Holiday Weekend Open Thread

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ASICS GEL-Kayano 19™Something on your mind? Chat about it here. I've noticed a ton of people running in neon and other bright colors — shoes, accessories, the whole nine yards. I can get behind this trend — it seems joyful and happy to me, which is exactly how I want to feel when setting out for a run (or, well, at least upon my return). I like these green and pink running shoes from ASICS, available for $150 at Zappos. ASICS GEL-Kayano 19™ P.S. Happy MLK Day, everyone! If I see any sales worth reporting, I'll do a round-up, so stay tuned… :) (L-3)

Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

449 Comments

  1. Catching up on this week’s posts, and @kiley — your behavior this week was disgusting. To criticize and even mock people’s expressions of sympathy and compassion because they are not tailored exactly to what YOU would want is just revolting. Basically, you’re attacking people that have no reason at all to chime in and help an Internet stranger — but do it anyway. How dare you? Who do you think you are?
    And for what it’s worth, this is an RGA who has gotten more help from this site than I can even account for. Sometimes people have been able to do no more than just offer an internet hug, or the stars that you so snarkily, sneeringly, dismiss. And you know what? It’s helped. You’ve got some nerve telling people that such expressions of sympathy are unwanted.

    1. I can’t even get in to the beginning of this thread so I’ll address some issues here. 1) It was a slightly snarky post, I don’t think it was disgusting. I think the post calling her stupid and offering her brain cells was much more offensive and mean spirited 2) All issues should be taken care of in the thread. If you missed out on insulting her on Tuesday, you miss your chance. Same things with thoughts about e. I think it is not inappropriate to respond to her posts about babies in the thread that she mentioned them, but don’t go make up a new thread about it days later. Don’t get so bent out of shape about a snarky post that you make a thread days later calling kiley disgusting. Also agree with Bunkster that you lose that precious moral high ground when you go anonymous to attack a poster. And if you see a post that makes you this full of rage, take a deep breath, shut the computer down, and take an internet break for a bit. This goes for everyone on this site, even the ones that are coming from a place where they are trying to defend a poster. I think everyone should implement a waiting period when they feel they are posting something out of anger, and it’ll help these conversations from getting so personal.

  2. When did this happen? And for that matter, when we everyone start getting quite so personal attack-y?

  3. I wish I hadn’t had to make a personal attack, and it’s kind of you to defend her. But she responded to a few posters who offered virtual hugs and well wishes of cupcakes/vodka etc to a poster who said she’d just gotten fired with serious snark. She said that they were just being condescending and mocked their expressions of well wishes. It was vile.

    1. uh I really think it was not that bad compared to what you just wrote. Also, leave stuff in the thread they were in. This attack is what strikes me as vile

    2. Also, I think it’s a little unfair to attack someone under the anonymous handle. If you’re going to call someone out by name, you should have the balls to use your own name.

    1. The whole *tea and sympathy* / * vodka and cupcakes* thing is a little weird, you have to admit.

      1. I guess I just see those things as a form of sympathy from one poster to another. I don’t think anyone who posts “vodka and cupcakes” thinks that just vodka and cupcakes will actually fix whatever situation the poster is going through – and I personally think that indulging in that particular combination would probably just add stomach sickness to the poster’s problem.

        But I think that most people say “vodka and cupcakes” and then put in their two cents to actually help, which probably helps other people who might be going through the same problem too.

      2. I always find it a bit weird, too, but I generally just stay out of it. It doesn’t strike me as odd at all times, I just think people use it a bit indiscriminately at certain occasions. So, like, someone has a shitty review, and “vodka and cupcakes” sounds fine. But someone has a miscarriage, and “vodka and cupcakes” just sounds like, “huh?” That said, I just ascribe it to people’s general desire to have community lingo and perhaps some desire to be a little Downton Abbey.

  4. Anyone else in the office today? Thankfully it’s pretty slow here, so I’m hoping to catch parts of the inauguration.

    1. I’m abroad and had completely forgotten it was a holiday in the states. I’m sitting in the library trying to get some work done before a 4:30 meeting. Hoping that BBC streams the inauguration so I can have it on in the background.

    2. I’m here. Sigh. I forgot it was a holiday (not that it mattered, I don’t have it off – damn you “take off the holidays of your choice but they count toward vacation days” policy that compels everyone to work every holiday but Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, out of pure peer pressure!).

      1. Yikes. That sounds rough :( We have a policy of “work on a holiday and take an extra day off of your choice,” so a lot of people end up working so that they can save up more time for an extended vacation. That said, the office is only 25% full.

    3. Yup – but maybe only half a day. Also, the high isn’t supposed to get above 0 F here, so I just wanted to go back home and snuggle into my flannel.

    4. I’m here! I’m Canadian so it’s not a holiday unfortunately, but given how cold it is today, I really wish I could have stayed warm and cozy at home!

      1. It is chucking down snow here as well (although not as bad as the RUK). I have a meeting at 4:30 and am not looking forward to leaving my cozy little corner.

      2. Same here TO Lawyer, same here.

        I’m glad they added Family Day in February, but January needs a holiday. Sick of the Cold Day? Missing the Sun Day? I’m so over winter.

        1. I can’t believe I was hoping it would get cooler in August so I could pull out my fall wear. Past me was seriously deluded.

          At least it’ll only be bad for the next 4-6 weeks right? Then spring comes and we’ll be back to sunshine and bright colors (apparently even after living in Canada all my life, present me is still deluded about the weather).

          1. Hah, I wish next 4-6 weeks. I’m looking at another 2-3 months of snow, the last one is usually April/early May. Then again, last week did hit +8, so it’s not 6 months of all terrible, I’m just cranky because today is chilly.

            You’re not alone in your delusion though, I think there’s a high level of delusion among people who live in bad climates. I heard the following phrases recently: “summer is a state of mind” and “spring is just around the corner”. Both of these things are lies.

          2. that is the one thing I do not miss about living in Calgary. At least things will start looking up by March here in Toronto. And really, I’m turning into a winter wimp because I used to be able to deal with the bad weather in Calgary/Montreal/Ottawa. I am now spoiled by the seemingly warm winters in Toronto.

      3. Same here! Working away in Vancouver and it isn’t so much cold here today as very foggy. I can hardly see the buildings a block away. Very weird.

        But yay, I get to go on vacation to a sunny place at the end of this week. Can’t wait. And all the more reason to get lots done today.

        1. Hi Nonny,

          Not sure how many Vancouver-area readers there are, but have you ever considered (or has there ever been) a Vancouver meet-up?

          I’d love the opportunity to meet some of the other “Overachieving Chicks” in town.

          1. Wooh, I’d love to do a Vancouver meet-up! I didn’t know there was anyone else here, though I believe that viclawstudent is right across the water.

            Maybe tomorrow (on the new thread), I will do a shout-out to see how many of us there are.

    5. I’m here too. My boss isn’t in though, so I’m looking towards a relaxing day where I can be super-productive and then leave early to catch some dinner.

    6. Watching the inauguration footage, and I’m not sure whether I should be proud or embarassed by the fact I could instantly id Malia and Sasha’s coats… (JCrew and Kate Spade, fwiw). I think this is a sign I spend too much time online shopping.

        1. I love Sasha’s swingy coat. So cute and well-suited for her. Both girls look great.

          KC, I couldn’t identify them, but last week at faculty gathering, a new faculty member identified my Kate Spade bag by name. Cracked me up.

          1. Haha. I’m that person, except I rarely verbalize such realizations unless it’s a good friend. I know some people would be put off by a “Oh my gosh, I love your (insert brand, style, etc.) bag!”

            And yes, I agree with you both. The girls look very pretty and I love that they’re both in bright colors!

      1. Sasha and Malia are SO STYLISH. I just can’t get past it. I should not want to steal pre-teen’s wardrobes SO BADLY.

        1. Hey TCFKAG, I know you laugh at my Kelly Clarkson obsession, but she was incredible. She even got a “Wow!”

          1. Naw man – she’s awesome. I totally dig Kelly Clarkson – not to obsession levels or anything, but I think she’s a great role model and her voice is awesome. As long as you ignore things like the Kelly and Whomever movie they made that time. ;-)

            She also sometimes has unfortunate taste in pants. But she looked and sounded amazing today.

    7. I’m in the office today. DH is off, and it made it that much more difficult to come in.

      Do any of you ladies have tips for getting rid of a huge pimple in 2 days? I have (petty) reasons for why I want it gone by Wednesday, and have tried EradiKate (3 nights in a row), a masque (open to other recommendations here), and have been applying a topical solution of 10% benzoyl peroxide twice a day for three days as well. It just keeps growing…

      1. Mario Badescu drying lotion i think is the name–it’s the pink stuff. put it on at night, they disappear.

        1. I’m pretty sure that is the same as my EradiKate, and I’m hesitant to use it again. Last night I used it and since the pimple is in between my eyes, it rubbed off overnight and got into both my eyes. THAT was painful this morning. I’ve heard putting a bandage over it helps the rubbing off, but I’m allergic to something in bandages that creates an imprint of blisters wherever the bandage is. Not attractive on my face. haha. Does the Mario Badescu brand rub off, or does it have better staying power?

  5. I know this is late in the thread, but if anyone is out there, I could use help. A dear friend is losing her father slowly to progressive dementia, and he’s just been given a hospice diagnosis. No idea how long it will be, but think months, not weeks. She is deep in grief.

    If we lived near each other, I would be there with real-life wine and cookies, but we have the entire country in between us. I’m sending her love through email & texts, but I’m thinking of sending care packages, as well. She is absolutely an overachieving chick – probably more so than usual, with frequent time off to travel to see her parents and the requisite catch-up now – so I’m looking to you all for ideas. In similar circumstances, what would you appreciate showing up in the mail?

    1. A good friend is dealing with a parent in hospice (it’s looking like it will be this year). Some things I have thought of/done:

      1) Food delivery gift card (like Seamless) for those days where she just can’t face cooking
      2) Cookie basket (can’t send the wine, can totally send the cookies!)
      3) Definitely being there by email/text/phone whenever she wants to talk
      4) But on the same token, following her lead on when to bring it up. I think it is overwhelming for her to talk about her dying parent in EVERY conversation — so we don’t. Sometimes we just have normal convos about work/romance/whatever and I hope those are just breaks from the reality for her
      5) Funny cards/regular emails with amusing articles, to make her smile
      6) May or may not work in your situation, but I’m planning to attend the funeral when her parent passes. I think / hope she will appreciate the show of support, but this depends on how distant you are I think – I’m driveable to her hometown

    2. My grandmother lived with us while she was under hospice care. It was so hard on my mom because she felt like she couldn’t leave the house except when the nurses were there and she was trying to spend as much time with her mom as possible. At these times, I know she appreciated help on basic life tasks as well as distractions. Could you help with arranging an email update list, or getting in touch with people for her? Is there a favorite restaurant where you could arrange for food to be delivered? Food like Luna Bars that would be easy to take to the hospital? Books or magazines she might want to read while in hospital? A friend sent my mom word searches, and it was a nice easy thing to pick up and put down (also, they’re one of her favorites). Maybe a nice journal to record her thoughts on the process? I think it would also be very special to include any memories or thoughts about her father that you could share.

    3. Is there any kind of activity that she and her father could do together? My grandmother was in hospice near the end (Alzheimer’s), but she and my younger cousins still loved to color together. I feel like we all played Uno too – easier to read than regular cards. She couldn’t remember our names all the time, but I am pretty sure she still enjoyed participating in the activities with us.

    4. momentsofabsurdity, those are all great ideas – thank you. When the time comes, I will try to attend the funeral, if at all possible. She is a high school friend, and her parents are still in our hometown in the Southwest, so if I can get there in time, I have a place to stay.

      anon and Tired Squared, I appreciate the suggestions, and will think about anything that may help with the actual hospital time. My friend and her sisters all live far from their parents, and are alternating turns traveling there to support their mother. Maybe I need to send care packages to her (the mother) as well. I was thinking only about things to send my friend for when she is in her home, away from her father’s illness and her family’s support, but your ideas are making me think beyond that. Thank you.

      1. Are your parents still in the hometown? Could you send them $ or giftcards and ask that they deliver food or other care package items? Or maybe they could find out if there has been anything setup in town to help out that you could donate to, such as paying for someone to come help with housework or respite care? Do you have frequent flier miles you could donate to help her & her sisters travel back & forth?

        For your friend, I would suggest just trying to step up all your “regular” friend things up a notch – it may feel like her world is falling apart family-wise and it would be comforting to have everything else as “normal” as possible.

        Don’t forget also that in the “months, not weeks” timeframe – they will probably get a lot of support in the beginning, and at the end, but the middle when they have dropped off of people’s radar is probably going to be when they will get the least support and a card, flowers or care package would be most appreciated.

  6. Good news! I’m finally scheduled to defend my dissertation!! Two more weeks and I’ll be a contender for Dr.Awesome. Thanks again to @LadyEnginerd and all the rest of you ladies who have encouraged me through these past months.

    1. Congratulations! That’s a HUGE deal. I can’t wait to see you show up in comments with the Dr. in your username!

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