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Coffee Break – Lancaster Wedge Pump

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Corso Como Women's Lancaster Wedge Pump Ooh, cute wedge pump from Corso Como. I only have one pair of Corso Como shoes, but the leather on them is so soft — I can imagine these are as well. I've pictured the brown (which has the most sizes left), but it's also available in a more reddishy brown “Ginger,” as well as black. They were $155, but are now marked to $77.50-$79.50 at Endless. Corso Como Women's Lancaster Wedge Pump (L-2) (P.S. Amazon has it as well, although depending on the size and the color their price is anywhere from $69-$145.)

Sales of note for 3/15/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off
  • Ann Taylor – 40% off everything + free shipping
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 50% off select styles + extra 50% off sale
  • J.Crew – Extra 30% off women's styles + spring break styles on sale
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off 3 styles + 50% off clearance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Friends and family sale, 20% off with code; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off 1 item + 30% off everything else (includes markdowns, already 25% off)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

192 Comments

  1. Great shoe.

    I have 2 pair, but one in black.

    Men love looking at my legs with these shoes on (and I love them watching me).

  2. (Reposting from previous thread–thank you for your responses so far! It’s something that’s been on my mind for a while.)

    Question for the hive–
    I used to have a really good relationship with my mom but ever since I graduated college and am “all grown up” she’s constantly giving me the guilt trip for enjoying life and almost being happy. My parents were divored when I wa very young and she’s been in an unstable relationship for 10+ years now. I go home for dinner to eat with her 4/7 days a week and I even cancel plans sometimes just because I don’t want her to feel lonely. I really only get to see my SO on the weekends and even then she makes me feel guilty for not including her in our plans (like having breakfast at a diner). I just want some alone time and she tells me that I shouldn’t trust men and be so niec to my SO since all men are the same. I’ve been with him for 5 years now and she likes him too. I just feel like maybe she’s jealous and thinks that I’m placing him over her, which is not true at all. Even my SO makes arrangements so we can stay home and hangout with my mom. I really want to move out but again I feel guilty. My older brother moved out and pretty much just comes back once in a while. This means that my mom has placed all hope on me and I feel guilty for wanting some independence. She’s already saying how if/when I get a house with SO that she will be included. Yes, I had that in mind further down the road but right now, I want to be able to live by myself or with SO just once. Is it so wrong?

    1. Read yesterday’s threads – someone else posted a similar scenario. Also, you sound pretty young – you may need help setting boundaries. Perhaps visiting a family therapist might help you?

      1. Yes, yesterday’s thread about the divorcing mom (forget if it was the morning or the afternoon) would be really helpful to you I think!

    2. To answer your last question first, no, its not wrong. Its in fact very very right.

      Second, I think you need to start setting some boundaries with your mom NOW. And I know its going to be hard. But you may also want to see a therapist because the effects of having this sort of relationship with a co-dependent emotionally abusive mother can be far reaching.

      There are several regular readers of this site who have difficult relationships with their mothers and I believe they recommend a book called “Dealing with the Borderline Mother” or something like that (hopefully they will comment on this. But seriously, you need to create distance and how. Ideally your mother would also get therapy, but since she’s an adult and you can only control your choices, you have to make the choice thats best for you.

      1. Christine Lawson, “Understanding the Borderline Mother”

        Susan Forward, “Emotional Blackmail”

    3. Of course it is not wrong. I’m sorry–this sounds really hard. I almost ended up in a situation somewhat like this a few years ago after my Dad died. My mom had no interest in being alone and started throwing out all kinds of ideas that would have compromised my own life/independence/relationship greatly. I gently suggested therapy, since our phone conversations were causing major problems, and she flipped her sh*. But as time has gone on she’s connected better to her friends and other sources of support, and our level of closeness is about where I feel it should be. I know you probably have a tougher road ahead of you though.

      Based on my experiences, I recommend talking to your brother. I have one too, and when he bails, I end up with all the responsibility. It isn’t fair. Often brothers get away with things like this, but if you approach him and explain what this is doing to your life, and ask for some compassion and support, hopefully he will step up.

      As for yourself, I think you probably need to start quietly voicing boundaries and plans…such as “let’s pick the three days per week that we make dinner together,” or “I’m planning to move in with SO by the end of the summer, and I can’t wait to have you over for movie nights.” Her process of adjustment to short-term things might be rough, but let that happen first and ease the way for bigger things, such as her not being included on the deed to a house you may buy some day.

      Good luck. This stuff is so difficult, but I commend you for honoring your mom as I try to honor mine too.

      1. yes, I forgot to add the flip side, that your brother saddled you with some of it and you probably feel responsible because he created some distance. Agree that you should talk to him about your plans.

        1. Honestly, my brother moved out and hasn’t really looked back. Which is why I would feel more guilty if I left her alone too. But because of this, I feel like my mom constantly taking advantage of me.

    4. Not wrong, she’s emotionally blackmailing you. Focus on the good relationship with your SO (is your mom frustrating him at all?) and I hope you know that her experience isn’t your fate. Probably one of the best things you can do for both of you is set boundaries. Your brother did it and so can you. Good luck.

      1. “I hope you know that her experience isn’t your fate.”

        Thank you. She is constantly telling me that it may be great now, but it may not work out in the future so I should just focus more on her since you only have one mother since “SO’s come and go…” I know she means well, but I just feel so much pressure from her putting me down all the time, especialy when I know things are good.

        1. Move. Out. Now. Guilt does not equal love. Emotional blackmail does not equal love.

      2. This. When I was a child, my mother would often tell me that I would never have friends and that I’d always be alone. As a kid, this scared the crap out of me. As an adult, it became obvious to me that my mother was a very lonley person without a social life and, as eek so eloquently put it, her experience didnt have to be my fate. Setting boundaries was key for me and I used a therapist to help me establish them. It’s made all the difference in the world. Good luck to you!

    5. So sorry you’re going through this. I agree with what other posters have said about boundary-setting. It’s going to be tough, but you need to stick up for yourself. You deserve to have a life that does not revolve around your mother. Some other things that jumped out at me:

      1. Don’t tolerate your mother trash-talking your SO. That’s totally inappropriate, especially since you say she likes him. She does not have the right to poison what seems to be a positive, healthy, supportive relationship by feeding you this self-defeating, self-fulfilling tripe about all men being a$$h*les.

      2. Don’t cancel your plans to accommodate your mother (unless it’s a genuine, 911 calling type emergency). Your mother can schedule time with you just like anyone else. She does not get to monopolize your life.

      3. Move out of your mom’s house ASAP. Your presence there makes it more difficult for you to set appropriate boundaries and makes it easier for her to emotionally blackmail you. (Also, don’t move in with your SO just to get out of your mom’s house – that decision should be made for relationship reasons, not financial reasons.)

      4. If your mother mentions moving in with you, make it clear that will not be happening unless she develops some very serious health issue that prevents her from living alone (and even then, totally your call).

      1. Re: 1– Overall, she does like him but she picks on little tihngs constantly. Like if he doesn’t carry all the grocery bags she sees that as a sign of him being a lazy husband who will take advantage of me.

        3–SO and I have been thinking about moving in together for a year now but all plans have been on hold becuase my mom believes that it’s not serious until we’re engaged or married and me moving in would be a waste of my youth (she thinks all relationships won’t work out).

        1. Again, whoa, why does mom have a say in you moving in with your SO? Unless she’s paying for it, it’s none of her business.

          Also, agree on the trash talking. When she says things like that, you need to stand up for him.

          She’s emotionally beating you down so that you don’t leave her, so that you don’t have the will or the self esteem to leave her. You just can’t let her.

    6. If it were me, I’d speak with a therapist about these issues and ask to set up some appts. Then I’d tell Mom how she’s right, I -do- need to learn to be better at these things and ask her for a favor of coming with me to see a therapist. I’d venture to think that the therapist will both help you each find ways to distance without hurt feelings and likely encourage mom to make individual appointments. This way all can benefit and the hard facts can come from the therapist, not either of you!

    7. I know this is easier said than done, but you have to remind yourself that you deserve to be happy, independent of your mother, and that your mother is not acting in your best interest right now. I agree with K in NYC that you should maybe see a therapist to deal with the omnipresent guilt, and also to developing some coping strategies for the inevitable tears, temper tantrums, and guilt trips, as you gain independence.

      And, as a side note, my mother-in-law has lived with her mother for all but maybe 5 years of her life. That is a looooooooong time to live with your mom. You should experience life outside of your mother’s house for a while (alone, with your SO, or with a random roommate).

    8. My parents had an awful divorce. My mother was depressed for most of my teenage years. I ended up shouldering the majority of the housework, cooking, shuttling sibs around, etc. My younger sister moved out as soon as she turned 18 (and was still in high school). I stuck around until I was 21 and had a serious boyfriend and was a senior in college. My little brother was in high school and my dad had renewed his interest in our lives (coinciding with his second divorce). Anyways, point being that I felt ok leaving my brother.

      I moved in with my boyfriend and did not tell my mother I was moving out until we pulled up with the moving truck. She was beyond angry with me and it took her a few months to get over it. About 6 months later we announced that we were enganged and she asked why I wanted to get married, that it was a stupid idea and he would end up leaving me anyways. Of course, she eventually came around and helped me plan a nice wedding.

      But I finally had to realize that her opinion and her happiness do not control me and that I cannot be responsible for her life and her happiness. I figured this out in a drastic way–showing up with the moving truck–but I don’t know if it would have been easier any other way.

      I still shoulder the brunt of what goes on with her–I am the one who took off work for two weeks when she had surgery, but my brother does help out more now that he has gotten older and my sister sometimes acts considerate….

      Anyways, you just have to do what makes you happy. She will learn to cope.

    9. Echoing what someone else said: I think you should take this to a therapist, and probably bring your mom along at some point, too. Your mom’s emotional blackmail and co-dependency is seriously unhealthy for both of you. She’s way beyond jealous, into attempting to sabotage your relationship (don’t be so nice to him? Really?!!). Please, please, please take this to someone who can give you outside perspective and tools to start setting reasonable boundaries. And yes, the idea of living alone with your SO/spouse is most certainly a reasonable idea!!!

    10. OP,

      If you need another perspective to view this from — right now you are accepting treatment from your mother that you would (hopefully) NEVER accept and should never accept from an SO or a friend. Being related by blood does not give someone license to mistreat you.

      At a certain point, you may need to begin viewing this relationship for what it is, emotionally abusive — and treating it as such.

      1. I am 45 years old and still have a hard time setting boundaries with my mom. But, honey, I will tell you that it is so much better now. I had to realize that I am not responsible for her happiness, no matter what. I also had to realize that she could die without our having resolved our issues and there was nothing I could do about it.

  3. Thoughts on this top? Worth the price? Is the neck too low? I was in love while it was full-price, but now that it’s on sale, I’m hesitating to pull the trigger.

    2. That top is gorgeous! If you have a similar bust as the model (ie. rather flat), it’s not “too” low. With a blazer over it when more modesty is needed, I say buy it!

    3. Beautiful! But I think it’s too low for work, especially if the color is close to nude-for-you as it is on the model here. Gorgeous as a shell to wear under a velvet blazer or ladytux during the holiday season, though.

    4. Lurv. If I could pull off that color it would be mine. I’d wear a cami at work to make the neckline more conservative and to avoid any bending-over-and-showing-the-office-my-entire-torso situations. The neckline is fine for outside of work, imo.

    5. Love it. Buy it. If you feel like the neckline’s a little low for work, wear a camisole.

      1. I agree it’s a bit too low for a conservative environment, but a cami would ruin the look.

    6. Love it but I agree its not work appropriate. And I say this as someone who frequently finds herself to be considerably less conservative than posters here. It’s not necessarily just the neckline, but the whole vibe of the shirt is a little too sexy. I think in less conservative offices, a neckline that low might be fine on some women if the shirt is otherwise a conservative one. I have a few basic low v-neck sweaters in muted jewel tones that I wear to the office a lot, and I’ll often throw a chunky necklace or scarf on with them to cover up that area a bit more. But because the neckline and the rest of the shirt (cut, color, styling) is a little edgy and the shirt wouldn’t really work with a chunky necklace I just don’t think it is right for the office.

    7. I love it. I’d wear it alone outside of work, or wear it with (yes, yes) a colored cami with lace at the bust that is not low-cut. (I have a green one like this that comes to mind.) I think that compromises between looking like your underwear is showing and ruining the look of the top.

      If you have a close-fitting dress that is not low-cut you could also try wearing this top over it, belted if necessary.

    9. I’m thinking that on a normal-height, normal-weight person, this top would not be too low for work. The model is probably 5-10 to 6 feet, and the top, in order to be long enough, is too wide so its pinned back. Thus the cleavage (ish).

      Signed,
      Very tall (6ft) and formerly very skinny person who used to have this problem but no longer does.

      1. Catalog/website models are usually more like 5’6-5’8. Runway models are the ones that are super tall. I’m 5’11” and I find that dresses that are an appropriate on models in catalog/websites are often scandalously short on me.

    1. We were out to dinner (at a casual burger and fries place) and my 3 year old son kept listening to the conversation of the people next to us and and commenting on it. At one point some one said something was “improbable” and he turned to me and asked “have you ever been to noodle bowl?”

      Next they were talking about the Oscars and he remarked to me “She likes Oscar the Grouch! Just like me!” It was pretty funny, and the women were tolerant of it, but we did have to have a conversation about listening in on other people’s conversations.

      1. I would laugh if I was one of those women. Idea for website: “Sh*t my Kid Says.” Bonus points for video.

        1. There are many blogs with that premise. :-P Kids are funny — though none are funnier than your kids (or at least than you think your kids are…if ya know what I mean). ;-)

          2. Oh I totally agree TCFKAG. I know that I think my kid is cuter than he actually is. I actually hesitate to tell people the funny stuff he says, because I am well aware that what is totally precious and amazing coming out of my child’s mouth is actually pretty rando coming from his mom….

          3. This is how I feel about things my cats do. And pictures of my cats. I swear I’m not a crazy cat person, they’re just.. so.. cute!

          4. so.is.my.dog. I’m just not 100% sure other people see it. So I limit myself to occasional FB albums overloaded with pictures of her — because otherwise I’d have a problem. :-P Right?

          5. TCFKAG, if I were your Facebook friend, it’s possible I would “like” every dog picture you had.

  5. I had started some long-winded post…decided to go for succinct.

    I’m considering moving from Big East Coast city to Chicago for very compelling personal reasons. I’m a 3rd year associate in a specialty practice area at a big law firm. I like my job about as much as possible for a big law job (the people, clients, work, etc), but I don’t think I want to have a full career in a law firm. So far my reviews have been very favorable, and I think I’m a valued member of the group.

    If this move happens, I’d like to first approach my firm/practice group with the possibility of working remotely before I start looking locally. There isn’t anyone who does that from our office, but there is precedent in other offices.

    Has anyone here successfully done this? Any suggestions as to how to approach this without turning it into an eminent resignation if the request is shot down?

    This is several months away, but I’m starting to explore my options.

    Thanks!

    1. By “first approach my firm/practice group with the possibility of working remotely before I start looking locally” — I mean my first choice would be to work remotely, if they turned me down, then I’d start looking in Chicago, not that I want to work remotely while I look in Chicago.

    2. Rather than approaching with a pie-in-the-sky idea (which is how it may come off to them), take some time to look at the work you currently do and create something in writing showing how you could accomplish the same result while working remotely as you do while in the office. Show them how you will not only continue to work at the level they are used to but also how it will improve things for them. Just don’t make promises you can’t or won’t want to keep… ex: don’t say that having a home office makes you “always available outside of office hours” unless you’re sure you’re ok with working at 4am. :)

  6. Just curious (since so many items are so expensive here), what are the best items you’ve found for under $30?

    (As for the update, the move to Miami is a’comin, in about 3 weeks, so my wardrobe needs a revamp for weather and the new job I hope to find, yet the budget’s never been tighter!)

    1. Calvin Klein pants, $19.99 on sale.
      Bright cotton cardi from a big-name catalog, $6.99 at Tuesday Morning.

    2. My vast collection of pashminas were bought from vendors on the streetcorners of NYC for $5 each, usually four at a time, minimum =p

      1. haha I’m a huge fan of pashminas and scarves… I hate shopping (short and very pearshaped with a huge difference between waist/hip measurements and big feet = no fun shopping), so I typically buy plain colored tops and bottoms and then add scarves or something to change the look.

        I keep my scarves/pashminas in an over-the-door plastic shoe holder so I can see them all and keep them all from dragging on the ground and such. I’ve filled one and will probably buy a bunch more before I move since there’s a huge outside vs. a/c inside temp. difference in Miami!

        1. PS I -do- dream of finding a Corporetter in my size who is paring down her closet so I can totally steal the castaways though lol

          2. Its true — people on here are always talking about how they need to organize there lives. And there are possibly more pears on here then any other shapes! You might be in luck. :-)

          3. And then you could start a BLOG called “Stuff I conned the ladies on my ladyblog into sending me” — it would be awesome. I would read that.

          4. If I knew my shoes and clothes were going somewhere awesome, I would clean out my closet. Seriously. I donate stuff for sure, but a person in need would compel me to help.

          5. for those asking, I’m normally a medium in tops (obviously depending on how the fit is supposed to be) and an 8 in pants though I’m short and folks actually do call me j.lo for obvious reasons, my shoes are 9 or 9.5 (10 in sneakers).

            My current wardrobe consists of black/charcoal/brown editors pants and a lot of plain sweaters/tops which I normally pair with a patterned or coordinating colored scarf and black flats. (Yes, I’m aware I’m nominating myself for most-boring award but it’s what I could afford and wouldn’t look dated 6 mos later.)

            I also grew up with guys so I have kind of no clue about jewelry stuff so I don’t really own any other than one necklace I bought myself for grad school graduation and a class ring (both in white gold). So accessories are a lost art form for me, though I always think they’re way nifty when I see others rock them!

            I would never attempt to con anyone out of anything, though I love the idea of holding someone up and demanding that they “give me the slacks or someone gets it” LOL

          6. K!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE FEET TWINS. AND I HAVE LOTS OF COSTUME JEWELRY. I would give you my pants but I need them. Also, do you wear heels?

            You are totally making me clean my place up. And you will come over. And raid it before you leave.

          7. Oh K — I think you are using the wrong dictionary. In my dictionary, “con” means to get people to voluntarily do things for you by being amazing and awesome and very nice. :-)

            Also — I may have some skirts and pants and stuff that would fit you, I’ll look. :-) And also possibly some accessories. I’d probably have to mail them to you in Miami though, you don’t want to be lugging all our junk in your car to Ohio and then to Florida!

          8. short, as in petite lengths? We aren’t shoe twins, but I have some stuff that might work. You have posted your e-mail here before, so I will send you pictures. Let me know if you ever need a wedding dress – ha!

          9. OK so I was seriously kidding about it (though I -did- once dream of a huge general Corporette closet, it sort of resembled a larger version of Cher’s in Clueless)… but you guys are making me feel girlie and excited about trying things on lol

            gonna stop monopolizing this section but I kinda feel like a Corporette dress-up doll right now and there’s something kinda… bad@$$ about that, especially coming from a gal who can change spark plugs in her car but who can’t master a basic ponytail lol

            for those who asked, my personal email is: munchkin1616 at juno dot com and seriously, this is pretty awesome!

            ———-and so I don’t post twice, I’ll combine————-
            Also, someone asked before what happened with the extra concert ticket I’d posted about a few weeks ago… I ended up posting an ad on craigs list and choosing a woman who said she was going through a divorce. Thought she could use a night off too (since that’s why my friend gifted me with the tix in the 1st place). As it turned out, she and her daughter are domestic violence survivors currently living in a shelter. It was the first “night off” she’s had in months (and her daughter got to go on a sleepover with a schoolmate). I’m so grateful to have gotten to be a part of helping her enjoy her evening in a place where she felt safe!

        3. Since I started my new job last month, I have been making a concerted effort to put together more polished, stylish (for me, anyway) outfits. Scarves have been a huge part of this! I have found them to be an easy and affordable way to take my boring clothes to the next level.

          K, I would share clothes with you if I could, but based on your description, we are exact opposites in every way (except for shortness).

    4. Talbots sheath dresses for $14. They’re tweed, though, so they won’t work for you. Brown $16 Mad Men-esque cap-sleeved sheath from the Talbots Outlet, as well. Plus dresses from TJMaxx and “the skirt” for $24 from Nordstrom Rack.

      Those are the ones I can think of offhand. Will check my closet when I get home. Bargain shopping is my specialty. That and reading and dealing with children.

      1. I love the idea of sheath dresses, but I can never find one that doesn’t look horrible on me! I’m a medium on top but have a very narrow waist and friends call me j.lo for a reason (lol) plus I’m short. I’ve bought and sent back several online when I find them on sale but I think it may just be a lost cause for me.

        Worrying about the skirt too, whether it’ll just always look way too…much… on me or if it’ll pull across the hips (or if it’d cost me more than the skirt to have a tailor take it in at the waist)

          1. did so above :) Also, if we’re separated at birth, I’d bet you got both sets of our math skill genetics and I seem to have gotten both shares of uncanny-knack-for-remembering-90s-trivia genes

        2. I have a booty too, and “the skirt” is my favorite piece of clothing I own. I think we are similarly stacked, and I think it is flattering. “The skirt” runs larger, but I got my usual size and had the back taken in, which is what I usually have to do anyway.

    5. Good topic! And glad the move is going well! I’m limiting my suggestions to stuff that is generally available (i.e., not the Elie Tahari skirt I am wearing today that I managed to snag on super clearance for about $8).
      — Someone here recommended Diva jeans from Old Navy ($19-29) and I have to say I love them! They’re not actually skinny as labeled, more of a skinny straight leg and the denim is surprisingly great quality (much better than the Gap/BR – which are both ON’s more expensive brand cousins).
      — Also, leggings at Forever 21. I know they’re not pants ;)
      — Basic cotton tees from Uniqlo (about $12)
      — Mane & Tail Hair Conditioner (works great as leave in)

      2. I second Uniqlo — I’ve gotten some great dresses and shirts (plus their “foundation shorts” – much better/cheaper than spanx!) from there for very little money. I also find them somewhat higher quality than H&M and Target.

      3. Oh, I’ve been thinking about getting new leggings. How are the leggings at Forever 21?

        1. Excellent.
          I also like the ones at H&M but those are a bit more see through than I like (even though I rarely wear mine outside the house).

    6. My personal favorites:
      +Sundress thrifted for $3; it’s loose and airy, with a fantastic, bold floral, and got my bucket list item of “photographed by stranger for fashion” checked off
      +Blue Old Navy sundress with white pattern, from sale rack for $11
      +Dress from Zara’s sale rack for 18E; it’s white with horizontal turquoise stripes, and a red zipper detail in the back
      +Red and blue paisley pashmina from Canal Street vendor for $8
      +Turquoise alpargatas for 22E
      +Gray, cotton knit cardigan from Old Navy for like, $15, which I am wearing as we speak

      None of them were purchased recently, so I can’t give you any specific links, but go to thrift stores! I got some really nice tops (although they don’t crack my favorites list, since they’re Adult Work Clothes and don’t have the longevity of the Old Navy cardigan) from Beacon’s Closet.

      1. I’ve found that 15 dollar store dot com has a lot of fun things too, though they’re sometimes in the “ya get whatcha pay for” category. I have a few maxi dresses in tie-dye from there, which meant no worrying about being too short in the back/long in the front due to the posterior. Also, the ones I bought are teared and have rough edges so I was actually able to cut a tier off at the bottom to make it the right length for me. Am considering belting it to define the waist more but maybe that’d screw with the look like this one
        http://15dollarstore.com/p/cute-options-crinkled-strapless-tie-dye-maxi-dress-turq-blue-/8418488918646055

        I’m LOVING these ideas, keep ’em coming, it’s the only stuff here I can afford!

        1. Ooh I like the idea of 15 dolla store dot come. Maxi dresses are the best! And, when you find ones that fit the hips (^*&^ing pear shape), they are sooo flattering. I got a great one at Target last spring, for a smidge over $30, think it was like $35, by Xhiliration.

          And yeah, I like this thread too, because I can actually afford the stuff on it as well! The $1200 sweater was nice and all, and the $200 blouse from this morning was actually quite pretty…but never going to happen.

    7. Balenciaga heavy silk charmeuse/twill (? – haven’t seen fabric like it before or since) shell in taupe/beige sort of color. Found at a discounter in the “rich” part of Nashville, TN for about $30. Real pearl buttons on one shoulder. Had luster but not shine. Inside – rolled french seams. Well made enough to take hand washing and then ironing – for years. Died of an indelible ink spot sometime in the nineties. I am still in mourning.

        1. The Steinmart on White Bridge Rd- near Belle Meade. It tends to have much better stuff than the other ones in the are IMHO. It was a Belle Meade lady who put me onto it – “Honey, you know people with real money don’t like to spend it. ” For “real money”, read ‘generation skipping trust funds that go back to great great great granddaddy’.

          1. I figured it was either Brentwood or Belle Meade, eh, 50/50 shot! (I grew up there so I remember those folks, just never was one of ’em lol)

          2. I’m in middle Tennessee, not Nashville proper, but if you ever get back to Nashville, put something on the Corporette thread and we can meet up. : )

    8. I have bought some great deals in the Lands End section of Sears. To be honest, I never used to go to Sears, but then I found a great non-iron button down shirt there. Since then, I have found some really great basics in the Lands End section. Most recently, I got a cable sweater with knobby buttons for $20.

    9. Old Navy Women’s Plain-Front 5″ Twill Shorts ($19.94 full price — but ON and Gap always have 15-30% off codes flying around).
      Old Navy Jersey Maxi Skirt ($24.94 full price) (Though I have the ones from last fall, which per the comments are much fuller than the current cut.)
      Lands End Canvas Heritage cotton cardigan (not as many colors left but currently $13.97).
      L.L. Bean French Sailor 3/4 sleeve boatneck (more of a cotton sweater) ($29.95).
      Nordstrom Halogen “Carryover” scarf ($28.00).
      And don’t laugh . . . .
      Some Lauren green cargo shorts from several years ago, Calvin Klein tailored-neckline white tees (2-pack), and 10-packs of Champion or Adidas mini-crew sport socks — each found at Costco for under $20.

      Oh, also, I got several of my Gap Perfect Trousers when they were having a promotion making all the “Premium Pants” $30 a pair.

    10. I am a pro at discount shopping and am having a hard time nailing down my best finds. Probably a thrift store J. Crew sweater (thin, sexy, deep v, tags on) for $5 that I wore practically every time I went out for 2 years. It recently found its way into the dryer and would now fit a toddler. A small toddler. *moment of silence.*

      My latest great find was actually at Wet Seal. I’m guessing they would have a lot of fun Miami style clothes. I was looking for some thin, super soft t’s to sleep in (yes I am finally getting rid of all the junk college t’s) but didn’t want to spend a ton of money on them. I got 5 for $20 at Wet Seal and they are nice quality, thick enough that you can’t see the color of my skin through them.

      K, I’m going to dig up your email from an old thread. I need some advice on how to deal with a friend. I’d post it here but there is a lot of specific, too personal details to put on the web. Long story short, once victimized, now perpetual victim putting herself in bad situations and living as a human doormat. How to support without enabling, being there when others just judge, doing more than just picking up the pieces constantly, and regaining trust after having one too many glasses of wine and telling her what I really thought. Give me some advice and I will send a gas card your way to use towards your trip!

      1. my email is munchkin 1616 at juno dot com, I’ll keep an eye out for your email, I’m happy to help!

    11. ahh okay, confession time. I RARELY buy items over $30.
      I think I can pick out those items on one hand (a few nicer suit jackets, one pair of pumps and dress boots).
      Part of this is because I’m a weird size (4’10”, xs) that no one else ever seems to wear, and part of it is because my mother and I bond by bargain hunting in the suburbs. I’m also a graduate student, so different payscale and work wardrobe. (dress pants + sweater or casual jacket + jeans)

      I have a black interview suit (jacket + skirt) from the Loft that I got marked down for $28. Sometimes LOFT quality is iffy, but their sales are banging.

      1. a suit for $28!? I thought I was a great bargain hunter but that is seriously impressive.

      2. brava for the suit! Wondering if you ever shop in the kids’ section… my mother is your exact size and sometimes finds things in the kids section or (weird as this sounds) in stores that sell school uniforms for the basic slacks/button downs.

        What a fun way to bond with your mom, especially since you’re clearly awesome at it!

    12. JCPenney solid color t-shirts in their house brand, St. Johns Bay. Long, short, 3/4 sleeves; crew, v-, turtle, and scoop necks. Tons of colors. Heavy cotton, wear like iron. All about $12 or less. Love them.

    13. Second the recommendation for Old Navy jeans (mine have lasted for years!). Also recommend Old Navy perfect crew-neck t-shirts — surprisingly well fitting and easy to throw on with a pair of pants and a fun scarf. Plus, I don’t feel guilty ruining them by converting them to yoga/gym t-shirts when all of my legit gym wear is dirty, since they’re $8.50 a pop and usually on sale for $5.00.

      1. I love old navy jeans and t-shirts. I have had the same pair of jeans and several t’s for about 8 years – and they still look great. I actually have trouble legitimizing paying more for jeans now because the ones I have for $19 have stood the test of time.

    14. I’ve had great luck at a certain thrift store I used to live near. Including a brown BCBG Max Azria blazer that fits me perfectly for about $15. That’s my best deal off the top of my head.

  7. I am currently a litigation associate in NYC and am thinking of trying to make a big geographical change to California to be closer to family. Haven’t lived in CA for years and years, and never have practiced law there. I’m interested in in-house positions and potentially in lateralling to another firm. I’m thinking about San Francisco/Bay Area, but am also thinking of Sacramento in hopes of living in a place with a much lower cost of living. Any Corporettes have experience making a NY-CA switch, or experience with living in Sacramento? I’d appreciate any thoughts.

    1. I lived in Sacramento until January, I loved it. I now live in the north bay, not really considered the bay area. Sacramento is great because the cost of living is MUCH less, there are great places to go downtown and tons of gems to find tucked away here and there! Then for weekends you’re 1.5 hours from skiing, 1.5 hours from downtown SF, 1.5 hours from at least two great lakes with fabulous hiking…whatever you’re interested in, you can do it!

      The legal market is very different than what you’ll be used to but I was in mid-sized regional law and am now in government, so I can’t speak to the big firm experience. Their offices are nice and always seems weirdly empty when I’ve been there for depos or whatever.

      Honestly, coming from NY you’ll probably be happier in SF though, it’s a big city and Sacramento really really isn’t.

  8. TCFKAG, I think I posted this too late, but I know the woman with the grey sparkly blazer at Cosi this morning, and I sent her a link to your comment.

      1. Its like Missed Connections, but for clothes love. This is giving me all the warm fuzzies.

    6. This is awesome. I hope she responds (at the very least with a link to the blazer).

      1. Yes. You must get her to tell us where she got it. Report back from sparkly blazer friend. Please. :-)

        1. Am I the only one that it freaks out? Everytime I post in the “what are you wearing” today threads, I get petrified that someone in my office is going to recognize me from my outfit!

          1. Well, what you should learn is that if you’re ever wearing a sparkly blazer, do not post that day. :-)

          2. That blazer really stood out. I mean, despite reading this site, I don’t really care very much about other people’s clothes, but even I thought “Wow, I have never seen a blazer like this.” It is very memorable.

          4. I have had two of those moments on corporette. One with the what are you wearing thread, I realized somone I had mentioned the site to in passing had become a corporetter. and I do always love her outfits! Another time, I realized a bad story was about my coworker and I knew who wrote it. And the person should not have been posting about it on corporette it was really snarky and mean spirited. I have always thought about her differently since then.

    8. She says it came from Banana Republic.

      She also said, in response to your comment: “That is too funny. I can’t tell you how many comments I get on that damn jacket! Thanks for forwarding that it made my day.”

      And I did tell her that she should become a commenter here (or at least a lurker who never posts, like me.) :)

  9. Is there any point following up on jobs after you applied? I applied for a position almost a month ago and I haven’t heard anything. It’s a position I would love to have and I want to be proactive, so I’m considering sending a follow-up email to the hiring manager. But is that overkill? Shouldn’t I assume that if they were interested, they would have contacted me?

    2. I wouldn’t assume that is the case, there could be a lot of reasons why and you won’t know unless you e-mail. Especially since you have the hiring manager’s e-mail and it sounds like your application didn’t go into some soul sucking dark hole of an online application system. Send now before it gets to be the end of the week!

      1. Thanks for the replies! I’ll send out a follow-up email— fingers crossed! :)

        1. Also my fabulous marketing friend told me to keep updating my LinkedIn profile so I would appear in the feeds of people. If you’re linked to this person, do that, too.

    3. In every “grown-up” job I’ve had, more men brought in baked goods than women. So I never felt like I was being labeled when I brought in my baked goods. I tend to baked when I’m stressed or lonely, but I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I don’t know what else I was going to do with them. Of course, now I live with my husband and a (male) roommate, so cookies vanish immediately after they come out of the oven.

    4. Definitely do this, especially if it’s a smaller company. You just never know. I applied for an internship in college, heard nothing, called a few weeks later to follow up, and ended up being asked in for an interview the next day. Turns out their original pick fell through and I must have called just as they were re-starting their search. Obviously, this was a summer internship and not a full-time job, but following up won’t take more than a few minutes and who knows what might happen?

  10. I’m wondering what the hive-mind’s opinion is on this post on Ask A Manager. SHOULD we all be bringing cupcakes into work? (Personally, I think not.)

    1. I know I shouldn’t — but that’s only because all my colleagues would want to kill me because I s*ck at baking.

      :-)

    2. I don’t think anyone has to bring in baked goods. I’ve never had a problem with bringing baked goods myself, and my husband brings in things that he makes to his office.

      I thought the situation with the doctor’s office on AAM was weird for multiple reasons, including that the writer specifically told the one doctor about the cupcakes, and she said she gave them to the doctors–did she only bring enough for them and not other staff?

    4. To actually contribute to the discussion (though channeling Ryan Gossling is a mighty fine contribution) —

      I think it totally depends on all other aspects of your work persona and your office. I am the newest associate at my firm, and I think I don’t always come off as authoritative anyway. Consequently, I will not be bringing in cupcakes so as not to get the reputation as that girl who brings in cupcakes. I don’t even want to be that smart girl who brings in cupcakes. No one would blink, however, if one of the equity partners brought in a homemade pie because those people have already established themselves.

    5. Depends on your office and colleagues. The director at one of the places I used to work always used to ask me when I was bringing in chocolate chip cookies. Never. ever ever ever in a Twelfth of Never sort of way. I do enjoy cooking, but if I have too much that I can’t give to family/friends, I try to freeze the dough for later or eat them all myself.

      Now, if it’s a thank you sort of thing, that’s different. I think it’s a nice gesture to thank a team for a job well done. Ex. I took in a couple dozen donuts as a thank you for all the hard work my team did. It was unexpected. (I think people should be willing to dig into their pocket in that way – it is often very appreciated. An e-mail is also nice, too, but food is yummy.)

      1. There can be a perceived difference between bringing in storebought donuts and homemade cookies if you don’t want to be known as The Girl Who Bakes. I send homemade goodies with my husband most of the time rather than bring them in.

        1. That’s right. There was a huge age disparity where I worked and I worked mostly with men, so I didn’t want to be labeled. If the demographics of my peers were more balanced, I probably would’ve been more inclined to be more personal and bring in some of Ina Garten’s fabulous cranberry scones.

          1. You could bring me cranberry scones. :-) You KNOW I’d appreciate them. Especially if they came with duck bacon.

          2. I totally would. And they are fabulous for fabulous people and you would appreciate them and we would have duck bacon and bloody mary’s/bellinis/champagne. I am going to try the duck bacon and report back.

            ——
            FWIW, by disparity, I am civilian and the only female working with Marines and retired Marines. There were other women in the building, but it was definitely a know your place environment/know the spouses.

    6. I bring in baked goods all the time. I’m the boss, though, so I don’t feel as concerned about appearances. That being said, lots of female staff members on my team bring in cakes, etc. We’re all in the same age bracket and, aside from our MD (your bog standard rich old white dude), my company skews very young and has majority female management, so I think, on the whole, we have very few gender dynamic issues.

    7. I once made brownies at my office (we have an oven). I’m pretty sure I became everyone’s favorite person that day. My office is primarily women though.

    8. I actually really like how my office does treats – people (male and female, all ages, support staff and attorney) bring in either home baked or store bought for their birthday and attorneys (male and female) bring something in when they win a jury trial.

      1. I feel like this is a weird one… I am a person who loveloveloves to bake as a stress reliever, something to do when I feel like the day’s been particularly lazy, or just because. I never am going to eat 24 cupcakes or 6 dozen cookies so I end up knocking on neighbors doors when I know them, but sometimes it’s nice to just bring them in to brighten the office mood for the day or to acknowledge work well done. When I was a Director in my last organization, I did this about once a month to show appreciation for my staff who I knew loved such treats. Having to give so much thought to it sort of sucks the fun out of it… why is everything so hyperanalyzed?!

        1. K, this is such a nice thing to do! (And further cements our impression of your all-round awesomeness.)

          I think a person should not bake for their coworkers if they are manipulative, judgey coworkers who will use it against you. Otherwise, I’d say: bake away and….save some for me! :-)

        2. I agree – I hate the over analyzing one must go through! If I am at Panera to get coffee in the morning, if the mood strikes me I will also pick up a bunch of bagels for everyone else. Or if I made a ton of cookies that my family could never finish, I will bring them in to share – I really never thought about how I might be perceived. But, then again, it is pretty common in our office for people to do that, so it doesn’t stand out.

  12. Maybe this was said on Monday, but did anyone else think that Angelina Jolie looked ridiculous posing at the Oscars? That leg thing was bizarre. Loved when the guys from the Descendents posed like her when they won. I love Ange, but come on! We all know you have nice legs (not to mention Brad Pitt at home). No need to rub it in our faces!

    1. OMG YES. In fact, it bothered me SO MUCH, I have extensively tumblred about it. Because it is so important to my life.

      1. It bothered me, though I ALMOST came back around because she just seemed so d*mn pleased with herself. It kind of tickled my funny bone. But then I went back to annoyed because if I had as much money as she did, I’d eat a cheeseburger or eight. Or at least a ton of fancy sushi. Money is wasted on actors and actresses who can’t indulge.

        1. I was seriously just now having a technical conversation with a colleague in the hallway, and another colleague Jolie’d her leg out of her cube.

          No, I did not manage to keep it together.

    3. It was over the top. Joan Rivers (yeah, I watch Fashion Police) paired her next to one of JAniston’s poses a while back and it was funny.

    4. YES! The pose was ridiculous, but more than that I was really horrified by how emaciated she looked. :( She’s a beautiful woman, but her arms are like toothpicks. She looks genuinely ill. What’s more, there was a whole flood of people commenting on how “stunning” she looked. I know that Hollywood likes skinny, but she took it to a whole new level. Read somewhere that she’s 5’8 and 98 pounds.

      While I wasn’t a fan of JLo’s dress, I do love her body — fit, curvy, healthy.

      1. Agreed – maybe if her arms had always been like that, you could chalk it up to genetics. But she used to look much healthier.

        1. I remember Angelina in Cyborg 2. A hilariously bad sci-fi movie that’s very MST3K-able.

          Anyways, Angie was slender but still had rounded hips and thighs then. Now, she’s whittled herself down to preying mantis-skinny.

          2. Hackers was filed in my HS. I just have to point that out every time someone mentions that movie. :)

          3. Yay! I loved Hackers! So much that I have the soundtrack.

            And I seriously want Kate Libby’s kimono dress, the one she wears at the end when she jumps into the pool with Dade.

            It was through that movie that I discovered the band Massive Attack. :-)

    5. Other than the awesome sari discussed yesterday, my favorite dress was Gwyneth’s because the girl rocked a cape on the red carpet. A cape! And it was awesome and she looked great.

      Plus…I like her. Despite GOOP, which is weird.

      1. Loved that. Though my personal favorite was Penelope Cruz’s violet/greyish ball gown. Want.

        1. Emma Stone’s pink dress! I could so see myself wearing that. Plus, she was just flipping adorable accepting the award. I’m in love with her.

          1. Accepting or presenting. Because if you’re talking about her presenting at the Oscars — I have to agree. She stole the show. She’s my favorite young actress out there right now (Easy A was much, much better then expected, even my husband liked it!).

          2. Emma Stone has so much charisma, it’s ridiculous. Love that she’s such a charmer and a snappy dresser to boot.

          3. I loved Emma Stone’s dress so much! I’m not sure most people could pull a dress like that off, but she nailed it. Her hair and makeup were perfect too. Huge girl crush on her!

          4. Emma’sgown was my favorite of the night! Love love love her. (And Easy A was a really good movie where I expected nada.)

      2. Totally agree with you, Two Cents….Yes, her face looked alittle more alive than she has recently, but her kneecaps were protruding and she overall did not look healthy. I’m all for acceptance of different body types and understand some people are naturally thin (i’m one of them whose frequently been accused of having an eating disorder when i just don’t put on weight) but Angie used to look so fabulous when she was tomb raider-she looks ragged now. I also totally agree that JLo looked fab – i happened to like her dress though! Gwyneth can do no wrong in my eyes, so that’s just a given.

      3. TCFKAG… I think we were meant to be friends… I loved Gwyneth’s dress and I’m just a general fan of hers. I really don’t understand where all the hate comes from. Yes she is privileged and talks about it, but I don’t think she does it in a bad way or shows off.

        1. I always kind of like her (I’ve always secretly loved Shakespeare in love and Sliding Doors is legit my favorite movie of all time). Then she went on Glee and did that Ceelo (?) cover (gotta be honest with you, better then the original) and I decided I loved her. And yeah — its unshakeable.

          1. +1. LOVE Sliding Doors. Love Glee Cover. Feel as though I’m supposed to hate her, but really just can’t. Thanks for being there for me and my secret love.

      4. Yes! I love capes, capelets, tank tops with capelet details, etc.

        Gwyneth finally won me over when she was honest about using Spanx to fit into her awards show dresses after she had her first kid. Also, she is honest about being an exercise fiend and very careful about what she eats in order to maintain her physique. None of the, “I just have a naturally fast metabolism and eat pies all the time” nonsense.

        GOOP is weird to me, though, because it reads with all the cluelessness of the 1%. “Here’s how I figure out my spring wardrobe, by buying all these designer clothes which cost a total of only $41,000!”

      5. I mean, I wear a cape. It’s sort of a Madeleine French-schoolgirl cape, not an awesome mod floor-length cape, but it’s still a cape. I am ALL ABOUT the capes.

        In short: LOVED.

    6. My favorite two looks of the evening were Octavia Spencer in Tadashi and Jessica Chastian in McQueen. Both looks suited their wearer perfectly, IMO. I could not stop looking at that McQueen dress.

      And I am now in love with Jean Dujardin, despite never having heard of him before. He was adorable accepting his award.

      2. Octavia Spencer looked amazeballs. As did Chastain. Kemper needed to tone down the bangs. And I loved Natalie Portman’s dress because I’m a sucker for a polka dot.

        1. I agree, Octavia Spencer looked amazing. I also really liked Busy Philipps and Meryl Streep.

        2. Loved Natalie Portman’s dress, hated the necklace she wore with it with a passion. It’s rare when I think that a necklace (esp. a gorgeous sparkly diamond one) can ruin a whole outfit.

          Agree that Angelina looks crazeb*lls with that leg shtick.

          1. Am I the only person on the planet that thinks Natalie Portman’s dress looks like something home-sewn? Poofy skirt + polka dots = Ma Clampett.

            Yeah, I know its vintage Dior. This one did not age well.

          2. Not the only one. I loved the “New Look” shape of it, but those polka dots were just awful.

        3. I didn’t want to love Natalie Portman’s dress (I feel the same way about her that many people feel about Gwyneth and consequently wanted her to fail horribly) but it was just perfection. As much as it pains me, I have to put her in my top 5.

      3. I am also painfully in love with him. He is so adorable and SO dashing!! I loved that movie.

        Also agreed on Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer and, to add to the Help love, I thought Viola Davis looked the absolute best out of anyone. Knockout dress, that color was amazing.

        1. I love Viola Davis, I just wish the bottom of it didn’t look like it had been attacked by some sort of dress eating werewolf (this is a trend by the way — she was not alone) — this werewolf seems to be fond of replacing the part of the dress that it destroys with some uglier fabric than the rest of the dress was made out of. This bothers me.

          1. I also think she had too much cleavage on display. I would forgive the bottom if the top was a tad less revealing. I get that it’s the awards and all, but I think when you’re that busty on top you can’t do the whole J Lo bit.

        2. Let’s just talk more about Jean Dujardin, because I also did not like the green dress. I liked the idea of it, but I thought it looked too smushing in the chest and gave her a rectangle shape.

          Jean Dujardin, come have dinner at my house. ;) Dinez a chez moi.

          1. He reminds me of Gaston from Beauty in the Beast — but in the best possible way I could mean that (as in, I love!!!). The entire time he was on screen, inside of my head, I would hear, “No one’s slick as Gaston! No one’s quick as Gaston! No one’s neck’s as incredibly thick as Gaston! For there’s no man in town half as manly …”

    7. My son complained that her face was shiny. I thought it was funny that he wasn’t impressed with her at all.

    1. Haven’t watched it yet, can’t at work…but I assume they’re U of T students? If they’re saying don’t go to law school…I agree somewhat. Not everyone at every Canadian law school gets a job, never mind a good job. Maybe U of T students all get jobs but at a non U of T but still “awesome” school that places well (i.e. not Windsor/U of M/rando east coast school) many of my 3L friends are still looking for jobs, and many will have trouble paying back their loans even if/when they do get jobs. It’s not for everyone and even in Canada all is not rainbows and puppies just cuz you go to law school, especially if as with Toronto schools, you will likely graduate at least $60, 000 in debt, if not more ($100, 000 figure is quite common).

    2. I didn’t watch the whole thing and I’m not a lawyer. But, I didn’t like the little kid in it saying that law school makes her mommy drink and I’m not a humorless person. I would also be concerned with prospective employers seeing the video.

      1. It’s a joke, right? I mean, it’s satire. It’s supposed to be funny. Funny because there’s some truth to it — yes. US law schools have comedy shows where stuff like this is created every year (and posted on YouTube). Above the Law even has a contest for which video clip is the funniest, I think.

        The comedy show kids still get jobs. BigLaw is largely humorless, but even they aren’t going to get their panties in a knot over this. And really this is focused more on law school itself.

        signed,
        BigLaw associate who was in the comedy show back in the day

  14. I’m on doc review today, and every time I read an email where the author has used all caps too frequently, I think it’s Ellen. Definitely a sign that I’m on corporette too often :)

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