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My brother is mildly obsessed with the New York Times crossword puzzle — so I was really interested when Wired had an article earlier this year on “crossword upstarts” offering “younger” clues, shall we say:
One of the names, ROXANE, could have been clued as a reference to best-selling (and living) author Roxane Gay but instead defaulted to a character from the 19th-century play Cyrano de Bergerac.
One of the presents my brother has coming his way this year is a crossword subscription to American Values Club Crossword, also known as the AVCX because it's affiliated with the pop culture publication A.V. Club. A subscription for the year was only $20, and I liked that you could pick the date your gift recipient would get the email. If you really want to go all-in on a gift, you could also get a small iTunes gift card or Play gift card so they could get one of the supported crossword apps.
Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- 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
- 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 – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- 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.
- 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…
Diana Barry
Can I get some kudos? In the last week, I sat in 8 hours of internal meetings involving tense conversations and employee performance and salary reviews. I helped staff our firm booth at a conference and then had a long rehearsal (all after the first 3 hours of meetings). I had my work holiday party and successfully encouraged my husband to come with me even though he had a man cold. I took the kids to all of their weekend activities on the same day that I had a concert, in which I gave all the pitches and sang well even though I also had a cold and was running on little sleep (and brought cookies to the post-concert reception that I had previously baked). I made 4 cookie doughs for cookie-baking with my friend and we made 500 cookies. I ordered the presents for my niece and nephew on my husband’s side. I addressed most of our holiday cards and did the stamps and return address labels. I sent out a bunch of projects to clients. Maybe someday I can sleep?
Go for it
You are the very very best !!
Housecounsel
You have my congratulations and blessing for a long nap. This is a crazy season both for work and for kid stuff and many of us have to be superwomen for handling it all. Also, you just reminded me I haven’t ordered the presents for the nieces and nephews on my husband’s side. (I choose to do this because it’s fun). Thank you!
NOLA
Congratulations and good for you! Now get some rest!
Anon.
You rock!
Anonymous
This is why I don’t eat cookies from strangers during cold season. And your sick husband could and should have stayed at home for something non-obligatory. Nice you guys have recovered in time to enjoy your holiday. Hopefully others around you and their families get to experience the same.
Anon
Rude. You could have made your point in a much more graceful way, unless you just enjoy being graceless and grumpy and snotty to people.
Senior Attorney
Also reading comprehension fail: “cookies I had previously baked.”
Sheesh. Don’t be mean.
Anonome
+100
Anon
This is why I don’t hang around with people like Anonymous at 3:42.
Go for it
+1
Anonymous
Man colds are typically when a man is very dramatically acting like they’re at death’s door when it’s an extremely minor complaint. Hence why she specified and convinced him, I imagine.
SA addressed the “previously baked” part, but also she said she made cookie dough for cookie baking. Ovens kill germs.
Senior Attorney
Huzzah!!!
nylon girl
Way to rock it!
Gift help please!
I’m looking for a relatively inexpensive (ideally under $50 USD) Christmas gift for my SIL. She’s very fashionable, travels lots for work and is a mom to two toddlers. She likes cooking gourmet meals, but doesn’t have lots of time. She also has lots of stuff already (her closet/makeup counter is literally what dreams are made of) and a smallish house, and I’m a little hesitant to do most typical consumables because I believe she’s trying to avoid extra calories (chocolate) and I’m traveling internationally with a carryon so I can’t do wine due to the liquid limits. The only thing I can come up with is a little travel jewelry case and nice hand cream, so I’d love options.
Cat
-upgraded travel accessory? like a nice portable charger, cord organizer, or pouch? think Mark & Graham. I NEVER have enough pouches when traveling internationally in particular. Packing cubes? Pretty silk eye mask?
-I love doing crosswords when I travel but prefer the NYTimes ones because I have better random arcane knowledge than the “modern” Roxane reference mentioned above, lol – a subscription just to the crosswords would be in your budget. Or a few e-books for her to add to her Kindle?
-if you’re coming from Europe, skincare brands can be far less pricey for you to buy there than for her to buy at home, so the fancy cream idea isn’t as boring as it may sound!
Anon
Uncommon Goods has an infinity scarf that has a blow up travel pillow in it that I plan to buy myself if I don’t get it for Christmas. I hate lugging regular travel pillows. They always fall off of my luggage. I like that I can just wear it as a scarf until I need it and the scarf will keep it in place while I’m using it.
anon
Fancy spices. I would love a spice blend from La Boite, or you could order from Penzey’s, Burlap and Barrel, Daphnis and Chloe, or any international specialty store, especially if there’s a particular cuisine she enjoys cooking.
Senior Attorney
I would LOVE a nice travel jewelry case, FWIW.
Anon
Cuyana has a gorgeous one. (The mini. full size is too big)
Anon
Monogrammed packing cubes?
Monogrammed luxe leather organizer such as: https://www.markandgraham.com/products/monogrammed-soho-organizer/?cm_src=AutoRel
Mongrammed leather pouch: https://www.markandgraham.com/products/monogrammed-colorblocked-striped-pouch/?pkey=cmonogrammed-pouches-cosmetics&isx=0.0.1200 or mini roll: https://www.markandgraham.com/products/everyday-italian-leather-mini-roll/?pkey=cmonogrammed-pouches-cosmetics&isx=0.0
Metallic clutch bag (pouch?): https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/astwood-clutch-bag-navy-metallic/sty-a0559-nvy?cat=C1_S2_G1
Ellen
If she’s on the road alot, she probably could use a sleep mask or something similar to help her catch a few zzzzzzees.
Anonymous
A collection of W&P carry-on carry on cocktail kits. They are bit cutesy but makes an otherwise annoying plane ride amusing and mini-luxurious.