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Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Ponte Skater Skirt

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Ponte Skater Skirt (24"! long!) | CorporetteI was recently perusing a guide to budget fashion and found a bunch of stores I'd never heard of before, including DownEast Basics. There, I found this ponte skater skirt, which looks like a great alternative to all of the minis I've seen elsewhere. To compare: this one is 24″ long; The Limited's popular skater skirt is 19.” (This was standard in our recent hunt for flared skirts, particularly among the less expensive options.)  This one comes in black and blue in sizes XXS-XL, and is $27. Try code ANNIV20 to take another 20% off in their anniversary sale. Ponte Skater Skirt (Here's a similar option in plus sizes.) Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.

Sales of note for 12.13

  • Nordstrom – Beauty deals on skincare including Charlotte Tilbury, Living Proof, Dyson, Shark Pro, and gift sets!
  • Ann Taylor – 50% off everything, including new arrivals (order via standard shipping for 12/23 expected delivery)
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 400+ styles starting at $19
  • J.Crew – Up to 60% off almost everything + free shipping (12/13 only)
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything and free shipping, no minimum
  • Macy's – $30 off every $150 beauty purchase on top brands
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
  • Talbots – 50% off entire purchase, and free shipping on $99+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

152 Comments

  1. Just wanted to get in early to say thanks to Bonnie for the dress recommendations earlier this week. I love them all. (Just wish the Anne Klein dress was in my size!)

  2. I love the color of this skirt, but I think it looks a little odd with the bottom seam? I also think it would be a nicer-looking skirt if it were more tailored like a pencil skirt, even in the ponte.

    I couldn’t weed through the search function, but I am trying to find riding boots with a narrow-er calf? (FTR, Kat, it would be awesome if the search function could jump to the string/search term when put in quotes–is that possible??)

    When 6PM posts their specs on boots, the measurements usually aren’t in my size.

    Anyone have any search recs?

    1. Go onto zappos and search by shaft circumference. Even if they measured a size 8 and you wear a size 6, picking the smaller circumferences is the best guide you’re going to get.

    3. I have geox mendi stivali that I bought last year. Nice quality leather and slim around my calfs. Size 7.5, but I’m otherwise a tiny person– 5’1″ and 00p.

    4. Just FYI, as I have been doing similar searches recently, calf circumference measurements often vary across websites for the same pair of shoes. I always try to check the brand’s actual website since I assume its most likely to be accurate.

    5. I did this search last year. I had a hard time.

      In the end, I got Aquitaine and La Candienne. I scoured the web for sales, and got mine at deep discount, but they were still pricey.

    6. Aquatalia runs narrow, and sometimes Miz Mooz does as well. I have boots from both brands that fit perfectly.

      I’ve found that in general, the higher end the brand, the narrower the calf.

  3. So what happens when you accidentally overstep at work? Do you recognize/address it with your manager? Do you just let it go? I’m feeling very uncomfortable at the moment, because it’s been made clear that I’ve pissed manager off even though it was unintentional.

    1. If you meet with the person and address/ apologize, it may help to head off, or get an idea of a possible punitive action following your mistake.

    2. I’d give a brief apology and a plan for correction if needed. Then move on. If this was just a mistake with no real consequences other than the manager getting snippy (doesn’t affect the client/business) then no need to fall on your sword repeatedly.

  4. Any advice re: in-house salaries? I am in the late stages of the interview process for an in-house position and have been asked to propose a salary range. I am having trouble figuring out what an appropriate salary is for this position – the company is about an hour and a half outside a major East Coast city, in an area without a lot of other large companies, and they currently only have one other attorney, who is much more experienced than I am. I’m currently in biglaw and am pretty junior (~2 years in) and I know I’ll be taking a significant pay cut, which is fine. Without anything to compare it to, how do I come up with a number? Does anyone have an idea of an appropriate range (although I know I didn’t provide much detail)? I’m sure they have their own range in mind and I don’t want to be too far above it, but I also don’t want to leave a lot of money on the table.

      1. +1 on the Robert Half Legal guide – I like that it has the adjustment calculator based on which city you are in. If it helps, I recently received an offer in a major east coast city for $140,000 + bonus & stock, with 2 years of transactional BigLaw experience.

    2. I would guess you’re looking at low six figures ($100-130K). Size of company, location, & degree of specialization of your practice would all be expected to affect that amount. Are you the first junior lawyer they are hiring (probably more flexibility), or are you being hired into a position someone has vacated (less flexibility)?

      Do you have any recruiter contacts or in-house friends you could reach out to for information? My experience is that word-of-mouth is usually much more helpful than any other sources, and I’ll be watching for other comments.

    3. I only took about a 25% cut from big law but salary was lower and bonus and stock made up the rest. Don’t think it’s automatically much lower. You don’t get the big jumps each year like in big law, but it’s not a huge cut when you’re junior. Agree w ask around in your market.

    4. I’m interviewing with similar experience but in the IP field. The talent rep was very open and said the position had a midpoint of $147k with a 20% bonus potential. Large company, outside a major city in the eastern half of the country.

    5. Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love fruegel friday’s and this skirt, tho I think I would want to have a pair of Saddel shoe’s to go with this, Kat.

      As for the OP, you should check with other peeople locally if possibel, includeing head hunter’s so that you do not ask for to littel or to much. I think that when I decide to go in house (if I do NOT get MARRIED) or become a judge or a professor, I would want to get at least 2/3 of what I get now, but I would ONLEY want to work 15 hours MAXIMUM a week, rather then the 120+ I now bill. When I have kid’s, that will be my focus, b/c they need to grow up with a healthy outlook.

      Dad say’s that Mabye there could be issue’s with Noah. He said the other doctor who’s now got Ebola in NYC, is about my age, and sound’s like Noah. I do NOT want to date and marry a guy who bring’s that home. His girlfreind must be petrified, b/c dad says she likeley exchanged bodiley fluid’s with him. FOOEY! We can onley hope and pray she was careful b/c she is NOT a doctor and does NOT have the fortutude that a doctor does. Also, I heard he went bowleing, so he could not be that sick. DOUBEL FOOEY. I am goeing to tell Noah that he should NOT volunteer to do anything like that if we are to date.

      Anyway, I will see him Sunday and tell him. If there is anyone in the HIVE married to an MD, what do you think? YAY!!!!!

  5. What does everyone think of the FCKH8 video (Little Girls Cussing for Feminism)? If you haven’t seen it, it’s def NSFW.

    1. I think it’s stupid noise. You want little girls for feminism? See eg the Girl Scouts.

      1. Heartily seconded re: Girl Scouts. I learned more about girls sticking up for girls in Scouts than I ever would have from any ad campaign (or, honestly, my school).

        The yearly cookie sale alone is a thing of wonder in terms of skill building – sales and persuasion, math and cash skills, setting and achieving goals. Our troop’s planning usually went something like – we want to go on a trip with our cookie money! After adding up our costs and estimates, said trip will cost about $X, and if we make $Y from each box of cookies, how many do we need to sell? We can count on booth sales for Z boxes/hour, how many do we need to do? How can we make this goal happen?

        Between those sales and the yearly camping trips paid for by them, Scouts was one of the best things I did in school, and one of the strongest ways of learning that girls can do damn near anything they set their minds to. Screw the flashy ad campaigns.

        1. Seconded, re Girl Guides in Canada. I’ve been a member since the age of 5 and I have learned more there than I could possibly enumerate here.

    3. Meh. Super feminist here, and I get where the ad creators are coming from (“shock value to make people think!”) BUT…. at bottom, it’s an ad for clothing, and I think it’s kind of a downer that we have to use little girls cursing to get people to listen about these issues. It’s not like the “message” in it is that deep or revolutionary or interesting. I doubt this will convert any non-feminists.

    4. I find it pretty exploitative – these kids are obviously too young to understand the issues on which they are speaking (this is a general problem with people using their kids as political props on all sorts of issues) and will likely be embarrassed when they are older to have said such vulgar things on camera. I’ll add that this is not so much a political campaign as a capitalistic one to sell t-shirts. Whatever feminism means to anyone, it shouldn’t mean anything even remotely like exploiting little girls like that.

      1. I agree Lyssa and after discussion with my circle of friends – they all agree as well. It keeps popping up – so I thought maybe we were the minority view.

      2. What did you think of the Goldie Blocks commercial? That was certainly an ad for a product, but didn’t have bad words (unless you find the song used vulgar, I guess). Also exploitative?

        1. No more or less exploitative than any ad for a product featuring children. I certainly couldn’t view little boys acting in a commercial for toygunsofflamesandsabres as being exploited.

        2. I actually never saw it. (Viral videos annoy me, and I usually try to avoid them. I’ve still never seen Gangnam Style.)

          I don’t really have a problem with kids being in commercials that are obviously commercials (well, the entire child actor industry is pretty unsavory in a lot of ways, but that doesn’t really seem to kick in until you get to higher levels than just commercials). If a kid looks at a camera and says “Cheerios are awesome!” everyone understands that the kid just does that because s/he’s an actor and Cheerios paid for the work.

          It’s a little different if there’s a political message, particularly one that gets wrapped up in emotions and controversy (which I don’t think that the Goldi Blocks one really did, did it? I know that there was something about using the song, but I mean saying something politically controversial.) (I don’t think any of the overall messages in the vulgar commercial are controversial, but a number of the talking points and stats repeated are definitely so, and it’s obviously geared towards stirring up emotion.).

          So, in true legalistic fashion, the Goldi Blocks one gets partial credit for part A of my exploitation of kids for political purposes test, in that it did use kids for political messages, but they were less political and controversial, and more obviously advertising some product, so less problematic than the one discussed above. No credit for part B, since (I don’t think) there was anything particularly likely to be embarrassing.

    5. Really exploitative. Especially since its a for-profit company. I feel like toy companies (I haven’t seen the Goldie Blox thing, so can’t comment there) semi get a pass since kids are their market, but I don’t see them doing something like that.

      Also, introducing feminist qualities to ads has really been paying off, so from a marketing standpoint, it’s a trend.

    1. My cardigan and shell that I got for Christmas last year are holding up well. To compare, I have two jcrew cardigans that have been relegated to weekend wear only because they’re so pilled. (jcrew sweaters were purchased last fall, so only a few months older).

    2. I am a big fan. The cardigan I’ve had for over a year has stretched out a little bit, but it hasn’t pilled at all and I still wear it often.

  7. Looking to book a long weekend in Chicago in a few weeks with my husband. I haven’t been there since I was a kid. I’m looking around the Magnificent Mile and River North. Am I hot or cold? I’m looking for restaurants, shopping, good wandering.

    Any good restaurant recommendations? He wants the best deep dish pizza he can get his hands on, and then we want one nice dinner out with some great food and drinks (American or Italian?). Thoughts??

    1. River North is a great place to stay, close to Mag Mile but also close to tons of really trendy restaurants.

      Pizza – Pequods
      Italian – Sienna Tavern (Chef Fabio from Top Chef) or Volaire (my absolute favorite)
      American – Bandera on Michigan Ave or Gene and Georgettis (pricey steak house, but a great experience and wonderful food)

      1. River North/mag mile is great for staying. For popping into little shops, try the area around the Armitage stop other than the obvious Michigan Ave and State Street. For deep dish I recommend Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s. or Pequod’s. Depending on when you visit (around the holidays? walk down Michigan for the lights or the Lincoln Park Zoo. In the summer? See how the city comes alive at the parks and beach) could change what things you want to see.

    2. my favorite deep dish is Lou Malnati’s (and make sure you get the cookie pizza for dessert), but foodies tend to prefer Pequods I think. STAY AWAY from Geno’s East, whatever you do. Giordanos is ok though.

      1. I think it’s so funny that we Chicagoans have such extreme pizza feelings even within the deep dish category. I hate Malnati’s, love Gino’s East, and find Peaqod’ s to literally always be overcooked. To each her own crust/sauce/cheese mountain, I suppose.

        1. I am all about Uno’s/Due’s, but that’s mostly because my dad grew up in Chicago and knew those guys in the 60s.

  8. I responded late to your post about St. Croix. I went to a wedding at the Chenay Bay resort. It was lovely. You might want to look into it.

    Also, my friends (the ones who got married) own a restaurant called the Bistro in Christiansted.

    1. Thanks for the info! I have never taken a winter vacation before, so I am beside myself with excitement.

  9. Any opinions on phones to pick up these days? My iphone 4S is close to two years old so I’m getting due for a new contract/discounted phone. This was my first iphone and it was fine; I’d had another smart phone before (maybe a Samsung?) and it also did what I needed–email, pics, and limited apps. I’m not interested in shelling out a lot, although I realize that the new contract will be the primary discounter. My recent revelation is that my phone is the family camera, so I’m very interested in phones that people like the camera on (I found the iphone camera so-so) and that has enough room to store a ton of pictures (my phone is basically full, and that’s causing major issues). Thanks very much.

    1. I’d get an iPhone 5C. They’ve been around for a year now so should be reasonably priced. The cameras have improved on every model!

      Either shell out a bit more for one with more storage space (I’m using a 4 with only 8GB now and really wish I had more) or use Phone Clean on a regular basis. I used it for the first time last week and got rid of 2GB of ‘other’ in about twenty minutes!

      1. What is this “phone clean” of which you speak? An app? I have NO room on my iPhone 4S ever and it drives me nuts (and Verizon keeps telling me it has no iPhone 6s, so I cannot upgrade. GRRR).

        1. It’s a separate product that you can buy and then apply to up to 3 devices. I think it’s under $50 (but definitely more than $25). Haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing it because I hadn’t heard anyone give an IRL recommendation (and I consider this s!te to be IRL…) or explain if it’s more hassle than it’s worth.

      2. Is Phone Clean an app? I have the 5c 8 GB and am constantly deleting things to have enough space for podcasts.

        And I second getting as much storage on the phone as you can possibly manage. You think you don’t need space, take a bunch of pictures, a couple of videos, download an audiobook, and suddenly your storage is completely full.

        Also, phone cameras are great for snapping pictures on the go, but I personally find even the newest, fanciest phone cameras can’t hold a candle to a halfway decent dedicated camera. But YMMV – I am constantly frustrated by the inability to selectively focus, play with white balance, and do semi-fancy timer shots.

    2. I have the droid mini, which supposedly has a superior camera. It’s laggy, takes terrible pictures in low light, and a case noticeably degrades picture quality. Can you tell I’m disappointed in this phone?

      1. I have the droid ultra (which I think has the same camera as the mini) and I’m also meh about the camera. My previous phone was a Samsung Galaxy S3, and I liked the camera way better.

        The features that I miss from my Samsung:
        -It had more storage overall (32 GB vs 16 GB for the Ultra)
        -MicroSD slot so I could add more memory myself as well, and have a physical removable backup if my phone died
        -Ability to adjust camera resolution up or down (so when my kids take 100 pictures of their feet it doesn’t kill my storage space)

        However, toward the end of the time I had it, the S3 was starting to get really buggy – apparently there were some not so stable updates. If you don’t care so much about apps and do care about the camera, I’d look into getting a cheaper S4 or S4 mini now that the S5 is out. Or even an S3 off ebay

    3. I have the moto g from Motorola. I like it, charges fast, great photos, android apps, expandable memory with a memory card if you want (memory cards are so cheap these days) phone ended up being free on my plan.

    4. If you run out of space for pictures, I’d get something you can add a mini SD card to, which is not an iPhone. If you like the size of the previous iPhones, I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini that is about the same size that I like. Camera works well-it takes better pictures in low light than my little point-and-shoot camera, for instance. BF has the Galaxy S5 and really likes that, but it’s too big for my tiny hands. It does take good pictures. We compared pictures from a recent trip, and I still think my separate camera takes better pictures outdoors (yes, I still take a separate camera with me on vacations), but not by much.

      1. Concur on Samsung Galaxy. They have better cameras than Iphones and have SD cards so you won’t run out of space for your photos as easy. Frankly, if you sign a contract you’ll get the newest phone for free (both Spring and Verizon have a plan where the Iphone 4s can be traded in for $200, and the newest Iphone or Samsung Galaxy is also $200) so get the latest and best phone you can since you’ll be stuck with it for another 2 years under contract. I got an Iphone 6, but if I was choosing based on camera and storage I would have gone with the Samsung.

    5. Thanks all! I just checked with my phone carrier and I’m leaning towards a Galaxy S4. Alternatively an iPhone 5C with the extra storage, but I’m thinking I’d like to mix it up a bit.

      1. +1 for the Samsung S5, which my husband has – I am still using iphone 4S and his photos are noticeably better.

      2. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4. The nice thing about these androids is you have external storage – you can go and buy a 32GB or 64GB miniSD and shove it into your phone and suddenly your phone can store a lot more photos and videos.

        I like the camera on the S4- something like 13 megapixel camera on the back. Now that the S5 is out, the S4 ones are probably on sale/discounted or cheaper. I also like the high resolution on the screen – you can really tell the difference. It actually has a higher resolution than my Macbook. Plus it makes looking at the photos you take on your camera much nicer.

        I will say that I am an app hoarder and so my phone has slowed down now (about 14 months into use). Plus a combination of KitKat being somewhat laggy for some stuff (I tend to multi-task…).. but I think we are supposed to expect getting Android L when the update rolls out.. we’ll see! Anyway, if you don’t use apps, and just use the basic email and pics, then it should run just fine!

        And you can buy replacement batteries for the S4!

    6. I went from an eyephone 5 to a nokia 1520. It’s about the same size as an eyephone 6+, but with a markedly better camera (20mpx) and, as far as I can tell, markedly better everything for me. It came with a mobile version of Word, powerpoint, and excel, and can sync with outlook no problem if that’s something that’s good for you. I can’t use it with one hand, nor will it fit in any of my pockets, if that’s something that’s a factor for you. But I have never used a phone with one hand (except while driving…ahem) and have never kept a phone in a pocket, so it wasn’t a big deal for me.

      1. I have the Nokia 920, and I love it. If you don’t mind waiting a bit for apps to be released after they’re on iOS and Android, it is not a problem. There’s a good camera, I’ve printed pictures from the phone and they all look nice. It has also held up way better than the Android I had before this one. I’ll probably replace it with another Nokia phone when it decides to die. I can get a new phone in December, but I’ll probably keep the phone for another 6 months to a year.

    2. I am jealous that dress worked for you! I ordered it to try, but Boden’s clothing is not friendly to my pear-shaped figure, sadly.

  11. After one too many PC problems, I’m buying a mac laptop for the first time. I’ve narrowed it down to the 13 inch macbook air (so light, but weaker visuals) and the 13 inch macbook pro with retina (heavier, more expensive, but better visually). I can’t decide! Any advice? Cost matters but is not determinative. I mostly use my computer at home to stream t.v. or to work from home but I do need it to travel on occasion. I’d love to be able to keep it for the next five years if that’s relevant. TIA!

    1. I’ve purchased a total of 3 macbook pros for my kids and I’ve been extremely happy with them. I too am completely disillusioned with PC’s and will buy a macbook pro for myself next time around. I think the macbook air is cheaper, right, but it doesn’t have a cd rom drive (which I like cause I’m old). Also, I’m not sure how the operating systems compare, but I can tell you we have had zero problems with the macbook pro’s, including one which is over 4 years old and still going strong. I am the household tech expert (self appointed but it’s a job I’d gladly give up) and the macbooks don’t require any of my time and the desktop PC and laptop require a ton of time.

      1. A lot of the pro’s don’t have CD drives now either. My sister just got a new pro for school, and it doesn’t have one.

      2. I’m super late to the convo, but I just bought a cheapie $20 external CD drive and have used it a grand total of once since I got my Air over a year ago.

    2. I’ll be purchasing a MacBook Air soon. I’d go to a store to see if the visuals actually make a difference to you. I’ve viewed both and although I can notice a small difference side by side, it’s not worth the extra dollars to me. I’d much rather have the good battery life and lightness than a tiny increase in screen quality.

      1. Thanks – I’ve done that and I do notice the difference but am not sure whether the air’s minor pixelation will bother or not me when watching t.v. (I mostly watch t.v. shows on my computer).

    3. I like my macbook pro 13 inch a lot. If you’re totally set on that size, I highly recommend it. However, my only complaint with mine is that the screen is a little on the small side. Recently I’ve been needing to reference several documents at once, and it’s a bit difficult and inconvinient. I wish I had the 15 inch.

    4. I’d get the Air. I haven’t put a CD into my macbook pro since I first got it, which was over 4 years ago. I don’t think the difference in visuals would be huge unless you were working in photoshop or working with graphics. Although I only use my computer to work from home nowadays (I stay off of it nights/weekends), I’d still buy a mac because I have never had my mac crash or freeze or randomly shut down a program.

      1. Thanks! The macbook pro with retina doesn’t have a CD drive either. I don’t need one so am fine that neither choice has one.

        1. I have a pro (sans CD drive) and LOVE it. My husband got it for me for xmas last year so I didn’t compare but after a small adjustment period (different scrolling, clicking, etc) I’m very happy. I rate it as much improved over the PCs i’ve had.

    5. I love love love my MacBook Air. I prefer to use it all around the house (on the couch, kitchen counter, watching netflix in the bathroom, etc.) and on trips–over the iPad–because it’s lighter and I can do more with it. So, you basically get the best of both laptops (full keyboard, full browser, full Office functionality) and tablets (portability) in one.

      Don’t let the lack of CD drive stop you from getting the Air–the Air has a Remote Disc function where you can access the CD drive of another computer on your wireless network. I’ve kept an older laptop with a CD drive just to have this option, but honestly I can’t think of a single time in the last two years that I’ve needed the CD drive.

      I’ve had mine for four years and it still runs amazingly, so the longevity is great. I do suggest maxing out the specs on the Air–the cheaper models that they advertise don’t have great RAM for running multiple programs at once, or even just running iPhoto by itself.

      1. Yes – I was going to say the same thing re Remote Disc. Alternatively you can get an external CD ROM drive, which I also have and can just hook it up to my MacBook Air. But I’ve only done that, like, once. It is way less of an issue than I thought it would be.

        I previously had an absolutely ancient iBook (about 7 or 8 years old) and when it finally died earlier this year, I was so impressed with how much lighter and faster my new MacBook Air is. I think the difference between it and the MacBook Pro in terms of visuals is negligible unless you are a person to whom that Really Matters. I am not.

    6. I have a macbook pro 13 inch but it’s older (I think about 4 years now?) It’s still in great shape, although to be honest it only gets used for TV watching at home, work from home once in a while, and the occasional work trip. Since you watch TV shows on your computer, I would probably recommend the pro. It’s still not that heavy when you’re travelling. Although if you travel a lot, I think I would probably go for the Macbook Air.

    7. I recently debated this exact question and ended up with the Air. When I looked at them side by side in the Apple store, I had a hard time telling the difference between the two displays. If I were a serious photographer/graphics/videographer type I would get the Pro for more processing power, but as a hobbyist photog the Air more than meets my needs. It’s also lighter and less expensive.

    8. I have a Macbook Pro – one of the last ones they were selling that had CD drives before they made the laptops thinner. I didn’t get it with retina – instead, I opted for a faster processor. I do some graphics/photoshopping work but I wanted the faster processor so that performance would be smoother.

      I think retina is nice – it looks really great on the screen – but tbh I watch HD videos on my macbook and it looks great. Sometimes I just hook it up to my HDTV and watch it on my TV too.

      I think the Air would be great for you because it’s light and more affordable. The screen resolution, although not as nice as the retina display, is still really good for every day use. Plus, since you will be using it for travel, the Air is probably a better option!

      Also, I think you should buy AppleCare. It’ll save you a headache because I feel like troubleshooting macs is a lot harder than troubleshooting a PC.

  13. I love this skirt. As a 6′ tall gal with long legs, I’m always happy to see anything available in longer lengths!

    Can you help me decipher a dress code? My husband and I are going to a birthday party for a man in his 50s or 60s tonight (I’ve only met him once). The party is at a country club and the invitation says “cocktail casual – no coat and tie needed.” What is “cocktail casual?” What do we wear?!?

    1. I’m guessing nice pants and a button-down for your husband (no tie, obviously), and a nice dress for you (like a half-step up from what you’d wear to a bridal shower/fancy brunch, since it is evening).

    2. you- cocktail dress but nothing too sparkly/blingy
      him- button down and slacks, with a sweater if it’s chilly.

    3. You wear a date night dress. He wears a button down, no tue, and a blazer because he wants to look sexy for you.

      1. +1 Blazer. I always think it’s strange when I see a man in just a shirt and slacks. He can always take it off when you arrive.

        1. Yes, especially if most of the ladies are wearing cocktail dresses. It seems weird that the women will be dressed very nicely and the men won’t even be in jackets.

    4. I would say something along the lines of a nice wrap dress and some bling for you, nice pants, button down, and maybe a sports coat for him to look extra snazzy.

  14. I picked up some skater skirts for a song at Old Navy but I am struggling to style them. What are you wearing with these short flared skirts? I’m short and curvy and often feel like a twee oompa loompa in them.

    1. I don’t wear them because I think they’re a bit mutton dressed as lamb on this 30 year old short curvy gal. Why would you buy multiples of an item you don’t know how to wear?

        1. Hey now! I do the same thing, you try something on, you think of great ways to style it, you bring it home and try it out and…nope. It’s frustrating, but don’t be mean to yourself just because strangers on the internet find it easy to throw out aspersions.

          I agree with locomotive’s recommendations, but with a larger chest, I’ve never yet found a button down that works for me. If they do fit in the chest they make me feel super frumpy. Sometimes I’ll do one with a cami underneath, but even that I feel pretty frumpy by the end of the day. If they do work for you, I LOVE that look!

          I think I would put it with something like a tighter light sweater, I have one (I know it’s not the height of fashion) that’s kind of a mock turtleneck with cap sleeves, gives the sweater look without the warmth. I like tighter sweaters because with curves, anything loose tends to just add bulk.

          The other suggestion I have is taller boots, I think a swingy skirt with knee-high boots is cute.

        2. I’m right there with you. And it’s getting worse. Recent styles seem to all demand their own basics to make them work (I think because recent styles have played with proportions a lot).

        3. I’m on a conference call and forgot to mute, and Squash Blossoms, your response made me snort with laughter. Hard to explain to the other people on the call, but thanks for the laugh!

        4. I’m the same and just have given up on skater skirts–they make me look like a fourth grader in a school uniform! Love your reply, too.

    2. button down tucked into the skirt, tights, ankle boots. i’ve worn a red flared skirt with an oxford shirt tucked in, sleeves rolled up, black tights and black boots.

  16. So I’m taking my first international trip and was wondering if more seasoned travelers could give me some tips. I can’t provide the exact location (out me to coworkers), but it is a predominately English speaking country. I’ve ordered my plug converter and am confirming if I need chip/pin credit card, but any basic tips for not making a complete a$$ out of myself/forgetting to do some basic things (copies of passports for example). TIA!

    1. Call your bank/credit card company before you go and tell them that you are traveling abroad. Also, order some money in local currency to have when you first get there. Yes, the exchange rates at the foreign ATMs are generally the most favorable, but you don’t want to be stranded if your bank blocks your card the first time you try to use it. Also, figure out if you can get an international phone and plan from your cell phone company.

      1. I travel international often (2-3 trips a year, at minimum) and never order local currency before the trip. Instead, bring at least a few hundred dollars in cash with you that you can exchange at the airport if necessary. I have never been to an international airport that doesn’t have an exchange counter.

      2. I’ve never ordered international currency either but bring emergency cash in $20s. Larger bills can be harder to exchange. Bring a ziplock with a few tablets of medicines you may need (Sudafed, Benadryl, Advil, Immodium, etc.) just in case.

      3. If you bring US dollars to exchange, bring crisp 20s. Many exchange vendors won’t accept older currency. Change a small amount of money at the airport when you get to your destination, then the rest at a reputable exchange counter outside of the airport. Fees at the airport are much higher than everywhere else.

        1. Don’t do this! Just pay predominately with your debit card (check with your bank first about fees), and then take only necessary cash out at an ATM. Currency exchanges are going the way of the dodo, and generally offer a worse rate than paying via card. Be sure to notify your bank you’ll be out of the country before you leave so they don’t freeze your account.

      4. Actually, if you’re going to an even close to developed country, there will be ATMs. If your ATM card has a Plus symbol or some other network on the back of it, you can just withdraw money from an ATM. There will be a fee on top of the exchange rate, but this has ALWAYS been cheaper for me than a foreign exchange counter. Also prevents you from having to carry a bunch of US currency.

        Also, check if your bank has ATM partnerships with any international banks. Bank of America has this, and you can withdraw for free from certain banks in different countries.

        1. I’d still give the advice to have some cash you can exchange. Even though we had notified BoA of our travel plans, they still blocked our card at an ATM the first time we tried to get cash. I seem to remember a further complication of trying to deal with getting in touch with them during US business hours to get it resolved.

    2. Here’s what I can think of off the top of my head:

      My newer credit cards that have a chip are all chip-and-signature. This is fine (as are magnetic swipe cards) in most restaurants and retail shops. I was told by my CC company that if I used the PIN, it would be treated as a cash advance with that sky-high 20-something percent interest rate kicking in immediately, so not something they (or I) advise doing. The only place you might need a PIN card is the self-serve kiosks at train stations, so just use your debit card there and your regular credit card should be fine everywhere else.

      Get a very very small amount of cash in the foreign currency before you go–just enough for a cab/train from the airport to your hotel–in case you can’t find or don’t have time for the airport ATM. Once you arrive, don’t take out tons of cash, because you’ll be able to pay for most things with credit card, and you’ll get a poor rate when you go to turn the money back in for US$. For the little that you do need, get it once you arrive where you’ll get a better exchange rate than at your domestic bank. Do not use ATMs labeled “Travelex” or others associated with currency exchange places–they give you horrible rates. Use ones associated with a major bank. Use the same common sense you would at sidewalk ATMs at home–cover the keypad, keep your purse closed and in front of you while you’re using it, and then quickly put your money away before turning away.

      You should only need an adapter for your plugs, not a voltage converter. Modern electronics can run at both voltages (you can tell by looking at the plug and it will say 100-240V). The main exceptions to this are hair dryers/straighteners/curling irons. Leave your hair dryer at home and use the hotel’s. Also, don’t go nuts buying plug adapters for every device you think you’ll want plugged in at once–often times your hotel provides them or even has outlets that accept US plugs. Bring one just in case (it’s small anyway), and you should be good.

      Scan your passport and e-mail it to someone who is not traveling with you. This way you have an e-copy in your sent folder, and you have someone you can contact to send it to you if necessary.

      Do you have a company phone? If you do, check with your employer to see what your international coverage is. If you are taking your personal phone, get a small (I find 120MB is plenty for a week) international data package for emergencies–ie, you’re lost and need to turn on Maps without it costing $400–but otherwise shut off all data and only use wireless. Before you shut off all date, go in and shut off data for every individual app except Maps so that if you do have to turn on Maps, your phone doesn’t start connecting to every single app and use up your emergency data allowance on Words with Friends. Make phone calls using Skype over wireless in the hotel. (Note: For longer trips I prefer to get an international SIM for my unlocked phone, but that’s only worth it if your trip is >7 days and may be a bit too much work for a first time international traveler.)

      1. In my experience, kiosks in countries where chip and pin is standard require chip and pins–magnetic swiping and chip and signature just haven’t worked. This is ok if you have the option to go to a manned desk, but that’s not always possible in less populated areas and can be annoying in cities if there’s a long line. Also: some financial institutions have no foreign transaction fees or ATM fees while others have sky-high fees.

        2. Which is exactly what I said–use a PIN card (debit card is often the best option for minimizing transaction costs) at the kiosks. Everywhere else, where a person is taking your cards, ie, shopping and at restaurants, you can use your regular card. Not sure what your post adds.

        3. Every chip and pin terminal I’ve used all across Europe during many different trips had the ability to swipe- often the cashier didn’t even know about it since they never use them, but they’re on the side of the machine just like in the US. The exception is stand-alone machines, like train ticket vending machines, where you would have to find an actual counter with a person in order to purchase. Outside of Europe, I’m not sure how true this is.

    3. Many countries require you to fill out a form on arrival listing the address where you will be staying. I always tuck a pen and post it with this info into my bag.

      On return to the US, you’ll be asked to fill out a form listing everything you bought for customs. Make sure you’re careful about this for $$$$ items, but I’ve never had an issue with “souvenirs, $60; clothes, $145; chocolate, $75.”

      If you get sick pharmacists tend to be very helpful.

      If you’re concerned about navigation and getting lost, buy a paper map now, highlight your hotel on it and any must visit spots, and figure out roughly how you get there (walk, car, bus, subway).

      1. You no longer need to list the items you brought when returning. With the new machines that they have at the major airports, you fill out a form ona touch screen instead of the paper form. Doesn’t even ask how much you spent

        1. Really? I flew into Dulles from an international location this fall and still had to fill out the paper form.

          1. (Not Anon @12:28) Agree with emeralds–I have Global Entry so I use the kiosks, but I have not seen these kiosks available for anyone who doesn’t have Global Entry status. I fly DFW if it matters. There may be a few available in certain airports, but I would not count on it.

            In any event, don’t worry if you can’t remember the exact amount of your chocolate bar, but just don’t lie about having any meat/produce products or understate expensive items. If they decide to search your bag and find an apple or $2000 trench from the Burberry store that you didn’t disclose, the fine can be up to $10,000, and you’re barred from ever participating in Global Entry or a similar Customs program in the future (if you started traveling more and that became something worthwhile). Not worth it.

          1. Some airports have kiosks for everyone (Toronto comes to mind – you go through US Customs/Immigration in Toronto before you fly to the states).

          2. Does anyone know if you can easily purchase a SIM card for an unlocked cell phone at Incheon Airport? If not, are they readily accessible once you leave the airport and arrive in Seoul or other large cities?

          3. both O’hare (in September and October) and Atlanta (in September) have them for all travelers

    4. Carry a small power bar (2-4 outlets) in your carry-on. It can come in handy at airports and then you can use it with your converter when you get to your destination.

      Ideally, have credit/debit cards with more than one bank, just in case there’s an issue with one. Second the advice to alert your bank before you leave.

      I always turn my phone on airplane mode and then just turn on the wifi. I highly recommend the Tripadvisor app, which allows you to download specific cities to your phone which are then available offline. You can also save destinations/maps for offline use using google maps. I like the Convert app for currency conversions on the go (no wifi needed if you update rates before you leave the hotel). Depending on where you’re going, they may also have local apps for public transportation.

      Airplane advice: If you are checking luggage, carry basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.) and a change of clothes in your carryon. You don’t want to be completely stuck if your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, plus it’s nice to freshen up on/after a long flight. For long flights (5+ hours), I try to drink water constantly (when I’m not sleeping). Every time I get up to go to the restroom, I spray my face with Evian spray and then apply my regular face moisturizer to combat the dry airplane air. Leggings, tunic and cardigan are my favorite cold weather travel outfit because it’s comfortable, still looks put together and I can remove layers as necessary. I change into slipper socks as soon as I get on the plane and carry a pashmina to use as a blanket (you don’t want to use the airplane blankets)!!!

      Learn something about the local culture before you go, even if it’s just from reading a few articles. Something as simple as knowing to say good morning before you ask a shop owner for help or a stranger for directions can make a huge difference.

      Try the local culture (food, activities, etc.) If you have all the same experiences at a new destination that you would in the US, you’re definitely doing it wrong!

      Pack travel sizes of your fav pharmacy basics (bandaids, headache medicine, something for stomach problems, etc.) and keep all medicine in original packaging unless absolutely necessary. Target has a great selection of travel sized products and also sells mini bottles to depot your fav liquids.

    5. I’m leaving on big international trip tomorrow and am loving all of these tips – had already planned for most but it’s very reassuring.

    6. Just got back from a trip – yes, the issue of pin/chip on a credit card is real. We couldn’t use our credit cards to buy tickets on the train or in a kiosk for a multi-day subway pass. Luckily, we had enough cash on us. Getting cash from an ATM in the country you’re traveling to has the fewest fees. Find a credit card with low fees (Southwest, I think?). I bought a shoe bag that was divided in two – used half of it for all of the chargers and cords, the other half for a couple extra pairs of underwear and medication. That worked beautifully – I wasn’t digging through my carry-on and losing cords. I also took cheap Target facecloths and left them in every hotel. They don’t always provide them. I bought an extra lightweight tote from Eagle Creek that I packed in my suitcase, could use as a tote running around and as a second carry-on coming home. Worked like a charm.

  17. I need to set a start date for BigLaw and am toying with taking the entire month off; but my SO wants to vacay in December and is not as flexible in November…

    If you’re a supervisor/partner–would this affect your opinion of someone before they start?

    1. If you are in a transactional practice, December is generally a very busy time with deals and other end of year deadlines. I wouldn’t count on being able to take a vacation then. If you want a couple of weeks to vacation, do it before you start.

    2. If you are in a transactional practice, December is generally a very busy time with deals and other end of year deadlines. I wouldn’t count on being able to take a vacation then. If you want a couple of weeks to vacation, do it before you start.

    3. Are your choices to either
      1. start right away but ask to have vacation time in December, or
      2. start in December but take November off?

      I agree with mascot that if you’re going transactional, it would look poorly to ask for time off in December. There’s always some year end scramble getting a deal closed and to start, then be unavailable during crunch time, would not reflect well. Litigators, however, seem able to disappear at will.

      Are you a lateral? It seems like they always take forever to start once the hiring decision has been made (sometimes conflicts, sometimes a delay while they see a trial through at Old Firm, etc) so if you have the option to take the later start date, that would stand out less.

      1. Although if you want to take the whole month of December off, you could just delay your start until January 1. I suspect that would be a better solution for your new firm.

      2. Thank you everybody for this. That’s what I thought. My SO can’t go on vacay until December, but I’d like to start on Dec 1 and my 2 weeks ends in the first week of November, and I’m transitioning into a transactional practice so now that I know it would be bad form to ask for time in December, I’m solidly convinced I need to delay my start until I’m ready.

        Jan 1 would be wonderful, but that may not fly.

    4. I would not take a vacation in my second month at a firm – it will be noticed and impact peoples preception of you. Except for a few days around Christmas, I would not expect to take a vacation for at least 6 months. And would not take anything longer than a long weekend until after the first year.

      1. I have a few new associates who just started and have taken vacation (all for good reasons, like weddings etc.). I have never told them they can’t go – but I find it incredibly annoying. In your first few years as a junior associate at a law firm, your whole job is to BE THERE.

        1. When do you think it’s ok to take vacations as a junior associate and for how long? What constitutes a good enough reason that it wouldn’t annoy a senior associate or partner?

          Just curious.

          1. the unspoken rule around here is that you wait at least 8 months (i.e., full on summer, if you started in the fall) to a year before taking a week off as a first year. An occasional long weekend would be acceptable before then, like for a wedding or moving, but there’s an aura of “you’ve only been here 4 months and you already need a vacation? I haven’t had a real vacation in a year and a half!” about it. Not necessarily fair – just, reality.

            I remember being a 1st and 2nd year and would make all my travel plans for weddings to fly in on Saturday morning and back on Sunday, so that I didn’t need to tell anyone I would be away / worry I would be seen as unavailable.

          2. It is very firm dependent. After about 6 months, a long weekend is fine at my firm. A longer vacation of a week is fine after a year. But it also depends on people’s preceptions of you – I work hard and very long hours when it’s required on one of my cases, so no one bats an eye when I took a two week vacation as a 3rd year. But if the preception is that you slack at work, people will notice if your out of the office more than a week.

            If someone had a wedding or other equally valid reason, I would probably not think anything of a long weekend shortly after starting. But not in your first few months if you had a choice on when to start. For example, say you could start Oct 1 or Nov 1 and you knew that you would be out for two days and a long weekend toward the end of October – then start on Nov 1.

  18. Ugh, I’m picking my parents up at SFO at 3:30 this afternoon. They planned it so well for us to sit in traffic for 4 hours. Any recommendations of a place to get an early dinner or at least kill an hour or three until the traffic has calmed down? I’m dreading the 101/80 bay bridge transition already.

    I’ve just been thinking about it and I don’t really know anywhere on the SFO side of the transition that would be good for three tired travelers (coming in from Dublin) including an 82 year old grandmother. Originally I had planned to meet up with my brother who lives in the City and let him guide us, but he’s unexpectedly out of town.

    Any help is appreciated!

    1. I like Ebisu, landside from the international terminal, good sushi. Not sure if waiting will make a big difference. Once the traffic starts Friday afternoon, it doesn’t get significantly better until the late evening. Hopefully though, everybody will have hurried to get somewhere to watch the Giants game before it starts at 5PM. Good luck!

      1. Yeah, it’s pretty much exactly the wrong time. A little earlier and I’d be okay making a run for it, a little later and we could actually sit down for a nice dinner and then head out at like 7. But no matter how nice, I don’t think we’re going to do a 3.5 hour dinner! :-)

        I hope they’ll be ready to go very close to 3:30, but I’m afraid with customs it’ll be more like 4, but right now I’m hoping to pop down to 92 and up through 680, with continuing over 580/205 as a backup plan. I’ve gone over on 4 before, but I have noticed that has gotten crazier and crazier as well.

    2. Not sure where you’re going back to, but you might have better luck on the San Mateo bridge than fighting baseball and commute traffic over the Bay Bridge.

        1. That’s a great point, we’re heading back to the Sacramento area, so that would actually work. I had also completely forgotten that the WS is here today, I’m a little out of touch with it this year due to a really atrocious October at work.

          Plus, I’m actually a bit more familiar with San Mateo than the City due to my intense dislike/dread of going to the City at any time. (Just because of traffic, nothing serious.)

          And yes, they’re coming in from Dublin, we’re not going to Dublin, but it’s not a bad idea to go out that way at that time of day and just head back up over 580/205 and through the valley.

          My husband suggested going up across the GG, and over 37, but I think that’ll be even worse than 101/80.

          Sadly, there’s really nowhere in California you can go anymore, especially on a Friday afternoon, and not hit a ridiculous amount of traffic.

          I have a sad feeling that I’m going to be driving for 4-5 hours while they all sleep in the car. I’ll at least have a book on tape with me! I really wish I’d just told them to take a shuttle, it’s so much easier! I dropped them off 3 weeks ago at 1pm on Friday and it took me almost 4 hours to get back, so I’m guessing it’ll be even worse leaving at 3:30.

    3. Downtown Burlingame is nice, they have just re-done the main street, Burlingame Ave, with wide sidewalks and new benches. There are some nice places to eat and shop as well. It’s a nice atmosphere. Hong Kong Flower Lounge at Milbrea Ave and El Camino is good too and there is a Benihanas on Air Port Blvd. Honestly though, you just might want to jump on the road and go for it. Maybe take the San Mateo Bridge? That’s how I always get to Dublin from San Mateo to avoid the 101/80 interchange. Hope that helps!

    4. Ugh, I hate retrieving loved ones from SFO for this reason! I would just bite the bullet and head right back to Dublin after picking them up — unless you’re planning the world’s longest dinner first, I think you’d still hit traffic. Just resign yourself to it, bring snacks and maybe some bottles of water in a little cooler, and hope that they are so horrified by the extent of the traffic that they plan for a more convenient arrival next time (“…yeah, Friday afternoons are the absolute worst time to drive in the city!”). Not sure if such a thing exists in Dublin, but I dramatically improved my life this summer when I found a luxury shuttle that goes directly from both airports to a stop a mile from my apartment in Napa. It’s $30, but you pay at the station, so I can pay for my guests while I’m waiting to pick them up, and feel hospitable and sane at the same time. Try googling airport shuttle Dublin, or check with nice hotels in the area.

      1. No advice, but since you might be able to amend your details – I was reading the OP as saying the travelers were coming in from Dublin, Ireland, not that she lives in Dublin, CA :)

  19. Any ideas for gifts for a friend who found out they passed the bar exam today? Would love to be able to pick it up on my way home from work…$20-30ish range ideally.

  20. Anyone want to do some vicarious shopping?

    I’m going to hit a professional goal at the end of the month, and I want to buy myself something nice to celebrate. My vague plan is pearls of some sort, but I’d love ideas of what kind, or any other suggestions anyone has.

    My budget is about $500, although I can go a little higher if I find something I love. What would you get in my position?

    1. With $500 and an inclination to pearls, I’d get generously sized black pearl earrings.

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