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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Whistles is a British brand that I often forget about, but they always have interesting workwear and weekend wear with a kind of grownup/mid-20s kind of vibe. If you're having trouble finding something that's between Express and Talbots or you're looking to upgrade your professional clothing brands, do consider Whistles. This just looks like a great basic blazer, and it comes in gray and navy. Because it's cotton, it's a good lightweight blazer for summer, and I also like the crisp, British structured look to it. It's $169 at Bloomingdale's and is available in UK sizes 4–16 (U.S. 0–12). Slim Cutaway Blazer
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- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
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- White House Black Market – 30% off new arrivals
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Curious
How much sleep do you get a night?
How much sleep do you ideally need?
What would your perfect wake up time be and go to bed time be?
Have you always been a morning or a night person?
purplesneakers
I’d say… four to six hours? I’m trying to improve, though.
Ideal: Eight hours.
I’d go to bed at two and get up at ten.
If that answer doesn’t make it obvious, I’m a night person. I currently live with weirdos, I mean, morning people, hence only getting 4-6 hours.
C
I absolutely have to have 5 hours to function, but ideally I’d get 8-9. I usually get 6-7 hours. Perfect schedule would be sleep at midnight, wake up at 8 or 9. Right now my alarm goes off at 5:30am so I try to get to bed by 10:30pm (which rarely happens). I’ve always been a night person, so I’m trying to figure out ways to make myself sleepy by 10:30pm and more alert at 5:30am.
agreed
I’m the same. Ideally I’d go to sleep between 12:30 and 1:00 and wake up around 9:00. I’ve been gradually getting up earlier and earlier so I can keep my job and usually try to be up between 6-7. After 5 years of working, it feels more normal to me. But it’s tough to get to bed before 11:30. A low dose of wellbutrin, which has a stimulant effect, is responsible for my ability to function as well as I do after multiple days of 6 hours of sleep. However, I worry that I don’t *feel* tired like I used to so I’m just masking issues caused by sleep deprivation.
Anonymous
I finally made this schedule shift about a year ago, for me melatonin before bed was what was able to help me get to sleep early enough to wake up at 5:30 consistently.
anon
Yup
I also added a “happy light” with my early morning coffee/breakfast, which also helped to wake me up.
Waking up when it is dark outside is always rough for me.
Faye
This is exactly what I would have written. I’m a night person, but young kids and daycare schedules (hence work schedules) have forced me to pretend to be a morning person. I drink LOTS of coffee to pretend.
LondonLeisureYear
I get between 7 and 8 and anything less I am such a miserable person to be around.
Being in bed at 9:30 and asleep by 10:00 and waking up at 5:00/5:30 is the perfect schedule for me. If I am on that routine I don’t need an alarm clock.
I have always been an early morning person and get very grouchy with myself if I sleep “in”. I can’t physically sleep past 7:00 unless I am really sick so going to bed late is always a mess because it means I am up early. I am super awake the moment I wake up but loose steam rapidly starting at 8:30.
I love naps and depend on them to recharge on busy days.
LondonLeisureYear
Bonus question: Do you go to bed at the same time as your spouse?
My husband is a night person and I am not, so I am always totally mystified that couples actually go to bed at the same time because that would never work for us.
Anony Mouse
Likewise. My husband is a night owl, plus works 9-6 (and has a 5 minute commute). He goes to bed around 12:30 or 1 and is up at 8. I’m a morning person and work 8-5, plus a 30 minute commute. I’m in bed by 10 and up at 6.
Cb
We do! My husband was a light sleeper when we first met and would often stay up quite late. Now we go to bed really early (in bed by 9, lights out by 10 most nights). He’s totally shifted his sleep schedule and feels loads better, I think he wasn’t getting enough sleep. Occasionally he’ll stay up late if I need a super early night or if he needs to unwind but we really cherish that shower/snuggle/sleep routine.
anon
Same! I love going to bed at the same time so we can have a little chat. Sometimes he’ll get back up after I turn the light off if he wants to stay up later, but usually, he keeps to my schedule. He has totally seen the value in getting more sleep.
LadyB
I get around 7 hours of sleep. Usually go to bed around 10pm and up at 5am. Ideally I’d get another hour, but this seems to be working ok for me.
Anonymous
I get about 7 hours of sleep, roughly 11:30p-12a to 7a on weekdays. Ideally I should probably get more like 8, which I could do if I would just get myself in bed before 11:30… I would prefer to go to bed at 12a and wake up at 8.
I have swung back and forth and have decided that I just like staying up late and getting up early, so I guess I’m just a masochist. On weekends I tend to get maybe an hour or more of sleep, but shifted (so 1a-9a or something to that effect).
I was a nap person once but now I’m that person who wakes up when she gets home even if she was falling asleep at work, so… not helpful.
Anon
7-8 hours at home. 4-6 hours when traveling (and I travel a lot)
Ideally 8 hours but life gets in the way.
I’d love to go to bed at midnight and get up at 8 but no can do.
Gray
I get less than 7 because my todddler survives on 8 hours. Sometimes I go to bed before toddler because 9 hours would be ideal for me. In by 10 and up at 7 would be perfect.
Never too many shoes...
This is me, although my kid is almost 6.
Manhattanite
My toddler’s not quite that bad, but she gets up at 5:30! And I really do best on 9 hours but usually get 7. Can’t push toddler bedtime bc my preschooler’s bedtime has to be 30 min after toddler’s for various reasons. In any case I can’t really go to bed at 8:30 or 9:30pm bc I frequently have to work then. Love my girls to pieces but sleep deprivation is real!
Anonymous
I generally get between 6 and 7.5 hours, I strive for 8, would love to get 9. I’m a night person forcing myself to act like a morning person. It’s really hard for me to go to sleep at the time I need to, so a big chunk of my evening is devoted to winding down. I start mentally preparing myself around 8 – take note of the time and wrap up whatever I’m doing. Then I pick up the house and go through my somewhat leisurely nighttime routine. I try to be in bed by 9:30, asleep by 10, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I get up between 5:30 and 6:30 to work out.
Ideally I’d like to go to sleep at midnight and get up at 9.
anon
I get 7 or 7.5 hours during the work week, but I really need more like 8 or 8.5 to be perfectly rested. It’s really hard. My kids are in bed by 8:30 and then I’m in bed by 9:30, with the goal of being asleep at 10:00, so I can wake up at 5:00 to work out. By Friday evening, I’m absolutely spent and not fun at all. I end up napping and trying to make up the sleep deficit on the weekends, which I realize isn’t ideal.
Baconpancakes
I usually get 6-7. I need 7-8, and require less if I get to sleep earlier in the night.
Naturally I’m a morning person, but my social life and relationship dictate I go to bed much later than I would like. Sleep earlier in the night has more deeper, non-REM sleep, and is more restorative, so my ideal sleep pattern would be bed at 10, up at 5:00. Instead I go to bed at midnight and miserably pull myself out of bed at 7. Last night my SO was traveling and I went to bed at 11, and naturally woke up at 6:30, completely alert. It was great.
Anon
I get 6-8 hours usually.
I need 9 hours to function well.
Ideally I would go to bed at 9:30 and wake up at 6:30.
I am a morning person, if I get 8-9 hours of sleep.
Anon
Ditto
Gail the Goldfish
I get probably 6-7 hours–in bed by midnight, up at 7:45, but it takes me a long time to fall asleep. Ideally I need about 9 hours. I am not a morning person at all–midnight-9 would be ideal. I don’t think my sleep quality is great, so I sometimes wonder if 7 or 8 hours of good, solid sleep would be enough. SO and I are moving to a bigger place soon and are going to have separate bedrooms, which I think will help with better sleep.
AnonPara
I am interested in your decision to have separate bedrooms. My SO works second shift and arrives home at approx. 11:45 pm. After I hit 40 I’ve become much more of a light sleeper. It also takes me a long time to fall asleep. I wake up when he comes home and then he may stay up for another hour or so. I wake again when he comes to bed. Which means I get crappy sleep as it takes more time for me to fall back asleep. We have discussed living together and I really think separate bedrooms would be a must in order for me to get enough uninterrupted sleep. He is uncomfortable with that, but he’s able to function on much less sleep and can fall asleep as soon as his heads hits the pillow. Seems like a no-brainer, but I’m kind of struggling with it.
Blonde Lawyer
You bodies ability to sleep through it might adapt if it occurs regularly. We went through a phase where my husband got off work at 2 am and I had to be at work at 6:30 am. Initially, I would sort of sleep listening for him to come in at 2:30 and wake again when he came to bed. Within 2 months I would sleep through him coming in, sleep through him coming into the bedroom, AND within another month or so, sleep through him getting into bed.
There is nothing wrong with separate bedrooms but you might want to give it a good try first. It might take a few weeks but you might totally adapt much to your surprise.
AnonPara
Thanks for this!
JuniorMinion
I have separate bedrooms – started when I was working crazy hours and then my husband and I realized we were both sleeping better separately. I am a very heavy sleeper and wake up in the middle of the night without realizing it and do stuff (think drink water, use the restroom) that I have no memory of. My husband is a light sleeper who wakes up in these instances and its just better for us to sleep better separately.
Gail the Goldfish
We just both really like/value sleep and are light sleepers, so it make sense for us. We have slept in separate rooms before when we had the space and it’s never been an issue. Sometimes other people realize it and think it’s kind of weird, but other people thinking it’s weird has never been a reason for me not to do something:-)
Gail the Goldfish
Also, I think sharing a bedroom if you don’t have to is a fairly modern invention. But my only basis for this supposition is touring old fancy homes that always have a separate bedroom for husband and wife.
ponte python's flying circus
I get 6-8 hours, typically split into two shifts: 8.30-10.30 (after putting the kid to bed and inevitably falling asleep with him) and 1-6am. I’ve always been something of a diphasic sleeper but it got really bad after the kid was born, and now that I’m spending this week solo parenting I just succumb. In the late-night waking window I usually do work for an hour or two, have a cup of tea, stretch/ do yoga, and read – quiet introvert stuff!
The downside is that after 8pm, my husband and I see each other awake for maybe 1.5 hours…
I need about 7-8 hours to function optimally.
Assuming I stayed awake long enough, ideally I would go to bed at 10 and wake up around 5-6!
I am a morning person and can generally bound out of bed in the morning as soon as the toddler wakes up – but I often hit a massive mid-to-late-afternoon slump. Thankfully my hours are flexible, so I often go for a run then before picking up my kid from daycare and going through the bedtime funnel.
Anonymous
I tend to average about 7 hours on weekdays and nine to ten on weekends, although lately I’ve been getting 8-9 on weekdays and also napping on weekends (first trimester pregnancy fatigue). I think my (non-pregnant) ideal is at least nine hours per night but I can function on much less.
My bio clock is much longer than 24 hours so my ideal would be to shift my bedtime a couple hours later each night, e.g., one night I sleep from 10 pm to 7 am, the next night from midnight to 9, then 2 am to 11, etc. but that quickly becomes incompatible with a 9-5 job. In reality, I generally sleep 11 pm-midnight to 7:30 or 8 am and I sleep in until 9 or 9:30 on weekends.
CPA Lady
I get 8-10
I need 9-10
Ideal wake up at 6:30 and get in bed at 8:30, asleep around 9:00. I actually do this fairly regularly.
When I get my (vast amount of) sleep varies based on my job and life circumstances. I’m not “naturally” a night owl or a morning person. My daughter is early to bed and early to rise, and also a big sleeper, so that’s where my schedule falls now.
I have a giant bed and good bedding and I love sleeping sooooo much.
CPA Lady
And yes I’m totally an old who eats dinner at 5:30. I have virtually no commute, which helps this all be possible.
Macademia
I get 8-10 and need that much also! I go to sleep between 830 and 1030 and get up between 5 and 7 (the latter on days when I sleep in). I can’t pull off an early dinner except on days when I do a massive amount of prep in the morning.
Anon
I typically get a full 8 hours – in bed at 10 and awake at 6. I’ve achieved “old lady” status with this schedule. It’s my husband and me (no kids at this time) and I have a fairly regular 8-5 job so this schedule is great for my life right now. Ideally, I’d go to sleep at 11 and sleep until 7-8, but that’s what weekends are for.
Sloan Sabbith
Fitbit says I average
Sloan Sabbith
Fail. And then I tried to comment and it went away so I’ll comment when I’m not on my phone. ?
SC
I need 7.5-8 hours of sleep.
For the first time in ages, I’m getting that or more regularly.
My ideal schedule is in bed by 10 or 10:30, asleep by 11, awake at 6:30 or 7, up at 7:30.
I’m really more of a “night” person. Left to my own devices, I’d sleep 1-9 or 2-10.
Clementine
So, I’m one of those rare people who genuinely doesn’t need a lot of sleep… I’m actually pretty fine with 4 1/2 hours a night. What matters is that I get at least one two hour stretch.
I normally get 6 hours (11:30-5:30), but ideally I’d get those six hours plus a 30 minute nap from either 7:30-8AM or 2-2:30 PM.
I’ve always been a morning person who has a very hard time falling asleep- I like a podcast or a show and don’t mind light, while my husband wants absolute silence and darkness. We compromise.
Anon
Pre-pregnancy, I needed about 7 to be functional but was generally getting 7-9 regularly, with a few 4’s, 5’s and 6’s thrown in from time to time. Would get 9-10 on weekends.
Pregnant, I need at least 8 to be functional and am generally getting 7-9 most of the time with a few long snoozer sessions on weekends of 10+, particularly if it was a rough week.
My group works late, so for a while I was on the bed at midnight up at 7:30/8ish schedule, get to the office between 9:30 and 10. Pregnancy (plus a UK deal meaning lots of 9am calls and lots of early doctor’s appointments) shifted me to a bed at 10/11 up at 6:30/7, but that deal died, so back to bed between 10-midnight depending on how much work I have to do after dinner (from home usually) and up at 7:30/8 unless I have a morning doctor’s appointment.
My husband is a night owl but also has to be in court early a few days a week. He also needs more sleep than any human I know (at least 9 hours, preferably 10). On weekends he can (still!) sleep for 12+ hours at a time. But he very much likes to go to bed together and snuggle and will often stay up with me when I am working, which is not good for him on the mornings he has to be up early. It’s a negotiation process. The other night I was working at the office until midnight and he was still awake when I got home!
Anonymous
I get close to 8 hours a night. I’d like to actually get the full 8 hours, and could probably go for 9 hours every night and my body would be happy about that.
Meg March
Oh, and I currently go to bed around 11 or 11:30, and get up at 7:30. I’d add the 9th hour in the morning, and sleep until 8:30. Mr. Brooke is more of a night owl (and he does get up at 8:30), which is difficult since he usually doesn’t want to go to bed when I do. But we both prefer it when we go to bed together, so sometimes that means he comes to bed before he’s ready and sometimes I stay up an extra half hour until he’s more ready.
Houda
I get 6 hours of sleep on weekdays.
Ideally, I’d get 8 hours.
My problem is that I wake up when the sun rises so while the wake up time is up to mother nature, I should work retroactively on my bed time.
I’m neither a morning person nor a night owl.
I like to start my day slowly and end it slowly so most of the work is done during the day.
Jo March
11pm-7am so exactly 8 hours on most nights.
Lately, I’ve been going to bed later after taking care of personal things after work and trying to “catch up” on the weekends has not been working
FOMO > Sleep
7 average for the week but including the weekend when I sleep way more. Probably 3-5 weeknights.
7.5 would be what I need to be fully high functioning.
go to bed by 9, wake up at 4:30 am but I would miss all the good stuff!
This is hard because I like late late evening, early morning. My power brain hours are from 3-6 p.m. though. I definitely have been both a night owl and early bird simply because I do not sleep enough.
Anonymous BigLaw Associate
Barring insane amounts of work, I am regimented abut this. I go to bed at 10:30pm and get up at 6:30am.
I am much more of a morning person. Always have been.
shadow
How much sleep do you get a night? 8-9 hrs
How much sleep do you ideally need? 8 hours
What would your perfect wake up time be and go to bed time be? Wake up at 7, sleep at 11
Have you always been a morning or a night person? Night. Always.
A
How much sleep do you get a night? 5 or 6, last night I slept for a whopping 3 hours, I had 2 or 3 beers at a bbq and could not sleep
How much sleep do you ideally need? 9
What would your perfect wake up time be and go to bed time be? Wake up at 10, sleep at 2:30-3:3AM, OBVIOUSLY I currently wake ay 7:30 and go to sleep around 1-3 am
Have you always been a morning or a night person? Night.
purplesneakers
Question: what to wear/carry for the first day at a new job in a pretty casual office?
Left to myself, I’m a pretty decent dresser (pencil skirts and blouses FTW) but everything I’m hearing about this new firm from friends who interned there says it skews a deal more casual, even for a European company.
Bonus: what shouldn’t I forget to have in my bag, other than a notebook, a pen, and possibly breath mints?
Anonymous
When you interviewed, what did you see people wearing?
I wouldn’t worry about what to have in your bag — you’ll be fine.
purplesneakers
All my interviews were by phone, so that’s no help, sadly. I might actually just email HR, now I’ve stopped panicking and actually thought about it.
Echo
How about a pencil skirt, blouse with the sleeves rolled up, flats, and some interesting jewelry?
I always keep a snack, extra phone charger and battery pack, headphones, and a small emergency kit with ibuprofen, safety pins, bandaids, etc in my bag.
Baconpancakes
I tend to dress a bit more formal for my first day at an office. People know it’s your first day and they won’t think anything of it, so I think pencil skirt and blouse would be fine.
BB
Depending on your hairstyle, it might be a good idea to pack a mini-brush/comb. I always find that my (totally straight and boring) hair starts looking a bit messy middle of the day and a 5 second run with the brush smooths it back down for later meetings.
Anonny
I’m an engineer and I wear my skirts with solid colored t-shirts. I get mine from Gap and Uniqlo so they’re not super nice but they’re soft and smooth and of appropriate thickness.
Pompom
I usually spiff it up and wear a suit (or at least separates with a jacket) on Day 1 in my business casual industry; however, I usually make it more of a personality outfit using more “me” colors, accessories, shoes so I don’t look totally out of touch. I’ll shift down once I’ve spent a few days in the office, meeting people mostly. I like to extend that first impression.
As for what to carry/bring, definitely notebook and pens, phone charger for workspace, and your calendar (if not on phone). I plan to carry a tote in on Day 1 of new job (next week!) that I can leave and slowly unpack as I get settled. That bag has my desk accessories (matching preferred stapler, tape dispenser, pencil cup, business card holder), a pack of my favorite pens, two preferred notebooks, a padfolio, and a small toiletry bag with chapstick, hygiene products, hair clip and elastic, and what I call “emergency make up” (perfect for me lipstick, neutral shadow, eyelash curler, mascara).
Tech Comm Geek
I spent 5 years doing 6-9 month contracts, so I have a standard first day kit:
Notebook/notepad
2 pens
1 pencil
phone charger
headphones that work with a standard PC (some of the phone headphones have a slightly different jack)
a ziplock with a couple of bleach wipes to wipe down my desk and technology
a purse pack of kleenex
ibuprofen and tylenol
one personalizing item for my desk
I prefer to get the lay of the land before I haul in everything else.
Advice for your first day outfit – don’t wear a white blouse. I did once at a company that took all badge photos against a white wall. For 4 years, I daily wore a photo that make me look like a floating head.
shadow
Bag: Multi-pen, notebooks, highlighters, phone charger, earphones, wallet, keys, kleenex, compact mirror, sunglasses, feminine hygiene product, planner/bujo if you have one, travel size hand sanitizer.
Oh hey
Any recommendations for a great house cleaner in DC? Just moved to a new apartment and need to find someone new. Thanks!
Anonymous
DC proper or in MD/VA?
Blazers and tops for short torsos?
I’ve been shopping the sales and I’m so frustated!
I have a short torso and nothing fits right. Blazers and shirts are too long and worst of all the waist always sits too low on me creating a bag of loose fabric on my upper back. Same for dresses. I’ve resorted to buying blazers and tops with a boxy fit but that makes me look bigger than l am. l shop too much at COS because everything is drapey and I can pick almost anything off the rack and not cry in the fitting room.
Alterations are expensive here, clothing in general is expensive here and the selection small. So, I’m looking at European web shops next (I’m in Scandinavia). Boden, maybe Uniqlo? Any recommendations?
Do l look for petite tops even though I’m not short? I’m 5’5″ (166cm), my arms and legs look long compared to the rest of me, I’m a US size 8-10.
Old Lawyer
I find Boden and Lands End too short waisted, so perhaps they would work for you?
pugsnbourbon
The newest iterations of the Land’s End ponte dresses are super short waisted, borderline empire on me. Might work for you!
LondonLeisureYear
How would crop tops fit on you? In the UK there are a bunch of shirts being sold that end about 1 inch from a skirt waist band for just a bit of skin showing, maybe they would fit you right at the correct spot.
Gray
To be honeat I haven’t tried any on. I guess I filed those undrr teen fashion in my head. Those could work!
LondonLeisureYear
Try Whistles:
They have a bunch of cropped shirts made for high trousers that might be perfect for you:
http://www.whistles.com/women/sale/tops/penny-crop-lace-top-24833.html?dwvar_penny-crop-lace-top-24833_color=Ivory#q=cropped&tcgid=Womenswear&start=1
I just did a search with the word cropped and a bunch of styles showed up.
Gray
Thank you!
Anon
This is what I do! Does ASOS work for you? If so, maybe the ASOS Crop Blouse with Short Sleeves?
Gray
Yes! I’ve never ordered from them before, but that top looks great!
tribble
I have this problem too. Everything has to be tailored. I’ve resorted to buying fewer, higher-quality pieces.
For things that fit off the rack – anything ponte seems to lay better, sheath dresses with no zipper, cropped or shrunken blazers, blazers with a hint of peplum (though they’re pretty hit or miss). You can try petite sizes, but if your arms are a standard length then the sleeves might be too short.
Gray
What kind of pieces do you buy that can then be tailored? e.g. Do you make sure it sits right in the shoulders or do you buy someting boxy that can then be taken in? I can’t sew, but it seems that altering the back of something is pretty labour intensive = expensive?
tribble
If I really like a piece but it has some fit issue, I take it to the tailor as soon as I get it. He can advise what can be done and for how much. If I’m not happy with what he says then I send it back.
A tailor isn’t going to remake your garment, he’s going to fix something very specific. For example, if a blazer is meant to be boxy then a tailor could slim it through the torso, but he’s not going to add seams to make it nip in at the waist. With the back bubble issue, he has to take it up at the shoulder seam and in at any back seams. He might have to remove the sleeves too. It’s definitely not a cheap fix but it can be done while maintaining the integrity of the piece. The last suit jacket I got, I had the sleeves shortened at the shoulder, slimmed through the forearm, and the back bubble removed. Tailoring cost about $200.
Anonymous
I’m 5-4, but I have long legs and a short torso. I buy petite suiting jackets at BR and they fit perfectly. They also have a good mix of regular (and petite and tall) pants that fit a mix of straight to curvy (yay Logan cut!) figures and the wool ones are lined.
Anonymous
Also, I have really long arms (my wingspan is longer than I am tall). The BR petite jackets with two buttons fit my arms OK.
I have the hot pink jacket that has a one-button stance and its sleeves are a little bit short on me, but I don’t care b/c it’s summer and I’m wearing it over short-sleeved or 3/4 sleeved blouses or SS dresses to stay warm in my office. No sleeve peeking issues. The cut of this seems more “short” so in this one, I might try a regular but I usual favor two-button jackets and wanted this for the color and probably would stick to the two-button ones or novelty jackets for my next purchase (in petite).
Good luck!
Gray
Thank you! I didn’t even know BR had a European web site! With free returns! Thank you so much :)
Anonymous
Your should definitely try petite tops. The biggest risk is that the arms would be too short, but if you are only 5’5″, that seems unlikely. You also might need to go up a size if they are cut smaller overall, but I don’t think that is usually true. I’m 5’6″ with a slightly short torso and sometimes buy petite tops. Frankly I’ve only done it when a top I wanted was sold out in the regular size, but the petite tops I have fit me fine.
Gray
Do you have any brands that work well in the petite size?
Anonymous
LOFT
anon
Ann Taylor
J. crew
Banana republic
i need a script
I want to reach out to a former coworker (who moved on about a year ago) to discuss whether he’s glad he made the transition, as I’m considering a similar move. We haven’t really kept in touch since he left. Any tips on an email script?
Anonymous
Dear Former Coworker,
Hope you’re doing well! We miss you, funny story, etc. Are you free to grab coffee in the next couple of weeks? I’m starting to think about my next steps and would love to chat about your transition to X.
Thanks,
Anon
This is a good email, but be sure you do not send this from your work email!
Gray
Any Boden dresses or shirts in particular. I’m filling my cart right now. Returns are expensive so I’d love advice!
Gray
Sorry, that was meant as a reply to Old Lawyer
anon
I just bought the Phoebe dress and am wearing it today with a blazer. I bought the watermelon pink color. If this came in more solids, I’d order several more.
This dress is perfect for high-waisted pears — not sure it would work well on other builds. It’s my first Boden dress in several years, and I do think their dress sizing has changed. My usual dress size is 12 but I have ordered a 10 from Boden in the past. I got the Phoebe in a 12 and it’s essentially the same size as a Boden 10 from a few years ago. I probably still could’ve gotten away with getting a 10, but I wanted a slightly more relaxed fit for work.
Shopaholic
This is exactly my build and I need more work dresses. May have to investigate…
Gray
Thank you! It looks lovely. I’m more of an H shape (or hourglass if my waist wasn’t so oddly placed?). I’ve heard of violin hips too, I don’t know how to describe my shape… Do you think it could work for me?
Curious
Yes, it works for me and I have that shape. The waist hits high, which looks great on my high waist and long hips from the front. It is a little odd from the side because there’s a longer-than-average distance between dress waist and backside. I decided the look from the front (and the comfort of the lovely fabric!) was worth it.
anon
I’ve decided that the biggest career limitation that I have is being extremely introverted, not outgoing at all, and therefore missing out on building many relationships. I do try, but I just have a tendency to shy away from opportunities to interact with other people. I go to networking events, but when I see someone I really should be talking to, I find some reason not to. Obviously I should just go up and talk to that person. Any general tips for becoming more of a people person and building better relationships?
LAnon
A few thoughts from a fellow introvert:
– I have found networking events to be of limited usefulness. Even when I do wind up talking to the people I “should” be talking to, it basically ends with us exchanging cards and adding each other on LinkedIn. Those connections might have some yield in the future, but overall I don’t find that the stress of going to those events is worth it.
– What has been much more beneficial to me is to build deeper relationships within my existing network. It’s much easier for me to go out to lunch or coffee with a single person and have a conversation, than have 30 conversations at a networking event. So, if there’s someone who I’ve had some interaction with (customers, internal people in other departments, etc) who I want to get to know better, I ask them out to lunch and then afterwards, I make a point of engaging with them on a regular basis – at a minimum, an email or phone call every few months just to say hi, a meal or drink every six months or so.
I have found a smaller network of deep connections has helped me FAR more in my career than a wide network of more superficial connections. I don’t think that’s true of everyone because I thnk there are extroverted people who have wide networks and can happily engage with them and leverage all those relationships.
Long story short: you should build a professional network that works for you, not the one you think you “should” have.
Tech Comm Geek
+1000
Coach Laura
Rather than networking events I’d recommend making a goal of one connection a week. Ideally you’d reach out to a former coworker or current connection who works in a different division of your company or a former classmate via email and set up a time to have coffee. Start w one next week and one the week after July 4th and then try weekly after that. Even if you can’t set up a coffee/lunch just reaching out by phone or email helps build your network and keeps you relevant in people’s minds.
shadow
I recommend “never eat alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. It has great networking tips. I think the thing about networking is you have to follow up. Even if you talk to them, if you never follow up, you never made that connection. Also, you can go to networking events with a friend if you feel more comfortable approaching someone together, rather than by yourself. However, I tend to be introverted and prefer going to networking events by myself to force myself to talk to other people, instead of talking with the friend I went with. Also try going to events like workshops, or getting involved with a local bar association and joining a committee. You’ll make relationships that way a bit more organically and the environment may be less intimidating.
Anon
I got a weird one!
A coworker fell into the world of essential oils (to each his own) and has a whole set up going in her office. There’s a steamer thing blowing a smoky mist into the air right beside her and it floats out into the hallway. It’s supposed to encourage calm and stress relief.
It’s ridiculous. I walk past her office and can only think of the Caterpillar in Alice and Wonderland surrounded in hooka smoke. I’m all for creating a personalized, pleasant work office but…come on. Girl, you look crazy trying not to freak out over emails in a cloud of Patchouli.
anon
Ugh. a colleague in my law firm office added an air freshener within a few months of joining. We’re not that stodgy, but the smell is REALLY strong and seriously who does that? So sympathy to you re your oily friend :)
Pompom
I inherited an office that had been empty–door closed, sealed up, effectively–for 6 months.
The previous occupant had left a reed difuser in it. It was a crappy, cheap apple cinnamon scent. My eyes hurt.
I feel ya.
Fishie
Ah, the lengths people will go to to cover up the smell of their old farts and lunches. Farts dissipate. Diffusers are forever.
Pompom
Hahahahahha yes. So bad. And so TRUE.
It took a solid two weeks of window being open in the winter to rid the office of that odor. I did, admittedly, get a reed difuser later, but I made sure it was a majorly neutral scent (literally something like “clean.”) and very high quality (Nest). And I removed all but one reed. We had a moldy smell caused by some water damage that I was trying to neutralize.
anon
I remember learning about people during the victorian era and how they all fell for snake oil salesmen. I wondered how anyone could possibly be that moronic. Approx 15 years later everyone I know is hawking that crap on facebook for everything that could possibly ail you, including bacterial infections and cancer.
Yeah, essential oils (can) smell nice, and that’s great. But good grief.
pugsnbourbon
There was a question over at Ask A Manager about a hypothetical – I think it was hypothetical – situation in which one employee believed that essential oils (“prescribed” by a naturopath) had cured her cancer and another had an allergy to the essential oils. I think they concluded that there was no cut-and-dry right answer.
I agree that some essential oils smell nice, but that’s about it. The rest is hooey.
AnonZ
I worked with someone who got very into healing crystals. They slowly started taking over her desk and it was equally hilarious – she looked crazy sitting in her office, surrounded by colored rocks. Then she overheard someone refer to her and her office as “Professor Trelawney’s office” and all the rocks vanished overnight.
Never too many shoes...
Ba ha ha…that is awesome.
Senior Attorney
HAHAHAHA! That made me guffaw very loudly at my computer just as my assistant was walking by my office! Fortunately she’s used to that sort of thing…
H
hahahahahahahaha! Fantastic.
nutella
Oh boy, my facialist is really into crystals but she does a really awesome facial for a really good price, so I just sort of ignore it. For all I know, she probably waves them over me when I lay with my eyes closed to ‘heal’ me but whatever. I’ll take the good vibes.
Anonymous
I’m really into crystals personally but I’m really surprised at how people can’t see their own unprofessional behaviour. I just wear whatever crystal I feel like I “need” for the day, and got a collection of crystal stud earrings instead of those gigantic rocks that are just a gigantic neon sign saying “I have no common sense”
example: (https://www. amazon. co. uk/d/Womens-Earrings/Tuscany-Silver-Sterling-Turquoise-Oval-Stud/B00EU37XC6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1498084287&sr=8-10&keywords=turquoise+studs)
Never too many shoes...
Seriously? I would go to HR. That is not ok in an office.
Also, hot take, patchouli smells like BO so extra office inappropriate.
Anon
that would bug me WAY WAY WAY more than perfume!
Charleston
Talk to me about Charleston! My boyfriend’s 40th birthday is this fall and I was thinking about a trip there. It’s his favorite city (he went to college there) and he’s always talking about how much he wants to take me (I’ve never been), so I thought I’d surprise him with a trip.
I’m looking at an Airbnb bounded by Calhoun, Meeting, and Bay Streets. It’s one floor of a historic home. Is that where you’d want to be for a weekend? Is everything as walkable as people say? (We’re from DC, so we’re used to walking.) Or would we perhaps be better served to pay less and stay further out and drive to whatever there is to see and do? I’ve been to New Orleans several times…is it somewhat like that, where everything’s in an old downtown heart of the city and you have a totally different experience if you have to drive in from the newer suburbs? Thanks!
ALX emily
Yes, I think it’s very much like New Orleans in that way, and if you are going to eat/drink/sightsee in town, you definitely want to be within walking distance downtown. Mt. Pleasant is relatively tolerable as suburbs go but it’s really not the same experience.
Anon
Definitely stay in the heart of downtown. It’s a confusing city for driving until you get used to it and there’s not a lot of parking. You’ll have plenty to do. Check out the rooftop at Vendue Inn downtown and drive out one morning to see the angel oak.
Anon
Your airbnb sounds great. I went to school there and it’s definitely a walking city. You’ll have so much fun exploring… plenty to see downtown. I especially love wandering the French quarter and the neighborhoods South of Broad for house-gawking. Check out Hominy Grill for lunch.
Job search help please
I lost my job at the end of March and have been looking for a job since then with zero luck. I’ve signed up with two staffing firms, but nothing has panned out with either. I’ve interviewed with a ton of places, but have been rejected from all of them. I honestly don’t know what else to do. I’ve applied to part-time retail jobs, since that’s my industry (degree is in fashion, was working for a corporate jewelry company), but have been told that I’m overqualified and would be “bored”. I’m really only 3 years into the work world, so I feel stuck between entry level and the next level up. I’ve applied to jobs that are tangentially related to what I was doing and have either been rejected or haven’t heard back. I’ve gone over my resume with a certified resume writer. I’ve gone to a career coach. I’m looking at different industries other than fashion. NOTHING has worked and I’m getting desperate. I *know* I can do all of these jobs that I’ve been applying to, but somehow it’s not translating. I’m getting really down and panicked that I’m never going to work again (80% of which is straight anxiety/depression that I’m on meds for)…I just don’t know what else to DO. Any advice?!
Suggestion?
I didn’t get a sense of whether you did this already – so apologies if I didn’t read your post right – but for PT/temporary/stop-gap jobs that you are “overqualified” for, I would absolutely make a different resume that *dumbs* your experience down or leaves out the more impressive parts of your work.
I’m an attorney and when starting out and needing something to DO, I was a bartender/paralegal and I had special resumes for applying to those jobs, neither of which included law school, just to get myself in the door and getting a little cashola.
Pompom
+100000
pugsnbourbon
Yep. Kohl’s didn’t need to know about my master’s.
Pompom
Sending a lot of empathy your way. You are doing everything, it seems.
If you have the opportunity to explain why you’re taking a step back for a moment (in a cover letter maybe? or a transmittal email/notes section of a less formal application) could that help? Like “I am seeking this type of role to re-establish my foundational experience in this industry. After a short period of time in XYZ higher level, I know that my longterm success in the field would benefit from time spent on the front lines, working directly with our customer base, product lines, and day-to-day operations.”
Obviously no guarantee, but it helps to explain why you’re seeking a role that doesn’t quite make sense to employers. Is it the real reason? Naw. Is it a perfectly plausible, reasonable, admirable reason? Sure. It also frames your time in retail as, yes, transitional, but could open you to growth within the operation.
Pompom
Rather, I empathize. I send sympathy, and I empathize.
AnonZ
I agree, although a statement like the above that has a lot of “corporate speak” in it will likely only reinforce that you might not be the right fit for the job – treating it like the job is an episode of Undercover Boss will come across as condescending.
I would come up with a more straightforward explanation, like, “I wasn’t really happy in that position; I got sick of being stuck in an office and eventually I realized the work wasn’t what drew me to fashion in the first place. I realized really like interacting with people and I think I’d enjoy being on the ‘front lines’!”
And I agree with the advice above to tailor your resume, although I think you should avoid thinking of it as “dumbing down” – the more you focus on this as a step down, the more it’s going to be hard to come across as genuine in your interview. Instead, review it and tailor it like you would for any other job. Emphasize experience you have in providing good customer service, being flexible, thinking on your feet, and handling multiple simultaneous requests.
Lastly, good luck! Just keep plugging at it. It can be depressing but you WILL find something. Summer can be a tough time to be looking for this type of work, but something will defnitely work out!
Pompom
You are right about it sounding like an episode of Undercover Boss! Ha!
I agree with your comment overall.
Anonymous
You just have to keep going, Take it one day at a time, and focus on doing the next right thing. You have no way of knowing when something is going to stick, but it literally could be tomorrow. 3 months is not that long for a job hunt; honestly it took me 3 years to find my current job. I was working while looking and it took me a long time to figure out the niche I should be targeting, and there were a lot fewer options that were appropriate at my later career stage, so don’t be scared by this – I’m saying it just to give you some perspective. It was still miserable and demoralizing but I came out with a job I absolutely love at the end. I seriously have never been happier.
Also, to reframe, if you are getting lots of interviews that is far from zero luck – that is great! You are clearly doing something right. You only need one job offer to get a job. There are industries in which fielding multiple offers in a matter of weeks is normal for early career employees–software engineering?–but my guess is fashion is not one of them. (I am in the arts, where good jobs also do not grow on trees).
When interviewing for a given job, you never know who the competition is, and the fact that you weren’t picked doesn’t mean you can’t do the job, just that the interviewer felt for whatever reason someone else would be slightly better. But unless you are seeing red flags that you are turning people off, it is likely you just need to keep trying.
Anonymous
Sending hugs to you- it’s a tough spot to be in.
A temp agency that works with employers on filling short term assignments is a good way to get your foot in the door. Be honest with them and tell them you’ll take a wide range of assignments as you look for something more permanent- they will work with you esp. because you have some experience. If the employer likes you as a temp they will often consider you for other jobs that may not be advertised esp. if they know you are looking for something full time. I’d sign up with a few agencies if there are many in your area. Temp agencies are different from ‘staffing agencies’ – the latter are really paid headhunters and they tend to very selective in terms of who they work with so I would not rely on them.
Another suggestion is to go to any in-person job fairs in your area. Hand out your resume and talk to the recruiters. They will remember you and you will stand out. It will get you in the door faster. And last- if there are seasonal jobs in your area consider those just to bring in the cash and stay busy. Any employer will respect that you did what you had to do to support yourself, so don’t worry about how it ‘will look’ on your resume because you don’t have to list it. Just state in your cover letter that you are working temporary jobs at the moment while you conduct a job search. I do a lot of hiring in my company and I see this all the time in cover letters. I respect it, and so do others who review those resumes. Good luck and try to stay positive!
Rainbow Hair
Ugh this stinks! Have you been working your network? I really chafed at the idea when I first started out, but getting a foot in the door really helps. I focused on older people I knew well who were in — or related to — my industry. Like, “Hi, I’m in [place]. Do you know anyone I could speak to about the [field] landscape here, who might have leads on how I should direct my job search?” — that kind of thing, language to be finessed. Then I assertively asked to meet those people for coffee or whatever, was as charming as I could be, and when I was about to despair someone offered to give me some part time work, which I rocked and turned into full time work, etc.
In-House in Houston
Ditto this. Was about to ask you about networking. Are you on Linked-In? If not, it’s a must.
Job search help please
I am a terrible networker, but I’m part of a women’s group that posts lots of jobs, so I’ve been using those connections…I’m a pretty shy person so networking with strangers absolutely terrifies me. And advice on how to get over that? Or other ways to network? I think part of my hangup about networking is admitting that I was let go…it feels shameful to me, which i realize is nuts, but I really struggle with failure in general and telling people that I was let go feels like an ultimate admission of failure. I’m in a big city, so there has to be networking things…I just don’t know where to look?
Anonymous
Were you laid off or were you fired for poor work? There’s a huge difference. But even if you were fired, it’s not the ultimate failure, it’s just a chance to learn and grow.
Heh … and even if it were the ultimate failure — which it’s not — think of it this way: How great is it that you got the ‘ultimate’ failure in life out of the way at such a young age! : )
Anonymous
And if you were laid off, it’s truly not a terrible thing. You can expect it to happen again, in your working life, given today’s work climate.
Rainbow Hair
Hey, I was terrified of networking too! I actually never had success with the kind of networking that allegedly happens at networking events (too shy?) so the thing I did I didn’t realize was “networking” until literally years later. I just emailed people like a professor I used to work with, who, before he was a professor, worked in my field in my city. I just went back and found an email – here’s what I wrote:
“Hello from [place]! [Personal things of interest].I am writing to ask if you know of anyone in the [] field who might have an open position where I would be a good fit. [Follow up details about what I am looking for].”
Then we did some back and forth, expressly so that we wouldn’t be waisting anyone’s time, on what I might be looking for. He put me in touch with about 6 people he knew, some of whom put me in touch with other people (and some of whom ignored me). When I met them, I felt like I was meeting friends of my friend, who, because we shared this friend, might give me some insight. Thinking of it that way, instead of “I am networking,” made it easier.
Linked In was helpful too. What I did was look to see if people I knew, or connections of people I knew, had connections to places I was targeting. Then I’d ask for an introduction. One person I had never met – a classmate of a former coworker – spent over an hour on the phone with me giving me tips and tricks about [job I ended up taking]. Some people just like to be helpful, you just have to find them! :)
Coach Laura
What about a temp agency? You could use the earnings while you look for a job while getting experience. You may even get one that turns into a full time permanent job. I’ve hired several temps over the years. Usually you can build in enough flexibility to go to interviews. Hang in there.
Former Retail
I transitioned from product management in apparel to consumer goods a few years ago. It took me a while to figure out how to translate my experience to other industries – both on my resume and in interviews. I think there are some misconceptions out there about the fashion industry , and I really had to work on getting fashion and retail-speak out of my language.
What were you doing at the jewelry company?
Job search help please
I started doing data entry, but was then promoted/put in charge of starting our direct-to-consumer website and doing marketing for that, while also doing data entry on the wholesale side. So I basically started a division of the company from scratch and grew it to $8-10k in sales per year. I did all of the sales analysis, merchandising, “buying” (selecting product from our full range to feature on site each month), worked up assortment plans…all of that translates to consumer goods as well. I’d love to chat w/ you about how to best translate all of that, if you’re open to that!!
Former Retail
Sure, email me at formerretailette at “the email of Google” as they say around here . . . .
Wehaf
Have you looked at fashion retail jobs with personal shopping services attached? So you aren’t just a retail clerk, but a “stylist”? WHBM does this, as does Nordstrom.
Also, given your background you could look into social media jobs.
Baconpancakes
Pencil skirt recommendations for serious junk in the trunk? I’m comfortable in my size in pants, more comfortable in that size in curvy-cut pants, but when I get the same size skirt it is too tight around my behind, and I’d have to move up two sizes to feel comfortable, at which point there’s six inches of extra waist. My seamstress is good, but even she can’t take in that much waist.
Anonymous
My solution is to buy skirts from the older-ladies-who-wear-dressy-suits section at the department stores in my city. Usually these are straight skirts, or maybe vaguely pencil shaped. But those lines are often cut to accommodate wider hips, and I can often get a fairly good waist / hip fit. The skirts are also cut longer, which I like as I am tall. Then I take in and taper the side seams, and often raise the hem a bit, to get the true pencil skirt fit I am after.
aBr
Ditto on the older lady section. I held out on St. John for so long as an older brand, but once you try it, you see why powerful women of a certain age love it. So comfy. Plus, there is a ton on sale right now with the end of season sales.
Paiging Henley
The website row2k has an article about Henley you may find helpful. My friend who attends says that you are required to wear a skirt that falls below – not at, below – your knees. She may, however, be following the dress code required of the more restrictive-entry areas.
Pompom
Paging Wildkitten! And givemyregrds!
How are your respective relocations going? And Wildkitten, any update on the pup?
Cookbooks
I’m also curious about how your moves are going and whether you’ve been reunited with your dog, Wildkitten!
Anonna
With love and respect, I ask if we can please stop assigning “ages” to clothing? I’m 43. I would wear this jacket. Let’s please stop perpetuating the (mysogynistic?) idea that a particular age has to mean frump or sexiness or coolness or elegance.
Monday
Good point. Seconded.
Never too many shoes...
Yes to this!
Rainbow Hair
Word.
Senior Attorney
Sing it!
Anonymous BigLaw Associate
+1
Anonymous
Any advice for avoiding Facebook? I’m so tired of it and feel like it’s making me sadder by seeing random acquaintances’ pictures/life highlights, etc. I tried deactivating but pretty much every dating app links to FB for pictures etc, so what else can I do to avoid checking it on a regular basis?
Cb
I’ve gone cold turkey on Facebook but prior to doing so, I found deleting the app from my phone and removing auto-login from my browser helpful. You could change your password to something obscure that you’d have to look up for the dating apps but wouldn’t be able to check it regularly.
anon
+1
Same. It’s remarkably more difficult to go to a browser and log in to FB than to just tap your phone and have it right there. The easy access makes it a habit you do without even thinking. Maybe after a few weeks/months of having to log in the habit will be gone. I don’t really have an issue with dating apps making me go to FB so no advice there (coffee meets bagel, OKC).
Torin
+1 to deleting the app from your phone
anon
I “unfollowed” everyone and everything. Now my feed is empty.
Anon
Where do you find yourself checking it? I figured out that I’m a slave to notifications on my phone, so I turned them off for everything but phone calls (since no one calls me except my DH and my mom). I took all the shortcuts off my screen except the camera and one non-time-suck game that I like to play, so I have to physically open the app list, find FB (or Twitter or Insta or whatever) and then open it up to see if I have any notifications. It has cut down the amount of time I’m on social media by almost 100% – now I set aside a weekly check-in time to look through everything, and I do it about 30 min before my mom calls, so I know I have a defined end time as well.
Senior Attorney
Doing that does wonders for your battery life, too!
Anonymous
OP here – I check it at work in downtime, and will just find myself scrolling sometimes. It’s not that I want that time for work, but I’d rather be checking NY times (or corporette!!) than FB. Mostly, I just don’t care about anything I see on there (I keep up with friends in person and via text, and still have Instagram for pictures) and always feel worse after being on it. These are all good suggestions – thank you!
Fishie
I recently “hid” anyone whose number is not in my phone. My feed is now mostly food articles from NYT, tasting table, Food & Wine, plus this s i t e, ads from Boden, and stuff from my close family/inner circle.
YoureNotTheOnlyOne
In an attempt to quash my jealous streak, I went cold turkey seven years ago and have never looked back. Spoiler alert! Jealous streak is still there, but it’s definitely curbed. A bonus is that my (real) friendships are stronger, because I have to put actual effort into keeping up with the seven or so ladies whom I’m close to. Admittedly, this wouldn’t work if you have 30 close friends (as some of my more extroverted friends do). So I guess it depends on your personality, but I knew this is the only route that would work for me. I do have a sweet friend who will send me stuff from FB marketplace sometimes and offer to facilitate a sale, but that’s literally the only thing I would find remotely useful about FB today. Go for it! You’re not alone!
Stati
I deactivated my Facebook account 4 years ago and have not regretted it one minute. I was that person that would check it all the time – grocery store line, in the bathroom (TMI? sorry ;) ), on the couch, in the gym, etc etc etc. I realized all I was doing was thinking sarcastic thoughts about my so-called “friends”. I decided to take a break and have enjoyed the break so much that I never bothered logging back in. I experienced the same thing as YoureNotTheOnlyOne – my real friends are still part of my life and our relationships are stronger. Try it! You’ll probably like it! :)
Anonymous
A small group of owners in my condo building has decided to sue the condo association. I’ve spoken with members of the group and share some (but not all) of their concerns but I have never signed anything nor paid any attorney fees whatsoever. And now I am finding out that I am named a plaintiff on a case they filed. I have never consented to this. What is the worst that can happen now? Am I now on the hook for legal fees? If this is not a question that can be answered, could you please direct me to a resource. I am in Florida, if that matters.
Anonymous
Contact the attorney purporting to represent you. Express your concerns. If you do not want to participate as a plaintiff after speaking to the attorney (I am sending concern now, not determination to not participate), then follow up in writing saying they do not have your consent to represent you, you do not want to be a plaintiff, and you are giving them X days to get you removed from the suit and send you a copy of an Amended Complaint that does not reflect you as a party, otherwise you will contact the court directly.
Anonymous
To be clear, I strongly recommend starting off with a telephone call and, if you can’t make contact, a general email with an even tone. This is an annoyance for you but should not be something you expend a lot of emotional energy over unnecessarily. It is very likely you will be met with an apology and willingness to immediately correct the error on the other side of the call, in which case you get what you want without expending your emotional resources. If you start off combative with a litigator, and accusing them of misconduct, etc., you are likely to get the same in return but end up with the same result. The gravity of the error – for their job or standing with the bar or whatever-does not have to become your problem. You want the result, right?
Also, ask what the process for getting you removed is and how long that will take if they take the first step this week. Then you know what to expect – e.g., there may need to be a motion to amend or remove a party, before the actual final corrected Complaint can be filed, which the judge then needs to sign. Get the facts and hold the attorney to moving this forward, but going off half-cocked and setting unreasonable deadlines without knowing the process will just increase the emotional burden to you for no reason. Of course if you get resistance, that is a whole other story.
Senior Attorney
This is great advice. Don’t go to war right off the bat. This falls under Rule 7 on my list of Rules for Life: “Look where you want to go.”
MJ
Yes! It’s completely unethical and incorrect for an attorney to name you as a plaintiff when you never consented. I would send a strongly-worded email (using script from above) and then chat with your neighbors about how on earth your name got added!
Also, my parents live in a condo and the lawsuits between certain members and against the association turned into WWIII. It was nuts. This could be really expensive. STAY OUT OF IT if you don’t feel strongly about it. Also realize this is a free rider opportunity–you can benefit without being a plaintiff, so…remove your name and let the fighters fight.
Anonymous
And you also lose (as do your fellow residents) since the budget to defend /respond to this this is something you will also pay for, so I hope it is at least meritorious and resolved quickly.
Anonymous
Also, if they are suing the HOA and not just the Board of Directors, any money awarded will come from the HOA, including those who sued, as the HOA’s money is the money collected from members. Does the Board of Directors have separate insurance coverage (Director’s coverage)?
Anonymous
It appears that they are suing the condo association and the three board directors are named as defendants. I am not sure about the insurance coverage but will investigate.
Lo & Sons Pearl - thank you!
I posted a while ago about needing a very particular style of handbag for events that are part of my work, and someone recommended the Lo & Sons Pearl. I LOVE IT. It is absolutely perfect for my needs. I used it for a second event last night, and it is just literally exactly what I needed. Thank you for the recommendation!
(my list of must-haves were: tuck under arm (no crossbody), lightweight, professional but c0ckta!l appropriate, fit two phones, fit pen and paper, small in size)
turtletorney
i have it and love it too! I use it as my regular purse now. I kind of wish they would come out with a version that’s maybe a tiny bit more stylish / less utilitarian… like with a flap?
lsw
I have two of the Olivia Moon knit blazers that have been featured on here before. After washing I feel that they look a bit schlubby – the lapels don’t look crisp. Is this just an ironing problem? (I am a terrible ironer.)
And, related, can anyone suggest stiffer, cotton (but not knit) blazers for summer? I used to have one from J Crew that I loved but I don’t think they make it anymore.
Anonymous
Maybe try spray starch with your iron?
I accidentally washed my Olivia Moon blazer on warm–damn poorly labeled apartment building washing machine, which has a delicate cycle that uses warm water without telling you in advance–and the seam binding shrank more than the rest of the fabric, leaving me with weird wrinkles on the pockets. Hopefully this didn’t happen to you. My lapels look okay though I think.
Tech Comm Geek
Ironing will improve that. For lapels to really look nice, I actually shelled out $10 for a “tailors ham.” This is a ham-shaped stuffed thing that you place the lapel over to be able to iron it well and thoroughly without impacting the jacket below the lapel.
I’d also recommend using spray sizing (or starch if you prefer) to add body to the fabric and help it stay crisp. Sizing is what is used in clothing production and was removed when you washed the garment.
lsw
Thank you! I will check out both of those!
Personal Finance Novice
I’m trying to up my personal finance game, so in the past year, I finally opened a savings account to keep money separate from everyday checking, contributed to my 401(k) to get the company match, and put the max allowed ($5,500) into a Roth IRA from Vanguard. Next steps for me include re-examining my budget and opening a high-yield savings account to get 1% interest rather than the few cents/months I currently get, and maybe dipping my toe into investing if I have enough money left over. I have a few questions that have been percolating in my head as I try to get my arms around personal finance:
1) I used to make around $80K so was saving some amount per month without really trying, but now that I make less, I need to be more intentional about it. I now earn $50K and live in NYC, so the first step is establishing a budget – what should my “fun” budget look like? what about groceries/transportation/traveling to visit family? What’s a reasonable monthly savings goals for someone of my income? I just moved to a cheaper apartment so my rent will go from $1750 to $1100, but that won’t increase the amount I’m saving because of the lower income.
2) What is a good bank for a high-yield savings account? I looked online and saw that Ally offers 1% interest, but Goldman Sachs offers 1.2%. My first thought was to go with Ally because I know a few friends that use it and I’m wary of the big Wall Street banks. Is it worth it to frequently change savings accounts to get the highest interest rate? Do any of you use these banks and have a strong preference either way?
3) Should I be investing? If so, how much? And where? How do I get started here? Or is this something I should table until I’ve figured out what my finances look at like at this new income level?
Anything else I should be doing? My parents are not wealthy, so their advice is simply to “be frugal and save as much as you can,” and my friends make more money than me, so their advice feels beyond my means.
Cornellian
on 2- You shouldn’t really be keeping enough cash in your savings that 0.2% matters. If you have, say, 8K in there, it’s a $16 difference in interest over the course of a year. I would focus on how well the bank syncs with your main bank, whether you like the mobile platform, how easy it is to transfer money, etc. I would definitely not waste timing moving money around among savings accounts.
on 3- I think how much depends in part on your budget. I think classically the advice is to
1. get out of high interest debt
2. build a savings buffer (maybe one month of expenses)
3. contribute up to any company match in your 401K
4. build up an emergency savings stash (some people say 3 months or 6 months of expenses, you have to make your own judgment call)
5. max your 401K and IRA (also if you have an HSA, consider contributing to that. Essentially max all your tax-advantaged space)
6. THEN start doing taxable investments. I would recommend using vanguard for your taxable investments, but I think you should probably table this until you get steps 1-5 done.
Hazel
Where do you keep your emergency savings, then? In investments, rather than cash savings?
Cornellian
I keep 3 mos of emergency savings in cash and then have a HELOC I’m comfortable using (in part because I also have taxable investments sitting I could liquidate if I needed to). I’m also married so I think my risk analysis would be different. I used to keep 5-6 months.
But if she’s earning 50K a year and paying 1100 in rent, 8K seemed like approximately 4 mos worth of savings, so I don’t think the interest should matter much.
Personal Finance Novice
Thanks, your steps make me feel like I’m on the right track!
Luckily, I have no high interest debt (I chose where to get my degree based on affordability and worked part-time throughout school to cover the rest). I did have multiple expensive financial obligations over the past 2 years, so savings account currently has just over $10K in it after me diligently building it back up, but there’s no debt from those incidents lingering over my head.
I’m already signed up to get the employer match for my 401(k). I’m currently trying to figure out how much I need to set aside each month for the Roth IRA contribution (my goal is to contribute the max again for 2017). No HSA, but I’m going to focus on figuring out retirement before investing. Maybe I’ll look into investing in another few months.
Walnut
I keep about 10k in a savings account at the same bank as my checking that has instant transfers and 100% availability to the cash. I have a taxable investment account that contains the remainder of my emergency fund and other savings that I intend to spend on an eventual new vehicle or house renovations. I split this cash out into “buckets” in excel, but it’s easier to manage one giant account than multiple smaller ones in my particular situation.
Personal Finance Novice
Good idea about Excel! I wasn’t sure whether to open an account for each major goal because I have yet to come across a banking portal that lets me track and categorize the way I want.
Torin
+1 this is exactly what I do.
MJ
I would check out “Get a Financial Life” by Kobliner, Suze Orman books (Young Broke and Fabulous is a good one) and/or Smart Women Finish Rich by David Back. All quick reads, all will have good advice for the things you are asking.
In terms of changing banks for a high interest account, the benefit, for me at least, is not the high interest, because I don’t have a lot of cash savings. The benefit is having my money somewhere that’s one smidge harder to access than a same-website transfer between accounts at my checking account institution. Sometimes you have to employ little psychological tricks to save more.
In Manhattan, I feel like your eating out/fun budget might be a bigger number…because…Manhattan. Cash just magically flies out of your wallet. When I was young and lived in NYC, I tried to bring my lunch 3-4x a week (because I realized I valued drinks after work with friends more than a sandwich out), tried to make social events skew towards free things (museums, park dates, free concerts, picnic at Shakespeare in the Park, etc.) and tried to hang out with friends of the same income level. I also severely limited my clothes shopping budget. You mentioned that your friends make more money than you. It’s hard when they want to eat out at fancy places. It’s fine to take one or two of them aside and “object” to the restaurant choice or buying a bottle at a club, or whatnot. They should understand you’re not on the same budget and be sympathetic. Also, always, always preparty at home–so much cheaper!!!
Personal Finance Novice
Thanks, I’ll check those out. Just having a separate account is enough psychology for me – I would actually worry more about how easy it would be to get my money in a true emergency.
I bring lunch most days already, so I’m not eating out for that. My weakness is getting takeout for dinner when I’m tired after work or getting a soda or dessert when I eat out with friends, so I need to learn to reign that in better.
Torin
1) I think the answers to these questions depend on your total bills. Total up your non-negotiable bills (rent, utilities, grocery budget etc) and look at how much is left, then decide how much of that you want to save. The rest is your fun money. What’s reasonable just depends on what you feel comfortable with.
2) I’ve been happy with Ally for several years now. It is sometimes a problem to not be able to deposit cash, but they’re such a great bank in every other respect and this is so rarely a problem that I use them anyway.
3) After you have a comfortable emergency cushion in your high-yield savings account, you can start contributing your savings to a Vanguard index fund instead of to your savings account. This is what I do.
I think you’re doing all the right things! Go you! Saving for retirement and cutting your rent down are both huge positives. Well done.
anon
With the caveats that I am not a financial planner, and some of the answers depend on things you haven’t mentioned like benefits that may or may not be offered by your employer (health insurance, disability insurance, pension, etc.), whether you have debt payments, and what your savings goals are…
I would (1) make sure you have a decent emergency savings (around 3 months), (2) if your new company has a 401K with a match, put enough in to get the match, and (3) max the Roth IRA if possible.
I’d also look into short- and long-term disability insurance, especially if your company offers these policies (you can usually pay to increase the amounts).
As for your budget, I’ve found the best approach is to figure out my monthly take-home pay first. Then subtract my non-negotiable fixed/predictable expenses (rent, health insurance if not provided by employer, minimum debt payments, utilities, costs for necessary medical appointments and prescriptions, cheapest necessary transportation option, cheapest phone plan, etc.). Then subtract my savings and debt-payment goals. The amount that’s left is the amount I can spend on everything else–groceries, upgraded phone plan, Ubers or other “splurge” transportation, fun and entertainment, food and drinks outside the grocery store, etc. Nobody else can tell you what specific numbers are reasonable–it just depends on what’s important to you.
anon
I would prioritize your Roth IRA contributions (up to the max) over either increasing a savings account above 3 months’ expenses or taxable investment accounts. You can withdraw your Roth contributions, but not any growth, without the tax penalty. You can’t replace the money later (you’re still limited to $5500 per year). It’s not a good thing to have to do, and I’m not suggesting your Roth should be used like a savings account, but I wouldn’t give up the potential upside of the Roth to have more liquidity above 3 months’ living expenses.
ALX emily
Agreed. A Roth can be your last-line emergency fund, plus a great retirement savings vehicle if you can leave the money alone!
anon
FWIW, Ally Bank is the former GMAC – it’s not a community bank.
Jo March
I am definitely not a personal finance expert, but I also live in NYC and earn a similar salary. Take heart! Yes, you have to make saving a priority, but it’s totally doable! I manage to add $350-400 to my savings each month. the key for me has been not splurging on convenience expenses such as Uber, food delivery, or a cleaning service. I track my expenses on Mint and have monthly budgets for groceries, eating out, etc. so that keeps me on track.
St. John dress recommendation
OK, ladies — I am ready to try some St. John dresses in the hopes that they are packable and wonderful on some work trips. I need sleeves so that I can wear sans jacket (and I’m always cold).
Any recs for type? I’m a size 6 pear and just don’t want to look like a little old lady. I have a local Nordstrom with a St. John section and a St. John boutique. If it goes well, I’d look into ebay once I know my size, but want to go to a place where I can try things on / deal with returns / maybe give me a head’s up for sales.
BB
No specific recs really because like you said, you really should go try them on. I mostly have separates from them, but I do have one dress (sleeveless) in their signature knit fabric. It is amazingly flattering because the fabric is stretchy enough to hug, but heavy enough to hide any bumps. Also, be ready to get alterations on things like hem/sleeve length.
I think either the Nordstrom or the boutique work fine. You can browse the Nordstrom stuff online as it will pretty much match what they have in stock. The salespeople will usually happily order you things they don’t have in that store, even if it’s just to try on. I’ve also had good luck asking them to call me before a sale so they can put aside pieces for me the first day it goes. The boutiques may have special selections though beyond Nordstrom’s.
Anonymous BigLaw Associate
Agree on going and trying them on. I find St. John runs long (yay for 5’11” me).
I have a few signature knit dresses, and one with a coordinated blazer. And some lovely silk shells. I love the pieces and think they are worth the money. I have found St. John items on sale at Nordstrom and Saks. I got a dress for $400!
Fashion Slump Rant
Ugh, I can’t get my outfit game together this week. Yesterday I realized when I got to work that my “third piece” clashed horribly with my top, and today I accidentally dressed like an old-fashioned Catholic schoolteacher (white tie-neck blouse tucked into black pleated skirt with black ballet flats and pearl earrings). Written out, today’s outfit sounds like it works, but in reality I look like I should be scolding children with a ruler in my hand.
Suburban
Awww. Just roll with it for the day- it does sound crazy chic to me. Also, no one ever says this on here but my favorite real life fashion icon has as many misses as hits. Hopefully you’ll feel better in tomorrow’s outfit, just keep trying.
Bright Blazers
I moved my summer clothes to the front of my closet and rediscovered some bright blazers. One Kelly green linen with gold buttons, one pinky-coral with mandarin collar. They are beautiful and I have loved wearing them in the past. This year, I feel a little funny about putting them on. They seem so…. bright? Bold? Too much? I can’t put my finger on it. I do still think they are pretty; I just feel strange and can’t get brave enough to wear them. I am early 30s and have found myself gravitating to more neutrals, though I used to love color. Should I get over it and wear these jackets? Or should I get rid of them?
St. John dress recommendation
Wear your bright jacket with your neutrals. One bright item is fine. A bright suit would be different (and might totally work in some places but not at work in my city unless I’m having a going-to-hell day).
Pompom
The kelly green blazer sounds awesome to me–neutrals be damned!–but if it feels off and you won’t reach for it in the next 6 months, ditch it. Try to wear it over the next week. If it still doesn’t feel right, you have your answer.
C
Force yourself to wear them at least once and see how you feel that day. Sometimes I do this and remember how great an article of clothing really is and move it back into regular rotation, and other times I do this and realize that it just isn’t me anymore. If your whole day becomes about the fact that you’re uncomfortable wearing a green blazer, dump it.
Tech Comm Geek
I second this.
Sometimes, your color preferences do change. I went through a long black with one color piece phase. It was a fairly sudden change where I was incredibly bored with that and started getting more color pieces. Now, I wear mostly bright and bold colors. They make me happy, I get compliments, and it’s a very valid look in technology.
AnonZ
Changing the buttons on a blazer can be very helpful for something that you thinks look garish. A kelly green blazer sounds great but I can see how gold buttons could make you feel like you just won the Masters. You might feel better about it if you replace the gold with matching green (if you can find them) or tortoise shell buttons.
H
That’s interesting. I also find myself gravitating more towards black, grey, navy, and white. I still like some color, but I’m especially turned off by hot pink now (for myself, not others) when I used to wear it quite a bit. I guess it’s just a thing when you get older?
Sutemi
Can you spend some time pairing up the blazers with potential new matches from your closet? Kelly green and navy are a favorite together.
19th Century Problem
What brilliant man decided the stairs in my building should be see-through?
Every time I wear a skirt I’m reminded of the glass blocks in the sidewalk that let light down into the underground city–apparently only ladies of ill repute walked on the sidewalk; “respectable” mothers warned their daughters to always stay down in the muddy street.
Anonymous
Someone cautioned me against patent leather shoes as they reflect up. This is worse. So much worse.
Pompom
Ah, never have I been happier to have thighs that touch (if “smoosh together” = touch) at all times, if only to be a nice shield against that haha
Lilly
At a glance, I read “haha” as “hooha”
Helpful!
Ha! That is fantastic!
anon
Ha. When my employer was renovating they suggested glass stairs. I was fortunate to be on the feedback committee and was bewildered that they all thought this was a great idea. As soon as I mentioned my concerns, they pulled the idea and were embarrassed. What are people thinking?
Anon
My local courthouse, recently renovated, has glass stairs. Court security keeps an eye out to make sure no one is lurking under the stairwell. We were warned about the issue at a CLE. They also messed up a window that was supposed to be one way in judge’s chambers and she realized the people in the local park could see her using her toilet!! She joked about it though and said after years of watching people publicly urinate in the park, now they got to watch her. That issue was fixed rather quickly. I’m not sure if they have fixed the stairs yet or are leaving it.
19th Century Problem
That judge sounds awesome.
Anonymous
My old law firm renovated and it’s all glass everywhere and given the lighting, it’s all reflective glass. Bad enough that if women are sitting in certain conference rooms wearing skirts . . . well, they better be sitting perfectly like a lady . . . .Fortunately they are re-doing some of the renovations and getting rid of some of the glass.
Pompom
There is a big firm in DC with a glass elevator and this crazy glass catwalk thing over their atrium. Any visits to that firm and their conference center had me in pants, AND panicky about heights. White knuckled all my visits!
Anonymous
OMG. Can someone pls say which firm? I want to visit just to see it!?
Pompom
The one I’m thinking of is one firm, worldwide. On NJ Ave by Union Station/ GULC.
yep
WilmerHale in DC has a TON of glass in their office including that glass catwalk as well.
POSITA
Jones Day DC
https://www.google.com/search?q=jones+day+dc&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXof-F5M_UAhVkIpoKHdFMCeIQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1536&bih=698#imgrc=0oA0YC9_tjF-rM:
Pompom
I just got anxious looking at this.
Anon
Apologies if this is a duplicate post.
I want to take my boyfriend to Charleston for his 40th birthday as a surprise. It’s his favorite city and I’ve never been. Is it sort of like New Orleans, with the walkable historic downtown and restaurant scene? I’m looking at an Airbnb bounded by Calhoun, Meeting, and Bay Streets – is that a good location for a weekend? I’m not sure if we should be based there or maybe there’s somewhere farther out (are there beach houses?) that would be better. Any Charleston tips at all would be much appreciated! :)
Anonymous
Charleston has great boutique hotels and I’d worry that the cast of Southern Charm might be who is your Air BNB host. It will be HOT there this time of year. Folly Beach is nice and near by. For location, you generally want to be as far down on the point as possible — walking from the Francis Marion Hotel would be my outer limit.
OP
Thanks. I should have specified – his birthday is in October. The weather should be lovely, though I know it’s hurricane season.
SC Native
Great walkable downtown with really amazing restaurants. If you want to do a historic tour, look into finding a local guide to do a personal walking tour. It feels like you’re just taking a nice stroll through the city with a particularly knowledgeable friend. I’d schedule this for a morning before it gets crazy hot, then ask for your guide’s recommendations on where to go for lunch. DO NOT DO THE CARRIAGE TOURS (this is a rant for a separate time/place- just DON’T).
For AirBnB, it depends on what you want to do. If your goal is to spend every waking moment on the beach, you don’t need to be right downtown, and it’ll be less convenient if you are. If you want to enjoy the city itself, then your location sounds pretty solid. You can take a short drive to Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, or Sullivan’s Island for an afternoon or beach day while you spend the rest of your trip downtown.
There are a million different tours and attractions, but I’m partial to the historic ones. The Yorktown is always great, as is the trip out to Fort Sumter. If you want a plantation, I personally prefer Drayton Hall or Boone Hall over Middleton. Otherwise, there’s King Street for shopping and the Battery for wandering in the shade and looking at the beautiful Charleston houses. Don’t miss Kaminsky’s for drinks and dessert!
OP
Thank you! I think the beach afternoon trip sounds like a good idea.
SC Native
Ugh, just wrote a long reply that vanished. I’m hoping it’ll show up later! There are beach houses in places close to Charleston if you want to stay on a beach, but if you’re more interested in exploring the city your location sounds good.
Charleston
Not sure what your budget is, but I have been in love with Zero George (boutique hotel). We are planning a trip there sometime soon.
Anon
I went to school in Charleston. Your airbnb is in a good location– hopefully you don’t mind walking because it’s absolutely the best way to explore the city. Definitely get away from the touristy center of Market Street and take a walk through the French quarter– it’s so, so beautiful. Also, Tradd Street is a can’t miss. Restaurants have changed since I was in school, but you can walk all the way up King Street (north of Calhoun) to a design district of sorts with a more newly revitalized part of town.
ADE
Recommendations for a good, solid, workhorse moisturizer that really moisturizers well?? I want to not spend $$$ for something I have to slather on daily, but I need it to work.
Anonymous
Clinique Dramatically Different. It’s a classic.
Never too many shoes...
I know they sell billions of gallons, but I actually find it kind of thin and not that moisturizing now that I am a bit older.
Anon
I like the Cerave facial moisturizer. I bought their day and night ones as a package on amazon. Works well in my super dry climate.
Anonymous
I use Cerave Cream. Love their products.
In-House in Houston
I really like Oil of Olay. They have a daily with SPF, but also others based on your skin type.
Echo
+1 I really like it.
Anon
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is often recommended here, and it’s a great basic. Also, FWIW the ones above have alcohol in them which can be super drying on some skin types, so maybe get a sample of those ones if you can first.
Anon
Pretty much anything you can buy at the drug store??
Helpful!
So,”go to drugstore” is your advice?
Anon
Uh, yeah, it is. Grab something off the shelf there. I don’t think quality moisturizers are hard to find.
Sloan Sabbith
How helpful!
I like the Garnier Miracle Anti-Fatigue A LOT. Night cream, too.
Anonymous
NIVEA Soft is my go-to moisturizer, both body and face.
Anonymous
Skinfood Royal Honey Good Moisturizing Cream is $15 dollars, on Amazon Prime, and one of the best moisturizers I’ve used. Link to follow.
Anonymous
https://www.amazon.com/Skinfood-Royal-Honey-Moisturizing-Cream/dp/B018VMT4PK
Godzilla
You should also make sure to apply moisturizer to your face when your skin is damp (splash some water on). If your day moisturizer isn’t enough, supplement with a cream at night. It will really make a difference.
Seattle Freeze
My very favorite is Avene Hydrance Optimale Rich Hydrating Cream – very, very moisturizing. A bit more than I prefer to spend but it’s so worth it.
http://www.aveneusa.com/collections/hydrance-optimale/hydrance-optimale-rich-hydrating-cream
Anonymous
belief moisture bomb. totally worth the $28. I replace once every couple months.
derm anon
Neutrogena makes one in a little blue jar (one with SPF, one without). I need a good moisturizer and used to spend a lot, but this is about 20/jar and works great.
anon
I was going to recommend this! I have been through lots of expensive moisturizers, but I really like the Neutrogena moisturizer in the little blue jar. I have the one without SPF.
Anonymous
Laniege Water Bank Moisture Cream – on Amazon or Sephora.
ADE
Recommendations for a good, solid, workhorse moisturizer that really moisturizes well?? I want to not spend $$$ for something I have to slather on daily, but I need it to work.
In-House in Houston
I really like Oil of Olay. They have a daily with SPF, but also others based on your skin type.
turtletorney
Vanicream. My derm recommended it and it is just like Cerave but doesn’t have parabens and some other ick ingredients I think they have. There is a light and thick option. both are great.
At a higher price point, I’ve been carrying the Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentre in my bag for travel. It is a cult classic and I love the way it makes my skin feel. Note though, I’m very dry, so it may be a bit greasy for some?
It is pricey but I recently got 2 for 1 on sale at Target .. score!
Car Title
I bought my first car five years ago and just paid it off (yayyy!!!). My dad co-signed on the loan. I made all of the payments, etc.; other than signing, Dad didn’t do anything. I received the title in the mail this week– and it’s in my Dad’s name.
Before I call and lambast the company for what seems to me like blatant sexism, is there something I’m missing?
Torin
Who signed the purchase contract, you or him? Or both of you?
Anon
This is my question. Are you sure the loan was in your name? Has it appeared on your credit report all this time? Otherwise, I’m sure it’s just a mix-up. No need to go off on a clerk.
Car Title
I definitely signed it, and he would have only signed it if it required a co-signor. I will check it when I get home. It has been on my credit report this whole time.
Torin
Make sure you’re differentiating between the loan documents and the purchase contract, as Baconpancakes said. One is an agreement with the seller, and whoever signed that is the owner of the car. The other is an agreement with the lender.
Baconpancakes
Lambast away, with a caveat. It’s possible when your dad co-signed the loan, he also co-signed the sale, and is a part-owner. In this case, both of your names should be on the title. At minimum. Assuming you were married and purchased a car with your SO, and were receiving the title in the mail, BOTH of you should be on the title.
Read carefully over the original paperwork to make sure the sale stipulates you are actually the purchaser.
But it sounds like yes, they saw a man’s name on the loan and signed the title over to him despite both of you possibly being the owners, and possibly you being the sole owner.
Anon
Please, please don’t yell at whatever poor customer service agent answers the phone. It’s not that person’s fault.
Car Title
I’m not going to randomly yell at whomever answers the phone. I am going to file a complaint.
Pompom
I might just call and repeat your first paragraph from above, and then ask “Why was that done? I own the vehicle.”
Then see what they say.
Anonymous
Any recommendations for an easy summer getaway from boston? I’d like to go away in July. I was thinking driving distance (just to save $$) but places within a cheap flight are welcome too. Don’t want to spend too much and don’t want to be too hot but other than that- not many requirements! Open to beach or cute city or mountains/etc.
Anonymous
also I have been to Portland a lot.
Anonymous
Halifax, NS good time to visit since it will be warm
Anonymous
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket?
Anonymous
Maine?
Anonymous
Whoops just saw the Portland comment.
Anon in NYC
Portland, ME? Bar Harbor?
Anonymous
Montreal! You can drive via Burlington, and there’s some nice hikes and lake beaches in several different places along the way. And then in town, it’s not too hot, the food is delicious, and there are tons of bike rental places and gorgeous bike trails along the water. And the Canadian dollar means everything is just that little bit cheaper…
Anonymous
Berkshires – MassMOCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance festival, etc etc.