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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
This dark green pantsuit looks looooverly, from the good folks over at Reiss.
I love the dark green color, which feels like a new neutral for women — sedate but interesting; easy to pair with other neutrals like ivory, gray, navy, or black. Of course you can also pop it up with other jewel tones (purple, cobalt, neon pink), or pastels like lavender, light blue, light pink. Pretty much the only color I would avoid would be red — unless it's the week of Christmas, in which case go to town.
The suit has two matching blazers (slim fit and cropped), as well as tailored trousers and a pencil skirt. The pieces range from $240–$445, generally in sizes 0–10.
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Sales of note for 8.30.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
- Boden – 20% off
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
- Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale
Sales of note for 8.30.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
- Boden – 20% off
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
- Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale
Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
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- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Anon
I’m going to Trader Joe’s for the first time in over a year tomorrow. Any recommendations for new or seasonal items? I live 1.5 hours away so I can’t bring home ice cream (sad face…I hear it’s good!) but I have cooler bags so other refrigerated/frozen foods are fine.
Anon
Harvest Spice Trek Mix (or something like that). It’s really good and a nice change from regular trail mix. I also like the unexpected cheddar cheese, the everything crackers, the frozen macarons (SO good), and lots of other goodies. The one thing TJ’s disappoints me on is the quality of the produce – it never lasts long so I do most of my produce shopping elsewhere.
Anon
You are my flavor twin! I could (and have) make many meals out of unexpected cheddar and those everything crackers. Yum.
Cat
Autumn stuff in particular-
-The turkey pot pie (in the refrigerated area with the premade salads and enchiladas etc) – lighter than its chicken counterpart and the root vegetables inside make it surprisingly complex tasting
-The pumpkin-shaped pasta and Autumn Harvest creamy pasta sauce (I like to add pecorino for a little ‘bite’)
-Autumn Harvest soup (though let it simmer for awhile as the chunks of squash are a little hard if you only microwave)
-YMMV on the pumpkin spice-splosion. I really, really do not like pumpkin spice flavor so avoid all of it! But several bloggers have raved about the pumpkin spice pretzel bites.
General-
-Chimichurri rice is fab for making a boring protein more interesting
-Cauliflower pizza is the best ‘cauli as sub for carbs’ version we’ve found (the famous gnocchi on the other hand not so great)
-Mini samosas
-Goddess salad dressing
-The orange tortillas (habanero lime?) – perfect amount of kick for a wrap
-Check out the salad kits for anything good – the lemon basil arugula one makes a simple pasta dinner feel all fancy
-The small packages of cheese bites (yellow-orange) are amazing wine-snacks
Anon
Pumpkin or chocolate hazelnut biscotti.
Chocolate lava cakes
Spring rolls or goyza
Butternut squash rigatoni
Anon
Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce.
anon
Not seasonal, but I just tore through a box of chocolate chip sandwich cookies, and they were SO good.
Anon
i LOVE trader joes. there are a million instagram accounts with product reviews/recs. depending on your way of eating, here are some things i like:
– vegan pesto (i’m not vegan)
-hearts of palm pasta
– vegan casear dressing
– frozen butternut squash mac & cheese
-frozen cauliflower pizza
– cheese crips
– maple butter
– pumpkin spice coffee and/or maple coffee (if you like flavored coffee)
– frozen cauliflower gnocchi
– frozen riced cauliflower – stir fry version or fall risotto version
– thai green curry simmer sauce
– everything but the bagel seasoning (though costco now has this too)
– nori kome furikaki seasoning
– protein pancake mix
– canned grape leaves
Anon
The frozen green chili mac and cheese is really good too.
yum
+many for frozen butternut squash mac & cheese. It quite exceeded expectations.
Anon
A new hot condiment is the chili onion crunch oil (that may not be the title, but it is a combination of those words and is an olive oil based item). I just bought two jars after devouring grilled vegetables with this on top last weekend. The cashier commented that it flies off the shelf as of late.
anon
I love this stuff. I put it on everything.
CountC
+1
anon8
Not seasonal items, but I like the beef mini tacos, Indian frozen meals and naan.
Anonymous
frozen orange chicken
frozen mac and cheese–I like to mix regular and “reduced guilt”
frozen gyoza and bottled gyoza dipping sauce
frozen salmon burgers
harvest pasta sauce
pumpkin bread mix
pumpkin pancake mix
unexpected cheddar
apple cider doughnuts
AFT
Pumpkin Samosas in the frozen section were REALLY good.
The maple kettle corn was also good.
Pumpkin butter is good on toast.
Pumpkin tortilla chips were a miss for me.
Anonymous
I like their PSL and maple coffees and their PSL teas. I also like their seasonal fresh ravioli and the baby Brie.
Anonymous
How about bringing some coffee and some plates and have some ice cream as a snack in the parking lot before you drive home? :D
Anon
Maybe in normal times when I can bring my family with me. I can’t eat a pint of ice cream by myself and don’t want what I don’t eat to go to waste :)
anon
Seasonal stuff:
Pumpkin pancake mix
Pumpkin butter
Pumpkin coffee
Butternut squash ravioli – available year-round, but it’s especially good during fall!
Senior Attorney
Somebody gave me a whole bag of TJ’s seasonal pumpkin stuff so I can comment on this! My faves:
Maple kettle corn
Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Slims are fantastic — sweet and salty
Pumpkin Spice Batons (cookies)
anon
A Yeti cooler would bring ice cream within your reach… not why I own one or anything.
Ses
Getting homesick for TJs; had to close the thread! Please eat literally any butternut squash-derived product they have for me. :)
Anonymous
I’m all about the frozen stuff at TJs!
– Frozen chicken soup dumplings
– Frozen saag paneer
– Frozen naan
– Dark chocolate peanut butter cups
– Dark chocolate lacies
– pumpkin spice rooibos
– refrigerated spinach tortellini
– nuts and pine nuts, they are very good value
Frozen
They have these frozen gnocchi with sauce inside that are fantastic. Also love the masala burgers.
Sunflower
Asian Peanut Vinaigrette (in the refrigerated section near the lettuce)
Refrigerated pizza dough
Sweet and spicy pecans
Frozen garlic naan
Chile lime salt
Almondina crackers
Brioche toasts
Fresh tangerine juice
Liquid hand soap
And, of course, Unexpected Cheddar
Anon
Not exciting, but i really like the frozen rice 1 it’s separated into individual packets that you can microwave in a few minutes
Please help
I need advice from you wise women. I’m in a professional situation where someone who reports to me but isn’t my employee (think a contractor for a research project) is so incredibly s*xist they literally will not accept a single piece of feedback I provide which is problematic since he’s breaking the law and will not listen to me! I think I have two options here 1. Get a junior male colleague to deal with the contractor, and hope he stops breaking the law 2. Burn it down, use my power to get the appropriate authorities involved which will likely cause this person’s company to go bankrupt. Neither option seems great to me, I just want to be respected but that ship has long sailed. Any ideas?
anon
Hard no to option 1 as you’ve presented it here. Get a Jr to you person to manage this person? No. Are you the lead or not?
Use your power. If he’s breaking the law and you don’t want to look or be complicit, then use your power and get the appropriate authorities involved to stop the illegal activities. Yes you can do this. And no his company is not your immediate problem. Liability for you and your company is potentially a big problem and you need to focus on that in whatever order is most motivating to you.
As always in these situations: document, document, document.
Anonymous
It’s so hard to understand circumstances with the limited info given. But can you pull in a senior male to witness and step in to get the guy in line without triggering the bankruptcy? You need to cover yourself and pulling in a junior (male or female) is likely not enough. Can you threaten option 2 at a level that will wake him up? I’d be as direct as possible (and in writing) that you’re concerned he is likely breaking the law and what he needs to do for a working relationship with you to continue. If he pushed back, then option 2 it is.
Anonymous
Why isn’t option one report the illegal contact immediately to your boss and your bosses boss and HR? “Hey dude we hired is breaking the law and won’t listen to me. We need an urgent meeting to discuss.”
Anne
document and elevate? i.e. document to the contractor what is required and that they must do it, and then internally elevate the issue. Do you not have a boss? This sounds like something that needs to be elevated.
anon
This happened to me earlier this year, and I cannot stress enough not wasting empathy on those who do not respect you and who are such a hazard to your employer. Generally speaking you only need to document misbehavior/bad work product if someone is an employee. You can rid yourself of a contractor with a blink of an eye by informing him that his contract is terminated. Take a look at the service contract you have with this guy and talk to legal/HR about any risks that they perceive as well as any early termination fees that the contractor is entitled to. Contact IT and security about the companies policies for termination of IT system and building access for terminated contractors. On “D-Day” set up a 10:30am /11 am meeting in a conference room, and have a representative from HR and security waiting with you as witness to any last minute bs the contractor mat try to pull. Make sure IT cuts his system and building access while at the meeting and make sure security takes his ID badge and escorts him out of the building.
In may case, the misogynistic Microsoft expert made some vague “you better watch out” threats and was advised that we would report the threat to the police. On his way out the front door he stood in front of the security camera and screamed “F-U [name of company]”, got in his car and peeled out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell.
Good riddance!!
Nesprin
Yup, your company is on the hook for continuing to employ a contractor who is making your workplace hostile. So document every problematic interaction you’ve had (emails are bonus)/elevate to your manager/HR/his manager, fire his ass and enjoy dismantling the patriarchy.
Anon
Personally I’d blow it up, then say you don’t do criminal law and he needs to find another firm.
Anon
If he’s doing things that are illegal, the consequences of that are entirely on him.
Monday
I disagree. Lots of people associated with an illegal activity can be held liable for it, and even if they aren’t legally, it can affect their reputations. OP is right to be worried about this.
Anon
I meant she shouldn’t care if he goes bankrupt. That would be his fault, not hers.
tazdevil
He’s disrespecting you and his actions have serious negative consequences for your employer. Who gives a f*ck if his company goes down? Pull the plug on him now! Leave the emotional work to his mommy/girlfriend.
Anon
Wait, why are those your two options? Whether or not he’s sexist and doesn’t respect you is actually the secondary problem (I mean, it’s the underlying one, but it’s the secondary problem). Do not accept defective work product from a subordinate – whether that be an employee or a contractor. The work doesn’t meet specs – send it back. Escalate it internally with your team to discuss the problem; if you have contacts at his company, escalate there.
Anon
I was too late to comment on the Amy Coney Barrett posts from this morning’s thread, but I wanted to share two Washington Post articles with you all. I put the article names and writers as well, for those of you who don’t like to click links. I think these perspectives might help some understand why so many women oppose her nomination. They are fairly short, succinct articles.
1) “Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has seven kids. And don’t you dare forget it.” by Robin Givhan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10/12/supreme-court-nominee-amy-coney-barrett-has-seven-kids-dont-you-dare-forget-it/
2) “Amy Coney Barrett is a strong woman. That doesn’t make her a feminist icon.” by Monica Hesse
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/amy-coney-barrett-feminism-rbg-supreme-court-seat/2020/10/09/824e78be-028b-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html
Anon
I don’t care if a candidate is strong or weak, has kids or no kids, etc. Whatever Barrett does in her personal life means nothing to me as long as she does not impose her religious beliefs on me, attempt to overturn established precedent to suit her own agenda, and express enthusiasm for being seated on the court in this sham of a process. I love when strong women get elected, even if their views differ from mine, but when they use those views as a justification for curtailing my rights, you better believe I’ll oppose their nomination – the same way I would for a man.
FWIW, I do not agree that the goal of feminism is to “make the country a more equal place for all” (per the second article). My feminist goals are to end male domination, supremacy, and violence against women. Women are both the drivers and the beneficiaries of this movement, and while the goal to make the country more equal for all is laudable, it should not define feminism. Looking out for the priorities of “all” is the fastest way to dilute what is needed to address the specific oppression that women face daily.
Anonymous
Can I ask a related question? Since Barrett claims to be a proud Scalia clone, why can’t we just read aloud some of his words in the hearing? I remember some pretty bigoted things about why states should be able to criminalize consensual s€x between gay men in Lawrence v. Texas. Why are we playing footsie with her use of “preference” when we could just tell the American people she shares a judicial philosophy with a man who thought throwing gay people in jail was just like outlawing incest?
Anon
It’s the divide between the ivory tower woke police and the language of the common person hurting us again, even though most of us want the same thing.
Anon
+1 I thought the thread this morning was a great demonstration on how the woke among us can really derail a conversation. Rather than nitpicking her choice of words, let’s focus on the actual direct harm. I’m happy to engage in conversations about language (which is powerful and does have meaning) but let’s not let perfect be the enemy of good and also not distract from the issues doing the most harm. Talk about how her use of “preference” was offensive and you’re going to confuse half the population, get an eyeroll from a quarter and the remaining quarter will shrill with glee because they can talk about how absurd PC culture is and shift the conversation. Just say “her record indicates that she’ll likely rule in ways that cut back hard won protections for LGBT citizens”, which will garner pretty wide support and agreement.
LaurenB
+1. I cannot believe the discussion of “preference” vs “orientation” this morning even happened. Whatever. 99% of us on this page are firmly in the camp of equal rights for LGBTQ people. The semantics of those two words may be relevant for a court of law, but not everyday life.
Anon
Oh, that was “language police lite” this morning. It gets way, way worse.
Anonymous
It’s not the worst idea.
The only way to stop her nomination before the 10th is to make her so unpalatable that they push out the timeline until after the election so that GOP senators in tough races don’t have voting for her on their record. Right now, she’s not coming across as so unpalatable that independents or undecided would vote against senators who support her.
anon
This independent atheist definitely finds her unpalatable and I doubt I’m the only one.
Anonymous
Please voice that to your senators! Make them afraid of confirming her before the election.
I have zero doubts she’ll still get confirmed after the election but at least it would likely be too late for her to hear the ACA case on the 10th.
LaurenB
It is possible to both 1) find ACB unpalatable for her stances on abortion, gay marriage, and healthcare AND 2) roll my eyes over the nitpicking of preference vs orientation. BTW, CNN reported that she apologized for that usage.
Anon
Because anyone with a half a brain will read aloud what Joe Biden said about gay people from 1973 to 2012.
Seventeen years ago, suggesting that gay marriage was acceptable was a great way to be seen as fringe. In 2008, both Biden and Obama were against gay marriage, as was Hillary. Biden voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, said that gays were a “security risk,” voted to cut off federal funds to school districts that teach that homosexuality is acceptable, and said that marriage is between a man and a woman well into the 21st century.
Anonymous
That’s…not the same as sending gay men to jail for sex in their own homes.
Anon
I was appalled that Biden and Obama were against gay marriage in 2008, and I have not forgotten.
LaurenB
And? So what? Both Obama and Biden have come around. What’s your point? Are we re-litigating 2008 here?
Anonymous
There was some attempt at this today, though she handled it adeptly by saying that while she shares Scalia’s philosophy and methodology, she might not apply them the same way he did. It’s BS and she’s already been litmus tested by the Federalist Society, but it was a fairly effective dodge nonetheless.
cbackson
This. Scalia’s views on LBGT issues are unpalatable to a huge swathe if the American people. If she wants to be Scalia 2.0, let’s remind people of Scalia 1.0.
Anon
+1
Anonymous
Has anyone done in-store clothing shopping in a mall or strip mall recently? I am specifically considering going to an Ann Taylor store. I am curious what the experience was like/what protocols they are following. I need come clothes that fit and I have a lot of money on Ann Taylor cards that can only be used in-store, not online. I really need to try a few things on, as I don’t really know what fits now, so I can’t just depend on knowing my size and cut preferences like I did for many years. I have been to large department stores in big malls, but only to quickly make returns. I have ordered lots of things online and had to return almost everything. And as I said, the money is just sitting on these AT cards, so I’d rather spend those.
Cat
What geography are you in?
I have been to a suburban Philly upscale strip mall with my mom within the last month. Masks required, sanitizer stations at entrance and registers, staff sprayed down register area between customers, and plexiglass shields at registers. Doors wide open to allow more air circulation. In theory, limited capacity for shoppers, but the stores were nowhere near the limit – I think there were maybe 3-4 other shoppers in each store, total.
For trying on clothes, it was permitted (no one else was in the fitting room area). Anything you tried on but didn’t purchase was set aside; I was told no one would touch those items for at least 3 days.
Anon
I recently received an email from Ann Taylor that they are offering private shopping. It sounded as though you get the whole store to yourself by appointment. Might be worth checking with your local store to see if they offer it.
Anonymous
I will definitely look into this. Thanks!
Anonymous
Yes, you can call the store and ask them to pull certain items in a few sizes before you arrive so you can get in and out efficiently
Anon
I went to a brick and mortar store. Not Ann Taylor but I can’t remember which one. Nothing could be tried on. Returns were extended to 6 months or something like that but they weren’t yet accepting the returns at the time I was there.
The advice was basically buy 3 sizes and in 4 months when we accept returns again, bring back the two you don’t want. I didn’t end up buying anything.
Anon
i went to a Loft store for a return and it was horrible. the one i went to had broken AC so they had all these fans blowing around, which i am sure was not the best air filtration system. the employees put their masks on as i approached, but clearly weren’t keeping them on the whole time.
Anonymous
This of course is the other place I can use the cards. I guess I will have to make a decision when I get there. I am in a city with multiple stores, luckily.
LaurenB
I did. The stores are pretty empty and as long as you mask / social distance (the clerks should be masked) and then use sanitizer afterwards, you’re fine. I had to help my elderly mother buy bras, which necessitated a try-on, and we were fine.
anon
Fitting rooms are open in central NC. Everyone is wearing a mask, occupancy is limited, hand sanitizer is ubiquitous, and I have felt perfectly safe popping in for a brief shopping trip.
Anon
For whoever posted yesterday about feeling bad about turning 40, I recommend the latest Everything Is Fine podcast with Claire Dederer. I find the podcast uneven depending on the guest, (Kim is not a strong interviewer, IMO), but this guest delivers. The episode is about being a woman in one’s 40s and beyond, the power of female friendship, what to do when you feel like you’ve done everything right and you’re still not satisfied, and what is appropriate (and who gets to say so!) as an older woman. I really enjoyed it and now I want to check out her book.
Any other Everything Is Fine listeners here? Thoughts?
Panda Bear
Yup, have been listening to most of the episodes, and I generally like the show. I agree that the quality of the conversations are a bit uneven; I think the hosts are still finding their feet as a team, and not all the guests are super interesting to me. But overall I enjoy the conversations. I’ve loved Kim’s voice as an editor/blogger for a long time, so I’m thinking she’ll eventually get more comfortable in this medium, and I like hearing her thoughts and questions.
DLC
I’ve been listening based on the rec here and I love some episodes, and some of it is “meh” based on topic and guest. I loved the episode on going grey. I’m not a big make-up/skincare/beauty person so I skip those episodes. I guess I like the episodes where they use superficial things to dissect the experience of being over 40, rather than just talking about products they like/use. And I also like when they have guests in their 60s; the long view perspective they bring encapsulates for me the phrase “Everything is Fine”
Anon
Has anyone used a workbook with their therapist? My psychologist had me order Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders, which we will go through together a few chapters at a time starting this Friday. I have been seeing her for a year and I like her a lot, but I’m not sure what to expect with the workbook or what I may get out of it.
Anonymous
I think this is fully dependent on your learning style. My therapist tried this with me and it felt like school, I had no motivation to actually go through it and do exercise at home – which reflected the issues I was going to see them for as well lol. What helped me were these summary print outs (one or two pages) that illustrated what my doctor and I discussed that I could glance at while at the appointment and take home to look at in more detail.
Anon
I think this is fully dependent on your learning style. My therapist tried this with me and it felt like school, I had no motivation to actually go through it and do exercise at home – which reflected the issues I was going to see them for as well lol. What helped me were these summary print outs (one or two pages) that illustrated what my doctor and I discussed that I could glance at while at the appointment and take home to look at in more detail.
Davis
My therapist hasn’t given me a whole workbook. She provided a couple worksheets that were really helpful and draws on a whiteboard some, but it’s here and there and doesn’t feel like school.
Anonymous
My mom apparently bought me a Vitamix 5200 during the Amazon sale today — anything else I need to go with it? Any favorite recipe books?
Betsy
The Smoothie Project by Catherine McCord. It has a bit of a health bent in the intro, which you may or not be into, but the smoothie recipes are creative, varied and delicious!
DLC
A bottle brush is super useful for cleaning it. I like the OXO set. I know the VitaMix people say it cleans itself by whirling dish soap and water in it, but I don’t really find that the case. Especially when your husband leaves hot cocoa in it for a week.
I need to go on dates with my clothes
That was awkward.
Starting over: I need to date my clothes — spend some time with them; see if there is a spark (of joy!); see if it is time to have the “it’s not you; it’s me” decision. [I don’t date nekkid; at least to start with.] I have to go to the office on Friday, but will be working late and not just going home for dinner. Try real office clothes? Get away with sweats while I still can? Meet in the middle? Office is casual, but I am sort of a prissy formal sort who likes dressing for work the way I did when suits were mandatory. I own pearls still.
I’m 5-4, sort of a pear, and oddly leggy with a short torso. You name it and it probably exists in my closet. Weather is Real Fall and our office is chilly. Boots weather. Or sneakers and comfy socks. HELP! It is so rare that I leave the house that I’m likely to show up looking like The Dude.
Anon
I am so confused.
Anonymous
What even is this? Just wear clothes. If you want to be fancy do it. I wouldn’t wear sweatpants to work.
Anon
James Joyce does middle aged fashion blog commenter.
anon
I don’t think you’ll feel good going in sweats. I also like to dress for work, so I know I wouldn’t like it.
Anon
Try on your clothes. See what still looks good. If I have to think about what makes something work, it’s probably time to donate. For example: if I need to search for a particular shape bottom to go with a top, the problem is probably the top. And every time I have had a dress I’m not wearing shortened to a “better” length, I was still unhappy at the new length. I am a true believer in not wearing anything that makes me feel unattractive or frumpy. No, you do not need to date your clothes, you need to weed out what no longer works for you.
Anon
I get what you’re saying. I went back to using makeup, even if I’m home all day. I have makeup, I used to enjoy putting it on (I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s my “art” a la Jennifer Coolidge in Best of Show) but I find it fun and I like to mess around with different shadows, how I apply bronzer, my brows, etc.
So I take it that’s like you and your clothes. My philosophy is that you paid for it, you should get some use out of it. Wear the nice stuff now.
It’s like having one of those formal living rooms that no one can use because they’re reserved for “company”. My great aunt had that setup and I don’t think anyone ever, ever used it. We were family and not company so we couldn’t use it either. I’m not sure anyone ever rose to the level of “company”.
Use your things.
Cat
So I’m not going back to the office for who knows how long, but I decided to pull everything out of my closet. If I couldn’t remember when I last wore it, I tried it on. Generally that reminded me why I didn’t wear it. Like – the waistband of the skirt is itchy, but it doesn’t look right with a tucked in top. Donate!
Anon
What?
LaurenB
I don’t understand what you are asking.
Marise
I went back in June and started off with knit pants and cardigans or sweater blazers. Comfy but not stiff. First few days were hard. I felt like a clown with makeup on. Now I’m back to suits, sheath dresses and cardigans.
BB
Ugh, someone talk me down off the virus paranoia edge. We just had a cleaning service come in for the first time (new service, new apartment, although highly recommended) and I’m WFH of course. I’m sitting at my laptop in one room and I can hear the cleaners cough once in a while and now I’m paranoid. But like…normal people cough! I cough! Hate how much extra mental burden this pandemic is taking! :(
(And I did turn on all our HVAC fans while they were here for some extra ventilation)
Anon
Masks?
Anon
You and your cleaners should both be in masks and not in the same room. If you take those precautions, the odds of getting it are low but not zero.
Anonymous
Depends how much/what kind of coughing, whether the rooms are dusty…but I would be paranoid, too.
Anonymous
We have had our cleaners on the regular. The surfaces they touch were just blasted with cleaning products so probably ok, but I do take a wipe to door handles. You do need as much circulation as possible so fling open your windows.
BeenThatGuy
I agree with wiping all the touch points with a clorox wipe when they leave (light switches, door handles, etc).
Anon
Are they wearing masks? If so let them finish. Wear a mask yourself and stay far away. If they will not wear masks ask them to leave now. Don’t let fear of awkwardness stand in the way of protecting yourself.
Anon
I cough a lot due to allergies. I try not to do it while in a store (masked) but I’m sure I have sometimes and freaked people out. Is COVID prevalent in your location? And yes, masks for everyone. And make sure your home is not too hot or too cold while the cleaners work, for their own comfort.
Anon
Can you go to a park or apartment commons area (if there is one) to work while they are in there? Also, make sure they are wearing masks, even while the only people in the room. When you come back in if it makes you feel better sanitize the surfaces that you touch most often.
Anon
I cough when cleaning from dust or chemical cleaners. It’s fine.
Anonymous
Um, no. It’s not always just fine to have people you don’t know inside your home coughing right now.During a PANDEMIC.
LaurenB
I didn’t have cleaning people for the first part of the pandemic, but when I was ready to have them come in (they come every 2 weeks), I did not require them to wear masks, but I left the home and didn’t return until after they had left, and then opened a lot of windows.
Anon
Recommendations for decently priced (or on sale) patio furniture? I have a corner balcony and I’m looking for two club style chairs. I was hoping to spend no more than $500 for the pair.
Anon
I found some on wayfair. They were knock offs of more expensive DWR/Blu Dot designs which fit my modern preference.
TimeLine?
Hi, we have had really helpful updates on the vaccine timeline, but not as much discussion on when the next therapeutics test results will be in. Is there a blog or other reliable source we can check? It might help with Covid fatigue to have better information on how long until we have more news.
Anon
I like Derek Lowe’s blog. He writes about the development of vaccines and therapeutics, evidence of how long immunity lasts and other Covid issues. I think he strikes a good balance between the doomsday people and Fauci, who is (in my view anyway) overly optimistic. It’s pretty technical though.
Anonymous
Thanks!
Anon
TWIV! Stands for This Week in Virology. They have VERY in-depth conversations regarding everything COVID. I also really like the updates from Daniel Griffin, an actual working MD. You don’t need to watch it, it’s perfect as a podcast.