If you’ve been reading Brain Candy for long, you’re more than aware that I try to travel as light as possible, even if it makes me less than fashionable. I can do without a different pair of shoes for every outfit, but I do have a thing for jewelry. And yes, I’ve found an excellent way to save space and travel with a variety of necklaces.

First, I purchased a James Avery sterling silver collar like the one shown here. You could substitute a chain of some type, but I prefer more structure in my necklaces and like to wear them short.

Photo from www.JamesAvery.com

Then, I take a handful of different pendants to complement my different outfits. I’ve also picked up several as souvenirs while traveling. The pendants fit in a small organza bag and take up very little space. I wear the collar and one pendant on the plane.

From The Canary Islands

From Guthrie, Oklahoma

From Singapore

From my latest trip to Chicago

Voila, complete jewelry box to go!

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Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. You know, chocolate chips are really an all purpose food. You can put them in cookies, brownies, pancakes, muffins, ice cream, cereal or just pop ’em straight into your mouth. So celebrate with a big handful!

Last week, I gave you a few SmartCar facts, but today, I’m sharing the real goods—the FAQs—on driving this tiny car. People want to know:

How does it drive? Pretty much like a golf cart. Since it sits approximately 2.3 inches off the ground (okay, small exaggeration), it’s impossible for this car to give a smooth ride. But if you like jerky roller coasters, this could be the ride of your life.

Do you feel safe in it? Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t drive it. For more information on the Smart’s Tridion safety cell, see last week’s post.

Do you drive it on the freeway? No, I get out and push it. For Jesus’ sake, of course I drive it on the freeway. Sometimes I even go faster than the traffic around me.

Does it have a backseat? Nope. The beauty of this? Means I cannot drive carpool without putting at least one child on the “hood.” Since mothers seldom like this idea, I rarely schlep multiple kids around. (Yes, another joy of having an only child.)

Does it run on gas? Sometimes I get this question when I’m standing at the gas station, pumping unleaded into my car’s teensy butt. Yes, mine runs on gas, although they’ve just come out with an electric model.

What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a tank of gas? Before gas went to it’s current are-you-shitting-me? price in California, I could say I’d never spent $30 to fill the tank. Unfortunately, I can’t claim this now, but most of the time, I fill it up with about $26 in gas.

Can Bad Dog ride with you? Yes, the cargo area is just big enough for him to fit (must be careful to curl his tail around his posterior before closing the gate, though). However, I can’t put the top all the way down or he would be decapitated (which I try to avoid at all costs). So he hangs out in the back, with the sunroof open and his nose poking out the top.

Can you go grocery shopping in this car? Unfortunately, the answer to this is also yes. I can place four to five full-sized grocery bags in the back cargo area. And if Smarty Boy’s not with me, I can fit three or four more in the front.

How small of a space can you park in? Pretty damn small. Check out the picture below. I’m not talented enough to park like this, but I am able to squeeze into places no one else can!

Photo from: https://wiki-land.wikispaces.com/Smart+cars

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Today is apparently No Socks Day. That works out fabulously for me since this is about the time of year when I trade wearing boots and other close-toed shoes in favor of flip-flops. My current favorite (of many. WAY too many.) is a pair of Sanuks with soles that feel like a yoga mat.