Corporette.com

Updated: Aug 23, 2019 114 Comments · by

Weekend Open Thread

Weekend Open Thread

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Something on your mind? Chat about it here. Topshop has a lot of really cute things right now — and these pants are getting some solid reviews. I am… intrigued. I see how they might remind one of Hammer pants, particularly with the wrapped waist and the color, but I also think there's a lot to like. First, they're on trend in about three different ways: wide cropped trousers have been big for a while, as have mid-thigh slits for long skirts, and olive feels like it's going to be big for fall. but I feel like the mid-thigh slit here is muuuch more doable than some of the hip-slit dresses (I'm looking at you, Reformation), while also being super comfortable for walking around on a cool(ish) summer evening after dinner and drinks. They're $75 at Nordstrom (with lucky sizes left at Topshop in black and olive). Slash Cropped Palazzo Trousers 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 8.30.24

  • Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
  • Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
  • Boden – 20% off
  • Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
  • Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
  • Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
  • Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
  • White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale

Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…

RSS Error: A feed could not be found at `https://corporette.com/tag/posts/feed`; the status code is `403` and content-type is `text/html; charset=utf-8`

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. Anon

    I’m in government, so we have to apply for our promotions. I applied for 2 and was just granted an interview for the one position. Any recommendations for internal interviews?

    Per our agency, it will be a panel interview. It will (likely) consist of my two direct bosses (my team lead and my deputy) and my division director. I work closely with them and they’re very familiar with my quality of work. Obviously I’ll treat it just as seriously as I would any other interview, but I’m pretty intrigued by this dynamic

    • Anonymous

      I’ve been on both sides of this. It is usually more informal than a typical interview would be. But I appreciate when the candidate still answers the questions thoughtfully, even if the panel is familiar with your work.

    • anon a mouse

      Read up on structured interviews. My agency uses them exclusively and they can be a bit awkward it you’re not prepared. Ask a Manager has some good columns on them too.

    • Anon

      Obviously, speak with any coworkers who have been through the process.

      My SO has to compete for all positions/promotions, and the interviews are as formal as if he were an outside applicant, even though he has worked with the people for years.

      • Anonymous

        Don’t treat the panel as if they know you/what you do.

        One of the biggest problems we see with internal candidates is that they assume that we will use our knowledge of their work in the interview and under prepare.

        While we like to see internal candidates promote, our promotional positions are open to everyone. All candidates get the same interview questions. Internal candidates don’t always realize we are required to score based strictly on responses to the interview questions and are NOT allowed to use our knowledge of a candidate or their work.

        Talk, sell yourself and your skills just as hard as you would for an interview with strangers. If you don’t mention it in the interview you can’t get points for it, and if you don’t get points you may lose out.

        I’ve seen friends miss out on promotions not because they couldn’t do the work, but because when it came down to it, they assumed that our familiarity would do the work they didn’t in the interview.

  2. Anon

    My hamstrings have been absurdly tight lately! I tweaked one the other day and so took it easy. It’s taking longer than normal to recover. It’s now affecting my hips, and everything just feels tight and very uncomfortable. Any tips?

    • NotYourLawyer

      If you sit a lot at work, or drive long distances, try getting more time standing. Also, watch out for whether you tend to cross your legs while seated as that can lead to uneven tightness–which will just make your hips feel even more off balance.
      In terms of correcting the tightness, yoga and pilates both help a ton, even if it’s just a 10 minute yoga video on YouTube. On days when I’m not doing anything else active, try to do the “Starting to Stretch” routine from the “flexibility” r3ddit. I’ll add a link in a reply so that I (hopefully) don’t get caught in moderation.

    • Anonymous

      foam roll quads and hamstrings and butt. All connected. It hurts but it’s helpful

  3. Anon

    I’m job searching and have what is likely two good options (still at the interview stage so no offers on the table yet or anything).

    I’m very early in my career (3 years in, no grad school yet, I’ve already had a small pivot in my career so only 1 year in this current field). The one position is very interesting and I think I would enjoy it (and I probably have the best shot at getting this one). However, it’s super niche and looking down the road I’m not sure if I’d be pigeonholing myself. My field overall is already pretty niche with relatively limited opportunities locally. It’s also a new position, so I can’t see where other folks have moved onto. How do you weigh the pros and cons of a job that you’ll like even if it is super niche

    • AZCPA

      Since you are looking for your 3rd job in three years and have been in two areas already, it seems like your field is pretty flexible. If you are genuinely interested in this niche, then I wouldn’t be too concerned about that aspect. I think the biggest question to ask yourself is whether you enjoy this niche of your field, and if you see it being interesting longer term.

    • Anonymous

      My Lands’ End is still going strong after 2-3 years. My favorite handtowel is Crate & Barrel though so I may try there for bath towels next time we need one.

  5. Lily

    We need to buy a washing machine. I have gotten burned so many times by using big box stores to buy appliances. Any recommendations for a local (or even regional chain) appliance store in Philly? TIA!

    • anon a mouse

      Not sure if this counts as a big box store for your purposes, but we have had great experiences buying appliances through Costco. The discount more than offsets the membership price.

    • Anon

      There’s Gerhard and Queen appliance, but I’m not sure the service is necessarily any better.

    • Cat

      Not a store recommendation, but we inherited an old school Speed Queen washer when we bought our house, and the thing is indestructible. I love it.

    • Anonymous

      No suggestions on stores but agree on Costco. Also, we hate our newish (2015) Samsung HE washed/dryer set. Stops in the middle of wash cycles for no reason all the time.

      • Anon

        As a counterpoint, we have a Samsung HE washer/dryer set from Costco Canada bought in 2017 and we love it. No issues so far.

    • Anon

      I’ve never bought from them, but Gerhards appliances in Glenside is family owned. I think they have other locations as well.

      (I grew up in Glenside and honestly this is the first, last, and only time it’s relevant so this is thrilling)

  6. Anonymous

    I hope this question doesn’t scare anyone, it’s mostly hypothetical/planning for the distant future. Has anyone attended any part of a funeral for a Supreme Court justice? I live in the Midwest but I would want to travel to DC to pay my respects to a particular justice, but I have no idea what’s involved in that and the internet doesn’t have a lot of info.

    • LaurenB

      Are SCJ funerals always in-state in some regard (e.g., the body is at the Capitol)? Or are they just private affairs that presumably only people who knew the SCJ in real life would attend? It would seem that that is the appropriate first question. As for what else is involved, it would seem that the rest is just traveling from the Midwest to DC, which seems like a plane ride and a hotel stay. What am I missing?

      • Anonymous

        There are parts that are public and parts that are private. I believe it’s tradition for the body to lie in repose at the Supreme Court for public mourners but I’m not sure how long that usually lasts or if it’s actually feasible for out of towners to attend

        • Anonymous

          I feel like with Scalia and Stevens it was announced enough ahead of time that you could theoretically get a flight over to DC. I think it depends on the family (and maybe if the person was a sitting or retired Justice) as to how much of the rest of the services are public.

      • OP

        yeah, I know what you mean. I think no matter who our President is I will be absolutely devastated by the loss of this justice, but particularly so if it #45….

      • Anonymous

        I mean, Ginsburg only has to make it another 5 months and then Trump can’t appoint anyone because it will be a presidential election year and I’m SURE Mitch McConnell will follow his previous rule… (/sarcasm)

  7. Decorating advice

    I need decorating advice. I’m pretty minimalist, but I recently moved into a larger apartment and my space feels awkwardly empty. I need help making it feel cozier.

    I have a large couch with a chaise in my living room, with side tables on either side. Across from it is an arm chair, a lamp, and a small table. I do not own a TV. If you are sitting on the couch, on the left is a dining area (table and 4 chairs) (with tons of large plants past that by the windows), and on the right, along the same wall, are two large bookcases and perpendicular to them (facing a wall), a small desk. The couch sits on a large rug, the defines the couch and chair area, and the rest is wood floors. I have some artwork that needs to be put up, but I want to finalize the furniture arrangements first.

    I feel like I need to add another piece of furniture across from the couch, but I have no idea what that should be. I have nothing that needs storing (my bookcases are barely 50% full), and the seating I have is more than enough for the people I have over. Should I move the desk in that spot across from the couch and add a bench where the desk currently is? Or get some sort of console table for across the couch (with… nothing on it)?

    TIA for all help!

    • BabyAssociate

      Personally, I’d get even more plants (I’m assuming there’s a particular reason yo don’t want a TV).

      • Decorating advice

        I would adore more plants, but there’s not enough light in that part of the room — otherwise I would totally get more plants! Thanks for the suggestion.
        (There is a reason – I don’t ever watch TV or movies at home (and haven’t in years), which is why I don’t own a TV. I go out to the movies 2-3 times a year with a friend or date, and that’s more than enough for me. I don’t have a single streaming service).

        • Anonymous

          What about a big fake plant like the ones at west elm or z gallerie? The fiddle something is very popular.

        • Anonymous

          If you want more plants but don’t have enough light, install a LED grow light!
          I work in a windowless office where the fluorescent lights turn off within 10 minutes of absence but have lights on a timer and I have about 6 plants totally thriving.

          They go on at night, as the lights are a bright pink which is a bit annoying.

    • Anon

      I’d either re-arrange what you have now so it looks more pleasing/fills the space, but another option would be a console table without drawers/bulk that could hold a vase of flowers and a few framed photos. If you don’t really feel like you want it, though, just embrace the minimalism!

      • Decorating advice

        Hmm that’s a good idea, thanks! I love the minimalism, but I’m used to it in much smaller apartments, where I can be both minimalist and cozy!

    • Anon

      It sounds like you have a lot of furniture lined up along the walls, making a corridor style room rather than a room where any sort of natural flow stops where you want, or any sort of grouping. Where are your doors and windows?

      I would experiment with trying to place the chair kitty corner to the lounge, instead of opposite, and leave something (maybe a big plant) in the way, stopping the corridor line-up, making your walking pattern through the room more wayvy or zig-zaggy – make sure you can’t stand at one short end and walk straight trough to the opposite wall.

      You might need more textiles or colours rather than more furniture, but scatter the furniture a little first.

      • Decorating advice

        Interesting — the room is kind of a corridor, with two doorways on one end (where the bookcases and desk are), and the windows on the other end. I’ll have to think about that.

    • anon1

      I would add a few rugs for coziness. Also, if you are leasing and have downstairs neighbors, you may be required to maintain a certain amount of floor coverage to minimize noise.

      • Anonymous

        This – rugs can help delineate spaces and make things more cozy/intentional.

    • anonypotamus

      what about a long low bookcase or cabinet/console type thing but display art above it instead of the tv? something like (link in next post)

      • Amateur Decorator

        Yes, you need another chair. It’s a matter of how it looks, not how many can be seated. Also, typically only two people sit on a sofa unless there is nowhere else to sit. It is not conducive to conversation to have three people strung out in a line with one person opposite.

    • Anonymous

      Maybe add a bar cart? There are some lovely metal ones out there that would add some texture and interest. You can use it for a few picture frames, a record player or objet if you don’t want to stock it for martinis (or other alcoholic beverages).

      • Katie

        Do you have throw pillows or blankets/afghans on the sofa and chairs? I think pillows and texture help to make a space feel more cozy. I also like candles – if you don’t have proper light for plants, maybe a candle in a big decorative holder might be nice. A vase of flowers is always nice!

  8. Anon

    I think it’s been discussed before, but what’s the guideline for tipping at a medspa, both for a traditional facial and for something more procedure-like, like micropenning?

    • Anonymous

      I’ve been to a few different medspas and admittedly haven’t 100% figured it out, but in general it seems standard tipping procedure for traditional facial, tip not required for more procedure-like stuff. When I’ve had microneedling, laser stuff, and even hydrafacial (I was planning to tip for hydrafacial) I wasn’t even given the opportunity to tip, so I took that as an indicator. This is also what I saw others doing. Please correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t want to be an @$$.

  9. Lifting weights for a newbie

    I’m not a person who lifts more than dumb bells / body weight (pushups / planks / squats). I’m getting older (pushing 50). Is it time to lift more than this at the gym (have memberships at places that have trainers)? If so, should I ask a trainer to show me around . . . the free weights? the weight equipment (like nautilus or whatever they re called now? I think they are boring but they seem more co-ed)?

    I feel like I should do more now that I am a younger older person so that I will be in better shape when I am an older older person.

    • Anon

      The sort of weight lifting you do is irrelevant, what’s more important is to do progressively heavier weights or higher tension mimicking higher weights. You can add weights or tension bands to your existing exercises probably fairly easy.

  10. Anonymous

    Mom Q for the older ones: I’m getting getting a massive fucking headache trying to set up a Kindle Paperwhite and PC for my 8-yr-old obsessed with Minecraft and mod videos. Any tips or resources? Google not my friend here.

    • Anon

      Can’t your kid just do it? They’re faster than adults at a lot of that stuff and it sounds like it’s for his benefit anyway.

    • Anonymous

      Install Minecraft on the PC and skip it on the Kindle? The Minecraft PE (pocket edition) app doesn’t work exactly the same way as the full fledged Minecraft on PC or gaming system. Plus, is the screen even in color on a paperwhite ? That’s going to make it really hard to play in b/w. You’d be better off getting a cheap Kindle Fire for Minecraft.

    • Anonymous

      At that age we just allowed Minecraft PE on the iPad with the stipulation that there would be no multiplayer gaming allowed. It seemed safer and easier to lock down than the PC version.

      I assume you mean you are trying to set up the Paperwhite for reading and the PC for Minecraft, since there is no way you could play Minecraft on a Paperwhite. For the Paperwhite, you need to set up A-zon Household and Family Library. Your A-zon account controls everything, and you can set up a profile for your child.

    • Anonymous

      OP here — sorry yes not trying to put Minecraft on Kindle, that’s more for the PC. No multiplayer stuff allowed and not sure how to limit screentime and so forth for the kiddo on the PC. Maybe just one of those procrastination/productivity apps to limit YouTube use… hmmn.

      For Kindle I think I figured it out – it seems like it will stay in Freetime indefinitely so he can just turn it on and turn it off and see his stuff and not mine. When he does need to toggle to my screen I changed it to list view so at least shirtless romance dudes don’t jump out at him the second he turns it on.

      • Anonymous

        We always required the computer to be used in a common area, which deterred unapproved activities because it made them easy to catch.

    • Pretty Mama

      I have 3 boys and I never did this for any of them, they figured it out or they didn’t play.

  11. Anonymous

    Help.
    A couple of months ago, things were not great in my current role (internal conflict, relatively new manager who seemed to be floundering, etc.) and there was an internal opening in a department where I know some (really great) people. I’ve been where I am for awhile and felt like I could use a change, especially since conditions were degrading in my current department. I applied for the job.
    Over the course of the next few weeks things really shifted in my department – one of the conflict-causers left; another is on their way out; the new-ish manager has really stepped up and is getting things on track. I got included in going to a big annual conference I have wanted to go to for a few years that will really help me advance my career. I attempted to pull out of the interview for the job I had applied for and one of my friends in that department told me, “please just interview, see what you think, no pressure, but we need to interview some candidates and if you pull out we’ll have to go back to the drawing board.”
    I did the interview today. They’re lovely people. It’s interesting work. But what I do now is much closer to what I want to be doing, and they’re having some issues in their department (turnover) that are worrisome. My feeling was, I’ll wait over the weekend and then on Monday call the hiring manager and politely decline to continue further with the process. It’s not ideal, but it happens.
    I’ve been out of the interview less than an hour and they already called and offered me the job. I know I don’t want to take it, but I am struggling with how to get out of this gracefully and not burn bridges. They were super-excited and talking all about how excited they are to have me on the team…it broke my heart. I have to say no; I am not sure how. Any relevant experience anyone can bring forward is appreciated.

    • AZCPA

      First, with as quickly as things in your current role shifted to be better, how quickly could they shift to be problematic again? Would it just take 1-2 people being added or leaving? What if the remaining conflict-causer ends up staying?

      As for declining if that’s still your decision, just tell him you don’t think it’s the right fit right now. Make it clear you enjoyed meeting everyone, and that you’d like to stay in touch for potential future opportunities. I did it once, and ended up taking a job with the company I declined 3 years later.

  12. Anon for this

    Terrified… taking Cipro for pseudomonas. Work is shitty and have to meet deadlines and act like everything is normal. I just want to get better. How to get through it?
    Thanks for letting me rant.

    • Anonymous

      Why are you terrified? Are you in the hospital or immunocompromized? If so, no, you don’t have to meet deadlines as normal you have to take leave. If not, this is really minor and Cipro will fix it right up!

      • Anon

        Honestly, I’d be terrified to take Cipro for something minor. Besides rupturing tendons and detaching retinas, it can cause nerve damage and many of the symptoms of a connective tissue disease. The jury is still out on aortic aneurysm. Obviously it’s still worth it to take Cipro in some scenarios, but some doctors are much less cautious with it than others.

    • You’ll be ok

      I have a lung disease and I’ve cultured pseudomonas for, no joke, over 20 years. It is not a big deal (lungs, at least- I don’t know about if it can even be a skin infection). It has had minimal to no impact on my health, as far as we can tell.

      Do be careful with Cipro- not to scare you, but if your joints start hurting, do not push it. It can cause burst Achilles‘ tendons and severe joint pain. Do not run when you’re on it. Be gentle to yourself.

      I know stuff like this is scary. Even with my condition I freak out every time I culture something new. Answering questions and reassuring you is what your doctor is there for. Stop googling. Stop reading scary journal articles. Talk to your doctor.

  13. Anon

    Thanks for those that answered my question late yesterday about my firm asking for a “return to work note” and me finding that odd. I didn’t get to your responses until today. Here are some answers to your questions. It’s a small firm, too small for FMLA. I don’t know if other people have been asked for one or not. I did one week out totally and one week remote and return Monday. Yesterday I got an email from the office manager asking me to bring in a return to work note “for my file” on Monday. I thought it was really weird because this type of work doesn’t usually have physical accommodation issues that could be implicated. Luckily, I had a doctor’s appt today anyway. She knows I was out for a surgery and knows what for, as does the partner I work for. I wrote back and asked if this was supposed to say how long I needed to be out or that I was healthy enough to return to work. She replied that usually she gets both but really just needed the return to work and what if any restrictions I have. I got the letter but I still feel really weird about this like she doesn’t trust I needed this much time out or something. I didn’t claim short term disability or anything like that. It wasn’t an unusually long amount of time to be out for a procedure.

    I’ll let you know how things go Monday!

    • Anonymous

      Sounds like she’s just following procedure- probably one put in place for support staff.

    • Anon

      A return to work letter really isn’t that big a deal. It’s a nuisance to have to get one but no personal medical info will be revealed. I’ve been out for minor surgery and a childbirth and had to get one both times. Low stress desk job in both cases. It’s not about not “trusting” you, it’s about not wanting to get in trouble for allowing an employee to return to work before they were medically ready. They’re covering their own a$$, not trying to suggest you were lying about the surgery.

      • Anon

        Thanks! I’m at BEC stage with the person that requested it and was put off that I was asked about it with only one business day to get it before my return. We don’t have written policies or procedures so it came as a surprise.

        • anon

          Sounds like the office manager of a small office trying to half-a$$ implement a policy.

    • Anonymous

      Is it concern you may be pushing yourself too fast? Just asking because I was once sent home after being out briefly for a brain hemorrhage until I could provide a note. (I came back when my doc said to but just didn’t realize I needed the note.)

  14. Anonymous

    Searching for a good travel backpack (non -camping.) I remembering seeing a reference to a blogger who had reccs (the travel girl?), but can’t find or remember. Could someone share the link (or your own recommendation!), please? TYVM!

    • anon

      I use the ebag mother load weekender. And I actually have the junior size because I’m short/small. I’ve traveled 10 days to Europe with just this backpack, with the caveat that I do laundry once in the middle of my trip and didn’t bring any fancy evening wear.

      • Hollis

        I have the ebags motherload junior also and love it. It got it me through 2 weeks of traveling. Has everything you need for travel and ebags has discounts all the time so don’t get it at full price.

    • Anon

      I really like the Fjallraven Travel Pack. It’s a clamshell pack that opens like a suitcase. I like the small one, which is only 20 L, because it works for a shorter back. I can get two nights away worth of stuff in it.

      It’s NOT a camping or very sport pack, so it’s limited for how long you would want to carry it and still be comfortable, but if it’s an alternative to a carry on suitcase, it’s great.

    • Bag obsessed

      I love my Lo & Sons Rowledge. Slides right onto my luggage handle, straps tuck away for a more polished carry look, and its light if you take out the divider insert which I don’t need anyway. Too big for me for day to day use but perfect for business travel.

  15. The Big O

    How necessary is an 0rgasm to your mental health and general wellbeing? I have been single for years and, when in a relationship, would prefer 4+ times per week if it were solely up to me. As a single person, while I sometimes manually self-garden, it never brings the release that comes when I am with a good partner. I am wondering if it would be good for me to purchase a gardening tool to bring about stronger pressure or speed or at least not stop the sensation when the 0rgasm begins the way manual has not been able to do. Or is this all no big deal?

    (PS Recommendations for tools worth the price or other suggestions are welcome!)

    • Anon

      Never had one (frustrating to both myself and my husband and not a great thing for our marriage). But my suggestion is that you know yourself best; if you find that it is something that helps your mental well-being, then it shouldn’t matter if it helps or doesn’t help the mental well-being of strangers.

      Frankly, I find it downright irritating how women are expected to not care about that.

      • Anonymous

        I hope this doesn’t come off as patronizing, but I recommended the Lelo Sona Cruise below and honestly it gave me my first. It’s a bit spendy but if you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to give it a try.

        • Anon

          I can take that in the spirit with which it was intended. If we get to that point, I have filed away your recommendation.

    • Anonymous

      Worth the price: Lelo Sona Cruise. This certainly comes down to personal preference but I have difficulty having an O so I have experimented with different types of tools, and even different Lelo tools ($$$). This one is wonderful.

    • Miss

      Yes, get the toys. I legitimately think this is the only area where products for women are vastly superior to the ones for men. Magic wand is a good beginner toy but I personally would never be without the womanizer, which is more of a suction toy. I’ve had both for years and think they’re well worth the money.

  16. Tipping

    Thoughts and habits on tipping in new places like hotel rooms where envelopes are now left or at petc0 where there’s now a tip line when paying for grooming at the register? I don’t want to stiff hard working employees but this feels like companies are expecting and blaming patrons rather than paying fair wages.

    I tip 20+% at restaurants for dining in and the standard 10-15% for carry-out (which covers the person who makes sure food is correct, includes proper sauces, steps away from their tables to do so, etc.), but these new tip lines and envelopes seem to be popping up everywhere!

    • Anon

      Tipping the maids isn’t a new thing – if anything, it’s just the envelopes that are new. $1-2 per day of stay, more if you messed up the room in some way.

      I had always thought groomers were similar to hair stylists and tips were expected, but I have a lot less experience with that one.

    • Anon

      I’m mostly irked by the tip lines at places like Panera or Moe’s. I’m not tipping when I have to stand in line at the counter, pick up my own food, and bus my own table.

    • Anon

      Tipping in hotel rooms isn’t new, but I think it has spread down whereas it wasn’t prevalent in budget chains until recently (ex. tipping at Four Seasons, normal, tipping at a Best Western, wasn’t even a thing 15 yrs ago).

      I am with you on the tipping for all services things. I absolutely will not encourage or succumb to this “give me more money” trend. Unlike waiters and waitresses and delivery people who survive on tips because of stupid laws that exempt them from minimum wage, people have been working certain service jobs for normal wages for decades. If you want more money, talk to your employer or get a different job – if customers consistently subsidize wages, businesses have no incentive to raise them. Ideally for example, once they start getting crappy groomers, for example, and people stop frequenting the business, the business will higher better ones at higher wages demanded. My tipping list is:
      1) Waiters and Waitresses
      2) Delivery guys
      3) Cabs
      4) Personal services that I use consistently and are traditionally (at least in the last 30 yrs) tipped like hair dresser, my laser lady (don’t want to get burned), and nail person.

    • Anonymous

      I tip for everything where tips are an option. I am fortunate to be financially comfortable, and tips are very meaningful to those who receive them, so why not tip? I agree that there are systemic problems with companies paying employees lower wages, but I am not going to change those on my own, so instead, I tip generously whenever I can.

    • Anon

      My grandparents tipped the maids in hotel rooms in the mid-20th century. I think it might be a rich person thing (because in my grandparents’ time, traveling was more of an upper middle class/wealthy thing) but it’s definitely not a new thing.

      • Pretty Mama

        I don’t think I tip at fancy hotels ($400 and more per night) but at hotels that are more budget I tip $5-10 per day. I think at least $5 per day is standard.

  17. Pretty Mama

    Headed to Chicago from SF with two teenagers for four days (never been!) next weekend over labor day need some specific recommendations (we are staying downtown):
    – what do I pack? it says it will be in the 70s, what would you wear over labor day to walk around and see the city
    – Where to get deep dish pizza
    – Specific Mexican or Chinese or other “ethnic” restaurants
    – what time is best for architectural boat tour? I’m thinking later in the day around 5:30 or 7pm is best
    – Should we visit Greektown?
    -Best rooftop bars/restaurants? do we need reservations?

    • Chicago regular

      Just did this trip with my 16 year old son. I’m also from SF but travel to Chicago for work regularly. He loves pizza so we tried both Gino’s East and Lou Malnatis. It’s a matter of preference. Most locals won’t eat deep dish but it’s fun anyway. He also enjoyed Portillos which has Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef (and crazy decor). And he found Sports Museum fun. It’s small but has interactive exhibits —interesting if your kid is a sports nut. And we spent longer at the silver jelly bean sculpture in the park (forgot the name) than I was expecting. Check for fireworks. Chicago is so miserable much of the year so when it’s nice, Chicagoans get out and know how to enjoy the weather.

    • Anon

      Lou Malnati’s and the original Pizzeria Uno are both great (the latter is nothing like the chain restaurants). Architecture tour in the evening sounds good to me but bring jackets for that – it gets windy on the lake.
      I would wear jeans, cute sneakers and a t-shirt but I prioritize function over appearance when traveling.
      There are some great Greek restaurants in Greektown but otherwise I think not much reason to visit. Coming from CA I think you’ll be disappointed in the cheap Mexican in Chicago. Your best bet is probably trendy/upscale Mexican like one of Rick Bayless’s restaurants.
      You know your own kids best, but a lot of teens aren’t too old to enjoy Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry.
      Lots of great shopping in Michigan Ave if you have kids who are into that.
      It will be super crowded over Labor Day, I would definitely make dinner reservations in advance.

      • Ms B

        For Chinese, and if you eat Szechuan in the spicy vein, I like Lao Sze Chuan (either the original on Archer or the newer location downtown). Number 601 (Dry Chili Chicken) is fantastic.

        We have not eaten a lot of Greek in Chicago, but breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s (Greek diner plus Milk Duds!) is consistently decent.

        For Mexican, I like Frontera Grill best. Xoco, which is next door, is a good torta place, but beware the lines (although you do not have to wait for the excellent custard); Big Star, in Wicker Park, is supposed to have very good tacos. If you are there on Sunday, I like going to the Maxwell Street Market in the morning for tacos and huaraches.

        Other favorite Chicago spots that would be teenager appropriate: Big Jones, Shaw’s Crab, Publican and Publican Quality Meats, Firecakes Donuts, and Doughnut Vault.

        Also, Nuts on Clark is my favorite popcorn place in Chicago. Go to the original location up on Clark or hit the stores in every terminal at Midway or O’Hare. The Chicago mix is excellent!

    • Annie

      Here’s an a day I’d plan: A museum in the morning- either Science and Industry, the Field Museum, and go to Pilsen for tacos for lunch. I’d then go to the loop and go on a midafternoon architecture tour, then to the bean and to millenium park, and to Cindy’s at the top of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel- for a drink and for the views! Then, I’d hop in an uber to Pequod’s pizza in lincoln park for pizza, and then maybe to second city for a late show? Pequod’s is widely known to be top of the list for locals when they do eat deep dish, and second city is one of my favorite things to do with teenage nieces and nephews.

      • Annie

        A few more thoughts:
        -If you’ve got kids in high school, you might like to go down to Hyde Park to see the University of Chicago (and walk around the Obamas’ neighborhood) or up to see Northwestern, and hang out in Evanston.
        -Rent bikes and ride along the lakefront
        -Walk along the 606 in Bucktown and Wicker park, and have dinner/drinks at the top of the Roby
        -Lunch in the west loop at Little Goat diner
        -even if you’re not going to a game (and you should go to a game!), check out the neighborhood around wrigley field– a lot of big chicago restuarants have outposts nearby.

    • Anonymous

      You could also take a water taxi from Michigan Ave/River North down to Chinatown for authentic Chinese food. There’s a beautiful park at the Chinatown stop too.

      Art of Pizza is the best deep dish. Bonus for the ability to order by the slice! Locals also love Pequod’s.

      My favorite view is over Lincoln Park and the lake from the J.Parker – which is right across the street from the Green City Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings (check out Gayle’s Grilled Cheese)! Raised is a rooftop bar in the Marriott Renaissance that offers a unique lower perspective over the Chicago River, right on State and Wacker. The Loews Hotel has a fun rooftop with some games.

  18. We want prenup

    Does anyone have a recommendation for a lawyer in the Winston Salem, NC area to negotiate a prenuptial agreement? Thanks in advance!

    • Anonymous

      Elise Whitley. She was a mentor for me in law school at Wake Forest and I know she works incredibly hard and zealously represents her clients. If you have $$$$$$ and want someone that will make the other lawyer back down on all positions, I’d go with Joslin Davis. She’s in Winston Salem, but my understanding is that she strikes fear into the hearts of lawyers all across North Carolina. I took an advanced family law seminar class where she taught a few sessions and she was wonderful to learn from.

  19. ArenKay

    These pants look like they’d be unflattering on most bodies, and that thigh-slit is just a big nope to me. I have to say, I’ve really been struck by how consistently good Elizabeth’s clothes picks have been since she started doing TPS posts, and increasingly disappointed with Kat’s picks.

    • ATL rette

      The “olive” of these pants is so yellow that it’s veering into baby poop green for me, which is a huuuuuge turnoff. I’d prefer a cooler, bluer-toned olive, but even still, these look like beach pants to me. No thanks!!!

    • Anonome

      I like Kat’s picks for weekend/going-out clothing. I like Elizabeth’s picks for office clothing. I think they both have good taste, but different focus.

  20. Wanted: Ann Taylor promo code

    Anyone have an Ann Taylor promo code they don’t need that’s good for full price online exclusives?

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions