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Ooh: the NET-A-PORTER sale is really good, you guys.
I'll do a little roundup at the bottom of this post, but there are a TON of belts — this wide belt from Etro looks like it would be the perfect thing to summer-ize so many outfits for work and play.
The belt was $1190, but is now marked down to $833, still available in sizes S, M, and L.
(Note that there are a ton of deals on Chloé bags, also!)
Our Picks from the NET-A-PORTER Sale
Sales of note for 10.10.24
- Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
- Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
- White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles
vacation planning!
help me pick a vacation destination! Going for 10 days in mid August with DH and our son (will be 4.5 mo at the time). Would like to go somewhere international a direct flight fromNYC, and maybe split the trip into the two destinations—one relaxing (beach or mountains etc), one with some culture.
Anon
Italy; Lisbon; Costa Rica maybe; Edinburgh/Scottish Highlands.
Anonymous
The Edinburgh festival runs through most of August and it will be almost impossible at this point to find accommodation there, certainly at a decent price. That would be a great holiday other times of the year though!
Anon
+1 don’t go yo Edinburgh in August. Or Paris this year with the Olympics.
Annette B
I would think twice before subjecting an unvaccinated infant (less than 6 months old) to an international destination where he may be picking up any one of a number of viruses that he has no natural immunity to. If you and DH must go overseas, I would leave the baby with one of your parents or another relative to take care of (assuming they are reliable), and go on the trip yourself and have a great time.
Anon
Viruses don’t have international boundaries (didn’t we all learn that in 2020?) so I don’t see much distinction between domestic and foreign travel, as long as the foreign country had good access to medical care.
That said, I would also be hesitant to take a big trip with a baby younger than 6 months. We did fly with our daughter at 4 months but it was for a family wedding and her only chance for a long time to meet most of my husbands extended family. I don’t think we would have flown strictly for pleasure before 6 months, and I would feel more strongly about that post Covid.
Check the measles situation of anywhere you might go very carefully. Babies can’t get that shot until 1 year and our ped refused to give it early, although I’ve heard of some people getting it early for international travel. They have at least partial immunity to a lot of other stuff (Hep A, Varicella, TDaP) by 4 months.
Anon
There was just a big measles exposure in CA at a large hospital. It’s not just international. Makes things a bit scary.
Anonymous
It does make things scary. But realistically, the likelihood of measles internationally and measles in large group settings (such as airports) is much higher risk than in CA alone. I would put some of that worry in perspective. There are a lot of ways to reduce risk until vaccination is possible that aren’t going to be completely sheltering.
Anon
I’m actually not sure how to reduce risk of measles besides either being vaccinated or avoiding people who have measles? I guess avoiding people who are unvaccinated, but I know too many people who aren’t vaccinated for measles to imagine that I can just avoid unvaccinated people.
Anonymous
You need different friends if you know a lot of people who are not vaccinated for measles.
Anonymous
So your baby is about 2 months old now? Keep in mind that a 4 months old is prime sleep regression territory. So I would maybe pick something that feels very low risk in terms of there aren’t a million things you want to see/do if you discover that traveling with an infant is harder than anticipated. And get a really nice hotel in case you end up spending a LOT of time there. I don’t like heat so would vote for some place like Nova Scotia or Vancouver/Vancouver Island.
Anon
Long haul flight with an infant. How considerate to your fellow travelers!
Anon
I’d far rather sit next to an infant than most adults. At least infants don’t reek of cigarettes, use iPads without headphones, fail to bathe, or get drunk.
OP, consider Germany too – it’s fantastic any time of year.
Anonymous
I’d definitely rather sit next to an infant than a smelly adult who spreads into my space. And I am not a baby person.
The only time I was ever annoyed by a child on a flight was the time when the parents were deliberately tickling and teasing a preschooler to make him scream. Even then I was really annoyed with the parents, not with the poor kid whom they were torturing.
Anon
+1 my worst seat mates by far have been adults. Specifically adult men.
Anon
Eh 4 months old are normally way less disruptive on flights than toddlers. Baby will probably sleep the whole way. And anyway, babies and kids have a right to exist in public spaces. If you can’t be around them, fly private.
anon
Private. Right. I’m sure Anon at 4:42 can just hitch a ride with T. Swift.
Anon
Obviously not affordable for most people but if they can’t stand children, it’s really the only answer. Children have the right to be in public spaces.
Anon
Pathetic attempt at trlling.
anon
Amusing story – when my twins were 6 months old we flew internationally so that they could meet their grandparents. I’d very carefully booked the basinet seats, and paid extra for it, only to have the airline have “lost” that when I checked in. After producing my receipt they eventually moved people around so my husband and I got 1 basinet (instead of the 2 we’d paid for…), but we were separated from each other. Then, when I sat down with baby #1, the guy next to me very loudly said “Good grieeeeeef! A Baby!???”. So I felt extremely welcome. My baby slept like a dream on the 8 hour flight (mostly on me, not in the basinet, after all that:-P, but at least I had the option to put her in the basinet and go pee, or grab something from my bag), and when I left the guy’s wife had the decency to apologize for his rudeness earlier.
Anon
Yea I wouldn’t travel with a baby that young but if you are set on it, I would consider Montreal, Maine, or Stockholm and Denmark. Definitely not Lisbon or Italy as it would be very hot then.
vacation planning!
thanks to everyone who gave actual suggestions! no thanks to the unsolicited parenting advice! :)
Runcible Spoon
Buenos Aires or Nairobi — could give you some relief from the heat, in a fun city.
anon
we took our 5 month old with us to Miami which i think was a good combination of city and beach. stay at a nice hotel. one hotel, faena, 4 seasons, etc.
Anon
How do you all look polished and put together in a casual office? I’d love to channel my inner Shiv Roy, but I find doing so is hard without looking out of place in my workplace…
Anon
The previous post is literally titled “how to look polished in a casual office”… lol
Anon
Yes – that’s obviously what this comment was referencing…
Anon
What do other people wear?
Generally speaking, if you have neck-up polish (hair & face), then the clothing can be unfussy, simple, and casual. I’m a proponent of jeans that have no tears or holes and a darker wash; no sweatshirts; no shoes you’d wear at a beach (I really dislike open-toe shoes at work, but that’s a me issue). But all of this depends on style — I have a co-worker who wears graphic t-shirts with blazers and looks cool and professional, but that’s just not something I could pull off.
And then care with clothing, too — iron what you’re wearing (including t-shirts, if needed).
Anon
The first time I was teaching and tried to teach in sandals, I realized that I personally can’t project the same authority while everyone can see my toes. It’s a me issue, but not really one I feel a need to get over when I can just wear shoes.
Anon
I also don’t want to see my coworkers’ toes.
Anonymous
Anyone try a posture correcting bra/workout bra? Insta is spamming me with Forme ads. It’s out of my price range but I have not heard of this – now I see dozens of options online, but I’m skeptical. My mom bought me one in the 90s (turns out my slouch was due to trying to hide my chest not a back issue, outgrown that!) and I don’t want that again… but maybe the new ones are nicer. Stories?
Mpls
I got the Forme and while I think I got the right size width-wise, the arm holes were cut so high that it rubbed weird. It was really hard to get on and off. Even when I wore it – it was…meh.
Josie P
+1. I have the Forme and it is too constricting in the FRONT and too high on the arm holes. I would have actually preferred quite a bit more back compression. It is also for the IBTC only – I am a 32D and can’t wear it for very long, too much b**b compression.
Anony
I got it too and same as all the above comments. Not worth it. Classical pilates is the only thing that has helped me long term.
Anon
I have a sort of soft brace and an actual corset, both of which are good reminders / incentives to straighten up, but I haven’t tried the bra types.
Anonymous
does anyone play video games on steam or switch or anything like that? looking for something new… I’ve liked Stardew and Animal Crossing in the past on Switch, and Monument Valley on Steam.
anon
I enjoy Timberborn! Cute but still challenging and can really test your intuition about physics
anon
I recommend Manor Lords (available on Steam). It’s a medieval settlement-survival game that came out in April. It’s more complex than Stardew but still pretty easy to get into. The in-game tutorial isn’t the best, so maybe watch a YouTube tutorial first.
Anon
Yes!! I love cozy video games!
Stardew was my first game that I enjoyed, so we have that one in common.
My very favorite game of all time is called Spiritfarer. The story in it is amazing. I will say there are some sad moments, and I cried a lot by the end, but in a good way. It was very relaxing and fun.
In the same vein as Stardew or Animal Crossing, you might also enjoy Cozy Grove. I liked Bear BnB for a few weeks, but then it got to be too much of a grind.
There’s a short indie game called Unpacking that is SO GOOD. You literally unpack boxes, but you learn the story of the person who owns the boxes through their objects (you do her 9 year old room, then her college dorm, then first apartment, etc)
Another shorter one that I enjoyed was Season: A Letter to the Future. You ride a bike around a kind of mysterious but interesting world and take pictures and make little scrapbooks. I didn’t want it to end.
Right now I’m playing Katamari, which is a game where you roll up objects to make large balls. It’s really fun, but there’s not a big story, so I’m enjoying it but wouldn’t say it’s deep or anything.
Anon
Oh! I almost forgot Strange Horticulture! It’s a really fun game where you are growing various plants in a mysterious, witchy shop and you get involved in a mystery. Something really neat about it is that the game truly changes, depending on your choices at certain points. That was a fun way to spend some rainy winter days because it’s a little darker.
Anon
This sounds so much fun but I wish it were a phone game; I don’t have it in me to spend extra time at the “big screen”… oh wait, it is a phone game! Bingo.
Anon
Ella’s Dimension and Evo Explores are basically knock-offs of Monument Valley but I play them on my phone, not sure if they’re on steam/switch. I concur with the Cozy Grove recommendation below (downloaded that and Spiritfarer based on recommendations here, but haven’t started Spiritfarer yet).
Anon
Any recommendations for an ultra-lightweight duvet for a twin bed? Our family runs hot and we want something REALLY lightweight – we’ll layer in the cold season (such as it exists in California). OEKO-TEX certification would be a plus.
Anon
Mine is from Ikea, I looked for one rated “cool” and it’s very thin and lightweight. I’m also a very hot sleeper and this one works well for me.
Anon
When I was a kid (90s) we would change out our bedding seasonally. We had comforters in the winter and lightweight bedspreads in the summer. I’d look into doing that.
Anonymous
Look for a down blanket and put it in whatever duvet cover you want.
eertmeert
We use a linen sheet on top of our regular sheets in the summer months. It makes the bed look “finished” and is super breathable. On hot nights we might just use the linen sheet.
Lily
Has anyone tried Nuuly? Thoughts?
JHC
Yes!!! I’ve been doing it for a few months and love it. For months before that, every time I complimented a particular colleague on her clothing, it turned out to be Nuuly. The pros: lots of sizes available, the opportunity to pick things outside my comfort zone, ability to buy at a discounted rate, often get new clothes with tags. The cons: I’ve gotten a couple of pieces that look like they’ve been rented a million times, there are some items that never seem to be available in my size. Try it for a month–there’s always a promo code to get started. Also, you should be sure to read reviews because they are very helpful about sizing, quality of fabric, etc.
En
Anon
Just got my first box! Kind of hit or miss. One item was extremely wrinkled and worn out – I would not be able to wear it. Looks like it has been washed many times and may have shrunk. I should have read the reviews carefully because a couple of people noted this for the size that I got. Also, when you first pay, that date becomes your “billing date” and the date that you can start the next month’s order. Make sure you think about timing if you are renting for a trip or something. You can’t start one month early (before your billing date). I did get one item that I love and will be tempted to buy! I will post again after I have used them a bit more – I have to use them for 2 months to get credit for a good discount code that applies for 2 months.
DC Inhouse Counsel
You actually can start the next month early if you want, you just get billed when you start it and it becomes your new billing date.
I’ve been doing Nuuly for almost a year and I love it. Agree with most of what JHC said. Reviews are incredibly helpful and they usually include the reviewers height, weight and body type, which is so helpful when trying to figure out “fit”. Another big pro for me is that I like to try out statement pieces that I really want to only wear a few times, and it lets me do that without having to buy the item.
Anon
Oh thank you for mentioning this! I see that function now and am going to use it to get the clothes I need for my trip next month! Appreciate that you took the time to note this!
Anon
Need help with last min bday gift for husband . He loves nice liquors and experience gifts, but open for other stuff too.
Anonymous
whats your price range and where are you? not all liquors available in all states.
Anon
Distillery tour (if there’s one that’s convenient to where you are); a flight of interesting/unusual versions of the liquor he likes; a restaurant tasting menu date, maybe with paired wines/booze (that might not be last minute — sorry).
Lexi
Weekend in wine country? With nice whiskey/tequila/whatever tasting at nice bar/restaurant?
fk
concert tix
Anon
I’m trying to think of a reason why all of my usual gym injuries (that I haven’t felt in a good long time) made themselves known to me yesterday. I haven’t worked out in a week, but had a knee twinge, a hip flexor twinge, and for whatever reason, pulled my shoulder when getting a dish out of the cupboard yesterday. Stress? Effects of being in my 40s?
Annette B
It takes a few days before things get painful. I worked out on Monday, and here it is Thursday, and I can barely get out of bed. I think I overdid it, and did not take any time to sit in the steam room afterward b/c I did not want to wast time b/f going to meet my friend for dinner. I wish I had b/c I did not enjoy dinner either. The morale of the story is to treat your body carefully, no matter what your age, as none of us are getting younger.
Anon
It’s because you haven’t worked out in a week. I can’t even skip a single day unless I want to feel aches and twinges for the next day.
Anonymous
i just got a ninja creami — hit me with your best recipes please!
Anonymous
is there any particular time of the year you would go to London and Paris with two boys (ages 10 and 14)?
Anon
If you’re not constrained by the school calendar, spring (April/May) or fall (Sept/Oct). If you’re constrained by school schedules, late May or early June, as soon as your school year ends.
Christmas is popular but I find both cities kind of dreary then.
Anon
Presuming you’re working with the school calendar, I’d do the very beginning of summer break (so essentially now). Or, if you have a late (April) spring break I would go then.
Greensleeves
We went with similarly aged kids on spring break, so late March. We had a great time and the weather wasn’t bad.
Anon
Adding that even if it’s an expen$$$ive hotel in a posh area that claims to have air conditioning- it might not. I’d wait for shoulder season