Why One Size is Not the Same across Name Brands

What’s in a size, anyway? Why are clothing sizes so different when they are the same? Familykenkel wants to know why one size is not the same across names brands.

If a woman were to walk into a department store and try on three pairs of jeans all in the same size, would they all fit the same? No, they would not. Many clothing manufacturers and designers use their own sizing specifications as a marketing ploy. If a size 12 from Lucky Brand fits great, a size 12 from Levi’s may not. 

An average women’s size 12 can vary as much as 1 to 3 inches in the waist of jeans, and to 3 inches in the hips. This is why it is important to find the right size in the right clothing line and stick to it. Sizing standards are specific to the brand and not to the standard size itself. Familykenkel knows that most of us have a favorite brand of jeans and know which size fits us best. We tend to be loyal to those, but occasionally want something a little jazzier for evenings out. This is when it pays to take the time to try on different brands.  Find one or two that fit and look the best and grab a few pairs in different washes. You’re good to go then.

Celebrates the Lefties in our Lives

There are very few people in the world who are true left-handed people. Only about ten percent of the population uses their left hand for common, every day tasks. Familykenkel shares some facts about those odd left-handed people.

Left-handers tend to get into more fights. But they tend to win those fights because the opponent doesn’t expect a left-handed hook across the face. The element of surprise is nice for a leftie. This tactic works well for those who play sports too.

When watching someone speak at an event, notice which hand the speaker uses the most. Lefties raise their left hands when speaking about something good. On television, when someone raises their right arm, it looks like it’s on the viewers left. Also, left-handers use their brains in fair distribution. Some scientific studies found lefties seemed more creative and resilient then right handed people. Yet other studies found left-handers more prone to memory and mental disorders. We also tend to forget about left-handed people. Scissors, computer mice, some flatware and more are often made more for the right-handers than left.  Familykenkel also reminds readers that five of the last seven presidential candidates we elected into office were left-handed. Does this mean we (the public) trust a left-handed person more than a rightie? Or it is all just a coincidence?

What to Do with Coffee Grounds

Coffee can be used for many things such as waking up in the morning, baking and for beauty treatments. Familykenkel shares a few more with readers.

Beauty items with caffeinated coffee grounds are making the rounds in products both pricey and affordable. In fact, homemade beauty elixirs can be made at home easily and for free. It just depends on what the consumer wants. From leg creams to the indulgence of facials, there are an abundance of ideas one can try with coffee grounds.

Face -- Mix coffee grounds with a little olive oil. Let sit overnight and use the next day as a facial scrub.

Legs, Arms, Belly -- Mix up an anti-cellulite mix for legs, bellies and arms: one cup coffee grounds, half cup of white or brown sugar, one cup coconut oil. After mixing, and later washing your body, massage the mix into skins and then rinse off with warm water.

Hair – Cover the shower drain with something to prevent coffee grounds from clogging the pipes. Mix coffee grounds into hair conditioner and massage into the hair and scalp. Rinse.  

These are all great ideas for reusing coffee grounds. If you have a favorite yourself, Familykenkel would love to hear what they are.  

What to Do If You Lost Something during Travel

Have you ever left something on a flight, in a rental car or a hotel room? Do you wonder where your lost valuables (and other items) go if you don’t remember where there were left? Familykenkel has some answers.

Items left unclaimed after being in an airline or rental car Lost and Found department for more than 90 days are usually sold at auction or sent to another facility for unclaimed items. The people who work with unclaimed baggage and lost items report that most items are lost because they have no ID tag or a poor ID tag. So what do you do when you’ve lost your tablet, smart phone or a child’s favorite stuffed animal?

Familykenkel suggests:

Submit a lost item report as soon as something is reported missing.

Be specific on the report. Note size, color, material, and brand.

Lost a purse? Be detailed about what is inside – including cosmetics and brands, money, personal items.

In the future, label everything inside and out. Write initials on a stuffed animal’s paws. Write the model and serial number of electronics and keep it in a separate place.

And always keep an eye on your valuables to be sure you know where they where the last time you laid them down. I once lost a pair of reading glasses on a very floral bedspread in a hotel. Enough said.

Memorial Day Decorating Ideas

American holiday Memorial Day is early this year on May 26. Many families will be hitting the road or the skies to enjoy a relaxing long weekend with friends and family. Those who are hosting holiday picnics and parties will find some fun Memorial Day decorating ideas below.

Familykenkel presents ten fun ways to decorate a picnic table or any outdoor table:

1. Cover the table the newspaper
2. Stick little American flags in red and blue plastic cups and toss some small stones in to prevent the cups from tipping over. Position cups with flags around the tables.
3. Use denim-colored or dark blue placemats.
4. Using a permanent marker, let each guest write their name on a plastic cup.
5. Put red, white and blue note cards on the table with markers or pens and ask each person to write a note of thanks to troops serving overseas. Collect them in a basket to mail on the day after the holiday.
6. Use a tin tub filled with ice for sodas and other drinks.
7. Make desserts holiday-themed with red and blue berries and pineapple or bananas cut to look like stars.
8. Baseballs, footballs and other American-themed sports items can be tossed in a colorful container and set the main food table as its centerpiece.
9. If using sparklers to decorate, be sure to light them away from the table and small children.
10. Familykenkel suggests sitting beside someone you haven’t seen in a while and catch up

Dressing the Men

Women love to shop and shopping is more rewarding when they can find the most dashing outfit for the men in their lives. Familykenkel offers some ideas for dressing the men – part one of four – chambray for any occasion.

Who is that guy? Is he an outdoorsman who loves to hike, fish or surf and later stay home with a few good flicks and you?

Or is he the kind of man who can handle a rough game of football with friends and clean up so nicely afterward that the only choice is to take him out and show him off?

No matter what kind of man he is, there is something stylish and sexy in chambray available this fashion season for the main dude in your life. Just pick your style and price point threshold.

Chambray is a lightweight and lighter colored denim that looks awesome on almost everyone. Men, especially, look ruggedly handsome in it. Chambray shirts are available from the more affordable retailers like Old Navy to the tonier ones like Polo Ralph Lauren. And they are available in a variety of styles from dress shirt to sporty. The priciest one we saw is selling for $450.00. A more affordable shirt in the same dress shirt style is below and sells for $29.00. (And we thought the margin was monstrous for women’s fashion.) Familykenkel suggests finding a cool chambray shirt in the style that fits your man the best.