Coffee Break: Lilly Pulitzer Lumbar Pillow

112 Comments

1. Hi! Job offer/benefits question: I just received an offer this morning from a great company, and they sent over a brief summary of their benefits package (the offer email came automated through Workday). The PDF does not describe anything about parental leave, and neither does their website.

   It’s totally fair to ask my HR contact at the company for that information, right? And not like a weird red flag for my candidacy? I don’t have kids yet, but we’d like to start trying within the year. The other benefits at this company seem standard (nothing crazy good, but solid), so just weird to me that this was left out.

   1. So both my husband and I have asked a lot of specific parental leave questions with new jobs when we were not expecting. You should! TBH it’s been totally awkward each time but oh well – you need to know and they should tell you.

   2. Fully appropriate question to ask once you have an offer– especially since you have an HR contact.

   3. I don’t know if it is weirder but you could ask to see the handbook. Usually, parental leave is covered in there.

   4. Congratulations!

      As someone who’s worked in corporate talent acquisition for years, my advice is to ask! This is a completely normal benefit to ask about, and since you’ve already received an offer, this would not be so off-putting that they’d rescind it. Just be prepared for the possibility that they don’t offer it, or offer so little that they feel it’s best not to even mention it in the overviews.

      1. Thanks! I did end up asking. They provide 4 weeks paid–which for someone leaving biglaw, seems like so little! But hopefully being in CA and being able to do disability and FMLA (and whatever other CA-specific, unpaid (or partial paid) benefits there are) helps…

   5. I asked last year, and it was fine. If the HR contact is professional, this shouldn’t even get back to the hiring manager.

2. For the past year, I’ve been using minoxidil 5% for moderate female pattern hair loss (mainly widening and uneven part). I added spironolactone over the summer. But it’s not doing enough. My hairline has recently started receding(!). I don’t love the dermatologist I’ve been seeing for hair loss. If you happen to be in NYC and have a recommendation for a new specialist, I’d like to hear it. Ideally someone empathetic who talks about non-prescription, non-procedure treatments to consider as well as the lucrative treatments. I was also advised by a friend to look into getting a laser helmet. In doing so, I discovered that there are all sorts of products — hats, helmets, combs, wands. I don’t know how to tell which one is right for me, or if any of them are legitimate versus scammy. If you have any knowledge of this stuff, please share. (And if it matters, I’m pale, in my late 30s, not in/approaching menopause, with many thinning-haired women on all sides of my family.) Thanks so much!

   1. Take a look at Kathleen Jenning’s blog.

   2. With the caveat that this was 8 years ago, I found Shira Maryles to be helpful with hair loss.

   3. There is a derm on Youtube that has a gives a lot of info about hairloss and gives specific recommendations for which of those laser helmets to buy. If you’re willing to throw money at the problem, look into FUE Hair Transplant. In the mean time, check out hair fibers. It’s basically makeup for your hair, to make your hair look thicker. I have the Topikk kind, and I’m under the impression that lots of celebrities who don’t have thinning hair use this stuff to give themselves a perfect hairline.

3. This is definitely for a demographic of people that does not include me, so I would never purchase it or see it “in the wild,” but it is the first Lilly P item of any kind I actually like

4. How do you ignore things at work that bother you, if you don’t have the time/energy to make things change? I lateraled to a firm last fall and staff/admin things are driving me nuts. Examples: marketing director frequently posts social media updates with multiple grammatical and spelling errors. IT tickets are first come first served, which means I often wait two business days before I can access electronic client files (which means delayed client service). Accounting knows I want to email client bills but the director insists my assistant print all emailed bills, alphabetize, and file in the basement storage.

   I know things are different at every firm. But there are a half dozen things that drive me nuts. The staff director and managing partner told me if I want things to change, I need to get buy in and take the lead on coaching staff and assistants through changes. In other words – I should proofread all social media posts, or set up meetings between stakeholders. This stuff is taking up mental space, energy, and taking away from my billable hours.

   The only thing I can think of is frankly, learning to let stuff slide. (Typo? Well, maybe a prospective client knows I didn’t write it. Etc.)

   Suggestions?

   1. I *really* don’t think it should be the job of an attorney to supervise the marketing director’s attention to detail/literacy. WTF. That just sounds like the brass telling you “we don’t care, so you get to do it if you do.”

      The IT thing stinks. I’m sure there’s a system out there that would let you differentiate between “affects client service” and “does not affect client service.” Our lofi system is “call IT directly if it affects patient care, submit a ticket otherwise.” Maybe if you start calling IT every time they don’t get you what you need in time, they’ll come around to a changed system?

      If you’re allowed to email bills, your assistant just has to do that asinine paper filing process, that seems like a culture thing that will die eventually and I would let that one go.

      1. This. Not an awesome firm :/

   2. When it comes to the social media posts, you definitely need to let it go! That is absolutely not worth your mental energy.

      1. I think the social media posts are really awful. In law, your facility with words and attention to detail are table stakes. If you can’t get the easy stuff right, should I trust your firm with complex legal matters that involve strategy or negotiations?

         If a firm had crappy social media posts, that absolutely would affect my brand perception of them (whether it was the marketing director or otherwise).

         And it is _completely_ insane to ask a billable resource to proof a marketing director’s posts, unless you get a comp billable number to use for that work. But it wouldn’t be insane to ask that a second set of eyes (a good writer who is a paralegal or assistant) review prior to posting. That’s a good “meet in the middle” compromise.

         Also agree that a JIRA ticketing cue with urgency level should be instituted with your IT.

         1. She’s already brought it up. They clearly don’t care so she should not be spending more time on this issue.

         2. Presumably the marketing director doesn’t have a law degree, but the managing partner, etc., should care about that image of their firm, right?

            1. At my firm, lawyers have to proof all social media posts for exactly that reason. We need to make sure the information is legally accurate! We aren’t there for grammatical errors but would of course fix if we saw them. Usually, the lawyers rotate writing the blog posts but if we are jammed up or something interesting comes up in the news, the office manager will write it and we just proof.

            2. Wow, I hadn’t thought of that either! (NAL, clearly.)

   3. The IT thing boggles my mind. Our team uses JIRA to track requests, and at the bottom of the ticket is a ranking to tell them how serious the problem is (#1 I can’t work until this is resolved vs. #5 I’d like a fix to this when it’s feasible.)

      No solution, but I’m sorry you’re facing this.

   4. I would make a big push for 1 or 2 things tataffect you and let the rest go, like creating an urgency system for IT. I think the social media posts are actually really bad – have you spoken directly to the person who writes them? I’d at least ask to screen ones about your work.

5. I really want to buy stuff. Before Covid, I bought clothes and trips. Now… there’s no point in booking flights and hotel stays because who knows when it’ll be safe again. I bought some clothes to help with WFH again, clothes shopping isn’t as fun without some event to look forward to. I’ve started buying individual stocks as my “fun purchase” in addition to regular index fund contributions, but it’s just.. not that satisfying. And makes me much more attuned to the vagaries of the market than I’d like to be. What do you do when you get that “I want to buy” feeling?? I have most of the plants I can handle and my cabinets are full with cute dishes.

   1. I do two things:
      1. Because part of the thrill of shopping, for me, is researching for the perfect item, I instead take money and research for the “perfect” charity to donate that $20 to.
      2. I online shop all the time, and then close my cart and walk away. I think part of the thrill is the anticipation, and that’s free.

      1. I love this charity idea!! I also just want the thrill of looking through and choosing something, so that works.

   2. I feel you. I get this too sometimes – clothes and travel were previously my two big spending categories. I’ve recently bought some art stuff that I like. And some coffee table books. Other than that, I’m just looking at travel things and fantasy planning trips. I think I’m just bored.

   3. I have been channeling my planning and shopping into food. I pick out elaborate recipes, track down and purchase the ingredients, cook and bake, take photos, and then eat the results. It is fun and delicious and satisfies the urge for acquisition.

      1. Same here, for the most part. Except I only buy what I can get delivered or pick up curbside.

         1. Same here, which makes the game even more fun and challenging.

            1. Haha high five!

   4. I feel this so much! I have caught myself literally thinking “so, what can I shop for now?” That is not the right question! I’m supposed to wait to recognize that I want/need a specific item, and THEN shop for it if necessary!

      Picking out books at the library in person (before Covid) or to request online (since) is a free “shopping” experience. I also have an Audible subscription and can download their free items or add to my wish list for purchase with upcoming credits. I can search songs to add to playlists. Sometimes I browse clothes in a size range I can’t wear, so that I can admire them but can’t order. I also often plan my outfit for the next day (I work in person) or even my workout clothes for my next workout.

      Beyond this, I’m really just trying to de-program. Shopping is not supposed to be a hobby or pastime, but it sort of is.

      1. +this! Shopping can be fun, but so can other things…

   5. My daughter’s therapist suggested it’s ok to shop during the pandemic if it’s not beyond one’s means and helps one cope. I myself am certainly not holding back.

   6. Books. A lot of books. So many books.

      1. Not that you owe us an update, Sloan, but you and your dad have been on my mind lately – hope things are going okay there.

         1. Thanks! I’ll comment tomorrow- it’s been a LONG F-ING MONTH. 2020, month 13.

   7. I find knitting or sewing or a similar creative hobby is a good substitute for shopping, but that itself entails purchasing new yarn, needles, patterns etc. so it’s not exactly a perfect solution

   8. YMMV but when I get the urge I just shop for things I have zero chance of actually buying. Country homes, dresses for Cannes movie premieres, etc.

      Or, if I’m being more practical, I’ll look for something I’ll know I will need at some point like a future birthday gift, etc.

   9. I do online thrift shopping. It takes forever to scroll through all the duds and when I do buy something it’s pretty cheap and at least it’s sustainable.

      1. This is what I do too…eBay rabbit holes are my THING.

   10. To be honest, skincare and cosmetics. I joined a couple of boxes (Ipsy and boxycharm), which is a low monthly outlay, then I shop their pop up and add on sales. They are fantastic deals if you’re into that kind of thing. I’ve been looking for updated skincare and makeup, cheaper versions that I used before, and this has helped.

   11. It’s late and I don’t know if you’ll be checking this anymore, but I had an epiphany this month. Husband and I decided on a (modified) no-spend January: we can buy necessities and consumables (and gifts for b-days etc.) but nothing otherwise. We did this because life is pretty crazy right now with a big house project we have going on, but the unexpected side benefit is that it has been SO FREEING to just…not shop online. Not say “Huh, should I surf over here or click that?” The decision is already made: we/I aren’t buying anything right now. And I’ve enjoyed this so much I’ve pitched him on carrying it over to February! So maybe a no-spend month might help you recalibrate?

       1. When I get this feeling I love putting books on my library list…..feels like I’m buying something, for free.

   12. If you check back, I have taken over my husband’s shopping, so I am currently looking for good deals on a fishing rod and some bike shorts. I have also taken back the actual meal shopping. I also have been spending time getting organized, making lists of the movies and TV shows I want to see, putting together playlists and reading lists, and making lists of what I don’t need to buy at all, and of what I already have in each of my favorite neutrals and accent colors so when I do buy something it’s something that will fill a gap.

6. I need to review a junior colleague that is disrespectful of me. The microaggressions abound. Nothing actionable, all stuff having to do with tone of voice, innocently scheduling meetings when I have a conflict and expecting me to work it out or suggesting that I am only an “optional” attendee.

   I do not want to hurt this person’s career but I am looking for a benign way to suggest that this person work on respecting his colleagues more. Any ideas how to express?

   1. “practice gaining buy-in from senior colleagues” or “Improve stakeholder engagement by discussing schedule and meetings with key participants”

   2. This sounds like the kind of thing that you should have mentioned as it was happening and/or in a one-on-one conversation rather than in a formal written review (at least if you really want to communicate this in a benign way).

      1. Agreed. It’s not ok for him to be doing this, but it’s also really not best practice to surprise an employee with brand new criticism in a review.

   3. As people get more senior, we grade them on “would you put this person unsupervised in front of a client,” and I think that soft skills come into play for these sorts of reviews. “Len is technically adept but I have concerns re placing Len in front of a client as he can be very curt and belittling to others within the office environment.” “Len’s tone in e-mails can be demeaning and come across as condescending, so I need to see this change with internal communications before I consider introducing him to clients and having him work directly with them.” So far, I have only gotten to say “Jay is remarkably adept at knowing the right words to say at difficult times and I would not hesitate to have Jay run point when I am not available or undertake smaller solo projects.”

      1. This is completely unrelated but it makes me laugh a bit that being unsupervised with clients is a career step- I’m in legal aid and have been unsupervised with my own clients and in charge of their cases since day 1. Only as an intern was I supervised with clients and case management, and even then I had a lot of solo calls, especially 2L/3L. I’m not judging and understand the difference between Joe Legal Aid Client and Big Law Big Important Client and the different cultures but this is just so foreign to me that I had to laugh a little.

         1. You are 1000% right about this. When I was a supermarket cashier, I had to deal with people and people are tricky, as a species. Ditto being waitstaff. People not allowed to interact with the public are often in some sort of sheltered workspace arrangement where it is not expected to be an ability (or a current ability).

            Or you could be in BigLaw (or my medical friends say: a radiologist who doesn’t have to interact with people much) and make 6 figures and have gone to HYS. It is mind-boggling (and yet: screening for resume greatness is where BigLaw gets it so wrong all the time — I have seen people who read much better on paper than I do just not be able to run a deal and our job is . . . running deals, or going to trial, or something other than “edits on draft 7 of the memo.”).

            1. Yes. In health care and social services, typically the entry-level/ lowest-paid workers have the most exposure to people. Moving higher up, and into management, means being more and more insulated from external interactions that are spontaneous and often difficult.

            2. Also in legal aid. We have an ongoing joke about what a client meeting would look like between our director and a difficult client- the director hasn’t practiced for about 10 years now and oooh boy would it be fun to watch.

         2. Ditto – both at legal aid and as a prosecutor. I’m MORE anxious when there’s someone with me than I am flying solo in court or with witnesses.

      2. I hate these sorts of things as being part of a review. I worry that too often it’s like “cultural fit” where biases and favoritism can affect someone’s career opportunities, sadly including racism or sexism. It also depends on the eye of the beholder. For example, at my company, when someone is pretty senior, chances are they are not put as “required” unless they are leading the conversation in some form or it’s a report-out they absolutely need to hear. Almost all the other meetings, such as discussing strategy nuances or progress or working through process, are “optional” given the competing demands for their time that are usually higher priority and recognition that those beneath them are actively managing. It’s a sign of respect for the senior person’s time. If I go to another company, norms there may be different. (My prior company almost everyone was always required, and the result was that you often had key stakeholder skipping things because they were “meeting” to death.) There may be no “micro-aggression ” intended toward OP whatsoever–and if the perception is such, it should be addressed in the moment.

   4. “Joe, you need to utilize the Outlook scheduling function to ensure that you schedule meetings at a time when I can attend. My calendar is kept up to date for this purpose. Please contact ____ if you need assistance learning how to use the scheduling assistant.”

      Keep it actionable and document, document, document.

   5. +1 to bringing this stuff up as it happens but also, if this person is has issues, you are not the one hurting their career by pointing them out.

      1. +1. Phrase it as a thing they can work on.

   6. You don’t do this softly. This guy needs to step in line and someone needs to put him in his place. That said I always put my manager as ‘optional’ for working level meetings because my manager is not the SME, I am, so it would be silly to waste my managers time in meetings she doesn’t understand. So I would verify something like that isn’t going on first.

      1. Yeah, this is something you need to correct in the moment. I had a similar experience with someone who wasn’t my direct report, but he was at my desk whining on a day I didn’t have time for anyone’s crap. I went on a long explanation responding to his issue and concluded it with “And that is the last time I will ever hear that line out of your mouth.” My tone was clear and probably 7-8 people in the vicinity heard it. I followed up with his manager later to find this was a common problem. I let it fester for a couple days, then had a 1:1 with the guy and elaborated in a less confrontational, but still intentional way on my expectations.

         We’re a year out from that interaction and the dude totally turned it around. We have an excellent working relationship and I think some of it stemmed from him knowing exactly where I stood based on explicitly clear feedback given in the moment.

         1. So public shaming and saying something like “And that is the last time I will ever hear that line out of your mouth”… Oof. I suspect his views of you aren’t as excellent as you presume. You can be direct about expectations and coach behavior you want without introducing your own aggressions.

            1. Um . . . I can think of a situation where this would be 100% appropriate. And in that case, my guess is that the hearer had a thin skin and was perhaps getting told something needed (or actually listening to the speaker) for the first time.

               Correcting behavior at work is what a supervisor does (shouldn’t have to, but often is stepping in to rein in some bad habits).

               Which is more unkind — giving direct instructions re behavior or giving none?

            2. Direct instructions always. Public shaming (they likely won’t listen–they’re too caught up in being embarrassed–and it’s a bad look for you in front of others) never. I’ve managed a lot of people. Coaching with accountability goes a lot further in the long run. Being a source of public tantrums feels good in the moment. But it has them too afraid, embarrassed or resentful to push themselves to be better and effectively problem solve when it matters.

   7. There isn’t really a benign way to say that because respecting colleagues is a baseline expectation. It’s better if you address it in the moment; f you have and it doesn’t change, then you say it directly – Joe does excellent legal research by needs improvement in working effectively with supervisors, including correctly calendaring meetings, example 2, example 3.

7. Shout-out to whoever recommended Ilona Andrews during a book thread a few weeks ago. I’m on my third book in four days (started the Hidden Legacy series) and I love them.

   1. Not my rec, but I love them. Enjoy :)

8. I had a friend end her friendship with me years ago. She essentially called me a “bad friend” and insinuated I was using her friendship. I sent back what I thought was a fairly diplomatic response – that I didn’t see it as that way, but also acknowledging that I wasn’t giving her what she needed — while reiterating that I couldn’t offer her more than I was currently giving. I was pretty confused at the time as I thought our drifting apart was pretty mutual, but that we were still ‘see each other quarterly’ type friends (I hadn’t been turning down her offers to hang out or anything).

   She texted me out of the blue last night saying she missed me and that she felt like a bad friend (and to let her know if I didn’t want to hear more from her). I have moved states and don’t foresee a friendship with her in the future. Do I owe her a text saying so, or do I just block her number and move on?

   1. Good grief she seems dramatic. This has happened to me and I just blocked and moved on.

   2. If you don’t want to keep in touch, I would just ignore rather than feed into drama that didn’t exist until yesterday.

      If you do want to respond, you could just send a non-committal, delayed “wow, hard to believe how long it has been! I’ve moved states since we talked last, the world sure is a crazy place these days, hope all is well with you” and then let it go. It might be worth it to you to just be polite, distant, and slow to respond, or that may be more trouble than that is worth.

      1. Ditto this. I wouldn’t bother blocking, just ignore or slowly/innocuously/impersonally respond. If she starts being an emotional vampire or extra needy, then consider blocking.

   3. Certainly you don’t owe her anything but I’m a responder in these situations. Something like “No hard feelings. Stay well.” Of course, don’t say “no hard feelings” if you don’t feel that way. Me personally, I don’t hold grudges, especially for long gone friendships, but that doesn’t mean I’d want to reconnect. So I wouldn’t engage again after that response.

      1. +1 to all of this. I would have to respond just to give myself closure.

   4. In a situation like this, I might respond with “I was a little hurt when you ended our friendship, like I said I’m sorry I couldn’t give you what you needed but I really didn’t appreciate being accused of using you. As it stands, I’m fine being casual contacts on social media* but I’ll be honest, since I’ve moved a few states away I’m not really interested in rekindling a friendship with you.”

      *if that’s true! Don’t say anything that isn’t true.

      In my experience, people like this who storm out or dramatically cut contact, only to pop back in super apologetically, have a tendency to repeat the pattern over and over and over again. I’m still cautiously willing to give someone a second chance depending on the circumstances, but if they do it again, they don’t get to come back.

      1. I really should clarify though that that’s what I would say, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be your approach if you feel differently, or your heart’s telling you to do something else. You are of course always allowed to ignore and block toxic people.

   5. If you don’t want to be friends with her you don’t have to be friends with her. Just say you’re glad to hear she’s well. Don’t mention that you miss her. Don’t answer the next text unless she becomes a pest.

9. Yay!! I really enjoy Ilona Andrews. For lighter (but still well written) fantasy series I’m reading and liking the Honor Raconteur Case Files and the Familiar and the Mage series. The Ilona Andrews InnKeeper series was a favorite and less back-story heavy than the Kate Daniels ones.

   1. +1 to the Innkeeper series! They’re my favorite series from Ilona Andrews. I liked the world building Kate Daniels but didn’t really love the character arcs and plotlines… but I acknowledge that was their first series and the Andrews’ writing has gotten better with each book and series.

      Also, in case anyone is interested, the Gunpowder Chronicles by Jeannie Lin. The series is kinda on hiatus and there are only 2 books but it’s YA steampunk set in Qing Dynasty China instead of Victorian England.

      1. You people are my fun reading twins :):)

10. Just because I am amused by my outfit, let’s do a poll: what are you wearing today?

    I am wearing royal blue GAP skinny ankle pants (they are full length on me though), a neon citron fuzzy sweater I got for almost nothing at one of the recent J Crew sales, leopard flat loafers and a leopard scarf with black tassles. As I said, I am amused plus it’s soft and cozy on a day when I’m feeling lousy. (And yes, I’m at work. Might as well feel lousy alone in my office at work as at home.)

    You?

    1. Oh girl – you sound so cute and bright! Umm, black suit w favorite black/pink/white blouse

    2. Fuzzy black and teal striped socks, a pair of navy sweat pants and a fisherman’s sweater I inherited from my late grandfather. I’m at home.

    3. Black and white tweed dress (with sleeves! All hail sleeved dresses! No blazer needed!) from Banana that I’m just delighted by, in case you can’t tell.

       You sound fabulous as always, SA! I’m sorry you’re feeling so rotten.

    4. Joggers (talls, because that makes them a warm & cozy full-length rather than ankle pants on my regular size inseam), a hoodie, and wicked good slippers. Because I’m WFH until who knows when and I am taking full advantage of not needing to dress like an adult while this is all still going on.

       Your outfit sounds amazing, though, and I’m keeping it in mind for when I someday return to an office.

    5. Tie dye two piece sweat suit that looks like PJs but is technically just loungewear (I think?)

       1. If you’re lounging in it, then it’s loungewear, right?

    6. Today’s look is grounded by charcoal Target pj pants (the modal ones that came in short length that they no longer sell which makes me so so sad) and topped with a black tshirt with moon phases in rainbow colors that says “not a phase.” My hair cape is contained in a scrunchie on top of my head. Later, for my night time look, I will transition from day to night for an online audio-only meeting by adding an accessory by a tech company, in sleek black, which highlights my voice and the loudness of my surroundings while paying homage to Garth Brooks. Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s overwork and anxiety!

       1. I kinda want your shirt.

       2. Where did you get that shirt?

          1. This is the one I have https://www.spencersonline.com/product/not-a-phase-t-shirt/176237.uts

             I also found many similar options via g00gle including this one https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/16645651-lgbt-not-a-phase-rainbow-moon-lgbt-flag?feed_sku=16645651D1V

             <3

    7. The leggings featured on Friday in dark grey (I have them in 5 colors and wear them almost every day), a Gap supersoft hoodie without a pocket, black Uniqlo puffy vest and black Ugg McKay booties. I’m going to a doctor appointment (in person, ugh).

    8. Black Allbirds, AE skinny jeans, navy “Vote Kang” t-shirt, JCrew factory brown fuzzy pullover. And the requisite turquoise jewelry that I’ve decided goes with everything.

    9. Today I am actually wearing real clothes instead of loungewear plus Zoom blazer. Fuzzy cowlneck sweater, my favorite pair of Mother Looker jeans (the ones with a hole but not in the knee), and Darn Tough socks.

       1. One of the things I like about WFH is how I can wear socks so my feet are always warm. Darn Tough, Smart Wool, LL Bean. WOOT!

    10. I had to go into the office for the first time since the first week of December and I don’t like. Cobalt blue sheath, black cardigan and tights, blue gingham face mask, and boots.

    11. Hope you feel better soon, Senior Attorney. In my WFH cold-weather uniform: dark green fleece Sweaty Betty sweatpants, blue Icebreaker t-shirt, navy mens Icebreaker sweater, blue knitted scarf, blue confetti patterned socks. This is “Business Formal” as opposed to my usual “Business-casual” brown grandpa cardigan, merch t-shirts, and blue non-fleece relaxed-fit yoga pants.

    12. Just sweat pants and a fun tee shirt I got from Tee Public.

        I think I have that same fuzzy neon sweater, SA. Hoping I get to wear it sometime in 2021.

    13. Earlier, I was wearing gray pajama leggings, fuzzy socks, and a Taylor Swift sweatshirt. Now, I’m wearing pajama pants, pajama tank, fizzy socks and my pink bathrobe. I’ve changed from my daytime uniform to my evening uniform, lol.

    14. Merino/silk leggings (all right, Long Johns), merino top, thick wool socks.
        Do I look like a grown up? Certainly not. I’m basically wearing winter undergarments. I’m guessing most kindergarteners around here is wearing basically the same, ready for a snow suit.

        I don’t think the oversize barrette on the top of my head (to keep my hair from my eyes while it dried) and zero makeup helps with any style points, but I’m warm and comfy and an not on WFH video today.

        I even smell weid, today. Ordered a new hand soap, and I’m having trouble understanding why a product named “Milk hand wash” is smelling like a man’s cedarwood after shave. It’s a nice smell, but my hands are suddenly a very different scent family to the rest of me.

    15. You sound incredible as always SA! I’m wearing dark green pants and a hot pink top. And slippers, of course, because #WFHLife.

    16. Green long-sleeved shirt, blue Under Armour hoodie, dark gray sweatpants, and pink socks. No video calls today so I can dress informally and comfortably!

    17. Athleta fleece leggings (I wear these just about every single day from November thru March), Uniqlo fleece LS t-shirt, LL Bean fleece zip-up jacket (old), double layer socks, sneakers, blanket on my lap.

        1. I’m still wearing PJ pants (mid-afternoon on the West Coast)… but my plan is to change into the Athleta fleece leggings later this afternoon. So solid.

    18. Black yoga pants, with a black sleeveless work top. Very boring, honestly.

    19. New faded plum color top with scattered floral design from stitch fix (gift certificate was a birthday gift and I’m really enjoying it so far). Dark plum lightweight merino wool cardigan from Eileen Fisher, a few years old. Dark wash stretchy Levi’s (the pull on kind that have been recommended here before). Hand knit ankle socks. Birkenstock clogs. And if I’m being honest, an apron right now.

    20. If you have shingles, you should be home. You can pass the virus on to anyone who hasn’t had chicken pox. And chicken pox is no joke to someone older–risk of blindness, etc.

        https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054#:~:text=Are%20you%20contagious%3F,chickenpox%2C%20however%2C%20not%20shingles

        Sorry to be the messenger.

        (The outfit does sound super cute.)

        1. Thanks — blister are scabbed over so I have my doctor’s permission to be at work. Also I hide in my office alone all day so there’s that, too.

           1. And it’s only transmissible if somebody touches me.

              1. … Transmissible if somebody touches an open blister. Which there are none of.

    21. Hooded purple LL Bean sweater, jeans, BB-8 socks, fuzzy slippers, and a crocheted lap blanket.

        I would wear this to the office other than the fuzzy slippers.

    22. Late addition: Talbots cropped black jeans, Lilla P lilac sweater, and clompy clogs.

11. Kat I love the lumbar pillow! I remember when I went to GW, a guy got me a pillow like this, but he was just interested in putting it under my tuchus in bed so that he could do s-xueal stuff with me. I sure miss college now! FOOEY on getting old and COVID!

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