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Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Fadridi Rib & Pleated Midi Dress

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A woman wearing a long pleated blue dress and silver sandals

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I always struggle with sweater dresses for work. Some are too clingy, some are too casual, and many are too warm, but this one from Boss looks just right. The swingy, pleated skirt and bold blue color would make it a bright spot on a cold, gray day. Add a blazer and tights for some extra warmth and you’ll be good to go. 

The dress is $499 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XS-XXL. It also comes in black, navy, and (on sale) slate blue.

Two more affordable options are from Julie Jordan (rust, olive, and black, $129, XS-XXL) and Eloquii (black, $66.99, lucky sizes 16-28), both at Nordstrom. One more lower-priced alternative: This Brooks Brothers dress is $258 and available in dark purple and navy.

Sales of note for 4/17:

  • Nordstrom – Beauty savings event, up to 25% off – nice price on Black Honey
  • Ann Taylor – Cyber Spring! 50% off everything + free shipping
  • Boden – 25% off everything (thru Sun, then 15% off)
  • Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
  • Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
  • Express – $29 dresses
  • J.Crew – 30% off all dresses
  • J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 50% off clearance
  • Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
  • Loft – Friends & Family event, 50% off entire purchase + free shipping
  • Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
  • Sephora – Spring sale! 20%, 15%, or 10% off depending on your membership tier; ends 4/20. Here's everything I recommend in the sale!
  • Talbots – Spring sale! 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns
  • TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
  • Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!

172 Comments

  1. Gift help request – “man bag” for my retired dad. He carries phone, wallet, headphones, reading glasses, and other miscellany. His pockets are more than full so he’s constantly losing stuff in the car, cushions, etc. Want it to look nice with daytime casual – not athleisure.

    3. What about a sling bag? There’s an assort here:

      https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/men/accessories/bags-backpacks/crossbody-sling?utm_content=64266437748&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=dsa-39474984916&utm_channel=low_nd_psu_generic&utm_source=google&adpos=&creative=675561272794&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&acctid=21700000001689570&dskeywordid=39474984916&lid=39700049898586958&ds_s_kwgid=58700005471507508&locationid=9032188&targetid=dsa-39474984916&campaignid=1418390288&adgroupid=64266437748&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1418390288&gbraid=0AAAAAD8eAEm_ySIt2YrsEd4LYx6zcWKs1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrs6X-_znkAMV98zCBB0QFCvrEAAYAyAAEgI-wPD_BwE

      1. OP here- yes, this is the general category of bags I am envisioning. Wondering if people had any specific recs!

    4. My dad uses SCOTTeVests for this. He wouldn’t carry a bag. The vests have lots of different sorts of pockets so he can find everything. He has them in different styles and colors.

  2. Morning all! 2 questions:

    1. My teen son is 6’3″ and is sad that his North Face jacket is now too short in the arms. Recs for ‘cool’ brands with talls or that run v long? (North Face only has “big” and not “tall) My suggestion of LL Bean was not cool. ;)

    2. Best tips for cleaning white (fabric upper) sneakers? I shouldn’t get white sneakers for everyday wear – I am always getting a bit of cake batter or chocolate on the toes – but in the meantime I need to clean the ones I have!

    1. tooth brush and dish soap or maybe a little bleach. Some can go in the machine, google the specifics.

      1. I have had great success with dish soap in lukewarm water, wetting a toothbrush and scrubbing away. You can also add a dollop of toothpaste, especially for the soles.
        Make sure you wipe with a rag with just water, and recondition the leather if real leather.
        I would not use bleach, personally.

        For the laces, I pre-soak them in soapy water, and then brush with toothpaste or baking soda, then throw them in the washing machine (in a small laundry bag).

    2. Try Patagonia. My ex had to return a jacket from them a few years ago because it was wayyyy too long for him in the arms. It was not a “big” or “tall” version, it was a regular large.

      1. +1 this is the one! May need to size up – one reason they are great for talls is that the body is slim. (Another reason is that they’re cut for arms-up activities like climbing and cycling, so the back and arms are long to compensate for that posture.)

    3. Banana Republic and J. Crew offer tall men’s sizing and sometimes have good jackets, but not quite the North Face vibe.

    4. 1. Columbia separates Big from Tall

      2. If they’re something like Keds I just toss in the washing machine. If too structured for that, washcloth & dish soap.

    5. I soak my white sneakers in a bucket with water and a scoop of OxiClean White Revive for a few hours before throwing them in the washer and air drying them. It works beautifully. (No advice on jackets for tall teens, sadly!)

    6. My husband is 6’3″, and Patagonia jackets fit him fine. Canada Goose also fits him fine. Not sure what defines cool for winter jackets though.

    7. Can he size up in North Face? I’m a tall-ish woman and usually go up one size in winter coats for extra arm length. It’s just more comfortable that way, and I figure a casual winter coat has a little more leeway on fit. Otherwise, Patagonia may work. (If it makes you feel any better, I think LL Bean runs super short!)

    8. For #1, check Abercrombie, Under Armour, and Gap/Old Navy/BR. Maybe J Crew but their women’s tall coats fit strangely. Eddie Bauer and Land’s End would have tall but are probably uncool, too.

    9. My cousin is 6’7″ and he says LLBean Tall and Colombia Tall are the only ski type coats that have long enough arms – and that is only if he goes up a size and gets mittens that have long cuffs (we were talking about skiing specifically). My 6’3″ son is ok for skiing in a random Outdoor Research coat that is a size up. In general I think sizing up is key.

      1. +1 – North Face, Patagonia, and LL Bean have some of the shortest sleeves IME. LL Bean tall is ok though. My very tall brother likes Mammut.

    10. You could try Scandinavian brands, like Fjallraven and Norrona.

      For the sneakers, a bar of lemon stain remover soap will get your chocolate cake stains.

    11. As a fellow monkey-armed person–sometimes you gotta give up the “average” brands because your arms are above-average. LLBean cuts short though.

      Recommend Helly Hansen (off the rack), Stio, Eddie Bauer (Talls). Nearly every down puffy I own is from Eddie Bauer, and the quality is there. They will have a 50% off sale at Thanksgiving if you can wait 2 weeks.

    12. Is there an REI near you? It might be good to let him try out a bunch to see what does come in long.

    13. Tall husband with long arms – just looked and he has Patagonia, Helly Hanson, Stio, LL bean (Tall Only) and Marmot. I’m a tall lady and like Helly Hanson and outdoor research.

      Echo the suggestion that you might just need to bring him in person to an outdoor centric store (REI or similar).

  4. Any great finds for a favorite things gift exchange party with my friends? $25 limit for 2 gifts (same items for both). I am thinking of a fun treat and maybe a beauty product?

    1. I can’t tell if you need 2 for 25 or 25 for each gift. But hits at our gift exchange last year were a Lego flower building kit, a craft kit, and a bath and body works gift set (which was a fun throwback to our youth).

    2. the other day on the moms page, they featured function101 magnetic cable blocks, which are available at nordstrom and while I do not own them yet, I was tempted to purchase. I love my candle warmer and i was never previously a candle person, but i have it in my bedroom and i can push a button to choose how long it is on for. an adult lego set (though these might be slightly over budget unless you find them on sale)

    3. — Confetti pancake mix with a bottle of Runamok Sparkle Syrup —at Runamok Sparkle Syrup – Maple Syrup Infused with Edible Sparkles, Perfect Pancake Syrup, Fun Vermont Maple Syrup for Beverages, Fresh Fruit & Dessert Toppings | 8.45 Fl Oz (250mL) https://a.co/d/bhVyIbL
      — today is the last day of the Sephora sale and you can get this Sephora mask set for 30% off, making it $18.90: https://www.sephora.com/product/sephora-collection-8-masks-set-P519689?skuId=2907715&icid2=products%20grid:p519689:product

    4. I love giving pretty coasters, because they’re useful but people often don’t want to spend money on them. Something like this: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/alabaster-coasters-set-of-4/s143072?storeid=&a=1552&pla_sku=143072&pcat=HSW&ag=adult&targetid=pla-322978918451&campaignid=10461646761&adgroupid=169990166064&adpos=&creative=701388418792&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10461646761&gbraid=0AAAAAD-RWKhP-EFoKuPdAXu72Saz20mxu&gclid=CjwKCAiAt8bIBhBpEiwAzH1w6erMVlW3710X7NVgQL27vGmUPOLXOROTBtaXxm525BMwQsYE1YEHORoCmegQAvD_BwE#universal_link

  5. Favorite fancy spreads for a Thanksgiving appetizer table? Anything in the olive tapenade or unusual jam category would work, but I would appreciate specific brand recommendations because those things are pricey and I want to make sure it’s good!

    1. I was an adult before I ever heard about Tday appetizers – the only authorized pre-meal snacks growing up were olives or pickles from the relish tray haha! :D

      1. Same! We still don’t do appetizers. We’re about to have a giant spread of food; it seems superfluous to me.

        1. We do them because we don’t really do three meals on Thanksgiving – we do brunch after a 5K at like 10am then we do dinner at like 5/5:30 pm. Appetizers are the holdover through the early afternoon.

          1. Literally same. We are Turkey Trot folk – if you opt out of The Trot there’s usually the Big Walk and take the kids to the finish line alternate group. Breakfast and then apps are lunch. We often do a crock pot of soup off to the side in case somebody needs something more substantial (remembering like half of us ran a 10k at 8AM), and then dinner is at 5.

        2. I think it may depend on what time you eat TG dinner. I’m from a 1pm family (no apps) and my husband is from a 4 or 5pm family (lots of snacks around). No one is making it to early evening with an empty stomach.

          1. Same–I am hangry when I have to wait until 5 with my husband’s family. MAKE IT AT 2 PM, please!

        3. In my family this would result in hangry guests who wander into the kitchen while the host is busy with last minute dinner prep. Plus if you’re serving drinks as a guests arrive you really need to offer some sort of food.

        5. I loathe having to eat an entire day of calories in one sitting. Being hangry isn’t fun; it really sucks on Thanksgiving.

    2. Do you have a fancy cheese shop? They often carry great spreads in this category meant to accompany cheese boards.

    3. Cut up artichoke hearts & roasted red peppers. I learned the hard way that if I put out any protein ie; cheese and crackers etc, then people really do not consume the main meal…uggh.

    4. The Divina chili fig spread or fig spread if you don’t want spicy is really good!

    5. brushfire farms in texas (you can get online) has amazing spicy jellies that go incredible with meat and cheese. Ugh, so good. My fave is peach or blackberry but you cannot go wrong.

        1. Or red pepper jelly (not spicy). This is usually our Christmas appetizer.

    8. This isn’t so much fancy as silly, but for the past few years I”ve been making Mr. Fruit and Cheese Turkey similar to this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5488830791537628/ I do cut-up cheese on some skewers and grapes on other skewers, and I put small dishes of mixed nuts alongside him. It’s enough to eat and it’s a fun centerpiece for my apps-and-drinks table.

  6. If you enjoy shopping/browsing home decor, have you noticed an uptick in branded merchandise? Like a Mickey teapot or Winnie the Pooh bedding or Peanuts candles. It feels like it’s everywhere to me. Yeah, Snoopy’s adorable, but I just need a regular holiday candle, not Snoopy’s Snowy Adventure. Maybe I’m just a grinch (agh, pun not intended) for not wanting cartoons or movies in my decor.

    1. Seems to go hand in hand with the dumbing down/infantilizing of the American public, e.g. all the adults who are obsessed with Disney, people going way over the top with Halloween decorations, etc. Sadly also goes hand in hand with the lack of class/taste.

      1. Not a Disney adult or an over-the-top Halloween person, but find this comment less classy and tasteful than what you’re responding to. Let people do things that make them happy without judgment, please!

        1. I mean, I do “let” them, I’m not trying to interfere with it. I just think it’s a symptom of something not so great in our society. Similar to how the only movies that come out are remakes or umpteenth sequels rather than new, original work. It’s all so derivative. It feels like culture is dying.

          2. I mean, have you seen Idiocracy? It was bound to happen, it’s just happening at warp speed (sadly).

          3. I personally think comic/Disney decor needs to be very deliberately curated and “artsy” to look good as home decor – think, Warhol/Haring/Lichtenstein type art, not the random couch table candle with Winnie the Pooh printed on it. Most of what’s in stores is a money grab, and probably catering to a general desire of people to go back to happy childhood memories and “simpler times”.

            I did not grow up in the US so cannot relate to Disney, Marvel, or even most of “sports ball” culture – but I don’t spend my time judging my friends or neighbors for being into these kinds of things.
            I have weird hobbies, too, and would happily buy a T-shirt or mug with my favorite band from the 90s on it, which others might find tasteless.

      2. This comment cracks me up because it sounds like something a character in a Disney movie would make before they experience the magic of Christmas ™️

        Look out, Lily, you’re going to learn a valuable and enchanting lesson from a puckish stranger/child/talking animal/ Santa Claus.

      3. This is really negative and I don’t think it’s universally bad, but it’s got a grain of truth, too.

        I’m reminded that I laughed out loud yesterday when I saw that my daughter’s American Girl dolls catalogue contained dolls themed on “Clueless” – the 1990’s teen movie. They were cute (always love Cher’s iconic yellow plaid), but who is this for? I would think that any girl in the AG demographic would be way too young for that movie, even if it weren’t 30 years old and clearly set in a particular era. Is it really geared towards women in their mid-40’s seeking $100 dolls for nostalgia?

        1. I think it’s meant for the parents – who were 90s teens – to want to buy. Same way they introduced the 70’s looks with Julie – trying to tug at heartstrings that the doll would be wearing outfits like grandma’s when she was a girl.

        2. Or maybe for mothers to buy those outfits for their daughter’s dolls and play with them together? When I was growing up in the 80-90’s, there were definitely “hippie” themed outfits that my mother bought for our dolls, probably because she was nostalgic about her bell bottoms haha.

          1. I was horrified, not charmed, when my childhood became a “historic” AG doll.

          2. That is kind of how I feel about the Clueless themed stuff. It can’t be that long ago lol!

    3. Some. Disney is the most noticeable as I’ve seen them do collections with Ethan Allen, Pottery Barn, etc. I don’t like it either but don’t find it hard to ignore and find something that is not a marketing tie-in.

    7. Some. I just don’t buy it, though I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for Peanuts stuff.

      Nostalgia peaks when the real world is a dumpster fire, imo.

      1. Agree. That’s probably why I was so sad to discover (I was late to the news) that the original Home Alone house has been renovated and redecorated to a soulless gray box.

      2. I think you are right about the dumpster fire world. I commented above that most of these “infantile” items seem to cater to a desire to go back to a happier, simpler past. And maybe that’s okay?

    9. Snoopy is definitely everywhere lately. I think the estate is capitalizing on the IP. I hate all of it and will not buy any of character junk that is everywhere.

  7. I’m looking for some short strands of Christmas garland (a natural pine look) to hang over paintings. We want to boost the festive atmosphere while keeping things way out of reach of our toddler. Do these exist in “painting size” or will I need to buy a larger one and cut it down? Hesitant to do that because in the past, cutting a garland to fit a banister led to sooooo much shedding.

    2. Depending on the size of the painting, I’d set picks or branches on top. If your painting is two branches wide, put the end of one branch at each end of the painting so the bare part of each branch crosses behind the other branch and they meet in the center. You can layer multiple branches or picks this way for a larger painting.

    3. Google “pool noodle garland” and you will see a cool trick to surround a mirror or painting with pieces of greenery.

  8. What do I need to know as I contemplate my first IPL treatment? At my skin cancer check this year, I was asking the PA about a couple of sunspots on my face; she said IPL would be most effective. A local medspa was offering a special and I’ve booked, but with plenty of time to cancel if I get cold feet. Other than carefully checking their reviews, what else should I know before doing this? All advice welcome.

    1. Just make sure you have nothing planned where you have to show your face in public at least that first day, ideally 2.

    2. It was worth the $400 I spent for sure. It feels worse than lots of bee stings or rubber band snaps on your face and I jerked at every zap so it is not fun. Not so terrible that I couldn’t finish and I would do it again.

    3. I’ve had it done 3 times. I personally found it tolerable and want to go again. They should give you a fan spraying out cold air so you can point it at your face. The grossest thing to me that no one warned me about was the smell. You can smell your skin burning.

    4. Be sure to follow the pre- and post-procedure instructions carefully, particularly with regard to any topicals you use. If you do not have the pre-procedure instructions, be sure to get them (they are often buried in the fine print when you make the appointment.) My doctor recommended the Alastin regenerating skin nectar for the week after the procedure and I found it really helpful in reducing redness.

      Take a “before” photo so you have your baseline documented. It is gradual enough that you may not think it worked otherwise. And be aware that you may not see any results after the initial treatment. My doctor specifically warned me it can take 2-3 procedures to really see a difference.

      Good luck!

    5. A couple people referred to the pain and discomfort while it is happening. You should not have to go through this. Ask in advance if they use a numbing gel. And if not, find a different place. I only go to a dermatologist.

      1. I also only go to a derm and she leaves the numbing gel on for a good long time and it still hurts like a *!#$. I am apparently just really sensitive.

  9. My husband and I are first time buyers in the greater Boston area. We spent a lot of time casually house hunting last spring but didn’t find anything that felt right, so we renewed our apartment lease for another year.

    We had planned to start our search again in spring 2026, but this weekend we toured a home that feels like an amazing fit. We’re seriously considering putting in an offer even though we’re only halfway through our lease. It feels a little impulsive, but here’s my reasoning:
    1. We didn’t see any homes last spring that checked as many boxes as this one does. It feels like a rare find, and I’m worried it could be a long time before something similar comes up.
    2. Worst case scenario, we lose about $17,500 in rent. We could afford that if needed, though I think it’s likely we could find a replacement tenant for at least part of the lease.
    3. If a comparable home did appear next spring, I wouldn’t be surprised if prices had risen by roughly $17,500 anyway, given how competitive the spring market can be.

    What do you think? Does it make sense to move forward with an offer?

    1. Yes, also, you can ask for a 90 day close, which would cut down on number of months you’re double paying rent/mortgage, and this will also give you way more flexibility on moving time (you can move in slowly), and will also allow you to do any work/updates needed on the new house without having to live there during renovations.

    2. Not knowing how big a % of your budget that 17,500 is, I would go for it. And if you don’t get a replacement tenant, enjoy a leisurely move and doing things like painting, cleaning, etc. before you have to deal with furniture in the space.

    3. Is the $17,500 in rent the only thing holding you back? If so, consider if that house is worth an additional $17,500 to you.

      Personally, I’d do it. You’ve looked at enough houses to know what you do/don’t like, and it sounds like you finally saw something that you DO like.

    4. given that it is ‘off cycle’ as many people try to list/sell in the spring, i say go for it if you like the house and can afford it. can you factor some of that lost rent into your offer?

    5. I made a similar decision myself about 10 years ago and have never really regretted it. It was a five figure sum, and that feels like a lot of I stew on it, but I never really do unless I mention it to someone else and they react. It gave me time to have work done and make some smart furniture/decor purchases after having had some time to feel out the house. The only thing I do regret is not having more work done in the name of frugality and budgeting.

    7. I don’t think this impulsive at all– you’ve been shopping for a home and you found a home you love! It’s not like you weren’t contemplating buying a house and went to an open house once.

      Also, are you sure you’re out 17k? Did you talk to your landlord? I broke a lease when I bought a house and only paid some penalty, but it was nowhere near the remainder of the rent.

      Either way, you sound excited about it. So if you can afford it, go for it!

    9. 100% make the offer. Also, playing out the alternative, you are setting yourself to only be able to buy a house coinciding with your annual lease renewal? (I’m assuming there is a reason you did not go month-to-month). Combined with all the other stars that need to align to buy a house, that seems extremely unlikely.

    10. This sounds like a very reasonable move for you all.

      If you were looking in the spring, you’d probably have a range of prices in mind to look at – and 17k would likely be smaller than that range. Since you can afford the 17k even if you don’t make *any* of it back, can you think of this house as “in your budget” all in?

    11. closings can take forever so i’d definitely put an offer in. and if your lease covers the summer maybe you could find an intern or several to sublease it to, ideally from your company or something?

    12. Can’t you just break your lease, not pay the rest of it? Surely the cost to break your lease is less than $17k.

    13. Check your lease, or with your management compa, but most leases would allow you out of the lease for a fee. You rarely actually have to pay all of the remaining rent even without insisting the landlord exercise its duty to mitigate damages.

    14. Do it! Drag out the close on the house, be courteous to your current landlord. Try and get your place re rented.

      Welcome!

  10. Curious if anyone has experience with C Paravano shoes? Any thoughts on quality? Comfort? Comparisons to better known brands?

    1. If you don’t get responses here, they are sold on Amazon, so you might check reviews there. I like a lot of the styles but have not purchased yet.

    2. I have a pair! They are super cute. I would say they are as comfortable as any normal dress flat (i.e. fine enough for a normal work day, but I wouldn’t wear them say, schlepping around NYC to a bunch of differently located meetings or something).
      I scuffed mine the first day I wore them but that was a user error (I got them in white and wore them unintentionally non some rough gravel).

  11. After 25 years, I am performing again on the classical guitar in a concert. It’s a recital where I am accompanying my child for a duet, with the full range of fresh learners to advanced performers on the program. There might be more opportunities like this in the future.
    Looking for recommendations for a festive top that I can wear for the occasion.

    Criteria:
    – black or navy, or burgundy/dark green – I have navy or black trousers that I can pair with it.
    – 3/4 sleeve or a tight long sleeve (i.e. no huge bell sleeves that interfere with the guitar playing)
    – some embellishments would be nice, but no sequins or pearls all over, as they might catch/scratch on the guitar.
    – I do not like lace, or any too cutesy detail like bows or ruffles. Can’t be sheer, either.
    – Under $50 if possible.
    – Needs to be available at a common store (e.g. Gap, Old Navy, H&M, J Crew, Nordstrom, Macy’s) that I can get to this week.

    I am picturing a top that’s somewhat shiny/catches the light to provide some visual interest, but not too fussy.

    Anyone come across something recently?

    2. Search for Vince Camuto rumpled satin or hammered satin. There are a variety of styles available from time to time, with a 3/4 sleeve that seems perennial in lots of colors. It’s easy to find on Poshmark if that’s your jam, machine washable/no iron, and runs slightly large.

    4. not flashy but basic: LLBean cotton t-shirt tops. Come with short, elbow-length and 3/4 length sleeves. They last a long time if you wash on delicate cycle and air dry.

      1. Ha, I have about 10 of those Pima cotton tees in different colors for work. Looking for something a bit more festive, though!

        I saw something like a detachable sequin collar online – maybe that might be an option if I can have it shipped within a few days…

    7. If you are looking at future performance opportunities, I’d go with a more versatile concert black. Marcella NYC is a great source.

    8. Hello from another guitarist!

      Perhaps you can find a festive colored velour top to go with your trousers? I prefer a fitted black 3/4 sleeve tee for performances, with either a boat neck or a slight cowl neck. I don’t like short sleeve because sometimes my forearm sticks to the face of my guitar and squeaks. I don’t like long sleeve because the hem can get caught up on the strings unless it is VERY fitted, or if it will reliably stay pushed up.

      No necklaces, unless they are definitely high enough not to clink on the back of your guitar.

  12. Lol – my family can go to town on a nice charcuterie board, and then still eat a big old dinner. I think we have hollow charcuterie legs.

  13. Hi all, want to balance ease with price to make inexpensive books with photos, text, and clipart. if it matters I am making hagaddahs for passover with photos etc. suggestions?

    1. No ideas, but I am impressed (and intimidated) that you are organizing this in November.

    2. have never used clipart with it, but Mixbook has been good for me. They do frequent discounts by email.

    3. I do all mine in shutterfly because it’s the best mix of ease vs quality. snapfish is cheapest, other ones are fancier. (mpix maybe? forget.) if you really want to get into it you can probably do it in Canva or photoshop and upload it somewhere else, but I don’t immediately know of anywhere except lulus that would take a PDF to print.

      https://www.lulu.com/create/photo-books

        1. near where i live there are some local printing places you can take a pdf to in order to print. not sure of quality, but some fed ex places as well. also – as a fellow jew – i love that you are doing this for your mom.

      2. Do sites like snap fish, canva, or Shutterfly retain copies of the photos you upload to be added to a book?

        How is the quality for the price of one compared to the others?

  14. I was just looking at the thread on how much you spend on work clothes and one poster there says she lists everything she owns on poshmark and is okay letting go of it for the right price. I am fascinated by this! (Also, can I peruse your closet?!?!) Does anyone else do this? I kind of want to. I love poshmark and buy a ton there. I guess you create the listing and set the price at a number you’d be willing to let it go for. It would definitely make me think about what I love in my closet!!!

    1. You need to set the number higher than the amount for which you would be willing to let it go. People rarely buy on Poshmark without a discount.

    2. As someone who usually wears petites or gets work clothes altered, no way. It’s hard enough to find business clothing that fits. I’m not letting go of an item until it’s in bad condition or so dated that I never reach for it.

    4. I do a low key version of this where I list some things that I think I might be able to sell and would be willing to part with and I just keep wearing them. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t but I know I like novelty so I try to keep some things cycling through

    1. Yes! From the NYT article – “The court, without comment, declined the petition”.

      I don’t follow the Supreme Court that closely enough to know if they sometimes will issue comments with declining petitions, but I love very much the way that is phrased. No comments necessary, we have already decided this.

      1. Absolutely the right decision by the Court! I am an appellate lawyer and follow Supreme Court cert practice somewhat closely. I have filed a handful of petitions in the US Supreme Court (all denied without comment.) It is very rare for any Justice to comment on the denial of a petition for writ of certiorari. In recent times, it was Justice Stevens and then Justice Sotomayor who most frequently issued comments disagreeing with the denial of a petition. They averaged around 10 a term, which is an incredibly small percentage of the overall petitions reviewed.

    2. I’m very liberal and am glad gay marriage is legal, but as a lawyer, that decision is a reaaaal stretch of the legal imagination. I hope that activist groups use the request as a renewed inspiration to get constitutional amendments (either federal or state) on the book as a backstop.

      (Marriage issues are traditionally states’ to legislate, so I don’t think this is something Congress can/should do).

    3. Good and also depressing news in the overall context. When Roe was overturned, so many people acted as though it was only tragic because it would be the slippery slope to overturning gay marriage. Instead, several states strengthened protections and now this. It’s a good thing (stronger protections are needed) and there is also not enough attention to the fact that women are losing their lives. Democrats are asleep on both issues and will act shocked when Republicans launch creative extralegal strategy #4500 to get a national abortion ban and a national gay marriage ban.

    4. I feel relieved that they won’t blow up gay marriage in this term. While there will always be people who oppose gay marriage, I think the passage of time will make it less of a target. It seemed like such a far-off possibility when I was a college student in the 90s and my teenagers don’t remember a time when their gay uncles weren’t married.

      As a practical matter, issuing marriage licenses is a pretty low-cost, low-energy government function. That may insulate it from further action.

  16. Does anyone use a green correcting primer or anything? I’m 48 and realizing redness is the enemy so I’ve been experimenting with the Cicapair one.

    1. Cicapair irritated my skin, and another green primer didn’t work. I just wear heavier foundation to cover up the redness. I like Armani Luminous Silk.

    2. The Smashbox one is decent. You can get a travel size at Ulta to try it out. I also have one from Typology in my drawer to try next.

    3. I use Hero Cosmetics Rescue balm and no foundation. The Cicapair one was too heavy for me—I hate the feeling of a full face of makeup.

      1. Have you tried the new formula of the rescue balm? Curious to hear how it works for you. Many reviews I’ve seen online for the reformulation are terrible and I’m still using an older tube sparingly.

    4. Hate the cicapair with a passion. It’s a terrible fatty clay that clumps on top of my skin.

      Erborian green cc is good.

    5. I don’t use full primer, but PHysician’s formula has a dual-sided concealer duo in “flesh” and green that I use to cover acne, and it works well, Recommend. The green is highly pigmented–you need only the tiniest dab. I get it online–it’s hard to find in stores.

  17. Please talk me out of buying the perfect dress on sale for an event that I know needs to happen but which I haven’t scheduled yet. If I buy the dress I’m jinxing myself, right?

    1. Um, if it’s a wedding dress, don’t. That’s crazy. If it’s a regular dress, go for it if you’ve been looking and it’s on sale. Presumably there is always something else you could wear it for.

  18. Screaming into the void. A few of my work colleagues work in a different office in a different state and just WILL NOT COMMUNICATE. I email, I text, I call. It takes them forever to respond. When I do get them on the phone and ask the direct questions to which I need answers, they rarely provide a definitive answer. I wish I could go stand in their office door and glare at them until they communicate.

    1. I have colleagues like this, too. My response after several ignored communication efforts is to send a meeting request. Most people will do anything to avoid a meeting. If that doesn’t work, I reach out to their immediate manager. If that doesn’t work, I call in MY immediate manager (SVP) and that usually generates a response.

      1. I do something like that–I send an email “let me know when you’re free to chat” and they usually respond with an answer to my original question.

    3. People who don’t respond to email are rude, childish jerks. It is maddening. I have one colleague who will only respond to text. I started to play his game but I decided that I would not chase after him. We are both lawyers who are contracted to work on a case. Grow up and check your email.

  19. Stoppp I absolutely adore this dress. I remember looking at it when it was $500 and the longing I felt for it. I bought the cream one back then when it was on sale, as a special self-gift to wear for graduation next year. I would have LOVED to snatch up the slate blue for this price :’) now it’s not in my size. RIP! *crying in broke student*

    In other news, now that naturalizer seems to be phasing out their Karina pumps (leather, short block heel, square toe perfection), do you have recommendations for alternatives in a similar price range? $130 ish or less (preferably less).

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