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Gaaaaaaaaaah. Want. The brand Sentaler is new to me as far as it goes for fancier coats, but I, of course, absolutely love this rich blue alpaca version. The ribbed detailing on the cuffs is ahmahzing — they have a shorter coat where the entire sleeve is ribbed. (Also: this wrap coat with the fairytale hood is also amazing.)
(I feel like I just saw someone writing about how certain hoods are those deep dramatic hoods like out of fairytales or sci fi/fantasy movies, but I'm blanking on the exact term — does anyone know?)
Anyway: this coat is lovely, and $2095 at Saks.
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Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
Anon
I love this coat. I am shaped like a barrel, or whatever the opposite of hourglass is. I have a knee-length wool coat with no defined waist, as I don’t have a defined waist and wanted to emphasize vertical lines. But maybe a belt would make it look less blocky-rectangle? I feel like I’d like a second coat anyway as the arms are a bit short (I notice once it gets cold).
What is a good $500 version of this?
Cat
FWIW, I think wrap styles like this aren’t great for more rectangular figures. Wrapping a tight belt around the waist doesn’t give you a narrower waist.
I think an A-line coat with no belt would give you the shape you’re looking for.
Anon
Can confirm it looks very bathrobe-y on an apple shape.
Before middle age gave me the apple shape, I was sort of a voluptuous hourglass with hips bigger than bust (not a pear because I also had a substantial bust.) I felt this shape should have worked for me but whenever I belted anything tightly around my relatively narrow waist, I felt it emphasized how much my hips jutted out. Maybe this was also a bit of self loathing, but I remember not buying a gorgeous alpaca Max Mara wrap coat at a consignment store for this reason.
pugsnbourbon
Just a tad greener and it’d be the perfect coat for Serena Waterford.
Anon
I adore her teal wardrobe. Under his eye.
OfAnon
You might like the color palette of Severance – App1e TV
Blessed be the fruit
Curious
y’all are winning the internet today
Anon
Meghan Markle has worn Sentaler coats and they are always stunning. Wish they were in my budget!
Anon
Wow. I buy experiences, not stuff, but this coat is GORGEOUS.
Senior Attorney
Heh that coat IS an experience!
Anon
Touche :)
Vicky Austin
In the way that only a beautiful coat can be!
Anokha
seriously.
anon
Man, that’s a beautiful coat. I live in a subtropical climate with about 5 days/year when one would need a coat. I cannot afford this, and I don’t own any clothing this expensive. But I wish I had a reason and the means to buy this coat.
Anon
Does no one else think it looks like a bathrobe?
Anon
I do! But I did have a coworker who made a coat like this look amazing…
Smokey
On me, that often is the problem with a wrap style coat.
Anon Aussie
The big lapels prevent that but it might still feel bathrobe-y, which might be nice!
Anonymous
I think wrap coats tend to look like bathrobes unless they are black, camel, or patterned, nip in a bit at the waist, have a notched collar, and don’t have cuffs or patch pockets. This one is flirting with being a robe because of the color, the cuff detail, and the straight shape.
Anne-on
They sometimes go on deep sale at Saks/Outnet/etc. I have drooled over these since Princess Kate and Princess Meghan wore them for cold weather appearances. Not that they’re ‘cheap’ but I think the Fold’s coats (Finchley and Richmond), as well as Mackage’s coats are comporable and closer to $800-$1200.
Anon
I own a few coats that are, to my eye, equally gorgeous, one cashmere and one suri alpaca. Both were purchased used and were bargains, although by no means free. Both are worth every penny and I feel amazing every time I wear one, which is very often during the winter.
Anon
I have an alpaca scarf in this color, so that will have to do. I do love it though.
Anon
Dh and I are going to Switzerland for 7 days in June, sans kids, flying into Zurich. We want to travel around and see as much of the country as we can (since with kids we usually have a slower pace of travel and base ourselves in one place), but I’m overwhelmed because it looks like there are so many beautiful towns to visit. Any suggestions for a rough itinerary? Priorities are hiking, beautiful scenery and good food.
NYCer
Definitely recommend Lucerne and Lugano. We traveled by train between the two. We also really liked Interlaken.
Geneva is in a beautiful area too, but is on the opposite side of the country, so likely would be too much for 7 days.
Anon
It is at the other end of the country, but Switzerland is also a very small country. I think it’s doable.
Vicky Austin
I was able to go as a teen with my family and Lucerne and Interlaken made such an impression on me. We were home-based out of a tiny village and these were day trips, so going into the countryside near there would be beautiful too. I think we stayed near a little town called Meiringen.
anonshmanon
less than 3 hrs on a train!
NYCer
The distance isn’t my point. 7 days will fly by in a combo of Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne and Lugano….
Anon
Do a lot of research on the hikes you are planning (unless perhaps you are an extremely experienced hiker?). I got myself into a pickle on a trail that was a lot tougher (and icier) than I expected. I went 8 or 10 years ago so I don’t remember the details but I remember there being an incredible old library in a town that was very much worth a visit (I know that doesn’t help).
Anonymous
Lunersee/Schesaplana is on the border of Austria and Switzerland. The summit is quite hikeable if you are in reasonable shape.
Explorette
You are correct, almost every town is beautiful! And, almost every town has amazing hiking. I did the Haute route last year and the entire thing was awesome. St. Niklaus was really cool. Zermatt and Verbier are great, but also very touristy. Everything is accessible by train and bus.
CMS
Oooh, this is for me. We did 12 days in Switzerland/Italy this summer (July). Me, DH and son (8). We went Zurich, Lucerne, Wengen, Zermatt, Lake Como, Milan. Did all by train with the Swiss Pass, which was awesome and really made the trip (kids are free when travelling with adults with a Swiss Pass). We spent about two days in each place, but if I did it over again, I would spend more time in Wengen and Zermatt than Zurich and Lucerne. Wengen and Zermatt also had the best hiking by our standards. Definitely agree that planning your hikes in advance is key. Here are a few hikes/sites we loved that you can take a look at: Mt. Pilatus round trip, Royal Walk, Panorama Trail, Mt. Schilthorn, Trummelback Falls, Glacier Paradise
I found this site really helpful when planning: https://www.myswissalps.com/
Anon
Where can I get a coat this length, belted, with a looser fit for under $500? The Toteme Belted Long Wool Robe Coat
would be my dream, but I can’t stomach paying $1200 for something I may not wear as often as my Uniqlo puffer.
pugsnbourbon
Hmm. Would this work? https://naadam.co/products/luxe-merino-cashmere-tie-waist-coat?gclid=Cj0KCQjw48OaBhDWARIsAMd966CkAspojg9y-XC2CNJqjlgVD7-gwqQNbBhA24QXZ2Q-9jK3xtjV418aArkxEALw_wcB&variant=39521296449632
Anon
That looks more like a sweater (I have a 2017 MMLF one that is similar) than a coat. You’re sure it’s a coat?
Anon
Have you looked at Banana Republic? They always have good coats.
Anon Aussie
Check consignment stores and Poshmark.
Today’s pick is absolutely gorgeous, alpaca is so warm and I love the colour and the big deep collar. I don’t love a belted coat, because I would often catch the belt in the car door (once took my car to the mechanic because of a thumping noise until I realised it was my coat belt banging against the outside of the car!) but maybe you are more graceful than me.
Anon
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/belted-wool-blend-coat/6861085?color=CAMEL&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=seo_shopping&utm_channel=low_nd_seo_shopping
or
https://www.elietahari.com/products/double-face-maxi-wrap-coat-6420606-camel?&variant=40658445500553&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw48OaBhDWARIsAMd966A5u0nai6WqRWytO_U4XxkI9oDdWAKGwTFzhbX36XwMT54hTjdEVd0aAv3vEALw_wcB
NYNY
This isn’t under $500, but it’s so pretty:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/product/reiss-agnes-long-belted-coat-0400017550433.html?dwvar_0400017550433_color=BLUE
For under $500, look at Aritzia.
Celia
Omg this Reiss coat is incredible and I absolutely ordered it! THANK YOU!!!!!
Curious
Late in the day, but Nordstrom Rack possibly. There are some at mine.
New role
I posted recently that I just joined an IT consulting company after years in academia. Today I got contacted by a manager for my first mission at a client. I joined as a data analyst but the assignement is not on data and is rather from the pure consulting arm of this company. It involves collecting information on available data under the ESG theme. So there’s really not any working with data per se, but filling in Excel sheets with text data and preparing powerpoints. The manager in charge of staffing sent me a message that I would start with this team next week. So I found myself on the spot since at the moment I have only an internal project I am working on but no client project. My worry is that I would be not working with data which is what I hoped to do in this job ang given its my launching pad, it could set the tone for future missions. While I am open to going out of my comfort zone, during the discussion with the manager and the person I would be replacing who leaves on another project in December; the manager said she is 4 months pregnant and would likely be going on leave in Feb/March. So this makes me uneasy because I wonder if the rush here is because she is in a hurry to set things up before year end. Also that if I potentially do this for 6 months as they said, it might be hard to get back to data in a few months. The contract with the client is up for renewal in December, and if renewed the expectation is for another 6 months. There are regular checkins with one’s manager at this organisation but I would also like input from those with experience in consulting on what I should keep in mind if I find I am really not enjoying this project.As much as I know people have said no to projects in this company, I know the company always prefers when you are billing a client. FWIW I was chosen for this mission because my background is in environmental research. Thanks in advance
Anon
Would this project be 100% of your time for the next however many months, or would there be time if another project came along that would allow you to work on what you really want to work on?
FWIW, if this gig is anything like my experience at the Big 4 (the big American – though international – accounting firms – KPMG, EY, Deloitte, PWC), no matter what they say they hired you for and what your expertise is, it’s always about data entry. Ugh.
OP
OP here: From speaking to the manager I believe it would be 100% of my time, especially coming from a non-finance background I will be learning alot of new things, so not sure I would even find the time to do any other project on the side. Also the other detail is that you work on a laptop the bank provides at their site 2 or 3 days a week, Other times it can be remote or at our company office, I mention this because of course I would not put any other material on the bank’s laptop.
There is no data entry– at least from what I saw from the example the current person on the project showed me today. It is most likely, “Data on X is on this website or can be obtained from this source” in an Excel spreadsheet along with more details on said data source all stored in Excel spreadsheets. Plus the slides prepared for project meetings etc.
Nina
I think you do have to make sure this project is not 100% of your time. It’s okay if its part of the time, but if its all of it it’ll be very hard to get off. When I was at one of the Big 4 a lot of first years were put on a similar project and it was very hard for them to get off.
Anon
The grunt work needs to be done. Any company that has entry level people is going to shuttle the grunt work their way. You’re an unknown variable at this point. You haven’t done client facing work yet. You haven’t done any external work at all yet. Do well on this and it may lead to chances for you to do more substantive work in the future. At this point they’re just making sure you’re a good employee. Be one.
Anon
+1 I’m not sure why any of this is surprising to you. I’ve never worked in consulting and this is exactly what I would expect.
Cat
Yeah, this is where you prove that you can be trusted in front of a client with a smaller role, which if done well, helps you get better ones.
OfAnon
I had an admin once who held a BA in French Lit. She kept saying that the work she was assigned wasn’t “in her field.” We worked for an insurance company. I don’t know what she was expecting.
Anon
Also? Consulting isn’t academia. It’s not always interesting and exactly what you want to do. You also should get used to PPT.
Anonymous
Yep. I also moved from consulting to academia, and this is typical, especially if you didn’t do contract work with the consulting firm before coming on full time. They need to make sure that you are willing to learn processes, that your work is up to par and that you can be trusted in front of clients. Client-facing work is very different. You should expect a ramp-up period that may be longer than you expect because learning to do things at a for-profit pace in the ways for-profit entities work is very different than academia. Also, you mention text data. That is data. You will be touching data.
Anon
If you work as a consultant, you need to be flexible because that is how that works go. Don’t think “I only do X, this is not X.” My suggestion would be that for each project/client, identify what you can learn to help you get better in the long term. The things you will learn from this assignment will probably make you a better consultant. If you are already good with data, you probably don’t need to develop the skill but looking at crappy data and making sense out of it and then talking about it to clients is the reason why people hire consultants.
Also, you will have projects and clients you don’t enjoy as a consultant and if that is an issue for you, you should consider doing something else. Not all project and clients should suck but you have to accept that some will.
oak parker
Finally going to bite the bullet and do laser hair removal – as much as I can afford. I am very hairy.
Any Chicagoans able to recommend a place? I would like to try to find someplace west of the city. I live in Oak Park. I fear most recs will be on the North side…. and I would like to avoid traveling that far since I think it will take a lot of visits.
I will probably start with legs (full), but if that goes well, I will move to arms/feet/hands/stomach etc..
Anon
I’m in NYC but just wanted to say laser is the best! Wish I did it sooner. I got full leg, bikini and under arms. Will probably get more done. I’m sure you know this, but it can be a little painful! Still, best thing ever!
SE Oak Parker
Are you on the OP working moms Facebook group? They’re like the mafia and my go to doe questions like this. If you’re not on it, I’m happy to check and report back.
oak parker
Hi SE Oak Parker!
No, I’m not on Facebook, and would be thrilled if you could check for me. Thank you so much!
Anon
I recently found out that some brands run their own resale (maybe I’m late to this??). I’m exploring the sites for MM Lafleur and Coclico. Has anyone purchased through such a site and how was your experience? Are there any brands that do this that you’ve liked?
Marketiere
Brass Clothing!
Anonymous
I purchased through the MMLF Second Act and it was as good or better than Ebay or Poshmark. I had several MMLF pieces that I was able to replace when I went up a size.
pugsnbourbon
I think Eileen Fisher does this.
Anon
They do. I just bought a “reconditioned” jacket at an Eileen Fisher brick and mortar store.
Anon
This is an absolutely gorgeous pick and the color is divine.
Anonymous
I posted earlier about being stuck in my super niche in-house counsel role. For various reasons, moving around in my org is unlikely to happen. I want to explore other roles I might be qualified for with my slightly unusual background and I also very actively want to make a job change sooner than later. Would it be more productive to work with a career counselor or a recruiter? I’ve never worked with either.
Chl
Career counselor. Recruiters prefer people that are clear matches and easy to place.
anon
Neither a career counselor nor a recruiter but also an in-house lawyer. If you ever need a listening ear/sounding board, please drop a burner email & I’d be happy to connect!
Anonymous
That would be great. ette travel at outlook. Thank you!
Indy spa
Any recommendation for a mani/pedi in Indianapolis? lean fancy/splurge. I’m going for the week of thanksgiving and plan to take an afternoon to myself for that and a bookshop/coffee shop break. Thank you!
Anon
Not sure of a spa in the city since I live in the burbs, but I would highly recommend a visit to the Cake Bake Shop on your solo day out. A very cute place with delicious (albeit expensive) baked goods.
pugsnbourbon
+1
Anon
Do you know what area/ side of town you want to be on, or does it matter? I like Woodhouse Day spa in Carmel or Fishers. The Village Spa in Carmel is also good. If you want to be in Indy proper I can ask around.
Sybil
Woodhouse Day Spa – has locations in Carmel, Zionsville, and downtown. It’s lovely. Second the Cake Bake rec.
Anon
I’m going to Cancun in December. Flights and hotel are booked but we still need to book transportation to and from the resort. Any suggestions? Private company or go through the resort? I’m not sure if they all offer transportation. Also, I keep hearing how dangerous Cancun is right now. Has anyone been there recently or can comment? I’m thinking don’t leave the resort but my partner is more open to exploring.
Anon
We were there in August. We used USA Transfers for airport transfers and it was very smooth and fast.
I generally prefer to stick to the resort when I go to Cancun, both for safety reasons and because I go there for a lazy, chilled out vacation, but my sense is that you’re probably ok in touristy areas in the daytime. On our last trip my husband and MIL took my daughter to the aquarium and a mall during the day. I wouldn’t want to go out at night or way off the beaten path.
Formerly Lilly
Kalido is good. I’ve used them numerous times. Honest, clean vehicles, on time, no insane driving, etc. I think they’ve phased them out now but we once got a return transfer in a new Mercedes sedan because no SUV was available. As for Cancun, Cancun the town on the mainland can be very iffy, but Cancun the hotel zone is pretty much fine, in a use your common sense sort of way.
Anon
I was the person who posted late yesterday about when to move on from a new job/company when you’re turned off by both. I did laugh at the tongue in cheek response earlier of 44 days ha! But seriously, does it matter anymore when your resume says you were only at a place for a matter of months? Should I stick it out until 1 year (next June ugh)?
Anon
Don’t stick it out. Sometimes things are bad fits, and people get that. Eventually you’ll drop it from your resume completely.
Senior Attorney
I think these days you are more than “allowed” to have at least one short-term stint on your resume as long as it’s not a pattern. Everybody understands that things have been crazy for the past few years.
Senior Attorney
And in some industries I think even a pattern of short term jobs is becoming the norm.
Anon
Yes, I’m in non-profits and it’s really common to jump around because that’s the only way to make more money. I have several 1 year/18-month jobs on my resume and no one has ever batted an eye.
Nina
Definitely in tech – friends have been switching jobs every 1-2 years
Cat
If it’s only a few months, I’d just leave it off your resume.
Anonymous
As a hiring manager I disagree. What happens when you are asked about the gap or you are required to disclose all prior positions as part of the application? You are going to look like you’re trying to hide something. Just list the position and if asked explain that it wasn’t a good fit. Have something diplomatic prepared in case you are asked to elaborate.
Vicky Austin
What would you think as a hiring manager if someone were asked about a gap and said, “Oh, I was employed at X from Y to Z, but it’s not relevant to the goals I’m currently pursuing so I usually leave it off.”
Anonymous
Would be fine with me. I’m mostly concerned about relevant experience .
Anonymous
OMG. Just put for example 2018-2022 job x 2022-present job y.
Nobody cares that fro 6/1/22 -11/1/22 you were at company z. Will never come up and nobody cares. Get out if it’s a bad fit.
Anon Aussie
If you are already ugh about it, start looking now. I find it’s easier to explain it wasn’t a good fit when you are only there a few months, rather than force yourself to stay a year and look like a job hopper.
Smokey
Nesting failure. Reply is below.
Anonanon
If you’re certain the role is not the place for you, then I would not worry about making another move after a few months. When I say certain, only you can know if this is true discomfort with a role vs. the adjustment period that all new roles entail. You definitely don’t have to wait for another year if you know that it’s not going to get better. Also, don’t discount that it may take a few months to find a new role that is a good fit. So even if you start looking now, you won’t be moving on until later into your tenure anyway.
Especially with the disruptions of the last few years, I think many hiring managers are more understanding of short stints especially if it’s just one blip on your resume. Just have your answer for why you are looking for a new role down pat (and it’s okay to say that the role was not what you expected or a good fit).
Anon
Don’t stick around, it’s an employee’s market, but don’t leave until you have something else lined up. It’s so much easier to find a job while you have a job.
Anonymous
I’m in a job where I like the work (fairly niche area), and work with good people at the associate level. The partners, however, generally are very difficult to work with, and there’s no one that I look at and think, “I want their life” or “I would love to ‘grow up’ and be like them in their career.” They’re ether workaholics, are very competitive/ manipulative, or are simply not pleasant to work for or with for a variety of reasons. In the short term, it’s perfectly fine, but I’m debating whether I want to stay for the long term in a place where I don’t have any real mentors or someone who I aspire to be like. Time to consider switching to another firm? Or am I overthinking it?
anon
I would look at what’s out there. There’s no harm in working your network. I have had the benefit of 2 good mentors over the past 7 years, and they are invaluable. I also work for partners who have some sense of work/life balance and recognize that the people who work for them are humans. That cannot be underestimated either.
Senior Attorney
I feel like it’s never a bad time to put out feelers. Also if you’re thinking about leaving, I always think that’s a good reason to… think about leaving.
Anon
I could have written this post. Following for any advice!
Monday
Take your perceptions seriously. The sign you specifically name is one that I wish I had noticed earlier in my own career: “hmm, nobody who has advanced around here seems happy, they don’t show integrity, and I wouldn’t want any of their lives.” You’re not “overthinking” something this fundamental about your job.
Anon
Overthinking it. If it works for you now, I don’t think you need to borrow trouble. You can move on when you need to.
Anon
Ha… so it’s a law firm? I hate to say it but that seems on brand for most firms. Make sure new place is truly better/more advantageous to you because firms generally all s u c k in these ways.
Tina
You don’t have to change jobs in a hurry, but I would pay attention to this and think about what you would need to avoid it. Is it just your firm – are other firms better? If you wanted to lateral into a different area what skills or experience would you need? You don’t want to get pigeonholed.
Anonymous
You may want to consider leaving law firm life. Law firms promote the exact people you describe, by design, and they don’t and won’t “evolve” for that very reason. If you aren’t that and you don’t aspire to be that, you are unlikely to make partner at any mid to large firm. And you will always be working for people like that at those places.
Anon
You’re not overthinking it. I was you, and I am leaving to go in-house for many of the reasons you are describing. I would start focusing on where you want to go from where you are and what experience you need to get there. I would also start trying to figure out what your options will be and when to time the move. For example, if you want to try to make partner at another firm, you should probably lateral pretty quickly. If you are trying to go in-house, look at some listings on LinkedIn and see what the experience levels required are for jobs you like. For me, I realized that I had enough experience to go in-house at the 6-8 year experience band, but I would not get the experience needed for the 10+ year jobs unless I made partner, which I decided I did not want to do.
anon a mouse
FWIW, that feeling of not wanting the life of anyone above me is what led me to change jobs and careers. If you don’t want the next step at this firm, it’s time to start thinking about your long-term plans. Nothing’s urgent, but this is the time to do some discernment on what you want out of your next few decades. Talk to people. Figure out if it would be better at another firm, or whether firm life is maybe something that’s just a chapter in your very long story. You are fortunate to have the time and space to be intentional about what comes next for you!
Anon
You can omit months. So if you stick it out until January, you can list the job as 2021-2022 which sounds like a year?
Anon
Reply to 3:07
Ses
I ask for months when someone omits them. Seems weird when they then admit it was a two month stint or whatever.
Anon
This looks super shady. Anyone reading the resume is going to know why you’ve omitted months.
Anon
Huh. I’ve never had months on my resume, and have had no issues getting jobs. I’ve been at my current job for 7 years so not doing it it be shady. I would tell if asked. Maybe it depends on industry. I think just listing years is pretty standard in mine.
Anonymous
+1 – although I found a new job before I left the one I was in for 3 months, and found that in part through my former boss. I guess when I was applying to try to get out of terrible job I was pretty candid about the fact that I was employed there and it wasn’t a good fit. (I can’t remember). Then by the time I was applying for jobs again, I had been at the next place for 5+ years, and it felt pretty irrelevant. I think I mentioned it to the HR person at my current job when I was at the reference checking stage, or well into the interview process. No one seemed to care. But I have also always worked at relatively small nonprofits with minimal HR infrastructure. Very rarely have I had to use a form for a job application, and never for a job I got. At this point it was over 15 years ago and seems weird to list it.
Anon
Currently looking during a (hopefully!) short term stint, and while I am using years on resume, 90%+ of application systems require you to provide months … if not days. Silly.
Anon
It’s not silly. It’s totally reasonable information for a hiring manager to want to know. (Months, that is. Definitely not days.)
Cat
I wouldn’t do this bc it looks dumb when you’re caught.
Anon
Hiring manager here and stuff like that just gets my liar radar going. I don’t trust people that seem like they’re hiding something. I’m also human and have worked a long time, I get that some jobs are terrible and you need to quit. It’s okay, I’d rather hear the honest answer than see someone try to hide a non-issue.
Anon
In other words, +1 to Cat.
Bummed
I was looking forward to celebrating Diwali with extended family this weekend, but DH now has COVID so we have to quarantine and I will have to solo parent our toddler. The weather will be nice though. Any ideas for making this weekend fun?
Anon
Time to introduce your toddler to classic Disney movies like Little Mermaid if you haven’t already.
Anon2
I mean, if you want to, sure! But my husband had COVID last week and so I solo parented our 2 year old for 5 days until our nanny could come back, and will continue to solo parent (outside of the nanny’s normal 9-5) until mid-week next week b/c we’re being extra cautious about potential of a post-Paxlovid rebound. She still hasn’t watched any TV.
You win
Here’s your medal.
pugsnbourbon
Oh that stinks! If the weather’s nice, I’d wear out the toddler by being outside as much as possible – maybe on a nature trail that’s less crowded than the playground. Then I’d do a movie marathon and have takeout delivered.
Anonymous
Homemade playdough, coloring, cookie or cupcake baking, all the halloween cartoons, outdoor leaf gathering and jumping. When I was a kid, my mom used to do things like throw “vegetable” or “fruit” parties, where I would dress up like a vegetable (all red with green barrettes [tomato] or all yellow with brown socks [banana] and eat vegetables or fruit. Make your own pizza things can be fun, too. Roll out crescent dough, slap on pizza sauce and cheese and add whatever toppings you want (can have all of that delivered).
anon DC
How about mendhi? It can get messy with a toddler, but just a tiny bit might be fun. I would make rangolis (i use washable fingerpaint and make designs on the porch), paint diyas, go on a nature walk and collect pretty leaves, dress up in fancy Indian clothes with all the jewelry, order fancy Indian food and feast! We also read the kids version of the Ramayan and watch the Diwali episode of Sesame Street. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Diwali!
Smokey
If you don’t have a history of bouncing around a lot, I don’t see a need to stay. Be prepared to explain (graciously!) why you realized quickly that the job was not a good fit, or wasn’t what you had been led to expect it would be.
Anonymous
Fun question. I’m looking for a cookbook as a holiday gift for my teen daughter who enjoys cooking and wants some new recipes. She is a picky eater who likes chicken, Japanese food, pasta, Thai food, chicken, Chinese food, Indian food, and did I mention chicken. She will not touch beef, pork except bacon or pancetta for flavoring, salads, fish except salmon, beans, or bitter vegetables. Her skill level is around advanced beginner. None of the traditional or trendy beginner cookbooks seems to have more than one or two dishes that would interest her; she’s never going to make something like pizza beans or endive salad or sheet pan roasted sausage and brussels sprouts. She has a couple of Asian cookbooks but they rely heavily on specialty ingredients that are hard to find where we live. Any suggestions for a beginner Asian cookbook that uses mostly US supermarket ingredients or a general beginner cookbook that is heavy on flavor and light on beans and green veggies?
Vicky Austin
I think America’s Test Kitchen has literally done The Chicken Bible or something…hang on.
Vicky Austin
Yup.
https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/shop-cookbooks/the-chicken-bible.html
Additionally, if she would be interested in bigger projects or baking:
https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/shop-cookbooks/pasta-at-home.html
https://shop.americastestkitchen.com/shop-cookbooks/bread-illustrated-new.html
Josie P
How about the Lucky Peach 100 easy Asian (ish) dishes?
Anonymous
This is perfect! Thank you.
Anonymous
I have it and love it! And if it’s a gift, check the section the have on commonly used ingredients and order her some off Amazon.
anon
The Wok by Kenji Lopez Alt. As the title suggests, it’s all about wok cooking. The recipes are based on several different Asian cuisines, and there’s a lot of variety. Kenji explains concepts and provides steps, with pictures of the entire process, and then gives variations. (He also posts YouTube videos of many of these techniques.) You could make pretty much every “master” recipe in the book with chicken. I live in a SEUS city, and none of the ingredients have been hard to find in my supermarket. And wok cooking is a great skill for young adults, since it’s mostly inexpensive, one-pan dishes that make for easy clean up.
Anon
I’m a huge fan of the recipes on the blog Woks of Life and they are coming out with a cookbook. They use some specialty ingredients but usually there is an easy work around. You might poke around on the blog and see if it seems like some of what you are looking for. Chicken is an easy sub for some of the other meats as well.
Anonymous
+1 to Woks of Life, and their book is coming out in Nov so perfect timing for a holiday gift! Another plus in Woks of Life’s favor is that their website has links to where you can buy a lot of the specialty ingredients online.
For Japanese food, I really like the Just One Cookbook blog, and I believe there’s a printed cookbook too.
Anonymous
Also, I want to add that American Chinese person, Woks of Life has been my version of Joy of Cooking. It has a lot of great recipes ranging from super basic to the super complicated involved ones but also basic Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients to make it accessible to those that didn’t learn from grandma.
Anonymous
Indian-ish has mostly Indian-fusion vegetarian recipes with ingredients you can find at most supermarkets or on Amazon. It also highlights the author’s bond with her mother so it would be a nice gift for your daughter. I wasn’t expecting to like it but I ended up reading it cover to cover over a weekend.
Senior Attorney
This one by Chrissy Tiegen’s mom looks like it might fit the bill: https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Thai-Cookbook-Everyones-Favorite/dp/0593137663/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SHSKRLXH69GS&keywords=pepper+thai+cookbook&qid=1666295181&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjM3IiwicXNhIjoiMC43NCIsInFzcCI6IjAuNjMifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=peper+thai+cookbook%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1
And this seems a little off the wall but paleo is pretty simple so maybe it would be good: https://www.amazon.com/Asian-Paleo-Fresh-Recipes-Ahead/dp/1682682617/ref=sr_1_19?crid=Z87DH2IYQI9G&keywords=chicken+asian+cookbook&qid=1666295375&s=books&sprefix=chicken+asian+cookbook%2Cstripbooks%2C129&sr=1-19
Or just point here to this list: https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/indian-chicken-recipes/
OfAnon
I think a really basic cookbook with lots of options is going to be the thing. I like the Joy of Cooking for this, and they recently updated it with more vegan and vegetarian recipes, as well as with foods that have become popular over the last decade.
Other people like Mark Bittman How to Cook Everything for the same type of encyclopedic reference.
A basic cookbook like this is the kind of thing everyone needs, even if they have additional specialty cookbooks (I also have many of those.)
anon
I love my Cooks Illustrated Cookbook – it’s omnibus and extremely practical, plus lots and lots and lots of tips and tricks. It isn’t a “pretty” cookbook or trendy, but I’ve had so much success with it over the years. It is by the American’s Test Kitchen folk.
Bette
Salt Fat Acid Heat is the best cookbook I’ve ever had. I am a moderate/advanced cook and I learned a lot from reading it. She explains fundamentals in a really logical accessible fun way that just makes everything you do in the kitchen better.
DeepSouth
I LOVE Chrissy Teigan’s cookbook. I bought it as a campy gift for a friend who love celebrity gossip, but ended up buying it myself and use it regularly. It’s flavorful and approachable and might appeal to a teen.
Anon
I need to replace some worn work pants. After trying wide leg and straight styles, I think I’m going to stick with slim ankle pants. Will I look hopelessly dated? Does it matter if the slim ankle pants are cuffed or not?
Anonymous
In the realm of slim pants, cigar3tt3 pants, hemmed at the ankle bone with no cuff, will look both more classic and more contemporary than skin-tight skinny pants.
Vicky Austin
Don’t laugh, but I’m already thinking Christmas gifts. One of my friends and I have a tradition of giving each other silly or whimsical calendars. Where are your favorites?
I also had the Rifle Paper Co. one in my office this year and plan to get it for my mom, but it seems like they use the same artwork and quotes each year and I want something similar, but with new material, for myself. Does this exist?
Anon
2022 SHRIMP WHISPERER AK CALENDAR https://www.shrimpwhispererak.com/shopshrimp/shrimpwhispererak2022calendar
Vicky Austin
oh my god, this will be freaking perfect for my friend, thank you so much!
Anon
You’re very welcome! I also bought one for my best friend this year. And one for myself :)
pugsnbourbon
AMAZING. I just found my holiday cards for the year.
If you like this you’ll probably also like Snail World and everything else by Aleia Murawski.
Another calendar is Goats in Trees, which is exactly what it sounds like.