Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Long-Sleeve Zip-Front Cashmere Cardigan

451 Comments

1. I was made redundant at the end of last year from a crappy job where I’d been for years and which paid poorly. I’d stayed out of misplaced loyalty and fear.

   I got a job (contract to perm) in June in a different industry with a poor reputation, but the company turns out not too bad. I like the new company and really like the people (They complain about our employer but don’t know how good they have it). The pay is ok and the benefits and holidays are good. But the work doesnt particularly excite me, there isnt really enough of it and I don’t see any chance of promotion for a few years.

   Out of the blue i got a call from a recruiter with a job that is close to home, pays really well and would be both challenging and look good on the cv. Plus they are desperate to interview me. Now I’m worried.

   I can’t work out why I’m not more excited. It is exactly what I was searching for earlier this year. I think I’m afraid I’ll not like the office/people as much. My old work was toxic and I’m loving being in a pleasant office. Would money trump the fun office? And what happens if I don’t like it, I couldn’t leave another company so soon. And it’s semi-public which is also scary.

   I need to grow a backbone.

   1. Check it out! You can always say no if they offer you a position.

   2. It sounds like me, too. I was made redundant from a job with kind of terrible people, but I liked the work and my boss. I found a job with nice people but the rest I could take or leave. Now, when I see jobs I would have killed for, I am meh. I have leaned way too far out but there are tradeoffs. LSS, do check it out, and you can see if where you are now was just a soft place to land.

   3. For me, change is always scary. Even really good change! You’ve spent a lot of this year fighting to get somewhere where you feel OK, and now out of the blue someone is saying, “How about changing everything up!?!” Of course that’s disconcerting. But remember that taking an interview doesn’t mean taking the job — you can investigate and see if it is a good fit.

      1. Thanks for the feedback. I’ll see if I can schedule an interview.

2. I love my parents but my dad can be a real a$$hole sometimes just to be an a$$hole. And then if I get upset about it, I’m the mean one or I’m ungrateful/too sensitive, whatever. He’s 77 so there’s no changing his behavior, but I just wish he could just be freaking nice to me for once.

   1. Join the club. I feel like as people age, they become more of who they are, and my dad is a giant a$$hole who has only gotten worse as he goes into his 90s. Ugh. I just play a$$hole bingo in my head and drink a lot after I see him.

      1. Ha! Stealing “A$$hole Bingo” for my next meeting at work :) (Well, not the drinking part, although that would definitely make the meeting easier to tolerate.)

   2. I feel you. My mother has lost any remaining compassion as she has aged, and has also hit the point where she is really annoyed by anyone not sharing her political views. When we are in public she will pointedly say “Merry Christmas” to people in lieu of “Happy Holidays”–she’s not actually hoping they have a Merry ANYTHING, the emphasis is on the Christmas part.

      I try to handle her with humor and she’s learned not to push her views on my family anymore, but it took a major blow-up a few months ago in which she realized that she wouldn’t see her granddaughter anymore if she kept up that behavior towards us. I’m not sure if you’re prepared to go that route, but sometimes the threat of no-contact can work. (I didn’t spell anything out for her–we just went radio silent, and then I made a clear “no political discussion” rule when we began speaking again.)

      1. I forgot to add–you might want to check out the r3ddit thread “Raised by Narcissists.” Even though that may not apply to you, they have some stickies on a technique called grey-rocking that might really help. My sister is a pro at this (shout out to Sis if she’s reading this!)

3. You guys I went to the opera this weekend. I went with my husband who had never been before. I had but only occasionally and ages ago.

   My husband thought he’d hate it (he had mental images of Wagnerian sopranos in horns basically screaming) but he LOVED it. I’m so happy. We happened to see a great show (Turandot at SF opera) but I think he would have basically any opera.

   I guess I’m writing this as a PSA. If you’re on the fence about whether you would enjoy going to the opera/not sure what to do/ are curios but put it off DO IT. Just go. It’s such a treat for the eyes and ears and the soul. I know I sound like an opera shill but I’m not. I’m just still glowing from the experience of being there this weekend and can’t wait to go again.

   1. I read a book of essays by Ann Patchet and she talked about seeing opera at the cinema and her enthusiasm for it was incredible. So if opera is out of your reach financially or geographically, this seems to be a good option.

   2. My then husband and I went to see Turandot at the SF Opera on our second date! We got all dressed up and had a blast. Glad that he loved it!

   3. I am so envious! My husband will not go near the opera, or the ballet for that matter.

   4. This year’s Tourandot at the SF Opera was outstanding!

   5. I will admit, I adore Russian and Italian operas, but if I’d gone to a German opera for my first, I wouldn’t have gone back. Just saw Alcina at the Kennedy Center a few weeks ago, and it fell far short of my hopes.

   6. I am so glad that you wrote this. My mother loves opera so for her 75th bday next year I am planning to take her to NYC to see a show at the Met. She regularly watches the movie theatre screenings and Moonstruck is our favourite movie, so I know she will LOVE this gift. But I have kind of been dreading it and your message makes me think that maybe I will like it more than I think I might… so woo!

   7. I have been a season-ticket holder to our city opera since I was 25! I love it! I used to be broke and bought one ticket for myself. Now I buy two every year; my husband comes to one with me and I invite friends to go with me to all the other ones. I have been to so many people’s first opera!

   8. Ditto, but for the ballet. It’s religious to me.

4. What are your favorite things to buy at Ulta? One just opened in my city. I’ve always gone to the nearby Sephora. There are very few Ultas in my state. I understand its like Sephora but with drugstore products, too? I can’t wait to check it out. What should I keep an eye out for?

   1. The Ulta brand eyeliners are really good and usually on sale or some BOGO offer. I also like to stock up on NYX products there, and their haircare selection is amazing (so nice having drugstore & salon products in the same place).

      1. Sometimes brands have products exclusive to Sephora or Ulta. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is only available at Ulta, and is actually my favorite concealer.

   2. Tony Moly face masks

Comments are closed.