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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 54 Comments · by

Coffee Break – Printed Silk Scarf

Coffee Break | · ·

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Emilio Pucci Printed silk scarfThe Outnet has a ton of scarves on sale for up to 70% off right now, including a fair number of Pucci scarves. Love the sky blue tones and fun print to this one, as well as the fact that it's silk. Gorgeous! Was $388, now marked to $135.80 at The Outnet.Emilio Pucci Printed silk scarf icon (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

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Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. threadjack

    I’ve had horrible posture for most of my life. At this point, when I try to keep my shoulders rolled back and my chest facing upwards, it takes a lot of effort and even hurts a bit. I’ve been considering seeing a chiropractor, taking up pilates/yoga, or trying the Alexander Technique, but I haven’t decided which would be best for me. Has anyone on this site who has dealt with chronic poor posture tried any of these, or have any suggestions?

    • anon

      I think yoga is great for building the muscles that support good posture. But it’s time consuming. To get good results, I’ve found I need to do at least 3 classes (1.5 hours each) per week.

    • karenpadi

      I think yoga is great for building the muscles that support good posture. But it’s time consuming. To get good results, I’ve found I need to do at least 3 classes (1.5 hours each) per week.

      • Livia

        Second this.

        A common cause of bad posture is weak back muscles (including hamstrings and glutes) relatively to the front side of your body. Lots of ab exercises, and running or cycling, can exacerbate it. Exercises that target your back will work wonders, but are most effective as part of a whole-body workout program to even everything out. I recommend “New Rules of Lifting for Women” if you’re new to weight lifting — I just completed it and have noticed great increases in strength, more muscle definition, and an improved posture.

    • Monday

      Just checking–to add to other ideas: any possible issues with bra fit? Especially if you’re an uncommon size, it can be easy to end up with the wrong fit for years. Women with larger chests and small frames sometimes have back problems, and with a band size that is too large it could be encouraging your shoulders to slump forward.

    • Anonymous

      Strength training (with a personal trainer) helped my improve my posture, among other things.

    • Anonymous

      My vote is for Pilates, based on very positive personal experience. Start with a beginner class or a trainer, preferably a couple of times a week. When you feel you’ve “got it”, you can transition to DVDs at home… the selection is endless.
      I haven’t tried the Reformer and don’t know how effective it is.
      Yoga is great too, but you really need to go to class all the time to do it right
      Netflix is a great source of exercise videos if you are a subscriber.

      I’ve seen people use balance ball instead of a chair – this is supposed to strengthen core and improve posture as well. Google “balance ball chair”.

    • S in Chicago

      A good PT can recommend some strength-building exercises. I used to get a lot of neck pain from bad posture and it’s been a world of difference since he taught me some basic dos and don’ts of sitting (what I thought was a “comfortable” tilt back was actually contributing to craning forward with neck and shoulders), strength-building moves, and stretches.

      I know it sound kind of crazy, but I also feel like I sit taller after stretching with this thing: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=the+neck+ease&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1255&bih=774&wrapid=tlif130687858730310&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11998269146097461158&sa=X&ei=f2LlTcyPGoPL0QHExJBm&ved=0CEQQ8wIwAQ# I even take it on trips with me now since the combo of heavy bags and lots of sitting can take a toll.

    • Threadjack

      Thanks for the feedback, all! It looks like I’ve been neglecting strength training, so I’m going to give that a shot, first.

      • MelD

        I have a similar issue with bad posture with respect to keeping my shoulders back/down. I tend to roll them up and forward, often during the night. I take yoga and have done pilates as well. My pilates instructor was big on proper shoulder placement, so I think that could be a good choice for you. I already do yoga and a strength training course, but at this point I think it’s a matter of being conscious of my posture.

      • anonymous

        I have a friend who did the Alexander technique and thought it was terrifically helpful.

  2. Ru

    Does anyone have any recommendations for heel grips (the stickers you place in the back of shoes for narrow heels/to prevent your feet from coming out of the shoe)? I’ve tried the stickers from walmart – awful waste of money, and I’ve tried some other generic brands. Any recs would be appreciated.

    • Monday

      Dr. Scholl’s. They’re clear, so they don’t disrupt the look too much, and they stay put and don’t wear away. Drug stores.

      • I

        A word on the Dr. Scholl’s. I had previously bought a generic store brand (either Duane Reade or CVS) – they were gray and a soft rubber, and worked great. No problems. I was recently out in a pair of flats that kept flopping off my foot, and stopped to buy another set of heel grips. I bought the clear Dr. Scholl’s ones, and they ended up rubbing the back of my heel raw, which the other ones did not do. Also, when I walked, it made a strange almost squeeky sound.

        Since they’re in the shoe I don’t think it matters that they aren’t clear.

        • Livia

          The gray ones I buy are CVS brand and work the best of anything I have tried. I have tricky feet, but these work.

          • Eponine

            Same – CVS brand gray ones work fine for me. The clear Dr. Scholl’s ones didn’t stick to my shoes well.

  3. Road Warriorette

    Hello Corporettes! I know there are a lot of very active ladies on this board, and I would some advice. On Sunday is my very first sprint triathlon. I’ve been training for several months, but am still fairly anxious about it. Anyone done a tri and have tips? Transition, food, hydration, or otherwise? TIA!

    I like this scarf, but I’m a sucker for anything turquoise.

    • Anonymous

      By any chance is your sprint tri in Staten Island? If so, that’ll be my first tri also!

    • Maddie Ross

      I’ve done sprint tris several times. YMMV, but for me, I’ve generally forgone all mid-race food/fueling and concentrated solely on hydration. My reasoning is that my sprint times are all significantly faster than my half-marathon times and I usually only fuel once with gu or sport beans during a half. For hydration, I put a bottle of well-diluted gatorade with lots of ice on my bike upon arrival at the race. By the time pre-race stuff and the swim is over, the ice is melted pretty well but the drink is cold. I keep a similar bottle at the transition to drink again before I run. I do not tend to carry water on the run (though I’ve seen others do it since it’s usually really hot weather in tri season).

      Other tips from my experience include: remembering sunglasses for the bike and run, keeping chapstick or aquaphor at the transition for slathering on lips after being in the water, and wearing good waterproof sunscreen. I also have long hair and keep a brush at the transition for the swim to bike. I’d rather take 10 secs to brush through the mane before donning the bike helmet than end up with crazy matted hair at the end of the morning.

      Oh, and final tip, arrive early. Getting your bike and transition area situated takes longer than you would think, as does getting “marked.” They also usually do bike inspections in the morning and there can be a line.

      GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN though!

    • Legal Marketer

      As Maddie Ross suggested, get there early. I am notoriously late for everything, except races. I’ve done dozens of triathlons (all distances) and am usually one of the first ones to arrive. As much as I love sleep, I would rather have everything set up and have a few minutes to sit and relax (ipod on) than to be frazzled and hurried.
      Also, I wouldn’t worry too much about eating. The race is short enough that as long as you have a decent breakfast (carbs AND protein) a few hours before, you’ll be fine. Hydrate well, though. Sip a sports drink all morning while you’re waiting to start. Plain water will likely be enough for you during the race, depending on how salty your sweat is (sorry if TMI).
      If you do use a sport drink on the bike, dilute it with water and drink only water for about the first 10 minutes after getting out of the water. Your HR will be elevated and your stomach won’t be able to digest the sugar very well and could get upset.
      Check your bag 3 times the night before, check your bike/transition area 3 times before you get in the water. Make sure your bike is in the right gear. Practice your transition at home on Saturday as you’re packing your bags. beginnertriathlete dot com is a good site with lots of checklists (and who doesn’t love a good list?!).
      Lastly, be prepared to be instantly addicted and find yourself investing lots of your money in fun new tri clothes and upgraded equipment!
      Good luck!

    • TKA

      I would carry an energy gel or two just in case. You can tape one to your bike by the top so it will open when you tear it off the bike. I usually use the ones with caffeine. I find that they are a great energy boost, even if the race is not too long. I usually take one per two hours. Also, if you have cycling shoes, be sure they are open and ready to be put on when you set up your transition area. AND smartwool socks function much better when wet than other socks, in my experience. Good luck, have a great race!

    • Mir

      Is your swim in open water? If it is, and if there is a “swim practice” in the same open water the day before, I strongly advise going — particularly if you have been doing most of your training in a pool. It’s a very different experience to be squashed in with hundreds of other people in murky water! I’ve been swimming my whole life, but I definitely freaked out a little at the beginning of my first couple tris. The racing heartrate that goes along with it is a bad way to start the race, so anything you can do to prepare yourself for the crowded open water experience will be a big help.

      Good luck! I love sprint tri’s — hope you have a great time!

  4. karenpadi

    Another active-women threadjack. I’ve been wearing 3″-4″ heels for the last 3-4 years. About a year ago, I started having incredible cramps in my calves whenever I run. I tried hydration, compression socks, vitamin supplements, bananas, ibuprofen, you name it. My doctor said it was over-exertion but the cramps now start 200m into my run. Someone said it was because the heels actually shorten calf muscles.

    So now I’m wearing flats and avoiding any heels over 1.5″. My calves feel better than they did at first but still tighten. Has anyone else had this issue? Am I doomed to never run again?

    • eaopm3

      I wore heels for about three years and then began an exercise program (similar to CrossFit) that began with my trainer doing a muscle assessment. He noted that my calf muscles were significantly shorter and tighter than they should be because of the position I put them in all day by wearing heels. I never experienced any pain while working out, though, so I have my doubts about whether it’s all about the heels. Have you tried getting an orthotic insert for your running shoes that might even you out a bit? That helped my sister’s shin splints tremendously, but that’s sort of a different issue.

    • Bonnie

      I wear heels all the time and don’t have problems with my calves. Are you stretching? Downward dog in yoga always makes my calves feel longer.

      • Anonymous

        I’m not a big believer in stretching, at least not pre-run. There is some science that suggests that you shouldn’t switch up your stretching (or not stretching) routine. See: http://www.fitnessmash.com/2011/03/qa-should-i-stretch-before-i-run/#more-6362

        I used to stretch religiously before and after a run, and I foam rolled regularly, and I took ice baths. And I got injured anyway and had a miserable marathon. For the second marathon, I abandoned the foam roller, ice baths and pre-race stretching, and I was faster and injury-free. So go figure. I now only stretch pre-run if I feel tight, and I stretch afterward if I feel tight.

        • cbackson

          Count me as a non-stretcher as well. I never do static stretches pre-run (I do use a foam roller on a few tight spots), and post-run, I only stretch a few problem areas. Like the Anon above, I’m faster and fitter now than I was when I was a regular stretch-er, and am virtually injury-free.

    • Anonymous

      I used to wear heels all the time, and would get ridiculous tightness in my shins and/or shin splints when running. I was training for a marathon, so I stopped wearing heels, and the problem went away and never came back. Now I focus on shorter races – 1/2 marathon and shorter, and tris – so I’m less worried about the pain that comes with long runs and will occasionally wear heels.

      • karenpadi

        Thanks everyone! I stretch before and after the workout (including downward dog) (even before the 400m “warmup” run). Crossfit is really into the barefoot running trend so I didn’t think about orthotic inserts. I’ll try those next if my “heel vacation” doesn’t fix the problem.

        • cbackson

          Barefoot running isn’t for everyone – whether it will work for you depends significantly on your running mechanics. If you’re not running in shoes now (or if you’re running in minimalist/barefoot styles), you might want to get a gait assessment and try running in shoes for a while.

  5. AJ

    Tonight I’ll be weeding out yet another pair of shoes, a theoretical “comfort” brand that rubbed the side of my heel so raw that I had to go to Gap and pick up a pair of flops so that the commute home doesn’t have me 1) in a state of permanent wince and 2) bleeding.

    The problem is my incredibly narrow feet; I’m hard-pressed to find a pair of shoes that that doesn’t slide off my heels constantly. Inserts don’t really work very well. Does anyone have any suggestions for brands that either tend to run narrower or actually reliably sell narrow width shoes? Sofft has been good to me in the past, and I have a pair of Calvin Klein’s winging their way towards me from Zappos, but I’d love a few more brand suggestions.

    • SF Bay Associate

      My aunt wears AAA, and buys all her shoes at Nordstrom and Arthur Beren. I know Stuart Weitzman, Ferragamo, Vaneli come in 2A-4A. I have normal width feet, but always need a wide in Cole Haan, which I find runs very narrow. And Cole Haan comes in narrow sizes, too.

      Smart to go for Zappos and Endless – both have large selections of sizes in narrow width.

      • AJ

        Thanks! I’ve heard that about Cole Haan too, and will definitely start looking for a pair in my budget.

        • MelD

          The outlet has some great deals. I got 2 pairs in the $80-100 range a few weeks ago during a sale. The same shoes were available on Zappos and other online sites for about twice that price.

    • kz

      ColeHaan runs narrow. I’ve got very narrow heels and in terms of cheaper brands, I’ve found Aldo and Franco Sarto tend to fit my feet well (though their styles seem to vary wildly and sometimes it can be hard to find work-appropriate styles in these brands)

    • TX Attny

      Vaneli narrows can be pretty narrow, so that might be a good fit for you. Check 6pm.com for sales – I got 4 pairs for under $25 a piece. I also like Stuart Weitzman. I buy most of my shoes at Nordstrom, but I’ve found Nordstrom’s in-house brands (such as Boutique Nordstrom and Paolo) do not run as narrow as some others. Good luck!

  6. Verna

    Does anybody have a remedy for smelly sneakers? I have an almost new pair of Nike’s that I paid over $100 for and they smell really bad.

    I tried putting baby powder in them, but that does not make the stink go away. I do not want to throw them out, but need to find some solution or I will be out $100.

    I never had a problem like this before. Does any one know what I should do?

    • Mir

      kitty litter! If you put it in a pair of old pantyhose and let it sit in the shoes overnight, it will absorb most of the smell. I think baking soda would also work, but that’s so fine it might make a mess. I’ve also heard that newspaper will absorb odors, but I haven’t tried that one.

      • PollyD

        I used newspaper to successfully de-stink (and rather rapidly, too, hours not days) a pair of cloth Skechers after a day of wearing them around NYC in 90+ degree weather.

    • Jr. Prof

      Dr. Scholl’s Foot De-odorizer Powder. Put it in the shoes and let them sit. If it works for my stinky climbing shoes worn on barefeet, it should work for anything.

  7. Eponine

    A reader named S asked in an earlier thread about gifts for a Jewish baby naming ceremony. I replied late and she didn’t have any other replies, so I wanted to make sure she sees my response:

    Well, it really depends on the family and your relationship to them. In my upper-middle-class family, I’d spend about $200 for a close relative’s child (cousin or closer). For a friend I’d spend around $50.

    Traditional gifts include your kind of typical commemorative baby kitsch – silver rattles engraved with the date and Hebrew name, silver baby cups engraved with the date and Hebrew name, etc. If you aren’t Jewish/aren’t that close to the family, there’s no need to go this route. Some sort of high-end or entirely practical toy would be nice, or if you are Jewish/know a place where you can get a Hebrew name embroidered, something personalized with the baby’s Hebrew name would be especially thoughtful, like a baby blanket or teddy bear.

    You could also always give a check or a gift card to a baby store. It is perfectly acceptable to give money, either for the parents to spend or “earmarked” for the baby’s college fund.

    Read more: https://corporette.com/2011/05/31/splurge-tuesdays-tps-report-kamryn-two-button-jacket/#ixzz1NzFcvGng

  8. cbackson

    Dress me, please?

    I am on the board of a charitable organization, and will have to give open remarks at our fancy fundraising lunch. It’ll be a crowd of about 500-600, so not huge, but big enough to make me nervous. Obviously, instead of figuring out what I’m going to *say*, I’m thinking about what I’m going to wear…

    Suggestions? It’s a lunch, so I think it needs to be some kind of day dress. I tend to lean in the preppy direction dress-wise, and I’m both short and fairly slim of build, although I have some junk in the trunk (the runner’s butt, as I call it). I’m drawn to something like the long-sleeved DvF wrap dresses, but I’m not sure how the busy patterns will play on the monitors (half the audience will be watching me on screens, because they’ll be seated with their backs to the stage).

  10. Tina

    Liufu trading here provides silk and silk blending fabrics . Recently we has developed some new products with silk.
    Contact me, if you have interest!
    Tina
    Wujiang Liufu Textile Co., Ltd.

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