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Something on your mind? Chat about it here.
Happy Labor Day, everyone! We hope everyone has a great weekend planned, full of friends, family, and fun.
We're in a maxi-dress kind of mood for this weekend, and we like this lovely one from T-bags, on sale at the Outnet — we think it would look great at a casual BBQ.
It's currently $92 (was $230), with lots of sizes still available. T-Bags Printed jersey maxi dress
Sales of note for 10.10.24
- Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
- Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
- White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price 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…
Corporate Tool
I need some help. Wedding coming up soon (black tie), and I have really strict dress requirements:
-covers the collarbone
-has sleeves, preferably elbow-length
-can’t be navy (bridal party is wearing that)
-AND must be able to match–not exactly, but go together–with a cocktail or other formal hat
Anyone have any suggestions?
AEK
Are illusion sleeves OK or do you need full coverage?
SF Bay Associate
Just a guess, but this sounds like you should get in touch with a Nordstrom personal shopper at the biggest Nordstrom within several hours of you and give her these very specific requirements and then have her call you back (probably a couple weeks later) with what she’s found. Saks too. Also, this sounds like the sort of thing that Talbot’s tends to have in its late fall/winter collections.
So I think my questions are 1) What’s your budget and 2) What’s your timeframe and 3) Do you live near a major city with good stores?
Eponine
On Nordstrom.com you can search by sleeve length and they have several options of formal dresses or skirt/blouse combos that would meet your needs.
I’m also guessing that you are going to an orthodox Jewish wedding but aren’t frum yourself (I’m guessing you aren’t b/c most frum women would already know where to look for dresses). Ask your frum Jewish friends where they buy their dresses. Most major cities will have a few seamstresses/tailors that cater to the frum community. Most of my frum friends have their formal dresses made for them.
anano
I can’t suggest a particular dress, but maybe consider wearing a sleeveless dress with a bolero over it? That might give you more options.
fresh jd
Try edressme.com
crabby
another option is go to a specialty dress store or a bridal store (not like david’s bridal, but if you have a local option where they make dresses). there’s a bridal and special event store near me that stocks a load of different formal dresses, and you can have them make one to your specifications.
please excuse the following:
wow, whose wedding is this, and who put on the restrictions? if it’s the bride… i just get so sick of getting a wedding invitation and then a looooong list of what i can and can’t wear, and how much money i should give as a present. makes me not want to go!
NY
Well, a religious ceremony.
Miriam
I can relate. One of my best friends is getting married in June, (originally December until I told her I would be studying for finals then) and she is religious. I’m a bridesmaid, and she is probably going to pick a conservative dress or have some sort of sleeve sewn on it. Hopefully I can take the sleeves off and make it more my style after the wedding!
Seattlite
please correct me if i’m wrong, but i am not aware of any religious traditions that require guests to wear a different color dress than the bridesmaids or a certain length of sleeves. i am aware of religious traditions that require you to cover up and especially that certain body parts be covered (or, say, sleeves that can cover not less than the elbow), but the not-navy-elbow-length-sleeves-cocktail-hat was what was getting me. cover certain parts of your body/ this color is frowned upon in my religion is fine.
Ms B
I would suggest getting a full length sleeveless sheath with a high boatneck and a coordinating long-sleeved evening jacket, maybe even with a mandarin collar. After this event, you can get the sheath’s skirt cut to top or bottom of the knee and use it for a whole variety of events and you can pair the jacket with silk cigarette pants, a lace camisole, and evening sandals for a fun “creative black tie” look.
Alternatively, you can go with something like this (maybe with a pin at the neckline):
http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/womensapparel-dresses-3_4_Sleeved_Sequined_Gown-lordandtaylor/151590
You also could take a look at some of the LDS wedding gown sites — they tend to carry very modest dresses and many of them will lengthen sleeves or hems for a small upcharge.
And check out the recent hat post for millinery tips. At every Orthodox function I ever have attended, the women always have fabulous hats.
kcaco
Holy pajamas, that dress is beautiful!
If only I had somewhere to wear it!
And $650…
divaliscious11
GORGEOUS…
Seriously, this might be a “Buy the Dress, the Party Will Come” piece…
Another Laura
That is a gorgeous, gorgeous dress. I wish I were going to the event so that I could have an excuse to buy it. I’m not an expert, but I think the v-neck might be too low. That could be easily (and temporarily) remedied by a a chiffon scarf or a tulle ruffle tacked to the neckline by a seamstress. Badgley Mischka might not approve but it could be removed for the next wearing. In any event, I just love it!
Another Laura
Oh, and Corporate Tool, please report back on what you wear and if possible tell us if it is a wedding or something else. We love to live vicariously!
Ms B
I know, right? I definitely think a little strategic pinning or an added ruffle could make this dress perfect . . . and then I would wear it someplace else with a “Y” necklace and really fabulous evening sandals.
Another Laura
Ms B, I also like your idea of a sheath and a jacket. That might be a bit more budget friendly and provide lots of options for later use.
MM
I’m Muslim, so I have some experience in trying to find modest formal wear. That said, I do not worry about covering my collarbone, so that is throwing me for a loop. Nordstrom usually has a good selection (for MOB purposes), and there are a couple right now that are not too aging that might work: for example, http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3056046?origin=category&resultback=2885.
I also do some shopping on LDS websites. http://www.latterdaybride.com is my favorite.
But I think you can’t go wrong with separates: a nice A-line, trumpet, or full skirt of tafetta, satin, or tulle, paired with a crisp, form-fitting (embellished) top (and big, statement jewelry) is very flattering, very elegant … and you’re more likely to wear the different pieces again.
Of course, I always use the “my husband is Indian” excuse and put on traditional Indian wear (though I’m not Indian), which is so comfortable, fun, and covering … but I don’t know if you want to try that approach. :)
MM
My comment has been awaiting moderation forever, so I’m trying again with apologies if it posts twice.
I’m Muslim, so I have some experience in trying to find modest formal wear. That said, I do not worry about covering my collarbone, so that is throwing me for a loop. Nordstrom usually has a good selection (for MOB purposes), and there are a couple right now that are not too aging that might work: for example, http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3056046?origin=category&resultback=2885.
I also do some shopping on LDS websites. Latter Day Bride is my favorite.
But I think you can’t go wrong with separates: a nice A-line, trumpet, or full skirt of tafetta, satin, or tulle, paired with a crisp, form-fitting (embellished) top (and big, statement jewelry) is very flattering, very elegant … and you’re more likely to wear the different pieces again.
Of course, I always use the “my husband is Indian” excuse and put on traditional Indian wear (though I’m not Indian), which is so comfortable, fun, and covering … but I don’t know if you want to try that approach. :)
RR
I think Saks has some formal gowns that would fit the bill. I want to say Tadashi?
MBA Applicant
Has anyone here gone through the MBA application process? Any advice for interviews and essay responses? This weekend, I’m tackling all of my applications, so that I can apply First Round. Any advice is appreciated!
Chicago K
When I went through the interview process, it was very much like a job interview. We went through my entire resume and I got tons of questions regarding how I handled specific projects, what I thought business school could do to enhance my skills, my collegiate history, etc. It was mainly job focused.
Here is my advice. Business school touches on many of these aspects, but I am sure exhibiting them in the interview process will be appreciated:
– If applying to a part time program and continuing to work; don’t overstress how important your current job is or how busy you currently are, travelling a lot, etc. they will think you don’t have time to commit to the program and question if you will stick out the program.
-Know your resume and highlight why you are unique and what you can bring to the classroom as a unique perspective
– Be concise.
– Focus on facts
– Be confident
– Be decisive but open to new opinions
– Exhibit your abilty to work well in a team environment. Business schools want someone who can bring different sets of skills to the table and enhance the classroom experience. Many schools now a days are following the “cohort model” where a great deal of your assignments are done as a team and you stick with the same small group throughout the program. You have to be the type of person who is strong and confident but can still work with a team – by leading and by being lead effectively.
– If at all possible, give an example showing your ability to learn and change in a business aspect. They don’t want close minded applicants who are going to go in and try to argue with the teaching methods. They want someone who will grow, adapt, learn from their students/teachers, etc.
Good luck!
Shayna
This was my experience as well — and if you can, add dollars to every accomplishment possible – It may be difficult to summarize a project in a sentence or two, but saying that you generated $X in revenue or savings is a universal way of proving your mettle – good luck!
Sharon
Yes, and went to what was at the time the #1 b-school, but that was 20 years ago, so I’m of no use here :-). Good luck to you! I have to be honest – I thought b-school was a piece of cake compared to undergrad.
MJ
Tuckie here. I can speak only to Tuck’s interview process, but they wanted a very clear reason of why you thought Tuck was the right MBA program for you. This would also go for the essay (most schools have a “Why MBA, Why Now, Why [x] school?” essay question.
For the essays, write, revise, write, revise. Find your most trusted friends edit mercilessy. And I do mean mercilessly. Be wary of sounding trite. And DON’T apply to your top schools first. You’ll “find your voice” as you go through the process, so your last schools sound much more polished than your first applications. This also goes for interviews–you find your groove.
You should migrate over to accepted.com or businessweek.com forums for more advice on specific schools’ profiles, desires in applicants, and strengths vs. your career goals.
And the book “How to get into Top B-Schools” (or similar title) by Richard Montauk is seriously an awesome resource. Lays it all out for you, example essays, interview questions, how to approach recommenders, common pitfalls. It’s all there.
One shameless plug–if you are interested in Tuck, check out their Women’s Conference (search for it on the website). They will fly you to Hanover and put you up for free, while you get to hang with a very impressive group of alums and current students and hear great speakers. Well worth it if you’re free in November (but you likely have to sign up by late Sept).
jr. prof
A quick review of some *fantastic* shoes. I’m so excited I have to post!
In the wedge post earlier this week, someone pointed out the really cute wedges available at Target for 1/10 the price of the Kate Spade power wedges that all the Washingtonians are wearing. I ordered the Merona Myka suede on a whim – no big loss if $30 shoes disappoint. But they do NOT. They are fabulous, my new favorite shoes (I’m disappointed to be going camping this weekend and unable to wear them until Tues.)
Highlights:
— real suede
— rounded almond toe
— tiny bit of toe cleavage
— perfect moderate heel height
— really comfortable!
— only $30
I normally wear 7.5, ordered an 8 per the reviews that said they run small – the 8 is perfect. http://tiny.cc/zxb3j
PG
Sounds great. How is the fit? I have in between narrow and wide feet.
A
I tried these shoes on as well. I agree with all the good points that jr. prof pointed out about them (especially the comfort factor — Target really stepped up its game on these), but unfortunately they gaped terribly on me. There was almost a half inch gap between my foot and the shoe on the inside arch area. That was a dealbreaker for me, but others might not have this problem; my foot is a bit narrow. Just a heads up!
L
I just got a Gentle Souls wedge
http://www.endless.com/dp/B002G9BIKE/185-6985024-1222249?ie=UTF8&creative=380333&linkCode=asn&tag=endlesscj-20&suppressRedirect=1&creativeASIN=B002G9BIKE
VERY comfy. I did have to get them stretched (I am wearing a W now and they only come in M width) but I really like them. Woohoo!!
CM
I will be visiting San Francisco for three days this fall. This is my first time there, and I’d appreciate any suggestions you ladies have about what I should see/do while I’m there. My husband will be at a conference, so I’ll essentially be on my own all three days, but we will both have evenings free. I would be extremely grateful for any suggestions. Thanks for your help!
michiganexpats.com
There are some great places to check out. I suggest:
* Alcatraz Night Tour
* Jelly Belly Factory Tour
* Ghirardelli Square and the Fisherman’s Wharf (good view of the Golden Gate Bridge)
* Ferry Building (good view of the Bay Bridge)
* Check out a show — Wicked if it’s still playing
* Pier 39 is touristy but fun, and there are seals off of the pier
* Chinatown
That’s about all you’ll have time for! Enjoy :)
Fiona
– If you like Asian food, go to the Slanted Door and have the Clay Pot chicken. Makes me jealous just thinking about it!
– And if you’re vegetarian, go to Greens. Very yummy as well!
– If you’re staying downtown, going for a run along the water (from the Ferry Building to Fisherman’s Wharf) is really nice.
SF Bay Associate
As you can probably guess, I can go on about this for a long, long time. Born in SF, raised in SF, and now live just south of SF. Where are you staying? Will you have a car? What’s your budget? Where are you coming from (relevant to restaurant suggestions – no point in suggesting Cantonese food to someone from LA, for example, as theirs is better than ours)? Dietary restrictions? Do you want to do the touristy stuff (which is totally fine, but that tends not to be my personal interest when I’m visiting a new city) or the local stuff? Physical limitations?
If you give me more specifics, I am happy to help.
@michigan – jellybelly is in Fairfield, which I think is too far for a three-day only visit. The OP will lose half a day getting to and from there, and will spend no more than two hours (really, one) at the factory. And there’s pretty much nothing else in Fairfield for a tourist.
michiganexpats.com
Yea true, it’s a ways out there. I recently went there because a friend and her kids were visiting, and they really liked it. I thought it was fun too, but we were coming from the East Bay so it wasn’t quite as far.
SF Bay Associate
It’s fantastic for kids, and fun for adults, too. But from SF, Fairfield is two bridge tolls ($8 total), and an hour drive in no traffic (gas currently at $3+/gallon). Given that the OP is coming for a conference, she’ll probably be here on weekdays, which means she’ll have to time it perfectly to avoid major rush hour, at which point driving time doubles.
Great for families, and great for people with some time, but I don’t think it’s the best thing for the OP :).
CM
Thanks, everyone, for your answers so far! To be more specific, I will be at a hotel near the airport, and was planning to use public transportation to get around. I would prefer mostly low-budget activities. I’m coming from the midwest, and I do not have any dietary restrictions. I am more interested in local stuff, but some touristy stuff could be fun too. No physical limitations. I hope this helps :)
SF Bay Associate
“Near the airport” – that’s a little unfortunate in terms of convenience. Is your husband’s conference in SF? Can you catch a ride with him into the city in the morning? The thing you need to find out is if your hotel has a shuttle or is walkable to Bart or Caltrain. Or, if your hotel has a shuttle to SFO where you can then catch Bart. The only way you’ll be able to get into the city is on Bart or Caltrain – the buses are lousy and taxis are $50, minimum.
Low budget means what to you? As we always see on Corporette, there’s a wide variety of views on what is “low” or “high” budget.
CM
The hotel is the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, which is where the conference is. Neither of us had any input into the travel arrangements (they were determined by someone else in the office), but since I get to tag along for not much more than the cost of my airplane ticket, I can’t complain too much about a little inconvenience :)
The hotel website says they have a shuttle to SFO, so Bart should work for me. “Low” means I would like to spend less than $100 per day for everything (getting around, eating, sightseeing, etc). Obviously, I’d be happy to spend even less, but I have heard that SF is a very expensive city, so I don’t really know what is realistic.
SF Bay Associate
$100 a day – no problem! I think Bart to/from SFO is about $9 each way, so there’s your first $20. Here’s a few ideas to get you started (and start checking Open Table immediately, yes, weeks ahead of time):
-have a Mission/Noe Valley/Castro walking day. Take Bart to 24th Street. Walk down 24th to Humphrey Slocombe for ridiculous (strange, delicious) ice cream. Recently mentioned in a NYT article. Also very nearby Humphrey Slocombe is Flour + Water, one of my favorite restaurants – small Italian with local ingredients. Mission Cliffs (indoor climbing) is also nearby and fun. You could also walk up Valencia starting at 24th to 16th, where there’s another Bart station. There are lots of fun/strange/interesting shops on Valencia, including the famous “pirate store.” There’s a lot of really wonderful lower priced restaurants in this area, especially clustered around 16th, including Bar Tartine, Tartine, Delfina, Bi-Rite grocery and creamery (my favorite ice cream), Gitane, Farina, Limon, Dosa, and more. And of course the taquerias, from La Taqueria to La Corneta to El Farolito to many more – some people do a ‘taco crawl’ and just walk up Mission between 24th and 16th streets sampling tacos along the way. These are all good places – Delfina is famous and difficult to get into, but you can get lucky on weeknights. Tartine has glorious pastries. Bi-Rite has the best ice cream, and Bi-Rite market is a trip for those without amazing markets. You could walk up 18th to Castro and walk through that famous neighborhood – tons of interesting shops and a really vibrant culture. The architecture heading south on Castro, once it starts to get very hilly, is also similar to the famous painted ladies – classic Victorians. Castro street station at Castro & Market streets is a subway line that takes you anywhere, including to stations with Bart (Civic Center).
-If you are here on a Saturday, you *must* go to the Ferry Plaza farmer’s market (Bart’s Embarcadero station). Even if you aren’t, day 2 could be your wharf/waterfront day – take Bart to Embarcadero, go to the Ferry Plaza and snack and browse your way through it all. Seriously. Don’t miss the Ferry Building. Boccalone has ridiculous chartucerie and sandwiches, and Rettucci has amazing chocolates. Acme bread is what bread is supposed to be. Hog Island Oysters. Blue Bottle coffee. Slanted Door is also here – stick with the fusion dishes over the traditional, and be forewarned it is pricey but many consider it worth it. From here, walk along the waterfront, enjoy the sights, and walk up to Pier 39, which is where you catch the ferries if you want to do Alcatraz. Personally, meh, but it’s important to some people. There are also ferries that tour the bay, which could be good. Dress with lots of layers. It is COLD on the bay. If you insist on eating at the wharf, you would be fine ordering something simple at Scoma’s, or you could go to In and Out at Anchorage mall, which is also along the water quite a ways up and very close to Ghiradelli square if that’s important to you (good fudge sauce, mediocre sundaes otherwise, but picturesque etc). There are public transit options that can take you along this route, including the picturesque F-market. The SF Chronicle also did a recent article on those segeway rider things – I guess it was kinda fun. There are also bike rental areas here, which is a great way to travel. But don’t ride on the sidewalk – bikes are the same as cars in terms of rules of the road here. Obey the lights, etc.
A bike rental is also an excellent way to get to the bridge. I agree, walking across (or most of the way) on the bridge is very special. The only bus that goes there is the 28, which you could pick up at Daly City Bart and then ride a very, very long way across the entire city to the base of the bridge. Only one bus though! Or, rent a bike and bike there. It’s gorgeous – and often cold. Layer. Windbreaker. Near the base of the bridge is the Palace of Fine Arts, which was the site of a World’s Fair long ago and looks pretty. Chestnut and Union streets, also nearby, offer higher-end little boutiques and restaurants, including the famous A-16 and less well known Nettie’s Crab Shack and Kara’s Cupcakes.
-Day 3 could be your downtown/chinatown/north beach day, though that’s all next to your waterfront day’s activities so day 3 could easily be something else entirely. Powell station, walk up Powell (or, take the cable car at Powell up and over to the area of the wharf closer to In and Out and Ghiradelli). Lots of major shopping, of course. Also nearby is the Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Gardens (which has a fun tea cafe in the center). You can walk up Stockton through the tunnel and suddenly you’re in Chinatown. Tourists seem to like it, but locals are pretty meh. Eventually Stockton hits Columbus (I think) and you’re in North Beach. XO Truffles, Liguria foccacia, Tony’s Pizza, gorgeous sights and culture. North Beach is also home to Coit Tower, should that interest you. Again, this is all very close to the waterfront, so you could mix and match to your interest.
If you’re keen to see the famous Painted Ladies, they are on Steiner at Hayes, which you can get to by renting a bike or catching the 22 Hayes bus at Civic Center. You will pass through Hayes Valley, another fun area of shops and food, including Paulette which has wonderful macarons. In that area is Nopa and Nopalito, and Bar Crudo which are all great restaurants. Nopalito is especially budget friendly and very good.
Or, if you’re looking for another fun shopping/sightseeing area, try Fillmore and Japantown (38-Geary bus, catch it at Powell or Montgomery). There’s fun shops all along Fillmore and in Japantown, and several brilliant restaurants including SPQR and Out the Door, the lower priced sibling of Slanted Door.
We have a brilliant symphony, Opera, Ballet, and musicals. The same-day tickets kiosk is at Union Square and you may find a bargain. The Asian Art Museum is also wonderful, as is the De Young (with an *amazing* once-in-a-lifetime-outside-Paris exhibit on Impressionists on loan from the Musee D’Orsay while the latter is being remodeled) and the Academy of Sciences with its famous living roof. To get to the De Young and Academy, take the N Judah from Civic Center station. If you get off at Irving or so, you’ll be in another fun center of shops and restaurants (example, Park Chow). The De Young and the Academy are in Golden Gate park, which is beautiful, and very close to Stow Lake, which is a fun walk.
511.org is your friend, as is nextmuni.com, which has GPS of all the buses and subways, but not Bart since that’s regional transit. Please dress in layers. Please wear comfortable shoes. People are often surprised at how things look very close on a map, but forget to take elevation into account – we have real hills here. Please pay attention to your surroundings – SF is an urban environment and while I never feel unsafe, I am also paying attention and trusting my instincts. Best not to wear your flashy purse when traveling alone, just to be sure.
For more specific food recommendations, check chowhound.com. Not Yelp. San Francisco excels at midrange restaurants regional Italian (La Ciccia, Incanto, Perbacco, Delfina, Flour + Water, Gitane, Farina, SPQR, A-16), California (Nopa, Zuni, Frances), Burmese (Burmese Kitchen, Mandalay), Vietnamese (Bodega Bistro, Pagolac, sorta Slanted Door which is more fusion).
Note also that Millbrae station (right by the airport) has some really wonderful Cantonese restaurants right by Bart, including Hong Kong Flower Lounge – can’t beat the convenience to your hotel.
If you have to eat at SFO, eat at Ebisu in the International Terminal. It’s actually pretty good.
I keep thinking of things to add, especially restaurants, but it’s already too much to throw at you. I hope this helps!
CM
Thank you so much! Your suggestions all sound wonderful. I’m getting so excited; too bad the trip isn’t for a few weeks yet :)
KM
If you get a chance, check out a Giants game. My fiance is from the Bay Area and is a huge Giants fan. AT&T park is amazing, you have great views of the bay plus there are amazing food offerings and a ton of stuff to do in the park, even if you’re not keen on baseball.
pjbhawaii
I had 9th Cir. oral arguments, and I managed to stay two extra days. My favorite thing was taking a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The smell of the ocean, the unbelievable views in every direction, the boats, the skyline, and the walk itself — it invoked wonder. I was so glad to be alive.
SF Bay Associate
I still feel that way every time I walk the bridge :). So glad you enjoyed it, too.
Amy H.
Another lawyer in SF here . . . and all I have to say is thank you to SF Bay Associate, b/c she nailed it. Thanks for doing all that work typing!
My top recommendations:
Ferry Building (esp. Saturday morning and esp. Boccalone, Cowgirl Creamery and Slanted Door — if you can’t get a reservation just go at 1:30 pm or later and eat lunch at the bar).
Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Renting bikes (Blazing Saddles has several locations) and riding from Ghirardelli Square to Fort Mason, down to Crissy Field and the GG Bridge and back.
Mission bars (Dalva, Lone Palm, Latin American Club, 500 Club, etc., etc.) and restaurants and shops. Beretta has amazing cocktails and risottos. Delfina and Delfina Pizza are also great.
The d’Orsay exhibit at the De Young (one ends on Sept. 6th, but the next one starts soon after).
Seeing something at the Symphony or the Opera, or if you’re more sports-inclined vs. music, a Giants game. They’re doing well this season.
Dim sum at City View or Yank Sing (both downtown). I’d skip Chinatown and Fish. Wharf completely.
The touristy thing that I really enjoy is Alcatraz, because it’s fun being out on the water . . . as long as you’re dressed REALLY warmly.
Have a great trip!
L
If you want to see Chinatown, it is absolutely worth the $30 to take the Wok Wiz tour that includes lunch. You have a guide, usually born in Chinatown, that takes you down the back alleys and introduces you to shop keepers, which makes a huge difference if you want to go back and buy anything later. Then you have a huge lunch (I seem to recall 7 courses). Three different people recommended the tour to me, and it was one of my favorite things we did in SF.
CM
Thank you so much for your help, everyone! I really appreciate it.
Anon131
Speaking of San Francisco . . . . I’m an associate at a firm on the East Coast (but which has West Coast offices). My husband and I are hoping to relocate to San Francisco sometime in the next 1-3 years. We’ve been hoping to do so for a number of years, but have never been able to make it happen (family concerns, great job opportunities on East Coast, etc.). Our reasons for relocating are varied — we have a number of friends out there, my parents are retiring to the West Coast, and the San Francisco scene is better for my husband (he is an artist, working in a pretty non-traditional field), and we just plain love it out there. The problem is, I’m afraid I will be utterly unable to find a job out there with no ties to the area (I grew upon the East Coast, went to school out here, and have always worked out here). Anyone have any tips on how I might find a SF job without area connections that employers are likely to understand? Asking my current firm for a transfer is definitely a possibility, though I’m not sure how receptive they’ll be since I don’t have a reason similar to those ordinarily given (i.e., it would be simple if hubby had an actual 9-5 job out there, but that’s never going to happen). Any advice on how to make our dream happen?
SuzyQ
I don’t think that you necessarily need connections out there as long as you have a good answer for “why SF?” which you do. It sounds like you work at a large, national firm – the firms in SF are going to like that a lot. Your firm will probably let you transfer as well because they’re not going to lose you. Just be sure you actually want to be at your firm’s branch office out there (I’ve worked at two smaller offices of Biglaw firms and they were very different from their headquarter offices). My advice would be to keep your eyes open for listings and submit your resume as appropriate and maybe expand your network a little by talking to people you know out there in the legal field and/or law school or college alums who are at firms out in SF. That way, you have some insight into what all your options are and the reputation of different firms there. Good luck!
SF Bay Associate
Several people a year in my biglaw transfer from the SF to NYC (sometimes DC) office or vice versa. It’s not a super easy process, but it’s not a big deal. If you’re a valued member of the firm, the firm won’t want to lose you. Plus, you’ll be cheaper in SF than NYC – my firm pays market, but NYC associates get bigger bonuses etc. I encourage you to ask. You don’t need a “good reason”. Two of our associates left for NYC and DC this year because they pretty much just wanted a change of scene and wanted to live in a new city. If your office’s partners will back you, it should work out.
And this also hedges your bets. Get a transfer in your firm, get situated in SF (unless you’re coming from NYC, brace for real estate pricing), and then look to lateral out to another firm if you end up wanting to do that. At least with the transfer, you have flexibility and income in the meantime.
Anon for this one too
While not a lawyer, I work in financial services, I requested a transfer several years back and just cited that I wanted to be closer to family. I don’t think it’s necessary to give them all the details – they probably don’t even want to know them all.
I took a slightly different approach though, I told my boss flat out I was moving to X city to be closer to my family. I then went on to say, I really enjoy my job and what I do for the company. Would I be able to keep working for you and either be homebased or transfered to a local office?
I got very few questions other than some concerns that my family may be of ill health. Which they weren’t, I just said it was a personal decision to be closer located to them.
For me, it worked. If you really are thinking of quitting, it’s not a bad move to make as you really don’t have anything to lose if you are planning on quitting anyway. Just make sure you time it right or word it right so you are not quitting that moment without a job lined up or even ready to move.
Anon131
Thanks for the responses ladies (and sorry for the delay — was blissfully outside computer range all weekend!).
Glad to hear that asking for a transfer at work might be feasible. Our SF office is a lot smaller than my present office, but I think that might help me — I know they’re trying to bulk it up, but letting me switch there will allow them to do so without having to actually hire (and pay!) a new person. Now only if I could find a way to finesse the fact that I’ll have to take the Cali bar — ouch!
AIMS
Interesting column in the Times’ Money Section on how to deal with debt in a relationship.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/your-money/04money.html?hp
North Shore
$170k in student loans to be a part-time photographer? Oh man, that sucks.
S
Interesting! My boyfriend and I both have lots of student debt, but we have never told each other how much… I wonder how it would go down. I have about 100K but I think his is more like 50… hope he doesn’t dump me when he finds out!
JessC
I’ve never told my boyfriend the exact amount either. He knows it’s well over $100,000. But he also knows about the IBR payment plan and the public service loan forgiveness program and how they affect the amount that I will have to pay long-term.
Anonymous
I wonder how getting married affects you on the IBR plan. Is the payment based on household income or only your income? I’m on the IBR plan too.
JessC
My understanding is that your IBR payment will be affected when you get married if you file your taxes jointly.
K
If your school has a public interest assistance plan, check the details to see whether it might be a better deal for you than IBR – at my school, if your spouse’s income is less than yours, it won’t affect the amount of assistance you receive.
Shayna
I have $10K… but while I knew it was a little, it never occurred to me that it would be a relationship factor until I dated a man w/ over $100k… Yes, I also have a mortgage, but if I sold my house tomorrow it would be repaid plus a nice capital gain… not exactly the same as waiting for him to pay back those loans over the next few decades w/ payments the same as my mortgage payment – though the relationship ended for other reasons before debt was a factor.
Anonymous
I started out with $150K in law school loan debt and my boyfriend has $90K in debt from master’s degree (deferred until he completes his phD). We each know what the other owes and he isn’t freaked out by my debtload – he knows I’m working hard and economizing to pay it off as quickly as possible. And I’m not concerned about his $90K either – frankly, I’d rather he has $90K in student loan debt than $10K in credit card debt.
Shayna
This is so true! I would take ed debt over credit card debt any day!
K
I’m so glad my BF has been understanding about my six-figure law school debt – I was upfront about it right from the beginning of our relationship, though, so it was never a surprise to him. It also helps that I don’t make the entire payment myself, as I’m enrolled in my school’s (very generous) public interest assistance plan. We’ve both worked very hard to be completely free of consumer debt, and if I stay in state service (which I plan to do) I’ll be free of student loan debt in about 8 more years, so despite my huge loan balance we’re both confident that it’s not going to have a negative impact on our long-term future.
Dasha
I just found out that I got a job offer from an organization that I always dreamed to work for. The job will require me to move next month from the West Coast to Washington, DC. I am extremely excited!
Having barely ever been in DC (many years ago), I am rather clueless as far as DC neighborhoods are concerned. I have been doing research online on neighborhoods, but does anyone local have any tips on neighborhoods or specific locations to look for? Or any good leasing agents to recommend? I would prefer not to exceed $2k for a one bedroom place, ideally either within walking distance of the Farragut West station, or a few Metro stops. I am (still) young, single and love urban life.
Any advice would be appreciated!
v
Congrats on the new job! With $2k to work with, you can get a one bedroom virtually anywhere in DC. (I just went through this process and it was frustrating, but it sounds like you’re well positioned.) In your place, I’d start looking at places around Dupont Circle and work in a circle expanding outward. Additional (but still close and walkable) neighborhoods you might consider are:
* Kalorama Triangle, which has beautiful, quiet, tree-lined streets while still being incredibly walkable and convenient.
* Adams Morgan, which is a bit more busy and bustly, with great restaurants.
* Mt. Pleasant, which is cheaper than either of the above, a bit less convenient, and with a lot of character.
* Logan Circle, which is getting a ton of new development. Certainly within walking distance of Farragut West.
* Columbia Heights, which is also getting a lot of development, is still a bit cheaper than much of the city, and which seems popular with the hipsters (downside is that it’s on the green line and more of a trek to the city).
Other people can probably speak better than me about some of the downtown areas, but I think there are plenty of options there as well. A lot of young people live in Arlington in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor (Courthouse and Clarendon are particularly lively). There’s some good restaurants and bars, and you wouldn’t be bored, but I do think it tends to have less character and you would have to take the Metro into the city proper.
Dasha
V- thank you so much for suggestions!
NY
I love the cleveland park area! Doesn’t have the nightlife of Dupont, but does have great restaurants, very pretty streets, and only a few stops away.
MM
$2k per month is plenty, so you’ll be fine. The areas walking distance to Farragut would be Dupont (as mentioned above), which is very hip and happening, and Foggy Bottom, which is walking distance to Farragut and Georgetown, with lots of apartment options that are likely to be a little cheaper than Dupont. There’s also an area west of Dupont with a number of apartments; I think it might be called “West End.” I have friends who live at 2400 M, and it’s really nice.
FYI, Farragut West and Farragut North are, for most intents and purposes, right next to each other, so you can be “a couple Metro stops away” on the Red, Orange, or Blue line, which really expands your options.
Chinatown is a few stops away on Red line, very urban, more expensive, lots of luxury buildings. I lived there for 3 years and loved it.
I now live on the Arlington Rosslyn-Ballston Orange Line corridor, which is also very young and easily accessible, with plenty of nightlife, restaurants, shopping, etc., but it is definitely a different feel from the city. I recommend Clarendon since it’s within budget. It’s a great neighborhood.
Anonymous
Dupont or Logan Circle for sure. Start looking on Craigslist, and if you can either come to town to look in person or rent a room for just a month while you look around for your long-term place. There are several B&Bs near Dupont Circle that rent rooms by the month.
divaliscious11
Hey – some of us are more seasoned, married, and love urban life! ;-)
Another option is Capitol Hill, if you want a bit more diversity……
2L!
Congrats! I love DC! I would definitely recommend Logan Circle. It’s close enough to downtown but still right near the U-Street corridor. Also take a look at the Circulator’s route. I commuted on that for six months and found it much more pleasant than the T! (It’s a fancy bus that goes through fun neighborhoods…) Dupont or Logan Circle are both great that way. I also really like the area around the Verizon Center in terms of restaurants and such, and there are some nice condo buildings there, but it doesn’t feel quite as neighborhoody, if that makes sense? Definitely don’t live downtown! Everything closes on the weekend. I think Logan or Dupont would be just right!
Anonymous Today
Congrats!
I agree with the neighborhoods everyone else had mentioned, but want to put in one more vote for the Hill. I had previously lived in Arlington and have been on the Hill for about a year and absolutely love it. It’s definitely not within walking distance from Farragut West/Farragut North, but it’s not far at all by metro.
AC
Any advice on what to wear to a 5 o’clock wedding (says formal to me) at a city park on the water (says informal to me)? At least part of the festivities will be outside. Oh, and to add to the mix the weather forecast is for a high in the low 60’s and low in the mid 50’s, with rain.
I am completely stumped. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
MelD
I would ask the bride just to be safe. I went to a wedding last year where everyone assumed it would not be formal based on the 4:30 time and location and the bride freaked out.
MM
How fancy was the invitation? Was it hip, modern, casual? Or frilly, traditional? I agree that this could go either way. Supposedly invitations are supposed to help tip you off as to the style of wedding.
AC
I thought the invitation was rather casual. Very nice, but definately not your traditional wedding invitation. Maybe I’ll use that as my guide. I was actually looking forward to an excuse to splash out on a new dress and/or shoes, but I don’t want to buy something nice just to shiver under a coat or have it ruined by the rain.
(another) Dasha
Hey name-twin, congrats on the job!
Don’t know anything about DC, though so no advice.
Dasha
Nice to meet you, (another) Dasha! Slavic roots?
(another) Dasha
Da! Born in Russia :)
Dasha
Ya tozhe. :-)
lawDJ
little black dress with flats (no heels b/c of the grass in the park, perhaps shiny/metallic gladiator-type sandals) and a bolero or shawl. Pre-6pm weddings are not as formal as “evening” (>6pm) weddings so you could even go with a bold print sundress in my view.
if the festivities are outside and it’s supposed to rain, they’ll have a tent, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
lawDJ
oops, that was supposed to be in reply to AC, above!
Boat
I’m going to Seattle next weekend and would appreciate similar comments! Where should we eat? Really the whole point of travelling is good restaurants, so I want to make sure we go to the right ones — cheap, expensive, whatever. Als0, what should we do (besides the typical)? I’m super excited!
MJ
We’ve enjoyed Etta’s and the Steelhead Diner on our visits there. Canlis is a lovely restaurant, outside of the center of town. You will want to spend time at the Pike Street Market (which is the main touristy thing but still not to be missed). I am also fond of the Olympic Sculpture Park and taking the ferry to and from Bainbridge Island. Have fun!
Experienced
Yes to both of MJ’s suggestions! Further, take home some of Etta’s “rubs”. The salmon rub is fabulous. Wild Ginger is also quite good. Lots of great eats!! The art museum is very accessible and they always have unique, regional art.
cbackson
Oh man, there is great food here. My totally partisan recommendations:
-Take the ferry to Bainbridge for dinner at the Four Swallows (northern Italian). It’s pricey but really good.
-Senor Moose in Ballard for excellent regional Mexican food. Cheap and really tasty.
-Any of the Tom Douglas restaurants (Etta’s, Dahlia Lounge, or my favorite: Serious Pie, which is a very tasty pizza place). These are all downtown.
-Pike Place Market is fun to walk around–my top food stalls there are the mini donut place, the crumpet place, and the Beecher’s cheese factory (get the Marco Polo if they have it on offer). My favorite restaurant there is the Pink Door.
-Also on Bainbridge, there is an excellent sushi place (can’t remember the name, but it’s the only sushi spot on the island) which specializes in vegetable sushi. Tasty, but pricey.
-Purple (downtown), especially if you like cheese. It can get very expensive, depending on how much you order. Also, the desserts are amazing.
-If you’re around on a Sunday, the Ballard Farmer’s Market is the best in the city and has lots of tasty eats.
For things to do, it really depends on what sorts of things you like to do. The Underground Tour is cheesy but really interesting (the city was raised by about 12 feet in the early 20th century; you can walk on the old sidewalks underground). The Smith Tower has a view as good as the Space Needle and is lots cheaper (the food on top of the Needle, btw, is awful). But for a truly local experience, I’d head to the Ballard locks and fish ladder, then continue along the waterfront to Golden Gardens Park for a sunset picnic and bonfire on the beach (there are city-approved fire rings).
Ms B
Elliott’s Oyster House has an excellent “oyster happy hour” in its bar from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The oysters start at 50 cents each at 3:00 pm and go up a quarter every 30 minutes. Don’t let the touristy location and atmosphere bother you; the oysters are really great and there usually are a couple half-price app specials worth eating.
DH and I love Wild Ginger. Because everything takes better on sticks and skewers. Especially if it is from Wild Ginger!
Any Tom Douglas restaurant is worthwhile. That includes Lola, Palace Kitchen, and Dahlia. Whichever you choose, get the coconut cream pie for dessert. I am not exaggerating when I say it is one of the top three coconut desserts I ever have had in my life (along with Damon Fowler’s coconut layer cake and a coconut confection to die for at Guy Savoy).
Go early for lunch and stand in line at Armandino’s Salumi for some of the best porchetta you will ever taste. Yes, it is worth the wait. Make some friends in line and hopefully they will share with you so that you can taste more of the menu.
Don’t forget to have a couple live Dungeness crabs packed to travel. Take them home and steam and eat immediately. Do not believe what they tell you about having them cooked and frozen; they are not worth the time or money that way. I also recommend buying a couple salumis at DeLaurenti for snacking on after you get home. And a couple jars of the red pepper jelly from the stand in the Pike Place Market. That stuff is really great on a Monte Cristo sandwich!
Can you tell that my vacations are all about food??!!
Seattlite
NW Food:————————–
– Matt’s in the Market (pretty view of Pike Market, good food)
-Steelhead Diner (Pike-ish)
– Ray’s Cafe (by Ballard Locks suggested above) good food, great view
-Art (Four Seasons restaurant. view is amazing, and food is good)
-Boka for the best truffle fries in town
-Purple is kind of nouveau American/PNW cuisine. I recommend going straight up to the bar (through the restaurant and up the stairs) and ordering exclusively off the tasting menu (small plates). Also good wine flights. Dinner there is expensive and rather blah.
Asian Food: ————————
– Thai Tom (on “The Ave” in the university neighborhood) best thai, no reservations, very cramped and hole-in-the-wall. Go off-rush for limited wait time.
– In the Bowl (vegan pan-asian cuisine, you wouldn’t know it’s missing anything. Huge menu, but order less spicy than you normally would.) On Capitol Hill.
– Ferry Noodle House (right by the ferry to Bainbridge) is pretty good – great Avocado Green Curry! Order spicier than usual.
Misc:
– Maximilien (French food, French chefs, near Matt’s)
– Cafe Campagne (casual French food near market)
– Alibi Room (Good pizza, beer, select other things. In Post Alley near the Pike Market)
Cocktails: ——————————
– ZigZag Cafe (Pike area) – Murray there was just voted best bartender in America
– Can Can (on Pike Place) interesting shows, good cocktails
– Tavern Law (Cap Hill) great cocktails
– Il Bistro (Italian food, Pike area, go for the drinks)
– Barrio (owned by Purple people. on Cap Hill) good cocktails, but not a huge fan of their food.
—–Any of the restaurants downtown have GREAT happy hour food/drink deals. If you have an iPhone you can go to The Stranger (local arts weekly) website and download the Cocktail Compass Let me know if you have follow-up questions. I love food :)
Nebbe
I also live in Seattle, and I also vote for Steelhead Diner (love their brunch, my grandmother is in love with their grits), the mini-donut stall in the Pike Place Market, and the Wild Ginger. Around the corner from the Wild Ginger is a music hall called the Triple Door, with amazing acoustics and set up as a dinner theater in the performing space, and servingfood off the Wild Ginger menu. Upstairs it has a bar with an awesome, huge fishtank and sometimes live music (and Wild Ginger menu! I love the 7 flavor beef and the duck and any satay). If you can get tickets to a show there it is a great experience.
We have really great Thai food in Seattle. If you head north of downtown to the Wallingford/University District area, eat at Thai Tom’s, definitely. I also second the suggestion to eat at In the Bowl on Capital Hill. The menu is extensive, and the food is really yummy. Really, really yummy.
I highly recommend visiting either Molly Moons (there are location in Wallingford and on Capital Hill) for ice cream or the Fainting Goat (on 45th ave in Wallingford) for the best gelato ever! (personal opinion of me, my boyfriend, and legions of friends!) The Fainting Goat is run by a Turkish couple who handmake over 20 delicious, mouthwatering flavors of gelato and sorbetto. There is something for everyone there. One of my friends has been known to make an hour round trip journey just to pick up a pint. I am now holding myself back from raving about it for another two or three paragraphs.
Yes to the pierogies at the market, you’ll know the spot because there’s a yummy smell eminating from the shop and a line out the door. Yes to Beechers cheese. Also, the first starbucks is located by the cheese and pierogy shops, my mom loves to take visitors there.
If you are on Bainbridge, the Four Swallows is a great choice. The Bloedel Reserve on the north end of the island is a wonderful place for an afternoon walk, lots of gardens and greenery. You will need a car to get there though. Pack layers, we are experiencing a cool and cloudy end of summer.
In additino to the Seattle Art Museum, The Frye Art Museum on First Hill is great, as is the Henry Art Museum on the University of Washington campus. The museum of air and flight is located south of the city at least a half hour away, but if you and/or your traveling companions’ are interested, it’s another great day trip.
A nice spot for happy hour is Chapel on capital hill, they make great cocktails with their own infused spirits. Tasty and novel. And, the architecture is interesting.
Check out The Stranger http://www.thestranger.com or the Seattle Weekly http://www.seattleweekly.com for upcoming events. Have a great vacation!
Nebbe
Almost forgot–Pioneer Square makes a good day destination, but its night-time heyday is over. For fun on the town at nighttime, Capital Hill is a better alternative. There are lots of shops, restaurants and bars there. Ballard has a smaller selection of boutiques, restaurants and bars. A local Ballard favorite is La Carta de Oaxaca. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Check it out on yelp. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten/imbibed there.
Mille
Pierogies at Pike Place Market. I can’t go to Seattle without stopping there. Also, you didn’t ask this, but I had a fabulous experience at the Alexis Hotel– very close to the market, they gave us a free room upgrade, and the staff was really friendly. It was reasonably priced, also. And I wish I could remember the name of the asian restaurant directly across the street from it– they had a really good drink menu at the bar, and great food.
MM
I lived in Seattle briefly and am headed back there for vacation in a week. Yay! Bainbridge is awesome as mentioned above, and there are also day trips to do whale watching if that’s your thing. You’ll want time to also just walk around Pike’s Place and the surrounding neighborhoods of Belltown and Pioneer Square.
You cannot miss Wild Ginger (the black pepper scallop and duck rolls are to die for). I also particularly like Pink Door and Serious Pie. We’re trying Herbfarm this trip for the first time. It is one of a number of single-seating, single-menu, local-food (and wine if that’s your thing) places. Art of the Table is a similar restaurant.
If you do like wine, there are a number of wineries in the Woodinville suburb, including Chateau St. Michelle, which is probably best known.
I happen to know that it’s season opening gala at Benaroya hall next weekend (symphony and opera, etc.). And the state fair is going on 40 minutes away in Puyullup.
Finally, there’s lots of outdoors stuff. Lots of wonderful waterside parks, the Japanese garden is beautiful, and I personally really like kayaking on Lake Union.
Anonymous
Anthony’s restaurant- it’s kind of spendy but halibut is in season right now and it’s the most delicious fish I’ve ever tasted!
Bets
Crow http://www.eatatcrow.com/ is a great place near the Seattle Center. Awesome food with a relaxed Northwest vibe. We always eat there before catching a show, and it always exceeds our–already high–expectations.
Also, Vivace Coffee is worth a stop for a decent cup of coffee. Their Capitol Hill location is just down the street from Dilettante on Broadway, which makes the world’s most amazing chocolate martinis (try the Valencia Spirit if you like chocolate oranges), as well as a wide range of desserts. They also have a good, if limited, dinner menu and an excellent happy hour 5-7pm daily. http://www.dilettante.com/Mocha-Cafes.html#Broadway
Shoe Queen
Must have dinner at Spinasse, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The menu features handmade pasta. Their chef is Food and Wine Magazine’s 2010 New/Young Chef of the Year. You can ask to sit at the counter/bar and watch folks working in the kitchen. It’s a small place and you should make reservations via phone or online at opentable.com.
Of course, you must also visit the mothership Nordy’s.
Amy H.
My favorite place in Seattle is Le Pichet — it’s a little French place with fantastic charcuterie, cheeses, and wine by the pitcher (pichet). Eating there always makes me feel like I’m in Paris or Lyon or Provence . . . .
Mario Batali’s dad also has a housemade salumi place near Pioneer Square that’s spoken of highly. I’ve still never managed to eat there b/c it’s not open all that often.
Boat
Y’all are awesome! My only problem now is how I’m going to fit ALL of those places into my 4 day trip! Ha ha.
Jen L
Reporting ack on the brown Gap jacket from last (?) week or the week before. The fabric is really soft and the jacket is fully lined. I’m a size 20 with large breasts, so it doesn’t button over my breasts, but it buttons at my waist and I think it looks nice open too. I think it looks nice with both my black and gray pants. I’m really happy with it.
I also ordered this jacket: http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=6208870020005&cid=5700&locale=en_US I like the fabric on it as well, but in my size it looks really boxy, frumpy, and somewhat matronly. I’m returning it.
Jen L
Sorry, that should say “back”!
MM
This is very helpful. I’m wanting the jacket and probably using my Gap Groupon on this one!
divaliscious11
I just a got a really cute herringbone jacket from the Gap but I can’t find a link – looks great with trousers, and I am hoping will also a little edge with pencil skirt as well….
kjf
I have been waiting all week to ask this, lol.
I got this really awesome jean jacket quite some time ago but I don’t know how to wear it. Do I wear it with jeans? khakis? corduroy pants? or should I just forget it and throw it in the Goodwill pile?
Thanks ladies!!
Anon L
I like jean jackets over sundresses for a casual afternoon look. I also think they can be cute w/ black capris and a slightly longer, but form-fitting top… I also have an outfit of fake leather pants, a long tiered tank, and a jean jacket pieced together in my head, which I am looking for an excuse to wear. I’m not into jean jackets with khakis, but I have finally just accepted the fact that I don’t like khakis, so that may have something to do with it.
(I’m a young-looking 27 and a lil’ fashion-forward with respect to weekend wear, so YMMV).
Mille
I don’t like denim with denim. Jean jackets, imho, should be worn with anything and everything but jeans. It works with khaki and corduroy, and skirts and dresses. And it’s fun and cute, so don’t just give up on it.
B.
Definitely not with a pair of jeans. I almost always wear them with dresses or skirts. Or with fitted linen pants and a tank.
Amy
In my area, wearing “double denim” (aka jeans with a denim jacket) is referred to as a “redneck tuxedo.” (sorry, don’t mean any offense to anyone.) This has become a popular celebrity look recently though.
I wear my denim jackets (I have several – dark and light blue washes, and a khaki-colored one that is surprisingly versatile, as well as a white one) over dresses quite a bit, or with chinos. I have a couple of print cotton skirts I wear on the weekend and a really easy, but cute, uniform for me when I will be running around a lot but still want to look nice is cotton skirt-tee-denim jacket-metallic flats.
Experienced
Hilarious!
JAS
I agree with this in general but does it still apply if the two denims are *very* different washes? EG, dark dark jacket with light grey jeans? I ask because, like the OP, I have a fantastic jean jacket that I find hard to wear, since it is casual and if I am wearing a casual outfit and it is cold enough to merit a jacket, I am most likely wearing jeans. I don’t really like khakis either. I feel like I am “safe” if they are 2 different colors bt not necc out of the woods. Would love to hear what others think about this!
Miriam
If the jeans are not blue I would feel safe wearing the denim on denim, like black or white jeans. I am the same way with my denim jacket; I don’t like khakis, and I would wear pants if it’s cool enough for a jacket. I also have a similar problem with my white leather jacket. I never know if it is appropriate to wear in the colder months because of the color and if I can wear it in the warmer months because of the leather. Probably not my best purchase.
Anonymous Today
I agree with Miriam; I think it’s ok if the jeans aren’t blue, it’s OK to pair denim with denim. Other than that, I’m against it. Even with the celebrities that are doing it recently, from what I’ve seen, it tends to be different colored denim (at the very least light blue with dark blue) or denims of different weights (i.e. a thin denim shirt with regular weight jeans).
Anon
I could use some (law) career planning advice!
I’m a 2L and I just spent the summer at a US Attorney’s office. I really enjoyed working in the Federal system and would like to keep going in that direction, preferably becoming an AUSA eventually (for which 3-5 years of practice post law school is practically required).
In order to do this, it seems that it is practically required that I get a Federal clerkship, and I would really love to do one, specifically in district court. This is very tough for me for the following reasons: I go to a mid-range school (top 50), I’m slightly-above the middle of my law school class, and for family reasons, I’m geographically limited to applying to two (very very competitive) districts. I did work in a substantive position at a municipal agency for several years before going to law school, and that certainly helps my resume.
I’m trying to do what I can to raise my chances of getting my resume even looked at. I’m working on raising my grades and working on writing a spectacular Note for my journal that will hopefully get published. I’m starting to wonder where to intern meanwhile – I’m hoping to intern Spring semester and next summer.
The positions that I’m considering applying to are the Immigration Courts, several municipal agencies, and the local district attorney’s offices. I’m not applying to firms because even if the whole federal courts thing doesn’t work out, I still intend to work in the public sector (probably government). It seems that most people I met who did a Federal clerkship worked at a firm their second summer.
Do you guys have any advice, of any kind, to offer? I’d certainly appreciate it.
North Shore
I think you’re going to need personal connections to land a clerkship. Some ideas for making connections: join the local Inn of Court, hopefully one that has a federal judge on the Inn. You could extern at the federal court during the semester. You might have better luck landing an externship with a magistrate, which can lead to a clerkship with a district judge later, once you are known in the courthouse. If your law school has a directory of former law students who have clerked, call them for advice and help, to get the inside scoop. If there are any law professors at your school with connections to judges, clerks, or magistrates, ask them to help set up introductions for you. If any of the attorneys at the US Atty office have connections with a judge, that might help get you an externship, too.
I got my clerkship because my professor formerly clerked for the judge next door to my judge, and he made a personal phone call on my behalf. The judge hired me on his recommendation — I’m not even sure she looked at my resume.
Ms B
If you are really serious about a permanent career in government law, consider applying for a slot after your 2L summer for the Attorney General’s Honors Program. This is the way that the DOJ hires entry level attorneys. See link here: http://www.justice.gov/oarm/arm/hp/hp.htm
FWIW, I started in the Honors Program out of what was then a top 30 law school (top 20 now), dead middle of the class, 2L write-on to law review followed by 3L year as Articles Editor, nationals in moot court, plus working part-time all the way through law school. In other words, my academics were decent but my extracurriculars and the fact that I worked 15-20 hours a week through law school (which I worked into every cover letter and interview) have to be what got me the job.
From what I know about the Honors Program, a lot depends upon your demonstrated credentials and interest in the particular division. My first choice was one of the more obscure divisions and I had my really good grades in that area, plus a recommendation from a judge in town known for his expertise in the area. I was willing to be in a location other than DC (which is the most competitive location to go for). I also think my 3L externship with the Civil Division of my local U.S. Attorneys’ office and the good recommendation I got from the head of that office made a big difference because I could include in my application that I already had a security clearance in place and that I would have experience dealing with federal issues.
Seriously consider doing things that beef up your resume. I pulled my grades up quite a bit during my 2L year, which really helped. Get published (a couple times if you can), do practical skills competitions and win, and get other government work on your resume. Externships are great; your law school should (at a minimum) be able to help you get an unpaid internship with a local federal or state appellate judge so that you can get a good recommendation and some writing samples. Try to make sure that you get to do something “real” in the externship, e.g. draft a bench memo, take depositions (I took about 40 of them during my time at the US Attorney’s office), write a memo of law that gets filed, argue something in court. If that does not work, another alternative may be to clerk for a state appellate court judge for a year, which I found a lot less competitive, and then transition to a federal clerkship for one to two years.
One final note — I really thought I wanted to do government work, but three years in, I realized that I had to leave. I was tired of being broke and having no chance of a decent raise, I was tired of having to work every Friday before a holiday because I was junior in the office even to the staff, and I was tired of working on the same range of matters over and over, waiting for someone above me to retire so that I could get the more interesting cases and policy projects in the office. I left right at the end of my fourth year and I do not regret that decision a bit. YMMV, but realize that government work is not necessarily all it is cracked up to be.
Anon
OP here. I’ve looked into the Honors program extensively, but unfortunately, there is nothing in my area remotely in my fields of interest (other than the USAOs but they don’t participate).
Thanks for all the advice :)
Anonymous
The EOIR hires via DOJ honors and has positions in every city where there’s an immigration court. Federal Bureau of Prisons also hires through honors.
Res Ipsa
Anon–what are your areas of interest? Because main DOJ (where most Honors hires go) has an incredible array of both civil and criminal litigation. So I’m just wondering what area of law you’d be interested in that AUSAs do, but not main DOJ.
Anon
OP here – I’d love to go to main DOJ, but I can’t leave my geographic area, which is not DC :/
2L!
Just out of curiosity, I am very interested in this thread too: what are the more obscure areas for DOJ? I’ve heard that mentioned before. It also comes up when people are discussing biglaw and they reference specific niche practice areas and I don’t know what they mean! But especially at DOJ, how would you best position yourself?
Ms B
The most popular Honors Program slots are for Civil/Torts/Civil Rights (including the occasional AUSA slots that come up), Appeals/SG (if there are even any positions — and these require at least a year of federal clerking), Criminal, and Antitrust. Other divisions, especially outside of DC metro, are less competitive.
Back when I applied to the Honors Program, it was grouped geographically so that they got people from all over the country in the program, instead of just from the coasts. I was fortunate that my school was the highest ranked within its group (although I am told that no longer is so); if I remember correctly, my year we had three people get into the Honors Program (two right out of law school, one after a year of federal clerking), with three the year before (two right out of school and one after a year of clerking) and two the year after (both right out of school) which is a lot, especially for a non-T10 school. I got the division I wanted in one of the two cities I wanted, but I suspect that had more to do with selection strategy by me and my demonstrated interest in the geographic and practice area than with my other credentials.
Unfortunately, they realigned the groups, so I hear it is tougher for my school now. Also the two professors from my school that were Honors Program alums have left the school, so the pipeline is not what it once was. However, I am convinced (although they both deny it, not very persuasively) that their calls on my behalf tipped the scales for me. Ask around and see if any of your profs can put you in touch with alumni who might be willing to speak with you and (if you are lucky) make a call to someone who does hiring. If you do get an interview/offer, I found the alums to be invaluable in terms of helping me prepare for the process.
AE
Ms B, I am having the same experience with the DOJ. I started in the HP after clerking and I’m about to start my third year of a four year commitment. I’m doing some interesting work now, because I detailed to another Division, but I think I will leave the government once my commitment is up in fall 2011. I see very limited opportunities for advancement, and I want to get paid more. Can you say whether you went to a firm or in-house? Is it in the practice area you worked in for the DOJ?
Ms B
I went in-house, then to a firm. In both cases, my practice draws significantly (but not exclusively) on what I did at DOJ.
The biggest obstacle I found in leaving the government was convincing people that I was not a “government employee”. In other words, I made it clear that I worked 50 to 55 hours a week with one-third travel, that I had significant responsibility, and that I expected to — and welcomed — working hard in the private sector, as long as I got paid for it.
I note that I would start looking about six months before you want to leave the government. It took me quite a while to find a position I liked. I note that no matter how far you are into your commitment when you leave, there will be some grumpiness, so be sure not to pass up any great opportunities that come along.
MelD
Did your local US Attorney’s office imply that you need a federal clerkship to get a job there? In my area, they take people who have 3-5 years of experience at the state attorney/PD’s offices or doing other types of government litigation.
Don’t listen to people who say you can’t bring your GPA up a lot in 2L/3L. I brought my GPA up .5 from 1L to graduation and .4 of that was in 2L. I was also in the workforce several years before attending law school and think I didn’t really catch on until 2L.
D
More or less. I don’t want to “out” myself geographically but it’s very, very competitive.
Thanks for the advice on grades though :)
Legally Brunette
I clerked on both the federal district court and court of appeals and I’m also from a mid-range Top 50 school, so it can certainly be done. Here are my specific recommendations:
1) Grades – as you likely know, improving your grades is the most important thing you can do to be a more competitive candidate. Most judges have a cut off point of top 25%, and many have it much higher (especially for students from non-Ivy schools like ours). Do everything in your power to improve your grades. You can make significant progress this year if you put your heart into it — study like crazy, go to office hours, work on your outlines early, etc.
2) Intern with a federal judge during the school year — the most valuable internship you can get is a judicial internship/externship with a federal district judge who does not have no-intern hiring policy (meaning, if you’re really good and the judge likes you, he or she will hire you as a clerk). This is the BEST way of getting your foot in the door, particularly if your grades are not stellar. I know three law students who have obtained federal clerkships in this way. Unfortunately it’s hard to figure out which judges have a policy of hiring their interns, so you’re going to have to ask around to career services, alums, former clerks, etc.
2a) If you can’t find a judge who hires former interns, your next best bet is to work for a judge who makes it a point to work closely/mentor their interns. That way if you do good work for the judge, he/she will recommend to to his/her colleagues. This was my situation. I worked for a wonderful federal district judge who really liked me and he made calls on my behalf to several of his colleagues. This is in part how I obtained my federal court of appeals clerkship. Again, you will need to ask around and figure out which judges make it a point to work with their interns. Many judges leave it up to their clerks to manage the interns, and their interaction with the interns is minimal at best.
3) Work at a place during the summer with lots of former clerks — as you rightly point out, most people who end up clerking work at a firm their 2L summer, and I would encourage you to give that a try because it will give your resume a big boost. If you decide to go to the public sector route, try to work at a place where a lot of the attorneys are former clerks. Then, while you’re there, ask the attorneys out for coffee and try to find out more about their clerkship experience. If you seem genuinely interested in their particular judge, some of them may even be willing to call their judges on your behalf. I ended up getting a few interviews that way.
4) Network, network, network — tell everyone that you’re interested in a federal clerkship, you never know who might know a judge. Show your list of judges to your professors and ask them if they would be willing to make calls to the judge on your behalf. When a judge gets 500 + resumes, personal calls/emails make all of the difference.
To that end, make sure that you really get to know a few professors who are willing to go to bat for you. Try to take some seminars this year so that you can get to know your profs in a smaller classroom setting.
I hope these recommendations are helpful. These clerkships are incredibly competitive but you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. Good luck.
Anonymous
I think any other DOJ position is also a good stepping stone to being an AUSA. Apply for DOJ honors for sure. Starting as a district attorney is also doable. I’d make sure you get litigation experience, and preferably in criminal law. When you start trying to transition to being an AUSA, if you can, look in less desirable geographical regions, which will be less competitive.
Also, I hope you’ve asked the question you posted here of your mentors and colleagues at the office where you interned! They’ll have the best advice for you for sure.
goirishkj
Dear Corportetters,
Please stop telling me about great sales! I spent my clothing budget months ago and shouldn’t be buying any more cute shoes. Even kate spade peep toe flats like these http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4414894&clickid=cart that are at a crazy discount. Please also don’t tell me about extra discounts by adding me to a mailing list. Or adding my husband to said list, as may be necessary from time to time.
Hugs and kisses,
goirishkj
JessC
Mailing list? What mailing list?
Experienced
Gosh darn it, that is a nice sale! Extra 25% off too! So what do y’all think of this bag: http://bit.ly/bbvHkd
Too sweet? Too boxy? What about for a small 5 foot tall girl? Red or black?
Love it but think it may be “too much” for me. Think it’s final sale w the 25 off.
lawDJ
I LOVE that bag. Want it. But as we know I bought one already from the sale, and that was the limit :) I’d get it! In black if you think the bow is too much, but in red it’s FABULOUS.
goirishkj
I looked at that bag at the Nordstrom sale–it is really really cute! I’d say get it but I have a problem saying no to shoes and to bags so take any advice of mine with a grain of salt :)
Chicago K
I love the bag. Love love love – want to order!
legalicious07
I too am confused about the mailing list comment…
Another Sarah
Me too. My email isn’t posted with my screenname, so how would anyone have been able to sign me up for a mailing list anyway?
In any course, if you get emails with discounts in them, delete them. When you’re ready to buy, you can open the ones you will get (since they never really stop coming anyway). Coupons will always be in your life :-)
Cat
re the mailing list — kate spade was offering an additional % off for signing up for emails at the time of discussion a few days ago. not sure if it’s still on the site, though.
goirishkj
This. Sorry, my post was my very terrible attempt to be funny as I saw the discounts talked about earlier this week and couldn’t resist the pull of cute shoes! It is OK to prespend next year’s clothing budget, right? In all seriousness I DO love this site and do learn about sales I’d never pay attention to otherwise. I suppose that is good and bad.
When I tried to sign up for the mailing list, my email didn’t work (I’m guessing I already signed up at some point, although I know I never did use the discount since this is my first purchase from kate spade), so I used the hubby’s address. I guess that’s one of the perks of being married, although he does it to me so I get random camping/cycling/electronics emails from time to time!
IF anyone is interested in the kate spade discount, the email sign up is at the bottom of the page and it is easy to miss.
Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend!
D
I made a “rule” in gmail that automatically labels all my shopping emails as such and archives them, so I never see them in my inbox. Then if I decide to do some shopping, I just check in that folder for recent emails. Its certainly helped.
lawDJ
This! It’s helped me too, but I tend to go in there a bit too much to look at what’s on sale. :)
goirishkj
Good idea–thanks for the tip!
skippy pea
I have been waiting for the open thread.
Ladies, I need advice re how to treat melasma. Unfortunately, besides freckles, I have dark stain on both my cheeks, running from outer eye down towards outer lips.
I have no idea how this happened, but I hate it.
I have been researching laser options, but most of the patients seem to get more melasma/browning.
I went to a derm for consultation and she barely looked at my face. She asked me what my issues were and just prescribed a cream for me. Very unsatisfactory experience for sure. So I wanted to get your opinion cos where else can we corporettes get honest advice? :)
kcaco
Hmm somehow my reply posted below – sorry – see below.
Mille
Just to commiserate– I am 8 months pregnant and just noticed that, along with severe acne, I now have large brown patches on both cheeks, under one eye, on my chin, and my forehead. I’m hoping you find out the answer and tell us how it goes. My doctor says mine may dissapear after I give birth, but my mom and sister both still have it many years later. The other advice is to stay out of the sun, which I won’t do.
And yes, go to a different doctor. No use letting one sucky doctor stop you from getting actual good advice.
spacegeek
Obagi blender (4% hydroquinone) and Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 twice daily on entire face. Has removed my melasma and I often get comments saying what beautiful skin I have–few wrinkles and even, smooth complexion. Huge difference and I highly highly recommend.
skippy pea
Wow, sounds promising. Where can I get Obagi? I have ust seen their hair products.
spacegeek
Beautycheap.com has been an excellent source for me on a recurring basis.
Suze
Obagi has worked VERY well for me re uneven skin tone, rosacea, spots and overall fine lines/skin tone improvement. Blender + .5 retina (take a few nights off and consider alternating a night of just blender with a night of retin-a). I get Obagi from my derm..it’s spendy, but to me worth it. didn’t know they made hair products?
E
Don’t use retinoids if your pregnant — ingestion of retinoids while pregnant causes birth defects and it’s uncertain how much is absorbed with topical applications. I wouldn’t chance it.
spacegeek
She’s right!! I’m so sorry–I saw “melasma” and responded. Same thing with the hydroquinone. Not good at all if you are pregnant!!
Anon
I don’t know if this is the same thing or not–I had dark spots on my forehead, about the same darkness as freckles, except that they appeared in winter when my freckles don’t show (my freckles only show up when I get some sun, and I usually don’t get much). They were about the size of the head of a pencil eraser, and I had two of them, right above my eyebrows.
My derm used a liquid nitrogen “blow torch”-looking thing to spot-freeze the spots—it was completely painless. The spots darkened over the next few days, and then peeled off, leaving new skin underneath. You have to watch the new skin at first b/c it can be a little pinker (I’m white) and sun sensitive, but then after another week or so it looks like normal. The derm also gave me some retin-A and another cream that’s supposed to take down inflammation, both of which help smooth everything out.
skippy pea
Sounds intriguing. I have a swath of a patch though. I am not sure how it will feel to blow torch half my cheel. But I should ask the derm about it.
Res Ipsa
My aesthetician recently told me that melasma is often a side effect of the Pill–one they don’t really warn you about. Boo.
spacegeek
It is hormone-related, which is why women who are pregnant may get “the mask of pregnancy” aka melasma. Just one more female thing… :-)
Amy H.
I have very bad melasma from the birth control pill, and Tri-Luma (prescription) has been helpful. It does make the areas where I apply it a lot pinker than the rest of my face, but it certainly beats having a dark brown mark above my upper lip that makes it look like I have a horrifically dirty face all the time.
Makeup Junkie
I have melasma pretty bad too. Here’s what I do:
1. Lasers worked really, really well for me. I still have dark patches, but they are minimized a LOT.
2. Alternate between TriLuma and .05 Retin-A every night to keep the brown at bay
3. Serums on top of my medicines – I use Silk Naturals Super Serum. I checked with my derm and she said it was okay to use in combination with Retin-A, but you might want to check with your doctor.
4. Lavender concealer under my foundation cancels out my brown spots, but you might find yellow or pink works too, depending on your skin tone.
5. SPF in my moisturizer, my foundation, and a hat. Keeping your skin out of the sun is probably the most important thing you can do. I thought tanning would make the spots blend in…learn from my mistake and don’t do it.
Good luck!
anon
Thanks all for your recommendations! I will try the Obagi. Thankfully, I am not pregnant, so I can take care of the problem!
kcaco
I don’t have any specific advice regarding melasma.
However, after reading your account of your derm consultation, I would advise you to try one (or a few) other derms to see what they say. The one you visited was either having a terrible day or has a terrible bedside manner – but since what you need is a thorough exam/medical workup, advice, and options, be aggressive in getting it.
Good luck!
skippy pea
Thanks. I am planning on going to another derm. But it is hard to find one who is close enough along with being a preferred provider. I guess I should just suck up and find a reputable one and pay out of pocket.
RS
Anyone ever try on/get a wedding dress from JCrew?? They look nice on the website (and affordable!) but I wonder about the quality, and how the fabric feels, and I can’t get to the NYC boutique to try one on!
D
I got my wedding dress from them – it was actually one of the bridesmaids one – the Sofia gown in Ivory, I think. The quality and fit were spectacular, I cannot recommend it highly enough. I wore a size 0 at the time and all I needed altered was the length. Everyone told me what a great dress it was and were shocked at how (relatively) cheap it was. The quality was much better than the David’s Bridal type stuff I’ve had experience with, but I don’t know anything about more high end designers so I can’t comment on that. I almost wish I was having a second wedding so I could get another dress from them :)
anon for this
Thanks for the information. My sister is considering the Sophia gown for her wedding but lives in Japan and obviously won’t be able to see it in person before she buys. She’s tall and slim, but has a short waist and is worried that the dress may be a little too low cut for her. How did you find the neckline?
D
The neckline is actually very low. It’s definitely not a “conservative” neckline. But I loooooooved the dress :)
anon
I am not sure where you are, but some J.Crews have bridesmaid dresses. You may be able to try on the Sophia bridesmaid dress — it may help her figure out whether or not the wedding dress would work for her.
mm/dc
I wore a JCrew wedding dress to my wedding–I was getting married in Italy on relatively short notice, needed a dress that could travel easily, found that bridal boutiques generally require dresses to be ordered several months in advance, at least, and wanted a hassle-free, low-key purchasing experience (it doesn’t get much easier than ordering a dress off the internet). Anyway, I ordered several different dresses in a couple of sizes each (including the Sophia style referenced below), tried them on at home, and ended up going with a silk tricotine halter-style (I don’t see this style on the website currently). The rest I returned. The silk tricotine, which has a substantial feel but was cool and comfortable on a hot Tuscan summer day, drapes beautifully and doesn’t really wrinkle–I packed my dress, folded, in my luggage and had the hotel staff iron it before the wedding. In terms of fit, I normally wear a 6 in JCrew/BR, and ended up needing a size four; no alterations were needed.
San Francisco
If you are in NYC, JCrew just opened up a bridal boutique in mid town, where they have all the styles available for try on. A friend of mine went recently and was impressed. I think you have to make an appt.
MJ
And since JCrew shipping is NOT cheap if they are not running a special, remember that you can go to any JCrew store, use their red “bat phone” to order, and shipping will be free on your entire order. I often have to shop for Talls, so I go to the store, try on, and order with free shipping.
JCrewaficionada (google it) is a semi-obsessive blog that would probably give you very specific write-ups on JCrew products too.
Congrats on your wedding!
Anonymous Today
This is kind of an annoying process, but you can go to any J. Crew and have them order the dresses and then try them on when they come into the store. The catch is that you have to pay for the dresses they order, but can then have the cost refunded immediately when you go to try them on if they don’t fit. It’s annoying, but I had a friend who did this with success. (They ship them right to the store so you don’t have to worry about shipping.)
Also, if you can’t get to NYC I’m guessing you can’t get to D.C., but they do have a wedding boutique at the Georgetown store now. I’m not sure how extensive, but I saw the display a few days ago when I walked by.
A
I have a law school rant that I need to get off my chest. I’m at 2L and on campus interviews are next week. Despite the fact that I’m ranked in the top 5% of my class and on law review and moot court, I chose not to apply. I externed for a judge this summer, developed a taste for government work and plan on interning for the US Attorney or Federal Public Defender next summer so I can handle some cases. My plan seemed all well and good until I had to explain to my fellow law review staffers why I wasn’t participating in OCIs. Responses ranged from, “Well, there’s always spring OCIs if you change your mind,” to “Are you f***ing crazy? You’re ruining your career!”
Say *what*? I know we all want to be successful and make money, but is a summer associateship really that important, especially when a firm isn’t exactly where I see myself in five years? (I’m on a full scholarship and my loans are covering my cost of living just fine, so while some money would be nice, it’s not imperative. I’m more concerned about developing my skills as an advocate.) Am I missing out on some kind of law school rite of passage here? I didn’t think I’d made a terrible decision, but my peers’ reaction has me second guessing myself.
Mille
Judging by your credentials, you are perfectly capable of making the decision not to do OCI’s. Trust yourself to make that decision.
I didn’t do OCI because I knew I wasn’t cut out for law firm work. I wanted to be in criminal law, in trials, and there was no way I’d enjoy a lifetime of working in a firm. Federal is great, but don’t discount the value of a county prosecutor or public defender position. (I would guess most states are similar in that, after your 2nd year of law school, you can get approved to represent clients and try cases in court). At the county prosecutors office I worked for, I had the opportunity to do trials almost every week. By the end of my internship I had more trials under my belt than some of the actual prosecutors.
I am now working mostly as a public defender. I don’t do it for the money. Right now I am working at a small firm on an indigent defense contract, with some retained work in criminal law, family law, and bankruptcy. This defender position has given me the opportunity to learn so much. I’ve had a huge caseload and gained experience in dealing with clients. I would like to be a prosecutor eventually, and am working on building up courtroom skills and confidence so that I can be better at it. My father was a police officer for 30 years, so I was not only brought up in a law enforcement household, I was also brought up to think that working for the government isn’t such a bad thing. Benefits, a steady paycheck– works for me.
If you have a taste for something, follow your instincts. I can promise that you’ll be a lot happier with less pay in a job you enjoy.
JessC
Is your summer position/job/internship after 2L important? Yep. It can often lead to practical work experience, great recommendations from your superiors, or (if you’re really luck) a job after graduation.
Is it a collosal fail on your part that you didn’t participate in OCIs? Nope. In my experience very few public sector offices participate in OCIs. If you have a good idea of what you want to do and your school’s OCI doesn’t offer you anything you’re interested in, then there’s no need to go.
AC
Big law isn’t for everyone and better to know that now than 5 years down the road where you trapped by car payments, mortgage, etc.
Have you considered doing OCI for the interviewing experience? Interviewing is a learned skill and OCI is a perfect opportunity to practice.
goirishkj
This a thousand times over.
Even if you are great at living frugally, the biglaw money eventually becomes something you are used to and even the best sometimes find those golden handcuffs slipping on their wrists. It is scarily easy to become used to a certain lifestyle. There are some people who are happy and succeed in biglaw. But it really is not for everyone and if you know that now, you’ll be better off in the long run. If you are not a good fit for biglaw (I wasn’t, so there’s a little bit of experience here!) it can make you miserable. It isn’t worth it–the money is nice, but there are lots of other jobs that pay enough to live a good life.
Don’t let the law school drama get to you, although I know that is easier said than done.
Good luck!
Miriam
I agree that you should do whatever you feel is best for yourself and forget about the law school drama….if possible! At the same time, it might be nice to have the interview experience and always nice to have options if you do get a job offer.
North Shore
You have until midnight on Tuesday to apply to the DOJ’ s Summer Law Intern Program, a paid summer internship at the DOJ that can lead to a permanent offer of employment. The application is on the DOJ’s web page. No harm in applying — if you get an interview and decide you don’t want to spend your summer with DOJ, you can always turn it down, but if I were you, I wouldn’t miss Tuesday’s deadline. It’s a great program, and it sounds like it’s what you want to do. The application is on line. Good luck!
Anonymous
I never did OCI and never regretted it. I didn’t want to work for a firm. There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want and going after it. Five years out of law school, my friends at firms who hate their jobs meet me for coffee to ask about how to break into my public sector field. Yeah, they have more money than I do, but I spend 45 hours a week doing work that I love for a decent salary, and that’s invaluable.
another anonymous
This. Second summer is important b/c it sets you up for a job after graduation. You should try to do something that is as close as possible to what you think you actually want to do. I had the credentials to do OCI but didn’t because I knew I didn’t want to work for a big firm. I did public sector work and made the connections that got me the job that I have now (and love). Good luck!
Another Sarah
My school had the USAttys and the Fed PDs in fall OCI. So if you didn’t even LOOK at the page, I would say it was a mistake. I agree with the above comment that interview experience is interview experience, and that kind of experience can really only be good experience. In this economy, personally, I’m really hesitant at turning down any opportunity without even looking at it. But my stats are different than yours, and you definitely have more to work with than I did. However, my experience (and a lot of other people’s as well) is that when you put all your eggs in one basket, they end up breaking and you get no eggs at all. This happened to many of my friends who said, “I’m not doing OCI because I want to work for the State.” Unfortunately, when the State had a budget crisis later that fall, the State didn’t hire anyone, including unpaid interns, and they were SOL. So, my advice would be to at least take a look at what your school’s OCI has and see if, by chance, you would be interested. Maybe there’s a firm in there that does a lot of criminal defense/government work.
I also second the Honors program application-doing.
A
Thanks for the advice, ladies! I feel a bit better about my decision and will think about doing spring OCIs just for the interviewing experience. (Thanks AC!).
I suppose I should’ve prefaced this adding that I’m going to school in a state that only has two “big” cities (trying not to out myself too much here) and while I’m going to law school in one of those cities, I really really want to return to the other one to clerk/practice/live once I graduate. So it makes sense, to me at least, to put in my time in my preferred area during the summer so I can network, get a sense of the legal environment there, etc. And none of the OCI firms are interviewing for that area. I did take a look at the firms that were participating, all fifteen or so of them, and I didn’t see anything that jumped out at me. And I guess that’s the thing that’s pissing me off — I felt like I took multiple factors into account and made a reasoned decision over the summer in choosing not to participate in OCIs and suddenly when I came back to school people were looking at me like I was throwing away the Holy Grail of my first year grades. I mean, I know unnecessary drama is a part of law school in general, but still ;)
Will take a look at the DOJ internship. Thanks for the heads up!
Another Sarah
Well, that makes more sense then. I didn’t think you had looked at anything re: OCI at all. Stand by your decision! Bah unnecessary drama!! :-)
Anon101
Don’t let other law students tell you how to live your life, or make you feel bad about the choices you make. They are just law students. They are probably insecure about the choices they made and taking it out on you.
Please remind me I said this during finals when my classmates give me $*** for not studying “enough”!
Shoe Queen
Follow your heart and do what’s right for you. Some students go into law school knowing they want to work at a firm (big or small). Most others come in fairly clueless and end up doing OCI (going on the law firm conveyer belt) because it’s what “everyone else” is doing.
Anonymous
For a bunch of smart people, law students are far too susceptible to herd mentality. I focused my search on the city I wanted to live in and everyone was horrified that I wasn’t interviewing in New York. To the point where I thought I was missing out on something and started to sign up for interviews in NYC. Until I slapped myself upside the head and reminded myself that I didn’t *want* to live in NYC. I totally understand how it might be making you crazy, if you’ve made a well thought out decision, just ignore them.
anon -- former big law
Being a summer associate is generally fun thing, though at most places you won’t get to do anything substantial. A fair number of people do the summer thing and then don’t go back, so that’s an option if you want.
My advice is not to go to a firm if you don’t need to. I had loans I had to pay off, so I did 3 years at big law on the east coast. Hated every moment. Left, now work as a prosecutor, love it, but the pay is awful.
ANON TODAY
I know exactly what you’re going through. Your fellow law students mean well, but know they are following the “what’s expected of me” path, law school to law firm. When someone wants to step off the path and go their own way, it frightens them. How could you possibly want something different?
I never did OCI at my law school because I did not want to stay in the state where my law school was located. OCI consisted of mostly local firms. I also knew me and what I wanted and didn’t want for my career. I did not want to be a litigator. I did not want to work in a law firm. (I was a paralegal before law school and had worked for a very difficult partner. Never again!)
I did my summers working at in-house corporate legal departments. I then started my legal career in-house and never looked back.
There are many roads to success. Follow your own heart. In the end you are the only one you have to answer to.
Liz
What kind of a wedding actually requires a hat and long sleeves?
kcaco
Probably an orthodox jewish one.
Never been to a wedding that required a hat and long sleeves, but I’m also not sure what the fuss is about.
Shayna
If it’s an Orthodox Jewish wedding then the reason for the long sleeves and hat is a modesty thing – Google ‘tznuis’ or look it up on Wikipedia — And having been to one last year, it is shockingly hard to find a dress that is both attractive and sufficiently modest (I did a quick scroll through Bloomingdale’s site just now and didn’t see anything with sleeves of any kind, let alone longer ones or a higher neckline)…
Of course, there are other religions that hew to a more modest aesthetic as well, though the hats-on-married-women tends to be unique to Orthodox Judaism
Another Sarah
Also, some of the more conservative churches (both Catholic and Christian) require, at minimum, shoulders, knees, and collarbones covered.
raised Orthodox
long sleeves are for the modesty requirements: women should be covered from collarbone to elbow on the sleeves and from collar bone to knee (while sitting down). at ultra-orthodox weddings, the skirts will reach the ankles/floor-length. (note that men are required to cover themselves as well, but as they’re always in suits, it’s not an issue.)
married orthodox women always cover their hair, whether with a hat, a snood, a scarf, a wig, or some combination of all of them. it is related to the modesty requirement, but distinct. if you do not cover your hair, it is a signal that you are not married. you will consequently receive different attention from everyone.
if the OP is actually going to an Ortho wedding, she probably could get away with not covering her hair. There are always one or two family members/friends/colleagues who are not religious and who don’t quite get all the rules right, but all good-natured Orthos appreciate that they are trying. ;) They’d be much more lenient on the hair than they would on the skirt length.
(note: if someone told her to wear a hat, she should wear a hat!)
also, Shayna — I really second the advice above about wearing cardigans/blazers/jackets/sweaters/boleros over dresses that otherwise won’t cut it. As long as you style them well, no one will care that you haven’t found a completely “tznius” dress. Most of the teenagers/young women I see at weddings these days wear sleeveless dresses over white/black t-shirts anyway. ;)
Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler
Follow-Up: Just got my Kobo in the mail today and I am in love. Finally, an e-reader that does only that. I’d looked at the Kindle and Nook, but know myself and if I have access to the Web 24/7, pretty soon that’ll be all I do.
Pros:
1) Lightweight
2) Clear screen
3) 100 free books!
4) The USB cord doubles as the charger, so only one cord to keep.
Cons:
1) It’s sort of annoying how the screen refreshes. All of the words sort of scramble and then the screen goes black. But at least it gives me that distinct feeling that I am moving to a new page.
2) I took the Kobo out of the box and tried to plug it up, the USB cord wouldn’t go into the product. But this was easily rectified with a quick call to Borders customer care. They are aware that it occurs and were happy to send out a replacement USB cord. Also, the USB cord from an old Motorola phone fits, so I can still add new books.
When I bought it, Borders was running a special so for $150 you got the Kobo, a $20 gift card, and $10 in Borders Bucks. Currently, the Kobo is being sold alone for $130, but I figure that once the holiday is over, the promotion will return.
Well here’s the link http://bit.ly/cSicqG and happy reading!
Another Anon
Thanks for the review! My friend is planning on getting her dad this exact gift for his 70th birthday.
Hope you enjoy yours!
A
I love the pictured dress….just wish it were cheaper! Anyone know anything about the brand? Also, where would you wear it?
Shayna
I’m looking for a non-old-lady bedspread – not a comforter. Any recommendations on where to look?
(A bedspread is thinner and goes all the way down to the floor, negating the need for a bedskirt, but I have only seen them in these ugly floral Laura Ashley prints)
So far I have been through Macy’s, HomeGoods, JC Penney, Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond and some local home decor shops. Thanks!
legalicious07
I definitely know what a bedspread is! That’s all my family used while I was growing up.
Here are some you could order online:
Brylane Home: http://tinyurl.com/2ctrflc
Sears: http://tinyurl.com/2cw38xt
Domestications: http://tinyurl.com/27sqbtf
Another Laura
Try Lands End http://www.landsend.com or The Company Store http://www.thecompanystore.com
Anonymous
Try Vermont Country Store and maybe Pottery Barn.
Shayna
Checked Pottery Barn out tonight… insert sigh here. Will check online to see if there is a Vermont Country Store in driving distance… I would prefer to buy it having seen it in person if possible – thanks!
Another Anon
Mine are all from Goodwill — no joke. Those white chenille things. $11 each.
Another Anon
…or IKEA.
spacegeek
Online places: The Company Store, linensource.com, Overstock.com, Domestications.com
Shayna
Thanks! I’m trying to find it in person if possible… but since that doesn’t seem possible, I’m glad to have a list of some more reputable websites :-)
JAS
I think you should consider getting an extra large print tapestry from your local “hippie store.” You know, the place that has incense and posters etc. I had a black and white print one for years (actually got it as a gift from Anthropologie, but “hippie stores” tend to have them more consistently). It wasn’t warm at all, but covered my blankets and gave my room a whole new look. Some of the florals at this link might be what you are looking for: http://www.bellsonline.net/QueenBedSpreads.aspx.
Then you can buy shams in a coordinating color at some place like TJ Maxx and you’ll be all set.
Shayna
Ooh, very interesting – yes, I’m not concerned a/b warm – this is a for-show bedspread only to be folded down at night with a comforter underneath to actually sleep under. Thanks!
D
I have one from Ikea and my friend has one from Urban Outfitters that is supposed to be a curtain panel – but neither reach down to the floor, they just cover the top. (we both have low, platform beds)
MelD
You can try Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware. Both have a selection of coverlets. If you find that they still require a bed skirt, you can always size up to a king if you have a queen now. My mom often recycles her king coverlets to the double bed in her house and it’s a good fit aside from being too long. If you get one that is reversible, that should solve the problem.
Luddette
Try Urban Outfitters which has a surprisingly robust home (“apartment”) section and attractive textiles.
Ms B
I would try The Company Store — if you sign up for their e-mail list, you will get a 20% off coupon that you can use on that purchase; or there are plenty of coupon codes you can find on the web. I think they have some velvet ones right now that are really beautiful.
KelliJ
Hi Shayna. Try Country Curtains. Local New England company. Growing up, my bedspread was from there. Warning: They tend to be old fashioned.
MPC
L.L. Bean has some solid-color matelasse (sort of like a thin quilt) coverlets. Not sure how long they are, but they sell matching bedskirts, as well.
Lynnet
I’ve been waiting all week for this thread, because I need really need advice.
I just started my 3L, I got married less than a month ago, and am taking a full class load while working two jobs, which total 15-20 hours a week. I’ve committed to both jobs for the rest of the year. My new husband is working 70-80 hours a week, so I’m most in charge of household chores, cooking, etc.
I’ve always wanted to work in copyright or publishing, but I don’t have any experience in those fields, which seem to be hard to break into. My focus in law school has been mostly IP, and that’s the practice area I ideally want to work in.
With that background, here is my dilemma: My university press is advertising an unpaid rights management internship for ten hours a week. It’s open to both undergrads and law students, so it’s not a legal job. I really want to apply. I think I would really enjoy it but, more importantly, I think it would make it a lot easier for me to get a job in the publishing industry in the future. I’m just wondering if the time and stress of taking a third job will be worth any future career advantage.
I would really appreciate any advice my fellow corporettes can offer.
Another Sarah
What caught me about your post was that after you listed your extremely full week, you said your new husband is working 70-80 hrs a week and so you’re in charge of the household chores and cooking, etc. From what it sounds like, you’re probably working at least 70-80 hours a week too! If you trade the household chores you do every week for the internship, it sounds like you might have the time for it. Can he pick up some of the household chores? Can he cook a meal a few times a week? Will he care if your “cooking a meal” = Chinese takeout every once in a while?
But I’m the kind of person who needs to have every minute of the day scheduled, otherwise I get myself into places I shouldn’t. ;-) So you may want to wait for a more sane person to weigh in on the subject. :-)
attnygrl
Yes, I’d expect the hubby to be doing more even if you were working “just” 20 hrs a week while going to law school full-time! That’s a lot, already! Then again, you may have lots of energy…! But, still, equity would seem to call for a more even division of home-labor. :-)
Lynnet
I didn’t mean to make it sound like he doesn’t do anything. He helps a lot with the big chores that I can’t handle (we’re still in the process of moving into our new place, so there is lots of furniture/box moving that needs to be done), and on Sundays we both cook and do major cleaning for the week ahead. And I certainly don’t cook dinner every night, I mostly make sandwiches in the morning for both of us to take into work, and then make myself a really simple dinner in the evening since he’s still at work. I do most of the laundry, dishes, and light cleaning, mostly because I have a much lower tolerance for mess than he does. He won’t mind if I suddenly stop doing work around the apartment, but I probably will. :)
Anon101
Even though you “committed” to working at 2 places during the year, you always could tell one of them that you found your dream job and have to take it. If they are reasonable, they will understand– employment is at will! In this economy, I’m sure they will find someone to replace you in no time.
Shoe question
So, pretty much all my shoes have been bought in the UK/Europe and come with UK/European sizing. I’m soon to order a pair of shoes from the US to wear to my friend’s wedding and I need some help converting sizes. I am usually a UK 5.5/6 ~EU39 and, having looked online, this apparently translates to a US 8 or 8.5. So, a question for women who own UK/EU-sized shoes and US -sized shoes, what size do you reccommend I get?
Thanks!
Shoe question
They’re these ones if it matters:
http://www.zappos.com/rsvp-sadie-black#additionalReviews
E
Hmm, reply didn’t get through earlier – I’m a 5 and when in the US I buy a 7.5. They fit very well, so an 8 or 8.5 sounds right for you.
MelD
I’d recommend the 8.5. I wear a 5 UK and typically wear a 7.5-8 in US sizes. I usually go for the 8 when I am buying something with a heel.
houda
Hello
In european sizes I wear 38 or 39 if the shoe is narrow. In US sizes I wear a 8M
Best of luck
Eponine
I’m a Euro 39 and I almost always take an 8.5M in US sizes, occasionally a 9 and very rarely an 8 (usually the 8 is in lower-end “comfort” brands like Naturalizer or Aerosoles that tend to run big). Bear in mind that US sizes tend to run narrower than Euro sizes so if your foot tends toward the wide side, you might need a US wide width.
M
Nth-ing the 8.5. I’m reliably a 39 in Euro sizes, and usually an 8.5 (sometimes 8) in US sizes.
KC
Hello all. Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend. So I’m looking for my first job and was wondering what I should be looking for. Like what mix of salary, atmosphere, boss/coworkers, quality of living, advancement/learning, location etc. should I be trying to find?
attnygrl
I think that’s so individual that it would be hard to answer! When I was a single mom after law school, benefits and time to spend w/my child were top priorities. Had I had no family to care for, maybe bigger money, room for advancement, etc. would have been my priorities. It’s very specific!
MelD
That really depends on a lot of factors. I think regardless of your personal situation, you should try to look for a job that offers advancement/learning potential in an area that has several similar opportunities. It’s worth it to take a slightly lower salary for a job you know is interested in training and promoting you quickly as opposed to a job that pays more now but has limited opportunities for advancement. You also want an out if you don’t like your current job, so you don’t want to get stuck in a town where your employer is the only game in town (or one of 2-3) in your field.
Shayna
I would think that it depends on your priorities – if you have kids, then location and time off may matter more than advancement, if you hate a long commute then, again, location matters. If you want to go back for a graduate degree then a job offering tuition reimbursement may look more attractive… I would start by making a list of what’s important to you, and possible assigning a point value to each factor to help you analyze what’s the best option for you (but, then again, I’m an accountant, so I tend to put every decision into an Excel spreadsheet!)
MJ
The three levers of any jobsearch are industry-function-geography. Beyond that, it’s intangibles, such as those you mentioned–mentoring, cool boss, advancements, lateral possibilities, etc.
You might want to check out http://www.rileyguide.com. It’s interface is old-school, but it has all the jobsearch advice you’ll ever need! Good luck.
Amy H.
“What Color Is Your Parachute” by Richard Bolles has a really good system for figuring all this out. It’s all the parts of the “Flower Diagram” except the skills section.
KC
Thank you all for the advice. I’m supposed to find out about a position this week so trying to figure things out.
Anonymous
Hey ladies! I am starting a new job in Biglaw next Monday, and I would love some outfit advice. I recently bought a pencil skirt that I love. It’s made of thick material that’s got a bit of stretch to it and falls beautifully, hits at mid-knee and doesn’t ride up when I walk… It’s practically perfect, and I think it looks great on.
My problem is that I have a really big butt (something like 15″ difference between butt and waist, and I’m guessing at least 6″ difference between butt and thigh directly below the butt), and the skirt doesn’t really do anything to conceal that fact. It’s not skin tight to my thighs, but to steal the words of a poster last week, it looks a little Jessica Rabbit.
I love skirts, and this one is beautiful, but I’m of two minds as to whether it’s appropriate for work. What do you guys think?
LawyrChk
If you’ve tried on the skirt and it truly fits you (and you love it), wear it! You may want to carefully consider the top that you use to balance out your look (nothing tight on top that would accentuate your curves too much), but there’s no need to be ashamed of your body.
I think I spent my first couple months at my firm trying too hard to copy exactly what others were wearing and didn’t put enough effort into just learning the rules of my workplace and showing off my personality while following said rules.
Anyhow, when you’re working 60-70 hours weeks, you’ll worry less about how your clothes fit :-)
K
I completely agree, and would only add that (as a similarly-built woman) I would love to know where you got such a fabulous skirt!
Anonymous
Unfortunately, it’s sold out now… But this is the skirt (couldn’t find a pic of the regular, so this is the petite.) http://www.anntaylor.com/p-23486.shtml
Thank you both so much for the responses!
Whitney
I bought this skirt in black and gray when it was on sale ($25 for the gray!). Love it! I, too, am an hourglass with a pronounced rear. Has that stopped me from wearing these skirts? Absolutely not. I always make sure to wear it with an open cardigan (would love to have matching jackets) to balance out any va-va-voom effect. As long as the skirt is not skin tight and you are not wearing a tight shirt, it will be fine.
Kacey
What are your thoughts on shoe color when wearing dark navy pinstripe dress slacks. My tops/sweaters tend to be colorful so I am thinking I need a neutral color. Can I wear black or does it have to be navy? Or another color?
Another Anon
Try beige or camel. If you’re careful you can do bright yellow with navy (YMMV).
S
You can totally wear black. I do it all the time.
MM
I think a dark red is neutral. It wear it with navy all the time regardless of the color of my top. Black will also be fine, but I think beige would be my second choice after red. I have a pair of patent leather beige pumps that are by far my best loved shoes (4 years old and still getting 2-3 wearings per week).
Another Sarah
*Gasp!* Deep red shoes with navy pants! You just gave me a fabulous reason to need a new pair of shoes ;-D
anon -- former big law
I have grey suede pumps I wear with my navy pinstripe suit. I think Navy would be too matchy-matchy.
Amy H.
I would do cognac. Love that color and I’m always looking for another reason to wear it!
UnSub
I like a long, streamlined look so I try to match my pants and shoes, showing some personality in tops. I’d go for navy shoes, but I would not hesitate to go with black if that is all I had available.
shopaholic
I like grey shoes with navy pants and skirt
bday girl
Hubby’s birthday coming up soon and I want to get him some great sunglasses that aren’t too expensive. We both usually buy cheap ones so we can easily replace them if they break, but he takes such good care of his he deserves a good pair. Suggestions? Any deals going on?
Thanks and hope everyone has a great holiday!
skippy pea
Costco has some great sunglasses -brands- and not expensive.
Amy
All the flash sale sites have designer sunglasses for men and women all the time. Gilt and Hautelook seem to have them a lot, as does Modnique. My husband has been an Oakley fan for a long time, but he prefers the more conservative/less obviously sporty designs. Oakley has great guarantees behind their sunglasses and they last forever if they’re taken care of well.
Most designer sunglasses are made by one company, Luxottica, which manufactures everything in Italy. The Wall Street Journal wrote a story about it: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704518904575365362932852610.html
So one designer brand isn’t going to be substantially different than another, if they’re both made by Luxottica. I wouldn’t spend much more than $100 on a pair of designer sunglasses – you should be able to find a nice pair on one of the flash sites or on Bluefly.com for that much (or less).
anon
What about a nice pair of Ray-bans? Classic, made in America, and very reasonably priced for the quality.
M
Rayban wayfarers. Completely classic and, at like $120, totally reasonably priced for the quality
Amy
I just got a cobalt blue dress. What colors can I wear with it (for shoes, cardigan/jacket, etc.)? Black seems boring. I was thinking camel maybe? Any other ideas?
skippy pea
Oh, I love cobalt blue! Ugh on pairing it with camel! :(
Cobalt goes well with shades of pink. A particular shade of green looks fantastic with cobalt. also Grey is gorgeous with it!
Look at how Indians dress up. They have great color combinations down! Americans are really clueless when it comes to combining colors..sorry. :)
Another Anon
Lime green. Fuscia.
Good luck.
A
I like the combo of cobalt and gray; I picked up a pair of gray suede heels that I wear with a cobalt dress and I always get a lot of compliments.
lawDJ
I think camel is fine, if camel is one of your colors. But for “plain” stuff I’d say, other shades of blue if you want to tone things down, fuschia, lime green, lemon yellow, or an icy grey. I assume you’re a “winter/cool” color person because I can only think of those types of combinations with cobalt.
t
Depending on the exact shade of cobalt, you could try pairing it with a white cardigan & white sandals. I have a royal blue skirt that I wear with a white blouse, cardigan and sandals when I want to be “safe”. But I’ve also paired it with a fuchsia top, cream colored cardigan and ivory sandals.
t
P.S: I’m Indian, and my husband (who’s not Indian) finds some of the color combinations I wear unusual – so I see what skippy pea is talking about.
One of my favorite salwar kameez outfits is a bright yellow kurta, paired with a magenta bottom & shawl! My sister in India wears it now; I’ve toned down the colors I wear slightly after moving to the US. ( I still love my bright pink kurtas, though, and wear them with jeans/khakis/beige trousers all the time!)
Chicago K
I have a cobalt blue dress that I wear with gray knee high boots and a magenta cardigan.
Nebbe
I will be traveling to visit my grandparents in Damascus, Maryland for 9 days soon, and they want to know if I have anything I want to do. I know I want to go to the Spy Museum in Washington DC. I’ve been to DC about 8 or 9 times over the years, and done the Smithsonian thing and all the monuments several times.
My grandpa loves planes and my grandma can’t walk around for a long time.
Any suggestions?
Ms B
I have a love for the outlet mall in Leesburg, Virginia. Your grandma could sit on one of the many benches while you run in and out of stores. The people watching is very high quality, but — more importantly — the shopping is excellent! Burberry, Ann Taylor Outlet, Saks Off5th, I could go on and on . . .
2L NYC
I grew up in the DC area (although on the VA side), and in my opinion, the Spy Museum is not very good. It is overpriced, and the gift shop is the best part. Some suggestions:
Sightseeing/Shopping in DC Proper: I think it would be much more fun to go around Georgetown (although there is some walking around here), or maybe Eastern Market if you are there on the weekend — there is a great open-air market that is just a fun place to walk around. There are also some nice consignment boutiques in DuPont Circle, also Old Town Alexandria area (Mint Condition).
Planes: Have you been to Udvar-Hazy near Dulles yet, or just to the Air and Space Museum? If you have not been to Udvar Hazy and your grandpa likes planes, it should not be missed.
I don’t know precisely where Damascus is, but from a quick google-maps, it looks like it is in between DC and Baltimore (I’ve lived in the Columbia, MD area before). I would also maybe bum around the Bethesda shops area — they have a lot of good restaurants, and even have their own dedicated restaurant week. Also, if you are on the Maryland side, there is good shopping to be had at Arundel Mills mall. In Baltimore, I love the Inner Harbor area, and I would recommend the aquarium, although the prices are steep.
Res Ipsa
Airplanes: Defintely check out Udvar-Hazy. Also, College Park Aviation Museum at the College Park airport, one of the oldest in the country.
Other interesting stuff outside of the Smithsonian: Brookside Gardens (in MoCo, closer to Damascus) is a lovely free public garden to walk around and admire, but has lots of benches so Grandma can take a rest. Annapolis for the City Docks and taking a harbor cruise.
Do they like to drink wine? Sugarloaf Mountain winery is also pretty close to Damascus and you can take a picnic lunch with you to enjoy with a bottle of wine.
I personally think the Spy Museum is overrated, but it could just be the exorbinant admission fee.
Nebbe
Great suggestions, as always! Thank you! I will stay away from the Spy musuem, glad I mentioned it.
I do love wine, and so do my grandparents. I looove outlet mall shopping! And am looking for a new interview suit for fall interviews so maybe I’ll score in Leesburg. The Eastern Market sounds lovely, and it has been a long time since I walked around Georgetown, that sounds nice. All the suggestions for the Aviation museums are great too, it will be fun to share those outings with my Grandpa. I’ve never been to Baltimore or Annapolis, will have to see what those towns are all about. The Brookside Garden sounds right up my Grandma’s alley, too!
Thank you again! I jotted down all the suggestions and am off to do some more research and write my Grandma. She’ll be happy to know that I have some ideas for things to do, I think she is worried about keeping me entertained :) It’s going to be a fun trip!
Eponine
Have you been to the Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA? That’d be really fun for your grandpa and there are lots of benches throughout the exhibits for your grandma to sit on. You might also see what performances are on at the Kennedy Center (the Millenium Stage there has daily free performances). Tickets to Nationals Games are also really affordable and there’s always lots of available parking if your grandma can’t do the Metro.
Anonny
Another vote that the Spy Museum is overrated. Depending on the types of aviation your grandpa is interested in, you might want to check on the US Navy Museum out at Navy Yard. It’s big enough to look around, but not so big that it’ll wear your grandma out, and it’s free.
Jules' Law
Can anyone offer suggestions for moderately priced furniture in the NY/NJ area? My husband and I are in the process of buying our first house and are taking very little of our current furniture with us. The prospect of furnishing an entire house, even a little at a time, at Ethan Allen prices for example is not exciting, since at my current salary it would probably take five years. I’m particularly looking for a sofa or sectional. We’ve been to Raymour and Flanigan but I wasn’t very impressed. We don’t want poor quality since that’s the reason we can’t take our current couch with us. Is there any way to get decent furniture without breaking the bank? (Btw I’m talking about new furniture, I know about craigslist but don’t want to get a used couch) Any advice?
EG
Have you looked at Bob’s Discount Furniture? Their commercials are irritatingly folksy, but they have decent prices and reasonable quality. There was an article in the NY Times a year or two ago about how Bob’s has plain trucks so that they can discreetly deliver to wealthy customers in CT and NY! They have stores in both NJ and NY.
Shayna
Ditto this – Also, I forgot to mention The Dump – there’s one in PA a few minutes from Trenton, NJ. They have overstock furniture and are only open Friday – Sunday. It’s a hit-or-miss, but when you ‘hit’ you really ‘hit’- think Italian leather sectionals for under a thousand dollars…
There may be another Dump, I’m not sure…
Shayna
Ashley Furniture is great for moderately priced, reasonably quality furniture – a step up from Jaron’s for example. I got a dinette set and buffet from them last year, and I got a leather sofa and love seat from Mealey’s last year that were of similar quality — definitely not Ethan Allen prices! Also, La-z-boy runs sporadic sales on their stock that take the price down to reasonable, and they have a lot more than overstuffed recliners.
Also, Ikea (there’s one in Elizabeth which gives you the break on sales tax right next to Newark airport) has some great stuff pretty reasonably priced – if you have never been be ready to spend a few hours there.
2L NYC
I like Gothic Cabinet Craft in NYC — solid wood furniture made in the New York area. I could afford it on a student budget, and I plan to take that furniture if I move (I think we were discussing this earlier on this blog, some of the stuff isn’t the prettiest, but you can find some really great stuff).
I also like Pier 1 — there is one in Manhattan, and I’m sure there are some in New Jersey.
findingfurnitureishard
Consider whether you can take a trip to North Carolina — Furnitureland South and other outlets– might be worth it if you have a whole house to furnish. Especially if your house has sizeable rooms. A lot of furniture down there is big. Also, troll Home Goods for occasional bargains.
Anon
I suggest looking for consignment shops in or near the nicer neighborhoods in your city, and also attending estate sales. There is so much nice, barely used furniture that can be had for so much less than buying new. That is how we’ve gotten almost all of our major furniture items–then fill in with cheaper accessories. For that I like home decorator’s collection (an online store) and sometimes even ikea. Both require a decent amount of diy work to put together, but they’re so cheap. If you put it together well, the home decorator’s collection stuff is really good quality–very sturdy, lots of solid wood stuff instead of just veneer, etc.
N
You can pick up a lot of things at IKEA. It’s not always the best quality, although decent enough in my experience, but then later you can replace it with more high-end stuff as you go along when you can afford it.
For example: I love my IKEA Ektorp Sofa: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79875866 Extremely comfy for reading, cozy chatter, watching TV, etc. But it is probably not the thing if you’re looking for show-piece living room pieces.
(We ended up going to IKEA and test-sitting all their sofas to find the right one for us)
My parents have been big on the Billy bookshelves for the den, and they’ve lasted close to 20 years for them. Inexpensive, but get them in the right colour and it can look insanely elegant.
shopaholic
I just got the Ektorp sofa too! I really like it. I test-napped it this weekend, very comfy
a new Mel
Most of the Macy’s furniture galleries have a clearance section – the one on Long Island (near Roosevelt Field) is fairly big and typically has a large selection of couches. Some may be floor samples (small stains, missing a pillow, pieces of sectionals, etc) so you have to dig, but you can find some great deals. And watch the tags – each color is a different % off sticker price. A few years ago I got a great khaki sofa for under $500 delivered to NYC. They have some furniture, mattresses and accessories too, but if memory serves, those weren’t in great condition. Good luck!
Anonymous
Value City or an American Signature store (Value City sells the AS line). Inexpensive and chic. We bought the world’s greatest couch at Levitz a while back. I am also told there is a Crate & Barrel outlet in Central Jersey, near Jamesburg, but have yet to locate it myself. For wood pieces, I have a great coffee table and bar from Target. I go to TJMaxx for things like lamps, side tables, pillows, bedding, towels, decorations, etc. The way that my husband and I furnished out house was that each year we would use our tax return on furniture. It’s definitely a delayed-gratification plan, but it also feels good to have bought our furniture outright than to have to make payments. We have used store credit cards to purchase things, but generally only when stores offer 0 percent interest. I read somewhere the best time to buy furniture is January and July, if I remember correctly but there are often sales around holidays as well. Congrats on your new house! Have fun decorating it, and don’t feel like you have to buy everything at once. Don’t worry – your place will be full of stuff before you know it!
Gap Trousers and Jeans Review by Eponine
I wanted to review the Perfect Trousers that Kat featured a few weeks ago, which I bought while traveling and were waiting for me when I got home today. I got them on a serious sale, something like 35% off with a combination of coupons, so they were like $35 each. I got them in black, navy pinstripe and gray, in my usual size. They fit true to size, make my rather small butt look good and the fabric is fine, not great. The slant pockets don’t gape at all although they also won’t hold much of anything. I doubt they’ll last more than a year or two and I wouldn’t pay full price for them, but they’re perfectly nice and appropriate for everyday professional wear. One small gripe: although Gap claims they hit at the waist, they hit me a couple of inches below and give me a slight roll. Hopefully they’ll stretch out a bit.
I also got the True Straight pants. These are going back. The fabric is really stretchy and also somewhat thick, and they pull in an incredibly unflattering way across the hips and front. They’re on the long side, too – much longer than other Gap pants in the Ankle length.
I got the Perfect Boot Jean and these are also going back. In my usual size, they seem too small. They also are supposed to be higher rise, but they are so not – they’re totally low rise. They have a wide waistband that squeezed me funny, too, and were longer than other pants in the Ankle length.
Finally, I got the Always Skinny Jean. Based on the fit discription, I decided to go up a size. They fit great. They are supposed to be low rise, but having gone up a size they actually ride higher than the Perfect Boot ones did. I don’t think I’d pay $60 for them (I don’t think I’d pay $60 for anything from the Gap) but with coupons bringing them down to $30 they were a great purchase.
Jen L
I bought the modern boot cut as well as the perfect fit trousers. I found the modern boot cut to be really wide. I’m sending them back. The perfect fit trousers will fit nicely when I love 5-10 pounds, so I’m keeping them as motivation.
sittininla
I also got a pair of the modern boot and the perfect trouser and I liked both of them. I am 5’5” and wear 2 inch heels at most and got the ankle length so I wouldn’t have to hem anything and they sit well on me at that length. I felt like both were a little wide in the thigh area (and I don’t have small thighs), but for $35 I thought they were pretty decent and fell nicely on me.
I tried on the skinny pants and the straight and HATED the straight. Very unflattering and boxy. I also didn’t like the fabric. The Skinny pants were nice but more like leggings, not something I thought was work appropriate, but would be nice on the weekends as I liked the stretch.
I also just recently got a pair of the Martin pants from BR (Skinny fit), (from ebay highly discounted). They are ok, I will probably keep them but I didn’t think they were high wasted enough and fit strange in places giving the appearance of a camel toe even though they were not tight on me.
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=760825002&tid=brfr1r
Eponine
Haha. Camel toe was what I meant by my euphenism of pulling in an “incredibly unflattering way.” I also tried on some pants at the Limited today that did the same thing, despite fitting fine everywhere else. Why do manufacturers do this? No one wants that.
Shoe Queen
Random question about Corporette. Has there been any discussion or efforts to set up a discussion forum where we can ask questions, exchange ideas and share information? It seems like it would be a much easier way to keep up with the questions/replies. Just a thought…
2L!
Oooh I second this! That could be amazing!
lawDJ
It has been suggested and if I remember correctly Kat said she was looking into it, but I third the renewed call for doing that!
MelD
A few of us have suggested it as an alternative to the weekend open threads. I find it gets to be unwieldy by midday Saturday and the new questions don’t seem to get as many results.
Suze
Fourth (I think) the suggestion :). I enjoy this site at least as much for the ‘discussion/sisterly advice’ piece as I do for the shopping/style information and the weekend open threads do get unwieldy (as do some of the regular weekday items that get threadjacked)….
sittininla
Ladies I could use your help. I am new to dressing in anything more than sundresses or jeans because I just recently got my first “career” type job. I am really excited about it and don’t think anyone is too conservative about a dress code but I really would like to look polished and not like a total newbie. I am going to be a staff attorney at a small non profit. The attire is business casual.
So far I have picked up a few blouses, and slacks that I found on sale at the GAP and Ann Taylor and one of them was a dark olive green. I love the way the slacks fit on me but have no idea what to pair them with besides white or black… any other ideas? The color is making me draw a blank. I did pick up a GORGEOUS pair of champagne colored cole haan pumps that would look great with them ($40 at DSW!!) but don’t know what shirt to pair with the slacks.
Also- as for jackets, do you always have to wear a jacket that is the same color as the slacks you wear? I am afraid that will look too “suit” like for business casual, what color/style combination work for jackets and slacks separates?
THANK you for any advice.
spacegeek
Pink goes great with olive slacks, IMO. Also mustard yellow, brown, orange. Navy, some camels, burgundy…
Grey can be nice too! Take a look at a color wheel and use your imagination! :-)
JessC
For a business casual environment, I would say a matching jacket is unnecessary. But it may be useful to keep a jacket or two that will go with most anything (I’m think a black one and maybe a khaki one) in your office for just in case.
Sharon
For a business casual environment, a jacket may be unnecessary — but a third piece (cardigan, sweater, etc.) is always more powerful than a non-third piece, IMO.
Anon
I’m an attorney for a non-profit, too, and in my organization, we definitely don’t wear jackets daily, matching or not. When I mix and match rather than wear a suit, I like black and gray. I also have a blue jacket that I wear with black or gray pants/skirt. On days that I’m not in court, I typically wear something like: purple cardigan over a white shell, black pants, black flats, pearls. Lots of cardigans and sweater sets.
sittininla
thank you so much for all the advice ladies!
2L NYC: Going to LA
Hello all,
I might be too late in the holiday weekend to the parade of figuring out other cities, so I might repost later, but I am going to LA next weekend and I would love some suggestions on what to do. I am flying into LA proper, but am staying with some people in Santa Barbara, so we are reasonably mobile!
sittininla
Just a quick note: I went on the jeep wine tour in Santa Barbara with my husband and it is soooo fun, highly recommend it! (just google jeep wine tour santa barbara and it should pop up).
rocknroll
I’ve lived in L.A. my entire life (with the exception of the three years I went to law school). I would love to give you some tips, but I think some more details from you would help! L.A. is HUGE. Santa Barbara is about 1.5 to 2 hours north of L.A. (by car). I guess what I would want to know is: 1) Have you been to LA before? 2) What types of activities do you like (museums, outdoorsy stuff, eating, amusement parks, touristy things, celebrity stalking, shopping…?)
2L NYC: Going to LA
I have been to LA before, but I don’t think I did very much other than bum around UCLA/Westwood area. However, I would like museums, eating and shopping advice and anything else that might be cool/quintessential LA.
rocknroll
Hmm… well one of my favorite places is Santa Monica. You can rent a bike and ride along the bike path at the beach. If you head south, you can stop at the Venice boardwalk/muscle beach and check out the stuff. Santa Monica also has Third Street Promenade which is outdoor shopping plus random entertainers. They just opened a brand new mall which is adjacent to Third Street and which is supposedly some sort of architectural masterpiece. It’s mostly chain stores, but it’s a nice place to hang out and usually great weather.
If you’re into more eclectic stuff, you can go to Hollywood to the Farmers Market, which is a permanent market area. They have all kinds of different food (as in, prepared food– pastries, ice cream, things to eat for lunch–it’s not a bunch of produce). Adjacent to the Farmers Market is the Grove, which is a bunch of chain stores and kind of has a Disneyland feel in my opinion (due to the free trolley that runs through it). If you walk a bit then you can go to West Third Street, where there are a bunch of interesting boutiques.
Another place with interesting boutiques that’s nice to walk around is Abbott Kinney in Venice.
But if you want to do more well-known stuff, then I would say have someone drive you up Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills (you can try Sprinkles cupcakes while you’re in the neighborhood). And then drive up Sunset Strip.
For museums, I really like both of the Getty museums. Admission is free, but you have to go online and reserve your (free) ticket in advance.
I don’t really eat out at a lot of nice restaurants, so I can’t really guide you on that, but I am pretty sure you can find something good on Yelp! (That’s where I go for recommendations).
Hope this helps some and have a great trip!!
rocknroll
Also I forgot to say that en route to Santa Barbara, the Camarillo Premium Outlets have some pretty good stores.
Cat
WSJ article on what to wear to court (more from a client perspective):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704554104575435683853964588.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5
the accompanying Cher Horowitz style mix and match graphic may not be helpful for attorneys, but it is entertaining!
Another Anon
Anyone up for a quick, lighthearted poll (inspired by cleaning out the closets):
What’s in your Goodwill donation bag?
Mine: A glass vase I’ll never use, a skirt with the back slit WAY too high (didn’t notice when I bought it!), shoes that hurt, ugly necklace, old t-shirts.
Anyone else?
Another Sarah
*Bar/Bat Mitzvah T-shirts
*Everything I’ve never worn/haven’t worn in the past 2 years
*Anything that doesn’t fit anymore
*Christmas pajama sets that I won’t wear
*Shoes I haven’t worn in a looong time
*Dresses I haven’t worn in a loooong time
And that filled 4 trash bags full to the women’s shelter!
Mille
I wish I had your short list. We had so much stuff in our house, it was depressing. Not “Clean House” depressing, but not good. My husband and I had 2 households worth of stuff, but really 4, because we both had places in 2 different cities while at school in different places, and I hadn’t even unpacked all my boxes from when I moved 5 years ago. (husband and I both were married previously). Plus stuff my parents left when they moved out recently (they’d been staying with me while working out money issues), and stuff the last people who owned my house left, especially in the basement and garage.
We have a baby coming and just had the wood floors in our house refinished, which means we had to pack everything up and move it, so I am working on getting everything out that doesn’t belong. Candles and other decorative items I will never use, pot lids where the pans got destroyed (burned or scraped too hard), books, shoes, clothes, tons of office supplies. Sheets that fit a bed neither of us ended up with.
Our women’s shelter thrift store ran out of room for us and we ended up taking things to goodwill also. My basement and garage still have stuff in it to deal with, and I’m not done with everything in the house yet. We also got rid of desks and dressers (somehow ended up with 5 dressers total between 2 people) and a large sectional sofa.
The people who owned the house before saved everything they ever used in the house, even though it was broken– for example, hanging lamps from the ’70’s where all the wicker was broken out. Why?????
feel your pain
We have a lot of accumulated stuff too, just never have time to sort what with working and spending time with the kids when I’m not. We did put in as a closing condition for our house that all of the previous owner’s stuff had to be out and we checked when we did a walk through before closing–there were a couple of things she couldn’t manage to dispose of but she was elderly and we were ok with that–otherwise the place was clean.
attnygrl
All my daughter’s clothes that she won’t use for school (starting tomorrow!) and my work-out wear that is just too tight/revealing/uncomfy. Yes to new Target $8, baggy, work-out shorts!
Ana
Hi all – I’ve been enjoying this blog and the comments very much over the past couple weeks. I need some advice on where/how to meet up with other professional women. I’m 34 and in an almost-completely-male science field (I’m a research professor in a medium-sized town in the south), so there are no opportunities at work to make friends with women my age. Hopefully this doesn’t sound pathetic/silly, but how do I go about meeting and making friends with other young professional, ambitious women in my town? I don’t have kids and don’t go to church, which seem to be the main avenues for meeting people around here – any other ideas?
Sheila
Yoga or other exercise class for women, especially in the evenings? That’s certainly one spot that comes to mind.
Lobbyist
I am married, but all the women I know who do group dating activities (like lunch activities or stuff for outdoorsy singles) make women friends there.