Coffee Break: The Cure Ultra Nourishing Cuticle Repair Cream
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Of course, we just rounded up some of the best healthy nail treatments we've heard about or used over the years — and I completely forgot about the one that is currently in my nightstand drawer: Deborah Lippmann's The Cure Ultra Nourishing Cuticle Repair Cream.
This cream is pricey ($25!) but really luxe and rich. Compared to the Burt's Bees lemon cream (which I've also used and liked over the years) this one is muuuuch more like a lotion, whereas the Burt's Bees one can feel very waxy. (I think I've even had lotions that were thicker than this – an old Neutrogena one comes to mind, as well as one of the Weleda hand creams.) Still, it works really well, and has no scent or sticky residue — I just rub the cuticle cream into my cuticles before bed.
(If you have really bad hangnails and torn cuticles, here's another trick: I sometimes put my prescription-strength trentinoin on the affected area before bed, and then layer this lotion on top.)
The cream is $25, available Amazon and other retailers.
Sales of note for 3/15/25:
- Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off
- Ann Taylor – 40% off everything + free shipping
- Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles + extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – Extra 30% off women's styles + spring break styles on sale
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off 3 styles + 50% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Friends and family sale, 20% off with code; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off 1 item + 30% off everything else (includes markdowns, already 25% off)
I have a long layover (14 hrs – early morning to evening) in Munich at the end of the month. I read that it’s fairly easy to take the S-Bahn from the airport into city center. I’ve never been to Munich so welcome any travel tips and reccs!
Can’t speak to actual things to do in the city, but can confirm it’s a pretty straight shoot from the city center to the airport. My friend and I got there no problem from the main train station when we were travelling in December. We had hoped to use the luggage lockers at the train station ahead of our flight, but the majority were broken when we got there, so if you’ve got bigger pieces you’ll be carrying with you, just keep that in mind.
It is super easy to get from the airport into the city center. I highly recommend seeing Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Odeonsplatz, and the Englischer Garten. Make sure you plan to see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel at 11 am, 12 pm, or 5 pm! And don’t forget to enjoy a biergarten :)
If this was me, I’d go to a community centre spa for the entire time. Super cheap, multiple temp pools & steam rooms, colour & aromatherapy, plus attached restaurant/beer garden. Loved them and wish we had them on this side of the ocean.
Yes, the S-bahn is super easy! I loved browsing the tradtional costume Dirndl and Lederhosen floor at the Ludwig Beck department store at Marienplatz.
I always get Leuchtturm note books in Germany, if you want a usable souvenir (better than Moleskin).
Therme Erding! It’s a quick taxi ride from the airport, has 35 saunas and steam baths, several restaurants, and day beds were you can take a nap if you’re tired. And if you’ve never been to a German sauna before, you’ll find it a real cultural experience.
You can take the train into the city and there is a station literally in the basement of the Hilton Munich City which will sell you a day pass, if you’d like a landing spot.
Poll: for those of you who exercise adjacent to or during work hours, do you change out of exercise clothes at the office, at the gym, in your car, somewhere else?
Myself, I see men in the office coming in in gym shorts and changing in their office, but I strongly prefer to change at the gym and not be seen at the office in my gym clothes. If I run into a coworker hiking or at the pool I have no hangups about it, I just don’t like bring in gym clothes at work even just for a transition.
I shower and change at the gym. My work doesn’t have showers, so there’s no choice for me. I would not workout and then not shower, so that’s a no-go.
I change in my office. No one bats an eye.
I wfh now, but I used to do this, and I’ve done both depending on circumstances. When I belonged to a gym close to my office that had really nice, comfortable facilities, I showered and changed there after exercising in the morning and then went to work. A few years later I worked in an office building that had its own decent gym but the shower and locker room were kind of awful. There, I would close my door, change in my office, then walk down to the gym in my gym clothes, and then I’d commute home still in them and shower there.
How long does it take to recover from burnout after you get out of a toxic job situation?
It’s mental more than physical time. Weirdly, I did best after getting in a new gig. Time off was just time off. I needed a mental shift. New challenges, new people, and (more important) a new culture with a much better work life balance was key. I went from somewhere with literally every minute of my day and my team’s day planned by a clueless project manager (canned shortly after I left) to somewhere with a ton of flexibility, more interesting projects, and no expectation of working weekends. Client expectations are far more reasonable. It wasn’t a matter of time so much as a total shift in environment and type of work and work culture.
It took me a year when I left BigLaw for a government job to feel recovered.
It took me a year. It was actually a really lovely moment for me when I realized I was fully over it – I had an objectively really great successful day at my new job, and I realized it was the first time in many years that I could fully enjoy that high. At my toxic job, even the highs always had a catch.
With a lot of downtime, personally enriching things, and therapy, 9 months to feel like the fog and constant “fight or flight” to leave. A year (today, actually!) to feel at peace and healed, and like it was a million years ago.
I felt noticeably better after a couple weeks, but I would say 3 months to really feel like “myself” again. Laid off with long severance, so I was not working at all, it probably would have been longer if I’d just downshifted to a new job.
it’s been 9 months now, and I was just thinking about it a little more… probably only a month or two ago I started being bored and indifferent when hearing about the latest antics of my difficult former bosses, so that may have been the true “over it.”. But they stopped living rent free in my head much sooner, and it was glorious.
It depends on how deeply it affected you physically as well as mentally and emotionally. It can take a looooonnnng time if you got to the point where your body as well as your psyche was fried.
This happened to me. It took about five years to recover.
3 months to feel like you are no longer a shell of a human being. 6 months to actually find joy.
Anon for this. Mostly venting but also looking for advice on how to let things go when you’ve always been somebody who was able to make it work.
Anyone ever girl bossed to close to the sun and now just… reached a breaking point? I’ve always done a good job of getting it done and holding things together so I’ve been handed more and more assignments. Well… my job is impacted by all the federal shenanigans so not only is my workload doubled but I can’t fill any positions. And I could keep it going for a while, but… it’s just not sustainable.
But I’ve somehow become one of the people in charge… So while I’m giving everyone the triage speech, letting our principals know that things ARE falling because they have to, being ruthlessly efficient, working a zillion hours, dealing with people who are frustrated or upset or confused… and I just want to take a week off with my kids with no thinking of work. But I quite literally cannot without major implications…
I mean, I’ve already reached the point where the only feelings I can consider are those of my staff. You’re an outside party? Fine. Be mad. I don’t care, we’re doing our best.
This was me and I had to quit, but unfortunately I waited until the organization’s refusal to provide me with the resources to get my job done had already wrecked my professional reputation externally. Don’t be me.
Um, yes, and I hit a breaking point and resigned (currently running out my vacation time right now!). I realized after several years that it was not getting any better and was in fact getting worse and that I was giving WAY too much to my job in terms of my time, happiness, energy, and money (because this governement job pays well but not THAT well and in fact has not even kept up with inflation so I am working longer, harder, faster for effectively less money every year, joy!) and that the only one who could save me was me.
This feels like the world I’m living in. I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep it going, either.
I think key to letting go is to have something else going on in your life — classes, family time, any achievement, even focusing on getting a new job. Remind yourself your job is not the important thing in your life but has become just something you’re doing to financially support the important things for now. Also, failing at work right now is succeeding—killing yourself to do it all helps no one (especially yourself).
Don’t quit if you can avoid it. Instead, start recognizing that you at 70 percent or 50 percent is still better than no you Plan some evenings or weekends off and treat them as sacred. If you get fired, at least you have benefits. Don’t fall for the risk to reputation fallacy. The world isn’t as small as we like to think, and people give grace when resources shift. Nature abhors a vacuum. If you pull back, some of the expectations will as well.
I like this — maybe set new metrics for success that include stuff like limiting your hours and only partially completing projects.
Think back to older jobs where you are not thinking about them beyond two-second memories. The job you have now will also fade in importance but your mental health/relationships/personal life/family will always matter. Jobs are also not always doable. They just demand as much as they can, and at some point, you have to push back or you sink. That’s part of maturing, accepting your own limits as valid.
I’d really encourage you to set limits. You are not Atlas. You can’t fix this alone. You can’t work one million hours and sacrifice all things forever. It’s hard to know that you’re going to have to do a B or C job or reprioritize, but the answer is–I cannot be Altas and hold up this place due to organizational failures at the expense of my health, stress levels, taking holiday, or family/friend time indefinitely. Something has to give. S Sometimes things will not get done, or will not get done to the level they used to.
Hang in there. We’re horrified you’re in this situation too. Hugs.
I booked some flights the other day using points for the first time in a long time. There didn’t seem to be any substantial savings? Google Flights told me the 4 tickets would be $5100 for very specific flights. I had $4700 in dollar value for points… but when we tried to book, whether through points or miles, we wound up needing more. We ended up booking through Chase travel and then paying the extra $1100 there, figuring we’d at least get 5x the points. But how was it supposed to go?
I’ve never thought of points being about a discount on market price. Points are like a gift card – you buy at market rate but it’s, ya know, free. At least that’s how it’s gone when I’ve used my own airline card, not a 3P card.
Points aren’t a big discount unless you score a very good redemption and doing that requires some luck, some skill and a lot of flexibility about when you travel.
You got flights that cost $5100 for $1100, that seems like a big discount to me? And I’d be surprised if you earn more points on reward travel.
op – to clarify, i’ve always just taken the statement credit (so in this example would then have had $4700 to use for whatever, including flight), but have been told repeatedly by friends that’s a dumb way to do it.
I think you probably need to be able to be more flexible to get the biggest bang for your buck.
for Chase isn’t the thing that you t-sfer points to the airline rather than buy using the credit?
I think this OP must be using another credit card – for Chase you get 1.25x the value for the points if you redeem for travel, so it wouldn’t be the same $ amount as if you redeemed for statement credit.
Reading comprehension fail! Just saw that OP specifically says the Chase travel portal in the original post. In that case, they should still have gotten more for using the points for travel than a statement credit. It is usually better to transfer the points to travel partners, but sometimes if the don’t have a specific itinerary available for points redemption, I’ve booked directly with Chase using the points to $ conversion.
Reply in mod, but reading comprehension fail! Just saw that OP specifically says the Chase travel portal in the original post.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-maximize-chase-ultimate-rewards#:~:text=Transfer%20your%20points%20to%20a,in%20increments%20of%201%2C000%20points.
op again – we had identified united as the best flight for us on google flights — we spent a lot of time looking at whether it would be better to book through united using miles, but we would only have had enough for 3 tickets, not 4. points guy said it was a 1:1 points conversion from chase to united.
maybe like someone suggested we just needed to be more flexible? it’s our first international trip with 2 kids so we really wanted to avoid long or extra layovers.
not all flights are a good ROI for points and miles. We do the AA miles thing bc Philly, and will only use miles if they’re worth 1.5c or more. Sometimes we book two one-way flights and use cash for one and miles for the other.
I have often found that Google flights shows the cheapest flight option, but using points to book requires going up a flight class (like from economy light, which google will show you, to regular economy). So you end up paying for a higher priced ticket. It’s frustrating when you don’t want the perks of the small upgrade (e.g., didn’t need a checked bag that’s now included) and has sometimes driven me to book off the portal and saving the points.
I went br@ shopping over the weekend, and I hate it all. I’ve been wearing the same style from Soma for years, I think I’ve bought it 3 times over the years. They no longer have this style, and it’s so frustrating!
It’s the Embraceable line, which still exists, but they’ve tweaked it. And now none of them fit right. I bought 2 to wear for a few weeks to see if I settle into the new-but-not-the-same style before I buy more, but ugh.
I’m wearing one today and it doesn’t feel comfortable. I tried multiple different sizes, but it feels like the band is too thin and the straps are digging into my shoulders. But I went up a band size and kept the cup size the same, but it felt too loose. Then I tried going up a cup size but keeping the band size, and the cups felt like they were too far apart and slightly gaping at the top (all of my fullness is at the bottom, its like a teardrop shape, so I like more of a demi cut to have less fabric where the cup meets the strap).
I tried the Vanishing line, which has a wider band, but the cups fit weird. It was almost line they dug in at the top such that it looks like my b00bs are half circles stuck onto my chest.
If you’re muscular and busty (the 34D seems to be the most reasonable fit, though I debated about the 34DD), what brands and styles are you wearing?
Chantelle 3281, Fantasie 4520, and Prima Donna 1330
Bravissimo for busty, or whatever they recommend if it’s not one of their own line. I can’t find US bras whose cups are not too far apart at least at my size (32DD).
Interesting, I haven’t tried non-US brands, so that’s a good call-out about the spacing!
Try panache elan. I’m a similar size (30DD to 30E) and it’s my fav.
If you are a 34D, your sister sizes would be 32DD or 36C. I have a similar shape and difficulty with the new Embraceables. I like one of Somas lightly lined perfect coverage bras. I hate to say it, but Victorias Secret unlined balconette styles also have worked for me and have a similar wear to them as Soma. They do seem to run a bit smaller. VS has a lined balconette that is also on my list to try.
I also hate to say it, but I went into VS as well and bought one style to try. They also have cuter prints!
Have you tried measuring yourself according to the calculator at a bra that fits on redd1t? Changed my life. I only order UK sized bras now.
I haven’t re-measured in a while, and I’ve only bought US-sized brands, but these comments make me think that UK brands and sizing might help me solve some issues!
I have muscular lats and upper chest, but full br@sts with a lot of separation. I feel like the 34 is the right band size, but depending on the style, the cups are quite far apart and feel like they’re running into my armpits. The 32 feels like it will burst, and a 36 feels loose/cups are too far apart.
I shall revisit the r3ddit thread and re-measure, that’s a good idea!
Your description of your shape sounds a lot like mine – bottom full, teardrop shaped. I think that’s called projected. I can’t wear shallow bras like the Natori Feathers, which is notoriously shallow, and I found all of the Soma bras not projected enough.
Shallow generally means your breasts are more self-supporting and more adhered to your chest, whereas mine have a good bit of droop, being bottom heavy. My nips still point forward when not supported (pointing down is a sign of top fullness) but there is definitely skin touching under my breasts when braless.
Anyway, I asked the Reddit group for recommendations for my size and shape and they really came through. Currently my best fitting bras are Panache brand.
Nordstrom fitting put me in a 40D and I wanted to kill someone all day long every time I wore that bra. I would rip it off the moment I walked in the door after work.
After ABTF I wear a Panache 38FF and sometimes forget to take off my bra until I’m getting into bed at the end of the day.
I like the Natori Feathers for everyday (32F).
I love that bra, and I’m almost the same size (32E).
If you know the exact style and size, check on Poshmark and Ebay. You frequently can find discontinued items NWT; I did that a few years ago when my favorite briefs were discontinued.
+1 to eBay and Poshmark. And be sure to set alerts on your searches. I’ve lucked out on all sorts of discontinued products that were still brand new this way
Best thing I ever did was go to a local bra shop to find something that fits/is comfy, they were great. I have a shape/size that takes trying on a LOT to find something that works, and working with store that knows how to help and has many styles and brands was amazing.
Poll: for anyone who exercises in a timeslot adjacent to when they’re at work, where do you change from work clothes to gym clothes?
Myself, I’ve seen a couple of guys in my office come in wearing biking clothes or gym shirts and change in their office, but I would feel so uncomfortable. I don’t mind running into people from work when I’m wearing exercise clothes, it’s just the wearing exercise clothes in the office that I’m uncomfortable doing.
I dont understand your last sentence. You dont mind your coworkers seeing you in exercise clothes but you dont want… the office building… to see you in exercise clothes?
I know it’s a weird hangup, which is why I wanted to see how other people think about it. I think I might be feeling it’s unprofessional (hence why it’s fine elsewhere), but I’m holding myself to a higher standard than my (all male) coworkers, and that probably didn’t materialize out of thin air.
ah, so like you’re fine with them seeing you in workout clothes at the gym or elsewhere, but not in the office itself. i get it.
I used to have a co-worker who went on runs on her lunch break and it would always weird me out to see her in the hallway in running gear while I was in slacks/blazer and nice shoes, moving from meeting to meeting. Less because I thought her outfit was inappropriate and more because I thought it broadcast the wrong message about how serious she was taking her work. In my role I barely had time to eat lunch, let alone go on a run. That was my hangup though and in retrospect I wish I had not judged her for using her lunch hour to exercise.
Everyone I know changes at the gym.
Gym. Psychologically, that is more comfortable for me.
I think the mountain bike bros etc. like to wear their workout clothes in the office to attract attention to their manly pursuits.
When I used the office gym, I changed at the gym. When I used to run from my office at the end of the work day, I changed in my office – it had a door that locked – and then didn’t return to the office post-run.
For those of you who have to get dressed up for a public facing role, what are you wearing these days to make your outfits feel fresh and with it?
– I’ve switched to wide leg trousers
– I’ve traded necklaces for brooches or the occasional scarf
– Tops are being tucked in
But nothing feels as effortless as, as go-girl-inspiring as – forgive me – a J.Crew pencil skirt with blazer felt circa 2015-2017.
What blouses are you wearing under a blazer? Blazers are mandatory in my world. (Separates, not suits.)
A scoopneck 3/4 sleeve tee under a lady jacket; you don’t see the layer at all.
Same but I always wear long sleeves since I run cold!
Cotton? So it looks like a regular tee or something more like blouse fabric?
Yeah, just a knit. You can’t see it under the jacket at all since the jacket is fully buttoned.
Wide-legged trousers with jersey tops and cashmere/merino cardigans. Quality earrings from a local silversmith. Leather penny loafers or sneakers (Adidas Gazelles, Converse, or Ecco Soft 7s).
Also often swap the cardigan for the Maeve floral vest at Anthro, jersey blazer or knee-length vest from a local Indigenous designer, or a leather jacket (either blazer or Moto style).
This whole outfit formula sounds like a director of an eNGO I loathe.
Has anyone tried the Lillie Eats and Tells meal plan? I adore her recipes (so does my family) and I am curious about the paid meal plan.
What are some of your favorite recipes of hers? I keep meaning to try her stuff
Haven’t tried a recipe I didn’t like! Greek Pork Pitas, summer grill bowls and BBQ soy ginger chicken thighs are my top favorites.
Does anyone know of a good place to buy AirBnB gift cards other than AARP? Thx!
giftcards.com sells them; they work.
um or Airbnb itself? You can order a gift card to be mailed, I’m pretty sure.
I assume you are looking for a discounted card? Sam’s Club sells them but the discount is pretty small, but you can get a $500 card for $484.40. They used to sell them at Costco but I am not sure they still do.
perfect, thank you!