Weekend Open Thread
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.
Something on your mind? Chat about it here.
This lightweight sweater from Everlane looks like a cool basic for warmer fall days — and it's on sale.
In fact, there are a lot of great discounts at Everlane — plus an extra 20% off in cart. This particular sweater is all cotton, and comes in six colors (although a number of colorways are down to lucky sizes). It used to be $138, but is currently marked to $55 (!), with an extra 20% off on top of that.
Other things I'm drooling over in the sale: this lightweight, open weave cardigan (the mocha and the light blue both look fabulous!), all the colors for this basic cotton crewneck sweater, and, ooh, a nice collection of sweaters in a cotton/cashmere blend. Some of their silk blouses are also included in the sale, as well as lucky sizes of this pretty sweater blazer.
(Psst: Happy Halloween!)
Sales of note for 10/29:
- Nordstrom – End of season sale, 10,000+ new markdowns
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann: 30% off your entire purchase. (10/29 only: 40% off pants!)
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything + take 25% off (if you don't have StyleCash to spend)
- Boden – 25% off everything (Sunday-Thurs), 15% off (Fri-Sat), 10% Sunday
- The Fold – Up to 25% off with their Workwear Mix and Match offer
- J.Crew – 30% off your purchase with J.Crew Passport
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 15% off $100+ and extra 20% off 125+ — and take an extra 60% off clearance with code
- M.M.LaFleur – Fall style event! 25% off $500+, 30% off $750+ — try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Nordstrom Rack – Up to 70% off new markdowns, including Boss, L'Agence, Reiss, Spnx, and Veronica Beard
- Soma -Friends & Family Event, 25% off Entire Purchase – readers love Cool Nights PJs and these no-VPL panties
- Talbots – 50% off one item (regular price) and 30% off everything else
Has anyone ever tried painting on top of a cheap faux canvas art print? I have one from Target. Unlike real canvas, the material is smooth and plasticy, and I’m worried paint will not adhere well.
I have not, but your fear is well-placed. I have tried to paint the frame a cheap print and the acrylic paint just beaded up and didn’t stick.
I would not waste the time… go to goodwill and find a real painting to paint over instead. should come with a frame, too.
i also thought regular canvases were pretty cheap at michaels or whatever.
I’ve done this, kinda. I’ve painted an old cheap printed canvas over (it was very plasticky and had Elsa from frozen on it) and glued something to it (some ‘diamond art’ for my kids room). I just used a few coats of white acrylic craft paint and it was fine. If I was painting a nice picture on it on it I may try priming it with spray primer first to help with adhesion.
You could try gessoing the “canvas” first – you may need some kind of primer.
Yes, I would prime first
Why not prime it first?
Obviously, I’ll check with my primary doc and gyn, but wanted to ask for thoughts:
Is it beneficial to have an annual well check with a gynecologist and an annual well check primary care doc (who is comfortable doing breast exams and pap smears and ordering mammograms)? Or would it be fine to just do an annual well check with the primary?
Early 40s, done with baby years, haven’t hit perimenopause. My gyn’s clinic lately has way more patients and I’d love to give up my annual appointment if it’s not important for my health so someone who needs the appointment can take the slot.
I only do GP when I’m not actively trying to get pregnant or recently postpartum.
I see my PCP for my annual and have for years. No kids and not yet peri.
I didn’t go to a gyn for many years (decades) and just had my PCP do the annual pap, etc. She referred me to a gyn in my 50s when I had recurrent abnormal pap smears, and now I see the gyn for post-menopause things and annual pelvic exams. I think you’re fine just going to your primary physician.
I think it’s fine to stick with your PCP for the annual pelvic exam, as long as she is doing a good job for ordering your mammograms and other well woman care. And that you don’t feel rushed in your PCP visit because now she is trying to do “everything”.
Is your PCP also doing careful breast exams, which I assume your GYN does too? It can be nice to schedule your mammogram 6 months after your GYN/PCP visit where your breast exam is being done. So you are getting a breast check every 6 months essentially.
But in my mid 40s I switched to separate PCP for my yearly physical, and GYN for the pelvic exam. We have a lot of cancer in my family and I felt more comfortable transitioning to a GYN for my pelvic/breast exams so they would know the field a bit better. And also I knew perimenopause was on the horizon and wanted a GYN for that. This was a GYN more interested in GYN general and menopause, than in OB.
I also like having a PCP appointment that feels longer, since there is no pelvic exam, to address any other concerns I have.
And I have found that the two well woman visits / exams in one year (one GYN, and one PCP) have always been covered 100% as preventative care by my insurance. Even when I talk about other stuff with my PCP, she never changes to billing codes. Nice.
I am almost 50 and had no idea a PCP could do a pap smear. You have changed my life!
I haven’t seen a gyn since my youngest was born, and he’s about to turn 23. My PCP does all my “well woman” care including paps, an annual physical, and refers me for mammograms.
Not all PCPs do this.
Most “family practice” PCPs do. Internists may not.
I only do gyn. I like her more than any pcp I’ve had, and she does basic bloodwork and is comfortable referring me to specialists when needed so I don’t feel a need for a PCP. Only going to a PCP is fine too if they will do paps and breast exams. Seeing both has always seemed redundant to me.
I recommend transitioning to a PCP by the time you are in your 40s at the latest, if you are lucky enough to be healthy so far. A GYN is not appropriate for knowing the evolving criteria for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol control, or any of the numerous common problems with aging. You can get away with it as a well young woman – and I did until my 30s. But if you have health issues, or significant medical issues that run in your family, definitely get a PCP.
I’m in my 40s but generally healthy and no family history of anything major. My OB checks my blood pressure and does a bunch of bloodwork that I’m pretty includes blood sugar and cholesterol. I also see an endo for thyroid disease and get a lot of labs there.
For me it is, since I have pelvic health concerns. I always just went to the PCP when I was healthier, though.
I like to do both and stagger them in the year. That way I can get a professional breast exam every six months, as well as bring up any other relevant issues in a more timely fashion (since really there’s a lot of overlap). If insurance covers, I’m doing them
My PCP did my pelvic before peri. I didn’t need anyone to order my mammogram. I just made the appointment myself.
What Covid shots are we getting this season, ladies? (and have you had any problems getting them?)
My insurance isn’t covering, so none.
It didn’t even occur to me there are places where flu shots, COVID shots etc aren’t free.
I don’t think it’s based on place but rather insurance.
When you see pharmacies/grocery chains advertising “Free Flu Shots” there is always a little asterisk that says “With most insurance”
I’m in a blue state that issued a “no prescription needed” order for covid vaccines for all adults, you don’t even need a pre-existing condition, but my understanding is some states (maybe just California) went further & actually *required* insurance companies to cover it, and my state did not, so there is a little bit of a “place” component.
I’d be willing and able to pay a $25 copay for it; but insurance is going with “no coverage at all” so it’d be more like $200 and that’s not feasible this year (also recently laid off in an industry that’s…not gonna be hiring for a while). But realistically, I’m low risk, probably protected from really bad outcomes by all the past vaccines I’ve gotten, and my understanding is that most single payer EU health systems aren’t covering covid boosters for people in my situation – so while I’ll always prefer “not getting sick” to “getting sick”, I’m not that mad about it.
It’s based on place if you’re in a state like CA.
I got mine for free via our county health department, but that obviously is very location-dependent.
They’re free at the health dept in my (red) state too.
Terrible. What’s your insurance company?
none
None. I’ve had a bunch of them already.
I’m Old, so I got mine for free.
Me too. And there was no question that I’m entitled to it.
California, whatever CVS suggested, no problems. Got the whole family vaccinated.
+1
Got the Novavax for some variety, insurance covered without blinking.
I got mine (standard Moderna) at Costco about six weeks ago (along with my flu shot). No difficulty accessing and my insurance paid but I have an asthma diagnosis and live in California so probably not surprising.
I’m immunocompromised, so I got my shot last month.
Interestingly, there is a new study showing that a common over the counter anti-histamine nasal spray (azelastine) can decrease your chances of getting COVID and decrease your chances of getting the common cold virus. Amazing. They are not sure why it works, but a German trial was recently published.
So I am going to get azelastine, and use it on days where I think my exposure risk will be high – any airplane travel, conferences/crowded events, and definitely during the winter months with lots of parties/family visits.
Can you post a link? Also immunocompromised and would be interested in this. I’d want to learn more about whether there are cognitive risks associated with regular antihistamine use of this type, though.
Yea my first thought was that constant antihistimine use is probably worse than occasional Covid. I’m not immunocompromised though.
It’s not good but it’s not worse.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12406145/
There aren’t any cognitive risks associated with the nasal spray anti-histamines. The cognitive risks are with the early generation oral anti-histamines like benadryl, that should never be taken regularly. Since the nasal sprays work at the level of the cells lining the nose and do not penetrate to the blood stream, it is perfect for trying to prevent common viral infections that enter via the nose. Block/interfere at the point of entry. Greatest benefit, minimal side effects.
The main side effects from azelastine are simple things like dry nose, and maybe occasional nose bleeds from that. But if you are using it sporadically and not every day it wont every be a problem.
Both my mother and father were on azelastine for decades for different medical problems, with zero side effects. It is one of the most commonly used over the counter medicines.
Good to know! I have some from allergy season but maybe I’ll use it during flu season too.
I’m still going to also mask on actual planes.
I’m very pro vax, and none. I get violently ill still (most recent last year) and decided w my doc the cons don’t outweigh the pros. I did get my flu shot. 40, otherwise healthy.
Yeah, side effects that last a weekend or even a week are different from side effects that last weeks and weeks. I’d rather mask up (though masking works better when vaccinated).
I usually have a terrible reaction to the Covid vaccine (3 days of fever), but this year’s shot barely slowed me down for 24 hours.
Hopefully getting Covid and flu shots for the whole family this weekend. October was crazy schedule-wise + we thought we were seeing a newborn nephew over the winter holidays and wanted to wait a bit so we’d have peak protection for that visit (it ending up falling through though). We’ll get whatever is available at CVS and don’t care if we pay out of pocket. Dh & I have had mild Covid cases and a bunch of boosters but I feel like it can’t hurt and probably the fact the we had such mild cases is related to the frequent vaccination.
None!
I got my booster (Pfizer) in late September because I had a lot of work travel in October. There was about a week where it looked like the new booster was going to require a prescription in my state (NC), but the government worked it out so pharmacists could give it without one assuming you had one of the laundry list of broad high risk conditions (as the pharmacist said when I got it, “it includes physical inactivity and mental health conditions. We’re all anxious right now.” She wasn’t wrong.)
Just flu, no covid. I was told that there is a pneumonia vaccine for 50+ so will look into that. My PCP basically said if there’s any vaccine you’re interested in get them now, not sure what the future looks like (very, very blue state).
if you’re 50+ get your shingles vax!
I’m in CA and got the Pfizer booster. The state of California said go to hell RFK, get your COVID shots, everyone, and they’re free.
My PCP and GYN offices no longer carry them, so none.
What’s your objection to going to a pharmacy?
I get dreadfully sick from them – like two bottle of wine hungover for two days no matter which shot. Still haven’t found timing that works for my two days in bed, so sometime this month. For the record, I’ve had all my shots and boosters going back to be one of the early people to get them.
That means you have a great immune system that responds well to the vaccine.
Yes. My office used to give sick days for this.
That’s me too. The first two shots in 2021 made me very very sick (high fever, shaking etc) and I could count on two “down” days after boosters until this year. I did feel headachey and my arm was sore, but it wasn’t as bad as prior years, at all! Wishing you similar luck this year!
I’ve had COVID and I’d still rather have the post vax headaches than have COVID again!
Maybe this is a dumb question, but do you take a painkiller and still feel awful? I try to wait as long as I can before taking Tylenol (to limit potential impact on immune response), but after suffering through a rough evening and night I usually take some the next morning and feel much better within a couple hours.
I got mine at a pop up shot clinic at my local rural health department. I’m 47 with no health conditions and had no issues. They were happy to do it.
Surprised so many here are willing to be so wreckless with risk to cardiovascular health from Covid. I got it at CVS last month. I travel to conferences a ton and knock on wood still haven’t had it yet. FWIW, the first couple of times I had rough responses. Last few times have had nothing but a slightly sore arm.
COVID is terrible for cardiovascular health. But I’m not honestly sure exactly how much a difference it makes.
It’s reckless.
Got my booster easy peasy at Kaiser. You can do a walk up, but I went online and made an appointment. No copay.
Oh, and am in CA and got the Pfizer. They’re also readily available at CVS, etc.
Got them for the adults at CVS, free and easy. Still looking for a place that will do my kids, since our pediatrician isn’t getting any stock this year
PA – got flu & Covid, I think Moderna, but it was whatever CVS carried. No issues whatsoever; could make appointment online, and covered by insurance.
The couple of times I’ve had Covid it has been of the “annoying cold” variety and I’d like to keep it that way. As far as reactions to the shots, had a big reaction to the first shot in 2021 (fever and chills and bad joint aches), though thankfully all the subsequent doses have been a milder and shorter version of those symptoms.
If you’re pregnant, get your shot – high incidences of autism amongst kids whose mothers caught covid while pregnant. Recent study.
This is the kind of data that RFK Jr should be touting.
Higher, but not high. I agree it’s worth researching for sure, but the risk remains low (but statistically significant). The only time I ever had Covid was while I was pregnant (whomp whomp), but I was vaccinated and while it wasn’t pleasant it wasn’t horrible either. So far that baby seems on-track / ahead on all milestones, but she does have ND older brothers so lots of confounding variables however it turns out.
Is there an easy way to print out a fb post and comments? I’m trying to print responses to an obituary for my MIL who doesn’t have facebook. I can copy and paste into a word document, but it’s poorly formatted.
If you’re on a Windows computer, the Windows button + shift + s will let you take an easy screen shot that you can then ctrl + p into a Word document.
Maybe try a screenshot instead of copy and paste?
This is how I would present this.
Could you screenshot it? Might look better if you used the snip tool on a laptop vs. screenshot from a phone.
I would copy paste, get ChatGpt to fix the formatting, and print it to add to a memory book.
A thread the other day has me considering if we should move the money we are saving for a 20% down payment on a house in a HCOL area from a HYSA to a lower risk investment. We may be moving in the next year or two, so the horizon before we plan to use the money is longer (three to five years). I am generally more risk averse than my husband but think I would be okay with an investment with a lower risk like the Vanguard LifeStrategy funds (VASIX or VSMGX).
Would you (or did you) keep your down payment savings in a HYSA or invest it?
I am seconding this question! Currently have $250,000 in a HYSA for a house but likely won’t buy within the next three years. Should I invest it?
Ours is part of our VTSAX holdings. We aren’t married to any particular timeline for buying a house, so we’ll take it out whenever the facts on the ground make sense for us. If you don’t care when you buy a house, I don’t know why you’d keep it out of the market, and if you do care, I don’t know why you’d put it in.
We keep ours in a HYSA account but it stings because we’re in a VHCOL area and buying a house gets farther and farther away – the shutdown being the latest cause. We could have earned more in the market.
We did this when we weren’t sure whether we were going to stay in a VVHCOL area as renters, try to buy there, or move to a cheaper area, and the time horizon for buying was totally unclear. We didn’t want the money to be too much at risk because we might need it soon, but we might not. We ended up with about $250k in the HYSA, but we also had $75k in VTSAX. When our landlord decided to sell our rental, we had 60 days to move, so we were glad we had all that money easily accessible. We did move to a lower COL area, but we still used most of that money for a >20% down payment, which I think helped us beat competing offers, plus moving expenses and repairs on the new house.
We kept ours in HYSA but it was sort of a VHCOL emergency fund that became a LCOL house fund when we moved.
Do you have a separate savings account? Since money is fungible, I would probably keep half in the HYSA and put half in an index fund…but only if you also have a separate emergency fund that can be shifted to the downpayment fund in a pinch
I kept it in a HYSA. IMHO the market is too volatile with a toddler running the country. I didn’t want to find the perfect house (which is hard enough these days) and be unable to pull the trigger because he took a sledgehammer to whatever industry or policy. That being said I still have investments, I just don’t plan to liquidate them for 5+ years.
what are your favorite halloween candies? telling myself not to demolish the twizzlers…
This is super niche, but See’s Candy here in California has a seasonal caramel apple lollipop and I am obsessed with it. As far as regular Halloween candy, pass the Snickers bars — all sizes!
I love several unpopular ones – Tootsie Rolls, Neccos, Smarties. I draw the line at Boston Baked Beans and Whoppers.
Oh, I want to change my answer. My super fave obscure Halloween candy is Tootsie rolls and the different colored non-chocolate Tootsie rolls.
Tootsie rolls are “obscure” to you? They are in multiple candy dishes in my office year round. Including the flavored ones.
I never have Blow Pops any other time of year but those 3-4 chews of the gum when it still has crackly bits of the lollipop mixed in are so so good. Then immediate tasteless trash!
Chocolate fave- York peppermint patties.
I love Blow Pops for that reason!
The vanilla tootsie rolls in the blue wrappers are delicious and reminiscent of Bonomo turkish taffy.
Reese’s cups, twix, Snicker’s, Nerds clusters, malt balls, heath bars, sweetarts. I am lucky there are no trick or treaters in my neighborhood or else it would be a problem…
The FLAVORED Tootsie rolls
Kit kats
Almond Joy and Mounds bars
These are taxed heavily in our house, at this point my kids (10,14) will just hand them over at the end of the night
Reese’s cups, the big ones. Mary Janes. Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. Necco Wafers. Blow Pops.
Twix, so I don’t buy them! haha
Whoppers (which my 7 year old calls “whompers”… kinda prefer that name tbh), Twix, Heath bars