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I always like a good Furla bag, and I could see this light gray one being useful for all seasons. At 10″H x 13″W x 4″D this isn't the biggest bag out there, but will fit a magazine or folder as well as all your stuff. It's on a decent sale as part of Last Call's WOW! sale — was $348, then marked to $250, but it's $175 (through 11/13). Nice! Furla Martha Medium Satchel Bag, Smoked Gray
(L-2)
Sales of note for 9.19.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September, and cardmembers earn 3x the points (ends 9/22)
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles — and 9/19 only, 50% off the cashmere wrap
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Anniversary event, 25% off your entire purchase — Free shipping, no minimum, 9/19 only
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Tuckernuck – Friends & Family Sale – get 20%-30% off orders (ends 9/19).
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Calico
I have a strange dilemma and would appreciate any advice or perspective. My fiance is composing the music for his good friend’s feature film. While working with an advance copy of the movie, my fiance noticed that the film has a close-up and lengthy shot of the blog for which I write. The director removed my site’s masthead and tacked on a sloppy new one that uses the name of the character in the movie, thus giving the impression that it’s her blog. My site’s logo is still clearly visible, along with our most popular weekly column, original artwork and custom layout.
My BF sent an email to his friend saying, “Hey, did you know you used the blog Calico writes for? We think you should either leave her website intact or change it completely so that it’s unrecognizable.” The friend wrote back something along the lines of, ‘Legally I can do this so I’m not changing it.”
Ugh. Should I tell my editor? He is a well-respected graphic designer whose logo has constantly been ripped off from major corporate ad campaigns to etsy vendors who slap it on a T-shirt. In every case, my editor posts the offense on twitter to his 50 thousand followers and continues to shame the company/user until they relent. His followers get in on it and retweet and make comments as well. It can get ugly.
This movie could be terrible and never be seen by any one. Or it could be the next Paranormal Activity, who knows? Either way, my fiance’s name will be attached so my editor might assume that he had something to do with the director’s choice. Any thoughts?
mascot
A couple of thoughts 1) Did your fiance signed a non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement for the film? If so, he may be prohibited from mentioning what he saw before it was released. 2) If the director is blase about respecting the intellectual property rights of others, make sure your fiance takes steps to protect his own property interests in his contribution to the film.
Anon
Ugh, what is with this friend? How hard is it to come up with a phony blog?
ANYWAY I am not so sure legally he can do this if it uses your company’s logo and content. Not knowing the ins and outs I can’t say for sure but at best he’s in a gray area where you could certainly at least threaten a lawsuit. So one route would be to have your company’s lawyer send a cease and desist. I highly doubt your friend wants to litigate so just hte threat of litigation might be enough. If that’s not appealing I think go ahead and tell your editor. This guy is being a jerk by insisting on using it even after your bf asked him nicely not to. So, he has to deal with consequences.
hoola hoopa
Perhaps your boyfriend can reply explaining that your boss has a history of taking such unapproved uses very seriously and will take action when the movie is released. Wording it as if it’s in his friend’s best interest rather than something he’d do to be considerate might scare him into changing it.
Otherwise, I think you’ll be in a situation where you have to decide whether your relationship with your boss is more important than your boyfriend’s relationship with his friend, because the best thing for you to do to preserve your relationship with your boss is to tell your boss. Mascot makes an excellent point about your boyfriend signing a non-disclosure agreement, though.
preg anon
+1
Killer Kitten Heels
H makes indie films – filmmaker dude is 100% wrong, he absolutely cannot use anyone’s recognizable logo (even if he sloppily changed the masthead) in his film if he ever hopes to sell it commercially. Unless b/f signed an NDA (and I’m guessing he didn’t, since filmmaker dude sounds like an idiot), I’d tell your editor. It’s one thing to use something accidentally – you can’t always control the things that appear in the background of outdoor shots, etc. – it’s another thing entirely to intentionally use someone else’s logo and THEN, when it’s pointed out to you that it’s not cool, to basically tell the person who brought it to your attention to pi$$ off. Not cool.
Calico
Thank you all for your thoughts! And you’re all right, my fiance did NOT sign an NDA so he was totally in the clear in telling me. We’re going to let the director know that we plan to tell my editor and what the consequences of that may be. And duh, how easy is it to make a fake blog, right? This whole thing is ridiculous.
clueless grad
Quick sartorial question:
I’m a recent grad/recently barred, still looking for a job. My state bar association is putting on a free CLE this week in my preferred area of law and so I need to treat it a little bit like networking. Since it’s a CLE I know it’s not super formal, so I figured fully suiting up would be too much. What exactly does one wear in this kind of situation?
Also, if anyone has any hints about how to make my presence known to the presenters (I know several of them, fwiw)? I’m not planning on going gunner style and asking lots of questions during their talks, but is it weird to approach them afterwards?
do it!
Totally approach them afterwards. I once met a woman at a bar association breakfast who was on a panel that spoke at the event, follow up by email, and met her for lunch. Later when I was looking for jobs I was able to send my resume for her firm directly to her. I got an interview (but not the job!), so I think it was worth it!
Boot question
For networking, I’d get there early and also talk up people attending and don’t forget to ask if they have cards. OK to talk to presenters afterwards or if there is a break.
I’d go business casual for this — pants + blazer (a blazer makes everything look so much better). Something that makes you feel sharp?
MH
Clothing depends on where the CLE is being held. If it’s being hosted by a firm, a suit may be completely appropriate. If it’s at some other venue, pants/skirt + blazer is probably fine. I don’t think that anyone would hold it against you, though, if you were slightly overdressed in a suit.
Holly
Approach them afterwards, or if that’s not feasible, email them afterwards. I did that when I was in your position and at least got an informational interview. I would just go neat/professional and not in a suit.
Boot question
I am a bit new to boots @ work (veteran on weekends) and I don’t work with a lot of women (tax boutique). All boots are black leather / good condition / well-polished.
Tall boots with flat heels: OK to wear with a pencil skirt or dress? Or is that too Pippa Middleton / Boden catalog?
Ropers: OK to wear with pants?
Cowboy: OK to wear with pants? Or too Office Cowboy? Save for Friday with jeans?
One person in our office wears over-the-knee boots with heels with all sorts of too-tight skirts. Very Office Pirate. So I am not sure what is normal at all. We are business-casual and I try to be at the business end of the spectrum (but my feet like wearing socks with boots when it is very cold out).
mascot
Ropers and Cowboy definitely fall into the casual wear side of things and should only been worn on casual day, IMO. Sure we’ve heard of that quirky lawyer who wears cowboy boots to court in the small town, but I think that’s a very limited niche.
TO Lawyer
I think you can wear tall flat booties with skirts or dresses provided they are otherwise fairly sleek (i.e. not slouchy), especially since you’re business-casual and the rest of your outfit is presumably more formal. I do think they are more casual than other options so I probably wouldn’t do it for days when you need to be more formal but otherwise I think you’re good.
hoola hoopa
I think it’s perfectly fine to wear flat heeled tall boots with a pencil skirt or dress, although I personally find a heel to be more flattering.
Are you delineating ropers from cowboy boots because they tend to be more fancy? I think of Ropers as begin within the category of cowboy boots, which makes me think that maybe you’re in a region where the cowboy boots are so prevalent that there can be that level of specification. I live in a region where cowboy boots (roper or not) are more or less novelty items and kept mainly to weekends, but my understanding is that they are perfectly acceptable in business casual situations elsewhere.
I suspect from how you worded your post that you already know this, but I’d advise against wearing over-the-knee boots in an office.
Boot question
Oh, yes: when I originally think of over-the-knee boots, I think of the Pretty Woman poster. She was a hooker! Not an office look (although I wouldn’t think platform heels are either; what do I know?)!
Yes, we are boot-friendly here, so ropers and cowboy (pointy toe, more of a heel) are different. I’d wear cowboy boots with a dress/skirt on the weekends. If I could pull it off still, I’d wear them with shorts if I wanted that sort of attention (doesn’t go with the LLM). Truck-friendly, too. Still need tax lawyers though.
Baconpancakes
I had no idea there was a different name for low, flat-heeled boots! Ropers, huh!
The More You Know…. *ding!
Boot question
Ropers have a short shaft — not even halfway to my knee. They pull on and have pulling loops. And rounded toes. They don’t go with spurs :)
The taller ones are sort of faux-riding boots (no loops for pulling; they have a zipper and the shaft is narrow, but a bit wider than I’d like). They get worn to church a lot with tights.
I think I need something like a skinny-heeled tighter-calfed boot to be my dressy boot, but I think I have a little boot-overload at the moment.
TO Lawyer
I’m sorry I don’t understand – boot overload?
I wasn’t aware there was such a thing ;)
zora
yes i am confused, I don’t understand those words together…..
NOLA
Me neither. WANT ALL THE BOOTS!
preg anon
I’m glad to hear you say that NOLA, because, like you, I want all of the boots even though we get very little cold weather here in Houston. I have to wear boots every day during our limited cold spell to ensure I get to enjoy them!
NOLA
Sometimes I wonder why I’m so happy living here, considering my love of sweaters and boots. But then I realize it’s because you can wear sweaters and boots without a parka over them!
Gail the Goldfish
I think tall boots with flat heels are fine with a pencil skirt or dress. At least, I’m currently wearing a pair with a suit, so I hope so…
Cowboy boots are probably too casual. Ropers is a term I’ve never heard, but if google is accurate, it looks too casual.
Susie
I wouldn’t say its unprofessional, but personally I don’t like the look of tall boots with a pencil skirt, and definitely would advise against it in a more conservative office. I would say no to cowboy boots or ropers in the office under most circumstances.
Is it an option to commute in the boots and change into pumps at the office?
Orangerie
+1. Tall boots (heels or flat) with a pencil skirt is a pretty casual look, and I’m not a big fan.
Anon
I’m with you. I don’t think it’s unprofessional, but I find it gets really hot and knee-high boots are better for outdoors.
I commute in OTK boots but change into my office shoes after.
zora
I guess it depends on geography and sector, bc tall boots with a pencil skirt/skirt suit is pretty much the DC office uniform in the winter as far as I can tell.
A Nonny Moose
Agreed w/r/t DC.
emeralds
In my area of the south, too. I think every woman in my office has worn boots + skirt or dress either yesterday or today. We’re business casual.
Anon
Hmm. I work in a conservative Big Law office in NYC and tall boots with pencil skirts or dresses is pretty much the go-to uniform for most women in my office from October to March. I see a variety of flat and heeled boots being worn on a daily basis by fellow attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff. While it may not be universally flattering depending on body type, it’s definitely accepted as professional attire for all but the most formal situations (i.e., court appearances). I usually commute in my flat boots and frequently leave them on all day.
Boots
I posted a boots question below without realizing this thread was going on. So for all you boot lovers, let me know what you think below!
CapHillAnon
DC readers–any recommendations for stylists at Pentagon City’s Nordstrom?
Thanks.
DC Association
I just went to a private event at that Nordstrom on Friday morning and one of their stylists/personal shoppers gave a presentation. I really liked her. I cannot remember her name but you could call there and say, “A friend was recently at the event that Marriott held on Friday the 8th and liked the person who made the presentation…can you tell me her name? I’d love to see if she and I would be a fit to work together.”
Anyway, I liked her because she talked about how you need to have a fashion “mission statement” (sounds corny, but…) and that everything you purchase should fall into it. And, you may LOVE leopard print platforms but if you NEVER wear heels…you should NOT buy them no matter how much love you have for them.
CapHillAnon
Thanks.
NOLA
Love the shape and layout of this bag, but not the greige color. Sick of that!
And another thing – the Gucci t-straps in the ad I’m getting at the top. What is it with Gucci making the most gorgeous shoes lately that I WANT!
Bonnie
This bag seems much more beige than gray to me. FWIW, I find Gucci heels to be extremely uncomfortable.
NOLA
Good to know! The red booties they put out this fall were sooooo pretty.
roses
The ads keep showing me a NM Last Call cashmere dress that was gorgeous and an amazing price…but sold out in my size :( It’s like rubbing my face in it!
Lynnet
To piggy-back on the dinner party question: We just bought a house. My husband works for a small company where it is traditional for the new homeowner to host an open house and invite everyone from work, as well as friends, etc. My husband is an engineer, works for a small company, half their office is a machine shop- it’s very casual. The only one of these open houses that I’ve been to was someone who’d bought a fixer upper, and the entire house was gutted for the open house. The food (pot-luck) was on a folding table that was the only furniture. I work for a law firm which is much less casual. I’d like to invite a few of my friends from work, who I know won’t care if the house isn’t professionally cleaned, but I’m struggling with whether I should invite the rest of the office. Complicating things is that one of the (5) partners lives less than a mile away from our new house, and drives by it fairly regularly. If I invite him, the whole firm will know it’s happening. I don’t mind inviting everyone at the firm, but this is going to be a fairly casual event and there is a chance we won’t be completely unpacked, so I don’t know that it will present a very professional image. Any ideas?
Also, it turns out being a homeowner is making me even more neurotic than normal.
MJ
Maybe I don’t understand, but if you’re not ready to have a party until you’re unpacked, wait. There’s no rule that you have to have a housewarming within a few weeks of moving in. Six months–maybe a bit long unless you’re doing extensive renos, but….I digress.
This is your party. Host it when and how (in the way) you are most comfortable, for both of your work colleagues. No one ever looked down on a gracious hostess who provided enough food and drink, whether casual or upscale. Party disasters are rarely about the tone, but much more so about the guests or huge mishaps….just do whatever you want to feel confident and relaxed and I am sure it’ll be a hit! Congrats on the new house!
Diana Barry
+1. Don’t have a party until everything is unpacked, unless you’re doing renovations and want to have a demolition party. :)
I would ask your friends from work, but ONLY IF the office is big enough. So if there are 6 people in the office, don’t invite 3 people and not the other 3. If there are 50 people in the office, you can invite 3.
Senior Attorney
+1
Take your time and have the party when you’re ready.
Lynnet
Unfortunately, my understanding is that there is a rule in my husband’s office that we have the party within a few weeks of moving in. Like I said, they don’t particularly care if it’s a mess or not unpacked, they just want to see the house, and it’s customary to do it really soon after the move.
mascot
I think the easier solution is to just invite your husband’s office, especially if you are doing so in accordance to their office tradition. If you want to entertain your own firm at another time, then do so.
Olivia Pope
I agree with mascot on this. If this is a tradition for your husband’s office and none of them care about the state of your home, then invite just them. Maybe a couple of your non-work personal friends too if you don’t want to exclusively talk to your husband’s coworkers all night.
If you want a less casual housewarming with people from work, have one whenever you’re unpacked and ready.
Mountain Girl
Invite husband’s office as is their practice. Wait and invite your office and friends when you are ready. Then you get to have 2 parties. Will you be ready by New Year’s?
Senior Attorney
This sounds good. You can use the husband’s-office party as a rehearsal for the your-office party!
Lynnet
You’re right, this is the best plan. Although it will mean I don’t get the entertainment of watching our very different sets of co-workers attempt to interact. Which is really probably a good thing.
Purse survey?
I’m interested to know what everyone’s preferred style of bag is. I tend to only carry one bag each season, so I only swap bags for special events. I almost always go for a crossbody, but it’s gotten harder to find precisely what I’m looking for and I’m thinking of trying something new. I have a couple clutches and casual totes, but I’ve never carried a shoulder bag or one with small handles. Any recommendations/considerations?
SAlit-a-gator
I used to be a tote girl…all the way. But I love the feeling of cross-body bags — both hands are free, feel like I could do anything. I have some wristband clutches, but I reserve those for weddings and other formal events. So I think you’ve found the answer (cross-body!), but if you want to try something new, go for a nice structured tote with a significant shoulder strap drop so it fits over winter coats (between 7 to 9 inches is good). Or, check out the convertible cross-body tote I’m looking at from Coach below.
SAlit-a-gator
Need the hive’s help with this important decision:
http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Product-crossbody_city_tote_in_saffiano_leather-10551-10051-23578-en?cs=b4bnh&catId=5000000000000332303
Blue, purple or gray?
BMBG
Puuurrrple. God that’s beautiful.
NYC
I think I’m on team purple, too, even though I am not a fan of the color. That is a great shade of it.
emeralds
+1. The purple is gorgeousssss.
anne-on
Oooh, pretty! I vote purple because I feel it could go better with black/grey (as most of my outfits tend to be). Grey might be better if you plan to wear this year round with lighter colored outfits though.
Lynnet
Yep, definitely purple.
Samantha
Definitely purple! But the Cobalt is a good second choice. Never the gray!
Houston Attny
Oh my. I love the gunmetal, but BMBG is right – the purple is rich.
Killer Kitten Heels
Purple or gray – I love that blue, but that color has been “in” for awhile now, and if you’re planning to use the bag for a few years or more, I feel like the blue could end up making the bag look dated when it would otherwise be classic.
Killer Kitten Heels
*Edit: What I was attempting to say and didn’t manage to express coherently is that I think the cobalt blue color will go out of style some time in the next 8-12 months, which is why buying the bag in blue will make it look dated.
Marilla
Oh they’re ALL so pretty. The purple is beautiful though and really perfectly classic/interesting.
SAlit-a-gator
Thanks guys for the excellent feedback! I really appreciate it – I couldn’t pin point why I was hesitating on the blue, despite it being an awesome color, but you guys nailed it (its so “in,” its likely to go “out” soon). Team purple!
Etc
I’m the cook in the household, and my SO has recently requested my help in losing a little weight – nothing major, just the 15 lbs or so that comes with a desk job and your 30s, although this request has been triggered by the impact a recent multi-week trial had on his ability to comfortably wear all of his suits. He already works out daily, so he thinks diet is key to losing this weight; I agree. The trouble is this: while I am a “grazer” and naturally into portion control, he is the complete opposite. He loves a big meal when he gets home at night. While that is a completely separate battle that he is slowly working to address, what are some healthy recipes for evening meals that can assist (or at least not totally thwart) his weight loss, yet still leave him feeling satisfied? For example, I’ve had success in the past with hearty, healthy soups – he likes them and they are good for him – but what else??
TO Lawyer
Try skinny taste – it’s a website with amazing and really easy recipes and includes calorie counts and WW points. I’ve made probably 10-15 things from it and nothing tastes like “diet food”
mascot
Perhaps take some of his favorite dishes and see if you can prepare a lighter version. Try Cooking Light or Skinnytaste for ideas/
NOLA
We were just discussing this the other day. If you make pasta, just make sure it has a lot more vegetables than pasta or fill in meals with roasted vegetables and smaller portions of meats. Mainly, fill him up on vegetables! I also have a recipe for chicken baked with “creamed” spinach on top. I use about 3x the spinach it calls for, skim milk in the sauce, and go easy on the Parmesan. It’s really good!
NOLA
Here’s the recipe: http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Chicken_Parmesan
I don’t use pimento and I use 2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach, not a half a box. I also often cut the chicken breasts in half if they’re really big.
rosie
Speaking of pasta, you can try spaghetti squash instead of real pasta. I made spaghetti squash primavera last week and it was pretty good. I needed to add some protein, so I mashed a can of chickpeas and added it while cooking–gave it a little nutty flavor, and a ricotta-like texture.
NOLA
Yeah I made sauce with ground turkey (white meat) then added some crushed chili flakes for added flavor. Served over spaghetti squash, it was delicious – and really filling!
Etc
This is totally inspiring me – keep ’em coming! Thank you!
KLG
I often put pesto on spaghetti squash and top with chicken and parmesan cheese.
Ellen
He need’s to start eating healthy, and to exercise ALOT using a FITBIT. You are very lucky to have a husband who will listen to you. Many men think that once they are married, we just have to cook for them and they can get FAT. FOOEY on that. I want a guy who will NOT get SLOVENELY once we are married. I had a guy (Alan) who was getting very SLOPPY even before we were married. DOUBEL FOOEY!
There are alot of guys who think that we will be happy as long as they are provdeing for us. While it is true that I want a guy to provide for me (and our children, b/c I realy do NOT want to work), we also need fulfilment, which can take the form of a job of our choice, even if it is NOT fulltime and even if it is NOT goieng to bring in money. It can also take the form of volunter work, or just workeing out with others at the gym, which is what ROSA does.
I agree we should remain svelte for our husband’s if we do not want them to get fat, but they need to know that we may have to pack on alot of weight if we are to bear children. My mother told me she NEVER had a tuchus until AFTER she got pregnant with ME, and then ROSA, and once this was over, she could NEVER get rid to the tuchus b/c she was kept so busy takeing care of us.
So I would be very careful in cookeing for your husband, and do NOT let him eat out b/c they put alot of sugar and salt in their food’s. You do NOT want him getting fat from prepared food’s either. My dad INSISTS that mom make EVERYTHING from scratch — not even a cake mix. So this way, Dad stay’s svelte even if he eat’s alot. He onley take’s mom out to eat a restrunt’s that serve organic and she has a STRICT calorie count. But he doe’s too, so he is not unreasoneable.
YOU are so lucky to be MARRIED. I want to be married too! Hopefully one of my men will turn into a prince rather then a FROG. YAY!!!!!!
Clementine
Tips- Eat on your dessert/salad plates. Portions appear larger on a smaller plate. Also, the average dinner plate 30-40 years ago is the size of today’s dessert/salad plate.
Everyone is right when they say veggies, veggies, veggies! Don’t forget roasting veggies which is a phoenomenal way to not feel like you’re dieting. Roasted green beans are a fantastic french fry like substitute and big dishes of roasted squash, sweet potatotes, carrots, etc. can feel incredibly indulgent even when roasted with just a tiny bit of olive oil.
Focus on 50% veggies at least at every meal for him- most men have a volume requirement that this helps fulfill.
When you’re busy, get a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and use it to make tons of good food- chicken lettuce wraps, taco salads with shredded chicken, etc.
anon2
Pasta e fagioli from Sundays at Moosewood vegetarian cookbook. More like a pasta sauce than a soup, but really filling, healthy and delicious. I use frozen spinach for ease and any other veggies I have rolling around in the fridge. http://www.moosewoodcooks.com/2011/07/pasta-e-fagioli/
preg 3L
A former coworker of mine had great success losing weight on what she called the 800-800 diet. She had 800 calories spread over breakfast (which she hated and rarely ate much of anything), snacks, and lunch (salads). Then she had an 800 calorie dinner, because she just loooved that FULL feeling. She lost a TON of weight and felt amazing about being able to do it without feeling deprived. So, don’t be discouraged that your DH loves that super full feeling!! He can still lose weight if he wants!
Anon in NYC
I tend to eat protein and veggies at dinner, and save my carbs for earlier in the day. I bulk up on veggies at night (between 1.5-2 cups of veggies per dinner, on average). My DH and I like to roast veggies (our favorites are brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes), and make a protein to go with it. Also, my DH and I just made mashed rutabaga the other night that was out of this world (we made them like mashed potatoes). I have found that adding an element of indulgence (read: fat) is key for me to not feel deprived, so adding things like avocado to a salad with chicken and veggies, or adding a sauce of some sort for the protein helps.
I think braising meats (or cooking something in the slow cooker) is also a great idea in winter because they often feel more comfort food-ish but you don’t have to add unnecessary calories. The recommendation for Skinny Taste is a good one – she has a lot of slow cooker recipes.
For another healthy soup idea, google Wegman’s slow cooker beef minestrone. I’ve made this in the slow cooker and on the stove. It’s easy to modify to fit what you have on hand and it’s so delicious.
Anon in NYC
Oh, and I totally get your SO’s desire for volume. I am a person who cares about volume of food, and eating a lot of veggies really does fill you up. I’ve found that the trick is to make two types of veggies for 1 meal. So you have a protein, plus two veggie sides for variety. It makes it a lot more interesting to eat your veggies.
anon in tejas
turkey meatloaf (with polenta– cut on butter, cheese, and milk, just use chicken broth/veggies)
risotto (one pot wonder! with less meat and more veggies, cut back on butter, cheese)
falafel sandwiches with french fries (sweet potato)
homemade chili with fritos/frozen mac and cheese (split a single serve)
fish, like baked salmon
we are having chicken pot pie for dinner tonight, which isn’t particularly healthy, but delicious. made filling this weekend and just have to make buiscuit topping.
anon in tejas
tacos (we use the cooks country easy chicken taco recipe, which is pretty healthy), but I always do a side of sauteed squash and have one veggie taco, one 1/2 meat 1/2 veggie taco. those types of substitutions make a big difference!
anon
I would definitely recommend making the switch to having a real dinner at night. It’s especially good once you have kids (if you plan to)– it’s healthier all around. I didn’t used to– we would buy ingredients and then order takeout or go out instead. But we changed our ways when I had kids and got a less demanding job.
Skinnytaste is awesome. I made her Asian Turkey Meatballs last night. Also try the Three Bean Turkey Chili in the slow cooker. And if you don’t already have a slow cooker, you might think about getting one– easiest dinners ever. Throw in a package of chicken breasts and a jar of salsa, that’s tacos/burritos, and healthy, too. Or what I’m making tomorrow– sweet potato black bean burritos (seriously easy and really good). We tend to eat steak, grilled chicken or fish early in the week, so right after I buy it on Sunday, and then the slow cooker stuff later in the week. We have a roasted vegetable (usually broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans) with every dinner, unless we run out and then it’s raw carrots. Do you have a rice cooker? Also a genius invention– dump in rice and water, push button, save the extra for the next meal.
AIMS
I recommend making a lot of lentils and putting spinach in everything. I’m only half joking. But lentils (I like the little green french ones) are very healthy and have a ton of protein and fiber, which makes them very filling. Spinach is also good for keeping you full. I tend to do a scramble egg on top of wilted spinach on multigrain toast for breakfast and it keeps me full till lunch. For dinner, I like lentils with lots of veggies on top – e.g., lentils, roasted beets and carrots with pumpkin seeds; lentils with spinach and mushrooms; lentils with spinach, garlic, and fried egg; lentils and zucchini and peppers… you get the idea. You can also use lentils to make veggie burritos, soups, stews, chili, you name it.
Eating soup before a meal is also a good way to lose weight. I tend to make a big pot of some broth based veggie soup and then eat a cup for lunch or with dinner – I find I am much less hungry this way. In general, as someone who also like to feel full at dinner, I think eating a variety of things helps me feel full vs. eating a bowl of all one thing, which just means I can eat it mindlessly forever.
Career development resources?
My boss has asked me to put together a career/professional development plan. Not of the, “what I want to be when I grow up variety”, I already have a PhD and work in a reasonably well-defined area, but more of the “what role do I want 10 years from now” variety. The purpose is to help us figure out what types of projects, and in which capacity, I should be taking on.
This is fairly hard for me, since I’ve always been driven more by content than role. In other words, I want to work on “candy”, so I find a job that sounds interesting at a “candy” factory. I know roughly that I want to continue to increase my responsibility and decision-making authority, but I’ve never thought really deeply about exactly which roles I want. So I think this would be a good exercise for me. But if anyone can suggest any good guides/templates/worksheets for figuring this stuff out, I’d truly appreciate it.
MJ
Check out rileyguide dot com to see if they have anything like this….
Wildkitten
I am seriously considering getting a career coach to help me do this, because I am not trying to get a new job, I am trying to strategically develop my career, and I am kind of at a loss.
ss
It may also help to consider folks who have an additional 10 years under their belt at your current employer and its industry peers, and figure out what looks most appealing as a goal. Keep broadening your scan if you don’t see your immediate seniors in appealing jobs, and don’t be afraid to present a stretch from your current role … this is 10 years out after all !
Lady Tetra
For those of you at law firms, what are your firm’s expectations with respect to first- and second-years being in the office between Christmas and New Years (if they don’t have a work project going on)? I’ve been getting mixed signals at my firm, and I know that means I should come in, but I’m just wondering what other firms do.
mascot
Are you in corporate or litigation? Are the other folks in your practice group busy? If there are a bunch of year end deals happening, there’s a good chance you could get pulled into something. It’s still in the realm of possibility a client could get a wild hair and want to close a deal by the end of the year. I’d re-assess after the first of December. My advice for litigation is similar. You’ll probably need to get inside the 30 day filing period or whatever to really see what is going to be due that week. Some attorneys use this as a jerky tactical advantage to drop a motion when they figure the other side will be preoccupied.
Nonny
Also, if corporate, you could still have some last-minute December 31 tax reorgs coming in. At this point, it is too early for you to make plans to be elswhere.
Tiger
I was there for my first year, as was the managing partner. My rule is if he’s there, I’m there. The firm also sprung yearly reviews on us that week. the partners in charge of that were seriously pissed so many first years were gone. We’re a small, IP boutique with allegedly flexible hours.
Anon
Be there unless/until told otherwise. That said, I’d pack a gym bag and take advantage of slow days with file cleaning, general admin stuff (planning doctor’s appts. etc.), workouts and extended lunches. You want to be seen, but if your hours are in and no one is knocking on your door handing you assignments, be realistic and take a break so you can start the year fresh and ready to roll.
I had a boss who told me one year that he didn’t expect to see me after the office party (Dec. 19 or so) until the New Year – best “gift” ever!
Lady Tetra
Thanks. This is kind of what I’m envisioning happening (the first part, not the super generous boss part!).
Anon in NYC
I agree. My first year I was in the office, but most people left early and took long lunches. My second year I worked from home.
roses
Everyone in litigation worked from home in my office. The regulatory people were all here though – apparently the gov likes to release new rules right before they go on vacation.
anon
We had the worst situation– we had all been slow in October/November, so the head of the new associate program swooped in and said we had no business taking time off at the holidays. But . . . there was definitely a lot of coming in late, leaving early. It was just hard to take off to visit family or go skiing.
Anon
If you don’t want to be in the office between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you need to take the days as pre-planned vacation days. If the office is open, the expectation is that employees will be there.
Sad anon
Agree. I’m a fifth year now and I’ve taken vacation three times during that week, but worked remotely as needed. I work for a small, laid back practice group in a large firm.
Miss Behaved
Ladies with wide calves, I just picked up these boots at the Nordstrom sale: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/naughty-monkey-same-note-boot/3511374?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Taupe&resultback=0&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A
They just came in the mail, but I think I love them.
Senior Attorney
I would expect you to be there unless you had arranged well in advance to take vacation time.
Which is not to say you might not arrive a little later than usual, take longer lunches, and perhaps depart a little earlier than usual. But if the office is open I’d expect you to be there.
Senior Attorney
Oops! That was for Lady Tetra, above.
Anonymous
TJ: I need a new winter coat. I currently have a long, dark grey, wool overcoat. I could go with just the same thing, but what is “in,” and warm?
Boots
This may be too late. But – can someone please explain boots to me? I know – what a silly question, but it’s honest. I am plus size, so I stick with pants / jeans that are bootcut. I see all these beautiful boots that go up to your knee, but it’s all going to be covered by the pant leg, so I don’t understand the purpose. So would you only wear those with skinny jeans or leggins that can be tucked inside the boot? I won’t touch skinnies with a 10 foot pole. Am I relegated to a lifetime of boring booties that look like shoes?
A Nonny Moose
Why no skinnies, at least with knee-high boots? I would think they would look the same as boot cut once you have your boots on.
Anonymous
You can wear knee-high boots with skirts/dresses and tights…
anon
You can definitely wear skinnies with boots– and a longer top or sweater. It will look good! Really a similar effect as bootcut pants– the boots balance you out on the bottom.
AIMS
Most knee high boots aren’t that comfortable under the pants (at least for me) and usually have a tell tale line. You can tuck in but if you don’t like that look, you can do what I do and just use them to keep your legs warm all winter when you wear skirts. I love skirts/dresses and boots.
Anonymous
I saw the post about a winter coat. More and more women seem to wear down rather than dressier will or cashmere which I find less warm. I just found two down coats …one knee length from lands end for about 130 and one from thenorthface. Its 470 but is a three piece number called Suzanne something that looks awesome.
NYNY
I’m pear-shaped and thick of thigh, and I find that pants of any kind tucked into boots make me look stumpy, so I get your preference. I like knee high boots under wide leg pants in winter for an extra layer of warmth. And I love knee high boots with skirts and dresses from fall through spring – basically until sandal season.