ByKat Hours Updated
Comments 133 Comments

Weekend Open Thread

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

charcoal gray pan with top, steamer, and bamboo spatula

Something on your mind? Chat about it here.

I mentioned this Our Place pan a while ago, but just noticed Nordstrom sells it now, and it's on sale!

We love the pan in our household — it is my 13-year-old son's favorite pan to cook in. It's very easy to cook things in it evenly and without things sticking. My one complaint with the pan we have is that it isn't oven safe, for those few recipes that require finishing in the oven — but that is a problem they've fixed in version 2.0, which is the version on sale for $100 right now.

I also got this for my mother in law for a gift and she reports that it's their favorite pan also. I would get one for my brother and his small apartment kitchen, but I keep waiting for a color that's more “him.”

In addition to being a really attractive, easy pan for cooking and cleaning, I love the multiple functions — it's seriously a joy to steam things in this, cook sauces, make scrambled eggs, whatever. (They advertise it as 10-in-1 functions, and say you can braise, sear, steam, strain, saute, fry, boil, bake, serve, and store — and the pan is apparently deep enough to roast a chicken, also.) It's a great pan for a small apartment. (Or, hey, a great idea for a Mother's Day gift if your mom is downsizing — or a great graduation gift if you know any anyone building their kitchen collections.)

Nordstrom has a lot of OurPlace stuff, actually, all of it at least 20% off at the moment. OurPlace also has a 30% off sitewide sale happening right now.

You can get the Always Pan 2.0 for $100 (down from $125) at both Nordstrom and Our Place.

Sales of note for 5/23/25:

133 Comments

  1. Any updates from the poster who had decided to move forward in an exclusive relationship in spite of red flags indicating it wouldn’t last? Did those date night outfits work their magic? What were the benefits you couldn’t pass up/is it worth it?

      1. Same. I’ve overcome red flags in order to have good and fulfilling relationships. Part of being human is growing with the influence of others.

        And sometimes the color of the flag is just our perception and not reality.

        That said, I worried about the other relationship.

  2. Work is having a Kentucky Derby-themed party next weekend. Attire is described as “your most dapper attire.” Looked in my closet and realized all my more Spring-y cocktail dresses are pre-Covid and no longer fit. I have this one: https://oliphantdesign.com/collections/short-mini-dresses/products/3023q1arabiacrimson
    Is it too wintery/fancy for a Derby-themed party? Do I just need to suck it up and go buy a Lily Pulitzer dress this weekend? (and a hat. Gotta find a hat)

    1. Do you want permission to go buy a new spring dress? If so, go for it. You don’t have to limit yourself to Lily, and could do a linen jumpsuit or whatever pastel you desire. Otherwise, your existing dress is fine. Also, you can get plenty of derby hats on Amazon.

      1. The existing dress is perfect. Way better and more appropriate than a linen jumpsuit. Go with what you have!

    2. It’s got horses! Just slap on a red, purple or green hat and you’re off to the races 😉

    3. The dress you have is perfect. I’d just order a fascinator on Amazon for like $20 and call it a day.

    4. That is SO cute. I assume you’re of a height where it isn’t a micro mini?

      1. Hah, yes, I’m definitely much shorter than the model. It’s shorter than knee length, but not wouldn’t wear it in front of my coworkers short.

  3. Anyone know anything about data plans who can help? I’m suddenly using a ton of cellular data. Makes sense in part because I just went back to the office full time so am using my phone more for things I don’t want to do on my work computer. But it seems excessive like a warning from Verizon that I had 25 percent of day remaining yesterday, today a warning that it’s 10 percent. It’s not like I’m surfing the internet 40 hours per week.

    Could anything be running on my phone that uses a ton of data? I have used Waze to check traffic as I’m leaving but I don’t use it to give me directions as I drive. When I go to cellular data in settings, all the apps show up and are toggled on or green w Safari being highest usage. No WiFi option as this is a government office. Anything I can do besides get an unlimited plan? With a shakey government job, not looking for my bills to be higher if I can help it.

    1. I’m not sure but I finally switched to Visible to get an unlimited plan. It costs less than my data-limited plan

      1. (Prior to switching I had experiences like this when I just couldn’t figure out where my data was going. It’s frustrating.)

    2. If you have an android, there should be a menu somewhere that tells you what your data usage for each program has been over the past month or so. Check if you have one program using a lot of data. Streaming video and backing up files are two potential culprits.

      I assume Apple has something similar.

    5. I think Mint has unlimited data plans for really cheap. I use my phone a LOT and when I looked at the Mint data plans even I wouldn’t have needed a higher tier than the basic one.

      You can try putting your phone on “low battery mode” even if it’s got full power and seeing if that helps… airplane mode also might help, if you have an iPhone you could probably even do a shortcut to put it on airplane mode as you enter your workplace and take it off as you leave.

      With Waze – do you close the app? If it’s running in the background it might be using data. With Safari, maybe try closing a lot of your tabs and see if that helps?

    7. Tons of apps run location in the background, which could be doing it. Also, since you’re newly back in the office, check your wifi options again – I do a ton of work with the government and there’s always guest WiFi access.

      1. I work for government and yes, there is guest wifi access. It is not available to employees, just for guests. Even if it were available, it should not be used for personal internet use for the same reasons that one does not use the regular office network. These days, keep in mind that “spies are everywhere and people are watching.”

    8. When you say that everything is toggled on – do you mean it’s set to let everything use cellular data? If there are apps using data and you don’t need them while off WiFi, toggle them off. And when you aren’t actually using your browser, close the app. Streaming stuff through Safari is going to eat a lot of data.

    9. Turn off cellular data while you’re working and not using your phone and while commuting.

      1. You can do this by app on iPhone. Eg I turn off social media for cellular data because it’s just not essential in my life.

  4. I have concluded that I have a team member who likely needs to be on a PIP, or more likely, let go altogether. My org requires several steps before even getting to that point, including a verbal conversation with the employee. I have already started documenting issues. What else should I be thinking about? I expect this will not go well.

    1. I can’t give any solid advice without knowing why you think it won’t go well. It is just because no one is happy to be put on a PIP? Longtime employee with previous managers who let things go? Bad temper? Verbally abusive to other team members?

      As for what to think about: be brutally honest with yourself about what kinds of objections this employee could bring up.

      1. He won’t be happy to be put on a PIP for sure. I also feel like no matter what I do in advance, he’ll feign shock and surprise that his behavior is a problem. Not a bad temper, but very very sensitive.

        1. I don’t think anyone is happy to be put on a PIP or will admit that it was deserved. This doesn’t sound like he’s going to handle it badly so much as it’s just a bad situation all around.

        2. That’s life. Just remember that his disingenuousness isn’t your problem. He’s surprised? Okay, the purpose of a PIP is to let you know that this is unacceptable.

          Remember that he isn’t in charge of what is and is not acceptable in your office.

    2. Every conversation is documented- follow up emails will save a lot of grief.
      Know who to call if things go different flavors of ‘not well’- security, the EAP, HR.
      If their coworkers have been complaining, let them know that you’re working on addressing the problem.

      1. Don’t tell coworkers you have someone on a PIP or even hint at it. If an individual performance issues arises, note with the coworker that you will meet with the individual and will address and follow up to ensure that whatever fix is needed actually occurs. But never discuss HR issues (which this is) with their coworkers. Risk issues aside, it’s not even a good look as a manager.

        1. Flip side: if someone has a plausible discrimination complaint, letting them know that you are solving this is helpful. You don’t have to say “he’s on a PIP;” you can say something like “We are taking all steps available to us to remedy this situation.”

        2. Telling the coworkers you hear their concerns and are addressing them isn’t the same as telling them the guy is going to be put on a PIP.

    3. If you don’t aleady have up-to-date, well-documented standard operating procedures (SOPs) for your team’s most frequent tasks then review and put in place now. Being able to point to a well-documented and level playing field on which the rest of your team routinely succeeds can be useful.
      SOPs can also be helpful in documenting a staff member’s shortfalls. For example, say they ‘kinda’ do a client deliverable but the client isn’t as happy with it as when someone else does the same task, so the client complains (someone else has to finish the task, deadline missed, whatever). With a well-written SOP, you’ll see that the team is consistently doing this deliverable with 10 items and the under performer does it with 6 or 7 items (and likely a random, shifting selction of which 3-4 are left off each time). Early in onboarding, these are training opportunities. Later, these are doucmenting for separation.
      Obviously, not all work situations are as task specific. But more are than one assumes at first.

    4. I think the first step is actually figuring out what outcome YOU want.

      Are you putting this person on a PIP because you need to document poor performance before you fire them, or are there 1-2 specific issues that you think explicit feedback will help.

      I have someone on a PIP right now, and the goal is to hopefully keep them. Their actual work is generally solid, but time management and general stakeholder management are the issues.

      I had to fire someone years ago because they were progressively getting worse. First it was borderline performance, then it became sowing dissent and toxic mutiny, then showing up late for work (and we wondered if they were drunk or hungover a few times).

      If the PIP is to keep them, then note the areas where they are doing good work, but that they need to step up in areas 1 and 2. You know they have good relationships, have potential, whatever.

      If the PIP is to fire them, sorry, pull no punches, and this is all part of being a manager. It SUCKS. There’s no two ways about it. Definitely make sure you have all the steps from HR, you have an HR partner involved, you document everything (follow up via email or messenger after verbal conversations), etc. Use objective language (no, “they just don’t seem engaged” or “I just don’t feel like they’re doing well”, be specific about what they did/didn’t do).

    5. Write talking points- bullet point style- in advance. Write the written follow up tracking your bullet points. Stick to the script, send an email or hand a letter within a day of each verbal convo and preferably within 1-2 weeks of when you first learned of the issue/repeated issue.

      Watch the radical candor ted talk if you have not regularly provided your reports timely, specific, documented feedback.

      Source: am an employment lawyer.

    6. I like to have my comments as scripted as possible including a line that I can repeat over and over if the employee becomes aware very emotional or aggressive. Think “I appreciate this is difficult information to hear.” Or “this conversation is no longer productive; let’s take a break and come back to this in three hours” or whatever makes sense.

      The Management center likely has some resources.

  5. Anyone have suggestions for managing low blood pressure? I’ve recently started feeling woozy and lightheaded standing up after sitting down for periods of time (like 20 minute warm car ride or commuter train home is the worst). Is this a middle-age thing?

    1. I’m sure others will chime in with solid advice, but as someone who has had problems with this off and on through life, a cardiologist many years ago told me to eat more salt and to “squeeze your bum when you stand up” or feel woozy because it helps redistribute the blood.

      But see your doc – it could be a lot of things.

      1. In addition to squeezing your bum, point and flex your feet and contract your glutes a few times before you stand. Then stand, wait, and start walking. Pausing after standing and before you start moving helps too.

    2. Definitely see your doctor but the fast/easy treatments for POTS is more salt and lots of liquids. I also can no longer skip breakfast or go too long between meals or I throw up/get a migraine/faint – in that order.

    3. While you work to figure this out, sitting up or standing up slowly helps keep that feeling at bay. I guess it gives your body time to adjust?

    4. I have hypotension that presents this way during pregnancies, and I have to drink LMNT every morning. I also eat frequently and a lot of fat and salt. My BP is still really low (9x/6x).

      Pregnancy is the medical cause of my hypotension. You should explore whether there’s a medical cause of yours with your doctor. It can “just happen”, but it can also be a symptom of something.

    5. I think orthostatic intolerance is usually supposed to get better as we get older (maybe just because our baseline blood pressure gets higher/worse?).

      There are a lot of tips for managing it (electrolyte beverages, compression garments, even specific vitamins like B1 that some people swear by), but I think a doc would want to check it out first.

      1. Though if you have any Spanx type shapewear, that could be something to experiment with or just observe if you feel any better while wearing it.

    7. I have read that the lightheaded feeling can be a symptom of perimenopause. For me, it also seems connected to low iron and lack of sleep as it comes and goes and seems to be a non issue when I remember to eat red meat and spinach and sleep well.

    9. I think this could also be BPPV and/or problems with the alignment of your eyes. If it especially happens after you’re in a moving vehicle maybe look into those two?

      1. Yeah, your description of when you’re experiencing this actually makes me think you might just be describing mild motion sickness, not low blood pressure. This can have a variety of additional triggers, including eye issues, m*graine, hormones, stress, not sleeping or eating enough, and who knows what else.

        1. OP also mentions warm cars in particular and warmth is a big motion sickness trigger. My husband gets motion sick and we have to blast the AC when we drive.

  6. Okay – I need recommendations on wig shops. I am about to start chemo and lose my hair and need a really great wig for work. My oncologist said wig shops that do “fittings” are best. but she said she doesn’t recommend specific shops.

    I’m in the DMV area – willing to go up to two hours outside of DC. or, actually, willing to travel pretty much anywhere while I can because I really need to not look like sick cancer lady at work.

    TIA!

    1. Hugs!
      My mom ordered one from a catalog that did not look real and never wore it.
      My orthodox friends who cover their hair with real-hair wigs have ones that look like their real hair. “Shani Wigs” in Brooklyn is the one that I’ve heard people mention. I think they are $$$ but if there is a Jewish community near you, there may be a DC-area place that has similar wigs (and familiarity with hair wraps, which may also work for you).

    2. The Wig Fairy is always recommended in my cancer groups. I will say though, a lot of people tend to like Amazon wigs, which is surprising but true.

      1. thank you! and can you recommend any good cancer groups? I was just diagnosed ten days ago and I’m pretty overwhelmed.

        2. Many cancer groups are disease specific — if you have colon or rectal cancer, highly recommend “Colontown” — http://www.colontown.org & their many sub-groups on facebook.

          I’m sure your doctors will go through this with you, but also note that not all kinds of chemo cause balding or major hair loss (again very disease specific). The chemo I went through for rectal cancer caused my hair to thin, but it wasn’t really noticeable to anyone but me. No wig necessary in my case, although I did cut about 6 inches off.

          1. thank you! it is breast cancer and my doc said I woudl lose my hair fast. she recommended I get the wig ordered before I start chemo.

        3. If it’s breast cancer and you’re on facebook, my favorite group is “Peloton Breast Cancer Survivors.” You don’t have to be a peloton rider – it’s just a much more no BS group than any other I have found. No ridiculous “forget western medicine, I’m just eating kale,” and it’s mostly middle aged women (30-60).

    3. There are a lot of women with alopecia or hair loss on instagram who’s entire accounts are focused on wig reviews, most of which are not thousands of dollars (Shani wig can be up to $10k, which is insanity given the quality you can get for a fraction of that price). Some popular accounts are: chl0ebean, hairlossfirlboss, nikkivontaya, myalopeciajourney, alopecia_fashionista, r50shadesofraaayyy, ohmy.holly

      1. Oof — that is expensive for Shani (I guess if I were wearing it daily for the rest of my married life, it would be the cost of doing business), at least for a chemo duration of use. Glad that there are some appealing alternatives.

        Not the OP, but it’s hot and humid in the summer here. I’m making some knit hats for a friend in chemo who has already shaved her head. Any advice for what is cool and tolerable in the summer? Winter hats are very different.

    4. I was also going to suggest stores for Orthodox Jewish women. There must be some in the DC area. Their wigs always look so realistic.
      I’m really sorry you’re going through this! Will be keeping you in my thoughts as you go through treatment.

    5. A former coworker and friend went through chemo and I remember discussing how she wanted the best wig money could buy because insurance would pay for it. But she just wore a turban most days because she found the wig uncomfortable. There are some ridiculously cheap ones on Amazon, you could get some just to see what sorts of things you like or don’t like before you go in for a fitting.

      When Raquel Welch died I was surprised to learn she always wore wigs and in fact owned a wig company or did a collaboration with one or something (and wore the wigs that resulted). You can still find them at https://www.wigs.com/collections/raquel-welch – they seem like they’re pretty pricey so they might be good ones.

    6. If you are willing to go to NYC, I went to Andrew DiSimone for my chemo wig and it was amazing.

    7. I don’t have wig shop recommendations, but:
      1) If you like your hair color and texture, consider keeping a few strands – your hair may not grow back the same, and it could be helpful to have strands to show your hairstylist if you would like to get your pre-chemo color/texture back.

      2) Think about what to do about your eyebrows and eyelashes. There are eyebrow wigs and tattoos, and of course false eyelashes. The wig shop may be able to help you “customize” eyebrow wigs to make them look more like your current length and shape. My eyebrows and lashes hung on a lot longer than my hair – maybe six or eight weeks – so you may have more time to figure out what to do about them.

      Good luck! I hope your chemo goes well!

      1. Thank you! my doc said to buy castor oil and that it would help preserve my eyelashes and eyebrows. Maybe I’m too hopeful?

    8. I had a longer comment in mod that disappeared, but:

      1. If you like your current hair color and texture, consider saving a few strands – your hair may not grow back the same post-chemo, and it might be helpful to have the strands to show your hairstylist the color you want.

      2. Think about your eyebrows and eyelashes, too. Mine hung on a lot longer than the hair on my scalp did – maybe six or eight weeks longer – but you’ll want to be ready. If you find a good wig shop, they should have suggestions about options.

      Good luck! I hope your chemo goes well!

    9. I’m so sorry this is happening, OP. When my MIL had chemotherapy for breast cancer, she wore a “cold cap” to reduce hair loss. It was a service where a technician would come to her sessions and fit the cap. It worked well for her. Just an FYI that this exists.

      1. yes! thank you – I am trying to research that, too, but apparently my hair type (fine and straight) might not respond well.
        but I’m going to try!!!

      2. Ali on the Run also did this during chemo for breast cancer and it seemed to minimize hair loss.

  7. A frivolous query.

    I keep seeing women in slouchy midi length trench coats and it makes my 6-year old knee length JCrew- standby feel a little less than modern…

    But I am just barely 5’4 and anything non petite that I’ve tried makes me look like I’m wearing my dad’s coat. I thought I finally found the perfect one at Club Monaco but it only comes in reg sizes and is just a bit too big on me lengthwise/sleevewise.

    Anyone seen a good versions of this in a petite size? TIA!

    2. I am five foot threeish and I LOVE my oversized trench from Oak and Fort. Could not recommend enough. It hangs beautifully and makes everything I wear look pulled together. I get compliments all the time.

  8. How do you know if you’re irritable from depression vs irritable from stuff being really irritating for a short time? I have a medical situation that entails a lot of appointments and insurance hassle that I think most people would find annoying, but I’m starting to feel like I might be too irritable too often. I’m not sure the situation will change anytime soon so it might be worth changing my mindset somehow, or exploring if it’s more serious.

    1. Antidepressants can help even with situational depression, so I think it’s probably worth talking to a psychiatrist.

    2. I’ve wondered this also – am I depressed because my brain needs better chemicals or because my life is depressing?

      I will say that depression manifests itself as irritability and Wellbutrin helped me get just a breath or two so I win more often than my anger/irritability.

      1. The “brain chemical imbalance” explanation for depression has basically been entirely debunked at this point. It’s situational for most people.

          1. Your brain does not “need better chemicals.” That’s not how depression works.

          2. @6:45. How illuminating. How does it work then when it is not situational. Are you a denier who thinks people can bootstrap their way through mental illness?

          3. You’re asking me to explain the biomechanics and sociopsychological underpinnings of depression on a fashion blog…? This is very easy to Google, and there have been a half dozen major books written about the topic in the last decade alone.

    3. For me, it’s in the degree. Is it normal to be cranky about bad 5:00 traffic and stupid drivers? Yes. Is it normal ~for me~ to lay on the horn and gesture and shout in my car at said stupid drivers? No.

      1. OP here and I’m not doing anything more external like that, but in my head, I’m getting soooo frustrated with each new setback. If I see the insurance guy calling, I want to throw my phone on the bed.

        1. If you’re controlled enough that you’re not being short with the insurance operator, you’re just thinking cranky thoughts, that ~for me~ wouldn’t amount to depression – that’s just This Sucks. It has to be outside of your norm enough that it grabs your attention.

          But there’s a reason you’re asking and I hope you chat with a doc and get a professional opinion.

        2. That sounds healthy? Like health insurance sucks! It’s okay to be mad at shitty situations! It’s especially okay to be made when the insurance shitty situation is a sideshow to a medical shitty situation! I’d be mad too!

          Anger is not inherently a problematic emotion.

        3. Honestly, that’s a completely normal reaction to dealing with something like insurance.

          I screamed at an insurance supervisor because they denied my daughter’s ADD script despite being on it for 3 months and requiring that I contact the provider to have them resubmit the paperwork. I have no idea why each month requires preapproval. Her diagnosis didn’t change. Her doctor thinks this is the medication that works best for her and prescribed it. Meanwhile I’m left dealing with a child who can’t maintain enough focus to get through her very basic supported morning routine.

          Life got easier when I complained to the state ombudsman for insurance. Now I have one person at the insurance company managing all 3 children’s medical needs.

          I am not someone who screams at people but the insurance people broke me. I had two weeks of 3-4 hours sleep because my child didn’t have her medication. If you want to share your state I’ll look up the office for you to contact. They are very helpful in New Jersey and now preapprovals are same day without me following up daily for 2 weeks.

          I drive 90min each way for the children’s appointments. I go every 2 weeks. Every other week I use a car service because I’m tired. When you have a lot of appointments consider using a car service so you can use that time to rest.

  9. Has anyone lately seen any cute tops for a busty size 16 who doesn’t wear a lot of color or patterns and prefers vee- or scoop-neck? Feel like I have nothing to wear for date nights or out-with-the-girls nights.

    1. Try looking online for “book club discussion questions” about the book you all read. Also make sure everybody gets a chance to talk. “Let’s go around the room and give our thoughts” is a classic tactic for a reason. And be ruthless about shutting down the interrupters. Also when somebody gives a hot take, it’s fun to ask “anybody see that differently?” I always feel like the best discussions are where there’s some lively disagreement.

  11. Dahlia Lithwick just shared this link on her FB page, looks like great resources. Including visuals like the difference between a judicial subpoena and an immigration subpoena. One of which must be obeyed, and the other… not.

    “Slides from 2/4/25 Princeton teach-in”
    https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wPchCKZrnJyeriRwkRGhXOw4ROIXu1qZ/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ40iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWMmY2U3dyT3ZDZm1PcGxJAR7gOWtMtf6Og9UiCy10o3Eie1RAWv1w0fduRYS674i2qui0poIlZKStvJ30DA_aem_lkxXM1nN4vVmQfXGW_8vqw&slide=id.p23#slide=id.p23

  12. So, I did the thing. I’ve been feeling tight in my chest for 5-6 months and was attributing it to stress. But then after all the heart-related posts here I decided to just make the d-mn appointment. I went to my PCP and it was in fact elevated blood pressure that needed to be addressed – and the lowest dose pill has gotten it back to normal within 3 weeks and I literally feel lighter. My goal is to wean off the pill with improvement in lifestyle choices, as I have a total “salt tooth” that will need to be curbed, but I am so relieved that I went!

    If anyone, like me, doesn’t want to go to the dr. because they’re afraid the dr will “find something”… better to find it earlier than later and deal with it! (I’m saying this to myself too…)

  13. I want to get a manicure that dries quickly and lasts, but gel nail polish is too hard on my nails. Is a dip manicure what I’m looking for?

    1. I love the dip nail polish and find that it is not nearly as hard to get off. Plus, you need a nail tech who is careful and patient with the drill.

    3. Dip is going to be just as hard on your nails. Dip is acrylic powder. You still have to buff the nail prior to applying like you do with gel and it has to be drilled or soaked off. Neither of these options are ones that can be applied once and then go back to your bare nails without them being in at least slightly worse shape just because of the way the surface has to be buffed to get the product to adhere correctly. Try dazzle dry or olive and june for regular polish that may last longer.

  14. The last Ann Taylor suit pants I bought were so cheaply made, even in comparison to the general decline. Since Covid, I have gone up to 14 petite and all my suits have been from there. Well, I went to return the pants and my local store has closed. This very well may be the incentive I needed to lose enough weight to get back to a 10P or 12P so I have more shopping options.

    1. I hate to tell you, but quality is shit at virtually every brand now. Really aggravating!

      1. Threadjack – I am remembering back to 2002-2003 when I first entered the professional world. I shopped at Ann Taylor, and I swear suits cost about the same back then as they do now, like $200 for a jacket and $100 for pants, with regular 40% off sales. Instead of raising prices to keep up with inflation, it seems they’ve kept their prices the same and reduced quality. I would happily pay 50% more to get wool suiting and fully lined pants like they used to sell.

    2. I also dont love AT quality now. The tops can still be okay but everything else just looks and feels super cheap.
      For 14P, I would try Talbots. Not everything works style wise, but they always have some classic styles around (maybe more in colder weather) and quality is better than AT.

    3. Does Boden work for you? They have petites in your size range. If you order directly from their site they won’t mess up the UK to US size conversion and send you the wrong size. Nordstrom keeps screwing it up.

  15. Low stakes footwear question: looking for lighter weight warm-weather footwear that isn’t open-toed sandals or sneakers. Casual office so doesn’t have to be a pump. I am not sure what I’m looking for! Specific style is open eg, Mary Jane, wedge, etc but I do need to be able to walk in it easily and wear it with multiple things. I just have a lot of open sandals already. Been scrolling a lot and not seeing anything. What brands or styles should I search for? I have an averagely sized foot/width. Thanks!

    2. Espadrilles, fisherman sandals or huaraches, mules? Wardrobe Oxygen did a post about this recently. I wear closed toe fisherman mules in the summer – they pair well with midi dresses!

    4. I keep seeing mesh ballet flats suggested by bloggers, which is too casual for me, but may work for you.

    5. Espadrilles (I have a pair of flat espadrilles that I wear multiple times a week) from anywhere, and sandals from Spanish Sandal Company. SSC has multiple closed-toe sandal options. I personally can’t wear SSC because European sizing doesn’t fit me well, but the pair I ordered from there were beautiful and would have been perfect if my foot were a smidge smaller or larger.

  16. I have a question that I’m asking here because you all seem to be financially literate! I am in my forties and starting a new job that will not match my 401(k) contributions for a couple of years. Should I max out my contributions or forgo contributing? My initial reaction was to contribute anyway, if only for the tax advantage. My existing retirement accounts (pension and 401(k)) are pretty healthy. I wouldn’t put the extra money toward my mortgage because I have a great rate. My cash assets/emergency fund could be healthier, but I kind of hate having money sitting in cash because I find it to be too “available.” I should mention that I’m also hoping to divorce in a year or two (UW stands for unhappy wife).

    1. I’m not sure about the divorce piece of it, but the traditional advice would be to max your contributions unless you have >5% interest rate debt that you can pay down, which doesn’t seem to be the case.

    2. Ideally, you should always contribute to your IRA to the max, and if you are eligible, you can first contribute to a ROTH IRA.

      But if you are planning to divorce soon, it is ok to build up a nest egg in cash. I would keep it in a high yield money market fund (MMF) until then, as rates are still quite good. The markets are quite unstable now, so if I were you I would hate to have to sell a lot of stock when the markets are down to pay for your move/lawyer etc…

      1. This is legitimately, bad advice in many states for pre-divorce. Retirement assets may not be split in the divorce, when non-retirement assets would be split in half. So she would just be giving more money to her soon to be ex.

        Op, talk to a divorce lawyer in your state

    4. Definitely talk to a lawyer about your rights, but if you can manage it at all, you will be very happy to have a cash war chest when the separation happens. Maybe open an account at a credit union or different bank and have it automatically transferred, and forego checks/debit card so the only way to get at it is to actually go to the branch?

Comments are closed.