Coffee Break: Mara Gancio Block Heels
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.
These low block heels from Ferragamo look great. I do like the ring detail at the vamp, but I could see how it could be polarizing!
The shoes come in sizes 5-11 for $1050; Nordstrom has both black and beige patent, while Neiman Marcus has a brown suede and an oxblood suede slingback. Ferragamo has a flat Mary Jane version in black and beige patent.
Some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2025 include Sarah Flint, M.M.LaFleur, Ferragamo, CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, and Sam Edelman!
Sales of note for 6/24/25:
- Nordstrom – Designer clearance up to 60% off
- Ann Taylor – 30% off tops & sweaters + extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – Sale up to 50% off
- Eloquii – Semi-annual clearance, up to 80% off
- J.Crew – Big Summer Event: Up to 50% off almost everything (ends 6/26) + extra 50% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off + extra 60% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Rothy's – Semi-annual event, up to 50% off seasonal faves
- Spanx – End-of-season sale
- Talbots – Extra 30% off markdowns (ends 6/24) + $24.50+ summer favorites
I have applied for a manager role in my department, as we’re getting people from multiple other teams being consolidated into a single team within our department. My three levels above me have all encouraged me to apply, and they have said I am on the interview short list.
I haven’t interviewed since I got this job. None of my business-formal clothes fit. I live in jeans and t-shirts most days. I expect the leadership who will interview me to wear jeans and nice shirts, maybe casual slacks.
What should I wear, and where should I shop? I’m 5’3” and wear a size 20/XXL.
A shirt dress.
Jeans, a button down and a blazer maybe? I think since they know you what you wear is probably less important, unless you are meeting with people who don’t normally see you?
I think this is the way — blazer, dark jeans, button down top, grown up shoes.
I really wouldn’t wear jeans to an interview
Maybe 1 step up from what you describe your interviewers wearing (or the dressier end of what they’re wearing). Black slacks, blouse, dress shoes. Cardigan or blazer if you need a third piece. Look like you’re taking it seriously AND also know the norms of your office. What would you wear as a manager?
I think this is where Talbots Plus Petite clothing is useful. Casual but polished navy linen jacket, white linen Jean style pants, navy stripe shirt? You probably already have a shirt that would work. Looks like today it’s 40% off the marked prices.
https://www.talbots.com/washed-linen-shirt-jacket—white/P252019008.html?cgid=plus-size-jackets-and-outerwear&dwvar_P252019008_color=INDIGO%20BLUE&dwvar_P252019008_sizeType=WO
https://www.talbots.com/talbots-southampton-straight-leg-linen-pants/P252016085.html?cgid=plus-size-pants&dwvar_P252016085_color=WHITE&dwvar_P252016085_sizeType=WO
https://www.talbots.com/supersoft-jersey-v-neck-tee—chevron-stripe/P252034455.html?cgid=plus-size-tees-and-knits&dwvar_P252034455_color=INDIGO/WHITE&dwvar_P252034455_sizeType=WO
Cute. I would wear this on a boat.
I would go with pants that aren’t jeans and a blouse or even a top and a blazer. I’m plus. Most of my blazers have come from Nordstrom (house brand, Estelle) eloquii, Talbots, or j crew (or lucky eBay or Poshmark finds from them now that I know my measurements). Macys also has some good options occasionally as well. Almost zero in store but Talbots if time is a consideration.
My DH went out to get a Frappuccino for himself and got one for me. The thought is nice but I don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon and haven’t for years. I have trouble sleeping at night so I avoid caffeine after noon. If I drink any caffeine in the afternoon, even a Coca-Cola, I will be up for most of the night. I can put the Frappuccino in the fridge and drink it tomorrow morning, that’s not a huge deal. But should I be concerned that he doesn’t know this basic thing about me? We’ve been married for 13 years.
Is something else going on that would make this sound alarm bells for you? I think we all forget things about each other. It’s possible you haven’t mentioned you can’t sleep after drinking afternoon caffeine in years, as it’s likely not something that every comes up if you aren’t doing it.
I’d moreso think that, if after 13 years, you’re reading into a lapse like this, that maybe something a bit deeper is at play. Either you feel like he isn’t ‘seeing’ or knowing you in other ways, or you feel disconnected. Or, perhaps, are you someone who overthinks and worries about things not being right often? (I am this way, and reading about ROCD was super helpful!).
I would not give it a second thought. If you want to drink it tomorrow, there is no issue. If your hubby is thirsty and did not want to appear self-centered, that’s a reason why he got it — knowing if you didn’t drink it he would. Nothing nefarious is going on. If you would drink a decaf cappucino, and he got you a Chai Latte, which he knows you don’t like, that would be another story. I doubt he confused you with another person who likes Chi Lattes, though. Focus on something that matters.
Sounds like classic overthinking to me. He did a nice gesture that it’s not your taste and now you’re wondering if it means your marriage is over.
+1. This seems like an odd thing to spend your energy thinking about.
+1
How nice he was thinking of you. So he got you a drink at 1 or 2pm instead of noon? Maybe he lost track of the time.
Definitely overthinking. Unless this a last straw kinda thing.
+1
If I reacted like this, it would cause my husband to want to stop making thoughtful gestures.
No, enjoy your Frappuccino in the morning (as perhaps he intended?). Perhaps ask him to get you a decaf next time if that works for you. Maybe go on a date or try to set aside some regular downtime to just sit and chat together if you’re feeling disconnected. (Maybe he was thinking of you as the person he met vs. current you, which can be a sort of default mode? But he did think of you & try to do something nice for you if a bit off-base.)
Huh? Why are you spending even 2 seconds questioning your marriage because of this?
My mind went to “he must be in the habit of bringing *someone* coffee” but I agree it doesn’t seem like a red flag independent of other concerns
Which Frap is it? Most of them don’t have caffeine in them anymore (much to my dismay).
My DH and I don’t spend days together outside of weekends, so I have no idea what his lunchtime/caffeine routines are.
Are you concerned that he got you mixed up with someone else who does like an afternoon frap?
Ooh this is a good theory.
No, it is NOT a “good theory.” It is a baseless theory and your interest in suggesting it has merit is really dark and unkind. This poster made no such suggestion and gave no facts to support this “theory.” Go away.
I meant a good theory for why Op is freaked out about it. Not that it’s actually what’s happening.
Agree w everyone else that you’re overthinking it.
Just fyi I’d put it in the freezer, not the fridge. It will melt overnight in the fridge and be gross and soupy like melted ice cream.
Omg. A person did a nice thing and this is your reaction? Just be single
I also don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon, my husband will usually just nuke himself another cup of coffee from whatever we made that morning. If my husband went out for a frappuccino though he would have to have a special craving, in which case it just seems like a really nice thing that he wanted to get one for you too. Maybe he did get a decaf one? I’d just focus on what a nice thought it was and not on the gift itself.
I would be annoyed BUT I also know that I have been feeling not seen and not cared for by my husband lately and this would be one more straw on the camel’s back. If that is not the case for you, then say thank you and check and see if there’s even any caffeine in it. Pretty sure those drinks are basically just milkshakes.
I would have your same reaction, but also realize its an overreaction, lol. My DH does this stuff all the time and we’ve known each other for 25 years. Like, how have you not noticed yet that I hate mayonnaise or whatever. I try to remember that it’s a much much more common occurrence that he does remember little things about me and lean into that. Also it helps to vocalize these things (Thanks, I’ll save this for tomorrow; You know I havent had caffeine in the afternoon in over NN years? If I drink this now, I’ll never sleep). I realized I had an unfair expectation that my DH would “notice” things rather than me just telling him like an adult. And have a little grace even when he forgets.
We are all living the meme of My next of kin went from a woman who knows everything about me to a man who is unsure when my birthday is. More or less? Price of entry and l husbands are not moms.
This is funny.
??? Huh?
Going from mom as next of kin to husband as next of kin when you get married.
My husband is 1000x better at remembering my preferences than my mom (probably because he hears me complain about them a lot more, but still).
My dad has been married to his current wife for less than one year and knows exactly how she takes her coffee and prepares it for her frequently. My husband has been married to me for more than a decade and only knows that I like my coffee with some milk (he doesn’t know how much or that I use a different amount of milk if it’s whole v skim) and he has never made my coffee for me. They’re both great husbands.
I think different people notice and are good at different things.
+1,000. Social media has distilled ‘good husband’ into various soundbytes that make it so tiny gestures indicate the quality of the man. Some good husbands make you coffee, others don’t but are great in other ways. I would dislike having my quality of personhood determined by constant metrics of performance, so I think we should give grace to men too.
Omg it’s not that deep.
I’m literally saying it’s not that deep? OP is reading into something that doesn’t need to be read into. Chill out with your snarky energy, my goodness.
Are you sure he got you one with caffeine? They don’t all have caffeine in them, and even the caffeinated ones have less than most of the “real” coffee drinks so he just might not have been thinking about it as something that would bother you. I’m also very caffeine sensitive and barely even consume it in the morning, so I get it, but I think sometimes people just space out on things that they do actually know when their brain is putting “frappucino” into a different category than “coffee.”
Hmm…divorce seems extreme, but perhaps you could place him on a secondaries market? I’d give him a whirl, he sounds like a decent sort! #DefinitelyJoking
My husband once got me an iced coffee with sugar. I felt like he didn’t know me at all (I never put sugar in my coffee.) in his defense, this is apparently the ‘normal’ way at Dunkin Donuts. We are still married 10 years later. It was a blip, and i’m guessing this was too.
Any good places to buy nice birthday cards for adults in boxes of 12 or so? My mom and her generation seemed to have good places for those sorts of things. G-rated.
Em & Friends? some of them are sweary but most are just cute.
https://emandfriends.com/collections/boxed-cards
Papyrus?
Type “assorted birthday cards for adults” into your search engine of choice and you will find a lot of options. Although most of them are packages of more than 12, they are mostly less than a buck apiece. Or here’s a box of 12 from Hallmark: https://www.hallmark.com/cards/boxed-cards/premium-assorted-birthday-cards-box-of-12-5STZ5016.html?
When I used to want a card, I just went to Woolworth’s, but after they went out of business, CVS and the grocery stores provided good alternatives, though they only sell cards a-la-carte, rather than in boxes, like they used to do.
Rifle Paper Co. It’s not helpful if your need is more urgent, but once a year they do a buy 5 cards get 5 cards free deal, and I stock up.
idk how nice you are seeking, but i got some at target
Do you shop at Trader Joe’s? 99 cent cards that are pretty good. I browse and stock up when I see ones I like
I sometimes get them online at the big museum stores (eg. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art institute of Chicago)
Their online selection is limited, but I have always loved Paper Source for cards. They have these: https://www.papersource.com/products/birthday-die-cut-correspondence-set-0810094257477?_pos=2&_fid=f4789a40d&_ss=c
Am I right that Ferragamo rum narrow? Anything out there run a smudge wide in the toe box?
Paul Green, in my experience.
I second that Paul Green often runs wide in the toe box, which is great for me.
I really like this kind of detail on formal shoes and I have always been attracted to shoes like this for court and other formal appearances. I usually own one pair in black from a good shoe designer with a similar adornment on the toe. But men really do not get it. The number of times I have taken a “Pilgrim” or “witch” comment in an elevator from a stranger is a lot.
I have to admit this particular shoe looks like a knock-knock joke to me. But the men need to mind their own business.
I have a natural affinity for pilgrim and witch shoes. The menfolk in the world will have to learn to live with it. I didn’t say anything about your nose hairs, sir, so just keep it moving.
What’s an appropriate way to warn people that their toes are going to get licked and nibbled if they come to my house? I have two new kittens. The kittens are friendly but very shy around new people. I always tell guests about the kittens but the kittens have a way of sneaking up on people. In fairness, who wouldn’t be startled by their toes getting sniffed, licked, or lightly chomped by some unseen force under the table. Unfortunately, when the person startles, they scare the kittens, and then the kittens tear off, sometimes over the bare feet of other people who are sitting at the table or happen to be in the kittens’ path of destruction. Then there is much blood and pain.
I want the kittens to get used to people, but I don’t love my guests being shredded by kitten claws. I encourage people to wear kitten protective gear on their feet, but they don’t really take me seriously unless they’ve seen the damage. Also, this time of year, many people wear sandals or go barefoot. Should I buy a bunch of crocs so guests can be appropriately protected? Socks alone don’t seem to cut it. Is this just life with cats?
seriously?! cat bites can cause blood poisoning. Keep your cats in another room while people are over if they can’t help themselves.
+1
Seriously.
+1. If people need special protective gear to avoid injuries or damaged shoes put the freaking cats somewhere else for an hour.
This is an unhinged comment.
OP, don’t invite people over. You never know who is going to be totally wierd.
They don’t bite, their nibbles are more like suckling. The carnage is from their claws when they’re fleeing.
fwiw, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your cats. Nibbling is normal kitten stuff. And even my extremely tolerant and loving old cat will scratch trying to get away if startled. It’s instinct for them to run with claws out for traction.
Right?? If you can’t have dinner parties without “much blood and pain” you should not have dinner parties at all!
This is the way. It protects the kitties as well as the guests.
I responded elsewhere but the kittens can open the door. The door can’t be locked from the outside. I’ll see what I can do about barricades. Do doggy/child gates work with cats?
gates DO work with cats, but you’ll need something taller than the typical child gate. I have one that’s about 45ish inches tall to keep my cats out of one room. Also make sure there are no other surfaces they can get a higher vantage from nearby. Cats can jump pretty high and land on something; they usually don’t like to jump *over* a tall obstacle, but they can easily clear a 2-3 foot high baby gate.
I checked when I got home and my gate is taller than 45 inches. I’m 5’9 and it comes up to my chest, so maybe 54 inches. My mom and has Bengals, which are clever and also really good jumpers, this is about the height she has to keep cats out, too. One of them can jump over it if he’s sufficiently motivated, but it works 95% of the time. A kitten wouldn’t be able to clear it, but you may as well future-proof if you’re going to buy something.
Try a hook and eye on the outside of the door. Easy enough to patch the holes when you don’t need it any more.
I’ve had cats for a decade, including two kittens at different points, and this level of carnage doesn’t seem normal at all. At least put the kittens in another room when everyone is gathered at the table.
Is this a real question?
What is with the afternoon thread today.
This is insane. Trim their nails and put them in a safe space when guests come
You need to shut the kittens in another room when guests come over. Maybe invite a close friend for dedicated kitten socialization but ONLY if they are interested and aware of the possible bloodshed. I’ve owned cats my entire life and would be appalled if this was happening at a friends house when I visited.
Really really young kittens, I assume? I’ve had cats for ages and have never had this problem. I think you can joke, “closed-toed shoes recommended for kitten protection!” upon issuing the invite, and then warn people again when they get to your house and suggest they leave their shoes on. If you have a room you can close your kittens in, at least during meals when people won’t see the “attack” coming, that’s the best idea. It’s one thing to be in open seating where someone’s likely to warn another that a kitten is stalking their foot, it’s another to just be ambushed during dinner when no one can monitor under the table.
Is this perchance the result of an incident with someone who has thin skin and maybe blood thinners?
For someone with normal skin, it sounds fairly over the top unless you accidentally adopted a couple of bobcat kits.
Hope the calm down soon. They sound adorable aside from their razor-beans.
No, this is not just life with cats. I assume these kittens are very young? Biting and scratching is not appropriate over a certain age when they’re old enough to know better. Of course they do need to learn or they’ll never know better! If your kittens came from a rescue or breeder, they may have some advice. Jackson Galaxy may have some advice.
It is good that you’re working on getting them used to things (car rides in a carrier is another big one that’s helpful to get them used to; I wish I’d done that for my cats when they were young).
My other note is stuck for some reason but they’re not biting, they don’t break skin when they nibble, they’re just curious. The scratching happens when they’re fleeing for their lives because they startled someone. They just happen to flee over someone.
They’re really good about not biting and scratching when they’re playing!
Okay so it’s more that they’re timid and become terrified; that makes more sense to me! I still hope that they’ll learn over time or become too big to just sail over people’s feet, though I had one cat that never 100% learned not to push off of people with his back claws no matter how careful he was with his retractable claws in front.
I know someone who got nail caps for their kittens when they were too young to successfully watch it with their claws but were vaccinated enough to go to a groomer. It was kind of funny that they had pedicures but maybe it would be a temporary option?
What even is this. Let your guests wear their shoes and keep your kittens away when you have guests.
My “kitten protection foot attire” comment was a tongue in cheek way of saying shoes – I see that caused some confusion, my bad! I like the advice above about telling people ahead of time to wear closed toed shoes.
How about all the advice saying this isn’t normal and to put your kittens away when you have people over.
Yes I totally hear that advice! I have tried to keep them in a bedroom, but the kittens have learned to open the door. There isn’t a way to lock the door from the outside. I can experiment with barricades.
Are these a couple of Maine coons or something?
Just put something heavy in front of the door. I assume you have doors that don’t latch properly, so they can push their way out? You’re going to want to have a way to contain them if you have people working on your house or they’re sick or otherwise need to be isolated, so I’d figure out a way to have at least one room be able to be closed off so that they can’t get out.
If they can open the bedroom door, put them in the bathroom or some other room during dinner. They will survive. Also, trim their claws. You want them to get used to that at a young age anyway. Finally, start discouraging them from going under the table when people are seated. When it’s just you at home, sit at the table and do this training. Be consistent about gently nudging the cats aside with your feet and/or picking them up and moving them away. Provide something else fun to do in the next room. Is there a treat they love? Give it to them before you sit down at the table. (My cats love Churo treats on a licky mat. It takes them a while to finish licking and then they give themselves a bath and go to sleep.) Same thing with a fun toy they only get when you’re seated at the table. Distract them. They might be bored and looking for entertainment when everyone is at the table. Do some energetic play before your guests come over to tire them out. You don’t want to deal with this issue for the rest of these cats’ lives. They need to be taught not to do it.
Do you have a cat carrier? If they are small enough, put them in there during dinner. And if not, you will need one for vet visits, so think about getting one now.
How often are you having people over that you’re thinking about buying guest Crocs??
I would laugh in someone’s face if they offered me guest Crocs because I’d think they were joking.
I have had one of my cats accidentally scratch my feet by racing over them in a hurry – they deploy the claws for traction, and claws are sharp. But I think it is unreasonable to use your guests in this way unless they love cats already. It is fine for cats to be afraid of new people in your house; honestly, it can make life easier, although that assumes they hide completely, which yours are not. So I would just keep them in a different room when you have guests. They will mellow out as they get older but kittens can be terrors; they play by pretending to kill things. Also, start trimming their claws regularly if you aren’t already – you need to get them used to that, and it will help as trimmed claws are duller.
OP, you can get childproof doorknob locks that I would hope are kitten-proof. Look at childproofing supplies.
Obviously you stop having guests over so frequently until they can enjoy a dinner unscathed. Like, how is this even a question.
Glasses question. I have had progressive glasses (prescription) that have 3 foci (reading, screen, further) or just 2 (reading, screen). 2 are better for close work (so during the workweek). 3 are better for weekends where everything is mixed together (driving, dining out, etc). I need Rx sunglasses and am town over which to get and would get both if funds weren’t an issue. I want real dedicated sunglasses vs ones that darken in the sun. WWYD.
I have progressive lenses for work, and a separate Rx pair of sunglasses, which do NOT have readers built in. You should not be reading out in the sun, even with protective lenses, as your retinas tend to fry even if you don’t notice it. Spring for the extra pair.
I cannot read my dashboard without a bifocal or progressive correction, so this would not work for me.
Could you get 2 foci pair that’s a screen/further pair as presumably you’re not wearing sunglasses to read?
Or could you get some clip-on sunglasses that go over your regular glasses if you want those prescriptions?
3 for sure.
I have both kinds of progressives and have rx sunglasses with all the foci.
Is there a maximum age for Viagra? Was cleaning out my parents’ house before putting it on the market and found refills that weren’t all that old. Glad I found them prior to anyone else in a small town.
Not that I am aware of. PS it works for women too…..
Nope, there isn’t. Good on them.
Also, have someone delete their browsing and search history if you’re squeamish.
Good for them.
Agree.
I just read WaPo’s anti-Mamdani editorial and I don’t know why that particular one is the straw the broke the camel’s back, but I immediately canceled my subscription. I guess the position doesn’t surprise me very much, but the editorial itself is just so astonishingly out-of-touch with the current moment.
I hope Jeff Bezos falls off a gondola and drowns in a canal this weekend.
Thanks for reminding me to renew my subscription.
Oh damn, you got me!
Just not into antisemitic socialists. Sorry. If that’s the moment count me out.
Antisemitic socialist – impressive to be wrong twice in a row.
Your excuse making is showing your antisemitism.
Jeff Bezos gets enough money w/out WaPo subscriptions, and the bias is absurd.
Mamdani is pretty meh, but the vitriol against him says A LOT about the people spouting it.
All of this wailing and gnashing of teeth about him. I’m not sure he can fully deliver but I’m happy that he’s inspiring people to get involved and vote. The large – 250k+ – political donations against him really are something (something gross).