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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 160 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Bell Sleeve Boat-Neck Top

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Alice + Olivia Briar Bell Sleeve Boat-Neck TopOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This week's guest posts are from Auntie M — welcome back!

Okay, okay, don't panic — I know the sleeves are sheer, but I can't help but be drawn to the lightweight, flouncy nature of this blouse. If you work in one of those firms where you can’t leave your own office without being fully suited up anyway (like my former law firm), what's the harm? Plus, the sleeves would be nice and cool for a hot summer commute. The color is listed as, ahem, “Nude,” which was jarring to me — I've gotten so used to the Corporette “nude for me” and “nude for you” parlance that I can't help but think how nice it would be if stores stopped using “nude” as a descriptor entirely. Nonetheless, I'd pair this shirt with a neutral suit (navy, or dark gray) and wine-colored shoes, and maybe a gold-based statement necklace. It's $242 at Neiman Marcus. Alice + Olivia Briar Bell Sleeve Boat-Neck Top

Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.

Psst: The Kate Spade surprise sale started this morning, with prices up to 75% off (but all sales final, alas).

(L-3)

Comments

  1. TheElms

    So very thankful that I don’t have to wear a full suit at my big law office, or even a blazer.

    • emeralds

      Um, yes. I work in an office where the only iron-clad dress code regulation is no blue jeans (except on Friday; colored jeans are fine Monday-Thursday).

    • NOLA

      I’m loving the pink. I wish it had the divider in the center. There were some really cute bags in the sale.

      • NOLA

        Okay, I’m waffling. I feel like I need another summer bag. Most of my bags are decidedly winter. I have the Bellville Quinn (ivory linen with black polka dots and black leather bottom and trim). I’m thinking about either the Wellesley Quinn in the pink or the Chelsea Park Jacquard Elena. The problem with pink is that if I wear red or purple as an accent, I might feel like it doesn’t go or looks like too much pink and purple. And the Elena is a bit bigger than the Quinn, but otherwise, I love the black with ivory dots and the subtle bow.

        Any thoughts?

      • NOLA

        I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why you post this every time someone uses a tiny url link. What is the problem?

        • Anon

          You don’t think its tacky for someone to sneak in an affiliate link to make money off commenter clicks?

          Just to be clear, I would have no problem with an affiliate link if it was properly disclosed.

          • TCFKAG

            You mentioned this yesterday when I posted something. Honestly, I had just found it through a search site (ShopStyle) that I guess has an affiliate link inserted to it? I had not even thought of that before I posted it and it certainly wasn’t in order to make *me* any money.

            I think your assumption that every tiny url and/or affiliate link is meant to make the poster money is probably wrong. I use tiny urls because otherwise the urls are like 15 lines in the post.

          • NOLA

            I feel like you’re making assumptions about the posters here that aren’t true. Totally agree with TCFKAG. You’re accusing people with very little evidence.

          • Anon

            Thanks for pointing that out, TCFKAG. I didn’t realize that some sites might include an affiliate link. Obviously I have no issue with tiny url generally, but I do think it is odd to use it to hide an affiliate link. Like I said, no issue with affiliate linking generally, just if it isn’t disclosed.

            And NOLA, maybe chill a bit? It isn’t as if I’m calling for anyone’s head, just wanting to discuss transparency here.

      • locomotive

        Does tinyurl really count as an affiliate? I always thought it was just a way to shorten long URLs.

        • Anon

          It can be used to shorten affiliate links/mask the fact they are affiliate links.

        • emeralds

          This. And I think she was clearly linking to the (gorgeous!!) bag she just got.

          But seriously, who cares anyway.

  3. DontBlameTheKids

    I like this shirt, and since I almost always wear a cami, I don’t mind sheer.

    I had to laugh at the “nude to me” comment, because I’m the same way, but the opposite. Most things labeled “nude” are a deeper shade of tan than I will ever achieve. This shirt might actually be nude to me!

    • Senior Attorney

      Love this top! And I’m laughing because it is, in fact, nude for me!

  4. Sparrow

    I love this top! Very pretty. It would work in my business casual office.

    Dinner/entertaining question – this weekend I’m have my parents and brother over along with an aunt and uncle who are visiting from outside the country. Normally I would would grill some steaks or seafood. However, we recently moved into a new house and don’t have a deck, yard or driveway. Getting the grill out would be a pain, b/c everything is a muddy mess outside.

    I’ve sides and desserts figured out, but I’m at a loss for what to make for the main dish. Ideally something make-ahead would be nice. I was thinking of marinating some salmon and then baking it once the guests arrive. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

    • buffybot

      I have made Martha Stewart’s salmon with brown sugar and mustard glaze (on her website) several times in the broiler and it is both (1) extremely easy and (2) very tasty. Cooks very quickly, like 15 minutes. Delicious with green salad or other assorted vegetables.

      Bon Appetit also has a recipe for fennel and citrus roasted salmon that is tasty. However, the salmon is slow-roasted so it’s much softer and flakier as opposed to crisped on the outside like the mustard salmon.

      If you’d like something other than salmon, Real Simple has a recipe for roasted chicken with tomatoes and olives — you take a whole chicken (or bone-in breasts with skin, which is what I do), cut it up and roast it with olives, lemon, thyme and garlic. Then when it’s done, you add white white to make a pan-sauce. It’s also extremely easy, because you just pour things into a roasting dish and let it go.

      Finally, if you want a whole roasted chicken, Jamie Oliver’s chicken in milk sounds ridiculous but is delicious. A bit more labor intensive, though, because you have to brown it and such.

    • tesyaa

      My go-to would be lasagna and similar casserole dishes – what about a seafood lasagna if you want to serve seafood?

    • Ellen

      If you live in NYC, you could call for takeout food like I do. This way, your Kitchen stay’s clean and you can just serve it on paper plate’s if you do NOT want to wash any dishe’s. That is what I have learned. When I tried to make chicken for a guy, it was a DISASTER, and I had alot of cleanup to do. Who has time for that, especialy if the cleaneing lady is not comeing by the next day? Not me. Either HE cook’s (and clean’s up) or I bring take out. I figure that b/c I am such a profesional, I should be abel to rely on OTHERS to do the cookeing and teh cleaneing for me.

      When I was dateing Alan, he alsothought he was a profesional, so HE did NOT want to do anything other then make a mess in the kitchen, then the batheroom (fooey) and then the bedroom, where he also did alot of fooey thing’s to me that I actualy put up with b/c I wanted him to work out — which he did NOT. DOUBEL FOOEY!

      Now I have a guy, Butch, who is VERY interested in me, but I am not sure about him yet. Ihave to have Dad get the goverment guy’s to check him out b/f I get serius with him. I do NOT want to waste time, b/c I need to have a child hopefuly THIS YEAR. Grandma Leyeh is disapointed that I am still singel. She said that someone so pretty and accomplished as ME would be MARRIED and almost a grandmother when she was a child. FOOEY b/c I do NOT think there were lady lawyer’s in the old country back then. Were there? I do NOT think so. Dad also thinks there is something wrong when I , an accomplished Lawyer, cannot get a guy to Marry me. But I am NOT marrying a LOOSER! YAY!!

    • Sparrow

      Thanks for the ideas! I might have to try some of these in my regular dinner rotation. I was looking at the Martha Stewart recipe yesterday, so glad to hear it is good.

      • Senior Attorney

        +1 You can’t go wrong with a roast chicken. The secret is a digital thermometer so there’s no guesswork about when it’s done.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I’ve made Pioneer Woman’s Braised Short Ribs a few times for entertaining and it’s always a big hit. It’s a bit of work up front, but you can do it all in advance and then throw it back in the oven for 30-45 min before serving.

    • Not a lawyer

      What about a prime rib roast? It takes very little effort (shove it in the oven, leave the oven closed for 3 hours), makes the house smell amazing, and is something that people usually equate with a nice dinner out.

  5. Gail the Goldfish

    I really wish this came in some color other than boring oatmeal/cream/tan/whatever you want to call that. I love the idea, but that color is just blah.

    • Carrie

      +1

      I could never wear this color near my face. It is so delicate, I really wouldn’t want to add bulky necklaces or scarves to balance out the color.

      Would love some jewel tones.

  6. C

    This is lovely. I wish I could justify spending this much on blouse.

    Shopping challenge: I am looking for a white/cream colored lace or embroidered short sleeve top under $100. Any suggestions?

    Sort of like the Talbots daisy lace top.

  8. AN

    I owned a similar blouse in red, and it was far more conservative despite the sheer sleeves than it looks on screen. I wore it to work with pants, but we are business casual.

  9. Penny Proud

    I love this shirt. I’m not going to buy it, but I love looking at it.

    Mattress TJ:
    I am looking for a new mattress and I”m completely overwhelmed by the number of choices! I’m interested in a memory foam mattress, but not committed. I care about the quality of my sleep over the next 10 years, so I am willing to pay for an expensive mattress if it is actually better.

    Have any of you bought a mattress that you love in the last couple of years?

    • mascot

      We’ve been pleased with our mattresses from Original Mattress Factory, we have a plush top (?) that is flippable. Around year 6, we added a cool foam topper from Target and it’s working out well.

    • R

      I don’t know where you’re located, but if you’re anywhere close to the Chicago area, there’s a local family-owned mattress shop in the LaGrange area. Quality Sleep Shop Mattresses. They’ll custom build the mattress exactly how you want it, and it’s amazing. Even to the point of putting more structure on the sides because I sit on the bed to put on my socks. Prices were slightly more than big mattress stores, but not obscenely so.

      I think if you’re in the suburbs, they’ll deliver it to you, but I picked it up in a Uhaul. Every mattress in my house is now from there, and no kidding, guests complement me on how comfy the beds are.

      • Moonstone

        Thanks for posting this. I just learned about this place last week and was planning a trip there but it’s really nice to see the recommendation.

      • L

        I just looked at this and while I don’t have a casper, I do have a combo latex/memory foam mattress and it is AMAZING. You don’t feel “stuck’ and I am never hot, which is impressive considering my nickname is the furnace. I hated traditional memory foam beds, but the blend is amazing.

      • Canyouwink

        We just ordered a Casper, should be here soon! I can give updates once we’ve had it for awhile.

    • Medic Maggie

      We bought a brand name Tempurpedic and I cannot imagine going back to a regular mattress. We bought it 5 years ago, and it is going strong. We turned it 180* a few months ago (there is about a 130# discrepancy between DH and I, and his side was getting softer), and it helped a lot, and I think will help it wear more evenly. We do have the mattress-store-buy-it-or-you-will-void-your-warranty “waterproof/breathable” mattress cover, but I cover that with a cotton quilted cover because the other one was just too hot.

      That is the thing with tempurpedic–it gets very warm, so you have to change the way that you dress yourself, and your bed in order to stay comfortable. Most nights, in the winter, I toss off the big comforter and just use a flannel sheet & a cotton thermal blanket. In the summer, it’s regular sheets, the blanket (probably for another month or so), and then a quilt on top.

      LOVE the tempurpedic.

      • Maudie Atkinson

        Likewise, I love our Tempur-Pedic. I was skeptical, but after sleeping on it for almost 3 years, I couldn’t go back. It was worth every penny. And I don’t find that it sleeps hot, though Medic Maggie is not the only person I’ve heard say it does.

      • anon-oh-no

        we bought the seeley version of this — i comfort i think — becuase it is supposd to be cooler (though i think the tempur-pedic has a cooler version now too). We have had it for almost two years and its awesome. i get much better sleep and feel more rested in the morning.

        • Lynnet

          We have this as well, and it has ruined us for all other beds. Ours was about $1000, but I think if you wait for a sale you can get a better price.

    • 312

      We love our mia forma mattress from Back to Bed. It is a bamboo based mattress, lighter than a tempurpedic, but the same idea and cheaper.

    • Maddie Ross

      We bought a king size latex mattress and love it. (Once I got past the idea of sleeping on latex.) It’s similar to the tempurpedic ones, but doesn’t have the same issues with heat retention.

    • IT Chick in MN

      We’ve had a Sleep Number bed for almost 10 years now, and we love it. It feels exactly the same as it did then. I really like the ability to adjust slightly to fit how I’m feeling.

      One of the decision makers for us is that we are not small women. Most of the traditional mattress ratings/testing were created with a 105 pound woman and a 150 pound man as the sleepers. Thus even our expensive and well-made inner-spring mattress lasted us about 6 years.

      • Blonde Lawyer

        A lot of the safety rating stuff is super scary if you start looking into it. It is not just clinically overweight people that fall outside of safety margins. My husband is 6’5″ with a small waist but technically over the weight limit for a lot of things. People rarely tell us. He is just smart enough to look into it. The most recent thing we realized we shouldn’t do was a dog sled tour. Unless I weight 90 pounds, we were over the weight limit combined. Looking for cars we learned that most are not safety rated for tall dudes. There is a certain amount of clearance you should have between top of head and roof. Amusement parks are also scary. Not just the fact that you can be under or over the weight limit but a small person should not ride certain rides w/ a larger friend. I almost flew out of a roller coaster that just had the lap bar b/c my boyfriend at the time was a big dude so the lap bar stopped at his legs and didn’t touch mine. The ride attendant didn’t notice an issue but my then bf had to hold me down the entire ride.

        I don’t know if it is ignorance ( sales people and vendors not knowing weight standards), not wanting to educate the public because they would have to change their outdated weight standards, or the fact that don’t want to insult people by saying that you are too big or too small for their product. Either way, safety and product quality should come first.

        • Maddie Ross

          Realistically, even though the safety rating is for “x”, the actual rating that a product will handle is x+ a certain amount of clearance. So while a dude that is 6’5″ may not be within the published safety rating, he’s not so freakishly tall that he would be unsafe in most cars, etc.

          • Blonde Lawyer

            I agree. I just had never really looked into ratings before he mentioned it and was surprised at how low the weights are on many things.

        • Alanna of Trebond

          I do think that some rides have height maximums — for example, your husband probably couldn’t ride the rides where one’s legs hang down because his legs could be cut off.

  10. LilyB

    Hi ladies- I’ve asked this question before but circumstances have changed a little bit. Looking to go on a week-long vacation with my bf in September. I have the whole month off before I start my big law gig, and I really want to go somewhere new and exciting as well as romantic and relaxing. Initially we decided on Istanbul/Santorini/Mykonos, but quickly realized it was going to be too expensive (not because of hotels/food, but airfare to Athens is, for whatever reason, ridiculously expensive, even if we fly out of NYC). I loved the idea of that trip because we would get history/culture/beach/nightlife/nature all in one. But it was going to end up costing $5500 when all was said and done, and that’s just too much.

    I’d like to keep the total amount for 2 people to $4k for anywhere from 4-7 nights. The Caribbean apparently is out because of hurricane season, and I don’t know if I’d get the sight-seeing component that I love. I’m open to Western Europe, though I’ve been many times, even if that means we won’t get the beach component. But I can’t see that saving us much money because hotels and food will be more expensive in, say, France/UK/Spain than in Greece.

    Hawaii looks to be pretty expensive as well. I looked into packages in farflung places like Bali, but even though it seems like we could get something at a pretty good rate, I’d rather not spend 24-30 hours traveling each way.

    HALP! I know this is a good problem to have but I’m getting overwhelmed. I want this to be an awesome vacation but I also don’t want to break the bank for either me or my bf. He’s being a good sport and I want him to have an amazing time, too.

    • Woods-comma-Elle

      Flying to Athens is expensive, even from Europe, but if you are open to a plane change elsewhere in Europe, you could fly from eg. London direct to Santorini/Mykonos. If you fly to Athens, you would need two planes anyway to get to the islands, so you could just skip it altogether (unless you want to actually spend time there).

      • LilyB

        Yeah we just wanted to do the islands, not Athens- definitely open to flying through another European city, but I’m wondering why the travel sites haven’t suggested that as an option? I’ll try plugging it in and seeing what happens, thanks.

        • Gail the Goldfish

          US-based travel sites may not show it as an option as I’m not sure they check the cheap European carriers. I’d do it as a two step process: figure out what cities in Europe are the cheapest to fly to from NYC, then search the cheap European carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet from that city separately.

    • Lady Tetra

      I know this doesn’t help much, but I went to Istanbul on my bar trip and it was FANTASTIC. For something totally different, I’d recommend Lima, Peru, which combines your sightseeing/beach/culture/nightlife very nicely.

    • emeralds

      What about South America? I’m especially thinking Colombia. I have a few friends who have gone and loved it. I haven’t been myself (although it’s definitely on my list!) but they’ve all said there’s a great balance of culture and beaches, especially if you start out in Bogota for culture and then head to the coast for R&R. I’ve heard great things about Cartagena and Barranquilla for beaches. It looks like flights from NY are under $600 and I’m pretty sure it’s dirt-cheap once you get there.

      • LilyB

        like this suggestion- if anyone has any sample itineraries for Colombia that’d be great! I’ll look into Barranquilla and Cartagena.

      • buffybot

        I was going to suggest the same! Also Buenos Aires is a fantastic city for food, culture and nightlife, and if you want a bit of beach, you could go over to Uruguay. Since it’s the southern hemisphere I don’t know if you’d necessarily have beach weather in September (their spring), but it’s worth investigation.

        • LLM in BsAs

          Chiming in to say, as my handle suggests I am in Buenos Aires. There is no way you would have beach weather in Buenos Aires and/or Uruguay in September. It’s the end of Winter, early Spring.
          Although our winters are mild, September may be cold (so in the 50s Farenheit or so).

          But Buenos Aires is great for nightlife/food/entertainment.

          Let me know if you want more details and I’ll create a thissite email for you to contact.

          • LilyB

            thanks for the offer to help! I’ve been to BA and loved it, but would rather explore somewhere new…. if only I could go somewhere new AND go back to all my favorites :(

        • Bonnie

          +1 for B.A. You could also fly up to Iguazu Falls from B.A. It will be warm and less crowded at that time of the year.

    • AN

      Have you considered italy? Culture, beach, great food….and it won’t be too hot in September.

      • LilyB

        had not really considered Italy… I’ve been to Rome and Tuscany, so would rather not repeat- any beach recs? the flights aren’t that much cheaper than Athens, so I’d need to find other ways to save on hotels, food, etc.

        • Sizing question

          Cinque Terre! Beautiful beaches, hiking, and very reasonable hotel rates.

          • LawyrChk

            Also, the Italian Riviera is gorgeous. I think you’d fly into Milan most likely.

          • LilyB

            flights to Milan are actually cheap (~$700) compared to the rest of Europe for whatever reason… no burning desire to see Milan but I hadn’t thought about the Italian Riviera, will have to look into that. Thanks!

    • Anon

      I haven’t been there, or researched it at all, but have you looked into Morocco? It would have history, culture, beaches and definitely romantic.

        • Calibrachoa

          Did you check flying to London and from there on to Morocco? I’ve done that before and the air fare london-marrakesh was dirt cheap

          • LilyB

            flights to london are SO expensive… like $900+…. or maybe that’s just the new normal? I remember when you could get flights for $500-600 ,especially off-season and isn’t September off-season? hmph.

        • Anne Shirley

          900 is a great price for a London flight. The days of $500 flights to Europe are long gone.

    • MNF

      Have you looked into using a travel agent? I had never used one before my honeymoon – and we had a fantastic travel experience. I’d never thought to use one because I thought it would be expensive, but most agents get paid by the hotel/venue they’re booking – not by you. We actually saved a lot of money/hassle.

    • L in DC

      Have you thought about Panama? A couple days in Panama City and then head over to the Pacific side for some fantastic beaches.

      • L in DC

        It’s a 5 hour flight from DC and shouldn’t be that expensive. You can also stay in a high-end hotel (e.g., Riu Plaza) for the same cost as a budget hotel in Western Europe.

      • cbackson

        Just a slight note that Panama City actually is on the Pacific side, although it doesn’t have good in-city beaches. I agree that Panama would fit the bill!

    • Hollis

      Not sure if you are still reading, but I honeymooned in Costa Rica and it was awesome. 3 days exploring the cloud forest (saw a monkey 10 feet away from me as I walked across a rope bridge), witnessed a live volcano, etc. and then 4 days hanging out on the beach at a beautiful B&B in Tamarindo. Nice people, good food, everything was wonderful. I highly recommend it.

  11. Famouscait

    Can anyone comment on the quality of Kate Spade jewelry? I’m finding that some of her more whimsical stuff is right up my alley!

    • Cat

      the metals are often super-shiny in person and the stones are very bright – IMO they’re worth no more than the super sale price. Doesn’t mean they’re not cute with the right outfit, though!

    • Wildkitten

      Her earrings bother my ears if I sleep in them, but other than that I’ve never had problems with her stuff. It doesn’t seem super high quality, but it doesn’t break or fall apart. They have a one year warranty on the handbags that I’ve used twice. I don’ t know if they have a similar warranty for jewelry since its never broken on me.

      • Famouscait

        Thanks, y’all! This is really useful for the things currently sitting in my shopping cart…

    • jc

      I have a gold watch that I absolutely adore and get many compliments on! I also have earrings that I wear daily that I got on sale for $20 at Nordstrom (I got silver and gold and rotate them). Highly recommend!

    • Two Cents

      I love Kate Spade jewelry but it’s very overpriced for what it is, so only buy on sale. Some of the stuff looks really cheap (bright neon, plastic) but I have a few necklaces that are fantastic quality and look more expensive than they are. I wouldn’t buy anything that is final sale because of the variance in quality.

    • Susie

      The earrings can be comically huge (in my opinion) – in terms of how “deep” they are, like they come out about half an inch. I actually feel too self-conscious to wear them.

  12. CKB

    Ugg. Currently on a conference call. My big pet peeves – people putting the conference call on hold (no music, but every few seconds we hear a ‘beep beep beep beep’. Second is conference all leaders that don’t know that they can put all other lines on hold until they are ready for questions, which would solve the problem. I’m starting to get a headache…. ‘beep beep beep beep’.

    • Shay-La

      Hopping on the pet peeve bandwagon–one pet peeve is questions *easily* answered by Google that the person answering will have to look up anyway. How far is it from X to A? I don’t know, let me look that up for you. I generally send the answer using http://lmgtfy.com/, but can’t bring myself to that level of snark with my father-in-law.

      • AttiredAttorney

        Um yes. Recent questions received that I had to turn down the snark factor to answer: does X major airline fly into your major city airport? How long will it take to get from the airport to your office? Are there any hotels close by your office? (these coming from a consultant working for us…)

    • Anonymous

      Oh I have a lot of phone call pet peeves. 1) People who know damn well they’re doing other nonsense at their desks during the conference call but don’t put their phones on mute so we don’t have to hear their chewing/gum smacking/pen clicking/typing/conversations/candy crush; 2) People who ask the same question someone else just asked because, I assume, they weren’t paying attention; 3) When you’re sitting on hold and every few minutes an automatic recording comes on and it sounds like someone is picking up but it’s just the stupid recording telling you you’re still on hold.

      • Anonymous

        I used to work for a partner who could not shut off his fidgeting when on the phone. He’d play with the plastic clips, binder clips, and a magnetic name tag until the clips broke or the magnet back flew across the room (all of this was loud enough that I’m sure the client could hear it). Then he’d be distracted picking up the pieces. He wouldn’t notice when the client asked him a question, and it would take a long awkward pause followed by the client repeating “What do you think?” to spur the partner into coming up with a longwinded BS answer that didn’t address the question at all. Ugh.

    • Woods-comma-Elle

      When you are on a conference call with like 17 people who have never spoken to each other before and people don’t identify themselves when speaking.

      Agree on the mute point – I’ve been on conference calls with excessive typing, separate conversations, public transport, crying children and barking dogs in the background.

  13. Sizing question

    Can the hive help with Hugo Boss sizing? Nordstrom is telling me “runs large, size down”–does this mean size down from what I wear in other brands like Theory, or size down from what the size chart is telling me? I’m always afraid of dresses being too tight in the hips/butt, so I don’t want to order a size down and then see I should’ve stuck with the size on the chart corresponding to my hip measurement. I tried searching the thissite archives but could only find one person who said they wear one size down from Theory, but without knowing measurements it’s hard for me to know if I can do that too.

    Yes, I could try both, but I use Nordstrom debit and am not crazy about several extra hundred dollars coming out of my checking when it could be a while before I have a chance to return it. The dress just got marked down and is disappearing quickly so I don’t think other sizes will be around in a week if I order one with the plan to try the other next if the first one doesn’t work. Annoyingly, none of the 4 stores in my city have any Boss dresses (or work clothes in general) in stock for me to just go in.

    As an alternative, has anyone had luck getting Nordstrom to ship clothes directly to the store so that I could try on before purchase?

    I tried to live chat them but after entering my name and question and hitting submit, the chat window goes blank on my computer (tried several times and browsers). Can’t make a phone call with my floor plan.

    • anon

      I find Hugo Boss does NOT run large in the hips/thighs especially. I wear 0/2 in J. Crew dresses and a 4 in Hugo Boss and Theory.

    • HnH

      From my experience, normally when Nordstrom tells me to size up or down, it means to size up or down from my normal size in other brands.

    • txatty

      At least with Hugo Boss dresses, I have never needed to size down. It’s usually true to size if you like a snug fit (the way they recommend) or one size up from usual. I’m usually a 0/2 in BR, Theory, Brooks Brothers, JCrew, etc., and a 2/4 in Tahari, DVF, and Hugo Boss.

  14. Declining to Represent Family

    How do you deal with declining to represent a family member? I haven’t been practicing for a year yet, but my family (immediate and extended) is always asking me to help them with legal issues. Some are in my practice area, but some are not. My firm is slammed currently, and we are rather small. Since I’m not experienced, anything I do needs to be looked over by a partner, which means I’d be taking away the partner’s time for my family’s issues. Further, I’ve semi-discussed this with a junior partner who generally declines to help out family because he doesn’t have expertise or doesn’t have the time.

    My family is large and we all love to help each other out. I know my parents would be upset to hear that I declined to help, but I feel like I have no choice because it’s really not up to me. I’m also new to the game so I’m not good with referrals (or how they work). Anyone have any advice on this?

    • Wildkitten

      Your malpractice insurance won’t cover that but you’re happy to recommend to them an excellent attorney who practices that exact subject.

      • Former Partner, Now In-House

        Three attorneys who practice in that area, each of whom your family member can call before making the final choice him/herself. CYA.

    • Anon

      I am newish and I almost always just tell people that I don’t know enough about that topic to give them competent advice. I have attorneys who I know are competent in their respective fields whom I refer different cases (divorce, criminal law, probate).

    • Ciao, pues

      This happens to me, too. As the first and only lawyer in a large working-class family, I get a lot of questions about things that are hilariously far outside my expertise (which is super limited since i’ve only been practicing for a couple years). I think my family just doesn’t understand how narrow a practice a lawyer like me has. I think their experience is with professions that are much more broad– if you drive a truck cross-country, you know all about driving trucks cross-country; if you work retail, you know all about working retail; ergo, if you are a lawyer, you presumably know all about the law. I usually just tell them that I have no experience in that area and refer them to an attorney who does (if I know one) or to my jurisdiction’s legal referral hotline.

  15. Canyouwink

    Re: the Kate Spade sale, I’ve been kind of obsessed with the peekaboo oxfords on sale now but I can’t figure out how I’d wear them. I can’t imagine they’d be comfortable with bare feet but wearing socks seems like it would defeat the purpose. Does anyone have any insight?

    • Senior Attorney

      I use Body Glide on my feet and it really helps with bare feet in pumps and oxfords and such.

        • Canyouwink

          I use body glide for sandals too, but I was also worried about these getting smelly.

          • Anon in NYC

            I use washable summer insoles in my flats (like Summer Soles, which a lot of people recommend). I find that while my feet still get sweaty, it’s easy to wash them and my shoes don’t get as smelly as they might otherwise. I’d also be careful to air out your shoes and let them dry as much as possible between wears. There might also be ways to remove any smell (I haven’t tried any, so can’t recommend one).

  16. SV in House

    Have any of the in house re**es interviewed with the CFO? I’m talking to one today for a senior level role and am wondering if there is a CFO “style” or approach. Any advice (or just good vibes!) appreciated.

    • workingmomz

      I have and it was similar to other C-level execs, but he was a little more concrete since he was a former accountant. The COO and CEO were more big picture type people.

  17. BankrAtty

    Wouldn’t these sleeves get all bunch under your blazer? That would driver me bonkers.

    • Ciao, pues

      I thought the same. Sleeves are definitely not long enough to grip in your fists while putting on your blazer, so you’d have to go in after them after the fact… too much work!

      • Barb

        You have SO well articulated the problem with 3/4 sleeves under a jacket – to short to hold, got better things to do than fish for them after the fact… Now know why I wear shells under jackets! :)

  18. Diana Barry

    You have SO well articulated the problem with 3/4 sleeves under a jacket – to short to hold, got better things to do than fish for them after the fact… Now know why I wear shells under jackets! :)

  19. Baconpancakes

    Anyone have suggestions for a Memorial Day afternoon date that doesn’t involve crowds? We’re in DC, and I’m looking for something fairly inexpensive but more fun than a movie and popcorn on the couch.

    • Bonnie

      It should be pretty quiet away from the mall. You could go to the Arboretum and then walk around and eat at Union Market.

    • a.k.

      Go hiking in Rock Creek Park – up in NW DC, there are several trails that tourists don’t visit but are lovely for an afternoon (starting near the stables; there is a visitors center). Not strenuous; you go as long/short as your energy; lots of places to stop and have a picnic. Similarly the National Arboretum has lots of options to be outdoors where it won’t be crowded.

  21. k-padi

    Morning Rant Alert!

    Teachers, in May, in my Facebook. I know they work hard, I know they technically work over the summer, I know all this, and yet, please stop the countdowns to summer vacation! They are professional adults!

    Gahhhhh!

    • Marilla

      Oh, I would totally have a countdown going in my head. I hate FB countdown statuses in general (76 days to OUR WEDDING! 19 days to FUN IN MIAMI!), though, and it’s so depressing sitting in a grey cubicle when it’s so beautiful outside, so I would probably be pretty irritated too after the 4th or 5th status update.

    • Anon

      Isn’t it pretty much a truth universally acknowledged that Facebook is where people share things that they are excited about?

      B/c you don’t get to tell them what those can, and can’t, be.

      You do get to unfriend/hide them if you are annoyed, however.

    • Lorelai Gilmore

      They should be excited about summer – I would be too. But honestly, when I see those status updates or countdowns, I just think about how I don’t get summer vacation – and how my kids really suffer when school is not in session because it means we have to scramble for childcare.

    • Senior Attorney

      All I have to say is that I think I should get a gold medal for NOT having a countdown until my divorce is final.

      30…

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