Stuck at Work? Enjoy these MLK Sales Anyway….

64 Comments

1. I must be the only one workeing today!!!! The manageing partner made me come in to work today, but even he is NOT workeing. He is at his desk, lookeing at the Internet! And then he is stareing at me! FOOEY! FOOEY on him! I would like to be out shopping on MLK day like the rest of the office! FOOEY!

2. Found and applied for my dream job in NYC today! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

   1. Good luck!!

   2. Good luck!!

   3. Go get ’em!

3. I posted this in the weekend thread too, but did anyone else get that Zappos/6pm email about their accounts being hacked?
   WTF. I really get so uneasy about this. The emails said to change your passwords and to change that password anywhere else you use it, but honestly I don’t even remember what my password was much less where else I use it. Ugh!

   1. Yeah, I got it and I’m in the same boat about not remembering what it was or where else I use it!

   2. Yes, but they also said that only certain info got hacked… so not your entire credit card number, just the last four. Not great, but also not the end of the world. You can re-set your password, but they are so overwhelmed right now that the emails to re-set aren’t coming through.

      On a side note, does this site look different to anyone else? The layout is coming through differently on my computer…

   3. I got it too. I probably need to change a lot of my passwords anyway, so I guess it is a good motivator.

      Anon, yes the site looks different. I see it as all white instead of the usual lavender color. And the adds seem like they are in a different spot. I’m using Safari FWIW.

   4. I got it, too. And likewise, have no idea where else I might have used that password…. Argh!

   5. Please, for your own safety, use 1Password or Keepass or a similar password program to generate random character passwords for each site you shop on! That way when stuff like this happens (and it ALWAYS will because there is no such thing as perfect security), all you have to do is use the password program to generate a new random password and you don’t have to go around changing your password at all different sites.

      I use 1Password (they have Android and iPhone apps, a Windows version, and a Mac version, so you will always have your random passwords with you).

      1. PS: a good way to get yourself started is to install the program (let’s say 1Password) of your choice, and then one night while you’re sitting in front of the TV, start going to each site you shop or bank at (a good way to identify these sites is to look at the ads you have in your email inbox), logging in with your old password, go to the Change Password option, and then immediately using 1Password to generate a new password. Rinse and repeat.

         I’m a huge techie (and I’ve been active on the net since middle school, aka 1997 or so) and I was still able to run through the list of just about all of my accounts within two evenings. You can do it!

         Zappos is actually handling this data breach mostly correctly, believe it or not. They’re notifying all their customers and forcing everyone to reset their passwords, which is the correct thing to do. You’ve probably had your accounts been involved in a breach that you don’t even know about because other companies haven’t been as open about notifying customers.

         Companies that have had security breaches recently include: Sears, T.J. Maxx, TD Ameritrade, various credit card processors, Sony, Citibank (http://datalossdb.org/)

   6. So I got that email, and I went to the site, clicked on change the password, entered my email address, and they said they were going to email me instructions on how to change the password. 12 hours later, still no email from them. Did this happen to anyone else?

4. Thoughts?

   http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/product%3A276891/AT-EXCLUDED-FROM-PROMOS-NEW-ARRIVALS/Compact-Knit-Colorblock-Sheath-Dress/276891?colorExplode=false&skuId=10632611&catid=cata000012&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=6600

   “Cool and graphic” or “too naked even though its not”?

   1. The latter. I love it and wish the color “blocks” were another color, not “nude for many people.” This could work for someone with a very dark skin tone, maybe?

   2. Cool and graphic!!! But I have a very dark skin tone so it would work. However, if it was too close to my skin color it’d be a definite no.

   3. Hm, I think too naked, if it’s close to your skin tone. I wouldn’t want anyone doing double takes from a distance…

   4. I think it’s cool and graphic, but wouldn’t wear it to work. The lines are very flattering, but it would totally clash with my medium skin.

   5. It would look great on someone with a darker skin tone.

   6. Would need to see it on. In the photograph the nude stripe on the skirt matches the angle and position of the model’s leg, making it look naked. In real life, they would seldom line up so perfectly.

      1. ugh

   7. Oh wow I love that dress! However, the model definitely looks naked at first glance. I don’t think I’d wear it to work if my skin tone matched the beige in the dress.

5. Not a dig at Kat, but are we really having MLK sales? I sincerely hope this is just how Kat’s choosing to characterize this, not how they’re actually being marketed.

   1. Lots of sales are indeed being marketed as “MLK sales.” I can’t get my mind around it, but I suppose it’s like “Veterans Day” mattress sales, and such. I was even more annoyed when I heard the promo on WGN last night for the “special MLK NBA game” starting at noon.

   2. Meh. It’s the unavoidable corollary of having a federal holiday in your honor. Just ask the Presidents, Columbus, the Veterans, etc. Not to mention Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas (not actually a shopping holiday for religious folks), and Thanksgiving. MLK Day is no more (or less) sacred than any other.

6. I’m uber annoyed that we are open for business today since our lead secretary’s get the day off. It puts the other secretary’s in a bad mood and we are a small office so it’s hard to get stuff done when we’re short staffed. I just think this was a bad call on the higher ups. Either everyone has it off or no-one. What are your thoughts?

   1. If it doesn’t come out of the lead secretaries’ vacation days, I agree. Although, I’m often the only one at my workplace on minor holidays, and I never really mind. (I do take some time to shop online sales, though…)

   2. What is the rationale for giving the lead secretaries the day off, but no one else? I’m confounded.

   3. Maybe lead secretary has children who are out of school so she needs to be off to take care of them? I think most schools are closed.

   4. I’m sorry if this comes off as snarky, it’s not meant to be, but I can’t even understand what the situation is due to the OP’s improper use of apostrophes. Is it one lead secretary? One other secretary? Multiple other secretaries? If it’s just one person, maybe she simply requested the day off. Or perhaps the decision is based on seniority. I sometimes have to come in on days my boss doesn’t. I don’t think that’s all that unusual.

      But I do think this is a good example of why spelling and grammar matter. At this point, all I can do is speculate.

      1. This! Thanks for pointing out the error in such a straightforward yet not snarky (IMO) way. I know many people feel that grammar and spelling can fall by the wayside outside of professional communication, but this is a great example of why that’s not the case!

   5. What happens when it comes time for someone to go on vacation? The office is short staffed, then, right? Either everyone goes on vacation or no one goes on vacation?

   6. Maybe she just decided to use a vacation day?

   7. Sorry for the improper use of ‘s. I meant lead secretaries’ and it is not a vacation day. Rather, the firm rule is that the lead secretaries get all court holidays off and no-one else does.

      1. 1) i think the work policy stinks. either everybody should get the day off, or nobody should get the day off.

         2) you mean “lead secretaries” and “other secretaries”. my grammar is not great but I don’t think you need any apostrophes in your statement.

7. Does anyone have the JCrew Cashmere henley? LOVE it, but it’s final sale, and don’t want to end up with the wrong size. Do we know if it’s cut to be snug or more relaxed? Appreciate any insight!

   1. Tried it on in the store (if you’re talking about the one with covered buttons that look like wood or brown leather). Was very relaxed fit on me.

      I know you didn’t ask for comments on J. Crew sweater quality, but I will say anyway that I have been very disappointed for the last couple of years and am no longer buying any sweaters from J. Crew, no matter whether they are on sale or not. I hope you have better luck!

      1. That was my policy until “50% off the clearance prices” at the Canadian store… I crumbled and bought three cashmeres that likely won’t last for more than a season or two, and three tee shirts.

8. Anyone having trouble with the Ann Taylor code? It is only giving me an additional 40% off, not 60.

   1. I got emails about this deal over the weekend – they all said it was 40% off with that code.

      1. Aaaaand I just took another look. It’s 40% off full-priced items and 60% off sale items.

         1. Hmm. I am looking at sale items, and it’s still only giving 40%, even though it says it’s giving 60%.

            1. I had the same problem, only 40% off. If you look at the FB page, we aren’t the only ones, and they aren’t addressing the issue whatsoever.

            2. I just called and complained about this. Their solution was just to have me place the order by phone. The wait time was virtually nonexistent, and I don’t mind too much when I got an entire skirt suit AND a sheath dress for $150!

9. I’m not in the office today (officially a firm holiday), but I am working from home all day – MSJ responses wait for no man.

   Does anyone else have an incredibly hard time not wandering to the kitchen whenever you get to a stopping point while working from home? It’s just so easy and close!

   1. this is one of the reasons i prefer not working from home. the kitchen is one of many distractions that keep me from focusing, others being the proximity of television, laundry, and internet with no firewalls.

      1. This.

         1. Ha! Although our office is closed, I’m in the office today and periodically go to the firm kicthen everytime I get to a stopping point. The only thing our kitchen has is an endless supply of coffee and tea, yet I continue to stop in there. (Perhaps I’m hoping that some soft of snack mysteriously appears????)

            1. Me too! And I don’t even drink coffee or tea. Just water. Endless amounts of water are available in the office kitchen. That just means I need to take extra bathroom breaks at non-stopping points.

               I know I am having a bad day when I start to finish off my current glass of water just so I can stop in the kitchen for a refill.

               The good news is that my massage therapist commented on how hydrated my skin is and instead of admonishing me to drink more water, she congratulates me on my superior water drinking skills. :-)

            2. i have definitely done that. i’m also guilty of opening the office fridge and checking it out even when i either (i) know what i brought and put in there, or (ii) know i haven’t brought in anything. like one day there might be a big case of pepsi max with a “take me!” sign on it, or something.

      2. I’m actually more productive when I work at home. No one is stopping by to chat or to pull me off one task to another. I can focus on one thing and I can do it on my couch in front of the fireplace with my favorite music playing if I so choose.

         Because of my kids’ activity schedule, I figured out that I save a lot of time if I go home early one day a week and work until it is time to pick my daughter up from school and take her to where she needs to be.

         I think I feel guilty enough about doing it on a regular work day that I make myself be super productive. If I were home all day every day, I can see myself loafing.

10. Ladies, can I get some help brainstorming how to begin an important conversation?

    Before the holidays, someone who knows my work pretty well said directly that he wants to hire me into his department. Several of his colleagues in the same department have mentioned my coming on board as well. Yes, this particular guy, and his colleagues, are all senior enough to either hire me or find the money to create a position for me–this is something they are authorized to do and capable of doing, so that is not a concern. (I am currently employed with the same organization, but in another department in a position junior to this position. I already know I would have my current boss’ blessing to make this move.)

    For various scheduling reasons, next week is a good time for me to talk to him about actually making this happen. I want to go in prepared. I have a good list of points to make once we start talking, and he probably will know exactly what I have come to talk about, but when I think about literally the first thing I should say when we sit down, I am drawing a blank. I feel like the following would be too brash: “So, you and Persons X, Y and Z have all mentioned me joining this department, and I’m here to follow up on that.” But what should I say instead? I want to strike a balance between confidence and deference. Maybe he will start the conversation, but in case it’s all on me…any ideas? Thanks.

    1. One way to de-brashify would be to say that you had discussed the option, not the sure thing. How about “I’ve talked to you, Persons X, Y and Z, about possibly joining your department. Is this still on the table? It’s sounds exciting and it would be great to have a chat about it.” Good luck!

       1. Duh! So simple, and so much better. You can see how stumped I was. Thank you!

       2. agree- and make an appointment vaguely referencing it in advance, so he’s focused and mentally prepared.

11. Ladies, I’m traveling soon for a moot court competition (add me to the list of those who were working today), and I was hoping for some advice from those who have participated in these competitions in the past. What would you wear? What would you pack? What do you wish you’d done differently? Also, does anyone have issues with garter belt buckles showing under skirt suits. I hate wearing pantyhose, and I was hoping for an alternative. Thanks!

    1. No advice on moot court – good luck!

       I’ve had good luck with Hanes Silk Reflections Lace Top Thigh Highs. No need for a garter and no roll down for me, but I would test them out beforehand.

       1. Thank you. I’ll check those out. I’m just afraid of them falling down in the middle of oral arguments, but a test run would be helpful.

          1. Buy your thigh highs one size up, avoids thigh muffin top syndrome. I wear Hue lace top thigh highs often. Buy 2 pack for discount, and bring with you so you ave replacements in case of a run. Good luck in moot court!

    2. i’ve worn various brands of stay-up stockings in the past and have invariably found that i get muffin top of the thigh with them. if your skirt fits properly and appropriately, you shouldn’t see buckles, especially if you add a slip.

       unfortunately, the only moot court competition i traveled for ended a day earlier than anticipated. however, for three days total (hotel check-in and reception on a friday evening, arguments on saturday and sunday), i packed one pants suit (wore for reception), one skirt suit (intended to wear for both arguments – it was the only skirt suit i owned at the time), three pairs of stockings, three tops, one set of jewelry (pearls), two pairs of shoes (one black to go with skirt suit, one brown to go with pants suit), and lounging clothes. argument-wise, one of my teammates made all of us binders with the relevant caselaw, our brief and the record, so i brought that plus my outline and extra index cards. it was especially nice to have the lounging clothes so that when we got knocked out of the competition on day 1, i had something comfortable to wear when we went to drown our sorrows over burgers and beer.

       1. oh, missed the “what do you wish you’d done differently” bit. i wish i hadn’t essentially argued with the judges (in retrospect, this is very…duh.). we had a fourth and fifth amendment case involving someone searched at an outdoor concert and then arrested. in my argument, i referenced the fact that the officers were not armed. judges laughed and said no, their guns weren’t drawn but they were certainly armed. i stuck to my statement and moved on by saying that even if they were armed, it would not have made a difference to the issue, but this really stuck in the judges’ mind. during the feedback period after the argument (after scoring was done), we discussed this point with the judges and it turned out that the judges had a different record than the competitors (WTF), where ours were completely silent as to the issue of weapons and the judges’ record specifically said “they had guns but the guns were not drawn.” in retrospect – it did me NO favors to tell the judges that they were wrong. it was a pretty silly thing to do, and i think it had a significant impact on our score. i’ll never know, because we were not permitted to view our scores or the judges’ comments (also very silly, since the point of moot court is to hone your advocacy skills for reality).

    3. @ Moot Court —
       Dress as you would for a job interview. Conservative suit, conservative top, classic jewelry and nice neutral pumps that are not too high. Depending on if it’s multi-day or not, you can probably get away with one suit, and different tops (if multi-day), but if you have a second suit that would be appropriate, bring it with you just in case something happens to the first. If you have a meet and greet orientation session before the day of competition, people comes dressed in everything from travel sweats to full suits. I think somewhere in between is your best bet (e.g., black pants and a sweater or pencil skirt and a cardigan).

       In terms of other info: speak slowly, make eye contact with your judges, don’t be nervous and don’t forget the importance of just being likable. When I did these in law school, I found that my first round was never my best so it can be helpful to have a quick practice round before you start – but that’s just what worked for me.

    4. When I traveled for a Moot Court competition I packed: 1 black suit (skirt and pants), 2 white button down shirts, jeans, 3 casual and 2 dressy tops, and ofcourse sleepwear. Our competition was 2 days, so I wore the pants+blazer the first day and skirt+blazer the second. I wore dark jeans and a dressy top to our evening reception and everyone else wore jeans also (although it was held in Santa Monica, so ymmv).

    5. Good luck! Moot court was my favorite extra curricular in law school (traveled twice).

       I always brought 2 skirt suits. I never wore a suit to the reception — Just business casual-type clothes. Even for competitions that span three days, you can re-wear the first suit, especially if you take the jacket off between rounds (I did that bc I sweat a lot when nervous). You see every manner of shirts, but I feel most professional in button-front shirts, so I always wore those. Light blue or white with a subtle stripe. One of my teammates wore a pink shirt — not bright pink, but definitely pink — and one of the judges gave her an oral critique not to wear that shirt anymore because it was not something you’d wear before SCOTUS.

       I wore pantyhose because that’s what I like best. Once the competition started, I was so focused that I didn’t really think about being uncomfortable in my clothes.

       I also brought a pair or two of jeans (depending how long we’d be there) and a few shirts. I packed enough that I’d have enough casual clothes to enjoy the city if we were eliminated in the first round.

       Not sure about what I wish I’d done differently. If you have any more questions or any specific worries, ask again in one of the threads later today! I love talking and giving advice about moot court.

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