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Updated: Sep 18, 2020 92 Comments · by

Coffee Break: The Square

Coffee Break |

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It's always exciting when reader favorite Rothy's comes out with a new style — this time, it's The Square. I haven't tried this one yet but can't wait to, as it looks like the perfect blend between The Point (which I can't wear, damn my duck feet) and The Flat, which I really like from a comfort perspective but I wish were sleeker from a style perspective.

The muted blue tones of the Pacifica are calling my name, but I'll have to check back later — my size is out of stock. The Square also comes in mustard and black for $125.

(Psst: looking for a referral code for $20 off your first purchase? Try this one.)

Readers, what shoes are you looking forward to wearing as the weather starts to get cooler? 

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Sales of note for 9.30.24

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

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

Comments

  1. Kate

    It’s official – I’m doing a capsule wardrobe for fall! (I’m 85% WFH and when I’m in the office, anything goes). I’m looking at sites like Project 333. Thinking about keeping one suit in the Guest room closet and not counting winter coats and gloves as I will need them later this fall. Any tips, tricks, or ideas, I’m all ears!

    • Ymanon

      I like the way “The Minimal Mom” on youtube makes wardrobe decisions. There’s at least a recent one, but also older videos.

      Same for “Vested Interest” on youtube. Lots of older videos about the thought processes and decisions to make a sort of capsule style uniform wardrobe.

    • Anonymous

      I did project 333 and loved it! The trick was finding a color palette, then laying everything that I owned and liked out on my bed. After that I stared to make outfits based on my typical week. (I need business formal, business casual, actual casual and weekend wear at the time.) That helped me see what pieces I was missing so I was able to shop for the right pieces and accessories. My favorite part was that getting dressed was so easy and fun because everything had been thoughtfully picked out and fit and felt great and everything matched. Good luck you’ll love this!

  2. anon for this

    We are nearing the start of a major, whole house renovation and I already have decision fatigue. I want to hire a designer to help pick out the finishes, paint colors, faucets, lighting, cabinet hardware, art, etc. Some furniture but we can use some of what we already have.

    If you’ve done this, any tips to hiring a designer? Some work by the hour and some by the project, is one better than the other for a project of this scale?

    • Anonymous

      I feel that the Maria Killam site is a good place to start. She does e-design where she picks out paint and colors, but has tons of pictures showing hardware finishes in kitchens, etc.

      Also the lady at a perfect bath (or the perfect bath) dot com has lovely pictures. Not my budget, but good for deciding.

      FWIW, my law partner friend hired a designer and hated the designs, paint, the whole works. I think that interior decorators can help with the stuff (furniture) more. But start with Maria’s website. It’s reassuring and calming, if nothing else.

      I just did this FWIW and:
      Kohler mostly in spendy impact spaces; chrome in baths; polished nickel in kitchen
      American standard elsewhere
      Double towel rods if possible
      Cabinet pulls on drawers (1/3 of the length; use one per drawer and they won’t get off-track when you pull with one hand); knobs on doors
      All trim and cabinets in glossy Chantilly Lace
      Simple tiles, esp. re backsplash
      Gray grout on floor tiles
      Door hinges match door knobs (and good ones are expensive)

      We had a paint color person from our Benjamin Moore store come out b/c we added windows that changed our light and didn’t like existing wall colors at all

    • Anon

      Modsy and Havenly would give you the best bang for your buck and can also provide mock ups and furniture suggestions.

  3. Anon

    Posted too late on morning thread. I’m hosting a music class for toddlers outside at my house weekly for the next four months. It’s a drop off class supervised by two popular kids musicians who normally run classes at libraries and ymcas but are only doing outdoor now because of covid. After completing the waiver required by their company, I’m wondering if I should have participants sign something releasing me from liability as well. My house has things like a swingset and climbing dome (things 4 year olds could injure themselves on) and we don’t know some of the families participating because they’re friends of friends. If this is a good idea, any thoughts on what it should say?

    • Anon

      A drop off class for toddlers seems like a lot of liability, especially if these aren’t families you know. Are the musicians taking full supervisory responsibility? That would be more my concern than the liability of the physical location.

    • Anon

      Even if they sign something, that might not be binding to release you from liability. Do you have an umbrella policy?

      • BeenThatGuy

        +1 I commented on the earlier post about an umbrella policy. It’s very inexpensive and provides piece of mind IMO.

    • anon

      I think this is a very bad idea, for so many reasons. First, I would never agree to have toddlers at my house without parental supervision, particularly if I don’t know them. That seems like such a bad idea in terms of safety, liability, the whole bit. Your home is not set up like a daycare, I assume. Even if you have parents sign a waiver releasing you of liability … is that even legally binding since it’s your private home, not a business?

    • Anonymous

      Find out what your home insurance covers and if it covers commercial use by a 3rd party?

    • Cat

      you might want to check into your homeowner’s insurance too. You might need or want to buy additional.

    • Anon

      Have you personally background checked the musicians? Do you have a legal adult:child ratio (based on whatever extracurricular groups are bound by in your area)?

    • Anonymous

      I would use the same language as that used in the waiver you signed — addressed to you. And check with your home insurance, etc.

    • anon

      this sounds like my own personal hell. I cannot stand most children (with some exceptions), but a hoard of them plus children’s music??? kill me now… Good on you, OP–you are a far better woman than I. Also, please consult with a lawyer. I’m a lawyer and this sounds like liability city to me.

    • Anon

      I would get umbrella insurance and make them sign a waiver but idk what it should say exactly.

      • anon

        I would check with the insurance company on whether the umbrella and the underlying homeowners covers this kind risk. I’d be astounded if many covered commercial childcare risks.

        • Anon

          +1 this isnt’ really a homeowners insurance issue, this is a business insurance issue. OP – you need business insurance. Homeowners and umbrella insurance is meant to cover things like you’re hosting a party and a kid is injured, not a paying customer’s child was injured

  4. Anon

    My assistant’s birthday is coming up. I “share” her with the partner I work with most often. In past years I spent about $50 on a gift card for a lunch out and a small gift (flowers, specialty food item). This year the partner suggested we go in together on a large art piece, sticker price $200. I’m ok with the expense and the idea, but I’m torn whether to also give her cash or a gift card. I expect the partner will also give her some cash. We are doing separate cards. I will also do a cash gift this holiday season (usually $100, maybe 200 this year) Thoughts?

    • Cat

      honestly that’s already more than we spend on our own parents’ or siblings’ birthdays, so I would just write in the card that you hope she loves the piece.

      I assume your assistant hasn’t been on reduced hours (or partner, if applicable, not laid off?) – if so I would try to convince partner to ditch the art and go with either just cash or a cash equivalent GC like Target, Amazon, etc.

      • Anon

        Yea I would definitely prefer cash over a price of art. It’s covid times and money can be very tight.

    • Senior Attorney

      Unless it’s something you know for a fact she wants, I can’t imagine she wants an expensive art piece more than she wants the equivalent amount of cash. I’d suggest gently pushing back on this idea.

      If you are certain the art piece would be welcome, then I think it’s fine to let that be the gift.

    • Anon

      Expensive art I think is a touchy gift, unless you know she appreciates it. One of my husband’s bosses gave my him the world’s ugliest clock as a gift and while the thought was nice I still wonder why. Taste is very subjective.

    • waffles

      Piggybacking on this thread – my assistant’s birthday is also coming up… last year I bought cupcakes for the group to recognize the event. We’re all WFH right now so I can’t do anything in person, and I don’t know her home address (and it would be weird to ask, right?) so flowers or something delivered is out. I still would love to do something to recognize her. Any ideas?

      • Jess

        It wouldn’t be weird to ask for her home address to send her a card. I really prefer handwritten cards…You could put it in the email with the electronic gift card, making it clear she doesn’t have to give you her address, but saying that you wanted to send a card via snail mail.

      • anon

        This is definitely a know-your-audience suggestion, but I think you might still be able to do a delivery option if you find a good local shop. I’ve done this for a friend that I wanted to surprise with flowers for a work occasion. I was fairly sure she’d been working at her mom’s house so the nanny and kids can have the run of her house, but I certainly didn’t know her mom’s address. I gave the shop her phone number and asked them to arrange the location directly. For your assistant, that means she won’t have to give YOU her address, just the delivery people.

  5. Anonymous

    Moms of teens: Does anyone have experience working with a college admissions consultant? I’m not talking about a Varsity Blues operation, but someone to help my kid navigate the process. That someone cannot be me because she won’t listen to anything I say, and because I went to UCLA on scholarship and know absolutely nothing about how to apply for or get accepted at the types of private schools she’s interested in (I was floored when a fellow parent told me all of the stuff she was having her kid do, including visiting college websites regularly because schools are tracking interest by clicks). It can’t be her guidance counselor either, because that person isn’t familiar with out-of-state schools.

    How do you choose an admissions consultant who will actually be helpful? I don’t want to waste $5,000 or whatever on someone who will just tell my kid things she could have figured out for herself or will steer her towards colleges that aren’t a good fit.

    • Anonymous

      IDK — was talking about just this with fellow middle school parents just this weekend. The thought is if we don’t get in with one in 9th grade, the “good” ones are taken. And we had the same thought — how do you know who the good ones are???

      If you haven’t read it yet, within the last 2 weeks there was a WSJ article re college admissions that interviewed admissions people. The results weren’t shocking — generic essays are bad. But it seems that for some schools, it helps to have visited (IDK how they track this, but I noted it for posterity when we are going out into the world again). No doubt it is true, but it carried IMO too much weight (OTOH, they are worried about yield and a kid who didn’t visit W&L might be not likely to attend or just intend it to be a safety school — it is about 3 hours from DC; bit if you can make it to UVA W&L isn’t much more of a drive and is historic and pretty; maybe if you apply from Utah it matters less, but if you’re in Arlington, you should probably have been able to make it there).

      GOOD LUCK

        • Anon

          This. They track tours.

          Schools also want students who want to be there. You don’t want a kid who goes there because of the name or some degree they offer but really dislikes the whole campus vibe; you want a student who fits in well with the community and will be an active and involved alum.

          If you can’t visit the school, I recommend talking to alumni, emailing admissions, opening all the emails, going to college fairs, and DEFINITELY sign up for an interview if they are optional.

    • Anon

      definitely worth it if you can afford it. how you choose is via word of mouth, talk to a few different ones – same way you might choose a tutor or therapist, etc.

    • Anon

      Following.
      A mom of a new college freshman steered me to a free newsletter from Claster Educational Services, clastereducation dot com, a consultant.

      • Becky Claster

        I never EVER thought I’d be mentioned on a fashion blog and I surely never will be again but a friend saw this and let me know– thanks, Anon, for the shout-out!

    • Anonymous

      In case you’re still reading, I suggest you check out (or, better, have your daughter check out) a podcast put out this spring by two members of the Yale admissions office for some $0 insight into the process.

    • Becky Claster

      Pick someone who is a member of the IECA or HECA. These are the professional organizations for independent counselors and they have requirements around ethics, level of training, etc. And consider interviewing more than one consultant to be sure you pick somenone whose approach is a good fit for your family.

  6. Anon

    Where should I be looking for quality sweaters this fall? I want something higher quality than J. Crew or Banana Republic. And preferably v-neck, but not Uniqlo because their v-necks are so small they’re practically crewnecks. I’ve got broad shoulders and a big chest the Uniqlo sweaters do not fit me.

    • Monday

      Again, I recommend vintage. Sweater quality just isn’t there, even for $$$, in my experience. To quote Kanye (in better times): “Does anybody make real s*** anymore?”

      • Anon

        Ooh good idea. Where do you look for vintage? Ebay? Poshmark? I’m not in a place with any nearby physical shopping options.

      • Anon

        Vintage wool is suspect due to possible moth damage or unseen infestations, no? Natural fibers degrade over time anyway. Have you tried Brooks Brothers or LL Bean?

        • Monday

          The seller has to disclose any flaws in the sweater, and if upon inspection you find undisclosed flaws, you can return it (under Poshmark and Ebay policies, at least all that I have seen). My vintage wool sweaters are the best ones in terms of condition. The ones I got new within the past 5 years don’t look nearly as good, regardless of their price. And moths/bugs can strike at any time, so that’s a separate issue.

          • Anon

            It’s not completely separate as an issue. You don’t know how other people store their clothes. Moth eggs are really not visible to the naked eye.

            Put used wool sweaters in a plastic bag in the freezer for 3 weeks to be safe.

    • Anonymous

      Cuyana / Everlane? Everything seems oversized this year, so perhaps this is your year.

    • Cat

      Brooks Bros merino is lovely. For cashmere, Neiman Marcus’s house brand is usually good. And my Vince cashmere sweaters are always the first ones I reach for once real winter settles in.

    • Anonymous

      Take a look at Talbots as well — I’ve had some sweaters from there that won’t wear out. Scroll on past the super bright colours, unless those are your thing, and take a look.

    • Katie

      I do pretty well at Talbots. The quality is decent and they have some great sales.

  7. Anonymous

    Does anyone love home decorating (I do not!) and would like to offer some ideas? I am listing my 2-bedroom townhouse for sale. The market here is good, and there isn’t a lot of competition at my price level. I’ve lived here for 15+ years, and have made updates over time, redoing the kitchen, the baths, all hardwood floors, and finishing the family room. I’ve also updated the heating / air, and the water heater. All the walls are a neutral white, I’ve moved some of possessions to storage so there is no clutter, and the house is immaculate. It is 110% move in ready.

    Some of my updates are not up to the minute fresh. For example, my cabinets are 3-4 years old, and aren’t white which is in right now. (Although one realtor told me white is on its way out.) I need some ideas for easy and inexpensive ways to add some updates to appeal to younger buyers. I am thinking a white table cloth for the dining room table (it’s a beautiful wood & I keep it covered because my cats will ruin it); a Ruggable rug in the foyer, some bright towels in the bathrooms? What stores — I am looking at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel.

    Any ideas to freshen things (my mom would say jazz it up) that can be done fast and relatively inexpensively are appreciated!

    • Cat

      A few ideas…

      “Words as decor”are polarizing. If you like them, that’s fine, but many buyers won’t – better to take them down if you have them.

      If you don’t have houseplants, a few new ones (like one on a mantel, one on a kitchen windowsill, etc) will go a long way. If you DO have houseplants make sure they’re in good shape and not overwhelming (like we walk past some rowhouses that have a whole windowsill full of overgrown plants).

      Table runners or placemats are more current than a full tablecloth. You might want to stage the table by putting out place settings. Think the Insta version of your table :)

      Staging it for WFH might be a good idea (like, show a desk area in the 2nd bedroom and the living room, if possible).

      Fresh towels always look nice but I am 100% team white towels forever, so bright ones would be lost on me.

      If your windows haven’t been cleaned recently, that might be a good investment so you get cheerful sunny ambiance as best as possible.

      • Anon

        Yes!! Please take down words as decor, now and forever :)

        Other ideas, although you’ve probably already done these: modern duvets for the beds (nothing stuffy-looking), modern curtains (nothing is more unattractive than a 1980s window treatment), anything on display in the kitchen should be attractive (yes to espresso machine, no to clunky blender), a nice mixture of textures in the living space (cloth couch + leather pouf or leather couch + cloth pouf), etc. Emily Henderson’s blog does all this well.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks!

        We washed the windows last week (forgot to mentioned we did update the windows, so cleaning is easy), and will wash again before we show it. In our finished basement, we have one area set up with a computer desk, and another area set up to work out — there is a rower, some kettle balls, some resistance bands. It’s not huge, but it’s enough, I worked out there during the early days of the pandemic. I hope that will appeal to people leaving apartments or the city — you can work out and work from home and still have your entire upstairs!

        I will look at Target, that is a great idea, I always think of it as being cheerful. I don’t want to spend too much as we are doing some serious renovation on our new home, and I have no idea what we will do to decorate there.

      • Anonymous

        This is good advice. White fluffy towels. Pretty handsoap and a sparkling clean bathroom. White fluffy duvet. Eliminate all clutter. Agree with the plants. They are fresh and modern. Keep in mind that you’re not really decorating; you’re sort of undecorating. If things feel a bit spare you’re on the right track.

        If your windows are pretty, I’d minimize window treatments. Simple white drapes hung high and wide make rooms look bright and ceilings look high. Just be sure they come to the floor- target quality will do but they need to be at least 92 inches long.

        If your floors are pretty I’d minimize rugs. Ruggables have their place, but they’re not the prettiest rugs anyway. You can probably get something cheaper and more attractive at home goods or target for short term use if you think it’s necessary.

        Also the cats. Can they stay somewhere else while you’re showing the house? I’d eliminate all cat stuff and ask your realtor what she recommends for the cat smell.

        • Cat

          That is a really good point about the cats. Aside from the obvious pet odors, for example my brother is allergic to the dander.

          No one has ever turned down a house for a pet NOT living there.

        • Anonymous

          My house doesn’t smell like cats. We have great ventilation, open windows every day, and clean up after them multiple times a day. I am really sensitive to all smells, so we keep the entire house well aired and nothing smelly around. There is no where else for them to go, our new house is under massive renovation and is 1600 miles away. We are renovating it virtually due to the pandemic, so probably won’t even see it in person until we move.

          The realtors we interviewed had no problem with the cats, I thought they might say something. We have to live in the house until it sells, so it is what it is. We can put the toys away though, that’s a good idea, and move the litter into the garage for showings. The cats will hide when there are strangers in the house.

          FWIW, I live in a neighborhood where other houses have sold sight unseen which I just cannot fathom. One upside of the current situation is no open houses (they are allowed, but almost no one is doing them), only serious, pre-qualified buyers can see the house, only two adults at a time, and two hours notice. I like this much better than people looking at your home for entertainment, which is something my mom did. I don’t need to get absolute top dollar for my house, but I want to make sure I’ve done what I can to maximize it.

          • Anonymous

            Even though you can’t smell them, people who are really allergic to cats probably will know anyway, because of the sneezing, itching and coughing :) (And quite possibly smell them! It’s very difficult to know your own house smell. You probably can distinguish easily between the house smells of your friends.I know that the only times I really notice my own house smell is when I come back from a holiday.) Removing the toys and litter sounds like a good idea.

            But the worst thing is trying to disguise smells with other strong smells, a trace of cats is much better than a trace of cats, a vase of lilies and a diffuser….

            Virtual renovations sounds stressful! Hope everything turns out great, best of luck with the sale.

    • Mal

      You know, why not look at Target for items/inspiration? Would be cheaper than those stores you mentioned, and have lots that skew younger in style. I think adding a bit of color to your space is not a bad idea – maybe focus on one or two colors, then throw in some textures – whether throw pillows, blankets, towels. They also have lots of decorate pieces that could add interest on shelves, etc.
      I think the fact that the house is clean is great – adding a bit of personality may be all you need. Of course, everyone has a different style, so I wouldn’t sweat it too much. So, like you say, would be unnecessary work to paint cabinets that someone might change. Sound like you have a great place! Good luck!

    • Senior Attorney

      If there are home staging services where you live I feel like it would probably be worth it to hire one.

      If not, look at the listings for the competition and see what other people are doing.

      And yes for sure have the windows washed.

    • Anonymous

      Put even more things in storage. Remove any photos on the wall (I’m assuming the fridge is already bare). Remove extra chairs, side tables etc. Remove curtains.

      Go for bare rather than just clutter free. No personality.

      Some new, nice towels, fancy soap dispenser, maybe a couple of pillows on trend (look at urban outfitters’ home section for color inspiration). Some green plants.

      Absolutely no scented candles etc. – you’ll alienate the allergic people.

    • Anonymous

      Ask if your agent works with a stager. My agent provided one for me (free). The stager gave me a list of things to then do after her walkthrough of my house. I think I did around 80% of what she suggested (switch out a light fixture, some touch up painting, flip over a quilt to the opposite pattern, etc.) My house sold after one showing.

    • waffles

      A home stager will be very helpful. Our realtor offered staging when we sold our last house, and they made a lot of changes that wouldn’t hve been practical for everyday, but worked for staging. For example, they removed all curtains to maximize brightness in the rooms, and they used smaller furniture to make the rooms feel more spacious. We also purchased new crisp and perfectly white towels for the bathroom and got rid of all runners and mats.

  8. Anonymous

    I rarely ask a work question here but here goes — gov’t lawyer, I’ve been here for 5 years though “staff level” — we have almost no opportunity to move up to management. I’m well liked, had 10 years of experience when I came here so I can run things myself and the directors seem to appreciate that. Our cases tend to staffed with a director, a manager, and a staff attorney who is lead plus additional staff attorneys if needed who are not lead who work on the case also. So I am on a case now where the manager does literally NOTHING. She’s a nice person, smart etc. and was “promoted” to manager as an interim spot because an existing manager took a detail in another division for one year (so she’ll be a manager for like 11 more months). Like we’ll have a meeting with the director, he’ll say x, y, z need to be done and she’ll turn around email me and say do x, y, z, thanks. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Now I understand this is my job but in ALL other teams the manager DOES do some of the work, takes things off your plate — i.e. they work with the lead because they realize you are just one person who can’t do everything all alone. This woman has no such recognition.

    So the question — my mid year review (done by my director who is not on this case) is coming up. Do you mention anything when they ask about how things are going etc.? And if so what? IDK I’ve been in the workplace and have worked in a number of jobs — biglaw, medium law, and now fed gov’t. There were always senior associates, junior partners etc. who dumped the work on you, but this is an extreme I haven’t seen before. I don’t want to not say anything to anyone and then snap but I also don’t want to complain because I know this is what law is like lots of times.

    • Anon

      Is this a problem because you have too much to do or you just don’t like how this person does their job? If the former, you address it as a workload issue and see if they can take on XYZ. If the latter, probably not worth saying anything.

  9. Horse Crazy

    This is probably a dumb question, but my brain isn’t working and I need help. I bought a microfiber, down-alternative comforter from Macy’s and it arrived yesterday. It’s compressed in its packaging, and it says on the package to “allow 48 hours for the product to regain its original fluffy loft and appearance. Then, lightly fluff the product to fresh up and distribute the fill material”. I also think I should probably wash it before I use it, so should I wash it before or after I let it sit for 48 hours? Should I skip washing it and just let it sit, and then use it?

  10. Anon

    I applied for Global Entry/TSA Precheck and got to the “schedule an interview” phase just before covid hit. I have several more months in which I can schedule my interview, but I got divorced and changed my name since applying. Do any of you know if the interview process allows for information updates? Or do I just need to wait for the window to expire and then reapply? I’m not planning on flying anytime soon so there’s no rush but I’d like to avoid paying an extra application fee if that’s possible.

    • Anonymous

      This is a very specific question. Can’t you go to their website or call them and ask?

    • Anon

      Lol, this is highly specific but I’m in a semi-similar position. I literally checked their website today and you now have 365 days from the pre-approval step to book the interview in my area (Canada). Nowhere nearby me is open to book the interview currently.

  12. Hollis

    I just received my barefoot circle cardigan dupe today (for those of your wondering, costco sells the max & mia cardigan for only $26) and I love it. It is thick and warm and very soft and perfect for WFH, at an unbelievable price. thank you for whoever posted it!

    • Anon

      I got mine too and I just love it! It’s still too warm for it where I am right now, but it’s going to be my go-to piece for curling up on the couch with tea and a book in a month or so. Thanks to the poster who recommended it!

    • Sloan Sabbith

      Just ordered in green! Spent SO LONG looking for a dupe a couple days ago.

    • A.

      Thank you! Just ordered in green as well. If you see this, does it run large/small/TTS?

  13. Anon

    I may post this again in the morning if this ends up being too late. I’m looking at taking the GRE for a graduate program that has an application deadline of December 15th. I’m really worried about the math portion of the GRE. I avoided all difficult math in high school (only took 3 courses through junior year) and college (only took basic algebra as a freshman). That basic algebra class from college was 9 or 10 years ago. I really don’t want math on a GRE to prevent me from excelling in an academic field that requires virtually no math, so I want to buckle down and prepare so I can take it, do well, and get past it.

    – Can anyone share their GRE experiences and recommend test prep materials and/or courses?
    – What is a realistic timeline for studying and taking the test? I’d like to take it as soon as possible and not wait until it gets too close to the December 15th application deadline (in case I do terrible). I’m single, live alone, and WFH in a 9-5 job so I do have plenty of time to devote to this.

    • Anon

      You have plenty of time between now and December. I struggled with the math portion as well and ended up tanking the first time, but due more to getting very bad family news (stage IV cancer in a dear relative) the day before. In any case, before the retest, I focused more on practice tests/questions than on reviewing concepts. That ended up being totally key to me (and to some friends who took it as well) since it just makes you learn the concepts that much more thoroughly and it gets you used to the timing. I got the ETS prep book and also did math questions from Magoosh and Princeton Review. Basically, you can never do too many questions and practice tests! I didn’t study for the other sections and did great on them.

    • Anon

      I used to teach the GRE. My recommendation is to schedule for the beginning of December, which allows you time to retest if you bomb it.

      DO A LOT OF QUESTIONS. Read the explanations. Post on here if you are confused – I love explaining math.

    • Annony

      You may find the book “Forgotten Algebra” helpful. A professor recommended it for some colleagues who are pursuing a professional certification that requires a lot of math.

    • Anon

      Are you sure you even need it? Lots of graduate programs have gotten rid of it as a requirement in the last few years and even more are changing it this year given the pandemic and anti-racism issues. In my STEM field, I usually don’t even see the GRE scores of students who want to work in my lab and the main factor in admissions is finding a suitable research advisor, not test scores.

    • Tessa Karlov

      Current grad school applicant here! First, you should do as many practice questions and tests as possible! I’ve found that having an app on my phone (Magoosh for vocab, Varsity Tutors for quant) is helpful since I already waste a lot of my time on it. Second, if you’re feeling iffy about it, I’d schedule it for 4+ weeks before the deadline so you can retake it if you want. Third, if your list of preferred programs is still up in the air, try and nail it down before you take the test so you can send your free score reports then and not pay later.

    • A2

      TargetTestPrep saved my score. I took the GRE once using books + a small in-person prep course offered through Manhattan Prep and wasn’t happy with the results. Did great on the verbal like I know I would, but did not do well on math. Took it again several months later after using TargetTestPrep for quant (which, to be clear, required a lot of work – I would study for two hours a day before work and more on the weekends to get through all the TTP questions) and was much happier with my quant score.

  14. Gen X'er

    I often need to wear wide shoes and have a bunion as well as arthritis in one toe. Please, please, please feature shoes that are sold in wides. You often only show shoes in regular widths. Also, please feature ones for problem feet like mine. Shoes are such a challenge. At least, I’ve been able to wear comfy sandals and sneakers in the pandemic.

    • The Lone Ranger

      If you have problem feet, you probably already follow barkingdogshoes.com, but wanted to mention it in case you don’t. She posts reviews for all sorts of shoes to cover all sorts of foot issues,

  15. Birthday blues

    I am turning 50 next week and I’m a little depressed about it. I live alone but near family but because my birthday is during the week and I work, along with COVID, the usual type of celebration is a bit derailed. In this situation, what would you do, if anything, to celebrate? For the record, I have a great life and I know I have a lot to be grateful for and normally I love celebrating my birthday. This year, I just feel down about it.

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