ByKat Hours Updated
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Workwear Hall of Fame: Teddie Tote

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best tote bag for work GiGi I've mentioned before that the GiGi New York cobalt clutch I was gifted at a blogging conference is one of my favorite clutches — the color is vibrant and the embossed leather is high quality, and sturdy but interesting; it's held up well for the three years I've had it (although I should note I obviously don't use the clutch on a daily basis). The brand has just started one of their big sales, meaning some colors of their Teddie Tote now come down to $206. In addition to internal pockets and magnetic closure, there is now a center interior zip divider pocket, as well as updated details on the straps; I also like the little feet. I, of course, am drawn to the kelly green and cobalt — but if you're more in the mood for sedate colors they also have black and navy, as well as lighter colors like white, oyster, pink, yellow, and more for as low as $177 (actually, they have a bunch of colors if you go in through the sales link). I just emailed my friend who prefers backpacks this link ($285 down from $475), and if I hadn't recentlyish bought a new wallet I'd be eyeing this bad boy (now $109). Gigi New York Sale  2019 Update: We're adding this bag to our Workwear Hall of Fame because it's still around, coming out in new colors, and getting rave reviews. Note that Last Call sometimes has the brand on sale as well! This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Sales of note for 12.5

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

142 Comments

  1. Wow, Kat, this is a great buy! REAL leather and time tested by you and only $206!!!! I must show the manageing partner and hopefully he will approve so that I can carry my Macbook Air in it instead of my own tote!

    If anyone in the hive knows a good Condo lawyer, let me know. Dad is livid at the place we put a deposit down on b/c they have NOT broke ground yet, and he wants our money back, and I agree! Besides, I want to stay on E77, and will NOT be happy on W53rd. FOOEY!

  2. Stuck in mod this morning, so trying again.

    I need to find a black jacket that I can layer over a business dress for an interview at the end of the week. In-person shopping is a LAST RESORT for me– so I’m asking the Hive. I’ve lost a ton of weight recently and have discovered that none of my blazers fit me at all anymore.

    I have several different colors of a dress with the cut that I’ll link to in comments– If I could find a tailored black jacket that would work with it, that would be IDEAL. At this point I’m looking for Nordstrom or Amazon because of fast shipping and return policy… but I’d be open to other options.

    Thank you in advance.

      1. The Brooks Brothers jacket featured as last week’s Suit of the Week may look cute with this.

  3. One more try – someone please help me with a restaurant for lunch in Denver! I would love somewehre we could eat outside. Thanks in advance!

    1. yelp would have reviews, you could narrow down by area and type, and you can see photos of patios and such.

    2. Mercantile or any of the other spots with patios at Union Station; HopDoddy patio (burgers next to Union Station); ChoLon patio; Kitchen patio; My Brother’s Bar patio (grubby burgers; oldest bar in Denver? I think?). Osteria Marco and Tag are both in Larimer Square and each have a few tables outside on their patios.

        1. This is like the same list you could have got on Yelp, why did you need your recommendations to come from here?

      2. LOVE My Brother’s Bar. The burgers are yum and the ambiance seems classically “old Denver.”

  4. Last fall, I bought about 15 sweaters. I bought them a little roomy so they were sort of slouchy/comfy. I wore 2 of them over the winter months, the rest stayed in the closet, tags on. After 9ish months of hard work, I’ve now lost approx. 35 lbs (dropping 3-4 sizes all over), plus the sweaters were larger to begin with, so they’re now approx. 4 sizes too big- no longer slouchy, just something I’m swimming in. Is there anything I can do with these sweaters with the tags still on or is this just a case of me being SOL?

    If there’s nothing I can do, I’ll try to find a donation facility for working women or something so that someone gets use out of them, it just seemed logical to me to find out people’s experiences here rather than to only use the website’s listed policy. (I’m also probably spoiled after shopping Nordstrom for so long!)

    1. JC Penney isn’t a high-end department store, so I strongly suspect that you are out of luck. You could try selling online, but I suspect that your time would be better spent donating to a non-profit and taking the tax deduction.

    3. Used to work at Penney’s about 7-8 years ago. At this point, you’d probably get the lowest price they most recently sold for (so bottom clearance) as a store credit. I’d just donate them somewhere.

    4. If you have the receipts, I’d try taking them to the store and see what you can get. I don’t buy from Penney’s often, but for some reason I thought they had a pretty generous (like, year long) return window, as long as you have the receipts.

      1. I thought this, as well. If you have the receipt, I’d definitely try to return the sweaters.

        1. If they were purchased en masse because it was some sort of sale – at an already lower priced store – that would change the economics of the question.

          1. I just moved from hot climate all year to the midwest where winter clothes are necessary. With nothing in my closet for that climate, I bought 15 sweaters at once and a few other odds and ends for layering. Hope that clears up the confusion!

          1. Because the answer may be different based on the idea of whether anyone cares about 1 item with tags still on (which many people have in their closets) and an entire section of the wardrobe (where people may better understand why the question was asked and why it matters).

    6. They recently changed their return window to 45 days. It used to be undefined. If you have a store nearby, try taking it in. Otherwise – poshmark or donate.

    7. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you decided to Poshmark them or sell them on a FB neighborhood group to make a little cash back, but definitely look up your local Dress for Success if you’re willing to donate. My local branch typically has the greatest need for larger sizes, and they would be very much appreciated there.

  5. Due to medical issues, DH can’t tie shoes right now. But he needs shoes that are supportive enough for a whole day at a standing desk, and dressy enough for court (at least, court in a podunk town). We were thinking nice loafers?
    He has wide, size 13 feet. Any suggestions?

    1. M Gemi? Expensive but so nice. The Volo looks gorgeous and goes up to size 14.

    2. Ecco slip on loafers are worth a shot. My dad buys a pair a year, and he loves them. They offer comfort and support through his long work days and lots of travel. They look really classy, too.

      1. My husband wears Ecco loafers and swears by them. Mephisto loafers are also good, if higher in price.

    3. Clark’s has nice men’s loafers for reasonable prices. Lots of options on Zappos.

  6. Does anyone have the Joy Mangano “My Little Steamer?” The way the cord-retract is placed on the bottom of the handle, I keep hitting it with the palm of my hand and it yanks it out of the wall socket. Last night I was using it and it hit me in the eye! Does anyone else have this problem? It’s really a safety hazard!!

    1. I had it but it spit so much hot water onto my hands I got rid of it and got another travel steamer from Amazon.

      1. When mine starts doing this it is because it needs cleaning – vinegar soak per the directions.

    2. I love mine! Haven’t had that problem, but it does seem to be a really fast retraction.

  7. I just need to vent – I feel like all my ex boyfriends have no problem finding new girlfriends and yet – I find it so hard to even meet men I’m interested in enough to consider going out on more than a couple dates. Ultimately, I know the reasons we broke up are good, and I’m over them so it’s not like I’m jealous per se… just wondering when it will finally happen for me.

    3. I feel the same way. It’s something I am just getting to with my therapist. I’m hoping it helps.

    4. Right there with you, too. It’s like they all learn how to be better people with me and then they instantly meet their person after we break up. It feels incredibly unfair and exhausting.

      1. Amen to this – I think what could help is to remember that you have no idea whats going on in the actual relationship. Not sure if this will make you feel better but a friend recently got with a guy who was a playboy and on the outside, it looks like he’s “changed for her” but they he has some commitment issues and it doenst seem like he’s changed much at all.

      3. I did this a lot in my twenties, and “training men for other women” was a good description of my dating life.

        Eventually, I just stopped trying to make it work with those men. Asking to be trained is a form of emotional manipulation: it makes their immaturity your fault.

        Not wasting my time with that nonsense was great – I was single and not emotionally strung out when I met my soon to be husband. He doesn’t need training; he is a mature person who has long wanted to assume the responsibilities of marriage and family.

        So… advice is to not put up with it or “try to make it work.” If he wants it to work, he’ll man up. Don’t get too concerned about him moving on; she’s probably dealing with that nonsense, too. Just be single and emotionally available when the right one comes along.

        -your unofficial aunt or something

        1. Oh for sure–I’m not spending time TRYING to change men. But nonetheless, they learn to be better people/better partners with me even if I do everything I can not to date fixer uppers.

          1. I hear you, believe me I do. The men I dated in my twenties were, on paper, good men, good matches, responsible, mature, etc. (I think I’ve dated half the non to moderate drinking, family loving accountants and scientists in my city.)

            But… I still put up with too much. In retrospect, a lot of those relationships should have been over after the second or third date.

            At one point, a friend said something to me that made a lot of sense and really changed my entire perspective: if I was being treated like this (“this” being flaking on plans) at the beginning of a relationship, when he’s trying to court and impress me, it’s only going downhill from there.

            There are a lot of parts of relationships that improve over time, but if you’re frustrated or exhausted on the first few dates, it’s time to call it quits.

            Seriously, so, so many men learned to be better people by dating me. I just felt so empty at the end of it – empty, tired, unfulfilled, and frustrated.

          2. Yeah, I’m in my mid-30s, not mid-20s. The men who are left who are single are….it’s a nightmare. There are lots of Peter Pans and irresponsible men and just mainly lots of men who’ve been able to just casually date without making any commitment for so long that they just don’t ever want to do more than that. It’s a huge problem because there are very few men who are actually someone who could be a real mate without having to mature first. I’ve tried all the options–giving lots of chances for men to rise to the occasion, cutting it off after one or two dates if it’s frustrating or hard, taking dating breaks, going out with people who aren’t my “type,” going out with people who are only my “type,” going out with people my friends recommend, going out with people met online and in real life–it doesn’t matter, it just isn’t happening. I’ve been on literally hundreds of dates with hundreds of men. It’s just.not.happening. So, OP–I get it, I feel you, I hope for both of us that it happens.

    5. Your ex’s new girlfriend just doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into. For the most part, people don’t change. They new girlfriend will soon be the old girlfriend and then the ex girlfriend for similar reasons that you two broke up. If they actually do get married, the wife is nothing like you. I’m sure my exes will get married to a doormat with no ambition and is fine with being a 1950’s housewife. They will be nothing like me and that’s fine. You have no idea what’s going on in someone’s relationship and it doesn’t mean they’re happy. Better to be happy and single than compromising you values and needs. You’ll be fine!!!

  8. Does anyone here have experience wearing wigs as a daily style? There is nothing wrong with my own hair except for a recent haircut that went too short with too much volume. I see all these women hair extensions and realistic wigs that look fabulous everyday, but don’t know what the day to day or upkeep is like to do that.

    Is human hair or synthetic better? Is it healthy, hot, does it itch? Tips!

    1. A friend with breast cancer was encouraged to “get the most expensive” wig she could because insurance would pay for all of it. I never once saw her in it — she found it really itchy and uncomfortable and just wore turbans the whole time she was going through chemo. (She’s better now, thank goodness!)

      1. I’m thinking that might not apply to me so much because 1) it’s being paid for out of pocket so won’t be the most expensive and 2) I have a barrier of a full head of hear so it may not be as itchy. Wanted experience from someone who wears them regularly for fun.

        1. I think the point is that if a very expensive wig is itchy and uncomfortable, they all are. There’s no way a cheap wig will be more comfortable than a very expensive one.

    2. I have a family friend who has allopecia. Wigs are incredibly hot, and this time of year, when it’s humid, really uncomfortable. I would go to a different stylist to see if you can salvage the cut before I’d go this route.

      Side note–my friends and I wore wigs from the dress up box all the time in college, and well, the only time that I didn’t notice I was incredibly hot and uncomfortable in cheap wigs was when I was really drunk! So there’s two anecdata points for ya!

      1. Yeah this. I tried to wear wigs when I had chemo, but it was just so miserable (and I was already physically uncomfortable for other reasons) I went with head wraps. After I recovered, aside from being happy I was you know alive, I noticed my hair grew back to be very thin. I got hair extensions to thicken my hair. That was much better than wigs in terms of comfort, but there was a lot of tangling and upkeep. The synthetic ones were not awesome (uncontrollable), and the human hair ones were better, but I was worried about ethical issues with them. I ended up just getting a pixie and calling it a day.

    3. If you are on good terms with a black woman, she might be able to point you in the direction of local resources, especially if she changes her hairstyles often. I’ve heard that lace front wigs are less obvious, wigs are hot, and there are ways to protect your hair underneath. Human hair is considered of higher quality and is more expensive.

    4. Human hair is going to look more realistic than synthetic and will allow you to use a flat iron or curlers.
      Wearing a wig is as healthy as you make it. As long as you take care of your hair underneath you won’t have any problems.
      I haven’t had issues with itching, but I do find some wigs to be hot in the summer.

      1. How do you care for your hair underneath? Do you do wear plaits or French braids? I’ve seen cornrows on Kardashians getting extensions installed. Or should I just keep a super short cut?

  9. I’ve lately bought a pair of flowy black ankle pants. In the store, they seemed fantastic. But I have absolutely no idea what to pair them with. Does anyone have any genius ideas?

    1. I always like to balance volume with tailoring and vice versa. Flowy skirt? Tailored top. Drapey top? Tailored ankle pants.

      In this case, I would personally go with a tailored sleveless shell. Assuming the pants are black, I’d actually go with a black fitted sleeveless top that I have and then wear colored earrings and shoes.

    3. Crop top or bodysuit if you’re on the trendy side. Something classic like the wrap top from MMLF if not…

  10. My hair dryer is (hopefully) finally dying. It’s a ConAir something that does a servicable job… but I really want to upgrade.

    Here’s the kicker – can I find something really noticibly better for less than $100? I was looking at a few in the $200 range and my husband got a bit of sticker shock and offered to duct tape two $25 hair driers together for double the drying power and still save $150!’.

    Note: he really wouldn’t care if I spent any amount of money on a hair dryer, he is just a smarta$s who I love deeply.

    1. I got a BaByliss a couple of years ago for under $100 on A-zon. It works well on my fine, straight (but lots of it) hair.

    2. DryBar Baby Buttercup. Works the same as the bigger version and as a bonus it is travel size.

      1. I have this and love it. Its light, foldable, and works quick for my not difficult to dry hair. But, I also only rough dry with a hair dryer as I am round brush incompetent.

        1. Can I just say how glad I am to know that someone else is “round brush incompetent”? Not to say that I’m happy at your misfortune, just that I’m happy to know that I’m not the only person in the world who can’t wield a round brush efficiently (or at all, truth be told). I just don’t have Round Brush Skills™.

    3. I got the Harry Josh around November and really like it. I’ve noticed a lot less frizz with it.

      1. Isn’t that one more expensive than the one’s she’s already considering?

        1. She didn’t say specifically which ones she was considering, just a price range of $200. I think I got mine for around $200 at Dermstore with a coupon code. In any case, I think it answers the question of whether the quality increases noticeably after $100, and for me it did.

        2. That hair dryer is actually the one that made my husband offer to zip tie (sorry, not duct tape) 2-3 hair dryers together for me.

          But I do have a ‘treat yo-self’ type of milestone coming up…

          1. Treat yo-self girl! :)

            But seriously, I do really like mine. I was dealing with a lot of frizz, and I feel like my hair is smoother now that I’ve switched. I found a 20% off coupon code from Dermstore, which I’m pretty sure put the price right at $200, so definitely search around for a code if you get that one!

    4. There’s a T3 hair dryer on sale at Costco right now for $100. I haven’t bought it but have been thinking about it. Link to follow.

      2. I have that one. It is quieter than the Babyliss, but I’m not sure it dries faster. My DH likes it better because it’s quieter, so that may be a selling point if you ever get ready at the same time/share a bathroom. Both the Babyliss and the T3 are demonstrably better than a Conair or Revlon.

    5. I am pretty much obsessed with the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer Brush and Volumizer, which is a round brush with a hair dryer together. I have spent money on fancy hair dryers, and this one is hands down the easiest and fastest way for my hair to look good. It’s on Amazon for $60.

    6. You can you can get the Amika Power Cloud from Birchbox for $100. I can’t recommend it enough. I have perfectly good, but inferior, GHD in a closet that was replaced by the Amika. All the Amika dryers are wonderful, but most are more expensive.

  11. I promised to come review my new Thinx undies – I haven’t seen another review of them here but I may have missed it.

    I like them. My primary goal is to reduce my plastic use, and they definitely did that. I never wore them for a full eight hour day at the office, but they were up to every task I gave them—i.e., put them on before spin class and then changing afterwards, one overnight on a later night in the cycle so not as heavy.

    In fact, I think they could have handled more than that, so next month, I will probably wear them for longer times. But even with this amount of use, I definitely saved some t a m p and p a d use, so that makes me happy in itself. I would like them to replace those items completely, but realistically, they probably won’t. But each one you DON’T use is a win!

    1. In terms of reducing other menstrual products, I LOVEEE my divacup and have heard great things about pairing it with thinx.

      1. +1. This is what I do, but I found a different, cheaper brand of menstrual underwear on Amazon (I think Hesta?) that I prefer. The fit is better for me, the decreased cost is a plus, and they’re organic cotton.

        I’m also planning to buy a bidet so I don’t rely on wipes to feel cleaner during the heaviest flow days. Then there will be no plastic involved in my period!

        1. I had no idea Amazon had SO MANY types of menstrual underwear! Do you have to wear a Diva with your Hesta?

          1. Yes, that’s what I meant above – definitely have to wear a Diva for most days, although the Hesta underwear are perfect for the very beginning or tail end when it’s not really worth dealing with the cup.

      2. +1 me too, though I have an Eva Cup. Can easily get through a cycle with zero disposable waste.

        1. To add to this, the Thinx are perfect as backup and for the first day when you’re not sure when things are starting, and the last day or two when you think things are done but just in case…. I have nine pair, and just wear them exclusively my entire cycle.

    4. I really like my Dear Kates. I have three pairs and just do the wash frequently when it’s my time of the month, but it seems like perimenopause is starting so I just keep waiting and waiting for my period to start — so I was thinking of getting a few more pairs so I don’t have to do the wash so frequently.

    5. How is the smell?

      FWIW, I am constantly having animals die in one wall of my house. And I had an issue with what turned out to be a dead person smell once (those detective shows are right: you never forget that smell and it is 100% obvious what it is). So I just have issues with my stomach turning not just with any sort of “old blood” smell but also with even being in some bathroom stalls with a full / older amount of deposits in the “sanitary” (OMG what a misnomer) box.

      I’m out of the house for 12-14 hours and think that in that time (and esp. in the summer), the stench would be bad and leaving stuff around the house to be laundered would be awful.

      Maybe not?

      1. Please tell me the issue with the dead person smell was a dead neighbor and not an Edgar Allan Poe situation.

          1. Really sad story — a neighbor committed suicide. I kept saying that I smelled something. It took a week for something to happen (I guess you can’t just break down a door). But I will never forget that smell or the volume of it.

      2. You’re only supposed to wear them for like 8 hours – I’ll actually bring an extra pair if I’m going to be out for way longer or exercising heavily, in case I need to swap. I only notice a smell if I wear them for a super long time though. And you rinse them after wearing, so they don’t sit around all gross pre-laundry. I do not use them as my primary when I have a heavy flow though – then they are backup for my cup.

      3. I have noticed no smells whatsoever, but I rinse out my menstrual underwear in the shower at the end of the day so it’s not just sitting in the hamper with stains.

    6. I love my thinx too. I had a different brand before (I think called Knix) but they didn’t fit as well. Thinx are more comfortable, have more absorbent material, and fit better.
      One thing that was not clear to me from the website, but the nude colour, and probably all the colours, are lined in black so there is no issue with gross staining.
      I have noticed a smell after wearing for a full day but it’s minor as far as I can tell. If I know I’m going to be out for longer than 8 hours, I think an extra pair is a good idea.

  12. Vicarious shopping help? I need an everyday purse in a neutral color. I’d like to splurge a little for a change, but Michael Kors is the limit of my purse knowledge. I’d like to stay under $500 and don’t carry much (wallet, phone, sunglasses, keys). TIA!

    2. Do you prefer a tote or a crossbody? For the things you’ve listed check out the Cuyana Classic Shoulder Bag or Saddle Bag

  13. A friend and I are doing a girls’ weekend in Willamette Valley this fall. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay (either specific hotels/airbnb or cities generally) in Willamette Valley? Also would be interested in names of wineries/vineyards worth visiting. Thanks!

    1. Check Sunset and Food and Wine. Both have done longish articles on where to go and what to do and what to drink in these areas in the past 18 months.

    2. I haven’t explored the area extensively, but I did go to Willamette Valley Vineyards, just outside Salem, and it was really nice. The tasting room was beautiful and it was really easy to get to. We weren’t expecting much based on its proximity to the highway, but were pleasantly surprised. We have also enjoyed the wines they we get from them each month.

    4. Black Walnut Inn!! I stayed there a couple of years ago and am dying to go back.

    5. My sister lives in McMinnville and I highly recommend it as a Willamette Valley central location. It has a super cute downtown and tons of great spots to eat. There are some great inns/b&bs in and around town and it’s quite accessible to many wineries. It’s about 45-60 minutes SW of PDX

  14. My boss is “new” to the organization; she has been at the helm of our department since January. She has the impression that I have “a lot of capacity” to take on additional and new work at the moment (she just offered my time to others during a meeting). Our organization is big on maintaining a good work/life balance. We are not located in a major city, and new boss recently transplanted from major city company (with long hours) to our organization. I rarely tell her that I do not have time to take on a new project. I will work late into the night, including cc:ing her on those emails, to continue forward progress on my projects. She seems to think this is the norm; its not. How do I tell her that this can’t continue?

    1. “Boss, I’ve maxed out on capacity and I need you to prioritize what I work on. Part of the reason I like this company is the emphasis on work/life balance and being able to leave work at work. I need to be able to get my work done in my 9-5 hours and I’m currently carrying a workload that requires more than that.”

      I mean, you have to use your words, if you haven’t directly said anything yet. If you are part of a wider department is there someone else are her level than can discuss the company culture regarding time commitments? Is she waiting for you to raise the flag and say “I’m full and can’t take on anything else unless something else goes”?

      Basically – start saying no (and why), if you know you’ll have back-up from her peers or boss.

      1. This, but don’t say “9-5 hours.” Just say “during business hours.” If you say 9-5, that makes you come off like someone who doesn’t ever want to put in the extra time when needed.

    3. The parts about her being from a big city with long hours is good background for us, but it’s not part of your discussion with her.

      Consider framing it as “a workload far outside what is normal” and that it is not sustainable.

    4. Do you keep up with how many extra hours you’ve been working? You can say you don’t have the capacity for reason that you’ve been putting in X hours for X period. Then she has something concrete to go off of.

    5. Honestly, even if you say something, she may not care. If she’s used to people working long hours, and you’re still getting your work done at that quality expected, she may just be a more demanding boss. If she has the authority and autonomy to demand more from you, that may just be where things are headed…

  15. I’ve never taken a cruise and am wondering if there’s some good way to start — like is an afternoon cruise enough to gauge whether we’d get seasick? Any favorite routes? We don’t live near a port and are trying to do it to make vacations easier.

    1. A 1 day cruise would be a waste if you don’t live near a port. I’d start with a 3-4 day cruise – long enough that it’ll be a nice break if you enjoy it, but not so long you’ll be miserable if you don’t like it. The big ships are incredibly stable and seasickness shouldn’t be an issue, but you can always bring meds.

    2. I don’t think a smaller boat like what you’d take for an afternoon bay cruise will give you a good idea of whether you’d get sick on a real cruise ship. Cruise ships are HUGE. They’re basically floating cities. You do not feel the boat move at all.

      1. Actually, cruise ships DO move. Saying that you won’t feel the boat move is not true. We went to Alaska in July up the Inside Passage and it was so rough all the water was tossed out of the numerous swimming pools and it was impossible to walk on the deck without holding on. Cruise employees said it was unusual but not unheard of. They said that going to Hawaii was not usually that bad. Similarly, in storm season, ships have been known to be rough.

        But it all depends on season and where the cruise itinerary takes you. A two day cruise from Seattle to Vancouver would be a good way to try it out or any similar short cruise – out of Boston, Baltimore, Charleston or New Orleans if any short cruises are close to you.

    3. I hate cruises. They look much better in the marketing photos. I would prefer a beach vacation in a cute, walkable city. If you decide to go on a cruise, avoid Carnival or similar cheap cruises.

  16. I always tell myself that I will buy a nicer version of a jean/ pant/ top, and yet when I shop for more expensive /supposedly ‘better’ brands, I don’t find anything objectively flattering. I am an hourglass shape size 12 / 14, and really want to purchase some better quality flattering clothing (not that I don’t have nice things — I do). I am willing to pay to find these, and I even spent several five hour marathon shopping days last summer at Nordstrom, as well as several other mall stores, and boutiques and came up empty handed. I live in a major city, have access to all sorts of malls, stores, online options, etc…, I end up finding something inexpensive as a placeholder — which is fine — but I want some nicer go to versions. I also realize cost is not always an indicator of quality, but I just want to be able to order some outfits that flatter me, rather than constantly buying stuff that is just ‘good enough.’ I have been shopping so many times, with a large budget, and come up empty handed. Not really sure what I am asking, but is there something I’m overlooking?

    1. Lafayette 148 is a brand you might want to consider. It’s $$$ but sometimes is on sale/at discount stores like Nordstrom Rack/Rue La La/Last Call.
      Also, I get accosted when I walk into the pricier boutique section of our local Bloomingdales because the sales people are assigned to specific brands and motivated to make you fall for that brand. When I’ve let those ladies help me, they’ve been fantastic. If I were looking to spend a lot of money and get some help doing it, that is where I’d go.

    2. +1 for working with a sales associate or personal shopper. I’ve had excellent results with Nordstrom’s personal shopping service–email them as much info as possible about your sizes, budget, favorite brands, style preferences and what you’re specifically looking for. Sometimes I’ve sent photos of a piece that I own and want help styling, like a jacket or dress. They’re usually creative and helpful. Not everything is great but it gives you ideas for shopping on your own.

    3. Tailoring. Buy decent quality stuff and then pay to have it tailored to fit you well – you will see the difference.

  17. Huge thanks to whoever recommended Spymaster’s Lady on our last thread on romance books! Read it in a day. Is the rest of the series as good?

    1. No idea, but I just downloaded it! I go through occasional romance novel binges and was just thinking this morning I was due for one. An oldie but goody recommendation in return: Johanna Lindsey’s Savage Thunder. Recommended on – of all things – an NPR podcast. It’s bonkers but in the best way possible.

    2. YES! Some are better than others but The Black Hawk is one of my favorite books.

  18. Embarrassingly, my husband and I do not yet have a will. We are finally making an appointment with an estate lawyer to remedy this. I know the lawyer will be able to answer our questions, but trying to get an initial sense of what we might need or want beyond a basic will. We have two young children. Assets (other than IRAs/401ks/life insurance) of about $200k, including about $100k equity in our house. Obviously, we hope that will increase over time. Outside our retirement accounts, we have no investments more complicated than a CD. Should we be getting a revocable trust, or is a basic will fine? We’re also planning on reciprocal powers of attorney (financial and healthcare) and living wills. Anything else we should be thinking about?

    1. So much of this is state-specific.

      However, as far as POAs go, please please please pick a secondary agent in addition to your primary agent.

      1. Thanks! We’re in Maryland, if that helps. We are planning on designating a secondary agent, although we still need to decide who.

    2. If any of your kids are special needs you may want to set up a special needs trust.

    4. Double check beneficiary designations on bank accounts, 401Ks, life insurance etc. Sometimes people name someone other than their spouse and forget about it years later.

  19. Can anyone comment on the weight of this bag? I currently use a Rebecca Minkoff MAB bag (the large size) and while I love it (the neutral color, the fact that after 3 years it still looks like new, the large size that hold multiple files, a laptop and my lunch), it’s pretty heavy even without anything in it. Maybe what I am looking for is a unicorn – a large bag that can hold files and a laptop and my lunch but also looks nice walking into my office and holds up.

      1. Yeah, but if you want leather, there’s going to be heft to it no matter what. I swapped my Minkoff MAB tote for a Tory Burch one and it’s a little lighter (thinner leather) but still heavy. Tumi is lightweight b/c not leather.

        1. Tumi’s saffiano leather totes are pretty lightweight, actually. I’ve had several. I am carrying a Cuyana now because i love how it looks, but my Tumis were awesome for travel when I had a 75% travel schedule, and they still look great after 4+ years of that nonsense.

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