuit meant for streetwear – are hard to come by. No surprise, there are plenty of options for men on the market, but not so for women. Call me crazy, but I’m not interested in painting my kitchen in $200 workwear-inspired coveralls from a major fashion retailer, cute though they may be.

I always look this adorable while hanging wallpaper (credit: Hulu)

When my search for DIY-appropriate coveralls began, I was inspired by the denim number worn by fictional interior designer Ainsley Howard in the Four Weddings and a Funeral reboot. Ainsley’s Topshop boilersuit (no longer available) was a bit too pricey to ruin with joint compound, but I hoped to find something similar second-hand. Ultimately, I couldn’t find a denim pair that suited my needs, but I’ve rounded up a few other options below.

My Tried and True

Women’s Long Sleeve Coveralls in Dark Navy

It doesn’t look like much from the photo, but these long-sleeve coveralls from Dickies have served me well, and check all the boxes. They’re durable, comfortable, and they fit my long torso. For reference, I’m 5’8″ and wear the small. Dickies also offers this style in plus sizes. I’ve worn these for a few years now and find them perfectly comfortable for projects around the house; plus, they’re appropriate for the inevitable mid-project hardware store run. Speaking of which, now that they’re thoroughly worn in, I find that I’m treated with a bit more respect at the hardware store since I look like I know what I’m doing (I don’t actually know); a bonus. Finally, I love the front and back deep pockets on these coveralls – perfect for stowing my phone or an errant paintbrush.

Utility Coveralls, Boilersuits, and Jumpsuits

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  1. Indigo Workwear Coverall
  2. Boden Zip-through Boilersuit
  3. Chetopa Service Union-All
  4. FLEX Cooling Short Sleeve Coveralls
  5. Utility Short Sleeve Jumpsuit
  6. Long Sleeve Boilersuit – Universal Thread™

Boilersuit, Coverall, Jumpsuit – what’s the difference?

Jumpsuits take their name from the one-piece garment typically worn by parachuters beginning in the early 1900s. Boilersuits and coveralls generally are one and the same, the former name being used more frequently in the UK. As the name suggests, boilersuits are protective clothing traditionally worn by men working in boiler rooms (and other industrial settings) and were looser-fitting than jumpsuits. Protective coveralls became popular with women working in munitions factories during WWII.

Recommended reading:

Happy DIYing!

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Home Improvement

One Project Down, 5,234,125 to Go

For years I have fantasized about owning my own home. I loved our last apartment, but after I’d painted and hung new curtains, and bought more throw pillows than one person could possibly need, I had exhausted all feasible improvements. I longed for a space of my own with floors to refinish and chandeliers to hang.

I am now the proud owner of such a place (yay!). And I am drowning in projects (hyperventilates into paper bag).

I could share the looooooooooong list of to-do’s, but lists stress me out. I am not a list person. I prefer to keep important information stored in the ol’ noggin, where it will quickly be forgotten. Much less stressful!

It’s not really the list of projects that’s getting me down though.  It’s that I can’t seem to find the time to accomplish any of them. I’m useless during the week after work, and the weekends seem to fly by in an instant. This would be so much easier if I could somehow continue to receive a regular paycheck, but focus my time and attention on my own home improvement projects.

HOWEVER, my mom, DIY Commander in Chief, was in town last weekend and we managed to check off the first* item on the long, non-existent, list.

Friends, meet house.

She’s quite lovely in all of her 1980’s Colonial grandeur. But like many of us, she could use with a bit of sprucing up. Let’s avoid the stress list and focus solely on the sprucing that needs to occur out front.

Before

After!

This weekend, we managed to replace the carriage lights – a HUGE improvement. It should have taken us an hour, tops, but like all good home improvement projects, it took us almost all day and an extra trip to Lowe’s. The first light went up just fine, except that the bolts holding the light in place were too short due to the placement of the backplate against the siding. We couldn’t hang the second light at all because I didn’t have a ladder tall enough to reach it. Off to Lowe’s we went for ladder and chisel (P.S. ladders are more expensive than you think).

With new, six-foot ladder in hand, it was now time to crouch among the bushes and the bugs in an attempt to shore up one side of the ladder in the sloping flower bed that shouldn’t be sloping at all (add one to the non-list). Eventually two pieces of granite borrowed from another bed did the trick, just barely. The ladder was still quite wobbly, requiring my mom to hold it with one hand while handing me tools with another. I’m pretty sure I overheard a neighbor predict I would break my neck. Nothing like a vote of confidence to help you keep your balance!

She’s going to break her neck if she’s not careful

After we installed the second light, which did not butt up against the siding in the same way as the first, we fixed the bolt issue by removing some of the siding with a chisel. Mom had to do this bit as my arms contain little to no muscle mass. She successfully chipped away at enough siding that we were able to secure the fixture on the provided bolts. It isn’t perfect, but as we’re hoping to replace the siding next year (bank accounts willing), its a detail I can overlook for the time being.

The lights look SO good! I can’t wait to replace the door hardware. Still searching for the perfect handle set… Maybe one of these? Or should I mix it up with another finish?

Schlage F62 Add Ply 12326 Complete Handleset, Flat Black

This one is a bit too pricey…

And we’d like a whimsical** knocker.

Woodpecker door knocker
Perhaps this cast iron woodpecker?

Or maybe this oak leaf? Too phallic? IDK…

And a new door bell.

black doorbell
Too boring?

And I think I can spray-paint the kick plate to match the new hardware.

And then it’ll be time to think about landscaping. Has anyone seen my paper bag?

*Actually, we painted the basement before we moved in. But that’s boring, so it doesn’t count.

**What I really want is a creepy hand knocker, but the husband won’t go for it. 

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Travel

One Week in Dalmatia – Part II

Check out Part I for the run down on Dubrovnik and Split.

Day 5: Korčula

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The view from our Airbnb digs

Why, oh why didn’t we stay more than one day in Korčula??

After exploring the coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split, it was time to hit up a few islands! Islands in the Adriatic – what could be better? Not much, as it turns out. When first planning our trip we were hesitant to visit Korčula, often described as a mini Dubrovnik and feared its city would be too similar to the other. I can’t recall how or why we chose to ignore those worries, but I’m glad we did. After a shortish ferry ride from Split, we were greeted dockside by our Airbnb hosts – Maria, her young son Marco, and her father, known to us henceforth as The [Nutty] Professor. They generously gave us a lift to their beautiful family home, a short drive away, and what a home it was! Our room was simple, but the views and “backyard” were absolutely breathtaking. I immediately regretted that we were staying for only one night. After settling in, we walked to the island’s charming old town and dined al fresco at Adio Mare, per Maria’s suggestion. Our meal and the setting were quite delightful with a great view of the rumored home of Marco Polo (and family).

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Following lunch, we hurried back to our room to sunbathe on the glorious patio before losing the sun. I could have bounced between my lounge chair and the cool water for daaaaaays. I only wish I’d had a float – I may have never returned.

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Climbing trepidatiously (mind the freaking huge gaps)

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After sunbathing we headed back to the old town for a bit more exploring and a light dinner. We stopped by St. Mark’s and climbed the bell tower for a 360 view of the city. The views were incredible, but I was totally freaked out by the “large person-sized” gaps I felt I could have fallen through. I was hanging on for dear life, and when the bells went off, I was glad I wasn’t on the ladder climbing down.

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The rumored home of the explorer, Marco Polo

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A near death experience calls for a cocktail, so we headed to Bar Massimo for more views and likely overpriced drinks. This sort of place really irks some travelers, but when I’m on vacation, I care not. Bring on the tourist trap! Unfortunately, accessing the rooftop bar required climbing another ladder. We likely would have enjoyed more than one drink had it not been for the fact that the prospect of climbing down the ladder tipsy seemed like poor decision making. I do wonder how many accidents occur there. After drinks and a bit more strolling, we headed to Wine and Snacks for, well, wine and snacks. Nary a cheese plate went unconsumed during our travels. Our waiter was delightful, and very patient each time we pulled him away from That Big Soccer Game he and everyone else in the country was watching. Was it Germany vs. France? It seemed like a big deal.

Sleep: Studio Apartments More 1 via Airbnb (these names kill me)
See: St. Mark’s Cathedral Bell Tower for beautiful views
Eat: Adio Mare (try the makaruni – it’s a local speciality); Cocktail Bar Massimo for a drink with a view; Grk wine – produced only on the island

Day 6: Mljet

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Another ferry, another island. This is the life. Mljet is a short jaunt from Korčula by ferry, and one-third of the island is a national park. It was time to get our nature on! After dropping our bags at our vintage hotel (the room was a time capsule) we grabbed a quick pizza lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, rented a few bikes, and headed into the park.

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Dominated by two strikingly blue saltwater lakes, Malo jerezo and Veliko jerezo, we rode around both, ooh-ing, aahing, and snapping pictures every five feet. The ride was relatively easy after a somewhat hilly start and the lakes were SO FREAKING BEAUTIFUL. After riding some distance, we parked our bikes and took a small boat across the lake to St. Mary’s Island, home to a 12th century Benedictine monastery. This seemed to be the place to eat lunch and swim, however we were hoping for a bit more seclusion. So after exploring a bit, we hopped back on the boat and rode our bikes to a quiet bay. We swam, we napped, we swam some more. I knew this would be my last plunge in Croatia’s water, so it was with a heavy heart when I finally dried off and remounted my bicycle.

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After exiting the Park, and returning our bikes, we stopped for a little ice cream and finally made it back to the hotel for much needed showers.

Dinner options on the island were sparse, but we eventually settled on Konoba Nine, a short walk from the hotel. Most of the restaurants here catered to tourists and had almost identical menus, a shame. The atmosphere was friendly (except for another guest’s CRAZY dog) and the views, unsurprisingly, were beautiful.

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See: MlJet National Park and St. Mary’s Island

Travel Tips

  • Bring an inflatable raft if you plan to spend any time in the water. The beaches aren’t particularly comfortable, and the water is really the place to be.
  • Water shoes! We encountered many an urchin and spiny rock while swimming. I hate them too, but I probably would have hated stepping on an urchin more.

 

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One Week in Dalmatia – Part I

If sun, wine, turquoise waters, and ancient palaces are your thing, then the Dalmatian Coast will not disappoint!  In July we headed to magical Croatia for a week-long excursion along its southern Coast.

Days 1 – 2, & 7: Dubrovnik

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We began our journey in the picturesque city of Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic. Founded in the 7th century, this incredibly well-preserved medieval city will likely remain one of our favorite destinations of all time.

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Lokrum

Exhausted from many hours of travel, and at the suggestion of our innkeeper, upon checking in we headed straight for the island of Lokrum, just 600 meters and a short ferry ride off the coast of Dubrovnik’s old harbor. A popular swimming destination for the locals, Lokrum is a tiny island with rocky shores and a pine-forested interior. We were advised to steer clear of the ‘naked Germans’ who congregate on the eastern shore, and so veered south to a popular sun-bathing locale. We had hoped for a comfortable, sandy beach, but were greeted instead by rocks, rocks, and more rocks. This didn’t seem to deter anyone else from spreading their towels and taking a nap, so we joined in. Maybe it was the jet-lag, or the fact that I’m a champion sleeper, but I had no problem snoozing on my bed of stones. We noticed many folks traveled to the ‘beach’ with a yoga mat, providing more comfortable lounging accommodations. Mental note for next time…DSC_0146

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Bar Buza just below the wall – stop by for a drink with an amazing view day or night

On day two we rose early and headed straight for the city walls. Walking atop the ancient fortifications provided the most stunning views of the sunbaked limestone and terracotta city, set against the blues of the sky and sea.

The days were quite warm, but shaded alleyways came to the rescue when in need of a break (as did the wine). And like many European cities, Dubrovnik comes alive at night – the perfect time to people watch, enjoy fresh seafood, and drink in the architecture on display (and more WINE).

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Tasty treats from D’Vino wine bar – here we tried the Grk, Rukatac, and Malvasia wines

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Sleep: The View of Dubrovnik via airbnb
See: Dubrovnik City Walls | Lokrum island | Dubrovačka kuća for beautiful arts and crafts | Bačan Handmade Products for family-made embroidery, needlecraft (and lively conversation with the proprietor)
Eat: D’Vino Wine Bar for wine and cheese | Buza Bar for drinks with a view | Taj Mahal for Bosnian fare | Buzara (we had a tasty version at Konoba NAVA)

Days 3 – 4: Split

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The Riva

Almost everyone we spoke with upon hearing of our plans to visit Croatia immediately asked if we were going to Split. We knew this was a destination that couldn’t be missed! After two days in Dubrovnik, we hopped on a bus for a 4-hour scenic drive up the coast to Dalmatia’s most cosmopolitan (and second largest) city.

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Centered around the Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, Split is a sparkling, bustling city full of crumbling walls, high-end shops, wine bars, and young, fashionable Croatians.

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An ancient hermitage nestled among the cliffs in Marjan

While in Split we people-watched while strolling along the Riva, meandered through the ancient palace (stopping in shops, wine bars, and historic attractions), and hiked over Marjan hill to Kasjuni beach for an afternoon in the sun.

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Sleep: SPLIT Charming Apartment inside Palace via airbnb
See: Hike Marjan for a break from the hustle | tour the Ethnographic Museum for a lesson in croatian folklore | catch a concert – there are many!
Eat: Marcvs MArvlvs caffe bar for cozy drinks (try some Rakija!) | Uje Oil Bar for freaking amazing dessert | Paradox for more wine and cheese | Villa Spiza for a hearty lunch

Travel Tips

  • Steps. So…many…steps. Comfortable, flat shoes are a must for navigating the uneven limestone walkways and seemingly endless sets of stairs. How the local women wear heels is a mystery to me, and I’m no shoe wuss.
  • Light clothing, y’all! I underestimated just how warm Croatian days would be, and we live in a warm, muggy climate. I should have packed lighter, more breathable sundresses and tanks. We were both sweaty and disgusting by noon on most days.
  • Pack light. Those steps we mentioned? Get ready to haul your suitcase up several flights.

In Part II we’re off to the islands of Korcula and Mljet!

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Misc

I’m Working on It!

Hold your horses! We’re a pair of perfectionists and this whole blogging thing takes time, OK?

We’re (Katie) planning to post mostly about travel, both domestic and abroad, and the occasional short story. Chances are there will be some other random stuff thrown in because we’re (again, Katie) all over the place sometimes. Deal with it.

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