Coffee Break: Geo Tiered Necklace Stand

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I happened to be browsing Urban Outfitters' website last week and discovered a ton of cute (and affordable) jewelry organizers. I really liked this one until I realized it was only 4.5″ high (still, great if you wear a lot of rings or bracelets!) — and then I saw this white necklace holder.

I love the minimal look (especially the minimal footprint) and the fact that there's a ton of space for necklaces. (It's 13″ high, so that should work for a lot of necklaces!) It just might be a solution to my habit of hanging necklaces off of drawer knobs and door handles “until I put them away.” (I have four of these necklace peg racks in my closet, yet somehow only put necklaces away once a week…)

The pictured necklace holder is $44.

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Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

103 Comments

    1. Same! But my house is so horribly dusty that I don’t consider it a big loss to have to keep things tucked away.

  1. I have a lot of jewelry. I keep my most worn necklaces in a small wooden bowl on my dresser (they’re mostly pearls so they don’t tangle) and have my most worn earrings and rings on a mirrored tray. They look really pretty.

    The majority of my jewelry is stored out of sight.

  2. My necklaces recently got completely tangled up in each other so I could use one of these.

  3. I’m trying to trick myself into good habits with a monthly challenge (examples include no hitting snooze, only drinking 1x a week, only eating dessert 1x a week, no clothes shopping, only doing my nails at home – no going to the salon). I like to get myself a medium sized treat for completing these challenges. Looking for ideas in the approx $50-75 range that might be a nice treat for myself. I figure most of these challenges save me at least that much, if not more, so it’s worth a treat so I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself.

    I have a few bigger challenges on the horizon: train 3x a week and run a half marathon (I’ve run them before, but not while following any sort of training plan), read 25 books/year, save 10k this year. For those accomplishments I’d like to threat myself to something bigger int he $100-250 range. Those are all a while away, but would like to start brainstorming so I have something to look forward to.

    Some background: I used to be a frugal and fit person and that ALL went out the window during the pandemic (hence these challenges are mostly about being healthier, saving money, and being more disciplined). I’m trying to focus on owning less, but owning better (both quality and things I like better). I’m not interested in ideas like “get a fun coffee and take a walk in the park”, I already get myself flowers every week (life is short, why not), and I already get semi-regular massages for health reasons. I”m single/childfree late 20s living with a roommate in a big city and work a hybrid schedule. I seem to have no problem spending money on stupid things (takeout, lattes, nails, anything under $20 which all adds up), am pretty frugal on other matters (clothes are mostly thrifted or from discount places like Quince, my car is 17 years old), and I’m not good at splurging on nicer things. I would definitely like these splurges to feel “luxurious”. I don’t care about labels/designer, I’m not into handbags (but am looking at a work tote maybe), and I love fun jewelry but don’t buy myself nice jewelry (usually just something fun from Etsy!)

    1. How about some upgraded versions of things you use around the house?
      – a fluffy bathrobe
      – nicer towels
      – a kitchen appliance like a stick blender or air fryer
      – a dutch oven

      1. I second the fluffy bath robe! I love mine and use it a lot more than I thought. I also have a summer on that I use when it’s too hot. It’s nice to have two options :)

    2. I think this must just be one of those things where people are different because I can’t for the life of me relate to the treat mentality. My reward for saving money is that I have money. My reward for training for a marathon is that I get to run a marathon. I read books because I like reading books, not because someone is forcing me to read books. I eat well so that I feel better and hopefully will live a longer and healthier life, but there are no guarantees, so I don’t make myself miserable eating things I hate just because they’re healthy. If you can’t even think of treats that you want, it makes even less sense. Just buy the things you want in the first place, but do it in moderation. Obviously that doesn’t work for everyone, but you sound like you’re working hard to convince yourself about this strategy. But if you do think it will help, the treats that make the most sense are things that help you meet your goals- fun exercise clothes for exercising, nice cooking gear if you’re making healthier food at home, nail polish for home manicures, books if you want to read more, etc.

        1. I’d love to be able to just tell myself to do something that’s good for me without bribing myself, but I cannot do that.

          Besides, life is hard enough as it is – if I’m going to give up my nightly Oreos (which I should, at least utnil I lose my COVID weight) then I need to do something to make up for it.

      1. This is kind of a rude comment. I trust that the OP is working on figuring out a system that works for her. Not all of us can convince ourselves to eat well so that we will live a long and healthy life or think that the reward for saving money is having money.

        I am an all or nothing person, and so I have to put strict limits on myself otherwise I go way too far in one direction or another. I either focus so much on saving money I never spend it on myself or I spend way too much treating myself (so I give myself a monthly saving goal and a monthly spending goal). I either read an entire book in a day or I go months without reading one, even though I love reading (so I tell myself I can must read at least 50 pages a week, but I limit myself to no more than an hour a day). I workout 6 days a week for an hour or not at all (so my rule is 4 times a week, no more no less). I”m naturally bad at following these goals, so I also treat myself whenever I do them. For example, every time I workout (up to 4x a week), I put $5 into a fund. If I workout 5 or more times a week, I don’t get to add an extra $5. Every month I take that money (should be $80) and I get a pedicure.

        It sound like the OP is trying to reframe her spending mindset (less on things that don’t matter/bring less joy and more on treating herself to something that feels luxurious) and her general habit mindsets. We could all use to have less dessert or waste less money on coffee, good for her for finding a way that works for her! Honestly, I might do this for myself. I’m sure I can convince myself I get a new pair of shoes if I go a month without ice cream; but I know if I just try to give up dessert I’ll end up binging AND I’ll have convinced myself to buy the shoes too!

        1. Sorry, I really didn’t mean to imply that I’m some kind of paragon of virtue, just that if I don’t want to do something, no amount of trickery and treats is going to get me to do it.

          If I want Oreos, telling myself I can have a fancy purse in two months won’t make the slightest difference. The only thing that’s going to stop me from eating the Oreos is the the long term goal of eating better to try to manage a chronic health condition (being in pain constantly is unfortunately a really good motivator) and the short term alternative of lots other things that taste good that are healthier than Oreos. That’s why I suggested rewards that reinforce healthy habits. Having healthy cookbooks, nice cooking gear, and interesting ingredients around makes it way easier to not eat the Oreos.

          1. “The short term alternative of lots other things that taste good that are healthier than Oreos”
            Isn’t that what OP wants? Some ideas for some other short term alternatives? I think maybe the difference mainly is in whether you call it a treat, or just call it an alternative.

            One good thing about treats, IMO, is that it adds an element of anticipation, and I really like looking forward to things, even if they are small things that I could easily justify doing just because I want.

          2. Yes! I love looking forward to things – so much so that Christmas Eve was always my favorite part of Christmas

          3. Yeah, but for me, short term means right now, when I want to eat the Oreos, not in two months. Anticipation does nothing for me, I need to be satisfied with what I’m doing right now or I’m not going to do it. So good habits for me are all about making it easy and desirable in the moment, not feeling deprived and then rewarding myself later in an unrelated way. I don’t ever want to feel deprived, I want to be happy with the way I’m living or it’s never going to work for me.

        1. Is it, though? I am with the Anon who doesn’t understand the treat mentality and frankly it doesn’t sound like this trickery is even working for the OP. Isn’t it basic human psychology to engage in behaviors that will get you the outcomes you desire because you desire those outcomes? I let my stomach growl because I want to weigh less than I currently do, not because I want a purse.

          1. Most of us do not have the willpower for longer term goals. I’d love to lose 20 lbs, but if my stomach is growling no amount of thinking about how much I want to weigh less will stop me from getting a snack (but also, you should not go hungry when losing weight). I know to lose these last 20 lbs I need to stop drinking and stop eating dessert, but even doing so it will take me months. So, I break it down into goals: I”m only going to have 1 drink a week for the next month. If I do this, I will be closer to my weight loss goal but also I’ll get a new pair of earrings. I”m going to drink my coffee black instead of with cream and sugar; if I do this for a month I get a pedicure. That all helps me make progress towards long term goals. Saying no alcohol or fun coffee for 6 months until I lose 20 lbs is a recipe for me giving up in 3 days, going back to my bad habits, and not losing the weight long term

          2. I think I also agree. If you can’t think of a treat in the first place it doesn’t seem rewarding – sometimes it helps to be satisfied about the choices instead. Running a marathon is pretty cool on it’s own! I don’t think buying a blender can really compare.

          3. Eh, having run 3 half marathons now and training for a 4th, I think there’s diminishing returns. I’m still proud that I’ve done it, I still want to PR, I”m still happy with the outcome (that I ran a half marathon) but its certainly not the accomplishment that it was the first or second time (when I truly didn’t know if I could do it. I’ve now proven I have). The dopamine hit for having accomplished it a 3rd or 4th time isn’t what it once was.

            Running the race and getting something that’s been on my wishlist for a while is nice though.

      2. The book “Punished by Rewards” has a whole argument about how extrinsic rewards can become counterproductive, but once we’re accustomed to them, they’re very hard to quit.

        1. Possibly somewhat true, but some brains just do not provide intrinsic rewards. ADHD means you don’t get the normal dopamine boost from something like, I didn’t eat the chocolate so I will eventually weigh less, or whatever internal motivation produces dopamine for you.
          Personally, I give myself points each day for the little habits I am working on. In the short term, earning those points and recording them gives me a tiny dopamine boost, and in the long term, I have a system of trading those points for bigger rewards so I know the points each day get me x% closer to something fun. My next reward is going to be a specific split mechanical keyboard I’ve been eyeing for months.

          1. Oh, I have ADHD so this makes a lot of sense! I’m a very determined person and pretty mentally tough (but mostly in short-term scenarios. For example – I was a college athlete and thrived during our hardest conditioning workouts because I loved the challenge to get through the workout, probably because I got a mini dopamine boost every time someone washed out of the beep test but I was still going, but I’m terrible at sticking to a consistent workout schedule because I don’t see how going for a 3 mile run today will help me run a half marathon in 3 months). I never understood why I couldn’t grit it out and just make these changes…

          2. I think ADHD works differently for me. I get no dopamine whatsoever from the extrinsic rewards, so it’s intrinsic or bust for me!

          3. I do this too! Didn’t eat that chocolate/cookie/etc —> +1 point. It’s the only thing that works so far. So glad to not be alone in this!

    3. These are just some random ideas, you may or may not use/need/want these items:
      – Cadence travel containers
      – Silke sleep bonnet
      – Ever by X One Dress Project (might be a little out of your price range, but you could combine 2 treats, larger and smaller to get it)
      – Capri Blue Volcano candle (large, double wick)
      – Baron Fig Squire pen
      – Chantelle bras
      – A nice $50+ bottle of champagne
      – A set of martini glasses from Anthro
      – All Clad pots
      – Le Crueset cookware (dutch oven, going off the above rec??)
      – For jewelry I like Julie Vos and Awe Inspired

      1. Oh the things I will do for glassware from Anthro… that’s such a great suggestion! Even better with a glass of bubbly to drink in a fun glass!

        Thank you – most of these aren’t my style/my needs, but have given me a really good starting point (for example, that pen is not my type but I used to use fun felt tip pens as mini treats, I can definitely bring that back; the dress is lovely but not really my style, but I could find another dress I’m lusting over and add it to my list).

        1. You could get some nice stationery to go with your felt pens. Something with an eye-catching and unique envelope liner (no stripes or dots). You’ll be fancy AF! ;)

    4. For me this would be:
      -Beautiful statement clothing pieces, like a bold winter coat or a nice cashmere sweater
      -Books
      -Candles
      -Upgraded things like bedding, towels, even pillows
      -Anything relating to hobbies or interests (for me this would be cooking gadgets galore, new running shoes, random fitness equipment like a foam roller or yoga stuff, and more books)
      -Skincare or fun bath products (I’m not much of a makeup person, but that too)
      -Getting my car thoroughly cleaned

      1. Inspired by anon above, I’m going to second nice pens, nice booze and nice bras!

      2. Thank you! Bold statement clothing pieces are definitely a weakness! I”m moving in a few months, and depending on what my bedroom in the new apartment is like, I could definitely see splurging on a nicer comforter for the bed! And if I have a bathtub (currently do not), definitely a few fun bath products!

    5. Currently bribing myself with the following:
      – If I consistently workout 3x a week before work in the morning, I am buying either a Dyson dryer or an Airwrap. I’ve wanted one for a while, but couldn’t justify the price. My justification is by working out/showering in the morning and going into the office (2 good things for me to do), I’ll have to dry/style my hair more often, and a Dyson will save time on that.
      – I know I’m more productive in the office and that it’s much better for my mental health to get out of the house and into the office. Currently, we have to go in 1x a week but can go in as often as we’d like. I’m bribing myself to go in 3x a week by only buying lattes on days I go in. Days I wfh it’s homemade drip coffee for me.
      – Each week or month I have a goal and if I hit my goal every week/month, at the end of the month (4 week long goals or 1 month long goal) I buy myself something off of my wishlist. Goals include things like meditate each night before bed, leave for work on time every day, eat what I have at home instead of takeout, etc. Things currently on my wishlist are a nice bra, a trench coat, a cartilage piercing, and a subscription to Blue Apron.

      1. The one of these that makes sense to me is the latte if you go into the office — because it lubricates the path to meeting the goal. The other versions just wouldn’t work for me –e.g., if I go into the office 3 days this week, I can get a trench coat.

    6. If you spend a lot of money on lattes, consider saving up for a nice espresso machine. Take the money that you would spend on a latte out and use it for a Nespresso or nicer when you’ve successfully not-bought enough lattes.

      As an aside, I can overspend on frivolous things when I feel otherwise deprived in my life. That deprivation is often emotional.

    7. Can you get yourself something nice for a hobby? For example, I like to go on long walks and treated myself to a fanny pack (would fit your smaller treat) and trendy sneakers (bigger treat!). Or, a kindle and then you can download books from the library for free! Orrrr AirPods for audiobooks…can you tell I love treats? Haha

      1. yay for others who also love treats!

        My hobbies are mostly sports/fitness related, but I try to limit how much gear/memberships/race entries I get because it’s a slippery slope, I do a lot of activities and am bad at prioritizing where my time/money go: I want a road bike for triathlons and a mountain bike for mountain biking and a membership at a pool and a rock gym and new running shoes and a new tennis racquet. So, I only get stuff for these hobbies very rarely and only when well thought-out and planned in advance.

        My kindle just broke, so that’s a good idea! or, am considering saving up a few treats to get an iPad (I can read on it and use it for Peloton classes on my non-peloton bike). Luckily, my book spending is limited to Book of the Month and the rest of the books I read I get from my library. My AirPods (first gen) are hanging in, so am going to wait to upgrade until mine die (I’m weirdly frugal when it comes to using up something completely/waiting for it to break before I replace it)

      1. oooh tempting!

        While I have no problem spending $5 on flowers every week, I have a really hard time buying bouquets (even the $15 ones!) because it feels wasteful to spend that much … which brings us back to my original problem of not being good at splurging on myself!

        1. Might not be relevant, but there’s a local florist in my neighborhood that does “flower happy hour” – all their loose stems are half price from 4-5 and all day Saturday. That’s how I get my eucalyptus bundles for a bougie shower experience.

        2. Right? I feel the same. But it’s actually less expensive to upgrade the bouquet than many of the other treats. I find it funny which things I want to go frugal on (bouquets) and then I’ll up and buy a $15 cheese on a whim.

    8. The nap earrings were more than I normally spend on earrings, but I love being able to leave them in 24/7 so that was a good “splurge” for me.

      I bought a card carrier/wallet from Cuyana that I’d had my eye on for a long time. Is $75 a lot for a wallet? Yes. Is the price per wear virtually $0 after 3 months? Also yes. Does it make me happy to have this? For some reason, yes.

      I love shopping at Goodwill and thrift stores because I find awesome things for good prices; I find that the thrill of the find is just as exciting as whatever I bought. This is obviously a good place to get luxurious things on a budget. I recently bought china dessert plates at Goodwill for $8. I had only had dinner plates after a moving mixup, and now eating off of china feels very fancy.

      I think my next splurge is going to be a linen dress or blouse; I love linen for the summer. Other fun splurges have included Dazzle Dry nailpolish (so expensive but lasts 5 days for me), the Revlon dryer/hot brush, and laser hair removal.

      Not a good treat, but I’ve gotten very into “everyday splurges” so I buy the basic toiletries and household goods I like (was raised to buy what was on sale/cheapest) so I buy Dove bars of soap, quilted 2 ply toilet paper, brawny paper towels, etc. Sounds like you already do this with the regular flower purchases.

    9. Thank you all for the wonderful ideas, I’ve added lots to my list :)

      When responding to Curious, I realized that I have a problem splurging on myself. I’m really good at spending $5-$20 on “useless” stuff, but really bad at spending more than $20 on anything save for an occasional clothes purchase. I’m realizing now that I want to join an accomplishment with a splurge because I’ll feel like I have worked towards and earned the splurge, which might make me open up my wallet and pay for whatever it is I want. It’s a win win because I accomplish something I’ve been wanting to do and I get to buy myself something I’ve wanted! For example, I would love a Cuyana or Madewell leather work tote, but I just keep buying the same crappy Target ones. If I make the splurge on the Cuyana one my half marathon training reward, then I’ve done something challenging I’ve been wanting to do (train for a PR), I get something I’ve wanted (leather tote I’ve wanted for 6 years!), and I work towards to break out of my habit of spending $50 on something I only kind of like and will need to replace rather than spending $200 on something I love and will last!

      I’ve added a handful of things from this post to my list and I realized all are things I’ve wanted including: a new robe (to replace the one I’ve had for 10 years!), a nice bra (got rid of my fav bra 3 years ago, have not replaced with a new one I like… my newest bra is 4 years old), a cool vase for my flowers (I just use a mason jar).

      1. My employers’s fitness reward program gives gift cards if you track a certain amount of activity over the year, and I try to use them for splurge items that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise. One offset the cost of a nice smartwatch that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise, and I am trying to decide what to do with the second – maybe put towards a weekend away. For me the “wouldn’t have bought it otherwise” aspect is key to it being a reward.

      2. goodness. buy your girls a mammo and new braS plural for your birthday. go get measured. sad bras are masochistic amd new ones are about 50 to 70$

    10. For hobby related goals, my favorite rewards are things related to the hobby. For a goal of a half marathon, I’d want to buy upgraded running gear and anything else I might need to train. I might also want to splurge on a few personal training sessions.

      For splurges related to reading, I’d suggest nice loungewear, cashmere socks, a cozy blanket, good seating and lamp, a pretty mug and fancy tea, a nice journal and pens. If these things appeal to you (they don’t to me), you could buy a specific edition of a classic or one of those sets of cloth-covered or leather-bound classics.

      Even for smaller goals and building habits, I’d focus on things that will help you continue those habits after your challenge is over. I suspect your needs and wants will make themselves apparent while you do your challenge.

  4. I am looking for resources on how to improve at supervising junior attorneys. I know it’s an art, and I want to get better. This is kind of silly, but it is really hard for me to not be frustrated when I review their work. For example, I am sitting here banging my head over what I think is horrendous grammar and massive block paragraphs. Nevermind that the document is actually pretty well organized and she’s never done this task before. And if I am logical about it, the first time I did this (which I specifically remember!), it wasn’t very good either. Anyways, that’s just an example, but I would love resources on this if anyone knows of any.

    1. I think you have to take a step back, like you have, and remember a lot of this is learned, even for very smart people. Build in ample, ample deadlines where possible to leave yourself plenty of time to review and comment and for the jr to revise before it’s due to the client/ court. Remember they are nervous and trying their best and want to learn. If you are in person, sitting down face to face is good on both sides.

    2. Yeah it’s frustrating, and sometimes the work really is terrible. But everyone needs to learn, and I really think the latest generation of juniors really did not get the same learning experience because of the pandemic and working from home. I find myself explaining very basic points that I just absorbed as a first year lurking in conference rooms taking notes and listening to what other people were doing – these juniors haven’t had a chance to do that. I think you need to make your feedback as specific as possible – so point out what they did well, and give instructions on the shorter paragraphs. Bad grammar is hard to point out in general, but maybe recommend that they get it proof read by another associate before submitting? We used to do that and a second pair of eyes always really helps. Also, is the substance of the document good? I can overlook bad grammar as long as they display a decent understanding of the law. Also, my firm had a video for mid-level attorneys on how to give feedback to juniors that was actually really helpful – can’t share, sorry, but it’s possible your firm’s learning center has something on this?

    3. Have you done anything to focus yourself on their improvement or what they’ve done well? I’d be more intentional about that and remember that it’s your job to make them better so if they’re not, you should be frustrated with yourself, not them.

      1. Fair enough, but I’m asking for resources to work on my skill so I can help them.

        1. I focus on whether they are improving. If I see that they are taking my edits/suggestions/etc. and implementing them it helps me overlook what still needs work.

    4. I once knew someone who worked on grammar instruction modules for new lawyers. (I Googled and it might be the Core Grammar for Lawyers product?) Anyway, things like this exist! I know grammar is not a big part of the K12 curriculum in a lot of the country, and it’s not as though college specifically teaches grammar, so the reason they don’t know is probably that they’ve literally never been actually taught (and weren’t able to just pick it up from corrections here and there).

  5. Graduation Questions and ideas please… I completed my PhD in October 2021 but the ceremony is the end of this month (in 2022). What year should my tassel say?

    Also, I feel like this is a Moment and I should buy myself something to commemorate but I can’t think of what. I’m a minimalist, unmarried, no kids now or ever, in a very small living space. I don’t have much money but it feels like Future Me might be sad I don’t have something to honor the moment. I work remotely so I don’t need anything for an office, there’s nothing in my @mazon cart or wishlist, and I have only one idea but I’m not sure.

    I used to want small round diamond studs in white gold when I was a teen as I thought that was a sign of being a grownup. I don’t know anything about jewelry and diamonds but am allergic to nickel. I was thinking they could be a size that isn’t showy or doesn’t look silly tiny. If they have screw backs or flat or something, I would keep them in all the time including sleep. I don’t know what size or what details are worth money or not worth the money. If anyone who knows about these things has links of ideas for this or for something that you really cherish from your big moments in life, I’d love to hear.

    Thanks!

    1. I don’t know much about fine jewelry, but I think all major milestones should be commemorated and celebrated in one way or another! I think jewelry is great for this because it will last a long time, it doesn’t take up any space, and you’ll get a ton of use out of it. Even though they may be pricey, the cost per wear of diamond studs will be practically zero in no time! They go with everything, they’re timeless and classic and won’t go out of style. They’re pretty much the perfect minimalist jewelry! I like jewelry for major accomplishments, because every time you wear it its a reminder of what you’ve accomplished.

      In my second hole, I have been wearing a pair of nap earrings (flat screw on backs) that I put in 10 weeks ago and haven’t taken out once! They were a pain to get in, but now they’re in they’re very comfortable (I really dont feel them at all) and literally are never coming out. I like big chunky hoops and dangles too much to put a similar pair in my first hole, but if you don’t change your earrings much I think they’d be great as a semi-permanent pair in your main (or only) hole.

      I’ve bought myself a few things recently mostly because when I was a teenager, I thought that they were the signs of being the 20 something in the city (of course, this mindset was 100% formed by Jenna’s life in 13 Going on 30). It feels like a silly reason to buy something, but these purchases have made me very happy (especially since the fashion from then is coming back). I would absolutely recommend buying the earrings as a sign you’ve “made it”.

      All that to say, I don’t have a recommendation (I’d love a similar pair and/or a diamond solitaire pendant but neither are in my budget), but GO FOR IT!!!! And congrats on the PhD!!!

    2. Future me would be sad I didn’t commemorate the experience with doing something that could only be done in the moment – having a party or taking a photo or something

      1. +1. I love the photos from my master’s graduation. Maybe treat yourself to a professional photoshoot?

      2. +2. I loved to see friends and family to celebrate this with me. Many years later, I don’t regret not buying a certain thing to commemorate the moment. Nothing wrong if you do – but don’t drop money on something because you feel like you *should*.

    3. I’d buy a nice watch (nice doesn’t need to mean $$$$), because it’s beautiful and useful.

      1. I am not OP but I have a couple of nice watches and … I don’t wear them. I thought I’d become a watch person if I had nice watches, so I bought them for milestone occasions, but I’m still not a watch person. I’m an iPhone person. This is a know yourself thing.

        OP if you’ve thought about diamond studs forever, go for the diamond studs.

        And contgratulations!

        1. Agree that this is a know yourself thing. I am definitely a watch person (as in I have worn one for years and feel lost without it, not that I care about nice watches) and used to like having a few different styles to choose from (mine were all less than $100 though). Now I’ve gotten too hooked on fitness tracker watches that I could never go back to a “dumb” watch!

          1. Interesting. I had a fitness watch for a while and realized I really only wanted to know the time.

          2. I feel naked without a watch! I always wear one when I leave the house, even briefly.

    4. When I finished my phd and got my first post-phd job, my big treat was a week traveling in Spain with a friend who was able to take the time off the same week. While not one of my more memorable trips, still a great way to cap off the accomplishment. Congrats to you!

      1. +1 but I have always been a person who travels to celebrate milestones and accomplishments rather than buying myself something physical.

    5. Congratulations!!

      Tassel: whatever year your university says you graduated in. Will they list you as class of 2021 or 2022?

      Present to you from you: diamond earrings are great! What is your price range? I have a pair of sterling silver hoops that I bought after law school (Tiffany cushion hoops) and really love them.

    6. I bought myself a nice white leather wallet at a moment like this, its a nice day to day eminder.

    7. What about a Pendleton blanket? My husband and I bought one when we eloped to commemorate our wedding, and it was so special to pick out the perfect one. It is functional, but also feels like an heirloom that we can pass down.

    8. I say the tassel says 2021 because that’s when you really “got” your degree.

      I also vote diamond studs if that’s a lifelong dream. 1.0 or 1.5 carat TW are both nicely big but not too flashy, depending on the size of your ears.

  6. I may be posting too late… but I need a push. I intellectually know that I am underpaid, and the administrative things that drive me nuts at this business are not going to change. (I can’t change them, the people aren’t moving on, etc.) I feel guilty about moving on, though. I was hired to replace someone who is retiring. Covid was horrid in this area. I wish I could take a month off, but the company is too small and offers no paid or unpaid leave. I stink at working remote, so I feel stuck in this office environment. I want to leave but I feel bad about leaving which prevents me from looking at anything more than the headings of job ads. The retiree is probably retiring at year end and although I know everyone is replaceable, I know the company invested time in me and I just feel… bad.

    1. You owe this company nothing. They would lay you off in a millisecond if they thought it would help their bottom line.

      Get your resume out there and do not spend another moment feeling bad for a company.

      1. It actually says “no paid or unpaid leave.” What structure of labor is this??

        OP, our employers care so little about us it’s embarrassing. Look out for #1.

    2. You owe them nothing. I always say be loyal to people not companies. Be a reference for your former colleagues, let them know of opportunities but never loyal to a company

  7. I got a new job! It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to work since law school, it’s a 20+ percent pay raise, I negotiated for an increased salary on top of the already awesome pay raise, and it’s all remote! Makes what has been an incredibly, incredibly difficult 18 months a bit better.

    1. Congratulations and great job negotiating for yourself! You deserve a win, and this is a big one.

    2. Sloan! Omg! Congratulations!!! That is so, so wonderful! Way to freaking go!

    3. Congratulations Sloan! So happy for you after the crummy 18 months. Enjoy it!

    4. Thanks, all. I’m as excited as I am about anything right now, which is….theoretically excited but still pretty numb. I’m sleeping really poorly so it’s hard to really feel anything about anything except for “want sleep.”

    5. Yay, Sloan! This has been a very rough time for you, we know, and it’s probably hard to celebrate this fully. But it is wonderful, and you deserve it!

  8. Anyone have perfume recommendations? I usually hate perfume, but I recently picked up a $5 vanilla body/hair mist from Whole Foods (Pacifica brand) that I am absolutely in love with. It makes you smell like a fresh-baked cupcake. Would love to hear of anyone else’s special finds…

    1. My very favorite is Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club. It’s pricey, but I love it!

    2. Not perfume, but I recently started using super-bougie deodorant that I love from Corpus Naturals. I got a sampler pack of 3, and my favorite is the Santalum. I honestly sniff my pits now not to make sure it’s working, but because I love the scent!

    3. Tocca is good for floral and sweet scents and Parle Moi de Parfum for more unisex fragrances. IMO if you’re looking to invest in a nice everyday perfume, it’s always worth ordering a sampler set from a given brand and trying a few out before committing to one. Perfume reccs are hard because our body chemistry affects how perfumes smell so something that smells amazing on a friend may not read the same on you

    4. I am a frag head and recommend fragrantica dot com to ask all your questions.

      If you like gourmands, Imaginary Authors makes a scent called A Whiff of Waffle Cone that is delightful. They’re a great indie perfumer out of Oregon and my experience with buying directly from them was great.

      1. But if you really want broad recommendations, here are some of my favorites

        Un Matin d’Orage by Goutal Paris – white flowers after a rain storm

        Pomelo Paradis by Atelier Cologne – a fizzy pink grapefruit, perfect for summer

        Chloe Rose Tangerine by Chloe – an update on the classic Chloe, the tangerine is a great addition

        Kyoto by Diptique – a rose/beetroot combination that is unique and so pleasant

        Mimosa and Cardamom by Jo Malone – a very wearable floral/spice combo

        Nuit et Confidences by Goutal Paris – a vanilla amber, nighttime spritz, deeply sexy

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