Corporette.com » Features http://corporette.com A fashion and lifestyle blog for women lawyers, bankers, MBAs, consultants, and otherwise overachieving chicks Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Hunt: Basic Black Pumps Under $250 http://corporette.com/2012/01/30/the-hunt-basic-black-pumps-under-250/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-hunt-basic-black-pumps-under-250 http://corporette.com/2012/01/30/the-hunt-basic-black-pumps-under-250/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:30:20 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=20875

Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Naturalizer - Lennox (Kirsch Red Shiny) - FootwearI thought we’d start strong: I think this is a good looking shoe from Naturalizer, available in a black kid leather, black patent leather, and a very attractive shiny red leather. The platform looks just right here — it’s big enough to make the heel height more walkable, as well as the sole more firm, but without looking stripperish at all. Oh, and the kicker: it has 133 glowing reviews at Zappos. It’s $79.Naturalizer – Lennox
Nine West - Selene (Black Leather) - FootwearThis Nine West pump has a 5-star rating on Zappos (from 90 reviews) — again, I like the shape of the toe as well as the platform. N.B.: it comes in a pinkey “taupe” as well as a caramel-y “natural.” The black is $79 at Zappos. Nine West – Selene (Black Leather) – Footwear
Franco Sarto - Cicero (Piombo Suede) - FootwearI’m always a fan of Franco Sarto, and this basic pump — with a bit more prominent, but covered, platform — is no different. The black is $89 (and also comes in some more adventurous colors, including “gunmetal metallic” and a leopard print, as well as a muted brown suede).
Franco Sarto – Cicero
Cole Haan - Air Talia Pump (Black Leather) - FootwearCole Haan Air: these are almost such a basic (available in both the 3.5″ style as well as the more manageable 2.25″ heel) that I almost didn’t mention them — but they’re on sale at Zappos so I had to include. The regular Talia was $198 but is now marked to $209; the “mid pump” was $198 marked to $130. Cole Haan – Air Talia Pump
Stuart Weitzman - Blog (Black Kid) - Footwear Wow: I don’t think I’ve ever seen one shoe offered in so many shades of black. In addition to the black kid leather (pictured) there is the “black crystal snake,” “black goosebumps nappa,” “black patent,” (and then a brown goosebumps nappa and a navy). They range in price from $176 to $355; the plain black leather kid ones are now marked to $209.
Stuart Weitzman – Blog

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

(L-all)

]]> http://corporette.com/2012/01/30/the-hunt-basic-black-pumps-under-250/feed/ 140 Tales from the Wallet: Tax-Savvy Investments http://corporette.com/2012/01/25/tales-from-the-wallet-tax-savvy-investments/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tales-from-the-wallet-tax-savvy-investments http://corporette.com/2012/01/25/tales-from-the-wallet-tax-savvy-investments/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:30:04 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=20704 Marc by Marc Jacobs - Turnlock Shine Long Tri-fold (Electric Teal) - Bags and Luggage Something I've been thinking a lot about since I read it is this Mint article on "The Value of Tax-Deferred Savings." According to the article, "[u]nless you make enough money to max out all of your tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA, 529, HSA, and the like), it rarely makes sense to do any investing outside them." (Please note, I am not a financial adviser -- this is all just my personal knowledge, so take it with a grain of salt.) (Pictured: Marc by Marc Jacobs - Turnlock Shine Long Tri-fold (Electric Teal) - Bags and Luggage, on sale at Zappos from $198 down to $150 today. Lots of great sales on Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff on Zappos today, actually.) To be honest, the value of tax-deferred investing isn't something I understood until really, really recently. So I thought we'd review some of the main vehicles for tax-savvy savings here, answering -- for each, the main questions on everyone's mind:
  • What's the advantage?
  • How much can you put into it?
  • Who can use it?
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house, or pay for something else big (wedding, car, schooling, etc)?
  • When can you take it out?
Oh, and all of these vehicles aren't the "end" of the story; you still have to figure out what fund or bond or stock you want your money to go into once it's into that tax-deferred account. If you don't have time to research the different options, here's my tip: look for a "lifecycle" fund, such as a "Retire in 2040" or "Retire in 2050" fund -- the idea is that the fund manager reallocates the fund over time, so right now it'll be heavy in aggressive investments like stocks, whereas when you're closer to retirement they're in safer investments like bonds. (N.B., though: I have heard that you have to really pay attention to these when you get closer to retirement to make sure they're conservative enough for your blood.) Where possible, I've linked to different articles written in plain English to back up my assertions; I've also linked to the non-fun IRS pages. Oh, and note that all of these deal with earned income only -- so, for example, you can't open an IRA in your child's name and gift him $5K to put into it every year (unless s/he has somehow earned the money -- child modeling, anyone?). And one other note: can I just say I am stunned at how hard it was to "source" this article -- for example, MyMoney.gov has a whole page on "saving for retirement" with "helpful" advice such as "don't eat out a lot," but next to no information on IRAs. Thanks, government! 401K
  • What's the tax advantage? Money goes in before it is taxed, and grows tax-free. Even though the money will be taxed when you take it out, the idea is that your tax rate will be much lower when you are at retirement age. Furthermore, because it grows tax-free, you'll save thousands of dollars over the long run. Very noteworthy bonus: many employers "match" -- if you put in $3,000, they put in $3,000. Everyone agrees that if you don't at least contribute up to the match, you are throwing away free money. That said, I have never had the pleasure of working for an employer who matched.
  • How much? If you're under 50, as of 2012 the maximum you can contribute every year is $17,000.
  • Who? You have to contribute to your 401K through your employer -- so if you aren't a permanent employee, you're out of luck.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house? No. This is the big drawback to 401Ks -- instead of being able to use the money for something right now (house, wedding, car, school), it is Retirement Money. Sometimes you can take a 401k loan out, but that can be tricky.
  • When can you take it out? Age 59 and a half. If you take it out before age 59.5, you will pay income tax as well as an additional 10% early distribution penalty tax (although there are some fun exceptions, such as disability or death).
Roth IRA
  • What's the tax advantage? The money you put into a Roth IRA comes after it's already been taxed -- but you don't pay taxes on it once you withdraw it. Furthermore, the money grows tax-free over the years. Technically, this is tax-exempt saving rather than tax-deferred saving.
  • How much? You can put $5,000 into a Roth IRA and/or a traditional IRA every year.
  • Who? You can only contribute to a Roth IRA if your adjusted gross income is below $125,000 (for singletons) or $183,000 if you're married and filing jointly. (See also.) Note that unlike other vehicles, there are no mandatory withdrawals at age 70.5 -- and you can continue contributing to it for as long as you are working.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house? After you've held the account for 5 years, you can withdraw up to $10K in earnings without penalty or tax for the purchase, repair, or remodel of a first home. (See also.)
  • When can you take it out? While there are some exceptions (such as first time home buyer, significant unreimbursed medical expenses, etc), the normal age at which you can take it out is at 59.5.
Traditional IRA
  • What's the tax advantage? Like a 401K, money placed in these accounts grow tax-deferred.
  • How much? For 2012, you can contribute up to $5K annually.
  • Who? You can contribute to a traditional IRA even if you participate in an employer-sponsored 401k. Note, however, that if you or your spouse is covered by an employer retirement plan such as a 401K, that will affect how much of your contribution is tax-deductible. Depending on your income, you may only be able to take a partial deduction (if you make between $56-$66K and you're single, or $90K-$110K if you're married filing jointly), or no deduction at all if you make more than those amounts.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house? You can withdraw $10K for the purchase of a first home without paying the 10% penalty tax.
  • When can you take it out? 59.5, generally. If you are under age 59.5, you must pay a 10% additional tax on the distribution of any assets (in addition to any regular income tax) unless you meet some of the exceptions, such as for higher education or the purchase of a first home ($10K limit, though).
I'll take a look at other investment vehicles (such as 529s and HSAs) in a later post. Oh, and Forbes just had an interesting article on a "back-door Roth" strategy, noting that if you make too much for a Roth IRA but have the cash to save, you can open a traditional IRA and then go to the trouble of converting it to a Roth IRA, where it can grow tax-free. Readers, how much are you saving for retirement each year (versus saving for specific events such as a wedding or the purchase of your first home) -- and which of these vehicles are your favorites?  ]]>

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Turnlock Shine Long Tri-fold (Electric Teal) - Bags and Luggage Something I’ve been thinking a lot about since I read it is this Mint article on “The Value of Tax-Deferred Savings.” According to the article, “[u]nless you make enough money to max out all of your tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA, 529, HSA, and the like), it rarely makes sense to do any investing outside them.”  (Please note, I am not a financial adviser — this is all just my personal knowledge, so take it with a grain of salt.) (Pictured: Marc by Marc Jacobs – Turnlock Shine Long Tri-fold (Electric Teal) – Bags and Luggage, on sale at Zappos from $198 down to $150 today. Lots of great sales on Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff on Zappos today, actually.)

To be honest, the value of tax-deferred investing isn’t something I understood until really, really recently. So I thought we’d review some of the main vehicles for tax-savvy savings here, answering — for each, the main questions on everyone’s mind:

  • What’s the advantage?
  • How much can you put into it?
  • Who can use it?
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house, or pay for something else big (wedding, car, schooling, etc)?
  • When can you take it out?

Oh, and all of these vehicles aren’t the “end” of the story; you still have to figure out what fund or bond or stock you want your money to go into once it’s into that tax-deferred account.  If you don’t have time to research the different options, here’s my tip:  look for a “lifecycle” fund, such as a “Retire in 2040″ or “Retire in 2050″ fund — the idea is that the fund manager reallocates the fund over time, so right now it’ll be heavy in aggressive investments like stocks, whereas when you’re closer to retirement they’re in safer investments like bonds.  (N.B., though: I have heard that you have to really pay attention to these when you get closer to retirement to make sure they’re conservative enough for your blood.)  Where possible, I’ve linked to different articles written in plain English to back up my assertions; I’ve also linked to the non-fun IRS pages.  Oh, and note that all of these deal with earned income only — so, for example, you can’t open an IRA in your child’s name and gift him $5K to put into it every year (unless s/he has somehow earned the money — child modeling, anyone?).  And one other note: can I just say I am stunned at how hard it was to “source” this article — for example, MyMoney.gov has a whole page on “saving for retirement” with “helpful” advice such as “don’t eat out a lot,” but next to no information on IRAs.  Thanks, government!

401K

  • What’s the tax advantage? Money goes in before it is taxed, and grows tax-free.  Even though the money will be taxed when you take it out, the idea is that your tax rate will be much lower when you are at retirement age.  Furthermore, because it grows tax-free, you’ll save thousands of dollars over the long run.  Very noteworthy bonus:  many employers “match” — if you put in $3,000, they put in $3,000.  Everyone agrees that if you don’t at least contribute up to the match, you are throwing away free money. That said, I have never had the pleasure of working for an employer who matched.
  • How much? If you’re under 50, as of 2012 the maximum you can contribute every year is $17,000.
  • Who?  You have to contribute to your 401K through your employer — so if you aren’t a permanent employee, you’re out of luck.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house? No.  This is the big drawback to 401Ks — instead of being able to use the money for something right now (house, wedding, car, school), it is Retirement Money.  Sometimes you can take a 401k loan out, but that can be tricky.
  • When can you take it out? Age 59 and a half.  If you take it out before age 59.5, you will pay income tax as well as an additional 10% early distribution penalty tax (although there are some fun exceptions, such as disability or death).

Roth IRA

  • What’s the tax advantage? The money you put into a Roth IRA comes after it’s already been taxed — but you don’t pay taxes on it once you withdraw it.  Furthermore, the money grows tax-free over the years. Technically, this is tax-exempt saving rather than tax-deferred saving.
  • How much? You can put $5,000 into a Roth IRA and/or a traditional IRA every year.
  • Who? You can only contribute to a Roth IRA if your adjusted gross income is below $125,000 (for singletons) or $183,000 if you’re married and filing jointly. (See also.)  Note that unlike other vehicles, there are no mandatory withdrawals at age 70.5 — and you can continue contributing to it for as long as you are working.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house? After you’ve held the account for 5 years, you can withdraw up to $10K in earnings without penalty or tax for the purchase, repair, or remodel of a first home. (See also.)
  • When can you take it out? While there are some exceptions (such as first time home buyer, significant unreimbursed medical expenses, etc), the normal age at which you can take it out is at 59.5.

Traditional IRA

  • What’s the tax advantage? Like a 401K, money placed in these accounts grow tax-deferred.
  • How much? For 2012, you can contribute up to $5K annually.
  • Who? You can contribute to a traditional IRA even if you participate in an employer-sponsored 401k. Note, however, that if you or your spouse is covered by an employer retirement plan such as a 401K, that will affect how much of your contribution is tax-deductible.  Depending on your income, you may only be able to take a partial deduction (if you make between $56-$66K and you’re single, or $90K-$110K if you’re married filing jointly), or no deduction at all if you make more than those amounts.
  • Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house?  You can withdraw $10K for the purchase of a first home without paying the 10% penalty tax.
  • When can you take it out? 59.5, generally.  If you are under age 59.5, you must pay a 10% additional tax on the distribution of any assets (in addition to any regular income tax) unless you meet some of the exceptions, such as for higher education or the purchase of a first home ($10K limit, though).

I’ll take a look at other investment vehicles (such as 529s and HSAs) in a later post.  Oh, and Forbes just had an interesting article on a “back-door Roth” strategy, noting that if you make too much for a Roth IRA but have the cash to save, you can open a traditional IRA and then go to the trouble of converting it to a Roth IRA, where it can grow tax-free.

Readers, how much are you saving for retirement each year (versus saving for specific events such as a wedding or the purchase of your first home) — and which of these vehicles are your favorites?

 

]]> http://corporette.com/2012/01/25/tales-from-the-wallet-tax-savvy-investments/feed/ 124 360 Review: Dr. Megan Hunt of Body of Proof http://corporette.com/2011/12/15/360-review-dr-megan-hunt-of-body-of-proof/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=360-review-dr-megan-hunt-of-body-of-proof http://corporette.com/2011/12/15/360-review-dr-megan-hunt-of-body-of-proof/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:30:37 +0000 GuestPoster http://corporette.com/?p=19987 Today, a rare treat: a 360 review! In the 360 Review, Corporette examines a “professional woman”s” attire and critiques it from all perspectives: underling, boss, friend. Today's guest post is from Ashley Faus, who blogs at Consciously Corporate -- she's reviewing Dr. Megan Hunt of the new ABC show Body of Proof. Meet Dr. Megan Hunt, the intelligent, articulate, and often sarcastic Medical Exminer for the city of Philadelphia on ABC's "Body of Proof". Megan was a brilliant (and rich) neurosurgeon, until a car accident ended her career in the OR. Her impeccable (and expensive) taste in clothes and accessories carried her from surgeon to sleuth, and she looks professional and chic while she seeks the truth in the bodies that land on her table. Dr. Megan Hunt does an excellent job crossing the lines between business casual and conservative professional, with pops of color and accessories. She manages to look flawless while performing field work as well, with classic outerwear and practical shoes. In her personal life, Megan Hunt is coping with her ex-huband's new girlfriend, her 12 year old daughter's new interest in a relationship with her, potential new boyfriend material, and her mother's re-election campaign as a judge in the city. If that isn't enough stress, Dr. Hunt must deal with a flirty partner, two hard-nosed cops, a curious lab tech, and a sarcastic by-the-book supervisor. Megan is anything but "by the book", leading her to clash with her supervisor, and often, her boss. Dr. Megan Hunt is played by actress Dana Delany, and she's definitely not a Housewife anymore! (You remember her from Desparate Housewives?) The Good: Megan wears well-tailored, ageless clothing, paired with professional accessories. Her clothing honors both form and function, as she looks put together in the office or out in the field. She generally stays office-appropriate, with knee-length hemlines, reasonable necklines that don't draw attention to her bust, and fitted-but-not-tight outfits. She also knows which colors are flattering, and pairs her outfits well with her red hair. The Bad: Sometimes Megan's shoes are a little over the top, and her shoes seem to be a consistent source of attention, with high heels, strappy styles, and embellishments. And, per TV, her necklines plunge a little low in certain outfits. The Impression: As a hiring manager, I would find Megan to be confident, polished, and all-business, if she wore one of her tailored neutral dresses to the interview. As her supervisor, I'd find that her clothes say power, and a hint of rebellion with the loud shoes. And, as a subordinate, I'd say that she's a professional I'd like to emulate. However, I would probably need to wait until I had a few more years of experience under my belt before attempting to wear some of her more adventurous choices. In general, I think Megan projects authority and drive to all leveals of the organization, but shows a hint of personality with her shoes and accessories. Megan definitely likes to make a statement, and her clothes enhance her presence whenever she enters the room. [caption id="attachment_1521" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Perfect pairing of a classic sheath and cardigan, with a little edge from the print and the texture."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1524" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Nice knee-length skirt, well-fitting jacket, and a plunging neckline? Pair this with a button-down or silk shell for a more office-appropriate look."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1526" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Flat riding boots and a trench are perfect for a day in the field. The black is a little intimidating, maybe a jewel-toned scarf could lighten the look?"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1527" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Or, pairing this gorgeous green wool coat with the above look."][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1528" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="With a neckline cut just a little too low, and strappy, silver heels, this outfit would be better suited for an out-of-office event. The conservative shape of the dress, bright color, and cardigan could work for the office with a higher neckline and closed-toe pumps."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1529" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Well-tailored neutrals with an extra hint of personality from the leopard-print shoes and detailing on the jacket."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1530" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="While perfectly office-appropriate, this outfit is a little boring. I would pair it with a colorful bracelet, or a turquise skinny belt. Or, stay with plain jewelry, and add a pop of color with aubergine heels?"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1533" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Megan adds visual interest with several different textures and colors."][/caption] Dr. Megan Hunt is a complex character with a fabulous wardrobe! She flawlessly pairs function and form, and takes her outfits from field work to office to home life in a seamless transition. Interested in writing something similar for Corporette? Check out our guest posting guidelines here! (L-0)]]>

Today, a rare treat:  a 360 review!  In the 360 Review, Corporette examines a “professional woman”s” attire and critiques it from all perspectives: underling, boss, friend. Today’s guest post is from Ashley Faus, who blogs at Consciously Corporate — she’s reviewing Dr. Megan Hunt of the new ABC show Body of Proof.

Meet Dr. Megan Hunt, the intelligent, articulate, and often sarcastic Medical Exminer for the city of Philadelphia on ABC’s “Body of Proof”. Megan was a brilliant (and rich) neurosurgeon, until a car accident ended her career in the OR. Her impeccable (and expensive) taste in clothes and accessories carried her from surgeon to sleuth, and she looks professional and chic while she seeks the truth in the bodies that land on her table. Dr. Megan Hunt does an excellent job crossing the lines between business casual and conservative professional, with pops of color and accessories. She manages to look flawless while performing field work as well, with classic outerwear and practical shoes. In her personal life, Megan Hunt is coping with her ex-huband’s new girlfriend, her 12 year old daughter’s new interest in a relationship with her, potential new boyfriend material, and her mother’s re-election campaign as a judge in the city. If that isn’t enough stress, Dr. Hunt must deal with a flirty partner, two hard-nosed cops, a curious lab tech, and a sarcastic by-the-book supervisor. Megan is anything but “by the book”, leading her to clash with her supervisor, and often, her boss. Dr. Megan Hunt is played by actress Dana Delany, and she’s definitely not a Housewife anymore! (You remember her from Desparate Housewives?)

The Good: Megan wears well-tailored, ageless clothing, paired with professional accessories. Her clothing honors both form and function, as she looks put together in the office or out in the field. She generally stays office-appropriate, with knee-length hemlines, reasonable necklines that don’t draw attention to her bust, and fitted-but-not-tight outfits. She also knows which colors are flattering, and pairs her outfits well with her red hair.

The Bad: Sometimes Megan’s shoes are a little over the top, and her shoes seem to be a consistent source of attention, with high heels, strappy styles, and embellishments. And, per TV, her necklines plunge a little low in certain outfits.

The Impression: As a hiring manager, I would find Megan to be confident, polished, and all-business, if she wore one of her tailored neutral dresses to the interview. As her supervisor, I’d find that her clothes say power, and a hint of rebellion with the loud shoes. And, as a subordinate, I’d say that she’s a professional I’d like to emulate. However, I would probably need to wait until I had a few more years of experience under my belt before attempting to wear some of her more adventurous choices. In general, I think Megan projects authority and drive to all leveals of the organization, but shows a hint of personality with her shoes and accessories. Megan definitely likes to make a statement, and her clothes enhance her presence whenever she enters the room.

Perfect pairing of a classic sheath and cardigan, with a little edge from the print and the texture.

Nice knee-length skirt, well-fitting jacket, and a plunging neckline? Pair this with a button-down or silk shell for a more office-appropriate look.

Flat riding boots and a trench are perfect for a day in the field. The black is a little intimidating, maybe a jewel-toned scarf could lighten the look?

Or, pairing this gorgeous green wool coat with the above look.

 

With a neckline cut just a little too low, and strappy, silver heels, this outfit would be better suited for an out-of-office event. The conservative shape of the dress, bright color, and cardigan could work for the office with a higher neckline and closed-toe pumps.

Well-tailored neutrals with an extra hint of personality from the leopard-print shoes and detailing on the jacket.

While perfectly office-appropriate, this outfit is a little boring. I would pair it with a colorful bracelet, or a turquise skinny belt. Or, stay with plain jewelry, and add a pop of color with aubergine heels?

Megan adds visual interest with several different textures and colors.

Dr. Megan Hunt is a complex character with a fabulous wardrobe! She flawlessly pairs function and form, and takes her outfits from field work to office to home life in a seamless transition.

Interested in writing something similar for Corporette?  Check out our guest posting guidelines here!

(L-0)

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/12/15/360-review-dr-megan-hunt-of-body-of-proof/feed/ 131 Tech Fun: Slightly Geeky Things to Keep at the Office http://corporette.com/2011/10/24/tech-fun-slightly-geeky-things-to-keep-at-the-office/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tech-fun-slightly-geeky-things-to-keep-at-the-office http://corporette.com/2011/10/24/tech-fun-slightly-geeky-things-to-keep-at-the-office/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:30:26 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=19025 Not only do I consider myself a bit of a tech geek, but I specialize in a weird subset of tech geekiness: tech for the office. These are my top techy things to keep at the office -- readers, what do you keep? (Check out our prior discussions on clothes to keep at the office, as well as food to keep at the office.) Gadgets 1. Refrigerator -- This was one of my all-time favorite tech purchases for my office (and it lasted forever). I bought a super, super small fridge for my office -- so small it could barely fit a six-pack of Coke. I kept water and soda chilled, as well as cheese sticks, lemon juice, cheese, salad dressing -- even leftover food. You can find them for around $50 (look up "mini refrigerator," "portable refrigerator," "travel refrigerator") and up. 2. Extra chargers for your phone, Blackberry, and any other personal gadgets. I've never regretted the $40 or so the extra cord cost me. 3. Speakers for your iPod or iPhone. This doesn't need a lot of explanation, but you may want to brush up on the etiquette of listening to music at the office, particularly when other people can hear it. For my own $.02, I think it's fine to quietly listen to music if it's after working hours, but "quietly" is the key -- the person in the neighboring office should never have to come over and ask you to turn it down. 4. Phone headset. If you log lots of time on the phone -- on conference calls or in meetings -- a good headset might be worth an investment. 5. USB heated gloves (pictured above). If you have poor circulation and are always freezing, you may want to prepare for those long stretches in front of the computer by purchasing these USB-heated gloves. They plug into your computer and warm your hands as you type and click your way through the day.

Download

6. Leechblock. I've written before of my affection for Leechblock to help keep you focused. 7. RescueTime. Seriously consider signing up for this service if you're wasting a lot of time and wonder where it went -- it logs every online activity. 8. Consider installing a bookmarklet for ShoppingNotes -- if you see an item of clothing that you wish were on sale, you click the bookmarklet, and the free service monitors the price for any adjustment. I've gotten some sick deals by using this service! 9. LogMeIn. Talk with your boss about this, but LogMeIn lets you log into your office computer from home (or your home computer from your office). 10. XMarks. As someone who alternates between multiple computers, I love XMarks -- it syncs my bookmarks across all of my computers (and browsers). This is handy for me, both because I have a crazy folder/filing system for some bookmarks, but also because I now don't need to remember what device I originally found a new website. If you upgrade to the premium (paid) version of Xmarks, it will even sync your bookmarks to your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry. Software Most businesses supply you with all the software you need. Still, I've had great success with a few programs and had to recommend them. 11. PDF Factory (or something similar). This program is hugely helpful if you sit far from the printer, if you want more control over picking up your printouts, or if you email a lot of PDF'd documents. (For the lawyers out there, it's very helpful if you frequently review documents in .tif format, as well as if you print cases from Lexis or Westlaw.) Basically, when you click "print" you can choose to print to PDF Factory. The program opens a new window on your computer, and begins to compile a PDF. When you've finished printing, you can save the PDF to your hard drive, e-mail it to a coworker, and/or print it to your local printer. 12. Microsoft OneNote 2010 (or Evernote, if you're comfortable with the cloud). This allows you to create "notebooks" that will be word searchable, printable, e-mailable, and so forth. I primarily find OneNote helpful in working on a project -- planning a vacation or a wedding, decorating an apartment -- but it's also helpful in keeping track of restaurant reviews, recipes, articles full of gift ideas, and more. (I also find it useful on an organizational and environmental standpoint, because we now have a single place to put all those articles we used to just print out and leave in various places in our apartments.) (I prefer OneNote, but I know a lot of folks out there prefer Evernote for this kind of thing.) 13. Dragon NaturallySpeaking. This is pricier than the others, but this software is extremely helpful for those of you who practice the lost art of dictation. Dictating is a great skill to pick up for a variety of reasons -- it's much easier to summarize notes from all-day meetings via dictation, or to make sense of documents as you review them without constantly toggling between screens to be sure you've gotten the numbers and quotations exactly correct. Readers, share your tech must-haves for the office!]]>

Not only do I consider myself a bit of a tech geek, but I specialize in a weird subset of tech geekiness: tech for the office.  These are my top techy things to keep at the office — readers, what do you keep?  (Check out our prior discussions on clothes to keep at the office, as well as food to keep at the office.)

Gadgets


1. Refrigerator — This was one of my all-time favorite tech purchases for my office (and it lasted forever).  I bought a super, super small fridge for my office — so small it could barely fit a six-pack of Coke.  I kept water and soda chilled, as well as cheese sticks, lemon juice, cheese, salad dressing — even leftover food.  You can find them for around $50 (look up “mini refrigerator,” “portable refrigerator,” “travel refrigerator”) and up.

2. Extra chargers for your phone, Blackberry, and any other personal gadgets.  I’ve never regretted the $40 or so the extra cord cost me.

3. Speakers for your iPod or iPhone. This doesn’t need a lot of explanation, but you may want to brush up on the etiquette of listening to music at the office, particularly when other people can hear it.  For my own $.02, I think it’s fine to quietly listen to music if it’s after working hours, but “quietly” is the key — the person in the neighboring office should never have to come over and ask you to turn it down.

4. Phone headset. If you log lots of time on the phone — on conference calls or in meetings — a good headset might be worth an investment.

5. USB heated gloves (pictured above). If you have poor circulation and are always freezing, you may want to prepare for those long stretches in front of the computer by purchasing these USB-heated gloves. They plug into your computer and warm your hands as you type and click your way through the day.

Download

6. Leechblock. I’ve written before of my affection for Leechblock to help keep you focused.

7. RescueTime. Seriously consider signing up for this service if you’re wasting a lot of time and wonder where it went — it logs every online activity.

8. Consider installing a bookmarklet for ShoppingNotes — if you see an item of clothing that you wish were on sale, you click the bookmarklet, and  the free service monitors the price for any adjustment.  I’ve gotten some sick deals by using this service!

9. LogMeIn. Talk with your boss about this, but LogMeIn lets you log into your office computer from home (or your home computer from your office).

10. XMarks. As someone who alternates between multiple computers, I love XMarks — it syncs my bookmarks across all of my computers (and browsers).  This is handy for me, both because I have a crazy folder/filing system for some bookmarks, but also because I now don’t need to remember what device I originally found a new website.  If you upgrade to the premium (paid) version of Xmarks, it will even sync your bookmarks to your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry.

Software

Most businesses supply you with all the software you need. Still, I’ve had great success with a few programs and had to recommend them.

11. PDF Factory (or something similar). This program is hugely helpful if you sit far from the printer, if you want more control over picking up your printouts, or if you email a lot of PDF’d documents. (For the lawyers out there, it’s very helpful if you frequently review documents in .tif format, as well as if you print cases from Lexis or Westlaw.) Basically, when you click “print” you can choose to print to PDF Factory. The program opens a new window on your computer, and begins to compile a PDF. When you’ve finished printing, you can save the PDF to your hard drive, e-mail it to a coworker, and/or print it to your local printer.

12. Microsoft OneNote 2010 (or Evernote, if you’re comfortable with the cloud).  This allows you to create “notebooks” that will be word searchable, printable, e-mailable, and so forth. I primarily find OneNote helpful in working on a project — planning a vacation or a wedding, decorating an apartment — but it’s also helpful in keeping track of restaurant reviews, recipes, articles full of gift ideas, and more. (I also find it useful on an organizational and environmental standpoint, because we now have a single place to put all those articles we used to just print out and leave in various places in our apartments.) (I prefer OneNote, but I know a lot of folks out there prefer Evernote for this kind of thing.)

13. Dragon NaturallySpeaking. This is pricier than the others, but this software is extremely helpful for those of you who practice the lost art of dictation. Dictating is a great skill to pick up for a variety of reasons — it’s much easier to summarize notes from all-day meetings via dictation, or to make sense of documents as you review them without constantly toggling between screens to be sure you’ve gotten the numbers and quotations exactly correct.

Readers, share your tech must-haves for the office!

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/10/24/tech-fun-slightly-geeky-things-to-keep-at-the-office/feed/ 88 Tales from the Wallet: The Easy Way to Save $10k http://corporette.com/2011/10/12/tales-from-the-wallet-the-easy-way-to-save-10k/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tales-from-the-wallet-the-easy-way-to-save-10k http://corporette.com/2011/10/12/tales-from-the-wallet-the-easy-way-to-save-10k/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:30:04 +0000 GuestPoster http://corporette.com/?p=18804 When it comes to money, the true savings are never in the tiny things -- it's the big things like your healthcare plan and your investments. My old friend Sue is a master at all of this hard personal finance stuff -- I've asked her to share some of her knowledge with us today. You can follow her on Twitter at Suzie Donuts if you want more great tips! - Kat. (Pictured: Boje Designs Paradise Lace Essential Wallet, available at Endless for $34.) Yes yes, you know how to clip coupons and shop sales. But there are two problems with this approach: First, it takes too much time for not enough payout, so you’re practically doomed to failure before you begin; and second, you’ve heard it all before, so if you’re not doing it by now, you’re not going to do it tomorrow. Plus, being frugal requires constant vigilance. I’m not saying it’s not worthwhile, because it is; but especially when you’ve got a healthy cash flow coming in, you have to put dollars before cents. First you need to make sure you are fully maximizing your savings the big stuff, and not necessarily the stuff you read about. The big savings can be found in your workplace benefits and your investment accounts. The tips below will help you shave up to $10,000 off your expenses. (Note: For simplicity’s sake, we’ll assume in these examples that you are making $150,000, are married filing jointly with one dependent, and are living in New York state.) Saving at Your Work: $3,576+ Whenever you start a new job, HR gives you a giant info packet. Grab a cup of coffee and dig in. A good benefits package is worth its weight in gold. At a large company, the benefits might include perks such as: - Free admission to major museums in your city - Discounted rates on mobile phone service, banking, childcare, and insurance - Health Advocate services (I can’t say enough good things about these guys) - Flex spending accounts Sure, the museum and gym perks are nice, and I’ve used them. A lot. But the real savings for me has been in the boring stuff. Let’s say you are spending $500/month on groceries, and you cut your food spending by 50% by shopping sales and using coupons. That’s $3,000 a year. And it’s a pain in the neck to do. Believe me, I’ve done it. I’ve got the coupon organizer and the deep freezer and the stacks of sales circulars. I even wrote up a grocery price book, although that’s a whole other post. Suffice it to say, there’s a reason that most of the women on Extreme Couponing are stay-at-home moms. Alternately, you can save almost $3,500 a year just by finding tax-advantaged ways to do the same stuff you’d do anyway – namely, by using the flex-spending accounts that your company may already be offering. In our example, you’ll save 34% by using flex accounts: - $1,700 savings: Flex Spending Account for medical out-of-pocket ($2,500/year per worker @ 34%) – just be sure to “use it or lose it” each year - $1,876 savings: Commuter Spending Account for mass-transit passes or parking ($2,760/year per worker @ 34%) - BONUS ROUND: $1,700 savings: Dependent Care Spending Account for daycare or preschool ($5,000/year per household @ 34%) Source: Bankrate.com 125 Cafeteria Plan Calculator During Benefits Season in November, set up your flex accounts for 2012. Then take the afternoon off and visit your local museum on the company’s dime; you deserve it. Saving with Your Investments: $6,721 With all that extra cash, you can front-load a 529 plan, which can be used for educational spending for yourself and then handed off to your children when the time comes. In New York, you can deposit up to $10,000 a year state-tax-free into the New York 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan, which is administered by Vanguard. In this example, maxing out the 529 will save you another $738 in taxes this year. Not to mention, the money grows tax-free. If that $10k sat in the 529 for 18 years, growing at 7%, you’d save $5,497 in taxes versus using your regular brokerage account. Source: Bankrate.com 529 College-Savings-Plan Estimator There have been countless books written on investing. I’m not going to tell you how to invest, but please, make sure you pay as few fees as possible. I’m a Boglehead myself. I make a regular contribution to an index fund every month; if the market tanks, I increase my contribution as much as I can stand it. Since I put in relatively small amounts each time, I want to minimize my commission fees (the price you pay per trade) and my expense ratios (the % the fund charges annually for maintenance). So I stick to index funds from discount brokerages like Vanguard or Schwab, which have very low expense ratios. You can open a brokerage account at Schwab with as little as $100. (Vanguard’s minimum is $3,000.) You also should never have to pay a commission fee when buying an index fund. Schwab’s expense ratio for its Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) is 0.09% as of this writing. The Morningstar industry average is 0.38%. If you invest $500 a month with Schwab, you save $174 a year in fees. You can also link your Schwab brokerage account to its High Yield Investor Checking account, which is truly free checking – Schwab even reimburses all ATM fees. At two, $3 trips a week, that’s $312 a year in fees. The Long View: Break a Million Without Breaking a Sweat Based on the above examples, a married couple with children could save as much as $6,500 a year. What does that get you in the long run? Let’s say you’re 30 now. If you invest that $6,500 in an index fund making just 7% annually (because that 10% figure you always see thrown around is so 2007), you’ll be a millionaire by age 65. All without clipping a single coupon. Source: Bankrate Simple Savings Calculator Readers, are you maximizing your money with all of these big picture items? What are your best tips with the big picture items? (L-2)]]>

When it comes to money, the true savings are never in the tiny things — they’re in the big things like your healthcare plan and your investments. My old friend Sue is a master at all of this hard personal finance stuff — I’ve asked her to share some of her knowledge with us today. You can follow her on Twitter at @suziedonuts if you want more great tips! – Kat. (Pictured: Boje Designs Paradise Lace Essential Wallet, available at Endless for $34.)

Yes yes, you know how to clip coupons and shop sales. But there are two problems with this approach: First, it takes too much time for not enough payout, so you’re practically doomed to failure before you begin; and second, you’ve heard it all before, so if you’re not doing it by now, you’re not going to do it tomorrow. Plus, being frugal requires constant vigilance. I’m not saying it’s not worthwhile, because it is; but especially when you’ve got a healthy cash flow coming in, you have to put dollars before cents.

First you need to make sure you are fully maximizing your savings the big stuff, and not necessarily the stuff you read about. The big savings can be found in your workplace benefits and your investment accounts. The tips below will help you shave up to $10,000 off your expenses.

(Note: For simplicity’s sake, we’ll assume in these examples that you are making $150,000, are married filing jointly with one dependent, and are living in New York state.)

Saving at Your Work: $3,576+

Whenever you start a new job, HR gives you a giant info packet. Grab a cup of coffee and dig in. A good benefits package is worth its weight in gold. At a large company, the benefits might include perks such as:

- Free admission to major museums in your city

- Discounted rates on mobile phone service, banking, childcare, and insurance

- Health Advocate services (I can’t say enough good things about these guys)

- Flex spending accounts

Sure, the museum and gym perks are nice, and I’ve used them. A lot. But the real savings for me has been in the boring stuff.

Let’s say you are spending $500/month on groceries, and you cut your food spending by 50% by shopping sales and using coupons. That’s $3,000 a year. And it’s a pain in the neck to do. Believe me, I’ve done it. I’ve got the coupon organizer and the deep freezer and the stacks of sales circulars. I even wrote up a grocery price book, although that’s a whole other post. Suffice it to say, there’s a reason that most of the women on Extreme Couponing are stay-at-home moms.

Alternately, you can save almost $3,500 a year just by finding tax-advantaged ways to do the same stuff you’d do anyway – namely, by using the flex-spending accounts that your company may already be offering. In our example, you’ll save 34% by using flex accounts:
- $1,700 savings: Flex Spending Account for medical out-of-pocket ($2,500/year per worker @ 34%) – just be sure to “use it or lose it” each year
- $1,876 savings: Commuter Spending Account for mass-transit passes or parking ($2,760/year per worker @ 34%)
- BONUS ROUND: $1,700 savings: Dependent Care Spending Account for daycare or preschool ($5,000/year per household @ 34%)
Source: Bankrate.com 125 Cafeteria Plan Calculator

During Benefits Season in November, set up your flex accounts for 2012. Then take the afternoon off and visit your local museum on the company’s dime; you deserve it.

Saving with Your Investments: $6,721

With all that extra cash, you can front-load a 529 plan, which can be used for educational spending for yourself and then handed off to your children when the time comes. In New York, you can deposit up to $10,000 a year state-tax-free into the New York 529 College Savings Program Direct Plan, which is administered by Vanguard. In this example, maxing out the 529 will save you another $738 in taxes this year. Not to mention, the money grows tax-free. If that $10k sat in the 529 for 18 years, growing at 7%, you’d save $5,497 in taxes versus using your regular brokerage account.

Source: Bankrate.com 529 College-Savings-Plan Estimator

There have been countless books written on investing. I’m not going to tell you how to invest, but please, make sure you pay as few fees as possible. I’m a Boglehead myself. I make a regular contribution to an index fund every month; if the market tanks, I increase my contribution as much as I can stand it. Since I put in relatively small amounts each time, I want to minimize my commission fees (the price you pay per trade) and my expense ratios (the % the fund charges annually for maintenance). So I stick to index funds from discount brokerages like Vanguard or Schwab, which have very low expense ratios. You can open a brokerage account at Schwab with as little as $100. (Vanguard’s minimum is $3,000.) You also should never have to pay a commission fee when buying an index fund.

Schwab’s expense ratio for its Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) is 0.09% as of this writing. The Morningstar industry average is 0.38%. If you invest $500 a month with Schwab, you save $174 a year in fees.

You can also link your Schwab brokerage account to its High Yield Investor Checking account, which is truly free checking – Schwab even reimburses all ATM fees. At two, $3 trips a week, that’s $312 a year in fees.

The Long View: Break a Million Without Breaking a Sweat

Based on the above examples, a married couple with children could save as much as $6,500 a year. What does that get you in the long run?

Let’s say you’re 30 now. If you invest that $6,500 in an index fund making just 7% annually (because that 10% figure you always see thrown around is so 2007), you’ll be a millionaire by age 65. All without clipping a single coupon.

Source: Bankrate Simple Savings Calculator

Readers, are you maximizing your money with all of these big picture items? What are your best tips with the big picture items?

(L-2)

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/10/12/tales-from-the-wallet-the-easy-way-to-save-10k/feed/ 151 The Busy Woman’s Guide to Freezing Food http://corporette.com/2011/09/28/the-busy-womans-guide-to-freezing-food/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-busy-womans-guide-to-freezing-food http://corporette.com/2011/09/28/the-busy-womans-guide-to-freezing-food/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:30:16 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=17991 When you're a busy woman, taking the time to cook for yourself can be a luxury. It's better from a health perspective -- you know exactly what's in the dish, as well as how fresh/healthy the ingredients are-- and you can much more easily accommodate special desires (low calorie, low sodium, low fat, low carb) by cooking for yourself. Furthermore, frequently it's far cheaper than eating out. The easiest way that I've found, when I get time to cook for myself, is to cook large batches -- but then the problem becomes that my schedule is so unpredictable that half of the batch (or more) goes to waste. Not to mention you get "food fatigue" from eating the same dish so many days in a row. My personal answer has been to cook large batches and then freeze them with a fairly, um, elaborate system. (I'm a bit crazy, but we all knew that.) A friend came to visit a while ago and was fascinated by my system, so she encouraged me to share it here. When I was single, I used this system ALL the time for pasta sauce -- I hated opening a jar of sauce, then seeing the jar in the fridge a week and a half later and throwing it out 3/4ths full because I hadn't had time to make myself more pasta. 1. Get good quality freezer bags. I like to buy Ziploc bags that are designed for the freezer -- when I've used no-name brands or non-freezer bags I've had problems (leaky bags, freezer bite, etc). I prefer to buy quart-size because I've found that those tend to hold two servings -- the perfect amount for me and my husband. 2. Cook a bunch of food. I'm a big fan of the crockpot, so a lot of what I cook for myself and the hubs are things like stews and soups. I also will freeze a lot of raw chicken and raw beef, as well as things like leftover tomato sauce. I haven't had a lot of luck freezing fresh vegetables or fish, but your mileage may vary. Two things to note about the food: It's going to be easier to fill the bags when the food is not piping hot -- either lukewarm or chilled is preferable. Second, when possible I try to freeze my food as soon after cooking it as possible (rather than waiting 3-4 days) -- I'm not sure if it's right or not but my perception is that as the ingredients (like veggies) age, they loose some of their health factor. That said, freezing will kill a multitude of bacteria (I think), so you shouldn't be too shy about freezing food at the tail end of the time when you would be eating it. 3. Label your bags before putting any food inside; this way the writing is neater. I like to include the name of the dish, the date I made it, and occasionally the amount (1lb chicken) or the Weight Watchers Points value per serving. 4. Next, get tall glasses (or sometimes even a vase if it's a gallon-sized bag) to help my Ziploc bags "stand up." This is hard to describe, so hopefully the picture helps -- you push the bag inside the glass and then open them up. 5. Ladle the soup or stew inside. You'll find that the Ziploc-inside-the-glass gets full faster than the Ziploc will, so after a while you have to remove the glass from the equation and let the Ziploc stand by itself. 6. Continue to fill the bag(s) until all of the soup is ladled out. If there's some spillage on the bag, wipe it down. Next, you may want to weigh the bags using a digital scale -- I really do use mine frequently and it has been a great investment for the kitchen. If there's any huge inequity between the bags, you can take this opportunity to balance it out; otherwise you can just eyeball the bags and close 'em up. 7. A note on closing the bags: there should be as LITTLE AIR IN THE BAG as possible. Air causes freezer burn, and no one wants that. 8. Next, get out a plastic cutting board (or other smooth, flat surface). This is key to a neat freezing process -- even if you're just freezing chicken breasts or something simple like that. Layer your Ziploc bags on the bag -- it's okay if they overlap a bit -- and then slide the plastic cutting board into the freezer. 9. Then, let it sit for 4-24 hours. The bags freeze nice and flat, at which point you can remove them. If you like an organized freezer you'll find that the flat quart-sized bags even fit in a shoebox, pictured at the very top of the post. (I bought a box of 20 clear shoe boxes from The Container Store when I was changing up my shoe storage system, and have found that they come in ridiculously handy in a lot of places, including the freezer.) Here's one bag after it's been frozen. 10. Voila! Healthy, homemade dinners (or lunches) for the next 3-6 months, depending on ingredients. If you're heading off to work in the morning and want some of the leftovers for lunch, it's easy enough to grab one of the frozen Ziploc bags and chuck it in your purse -- it should stay frozen for your commute, and should defrost (either in the freezer or under a watchful eye just on your desk) enough to get it out of the bag before heating it up for lunch. I'm also a fan of taking out a Ziploc bag in the morning and putting it on a plate (or in a large bowl) to defrost in the fridge during the day, meaning all my husband or I have to do at night is to heat it up. Personally, I prefer to let the food defrost entirely so I can transfer it to a proper bowl or pot to reheat it -- I like to avoid putting plastics in the microwave whenever possible (both because it is never pretty when you overcook plastic, and because I've heard rumblings that plastic in the microwave may not be so safe for you). OK, readers, that's my insane little system for freezing food. What tricks do you use when you cook? Any favorite recipes that work particularly well for the freezer? (L-1)]]>

When you’re a busy woman, taking the time to cook for yourself can be a luxury.  It’s better from a health perspective — you know exactly what’s in the dish, as well as how fresh/healthy the ingredients are– and you can much more easily accommodate special desires (low calorie, low sodium, low fat, low carb) by cooking for yourself.  Furthermore, frequently it’s far cheaper than eating out.  The easiest way that I’ve found, when I get time to cook for myself, is to cook large batches — but then the problem becomes that my schedule is so unpredictable that half of the batch (or more) goes to waste.  Not to mention you get “food fatigue” from eating the same dish so many days in a row.

My personal answer has been to cook large batches and then freeze them with a fairly, um, elaborate system.  (I’m a bit crazy, but we all knew that.)  A friend came to visit a while ago and was fascinated by my system, so she encouraged me to share it here. When I was single, I used this system ALL the time for pasta sauce — I hated opening a jar of sauce, then seeing the jar in the fridge a week and a half later and throwing it out 3/4ths full because I hadn’t had time to make myself more pasta.

1.  Get good quality freezer bags. I like to buy Ziploc bags that are designed for the freezer — when I’ve used no-name brands or non-freezer bags I’ve had problems (leaky bags, freezer bite, etc).  I prefer to buy quart-size because I’ve found that those tend to hold two servings — the perfect amount for me and my husband.

2.  Cook a bunch of food. I’m a big fan of the crockpot, so a lot of what I cook for myself and the hubs are things like stews and soups.  I also will freeze a lot of raw chicken and raw beef, as well as things like leftover tomato sauce.  I haven’t had a lot of luck freezing fresh vegetables or fish, but your mileage may vary.  Two things to note about the food:  It’s going to be easier to fill the bags when the food is not piping hot — either lukewarm or chilled is preferable.  Second, when possible I try to freeze my food as soon after cooking it as possible (rather than waiting 3-4 days) — I’m not sure if it’s right or not but my perception is that as the ingredients (like veggies) age, they loose some of their health factor.  That said, freezing will kill a multitude of bacteria (I think), so you shouldn’t be too shy about freezing food at the tail end of the time when you would be eating it.

3. Label your bags before putting any food inside; this way the writing is neater.  I like to include the name of the dish, the date I made it, and occasionally the amount (1lb chicken) or the Weight Watchers Points value per serving.

4.  Next, get tall glasses (or sometimes even a vase if it’s a gallon-sized bag) to help my Ziploc bags “stand up.”  This is hard to describe, so hopefully the picture helps — you push the bag inside the glass and then open them up.

5. Ladle the soup or stew inside. You’ll find that the Ziploc-inside-the-glass gets full faster than the Ziploc will, so after a while you have to remove the glass from the equation and let the Ziploc stand by itself.

6. Continue to fill the bag(s) until all of the soup is ladled out. If there’s some spillage on the bag, wipe it down.  Next, you may want to weigh the bags using a digital scale — I really do use mine frequently and it has been a great investment for the kitchen.  If there’s any huge inequity between the bags, you can take this opportunity to balance it out; otherwise you can just eyeball the bags and close ‘em up.

7.  A note on closing the bags: there should be as LITTLE AIR IN THE BAG as possible.  Air causes freezer burn, and no one wants that.

8.  Next, get out a plastic cutting board (or other smooth, flat surface).  This is key to a neat freezing process — even if you’re just freezing chicken breasts or something simple like that.  Layer your Ziploc bags on the bag — it’s okay if they overlap a bit — and then slide the plastic cutting board into the freezer.

9. Then, let it sit for 4-24 hours. The bags freeze nice and flat, at which point you can remove them.  If you like an organized freezer you’ll find that the flat quart-sized bags even fit in a shoebox, pictured at the very top of the post.  (I bought a box of 20 clear shoe boxes from The Container Store when I was changing up my shoe storage system, and have found that they come in ridiculously handy in a lot of places, including the freezer.) Here’s one bag after it’s been frozen.

10.  Voila! Healthy, homemade dinners (or lunches) for the next 3-6 months, depending on ingredients.  If you’re heading off to work in the morning and want some of the leftovers for lunch, it’s easy enough to grab one of the frozen Ziploc bags and chuck it in your purse — it should stay frozen for your commute, and should defrost (either in the freezer or under a watchful eye just on your desk) enough to get it out of the bag before heating it up for lunch.  I’m also a fan of taking out a Ziploc bag in the morning and putting it on a plate (or in a large bowl) to defrost in the fridge during the day, meaning all my husband or I have to do at night is to heat it up.  Personally, I prefer to let the food defrost entirely so I can transfer it to a proper bowl or pot to reheat it — I like to avoid putting plastics in the microwave whenever possible (both because it is never pretty when you overcook plastic, and because I’ve heard rumblings that plastic in the microwave may not be so safe for you).

OK, readers, that’s my insane little system for freezing food.  What tricks do you use when you cook?  Any favorite recipes that work particularly well for the freezer?

(L-1)

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/09/28/the-busy-womans-guide-to-freezing-food/feed/ 143 The Hunt: Computer Bags and Laptop Sleeves http://corporette.com/2011/09/06/the-hunt-computer-bags-and-laptop-sleeves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-hunt-computer-bags-and-laptop-sleeves http://corporette.com/2011/09/06/the-hunt-computer-bags-and-laptop-sleeves/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:30:41 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=18329 Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In "The Hunt," we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have. It's been a while since we rounded up cute laptop sleeves and computer bags here at Corporette, and I thought now might be a great time to do it... I find the plain black laptop bags and sleeves so boring! Readers, have you found any great laptop bags or sleeves? Do you have a preference?
Love, Margaux has some fashionable designs for both a "commuter carryall" (pictured above) and a laptop sleeve (pictured at right). I really like the fun fabrics in heavyweight cotton, the padding for the laptop, and the multiple compartments for cables and personal things. The commuter carryall can fit laptops up to 17"; the sleeve up to 15".
Aleysa Bags are big enough for a 15" laptop, and have a fun retro vibe in lovely colors like eggplant and kelly green. They're $265 at Aleysabags.com. Exquisite Eggplant
Personally, I tend to prefer sleeves to computer bags, and I like these colorful ones from StuffItBag. They're handmade, machine washable, and only $30 per bag -- and they have bags to fit laptops from 9 inches to 17 inches.
Don't forget the department stores either -- Bloomingdale's, for example, has a variety of cute sleeves and bags from designers such as Kate Spade (pictured - on sale for $42),Rebecca Minkoff, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Moleskine, Juicy Couture, and Harajuku Lovers.
Finally, I always feel like Built is the gold standard -- they wear really well, they protect the computer in a lightweight way, and the fun colors makes the bags easy to find in a dark bag. I'm a huge fan of the Built sleeves, particularly. Sold at Amazonand Zappos.com. for $20-$90.
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments! (L-3)]]>

Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

It’s been a while since we rounded up cute laptop sleeves and computer bags here at Corporette, and I thought now might be a great time to do it… I find the plain black laptop bags and sleeves so boring!  Readers, have you found any great laptop bags or sleeves? Do you have a preference?

Love, Margaux has some fashionable designs for both a “commuter carryall” (pictured above) and a laptop sleeve (pictured at right).  I really like the fun fabrics in heavyweight cotton, the padding for the laptop, and the multiple compartments for cables and personal things.  The commuter carryall can fit laptops up to 17″; the sleeve up to 15″.
Aleysa Bags are big enough for a 15″ laptop, and have a fun retro vibe in lovely colors like eggplant and kelly green.  They’re $265 at Aleysabags.com. Exquisite Eggplant
Personally, I tend to prefer sleeves to computer bags, and I like these colorful ones from StuffItBag.  They’re handmade, machine washable, and only $30 per bag — and they have bags to fit laptops from 9 inches to 17 inches.
Don’t forget the department stores either — Bloomingdale’s, for example, has a variety of cute sleeves and bags from designers such as Kate Spade (pictured – on sale for $42),Rebecca Minkoff, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Moleskine, Juicy Couture, and Harajuku Lovers.
Finally, I always feel like Built is the gold standard — they wear really well, they protect the computer in a lightweight way, and the fun colors makes the bags easy to find in a dark bag.  I’m a huge fan of the Built sleeves, particularly.  Sold at Amazonand Zappos.com. for $20-$90.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
(L-3)

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/09/06/the-hunt-computer-bags-and-laptop-sleeves/feed/ 23 Tales from the Wallet: From A Lawyer’s Salary to Paying Tuition – Six Ways to Deal http://corporette.com/2011/08/17/tales-from-the-wallet-from-a-lawyers-salary-to-paying-tuition-six-ways-to-deal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tales-from-the-wallet-from-a-lawyers-salary-to-paying-tuition-six-ways-to-deal http://corporette.com/2011/08/17/tales-from-the-wallet-from-a-lawyers-salary-to-paying-tuition-six-ways-to-deal/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:13:35 +0000 GuestPoster http://corporette.com/?p=17498 Ah, golden handcuffs -- long after some people know they should quit their high-paying jobs, they stay on because their lifestyle costs too much (usually due to a combination of rent or mortgage, plus debt). How do you break free from the golden handcuffs, and adjust your finances to your new lifestyle? Today's guest poster, Ying Ying Li, has some tips for just that. I've known of Ying's hilarious first blog, Last Day at the Office Emails, since I linked to it here during a Weekly Roundup. She's also recently started sharing more of her reflections on her life as a recovering lawyer at her newer blog, The Ying-a-Ling -- check her out! (Pictured below: Pochi coin purses, available at Kitson for $12 each.) A couple of years ago, I quit my job as a litigation associate at a large law firm in midtown Manhattan in order to attend a conservatory of theatre arts (acting school) full-time. I'd always wanted to do something creative and watching TV had made me think that law was the perfect choice for me. By the time I found out that I didn't really want to be a lawyer, just an actor that played one on TV, I was already living in an expensive high-rise rental in Manhattan and encumbered with a hefty debt from student loans. Fortunately, after five years of accidental lawyering, I was able to save up enough money to quit and pursue my dreams. The transition from making a mid-level lawyer's salary to not making any money and paying tuition was a dramatically humbling one. I like to tell people that I am my own trust fund baby, except that the trust is very, very, very, very, very, small. Although there were some second-career students in my small theatre class, most of them were in their early twenties or even teens. I showed up for my first ballet class with a leotard that was extremely high-cut and bright red underwear that was extremely not; suffice to say, I looked like a baboon. I remember sticking my head out of the sweaty dance studio during that embarrassing class and seeing the bustling highrises across town where I used to have my own office and administrative assistant... an entirely different life! Financially-speaking, breaking free of the "golden handcuffs" also had its own set of ramifications -- some fun, others, less so. But I am happy to report that although "less money, less problems" isn't exactly the corollary of "'mo money, 'mo problems," I have been able to make do with less in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Predictably, I stopped taking cabs and bought a monthly subway pass, I learned to cook and ate out less, I drank more beer and less martinis, I said good-bye to my nail salon and hello to Sally Hansen. As someone who loves clothes, and living in a city like New York where there is a constant barrage of women wearing the latest designs, I realized that I had to figure out some innovative ways to keep my wardrobe budget in line without giving up on my style horse hobby. 1. Heighten your standards. It may sound counterintuitive, but when I was making more any money, I had lower standards for purchasing clothes and accessories. If I looked good in two out of three angled mirrors in the changing room, I'd probably buy it. If the arch of the shoes didn't perfectly follow my natural arch, but was otherwise what I had been searching for, I'd get it. As a result, I ended up with a lot of mediocre pieces in my closet, and a never completely satisfied shopping list. Now, I am much more firm about my "standards to buy", and I've finally accepted that scouting for the perfect black leather handbag can take a very long time. I regularly reject items for not fitting perfectly, for having an unruly fabric, for not having all the features that I was looking for. This has cut down on a lot of unnecessary purchases. 2. Reduce your online shopping. Visiting sites such as Gilt, Yoox, Rue La La, and the myriad shoe sites out there were a daily indulgence for me, and I didn't really scrutinize my purchases because I often felt the adrenaline of these "flash sale" sites where, if you hesitate on an item for even an extra second, it will get sold out from under you. In order to resist the temptation of online shopping, I removed myself from daily email lists from these sites, and when possible, subscribed to their weekly mailings. This way, I naturally forgot about checking on these sites, and now might go on them on a monthly, instead of daily, basis. Online shopping is fun and you can often score really amazing deals --but at my current budget, it is too expensive to maintain as a habit. If I do make an online purchase, it is much more deliberate and more of a special occasion. 3. Recognize quality over labels. After ditching the online shopping habit, I reaquainted myself with brick and mortar stores such as Uniqlo and H&M. Some might argue that these stores skew a little younger, but there's such high turnover, and so many different pieces, that I have not been reduced to dressing like a teenager. I have also been able to find great summer tops at Target and well-made underwear at Marshall's and Century 21. The main cost here is probably time, and you do kind of feel like you're helping a hoarder sort her clutter, but well-fitting, durable pieces do exist at these establishments. In terms of quality, although I don't quite understand the economics of it, I have been able to find a lot of durable, well-fitting, well-made pieces at H&M that are on par with, or even better than the fancier labels I was courting as a lawyer. 4. Transcend trends. I used to be a sucker for trends. Studs? I'll try 'em. Platforms? Give me five pair! But being on a student budget, I no longer respond to every craving for the latest garb. Just like how you're suppose to wait twenty minutes before you can tell if you're full or not, I make myself sit back and evaluate whether I even like this trend or not. 5. DIY. If I like really like a new trend, I try to see if I have anything that I can do to follow it. For example, last fall all the stores and fashionable people were wearing those 1990s Elaine pants --wide on top, cinched by the ankle. I saw them at Zara and really wanted to get a pair, but then I realized that all I had to do was roll up my pants in a special way to make them narrow at the ankles. If I can't DIY a trend, I tell myself to wait a few months. If I still like the trend at that time, then maybe I'll buy it. 6. Approximation. Even if you decide to buy something on trend, there is no reason you need to buy it from the most expensive store carrying that trend! For instance, I really liked the loose satin tank tops that I saw girls wearing in the city. Instead of buying them at JCrew or Club Monaco, I found them at Target for under $20 each. With trial and error, I've learned that there are certain things that you can spend less on and still look great, such as jeans, t-shirts, willowy drapey tops, shorts, summer dresses. (Pictured: Ying's own tank, at left, which she bought as an approximation of this Alicia tank from Joie, available at CUSP by Neiman Marcus for $128.) (L-2)]]>

Ah, golden handcuffs — long after some people know they should quit their high-paying jobs, they stay on because their lifestyle costs too much (usually due to a combination of rent or mortgage, plus debt).  How do you break free from the golden handcuffs, and adjust your finances to your new lifestyle?  Today’s guest poster, Ying Ying Li, has some tips for just that. I’ve known of Ying’s hilarious first blog, Last Day at the Office Emails, since I linked to it here during a Weekly Roundup. She’s also recently started sharing more of her reflections on her life as a recovering lawyer at her newer blog, The Ying-a-Ling — check her out! (Pictured below: Pochi coin purses, available at Kitson for $12 each.)

A couple of years ago, I quit my job as a litigation associate at a large law firm in midtown Manhattan in order to attend a conservatory of theatre arts (acting school) full-time. I’d always wanted to do something creative and watching TV had made me think that law was the perfect choice for me. By the time I found out that I didn’t really want to be a lawyer, just an actor that played one on TV, I was already living in an expensive high-rise rental in Manhattan and encumbered with a hefty debt from student loans. Fortunately, after five years of accidental lawyering, I was able to save up enough money to quit and pursue my dreams.

The transition from making a mid-level lawyer’s salary to not making any money and paying tuition was a dramatically humbling one. I like to tell people that I am my own trust fund baby, except that the trust is very, very, very, very, very, small. Although there were some second-career students in my small theatre class, most of them were in their early twenties or even teens. I showed up for my first ballet class with a leotard that was extremely high-cut and bright red underwear that was extremely not; suffice to say, I looked like a baboon. I remember sticking my head out of the sweaty dance studio during that embarrassing class and seeing the bustling highrises across town where I used to have my own office and administrative assistant… an entirely different life!

Financially-speaking, breaking free of the “golden handcuffs” also had its own set of ramifications — some fun, others, less so. But I am happy to report that although “less money, less problems” isn’t exactly the corollary of “‘mo money, ‘mo problems,” I have been able to make do with less in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Predictably, I stopped taking cabs and bought a monthly subway pass, I learned to cook and ate out less, I drank more beer and less martinis, I said good-bye to my nail salon and hello to Sally Hansen. As someone who loves clothes, and living in a city like New York where there is a constant barrage of women wearing the latest designs, I realized that I had to figure out some innovative ways to keep my wardrobe budget in line without giving up on my style horse hobby.

1. Heighten your standards.

It may sound counterintuitive, but when I was making more any money, I had lower standards for purchasing clothes and accessories. If I looked good in two out of three angled mirrors in the changing room, I’d probably buy it. If the arch of the shoes didn’t perfectly follow my natural arch, but was otherwise what I had been searching for, I’d get it. As a result, I ended up with a lot of mediocre pieces in my closet, and a never completely satisfied shopping list. Now, I am much more firm about my “standards to buy”, and I’ve finally accepted that scouting for the perfect black leather handbag can take a very long time. I regularly reject items for not fitting perfectly, for having an unruly fabric, for not having all the features that I was looking for. This has cut down on a lot of unnecessary purchases.

2. Reduce your online shopping.

Visiting sites such as Gilt, Yoox, Rue La La, and the myriad shoe sites out there were a daily indulgence for me, and I didn’t really scrutinize my purchases because I often felt the adrenaline of these “flash sale” sites where, if you hesitate on an item for even an extra second, it will get sold out from under you. In order to resist the temptation of online shopping, I removed myself from daily email lists from these sites, and when possible, subscribed to their weekly mailings. This way, I naturally forgot about checking on these sites, and now might go on them on a monthly, instead of daily, basis. Online shopping is fun and you can often score really amazing deals –but at my current budget, it is too expensive to maintain as a habit. If I do make an online purchase, it is much more deliberate and more of a special occasion.

3. Recognize quality over labels.

After ditching the online shopping habit, I reaquainted myself with brick and mortar stores such as Uniqlo and H&M. Some might argue that these stores skew a little younger, but there’s such high turnover, and so many different pieces, that I have not been reduced to dressing like a teenager. I have also been able to find great summer tops at Target and well-made underwear at Marshall’s and Century 21. The main cost here is probably time, and you do kind of feel like you’re helping a hoarder sort her clutter, but well-fitting, durable pieces do exist at these establishments. In terms of quality, although I don’t quite understand the economics of it, I have been able to find a lot of durable, well-fitting, well-made pieces at H&M that are on par with, or even better than the fancier labels I was courting as a lawyer.

4. Transcend trends.

I used to be a sucker for trends. Studs? I’ll try ‘em. Platforms? Give me five pair! But being on a student budget, I no longer respond to every craving for the latest garb. Just like how you’re suppose to wait twenty minutes before you can tell if you’re full or not, I make myself sit back and evaluate whether I even like this trend or not.

5. DIY.

If I like really like a new trend, I try to see if I have anything that I can do to follow it. For example, last fall all the stores and fashionable people were wearing those 1990s Elaine pants –wide on top, cinched by the ankle. I saw them at Zara and really wanted to get a pair, but then I realized that all I had to do was roll up my pants in a special way to make them narrow at the ankles. If I can’t DIY a trend, I tell myself to wait a few months. If I still like the trend at that time, then maybe I’ll buy it.

6. Approximation.

Even if you decide to buy something on trend, there is no reason you need to buy it from the most expensive store carrying that trend! For instance, I really liked the loose satin tank tops that I saw girls wearing in the city. Instead of buying them at JCrew or Club Monaco, I found them at Target for under $20 each. With trial and error, I’ve learned that there are certain things that you can spend less on and still look great, such as jeans, t-shirts, willowy drapey tops, shorts, summer dresses. (Pictured: Ying’s own tank, at left, which she bought as an approximation of this Alicia tank from Joie, available at CUSP by Neiman Marcus for $128.)

Readers, have you had to downsize your budget? Do you feel constrained by golden handcuffs?

(L-2)
Interested in writing something similar for Corporette? Check out our guest posting guidelines.

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/08/17/tales-from-the-wallet-from-a-lawyers-salary-to-paying-tuition-six-ways-to-deal/feed/ 195 The Hunt: Black Tote Bags http://corporette.com/2011/08/08/the-hunt-black-tote-bags/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-hunt-black-tote-bags http://corporette.com/2011/08/08/the-hunt-black-tote-bags/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:01:12 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=17707 kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne ToteiconSure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In "The Hunt," we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have. I feel like a good black tote bag is something every professional woman needs -- particularly if you're gearing up for interviews. They're large enough for a folder with your resume, as well as some reading or work (should you find yourself waiting or with some free time), and they're also great for stashing all of the items you generally carry in your purse. Readers, have you recently purchased any great black tote bags? Do you have a classic that you've been using for years?
London Fog "Miranda" Tote & Clutch SetI'm not generally a fan of faux leather, but it's hard to beat the price for this one (at least as far as online sales go): it was $135, now marked to $70. London Fog is a respected name, and I like that it comes with a clutch. It's 16.25" at the widest point, 11.5" high and 5.75" deep -- plenty of space. It was $135, now marked to $69.99 at SmartBargains.com. London Fog "Miranda" Tote & Clutch Set
$220 seems like a lot for a nylon bag, but I actually prefer nylon for tote bags because I think it wears better and is lighter weight. This is just a basic black bag, but I like the internal pockets (including one for your ipad and cell phone), and there are removable and repositionable interior dividers. I like it in black for work, but there are a number of fun colors marked 30% off which might be better for a general purpose "tote bag." The black is $220 at Mandarina Duck. Mandarina Duck Unexpected Shopper
Tumi is another brand I know and like, particularly for business bags for men and women. I like the leather and nylon combination of this one, as well as the little details like the feet on the bag and the interior pockets. It's $345 at Amazon. Tumi Voyageur Derby Business Tote
kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne Tote iconI'm actually most excited about this bag -- it seems like ages since Kate Spade had a good nylon tote out. I like the hardware for a bit of interest, as well as the feet, interior pockets, and fun lining. It's $395 at Bloomingdale's. kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne Tote
Longchamp Roseau Patent East West ToteI like the durability of patent leather for something like a tote bag -- it's easy to clean and can generally take a lot of use. This East/West tote is simple and basic -- I like the slim shoulder straps as well as the toggle closure. It's $475 at Bloomingdale's. Longchamp Roseau Patent East West Tote
Fendi black 'Roman' leather 'Selleria' medium tote Hello, lovah. This Fendi bag has me drooling -- the pebbled leather! the contrast stitching! the three interior compartments! It's even on sale at Bluefly: was $2250, now marked to $1620 (including an extra 10% off). Lovely. Fendi black 'Roman' leather 'Selleria' medium tote
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments! (L-all) ]]>

kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne ToteiconSure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

I feel like a good black tote bag is something every professional woman needs — particularly if you’re gearing up for interviews.  They’re large enough for a folder with your resume, as well as some reading or work (should you find yourself waiting or with some free time), and they’re also great for stashing all of the items you generally carry in your purse.  Readers, have you recently purchased any great black tote bags?  Do you have a classic that you’ve been using for years?

London Fog "Miranda" Tote & Clutch SetI’m not generally a fan of faux leather, but it’s hard to beat the price for this one (at least as far as online sales go): it was $135, now marked to $70. London Fog is a respected name, and I like that it comes with a clutch. It’s 16.25″ at the widest point, 11.5″ high and 5.75″ deep — plenty of space. It was $135, now marked to $69.99 at SmartBargains.com. London Fog “Miranda” Tote & Clutch Set
$220 seems like a lot for a nylon bag, but I actually prefer nylon for tote bags because I think it wears better and is lighter weight. This is just a basic black bag, but I like the internal pockets (including one for your ipad and cell phone), and there are removable and repositionable interior dividers. I like it in black for work, but there are a number of fun colors marked 30% off which might be better for a general purpose “tote bag.” The black is $220 at Mandarina Duck. Mandarina Duck Unexpected Shopper
Tumi is another brand I know and like, particularly for business bags for men and women. I like the leather and nylon combination of this one, as well as the little details like the feet on the bag and the interior pockets. It’s $345 at Amazon. Tumi Voyageur Derby Business Tote
kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne Tote
iconI’m actually most excited about this bag — it seems like ages since Kate Spade had a good nylon tote out. I like the hardware for a bit of interest, as well as the feet, interior pockets, and fun lining. It’s $395 at Bloomingdale’s. kate spade new york Nylon Maryanne Tote
Longchamp Roseau Patent East West ToteI like the durability of patent leather for something like a tote bag — it’s easy to clean and can generally take a lot of use. This East/West tote is simple and basic — I like the slim shoulder straps as well as the toggle closure. It’s $475 at Bloomingdale’s. Longchamp Roseau Patent East West Tote
Fendi black 'Roman' leather 'Selleria' medium tote Hello, lovah. This Fendi bag has me drooling — the pebbled leather! the contrast stitching! the three interior compartments! It’s even on sale at Bluefly: was $2250, now marked to $1620 (including an extra 10% off). Lovely. Fendi black ‘Roman’ leather ‘Selleria’ medium tote

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

(L-all)

]]> http://corporette.com/2011/08/08/the-hunt-black-tote-bags/feed/ 88 Open Thread: The Best Notebooks http://corporette.com/2011/08/03/open-thread-the-best-notebooks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=open-thread-the-best-notebooks http://corporette.com/2011/08/03/open-thread-the-best-notebooks/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:35:28 +0000 Kat http://corporette.com/?p=17526 the best pens a few weeks ago (which I'm still in the process of trying out -- many of the ones mentioned by the readers were subsequently sent to me by Jet Pens, so thank you! -- others I've bought myself) some of the readers noted that we should also talk about notebooks. This took me a wee bit by surprise, I realized, because I feel so strongly about my notebook choice -- so I'm really curious to hear what the other ones that people love. Mead Composition notebookMy favorite notebook is your simple, cheap, Mead Composition notebook, at least for use at my personal desk. I like how the pages stay together no matter what, and how the book can take a beating and still hold up. I've spilled coffee on these notebooks, doodled on them, ripped out pages, photocopied them -- and they still hold up incredibly well. I've used them for years to keep track of personal things -- I still have the notebook containing my budget from back in my lean days, right out of college! -- but when I switched jobs from a big firm to a small not-for-profit I rediscovered my love for this kind of notebook because I think it's great for when you have multiple small projects going on and you just want everything in one place. I tend to only have one notebook at a time -- the front part of the book (at least the first page going forward) is for business stuff, and the last page going backwards is for personal things. I'm also incredibly ADD when I get on phone calls, whether for business or personal matters, and I find that it helps me to focus if I'm "taking notes" during the call, even if it's something as simple as arranging a furniture delivery. I've used the Mead notebook for professional purposes as well -- taking notes at some small meetings and big conferences -- but I'm undecided on whether they look "professional" enough to actually be used for this purpose. For example, I remember taking my battered Mead notebook with me to a big Style Coalition/Elle meeting last year and feeling like my notebook was somehow too shabby and out of place among all the sleek, lovely notebooks the other bloggers had. To be honest, I would probably just grab a clean pad of paper the next time I had to go to such a meeting (if I knew there would be too many notes to take them on my phone). Other systems I've used over the years: - In college and law school (although I got a laptop by January of my 1L year), I preferred to use looseleaf paper, which I would eventually bind in one of those slim folders with binder clips in the middle(usually at the end of each day, but at least once a week). I just carried around a clipboard full of about 50 sheets of loose papers, and when I finished a class or seminar move the pages I'd filled to the back of the clipboard. This saved me from having to take notes for Class X in Class Y's notebook (let alone notes for Club Z -- the horror! can you imagine?) and also allowed me to start drafting homework assignments, letters, and even some creative writing attempts without impinging on anything else's space. - At the law firm, I found that I preferred to have one legal pad per case. I would take notes from reading the papers and filings in the notepad, grab it to go with me to meetings, and file it with my other case notes and research. This turned out to be helpful a few times when a major case would "die," only to rear its ugly head a few months later (long after I'd expunged all thoughts of it from my head). For a while I tried to adopt a system where I had a nice leather-bound "Trapper Keeper" kind of thing that I took with me to longer meetings (particularly handy because I could "stock it" with Post-It Notes, tape flags, business cards, and even lip gloss), but ultimately I just preferred the simple yellow legal pad system. - For my personal diary or journal, I've always tried to buy pretty books that have meaning to me; they're usually cloth or leather-bound. I've bought them anywhere from museum shops to open-air markets to specialty stationery shops. I like how they're all different. I've tried other brands and systems -- such as keeping a Moleskine in my purse for on-the-fly notes -- but I'm just never impressed with how they hold up, so I prefer to take on-the-fly notes in my phone (such as during my recent fun with 5 sessions of a Lamaze class) usually either synced through my calendar or with my new "notes" application, B-Folders. (I know a lot of readers sing the praises of Evernote, but I prefer to keep personal things out of the cloud if I can.) Spiral bound notebooks I have completely forsaken -- I hate the way the pages get harder to turn as you fill up the notebook, I hate the way the spiral doesn't hold up (and frequently gets pokey in a mean, aggressive way), and I hate the way they don't pack flat (and "dent" other papers, folders, and books) if you're packing them away in boxes. Readers, what are your favorite notebooks? How do you use them differently? (L-#) ]]>

When we talked about the best pens a few weeks ago (which I’m still in the process of trying out — many of the ones mentioned by the readers were subsequently sent to me by Jet Pens, so thank you! — others I’ve bought myself) some of the readers noted that we should also talk about notebooks. This took me a wee bit by surprise, I realized, because I feel so strongly about my notebook choice — so I’m really curious to hear what the other ones that people love.

Mead Composition notebookMy favorite notebook is your simple, cheap, Mead Composition notebook, at least for use at my personal desk. I like how the pages stay together no matter what, and how the book can take a beating and still hold up. I’ve spilled coffee on these notebooks, doodled on them, ripped out pages, photocopied them — and they still hold up incredibly well.  I’ve used them for years to keep track of personal things — I still have the notebook containing my budget from back in my lean days, right out of college! — but when I switched jobs from a big firm to a small not-for-profit I rediscovered my love for this kind of notebook because I think it’s great for when you have multiple small projects going on and you just want everything in one place.  I tend to only have one notebook at a time — the front part of the book (at least the first page going forward) is for business stuff, and the last page going backwards is for personal things.  I’m also incredibly ADD when I get on phone calls, whether for business or personal matters, and I find that it helps me to focus if I’m “taking notes” during the call, even if it’s something as simple as arranging a furniture delivery.

I’ve used the Mead notebook for professional purposes as well — taking notes at some small meetings and big conferences — but I’m undecided on whether they look “professional” enough to actually be used for this purpose.  For example, I remember taking my battered Mead notebook with me to a big Style Coalition/Elle meeting last year and feeling like my notebook was somehow too shabby and out of place among all the sleek, lovely notebooks the other bloggers had.  To be honest, I would probably just grab a clean pad of paper the next time I had to go to such a meeting (if I knew there would be too many notes to take them on my phone).

Other systems I’ve used over the years:
- In college and law school (although I got a laptop by January of my 1L year), I preferred to use looseleaf paper, which I would eventually bind in one of those slim folders with binder clips in the middle(usually at the end of each day, but at least once a week).  I just carried around a clipboard full of about 50 sheets of loose papers, and when I finished a class or seminar move the pages I’d filled to the back of the clipboard.  This saved me from having to take notes for Class X in Class Y’s notebook (let alone notes for Club Z — the horror! can you imagine?) and also allowed me to start drafting homework assignments, letters, and even some creative writing attempts without impinging on anything else’s space.

- At the law firm, I found that I preferred to have one legal pad per case.  I would take notes from reading the papers and filings in the notepad, grab it to go with me to meetings, and file it with my other case notes and research.  This turned out to be helpful a few times when a major case would “die,” only to rear its ugly head a few months later (long after I’d expunged all thoughts of it from my head).  For a while I tried to adopt a system where I had a nice leather-bound “Trapper Keeper” kind of thing that I took with me to longer meetings (particularly handy because I could “stock it” with Post-It Notes, tape flags, business cards, and even lip gloss), but ultimately I just preferred the simple yellow legal pad system.

- For my personal diary or journal, I’ve always tried to buy pretty books that have meaning to me; they’re usually cloth or leather-bound.  I’ve bought them anywhere from museum shops to open-air markets to specialty stationery shops.  I like how they’re all different.

I’ve tried other brands and systems — such as keeping a Moleskine in my purse for on-the-fly notes — but I’m just never impressed with how they hold up, so I prefer to  take on-the-fly notes in my phone (such as during my recent fun with 5 sessions of a Lamaze class) usually either synced through my calendar or with my new “notes” application, B-Folders.  (I know a lot of readers sing the praises of Evernote, but I prefer to keep personal things out of the cloud if I can.)  Spiral bound notebooks I have completely forsaken — I hate the way the pages get harder to turn as you fill up the notebook, I hate the way the spiral doesn’t hold up (and frequently gets pokey in a mean, aggressive way), and I hate the way they don’t pack flat (and “dent” other papers, folders, and books) if you’re packing them away in boxes.

Readers, what are your favorite notebooks? How do you use them differently?

(L-#)

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