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Suit of the Week: Reiss

Corporette's Suit of the Week: ReissFor 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. I seem to recall this happening every March: lackluster suits because the winter selection is dwindling and spring collections haven't arrived yet. This suit is absolutely gorgeous, albeit a bit boring. (The pieces all come in a white/cream, as well, which is mildly more exciting.)  The fluted skirt is the main appeal, in my mind — it's so rare to find a classic suit with a flared skirt! I like the seaming on the jacket and the single button, and the matching pants have a modern cut. (Just FYI: for my $.02, I HATE the look with sandals.)  The jacket (Fontez Tailored Jacket) is $465, the skirt (Sandra Fluted Hem Skirt) is $230, and the pants (Paris Slim Leg Trousers) are $230.
Reiss Fontez Navy Tailored Jacket Reiss Sandra Navy Fluted Hem Skirt Reiss Paris Navy Slim Leg Trousers
(L-all)

Sales of note for 12.5

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

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108 Comments

  1. I love this suit, although the pants more than the skirt. Maybe it’s just me, but I can never keep a skirt like this from getting very wrinkled in the back no matter how carefully I try to sit all day.

    Also, wanted to share a style blog I recently discovered: http://kelaskloset.com/outfits/
    I sort of hate the intentional K misspellings everywhere (so very Kardashian), but this lady has some really fun outfits. Not all would fly in my office but I love the creativity as well as the fact this woman does not have a typical model body. Totally want to wear a full skirt right now!

    1. She has some fun outfits that I like quite a bit, but I’m not sure I can handle the “Hey Kuties” in some of the posts. A minor thing, but it’ll drive me crazy. We’ll see how long she stays on my reader.

      1. I also dislike this – I really can’t stand any intentional misspellings, LOLs, c u l8rs, etc., and while I get that she is trying to make it her trademark and play off her name, I just find it annoying. So I just don’t read most of it! But I signed up to have StyleUp send me daily “what to wear” emails and she pops up a lot and I usually really enjoy how she styles things. Plus, people here always seem to ask about new style blogs to follow for ideas so I thought this might be a good one.

      2. She has cute outfits and a body type more similar to mine than most bloggers I see, but I just kannot (yep) deal with the intentional K misspellings. It’s too juvenile for my taste.

        1. My firm has the website blocked. Our filter must dislike misspellings, especially when intentional. But seriously, I’ve never seen another blocked website! I visit all sorts of (read: way too many) fashion blogs while at work.

          1. Sometimes websites get blocked because they haven’t been assigned a category by your company’s proxy software yet.

          2. I only lasted about 3 min on this site myself. After seeing myself referred to as a Kutie about 5x I had to bail. Pls post some of your fav non-Kute fashion blogs (after Corporette, of course) if you have time.

  2. I bought a Calvin Klein suit that is a very close dupe to this recently at Macy’s, in case you are looking for a cheaper version.

    2. Yay! I love REISS, but Kalvin Klien is just as good, particularley when it come’s to skirt’s! Tomorrow I must wear RED b/c the IRS is comeing and I bought a white silk blouse with the $100 the manageing partner gave me. It is very nice so I will NOT eat until AFTER we have the meeting with the IRS. Today, the manageing partner got fish takeout for everyone celebrate Margie’s pregenency, and we got good stuff to eat from a local place. I had GRILLEED SAMMON, which is my favorite, and the manageing partner had tuna. Frank I do NOT know what he had and Mason and Lynn shared something. Lynn look’s like she is getting a littel chunky since she has been dateing Mason. I hope she does NOT let herself go; she used to work out every day at her gym, but now I think they are liveing together at Mason’s place and sometime’s at Lynn’s place, and she is eateing alot at work.

      Benjamin texted to say he is comeing in tonite, but I told him I am already busy with Myrna. She is still p.o.ed about that guy getting so grabbey, but at least she had a coupel of layer’s on so it was NOT like she was weareing a batheing suit. FOOEY anyway, b/c she said she felt violated and that is what mattered. She said he said they do that kind of thing alot in his home country, and that is a way of a guy signeling to a women that he is interested in haveing a relationship. I can NOT beleive that is right. Men who do that in the subway can get arested. FOOEY! Frank said that there are places where it is completely legal to take pictures up our skirt’s and I said it was NOT in NY. Where ever that is need’s to fix there laws. How dumb can peeople be to have no laws against upskirteing? FOOEY!

    3. If you’re talking about the everyday value CK suits, I agree. Although I bought the pencil skirt, I’ve been very happy with the suit, and there are a ton of pieces (multiple skirts, different jackets, pants, dress–although the darts on the dress were weird to me when I tried it last spring).

      1. Yep, this is what I’m talking about. I actually don’t see the flutter skirt on their website, but they had it in the store. It’s sort of a cr@pshoot trying to find the exact size and combo of skirt and blazer you want, especially if it’s a high-traffic Macy’s, but mine looks exactly like the suit pictured here at a fraction of the cost!

  3. For a second, I skimmed over the name of the skirt and thought they’d named it after Sandra Fluke.

  4. Anyone else completely over biglaw and just biding their time until the right opportunity comes along? I am at the point where everything about this job drives me nuts and just want to know that I am not the only one.

    2. isn’t that everyone? not trying to be snarky, but that was completely my experience from day 1 until I quit too. might help to have drinks with some people in your class – i’m sure you’re not alone.

      1. I’ve had a few friends that let the PRESTIGE of biglaw go to their heads for a while, and seemed to enjoy it for the first year or two because it allowed them to brag about how important their cases/clients/partners were and what BIGDEAL work they were doing (lol), and how they get free dinners if they stay after 8 and free gym memberships and other random benefits, plus they feel like they can p!ss the furthest in the “I’m so busy” competition that modern life seems to have evolved into. But yeah, even those people seemed to change their tune after about 2 years and then complained how miserable their jobs were, how the work was meaningless, how they couldn’t wait to get out of there, etc.

        1. Can I just say that this is not everyone? And I think it does a real disservice to law students and junior lawyers to pretend that it is.

          I love my biglaw job. Not for the prestige, or the “big” cases, or the competition (and, it goes without saying, not for the dinners or car rides or whatever — who wouldn’t prefer to eat dinner at home rather than at their desk?). I love it because I think the work is really interesting. I enjoy analyzing legal issues; I enjoy writing briefs; I enjoy strategizing about the best way to make an argument, take a deposition, etc. I enjoy being surrounded by a smart colleagues that I can do all of this with. And I appreciate that most of my clients are sophisticated, reasonable, rational, intelligent lawyers themselves. (I’m not knocking anyone who deals with individuals as clients and I know a lot of people who prefer it — but, for me, that level of handholding and/or dealing with cases where individuals are personally invested and emotions run high is less appealing.) Would I like all of that with fewer hours? Sure. Though let me also say this: there have been times that I have wished I spent less time in the office because, well, there are things I like to do that don’t involve being in the office that I’d like to have more time for. But I’ve never (well, very rarely) been unhappy with what I’ve actually been doing because, to me, my job is fun. There *are* people who like their big law jobs, and I find it offensive to dismiss them as crazy irrational prestige wh*res.

          All of that said, if you are not one of those people, find a different position. Far too many people perpetuate the stereotype that biglaw is this awful thing you have to suffer through before you can get a job you like. It’s not: you can get (or at least start looking for) another job now. You spend way too much time at work to suffer through one you hate. To the OP — I’m sure you’re not the only one biding your time and waiting for a better opportunity (and, to an extent, this is how firms function: they can’t be as leveraged as they are w/o high levels of turnover amongst junior associates) — but you don’t have to be one of those people. You can be proactive about finding something better for yourself.

          1. Thanks for this. Not all firms (and offices) are the same. I am lucky and have a good situation in BigLaw and I really love it, as much as I can love any legal job that requires me to record my time.

          2. Where did I say that this is all biglaw people? anon was the one who suggested that ALL biglaw associates hate it from day 1. I offered as an example one category of people who do not like it from day 1. At no point did I claim that this was category was to the exclusion of all others.

          4. Also, my lol was more to the first year biglaw associates who act like their priv review projects that paralegals do at other firms are on the same level of work as what the partner with 30 years experience is doing, simply because they’re all at the same firm. I wasn’t judging their desire to work on large cases or clients.

          5. Cheese — didn’t mean any of those comments as an attack on you personally or specifically what you wrote, and I’m sorry if it came across that way.

            I was just trying to address an attitude that I’ve seen more generally here and in other conversations about the legal field that “everyone hates biglaw, and the only people who could possibly stay in it care only about the prestige, the money, or have no life/friends/interests outside of work.” Obviously I don’t think that’s the case.

          6. I don’t disagree at all that there are people for whom it is a good fit. In fact, I would say based on my purely anecdotal observations of the people referenced above, the people who initially go into it for the money or prestige are actually less likely to be the ones who stay.

    3. H@ll yeah. I’m pretty close to giving up and being a SAHM. Hate biglaw, hate my practice area. Want to take a step back career-wise (i.e., “lean back”) but make too much money to be taken seriously for those positions. Biglaw has left me overqualified, overpaid and yet at the same time underqualified and unqualified, for anything other than Biglaw in my practice area.

        1. In-house is not a realistic option. Not all practice areas, particularly litigation, require all that many in-house counsel. So why did I not think of that when I started my biglaw career, you ask? 2009 grad and other circumstances beyond my control (including pregnancy).

          1. If you’re close to giving up anyway, perhaps talk to the partners you work with? I know it’s uncomfortable to talk to them because you don’t want to give the impression that you’re not serious about your current job…but if you’re not planning to stick around much longer anyway, what’s the harm? Most partners will know people who had junior level experience in their practice area, and left to do something else — they will likely have some good ideas and may even be able make an introduction.

          2. If you are a 2009 grad, then I think you are still junior enough (by in-house standards) to be able to make a transition. I know that my in-house department hired several mid-to-senior level litigators for non-litigation roles, and it worked out extremely well for all parties.

    4. Ever since the “career planning” post I’ve really been thinking about this. My goal is to stay/not kill myself long enough to pay off my loans. Then, I’d love to get out. Just not sure where “out” is: in-house, smaller firm, no firm…

  5. I’m heading to an industry conference (think finance) and have a question for you ladies on attire. During the day, the conference is business casual, but I am also attending a number of after hours events put on at some swanky locations. In your experience, do people typically change? If so, should I be thinking cocktail? The conference is in a very warm climate and there is not much time between the conference end time and the official start time of the events.

    Thanks for any tips!

    1. How about a structured sheath dress + blazer? It would look nice for day or nice. Add chunky pearls or a bolder necklace for the night. The conferences I’ve been too usually give you 30 minutes to an hour between the end of day and events, so you can refresh, switch your bag, etc.

      1. This is what I do. Sheath dress and jacket and if it seems like c*cktail attire is appropriate for the evening I just take off the jacket and maybe add a fancier necklace.

    2. I think that a lot of DVF dresses may fit the bill (not the ones that are obvious evening wear, but the work-appropriate ones are often pretty enough to go into the evening).

      1. Yes, this is always my tactic. Nice wrap dress with a cardigan or scarf for daytime, run up to my room and change jewelry and shoes, take off cardigan/scarf, and add more eyeliner for the evening.

  6. I know no one on here can give me legal advice, but I’m curious where I’d go to get help with an educational trust I’m the beneficiary of. Would any lawyer be able to look it over and figure out what my options are as far as dissolving it or receiving disbursements, or do I want one who specializes in these sorts of things? Previously my parents took care of it, but they want to dissolve it because over the years my father and the other trustee have had a falling out and I would just like some independent confirmation about my legal options.

    The only lawyer I have worked with is the one who did the closing on our house. I just checked the website of her law firm and it says she does “Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, Corporate Law”. Would it be appropriate to ask her? or what kind of lawyer am I looking for?

    1. You’re looking for a Trusts and Estates lawyer. They should be able to review the trust and discuss options.

    2. If you were happy with your previous attorney, I would contact her and ask for a recommendation rather than starting from scratch.

  7. So, my boyfriend is currently deployed in the Navy. He took with him one of my favorite necklaces and has apparently, adorably, been wearing it under his clothes every day.

    In passing, I expressed sadness that I didn’t have something of his to wear/carry.

    Sweetly, he just mailed me a piece of his insignia. If it matters, it’s his submarine ‘dolphins’ – a pin you get when you qualify for submarines. Would it be appropriate for me to wear this visibly, or is that offensive? It’s a medium, gold pin, not obviously military-related; I think you’d need to be familiar with the Navy/submarines to recognize it. Could I put it on a chain and wear it around my neck? Or should I keep it under clothes?

    1. How could this be offensive? Honestly, unless it’s a pin with an obvious political message, I think it’s fine to wear.

      1. I’m not sure if I’d say “offensive” but it isn’t okay. Military insignia isn’t jewelry. And the person who wears military insignia earned the right to do so.

    2. “Could I put it on a chain and wear it around my neck?” – No.

      You shouldn’t wear military insignia that you, yourself, haven’t earned. If you wear it, keep it under wraps (I’m thinking pin on the inside a la Katniss’s Mockingjay pin).

      Thank you to your boyfriend for his service!

    4. I agree that it’s not yours to wear outwardly (google MOH wearers who didn’t earn it). But yes, for hidden (I safety-pinned something similar inside my shirt for every bar exam I’ve sat for).

      OR maybe see if you can find something in a similar shape (etsy or similar) that you can wear as a pin or on a chain? The sentiment is awesome.

    5. I don’t think anyone would mistake wearing a pin on a chain for claiming you had earned the insignia – it would be fairly obvious that you’re wearing it as a memento of someone who had actually earned the pin. I wouldn’t pin it to a shirt lapel or a hat, but a necklace should be fine.

      I would liken it to wearing a varsity jacket (albeit more meaningful due to the sacrifice and hard work of members of the military) – if someone tried to pass off a varsity jacket they hadn’t earned as their own, that would be annoying, but lots of women have worn the varsity jacket of their boyfriends without anyone raising an eyebrow. I understand the fear of looking like you’re dishonoring people who actually earned the medal, but you didn’t buy the pin to look cool – it was given to you by someone who loves you, and the significance of an insignia that you have to earn shows how much you mean to him. He could have just bought you a pin to wear, but he didn’t – I would wear the pin proudly.

      1. No. Just no. I mean this with no snark whatsoever, but military insignia is not even remotely the same as a varsity jacket. I know you acknowledge that it’s more meaningful, but making the analogy, even with the acknowledgment, cheapens what those pins mean.
        As for OP’s question, not coming from a military family myself, I would have never understood how inappropriate this sort of thing is until I married my husband, who is an active duty service member. Specifically, it is against protocol for you to wear his military-issued gear. More generally, it could be construed as “wearing rank,” which is a big taboo among military spouses or significant others. I don’t see any problem wearing it inside your clothes, as someone above suggested, but I would not wear my husband’s JAG pin, for example, on my lapel, even while he was deployed.
        There are “sweetheart pins,” things that exist just for this very purpose. Many of the newer ones I find supremely tacky, but they exist. There are some very beautiful vintage ones out there, if you look. The WWII era ones are especially gorgeous.

        1. I think I’d be more concerned about what my loved one wanted than the gossip of the wives and girlfriends. Her active-duty service member wants her to wear it, she thinks it will comfort her, I say go for it.

          1. It isn’t just wives/girlfriends – her boyfriend may get heavy flack from his shipmates if it is discovered that his girlfriend is wearing his submariner dolphins, particularly as he should know better (as an officer).

          2. Then the lot of them could probably do with more work! I mean really, giving an officer “flack” about his girlfriend? Completely inappropriate.

        2. I did actually grow up in the military, active duty parent on multiple deployments on active fronts, so maybe it just seems more casual and normal to me, but I am sorry if you felt my analogy cheapens the meaning. The point of the analogy was giving up something meaningful that you earned to be displayed on someone else.

          If we’re referring to the same one, the law refers to wearing a “distinctive” part of the uniform as illegal – and I disagree that anyone who see wearing a sub pin as wearing rank. Impersonating a serviceman or servicewoman is different, and but as noted below, no one will mistake you for pretending to be in the military. On the bases I grew up on, it was pretty common for kids and spouses to wear their parents’ old working uniforms (flight suits, BDU’s, work shirts). I still have a few that make great painting clothes.

          I do think that medals – actual awarded medals – shouldn’t be worn, but I don’t think this falls under that category.

          1. Follow up: just wanted to double check because certain branches and units do have different ways of doing things – a friend who was a former subber weighed in, and wearing your boyfriend’s dolphins is pretty normal, apparently, and not at all against UCMJ.

    6. I guess I’m going to be the lone “yes” here. I think it’s going to be pretty clear from the fact that you’re not uniformed military personnel that you’re not impersonating an officer.

      Maybe this varies by branch, but in my branch, this kind of gift-giving is quite common (and completely inoffensive).

    7. I would secure it to my vanity so I would look at it every morning and then select a simple dolphin charm to wear every day.

      1. I like this idea. Mostly because I am absent minded and would be upset if I accidentally lost the pin.

    8. I think it’s funny that apparently military wives and people care about things like this and are apparently scrutenizing my person so closely. I have been a military wife for a few years now, with my hubs/associated with the military for longer and almost in the military myself with many military friends, and I have never come across a conversation where people are snarked/judged/ridiculed/whatever for wearing such a thing. That doesn’t make it ‘right,’ I’m just saying I am not sure if I agree with the sentiment that everybody will notice right away and stone you for it.

      I mean, significant others wear dog tags all the time?? Or often, you will get ‘copies’ of token insignia to display (ex., pilot tradition is that the wife gets half of the first set of pilot wings broken by the pilot when he qualifies).

      Anyway, I guess (meh?) I generally agree with the sentiment to keep it discreet or hidden. I think on a necklace under your clothes would be fine, or pinned inside your clothes. What about carrying in your wallet/pinning it to your wallet? Or, could you get a keychain that you could somehow pin it to? There might be other ways to wear it on your person without it being outward facing. But, if people are apparently oogling you from head to toe so carefully they can see a tiny pin pinned to your pocket (or something) and immediately recognize it as a specific military insignia even more specific to a specific job and service branch, FYI they are probably totes judging you for a million other things.

    9. I just read the responses from folks who are adamant that military protocol says you can’t wear the pin or that it’s offensive to those who earned their own insignia. Who cares? Ignore them. Your boyfriend is wearing your necklace while he is deployed. Wear his pin everyday. Just keep it somewhere close to your heart. If anyone gives you sh*t about it, just say “Well, when your boyfriend is deployed and he send you his pin, you can with it whatever you like.”

    10. Are you referring to the Submarine Warfare Insignia? Consider pining it inside your blazer, but please don’t wear it like a decorative brooch. I am a female and obviously, I do not have the submarine insignia, but I do have a different warfare qualification that I worked very hard for and I would be offended if I saw a wife or girlfriend wear it like jewelry.

      Congrats to your SO on his achievement!

  8. Progress Report/Accountability time for zora!!

    I have slacked this week and haven’t sent any new job applications since this weekend. :o( So, I’ve sent 8 total, but I need to get my self back on track and get to the rest of my list, plus look for new opportunities that might have posted this week. Ok someone smack me so I get back on it tonight!!! Goal: 2 Apps tonight completed and SENT!

    Hey, Baconpancakes, the Captain is requesting your status report!! ;o)

    1. Eep! I have lined up four jobs to apply for, and updated my resume, but haven’t sent any in yet.

      BUT I did go to the gym this week! That counts, right? ;-)

      Probably not, but between Thursday and Sunday night, the goal is to apply for all four of the jobs I’ve found, find someone to connect to in my network, find at least six more positions for the next round, and read the first five chapters of the latest “What Color Is Your Parachute?”

      Thanks for the nudge, zora! You’re doing great!

  9. Reposting from the Wallet thread:

    Vicarious shopping thread!! I have $500 to splurge on an office-appropriate accessory. I’m thinking handbag or jewelry? No shoes, no clothes. Anyone want to suggest something? I really like long chain necklaces, interesting (but classic) studs, mid-size leather totes with interesting details. I’m also open to suggestion!

    What accessory would you buy if you had $500 to spend?

    1. Links of London has some beautiful necklaces that are more than delicate but less than a chunky-type statement necklace and would exactly fit the bill I think.

    2. I’d get a new summer bag. Maybe this one: http://tinyurl.com/n72we95

      Or, I’d just blow it all on one of those enamel Hermes bracelets that really shouldn’t cost as much as they do but I just think they are so freaking pretty.

      1. Oooh, those are really cool. Have you seen anything like that but with mixed metals (gold and silver) intead of the onyx?

        1. No but they do have them in many different colors (yellow, blue, green, clear for sure) but at way varying price points.

  10. I was wondering if anyone has one of these signup codes that gives a good percent off for a 3- or 6-month sign up in their emails. My friend is interested, but is put off by the price of a membership at the moment. TIA!

  11. I am freaking out. I felt a tiny (pea-sized) lump in my neck that I don’t think was there before.

    I have an appointment with a doctor on Friday to check it out, but I’m terrified that I’m dying. I’m too afraid to Google this (probably wouldn’t help anyway), and my anxiety is out of control.

    I know no one here can do anything to help, but I just had to get this out there because I don’t want to tell anyone I’m close to and freak them out, too.

    1. I completely understand where you are coming from. I had a similar experience, except the pea/marble sized lump was in a br**st, and I have a family history (mom, maternal grandmother) of br**st cancer. So the week’s wait for the ultrasound was a little bit frightening.

      Turned out to be nothing. I hope yours is as well. Try and take your mind off it as best you can with whatever works for you (exercise, time with friends, mindless TV, etc) but I know that is easier said than done.

    2. I get like this, too. I’ve had a small, non-growing lump in my neck for probably over ten years. My doctor thinks it’s probably scar tissue from an old infection. And I’m still here. Good for you for calling the doctor. You are doing the right thing. Just try not to get ahead of yourself (you really don’t know anything at all yet), and do not Google your lump or any conditions that you think it might be.

    3. Oh I completely a million percent know how you feel :o( It is a horrible feeling, but TRY try try try try to calm down. So cliched, but a few big breaths IN… big breaths OUT….

      It is good that you are staying away from Dr. Google. That way lies only trouble.

      But you will see the Dr on Friday, and it could be nothing. Really. It could be absolutely nothing at all. So, try to keep reminding yourself of how you will feel on Friday if it is nothing and you have been freaking out for no reason. Lots of wasted energy. I did exactly that, and I felt so frustrated with myself when it turned out to be 100% okay.

      Keep venting here if you need to, and we wiill keep telling you: It could be nothing. Don’t borrow trouble tilll you have a real reason to. Breathe. Sending lots of internet hugs if that helps. I’m so sorry you are going through this. :o(

    4. My dog had a lump like that in her neck (I know you are not a dog) and we panicked and it was nothing. May the odds be ever in your favor.

    5. Thank you all for the words of comfort. I am going to try to focus on other things until I have more concrete information. Nothing I can do about it either way until then, right?

      I really appreciate the kindhearted community here. Your posts helped me calm down. Thank you.

      1. Have you had a cold recently? Or any type of infection? It could also just be an inflamed lymph node resulting from that. Definitely still get it checked out, but my lymph nodes in my neck do that every time I get a sinus infection.

    6. You should have it checked out, but I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had several pea-sized (or larger) lumps that were sebaceous cysts, totally non-cancerous and non-harmful (except for appearance issues). And sebaceous cysts do grow over time, making them seem even more scary if you don’t know what it is. I will think good thoughts for you & hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

    7. Good for you to check it out and yes, the high high likelihood is that it’s nothing.

      Our story : my husband has these from time to time and we got really worried the first time. Doc told us it was most likely enlarged lymph nodes related to his body fighting off an infection (he had been travelling with a colleague who had a cold), put him on antibiotics and told him to come back in a week if the lump persisted. It went away within a couple of days, much to our relief. He’s since noticed it recurring from time to time, and can usually identify something which might have triggered his immune system eg. a bee sting, an infectious colleague etc.

  12. Baby Bhaer has arrived! He was born March 6 after many many hours of labouring. I’d been hoping for an unmedicated birth at the borth centre, but I was stuck at 4cm dilated and just completely exhausted, so I ended up in hospital for an epidural and drugs to augment labour. Apparently I was pretty lucky not to end up with a c-section.

    Baby is doing great and is already well past his birth weight, having put on almost half a pound just since Sunday!

    Professor Bhaer and I are pretty exhausted but totally ecstatic :)

    1. Yay Congrats, Momma!!!!! I am so happy for you, and so excited for all the babies of people I have never met ;o) YAAYYY!!! Lots of hugs and smooches for Baby Bhear!

    3. Babies!!!!! That’s so exciting. Congratulations! And I’m glad that it all worked out well!

    5. Hooray! I know people were looking for you here a little while ago and we all speculated that it was because of happy news. Congratulations!

    9. Congratulations! Will he be named Laurie? (I can’t remember the names of any of “Jo’s Boys” or the “Little Men,” sorry.)

      1. In fact, Emil (one of the Professor’s nephews in the books) was on our list. And I quite liked Theodore but it’s the English version of my uncle’s name, and Jewish people don’t name babies after living relatives. We went with my grandfather’s name and then a middle name that is both from the Professor’s family and one of our favourite movie characters :)

  13. Have any of you adopted internationally? If so, do you have any recommendations for attorneys (I’m in the US)?

    My situation is unusual because DH and I are not just looking to adopt generally. There is a specific child who we would like to do adopt. Everything is being handled very quickly in her home country (her mother is very much in favor of the adoption). But we need an attorney to make sure things are handled properly on the US end.

    Any other resources would be greatly appreciated!

    1. No recommendations of specific attorneys (I stay far away from these cases) but… if immigration is going to be an issue (i.e., if the child isn’t already a U.S. citizen or resident), you need to make sure that both the adoption AND immigration issues are covered. Definitely find an attorney experienced in both, and get a few second opinions to make sure everything is done properly, or you could end up with a big mess. If the child is from a Hague country and a parent is still in the picture and immigration is an issue, it’s not easy to adopt a child in a way that complies with all the applicable international and U.S. laws addressing the adoption and U.S. immigration.

  14. The sandals were a poor styling choice. I do like the suit with the pants though.

  15. I have an academic job interview (assist professor position) next week. Any advice or special pointers that I haven’t yet heard?

    1. Should go without saying, but be polite to the Admin Asst – candidates that are rude or dismissive are definitely noticed. Should be a duh, but I have a family member who is an AA in academia and she reports to her chair about candidates who were rude to her – and she was usually the one who’s schedule is thrown into a tizzy making the flight, meal & interview schedule for the candidates. I’d assume that anyone who was rude to the AA also had other reasons to go against them in the interview, but according to her the rude -to-her candidates almost never get the position.

      But overall, good luck, and check out he Ask A Manager blog for more interview specific tips.

      1. Your info about how Admin Assts are treated is absolutely true. We had a provost candidate who was rejected because of how he treated the woman who would be his assistant.

        Other things – make sure you know what makes this university or department distinctive. Be able to talk about how you would fit into the university’s mission and goals. That may sound odd, but it means a lot. Be able to talk about how you teach in ways that engage the students. And be able to talk about your research in an understandable way.

        Not knowing what you might already have heard, I don’t have anything more to add.

    2. Congrats on your interview! Specific advice will depend a bit on your field. I’m in the biosciences, and went out twice last week for dinners with assistant prof candidates. One candidate was very bright, does great work, and gave a great talk–and she didn’t seem to care about anything that anyone else is doing scientifically. Urgh! We want to see that you are a good fit, that you will like us and like being here, that you and your work will be successful when you get here, and that having you here will be a benefit to everyone. Be bright and engaged, speak up, and be professional in attitude and presentation (these last two are hard for many female bioscience PhDs of my acquaintance). Think of how what you do academically can connect to what they do, and why this particular institution is the best place for you to start your career. Good luck and keep us posted!

      1. Can you expand on why you think attitude and presentation are hard for some of the female bioscience PhDs you know? What is it exactly that they don’t get right?

        1. Sure–and I stress that this is just my own experience with the current batch of trainees. They have spent the last several years wearing raggy t-shirts and jeans to work (b/c who wants to get chemicals, etc. on nice stuff). Changing appearance standards to fit in with faculty (not students and post-docs) is a big change for many of them, and it doesn’t give the right impression when you give your job talk in leggings-as-pants, for example (and I have seen it happen!). I have seen several female faculty recruits, right out of training, who have not changed their overall mindset to “colleague” from “student”–they hunch over, speak softly, over-apologize, and do not give the public appearance of being confident in their work and their worth. One-on-one, they can be terrific, but it definitely hinders them on the job market. This is, of course, a huge over-generalization, and there are obviously many exceptions. But I make a big point about talking over these things with my direct trainees, because I have seen this be a problem so many times. I’m a big fan of just “faking it”–you may not _feel_ confident yet, but we all know what that looks like. Even if you’re quaking inside, stand tall, speak up (so important at the job talk!), and go ahead and answer questions like you’re the best expert in the room (because, in your specific area of work, you usually are!).

  16. The NYT says todays exploded building should have a gas detector alongside smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. I have smoke and CO but not gas. Is that a thing? Do you guys have them?

  17. I have heard of gas detectors for facilities/warehouses that store hazardous gas, but not for residential. Google says that for natural gas leaks, you should be able to smell it yourself (like rotten eggs) and for propane leaks, a detector is only necessary if you have an RV or something.

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