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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Bryant Dress

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Emploi New York Bryant Dress | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. I only just heard about the brand Emploi New York (although apparently not only have they been around for years, but they often hit Rue La La) and really like the look of their entire collection. It's founded on the idea that a businesswoman needs a dress that “would not break her bank, would feel great against her skin, and would give her a shot at the corner office.” Nice. The pictured dress is available in sizes XS-L for $129 at Emploi New York. Emploi New York Bryant Dress Here's a plus-size alternative. Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.

Sales of note for 3/21/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off: Free People, AllSaints, AG, and more
  • Ann Taylor – 25% off suiting + 25% off tops & sweaters + extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – $39+ dresses & jumpsuits + up to 50% off everything else
  • J.Crew – 25% off select linen & cashmere + up to 50% off select styles + extra 40% off sale
  • J.Crew Factory – Friends & Family Sale: Extra 15% off your purchase + extra 50% off clearance + 50-60% off spring faves
  • M.M.LaFleur – Flash Sale: Get the Ultimate Jardigan for $198 on sale; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Buy 1 get 1 50% off everything, includes markdowns

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

192 Comments

    1. Does anyone know how this brand fits compared to mall-store brands?

      Also, this in’t lined. Has anyone had any luck with unlined dresses and tights (since it is becoming tights weather)? I have a few slips, but am finding that things like walking slits and getting the length exactly right make unlined dresses a dicey proposition and am now much preferring lined dresses if I will wear them in the fall.

      1. My experience with this brand has been that it runs about a size small compared to mall-store brands like Banana Republic

    2. Yay, Kat! I love this dress also! It is VERY protective of our bodie’s– do you know if the fabric is smooth or is it properly lined? For this littel amount of money, it would be a steal if it is comforteable! I know Frank will skowl, but I am NOT there to be his playtoy. FOOEY on him!

      Mason flubbed up again in court. The judge asked ME to step in but I told him I was NOT familear with the motion’s and the fact’s, so he was NICE enough NOT to rule against Mason but adjourned the motion pending further review. He asked ME to stand up and agree to handel the motion next week, and made Mason sit down. I realy think Mason is a schlub (legally), and will tell the manageing partner today what went down, but OMG, all of a sudden I am goeing to be the bad guy for what Mason didn’t do or prepare for. I think he has been all to busy haveing sex with Lynn, and his head simpley is not where it belongs — in the books. He sounded like an idiot, and it is starting to reflect on me! DOUBEL FOOEY! If he does not straighten out (legally), I will recomend he be sepearated from the firm. As it is, he is NOT even admitted, so I am haveing ethiceal issues with that.

      On the personal side, the manageing partner’s brother is all moved in (tho most of the apartement is empty–he does have a king size temperpedic bed that is adjusteable. One day, I hope to try one of those. He invited me to watch TV with him last nite, but I did NOT want to stay up late. He has a very big flat TV screen that is 1/2 the size of the bedroom. Myrna says under no circumstances should I go in there. I think she is right.

      I hope the HIVE has a less stressful day then I will. OMG, this will be a TRIPEL FOOEY DAY!

    4. Why aren’t there more work-appropriate dresses like this out there? Love the fact that this one has 3/4 sleeves.

  2. I just love easy, sophisticated work dresses like this one. They look so polished, but actually make getting dressed in the morning a breeze because it’s just one simple step (no coordination, layering or fuss). Lovely.

    2. Same here, using Chrome. I get this error message:

      “The link is not currently active.

      There are a number of reasons that you may have received this message. The most common is that the merchant who was advertising is temporarily not-actively promoting that program. If, however, you feel you have reached this page in error, please let us know. Shareasale.com does not tolerate or send any SPAM mail to anyone. If you feel you have been targeted by a SPAM message, we would appreciate if you could forward the message to us at abuse at shareasale.com.

      Shareasale.com manages the relationships between advertisers and affiliates, which is why you were directed to our site. Since the link that you clicked is not currently active, you were not redirected to the site.

      If you are a new affiliate, your links will not be active until Shareasale.com gets a chance to review your account – you will receive an email when your account is approved and links are activated. This process generally takes around 24 business hours.”

    4. This link is getting stopped by my companies filters as an adult/mature website. Obviously its not. But I can’t very well go to IT and ask them to unblock a shopping site for me.

  4. A poster here linked to The Oatmeal yesterday on the subject of East Coast vs West Coast business attire, and that got me addicted… as a dog lover the dog paradox had me laughing so hard I cried…

        1. +1

          If I’m in a funk all I have to do is go visit the Simple Dog, and I’m crying laughing.

    2. I LOVE the Oatmeal! Also some of the ‘minor differences’ are excellent.

    6. I’m dying at “Hey, wake up. I gotta go stand in the yard and sniff things instead of peeing.”

  5. Hi ladies – I have a sit down with my new boss today. She’s been here for about two weeks and I’ve had a fair amount of face time but this meeting is supposed to be for her to get to know me and vice versa. Any questions you’d suggest asking in this situation? I was going to ask about her goals for the team/management style…

    1. Ask her about preferred communication style (email, phone, meetings, etc) and pet peeves.

      1. In addition to this, I’d try to get an idea of how often she likes check-ins. The partner I work for most of the time loves incremental check-ins (he’s a micromanager) but other partners just like to see the finished product. Knowing in advance saves you a lot of trouble and frustration!

    2. On top of asking her questions, try to prepare in advance for the questions she will ask you – what are your goals (career goals, goals in your current job), what is your work style, etc.

  6. I have a shopping challenge today. I’m thinking of doing an alternative to a full-on wedding dress and trying to recreate the look I love with separates. So I’m on the lookout for a long flowy (non-poufy) tulle skirt and sequin top. For the top I’m thinking v-neck tank top. I found a skirt option on Etsy but any suggestions on where to find either of these pieces would be awesome.

    I’m about a size 14 or 16 and would love to get both pieces for under $500. White or ivory would be ideal for the skirt and white, ivory, champagne, or rose gold would be great for the top.

      1. That’s cute but I think it’s too much color for what I’m envisioning. I’d be ok with that color on the top half but I think it’s too much overall. Thanks for the link!

    2. What about a dressmaker? Who could do a really perfectly fitted tank in whatever sequins you like and make you a flowy skirt to kill?

      1. I thought about that but I’m scared it would be super expensive and I have no idea for how to find one. I’d love a recommendation for NYC if you have one though!

        1. Not personally, but this guy sounds amazing. What you’re looking for isn’t a heavy lift sewing wise. I would just advise not mentioning this is a wedding dress until after you have a quote because I suspect the price will skyrocket.

          Oswaldo Muniz, 212 279-5169 oxwaldomuniz.com

          I had seen dancer-costumer Oswaldo Muniz’s work—both his en pointe ballet on stage and his dance costumes on display—years ago when I attended a performance of Les Ballets Grandiva, a drag ballet troupe that is renowned for its skilled “ballerinas” and humorous take on Balanchine. I was blown away by the sophisticated and exquisitely made costumes—and a large part of that was Oswaldo’s work. (He has created costumes for the Joffrey Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and for Gelsey Kirkland.) He fashions evening attire only (think cocktail suits, after-five dresses, gowns), with a $550 minimum. He’s your man if you’re looking for a razzle-dazzle “entrance” gown (in the words of a friend, “He never met a sequin or a rhinestone he didn’t like”), not a Calvin Klein–like, bias-cut, slinky beige slip-dress (think Pippa Middleton). He does not do alterations and doesn’t copy sportswear, but bring him a picture of what you want and, pattern-making wizard that he is, he’ll whip it up in no time flat. House calls only.

          1. You know how some of us have already picked the music for our long and short figure-skating programs? Now I know where I am going to get my outfit.

      1. The skirt I saw was super expensive but definitely the look I’m going for. The only top I saw there was strapless, which I don’t want. Thanks for the suggestion though!

        1. Not sure how I missed that one, thanks! That is exactly what I’m looking for. Any ideas for a cheaper version?

          1. Etsy. There are 10 million tulle skirt makers on there. In your shoes I’d scour Etsy for the skirt and real stores for the top.

          2. If you are okay with a short version…I see they go up to 12, but they are made in NYC. I wonder if you could get a custom order in a larger size and longer length?
            http://www.alexandragrecco.com/skirts/

            It looks like tulle skirts (without embelishment) are pretty easy to make, so you can probably find someone to make one.

            Here’s a pretty sequin top, but I’m not sure if it’s what you are looking for:
            http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/Alice-Olivia-Viola-Open-Back-Sequined-Top-New-Arrivals/prod103960172_cat369503__/p.prod?ecid=BGAP_tops

          4. BHLDN goes on sale a lot! I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with the quality for that price point, though. But worth checking out and then stalking for sales.

    4. What about this top?

      https://www.etsy.com/listing/172729319/gold-bronze-sequin-tank-top-metalic-top?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=clothing-women-blouse-mid&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864592355&ione_product_id=172729319&ione_product_partition_id=89246695955&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=14282571&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CM3gx4bvrsECFQMT7AodPEEApQ

        1. Maybe a little puffy, but I prefer the ivory:

          https://www.etsy.com/listing/181329511/ivory-bridal-floor-length-romantic?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=clothing-skirt-tutu-mid&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864547715&ione_product_id=181329511&ione_product_partition_id=89245908755&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=101363227&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CJDXw8jwrsECFSpk7AodVGYAcQ

          less puffy, but stark white:
          https://www.etsy.com/listing/196345809/ivory-long-tulle-skirt-women-tutu-skirt?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=clothing-skirt-tutu-mid&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864547715&ione_product_id=196345809&ione_product_partition_id=89245908755&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=101263309&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CJiC08_wrsECFdHm7Aod8xoAcA

        2. My comment with links is awaiting moderation, but I found a few white and ivory floor length tulle skirts under $200 just by googling “ivory floor length tulle skirt.”

      1. Very good point. If you’ve got some time, there will definitely be more options for sparkly tanks come December.

    6. That sounds really cute!
      I have a friend who did that: poofy skirt from Anthropologie, one of those sparkly belts, and a cream cashmere sweater and some funky shoes. She looked great. From what I recall, her biggest issue with pulling it off was finding pieces that matched in tone and texture.

    8. Thank you all for the thoughts and suggestions! I’m going dress shopping in 2 weeks and if I don’t find anything I’ll probably order one of the Etsy skirts and keep an eye out for the top closer to NYE.

    9. Have you seen Dolly Couture? She does custom work and I bet you could get the sequined dress top and a skirt that is tulle without being poofy. I saw a skirt like that when I was at her NY studio getting fitted for my wedding dress.

  7. Shopping challenge. I need a purple necklace that is longish and statementish to match the Kate Spade small square stud earrings in purple. I would love to spend under $50 but could go up to $100 if i have to. TYVMIA.

  8. I saw your post and wanted to suggest you reach out to an immunologist. They can run a basic panel on you and see if your immune system is low and you’re actually deficit in any areas which would be why your sick all the time. The upside is a lot of them are also trained in allergy issues, so if there’s something there, two birds one stone.

  9. Do you wear jackets that can’t be buttoned? I have big hips and jackets often don’t fit me there. I am just wearing them, unbuttoned, anyway. I don’t even tend to button jackets that fit (unless it is windy and it’s my outermost garment). I usually wear these with pants or over a dress (so not as part of a suit — those always button), but in a business-casual outfit.

    3. If it doesn’t button, it doesn’t fit. And we can all tell that it doesn’t button and doesn’t fit.

      1. While that is true for men’s jackets, it is not true for women’s jackets. Until clothing makers can tailor clothes for the average or larger woman just as well as they can for the larger man, it doesn’t matter whether my jacket buttons so long as it fits in the shoulders.

      2. I agree.

        I don’t normally button my jackets, but they do have the ability to button (even if it’s not super flattering for my bust).

    4. If I’m buying a jacket to wear open, I buy it smaller and more fitted and it would not button. For my regular jackets, I like them to button but I don’t care if the top most button buttons. I usually leave that one open for more boob room.

    5. Yes – because I gained 10 lbs since buying two jackets that I have to wear maybe 3x a year. The gap is small (about 2″) and I don’t care because (1) I never buttoned them anyway, (2) I’m not buying new jackets, and (3) the shoulders and sleeves still fit great – I carry weight in my chest/stomach/hips so it’s a waist issue only.

  10. Chicago!

    I’ll be in your city in a few weeks for a very short trip. I am concerned about the weather and cold– as it is still in the 80s in Texas. Suggestions on what to expect in addition to lower temps? Likely rain/etc?

    I wish I could stay an extra day, because I really like Chicago, but it didn’t work out this time.

    1. You can expect that there is no way to know the weather until 1-2 days before, seriously. Just keep checking the weather and be ready to dress for torrential rain, or alaskan snowstorm, or bitter cold with so much sun, or the most beautiful fall day you could possibly envision where all you want to do is sit outside and eat a pizza and have a beer.

    2. This might be the funniest question ever presented here. Do you know how weather works? You are asking people whether its going to rain in two weeks? What? How on earth would anyone here know that information? A few days before the trip, Google “Chicago weather.”

      Seriously, for a bunch of professional, overachieving chicks, there are some really, really, really dumb questions.

      1. Eh, if someone asked about March weather in NYC, I’d be able to say 40s-50s, high likelihood of rain. And if I asked what weather is like in NOLA in August, hot and humid with a chance of catastrophic storms would cover it. And June in Paris is usually fairly dry. This makes much more sense to me than “how do these size 6 pants fit someone who wears a 14 in theory and a 2 petite at lands end?” Just buy the darn pants and see !

        3. The point I was trying to make is that, in Chicago, you really can’t make that guess anywhere from March-November. In December-February it will be cold and probably slushy and gray. The rest of the year could be literally anywhere from 0 degrees to 80. So check the weather.

          1. I appreciate your response too! I will certainly check, and it seems like the weather is a bit colder than I expected, but I will try to plan accordingly and make sure to pack all my serious TX winter wear– thermals, waterproof boots, slippers, etc.

            That’s kinda how fall is here in TX too. Sometimes hot, sometimes weirdly cold, sometimes rainy. Sometimes all in the same day.

        4. What is the point, though? It’s not going to be accurate. Weather.com exists for a reason.

          1. From Texas, she might not even own the right gear for Chicago. She might want to order a coat/etc based on the approximate weather and then can pack at the last minute based on weather.com. That’s what I do.

  11. Can anyone speak about their experience joining Junior League? I’m new to my city (new-ish, I’ve been here about 4 months, but work has finally calmed down enough for me to have a social life!) so I’d like to try Junior League to try to meet people and make some new friends.

    I’d love to know about other people’s experiences – thanks!

    1. What city’s League are you looking at? People might be able to give you more specifics as each chapter is different. I like JL, but people are often turned off by the fairly intense time commitment required for the provisional period. If you do a site search, there have been some pretty lengthy discussion in the past on here.

      1. Good point – I’m planning on joining the NY Junior League (as Lila Fowler mentioned, there is an orientation tonight :)) so if anyone could share their experience about this chapter, it would be greatly appreciated.

        1. Hi generally food, I am actually going to be at the orientation tonight as I am on the new member committee! If you see this, send me an email at lila12 at gmail and maybe we can meet up! I’d also be happy to answer any questions for you.

    2. I think you just need to try it out for yourself and see if you like it! Experiences vary. I have a bunch of friends (in different cities) who really enjoy Junior League. I tried it out in my city and pretty much wanted to scream the entire time I was there. Needless to say, I didn’t end up pursuing it :) Different strokes for different folks and all!

      1. Gracias, for your input Anon. I’ll give it a shot! Can I ask why you disliked it so much? Just curious!

      3. In response to Generally foods and MNF – I disliked it/wanted to scream because it felt unbelievably cookie-cutter. It pretty much reminded me of why I didn’t join a social club/sorority in college. And everyone I met seemed very…well…fake. IT IS SO SO NICE TO MEET YOU!!!!!! I’M SO EXCITED THAT YOU WANT TO JOIN US!!!! Dude, I introduced myself to you two seconds ago and you literally know nothing about me, simmer down.

        It just wasn’t for me.

        1. There are people (everywhere, not just with leagues) who are straight out of central casting.

          There are a lot of people, often in league and committee leadership, who work really hard for their communities, without pay, and in their formerly-free time. I have always been really, really impressed by that crowd and you’ll get to meet them if you can get past your provisional year (and maybe even then). You might need to seek them out (they are busy and are often OK with working out of the limelight). And if you ever want to break into fundraising as a profession (or non-profit management), the league is a great place for mentorship and testing the waters in a volunteer role. I have to salute anyone who can run a volunteer organization (where it’s all carrots and no sticks when it comes time to get stuff done).

        2. I had this reaction too. Way too reminiscent of my sorority days, which I didn’t enjoy.

        3. I’m currently a provisional and this has been my experience with a lot of the people in my chapter. I’ve met people that I really like and am committed to sticking it out (supporting a few key charities/organizations, networking, professional development, etc.), but I’ve definitely been to some events where I wanted to run away screaming from the Stepford Wives. I’ve found it difficult to break through the polite, surface-level OMG I love the League!/Where are you from?/This event is so great!/Wow where did you get that scarf?? with, I would say, 85% of the women I’ve interacted with so far. I hope this changes as I get more involved, but right now I’m kind of wondering what the hell I signed myself up for.

          1. I know, I know.

            I had a miserable job when I was a provisional, so I liked that people were not yelling at me. The superficial chit-chat beat the icy glare that I get at the office (or the mumbling I get in other situations of chit-chat with strangers).

            As for the ladies-who-lunch, I had an Ellen-type reaction of maybe their rich husband has friends? And I could meet them? [Bad, I know, but I try to find the glass half full.]

            But I went on to meet people I adore who are very concerned that their league attract worker-bees and not just here-for-the-c*cktails types.

    3. Definitely try. I made some of my best friends that way and wouldn’t have otherwise met them. Can only speak for the JLW (Washington) and my out-able smaller city. JLW is about 50% lawyers (Justice O’Conner was formerly president of the Junior League of Phoenix).

    4. I joined in the spring and have had a fabulous experience and made many new friends. My League is very large and there are lots of options to do internal or external facing committees so you can have very different experiences. There are also lots of one off volunteer and social events. I think you should give it a go! Also if you happen to be in NYC there is an orientation tonight :)

    5. When I moved to RI, I joined JLRI and made lots of friends. When I moved back to Boston, I didn’t join the local Boston chapter. It’s much more expensive and requires a larger time commitment. Also, I’m from the Boston area so I already have a group.

    6. I would give it a shot. I am in a League in a small Southern city and have really enjoyed it. One concern of mine prior to joinining was that the sterotypes about Junior League were true. However, I have found that the women, at least in my League, are very diverse in terms of career-women v. SAHMs, race and nationality, and overall background. One caveat is that being a member of the League can get fairly expensive. Good luck!

    7. Check it out. You might like it. I was recommended to join in my new city, and know lots of members, but decided it wasn’t for me. Every activity at this JL chapter is child-focused: school lunches, coats for kids, etc. Kids really aren’t my thing and I’m not available during the school day, so it wasn’t a good fit for me here. I’ll look into it again when I move in a couple years and see if that chapter is better suited to me. For now, I’m involved with another non-profit helping women advance their careers, which is much more me.

      I’ve heard wonderful things about the Cincinnati and D.C. chapters. Smart, powerful women who I would have NEVER pictured fitting the JL stereotype have loved their membership there. Here, unfortunately, the chapter really seems to fit the “ladies who lunch” stereotype, so I just found some other way to give back to the community :)

      You might check out your local Chamber of Commerce (or its Young division, if that applies to you). When I moved here and was looking to meet other professionals, I really liked the people I met at their events. They’d have guest lectures for breakfast or happy hour, so it wasn’t like walking into a room where everyone’s chatting and you’re a stranger. You grab a seat, listen to the speaker, and ease into a conversation with those around you.

    8. I loved Junior League and was a member at least 10 years and am a sustain member now. It was great when I first moved to the Bay Area. I was in the Palo Alto Mid Peninsula league which is on the SF Peninsula, south of SF. Certain chapters are more snobbish and what I think of as “ladies who lunch” but what I found was a great network of educated, interesting women who wanted to give back to the community. With regards to the comment above that the activities were child focused, you can check the individual leagues mission statement but most of the them are focused on improving the lives of women and children in the community they serve. So if that’s not your thing, you might look elsewhere. My daughter and I are joining United Charity League this fall which is a mother/daughter volunteer organization which has a similar focus and is a better fit for me at this point in my life. I hope that helps!

      1. MegB, thanks for your insights.

        I knew JL was often focused on women and children. I’m passionate about women’s issues, which is why I originally wanted to look beyond the “ladies who lunch” reputation to learn about the organization. But this chapter ONLY does children’s activities; they don’t work with adults. Children’s museum, children’s coats, children’s meals, children’s shelter… That’s really intense! I feel like you need to love children like an elementary ed major loves children if you’re going to join this chapter.

        On your suggestion (and thinking, “Surely I’m not crazy; surely all JLs aren’t children’s charities”), I briefly scanned the websites for the chapters in the other cities I might move to. Their issues are ones I could really see myself getting involved with. So for while I’m in this city, I’ll just stick with my career-oriented non-profit, and look into the JL the next time I move.

        1. I have generally experienced the same thing with both my former and current Leagues — children-only focus and almost all volunteer opportunities are during the middle of a week day. My former League finally added an activity that focused exclusively on women (in partnership with Dress for Success) but it was a weekly class that was held at 9 am Wednesday mornings. I try to snap up the weekend opportunities but it definitely keeps me from being as involved as I would like to be.

    9. Thanks to everyone’s response – this is yet another reason why I love this place – love hearing what everyone has to say :)

    10. I have really enjoyed it, but be prepared for an extremely high incidence of Tory Burch.

    11. I am interested in joining because I’m new to a city (DC), but I’m worried that I may be too old! Can anyone comment on the age range?

      1. When I briefly tried it a few years back, the club was primarily folks right out of undergrad and ones a little older — not a lot in the 28-38 range. I didn’t have enough time to really invest in it and am terrible at girl flirt, so it wasn’t a great fit for me. Others have had different experiences.

        1. I was a provisional when I was 29. I felt like there were a ton of 22-year old Hill staffers, but there were a lot of lawyers (a bit older) in my class. My provisional leader was having her third child (and she worked), so among actives, it is not as young as in the provisional year (and after that, you’re done done done).

          If they still have the Folger Shakespeare Library as a placement, it is one of the best things I ever did.

          FWIW, I think that the JL Northern Virginia may skew a bit older (but maybe it’s just JLW people who don’t want to go downtown anymore).

      2. I am 30 and going to a JLW info session this fall. Email wildkitten r t t e. At gmail if you want to connect.

        1. I’m late to the response party, but am a JLW-er! I was 23 in my provisional year, but my two closest friends that I made that first year were 28 and 29. JLW is really focused on literacy causes, both children’s literacy and adult literacy. The requirements for your provisional year can feel like a lot, so I recommend signing up for as many events as possible in the fall so you aren’t panicking at the end. Also note that you can do extra shifts at some events (Holiday Shops or Tossed and Found) to make up for required events you will miss. There are plenty of membership credit opportunities, for example I’m helping out with a concert at National Cathedral in November and I’m really looking forward to that. Overall, I have had a great experience with the league, though I always want to go shopping after every event due to my clothing envy.

  12. I’m in need of some career advice, ladies. I currently work in house in GC at a large insurance company, but in a non-legal role. I am being pursued by a small-ish consulting firm to do my job for their clients. I really don’t know what to expect out of the new position in terms of my day to day. I do know that there is minimal travel and that I’ll be a strategist rather than a sales person.

    The pros are that I will make more money (at least $30k more per year), deal with fewer garbage humans, and greatly expand my skillset. The cons are that there are many unknowns in terms of workload, manager, and work-life balance. So maybe these are dumb, but here are my questions:
    -What’s a day in the life of a consultant like? This is more like IT consulting than tax consulting.
    -Are there any unforeseen consequences that I’m not taking into account?
    -Do people generally go in-house to consultancy, or the other way around?

    Sorry if this doesn’t make any sense, and thank you for your input!

    1. My big worry would be job stability. You’re depending on other people to bring in work for you. What if they quit? Or you loose a big client?

  13. I started reading the Baggage Reclaimed blog after someone posted it yesterday for another heartbroken commentor, and all it did was make me feel bad about every relationship I’ve ever been in, and look for (and find) the negative in a fledgling relationship. I feel like if I followed her advice, I’d “flush” every guy I ever met, because it’s all too easy to find faults in basically everyone.

    Anyone else have this reaction, or is it just me, and should I just join a nunnery?

    1. Yes and no. But, it does make sense that all of those relationships ended, so maybe those flags were contributing factors to your relationships ending? I think it depends on what you are looking for in a relationship- if you want casual, then the flags aren’t as big of an issue.

      I find her writing style to be interesting, but it can be convoluted.

    3. Per the suggestion (and thanks everyone) I read a ton of it last night. Some pieces didn’t reason are with me at all (ummmmm I’m already not stalking him), others did (wait, you mean I shouldn’t be focusing on how wonderful he was when he dumped me out of the blue? That does make sense).

      Like any advice, not all of it is going to work for you. Do you think you keep ignoring red flags and getting into relationships that don’t work? Read that column. Not really your issue? Move on.

    4. I felt the same way; it’s a bit overwhelming and negative. That being said, I think the mindset going in should be from one of her posts – you get the whole package of someone, both the good and the bad. If the bad is big/problematic enough to be bad, there are posts to read on that. If not, then you can overlook. But I agree, the formatting/sheer volume of posts can make you look for the bad in everyone you’ve ever encountered.

      1. Yep, that’s exactly how I felt – overwhelmed and negative. She also seems to paint men as “good” or “bad,” when I (perhaps foolishly) am still trying to find a partner who suits me. For some reason, this seems impossible today. Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

        Ellen is right. Today is a TRIPEL FOOEY DAY.

        1. This is my philosophy on relationships: no one is perfect. I’m not perfect. But that doesn’t mean that two people with flaws can’t be a good fit and have a good relationship. It’s funny, friends of mine say that as a lawyer, I must be a pain to argue with, but I find that being a lawyer puts a perspective on everything else that makes me realize most things aren’t worth arguing about. Sure, talk about issues, but so often people frame those talks as an argument — as I’m right/you’re wrong and we will get nowhere until you admit you are wrong. Maybe both are wrong; maybe both are right. Categorizing anyone in my life as good or bad and finding their faults does nothing but stress me out, which is perhaps why I only liked her “you get the whole package of a person” post. You take people as they come and vice-versa.

          ETA: after a bad breakup, I literally googled “how to get over a braekup” and came across a wonderful video by soulpancake. Exercise, focus on the good in you, the good in the other person, identify lessons or takeaways, and meditate and accept the situation. To each her own, I guess, but for me, I really can’t move forward in life focusing on the bad in other people, whether they hurt my feelings or not.

          1. This was the philosophy I used when getting over mine that happened at the beginning of April. He is a great guy that will make some woman who is content to live in the middle of nowhere very happy, but that woman wasn’t going to be me. He’s not a bad person and I don’t hate him, but we just weren’t the right people for each other. I cried about it, I accepted it, and I’ve moved on.

  14. Hi all!

    I am starting to develop bunions. They don’t really hurt (and I tend to use comfortable shoes anyway) but are very clearly visible on my bony feet. I do believe they are due to genetics (my grandma had terrible bunions) and not shoes, as I have never used heels (but I have used some narrow flats indeed). I am 41 if that matters.

    Question is: other than surgery, what can I do to prevent further growth of the bunions? Is it possible to revert them without surgery? (Surgery freaks me out).

    Thanks!

    1. All you can do is wear roomy shoes. The internet will try and sell you bizarre contraptions, but they don’t work.

      1. “The internet will try and sell you bizarre contraptions, but they don’t work.”

        Totally agree! That’s what I am asking here before googling!

    2. First of all, it’s a matter of getting used to it… If you look around a yoga studio or a pedicure shop, you’ll see most people have ’em. I find having shoes with good support on the insides makes a world of difference. You may not reverse them but you can manage them. You can look for sneakers made specifically for pronaters, or just find your way. Good luck.

    3. The single most important thing you can do is get a podiatrist to give you custom-made orthotics. They’re pricey (around $400) and usually not covered by insurance but they are the only thing that can slow down the progression. I’ve had surgery on both of my feet for bunions (at age 30) because they were causing me pain and while I’m mostly glad I did it, I still have foot pain, just different foot pain (fallen arches) and no feeling in one of my toes. So I would avoid surgery until the minor discomfort that may come from it outweighs everyday pain. Narrow flats can hurt your feet, too, so try to wear shoes with a wide toe-box as much as you can. I only wear heels for weddings or other special occasions. But trust me–orthotics!

      I’ll add this, though–the surgery wasn’t that bad. The recovery is annoying but the pain from the surgery was minimal for me (though I’ve been told I have a high pain tolerance). Definitely worth it if you’re dealing with foot pain on a daily basis (i.e .taking advil for it, etc).

      1. Thanks! I will try to find a podiatrist (not in the US). What freaks me out about surgery is precisely having a different pain afterwards… or having a nerve damaged and loosing movement!

        1. My new foot pain isn’t from the surgery–I just think that I notice it more afterward now that the dominant pain is gone. But it’s hardly been a switch back to high heels and pain-free living. The nerve damage is really annoying and definitely permanent–but no pain, just a bit odd to not really feel much in that toe.

    4. No. I asked my PCP about them and it is basically impossible to reverse, other than wearing shoes that are big enough. I use YogaToes at night while watching tv and it stretches my toes apart so they feel better/more roomy. Once they start to cause pain, etc., then surgery might be an option, but for now I just need to buy wider shoes.

      1. I think I am in the same stage as you. Need to google YogaToes now. Thank you!

    5. I wear a corrective splint every night and I am fairly convinced I have slowed the progress of mine and even created better alignment. I also take anti-inflammatories when the pain flares (as often the swelling is what causes pain so keeping the swelling down can help keep the overall problem at bay). Finally I do barre exercise classes (ballet/yoga inspired) and since we are on our toes a lot, my foot flexibility has increased a ton, which has also helped alleviate the pain and progression in my opinion.

      Second what others say about supportive shoes and orthodics, but even that sort of depends on the person. I have a pair of orthodics I rarely wear, I’ve felt I’ve been able to mitigate well using the techniques above.

    6. I use a splint and it helps immensely. Never been to a podiatrist or had orthodics made. When mine are really bad, I avoid heels and any narrow shoes. I have had to change the shoe style I like to wear though. I used to wear really high pointed toe shoes. Now a 2-3 inch heel is about all I can do, and the toe can’t be any pointier than an almond toe.

    7. How do you avoid getting bunions/how would you know if your shoes are too tight? I’ve spent my entire life barefoot or in sneakers up until recently, so everything feels too tight when probably some of it isn’t.

    8. I saw a podiatrist and he suggested toe spacers, like this… And I was prepared to shell out for custom orthotics:

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DUSR0/ref=rcxsubs_mys2_product_title

      They took a bit of time to get used to but now it’s weird without them.

      There is also an amusing video online… Something about fixing your own dang bunion. I must admit I haven’t really tried her advice.

      http://www.rolfinggrace.com/2010/09/fix-your-own-dang-bunion-the-8-step-process/

    9. Unless they hurt, or are interfering with the function of your foot, I don’t think you’ll need surgery. It’s probably one of those things where you don’t want to aggravate the situation. As always a foot doctor will have the range of options available, with surgery being on the extreme end.

    10. I’ve had some luck slowing bunions down by:
      1) wearing lower heels, mostly wedges (2″ max) that have good support (Gentle Souls, Cole Haan)
      2) regularly exercising my feet by stretching my big toe away from the rest of the toes (move your right big toes to the left, relax, repeat)
      3) practicing Forrest Yoga, which calls for “active feet” = toes spread wide apart throughout the practice

      A couple years ago, the bunions were really affecting the fit and comfort of my shoes, and now, not so much.

  15. Any house-owners care to share their thoughts about home warranties? I’m a bit skeptical but want to consider it.
    Also, I’m stealing this Ellen-ism “tripel fooey” day….

    1. We didn’t opt for one because the exclusions on the warranties we could find made it basically useless. Depending on where you live and who your utilities provider is, you may be able to sign up for an appliance warranty through them. We have PSE&G in my part of NJ, and they offer Worry Free for repair and replacement on pretty much all major appliances.

      Rather than get a home warranty, consider investing in a really hard-core home inspection with someone very knowledgeable. We paid extra for our guy but he gave us four hours and took us from the basement floor up to the roof, told us what we should look out for in the next year, five years, ten years, etc. Good luck!

      1. Having bought two houses, I can say those extremely thorough home inspectors are worth every penny.

      2. +1. They aren’t a big thing around here (not a lot of new construction) but if the house is at a lower price point it might make more sense to get one (like if it covers big appliances or the furnace or the roof). I would just get a really good inspector and budget for repairs.

        1. Yeah… I am skeptical, like I said. One company was actually taken to court by the state of New Jersey for making it impossible for its customers to recoup any money. I bought my house ~6 weeks ago and have already had to replace the garbage disposal, and need to plow a lot of money into repairing the furnace… Anyway. Thanks.

          1. I feel your pain. We bought our house about a year ago and immediately had to drop $13,000 on a new boiler and water heater. I don’t think any warranty on earth would have covered that. Homeownership sucks sometimes.

          2. Don’t feel too bad. Even with a competent inspector, we had to replace both central AC units as soon as we bought our house. The house was inspected on a 30 degree day, so the inspector couldn’t even test them… when we moved in in May, we realized we had a problem. That might be why the house was listed in winter, come to think of it :(

          3. The AC units were totally dead too – not like they just couldn’t keep up – the compressors on both didn’t start up at all. The air handlers were old but still functioning.

          4. You may have tried this, but wanted to put out a PSA on garbage disposals. We were all set to replace ours that died and I found out searching the internet that they have a reset button on them. I had no idea. We hit the reset button and it came right back to life.

          5. Thanks, Burgher, yeah I tried that and taught myself how to use the little wrench thingy to un-clog things. The disposal itself was all rusted out. But good PSA that sometimes really daunting things have easy Wikihowable fixes.

    2. We just got a new house built and moved in earlier this year. It comes with a default one-year warranty and we have definitely made use of it. Even though it is a new house we’ve had various issues that need to be fixed.

      However, with our last house it was one that was already built and several years old. I don’t recall if we payed for a warranty or if it came with one. I think that was also for a year, but it covered appliances, etc. I actually don’t remember making use of the warranty even though it was an older house.

      All that say – if it’s not too expensive, I would consider it. But carefully read over what exactly it covers. It would be nice to have in case something unexpected comes up.

    3. I think they make sense if you are moving to a new neighborhood/area where you may not have built up a list of recommended services, and you know that they may not solve everything. Our seller threw in one year at closing; we called twice. Once was when our hot water heater pilot light wouldn’t light and they came the next day, fixed it for a small fee. The other was when our dishwasher broke. Both times I would have been randomly picking a plumber from the internet and hoping for the best.

      A cheaper alternative is a membership to Angie’s List, if it is good in your area. Or an active neighborhood email list who can make recommendations. (This is what we have now, so I didn’t renew our home warranty.)

      1. We bought our house almost two years ago and the seller paid for the first year warranty, which we used for a pool leak. Because we used it the first year, we renewed (it was only about $500 to renew), and we used it again in the second year (a broken dishwasher). Both times we used it, the repair/replacement would have been significantly more than our premium so for us, it was completely worth it.

    4. Around here it’s customary for the seller to pay for the home warranty. I’ve had one twice and both times I used it and was reasonably happy with the result. Once for a dishwasher and once for a water heater.

      Basically, it’s the same as any insurance: If you can afford to self-insure, then save the money in a “house maintenance/repair” fund and skip the warranty. If replacing an appliance would break the bank, or if you’re not extremely confident about the condition of the house (and this goes for both older houses and new construction — new construction can have all kinds of issues), then the warranty may be a good buy.

      1. Thanks, all. It sounds like there might be some regional variations… SA, I believe you are on the west coast? I absolutely agree with the Angie’s List rec – mine was something like $10 for a year, which pYs for itself, though I’ve had varying success with people I find there vs. those who are recommended by neighbors (and the coupon thing is a little perplexing.)

        1. Yes, I’m in So Cal. But it couldn’t hurt to write a request for a home warranty into your offer regardless of where you are.

          I’ve also had decent luck with Angie’s List, and of late I’ve been quite taken with http://www.taskrabbit.com, which I first learned about from somebody here. I just hired somebody from there to assemble my rather large set of patio furniture and he did it for less than $60. Can’t beat that.

          1. Funny. I had the exact opposite experience on TaskRabbit. One guy showed up 2+ hours late, and no-one else wanted my tasks.

          2. It probably helps that I’m in such a huge city. Lots and lots of people from whom to choose.

      2. I always recommend my buyer clients ask the seller for a home warranty in their offer. It’s very common around here (Northernish Virginia). Costs about $450 for a decent one for a year and many of our clients have gone on to use them.

      3. Ditto. It’s typically paid by seller. Except in the tights of markets, a seller may counter without it, but it’s a pretty small thing in the larger scheme of a home sale so I doubt it makes the typical seller refuse the offer all together.

        Regardless, I like them. We’ve had policies on two houses, including the home we purchased just recently. With the former house, we used it and it was well worth having. We used it once early on (completely unexpected) and then extended it for a year because we could tell another appliance was going to die soon and it made financial sense. For our recent purchase, the policy was ~$350 for a ~$350k home sale, so a drop in the bucket relatively and easily made up if even just one appliance dies.

        I always would advocate for an excellent and independent home inspector, regardless of whether or not you get the home warrantee.

    5. Within the first four years of owning our house, we’ve had our hot water heater and washer replaced by the home warranty. Totally worthwhile for us!

  16. Ladies–friend of a friend wrote this book (and my friend read an advance copy) and it looks really interesting. (I haven’t read it yet!)

    http://www.taramohr.com/book/

    Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Find Your Mission, Your Message

    It’s on women’s leadership, which is likely relevant to a lot of ladies here.

  17. Hi guys — I’m seeing my dermatologist for the first time in 2 years today. I’m 38, starting to worry more about aging skin, etc. Oh, and I’m nursing, so that will affect what I can take/put on my skin. I’m going to ask my derm about possible serums and other skincare issues to think about (facials? masks? botox?) — thought I’d see if anyone else could give me more specific questions or topics to talk about with the doc. Did you find any specific products through your derm? (In the past when I’ve asked Qs she’s given pretty vague recommendations — “just wash your face with a simple cleanser” kind of stuff — so I’m trying to go in and ask specific questions.)

    1. Ask about “preventive” Botox/Dysport around crow’s feet and forehead.

      Ask about injectables (e.g., Juvederm) for lips and parentheses around mouth.

      Ask about treatments (topical, in-office (e.g., light-based) and invasive) for skin texture and discoloration.

      Ask about MD-approved serums for nighttime use.

      Ask about cleanser recommendations.

      Ask about sunscreen recommendations (and other sun-safe advice).

      I see mine regularly for:

      – skin cancer check twice yearly (family history)
      – Botox/Dysport for crows feet and forehead thrice yearly (since age 41)
      – Juvederm for upper lip and surrounding area once every 15-ish months (since age 46)
      – I purchase two serums from her that I alternate on even and odd nights, both made by Topix Replenix (one with retinol 2x strength and one with a bunch of anti-oxidants) that her office private-labels
      – She recommended liquid purpose “soap” twice daily and “any sunscreen you like that is at least SPF 25 with both UVA and UVB protection”
      – I once did fraxel on my décolletage, but the payoff was not high enough for me to do it again. YMMV.

      1. How well do you feel the topical stuff works?

        And do you feel like the non-forehead botox is at all noticeable? I have done botox before right b/w my eyebrows (for frownies) but didn’t redo it after it wore off the last time. I am not sure I am seeing much difference in terms of wrinkles.

        FWIW, I am 44 and have very oily skin. I have a lay opinion that the acne stuff is probably as good as the topical anti-wrinkle stuff, but recognize that at some point my fair skin is going to succumb to photo-aging and that my skin is less full than it was when I was younger.

        1. I think the two serums (?sera) I use work to keep my skin fresh and plump looking. And I can definitely tell when my forehead needs Botox/Dysport.

          Some of this may be age. I am older than you are. I always had very fair, very oily skin. It got really bad in my early 30s, and I did two rounds of Accutane, which made it look amazing. But still oily. I used all kinds of cleansers with salicylic acid and scrubs etc. in my 20s and 30s and then, poof, in my early 40s that same kind of treatment caused major problems. My skin was no longer cool with anything other than J&J liquid purpose, which five years earlier would not have even removed half the oil from my skin.

          I have been scrupulous about staying out of the sun since my mid-20s, so that helps a lot.

          Hope that is helpful.

          ETA: you asked about NON-forehead Botox, and I misread. Yes, I can tell when that wears off, too.

      2. Thank you everyone! I wound up buying this serum at her suggestion (http://www.madhippie.com/shop/vitamin-c-serum/) and she said that down the line, when I’m finished with nursing, I may want to consider some preventative botox (or juvederm? missed that — she said one syringe, no more) for the puppet frown lines on my face. Something to think on…

    2. Dermatologists are doctors, and any reputable doctor is going to tell you that if you want to avoid visible aging, you need to use sunscreen everyday, gently cleanse, and once you’re not nursing try a retinol. If you have deep lines, ask about Botox. Facials/ masks/serums are not medically sound treatments and they’re primarily designed to sell you hope in a jar. If your derm is selling you on them Id be concerned.

    3. I went to my derm with two concerns – acne and wrinkles – and he gave me three prescriptions, as well as information about botox for when I choose to go that route (soon.) AND he told me what moisturized/sunscreen/cleanser to use. Cetaphil is a very popular brand with docs.

      If your derm is ignoring your concerns perhaps its time to find a new derm?

      1. Cetaphil is recommended by doctors because it’s non-irritating for almost all skin.

    4. I love Botox. Just find a doctor that will be conservative so that you don’t look like you have had Botox. Just go for a natural look. I have done my 11 lines, and they are almost non existent now. I have done filler around my upper lip area, and that has made a huge difference too. I have hooded eyelids, so I made an appt for Botox to lift that area. My skin has never looked so good!

      1. Anyone have advice on what to do about broken capillaries in my face? I don’t even know what they would do for that.

    5. Be prepared for the derm to tell you to come back when you are done nursing. Almost everything that works for skin is not allowed while nursing.

  18. Sorry for the additional skincare question. I’ve heard Paula’s Choice products mentioned here a lot–does anyone have an independent opinion as to how these products work for rosacea/sensitive skin? I appreciate the input.

    1. Yeah. They’re BS. They’re nice and “natural” and not at all suitable for actually sensitive or roseaca prone skin.

      1. ?? Are you sure you’re thinking of Paula’s Choice? She has a so-called “natural” line, but she’s not one to shy away from synthetic ingredients if they work.

    2. I don’t know for rosacea, but all the Paulas’s Choice products I have used have been great (great!) for my skin. The 2% BHA gel changed my forehead skin, really.

      As for the Anonymous at 11:58 commenter: as far as I know Paula Begoun is not at all a fan of “natural” things, so I don’t know why you say that. If the products don’t work for you, I totally understand and respect that, but the “nice and natural” comment is unwarranted in my opinion.

    3. I have sensitive skin and the only consistently good products I’ve found were from the Avene thermal water line. They have stuff that is specifically formulated for extra sensitive/redness prone skin and they are great.

    4. There is a rosacea kit, so I would assume that they’re at least as good as other rosacea products on the market. I don’t have rosacea or use the products, but the ones I have (the Renew line) are solid. They’re not all-natural products, I think the other poster must be confusing them with something else. Usually their products are based on studies that say that X ingredient was effective and they package it in a way such that it’ll keep its potency.

    5. I have rosacea and sensitive skin and have been very happy with Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant. It does wonders for my skin.

  19. HiveMind, I asked for a raise & promotion and I think it will come through… if I put together a presentation (like, across the desk from my supervisor) on my potential, including business development and selling (consulting). Thoughts? Templates? Experiences? What to do/What not to do? Resources? Wish me luck?

    1. You already asked for the promotion? Did your supervisor ask for more information?

      1. I was told a month+ ago that a promotion and a chance to renegotiate salary would be forthcoming, and I directly asked supervisor’s boss & supervisor yesterday, and was told to provide this presentation as the more information – does that help?

  20. Follow up on the Apple/Facebook egg freezing news – does anyone know which policies the companies in question have on the books for maternity leave, child care, paternity leave?

  21. I have a 25% off any online purchase at Banana Republic coupon that expires today. I don’t believe that it is linked to my account, so anyone should be able to use it. BZ4HP19NFHRT. It’s a one-time use code, so please post if you use it.

  23. Hi all! I am starting a new role in a very conservative office–which is entirely new for me – and have been working to update my wardrobe basics accordingly. I have suits, jackets and pants covered, but I am having the most difficult time finding dresses and skirts that work well for my body type and are conservative enough to be appropriate.

    I have a more pear-ish hourglass shape (DD bust and broad shoulders, smaller waist and big hips/thighs/rear) and cannot seem to find dresses that have enough room in the hips/thighs. Alterations around the waist area aren’t a deal-breaker for me, but I cannot seem to find dresses that will even accommodate my hips to begin with, without buying a few sizes up and having the whole upper half of the dress altered, which is expensive. Also, many skirts seem to give too curvy of a silhouette to feel appropriate in this environment, so I’m wondering if anyone has found skirts with lines that work better for bigger hips/booty? I do have a JCrew skirt that I had altered to fit better, but I’m open to new brands and shapes.

    I have searched through this site and others a bit, but I thought I’d ask for some “fresh” recommendations for dresses and skirts: where are the best places to find dresses/skirts that might accommodate my shape? Any other ideas or recommendations re: dresses and skirts? Thanks!

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