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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 152 Comments · by

Thursday’s TPS Report: Plum Dome Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

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Dorothy Perkins Plum Dome Jacket | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. I don't know why I keep coming back to this plum jacket from Dorothy Perkins, but something about it really speaks to me. I love that dark plum color, the fact that it's machine washable, and — hey — that it's only $59. I'd wear it with blue, purple, black, and even with some of the dark green that's everywhere this season. It's $59 at Dorothy Perkins (available in sizes 6-18, although some are starting to sell out). Dorothy Perkins Plum Dome Jacket Psst: Here's a washable open-front jacket in plum that's available in plus sizes. Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.

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Comments

  1. Miss Behaved

    Ladies, am I right in thinking that the new version of “The skirt” is TTS? Previously, I would buy it in a size smaller, but I seem to remember that posters have been recommending that we now buy it in our true size. Is that correct?

    I want to buy it in the camel today, while the triple points still apply!

    • Lisa

      I am HUGE fan of The Skirt and I do buy TTS (size 12), but I returned the camel I bought during the Anniversary Sale. The label said it was the same materials and percentages of my other ones, but it clung in all the wrong places and (to me) seemed more polyester-y, than my other ones. But the color was lovely and I wished it fit me better

      • Blonde Lawyer

        true to size. Loft for example runs big so people tend to size down there.

        • pls

          I feel like TTS is subjective. I know people rant about J. Crew running small, but I don’t think it does. Am I the only one? I’m wondering if it’s because I’m more curvy, whereas it’s cut for a straighter line. I wear a bigger size in J. Crew than in BR.

          • Baconpancakes

            Same. I think TTS is very subjective. LE is almost always two sizes too big on me, Banana sizes fit great with just a little waist tailoring on skirts, and J.Crew doesn’t seem to make anything that fits my shape anymore, although I have some old Crew suits that still look fantastic.

          • Unicorn

            I think with a lot of brands in this price point, they are more TTS at the upper end of the size range (speaking from experience). So those who wear smaller sizes may encounter more instances of “not TTS.” IMHO.

          • roses

            J Crew has had the most inconsistent sizing lately. I tried on a casual dress in my “usual” size that was massive – easily 2 sizes bigger than marked. Then I tried on a pencil skirt in my “usual” size that was tight in my thighs but big in the waist. I’m pretty sure my body hasn’t changed – my clothes still fit – so I think it’s them.

    • TCFKAG

      To answer the original question – I think the skirt does run more TTS in the current fabric than in the old one. But I also think the newer fabric is more clingy – so if you prefer your work garb a bit loser, then I’d size up still.

      I miss the old Skirt. So much.

  2. Anon

    I’ve seen a couple posts re seeking out booties. I wanted to give a shout out to the Billie boot at Madewell, particularly since the store is having a 20 to 30 percent off sale. (Sales on everything are rare.) And free shipping. Got mine on a good sale and love them. Also, there are several other options that may be better suited to other preferences/body types.

    • anon

      The BP Trolley boots at Nordstrom are amazing. Can’t even tell you how obsessed I am. Have them in black, brown, and grey.

      • espresso bean

        Just got those in cognac yesterday. They’re amazing! And they seem really comfortable, too.

      • CDA

        How is the sizing on the Trolley boots? I have been eyeing them for a while, but I’m international now so returns are a lot harder – I want to guess correctly!

        • espresso bean

          I’d go up a 1/2 size. I’m almost always a 6.5-7, but I got a 7.5 in these and they seem perfect.

      • hoola hoopa

        Does anyone know if the “grey” is grey in real life or actually the mushroom color it looks like on my screen?

  4. Ellen

    Yay! Great pick, Kat, and at onley $59, it is a steal!

    The manageing partner agreed that from OCTOBER 1, I am getting 50% reimbursement! So this will ONLEY be $29.50 if I buy it after October 1, but I would like to order it now!

    Noah came over and he saw the manageing partner’s brother there and I got the key back from him. Noah saw that I was upset and thought I should have my blood pressure and pulse taken so he did. I have great (low) blood pressure and a good pulse, he said. He did the test using ONLEY his watch and a little thing he brought with him that I can buy at Dwayne Read. He said that I am at my peak for sexueality and he think’s I should have kid’s NOW! I told him I agreed, but needed a guy to MARRY me first.

    Myrna is meeting me after work (4:30 pm) and we are heading over to Macy’s b/c she needs to get a new comforter for the winter. Last year, there was a leek in her apartement and smelly water dropped all over her closet where the comforter was. So when she went to take it out, it was all moldey and smelley from the water (or worse) that came down from the apartement upstair’s. I told her she should check w/her home owner’s insurance b/c the comforter is worth maybe $400 or so. She will call today. She think’s I am VERY smart for thinking of this for her.

    I lost 1 pound last week with the FITBIT and dad is happy. He think’s if I can get down to 115, I will surely get a guy to marry me as long as my tuchus is not to big. I have along way to go to get there, and now Grandma Leyeh is wondering if she should have given me the $50,000 so soon. I think she is disappointed b/c expected a grandchild by now, and all I have are empty promises from guy’s who seem to forget about what they said after they have sex with me. FOOEY! Grandma Leyeh says to have a child now, or to freeze my egg’s. I wonder who told her about that? This is something new that was NOT availeable when she was young, but is something I have been thinking of b/c most guy’s out there are NOT interested in MARRYING me. DOUBEL FOOEY!

  5. Navy midi skirt

    I would love some styling advice for the navy midi skirt from Loft. I got it on sale recently and can’t decide what I think of it. I’m trying only to keep things I truly love, but I could see it being an easy piece if paired with the right shoes, blouses, sweaters, etc. I work in a mid-sized law firm that is somewhere between biz casual and biz dress. The only possible shoes I have to wear with it are taupe-suede booties and knee length brown boots. I am on the hunt for purple or burgundy heels anyway, and I think those would work well. But please share how you would style this skirt. I will link below. Thanks!

    • Rowan

      I would not wear booties or boots with a midi skirt. You want something that extends the leg line. I’d go with reasonably delicate pumps, and I think you’re right that purple or burgundy would work well.

      • TCFKAG

        I slightly disagree. In the fall or winter, I find a nice way to extend the life of my midi skirts is to wear them with my knee high boots (so that no skin shows between skirt and boot). But that may just be a taste thing that I happen to like how that looks.

        Generally though, I agree that pumps are best with midi skirts (especially if you’re on the shorter and stouter end of the spectrum like me.)

    • Cat

      For now, tucked-in blouse (white if I was feeling very Carolina-esque), nude hose, gray mid-height pointed-toe heels. (Partial to the Jcrew Valentinas – the gray looked almost sold out recently but they do re-stock.)

      For winter, cashmere sweater in your preferred neckline (love camel + navy, but an icy blue or lavender could look great too), opera length necklace, dress boots (assuming your brown pair has heels?)

      • Senior Attorney

        +1 for the blouse and pumps. I have a white skirt in a similar shape and I have worn it to pieces this summer with heeled pointy pumps and tucked in blouses. Shortish or longish blazers.

        As for the color, I consider navy a neutral and would wear it with pretty much any color.

    • Bonnie

      With a midi skirt, you do need something that elongates the leg so no booties. Pumps or sleek knee high heeled boots would work. On top, I’d recommend wearing something fitted to counter the volume of the skirt.

      • kellyandthen

        Agreed on the sleek and elongating. If you go for a pump, try for a nude-for-you shade. I have a fuller navy midi skirt and I think it always looks best on me with nude for me pumps with a higher heel. I find that wearing any pumps in a darker/heavier tone can read very 1980’s mom back to work. Just add a sweater vest and a lacy granny collar blouse….

        This would look excellent with something sleek and tucked in, with very little volume. A cashmere tee sweater–any sleeve length–or a Bretton striped top?

    • Leigh

      Not much help styling wise, but is that really a midi skirt? I don’t think that 25 inches would be midi on me (5’7). If it’s not midi, I think heeled knee high boots would work.

    • Kate

      IMO, I think booties could look cute with a midi skirt but it’s a very Tavi Gevinson/Man Repeller look. I.e. not “flattering” but could be fun for a less formal office.

  6. Marilla

    House cleaning/de-odorizing advice needed! We just moved into our house (!!!) on Sunday, which is amazing, but the house is sadly pretty grimy and in need of lots of scrubbing. I’m getting to it little by little, and my cleaning service is coming next week, but the one thing that’s driving me crazy is that I cannot get the smell of dog food out of the kitchen, and especially out of the cupboard under the sink. I scrubbed it thoroughly and put a dish of baking soda in there to try to absorb the smell, but does anyone have any other tips?

    • kc

      Are the cabinets natural wood or painted? Could you conceivably pant the inside of the cabinet with an odor-blocking paint (like something that is made for smokers?). My thought is that the wood has just absorbed the smell. Maybe sprinkle baking soda on the wood and then wipe off. I’m sure there’s probably a specific cleaner for this problem as well. Some website suggests putting a baking soda paste on the wood and then wiping off after an hour.

      • Senior Attorney

        +1 for the painting. I don’t think you’d even need special paint. When I bought my last house it stank of smoke like crazy, and I just painted with regular paint and it took care of the problem.

        • Marilla

          Good idea – painting is definitely on the to-do list but not immediately (more like next spring/summer). If the smell persists though I may just emergency paint the inside of that cabinet.

    • Hildegarde

      I’d try cleaning it with vinegar, and if you’re not already leaving the doors open so it can air out, I’d do that, too.

    • Anonymous

      Wipe down with a vinegar/water solution, and then leave a bowl of vinegar sitting in there for a few days?

    • Anon2

      No additional advice but this makes me glad that I’ve always kept dog food in the garage.

      • Anonymous

        Dog food (and I would assume cat food, though I don’t have cats to have experience with it) should always be kept in a sealed airtight plastic container, both to preserve the food and to keep away bugs. I’ve never been able to smell my dog’s food outside the container even when I didn’t have a pantry and the container was just smack in the middle of the kitchen floor. So, if the OP has a lingering smell at all, let alone such a bad one, I think it’s safe to conclude that the prior owners just had the food sitting out in an open bag. Thus, I would also be prepared to have a pest issue in that cabinet as it was probably a reliable food source for the buggers for some time.

        • snowy

          +1 I’ve always heard that keeping it in a sealed container is a must not just for controlling the smell but the critters.

          I would try baking soda in addition to the activated charcoal – supposed to do the same thing, can’t hurt and you might have it on hand.

    • Marilla

      Thanks everyone! I will try vinegar to start and then the baking soda paste on the weekend and will keep an eye out for activated charcoal. Maybe I’ll try coffee grounds if I can’t find charcoal – that worked well for absorbing the smell of our new wood coffee table last year.

      And to the anon at 10:34 – yep, I’m pretty sure they had it in an open bag under the sink, which is a bad idea all around. They were pretty sloppy housekeepers in general (super super stylish house, well decorated, but not cleaned or kept up properly either inside or out) and it’s taking me a while to clean everything and eliminate the dog smells everywhere. We have a lot of little maintenance things that need to be done before we feel really comfortable and like it’s “our’ house. By the way, for anyone dealing with a mildewy front-loading washing machine, wiping out the rubber ring with bleach and then running an empty cycle with bleach on the highest temperature is working really well!

      • kc

        yuck! I can’t understand when people don’t keep their house clean/good smelling, that’s gross.

        • anon

          Definitely projecting here but it might have something to do with having full time jobs, long commutes, kids, and a large dog. I would love to keep my house clean and good smelling but I don’t have time. I worked longer hours when I was single and childless/dogless but I lived in a tiny apartment and it was so much easier to keep clean when it was just me.

        • Still looking to hire a new housekeeper

          I’m definitely projecting too, but I can certainly understand it! I’d much rather use the average 30 spare minutes I have each day relaxing for once than cleaning something. But I also understand that people feel like kc and would totally judge me… which is why I cleaned the bathrooms and swept/vacuumed before the babysitter came the other day, even though I am pregnant with a toddler and a full time job and needed the babysitter so I could go to my night class because my husband is out of town for a couple weeks.

          Granted, a couple of crazy weeks doesn’t give you a cupboard that still smells like dog food after you’ve vacated the house, but yeah.

          • Blonde Lawyer

            I was having a hard time picturing how one is pregnant “with a toddler” and then I had that duh moment that the toddler is not in your belly, you are pregnant, with a fetus, and also have a toddler. I have no idea why, but this has made me laugh hysterically.

            Also makes me think of “knocked up.” “I’m pregnant.” “with what? emotion??”

          • Still looking to hire a new housekeeper

            Apparently I’m too busy to use commas, and now it’s making me laugh hysterically too. I really hope this kid does not come out toddler-sized.

      • In the Pink

        You might try looking for Consan Triple Action 20. It is something that helps with mold. We use it after losing power in hurricanes. Usually it’s in private hardware stores (as opposed to big box). It might be on line too, I don’t know. Consan doesn’t smell like vinegar, because it’s not vinegar.

        Can you have the carpeting (if there is any) steam cleaned?

    • nutella

      Sprinkle baking soda, leave overnight, and then vacuum up. If the cabinet has adhesive paper liners, replace those. Clean it with vinegar and then overnight leave a plate (more surface area than a bowl) of vinegar in there. It will smell like vinegar while it’s still in there, but the second you dump it, no more vinegar smell and no more odor. You can do all of these for the kitchen in general, not just under the cabinet. I also like to put a half lemon through the garbage disposal and run the disposal thoroughly.

    • Saguaro

      Kilz (that is the brand name) makes paints that kill odor. This might be an option if you can paint the inside of the cabinet.

    • Jordan

      Newspapers absorb stinky smells too. If anyone still reads those or knows where to find them. I had a stinky car issue once many years ago and I tried everything and ended up using a bunch of old newspapers and it really helped.

  7. Invitations

    Looking for recommendations for websites where I can order inexpensive but nice looking bridal shower invitations. Thanks!

    • a.k.

      I used tinyprints. If you’re a costco member there’s an extra discount. Bonus, they will send them to the recipients for you.

    • lucy stone

      We got our wedding invitations from VistaPrint and were super happy with them.

        • National_Anthem

          Not actually a complaint about vista print, because I’m sure it was my friend’s mistake on some level, but she used vista print for her save the dates and the addresses all said [actual person’s name] or current resident. My friend was horrified but I thought it was hysterical.

        • Meg Murry

          Vista print is really cheap (especially with coupon codes) but their shipping cost can be high, especially if you can’t wait for standard delivery (I think it was almost 2 weeks for standard delivery when we looked into it) and paying for faster shipping was more than the cost of the invitations themselves.
          We went with Vista print for things we had a long lead time on, and Walgreens with free in store pickup within hours for the things we didn’t want to pay extra shipping for and needed quickly.

      • Yeah

        We used Vista Print for the printing of a design that an etsy seller sized to VP’s specifications. Came out lovely. Make sure that you pay the extra $3 or whatever it is to remove the VP logo from the back if that matters to you.

      • Clementine

        Depending on your crowd, you can also just email around a .pdf of the image.

        (I printed most of mine, but emailed .pdf’s to a few people who lived out of the country/travel extensively/don’t check their mail/have neighbors who steal their mail)

        • Baconpancakes

          Along these lines, paperless post has a pdf or paper option of the exact same beautiful design, with response trackers for the online versions. Emailing the pdf with the response trackers isn’t free (not sure how it works if you purchase the physical ones AND send the pdfs, but it’s only free up to a point to email the pdfs), but they’re gorgeous, and seem comparable to other places.

      • TCFKAG

        Third for an etsy seller (it was actually a person I know who designed it for me.) I got a custom designed invitation and she either dealt with getting them printed for me (wedding invites) or sent me a PDF that I could choose to print myself or just send out inserted into an email (for a baby shower – I went with the email invite.)

    • Finance

      Minted – they have lots of coupon codes, and I would guess some % off if you sign up for emails. Google search for coupon codes – I never bought anything full priced from them. But, their design people were great and the product was perfect.

      • kc

        I also love Minted. I used a 30% coupon (got in the mail) for my wedding invitations. Everyone thought my invitations were a LOT more expensive than they were because I used the foil-pressed design.

    • hoola hoopa

      I’ve been impressed with the quality for price of the Costco holiday cards I’ve been ordering, and their wedding designs (on the rotating ad) actually look nice. They should have examples at the photo counter in store.

  8. Bonnie

    I really like the shape of this jacket and would probably add on a hook and eye closure.

  9. Rachelellen

    The color is pretty but somehow the drape strikes me as matronly. I think it looks a bit mother of the bride?

  10. anon

    Eh, I need to replace a small-ish (let’s say 5″ wide) oval black quilted crossbody that had a gold chain (with black leather strap woven in). Loved it. Chain broke.

    Anyone have ideas on cute small-ish crossbody bags? Black is ideal (but I’m open to other neutral colors like brown or grey. Should be able to dress it up or down. Help!! I’ve looked at Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and Kate Spade but I don’t have any other ideas. $225-$275 MAX.

  11. Anon

    test

    are anyone else’s comments disappearing?

    eta apparently now it’s working for me.

  12. TheElms

    How much do returns from Dorothy Perkins cost? I can find the return policy on the website but there is nothing about cost. Anyone know from experience?

    • PinkKeyboard

      A fortune as of 2-3 years ago, as in I just donated the clothes because the shipping was way way more than the order. I would have had to ship back to the UK. I’m not sure about now though.

  13. Lady Tetra

    Men’s fashion question: my boyfriend is starting a job at a trade association (in DC). They seem to be business casual on most days but wear suits for outside meetings. Can he wear shoes that look like this:
    http://www.6pm.com/men-shoes/CK_XAWoBC8ABAuICBDABGA2CAwOhhwE.zso?s=isNew/desc/goLiveDate/desc/recentSalesStyle/desc/&?utm_source=et&utm_medium=email&utm_term=6pm_140918_massmail_nonpacific_A_row3-2col2images-image1_MensModernFootwear&utm_campaign=6pm_140918_massmail_nonpacific_A

    Or does he need to get fancier ones? Thanks!

    • Bee

      I’d see what they define as “business casual” before deciding. I work in DC, and have worked a lot of places that say they’re business casual, but really, half the guys wear shorts during the summer.

    • TCFKAG

      He might be able to get away with those for business casual but definitely not with a suit. My husband had this issue (casual, bordering on trashy shoes he didn’t see a problem with) so I brought him to Nordstroms to try on shoes and me and the saleslady teamed up on him. It worked beautifully. He was totally peer pressured into getting nicer dress shoes.

      High five Nordies saleslady!

  14. Jules

    I like the jacket (but I’m older than most here – so more matronly? :) ) and would wear it with sheath dresses. But my size (14, mostly because of a large bust — shoulders are small and arms are short) is sold out. Anyone have info on DP sizing? Could I size down? Or should I – gulp – size up?

  15. Diana Barry

    Wear question. I just noticed I am starting to get little wispy (I assume elastic?) bits sticking out of the shoulder of my J Crew Super 120 jacket. Is this from the stretch fabric? Will anything happen if I pull them out? If this is happening now, then how long does the jacket have before I’ll have to toss it? Arrr.

    • Monday

      This happened to me with a J. Crew pea coat. I brought it in to a tailor and he shook his head at the poor construction. Are they bristle-like? Apparently it’s part of the shoulder structure. He said he couldn’t really do anything for it, or if he did it would be higher than the cost of replacing it.

      I got one more season out of it by ironing on a denim patch inside the shoulder–totally invisible from the outside, but put an end to the painful poking in my shoulder. My solution going forward is to avoid jackets from J. Crew.

    • Maddie Ross

      I have no idea if it would work with a suit coat (so don’t blame me if you set it on fire or ruin it), but when I get wispy threads on purses or shoes where stiching has come up, I burn them off with a lighter. I would think the same premise would/could apply here. But you’d have to be really quick about it.

    • Gail the Goldfish

      I started noticing these on my stretch wool jacket from J.Crew. I assume it’s the elastic, but I have not yet devised a solution. I’m going to try a sweater shaver, maybe.

    • AIMS

      I think it’s the batting. Same thing on BR suit jackets. At some point it gets to be too much but you can carefully cut them with nail scissors if it’s just a few wisps.

    • Anonymous

      Yup. I just noticed this happening on my go-to super 120s navy pinstrip suit coat. It hurts and is quite distracting / annoying.

  16. Negotiation Help

    What kind of wording do you use when you negotiate for salary? I’ve received an offer that is about a 6% increase in salary, and I believe that it’s a competitive offer. I know that negotiation is important, but I’m kind of tongue-tied about calling them back. Is something like, “I’m definitely interested in the position, but I was hoping for slightly more?” a terrible thing to say? For what it’s worth, my current company would match an offer.

    • houda

      Not a negotiation expert, but I’d mention that my research showed XX is more in line with the seniority level, job description type of industry etc.
      I wouldn’t position me wanting an increase as me hoping for XX amount, I’d try to position it more objectively.

    • snowy

      For exact wording, I’d say, “Can we take a minute to talk about compensation? I was hoping that based on my skills and experience the compensation for this position would be more in line with XX. Is there an additional bonus to factor in? What is the bonus/profit sharing structure?” etc. Get them to nail down specifics.

  17. Men's suit questions

    How long do men keep suits before they are just too old?

    My husband doesn’t often wear his suits and his newest one is the one he wore in our wedding in 2007 (tropical weight wool). I am thinking that that is getting pretty old, never mind the older ones (all of which seem to be in some sort of heavier more tweedy wool). Is it just time for the older ones to go (or to be boxed up — I am not sure they fit)?

    I would hate for him to have to have a suit and pull out something that over time will make him look clownish.

    • Cat

      Not necessarily too old – my husband has a few suits from 2005-2006 that he still wears. But, one is navy and one is charcoal gray, so the colors are nice and neutral, they’re both 3-button, which tends not to get dated looking the way 4-button or double-breasted suits can, and they were nicely tailored when he purchased them. The biggest change over the last 5-10 years has been a snugger fit for menswear, so less-tailored items might look more dated. Why not pull them out and have him do a little modeling, see how they look?

    • CDA

      It depends on the style. My father wears the same suit that he had made in the late 60s/early 70s, and it looks perfectly current/classic. In his line of work, he needs a suit for weddings and funerals, and this one does both, anytime of year. Seriously, it’s amazing.
      On the other hand, my husband wears suits daily so he has more “variety” in his suits – he has some classics and he has some trendier or seasonal (summer colors; winter weight) ones. Consequently, some of his look dated within 4-5 years, regardless of the wear. Some of his classics have been around at least 8 years now and will likely be retired due only to fit, eventually.

      So, you don’t replace a suit just because it is “old.” You do replace a suit that looks dated in cut, color, or fabric, or because it does not fit.

    • Hildegarde

      Well, does he look clownish in these suits now? The age of the suit doesn’t matter, just how he looks and how the suit is holding up. No need to buy new suits just because these are older, so long as they look good.

    • MegB

      My husband used to be in consulting and wore a suit everyday. They were/are expensive wool suits in classic cuts and even those purchased back in the early 2000’s look pristine and current today when he pulls them out. He now runs his own small business and so only wears them on occasions. I’m not sure about more “stylish” suits like the J Crew Ludlow suit but a classic cut, well made suit should last for years. Hope that helps!

  18. Old oily skin treatments

    I am in my 40s and still have oily skin. It’s beginning to look a bit time ravaged — some discolorations, some spots, and just overall worn and not sparkling looking. Not too sun damaged (but I’m sure some of discolorations are sun spots like people get on their hands). I’m not sure what I’m looking for other than improvement at the skin level (and not covering it up with makeup).

    Is this what AHA face lotion can help with (or something stronger)?
    Or is this where a cosmetic procedure (which) comes in?
    Or is this where I go to a spa and have some sort of treatment done?

    I’m not interested in sandblasting off my skin (I think there’s an AbFab on this) or anything with a long recovery time.

    • Anon

      Sunscreen, AHA, Antioxidants, and Retinol. Check out the Paula’s Choice Renew line – it includes all of these things and you can just buy the line and use it according to her steps. It’s working pretty well for me.

    • long time lurker

      I do the AHA at night and then use an exfoliating wash for a few days when my oily-ish skin starts looking drab. I’d try that and get a facial.

    • houda

      You need to look up Caroline Hirons cheat sheets, your skincare routine will completely change but it is worth it.

    • kc

      AHA facewash and cream with retinol. Philosophy Help Me or Skinceuticals have strong retinol you can get without a prescription. Retinol takes at least 8-12 weeks to give results though so stick with it (I get so annoyed with reviews that are “I tried this for 2 weeks and it didn’t work”. No beauty routine works in 2 weeks). You could also try bi-monthly facials at a salon.

    • S in Chicago

      IPL laser is amazing for taking care of sunspots. I’ve tried bleaching but it isn’t nearly as effective and takes forever. If it’s just minor discoloration or unevenness though instead of skin freckling, I’d start with the retinol. That’s likely enough to see a lot of improvement.

  19. Wildkitten

    I’m debating between the North Face Miss Metro Parka and the LLBean Goose Down Hooded Parka. Is there any reason I should pay twice as much for the North Face one?

    • CDA

      The big difference between the two, for me, was fit. I found the LLBean one very loose, almost baggy, by comparison to the NF coat, which was much more fitted. Unfortunately, I can’t speak to how either wears on a daily basis; in the end, I returned both and kept a Marmot down parka (which I adore).

    • anon

      Do you need a coat or something more casual?

      That seems to be the basic difference and would also account for the difference in cut. You might well be able to wear the NF with a skirt, depending on your height and workplace. The LLB, on the other hand is a more casual over pants type jacket.

      If you can only go for one—jacket or coat—the extra bucks for the coat might well be worth it as the NF may be capable of double duty.

    • kc

      Fit. I’m a size 4-6 and the LLBean XS or Small is HUGE on me. NF is much more flattering.

      • snowy

        Agreed on the fit. LL Bean is huge.

        I bought a Michael by Michael Kors parka for super cheap at Macy’s and it looks similar to some of the North Face Parkas (like the Artic Down) and has kept me toasty warm (in the NE, commuting by train). I no longer feel like I need to buy from a ‘hard core outdoors store’ to get warm parkas.

  20. Anonymous

    This may be a stupid question but I’ll ask anyway: a recruiter I’m working with sent me some job openings. When I looked at the firms’ websites I noticed some of the postings say “applicants only, no recruiters.” Am I going to get automatically dinged for applying with a recruiter? Or does my recruiter have access to a separate recruiter posting and it’s just the general one online that is “no recruiters”?

    • CountC

      It depends. Is your recruiter reputable? If she/he is, then he/she won’t submit you to positions that are no recruiter positions because it damages their relationship with the in-house recruiter at that particular firm. If he/she isn’t reputable and is shady, he/she may submit you anyway, in which case it would ding you in the sense that no one will ever look at your resume. There may be postings that are recruiter only, but I think that’s rare. I was only in recruiting for a short time, but I never saw a recruiter only job posting (DC Metro area). I also wasn’t super successful and well-established, so there may be some recruiters that have connections at firms that give them first eyes on postings, but I still doubt that because no firm is going to limit themselves to only applicants that recruiter supplies when it’s (theoretically) cheaper for them to find candidates on their own. You should ask your recruiter about it.

    • mascot

      I’ve also seen where firms will only accept recruiter resumes from authorized recruiters that the firm has a pre-existing arrangement with, but will accept direct submissions from candidates. I would definitely clarify this with a recruiter.

      • Kat G

        WHOOPS! Sorry guys — I forgot to make it public before I rescheduled it. (In order to let guest posters see a working draft we often publish it to a date in the past with a password — this time I forgot to take the password off and make it public. Sorry about that!!!)

    • Parfait

      Wacky. Wonder why. Especially since it’s just a teaser and tells you to “read the rest on the moms s!te,” where it’s not protected at all.

  23. Emmabean

    So I just got an email from a partner that started with “you’re telling me that there is not a single case in the United States that discusses the definition of …. in this context,” to which the answer is something along the lines of I can’t believe it either, I’m 99 percent sure no, but here are a couple of reaches that might help.

    Let’s play a game and discuss some of the scarier emails you have receivedt from your boss (nothing bad like your job is at stake or something though!)

      • mascot

        That always made my heart jump. Along those lines, “?????” or “!!!!!” when forwarding along an email. There is no tone in email and using only punctuation marks doesn’t make that any better.

      • Bonnie

        “please come see me” always throws me off. I once got an email from the attorney disciplinary committee with the subject line “Investigation.” Turns out that they were just trying to get my input on a judicial nominee.

    • Anon

      I’m assigning you (case name), which has oral argument in the state Supreme Court in two weeks. (Another attorney wrote the brief and then left. The order setting argument had been issued about a month prior to this. Why is wasn’t assigned at that time, I don’t know. Also, this was my first argument!)

      We won the case, which had an excellent result for the client and also resulted in a much needed change to the law in this area.

    • JJ

      “This is embarrassing and unacceptable.” For a small mistake that was not my fault, but that I had to fall on the sword for (secretarial screw-up…can’t throw the assistant under the bus).

    • Anon for this

      From office manager: subject line: “FYI – (former client name). Attachment name: Formerclient.myname.potentialclaim.” With our file naming format, this would mean this former client had hired a lawyer and filed a notice of potential claim against me.

      Instead, it was just a copy of our annual reporting to our malpractice carrier of clients who had made threats. This former client was mentally ill and had threatened to sue the world and we had just listed her out of an abundance of caution.

      It was not correspondence to me about any claim against me thank god.

    • TCFKAG

      At about 11, “Could you please meet me in the conference room at 3 PM.”

      Not case related. Not a group meeting.

      Oh yeah, I was getting fired. Le sigh.

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