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Coffee Break – Hilside Card Case

Banana Republic Hilside Bags Card CaseI love a colorful card case! These are great for keeping your own business cards in, obviously, but they're also great for keeping things like your lunch money and restaurant-specific discount cards in, as well. This tulip print one from Banana Republic is cotton, but they have a number of other bright, happy ones that are made of vinyl as well. They're $14. Banana Republic Hilside Bags Card Case (L-2)

Sales of note for 12.13

  • Nordstrom – Beauty deals on skincare including Charlotte Tilbury, Living Proof, Dyson, Shark Pro, and gift sets!
  • Ann Taylor – 50% off everything, including new arrivals (order via standard shipping for 12/23 expected delivery)
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 400+ styles starting at $19
  • J.Crew – Up to 60% off almost everything + free shipping (12/13 only)
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything and free shipping, no minimum
  • Macy's – $30 off every $150 beauty purchase on top brands
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
  • Talbots – 50% off entire purchase, and free shipping on $99+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

189 Comments

    1. I have them in black. I initially got my normal size, but had to send them back and get a half size up because the first ones were too small (I can be all over the place with sizes, though, so it may just have been me).

      I kept the second pair because I desperately needed work-appropriate flats, and am really picky about how shoes look, but I wouldn’t call them comfortable. The toe is really pointy, so even the larger size squeezes my toes. I could have sized up another half size, but I’m afraid then my heel would have been sliding around. They’re ok for me, because I drive to work and then mostly sit at my desk and occasionally walk around the office, but if my commute or my day involved more walking I would have to wear commuting shoes.

      All that said, I basically never wear shoes that hurt *at all*, even while walking somewhere for lunch, so if you’re used to wearing heels, or shoes that pinch your feet a bit, you might think these are fine.

      A final note: I think the bow on the toe is bigger in real life than it looks on the site, and the toe is pointier. It is very pointy, and the bow is quite large! I’m ok with this, but it wasn’t what I expected.

      1. Thanks! I’m thinking of getting a pair without the bow. I had some pointy toe flats from J.Crew a looooong time ago that were insanely comfortable (how I wish they still had them — mine are now beyond repair), and I was hoping these would be similar. Doesn’t sound like it!

      2. Are they worth the price? It seems exorbitant for my humble budget, esp given the variety of comfy/cute flat options out there. But I have been drooling over the Vivs, I must admit.

        1. I would say no. For flats that expensive, I would expect them to be more comfortable. I need a couple new pairs of flats for work, and I’m not going to get any more of these, even though I like the colors.

    2. I have the pair with the bow and love them. The toebox was tight initially, but after about 3 weeks of wearing them 1-2 times per week it loosened up. That said, I drive to work and don’t do a significant amount of walking during the day.

  2. Looking for an opinion from the hive – my company is now forcing us to badge in and out on our floor – so, I must now carry my badge around.

    Any fabulous fashionable ideas?

    1. I have a lanyard from Etsy that I love:
      http://www.etsy.com/shop/mswolflady?section_id=5803654

      My only issue is that it doesn’t have an elastic part to stretch to reach the card readers. I can easily reach our readers (just above doorknob-height) without it – my problem is that it catches on my desk and there’s no give without the elastic. I am bustier than most, though, so it would probably hang lower on a thin frame. Also, I have nothing but praise for the seller. There was a defect in my clasp and I emailed asking for advice on how to replace it without restringing it, and she had me mail it to her and fixed it for free.

    2. Check if it still works when it’s tucked in a pants or purse pocket. Mine does, so I don’t have to walk around with it clipped to the bottom of my jacket or shirt.

      Of course, I lost mine so many times that our awesome IT guy eventually took pity on me and gave me a four-digit number code to use instead. Shhh! No one is supposed to know. :)

    3. I have the Lodis smartphone case, which has a pocket for an ID badge and a wristlet-type strap. It took me awhile to get used to taking it everywhere, but now it’s second nature. Previously I had one of those clasps that hooked on to my pants/skirt, but along with being not the world’s most stylish, it meant that my ID badge landed in the laundry hamper occasionally and/or I would still be wearing it at dinner, etc. If there is a perfect solution, I haven’t found it yet, but this is the best that I’ve come up with.

      I have too many skirts/pants without pockets, so just keeping it in my pocket all day was not really an option.

    4. My company provides clips that I hook onto my waistband. I make sure to put it in the outside pocket of my purse before leaving for the day and have had no trouble with remembering it in the morning. Most of the time I forget it’s even there, except when I get it stuck on something… They also provide lanyards but I never like that look.

      1. I refuse to wear lanyards. I’m a waist clip girl all the way…especially the fun ones that pull out and snap back because…they’re FUN. :-)

        2. I prefer the retractable waist clips as well. I’ve tried wrist straps and lanyards but I kept getting myself locked out.

        3. They are fun. I’m a child that likes to pull on them and watch them snap up. I do this to my dad when I see him wearing his (he wears his clipped to his shirt, not his waist – that would be weird, not funny).

    5. Can’t stand most of the options (I detest lanyards and waist clips). My somewhat rag-tag solution is to actually scotch tape it to the back of my blackberry (photo side down), since I always carry my blackberry around and can’t find a case I love. You’d be surprised how long it stays! Others seem to love the Kate Spade blackberry pouches (although the new ones with the phrases on them are probably not office appropriate).

    6. I hate lanyards. I feel like such a dorkface whenever I have to wear one.

      My access card work’s through my purse, so I carry it in that to get in and out of the building. If I need it to go to another floor during the day, I either slip it in a pocket, or if I don’t have any, clip it to a notepad.

    7. Search for badge reels on etsy – just ordered a few from Brooks Boutique. Also, I’ve ordered ones from BooJee Beads before (the retractable badge reels) – gave them out as gifts to all of the staff in litigation a few years ago (www[dot]boojeebeads[dot]com).

    8. I used to have one in my previous job and did not want to wear a lanyard. My solution (wait for it): hair elastic on wrist. Gasp. I looped the hair elastic through the hole in the badge and just wore it on my wrist every time I left the office. Worked like a charm. Do I get an exemption from our high standards based on utility?

    9. I prefer to carry mine in a wristlet or ID case rather than attached to me, because I think most lanyards ruin an outfit and you can’t wear waist clips with a dress. Only problem is if it’s not attached, you can forget it easily – but it sort of became second nature for me to pick it up every time I leave my desk after a few weeks.

    10. no, i hate wearing my badge. my company requires it chest high 100% time. i usually just clip it onto clothes. can’t stand lanyards. sometimes i hand carry it around in violation. welcome to my world:(

  3. Has anyone ever participated in a Warrior Dash? It’s a 5(ish)k with lots of obstacles that include army crawling through mud pits and jumping over fire.

    How does one train for such a thing?

    1. i did a mud run this fall. i do crossfit and was well-prepared. my normal training schedule involves lots of weightlifting and pull-ups and very little running. the course i ran had lots of up-and-over type obstacles – walls (vertical and inclined), pulling yourself up through an inclined pipe, cargo nets, etc. at the time, i couldn’t do a bodyweight pull up and was able to get through fine with the help of my friends/teammates, but my life would have been easier if i’d had pull ups then. it was an absolute blast – it was about a 10k distance and took us about 2 hours to complete. strength training will help you more than running will.

    2. If you can run or walk a normal 5K, you can do the Warrior Dash. The obstacles are not overly difficult.

      I would train like you would for any 5K, but make sure you are also strength training. Honestly, the running straight up hill for long periods of time (at least in my city) was more difficult than any of the obstacles.

      If you have, as your name indicates, done the Muddy Buddy – then you know what to expect! The Warrior Dash, in my opinion, is similar but so much more fun.

      I did it last year, and I’m signed up to do it again this year in my state. Can’t wait!

      Good luck!

      1. I didn’t know that a muddy buddy was anything other than a delicious snack! This will be my first mud/obstacle race.

        I’m feeling good that the two of you mentioned just doing basic 5k training + some strength training. I currently run a few times per week and work out with a trainer, so I should be good to go. I was inspired to check out the Tough Mudder right after registering for the Warrior Dash, and that one looks really really hard.

        I should also probably run this in a tutu, yes?

        1. If you were any where near me, I’d suggest we do the Tough Mudder together! It is on my bucket list. The Warrior Dash is a joke in comparison.

          Your workout schedule sounds a lot like mine, and I don’t think you need to do anything other than what you already do.

          A tutu or something equally outrageous is a must. I would also recommend pants (or brightly colored tights and knee high socks). You will get scraped up.

          1. Where are you!? I’m in Arkansas. Tough Mudder, Corporette edition sounds fun if that is close to you!

          2. Georgia. The thought of doing it by myself is scary enough that I would almost be willing to come to Arkansas just to have the support!

          3. There’s one in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Gulf Coast in 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          4. Warrior Dash Fan — You do not have to decide about Tough Mudder now, but I’m totally in if you are.

            I’m writing on my calendar to repost in September and see if you (or anyone else) are interested! We can discuss more at that time.

    3. I have never done one (I am super lazy), but my sister and her husband did one last fall. They are both semi-serious runners, but I don’t think they trained extensively for this. From the Facebook photos they posted, it seems much more focused on getting filthy and wearing a plush Viking helmet upon finishing. Best of luck if you decide to do it!

  4. I’m thinking about getting the iPad 3 when it comes out soon. My questions for those who already have one of the earlier models are:

    1. What storage size would you recommend? When buying iPhones and iPods, I’ve always just bought the largest available because I didn’t want to fill it up and then have to go through the hassle of buying a larger one and selling my old one. But I’ve never filled one up or exceeded the next largest size. I’m wondering how much people typically use up of memory and if someone who plans on getting use out of it, but not going crazy with dozens of apps, needs the largest size.

    2. Wifi/3G recommendations? To save money, I was thinking of just getting the Wifi, but so far people have said the 3G is worth it. I’m just skeptical because it’s a lot of extra cost, and I already have an iPhone that I always have with me that has the not-so-unlimited unlimited data plan. Can I make do with that? Or do y’all find that one of the things that makes the iPad so handy is the 3G access? For the record, I don’t live in a compact urban area like NYC or DC where wireless is virtually everywhere. I pretty much get it at home and work, and that’s it.

    1. One more:

      3. Given that I have an iPhone and a MacBook Air, does the iPad even add that much? I’ve also considered getting a Kindle so that I could take advantage of the free Prime lending (which sadly doesn’t work with the Kindle apps for your phone/computer). Sometimes I really want the iPad, and other times I’m just not sure that there’s anything the MBA/iPhone combo doesn’t do already, and I would do better to spend a few hundred less on a simple Kindle for just reading. I realize that’s a largely personal decision, but I’d love to hear your experiences to get an idea of whether it would be worth it for me.

      Thanks for any input!

      1. You can also get library books for Kindle with your library card for your local library.

        I don’t see the point of the iPad if you already have a laptop and smartphone, but I do love my Kindle.

    2. I will say get the biggest size because everything is getting bigger. And get the 3G. I was so frustrated trying to find wifi for my Ipod touch I knew I wanted the 3G. I leave it on all the time, have the minimum data plan for $20/month, and have yet to go over my data limit.

      1. I generally agree with this approach, but I did cheap out on my ipad & just got the most basic out there (wi-fi only & smallest gigs, think 16?). For my use of that, it’s perfect — I don’t store a lot of pics on there & my main app is the Kindle, so I’m not using a ton of space. I have wi-fi at home that I tap into & haven’t had problems finding it when I travel (most hotels have it). That said, I don’t read it on the bus/commuting or carry it around with me — it’s more something I use at home & when traveling & I have a mega computer for all my other storage needs.

    3. I don’t have advice for you but I am thinking of getting an iPad (was going to get a 2…but maybe I wait for the 3 to come out so the 2 goes down in price).

      Regarding #2…there is a way to tether your iPad to the iPhone in order to use it to access a network if WiFi is not available. Then you wouldn’t have to get the 3G version of the iPad. You may still pay for the data usage but at least the iPad itself would cost less?

    4. Get the 3G if you buy an iPad. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to commit to the data plan, you can buy the 3G-capable model and just not buy a data plan — that way, if you use if for awhile and wish you had 3G, you can add it.

      As for the size — it depends on whether or not you’ll use iCloud. If you primarily buy music/video/etc from iTunes, all of that will be stored in the Cloud and therefore will not take up space on your iPad. If you use other sources for your digital media, then you need to be prepared for the storage. Take a look at how much digital media you currently have on your MacBook Air to get an idea.

      Honestly, I’m not sure an iPad adds anything if you already have an iPhone and a MacBook Air. Unless you think you’d use it for magazine/newspaper subscriptions?

      1. This is what I was going to say. Realizing you want 3G is waaaaaay more annoying down the line. We have the 3G and just don’t use the data plan except when we need to (e.g., traveling).

        Also, it’s great for traveling – I used to bring my laptop but this is way more convenient. The apps are also pretty great, esp. magazines and cooking ones.

    5. I got the iPad 2, smallest memory (16GB), 3G. Unless you’re planning on storing tons of media at a time on it (photos, videos, songs, movies) I don’t think you’ll need more than either the 16 or 32GB at most. In any event I saved money on the storage but got the 3G and am happy with the decision.

      I was on the fence of wifi vs. 3G, but ultimately decided on 3G because (1) you can turn it on and off a month at a time as you need it, and (2) having the 3G is great for travel, especially in annoying airports that charge for wifi or, for example, when visiting inlaws that don’t have wifi.

    6. I have a macbook (…or two…), an iphone, a kindle and got the ipad a few months ago. I went with the 16g, wifi only. I rarely carry the ipad with me and mostly use it at home and when traveling internationally. For me, it’s not useful at all and is 100% a toy. The only thing I do on it that I couldn’t do as well on my other devices is read magazines. I love not having to recycle pile of magazines every month. I also love that I can read my Kindle on my commute and pick up where I left off on my iPad at night. This solves two problems: my bedside lamp sucks for reading and I don’t have to remember to take my kindle out of my bag and put it back in. None of those are real problems.

      Oh and I used to tear pages out of magazines all the time and then lose them or throw them out in frustration at having to deal with archiving them. Now I just take a screenshot of the pages on my iPad and add them to evernote. Its kind of a pain to do, but at least it actually happens, unlike the paper ones.

      I have not used anywhere near the limit of my 16g, but I don’t really have video on it.

    7. I got a 32G to give myself some room to grow (I already had a 16G iPod Touch and knew that I had used about a quarter of the storage on there). I did not get a 3G, but so far my iPad rarely leaves the house. I also have a MiFi pay-as-you go wireless card from Virgin that I can use if I need it.

      I considered getting a Kindle instead of an iPad myself, but the thing is, I wanted an iPad, and a (regular) Kindle just isn’t an iPad, so I probably would have ended up buying an iPad at some point anyway. I use it a lot -it’s great for web browsing, e-mail, and texting while watching TV, reading magazines, and I do read books on it as well. I got my iPhone after the iPad, and I’d rather use the iPad for casual web surfing than the iPhone because of the size.

    8. I have an iPhone, Macbook Pro, Kindle, and iPad 2. I use the iPad the least out of all of them. I don’t have the 3G and haven’t missed it.

      I prefer the Kindle for reading. You’re not supposed to look at backlit screens before bed, which is when I read. I prefer the laptops for anything that requires even a small amount of typing, so e.g. reading Corporette is out because I comment often enough that I wouldn’t want to type on the touchscreen. And I prefer my phone for on-the-go. I have seen students who hook up a light keyboard and use it to take notes in class; I only have a semester left or I would probably look into that option.

      I will say the iPad is nice to bring to the gym– I put it on the dreadmill and watch GG during easy jogs. My fiancé uses it more than I do because he plays games on it. They show up much nicer than on the iPhone, but I’m not a big gamer. I do like the NYTimes Crossword app– big improvement over doing them on the iPhone. But overall, not worth the money for me unless something changes.

    9. Given the MBA/iPhone combo, I would say get a Kindle.

      My husband works for Apple and we have probably 6-7 Apple devices between us, but I recently sold my iPad and bought a Kindle. I also have a MacBook Air and an iPhone, so I really only used the iPad for reading. And for reading, a Kindle is better IMO.

      My husband has a iMac as his main computer, an iPhone, and an iPad. With that combination, it make sense to have a big iPad – we like to watch movies on it in bed.

      In re: 3G – look into how much data you routinely use on your iPhone, and consider turning on the hot-spot/tethering feature. (i.e. use your phone as a wireless router for your iPad.) That’s what we do and it’s much cheaper – you have your phone with you all the time anyway so you can have wireless for your iPad anywhere you want it.

    10. Thanks for the input everyone. You’ve given me some really great points to consider and add to my inevitable pro/con list :) I follow MacRumors for the latest updates, but the forums there are a little intimidating for gathering info. I love having our hive here as a friendly resource!

    11. 1. I have 32GB. I try to go middle of the road on stuff like this, but I think if I had to I could do 16GB because I am on apple’s cloud (for photos, music, and videos) and use dropbox for files. I am on macbook pro (2007 – how is this still working like a charm?)/iphone 4S/ipad 2 setup. I use them all regularly.

      2. I’m wifi only and while I have been many places without free wifi, if I need something I just use my phone. The iPad is good for me because my macbook is 15″ and the battery isn’t so awesome on it.

      Aside — I dropped my iPad on Saturday night on the kitchen floor while reaching it to look up a recipe for the birthday cake I was making. On tile. Face down and smart cover came open (not sure it would have protected it anyway). Part of the glass is cracked and the metal edges are a bit damaged. I am so forlorn and feeling epically stupid.

      TCFKAG, where are you to commiserate about clumsiness?

        1. I watched the destruction in slow motion as I’m sure you did….At least I should have a solution by week’s end. *Sniff* I guess I can’t buy those flowered pants now (my oldest sister had an awesome corduroy pair in the late 80s – I had envy. Not so much anymore, like, not at all.).

      2. I heard that for iphones there is a glass repair kit you can buy online and it’s relatively cheap considering the alternative. Maybe they have a kit for ipads??? I’m so sorry :(

        1. Thank you so much….I am going to try a cracked screen repair service in my area (and if I do this again, I get 50% off the next repair). I wish AppleCare covered my clumsiness. I will report back on the company.

          1. I had a company in town (Jet City Device in Seattle, but they also do mail-in) fix my iPhone 3S when I dropped it a couple months before my contract was up. It was great! $80, but saved me from having to buy a whole new one until the 4S came out.

          2. I have a good recommendation for a place in Houston. I can’t remember where you are, eek, but let me know if that’s relevant.

          3. I’m in DC area (VA burbs) and found crackedmacscreen — most of their fixes take place within 24 hrs and they’ll come to me. Apparently w/ the right tools and know-how, it’s not too bad of a fix.

            Thank you, though.

            PS – I have AppleCare+ on my phone, which for a small deductible, covers accidents.

          4. I have a Squaretrade warranty for my iPhone and iPad. I sound like a shill, but I swear, I just love Squaretrade. It’s a single fee for a 2-year warranty so you’re not stuck paying monthly. And the reason I love them so much – when I bought my iPhone warranty I was entered in a raffle and won an iPad 2! It came with a free warranty, so I’m covered for accidents. As long as you don’t lose your device entirely, they’re fix it or replace it.

            To the original asker, I have a 16gig wifi and I’ve never felt like I needed 3G. If I know I’m going somewhere without wifi, I just make sure I have a movie pre-loaded and some books downloaded to my Kindle app. I generally only use it at home or on vacation in places with wifi, but I’ve used it pre-loaded to read or listen to audiobooks in the car. If you’re willing to spend the extra up front, the 3G option might be nice. I have a movie, probably 20 albums, and a bunch of apps on my iPad and I’m nowhere near 16gigs so unless you want to put a lot of movies or music on, 16gigs might be plenty.

    12. I have a MacBook, an iPhone and an iPad. I bought the first iPad and kept it a few months and didn’t see much use for it because there weren’t a lot apps. Fast forward to this fall and I decided I had to have an iPad 2 after seeing all the commercials. DH bought me one for Christmas and I LOVE it. Totally different than the first time around. I got the 16GB version with wifi only. I we it all the time. I never reach for my MacBook unless I need to do intense word processing or spreadsheets. I still use my iPhone the most because it is always on me, but the iPad is great for reading blogs. I really like Reeder and Flipboard for this purpose. Do I need it? No. Also, I have had no issue with the wifi onky. Th iPad never leaves our apartment.

  5. Hey hive,

    Would love some advice. My wonderful brother has recently lost just shy of 50 pounds. His goal weight is maybe another 15-20 pounds away, but he’s getting there! Anyway, he’s obviously going to need a whole new wardrobe, but I’d love to see him get a little bit of a style-makeover and a nice haircut, that sort of thing. He’s trying to date more and get more active socially with “the ladies” but I think he still feels self-consciense because he’s used to being hefty (if you know what I mean) and maybe a little makeover would help? (Do boys even do that sort of thing?)

    Anyway, I know there’s been advice on here for women to go to Nordstrom’s for a personal shopper and the like. But I’m not sure if that’s as good advice for men (don’t even know what the selection for men is like at Nordstroms!) Any thoughts from people on where I could maybe encourage/help him go?

    1. I actually like the men’s Nordie’s Personal Shoppers even better than the women’s, at least at the flagship locations. There’s such a broader variety of styles in women’s clothing, so the personal shoppers can really be hit or miss in jibing with your own style, but men’s style options are much narrower, so hits are much more likely.

      Another great thing about the men’s personal shoppers, or the regular men’s sales associates in the nice suits section, is that they really know what the tailors can and cannot do, and won’t hesitate to summon the tailor to chalk up a pant or a jacket. A lot of men wear the wrong size, especially men who have changed sizes recently (just like women), so a sales associate/personal shopper + a tailor is really helpful. Note that all but major tailoring is free on full priced items. A “regular” sales associate at the SF flagship location basically outfitted my DH for the wedding. Take him to the biggest/best Nordie’s in your area (Boston?), and scout for a sales associate who vibes with your brother.

      1. Good to know. I’ll ambush him and force him to shop! :-P

        I think he also definitely wears the wrong size a lot and never gets anything tailored. Boys!

        Hope you survived the earthquake this morning SF Bay Associate!

    2. I agree that Nodstroms have good mens’ departments. If he wants more casual/cheaper options, my stylish baby brother wears a lot of Express and Banana Republic. I really like BR’s men’s clothes–every time I go in there, I end up being more interested in cute stuff they have for my husband than in clothes for me…

    3. DH recently lost a similar amount of weight and got a bunch of new clothes. I think it’s a good idea to encourage him to spend some time deciding what kind of look he likes and what style he wants to go for while he’s revamping. You don’t want him to go for a new style that he ends up feeling uncomfortable in. Reddit has a subreddit called Men’s Fashion Advice (or something) that DH spent some time on before our shopping trip to give him ideas. It’s pretty similar to this site in terms of fashion usefulness, but it’s male-oriented and less focused on work clothes.

      I’ll second the men’s department at Nordstroms, and I’m not even in a major city. Everybody was super helpful, and since the returns are so easy it won’t feel so risky.

      1. I agree with Nordstroms too. Another route for more work appropriate clothes would be Jos. A. Bank. They have a great staff and it is a “manly” atmosphere. My DH lost 30 pounds in the last year and you wouldn’t have known that the man hated to shop once they got him in a suit that fit. Plus, they have sales and promotions all the time so the clothes are actually quite affordable.

    4. Completely agree with the recs for Nordstrom. My fiancé gets incredible service in there. I was pretty jealous the time I went with him to pick up dress pants. He didn’t need an appointment or anything, either, but he did pop in when it wasn’t busy.
      He also gets a lot of clothes at BR– I think he has every single classic fit non iron shirt they have made in his size.

    5. Wow, that’s awesome. Like you, I don’t know much about the men’s dept there, but I’d go Nordstrom because they’ve never let me down and I bet you could get the $50 personal shopper credit. I’d also push for him to get a Nordstrom debit card so he can get some Nordstrom Notes for future purchases or to give to his awesome sister for taking him shopping……I think even Level 1 members of Nordstrom Rewards get $100 in free alterations now.

    6. No shopping advice, but I thought I would share … when my little brother graduated from college a few years ago, I got him a gift certificate to a high-end barber shop in his area. In addition to haircuts and hot-towel shaves, they also offer massages, facials, and other salon/spa type services.

      Now, instead of washing his face with Irish Spring and moisturizing with Lubriderm, my brother has started paying attention to skincare and shaving products.

    7. I don’t know where you/he are, but the if he’s considering shirts in the $120-$150 range he needs to go bespoke! In NYC it runs about that much and they are so much nicer than the same price shirts off the rack. The options are fantastic (my fiance’s shirtmaker offered to make one cuff slightly roomier for his watch!). How stores like Thomas Pink can stay in business is beyond me.

      Bespoke suits run $800+ (basically up to infinity). My fiance hasn’t had one made yet, but he’s saving up for it! A good bespoke tailor should be able to help him out with colors, etc.

  6. I have come to be in an extremely vulnerable position at work as we have been highly dependant on one significant client and that work is winding up. I need to immediately put out my feelers in a job market that seems to be non-existant, based on the advertised positions. I don’t want to make it known publically that I am putting out feelers. This has to be handled confidentially. My usual approach is to identify potential matches and send “cold” cover letters and resumes. I have had some success this way in the past. What successes have other had in getting out there and getting known to prospective employers fast? I have excellent qualifications, by the way.

    1. Is there another client for you to support when this work ends? Has your manager asked what will happen to the people that support this client (and if s/he hasn’t, why not?)? If you can get your manager/company to agree there is no work for you, that might help you feel better about looking. Also, if they say you have a position, I’d take it with a grain of salt unless you have a really good feel there is room for you in your company.

      Bottom line, I think you need to start looking for a new position now, start building some cash reserves (if you don’t already), and get your employer to be upfront with you. If there is no work for you at your current firm, I can’t recommend enough that you start looking now. The only luck I’ve had with leads is through my contacts and I got interest very quickly once I put it out there that I was looking. Keep in mind, that any e-mail you send may get forwarded around and it may come back full circle (this happened to me, despite using my personal email address, but we all knew the writing on the wall so I didn’t care.). I have excellent references, experiences, and education but even in this market it’s not helping. All my interviews have been great and people want to hire me, but are just waiting for money/funding. If only soft job offers meant something.

  7. dear hive,

    I love slim leg trousers, but because i am very very curvy (though only a size 0/2) pants never fit right. my waist is too tiny and my thighs and booty too curvy. i’m also only 5’4″. in fact, every single pair of pants my closet has been altered to some extent, sometimes multiple alterations to one item. But, without further delay, I’m sharing these attractive amazing slim leg, pleated, navy jersey trousers with you: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/pants/novelty/PRDOVR~64381/64381.jsp
    the sales girl was honest and doubtful they would work, she said she hadn’t seem them work on anyone yet. but you should have seen the look on her face when i came out of the fitting room. they’re perfect, and jersey!! it’s like wearing sweats. love. they came home with me on saturday. they only come in the one color and there isn’t a matching blazer, but if there were I would have definitely bought multiples.

    1. Just noticed that it’s already sold out of many sizes online! wow. on saturday the website had the full range. guess the word is out….

    2. You described my body type perfectly! The only pants I can find that sort of fit are the Ann Taylor Curvy, and even then, they’re not perfect.

      Do the J. Crew pants fit true to size? I wear a 2 at Ann Taylor if you can compare to AT sizing.

      1. I don’t really shop AT, but based on my mom’s sweet attempts at shopping for me, I’m pretty sure I would be a size 2 in pants there. Pretty sure I’m a size 2 in pants at the Limited and BR too (again, they don’t fit well, so my experience is limited).
        If it’s any comparison, J.Crew pencil skirts fit me horribly, the size 0 works at the waist but looks too scandalous elsewhere and the size 2 works elsewhere and needs significant taking in at the waist. i only ever buy j.crew skirts on super clearance and then get them altered to fit.
        I bought a size 2 in these pants, there’s some breathing room at the waist, but they didn’t have a size 0 for me to try on (the sales associate thought they were ugly ill fitting pants so she didn’t get them from the back for me initially and once i tried on the 2, there was no need…) a size smaller probably would have thrown off the thighs and booty fit.

      2. IME, JCrew runs a little smaller than Ann Taylor. I wear a 10 at Ann Taylor, and I’m kind of in between a 10 and 12 at JCrew – have to get 12s and have them altered because 10s are a little too tight.

    3. i would never have even considered these pants if it weren’t for your recommendation, but i’m going to head over at lunch this week to try these on (assuming they’re in my local store). however…”forgiving front pleats?” when have pleat-front pants ever been forgiving??

  8. I am attending my city’s premier for the following movie: http://www.deadlinefilm.com/.

    What would you recommend I wear to an event like this? It’s not as fancy as a Hollywood premier, but it’s also not your every day trip to the movies. Thanks in advance!

    1. Premiere? Sorry. Corporette should have a spell check funtion :).

      1. i vote for a patterned silk dress (shiny or not), dark tights and round toe pumps/booties if the weathers calls for it

  10. Any tips for handling anxiety at first law job? I’m a new attorney in Big Law, and I’ve been at my job for three and a half months now. My anxiety and nerves just keep on increasing, my heart has raced and I’ve had heart palapatations at times. These bouts of generalized anxiety about the never-off nature of law / performance anxiety are making me so overwhelmed and I’ve begun to doubt whether I should have gone into law. One of the most frustrating parts is that I know how to do a fair amount of the general skills in law well (research, writing), and did pretty well in law school (on managing board of law review, in the top 20%, published a Note). I mention these things not to brag, but to say…what’s going wrong? Is is normal to do well in law school (and really school my whole life) and then feel terrified in the real world? Does it get better?

    Part of me wants to quit and run away from all of this; another part of me knows I can’t because of my debts and because I feel like I’d be wasting all the years of effort I put in to get here.

    Help?

    1. Former BigLaw here. I went through a lot of the same things. Law school does not prepare you well for the real world of practicing law, both the legal aspects and the business/professional aspects. I did hang in there for seven years but at some personal cost to my faith in myself and my other interests. I wish that I had proactively found a mentor who could really talk/help/coach me through the things I was struggling with. So that is my advice, find a mentor. It’ s not always easy but if there’s someone in your office who you admire and seems approachable, senior associate or partner, ask them if they would be willing to have lunch and talk through some things.

    2. Yes, it’s normal, and yes, it gets better. I think I still have PTSD from the flashing red light on my Blackberry. I have four thoughts:

      1) is there a senior associate who you trust who could be your mentor/confidante? I think it might be helpful to get some in-person advice on handling the expectations in your particular office culture. As a current mid-level, I think my connections with other associates are essential to my sanity. I can also tell you that I would be happy to close my office door and talk through this stuff if a junior associate ever came to me.

      2) is there a case where you can dive in and really be of value? for me, work got much better once I got busier on one single case, where I could really learn the record and be of use. It’s very hard at the beginning when you’re juggling discrete assignments for a bunch of partners.

      3) while I do think this is normal, I think it would be helpful for you to talk to your doctor and/or a therapist about managing your anxiety. Consider it an investment in your future — even if the anxiety is not so bad now, it will be good for you to have a strategy for managing it in the future when cases get busier.

      4) finally, I think the real world can be really hard on those of us who have always done well in school. School provides boundaries, stopping points, and gold stars. Work does none of those things. If you kill yourself to do a good job in school, someone will tell you you’ve done well, even if it’s just in the form of an A at the end of the semester. In the real world, it’s very hard to get positive feedback and no one ever gives you a gold star. And the semester never ends! It is a difficult transition.

      Good luck. Being a new associate is hard, and I’m sure you’re doing a great job.

      1. i wholeheartedly agree with everything sadie said, particularly her #4. on a similar note – those of us who have done well in school also tend to be conditioned to grab that next brass ring, whatever it may be. in law school, it was law review, moot court, etc., to enable you to snag the biglaw job. but just because biglaw is the latest and greatest brass ring doesn’t mean that it’s right for you, or that it’s something you really even want. it’s still too early for you to really figure that piece out, but it’s something to keep in mind over the next year or so as you settle into your practice.

      2. This is all great advice.

        And Sadie, I love this line: “I think I still have PTSD from the flashing red light on my Blackberry.” Me, too!

    3. Drugs. Seriously. See a GP or psychiatrist and get some Ativan or something similar. That’ll help you manage the panic attacks while you take the excellent advice here.

      1. Valerian root (otc supplements) work very well too if you want to go the drug route.

    4. Sign up for any and all training your firm will sponsor. Law school does not prepare you to be a practicing lawyer, so it’s almost as if you are starting from scratch despite 3 years of school. You need to learn on the job and take NITA classes, your bar’s CLE classes, and such. My employer subscribes to West Legal Ed, which has some good videos with practice tips. Also, if you’re in litigation, read anything by McElhaney. I had a 2-year clerkship, which filled in so many gaps. It must be so hard to go straight to practice out of law school. Hang in there!

    5. Honestly, it’s not even just in law. I started a new job in a nonprofit, even after having similar jobs in a completely different issue, and I had massive anxiety for at least 6 months, feeling like i had no idea what I was doing and everyone was going to find out, and just generally losing it. It took much longer than 3 months for me to really start to understand things, and now i realize that people were fine with it. I think over-achievers experience this in almost any job in any field. It’s an imposter syndrome kind of thing. Give yourself a break, and understand there is a learning curve, and give it more like 6 months or a year before you start thinking about whether this is the ‘right’ job for you. I think you will feel very different a year into the job.

    6. I’ve been in a similar situation for 3.5 *years* and for me it is not getting better. In fact, it is getting worse, because my responsibilities are always increasing. I randomly break down in places other than work because of this.

      1. Same, for more than five years. Currently trying to figure out escape plan … :,o(

        1. Oh lord. Life is short, ladies. If you are that miserable, get out! No amount of money is worth your sanity. I really mean it. Start looking and get the h*ll out of there. At 3.5 and 5 yrs of experience, respectively, you should have some options.

    7. I think how you are feeling is totally normal. I have never been an overachiever, but I still feel a lot of performance anxiety at work 1.5 years in. I’m in government in a department that is severely understaffed, so all I can hope for is that my work is adequate. I worry often that I made some glaring error because I had 2-3 days to work on a project that would normally take two weeks to do. While I’ve seen others make similar errors, I’d really like to be able to aim for something more than just barely passable. It does make me feel better to know that other coworkers feel the same way as I do, so if you could find someone else you know who felt the same way at some point, I do think that would be helpful.

    8. I’m a handful of BigLaw years in and I still feel this way from time to time. Best advice I got was to find a partner/senior associate you like to work with (if one exists) and work your tail off to do good work for him/her *and* to get subsequent assignments/projects/cases from him/her. If it’s possible, working on continuous or multiple projects for the same person helps you shine and lets you get into your groove a bit more quickly (which tones down the panic). And Sadie is spot on — if you can get onto a case/deal/project permanently, you’ll feel far more comfortable in the facts, what’s going on, and your role, which also helps the panic fade a bit.

    1. Don’t resist! Go for it! It’s so pretty! So many exclamations! Plus, I’m sure there are coupons!

    2. Hm… I respectfully disagree on this one. To me it looks too matronly for play, and too Betty Draper for work.

    3. It’s a large print, and very pastel, which reads granny to me. Save the money and get some cheap accessories to liven up what you already have!

    4. Have to agree – it looks similar to a chintz sofa cover. I know pastels and florals are both in but this doesn’t read right for work.

    5. I agree, it’s hard to convince myself this is for work (with a structured blazer? maybe?) but I was envisioning this more during my weekend activities like running through a spring meadow or throwing a garden party or sipping afternoon tea. Sigh.

  12. Can’t help you there. I am probably going to give in to this dress myself. Darn you for posting!

  13. You know, I’m not usually worried about being thought less professional for having “fun” accessories, but I have to admit that when I saw this card case, I couldn’t really imagine myself pulling it out in front of a client. The 50something men I usually deal with wouldn’t be impressed, I don’t think.

  14. Hi everyone!

    Anyone have a suggestion for a place to get a proper bra fitting in DC? Am I going to have to wait till I go to NYC again?

    Thanks!

    1. I think it’s Belle at CapHillStyle who has recommended Coup de Fondre Lingerie near Metro Center, and I have heard others who had great experiences there. The owner is French, she really knows what she’s doing, and they are especially known for fitting and carrying uncommon sizes.

    3. Trousseau in Vienna, Va (walkable from the metro station if you don’t have a car, but it’s a long walk). They are just so awesome. I still try to make time to get back there when I’m in DC.

    4. Coup de Foudre (Metro Center). The French lady there is amazing. I wish I could effectively convey in writing what she said to me after my fitting.

    5. Sorry if this is too naive, but how often does one need to be fitted?
      Is it only if you have a body altering experience (say weight loss/gain and pregnancy) or do you have to get re-fitted regardless after some time?

  15. Follow up on a post a few weeks ago about an inconsiderate boyfriend. Many thanks to everyone who responded, I really appreciate your advice. I backed off of the talks to give him time to do his thing. He showed some improvement but was still missing the basics. The final straw was yesterday when he blew off our plans because he fell asleep. When I said calmly “I wish you had set an alarm,” he became very defensive. I deserve to be treated like I’m a priority and to be with someone who respects me enough to admit and apologize when he’s in the wrong, not turn it around on me as if it’s my fault. I know it’s for the best but I’m feeling pretty raw right now. We were compatible in so many ways, we could have been something really special if he had wanted to put in the effort.

    1. Also, does this mean I can justify getting something fun/impractical from the kate spade sale? Or maybe 2 somethings…?

      2. Yes. You totally deserve a reward for standing up for yourself. It took some awesome strength and self-knowledge, so kudos!

        I can’t stand defensive people. How fracking immature. Just admit when you’re wrong, and try to do better next time. People who do the whole “blame jiujitsu” thing suck really hard.

    2. You more or less described my ex to a T. We had alot of similar goals and values and really enjoyed being together. We could have been really amazing, but he treated everything else in his life as a bigger priority. Once I finally made the decision that I couldn’t deal with this anymore, I felt way better (and it took a looooong time to get to that point). While I don’t hold any ill-will towards him (I don’t believe he did anything to be malicious, I just think he didn’t get that his constant excuses weren’t any good), I do sometimes kick myself for wasting so much of my time and energy on something that was never going to work.

      1. I am right there with you (and the OP). I will use this a justification for buying something from Kate Spade that I don’t really need

    3. Been there, done that. You deserve to have someone who makes YOU a priority. Someone who no matter how busy they are, or tired, or whatever, they make time for YOU. Nagging won’t get him there.

      Sigh. And hugs. And yes, buy yourself something to get through this.

    4. I remember your initial post — an since I’m practically the “he’s just not that into you” and you deserve to be with someone who is preacher on here — let me just say this; he sounds like what the phrase “drop him like a bad habit” was made for.

      Also what buying fancy Kate Spade purses was made for. :-)

    5. “I deserve to be treated like I’m a priority and to be with someone who respects me enough to admit and apologize when he’s in the wrong, not turn it around on me as if it’s my fault.”

      Yes! I know it hurts now, but you did the right thing.
      Relationships take effort, and compatibility doesn’t mean a d*mn thing if mutual respect is not there.

      Also go for it! Shiny things always cheer me up. ;)

    6. You had me at

      >I deserve to be treated like I’m a priority

      Yes, you do. Good for you for making this difficult decision.

    7. Good for you! I know it sucks, but I promise the purse will make you feel better. It won’t fall asleep and cancel your plans….see, it’s already paid for itself!

    8. Thanks for your encouragement, everyone. I showed this thread to a friend who’s going through something similar and she thanks you too. I’m so very grateful for this community.

  16. Threadjack – I got a call last week from a former boss (it was an internship type of thing) letting me know that my DREAM JOB is available and saying I had to apply. At my hubs, bff, parents’ encouragement, I applied. Just scheduled an interview for tomorrow morning. FREAKING OUT! Like I feel kind of sick and shaky. I mean, this would be a life-changer for me. I have some weird feelings/concerns though – I hate my current job (biglaw) but have only been here for 9 months (was deferred for a year so am out of law school for nearly 2 yrs). There are two possible scenarios and I’m scared of both of them – #1 I get the dream job (AH!) and have to have the really awkward thing of leaving the firm after just 9 months (I have been working like crazy and really unhappy, but they all really like me so I think there will be some partners that feel really upset/betrayed) or #2 I don’t get the dream job (booooo) and I have to buckle back down and try to make it through in this job that I hate working nonstop with no room for anything else in my life other than the gym, hubby and sometimes sleep.

    I don’t know what I’m really seeking from this post, but thought some of you may have similar experiences… or maybe any tips for the interview tomorrow to try and make sure it works out and that I’m not a shaky nervous wreck bc this is soooo important to me!?

    1. One thing my mom always said to me when I went down paths like this in my head:
      “Your world revolves around you, I know you’re incredible and my world revolves around you, but their’s doesn’t. You’re just not that big a deal to all these other people that don’t matter to you.”

      The bottom line is you’re probably wonderful and they’ll probably care, but you’re not that big a deal (in the nicest possible, freeing way)!

      1. of course, meant this in regard to the partners you’d be leaving so soon.

        And as someone who’s been there, I’d bet there’d be very little loyalty flowing the other way. Good luck, do what’s best for you, smile when you say goodbye and don’t feel guilty for a moment.

        1. Thank you!! This is very helpful actually – good to have a reminder that there’s really very little loyalty on their end (they’ve already shown that). Now I just have to pull it together for tomorrow morn!

          2. sdk is exactly right. There would be very loyalty going the other way, so do not feel guilty. Best to you, hope you get the Dream Job!

        2. I agree with this advice. Be yourself, note any accomplishments you’re proud of, and make sure you can communicate where you want to go in your career. Other than that, I don’t advice other than corporette interview tips (nail polish, hair bands). Good luck.

        3. This! You have to watch out for yourself. A dream job is a dream job, you do what it takes to get it.

      3. Yes, exactly. I have SUCH a hard time with this (see: all my previous posts. Ever.)

        For the OP: It sounds like the only thing that would be keeping you in biglaw soul sucking job that you hate is that you like the people, they like you, and you don’t want to disappoint them. I get it, but really? Your health and happiness is more important than that. And they should understand that this is DREAM JOB which doesn’t make you appreciate them and the job they gave you any less it’s just…DREAM JOB!

        When I recently left my firm and came to my new job I sososo dreaded telling my old boss. Despite the job totally sucking, I did like him and he liked me. He ended up hugging me, wishing me the best, and telling me I could come back any time. It was SO not a big deal, I’ve seen him since then at social/work/community events and he’s been just great and happy for me.

        1. try to focus on executing rather than what-ifs-practice interviewing etc. good luck!

      4. Oh, that is such great advice. A+ to your mom. Very important to remember that sometimes.

    2. If it’s your dream job and you get it, the partners you work for should understand and support you in it but if they don’t it means that you wouldn’t have worked for them for very long anyway.

      I’ve been through something very similar to you. 5 years ago I was offered my dream job only being at my other firm for 1 year (and it still is a dream job). That other firm had invested A LOT in me so I felt obligated to them. But, my DH reminded me that business is business and if they were in my shoes they would do the same thing. And he was totally right. It was great to be able to tell my former firm that I was leaving them because I was offered my dream job and that I was so thankful for everything they had done but it’s just something I could not live with myself if I didn’t do. Most of the partners understood. The one that didn’t is the same one that brags about where I am now to all of his new associates that come in.

      About the interview, here is my .02… you can daydream and wonder, and get excited and starry-eyed all you want after your inteview but before you walk in, you need to put aside all of the emotinal gravity that you place on this particular “dream job” opportunity. This is a job that you want and a place where you think you will be a good fit. Be yourself, be confident and don’t lose the sight that they asked you to interview with them so they already see something in you that they want so you are already steps ahead.

      Good luck and please report back!

    3. Re current job: unless they have invested a lot in you personally in training etc, their primary concern will be if something is wrong with their firm/their treatment of you that could be a wider issue. If you’re clear that you appreciate the opportunity to work there/the learnings and experience you gained there/their treatment of you, but the opportunity is something that (a) reached out to you, you were not actively seeking and (b) is a goal of yours that is not attainable at where you are now, they will most likely understand and be OK with it. Go get it!

  17. Someone about commenting on using valerian root for anxiety, does anyone have any advice on that? I’ve struggled with anxiety for a long time, and I’ve heard that it can be useful. Does anyone have experience with taking it? And, is this the kind of thing where it’s safe to buy and just start taking it on my own, or should I consult a doctor first?

      1. My dr recommended it to help me fall asleep. I didn’t see much of a difference, but I know many people that it’s helped. FYI – it smells P.U. nasty.

    2. I don’t think you need to consult with a doctor, and fwiw I’ve found it mildly effective. But also fwiw, it gives me seriously effed up nightmares.

    3. I commented above. I found it effective, but ymmv – I know other people who haven’t. My doctor recommended it to me, but unless you have some sort of health conditions, you are probably fine just buying it on your own. It does smell really, really gross.

  18. Here is my bimonthly runner rant. Some roads are just not suitable for running. Ever. Under any circumstance. I drive home on a relatively narrow, winding, hilly road with drainage ditches on both sides. When people run down that road, it may be hard to see them until you’re about to run into them, and there’s not going to be any way to swerve if a car happens to be on the other side because there is just no room. There are two lovely, safe parks within 3 miles of said road and I am not sure why you wouldn’t just drive to those places instead of putting yourself in danger on a road that offers such poor visibility. That is all.

    1. Because driving the 3 miles each way could take 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic, which might be the entire length of many people’s runs or all the time they have to go on a run. On a busy day, I’m forced to run from my house rather than drive to one of my favorite locations for a scenic run. My house is not on the best street for running, but sometimes I have to deal. While I do make sure to try to run as far on the shoulder as I can and wear reflective gear, you need to be prepared to share the road.

      1. But what she’s saying is that there is no way to share the road when it is a two-lane, windy, narrow road. A driver can only do her best, and honestly, the person who loses in an accident is the runner. Hopefully your street is much better for running than the one she drives home on.

        1. While I do agree that you need to share the road, runners have another options; go to a gym, buy a treadmill, go to a park, etc, but drivers have no other options. In order to get to and from work they need to drive on these roads! Also, as b23 said, the person who loses in an accident is the runner and they are taking that risk if they decide to run on these dangerous roads. Maddie Ross, you don’t HAVE to go running. You don’t “have to deal.” It’s healthy to exercise and go running, but where and when to do it is a choice that you make regardless of your other obligations or being pressed for time.

      2. That’s great, where a street is actually safe for road-sharing. On a truly windy road that is only two lanes (and that presumably has little to no shoulder) there is no good way to share the road, and runners should honestly avoid putting themselves in that situation. I say this as a runner, and one who loves to run outside.

        As others have said, the person who loses in the fight between a car and a runner is the runner. Sharing the road on a typical city or suburban street is one thing. Placing yourself in danger because you choose to run somewhere with terrible visibility and tight curves that increase the likelihood of a collision is unwise, even if all drivers are being as cautious as humanly possible.

        1. Completely agree. Above all else you must be safe, for your sake & the sake of your family and friends.

    2. I completely agree. I live in a narrow windy road with poor visibility and quite honestly I won’t even cross it on foot. It’s quite busy, especially at certain times of the day, and if it’s not busy the people driving are going WAY too fast. It is a pain in the ass because I’m used to being able to go for a run or a walk right from my front door and I do feel constrained by where I live, but I would rather drive 3 miles to a park or .5 miles to a neighborhood where I can run/walk on sidewalks than risk my life. That may seem overdramatic but it’s really not when you consider, as you do, that the runner/walker/biker is always the loser in these accidents.

    3. If you’re driving such that you would have to swerve suddenly if you happened upon a runner, maybe you could slow down. I hear what you’re saying about the bad visibility, but I dislike the idea that roads are there for the convenience of cars alone. Roads have existed for long before cars were invented, and I think we would wind up with fewer injuries, and more pleasant neighborhoods, if everyone agreed to share the road. Runners might need or want to use the road for all the reasons people mentioned above.

      People are right that in a battle between a car and a runner, the runner will always lose, but most drivers also don’t want to run someone down, and it’s not fair to put the entire responsibility for preventing this on the runners.

      1. Perhaps my area of the country (Appalachia) has something to do with the reason why I disagree with you on this issue, because I can think of at least 5 roads where I would not run because they are simply not safe for visibility purposes. I am extra cautious driving on them because people DO run there, but it always astounds and worries me to see them doing so.

        Though I will concede that in most areas of the country this probably isn’t as marked an issue as it is in my area. Of course drivers should be extra cautious, but I still agree with the OP that certain roads make it impossible or nearly impossible to share the road safely and effectively.

      2. This is a road that has numerous hills and curves and both sides are bounded by tall trees. I believe there are 4-5 houses total on the road (if that). There are no lights on the road and you have to use your brights at night. Even then, I can’t see oncoming traffic until I’m completely blinded by their brights, so you can imagine that by the time I saw a runner in my lane, it would be far too late for me to stop. My city is small and decidedly bike/runner friendly, so there is absolutely no reason why someone has no choice but to use that particular 2-mile stretch of road. It ends at a road that is fantastic for running and has ample parking, so it just makes sense to drive there instead.

  19. So, I lasted 8 hours before ordering a KS bag on the sample sale. I justify it by the fact that I just sent the Botkier bag back that was too small.

    I also want to point out I never thought I deserved KS til I met you all. I blame you.

    1. Before I bought my first designer bag (about 2 years ago), my friend who loves to shop warned me that nice bags are addictive. I said no way, I don’t like to shop and this is such a huge purchase, I won’t want another one for years. Last week, I purchased my fourth designer bag. So I feel you.

    2. No EC MD. think of it this way. You ALWAYS deserved Kate Spade. You just didn’t know it. We’ve opened your eyes. You really should be thanking us (says the girl who owns no Kate Spade…but does own one Cole Haan and blames Corporette. :-P)

      Also…you must promise to carry it while wearing yoga pants at least once. That is all.

    3. I know! Before Corporette, I never would have considered buying a Kate Spade bag. Now my second one is probably only a few days away.

    4. There’s nothing like returning an even more expensive bag to help justify buying a not-as-expensive one! (speaking as someone who decided she needed a new Cole Haan for an upcoming interview…)

  20. LAYdeez,

    Thanks to an article I read in the Washington Post, I am now dreaming of taking a scenic Amtrak ride. I am considering flying to NYC (or environs) and taking the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, and then the Empire Builder to Seattle.

    My questions:

    Are there any NYC airports that I should avoid or select?
    Have any ‘rettes ever vacationed by train? Would I do better to do the Canadian railway?
    Any ideas which part of the trip I should try to sleep through? I’m willing to train it to NYC/Toronto(?) if it means I don’t miss something spectacular.

    Wanderlust, I has it.

    1. I’m pretty sure the section of the Empire Builder that runs through Minnesota/North Dakota is the “overnight” part. The St. Paul stop is usually about midnight going west, and 6 am going east. I’ve done the trip from St. Paul to Williston as a kid – I personally find western North Dakota and Eastern Montana to be beautifully deserted. But, you see a bit of it, and then you’re good for a couple hours. Didn’t do a sleeper car, so I don’t know how that might compare to a regular seat.

      Have fun – I’ve been thinking about taking it this summer to see the grandparents.

    2. As to what NYC airports you should avoid, I would say “all of them,” but sadly that’s not a choice.

      They’re all super busy, and there will likely be delays at all of them. I read once that something like half of all delays in air travel have something to do with a flight going through New York. You can take the subway from JFK into Manhattan, which is nice, though I’ve recently discovered the PATH to NJ Transit to the Airtrain for Newark is pretty easy/quick. LaGuardia I always take a cab from, but that’s because it’s 15 minutes from my apartment and I never learned the bus routes. It’s not accessible solely by subway–you’ve got to take a bus somewhere in there.

      1. If you fly into Newark, I recommend taking the private bus that picks up passengers right outside every terminal and drops them at Port Authority, Bryant Park or Grand Central. It is cheaper, more frequent and way better than the Airtrain/PATH combo, for which you might take a couple of hours to get to manhattan depending on the Path schedule. The bus costs $15 one way and except for very early morning/late nights, runs every 15 minutes. I love in Manhattan but prefer to fly out of Newark simply because I can take this bus. JFK and LGA have similar bus services but they are less reliable and don’t save any time.

        http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

      2. From JFK, you can take AirTrain to LIRR to NY Penn Station, which is the same as Newark – AirTrain to NJTransit to NY Penn Station (both routes are ~$15 one way). LaGuardia – the only reasonable option is cab, although there are shuttles that take you to the major transit hubs in the city.

        If you have luggage, I would recommend for your and everyone else’s sanity, to stay off PATH and the Subway. There is just no room for your luggage. Stick to commuter rail and/or cabs.

    3. My husband took Amtrack from Salt Lake City to Denver, and it was one of the worst experiences of his whole life. The train was extremely slow, the other travellers were not fun to be around for that many hours, and he got a HORRIBLE stomach flu.

      I think I’d go the Canadian route rather than Amtrack; I’ve heard great things about the Canadian railway.

    4. My husband took Amtrack from Salt Lake City to Denver, and it was one of the worst experiences of his whole life. The train was extremely slow, the other travellers were not fun to be around for that many hours, and he got a HORRIBLE stomach flu.

      I think I’d go the Canadian route rather than Amtrack; I’ve heard great things about the Canadian railway.

    5. Don’t fly to Newark. Since you’ll be taking the train, I imagine your luggage will be of the “carry-on move it myself” variety. This means that JFK, the AirTrain and the NYC Subway system will be just right for you! It’s much, much cheaper to subway into town and isn’t annoying at all as long as a) you don’t try to do it with lots of luggage and b) don’t do it during rush hour.

      If however, you’ll definitely be taking a cab in, either JFK or La Guardia is fine. Just not Newark.

  21. Anyone know anything about Joe Fresh? They seem to have opened a few stores in NYC and I browsed one day. Their stuff seems very reasonable but I have no idea about how it holds up etc.

    http://www.joefresh.com/en/

    1. Quality isn’t great. I would compare it to Old Navy. It may help to know that this brand actually started only being sold at one of Canada’s biggest grocery stores (I think most, if not all stores in my area are attached to a Loblaws store). But, the fun styles come from the fact that I think the designer used to own/design for club Monaco.

      And that’s your fun Canadian fact of the day- brought to you by the same people who told you Anne of Green Gables wasn’t real :)

      2. Ha ha – that is indeed a fun fact. I think I’ll stick to ON at ON prices. Thanks for the 411, ladies

        1. Good to know. Makes me think of Rainbow Shops on 58th (?) years ago. Cheap quality clubwear and questionable-looking jackets that make Express Suit Jackets look office-appropriate, but some occasional fun finds.

  23. Ladies, I had an interview for grad school today where I got a little…emotional. I wasn’t bawling, but I did tear up a little when the topic turned to my family. I recovered slightly by making light of the situation, and we laughed about it, but I walked away feeling like I had squandered an opportunity. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Advice?

    1. I am a hiring manager. Occasionally candidates do get a “little…emotional.” I actually appreciate moments when we can let our guard down and show our human sides in such a tense situation as an interview. I have forgiven all manner of faux pas, so a few sincere tears seem frankly lightweight in comparison.

    2. I think you handled it well and showed your ability to recover with grace while putting everyone at ease. You’re human (George Washington teared up at his inauguration). You didn’t ask about followup contact, but I don’t think this should deter you from initiating followup contact or writing a thank you/whatever is appropriate in this situation, nor do I think you should apologize for it. Good luck.

  24. Not getting political, but…..iPhone users: type in Rick Santorum (it comes back Rick sanatorium).

  25. I have been watching a pair of Ted Baker flannel pants and now they are on sale 65% off – $70. I tried them on in the store, beautiful fabric and slim leg.

    Is it worth it to buy a winter-ish pant right now???

    1. yes – even if you only get a single wear out of them this year, winter will happen again next year and the year after that.

      1. Fair point! I am waffling because I have some items I want to buy for spring/summer and I have a limited budget…

        1. Well, are you going to retire some of your winter wardrobe permanently? If you are, maybe these pants can replace something. And then you’re totally justified.

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