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Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Love Paris Print Tencel® Shirt

Foxcroft Love Tencel Shirt Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Foxcroft has been on the scene for years for women's blouses — tons of iron-free, wrinkle free buttons fronts in regular, petite, and plus sizes, almost all of them machine wash/tumble dry low. I haven't noticed their Tencel line before, though, which promises to be supersoft and a bit drapier. I like this spotted little number which, upon close inspection, turns out to be abstract little hearts. Normally this would drive me insane but I think it works here. It (and lots of other Foxcroft blouses) are in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, which JUST opened up to everyone (although cardholders still get double points through July 19). I'll do a roundup today of what's still left from my favorites… Has anyone who bought during early access started assessing what you bought, and what's going back? The Foxcroft shirt pictured is $59.90 — it'll go back up to $92 after the sale ends August 3. Foxcroft ‘Love Paris' Print Tencel® Shirt (L-4)

Sales of note for 12.3.24 (lots of Cyber Monday deals extended, usually until 12/3 at midnight)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

149 Comments

  1. I’m in my late 20s and have been thinking a lot about turning 30. I’ve come across a ton of lists like things every woman should do/have/know before she’s 30. What would you ladies say about these things/what would you put on any of those lists, and what advice would you give someone my age about moving forward and getting older? For context, I’m married, no children, and will almost certainly never have children.

    1. I have been thinking about the same things. This is my list (I only have 3 months): Pay off my credit card, lose weight to be a healthy BMI, re-learn to drive, be a lead attorney on a pro bono case, finish decorating my apartment, and learn more of a second language. I figure those are good adult foundation skills that I can use to build on for my next decade, to be the kind of 30-something I want to be.

    2. I am not really one for bucket lists or things like that. I don’t know if I have any advice, but I will say that my 30s have been worlds better than my 20s. I am more comfortable with myself, I have learned to speak up for myself in relationships and at work, I have a much better idea of who I am and what my core values are (and that I won’t compromise on them), I have learned to set boundaries and react appropriately when they are crossed, and I have accepted that there are things I cannot change in life. FWIW, I am 35, unmarried, and without children.

      I would suggest thinking less about what other people think you should do and instead, focus on what you WANT to have done or what you want some of your goals to be for your 30s. Some people want to have bought a house by the time they are 30, for others, it’s not a big deal. That sort of thing.

      1. I agree completely with everything you said. My 30s have been light-years better than my 20s. I’m much more confident in my job, my relationships, and who I am as a person. None of my friendships have “drama” anymore because we’ve learned how to work things out and to not take silly things seriously. I’m completely enjoying being a 30-something.

      2. +1 to everything here, especially the last part about other people and their expections for what you should be doing at this age. I’m 37 (turning 38 next month), married, no kids. Sometimes I feel like I should be further along in my career, but I’m happy where I am. I make a good living and have a flexible schedule. I don’t want to be CEO of a company. Although one thing I wish I had done earlier in life was to go to therapy to work out some issues. I’m working through them now, but I think my early 30s would have been better if I had tackled those things back then.

        1. I was therapy heavy in my early 30s (and throughout my 20s) and I think it took the perspective and maturity gained throughout my 20s to truly be able to put the work in and get the full benefit of my therapy. Heck, to even truly be able to pull the issues out and recognize them. Good for you taking the step to work on them now. Better late than never! :)

      3. ME TOO. My 30s have been amazing so far. I’ve never had this much fun in my life. Seriously, 20s me: just hang on. Good stuff is coming.

      4. Early 30s and the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.

        It feels so much better to be more confident with who I am as a person and the choices that I make.

    3. Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love Fruegel Friday’s and Foxcroft’s Tencil Shirt’s — and of course they’re at NORDSTROMS so Rosa already has a few of these, but I will to. I have to see if the manageing partner will let me introduce more causal Friday’s so I can buy these with my subsidy! YAY! But even if not, I can buy for myself and wear to the Hamton’s! Great pick, Kate and Kat.

      Anyway, for the OP, you are lucky to be thinking about this now, even tho you are not even 30. You already have the big one figured out–you’ve found a MAN to marry you! Now that you have him, you must focus on keepeing him. If he is good, he will be a good provider for you, even if you do not have children. It is not to late to change your mind–I need to start haveing kids now (Im 34) or I will never have them, but my probelem is I need a HUSBAND to impregnate me. Dad does NOT want me to be a singel mom. OP, you must also consider the alternative’s if your husband is not makeing enough money to suport you. You should think about getting a career, and makeing money if you absolutley have to.

      If money is no object, you must work to preserve your youth. Eat right, stay out of the sun, and go to Elizabeth Arden once a season for a makeover so that your husband will look forward to comeing home to you. Rosa is doeing this and Ed is kept VERY happy, even tho Rosa knows how to spend Ed’s money on herself.

      Finaly, you must focus on the FUTURE. You need to make sure your husband does NOT fritter money away b/c you want to have a nice retirement home somewhere. You are young enough, and hopefully pretty enough to ensure you stay married, but this is something you need to focus on.

      The same advise goe’s to the rest of the hive. Have a nice weekend, HIVEMATES! YAY!!!!

    4. Do the things you daydream about doing “some day” today or as soon as is feasible for you, assuming they make financial sense and fit in with the rest of your goals.

    5. While I’m still in my 20s (I have a year and bit to go), I want to: 1) learn to play guitar, 2) travel to the places I’ve been telling myself I’d go since I was in university (I have 2 of those 4 trips booked which is pretty rad) and 3) lose 30 lbs (I have to put the disclaimer here that I am at a very unhealthy weight and have been putting off losing these lbs for a very long time. I absolutely do not think that every woman’s to do list should include losing weight.)

      My goals for my 30s are to 1) only drink amazing wine or none at all, 2) spend less on stuff and more on experiences and 3) buy my first home.

      2. Might be too late on this – but the Guitar for Dummies app is a great way to teach yourself how to play the basics. And Guitar Tuna will help you tune the dang thing.

    6. As a 30 something lady- f those lists. Ignore them. One of the greatest gifts I’ve given myself as I’ve aged is listening more to myself and not at all to random buzzfeed listicles.

    7. My list seems so silly in comparison! I just wanted a tempurpedic mattress, a dyson vacuum, and a stand mixer!

      I have a few months, and I think I’m over the anxiety . I know if I just do what I need to and I do what I can today, tomorrow will be alright.

        1. oh no! too late. I’ll add that to my before 40 list. I’m just missing the stand mixer now. I still beat egg whites by hand.

          2. Get a Bosch not a Kitchenaid. They’re at my local Costco right now. I have both and the Bosch is light years better for a million reasons. I’m going to be passing the Kitchenaid on to someone else.

      3. I may add stand mixer to my list for my 33rd birthday. :o)

        I had so much angst going into 30, but once I hit 30, it all went away, it was so freeing!

    8. My plan for my 30th birthday is to do something amazing with my friends (and hopefully my boyfriend if he’s still around) and buy the Prada bag I’ve been eyeing for a couple years. I’ve been saving up (very slowly) so hopefully once it rolls around, I can buy it with cash I’ve been saving.

    9. I just turned 30 this week; so far nothing has changed! :)
      I think my focus has moved to be as kind and as true as possible to myself over the past year or so. Getting enough sleep is really important to me, as is generally trying to keep life as balanced as possible. My goals this decade are to finish my master’s (now that I’m finally in the field that’s right for me; this has been HUGE for my sense of accomplishment!), buy a house, fit in as much travel as possible (always a priority), and have some babies.

      1. Your first line is spot on. Turning 30 seems like a really big deal until it happens, and then a few weeks later, you will have forgotten that it happened and experience the occasional uncomfortable reminder that you’re not in your 20s anymore when you have to fill out a form. :)

        I liked 30, much more than I liked 29. (Unfortunately, I’m 31 now and don’t like it at all!) I wouldn’t worry about to-do lists. I ran my first half-marathon and bought a house the year I was 30 to make it a big milestone year (don’t worry, I bought the house for other reasons, too), and I’m kind of glad I did all that. I think the thirties might be the decade where “you do you” starts to mean something to you. Happy early birthday.

    10. I had a hard time with turning 30, but now that I’m in my mid-30s, I have to agree that 30s are way better than 20s most of the time. This is my advice:
      -If you haven’t already, stop calling yourself and others your age girls. You are women, and adults. Own it. Especially at work – don’t call yourself or others girls, and don’t let others call you one.
      -If you’ve been in your career awhile, look back at all you’ve learned and push away the imposter syndrome. You aren’t a newbie anymore, and you have learned how to do your job and do a decent job at it. Enjoy not being clueless, and mentor someone who is new, while still looking to those above you for mentorship on what it will take to be a kick-a$$ [your career] at the next level
      -Take pictures and love your body. Don’t avoid the camera because you feel fat or frumpy. Don’t wait until you lose the next 10 pounds to take pictures, do it now.
      -Same with clothes. Buy ones that fit, get rid of ones that don’t fit the way you want them to or aren’t flattering or otherwise make you uncomfortable.
      -Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Do it, or start a savings fund toward doing it. If possible, put it on the calendar or book a time to do it.
      -Do you hate your job/career/area of the country you live in? Take steps to do something about it. Chances are you will be working for another 30+ years – so don’t put off making changes because you are “too old” or it would take too long.

      Here’s hoping I can take my own advice, and take make the transition to 40s gracefully without dragging my heels like I did at the 30s transition.

    11. I’ll be 30 in less than a month! I would say travel some place alone even if it is just for a weekend getaway. Get healthy. Don’t focus on losing X pounds. It’s about being healthy and starting now rather than in 10 years. Figure out what makes you happy and how to obtain it. Don’t take your life for granted and appreciate your friends and family. As you get older, your health and other peoples’ can start to decline so appreciate every minute you have.

    12. I turned 30 a few months ago. I was very anxious about it before it happened, but it’s been great since. My husband and I went to Vegas to eat and hang out by the pool (we’re on the west coast so it’s a quick trip). It was fun and definitely better than spending the milestone birthday at work!

    13. When I turned 25 a few years ago, I made a ‘Goals for my Twenties’ list – I’m making progress but glad I have another couple years to work on these things!

      – get up at an adult time (i.e. not 5 minutes after I should have really left for work)
      – be more patient with my husband
      – be less judgmental and critical of friends and family
      – be better at taking criticism myself – accept/use it but don’t let it upset my mood for days on end
      – disclose less about myself to people who don’t care
      – consume less coffee (accomplished! morning sickness really broke my coffee habit…)
      – sit less (this is a disaster. Old job had a standing desk. New job does not… sometimes I sit for 12-14 hours a day)

  3. Styling help needed for a business casual (government) office!

    As my handle suggests, I’m pregnant (15 weeks-ish), and working on dressing a burgeoning belly without going full on maternity clothes (I look pregnant in spandex, but just way bloated in everything else). I just bought these pants on sale at Ann Taylor:

    http://www.anntaylor.com/petite-relaxed-ankle-pants/365879?skuId=18320824&defaultColor=&colorExplode=false&catid=cata000048&priceSort=ASC

    They’re comfortable, they will probably fit as I get better, they even have elastic in the back! But I can’t figure out how to style them.

    A lot of photos I’ve seen have them with more form-fitting, tucked in shirts, which obviously won’t work with me. I’m concerned oversized cardigans/sweaters will look overly frumpy/matronly. Thoughts?

    FWIW, I always wear 2 inch heels at the office, and am short (5’3″, with a average torso and short legs). And my office is FREEZING in the summer, and I walk to work in 90 degrees, so layers are my friend.

    1. I think that a trapeze-style top would go well with this or something like what anthropologie sells.

      Maternity tops are longer, so you may want to switch to them (also: the DVF Reina dress is perfect for maternity b/c it’s a bit boxy) or at least get a couple of white maternity-cut tees for layering, esp if you need to use the waist-expanderstretchy tube thingies.

    2. Literally any blouse that fits you, untucked. You are pregnant. You are going to look a little matronly.

  4. Any ideas for a birthday gift for a 1-year old? My niece is having a small celebration this weekend for her son and I’m at a loss for what to get. I know she and her husband are going through some financial struggles right now, so I was thinking of a gift card for the parents to use and then a gift for the boy. I don’t have kids and most of my friend’s kids are older, so I’m a bit out of touch. Thanks!

    1. I think I’d do a giftcard for Babies R Us (or amazon.com if you know they’re online shoppers) to help the parents defray the costs of a 1 year old, and then a favourite story book for your great nephew.

      1. Or Target – they can use that for food, diapers, clothes, etc for themselves or the kiddo.
        I agree that a book is plenty – chances are he is going to get tons of toys, and still have more fun with the boxes. If you want to get him another “thing” – both my kid’s favorite things at their first birthday was a mylar balloon.

        Is the celebration at her place? If you are the type of family that all contributes, you could ask her if she wants you to bring or pickup some food items to help defray some of the party costs.

    2. I got my little cousins a Bilibo, and they adore it. I liked it for the fact that it wasn’t a you do X with Y toy that most toys seem to be nowadays. It’s a toy, but its sort of a toy in the way that a stick is a toy, do whatever you want with it however you want with it. I appreciate that it forces the kid to have creativity. Also I feel like it has grown with them well.

    4. For my niece’s first birthday I put money in her 529 account and got her a kitchen play set.

    6. Thanks so much, everyone! The party is just a small gathering at a local park this Sunday. Since I’m doing things a bit last minute, I’ll head to Target to see what I can find.

  5. Sorry if this posts 2x!
    Recently–the past 2-3 weeks?–I’ve routinely been sweating through my shirts within the first, say, hour of applying anti-perspirant. This was my “normal” when I was maybe 16-17, but I discovered Certain-Dri and used it for about 8 year thereafter with great success. I stopped using it because I noticed that I didn’t seem to need it (if I had forgotten to use it), and regular anti-perspirant (secret, more recently secret outlast, I think?) was doing the trick. Until recently. In a furious last ditch effort, I used my husbands anti-perspirant this morning. SAME result, sweaty stained armpits on a jewel tone dressy tee (…so, majorly visible).

    So, two questions:
    (1) worth it to go back to Certain-Dri, and alternate with a spray anti-perspirant (highlighted and beloved by Belle at CHS)? I like solids, hate gels and the click -up creamy ones.
    and
    (2) medically, is there any reason I be concerned? It hasn’t been hotter lately, and I live in a well AC’ed locale. For all those who will say ‘don’t ask us ask a doctor!” yes, thank you, I will, but I thought I’d ask here first haha.

    TIA!

    1. I had the same issue in my early teens (thanks puberty!) and eventually got a prescription strength anti-perspirant, which my doctor told me to apply the night before to let it soak in. That was around 15 years ago and I can’t remember the name of the product, but it worked like an absolute charm. I think I used it for about a year and never had another pit stain, then gradually stopped and switched to a Michum brand which I still use and love.

      Anyways, if the problem ever came back, I would be back at the doctor’s office in heartbeat demanding a new prescription. I have heard that there can be health risks with the amount of aluminum in some deodorants, but I can’t claim to be an expert and that is definitely something to discuss with your doctor! In short, this is not something you have to live with! Best of luck.

      1. Drysol is kept behind the counter so you have to ask for it but you don’t need a prescription (at least in Canada) and you put it on the night before. It’s itchy/irritating if you’ve just shaved. I had this problem as a teenager and this stuff worked like a dream for me. I still use it on my sweaty feet!

    2. It could be hormonal. Are you having night sweats, or just during the day?

      Also, I had the same issues – heavy sweat-er for years, tried Rx antiperspirants until I found an OTC one that worked, until it didn’t. I hadn’t tried gels until recently and they are much much better than they used to be (efficacy). If it’s been a while since you tried them, you might give another try.

    3. I’m not even a super heavy perspirer, but I love Certain-Dri (being careful not to apply it after shaving). Is there a reason you don’t want to switch back (assuming no medical cause)?

      1. Also be careful not to apply if your skin is wet. It causes nasty chemical burns.

    4. I used/needed Certain Dri for most of my twenties. I don’t need that strength now and have been happy with Secret Clinical Strength (either Sport or Waterproof). Other sticks and gels don’t really cut it.

  6. I am 45 and will be getting my first glasses soon. It seems like a pretty important fashion choice. Any advice on how to choose?

    I don’t have a fashionable friend who wears glasses or is nearby that can shop with me. I do most of my shopping online actually. No time or patience! Style is modern classic with a bit of flare, and would prefer something that is not too trendy and will last. Oval face. Chin length Bob hair, brown with streaks of grey. I try not to look old for my age, and am a doctor.

    1. Go to warbyparker (dot) com, select five frames for your at-home try on, take pics of yourself wearing each pair, send to friends, collect votes, ignore votes and go with your favorite. At least that’s how I do it :)

      1. Second Warby Parker – also they do have store fronts in some cities and show rooms in some others. There’s a map of those on their website. Just an FYI – I always think the glasses I pick look slightly different once the lenses have been changed out for real ones vs the plastic display ones.

        I also second asking for opinions, but going with your favorite. You’re the one that has to wear them so you have to be comfortable with how you look in them.

      2. I like Warby Parker, and some of the frames I got were of good quality, but some were kind of shoddy and felt cheap.

      3. My sister did this and swears by Warby Parker. Her glasses are adorable. I’ve been meaning to try it as well.

      4. Real Talk: I wear glasses maybe once a year for a full day, otherwise just at night to read or at home on weekends and I have three pairs of WPs. I have a problem.

    2. Given your preference for online – I would absolutely recommend Warby Parker! While some of the frames do skew trendy, they have a broad selection. What I really liked about them was the home try-on service –ability to select 5 frames to try on at home, send pics to friends to get feedback, etc.

      https://www.warbyparker.com/

    3. For your first glasses, I would go into a store and try on a ton of frames. If you don’t know where to go, Lens Crafters usually has the best selection amongst the big stores. Local glasses stores that aren’t a huge chain may also have a more fashionable selection.

      1. I recommend local stores too. I wear Costco glasses myself, but my teen daughter was literally crying when she saw the selection there. She was able to find pairs she liked at an independent store (at a higher price, naturally).

    4. If they are reading glasses, buy a bunch of pairs so you can keep them in the places you read and not always be looking for your one pair.

      1. Yikes — meant to agree (but I reported you instead).

        [With 1 of my 3 pairs of reading glasses on!]

    5. Are you going to be wearing the glasses all the time, or just for supplements (like reading or driving at night)? From your post, I assume full-time. In that case, I think it is worth the money to go to a more upscale, locally-owned place rather than a chain. That type of place will have someone who can find what works well for your face (and give you thoughts on what will work with your prescription – though I assume if you are just getting glasses, you won’t have thick lenses like yours truly). Warby Parker’s quality is OK, but if you don’t know what you are looking for or what works best for your face shape, I think it is better to go somewhere and try on a ton of frames.

      I am a fairly frugal, mid-level brand person – and I spend a lot of money on my glasses. I wear them every day, all the time, more than any piece of jewelry or clothing, and they are one of the first things people notice about my face. So I think it is worth spending a little time and money on it, even if you don’t have a lot of time to spare. My $.02.

      PS My glasses are Bevel and I LOVE their frames – titanium is great for people who have heavy lenses, and they have a lot of styles that have the plastic nose thingeys. I have a small nose and glasses fall down all the time, so I can’t do a full plastic frame for that reason. Another reason to try things on and get the thoughts of a professional!

    6. You Look Fab did a tutorial on how to pick glasses – maybe as a guest post here. Kat did one too a few years ago but the advice should still be current.

      1. Thank you everyone for these excellent suggestions. You guys are so helpful.

        I (should) be wearing them every day, so yes… I think it is worth a little more investment of time and money.

  8. I just want to brag that after working at it for a year, I am finally no longer an obese BMI! I know I still have room to improve, but I haven’t had a BMI less than 30 at any point in the last 8 years, so this is a big accomplishment for me.

    How would you celebrate?

    1. That’s awesome. I’d buy a cute piece of clothing and something fitness related (classpass, new sneakers, etc.). I look forward to being in your shoes soon!

    2. By screaming F*%& YEA B!TCHES I AM AWESOME at the top of my lungs?! I might also by myself a new watch, as I have come to lust after watches.

      Congratulations!! That’s awesome.

    3. Congrats! Have you been working out to achieve this goal? What about a new workout outfit or equipment or workout shoes? Upgrade your yoga mat, hand weights, bike seat or whatever you use.

      Other ideas:
      -A few new pieces of clothing, since chances are dropping weight has meant dropping sizes.
      -If your weight loss has been more food/portion control based, what about an upgraded piece of kitchen equipment like a Vitamix blender or new kitchen scale or nice skillet to help keep you on track for that?
      -Some kind of treat that isn’t food based like going out to dinner – what about a massage or mani-pedi, or some kind of fun scheduled activity with a friend like renting bikes or going horseback riding.

    4. Congratulations…!!!

      I have last five pounds to go by BMI under 25, so I know how it feels. I would buy something nice and that I will use it for a long time like a small piece of jewelry, a leather handbag, wrist watch etc so every time I use it, it is a reminder of my accomplishment.

    5. With a massage, if I’m trying to keep it under $200. Or with a new piece of framed art. Not weight loss themed or anything, just something I love that I will see and enjoy.

    6. CONGRATULATIONS!!! That’s awesome.

      Celebration? Perhaps cute clothes, new make-up, or a great style and cut at an upscale hair salon?

    7. Woohoo! That’s AWESOME! I agree with a lot of the other suggestions – new workout clothes/shoes, a fun kitchen tool. If you run and you haven’t been actually fitted for shoes yet, that could be a fun treat. Something that will help you along your way and be a motivator. Or a non-material item like a mani/pedi or massage or something. Keep up the great work!!

    8. So awesome! I vote for a manicure/pedicure or some other sort of spa deliciousness. Big congrats – this is a huge accomplishment.

    10. I’d go get my driver’s license picture taken. And then a general photo shoot for LinkedIn/other social media/family, etc.

  9. I work next to an arena and it seems that young kids go to nighttime concerts a lot (Taylor Swift, etc.). I’m guessing that concerts start around 7 or 8 but the main band doesn’t come on until later.

    What is the youngest you’d bring a child to a concert? I have a 7-year-old who would love to attend a Loretta Lynn concert but I think that that might be pushing my luck (and I don’t have a lot of recent concert experience myself; my former experience is too much of my 20s at the 9:30 Club) and don’t want to find out the hard way. If there were matinee shows of real bands on weekends, I’d be all over that.

    1. My mom took us to country concerts when I was probably about 11 or 12. I don’t think it would be that big of an issue if it was on a weekend and was a one-time splurge. If it was a week day during the Summer, so that the sleep loss wouldn’t be a big deal, I would probably do it anyway, assuming the performer was age appropriate (I doubt you would have any problems with Loretta Lynn). She will probably remember it for the rest of her life. Find out the seating arrangement for the venue. If you are looking at standing room, I would not bring a 7-year-old. But if there are seated options, it probably won’t be too crazy.

    2. I can’t imagine Loretta Lynn is going to be a particularly rowdy crowd, so the main issue is just how late they will be up. If it’s during the summer and and she can sleep in the next day I’d say go for it. And honestly, if it would be a really special thing for the two of you to do together I might do it even during the school year (assuming nothing major going on at school the next day). I’m pretty strict on bedtime with my kids, but one night a year as a special treat should be fine.

    3. Definitely depends on the concert. I was 8 for my first concert. My dad took me to Debbie Gibson, and I’m 99% positive that I wore my Electric Youth perfume to that concert :)

    4. I would think it would be fine. I took my teenage daughter to one direction and there were tons of younger kids there.

    5. I’m not exactly sure your question. If you are concerned about her being exposed to people drinking, drunk and/or smoking pot, that could happen regardless of the concert. I was recently at the Avett Brothers, a really laid back band, but there were still people falling down drunk. I’ve seen the same thing at all day concerts even before noon so I don’t think a matinee would fix that. It’s a good teaching experience anyway. If you see someone being an idiot, you can say “this is why it is important to not drink too much.”

      If you are worried about her staying up late, I really don’t see that as a big deal.

      If you are worried about being “that person” with a kid, I wouldn’t worry about. There were a lot of kids at the last few concerts I went to. The only people I judged were the ones with visibly miserable kids that clearly didn’t want to be there. These kids were like 3 or 4 and sobbing that they wanted to go home. There was an adorable infant with big headphones on sleeping through most of the concert.

    6. I took our 3 1/2 year old to see Springsteen, and he enjoyed it but needed headphones to block some volume.

      1. Thanks all!

        I’m not worried about the s*x, drugz, and rock & roll (yet). I was more concerned re late hours (when do things really start for the main attraction) and whether kids are at concerts not aimed primarily at them (I think that Loretta Lynn is pretty universal, but see how people don’t expect it). The venue she plays in our city isn’t the arena, but a place with seats (and non-smoking), but I hadn’t thought about needing to bring ear protection (just in case, if nothing else).

        1. Most all-ages venues will have a hard cutoff time for when concerts must end. In my experience (I was a music writer in a past life), places are pretty inflexible about a stop time due to external factors like neighbors, city noise ordinances, teen curfews, the price of tea in china, etc. Most acts are pretty good about working within those time frames, even on “show time” where everything is usually a half hour behind. I’ve seen the house lights prevent a group from taking an encore, and on rare occasions I’ve seen a venue just let someone keep playing for about an hour past their stop time (it was Prince, I definitely don’t blame them). In my city it’s usually around 11:00-11:15 on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

        2. I think the requirements for taking kids to a concert are age-appropriate performer, noise protection (even just ear plugs; get them in the habit early), and seats if the kids are elementary-middle school age (it’s cruel to making the young-ins stand, plus they can’t see anything).

          My first concert was the Spice Girls when I was 8 or 9 and I LOVED it! I didn’t go to a standing room only concert until I was 14 (Modest Mouse), which was probably about right.

    7. I went to see TSwift this week and the kids with the Drew Brees ear muffs looked really smart – you don’t need those if you’re in the bleacher seats but you need them if you’re close to the speakers. Also, the kids in front of me that were like 4-5 got really tired after like 11, but the 7-8 year olds were troopers the whole time. You can always leave a little early if your bebe is getting too sleepy.

    8. I took my daughter to see No Doubt when she was 9 and she loved it. I think it’s a great experience. You probably don’t have to worry about rowdy crowds or adult themes at Loretta Lynn. Have a great time!

    9. My niece is 9 and she’s going to see Taylor Swift next week. It was her big Xmas gift

  10. Question – does anyone ever sell (or buy) gently-used designer handbags and shoes online? If so, what sites do you use? I have some items (Coach, Cole Haan, that sort of thing) that I’d like to sell, but aside from an eBay or Amazon Marketplace, don’t know of any that may cater to a more specific market. Thanks in advance!

    1. I buy EVERYTHING online. Selling, not so much. I’ll only sell something if it’s something I’d donate/get rid of anyway, because there’s always a risk that you lose the item and the money. I think eBay is generally the best place to sell in terms of getting the highest prices, but the selling fees can be ridiculous and they ALWAYS side with the buyer. Personally, since I’m getting rid of stuff I don’t care about, I start everything at .99 cents with free shipping and so far, I’ve made a tidy profit. In my most recent batch, I sold some gold earrings, Lilly Pulitzer towels, dresses and scarves. My total revenue was something like $800 and eBay took about $80 in fees. If you have some really high end bags, Bonanza might be a better bet, but I think eBay is an overall decent place to sell, provided you’re saavy enough to navigate it and are willing to accept any losses.

    2. I haven’t bought or sold anything with them yet, but I browse The Real Real regularly and it sounds to me like that might be perfect for you- they’re an online high end/designer consignment store. I think extrapetite dot com also did a review of what the buying/selling experience is like, so maybe google for that if you’re curious.

    4. I’ve sold several things on eBay over the years, and recently have sent things to ThredUp. If it’s name brand and recent, you’ll probably make the most selling on eBay, but it’s the hardest to do obviously (everything is on you). eBay takes a small commission, but otherwise the money all comes to you. ThredUp gave me literally pennies on the dollar for brand new, with tags merchandise and turned down a lot of things I was surprised by. That said, if you don’t want the hassle of eBay and are just cleaning out, that’s probably a good outlet. Coach and Cole Haan aren’t really the types of brands that the more high end sites (The Real Real and Poshmark) are looking for.

    5. How about posting some on this blog with prices? I’d love to see what you are selling since I hate paying full price for anything.

  11. Ladies, I’m hoping you can recommend or help me find a unicorn bag for my husband for a gift. In the last few months he’s begun running home from work. He generally prefers a messenger back to bring to work, but that’s awkward to run home with, so he’s switched over to a backpack that is not at all professional-looking.

    I’m hoping to find a convertible messenger bag/backpack that is somewhat professional-looking, but can also withstand some sweat and jostling on the run home. Any suggestions?

    1. Nope. I wouldn’t even try to look professional. Go for the best running back pack he can find, and own it as “oh yeah I’m a hardcore bro who runs home from here.”

      1. Haha alright! In that case, he’ll still need a replacement–the one he’s been using is on its last legs. If you’re a runner, do you have any brand recommendations?

      2. +1. my DH runs to and from work and uses an Osprey bag. He loves it– made for runners so it’s very comfortable and has held up really well. It has a water blad-der too. His isn’t particularly big but they come in different sizes. He usually drives to the office once over the weekend to drop off food and clothes.

        1. I luuuuuurrrrrve my Osprey bag. I have one that has a great hip belt plus good shoulder straps AND there’s a mesh vent panel that’s right against you’re back so you get a bit of a breeze.

          You buy them fitted for your torso length!

    2. Not for running specifically, so maybe not what he’d prefer, but Tumi Alpha Bravo has a nice backpack.

  12. Hi everyone,

    I am hoping someone can give me advice on a panel-style interview. I’m in the final round of interviews for an associate-level job at a larger company, and I was told I would be interviewing in front of a panel for a couple hours or more. The panelists will consist partially of members of the team I would be joining, but they didn’t say who else would be in attendance.

    Can anyone give me some advice on what to expect or how to handle a panel interview? I’m not quite sure what to expect, but I am hoping I can get ideas on materials to bring (in addition to several resume copies!) and what the process is like.

    Thank you in advance!

    1. Congratulations on getting to this stage! I’ve done a couple of panel interviews and I think the hardest part is making sure you leave them with an impression of you. Panels tend to get carried away chatting or asking questions, so the interview ends up being 80% them talking and only 20% (or less) about them actually getting a view of your qualifications. You don’t want to be obnoxious, but any time you get a chance to speak, do it and make it count. Make eye contact first with the questioner, but then move on to others as you speak. Good luck!

    2. There’s good advice in the responses below, especially to direct your answers to the whole group, not just the person who asked. Also, make sure everyone can hear you.

      Years ago, when I was looking for a judicial clerkship, I was invited to interview in a federal district court with all. the. judges. Six judges, two magistrates, all in a semi-circle, it was like arguing before the Supreme Court. Most of the judges were elderly and it was hard to respond so they all could hear my answers.

      The most nerve-wracking part was when I came in and sat down my chair was too far into the semi-circle, so I couldn’t see the people on either end. After a moment or two of indecision, I go up and moved the chair. I later got an offer from the chief judge and went to work for him. I asked him if the chair placement was some kind of test and he thought that was hilarious; I was just the first interview of the morning and no one realized the chair was poorly positioned.

      Good luck in your interview, you will do great!

    3. I’ve done a few panel interviews, and one thing I’d think about in advance is who you are going to look at (from an eye contact perspective) when you answer. Normally, you’d want to look the person who asks the question in the eye, but when you have multiple people, you need to answer that person and also “scan toward” the other folks too. In terms of answering questions, it tends to be the same, unless they do a good-cop, bad-cop, or behavioral v. technical. This, again, would be specific to your field. So just prepare as you normally would, but think about the physical setup and how to best look at people. I found that difficult, especially when in proximity at a round table (which way to look? SQUIRREL!).

    4. Thank you all for the great advice! I will make sure to keep eye contact in mind. I appreciate the good wishes too!

  13. My younger sister is getting married in a few months and I’m her maid of honor. Back in the day, she was a party girl and got herself into a lot of medical trouble. She’s now on various meds and no longer drinks alcohol both because she has a health condition exacerbated by it and she has trouble controlling her drinking. She has no aversion to being around alcohol/people drinking, but it just can’t be her scene anymore.

    What’s a fun way to do a bachelorette party that will be fun for everyone–but most importantly isn’t a “dry” party– ie going to a karaoke bar totally sober is no fun. “weekend in Vegas” isn’t exactly something you schedule if you plan to abstain. I’m open to ideas in all budget ranges– I’ll float them around the other bridesmaids to get a sense of what people are up for. Group is somewhat spread across the country and I am not sure who would be game for what kind of travel.

    1. I don’t drink alcohol, and karaoke bars are fun! I’ve also enjoyed Vegas bachelorettes. Just FYI.

      Beach house? Spa weekend? Explore a new city she’s always wanted to visit?

    2. Spa day, weekend at the lake, skiing/tubing/kayaking, dinner followed by chick flicks (adult slumber party)

    3. My bridesmaids were from all over as well. What we did was have a slumber party the night before the wedding in the hotel where we were all staying. It was a nice way to chill before the big day and I could relax, paint toes, eat pizza, chat with them, and have a glass of wine.

    4. What about going to a spa for massages and/or mani-pedis? Or going to dinner and a show?

      I went to a bachelor3tt3 weekend party at an indoor waterpark – that was fun and different and the bride’s younger cousins were able to come. We had alcohol at night in the room, but it wouldn’t have been totally necessary.

      Does she really want a bachelor3tt3? Or would she rather just do something with you as a sisterly event? Or maybe do something in conjunction with her shower – have a brunch shower and do a bachelor3tte-ish thing like spa or dinner with the bridesmaids all in the same weekend?

    5. This is easy – spa weekend. If the crew can afford it – Miraval is amazing. Or Canyon Ranch or something like that. All food prepared for you, no alcohol as part of living clean for the weekend.

      1. I’d stab someone who suggested Mirival or Canyon Ranch. They are absurdly expensive. Unless you’re all fabulously wealthy I think even suggesting it is way out of line.

        1. I think that’s probably going to be out of budget for most of the group. I’m probably in the best financial spot (but have young kids) and I’d splurge for my sister but am not ready to bankroll the entire group :)

          1. We did the spa at the Atlantis casino in Reno. Everyone paid for their own spa services, which could be something small like a pedicure, or you could go all out. All you needed was one service to be able to spend the whole day in the spa and all their different lounges / hot tubs. It was really nice and not as expensive as a retreat-type center.

        2. Fair enough – they do run deals from time to time, especially in the really hot summer months & the OP said “suggestions in all budget ranges”. I wouldn’t be happy with a plan like that for a group I wasn’t tight with, but for my closest friends and sibling, I’d consider it if everyone could afford it.

    6. What about making the main event a spa day, outdoor activity or a concert/show? I’ve known guys to do a golf or deep sea fishing trip for their events. If you can rent a house for the group instead of a bunch of hotel rooms, it’s more conducive to everyone being able to hang out. You could do a nice dinner and then head back to the house for games/movies/drinks whatever so she doesn’t feel like it is a big bar crawl.

    7. I went to a bachelorette party where we had a trapeze class which was really fun, and drinking was definitely not allowed. I’ve also been to bachelorettes involving theatre shows, sports games, group photoshoots, cooking classes, afternoon tea, etc. I think the sky is the limits these days.

    8. What about doing a spa retreat? Or a hiking trip? (Depending on the personalities/interests of those attending).

    9. I think the spa day suggestion is great, and I think a beach/lake trip would be fun too.

      Does she have interests that a party could be built around? If shes a runner, maybe one of those fun runs, or if she likes sports, structure a day around going to a ball game. Chartering a boat in a major city can be fun too. Or is there something really fun you both enjoyed as kids that she would get a kick out of – like a theme park you frequented?

      1. Haha I think she’d love/kill me for including a run in her bach party. She has lost 20lbs (with i think 10 more to go in the next 5 months) and it would be great….but also, she’d kill me.

        Love the lake house idea. Will have to check and see how feasible it would be to get the gang to a centrally located location with lakes.

    10. One of my friends did a private group belly dancing class, followed by a nice dinner – a dance class could be great for indulging her inner party girl without the “party” environment…

    11. The non-alcohol themed bachelorette party activities I’d love (all could be followed by an awesome dinner or held at a fun place where you stay overnight):

      -Clay shooting
      -9 holes of golf
      -Aerial silks class
      -Cooking class where you make an amazing dinner that you then eat
      -High tea, with hats
      -Trail ride and awesome picnic dinner somewhere gorgeous.

    13. I don’t drink. For my bachlorette we did a group workout, then a paint pottery place (they all painted a plate and I got to keep them all — it was a fabulous gift).

    14. We did a spa weekend for my bachelorette in May. It was an awesome spa, and there was definitely booze around the hotel/casino we stayed at, but it wasn’t the focus. In fact, no booze in the spa lol.

    15. I’m planning to do a weekend of surfing lessons during the day (lounging on beach for anyone who doesn’t want to surf.. but I hope everyone does) and evenings of bonfires on the beach and wine. Will probably add some sunrise yoga on the beach.

  14. A few tips from a college career coach
    – If possible stalk any of your interviewers on LinkedIn. You can change your settings to anonymous or you can do it as you. I learned an employer was particularly interested in a special aspect of their job that I was well versed in… I brought it up and you could see them get excited.
    – See what the company is posting on LinkedIn… this will indicate their focus in some arenas.
    – If relevant, they will be impressed if you research their competitors and some how bring that up.
    – Look at everyone when you answer a question. Not just the person who asked it. Everyone is listening.
    – Watch your body language – don’t cross your arms
    – Send thank you emails to everyone on the panel within 24 hours. Re-emphasize your strengths and why you would be a good fit. Don’t start the email with I… focus on them. Spell check it a million times. Once had a student thank a company for the shit instead of the shirt.

  15. The panel interviews I have been in (both sides of the table) are usually in groups of three. I don’t think that they are that different from an individual interview question wise. As an interviewee, it can be nice to get multiple opinions on your questions about the company. Try to keep straight who asks what so you can personalize your thank you notes. During breaks, jot down a few things you talked about because after you have talked to 9 people, it can get confusing. If possible, ask the recruiting coordinator for a list of the panelists ahead of time and their bios if they have them (law firms do and some companies). Copies of your resume are good and maybe a list of deal/projects/experiences that you have worked on. I’ve never been asked for a transcript or writing sample at a final interview as those are usually submitted ahead of time.

  16. I have a question about notifying people about my vacation dates. I’m a 2nd year at a firm and have been doing the majority of my work for three partners, who already know about my planned vacation coming up. However, I’m assigned to a group that includes several other partners, whom I’ve done various small projects for from time to time. Should I send out an email or otherwise let these partners know about my vacation?

    1. Only if you are actively working a case/file/deal with them. Otherwise, they will either see your out of office message on email or they will come by your office when you are gone and your admin/neighbor will tell them that you are on vacation.

  17. Does anyone know if it’s possible to hire a more amateur photographer for a small city hall wedding with no guests? It will be outside in the summer, and it would be really nice to have a few good pictures, but it’s so short (just a few minutes) and there’s no wedding party or reception or anything, so hiring a real wedding photographer is way overkill. We’re also trying to minimize expenses. any thoughts on how I should go about this? We’re in the DC area if anyone has location-specific suggestions.

    1. I would post on craigslist. I’m an amateur photographer and apply to CL postings for things like this all the time. :)

    2. I think you can get an amateur photographer for sure but you should also investigate pros. Most pros in my area do portrait sessions in the $100 range and might treat a short city hall wedding as more of a portrait session. So I definitely don’t think you have to pay crazy “wedding photographer” prices, especially if you’re getting married on a weekday.

    3. Drew Carbone Photography might be perfect for you – you can check them out on Facebook. He mostly does family portraits and he works full time doing something else but his photos are great

    4. Check out Deyra photography. She did some linked in photos and engagement photos for me- she is really sweet and takes some great pics. I know she has 1 hour packages and she was really flexible with us.

    5. Guessing this is a weekend event? My roommate’s dog walker is a photog and might be interested in picking up something like this (I personally like his work)

  18. CL is a good idea, as is googling around to see if you can find someone at a reasonable price. But I’d also go to city hall and see if there’s someone there. In NYC, there’s usually a couple of photographers who are always in front of the Clerk’s Office to take wedding pics and I’m sure they’d be happy to do whatever you need them to for a reasonable price. Odds are they’ll know the area/where to take nice shots, too.

  19. The bar is pure torture and I’m going to fail. Sorry, just had to tell someone

    1. It sucks so bad, doesn’t it? It doesn’t help to hear OF COURSE YOU WONT FAIL or JFK FAILED THREE TIMES so I’ll just say that I don’t look back on my bar summer fondly, except to know that I couldn’t be doing what I do now if I hadn’t gone through it.

      Chin up, have a drink, plan your post-bar nap/vacation, then buckle back down and get it done. You can do it!

    3. The bar is an endurance exam and a confidence exam! You will not fail. You will get there!

  20. On a lighter note, years ago when my Iranian roommate and I were coming out of day two of the torture exam, she called her mom despondent. Her mom told her “Don’t worry, no pressure!! I am telling everyone in the Iranian community you are going to fail!” Of course, she passed. :-)

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