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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 219 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Textured Knit Pleated Skirt Dress

The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Under $150

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Loft Textured Knit Pleated Skirt Dress Happy Friday! Thus ends what has unwittingly become the Week of the Dress — all TPS reports were dresses. Why break a streak like that? I'm really liking this ladylike dress from LOFT, including the nice thick knit. It is part of the pretty hot Friends & Family sale — 40% off everything, although you need to join the email list to get the code — which unfortunately means that it's down to just a few sizes in regular, almost entirely sold out in tall, but petite ladies of all sizes, you're in luck. It's $79.50, but with the secret code will come down to $47.70. Textured Knit Pleated Skirt Dress Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-2)  

Sales of note for 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

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

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About Kat

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Comments

  1. Bonnie

    Loft does have some cute dresses now. I find that they run too short for work so order the tall when available.

  2. Liz

    Nice-looking dress!

    TJ: does anyone have any recommendations for button-down shirts that fit ladies with bigger arms? I inherited my dad’s bone structure and often find button-downs too tight in both the foreman and the upper arm area. I also HATE when button-down arms pull really tightly when I’m putting on a coat or reaching up for a box or something. If there is a brand out there known for a roomier fit, I would love to hear about it!

    • Cornellian

      I have more of a problem across the shoulder/upper arm region… I’m pretty petite but very broad/athletic of shoulders. I find the second slimmest fitting from Brooks Brothers fits quite well for that purpose, without being a sack on the rest of your body. BB in general has very generous cuts.

      • Magpie

        Good advice, but I’ll amend to add that I think BB also has a higher cut in the underarm area–so if you tend to get tightness across/over the pits (or just don’t like too much fabric up in there because, like me, no matter what you sweat and it’s ugly), try one out before you stock up on a ton. This is true across different fits, and even the blazers are too high in the underarm for me. (I too am petite and small-busted, with Dad’s upper arms/shoulders.)

        Personally I prefer the J.Crew Perfect Shirts–less crisp but more comfy, and they tend to look good even when sized up for extra room.

    • Veronique

      I have the same issue sometimes. Can anyone also recommend blazer/suit and sweater brands that are cut a bit roomier?

    • AIMS

      I have the opposite problem so maybe the brands that don’t work for me would work for you? Talbots, LL Bean, Land’s End, Traditional BB cut (not the fitted), and Ann Taylor shirts all tend to be too voluminous for me, arm wise.

  3. Negotiator

    TJ right off the bat!

    I’ve been through an extensive interview process for my dream job. I waited more than a week before checking in after the final interview. I was told the feedback was positive, but the internal recruiter had not yet heard about next steps. That was last Friday…. is it too soon, a week later, to follow up again to get a sense for where they are in their process? I’d like to know if I’m still in the running (the stress is killing me!).

    I guess I want to know whether a week between check-ins is annoying or shows that I truly am interested. Anything else I can do? Is it bad that I haven’t heard back or just a function of mid-August?

    Thanks for listening to my worked-up crazy!

    • Mpls

      “Checking in” if you don’t have anything new or substantive to ask is probably just going to be annoying. And asking where they are in their process isn’t new or substantive – it’s just an interruption to which they have to give you a non-answer. Their process is going to run as quickly or as slowly as it does, regardless of what you do. And that turn around time is going to be another data point in your decision to accept the offer.

    • Anonymous

      Did they give you a time when you could next expect to hear something. One thing I like to do in situations like this is to ask when I can expect to hear something, or say, I will check back in x time.

      In this situation, my instinct is telling me to wait an additional week (or at least half a week) before you contact them again; however, it is nice to be on the forefront of people’s minds (in a good way, not in a bad way). Is there anything specific you could follow-up with, such as a new recommendation you promised or a writing sample / paper that they asked for, etc.

  4. Federal Reserve Board

    I like this dress. The shape is very pretty.

    Repost from last night, because I posted way too late.

    I have an interview with the Federal Reserve Board for a legal internship. Does anyone have experience working there or tips for the interview? Thanks!

    • Federal Reserve Board

      Also, sorry for the stilted language in the beginning. When I reread, it seems pretty robotic!

    • BankrAtty

      I have interviewed with many government agencies and worked for several as well (interviewed with the EPA, IRS, and FEC; interned with the FTC and State Department; about to start working for DOJ). Be prepared to explain why you want to work for the government/be a public servant. I always read recent speeches made by top agency officials, as well as any reports sent to Congress in the past year. Know the agency’s policy positions on major issues and its objectives. Know about any pending cases or recently decided cases in which the agency was involved. And let them see you’re excited about working there! Good luck!

    • TBK

      General thoughts: (1) be familiar with exactly what they are and how their hybrid public/private status works; (2) understand basic concepts of monetary policy (no one expects you to be able to take over the system tomorrow, but know basic vocab and concepts); (3) skim their newsroom page to make sure you’re up to date on any recent developments – be sure to read Bernanke’s recent testimony (late July, I think); (4) have some opinions on their operations (be neither all positive or all negative, but show thoughtfulness: what do you think the effects will be of Bernanke’s testimony about the bond buy-back program?); (5) have a compelling way to explain why you’re interested in the Fed.

    • dismal science

      The Fed is an extraordinarily formal organization. I’ve had internship candidates whom I thought were great dinged by them for not being professional or polished enough. I don’t have any specific thoughts on what exactly they’re looking for though, sorry

    • Mcgee

      When I interviewed with the Fed in law school, their biggest concern was whether I actually wanted to work there. You should have a good grasp on what it is they do, and be thoughtful about how a lawyer contributes to that.

  6. Ade

    Ladies, LinkedIn question for you- would you respond to a message from someone you had no connection to (another woman) assuming it was a polite request for an informational interview and there were similarities in background/training? I am in DC, have been job hunting for months, and have totally exhausted my existing network– not that large to begin with, since I just left academia and moved over here several months back. Any advice for his or other network expanding suggestions appreciated!

      • Veronique

        +1. I’ve requested II’s from people on Linked In when sometimes the only thing we had in common was similar training and almost all responded positively. If you’re meeting on a weekday, going into their office or a coffee shop near their office would probably be most convenient. Follow their lead if meeting on the weekend.

    • Anon

      I’m in DC and I would respond to a message like this only if it seemed respectful of my time. I would be more willing to talk to someone on the phone than meet up or answer question via email because that’s the most efficient for me. I would also want the person to have a specific agenda, like talking about my experience at X job or Y field, not just a general chat about your job search.

      Do you know that there’s a DC Corpor3tt3 group on Linked in?

    • Nutshell

      I’ve done this. I think if you specify what you are interested in/why and in asking to meet say something along the lines of ‘meet or discuss by phone whenever is most convenient for you,’ you’ll get more positive responses.

      I don’t think I’ve ever not had a good response to these, though I do usually ask alumni of my schools or such so there is more of a connection.

    • Ade

      Thanks everyone for your replies! Did not know about the LinkedIn group–will take a look.

  7. Anon for this

    Wow. Heard this morning that my boss is being accused by staff at his previous job of misrepresenting his credentials. He is already on probation after a horrible first year review. Word of the accusations is already spreading so I gave his boss a heads-up (he asked us to keep in touch about how things are going and this is not corporate). We have been trying to give him a second chance although we’ve all been burned. This just may tear things apart. Could unleash a whole sh!tstorm.

  8. S

    Hi – I need a new iphone 4S cell phone case. I had a speck case and it did offer solid protection when I dropped my phone a few times but was not cute imho. I like the jcrew ones but they don’t seem to offer any protection. Are they just decorative? Does anyone have any recs for a case that is cute and offers real protection?

    • Latina

      My Tory Burch has held up pretty well. Get the silicone one not the hardshell.

      • ANP

        I have a friend who says the same about her Tory Burch case — she even puts it through the dishwasher! I’m going to return my crummy, horrible, cracked Kate Spade iPhone case to Nordstrom this weekend and hope they’ll exchange it for a Tory Burch. PSA: stay far away from Kate Spade iPhone cases.

        • Senior Attorney

          That’s so funny… I’ve heard that before my my KS iPhone case is almost three years old and still going strong. I guess I’m just not very hard on my phone!

    • RR

      I had a case from uncommon.com that I loved. I dropped my iPhone all the time, and it never broke. It was raised a little around the front so that seemed to protect the screen. I even dropped it in a pedicure tub, and it was fine. Unfortunately, when I dropped it in water again a week later, it was not fine, but I can’t blame the case for that. There are a ton of cute options.

      • S

        Thanks! Those are cute. Which make do you have from uncommon (capsule, clearly, bezel or permafrost)?

        • RR

          I had a capsule. The others are new since I bought mine (for an iPhone 4 a couple years ago). I have an Otterbox for my iPhone 5, but I don’t really like it so I’m going to buy a new uncommon case I think.

    • Carrie Preston

      I have one from Rifle Paper Company that seems protective, it’s a soft inside with a hard shell. They have lots of cute designs.

  9. Meetup

    Has anyone had success with the website Meetup? I’m fairly new in a large city and am looking for ways to meet others. Is it worth checking out, or is there an alternative that is better? Thanks!

    • Veronique

      It’s definitely worth checking out. Even in my small city, there was enough variety that I managed to make a few friends, who then introduced me to other friends. Groups that are have frequent events are usually your best bet.

    • cbackson

      My experience is that Meetup groups for a specific activity (running, bicycling, cooking, foreign-language conversation) are fun and can be a great way to meet people. The ones that are just social (as in, singles meetups or meetups that just sponsor discounted bar entries) seem to be populated by very creepy people (at least that’s the case in my city). Agreed that you want ones that have frequent events, so that you see the same people over and over again.

    • SAlit-a-gator

      I’ve heard really positive things about it. I have an older friend, early 40’s who recently divorced and moved to a new city. She met a ton of new people on meetups, and now has a very busy social calendar, brunching and exercising with her new meetup folks. I say go for it!

      • OttLobbyist

        I am actually a Meet-up group organizer in my city. I agree with the previous replies. One tip – be clear about why you are attending a given Meet-up. Even at non-singles or social Meet-ups, the assumption seems to be that you are looking for people to date. If you aren’t, be clear about that – saves a lot of awkwardness. Also, as usual, be careful with sharing too much personal info with people too quickly.

  10. Latina

    Ok I have been MIA for like 6 months+. Work is insane and I had some family problems so any free time was spent working out, cleaning or sleeping. BUT I know I can count on you guys for an opinion :)

    So I’ve been eyeing the buttercup blow dryer from Drybar. It is on QVC.com for a really good price @ $149 plus S&H. Anyone have it? Is it worth the $? I usually spend about $100 on my Jilbere dryers, which break the day after the 1yr warranty expires consistently for 3 years. My dog just ate my blow dryer last week (don’t even ask). So it is perfect timing and a purchase I need to make anyway.

    • AnnonFoo

      Good question, I want to find out too if this hair dryer is worth it.
      My last $20 hair dryer lasting over 4 years finally died and I am looking for a replacement. I won’t mind spending bit on something good quality which will make blow drying easy breezy so I will actually do it more often.

    • Pest

      My stylist told me to forego the expensive dryers. He said they are expensive because they can go up to high heats and the high heat would damage my hair anyway.

      • Anonymous

        I think it depends on your type of hair. Personally, I have thick, frizzy, almost curly hair and I have used both expensive and non expensive and the expensive ones cut the drying time in half and leave my hair so smooth and shiny. The non expensive ones take forever and my hair is still pretty frizzy and unsmooth when I’m finished.

        I ordered a new one from Folica a few weeks ago, and I got a $40 off coupon for recycling my old (broken) dryer. Not sure if this deal is still running.

    • Monica

      Never tried the buttercup, but I’ve had a Turbo Power Twin Turbo 3600 for nearly 3 years now, and it’s a workhorse. It’s light, it’s powerful, and my long hair is frizz-free and dry in 10 minutes. You can find it on Amazon for $95.

  11. Anonymous

    Hi ladies. Vacation TJ. I’m the pg summer associate who’s posed a few times this summer — thank you all for your advice! My summer associateship is over and I had a great summer. DH & I planned to go on vacation the first week of September but it looks like he’s losing his job very soon. Obviously this is stressful to lose both incomes at once as I start my last year of law school (and with a baby on the way, well, I don’t really know what to do). We haven’t planned anything for our vacation yet. We’re in NYC and might be able to borrow a friend’s car (instead of paying to rent one) for our trip. Does anyone have suggestions for an inexpensive trip? Should we scrap the trip altogether to save the money? (Also, suggestions for how to help DH feel good about himself again would be great too…) TIA!

    • Anonymous

      Personally, I would scrap the trip and I would do a nice “staycation” instead. If you are in NYC, you could spend a day together at a couple of museums and go to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to, or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and have lunch. Literally millions of people vacation TO your city every year, so I would think you guys could find something to do. Honestly, my priority right now given your situation would be to save money.

    • Anne Shirley

      My first question would be savings: do you have an emergency fund? How many months will it last? If you do, I’d say Poconos, Finger Lakes, Berkshires, or Lake George. If you don’t, look into day trips. Can you subway up to Fort Tryon one day, picnic at Governor’s Island, stroll the beach in the Rockaways etc?

    • Anita

      Sorry to hear this! I would go somewhere for a few days if I were you. Once the baby arrives, time off will be scarce and, hopefully, your husband will be employed again soon. I think staying home and moping around (even if you do “staycation” things) could make you both feel worse about your situation. See if friends will loan you a car and consider camping in the Adirondacks, Poconos or at the shore, if outdoorsy stuff is your thing. If not, Pittsburgh and Philly are fun cities to explore that are not too far away.

      • OP

        Anita, this is exactly my concern if we don’t go anywhere — that we’ll end up moping around the whole time, talking ourselves out of spending any money at all, and have a miserable week.

        • Anne Shirley

          Eh, I think that’s a pretty bad reason to spend the money on a vacation actually. That’s really an attitude problem, and to be blunt you can’t eat attitude. If you have the money to go away, great, but I don’t think a vacation should be a top priority to avoid having to pull on the grownup shoes and turn your lemons into lemonade. And really if you go away and are stressed about spending too much, then you’ve had a bad week and lost the money.

          • V

            Does it have to be either/or? Maybe not go away for the whole week, but a night somewhere could be a welcome mental break if you’ve figured out that you have the $ for that. Even a stay-cation can add up if you are going to even moderate restaurants as you go around the city.

            Good luck on all fronts.

          • Samantha

            +1 on this. You’re in NYC, one of the top vacation destinations! Go enjoy your city and save some dough for when you’ll need it.

          • emeralds

            I really don’t know how I feel about this advice. I love traveling more than just about everything, and sometimes it’s worth it for me to go someplace, even if I can’t really afford it, because it provides such a welcome mental break from all of the stressors I associate with being at “home.” So OP, I definitely feel you on that, and in your situation would go for something nearby, low-key, and inexpensive. I’m not all that familiar with the NYC area, so I don’t have specific recommendations, but I just wanted to put in a voice of encouragement from getting out of the city if that’s what you and your husband feel that you need to do.

        • LizNYC

          You could do a staycation, but maybe buy some Groupons/Living Social deals, etc. so you HAVE to do something (albeit for less) and that way you’ll have fun, know you’re saving money, but you won’t be moping around.

          A few places I didn’t get to in NYC till years after I moved there: Cloisters, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, taking the SI ferry (free!), Bronx Zoo, Flushing Mall for good food.

          Or you can go full tourist and get a City Pass, which gets you into, like, 9 places for one cheaper price.

          If you don’t have a cleaning service, hire a maid to come during your “vacation” time so you don’t feel compelled to clean (just like a hotel), order out/eat out at new places (check out Chowhound, Midtown Lunch, Serious Eats for inexpensive/new eats), and you can sleep in your own bed at the end of the day.

    • S

      New Paltz is cute and some of the hotels are very affordable. It’s a college town so don’t go the weekend students are moving in.

    • Anon in NYC

      I’m sorry things are so stressful! If you’re planning to go away after Labor Day, what about a beach vacation (Hamptons or Jersey Shore might have more vacancies opening up) or even the North Fork. If you’re interested in hiking, you could always go to the Catskills, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from NYC. I think only you and your DH can answer the question about money – will he get a vacation payout for the time he doesn’t use? Is that going to be meaningful to your budget?

      In terms of supporting your DH, this is less about self-esteem issues, but my DH is the type to get very stressed about money. I think what would be helpful for mine is to sit down and hammer out the budget to see exactly what we’re spending and how we can cut back. One of the things that my DH resisted for a really long time is using a debit card (we’re not getting the points!), but we were continually overspending on restaurants and takeout. I primarily used a debit card throughout law school (we weren’t married at the time) because it kept my spending in check. I finally convinced my DH to set a fixed cash budget in a separate checking account and use a debit card for restaurants/takeout and he loves it. It’s measurable, he can see how “well” we’re doing, and we’re not overspending.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      Here is a tip I learned from a chronic illness board I follow. In the past, there were a good number of chain stores that offered health insurance to part time employees. Off the top of my head, that included Starbucks, Petco, Petsmart, Home Depot and Lowes. Not sure what others. If you or your husband could get a part time job there with the minimum hours to qualify for insurance you can make sure there is no gap in your insurance if he loses his job. It would probably be a lot cheaper than cobra and then you can make sure you are insured when you deliver. Obviously none of those jobs are ideal but insurance with a chronic illness or pregnancy is basically a priceless benefit and it would be just until he found a new job.

      • mascot

        Also, see if the insurance offered through your school is would work for the maternity coverage. It’s a long shot, but might be worth looking at.

        • OP

          I definitely plan to look into my school’s insurance this weekend to see what type of coverage I could get. Thanks for these suggestions!

      • zora

        BlondeLawyer’s idea sounds kind of crazy, but my dad totally did this during the 90s recession, when he was in his 60s. He got a job at Safeway as a cashier, because my mother had a home day care business, and while he was job hunting, at least there was health insurance coverage for the family. It was pretty exhausting and a bit demeaning for a professional adult, but he felt like it was more important to make sure that he could provide what he could. He did it for a couple of years, while also job hunting constantly, and finally found another job back in his field. It isn’t the worst idea in the world. And it is only temporary.

        • Blonde Lawyer

          The big thing in the chronic illness world, pre-ACA, was even if you were a millionaire, you couldn’t just go out and buy an insurance policy. With a chronic illness you were deemed uninsurable unless you got in on a group plan. That is why if I had ever been in that situation, my husband or I would have to do what your dad did because my medication is unaffordable without insurance and I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to buy insurance.

      • Ekaterin Nile

        One of my husband’s colleagues ended up doing this after he was laid off (not performance related) from a major manufacturing company. He worked in a golf shop while he was looking for a new job. And eventually, my husband became aware of a new opening at the company, told the laid-off colleague about it, and he got re-hired with vacation and pension from previous employment.

        As a potential employer, I would look a lot more favorably on an applicant who was working SOMEWHERE while looking for a job in his or her chosen field (unless there is some particular reason why not).

    • PolyD

      I’m horribly stingy and risk-averse, so I can see the wisdom in the staycation approach. On the other hand, sometime getting away even for a long weekend can really help you reset and come back feeling more motivated to Get Things Done. Someone mentioned Philadelphia – I personally am a big fan of Philadelphia. Sure, it’s not NYC, but it’s a nice city to wander, you can probably Priceline a hotel for relatively little money, and restaurants are much cheaper than in NYC.

      If you do go to Philadelphia – Kanella for breakfast/brunch, Farmer’s Cabinet, Fork, or Garces Trading Company for dinner. I’m also a big fan of the Mutter Museum, but if medical specimens and exhibits make you queasy, it’s probably not for you.

      Good luck!

      • B

        I wouldn’t go to the Mutter while pregnant. Too many specimens…. Other restaurants incldue: Mercato, Matyson, Modo Mio.

    • HappyHoya

      What about a semi-staycation? This is what my DH and I are doing this year. Going somewhere nearby for a few nights, found a super inexpensive place to stay (room in a house) and we’ve planned a bunch of short daytrips that wouldn’t be possible from our home but are more attainable from this nearby destination. Since you’re in NYC, you may not even need to find another place to stay, although it can help with the vacation mindset.

      If you do a staycation, you can always branch out of the city and even the state. I suggest you look into taking NJTransit and checking out Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. There are some nice hikes/scenic areas in NJ and CT that are easily accessible from public transit.

    • AnonBK

      Staycations nevver feel like real vacations to me -a no matter how great they are. I’d pick something neary, like Philadelphia, Boston, or CT, maybe take some sort of public transportation if the car doesn’t come through, do cheap things like walking and exploring. Have you thought about something off of metro north, like Cold Spring?

    • AnonBK

      Staycations nevver feel like real vacations to me -a no matter how great they are. I’d pick something neary,take some sort of public transportation if the car doesn’t come through, do cheap things like walking and exploring. Have you thought about something off of metro north, like Cold Spring?

    • basil

      Maine is heaven. If you can camp comfortably, all the better..worth paying for an air mattress (with a battery operated pump). If you’re too far along for that, look for airbnb’s!

  12. Betty

    Need to vent/rant: At 39 weeks pregnant with our second, daycare just told me last night that they “may not have a spot for the baby” in a few months when I return to work. Erm, I have been forthright with them about the timing since I was 15 weeks pregnant and have been consistently told that they would have a spot. I was so taken back that I didn’t really react, but now I am completely ticked off and an emotional mess. Finding a good daycare is so tough. I thought I had this part of the puzzle all set with no. 2, and now I am completely thrown by this news, which isn’t even a certainty yet. Had I known earlier, we probably would have looked for a different place sooner and already transitioned our first to a different daycare with a more established preschool. Ugh!! Oh, and my husband was out of town (only an hour away) for the night, so I completely melted down over the phone with my toddler asking if I was ok from the backseat.

    • anne-on

      Oh no, that just plain stinks. I hope it works out for you – I know our daycare has had a lot of openings come up lately as families move in/out of town during the summer before school starts.
      If you want to post your location maybe other folks can suggest local daycare providers they know/like?

    • Brant

      Did they tell you why? Is it because one of the other kids isn’t transitioning out of infant as planned? Or did you get bumped a spot down on the list?

      With the daycare we’re planning to use, we had to put a deposit down and got a guarantee in writing. Did you have to do anything like that?

    • RR

      I would be livid. They told you they would have a spot–they need to make that happen. WTH? I’m 38 weeks pregnant, and I can’t even imagine how upset I’d be right now. First of all, they need to figure it out. Either they do have a spot or they don’t–no maybe. And if they don’t, they need to be explaining why. I’d look for other places anyway just because that kind of uncertainty is completely unacceptable.

      • Brant

        That’s why I asked if she knew what the reason for the “maybe” is— it might be that one of the infants isn’t transitioning up as quickly as they thought. It’s far enough away that that may be poor planning on their end…or it may simply be that they’re saying “JUST in case, we wanted to let you know there is a small chance that we won’t have a spot on the first week you need us to…but we should be good by X date.” Either way, I’d be livid. Just trying to think through options…

        • Anon in NYC

          I have a friend whose daughter was supposed to start daycare, and pretty much the same thing happened to her. They didn’t have as many spots as they originally thought they would (for whatever reason). Fortunately she was able to take some additional leave, but I’m not sure what their resolution will be.

        • Anon

          Ugh. A preemie can throw off things — a person has the highest spot and then has their baby early (and before kids transition up, which is happening all the time now as the kindergarteners go off to school and it ripples through), so things bunch up in the baby room (iffy already).

          If enough people have a baby even a week or two early (much less a month), it brings on infant room h3ll.

          In my city, I want to open an infant-only day care (for my post-lotter-winning career). I have felt the need as a parent and that market is totally underserved.

    • mascot

      1) Go cry in the shower and get the mad out. 2) Get on a few wait lists 3) Siblings usually get priority at daycare so you probably won’t get bumped. This will work out. I’m frustrated for you.

    • ANP

      Ooof, this is so stressful — even moreso at 39 weeks PG! I’m sorry, and I would have had the exact same reaction you did. Probably the most annoying part is that it doesn’t sound as though they offered you a strategy/next steps — just a “This may not work.”

      My first concrete step would be to get more details: when will they know for sure? Does #2 get sibling preference? Where will he/she be in the line/waiting list to get in (first off the list? Second? Fifteenth?)? Also, how much leave are you taking? Can your spouse or partner take, say, a month of leave after you go back to work and/or will that ameliorate the situation? Try to stay positive (incredibly hard, I know). Good luck!

    • Betty

      Thank you all for your kind replies and letting me know that I’m not out of my mind for being really upset and ticked. As for the reason: The owner said that it can be tough to keep a spot open for a long period of time. I totally understand that, and even mentioned that we would be willing to put a deposit down or pay for a part-time spot for the last two months. It is a smaller daycare, and I really like that about it, but I also get the sense that they try not to take too many babies because they are more work.

      I’m really disappointed and frustrated with the place for the way this is being handled. We’ve been there for a year, and it has been reliable, but this makes me seriously question their reliability and judgment.

      If we are going to find a new place, I need to do it soon. I want both of my kids at the same place, and I want my toddler transitioned when the new baby starts. I think I need to tell them that our “Plan B” would be pulling my toddler and finding a whole new place.

      • Anon

        I think that your day care is actually being generous for holding a spot for you for free. At ours, if you want any spot when it becomes open (esp. infant ones), you start paying for it (at 100%) regardless of whether you are currently using it.

        It’s too bad that they didn’t put it to you directly that way, but I’d receive it that way and then make your decision.

        • Maddie Ross

          Same as Anon – at mine, to hold the spot open (as I was out past the time the spot opened up) I had to pay as though my child was using it. I also had to pay a deposit to hold the spot about 3 months prior to it even opening. And this was at my 2nd choice daycare — my first choice wouldn’t have had a spot available for me until August 2014. I agree with the previous poster who wants to open an infant-only daycare – it would be a gold mine!

        • Betty

          When we lived in Boston, that was standard practice as well. But we live well outside a major metropolitan area now, and it is not standard to pay for a spot for months and months. One? Sure. Two? Fine. But I am not going to pay for a spot for basically 4 (length of maternity leave) – 10 (how long they have known) months. If the owner were up front with this, I would have less of an issue. Its the *maybe* stuff that is killing me.

      • Brant

        Wow, that’s rough. I guess that’s a downside of a smaller place, but still…ours has a pretty formal/organized wait list process. Sounds like the owner just said they’d have a spot all along and then OH someone that can start 2 months earlier came along and that makes 2 extra months of salary.

        If you love the place, see if you can’t work through this…but I’d seriously question the relationship over something like this–any daycare owner worth her salt knows how incredibly stressful this can all be and should have told you from the start that it’s “likely” they’ll have room but no guarantees (versus the implied room). I’d be livid.

    • EB0220

      At 39 weeks??? They should know better.

      I’m sure that daycare management is a logistical nightmare. But they need to honor their commitment. It sounds to me like they’re worried about the lost income of keeping the spot open for your baby vs filling it right now with someone farther down on the wait list. Not cool.

      Kind of like a job search, I wouldn’t mention pulling your toddler until you find a new place that you like. It’s possible that you won’t find a better option, so in that case it’s better to maintain a positive relationship with your current place. FWIW, my SIL hired a nanny for ~3 months until daycare had a spot for her infant. And she didn’t start the nanny hunt until after her son was born. Just another alternative.

      Good luck! That stinks.

      • zora

        I agree with all of this. My mother ran a small daycare for YEARS, this is unacceptable. She would never have let this happen unless there was some super crazy extenuating circumstance. And even then she would have been very apologetic and tried to figure out a solution. Yes, it is hard to schedule children and babies, but telling someone at 39 weeks that you all of a sudden don’t have a spot!?!? If they needed some kind of deposit to hold the spot, they should have done that from the beginning.

        I am so sorry this happened, and it is understandable that you are upset. And it REALLY sucks that you have to deal with this at 39wks!! :o( I would get back to them once you have been able to calm down and ask all the detailed questions others have asked, and ask your husband to help you start a new daycare search. The 2-3 month nanny idea isn’t a bad one either, IF the daycare is positive that this problem will clear up in a couple of months. HUGS!!!!

    • Peppermint Patty

      Ah, Betty. Are you me? I just found out last week that my daycare “probably doesn’t have a spot” for #2 and I”m 38 weeks pregnant. Been on the waitlist since January, and we have sibling preference. I just feel so darn betrayed! I went through disbelief, followed by anger, then honest to goodness sobbing. My husband keeps reminding me that childcare is a “business,” and the bottome line is the first concern, but that is not making it any easier. I really cannot stand to see the Director at this point, so I zoom in and out and try to avoid her. So yes, this treatment should be illegal! I feel your pain, and I’m sorry you’re going through this too. I’ve been scrambling to find other options, so that’s made me feel at least a little productive while I’m dealing with the anger/worry/disgust. I’ve also written the Director many not so nice letters that I know I won’t mail, but that helps! Best of luck.

      • Betty

        Oh PP, I’m sorry for you too! It just stinks! I think you hit the nail on the head: I feel betrayed. This is a place/people with whom I have entrusted the care of my child and was prepared to do the same with no. 2. It feels like being stabbed in the back or set adrift. I know that it is a business, but that’s hard to swallow when it comes to your kids. The whole thing has made me question my relationship and trust in the daycare and owner. I too ducked in and out this morning because I knew that if I saw the owner, my filter would be gone and I would lose it.

        I agree with the feeling productive. I’ve managed to schedule a tour of one place on Monday and email some friends for additional recommendations. I so need to write the nasty letter that I don’t send….

        Good luck!

        • Mighty Mouse

          So sorry to hear that this is happening to you (especially bc I am 27 wks pg and #1 is in daycare!).

          Have you thought about using SitterCity or Care to find a mother’s helper for maternity leave who could transition to an in-home temp nanny while you go back? Would be more expensive for a short time (though maybe about the same as if you’d paid to hold a spot for umpteen months).

          As a working mom, I live with the constant stress of childcare / backup care / backup to my backup care issue. I’m sure that you do, too. Hang in there. And congratulations on 39 wks!

  13. Green

    So I just started really exercising for the first time and I have a weird wardrobe question: do people wear underwear under those stretchy pants? And if so, what kind? I took a spin class where everyone wears capris and it seems annoying to wear two layers with those, but frankly an extra layer sounds nice sitting on those horrible seats…

    • Anon

      I think many people go sans. I tried that with a workout skort one day and it was not for me. Was way too aware of every seam and my butt is a wedgie generator anyway. Team UW!

    • TBK

      I do. I just wear whatever underwear I was wearing that day, but a lot of athletic clothes companies also make underwear out of smoother, quick-drying fabric. Some athletic bottoms (especially running shorts) have built-in mesh underwear and with those, I don’t wear anything except the shorts.

    • AnonInfinity

      No undies. Seams = ouch on a bike

      Get thee to a bike shop and get some padded shorts if you need more padding. If you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a diaper (which some bike shorts do…) get some tri shorts. The pad is much slimmer in those.

    • Anonymous

      I wear underwear to spin but not hot yoga. I never noticed the extra layer in spinning but during hot yoga I did. I guess its a personal preference. Also, you will get used to the seat soon and it won’t even be an issue.

      • Green

        Everyone keeps saying I’ll get used to the seat, I’m really looking forward to that!

        • LizNYC

          Get yourself some padded shorts or a $10 seat cushion from Target. It’s a lifesaver! (I’ve been spinning since April and I can’t last a spin class without either of those!)

    • frugal doc..

      I do, although I admit that it looks like some do not.

      If you are a thong person, that works well. I often wear boy shorts, but admit that I often get bunching and thongs are more comfortable, w/o panty lines.

    • Orangerie

      I always do… the thought of not wearing any skeeves me out. The only underwear I buy are lace thongs and boyshorts (Hanky Panky, Cosabella, VS Lacie, etc) and I haven’t noticed any VPL.

    • CKB

      If the pants/shorts have a gusset I don’t generally wear underwear, but if they don’t have a gusset I do.

    • Anonymous

      I wear athletic wicking underwear- sometimes thongs, sometimes bikini (VPL meh, I’m working out). Non-wicking leads to infections for me, but no underwear always feels too…revealing.

    • Anonymous

      I wear a lot of tight crops and always wear my normal daily underwear- cosabella or VS lacy thongs.

    • Anon

      For spinning you should really get a pair of the padded butt shorts. They definitely help your butt from hurting.

    • s in chicago

      I wish I could pass along the brand but the name is escaping me right now. Check out some online bike stores for options. The ones I wear look like what you would wear in your normal day to day (they make boxer and bikini cut) but they have really great wicking so they keep you extra comfortable and don’t ride up. They’re not underarmour–I want to say it was a European brand or something?I bought a lot of them on discount at an outlet that caters to cyclists. Killing me I can’t think of the name.

  14. London

    I unexpectedly have a weekend in London to fill! Was here for work and my flight got cancelled so I’m staying for the weekend! Before this trip I had been to London once years ago and did most of the big tourist spots. Any highlights I should make sure to do this time? Restaurants, activities? Thank you!! Usually I have everything so well planned through tripadvisor!

    • KC

      Borough market (especially if you’re a foodie)! In terms of museums, I highly recommend the V&A museum and Churchill War Rooms (if you like history). If you like shopping/markets, Spitalfields or Portobello Market are fun (I think the latter is slighly overhyped, but others may disagree).

      • ANP

        +1 to Borough Market — I also love Portobello Market but agree to the mild overhype, plus Borough Market is just so cool and delicious. Go hungry. The Tate Modern is right there and makes a great after-trip.

      • CKB

        I LOVED the V&A museum.

        Wat about taking a London Walk? We did a couple on our trip a few years ago and they were excellent.

    • Cb

      Good weather? Hang out in Greenwich Park, get ice cream and see the fantastic view of the city.

    • Anonymous

      If you’ve done most of the tourist spots and can get east, I love Hackney. If you didn’t do Greenwich, I recommend it. Also, the South Bank has much more than the London Eye, esp. on the weekend.

    • Veronica Mars

      Portobello Market should be at the top of your list. It’s only open Saturday mornings, so just go ahead and block off the time for it. Totally worth it. I’d normally get there mid-morning, stroll all the way through enjoying the ambiance/shopping, buy my lunch from the street vendors at the end (I recommend Jamon Jamon’s stand, it’s about 4 pounds for amazing paella), and then walk back through. There are tons of restaurants/cupcake shops/etc if you don’t want to go the vendor route. There’s also a really good fish and chips place… I think it’s called the Golden Hind, and it’s off of Bond Street. Definitely a place for locals, not very good ambiance, but EXCELLENT fish and chips at a very reasonable price (expect to pay about 10 pounds for a giant haddock fillet and a mountain of chips). Go see a play at the National Theater. You can get cheapo tickets for next to nothing, and the main theatre is set up in such a way that you have an excellent view just about anywhere. For museums, I really only liked Tate Modern because I am a heathen. And also plan some time to stroll through Covent Garden, it’s a lovely little area and you’ll have a blast just wandering around the shops.

    • Woods-comma-Elle!

      How exciting! Here’s a copy and paste (sorry, lazy) from a previous post – if you want specific recs, please feel free to ask!

      —

      First things first – there is a new shopping centre in Stratford, it’s on the Central Line (red) and Jubilee Line (grey) although it is also where the Olympics will be held, so if you are here then, don’t even think about going. It’s got pretty much everything you could want high street shop wise and may be a good place to spend a day.

      I will stick to the non-obvious sightseeing suggestions, because it’s pretty easy to do the main sites (British Museum, Big Ben etc etc). All the museums are free, by the way, except e.g the Tower, including the art galleries. My favourite is the National Portrait Gallery, it has a good restaurant on the roof as well. If you like modern art, then Tate Modern is a good bet and they often have excellent special exhibitions.

      I also really like the guided walks (just search for London Walks), the Jack the Ripper one is the most famous but they have absolutely loads. The parks are great, Hampstead Heath has the best views, but they are everywhere.

      Have an afternoon tea. They come in all varieties and price ranges and if you go on the site last minute dot com, they will always have offers like two for one etc. I love the Dorchester, which is more expensive, but cheaper options can be found eg at the Montague Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Cocoon etc. Fun restaurants include Bubbledogs (hot dogs and champagne, kinda gimmicky, but worth the wait, tiny and they don’t take bookings), Sushi Samba (opened recently, so maybe not super easy to get to, but has great views as it’s on top of a skyscraper), and a curry on Brick Lane is is also a London institution, if not just for the atmosphere which is very different from everywhere else. There are soooo many good restaurants so depends on what kind of food you like.

      • Anonymous

        The shopping at Stratford is pretty good, and I believe they just re-opened Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (the site of the main Olympic stadium) in the last few weeks, so you can see that, as well, if you go.

    • London Lover

      The War Rooms and the Churchill museum! It’s basically the perfectly preserved command center for WWII and the Blitz. You will especially enjoy it if you have read any of the “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” books.

      Other favorites:
      -Borough Market
      -The Tate Modern, including the awesome cafe at the top with a view over the river
      -Shopping! For a short trip, I’d say Covent Garden, lots of shops in a compact area

      • Ekaterin Nile

        Second the War Rooms, the Churchill museum, and the “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” book.

        London Lover, have you read “Blackout” and “All Clear” by Connie Willis?

        • London Lover

          No, but I will add them to my list, I love historical fiction about that era.

        • Anonymous

          @EkaterinNile, we appear to have the same reading tastes! Blackout and All Clear are science fiction with a lot of real history mixed in, and they are fantastic.

  15. anon

    in a work outfit fashion funk: it’s literally taking me 30-35 min to find an outfit that I moderately feel ok in every morning. I look at my closet–just go “blah”–and try on multiple combinations until I settle on something semi decent. I’m not going through a weird “oh I look sooo fat in this” phase–just sort of tired of the same old same old. My general style is pencil skirt, blouse, and cardigan or dress with cardigan. I’m not sure if I’m just sick of seeing the same skirts/dresses each week, or whether it’s something else.

    Part of the problem is that I want new clothes, but I’m restricting spending on new clothes in order to save for a new car, downpayment, and wedding all at the same time (none of which are happening soon, but I’ve got to start stockpiling cash now).

    Any suggestions? Or just advice on what your staple office style is? Or what I can do to help the issue? Maybe buy small items like new shoes or accessories?

    • TBK

      Spend a Saturday afternoon trying on different outfits made from the clothes you already have. When you put together something you like, write it down (including shoes and jewelry). Try to put together 10-15 outfits (2-3 workweeks’ worth). If you find yourself thinking “this would look great if only I had a [white blouse/green skirt/blue shoes]” see if you can make at least one more and preferably two more outfits with the same imaginary piece of clothing. If so, consider if it’s worth it to you to buy. A white shell is probably a good idea, for example, because it’s not likely to be expensive and is very versatile. A purple tweed jacket, on the other hand, is likely to be pricer, less versatile, and more memorable (so you can’t wear it as frequently). You should wind up with maybe 2-5 pieces that would complete your wardrobe. Put an estimated price next to each and use that as your clothes budget for the fall/winter season (it’s really not worth buying summer clothes now, unless you can get them on super sale). Once you have 2-3 weeks’ worth of outfits you like, write them all down and put the list in your closet. Every morning, just pick an outfit from the list.

      • Trixie

        Yes, +1 to this. When I try to decide what to wear in the morning before work, I wind up very blahhh. But on weekends (usually I do Sunday afternoon) where I plan out some outfits for the week, I feel MUCH more polished, and I sometimes wind up with some fun/interesting outfits that I wouldn’t have pulled together first thing in the morning.

        Example from this week: I have an orange silky halter top which I would never have considered wearing to work… but I tried it with a navy blazer and cream colored pants during “outfit planning” and it was a nice pop of color! Had to leave my jacket on all day but got a lot of “oooh I love that color!” compliments. It also makes my mornings 1000 times better to have a couple “planned” outfits already paired together in the closet.

      • Blair Waldorf

        +1!

        Just making new combinations from clothes you already have can make you feel like you have a new wardrobe. Also, look into accessories. A statement necklace can totally change your outfit and make you feel 100% different even though you’re wearing the same clothes! Same deal with shoes, although I feel those don’t make me feel quite as different.

        I would spend some time rearranging your combinations and maybe get a few new necklaces to jazz up your outfits. Etsy has some nice options for reasonable prices! Or you can try scarves if that’s more your style.

      • Veronique

        +1

        If you’re a visual person, take pictures of the outfits as you try them on. Save them in an outfits file on your phone/computer or even print them out. Viewing different combinations can also help spark your creativity.

        For further inspiration, I have a “Work Style” pinterest board, though you can use other apps/websites such as Evernote. I use it to pin pictures of people whose outfits I like and try to figure out how I can recreate the looks using pieces I already own. The blog J’s Everyday Fashion often has posts where she shows an inspiration picture and then her recreated version.

        • PolyD

          The Outfit Posts blog does this too.

          I agree with the others who said that planning in advance leads to better outfits. Totally does. It also can help you be more familiar with your wardrobe so you don’t end up with, say, 3 shirts that are really almost identical (not that I’ve ever done that, nope, not me).

      • Meg Murry

        I really like this suggestion, but I would also add that you could look for some new shirts or cardigans at Goodwill, another thrift store or a good secondhand/consignment shop. Our local Goodwill prices all sweaters the same, for instance, whether they are from Target, Ann Taylor, designer or whatever. Just do some browsing online first at your usual haunts to make sure you aren’t paying 90% of the new cost for something secondhand – some resale shops are good deals, others aren’t compared to getting something on sale or with a discount code. When I am in a mood where I just want something new to mix things up but I don’t want to spend a lot of money, I’ll lock my purse in my car and go into Goodwill with only $10 in my pocket – if I find the deal of a lifetime I can go back to my car and get my wallet, otherwise I get my “I need something new to mix things up” cheap.

      • B

        Haha, I have a purple tweed jacket that livens up anything in my closet and thus LOVE IT. I can throw it on several different dresses I own and ta-da!

    • Baconpancakes

      I’ve started putting all of my clothing budgets towards dresses. I find I never feel as polished and pretty as when I wear a nice sheath dress, which means that I have a pretty limited work wardrobe. I’ve been coming to terms with the reality that unless I find a new job with 3x the income, people are going to recognize the limited number of dresses I wear in rotation, and that’s ok. Who says we need to be a new fashion plate every day? As long as I look good and don’t wear the same dress twice in a week, I think the only people who will judge are people whose opinions don’t matter.

      This doesn’t really answer your question though. I’d say a bright new cardigan or jacket, a great pair of shoes, and a new lipstick. Those are pretty small, but can make you feel like it’s a new outfit.

      • anon

        This may sound weird, but I actually think that people who wear the same set of clothing repeatedly look really put together. I can’t explain it, but I just really love when women have a small set of classic pieces that pare well together, and they wear only those things, and don’t bother buying a million new trends every season that may or may not work. Something about that is just really classy.

        • hellskitchen

          +1. I have a colleague who has a limited wardrobe but all the pieces are well made and fit her well and I always think she looks very classy. Many of the pieces she wears are actually somewhat memorable – unique prints or interesting details but repetition doesn’t make her look boring.

      • Orangerie

        I’m the same way. I consistently pass by the fun colorful and/or printed pencil skirts I’ve amassed in favor of a classic tailored sheath + blazer. Now I just need to remember that when I’m tempted by all. the. skirts. at J.Crew…

        • Anon in NYC

          I struggle with this as well, but I always feel the most pulled together in a dress and blazer.

    • Anon

      I always feel fun and fancy on the rare occasions that I wear a scarf to work, even if it’s just with a boring black skirt and blouse. I’ve gotten nice silk or cotton ones for reasonable prices on sale at J Crew, Madewell, and Talbots. Maybe a scarf or two could help you out of your funk without breaking the bank.

      • AlaskaLaw

        How do you wear a scarf with a suit without looking like a flight attendant? I have already been asked if I AM a flight attendant by the Nordie’s clerk when I bought six pairs of Spanx pantyhose — she said they are the only women she knows who wear them regularly…

    • AG

      Find an outfit blog that matches the current style of your clothes. You’ll get ideas on how how to generate new combinations from the things you already have

  16. Pinky

    TJ: going to Paris in the fall with DH for a babymoon! Thinking of renting an apartment that is centrally located (so it will be easy to walk to sights, metro and take naps if needed). Is there a particular arrondisement/neighborhood you would recommend? I’m overwhelmed by the choices. Also, totally unrelated, is it worth buying a longchamps bag in Paris?
    Thanks!!!

    • Orangerie

      The Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood (6th arrondisement) is my favorite. The Marais (3rd and 4th) is also nice.

      I don’t think you’ll get a better deal on a standard Longchamp bag (le Pliage) in Paris, since the VAT tax often isn’t enough to offset the exchange rate. Just buy one at Nordstrom if you really want it.

      • anon

        I bought enough in Paris to justify doing the tax refund papers and in the end, with the exchange rate, my Le Pliage came out to about $70 (in 2007). But I’ve used it so much that even if I’d paid full price in the U.S. (about $120 at the time), it would have still be worthwhile for me.

        Also, I don’t know if this is still true, but Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, two of the big department stores, offered a 10% off coupon to tourists when you showed your passport. I believe I got my Longchamps tote at Printemps with this discount (one of the two stores had a handbag restriction). Just a thought!

        • Orangerie

          Makes sense, but the U.S. dollar was much stronger against the Euro in 2007 than it is now.

    • CKB

      Fun! I was there for work in June and bought a le Pliage while there as a souvenir. You don’t see many of them here in my city (I’ve been watching & I’ve only seen 3 in the 2 months or so I’ve been back that I thought were real), and I didn’t care about saving money because whenever I use it I will remember my trip.

      No real advice about neighbourhoods. My hotel was in Montparnasse, almost right across from Gare Montparnasse, and it was a great location. I found the Metro extremely easy to use so being close to a major station was perfect for me.

    • bgt

      DH and I were in Paris for 2 weeks a couple of months ago and stayed in a great studio apartment in Montmartre. We found it through airbnb and it was totally awesome. It was about 30 feet away from a metro station, so it was very easy to get anywhere else in the city, but it was a bit cheaper than being truly in the central part of the city and it also felt more “neighborhood-y.” The owner was totally awesome/helpful/welcoming. I was such a fan of it that I’m going to post the link to her apartment in the next comment.

    • B

      Yes. There is an international size that they don’t sell in the US. It’s larger than the small one, almost as big as the large size sold at Nordstroms, etc, but not so big/with the long straps as to overwhelm.

    • Amy H.

      In 2002 I stayed in an apt. in the 11th and loved it. Walked up to the Canal St. Martin quite often and got to feel a tiny bit like a local instead of a tourist all the time. I rented that apt. through a site called Lodgis. http://www.lodgis.com. It was also less than two blocks from a Metro station so very easy to get around.

  17. TheElms

    Ohh! I ordered this dress earlier in the week and it arrives today. I hope it’s as great as it looks! (Will add a report when I get home this evening).

  18. ANP

    I’m here to report on some awesome career news — because, well, this feels like a good place to do it! About six weeks ago, before my annual review (which incidentally hadn’t taken place in two years), my boss gave me an opening to tell him “What type of work structure would keep you here long-term.” That was code for “What kind of raise do you want?” I’m a four-day per week employee who’s been a de facto FT worker (I’m an administrator in a nonprofit) since I arrived four years ago — nights, weekends, whatever. So I put together a memo outlining my accomplishments and asked for FT salary and benefits PLUS a 7% raise, but also said I wanted to keep my day off — indicating that I’d be more willing to come in on that day as needed, but that I hoped to continue to flex that time/work from home.

    Ladies, not only did my boss give me everything I asked for, he gave me a 9% raise instead of the 7% I asked for! I am OVER THE MOON. I was so scared to ask for that huge jump in money (FT vs. PT salary plus the bump) but thanks to all I’ve read on this site (plus a lot of cheerleading from my husband), I had the guts to go for it. YAY!

    (Incidentally, I’m also the poster who asked for advice yesterday morning about losing the last 10 lbs. of baby weight + being on a spending freeze/unable to buy no close. Spending freeze is now temporarily lifted in celebration :)

    • hellskitchen

      Congratulations!! So glad that your commitment and effort paid off. And kudos to you for asking for what you wanted. I am currently reviewing my career options so your story inspires me. And your post yesterday was also a good reminder that I need to restart my workout routine and lose the postpartum pounds.

    • LizNYC

      YAY!!! So happy for you!!! And now you must go out and buy something that makes you feel good just as you are RIGHT NOW. Because you are worth it. Don’t pay attention to the size on the tag.

    • emeralds

      Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear that. Go buy an outfit that makes you feel amazing :)

    • SAlit-a-gator

      Yeah!!! So proud of you for having the confidence to ask for what you deserve! Way to go!

      • ANP

        You guys are awesome, thank you!

        Also, did I really just misspell “clothes” as “close?” Egads. TGIF, I suppose.

        • In-House Optimist

          The grammar police should give you a pass – you had great news and were excited! Congrats!!! ;)

  19. In the Pink - Big Wallet

    I need a replacement wallet!

    Right now it is a zip around kind, with the place for

    checkbook
    zippered part for coins
    place for currency/bills
    slots for cards/ids etc.

    I just can’t seem to do with less…running a biz and household just pushes me to need all this. Sigh.

    Everything I see seems to be wristlets or just one small little thing.

    Yes, this lives in a purse…it’s “big” I, know.

    Thanks.

    • L

      Look at the Pippa wallet. It’s pretty much what you described and not terribly large. Plus it has extra pockets to keep things organized. I love it.

      • mascot

        I had a Lodis wallet for several years that was very similar to the Noho and it held up nicely. I particularly loved the little id holder for securely carrying my id and a card in a pocket.

    • AIMS

      I don’t know how much you want to spend, but Kate Spade makes nice wallets that would fit all you need and you can often find them on sale. Google KS Cobble Hill Lacey – I think it maye work for you. The reg. Lacey is a bit smaller and could also work. But really anything in that format — continental, zip around — should fit what you’re looking for.

      • Lilly

        My Kate Spade Harrison Street Lacey zip around wallet has some age on it but looks brand new, despite suffering daily abuse like being forcibly crammed in my pocketbook, flinging into the car, etc. the price was breath-taking, but seems to be money well spent. It’s attractive when carried on it’s own.
        It’s good quality.
        Unlike any Kate Spade pocketbook I ever owned

    • SC

      I have this wallet from Tusk and absolutely love it – http://www.tusk.com/product_detail.php?pid=844. It seems to check all your boxes, except that there’s room for a checkbook but probably not a designated slot for it. I’ve had mine for 2 years, and it still looks and functions like new. Also, I’ve seen it available online for about half the price listed on the Tusk website, so shop around a bit.

    • ANP

      Hobo Lauren. I can’t say whether or not a checkbook would fit inside — it probably would, though there’s not a dedicated space. I love mine b/c it holds a ton of stuff, including a smartphone, w/o graduating to “wristlet” or “clutch” status.

    • a.k.

      I have the same constraints, and the last 2 wallets I’ve gotten have been from Target, under $20, and lasted 2+ years. I have a hard time spending a lot on a wallet because I tend to stuff them until they burst.

    • tesyaa

      I use the exact same style wallet and I also need tons of space. (I don’t have a business, but I have six kids and a full time job). The wallet I currently have is in great shape and I’ve been using it for many years. I think it’s from Stone Mountain.

  20. Amelia Pond

    Any advice for keeping your strength up during OCI and not getting the firms mixed up?

    My school does early interview days where 20 firms interview in the course of 2 days. I have a number of interviews spread throughout both days and I’m worried about burning out by the end of the day and accidentally getting firms confused and proclaiming that litigation is my one true love to a firm that mostly does corporate.

    • SC

      1. Spend the money on a stress-free means of transportation. That may mean taking a cab instead of the subway, or just paying to park in the building where OCI is instead of 3 blocks away. But it helped me to stay relaxed and focused on what was important and not worry about logistics or what my hair looked like in the rain storm etc.

      2. Don’t feel obligated to hang out with other law students between your interviews. If being around people who are stressing about their own interviews stresses you out, find a nook for yourself.

      3. Take a one-page cheat sheet of notes about each firm you’re interviewing with. List things like the firm’s main practice areas, things about the person interviewing you (if you know beforehand) – his/her practice area, recent cases won or articles published, etc, and questions you have. Arrive at the interview early and review that cheat sheet. At the end of the interview, write notes about the interview (who you interviewed with, what you talked about, questions you asked, questions you still have) on the back, and use that to prepare for second-round interviews.

      4. Take care of yourself. Do the obvious – get as much sleep as you can that week, drink water, eat well, work out if that’s already your thing. Don’t go out for happy hour at the end of day one. Don’t start new routines or new projects that week.

      • Anonymous

        All of these steps should be pinned somewhere as advice for everything law school: OCI? Check. 1L exams? Check. Bar Exam? Check.

        *except for the having nice hair part of course.

      • Green

        All of these steps should be pinned somewhere as advice for everything law school: OCI? Check. 1L exams? Check. Bar Exam? Check.

        *except for the having nice hair part of course.

      • TBK

        Don’t go out for happy hour…unless it’s being hosted by a firm you’re interviewing with. This might not be true if you’re interviewing with firms based in the same area as your school, but all the firms I interviewed with were a plane ride away, so oftentimes the interviewers would host happy hour the night before the interviews (make sure you have very nice looking buisess casual clothes for these) or dinner the night after for a select group from the day’s interviewees. (True story: One very top tier NYC firm I interviewed with had dinner in a private room for a sub-set of the day’s interviewees. At the end of dinner, 2/3 of the attendees were shuffled into cabs and sent home while the rest were taken to a bar for cocktails. After that, another 1/2 were put in cabs while the remainder were taken to yet another bar to play pool. Of that group, only about 1/3 actually got invited to NY for call-backs. That was weird, but it got weirder in NY. The associates took us all out after the day-long call-back interviews to party until about 4:00am. It was one of the most intensely weird — and social — interview experiences I’ve had.)

        • Anon in NYC

          That is such a strange interviewing experience!

          I do think that happy hours / hospitality suites etc. can be helpful if you are halfway decent at small talk. It introduces you to other people at the firm, whose opinions are solicited at the end of the day. Plus it gives you an opportunity to demonstrate interest in the firm that you might not have been able to get across during a 20 minute screening interview. If there is a sign in sheet, make sure to sign in. Try to have a few prepared topics of conversation to discuss (a specific practice area, the summer program, etc.).

        • Cornellian

          I experienced the gradual cull post-OCI with a top 5 firm in 2009. It made me really like the firm less, actually. Not so much the gradual cull part as the “of COURSE you’re comfortable with staying out doing shots with male lawyers 15 years your senior until 4 AM as a small young woman.”

          But do be prepared for that! drink as little as possible, because you never know if the night will end at the happy hour or carry on until 3 AM.

        • Amelia Pond

          Thanks, these are good tips. I have been invited to two receptions and while I don’t really want to go after a long day of interviews, I get the impression that it is a good idea to go.

      • SC

        Agree with the comments below – if the firms you’re interviewing with have receptions or happy hours or whatever afterwards, it’s a good idea to go. If you have more interviews the next day, drink as little as possible so you can be fresh and alert for those interviews. If you’re planning to go to a reception, have all your research, cheat sheets, etc for day 2 done before you go out, since, as others have said, it could turn into a late night.

    • Ellen

      Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love Fruegel Friday’s!

      The way I would keep them straight is to write them down on a small sheet of flesh colored paper and put the paper up your LEFT sleeve (wear long sleeve’s). Then, you can always slip the piece of paper out of your sleeve and that will have ALL of the information you need if you need it.

      If you are wearing a jacket, which you SHOULD, you can keep it inside your jacket. I also kept the names of the peeople I was suposed to see so that I would not forget them.

      If you want to do Corporate, put them on the Corporate List, and make a sepereate list for the Litiegation firm’s.

      Also, alway’s look the peeople in the eye when you talk to them. That way, they also have to look you in the eye, and they should NOT let their eye’s drift to your boobie’s, which is bad. That happened to me alot, and I did NOT get a job at OCI b/c I said to them why are you looking there. I am talkeing to you HERE!

      Any way, best of luck on the OCIs. Remember that you can get a job any where, just like me, b/c I got a job in an ELEVATOR! YAY!!!!!!

    • TBK

      Try not to ever say the name of the firm. Say “your firm” or “this firm” or “the firm.” (During OCI, a friend said “so I just think Gibson would be a great fit for me.” Interviewer: “Well, I’m sure you’ll tell them that. But why do you think you’d be a great fit with us at Weil?”)

      • anon

        +100. I made this mistake at OCI. did not get a callback with the firm I called the wrong name (shocking).

        • In-House Optimist

          Ha – I did this too and have never admitted it to anyone before because I was so darn ashamed. :)

    • Avodah

      Don’t stress too much! They are well-aware that you are interviewing with many, many firms over the course of a few days. I know a gal who wrote the wrong firm name a thank-you note, and she got an offer ;)

      Other than that-
      Associate a color , letter or goofy object with a firm’s name
      Example: W*chtell, Lipton, Litigation, lily pads (or something equally goofy)

    • Anonymous

      Hugs!! Ginger ale (very few ginger ales these days have real ginger in them, so look up which ones still do), ginger snaps, rice cakes, saltines… always have something edible on hand!!

      • Nonny

        Canada Dry still contains real ginger.

        Also, hot water with ginger and lemon worked really well for me. I drank it all day long for weeks.

    • Nonny

      Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Get thee to a doctor and ask for Diclectin (that’s the name it goes under in Canada – not sure what it is being called in the US). I know that many ladies here have used Zofran but Diclectin has recently been approved for use in the US (after decades of use in Canada and Europe) and there are fewer side effects associated with it. I normally don’t like taking medication unless I’m, like, dying, but Diclectin made it possible for me to get through the work day. Hugs, it will pass eventually. Mine was gone by about 14 weeks.

    • Maddie Ross

      I loved frozen drinks (lemonades and slushes). Kept me hydrated and calmed my tummy for some reason. I would sip on them all day.

    • Brant

      Just keep eating. Little snacks throughout the day. Ginger ale or anything bubbly.

      I never had true MS, just had what felt like a hangover that wouldn’t go away for 2-3 weeks.

    • Anonymous

      Coca-cola and very cold water helped. But, honestly, the only thing that really helped was time.

    • WestCoast Lawyer

      As others have said, very cold drinks sometimes help. The typical starchy foods like crackers never did much for me, but I did find that a breakfast with some fat in it did, like a bacon and egg sandwich.

    • CKB

      Jolly Rancher hard candies for immediate relief – seriously, they work amazingly well.

      Take Vitamin B6. It’s a main ingredient in Diclectin. It took a couple of days to kick in for me, but once it did it made a major difference. And then I always had Jolly Ranchers on hand for emergencies.

      And of course, the eating all the time. Doesn’t help you gain less weight, but who cares as long as you can make it through the day?

      Anyway, vit B6 & Jolly Ranchers were lifesavers (no pun intended) for my last pg during which I was nauseous at least a little bit the whole 38 weeks I was pregnant except for the 2 weeks that don’t count at the beginning and about 6 weeks in the middle.

      Hang in there!

  22. Anon

    I have a yellow tweed pencil skirt that I bought last summer and haven’t worn yet this year because I just can’t figure out what to pair with it. It’s very very pale yellow… like a butter color. Navy and black look too harsh with it; bright colors make me look like an easter egg, and it’s so pale that I feel like it looks strange with a white top. I’m a bit challenged in terms of color coordination and always end up just grabbing a black or gray skirt and colored silk blouse or a black or navy sheath dress and colored cardigan. Help?

    Also, PSA, Ann Taylor is 50% off all sale styles. I got a blazer for $55 and a silk top for $35.

    • AIMS

      I like mixing light and dark colors like navy with pale yellow, but if that feels too stark, what about a not-too- bright medium cornflower blue?
      Or how about a white top and a navy or green cardigan so that you break up any potential harshness.

    • Samantha

      Browns and light grey. I’m big on neutrals and not daring with colors though.

      • Anonymous

        Second grey. It looks awesome with yellow. I like yellow, grey and pink together.

        I think white can work if you add some darker accessories, like cognac browns.

    • a.k.

      what about a white blouse with a bright cardigan (fuschia, orange) and a statement necklace?

    • tesyaa

      I really like dark teal or turquoise with pale yellow. Not as harsh as navy, not as bright as aqua.

  23. L

    On this beautiful lovely Friday, I have a migraine. I came in to try and get some things done and managed to crank out one project. I know work won’t care if I leave, but somehow I feel guilty (I’m here, I’m dressed, that’s half the battle).

    • Armani shoes? Sizing?

      I am stalking some Giorgio Armani flats….does anyone have a sense of sizing. On their website they say 7.5 US=38 IT, but it’s usu 37.5 IT…..also another site says 7.5 US=37.5 IT. Has anyone had experience with Armani flats or low heeled shoes and sizing? Run big or small? thanks

    • AlaskaLaw

      Sorry about the migraine, I get them once a month (guess when) and when I come in I just concentrate on making it through the rest of the day. Not doing any work, though!I feel the same way — work wouldn’t mind, but you would feel bad. Hope the head gets better soon.

  24. Jennifer

    Speaking of dresses: does anyone have recommendations for a budget-friendly half-slip? Not a shaper—what I need is something to help to keep my (unfancy, knit) dresses from clinging to my tights come fall. Thanks!

    • zora

      Definitely budget-friendly: My favorite are the slips at Target that have a lace waistband instead of an elastic one. The lace means you can place it anywhere, at waist, at hips, and it doesn’t dig in and make a weird line. I have them in multiple colors.

      However, for under dresses I would actually recommend a full-slip! I have a couple shortish full-slips and they are SO MUCH EASIER under dresses, because I don’t have to worry about the waistband moving around, or bunching up or anything. Whereas half-slips i end up having to adjust at least a couple times a day. I bought mine at second-hand stores, but Target and Kohls have some, too.

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