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Updated: Oct 31, 2018 152 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Cici Mesh Inset Blouse

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

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T Tahari Cici Mesh Inset Blouse | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Tahari has a number of nice, affordable blouses. I've been stalking the Layden (now $38), but this light pink “Cici” blouse is also calling my name, and at only $34 too. I like the soft, feminine color and the high V-neck seems great for layering under blazers, sweaters, and more. Sure, there's a mesh panel at the back, but I think we can all just ignore that, at least in winter (says the woman who is perpetually freezing, at least). Nordstrom has a longer-sleeved version if you prefer that — the pictured version is $34 at Bloomingdale's. T Tahari Cici Mesh Inset Blouse Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected]. (L-4)

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

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Comments

  1. TBK

    My vacation is use it or lose it (although my boss promised if I had a day or two left at the end of the year, he’d make sure they’d roll over). I have SIX days left. I probably want one or two for Christmas, but what should I do with the others? If you had 4 or 5 vacation days, what would you do with them? Assume you can’t do overnights (kids), your SO has only 1 or 2 days left, you do have childcare from 8:30-6:30, and you don’t want to spend a ton of money. I’m thinking of taking one day to just do. nothing. Just hang out in the basement (which is a fully finished family room, but where the kids rarely go), watch movies, nap, pet the dog, and not watch kids or do work or clean house. But what else?

    • Anonymous

      You are in DC? Spend a day at Dumbarton Oaks (gardens should be lovely right about now) and maybe pay for a tour? And then on day 2, do the C&O trail for an hour out and an hour back. Also lovely. Then a day for car inspection / dentist / eye dr / other personal maintenance. Then a day during the week when you won’t be so vexed to knock out holiday shopping / holiday cards (the second while bingewatching something). Done!

    • mascot

      The mental health day sounds nice. Is there anything that you want/need to do for the holidays? Shopping, maintenance appts, cooking? Do kid stuff that takes forever- organize/sort clothes, toys, pictures? Meet your husband for a lunch date? Meet a friend for lunch?

      • Anon

        +1 This is what I would do. Take a day to relax and a day to run errands, do holiday shopping, and knock out some doctor appts.

        • anon a mouse

          In some years past I have taken a random day off to do all of my holiday shopping and it is SO NICE to get it done without the crazy crowds.

    • S

      I love staycations – go to a museum, get coffee and read the paper in the early afternoon and watch everyone hustle about during their work day, see a movie by yourself, do an elaborate baking or cooking project you normally wouldn’t take on . . .

      • Ellen

        Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love Fruegel Friday’s and this Cici blouse! Great pick, Kat! I am headeing up to Westechester to see my sister, so I can go to NORDSTROM’s to try them on tomorow. I can’t go to Bloomie’s but do NOT mind payeing more for it at Nordstrom’s.

        As for the OP, I agree. Staycation’s are great. I am NOT married and do NOT have kid’s, but I realy like to lay around and do nothing at home. It is very relaxing in being abel to do nothing — you can alway’s get a DVD or stream something from Netflix or Amazon, or just watch cabel tv all day like I did last weekend with Myrna. This weekend will be VERY busy for me b/c this is Mason’s last day, and I have to see what his file’s look like b/c we have NO replacement for him yet, so I, as his direct manageing partner, have to become responsibel for all of his work. We will still be abel to get ahold of him thru Lynn, as he is liveing with her at her place, and she can relay messages, tho the information will NO LONGER be PRIVILEDGED (I think). If anyone in the hive know’s about talkeing to ex-lawyers about matter’s they worked on after they are fired, please give me the citeation (NY Law, of course), b/c the manageing partner asked ME to look into it, but I could NOT find anything on the INTERNET. FOOEY!

        All the best to the HIVE. I think I will go out on Sunday to cheer the runners on. YAY for the NY Marathon and Spike Lee, who is the grandmarsheal this year!!!!!!

      • TBK

        Ooh, museums. Since I’m in DC, there’s no admission charge. Good call! Also definitely going to a movie one day. Maybe the new Star Wars movie (if it doesn’t s—k too much).

        I’ll probably do a Christmas day one day — take the kids for the Santa photo (no lines!) and maybe do some baking.

        • JP

          I do a couple of Christmas days every year and it’s the best. I get all shopping/wrapping done and also holiday stuff with my son. It makes actual Christmas MUCH more enjoyable.

        • twins

          You have wins, right? I would stay home for three days, and each morning, take one twin for a special mom/twin activity. Then the kid goes back to childcare or nanny, and you get the rest of the day to get a manicure, shop, museum, etc. On the third day, fly solo the whole day.

    • heatherskib

      That’s what we do…. My husband and I don’t have kids, but every time we go on vacation major crap happens. So we take staycation sanity days.

    • Cream Tea

      Take a Monday off the week before Christmas – wrap presents, get organized, do a bit of cooking… (maybe have a glass of wine and listen to Christmas tunes…)

    • Snickety

      I’d take a day in November to do all of the holiday shopping and a day in December to do the gift wrapping/baking/housecleaning. Then one day just for you – movie, haircut, whatever spa services you like, long lunch with a friend. My kids always have one or more random days off school in Nov/Dec so I’d check the schedule for those.

    • Anon in NYC

      I would take 4 days between Christmas and New Years. Nothing ever gets done in the office that week and it’s nice to just wind down from the hectic holiday season.

      • MJ

        That’s why I actually prefer to work these days. You can be in the office and get so much done without distractions. And brownie points for covering everything. It’s great.

      • TBK

        I actually really don’t want to take those days because everything will be closed/low key. My goal is to NOT be trapped inside with my (adorable) children. Or really be doing childcare at all.

    • Anon

      Despite what you said about no overnights, I’d take 1 or 2 nights to go see one of my friends (someone my husband isn’t close with) in a different city. I’d probably try to leave on a Thursday evening after the kids were in bed, and come back Saturday morning, to minimize my time away. You’d be amazed what 2 nights at a hotel, plus one Friday night out on the town with no responsibilities, will do for your happiness and sense of independence. (Speaking as mother of 2 kids under 5). Even if it means hiring a sitter to handle drop off or pickup for a day (if your partner really can’t do that), you might be surprised at how you could make it work. Unless you’re nursing – that’s the one obstacle I could never figure a way around. Anyway, just a thought!

    • Scarlett

      I love making thanksgiving a week long vacation, and I also love taking a few shopping days in December to walk around the city and be downtown, even if I don’t shop per se (thanks interwebs).

      • Senior Attorney

        +1 to Thanksgiving week. I usually host Thanksgiving so I love having the at least the day off the day before Turkey Day.

    • Anonymous

      I would take off the week between Christmas and New Years. Maybe the day before Thanksgiving if you have an extra day and/or are hosting on the holiday.

    • Senior Attorney

      Last year I had a bunch of days off toward the end of the year and I took every Friday in November and December. It was fantastic. I got so much done! Doctor’s appointments, holiday shopping, lunches with friends…

    • EB0220

      You could take Fridays off for the rest of the year (6 days, assuming you’re already off the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas). Or you could take Friday afternoons off for the rest of the year. I did this with the dregs of my FMLA with both kids and it was amazing.

      However you configure it, I would definitely try to do a special outing with each kid (separately) and one full day for yourself to do whatever you want. I did this recently and ended up doing a leisurely workout, reading a book over lunch, getting my haircut and seeing a movie. It was awesome!

  2. AEK

    Dinner suggestions, please? I’m home with a sick baby and my mother-in-law gets here this afternoon. My husband’s on trial so can’t cook. And it’s her birthday. She is not at all fussy or fancy but I want to have something tasty on hand and birthday-worthy. Thinking of a forgiving braise or crockpot recipe—but preferably not chili or soup, which I’v been eating all week. White meat only if meat. Ideas?

    • Anonymous

      I think this is where wedding-proposal chicken comes in handy. Just roast a hole bird. Maybe with rosemary? Or just roast bone-in chicken breasts.

      Chicken thighs are also delicious, but not everyone goes for the dark meat.

      • TBK

        Bone-in chicken breasts are a staple at our house. They’re so easy and so good. The trick is to roast them at high heat (I do about 425) and take them out when the thermometer reads 160. I just slap them right on a baking sheet (leave the skin on!) and shake dried tarragon and kosher salt over them. Nice sides are roasted brussels sprouts (wash, halve, toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and pop into the oven with the chicken), roasted rutabaga (peel, cut into 1/2″ cubes, toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and put on a baking dish with the chicken), and/or potato wedges (same thing — cut up, olive oil, salt, hot oven to roast).

    • N.C. anon

      I get tons of compliments on my jambalaya recipe, which I took from Budget Bytes. Just substitute turkey sausage (like the kielbasa ring) for beef sausage. Follow the blogger’s suggestion of buying pre-chopped veggies at the store to save prep time.

    • Cream Tea

      Chicken breasts (skin on), seared, then braised in white wine with tomatoes, thyme, and garlic. Mashed potato on the side.

    • Brit

      You can roast a nice chicken in the crockpot in about 5-4 hours. I just rubbed it down with some butter and herbs, stuck balls of foil and potatoes and onions underneath. If you want to make it a little fancier than just a roast chicken, maybe find a nice glaze for it?

    • CHJ

      Do you have a Costco nearby? Their chicken pot pie (in the deli section) is fantastic, and all you would need to do is put it in the oven for an hour or so. Plus it makes your house smell great.

      I would probably do that, plus throw together a cake from a box mix for ease and festivity.

      • Anon

        +1 Add an extra egg and sub melted butter for the oil in the cake mix. If you can whip up homemade frosting (whip together butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, milk, and powdered sugar) it will totally taste homemade with a fraction of the work.

      • CKB

        Todaysparent.com has a recipe for a one bowl chocolate cake that is dead easy and tastes way better than a mix. I’m posting from my phone or I’d find it for you. Seriously maybe 5 minutes more than a mix because you have to measure the flour, sugar, cocoa, oil, etc.

    • NYC tech

      I love to cook, but in a situation where everyone’s tired, and you want nice food, I’d probably throw my hands up and order in from a decent restaurant. Maybe toss a cake-mix cake in the oven with some whipped cream and berries on top, to feel festive with ~5 minutes of work. And then spend the day snuggling my baby without feeling the slightest bit guilty.

      • AEK

        You’re the voices of reason:) But I have been cooped up for a couple days now and actually would like to do something. Baby is no longer actively sick but can’t go to daycare because of a recent fever.

    • Bonnie

      Do you like fish? I made a version of this last night and it was delicious. I used mahi mahi because I prefer it to salmon. Also, instead of grilling the fish, I put the fish in the marinade and just let it cook that way in the oven. Amazing, created its own sauce and very simple to make. It would go really well with any starch and vegetable.

    • AEK

      Off to the store after naptime (baby’s, not mine, alas). Thanks for the ideas! I’ll do the crock-pot “roast” chicken with some fancy herbs & potatoes. I can get it all ready before MIL arrives, and then she can do her obligatory (to her) helping by making salad.

  3. Bostonians! Favorite Restaurant?

    What’s your favorite Boston restaurant? Friend’s bday is next week and I’m helping her DH pick a good place. We’re hoping for something in South End, Back Bay or Seaport/Fort Point. Favorites??? Romantic-ish, but more importantly just great food and atmosphere! Most major food groups apply. TIA!

    • A from Boston

      Hm . . . I take it you want a local place rather than a chain. If you’re open to a chain, you can’t really go wrong with Fleming’s or Smith and Wollensky. But if you want local . . .

      I was at Trade last night and loved it, it’s definitely one of my favorites, so look into that place. Maybe a little less romantic and more funky/trendy, but good stuff.

      I also really dig Carrie Nation, over by the State House. Really nice, 1920’s themed place.

      Scholars is really nice too, it’s one of my go-to places downtown although late at night on Friday and Saturday it becomes more of a nightclub than a restaurant.

      Look at Tico, which is a cool tapas place, and my guy has said some great things about Lolita (Mexican place), although I haven’t been yet.

      My friend went to Brasserie Jo for Valentine’s Day one year, and really liked the place, so that could be another option.

      People might recommend Top of the Hub, so let me say, it’s a classic, great views of the city and the cocktails are great, but the food is just okay.

      • Anonymous

        I don’t think anyone thinks Top of the Hub has good food…even in college it was a “fancy” place because of the views, not the food.

    • CHJ

      I just went to Erbaluce this week, and it was fantastic. It’s a creative take on Northern Italian. The location is in Bay Village, walking distance from the South End, but tucked away on a little nondescript alley. Definitely romantic and birthday-worthy.

    • Anonymous

      Oh god, so many good options! Here are my recent favorites in those neighborhoods:`

      B&G Oysters for the seafood tower or Row 34 for the oysters. Select is also good (I may have an oyster problem…)

      Myers & Chang for truly delicious Asian food that’s great to share and try a bunch of different things.

      Gallows for good comfort food and excellent cocktails.

      Menton for extremely fancy and everything is just to. die. for.

      Deuxave and Erbaluce are always really popular options — I like Deuxave better and have had two separate very bad service experiences with Erbaluce, so that wouldn’t be my first choice.

      I’ve heard really great things about Banyan (where Hamersley’s used to be in the South End) and Babbo (Mario Batali’s newish place in the Seaport), but haven’t been yet.

    • anon

      I don’t agree with any of the recs above. Coppa, Oishi, Sorellina, l’espalier, no. 9 park, menton, mitral, ostra, scampo. yvonne’s (doubt they can get a reservation though)

      • A from Boston

        Yeesh, I haven’t even heard of those places!

        I’m starting to think I’m not classy or wealthy enough to post here.

        • ?

          I don’t think it’s that – I’ve been to every place you mentioned and to me they’re more popular happy hour/after work get together spots, not what I’d think for a semi-romantic birthday dinner. Noise level + crowds are the determining factors for me, but that could be just be my age. Lolita is fun if you want a scene, but to me that’s much more fun with a group of girls than a birthday dinner.

          • anon

            anon from before. completely agree with ?. have been to all of those places, but also skew a bit young/informal to me for the situation the poster described.

        • OP

          Ditto. I live in the burbs of Boston and haven’t lived downtown in a few years, although I work there. I asked because I’m out of the loop of the restaurant scene, but the places you listed I knew (and all of them) because of work happy hours and my younger days. Some are still staples – I’m at Trade a ton for work ad social stuff – but not romantic-ish bday dinners. I do appreciate the input!

      • CHS

        +1 to all of anon’s and CHJ’s recs, that’s much more the direction I’d go. Yvonne’s would be amazing if they could get in there. Townsman also great. I’m a fan of Row 34 in Fort Point, though it’s a more fun atmosphere. Drink below Menton is great for a pre-dinner drink, especially if they can’t actually do Menton. Mistral is kind of a classic birthday dinner place. If they want to venture across the river I’m also a fan of Giulia for a romantic dinner.

  4. Anon for this

    I am not loving the stupid costume I have to wear today. I mean, okay, I didn’t have to wear it, but if I opted out I would’ve gotten a hard time and would’ve been labeled “not a team player,” so I sucked it up. I have other, good costumes I’m wearing this year, up to 3 costumes tonight alone, so whatever.

    What bugs me is that my team and I sat down to figure out a “winning” costume idea. I mean, I have other things on my mind this Halloween season, so winning an office costume contest isn’t exactly my #1 goal, but man, they were determined to win this company costume contest. But then, any time anyone found or came up with a good idea, it was immediately shot down. Then they figured out this weird idea, and settled on it because it was cheap and simple. Now they’re complaining that all these other teams “smoked us,” and I’m like, no kidding they have better costumes, they actually agreed to do something that took some effort!

    • Anon

      You’re wearing up to three different costumes tonight alone?

      Wow.

      Then again, I’m not a Halloween person.

      • Cat

        Yeah, I am amazed at this level of effort! I am not a Halloween person either – tomorrow we’ll welcome trick or treaters, and we currently have (uncarved) pumpkins out, but I’m not into dressing up.

        Fortunately, only one person in my office suggested dressing up (in a group email asking for ideas), and absolutely no one replied.

      • Anon for this

        I’m going to a Halloween swing dance, and normally I’d pick one costume and stick with it, maybe bring a second to change into midway if I really couldn’t decide. But I’m performing, and the costume is great for the performance but shows a lot of skin and wouldn’t be great for social dancing, so I’m wearing one costume before I change into the performance getup, and hey, since I’m changing out of it after the performance, might as well make it something different!

    • Is this for real?

      Wow.

      What industry are you in?

      I am actually embarrassed for all of you.

      • Anon for this

        Not the OP, but I had a client where Halloween is HUGE and not only does each department have a theme for costumes, but they also spend the entire week decorating their part of the office to match the theme. Serious decorating like covering the floors and walls with colored paper and hanging things from the ceiling to replicate a forest, for example.

      • Anon for this

        Wow . . .

        I work at a tech company, and in my industry it’s pretty normal for most people to wear Halloween costumes to work either on Halloween or the day before. We have a party at lunch with a photo booth and costume contest. Most departments come up with a cohesive theme.

        • Is this for real?

          Makes sense.

          In my industry, this would be disturbing to clients and would make people question working with your group. But you guys probably do not have clients walking among you at all times.

          Regardless, this is another reason why I loathe working environments that cannot separate work from personal life.

          • Anonymous

            So you’re not embarrassed for me anymore?

            We don’t really have clients coming into the office most of the time. Although I think last year we “did Halloween” the day before because we were expecting visitors on the actual day. And some people are wearing normal clothes most of the day and just dressing up for the party.

          • Is this for real?

            No…. I’m still kinda embarrassed for you!!

            When people post on this site, I often try to put myself in their position to try to see how I would feel, empathize etc…

            Your whole post is complaining, and sounds like a nightmare to me, so yes…. I assumed you were not happy to be forced to do this and I was embarrassed that you had to suffer through it!

          • Anonymous

            Oh! I thought you were embarrassed for me because I’m wearing a costume to work instead of professional attire. I’m getting the sense some women here think adults should never wear costumes, especially to work.

  5. Anonymous

    What is everyone doing for Halloween?

    Drinks with friends, no costumes allowed. I’m a Halloween Grinch, if you’re over the age of 14, I think dressing up is silly.

    • Anon

      Continuing my current tv show marathon (Engrenages – in English I think it is Spiral) and making Paleomg’s Buffalo Chicken Casserole.

      • K

        Dude, love Spiral. I binge watched it last year. I’m a Halloween grinch, too. And have hated dressing up since I was a kid. I also don’t do the candy thing since I don’t want it in my apartment, although I may go see my nephews before they head out…

    • Anon Worker Bee

      Handing out candy while watching college football at home. No costumes; I’ll be wearing my team’s colors.

    • Cambridge girl

      Going to the theater in the afternoon to see an interesting play. Rushing home to give candy to some trick or treaters. Then pizza, candy and watching Pan’s Labyrinth.

    • Doodles

      Going to a party at another couple’s house. Costumes are mandatory. We’re in our late 20s-early 30s and love dressing up for Halloween! I got our costumes a month ago.

    • Proud Dork

      You’re not required to “do Halloween” if you don’t like it, but don’t be judgmental of adults who decide to wear costumes on Halloween. You don’t have to have a giant stick up your bum to be considered “mature.”

    • CherryScary

      Heading back home to catch up with old friends for a costume party and introducing the fiancee to most of them for the first time. No-effort costume, just resurrecting something from an event earlier this year.

    • Anonymous

      Handing out candy at home by myself (DH is on a business trip) in a long sweater and leggings and trying to figure out how to keep the dog from going crazy every time the doorbell rings. It’s my first year living in a single family home since I was in high school and our neighborhood has a lot of young kids so I’m very excited for the trick or treaters!!

      • AZCPA

        How cold is it where you live? I fought this problem for years, so now camp out on my porch with music (and usually some wine) so that kids can just come up without ringing the bell. It’s actually more fun since you can see all the kids and parents scurry up and down the street (our neighborhood is a Halloween destination).

    • CountC

      I am amused a Halloween grinch asked this question!

      I LOVE dressing up for Halloween, but have nowhere to do it this year. Trick or treating was last night in my town, which I missed because I was at the barn until 7:30 p.m. I am heading to a friends house for a small girls’ night – dinner, drinks, and Exploding Kittens.

      • Anon

        Now I’m wondering if you live where my parents live…

        They moved there after all the kids were grown and gone, and it has always baffled all of us that trick or treating is the Thursday before…

          • CountC

            I’m not in that one, but the larger one a little bit down the road with no money!! Not trick or treating on Halloween night is so strange to me, not having grown up here.

          • Gingham

            I’m from Central PA — this was the best because my town was the Thursday before, the town next to us was the Friday before, and then there were some other towns that were on Halloween proper. Since we had friends all over, I could go trick or treating three times each year and get a ton of candy. It was so much fun.

    • Pretty Primadonna

      Attending an annual Halloween costume party at a fellow Junior League member’s home. This is my first year attending and I’m excited; I’ve been wanting to go to a costume party for the last several years and it just hadn’t worked out that way. Costume: Kylie Jenner.

    • moss

      Going to my brother-in-law’s party. Been going to this annual party for about 15 years now. This year my husband decided to write a space opera and I will be doing an interpretive dance, as a squid, to one of the songs.

      I almost wish I was making this up.

        • moss

          thank you :D He’s downstairs singing right now (we both work at home). I’m mostly worried about not doing his awesome song justice. Oh well. My face will be covered,haha.

    • Sydney Bristow

      Hosting our annual Halloween party. Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory. I love Halloween and putting together costumes. This year I’m going as Velma from Scooby Doo.

    • SC

      Attending a wedding, no costumes. Strange timing, but the fact that the local college doesn’t have a football game tomorrow took precedence.

      • Care

        I’m going to a wedding for Halloween night as well! Its so strange to me to dress up fancy on a night everyone else is being silly! Plus the SO keeps asking if he can just wear a costume to the wedding…

    • Mrs. Jones

      Halloween is my favorite holiday. Tonight we’re having our annual costume party, this year with karaoke, and tomorrow we’ll trick-or-treat with our son. Can’t wait!!

    • KS IT Chick

      We’re discussing going to see The Martian in IMAX 3D, since it is on a one-week-only release, and skipping the whole candy scene this year. Our town has 3 different huge public trick-or-treat events spread out over the day that have pretty much killed off the house-to-house stuff, so we end up with a mountain of candy left. Since I discovered that even a chocolate chip cookie is enough to give me a migraine, I can’t eat any of it, and my husband doesn’t need to eat all of it.

    • Pep

      It’s DBF’s birthday, and it’s a Saturday night, so we’ll be out on a dinner date somewhere to celebrate and I won’t be home to hand out candy to the little neighbor kids.

      We didn’t have a good turnout on my street for a number of years, but last year there was a notable increase, mostly little ones out on their first outing. A new generation of TOTs!

    • mascot

      Annual halloween party at our house. We host an early dinner and then everyone takes the kids trick or treating. Super fun (but at 24 hours out, my to-do list just looks like a lot of work.)

    • TBK

      Wrestling my children into adorable animal costumes. Taking them out for brunch with the family. Baby trick-or-treating around the shopping district near MIL’s (she knows all the store owners and I think she’s looking forward to showing off her boys). Baby naps at MIL’s. Home, then wrestling children back into costumes so the au pair can take them for a quick early trick-or-treat around our neighborhood (she asked me weeks ago if she could do this — she’s very excited about it). Keeping kids up until at least 7:45 to prepare for daylight savings while also handing out candy and keeping the (very large) dog from bowling over any children (other people’s mainly — mine are used to getting bowled over by him) and/or bursting our eardrums with his “OMG OMG DOORBELL DOORBELL ITS THE DOOOOOOORBEEEELLLLL” barking.

    • lucy stone

      I normally love Halloween and we go kind of crazy for it, but it was supposed to be my due date and now I’m feeling pretty crappy about it. My husband convinced me to soldier on, so as usual we’re handing out candy to the kids and beer to the adults in our neighborhood. We decided to dress up this year, so he’s being a shark and I’m being Notorious RBG. I’m hoping the crown improves my attitude!

    • CKB

      Probably arguing with do over who gets to go trick or treating with our younger 2 boys. Then eating too much candy after turning off the lights at the end of the night. Oh, and carving pumpkins in the afternoon because this week was way too busy & we won’t get to it until then.

  6. anon

    How much and in what ways do you all use women’s professional networks, to include your school’s alumni events? What’s the best way to make good use of these opportunities, and the best way to make sure I’m paying it forward (even as a very young person)?

    • CountC

      Not much, if those groups even exist at my school/workplace. I have not found them to be anywhere near as useful as my own personal networking. I find that forced networking is rarely useful honestly.

      • TBK

        +1 I’ve never made a good contact at any formal networking events of any kind. Much better to grab lunch/coffee with people, go out for drinks, or go to non-networking industry social events (like dinners and galas).

  7. Emmer

    Planning a trip to Argentina this winter! Anyone have recommendations on fun things to do in Buenos Aires and/or where the best place to visit in Patagonia is?

    • Anonymous

      I’ve been to both Bariloche and El Calafate (to hike on the glaciers) and would recommend both. Patagonia is stunning.

    • Anon

      In Buenos Aires I loved San Telmo for antique shopping, people watching, and great dive bars. Palermo and La Recoleta are fantastic shopping neighborhoods. MALBA is a beautiful museum depending on what the exhibits are. Taking the subway is a cool experience because it’s so old, and it’s a beautiful city for just wandering around and enjoying, amazing food, coffee, and of course wine.

    • Liz

      So many thoughts on this! I spent a month there last Nov.

      For Patagonia, I did the glacier trekking in El Calafate and it was one of my favorite travel experiences ever. Just make sure to book well in advance. I also went to El Chalten and used it as a base for some amazing hiking. Def recommend.

      In Buenos Aires, seconding MALBA. I also did a bike tour of the city which was a great way to get to know it. And definitely sign up for a closed door dinner! It’s dinner in someone’s home and was one of my favorite experiences. Great food, met interesting people from all of the world and got a peek into local life. San Telmo, Recoleta and Palermo for eating and shopping. Definitely do Recoleta Cemetery.

      And the best kept secret (at least for most American travelers I know): If you are planning on seeing another region, go to the Salta region. Salta itself was the perfect home base. Manageable small city. I also loved Purmamarca and Cafayate – amazing small towns. Overnighted in both. And the salt flats. But the drives to/from both of these points were some of the most stunning scenery – moon-like formations, lush green valleys, cacti, red rocks, wine country. So much variety. I loved this region way more than Buenos Aires.

      Have fun!

  8. Marise

    Adding on to the prior post about dinners, I am trying to gather a list of easy dinner 30 minute meals for my family when I come home from work.
    Here’s a couple of mine to share: Get a roast chicken from the farmer’s market, pair with a salad (mixed greens, cranberries and apples tossed in oil and vinegar), roasted baby bell peppers (broil in oven with olive oil and salt for 10 min.) The next day, I sautee onions, carrots, thyme in a large pot, throw in a splash of white wine, then put left over chicken in the pot with chicken broth, then one it is boiling throw in Buitoni raviolis for a chicken tortellini soup.
    Anyone else willing to share a quick recipe or two? Thanks Hive!

    • TBK

      Wow, that actually strikes me as a ton of work. My go-to dinners:
      – pork loin marinated in soy sauce, fresh ginger (from a tube), 5 spice powder, hoisin, and oil, then roasted in a 425 oven until done, with vinegar slaw (bagged shredded cabbage mixed with seasoned rice vinegar and vegetable oil) and brown rice
      – roasted bone-in chicken breasts with roasted rutabaga and Brussels sprouts (see above — basically my favorite treatment for almost every vegetable is to toss it with olive oil, sprinkle it with salt, spread it on a baking sheet and roast it at 425 or 450)
      – tacos made with ground beef mixed with Frontera sauce pouch served with tortillas, packaged fresh salsa and guacamole, chopped onion, chopped cilantro, sour cream, and hot sauce
      – Greek turkey burgers (ground turkey mixed with chopped Kalamata olives, red onions, feta, minced garlic, and a few shakes of oregano, formed into patties and pan cooked) with tzaziki sauce (yogurt with garlic, lemon juice, shredded cucumbers, and onion), and a vegetable
      – chili made from a Wick Fowler’s spice kit plus garlic bread and salad
      – London broil marinated in balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic, and olive oil, then cooked in a cast iron pan, with sweet potato oven fries (best advice ever — toss them in corn starch before tossing them in oil and spices to get them crispy) and a green veggie

    • L in DC

      Fish tacos! I dredge tilapia filets in some flour + goya adobo spice mix + paprika + extra salt (you can use whatever spices you want), then fry them in some olive oil. Serve with tortillas, sliced avocado, mango salsa or regular salsa, optional shredded cabbage. I do an easy vegetable on the side that only takes 5 minutes, like steamed green beans or broiled asparagus.

      • Brunette Elle Woods

        That sounds really good! You just cover the tilapia in flour and fry? That sounds pretty easy and it may be my dinner Saturday!

      • NYNY

        We have some sort of taco night almost every week. I cook the meat – skirt steak, chicken cutlets or boneless thighs, pork chops, or firm fish – on the stovetop in a cast iron grill pan. No marinade, just salt and pepper. While that’s cooking, I slice or chop the veggies, which can include any combination of fresh jalapenos, cabbage, radishes, avocados, tomatoes, and scallions. I usually quick-pickle some red onion by slicing it thin and adding salt, sugar, and lime juice. When the meat is done and cooling to slice up, I heat corn tortillas in a cast iron skillet. If there’s sour cream or yogurt in the fridge, that comes out. Assemble your own. Done in 20 minutes.

      • AIMS

        I also like tacos for an easy dinner. You can do whatever suits your fancy inside but lately I’ve been making Rick Bayless’s Green Chile Adobo sauce, which makes a big batch, and then using it throughout the month on shrimp, chicken, fish, veggie, whatever. Topped with sliced avocados. The sauce keeps forever and you can make it more or less spicy, as you like: http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/green-chile-adobo/

        Other easy go to’s in my house:
        – Broiled salmon and asparagus. We’ll usually do some kind marinade on the salmon (lately, mix of honey, hoisin sauce and soy with a bit of ginger if we remember to get some ahead of time; in the past thin layer of grainy Dijon topped with bread crumbs and lots of fresh herbs like dill or parsley) and tossed garlic on the asparagus. It take 10-15 min. in the oven, you can do all on one sheet, and if you put foil on your baking sheet, there’s virtually no clean up.
        – I often make a big pot of soup over the weekend to take for lunch and one or two nights when I don’t have it for lunch, we’ll do soup and either dumplings or potato pirogies. You can buy nice premade soups, if you don’t want to make your own. For dumplings, I like the trader joe’s veggie gyoza; for pirogies, I think Mrs. T’s (from any old supermarket) are actually really good sautéed with some onions, mushroom, shallots, peppers, or whatever, and topped with dill and sour cream. This also takes no time at all. You could also do quesadillas instead of pirogies (use up the extra tortillas from taco night).
        – Any kind or rice/lentil/grain bowl – you can pretty much use whatever is on hand, top with a fried egg for extra protein. Good way to use up leftovers. Similar & something we’ve really enjoyed lately: friend rice. Food52 has a good primer on how to make this without
        – Polenta plus sautéed eggplant or mushrooms in tomato sauce. Top with some grated cheese. So good.

    • c

      Cut 2 or 3 lemons into circle slices. Put them in the bottom of a casserole dish. Put some boneless skinless chicken breasts on top of the lemons. Tuck garlic cloves and rosemary sprigs between the chicken breasts. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 350 for like 40 mins (or till done).

      Also, google “oven fajitas.”

  9. Emlee

    Hey y’all. I’m looking to switch cell phone plans. I’ve been on a sprint (postpaid) plan for the past few years and while I’m happy with the service, I feel like I’m paying much more than I have to since there are so many cheaper prepaid plans out there. I’m getting a bit overwhelmed with all the options. I know that I definitely want to have a plan that runs on either the sprint or T-Mobile networks (Verizon and att suck where I am) – and I also want to buy the new iPhone 6s 64gb phone (my old iPhone is 4 years old already!). Any recommendations?

    • Anonymous

      I like TMobile. They let you pay off new phones at $20 a month, no interest, and you can upgrade at any time with a full credit for your old phone.

    • Aunt Jamesina

      I have Boost Mobile, which is owned by Sprint. I pay $45 a month (including all taxes) for unlimited everything. It’s fantastic, and their customer service is just as good as any I had with AT&T and Verizon (so, not great, but just fine). I evangelize to anyone and everyone who will listen.

    • Anonymous

      I have Credo Mobile, which uses the Sprint network. More expensive than Boost – $75? – for unlimited everything but I bet they’ll give you a perk for switching and fantastic customer service. Like real live earthy-crunchy people in San Francisco. I actually just upgraded to an (admittedly older) iPhone and somehow they wound up giving me $20 off a month.

  10. Alice the Pointy Haired

    I have a vacation planned in December in Ireland, London, and a few places in western Europe. The Ireland portion is a road trip, London and the Europe portion will be outside walking. I need proper outerwear, but I don’t want to spend a lot. I live in So. Cal…the outerwear probably won’t be used again. What would you ladies recommend in the sub $100 category? Could I get away with a rain coat and a down puffer vest?

    • Runner 5

      I’d just buy a warm waterproof coat if I were you – go to TJ Maxx and there should be loads of options (although they may not have them in store if you live somewhere warm – try online?)

    • Anon

      The down will be miserable when wet – I’d go with a good raincoat, a fleece sweater underneath, and a wool scarf. Layers are great, particularly if you are walking a lot. And you’re probably far more likely to wear them all again, separately, if not together.

      • Alice the Pointy Haired

        Sorry, I should have clarified: I would be using the down vest under the lighter waterproof coat. But I think your idea sounds perfect, and I think I will go that route. I have a few cashmere sweaters, and then I also have warmer base layers to wear as well.

    • LondonLeisureYear

      Nice comfy wool socks will also be good to have to keep your toes warm during all the outside walks.

      A lot of people use umbrellas here, so that could help with the water proof.

      Get really good gloves with the fingers that still let you operate a smart phone – you won’t want to take them off.

      I did Ireland last December and it was sooo windy and sooo cold. I grew up in MN. I can handle cold and I was so happy to my huge down water proof Canada Goose jacket, scarf, hat, gloves, hood etc. You will be so much happier with a good quality coat – maybe you can sell it afterwards and warm comfy walking boots. BTW Newgrange outside of Dublin and the Giant’s Causeway/Rope bridge were wonderful even in December. Newgrange has been one of my favorite things I have ever been to. Its so impressive! However the sunlight short days did get in the way of our plans of being able to see everything we wanted to. So plan that it will get dark at about 3 pm.

  11. Cb

    Quick tights help as I pack- I’m wearing a patterned jersey dress (blue with light blue patterns) and wanted to wear my grey-blue suede Sperry booties as an alternative to flats. What colour tights do I wear?

    There will be ceilidh dancing so I’m hoping the booties protect my toes from overenthusisiastic dancers.

  12. dater

    On Monday, a guy suggested we go out on a second date. We agreed to go out on Friday. On Wednesday, he texted that he was excited to hang out and suggested that we grab a bite. I said sure.

    Now it’s Friday afternoon and we’ve made no concrete plans. No time, no place. Am I over sensitive to be a little annoyed? I’m not all that into this guy, and part of me feels like, if he texts later this afternoon, I should just tell him I made other plans.

    Should I just go with the flow? If he ends up not texting, I really would just rather make other plans. I would text him, but don’t really want to give the wrong impression about being super into him.

    • Pep

      “I’m not all that into this guy…”

      There’s your answer. Why waste his time and yours?

    • Anonymous

      I’ve been out of the dating world for a long time, so talk this with a grain of salt…but why don’t you text him and say something to the effect of “are we still on for tonight? when/where should we meet?” Definitely don’t sit at home moping and waiting for him to text, but making other plans without letting him know seems a bit rude. He initiated conversation about a second date not once but twice so you’re hardly “chasing” him if you try to firm up plans. And if you really just said “Sure” when he said “Let’s grab a bite” as opposed to “Sure! Where?” or “Sure! Have you heard about that new burger place?” it seems like you dropped the conversational ball a bit. If I were him I’d be wondering if you’re just not that into me.

      • Anonymous

        I agree with this, but I also agree with the advice above to cancel the date if you aren’t feeling it. I can see how he may not have felt that you were all that into it, which it seems is kinda true.

        Also, right or wrong, this is how a lot of men date in 2015. If a man who makes concrete plans a week in advance is important to you, this guy may not be for you. I usually advocate at least two dates to decide, but if you aren’t feeling it, don’t go.

    • Brunette Elle Woods

      Go with the flow for now. If he doesn’t text you by 5,6, or 7, move on to the next unless there’s a good reason for the lack of communication. I’ve had men do this to me and I just write them off. It’s a second date. He should certainly put in some effort. If he texts you past 6 or 7, say you didn’t hear from him all day and made other plans, but don’t reschedule with him. Your time is valuable and he should respect that. However, I’m also pretty tough on men and currently single!

    • Cream Tea

      I would find that very annoying. I say text him now to follow-up, and if you haven’t heard from him by 5, give up and make other plans/do nothing/don’t expect to reschedule. But feel good that you made the call to not see him, rather than the other way around.

      Texting you at 7 to say, “where should we meet for dinner?” seems SO rude.

      And yeah – if you’re really not interested, don’t go.

    • SC

      I’ve been out of the dating world for a long time, so take this with a grain of salt. But I would text him to firm up plans. I don’t think texting “Are we still on for tonight?” sends a message that you’re super into him (no more than agreeing to the date in the first place). Also, I know dating is a different world, but I make plans with just about everyone in my life by planning to get together at some general time (Sunday brunch, drinks Friday), and then firming up shortly before. So it doesn’t seem particularly rude or weird or annoying to me that your date would do this.

      Then again, if you’re really not feeling it, don’t go. But I would text him, “Sorry, but I have to cancel our plans tonight,” instead of waiting to hear from him and then saying you made other plans.

    • Anonymous

      Go with your own flow. Make other plans, or be open to other invitations, or settle in for the night when you get home. If he texts to make plans and you happen to be available AND feel like going out, go. But if you have other plans or you’d rather not change out of your yoga pants, tell him no. And maybe say that he should try making plans in advance if he wants to spend time with you.

    • Marla

      I’m too late to this, but in case others in a similar situation see it in the future . . . this exactly describes my first date with my now husband. He was worried I wasn’t into him, I was convinced I wasn’t, and he wanted to see if I cared enough to follow up. We’ve been married 15 years now. So I would follow up and see where it goes.

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