For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
Raey is a brand that’s new to me, but according to Matches.com, the brand “marries feminine nuance with traditional tailoring tropes.” Love! It’s got a simultaneously slouchy and tailored look that I adore, even though I’ve never been a fan of this beigey color.
The jacket is $717, and the matching pants are $445. (There is a matching pair of shorts, as well, if you’re the $335-for-shorts-with-matching-jacket kind of lady.)
(Also: I kind of like this Balmain suit, even as it reminds me a bit of a this song for some reason.)
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Workwear sales of note for 6.02.23:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started! See our thoughts here.
- Ann Taylor – $50 off $150; $100 off $250+; extra 30% off all sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off purchase
- Boden – Sale, up to 50% off
- Cole Haan – Up to 50% off select styles; extra 20% off sandals & sneakers
- Eloquii – 60% off all tops
- Express – 30% off all dresses, tops, shorts & more; extra 50% off clearance
- H&M – Up to 60% off online and in-store.
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off “dressed up” styles (lots of cute dresses!); extra 50% off select sale
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything; 60% off 100s of summer faves; extra 60% off clearance
- J.McLaughlin – The Sale Event: extra 30% off
- Loft – 40% off tops; 30% off full-price styles
- Sephora – Up to 50% off select beauty.
- Shopbop – Up to 60% off sale
- Sue Sartor – Lots of cute dresses on sale!
- Talbots – 25-40% off select styles
Other noteworthy sales:
- CB2.com – Up to 40% off; pop-up sale up to 30% off
- Joss & Main – Up to 60% off, plus an extra 20% off with code
- Tuft & Needle – Save up to $775 on mattresses (Reader-favorite brand; Kat really likes hers!)
- West Elm – Up to 25% off in-stock furniture; up to 60% off clearance
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Workwear sales of note for 6.02.23:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started! See our thoughts here.
- Ann Taylor – $50 off $150; $100 off $250+; extra 30% off all sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off purchase
- Boden – Sale, up to 50% off
- Cole Haan – Up to 50% off select styles; extra 20% off sandals & sneakers
- Eloquii – 60% off all tops
- Express – 30% off all dresses, tops, shorts & more; extra 50% off clearance
- H&M – Up to 60% off online and in-store.
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off “dressed up” styles (lots of cute dresses!); extra 50% off select sale
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything; 60% off 100s of summer faves; extra 60% off clearance
- J.McLaughlin – The Sale Event: extra 30% off
- Loft – 40% off tops; 30% off full-price styles
- Sephora – Up to 50% off select beauty.
- Shopbop – Up to 60% off sale
- Sue Sartor – Lots of cute dresses on sale!
- Talbots – 25-40% off select styles
Other noteworthy sales:
- CB2.com – Up to 40% off; pop-up sale up to 30% off
- Joss & Main – Up to 60% off, plus an extra 20% off with code
- Tuft & Needle – Save up to $775 on mattresses (Reader-favorite brand; Kat really likes hers!)
- West Elm – Up to 25% off in-stock furniture; up to 60% off clearance
Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
- Favorite comfy pants for an overnight plane ride?
- I’ve got a nasty case of tech neck…
- What’s a good place for a relaxing solo escape?
- What’s the best commuter backpack?
- I’m early 40s and worry my career arc is ending…
- I canNOT figure out the proportions in this current season of fashion…
- How is everyone wearing scarves in 2023?
- What shoes are people wearing to work between boot and sandal season?
- What’s a good place for a relaxing solo escape?
- What are some of your go-to outfits that feel current?
- I need more activities that are social, easy to learn and don’t involve extreme running/jumping/etc.
Is it Friday yet?
Looking for Paris shopping recommendations – I’ve been there as a broke college student but not as a grown-up with disposable income. :) I hear there are good vintage/thrift stores where you can find some good deals on used designer handbags? Anything else I shouldn’t miss?
Side note: those Hermes H belts – classic or passe?
Anonymous
FWIW, on the belts, I live in a big US city, but what you’d think of as a second-tier big US city (one you might deign to live in, but no one vacations here). H belts are a thing in a certain set of people here. It used to be the GG Gucci ones, but no one seems to wear those anymore (OTOH, we’ve been in leggings for > 1 year and I personally no longer have a waist, so what do I really know). But it’s like when I went to see my sister on an Army base in OK and everyone there had on the low-rise Juicy track suits — confirmation that maximum saturation had occurred and then it was on to the next trend.
It dawned on me that all of the “be French” books seem to have taken root b/c every thing I see now looks like a knock-off of the Sezane website, so maybe that is good (or maybe current actual French people are themselves on to something different than how US people thought French people were ~5 years ago). Breton strips = good in my book, probably forever.
Bon voyage!
Anonymous
theres an APC clearance store (what’s the right name for that?) with past season stuff. I got a great pair of leather ankle boots there that I wore for years. also long champ stuff is a good deal in France – idk if its not cool but I really like mine for weekend trips because the bag itself is so light
Anon
I have bought Longchamp both times I’ve been to Paris. They are more than a canvas bag/ le pliage store. Their leather goods are gorgeous. I have two bags in the Penelope line.
But if you like le pliage, the Champs Elysees store is crammed with Americans buying le pliage in unusual colors on the first floor. The second floor has the leather bags.
Anonymous
I think the H belts are over, and they weren’t a very French look to begin with (conspicuous logo use is an American thing). Personally, I’d put the money toward something more classic while you are there–like a high-quality cashmere wrap or maybe expensive boots or shoes in a jewel tone.
Anon
I loved shopping in the 1st Arrondissement – all the designers have boutiques there and it’s so pretty to wander around. Near the Place Vendome.
Galleries Lafayette is worth visiting just for the amazing building. Make sure you take the very cool elevators.
I am sure there are better places for bargains than these two, if thats what you’re looking for, but for luxury spending you’ll be all set on the rue Saint-Honore in the 1st.
Anonymous
I’d get lots of skincare. Vichy, La-Roche Posay, Caudalie, Avene etc. all are normal drug store brands, and there are big outlet style drug stores where you can stock up.
Hermes H – or any logo belt – passé for sure!
Is it Friday yet?
Ok that’s what I was thinking about the belts! They were so popular for years among the $$$ horsey set and I remember really wanting one about ten years ago, haha. I was trying to remember the last time I saw one that wasn’t at a horse event, and it’s been a while.
Anonymous
There are outlet stores a short train ride from Paris. I liked the Longchamp store for interesting purses.
kag
Maje, Sandro, Isabelle Marant, Rouje.
Mango and Zara, although Spanish, seem to have larger selection in Europe compared to the US.
Also some other European brands that are harder to come by in the US, such as a jewellery brand named Lilou (Polish).
Luxury accessories may be cheaper compared to the US (but not always) plus you may qualify for a VAT return (a bit over 20% of the purchase price).
Anonymous
Low stakes question – what is the best condom? I went to buy some and was intrigued by all the choices.
Anon
That’s one you’re gonna have to trial and error. Do you have one partner, or need to be prepared for different sizes? Don’t forget lube!
Anon
They all seem pretty much the same to me.
Anon
Same here, I’m very willing to let the person wearing it make the decision about which one because I don’t really notice a difference.
Anon
Agreed that I’ve never noticed much difference. I think we normally buy Trojan but have bought other brands when that wasn’t available. We’ve bought ribbed on occasion by accident but neither my husband nor I noticed anything special about them so it’s not something we seek out. If your partner has a strong preference I would default to him (assuming it’s not uncomfortable for you) since he’s the one who has to wear it.
Anon
That sounds like the exact opposite of low stakes
Maudie Atkinson
I agree. The bar is low, but the best one is one your partner will gladly wear.
Anonymous
Get a selection. Great to have different styles, and both latex and non-latex (possible allergies). Some have a little more lube than others, depending on what you need them for. Remember that oil-based lubes will harm condoms, if you need that as well.
If you’re going to have them in your mouth – have a taste! You might like one spermicide, lube or flavor better.
My favorite is SKYN.
Anonymous
Just wanted to add – the best condom is the one you use! So if you’ve not familiar with them, practice! Don’t assume that a man will be competent at using a condom, many are not. Know how to use them correctly, and how to remove them correctly.
Anonny
The Skyn ones have a better texture – less balloon/rubber glove – in my opinion.
Anon at 4:13 pm again
One more thing – in terms of size – circumference is the important thing, not length. They stretch – a lot – so don’t worry about the macho bullshit, but if there’s an unusual circumference, that’s when you get the specialty sizes, whether that’s slim or wide.
Anon
My husband thought that Trojan were much better than other brands. Best advice I have is to buy different brands and see what works.
Anon
Skyn condoms have been great for those of us with latex allergies. They’re very thin, but we have never had a rip.
Anon
Thin ones. Like, most brands have a “super thin” or similar options. Counterintuitively, they are not a higger risk of tears, even the opposite, and I find them more pleasant / less obtrusive.
Anonymous
Has anyone ordered from Quince? I’m intrigued by their prices for 100% silk dresses.
Anon
I have their silk T dress and love it. I’m 5’4″ and it’s a bit above the knee for me but not scandalous. Super, super happy with you.
Jules
I got my SO a Quince cashmere sweater for Christmas and it was very good quality. I also would like to know about the silk dresses and tops.
Vicky Austin
I got my sister a Quince sweater for Christmas and she reports that it is her favorite piece of clothing ever!
Anonymous
I have the white shell top – it’s nice and non-see thru, albeit a little short for me (I wish it were about 2″ longer). I just bought a silk robe and I like it. I’ve never owned one before, but I like that it’s soft, washable, thin, and well priced (like $100).
Mrs. Jones
I have a black washable tee and love it
Anonymous
Has anyone had a crisis about their job / wider career very early on? I’m going through that now and could use some advice if anyone has any to offer.
I work for a law firm that is very large, prominent and well known in this area. I’m a junior associate coming up on my third year. I’m in litigation. I’m feeling not good about one of the cases we just wrapped up. The company and people who hired us are horrible and in my opinion immoral. The amount of damage and suffering they caused is high and will have deaths and lasting effects (not environmental law but imagine an environmental contamination as an example). I’m having a hard time with how the company and my firm tried to derail and stonewall the people who are suffering and did everything possible not to assist them and instead made their lives harder. They broke laws but even the fine doesn’t seem like enough. I’m really thinking twice about whether or not this is the place for me. I’m not sure if it is because I’m turning 30 next year and thinking about the future or if I’m too sensitive about this or what. Has anyone gone through something similar and wants to share? Thank you for reading.
Allie
This is a totally legit response. I don’t begrudge big-law (some of my BFFs are big law) but I am not willing to spend my time advancing the interests of some of these companies personally. Work for government, do small law in a different issue area — there’s a lot you can do if fighting for big companies isn’t for you.
Anon
I used to be a litigator and switched careers completely after 6 years of practice when I was 31. There were many reasons I left, but one was that the firm I worked for represented clients and matters I hated working on. When I left I was representing railroad companies who were being sued by widows and children of railway employees who had suffered secondhand and thirdhand asbestos contamination via their father/spouse and it really bothered me how the companies were trying to argue their way out of paying sums of money that were tiny to the company but would have been life-changing to these poor families. My previous legal work had all been company v. company, which felt very low stakes to me (like who cares if A-zon cheats Facebook out of some money they deserve or whatever), but having to fight against individuals who our company admitted they had harmed felt very immoral to me, even when we could find case law supporting our arguments.
That said, my situation was pretty unique. I was tied permanently to a very small town for my husband’s job, not in commuting distance to a major city, so I had no real option to switch firms or practice areas (and I was sure I would hate being a solo practioner). Assuming you’re in a major city, I would explore a different firm or practice area before you give up on law completely because it’s definitely a dramatic switch and hard to go back once you leave.
Cora
I have a hard enough time working for companies that are just doing things that are . . . not that important. I would not be able to handle a job like yours. Maybe I’m sensitive too, but I made a big switch to the public sector because I just could not stand working all day to make things worse , not even trying to make it better.
I also think you don’t need to immediately take a low paying job or something – there is a lot of room in the middle. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know for sure, but explore your options.
Anon
I say this as a fairly stone-hearted person: that’s a normal and healthy reaction, and you are probably best off finding a different practice area or firm that doesn’t leave you feeling like you need to shower after doing your job.
IMHO, if two very solvent companies want to hire lawyers for a slug-fest about regulations, trademarks, software copyright, or what-not, BFD. If some huge company wants to hire expensive lawyers and CPAs to have a fight about tax deductions, BFD. But when you’re hiring expensive lawyers to drag plaintiffs through the mud – plaintiffs who would have been happier never needing to be there – or fight for the right to harm people, it’s a different story.
Anon
This was exactly how I felt. I was very happy work that involved big companies suing and counter-suing each other. I was very unhappy doing defense work on behalf of a huge corporation against individual plaintiffs. It’s just hard when you are stomping all over a little guy who was harmed by your client.
Cora
Agree 100% with this!
Anonymous
I had a crisis of conscience when I was a bit younger I was doing something that heavily supported the fossil fuel industries and I worked for a morally bankrupt company. I switched sides and now regulate that industry and take personal satisfaction in forcibly making them less evil. I can’t sell my soul for a paycheck.
Anonymous
We aren’t ambulances or doctors — they help people who are suffering. Insured big companies . . . what is just different. Often because things that a person would do out of manners / compassion are often forbidden b/c of jeopardizing the insurance contract (and keeping that in place may mean the difference between having $ to pay claims or having to lay off people to pay claims; with public companies, you can’t just hand over $ or the shareholders will remind you that it is their $ and you part with it for a good reason and with proper paperwork). I know it may all seem very cold and callous, but often the parties are trying to 1) see exactly what happened, 2) see exactly who is at fault, 3) see exactly what the damages are that they caused, and 4) settle and fund that somehow. Often, it is what did the employee do, was the employee within the scope of employment, was there a pattern/practice, etc., etc.
Think now of a hospital that can’t make its doctors get COVID-vaccinated, can’t stop them from traveling to stupid places, can’t ask them what stupid things they did there, and yet lets them work among very ill people and co-workers who may have co-morbidities that put them at higher risk of complications. Or the Surfside condo collapse — it could be the architect-builder-maintenance-condo board-lack of city permits- construction vibrations from next door’s fault and no one can rush in and say “it’s our fault, here is a check” because no one really knows. And no one know if any other buildings are similarly at risk (would you be on your condo board now after this? I don’t think think that any D&O or E&O policy would cover you for legal defense and damages b/c eventually companies may go insolvent if enough suits happen).
Litigation may not be for you. But it is a LEGAL system, not a JUSTICE system and there is a lot of progress to make sure things are fair. All in all, I lived in somewhere lawless (except martial law, that was fun) as a kid and I’d take slow and plodding over that any time. Plodding =/= fraud, but it doesn’t seem that that is what is happening, just acting within people’s rights.
No Face
Normal reaction. This is actually why I prefer commerical litigation – disputes about the interpretation of agreements, transactions, client relationships, etc. Intellectually stimulating without being sad/traumatic.
If you hate this client, it is perfectly okay to avoid being staffed on that matter in the future. If that type of matter bothered you, but you like the mechanics of the work, feel free to find other types of litigation at your firm or somewhere else. This is not a crisis, but a great step toward your future. It’s good to know what you don’t want.
In my career, there are only a few clients I really hated. Thankfully, I don’t do that type of litigation anymore.
anon
No advice, but I would feel the same way that you do. I know this type of work has to be done, but I could not personally do it.
Anon
I went through the exact same thing at your age/stage of career – I was a big law litigator and worked on a morally problematic case that really sapped my will and made me question if I was cut out for the work. I decided I wasn’t, changed jobs, and I’m glad I did.
Anonymous
I would consider another practice area. I started my career at a firm that defended a power company in the many personal injury suits brought against it. There was no way I wanted to spend my days arguing the comparative fault of the electrocuted. I moved to a completely different area and have been really happy in litigation.
Litigation Attorney
I have been in litigation for over 25 years, mostly representing evil corporations so take this for what it worth.
Our legal system is predicated on both sides having competent representation. And then coming to a fair result thought settlement or (rarely) trial. So defense attorneys for big companies do not run out to say “OMG we were so evil. We are so sorry! Here is a ton of money.” And plaintiff attorneys (to use your asbestos example) do not jump up and say “hey – our client’s grandfather worked for your client for 3 months after a decade spent working with asbestos in the Navy and BTW he started smoking 2 packs a day at age 14 and smoked in the car with his wife, kids, and grandkids all the time. Oh and he also drank a quart of bourbon a day.” Both sides present their best case and see where the chips fall. And just as with criminal defense, there are people who can do that and people who cannot. If you fall in the latter category, I suggest trying something else. Commercial litigation might be a better fit. (Plaintiff work is also an option but considering how many plaintiffs I have caught lying through their teeth – much to the chagrin of their attorneys – that is not pure either.) I will only ask you to remember that (1) insurance is actually making a lot of the decisions you are complaining about and they have an obligation to preserve their policy limits for people with valid claims; (2) even big companies are not made of money.
I have two personal “no-go” zones. I will not represent tobacco companies or opioid manufacturers, but that is partly because I have enough of that in my family that I do not think I could provide those clients with fair representation.
Anon
I’m the person who mentioned asbestos and my client fully admitted liability and had previously settled with the former employees, but was arguing they shouldn’t have to pay any money to the relatives. And their reasons for doing it involved (in my view anyway) additional moral culpability on the part of the company – like part of the argument was that too much time had passed, but it wasn’t that the plaintiffs had been sitting around on their rear ends doing nothing for 10 years and then decided to file a claim after the deadline, it was more like the company had strung the plaintiffs along in negotiations for years implying they would get some money and then told them they wouldn’t right after the deadline for filing the lawsuit passed. That’s not the exact fact pattern, but basically the company was deliberately dissuading the plaintiffs from filing the lawsuit and then using the fact that they hadn’t filed earlier against them.
I didn’t enjoy working for big corporations against little people in general, but it was especially hard for me when it was clear that my client had done the harm and they were trying to get out of cleaning up their mess. And ultimately I think the firm lost and the corporations did have to pay out, so my gut instinct that the whole thing was shady was right. Also to me the hardest part was the way company execs and other lawyers talked about the plaintiffs, like they were just nuisances that had to be dealt with. There was ZERO empathy for their terrible cancers that caused horrible suffering and death (which I had to read about in detail in the plaintiffs’ pleadings) even though, again, the company fully admitted it was at fault. You can believe your company shouldn’t have to pay damages and still talk about the people on the other side like they’re human beings. At the same firm I also did employment law defense for a university and found that much more tolerable because a) the university usually had a pretty decent case on the merits in most cases, b) the fired people weren’t dead or disabled, they were just out of a job and c) the university officials sometimes displayed at least a shred of empathy or at least willingness to learn from the situation and avoid a repeat. But the railroad stuff was awful. It made me physically ill.
Anon
Interesting – my kids are Gen Z and I was reading about the differences between Millenials and Gen Z and they specifically mentioned what your post is about. Millenials are focused on personal achievement and Gen Z are focused on do-good things. Sounds like you’re a late Millenial/Early Z bridging that gap?
( I do know these are broad generalities. I’m an old Xer and I certainly never thought I behaved like a typical Gen X, probably because I grew up with too much economic anxiety to be a slacker)
LB
I went through something very similar, and then moved to plaintiffs’ side, which wasn’t perfect but it was better. I think it’s great when lawyers realize that their work can enable really bad things. A lot of people are very transactional about it and justify their decisions with some version of “everyone deserves legal representation” or “I’m just doing my job for the client who is paying my firm.” I’ve never been able to do that. You’re not being too sensitive. And you’re probably going to be happier somewhere else. Good luck to you!
Anonymous
Does anyone here deal with dyshidrotic eczema? I hadn’t had a flare up in about 10 years and just got it again this week, and it’s super annoying! Any suggestions to ease the pain/itching?
Anon
I get it but I’ve never done anything to treat it except trying to avoid triggers. Heat is a big trigger for me. I think your doctor can probably give you a steroid cream that helps if you’re really suffering.
Anon
B12 is my secret weapon against dyshidrotic eczema. I have PA so if eczema starts to break out, I know I’m overdue for my B12 shot, which always takes care of it. But I believe people who don’t have PA can supplement B12 or use topical B12 to help stay ahead of it.
If you’re at the stage where there’s a lot of pain/itching, your doctor is probably going to have you use a topical steroid though. My eczema pops up on my hands, so I am completely petrified of rubbing my eye or touching my face while medicated. When it used to get this bad (before I knew the B12 trick), I would bandage up after applying the betamethasone so that there would be less risk.
ugh
(with the caveat that I have a doctor-dad who is able to write my prescriptions without a visit)
first I start with a topical (fluocinonide) which is very greasy and gross, but works if I hit the spots early and fast.
if that fails me after a week.. I’ve found for the last 2-3 years I’ve been getting the flare ups (summertime, sweaty, stress from work, garden/outside gross dirt) a quick round of prednisone 7-10 days PLUS the topical has been the perfect regime. I hate when this happens, so best of luck!
Greensleeves
Yes, and the only thing that really helps me when it reaches the really itchy, painful stage is a prescription topical steroid from the derm. If I catch it when it’s just beginning to be irritated, sometimes cortisone cream is enough. My primary trigger is harsh and/or highly scented hand soap and if I avoid that I don’t usually have much trouble. But sometimes it flares for no apparent reason and the prescription cream always settles it back down for me.
Anon
For flare ups, the only thing that helps me is prescription steroid cream. For non-flare up times, I use aquaphor.
anon
Re: the Ames vs. Denver discussion this morning: I find it fascinating how many people on this board clearly believe that all smaller cities (or gasp, college towns) are inferior. Good for you if you love the city lifestyle; it is decidedly not what many of us desire. Believe it or not, we’re actually smart, capable humans who manage to have good careers and lives!
Anonymous
Literally no one said you can’t be smart and capable. There are lots of great reasons to live in Ames. If you’re single and looking for a fun city, Denver is a dramatically better option.
pugsnbourbon
Yeah I live in Indianapolis and I like it here, but depending on where you are in life and what you like to do, it’s not for everyone. That’s not to say there aren’t great people here living great lives! Just that everyone shakes out different. I didn’t take this morning’s discussion as a dig on small cities and towns. In fact I think there was a thread a few weeks ago about the pros of living in a college town.
Anon for this
+1
literally no one said “Ames is full of country bumpkins” or “good lord why would anyone want to live in Ames??”. Just that for the OP’s question – in which the family-friendliness of the location is wholly irrelevant – it’s hard to see why you wouldn’t pick Denver!
Anon
People weren’t quite as rude as the hypothetical statements you listed, but there was plenty of snobbery. There were references to flyover country and someone said “How is this even a question?” which implies that OP would be out of her mind to choose Ames over Denver.
I get where the Anon at 2:42 is coming from. The OP from this morning doesn’t ski and may not want to pay $1M+ for a house, and said she was fine with winter weather. These are things that could make a smaller city like Ames or Des Moines extremely appealing, even for a single professional. If you think it is unimaginable for a 30-something single professional to choose a small city like Des Moines or a college town like Ames over Denver, then you need to get out of your bubble because there are plenty of happy single professionals who don’t live in large cities like Denver.
Anon
Oh whatever, the “dang” conversation was clearly playing on stereotypes about smaller and/or midwest locations.
Anon
I am a Bay Area native and if someone had said they wanted to live somewhere “no one thinks ‘hella’ is a word” I would have LMAO. Maybe take it a little less seriously.
Enjoy Ames.
Actual Midwesterner
FYI, the analogy to hella for the Midwest is “ope!” And I totally would have laughed at that. The dang thing was confusing to me because it’s not something people here say, and just feels like coasties inaccurately stereotyping the Midwest. If you’re going to gently poke fun at us, at least try to be accurate. Otherwise it feels a little more mean-spirited and like you’re laughing at a place you’ve never even visited (which, frankly, you probably haven’t).
Anon
I’m not the person who invoked dang this morning, I’m the hella poster, and I have been to the midwest extensively as my mom is originally from SD and my aunts and uncles live in WI. I’ve also spent a lot of time working in non-Chicago IL and Omaha, NE.
My SD born uncle says “dang” just about as much as Hank Hill does. I laughed. He would have too. I also didn’t think it was a slam.
Walnut
Yes, apologies on my comment on ‘Dang’! I didn’t mean it as a slight in any way, shape or form. Seriously. From the midwest, love the midwest, and I’m proud of my roots.
Meara
I grew up in Indianapolis, and think of it as a great place to raise a family, but not (in my case) a great place to be young, single, and queer!! Different things for different people and lives.
Anon
“If you’re single and looking for a fun city, Denver is a dramatically better option.”
Not OP, but I think her point is that this is an over-generalization. It might be a dramatically better option FOR YOU but not for everyone. You think there are no single 30-something people in Ames or other Midwest college towns? Of course there are. My husband and I are 30-something professors in a Midwest college town and maybe 1/3rd of the colleagues we regularly hang out with are single. I don’t know anything about Ames specifically, but our college town has all kinds of young professional groups and groups devoted to people who share certain hobbies or who are from certain countries, so there are lots of things to do and ways to meet people even if you’re not busy with a spouse and kids. I don’t ski and don’t want to spend that much money on housing so I don’t think Denver would be a fun place for me to live at all, but it doesn’t mean other people don’t find Denver fun. Everyone has a different definition of “fun.”
Anonymous
Omg I cannot
Anon
So much defensiveness here. Who are you trying to convince? Us, or yourself?
Anon
Preach! Anyone who turns up their nose at college towns is missing out. I live in one and, to me, we have all the advantages of a big city (culture, diversity, liberal area) with all the advantages of a rural area (low cost of living, no traffic), plus we have amazing public schools which can be hard to find in both big cities and rural areas. When my friends in big cities act snobby about the fact that I live in flyover country I laugh inwardly about how they’ll be paying off their $2M mortgages until they’re 80, pay $60k/year/kid for private schools and commute an hour each way in heavy traffic. I have a fully paid off house and pay $0 to educate my kids, so I have way more disposable income than they do even on have a lower salary, and a “bad commute” in my city is 15 minutes, maaaaybe 20 minutes if there’s a big even at the university.
Anonymous
You’re complaining about people being negative about college towns but in the next breath being negative about cities.
And on the original thread, OP asked for opinions and people offered their opinions. No one was stopping anyone from offering a different opinion — sometimes people just disagree.
Anon
It’s a reaction to their snobbery. And I don’t say it loud, just in my head. That’s the difference – it’s socially acceptable to make fun of the Midwest, especially the more rural areas.
Cat
Your internal reaction is over the top.
Signed, city resident who has a home she can comfortably afford on a 15-year mortgage, no children, and a walking commute.
Anon
I never said everyone is in the same situation as my friends. Of course some people choose not to have kids or make a ton of money and can buy their $$$$ house in cash or whatever. The point is that it’s socially acceptable to tell people that the small town Midwest sucks and it’s not socially acceptable to point out the downsides of living in big cities.
Anon
Have you missed every day’s post from people complaining about issues related to city life? Since when is it not socially acceptable? People live in cities because that’s where the jobs are. If the jobs were in the rural midwest, then it wouldn’t be rural any more.
Anon
Of course people vent about their own situations, that’s different. But my point is it’s socially acceptable for people to say to me “I’m sorry you have to live in such a terrible place with nothing to do” but not for me to reply “I’m sorry you have such a giant mortgage and a terrible commute.” See the imbalance? There are of course advantages and disadvantages to living everywhere and everyone has different things they prioritize, but the only places that people feel free to openly mock are the Midwest and South, especially the smaller cities and rural areas.
I don’t expect everyone to want to pick up and MOVE to the Midwest, or to a small town, that’s obviously not what everyone wants, and as you noted small towns wouldn’t be small anymore if everyone moved there. It’s the attitude that a smaller city, especially in “flyover country” MUST be inherently less fun and livable than a big coastal city, and especially the willingness to express that attitude, that’s problematic.
pugsnbourbon
Anon at 7:25: if people really say that to you, they are rude – it’s not “socially acceptable,” they’re just jerks.
Seventh Sister
There was a strong possibility when I got married that we’d move to a college town for career reasons. It didn’t happen, and we’re still in LA. There are things about it I love, things I hate, things that are just OK. I realize that people in other places have perfectly nice lives, but I don’t really spend a lot of time feeling superior or inferior about the decisions I made with the information I had at the time. It’s where we landed.
Anon
Weird take. They were mainly focused on what would be more fun for a single person. I think you’re being defensive here.
anon
I have seen this play out on plenty of other discussions, not just this one.
Anon
I’m with you, OP. Even for a single 30-something I don’t think Denver is the automatic choice many people were making it out to be. For a vacation, yes, I think the overwhelming consensus is that Denver is a better choice than Ames. I’m assuming most people who live in Ames would also not disagree with that Denver is better for a vacation. But for living, it’s nowhere near as automatic as people were making it out to be. Everyone cares about different things and it’s very possible the person who was asking for advice would be happier in Ames than Denver. There is an enormous amount of snobbery on this board about the non-Chicago Midwest, and especially about smaller cities and towns in the Midwest, so I get why you’re kind of defensive about this.
Anonymous
Very true. It’s like SF is mecca. It has world-class arts and dining and companies that make people millionaires. Good for them, I guess. It’s a city where I can’t afford to live and even if I could, I’d be dodging poop and needles on streets that reek of urine.
My life is likely much better any day of the week blooming where I’ve been planted. SF has been a great place to visit but living there or commuting there would be wretched.
Anonymous
Every week people say not to live in SF or NYC
Anon
Please point out the last time someone made a positive post about SF. I’ll wait.
Anonymous
I remember one poster saying how she could never live anywhere but the Bay area b/c all their cultural institutions were world class. Sure, I bet the SF Opera is probably “better” than my city’s opera (yes, smaller cities have operas), but I found it really hard to believe that anyone young enough to post on this board is really going to the opera so much that it was such a material factor to be mentioned. OTOH, if you can afford the opera, maybe you were living in a very nice part of SF/Bay Area, inherited a house, etc. But I work and I don’t really get to enjoy much of what my city has to offer except every day I enjoy a lower COL and a shorter commute; weekly I enjoy hiking and biking and nature trails, all of which are free, and tennis, which can be free or at tennis clubs ($, not $$$) or swimming (YMCA). It was just so unbelievable to this poster that you’d not live somewhere with world-class stuff, but some of us can’t afford world-class cities or even the stuff in them, but they are nice to visit.
Anon
Ok so you recall one poster saying something and you’ve decided to be butthurt about it for approximately forever? I feel like every other day there’s a post about how SF is a hell hole with filthy streets and they would never live here.
I understand that point of view and don’t feel defensive about it. You might try that attitude on for size.
Anon
Hey – what is with the opera hate? I am young enough to post on this board and I love the opera and have been attending since I was in college (and it was one of the best things about going to school in the Bay Area). Never mind living in Denver vs. midwestern college town, stop discriminating against opera!
Anon
Well I live in SF & very frequently what I read here is that our streets are covered in poop and needles. I get a little internally defensive about it as I find that characterization overblown. I also can see the pro’s and con’s of living here – it’s got a lot going for it, which is why it’s insanely expensive to live here and also at the same time, the question for so many of us living here is “is there enough going for it to still make it worth it.” People have been having that debate for decades & come and go from the area all the time based on their personal take on the matter. For me, there’s more going for it than not.
I get where the OP on this post is coming from – it’s been generally acceptable to reference “flyover country” & the like for as long as it’s been okay to bag on SF and other areas. You pick your poison – I like where I live and if people don’t want to deal with all that comes with SF and trash it, their problem, not mine. Similarly, I get being annoyed by negative comments about the midwest, but it’s kind of part of the deal of living there & it sounds like you might be having the last laugh on quality of life anyway. I just remind myself that I don’t personally care what other people think of my choices as long as I’m happy with them.
editor
+strongly agree w/ anon @3:40 and others like her
Anonymous
I think this is a you-insecurity and not what I read from the conversation… signed, someone who lives in a smaller city, loves it, and isn’t offended that other people don’t
Anon
Right? If everyone wanted to live in your smaller city, it wouldn’t be a smaller city anymore. I don’t get it.
Anon
If you’re the same person who always posts from the perspective of the giant chip on your shoulder around how disrespected small towns are – time to get over it. Some of us grew up in small towns and know exactly what we don’t like about them and our opinions are also valid. Additionally, as someone else said, for a single woman looking to meet people (including potential partners), based on the information the OP gave about herself, Denver is a much better match. Maybe stop looking at everything through one particular, narrow lens if you want to be generally considered an open-minded person.
anon
OP here, and nope, not that person. I honestly don’t even know who you’re referring to.
Anon
To be fair she said she was single and planned to stay that way.
Anonymous
+1 I was surprised by how many people focused on dating because she specifically mentioned wanting to stay single. And even if she wanted to date, I don’t understand why living in a city with 3 million people is a prerequisite. People in rural America get laid too, my dudes.
Anonymous
Also, I lived in NYC and get bitter when I watch S&TC reruns — it was all so awful, even though it was a city of millions, half of them men.
Anon
The anti-flyover snobbery is real. Small towns aren’t for me – I found them to be boring and couldn’t stand everyone being up in my business – but other people are not as annoyed by those things.
Re: finding someone. While the OP is single and planning to stay that way, I think it’s important to look not just at the number of single people (big city = more potential dates) so much as the dating scene for people like you. Some cities have a bias against marrying young or old, and if you’re 25 and looking for something serious, NYC is probably not the place for you. NYC and San Fran, from what I’ve heard, have dating cultures that are a bit warped because of the super-rich Wall Street/tech bros there. Smaller cities attract a different type of man, and maybe that’s for you or not for you. Some of it is not obvious: if you’re a conservative woman, you will be awash with men in DC, far more so than in some Midwestern city.
Anonymous
Cannot believe that in DC — it was full of the most entitled guys when I was there (across the spectrum). I am sort of conservative (in my 30s did not want to just hook up — wanted a serious relationship that could lead to marriage and kids) and found it to be full of players even if they seemed conservative on paper. Tons of quality women in that town and men with good resumes.
Anon
You aren’t a conservative the way I meant and that’s why you don’t understand.
Anon
To be less blunt: you said that you are “sort of conservative” because, in your 30s you wanted to get married and have kids. There are two types of people who think that’s a conservative value: those who are steeped in very lefty, Democratic values, and feel that they are conservative by comparison, and those who get REALLY excited about debating the relative merits of Rod Dreher’s philosophy vis-a-vis Ryan T. Anderson’s.
A.m. OP
Oh my gosh – I’m the morning OP and had no idea this would hit a nerve. Sorry, all- I appreciated the comments and perspectives and am still planning to spend a few days in both places before deciding. I in no way meant to dump on either place or lifestyle that might accompany that location – and didn’t take offense at anyone’s comments this morning. After all, I asked the Internet! A huge thanks again to those of you who offered contact info, I appreciate the people on this board. I plan to lean on my network and impressions from my visit first but might be reaching out if I’m on the fence after!
anon
No need to apologize — you’re not responsible for other people’s weird insecurities.
Anon
Don’t apologize! No one was criticizing you, just some of the comments that acted like you were crazy to even consider Ames/Des Moines over Denver.
Can I ask if your job in Ames is with the university or one of the affiliated research labs? I live in a Midwest college town and I LOVE it and really wish more people appreciated how fun and livable they are, but I will say that I think it can be hard to break into the social scene if you’re totally unconnected to the university, because the university is so dominant. That’s especially true in a smaller town like Ames where the university is really the only major employer (other than K-12 schools and hospitals), less true in a large college town like Madison or Ann Arbor where there are a lot of other big employers. It’s not impossible, my husband had a 30-something single postdoc recently who was super outgoing and made a ton of friends off campus, but I think he’s very much the exception and I know a lot of people (me included) who feel like we never really leave the university bubble. If you won’t be working at the university, that would be a factor in favor of choosing Denver or living in Des Moines and commuting to Ames, at least for me. Good luck whatever you decide!
anon
I thought the most important part of her question was that she was single. I prefer smaller cities, and lived in one for 15 years, until I was 37. It is one of the biggest regrets of my life. Once I moved to a bigger city with more single people, I realized that my lack of ability to find a partner wasn’t because I was broken, but was because in my smaller midwest city almost everyone was married by 25. So, I don’t know whether Ames has many single people, but, I think it’s a very very good question to ask. Of course, all you need is one, and if you are an Ames type person, you have a better chance finding your person there. And if you meet someone in Ames, they might be more marriage inclined than the guys in Denver who are chasing their next 14er. But in my case….I wished I’d moved earlier! (My story has a happy ending though – at 39 I moved, I met my husband, who is my favorite person ever, shortly after arriving, and now am pregnant with twins at 41 (naturally, though we were once cycle away from trying IVF)!) So I think – go to visit both places, and really try to meet some single people in Ames and ask them what the culture is like, see how many people pop up on your dating apps and whether they seem like people you’d like to meet, and go to a few meetups for hobbies of yours to check out the scene.
anon
I thought the most important part of her question was that she was single. (Ooops, and now I realize she said she was happy that way, which makes the rest of my comment useless. Well, maybe for someone else….) I prefer smaller cities, and lived in one for 15 years, until I was 37. It is one of the biggest regrets of my life. Once I moved to a bigger city with more single people, I realized that my lack of ability to find a partner wasn’t because I was broken, but was because in my smaller midwest city almost everyone was married by 25. So, I don’t know whether Ames has many single people, but, I think it’s a very very good question to ask. Of course, all you need is one, and if you are an Ames type person, you have a better chance finding your person there. And if you meet someone in Ames, they might be more marriage inclined than the guys in Denver who are chasing their next 14er. But in my case….I wished I’d moved earlier! (My story has a happy ending though – at 39 I moved, I met my husband, who is my favorite person ever, shortly after arriving, and now am pregnant with twins at 41 (naturally, though we were once cycle away from trying IVF)!) So I think – go to visit both places, and really try to meet some single people in Ames and ask them what the culture is like, see how many people pop up on your dating apps and whether they seem like people you’d like to meet, and go to a few meetups for hobbies of yours to check out the scene.
Las Vegas Reccs for Work Trip
Hi all, a higher-level colleague and I have a work trip to Vegas in a few weeks and I’m looking for restaurant recommendations appropriate for work colleagues. Primarily dinner, but lunch options welcome as well. We’re staying within walking distance to the Strip. He’s a foodie (I’m talking Yelp elite) and I like places with healthier options. He usually plans them out due to said foodie status but is slammed this time.
Help a non-foodie out!
Anonymous
Raku
No Problem
It is hot as Hades in Las Vegas in the summer, you will not want to be walking anywhere more than 2 blocks, especially for lunch. Unless you are planning on driving or taking Ubers everywhere, figure out which restaurants are in the nearest hotel or two (the Strip is miles long) and pick amongst them.
Anon
Agreed, stick to your hotel or the ones right next door. You do not want to be walking around. Use Yelp to guide your choices, he’ll like that if he’s Yelp Elite. 4.5-5 stars is a good bet, 4 stars might be good but it’s a little more iffy, anything below 4 stars I would avoid unless you have a particular reason to go there.
Anon
+1,000 (degrees Fahrenheit).
Make sure you understand what “walking distance from the Strip” means in regard to your hotel and how close it is to things you want to go to. The Strip is 8 miles long. If you are staying at the Venetian, the Bellagio is not exactly a hop, skip and a jump away. You know how there are “long blocks” and “short blocks” in Manhattan? In Vegas a “block” can be about four times as long as a Manhattan “long block.” It’s not that it’s not walkable, but it is not as walkable as people think it is. Especially in the summer when it may be over 110 degrees. Taxis and Uber/Lyft make a bundle in Vegas just driving up and down the Strip picking up people who thought they could walk from the Stratosphere to New York, New York in the summertime.
That all being said, IMO the best restaurants in Vegas are at the Venetian (Bouchon, SUSHISAMBA), the Bellagio (Le Cirque, Michael Mina) and the MGM (Craftsteak and Joel Robuchon, which is fabulous but $$$). Caesar’s has some good ones as well (Nobu, Rao’s). I’d pick a casino proximal to where you are staying (in case you really do want to try to walk it) or one you’ve always wanted to visit and see what’s there. There are honestly so many options on the Strip in Vegas that it’s really hard to narrow it down with only “foodie and healthy options” to choose from; listing some cuisines you both like would help me give better recommendations.
Anon
The Strip is not 8 miles! Not the tourist part anyway. The classic tourist part of the Las Vegas strip is from the Wynn to Mandalay Bay, which is a little over 3 miles. But I agree you can’t walk 3 miles, or even 1 mile, in 110 degree heat.
Anon
What a weird thing to try to argue about, LMAO. It’s easily measured on Google maps. I have no idea what you mean by saying “the tourist part of the Strip.” All parts of the Strip are for tourists; locals don’t go down there.
Anon
You can typically walk through casinos to avoid walking outside – some even connect.
Anon
It can take 45 minutes to walk through one casino though- they’re not designed to get you efficiently to the other side and out, here designed to trap you in there. OP, pick something in the casino/venue you’re in – there’s hipster food in all of them.
Anon
It’s never taken me anywhere near 45 minutes to walk through a casino – you can walk the way you would on a sidewalk if you follow the right path. I’ve done this pretty often. :)
emeralds
Anyone know a good place to grab a solo lunch in SoHo or the East Village (or anywhere in between)? Other than location, my only criteria is that I’d like somewhere I can sit for a bit and not feel rushed, since I’ll have time to kill before an afternoon meeting. Open to all cuisine types. TIA!
Anon
With the caveat that I don’t know what their indoor/outdoor dining situations are at the moment, I would check out Jack’s Wife Freda, Atla, King, Lafayette, Cafe Mogador, Fanelli, La Esquina, Freemans, or The Immigrant.
emeralds
Thank you for the great list, I will check these out!
NYNY
Agree with these, especially Jack’s Wife Freda and Cafe Mogador. I’d add Balthazar to the list.
Anon
+1 to Jack’s Wife Freda, and I also love the Maman local chain for pretty decor and good food.
Anonymous
Veselka in the E Village is a classic, not sure if they are open for weekday lunch
emeralds
I’ll check it out, thanks!
anon
Is Veselka no longer 24/7?
Anonymous
I’d like to have some plain chicken breasts on hand for easy last-minute meals — does anyone have a good system for freezing breasts where they can go from freezer to plate in 20-30 minutes (without a pressure cooker)? I currently have a huge bag of frozen chicken breasts.
Anonymous
Frozen chicken pieces (as opposed to ground chicken, which thaws okay in the microwave) are something you have to plan ahead to use. I usually put chicken in the fridge to defrost three days before I plan to use it; two days will sometimes leave it half-frozen. If you want 20 minutes from freezer to plate, I’d cook that chicken into soups and casseroles and freeze in small portions that can be defrosted in the microwave.
Cat
I would batch-roast a ton of them at a time and then freeze in individual portions. Then you only have to microwave (or reheat in sauce) at meal time.
Anonymous
Yeah but microwaved chocked from frozen is really vile
Anon
The ones from Costco are IQF, so you just take one out, defrost it in the microwave and then prepare it however you like. There’s no system to be had – all the work in that is done at the processor.
Anon
I just saw some Buzzf e e d listicle that had some magic pan from the river site that will defrost frozen meat in 30 minutes.
anon
Agree with Cat for already frozen chicken breasts. In the future, you could cut the chicken breast into strips before freezing, spread them out in freezer bags and press all the air out (or vacuum seal), then freeze flat. The extra surface area will help them thaw quickly (15-20 minutes under water) and cook quickly (5-10 minutes in a pan or in a sauce).
Anon
Batch cook then shred, and freeze in portions. I find chicken shreds best right after it’s cooked/still warm and in shredded form can be used in a number of ways when it comes times to defrost. It also defrosts faster in my experience.
Anonymous
I put them directly in the oven from the freezer and they cook in 20-25 minutes. I usually use them for sheet pan meals – I throw a vegetable with olive oil and some seasoning on a baking tray, add the frozen chicken and toss some spices on it, and maybe slice up a potato thinly and bake it or make some rice.
Carrots
I will typically freeze them individual on a sheet pan in my freezer and then stack them between parchment paper in whatever container I’m using. Freezing them flat and then using the parchment paper means it’s easier for me to pull out single servings (since I live by myself)
Anonymous
Random non-lawyers arguing with each other: Gruesome accident on local news. Car was rear-ended; passenger was ejected and died at the scene in front of family. The passenger wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. We weren’t sure how much of this is the passenger’s fault vs the other car’s fault. I think that the passenger was a teen (but perhaps not a legal adult), so I’m not sure what legally is on the parents for having an unbelted kid. It is horrible all around. Buckle up!
Ribena
In insurance we would say the proximate cause was the other driver – the passenger could have been unbelted all day and if the car weren’t rear ended they would have never come to harm. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re 100% responsible though.
Anonymous
Interesting — at perhaps a very young age, would the kid be able to also sue the parents for not buckling him/her in? Say if they had good insurance / assets and the other driver was the typical no-asset guy in someone else’s car with minimal (50K in my state) assets?
In my city, a family got hit and they were fine but the baby who was properly buckled in to a car seat that was properly installed has such severe brain damage that the kid will need $$$ specialized medical care his whole life and round the clock care (like shaken baby syndrome, but via car crash). The other driver took off and hasn’t yet been found (so: likely DWI or stolen car or something else is up that makes me think that the family wouldn’t have any $ to gain by suing).
Anon
I don’t think auto insurance will cover one person in the same household/family suing another. There’s a coverage called Medical Payments for covering bodily injury to people who are passengers in your car, but many with good health insurance opt out of buying it, and the limits of coverage tend to be low.
If you know you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, then your Uninsured Motorists or Underinsured Motorists coverage would kick in, if you bought it, but most people tend to buy low limits for those coverages as well. In my experience, you can’t claim a hit and run driver is uninsured or underinsured – in that case your bodily injury and property damage are subject to whatever first-party coverages you bought.
Anon
(Also, this assumes you live in a fault state vs. a no-fault state)
Anon
Also an insurance person. Different states have different laws and regulations for determining fault. Comparative negligence is common (where each pays for their share of fault) but being rear ended is generally always 100% the rear ender’s fault. It can happen otherwise, but it’s really really hard not to get assigned 100% fault as a driver who rammed into the back of another.
Anon
Long time lawyer here, in the USA regardless of negligence laws, when someone dies & there’s a deep pocket (insurance or otherwise), the dead party is getting compensated if someone else is involved. there will be a liability hook that’s enough to warrant a settlement. And no dollar amount will bring back the kid.
Anon
Heart eyes at this suit. It would not look lovely on me, but it is certainly lovely to look at.
meara
Low stakes question: what color couch should I buy?? I currently have a red couch and loveseat—they’re great, but at 18(!) years old while they’re still very comfy the fabric is faded and sun bleached in spots, and my new dog chewed up some of the pillows. I want to get a new couch but not sure what color to get—while I like gray it doesn’t really go with my yellow walls and warm colors feel? But I don’t especially like beige or sand or whatever might go better. Help?
Anon
I have gray carpet with sunny yellow walls and I really love the combo.
Anon
I think gray and yellow is a somewhat dated color combo.
Anon
Lol, who cares about trends? This isn’t fast fashion, it’s your house. Do what you like.
Anonymous
Maria Killam says a cognac leather couch and I am seriously considering for my next one (old ones are 20+ years old and also leather).
Anon
I have a black leather couch from the 90s and I wish all the time that it were cognac! But the couch will not die and so I keep it because it is also the most comfortable couch in the world. It’s a classic firm, smooth leather design (Chesterfield style) and not the wrinkly squishy leather stuff that was popular then, thank god. I guess I’m also lucky it’s not teal.
OP if you go leather, go high end. Cheap leather looks very cheap very quickly.
Anon
What color fur does your dog have? Choose your sofa color with that in mind :-)
Anon
Hahah good point. I would also say this goes for throw pillows and cats.
Meara
Hah, thankfully a non-shedding sort of dog. But he’s a ginger.
Anon
Without knowing your price range, it’s hard to make a specific recommendation, but I have a couch from Modern Classics (and know people who have other models than mine) that has held up to my big dog well, and they have many color options. https://www.modernclassics.com/store/pc/Sofas-and-Loveseats-c5.htm
Anonymous
I like gray, which comes in so many shades. You just need to find the shade that looks best with yellow. FWIW, I have gray and yellow houndstooth chairs and just ordered a dark gray couch to go with it along with some pieces in other fabrics that pull it all together even more. I am horrible at all this, so a professional designer helped me. Yellow and gray work together if you have the right yellow and gray.
Anon
I don’t care for this decorator’s style, but I LOVE her advice. I’ve been reading her for about 10 years now. Read this article, then check the links at the bottom to other articles on the topic she’s written over the years. https://mariakillam.com/3-colourful-sofas-to-save-you-from-decision-fatigue/
Away Game
Navy?
pugsnbourbon
Navy velvet against sunny yellow walls would look nice. Burnt orange too.
Pink would be delightful.
anon
Hmm, I’m not sure a neutral couchis going to make you happy if you love a colorful living room. Based on the yellow walls/red sofa combo, I’m guessing that might be you!
How about a deep peacock blue? That color with warmer yellows is a pretty combo, IMO. If you go with a neutral, charcoal would work with your yellow walls.
MagicUnicorn
Yes! Dark teal against yellow walls would be such a happy combo!
Anon
I would get a lighter blue.
Anon
A couch lasts longer than a paint job, so I’d choose the couch as your primary decision point, then re paint if necessary. Rug first, then couch, then walls, then accent colors.
LB
I love my navy couch with yellow walls (and yellow throw pillows). It’s the Jollene sectional from Macys, which goes on sale a lot.
Anon
I am intrigued by the regular use of the word intrigued here. Do you really use it in real life? One initial post seems to use intrigue in place of confused (see question about condoms).