Coffee Break: Reflection Symmetry Laptop Sleeve in Blue

45 Comments

1. Eh… this sort of reminds me of an argyle sock… and I’m not sure that I would want to pull something so… bright/juvenile out of my I’m-a-serious-accountant bag

   1. When I was just out of school, I spent a lot of time worrying about looking as mature and serious as I could – black bags, sedate suits, classic haircut, etc. Now that I’m a little older and much more senior at my office, I find that I feel much more comfortable carrying a very brightly colored bag, having a funkier haircut, etc. My “serious” bag actually seems a little juvenile now, as though I’m trying too hard. So I love this, and have actually been looking for something just like it. I love the idea of a classic black leather tote with a laptop in a sleeve like this inside it.

      1. This. The older and more senior I get at work, the more mileage I “give” myself on stuff like this.

      2. Agreed. I think this is me as well, except I had another career between undergrad and law school so didn’t feel the need to dress so seriously. Now, I lean heavily toward doing what I want to do, and on the rare occasion some one mentions or notices, I dismiss it with a “Shhh … don’t tell anyone, I am a girl, I like pretty stuff!”

         This looks fun! As someone who can’t travel with out my work laptop, this would be way better than lugging the horrible laptop bag!

2. I think if it were pink or purple I’d feel that way, but I actually think it’s just fun. As an attorney, I wouldn’t feel ridiculous with it.

   1. Agreed. I think the design is fun but not unprofessional. It’s not like there is a hello kitty on it . . .

      1. ugh, works with someone who actually does use such accessories ….

3. Not my style, but it’s not so overly bright/juvenile that I would think anythnig about it if someone else pulled it out.

   I do love Neoprene laptop sleeves generally, since I can slip the laptop into my large and fabulous leather tote instead of lugging around an ugly laptop case!

   1. Neoprene cases are amazing. And this is from someone who left a laptop on the hood of a car, and the car drove off . . . laptop survived!

      Mine’s from a company called GymsPacific — I am a forever fan.

4. Anyone have an opinion on the best lengthening mascara?

   1. I really like the Lancome Instant Extensions mascara. I’ve tried so many different mascaras and have always gotten good results with all of the Lancome ones, actually.

   2. Do you use mascara primer? I was a lost cause but now find that primer really does the work on lengthening. I can then use pretty much any basic drugstore mascara. It also just seems to take better care of my lashes–coating them before putting on mascara. (I also curl mine, so they go through a lot.)

   3. After trying so many different mascaras, for my non-existent lashes, I finally broke down and started doing extreme lash (falsies). They look really natural, and I always get complements on how pretty my lashes are. You have to go a reputable, certified extreme lash artist (It took me two tries before I found someone that I liked, and who was relatively reasonably priced). The initial process (if done right), takes about 3-4 hours. I then go in every two-three weeks for fill-ins (about 1 hour). The whole set gets redone about every 6 months. Best beauty decision I ever made.

      1. Woman of Color, please elaborate further on your false lashes – I am intrigued and have never heard of this process! I tried googling it and only got hits for do-it-yourself fake lashes. Thanks!

         1. You can find info here: http://www.xtremelashes.com/ . Again, done with no regrets. I never realized how much lashes can do to frame the face.

            1. Ha ha. I swear I started my post before yours showed up, Woman of Color. Apparently Xtreme Lashes is a popular choice!

         2. I’m guessing she got eyelash extensions. If you google eyelash extensions instead of false lashes, you might find better results. I’ve done them before, but when I had to cut some expenses, unfortunately they were one of things I had to give up. They do look amazing though!

            One company that does them is Xtreme Lashes. If you go on their website, you can find someone who applies them in your area. (I don’t work for them or anything, that’s just how I found the lady who did mine back in the day!)

   4. Blinc (or any other tube mascara)!

   5. I finally splurged on the over-the-counter eyelash lengthening stuff (the cheap Latisse), and … it really does work wonders! Add that to your routine plus one of the recommended mascaras here and you’ll never regret it.

      1. I have Loreal Lash Serum and it didn’t do anything for me.

      2. If you don’t mind my asking, did you try the Peter Thomas Roth one? I’ve heard good things about that one, but not as many good things about less expensive ones, like Talika Lipocils and the Loreal one that fresh jd refers to.

      3. I have been using Stimulash Fusion for about three months and it really works. It’s available at Sephora for $89, which is much less than Latisse would be for me. I was extremely skeptical but it really did make my lashes a lot longer and as Woman of Color said, until I had longer lashes I didn’t realize what a difference they make on my face. I would definitely try lash extending product if you haven’t yet.

5. Any recommendations for desk-top organizers? You know, for pens, paper clips, post-its, etc. I currently have all of my pens in a plastic cup on my desk. Not really the professional vibe I’m going for….

   1. See Jane Work has some cute ones, if I had a bigger desk I’d be all over them.

   2. Pottery Barn

   3. Container Store

      1. Ballard Designs

6. Thread-jack!

   I really do need some advice. my paralegal is retiring (somewhat unvoluntarily) and her last day is on Friday. I work at a legal aid non-profit. We’re having large staff lunch/party next week. I work with her (as well as 2 other attorneys), and I have worked with her for a couple of years. Should I get her a gift? and she’s old enough to be my grandmother (mid-70s), so any suggestions for gifts?

   1. Definitely get her a gift. Not sure on suggestions – maybe a gift certificate for dinner, or something like that? If you know she has any hobbies, something related to that can always be nice. You could also go in on a group gift with other member sof the staff.

      Typical retirement gifts that can be kind of jokey about “all the free time you will now have” but that may be inappropriate giving the circumstances.

      1. yeah, I would go in on the gift, but she specifically works for me (and 2 other attorneys), so I feel that the gift should be reasonably personal– and should have a personal card thanking her for her hard-work , etc.

         I am going to leave it up to the other two attorneys to figure out what they want to do.

         I think that I am going to do gift certificate and maybe a bottle of wine.

   2. If it’s not entirely voluntary, maybe she’s worried about money — something useful could be nice, or a gift card that would allow her to use it for non optional items.

      I live in the NW, and we gave our nanny a gift card to Costco for her birthday and she was very happy to use it for mundane items and treats. So maybe a sentimental token and then a gift certificate to something more practical?

      1. Or maybe a visa gift card and flowers?

         1. Good ideas! I did the flowers thing for admin professionals day. I think that I’ll do a gift card and a bottle of wine… She shops at JC Penney’s so that might be a good fit.

            I have heard that the Visa gift cards have some weird issues with usage and fees… so I’d rather shy away from those.

            Thanks though!

7. Latisse, the real thing, works! That and some cheap Rimmel Lash Maxx and I’m good to go.

8. Well, that and a full face of makeup.

9. http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=28923&N=1200011&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=205&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_205&loc=TN&defaultColor=Incense Khaki&defaultSizeType=Regular

   I bought this jacket and finally received it in the mail yesterday. I got the deep clay color. I loved it online but now I can’t figure out what to wear it with!! Is there any way I could pull it off in a business casual setting?

   So excited Florida is finally getting cooler weather!

   1. If you’re in Florida, I can’t see that the blazer would be an issue in business casual. I have a blazer in a similar color and agree that it’s hard to match. I think it would work with a navy dress or possibly other cool jewel tones like a deep purple or green. You could also wear it with a high-waist skirt.

      1. Good idea! Didn’t think about jewel tones!

10. This may be a little too late, but I just purchased a pair of shoes that are open toe – Is it okay to wear them w/ stockings? Thanks!

    (these are the shoes fwiw: http://www.bluefly.com/Elie-Tahari-black-satin-grosgrain-trim-Isabella-sandals/REVIEW_ORDER/213340100/detail.fly )

    1. do you mean the purposeful colored tights look, or sheer pantyhose? Sheer, sorry, no, unless you can find the kind that doesn’t actually have toes but instead has a little flip-flop style thong that hooks the end of the hose to your toes. My mom just found a pair at Nordstrom.

    2. Cute shoes, but wouldn’t wear them with stockings. To me they look a little more casual than something that would require hose.

    3. I vote against stockings, too. These look like really cute evening shoes; do you have a particular dress you plan to wear them with? The pattern on the heel is fabulous!

    4. Never, ever, ever wear open toed shoes with nylons. Ever. Fashion faux pas numero uno. I, personally, wouldn’t even wear a pair of shoes this open on the sides with something like Spanx footless stockings. If you want to do an opaque colored tight, and really play it up, you might be able to pull it off, but you really have to work the look.

    5. Egads no. In my opinion, these shoes are much too summery to wear in cold weather. Cute shoes though.

11. Some suggestions for retirements gifts – but not your department store ideas! http://blog.sidestreetstudio.com/wood/10-reasons-why-you-should-buy-local-arts-crafts/

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