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Updated: Sep 2, 2022 79 Comments · by

Holiday Weekend Open Thread

Weekend Open Thread

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same dress on two different models; one model wears burgundy and wears a size S; one model wears black and is plus-sized

Something on your mind? Chat about it here.

I bought this dress a while ago (maybe during the NAS?) for a possible date night outfit, and I was really pleased with it — the jersey fabric felt thick and soft, and the thigh slit was not that bad in person. (My mother even thought it was OK! But — remember, I'm a shortie at 5'4.”)

I got two sizes and went with the larger one, but it was a close call. As you can see in this picture, it comes in a number of colors and in regular as well as plus sizes, and you can dress it up or down. And yes, it goes with white sneakers!

It's currently on sale at Nordstrom, marked to $29-$39.

Psst: Happy Labor Day! Stay tuned for a roundup of Labor Day sales.

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 8.30.24

  • Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
  • Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
  • Boden – 20% off
  • Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
  • Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
  • Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
  • Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
  • White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Vicarious Shopping - Bedroom Furniture

    Could use some help for anyone just wasting time at work right now. Expanding on a post from the earlier thread that still hasn’t shown up…. I need nightstands. My bedroom is painted a very light warm neutral. Floors are walnut.

    This is the bedframe: Wayfair Joss & Main Hanson Upholstered Low Profile Standard Bed in Talc (I’d describe as a light, warm sand color)
    https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/joss-main-hanson-upholstered-low-profile-standard-bed-w001874132.html?csnid=F870CE07-256C-49F3-9938-5EE6451D2A43&_emr=fb250eaa-0772-45db-b3d1-687d990d15ef&_eml=2d4eab53-0ca8-4455-88e6-d0178c0ad943&refid=EML_50624&source=graymatter

    This is the rug: West Elm Nadine Rug, Teal https://www.westelm.com/products/distressed-nadine-rug-t4876/

    Duvet is a light gray/white pattern – I think it’s very neutral despite the pattern.

    I’m at a loss as to what to do for nightstands. Was thinking a color vs a neutral as the only color is the rug, but idk. I need at least two drawers. Needs to stay away from the Walnut color (I think??) because that’s what the floors are. Who can help a sista out?!

  2. No Face

    I was pleased to see the good reviews for Thursday boots because I have been lusting after them on Instagram.

    How do they fit? I have giant feet and tiny ankles. I might get the Highline boots.

    • Anon

      I wear the men’s boots and they fit true to size – I’m a 9 to 9 1/2 in womens’ dress shoes, 10 in womens’ running shoes and wear a 7.5 in their mens’ boots. The D width isn’t super wide and they’re most comfortable with medium thickness hiking socks.

    • Anonymous

      In my experience they run small. I’m usually a size 8, very occasionally a size 8.5. I have the the Legend in 8.5 and went up to a 9 in Duchess.

      • Curious

        fascinating! my captain and duchess are both my normal size, tight only if I wear thick socks. but I did have to wear them in.

    • Calrayo

      They’ve been hit and miss for me. I have a lace-up pair (Captain) which fit perfectly, true to size. However, I couldn’t get the chelsea boot (Duchess) to work; they were too narrow in my regular size and then way too long the next half size up. I don’t usually need a non-standard width. I really like my pair that I have though, and the chelsea boots were very nice in person, so I would still recommend the brand.

  3. Anon

    I’ve been trying to focus more on my nutrition after a very indulgent vacation. I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks but I’m sick of the salad-with-protein and roasted vegetable/grilled chicken meals I’ve been having.

    What are your favorite healthy meals when you’re trying to eat a lot of veggies and lean proteins?

    • tess

      I sautéed fresh asparagus and a salmon filet last night with a little sesame oil and it was delicious. Would have been even better with some brown or white rice. It took all of 5 minutes!

      • tess

        I also often make the quickest lunch ever. 1/2 a can of great northern beans heated and semi-mashed, add a few big spoonfuls of hot pico de gallo from the grocery refrigerator section. It’s not a ton of protein but it’s easy, tasty, and a good source of fiber. And it’s not chicken + vegetables or a salad!

    • AnonQ

      I love a falafel salad – lots of greens and veg like cucumber and onion, plus falafel I buy frozen and microwave (olive valley brand at WF). Add a tahini based dressing (I buy premade – Cava brand) and the meal comes together in 5 min or less.

      • Anon

        This is one of my go to meals, either as a salad or in a whole wheat pita. I use the frozen ones from Trader Joe’s and usually do vinaigrette on the salad and add a more substantial spread like a pesto if I’m putting it in a pita. In general, I find that fun sauces and dressings are key to enjoying veggie heavy meals and the fat keeps me full longer.

        • Ellen

          I love Trader Joe’s stuff! It is very fresh and not that expensive compared to other stores, which shall go nameless, so they say! I got some ready to eat chicken last week at the Trader Joes, and combined that with some kimchey from their refrigerated section, then mixed in some arrugulla with tomatoes and topped it off with some organic strawberries and whipped cream. The entire meal coutesy of Trader Joe’s! I think I ate to much, but it was good and I think I’ve exercised my tuchus off, so I deserve it now that it is getting chilley at night! YAY!!!

    • Anon

      I like to mix up my salads and protein. I honestly don’t eat ice burg lettuce but I’ll add tofu, chickpeas, beans, olives, cheese, etc. I also make veggie stir fry with tofu, salmon with asparagus or green beans, tilapia, taco salad.

    • Vicky Austin

      Fajitas
      Budget Bytes’ BBQ chicken burrito bowls, teriyaki meatball bowls (recipe calls for pork, you could do turkey or chicken meatballs), baked tacos, curry beef with peas (skip the rice if you want), easy sesame chicken + a big bag of frozen stir fry veg
      Lettuce wraps
      Chicken salad on a bed of spinach
      Soups
      Stir fry

      Also, disregard if this isn’t it, but are you sick of these meals in particular, or is your diet making you feel a bit deprived? Satisfaction is important and enjoying your food is part of that. I’d feel totally fine about adding in some more indulgent items in moderation in some meals.

      • Anon

        Thanks. I’m not feeling deprived except for not indulging my afternoon sweet craving (which then usually leads to a salty craving, rinse, repeat) but that’s not actual hunger. That’s habit. I was full enough from my protein salad at lunch yesterday that I actually forgot to eat dinner and only realized it at 11pm.

        I am just well and truly sick of what I’ve been eating!

    • pugsnbourbon

      I made a baked spring roll recipe I saw on Instagram – sauteed onions, red pepper, shredded carrots, red cabbage and mushrooms with garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Browned some ground turkey in the same pan with more spices. Prepped rice paper sheets and made very unglamorous rolls, then baked at 400 for 30 min. Served with peanut sauce dressed up with extra ginger and chile.

    • Anonymous

      Stir fry vegetables with shrimp, protein power smoothie with a ton of spinach, a farro salad (1 cup farro, 1 cup finely chopped spinach, Italian dressing, sun-dried toms, and chicken), if I’m in Chicago – Whole Foods jenny’s brand five spice tofu, cucumber soba noodles and a heap of vegetables from the salad bar.

  4. weight loss mood/cognitive function

    I was advised by my doctor to lose weight. I’m doing it at a modest pace (2 pounds a month). I’m finding I’m more irritable and less able to make small talk.

    Is this just part of losing weight, or should I make an appointment with my doc to discuss? I’ve got a long way to go, and hate the idea of being this way for that long.

    • Anon

      2 lbs a month would be a relatively small decrease in calories. Are you trying to go too fast? Also how long have you been at it? Is there something else that could be causing your irritability that you might be mistaking for eating less?

    • Anon

      Being hungry is the single biggest thing that makes me irritable, so it seems perfectly plausible to me, especially if there’s nothing else going on that’s new or unusually stressful. I’d try to find ways to reduce calories while still feeling full. For me, that means lots of fiber and making sure to get enough fat. People always talk about protein, but I’ve found that fat makes a much bigger difference in staying full. Just focus on healthy fats like nuts and olive oil.

    • Anonymous

      It is part of losing weight.

      Signed, someone who lost a lot of weight and basically couldn’t focus for a year straight.

    • Anonymous

      Are you less able to make small talk because you just don’t have the patience for it and are irritated, or because you’re low energy? Or for some other reason? Have you noticed this across the board recently, or only in certain scenarios (certain people, certain times of day, etc.)

      a half pound a week doesn’t seem like the kind of pace that would cause a large-level reaction, unless you’ve just started making changes. Is everything else the same (no extra stress, no life changes like kids starting school or other transitions, sleeping well, no medication changes, etc.)? Are you skipping meals or doing IF? Did you change any caffeine habits?

      For just one other story, I’ve been losing weight at around 1 pound a week, and haven’t noticed any mood changes because of it. I get emotional responses with hormonal shifts, loss of sleep, when I’m hungry, when I go without coffee, when I’ve gone too long without eating, etc. but not simply from losing weight.

    • Curious

      I was like this when I cut calories but didn’t keep protein high. I had to change how I eat (110+ grams protein a day in a 2000-calorie diet), and now it’s coming off and I’m not irritable in the weight loss way. Just in the haven’t slept a full night in 10 days way. Someday everyone in the family will be healthy. But I’m down 7lbs in 3 months!

      Best of luck!

    • Anonymous

      I get like this when my body is adjusting to the initial change of not eating so much sugar/carbs. I eventually adjust and feel better.

    • Anon

      Do you think it’s actual hunger, or do you think the irritability is because you feel like you can’t eat what you want to eat? Does thinking about the restrictions make you annoyed?

      • Curious

        Not the OP, but it was 100% hunger for me, I am confident in retrospect. Not necessarily for calories but for the right macros.

    • Ellen

      This is an easy schedule for me, since I need to loose about 12 pounds and my personal trainer told me to take it off in 2 weeks! He has me coming and going, and it is not fun, but the guys were all staring at my tuchus at the manageing partner’s pool last weekend and I did not think it was large at all, compared to last winter. Margie told me that it is only the tuchus they see, not the tuchus from last winter, where only Myrna saw it.

      I wish I had a flat tuchus like Rosa, but she works out 2 hours a day, and 5 days a week, with a focus on her glutes! So I don’t stand a chance competing with that tuchus! FOOEY!

    • Anonymous

      If you’re hungry focus on fiber and protein. Air popped popcorn, chicken, Greek yogurt, beans.

      If you feel like you’re eating nothing and thus irritable, focus on volume – foods you can eat a ton of to increase size of meal or give you that hand to mouth satisfaction. Add cauliflower rice, zucchini or palmini noodles to rice/pasta dishes. Big salads. Add veg to tuna fish or other sandwiches.

      And don’t forget water and sleep – both are key to weight loss and mood.

    • Peloton

      This sounds like your macros are off in some way, not like a result of too few calories. I get this way when I go too low carb; sounds like a different commenter experiences this with too little protein. Try out different macros and you’ll probably solve the issue. Definitely not a requirement for weight loss!

  5. Anonymous

    Woohoo to Biden for the new authorization for VA hospitals to perform abortions! Stinks that it’s vets only. I feel like they released the info on a holiday Friday to try to bury it?

  6. Anon

    Has anyone been to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy (Bologna, Modena, Parma)? Did you like it? Is it easy to get around without a car? Is there any nice scenery in the area? Everything on the internet seems very focused on food, which isn’t a huge draw for me (I mean, I love Italian food but I don’t think I’m specifically more interested in the food in this region than any other and I’m not interested in super fancy restaurants).

    • Nesprin

      All of Italy is easy to get around without a car. Trains and buses go nearly anywhere,unless you’re interested in going far out into the country, you probably will not want to drive (the roundabouts are terrifying).

      Bologna is a really really nice city with neat architecture and the world’s oldest university (in addition to being famous for foods like lasagne- the nicknames for bologna are ‘the fat’ and ‘the wise’).

      What are you particularly interested in other than not food? Cities with ancient architecture? museums? countryside and truffle hunting? vinyards and wineries? Sitting in piazzas with a glass of wine and people watching?

      • OP

        Thanks! Would you say there’s enough to do to spend a week there?

        I like all the things you listed – food, wine, scenery, art, history, etc. I’ve been to (and loved) Rome, Florence, the Tuscan countryside, Cinque Terre and Amalfi. I was very underwhelmed by Venice (the only part of Italy I haven’t loved). The Dolomites and Lake District are high on my list, but this trip is the wrong time of year for those (late April/early May). I’m also interested in Sicily and Puglia but my sense is that a car is more necessary in those regions (but maybe I’m wrong?)

    • Anonymous

      Don’t forget the coast! The Adriatic is beautiful! At the coast there’s Ravenna, which has major sights if you enjoy churches and museums, and Rimini, which has major sights if you enjoy partying. Bologna is unique and different from a lot of different Italian cities – the university of Bologna dates to the 11th Century. The 11th! The city itself is similarly grounded in the Medieval life, you’ll love it.

      And yes, it’s easy to get around without a car. Italian trains are FANTASTIC, and the buses within cities and regions are fabulous. You don’t need a car! I’ve never had a car in Europe, you don’t need it at all.

  7. Anon B

    I’m planning a kitchen and bathroom renovation… it seems like both Home Depot/Lowes stores and nicer kitchen store mainly carry MDF-based cabinets. Have any of you done a renovation using furniture-grade plywood and actual wood cabinets? What sources or vendors did you use?

    • Anonymous

      Not the OP but also wondering about solid wood furniture. It seems like some higher end stores sell tables made of MDF. What are the furniture stores out there that sell solid wood? Or do I just give up and buy the MDF pieces?

      • Allie

        Don’t give up – stay away from Pottery Barn and West Elm — it’s mostly MDF. Ikea has solid wood, as does Room and Board. Etsy often has good options.

      • Anon

        We got solid maple bathroom cabinets at Home Depot that we like. Purchased in 2008. Don’t know whether they still have them?

    • Anonia

      My parents have Bertch cabinets which are solid wood and have held up really well. They put them in 20 years ago, and only recently ended to be repainted.

    • Anon

      I used an independent cabinet maker. It was no more expensive than getting “custom” through a kitchen place (though it was expensive!)

      • AIMS

        I did same and it was LESS expensive than the basic model Home Depot quoted me for their most basic model.

      • Bonnie Kate

        Same, when we built I thought we were only going to have big box store cabinets in the budget. After my builder saw our cabinet plan and the quote from the big box store, my builder insisted we get a quote from a custom cabinet maker he knew. I thought that he would only do rustic ugly old school oak cabinets because he was Amish – I was very wrong. He was 28 years old, and was amazing. Totally game to do any style I wanted, including the more modern styles I was looking for, and the cabinets are solid wood, custom, soft close, all the custom things we wanted to add inside, and built/installed for the same price the materials of the big box store cabinet would have been. He did our big kitchen in unselected maple (helped me find the perfect wood), window seat (perfect hard white paint), mud room (black stained oak), laundry room (warm deep stained oak), and a big long walnut console in our living room that helps make my husbands 75” tv look not dominating. :)

        I’m not sure how common finding a guy like my cabinet guy, but maybe asking around you’ll find someone who is great. Every opportunity I get I recommend my guy, I’m not shy at all about telling people they need to go to him.

    • Anonymous

      Counterpoint if you’re in an apartment or home you plan on reselling – we went with ikea cabinets so the doors could be easily swapped if someone else came in. We have builders grade cabs now and they’re disgusting.

  8. Decor Q

    I love the look of the bohemian type style with the bold colors but I’m also a minimalist. Is there a way to do this look without it looking busy and buying tons of knick nacks or are the two styles inherently opposing? Moving into a rental apartment very soon so I am looking for ideas and inspiration and insights into this as I don’t want to spend a ton in a temporary home (and can’t replace tile or whatnot) but want to feel that warm inviting coziness aspect!

    • Curious

      I love bold colors, and I think you can do bold colors and rich textures but with minimal objects. Think a purple velvet couch with one perfect golden tufted pillow and a matching throw, and those colors in a single perfect abstract piece, framed in white, on the wall. Or the like in any complementary or split complement color scheme you enjoy. (We have navy/gold/rust, but we are decidedly not minimalists. I wish.)

    • Anon

      I wish I was better at it than I am, but the trick is to have things you like (as opposed to purchasing stuff just for the sake of stuff/decoration), and arrange them creatively. Alexander Girard was the master of this – look up some of his interiors.

    • Anon

      I think this is close to my style. I was just kidding with a friend that my decor style is color vomit. I’m in an apartment with landlord white walls I can’t paint. I did a neutral rug in the living room that’s overall an oatmeal color, a mid grey couch and a patterned grey arm chair, and a black side board. Lots of color and different textures come in with the art on the walls, painted side tables, decorative pillow covers and plant pots. I think having a color palette b7ut limiting it in someway may help. I go for color vomit, but it’s a limited vomit of pink, coral, blue, green. I have almost no red, yellow, orange or purple. Maybe you pick a more limited range or family of colors.

      My bedroom is the opposite of my living room. There I have a bold rug and furniture but actually nothing on the walls.
      I think there’s a couple formulas you could try: 1. Neutrals for the largest surfaces/furniture + decor in a bold but more limited palette. 2. Bold or more busy for the larger surfaces + neutral or limited decor.

      The eye needs to be able to rest somewhere and textures can add an eclectic feel even if the decor is neutral.

      If you’re looking for rugs I just replaced my living room rug off wayfair with a rug for over 60% off, you might be able to snag some cool things without spending a ton there. There’s also a lot of magic in stumbling across things in thrift stores or repainting second hand furniture.

      one last point, I dont really know how to word well: your space will feel cozier and homier if you don’t decorate to be insta or pinterest ready. I hate seeing pictures of peoples homes and it looks like it was all decorated from a box store over the last 3 years. Where are the books you love, the art you’ve made, the Christmas cookie tins from the last 3 years, the pebbles or jars of loose change collected over the years, the table you rescued from the back alley one tuesday morning before work. I guess I just hate looking at what is supposed to be someone’s home and seeing a magazine ad that’s perfectly coordinated and polished.

    • Anonymous

      You can do bold color and minimal but I wouldn’t necessarily call it boho. Apartment therapy has a lot. There was an amazing spread in Design Sponge with hot pink and black that I’ll try to find elsewhere since DS shuttered.

      I think this was it
      https://www.6sqft.com/jessica-helgerson-designed-brooklyn-brownstone-features-colorful-modern-design/

      This whole house
      https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/an-original-sears-kit-house-is-reassembled-into-a-modern-knockout/2021/06/30/b260d452-a12d-11eb-a774-7b47ceb36ee8_story.html

      Hallway here
      https://www.designaddictmom.com/2016/05/dare-to-be-bold_13.html?m=1

      Maybe
      https://clevelandmagazine.com/at-home/articles/this-north-ridgeville-home-embraces-color-and-fun

    • Cierra

      I think this is my style. I have a lot of colorful stuff, but I’m very picky about it. Everything I put up is because I like it and it fits the theme. I’m in my living room right now, and I have a grey couch and a red arm chair, and then everything else is colorful. But having large items like the couch be a blander color helps anchor other more colorful things.

    • Anon

      Start with a rug that really speaks to you. Pick up colors in that rug to work with. Limit it to two base colors and one accent color used sparingly.

  9. Vivaia Shoes

    Does anyone have experience with Vivaia shoes? They are sustainable, washable shoes like Rothys but are specifically advertised as wide-feet friendly. Looking at the round toe ballet flats for fall. Anyone know of any stores in NYC that carry them?

    • Jules

      Wondering the same thing, since Vivaia ads are flooding my FB feed. Maybe ask again on Tuesday morning.

    • London (formerly NY) CPA

      I gave into the constant ads when they came out with the wide width version. They’re ok, but I probably wouldnt repurchase. Slightly narrow for true wide width feet, but I’m hoping they stretch with more wear. The backs bother my heels so I find I need to wear bandaids or I get blisters (little socks dont seem to come up high enough for me). They look nice enough. Overall, my feeling is very “meh” about them.

      • London (formerly NY) CPA

        Also there wouldnt be a store in NY. They shipped directly from China if I recall correctly. I would have returned them but it honestly seemed like a real challenge so I gave up and just kept them.

      • Anon

        Same, wanted to like them, liked the block heel in theory but the backs tore up my heels and can’t return. Wouldn’t buy again.

  10. Anonymous

    My boyfriend is starting testosterone therapy in a couple weeks. (He’s had low counts for two years) Interested in any anectdata… first thing that came to my mind, Is he going to have PMS like symptoms?

  11. Anon

    Public announcement that regular flu season is here! Caught it this week [probably at the airport]. If you were looking for a sign whether to take your yearly flu shot or not – this is it.

    • Anonymous

      My pharmacist always recommends waiting until early October so the shot is more effective during the height of the season. But yes, get the shot.

      • Anon

        OP here, fully agree, always worth to wait for the new-for-this-season vaccine. I was shocked I caught flu this early. And I am definitely getting a flu shot this year as soon as 2022 vaccine is available.

      • Anon

        The vaccine doesn’t wear off so that’s silly. You shouldn’t get the outdated shot but the new shots usually come out late August/early September and after that there’s no reason not to get it.

        • Anon

          The vaccination provides protection for roughly 6 months and it takes up to 2 weeks for the vaccine to start providing protection, from what I remember. It is worth to observe the flu incidence in your state/country – in some cases, the flu season starts only in November and lasts until end February [based on stat observation for the last few years], so it would be worth to aim those 6 months of strong protection for this period. Maybe Anon 12:43 lives somewhere where flu season starts later and therefore her timing makes sense for her, but not for you.

    • Curious

      Ugh. I’m so sorry. We are still too recently sick to get our shots, but I’m hoping we can soon.

    • Seventh Sister

      I got at the pharmacy when I was getting my first shingles vaccine shot. My spouse and I have a friendly competition about who gets the flu vaccine first each year, and I’m the winner for 2022! I know some people like to wait around, but anything to motivate his procrastinating rear end. He only started getting the flu vaccine a few years back after a terrible case when unvaxxed.

  12. Anonymous

    What are your favorite places to look for wallpaper? Searching for a really bright happy blue for a powder room.

  13. WantOut

    I’m gearing up to separate from my spouse – would appreciate any words of wisdom or advice.

    I’m a young 46, been with spouse over 20 years. Kids are in college. He has been a huge yeller and honestly I’ve spent most of marriage miserable. Kids are great and thriving fortunately and for various reasons I finally feel free.

    Spouse though is super sad and clingy and this is incredibly hard. I just rented a short term furnished rental…but he doesn’t even know yet.

    • nananon

      I am so sorry. Relationships can be tough at times, and I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m glad your kids are okay; that has to be something of a comfort. Thinking of you!

    • Anonymous

      There’s a great recent thread recommending a few to do and to think about items for posters considering divorce. Maybe someone can dig it out?

    • Anonymous

      Sending hugs. I know you know this—spouse may be sad and clingy,but it’s kindest to make as clean of a break as you can. You both deserve a relationship that both want to be in. Next year at this time will be much better. Just have to make it through the hard steps first.

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