Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Pleated Skirt
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I’m never going to get tired of pleated skirts. This one from Rôhe has a great mix of the traditional pleats with a more contemporary midi length. With a voluminous skirt like this, I would wear a more form-fitting top, like a slim turtleneck or bodysuit.
The skirt is $645 at Net-a-Porter and comes in French sizes 34-44. Bloomingdale’s has a similar skirt in gray.
Sales of note for 9/5/25
- Nordstrom – Summer sale has started, up to 60% off top brands
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals
- Anthropologie – 30% off clothing and accessories
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- J.Crew – Everyday styles from $34.50 — see our full roundup of what to buy for work at J.Crew
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off fall faves + extra 60% off clearance
- L.K. Bennett – 20% off all new-season
- Nordstrom Rack – Season Closeout: extra 40% off select clearance dresses, sandals, shorts, and swimwear(ends 9/11)
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance sales
- Soma – 5 panties for $39 + 35% off 3+ styles + buy 2 get 3 free panties — readers love these PJs and these no-VPL panties
- Talbots – 25-40% off select fall styles + extra 30% all markdowns — here are all the reader favorites at Talbots
- White House Black Market – 50% off all sale styles (ends 9/5)
Hello! Has anyone here had normal blood glucose forever and normal A1C and then, out of seemingly nowhere, the A1C has shot up past pre diabetic all the way to diabetic? Got the MyChart update over the weekend and have a note into the doctor that I want a retest in 2-3 months (and will be vigilant with added sugars and exercise), but OMG trying not to freak out. No T2 diabetes in my family and I’m normal weight (so can’t really lose much weight) but over 50. Could exercise a bit more. Will be vigilant on that with work travel coming up. Ugh. I feel like I am out of warranty.
I know some people had this happen after COVID infection just from the virus. Try not to worry too much! If the re-test doesn’t show much improvement, they may prescribe something like metformin which can improve outcomes so much that there’s interest in using it as an anti-aging intervention even for people without diabetes. If they’re not confident the A1C is correct, they may do some more testing for a little more context or to check what blood glucose levels after meals are. People can sometimes go from a high A1C back to a normal A1C again, so hang in there and see what happens!
COVID caused my colleague to develop type 1 diabetes in his forties! Absolutely terrifying
It’s a whole thing even though it’s still a lot rare than Type 2! But sometimes a big change can be post viral. I think so many people manage Type 2 with lifestyle that it gets misperceived as being caused by lifestyle; it can have all kinds of causes including damage to the pancreas by infections. And type 1 is autoimmune so infection can be a triggering event immunologically. So sudden onset is just more common than it was before.
But that’s all assuming the A1C is accurate and not a one off, mistake, or skewed by something else like anemia.
Same! He now has an insulin pump for life.
This happened to a friend of mine’s son. It’s shocking.
Was your fasting blood sugar normal?
Can you get yourself a blood glucose meter or CGM and monitor your glucose?
OP here and fasting blood sugar was (just now and for forever) been completely normal. So weird. The one prior A1C a year ago was also totally normal and not even near pre diabetic range start point.
Yes, go get a retest before you freak out. It would be one thing if you had been hovering at the border with a fasting glucose of 99 and A1C of 5.5, but you weren’t.
I would be skeptical of that and ask for an immediate retest.
I thought with A1C absent an error with the sample you really need to wait several months and retest. The visual is that red blood cells are constantly renewed and this is how much excess sugar dust they have accumulated in 2-3 months. If you want to show less encrusting, you have to wait for the new ones to be born and see what dust they get.
Why would you assume “absent an error with the sample”? Sounds like there well could be one.
IDK — errors in tests I’ve seen are null sets or “undetectable”s or the pulse ox is 0 (not possible). Maybe this is the answer if your other results like blood glucose seem within normal range for you.
Like my mammograms were normal until they weren’t.
Glucose tolerance test is more accurate than A1C, though it’s a hassle. CGM might answer a lot of questions, but may not be insurance covered. If there are doubts about the A1C, there are tests they can do now other than another A1C depending on how much they’re worth to you.
OP here. That’s interesting. I had something like that when pregnant and didn’t have any issues with it either time (when I was on either side of 40 and ate both healthy food and my share of nachos). I guess it’s not a bad idea to get religion about my diet now.
That sounds fishy. I would also retest again.
Menopause can make lots of things go kerblooey (that’s the official medical term) but it does sound like a good idea to retest.
When I was a healthy young thing, one of my blood lipid numbers was crazy out of whack. Every subsequent test, it’s been normal.
You may want to have them check your ferritin – I had a surprising jump in mine last year, and it turned out that I was very iron deficient from heavy perimenopausal periods. Corrected the iron, and the A1C came back down.
OP here and I usually have good iron, on purpose, to give blood about 4 times per year. No more periods, and the bloodwork confirms good iron. I wish this were an a-ha item.
This happened to my sister. She had pancreatic cancer.
+1
This happened to my mother. She also had pancreatic cancer. Her HgA1c was very high though. Sounds like yours isn’t?
Part of my screening for my increased risk for cancer / pancreatic cancer is checking my HgA1c yearly.
There is still a low probability that this is relevant to you. But since you are normal weight, if your repeat HgA1c is still high it might be worth asking your PCP about this if your other work-up is unrevealing. I might also be more concerned if you have a lot of cancer in your family.
Yikes. That is exactly what my mother died of. But she was 80. Off to call the doctor.
Ask for an MRCP – it’s a type of MRI scan – and close follow-up for the next few years.
I’m looking for some jewelry that won’t tarnish, specifically a ring and a bracelet. I’d love a mixed metal look that I can wear every day. I’m tracking mejuri, but any other sites I should look at? Would like to keep each peice under 500$
Go to an antique store or market and look at vintage jewelry. I just picked up a diamond and white gold channel set band for $400 over the weekend. It’s the best deals out there and so well made compared to mass produced stuff like mejuri. More interesting too. Jewelry needs to be tried on too, it finds you.
PS – Etsy is also a good source for vintage rings and bracelets if you’re willing to risk not trying on.
PPS – silver tarnishes. You can clean it up with polish but I find that very annoying for daily wear jewelry. To get the look, I mix yellow and white gold instead.
If you wear silver daily it should not tarnish. Wearing it prevents tarnishing
I have two silver bracelets that I wear daily from Tiffany. They do not tarnish with daily wear. They actually came to me slightly tarnished. With daily wear the tarnish came off.
It’s not uncommon to pay 2x the gold scrap price for a piece (that’s the value of just the metal melted down) which means your budget would get you about 4 grams of 14k gold at current prices. That’s enough for a ring but a bracelet would need to be about 10 grams to be durable for everyday wear. Consider bumping the budget for a bracelet to $1000 or consider platinum/silver. David Yurman does silver/yellow gold around that price point ($500). I would search Costco, eBay and the Real Real.
I could def bump my price up for the right thing. I don’t love the David Yurman styling right now. I never even thought about costoco! Ill give it a try!
For everyday, I either go for tricolor gold jewelry or I go cheap with Hay Harper jewelry. The latter definitely doesn’t tarnish and I don’t have to take it off when I take my kiddo to swim lessons.
I have and love this bracelet. Haven’t taken it off since I got it for Christmas last year, looks great. https://www.catbirdnyc.com/lovers-bracelet.html
I have a few bracelets from D. Louise. I have worn them for months, including showers and the pool, and they have not tarnished.
Bronzer, contour, tint – I’m so confused. Are these things seasonal? Do the first 2 go on before foundation? If you’re using first 2 should you even use a tinted BB or sunscreen or whatever?
Bronzer or contour you only apply a few places, think concealer but to create depth and shadow. They augment whatever overall face coverage you use, whether a light coverage product like a tinted moisturizer or BB cream with SPF, or heavier coverage foundation.
And to be clear, you can have a beautiful makeup look without any of the tan/shadow products!
My favorite beauty hack these days is a few drops of tan luxe face bronzer under my makeup. It’s a very subtle self tan that develops over a few hours and looks really natural.
I suggest keeping it simple. The “clean” aesthetic is still popular anyway. Recommend going with bronzer, and not contour. Plan on bronzer going on on after your face tint. The idea is to bring back some color and shape to the face.
What should I do with my hair?
I have hair thats a little longer than shoulder length. It’s naturally wavy (in a kind of out of control way), and I’m lucky that it usually looks good if I do nothing to it, and always looks good if I take 5-10 minutes to blow it out or straighten it. As far as hair goes, I can’t complain.
But, I can’t stand it down. It looks considerably better down than it does up. But I can’t go more than maybe 30 minutes without throwing it up.
I’ve had longer bobs before and am considering going back to that. The catch though, because it’s wavy is that the bob does not look good when air dried. I then have to style it or put it up, though obviously there are fewer options for putting it up.
My hair is fine but thick (lots of fine hairs), layered, and around my hairline is prone to super annoying baby hairs. I have balayage that I love and I don’t know how that’d look in a lob.
I also have put on weight (and I already have a rounder but square-ish face) and I think I look better with a lob when I’m in better shape.
I’m low maintenance but vain (full morning routine from getting in the shower to hair dried, skincare and makeup done, and dressed and out the door) is < 20 mins, but I like to look good. I’m decently into fashion, like looking put together, but am also quite sporty. I’m 30 and dating, not that that should matter but it does.
Tbh I wish I was someone who wanted a pixie (I know they take work, but your hair is never in the way!) because that’d make like easier for me, but I don’t want one.
leave it and buy cute hair accessories and earrings.
Keep it long and learn how to put it up with intention. Don’t just scrape it up in a band, but keep the face framing the way it is down, but then put it up. It takes a little work but is well worth it. There’s tons of how to do buns and updo tutorials out there but they all need length. And if you’re dating, long is just better and you can wear it down for dates.
“And if you’re dating, long is just better and you can wear it down for dates” — what kind of tradwife nonsense is this?
Just because something is annoying to hear doesn’t make it not true.
You aren’t going to miss out on the love of your life because of short hair, but it is usually just a numbers game and men equate long hair with youth and fertility. It isn’t something they consciously think about, it’s just there lurking in the lizard brain.
Oh my god. This is straight out of Women’s Home Journal, circa 1952.
Depends on if she wants to pull men who want her with long hair. Some men love short hair (like pixie cuts), or other more classically unfeminine characteristics like small butt, flat chest, etc.
I’d rather have short hair and be alone than be with the kind of guy who only dates women with long hair.
Oh no, a dating woman might have short hair, let’s call the church elders.
Maybe if you are trying to catch a husband at Liberty University or Brigham Young.
Keep it long and play around with better “up” styles – like those French pins, styled ponytails with accessories vs. a plain elastic, etc. Tip for the accessories – the elastic bands that they usually come with are NEVER good, so I always use a plain elastic for the style, then add the accessory on top.
This is me exactly! I recently decided to grow my hair one length and just work with different nicer up styles/half up styles.
If you’re not going to do the work, it’s not going to matter. I also have wavy hair and I don’t enjoy doing all of the work for it to look its best every morning. I learned long ago not to get high maintenance cuts because it will not force me to spend more time on my hair. I’ll just be more annoyed. I just either let it go, put it up in a ponytail, or a bun. I have claw clips that I use at home but never out. You could also try a half up style, but if you just want it up, put it in a ponytail.
It sounds like we have similar hair types and lengths. I think practicing everyday updos would benefit you. For a professional look, I put mind in a ponytail and then loosen the hair around my face for framing (it also makes my hair look thicker and healthier). I use a topsy tail in reverse (start down and pull hair through the top) to add volume to the pony tail. Throw some gentle product to reduce the frizz and you have a professional look. I use the same technique for loosening my hair around the face whenever I put my hair up in a claw clip, french twist, bun, or low ponytail. If my wavy hair is behaving or if I decide to dry or style it in the morning, I will wear it down to work.
I also can’t stand my hair down. Many times in the past I have cut my hair into a bob thinking that was easier. Lies!! It is not easier because as you pointed out, you have to style it. I am an air dry and forget about it person. I just wear it up now, so much easier with long hair.
What should I do with my hair?
I have hair thats a little longer than shoulder length. It’s naturally wavy (in a kind of out of control way), and I’m lucky that it usually looks good if I do nothing to it, and always looks good if I take 5-10 minutes to blow it out or straighten it. As far as hair goes, I can’t complain.
But, I can’t stand it down. It looks considerably better down than it does up. But I can’t go more than maybe 30 minutes without throwing it up.
I’ve had longer bobs before and am considering going back to that. The catch though, because it’s wavy is that the bob does not look good when air dried. I then have to style it or put it up, though obviously there are fewer options for putting it up.
My hair is fine but thick (lots of fine hairs), layered, and around my hairline is prone to super annoying baby hairs. I have balayage that I love and I don’t know how that’d look in a lob.
I also have put on weight (and I already have a rounder but square-ish face) and I think I look better with a lob when I’m in better shape.
I’m low maintenance but vain (full morning routine from getting in the shower to hair dried, skincare and makeup done, and dressed and out the door) is < 20 mins, but I like to look good. I’m decently into fashion, like looking put together, but am also quite sporty. I’m 30 and dating, not that that should matter but it does.
Tbh I wish I was someone who wanted a pixie (I know they take work, but your hair is never in the way!) because that’d make like easier for me, but I don’t want one.
What do we think of Vivaia shoes? The ads have followed me on IG forever, I always thought they looked kind of cheap, but I finally clicked on one and was kind of shocked at the prices. And they’re not even leather or anything.
I mostly prefer legacy brands to slickly branded popup companies that advertise heavily on social media (this is true across product categories; I get these for clothes, furniture, cosmetics, etc.) but I have no idea if this is actually a good instinct.
As an aside, though, what’s your objection to the prices? It looks like most shoes are $120-$160. That’s kind of just…what shoes cost now, isn’t it?
I was shocked by the prices for how cheap they look.
Then don’t buy them . . . ?
Cheap looking and uncomfortable. I threw mine out. Don’t get suckered like I did.
Shoes are a quality-of-life purchase for me. I don’t do uncomfortable shoes without good support or that are poorly made, no matter how cute their IG. If I can’t test them out (either by trying them on in person or through easy and free returns), I don’t bother.
My mother always said to wear high quality shoes, perfume, and bras. Anything else was a fair game for economizing, but not those.
Good advice!
I bought a pair of the basic black pumps, with a couple of decorative things to go on top. I don’t think they’re cheap looking in person and they are very well made; the insoles are super-cushy and comfortable, which was why I bought them. BUT, the toe box is odd, it’s too low or shallow and rubs on the tops of my toes (but doesn’t pinch them together like some pumps). I am planning to take them to the cobbler to see if they can do anything about that.
Favorite source for basic workout tanks? I don’t need fancy open backs or twists – just a plain, semi-fitted tank top that isn’t cut too low.
Old Navy
Do you have a rec for a semi-fitted style? The website seems to show all skintight and cropped styles.
I just looked, they discontinued my fav racerback with mesh insert.
If they look too fitted size up? I like fitted so they stay put.
I also have a few athleta momentum racer back tanks with some rubber? stuff on the bottom edge that prevents the dreaded ride up during downward dog! I hang on a rack to dry (see rubber stuff)
https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=563904282&vid=1&tid=atpl000086&kwid=1&ap=7&ds_agid=22314961672-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22314975253&gbraid=0AAAAAD_AT8sMBS_4fGBW9otNU0iZeO4od&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4qWQytvsjwMVgTQIBR17VgdkEAQYAiABEgLDAPD_BwE
100%
Athleta In Motion tank
Under Armour Tech Tank is less than $25. It comes in a crew neck and maybe also scoop and v-nechs, but I have 4 of the crew necks and rotate them.
Kohls – their Tek Gear brand has long been my favorite for good workout clothes at reasonable prices. Higher quality fabrics than Old Navy at a similar price point.
Amazon. I got a six pack of quite nice tanks for $24 total. Just look for ones with good reviews.
Misook is stalking me on social media. It looks like St John without the St John-iness, if that makes sense. I’m so sick of athleisure that I’m tempted though for some basic work pieces that have some give and don’t need ironing and might pack well for a work trip.
I had a few pieces when I was in a more formal corporate setting and it’s fine, if a bit matronly looking on me. Decent quality. I was always buying it at the department store, not online.
Misook definitely has some of the St. John-iness, too, but the solid black pieces can be lifesavers for a frequent business traveler. No wrinkling, no fading, not really pill-prone, and the black color is consistent across time and styles.
+1 – I’d rather pay for Misook vs. MM LaFleur. Everytime I look at them both I’m shocked at how thin and insubstantial the MMLF stuff feels for the price.
Seconding this
I have some Misook. I like their pants and skirts a lot, but pair them with jackets from other brands because I find the Misook jackets blocky and unflattering. YMMV if you have a straighter figure. There’s also Ming Wang with similar fabrics.
I would also suggest looking at Scanlan Theodore. These guys were stalking my IG and I finally had an opportunity to visit a store a couple weeks ago in Manhattan. Also stretchy knit, also more substantial than MM Lafleur. Not super matronly (at least to this 47 year old). Every. single. piece. I tried on was incredibly flattering on my pear shape.
All I can say looking at that website is “hello bad decisions.” Shame they opened a location in Dallas, not Houston.
I can’t tell anyone in real life, so I’m going to share my good news here! DH and I are paying off our mortgage. We have $10K left and decided to just go for it. Our goal was to be mortgage-free by the time our oldest went to college, and this will put us several years ahead of schedule. I feel really fortunate to have the peace of mind that we are DONE.
Congratulations on hitting this milestone.
That’s huge! Congratulations!
Congratulations!! I get the mental relief there, that’s a huge milestone.
Congrats!!! We also paid ours off early, even though on paper it would have been better financially to keep it and invest the money. The peace of mind from being completely debt free has been huge.
Yeah, that was definitely part of the thought process, but given how wonky things are right now with the economy and Other things, we don’t feel as confident in investing. It was a different story a year ago. The peace of mind is worth something, too.
This was us 10+ years ago, right down to the timing of our goal (oldest starting college) and making it early (2 or 3 years), and we look back now and regularly congratulate ourselves on how well it has paid off. The freedom, the cash flow, the peace of mind was so worth it. Congratulations!
This makes me really happy to hear.
That’s awesome!!
We are at the point where one good bonus would let us pay ours off, too. I am so ready to just have it done.
Congrats!!!
Any suggestions on styling a well-fitting black suit? I’ve got one hanging in my closet, I wear it as separates but I’m looking for more inspiration. Is the answer a textured black or white blouse? Any specific suggestions what to combine with it?
I had a diaphanous blouse back in the day that had a black, peach, and off-white pattern that I always wore with my black suit. See what you can find that has a pattern with a bit of black.
+1 The answer here is a colorful pattern, something that would be too loud to wear with almost any other outfit.
I like a black suit with a dark navy silky top, or with deep gray fitted turtleneck.
White tops under a black suit head toward waiter territory for me, so I avoid them.
Whats the best chapstick or lip balm?
My lips are perpetually dry and peeling!
I’ve tried every chapstick/lip balm out there and the best one I’ve found to date is from Osmia skincare. If you need something ASAP the fresh lip balm is also great but spendy.
First of all, make sure you are drinking lots of water.
Second of all, I’ve been very happy with the laneige lip sleeping mask at night. I also use the Burt’s bees lip balm from the drug store during the day as needed but I don’t often need it if I regularly use the sleeping mask.
Vaseline.
+1.
Aquaphor! Don’t bother with the ones that are in lip balm sticks. Get the gel in a tube (they make small ones).
I got Flexitol Lip Balm after it was recommended here once and I really like it. It seems to work much better than plain vaseline or aquaphor for me.
aquaphor!!
I use lanolips overnight and love it. If I’m consistent with it, I never get dry/peeling lips.
The only thing that works for me is Lanolips – has lanolin in it. A miracle product.
It is not the typical time of year for dry and peeling lips. Is this typical for you in summer? Do you live in a desert climate?
Mine turned out to be cracking and dry/peeling and even bleeding because I developed allergies to things in my various lip balms. If your peeling lips are new for you, or if you have a lot of allergies/autoimmune issues, think about this as a possibility.
Now I keep my home well humidified (key in winter for me – not in summer), obviously not get dehydrated, and use plain vaseline on my lips (Dermatologist advice). Make sure you don’t use any of the vaselines that have additives (dyes/perfumes) as those are common allergens.
Just try plain vaseline for a week or two and see what happens.
What are we wearing to synagogue for High Holy Days? I haven’t been in nearly two decades but I’m going this year. My memory is it runs quite dressy. Do I need to wear hose? Conservative congregation, East Coast metro.
I would say veer towards dressy but hose are not necessary. Bring a layer in case it’s chilly, and comfortable shoes if you can!
you dont need hose unless you are concerned about weather. make sure your shoulders are covered, nothing too low cut or too short. there is usually a huge variability of what people wear. a lot of office appropriate outfits can be used as synagogue outfits.
I plan to wear dress pants, heels and a nice more structured cardigan. Same as id wear to office on a nice biz casual day. I go to a reform synagogue in the burbs.
given that OP is saying she is going to a conservative synagogue I’d veer away from pants, unless OP you are truly significantly most comfortable in pants
Shana Tova to all those who celebrate! Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, sweet and safe celebration and year.
Thank you!
Shana Tova!
Shana Tova!
Shana Tova! FYI that Whole Foods has brisket on sale if you haven’t shopped yet.
Shana Tova!
Europe question – what shoes are 40-something men wearing to dinner with nice jeans at upscale but not Michelin type places in fall weather? Heading to Paris in mid-Oct. Have been a few times, but not in cool weather since pre-Covid. I’m all set with loafers and street sneakers but need something for him.
I wouldn’t wear jeans.
do you have any suggestions? last time tons of men were wearing designer denim at dinner- talking slim fit, dark rinse type of thing, not dad jeans.
My husband is really into the Meta Pant from Vuori. Pack like a dream and don’t wrinkle, look a little dressier than jeans, comes in slim, classic, and relaxed fit.
Bonobos has chinos for this.
Bonobos
I was in Paris in March and tons of people were wearing jeans at dinner, it’s fine.
My husband did nice/clean white leather sneakers. With something like a dark knit crewneck sweater, maybe an oxford underneath.
Jeans are fine at all but the fanciest places and it doesn’t sound like that’s where they’re going.
Paris OP here – thanks for this. Yes, we’re going to nice cafes or Bib Gourmand rated places, focusing on places outside the central tourist core (14th, 20th, etc), hopefully seated outside for people-watching if the weather holds. He’s planning on slim dark jeans, a button-down and-or thin crewneck sweater, and a cashmere blazer as the rest of the look in general.
So debating whether something like a slim leather sneaker (Cole Haan, etc) or a penny loafer type style would be the best overall.
Both of these options are appropriate for Paris. Chelsea boots or jodhpurs would also be perfect (and then he doesn’t need to worry about what socks he’s wearing).
Either of those shoes will be fine.
Loafers work for men for this type of dinner too.
Loafers, Chelsea boots.
Lifestyle boots are common for men. Level of formality versus comfort should depend on where you are and how much walking you plan to do prior to dinner. Think Dolomites, Blundstone, Red Wing Thursday Boot Co., or even some of the dressier Sketchers or Merrell shoes/boots. Alden boots are good anywhere, but they are on the higher price point. Men’s fashion does vary depending on where you’re traveling in Europe (think NYC fashion versus Santa Fe), but a neutral shoe/boot that’s comfortable should be good across the continent.
Thanks! This trip is Paris (&day-trip)-specific but we have plans for Denmark next spring, so versatility would be good.
Parisian here. Agree that slim leather sneakers, loafers, or nice Chelsea boots are fine for this. If Michelin starred (particularly 2+), then step it up to dress pants and shoes, but otherwise it should be fine.
OP here – thanks! Buried in the comments, but we are going to cafes and Bib Gourmand spots, nothing starred. Appreciate everyone’s input.
What would you wear to the Ryder Cup this week? Am not feeling very patriotic as of late, but I love this event and go every year with my spouse and friends — it’s an excuse for us to travel with people we enjoy. I’m there for the people watching, the food, and some light golf ;) Last time, in Rome, I wore a gauzy red pleated midi skirt and a navy tank.
Inspired by the hairstyle question above, anyone have recommendations for French hair pins that work on thick straight hair? I saw an add for the Lialys Prestige hair pins (which have wavy tines), and they looked great but the reviews are bad.
If your hair is truly thick like mine is, there is no pin in the world that will hold it up.
Spiral pins (Kitsch bun twists are a good brand) work on thick hair. You may need a few.
I tried spiral pins about a decade ago. Not a fan. There are some extra big Bobby pins that have a bit of a bend to them (so not the flat ones) that hold long thick hair—just need to do a few YouTube tutorials.
I bought these but I’m don’t know how to make them work. My hair might be thicker than intended.
I use a ficcare clip for french twists.
Posting to reach the doctor-avoidant poster from Friday who was looking for a therapist: I have been in a similar situation (diagnosed with genital herpes a couple years ago) and I was absolutely distraught when I found out. I felt dirty and ashamed and so mad at myself.
However, after having a conversation with my GYN about treatment and being on treatment for years, it’s become a non-issue. I take 2 pills every day for suppression and have had only a couple minor outbreaks since and only when I’ve forgotten to take my medication. I don’t even think about the diagnosis anymore unless I switch doctors or have a new partner. I have definitely had partners I’ve disclosed to be unwilling to “garden”, which is fine. My current partner was completely unphased which was so healing for me.
I don’t know what your situation is, but I PROMISE you, you’re not alone. There are support groups out there for whatever issue you have. I think therapy is definitely a good idea for you, but also know that you’re not the only one out there who has embarrassing medical problems they need to disclose sometimes. Happy to connect if you want!
Unfazed
Thank you for this kind and helpful post.
I’m of an age where I have to start taking a few meds and supplements throughout the day. Had AI create a schedule for me that maximizes their potency and minimize bad interactions (recommend); now I need a great app that will send my watch a reminder but without a lot of personal information flashing up on my watch or phone. Any recs?
What do you mean by “bad interactions (recommend)”?
She recommends this approach for identifying and preventing potential bad interactions between medications
For example calcium and iron can’t be taken at the same time, Vvtamin C maximizes absorbency of zinc, etc.
So, for example, I should not take my synthroid within 4 hours of taking calcium supplements. I should take my vitamin D3 when i eat a meal containing healthy fats. I’ve actually found it quite useful. A pharmacist will certainly tell me what to do with a single medication, but I don’t know any that will sit down iwth me and review everything I’m taking, prescription or otherwise, and come up with a schedule that incorporates whether it needs to be taken with meals, or shouldn’t be taken at the same time as one of the other things on the list. I think I could do this on my own, but this was much faster. Have found this really useful.
do you really need a separate app? the clock on my phone allows for unlimited alarms
Please don’t rely on AI for medical advice.
Why can’t you just use the calendar app?
Please do not rely on AI for this. Discuss interactions and timing with your pharmacist and use a tool like this one below to confirm interactions. Also read the instructions that come with the med.
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
I assumed that she gave the AI all the relevant medical facts (take this at night, don’t take this with that, take the other thing on an empty stomach and so forth) and then the AI just did a mathematical optimization?
It can still mess it up.
Check that schedule with your real medical professional, and then just set reminders on your usual calendar or reminder app. You don’t need some dedicated app that will take your personal medical information for god knows what purpose.
I would double check what ever was generated by AI. I’ve had it give me wrong dates and inaccurate information before. It’s a good starting point but the info needs to be verified.
I use Medisafe but never thought about the personal information.
FFS don’t use AI for that.
I just set up a recurring alarm rather than give my health data to god knows who.
Um, and ask your doctor about the schedule.
What are the biggest and most exciting or aspirational things on your bucket list? I need some inspiration
I’ve always wanted a border Collie named Pilot. Hiking the Wonderland Trail would be cool. I also want to do a romantic trip to Japan with my husband. Definitely go backpacking with my son (currently 1.5, so that’s a long-view). I’ve been wanting to climb all the local mountains. Stargazing/Northern lights spotting up north is another fun trip I’d like to take. Most of these are trips, but to throw in something else getting EMT or mountain rescue certified would be super cool. I used to think I wanted to learn guitar, but when I’ve tried I didn’t actually enjoy it much.
After my kids are off to college, I’d like to pick a different place in the world every year, and live there for 2-3 months.
I can’t say these are huge or inspirational, except to me: learn to swim, hike across ireland, see the tulip festival in amsterdam, take up needlework of some sort (likely embroidery); make every recipe in a cookbook.
Swimming with great white sharks (in a cage, of course).
This is really disruptive to the shark populations because the chum used to rile the sharks up teaches them to associate humans with food and disrupts their natural feeding patterns. I always wanted to do it but I met a shark expert who convinced me it’s one of the most unethical wildlife encounters you can have, so I didn’t do it when I went to South Africa (the main place for it, I think).
Qualifying for the US national championships in my equestrian discipline. I’ll never own a better horse, I’m not getting any younger, and I can swing it financially if I’m strict with my budget.
Who knows if we’ll make it, but I’ll regret it forever if I let the bad thoughts talk me out of trying. My coach keeps telling me “all you need is the results you’re already getting plus one third place,” which is objectively correct…but at the same time I’m just a late-thirties nobody, not the kind of person who you think of as aiming for a national level anything.
I love this! It reminds me of Deanna Stellato-Dudek who retired from singles skating at age 17 and then came back to skating in her mid-30s after she blurted out in response to a work icebreaker question that she wanted to win an Olympic gold medal. She switched to pairs and after a couple of false starts with the wrong partner and switching federations to compete for Canada she and her partner won the world championships last year! She was 40. She’ll be 42 and a serious medal contender at the upcoming Olympics. This is in a sport where people used to talk about 20 year olds being old.
I want to write the great American novel. Have I finished either of mine? No. Do I still think about this? Yes.
Mine are mostly travel-related because that’s the thing that lends itself naturally to list form. But I also want to write a novel. I hope to make that my empty-nester project when my kid goes to college.
Planning on sending my friend’s office a nice gift basket as a thank you to the staff for their help on a matter. What is your favorite professional gift basket to send? I usually send Harry and David, but maybe there is something new out there!
Most popular at my office are the giant popcorn tins with butter, cheese, and caramel flavors, or a gourmet cookie basket.
No one actually enjoys when we get a Harry and David basket. It’s overpriced, overprocessed stuff, or highly packaged fruit that can’t hold a candle to actual fresh, local fruit.
Counterpoint: I think the pears are always fantastic (pears are one of those foods that are hard get at exactly the right ripeness) so I enjoy receiving them.
I actually think the pears from Harry and David are usually pretty good. I would much prefer that to a tin of popcorn or a basket of cookies. But clearly YMMV.
Maybe they are better if pears are out of season where you are? Here, H&D sends giant, mediocre pears with no flavor and loads of packaging, while our local harvest is phenomenal.
In my office the fruit in those baskets generally doesn’t get eaten because it has a reputation for being not that great and it has so much packaging that it isn’t even easy to just grab if you are in a hurry, so it just sits until it goes bad.
+1 to the popcorn, it goes fast in my office.
I have not ordered a gift basket from Costco but I saw that they have options when I have ordered flowers, which are in the same section of the website. The flowers are a good deal because shipping and handling is included, so the gift baskets may similarly be a good deal.
somewhere local to them that does gift baskets vs. anywhere from the Harry and David Underripe Fruit and Processed Stuff Conglomerate. Like in Philly, DiBruno’s does great baskets and you know it’s good stuff.
+1 – Zabar’s in NYC, Zingerman’s in the midwest, and even Wegmans will put together a food basket for you. If you have a membership Costco does really nice flowers and food baskets.
If they are in Michigan, call the Peanut Shop in Lansing—snacks galore.