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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 141 Comments · by

Coffee Break: Valencia Pump

Coffee Break

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Charles David Valencia PumpA sophisticated pair of Mary Janes can be hard to find, and I think Charles David strikes exactly the right balance with this fun Valencia pump. Yes, red patent can be a bit much for a very conservative office, but I often think it depends what else you wear it with — a subdued knee-length skirt, for example, is a much better pairing than, say, a colorful skirt of questionable length. (The shoe also comes in black and beige.) At almost 4,” this one is not for amateurs. It's $248.95 at Nordstrom. Charles David Valencia Pump (L-2)  

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Comments

  1. Anon in NYC

    Ooooooh, love. Too bad I could not walk in 4″ heels. I’ve realized that my go-to work shoes have slowly evolved into primarily patent leather.

  2. Anonymous

    I’ve been a fan of Charles David shoes since I was 18 and they almost always have a great Mary Jane pump available.

    • TO Lawyer

      Those are amazing! I bought those Sam Edelman shoes that I think you were considering during the NAS in all black and I love the touch of edginess they add to my weekend outfits.

      • NOLA

        Awesome! I bought them, too. I haven’t worn them yet. It’s been so hot still and I have a lot of other black shoes so I’ve been holding off. I have a new black dress and was thinking about wearing it Saturday night but there’s going to be a tropical storm. But soon!

  4. Diana Barry

    Apropos of the shutdown, I saw this picture of the 2012 Congress “freshmen”:

    http://thegrio.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/113th-congress.jpg?w=650

    Very interesting to see how the men look like they are in uniform, whereas the women are far more colorful. Also, bright colors, bright blazer + black pants, and the red suit are all represented. My favorite look is the colorblocked red/purple/black skirt on the right – think it may be Kyrsten Sinema from AZ.

    • Echo

      Fascinating! I was at a legal conference this week, and one of the speakers wore a beautiful deep eggplant/maroon skirt suit that looked lovely on her.

      • TCFKAG

        I got an eggplant skirt from Pendleton that at the time I thought was maybe going to be a sometimes skirt and has become a central part of my wardrobe, it makes me really think about getting the full suit – so I can wear the suit sometimes and the separates other times. Its absolutely a great “surprise neutral.”

        • Lady Harriet

          I love the outfit of the woman fifth from the left in the front row. The pink coat over the purple dress/suit is gorgeous.

    • Baconpancakes

      Just curious, but why do you think the entire front row is ladies? I want to believe it’s because their suits are so fabulous (pink long coat!!) that they refused to stand in the back, but I have a feeling it’s because photographers always put women in the front to show them off.

      • emeralds

        Women also tend to be shorter, ergo are frequently placed in the front so that people can see them.

        • eek

          This. I was always the shortest and therefore the first person in line for every class photo.

      • Aggie

        There was a historic number of women in the 2012 Freshmen Class (I believe it was 20.) Perhaps it was to commemorate the occasion.

        Or perhaps it was for the color blocked skirt and blush duster coat!

      • j

        Usually it’s height-related, but you may be right about the suits thing. The woman on the far right of the first row looks like she could be standing a couple rows higher. I think it would have looked better to have them all mixed in with the dark suits, but the organization looks pretty impromptu.

    • SpaceMountain

      Fellow feds, anyone thinking of applying for unemployment? It appears we are eligible during furlough, but I wonder if there’s a catch.

      • Lavinia

        We’d have to figure out how to pay it back if Congress decides to pay us, but I’m thinking about it.

      • I'm Just Me

        I’m filing on Monday. My agency has said we should not, but I disagree with them. If I am paid later and have to pay it back, I’ll deal with that when necessary.

      • L

        DH did. In the event that back pay is authorized, you’ll have to pay it back. We filed in DC online and it was relatively painless. Hasn’t started yet, but we did Day 1 to avoid backlog.

      • TCFKAG

        The biggest issue in most states with applying for unemployment during furlough is that in many states it can take weeks for unemployment to start and that means unless the shut down is historically long, you won’t receive the unemployment payments until after the furlough is over. Now – you *can* receive unemployment for a temporary unemployment after that unemployment has ended (retroactively), but in the case that Congress pays you (which is relatively likely, if I had to guess) so there’s a real chance you’d be getting a check and having to return it immediately to avoid committing unemployment insurance fraud.

        I mean – none of that is a bar – just make sure you stay on top of it. And be prepared (in some states) to spend A LOT of time on the darn phone.

        • Anonymous

          Why would Congress pay people when they haven’t been working? Personally, you might find it unfair, but it’s reality for many people in the US–things happen out of their control and they don’t get paid. I’d be pretty unhappy if everyone gets paid.

          • TCFKAG

            Um, well many of these furloughed workers are *salaried* employees who are being placed on mandatory leave. So, not paying the is equivalent to cutting their salaries en masse simply because the Congress couldn’t pass the budget. All of these workers are available and willing to work. Not paying them is pretty petty.

          • Wildkitten

            Many people are still working, but just not getting paid. Like, the Capitol Police, who worked pretty damn hard today.

          • I'm Just Me

            We were paid during the previous shut down(s). Am I showing my age in that I was a seasoned fed during the ’95 shutdown?

            I don’t think that those of us who are deemed non-excepted or non-exempt will be paid this time.

          • Avodah

            I kind of agree. Don’t private companies have massive layoffs and hiring freezes all the time?

      • Blonde Lawyer

        I’m pretty sure my state requires someone seeking unemployment to be actively looking for jobs, a certain number per week, registered with a certain number of employment agencies, and able to accept work if offered. I don’t think a furloughed worker could apply here with those requirements.

        • I'm Just Me

          My state does as well, but many states have a temporary layoff/temporary shutdown exception to seeking employment while you are on unemployment during a furlough.

    • emeralds

      Also like that skirt! And I love that the Congresswomen are wearing color.

    • Veronique

      My fav is the woman in the tan suit. It looks like it fits her perfectly. I hate to say it, but in my opinion the skirt suits with bare legs (nude hose) photograph better than pantsuits or skirts with tights.

      • Anonymous

        I don’t even think there’s a question of whether hose look better than tights (in photographs or in person), but its too darn cold in the winter to not wear cozy opaque tights.

      • Susedna

        Ah, we’ll have to agree to disagree, then. :-)

        The Congresswoman wearing the red/black/purple skirt with black tights is totalling rocking her look and is my fave.

  5. Ellen

    I also love these shoe’s! I just showed them to the manageing partner and b/c they are so expensive, he agreed to BUY one pair for ME and one for Margie, and NOT even out of my clotheing allowance!!!! YAY!!!! The manageing partner used to want to give me her old shoe’s but Margie has BUNNION’s! FOOEY! I think he is so nice b/c he want’s me to wear them in court with my FIRE ENGINE RED SUIT and RED LIPSTICK — he knows is freind the the judge LOVES me in RED and BLACK, but this will be for my RED DAY! YAY!!!!!

    I got to text’s from Willem and one from Micheal. Micheal wants to meet me this weekend, but I have been neglecting MYRNA, so I told Micheal I would ask Myrna first, and he said she could come also if we did something. He has to work the deli on Saturday, but is off Sunday, so it has to be Sunday with him. I told him I would text him AFTER I asked Myrna. We were suposed to go walkeing with Roberta in Riverdell, but the weather is suposed to be stinkey, and I do NOT want to get my NIKE shoe’s wet again.

    At lunch, a guy stopped me on 5th Avenue and asked me if I was a model. I smiled and said in my dream’s mabye, but I was a lawyer. When I told him that, he skowled and walked away. We lady lawyer’s have alot of hurdel’s to jump over — men do NOT like women who are smart. They want dumm model type’s who will just agree with whatever they say. FOOEY b/c I have a brain and a personalty of myOWN! I REFUSE to be SUBJUEGATED to a MAN’s wishe’s and desire’s. I want a man who will ask ME what do I want to do, and what do I think about something. Men just want to tell us women everything and we are suposed to accept it JUST b/c they are MEN? FOOEY on that! I am standeing up to men who want to control me. Even Dad has to learn that I am in charge of MY OWN DESTENY! YAY!!!!!!

  6. manomanon

    I’m having semi-emergency surgery tomorrow and have 2 questions for you lovely ladies.
    1) What do you do with your valuable stuff if you’re alone- I don’t love the idea of leaving my cell phone and potentially my ereader without a person for 4 hours in a hospital- any tips?
    2) What are some good shows either currently on television or on Netflix that I can watch this weekend and in the long period of not being able to walk that I’m about to start on?

    • posey

      serious shows: Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad
      fun show: How I Met Your Mother

      • sweetknee

        I also liked House of Cards on Netflix. It’s a political thriller type show. If you don’t watch Scandal, that’s a good one too, if to do nothing more than lust after the main character’s wardrobe. I think it is on Netflix, at least the first season.

      • belils

        I had never watched How I Met Your Mother until I had surgery a while back, and watched every.single.episode available on Netflix in the weeks following surgery. Highly recommend it for that purpose.

        • posey

          yeah, it’s a really good brain-candy show; the first few seasons are funny and intelligent enough to keep you interested, but not so hard to follow that you have to pay tons of attention.

      • LizNYC

        I’m putting a plug in for Arrested Development — the 4th season may differ wildly from the 1st 3 seasons, but I thought it was hilarious. Plus, it’s not your usual comedy — jokes / visual gags run across episodes / seasons, so you have to pay attention to catch them all.

        • abogada

          Better off Ted. Ally McBeal.

          Arrested Development reminded me because they all have Portia di Rossi.

    • AMB

      When I had day surgery a while ago they provided a locker in which to leave things, with a key going on one of the stretchy bracelets that go around your wrist. You could call the unit and ask.

      Scandal, Nashville, West Wing, Downton Abbey, Gilmore Girls are some of my favourites of both current and past shows… or if you’re watching on the computer check out ‘The Great British/Australian/American Bake Off’ series which are almost all on YouTube!

      • SunnyD

        I had the same experience with the locker when I had a day surgery and was alone. It was a small locker, but big enough to hold my clothes and purse while I was in surgery.

        Hope your procedure goes well!

      • manomanon

        Thank you! That is really reassuring- I’m glad there is some sort of protocol for this.

    • Veronique

      Some if my favs (that haven’t been mentioned already) are Bones, Castle, Person of Interest, Elementary, Sherlock, Luther, Modern Family, and I’ve just started getting into Sheild.

    • manomanon

      Thanks for all the show recommendations! I now have a lot more to look forward too.
      I adore Scandal and am iffy on House of Cards, West Wing I’ve seen all the way through a few hundred times- it may be worth watching again though….

      How I Met Your Mother sounds like a good choice- I think brain candy is key at least for the weekend.

      • Lynnet

        My current favorite brain candy show is Switched at Birth. Yea, it’s ABC Family, but it’s super addicting. Downside, a number of scenes are in sign language, so you have to be able to read the subtitles.

    • zora

      Scrubs is another one that is funny and has MANY seasons, so it kills a lot of time.

      Good luck! I got a LOT of tv watched when I had a few weeks recovering from outpatient. And always come here and bug us if you are bored and want someone to talk to! ;o)

    • Susedna

      All of my favorite fun series have already been mentioned, but just wanted to wish you good luck and a speedy recovery on the surgery!

    • abogada

      Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife, Law & Order, Gilmore Girls, Skins (UK tv series on Netflix), Vikings, Rome

    • Senior Attorney

      I just had outpatient surgery a month ago and since I’m now living alone, I spent the first two nights in an aftercare facility. It was expensive ($750/night) but included meals and nursing care and most important peace of mind during the time I was the most uncomfortable and incapacitated. I don’t know what your plan is, but you might want to look into something like that. It was totally, totally, totally worth it.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      Most of my favs have already been covered, but if you don’t mind violence and enjoy hot bikers, Sons of Anarchy. I can’t even describe to you how much I love Charlie Hunnam.

      Oh, also, Weeds! It gets a little stupid around the 4th season, but it’s from the same person who’s now doing Orange is the New Black, and Mary Louise Parker is charming in it. (Plus, Weeds is completely over, so it’s something you can watch from beginning to end and not have to worry about keeping up with post-recovery.)

    • Calibrachoa

      Well I jsut threw my CV at a company. Hope it sticks…. Doubt it will.

      It sucks knowing that I will most likely never work for tha company because my education is not up to their standard.. and even if I overcame that, there is someone in there who would do his very best to make sure they will never hire me.

    • eek

      Good luck to you – I hope everything goes well. If you’re alone, I suspect the hospital has procedures in place.

    • Katie

      I just binge-watched Breaking Bad. It’s not everyone’s taste, but I loved it. If you want something light and funny, The New Girl is good.

      • Katie

        Oh, and both Mad Men and Parks and Rec are on Netflix. Sherlock is good, too. I also get a kick out of watching old episodes of Murder She Wrote. Angela Lansbury is like Honey Badger.

  7. NYC

    I’m embarrassed to admit that I bought my first infinity scarf and am in love with it. I always thought they were “too easy” and would only wear regular scarves (squares or rectangles). But this thing is awesome!

    • SunnyD

      There is a woman in my office wearing an infinity scarf today. Except she didn’t loop it around; instead it’s just hanging down below her crotch in a huge circle. Other than this one-off look, I think they can look quite cute!

      • eek

        That’s dangerous. I would get that caught on my arm rest, on my gear shift, and well, pretty much anything.

      • SA

        Someone in my office wore one not looped but starting on her head. It wasn’t religious or anything, it was just odd. I love the infinity scarf normally and have an obscene amount of them.

  8. Anonymous

    Reposting for potentially higher visibility/more comments:

    Finance TJ re IRAs

    I need to roll over my 401K with a former employer to an IRA either with the same company (a “wealth management company”) or another place like my bank (USAA) or somewhere else (Fidelity?). How do I decide where my IRA should live? FWIW, I will be the only contributing to this new IRA for the next two-three years – my employer does not have a retirement plan that it will contribute to, or that I could contribute two on my own (USG in temporary position).

    • Sarabeth

      Roll it over to a low-fee provider. Vanguard is the classic option, Fidelity might also be fine. I bank with USAA, too, but their investment products are not really competitive on fees with Vanguard.

      • L in DC

        I was going to say exactly the same thing as Sarabeth. USAA fees are too high. Go with Vanguard or Fidelity and put it in a mix of index funds.

          • Baby DC Attorney

            I’m with Fidelity, and I *think* though I am no expert, the fees refer to how much it costs you to trade the funds. For example, I think when I purchased my pre-mixed portfolio targeted retirement fund, it might have cost under $10. I think every time you go to purchase into a new fund, you pay a fee. Other companies, I’m assuming, charge more and may charge you additional fees for holding and managing your money. FWIW, I have loved Fidelity. Their minimum to begin trading is only $500 and their telephone customer service is fantastic.

        • OP

          Thanks – what kind of fees should I be keeping an eye out for? I am a taking-charge-of-finances novice ;)

          • Hel-lo

            This is where I plug my Edward Jones financial advisor. She takes care of me and answers all my questions. She keeps my money making money for me. :) (First time you meet and get acquainted is usually free, and she can help you decide what to do with your money.)

    • MJ

      I just rolled to Schwab. The process was _painless_. Their customer service is the best. And they have access to tons of great options. I’ve also held rolled stuff at eTrade. Their customer service was less stellar, but they also had great investment options.

  9. KinCA

    Good news: I found out yesterday that I’m being promoted at year end! They typically wait to announce these things until December/January, but my boss has been so pleased with my recent performance that he wanted me to know that my promotion was a lock. It’s also the fastest anyone on my team has ever been promoted, so I’m pretty excited.

    Bad news: My colleague has started to seriously resent my success at my firm. He’s 8 years older than me and has been here over 6 years, with just one promotion after 5 years (the promotion that I recently found out I’ve earned in less than 18 months). We will soon be at the exact same level, and I’ve noticed he’s seriously started to undermine me or talk to me in a disrespectful way, especially now that I’m starting to get accolades for my work. Yesterday, he started doing some of my job responsibilities without telling me, and when I asked him to talk with me about it before taking things like that on, he snapped at me that he’s “been here over five years and was doing these things long before I came around”. Any thoughts on how to address this in a polite yet firm way? I work REALLY closely with him, so I need to maintain some type of working relationship with him.

    • Ellen

      YAY! Congrat’s and Hug’s to you. Remember that some smaller Men get testey when we are showing them up. It is not easy to deal with a guy who is a DOOSH. Just rise ABOVE THE PETTYNESS, but let him know that you know he is doeing these thing’s and you do NOT like it. Tell him You do not want to do anything to hurt him, and you want to PRESERVE the relationship, but he HAS to face it –HE is NOT on the FAST TRACK and YOU ARE, and he has to learn it, know it, and LIVE IT, b/c you may well become HIS boss some day and you want him to know that you do NOT like DOOSHE’s working for you.

      If you are QUEEZIE saying all this, just send him a HYPERLINK TO this POST, b/c peeople sometime’s find it easier just to POINT to something someone ELSE SAID.

      When I was dateing Alan, he had the same issue’s. As I was riseing up through the rank’s with the manageing partner, he was DESCENDEING into ALCOHOLISM. So every time I came home with some exciteing news, all he did was drink, burp, then vomit when he drank to much. As I said before, b/c he chose the bottel over me, I finaly decided to give him the HEEVE HO, sendeing him packeing.

      That is kind of what you need to do with this guy if he keep’s up the doosh act. The only diference is you have a manageing partner you can go to. In personal lives, we have to do this all by ourself. FOOEY!

    • Susedna

      Congrats on the promotion!

      As for your resentful colleague — document, document, document. And no, he doesn’t get to talk to you in a disrespectful way. Call him on it, firmly but politely. It’s unacceptable. It may also be a violation of your company’s code of conduct (if there are HR brochures or if you have an internal website, you can check there, assuming your company has a large enough HR dept.)

      Of course, you don’t want to escalate, but don’t take any guff from him.

      You say: “I work REALLY closely with him, so I need to maintain some type of working relationship with him.”

      Yes, but the flipside is true. He needs to work really closely with you, so he’d better watch himself. You can f—- him right back if he really does try to play games. Never let a bully, especially one who is a peer in rank and influence (unless he’s wildly popular with management, in which case, all bets are off) make you believe that he has all the power.

      • Avodah

        Don’t play games. I agree w/ the first portion of this comment, but I somewhat disagree with, ” He needs to work really closely with you, so he’d better watch himself. You can f—- him right back if he really does try to play games. ”
        Respond firmly and politely to nasty comments. Document and take it to a colleague or supervisor. And, for gosh sakes, have mercy.
        The guy probably feels like you-know-what right now. If you can find the strength (I know it is tough), compliment him and give him small additional responsibilities. He might be nicer if he feels valued.

        • Susedna

          “Have mercy.” Yes, but let’s be judicious about where it’s applied.

          Well. I think a certain amount of mercy should be given, but beyond that it’s earned. I think it’s ironic that we often complain that women suffer under the expectation to be nice, but when people encroach on us, then, any reminder that we have many options (including a tougher reaction) is always met with reproach.

          This guy could be viewed as having tried to be aggressive, pushing into KinCA’s turf. First, he did stuff that she normally does. He’s not a new employee (precisely the opposite), so he knows exactly what he’s doing here. Second, when he’s asked about it, as well he should be, he responds negatively, a second aggressive gesture.

          He’s not earning any mercy with his behaviour. I didn’t say she should kick his @ss, but if he does want to play games, rolling over and “killing him with niceness” is sometimes the wrong answer. It’s not what you want to hear, but sometimes, yes, you have to play games back or crack skulls if someone’s getting out of hand. I’m not saying he is, but he’s testing the boundaries, and he needs to be nicely, but firmly warned off. That, is the act of mercy.

          The flipside is — if someone had posted saying they did what this guy did, 10 posters would have called her out for being out of line and stepping on this guy’s toes. So let’s try not to have a double standard when a woman’s toes are being stepped on.

          • Avodah

            Let me know how that works out for you. I’ll stick with having a polite spine and escalating problems to the appropriate parties before I play games.

          • Susedna

            Several promotions later, it’s worked fine for me – so thanks for asking.

            And the reality is, in certain industries and companies, that’s what’s necessary to not get run over by aggressive people, or immaturely-acting-out people.

          • Avodah

            I’m sure your career is fantastic. I don’t disagree that sometimes you need to be really firm and, frankly, the “bad guy”. I do, however, disagree with “f*cking” with people and “playing games”.

            I guess I just don’t work in an industry or at a company where playing games and being an immature jerk is what helps people get ahead.

          • Susedna

            Hey Avodah, I’m glad you work in a nicer industry. :-)

            Again, I don’t want people to think that I think playing games is The Solution, or the right answer all the time. It *is* one of the last-ditch options. And I prefer to keep all options on the table. And even in ‘nice industries’ there is the occasional jerk who is allowed by senior management to be, well, jerky.

            And sometimes, after bearing the brunt of their micro (and not-so-micro) aggressions, the only way to get them to stop is to do the same to them. Bullies are usually savvy about measuring the costs and benefits of tormenting or taking advantage of someone. If they perceive that suddenly the cost is too high for the benefit, they often leave you alone. Standing firm is my default option, but sometimes that is just not enough for certain workplace bullies. They have to get burned really badly and get thwarted in something they want, and then they finally back the f off. You cannot always depend on senior management to (1) referee these disputes and (2) judge them fairly.

            In some workplaces, senior management want to see if their line managers have this ability to really stick it to someone, and purposely refuse to come to the help of someone’s who’s the target of a turf-attack. I’m not saying this is right, but this is often what happens. It’s a test. Not everyone wants to pass this test, as you rightly point out, but I really think this option should be acknowledged. I also see it more broadly as fighting against the expectation that women should always be nice.

          • Avodah

            @Susedna, now that you explain it, I agree a little more. I interpreted your original comment to mean one should be manipulative from the get-go. Sometimes bullies (a true bully, not just a difficult, weird or dour person) need to be put in their place. They must get their butt kicked in order for them to stop.

            IMHO- People, esp. women, should be taught how to handle those situations when they arise.

    • Anonymous

      A little empathy might help here. This man probably feels inadequate and passed over, rightly or wrongly. Does he do his work well? Is he respected in the organization? You will be judged, rightly or wrongly, on how you handle this. An attitude of helpfulness, understanding, and maturity will go much further than counting points of who got promoted in who much time. Frankly, if I was your supervisor, this post would concern me that you aren’t mature enough for the new role.

      • LH

        +1 It’s not a race. It’s great that you’re getting promoted and you seem to be doing a stellar job but your post comes off to me as incredibly condescending towards this guy (“just one promotion in 5 years…I’ve earned in 18 months”). At least in my experience, people who’ve been around longer often do know things that newer people don’t & acting like you are this guy’s superior just because you’ve been promoted faster is likely to tick a lot of people off and possibly harm your career.

        • LH

          Also keep in mind that there may be external reasons someone is held back from a promotion – for example, the economy has been in the toilet for the last few years so that might explain why someone who deserved to be promoted in 2008 didn’t get a promotion until 2011 or so (not saying that’s the case here of course – just something keep in mind that there are a lot of things that go into promotion decisions besides competence of the employee).

      • Cimorene

        I didn’t really get that she was being condescending toward him – I read the “just one” promotion as actually empathetic–what she thinks he might be feeling based on his actions toward her. But regardless, I agree with the ideas that taking the high road is better here–while also documenting anything harmful. Being respectful with coworkers is the best course in just about every situation, but that also includes respecting yourself. You can’t be a doormat, but you can call him out on any inappropriate behavior in a way that gives him the benefit of the doubt rather than comes out and accuses him of trying to undermine you. He likely isn’t even trying to undermine YOU per se, but rather show the boss that HE is capable and effective.

        And congrats on the promotion!

    • Hel-lo

      I agree to take the high road. He’s probably not feeling respected. (And they may have told him about your promotion before they told you.) Respect him and his experience.

      Remember Tina Fey’s advice – go over, around, under, through.

  10. TCFKAG

    Paging a poster whose anon email involves unicorns and pixies – if you go to my blog there is something waiting for you. And for everyone else, if you’re looking for some fun fall accessories – there’s stuff for you too.

    Which leads me to a question. I’m back in the hospital (this time probably with a torn rotator cuff or maybe something else in my shoulder…don’t ask me how I manage these things.) What is your favorite item you’ve bought this fall? I’m looking for ideas.

    I’m torn between this great sheer secretary blouse (you know with the bow front) I got at Nordies that has an owl print (its beautiful and the owl print is subtle enough that it is still professional). I also got this Vince Camuto dress in green and black stripes with side panels that give me curves, its super flattering. I’ll put a link in the next post to avoid mod-botting.

      • TCFKAG

        Aaaack, how could I forget my new leather jacket – that I love more than life. Its very like this one, in burgundy, but it has a couple of different features (I got it at the Rack and I think its last season – for example, it has the ribbing at the elbows too – and I got a smoking deal, but that’s neither here not there.)

        http://tinyurl.com/opofu9p

        • Gail the Goldfish

          My friend has what I think is that exact jacket in tan and I was coveting it the other day, but she said she got it at I think the Rack or Loehmann’s months ago when they were clearing out last year’s coats. Did you get your’s recently? I may have to stop by the Rack on the way home and browse.

    • NOLA

      Sorry about the shoulder! I had my shoulder scoped right after the big K because I had a spur on the shoulder blade. Worst pain ever. I was waking up at night crying from the pain. I hope it’s not a tear!

      I bought a couple of tunics that look like short dresses with pockets from Soma. I’ve been wearing them with leggings and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments.

      • NOLA

        Oh, and even though there’s no possible way I can wear them yet, I did buy Ros Hommerson knee high wide calf boots from 6PM. I bought them last year in suede and returned them because they looked too piratey, but the leather look great! I just need to take them to a cobbler and get the cuffs tacked down because I have no plans to wear them OTK.

    • OCAssociate

      So sorry you’re back in the hospital.

      What do you wear over the Vince Camuto dress? Cardigan? Blazer?

      I haven’t done a ton of fall shopping, but my favorite new item so far is the JCrew patch pocket pencil skirt.

      • TCFKAG

        Well – the first time I wore it was to a party so I just wore it straight up. But when I tried it on in the store I put a black blazer over it, I believe, and it looked pretty good. I’m not *entirely* sold on it for work yet, but I think it’ll work when appropriately styled with a blazer, conservative accessories, and such. We’ll see. (I’ve been sick basically constantly since I bought it so I haven’t gotten to experiment with it yet!)

  11. DC Association

    I have a black strapless c*cktail dress with a self-belt (link to follow, found the exact dress thanks to google!). I’m going to an event next week and thinking I could get a nicer/cooler/fun belt to wear with this but am wondering…should I get a belt that’s embellished all around? something black with a funky clasp (bejeweled or embroidered, whathaveyou)? I’m not sure. Or, just get a nicer plain black belt? Or is it a who cares kinda thing and just wear the belt that comes with it? Just looking to make it a little more exciting, I guess.

    Thoughts from the hive? Thanks!

  12. Nonny

    Formal review in 2 hours. Oh God. I am still panicky even though I’ve been trying to calm myself down for the past 2 days. I so hate reviews….

    • Nonny

      Reporting back. Everything was fine. Of course. As usual. I don’t know why I always get myself so worried about these things.

      We also talked about my mat leave top-up and I reiterated that I want to become a partner here, which they were glad to hear (again) and I think may result in a better mat leave package…

      Phew.

  13. Interviewing with the DA

    Any tips, other than reviewing CrimPro? I’m trying to switch from civil litigation.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      Google DA Interview Hypotheticals – it’s quite common to be asked hypos during DA interviews. Also, review the rules on professional ethics in your state, particularly if there are any specific to prosecutors – I’ve interviewed in several DA offices, and it came up every time.

    • anon

      Also, its likely that you will be interviewed by a panel of people, rather than a series of 1:1 interviews. Also, unlike other types of recruiting I did, they often are purposfully confrontational and try to rattle you during the interview, to see how you will hold up under fire in court.

    • anon in tejas

      prepare an opening statement. I was given this task in my second interview. My experience was family law matters, so they said that it could be for a family law case. I had about 2 minutes to think it through and start talking.

      also if you are in a code intensive part of civil practice. talk about how you solve problems/issues by first looking to the code, and then case law. Talking about how you tackle a problem other than how much LAW you know. Also, focus on some of the civil/criminal similarities. I.e. rules of evidence for hearsay, and a couple of other major areas are the same. Stress your knowledge about that as well.

    • Hel-lo

      They also want to hear about how/why you are dedicated to public service. Why working for the prosecutors/the people of your state is something you’re willing to give up firm pay for. (And the answer is not, “So I can run for office/judge later.”)

    • Been there

      I just switched from civil myself. They wanted to know if I loved trial work (I do), whether I could handle a heavy criminal case load, and if I could think fast on my feet.

  14. Anonymous

    I am interested in two different attorney jobs with the same state division. Apply to both means a cover letter to the same person. Do I do two cover letters? Do I mention I applied for the other job to? Or just pick which one I am most interested in? Same qualifications for each

    • Wildkitten

      I’d do two cover letters tailoring your skills and experience to each job. Just don’t say anything like “This is the ONE job for me!” They’ll be comparing you to the other applicants for each job, not to yourself.

    • Aggie

      Caveat – I’ve never worked in the public sector. So take my advice with a grain of rice.

      If I were applying for both jobs, I would write two cover letters and reference both of your applications in each. Indicate that you are very interested in working in the particular division and anxious to work in whatever capacity you could.

      I anticipate that you are not the only person applying to both positions.

  15. sa

    If you respond to my ad for a contract attorney with a cover letter addressed “dear sirs” I will assume you aren’t talking to me and respond accordingly.

  16. Hobbs

    I was all thrilled to get an email about Hobbs’s new US website, and they do now have reasonable shipping (USD $5 instead of USD $30), but they still require the customer to pay the import duties – huge bummer. The one time I ordered from their UK website the import duties brought the price up at least 20% and you have no idea what it will be – you just get a bill.

  17. zora

    Gah! My microwave just tried to explode while i was trying to melt butter. And I am in the middle of a giant baking project for my coworker’s last day tomorrow. WHHHYYYYYYYY???!!?!1!!1!

  18. Amberwitch

    Whoa. Just told a direct report that I didn’t trust him to man a strategic platform due to his performance and the feedback I had gotten on his work on this platform so far. He didn’t agree, and thought it unfair. I’ve only been his supervisor for a few months, so I don’t have a lot of history with him. But the firm is under a lot of pressure to perform, and as far as I can tell, he isn’t. And there are no room for second chances at this point. Still, it is difficult.

    Thanks for letting me vent – at the end of yeaterdays post it probably won’t bother anyone;-)

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