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Updated: Sep 22, 2020 243 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Crane Fluted Midi Skirt

The Personal Shopper (TPS) | ·

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This fluted skirt would be a great option for the office or the weekend. When midi skirts first started appearing a few years ago, I avoided them because I thought they only looked flattering on people who had legs much longer than mine.

With a little trial and error, though, I’ve found a few tricks that work for me. For starters, I try to get a length that is slightly below my knee, rather than hitting right at my mid-calf. I’m 5'6″, but some of my favorite midi skirts came from the petite section. I also find tucking in my top or adding a belt helps to give some definition at the waist and makes the look more flattering all around.

This skirt is $29 at Loft, marked down from $69.50. It’s available in plus sizes 14–26, regular sizes 00–14, and petite sizes 00–18. Crane Fluted Midi Skirt

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About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a 30-something lawyer living on the East Coast. She spent seven years as a Biglaw associate in NYC, three years as a partner at a medium-sized firm, and is now in-house counsel for a large company. She loves Diet Coke, '90s sitcoms, and dresses with pockets.

Comments

    • Anonymous

      Cute pick. Talbots has an inexpensive washable blue polka dot skirt with a similar cut that has been one of my WFH favorites, it’s so comfortable. I have been wearing it with a Biden linen tee, and then tossing on a bright cardigan for video.

  2. annoyed

    This is definitely just me being nitpicky, but my tech bro coworkers keep saying I have the “right instinct” about things, as in they agree with my initial idea. It’s not an instinct, it’s a well reasoned decision!

      • annoyed

        One person, I’d just say, whatever, it’s his weird tic. But two people? This is my first time working at a tech startup like this, is this like a jargon thing?

        • Anon

          It’s a jargon thing. Do they also like to leverage synergies or some other crap? I HATE this kind of talk.

    • Anonymous

      What’s the tone? I actually think that could be better. It makes it sound like making good choices is part of your DNA. Many can be book smart. Few consistently are so immersed and talented that they have the right gut of what to do when faced with particularly tough or new challenges.

      All depends on the tone.

      • annoyed (not as much now)

        Ah good to know! I hadn’t heard that phrase being used in the office that much so I wasn’t sure.

        • Anon

          Definitely may vary by group but the subtext when senior guys say it is “this person is smart/capable” as a general statement extending beyond just the particular issue at hand.

      • No Face

        I’m in law and this is usually shorthand for having good judgment. I know plenty of people who can execute what they are told to do, but cannot develop strategy to save their lives.

        • Anonymous

          Agree. It’s jargon-y but it’s a compliment.

          Yes, it’s based in fact. But you are a bright person who knows how to correctly apply your knowledge/find the answer.

        • anon

          Also in law and agree. Law often requires research into unknown unknowns where you simply may not be able to determine every legal nuance or fact before making a decision. It also requires lots of judgment calls. I get this comment frequently — I’ve been told that partners trust my instinct and my gut when I make judgments for advice to clients and also when researching complex and unfamiliar areas of law. They are aware I’ve made a reasoned decision, but they also just trust my judgment. Think about the opposite — someone who doesn’t have good instincts and can maybe (hopefully?!) research or reason themselves to the right conclusion. Eventually that person can only go so far.

      • Anon

        Yeah, I would take this as a compliment. I’d rather have good instincts than be “organized” or a “good worker” or other sexist things I’ve heard on my performance review (note, in relation to major professional wins – there’s nothing wrong with being organized, but when I spearheaded the effort to win us a $500K contract, it’s not the main thing to praise).

      • Carmen Sandiego

        Same – it means you have the instincts to know what data is important to the decision and what isn’t. It’s def a compliment.

      • Walnut

        I’m in tech and while I haven’t heard this particular wording, it is definitely a compliment. My org has different terminology for this, but it is one of the critical areas considered to be promoted to upper leadership.

        Lean into your reputation as the person with good judgment. It’s going to carry you far.

      • Anne

        Same. It’s one of the top things my old boss looked for (in law) when deciding who to give high profile assignments.

    • Anonymous

      This is praise, it means you have good judgment. I would thank them, not get stab by.

  3. Cat

    Does anyone have a rec for inexpensive garment bag type covers for hanging clothes? With my office staying closed probably through winter, I’m realizing how dusty all our officewear is getting…

    …or should I just buy a roll of trash bags to tie around the handles? Not as attractive but certainly cheap!

  4. Anonymous

    I’m curious. Is there any makeup that looks dated and should be changed? I noticed in a meeting recently that all the 50 year old’s had black lower lid liner and none of the 30 year old’s lined their lower lids at all as an example. BTW I know a lot of people do not wear make up and look great. No judgement. Just do not want to look like a throw-back when I wear it. Thanks!

    • Cat

      Even Kate Middleton stopped lining her lower lids :) I agree with your observation there – upper eyes only.

      The “no makeup makeup” look is what I see as current (urban 30 something that doesn’t run in a world that emulates Kardashian makeup, even for evening). Focus on brows (gel for shaping) and simple eye makeup (subtle liner, neutral shadow), a slightly flushed cheek, and a “your lips but better” lip color.

      The younger you are, the less foundation – as a mid 30 something I need a BB cream but in my 20s would have just done moisturizer and concealer. I imagine as I age I’ll transition into more of a true ‘foundation’ product to get the same effect.

    • Anonymous

      What is makeup even? I am barely remembering it. And sort of happy that a mask covers 90% of where I wore makeup (spackling and lipstick/colored Burts Bees sticks).

      Even Kate Middleton has largely stopped with the lower lid liner. That tells you it’s not being done generally now if you are = 40 now b/c of that. Maybe faint, but definitely not a heavy dark line in daytime.

      • Cat

        My comment was in m-d while you were typing but I love that we both immediately referred to the Duchess :)

      • Thanks, it has pockets!

        The one time I went out to eat this summer, I did a full face of makeup including lips and cheeks, put so much effort into looking just right because this evening felt like a big deal, and then picked up my rose gold mask thinking it would be the cherry on top of my fabulous look, and then realized, to my dismay . . . half my makeup was gonna be covered most of the time.

    • Ellen

      It IS a generational thing. My Grandma Trudy never wore makeup and she managed to get married to my Grandfather, and Mom wore little makeup, and still snagged Dad b/c she was a great cook (thanks to Grandma Trudy). I have worn makeup for years (until the Pandemic) b/c it has given me more credibility both in my personal life as well as in my work life, but now that I am almost 40, I am beginning to think that I should be like the younger women, who have gone to minimalist looks in order to get credibility. Of course, most are naturally near their s-xueal peaks, and younger men are attracted to them with or without makeup, so I am not sure me doing this at my age will get similar results. However, I need not decide this at this point b/c few of us are really going out (except mabye to Whole Foods, Fairways, and Trader Joes), and I do not expect to find a mate or an SO in the Frozen or Prepared Food’s sections.

    • Conflicted

      I’m feeling very conflicted. I’m generally a pretty big supporter of BLM and take POC’s stories at face value…until yesterday. A scathing op-ed was published about my employer and it was full of easily verifiable falsities, like visiting satellite offices that do not and never have existed, claiming they only got the job because their Anglo name ‘fooled the recruiter’ again my employer does not and never has used recruiters, we have a points based hiring system. There are probably about 5 very obvious lies in the story and it’s being shared like wildfire. I can’t help but wonder why someone went through the trouble of making up such an elaborate story. I feel like it’s a no-win situation, thoughts?

    • Flats Only

      I think you have your answer. If you don’t want to look “dated” (why not just say old), avoid makeup styles/techniques that you see women you consider “dated” wearing. Or just wear full Kardashian-style night club makeup to the office – I’ve never seen anyone over 30 go that route.

      • Anon

        That last line is a little inappropriate.

        Years ago, older women (60s, 70s) were really into frosted pink lipstick. It was definitely an “old” look; middle-aged women and young women didn’t wear it. I presume that the OP is asking about the 2020 version of frosted pink lipstick. No need to snark on her.

        • Cat

          inappropriate? I thought it was funny and not snarking on the OP at all… the super contoured Makeup Look is definitely a youthful one :)

          • Anon

            Oh, you’re pretending to not know how language and communication work. How cute.

            The reason that no one “over 30” (direct quote) wears “full Kardashian-style night club makeup to the office” (direct quote) is that doing so demonstrates a lack of good judgement about the difference between office norms and night club norms. She is asking to not look outdated, not how to look too immature to know how to function in a professional environment.

            But keep pretending that you aren’t being rude AF.

        • Anonie

          Huh to Anon at 10:36 and 1:02? Are you a Kardashian/Jenner who stumbled here and is offended?

    • Anon

      Yeah. I think makeup can look dated. The new trend is a very fresh face – as if you are not wearing makeup. (Also, I suspect it signals wealth because the focus is on expensive skin care.) I bought a kit from Glossier – brows, light blush, mascara (no eyeliner or eye shadow), highlighter and lip gloss. It works well for the pandemic because it’s pretty minimal.

      • Anonie

        I think you’re spot on about minimalist makeup signaling wealth, but I kind of hate this trend because I’ve noticed some of my friends are feeling increasing pressure to pursue fillers, botox, and other more invasive procedures at younger and younger ages (we are late 20s to early/mid 30s). I prefer the cheaper, non-invasive, non-scarring, and non-permanent effects of good old-fashioned makeup and creams.

        • PolyD

          I’m an old – what is highlighter supposed to do? I’ve seen it in the context of heavy Kardashian contouring and highlighting, but how do you use it on its own? Does it just make your face look kind of shiny?

          • Abby

            the goal is to “glow”. It’s hard to find a good one for your skin, and you need to really make sure you blend it well. I use Josie Maran one and also benefit watt’s up

          • Anon

            You can apply some highlighter on the upper cheekbones and blend it well for a kind of fresh, dewy look. The inner corner of the eye is also a good place. I don’t really love the look of applying it just under the brow on the brow bone, but that’s also pretty common.

            On social media they’re applying highlighter pretty much everywhere but that’s more of a camera ready look than an in person look. Less is more IRL.

        • Anonymous

          Yeah, this notion that the only good skin is the skin you have for a brief few years of your life is really dangerous. It sets you up for a good 80 years of feeling bad about yourself. Or it sends you down a Real Housewives path of looking really fake. I have never sat in a meeting with a colleague who had her lips done and thought she looked great. You can always tell and it always looks off IRL. Stick to really good skin care.

    • Clementine

      Bronzer as blush rather than bronzer AND blush is one that comes to mind. And all around dark eyeliner a la Avril Lavigne is ‘out’.

      I also think that thin thin brows (again 18 year old Clementine, 8 hairs does not an eyebrow make) are ‘out’.

    • Anon

      Lower lid liner, blue or other non-natural eyeshadow, lip liner, too much bronzer.

    • Anonymous

      Question about lower-lid liner – are you all talking about the waterline too, or just under the eye? Lining my waterline makes my dark eyes look so much brighter that I don’t want to give it up. I’m ~40.

      • JS

        Waterline is better, if you also line the top waterline.But consider that it could be making your eyes look smaller!

        • Anon

          I think the waterline look is dated too, unless you’re going for the kardashian nightclub look referenced above. Less is more.

    • Anon

      Funnily enough, I’m in my 20s still and just went back to doing lower lid liner. I think it makes my eyes pop.

      • anonn

        I think this depends on your eye shape and face too. lower liner has always made me look like a clown, i just don’t have the eyes for it.

    • Anon

      Huh, I’m a 50+ who hasn’t lined her lower eyes since the 80s.

      I think the sharpie eyebrow trend is going to age badly.

    • JS

      Lower lid liner and all-matte face makeup (think all over powder) are the two that immediately come to mind as “out”. Frosted lipstick has been out for a while, but shiny (not shimmery) gloss is very in. As others have said very “fresh” makeup (cream blush, cream highlight, dewy skin, fluffy brows) is trendy right now.

    • AnonMPH

      I don’t wear eyeliner very often even in non-pandemic times, and basically never now. But when I do, I only line the inner/water-line of my lower lid, because I can’t draw a straight line on my upper lid to save my life. I feel like the waterline is pretty subtle and brightening? But also my eyes are really sensitive and water a lot if I use eye liner at all so if it’s out, good riddance I guess?
      ~Signed, Early 30’s

      • Anon

        This is how I do it too. Early 30s. I have always thought it looked better than no liner at all, and I doubt anyone would notice eliminating or continuing with that, given how subtle it is. I say do what makes you feel confident.

      • anon

        You could do the waterline of your upper lid instead. Also look up “tightlining” for something more modern but also subtle. Or disregard all of this! Just throwing out suggestions in case anyone wants them :)

    • Anon

      I am a makeup junkie so have a lot to say about this.
      The more “modern” makeup look focuses on healthy and dewy skin. So the first thing to do is to chuck mattifying foundations unless you have very oily skin. To help with dewiness add very subtle highlighter in your skin tone or blush with illuminating particles (every brand sells a version).
      As far as eyes, although that “instagram” makeup is popular with young people in social situations, in real life in my average big city, eye makeup seems to still be natural with a little shimmer and/or no eye shadow (maybe one color of eye shadow + transition shade that blends out towards the brow if you want to be daring), a simple upper liner with maybe a bit of a tail at the end to elongate the eye, and mascara or natural falsies.
      Lip makeup styles are personal and don’t have a real trend right now except do not overline as it looks like you’re trying to be Kylie Jenner. Satin or slightly glossy (as in just applied chapstick glossy) lips are more in style.
      Avoid:
      Lower liner or inner liner. The exception is at the outer corners if you want to elongate your eye or make very large eyes looks smaller.
      Mattifying foundation
      Overhighlighting
      Contouring
      Overly matte lip that makes your lips look dry

    • Anonanonanon

      I agree with most everyone’s comments, but don’t lose sight of what looks best on you. I don’t wear bottom liner much but sometimes I do when I want more definition—just from the outer corner to the center, a small faint line. I’m also one of those people with very small, tired looking eyes always and very blond eyelashes and eyebrows, so a little definition on the bottom helps, although I agree a bottom line when done poorly can make your eyes look smaller.

    • Anon

      I’m almost 30, I’ve started using redness-reducing eyedrops in the morning to brighten my eyes. I find I need less concealer this way. I pretty much just do the eye drops, mascara, and brow gel. I also have a skincare routine that includes daily sunscreen.

    • Annony

      I think people naturally fall in to comfortable routines and as you get older, it can sometimes come as a surprise to pick your head up and realize just how long you’ve been doing something the same way … like your makeup. I only really notice makeup looking “dated” (in the sense that it may unduly age someone, not as in, “Oh, influencers moved past that look 6 months ago.”) when it’s just part of an overall look (hairstyle, clothing, shoes) that the wearer has obviously been rocking for a very long time. And here, it’s certain very small style cues that date clothing (cut of the pant, number of buttons on a blazer, etc.) It’s certainly possible to rock a very classic style / classic pieces for a very long time and not look at all dated.

      Anyway. If you’ve been using a particular product for a very long time (and I’m talking, decades) it’s worth carefully evaluating if the formulation has been updated to something that would look more current (like foundation) or if the color is something that dates to a particular time (lipstick). If it looks good and you love it, amazing! But taking stock every now and again can be helpful.

      I have certain products that I loved and when they were discontinued, I was most sorrowful. Once I got over my disappointment and tried something new, inevitably I was glad that I had been forced to move on.

    • Seventh Sister

      My 70ish MIL, who is stuck in the 1980s, had the permanent tattoo makeup to line her lower lids and it’s awful. I learned how to apply eyeliner in the 90s, so I was always taught “line half of the lower lid and the full upper lid,” but I was never very good at it.

      I’m hoping the corpse-like heavy foundation and heavy fake eyelashes go away – I see it all the time on younger women and it just doesn’t look attractive.

    • Kitten

      I’m in my 30s and agree with your observation. If I’m doing a “full glam” look (ie going out at night in the olden days) I will occasionally smudge a dark shadow or soft pencil under my eyes but it is smoked out. I would never wear a harsh line under my eyes unless I was doing a mod look on Halloween.

    • AIMS

      I’m barely 5’4 and I love it. I think it’s less about your height and just what flatters you or makes you happy. For example I’ve never ever found a peplum top that looks nice on me but even though I’m short I think midi skirts are flattering and I love the trend.

      • Anon

        I’m 5’4 with stumpy legs and I love midi skirts too. I think they actually make me look a bit longer and leaner. I also think they’re just super feminine and pretty.

      • Anonie

        Same height and I LOVE midi skirts! I was also a huge proponent of peplum tops back in the day, but sadly those don’t seem like they’ll be back anytime soon.

    • Ellen

      Yay! I love Fruegel Friday’s and this Midi Skirt, b/c it is fluted and pencil skirts are getting tougher for me to wear b/c of my tuchus! Anon, Elizabeth is 5’6″, and she wear’s midi’s and I am even shorter. I wish I were 5’8″, b/c would then snap up these midi’s, especially to wear in the winter, b/c I hate it when cold air goes right up my leg’s when I walk on the City Streets, particularly near smelley subway grates. FOOEY on that!

      Is anyone in the HIVE watching the Peacock TV app for Iphone? It is great and I recommend it as it is very sleek and easy to navagate! YAY!!!!

    • Cat

      I don’t like them either – I think it’s all your proportions and, I suppose, what you view as a “midi” skirt.

      Elizabeth says she prefers a midi skirt that hits right below the knee, which is more flattering as it’s where your calf narrows. I agree with her that’s the best length… but at that point wouldn’t call it a midi skirt at all!

    • anon

      Agreed. They look lovely and glamorous on many but make me look frumpy af. I’m 5’2″. I see these beautiful cuts and fabrics and they’re all midi.. have barely bought dresses in the past few years as a result.

    • Anonyz

      With midis, height matters less than does your ratio of legs-to-torso. I’m all torso, so my legs are stumpy for my height, and I can’t do midis. Someone my height who’s all legs can rock a midi.

      • Anon

        Interesting. I’m 5’11” and disproportionately legs. The midi trend has meant I can finally find knee-length skirts. I don’t like a hem above my knees. It just seems like too much leg for the office.

    • anonypotamus

      Super late in the day, but I am 5’9″ and hate midi skirts. Interestingly, for me, I think it is less about my leg length (long) or even proportions (extremely shortwaisted, so all leg) and where the skirt hits. I have muscular calves, but relatively slim ankles, and most midi skirts hit smack in the middle of the widest part of my lower leg, which is what contributes to the “stumpifying” factor for me. I have found that longer skirts, maybe 3-4 inches above my ankle bone, are much more flattering for whatever reason. My favorites so far have been Aritzia.

  6. No

    I need ways to entertain myself on a 10+ hour drive. I’ve already had to make the drive twice in the last two months and exhausted my usual podcasts (e.g., How did this get made, Never Not Funny, MFM). I tried audiobooks but so many just made me sleepy (Circe, Hitchhiker’s Guide). Any tried and true suggestions?

    • mascot

      Do you like musicals? I’ve spent many a long drive singing my way through shows (Ms. Saigon, Phantom, Les Mis, Into the Woods, Rent, Hamilton).

      • Vicky Austin

        Singing for the win! I used to make a big playlist of all the songs I liked singing along to and then just let it go.

        I also found comedy albums useful for entertainment on road trips.

      • No Face

        Singing for the win! I used to make a big playlist of all the songs I liked singing along to and then just let it go.

        I also found comedy albums useful for entertainment on road trips.

      • Coach Laura

        Singing is also good because it keeps you getting oxygen into your lungs. I think when I get sleepy on a drive it’s because I don’t stay active and breathe.

    • Anon

      I use audiobooks that I tailor to the time of my drive—I find that when I’m listening to a 10 hour book on a 10 hour drive, the first hours where I’m fresher are when I’m still getting into the book, and the last few hours are when the books getting really good and I’m fully engrossed (and also fully over the drive, so it’s a good time to be engrossed in the book). Sometimes I also listen to the book on 1.25x or 1.5x. I would also choose something lighter and more plot driven — I liked Beach Read and Evie Drake Starts Over for recent long drives but choose whatever not so heavy book is good for you!

    • Abby

      I’m not a podcast person, but I love Criminal, and just listened to season 1 of Serial

    • Saguaro

      I listen to audiobooks while exercising, and I surprising really enjoyed Jessica Simpson’s book.

    • Dread Princess Roberts

      The BBC radio play “Cabin Pressure,” available in audio book format. It’s hilarious. You won’t go to sleep, but you may drive off the road laughing. Voices provided by Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Finnemore, and (in later seasons) Anthony Head.

    • Anon

      Call the friends you don’t talk to enough.

      The usual caveats before people jump on me: use a hands-free set. Do not dial the phone when there are three cars merging onto a one-lane road with two tractor trailers. Get off the phone if you are lost, overwhelmed, or there’s a sheer cliff on one side.

      • Anon

        +1 and if your friends aren’t available when you’ll be driving, see if any of your older relatives would be up for a call. I don’t know about you, but my aunts always have so many stories they love to share.

    • PolyD

      My Father Wrote a Porno kept me awake on a recent long drive.

      I also like the podcast, I Hate it But I Love it – two Canadian 30-somethings talk about those movies that you love but maybe make you cringe a little. Stuff You Missed in History is good, too.

      For anyone old enough to remember the original 90210, Again With This, by the women who created Television Without Pity, is really fun to listen to. They go through all the 90210 episodes (and there are A LOT) and have recently started doing Melrose Place.

      • pugsnbourbon

        My Dad Wrote a Porno had me and my wife crying with laughter during a road trip. The audiobook version of Furiously Happy was a good one, too.
        Criminal is a fantastic podcast that’s not your typical true-crime fare. Be forewarned, the host’s voice is incredibly soothing and you might get sleepy despite the interesting subject matter.
        Someone on this site recommended the Noble Blood podcast and it’s excellent. I’m also a fan of This Podcast Will Kill You, where two doctors named Erin discuss the biological, social, and cultural aspects of disease.

    • anon

      Stand up comedy albums. John Mulaney, Jim Gaffigan, Iliza Schlezinger, etc. Audio books put me to sleep too.

    • anon a mouse

      We always like Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me….

      For audiobooks, I find that I really like the ones that have different readers for different characters. Recent winners were Daisy Jones and the Six, and One of Us Is Lying. Both I found through recs here.

      • Anon

        Full-cast audiobooks was my recommendation too, or books you love already. I hadn’t ever listened to Harry Potter on audio and the first time I did it was like brand new books for me.

    • DLC

      Snacks. I like super sour gummy worms and Coke.
      Schedule phone calls to catch up with friends.
      I do audiobooks, but specifically YA dystopian fiction that is very plot driven that I would never read otherwise. Think Hunger Games.
      Also- I read this in an article profiling long haul truckers- holding a $100 bill out the window with one hand as you drive will keep you awake.

    • Anne

      Trashy romance novels on audiobook and drive through french fries that I eat slowly one-by-one.

    • Another anonymous judge

      CBC’s “Under the Influence” has tons of seasons and is FASCINATING.

  7. Anon

    Any recommendation for a book predicting the long term effects of global warming that also sets out ways people can help slow down global warming? I know about the Sixth Extinction, but would like something that also sets out concrete and specific ways that a person can help reduce their footprint as well as policy changes to advocate and vote for. Thanks!

    • Anon

      There are tons of resources on this, people just don’t want to make the sacrifices necessary.
      1. Don’t have kids
      2. Don’t fly
      3. Be vegan
      4. Walk/bike/train/bus (be car free!)

      • Anon

        Yeah, I tend to agree. We need to start doing what we know works, not asking what works – we KNOW what works. And yes, we need a carbon tax, strict regulations, etc, etc., but we also need individual action to force demand and change.

      • Z

        70% of carbon emissions come from corporations, not individuals. We should be lobbying governments to create stricter environmental policies that force corporations to produce less emissions.
        Yes, we as individuals should do what we can to, for example, use less single-use plastic and eat less meat, but going car free is just not feasible for many many people and requires a lot of privilege to 1. live somewhere with reliable and safe public transportation and 2. have a job that you can walk to/is on the public transportation route, or that you can do from home always. A lot of people do not have that.

          • Anon

            Yes, we do both. To me, individual action is most important because it’s something that can be done immediately and because it can act as a signal to corporations and government that there is real demand for action on climate. The more people talk about climate and demonstrate willingness to take action, the more likely the really meaningful large scale changes will happen. How you implement those individual actions obviously depends on where you live and what’s feasible for you, but most people can cut back some on eating meat and dairy or drive a bit less, even if they don’t go vegan or get rid of their car completely, which isn’t feasible for most people. If you travel a lot, think about taking a closer trip, or fewer longer trips, so you don’t use as many air miles. At work, advocate for reducing flights when you can, which I think will probably happen post-pandemic anyway.

            Beyond that, obviously the real change has to come from switching entirely from fossil fuels to electricity based on solar, wind, etc. (you can debate nuclear, but it’s not clear it’s economically viable) and that requires infrastructure changes that need to happen now, like not building anything with new gas heating or new internal combustion engine cars that will still be on the road in 20 years.

            As for reading, I think a lot of the best coverage is actually in news not books. David Roberts in Vox has really good stuff, the Atlantic has good climate and science coverage, and the NY Times has good climate writing, especially on the social aspects, like an article on climate migration today. I’ve also liked the Warm Regards podcast and one of my favorite general podcasts is the Ezra Klein Show, which has had a few good episodes on climate, including one this week.

          • Ribena

            Another podcast rec is Hysteria – this week’s episode features Jane Fonda, whose new book seems like it helps answer your question.

        • Anon

          Car-free is also very ableist and anti-child. (No, not having children is not a solution to environmental problems, and will only cause massive dislocations and poverty as an ageing population requires a massive transfer of wealth from young to old.)

          • anon

            Also, one can argue the massive transfer of wealth from young to old has essentially already happened. We see boomers in the US holding a disproportionate amount of real estate and have generated a disproportionate amount of wealth based on economic policies and industries that we know have done lasting and substantial damage to the planet’s climate. Millennials and Gen Xers HAD to go to post grade 12 education at a much higher cost than the Boomers just to get jobs that paid less out the gate than the Boomers had. Add to that they can be pretty much locked out of the real estate market due to what prices look like there in many parts of the country with extreme HCOL. Oh, right, and Social Security, don’t get me started at that. What Anon at 11:26 a.m. advocates for is some sort of odd pro-natalist position that functions as a pyramid scheme–always gotta have more suckers at the bottom to prop the whole system up or it collapses. That’s how we got to where we are today.

        • Anon

          Ugh, who do you think is buying all the oil and emissions creating cr*p these companies produce? They aren’t just kicking our carbon for the fun of it, they’re doing it because consumers buy their sh*t.

          • Anon

            Exactly! This x 100. Corporations pollute because they have monetary incentives to. If we remove those incentives through either regulation or just good old fashioned not buying their crap, then the behavior will stop or reduce. Having one fewer kid is one of the biggest ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

          • anonymous

            But not *just* because consumers buy their sh*t. This is simplistic. You’re assuming that many consumers are choosing their crap over environmentally-friendly, available reasonable alternatives, or the alternative of simply going without. They’re not. (Sometimes, sure, but not always and I’d argue not even a majority of the time). Easy example: if you live in a car centered city with no transit and buy a car so you can get to work and care for your kids, you’re not doing that because it’s a values-based preference over an environmentally friendly alternative vehicle or public transit or biking. But, *~*some how*~* (not through extensive lobbying by extremely motivated and wealthy corporations and their political counterparts, definitely not that), society is set up such that use of fossil-fuel intensive consumer items is encouraged or straight up required. Is there some change? Yes of course. But it’s slow coming and often micro-scale when what we really need is quick changes on a macro-scale. So it’s not really a fair and full picture to complain that people are buying cars (or whatever) so therefore if they just stopped companies would change. We need collective action that changes systems. Leaving it up to individuals whose choices are constrained by the reality of life, apathy, the options available to them in their communities, disabilities and physical abilities, asymmetric information, analysis paralysis, total lack of incentive to take a hit to their personal comfort when they know everyone else won’t, etc. won’t cut it and isn’t reasonable. You can’t expect most people to say, “okay, I just won’t fly for work or vacation or to visit my family any more, or if I do under dire circumstances, I’ll be sure to choose the airline that has the best environmental practices.” Why should any rational person totally refuse to fly knowing it won’t make a lick of meaningful difference in GHG emissions but will dramatically limit their activities? People don’t know how to, and don’t have access to, information to evaluate Delta’s environmental practices as compared with American Airlines’ or determine how much fuel Delta uses in its operations and whether it’s compliant with various CAA provisions, or is using the most environmentally friendly technology in its operations. It’s just not possible. So we need experts to force companies, within reason, to make good choices, use good technology, and internalize their externalities. This is why free market solutions are largely failures on environmental issues and why the comprehensive regulatory schemes we see in the CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, FIFRA, etc. are so important. People aren’t absolved of personal responsibility to consume less and consume better, but this ^^^ is what people (or at least me) mean when they point out corporate responsibility for GHG emissions. I’m a child-free environmental lawyer FWIW. /soapbox.

        • anon

          I read this a lot – 70% of emissions come from corporations. Do you happen to know a source for that number? I’d like to dive into the details and learn more about that.

          • Anon

            It comes from the 2017 Carbon Majors Report, which you can look up, but it basically just attributes carbon emissions to the big oil companies and some other really big companies that have high emissions because they sell lots of stuff people want/need to buy! It’s true that regulating those companies would bring carbon emissions way down, but there doesn’t seem to be much appetite for that, given how hard those companies have lobbied against it.

    • Anon

      I have The Future Earth on hold from the library, but haven’t read it yet. I haven’t read the Project Drawdown book mentioned above, but I love their website and use it a lot when I teach this stuff to biology students and want to include a section on solutions.

    • Anon

      I’m currently reading The Uninhabitable Earth. It was written in 2017-2018 and is so spot on regarding things already happening.

  8. Tips?

    Zoom presentation tips? I’m supposed to present at a panel CLE soon and wondering what advice you all may have. Thanks!

    • Zoom CLE

      A lot of the normal presentation tips apply – don’t read from your slides, vary the intonation of your voice, etc. For Zoom, it’s especially important to speak slowly and clearly, because I find I am often looking at the big shared slide screen rather than the tiny box with the speaker and thus harder to follow what’s being said (I get distracted if I can’t see the speaker in any situation.) Make sure you have the power to mute everyone, and if you are doing any participation, have a system for queuing and calling on people. Have someone else run your slides or monitor the chat. Try to ensure you have host capabilities in the meeting. If you are presenting on a panel with others, I think it’s especially important to have a plan for dividing up speaking time and answering questions. I’m finding that the usual social cues of sharing speaking time are lost in the virtual environment.

    • theguvnah

      there are great resources if you google around. One thing that is universal is to simply use less content – presentations and panels on zoom should be shorter, so be diligent in your editing to focus on action-oriented statements and leaving out filler.

      practice the tech beforehand. Have a printout of your parts.

      ensure your lighting and background are acceptable. Dress as you would in person, mostly.

    • Carrots

      Make sure you have a consistent light source. I’ve been more host than presenter in Zoom meetings, but I notice that I don’t have a great, steady light setting in my normal set-ups, so my light balance will occasionally shift and my face will go dark.

      • Anon

        Amazon has these great clip on to table lights that plug into a computer’s USB port. It has a bendable light source and a bendable station to hold a camera as well (I don’t use the camera hold). The one that I have has three different colors (yellow, white, and blueish) and three different strength settings. It has been so valuable in video calls as my home has very low natural light. I think it’s only $20 bucks or so. Mine is called the “Webcam Light Stand for Live Stream, Selfie Ring Light with Webcam Mount for Logitech”

    • Tips!

      Ring light is a great idea, and a microphone. Even bluetooth earbuds will work nicely for this.

      In terms of presenting- I think one of the hardest things about presenting or performing on zoom is the utter lack of response or energy coming back from the audience. It is really hard to keep the energy up, when you are presenting to a wall. So, when you begin, they’ll probably spotlight you. I suggest changing your screen so you can see the gallery view, but don’t stare at people there. Make a little arrow from a sticky note, or something, and point it at the camera. As much as you can, look directly into the camera. It helps some people to tape the photo of someone they like near the camera, so they can feel like they are presenting to a friendly audience. And (and I’m not sure exactly how to put this- hopefully this will make sense) don’t present to the camera. Present THROUGH the camera. Push your energy through the screen to the audience.

      Good luck!

      • Anon

        I just did one. I had the chat open to the side of my own screen so when I asked “anyone have any thoughts about this?” Many of them used the chat feature. Then I could call that person out to speak up on the zoom to further explain their observation or question. It worked really well. Better than everyone trying to jump on top of each other to speak up.

        It also helped me to call on different people rather than that one person who always wants to be first to answer. He kept answering in the chat, but if someone else’s question/observation came up at close to the same time, I’d call on them.

    • anon

      when your panel is over, you may want a few more minutes with just the panelists to debrief and thank them. I believe in zoom webinar, you can close it and kick all the listeners out with one click, but if you use a regular zoom, come up with a plan for that.

  9. WFH Set up

    Recent threads on home offices and neck, back, shoulder and general body pain have made me determined to fix my space this weekend. Going to get a laptop stand, external monitor and keyboard, and considering a chair. Question: is the Herman Miller chair worth the price? I am thinking specifically of the Group Management Chair with management lift, which I find visually more appealing than their typical office chair. Anyone have it? Love it? Like it? Please LMK!!!

      • Anon

        Adjustable arms are critical. I’m small, so I like arms that adjust to be narrower to fit my shoulders, as well as height, so HM doesn’t work for me.

        • Anon

          The small sized Aeron is great for this! Arms are fully adjustable and much narrower than the typical chair.

    • Anonymous

      I got the Container Store bungee chair based on a rec from this site, and it’s sooooo comfortable. Saved my back. And it is low profile, so it doesn’t make my office space in my bedroom stand out in a weird way.

      • SmallLawAtl

        This is a great rec for all the reasons you mentioned. I bought one for my surprise exchange student who just moved into our small guest bedroom that needed a small-profile desk chair. My 16 yo son with the much bigger bedroom likes it so much that he is swapping his HM Aeron (inherited from an older sister who moved cross-country; it was originally purchased on Craigslist) with me for a new CS bungee. So I will get the Aeron, a decided upgrade from the dining room chair, and am buying him the bungee. This is a long story to explain that my 16 yo liked the CS bungee more than the HM Aeron. Word of advice, though–the CS bungee chair is mostly on backorder for several more weeks.

      • Anokha

        I got the Steelcase Think Chair (refurbished), and it was game changing. I also got a keyboard tray because my desk was too high for me!

    • AnonMPH

      I have no comment but just looked up the Group Management Chair and had to say, OMG we’re talking about a $2300 chair? This feels like too much!

      • Anonymous

        OP here..,agree on cost. Would buy used! But even used it’s still significant. Need to think about the arm issue. The adjustable arms on my chair at office drive me bananas so this was not on my radar. But good point. Thank you!

    • Anon

      I have one of those bungee office chairs and thought I would need to replace it, but after getting my monitors up to an appropriate height and adding a separate mouse & keyboard, the ergonomic issues I thought the chair was causing disappeared.

      Something to consider if you have a smaller desk at home than at work: mount your monitor(s) or get a shelf to put right behind your desk to set your monitors on. Having the full desktop space to use was a game changer for me.

  10. Anonymous

    Has anyone else’s Johnny was mask started to stretch out? It seems much bigger and looser on my face then when I started

    • BabyAssociate

      Yes! I have been extremely disappointed in those masks for this exact reason.

    • Cat

      They get looser with wear but shrink back for me when I wash them. I iron them too to make the fabric both neater and more comfortable to wear (particularly ironing the inside portion). You could also replace the elastics pretty easily.

    • Anon

      This has happened with all of our masks with elastic bands; the elastic stretches out. You can do a simple tack stitch on either side of the mask to take up the slack in the elastic.

    • Anon

      TJ, are there any other leading mask brands that readers like? I think I want to find something with a duck-bill, adjustable ear pieces, and a nose wire. That seems like it’ll hit all the bases for me. Any ideas?

      • mascot

        I like my Brave New Look masks and they meet your criteria. SIgn up for emails, they run specials. I got solid colors at 10 for $60 over Labor Day.

      • OR

        The Outdoor Research ones are amazing. Only wish they had more colors, but that’s a minor compliant. I have the gray and husband had the olive green. We don’t bother with the filters

      • Anon

        I’ve been searching and searching and buying and buying and my favorite so far is the Mandala Scrubs pleated kind.

      • MJ

        RedBrickQuicking on Etsy. They have the most comfy elastic. Are multi-layer cotton. And they just fit my face! Good quality, ship fast, hold up well. I really like them!

    • Anonyz

      I’ve been wearing my masks with the ear loops pulled back with tiny hair claws clipped into my hair. It takes up the slack and relieves pressure on my ears, which are really sore from masks + eyeglasses.

    • Anon

      Manufacturing seems to have caught up, so I now wear the blue medical masks. They’re supposed to be disposable but I wear each several times before getting rid of them. I keep them in my car so they get nice and hot in there between wears. I bought them on amazon.

    • Kitten

      Yes, but it took a very long time and for the price I’m ok with it. I just started a new pack and they feel so tight as I got used to the stretched-out ones!

  11. unicorn pants

    I’m looking for comfy-yet-fashionableish WFH pants. I wore running shorts all summer, and have moved on to sweatpant joggers and athletic leggings as it’s gotten cooler. I can’t bring myself to pull out my jeans or ankle pants (like J Crew Minnies) but I’d like something that’s a step up from PJs. Maybe non-sweatpant material joggers? Maybe this is the Marine Layer Alison pant?

  12. Party Animal

    I regularly prepare freezer meals as part of my weekly meal prep and would love to refresh my lineup. Favorite freezer meal recipes?

    • Anon

      Baked penne and chicken pot pie are my standard favourites since they freeze really well.

    • Veronica Mars

      I love freezer cooking too! Here are some of my best “components” for a quick and easy meal:
      – Costco frozen meatballs (Pioneer Woman has a recipe if you want to make them from scratch) – I use these to make crockpot spaghetti and meatballs, Swedish meatballs, meatball subs, Summer minestrone soup from Gimme Delicious, etc.
      – Bacon: fresh bacon I cook and freeze; I use this on so many things and it’s super easy to pull out a couple strips for a breakfast, to cook with a veggie side.

      Favorite meals include: Pasta bakes (alfredo, bolognese, etc.), chicken pot pies (top crust only, loaded with veggies), chicken enchiladas, cashew chicken, frozen pot roast, etc. I get most of my recipes from the Pioneer woman or invent my own for some of the more basic items.

    • Ribena

      I have a relatively small freezer so I like to cook the kind of meal where I can freeze just the ‘sauce’ part and add the carb when heating it up – so for example curry, chilli, Bolognese sauce, that kind of thing. This week for example I made a paneer tikka masala curry (recipe on Olive magazine website) and it was delicious. For those kind of meals I use 450ml size Tupperware containers for each portion. I bought 8 identical ones towards the end of last year which means they stack really easily in the fridge/ freezer/ cupboards, it’s been a lifesaver.

    • Anon

      I make big batches of shakshuka sauce and freeze it. Then all you need to do is cook the eggs – very easy.

    • HangryJo

      I’m vegan so YMMV but IMO a lot of soups and stews freeze really well – I particularly think a black bean, lentil or vegetable soup reheats really nicely. Chili, tomato sauce, curry, lentil dahl all freeze and reheat well. When I bake bread (bc quarantine) I bake two loaves at a time, cut them both in half, and freeze 3 out of the 4 halves. My partner and I usually only go through 1 half a week so this means I only bake bread about once a month but have fresh bread whenever I want it.

  13. Anon

    I’m in this horrible cycle where I really want to have a nap around 4:30 when I’m done work, but then I can’t fall asleep that night, so I’m exhausted the next day, so I have a nap…

    How do you power through low energy times?

    • Z

      Can you have a coffee and a snack around 3pm to take you through the late afternoon slump? Or maybe going for a walk.

      • OP

        I should have added that I don’t drink coffee, the obvious solution! I usually only having caffeine in the mornings but maybe I’ll start having an extra cup of tea in the afternoons.

    • anonymous

      Drink some cold water. Do some type of physical activity. I’ll do a quick workout online or take a walk around the block. I’ll also try and stand while working.

    • Anonyz

      If I’m inferring correctly, this is when you work from home? The problem is staying in the same place–your commute used to be the change you needed to perk up. Leave the house as soon as you shut down for the day. Doesn’t matter what you do–errands, putter in your yard if you have one, walk around the block. You need to get upright and moving.

    • Anonymous

      About 30 minutes before my usual time of sleepiness, I go outside for a few minutes of fresh air and sunshine. If I have time, I take the dog for a quick walk.

  14. Conflicted

    Reposting due to a nesting fail:

    I’m feeling very conflicted. I’m generally a pretty big supporter of BLM and take POC’s stories at face value…until yesterday. A scathing op-ed was published about my employer and it was full of easily verifiable falsities, like visiting satellite offices that do not and never have existed, claiming they only got the job because their Anglo name ‘fooled the recruiter’ again my employer does not and never has used recruiters, we have a points based hiring system. There are probably about 5 very obvious lies in the story and it’s being shared like wildfire. I can’t help but wonder why someone went through the trouble of making up such an elaborate story. I feel like it’s a no-win situation, thoughts?

    • Anon

      I think you have to ask yourself: what type of person would post an obviously fake story like this? It could be:
      An alt-right troll trying to stoke anti-POC and anti-BLM sentiment, or
      A far left instigator who is so trapped in their wokeness that they’d make up a story

      In either case, do you want either of these types of people to influence your heart and mind against a justice-seeking movement or do you want to think for yourself? You seem to have automatically steered towards “I am now more anti-BLM” so apparently it has worked a bit. You know this is a lie. And you know that this is one person acting with bad motives. Do not let this one person be a representative example for a whole group of people who by the way do not share one set of thoughts or opinions. Your reasonability knows that this, so don’t let your mind be swayed so easily.

      • Conundrum

        I guess my conundrum is that 1. People are believing this article and lapping it up, Pitchforks in hand. 2. If I (or any one else for that matter) were to call out the lies we’d be accused of racism and the forks would be pointed at us too.

        • Anon

          I think you are exaggerating in your head about what would happen if you point out the lies. One – it’s an online forum so who cares. Two – point out the the objectively provable facts about this person’s lies – that they are talking about offices that don’t exist, the company does not use outsourced recruiters, etc. (do NOT focus on the anglo name thing because this is very much proven to occur and you don’t know if this actually occurred or could occur, especially if your system doesn’t have a blind resume recruitment format where you can’t see names or biographical information).

        • anon

          A rebuttal of verifiable facts should come from company leadership/spokesperson or the like, not from individual employees. It should be an official statement. Pointing out that a certain branch does not exist is an objective fact. It gets murkier with the other points. The word recruiter could mean some hiring manager within your company. Or do you blindly hire people on a points based system and never interview them? If so, that would also be worth stating, although I find it hard to believe any company hires that way.

        • anonymous

          It should be possible to rationally, calmly, and respectfully point out that the story is false if it’s so obviously false. Any decent PR team should be able to manage this. It’s entirely possible to acknowledge systemic racism while also explaining your doubts about the specific account at issue. For example, you’re not going to say “actually, I don’t believe this because our COO is black and I have a black coworker, but maybe if the applicant didn’t get hired it was because there was someone else more qualified than him?? Isn’t anyone considering that he might just not have been the best fit for the job? Not sure if I believe this, my company wouldn’t do that.” You say, “Yes, I recognize that systemic racism exists and influences employment opportunities, and that unconscious biases influence hiring decisions. While I am sure that there are many people who have faced the sorts of horrifying discriminatory actions reported in this article, I have doubts about the truth of this specific account because [insert demonstrably false facts.]”

          I suggest taking a little time to think critically about how you might do this in a conversation with someone, and then letting it go because you cannot control wether the populace at large “laps up” this article.

      • anon

        This is a good point. A good place to direct your frustrations with the falsehood might be to question the publisher (who clearly did no fact checking) and view future pieces with a healthy portion of skepticism.

    • theguvnah

      I guess I’m confused what you’re conflicted about? Someone is lying, from your experience, or at least misremembering and misstating facts. What does that have to do with the broader movement for Black lives?

      I am a lifelong feminist and #metoo supporter but spent months reading Tara Reade’s story before realizing for myself that she was not a trustworthy messenger. That has no bearing on my feminist credentials or politics.

      I’d encourage you to reflect on why you’re feeling a pull to use one close to home example to somehow poke holes in an international movement.

      • Conflicted

        There is no misremembering or misstating, the person was supposedly an executive. Someone doesn’t just mysteriously forget what city they managed hundreds of people in. If the letter was real the writer would have intimate and correct knowledge. It’s concerning because if I didn’t know better I would have probably fallen for it too, how many other stories have I fallen for because someone crafted a good lie? I guess I placed too much trust in news organizations fact checking. I’m not doubting the whole movement but going forward I will be independently verifying every story I share, support, or donate money to.

    • Anonymous

      Sounds like one person is a liar but WTF does that have to do with BLM?

      Like I’m a white lady from one of the whitest parts of Canada and even I personally know POC who have experienced this shit in the US and Canada and Europe. Do you not know any POC? What are you conflicted about? About condemning a movement based on one person? Seriously?

    • Aunt Jamesina

      You shouldn’t base your opinion of an entire movement off of the actions of one person.

    • Anon

      The responses above tell you why people make up these stories: because they assume that real ones aren’t being told and think it somehow makes things okay to lie to “make up the difference.”

      It’s not a no-win situation. The truth wins – always, in the end, or else everyone loses.

    • Anon

      That happened to a friend’s company – she’s in HR and someone posted all these weird YouTube videos alleging discrimination but the stories didn’t check out and they had no way to investigate. I kind of wonder if it’s espionage.

      • Anon

        The problem these types of stories pose for a movement is that they make people look crosswise at any story that cannot be verified.

        A few years ago a niche sports figure was accused of s*xual assault. It turned out to be an elaborate lie, probably to get money and it made me so incredibly angry because while one false report should not cast doubt on all of the true ones, it gave traction to the argument that women lie about r*pe. That was the problem with the University of Virginia fraternity story published by Rolling Stone too.

        OP – I think I know the story you are referencing and share your concerns. I want to believe reports of discrimination in the workplace but these types of story makes me doubt, especially when it is clear that so many reports that are published are not being vetted. Never mind all of the anonymous stuff on the internet.

  15. eeek

    My niece and her husband dropped off their high-energy 2.5-year-old and their high-energy little dog at our house this morning on their way to the hospital to deliver their second child. My husband is watching both of them, plus our very large and very excited dog, downstairs while I try to prep for a big pitch via Zoom and our teenager takes her first on-line math test. There is an awful lot of screaming, barking, crashing, and piano banging going on down there. And a friend just called asking for a ride to school for their possibly COVID-exposed kid. This is going to be a very long day. Please send coffee.

    • Anon

      Wait, she’s sending her possibly exposed covid kid to school? That would be a big no for me.

      But exciting that you’re going to be a great aunt again! Congratulations!!

      • eeek

        Oh, yeah, we said a big NO on that one. But it increased the level of chaos in the house.

    • Anon

      You tell your friend that you’re watching your great-niece (or nephew) as your niece delivers her second child, so you cannot possibly risk COVID infection when it could get to a newborn.

    • Anonymous

      Can your DH take them out to the backyard or for a walk.

      hard no on helping people send possible covid cases to school

  17. Super Anon

    Desperately need advice and I’m too mortified to talk about this in real life. Sorry tmi ahead

    I’m 6 weeks postpartum and just had my check up and my doctor said everything was fine and healing normally. I’m back to exercising and feel great 99% of the time. However….

    It is excruciating to go #2. It is so painful that I dread having to go and have probably gone less than twice a week since the baby came. I’m still taking stool softeners twice a day. There’s blood when I wipe. My doctor was totally dismissive and just told me to eat more fiber (I eat a large salad every day for lunch already). Is this actually normal? My first baby was a very complicated delivery and I still felt terrible 6 weeks later, so maybe I just don’t remember this particular pain since everything hurt? This time I feel great except for this so it really stands out. Any other anecdotal advice on what I can do to make it feel better?

    • Anon

      It sounds like you have a tear, which your doctor maybe doesn’t think is a big deal, or didn’t see. I had 3rd degree tearing and my OB seemed very calm about it until I actually asked her to take a closer look, and then she said “oh my, no wonder it hurts.”

      • Anon

        Ps your doc isn’t wrong about the fiber. Try Metamucil in addition to the pills. It really helps.

    • Anon

      Real Life RD addressed this subject in a blog post after the birth of her first baby. I’d recommend checking that out. Otherwise, can you try prune juice?

    • Anon

      You need more fiber than you think you do. 25 grams of fiber every day is a lot. Eat stone fruits. Have Metamucil. Drink a lot of water, then drink more.

    • Anonymous

      Get an evaluation from a postpartum physiotherapist. OBs just care about wound healing. Physios help you rehab the whole pelvic floor area.
      Pain and constipation are often caused by muscle issues in addition to diet but it should like your diet is pretty good. My Physio therapist recommends drinking at least 2 litres of water a day if constipation is an issue.

    • Go for it

      Get a stool softener & use x2 daily until you’re healed
      , if you BF it will not be a problem

      • Anonymous

        She said in her post she is taking stool softeners twice a day already.

  18. Anokha

    Is there such a thing as low-rise leggings for working out? I keep striking out and getting leggings that hit higher than my belly button. They feel uncomfortable and like I’m being constricted. I’m 5’2” if that makes a difference.

    • Carmen Sandiego

      Beyond Yoga has some leggings that cut down into a “v” in the front. They look cute, and might solve this problem?

  19. Anon

    Trying to use some aromatherapy in the shower. Already ordered a lavender scented body wash with epsom salt for night time. Any favorite invigorating body washes for morning showers? Any price range is fine.

    • Ribena

      I’m halfway through one of the big 750ml bottles of Body Shop Satsuma and honestly it’s more invigorating than anything else I’ve tried for ages. The smell makes me think of hotel breakfasts!

      • Anon

        Body Wash satsuma was all the rage when I was a kid/teen. I haven’t thought about it in years but it smelled so good!

        • Ribena

          It’s a classic for a reason! Plus the big bottles have pump tops so no need to juggle the bottle!

    • Anon

      Dr Bronners peppermint liquid soap. It’s a classic for a reason. Sulfate free and all that good stuff.

      I also like the rose and the almond. I would say the almond is less invigorating but my skin feels nice.

      https://www.drbronner.com/

      I get it at target or the grocery store, FYI

    • eertmeert

      I love the Kheils Body Fuel body wash. It smells awesome. Very invigorating. I have a tiny travel size bottle for forever and I put some on my hands and inhale. Just perks you right up.

      Seeing this typed out it sounds silly to nurse a small bottle for so long, but I have enough body washes that I need to finish some of the full size bottles before buying another.

    • anon

      I am loving the Method body washes. The citrus one (orange bottle) is my favorite for morning.

    • pugsnbourbon

      I love love love Aveda bodywash and shampoo.
      Also, I like to buy a bunch of eucalyptus at my local florist (they do a “happy hour” where loose stems are half off), tie it up, and hang it over my showerhead. YMMV but I friggin love eucalyptus.

  20. Anon

    Any Charlotte, NC folks out there who know of a way to get COVID-tested in the area without symptoms? Looking for a place (free or paid) to get a test before seeing a relative. Thanks!

  21. Alone in Austin

    Just when you thought 2020 could not get any worse. NPR just reported that RBG died. I. Just. Can’t.

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