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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 217 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Abril Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Abril JacketI'm liking the new “cool girl” jackets that are out right now, and I think this Abril jacket from Club Monaco is a great example of the trend. Love the notched, inverted lapels in leather, the black and white tweedy wool, and even the open front and slightly shaped shoulders. It's $289 at Club Monaco. The clearance section is final sale, alas, but they do have a few good pieces, such as this or this. Abril Jacket Psst: here's a similar plus-size jacket, as well as a less expensive option. Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.    

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. DC recommendations needed

    I’m going to DC in a couple of weeks for a conference, and will be meeting up with a girlfriend attending the same conference. We’re looking for recommendations of places for drinks or drinks + dinner. Honestly, I’m currently living in a small, casual university town in the Pacific Northwest, and would like a place with a great atmosphere where we can get dressed up (heels! dresses!) and have delicious cocktails at a bar, and feel like we are in a city. And maybe flirt. Early thirties, if that matters.

      • DC recommendations needed

        At the Washington Convention Center (I think the nearest Metro is Mt. Vernon Square).

        • Wanderlust

          Rasika! Indian food done in a modern way, tapas style. They also have delicious cocktails.

          • Also

            Rasika West End- further from your conference but a bit sleeker for decor/larger bar areA and equally delicious.

          • Anonymous

            zaytinya is the emperors new clothes of dc. If you don’t know good food zaytinyas your favorite restaurant

          • cbackson

            IDK, Anon, I’m willing to match my restaurant-going credentials against anyone’s, and I love Zaytinya. I promise, it’s okay to like popular things.

    • Platinomad

      I absolutely love all the Jose Andres restaurants for things like this, but particularly Oyamel. Very posh and great food (all in Chinatown). Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont is also very fun and good to dress up in. Additionally, one of my favorite restaurants is Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown, which has amazing cocktails, is on the water, and awesome food. All of these would be great to have a hip, dressy, DC Experience.

    • roses

      The Gibson (might need a reservation), 2 Birds 1 Stone, Lost Society (which is a little more clubby), Jaleo, Oyamel.

      • Lady Tetra

        Love that place. Not sure how “sceney” it is, but it’s very Old Washington (dark leather, quiet, seems like there should be cigars and double-breasted suits).

        • Duchess

          True. I guess I was thinking dress up in that it makes me want to wear a beaded flapper gown and drink French 75s all night :)

          • K Breezy

            If you’re going to do Round Robin, swing by POV Lounge. It’s definitely more crowded but it’s newly renovated and the views are amazing of the White House and Washington Monument. Other recommendations along 14th St – The Pig, Birch & Barley, and Kapnos. Enjoy DC!

    • DC recommendations needed

      Thanks for the suggestions thus far! I am busy mapping things out. We’ll be in town for most of a week so I am thinking we will try a variety…perhaps the Gibson + Marvin one night, and then hit up either the Round Robin or Hay Adams for another night. And then one night stay in Penn Quarter and do one of the restaurants there…

      • Anonymous

        I recently had brunch at Lincoln when I was in town – food was amazing, I’d check out their lunch and dinner menus!

        • J

          +1 for the Lincoln – fabulous decor (actual “penny” tiled floor) and food!

    • Bonnie

      Many of the hip restaurants are on 14th St. Barcelona and Estadio are two of my favorites.

      • Also

        yes, especially if you have more than one night I would venture up to the explosion that is 14th St. Would also recommend the Diplomat (at least for drinks) and Pearl Dive Oyster

    • Claire M

      For amazing food, but not a scene: Red Hen in Bloomingdale or Rose’s Luxury on 8th Street SE! Those were my two favorite meals last year. Rose’s doesn’t take reservations, but you can wait upstairs at the (small) bar, which has good cocktails. Not sure if Red Hen does reservations, but it has a big bar and you can eat there (which is actually the only place I’ve eaten – never waited for a table).

    • Anonymous

      In the Logan Circle area, try Etto, Le Diplomate, or Bar Pilar. Central on Pennsylvania and 11th St NW. Fiola is also good (by the courthouses in NW). If you’d like to venture out by Capitol Hill, Acqua al 2. Tons more but those are my favorites.

  2. Wedding problem

    Wow, love that jacket. I would order it if I weren’t overspread on my shopping budget already…

    Now for my TJ – I just found out that someone who I thought would be a definite no-show to my wedding actually wants to come. I’m truly shocked by this because this person hates travel, has a lot of medical issues, and just generally hates other people. I only invited him because he’s a close family member’s husband and it seemed wrong not to, but I seriously cannot stand him and neither can anyone else in my family. I’m not going to renege on the invite, of course, but I was wondering if anyone has any tips for handling tricky guests at weddings. I’m worried that he’ll start drinking, start spewing his usual racist and homophobic garbage, and cause issues with other family members in attendance. His wife will “ride herd” on him as usual (as she calls it), I’m sure, but it hasn’t been enough in the past.

    • Wildkitten

      You’re the bride? You’ll probably be too busy to notice the jerk, but you should delegate someone else to deal with it if he goes totally off the rails.

      • Wedding problem

        We’re having a really small wedding and restaurant reception so I’m a bit afraid that any bad behavior won’t be easy to ignore…

        • Anon in NYC

          You’ll be surprised at your ability to simply not care about stuff like this at your wedding. Seriously. I had a small wedding as well and I was surprised at how much I did not care about things on the day that would have ordinarily annoyed me. Stick this person at a table in the corner with family members that will be able to tolerate him, and ask someone to keep an eye on him if he gets really out of hand.

          • mintberrycrunch

            +1. I had an obnoxious family member guest at my very small wedding, and I just stuck him in a corner surrounded by family members who were used to his bad behavior (or at least expected it). I also mentioned it in an off-hand way to some of my friends attending (“oh, I’ll be having some family there that I don’t see much – can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em” type comments) in anticipation of his awful remarks being overheard…

            But honestly on the day of, I didn’t even notice him, because i was so busy being happy and having fun with the people that I actually wanted there. And if any of my friends did, they didn’t mention anything to me. I think most people realize you can’t pick your family.

          • anon

            Can’t live with em, can’t kill em. (JK of course.) Have someone besides his wife be his “minder” – someone with a backbone.

      • Anon

        I agree with Wildkitten. Designate your MOH or a bridesmaid or a close friend/sibling to be “Badly Behaved Relative Wrangler” and instruct them to step in if it escalates to full-blown attention-getting crazy.

        • Anonymous

          Do you hate your MOH/bridesmaids? Sit him with his family. Do not ask your friends to babysit a grown adult that they don’t know. It always shocks me how weird some people get that they think they can be jerks to their moh/bridesmaids

          • Other

            +1. Agree. I had a similar guest, and the guest’s family members are far better equipped to handle him than friends.

    • Anonymous

      You don’t handle him. Seat him at a table which is not near yours and as neutral as possible, and then carry on. Perhaps alert the bartender that he might need to be cut off, and then just carry on.

      • MNF

        +1 Alert the bartender/Staff at the reception venue. They’re probably pretty experienced with this type of issue.

        • Bumparoo

          +1 We gave the caterer a list of people (with pictures) to watch out for. They said it was usually obvious from the start who should be receiving short pours and watery drinks. MIL is a dunk and she received sparkling cider whenever she asked for more champagne–everyone commented on how well-behaved she was all evening:) The professionals know how to handle this, don’t let it stress you out too much.

    • S

      I assigned a family member to monitor and divert if needed (awesomely it ended up not needed)

    • Anon

      If necessary (he gets really out of hand), don’t be afraid to have the staff tell him to leave. You invited him but you don’t have to tolerate socially unacceptable behaviour – I would only do this if he is causing a scene and ruining the experience for yourself or other guests.

    • Burgher

      I have a Drunkle who is not nearly this bad, and we all love him dearly, but is an alcoholic & gets carried away. You would hope that people could keep it under control for events like these, but that’s just not the case, sadly. We all attended a close family friends’ wedding about a year before mine, and he got sloshed and ended up dancing on the bridal party table wearing the bride’s veil by the end of the night! At least we knew what we were in for ahead of my wedding and took preventative measures. My mom went to the bar at the beginning of the night and told them not to over-serve him and generally kept an eye on him all night. I believe his wife did the same. He did not get out of control as far as I know, though I am still finding out about various things that happened at the wedding over 6 years later that nobody told me at the time so as not to ruin anything for me.

      So very long story short, essentially tell the bar up front about it and remind them that they are legally responsible not to over-serve a visibly intoxicated guest. If you do that and have a person or two keeping an eye on him, it should hopefully do the trick!

    • Maddie Ross

      Here’s the thing – at least you know in advance who it is to be keeping an eye on. Things will happen at your wedding that don’t go as planned during the reception most likely. You will hear stories years later about 18 year olds being served alcohol and throwing up all over the bathroom at the reception hall. Guests you wouldn’t have imagined hooking up. Bad behavior by drunken 70 year olds. It happens. It’s a party and for many of your guests, it’s like the only party they’ve been to in several years. Likely you won’t be called upon to deal with these situations. And likely you won’t even know about them until after the fact – some the morning after. Some years later. Don’t stress about it too much.

    • snowy

      My caution is not have any relatives doing double duty – our crazy wedding guest got lost (not really, but no one could find him, and were rightfully concerned he was out wreaking havoc) and his family was out looking for him and at the end of the night, they were also the ones supposed to be driving us to our hotel! We ended up awkwardly waiting outside with the DJ, who offered us a ride (we were able to call other family members, thankfully!)

      In retrospect, we should have had someone babysitting him who did not have any other wedding-related duties that night (especially not giving us a ride!)

      • Anonymous

        I think the takeaway here is actually hire a driver for the end of the night!

      • Anonymous

        Or don’t assign people duties at your wedding? Hire people dont expect people to be your free labor

  3. MJ

    Kat– I know you’ve posted a ton of jackets lately–it’s that time of year, and I know you can’t accommodate every body type, but could you please post some Tall (and petite) options for a few jackets too occasionally?

    Thank you, on behalf of those with monkey-arms

    • Alana

      As a fellow Tall, part of me wants to go shopping for winter clothes in Scandinavia where tall bodies and cold weather are common.

    • Bette

      Something I just learned. Regular sized Zara jackets fit my arms off the rack! It’s my new go-to place for blazers. I’d never really thought to shop there since their dresses are so short and their pants are cut all wrong for me.

      I definitely need talls in jcrew.

  4. Hay Adams

    I’ve always liked the Off The Record bar at the Hay Adams. Just for the DC-ness of it.

    It’s a friendly town, known for its misbehavior. I’m sure you can flirt there or anywhere.

    For dinner . . . lots of great places nearby or easily cab-able.

  5. frannie

    Does anyone have a good recommendation for an overnight bag? Just need something for those trips where you are only staying one night or as a carryon for longer trips. Would like it to be relatively cheap- hopefully around 50-100. Amazon was overwhelming and a lot looked cheap. Thank you!

    • Wildkitten

      People like the Everlane Twill weekender $95. Lo and Sons has a weekender for $120, and there’s a 20% off coupon that brings it back to your price range. LL Bean has the Quilted Town and Field on sale for $129, depending on how much you want to carry.

    • Wedding problem

      The Le SportSac weekender (might be the wrong name, but you’ll know it when you see it) is a great bag. It’s held up really well and you can often find sales.

    • Red Beagle

      I’ve seen decent overnight bags at Costco, of all places. But hit and miss. Tuesday Morning if you have one, or TJ Maxx or Marshalls also have always been good places for decent quality bags under $100. Even (shudder) Ross.

      • Diana Barry

        I also ditto the suggestions on TJ Maxx if you are looking for a nicer-looking bag – they are hit or miss but you can often find ‘nicer’ things there.

      • Wildkitten

        I advise against the rolling adventure duffle. The duffle is fine on its own but the weight is not distributed well for rolling.

    • Anon

      I just got the Roxy wheel aboard in last season’ sprint for a much reduced price – £50 so about $70? Some of the prints are a bit loud but the one I got was black with multi coloured polka dots which I thought was great

    • ac

      The Lo & Sons OG is the perfect size for me for this — only luggage carry-on when I only need to pack one outfit; great carry-on plus a small rolling bag if I need additional items. It’s out of your price range, but I think you can get it for $200 on sale — I know that doesn’t help much, but it seriously is EXACTLY the right size for my identical purposes.

    • Anonymous

      Herschel Novel Duffle (slightly larger, with separate shoe compartment)

      Herschel Strand Duffle (slightly smaller, no shoe compartment)

      I have the Novel and I’m obsessed. It’s perfect for an overnight/weekend bag.

  6. Anonymous

    I’m an intern at a very large organization, and it’s fairly common for interns to switch offices to see what suits them best. The switching process is super easy and informal. I spoke with somone last week about moving to their office, and while I don’t believe I committed to it, I think they think think I did. The status of this is very unclear to me. I have another meeting this week with a different office that I’d probably rather move to. So assuming that I did agree to go to the first office, how big of a deal would you think going back on that and picking the 2nd one is? The 1st office/boss is not someone I expect to otherwise run into in the future, and I don’t even know if he’d be mad given how informal things are. Also my salary is paid out of an intern fund, so the office doesn’t deal with my pay at all. What would you do?

    • Wildkitten

      Do you have an intern coordinator you can talk to? “How big of a deal” seems like it would really depend on the individual workplace.

      • Anonymous

        You’re right that it depends. there’s just no such person I can talk to. I could ask other interns, but that’s limited in utility.

        • ac

          How about someone who was an intern & moved offices? I agree with Wildkitten that this is a super know-your-office situation — perhaps even a know-your-manager situation — so I’d try to talk to someone who can give you personal insight.

          I work at a law firm and can say that feelings about summer associates/summers who start at one office and request assignment or transfer to other offices range from, “Wow, she really helped us out by willing to move to office with need!” to neutral to “wow, she really $crewed us by taking up a space that would otherwise go to someone who was interested in this office for the long-haul.”

    • Unicorn

      Why don’t you … talk to the person? “Joe, I just wanted to make sure we are on the same page. I am still deciding on my next office location based on where I can be most useful and learn the most. I am considering your office and one other, and will keep you posted. Thanks for your interest in having me.” This might be best as an email.

  7. KMM

    I hate my job and the stress is killing me. I am really close to just quitting my job without having another job lined up, it’s that bad. Every day that goes by I think “today is going to be the day” as I inch closer to not being able to take it anymore. Today I got a huge dump of work because my boss has a family member who has gotten a serious diagnosis. I feel really bad for him, but at the same time I can’t handle this work he has given me. I was already beyond maxed out and now I can’t even put into words how much work I have to do. If he had just given me this work and there was no family issue behind it, I would walk out the door. But now I feel like I can’t quit because it would look so so so bad. True?

    • Anonymous

      Are you looking for another job? Are you made of money? No. I don’t think you should quit with nothing lined up. That looks terrible on your resume. Start looking, hard, do whatever seems most important first and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get everything done on time.

    • January

      Don’t quit yet. Why are you so overworked? Is there someone (anyone?) you can delegate to? Is there someone besides your boss who can be alerted that you are beyond maxed out and that they seriously need to hire more people?

      • January

        Also – if there are other higher-ups you could talk to, I think it may be fair to let them know that you are so far past your breaking point that you’re ready to quit on the spot, because that will become their problem.

    • L

      $10 says I can guess why you keep getting the work; because you’re killing yourself to try and get it all done. Do what you can manage while keeping your sanity and start looking for another job. If you keep doing all the work they give you (at your own expense) why would they ever hire anyone else?

      • Lyssa

        ITA. If things don’t get done or don’t get done in what would be an ideal timely manner, then they will have to live with that. Don’t quit, and don’t make yourself crazy. Do say that you will add the new work to your list, but cannot promise when you will get to it (or, if it is a priority, that you will be putting off other work, which might not get done soon, to do it first).

        • Diana Barry

          +1. I would look at the deadline-sensitive stuff and do that first, and make sure you tell them when/if they give you new work that you won’t be able to even LOOK at it until you get A, B, and C done first.

    • KMM

      Thanks everyone, I am actively looking for another job and my firm is actively looking to hire, but surprise surprise, no one wants to work here. I don’t love the idea of slacking off because ultimately it is the client that gets hurt, and also if I miss a deadline and someone looks at my hours and they are low, it could be an issue. I mean, I want to leave but I don’t want to get fired.

      • Anonymous

        Well no one is suggesting you work low hours! Do what you can, identify what cannot get done, ask for extensions as needed.

        • KMM

          I don’t mean low, I just mean someone could look at it and say you only worked X hours, you could have worked X+2.

          • Anon

            Can you let someone know you are overextended and concerned that your quality of work might suffer? That’s a good way to phrase it other than that you’re overwhelmed. It makes it not a personal problem, but a potential client problem. If they’re happy with the quality of your work, that should get their attention and possibly immunize you if something does go wrong. Now is a great time for that because you’ve been given work you couldn’t say no to because of your boss’s situation, so they can’t turn it around to be your scheduling problems.

            I had that conversation with supervisors a few years ago (although in the public sector). I told them there were only so many hours a day and it was only a matter of time until a ball got dropped. There was no immediate change to my workload, but they let me know they’d have my back if something happened.

          • Anon

            But couldn’t you say that you’re consistently working X hours, which is above and beyond a standard 40 hour work week? Then suggest that they could take some of the work and help you out if they have extra hours available to work. It’s ok to push back on people, and they obviously can’t fire you. Don’t stress about it, the work you can’t get done is your boss’ problem, not yours. They’re paid to be responsible for it.

      • Anonymous

        If you are that overworked, would they fire you? Also getting fired is better than quitting- you get a termination package most likely, and you can file for unemployment. And quitting without anything lined up doesn’t look much better on the resume.

        • snowy

          This actually happened to me and while it was traumatic to get fired, I had already been actively looking for new work and had something lined up in two weeks (granted, I was on my third round of interviews already with that company and just waiting for the offer letter). I’m so glad it happened.

          If the environment is super toxic and everyone works crazy hours, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to say you could be fired for putting your foot down, in my experience. Especially if they can tell you are miserable and might guess you are looking elsewhere (this is what the issue was in my case – they could tell I had one foot out the door, hated it there, and I wasn’t putting in more than 40 hours a week)

      • L

        I should clarify, don’t slack. Just don’t work 20 hour days at breakneck speed trying to get everything done. It’s ridiculous. If you clearly state your workload the way Lyssa suggests, you’ll have some cover. And doubtful if they’re that busy/understaffed they’d fire you. They just want you to think that way. Pull back a bit so you can come up for air and keep looking!

      • AnonLawMom

        Go back and read what you wrote. They are trying to hire someone but no one wants to work there. And you are worried they are going to compound the problem by firing you if you don’t work like crazy? Unlikely. You need to get used to seeing the forest for the trees and setting boundaries for yourself. Otherwise, the next job probably won’t be better than this one.

    • hugs

      I am there too. Just keep looking and putting the word out that you are looking, and try to do what you can to keep your sanity.

    • WestCoast Lawyer

      I was in your position once. Try to take it one week at a time. Just focus on getting through this week and tell yourself you can quit on Monday if you absolutely have to. That was usually enough to help me pull through until the weekend.

      I also found it helpful to remind myself that I didn’t like the job enough to get overly stressed out about it. Continue to do the best you can, but since you aren’t looking to get promoted or move ahead at your current company, the worst thing that can happen is that they fire you before you find something else, which wouldn’t be the end of the world.

  8. Unicorn

    Could Spanx and Uniqlo’s heat-retaining line have a baby? I need something like a fuzzy underlayer (for warmth — I have a freezing office and my efforts to layer under my clothes look clownish) that will still slide under my clothes (so like a nylon slip / cami on the outside so my clothes don’t get all clingy and static-y). Bonus if it smothed over the differences b/w restrained lumpy-squishies and unrestrained lumpy-squishies.

    If this exists, somebody please post.

    • Red Beagle

      “Bonus if it smoothed over the differences b/w restrained lumpy-squishies and unrestrained lumpy-squishies.” I don’t have any suggestions from experience (but you might check LL Bean or Lands End because they have a huge variety of stuff like that… or perhaps a sporting goods line or Patagonia or North Face) but I love that line!

      • FLEECE TIGHTS

        You rang? While I am magical (and available at Walgreens) I have a tendency to be saggy and am not great at smoothing.

      • Unicorn

        That is good down below (but so saggy!). But upstairs, I seem to lose a ton of heat (poory insulated north of the waist). Camisoles and tanks help, but seem to add to the lumpiness, especially where they end. And they are not that warm.

    • Unicorn

      Depending on what you’re trying to wear this under, you could look into the under armour coldgear line, they have some compression items that might help

    • ITDS

      I think there are warm “running tights” out there that are shiny on the outside and thermal on the inside. Probably shirts like that too. Hopefully they would combine the best in smoothing the figure, sliding nicely under clothes, and being warm.

      • January

        Look for UnderArmour Heat Gear. No idea how it would layer under work clothes, though.

        • Scully

          Watch out for reflective logos on running or biking tights. They can appear through clothes.

        • Not a lawyer

          I wear my UA Heat Gear shirt under work clothes all the time. No logos show, it’s thick and warm and silky on the outside, with the compression factor built in. I think it’s exactly what you’re looking for!

      • Unicorn (this is like prom where we show up in the same dress, no?)

        Yes — sweaters are great! But I can’t wear with a suit or a lot of dresses.

        The sweaters that keep me warm are chunky wool and I wear them with a turtleneck. I can’t wear that to work. I’m looking for stealth office warmth (so a layer for under a button-down shirt for under a suit.

        Don’t want to look like the Michelin man, but don’t want to freeze, either.

        • Anon

          You can wear a thin sweater under a suit jacket as your top. A nice cashmere or wool or something. It would make me sweat to death, but there you are. Or a cashmere cardigan over our dress. it’s seriously warm.

        • Kate G

          I’m gonna suggest you embrace the layering trend. Check out J. Crew’s looks–it’s all about a blazer over a sweater over a button-up with a scarf! I live in Minnesota, so I’m not about to scrimp on warm layers just to look office appropriate (then again, we may have a different, climate-centric, clothing culture here).

        • Mpls

          Silk underwear – long sleeves and thin merino wool or cashmere sweaters. You can totally wear those under a suit. And scarves of any sort – get something on the back of your neck will help keep it warm.

    • pickle

      Space heater! I use mine even in the summer because women’s suits are never warmer than men’s suits. I have compared my wool suits to DH’s and his fabrics are far more substantial.

  9. Nyc recruiters

    Any recommendations? I know in house is a long-shot these days, but bonus points for recruiters that got you out of big law and into ANYTHING else.

  10. TO Lawyer

    I LOVE this jacket. It’s seriously taking every bit of self-control I have not to order this…

    • Bonnie

      I love Club Monaco jackets and was sad when they closed the Pentagon City store.

  11. Question

    What’s the difference between a sheath dress and a shift dress? Which dress is better for what kinds of body types?

    • Anonymous

      Sheath hugs the body, shift hangs looser. They can both work for lots of body types. Sheaths are more likely to need tailoring though, and shifts can have a boxy look.

    • roses

      Sheath is more fitted to your body, while a shift is more straight up-and-down throughout. I think shifts work on way fewer body types than sheaths, as they have the potential to add bulk that isn’t there.

    • Sunshine

      I’m a pear (more specifically, 8-shape) and I love both. Sheaths are more fitted at the waist, but because I have hips, most shifts don’t look too boxy on me.

  12. AIMS

    Very random question. Does anyone know where I could buy a pretty map of the world for framing somewhere in NYC? The two caveats: it can’t be too big, so nothing wall size at B&N (ideally it would be 11 x 17 or so), and it has to be in store because I need it by tomorrow.

  13. neck acne?

    All of a sudden I am getting pimples on my neck! What is causing this and how do I make it do away?? I am 35, not on birth control – is it hormonal? Anyway products that really work?

    • Anna

      This is a long shot, but have you taken antibiotics recently? It’s happened to me twice now that I got dozens of pimples on my neck and chest while taking antibiotics (different types). Went away when I stopped, started again when I had to take them again, but have never had anything else like it.

    • anon

      Do you use gloppy conditioner and has it been humid where you are? That’s when I get neckne…You need to make sure you’re wiping off whatever is touching it. I use super-gloppy conditioner for my curls and if it gets on my skin–instant acne. Have to be very careful about that! Also, related–if I use a pillow with a plastic allergy cover–neckne from sweating overnight.

      For neckne, I would get super-strength benzoyl peroxide to dry it out (like 10%) and then just don’t touch it. There’s something about touching neckne that makes it 100 times worse. Wear the BP at all times for a few days and it should dry out. It takes about a week to go away completely though.

    • Unicorn

      Have you recently started a new exercise routine? I know if I leave sweaty gym clothes on after a workout I get acne on my shoulders. Also if you have recently changed hair products, some can clog your pores. There are a ton of resources out there to guide you to what treatments are best for your skin type.

    • (former) preg 3L

      I would call your pcp to see what her thoughts are (and make an appt if she recommends it) and then make an appointment with a dermatologist. Your neck is a fragile place! Could be an indication of something else going on! (Or maybe you just have an itchy scarf that you’ve worn recently)

    • Zelda

      Have you tried new hair products? Certain products will sometimes make me break out. Try washing your neck after you wash/condition/style your hair and/or wearing your hair up off your neck.

      • neck acne?

        Thank you!! I bet it is from my conditioner. Will try to get better about rinsing. Will also try the BP solution to clear up what is there.

    • lawsuited

      Murad acne kit works well for me – I use it only when I get bad breakouts, and it clears them up within 3 days or so. I have the trial/travel kit and use all the products as directed plus my own eye cream. The kit is reasonably priced ($30) and I find it pretty gentle on my skin, which is combination and can be sensitive.

  14. Anon for this

    TJ related to a question I can’t ask IRL since it would bias responses: I’m really just looking to potentially be educated here, but I know it might also come across as sour grapes. Just take my word it’s not.

    I recently just left a job to take a new one that in the long run is with an employer that better suits my values (and is a promotion). My primary reason for leaving my old employer, which is a household name I’d always been interested in working at, is that I felt that my skills were either being poorly used or neglected/suppressed altogether. When I announced my departure, I was truly shocked at how many people from other parts of my company (including other sites around the world) and even very senior people more or less voiced the same thing: it’s a loss for our company and I can’t believe how much they didn’t make use of your abilities…Except the leadership above my direct manager that was like, “Congratulations, I know you were looking for a more challenging role so good luck.”

    So my question is, what motivates a leadership team/organization to want to let someone go who is recognized as having important skills to their company’s success? For context, I’m the most recent in a string of 4 people to leave for similar reasons (so it’s not just something specific to me, I don’t think). I like to do post-mortem’s to learn from past experiences, and this is one I really don’t get. The one thing I know is that they aren’t trying to kill my old team, since they are in the process of hiring 20 new people (all, so far, impressive candidates with a breadth of skills). My former employer is widely-regarded as being well-run, so if there is a sound business reason, I think it’d be a good thing for me to understand. I have a few theories, but I don’t want to bias responses. I’d love to hear from the hive based on their experiences.

    • Ebro fin

      I suggest that you may be making an assumption here: “So my question is, what motivates a leadership team/organization to want to let someone go who is recognized as having important skills to their company’s success?” that is not true. You are assuming that they are motivated to want to let someone go, and motivation may not be a factor. It could be:

      1. General incompetence
      2. Have a huge number of other issues to focus on right now
      3. Your direct manager and/or their boss didn’t like you
      4. They believe the team needed to be refreshed and had already accepted that there would be other regretted losses
      5. They knew you wanted to do something more than they could or were willing to give you, so are happy that you’ve found someone else (and they don’t have to deal with it)
      6. They know people leave, and can be replaced, so their attitude is to move on (especially in a large company)
      7. There are other political agendas. If the senior leaders in the company felt you were being under utilized, why didn’t they intervene, if only to ask you to be on a committee? Is there a game going on–Group X lost a good person & Group X is saying, Oh, yes, well not really?

      After working for a large companies for a number of years, I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes the motivation is not as clear cut as you may think, or you just don’t know all the factors, and you always need to consider bad luck and bad timing.

    • snowy

      Agree with everything Ebro fin said. Especially if it’s a large company, there can be such a disconnect between management and what actually happens on the ground. If they’re not getting feedback that your team was overworked, they may think it’ll be fine without you, no problem.

      I don’t think this is so uncommon really. One of my good friends worked at a company (rhymes with schmoogle) and left because her direct management was super incompetent, and when she left, no one seemed to care. People are always so amazed what it was really like there, and that they just let her leave after wooing her there from across the country. It happens.

    • Anon

      They’re supportive of you going because it’s good for your career, which they’re understanding about, and they don’t have you in mind for a job that would be similar at the company. If you asked for some stretch assignments or other assignments that used those skills, they obviously didn’t have them available to you. If you didn’t, keep in mind that’s always a good thing to do.

    • Burgher

      I am in a similar situation… Except I didn’t leave the big corporation since I found out that I was expecting baby #2 two days before I got the official offer for a new job. New smaller company cannot match my health insurance & leave benefits, so I decided to stay. Now with 6 months minimum to go until baby arrives, leave, & return to work, I am really regretting my decision. Blargh. Venting aside…

      I don’t think anyone would have cared if I left, at least not at the lower levels, and it would be seen as a loss higher up since I am identified as “high potential” and they have been struggling with retaining employees in general. I know that the attitude at the local operations level is that we hire the best people and that naturally there won’t be enough opportunities for all the best people to advance to their satisfaction. So it’s just a normal process for good people to leave for other jobs.

      Personally, I have not been challenged in a really long time, and I think it’s mostly due to bad timing and not really being “in” with the bosses here. I know it is just my local office fit, too, since I was on a temp assignment in another location and it was great. It was the happiest I’ve been at work since starting here (10+ years ago, gulp) and partially redeemed the company to me. It just stinks that my personality doesn’t jive here. My ops manager actually said I have a “strong personality”… not directly to me, but was relayed back by my co-worker that he was told that prior to working with me… I take it as a compliment, though, it was obviously not meant as one. Man, rehashing all of that is really really really making me regret not leaving.

  15. Cost splitting

    I have a question about splitting costs with BF that I’m hoping you all can help with. BF moved into my house 5 months ago. He has renovations to do on his house before he can rent it, and he started getting estimates 6 months ago. The work would take about 3 weeks, but he won’t hire people to come in and do the work. He said he doesn’t think he will get the work done until spring.

    I’ve never asked BF to contribute to the mortgage or utilities because he was carrying his own mortgage, but I’m starting to get resentful. First, I don’t think it’s fair to me to make me cover 100% of our living costs so that he can drag his feet. Second, it really grates that he’s making money by holding off on the renovations but none of that money comes my way. The funds he would use for the renovations are all invested, and he says his investments are doing well right now, so I’m guessing that’s part of the reason he doesn’t want to pour those funds into the house. So I feel like he’s making a good financial decision for him at my expense.

    Is this part of being a couple – sometimes you have to deal with the other person’s financial choices? Should I give him X months to complete the renovations or start contributing to our (now shared) home? Other suggestions?

    • Cat

      “I’ve never asked BF to contribute to the mortgage or utilities because he was carrying his own mortgage, but I’m starting to get resentful.”

      Step 1 here would be to ask! Men (and women) are not mind readers. He’ll either agree, and you can have a conversation about your respective budgets/contributions, cash flows, timing, plans for the extra money, etc., or disagree, in which case you have a more serious discussion to face.

      ETA – yes, finances are a huge part of relationships. Even as a “one pot married” person, H and I talk about investment options, savings goals, budgets, etc. and neither of us would make a big (obviously a relationship-dependent definition, so it’s important to be on the same page!) financial decision without the other.

    • Anne Shirley

      That’s ridiculous. Tell him he needs to start paying rent next month. You aren’t married, so every month you are just giving him money as a gift. That’s absurd and he should be embarrassed.

      Being part of a couple doesn’t mean you just deal with his choices. It means you both make choices together that work for you as a team. He may see this as long term good for both of you, but since short team he’s just profiting at your expense I’m not sure I’d care about his views terribly much. He obviously isn’t prioritizing making sure you’re doing ok.

      Have you brought this up before? It’s possible he has no idea it’s an issue, but once he does he needs to fix it.

    • Diana Barry

      Hmm. I always suggest consolidating funds when you move in together (because it worked so well for me and my DH) but it sounds like you’re not there yet, so:

      – Are you paying MORE on your house now that he is living with you? Utility bills higher? Groceries? Etc.? He should definitely be covering however much MORE you’re spending now.

      – Have you talked about the future? Do you see yourselves as being together forever/long-term? Are you on the same team? You seem to feel that his not doing the renovations hurts you, like it is a zero-sum game. But assuming you’re on the same team, maybe he is saving up the cash to do the renovations so he doesn’t have to pay capital gain on his invested assets, and maybe that is worth the months of carrying cost that he is paying on the mortgage. But then again, maybe not! I would go through the numbers TOGETHER and see what makes sense.

      • OP

        My electric and water bills have increased, together, by about $100/mo. A big reason for that is he insists on keeping the house really really cold. I brought it up, and his solution has been to open windows, turn on fans, etc. instead of just covering the extra expense. I also asked him to cancel his cable/internet at his place so he could cover it at ours, but he hasn’t done that yet. We trade off weeks for groceries.

        We’ve talked about a future and plan to get married. I think he sees money that belongs to each of us as “our” money to a greater extent than I do, and I think, generally, I’m more cynical about relationships than he is. It’s hard for me to see something as “ours” when I don’t have access to it and I’m not getting any benefit from it.

          • Ellen

            Yay! I love this Jacket, Kat, and am goeing to share with Rosa, b/c she would look great in it and she has an unlimited budget from ED since she is a full-time SAHM who can wear this when she goe’s out to lunch with her freind’s!

            As for the OP, I agree with Ann Shirley. A guy who move’s in, uses alot of hot water and toilet paper, and soiles up the bedroom and bathroom should be paying something, especialy if you are also doeing the cookeing and cleaneing up after him. You are NOT his chamber maid, you are his girlfreind. You did NOT mention anything about his sexeual activitie’s but I don’t care HOW good the sex might be (and it probably is NOT), you should NOT let him come in, eat, burp, mess up your sheet’s and then NOT share some expense’s for all of the food, heateing and cabel, household/cleaneing expense’s you are incuring b/c he is there eateing and poopeing in your toilet. FOOEY on that!

            Myrna was over last night and we were discusseing our “singeldom”. We concluded that it is better to be singel then with a doosh who doe’s exactley what you’ve described. Sex can onley take you so far, and once he’s done for the day, you do NOT have to wait on him hand and foot just b/c of it. DOUBEL FOOEY! Most men can not even carry on a smart conversation with us smart women–who want’s a grunter, which is what most men are after they get what they want from us. Remember you are your own person, and do NOT let him forget it. YAY!!!!

        • (Original) Unicorn

          The only money he sees as shared money is yours. He is not sharing any of his with you. He is taking advantage of you. If he didn’t have your place to live in for free, how much would he be paying in rent to live somewhere else?

        • Diana Barry

          He is definitely not working with you, then. You need to have a serious talk about it. If you are on the same team, then you need to act like it: compromising on the heat, him paying all the extra for the extra expenses, and working together to get his place renovated and rented out so that you can BOTH share in that $$ (and so he can then pay half the mortgage on your place!).

          If your money is not pooled, and you are each still safeguarding your own $$ at the expense of the other person, this will not work. It only works if you both pull TOGETHER.

    • Unicorn

      So he’s doing the renovations in order to rent the place out? Where is he planning to live once he gets tenants in there? At your house, for free, forever?

      • Wildkitten

        I don’t understand how delaying the renovations, and delaying the renting out, saves him money. This definitely calls for a conversation.

        • Mpls

          And if his investments are doing so well, then now is the time to cash out. You can’t time the top of the market, but they are worth more now than what he invested it’s as good a time as any to get out.

    • Moonstone

      Just an anecdote for reference: My sister generously invited me to move into her house for six months when I came back to my hometown. I asked about how I should contribute to the mortgage and she said something to the effect of “the mortgage is the same whether there’s another person in the house, but if you want to pick up some utilities, that would be great.” For the time I lived there, I paid the electric bill, the Internet/cable bill, and water/garbage. It was still way less than I would have paid for my own place, of course, but I left like I was not being a mooch. To me, it’s not a good sign that your guy did not volunteer to kick in right away. (Sorry.)

      • Former Partner, Now In-House

        Another anecdote for reference: I have a dear GF whom I have known for 25+ years. She has been married for four years to her second husband. She is paying all the bills (mortgage, cars, everything) from her account, which is mostly from her divorce settlement, which is supposed to last her for the rest of her life. (She has skills and could support herself very modestly, but not at all as either of them has lived for the last 20-30 years. She likely could not also support him on her skills. She was a SAHM for decades.) Anyway,

        . . . She is getting more and more resentful and is thinking about divorce.

        My conclusion based on the above: talk to him. now. directly. clearly. lest you find yourself in the same position years from now.

    • Senior Attorney

      This is completely unacceptable. Sit him down and say “Dear, I am realizing that it was a mistake not to figure out the finances before you moved in, but we need to do that now. I don’t think it’s fair to me to make me cover 100% of our living costs so that you can drag your feet on the renovations on your house. I feel like you’re making money by holding off on the renovations but none of that money comes my way and it is starting to really grate on me. I feel like you’re making a good financial decision for yourself at my expense and I don’t like feeling that way. So I need you to have some skin in the game here, and contribute to the expenses of this household.”

      Me personally, I’d be charging him market rent or something close to it. Why is that not an option?

      • Mpls

        +1 to charging rent. Sure the mortgage wouldn’t be different, but you are constrained in making unilateral decisions about using the space and the property because of his presence, right?

      • hoola hoopa

        +1000

        Normally I’d say splitting the total utilities (NOT having him pay the difference between your historical pre-him costs) is the standard minimum, but I don’t like this guy because he’s most definitely not a team player and is taking advantage of you, so I’d consider him a roommate and expect half of the mortgage/utilities/groceries.

        Is dumping him an option? Because seriously, I do not like this one. This is setting off all sorts of warning bells for me.

    • Anon

      Why wouldn’t you ask him to contribute to utilities? He no longer has them at his place.

      • Anonymous

        Oh but he does! Cause this idiot hasn’t even cancelled cable there.

        The more I think about this the more I think he’s hedging his bets. Sure, he lives with you. But he could walk out tomorrow into a fully functioning place.

    • lawsuited

      No, part of being a couple is deciding how to arrange finances as between yourselves. Some couples who live apart share all their finances, some couples who live together keep everything seperate, some couples agree that one half will bankroll the other. There’s no “right” way that couples have to arrange finances that is a non-negotiable “part of being a couple”, but there is a wrong way and that’s not making an arrangement and just letting things happen to you because you’re not able to have a conversation about it.

      If you don’t want your BF living in your house free of charge for 6 months or however much longer than that DIY renovations take (and that’s a pretty reasonable position to take, no matter how much he gives you the feels), then tell him that you don’t want to do that and make an arrangement you’re happy with. If it were me, I’d ask him to contribute to hard living costs like rent and utilities in a set amount each month, and then split soft costs like groceries, etc. on a more informal basis of “you get them this time, I’ll get them next time”.

      • Kate G

        +1

        I definitely agree there is no right or wrong way of doing this but it needs to feel fair to both of you. The tricky thing here is that you waited 5 months to bring this up, so it’s probably going to seem to him that this is all coming out of the blue. Explain that you want what’s best for both of you and that you want it to be fair for both of you, and then see how you can work it out together. Be careful of saying things like “you’re screwing me out of my own money” because he’s likely to get defensive and shut down. It’s okay to be angry–I would be if I were you (and I have been you, btw)–but I have learned after several years of marriage that there are ways to get what you want, and ways to say what you want but end up not getting what you want, make sense?

  16. Searching for Tory Burch

    I am on the hunt for a Tory Burch tote bag that came out in 2011. I can’t find it new online anywhere, so was hoping to buy it used. Does anyone have any suggestions for good sites to buy used authentic bags? The bag is the Robinson Saffiano tote, but not the new double zip one. This was has straps long enough to go over the shoulder. A link I found about the bag: http://wondermomo.blogspot.com/2011/04/bags-worth-snatching-new-from-tory.html I want the large size in black.

    Any suggestions on how to find it?

  17. Toffee

    Would you address a high number of sick leave hours in your self evaluation? I should meet my total hour requirement, but I’ve had over 50 hours of sick leave. I’m anemic, had severe intestinal problems from the supplements a couple of times, had two stomach viruses and three illnesses accompanied by high fever. So, I’ve had a lot of sick time just since March. They don’t have prior years to compare to, so they have no way of knowing that this is not typical for me.

    • Anonymous

      No, but I’d be prepared to address it if they bring it up as a problem. The only time I’d mention suck time is if you actually took leave and that impacted your hours.

      Remember, think positive. You want them to feel good after reading this.

    • (Original) Unicorn

      If it is sick leave that is provided as part of your compensation package, you should not feel any different about using it than using your vacation time. That’s what it’s there for. And your medical issues are none of their business.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      I would consider addressing it as part of your accomplishments such as I billed x hours despite taking y hours of sick leave. That said, other people feel you shouldn’t brag about “just doing your job.” I think showing you managed to keep doing your job despite adversity is a plus but that is where there is a divide. Generally, I don’t like mentioning anything that can be used against you. On the flip side, if it is an explanation for something negative it can be worth mentioning. If you bring it up, be super vague. “I had to take some leave due to some medical issues that are now resolved.”

      • hoola hoopa

        Agree with all this.

        I’ve done it with FMLA and felt it was appropriate, but if it’s just been an unfortunate series of unconnected events and was within your normal compensation package (which it sounds like it was), I’d not say anything and be prepared to address.

    • Maddie Ross

      Were they just sick days, or did you officially take FMLA leave? If it’s the latter, I might address it. I know I addressed it in my evaluation the year I took maternity leave, just to make clear that was the difference in hours. If I had just used up all my sick days (or been out a number of days sick without official sick days like it is at a lot of law firms), I think I would just consider having it as a talking point in my review.

      • Toffee

        Just missed time, not FMLA and we do not have a set number of sick days.

        Thanks for the advice, everyone. I was honestly surprised that the number was that high, so my instinct was to address it. I only missed three or four whole days, but it seems I got an urgent email with assignments every time. I like the idea of not having anything negative in my review, but having it ready as a talking point.

  18. Anonnie

    What is your favorite black jacket or blazer to wear over a work dress? I am looking for one that is all season — no wool as I live in SoCal. I have a long torso so super short doesn’t work but in general I think a shorter jacket looks good over a sheath or fit and flare. I have suit jackets but they don’t seem to look right.

    • AEK

      The one I always reach for over dresses is my Theory 1-button blazer. It’s a Gabe but from 4-5 years ago at least. They are made with much less wool now! I really like where it is cut in on the waist; I think it really works over sheath dresses. I find I wear it is a separate much more frequently than I wear it with the suit pants. Something about the fabric makes it look really versatile and not like a dedicated suit jacket.

    • A Clark

      I like black and navy sheaths so I like tweedy/boxy type shorter jackets. I agree that suit blazers can look a little off.

      Usually the tweedy/boxy jackets come as part of suit separates so I can get the skirt too if I”m going for that.

    • Red Beagle

      Also in SoCal – White House Black Market has some edgy shorter jackets that look good over dresses if you are looking for business casual.

  19. My coats are all second hand....

    What is your perfect fall jacket? Ideally, I need something with shape/waist definition.

    Which one for work?

    Which one for weekends/casual….. but not sporty?

    Would love to get something that would last for years and is classic but interesting. I’ll wait until after season sales to get something nicer, but cheaper.

    Thanks.

    • locomotive

      I wear a burberry trench usually to work … partly because I paid $$$ for that sucker and I want to wear it. I’m not sure if it’s always appropriate (e.g. on sunny days?) but I like it and I haven’t ever felt too out of place with it on in the fall.

      I have a mixed media moto jacket for casual wear in the fall and I LOVE IT. I’m usually not very trendy but the personal shopper at nordstroms picked it out for me, and I feel like a million bucks in it. It’s the Adrianna Papell Faux Leather Sleeve Moto Jacket (link in next post)

      • Carrie...

        Thanks for your input. Maybe I need to work on a better color/style of trench, as it really seems to be the functional option.

        Anyone have an interesting trench they have found, that is not your typical…

        I am a skinny pear shape, with nothing on top so it is hard finding coats that don’t overwhelm me. Jewel tones look best.

  20. Anonymous

    I had a skirt taken in at the waist recently and now I need a couple more taken in. When I went last time, the tailor said it was $25 to have it taken by just altering one side and $35 for having it taken in by altering both sides. The skirt in question had a double vent. Is this normal? And if so, is there any merit to doing both sides, particularly if future skirts just have a single vent?

    • Wildkitten

      If you only do one side, the vent would be in not the center, right? That seems like the main drawback.

        • Anon

          Why go to the trouble of getting a skirt tailored if it’s going to be crooked? You may as well not bother then.

        • Anonymous

          *sigh* why would anyone offer the possibility of only altering one side then?! Seems not terribly helpful. Thanks all.

          • Carrie...

            Some skirts may actually only have one seam – for example, a more a-line or flouncy skirt. Then you ** might ** get away with only opening it on one side to alter. It totally depends on the style/fabric/pattern as to what you can get away with.

            But it seems odd for the seamstress to offer both prices, after seeing the skirt, as it is usually clear what should be done.

            Maybe she was quoting you the prices for the skirts you hadn’t brought in, as they were not in front of her to judge?

            But for anything that requires symmetry, usually you have to open two seams.

    • (former) preg 3L

      If you have multiple skirts to do, I would ask about a bulk discount. Be careful though, you may get lower quality.

  21. Anonymous

    I am on the hunt for a Tory Burch tote bag that came out in 2011. I can’t find it new online anywhere, so was hoping to buy it used. Does anyone have any suggestions for good sites to buy used authentic bags? The bag is the Robinson Saffiano tote, but not the new double zip one. This was has straps long enough to go over the shoulder.

    Any suggestions on how to find it?

  22. Lorelai Gilmore

    A wonderful, very-long-distance friend is having a birthday and I’d like to send her something small and sweet from Amazon to celebrate. Any suggestions? She likes good wine, good food, pretty things. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I don’t have personal knowledge of anything she actually needs.

    • Rogue Banker

      I am a big fan of Edible Arrangements for long-distance presents. Lots of different price points, and I don’t think I’ve ever had someone say “Oh, I really wish you hadn’t gotten me a bunch of yummy chocolate and fruit, I would have rather gotten another knick-knack.” :P

      • Baconpancakes

        I’m not really a fan of Edible Arrangements, but YMMV. It’s more of an office present to me, nice, healthy, a little showy, but not something I’d actually want to receive because the fruit tends to be a little boring and flavorless/out of season. Have I just had the wrong arrangements?

        However, along the same lines, Harry and David fruit is wildly popular in my family. They have specifically seasonal boxes – right now it’s mini pumpkins (for decorating), apple samplers, and persimmons. And of course, the pears.

        • Senior Attorney

          I have received both Edible Arrangements and Harry & David as gifts, and OMG there is no comparison! Harry & David for the win!! And not just the fruit — Moose Munch, anyone?

          • Baconpancakes

            Moose Munch is DANGEROUS.

            But the pears… The pears you get in grocery stores are like ghosts of Harry & David pears. Grocery store pears taste like someone third-hand was told what a Harry & David pear tastes like and replicating that, using only cardboard and an old apple.

            I may have a slight obsession with fruit.

    • Flower

      What about high quality chocolate? Vosages, Valrhona, or even Bissinger, which has more of an assortment but is a step up from Godiva (in my opinion).

    • Samantha

      Amazon has a wide range of fashion jewelry, as well as the real thing, at a wide range of prices. So you could get her a bauble, like one of those bib or statement necklaces that are popular, or a pair of pearl studs, etc. I got a long distance friend a black pearl necklace to go with an LBD she was wearing in a pic she posted. Seemed to be well received.

  23. Awful Law

    Hoping that it’s not too late in the day to get a response to this. I recently lost a bunch of weight (YAY!), but consequently have a very limited wardrobe of clothes that fit me (BOO!). I am also flat broke at the moment and truly do not have any money buy something new to solve my current wardrobe emergency. The problem is, tomorrow I have a hearing with a Master at the Circuit Court in my mid-Atlantic city for an uncontested divorce. Typically I would wear a skirt to court, but I do not have any skirt suits that even come close to fitting. I have a navy pant suit that I could wear with a cream colored blouse and blush colored leather heels. Do you think that would be appropriate? The other option would be a charcoal grey sheath dress with a black ponte knit jacket and black patent leather heels. Suggestions?

    • Anonymous

      I’d say pant suit unless you were in a traditionally VERY conservative area. But, on the other hand, the ponte jacket would make the sheath option equally as troublesome. Navy, go navy

    • Anon

      Agree that pantsuit should be fine but if you want to wear the dress, why not pair it with the navy suit jacket. Grey and navy are a great combination.

      • Awful Law

        I have definitely worn the navy jacket with the grey dress, but my concern would be shoes. In the summer I wore this outfit with a nude for me pump and bare legs, but it’s getting a little chilly here.

    • Kate G

      Is there a Target near you? They’ve been having some good work wear lately if you have time to just swing by the store and buy something. Very inexpensive, and could get you by for a while until the broke situation blows over.

  24. Awful Law

    Hoping that it’s not too late in the day to get a response to this. I recently lost a bunch of weight (yay), but consequently have a very limited wardrobe of clothes that fit me (b00). I am also flat broke at the moment and truly do not have any money buy something new to solve my current wardrobe emergency. The problem is, tomorrow I have a hearing with a Master at the Circuit Court in my mid-Atlantic city for an uncontested divorce. Typically I would wear a skirt to court, but I do not have any skirt suits that even come close to fitting. I have a navy pant suit that I could wear with a cream colored blouse and blush colored leather heels. Do you think that would be appropriate? The other option would be a charcoal grey sheath dress with a black ponte knit jacket and black patent leather heels. Suggestions?

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