Holiday Weekend Open Thread
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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We'll be taking the rest of the week off to go eat turkey and hit some of the amazing sales — keep an eye on the @corporettedeals Twitter stream (also on the right-hand sidebar of the site) for any good deals we hear about.
Something on your mind? Chat about it here.
This weekend will be about family, friends, and — of course — shopping some sales, which requires good walking shoes. My shoe of choice: the eminently wearable, easily slip-off-able Converse All-Star. I like this “gothic grape” (pictured), but it's also available in yellow, cranberry, “deep forest” green, the lighter “piquant green,” “raspberry rose,” “rust” orange, and “skydiver blue.” I particularly like that Zappos has them on sale at the moment — they were $45, now $36. Nice! Converse – Chuck Taylor All Star Seasonal Ox (Gothic Grape) – Footwear
I wore Chuck Taylors exclusively through high school and the beginning of college and haven’t bought a pair since Converse was bought by Nike. Do they have better support now? I remember stubbornly wearing them in very wet winters and having cold, sore feet. Youth.
I have to say – I never imagined Kat as a Chucks wearer. I still have the pair that I wore in college (not my go-to shoes, but got a decent amount of wear) – black with baby pink laces.
I remember thinking I was the coolest in H.S. because I got some in hard-to-find plaid. (All that time with bad arch support probably explains the heel pain I came to get as an adult.)
I bought a streamlined leather pair in black a few years ago. (Looks like these http://www.zappos.com/product/7600901/color/3 )Fun for the nostalgia, but even rougher on the feet.
Alas, youth best left to the young. :)
re: support — they’re not so great, no, but if you get a half size up then you can make room for one of those serious scholl’s inserts. for some reason Chucks are quite common among New Yorkers — in a crowded subway car I turned to my husband, amused because there were 3 people in their late 20s/early 30s all wearing Chucks, including me, within about a five-foot radius. as I said to my hubs, “we all probably prize our individuality, too.”
Agreed. Kat seemed to be more of a Tretorns person. Who knew?
Chuck Taylors make me feel like I’m 12.
Which is exactly what I need on occasion!
So, what are your black friday plans? I’m dying to hit up the North Georgia Premium Outlets, but I have entirely too many reasons not to go (money, time, crowds, etc etc etc)
I have to work b/c I have been unproductive all week :(
The Vacaville outlets open at midnight, and we’ll be somewhat in the area for Thanksgiving. There’s a Cole Haan, a Burberry and a Le Crueset, among others, so I’m slightly considering it. But I have retail-worker PTSD so I tend to avoid Black Friday (well, all of Holiday shopping) like the plague. Is midnight/early am shopping a Thing That Regular People Do these days, not just the crazies looking for the $99 plasma tv? Do corporettes do Black Friday??
I think BF is something that used to be fun but the extreme sales and the crazy shoppers have made it not fun. I’m boycotting. I’d rather pay more.
agree
No amount of money saved would motivate me to be at Target at 4 AM. That said, I’m probably going to do some online shopping (I’ve read that a few places will have their deals available on the web).
A few friends and relatives of mine who are die-hard shopaholics go. No non-shopping-obsessed people I know go.
As I’ve done for years, I’ll be celebrating Buy Nothing Day.:)
HEARTED! :)
I am too terrified to actually attempt to do Black Friday in person at the store, but I definitely do some damage online. I’ve actually already started…LOFT is offering 40% your entire purchase today, and GAP has a great selection of basics for $10-$30.
I just can’t go out and shop on Black Friday anymore. The women in my family all used to go together and take my grandma and go out for lunch at Neiman’s. It was a really sweet tradition. It’s gotten so hectic these past few years, though, that it isn’t worth it. My cousin was verbally assaulted over a flat screen TV at Walmart last year and then the woman followed her out into the parking lot… creepy. Ah. Tis the season. (Plus, three years ago, my grandma forgot to put her pants on over her silk pant liners before we left and that was a semi-disaster when we finally reached the mall… though it was a little hilarious.) Now, we just stay in and play board games and enjoy the leftovers!
Oh, dear. LMAO at the mental image of your grandma forgetting her pants.
What are pant liners? They sound like a magical solution to my cheap unlined pants problems, but does anyone who isn’t a grandma wear them?
LMAO about Grandma too.
I’ve bought pant slips from a couple different places and they are a magical solution for unlined pants as I have sensitive skin.
They’re undergarments, so anyone can wear them and no one will know (provided you remember to put your pants on!). I’ve seen them at Filene’s, Macy’s, JC Penney’s, etc.
This year is the first year that I am actively staking out a black friday deal: I want a new cellphone. I am afraid the one I want might sell out. I’m getting a little anxious over here.
Did you get your cellphone? Which phone?
I’m too broke to shop right now, so I’m planning to just go look at the pretty store windows on 5th avenue. Then its back to paper writing for me.
I might go shopping with my sisters later in the day, but I refuse to go in the early morning because the thought of all those employees getting up at 3 am so a store can start selling flat-screen TVs at 4:00 a.m. really bothers me.
The outlets by me also open at midnight, and I plan to be there. I do BF with a plan, and I’ve never had to shop for more than 2 hours before being done and going home. I usually go first thing, and then I go to brunch, and then I’m done! :-D
watching football and outlining – i have never shopped on black friday and probably never will.
I’m trying not to leave my Christmas shopping until the last minute this year, and I’m stuck on a few people. Do any Corporettes have suggestions on the following?
Dad: very hard to buy for. He doesn’t have a lot of hobbies, so I usually end up giving him books or CDs. He has electronic gadgets already (digital camera, good printer/computer/television). He lives alone and could probably use more household stuff, but he doesn’t cook a lot so I’m not sure what he would actually find helpful. Looking to spend about $100.
Aunt: always manages to find a nice scarf or necklace for me, and I would love to return the favor but I don’t know her style very well. We’ve set a price limit of $40.
Grandmother: I always seem to get her knick-knacks and I’d like to branch out a little. She’s not a big reader, and she has a lot of clothing.
Dad: Mine sounds similar. last year I got him some kitchen gadgets but I don’t think he uses them. He does use his crockpot a lot. He LOVES watching the weather channel, so this year I’m getting him this satellite weather thingie from Brookstone. He’ll love it. http://www.brookstone.com/weathercast-wireless-weather-forecasters.html
If your aunt always pegs your style, I bet hers is very similar and she just buys something she likes. So buy something you like (scarf/pashima sounds really nice) and she’ll probably love it.
No help on grandmothers. I have an awful time there, as well. I usually end up getting her a DVD.
Look out on the weather thingie. You might create a monster. I got my dad one a few years ago. He is obsessed now with reporting the temperature and wind EVERY time I call and how it tracks compared with their local weather reports on TV. I guess it’s true that you marry your Dad. My husband has one, too, and he will literally walk around the house going room to room and talk about how different the indoor temperature is and where he thinks we need more insulation. When he’s not doing that, he’s moving the statio location outside and seeing if it makes a difference on wind speed.
I just don’t get it…
hahaha, he already tells me all the details. He’ll love this. My poor 4 year old niece was visiting and I asked what she wanted to watch and she said “Paw Paw and I always watch the weather channel” lol.
Hilarious!
Ha — my Dad has about 3 of those things, with the sensors placed at different spots outside. He loves to give me the “tour” of his weather gadgets, pointing out the differences in the recorded weather among his many devices. So I’m not giving any more weather gifts.
OMG that weather forecaster will be PERFECT for my mom. She obsessively checks weather.com at home daily!
Does your dad like sports? You could get him tickets to a game. It’s my go-to gift for my brother and dad.
I got my grandmother a locket a few years ago and put a picture of me and a picture of her at my age in it. She cried and still wears it to all family events.
that is sweet of you.
If your Dad doesn’t cook a lot, how about a bunch of frozen meals you’ve made? Chili, lasagne, soups, pumpkin breads … all these kinds of things freeze well.
As for Grandmothers, I’m trying to give my MIL experience-type stuff, like tickets to an event or a certificate for a pedicure, or indulgence items like super soft, aloe-coated (on the inside!) socks like those that Woolrich sells.
Hope that helps!
Yes, food. We got my Dad a basket of expensive sardines, good crackers, hot sauce, etc. The kind of stuff that he would not spend money on but loves to eat.
Second the experience gift idea for grandma. I got my grandmother a pedicure one year and she loved it (went with my mom – I had got her one too). It was the first time ever she had ever had a pedicure!
Dad: Beer of the month club, or something similar?
Aunt: Novica.com is great for all kinds of jewelry.
Grandma: Photo album/scrapbook/calendar of her grandkids?
Also, I know people have strong opinions on either side of this, but for those folks who don’t really need anything, how about a donation to a worthy cause, or a purchase a cow from The Heifer Project or similar ?
We’re making a donation for my dad this year. His brother has pancreatic cancer, and my dad has been driving him to chemo and has been relatively involved in the process. He’s always the hardest to shop for, and hates us spending money on him, so we’re donating to a pancreatic cancer charity this year.
I did the same thing for my now-husband’s birthday the year his father died of cancer. It is a meaningful way to acknowledge something good or bad that year, and make a change. People don’t miss the gadgets and gizmos.
I got a donation from Heifer one year from my aunt and I absolutely loved it. They allow you to personalize an animated e-cards to send to the recipient and the cards are very heartwarming.
Also, Heifer offers smaller gifts (donations of honey bees, or trees) if you haven’t budgeted enough for a cow or a goat (which are quite pricey!).
Does you dad have a DVD player? If not, you could get him one. If yes, maybe get him some classic movies he loves or his favorite show on DVD — bonus points if its something hard to find/not shown on tv regularly.
You could also get him a crockpot & recipe book. Seems easy for him to do & would enable him to have home cooked meals on a regular basis.
For aunt, either ask someone who knows her better, or just get her something nice that she wouldn’t get herself (e.g., Kiehls Creme de Corps – amazing but pricey to buy for self).
As to Grandma — maybe a nice warm shawl? Cute beret? Honestly, it’s usually grandma specific. One of the best gifts I got mine was a embroidered, bedazzled white pair of uggs — but that’s the kind of grandma I have. Another big hit was a DVD of the opera Carmen for another grandma who used to love opera, but can’t make it out to see one anymore. Just think about what she likes & try to get something in that vein.
Dad: Does he own a crockpot? The best kitchen gadget for the cooking-impaired. Looking at Walmart.com, it seems that you could get a pretty decent one for under a $100. You could also throw in a slowcooker cook book to help him figure it out.
Aunt: Agree with AnonAnonAnon that your aunt probably pegs your style because it’s close to her own. A classic wrap or lovely piece of costume jewelry would probably be great.
Grandma: If you’re grandma is anything like my grandpa, she’s gotten left behind by the age of digital photography. Example: After my law school graduation, my grandpa was over-the-moon happy when, as a thank you for his generous grad gift and flying cross-country to be there, I printed out a photo of us in my grad ensemble and had it framed. Consider getting her a nice photo album and having some of the more recent (digital) family photos printed out and put in the album. Or maybe a digital photo frame (the prices seem to have dropped quite a bit on them).
You can get a pretty nice slow cooker for under $40. If you go this route, consider buying all the ingredients for chili or some beer cheese soup or something and add a recipe. I always like to give something that shows you really trying to make the gift personalized.
thought of another dad-idea: subscription to netflix for a year. It should be about $100 and if he’s at all like my dad (or men in general), he loves watching movies.
I would also consider certificates for them to pamper themselves/do something out of the ordinary – for your dad, maybe some kind of airline voucher if he’s far away from family/friends you know he’d like to visit? For your aunt – maybe a manicure/pedicure/basic massage certificate. For your grandmother – maybe a pair of tickets to a show that you take her too for a grandma-granddaughter day out?
Just chiming in to say I’m vaguely jealous of you getting to buy fun stuff for your dad. My dad wouldn’t remember to wear shirts if I didn’t buy them for him, and once I went to visit him and he was wearing jeans with a four-inch whole in the thigh. Can you say absentminded? He’s always easy to buy for though!
i got a phone call last week about how my dad wore pants with a giant bleach stain in the rear to work. he noticed and just said, eh, whatever.
i’m pretty sure part of my gift to him is going to be cleaning out his closet this year to prevent future mishaps.
Grandma- Hot water bottle in cashmere sweater- Restoration Hardware.
Dad- Book of maps.
Aunt- Chanel nail polish.
What about what I call, “non-stuff” gifts? I figure everyone has so much stuff, so I try to get them gifts that will get them out of the house. A few years ago I bought my parents low level memberships to an art museum, which also got them into museums in other cities. I’ve also done a lot of restaurant gift certificates and theater tickets. What about movie passes, a GC for a class of some kind, or membership in a club? $100 for your dad should cover most of those. For your aunt too, $40 could be a few nights out at the movies or cover part of dinner or dessert at a restaurant. Or a spa GC – $40 would cover a manicure or pedicure. Grandma might be harder – what about a pretty pin/brooch to go with her many outfits?
Y’all are fantastic, thank you! I love the locket idea for my grandmother, and I’m going to take the advice to just pick out something I like for my aunt.
Question for any biglaw peeps…does anyone know how giving notice will affect getting a bonus, assuming you still technically work there at the end of the year (i.e. if you give notice on Dec 20th)? Do you have to wait to give notice until January 1? I am sure this will be somewhat firm specific, but if anyone has any thoughts, I’d appreciate it!
Its a small world, much smaller than you realize at your first or second job. Give notice when you know you have a job. If that means your bonus takes a hit (it might not b/c the allocation may have been done before you give notice), the goodwill is worth it. You don’t want to go around with people resentful that you took the money and ran. Others might have different views, but I’m constantly amazed, 13 yrs out, how many people I run into (whose opinions matter) who worked with me when I was a first or second year attorney.
I think it is EXCEPTIONALLY common and well understood for people to wait for bonus checks to clear before leaving for a new job. I’m in finance, not law (which I understand is set for some underwhelming bonuses again this year) and my bonus is well over 50% of my total comp. I can see forfeiting a bonus to foster goodwill if it’s a small number, but definitely not for a big number, however you want to define that. I’ve seen people leave on good terms and on bad terms, but it’s generally not correlated to how close to bonus payday notice was given.
And think of it this way: your bonus is in recognition of all the work you’ve done over the past year. If you’ve done the work, there’s nothing shady about collecting the bonus, even if you have a new job lined up. If a firm intends the bonus as a retention tool, they can have it vest over some number of months or years.
Is finance really as bad as they say it is?
There are many different areas of finance. Mine’s pretty good (go buyside!).
I have gained 10 lbs, frequent breakouts, pale as f—, and leave the office anytime between 2 and 5am. otherwise its all good and jolly. lots of online shopping to be had, etc. say goodbye to your friends, family, social life.
In law, in my experience, taking a check and running is remembered by the partners who lobbied for your bonus. They aren’t the ones you want to burn bridges with if you can help it.
I would think this wouldn’t be a big deal if our bonus was lockstep then.
NYC biglaw doesn’t typically have partners lobbying for anyone’s bonuses. Especially not right now.
At my old firm, you forfeited your entire bonus if you were not employed and in good standing on the date bonus checks came out. For us, that was March, even though the bonuses were for the period ending the previous December. In a situation like that, the date you give notice doesn’t matter—except that I have heard stories of people who gave notice and were asked to leave immediately instead of in two weeks or whatever the planned notice period was (not at my firm, but reliable sources). If your goal is to get your full bonus, you shouldn’t give notice until you have a check in hand. But that might not be your goal, for reasons like those Anon raised.
Yes, I would be pragmatic about this. Don’t expect to get a bonus if you’ve announced that you are leaving. You should wait, maybe not the day after the bonuses come out, maybe a week or so, if you can. But I don’t think you’ll be burning your bridges unless your partners are exceptionally petty. This is pretty routine. People left my firm shortly after bonuses were paid, with no repercussions, and in-house, I’ve hired people who have asked to delay their starting date with the unspoken understanding that they are waiting on something (the bonus)–we don’t view it as mercenary, just practical. The most important thing is, only wait if you can. If you are about to be assigned to a major case, but you know you are leaving, it would not be cool to sit on the news.
“until you have a check in hand” — I’d wait until the check clears. Happy Thanksgiving!!
This weekend will be about family, friends, and — of course — getting yourself or your children groped or sexually assaulted by the TSA.
Behold the new holiday tradition.
I know! It’s terrible. I hope all this media attention will get rid of these new rules. They should just ask people questions instead of this crap.
I’m sorry but with all due respect, getting patted down is NOT a sexual assault. That is a really loaded word that you shouldn’t be throwing around. I’m not saying I agree with the all the security measures. But, flying is a privilege, not a right. You go to the airport, knowing this is an option. You opt out of the scanner knowing this is the result. Not a sexual assault.
Also, I’m former law enforcement and regularly had to pat down and strip search people. It is part of the profession and we were trained to do it respectfully. The people patting you down are not loving sticking their hands in your pits and tits. Trust me.
Instead of being overly dramatic, why don’t you thank the underpaid TSA worker for working on a holiday to keep you, your friends, family and country safe.
(stepping off soap box.)
I would if I thought they were actively keeping the country safe. I have my doubts. I am getting tired of being told, in the most high-handed and patronizing way possible, that the TSA is protecting us from these nebulous unknown threats they can’t give us any information about. As I recall, the same kinds of justifications were used when we invaded Iraq, and we all know how that turned out. Maybe the TSA is doing a bang-up job protecting us from terrorists or maybe they are just a bunch of otherwise-unemployable thugs on a power trip instituting arbitrary rules for no good reason – I don’t have enough information to decide either way. All I know is, confidence that the government is being up-front with the public is not exactly at an all-time-high right now so relying on the “trust us, we know what’s best” attitude in the media is NOT what the TSA should be doing right now. I resent being subjected to procedures that are supposedly “necessary” and not being told why they’re necessary, and also being told not to worry about radiation or privacy concerns when it’s obvious there are considerable concerns to worry about.
Sorry, Blondie, but the lat time I checked, our freedoms include the right to move about the country. Cops pat people down with probable cause, not because I am flying in the course of my job. How about if you thank the soldiers who died for our freedoms that you are spitting on in the name of safety.
Hear, hear.
You can still move around the country. Your freedom does not include the right to fly on an airplane.
Are you kidding me? Saying that the search is not sexual harassment is spitting on the soldiers? I’m completely against the searches and scans but honestly, how dare you use the troops who have died to further your argument. No one died to protect your unlimited right to fly, and don’t trivialize what freedoms they have died for, including the right to voice different opinions without fear of repercussion from the government. So feel free to have your opinion, and voice it, that the searches are wrong, but don’t you dare bring people I’m mourning into it.
I think she meant I was spitting on our freedoms, not the soldiers.
My rant wasn’t to say we should be patted down before we fly. My rant was to say being patted down is not even close to a sexual assault. I’m sure those that have been sexually assaulted find the comparison offensive.
Also, I’m not saying that those that question the Gov’t, question the necessity, defend privacy, etc. are being dramatic. Those that claim they are being sexually assaulted are being over dramatic.
I totally understand that many of us have to fly for work or to see family etc. But if you go knowing this might happen and you opt out of the scanner knowing it might happen, you can’t way you were sexually assaulted.
You can say you were subjected to a pat down you rather would have avoided. You can say you dislike a stranger’s hands on your body. But, you were not sexually assaulted.
Hear, hear.
That makes no sense.
Because it was foreseeable it can not be sexual assault? Since when? What exactly is the logic behind that?
Not to mention that there are millions of survivors of sexual assault who have no real choice about flying and for whom unwanted intimate touching is likely to be triggering and extremely psychologically upsetting.
i think the difference between a TSA pat down and a law enforcement pat down is a whole lot of training. the TSA pat downs are, according to an article written by a former police officer, nothing like how they should be.
It’s not a sexual assault because you’ve consented to the pat down. You can say you didn’t, but you could always turn around and go home. Police searches require probable cause, but not in all contexts. The airport is the classic law school example of a “zone” where constitutional protections are limited because of administrative needs (here, airline safety).
I’m not saying I agree with the pat downs, but there is a legal difference b/t a TSA pat down and (1) sexual assault and (2) police frisking.
…You actually can’t turn around and go home
After hearing some of the horror stories about how they are screening kids, we’re electing not to fly until the policies get changed. I am not going to subject my kid to that, when I wouldn’t do it myself if I didn’t “have” to.
Seriously. You have a choice between exposing your child to unnecessary radiation, or allowing him to be touched by a stranger in a manner that would definitely equal “bad touch” if done by anyone besides a TSA agent. What the hell? I’d stay home too.
Do you let your kid stand in front of the microwave?
Look, I can’t say if all this is making flying safer, but the insanity about it really is irrational. I’ve been scanned many times and never felt like anyone was checking me out for any improper purpose. And in Europe over the years I’ve been patted down thoroughly. Think for yourself and don’t let the media get you carried away.
And yet nobel prize winning scientists are writing letters about the potential radiation dangers. They might be wrong, but I’m not willing to dismiss that out of hand as media hysteria without something more.
I don’t care about the radio waves, but if someone thinks that I’m going to do the equivalent of stand naked in front of them to get on a plane, they can shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. It is an invasion of my privacy rights regardless of any injury I may suffer from the radiation.
I would bet my life savings that within 10 years from now the Supreme Court will denounce this TSA screening tactic as an egregious vioaltion of the 4th amendment.
My understanding is that you’re exposed to way more radiation flying than you are going through the one type of machine. The people who have to worry are pilots and flight attendants. If you fly once a year for Thanksgiving, relax.
You realize you only hear the horror stories and not the “nothing happened” stories…and that people exaggerate to get attention from the media, right?
Do you have kids? My response to your comment will vary based on whether the response is “yes” or “no”.
I have personally had a wand stuck uncomfortably in my ass-crack over my skirt. That wasn’t the media I was feeling there, honey! The people who failed to complain 8 years ago are now surprised that it has gone too far.
I fly regularly and have had thorough patdowns in Europe. Never in the US. All I can say is, lighten up. If you think the security doesn’t work, that’s one thing and that should be explored, but don’t let fearmongering of the media get to you too much. Deep breath, ok?
Ha, ha! I’ve never been as intimate with a stranger as when passing through European or Asian airport security. The frisking I got from TSA was NOTHING in comparison!
I couldn’t agree more. People who are complaining about the TSA shouldn’t travel abroad where the searches are much, much more invasive.
I fly regularly (3+ international round trips per month), and am offended by the violation of civil liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution. The same consideration does not apply abroad. I also am seriously concerned about exposure to radiation and the possibility that I will be victimized by screeners trying to get their jollies by looking at my naked body, so I choose to be patted down whenever the option is available. As a sexual assault survivor, the latter is hardly pleasant, but at least it can be done by a woman agent and in a private setting.
Anyone who makes light of the sexual assault concern has clearly never been a victim of assault herself. The last thing I want to deal with on a business trip is a PTSD attack caused by some overzealous agent sticking her hand in my privates. But, I’d rather have that than get cancer or have naked pictures on some dude’s hard drive, so that’s the choice I make.
While we’re talking gifts, what should I get for three friends from college? I really don’t want to go the soap route! In the past, I’ve gotten them variations on the same thing: i.e., three different bracelets, three different books aimed at cooking. maybe I should switch it up?
I see these girls once or twice a year, so I’m not as familiar with their tastes anymore. One is in grad school, one is a resident, and one is just starting a government job.
I’m short on cash this year (student!), so I’ll take craft/baking ideas too.
How about a magazine subscription for each? You can buy a whole year of Cosmo / Glamour / Lucky / whatever for $15-20!
I love getting magazine subscriptions!
I always feel vaguely guilty getting them for myself (because I have little spare time as it is), but I love, love, love when others get them for me.
A friend got me InStyle a few years back — which was great; this year, a family friend got me a cooking magazine, which I am also looking forward to.
Homemade baked goods! I always make a big batch of pumpkin, banana or zucchini bread for the holidays. People love receiving homemade bread, and if you bake them using vegetable oil rather than butter, they freeze very nicely.
Fancy tea sampler from Adagio or Teavana or some shade grown coffee? Pair with homemade biscotti (super easy to make) in a tin? Biscotti always seems to impress people and I can assure you, it’s no harder than making cookies.
Are you crafty at all? Try out the beading/jewelry making aisles at JoAnn’s or Michael’s. It’s fairly easy, thoughtful (you did it yourself!), and relatively cheap – both stores fairly regularly have sales on their jewelry making stuff.
Thanks all! These are great ideas. I think I might try my hand at biscotti because I never made it before. Maybe I’ll combine suggestions: a few slices of pound cake, biscotti, and tea.
It’s funny some of you mentioned magazines- they are my go-to for my tech-loving dad and history-buff brother.
I’ll put jewelry making on my list for next year
Does anyone own a Burberry trench? I am loving the raspberry color in their fall collection, which is now going on sale, but I don’t understand why it is SO expensive, even when on sale. Is it worth it??
I do have one, in black. It’s got lots of little touches that make you appreciate how well-made it is. For example, the coat buttons down the front an extra button below where most coats end, so that it doesn’t flap open and let your clothes get wet. It also buttons inside (as do many coats) so that the double-breasted part stays in place and hangs properly. You can button the pockets closed if you want. I bought it mostly because it was the only coat that I could find that was long enough for me. It’s hard to say that all of the little details make it worth the price, but it is a very well-made coat.
I just got one (basic mid-thigh classic trench color). I love how it feels on — somehow looks tailored on the outside, but flexible and cozy to wear — my old trench both looked and felt crisp. Everything feels very well sewn and well proportioned.
i bought one almost ten years ago. sadly, the cuffs are now beginning to fray. however, i have gotten a ton of wear out of it (i figure about 200 days each year), so when i consider that, i’m pretty impressed how well it’s held up. they are very well made and if you get one, it will likely spoil you for anything else.
I have a mens’ Burberry that I found at a thrift store years ago for a song (I think $10?). I never wore it until I hacked off about a foot off the bottom to make it just above the knee. I hemmed and hawed about doing such a thing to such a well-made piece of clothing, but I wear it constantly. The little touches that anon mentioned are what gets me – as well as the quality of the materials. I don’t know what I’ll do when this one croaks and I have to buy a new one.
I have one in black that I got for $600 on sale in August. I have worn it all fall and get many compliments on it.
Anyone have ideas on what to wear with tortoise shell print shoes? I’ve been looking forever and have finally got a pair of Stuart Weitzman Courts (2″ heel pointy toe) coming, but I haven’t really given much thought on how to wear them to work, I’ve been too busy coveting them :) Thanks!
The pattern is so subtle, I think you’d be fine treating them like solid brown pumps. I would wear them with a navy skirt or dress and a mustard cardigan, if I had the coloring for mustard. Sigh. If you don’t, either, maybe cream on top, with gold jewelry?
I have Cole Haan tortoise loafers (1″ heel) that I wear with brown pants and whatever shirt/jacket I have one. I may have worn them w/ my olive suit. I pretty much treat them like any brown shoe.
I have tortoise print patent shoes that I wear with pretty much everything. If it weren’t for their t-strap style which is fairly distinctive, they would be even more versatile. They are a great, wear with black, brown, purple, blue, etc shoe that tends to go with everything. Think about if you had tortoise rim glasses — you wouldn’t feel they clashed with something. Its a neutral
Awesome, thanks everyone!
I’d wear them with a solid suit in brown, navy or tan, a white shirt and a single colored necklace to add some pizzazz. Perhaps something like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61459486/amazing-green-coral-droper-gemstone-bead
Rogaine for eyebrows: Has anyone tried this? How did it work out?
I’ve been using Fusion StimuLash from Sephora for my eyelashes and it supposedly works for eyebrows as well – it says so on the package, and some of the reviews on Sephora are from people using it on their brows. It’s a little pricey but less so than Latisse. You might look into that – I think it might be less likely to cause skin irritation. I have a couple of guy friends that developed dermatitis from Rogaine.
I’ve tried Rogaine on my eyebrows (some areas are permanently sparse because of overplucking – makes me so mad at myself for following that trend in college!). It seems to help a little, so I would say it’s definitely worth trying. There are two other products that I would strongly recommend over Rogaine, though – I’ve used both of them with excellent results on my eyelashes as well. One is Lash Allure MD (which I’ve seen offered for sale on Gilt a few times); the other is Talika.
I think Rogaine is more useful if you have an issue like overplucking, since it is aimed at revitalizing dead/weakened follicles. I think Lash Allure and Talika are meant not to reactivate follicles, but to help already existing lashes grow fuller and longer. (But I’m not 100% sure that that is the difference between the products!) I haven’t tried any prescription product – I’ve stayed away from Latisse because I mainly use the products to help thicken my eyelashes, and Latisse has a risk of darkening your eye color that I’m not willing to take!
Have you tried just plain castor oil? You can buy a bottle at vitamin stores, rub on your brows (and lashes) at night and see how that works.
Any problems with an interview outfit that is all gray, black and white? This is not a conservative field, FYI. Almost all of my interviewers will be men, and I suspect most of my competitors for the position are male as well.
Here’s the proposed outfit:
Black overcoat, black patent pumps, basic black bag
Gray pantsuit with subtle white pinstripes
Silk blouse underneath that is white with a delicate black pattern
The blouse is the only remotely creative element here, and it shows very little. It has a collar and long sleeves that will peek out, but my suit jacket has 3 buttons (a high stance) and so does not leave much of the blouse exposed.
I will probably wear basic black sphere stud earrings. Sound ok?
I’m a sucker for a dash of red to liven up an outfit. Is there any chance of working a little color into the handbag or the overcoat? A stunning scarf, perhaps? Tied to the purse, or around your neck until you take the coat off? Men respond to color, especially a dash of something bright. A touch of something to make you a bit more memorable might be just the thing! Though for an every day formal work event (client meeting, etc.), your outfit sounds stunning!
I would go with a skirt suit if I were you. Men would definitely respond to that! Just kidding, that’s not the reason I suggested it. A skirt suit is generally considered more formal. Then again, I suppose you aren’t interviewing for a conservative position, so perhaps the pants suit would be fine. Still, I would recommend you dress more formally anyway because it is an interview, and to me, that means donning a skirt suit.
Yes, I know the convention is that a skirt suit is more formal. However, I have been to a lot of interviews (of others) in this field, and I have never once seen a skirt suit. I don’t know why this is, but I don’t want to be the outlier.
I think a skirt suit can come across as really corporate. If your interview is for a corporate place, then perfect. But if it’s a non-profit or non-governmental organization, I would opt for the pants so that you look LESS corporate. But you’re fine either way.
I think that you’re proposed outfit sounds perfectly fine–professional but with understated interest (subtle pinstripes with patterned blouse)–exactly what you want for most interview situations. It usually isn’t your outfit you want people to remember.
Sounds fine, sort of blah, but you probably don’t want your outfit to draw attention during an interview. The outfit is certainly appropriate. If you think it’s too blah for your field, you can always open your jacket to reveal your blouse, or add an interesting piece of jewelry or a more interesting bag or shoes.
Thanks for the input everyone! And cross your fingers and toes for me :)
Did no other Corporettes partake in the Lanvin for H&M craziness this past week?? I’m surprised there has been no mention of it.
Curious about this too after the news stories I read. If anyone got anything, do share!
It was a national holiday here so I lined up for the first time in my life (and am still a bit embarrassed about the whole thing). I was in the first group to enter the “cage” and managed to get everything I wanted (two dresses, tuxedo blazer and necklace + earrings). The women behind me had scary, crazed eyes.
Are Aldo shoes worth it? I’m looking at a couple of clearance pairs on the website but I haven’t ever bought from Aldo before. I have heard from some people that the shoes may be cute but they are heinously uncomfortable. Are they worth buying? Any tips on how to get a good fit?
I recently bought a pair of gold Aldo sandals for $24 marked down from almost $100. My rationale was: even if they aren’t the best/most comfortable/etc. shoes, I could hardly get a pair from Target or even Payless for that price, and they’re definitely better quality than that level of shoe. So… in my mind, if they’re super cheap (and you’re not buying a super basic shoe that’s meant to be worn very often or for a very long time), you might as well.
I bought a pair of boots from them on Amazon with pretty good results. The shoes were excellent quality for the money–my only peeve was that the shoes were sold on Amazon in american sizes but were actually Euro sizes (that would have made a sizing difference to me, at least). I’d give them a thumbs up for shoe qulity.
I own a bunch because ya, they are cute and can often be quite cheap. I have one pair that is quite comfortable, but they are a) real leather (which many of Aldo’s shoes are not) and b) a 2-inch heel. I also have flats from them that feel like walking on the hardest surface you have imagine, and a pair of stacked heeled boots that were amazingly cheap but are somehow wobbly…like the heel isn’t balanced correctly.
I also find they fit a little bit small, so if you size up to your next full size you may have a better fit (I can often wear a 9.5 or even a 9 on occasion in better shoes but in aldo I am always a 10). On the plus side, I don’t find they are blister inducing at all despite ball/bottom of foot discomfort…so that’s good.
I would just recommend going with lower heels and with real leathers. Also, do a bunch of walking around in them if you can…you’ll be able to tell if they’re uncomfortable or wobbly.
i’ve purchased quite a few over the years, and have been consistently disappointed with the quality.
I’ve found Aldo’s to be stylish/trendy but hideously uncomfortable shoes. Almost like they were designed with the specific intent to kill your feet — no padding, wobbly heels, squished toes. I’d pick Nine West over them *any* day…
I buy ballet flats from them with the understanding that they’ll be cheap and cute and last me a year or two at most. I’m actually okay with that, as I tend to like variety in my shoe collection and don’t have the budget for higher-level brands.
I find them uncomfortable as is as well, but I’ve had great luck putting rubbing alcohol on the insides of the heels and toes to soften them, and then wearing them around the house with socks for a few hours. After that, they are fine for regular wear.
They are probably not worth it, but it depends what you want them for and how long you expect them to last.
If you wear them weekly, you won’t get more than a year out of them.
I stopped buying there because they don’t carry half sizes and nothing fits me right. My other half got a pair last Christmas that already fell apart (but as a man, he wore them every work day just about). We have vowed not to buy from Aldo anymore…not worth it to us.
It varies a lot. I’ve had some pairs that I love and have held together well, and some that definitely weren’t worth it. I only buy their stuff on sale, though. Their sizes seem to run narrow, which is great for me because I have a narrow foot, but you may want to go up a size if your foot is average-sized.
I’ve had good luck with Aldo. I have a pair of boots I’ve had going on 4 years now and they look pretty decent after being re-heeled. I got another pair for 5 pounds at an outlet in London and they lasted about 2 years before the insole fell apart. I haven’t found them to be uncomfortable, so it might depend on the shape of your foot. I have more of a triangular foot.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This year I’m grateful for passing the bar, having the holiday off with no finals to think about, Kat’s weekly dose of fashion inspiration, and divalicious11, who offered me some very helpful advice when I was anonymous a while back.
Wow… thank you and you are welcome! Glad to be of help!
Ladies, I would like your styling suggestions for an Anne Klein corset swirl dress (Indigo Multi) I bought recently (see reply for link). At my husband’s suggestion, I wore it with a black cardigan and black boots, but would like other ideas as well.
At the store, my husband asked the salesperson if Ann Taylor and Calvin Klein had a baby and decided to name it Anne Klein..
http://www.anneklein.com/Swirl-Corset-Dress/90452395,default,pd.html?variantColor=JJ1NJXX&variantSizeClass=Missy&ep_tag=AKiprospect_GoogleProduct
I like the dress, I think it would be very lovely with a punchy color along yellowish/orange cardigan.
LOLing at your husband’s comment, very funny. Good for you for getting him to go shopping with you :)
I think this dress would be great in the summer, then I’d wear it with a white cropped cardigan or white cotton jacket with bracelet sleeves and yellow pumps.
For the winter you might try grey boots + gray cropped cardi. You could also put a sweater on top (gray, black, navy, even pink) and wear it like a top + skirt, then I’d wear black boots under.
I’m very lucky to have my husband :-)
I love your suggestions! I have most of what you recommended in my wardrobe, so will try them out – thanks!
I’d wear this with a yellow cardigan, or a gray cardigan and yellow pumps, maybe a yellow belt too. I love yellow with indigo.
I am up early and just put the TURKEY in my oven to bake.
I am NOT a constitutenal SCHOLAR, but I DO appreciate my life as a JD in New York State. I am thankfully still happy, and the manageing partner is not treating me JUST like a sex OBJECT.
My Boyfriend, Alan is still asleep, but I hope he will stay on track to MARRY me, and he is still SEXY and does nice things for me, and I do NICE things for him.
So I wish all of you VERY best Thanksgivings, Corpolettes. We have alot to be thankful for.
Love, Ellen
Yep, I too am thankful for the alot.
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html
Oh, it makes me sad that Ellen was so full of gratitude and then Eponine couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be an arrogant jerk for just one day. Ellen, my hubby is working out-of-town today and I am grateful that he has a job in this economy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Taylor its been well established that Ellen is not real the last couple days, its a he making fun of the website.
Thanks to everyone who advised me on bag choices for an internship interview. The interview went great and I got the position! So, thanks!
Congratulations Taylor, you just got punk’d :)
I did, huh? Who cares? I still don’t get the point of correcting grammar on the Thanksgiving holiday.
Taylor, your descent into name-calling was unwarranted (“arrogant jerk”?) – overreaction much? You say you don’t get the point of correcting grammar over the thanksgiving holiday, but name-calling is all right by you then?
Thanks, liked the link alot!
What would America be without alot? We do have to be thankful for the alot. And a laugh. Way to go, Eponine!
That’s hilarious, Eponine! I enjoy Hyperbole and a half, but hadn’t seen this one.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Ellen. May you and Alan have a good upcoming holiday season.
It seems that some of the regular commenters think that you are not a real person, but in the spirit of the season, I hope they will give you a chance. I’m guessing that English is not your first language; if that is true, can you share with us where you are from?
Nice troll. Pretty troll. Want a cookie?
Happy Thanksgiving fellow Corporettes… even when I disagree, I appreciate hearing different perspectives. Keeps the mind open. For the non-Americans – Happy Third Thursday in November!
Like!
Greetings from work in Not-USA!
Enjoy the day!
happy thanksgiving to american corporettes!
greetings from morocco
Quick question!
To anyone who is/was in Cambridge, MA:
Where is the best place to buy a coat tomorrow in the Black Friday sale? I want to buy a really warm one and am not sure which mall I should be trying to get to. I don’t have a car and I don’t really want to spend more that $100 – $150. Think warm, warm.
Thanks!
The Prudential Centre is probably your best bet. It’s the biggest mall downtown, and it’s right on the subway line. The Cambridgeside Galleria is closer, but you have to walk a few blocks from the subway.
I would go to the EMS right in Harvard Square – they will have warm stuff. Or are you looking for a dressy coat? If so, you could try the Marshall’s/Tj’s in downtown crossing.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice the other day – the interview went great and I got the internship! Happy Thanksgiving :)
Congrats!!
Ladies, I’m on the quest for a mustard yellow scarf w/fringe on the bottom, ideally in the $15-30 price range. Any ideas?
I saw some in a Nordstrom Rack recently that fit the bill.
belk here had some lovely, soft scarves… well, like the wrap-scarf everyone in europe wears. beautiful colors, and a nice mustard yellow was one of them. but then, our belk is a little more upscale and almost always has things no other belk i’ve been to carries, so … :/
JCPenney
I just got some Chucks in cranberry and feel like I am 15 again – fun. :) They seem to be easier on the feet than I remember, actually.
As a former soldier who served in Iraq, I don’t take anything Blondie said as “spitting” on soldiers. Anonymous, how did you even jump to this ridiculous conclusion? I’m more offended by you trying to use the sacrifices made by my fellow soldiers, airmen and marines to support your position on a topic that has nothing to do with the armed forces. You have a right to move about the country but not necessarily a right to fly. If you don’t like the TSA rules, take the train or drive. Happy Thanksgiving.
Exactly! And thank you for serving our country.
Bonnie, thank you for your service :)
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
Because of my job in national security litigation, I understand a little bit about terrorism. The problem with the current TSA rules is that they are indiscriminate. Unlike in other countries like Israel- here, every 7 year-old and every travelling nun is subjected to the same security screening as a 20 year old Yemeni who can’t explain why he is in the United States or who paid for his ticket without muttering and getting all jittery. I have not had to go through airport security since this started this month, but I will in December and I am not looking forward to it. Also, it’s interesting that this all started after Election Day 2010. The “shellacking” would have been even bigger if it started before.
But then if it wasn’t this way, people would be up in arms about profiling
Well, of course, everyone knows that a terrorist would never consider dressing up as a nun or hiding explosives in a small child, so yeah, profiling people based on national origin & the like would be waaaaay better.
Sorry AIMS I get that there is sarcasm in your comment but I don’t really understand it. I was saying that profiling is just as bad as well, are you saying profiling isn’t bad? (not trying to be snarky I promise)
I think we are saying the same thing. I think profiling would be terrible & not terribly effective.
I meant to reply to the idea that the problem with TSA rules is that they are indiscriminate.
I am at work on Thanksgiving Friday & reading the most boring trial transcript in recorded human history. Sorry for the lack of clarity :)
Trying not to start a huge argument, but I do think profiling (though it obviously has its own problems) would be more effective – I think Israel proves that.
ah now I understand :) hope you at least get to enjoy the weekend!
Anonymous, putting aside my belief that its not effective regardless, there is no way that profiling, ie choosing a few, could be more effective than choosing all. By doing the search for all you don’t miss the white terrorist, old woman terrorist, etc. Just by the percentages, there’s no way it could ever be more effective. If you are saying it would be a greater cost/benefit ratio, I think you are discounting the differences between american and Israeli culture. If an innocent american was profiled, it would be all over the news just as much as the current screenings are.
The problem in general is that they are reactionary measures. Since 9/11, there was one measure that was extremely important, the sealing of the cockpit. That is what allowed the terrorists to make the plane into a missile, and that’s what made the devastation so huge. Now that the plane cannot be turned into a missile, a terrorist sneaking weapons on to a plane could kill everyone on the plane, and potential if the plane were to fall out of the sky randomly onto a building or crowded area, kill those people as well. However, there is not much of a difference between that and getting onboard a metro and killing everyone on board, a bus, or blowing up a building. It would be terrible if a whole plane full of people died, of course, but now that the plane can’t be turned into a missile, its unlikely a terrorist attack will be on a plane.
Israel’s security is based on far more than just profiling, Anonymous. The entire set-up of Ben Gurion is designed so as to allow progressive layers of screening – most American airports couldn’t handle similar procedures.
hmm I had a big response that was here for a while but seems to have been deleted… anyways it said hope you get to enjoy the weekend AIMS and that profiling can never be more effective than checking everyone, just because by checking everyone you account for terrorists who don’t “look like terrorists.” If you are talking about a better cost/benefit ratio, I think you are forgetting the difference in culture between American and Israel, if America were to implement a policy of racial profiling, there would be the same amount of media attention and horror stories that there are now.
There is an interesting article in the Washington Post today about Israel’s airport security practices. Based on the article, the measures Israel appears to have implemented sound much, much more intrusive, but for a smaller number of passengers. Personally, I’d hate to be traveling somewhere on business, be forced to undergo a body search, and then have all of my belongings confiscated for several days for unspecified security reasons. At the same time, I’m unpersuaded that the practices adopted by the TSA particularly effective. I don’t really care about having to go through one of the new scanners, but I find the pat-down procedures disturbing and seriously question how having armies of TSA personnel yelling at people to remove their shoes and arguing with passengers about whether their toothpaste tube is 3 ounces or 4 is really making us safer.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/26/AR2010112603025.html?hpid=moreheadlines
AE-How’d you get into national security litigation? I’d love to work in some area of law related to national security/counterterrorism, but my understanding is it’s not something entry level lawyers generally do (I graduated in May), and I’m wondering how people get into it.
Searching for the bloody pads of sexual assault victims is so necessary! http://www.prisonplanet.com/sanitary-towel-prompts-tsa-to-grope-sexual-assault-victim.html
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people disseminate information without thinking about its source. You’re quoting an article where an anonymous women wrote an email to a company about her experience (not an newspaper or a news outlet) and because of that, the company is asking every woman to buy their product and use it when going through airport security. hmm.
I wish I could give you more useful advice, but this opportunity just fell in my lap about a year ago. I started with my agency three years ago in the HP another section, and jumped on this opportunity when it was offered to me. The best I can tell you is to apply for jobs in agencies you are interested in, even if those particular positions are not exactly what you are looking for. Once you are in, doors can open up for you.
Bonnie, thank you so much for your service! I agree with you.
Hello all! I would greatly appreciate some costume suggestions…
My work (law firm) is holding a French-themed Christmas party this year, and I have no idea what to wear. People take the whole costume side of things very seriously.
I am a first year lawyer (graduate) and would like to wear something in which I will look nice but that also looks like I have put some effort in. I would also prefer not to buy anything new, if possible.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Many thanks in advance.
Navy and white striped shirt, skinny pants, ballet flats, and a beret?
This, plus add a thin red scarf around your neck.
I used to live in France, and I was going to suggest exactly this outfit. Aside from going as La Marseillaise and letting one breast hang out, the skinny jeans/stripe top/beret/scarf would be your best bet. Accessorize with a baguette (as in bread, not a purse) that you carry around under your arm.
Could you go as French people from history? You could walk around on your knees in Navy pants and a military jacket with some military-esque pins and say you’re Napoleon. You could also wear the biggest dress you own (or pick up a cheap prom/homecoming dress), beehive your hair and go wild with the makeup and go as Marie Antoinette. Wear the Napoleon costume, stand, and get one of those tall military hats and go as Mitterand. If you have a loose-fitting black dress, get some big necklaces and you can go as Coco Chanel. :-D
A French-themed costume party (well, really, any kind of ethnic costume party) for an office holiday party seems like a minefield for offending someone with stereotyping that could backfire quickly. Does your firm have any clients who are French whose relationships could be affected if this could come back to them? I would be very wary and aim on the side of conservative. If you have to dress up, maybe a Chanel or Hermes scarf?
Skinny pants, neck scarf, baguette and a bottle of wine in a picnic basket. As a person of French descent who’s spent a lot of time in France, I’d suggest avoiding any stereotypes like berets, can can dancer outfits, French maid outfits, mime outfits, etc.
If you want to really go all out, you could dress up as the Eiffel Tower or the Moulin Rouge (would be hilarious if you’re the gregarious type). You could also go as Marianne (breasts covered, of course), but people who aren’t francophiles may not know who she is.
Oh, and I have to share my favorite LOLCat ever: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/f582c25b-9d3b-4156-8662-2a387b7245c3.jpg
Haha, that makes me want to give my cats a bath!! :-D
Me too!
Thank you all! Some great suggestions – I’ll have to think through what I’ve got already and see what I can come up with.
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
I managed to wear a hole in the elbow of my favorite cashmere sweater this week. I’m sad because I love the sweater, and would prefer not to throw it out if there’s a way to save it. I think the problem is the way I rest my head on my elbow at my desk, but no amount of training myself to do otherwise has worked so far. Do any Corporettes have tips on how to get this mended, or whether putting contrasting patches on the elbows would work? It’s a thin knit, so I’m not sure. I’m a reluctant seamstress with no machine, but can do some basic hand-sewing if necessary.
I would take it to the dry cleaners & see what they can do. For small-ish holes, I have had them sew it up in such a way that it’s barely noticeable (who’s looking at your elbows anway, right?)
If that’s not possible, maybe they can put some fun elbow patches on. It could be very cute!
Agree with AIMS. I hope you saved the little paper with the matching thread that came with the sweater, this is exactly what those are for. I have a a tin in my closet where I toss all those papers and extra buttons that come with things, just in case. If not, the dry cleaner might be able to match it…
There is a company called Without a Trace that specializes in repairing knit and woven items with moth holes, burns, etc. They are not cheap but if it’s something you really love I would consider using them rather than stitching it up yourself or taking it to a dry cleaner. I’ve had them fix a couple of things and was very pleased – the damage is pretty much invisible. They are located in Chicago but also have a mail order service. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.withoutatrace.com/
Thanks everyone. I think I’ll take it to my dry cleaner and see what they say, and if that doesn’t work I’ll investigate Without a Trace. Thanks for the tip on that. It looks like they do leather repair as well, if anyone needs that.
I had the same thing happen to one of my favorite sweaters. You should take the sweater to a French Reweaver, if you want it done seamlessly and perfectly. For anther sweater, I cut out a star pattern from an older (pilled-up) cashmere sweater and took it to the reweaver to put on top. Both turned out cute. Neither was cheap.
And it happens to me only on my right arm–from resting my elbow when I move my mouse at work. Weird, huh?
Apparently, if you show a student ID, you get 20% off your purchase, always. I wish I had known this earlier….
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/editorial.jsp?pageName=styleforstudents
Same with BR, but they certainly don’t advertise it much or tell you at the cash (unless it’s a supernice cashier that you’re chatting with as you pay).
A lot of places (the Limited comes to mind) also have a discount for educators, with school ID.
it is only for “career” clothes, technically. that being said, virtually no one knew about it, and it would depend on what manager was around.
Does anyone have any suggestions for where to get a classic, high-quality trench coat? My wonderful parents want to buy me one for Christmas so I have a great coat that I can wear for the next 10-15 years. We tried Burberry last weekend, but I’m broad-shouldered and had to size up to a 12 (I’m typically a 4) to get it to fit my shoulders, but it was huge everywhere else and didn’t look right. The Burberry coats were beautiful, so does anyone have any suggestions for classic trench coats of similar quality?
I have one by London Fog that is frequently mistaken for Burberry, so I’d consider it completely classic. I’ve had it for 5+ years and except for having to reinforce the buttons once or twice, it has shown no signs of wear. I love it.
Eponine, not sure if you’ve been away or just not commenting as frequently, but I’ve missed your comments!
I was away. Glad to be back!
I’ve also been wearing a London Fog trench for a few years now (three, I think). Mine is black knee-length – very classic cut, travels extremely well, and has no signs of wear despite being unceremoniously dumped on classroom chairs and in my locker for the past three years of law school. Definitely recommend the brand!
Sizing-wise it seems pretty standard; I’m typically 0-2 on top, and my coat is XS and roomy enough that I can wear a sweater underneath. I got mine at a Burlington’s coat factory outlet for under $100, and I’ve seen London Fog trenches on sale on various websites like Haute Look and Ideeli.
Alternatively, you might want to look at Coach. I’ve never owned a jacket from them, but tried one a few months ago and LOVED it (but couldn’t justify buying it on my student budget when I didn’t need another trench).
I have a London Fog that my mom bought me when I was in high school. I’ve had it for 15 years and still get compliments on it. Of course, who knows if the quality is the same these days.
I also suggest London Fog. I got one about 3 months ago and have worn it all fall. Seems to be holding up very well. I also got the comment asking if it was a Burberry one morning on the way to work — very flattering indeed. Mine has a zip in zip out lining that I think is really handy. I got mine at Filene’s or TJ Maxx on sale for $79.99 so you might want to try there too!
I’ve worn my Burberrys trench coat for 30 years. Right now if I were looking to replace it, I’d get the classic Banana Republic trench. It’s not that expensive but looks great and does the job. (Maybe your parents would throw in an iPad with the cash left over.)
Also, there’s a post above from someone who found a men’s Burberrys coat that fit. That might be good for you if you have broad shoulders and narrower hips.
I would also suggest trying the Men’s. A friend and I recently compared our trenches – hers is burberry and mine is Banana Republic and there’s a HUGE difference in quality. Also, at least the Burberry brand stores will tailor ANYTHING for you – I’ve heard bloggers raving about their service.
I’m a 3L who recently accepted a job at a mid-size law firm. As a congratulatory gift to myself, I purchased this tote for work from TJ Maxx for $150. I have never worn patent or carried a patent purse, so I wanted to see what you ladies thought of it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Kate-Spade-Amelia-Bon-Vivant-Patent-Tote-Handbag-/300496273327
Thanks!
Heart!
I love it, but I don’t work at a conservative workplace at all and can’t speak to that.
CUTE! I think it would be fine at pretty much any office.
Nice and very classic!
I work at a satellite office of a big firm and that’d definitely be appropriate. Very cute! Good luck in your third year!
Cute and appropriate at most/all conservative offices!
Good luck with your final year!
Question on behalf of my significant other (he’s a lawyer):
He went to a top law school and is currently a 4th year associate at a top NYC firm. He’s putting together his first resume since he started working and is planning to start looking at in house jobs. The question: should his LSAT score (175+) stay on his resume at this point? Seems to me that he’s a bit far into his career to keep it on, but it’s also a great score…
He’ll ask the opinion of the headhunter he’s working with, but any thoughts from the legal folks on here?
Do people put their lsats on their resume?? Im in law school and have never heard of that and I got the 99% aisle..
Percentile?
haha yes, brain fart
I scarcely know how to respond to this, since I’m astounded that anyone would include an LSAT score on a resume at ANY point after his or her entrance into law school. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it normal, even? I attended a top school myself, with (presumably, judging by the statistics) plenty of classmates with great scores, but I don’t recall seeing any resumes with LSAT scores. It seems… odd. That said, I’m not a headhunter or recruiter, so maybe I’ve missed a trend.
wow, relax. this tone was not called for
Ah, I didn’t mean to sound… well, however I sounded. ;) My apologies– I wasn’t trying to attack E (or anyone else). I was surprised by the question, that’s all.
No offense taken and thanks for your perspective!
He’s certain he was advised (by his school’s career services) to include it when applying for summer positions back in law school (not because firms required it but because they suggested it would be viewed positively). For what it’s worth, he ended up with many offers so it couldn’t have been the world’s worst advice! Of course, this was back before the economy exploded.
In addition to the advice here, I’ve done some googling and it seems like the consensus is to keep it off.
Another one for you all – he summered at one firm and then accepted a full time offer at a different (equally good) firm because the culture was better. He’s planning to keep his summer firm off his resume as he’d prefer not to be asked about this in interviews – he wouldn’t want to offend someone with ties to the first firm. Any problems with this?
I don’t see why he should take the summer firm out of his resume. It’s only going to invite questions of what he did that summer (travel? party? they’ll definitely think it’s something non-legal and that’s why it’s not on his resume). It is relevant employment and I think it really should be included. If people find out he didn’t include it, it’ll be far more odd than saying “I just really clicked more with the folks at [current firm].” There is nothing wrong with saying that (and leaving it at that). He should never disparage the other firm of course, in anyway, but there’s nothing wrong with saying you liked it better at your current firm. He should make it clear, however, that he got an offer from summer firm (if asked). Otherwise the other question will be: did he get no-offered in a good economy?
I think definitely leave off the summer firm if he has enough on his resume post-law school that he doesn’t need it in order to fill up the page adequately (and at this point in his career, I’m guessing that he does). If he just worked there one summer and didn’t accept an offer, it’s irrelevant at this point in his career. If they even care about where he spent his summers while he was in law school they’ll ask during the interview, and he can say “I was at X, but as you can see ultimately chose to accept an offer from Y”. I don’t think it sounds like he’s hiding anything – at the end of the day, he wasn’t ever a real associate at that firm. He graduated law school and started working for a prestigious firm – that in of itself pretty much indicates that his time in law school, summer and otherwise, was spent wisely.
Including the firm he summered at, on the other hand, basically invites interviewer to ask about something your husband doesn’t feel like discussing. Since it almost certainly wouldn’t make a difference in the hiring decision, replace it with something more immediately relevant/interesting.
I interview a lot of laterals, and would expect a summer associate position four years ago to be on there. I would wonder (not in a good way) why he left off a relevant legal job if it came up in conversation during the interview. I agree with lawyerette precisely on how to handle questions about it: say it was a good experience, he got an offer (if so), and he felt a better connection with the firm he ultimately chose.
I don’t think people put lsat scores on resumes, or at least I haven’t noticed it. I’m looking for a job currently, and the only places that have asked for it are non-legal positions (consulting firms).
He will likely draw more negative attention by including it than by excluding it. I’ve never seen anyone outside of perhaps 1Ls put their LSAT score on their resume. At this point in his career, with four years of actual experience as a lawyer, his subject-matter knowledge and skills should be far more important and relevant to potential employers than virtually anything he did during law school or pre-law school. Most law schools’ career services offices will offer advice to alumni, so he could always run it by them if he’s concerned.
I’ve only heard of this in the case of people who attend a much lower-ranked law school than the best one they could get into (e.g. you got a 175 LSAT but took a full ride at State U instead of paying for Harvard), and even then only when you’re still a student. If he’s at a top NYC firm, that speaks for itself. He should take it off.
I agree – don’t put the score on. I’m a 3L at a top-ten, and the general advice given by our school is to take off your LSAT score unless you’re applying for a job before your first law school grades come out (like an internship for the first summer). Otherwise, it’s just not done. Since it’s unusual, a recruiter’s gut response to this might be: what on this resume is missing that he’s trying to compensate for? Since it sounds like there’s nothing to compensate for – take it off!
Best of luck to your husband!
I would not include the LSAT score. I’m at a firm and interview lots of candidates for positions. If they had their LSAT score listed, they’d probably get made fun of for it a bit. I wouldn’t include it.
As for summer associate positions, I think you include it as a one line thing–no description necessary.
Absolutely not. I’m a federal COA clerk and my judge dinged someone in part because he listed his LSAT score. It comes across as very pretentious and douchy. I think everyone will assume that he must have had a high LSAT score if he went to a top law school. Good luck to him.
As someone who’s been through the clerkship application process and is seeing it from the inside right now – any advice for 2Ls who will be applying during this upcoming cycle? What to do, what not to do, when to start looking? Thanks!
Yes please! (seconding AnonAnonAnon’s comment)
Some thoughts:
1) Secure all recommenders by the end of the 2L year. Professors get inundated with requests to write letters and you want to ask early. I think I asked all of my professors by April.
2) Try to meet with your recommenders in person and give them your application package. Ask them to discuss or emphasize certain components of your application (ie: if you are the first in the family to graduate from college, came from a lower income family, etc.). Some judges really care about those things.
3) The best way of getting your resume seen is to have a professor or dean make a phone call for you to the judge. Even better if the recommender actually knows the judge, but even if he/she doesn’t, that’s the best way of getting your foot in the door. With 1000+ applications, it’s simply impossible for all applications to get reviewed by the judge.
4) Proofread everything a gazillion times. Amazing the number of typos we see.
5) I like ending my cover letter with something like “it would be an honor to serve in your chambers.” Judges like deference and respect.
Good luck!! :)
Thank you! I hope you had a good long weekend.
Definitely not.
Um, no… that will come off as pretentious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an LSAT score on a resume, at any level….
And in case anyone really loves resume questions: favorite resume font?
Times. Please not Arial … it’s just harder to read!
Book Antiqua!
Ditto. But really, any font with a serif should be fine. Non-serif fonts like Arial are really harder to read.
I use Century Gothic…though maybe I should switch it up to a serif…
Book Antiqua, then set “Letter Spacing” at 105% and your resume will look super sharp when printed to PDF. You can do this in WordPerfect in the Format, Typesetting drop-down menu. No clue how to do it (or anything whatsoever, actually) in Word.
I have mine in both Times New Roman and Arial. I’ve had problems in the past with computer scanners, like when you submit your resume to a database and it converts it into a set format, with serif fonts. So people get Times, computers get Arial.
I use times new roman too, but that’s because I prefer it for everything. And remember to always send it as a PDF so there are no formatting issues!
garamond.
I use this, and so does my boyfriend.
Century Schoolbook
comic sans
hush yo’ mouf.
PSA: virtually everyone here would benefit from reading typographyforlawyers.
No Times, no Arial. Use a serifed font.
Very cool. I may well buy the entire book.
always a serif font. not a HUGE fan of times. NEVER arial…for anything.
Palatino Linotype… it’s just a tad off of Times and looks polished. I actually made it the font for our whole firm. Try it.
Does anyone have the Gap Always Skinny Jeans in the saturated dark wash? I have a pair in the medium wash, and I adore them – absolutely my favorite jeans ever. I want another pair, and was hoping to get them in another shade so I don’t have two identical pairs of jeans, but the dark wash ones are 99% cotton/1% elastane while the medium wash ones are 98% cotton/2% spandex. The reviews on the Gap site are mixed and I trust you ladies more anyway, so I’d love to hear any comments or suggestions.
I guess I’d also be interested in hearing comments on the Forever Skinny line, which I’ve never tried on.
I have one of those, though I’m not entirely sure whether it the Always Skinny or the Forever Skinny, but it is the saturated dark wash (no wiskering, etc). They fit… tight. Like a legging. I had the medium wash ones from over a year ago when I was a size smaller and I don’t remember them being this tight. They look fine though, and a good friend of mine swears by them. The denim also feels relatively thin compared to my other jeans – the wind goes right through them.
Now that I’ve had a chance to check, they are the Always Skinny.
I’ve had a pair for about a year. I really like them. The color has held up, the shape has largely held up (the ankles are a little stretched out from me changing into/out of them, but nothing big), they’re flattering on me, good value for money. My only warning is that I have to wash them more frequently than necessary because the waist and seat get stretched out after a wearing or two at best. It’s annoying, but I can live with it. I’ve had the same experience with other Gap 1969 jeans, so YMMV.
I have them and love them. They are very fitted–like jeggings. My only complaint is the same as with most GAP jeans–they lose their shape and stretch. The sales lady told me to find the smallest size I could possibly squeeze into–so tight I could barely button them and breathe–and buy those. She was right. After two wears they fit perfectly, and they have stretched over time but have not stretched so much that they are unwearable.
Thanks, all! I decided to go with the medium wash again. I already have jeggings, and don’t want another pair of supertight jeans.
I’m in a Masters of Accounting program, and after going through the recruiting season, I have one definate offer from Firm 1, and am a final candidate for one potential offer from Firm 2. My offer from Firm 1 expires this coming Tuesday, and Firm 2 has promised to get back to me in time to let Firm 1 know my decision.
They are both good firms, with good reputations and the offer packages are fairly similar. Firm 1 offers a wide variety of experience,with individuals and businesses, but is mostly complience work the first few years. The culture is more liberal than Firm 2, and I connect well with the people I met so far during the recruiting process.
Firm 2 is a more conservative environment, with higher turnover, but I would be working in a small group that services both internal and external clients, has a great leadership team, and is more consulting based, meaning lots of research and writing. I feel I also connect well with this team.
I am equally torn between these two great opportunities. Of course, I haven’t been given the second offer yet, but since I only have a couple hours of turn-around time if they do give me the green light, I am trying to do as much decision-making as I can now.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
First thing that jumps out to me is the high turnover you mentioned in Firm 2. Any idea why there is high turnover?
Follow your gut… after 10 years as a career counselor… my advice as always been follow your gut.
Hi – does anyone have any thoughts on the Jessica Jensen brand? I’ve come across some of the brand’s leather bags on sale at Amazon, but haven’t seen one in person. Thanks!
My BF got me a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes for Xmas! Can you believe it? He is SOOOO good to me! He gave them to me early because he did not want for me to start wearing them once it snowed, but I told him that I wore boots outside and will ONLY bring these shoes with me to work and wear them INSIDE in the winter. My BF is the best. This is a great holiday. I don’t know what to get him. He is not a great dresser like I am.
Ugh. Anyone know how to clean up all this troll hair. EW! And droppings!
The best thing to do is just not respond to them. They eventually get bored and move on.
I received a job offer from a firm in the form of an email from a paralegal and a letter. What would be the best way to respond to it? Email to the paralegal? Email to the partner? Letter?
Thanks!
Call the firm if you are going to accept. The receptionist will know who to direct you to.
PSA:
Endless has a great Cyber Monday deal:
$30 off $100 purchase
$60 off $200 purchase
$100 off $300 purchase
These shoes have been calling my name for months:
http://www.endless.com/Cole-Haan-Air-Talia-Pump/dp/B0039MIXEQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&cAsin=B0039MIWDI&fromPage=search&sr=1-3&qid=1290967887955&asins=B0039MIU1W%2CB0039MIU94%2CB0039MIWDI%2CB0039MIUGW%2CB0039MIVPC%2CB0039MIUWQ%2CB0039MIV3E%2CB0039MIUOY%2CB0039MIU5I%2CB0039MIWME%2CB0039MIX00%2CB0039MIXB4%2CB0039MIVGQ%2CB0039MIUSK%2CB0039MIV70%2CB0039MIVTI&asinTitle=Cole%20Haan%20Air%20Talia%20Pump&contextTitle=search%20results&node=242169011&sort=relevancerank&keywords=cole+haan+air+talia
Oh so tempting!
I have the mid-height Talias. They are incredibly comfortable. If you’re standing for 3 hours straight, they are still going to hurt, but they are by far the most comfortable heels I have ever owned.
Not to burst your bubble, but I think Cole Haan shoes are excluded from the Cyber Monday promotion according to what it says in the “Restrictions” section.
Your right. Look!
November 28 – 29: No code required.
Save $30 on $100 orders
Save $60 on $200 orders
Save $100 on $300 orders
Not all items are eligible, items that qualify are labeled in the “Special Offer” section of the Item Overview Tab on the Item Detail page, discount will be shown on the final page of checkout. Offer applies to included styles only and cannot be combined with any other offer. Excluded brands: Ecco, Dansko, Giuseppe Zanotti, Patagonia, Mephisto, Stuart Weitzman, Tumi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Michael Kors, To Boot New York, Cole Haan, ASICS (select styles), Reebok (select styles), New Balance (select styles), Brooks, Prince, Callaway, Mizuno, Adidas (select styles), Saucony, Wilson, Keen, Red Wing, Cole Haan, and Frye.
Also, no Tumi! I love Tumi!
FOOEY on this websight sale! FOOEY!
Not sure if you’ll see this in time, but the Cole Haan website has these on sale, marked down to $150 in some colors, plus 20% off with free shipping through tonight.
Hi All, I may be a bit late in posting, but I will give it a try.
I’m working on a cover letter for a job and was curious what everyone’s thoughts were on bullet points in a cover letter? I applying to a large biotech company as a PhD level scientist. They (I’m sure) receive many, many applicants and I have seen bullet points suggested in a few (but not all) of my career center’s “how-to” manuals.
Thoughts? Thanks for everyone’s time!
I think it really depends on what you’re saying in those bullet points. My first thought is no, but I’m not in your field. I’ve always thought cover letters were a place to talk about things that were *not* on your resume or to go deeper into things on your resume. From that point of view, I’m not sure what bullet points add. They make it seem too cursory. Perhaps if you explained what kinds of things you’d put in these bullet points?
Hi- I agree- my first reaction was “no” as well. However I find myself compelled to go over specific areas of expertise and in a sentence it just becomes a laundry list. I thought this might be a good place for a few bullet points to highlight specific skills that might get glossed over in a full paragraph.
I can see that. If those skills are somehow not obvious from your resume and/or level, they definitely should be listed/highlighted in your cover letter. Whether you use bullets I think is a judgment call as to how many things are you listing (more than 5?) and how long each one is (a verb and a few words, or more like a sentence)? If those skills make you a stand out as a candidate, and they aren’t things that should be obvious someone like you can do/has done (e.g., someone applying for a secretarial position saying “Experience with Microsoft Word”), then I don’t see why not.
Is there any way to incorporate them directly into the resume? Depending on how many applications a company receives, it may skip over the cover letter entirely at first and go straight to the resume to look for the requested skills. Some places will use computers to do the initial screening for keywords, and the computers typically check only the resume.
Yes to bullets… think about the look of the letter…. people will be drawn to the bullet points to read what they say… therefore putting the emphasis on those items. Don’t bury them in the resume. Of course you want those items to be your key selling points.
Also in the cover letter.. watch the use of I. Do you start every sentence with I. Look at your letter and circle all the I’s.
I’m a senior-level PhD scientist at a large biotech, and yes, there are generally many applicants for jobs right now. I don’t recall having seen bullet points before, but wouldn’t necessarily react negatively. We receive a large number of applications via web, and many do not even include cover letters.
Take this for what it’s worth, but one major thing that I look for when reviewing applicants is their ability to put together their resume (meaning logical organization, ability to summarize their work concisely, care in proof-reading, etc.) – in other words, the intangibles which lead to long-term success. Technical skills can only take you so far, and since there are a lot of good scientists out there, as a hiring manager at a highly-regarded company I have the luxury of looking beyond that. If your cover letter serves to further emphasize your soft skills, by whatever mechanism, so much the better. I’d say if your gut is telling you that you can convey your key points better using bullet points, then go for it.
Good luck!
The best advice I can give is to think of your cover letter as a mini-writing sample. It should be drafted and organized in a way that demonstrates you have the necessary writing skills for your field. For a lawyer, it should be concise, readable, and to the point. For a scientist, completely different considerations might apply, and bullet points may be fine.