You know that question people ask sometimes – if your house was on fire, and you only had time to take one thing with you, what would it be? I know exactly what I would take. I keep it in my closet and pull it out regularly, especially when it’s cold. My most treasured possession is not particularly beautiful. It’s not luxurious, rare or valuable. I just checked, and you can buy one just like it for $129.

I was instantly transported to the late 1990’s when I found myself standing on the corner of Mulberry and Bleeker during a visit to New York City a few years ago - the location of my very first apartment in the city – where it all began. It was located on the edge of the hip East Village, down the street from charming Little Italy and across Houston Street from glamorous SoHo. Although it had been over twenty years since I’d lived there and my building had been knocked down leaving a messy construction zone, the feelings came flooding back

I honestly don’t know why people don’t talk about it more and how stressful it is – every time. Maybe we block it out once it’s done? It’s staggering to think about how we somehow get through it time after time, even those of us (like me!) who are careful planners and list makers. I know I’m not the only one running on fumes on a travel day, having only gotten a few hours of sleep after all the packing and preparation.

You run your calendar. Your calendar does not run you. It sounds simple enough in theory. But, we all know what happens as the week becomes a runaway train, and somehow the weekend, which is supposed to be for you to relax and recharge is filled before it’s even begun.