Coffee Break: Purple Ombre Belt

Comments

1. lawyerette

   03/14/2011 at 4:53 pm

   I can only imagine wearing this belt over a cardigan, how would it work inside pants with beltloops with the “doubleness” of it?

   • Monday

     03/14/2011 at 5:06 pm

     I don’t think it’s really double–I think BR just displays all of their belts online in this way.

     • lawtalker

       03/14/2011 at 5:49 pm

       Monday is correct – it is not meant to be worn doubled. I have this belt and it is very nice. I prefer belts where the buckle matches the color of the bet itself. Unfortunately my dog found it one day and had himself a little snack. It is still wearable, but not really in a professional setting. :-(

2. AnonInfinity

   03/14/2011 at 4:54 pm

   I asked a question in the middle of a response on the main thread, so I figured I’d repost here.

   Lately I’ve been getting some assignments that feel really huge and overwhelming, and I’m having trouble getting started or making progress. Any advice?

   A couple of people recommended breaking it down into smaller chunks. I think this is a really good idea and can see how it will work for a couple of projects. What about those that are just “proof read this huge document.” Would my task list look something like: “Proof read section 1,” “Proof read section 2,” etc.? Or are there even smaller tasks that some of you would break it into?

   • E

     03/14/2011 at 4:57 pm

     I’d figure out what you can realistically expect to do in at most one day and make that into a task. If section 1 is super long, I’d break it down further. Otherwise, that’s probably how I’d approach it. But I too dislike huge, overwhelming assignments (particularly of even less structured natures) so I’ll be interested to see other people’s approaches.

   • N

     03/14/2011 at 5:05 pm

     I think it depends on the flow in the document. For some, it might help to say “Proof read section 1”, etc. whereas others may feel that “Read x number of pages” work better for them. I think a point is that your task list should give you a place to start, but not end up being so long that you feel like there is no end to it.

     When I was doing my thesis – granted over a whole semester, so I didn’t have as much pressure on a day-to-day basis, or studied for an exam – I would say: “I’m going to read five scholarly papers now, then I can take a break with something I enjoy, for a set period of time, such as reading a blog for five minutes.” The criteria vary when you’re at work, obviously.

     Task lists are great motivation for when you’re getting closer to the end, and can see the tasks diminish. It’s also great for giving a place to start. I would just be mindful that you’re keeping it simple enough so it won’t be too overwhelming in the beginning.

     • S

       03/14/2011 at 6:20 pm

       I actually make checklists like that – review section 1, review section 2, etc. I like to be able to check off items from my least at least every 1/2 a day so I’ll break tasks down to sizes that allow me to do that.

   • RR

     03/15/2011 at 9:35 am

     I frequently draft and review 200+ page documents. The only way I can handle it is to do one section at a time–so one section may be 5 pages or 45 pages, but I just handle it one at a time until I get done.

     • Midori

       03/15/2011 at 10:28 am

       This is what worked for me in bar exam study. Break it down to tasks that can be done in one sitting, and set goals/rewards for myself at certain benchmarks: Make flashcards for 3 subjects–I get a pedicure. Write 10 practice essays–go to a movie I’ve been wanting to see. The grand prize was a massage.

       Seems kind of juvenile to have to bribe myself like that, but hey, I passed the bar.

       • RR

         03/15/2011 at 12:04 pm

         I do the same thing now, but it’s more like “review section 1, play Tiny Wings for 5 minutes.” :D

         • TCFKAG

           03/15/2011 at 2:05 pm

           I bribe myself with corporette or facebook. No shame there.

   • Anonymous

     03/15/2011 at 11:28 am

     I often skip around in a long doc — I’ll review the first couple sections, then the last couple sections (which are usually boilerplate and easier to review), then go back and forth. Sometimes working out of order actually makes me pay more attention to the mechanics of the transaction.

3. Alias Terry

   03/14/2011 at 5:25 pm

   I just noticed the “What colors do you wear with gray suits?” poll on the side bar. This would be great with gray.

4. Eponine

   03/14/2011 at 6:32 pm

   Was Corporette down all day for anyone else? I got a 404 message every time I tried to check it all day, so I’m a little floored to see all these posts and comments. Kat, I also posted this morning in the Weekend Links thread that the site was being really screwy.

   • dm58

     03/15/2011 at 12:11 am

     It is very crazy for me as well — I can’t find updated posts without hitting various home and refresh links. Has happened since Friday.

     • Ashley

       03/15/2011 at 9:10 am

       I’ve been having the “disappearing post” issue! I came on last night and the sheath dress post and this belt post were completely gone. She did mention a few days ago (when the comments were being funny) that she’d adjusted the settings in anticipation for a traffic spike, due to an article mentioning her.

       • dm58

         03/15/2011 at 2:01 pm

         Yes, but I have no posts for today.
         zilch.
         Kat, was is happening?

         • Kat

           03/15/2011 at 2:39 pm

           What browser are you using, and what operating system? I changed the cache settings last week, but they’re supposed to refresh every time a new post is posted. Unfortunately I’m going to keep the system in lockdown for a few more days…

         • B

           03/15/2011 at 5:32 pm

           Um, yeah, Kat? You’re losing readers here. I can’t access on IE or Firefox — no new posts, nothing. Just updated comments once I click through. (The homepage says this post has 13 comments, but when I click through it’s more like 26.) It’s really, really frustrating. Been like this since late last week.

         • Anonymous

           03/15/2011 at 10:03 pm

           Yes, you are losing readers unfortunately. In the last week, I’ve definitely been cured of my Corporette “habit.” New stuff just isn’t showing up for ages so I have less and less incentive to click over here.

         • anon-j

           03/16/2011 at 8:38 am

           Same experience on IE here — no new posts since this one, still says 13 comments to this thread…

5. Ann

   03/14/2011 at 6:34 pm

   Threadjack for the managers among us:
   How would you handle an employee who says very clearly and emphatically that they want to lead a project, gets 90% of the way through the project, and then falls apart in a panic at the zero hour, and has to have someone else complete their work? The panic was not due to any kind of personal issue; the employee just felt at the last minute like he/she “couldn’t handle it” and someone else had to step in to make sure the project was completed.

   • ADS

     03/14/2011 at 10:19 pm

     There are two issues here. The first is whether the employee could have handled it, and really just needed bucking up/coaching through the panic. If so, you might handle this differently than if the employee really bit off more than they could chew. The second issue is the lack of professionalism exhibited by freaking out. They are two issues because the first is a development issue, and the second is a straight up behavioral correction.

     On the development side, I would meet, privately and calmly, with the employee. Ask what happened, and why he/she thinks it happened. Ask what they would do differently if they had it to do again. (Not volunteered? Asked for help earlier? Not freaked out?) The answers should guide your responses. Assuming you don’t just want to fire this person, getting them through this is part of building them into a better employee. Develop a plan with them to ensure that the next time they have something similar (and start them smaller next time) they have regular check-ins to ensure that everything is getting handled. Make sure they always have a back-up for anything they’re working on.

     And then, emphasize that this behavior was not acceptable, and that you need them to not do it again. That you will work with them to make sure that they do not end up in a situation where they feel quite so overwhelmed, but that they are an adult and a professional, and part of being both of those things is not dumping your work on other people at the last minute. Hold them accountable to that – set out the consequences if it happens again, and stick to that.

     Best of luck.

     • Ann

       03/14/2011 at 10:51 pm

       Thanks for this awesome response! This didn’t happen to me, but to a colleague, and she came to me for advice, which I don’t think I did a terribly good job of giving. I too wondered if it was a situation where the employee got “thrown in the deep end” a little, but then she told me who the employee was, and the thing is, it’s someone that the higher-ups at my firm think a lot of, who has a ton of potential and is being groomed for bigger and better things, although everyone has done their best not to let the employee know that outright. Although usually people can pick up on things like that, so maybe that is it – too much pressure? Maybe she thought that if she screwed up, it would be disastrous, and she psyched herself out? I don’t know. My colleague, to her credit, is actually more concerned about helping this young woman out than making sure she gets blamed. There’s not really any way to shield the situation from the view of our firm management – we’re a small firm and the meltdown happened pretty publicly, so there’s no way to keep people from talking – but my colleague is more interested in damage control, if there’s some to be had at this point. I will pass on your really excellent response because I think there’s some good advice in here she can use. Thanks so much.

       • Midori

         03/15/2011 at 10:25 am

         My sympathy lies with the employee. I feel like I’ve been thrown into the deep end once or twice myself, and nothing is more demoralizing than the failure that results. I second the idea that you should consider whether employee needed a little more coaching before the training wheels came off. And don’t give up. Some of the best in the business needed second (and third, and fourth) chances before they got their groove. The worst thing you can do is crush employee’s already-decimated ego. If employee is as good as you say, I’m sure she already feels worse than you can make her feel.

       • OJ

         03/15/2011 at 1:30 pm

         ADS’ response was great. The only thing I’d add is that you may learn a a lot about this woman by seeing how she copes with this adversity. If it is further meltdown, I’d have a different understanding than if she proactively approached me and said, “This is what happened, this is what I learned, and this is what I’ll do differently next time.” Ditto if she blames anyone.

6. JAS1

   03/15/2011 at 4:23 pm

   I really like this belt! I love purple. I think it might be hard to work into an outfit (other than a monochromatic one, like a solid dress) because if you wore matching shoes it would be too matchy, and if not, you might end up wearing too many colors at once. But with the right outfit !

   Now for my threadjack- I have a networking/informational meeting on Friday morning to get some general advice from an alum of my lawschool who is also a friend’s mother. IE, def not a job interview situation.

   I am thinking about wearing an off-white linen jacket with 3/4 sleeves ( so a little more casual than normal suit). I am wondering if anyone thinks it is too early in the season for such a spring-like item, and/or if it is totally inappropriate in some other way. I will wear navy or gray skirt or slacks and probably a coral top with it.

   Thanks in advance!

   • JAS1

     03/15/2011 at 4:24 pm

     PS – I am in New England.

     • Sadie

       03/15/2011 at 9:16 pm

       IMO, although the navy/coral/white linen sounds lovely, that combination makes me think July, not March. Especially in New England, I think it’s too early in the year for white linen 3/4 sleeves. Do you have a gray cardigan? I’m thinking navy pants, coral top, gray cardigan; maybe gray skirt, coral top, plus a cardigan or blazer? In any event, hope the meeting goes well!

7. *Formerly* Preggo Angie

   03/15/2011 at 5:07 pm

   IMO, although the navy/coral/white linen sounds lovely, that combination makes me think July, not March. Especially in New England, I think it’s too early in the year for white linen 3/4 sleeves. Do you have a gray cardigan? I’m thinking navy pants, coral top, gray cardigan; maybe gray skirt, coral top, plus a cardigan or blazer? In any event, hope the meeting goes well!

   • Coach Laura

     03/15/2011 at 10:47 pm

     That’s too bad…Allegra is a nice name. But I’m sure your babe got an even nicer one. And congrats on the jeans too!

   • Samantha

     03/16/2011 at 1:09 am

     Congratulations on being able to fasten your pre-pregnancy jeans! That was quick! How many weeks has it been?
     I have 3 weeks to go till my due date, can’t wait to be where you are now. :)