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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 233 Comments · by

Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Terrazo Tweed Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Terrazo tweed jacketOne often hears that these little cropped tweed jackets are classics… yet I think it is so rare to see one that actually looks flattering. So, hats off to J.Crew — they've done it! I like the longer look to the blazer, the hand-applied chain and fringe details, the four pockets, and the lining (yes!). Lovely. It's $278 at J.Crew. Terrazo tweed jacket Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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

Comments

    • Houda

      I think it’s the model, because that jacket on my petite hippy frame would look square

    • AIMS

      I really like it! I have a few tweed jackets and skirts but usually only wear them in fall/winter because they feel very “cold weather” to me. I like that this looks very springy and light; also not as staid as tweed sometimes tends to look. I would wear this to work and with jeans as pictured. Love!

        • AIMS

          Interesting. I don’t like it as much in her photos but maybe that’s just standard post-shipping rumpling? I will have to check out in-store and then if I still love it, follow Bonnie’s lead, and stalk the hell out of it. Thanks for the link – fun blog!

      • Bonnie

        I really like this one. I think the blogger was wearing one that was too big. This jacket is being added to my stalk list.

        • Nevadan

          I have a similar jacket in black and white tweed with the fringe. It’s from A. Taylor from several years ago. I find it is a little two fuzzy fringe-wise, and I wear it very seldom. I don’t like it with jeans.

  2. Houda

    My general manager announced that we moved to no-dress code unless we meet clients.
    This means I can wear colorful pumps and skinny pants.. I am so happy

    • Diana Barry

      That’s awesome! I love the sound of colorful pumps. :)

      I can’t wait to wear normal clothes again – I am so tired of all my maternity stuff. Argh! Plus the season is changing and so now I really don’t have anything to wear!

      • amy

        Diana Barry: Where did you get your maternity stuff? I am about to start my second trimester, and 2 of my four suits no longer fit!

        • Diana Barry

          At that stage, I got a few suits in 2 sizes up, and wore them for a while, then when those didn’t fit, I moved on to the pea in the pod suits. I have 2 and wear them all the freaking time. I am 33 weeks now and really tired of them!!!

          I think we had another subthread last week on maternity clothes, so you might want to look for that one.

  3. Susan

    Lovely homage to the Chanel jacket, and far less pricey (but still too much for me, given that it only has medium-versatility.) It might be a bit short– I wonder if this jacket might look too much like a bolero on my long-waisted noodle-ish shape.

  4. PharmaGirl

    Why is there so much mullet tucking with J Crew? It’s so distracting and messy looking.

    Question, there was a discussion here about camisoles/undershirts but I can’t seem to find it again. Anyone remember where it was or have recommendations for substantial camisoles? I need something relatively snug (to smooth the tummy) with wide-ish straps (to cover wide bra straps).

    • MaggieLizer

      Spanx makes camis like that. They come on Gilt periodically at a reduced price, but you can find them pretty much anywhere. I like Ann Taylor’s camis because of the nice edge, but the ones I get have thin straps; not sure offhand if there are wider strapped varieties.

      • PharmaGirl

        Do you know which brand? Shimera seamless tanks look nice but it’s always hard to tell from the website.

        • SF Bay Associate

          I have several of those wide strap Shimera ones. They aren’t compression like Spanx, but they are a vaguely thick fabric with lots of stretch which smooths things out just a little bit.

          • PharmaGirl

            Thanks! This sounds perfect. I don’t necessarily want shapewear; I just need the tops to be reasonably snug.

    • spacegeek

      Chicos has wide strapped camis/tanks in a huge variety of colors. Different fabrics too. Also check White House/Black Market. (limited colors there of course!)

      • PharmaGirl

        Limited colors are fine… I only buy black/white/nude unless I want something to match a specific cardigan.

    • J

      Someone suggested BP (Nordstrom house brand) camis but I can’t recall if they had wide straps – they are also favorably reviewed by the blogger at YouLookFab, who is usually right about things.

      • Seattleite

        Tucked in at the front, untucked at the back. Hot mess all the way around.

  5. b23

    I’m amazed by the number of comments on the weekend thread! I have been noticing in the last few weeks that it seems the readership has been mushrooming. Way to go, Kat!

    • Lyssa

      Is it weird that I feel proud of Kat, a person I’ve never met and have no relationship with whatsoever, for all that she’s done and this thing that she’s built here? Because I totally do, all the time.

      Keep being awesome, Kat!

      • TCFKAG

        I try to describe to people why I love this community of women I’ve never met so much and they don’t understand. But its different from anything else on-line right now — and really then most things in real life! Every woman I’ve directed towards it has found it compelling in one way or another.

        • Monday

          Amusingly, a while back Mr. Monday and I were puzzling over a legal question on which neither of us had any background. I said I could ask someone here. He was all, “um, aren’t most of your real-life friends lawyers too?” Right. My real-life friends.

          Agreed, Kat has pulled off something remarkable.

        • Cherly

          As a very new reader, I have to agree that I’m really impressed with this site. You have a community of high achieving women supporting others – which we all need.

          I’ve been lucky over the years to find groups online that met my needs at the time.
          – College student / beginning of the internet: text-only chat rooms on gopher sites …. met my future husband.
          – Preg / connected with “due date buddies” (I was the “over achiever” and had mine 12 weeks early … I say this tongue-in-cheek, since it was so horrible …preeclampsia), one of which I’m still connected to. It’s fun to see our same-age kids growing up, even though she’s on the opposite US coast.
          – Now / at a great point in my career / looking to move up — I have found this site where I get tips on working, fashion, home, and just fun reading the comments.

          “In Real Life” is good, but there’s something to be said for finding specific communities on line that meet specific needs.

          • First Time Poster

            I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who chimed in last week regarding my in-house interview and reassuring me that it is a good thing to “look around” even when you like the firm that you are in. I am happy to report that I went to the interview and it went very well…I think I will be asked back for another round, but I am probably going to say no, because I don’t think it is the best move for me right now and I don’t want to lead them on. But I would not have known that until I went to the interview. It was very validating to know that I can hold my own in an interview even after not having done it for a while. So thanks.

    • J

      I agree about feeling proud of Kat. However, I hate the overly long weekend thread. Kat, could you post a second weekend thread on Saturday? The first one fills up with comments on Friday afternoon before everyone even goes home from work.

      • NOLA

        I had thought she might do that and she did it several weeks ago after things got crazy early on. It does seem like the biggest flurry is the end of the work day on Friday but that makes my day on Friday afternoon!

        • TCFKAG

          Yeah, but on Sunday night when the number jumps from 675 to 683, the obsessive compulsive among us have a h*ck of a time figuring out what new has happened! (I have issues….deal with it.)

      • Cat

        Seconding J’s request – normally I’m actually a fan of longer threads (more people have a chance to respond to the same topics before the next post takes over, and it’s not hard to skip to the updates you want by using Find or just the scroll bar). But on the weekends I’m reading on the iPad, and it takes forever to get to the newer posts! Depending on the comment volume Friday afternoon, a new thread starting Saturday morning would be a lot more manageable :)

      • Cat

        Seconding J’s request – normally I’m actually a fan of longer threads (more people have a chance to respond to the same topics before the next post takes over, and it’s not hard to skip to the updates you want by using Find or just the scroll bar). But on the weekends I’m reading on the iPad, and it takes forever to get to the newer posts!

        • Cat

          sorry about that – I was in a weird posting-too-fast and duplicate comment cycle, even though my first comment hadn’t shown up yet…

        • Cherly

          I just figured out how to “find in page” in Safari. Makes reading on the iPad more manageable.

          • Cherly

            Go to the search bar in the upper right of the screen, and type in your search term (ie “Cat”). Give it a second to process the search and you’ll see down at the bottom of the list, a section that says “Find in Page….” Under that will be your search term, with the number of “finds” in the current page.

            Once you click there, you’ll see at the very bottom of your screen, a “next” arrow where you can click thru all the instances it found your search term.

            [Sorry if this isn’t exactly right. I’m going by memory. I only use my iPad at night.]

      • Kat

        It’s insane right now — I’m working on something better. Hopefully I’ll be able to deploy it VERY soon… stay tuned. ;)

  6. SAlit-a-gator

    Weekend open thread at 700+ comments – hat’s off to Kat for building such an amazing community! Love the insights, advice and perspective of the hive mind.

    • TCFKAG

      Yeah — but at 6-something some of us (not naming names….okay ME) were just posting so we’d get there.

      And we got there!!!! (Shout out to Tracy Jordan!)

  7. southanon

    I liked it until I zoomed in on the tweed. Online it has a definite vertical line of polka dots look to it.

    • Cat

      Agree. I saw the matching pencil skirt in-store last week – wish they had either gone obvious polka-dot or more of a true tweed pattern. As it is, it almost reads as a mini-leopard print to me.

  8. Always a NYer

    Love tweed, just not this jacket.

    Threadjack – What do you do when you pinch a nerve in your neck? I woke up yesterday with searing pain in my neck that has thankfully abated to a dull ache that gets sharp if I move the wrong way. I had heat on it yesterday and am now at my desk with a heat wrap on it but it hurts something fierce. Took Advil and that should kick in soon. My pain threshold is pretty high (have had bones set without anesthesia) but this has reduced me to wanting to cry and I’ve pinched nerves before. I’m not a crier so this is telling me it’s serious. I was able to get in with my chiropractor tomorrow so there that to look forward to. For now, I have a 1pm and 4pm meeting that I’d like to stay for but don’t know if I’ll be able to. Any suggestions are very welcome. TIA.

    • LawyrChk

      If you have an office with a door, I find that lying flat on the floor helps. I pinched a nerve between my shoulderblades a few months ago, and this was the only way I was able to get relief. I literally printed documents and held them up to read them. I hadn’t done that in a while and was amazed at the degree of pain it caused. Other than that, advil and rest.

    • magnola

      i just discovered the wraps with icy-hot on them for this very situation (i get mine at cvs, generic brand, but i assume they are available elsewhere). they’re thin strips, about ace bandage width and bandaid thickness, that have icy-hot on them and stick to your skin. i am describing them absolutely terribly but after years of neck pain i think they make the most difference. also, i recommend icing instead of heat.

    • NOLA

      Sounds bad. I had what was called a “stretched” nerve (injured it lifting weights right before Christmas) and had a lot of luck with physical therapy but it took months. For me, the thing that finally loosened it up was was rowing weight machine, but I wouldn’t want to recommend that with as much pain as you’re in. I’ve heard that muscle relaxants can help (but make you groggy). Another possibility would be a chiropractor, who might be able to relieve the pinch. I didn’t do that only because I wasn’t satisfied with my original diagnosis of a pinched nerve.

    • Bonnie

      I have a problem with a nerve in my back and whenever it acts up, the only solution is to get a muscle relaxer from the doc. Usually, one pill taken at night fixes the problem for me. If heat and Advil does not work, get thee to a doctor.

      • mamabear

        agreed – I had a chronic stiff neck problem a few years ago and finally went to see a pain specialist. Apparently the pain in your neck causes you to involuntarily tense your muscles, which causes further injury and pain. The only way to make it stop is to fully stop the pain for a good long period of time to make the muscles knock it off. For me, that meant prescription muscle relaxant (generic Flexeril) along with over the counter ibuprofen taken in prescription strength (I think 3 every 4 to 6 hours) and not letting it wear off. After two days it completely went away.

        • Cherly

          A PT prescribed a “TENS” unit for me. It is that electric stim thing they use in the office, in a handy at-home size. I carry it in my laptop bag, so I have it with me just about everywhere.

          I never know when a weird muscle spasm / nerve / stress thing is going to happen in the center of my back.

    • May

      Big hugs!

      I’m worried why its hurting you that much. Is there any position at all in which you can be pain-free?

    • Anon13

      I have to admit, I’ve always found massage to be better than chiropractic. If your muscles are tight and pulling your spine out of alignment (or weak and imbalanced against stronger ones), all the chiro in the world won’t help. Some good massage therapy coupled with the right stretching and strengthening regimen, on the other hand, can offer a lasting (and less expensive) solution. I found myself developing what amounted to functional scoliosis after carrying a heavy purse and wearing heels too much. What I thought was a serious problem with my back turned out to be little more than tight hip flexor.

      • CA Atty

        Yes, for me I sometimes get an extreme kink in my neck, I wouldn’t really call it a pinched nerve but it hurts like heck and I can only turn my neck so far and in certain ways, etc…I immediately make an appointment for a massage and that usually fixes it.

      • karenpadi

        Second massage over chiropractics. I’ve been getting massages for years to deal with “computer syndrome” (tight neck and shoulders caused by sitting at a computer all day). Frankly, after a massage, my spine “automatically” adjusts itself because the muscles and ligaments are “fixed”.

      • Ekaterin Nile

        Third the massage recommendation. Physical therapy did nothing for my computer-induced pain, but regular massages (with a person familiar with deep tissue and myofacial release) have worked wonders.

        • Suited Up

          I once had a chiropractor who had a massage therapist working out of his office…I would go in for a 30 minute massage before my adjustment, and I found that it really helped the adjustment “take” so I didn’t end up at the chiropractor so often. Ironically, although my insurance didn’t cover chiropractic adjustment, it DID cover the 30 minute therapeutic massage once a month! I no longer have that insurance, sadly…but maybe look for an office that has both?

    • Blonde Lawyer

      I’m a big fan of the chiro but for you describe, I usually need muscle relaxers that knock me flat out. I hope you are feeling better soon!

    • Eloise Speghetti

      Chiro for stretching, massage, therapy, electric stim., etc. If that doesn’t work have them refer to you pain management specialist and an MRI. The PM will recommend various injections first, like steroid injections or pain blocks. If that doesn’t work the next step is surgery.

      Over time, your discs dehydrate and shrink. So it may actually subside as you get older. If the pain shoots down your arms, something in your neck is hitting a major nerve in your spine.

      If you do not want to move on from chiropractic, then have them teach you exercises to do on your own.

      If heat helps, keep a rice bag or heat pack at your desk after you take ibuprofen to get through the day.

    • Always a NYer

      Thanks everyone! I’m seeing the chiro after work and have a massage scheduled for Friday. I don’t like taking meds if not absolutely necessary so my fingers are crossed that chiro, massage, Advil, and heat will get me through this. Now to just get through my 4pm phone conference and be at the chiro for 515pm…

  9. Bee

    Anyone here a fanof Marc by Marc Jacobs bag? I have the Lil Ukita and loving it so far. Now, I find myself browsing online buying another bag! What do you guys think?

    Is Kate Spa better?

    • TCFKAG

      I love Kate Spa. You can pick them up in Chinatown in NYC and the quality is just great. :-P

      (Just kidding — I don’t own either of these brands so I can’t comment.)

        • TCFKAG

          Well, you really should check out Mark by Mark Jacobs from the Chinatown guys. I hear its the next big thing. :-P

          • Susan

            LOL. Love those little Chinatown “boutiques” on Chanel Street, a.k.a. Canal Street. ;-)

    • Backgrounder

      I’m quasi-obsessed with MBMJ. I have the large Classic Q Hillier Hobo and loooove it. Like I seriously have carried it for three years straight almost everyday. Also have the Classic Q wallet and matching business card holder. Also eyeing the Lil Ukita or Francesca tote!!

      I don’t have any experience with KS bags but I really like the leather and craftsmanship of the MBMJ bags. My bag has held up pretty well over three years.

    • KinCA

      I love Marc by Marc Jacobs. I have used two of his bags – one satchel for personal use and a giant leather tote that I use for work – for the last year and they have held up beautifully. The leather is great quality and easy to clean too.

  10. anon

    Early TJ —

    Current judicial law clerk, seeking entry level associate position. About five years of work background prior to graduating law school, so my cover letter discusses that in lenght. How important is it that my the cover letter stays at only one page long? Already down to 11 point font, but don’t want to edit out important info, either. Thoughts?

    • anon

      Keep it at one page. If you are having trouble finding things to cut, give it to a trusted friend. Include a few highlights…they can ask you more about your work in the interview if they are interested. I would automatically toss any letter over a page unless it was from someone well into their career because I would assume that the writer doesn’t know how to be concise.

    • rosie

      I would keep it to one page, and I would be reluctant to decrease font size or margins–my understanding is that cover letters usually get skimmed at best, so decreasing the readability seems like a bad move.

      Don’t you have your work background in your resume already? Your cover letter shouldn’t reiterate your resume. I try to use the cover letter to highlight something from my resume that is particularly relevant to the job or to discuss something not on my resume (e.g., a law school course that is on point or made me interested in the job).

      • Former MidLevel

        “Your cover letter shouldn’t reiterate your resume.” Exactly.

        Also remember that legal employers will be mainly interested in your *legal* experience. Does your previous experience relate to or inform your area(s) of legal interest at all? If so, use your cover letter to explain that connection. If not, that experience might not be what you want to highlight.

        • TCFKAG

          Agreed with this. I try to use the cover letter to highlight one or two specific projects I’ve worked on that I think their company would find particularly interesting (but that don’t make sense to fit into the resume).

    • TCFKAG

      I also recommend one page. As someone who used to review resumes and cover letters, I would have been annoyed by a two page cover letter. And now as a job applicant — you have to remember that half of the people who interview you are never going to see your cover letter. Its frequently just read by the HR person anyway!

      So — yeah, try to get it to one page. If you can’t get it there, ask a trusted friend or someone in your career services (if they’re any good) to help you edit it.

      • Cherly

        I agree. 1 page for cover letter, and 2 for most resumes.
        (I’m in business, not law.)

        (I once got a 5 page resume for an admin position. Really? And it was small font, and the pages filled with info. I read about 1/100 of the info!)

    • Lyssa

      Agree with those above saying one page only. I would try to take the details about your experience and whittle them down to 1-2 sentences that specifically say why your experience is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

      Good luck in the job search!

    • Anonsensical

      Make sure your cover letter isn’t repeating what someone can already learn from reading your resume. I never have a problem keeping mine to one page in regular 12-point font, and I have nearly a decade of work experience pre-law school, plus two years of clerking and lots of internships. Tailor each cover letter to the job you’re applying for, and highlight just a handful of things from your background that are relevant to the specific qualifications listed for the position. Prioritize, edit ruthlessly, and avoid meaningless filler that sounds good but doesn’t really tell a prospective employer why you’d be good at the job.

  11. a.k.

    After my Kate Spade bag debacle, I am on the hunt for a new bag. MZ Wallace is a strong contender (Hayley or Jane). Anyone have experience with either and can comment on the durability of these bags?

    • CMJNYC

      I love the Jane! Really durable and all the pockets are amazing – very easy to stay organzied. If you wait until the end of the season, some of the colors usually go on sale (I got a chocolate brown one last year this way). Get on their mailing list to get an early peek when things go on sale. If you want black, it rarely goes on sale.

  12. rosie

    Subway etiquette threadjack. Do you offer your seat to a person with a small child? Does it matter if the child is standing on her/his own versus being carried? If there was one seat open next to you, would you offer your seat so the adult and the child could each sit in their own seat?

    • FlaLaw

      As a mother of an infant, I think it would be extremely nice if you offered your seat. I can also say I would 100% turn it down unless I was actually dying trying to hold the baby, the baby bag, etc.

    • TCFKAG

      Some of this depends on how I’m feeling that day (as in, do I feel up to standing) but I’ll offer my seat to almost anyone. I’ve offered it to young women whose purses look particularly heavy.

      But in terms of a young child, I’d say yes, because even if the child can stand it will probably have balance issues on the train at starts and stops (not to mention behavioral issues). And if they are CARRYING the baby, the h*ll yes offer your seat!

      In terms of the two seater thing, I think if there are OTHER seats open then thats a no-brainer, offer to switch. If it means you’ll be standing (and the parent is young and able to stand on their own) — then I think it just depends on how much of a mentsch you want to be that day.

    • J

      I offer my seat to small children or adults carrying small children. I wouldn’t offer it so they could have two seats if the child was small enough to sit on the parent’s lap, and if the child’s too big to sit on the parent’s lap then I wouldn’t offer the child a seat at all because I’d figure he’s big enough to stand. A possible exception would be for kids who are seriously hyper or something, or parents who look super frazzled, but then only if I don’t have a long ride and won’t be standing for that long.

    • Batgirl

      I’ll give my seat to a child (which for these purposes I consider about 8 and under) but will only give it to the adult (assuming the child is seated) if they can’t stand near the child for some reason or the kid is under 5 or 6. Also, obviously, if the adult has a baby strapped to him/her or looks like they’re generally having a rough time managing.

    • ELS

      I offer my seat to a person with a child that looks to be elementary school aged or younger.

      However, if the child looks to be in the older end of that range, I would probably not offer my seat if there were an empty seat next to me. Now, if a person came in with TWO children, I would definitely offer my seat (which was common in my neighborhood, back in the day when I lived near public transit).

      Threadjack to your threadjack: Personal pet peeve on the subway/bus: someone not folding up a stroller and leaving it hanging out in the middle of everything.

      • TCFKAG

        Question as to your peeve — does this count even if the baby is all strapped in the stroller? Because have you ever gotten a baby into and out of one of those things? I know its a pain for you, but on a crowded train it might be even harder to get the baby out and the stroller folded then just to try to keep it out of the way as best as possible.

        • ELS

          Good clarification. Nope – that doesn’t bother me. It bothers me when they take the child out of the stroller to hold him/her, then don’t fold the stroller up. I completely understand why someone would leave an infant or toddler in a stroller on the train/bus.

          • TCFKAG

            That is weird and would bug me too, but I guess I just never see parents take their babies out of strollers on the train. Maybe you take longer train rides then me? :-P

          • ELS

            Well, currently I drive to work, so no train rides at all. :) But in my previous life I had quite a long commute via public transportation. So I have a whole list of things that used to annoy me (and clearly I have problems moving on). But thanks for clarifying. I’m more than willing to be patient/make room for/sidestep parents, people with lots of packages, and those who have mobility issues. I just saw lots of really strange and inconsiderate behavior, especially on buses where there’s even LESS room.

          • PharmaGirl

            Depending on the stroller, it is really difficult to carry both the baby and a folded up stroller. It can also be nearly impossible to fold the stroller one-handed. I give a pass for this one, now that I have a child and understand the complexities of the stroller-world.

          • TCFKAG

            My mom looks at all the modern strollers and says that she’d still go with the little fabric one she had when we were kids, for just this reason. Some of those huge monsters look IMPOSSIBLE to operate one handed (because god forbid you have groceries or another kid or something).

          • Totes McGotes

            The enormous tank-style strollers are a huge pet peeve of mine, especially at the farmer’s market (stifling a rant).

          • Nonny

            Agreed. I hate those giant SUV-strollers that seem ubiquitous these days. They get in the way and the mothers seem totally oblivious to people around them. My mom used a small fold-up stroller when she had me and my sister, and it worked just fine. Seriously, I just don’t understand the need for giant strollers.

    • Jem

      As a kid I found it pretty hard to hold on and balance on the subway. Also I never liked standing up on a crowded train b/c I was stuck at everyone’s mid sections and often knocked by their purses. So yes, I always offer to the kid. Never the parent of a standing kid. Always the parent holding a kid. Never when kid is in the stroller.

    • AIMS

      This is a funny question for me because when I was little I almost never got to sit on the subway/bus – my mom would make me give up my seat for anyone elderly or pregnant, and there was usually at least one such contender to be found. If my mom was also sitting, when I was small enough, I would usually just sit on her lap; when I was too old for that, I would be expected to stand. My mom is perfectly sweet loving person, btw. So I actually get kinda miffed when I offer my seat to an obviously exhausted adult holding a bunch of grocery bags, a purse and their kid’s backpack and they push a perfectly able 7 year old to sit down in my seat.

      • TCFKAG

        Giving up my seat on public transit was so far drilled into me as a child that I find it mystifying that others don’t feel the same (see above — I’ll give it to people who just look like they’ve had a bad day!) I can just hear my mother in my head if I don’t!

    • anon

      No because I’m probably tireder than the child. When I get to play all day, instead of work, I’ll give up my seat for kids. I’m happy to give up my seat for the elderly/pregnant etc.

    • rosie

      Interesting responses. I generally will offer a seat to someone that looks like they need it, including a person carrying a small child.

      I am a little bitter because, recently, I was standing in a fairly crowded train near where a young girl was sitting on her father’s (I assume) lap. He got up after a while, so only she was sitting. The train cleared out a bit, and the two seats behind them, right next to where I was standing, cleared out. I was going to sit (tired, particularly aching back), but the girl jumped up from her seat and climbed into the row behind her, and her father quickly sat down next to her. (Her prior seat was taken by someone standing closer to it than I was.)

    • anon

      From a sometime-commuting mom, I really appreciate when someone offers a seat to my young elementary-aged child. It’s not a question of kids playing all day or having more energy than you–as someone posted already, it’s really a question of balance (and body weight). He’s just too little to be able to balance, and depending on how crowded it is, there may be almost no part of the pole he can grab. You don’t have to offer me a seat, but I’m always grateful if you offer one to my kid.

  13. MaggieLizer

    The jacket is cute but I’m not a fan of boob pockets. I feel like I have bull’s-eyes on my chest saying LOOK AT ME!

    • MaggieLizer

      Whoops, clicked too quickly. Thanks to everyone for the pottery painting suggestions. My little pencil holder looks cute and not like a 5 year old made it (maybe an 8 year old). I went with a geometric Kate Spade-esque pattern. My friends and I had a ton of fun; it’s something I definitely want to try again.

        • MaggieLizer

          Keep it simple. I’m not sure if it works the same way with every pottery painting place, but at least where I went, we had to apply multiple coats of paint (generally 2-4) to get the color to come out as dark as we wanted it. My friends picked designs that covered the entire piece and they took for.ev.er, which was fine because we had a lot of catching up to do but I was glad I had a hearty meal before we went.

          Also keep your expectations kind of, um, low. Even if you’re a pretty great artist, the brushes and such they had (at least where I went) weren’t the best, and the paint doesn’t spread very easily. I had a lot of fun and would do it again, though I’d probably dumb down my pattern even more than I already did.

  14. Amy

    Threadjack: I need a spring trench coat. Am totally coveting the burberry one but can’t spend that much. Any suggestions for a work appropriate trench?

  15. phillygirlruns

    i got completely suckered into the whole bra fitting shebang at nordstrom this weekend. i’ve recently lost weight and nothing fit anymore, so i was open to someone telling me what to wear. she put me in a size i never would have even considered and WOW…what a difference. bought three bras, and i might add that they’re my first non-VS bras ever. i am now a total convert.

    • SAlit-a-gator

      Congrats on the weightloss! Buying a good fitting bra is life changing. I’ve been nagging my mom to go to Nordstrom to get fitted for ages. She called me yesterday and said she finally did it…after I inquired further she confessed she went to Nordstrom Rack to get measured not Nordstrom. Not the same thing Mom! I know Nordstrom is not in everybody’s price range, but just go and get measured – you don’t need to buy anything. End of PSA.

        • SAlit-a-gator

          I respectfully disagree. Most associates get paid hourly and don’t get commission for a sale. If you can purchase – great. If not, you will remember the great customer service and come back when Nordstrom is in your budget. Whatever you want to call it, getting fitted and then not buying a bra from them is not “stealing.”

          • Kate

            Agree with SAlit-a-gator. When I worked in retail I was always happy to help customers whether or not they purchased something. And I have gone into a store not planning on buying something and left with a purchase because the sales associate was so helpful and friendly.

          • PittsburghAnon

            Someone who works there told me that they were all commission-based. Apparently that was wrong.

            And I should also have specified that if you don’t find anything that works for you, then you shouldn’t buy. But documenting the exact size/style/etc that you want, then going and buying it elsewhere for cheaper, is wrong IMO. If people keep doing this, the quality of the associates is going to go down, as the good ones won’t be making enough money for their time spent.

          • Bette

            Sales people at Nordstroms do make commissions on sales so there is an opportunity cost to the salesperson helping someone who does not intend on purchasing. (Not saying that you should automatically buy something to make their service “worth” their while though.)

            The best Nordstroms sales associates can clear $100,000 a year. It really is a family-sustaining career.

        • CA Atty

          I also disagree, basically for the same reasons SAlit-a-gator states. Also, sometimes even after being fitted you don’t really find something you like. I discovered at being fitted that I needed a size not sold in stores. Thanks to my fitter I know what size, and I order them from online boutiques. But I really liked my fitted, and used to recommend people to her. I did eventually get tired of the unending calls to come in for this or that sale, particularly since I know they don’t have anything that would fit me(!) and it was clear she was just going down a list. I might go back to her once/if I lose this weight though.

        • Tired Squared

          I don’t think it’s stealing to get measured and not buy anything. It WOULD be stealing to get measured, stick a few bras into your purse, and then walk out of the store.

        • Kara

          A number of times I have gotten fitted but not liked any of the bras that were available, so I purchased nothing. Am I required to purchase a bra that I don’t like because the associate has fitted me? I wouldn’t think so, but I’ve been wrong before…

      • Accountress

        I made my mom get fitted at Nordstrom, too. She was like, “VS tells me I’m a 38D, they bras fit, it’s fine, this is a hassle.” No, it’s not a hassle, your clothes will fit better with a proper bra. We go to the fitting rooms, and she and the sales associate went into the stall to measure. When she was finished, the SA said “Your band size is 38…”, Mom said “Ha! I told you” to me, and the SA ended with “…and your cup size is G.”

        I laughed for so long I got hiccups.

    • BB

      I was amazed when I went in for my bra fitting at Nordstrom. I’d always thought I was a B, and it turned out I was a D. BIG freaking difference in fit, but for some reason I just never thought to size up. My husband couldn’t believe it when I got home. Now I look at women with implants and it blows my mind that they must have asked for Gs or something.

      • phillygirlruns

        i know. i’d been wearing 34 and 36 band sizes at various times in my life – she put me in a 32 and i couldn’t believe the difference in feel and support. you see that little “statistic” about 8 out of 10 (or whatever) women wearing the wrong bra size – i always disregarded it, since it seemed absurd that so many women could be wrong about something like that, but now i’m much less skeptical.

        • Totes McGotes

          I have noticed a lot of people make that error. I sometimes wonder how many women are walking around thinking they are fatter than they are. One more reason to get fitted!

        • MissJackson

          I was walking around wearing a 38(!!!) C for far longer than I’d like to admit. Turns out I’m a 34D. The first time I put on a 34-band size at Nordstrom after my first “real fitting” it was like the heavens opened and the angels sang. Literally life-chaning.

      • Blonde Lawyer

        This. I’m a DD and whenever it comes up, people are shocked. They don’t look *that* big. What I used to think were DD’s must really be GG’s!

        • Circe

          It depends a lot on the band size, too. I understand that a 32DD is the volume equivalent of a 36C (roughly).

        • Diana Barry

          Ditto. I have pretty big b**bs right now bc of pregnancy, and I am an F (normally a D, which I used to think was a B…). My SIL, who is quite overweight with a GIANT chest, must be an L or something!

      • SAlit-a-gator

        Ditto. VS fitters had me at 36 C….I’m actually a 34 DD. Needless to say the proper fit has made a huge difference!

      • Anastasia

        same here — I’d always worn a 34-36B, because just eyeballing the size of my chest (which is on the small side) I figured I was a B. Wrong. I was fitted at Nordstrom for 32 D, and the difference is a.maz.ing. I want the last 10 years of my life wearing the wrong size bra back.

        DH was thrilled. Somehow it’s lost on him that my body is exactly the same. A rose by any other name, and all, I guess!

        • Godzilla

          Exactly the same for me. It was embarrassing to admit that I wore 3-4 sizes (34-36B/C) and once I got fitted for a 32D, I threw my old stuff out posthaste.

        • PollyD

          Exactly the same for me. It was embarrassing to admit that I wore 3-4 sizes (34-36B/C) and once I got fitted for a 32D, I threw my old stuff out posthaste.

    • J

      I got fitted at the Nordstrom in Pentagon City (near DC), and she tried to put me in a 38DD when I’m really a 34H. Am I the only one who had a completely awful experience at Nordstrom? I bought two bras, later exchanged one because the straps were constantly falling off and that time she put me in a 38D, and then finally I realized she was full of it and I found a tutorial online on how to fit yourself. I never tried a bra fitting again.

      • Sefue

        I know I’ve had better luck at Nordies if my assistant is an older woman – usually, they understand fitting chestier women better. Younger assistants are more likely to be smaller breasted themselves, and just not have the experience in fitting larger sizes. Not only in the cup/band measurements, but also in the different lines fitting differently. I’m a 34G, and even if the bra technically fits, it may result in a shape I don’t like or make me feel matronly, or it’s a color that’s not flattering. When I’m spending that much money on a bra, I really want it to make me happy.

        • Sefue

          Oh, and I also hear you on the younger ones not always believing you’re a 34G. Then when they see you in the size that you asked for, you can see (hopefully) enlightenment dawning in their faces. Sigh. I’m in my 30’s, and they make me feel so old.

      • ShortieK

        I had a similar experience! It was so awkward and embarrassing. None of the bras she fit me in looked right, and I walked out with a bra that I returned a day later (just hoping that I wouldn’t run into her!).
        Still no idea what my bra size is (I wear a range of three sizes) but each brands has different bands and cup shapes ANYWAY. I’ve noticed that there are certain styles that work better and that I need cups are closer together.

    • mamabear

      I just want to add

      Victoria’s Secret bras suck.

      I can’t figure out why so many people shop there.

      • Suited Up

        Any suggestions for places in the Philly (or even the D.C. area, as I’m there pretty often) that carry “really really small” sizes? Ideally, I’m a 34 or 36 nearly A. And it’s all but darn impossible to find such small cup sizes (unless the band is also really small.) I would love to buy some nicer bras that actually fit. Victoria’s Secret does not work for me- they don’t seem to carry bras in those sizes and it seems like even the A cups are padded!

        • phillygirlruns

          have you tried coeur (i think that’s the name) at 17th and sansom? i’ve had a couple of friends go there recently to be sized/fitted. apparently the woman who runs the store is pretty miserable, but is great at sizing, and will order sizes she doesn’t have in stock.

        • a.

          Target has 34As. Not fancy, but functional enough, and you can find un-padded ones. I think I remember seeing 36As as well, but I could have been hallucinating.

          • Suited Up

            No, you’re right…I get most of my 36 A’s from Target…the problem is that the A cup is actually too big. I once found an outlet store that had “nearly A” cup bras which were perfect, but the store closed. I’ll keep on the hunt! I’ll check out Coeur and see if I can upgrade my style!

  16. Godzilla

    Shopping update: I think I’ve done it, I have finished shopping. Friday night, I forced myself to spend hours at Macy’s, DSW and Famous Footwear. Came out with a pair of flat leather maryjanes, a sneakerish pair of mary janes and bejeweled peeptoe flats I had no business of buying – 3 pairs of shoes, $150. Oh and the DSW is totally worth checking – but if you want skechers stuff, hold your money and hoof it across the street to Famous Footwear – bigger selection and sometimes better prices.

    On Sunday, I trekked out to Tangar outlets and got 5 pairs of casual pants (trouser jeans, khakis and knits), 2 pairs of slimcut dress pants, a dress and a blouse, all for $250. I can pick up underwear and pajamas at my leisure now. It’s such a relief to have office appropriate casual clothes. I win.

    • ELS

      Sounds like you got some awesome deals, congrats! I confess to being a huge outlet shopper (partly due to the fact that I’m out of a major metro area right now). Consequently, not all my clothes last as long as their retail counterparts (I’m looking at you, AT Factory Store) but I get fantastic deals. Since I’m currently losing weight, it’s a win-win for me, though. If things fall apart after a season or two, that’s fine, because I’m usually too small to wear them by then. And I’m not spending an arm and a leg on clothes that won’t be my forever wardrobe.

    • mamabear

      Godzilla, you were your own personal shopper! Way to go. I hope you treated yourself to a nice glass of wine afterwards.

      (That’s always my advice for shopping – a nice lunch and a glass of wine)

  17. s in Chicago

    I love these sorts of jackets. But I think if I were going to spend that much, I’d go for something a little more grown-up looking. This just seems too shrunken or something. I’d rather splurge on something from Tory Burch instead. I love absolutely every jacket of hers I see. Alas, I’m in saving mode now so my pocket book and I will have to just covet from afar.

  18. wawa

    What are your favorite knit sleeveless tops to wear in the summer under cardigans and blazers? Looking for one with good strap coverage, and that looks nice (read: not just cotton tee-type material). I have too many button downs, and need to start planning for warmer weather and the sweatiness that that entails.

    • JC

      Love the Elie Tahari silk with a touch of elastane sleeve-less tops. A bit expensive, but sometimes you get great deals on sale at 6pm, Nordstrom, or Bloomingdales.

  19. TCFKAG

    So, yesterday I plowed through the entire first season of Downton Abbey (and then bought the second season on iTunes…because lets be honest, I’m going to want to re-watch it anyway). I thought it would be oversold…but I loved it. A lot. I’ve watched the first episode of the second season and I’m excited to get home so I can keep going!

    I blame all y’all for this. Its entirely your fault.

    • Charlotte

      I’m almost through with the first season, and I *heart* it so much! I love British miniseries and the like, and this one is very well done!

    • ELS

      I think I speak for everyone when I say: Sorry we’re not sorry.

      I’m also a recent convert. I also loved it much more than expected.

      • a.

        Will second the sorry-not-sorry comment. Downton is amazing. I don’t know how I’m going to live until it comes back.

    • TCFKAG

      Usually I’m more a tall-dark-and-handsome type in my celebrity crushes, but Cousin Matthew has stolen my heart.

      As have the dogs. I live for the dogs. :-)

      • Susan

        I admit I freaked out when I saw the first episode of the 2nd season and didn’t see Pharaoh (other than in the opening credits). Isis has a very different look, and different personality, but I love them both!

        • TCFKAG

          The episode in the first season with the hunt (where some maybe other important stuff happened but whatever) made my day yesterday. I have a beagle so seeing all those foxhounds running around and barking and tails wagging was SO MUCH FUN!

        • Emily I

          I’m with you, sister! Have you seen the picture of the actor who plays Mr. Bates (can’t remember his name now) holding a baby. It’s part of a series of photographs of the DA actors off-screen. TO DIE FOR!

        • TCFKAG

          Don’t worry — Bates has a special place in my heart as well. But he’s so clearly in love with Anna that lusting after him almost seems wrong. I feel less bad about lusting after Margaret’s guy. :-P

      • zora

        for all the Matthew crushes: Dan Stevens played Edward in the 2008 BBC miniseries of Sense and Sensibility, drrooooollll. seriously, check it out.

        Incidentally it is also a bajillion times better than the Emma Thompson/Hugh Grant movie version.

        • Woods-comma-Elle

          Hurrah!

          I can’t wait for season 3, but fear it is still some months away. I never watched it when it was originally on TV, then devoured all seven episodes over a weekend with my then-flatmate!

          • Susan

            I tell myself that in the long wait for Season 3, I will just have to sate my love for all things Downton Abbey by rewatching seasons 1 & 2, and the Christmas special.

    • ks

      Finished season one last week as an antidote to an unusually stressful week. Polished off 5 episodes of the second season over the weekend. Totally hooked – trying not to sneak off into the living room (I work from home) and finish it off……

    • Lucy

      I’m really sad that it’s not free online any more. The Christmas special was quite worth the $2 I spent on it, though!

      • TCFKAG

        Well, I reassure myself that the money I paid is at least going to support public broadcasting (here in the US). And now its on my laptop — to be watched at my hearts content whenever stuck in an airport or bored or just needing a little Matthew or Bates fix.

      • J

        IF you have Amazon Prime you can stream season 1 for free. Season 2 may be free now too.

        • TCFKAG

          Well, Season 1 was on Netflix streaming for free — so that wasn’t a problem. Didn’t think to check Amazon Prime streaming for season 2 — but oh well! :-) I’m content with my purchase (as I said…happy to have them on my laptop!)

      • Emily I

        Is the Christmas special different from what I would call the season finale – the one that happens over the course of the holiday season and ends with the scene in the snow? I watched season 2 on pbs as they aired. I didn’t miss something, did I!??!!??

        • Cat

          no – it’s the same episode you’re describing. I believe in the UK, season 2 finished some time ago and so that episode was a standalone special, rather than coming on the tail of season 2 as the finale.

  20. Anon

    This week I am going to be better about putting my time in every day! I hate the early Monday morning rush to do prior week’s and I know I’m losing time.

    • Muddy Buddy

      This is an excellent goal. I get overwhelmed if I miss more than a couple of days because it’s so easy to lose those little phone calls and other short tasks.

      Related — My assistant has taken to sending me an email written in red font (default is black, so she changes it just for these emails) that says something like, “As a friendly reminder, please turn in your time.” I get this email when I miss 2 days. Just 2 days! I would also posit that the red font negate the “friendly” in the friendly reminder.

    • Diana Barry

      Awesome. We’re only required to do time every MONTH and last month I completely forgot for a whole week. I am kicking myself bc I also know I lost time there. Blargh.

      • CA Atty

        I used to dread the end of the month. We were only required to turn in once a month and I had phone logs and little scraps of paper everywhere with time etc…but it would take me 2-3 hours (of non-billable time, durn it!) every month to get caught up (and that’s if I focused and didn’t come hang out here instead!!).

        Now I can turn in whenever I want so long as it’s at least 2x per week. SO much better.

      • YoYo

        I had a long weekend out of the office for a little getaway — and I spent half of Sunday catching up on long overdue February time because I hate the angry emails from the office manager about my delinquency.

        I was so so good in January, but so terrible in February. Why won’t good timekeeping habits stick with me???

    • Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

      We’re required to update our time every week. If we don’t, we get a “point.” After three points, the firm stops doing direct deposit for your paycheck!

  21. Barrister in the Bayou

    For those that are interested: over the weekend I did my nails with one of the polishes from the Hunger Games Collection. I tried China Glaze – Dress Me Up; it dried darker than the bottle , but it is a really cute dusty rose/mauve color. It isn’t as pink as I was hoping, but I was still impressed.

    I know others here have purchased some colors, so I think it would be a good idea if we posted little “reviews” to see what the general consensus is.

    • 30

      I bought Foie Gras, Dress Me Up and Fast Track. So far I’ve only worn Foie Gras, and it is lovely. It’s generally more purple on my nails than in the bottle, but the color shifts quite a bit in different lights.

    • Anonymous

      I bought Riveting (GORGEOUS but acceptable only on toes), Argo (beautiful dark green non-cream), Smoke and Ashes (cute but not as attractive on the fingers as it is in the bottle) and Luxe and Lush (traditional flakie polish).

      Loved Riveting with Luxe and Lush over it.

  22. Blonde Lawyer

    Has anyone tried the new magnetic nail polishes? I saw them on pinterest and can’t wait to try them out.

      • TCFKAG

        Darn, I googled it. Doesn’t make your fingernails magnetic. Too bad — would make finding spare change in the bottom of your purse so much easier!

    • Anonymous

      I tried the grey Nails Inc color (coupon code from Sephora before Christmas helped me justify it as only costing a couple bucks out of pocket).

      The magnets are a little unwieldy and you’ll likely find yourself redoing a couple nails from either them just not looking *right* or from hitting it with the magnet.

      Fun look though, I received a ton of complements.

    • Scully

      I played with them a Sephora for a minute or two. The polish goes on very goopy and thick. I had a hard time getting a consistent pattern with the magnet.

  23. Kate

    I played with them a Sephora for a minute or two. The polish goes on very goopy and thick. I had a hard time getting a consistent pattern with the magnet.

  24. Not Bluejay

    Following in Bluejay’s footsteps of posting thought-provoking articles, here is one from the Careerist: http://thecareerist.typepad.com/thecareerist/2012/03/best-second-tier-law-schools-for-big-law.html

    Essentially, the article posits that, at a given Chicago BigLaw firm, people from, say, Loyola, are more likely to end up as partners than people from U. of C. (for the non-rankings obsessed, Loyola is one of the lower-ranked schools in the city; U. of C. is one of the most elite schools in the country). One suggested reason is that the Loyola grads don’t take BigLaw for granted. Or maybe the Chicago people have better exit opportunities.

    This isn’t that surprising to me based on anecdotal evidence, but I’m curious if this is a law-related phenomenon or more generalized–i.e., does this happen in other competitive, service industries, like investment banking?

    • anon for this

      FWIW, it could be that it has more to do with the type of education at the Jesuit colleges and universities. Perhaps graduates educated in that way are more likely to succeed, despite rankings.

      • Anon

        Interesting article. My thought would be that UC grads leave because they have better opportunities available. It is possible that since UC draws from all over the country their grads are less inclined to stay in the Midwest whereas Loyola is a regional program.

        Take this with a grain a of salt but I do know that some Chicago firms stay away from hiring UC grads. Maybe the skillset of a UC grad is better suited to other forms of legal practice?

        • BigLawrefugee

          Anon– I think that’s part of the story. UC grads (and grads from other top law schools, however defined) tend to have more opportunities including boutique practices, teaching, competitive public interest jobs, public policy positions, etc.

          Two anecdotal observations from someone who has spent 5+ years in BigLaw:

          First, graduates from UC and similar schools tend to go to BigLaw for a few years as a default. It’s such an easy path for them–firms show up at OCI, signing up removes the job search stress, and the money is great. Loyola students must put in a lot more work just to get a foot in the door and those who put in the effort probably have a real interest in BigLaw. Stamina and drive are traits that most folks who make partner have in common.

          Second, in my years in NYC BigLaw, I have rarely encountered law graduates from Fordham, Cardozo, Brooklyn and Seton Hall who weren’t smart, hard-working, and consistent in terms of the quality of the work they’d put in. I have worked with plenty of less than stellar associates who went to Harvard, Columbia, NYU and Georgetown. I think firms look a lot harder at students from lower-ranked schools, and as a group the top 5% of those schools may be better lawyers than the top 60% or so of any given top school (Yale is an exception although not necessarily in a way that makes for very effective associates). I also think quite a few top law school graduates think of the firm where they start as just a steppingstone to something else, and it shows.

    • MelD

      I hate studies like this- they just make up conclusions without any real evidence. Were those 13 partners hired on as first-year associates in biglaw firms or did they lateral in from smaller/mid-sized firms after a few years of experience? Did the Chicago people ever want to become partners or were they in it solely to pay off their student loans and move on to academia, become judges, etc.

    • Terry

      Is this the right comparison? It’s probably easier to get hired by BigLaw out of U of C than it is out of Loyola. Maybe people out of U of C are given a shot at BigLaw when they wouldn’t if they came from Loyola?

      • Anon

        I am sure this is definitely true. Most firms will hire deep in a UC class vs a Loyola class. The Loyola grads getting the biglaw jobs are top 5%.

  25. Anon

    ARG was just asked to research and write an article on a topic I know nothing about (marketing supply chain)! Don’t even know how to start – writing is in not part of my normal job duties!!!!

    • OP

      The irony of that typo did not escape me. Now you all know why I am not a writer!

    • TCFKAG

      I would start by asking for a couple samples of the type of article they’re thinking of (i.e. is this for marketing purposes, for publication purposes, etc.) I’d also find out how much time they think you should spend on this — it will influence how much time you spend researching.

      Then — Google Scholar is your friend. I’d start my research there. You may also have access to your local college library or else just your local library. If you have a research assistant at your work, use them!

      Finally, in terms of writing, if its a marketing document — keep it short and simple. Lay it out in more colloquial terms. Remember your audience and frame it for them! And remember that this is a great opportunity to have something to add to a resume, linked in page, or even just mention in a future theoretical interview!

    • TCFKAG

      Not to mention that the slit on the skirt goes ALL the way up to places that maybe it shouldn’t.

      • Coalea

        unless my eyes deceive me, that slit is thisclose to meeting up with … wait for it … an exposed zipper!

    • Sconnie

      Are they serious? A faux slit going up to the b crack? And the real slit is a zipper? This sort of easy access pencil skirt is making me embarassed for the model.

      Frumpskank like whoa.

    • CA Atty

      Yeah, no. That sucker is all over the place!

      Although, I will admit to wearing a totally-non-corporette-approved binder clip holding the sleeve of my shirt up and I just realized it was showing the strap of my nude-for-me bra so I actually clipped it to my bra. Before y’all think I’ve lost my ever loving mind, I have poison oak on my shoulder/arm at the perfect spot for my sleeve to brush over it and the brush the oil over about another 5 square inches of skin. I am NOT going to risk getting that much poison oak when I can hide in my office frumpskanking!

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