Corporette.com

Updated: Oct 31, 2018 154 Comments · by

Thursday’s TPS Report: Print Jersey Faux Wrap Dress

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Maggy London Jersey Faux Wrap DressI was all set to post this dress a few weeks ago, when it sold out — and I was so bummed. I love the bright purple colors, the abstract, graphic print, the sleeves, the length, the flattering wrap. Happily, it came back in stock — yahoo! The dress is $98, available in regular and petite, sizes 2-14, at Nordstrom. Maggy London Print Jersey Faux Wrap Dress Here's a great plus-size option. Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-3)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…

RSS Error: WP HTTP Error: cURL error 60: Issuer certificate is invalid.

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Sydney Bristow

    Gosh I love this! It is such a happy color and the print is great.

  2. Ellen

    Yay Kat! I love this dress and I love Nordstrom’s!!! I am goieng to show Rosa and have her buy me a size 2 and PRAY that it will fit. If not, she will keep it if she like’s it!

    I was haveing alot of trouble getting on yesterday, but whatever probelem you had with the web seem’s to be working. I have 6 cases that I am goieng to go and argue this morning, which mean’s 24 hour’s of billeing’s — and I should be back in the office right after lunch! DOUBEL YAY!

    This guy from the candy store on Lex today asked if I wanted to go with him to a MET’S game. I alway’s buy lotto ticket’s from him so he think’s he knows all about me. I told him I perfer the Yankee’s, so he said he would see what he could do. He seem’s nice and he say’s his dad owns the store, so there may be posibilitie’s. Dad might wine, but at this stage, I need to have a BABY! And this guy is at least nice. What does the HIVE think? Should I date a guy who’s father owns a candy store on Lex? I am leaning in FAVOR of doeing so.
    Is there anyting I should look out for or am missing?

    Idea’s? YAY!!!!

    • Rowan

      If I married a guy who owned a candy store, I’m pretty sure the size of my tuchus would increase a lot.

  3. NYC breakfast recs?

    Any recs for good breakfast spots near Times Square or Penn Station? I’m looking for less touristy spots but am unfortunately limited to these areas. Thanks in advance!!

    • Tick Tock

      I’ve always been a fan of the Tick Tock diner at 34/8th. Near Times Square I’ve met folks at Pershing Square for breakfast (I think that’s the name of it — right across the street on 42d.) Capital Grille is also nearby but not sure when/whether they open for breakfast.

      • 2 Cents

        +1 to the Tick Tock. Used to work in that area and their food was always consistently good.

      • Clementine

        Also my suggestion. I frequently use it as a meet up spot for people taking the train into the City because it’s so convenient.

    • anne-on

      Pershing square isn’t awful, but there’s a few Le Pan Quotidien places around those two areas that I’d try first.

    • A

      Near Penn Station, the Breslin at the Ace hotel. Ace has a Stumptown I believe, so at least the coffee should be good. I think Friedman’s is also popular and very close, but I’ve never been. If you don’t mind walking, try Penelope. Also, I think Broadway Bites is open now in Herald Square, for a late breakfast/brunch.

  4. mbs

    I need advice on what to wear to a wedding in a couple of weeks. It’s an evening church ceremony, with reception following at a very nice private (members only) club downtown (not a country club, but kind of similar). There was no dress code on the invitation or wedding website, but I’m thinking it’s probably formal, given the time and setting, so a cocktail dress is probably appropriate. I found 3 dresses, one I love but think is probably not dressy enough, one is more of a cocktail dress, but maybe a little too low cut. The other one I’m just not sure about. Which do you think would be more appropriate? I’ll post the links in separate posts.

    My favorite, probably not dressy enough, but so flattering and comfortable: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-floral-print-ruched-dress?ID=2186232&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DLauren Ralph Lauren%26PAGEINDEX%3D2%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D271%26ruleId%3D%26slotId%3D136

  5. SF area vacation rental

    We’re planning a summer vacation to the San Francisco area for a week to 10 days, and looking at VRBO or similar rentals for our family of four. I am not that familiar with the area and am looking for suggestions on neighborhoods (or specific properties – 2 BR condo or small house to rent from owner). I’ve been focusing on Berkeley because I had a brief visit there several years ago and it reminds me of the college town where we live. Criteria are close to public transport, relatively convenient to San Francisco, walkable and safe neighborhood. TIA for any suggestions.

    • Scarlett

      I’d look at airbnb too if you aren’t. No idea on specific places to stay but to be close to public transit look at the listings. In the Bay Area that doesn’t mean it’s a “bad” part of town and living near BART or Muni is desirable. You might also want to look in Rockridge in Oakland. And load up the uber and lyft apps for when you’re here – public transit can quickly get annoying or not go where you want and these are cheaper than cabs.

    • Anon

      In SF proper, I’d check listings for Glen Park – more residential, but there’s a BART station and you’re close to the freeway. I would also check Air BnB, there are loads of places listed.

  6. BB

    Tips for preventing my slip’s straps from slipping all the time? They have bra-like straps, and I’ve already sewn them “shut” so they don’t lengthen on me as I wear them. I think the problem is that there’s no tension in them since there’s nothing pulling down on them down like my bra.

    • Crafty

      Can you use some clear ponytail elastics and just tie them to your bra straps at the top where they cross your shoulders?

    • A

      Are they too wide set? You could try making the space between the two back straps shorter.

      • Bonnie

        This. Bringing the straps closer together in the back should keep them from slipping.

        • Anonymous

          Safety pin. If you remember when those clips were popular to pull in fabric on the back of your dress, you could pull the area together like that. I would probably add a couple stitches by hand, though.

        • Bonnie

          You could also buy elastic at a crafts store and hand stitch it to both straps.

      • BB

        Thanks! I will totally try this…not sure if I should cut them then sew them back or just try a temp solution…hmm…

    • tesyaa

      If they’re elastic, can you replace them with a non-elastic satin ribbon? Or would that make the problem worse?

  7. snow white

    Now that the white hair has started coming in fast and furious I need to bite the bullet and find a colorist in NYC. Any recs for a reasonably priced stylist easily accessed from the east side or midtown? Hoping to pay less that $300 (preferably under $200) for highlights/balayage or something like that to blend in all the white into my formerly brown hair.

    • NYC tech

      spooky, I have literally the exact same question/situation. Hoping someone will chime in.

      • Whitey as well

        Ugh. I’m in late 20s and poor, so doing mine at home with the help of Garnier. I’d love to hear from people who manage highlighting?

        My gray just grows too fast to justify the expense of highlights, because scary roots after only two weeks? Or do they blend in somehow? How does this look natural?

    • anon

      If you have time, I’ve had good luck with Aveda’s hair school for highlights. I know they do balayage, too. Takes a while and its in Soho (6th Ave./Spring St.), so not precisely what you’re looking for.

    • NYNY

      Laurie Mazzone is a wonderful stylist/colorist who rents a chair in midtown (55th btwn 6th &7th aves). She has cut my hair for years, and although I don’t get color, I’ve seen gorgeous color on her clients. Call her at 917 881 7341 to describe what you’re looking for and ask for a consult appointment.

  8. anonymou

    how much do new leather shoes stretch? I just bought a pair that I love; the right one is snug, bt I guess it would be okay if they didn’t stretch t all, but my left toe is butting against the edge of the shoe. It would be fin if it stretched just a little bit, and the next half size up is quite a bit bigger. Should I keep the smaller ones?

    • tesyaa

      Depends on the type of leather, the structure of the shoe and the quality, but I wouldn’t count on them stretching enough to be truly comfortable. I’d say return them.

      • anonymou

        How does quality factor in? are higher quality shoes more or less likely to stretch?

    • anonymous

      Sorry, poorly phrased. Right shoe fits although on the snug side. Left is a little too tight. My feet slip out of the half size up. Is it worth keeping the smaller size, or should I return both?

      • tesyaa

        You’re taking a gamble that the left shoe will eventually stretch. It might, it might not.

    • Baconpancakes

      Definitely depends on the type of shoe. Soft leather ballet flat will stretch. Stiff, structured loafer probably won’t. A sturdy, formal heel will probably not stretch. A soft leather low heel will probably stretch.

      • PolyD

        In my experience, the majority of leather shoes stretch. Except, as Baconpancakes (dang, I want bacon and pancakes now!) really stiff, structured ones, like think penny loafer leather. And even those give a little bit, usually.

        If you really like them, I’d keep them. I actually find that starting with shoes that fit more snugly rather than loosely is better, for me, in the long run, because the loose ones tend to slip and rub and give me blisters. Plus then they stretch out more and basically become unwearable – there’s only so much inserts and various padding can do.

        You could talk to a cobbler/shoe repair person about stretching them, or do the at-home version of wearing them around the house with thick socks.

    • Bonnie

      They usually stretch but if your toe is hitting the edge of the shoe, they’re likely too small.

    • A

      What brand? Depends on the leather. I would take it to a cobbler or Nordstrom’s to be stretched.

      • anonymou

        It’s from Brooks Brothers. The shoes I’ve bought from them in the past have stretched a bit. Actually with all the leather shoes I’ve bought feel too tight to start and end up being so loose I need inserts or heel grips or something. These are definitely a bit tighter, though. They’re ballet flats, but the leather feels a bit stiffer than others I have bought.

    • Hollis

      Not worth risking it in my opinion. I had really nice pumps from Cole Haan and had them professionally stretched and I just wasted money (and sold the pair for less than 1/2 of my cost) on eBay. If you haven’t worn them yet just return them.

  9. Quick Meals

    I have been obsessed with Costco’s individual Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad cups lately. I usually try to eat leftovers for lunches, but keep these on hand when I need a “grab and go” option with no prep work. Anyone have any similar prepared food options they would recommend that don’t require cooking (refrigerated and microwavable are fine)? Bonus points if they are available at Costco or Trader Joe’s.

    • L in DC

      I am curious about this as well. I like the one-serving bags of trail mix from Trader Joe’s but am looking to expand my options.

      • Quick Meals OP

        I haven’t tried the curry salad. Those would be great for adding some variety!

    • Veronica Mars

      I love the EVOL truffle mac and cheese and Blake’s chicken pot pies. Both are high in fat/calories so I only reach for them when I’m debating getting takeout.

      • APP123

        I think all of the EVOL meals are pretty good. I really like the baked ziti one. They’re definitely not low cal, but I think they’re reasonable for dinner (especially if the alternative is take out!).

        • Veronica Mars

          I’ll have to try that one! I agree, they’re not bad for a meal and I keep telling myself that they’re much better for me than deep fried anything!

        • Wildkitten

          EVOL has low cal meals as well – they are harder to find but they are delicious!

      • Quick Meals OP

        We love the steak and ale pies and chicken fried rice from TJ for this same situation. They tend to be slightly healthier (quite a bit healthier for the chicken fried rice) than take out and a lot cheaper.

    • emily

      My husband really likes the shelf-stable premade Indian food from Costco – one is madras lentils and I can’t remember what the other one is. Microwavable and don’t need to be refrigerated.

      • Coach Laura

        Tasty Bite! They have same/similar things at Trader Joes. I keep these shelf stable packs in my desk along with precooked Minute Rice in microwave cups.

    • Lobbyist

      Trader Joes has a number of pre made salads that are good — check the calorie counts, though — some can get pretty high. My current favorite is Trader Mings Five Spice Asian Chicken Noodle salad.

  10. CHJ

    Any recommendations for a good home treadmill? My budget is about $1500 but I’d be thrilled to spend less than that. It will be going on a cement floor in the basement, but I’d still like it to be fairly quiet. (I had one before that sounded like an F-15 taking off). Any recommendations?

    • Hollis

      I highly recommend buying a used one from Craigslist. People buy things like this all the time but end up not using them. With $1500, you could buy a used one *and* have money left over for a (used) t.v. to watch while you are running.

  11. Tick Tock

    Quick Q: I think my dinners are killing my diet. It finally ooccurred to me that I need to budget/plan for a snack in the evening so I can eat a smaller, healthier dinner, rather than trying to have a large, carb-heavy dinner that holds me over until breakfast. What are your favorite evening snacks? (Also: for some reason I have a weird limit on one-yogurt-per-day — is that insane? Not sure where I came up with that rule; do you guys regularly eat more?)

    • tesyaa

      I also made myself a rule of one yogurt per day because I could easily eat 2 or 3. Plain nonfat yogurt is like a glass of milk, so not terrible, but most of us are not eating plain nonfat yogurt as a snack.

    • anon a mouse

      Try upping your protein at dinner and cutting your carbs in half – that should help you feel full until breakfast. A piece of salmon or chicken (or even lean steak) plus a generous serving of vegetables is usually enough for me. You can keep some of the carbs (like rice or noodles) if you think you will miss the carbs, just don’t make them the main event.

      • nutella

        +1 exactly. You need protein to hold you over until breakfast. If timing is an issue (i.e. it’s too long between lunch and when you eat dinner), have a small snack at some point in between to hold you over until dinner. I like a small piece of cheese, an apple, some peanut butter, cup of yogurt, roll-ups of lean deli meat, hummus, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, berries, you get the picture.

      • LAnon

        Yeah I have sadly have had to institute a “no pasta for dinner” rule – I would eat a LOT of it (because pasta is the most delicious thing in the entire world) but then would be ravenous at breakfast and eat a giant breakfast. So, for me, pasta dinners managed to torpedo two meals of healthy eating. Switching to a protein-focused dinner helped with this. I get my pasta fix in at lunch – I pack my lunches so part of lunch is a small portion of pasta, but because I’m at work and I’ve already portioned it out, there’s no temptation to gorge.

        All that said… my favorite evening snack / indulgence is a frozen dessert. The healthiest option is that I sometimes make homemade real-fruit popsicles (blender + popsicle mold). Sometimes I have a frozen yogurt bar and sometimes I have a Magnum Mini – not super healthy but only around 100 calories so whatever. They don’t fill me up (which is fine because I don’t feel hungry since switching to more protein) but they do satisfy my dangerous evening sweet tooth.

      • Tick Tock

        I always used to do the protein thing and no carbs. Then I got married and had kids. Now if I don’t serve a ton of carbs at dinner my husband is rooting for them (cereal, chips, whatever), 2 hours later… if we don’t get into the wine, when he’s ordering more food. So I’ve started serving and eating a big dinner both because a) there are carbs at dinner and b) to protect myself against being tempted by his foraging.

        LOVE some of the fage + protein/PB2 ideas — those sound delicious. I might try those with oatmeal too; a warm treat before bed sounds lovely.

        Of course, tonight I saved Points for a snack (doing WW) and am totally full with my 2.5 oz measured pasta and huge serving of tilapia. Go figure.

    • kc esq

      I like English muffins with peanut butter, hummus and chips (which can be a diet-killer for me if I don’t seriously control the portion), Special K with blueberries.

      I also find that if I eat an apple earlier in the day, I am less hungry for snacks at night. I think it’s the fiber.

    • Bonnie

      We eat dinner late, 8 or 9 p.m. so I have a snack before dinner. Usually a cheese stick and a couple slices of turkey or hummus and veggies around 5 p.m. I try to pack our dinners with veggies and protein so even if we are having pasta, half the bowl will be roasted veggies and protein.

    • August

      I used to be so hungry by the time I reach home in the evenings that I used to eat anything in sight. Even if I ate healthier all through the day, I would just negate that within half an hour after coming home from work. So I keep protein bars (pure protein which I found in costco) at work. It has roughly 20 grams of protein and other nutrients too for roughly 200 calories which met all my requirements. So if I start feeling hungry when I am at work, I eat one bar and I can have a light dinner. If I don’t feel hungry at work, I come home and have milk with protein powder. Then a couple hours later, I can have a light dinner. This arrangement helped me with losing weight as I stopped feeling hungry in the evenings which used to make me eat anything and everything that I could get my hands on.

    • Katie

      If I feel hungry before going to bed, I have a glass of milk. Does the trick, and saves me from eating more calories.

    • Anonymous

      I usually have a snack between lunch and dinner, not after dinner. My snack is usually a cheese stick and a small orange, or cheese and popcorn, or hummus and veggies, or plain yogurt with berries, or almonds with a couple of pieces of dried fruit like crasins (this is one I have to be careful with though, because I could easily eat a meal’s worth of calories in no time.)

      If I really want something after dinner I will do some kind of ice cream/frozen yogurt (only 1/2 a cup), or a small bowl of cereal.

    • Anon

      I often have a sliced apple with 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter (microwaved for 30 seconds) when I get home. It tides me over until dinner and keeps me from eating All. The. Foods.

    • mbs

      I stopped eating yogurt as a snack, because I always want to eat about 3 servings. Most brands are high in sugar and low in protein, and not satisfying, they seem to make me hungrier. I do like Siggi’s brand, though, if I’m going to eat yogurt, I get that one. 100 calories, high in protein, low in sugar, and I don’t want to eat another one as soon as I finish the first.

      I like almonds for a snack when I first get home, but I have to count them out so I don’t just sit there and eat 3 handfuls, if I’m not careful I can eat 500 calories worth without thinking about it. Or 1/2 a banana.

    • Anon

      I’ve been packing a snack at work and eating it around 3:30-4, which is usually a protein and a veggie (celery, PB, carrots; or hard broiled egg and 1/2 cup of salad). This typically holds me over until dinner.

      Then I eat a protein and veggie heavy dinner, like chicken stir fry, or meat + quinoa + veggie. I have a major sweet tooth so I also indulge in a very small dessert of some sort after dinner. If I’m hungry before bed I’ll have some nuts. The protein and fiber keeps me feeling good until breakfast.

    • Anonymous

      I eat a snack at 4pm and then dinner around 6:30-7pm. By the time we finish eating and cleanup, and then I go to bed at 10, there’s no time to get hungry. We hardly eat simple carbs or starches during dinner. It’s usually chicken or fish and veggies, and then maybe some fruit afterwards (and definitely dessert sometimes…).

    • Lobbyist

      This is the way I eat yogurt, and its delicious: Fage nonfat greek yogurt, no added sugar with a LOT of berries. That makes it taste sweet. Or, I mix Fage yogurt with PB 2 (powdered de-fatted peanut butter) and a banana, or Fage yogurt, PB 2, sugar and cocoa — it tastes like frosting. This way I get a lot of extra protein and not so much extra sugar.

    • Anonymous

      Fat is what keeps me full longer. Protein helps too, but not as much as fat.

      I usually do full fat greek yogurt (like 10% fat, in an appropriate quantity, like 1/4 cup), with some fruit or flax or chia. I don’t eat meat, and I often need a little extra fat at the end of the day, since I eat mostly homemade smoothies, soups and salads, which are all low in fat.

      • Anonymama

        Yes to the fat. Sometimes a glass of whole or 2% chocolate milk. Or, um, ice cream with almonds and fruit (banana or berries)

  12. Amelia Earhart

    Career TJ:

    I’ve been with my company for 3 years, 9 months ago I posted out of my original role to a new one. The department I moved into has been kind of a mess since before I was hired into my current job, everyone is relatively unhappy and I go home frustrated every day as more and more work gets put on my desk, rather than distributed across the team (as in, I support roughly 20 clients and others in this role support 5 or 6).

    There has been some shifting of our department from current company to a new company. I am familiar with new company, we work closely with them, but am quite happy with my current company. A manager from another department (that I work with regularly) reached out to me about a position that I’m very interested in and said she was very interested in me and has already confirmed that I’m eligible to post to a new role. This role would keep me at currently company, working under someone I really enjoy working with, and whose team is very happy with her management style.

    Am I a jerk for leaving my current team after 9 months or is this fair given that we’re being shuffled to a new company, whose culture I am relatively blind to and that I didn’t apply to work for in the first place?

    • TBK

      Go. Unless you’ve moved around a lot (and therefore either have the reputation for hopping around, or may need to examine why the grass is always greener for you — neither of which you suggest in your comment), I don’t see the problem.

    • Anon

      I don’t think this would be a problem. You are staying with the same company, so it wouldn’t be viewed the same as “job hopping” on a resume. Nine months is a sufficiently long time that it doesn’t look like you just up-and-moved without giving the position a chance.

  13. Paging former partner now in house

    I am a current partner (but sort of plateauing at the income partner rank), but feel like it’s time to give myself permission to revisit my career choices and path as my children become school aged and life seems to be pressing in from both sides.

    Would you be willing to post how your decision process went?

    I feel like I have worked hard to build a small business within BigLaw with my own clients, but still find myself being asked to do too much (as things on the family front are more needy). I don’t want to bail on my clients and can’t hire on enough of the right junior people (cheap firm, unwilling to invest if anyone is underutilized, even if they have no skills/interest in the pratice area), but I can’t warm up to another 5-10-20 years of craziness. I feel like a sister-wife would be a big help at home (but I do love that and would prefer to fix the problem on the work side of the equation).

    • TBK

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who occasionally thinks that adding another wife to the family would solve a lot of problems! (Create plenty, too, of course.) My mom was a single working mom and she always said “I need a wife!” And, man, some days, I know what she means. I’d say “or a househusband” but I’m not sure I want to deal with another husband. I love mine, but he’s enough. Maybe just another $100k or so to hire lots of domestic help would do it.

    • Former Partner, Now In-House

      I wish I could say that my decision process was more methodical than it was. I was single at the time and had been for years, so I knew my choices would affect only me. There are two things I wish I had done that I did not: (1) look at my finances more carefully, and (2) conduct a more robust search for another firm.

      Finances: I now believe that had I stayed at my BigLaw firm another 3-5 years, I could have retired from practicing law, and perhaps working at all. I certainly could have fully funded my nest egg so that I had only to invest it properly and let time do its thing. But I didn’t, so I still have to contribute to it, plus invest it wisely and let time do its thing. I left with only a very modest mortgage and a fair amount in the nest egg, but it could have been better. This is worth some serious analysis because once you leave BigLaw, it is unlikely that you will see those big checks (monthly or year-end) again.

      Robust Search: I was terrified that my firm would discover I was looking, so I really didn’t look very well for another firm that might have been a good fit. For you, that sounds like someplace you can take your clients and that will let you invest in associates. I love my in-house gig, but I was afraid to fully explore the “another firm” option. Had I done so, it might have turned out differently.

      I don’t know how helpful this will be. I wish you luck.

    • Another Former Partner

      I’m not Former Partner, Now In-House, but I’ve made the same move so I’ll answer too! I was also at the income partner level and had no interest in putting in the level of effort that would have been required to make equity partner. I was miserable and burned out. My kids were also school age and it is amazing how much harder it suddenly becomes to juggle everything at that stage. I have also said that having a stay-at-home wife would help a lot!

      I made a lot of pros and cons lists, to be honest. I loved my work and clients at the firm, but had very little control over my life and that wasn’t likely to change for about 10 years. The in-house position was in my practice area, offered good hours with a stable organization and didn’t involve a huge pay cut. My debate was primarily between going “part-time” at the firm and moving in-house. PT status wouldn’t have solved most of the issues that were making me miserable and would have been a bigger pay cut than going in-house. Despite the fact that this sounds like a no-brainer, I had a hard time making the decision. The reasons for that were all in my head. First, a misplaced sense of loyalty to my firm, clients, etc. Someone else could serve those clients just as well as I could, and my firm had honestly never shown sufficient concern about me to merit that level of loyalty. Second, I had to get over the mental hurdle of walking away from all of the years of effort I’d put into my career at the firm. Finally, I had to let go of some ambitions and personal expectations. I had a goal that I hadn’t achieved yet (equity partner) and even though I knew I didn’t want that anymore, it was very hard for me to walk away completely. It felt like giving up.

      I will say that I’m thrilled with my choice and very happy in my in-house role. There was a learning curve, to be sure. The culture is VERY different from a firm. It was somewhat frustrating having to build my reputation all over again with a new group of people. But it was worth it. A few years in, I am much happier and less stressed. I can spend my evenings focused on my family, homework, kids’ activities. etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still crazy trying to keep up with everything, but at least I’m not trying to juggle that plus emails coming in all evening and weekend.

      I realize that some people go in-house and find that the demands and expectations of hours and availability aren’t that different from their firm, so I think it’s very important to get as much information as you can about anyplace you would consider an in-house position. I also know people who have moved firms and found a much better fit that allowed for better work-life balance, so that may bear consideration as well. I was also terrified that my firm would find out I was looking,but I think you’ll find that most firms and companies understand that concern and are very discreet.

      Good luck!

  14. I'm Just Me

    I just purchased this skirt from Loft: http://www.loft.com/paradise-pencil-skirt/373087?colorExplode=false&skuId=18608489&CID=GoogleLOFTSkirtsPencilSkirt&mr:referralID=a3e5265b-0ac9-11e5-ba34-001b2166c2c0&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7r-rBRDE_dXtgLz9-e4BEiQATeKG7MkhRQZL8Jxhh3pi4eNu2LiIvFMsHn_ERfW1_GyD3iIaAlWw8P8HAQ

    Any styling ideas? I don’t like the yellow/green pictured with it close to my face, but I love the print/colors of the skirt and it’s perfectly appropriate for my office. I know I’ll do a cream tee and olive cardigan some days, but would like a different top/sweater or jacket combo for other days just for the sake of variety.

    • lsw

      Black or dark peach? You could probably also do antique white. I’d have to see it paired in person but if you already have a chambray shirt, try that.

      • TNTT

        Absolutely the right chambray would be so cute on a Friday.

        Otherwise a soft gray or black. Try cobalt? Could be amazing.

        • I'm Just Me

          Ok, chambray is in the mix. I’ll try it with cobalt and see. I’m searching for the perfect grey shirt to go with something else, so if I find it, I’ll try that as well.

    • Emmabean

      Gorgeous skirt. Loft has some cute stuff right now! One of the reviewers of the skirt listed a bunch of colors that go nicely with the skirt, so scroll down a bit and you will see that! I tried to copy paste, but couldn’t!

      • I'm Just Me

        They do have some nice stuff right now. I went back and looked at the comments and someone mentioned red. I’ll have to see how that looks, the red in the print is an orange red, not a red red, but that might be a color to pick up on.

  15. LilyS

    It’s over 30 degrees Celsius here today (southern Germany) with absolutely no breeze and this English rose is wilting! I need ideas for all of your favourite cooling drinks/ c-tails, etc, please?

    • Baconpancakes

      LOL. We were at that temperature weeks ago in DC.

      But to actually answer your question, a moscow mule, absolutely. Vodka, lime, ginger beer. Otherwise, mint juleps. For non-alcoholic drinks, I like to steep fresh ginger in hot water like a tea, dissolve honey in it, chill it, and add lemon and lime juice. If you make it strong, you can add club soda. Otherwise, just serve it chilled.

    • 2 Cents

      Half and half: half lemonade, half iced tea (vodka can be added). OR Firefly iced tea vodka with regular lemonade.

      • KLG

        I like firefly and water with a few squeezes of lemon juice. I like to think it has less sugar and is less dehydrating that way. :)

    • Veronica Mars

      Sangria. Get some cheap red wine, cut up a bunch of fruit, and combine in a pitcher. Stir in as much sugar as is to your taste (you’ll need to really stir it because it’ll be difficult to get it to dissolve in cold water). Add a splash of a harder liquor if you want (I think Sherry is traditional, but I never have any on hand so vodka works for me). Let it sit for a couple hours (so the fruit can soak up all the cheap wine). Stir in sprite before serving if you have it/want to add some bubbles.

      • LilyS

        Wine is incredibly cheap here so that’s my plan for tomorrow evening sorted… (Public holiday today so the shops are shut…)

    • bridget

      It’s a girly drink, but I got my boyfriend and his family snookered on it a few weeks ago:

      2 shots vodka (preferably one with lemon)
      1.5 shots Hypnotiq
      1.5 shots white cranberry

      Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice. (Ideally, chill all ingredients beforehand, too.) Strain into a martini glass; add a Swedish fish. Try to remember all the alcohol you added before you gulp it down.

  16. Annon for this

    My husband’s very close family friends (we attend each other’s holiday events and life celebrations) have a son who 5 years ago was caught soliciting a 14 year old girl (craigslist/under cover cop)-he was 26 then. I’m privy to only the details that he successfully completed all the court requirements and is no longer on probation. The families remain close. But, I’m still very very uncomfortable around him for my daughter’s sake (she’s three).

    He is getting married and my daughter is a flower girl in the wedding…and I just can’t get behind the wedding/him/his fiancee (who was not around 5 years ago). I skipped out of the bridal shower for this reason. I have mixed feelings about the flower girl gig, but I can’t back out now and it’s important to my husband. But I’m already anxious about watching her the whole time and not letting her out of my sight. I’ve shared my concerns with my husband, and he supports me but says “nothing would ever happen.” But we don’t know that. I can’t protect our daughter from everything, I know that. But, shouldn’t I try for this, just in case? Am I justified in keeping my guard up around the son?

    In a related question, in the future there might be occasion for the son (& his family) to be around us when we have friends/neighbors around with their kids. If you were a parent at a gathering with the son, would you want to know his past? Should I share? In my heart I say I would want to know… but I know I also believe in forgiveness… I am very torn in both my attitude towards the son and how that translates into actions. Because I’m absolutely sure it factors in, I was se ually abused when I was 13. Any advice would be much appreciated.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      I wouldn’t worry too much about your 3 year old right now. Most sex offenders have an MO and stick with it. His was 14 year old girls. 3 year olds are a very different category from that.

      Also, soliciting an underage girl on site where people go looking for hook ups is different to me than grooming a random 14 year old or messaging one on Facebook. I guess I just see a difference between a predator who tries to bring a teen into his perversion from one who responds to a 14 year old looking to join such perversion.

      I certainly wouldn’t want him alone with any teen though regardless. If you are inviting him to your house then you may want to warn others you are inviting w/ teens. If you are going to things at his house, you don’t have to warn anyone.

      I also think you are free to say you don’t want him at your house. If your husband is aware of your past he should understand 100% and even if he isn’t.

        • Annon for this

          No, both answers are very thoughtful and constructive. They’ve also given me peace of mind, at least for now. I didn’t think I was an anxious person, but I’m already having conniptions about dealing with this when my daughter is older! Because you’re right, at least with the son, his M.O. was a 14 year old. The difference of craigslist vs. other offenses has given me pause for consideration, in a very constructive way.

          Thank you Blonde Lawyer and Diana Barry (and anyone else who chimes in)! I really appreciate it. I also really appreciate this s!te for times like this. I have very thoughtful friends, but this is much easier to solicit advice anonymously.

      • Anon

        I do think this is a “better to be safe than sorry” situation. Assuming you aren’t expected to socialize with this individual on a frequent basis, I would personally just exercise an abundance of caution when he was around my child. Leaving your child with a babyitter is one option, but if you are taking your child to his house (or really someplace where he is), your child doesn’t leave your line of vision (or if your child does, he doesn’t leave your line of vision) – so no playing outside/in the attic/in the basement while the adults are all in the kitchen and definitely no sleep overs if he is going to be in the house. Personally, I wouldn’t want to deal with having him over with other teen age children and then you can avoid the issue of whether or not to tell their parents. You can probably be relatively discrete with most of this but worst case scenario, you bluntly state that you don’t want him over if your friend’s teens/kids are over. If he didn’t want to have to deal with this, then he shouldn’t have solicited a minor online.

      • Anonymous

        14 is under the age of consent. To suggest a 14yo in any sense is complicit in her exploitation is pretty concerning. He knew her age and sought to exploit her for his own gratification. You may find a way to forgive his past crimes but don’t do it on the basis of false claims about ‘good’ victims and ‘bad’ victims.

    • Diana Barry

      Gah! I don’t know. But I feel your pain. We have a family friend who is being investigated for child p*rn possession. I can’t but hope that he will be imprisoned for a long time, but in the meantime (esp since we don’t know how old the kids were in the images) I won’t allow my kids around him.

      In your case, I would be more worried as your daughter and other family friends get to be teenagers. I’m not sure if I would tell other parents, though…but then if something happened I would feel super guilty! Hugs, this is a difficult situation.

    • Anonforthis

      I have a pedophile in the family. Sigh. Luckily we don’t live nearby. When visiting family in that town, we refuse to attend events he’ll be at when at all possible and tell other family members why if we get any push back (we do get push back – my family is nuts). When it can’t be avoided to be around him (wedding, funeral), my husband, brother, SIL and I take half hour shifts watching the perp. That’s much easier than keeping eyes on all the children at all times (we have several and so does my brother). It’s tedious and annoying, but that way we know that he’s not ever alone with a kid, got a kid sitting on his lap, etc. If he ever picks up a kid (rare but it’s happened), the watcher on duty just walks over and takes the kid with a smile, turns and leaves.

      If I were you, I would not voluntarily socialize with this guy. You may perceive the risk as low, but the fallout, if anything did happen, is devastating and long-lasting. Not worth the risk to make nice with the family friends.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t think you have anything to worry about. At all. There’s a massive jump from soliciting a young teenager online versus molesting your three year old flower girl.

    • bridget

      Forgiveness means treating him like a human being; it doesn’t mean exposing your child (or your friends’ children) to harm.

      I wouldn’t worry about your daughter being a flower girl; I would worry about hosting him at your home with other families. Your duty is to the safety of children, not to making everyone “feel comfortable” or “not making waves” or whatever.

      Compromise is in order: you can be cordial to the son, or even go out to dinner with he and his new wife, but you’re under no obligation to host them in your home, especially when other people’s kids or your own child are around.

  18. L in DC

    ETA I meant this as a response to Annon for this above.

    I’m sorry — that’s a really difficult situation. I’d probably also go through with the flower girl gig given how important it is to your husband. Given your daughter’s age, you’re going to be keeping a close eye on her anyways. I wouldn’t ever host the son at my house though, full stop. That solves the issue of whether to share his past with other guests at your gatherings. And I would leave my daughter at home with a babysitter when attending events with the family friends where the son will be there. That would both give you peace of mind and allow you and your husband to continue enjoying your friendship with his parents. You could always just tell them you’re leaving your daughter at home so you can enjoy some adult time.

    • Annon for this

      Funny, I first read your response in my email, so my response above is in response to you too. This was very thoughtful, and helpful. You’re absolutely right, I can refuse to host him at my house. That can be accomplished many ways, and I think Blonde Lawyer echoed that sentiment. I really hadn’t thought of it they way you did, “enjoying our friendship with his parents.” Because that is EXACTLY the point and the only reason we really interact with the son. I think if I keep focusing on that it will be super helpful-and maybe how I filter decisions or attitudes.

      • SG

        When your daughter is older and there are functions that you just can’t get out of and know (or reasonably think) he will be there, I’d make other plans for your daughter – a sleepover, visiting your parents, etc. It gives her something really fun to do that doesn’t make it awkward or look like an attempt to keep her away. Something to keep in mind for the future.

        • Killer Kitten Heels

          I’m not a parent, but I’m curious – when OP’s daughter is older (so, 12/13/14, in the dude’s “target” age range) is there any value in warning her about the guy in an age-appropriate way?

  19. Bridal Shower

    What are some ideas for a brial shower where the invite says “lovely linens, lingerie, etc” and the bride (a) isn’t someone you know well (marrying a good friend of mine) and (b) the couple does have a registry but doesn’t include linen-y things.

  20. SOMEBODY STOP ME

    Help! We are redoing our kitchen and planning our wedding, so I am just spending money left and right. My very bad habit is that when I’m spending big, I just spend bigger – like online shopping for clothes and other random stuff. I don’t know why that happens! It’s like some sort of weird addiction where spending a lot of money on the house, etc is making me spend more on everything else.

    Combine this with the fact that I feel like I HAVE to get a few things for work (my first spring/summer in my newish job with a more conservative dress code)…I feel like I’m just shoveling money out the door. At least I sent three bags of stuff to ThredUp and Twice, so I hope I get a little cash from that. It’s not that I’m spending myself into debt I just want to reign it in. Good suggestions for stopping my Pretty Woman style spending spree?

    • No one ever just does a little heroin

      I firmly believe that abstinence is easier than moderation. If you have a hard time with moderation (which it seems you do with spending), I think it’s time to give abstinence a try.

      [No kitchen for now — you’re busy getting married. What does it take to get married: a groom and a marriage license (see how little you can do in addition to that). And no clothes. Clothes can wait. There will always be more clothes. Your old clothes are probably fine and there aren’t the good work clothes options now that there will be in August, which will be on sale by October, so windowshop in August so you might have an idea what you might get in October should you need anything then.]

      Either a wedding or a new kitchen could make anyone with $ broke. Doing both at once, I wish you luck.

      • Wildkitten

        Gretchen Rubin says that some people are moderators and some people are abstainers. You both, and I, might be abstainers, but other people are moderators.

      • bridget

        “What does it take to get married: a groom and a marriage license (see how little you can do in addition to that). And no clothes.”

        We must go to different weddings. The types of weddings I go to usually involve fancy clothes, not none at all. :)

  21. Old friends

    I recently got out of a very unhealthy relationship and realized I have absolutely no friends. My relationship was such that my friends really disapproved of him or he really didn’t like them and asked me to not spend time with them (like I said, unhealthy relationship). Now four years later, post-breakup and moving to a new city to get a fresh start, I don’t have any friends outside his circle of friends (who all think he is Prince Charming and have clearly disassociated with me post-breakup). I feel bad going back to my old friends and being like “Hey, remember me? Sorry about ditching you for four years, but let’s be friends again.” I know this is my fault and I fully accept the blame, but I’d still like to make amends or just make some friends (it’s lonely in a new city!).

    What are the hive’s thoughts? Would you forgive a friend for radio-silence for four years? Any suggestions on making friends in a new city (work friends are not an option). Any and all advice are greatly appreciated!

  22. Old friends

    I recently got out of a very unhealthy relationship and realized I have absolutely no friends. My relationship was such that my friends really disapproved of him or he really didn’t like them and asked me to not spend time with them (like I said, unhealthy relationship). Now four years later, post-breakup and moving to a new city to get a fresh start, I don’t have any friends outside his circle of friends (who all think he is Prince Charming and have clearly disassociated with me post-breakup). I feel bad going back to my old friends and being like “Hey, remember me? Sorry about ditching you for four years, but let’s be friends again.” I know this is my fault and I fully accept the blame, but I’d still like to make amends or just make some friends (it’s lonely in a new city!).

    What are the hive’s thoughts? Would you forgive a friend for radio-silence for four years? Any suggestions on making friends in a new city (work friends are not an option). Any and all advice are greatly appreciated!

  23. Old friends

    I recently got out of a very unhealthy relationship and realized I have absolutely no friends. My relationship was such that my friends really disapproved of him or he really didn’t like them and asked me to not spend time with them (like I said, unhealthy relationship). Now four years later, post-breakup and moving to a new city to get a fresh start, I don’t have any friends outside his circle of friends (who all think he is Prince Charming and have clearly disassociated with me post-breakup). I feel bad going back to my old friends and being like “Hey, remember me? Sorry about ditching you for four years, but let’s be friends again.” I know this is my fault and I fully accept the blame, but I’d still like to make amends or just make some friends (it’s lonely in a new city!).

    What are the hive’s thoughts? Would you forgive a friend for radio-silence for four years? Any suggestions on making friends in a new city. Any and all advice are greatly appreciated!

    • Shayla

      I think you go back to them in a self-deprecating, I’m sorry you were right, kind of way. I would forgive if you approached me like that. It doesn’t have to be full-on apologetic. Maybe a “you were right, it was an unhealthy relationship. Looking back I wish I had listened to you, but am so very grateful you spoke up even though I did not. What’s been going on with you?” And leave the ball in their court.

    • Anonymous

      I would 100% forgive you immediately and with no apology or explanation necessary. Just reach out. They don’t know you want to change things because they haven’t heard from you. If they need an apology, they aren’t very good friends in the first place. Don’t feel bad about going back to them! I stopped talking to some people for a very different reason, but when I reached out, the best of them said “Don’t Apologize! We’ve all been through stuff, it’s just great to hear from you. What are you up to?” And a few kind of didn’t respond, so I wrote them off. It was fine.

      I wouldn’t even need a discussion of what happened or why we stopped talking. That’s what friends are for. I would just be glad to hear from you and would take you by your actions from now moving forward.

      Also if you are looking for new friends, try meetup dot com. I joined a group for women in my age group there, and I have made lots of friends from it, and now I run the group and it’s so much fun and I get to go out in my city and do fun things with other cool women. Try a few different groups, it might not click right away, but be ready to ask to exchange numbers with any women you hit it off with. A lot of us are struggling finding friends as adults, I’m sure you will find others in the same situation.

      Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

    • Walnut

      I have friends I haven’t seen since undergrad. If they appeared out of the woodwork tomorrow and said, “Want to meet up for a drink?”, I would absolutely say yes.

      More recently, while traveling, I called up an old friend on a whim. This was a person who had lived with me briefly about seven years ago. “Briefly” turned into multiple months, and I basically had to push him out of the house after the welcome was quite overstayed. Needless to say, things hadn’t ended well. We met up for lunch and had the absolute best time catching up.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      I currently have two amazing friends in my life thanks to exactly this kind of “hey, so, that guy was a nightmare, can we be friends again?” kind of conversation.

      The truth is, some people didn’t come back, or we met up once or twice and we no longer clicked – too much time gone by, different lives, etc. – but I was able to reassemble a core of awesome people who were happy to see me out of a bad situation and back in their lives.

      I’d say go for it – you have nothing to lose by trying to reconnect, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the friendships you’ll be able to rekindle.

    • Old friends

      Thanks all! I’ll give it a shot. Glad to know it’s not completely hopeless :)

  24. old friends

    Why is it that when I post comments, they aren’t listed here, but go to a secret page where only my comments live?

  27. OP

    Moderation is definitely not for me. This is why I have never smoked a cigarette. I agree I need to abstain and there is nothing I truly NEED right now. No, not even cool stuff to put in my new kitchen – which will be done next week!! Yes!! I mean, I should live in it for a while before I buy stuff for it otherwise Ill buy stuff I don’t need or won’t be useful. Abstinence forever, just like I was taught at my conservative religious junior high school!

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions