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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 176 Comments · by

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Studded Twill Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Under $150

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Rebecca Taylor Studded Twill JacketAnyone will tell you: some of the best deals you get are on off season items. For example, this lightweight twill jacket looks perfect as a light spring jacket or for air-conditioned summer offices. The studded details on the lapel read “timeless rockstar” more than “slave to the trends” to me, and I like the peaked shoulders, ruched cuffs, and flouncy back hem. Gorgeous. I really do think a white blazer is an essential for the summer, and you can't beat the markdown on this one — was $395, now marked to $138 at Neiman Marcus (limited sizes only, alas). Rebecca Taylor Studded Twill Jacket Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-3)  

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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

Comments

  1. KC

    Kat, I love that you describe the studs as “timeless rockstar.” Made me chuckle. I like the jacket, though it’d probably see more wear on the weekends.

  2. Rural Juror

    Hey guys, dry skin issues here. I’m not sure why, but in the past week/two weeks I have gotten crazy dry skin on my face, hairline, and scalp. I haven’t changed my product usage, so all I can figure is the weather change? But I don’t recall this happening in prior years. Anyway, the face is easy enough as I have been moisturizing like crazy, but what do I do about dry skin around my hairline and scalp? It is flaking like crazy and putting moisturizer on just flattens/greases up my hair and makes it look worse. Any suggestions to fix or deal with this are welcome!

    • Anonymous

      I love this jacket. I am drawn to white jackets like a moth to a flame. I just think they look so chic with jeans and short boots.

      I would be more tempted by this one if I didn’t already have three white jackets in my closet.

      • Anonymous

        Ooops, that was supposed to be a new post.

        I wish I had an answer to your dry skin around the hairline problem. Maybe using a very thick mousturizer on the area before bed (if you wash your hair in the morning) and then nothing before bed. Also, try cutting back on face cleanser on that area and just use water or a more moisturizing cleanser.

        • Anonymous

          Jeez — need more coffee — nothing in the morning after you wash your hair.

          I’m quitting while I’m only this far behind.

    • Orangerie

      Maybe try massaging some argan oil into your scalp and hairline after a shower? I use Moroccanoil on my hair when it’s wet and it doesn’t leave a greasy residue so I imagine it’d be fine for this purpose, too. I also like Josie Maran’s argan oil for my face when it gets really dry. Good luck!

    • TO Lawyer

      What is your hair like? If it doesn’t get too greasy, you may want to consider switching shampoos/putting conditioner directly on your scalp. I like the scalp benefits line from Aveda – my scalp tends to be dry and this keeps it under control.

    • BB

      Eucerin Aquafor is what I use for serious dry skin issues. It feels like vaseline so I would only use it before you go to bed (or while you’re hanging out at home). It is pretty super moisturizing and reasonably long lasting in my experience.

      • BB

        Sorry, I just re-read and saw that you were mostly talking about your scalp not your face.

    • Baconpancakes

      What’s the weather like where you are? Has the humidity suddenly dropped? I know this makes me sound like an old lady, but I really do encourage humidifiers while you sleep for pretty much everything related to dryness, including dry sinuses prone to infection, dry skin, dry eyes, and winter coughs. I got one shaped like an owl and love it. Haven’t named it yet, but I probably should, the amount I love that thing.

      Other than the old lady fix, I’d suggest looking into a moisturizing hair/scalp mask. Lots of places make them, and they wash out so no greasies.

      And drink more water! Keep a big (16 oz+) bottle or cup at your desk, drink it all as quickly as you can, and when you go to the bathroom, fill it up again and drink that. You’ll go to the bathroom a lot, but you’ll feel better overall and some dryness can be fixed that way.

    • Anonymous

      I get this problem too during season transitions. What works for me is to make sure that I exfoliate regularly (2-3x per week). I do it at night and then use a heavy night cream that I rinse off in the morning with just water in the shower. For the scalp, I absolutely love head and shoulders. My scalp used to be so dry and flaky, but the head and shoulders helped a ton, without making it greasy. I have also used the head and shoulders shampoo as a body wash on other dry/flaky skin areas and it works great!

    • Equity's Darling

      Drink more water, get a humidifer, make sure you’re eating enough good oils (nuts, avocado, etc.).

      For my hairline and scalp, I tend to rub coconut oil into my scalp before bed, then wash my hair in the morning, it seems to help. I generally love coconut oil as a moisturizer, and during the super dry winters here, I have been known to use it on my face, body and hair before bed, let it soak in so that I don’t get my sheets all oily, then shower as usual in the morning, and it feels amazing. I also just got my new humidifer, and I love that I don’t wake up with my sinuses feeling like they could crack open.

    • Rural Juror

      Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Currently drinking a big glass of water and am going to hit the drugstore on the way home to check some of these ideas out.

    • lonestarlawyer

      tea tree oil is where it’s at for dry scalps. i use organix tea tree and mint shampoo and conditioner, and it seems to help.

    • Avodah

      So I have super dry skin and curly (re: dry) hair. Use the most gentle,natural shampoos and soaps you can. I recommend Burt’s Bees, Burt’s Bees Gud or Earth Science. Try to find fragrance free, paraben free, sulfate free stuff in general.
      I suggest washing your face only at morning or at night, and then splashing water the other time of day.
      YMMV, but this has worked for me.

    • AN

      for the skin, apply almond oil/olive oil or similar onto damp skin after washing. then gently pat off. the skin will become super moisturised but not oily as you have applied it on damp skin.

  3. Scared Grad

    Early threadjack! Hello ladies. I am currently a 3L, soon to graduate, and I will be working in-house at a large company at graduation. And I’m terrified. I mean, I worked for them for 2 summers, but I know the attitudes and the work will change significantly. This is the first time they have ever hired someone right out of law school, and I’ve been told point-blank that I’m a trial run. And I’m super scared of screwing things up. There’s lots of advice for beginning work at a firm, but not too much about in-house. Can any of you ladies give me the best piece of advice you have for beginning work in-house as a young attorney? TIA!

    • SAlit-a-gator

      I think the majority of the firm advice would apply to in-house as well. Otherwise, just remember to take into consideration the business /practical / pragmatic considerations as well as the legal ones.

    • Another S

      This might not seem helpful if you’re looking for concrete advice and specific things you can do but try to remember that they know you. They like you and your work or they wouldn’t have hired you. So keep doing what you were doing!

    • CA lawyer

      Try to get a weekly one on one with someone more senior. When first starting, it’s hard to know how far to take things yourself before asking for help and which rabbit holes are worth pursuing (it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to pursue all of them as you might at a firm). A regular check in will help you on the right path without taking up too much of your colleagues’ time.

      Respond to internal clients promptly. Do what you can to help them, but don’t get sucked into doing their job for them. Also, give good legal advice, even if they won’t necessarily like it. You’re their lawyer, even if they’re a lot more senior to you.

      Also, the regular rules of starting work apply: show up on time, be willing to work extra hard, dress appropriately (if your clients all have children your age, it helps to be a bit more formal and not look like the kids they remember hanging around their house just a few years ago), carry a legal pad everywhere, be respectful, and so on.

    • CA lawyer

      I’m having some trouble posting–apologies if I post more than once.

      Try to get a weekly one on one with someone more senior. When first starting, it’s hard to know how far to take things yourself before asking for help and which rabbit holes are worth pursuing (it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to pursue all of them as you might at a firm). A regular check in will help you on the right path without taking up too much of your colleagues’ time.

      Respond to internal clients promptly. Do what you can to help them, but don’t get sucked into doing their job for them. Also, give good legal advice, even if they won’t necessarily like it. You’re their lawyer, even if they’re a lot more senior to you.

      Also, the regular rules of starting work apply: show up on time, be willing to work extra hard, dress appropriately (if your clients all have children your age, it helps to be a bit more formal and not look like the kids they remember hanging around their house just a few years ago), carry a legal pad everywhere, be respectful, and so on.

    • Former Biglaw

      In my experience, working in-house is very leanly staffed. Whereas as a young associate at a law firm, you might never send an email to a client that is not vetted, you’ll likely be expected to be pretty independent early on. This puts you in a bit of a tough spot, hate to say.

      Depending on what you’ll be doing, I’d recommend getting some practical books on helping you practice. For example, I didn’t do a lot of contract drafting at my old job so when I transferred in house I bought several manuals on how to draft effective contracts (one was written by Stark and particularly good). Feel free to ask questions about how the department works because if you’re the first young person they’ve hired, they may not have any kind of training program in place and may not think to tell you the unwritten rules. So, for example, ask whether there’s an approved form contract before you start drafting one from scratch. Ask when/how you determine whether something is appropriate for outside counsel. Try to have lunch/make friends with your closest contemporaries and just ask them questions about what they’ve learned about the company/law department since joining that has made their life better.

  4. potential move from spouse

    I’m recently married and have a soft offer for a definite step-up position that I would likely not be able to find in my current city. The issue is that while the offer is at a company in a really nice city that we wouldn’t mind settling in eventually, it is across the country from where we currently live and where my spouse is working (and where we both feel he should continue for the time being to see an opportunity through).

    My gut says both that I don’t want to live apart most of the time for at least a year (until we re-evaluate or one of us becomes more flexible), and that I should pusue what could be a very exciting opportunity.

    Any advice from those who have been in similar situations? Would really appreciate it!

    • Ellen

      You are YOUNG and recently MARRIED so do NOT take them up on the offer, b/c you NEED to be in the same place as your HUSBAND, not onley now but later too. There will be OTHER oportunitie’s for you later and mabye your spouse will be abel to also have other oportunitie’s, but when you are MARRIED, you belong together, not apart.

      I know a freind from law school who let her new HUSBAND take a teacheing job at the University of Michigan, which was a good school, but she stayed behind in DC b/c she had a goverment job. Within a year, the husband started cheateing on her (mabye earlier b/c you never know where he was sleepeing), and after a year and 1/2, they split up. You need to remember that men seek out women when there own women are not available, both for companionship and for sex. You need to know that men will say that it is meaningless sex, but you do NOT want your husband in bed with another woman who is more then willing to do things to keep him happy when you are not there to do it. I therefore recommend STRONGELY against seperating during early marriage. And for you also. You do NOT want to have some strange guy nuzzeling you b/c your husband is away and he see’s an opportunity to home right in and get easy pickeings from you, who are loneley and mabye jealous b/c your husband sounds questionablely not home when you call late or early, or there is TELL TAIL evidence when you come to his apartement that a woman has been there. FOOEY!

      I want to be married, and when I am, I will NOT let my husband out of my sight. FOOEY on that b/c there are alot of pretty women out there and I do NOT want my husband sampeling them. DOUBEL FOOEY!

    • CKB

      For me, my focus has always been my marriage, and career, etc. has been secondary. Jobs come and go, but I want my marriage to be forever.

      So, I would discuss the situation with my husband, over several discussions if necessary, to determine what would be best for all involved. During our (19 year) marriage, we made moves sometimes for my job, sometimes for his. We seem to take turns with whose career is the focus at any one given time, and this works best for us. I know, based on our history, our relationship and our personalities, that long distance marriage wouldn’t be the best move for our family. On the other hand, I know several couples whose spouse travels extensively or works in a remote location and it works really well for them.

      What does your spouse say about it all?

    • mascot

      I think you have to weigh how often this type of offer will come up for you. If this is a once in a decade type of position, then I’d seriously consider it. Especially since it sounds like you will eventually have to leave your current city to advance. Making this type of move could get much harder the more roots you have in your current city in the future (home ownership, children, other family obligations, etc).

    • Anonymous

      No advice, just commiseration. I am currently living and working in a city that is a three hour flight from where my husband works and lives. It sucks a lot, but we are doing it anyway. Basically, we both got great job offers in different cities and would be making big sacrifices to be in the same city. We decided that we would take the jobs because they are great opportunities, and then reevaluate when we can. We agreed that if it ever got too bad, we could just make the sacrifice then. But we were hoping that at least one of our jobs would lead to new/better opportunities that would let us settle in the same place for a much lesser sacrifice. That hasn’t happened yet. I still think we are doing the right thing, but it’s brutal, and I don’t think we will be sticking it out much longer. Bottom line was that both of us were scared of coming to resent the other for early career sacrifices.

    • Anne Shirley

      My gut says how can this position be a step up if it means leaving your husband?

      • Monday

        It’s a step up in terms of her career advancement, and it doesn’t mean “leaving her husband,” it means reluctantly living apart from him on a temporary basis. I agree this would be a huge sacrifice, but I don’t think it makes sense to frame it as a no-brainer decision.

        • Anne Shirley

          Im not sold on it being a step up because it comes at a huge cost. Same way I think a job isn’t a step up if it means a three hour commute. For me this is a no-brainer and the point of marriage- deciding that your most important commitment is to someone else. There are circumstances where I can see it, but just a step up in a career? Not even close for my gut.

          • Morgan

            I think it’s overly simplistic to state that choosing a short-term distance for career advancement goes against the point of marriage, that is “deciding that your most important commitment is to someone else.” IMO, that characterization of marriage is true—over the course of a lifetime, if not in every individual moment of life—but I do not see how choosing a job means you are less “committed” to your spouse?

            It’s a pretty immature view of marriage to think it means that you always get to come first for your spouse. Marriage is about *the relationship* always coming first, but that is NOT the same thing as each person putting their spouse first all the time. A relationship is a dynamic between two people that requires their individual needs also to be met on some level in order for the dynamic to thrive.

          • Anonymous

            I totally agree with Anne. I absolutely thinking choosing a job means you are less committed to your spouse. Sorry but in the strong relationships I know, that would never happen. And when it does happen, divorce is usually not far behind. If its a big enough step up, your spouse should be willing to follow. If not, than its not a big enough step up for your career.

          • Monday

            Not saying anything about “maturity” or Anne Shirley’s intentions, but I would also add that marriage as prioritization of someone else is often interpreted to mean that the woman sidelines career…and the man sidelines family. It’s of course up to the OP what to do, but I think it’s worth pushing a bit against this idea that she’s not committed if she wants to move for a job. After all, if they stay, it’s for his job, in effect.

          • Anonymous

            If its a big enough step up, he should move with her. But one person, no matter what the gender, should not be moving across the country for a step up in a job, when they have one that is fine. I say this as the breadwinner whose husband moved for me. You don’t live apart if you don’t want to be divorced, but if you are thinking about living apart, stuff probably isn’t great anyway.

          • KLG

            I feel like some of these commenters have not had soul-crushing, depression-inducing jobs before because those can ruin a marriage just as quickly as being long distance. Most of us have to work because we need the income. My husband and I definitely considered a commuter marriage when I was having trouble finding a new job within an hour of home because I was so freaking miserable at my job that I was making him miserable too. I think potential move is smart to consider the job. She and her husband can decide if it’s worth it.

        • Anne Shirley

          For my gut, it is a no-brainer. Just like I wouldn’t consider a job a step-up if it came with a 3 hour commute, if it means leaving my husband behind while I move, that’s pretty clearly a step down. I think there are some circumstances where it works (deployment, time limited temporary jobs, when your other option is unemployment) but just step up? I wouldn’t hesitate with a “thanks for thinking of me, very flattering, but I’m not in a position to move. I’ll keep in touch if that changes”

          • Anne Shirley

            Sorry for the duplicate. Kat- comments aren’t loading for me, on mobile device.

    • Anonymous

      I just don’t see how I could ever live apart from my spouse for more than a few months. Especially when its not like they are serving in the military, they just chose different jobs in different cities. I would never apply for a job that was far away before talking it out. In law school, there were 5 people who lived apart from their spouse. All are now divorced and I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Marriage does require some sacrifices, and I just don’t see how you can be committed if you are willing to live apart for some time that is more than a year. If you are taking the job now, are you really going to quit in a year? No right, you have to stay and make your mark. So when will you two reconect?

    • pilates princess

      I was active duty military before law school. My husband and I spent a lot of time long distance, including a year or so where he lived 500 miles away from my home base.

      It’s not easy. But if you are both on board it is doable. You can make it work if you both want it to work, and you are both supportive of each other. You can be committed to both your career and your marriage and make it work.

      Best of luck to you.

      • Tecan

        +1 Married to an active duty soldier here, pretty upsetting to be told I want a divorce just because I chose a year of making a sh!t ton of money over moving to Alaska…

    • anon

      I’m going anon as it would make me very easy to track by people who know me!
      we got married, and 2 months later I got a job offer to move abroad. I ws like you, very concerned as my husband had a job for a great company, and would never be able to find the same thing anywhere else.
      When I mentioned the new job to him, he volunteered to quit and follow me. It added more stress for me as it meant not just my job happiness was at risk, but his at well…. He then spent 4 months jobless.
      fast forward 2 years, he is happier than ever.
      What I’m trying to convey is that you’re a team. Make a decision together.

      Frankly, a few months apart when you think about a lifetime is not the end of the world. But it can only work if 1. you’re both fully onboard with it, 2. you have a clear plan / end game in mind. I can’t see it work if you say ‘let’s reassess in a year’…

    • BB

      Wow, a lot of anti-long distance comments here, and they are all reasonable. I wanted to add my two cents, as someone who lived an 11 hour flight from my boyfriend (later fiancee) for two years and then lived a 3 hour drive from my husband for another 2.5 years. Basically, there are a lot of risks/things to consider here, but it is not a death sentence to your marriage or your values. Like other people have said, it needs to be a team decision. Having a set timeline and plan also helps: when will he start looking for jobs to join you? When will you reevaluate and see if you should move back?

      • mascot

        Yeah, I am kind of surprised by this too. I lived apart from my husband for months after I got a job in a new city. He followed once he had lined up a job himself. It was short term pain for what we can see now as an incredible gain. If anything, it’s been great for us.
        My dad travels extensively for his job and spent years based in City B while the rest of us lived in City A. Was it hard? Sometimes, yes. But given that my parents have been married for 35 years now, I’d hardly call it a death-knell.

        • ezt

          Totally agree. Long-distance is hard, but IMO it is just nuts to say that choosing it for some period of time is likely to lead to divorce, or means you don’t get the point of marriage. My parents spent a couple of years doing long-distance when I was a kid (there were different countries involved), and split up our family to do it (my sibling with my dad and I with my mom) because it made sense both for their careers and our schooling. While they lived apart, we visited frequently and they talked on the phone for an hour everyday (to my great annoyance when I wanted to be on the phone myself) and 38 years later they are going strong. It’s not for everyone and it’s not easy but if it makes sense for you, you communicate with your spouse well, and you both agree, I think it can be the right choice and prevent you from resenting each other for opportunities lost.

    • Gauss

      I did something similar a few years ago: I’d been married for two years when I finished grad school and took an awesome job in a different city, four hours away from my husband. He still had a couple of years to go in school, but we made it work: for the first year he was based in our old city and visited me a lot, for the second year we decided to move everything to my new town and he visited his old university a lot. As it happens, he made a lot of great connections in my new location and was offered a good job here after graduation. We’ve been here more than five years, we both love the place and our jobs and we’ve just bought a house.

      It was a tough decision, and I still feel bad sometimes for “leaving” him while I pursued my career. However, I don’t regret it: I still love my job, I enjoyed living by myself for a while and I appreciate our life together even more now. Four hours of driving is different from cross country, but if you are both on board with this you can make it work.

      Good luck, whatever you decide to do! I don’t think there is a wrong decision here, to be honest, and a strong relationship should be able to survive a bit of long distance.

    • ADS

      Isn’t there a regular poster in an LD marriage on a long-term basis? I recall that they have children, too, and that they’ve managed just fine. I wish she’d chime in and share some thoughts on this topic.

      I’ve only ever had one LD relationship and it didn’t last. The LD magnified the existing issues but the silver lining is, I spent less time in that relationship than I might have if we were in the same location.

  5. Diana Barry

    Kat, just so you know, Firefox is not showing this latest post – I had to link thru FB, but when I come here directly, the only thing that shows up is the Coffee Break from yesterday.

  6. 8 3/4 shoes?

    Hi – I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit. I have semi-wide feet, but still a size M. On top of that 8 1/2s are usually too small, and 9s too big. I feel like I need 8 3/4s. Has anyone encountered that? Any brands that work? Is there a particular insert that would help with the length of 9s but still preserve the width of the shoe? I don’t really need heels for work but professional office flats and boots, or cute weekend shoes are a real struggle.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      Have you tried buying 8 1/2 wides? I have similar issues (between a 6 1/2 and a 7), and the 6 1/2 wide is almost always a good fit. When its not, I buy a seven and then use shoe inserts to make them fit more snugly (I like the Dr. Scholls For Her line that’s designed for high heels, but ymmv). And with boots I just wear super-thick boot socks.

    • zora

      I feel like everyone’s feet are SO different! ;o) If i was you, I’d go to some places where i can try on a wide variety of shoes in different sizes, like Nordstroms or Macys, and walk around the store in them A LOT. Try to find the brands that run a little bigger or a little smaller. Then you know what size you are in which brand, and you can basically stick to buying them FOREVER. that’s my solution for my 9 3/4s feet ;o)

      Also, yes, there are lots of inserts. You could try ball of the food inserts to keep your foot from sliding forward into the shoe. Or a heel insert. Basically it’s a big trial and error thing. But I go on amazon and buy different Dr Scholls inserts, because I can often find them at a discount and then i have like a collection at home. Then when I get a new pair of shoes, I almost always have the insert i need to make them perfect.

      Good luck!!

    • Anon

      Buy high quality leather shoes that will stretch to your foot, buy 8 1/2 and get them stretched, or use back-of-heel inserts on the 9’s.

    • Charlotte

      I have the same problem — except my size might be 8-1/4 M or 8, 1/2 wide. I used to have size-8 feet that fit into nearly every size 8 shoe, but since my first pregnancy, the wide part of my foot has widened a little. My solution for a while was to get size 8-1/2 M, with an insert, but I found that leather shoes to stretch out, making the shoe far too big for me. I have gone back to size 8 and done what Anon at 12:25 has suggested…. try to buy leather that will stretch a bit. Good luck!

  7. Killer Kitten Heels

    Threadjack (although I will say I love the jacket today): A few-ish days ago, someone posted about buying the Longchamp totes through eBay. I investigated, and really want to buy one, but am worried I’m going to spend $65 on a fake, or worse, on something that never arrives at all. Any suggestions for how to vet eBay sellers? (If you can’t tell, I’ve never purchased anything off of eBay before, precisely because of my fear of blowing money on a knock-off, rip-off, or other scam.)

    • k-padi

      The easiest (and probably best) is to buy through one of their “Trusted Sellers” with the little gold ribbon icon. Otherwise, I’d focus my search to sellers with a feedback rating north of 99%. You won’t get as good a deal but those are veteran sellers who won’t jeopardize their ratings by not delivering things that are as described.

    • Walnut

      I always pay sellers through PayPal. In many years of buying and selling off of ebay and other ebay companies, I have only had one item not arrive. I disputed through PayPal and my money was returned, no questions asked.

      Also, do some googling on how to identify fake Longchamps and don’t hesitate to request more information from the seller. A reputable seller will want to prove that their item is legit.

    • Batgirl

      I’ll say this: I accidentally bought what ended up being (at least I’m pretty sure it is) a fake Longchamp bag on ebay–from a highly rated seller. They’re just highly rated for selling fakes, apparently! That said, the quality has held up as well as my real Longchamp bag (it’s just small stitches differences that I picked up on) and they did deliver it as promised. So while I wouldn’t condone doing it purposefully, it worked out well enough for me.

      • Anonymous

        +1 Also beware of anyone who is selling large quantities of the exact same model, or who seems to have many color options to choose from. These are probably fakes. Definitely don’t buy anything that is shipping from asia and takes 3 weeks!

    • Anon

      Everything that comes from Asia will be fake, and there will probably be a lot of people in other countries like America reselling imported fakes. If the seller is someone who isn’t selling a large volume of them, like maybe some person selling off random used clothing and bags from their closet, you’re probably ok. If you do buy a fake, I think ebay will refund you.

      • AN

        This is a rather sweeping generalisation. FWIW, more Asians than Westerners seem to buy designer bags on a regular basis, and also sell them on e-bay. So do your research but don’t assume a bag is a fake just because seller is in Asia.

    • tesyaa

      I have bought a lot of bags on eBay. There are (or used to be) buying guides for designer bags with useful tips for picking out fakes. And 99% positive feedback is the absolute minimum you should buy from.

      Additionally, despite my precautions I have occasionally bought fakes (Dooney and Coach), and eventually gotten my money back. If you have to open a case with eBay, you will probably get the seller to take back the item, so at most, all you’re out is shipping. Sometimes just an email threat is enough.

      It’s not pleasant to have to open a case, but if you read the buying guides and look at a lot of listings, you can probably spot a fake before buying. Don’t be impulsive; spend the time to do it right.

    • tesyaa

      Most important caveat for buying bags on eBay if you don’t smoke: if you are buying a used bag, even barely used, make sure the seller specifies a smoke-free home or “no odors”. There is no way to get the smell of smoke out of a bag if it’s not washable.

  8. Equity's Darling

    Flu shot : is it worth getting one? why? Does it actually work?

    I’ve never bothered in the past, but they’re having a few clincs at work, so maybe it’s worth it?

    • CKB

      I’ve got a flu shot a few times in the last few years. Not every year, though, maybe 2/3 of the time? I’ve never got the flu. I always wonder if those years I did get the flu shot, if I hadn’t got the shot would I have got sick? It’s so hard to tell.

      I figure that, due to the nature of my job, getting sick at certain times of the month could be really, really difficult, and so I err on the side of caution. However, I’m pro vaccination, and the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks, for me.

      It’s a tough one, though, because imo, you can never really know if the flu shot worked or not, especially if your are generally healthy.

    • L

      YES! Flu shots are amazing. Even if you’re a person who “doesn’t get sick” the flu will knock you out cold. Plus it helps curb the spread of flu so you could be saving yourself and others you come in contact with the potential for transmission. It’s also one of the most effective vaccines we have.

      If you’ve never had it before, make sure you have none of the known allergies (eggs are a big one) and go get it. Takes maybe 5 minutes and your arm might be slightly sore.

    • Marilla

      I always get it (also through work). I had the Actual Flu in 2009 (possibly swine flu as my symptoms were consistent, although I didn’t go to the doctor) and it knocked me out solidly for a week or more. Since that year I get the flu shot every year and even if I get a virus here and there that takes me out for a day or two, it’s never been as bad. I figure it can’t hurt, anyway, and can only help. Caveat – I am a person who is very trusting in science and vaccinations and medicine/public health, so a science skeptic might not see it the same way.

    • Mpls

      It’s also possible (correct me if I’m mistaken), that since you are getting vaccinated for different strains each year, even if you wouldn’t have gotten the flu that year, you are acquiring immunities for future years when there is a similar strain that doesn’t make it into the vaccination for that year.

      It makes sense it my head, at least. That being said, I don’t think I’ve ever had a flu shot :) Not because I’m anti-vaccination, just never made a point of doing so.

      • Equity's Darling

        The “fact sheet” they posted at work says that the immunity only lasts for 6-12 months for the strains you’re vaccinated against, so I don’t think it’s a situation where one accumulates immunity to all the strains, though I could be wrong.

        • Mpls

          Oh, I agree that you can’t collect them all and win – but I think there is some science to suggest that the antibodies from previous strains do hang around throughout your lifetime. Like, if you had the Spanish Flu in 1918, you would still have antibodies hanging around – maybe not enough to completely prevent you from getting the flu again, but maybe enough to reduce the severity. So, you still should have a flu shot every year, but if you miss it one year, or the predictions about the strains are off base, you may still have some residual protections. Maybe.

    • mascot

      I generally pro-vaccination. I have a small child who is in daycare and regularly visit healthcare facilities as part of my job so my exposure risk is a bit higher. I got a very mild case of the flu last year and it was awful. I wasn’t sure if it was a strain that’s not in the vaccine or that I just had a mild case because of the vaccine. Either way it was enough to convince me to keep getting vaccinated.

    • long time lurker

      For years I did not get a flu shot for (admittedly stupid) fear of shots generally and just laziness. I basically get a cold around December every year and that is it – I am a person who “does not get sick”. Until I got the flu two years ago! And I missed three days of work and was sick over a weekend. Not fun. Last year I decided to get the shot – and I was not sick at all that year, not even my usual minor cold. Part of the reason for my decision was that recently, I am around elderly family members more often and figured I would be helping them (young healthy folks get over the flu easily enough but its tough on older people – also pregnant women, children, etc). Despite being a giant baby about the needle I had no effects whatsoever about the shot. I say go for it.

    • Gigs

      I am pro-flu shot. I’ve gotten one ever year for the last 5 or so years. The last couple of years, my boyfriend has gotten the flu, and I haven’t, so it seems to work!

    • KLG

      I got the flu during law school the one year I did not get a shot and spent days praying for death. I haven’t skipped a flu shot since!

    • Brant

      Last year was the only year I’ve ever gotten one, and I ended up with (a different strain of) the flu! I’m sure they weren’t linked (they can’t be–you can’t get the flu from the flu shot), but it still made me mad!

      I got it again this year because we now have an infant in daycare, and kids are germ sponges.

      • January

        Yup, I got the flu last winter and I had a flu shot last October or November. So I’m not exactly a believer. :) It’s probably not a bad idea to have one, especially if you don’t have to pay for it, but it’s not a guarantee. Also, strangely, the friends and family I was exposed to before I realized it was the flu (I tested positive for it at the doctor’s) didn’t have flu shots and didn’t get the flu.

    • TBK

      I never got flu shots before because I just don’t get sick (maybe a cold every three or four years). I got one this year because I’m pregnant, but one thing I’d never considered that’s made me vow to get one every year from now on is the fact that, while I don’t get sick, I might still carry the virus and pass it on — and that person I pass it on to could be very young or very old or otherwise vulnerable. The flu that could knock me out for two weeks or so could kill another person. And that person might not be able to get a vaccine for the same health reasons that makes them vulnerable. I’ve been all over my family recently to make sure their Tdap is up to date before the babies arrive, so I plan to take my own medicine (so to speak) and get the flu shot every year to help the herd.

      • CA lawyer

        Second this. I could be mistakne, but 100% effective, so it’s really important for more vulnerable people that the herd gets vaccinated so that there’s less of it going around and they’re less likely to catch it. The person for whom it’s not that bad can inadvertently pass it along to someone who won’t be able to handle it so well and will get terribly ill or worse.

        Also second on ensuring that Tdap is up to date for folks who might get close to babies—pertussis can minor in healthy adults and kills infants.

    • R

      I get it every year, even though I don’t think it makes much difference for myself. I see it as herd mentality – even if the flu wouldn’t be that hard on me, I regularly am around friends’ kids and my elderly relatives, plus now have a daughter in daycare, and I would feel AWFUL if one of them got sick because of me.

      • Moonstone

        I had a long conversation with my doctor about how the vaccine he was offering might not be for the most prevalent strain of flu (because it’s made months in advance) and thus may offer no protection. But he won me over when he said, gently: “It’s good for the herd.”

    • lucy stone

      I get one every year. I started when I was in law school because I spent a fair amount of time visiting jails. I get one now because I spent a fair amount of time dealing with people who’ve been in jail, a group home, or are just not generally the best at handwashing. My husband gets one as well because he spends at least 20 hours a week in jail or prison and the other 20 in the court system somehow. We come into contact with so many germs that I feel like anything we can do to reduce the spread of the flu is a good thing.

    • Cynthia

      Flu shots are cheap and take very little of your time. There’s not much reason not to get one if you’re healthy and not allergic to eggs … you’re not even getting the live virus unless you get the nasal version.

      Flu SUCKS!! btw. Two years in a row. First year was 7 straight days of pure ‘what the heck is going on’ and realizing a week later that you just spend 7 days shivering in bed. Second year was so mild in comparison. I work in health so we’re mandated to get it or wear the flu mask of shame.

    • Cb

      I have a compromised immune system and always get one, it’s better than a week or more down with the flu. Which is a reminder that I need to go the pharmacy and got one. Anyone know how to say, ‘I’d like a flu jab, please’ in Dutch.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      Yes. I never got one. One year the nurse at work convinced me to get it. I did, my husband didn’t. He got H1N1. He is super healthy otherwise and was so knocked out, he couldn’t even sit up to get the remote. His was mostly respiratory (not stomach) and would have absolutely killed someone with asthma or copd. I did NOT get H1N1 from him because I got the shot that year.

      Random aside, he says he would never again go to the doctor if he thought he had the flu. He didn’t need fluids, he just thought there was something they could prescribe to help. There wasn’t. Instead, they did an invasive up the nose down the throat test to confirm it was H1N1 for CDC records. If he knew they were doing that and not prescribing him any meds he would have stayed home.

      • KLG

        it’s been awhile since I last got the flu, but the Tamiflu my doctor gave definitely helped some.

        • Mpls

          I believe there has been some Tamiflu shortages, due to production methods and ingredient availablity – and some demonstrated ineffectiveness with specific strains. So, sometimes helps, sometimes doesn’t. (Totally fell down the wikipedia rabbit hole on the topic, btw.)

    • Equity's Darling

      Wow, I rarely see such unanimity from the hive!

      I’m pro-science, pro- “take care of the herd”, and I know a couple people that got H1N1 and were sick for over a month, and I really can’t be sick this winter, and I’m not afraid of needles, nor do I have an egg allergy, so I guess I’ll do it!

      • Seventh Sister

        As someone with two little kids in school/daycare, who has three friends who are the parents of immunocompromised children, and who interacts with a lot of fragile older people, thank you thank you thank you.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t. Vaccines in general are considered highly suspicious around here (although I personally don’t have any opinion) so getting flu shots when you’re not part of an at-risk population (elderly people, pregnant women, etc) is unusual.

      Even during H1N1, nobody I know got vaccinated, except my 85-year-old grandma. My friends, mostly tech guys/scientists, all said they’d rather get the flu than get unknown chemicals in their bodies.

      • Cynthia

        Oh gosh, I would like to point out that the herd (healthy people) get vaccinated in order to stop disease from spreading to at-risk populations.

        I would also never take medical advice from tech guys, engineers or IT folk who haven’t stepped into an epidemiology class or had medical training.

        • OP

          I don’t take medical advice from them, nor do I agree with them actually …

      • Mpls

        Do your tech guys/scientists eat all organic foods as well? Don’t drink soda or energy drinks? I’m am now suspicious of their credentials as “scientists”. Or assuming that this is a cover because they don’t want to get poked with a needle.

      • Anon

        They’re not unknown chemicals. They don’t exactly find flu shots by the side of the road. :P I would have to guess that these people are not very good scientists.

        • Marilla

          +1. A “tech guy” (IT? engineering?) is not necessarily someone with training in medicine, public health, or epidemiology.

      • ADS

        I thought the fears about vaccines were debunked.

        Also seems like that crowd you describe suffers from some knee-jerk reaction against big pharma and bigMed.

        Just because doctors and standard medical practices are sometimes wrong, doesn’t mean alternative mumbo-jumbo is right. Classic error in logic, that.

  9. k-padi

    Zora let me know that I wasn’t here to answer a question about my diabetic cat. Wow! You gals remembered! I am touched.

    The cat is doing well–probably not perfectly well but good enough (horse-shoes, hand-grenades, and diabetic cats). I can’t say I’m perfect at the 12-hour insulin intervals but he’s a trooper. We got his insulin dosage pretty quick and are now through his first bottle of that cloudy liquid gold. I trained my neighbor’s teenager on how to administer the insulin and, without much more, he took care of my little guy without incident for the ten days I was out. This week, I’m playing with my commute to my new job and my schedule. It already looks like I’ll be much more able to keep to 12-hour intervals now.

    So question for the women who have a personal shopper. Mine moved to a different store that is way out of my price range. The Nordie’s manager has been wonderful keeping in contact and offering to set me up with a new stylist. But I’m like a heartbroken teenager and just want to wallow. Any advice on picking a stylist from her group of ~12 stylists? Or do I just have to suffer through a trial session?

    • NOLA

      I wonder, since the manager has been in contact and has made an offer – can you tell her what you liked about working with the person who left and the kinds of things she did that clicked with her? That might help her set you up with the right person.

  10. Anon

    TJ – thoughts on interviewing for two jobs within your current company when you only see yourself accepting one of them? Would I be jeopardizing the job I want for a job I would only take as a last resort (to escape my toxic boss)? I’m so torn because its been ingrained to attend all interview opportunities but this is a very different circumstance. Do I go to two or tell the supervisor for the job I’m wishing and hoping for that this is the only role I’m going after? An outside voice is what I need. TIA.

    • k-padi

      This advice is only for your situation–escaping a toxic boss.

      I’d apply to both positions and act equally enthusiastic at both interviews. If your boss is truly toxic, people know and won’t ask why you are interviewing for two positions. If an interviewer tries to pin you down on which position you’d rather have, be enthusiastic about each (your first priority is escaping the toxic boss). If they dig deeper, frame the two positions as equally interesting but not interchangeable/comparable. In a normal interview situation (sans toxic boss), this is bad advice–you want to cast the “other” position as less interesting than the one you are interviewing for. But, in a toxic-boss situation, this is perfectly normal.

    • Anon

      Interview for both. You don’t know if you’re even going to get an offer, so why sabotage yourself?

  11. Diane Lockhart

    I am still looking for the perfect coat to take on my upcoming business trip to London on Nov. 10th. As I live in SoCal and have little tolerance built up for cold weather, my new thought is to get a puffer style longer coat that will be both waterproof and warm. Is that a good idea instead of a lined trench which I am afraid won’t keep me warm enough (thin blood and all….). Any suggestions? It does not have to be a really warm one as the weather will be chilly and damp but not freezing.

    • Anne Shirley

      I’d stick with a lined trench, thin sweaters, and an under layer and scarf. Puffer coats are bulky and cumbersome and not necessary for London fall.

    • New Girl

      I’d stick with a lined trench with a hood instead of a puffer coat. For London in November, I’ve been fine with a lined trench, layers underneath with a warm scarf, leather gloves, and earmuffs.

      • Nonny

        Yes. A lined trench, gloves and scarf will be sufficient. You will stand out like a sore thumb in a puffer coat.

        I also advocate layers for London fall/winter – it isn’t that cold, but it is a damp cold that can really get into your bones if you don’t layer well. A light wool sweater is a good thing.

    • S in Chicago

      Have you looked at any of the soft-shell trenches that are out these days? I own this one by NorthFace and have worn it during really cold days of winter: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/the-north-face-bionic-grace-jacket/3601893?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=the_north_face_'bionic_grace'_jacket:969061&cm_pla=jacket/sportcoat:women:jacket&cm_ven=pricegrabber&mr:referralID=0b4e8c66-3676-11e3-a88a-001b2166becc )? Its one of my favorite jackets.

      Or if that isn’t dressy enough, I highly recommend the Ellenwood insulated parka by Merrell. It is super light yet amazingly warm–much more than you would think. It’s my go-to on really cold fall and spring days. Definitely warmer than your typical lined trench. The only negative is that it runs a little long in the arms (for me). http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/29139W/81260/Womens/Ellenwood-Insulated-Parka?dimensions=0 .

    • Mpls

      Puffer coat will look out of place if the temps aren’t under the freezing range. Long down coats are really meant for the freezing too cold range (aka 10 F and below). You might be able to find a hip or thigh length one, but they are really better for sub freezing temps. For example – Lands End rates their featherweight down coat at +10 to -15 F http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-featherlight-down-parka/id_258754 .
      Where as this nice wool coat is +20 to 0 F.
      http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-luxe-wool-swing-car-coat/id_243894
      Do make sure that the coat you get covers your butt when you sit down (cold seats – brrr) and that you have a hat, scarf, and gloves, but IMO a long down coat is serious overkill.

      If it’s cool and damp, you’d probably be better off layering in wool/silk. I don’t know what kind of heating the buildings have, but it’s possible that it won’t be terribly warm indoors – and you’d look silly sitting around indoors in a long puffer coat. At least with layers, you can adjust as needed.

      Plus – when would you ever use a long puffer again? At least with a lined trench you might be able to get one where the lining zips out so it would be function in different temps.

      • Leina

        Haha…here in southern Europe I’m afraid we all break out the puffer coats when the temps vaguely approach freezing :) London, yes, I agree it would look out place this time of year.

    • S in Chicago

      My comment was somehow lost in moderation, but I’d recommend a soft shell trench. One of my favorite jackets is the NorthFace Grace Bionic. (Nordstrom carries).

      If that is too casual, I can also recommend Merrell’s Ellenwood. Its really light and amazingly warm. Much warmer than a basic lined trench. I have the basic rain version but it also comes in an insulated style that is probably even warmer.

      http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/29139W/81260/Womens/Ellenwood-Insulated-Parka?dimensions=0

    • MJ

      I lived in London, and a wool coat is fine (J. Crew Lady Day or similar) with an umbrella. You don’t need to buy a trench. And if you are going to buy a trench, hit up Burberry in London and get an investment coat! (Kidding–that’s a super-pricy suggestion!!!)

      It rarely pours rain in London…much more of a constant drizzle. You don’t need to have a raincoat, honestly, except for rare occasions. London is very fashion-forward–a puffy coat would look silly in November. Also, with respect to your queries re pantsuits…London women, even in formal industries, wear pantsuits. But they are well tailored and sleek pantsuits, so if you are channeling Hillary…just don’t. Think Stella McCartney, sleekness…not all women wear Stella, but that’s more of the vibe.

      If you don’t want to buy a full wool coat (I didn’t own one, coming from SoCal to London, when I first moved there) then bring a warm, nice sweater (cashmere or merino V-neck) and throw that on under your blazer or unlined trench. With a hat and gloves, you will be fine, unless there’s a severe cold snap, which you could see in advance via weather report anyway.

    • Diane Lockhart

      Thanks everyone for the feedback.

      Having read your comments, I am now leaning towards a lined all weather long coat with a hood. I have ordered this one from Nordstrom which has a removable liner and hood.
      http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/gallery-nepage-long-coat-with-detachable-hood-liner-nordstrom-online-exclusive/3525435?origin=stylenumsearch

      I owned this coat in a Large years ago but gave it away after I lost 72 pounds. The nice thing is that I can use it in So Cal with or without the lining and when I visit my kids who are in college in San Francisco. Does that look more like what I need? I would love a Burberry but it’s not in the budget.

      I already own the Lady Day coat but it fits too snugly to get a suit jacket under it (I got it to wear over dresses when going out in the evening), so I had ruled that out.

      For pantsuits, I would bring my Theory slim cut dark navy suit. I also am thinking of packing some beautifully cut Lafayette jackets that I can wear with either pants, a pencil skirt or the J Cr*w Emmaleigh sheath I just bought on sale. May thrown in my leather moto jacket for evening outings.

      I am really looking forward to this! I will be in London a whole week, meeting with and wining and dining clients in the financial district (more specifically in the Lloyd’s building).

  12. SAD?

    Anyone deal with SAD or winter-related depression? Mine seems to be getting worse with age. I live in Chicago, and it’s getting to the point where even though it’s not that cold yet, I can sense the impending darkness and chill and it makes me sad. Socializing seems to slow down here during the winter, and I can’t run outside or walk places as much because it’s so unpleasant and dark.

    How do those of you who live in colder climates cope?

    • Anonymous

      Take some vitamin D! I take 1000 IU a day. It helped me last winter with my energy levels. If you feel like it is serious, talk to your doctor about starting on a low-dose anti-depressent. Exercise helps a lot so try to exercise most days of the week. Get outside and get sun on the weekends, even if its just for a 15 min walk. Try to walk during lunch, even in the winter.

      • Anonymous

        I was told to take 4000-6000IU / day , 1000 is the bare minimum dose, and 10,000 is the level at which vitamin D is toxic.

    • L

      Oh hello friend. Yes, I do and I’m not even in a cold climate so you have my deepest sympathies. Honestly, I cope with a combo of a low dose of anti-depressant and a light box (I got mine from Costco). The pair makes me feel like myself again, which is amazing.

        • MH

          Hahaha, it’s literally a box with a light in it–basically just a lamp, but with a bulb that mimics daylight. You sit in front of it and absorb the light. They work pretty well!

          This is really bad, but I’ve also noticed that going to a tanning bed is kind of awesome in the winter. Not often, and not for long, but it feels really good when you’re done.

          • hoola hoopa

            You can also buy bulb that fit into standard lamps or lighting fixtures.

            I feel terrible about it, but occasionally tanning when it gets bad really does help.

    • Blair Waldorf

      Get a special light and use it in the mornings when it’s dark outside!

      • In the Pink

        Sun Box Company (sunbox dot com) out of Gaithersburg, MD

        Alaska Northern Lights (dot com) out of Reno, NV

        You place it where you are going to be, sitting, working, etc. for a few hours each day.

        Some actually look like flexible-neck black desk lamps!

        Check out WinterBlues Information Network for scientific studies (winterblues dot com)

        I think there are also some companies that make replacement full-spectrum light bulbs for the old-fashioned shop lights or office fixtures in the ceilings that use long fluorescent tubes.

        • In the Pink

          I don’t know where OP lives, but the Sun Box company used to have those that will work with “overseas” wattage without a special converter. As in 210-240 volts.

    • Amberwitch

      My sympathies.
      When it is worst, we get about 7 hours daylight around here. So difficult. And it is all grey and blah and wet. Or piles of dirty snow.
      Several people I know use sunlamps in the morning while eating breakfast.

      My usual routine usually stave of the worst:
      Bike to work = a reasonable amount of exercise
      Walk for half an hour during lunch = daylight. With someone else = company

    • SpaceMountain

      I have one of those light alarms — it gradually turns its light on for 1/2 hr until wake-up time. I think it helps because it’s kind of depressing to wake up in the morning when it’s still dark.

    • winter time

      I ski. Cross-country skiing under the light of the full moon with the trees all frosted with new snow, at 5:30 pm, is just delightful. My local downhill resort fires up the lights for night skiing at 4:30 pm. The crowds thin out tremendously, and there is usually a band playing in the bar at 9 pm. Understand there’s not much skiing in Chicago, so can’t help you there.

  13. Annie

    Question about dress brands: I’ve been looking for a brand of dresses that works for ladies with a lower waist. When I go to Nordstrom, the dresses I have on have a waist that is about an inch or two higher than my natural waist, and they end up fitting poorly. Are there any brands that have lower waists, and/or come in tall sizes (would that help?). I’m pear shaped, usually around size 10, and not especially tall (5’7″), but can rarely find dresses that fit super well.

    Thanks!

    • Anon

      I feel your pain! I have the same issue. People ask me why I always wear pencil skirts and never dresses – it’s because I can’t find sheath dresses that fit my butt and hip area properly.

      I noticed that Ann Taylor has tall sizes in dresses. I haven’t tried them on but need to make a point to stop by there.

      • Annie

        Maybe I’ll go try out Gap, Ann Taylor, and J Crew Tall clothes. I wish tall styles were as prevalent as petite!

    • Eleanor

      I have the same problem with most dresses. I’ve sung the praises of the J.Crew Emmaleigh here several times before, but I’ll do it again: it’s one of the few dresses, and the only work dress, I’ve ever found that has the waist in the right spot for me. I’m 5’4″, size 4, also pear shaped. Unfortunately, other J.Crew dresses have the usual high-waist problem; it’s only the Emmaleigh that is so wonderful. Also, if you want one but it’s not an emergency, wait until after Thanksgiving when you’ll surely be able to get one at 25-40% off. They have crazy sales that time of year.

      • Diane Lockhart

        The Emmaleigh dress was on sale last week in store. I paid only $97 and they are $149 full price. They may well be still on sale. I agree that it is a very flattering versatile sheath.

      • Downtown BK

        This! I have five of the Emmaleigh dresses in different colors. They go on sale all the time and the waist fits me so much better than other J. Crew dresses.

    • Amy H.

      I have the *exact* same problem, and posted about it on the “Work Wear for Tall Women” thread from last week. Banana Republic is the only brand I’ve found that actually drops the waist on some (not all) of their Tall size dresses (and coats).

      I ordered three Tall dresses from Boden and two have arrived — they both have the waist way up under my chest so that it is essentially an empire waist. The silk print one I can live with, but the ponte Winter Audrey dress looked ridiculous, so it’s going back — even though I love the color and the fabric! Very disappointing.

      I am actually considering taking a sheath dress from Jones New York (the Mallory) to my tailor and asking them to continue the princess seaming lower down vertically — essentially shifting the waist down. This dress does not have a set-in waistband, so it may work.

      • Carrie Preston

        +1 to banana tall sizes, I’ve also found it’s one of the only brands that drops the waist in tall sizes.

        • Anon

          The only other one I know of that does that (other than Gap/Banana) is JC Penney.

      • zora

        You might as well try, buy the dress, take it to the tailor with the tags still on and ask them what they think. If they don’t think it’s going to work, you can take it back for a refund. No harm, no foul.

  14. Anon

    I am looking for black mid-calf boots with a 3 inch heel to wear with dress pants and jeans for winter. Does anyone have any suggestions? My max price is around $150 but less is obviously better. I found a pair of Cole Hann Air Talia boots at Nordstrom Rack for $160, I love how they look but they dig into my shins when I walk so I’ll be taking them back unfortunately.

  15. Miss Pearl

    I love this jacket! I think it’d look cute over a black long-sleeve shirt or thin sweater, and a pair of dark denim jeans.

  16. Amy H.

    I love this jacket *except* for the studs. With the studs, I could not wear this to work (and I just don’t love them regardless). I really do need a white work jacket as I have none. RATS.

  17. Gigs

    I am turning to my fellow Corporettes for help! I’m in over my head and need some advice on how to proceed.

    I have been working for the past 6 years as a project manager for a large project at a research institute. I like my job, I like my co-workers, and my job has been REALLY good to me, as when I had to move away due to a family commitment, they offered me a full-time position managing the project remotely (so I did 3 years in house and 3 years remotely). The project is officially ending in December of 2013. There is talk of keeping me and my two staff members on, but funding is questionable and any future employment for me would require moving back.

    I recently (as in started on Monday) landed a three year executive project manager/ED position that I was thrilled to get. I am currently working full time for my new position and full time for my previous position. It is the first week of this and my new position has been really low-key this week because of board meetings and such, however, I am completely exhausted and having trouble figure out how to extract myself from old job without completely bailing on the project.

    As far as I see it, I have two options:
    1) Give two weeks notice to old job and walk away completely.
    2) Complete my third quarter financial reports and a few other deliverables (that only I can complete) and leave old job the week before Thanksgiving.

    What would you do? What should I do? Thanks!

  18. single gal

    the model wearing the studded twill jacket looks anorexic – and I assume that most of us do not look like that.

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