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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Aurelia Ottoman Dress

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Boden Aurelia Ottoman Dress | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This ottoman-rib dress looks amazing from reader favorite online shopping destination, Boden. I love the below-the-knee length, the heavy seams, the three-quarter sleeves, and — hello! — the fact that it's machine washable. It's available in three colors in regular, petite, and tall sizes 2-18 for $118 (was $148); the seaweed green (pictured) is calling my name. Boden Aurelia Ottoman Dress Here are two plus-size options. Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-4)

Sales of note for 3/21/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off: Free People, AllSaints, AG, and more
  • Ann Taylor – 25% off suiting + 25% off tops & sweaters + extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – $39+ dresses & jumpsuits + up to 50% off everything else
  • J.Crew – 25% off select linen & cashmere + up to 50% off select styles + extra 40% off sale
  • J.Crew Factory – Friends & Family Sale: Extra 15% off your purchase + extra 50% off clearance + 50-60% off spring faves
  • M.M.LaFleur – Flash Sale: Get the Ultimate Jardigan for $198 on sale; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Buy 1 get 1 50% off everything, includes markdowns

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

199 Comments

  1. I love this dress, but I can’t decide if it would highlight or emphasize a tummy pooch. Does anyone own it and care to weigh in?

    1. I like it but I’d prefer it with a V or Scoop neck. It seems like it would just make me look more busty

    2. I have the short sleeve version of this dress and I think it would highlight a pooch. It’s pretty body con.

      1. That said, I love it and am planning on buying this one in the fall.

        For reference I am a ruler shape and had to get the bust altered, but I have to do that with all boden dresses.

      2. Sigh, too bad :( I was really tempted to buy this, but have a definite pooch. Although I guess this is good for my wallet.

    3. I was thinking the same thing myself, so I went to the site and read the reviews. It appears that the dress is made to be worn tight (a more slim fit). If you size up, it’s too baggy. I’m wondering if you size up, and wear a wide belt would solve the problem?

      I just ordered 3 other dresses from the clearance section. Damn you Boden! Gets me every time!

    4. If you look at the video on Boden, the dress has some weird pulling in the skirt vent area. I like the dress but the zipper kills it for me.

      1. The zipper is terrible. I ordered this and returned it because the zipper was so big and gommy.

        Also, it has the typical Boden problem of the waist hitting too high – I can usually deal with it but that plus the zipper was too much for me.

        1. I have the same problem with almost every dress that has a defined waist, so good to know on Boden. I haven’t ever ordered anything from them (would have to order from Boden UK because I’m in Canada and that seems like too much of a hassle if I had to return.)

          I’d like to try to see if I order a tall version if that fixes the waist issue — just not sure what else that would throw off besides the knee length, as I’m only 5.5.

          1. It drives me crazy that a) we have to order from the UK s!te and especially since b) most US retailers will charge you the duty upfront, and Boden UK won’t, so you have to be around to pay the duty on delivery or go pick your item up at the post office.

            That said, I have ordered a coupel of Boden dresses (casual) and loved them. I ordered a whole bunch of stuff and did have to return a couple of items. Which took FOREVER and then I ahd to apply to get the duty back.

            The dresses are sure cute though.

          3. I’m in Canada, and I’ve been considering ordering from Boden for a while, but the duty has been causing hesitation. What’s the average duty on Boden clothes for say a $200 order?

          4. NO the tall version will not fix the waist issue. I usually order the tall but this time I ordered a R and a L and they were exactly the same on top, it is just the length that is different.

          5. Anonymous @ 10:49am, duty on clothing is usually 18-20% on clothing if I am not mistaken.

          6. If you order from Talbots, you have to pay FedEx duty and taxes, but Talbots will refund the duty if you return something. One time I didn’t have the pink duty slips and she used 30% — that also included the HST. She said it is usually at least 30% for both.

            Diana Barry — thanks for info re: the length of the top in the R vs. L — I guess that’s not the solution then. I find I do better in dresses that don’t have a defined line at the waist and are a slight fit and flare. The search continues (or I’ll have to get some made.)

        2. I want to love this but cannot buy it for the same reason – that “zipper detail” is awful.

    5. Emphasize. The high neckline would definitely cause more focus on the middle. You could try to break it up though with a belt or a longer necklace.

    6. At the suggestion of someone here before, I bought the short-sleeved one in the lilac and this one in this exact color. Both colors were too washed out to suit my skintone, so I sadly had to return them. Unlike many Boden items that are boxy, this one is VERY bodycon, which I loved, but it also shows everything. I also found the ottoman fabric to be a bit much with the length and sleeves of this one. Shame!

    7. I bought the short sleeved version and returned it because it definitely highlights a pooch. I consider myself fairly in shape (usually size 4, 5’5, about 130 pounds) but I have a little pooch post babies and it made my little pooch seem like a big pooch. It is also high waisted (like most Boden dresses) and the particular waist placement was really unflattering on me.

      The dress is gorgeous and would look fantastic on someone with a flat tummy and who liked a body conscious fit.

      I also bought the Westminster dress (in clearance) and it is stunning. Super flattering and hides a pooch.

  2. Work trip (finance) to Minneapolis. I wore hose last time I went b/c it was very cold (would have preferred tights). In the summer, is it hose or bare legs? FWIW, I will be in a suit and am one of those people who is always cold, so an extra layer from the hose is just fine with me (plus I have some weird scars that hose evens out). At home, I wouldn’t wear hose with a suit b/c it is just such a fashion don’t here (weird scars and all).

    1. No hose necessary – it’s going to be in the mid 80’s today and beautiful!

      1. Thanks! Would you err on the side of wearing if you’re going to be in an all-older-guy audience (so: more conservative and less likely to notice a fashion faux pas and more likely to notice no-hose)?

        [Or is there a US version of whatever the Duchess of Cambridge wears that give you a no-hose effect? Like something I could get at Target or via Amazon?]

        1. Also in the twin cities and might think it odd if someone was wearing hose on such a beautiful summer day, but I doubt older conservative men would notice such a slight fashion faux pas no matter the location.

        2. You will be fine without hose. I’m 54 and can’t think of the last time I wore hose here in the summer (despite less than perfect legs). If you’re at all self-conscious about imperfections, try the Sally Hansen Air-Brush legs stuff. Works well to camouflage a lot of issues.

        3. I wear hose in the summer in MN but it’s personal preference. I’m in the minority on that.

  3. I just saw your question about dog separation anxiety on yesterday’s thread, and I wanted to weigh in. We’ve been dealing with worsening separation anxiety with our older dog, and it’s been a frustrating and exhausting experience. We’d tried all kinds of things: pheromones, special toys, long walks before leaving, medications, etc. with varying levels of success, but nothing helped quite enough. We live in a townhouse with retired neighbors on either side, so her barking each morning was becoming untenable.

    We finally ended up hiring a dog behaviorist, and I wish we’d done so years ago. She met with us for 2 hours and gave us a lot of good suggestions. Within the first few days of implementing her suggestions, there was a significant improvement (I know because my neighbors are not shy about sending me dog-barking updates). I think we would have saved a lot of money, time, and stress over the years had we reached out to a behaviorist sooner. We’ve been using her suggestions for about a month now, and things continue to get better.

    We’re in Northern Virginia and used Best Behaved Dogs, who was recommended by my vet. She came to our house, her price was reasonable, and she provides free follow-up by email/phone (which we haven’t needed). My vet also recommended Wholistic Hound. We obviously didn’t use them, so I can’t speak to their services, but I trust my vet’s recommendations.

    Good luck!

    1. Oh yes! DAP is a great idea. Dog Appeasing Pheromones. It might help your pup relax during the transition. We used that when we moved.

      1. So you would recommend the DAP? My very senior pups and I are moving next week – quite a big change, and I was researching the DAP.

        1. Yes. The scientists have found it does not work for every dog, but there’s enough of a correlation that it’s worth trying.

  4. Suggestion on a fun, light gift for future SIL (and also good friend) who is graduating from college? She is in her early 30s and this is the culmination of a lot of hard work, so it’s not the “fresh out of college at age 21” type of thing – but it’s a big deal and I want to recognize in some sort of way.

      1. I think it was this s!t3 that recommended Veuve as the universal graduation gift?

        1. Also, fun fact: “Veuve” means “widow” in French. Mme. Clicquot took over took over the family firm after the death of her husband, and she was the one who really built the brand.

          1. In fact, when I lived in a Spanish-speaking country, Veuve was colloquially referred to as “La viuda” (the widow) when ordering.

    2. I think something to help start her career would be a lovely gift. Depending on your budget and her field, maybe a nice work handbag or jewelry that is office appropriate. I received a card holder for my law school graduation that has been helpful. You can also pay to get her diploma framed.

      1. I love the handbag idea if you want to spend a couple hundred. A nice handbag is a huge splurge when you just graduate, but is such a nice thing to have.

      2. I think the handbag is a nice idea, but I would make sure it’s something she’s actually interested in receiving first, and let her pick it out herself within your budget. I’ve received a couple of perfectly nice bags that just weren’t my style, so I never ended up carrying them.

        I really like the diploma framing idea.

    3. If she is a notebook / to do list person, a Moleskin notebook. I take notes and make lists for everything, home and work, and love having a nice, high-quality notebook to carry with me.

    5. I love a pretty pen to have in my handbag or on my desk. I typically buy through Levenger but have recently given Acme brand pens via amazon to great response.

  5. I have the tissue weight wool/cashmere scarf from Nordstrom and I love it. It’s time to have it cleaned and I’m thinking of hand washing it with the Laundress Cashmere wash. Thoughts?

    1. I don’t know this scarf, but I have hand washed my high-end cashmere with the Laundress wash and they came out great.

    3. I wash all of my cashmere on the most delicate cycle in the washing machine and lay flat to dry. Dry cleaning makes cashmere stiff.

    4. I use Eucalan for all of my woolens and cashmere. It comes in scented and unscented versions and you don’t have to rinse it out. It actually treats the wool so it is even warmer and better than before washing. I haven’t tried the Laundress but Eucalan works great and it is less expensive too!

  6. Any tips/things to remember for those who want to work out at the gym on their way to work? I’ve realized that I’m much more likely to actually make it to the gym in the morning so I’m trying to set myself up for success. I know someone mentioned recently that she keeps her makeup at the gym so she has to go there. Any other tips like that or tips to make getting ready for work at the gym easier?

    1. Want to add to this – any equestrians who RIDE before work? Related but a little dissimilar to a gym routine.

      1. I have ridden before work in the past – my tips for riding and gym are the same. Having a wet hair style that looks professional but is easy is key for me. I part and pull my hair back at the nape of my neck in a bun or I sock bun it (okay in my office). I also keep a bag of travel size toiletries that always stays packed in my gym bag so that I never have to worry about forgetting something or leaving something at the gym/work that I need at home. Finally, I always keep a set of workout clothes in a backpack somewhere (car trunk, gym locker wherever), so I don’t really have an excuse. This requires multiple pairs of things; however ,I do not have an extraordinary amount of workout clothes (two pairs of running shoes, two pairs of running shorts, two sports bras). I hand wash my home set every night.

      2. I don’t. Between grooming dirt, sweat, helmet head, flying dirt and slobber, I’m not even presentable for a trip to Big Lots.

        1. Oh I would shower if I was going to work, but to go anywhere else? I go barn dirty. I have no shame when it comes to rolling up in breeches and ridiculous tall socks.

    2. I pack literally everything I need the night before and set it by the door. I set out the clothes I’m going to wear to the gym on my bathroom counter the night before, as well. That way, I literally wake up, get dressed, brush my teeth, grab everything on the counter, and leave. I don’t have to think in the mornings, which makes it much easier for me.

      1. I take it one step further and actually wear my workout clothes to bed. YMMV with how frequently you workout in the morning and what you wear, but this has been a huge motivator for me. Me, contemplating snooze, “well, I’m already dressed…I might as well go do a quick workout for a few minutes.” I make it to the gym with the thought of executing a lighter workout for a short amount of time. I don’t beat myself up if this is what I do, staying in the habit of going to the gym is just as important as a work out. And, I’m often reminded of the saying, “It doesn’t matter how slow you’re going, you’re lapping the people on their couches[/or still in bed].”

        2. I’ve been running and that’s exactly what I think after I remark that I’m slower than a turtle walking through molasses.

          I also pack my things up the night before. My gym bag always comes home with me, but my makeup and hair dryer stay in it.

      2. It’s also helpful to check the weather report when packing clothes for the next day.

    3. +1 for packing or laying out everything the night before. Gym clothes, work clothes, shoes, lunch, personal care stuff, bag, everything. Something else that has really helped is having a separate makeup kit just for the gym, with duplicates of all the necessary products. Samples or travel size from Sephora has helped with this, but even if I have to buy an extra full size product, it’s worth it. When I was trying to pack and unpack my makeup bag every day depending on whether I got ready at the gym or at home, it was a disaster of losing and/or forgetting things. I also keep 1 or 2 splurge products only in the gym bag (with a drugstore version at home) as an extra incentive. I only get to use them at the gym.

    4. Duplicates of all your favorite everyday products so you don’t have to take things in and out of your gym bag. Also keep extra underwear and contacts, if you wear them, in your bag.

    5. I leave everything that I need in my gym tote, except for the work clothes I need that day. That means I have doubles or samples of everything I use to get ready in the morning in the tote. I also do what NYC tech does, and I leave my extra special favourite body wash at the gym, so I get to use it when I workout in the morning, otherwise I have to use regular less expensive body wash.

      I also really like our steam room, so I leave an extra 5 minutes to steam, which is another incentive.

    6. I use my iPhone as my alarm and use the label feature for motivation. Tends to be pretty self-deprecating and mean, but it works for me at 5am. Label examples:

      -Go to the f*ing gym!
      -You weigh X lbs!
      -36 days until mom visits, fattie!
      -you have rolls!

      1. I ..uhh…find this kind of messed up. I try really hard to not be a complete B***H to myself, but whatever floats your boat I guess.

        And if you want to get rid of your rolls, diet is better than exercise. Abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym.

      2. Once upon a time, someone recommended an app where you could record voice messages to yourself to serve as your alarm. I thought, “great! I need to stop making excuses for getting up to run when I’m perfectly healthy and rested and have no good reason not to”, so I downloaded it. Unfortunately, the app was made by Korean developers and still in largely untranslated beta form, so trying to set the alarm was a little tricky. What I tried to do: Set “Get up and run, lazy!” to go off at 6am. What actually happened: No alarm that morning, and “Get up and run, lazy!” in my voice blared out of my phone for the entire corner of my floor to hear at 6pm.

    7. pack the night before, so you can roll and go.
      I reward myself with a nicer coffee than what I normally drink if I go (i.e. starbucks v. homemade)

    8. Something I picked up from thiss!te: I tell myself that 6:30am Terry may not want to run but 7:30am Terry will be extremely glad she did.

  7. I’ve never ordered Boden, although I know the commenters here love Boden. How is their sizing? What is it comparable to? For what it’s worth, I’m petite – five feet tall.

    1. I’d say they run a bit smaller than Loft. But, what you really should do is check out the GARMENT measurements on the website, and then compare those to stuff that fits you well. Like, measure the waist of a skirt you like, and compare it to the posted skirt measurements on the Boden site.

      It’s not foolproof, but gets you close. I wish all online retailers would post garment measurements, maybe then I’d only have to order 2 different sizes instead of 4.

  8. I have a stupid question. I don’t really know how to clean. I know how to tidy, wipe down stuff, swiffer, vacuum and spray various things, but I don’t reaaally know how to clean a kitchen/bathroom well. About three times a year this sends me into a panic, and this is one of those times. At some point in the past few years I stumbled onto a great blog that outlined super simple steps on how to clean stuff, but now I can’t remember it. Does anyone have any good resources? Books, blogs, or otherwise? I’m definitely interested in using a service eventually, but also kind of feel like this is stuff I should just know as a practicing adult.

    1. Unf*uck your habitat, fly lady, and Martha Stewart’s hard copy book on home keeping are all good.

    2. I am not being snarky – is there a reason you feel like you need additional cleaning knowledge? I never ever deep clean anything, but my house meets my cleanliness requirements so it’s not necessary for me to do so IMO. I think if you are tidying, wiping, spraying, on a somewhat regularly basis, there isn’t much else that you need to do so long as you are not sitting on the couch looking around going wow, I live in filth!

      I refuse to get wrapped up in the internet expectations that my house be ridiculously spotless at all times. My grout is clean, my floors are clean, my counter tops are clean, etc., and that is good enough. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for everyone else (and if it’s not, they don’t have to come to my house).

    3. I’m the same. I am the WORST at deep cleaning the bathroom.

      One of the fun sites I use is Unf*ck your habitat.

      As for services, every few months I’ll have someone from Handy come out and do the deep clean. I always end up having a promo code and for my small one bedroom apt 2 hours is more than enough since I’m relatively tidy. If you go that route, use my code and you’ll get a discount on your first cleaning (they have you sign up for recurring but you can cancel that aspect very easily after your first visit): r.handy.com/r?u=BOBBI-SUE9418&dms=1

    5. Cleaning a bathroom is really easy. Spray a lot of stuff with toxic surfactants all over, and wipe it off. Seriously. It’s probably harder with environmentally healthy cleaners, but basically the same idea.

      1. Nah, it’s just as easy. I use Mrs Meyer’s concentrated cleaner diluted in a spray bottle (it’s about $8 for a bottle, but you only need 1/4 cup to make an entire GALLON of cleaner. Even my cleaning-happy self takes over a year to use it up, and I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper overall than most cleaners). I use rags instead of paper towels, Bon Ami to scrub the sink, tub, and toilet (and also add a few sprays of cleaner into the toilet), and diluted vinegar in a spray bottle to wipe down the mirror. It’s not any more work than conventional cleaners, doesn’t burn my lungs, and is pet and human-friendly. In case anyone is worried about my lack of bleach, I get lots of comments on how clean and nice-smelling my house is. You’re not performing surgery in there, no need to go scorched earth!

        1. Yep! I do the same.

          I also have found that when in doubt, 90% of things can be well cleaned with a mixture of hot water + vinegar + a little bit of dish soap. This works amazingly for anything greasy in the kitchen, scummy in the bathroom or just overall gunk that needs to be removed.

          I use a combo of rags+microfiber cloths+some paper towels for cleaning and a good pair of rubber gloves. Also, I now periodically have a cleaning pro come in- best Valentine’s Day gift EVER as it reduces my stress more than massages, flowers, etc. ever would have.

    6. I never learned how to clean…I was always neat and put things away, and I knew how to vaccuum and dust…but that was about it. Proper cleaning/maintenance was beyond my comprehension for bathrooms and kitchens.

      FlyLady was a godsend for me, and the Martha Stewart book got me on a good cadence.

      1. Ahh, it was FlyLady! That was the blog that I couldn’t find again, thank you!! And thanks to all for the recs :)

    7. The founder of the cleaning company I use (based in Toronto has a blog/youtube channel with cleaning tips – try googling Clean My Space. And sometimes it helps to just google a specific quetsion, like how to clean granite countertops or stainless steel appliances.

      Definitely recommend hiring someone once in a while for a deep clean, too :)

    9. You should feel good- being tidy is half the battle! For things like bathrooms and kitchens remember two things: (1) special cleaning products and (2) start from the top down. On point 1, I mean you wont use a floor cleaner on your countertops or your mirrors. For say the bathroom, dust first from the top-down. Then clean your mirrors – can use windex with newspaper (no streaks) or a microfiber cloth, or someone here recommended a set of microfiber cloths recently that clean with just water and I’ve loved them. Dust/wipe stuff on your countertops that get dusty, then spray your countertops and sinks with cleaner of your choice – I love plain old white vinegar for counterops. You will need a toilet brush and cleaner for the toilet and likely a softscrub-type cleaner for your shower/tub. Then vacuum and mop. (Also keep the vent on and windows open when dealing with chemicals in the bathroom.) Kitchen is similar except there the variable is the oven and any special surfaces: like stainless steel, granite, etc. (I grew up with a very clean mom!)

      1. The flip side of this is me, who uses one type of cleaning product and a rag for everything. :)

        1. I’m with you. I don’t use just one, but I have a few universal products I just use (vinegar/lemon spray for counters, mirrors, handles, sink basin, toilet, floors) and baking soda for scrubbing action, and chlorine for special uses, although I am getting away from that.

    10. Love this! I have the same question!

      Has anyone used Jolie Kerr’s book? (She does a blog called “Ask a Clean Person”). I was thinking of buying that.

      1. I’ve not and probably wouldn’t (my sense is that a Martha Stewart or similar book would be more comprehensive and possibly also easier to use), but in relation to this post in particular, Jolie did a column at the Hairpin (also called “Ask a Clean Person”) in which she specifically talked about how to “hard clean” a kitchen. She may well have talked about bathrooms as well. I’d Google around for that and am fairly sure that “hard clean” is the phrase she used.

      2. I haven’t used her book, but her column was hysterical and useful, so I imagine her book would be similar. I’d love to meet her.

    11. Why worry about this? Even if a housecleaner is out of reach on a regular basis, just hire a service for a deep clean a few times a year if you think it’s necessary.

    12. I just wanted to say I understand how you feel. I can tidy up, but I really just do not know how to clean. When I see a spectacularly clean place, or after my seeing my MIL clean up, I’m in awe.

    13. Years ago I had good success with a book called Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell. Just googled it and I see he has a web s!te now, too.

    14. Cheryl Mendelson, Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House. It’s not about short-cuts, it’s about how to clean, including all the details & the science.

    15. This may be weird, but I’d suggest hiring a service for a deep clean and learn how to clean from them. Explain you’ll be there the whole time before, of course, but this should totally fine.

      1. Not weird at all, I was just going to suggest the same thing. I learned how to clean from our childhood housekeeper, who learned from her mom and so on by following them around and “helping.” I still clean my apartment using the same supplies and order and method that she did with hot water/steam/rags/baking soda/vinegar. I don’t polish the floors or wood or windows though, don’t tell :)

  9. Anyone want to help with a vicarious shopping challenge? I am going to a wedding in southern California in late September. Dress code is “resort formal.” Would love suggestions on what kind of dress to wear… Price range under $200, preferably under $150! Thanks!

    3. I’d peruse Lilly Pulitzer’s clothes if they have a formal option and get ideas from there. Maybe a dressy maxidress?

      1. I’m not sure I’d go for LP, but dressy maxi sounds about right.
        Maybe something like this DvF maxi: http://www.saksoff5th.com/samson-jersey-maxi-dress/0496951377627.html?scrollTo=2395&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saksoff5th.com%2Fsearch%3Fcat%3DDesigner%26prefn1%3Dbrand%26prefv1%3DDiane%2520von%2520Furstenberg%26designerName%3DDiane%2520von%2520Furstenberg%26pageSource%3DDesignersPage%26start%3D180%26srule%3DNew%2520Arrivals%26sre%3Ddesigner-banner_1%26sz%3D180

        1. Or better yet, this one: http://www.saksoff5th.com/tadd-printed-silk-maxi-dress/0400086705499.html?scrollTo=0&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saksoff5th.com%2Fsearch%3Fcat%3DDesigner%26prefn1%3Dbrand%26prefv1%3DDiane%2520von%2520Furstenberg%26designerName%3DDiane%2520von%2520Furstenberg%26pageSource%3DDesignersPage%26start%3D180%26srule%3DNew%2520Arrivals%26sre%3Ddesigner-banner_1%26sz%3D180

          Also: if you’ve ever wanted to wear a fancy caftan (I always do), this would be a great occasion, and DvF makes plenty of those, too.

        1. Yes, it’s definitely a regional taste (one I don’t have – being from the not-quite-south) – but you can get ideas if she carries formal dresses.

        2. I agree on maxi! I just got one made by Eliza J from Nordstrom and I’m very happy with it! They’re about $150.

  10. I’m taking my 18 year old goddaughter to see 39 Steps in NYC on Saturday (Union Square). Any recommendations on where to take her for dinner around there? Something nice but not too fancy…it’s her last weekend before she leaves for her freshman year of college, so want to make it a fun night!

    3. 39 Steps is awesome! Really fun show.

      The Smith is always good. You could also do ABC Kitchen or ABC Cocina – both have good food, feel special but aren’t too fancy and the space is gorgeous without feeling pretentious.

    5. ABC Cocina and Kitchen are fantastic but I am skeptical you can get a reservation for this Saturday (depending on time).

      I have to respectfully disagree with Max Brenner — maybe for a pre-teen.

      I’d consider the following:
      Acme is really good, but maybe not teen/picky palate friendly.
      Blue Smoke if you’d like BBQ
      Craft or Lafayette if you’re looking for something fancier.
      Rosa Mexicano or Dos Caminos for upscale chain Mexican.

    6. Otto (Mario Batali’s pizzeria) is really good and would be fun. Casa Mono is closer to Union Square but it’s tiny and takes a while.

  11. Question for the hive. I will be driving down to Maryland from NYC this weekend with a friend, and was wondering if there are any nice beaches/seaside towns we could stop by on our way. Don’t want to do a huge detour but an hour or so would be fine. I’m not very familiar with this area so was hoping some East Coast people could help out – thank you!

      1. Yep this makes a huge difference. Maryland is very spread out for being such a small state! The bay really splits it up and there are only a couple ways across. Where exactly in MD are you headed?

    2. Hard to say what will be on your way since I’m not sure where your final destination in MD is, but St. Michaels is an adorable, artsy little seaside town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. If that’s past where you’re going, Avalon and Cape May NJ may be on your way.

  12. I have recently come back from maternity leave, and currently have only one dress in my wardrobe. A second would really expand my options, but I think I’m looking for a unicorn — a non-black, machine-washable, under-$75 (under $50 if possible) law-office appropriate dress that would camouflage the pooch. All my pre-pregnancy sheath and wrap dresses that I can still get into emphasize it MUCH more than a skirt/top, and shift dresses just do not work for me at all. I have broad shoulders but a small bust and small, long waist, which may be the issue.

    1. For example, the Lands End sheaths that everyone raves about realllllly emphasize the tummy on me.

    2. Macys has some great work-appropriate A-line dresses on super sale right now. Some are faux wrap, which would hide the pooch.

      I also LOVE Kiyonna dresses for work–I have the essential wrap in every color-but they are in the $100 range.

      Also check out Talbots’ clearance sale. They have some lovely work appropriate dresses 75% off.

    4. My sister-in-law is in the same place. She’s been wearing fit-and-flare styles. You can search Nordstrom by fit-and-flare. Land’s End also has fit-and-flare styles. I’ll post some in your price range in a few minutes…

    5. I find a blazer over any dress makes it more pooch-friendly. So that is an alternative — get another blazer to make your other dresses more work-friendly.

    6. Thanks, everyone! Yes, I need another blazer too because of my new larger skeleton, so that should help. I’ll take a look at these suggestions!

    7. I have had some really good luck buying dresses from Target online (especially if you don’t need something that will last forever)

    8. At that price, you might also try LOFT, esp their online exclusives. I’ve gotten a few ponte dresses like you’re describing that work for me (are cheap but look ok under a more expensive wool jacket that I keep in my office).

  13. Shopping challenge! I’m looking for a statement necklace to wear with a high necked (similar to dress featured today) medium length solid red dress. This is to wear as a guest to a wedding. Ideally under $25 and Prime eligible. Thank you ladies!!

    1. Do you have a Charming Charlies near you? They have statement necklaces in every color, usually in the $10-20 range.

      1. Yeah I’m in NYC so I have basically everything just looking for some specific recs / inspiration so I can get something fabulous I wouldn’t normally pick myself.

        1. Try the Nordstrom Rack in Union Sq. I’ve found some nice inexpensive necklaces there.

  14. Can I just say……… OW!

    I HATE MAMMOGRAMS….

    I was putting this one off, as my last one was so rough I was bruised for several weeks afterwards. It is not the flattening of my breast tissue that kills me, but the feeling like they are tearing my breast off my chest wall. Because literally, they have torn me before. My breasts are so dang small they have to yank like crazy to get anything between the plates. And then as the vice closes, it just tears and tears at my chest well.

    Today it hurt so bad I just cried throughout the whole thing.

    I know they are important. I am a doctor. But I can’t believe they haven’t come up with improved technology or a less painful alternative.

    You are very lucky if they are not painful for you. Of course, they are never comfortable for anyone.

    Thanks for letting me Vent.

    1. Mammograms–oh, can I ever relate. Hurt like heck on small boobies. Since you’re a doctor, maybe you know…why can’t they just do sonograms instead? No radiation, and better images, right????

      1. Very very good question.

        I asked my doc again this year if there were other alternatives to Mammogram, and she just shook her head. But next year I am going to insist on ultrasound. I just did a quick search and there was a large Chinese study that just came out and showed ultrasounds were just as good if not better than Mammograms for detecting cancers in their population, and was cost effective. Chinese woman tend to have smaller and more dense breasts – like us – so perhaps we can push our doctors (and insurance companies!!) to start offering this option.

        I will do a more thorough literature review to see if these findings are consistent. It takes a LOT of data and time to get preventative/screening recs to be changed in this country.

        Less pain, no radiation, better screening for cancers, less cost?!?!? It’s a no brainer…

        Maybe if our male doctors (many of whom have bigger boobs than me) had a Mammogram, then this change would happen more quickly!

    2. I get annual breast ultrasounds. I started in my early 30s at the rec of my doctor (dense tissue plus strong family history). I’m also small of bust.

      1. Oh, and to add – this is fully covered by my insurance (likely b/c of my family history).

        1. Yes, I have heard that women who start their screening young often start with ultrasounds. Dense breasts are also more common when you are younger and Mammograms are less sensitive for us (mine are small and dense too). I understood that typically you would graduate to Mammograms when you are older. But maybe you never should?!

          1. Yes, started with ultrasounds at the age of 31 and my doctor recommends that I continue with them indefinitely and not switch to mammograms unless my insurance kicks up a fuss after I’m over 40.

    3. Bit of a threadjack here. I am 48 and have never had a mammogram. My doc does a pap every couple of years, but she has never ordered one and I keep forgetting to ask.
      No family history of breast cancer (or cancer of any kind actually, touch wood), and I was nursing my children on and off from age 35 to 44 (about 7 years in total although some of that was only 1-2 times per day), I know that supposedly brings down your risk.

      Are she and I missing something here, should I be insisting on one?

      1. My doctor told me I should start getting them after I turned 40, but then last year (age 44), she said that they’ve changed their thoughts on that…

      2. Absolutely not a medical professional, but all I’ll say is my family had zero history of cancer… until we did. The guidelines are changing constantly. When my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer my sisters and I were teenagers and told to get scanned at 30, then it was 40, now it’s 35. Then she got diagnosed a second time, on the other breast – a total and terrible coincidence (BRCA negative, too). So my sisters and I have thrown guidelines to the wind and are now getting scanned at ages 28-35 because that’s simply what makes us comfortable.

        I would definitely bring it up to your doctor – maybe don’t wait for the periodic pap, and call today since it’s on your mind and simply ask.

        1. I could not agree more. My aunt battled breast cancer for a decade until she passed away at 50. Whatever the guidelines, I would get scanned no later than 40.

      3. Very good question. I am a little surprised she hasn’t at least brought it up for discussion. But it is true that the recommendations have changed in the past few years and are still very very controversial. These days starting mammography before age 50 is to be decided by the patient and doctor. It is not strongly recommended, and the pros/cons should be weighed. Cons include radiation, risk of false positives and having to undergo more procedures.

        I agree that you have some protective things on your side…. having had pregnancies, and breast fed, and a negative family history.

        I am generally NOT a person who seeks out tests/medications or doctor visits. But I decided to start Mammograms in my 40’s (about every 2 yrs…. not every year), and my doctor was more eager to than me. I have history of cancer (but not breast cancer) on my mother’s side, and I have not had any children, so my risk is likely a little higher than yours.

        1. Thanks!

          I have to go for my PAP soon so I will ask her. Perhaps the Canadian guidelines are 50, and if so, I’d be comfortable with that.

      4. They did change the Canadian guidelines a few years ago – I can’t remember if its 50 or 55. They’ve also decreased the frequency that was initially recommended so that’s probably why your doctor hasn’t recommended them yet!

        1. The Canadian guidlines start at 50 now run every other year. Once you turn 50, the government will start nagging both you to get a mammogram and other tests. They will also nag your doctor.

  15. Ladies need some advice, TIA

    We found 2-3 bed bugs on my bed, pest control said it must have come in last 3-4 weeks. I was traveling a lot and stayed in 5-6 hotels during that time. We got first treatment done, found no more bites next two nights and final treatment is next week.

    Now my main questions is about clothes. We are told to run all clean clothes 30-40 minutes through the dryer on high temperature, that will kill all bugs and eggs, if any. Would this basically ruin/shrink my clothes that are Dry Clean (but not dry clean only)? These are mostly skirts, dresses, sweaters, I have 4-5 large garbage bags full of them. Getting everything dry cleaned would be so expensive and I am not even sure if that would really sanitize the garments.
    Anyone has experience with this? Should I just bite the bullet and do dry cleaning or any tricks for the at-home dryer solution to prevent shrinking?

    1. Oh you have my sympathies. Keep track of it closely because we had them and some eggs weren’t killed in the initial process. So frustrating.

      For your clothes, get a steamer. Steam will kill them as will cold. What I did (because I am slightly bugphobic to begin with) was steamed anything I could and then packed them into ziplocs and put them in the freezer for a week. (A week is overkill, it usually takes 2-3 days to kill a bedbug in freezers, but I wanted to be sure.) Then we repacked all our clothes in plastic Rubbermaid containers until we were sure that they were gone and weren’t in our dressers/closet.

      1. +1 to the freezer!

        A friend who is a frequent traveler for work got bedbugs once and bought a freezer off Craigslist just to deal with this issue. It stays in his freezer and at first, all his suits went in and chilled out (literally) for a few days to make sure everything was fully de-bedbugged.

        Now, when he gets home from a trip, he actually just puts his whole suitcase in the freezer for a day or two to prevent any future issues. This works in large part because he has a garage where the freezer lives and can do this before he even comes inside the house.

    2. Do you live in the South? Luckily it is summer! I had some friends who got bed bugs, and the heat of a closed car for a couple of hours was hot enough to kill everything, in fact the bug guy recommended this as the preferred way to go about it as they could put books, and other non-washable items that bed bugs might be hiding on in the car. I don’t know how far north you could go and have this still work, but I would just stick a thermometer in the car with your stuff to make sure it hits the right temp. I live in Texas, so the 100+ degree heat was more than enough.

      Temp guidelines from google: “Bed bugs ex- posed to 113°F will die if they receive constant exposure to that temperature for 90 minutes or more. However, they will die within 20 minutes if exposed to 118°F. Interestingly, bed bug eggs must be exposed to 118°F for 90 minutes to reach 100% mortality.”

      Car temp guidelines also from google: “Even outside temperatures in the 60s can cause a car temperature to rise well above 110° F. When the outside temperature is 83° F, even with the window rolled down 2 inches, the temperature inside the car can reach 109° F in only 15 minutes.”

      1. If they just need 118, couldn’t you also turn your oven on to the lowest temp (I think mine is 200?) turn it off, then leave clothes in there?

      2. This car trick is brilliant! Hopefully wont’ have to use it, but we have a rental so one never knows.

    3. I thought I had bedbugs, but didn’t, and ran a couple of dry clean only pants (BR Sloan pants) through a hot dryer. They looked a little bedraggled, but bounced back.

      I think water + dryer is bad for dry clean only, but I think just the dryer probably won’t destroy things. But maybe test on some lower value items first.

      My sympathies – I am so paranoid about bedbugs!!

    4. When my parents got bed bugs, we took some beloved sweaters/clothes and put them in sealed plastic bags in the attic. Did this also with some other non-clothes treasure. We didn’t open the bags for over a year (which is how long it takes for the suckers to die without food). In fact, I think we waited 2 years bc we were so creeped out. The bed bugs never came back.

      1. I should add we did this for items that would be damaged by other methods of hearing/cooling/cleaning. The attic was not particularly hot or cold.

  16. Looking for suggestions on writing a LinkedIn summary i.e. short description of one’s experience, interests etc. especially when you have one major interest say in Area X and another secondary interest in Area Y. I’m interviewing for positions and I suppose people do occasionally glance at one’s LinkedIn profile. I’d like to show that I have a career focus even though I have interests in different fields. Also is it okay to include personal interests? I’ve seen some examples where people discuss hobbies.

    1. I would not put hobbies in the one line summary that is at the top of your profile. I would say – Attorney with Z years of experience in X and Y.

    2. If you are applying to jobs in both Area X and Y then I would skip the summary or keep it very general, and focus on your cover letters.

  17. Hi all, I have a big problem lately. I’m in a field where there are multiple degree possibilities like for ex/ chem, biochem, chem eng ect. Anyways I have what is considered a ‘less prestigious’ degree in my field and everyone mansplains to me. What makes this so much worse is that I’m always correcting everyone’s work. Ex/ no biases, weighing data that has too small a sample size, using sigma vs s. I don’t know how to prove my competency to my peers. Upper management knows I’m good because they always send the work of others my way to edit, but my peers talk to me as if I’m a toddler because they have “real degrees”. Like someone actually said that to me….. Real degree

      1. I’m not sure that Twitter conversation shows anything other than people stupidly pile on on Twitter. The guy thought he was writing “read” pronounced “red” but it was understood as “read” pronounced “reed.” Very different meanings/tone/intention. He was trying to engage the author and raise an issue. But instead everyone assumed he was being condescending to the author. Even after he explained what he’d meant, everyone kept piling on him. I tweet for professional reasons, but man I hate Twitter.

    2. Can you cut them off mid-mansplaining and say something like, “Actually, I already know about XYZ from *talk about specific time/project when you used it.” Or “Thanks, but actually I’m familiar with this process.” Keep nipping it in the bud, I think. Clearly, whoever attacked your degree doesn’t have a lot of tact, so you have a lot of options in responding. But you should definitely be vocal in sticking up for yourself and telling them your experience. If you sit quietly while they explain, they may think you need or appreciate it!

  18. I have a shopping challenge too!

    I promised myself not to buy anymore dresses that don’t fit the below especially for work
    1) Machine washable
    2) some sort of shoulder coverage (Can be a slightly sleeve)
    3) pockets
    4) at least 36″
    5) No exposed zipper
    6) Under $150

    I’m around 5″2, hippy (35, 25,25) I often wear size 0 or 2.

  19. Thoughts on second date outfits? Because yes, I’m being so neurotic…

    First date, we went to a couple of casual bars. It was spontaneous and he (wearing jeans) apologized for not being “dressed for a date.” I wore a little black dress with some leather details.

    Tonight we are meeting at a casual bar again. What I want to wear is a different little black dress – it’s a different cut, a little s*xier, and not totally black (white markings). Is that really boring to wear something similar? I am thinking of that she-always-wears-the-same-dress Seinfeld episode!

    Other options from my limited wardrobe include a more colorful sundress, or jeans – but I feel really self-conscious in pants…thoughts?

    1. I always thought that dressing up too much early made me look too eager so my preference was to look really amazing but like I wasn’t trying. So I probably wouldn’t wear a LBD to a casual bar. Jeans and a cute top sounds perfect but don’t wear it if you’re not going to feel good in it. I think a sundress could work or maybe a skirt/top?

      2. I agree. Your outfits sound great, but not for a casual bar unless you are Manhattan.

        But I certainly would not worry about wearing similar outfits. I guy who shows up for a first date in jeans, is not going to care/notice.

        I actually wonder if the guy apologized a little for not being more dressed up because you looked TOO nice/dressed up. So maybe take it down a notch?

      1. Yep, wear whatever makes your comfortable. If you think it looks good and makes you feel confident then go for it. Also, try not to apologize for not being dressed a certain way. Wear what you want! I used to not want to look too eager on a first date, but now I want to wear whatever I want!

      2. Agreed! My first date with my guy I wore ripped black jeans with a black lace top with a full coverage black bra underneath. Date #2 I think I wore skinny jeans, a Ninja Turtles shirt, and heels. You do you!

    3. An LBD sounds too formal for a casual bar. What would you wear to said bar to hang out with a gf? Wear that.

      1. I like this idea.

        Dress to reflect who you are. I’m a super dressy person, and no guy is dating me thinking he’s getting a girl to spend a lazy Saturday in sweats with. That said, I know my most casual can be other people’s dressed up, so I have to think sometimes about dressing to make others comfortable as well.

        I also live in dresses and skirts because they fit me better, but in this case I might do something like jeans, a silk shell, and heels. Dressy, feminine, and something I’d wear around the girls, but more appropriate for a casual bar.

  20. Vicarious shopping help needed: I’m spending the next few weekends at the beach (yay!) and I want to find a light, sleeveless beach cover-up, any color but black, under $100, ideally under $50. I usually just wear shorts and a tank top to go to the beach, but I want something more comfortable and cuter. The sleeveless part is super important to me — I get too hot with sleeves in the summer :) I’m a petite hourglass (5’0) and usually wear a 0 (although it doesn’t matter too much to me to find something that fits exactly; anything in a S or XS will probably work). Help? Most stores seemed to have cleared out their summer clothes and moved on to fall!

    3. How about TJMAxx type places? Also, being this late in the season, you might need to shop at the store nearest the beach. Those carry swim stuff year round (both the cute boutiques and the “beach discount” stores should have options)

    5. I just bought a sun protection shirt from a company called UV Skinz, which was founded by a woman whose husband died of melanoma in his 30s. There are some cute cover-ups in the catalogue and they have an online store, too.

  21. Hey, ladies! Gentleman Friend and I have decided to take a fall vacation to Montreal/Quebec City. Does anybody have any must see/must do/must eat recommendations? We like to stay active so in particular I’d love to find a nice walking tour or two. Thanks in advance!

    1. If you want to stay active, walk up the mountain a few times. If you want to stay really active, run up it.

      It’s a very walkable city so just plan to walk around as much as possible.

    2. Joe Beef. Must eat. Also, we really liked Stash Café in the Old Montreal area for lunch. It was cold out and this place was perfect to take the chill away.
      Also, if you like to be active, hike up to the top of the big park in the middle of Montreal. It’s not a difficult hike but the view is amazing and the journey, especially with fall foliage, so beautiful.

    3. I can recommend Montreal Craft Beer Tours, if you are into beer. I lived in Montreal for several years and recently when I was back went on this tour. It was fun, good food and beer, and we got to see a lot of the city. The bars were well chosen (I knew some of them already) and the tour guide was tons of fun. It was a great afternoon activity. You will definitely stay active walking around in Montreal. The metro isn’t well designed for getting between touristy activities so walking will be your best bet. It’s a very walkable city. You should have Montreal bagels (St. Viateur or Fairmont) and smoked meat (Schwart’z) and poutine (La Banquise). Visiting a market is nice – Jean Talon or Atwater. Restaurant recommendations: Au Pied du Cochon, Joe Beef.

    4. In the fall, the Botanical Gardens in Montreal have a lantern display in the evenings. I went a few years ago and it was really beautiful at dusk. Had to get in line early and it wasn’t too cheap, but it was worth it.

    5. There are some good recommendations about Montreal that are pretty recent… maybe a month ago? Also I found Chowhound to have good advice for both cities.

      I used a Tours by Locals guide, Steeve, in Quebec City and had a good time. He was lovely and had great recommendations.

  22. Shopping help really needed.. I seem to be super hung up on what to wear to a Labor Day weekend wedding near Pittsburg. It’s going to be pretty fancy but somehow I keep finding things that (on second thought) look like they are way too summer-y for a Labor Day weekend wedding? Anyone want to do a little vicarious shopping for me, even if it’s just for some ideas on what would be appropriate? Budget would definitely under $200 and preferably under $150. TIA!

  23. We have two fresh out of college women working in our office from a big 4 accounting firm. I cringe daily at what they wear. I’m definitely no fashionista, my work outfits probably fit in the boring category but they are work appropriate and cover the goods. One of them is otherwise professional looking except she wears very V neck shirts with a cami underneath and the cami is so low that it doesn’t do much. She has very big ones. Today the other woman is wearing a sheer t shirt that is so tight you can see the outline of her bra in the front and back and she also has very big ones (maybe implants, but who cares) and a short, high waisted skater skirt with gladiator sandals. Cute but definitely not professional looking at all.

    Do they do any “what to wear in a business casual environment” with new grads at big 4 accounting firms? If not, they should…..

      1. Right, I was like, big t-shirts? Big camis?

        Doesn’t a big4 accounting firm have an explicit dress code?

    2. They give general guidelines, but nothing to specific – open toed shoes are not in policy, however. (I’ll your the line in peep toes, from time to time)

      Their engagement manager world be the one responsible for giving specific guidance on professionalism – and I’m surprised it hasn’t been addressed.

  24. I bought a very similar dress from Boden last year and returned it because it looked very conservative-for-religious-reasons on me. I’m not sure how it accomplished that.

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