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Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Velvet Blazer with Beading

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Juicy Couture - Velvet Blazer with Beading (Black) - ApparelWe have hit the three or four weeks of the year where, every year, I think to myself: I should really invest in a good velvet blazer. It's festive! It's professional! It's dark and Victorian! Today, I like this lovely velvet blazer from Juicy Couture. It has beading on the lapels and pockets so it's extra festive, and the small button-loops closures have personality. Lovely! It's $298 at Zappos Couture (sizes P-XL). Juicy Couture – Velvet Blazer with Beading (Black) – Apparel Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (Disclosures)

Sales of note for 12.13

  • Nordstrom – Beauty deals on skincare including Charlotte Tilbury, Living Proof, Dyson, Shark Pro, and gift sets!
  • Ann Taylor – 50% off everything, including new arrivals (order via standard shipping for 12/23 expected delivery)
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 400+ styles starting at $19
  • J.Crew – Up to 60% off almost everything + free shipping (12/13 only)
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything and free shipping, no minimum
  • Macy's – $30 off every $150 beauty purchase on top brands
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
  • Talbots – 50% off entire purchase, and free shipping on $99+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

126 Comments

  1. I’ve gotta say this jacket is a big no for me. Way too shiny for daytime and those pockets look pretty hideous (and take a look at the back!). I’m not a huge fan of velvet because I always feel like it picks up way too much white lint/stuff, though in theory it’s great for eveningwear…

    1. Agreed, although I do like velvet for dressing up denim, this jacket is trying to hard, and not succeeding very well.

    2. Something about the combination of velvet and beading (in 3 places!) shouts festive overload. I think that over time, the beading will pull on the velvet material, making it misshaping it. There are better looking velvet blazers available other places for less money.

  2. I admire women who can pull off the whole velvet blazer thing but this just shrieks ‘Edwardian hero crossed with Granny’s shabby chic’ style to me:(

  3. I have also been wanting a velvet blazer, but don’t like the pockets on this. The only basic one I’ve seen is at jcrew. Any other leads?

    Btw, I got an email from a friend about this new bag company. They only have two options, but both look good for a basic professional bag. http://www.loandsons.com Use code FIRST2KNOW for 25% off.

    2. I’ve been looking at one from Banana Republic for a little while. As of yesterday, it’s still available online.

    3. I got a nice velveteen jacket/blazer from Lands End a few years back – a dark blue, rather than black. I don’t know if they are currently offering any this year, but it might be a place to check.

    4. Boden! Has a traditional cut and a nehru collared style. Bonus, they are having a sale now.

  4. I also think that I should get a velvet blazer, but I would definitelynot opt for this one. Way too kitschy.
    The Jcrew one is rather nice though, and on sale. Boden also had a cute one, if I recall. This one is a huge no for me, though.

    1. I have one of the JCrew ones from this season in a deep eggplant color. I love it.

  6. Anyone have advice for dealing with a smelly cube mate? The guy in front of me is a Smoker. The air coming off him stinks and I’m tired of smelling it. Short of spraying him down with Febreeze, any ideas of how to make my cube air smell fresh?
    Thanks!!

    1. I’d love to hear folks’ thoughts on this as well, as I have exactly the same problem! We don’t have a central coat closet so everyone has to hang their coat on hooks attached to their cubicle, and the Smoker’s coat touches mine . UGH.

      1. I feel for you, but you aren’t going to get him to stop smoking and that’s probably the only thing that would truly take care of the smell. I’d order an over-the-wall type hook from an office supply store (our catalog has tons of them) and hang my coat inside the cube away from everyone elses. It also might help to stick some fabric softner sheets in your pockets every now and then. I’ve seen air ionizers sold, but I don’t know whether it really works. Any humming from running one might be bothersome to those around as well.

    2. Have you tried talking to the Smoker about it? Most Smokers know that they stink and probably don’t realize how much it affects you/how much they smell. I would think they would be willing to try reasonable things to avoid it (like hanging his jacket away from everyone else’s or standing outside for an extra minute or two to diffuse the smell).

      1. Along these lines, any corporette smokers out there have tips on how to minimize the impact on your office mates (in particular the smell on your coat)? Ideally I am thinking a pocket-sized spray of some kind (hopefully not a sickly perfume but something more like Ozone but pocket-sized?) to keep in your coat? Or some other method?

        And let me add, just in case any haters want to pile on, I was as sanctimonious as they come about smoking before I started. But right now it really is the lesser of several vices I could be indulging in. I really do my best to minimize my impact on others with it.

        1. abc123, you got your wish from LawyrChk who is apparently, perfect. She is probably not even one pound overweight! Do your best, abc123, it took me ten years to finally quit the habit that I started when I was 14.

          1. to be fair, Lawyer Chk’s comment was here before mine. Maybe I should have replied at the end of the thread? I find it confuding to know where to put comments/subthreads when there are mini-conversations going on within a thread…

        2. I just use a pocket sized, really unobtrusive spray. I know it helps, but it doesn’t get rid of it entirely. In the summer, I keep my car windows all the way down when I smoke, but that’s much harder to do in the winter.

          1. What’s up with the comment date-stamping today? Unless I have gone suddenly crazy it is only 2:30 EST as I type this, and yet it says that you left your comment at 3:17 p.m.

        3. If you always smoke outside, the smell is usually the strongest on your outer layer. I’d suggest storing your coat away from nonsmokers’ coats or spraying it with febreze when you come in from smoking. Also, some fabrics absorb odor more than others, I think – wool coats seem to be particularly absorbent.

          I really don’t think there’s that much you can do. I’m one of the smell-sensitive people, and I can always smell smoke even when a smoker tries to cover it up. Air freshener + smoke just gives me two causes for my headache and congestion instead of one cause.

    3. Ewww! How about a fan in your cube blowing in his direction and pushing all the smoke smell away from your cube?

    4. Any chance of changing cubes? Of course, there is the risk of winding up with an even worse cubemate, but I think that short of getting this guy to quit smoking (which is very unlikely), that is the only way you are really going to get a fresh smelling work area.

      1. Or maybe you could surreptitiously plug it into an outlet in his cube… :)

  7. I have the J. Crew schoolboy velvet blazer–not the one available through the factory store, but via the regular site–and love it. I like this one but find it too “festive” for work, but these I wear to work all the time. They’re also perfect for professional dinners, because you look ready to work but also a little more social–if that makes sense.

    1. How’s the sizing on the Jcrew velvet blazer? I have a vague memory of trying it on in store & it being slightly smaller than most of their jackets. Not sure if I am thinking of the right jacket though. Did you get your regular size?

      1. I did get my normal size, thanks to your advice on the other J. Crew blazer I liked! :) (I am going through a major blazer phase.) I think “schoolboy” signifies that it fits exactly the same as their other schoolboy blazers. Like many commenters, I have found them a bit roomy if anything. I will say that the sleeves are kind of a “bracelet” length, so be warned if that’s something that will bother you or if your arms are on the longer side.

        1. Thanks! I am actually a big fan of bracelet length, so that’s a bonus.
          I think I am going to go for it, there’s just something super cozy about it :)

          1. Enjoy! Oh–and if you find that the straps from your bag start messing up the fabric on your shoulder, please advise. I have not had this problem, and I think the velvet is too tough for it, but am still wary.

  9. Velvet related threadjack: I have brown velvet dress that I was planning on wearing to our office holiday party, which is during office hours (1-4pm) and being held in the office. Do y’all think this is too much or is it office appropriate?

    1. sounds good to me, but that’s coming from the girl who plans to wear a hunter green velour skirt with a very plain black top to the office party during office hours!

    2. I seem to recall that you’re Muslim and cover your body and hair. Is this dress, like, head to toe velvet, or a more “normal” cut? I think head to toe velvet would be way overdoing it for the office unless you work at a Victorian-era theme park, but a velvet dress per se is fine for the day of the holiday party.

      1. Good memory! Head-to-toe velvet, OMG, the image is hilarious. No, it’s a knee length dress, with short puffed sleeves, and that’s about the only embellishment. I was going to wear it with a long-sleeved navy t-shirt underneath, with wide-legged navy pinstripe dress pants and a brown headscarf with a subtle navy pattern. I’m thinking this would be ok…thoughts?

        1. Sounds fine. I don’t really like pants under a skirt, but if opaque tights aren’t an option for you, I think it would look perfectly nice. I see a lot of Muslim ladies wearing this kind of look. I am a big fan of thin, long-sleeved tees under short sleeves, too.

          Navy and brown is a bit boring, though. Brown and plum might be a bit more festive and plum is very in right now, if you happen to already have a plum tee.

      2. I think I would very much enjoy a Victorian-era theme park. HBC could be in charge of the uniform design!

    3. Our office party is right after work at a nearby venue (starts at 5 p.m.), and the people who changed into party attire stick out like a sore thumb. I would imagine this would even be more true for a day party.

      Most people wear a slightly festive version of their work clothes. A lot of men had christmas ties. A lot of women wore red tops or velvet blazers, etc. A very few changed into cocktail clothes but, like I said, were standing out in the crowd.

      1. That’s what I’m concerned about. The velvet dress would just be a sub of a non-velvet dress I’d typically wear. The more I think about it, the more I’m sure it wouldn’t be too out there – my coworkers will be modeling their holiday ties.

  10. I have a velvet blazer that i got at off saks a few years ago during the summer for a mere $20 (down from a ridiculous $300 or something) and I’ve worn it a million times (chocolate brown velvet with a pop of sparkle – blue sequin elbow patches) You’d be surprised how it dresses up jeans and pulls together work outfits.

  11. I ordered a sweater dress from Target on November 16. To date, I have not received it. I just called customer service and was informed that my order was CANCELLED because my size is out of stock. They insist that they sent me an email on November 28, which I absolutely did not receive.

    Serious fail, Target. You’ve lost a customer!

    2. Is it possible the email re the cancellation got lost in your spam filter? Not saying its an excuse, just a thought. Either way, you still didn’t get the notice and that’s a bummer.

      1. I thought of that, but I usually check my spam filter before I delete it and I didn’t see any email from Target. It’s possible it got lost in the shuffle though.

    3. I had an order canceled by Target recently (well, one item of four) and while I did get the email, I got it about two weeks after placing the order. It was still very frustrating. Sounds like your timing would have been similar even if you had received the message. They’re not going to lose me as a customer over this, but I definitely won’t be ordering anything I need with certainty within a reasonable timeframe from them!

      1. I once had Target decide that a pair of shoes I ordered (the suede-ish platforms recommended here by numerous commenters) would be shipping in 2037. I called and told them I did not want to wait 27 years for my shoes. The woman apologized, told me that the 2037 date is their “default” when an item is out of stock, and she canceled my order and placed it again. Shoes arrived that week. I think with any company that large and with that varied of inventory you’re going to run into some issues, but I’ve never had a problem getting things resolved.

        2. That having been said, those shoes are amazing and would be worth the almost-thirty-year wait. ;)

          Seriously, I have them in grey and black and wear each at least once a week.

        3. Macy’s default date is 12/31/9999. Now that’s a really long time to wait for shoes.

      1. The above Anonymous was me… it’s visibly plum colored, but it has a brownish hue to it, if that makes sense. But I usually wear it with black slacks or a skirt and it looks fine with black.

    2. I just went and tried it on at the store (yay for AT and AT Loft downtairs from work!). At the store there was a brown one and a plum one, but no black (the plum did have a black liner). The plum was very dark and nice but it was decidedly too boxy-looking on me. Had it had a bit of flair at the sides/bottom it would’ve looked great, but if you’re like me with a large chest and straight figure, this won’t work well.

      1. Are you sure it was the tuxedo blazer you tried on? They have two styles of velvet blazers, and I think you’ve just described the other style, not the one I posted. The tuxedo blazer is quite fitted and it doesn’t have a black liner.

  13. $15 off a purchase of $40 or more at Sephora. Expires today.
    GIFT CARD # 6065221176973162
    PIN #: 73144867

    2. Did not realize they handed out different ones. Mine is for $20 off of a purchase of $40:

      GIFT CARD # 6065137283706582
      PIN #: 16601643

      Also expires today.

  14. At one of the offices I went to last week, another presenter had on a gorgeous dark red velvet blazer. It totally made me want to look for one. This one would be great for holiday parties or a more formal occasion, but I can’t see wearing it to work.

  15. I ordered the velvet blazer from Boden when it went on sale. Will report back when I get it.

    I also ordered the velvet blazer from J crew on the red bat phone, but they sent me the “velvet ruby jacket” instead, which is NOT the same thing at all. Salesperson fail! Then, of course, the color I wanted was out of stock.

  18. I have a couple of velvet blazers that I love love love. Alas, my office is business casual and no one wears blazers, so they’re relegated to the back of the closet

  19. I have a velvet jacket similar to this which I bought two years ago. It is great for holiday parties but I would never wear it to work and I find I wear it very seldom even though it is maybe the most becoming article of clothing which I own.

  20. It is against my shopping religion to buy anything from Juicy Couture. No way, no how.

    1. Any company responsible for the rise in velour tracksuits and the trend of obnoxious sayings written across people’s butts is automatically on my hate list.

      1. Me as well.
        Nost sure how a company could make me harbor so much ill will without doing anything specifically objectionable or unethical.

    3. Ditto. I also have trouble with companies using the word “couture” for something that is about as far away from couture as possible.

  21. Vent.
    Went to the doctor this morning because I’m having some weird gyno-type symptoms – lower abdominal pain, cramping/spotting between periods, breast tenderness. I have gone to my doc (a general practitioner) previously about gyno problems (I have a gyno, but she’s really hard to get into on short notice) and he was always really great – would do an examination, talk to me in-depth about my symptoms, order labs if necessary, etc. This morning, however, he could barely stop fiddling with the computer in the treatment room (the one they use for “medical records management”) to talk to me about anything. Then he says “I’m not sure what could be going on but don’t have time to examine you today, unfortunately” and recommends I switch birth control pills – except I’m not on birth control pills. I have an IUD, which he should know because I had the nurse write it on the front page of my chart, which he barely bothered to even look at. When I say this, he says “well, then maybe we should try some anti-anxiety medication” and when I decline – because I don’t think menstrual spotting is an anxiety problem – he fiddles with the computer some more and then tells me to make a follow-up appointment in 2 months.

    GRRRR. I took time off of work to go to the doctor and try to figure out what’s going on and I am down three hours of PTO and no closer to any kind of an answer. Now I have to call my GYN, wait two months to get in to see her, and hope this isn’t serious or something that warrants immediate attention. I realize doctors are busy and under a lot of pressure these days, but come on. I felt like I had been stamped with a stamp that said “TREAT HER AND STREET HER” and shoved out the door as quickly as possible. He spent less than 5 minutes total talking to me. Urgh.

    1. Get new doctors. If you really like your existing doctors, then try to get weekend hours or be their first or last appointment of the day. There is just no excuse for poor care.

      I’ve also heard anecdotally that Mondays are the busiest days for doctors and ERs due to everyone trying to enjoy their weekends. Perhaps a midweek appointment would be better for you next time?

    2. What?!? That’s ridiculous. If you told them why you were making the appointment (i.e. that you needed a gyno exam), then you should call his office and refuse to pay the bill because they did not deliver the services you needed. What a jerk – I would find a new doctor, because this one clearly does not care about his patients.

      You need to go to the gyno. Cramping/spotting/tender breasts could be caused by a lot of things that require treatment. Call her, explain everything to her scheduler, and see if they can squeeze you in as an emergency appointment. Most doctors keep at least 2 or 3 timeslots per day open for emergencies.

    3. You can — and should — get a new doctor. And if it takes 2 months of worry to see your GYN and you can’t accelrate that by pointing out that you have real, worrying, symptoms, you should get a new GYN.

    4. Anti-anxiety medication??? For these symptoms? Sounds like one of the gyno scenes on Mad Men. I am so sorry you were not taken seriously, at all. You have every right to vent, and to make a change.

    5. I’ll second the “new doctor” replies. If he doesn’t have time to examine you, he shouldn’t have made the appointment. And when someone comes in with a gyno complaint, he should at least know what kind of BC she’s using. Finally, recommending anti-anxiety meds for spotting is Totally Unacceptable.

      As for your gyno, can you see someone else at her practice if she’s not availble? I don’t mean to be paranoid, but I have an IUD and I know one of the possible side effects is an ectopic pregnancy, which can be really serious. You should not wait two months to get it checked out.

      1. Yes, yes, yes. Or your IUD could have moved and be poking you somewhere. Not good!!! Get it checked out – they have emergency appts, be pushy and get one.

      2. And just as a PSA – in general, don’t ignore weird symptoms Down There. Ectopic pregnancy, various cancers – not to be messed with. The uterine cancer diagnosis just happened this year to a very good friend of mine – at 45. She found it early enough that she’ll most likely be fine. But still…

    6. Thanks everyone, I am glad to see I wasn’t overreacting :)

      I actually called a friend who called a gyno she is close friends with, and I am getting in tomorrow to her friend’s office – as a new patient around here, that is amazing. When I called the office to confirm my insurance details, I spoke to a nurse about my symptoms and she said “the fact that they didn’t even run a pregnancy test on you this morning is shocking.” She also brought up the ectopic-IUD connection A Different Liz mentioned. These folks seem pretty on the ball, so I hope tomorrow afternoon I will get some answers.

      Thanks everyone for the support. This is why I love Corporette! :)

      1. Good to hear you got an apptmt for tomorrow. Just wanted to add, until then, don’t worry or focus on the worst-case scenario.
        I had some mid-cycle spotting too a while ago, turned out to be nothing (hormonal/docs couldn’t figure out/got ok by itself).
        I absolutely think you should get it checked out, but don’t stress until you know for a fact there’s something to worry about!

    7. Agree w/the get new doctor recommendation, but also tell the one you are leaving why you are leaving.

      1. Absolutely! Mail a real, paper letter to his office and tell him why you are no longer his patient. Otherwise, he’ll pull this on someone else.

        Ugh. Bad customer service.

    8. You might have your thyroid checked when you get in to see your gynecologist. I had similar symptoms for several years (cramps, etc.) and had one doctor suggest anti-anxiety meds because I was stressing about it. After changing doctors, it turns out I was hypothyroid. I’ve been on synthroid for 6 years now and that has taken care of all of the symptoms (including the anxiety – though I still think I would have been less anxious if the doctor had taken me seriously in the first place). Definitely dump this guy. What was he doing, updating his Facebook page?

    9. What happened to you is horrible. Please please write a review of this guy at many of the online review places. If you google his name you’ll find quite a number of them. I and many people I know read these reviews when looking for a new doctor and this information would be super helpful! You do not have to get too specific, but I would share what happened — and possibly even call and complain!

        1. I would also suggest writing a good review for this new gyno if things go well. I’m concerned that the majority of people who write reviews of doctors are those people who had terrible experiences, simply because its not as prevalent as something like Yelp.

          1. What sites do you use for doctor reviews? I recently moved and have to find new doctors but have been putting it off due to yelp’s nonexistent gynecologist section. :)

      2. Gads, I too am sorry this is happening and I’m glad you’re getting to see someone else – please keep us posted.

        As for my Unhelpful Comment of the Day, I wonder if your soon-to-be-ex-doctor is a functional-soon-to-be-nonfunctional alcoholic. He sounds like a guy I dealt with over a period of a couple of years: everything was fine in the beginning, but as time passed/his drinking worsened, his end of convos and e-mail exchanges made less and less sense. One of my last dealings with Alcoholic involved a three-way conference call that went on for at least 90 minutes, at work, with him and a co-worker from my own department advising me on a Giant Project. We spoke on Thursday, the thing was due Friday, and my co-worker happened to talk to Alcoholic again on Monday. “How are things?” he asked. Co-worker said: Good, good. Mella presented Giant Project and got a really good response. Has she e-mailed you about it yet? Alcoholic said “What Giant Project?”

        Sorry for the story, but that’s what your doctor’s responses reminded me of – someone who’s COMPLETELY checked out. Which doesn’t forgive his danger to you, his patient.

        1. This is the OP – OMG, I was wondering this same thing after the appointment. I have no idea if he has any kind of substance problem – I obviously don’t know him well, but as soon as he walked in the door of the treatment room today I was shocked. He looked awful – unshaven, looked like he hadn’t slept in days, was bloated and kind of disheveled – he is a triathlete (we’ve had lots of conversations about long-distance running in the past) and he looked like he has not been out on the trails in awhile. He was speaking really rapidly at first and then lapsed into this weird silence – it went from me hardly being able to get a word in edgewise to him just completely not responding to what I was saying, and then ushering me out the door. The whole time he didn’t want to make eye contact with me, he kept looking at the computer or down at the pen he was fiddling with. As I’ve kind of been turning things over in my head, the whole encounter was just completely out of character for him, and his appearance and demeanor coupled with the fact that he didn’t do any kind of exam on me at all, and failed to do a pregnancy test (which he has almost always done in the past regardless of what the complaint was) – something’s fishy. Maybe it was just the aftermath of a wild weekend or something, but the whole thing seemed off. It’s awful to have suspicions like this, but I come from a family of alcoholics/addicts and there was almost like an alarm bell ringing when I was talking to him today, like, “wow, this is exactly what my brother was like before we sent him to rehab last time.” Hmmm.

      3. This, and IMO, especially in view of your follow up comment, you should also contact the state board and file a complaint.

    10. Not sure which IUD you are using, but when I went off the pill last year and switched to the paragard (copper) IUD, I had all kinds of bad symptoms. My breasts would get super tender (and got bigger and they were already a small DD), I was SUPER moody, my cramping was horrible, etc. I was seeing a therapist separately and she sent me to psychiatrist to go on anti-depressants. Luckily I have a great doctor, told her what was going on, and she suggested I try progesterone cream. Not the one made by big-pharma that might be linked to cancer, but the bio-identical cream that can’t be patented and seems to be as good as what your body makes. Before I went on it, I had my progesterone levels tested (unfortunately not covered by insurance) and they were crazy low. I went on the cream, use a little each day, and most of my symptoms disappeared. Low progesterone is often ignored by doctors b/c there are only a few studies on it and the impact of bio-identical creams…but its been a life-saver for me. I went of anti-depressants and feel so much better.

      1. Hi Anon – I have a Mirena and have had no problems with it. I have had progesterone cream recommended to me by several different practitioners, including my regular gyno (who I can never get in to see) because I have ridiculously low progesterone levels normally. I will be sure to ask about it at my emergency gyno appt tomorrow.

        1. Good luck! I hope you get it worked out. For me, I could tell literally within 3-4 days that the progesterone cream was working because I felt just better overall.

  22. I’m getting my hair cut this week. I only learned this year (through Corporette) that I am supposed to be tipping about 20% each time I get a cut. So I am planning on doing that. But now I am reading the NYT post about holiday tipping, and I am being told that there is a holiday tip due for hairdressers, too. Do I have to give an extra tip? What if this is a new haircutter? Haircut is $40ish, tip was going to be $8, but now what should it be? Do I have to tip the person who washes my hair, or just the person who cuts it? If these are to be two separate tips, how do I calculate the washer tip, and does s/he get a holiday tip, too?

    1. Yes, you should tip the shampoo guy/girl if they aren’t the same as your stylist. Shampoo person usually gets about $2-5. And to me the holiday tip thing really only applies to people who have given you services throughout the year. You may want to give a few extra dollars (maybe round it up to $10 or 15) for the “holiday tip” if you’re worried about it affecting future cuts. :-)

        1. I usually give $2, but I didn’t know where the OP was from or what kind of salon she was going to. I could see giving $4 or 5 for a shampoo, condition, and super awesome scalp massage, especially if, like someone posted below, I’m getting a shine or something that requires multiple washings. :-)

    2. Nothing special for the holidays for a new hairdresser (unless you’re feeling generous and want to throw in an extra $1 or something). My hairdresser also does my washing, but in the past I’ve given a dollar or two to the washer.

    3. I think “holiday tip” is only warranted if you consistently go to the same person all the time. I’ve never heard of a holiday tip.

      Generally I give the actual person who cuts my hair 20% and then $3-$5 to the person who washes it. Since your cut isn’t that expensive, I would give $3.

    4. I think 20% is quite generous, but maybe that’s b/c my hair appointments cost a lot more. I usually tip the shampoo person $2, or more if I’m getting highlights and getting washed more than once. As a new customer you don’t need to give anything extra for the holidays; as a regular, for the holidays I double my usual tip and round up to an even amount.

      1. I give 20% to haircutter and 3-5 to shampoo person. for holidays this time I gave 20 bucks where I usually give 15 (haircut is 70).

    5. I only give an extra holiday tip for services I use the same person for year round. I do bump up my normal tip % by a small amount for everything right around the holidays though, as a goodwill gesture. (like 25% instead of 20%)

  23. I recently had an experience that both amused and surprised me. Last year, I went to a professional event where they had a series of speakers. One of the speakers was particularly great and I went up to him after the event and complimented him on his talk. We struck up a conversation and realized that we had a mutual friend in common. I then gave him my business card and left the event. I completely forgot about the conversation.

    Recently, I met up with the mutual friend who said that she had been in touch with the speaker, and that he had said that he had been thinking about me over the last year and was “kicking himself” for not calling me, that I was beautiful, and that he really wanted to call me but that he had a girlfriend and felt guilty about giving me a call. My friend implied that the fact that I gave the speaker my business card as well as my friendly, happy disposition suggested that I was interested in him. I guess the fact that I have a wedding ring on my finger didn’t give him the hint! :) When my friend told the speaker that I was married, evidently the color drained from his face. lol.

    Has anyone run into a situation where simply being friendly and giving one’s business card has been misinterpeted? This was a professional networking event where we met.

    1. Yep, it happens. Men are stupid sometimes. Had you been a man (or frankly someone he wasn’t attracted to) the situation would have been completely different.

      I think this type of thing is not generally a problem as long as you’re aware that it can happen and make it very clear that is not what you’re interested in (preferably in a nice/disarming manner and early on).

    2. All. The. Time.

      I don’t even bother going to networking events any more for this precise reason. And it is NOT my attire, demeanor, etc. – I’ve asked friends of mine to observe me in the past.

      1. If this happens to you often, just take a second to casually you mention your husband/boyfriend (make up a boyfriend if you don’t have one). Sad that this must happen but it does nip this stuff in the bud. And networking receptions can be so helpful for actual networking (for work)!

      2. I have a friend who also quit going to networking events for the same reason. She’s very attractive and was single for quite some time before remarrying a couple of years ago, but even the remarriage didn’t stop the constant hitting-on she’d experience at networking events. She finally concluded it wasn’t worth it and quit going.

    3. Hasn’t happened to me, but I’m constantly having to tell my guy friends that no, that girl wasn’t hitting on him and was in no way interested, she was just being polite and friendly. Men, it turns out, are terrible at reading signals, so much so that someone actually did a study on this:

      http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340013,00.html

  24. I wanted to get some opinions on this blazer: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7705420021007&cid=30732&locale=en_US
    (its a navy blue wool blazer from Banana with lining that kind of peeks out around the edges).

    The lining obviously makes it less formal than it’d be otherwise. So, I was wondering if you think this is office appropriate if used a blazer, not a suit? And also, aside from jeans, what could I pair this with on the bottom?
    Thanks!

    1. Anything navy or light gray I’d say could pair at the bottom. Possibly even cream. I’m not a huge fan of it personally (don’t like what it does where it starts with the lining at the collar), but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be office appropriate pretty much everywhere except for ultra conservative (suit only all the time) places.

    2. I think it’s fine for any business casual wear and for weekends. Navy’s a neutral so you could really wear it with anything on bottom, though I’d steer clear of black. In addition to lawyerette’s suggestions I think browns would be fine, too.

    3. Definitely office appropriate. I have the full suit and wear it all the time (have also worn the suit to court). You could put it with any kind of grey on the bottom, or khaki. I am not a huge fan of navy with browns though.

  25. My husband and I have planned a very last minute trip to Vegas – we leave this Friday. It’s his first time going. What shows do you recommend we see? Not interested in Circle du Soleil or shows that I can see anywhere (ie: Phanton, Jersey Boys). We love music, comedy, and my husband would love to see some impersonators. Any recommendations very appreciated!

  26. What could be better than velvet and glitter? I can’t help it; this blazer speaks to me. I’d replace the white shirt with a black or silver one, and throw on a pair of well-tailored pants.

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