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Updated: Oct 31, 2018 132 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Split-Neck Cotton Dress

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

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New York & Company Split-Neck Cotton Dress | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. I'm kind of impressed with the dress selection at New York & Company right now — lots for under $30. I like this split-neck cotton dress (pictured), but I also like this draped keyhole sheath dress (but please don't wear it as tight as pictured on the models). The pictured dress is cotton, machine washable, and available in four colors, sizes XS-XL. It's normally $35, but is marked to $25 today. New York & Company Split-Neck Cotton Dress Here's a plus-sized 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

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Comments

  1. Anon

    I’m heading to Chicago for the weekend with a few friends – any restaurant recommendations?

    • Former Chicago Anon

      For breakfast, go to Nookies. There are a few locations around the city. I still miss that place even though we moved years ago.

      • Current Chicago Anon

        Get to Nookies before 9 if you’d like to wait less than two hours.

        What neighborhood? Type of food? There’s so many good options.

      • Terry

        Alternately, Kanela’s (always a wait but so tasty) or Little Goat Diner (which takes recommendations).

    • Chicago Bean Accounter

      Randolph Street and the surrounding area in the West Loop neighborhood (starting just west of the 90/94 expressway). The Publican, Avec, Au Cheval, Little Goat Diner, Maude’s Liqour Bar, Tete Charcuterie, SoHo House, City Winery…

      I recommend checking Open Table for reservations.

      • Shayla

        This. All of this. Meli’s in Greektown (they have another location too) is amazing for breakfast, but there are no reservations. So go early, or grab a cup of coffee and wait (it’s worth it).

    • PolyD

      I went to The Publican a couple of years ago and it was very good. A little heavy if the weather is very hot, and definitely not for vegetarians. But the food is delicious!

      Also, I kind of want to go to the Trump building and have a fancy cocktail. My parents did this and said it was a very nice experience – great views and very tasty, if $$$, cocktails.

    • Chi Anon

      Sienna Tavern if you can get in – good for brunch, lunch or dinner.

      Bavettes – steakhouse dinner, but my favorite restaurant in the city

      Big Star – amazing patios with great margaritas if you are looking for a chill spot in a really cool neighborhood (also close to Stan’s and Glazed and Infused for your donut fix).

      • roses

        After you’re done with the amazing margaritas and tacos at Big Star, head across the street to Violet Hour. There will be a long long line. It is still worth it!!!

  2. Gray29

    Threadjack! My amazing older sister is graduating from her doctorate program next week and celebrating her birthday. I would like to get her a special gift to celebrate her graduation and not just combine the two gifts. Anybody from the Hive have any memorable gift ideas? For background, she did this all while working full time and raising two very busy kids! TIA!

    • Things Remembered

      Graduation Gift: This reminds me to share an update about the Seiko watch/Tiffany card case choice for my little sister’s undergraduate graduation.

      I got the Seiko and had it engraved with the same phrase my parents put on my watch years ago. I picked it up last week, and it looks terrific.

      The logistics nightmare was solved by two really helpful people whom I eventually found. The Seiko Customization department in New Jersey (person #1) told me to find a local authorized dealer, have the dealer order the watch from Seiko, the Seiko Customization department in New Jersey would buff the back of the case to make room and then engrave the watch and mail it to the dealer, where I could pick it up and pay for it. I found a local authorized dealer (person #2) willing to do this (the first one demurred), and from then on it was smooth sailing.

      • moss

        About 20 years ago my mom found a Seiko watch on the ground & gave it to me. It kind of worked, would keep time but none of the other functions worked, and eventually stopped keeping time. I just finally this past week sent it off to Seiko & found out they can repair it and it’s only costing a couple hundred dollars (I was worried it would be way more). I am looking forward to getting back my (by now antique!) watch.

        Anyway, cheers for Seiko!

        • Things Remembered

          It is nice to hear about companies doing what they should, and most used to, do.

    • ITDS

      Good lord! What an effort! If you can afford it, send her to spa for a week to decompress! Cheaper, but along these lines, are you in a position to take the kids on an overnight trip so sister and her hubby can have some alone time?

    • Meg Murry

      Do you live near her? Could you offer to have her newest diploma (or all of them, if she hasn’t done it?) framed and mounted? It’s been on my “one of these days” list to have my husband and my diplomas framed and hung in our home office (might as well, as opposed to just sitting in a drawer) but time more than money has caused me to push this to the bottom of my to-do list.

      I think it really depends on her field whether a “thing” would be a better gift, or a gift like the spa or night of babysitting would be more valued to her.

      If you wanted to do a thing, I like the watch idea like the previous poster had – what if you just had it engraved with “Dr. Hername” or HerName, PhD ? Most PhDs don’t use the title, but it would be fun to have engraved somewhere no one knows but her like the back of a watch.

      • Anonymous

        My husband’s closest cousin just graduated with her masters (first in their family!) and she has 4 kids. We gave her a gift certificate to get diploma framed with a custom mat, etc. We love her lots and wanted to get something that she would use on her.

    • NOLA

      If you sister plans on working in academia, one of the most special things you could do for her is to buy her regalia for her. That way she never has to borrow or rent to attend graduation. My Dad did that for me many years ago and I still wear it. Unfortunately, you’d have to plan further ahead to do it, but wanted to put the idea out there.

      • profmama

        Agree on the regalia! It’s pricey and most grads don’t have the cash by the end of the program.

        My parents bought it as a grad gift, and I feel so special every year at Commencement wearing my particular university’s regalia, vs. the standard issue black that many of the other faculty are wearing.

    • Anonymous

      Is she in a special place for her doctorate program? My sister got married in a special and remote place. I bought her a beautiful map necklace from ann holman jewelry and had it engraved.

    • Coach Laura

      I agree with NOLA that buying custom regalia is a nice gift and will really save her time/money/effort over time if she’s staying in academia.

      Otherwise, I love the idea of a custom frame for the diploma that includes something from the University – a photo or print of an iconic campus building or sometimes a seal from the university or school (business school, medical school etc). They’re expensive but will be admired on the wall for a long tim.

      • Gray29

        Thank you to all of you for your helpful suggestions!! I love all the ideas but I think the ones that she would love the most are the spa/babysitting idea. I think I will combine the two by sending them on a spa weekend and babysitting for the two little ones. All the other ideas are great too and I am storing them for future needs :)

  3. MZ Wallace clutches / small bags / leather products

    I have a Lo & Sons bag that I use as a mobile office (not a purse) and a separate clutch that I use as a purse (phone encased in an otterbox, wallet, and lipstick). The clutch is on its last legs and I was thinking that the envelope clutch on the MZ Wallace site might be perfect as a replacement. I know we have often had the Lo & Sons / MZ Wallace threads on there.

    I think I’d like something like MZ Wallace’s Bea as a big purse (which I can’t say I’d need; and they don’t seem to match up with how I use my L&S bag), but I really need a small one and cannot recall seeing their smaller bags (the envelope clutch is leather, but some other clutch-type bags are nylon) discussed (or their leather ones, for that matter).

  4. anonymous

    How often/when does Brooks Brothers have 70% off sale items? I’ve been waiting for that for a while now…

    • AIMS

      Your best bet is when they do friends and family and you can take an extra 25% off already reduced prices, which gets you to around 60-70%. They just had one of those, ended on the 19th. I bought a bunch of polo shirts for around $24. Sometimes they have these insane clearances, too, but those are more haphazard. I remember a really amazing one in the spring one year, but more typical ones are in the summer and in the winter.

    • Bonnie

      I don’t think I’ve ever seen 70% off sale prices. They do a few big sales a year where prices get to 70% off the original price though.

      • anonymou

        Sorry, this is what I meant- up to 70% off original prices, I the sale section.

  5. Beth

    FYI – I own this dress in three colors and really like the green and the black, but the white is a little see-through. Beware that the notch in the collar is a little low – my more well-endowed friend felt pretty exposed when she tried it on.

    • PolyD

      I bought a version of this dress a few years ago (in black) and I still like it. It’s a nice simple dress for summer.

  6. Ellen

    Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love Fruegel Friday’s, and this sheathe dress, but Kat, isn’t this Fruegel HOLIDAY Friday’s? After all, I do NOT think you should be publisheing on Monday b/c it is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY and you should be takeing the day off with your HUSBAND and CHILD! YAY!!!!

    Myrna and I are goeing to the Hamton’s this weekend to scout out potential share’s. We figure we need to be out there in order to find guys who have MONEY who will do more then just have sex with us. Of course, per Grandma Trudy, I should expect to have to be used as a mattress by more then a few guy’s b/f I can find one willing to MARRY me, but I do NOT want to be a sexueal pin cushion for these winkie driven Investement Bankers, who’s ego’s are bigger then their weenies. FOOEY!

    Dad told me to loosen up a bit b/c he wants to retire down South and I am preventing him from doeing so b/c I am NOT married and have NO prospects. He still want’s me to get the professional apartement, but I do NOT want to strike out on my own, even if he pay’s all the bills for me for a year, which he says he will do.

    I do NOT to loose the tax deducteion I get NOW on my coop, b/c if this new place is goeing to be DAD’s tax shelter, I will NOT have a tax shelter and will have to pay a lot of capiteal gain’s on the coop I now live in. Beside’s I have got used to the manageing partner’s brother comeing into my apartement to talk, and to hint that he would like to impregenate me. I do NOT think that is even possible b/c I have seen his winkie. FOOEY!

    I hope the hive has a great holiday weekend. I have to get more billeing in today so that I can coast next week. YAY!!!!

  7. Any Seattle Area Rettes?

    My husband and I are traveling to Woodinville next month for a few days. Any suggestions on transportation from Sea-Tac to Woodinville? Is a cab our best bet or can anyone recommend a town car service? We’d like to avoid renting a car, primarily to avoid the hassle of pick up and return when were arriving late in the evening and leaving early in the morning. Thanks!

    • Scarlett

      I’m not exactly sure where Woodinville is, but Uber and Lyft are both in Seattle and are usually cheaper than cabs and car services.

    • cbackson

      That is a loooooooooooong way. Shuttle Express (which is a shared van service) is probably your best best. You don’t have to make a reservation, but they’ll be able to get you on a van at the airport more quickly if you do. You can reserve online and book your roundtrip. It’s not as fast as a cab or car service would be, but will be exponentially cheaper and they are very reliable.

    • la vie en bleu

      Also Sea-Tac has many airport shuttle services that are cheaper than a cab but pretty convenient. I used to get the shuttle van to and from Olympia, and it was always on time and easy.

  8. Anonymous

    While I’ve been working at this company for the last two years, our office has been renovating over that time, so I’ve had to move offices every 6 months or so. Now I’m in my more permanent office, so I should probably decorate.

    I have no idea where to start.

    My walls are bare, and my office is relatively large. The person before me had up their degrees (even though they were only here for 6 months), so I have picture hanging hooks on my walls, which somehow makes the office look even less decorated.

    Office décor ideas? I don’t have kids, I’m not married, so please don’t say pictures of kids/spouse.

    • Anonymous

      Do you travel often? Maybe pick up art or other interesting items while away that you can then display in your office.

      I’ve purchased interesting posters and such from Society6 that I’ve had framed.

    • Mpls

      Art of your city – photograph of the city skyline, a particular park/lake/vista you like?

      • SW

        This – I have a large print of a watercolor painting of our downtown. It receives lots of compliments.

    • mascot

      My degrees and two pieces of art are on my walls. Pictures are in frames on side tables, interesting bookends and a few other smalls on the bookcase.

    • Anon

      I found large canvasses (one picture split into three canvasses) to be a good way to fill a huge white wall without spending a lot of money

    • la vie en bleu

      A real lamp on your desk does wonders. I would start with putting up one picture/poster (framed) on your wall that you like. Take down the extra picture hangars. Get a few colorful/fun things to have on your desk, a colored inbox/cup for pens, etc. And put a lamp on your desk. Then you can slowly build from there.

      I always have a plant or two in my office and I like the hominess. I am not married either, but I’ve put a few photos from travels (just landscapes, not myself) in small frames to put on my desk sometimes. And then keep your eye out for art you like and add a couple more big pieces on the walls when you can.

      • la vie en bleu

        thought of something: If you have time this summer check out some local art shows for local artists who do work you like. I have found an amazing large black and white photograph that way that I absolutely love.

        If you don’t have time for in person shopping, check out Society6 like the person above said. Or look for landscape photographers online, it’s a little more reliable to buy online than paintings.

    • CHL

      Not sure where you work, but if it’s a company that has consumer ads, it can be cool to frame some (especially if they’re vintage). I have some framed Life Magazine ads for my company from the 50s and 60s that I got on ebay. It always gets noticed and makes me look like I have team spirit:)

  9. Anonymous

    There is someone in my office who is always running. I don’t mean “working out” running, I mean, running in the office. They run to meetings, to the printer, etc. This person is also often harried, and stressed. My office is located so that they run past me 3-4 times a day, and I find it very distracting, and it adds to my stress.

    I’d keep my door shut, but we’re an “open door, unless necessary” kind of office, so having it shut all the time would be weird.

    Anyone in your office have crazy habits?

    • Anonymous

      We have a paralegal who makes high-pitched squealing noises and claps her hands when she’s excited, which is several times a day. She’s 36.

    • Kelly Andthenblog

      I used to have a runner in the office–exactly as you describe. We were close–friends outside work–with this woman, and we told her in no uncertain terms that she MUST stop running around. If we caught her running, we’d point it out, stop her and make her walk, and remind her to take a deep breath. She was super stressed out and admitted that she was panicky throughout the day, and that running–to catch up, to look productive–was her way of signaling that she needed more help, time, and patience. We gave it to her.

      Obviously, YMMV. But depending on the circumstances, it might help to address it in a non-threatening way (“Hey Becky! Where’s the fire?!” or “Becky, is everything ok? Why are you running?”). She might be annoyed and tell you to bugger off–fine–but she might not know she’s doing it, and she might need a signal to slow down.

        • anonyc

          My neighbor also does this, and it drives. me. insane. I often have to leave my office when I hear that distinctive “snip, snip.” ARGH.

    • TO Lawyer

      People do this in my office too and it drives me crazy. We are lawyers, not doctors – we don’t have real emergencies that require you to run.

      • anon

        Hyperemesis. That was a real emergency that required me to walk quickly (but not run) to the restroom many times, for which I was reprimanded. Not cool.

    • anonymous

      The person who sits next to me dribbles a basketball at his desk and bounces it off the wall other times. He also eats loud food (chips, popcorn) just about all day long, sings and whistles quite loudly, takes all his calls on speaker, etc. But really, a basketball?!

    • Some people...

      My old cube farm neighbor had a vanilla glade plug in. It was horrendous.

    • Anonymous

      My office neighbor is just all around noisy. She stomps very heavily when she walks (that’s gotta hurt the knees, right?). When she comes in there is stomping, key jingling, bag rustling. She flings herself into and out of her chair such that there’s all kinds of noises. And she never closes her door when she talks on the phone.

      I would think she just cannot hear herself, but when she walks over to stop by my office, she is very quiet such that she sometimes surprises me when she pops her head in my doorway. So, she can control the noise when she wants to.

      I’ve posted about my issues with this woman before. She is the one who tries to plop herself down in my office and chit chat for hours at a time. Thanks in part to the hive’s tips, I’ve gotten that to cease for the most part. But now she comes in under the premise of a legitimate work question and just tries to steer the conversation toward BS’ing and gossip. One day she sat down in my office to ask me about a new case because I had just finished a similar one with the same client. She said, “Do you have a second to chat about this case? I have some questions.” Totally sounded legitimate. I told her to come in and asked what she wanted to know. And she got very flustered and stammered for a minute and then said, “Well, are they nice?” That is, she had no real questions, she just wanted an excuse to come into my office. Between her noises and her inexplicable need for attention from me, I have a real hard time getting along with her. ::End rant::

    • Asideralis

      My coworker keeps his phone with the sound on at all times. And it is all specialized sounds from the Lord of the Rings movies. UGH. It’s so loud and annoying.

  10. Emmabean

    Quick networking appropriateness question. I met a recruiter last night at a networking event. I want to email/ follow up with a “nice to meet you.” Im not looking to leave my firm right now. Ok to email from work email? It’s a professional contact, right? Fourth year associate for reference.

    • ace

      Not ok to email from work email. Also, if you’re really not looking to move, I’d be hesitant to reach out because she/he is going to take it as interested in moving. Trust me, if you call the recruiter in a year (without any contact between now and then) he/she is going to be happy to hear from you.

    • moss

      When you ARE looking for a new position you might no longer have access to your work email so I’d send it from your personal email.

    • mascot

      You could always connect with them on LinkedIn. That way you can see what jobs they are posting and they can see your qualifications. I’m connected to several recruiters I have used in the past for that reason.

  11. Anonymous

    I’m looking for an electronic to-do list. I’d prefer something that has a mobile app, but is browser-based on a desktop because I can’t add apps to my computer without IT. I’ve tried evernote, and I use it for other purposes, but you can’t calendar individual items in a note – each task would have to be its own note, which is too much for my purposes. I’m currently experimenting with Google tasks because I always have gmail open. Work email task programs like Outlook are not an option because I don’t use it outside of work, and these tasks are personal. Thanks!

      • Asideralis

        I second Todoist. It also has the ability to share lists with other users!

    • Carine

      I just downloaded Wunderlist earlier this week for personal tasks and I’m really liking it so far. Clean interface, and it’s super simple to add and edit, include subtasks, repeat every day. I also think it has a lot of collaborative functionality (like commenting/tracked conversations on shared tasks), which I haven’t gotten into much but can see myself using in the future to keep track of household tasks with my husband.

      • Anonymous

        +1 We keep our household grocery list and a list of restaurants we want to try using the app.

    • Meg Murry

      Google Keep is my go to for checklists – right now I have one going for general to-dos, one for grocery list, one for Target/CVS/other stores list, a packing list for when I go on overnight trips, one for things I need to remember to take to a meeting next week, one for ideas for presents and presents I’ve already purchased and hid away (and where I hid them!) and then a few for thoughts I have on random topics when I’m out and about to look into later (like project ideas for work that pop into my head when I’m at my kid’s Karate class, etc)

      you can access from your browser and then run the widget on a screen on your android phone.

  12. PolyD

    To anonymous above: Yeah, my comments seem to take a while to post, too.

    So – when this finally posts – I am going to Williamsburg VA for a couple of days next week. Any must-do activities or must-see places? Recommendations for fun places to eat and drink are most welcome! This site has really come through for me before for Philadelphia and Miami, so I will be checking back often, hopefully this will post before too long.

    Thanks!

    • Baconpancakes

      DoG Street Pub for beers and excellent quality bistro food – built in an old bank next to Colonial Williamsburg. Best tap list in the town, great bartenders. Also recommended, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for – Jamestown Pie Company (motto: because round food is good food), Carrot Tree Kitchens, Le Yaca French Restaurant, Blue Talon Bistro (particularly for breakfast/brunch), Fat Canary (high end bistro), Berret’s Seafood, Old Chickahominy House (for amazing old-school Southern breakfast -but there’s always a wait), Five Forks Cafe (for the best grits I’ve ever had in my life, literally, and high quality diner food that you always dream about but never find; get the specials), and visit the Raleigh Tavern Bakery in Colonial Williamsburg for afternoon snacks, particularly the hot cider if it’s a bit chilly. The other historic taverns are ok, but feel Disneyfied. Cheese Shop is always good for a sandwich, and I recommend either picking up bread ends (in a hanging bag at the sandwich counter) and either eating there or taking home fresh house dressing (not the canned ones, but the stuff in the fridge case). Sadly, the Green Leafe has gone hugely downhill.

      To do: take a walk though CW, even if you don’t purchase admission to enter the buildings. You can walk through the gardens for free. The Kimball Theatre sometimes has off-beat showings. Sadly, the VA Shakespeare Fest doesn’t start till July. Most of Williamsburg is focused on either Colonial Williamsburg or the College, so there isn’t a ton outside of that. If you have a full free day in the middle of the week, Busch Gardens is my favorite amusement park for its mix of history, rides, and education – the wolves and birds are great, and London Rocks is a silly but fun show. It’s a slower-paced park than most – enjoy the live shows (there’s a lot of great dancing and singing talent performing), the rides, and the pretty decent food. I think next week is the Food and Wine festival at BG, too.

      In case you can’t tell, I lived in Williamsburg for 7 years. I kind of miss it.

      • Tribe anon

        I just want to go back to Williamsburg and eat now (esp Old Chicahomminy House).

      • la vie en bleu

        well done!! ;o) I just want to second Fat Canary. Have had great food there, and the staff is so friendly and amazing.

      • Brit

        +1 to all of what BaconPancakes said. I was just down there in December for a weekend and really liked Food for Thought in Williamsburg. Just be aware if you want to head over to Virginia Beach from Williamsburg that they’re doing some major construction on the interstate and so it may be difficult (at least they were when I was there – they may have finished by now).

        • Williamsburg anon

          Construction is finished. Can get from Williamsburg to the oceanfront in 1.5 hrs.

  13. Shoe Challenge

    Looking for nude/beige pumps, stacked heel, around 3″ high. Could be wedge. Preferably leather. Recommendations appreciated!

  14. Baconpancakes

    I’m trying to pare down, minimize, whatever, and I’m just not feeling any of the methods -333, KonMari, etc. Any time I’ve tried to get rid of clothes, a year later I’ve been frantically looking through my wardrobe to find that exact piece to create the outfit I want, only to realize I got rid of it because I wasn’t wearing it at that time, and half the time, I end up buying a new piece to replace the one I got rid of but later realized I wanted.

    Same issue with the KonMari method of paper purging. I’m all for scanning and pitching actual bank statements, but when I need to reference the tax write-offs from the past three years or list the last four apartments I’ve lived in on a rental application, I do actually need that information. And my mother taught me to keep the manuals because no, actually, they’re not all online, and sometimes you need to reference things in life without using the internet.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      On the clothing front, what helped me minimize was purposefully creating a capsule wardrobe (for work, at least – my casual looks are very basic, so it was pretty easy to get rid of, say, 3 of my 6 black t-shirts). Basically, I conceptualized the capsule first – I picked out my neutrals and accent colors, then decided on how many/what type of pieces the capsule required. Then, for the most part, I got rid of anything that didn’t fit the capsule, whether I liked the piece or not (with 1 or 2 “wow I can’t bring myself to part with this item” exceptions). Since everything matches everything else now, I no longer have the experience of “needing” a specific item a year down the line to complete an outfit, because everything matches everything else, so literally any other piece in my work closet could finish the outfit.

      • Baconpancakes

        I think Pinterest is a huge problem for me. I’ll see an outfit I adore, and want to recreate it, but not have one piece out of the outfit. It’s just so cuuuuute.

        • Beth

          I had the Pinterest “wants” really badly after Christmas. I did a 4 month shopping ban (i.e., until the next season) and it helped. I still did a lot of Pinterest browsing, but instead of feeling like I should try and recreate that exact outfit, I thought more about how I could get the same feel/look with stuff I already had. And then 4 months later, if I still really wanted something, I bought it. (Spoiler, I didn’t find anything from Pinterest I still wanted 4 months later)

          • Baconpancakes

            That’s an excellent idea. I’ve actually bought a couple of things months later from pins I kept coming back to – a cheerful yellow purse, a pair of teal heels, and those are some of my most-loved items.

        • Killer Kitten Heels

          Step awaaaaaay from the Pinterest.

          Seriously. I like Pinterest for when I need to keep track of ideas for a specific project (like decorating my house, which we moved into with zero furniture over the winter), but I don’t let myself “just browse” at anything I already have. Instead I’ve redirected my casual pinning to things like workout routines, lists of books to read, vacation destinations/activities, etc. – basically, stuff that I can pin without having to stare down a “buy it here” button.

    • Anonymous

      Well, you don’t want to minimal ize though. You want to keep all your clothes, and all your receipts (stop it. You don’t need this), all your manuals (yeah really, they are online). You can’t minimalize if you want to keep everything. Why are you trying? There’s nothing wrong with liking your stuff.

      • Baconpancakes

        Because I’m getting reading to move and dreading packing all of this stuff. ::grins::

        Another issue for me is that I have a lot of hobbies that require “stuff.” Camping, gardening, brewing beer, entertaining, and canning. I could do without some of the stuff that those activities require (cherry pitter, apple peeler/corer), but when I’m in the fourth hour of pitting cherries for jam when the process could’ve taken twenty minutes, any amount of clutter in my cabinets is worth it.

        • lsw

          I am feeling this. So hard. I also tend to be cluttery (and my partner is NOT) so I am really trying to minimize the “stuff” I have. Which is…a lot. I’m just very sentimental and I like my things. But I’ve got too many things.

        • Shopping challenged

          Those hobbies sound like they would have clear-cut, discrete sets of items. Imo, those kinds of things are easier to pack (especially if some of them already have their own containers, like a sewing basket) than are “oh, I could use it anywhere” kinds of things, like pretty paper that I might write on, or make a card out of, or use as background for a photo I’m hanging up…..

          With the manuals, you could download the ones that are online onto a flash drive that’s just for this kind of stuff, and then dump the hard only. That way, you still have that “know I’ve got it” feeling. I trust my bank to keep statements online, but if you ent trust yours, you could download them too. If you do need that info in a few years, you’ll know where you have it. (I’ve been thinking about these kinds of things lately–my desk is piled high with papers to deal with, sorted into a few basic stacks).

          On the clothes, you’ve got me. I’ve been losing weight, and am more excited about getting back into old clothes than about purchases. Last time I was thin my butt still sagged. This time I’m working out so the old things from when I had a good figure will actually fit.

        • Meg Murry

          This is the expensive option – but it does work.

          Pack up all your stuff and move it. Then after a year (or 3, in my case) if you haven’t unpacked it yet, you don’t really need it and you should throw it out or donate it.

          Or you can give some of your hobby stuff like your cherry pitter to a friend with a big kitchen, and borrow it once a year. My parents house is the repository for all my 1x a year kitchen stuff like pressure canner.

    • Asideralis

      I have the same problems!

      For the getting rid of clothes issue:

      Put everything that you’re planning on removing in a box for a year. If you don’t use it in a year, you likely won’t use it ever. (From what I’ve gathered of myself, that is.) Make sure that any clothing you buy from now on has a match at home, else you wont wear it.

      For the random hobbies:

      I keep my camping/hiking/climbing gear in the basement, but we’re planning on moving to a smaller place. So, storage trunks are my friends. They’re pretty, and capable of being filled! Any gardening equipment I try to keep in the garage, or shed, if you have one. We keep all of our brewing equipment in the pantry/bunny room. I have bunnies. They have beer and wine brewing above them.

    • Alana

      I feel the same way about trying to downsize clothing. I like many colors, replacing items is difficult because I am tall, and my weight fluctuates. Maybe it’s not for me.

  15. anonymous

    Can I wash wool clothing (skirts, pants, etc) in the washer on the super delicate cycle in a garment back and hang to dry? Does it really have to be dry-cleaned, because I thought the real issue with washing wool is drying it the dryer?

    • washaway

      Yes – I recommend cold water but I’ve done this for all kinds of wool clothing with no ill effects.

    • Seattle Freeze

      A better bet might be to steam the clothing, especially if you’re dealing with lined pants, skirts, & dresses. Wool + heat + friction = felting, and there’s no way to un-felt wool. If you absolutely must wash your wool things in the washer, use cool or warm water and don’t use the agitator – fill the washer, let the items soak, then spin. And definitely don’t put them in the dryer.

    • Mpls

      I wash my wool stuff (including suits and sweaters) on the delicate/knit cycle in cold water and then hang dry. The agitation may cause the fibers to shrink a bit, but the wet weight when hanging can help stretch a bit, as well as laying out and gentle stretching (basically, blocking your wool garments, even if not knits).

      Steaming/pressing the wrinkles out may be a bigger hassle, if you don’t have the tailor hams/rolls to get the sleeves and shoulder pieces right.

    • pickle

      I put higher-quality wool pants/skirts straight in the washer on cold delicate all the time (higher-quality to me is Pendleton, Brooks Brothers, older Talbots stuff). Nicer merino wool has also held up in the machine. I would not do this with a suit or with cashmere. Again, not for suits or cashmere, but you can always handwash with Woolite, reshape, and lay flat to dry.

      • washaway

        I’ve done with with cashmere and not had any problems. I lay flat to dry though.

    • KittyKat

      Do not hang wool. Wool must be laid flat to dry, otherwise it will stretch and get misshapen. But honestly I hand wash all my wools. Much better for me, the environment, and the garments.

      • Mpls

        Definitely don’t hang woolen knits. I would hang wool pants (hung from the cuffs/hems) to dry though.

        • lsw

          What’s everyone’s best cashmere care, hand wash? I love this sweater so much I’m afraid to send it to the dry cleaner.

          • la vie en bleu

            Yes hand wash. Just a large bowl, a bit of soap, or sometimes I just use vinegar, no soap at all, swish it around a bit. Then lay flat on a towel and roll up the towel to squeeze out the water. Hand washing sounded so daunting to me for a long time, but really it can take 5 minutes in the water, it doesn’t need that much washing. We don’t farm the fields in our clothes these days. ;)

          • Mpls

            Handwash, Laundress Wool/Cashmere Shampoo, lay flat on a towel. roll up to squeeze dry (but no twisting), un roll and lay flat on a drying screen.

          • Eliza

            I hand wash my pieces with Eucalan wool wash, put them in the washer to spin most of the water out, then dry flat. In low humidity, they’re usually dry in four or so hours.

          • washaway

            I use shampoo. If it’s gentle enough to be on my head I figure it’s gentle enough for cashmere.

  16. STL recs

    Heading to STL in a few weeks, and wanted to know about fun things to do and places to eat? I’ll be staying very close to the arch for 4-5 days. I have commitments during that time, but don’t want to spend the entire time in the hotel. Also if there are any parks to run/work out at, I’d probably really like that.

    • Anonymous

      Check out the arch, the surrounding park and the museum underneath. The old church and the old capital nearby are awesome too (if you’re in to that sort of thing). And, as a baseball and specifically a Cardinals fan, go check out a game! Also, go down to McLead’s Landing and walk around old cobblestone streets. Have fun!

    • Anonymous

      I’m in StL, but don’t hang out downtown that much.
      If you can take in a Cards game, the stadium is beautiful and ballpark village is fun for people watching.
      If you like beer, Schlafly tap room or Bottleworks has nice craft beers and local food. It’s a little touristy, but the free Anheiser Busch brewery tour is great and you can call ahead for the Brewmaster tour, which is 25 bucks but worth it.
      Forest park is beautiful and the zoo (which is inside) will be busy, but it’s a lot of fun. You can eat at the Boathouse and rent a little paddleboat too.

    • Anonymous

      Go to Rooster for a killer fried egg sandwich and a bloody mary, go to Bridge for dinner and beers, and go to bailey’s range for burgers and malts. yum yum yum

      • Alana

        +1 to Bailey’s Range, Rooster and Forest Park.

        If you like wacky things, the City Museum is a great visit. For more traditional fare, the Art Museum in Forest Park is great and free!

        If you like Mexican food, there are tons of choices on Cherokee St., which is also where the hipsters gather, so could be a plus or minus depending.

        There are several good Middle Eastern, Thai, and other restaurants on South Grand.

        Salt on Lindell serves well-done seasonal fare. The Shaved Duck has amazing pulled pork. SweetArt is a great place for vegetarian breakfast and lunch dishes.

    • Anonymous

      I ran the marathon about a month ago (got some great food advice here!) and the route went through Forest Park. It seemed perfect for getting in a long run, if you can get out there (I think it’s on the train route because that’s how they encouraged relay runners to get to/from the exchanges).

  17. Limited petites

    Can anyone speak to fit for the Limited’s petite clothing, particularly in comparison to BR and Loft?

  18. CHL

    Has anyone had good luck learning another language as an adult? It would be advantageous to me to speak Spanish for work (don’t need to be really bilingual but enough to convey that I’m really trying and can participate). I took Spanish and French in high school/college, so I remember a lot of the grammar structure and know many words, but I need some structured refresh and practice! Trying to figure out if I should do a formal class (cultural center? community college? language school?), get a tutor, try one of the software programs, etc.

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