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Updated: Aug 2, 2022 301 Comments · by

Tuesday’s Workwear Report: Arielle Ribbed Merino Wool Sweater

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

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

If you’re in the market for upgraded basics, the Iris & Ink brand from The Outnet is one of my favorites. This ribbed cardigan will take you from the overly air-conditioned days of August and September right into the chilly days of October and November without a problem.

I like the polo collar for a slightly unexpected detail and the longer length for wearing with slim-fitting pants during the week and leggings on the weekend.

The sweater is $215 at the Outnet and comes in sizes XS–XL. It also comes in ivory.

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Sales of note for 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a 30-something lawyer living on the East Coast. She spent seven years as a Biglaw associate in NYC, three years as a partner at a medium-sized firm, and is now in-house counsel for a large company. She loves Diet Coke, '90s sitcoms, and dresses with pockets.

Comments

  1. Anon

    In case I ever win the Powerball, where I am drowning in money and all of the neer-do-wells in my life call me 24/7, remind me that I want this in black and possibly the NYC and blue-white flower prints:

    https://www.markcross.com/products/rear-window-overnight-case-smooth-calf-nyc-map-sky-blue?variant=42058532913326

    PSA from yesterday’s GFY (so delightful to see people wearing real clothes; this movie is The Best): https://www.gofugyourself.com/rear-window-premiered-on-this-day-in-1954-08-2022

    • Cat

      ooooh Rear Window is one of my all time favorites. Grace is 100% my top Hitchc-ck Blonde.

    • Anon

      God how I ogled that case as a teenager. Also her jewelry in the movie. Clearly costume but impeccable. Everything about her was impeccable.

  2. Anon

    I’ve never been an eyeshadow person but I feel like my go to eyeliner is too heavy of a look for the summer. I’m looking for recommendations for a decent eyeshadow option for work – preferably non shimmery? I have a tarte palette I like (wears well, long lasting), but the options are too orangey for my skin tone and are almost all shimmery.

    I’m pale but tan well, brown hair, blue eyes, pink undertones. I want something that lasts all day (I wear a primer, but train + walking commute in the mid Atlantic heat and humidity + frequent after work plans).

    Im fine with a single color to wear on its own or a palette

    • Anon8

      Since you’re looking for a lighter eyeliner alternative, what about powder shadow applied at the lashline with a thin brush? I use an eyeliner brush to dab a line of brown shadow right at my lashline. Sometimes I blend it out a little with my finger. It’ll give you a softer look while sticking closer to liner instead of shadow.

      • Anon

        I actually am ready for a different look! I’ve been doing the top lid liquid eyeliner for 12(?) years?

          • Anon8

            That’s the exact palette I use for powder eye shadow! I use one of the dark browns typically. Also, I’ve had the palette since 2014ish and can confirm it is a workhorse that lasts absolutely forever. I stopped wearing daily eyeshadow around 2016 but use the tartelette palette at least a few times a month and for special occasion makeup. Only one color is down to the pan. Highly recommend!

    • Annie Nominous

      Take a step towards eye shadow by using a couple of eye liners. Try a lighter shade followed by a darker shade and blend. It lightens up the heavy look.

    • Cat

      I recommend the Bobbi Brown shadow sticks – easy creamy application, you can avoid shimmery, blendable for a good period of time but once they set, they don’t move even on humid days.

      • anon

        i agree, I love the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks. My coloring is somewhat similar and I use the color “Stone” with a little pink in the corner of my eye to brighten.

      • Anon

        Agree. I use an all over color like truffle or nude beach on the lid, then line the top and very lightly the outer corner of the bottom of my eye with golden bronze. It’s very subtle compared to day a liquid liner but feels less makeup-y while still emphasizing the eyes.

        I also occasionally just use my bronzer as an all-over lid color and call it a day.

    • Emma

      It might be a slight splurge, but I have a Dior eye shadow kit that is the only eye shadow I use. I lasts all day and doesn’t crease. It has mostly neutrals – beige, white, blush, some very matte and slight with a slight shimmer but very discrete, not a disco ball effect – and a very dark brown (looks black, but reads a little less harsh on my blonde features) for a simple eyeliner type line or a heavy smoky eye as needed. I’ve used it for work and going out, I don’t remember the exact name and would recommend heading to Sephora to try out colors, but I’ve had it for a while and it’s still my absolute go-to. It’s one of the 5 color packs, the brushes provided are good too.

    • Anon

      If you have an eyeliner brush, a drop of eye drops onto an eyeshadow palette makes a great eyeliner.

    • Anon

      To clarify – not looking for eyeliner suggestions; am looking for powder eyeshadow recommendations!

      • Cat

        why powder eyeshadow specifically? The “shadow sticks” (I recommended Bobbi Brown above) are typically far more durable, to your issue about disappearing makeup on sticky days.

    • Anonymous

      I really like the Maybelline Eyeshadow Tattoos (I think that’s what they are called). They come in a pot and they tend to have both a matte and shimmery of each shade. It’s not a powder, it’s a cream, but I find the staying power of cream shadow is much better.

      If you are set on powder, I love Natasha Denona. I have two of the mini palettes, which come with both shimmery and matte shades.

    • Pasty

      I prefer mineral and my favorite is Farmacy, which I find slightly less sticky than Supergoop’s mineral version. I have tried tons and Farmacy is a clear winner.

    • Auburn

      My friend who has done makeup professionally in the past taught me my new favorite eyeshadow trick – just use your bronzer! Looks super natural and helps pull everything together. I will sometimes wet my brush and do use the bronzer to do more of a smoky eye as well.

    • Anonymous

      My go-to eyeshadow palette is from Whole Foods of all places. Mineral Fusion brand and color looks to be “Fragile” (according to my googling). Three neutral colors in a small round compact—two matte, one shimmery. Very versatile and subtle. I’m on my third one and have an unopened backup in case they discontinue it.

    • Anonymous

      Urban Decay naked 2 basics would work for you, I think.

      You might also do well with a purple taupe combined with ashy beige. Dior has some five color palettes that are great, look at number 849, 749, 669 and 159.

  3. Decorating advice

    I just moved into an 80s townhome and need some decorating advice. I’m renting but allowed to paint/make other small modifications.

    We have a magnificently dated master bathroom that has yellow tiles with rust/terra cotta designs, cherry vanity, gold fixtures, and yellow paint. What would be the most high yield ways to soften this dated look? My white towels don’t seem to fit with the warm colors–would navy be a better neutral for linens? I’m thinking maybe some natural materials would help with the gold (gold shower casing, faucet, light fixture, towel bar, TP holder, and towel ring….). I have very traditional taste but open to any and all ideas for toning down the 80s.

    I’d love your best advice and also any reccs for subreddits/online forums that are good for styling advice.

    • Anon

      180 degrees from what you want, but Cocaine Decor on Twitter may at least help you know what to avoid. You could keep as a shrine to the late Paul Sorvino’s characters?

    • Vicky Austin

      I would paint the yellow and switch out the fixtures to something you like better and see where that takes you.

      • Decorating advice

        I’m wondering if it would help to do only some fixtures… Obviously we can’t change shower door being all gold tracks and in addition to gold towel ring, faucet, towel rod, tp, and lights— the doorknob, toilet handle, and both switch plates are also gold!! Would downgrading just some of these to chrome or brass help do you think or just create visual chaos?

        • Cat

          omg, I would just embrace it at that point. Maybe pics of Trump’s apartment with Ivana could provide inspo.

          • World Soccer Q

            Agree — with a bathroom, you can close the door. I’d just leave it. Period pieces have their own awesomeness.

        • Anonymous

          Is it like that shiny 80s gold? If so, maybe you could at least change them to a matte/brushed gold finish? We have brushed gold faucets in one of our bathrooms and while not my preference, they don’t look nearly as dated.

        • Anonymous

          I think the easier things ( towel bars and light switch covers ) are probably worth replacing and it’s not a down grade…maybe consider not doing chrome, it’s just going to compete with the gold whereas a matte black or unlacquered brass will tone it down. You can keep the old fixtures if you think the landlord will freak.

          Im not sure how brave you are but you might try rustoleum on the fixtures too. Once the gold is (mostly) out of the way, I’d lean into the warm tile colors and try to lean to find a warm cream color for the walls. (I’ve painted every rental I’ve ever been in and never had an issue- but I’m a wild woman) I’d do towels in a flax striped linen maybe a pretty plant in a great pot and a vintage or vintage looking small painting. Have fun and congrats on the move.

    • ALT

      Could you paint the yellow walls with a cream or off white shade and then use ivory towels? That might help tone down the 80s while also being a neutral.

    • Anon

      Can you paint/replace the fixtures and gold trim? Maybe an oiled bronze look, then choose a more neutral, off white for the walls to even it out a bit?

    • Anon

      Take a look at the InstaG of TheJoshuaTreeHouse; they have this palette and do beautiful things with it!

    • pugsnbourbon

      I’m currently in love with all things Jungalow – especially the use of golds and yellows, which I tend to shy away from. I’d paint the walls a neutral cream but maybe bring in some navy or emerald in the bath mat/towels/accessories, depending on the tone of the tiles.

      • Bonnie Kate

        +1 All o this advice. I immediate thought of Jungalow. She makes me want to incorporate all the color and uses these colors in a not dated looking way.

    • Anonymous

      Since you’re renting, then I would do as little investment as possible. Save your money for new fixtures, etc. on something you actually own. You’re tied to yellow and terra cotta because of the tile, so white or a natural color towel are about as neutral as it’s going to get. I get it. I’ve had that nesting instinct as well. But I would tell younger me this was one of the biggest mistakes I made–buying window treatments and such for places that could have put to decorating my first place.

      • Anon

        +1. I can’t imagine spending any significant amount of money on fixtures for a place I don’t own. Currently rocking a 1970s bathroom in my rental and it’s fine. It’s why this place is hundreds less per month than an otherwise comparable place would be and I’m fine with it for now.

        • Anonymous

          Really? Before I purchased a home, I would pretty routinely spend 300 or so renovating each apartment, things like paint, new cabinet hardware, the occasional light, etc. I’d happily ‘spend’ a few dollars a month to live in a much nicer space.

    • Anon

      I think painting your walls a warm white is going to give you the highest impact- if it were me I’d do that first and then assess how much I was willing to put into it. We recently painted my 1980s family room Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and really liked how it turned out- white but worked well with the warm tones of the brick fireplace and dark wood.

    • Anon

      I can not find the content creator, but I just saw someone on tiktok put up temporary wallpaper in a rental bathroom that sounds a lot like this coloring. I think they picked like a dark green wallpaper with tigers or something. It looked pretty cute. If your 80’s bathroom is like mine, and you have about 1/2 walls of tile. It seems like a small amount of temporary wallpaper could go along way.

      • Anon

        Be very careful, temporary wallpaper can really damage walls. It’s not actually all that temporary.

    • Anon

      I’d probably lean into it if you have no plans to remodel. Everything else will look like a mistake. Id do rust colored towels.

  4. Anon

    I’m about 6 weeks away from my wedding and I’m so so stressed. About the logistics, the costs, the RSVPs we still haven’t gotten, all the little details… anyone have words of reassurance or advice? It’s my second marriage but the first round was at city hall and this is an actual wedding/party. Work is super busy right now too, which is not helping…

    • Anon

      If you were a groom, people would be very pleased if you arrived at the wedding on time and sober. And in the proper attire. BE THE GROOM (at least mentally).

    • Cat

      no one will know any of the little details are “wrong” but you, so let those go.

    • Annie Nominous

      Do you have anyone that can help? You could offload some details to someone supportive. Other than that, the tried and true lists, etc. And keep focused on the prize. You are marrying someone you truly want to be with. That’s all that matters. The rest is just part of the story you will tell people about years from now.

    • Anne-on

      Can you hire a day of planner? I swear that was the only reason I was able to relax and (mostly) enjoy my wedding day. The costs can’t be helped (much) at this point so I’d try to just let those go while not spending any more on last minute decor/accessories. W/R/T RSVPs can you deputize your mother and soon to be MIL to call people on each of their sides? I bet they’d be happy to have a task and get involved. Make your future husband call/text the folks you both have invited.
      Good luck :)

    • Anon

      No advice, but commiseration. I am a big law associate who is seven weeks out from her wedding and I just found out I am pregnant. Stressed is an understatement. I did reach out to my sister for help. I would lean on your family and wedding party bigtime. Delegate some tasks out if you can!

    • Anon

      I got married this summer so was in the same boat very recently! The best advice I can give is that this super stressful time is temporary. 6 weeks out sucks, it’s when the whole wedding feels kind of like a swirling expensive mess but over the next 6 weeks it will all come together! And remember that your vendors do this all the time as their job, they know whag they’re doing.

      On the other side, I can say: it’s worth it! Our wedding was so special and it was amazing to see everyone in our lives all together celebrating. It will be worth it, I promise!

      • Anon

        Thank you <3

        We have no wedding party and close family is not in a position to help (for health reasons), and we're doing as little optional stuff as possible (no favors, decor, etc).

    • Anon

      Definitely reach out to family and friends for help, especially if you have a wedding party! Delegate as much as possible. Put trusted people in charge of certain things like reaching out about RSVPs or contacting vendors, assuming they have the bandwidth themselves. (Don’t be that bride) Other than that, as long as the bar and music are good, no one will notice anything else! I just went to a wedding this weekend and that’s really all anyone cares about! We don’t even care if the food is bad because honestly it’s kind of expected at a wedding! Ohh also, if possible, hire a wedding day coordinator!

    • Anonymous

      I’m old (been married nearly 20 years) and let me just say, I know it sounds trite, but honestly, just let it go. Rely on your planner. Don’t have one? Find a day-of one now and rely on them.

      • Anon

        This. And day of actually translates into month of (you just pay for it) – time to throw some $$$ at the problem.

      • Senior Attorney

        THIS. Also remind yourself that the worst screw-ups make the best stories (this goes for travel as well as weddings, BTW).

    • Anon

      A day-of coordinator didn’t really fit with our needs (the venue is full service and did food, alcohol, bartenders, cost check, dance floor, speakers, etc.). I ended up hiring a woman from TaskRabbit or whatever it is called now to set up the decorations in our venue. She picked up things from the hotel – I left them on a bellhop cart at the front desk – and drove them to the venue. For $200, my biggest problem got solved.

    • anon

      When wedding costs got to be too much for me to think about (we could afford it, but I wasn’t accustomed to spending so much), but spouse was ok with it, I abdicated decision-making to my spouse.

      Many years later, I still have no idea what a couple of areas of my wedding cost and I like it that way.

  5. Anon8

    I know this has come up a few times, but I’m thinking of treating myself to a fancy coffeemaker. Currently use an aeropress. Not interested in Nespresso or Keurig. Any reccs?

    • MagicUnicorn

      I am happy with my aeropress but as an admitted coffee snob, I would love to try a coffee siphon.

    • KC

      Not super fancy, but I love my chemex for pour overs. I only occasionally drink espresso, so haven’t explored upgrading my aeropress. If this is the direction you’re leaning others may have more advice!

      Also, depending on your coffee grinder setup, highly recommend the Baratza Encore. Bought it a few years ago based on the Wirecutter review and have been very happy with it.

    • Anan

      My coffee snob husband got a Moccamaster. It’s not fancy in terms of does a million things, but he did tons of research and decided tgis makes the best coffee.

      • Betsy

        Moccamaster is the answer here. It brews an excellent pot of coffee. I still use my aero press on the weekends when I have time to brew coffee one cup at a time, but for a pot of coffee the Moccamaster is everything I hoped it would be!

      • Formerly Lilly

        A other vote for Moccamaster. Be aware that their cup markings on the standard sized unit are for a small amount – an ordinary sized mug is easily 2 “cups”. For the single cup maker, be aware that there is a tiny plastic thingy taped to the paperwork that you must find and keep. It’s for keeping the drip hole unblocked.

        • Formerly Lilly

          Also, if you want to land in even just run-of-the-mill coffee connoisseur territory, the grinder is as important or more important than the coffee maker. Burr grinder for sure. Saeco is a good brand for this.

    • Nesprin

      I miss my saeco odea so much- it lasted a good decade and made amazing espresso on demand.

    • Anon

      I bought a reconditioned Gaggia pressurized portafilter espresso machine when I was where you are now. That was a step before roasting our own beans…..

      But honestly, I’d check out coffee geek for their reviews. That place is a rabbit hole, but they are also your people if you’re already using an aeropress.

      If you don’t already have a burr grinder, by the way, that is definitely the next step.

    • Anon8

      Thanks all! I already have a burr grinder and am looking forward to going down the coffee geek rabbit hole :)

      • Anon

        Ah have fun. The “community” on coffee geek was so helpful to me on my journey.

        • Anon

          Oh bummer, it looks like that tab isn’t active. I think it used to be called a forum. It was like this place, but instead of yelling that you need a professional water bottle or that you can’t wear a ponytail holder on your wrist, they’d be all up in your business about the roast and grind of your beans.

          Anyway, here’s a helpful tab

          https://www.coffeegeek.com/category/beginners/

  6. Anon

    I’m looking for recommendations for soapy celebrity biographies or autobiographies. I’ve read Phyllis Diller’s (terrific!) and am looking for things like that for me (stand-by family nurse) and a teen who will be recovering from surgery. Light, frothy. [When I was this kid’s age, I read Poor Little Rich Girl, which is a good read, but also was just a story of Too Many Bad Men.] Not Mommy Dearest or that type of book autobiography.

    • Anonymous

      Jessica Simpson’s autobiography is great and she really gets into some of the gossip stories that defined her career in a way most celebrities do not.

      • World Soccer Q

        Open Book?

        Used book site also had this: Jessica Simpson I Do: Achieving Your Dream Wedding
        by Jessica Simpson

        Her dad always came off as excessively creepy (yes, I watched her “reality” show back in the day; she has made an impressive career for herself and I have a feeling gets not a lot of respect; I bet she’d be a swell neighbor).

    • NYCer

      I have no idea what Phyllis Diller’s book is like, so this could be way off base, but I enjoyed Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. Also, not exactly what you’re looking for, but Powerhouse CAA is also an interesting read.

      • Sallyanne

        My husband brought Revenge home from the UK for a fun gift for me. If even a quarter of it is true…oh my.

    • Monday

      Jessica Simpson’s memoir Open Book got a good response (I have not read it myself)

      • Sallyanne

        I listened on audiobook during one of many pandemic hikes and enjoyed it so much. There’s a lot more depth to her than she has gotten credit for.

    • Anon

      Jessica Simpson’s Open Book is pretty juicy. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is an interesting read.

    • DeepSouth

      Demi Moore’s autobiography was surprisingly good. I got it from a friend, but never would have considered it otherwise.

      • anon

        I highly recommend the podcast Celebrity Book Club! The host is the head writer for the John Stewart show and she elevates the discussion while also keeping it funny.

    • PolyD

      I recently heard on a podcast that Patti Lupone has a ripping good, I think autobiography? Or biography? I keep meaning to look for it. Apparently rehearsing for Evita nearly broke her and she was NOT happy about it!

    • Ss

      Molly Shannon’s and Jennifer Grey’s recent autobiographies both received positive reviews. Sent them to a friend recovering from back surgery and they were well received.

    • Anan

      Not terribly juicy or gossipy, but I thougjt Cary Elwes’ As You Wish was really fun.
      Carrie Fisher’s books were great too.

    • Anon

      Selma Blair dishes a bit in Mean Baby. I really enjoyed it. Had no idea what she had gone through.

      Also, check out the pod Celebrity Memoir Book Club for possible reccs!

    • Anonymous

      The link above about Rear Window included a suggestion of Rosemary Clooney’s autobiography. Sounded pretty soapy.

    • Anonymous

      Victoria Beckham’s post Spice Girls autobiography is fun.
      I’ve read rave reviews of Matthew Mcconaughey’s autobiography, but have not read it myself.

  7. Sybil

    Favorite everyday sunscreen? I’ve loved Aveeno’s Positively Radiant SPF 15 for years, but I started RetinA a couple months ago and need to step it up. I could just do the Aveeno in SPF 30 but I wanted to try something new. I’ve used La Roche Posay SPF 30 and it’s okay, but I don’t love it. My skin isn’t sensitive, and I don’t wear makeup on my face so nothing to consider there.

    • Anon8

      Supergoop unseen sunscreen is a popular choice for a reason! I am pale and use tretinoin daily and supergoop keeps me from burning. It’s pricey but the tube lasts forever. I’ve also heard a rumor Trader Joe’s has a passable dupe.

      • RR

        +1. Super pale, super easy to burn, and it kept me from any burns at all sightseeing in Rome for 8 hours in 98 degree sun.

      • Carrots

        +1 to Supergoop. I also love their matte sunscreen for days I don’t really want to do any other type of make up. It evens my redness out just enough that I can put on that and mascara and look pulled together.

    • Anon

      I love EltaMD’s sunscreen. I use the one for dry/post procedure skin because I tend to be on the drier side.

    • Anonymous

      I alternate between Supergoop unseen sunscreen, Supergoop glow screen when I’m not wearing any other makeup, and Elta MD.

    • BeenThatGuy

      I was coming to recommend both Supergoop Unseen and Elta Md (like the other 2 posters). If I’m going to wear foundation during the day, I use Supergoop. It feels like a primer and the foundation goes on very smoothly. If I’m not wearing foundation, I use EltaMd. While it absorbs really well, it doesn’t interact well with my foundation.

      • Kayla

        What is the order supposed to be? Face lotion -> sunscreen -> foundation? Or the other way around? How do you reapply sunscreen then?

        I know these are really basic questions but apparently I don’t know the answers.

        • Anne-on

          Yes, with time in between to absorb. I’ll put on moisturizer right out of the shower and then get dressed/put in my hair products. By the time I wash my hair products off my hands the moisturizer has sunk in enough to put on my sunblock (3 fingers worth). I then go have coffee and read the paper for a bit (or make the bed if I’m in a rush). After that I do the rest of my makeup (foundation if I wear it/etc.). Just make sure the formulations of the sunblock/moisturizer/foundation all play well together – silicone base and water base don’t interact well.

        • anon

          I apply lotion, then sunscreen, then a tinted moisturizer with SPF, letting each layer soak in for a little bit.

        • BeenThatGuy

          You have it right, face lotion then sunscreen then foundation. Any serums, if you use them, would be applied prior to the face lotion.

    • Anon

      My go to everyday moisturizer is from Philosophy. If you’re looking for a tinted moisturizer I highly recommend EltaMD or Skinceuticals. SPF 15 really is way too low! I use 30 everyday and 50-70 if I’m really going to be outdoors.

      • Monte

        EltaMD is the best. I use the tinted one because I am not white and need one that won’t leave a white cast on my face.

    • DeepSouth

      Supergroup CC cream. The colors are good for me, and it genuinely stays on ALL day, even in the heat. I use it instead of foundation.

    • Anonymous

      I find it so interesting that there seems to be a consensus on this (Supergoop and EltaMD). What is the secret (or not-so-secret) source for “the answer” here? I have noticed this with other cosmetic/skincare questions, as well, so obviously there is a common resource people are looking to.

      • nananon

        Reddit has an active group where sunscreen is often discussed, and EltaMD and Supergoop are popular there: reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction

    • Anon

      I didn’t know I could actually look forward to using sunscreen until I bought Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel. It feels great when applied and dries down quickly so you can apply cc cream / foundation afterward.

    • finally done with grad school!

      I get Bondi Sands for less than $10 at Walgreens. It’s an Australian brand and has really good protection for both UVA and UVB. I recently got 6 bottles on sale from my local Walgreens for 99 cents each! (They all expire Jan 2024, but they’ll be used by then.)

      For oily skin/hottest weather, I love Eucerin dry touch SPF 50 – pricier but so worth it to not look greasy.

      • Anon

        Super goop has a watery essence now. I also like the Missha but you have to order that one from a k-beauty site to avoid the fakes on Amazon.

    • Anon

      I’m just here to say the best sunscreen is one you will use generously so don’t get one that feels super expensive to you and then not use enough!

      Don’t forget the ears, décolletage, and backs of hands!!

      • Sybil

        That’s basically why I usually recommend my Aveeno, but SPF 15 isn’t sufficient now that I’ve started the RetinA.

        Thanks all! Might try the Supergoop. I was surprised how many responses seemed to be just sunscreen/not also moisturizer, which is what I’m accustomed to, so might be back for moisturizer recs, or maybe I’ll just try the Supergoop on top of my beloved Aveeno.

        • Anon

          Sunscreen + moisturizer – supergoop makes a product called Superscreen that is a daily moisturizer with SPF 40. I use it every day and it’s great under makeup or without makeup.

          • Anon

            And to add, they also make a City Serum which is a serum plus SPF 30. I tend to use this one on warmer days when I don’t want to use a cream texture.

            I tend to wear a different sunscreen on my chest and backs of hands. I like the supergoop hand cream for touch ups during the day because I am an enthusiastic hand washer.

    • gail the goldfish

      I just use Revision Intellishade for every day, which is tinted, or Elta MD if I don’t care about color correction at all (like I’m doing something outdoorsy). I rarely wear actual foundation anymore and if i do, I just rely on the 15 spf in that (clinique) because if it’s an occasion for foundation, I’m probably mostly inside

  8. Anonymous

    Doing a food porch drop for a mom of 6 month old twins who is b*feeding. Want some fresh, some to be frozen. What dishes are flavorful but won’t be too strong for the babes. For sure, will cut up a bunch of really fresh fruit, make a salad with some grilled chicken for fresh – what else would you suggest?

    • Anon

      I’m not a mom, so just an idea, but I heard that they get very thirsty. I’m wondering if those frozen pre made smoothies would be a good idea.

    • Anon

      Very nice of you. Spaghetti with meat sauce, lentil soup, barbecue chicken would all be amazing. Nursing makes you super thirsty so cut up watermelon and cucumbers or other juicy fruit is a wonderful idea. And for the freezer, think about things that can be eaten with one hand – empanadas, frittata slices, muffins are all great options.

    • Anon

      I wouldn’t worry about too strong of flavors. I never got the sense from b-feeding my kids that they were impacted by my heavily spiced foods

      • Josie P

        +1. I ate a ton of sushi also since I was so glad to have it after 9 months of not!

      • Anon

        Depends on the baby. My daughter was colicky and my doctor had me cut out all spicy and gassy foods.

    • Anon

      At 6 months, kids are eating so few foods. It’s more of a sensory activity for them than anything. I’d focus on just making food you think your friend would enjoy.

    • Cat

      on the “too strong” point, apparently I got super fussy when my mom had been eating acidic foods. I did not like OJ tainted milk apparently, lol. Spices were no issue.

    • Anon

      I don’t pay attention to what I eat while nursing, it doesn’t seem to matter. For quick things to grab I like ripple protein shakes. I can grab one and drink it, no blending or mixing required.

    • Anonnymom

      If dropping off food for the mom, super helpful if it’s prepared in such a way that it can be eaten with one hand (e.g. chicken cut into bite size pieces; salad cut into small pieces, etc).

      For the kiddos typical first foods include avocado, mashed sweet potatoes, applesauce. The pre-made applesauce with just apples and No added sugar etc would probably be appreciated. Also if you did mashed up sweet potato and put it in small freezable bits such as an ice cube tray, that would take time and mental load off the mom. Maybe ask her first what she intends to feed the babies.

      If she has issues with dwindling milk supply, there are teas (fenugreek etc iirc) which some people swear by.

      It’s super kind of you to do this for your friend! Maybe sneak in a magazine for light reading with short stories she can read in small moments (economist is great for this, or whatever she’s into but something with short articles).

    • Curious

      Nice carroty muffins or something else I could eat one handed that wasn’t too sugary and contained a vegetable. I think the zucchini chocolate chip muffins I made were my favorite, and the applesauce oatmeal bites. You are a good friend.

  9. Anonymous

    I’m 36 and lost any fashion sense I had over covid. I’ve bought a $45 black nap dress hoping it would be a chic easy thing to pull on for summer dinners & a European holiday in September. I actually feel….. too dressed up and try hard? Do I return it or keep it? I’m really trying to break out a rut but feel very self conscious in it. Usually for dresses I stick to shirt or wrap styles.

    • Cat

      my two cents, try different styling – pairing it with street sneakers will cut the “fuss.” (I have dressed mine up with pretty espadrilles or sandals and a cashmere wrap, or down with Rainbows or sneaks and a jean jacket.)

    • anon

      FWIW I do not get that trend, most of those dresses seem pretty unflattering on most people, and the bodice looks like it would be scratchy.

      • Anon

        I hate imprints from things (naps on top of comforter with stitching). I think that the nap dress would take the cake in this department.

        • Cat

          I have a few nap dresses and none of them are scratchy or leave an imprint of the smocking.

      • Anonymous

        Sigh. It’s fine if you don’t like them. Can you just not like them without saying most of us wearing them look ugly? Also none of mine are scratchy of leave an imprint.

    • anon

      Go sit on a patio on a hot day in the nap dress. You’ll end up keeping it as your fancy mumu.

    • Anon8

      I tried a nap dress in 2020 and while it looked good on me, I literally never wore it for the same reasons as you. I ended up selling it on Poshmark for the full retail price I originally paid for it. I say if you’re not comfortable wearing it, get rid of it.

    • pugsnbourbon

      I say keep it. If you’d said it was uncomfortable or didn’t fit right, I’d say return, but I think you’re just not used to it. If you want to break out of a rut, give it another couple tries.
      Signed, 35 and ordered a bunch of dresses to break out of my ratty tank + shorts rut

      • Anon

        This. A 20 year old can do a dress and sneakers and look fashion forward. The rest of us can not.

    • Janey

      Return. Black to me reads very dressy in a dress, regardless of fabric/style, which may be which you’re feeling too dressed up. Would it feel better in a pattern or pastel? Black also isn’t really a summer color unless you’re intentionally Wearing Black, imo.

    • Anonymous

      Would return it – if you don’t love it and feel exited to wear it right away, there’s no reason to keep it, I think. Get another shirt dress!

  10. World Soccer Q

    I’m sort of amazed that people in other countries sing Sweet Carolina at sports events. I live in a Carolina, so thought it was just a local thing. I love that it’s apparently a world thing.

    • anon

      I thought Sweet Caroline was a Boston thing (I’m not from there.)

      Ugh, never could stand Neil Diamond either. Sorry it’s spread. But happy for the Lionesses!

    • Anonymous

      “Sweet Cariline”, but it is adorable that you think it is “Carolina’.

    • anon

      I regret to inform you that it’s “Sweet Caroline” (with an e), so not a reference to either of the (in my view, quite lovely!) Carolinas. And in my experience it is the late-night drunk singalong song of choice for English speakers worldwide.

      • Cat

        yes. I forget where I saw it (someone reposting funny tweets) but someone had tweeted “if you’re ever abroad and want to find a fellow American asap, get the bar to play Sweet Caroline” lol

      • anon

        The inspiration (according to Wikipedia) was JFK’s 11 year old daughter Caroline, which is pretty gross if you listen to the lyrics.

    • Anon

      Sweet Caroline has no reference to the Carolinas and is a classic at Red Sox games.

    • Anon

      It’s definitely has been a Boston thing for 20+ years. It’s been playing at least since I was a little girl and my understanding is that one of the audio coordinators at Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox home stadium) in the 80s or 90s had a daughter named Caroline so started playing it for every game then. It became a Thing. It definitely predated the resurgence of the song that happened about 15 years ago. (I was actually under the impression that the song might have gained traction once the Sox finally won the World Series in the 00s and that was being played as an anthem, but I’m sure that’s just my Boston-centric worldview).

      • Anon 2.0

        FWIW, I think this is played at every College World Series game regardless of the teams.

      • Ribena

        It’s an England football thing too. In Scotland it’s “yes sir I can boogie”, delightfully

    • Anon

      They play songs like this because the audience all knows it and will sing along to the So good, so good, so good part. It’s getting the crowd riled up, which is the job of the musical director and/or organist.

  11. Tara

    I went on vacation and got a slight tan, and I love how it looks. I’m dark skinned already, so this is a subtle thing. If I wanted my body to look more tan I would just use self tanner (I like the jergens one) but what about for my face? Is this what bronzer is for?

    • Anon

      I mix tan luxe drops into my face cream for an all over tan that’s not makeup dependent. You need to do that every day though as it doesn’t last as long on your face as body. I’ve also not been above swiping the tan towels on my face too, but I’d say I’m expert level at fake tan application.

    • Anon

      Jergens has a tanner for face too. I’d just keep it light and add bronzer, highlighter and blush where needed.

    • Anonymous

      Most of the self-tanner brands, Jergens included, have a coordinating product for the face.

    • ALT

      I use the same self tanner on my face that I use on my body, but I use the excess from my body on my face. So I’ll do my legs, arms, stomach, etc and then at the very end I’ll run the mitt over my face so it’s “tanned” but I’m not using a full pump of tanner for my face and looking muddy. I also concentrate on where I would naturally get tan: nose, cheekbones, forehead, chin and not like my orbital sockets. I also do my neck at the same time as my face so my neck isn’t dark (or forgotten) and then my face less tanned. I use the Jergens foam or the L’Oréal foam and I like them!

  12. Neopolitan Series

    Follow up to yesterday’s short discussion on the Neopolitan series; while searching for something to watch while on the treadmill, I saw this is a series on HBO! I might be the only person who did not know this, but I am very excited to watch it as I love the books!

    • Anon

      I loved the books, but only made it through a few episodes of the show. The violence that was present in the books was much more in your face on tv and I just found it really unpleasant to watch. The show was definitely well done, but it felt so grim that I couldn’t bring myself to want to watch it. YMMV…

  14. Anonymous

    Sister 3 states away was in a bad accident and will be in hospital for 1-2 weeks. I want to send a nice care package. She is on bed rest, basically, for 6 total weeks. Broken wrist, broken pelvis, punctured lung, dislocated shoulder.

    – disposable toothbrushes
    – spray body oil
    – spray deoderant or deoderant wipes
    – crosswords
    – pop socket or toy?
    – she doesn’t like reading but maybe a graphic novel?

    Other ideas? I think we had a surgery comment thread recently, hoping you can give ideas or point me in the right direction!

    • Anon

      Does she have a tablet? If not, she may really appreciate the screen that is bigger than her phone but not as bulky as a laptop.

      Trader Joe’s has really nice body wipes.
      Amika dry shampoo
      A leave in conditioner
      Maybe a nice nail kit so her nails can look pretty

      • pugsnbourbon

        +1, a tablet was my first thought. Maybe a kindle fire with some movies or shows already loaded?
        Also lip balm – hospitals are dry!

    • Anon

      These sound good. I’d add a soft cardigan that she won’t be too bummed to lose (I like Amazon essentials) and some fuzzy socks. Hand lotion because that hospital hand soap smells awful.

    • Senior Attorney

      If she doesn’t like reading, maybe a subscription to Audible so she can listen to some audiobooks? Maybe with some nice earbuds?

    • Laura

      So sorry about your sister – hope her recovery goes well. I would add an extra long charging cord.

    • Celia

      Gum – getting up to brush teeth in the hospital is exhausting
      Nice bathrobe – I would have loved a soft cotton / silk one that is not too bulky in a hospital bed but can easily be opened / removed, and a nice warm one because hospital rooms get COLD. Likewise, a soft but inexpensive blanket that can be trashed if it gets really gross, but provides warmth in those cold rooms, would probably be used nonstop.
      Comfortable over the ear headphones – if she is watching lots of shows, after a while earbuds might get uncomfortable.
      Sudoku book
      Delivery of fluff magazines
      Sleeping mask – hospital rooms are never completely dark
      Manicure kit if she can do it – might be fun to try a new color, clean her cuticles, etc. If you do that, send nail polish remover and cotton balls so she isn’t stuck with any mistakes!
      Coloring book? When I am sick, coloring book with a fave TV show in the background really makes the time pass.

    • Curious

      Crosswords may be hard with one hand? Someone gave me a water painting book for chemo, and that was awesome and didn’t require as much brain/ coordination as crosswords. (You paint with water, and color happens.) I also loved my Summit water bottle, because the straw means you can easily drink from it lying down, and it’s easy to pop open one handed. Other nice things: Fairy lights and paper flower garlands to decorate the room, a nice eye mask for sleeping, a digital picture frame or echo show with photos loaded and rotating, your Netflix password logged in already on the tablet mentioned above with specific recommendations so that she doesn’t have to think.

    • Meara

      Very long charging codes and a battery pack. If her pelvis is broken I’m assuming she can’t get out of bed to plug things in herself and may be reliant on others to do that, which is a pain. So long cord in case the plug is far away, and battery pack so maybe only have to ask someone to plug in occasionally.

    • Hypatia

      It’s pricey but noise cancelling bluetooth headphones. For music, podcasts, and most importantly – silence in a beeping noisy hospital. Sleep is important for healing!

    • Anonymous

      If her dominant wrist is the one that’s broken, maybe a battery operated toothbrush – it’s very hard to do things like brushing teeth and hair with a non-dominant hand.

  15. Anon

    Anyone learn to swim as an adult that can provide some tips? I am starting to learn. My biggest issue is having my face in the water. It is extremely uncomfortable from me because I am claustrophobic. Any other general tips are also welcome.

    • Z

      I also don’t like getting my face in the water – I hate getting water in my eyes. Would goggles help or would they make you feel more closed in?

    • Cat

      depends on why you are learning, but the elementary backstroke is a relaxing one that obviously keeps your face in the air, or you can do a sort-of br*aststroke without dunking your head in.

      • Anon

        I am Team HeadAboveWater as an older adult (but who swam all strokes as a kid). I hate getting water in my ears. Are you learning to swim for exercise or water safety? If you are learning, you may be able to get your teacher to let you practice the leg part using a kickboard to help keep your head up on a floating thing. If just for exercise, it is still exerciase. If you want to swim safetly, at least try breast stroke b/c it relies on a lot of leg strength but you can do the arm part with your head up.

      • PolyD

        I do the asterisked stroke described above. I learned how to swim as a kid and never got the hang of timing my breathing. So now I am old and I don’t have to put my face in or do the freestyle breathing thing! I get a pretty good work out going back and forth across the pool doing that stroke. My face is mostly out of the water when I do this. Never thought I’d be emulating the old ladies I remember from my youth, doing their stately asterisk stroke across the pool, but here I am.

        I think your goal should be not freaking out if your face does go underwater, but you can learn how to keep yourself relatively safe in the water without sticking your face in. The stroke mentioned above, doggie paddle, floating on your back, all are useful to learn.

        I highly highly recommend learning to swim. You don’t have to be Katie Ledecky, you just need to learn enough so you can enjoy hanging out at a pool or beach.

    • OP Swimming Advice

      I am learning primarily for safety reasons and also so that time to time I can safely participate in recreational water activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.

      • anon

        I’m a former swimming teacher also. So, this may be obvious, but if you are learning for safety reasons, I would encourage you to just occasionally accustom yourself to the feeling of your face in water. If you fall off a dock or from a canoe or whatever, this is sure to happen initially. (You know that, I know.)

        I swim recreationally, and I don’t mind my face or ears in water, but I really really hate the goggles’ nosepiece (same as the ear elastic on covid masks). I’m just saying this because we all have things we will and won’t tolerate and I’m sympathetic, and I hope you find a solution that you can live with! Oh — and my favorite stroke is the backstroke. It can be quite elegant and the trick is counting the ceiling tiles to know when to turn at the end of the lane. Good luck!

    • Anon

      I’m a former swimming teacher and I loved teaching babies and older women. When I was in my twenties I co-taught with an instructor who was in her 80s. Try wearing goggles if you hate having water on your eyes. Get the kind for snorkeling instead of the swim goggles with a separate plastic piece for each eye; those can be fussy.

      Or keep a towel close by and wipe your eyes after you go underwater, and just keep doing that until you no longer feel a need to do it. Having that option helped some people in my experience because it’s a new sensation to get accustomed to.

      Good for you, and good luck. Swimming is like magic, and like being able to fly. I hope you have a chance to experience some of the joy of hanging out in water. I give you permission to learn how to do breastroke with your head out of water and use that as your only stroke, if that is what you want to do.

    • Celia

      Something that really helped my kids get used to their heads under water and getting comfortable being completely submerged was to put objects on the floor of the pool at gradually increasing depths. It is an object you actually need to grab, so there’s no “cheating” — you really have to go all the way down — and it is a distraction because you have a goal you can focus on instead of just thinking about your head being underwater. And you can go slow too – start at the shallow end where the water is just three feet and even though you are putting your head under water, you can do it by leaning or sitting, and just keep going a little deeper as you get comfortable so that you’re eventually pushihng yourself down to the bottom of the deep end.

    • anon

      It’s great to be learning! My biggest tip is to stick with it until you get really comfortable with at least one stroke. It’s so, so much easier and more fun to swim once you get technique down. It can take awhile, but you’ll get there and it’s so worth it.

      For face in the water, small steps might help. Practice just blowing bubbles with your mouth, then mouth and nose, but eyes still out of the water, etc.

    • Explorette

      Start in the bathtub. Just lean over and put your face in for a few seconds and build from there. I had to learn how to put my face in the water as an adult, and this was how I got comfortable.

    • anon

      Check out Miracle Swimming’s courses in Sarasota, geared only to adults. Before taking this class, my husband was always tense around deep water.

  16. KC

    Planning a trip to Amsterdam – from searching past comments it’s been highly recommended in previous travel threads, but would love any specific recommendations! Two couples with no kids, open to lots of walking, no food restrictions. Thanks in advance!

    • portlander

      we were just there this summer and it was frankly super overwhelming in the really touristy areas- maybe i am just feeling how old i am (late 30s)? hordes of teens everywhere smoking in the streets and hotboxing. whew. we were really pleased staying a bit further out of the fray – the Intercontinental is historical and lovely and their canal-level pool is gorgeous. The restaurant also has canal-side seating that is fabulous. We had an amazing rice table dinner at Sampurna which was ~28-36 euro ppl excluding wine. Definitely make restaurant reservations ahead of time!! I have been before and liked the van gogh but could honestly skip the rest of the museums.

      • Curious

        +1, I much prefer being out of the center city. Muiderport is pretty. The Van Gogh museum is awesome, as is the Anne Frank museum. I also very much enjoyed the very tacky Heineken experience.

    • Senior Attorney

      We stayed at the Hoxton Hotel and loved it. Super centrally located and walking distance to pretty much everything. We did a day-long walking tour with Jolijn (it’s called the Private Grand Tour) on Tours By Locals dot com and she was fabulous, if a bit pricey. It included a guided walk through the highlights of the museum of our choice (we chose the Rijksmuseum) and it was just great. Can’t recommend her enough. Also highly recommend getting a guide for the Van Gogh Museum — it really made the experience much more meaningful than wandering around on our own. Be sure and have an Indonesian rijsttafel meal — we went to Restaurant Blauw, which is supposed to be the best, and the food was amazing but the service was just awful so can’t recommend. Anne Frank House was meaningful but horribly sad, of course. Get your tickets well in advance and make time to have lunch at the pancake house next door, which is divine.

      • Senior Attorney

        Oh, and somebody recommended that we do the canal boat tour at night, which turned out to be a mistake. Do it during the daytime when you can see!

      • Anonymous

        Counter point, the tour guides at the Van Gogh museum were awful IMO, they really romanticised mental illness and it was so cringey to hear about the brilliance of a tourtured soul. It was really gross to glorify the hard times, and then they would also talk sh*t about his ‘lesser works’ aka stuff painted while he was mentally healthy. If you know about art history, and the time period I would suggest not having a guide.

    • NYCer

      Highly recommend Hotel Pulitzer, and Those Dam Boat Guys for a canal tour (daytime). I also wouldn’t miss the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House.

    • Curious

      Oh and if you find a market in the morning, get poffertjes! And then get a herring sandwich with onion or fish and chips. Mmmmm.

    • OP

      Thank you all so much! I had never heard of rice table – how interesting. Appreciate all of the suggestions!

  17. Anon

    I cannot for the life of me find my airpods and “find my” is not showing where they are, or the last connected location, so they are probably out of battery, right? I’m SOL, right?

    • pugsnbourbon

      If you’re anything like me, you’ll give up, order a new pair, and then as soon as they arrive find the first pair in a jacket pocket.

    • Cat

      do you remember when you last used them? listening to music running errands or at the gym? Call where you ended up wandering off somewhere unusual while on the phone? Set them in the clean laundry basket so they’d be brought upstairs with the clothes, but they fell down into the laundry? Puttering around the yard? Did you have to grab a rain jacket and leave them in the pocket?

    • January

      Does the “find my” feature show where they were last seen? Mine ended up being remarkably close to that location.

      • OP

        No, it doesn’t! I only really use them in my office and (rarely) at home (just for calls and such), and I’ve searched and searched and searched both locations (and asked my partner and cleaning lady to keep an eye out) and nothing. Checked all my bags, even the ones I don’t remember using recently….

        I feel like I’m going to end up like the poster above who only found them after buying new ones!

    • Anon

      This is how I’ve gotten two pairs of airpods/airpod equivalents. My college aged kids lose theirs, order new ones, and then when we find the lost pair they give it to me. :)

  18. roxie

    It is my last week at this job and omg to almost be free of the deeply passive aggressive, unaccountable, and annoying leadership team I have been part of is so exciting. I truly cannot wait to never talk to most of these people again.

    If you need a sign that you should leave your bad or toxic job, this is it!

  19. Anonymous

    I need to be in Milan for work for 4 days in October. I have another 3-4 days after that before I need to return to work here and DH will be with me for both legs of the trip. Where would you go? DH is not a travel guy so he will be happy even staying in Milan though I feel like after 4 days there already, it may be nice to take a short train ride to another city and stay there and then return to Milan just to catch our outbound flight.

    Caveats – both of us are city people and I’d much prefer a smaller city, the type of place where you can walk the whole city in hours because to me that means that over days you really get to explore the place. Both of us enjoy nice hotels, architecture, pizza, and coffee but aren’t real foodies – I feel like you can find all of those things anywhere in Italy. My coworkers keep saying oh if you’ve never been to Italy you have to go to Rome but IDK that seems exhausting as an add on after a work trip with the hassles of a big city, traffic, crowds. Any ideas on where I can just walk out the door of the hotel and be grabbing a coffee and strolling an old city area, while DH wastes his morning sleeping, showering etc. We have wildly different travel styles so we’ve learned that it keeps fighting at bay if I can get up and get going, while he sleeps in, watches TV, and leisurely gets ready and then we meet up. I tend to want to be out exploring as much as I can since we only have a limited number of days, while he sees it as – it’s vacation, what’s the rush.

    • Former Parisian

      I would go to Florence (2 hours away by train), which is simply incredible, and a smaller, more manageable city than Milan (although still fairly crowded/touristy). Alternatively, you could go to the lakes (eg Como or Lago Maggiore).

    • Anon

      I would go to Rome. I hate big cities and didn’t find it stressful at all. You don’t need a car in the city (you can walk and take public transit). There is a ton of green space in Rome. You can’t walk the whole city in one day, but with 2 or 3 days you can definitely cover all the highlights on foot. You can definitely walk out the door and be grabbing a coffee and strolling a cute “old” area in Rome.

      Florence is lovely too if you really want a smaller city, but your coworkers are 100% right about not missing Rome. I went to Florence this year and absolutely adored it, but we had our 4 year old with us and needed to move at her slow pace (both physically and in terms of attention span). I think I might have gotten bored after a day or two if it were just me and DH. You can day trip into the countryside, but that would involve driving, which is fairly stressful in Italy.

    • Anon

      We loved Bologna and it seems like it would fit the bill. Definitely easy to see/ stroll the central part, but there are other areas around you also could visit. We went there from Florence; it looks like a little over an hour train from Milan, if that’s not too far.

      • anon

        I was going to recommend Bologna. It’s a lovely city with a lot of the original medieval city center preserved (you see a lot of Renaissance architecture in Italy, so it’s a nice contrast) and the food is really fantastic.

    • Anonymous

      Check out Lucca. I have not been, but my parents love it there over other Italian cities (they’ve been many times) and everyone who has gone on that recommendation has also enjoyed it.

      • Anon

        Lucca is lovely but would not recommend it for someone who says they like visiting cities. It’s not really a “city” in the sense Americans use that term. The population is less than a third that of Florence and Bologna and less than half of Venice.

    • NYCer

      If it is early October, I would go to Venice. Obviously that is not a small city, but it is pretty unique and has a small footprint. It gets pretty rainy in late October there, so probably would go with Florence like another posted recommended if you’ll be there later in the month.

      • Senior Attorney

        Treviso is a great small city just half an hour by train north of Venice and it most definitely fits your bill. We stayed at the Locanda Ponte Dante and it was fabulous.

  20. finally done with grad school!

    Does anyone here know how to download all your Outlook emails and contacts? I graduated from my graduate program two months ago and just learned that our emails expire this week. This was my primary email address for the past several years, so there are lots of emails and such I don’t want to lose. I used Google Take Out before, but my graduate institution uses Outlook, and I’m at a loss. I definitely don’t have the time/energy to go through tens of thousands of inbox items to save individual emails. Any ideas would be very appreciated!

    • amberwitch

      If you have an outlook desktop application try Files > Open and Export and then choose export to a file and what data you want to export (mail, calendar, contacs…). This will give you a .pst with all the information you’ve chosen, that you can import into Outlook to access the content.

    • Anon

      You should definitely be able to export your contacts and import them into another program. Whether you can export your emails may depend on whether your school allows it. I’ve done it with gmail at one university but another one wouldn’t let you, not sure how this works with outlook. If you have a desktop version of outlook, can you at least save all your emails to your computer?

  21. Barcelona trip

    Ladies, I would love some advice on Barcelona. I read the old threads about what to do in the city itself but have a slightly different question.

    I will be there in late august and am looking to spend one day outside the city doing something active outdoors. There are a lot of tour operators with good reviews on trip advisor that do kayaking and snorkeling day trips on costa Brava. The ease of it- they pick you up in a bus and bring you back- as well as being on the water are very appealing. Yay/nay? And does anyone have a particular tour operator to recommend?

    Also, any recommendations for a relaxed small plates style restaurant for dinner? A lot of the recommendations from old posts sadly seem to have closed. Bonus if it is walking distance from the American consulate, which is pretty far from the city center.

    • Another Anon

      Definitely do the Costa Brava kayak trip – I did it 6 years ago and don’t remember the tour operator but it was a blast! Watch out for the sea urchins. No recs on specific restaurants, I just went to whatever was open and looked good when I was hungry and everywhere was fabulous. You might have luck at La Boqueria!

    • Anononon

      Late in the day so you may not see this, but Cal Pep for Tapas, La Peradeta for seafood, Ipar Txoko for basque food, and Two Schmucks, Boadas, Dr. Stravinsky, and Paradiso for drinks.

  22. Anonymous

    Recs for a bb cream or tinted moisturizer type product that is slightly paler than Clinique BB cream shade 2, but yellow toned? The shade 1 is way too pink for me as are most makeup products – I’m very very pale but yellow undertones. Thanks!

    • Anon

      Check out Smashbox. They have a million tones in their foundation offerings, though I don’t know about any BB offerings they might have.

    • Anon

      I find the IT Cosmetics BB creams (the original and the new nude glow, which is sheerer but doesn’t necessarily glow) lean very yellow, and as a pink toned pale person I can’t wear them, so they may be perfect for you!

      My favorite tinted moisturizer is the NARS one, and they have tons of shades so you should be able to find one. They label them warm, neutral, and cool. You might be a Norwich, which is a light shade with yellow undertones, or a Finland, which is a very light shade with yellow undertones. I found their shade finder on their website pretty helpful as they show pics of people with various skin tones, and there were a couple who looked like me (I’m a Terra Neuve in the winter and a Gotland in the summer)

    • Annony

      I find pretty much all Clinique products too pink for me. You might like saie’s Slip Tint – it’s extremely dewy, though. The Cover Girl Milk Foundation is surprisingly good!

  23. Party Animal

    Gift ideas for my intern? 22, Southern frat boy type but sweet as pie. We’re making him a full time offer and he plans on starting an online MBA in the fall. He has done a fantastic job and I’d like to recognize him. Under $200 please.

    • anon

      If It has to be “a thing” – a patagonia nano puffer vest is the uniform of the finance frat bro. Not sure your industry, but sure to be a hit. We got them for our interns and they were thrilled.

      • Anon

        +1. Navy blue please. Remember it needs to go with blue button down shirt and khaki pants, or the same shirt and jeans on casual Friday.

      • Anne-on

        +2, I know they’re a cliche but they are so warm and cozy that I bought myself a second one for home after loving the company one I had so much.

    • Anonymous Grouch

      Business card case. Perhaps monogrammed. Since this is a business gift I would stick to something you might get for other interns/new colleagues, and not something that shows off how much you personally like him and connect with him.

  24. Anon

    Does anyone else think a space doesn’t feel clean if the products and tools used to clean that space are visible? For example, kitchen is spotless but there’s a bottle of Clorox wipes sitting on the counter. Or an area that has a vacuum mounted on the wall, not in a closet. Or, this one is my particular gripe that I think is probably overboard but whatever, visible toilet brush and plunger next to the toilet.

    • Anon

      This has never occurred to me (except the Clorox wipes on the counter because that looks like it wasn’t put back where it belongs; if the vacuum/toilet brush “go” there, then it’s fine)

      I’ve literally never seen toilet brushes/plungers stored anywhere besides next to the toilet.

    • Anon

      I prefer older apartments and houses so storage is usually limited and storage with outlets inside (to charge the vacuum) are literally I heard of, so no

      Even in new construction with storage, I almost always see toilet brushes and plungers stored next to the toilet

    • Cat

      I don’t think it feels dirty, but I really dislike cluttered surfaces regardless of what the items are, and think cleaning supplies are best stored in the basement since who wants to look at them all the time?

    • Senior Attorney

      If the plunger isn’t next to the toilet, what is a guest supposed to do if there’s an… incident?

    • Anon

      Perhaps because I live with children, Clorox wipes on the counter make me think a space is more clean (wipes that are within an arms reach signals to me things are regularly wiped clean).

      On the plunger thing, agree with SA, where else would you store the plunger? And how would a guest know to look there?

    • Anon

      Yeah, plunger should be next to the toilet. I’ve seen “cute” holders for it that make it a little less obvious what it is, which seems fine. But you don’t want to put your guests in the position of having to ask for it when they need it.

    • Anon

      Wouldn’t that point to cleanliness, aka those products are left out after being used?

    • Anon

      I would only put this stuff away if I were staging my home for sale. I live in my home and use these things. It’s not a showplace. I don’t like a visible vacuum or Clorox wipes but there’s a bottle of dish soap and a scrub brush next to the kitchen sink and I would never rob my guests of the chance to discreetly use a plunger or toilet brush.

    • Janey

      I think there’s a difference between “clean” (no dirt/sticky/germs/crud) and “tidy” (no clutter/things put away/everything in its place). The spaces you’re describing may be clean but not feel tidy.

    • Anon

      A while ago I was watched a lot of house decorating tips and one of them specially talked about how it looks nicer if you have bottles without labels. She recommended getting empty nice bottles with no labels to use for dish soap that sits by the sink and other items.

      • Sybil

        It does look nicer, but then I remind myself that there are people whose job it is to make me buy things I don’t actually need. Maybe if I was good at buying huge containers to decant, or if there was a “bulk cleaning” like bulk food aisles.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, I’m with you on this. My partner gets enthusiastic about cleaning deeply. He’s much more thorough than I would be. But then he runs out of steam between when he finishes the actual cleaning and putting away (under the sink) the supplies like the cleaning product. It drives me nuts.

      I wouldn’t like the visual clutter of a vacuum mounted on a wall out on the open either.

      We do keep a toilet brush next to the toilet but in a stand so that it looks intentionally “home” and a bit hidden rather than left out in an absent-minded way.

    • Anonymous

      “Neat” and “clean” are different. Neatness is the absence of clutter; cleanliness is the absence of dirt. You are talking about neatness, not cleanliness.

      I hate clutter, but some of it is unavoidable unless you have a giant house with tons of storage and every member of the household is on board with putting everything away every time it is used. Also I think it is gross and filthy to put a garbage can, toilet brush, or plunger in a cabinet.

  25. DallasAnon

    Thank you all for the wealth of Montreal recommendations!! Sorry I posted and ran yesterday. I didn’t make it to read all the thoughts until after work, but I really appreciate all the great ideas.

  26. Anon

    Swap the shoes to closed-toe and add a long string of pearls and the pictured outfit was My Look for work in the aughts. I’m not sure if it’s classic or just coming back but everything about the fit of the long cardigan and the slightly trumpet flared skirt resonates with me. A little impractical for my current (and future) WFH lifestyle and menopausal belly weight gain but when I was a curvy tall girl with a flat tummy, this was IT.

  27. anon

    I learned as an adult so I’m also not that comfortable in the water. It helps if I wear goggles and can open my eyes to see. It also helps if I dip my head as soon as I get in the water and take a few exhales/blow bubbles before I start to swim.

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