Coffee Break: Dimple Tote
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I love the dimpled details on this tote bag from Elleme.
The French brand is new to me, but they have a lot of bags to like, including this lovely tote. It's 19.3″ wide at the bottom (13.8″ at the top), 11.8″ high on the sides, and 6.3″ deep, with a handle drop of 9.4″ — they note that it can accommodate a 16-inch laptop. I like that that there's an inner pocket and magnetic closure, as well (huzzah!) protective studs on the bottom.
The bag is $610, and comes in 7 colors in matte leather, and more in suede. For some reason the product page only has images of the bag, but you can see images on models if you look at this link.
Sales of note for 4/17:
- Nordstrom – Beauty savings event, up to 25% off – nice price on Black Honey
- Ann Taylor – Cyber Spring! 50% off everything + free shipping
- Boden – 25% off everything (thru Sun, then 15% off)
- Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
- Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
- Express – $29 dresses
- J.Crew – 30% off all dresses
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 50% off clearance
- Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Loft – Friends & Family event, 50% off entire purchase + free shipping
- Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
- M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
- Sephora – Spring sale! 20%, 15%, or 10% off depending on your membership tier; ends 4/20. Here's everything I recommend in the sale!
- Talbots – Spring sale! 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns
- TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
If someone who is respected in your community seriously and irreversibly physically harmed you through negligence (with ample evidence supporting that harm – that part is not in doubt) and did not apologize or take responsibility, would you stay friends with anyone who continued to stay friends with him? Their reasons are things like “I’ve known him a long time and I’ve never seen him cause harm myself” or “things happen, it couldn’t have been prevented so it’s not really his fault.” I’m obscuring the details to not out myself, but for an analogous example, let’s say that that the person in question is a building contractor who majorly cut corners on equipment and safety, resulting in a young woman breaking her back on steps he installed.
I don’t maintain relationships with people who support bad folks. But I know I’m ‘extreme’ so maybe don’t take my advice.
It’s hard; I feel like I’ve become relatively cynical and negative about people, but I don’t really want everyone else to be quite as cynical. But it is hurtful when people’s goodwill and understanding and inclusivity and forgiveness play out as support for someone flawed even qua flawed vs. an actual victim.
If the situation is really like the one you describe, I would be less interested in their remorse than I would be in the financial settlement that would make me whole after this harm. Who cares what their friends think.
There is a lawsuit underway and the defendant is fighting it HARD with some criticism and some support from the community.
If they might be professionally or financially ruined of course they’re going to fight a lawsuit tooth and nail, even if they’re responsible. Wouldn’t this person’s lawyer advise them not to apologize or admit fault?
Being disgusted with the people supporting a guilty person is understandable. But I bet this person is defending themselves to anyone who will listen because no one wants to be a pariah.
So it’s not okay for the tortfeasor, who probably has insurance, to be ruined, but it’s okay for the OP to have a lifetime of back problems?
He has a right to defend himself. He apparently can afford an aggressive lawyer. It’s not personal.
not the OP, but I have a right to be a Nazi, doesn’t make it right.
As a Jew can we just use the word Nazi when we are actually talking about Nazis, there are enough other words to describe things, this feels like trauma appropriation ok thanks bye
I may not think of the people who said those things as friends to me anymore, but unfortunately I don’t have much experience with communities that have higher standards than this (many have lower) when it comes to people who are respected, so I feel it’s hard to participate in community if this is a dealbreaker.
Negligence is, by definition, unintentional. I think I am less inclined to shun someone for negligence than for something intentional, though I totally get that negligence can be a result of such extreme indifference as to be amoral, unethical, and unforgiveable.
Sorry for your situation. It must feel awful to feel like folks have traded on your pain for their loyalty.
I think negligence is often a choice. You know you should follow building code, do things properly but you don’t whether that’s for financial gain or laziness.
It’s so common though. People think that not being negligent is uptight, anxious, goody-two-shoes, or basically no way to live or compete.
I’m a rule follower but I get that pretty much no one else is.
I get the impression that OP thinks her friends should cut off the prominent person because of the person’s refusal to apologize or accept responsibility, not solely for the negligence itself. The person may be prohibited by their employer and/or insurer from acknowledging responsibility. With respect to medical negligence, even though many states have apology laws and professional organizations encourage disclosure of errors, doctors are still often reluctant to accept responsibility.
This.
Yeah, I think the full scope OP seems to want is rather unrealistic. It sounds like she wants this person to wear a scarlet letter, be entirely ostracized from the community and shunned by everyone around them. That’s just not realistic. The contractor may really have effed up this staircase, but that doesn’t make them a total monster with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Agree
Generally agree. It’s hard to say without a really good understanding of the real circumstances, but overall, I would say it’s not reasonable to expect people to stop being friendly with someone because of that person’s professional negligence. I just don’t think you can expect people to judge their friends’ way of conducting business that much.
If I were friends with the contractor in the hypothetical, I think my main thinking would be that I, knowing nothing about contracting, really am not in a position to make a judgement on what the contractor should or shouldn’t have done (or whether cutting those corners was really outrageous or just the way things are done, or whether this was really the cause of the accident), so it’s not really my business.
Agree. I also would never shun someone in the circumstances OP described. I get that she’s upset but there’s always more to the story and unless the guy pushed her down the stairs, no, not shunning him.
Thank you – it’s not my pain directly, but my sister’s. It’s been quite hard for her. She has our family’s support, of course, but feels like people who carry on as normal with the “respected figure” are basically saying they don’t believe her or think her story (and its evidence) are compelling. As someone closely involved, it’s definitely crazy-making.
I don’t think that’s a reasonable expectation of how other people should handle someone’s civil negligence liability. If this is, say, a colonoscopy where the gastroenterologist pierced the bowel, even if the piercing was preventable, I don’t think people would need to stop talking to the gastroenterologist forever, and I don’t think it’s reasonable for the patient to be upset with those people (outside of maybe her immediate family).
If you were describing, say, a gynecologist assaulting female patients, I think that it is beyond reasonable to expect people who know you personally to believe you and cut contact. Or I guess if the GI in my example above was drunk or high at the time of the event, it starts to be a more reasonable expectation. But “cut corners and someone got hurt?” If it is not criminal liability or a threat to someone’s professional licensing, I don’t think it’s reasonable for her to expect everyone she knows to shun the person in question.
OP here and I should have thought of a better hypothetical to start (as I said, I’m masking the details), but it’s more like this – the gastroenterologist pierced the bowel because he was under the influence and is now fighting that fact in court, but my sister’s friends are all booking their colonoscopies with him anyway because they know and respect him. It’s not so much about the social shunning, although that’s a part of it, but it’s like they will continue to use this guy for all their gastroenterologist needs despite the permanent harm he caused her. We know it is their right, but to see them lining up to book appointments when there are 10 other GI docs in town still hurts. It’s like they don’t believe he did harm or could cause harm while she’s never going to be fully recovered.
I used to work on DUI cases and the police who have you pulled over can breathalyzer you on the spot or take you for a blood draw (and a refusal is tantamount to an admission in my state). Is that level of proof in existence here? Doing this immediately after the conduct is key. A person can say they effed up and were distraught and drank after in despair and I bet that it was true at least once. A proof problem is a big problem. Having someone who didn’t stop the procedure say they thought there was alcohol on someone’s breath is an even more problematic fact because then IDK how many people I need to be mad at but suspect that with a known ongoing issue it’s more than that one doctor, it’s a whole system.
if someone i knew had a medical procedure messed up bc the doctor was under the influence while performing said procedure, there is no way on earth i would want to schedule with that person. however, i’d also want to understand the proof. doctors make mistakes as they are human and it sucks to be the victim of that mistake, but being drunk and performing surgery is very very different than just an innocent mistake.
Is the person dealing with an investigation by either the police or their licensing body? That is the distinction I was trying to draw with the criminal OB/drunk GI situations. Those scenarios should trigger investigations outside of just a civil lawsuit.
I was envisioning something more like “cut corners on sterilization and transferred an infection” and is now fighting accusations of inadequate sterilization practices.
Personally, I view drunk doctoring through a very different lens than, say, a deck builder smoking a joint on the job.
It sounds like you would benefit from stepping back from checking in on how many of your social circle are still engaging this person.
Hi OP, I’m the one going through something similar. In fact, it’s so similar that I sort of wonder if you’re my friend or sister.
At any rate, I’m definitely being quite a turtle these days. I do wish someone had warned me about how dangerous that medical provider is, and I no longer have contact with the friend who referred me to him.
For me, the line in a situation like this would be: It’s not my business if my friend’s are still getting their colonoscopies there. It doesn’t even mean they don’t think it’s possible that the guy could really harm your sister or them – for them, even if they say “yep, there’s a real risk this person screws up seriously”, it’s going to be one factor among many in their choice of doctors.
But if they were the ones bringing it up in a “I can’t believe your sister is suing Dr. Wonderful; she’s going to ruin the career of a great doctor” way, that would be where I’d break off the friendship
This is a narrow way of thinking. If she was seriously injured then of course this case is the biggest thing going on in her life, but it’s not the biggest thing in anyone else’s life. Others may not be aware of what’s going on, may have other concerns, may be afraid that they don’t have the whole story, may feel that carrying on as usual is an expression of neutrality, etc.
There was an incident in our town where a teen negligently and fatally harmed a police officer. I heard about it from friends of the teen’s family as well as from people on the other side of the criminal case. It was interesting to be exposed to both perspectives, and I intentionally said nothing to either side indicating either agreement or disagreement with their position other than “gosh, what an awful situation.”
Gently, if you are expecting the community to internalize your wish that they all socially turn on this person, that is not realistic. And if you are bringing this topic up yourself and pressuring others to turn on the person, you may just be painting your advocacy of your sister’s situation as a vengeance mission. That is not likely to sway people who had their own lifetime of good experiences with the person.
I’m sorry your sister and your family are going through this.
I think people here are being too hard on you. In our very small town, a well respected doctor was accused of abuse by one of his daughter’s friends. She was fearless and pursed charges, even as almost every other dignitary in the town came out to support him at trial, including many many many letters of support that became part of the public record.
The case went through a bunch of procedural challenges, and was about to stall until another family member came forward with basically incontrovertible evidence against him. The case immediately settled, and the girl/her family was ultimately vindicated.
However, the mom said after it was all done that the immediate unwavering public support for him was almost as hard as the abuse itself. They moved away as soon as they could, and I don’t blame them one bit.
Checks out.
Agreed. To me, this is pretty different than intentional harm. If I were a third party I wouldn’t use him as a building contractor or defend him in court. But I also don’t think I’d cut ties completely.
What do I know conclusively though? I fall on correct stairs all the time because I’m clumsy, never have a free hand for the railing, etc. People get to have their day in court. It’s like people’s marriages. I feel that I don’t know anything, really.
I don’t think a single act of negligence, even with tragic results, should result in the social shunning of a well respected community member. The attorney in me suspects the refusal to apologize or take responsibility is the result of sound legal advice and not necessarily reflective of personal callousness. I am sorry you were hurt. I’m forever advocating for a legal system that allows for fair compensation for those injured by the negligence of others. I think social ostracism is a poor substitute for financial compensation and I’d urge you to focus your energy on that.
If this is a med mal claim, of course he’s defending it vigorously. No one wants to believe that they made a mistake that harmed someone else.
This is too vague to give useful advice IMO.
Honestly, I would distance myself from those friends, probably staying cordial/polite if it’s a small town, but not going out of my way to maintain those friendships. They’ve taken a position on the issue and it’s to support him, not me.
Somewhat related, but a local activist publicly threatened the lives of my kids a few years ago. The reason for the threat? This activist didn’t like the position my spouse took on a traffic issue at a public hearing. I do not support *any* of his pet projects (he’s still very active in our town) and politely decline to support any of the local groups that he has joined. If his name comes up in conversation, I mention what he said about what he wanted to do with my kids. Only time will tell if I ever let this go.
I am not sure I could let that go. Especially if he never backed up and apologized.
He’s never apologized or backed down from what he said.
I feel like I’m mad at him now. I’m sorry more people didn’t respond in a way that may have at least made him feel pressured to apologized.
The kind of person who would say those things in the first place is not the kind of person who would ever apologize for saying them. These people have been kept in check in the past because there were real consequences for violating social norms, but that is no longer the case in our degenerate society.
This is weird because I went through the same thing. Except it wasn’t quite negligence; it was gross negligence and medical battery. No apologies, only half hearted efforts to make it right, etc.
I ended the friendship. It took over a year, but I eventually decided that you are the company that you keep, and what this person did to me was too atrocious for me to want to be around his friends.
Im late to the party, but what are the gold under eye patches all the influencers use?
they are most likely the grace and stella ones – giant boxes of them go on sale regularly on the river site. I use them when I wake up extra puffy and they at least make my under eyes feel better.
I am not up on influencers, but here’s the under eye gold eye patches I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VX52JWS?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
TIA for reading my rant.
My junior analyst just asked me what qualitative and quantitative data are. Give me strength, this man has a degree (and took classes in data analysis!) and has worked as an analysts (albeit poorly) for 5 years!!!!!
To be fair, a lot of quantitative programs don’t even bother to teach students the definition of qualitative data. Sometimes graduates think qualitative research = a lit review.
“Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative data” used to be one of the questions on our interview protocol for entry-level analysts. A surprising share of candidates could not answer it.
has your analyst heard of google? or chatgpt? that is a good question for one of them.
I once had a junior lawyer ask me the difference between statutory and regulatory, which feels analogous. I was shocked that (a) they didnt know! you passed the bar exam!? (2) they weren’t embarrassed to ask, and (3) they would straight up ask instead of googling it themselves. I think (2) and (3) are generational differences. Come on, kids.
A lot of people seem to believe that if they don’t know something the problem is the rest of the world and not them.
I once had a junior litigation associate respond to an email instruction of mine to conform the formatting of a filing to “(Local) Rule X” with “I don’t know what Rule X is.” There was no attempt to look it up or to ask another associate, even. (I was the partner on the case.) The associate no longer works at that firm, but not (solely) because of that incident.
Well, I have several colleagues between 25 and 35 who present their googled AI summary answers confidently as THE TRUTH. So be careful what you wish for.
I had someone tell me very confidently that I should “put [their false assertion] into any chatbot and look at the data for yourself!”
Where “the data” is the chatbot’s answer…
Qualitative vs, quantitative data was a question in my 10 yr old’s math club at school.
You have my permission to be enraged.
I’m in a cycle of shopping for clothes too often. Not necessarily buying, but shopping. I’m unhappy with my body (currently at my largest size ever and have been for awhile), so I shop to find things that make me feel good in my skin, get disappointed when they inevitably look very mid, feel bad about myself, rinse and repeat. I’m also in my mid-40s now, and everything just looks weird on me? IDK. I am not young anymore and yet I’m still drawn to the styles that worked for me 20 lbs. ago on a younger, tighter body. Even with all the baggy, loose stuff available now, those styles don’t suit me well and make me look even larger than I am.
Can anyone relate? And please don’t tell me to lose weight or take a glp-1, ok? Weight is a fraught topic. Let’s assume that this is the size I’m going to be for awhile.
Totally relate. I just ordered some new clothes that I need for a work obligation (also at my largest size ever) and even stuff that fit just didn’t look either good or like I expected. It’s tricky – I know plenty of women my size or larger who look great and I don’t know what secret skill they’re using (tailoring?? better style overall??) but I just feel like a major frump. The fit is so off and I don’t even know where to start fixing it.
Yes, it’s this. I know it’s not my size that’s the problem, but something just looks off. Even if it fits, it doesn’t look good!
Totally relate. Tricks that work for me – getting a frivolous blow out before going out on the weekend and buying stuff with European sizes so I don’t “know” what size I’m buying. Also, fully leaning in to my Moira Rose / Yetta crazy clothes tendencies.
Not OP but I love these ideas, thanks for sharing
Totally relate. I’m 40 and heavier than I’ve ever been and not interested in Ozempic. Have you looked on IG or Pinterest? Try to find influencers or bloggers with similar bodies whose style you like. I get a lot of inspiration that way.
I had to rethink where I was shopping at about your age. I didn’t just go up a size, my shape shifted a bit as well. If you are having the same experience post what body type you now have and people will likely have some good suggestions on where to shop now.
I would look for new influencers to follow who are shaped similarly to you, take an on-line Kibbe type quiz, and/or visit a Nordstrom stylist. I went down the Kibbe rabbit hole a while back and it really helped me understand why I never felt right in certain styles even though they were trendy, and guided me to try some new silhouettes I had never thought of.
OP here, and the Kibbe thing is just super confusing to me. I have tried. I can eliminate a few very obvious ones, and that’s about as good as it gets.
Totally relate. I’m also having the problem where some things that do look good on me I feel like I’m too young for (there was a Lilly Pulitzer dress that will look great when I’m 60, ha).
Yes, very relatable. In case my experience helps you, I am in a happier headspace now and here is what helped me.
The biggest change? Find colors that flatter my skintone. Purge my closet of colors that don’t work for me.
Second biggest? Buy clothes in my colors, in sizes that actually fit me now (not my aspirational self), and that are comfortable. I don’t want to fiddle with a gaping button band, a sweater that rolls up because I really should have sized up, or jeans that hurt my tummy because I didn’t like how much fabric my real size contains.
For so long I avoided the looser, boxy styles because my teenage self drilled it into my psyche that looking bigger was bad. It took time to retrain my eye, but I realize now that attempting to minimize the apparent size of my body doesn’t really work and just makes me feel bad about myself. Tossing that goal out the window actually feels pretty good. And I am starting to appreciate how amazing my body really is – it does so much for me! Mad respect for what it has done and continues to do.
Today, I am wearing a longer, boxy blazer and wider leg trousers with a loose, tucked blouse in a color scheme that look nice on me. Guess what? One of my young, slim, fashion-forward colleagues asked me where I shop, saying she loooves my style. I am her mother’s age.
Make sure your clothes fit. Make sure the sleeves are the correct length. Horizontal lines mean it’s too tight. Vertical folds mean it’s too big. Make sure things fit in the shoulders. Petite sizes might be necessary if you’re under 5’3”.
Watch the proportions. Baggy everything isn’t really the style. Baggier pants tend to look good with shorter boxy tops. Why? Because a longer boxy top cuts you in half; it should look more like 1/3 of your outfit is the top. Barrel legs look best when they hit at around the ankle. You need to rein in the volume somewhere.
But once you’ve got fit and proportion just let it go. Let your eyes adjust. A long tunic over skinny pants looks crazy dated to me now. Its not flattering to looks like you’re in a time warp.
Yes — and it’s the getting the clothes to fit part that I’m struggling with! I can tell they don’t fit right. Trying a different size doesn’t necessarily fix the problem areas.
For me I’ve just had to try different brands & cuts! But yep, 100% agree I’ve tried stuff on that is not working in size A & not working in a different way in size A+1 – then I know that piece is a nope. I really prefer trying on at the store if that’s an option.
Tailoring will. Unfortunately, most things don’t fit most people right off the rack.
If you are mid-40ies now, the clothes that you wore when you were in your mid-20ies are now actual, real vintage items. Vintage!
Your young adult clothes are as old now as mid-1980ies massive shoulder pads, poufy hair, pastel bonanza and English lace dickies were to you when you were 25. I’m guessing you wouldn’t have been caught dead in those during the early noughts.
Changes in fashion are more gradual when your in the midst of them. If you suddenly feel unhappy at 45 trying to replicate outfits that made you feel good at 25 or 35, remember that there has been decades of gradual fashion change. It’s not wrong or bad to like a decade or style more than another one, but it’s not necessarily easy to find the right garments. It would be like going into a 1970ies bohemian shop to purchase a1960 mod outfit – difficult!
When you add changes in body shape or weight to that, you’re not only comfort shopping for the wrong decade, but for a body that’s different. And you’re older, your mind is different, your life is different, maybe you have some more money, higher standards, and even if you could go back in time for your favorite shops, a person your current age wouldn’t necessarily have chosen the places you did then.
So when you feel that things look “weird” you, it’s not that odd. If a mid-40ies woman in 1985 had dressed like a 1960ies student, you would have thought it weird. If she dressed like a 55 year old professional from 1965, however, she would have looked retro and polished or quirky.
An interesting way to find inspiration for how to dress in the styles from a different decade, is to look up images from people 20 years older than you.
But if you want to find a way to buy more current styles, and just don’t know where to find the shapes that look good, I highly recommend the UK stylist Melissa Murrell on youtube on MM styling, she has a playlist of body shape master classes where she styles very normal women of all shapes, heights and sizes, and gives loads of great tips.
OK, trying again. 5’9″. Cusp size of 14/16. I have always carried my weight in the hips and thighs. I still do, but now I have a rounder, softer belly, too. So I’m not a pear, not an apple, not an hourglass … it’s just a mess.
This is basically me.
And I’m here to tell you — we aren’t a mess!
What exact fit issues are you having, where have you been shopping, and what cuts/shapes are you wanting to wear but having a hard time fitting?
Look at the styling tips in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6nE6mee-Ms&list=PL_weaYXpld85LqIZvIodxiRjWYu-easIL&index=40
I am also cusp sized. What helps me avoid disappointment when online shopping is looking at pics of how the same garment looks on the model in plus size. Those models are probably a straight size 12 so it’s much more realistic than seeing how it looks on a size 0-2. Even if I’m ordering a straight size, which I usually am, at least I have realistic expectations. This has saved me a lot of disappointing try-ons and returns.
I am similar proportions and find some brands work way better than others. Pants from Gap and Banana Republic work for me. Blazers from BR, J Crew, or Talbots work. Blouses and tops are more flexible, but I have to force myself to go with looser, less fitted styles than I work in the 90s. And to tuck them loosely (it really does look better than untucked, even if it feels like I’m hiding my chub by leaving them out).
I have good luck with Boden, Elie Tahari and Talbots trousers. Lafayette 148 is you want a splurge. Look for straight or not terribly wide legs to get a nice line.
I read on a reel that The Row is a more expensive less sustainable less size-inclusive rip-off of Eileen Fisher and I was gobsmacked. It has been hiding in plain sight for years and I need to get me to a store or Nordstrom (is one better than the other) to check EF out in person. The Row is kind of my vibe but I’m neither tiny nor rich.
I’m not seeing it.
No, sorry, EF ain’t the row in disguise.
I didn’t realize things could be MORE expensive than EF!
I will say that every single EF piece I have owned, from winter coats to sweaters to silk pants, has been a complete work horse and worth the many pennies it cost. I tend to buy on sale, but it is still painful to me.
I’m I the only alt art teacher looking gal who realized this? EF has much better organic fibres and they tend to have nice seam finished (french, flat felled etc.)
From an EF fan of longstanding – the more expensive EF items tend to be good quality. The less expensive tees and such are Target quality. Also, size yourself and peruse Poshmark filtered with “new with tags”. I’ve gotten some very good deals on the nicer EF jackets and sweaters that way. The sizing is pretty much consistent even from year to year.
I’ve had EF pieces for literally a decade or more. It’s much higher quality than most of what you can get in ready to wear. Stick with natural fibers or their crepe system and you’ll be good. I’m less excited about their summer wear and most excited about winter stuff, especially all of their sweaters and jackets.
Does anyone have a hardsided carry-on that expands, similar to the Away Carry-on Flex? The expandable feature seems useful, but not if using it turns the carry-on into checked luggage. Any thoughts from the hive?
I have a Quince expandable suitcase that I really like that is a carry on size.
I have a soft-sided expandable carry-on. You can’t carry it on while expanded, but you can sometimes get away with gate-checking it as if it were a carry-on. The feature is primarily useful for trips when you plan to buy a few things and are willing to check the bag on the way home.
Link for the Quince version: https://www.quince.com/unisex/expandable-carry-on-hard-shell-suitcase-20?color=blue&tracker=collection_page__%2Fhome%2Ftravel__subcollections-Carry-On+Suitcases__All+Products__3&size=one-size
if the unzipped size is obviously fatter than standard carryon design, you run a high risk of being flagged at the gate. We use this feature when we want to carryon going TO a destination but then check coming home, like we picked up a couple bottles of souvenir wine, olive oil, etc. that can happily cruise home packed in ziplocs surrounded by laundry.
I have an expandable Swiss Gear hard-sided carry-on. Expanded, it’s pretty chunky and I would not expect it to fit in the overhead bin. I only use it in expanded form on road trips.
Is it reasonable for an employer to ask now for a firm commitment to travel in December, when schedules for non-work commitments won’t be available for several more months? This is not the sort of job where employees are paid a lot in exchange for unlimited availability and no personal life.
Probably not. Only if there is some unique thing in December that is really unusual and important.
I vote not reasonable.
maybe? They’re probably viewing it as “oh man, we really need to do this in December for Reasons, and we want to give people tons of notice so that they don’t decide to host their own holiday party that weekend.”
They want to do it in December just so the big boss can have a Yankee swap with the fully remote staff. Never mind that they know that most of us have kids, holiday concerts, Nutcracker, etc.
so, a one-night thing or maybe even one-day thing depending on how long of a flight? my level of ire would depend on when in Dec. this is scheduled.
Week after Thanksgiving? Fine.
Following week? Annoying but doable, generally.
In the two weeks prior to Christmas? Unreasonable.
It’s full week less than two weeks before Christmas.
Agree. Anything after December 10 is an assault.
I despise business travel and large work events between Thanksgiving and New Years. Without fail I always get sick from those. My company moved our holiday party to mid winter and while it’s not as festive it’s so much better. Less stress and less illness.
It is a week. The last full work week before Christmas.
December 14-18, and this is something like a remote team’s annual off-site/in person week??
Absolutely not! Tell him that’s a really tough week to travel, and if he wants a white elephant it can be first week of December, or it can be a new year’s holiday party mid January, or a fun activity in February when everyone needs a break.
I think it depends on the nature of what the commitment. A random meeting? Eh. A conference or larger event with a lot of coordination? Yes, I have placeholders in my calendar for those kinds of things through 2027.
Yes, this.
I was just asked to co-coordinate my business area’s presence at the biggest industry event of the year, which takes place in January 2027. The preparations will start now, as there is a lot of coordination and information gathering involved within the business area and together with other parts of our very big company.
By saying yes to this opportunity, I needed to block off 2 weeks in January and a few more weeks in the 3rd and 4th quarter. My personal life has to accommodate if I say yes, which is why I immediately cleared this with my spouse, even though our regular travel plans during those times aren’t finalized at all.
I was going to say yes, but then I googled Hannukah 2026, and it’s Dec 5-12. With that information, I think travel for group meetings and holiday parties should be wrapped up by Dec 4th. If Hannukah were later, I’d say travel in the first half of December is fine, as long as it’s a relatively short trip and on a weeknight. (FWIW, my family celebrates Christmas, and I realize that Hannukah isn’t the most important Jewish holiday, but I still think it’s pretty brazen to schedule a work holiday party in the middle of it.)
If they’re going to do this in December, I’d rather know now so I can plan around it as much as possible.
I’m Jewish but I’ve never had an employer avoid work travel or social events during Hanukkah. It would be nice, you’re really thoughtful to think that way! But I don’t think it’s standard for corporate America.
Are they saying “we need you in City December 8-10, put it in your calendar”; or are they saying “If you want to go to the conference in Hawaii Dec. 8-10, we need RSVPs now, and if you say yes we expect you to go”?
The 2nd is always reasonable, the 1st is honestly pretty reasonable at most workplaces, not just all-the-money-for-all-your-life places. Gets less reasonable the closer to eoy it is & the longer the required dates are. But there’s lots of not-well-paid roles with coverage requirements that mean people are committing to holiday plans early and may not get their preferred dates every year – this seems in that vein
Depends on what for. A jury trial, you’re a lawyer, yes. A company holiday party? Maybe in early December. If the latter, you can always come down with something when the time comes.
How does it work if you aren’t sure if your case is worth an attorney taking on? I’ve never hired a lawyer in my life and this feels like a huge escalation but potentially deservedly so.
I have some pay due to me (commissions) from a former employer. It’s not a huge sum ($50-100k maybe). I’m in a very employee-friendly blue state with, from what I understand, some penalties to the tune of 3x if they pay is withheld. I’m guessing it’s not quite that straight forward but anyway…. that’s enough to make me want to explore this further.
Is an attorney likely to offer me a free consult to hear what’s up and then tell me if it’s worth their time? I have two referrals via a trusted middle person/mutual friend, so I’m good on that part. It’s been a hell of a battle to date and “doing the thing” and making the call to the attorney feels like such an enormous task. And then having to rehash and explain all of this to someone is just eating away at me. I’m ready to be done with this former employer but I also want what’s rightfully mine. Grr.
Also, would I expect to pay hourly for this person? I’m envisioning some kind of demand letter and hopefully it not escalating beyond that but IDK.
You might check with your state’s department of labor before proceeding with an attorney. I am in MT, and in MT, the DOL will pursue wage theft on behalf of an employee.
These types of cases are often done on contingency,
+1 My dad pursued a somewhat similar claim through an attorney who worked in contingency.
Interview two or three attorneys. See what they say. You might have to pay for the consultation.
$50-100k would be a big deal for me.
FWIW, I’d pay a lawyer for a few hours to just write a stern letter for less than a tenth of that owed, honestly.
(VLCOL area, so $2.5k in lawyer costs would probably get me there.)
https://corporette.com/kitsch-claw-clip/#comment-4773742
Just a PSA that a suede version of this bag is discounted on Tuckernuck.
https://tnuck.com/products/cognac-suede-dimple-tote?variant=47442239684830