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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 224 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Easy Waist 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. Merona® Women's Easy Waist Dress - Assorted ColorsI haven't seen this feminine little number in person, but I think it has real possibilities to be great. I like the polka-dotted navy pattern, the collarless design, the placket down the front, and the thick ruching around the waist. And it even has pockets! It's also available in “orange flame;” both colors are $25. Merona® Women's Easy Waist Dress – Assorted Colors Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Comments

  1. crazy ex

    Sorry for the threadjack right off the bat! I learned last night that my ex-husband has been spreading rumors that the reason for our very recent divorce is that I had an affair. This is 100 percent false. Unfortunately, we both work in the same field, and it’s a small community. I’m worried that my bosses will hear this, which could interfere with my career. (Integrity is very important in my office.)

    Any ideas on whether and/or how to do damage control?

    • DC Jenny

      I think the only reasonable answer is to take the highest of all possible high roads. If you go around trying to preempt or refute the rumors, you just stoop to his level and make yourself look guilty. If you lead your life in such a way that no one will believe that you did such a thing he will make himself look crazy and desperate all on his own.

      • Bluejay

        Yup – was about to say this very thing. And I think you’ll find that most people don’t pay attention to gossip, if they even hear it at all.

      • springtime

        Same- no advice about divorces but I had a friend who, despite an innocent picture she painted of herself, enjoyed spreading completely false rumours about me (and other people, which is how I figured out that she was doing it to me, too), including rumours about infidelity.

        I decided not to speak about her or anything she said. If it came up in conversation, I would simply say that was not the truth and I was sorry to hear she was saying such things. A lot of people came up to me years later and said they found the way I approached the issue made it clear that she was in the wrong. Years later I am friends with all of our mutual friends and she’s moved on to other social circles.

      • eek

        Ditto DC Jenny. My ex pulled this crap on me, to the point of asking my sisters, etc. He looked desperate then and over 4 years later, he still looks desperate. I kept my mouth shut, ignored him and people probably wondered why on earth I didn’t kick his @ss (I don’t tolerate a lot, but I don’t address gossip). My ex is a tool though and everyone sees that. I’m sure everyone sees that about your ex, too. It’s tacky and it’s wrong and he’s the one that looks bad. He just can’t imagine that someone wouldn’t want to be wit his awesome self. Oh and 4 years later…I have everything I could have ever wanted and nothing has changed for him.

    • Frou Frou

      Just wanted to say that this really sucks. I don’t know what I’d do, but I like the suggestions to take the high road. However, if you have the type of relationship with your boss where you are comfortable sharing personal information, then thin through the pros and cons of just mentioning it once without going into a ton of details. “I’ve heard that my-ex, Name, is telling mutual people within our line of work that I had an affair and this is the reason that we divorced. Because I know that something like this can negatively impact my career, I want to tell you that these rumors are not true. And, if these rumors come your way, I would hope that you would tell the gossiping party that the gossip is not appropriate, and moreover, not true.”

      • sadie

        I hesitate to tell you to just ignore it, I agree with Frou Frou.

        This happened to me. There was absolutely no truth to it, and absolutely nothing about the way I live that should have implied truth to it. I didn’t even date or have a boyfriend at the time, our child was only 5 years old and I worked full time, was in school full time, and took care of my child. I moved next to my parents so they could help me. There was NOTHING in my life to lend credence to his BS

        I was shocked how many people believed it. People who heard from a ‘friend of a friend’. My mother was approached by an acquaintance about it in WALMART for heaven’s sake.

        Sadly, sometimes you do have to address something head on. Just be sure your response includes no ‘slamming’ of him, so it doesn’t look like he said/she said.

        Also, hopefully you don’t live in a small town. Eventually I moved.

        • crazy ex

          I live in a small town, and gossip is practically a competitive sport. I’m sick about what he’s done because it truly hurts me professionally.

          • sadie

            Dude, I just noticed that this site automatically turned the word w a l m a r t into a link. Whoa. LOL, I did NOT mean for that to happen!

      • SF Bay Associate

        I’d go more along the lines of “I’ve heard that my-ex, Name, is telling people within our line of work that the reason that we divorced is because I did something immoral. This is a very frustrating and saddening situation for me, but unfortunately there’s no way I can stop gossips spreading Name’s lies. I’m sure you know that my integrity and values are extremely important to me. I want to tell you straight out that these rumors are all lies. I trust that these unfounded rumors will not negatively impact my career here [, and I appreciate your support in this difficult time]. ”

        By saying “something immoral,” you aren’t adding fuel to “affair” rumor, and also anticipates he will make up other lies in the future, so you don’t need to address the issue with your boss again.

        I’m so sorry you are dealing with this. How awful.

        • Anonymous Poser

          +1 to SF Bay Associate’s response. It has the benefit of communicating clearly yet not defensively that you find adultery immoral.

        • crazy ex

          While I’d prefer to say nothing about the situation, if I have to, this response is perfect. Thanks SF Bay!

  2. Amber

    Cleaning The Skirt:

    I dropped some chicken salad on The Skirt (in mustard) last night, and I have a greasy-type splotch. Has anyone had success with spot-cleaning on that fabric? I was hoping to wear it more than once before I had to take it to the dry cleaner.

    • MelD

      Put stain removed on it and throw it in the washing machine. It does not need to be dry cleaned.

    • zora

      the most successful for me at cleaning any greasy spots, is to first spot clean with dish detergent. It’s designed to cut grease, so it works better than regular stain removers. Get the spot wet and really lather it up with dish soap. Then let it sit for about 15 min or so, then throw it in the wash on cold. Let it hang dry first to make sure the stain is really gone, you dont want to tumble dry the stain in.

      I do this with any of my clothes if i get greasy spots on them.

      • meme

        PSA: Fulsol cleaner by Fuller Brush Company (get the concentrate) will easily remove all greasy stains even after they’ve gone through the dryer. I promise. I know, I have 4 little boys and one husband and my 4yo likes to use his shirt as a napkin despite my repeated strenuous objections. Every load of colors that I fold has a few shirts that have gone through the dryer with grease stains, and this stuff gets them out every time. I just dab some of the cleaner on each spot then throw in the wash with a regular load. It’s set up like Mary Kay, so you buy from independent sales people. I buy a gallon at a time (about $25). It lasts me a few years. When I run out I just go online and google it and find someone’s online shop to purchase from.

        • zora

          ooo this is great to know, thanks meme! I have ruined sooooo many clothes by not remembering to put on my apron when I cook, and then forgetting and running things through the dryer, ugh. It would be great if I could get them back. Thanks!!

        • Gail the Goldfish

          yes, but on certain clothes it can also discolor. I used it to get greasy looking spots (I think from chapstick) off some clothes. It did weird things to my BF’s khaki shorts, but everything else was fine. So spot test first.

  3. Cat

    Sale PSAs-
    Bloomie’s friends and family (in browsing DvF, I came across this stunner that unfortunately I do not have the life for, but surely someone can help me live vicariously??
    http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/diane-von-furstenberg-dress-bentley-long-sleeve?ID=652641&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

    Jcrew’s 25% off everything – although the “sale” section has the dreaded final sale label on the cover, most items are NOT final sale – the individual item has a red “this is final sale” notation if it is.

      • Z.

        Mental note to self to not wear the same coat in the same color (and my winter staple) to our next Dallas meet-up. Or we’d be twinkies.

        • Herbie

          Z., I think you mean we’d be FABULOUS TWINKIES, which means you absolutely should wear it.

          • Z.

            We would be fabulous twinkies. Although no one notices me when the pug is with me. She totally upstages me. Even with a fabulous coat.

      • eastbaybanker

        You’re going to love it! I’ve had the double-cloth lady coat with thinsulate in a vibrant red for maybe 4 years and it’s held up beautifully. It makes me so happy to pull it out every year a little before Christmas.

    • Praxidike

      I cleaned up at the JCrew store last night (the sale is in-store, as well). I got a schoolboy blazer in vibrant flame, a purple dream v-neck sweater, two pairs of jeans (matchstick and toothpick), and a silk shell with cute detailing on the front. Love it all.

    • Niktaw

      More sales – LL Bean 30% off + free shipping, code on their website.
      NM Last Call – extra 30%off women’s everything.

    • Stella

      I love this coat and am thinking about getting it. I’m 5′ 2″ and weigh between 120 and 125 pounds and am a 34DD. I’m thinking that I need a petite size. Does anyone know what petite size I would need?

      • LadyEnginerd

        I recommend you live chat with a sales rep on the website, since they have the actual garment measurements at hand and can help you select a size, particularly if you can tell them your measurements.

        If I were to hazard a guess, I’m just a hair smaller than you (especially in the chest) and I need a 2P in A-line styles and a 4P in more fitted styles thanks to my hips. If I were you, I’d go with a 4P, but seriously check with customer service instead of Some Woman On The Internet :)

        • LadyEnginerd

          Oh, yeah, on the JCrew sale front… I bought myself one of the bright purple wool sheath dresses! Usually I’m too curvy, but I sized up and hope that my tailor can work some magic…

    • ChinaRette

      Thank y’all. I keep track of sales basically only through this site!

    • Parker - Boardroombelles

      Actually the dress is not nearly as fancy as it looks in the picture. If you are taller than 5’8″ it won’t be nearly that long. The fabric is actually quite matte and the decollete not nearly this low-cut, nor is it off-shoulder really. With a blazer it’s actually office appropriate. The cut is super flattering and it makes a really nice figure. I just don’t think the material justifies the price.

  4. For DealCube

    I missed most of yesterday’s comments, but wanted to respond to your question about dressing for t-rex arms.

    If you want to wear a long-sleeved sweater or cardigan, fold the sleeve IN, not out, when you roll them up (i.e. tuck the part that comes over your hand inside the sleeve, so it lies flat against your wrist). Unless someone looks very closely, you can’t really tell it’s been rolled. For button-front shirts, fold the sleeves up after you button them but before you put the shirt on, then put your arm through the sleeve without displacing the folded part. They lie flat because they’re still buttoned, and unless someone looks closely enough to notice that the button is facing inwards instead of outwards, no one will notice.

    Suit jackets, sadly, cannot be saved. For more casual offices you can buy ones with cute linings that look nice when the sleeves are rolled up. Otherwise, try not to buy jackets with buttons at the wrist, because the tailor won’t be able to move the buttons and you will end up with no fabric below the buttons, which looks funny.

    • DealCube

      Thank you! (and all those who responded yesterday — I didn’t get a chance to get back on)

      I don’t know how I went through so much of my life without realizing my arms were short. I think it is because I have broad shoulders.

      I sadly realize that I resemble the drawings of little kids, where there is a big body and tiny lines for arms and legs.

  5. Midwest

    Target PSA: I ordered three of the Target ponte dresses to get me through the awkward not-quite-ready for maternity clothes stage and I LOVE THEM. The fabric is thick and nice enough to wear to work, and I can easily see myself dressing them down on the weekends. I sized up to give myself a little more room to grow, but it still looks really nice and not sloppy at all. Oh, and most importantly, it’s actually a work-appropriate length, even on 5’9″ me. So, if you’re looking to add an easy work dress that it cheap and still fits and looks good, I’d definitely check them out.

    • anon in-house

      Ditto!! I got it in burgundy and it fit like perfectly, will buy in another color.

    • JK

      I have the elbow sleeve one that Kat featured in bloodstone and love it. I’m going to get another. I’ve been getting lots of compliments on it!

    • CKB

      I hope they’re in stock in the Target I get to visit next month! I really want one or two of these dresses!

        • NDR

          If you can time it correctly, order them online (in a couple of sizes), have them shipped to your hotel (or where you’re staying), then return the ones you don’t want to the store during your visit. I have a friend from Toronto who orders all kinds of stuff from US-only online stores and has them shipped to my house to hold until he visits. Then he deals with any returns while visiting as well.

    • Emme

      I missed this thread. Please give a link to the fab Target ponte dresses! Thanks.

      • Anastasia

        I’m pretty sure this is the one everyone’s talking about. I just ordered them in several colors based on Midwest’s comment (Thanks!). I’m in the same boat with my tailored work clothes getting just a smidge tight, but I’m not ready to give in and get maternity clothes yet…

        http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-women-s-elbow-sleeve-ponte-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-14068902?reco=Rec|pdp|14068902|PurchaseCP|item_page.horizontal_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|PurchaseCP|item_page.horizontal_1

        If you wear a M or L, most colors are on back order right now, and will be available in 2-4 weeks.

        • TB2l

          Ladies, can someone describe what bloodstone looks like? I am blind and can’t see it. I have warm coloring and warm earthy autumn colors look best on me, but cool colors with gray or blue don’t work so well. Which colors of this ponte dress would work for me? I’m thinking the gold and the painted desert.

          • Leslie Knope

            TB2l–Bloodstone is sort of a cranberry color, verging on purple. Based on your desire for warm colors, I’d go for Sierra Gold (mustard) and Painted Desert (orange-y). The Cosmo color might be good, but it’s a BRIGHT fuschia, so proceed with caution.

          • Nonny

            Based on your description, I would suggest the painted desert. It is a nice, deep orange. I think it would look very nice with warm colouring. The bloodstone is difficult to describe. The colour isn’t really very saturated and, depending on your skin tone, has the potential to make you look a bit washed-out.

            I hope that helps!

        • zora

          The dress is SO CUTE, but how do you deal with cleaning, with that pleather waistband?? I bought an adorable wool coat with tiny amounts of fake leather trim, and my dry cleaner charges me WAY more to clean it, bc they have to do something special that will protect the fake leather as well as cleaning the coat. So, now I’m super skittish about any of these things w/ leather or fake leather trim, and mixed fabrics, even though they are SO ADORBS. :o(

    • eastbaybanker

      I keep on wanting to order the ponte elbow sleeve dress every time it’s mentioned. But it looks to me like the pleating at the front center would add 10 pounds to my middle. The fact that people are ordering this as transitional maternity wear is also a little worrisome! If you’re not actually pregnant, does this dress give you a mini beer belly?

      • V

        I have the pointe dress in two colors, and the pleating at the stomach is pretty flattering. It has a nice defined waist, and I don’t feel like it creates a belly.

        Also, I have the black, and the first thing my boyfriend said was “you look like a nun.” Haha. The other colors might work better. I still love it, but now i strive for more out-there accessories with the black.

  7. Black Dress Woes

    Hi everyone. Early TJ. I need HELP. I am attending a very good college friend’s bachelorette party around Christmas, and the dress code is “little black dress.” I am ashamed to say I don’t own one, because I can’t find one that looks right on my body. I’m only 5’2″, hourglass shape, with muscular calves and thighs from years of athletics. Everything is either too long, needing major hemming, and doesn’t fit right around my waist, or so incredibly skin tight around my lower half that I feel uncomfortable. Also, I’m busty, so it’s difficult to wear strapless. Can anyone make some suggestions? You would be my hero.

    • Bluejay

      I think “little black dress” isn’t meant to be taken literally. A little colorful dress, or a black miniskirt and sparkly top, or anything similar should be fine.

      • Coalea

        I would confirm with the organizers before wearing a color. I have been to and seen bachelorettes where the bride wore one color (white, pink, etc.) and the other girls all wore black (or some other color).

      • TBK

        I would confirm with the organizers before wearing a color. I have been to and seen bachelorettes where the bride wore one color (white, pink, etc.) and the other girls all wore black (or some other color).

        • SF Bay Associate

          Yep, I’ve been to one of those recently. LBD were requested by the MOH to help the bride stand out (she wore red), and to go well with our favors. Most everyone owns a LBD, so it’s not an unreasonable request in my opinion. It made for great pictures.

      • TBK

        Ugh, moderation for “bachelor–te”

        Maybe maybe not. I’ve been to bachelor–te parties where all the attendees wore LBDs and the bride wore a white dress or a red dress. So it might actually be that the attendees are supposed to wear black.

        • zora

          well, even in that case, I think a black skirt and black top should be perfectly fine. Maybe she should check with a bridesmaid or someone.

          • Anon

            Yeah, I’d check with the bridesmaid throwing it. I’ve gotten an invitation that had a cute rhyme on it about “throwing on your LBD,” and it turned out to be the dress code and all the girls wore LBDs except the bride.

          • zora

            I have to say, I still would think a black skirt and black top would get the same effect. And I don’t have an LBD, so that’s probably what I would wear. And it wouldn’t stand out as super obviously wrong, and if anyone had a problem with it, i would tell them to suck it. ;o)

        • Bluejay

          I just need to say that if I am ever given a dress code for a bachelorette party, that will be the end of my friendship with the bride.

          • SF Bay Associate

            The dress code is usually dictated by the MOH, not the bride. The bride doesn’t usually plan her own bachelor3tt3 party.

          • Anon

            That seems a little harsh. I have seen pics from these parties and it looks really cute to have all the girls in black and then the bride in white or hot pink or something. It’s just one night!

          • lawsuited

            I agree, Bluejay (except that I’d wear whatever I wanted to the party or elect not to attend rather than ending my relationship with the bride). Setting a strict dress code for a party is overbearing and Hollywood.

          • Bluejay

            @SFBA – fair point. It would be the end of my friendship with the MOH, then.

    • Gigi

      Try eshakti? eshakti dot com You can enter in your measurements for a customized fit. Also adjust length/sleeves/neckline.

      • Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

        Yes, and they are having a 25% off sale of their ponte knit collection which I think is the best fabric ever!

        If you decide to go purchase from Eshakti, let me know. I have a $20 “gift certificate” that I won’t get around to using before it expires.

    • SoCalAtty

      Check Athleta, or even REI, or other sports-type store that sells cute clothes. My favorite LBD came from Athleta – I’m 5′ with serious calves from cycling and riding.

    • Anon

      I have had good luck at Express. Though, as another shorty (5 feet tall), I gotta say that sometimes you just have to pay to have something shortened. It really is worth it!

    • Research, Not Law

      I have the exact same figure and do black separates instead of a dress. I do agree with the suggestion to look at fit-and-flare dresses that are black rather than the traditional LBD. I would add wrap dresses, too.

      I did find a lovely one at Zara eight years ago, but that’s probably of little help to you.

      I have a dress from JCrew, also several years old, but that fits surprising perfectly. You could try either of these:
      http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/dresses/cocktail/PRDOVR~93100/93100.jsp
      http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/weddingsandparties/Tricotine/PRDOVR~65590/65590.jsp

    • Pip

      Since it´s black, try separates, like a cute circle skirt that fits snugly around the waist and flares out to slim the calves, and a tucked top. If both items are of similar texture and fabric type, it looks pretty much like a dress.

  8. Frou Frou

    TJ re: Framing and hanging law diplomas:

    Do people still hang their law diplomas in their offices? For those of you that framed your law diplomas, would you share what you consider to be an appropriate amount of framing? Also, I earned a certificate in the practice area in which I am working. Do I frame and hang this, too?

    I looked at framing and what I found is a simple black frame with a mottled beige mat. Underneath the beige is a 1/8 inch bit of gold mat showing, and then 1/8 inch bit of black mat. I’m not using the gold fillet (the gold rod that looks very formal), but when I described this to a friend, she thought it sounded really fancy. FWIW, my diploma is not a standard size/I can’t just buy a mat and stick it in a frame.

    • Cat

      It varies by office – most associates at my firm hang theirs, so mine are on my wall. I chose a black textured square frame (that has a small gold detail on the inner edge), then cream matting with a tiny bit of black framing the diploma. So, your plan sounds great to me :)

    • lawsuited

      My 2 university degrees are framed (in a black frame with ivory mat which cost about $300 per degree) and hanging in my office, primarly as an easy “Oh, you went to X University” icebreaker. I did not frame my barrister certificate, solicitor certificate, notary public certificate, etc. etc. because it seemed silly and expensive.

    • Herbie

      At my old law firm, plenty of people did. Some of us (me included) didn’t. I never bothered getting my diploma or either of my licenses framed. Instead, I put up pictures of things I liked in my office. At my new job, none of the lawyers have their diplomas/licenses up.

      Your matting/frame sounds nice.

    • JessC

      Most all of the attorneys in my office have their diplomas/certificates hanging in their offices. I have my undergrad diploma, law school diploma, an additional certificate I received from law school, my license, and the “Oath of Attorney” all framed in a dark wood, with a beige mat and a strip of black matting under that. Cost me a pretty penny, but I wanted them to all be uniform in appearance and none are the same size so custom framing was the only way to go.

    • Diana Barry

      Yes, my parents framed all my diplomas as a law school grad present. My undergrad diploma and certificate both have a red mat, and the law school diploma and bar admission certificate have a sort of purply grey (going for purple but no purple mats available). All matching dark wood frames. They look v nice.

    • Bluejay

      My parents also framed mine as a present, and I didn’t know what else to do with them besides hang them on my office wall, so there they hang. My diplomas are all single matted in school colors and the frames, while not identical, are the same colors. My law license is in an awful wooden frame from Target that is not archival quality, so I should probably do something about that.

      • eek

        *gasp* about target frame.

        PS – not in law, but my diplomas are framed but still in their boxes. I’m not really sure what to do with them…..

        • Bluejay

          Haha. It’s not really that it’s from Target, but that it’s not archival quality that’s the problem. But it is also a really ugly frame.

    • SAB

      Your frame sounds lovely. Mine are framed with the frames I got at the school bookstores (they both have the school crest and are cherry). That way I didn’t have to worry about finding the right size frame/mat.

    • lucy stone

      I have both my diplomas and bar admissions framed but not in the traditional sense at all. I have thick silver frames around all of them. My law school and undergrad diploma are matted in school colors (purple and white for one, blue and gold for the other) and then my bar certificates for state and federal court are in blue and black. I work in a very beige office and love seeing the color.

    • Sugar Magnolia

      PSA: If you go to a chain “craft” store for framing, be advised that Joann Fabrics uses acid free matting and better glass than Michaels does. You truly get what you pay for with framing. Make sure that you are getting archival (acid-free) matting on your diplomas, or they will stain/break down over time.

      My hubby worked in the framing business for a short time, and gave me the inside scoop on this stuff.

    • MaggieLizer

      I have my undergrad, law school, and bar admissions certificates framed and hanging on my wall. I got the degrees framed at school and the certificates framed at Michael’s. If you catch them (or any other craft store, I imagine) when they’re having one of their framing sales, you can get a pretty good deal, especially if you’re framing multiple things. I think I spend about $220 for two certificates.

      • karenpadi

        I have those three framed plus my patent attorney certificate from the USPTO. For patent attorneys, it’s pretty common to have the PTO certificate framed with degrees and bar admissions.

        My mom convinced me to spend way too much on frames. I don’t regret it (they do look nice) but I feel stupid thinking about how much I paid. I have a black first mat, a textured beige second mat, and a frame that’s black on the inside, then dark brown in the body, and the outer border and edges are black.

    • eastbaybanker

      Wow. I don’t think I ever actually picked up the piece of paper for my advanced degree! My undergrad is in a file cabinet somewhere…

      • Frou Frou

        Yeah, that’s why I was really seeking advice specific to law diplomas. My understanding is that it is a relic from before the digital age where you google an attorney and find out about their credentials online. If you had clients in your office, they could look to your wall and see that you have a JD and bar admission. My DH, who has multiple advanced degrees, would never frame his diplomas and put them out on display. My undergrad is in a file cabinet, tho! Don’t think I’ll bother framing it.

        Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

  9. Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

    Okay, last set of black tie questions, I swear.

    So, first, I could not find appropriate shoes within what was left of my budget, so I had to switch dresses; link to follow. And because of the difference in prices, I was able to get a new dress and shoes and money back.

    Question #1: It’s pretty cold here in Denver at night, what length coat do I wear with a floor length gown?

    Question #2: I do not wear any makeup regularly, can I get away with some foundation, mascara, and colored lip gloss for a black tie event or do I need to go more drastic?

    Question #2A: If I need to go more drastic with my makeup, where can I go to have this done, since I do not have the time to learn to do it correctly myself?

    Also, any last minute suggestions to keep me from making a fool of myself would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you ladies for all of your advice. When I first found out about this event, I freaked out a bit because I thought I did not have anyone in my family to turn to and get advice from, but then I realized I did. On here. Thank you ladies, to whom I feel closer to than some of my own friends.

      • Bluejay

        I love both!

        I’m a native Coloradan, so I know what you mean about cold (I fondly recall nearly freezing to death going to bars in a tank top in college. God, I was an idiot.). I think any coat that goes below hip-level is fine, so long as it’s not puffy. A lot of people don’t have dress coats, and since it’s black tie there will almost certainly be a coat check.

      • Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

        Thanks for the advice ladies. I have an almost knee length wool coat from Old Navy that I am going to wear.

        @ Frou Frou, thanks for the heads up, I will definitely be calling Nordstrom as soon as they open.

        @ NOLA, when are you going to be here, we haven’t had a Denver meetup and I would love to meet as many people as possible, so maybe, if you have time, we could schedule one to coincide with your trip.

        • NOLA

          I’ll be there Friday night, 11/2 and Saturday night 11/3. I get in early enough on Friday for dinner or drinks as long as my flight is on time. And my thing on Saturday ends at 3:30 so that’s a possibility, too. I want to get together with a colleague for one of the nights, but I’m open! It would be a lot more fun than eating takeout in my room. I’ve never been to Denver so I’m looking forward to it.

      • Godzilla

        WOW that is a GREAT price for that dress. Sweet. And I love the shoes.

        I went to Bare Escentuals (back in my not-so-terrible allergy days) and asked them to teach me how to put on makeup for a black-tie event. The makeup artist told me that they’d do my face for free on the night of the event (I was traveling, so I couldn’t take advantage of this awesomeness). This is also how I learned to subtly emphasize my eyebrows with eyeshadow, which is kinda awesome for when I’m feeling uber 80’s.

    • NOLA

      Can’t wait to see the new dress (although I loved the other one). You have such great taste! I think you could get away with foundation, mascara and lip gloss, but with a really fancy dress, you might want to do more. Could you make an appointment with someone at Nordstrom’s to do your makeup the day of the event? I found someone at my hair salon who could do it for me once and, for another event, I had a friend do my makeup. I’m sure, no matter what you do, you’ll look great.

      I was thinking of you – I’ll be in Denver for a couple of nights coming up. I’m staying at the downtown Westin and will be looking for dinner options. And I guess this means I need to buy a new winter coat soon!

    • EC MD

      I think the amount of make-up you are suggesting is totally fine. However, if you want to get your make-up done, I had mine done by a Laura Mercier person at Nordstroms when it was time for the graduating from residency gala and was very happy with my result. I was up speaking in front of a room of 200, so she went natural but heavy and it looked very nice. If you don’t wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis, you may need to ask her to go even lighter than she wants but I find the Laura Mercier look to be really pretty and natural for someone who isn’t used to wearing a lot of makeup.

      Also, IMO for coat length, I’m assuming Denver is like Seattle so people take their outerwear pretty seriously, I’d wear whatever length “nice” coat you have (meaning if you have a wool coat rather than gortex). Otherwise, I don’t think people notice that much.

    • Frou Frou

      Basil – Bobbi Brown at Nordstrom Cherry Creek is having a promotion event tomorrow. You can call and set-up an appointment with one of the make-up artists to do your face before the event. When I have done this (long ago) and more recently, just to play, I buy a piece of the make-up, such as the lipstick. So, you might want to call them and ask how it works or whether there is a charge.

      The good news is that it will be warmer tomorrow, I think high 70s during the day, so hopefully this will stick around in the evening for a little bit. You might be able to get away with wearing a wrap. Otherwise, with a floor length gown, I think you should wear something that falls below your knees.

    • Herbie

      Re coats, I have a few of the J Crew lady day cloth coats (eg http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~49622/49622.jsp) that I’ve always worn with floor-length gowns during the winter. I’m not saying it looks awesome, but you’re going to ditch your coat as soon as you get to coat check, anyway. I wouldn’t worry too much about the coat component.

      Re makeup, just go with what you’re comfortable with. If you do feel the need to turn it up a notch, second making an appointment at Nordstrom’s.

    • Denverette

      If you have a longer wool coat (opera length?), I’d wear that. If your shortest coat hits mid-waist, that’s fine. You’ll check it anyway, so no one will see it.

      Where in Denver are you? I’ve had makeup for special events done by the ladies at the Lancome counter at Dillards (Park Meadows location) and they always do it flawlessly and naturally. I tried the Dior counter once, and despite telling the ladies I hardly ever wear makeup, ended up with an intense smoky-eye and glitter flecked lipstick… not what I had in mind.

    • Chellers

      I am a little late, but I had my makeup done for engagement pics at the Mac counter at the Nordstrom in Flatirons (one of those deals where it was free if i bought something) and I thought they did a nice job. I learned about clear gel to tame my eyebrows which makes a huge difference when I bother to use it now!). I thought it seemed a little heavy in person, but it looked good in pictures!

  10. Anonymous

    So, pretty much every single associate at my firm (12 of 15) was let go yesterday. Including me. I’ve been a lawyer for a month, so I’m borderline useless.

    Tips? Suggestions? People who can commiserate or tell similar stories that led to success and happiness? The only positive is that my city’s legal market is not bad, so I’m hoping I can arrange something in short order. Oh, and knowing that my work quality and personality aren’t the cause I guess, given the circumstances.

    • Pinecone

      In between dealing with this emotionally, you may want to take care of some pragmatic issues.. ask your mentors/partners if they will provide references for you down the road, ask if you can take documents with you to use as writing samples (and make sure to redact anything privileged/confidential), ask what kinds of info will be given if a future firm calls and asks about you (ie, is it just the dates that you worked or will your firm say you were fired etc.). Make a list of all the client matters you worked on for future conflicts checks. Breathe. It majorly sucks but you can get through this.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks for the practical advice- I didn’t even think of a list of client matters:)

    • DC Jenny

      Oh, that is so terrible. Have a big drink tonight. And I second Pinecone’s more practical advice above.

    • EC MD

      This happened to my brother. For awhile we referred to him as the “firm killer” because everywhere he worked ended up imploding within a matter of months of his arrival. (He’s now been happily and stably employed at the same place for several years).

      First, you are right to focus on the fact that it has nothing to do with you or your work product. The firm is probably going to collapse completely, if they are laying off almost every associate. I would ask the partners if they can put in a good word for you anywhere; they hired you and probably some of them, when they aren’t terrified of what is going to happen to their career; feel guilty about setting you up like this. It’s time to ask them for any contacts.

      At least your resume is in fairly good order. I would definitely ask for a sit down with the most sensitive partner and see if there is any strategizing to be done, as well as aggressively asking for letters of reference to explain the situation.

      Hang in there.

      • Bluejay

        Ha. I have a friend who did a tour of every major law firm that’s folded in the past 5 years.

        OP, that sucks. I have no advice beyond what others have said, but want to give you a big hug.

    • JessC

      First things first. Regarding you being “useless” – horse-freaking-sh*t. You’re a lawyer, you have a law license, you have a valuable skill set. Please don’t forget that. Not everyone wants to hire someone with years of experiences – there are employers that like hiring young attorneys (labor’s cheaper, younger people tend to be eager to learn, and you don’t have years of bad habits to unlearn).
      All that being said, give yourself the weekend to be bummed about it. And then start looking for something else (temporary or not). Like you said, at least you know you didn’t get let go for work quality/personality reasons. This too, shall pass. Good luck.

    • springtime

      No advice, but I’m really sorry to hear this. I have just started out my career, too, and I would be devastated. Sending good luck vibes to you!

    • Susan

      I’m so sorry to hear that! That really sucks.

      *commiserates*

      *sends you virtual tea & sympathy*

      • KC

        I’m sorry to hear that. As you and others have said, this is not a reflection of you or your work product!

        *Sending good vibes and virtual scones/cookies for the sympathy tea party*

    • eek

      Your resume should be good. Unsure if you can get any letters of reference from you current firm. See if anyone there can help place you. If you did a job search do you have any job contacts? Finally, not in law so I don’t know how this works, but I would react today to find my next job just in case your other associates are still stunned/unsure what to do. Good luck – what an awful position to be in.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      Those senior associates are going somewhere. Some might open up their own shop. Try to stay in touch, they may want to bring others with them. I live in areas where firms are folding and spin off firms are opening daily. Other firms also quickly poach teams of people who have been let go. They like getting an associate/paralegal/assistant package deal that already knows how to work well together. The more senior people are likely to hear about these firms and you want them to think of you when they do.

    • Cookies

      When I first read your post and you said “every single associate,” I thought you meant every unmarried associate. In which case, there would be bigger issues there. I would email lawyer-friends and career services asap with your resume, that way they can keep their eyes out for positions for you too.

      Big Hug.

    • Ketchup

      So sorry to hear that! Glad you’re staying positive.

      Do you mean you’ve only been at the firm for a month? Sorry, not a lawyer.

      If that’s the case, that is just wrong! We never fire newbies, even during lay-offs; we always give them at a least a year, so they have a decent chance of going elsewhere. What a shitty thing to do.

    • Plan B

      Sorry to hear this – good luck to you, and definitely try to talk to the partners about getting any support from them that you can while you look for a new AND BETTER job!

  11. anon

    Question about Talbots sales. I need to get a new winter coat, and would like to get one from Talbots. However, even with the 25% off discounts that they’ve been offering, it’s still expensive. For those of you familiar with Talbots’ sale cycles, is it likely that outerwear will be further discounted within the next month or so? Or does it only get further reduced after Christmas? (In which case I’d have to bite the bullet and get something else.)

    • Cat

      I would guess they’d make it to 40% off before it gets too much colder. Talbot’s has started a really bad overpricing/sale routine IMO (the results of which appear to have been the fire sale they were running on summer clothes a few weeks ago, at which I got 5 things for $70.)

      • Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

        I;m so tired of this model? Why do stores think that this is a positive way to price their merchandise (Ann Taylor, I’m looking at you!). Why can’t they just mark it at a decent price to begin with?

        • Susan

          I’ve long wondered if they think:

          “Oh, if we jerk people around by offering 30% or 40% off the fake original price, but only offer this ‘sale’ price on random days, it’ll train people to check on my website EVERY D@MN DAY to see if there’s a coupon code.”

          And I think there have been studies that say the more often someone visits a site, the more likely they are to buy something (even if it’s not the thing they were originally looking for.)

      • Holly

        Actually, everyone’s knocking JCP for doing everyday low prices, and how the pricing model is bringing them down even more, because shoppers are conditioned to think they’re only getting a good deal at flash sales and the like. I think the person gearing up this model at JCP was from the tech industry.

        • InfoGeek

          I have to admit that I’m loving the Everyday Low Prices at JCP.

          I’ve lost a lot of weight over the past year and it’s nice to know that for $X (same every time), I can go in the store and pick up a pair of pants in my new size. There’s no watching for sales or looking for coupons — I just go when it’s convenient for me.

    • lawsuited

      Their outerwear is usually some of the last stuff to go on sale (along with their suiting – argh!), so you’ll have to wait until December at least for a deep discount.

  12. NOLA

    @Sydney Bristow – I got the boots from Wide Widths! Still have a bit of a dilemma. First thing – the 8 1/2 wide fits perfectly in the foot. Boots sometimes run big in the foot but these are fairly pointy so having the wide width did help. I would be able to wear socks with them. Despite the fact that they are supposed to be extra wide calf (not just wide calf), I can just barely get them zipped over the widest part of my calf, which measures 16.5 inches. I’m pretty sure I could get them zipped over jeggings. That said, they are gorgeous and I love them and I’m so excited that I could actually wear tall boots! My dilemma is that they may be just too sexy for work. With the cuff down, they come just to the bottom of my knee, but with the cuff and the hardware, they look a little pirate-y. I don’t really go out so if I can’t wear them to work, I don’t know if I should pay that much for a pair of boots.

    • NOLA

      Okay, so I just sent a picture of me in the boots to my friend/trusted colleague and she says she doesn’t think they are too sexy or pirate-y for work so I’m pretty sure I’ll keep them. I think my SO was reacting to the fact that I was just wearing a nightshirt in the picture so there was a lot of leg with knee high boots. I also read through the info that came with them and it says to expect them to stretch a bit, so it’s probably not a bad thing that they are tight at that largest point right now.

    • Sydney Bristow

      Yay!! I still haven’t ordered them yet. I’m nervous to take the plunge! I vote you wear them every day so that I can live vicariously through you!

  13. e_pontellier

    @AnonAZ: Thank you so much for the Dressler supplement!! I received it last night :)

  14. Lila

    When I first moved to NYC, I had a great crew of friends who lived here, mostly from college. Now I have reached that magical age where all my girlfriends have started their families and moved out of the city and I am starting to get a little lonely. What do you do in your mid 30s to meet new friends? I am going to start researching classes and looking at Meet Up more closely, but I would love any other ideas.

    • Herbie

      Novella ahead! Can you mine your network? Has anybody from high school / college / grad school moved to New York that you could get back in touch with? People you’ve worked with at old jobs? I’m in the middle of Friend Project 2012 (my version of doing what you’re trying to do) and have become friends this year with people from my (admittedly small) high school that I was never actually friends with during high school or at any time during the intervening [insert depressing number here] years.

      I also joke about being a friend stealer. If I meet a friend of a friend that I like, I’ll reach out to her via facebook or otherwise get her contact info and set up lunch or drinks.

      Set up an NYC [this website] meet up! Seems like there are tons of [thiswebsite]ettes in NYC.

      And finally, some totally unsolicited advice.
      (1) Lower your expectations. I don’t expect to develop the really tight friendships that I have with the people I met in my 20s. Nobody has time. We’re not in school together or working 80 hrs a week together. I’m happy just to meet people that I enjoy spending a few hours with here and there.
      (2) If you meet someone you want to get to know better– make it happen! I’ve found that people are really open to invitations, but everybody seems hesitant to put themselves out there with someone new. (It’s like dating, I guess.)
      (3) I’ve also found that it helps to be vocal about the fact that you are on a friend-quest. It’s weird to talk about because we have this mythology that it’s SO easy to make friends–that it’s just kind of happens to you without any work on your part. Anyway, I’ve been invited to a lot of things lately, and I think in part because I’ve told people, “OMG WANT TO BE SOCIAL, want to make ALL THE FRIENDS.” So when they’re organizing something, they think, “Oh, I should see if Herbie McHerbster is interested in this.”

    • pinky

      I am having a similar experience. I was never shy in law school, but recently I can’t seem to get over the shyness inertia to go to meetup. I know if i just go, i will def make friends. My 30s are odd in a way I def did not expect.

    • SA

      I recently joined a running club and immediately -based on my.very slow pace made 2.friends. I’d been in kind of a rut, so that.was.wonderful. At the same time I also signed IP for a knitting class. Not a lot of friends potential there so far but I enjoy learning to knit.

    • Elle

      I think you are really lucky to live in NY. There are literally millions of people you can befriend in the NY Metro area. There is probably no event that you could do which WOULDN’T make you friends. I wouldn’t even stress about it.

      • e_pontellier

        I have to say – this is part of what makes living in NYC so tough. Everybody knows that if you don’t want to be their friend, there are millions of other people. This makes it difficult / unappealing / scary to be the person who puts more effort into any friendship.

        So Lila, just wanted to say I feel you and being in NY is really really hard. It’s really really hard to make friends, and it is an amazingly lonely city. I think Herbie’s suggestions are great.

        • Susan

          Well, it depends on what sort of friendship you’re looking for. If you’re looking for some situational friendships, I’d argue it’s easier in NYC because there are so many activities. You could have Pal X who you know from the winetasting class, but aren’t super close to outside of class, etc.

          If you’re looking for really close friends, that’s hard *anywhere*. Building a friendship is in many ways no different from a courtship:

          You meet someone, there’s an initial connection, you meet up either in a small group or by yourselves to explore whether there’s a deeper connection. Both people try to put their best foot forward, as well as try to learn more about the other person. If there are more points of connection, the relationship progresses to the next level. Both have to invest and be willing to care for each other.

          This is why folks who grow up in small, friendly towns often find that leaving the town means some of these friendships fall away because they were, at heart, only situational friendships– bc. they all lived in the same town and would be forced to keep running into each other at everything. The friends they actually remain close to after they leave that town are the true close friends. It’s hard to make that type of connection no matter how big or small a place is.

    • Making Friends

      I’ve moved a lot during the last 20 years, and I still struggle with this. Like one of the other commenters posted, I have some situational friends and many acquaintances that I do some social things with, but it does get harder to make friends as you get older, in my experience.

      If I were in NYC, I’d be your friend! I think the meetup idea is a good one. I personally don’t do things like that often enough.

  15. AIMS

    I have a similar dress from the gap (http://tinyurl.com/9r6x5g6) (now, 30% off with promo code). I really like it but I probably wouldn’t wear it to work. I also think it looks best with a belt to break up all that pattern – I think same would go for the Target dress featured.

    • KC

      Someone posted this dress last week (I can’t remember who, sorry), and it was exactly what I thought of when I saw today’s dress! I like the cherry print better, but the Target price is certainly attractive.

      Agreed that it’s a bit casual for work, but maybe I could swing it on a Friday.

      • AIMS

        I actually would consider getting both (I love polka dots something fierce), but I don’t think that really high scoop neckline would look good on me. I find wider scoops or boatnecks to be much more flattering. PS: With 30% off, the Gap one is only $15 more ;)

        • KC

          Ah, didn’t realize the GAP sale. Oh man… and with that, I’m reaching for my credit card. [This site] is such an enabler.

      • MsZ

        Ack – I love this dress! But it doesn’t come in talls, and the length descriptor is the dreaded “hits above the knee.” No sh!t, Sherlock. Can anyone say how long it is?

        • AIMS

          It’s not long. I’m somewhere around 5’3/5’4 and its just above the knee on me. Like 1-2 inches maybe. Not scandalously short but just above what I like to wear for work. FWIW though, I have somewhat shorter legs/longer torso. It also runs large. So I’d say size down one unless you’re used to GAP sizing.

        • KC

          Ha. I hate that. Sometimes I do the whole “assuming the model is 5’10+, it’ll hit ___”. But yeah, retailers – measurements would be nice!

    • Cb

      I love this dress. I wore it with a wide brown belt and it was awesome.

      I’m 5’7 and it probably hits me mid-knee.

  16. manomanon

    Basics & eek!

    These are my thoughts on C. Wonder from the post last night but since I didn’t get there until late I am reposting now- for whomever was wondering if they are related to the Spanish brand wonders they are not. The former Mr. Tory Burch created this store and I have to say it’s excellent

    I live around the corner from C. Wonder and I love it! I’ve decided the quality is decent (ie. earrings don’t give me infections from badly done plating/ nickel and I react to literally anything with even a trace of nickel, cardigans don’t pill from the first several wears, t shirt holds shape) I also think it’s a great way to experiment with trends at a relatively inexpensive level. Some of the jewelry gets pricy but overall it’s good quality for the price.
    And they have fun stuff in the back section of my store- monogrammed cheese boards, telephone handset that plugs into your iphone etc.

      • AIMS

        I think quality is hit or miss. My experience has been that it all looks pretty going in but not always so great up close. For instance, the dishes/trays/other household stuff is horribly thick. So they have these gorgeous little “dishes” that look like the old Hermes ashtrays but when you pick it up it definitely doesn’t feel anything like an Hermes ashtray. And, for that kind of quality, I think they are charging a bit too much.

        That said, it’s a cute store – they really know their marketing. Some of the leather goods are okay. And they have 2 super awesome and cheap products that I recommend to everyone: 1) a $4 little tiny poncho in a ball – bright green, super small, throw it to the bottom of your purse and you’re going to be so happy in case of unexpected rain, and 2) this little $10 bullhorn “speaker” for your iphone that magically makes your sound super amplified and is great for when you’re traveling or in office (no plug req).

    • eek

      Heehee thanks for letting me know that you like it. I read the article where Tory Burch was suing him and I though, uh “way to play out your personal vendettas in the New York Times” so it’s made me think a little less of her, especially when they started Tory Burch together. And her shoes gave me blisters, so it.just.got.personal!

      • manomanon

        The suing is interesting – we have a Tory Burch owned store around the corner from C. Wonder so people have been laughing about it all summer. I have a pair of her pumps because her store is literally the only one here that sells black pumps suitable for an interview and while they are somewhat comfortable the flats look miserable. (plus I hate the logo on the toe)

    • Senior Attorney

      Did anybody see the episode of “The Pitch” where the ad agencies competed to get the C Wonder advertising account? Mr. Burch seemed like an interesting guy. I thought it was telling that the agency he selected was the one full of “good old boys” just like himself.

      • springtime

        Yes! That’s my only knowledge of this company! I was surprised by his pick, too. Well, maybe not surprised, but disappointed.

        • Senior Attorney

          I know, right? The other agency was, like, totally diverse and creative and came up with an awesome campaign. And in the end he picked the guys he felt comfortable with because they were just like him. It was pretty disheartening.

  17. future Chicago meetups/ Thanks Ketchup!

    Thanks for being so generous Ketchup! We had a great time, and really appeciated your kindness. I hope you’ll be able to make the next one!.

    Last night we decided to try a monthly get together. Let’s stick to the last Thursday of the month, making the next meet up Thursday, October 25 at 6pm at Encore Liquid Lounge.

    I’d prefer to have an email list so everyone can be contacted in one shot instead of repeatedly posting and hoping that everyone sees the time and date. If you email me at ChicagoC o r p o r e t t e at gmail.com I’ll add you to the list.

    See you in October!

    Terry

    • Ketchup

      Yay! I’m glad you ladies had fun. Thank you for organizing! I will send you my email and look forward to meeting everyone next time.

  18. Turks and Caicos

    I know this spot has been mentioned here before, and I’m finally going in a few weeks! Any suggestions for things to do, restaurants not to miss, etc.?

    • Cat

      Went in April and loved it! We checked a giant duffle bag full of beach snacks, cereal, bread and cheese (and sunscreen) to help save on grocery costs. People are very alarmist about “omg the prices are so high” but at the Grace Bay Safeway, we found prices for fruit/veggies and local brands of snacks to be on par with city grocery prices. That is definitely the most I will ever pay for my Diet Coke, though. Wine/liquor prices were OK at the Safeway as well.

      Best rum punch: the little restaurant at the airport (when you exit upon arrival, walk to the right and go in the doors as if you’re checking in). They’ll give you a to-go cup that you can enjoy while you’re waiting for your taxi or hotel shuttle.

      Best restaurants – we took half an hour the afternoon we arrived and called and made reservations for the week.
      Coco Bistro and Bay Bistro were both favorites
      Magnolia
      Las Brisas (lunch on the day we went and found Taylor Bay)
      We liked picking up breakfast and lunch from the Green Bean Cafe (it’s near Turtle Bay) and taking it to the beach to eat.
      Sharkbite (more casual)

      Overrated in our opinion:
      Caicos Cafe
      da conch shack
      Tiki Hut

      Wanted to try, but didn’t make it/saved it for next trip since we didn’t want to drop $200 on every meal:
      Coyaba
      Mango Reef
      Whatever restaurant it is that has the “infinity bar”

      We loved our Caicos Dream Tours half day snorkeling trip; we also did a sunset sail that left off the dock at the very tip of Provo that was just gorgeous.

      • Praxidike

        Awww, c’mon. Da Conch Shack is like one of those places you basically have to go just to say you’ve been there! ;)

        Also, second the recommendation for Bay Bistro (forgot to mention it before). Good food.

        • Cat

          ha, it was just SO obvious that they were NOT going to bring our food until we finished our beer (that we had ordered at the same time as the food) to make us order another drink. We got soda instead. Then the food was room temp at best and not crispy. We got some sort of big conch platter to share (I think there were three styles) and it was like it had been sitting out all morning.

          • Praxidike

            I can believe this. Despite the fact that I love their cracked conch, that place IS a total tourist trap. There was a dog that was clearly nursing puppies and just as clearly very hungry in the parking lot next to the restaurant last time we were there. I made my father go donate several bags of dog food (he is one of the island vets) to the cracked conch on the condition that they feed that dog. I hope they did it. It made me very sad to see.

      • Lila

        I was there 2 weeks ago – the infinity bar is not worth your time at all. Love, love Turks though!

    • Praxidike

      I’ve been there probably 15-20 times. Here’s what I’d suggest. Google “silver deep” and do one of their excusions, preferably to West Caicos. I’ve done this twice and it’s been excellent both times. The island is uninhabited and pristine. The conch farm is interesting, but probably a waste of your time if the weather is nice; I would only do it if you have a crappy, cloudy day. Grace Bay and Governor’s Beach are, IMHO, the nicest beaches there if you don’t have one at your resort. If you’re really resourceful (and have a car), you can try to find Cooper Jack Park and climb down the rocks at low tide to a TRULY deserted beach. Very cool.

      Baci Ristorante has consistently excellent food, but it’s pricey. Anacoana is also excellent, but also pricey. Coco Bistro is good, too; we always go there when we go down. Definitely check out “Da Conch Shack” and get the cracked conch. One of my favorites. Calico Jacks is just okay, but it’s casual and not as expensive as some other restaurants on the island. Last recommendation I’ll make is Hemingway’s on the Beach, which had one of the best bouillabaisses I’ve ever tasted.

      Have a great trip. My family owns a condo down there, and it’s really a lovely island with very nice residents. You don’t get any obnoxious cruise ships there like you do in Cayman, and it’s still got that rustic island feel in some parts. Explore with your car, if you’re renting one (I highly recommend renting a car because otherwise you’re going to feel stuck at your resort even if you’re in Grace Bay).

  19. Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

    Hey Bluejay, what did you think of Scandal? It seems a little softer than last season opener, but it’s nice to see the President taking charge, huh?

    Also, the Quinn thing, did not see that outcome coming. At all. Beyond disbelief.

    • eek

      I thought it was ok, they crammed a lot into the opener which is good for me. Curious to know more about what happened at the end and why Quinn is so important.

    • Bluejay

      I think you’ve got the wrong commenter, because I don’t even know what you’re talking about. :)

  20. goirishkj

    Paging Mrs. BEF! I looked at the moonshine–the name is Midnight Moon. It comes in multiple flavors (link to follow) but I’ve only had the apple pie flavor. It’s tasty–we all drank it straight at a Kentucky Derby party. And four weeks later found out a baby was on the way (as a friend who attended told her husband when he did the math “where do you think babies come from!”)

  21. academicsocialite

    Sort of a first world problem here, but would love the advice of the hive: I’m a new working mom and former shoe addict. I take my daughter to her care provider in a carrier (an ergo usually) on my way to work every morning – it’s about a 15 minute trip out of my way to the train. I have a closet full of high heels and dress pants hemmed to accommodate them. But wearing heels and wearing the baby seems a dangerous proposition. Should I just invest in some professional flats and hem my pants, given that I will likely be wearing heels less during these early baby years? Save the heels for skirt days? Or do I carry the heels with me and use binder clips/zakkerz for the commute? I kind of hate walking to my office with my pants oddly rolled up, hence my reluctance to go that route.

    I don’t know why I am turning this into such a dilemma. I guess I’m finding it hard to give up my old r e t t e fashionista ways…

    • MsZ

      My coworker with this same problem leaves her heels in her office and does her baby errands and commute in flats with her pants rolled up.

    • Diana Barry

      Get wedges for commuting?

      Walking 15 minutes in heels sounds like a nightmare to me, so I would prob hem pants and get commuting shoes and work flats, but that’s me. :)

    • Bluejay

      All my shoes live in the office. I think that’s the way to go. I usually wear skirts, so I don’t know about pants hemming, but you could always wear wedges – Cole Haan Air Tali wedges are really comfortable.

    • Charlotte

      I have a similar quandry, but have found no good fashion solution yet, so I’ll be interested in what others have to say. Can you put her in a stroller instead, and leave the stroller with her care provider during the day? As she gets bigger and heavier, the Ergo may not be a long-term option anyway.

    • Research, Not Law

      I switched to flats, but commuting in flats and binder clips and leaving the heels at the office or carrying them could work, too. I prefer the simpler route, but it’s definitely worth a try.

      FWIW, I can still carry my 3 year old in the ergo. And it’s far and above easier than a stroller on public transit.

    • lawsuited

      I have a few pairs of low heels (1.5 inches) and have my pants hemmed to that height so I can wear either flats (while commuting and running errands) or low heels (at the office) with them. One of the benefits of wearing pants is that a low heel isn’t very noticeable.

  22. MsZ

    Short term TJ: what are our sartorial thoughts on orange skinny jeans? I already love skinnies but am a little hesitant to pull the trigger on the Helmut Lang ones in flame on Gilt today. I have boots in cognac and gray . . . ?

    • KC

      I have a pair of orange skinnies I bought two years ago, just before the colored denim craze took off. I love them to death, and have been pleased with the longevity of the colored skinnies trend.

      If they make you happy, I say go for it!

    • Lalo

      I have a pair of AG ones with embroidery (so a totally different look) in a color called tabasco that I love. They are more red than those, but I say go for it. Color is awesome.

    • roses

      I like the look, but to be honest I think the brightly-colored skinnies trend will fall by the wayside in a year or less. I wouldn’t fork over the big bucks for them unless you’re a fashion-forward type that can find interesting ways to style them even after the craze has passed.

      • eastbaybanker

        I completely agree. I bought my colored skinny jeans in a greyish cobalt blue. I figure that way when the colored denim thing is over in 12 months I might still be able to pull them off.

  23. AIMS

    Suitcase questions.
    1. Does anyone have experience with frameless luggage? The big pro is that it’s super light weight, but I wonder if the con is that your clothes end up a wrinkled mess? I am considering this bag (http://tinyurl.com/c72l8d6) but am worried that by the time I get to my destination (lots of train travel may be involved), I will have a lot of clothes to iron and potentially no access to said iron.

    2. I also really like a different suitcase that’s perfect in every way (lightway and with frame) except that its 2 inches wider than some airlines allow (still within the height limit). What do you think my chances are for sneaking in as carry on? I am not concerned with paying fees but checking luggage is not an option on this flight because I have to make a connection. Am I taking a risk? Or does no one really care if height is fine (FWIW, the airline is AA)?

    • Brant

      Re the oversized bag, it absolutely depends on the plane you’re flying and possibly your destination.

      You said you’re on AA. if it’s international, you can probably get it by on the way there but you may have trouble on the way home- esp. with the weight limits.

      If it’s domestic and on a smaller jet (think about your connection, too), you really may not get it on (or, if you get it on, you might not get it up in the bins). I travel all the time for work and have a small roll-aboard and a soft duffel and I pack the duffel when I know I”ll have to be in a prop plane or even a small commuter jet.

      • AIMS

        Hmm. It’s international and the way back is on BA, which allows wider suitcases. The way there is AA which maxes out at 14 inches. So I am fine going back but I have connecting flights and worry that they may make me check my luggage en route. Ugh. Stupid airlines :)

        Thanks for your feedback.

        • Brant

          Watch the weight limit with BA. They will weigh your bag, and won’t let it on no matter how small it is!!

  24. CLE?

    Question for the attorneys who require CLE and who are not in a law firm (I’m in NY and not newly admitted, if that helps): how do you keep track of your CLEs? When I was at a law firm, the firm and my admin did it form me. Now I am on my own. Is there an app? Or has someone formed a spreadsheet they’d be willing to share or that I can find online? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

    • AIMS

      I just print out the certificates and stick them in a manila folder for each reporting period. Each time I add one, I just jot it down on the inside of the folder so I know where I am at. My certificates are also all emailed to me so I have a folder for them in my inbox as a back-up of sorts.

      It’s really not worthy of a spread sheet in my opinion. NY’s requirements are fairly straightforward.

    • rosie

      I just made a spreadsheet with columns for date, presenter/sponsoring org, date, and credits earned. I divide the credits earned into ethics/nonethics and self study/in person, because my state (not NY) does. Does NY have a section of the website where you can login and keep track of CLE? My state has this, but I only have to self-certify and present the info if I get audited, so I just do my own spreadsheet.

    • Joanna

      When I was at a firm we had access to a website called reqwired (reqwiredlegal dot com should work, or google it) that we could use to keep track of our CLE. When I left the firm and went in-house I was able to take the account with me and continue paying the subscription fee. It’s quite reasonable–I want to say about $40 per year. It’s not the most user-friendly site–I always have to hunt around a bit before I can find the page to enter new credits–but it tracks everything by category, accounts for carryovers from one cycle to the next, and gives me a clear picture of how many credits I still need.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I’ve done all of my CLE through the NYSBA and there is a credit tracker on their website. I’m pretty sure you can add others in too.

  25. First Step to Client Development

    What is the very first step I should take as a transactional associate in a smaller firm to get my own clients? I do mainly wills/estate and business planning, and have only been here a few months, but I’ve discovered that in spite of what has been said in the open, I REALLY AM SUPPOSED TO BE BRINGING IN CLIENTS RIGHT NOW. I learned from a paralegal that another associate, who has only been here 9 months longer than me, has been put on ‘probation’ for not bringing in enough clients.

    Just a little scared….

    • InfoGeek

      For wills and estates, I’d try to make contact with senior groups in the area — look at churches, retirement centers, etc. Put together a presentation or two that is interesting and informative.

      You could also try to put together an article for the local “family/parenting” rag (you know, the one that the birthday places, kids clothing consignment stores, etc. all advertise in. Around here, they’re normally given away free at those places plus the library.) about Top 10 Things Young Families Should Know About Wills.

      You could also make connections through things like Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership , etc. You’ll need to have your elevator pitch ready when people ask what you do for a living.

      Our library system also hosts open seminars on topics like this that they think will be of interest.

      I think this is one of those things that you’ll have to start now and hope for an uptick within 9 months to a year because people may need to hear your message multiple times before they do something. Also, people procrastinate a lot.

  26. Ugh

    it’s certainly out of season, but the Pendleton seersucker blazer featured here a while back is now down to $53 from $188 with free shipping and return shipping: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BKC0R8/ref=asc_df_B007BKC0R81977323?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=theshoblo-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B007BKC0R8&ascsubtag=482142866

    On an unrelated note, I hate getting stains in the blind spot on shirts. I’ve been walking around all day with an ink spot on my b*** and had no idea.

  27. anontoday

    Just cried at work for the first time since I’ve been at this job. And I’m pretty sure the maximum possible number of people witnessed it. Being a lawyer is so bloody stressful.

    • NewAnon

      That stinks. At least you got it out of the way? Sorry, it’s the best silver lining I got based on the info given. Hang in there!!!

  28. Sivercurls

    +1. Hugs. I hope you got to close your door (if you have one), hide in the bathroom, or step out for coffee or carbs. If you haven’t yet, repeat to yourself “I’m still a competent professional and this. will. pass.” Finally, figure out if there’s a way to prevent this problem from recurring, even if this means figuring out how to keep calm despite having to work in a basically impossible-to-change situation. (There’s no shame in hanging in until you make partner, find another job, or otherwise reach a great transition point.)

    I guess this was a fancy way of saying JSFAMO (for new readers, “just say Fooey and move on”), but I don’t mean it in a mean way. Come back to this site if/when you need more advice. The wise women here are only a couple of clicks away.

  29. shortiek

    TJ: Winter is coming (100+ for working this phrase into daily conversations!) and my lips are already chapped.
    Lip balm/gloss recommendations? I would love something tinted, with an SPF, and in a tube.
    I tried the Korres lip butter in pomegranate (not my color!) and wasn’t a fan of the sticky consistency or applying from a pot. I guess I’m looking for something pink/rose that I could wear all the time and I have no idea where to begin.

    • MJ

      Fresh Sugar is THE BEST…smooth, not tacky and makes my lips feel great. Pricy but worth it. It comes in a few hues, plus plain color.

    • lucy stone

      Murad Pomegranate is in a tube and really nice. That’s my default, but I layer Carmex under it once it gets cold outside.

      -100 for GoT not coming back until winter is over.

  30. KC

    Has anyone ordered this stripe dress? How does it run? I am usually an 14 in Target dresses or L or XL. Not sure how this one runs… thanks ladies :)

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