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Updated: Oct 31, 2018 230 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Donegal Cashmere Audrey Sweater

The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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Talbots Donegal Cashmere Audrey Sweater | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Audrey sweaters have been favorites of readers in the past, as has Talbots' cashmere in general. This burgundy version looks fun and wintry, while the heathered effect gives it some really interesting texture. It's available in regular, petite, woman's, and woman's petite sizes, for full price at $169. Talbots Donegal Cashmere Audrey Sweater A couple of lower-priced options are here and here. Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-4)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. Wanderlust

    I like this sweater, but not for $169! Is Talbots known for having sales like Ann Taylor? Should I hold out for a 40% off?

    • anonymous

      I would. I’m wearing my audrey sweater right now, in fact. You can get them down to like $60, but that’s lucky colors. You should at least be able to get 40% off. I wouldn’t pay full price.

      • anonymous

        I believe I got mine for $70 or so last year. It was late enough in the season that not every size and color was available, but the vast majority were. I think just about everything that wasn’t a neutral color was available at that point, and it was really just the super tiny sizes that were gone.

    • August

      They have 40% off one regular priced item this weekend (22nd to 25th may be). So checkout their website.

    • Cat

      I tried on the cream version of this in-store yesterday! Loved it, but it was excluded from the 30-40% storewide promo, so I put it back. I’ll bite for 40% off one full-priced item, which I think starts Thursday. The speckled bits don’t provide any extra noticeable texture, but a nice change from solid colors.

      FWIW, I normally wait for 40% off Talbots *sale* prices, but popular colors in popular sizes – XS, S, M as Talbots tends to run a little bigger than other brands in their knitwear – will go faster.

      • lost academic

        On the model the sleeves look a bit short. This is a huge pet peeve of mine – firstly the 3/4 length sleeve, but really when sleeves are just not long enough. Did you notice the sleeves being a particular length when you tried it on?

        • Cat

          Like the other Audreys, this was a true 3/4 length sleeve on me – it looked intentionally 3/4, not like full length sleeves shrank in the wash.

    • Anonymous

      I bought this in a raspberry color last year and love it. I sized up because I hand wash all my cashmere with Laundress and the reviews said the sweater shrank after cleaning. It did shrink so I’m very glad I went with a larger size.

      • Anonymous

        I think someone last year said they were marked down for black Friday sales so I plan to get another sweater then.

    • MJ

      I have probably eight Audreys and I have never paid full price. They always do at least one or two 30 or 40% of one item promos (often via postcard in the mail). I have been jonesing for this sweater in both colors :)

  2. Ellen

    Ooooh, Kat! I love Cashmere and I LOVE Talbot’s! I am goeing to go with my MOM and Rosa this weekend and buy a few of these b/c it is getting chilley to walk to work, and I JUST got in and am shivvereing. FOOEY! But tomorrow it is supossed to warm up so we ALL have to watch that we dont catch cold. DOUBEL FOOEY!

    I got a FLU shot yesterday from CVS. I think EVERYONE in the HIVE should be innocuelated b/c there are alot of peeople in the subway’s who do NOT cover their mouth’s when they sneeze or cough. I am goeing to have to start using the subway to get to work once it is snowey, so by then I should be OK with the shot takeing 2 weeks to have effect, the pharmacist said. He was VERY nice, and he has a steady job, and he smiled at me. Who know’s. I could be the WIFE of a pharmacist! I will bring this up to dad and see what HE says.

    Ed called me to tell me about some new Repo investement he is pusheing. I told him NOT to talk to me but to talk to my dad, who is handeling ALL of my finances. He knew that but wanted to get me to buy in to it first. I said NO WAY. I do NOT make investement decisions. I am an attorney at law, duly admitted, but that does NOT make me a financeial genious. Leave that to dad, I told him.

    If anyone in the hive knows anything about Repo’s, that is what Ed is selling. I hope he does OK with those thing’s. YAY!!!!!!

  3. anonymous

    I need some major help getting my stress levels lower. The weird thing is that I don’t feel stressed and I really enjoy the things that I’m doing (except the drama-ful family). But I now have two very minor health related things that are only reasonably attributable to stress. They’re extremely minor and nothing would happen if I ignored this, but I don’t feel that’s wise. I already get as much sleep as I need, drink a ton of water, exercise regularly, and have a healthy diet. What else do I do to relieve some of this stress, and how do I measure progress given that I feel fine?

    • Anonymous

      Why are you convinced you are stressed when you don’t feel stressed? Is this your doctor’s advice? If so, meditation, yoga, and conscious breathing.

      • anonymous op

        yes. Also, I feel under pressure, but I kind of love it. And I have what would otherwise be a high stress job and a high stress life, so it’s definitely believable. I most of the time feel like I’m being pushed to be better, do better, etc. So I guess there’s some “stress” but I don’t feel bad, and I kind of love it.

        • Anonymous

          Oh, so you do feel it! That’s what you are saying. You just like the feeling, but you know what it is.

          I think actually therapy would be great- like a few sessions to work through balance a bit.

          You’re relishing something that feels good to you (stress) but that makes your body feel bad. That’s just the type of pickle therapy can help with.

          • anonymous op

            I guess? Is that what stress feels like? I feel normal most of the time, but I guess maybe being “stressed” is just my normal? I was the sort of kid who saw tests as “opportunities to excel” rather than something to be nervous about. That sort of sums up how I see things now. I’m excited about a lot that’s going on, so I don’t feel anything negative really.

          • Em

            I’ve always been told that “good” stress has some of the same physiological effects on the body as “bad” stress. Which doesn’t mean you have to eliminate it – that would be both undesirable as well as impossible – but may mean that some balancing techniques (meditation? yoga?) are in order.

          • anonymous op

            That actually makes a lot of sense. Do these techniques take a long time to work? Because I don’t feel any different afterward, or even if I do them for like a week or so.

    • Betsy

      I would suggest meditation – try 10 minutes at a time, once or twice a day. I feel like people are always recommending meditation, and I always used to ignore it. I finally gave in and tried it after a rough job transition and wished I had tried it sooner! Personally I noticed differences (feeling more alert, better concentration, less frustration) after about a week.

      • Anon

        This changed my husband’s life – the key is doing it regularly, as in daily.

      • Midwest Mama

        How did you (and others who meditate) start? Do I need an audio or something to listen to? Or can I do it myself? I would love to try this.

        • Jules

          I’m also interested in how to start a mediation program on my own. There’s actually a Zen meditation center just a few blocks from my house and they started a six-week intro course last month — but I was traveling or working about 4 of the 6 evenings. Um, yeah, stress.

        • Betsy

          I started out by using an app (Breathe, which I believe is free) which has a bunch of guided meditations, but I have switched to meditating on my own. Basically I set a timer on my phone, close my eyes, and focus on paying attention to my breathing. When I find my mind wandering, I simply notice (without judgement) whatever I’m thinking about and return to focusing on breathing. Repeat (and repeat, and repeat…) until the timer goes off. Everyone is terrible at meditation when they start, so embrace that and don’t get discouraged by it! Lots of people don’t notice any differences for several weeks or a month, so I would suggest giving it a month before you evaluate whether it’s useful to you.

        • Blonde Lawyer

          I did drop in classes at a mediation center and then worked on it on my own after. I’ve also done hypnosis.

          There is a great app that is billed as a hypnosis app but to me is also a meditation app. There is a free and paid version.

          One is “End Anxiety” the other is “Do it Now”. The latter is an anti-procrastination app. I find both helpful when I make time to do them. They are 30 minutes each.

        • jumpingjack

          I have the Stop Breathe & Think app on my iphone. It has a lot of guided meditations (where a person gives you directions) that are short enough to fit into the day. Also, look for a Meditation for Beginners CD/download – I got one called “Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction for Beginners: The Garden of NOW” and like it.

      • Ziva

        I would personally recommend the online course Ziva Mind. It is pricey and the class is pretty straightforward but after the investment I am meditating twice a day for 20 minutes. It sounds like a lot but I don’t find that it is in practice and it has been hugely beneficial for me. The teacher focuses on the twice a day meditation and really stresses to not beat yourself up for not having “thought free” meditations.

    • Cb

      I struggle with this as well. I feel quite cheerful and calm during the day but wake up a bit agitated and struggling to breathe. I think the solution depends on the health problem. I’ve been doing yoga and really focusing on breathing so when I do wake up stressed or agitated, I can employ those skills.

    • LAnon

      I’ve been reading some of Brene Brown’s books and realized that a major component of my stress is being uncomfortable with uncertainty (especially at work) and being a perfectionist about things. It’s been very helpful to work on accepting a lot of these feelings rather than trying to “fix” things. You might give her books a try – they reduced my stress / anxiety A LOT just by prompting me to look at my attitude towards stressful things.

    • SC

      If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth, I suggest a night guard. Once I started using one, my jaw started relaxing during the day as well, and it helped stop the cycle of physical tension/emotional stress. Also, I second the suggestions of yoga and meditation.

    • Fishie

      Try 8 Minute Meditation. Written by a lawyer, not all touchy feely new age meditation stuff. Practical stress relief. Will change your life.

  4. Lavender

    Can anyone recommend a shower gel/ body wash with a spectacular lavender or lavender vanilla scent? High end or low end – as long as it leaves my skin feeling great and smells amazing!

    Just looking to add a bit of -something- to my morning shower routine :)

    • AnonDc

      I really like Whole Foods brand body wash. They have a lavender one – I think they might also have a vanilla? Its only $6.99 and comes in a pretty large sized container. I also love the peppermint one.

    • New Tampanian

      Bath and Body works has their aromatherapy section and I love their lavender body washes. I use them at night to ease me into my bedtime routine.

      • Anonymous

        I love that stuff too! But it’s great for bedtime, and OP is looking to add something to their morning routine.

    • Alli

      I got one at Bath and Body Works in a sale bin a while back. I think it’s just called “Sleep” and is a simple clear body wash in a simple clear bottle. Has a great lavender scent. I’m not sure if they have it regularly or just during sales when they bring out the older inventory, but I got it for $5 and have enjoyed it!

    • Katie

      Not a body wash, but Trader Joe’s sells a lavender salt scrub that I really like. It’s very gritty so I mostly just use it on my feet, but my boyfriend also uses it when he’s over and he will come out of the shower smelling STRONGLY of lavender! (I don’t find the smell overwhelming, but it makes me laugh when he swipes such a “girly” product. I bought him his own jar for his birthday this year so he will stop using so much of mine!)

      It’s around $7 for a big jar that lasts a long time. I like it a lot in the winter when my skin gets dry. I don’t often get pedicures, so this really helps to keep my calluses under control.

  5. Lyssa

    I would be all over this if it weren’t 3/4 length sleeves. If I’m wearing a sweater, it’s because I am cold!

    • TO Lawyer

      I don’t understand why this is a thing. (I’m looking at you Jcrew). Why is it so hard to find a nice, work-appropriate, full-length sleeved sweater?!

      • Anonymous

        I prefer 3/4 sleeves. In addition to balancing out proportions, I like not having material around my wrist when I’m working.

    • Anonymous

      Many of us need to wear 3/4 length sleeves or we look dowdy. I’m not sure what is up with my body, but 3/4 is what I need. Every long sleeved sweater/shirt, I need to push up the sleeves or roll them. I think it has to do with my short waistedness… I’ve forgot. Someone (criticizing my outfit) told me once.

      And as someone who needs 3/4 length sleeves, I can tell you they are NOT everywhere. You have to look hard to find them in quality shirts/sweaters.

      • lost academic

        A lot of “regular” length sleeves end up being 3/4 on me, so I personally detest the trend as locking me into sleeves that perpetually feel too short.

      • Anonymous

        Are you sure you “need” 3/4 sleeves? That criticism was just one person’s opinion, after all.

        • Anonymous

          Oh yes. I can clearly see I look better.

          I believe it was one of the Nordstrom stylists.

      • Lyssa

        I can see preferring the look of 3/4 length sleeves, but in winter, I’m definitely prioritizing warmth over appearance. If it’s really cold, in fact, I think that 3/4 sleeves tend to look a little silly (like wearing sandals or similar – which, I confess, I sometimes do because I do often like them better).

        • Anonymous

          To each his own. I think skirts and bare legs look unprofessional, and skirts in winter look silly. We all have our preferences, even though most on this site would disagree with mine.

          Just trying to point out that 3/4 sleeves are still the small minority.

      • (Former) Clueless Summer

        I’m also shortwaisted and look waaaay better in 3/4 sleeves so I believe you. I didn’t realize it was connected to torso proportions.

        • NYNY

          Can’t recall where I read about this, but the concept is that the spot where your sleeves end draws a horizontal line across your body, so you don’t want them to end at a spot you’d prefer to de-emphasize. Most 3/4 sleeves hit at my waist. Most long sleeves hit at my hips.

        • J

          Oh my goodness… I love a good 3/4 sleeve shirt, and I prefer them to long sleeves. I am short-waisted, so this makes sense! Plus I have long arms, and am perpetually pushing long sleeves up anyway. :)

  6. Legal jobs?

    Where do you ladies look for jobs in the legal industry? I’ve been using indeed but not having a whole lot of luck.

    • mascot

      Lawyer jobs or staff jobs? All of my lawyer jobs have either been through a legal recruiter or through networking. Not sure about staff jobs. Several of my firms used legal staffing agencies for administrative positions.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      My local Bar has a classified section on their webpage and in their monthly newspaper. I think that is where I heard about my current job.

    • TBK

      Friends, contacts, mentors. Seriously. Have coffee and/or lunch with absolutely everyone in the industry you know. Get introductions. Go to networking events. Talk to your law school classmates. Rinse repeat. (And once you find a new job, keep having coffee and lunch with people regularly. It’s the best thing you can do for your career.)

    • Gail the Goldfish

      I got my current job applying to a listing on a firm’s website, so they are in fact not always black holes.

  7. Pencil chewing?

    For any (former) pencil chewers out there, how did you stop this?

    I am not one, but I have a child who has become a pencil chewer (to the point where her first-grade teacher has commented and even suggested I get her teething beads or gum (she said no thanks to that)). She was never a pacifier user (her choice) but always liked to put things (especially her fingers) in her mouth.

    Is this some sort of oral fixation? I’ve tried using the stuff to stop thumb-sucking (which doesn’t help at school). I wouldn’t so much have a problem with occasional chewing, but she is like a wet-mouth dog and there is a lot of slobber.

    Verbal reminders don’t seem to work (and she understands that she *should* stop, but “my mouth needs to chew”). I need some sort of pencil-slobber-whisperer.

    • Anonymous

      Coating the pencil in that no-chew stuff you can buy for fingernail biters? They make a spray for stall doors, etc for horses who crib/chew/suck wood, so I imagine it’s kind of the same thing?

    • tesyaa

      Are there any underlying issues, such as notable anxiety, that need to be treated? If not, you might want to see if this runs its course. When I was about that age, I used to suck my hair, and I think it drove my mother crazy. It wasn’t something that persisted for more than a year or so.

      If the main problem is the slobbering, you might look for ways to address that, such as having her carry and use tissues to sop up the mess.

      • Anon

        +1 to this. I drove my mom nuts for a couple years – I sucked on my hair, chewed pens and pencils beyond recognition, even chewed the earpiece of my glasses. I don’t really remember what eventually made me stop; I think I just outgrew it. I think probably once I realized that other kids thought it was weird, it became much less appealing. As an adult, I sometimes lightly bit the end of my pens when I’m thinking, but it is nothing like the gnawing, slobbery child that I once was.

    • Anonymous

      Talk to her doctor. OCD like behaviors in children are important to recognize and treat. They can be signs of depression and anxiety.

      • Bewitched

        +1 to this. Regardless of whether it’s OCD or habit, her pediatrician should be made aware and can likely offer valuable advice.

    • Anonymous

      Is she chewing wood pencils? Maybe get her a bunch of plastic lead pencils instead, or some sort of eraser topper that you hot glue on, if she’s chewing the ends.

    • LondonLeisureYear

      As a special ed teacher I work with a lot of kiddos with oral fixations. There are a bunch of products out there that you can have her try. One is Chew Stixx Pencil Toppers – you can find it on amazon. Sensachew is another brand that makes tubes to cover the pencil. Once you find these on Amazon you will see there are literally hundreds of products. There is chewerly that is jewelry that is made for chewing. BTW this is totally common! A lot of kids do this to help them concentrate or for sensory input. I would just try not to draw a lot of attention to it, because you don’t want her to feel bad about it and offer her substitutions of better things to chew on. The gum one is a great idea – its too bad her teacher is not on board. Does the school have an OT? If you continue to have worries it might be worth just asking the school’s OT some questions.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks! I will look into all that (and OCD/anxiety). She seems to be mouthy the way a puppy is and it seems to be largely an absent-minded thing that I notice when she’s tuning out (riding in the car, watching TV). When I see her at home, she is actively drawing, so she isn’t putting anything in her mouth (our markers and colored pencils are pristine) but then I can see the chewed-on regular pencils and pencils sans erasers, so I know it goes on.

        Actually the teacher was on board with the chewing gum (the daughter has no interest in it and says no thanks).

        • LondonLeisureYear

          I really really don’t think its anxiety or OCD. I bet its just a sensory thing. The fact that she does it when she is zoning out makes me think its almost self soothing/calming. I also don’t think finding things like knitting etc will help because its an oral sensory thing. (She says it herself “my mouth needs to chew!” ) Another reason an OT might be nice is that it sounds like she prefers chewing on certain densities of material – not wanting gum for example. An OT would have a bunch of the pencil chewers that you could try to see which density/texture she prefers so you don’t have to try them all.

    • Terry

      As a reformed pencil/nail chewer here I can tell you that I stopped when I decided to stop. As a kid, I didn’t see what the big deal was. At some point (maybe age 11 or 12, but possibly even later) I decided that I wanted to stop, so I did. I’m have a slightly anxious personality and am a fidgeter. (I drive my husband crazy by rubbing my hands together when I’m under stress.) The key is switching your figeting to something that’s more socially acceptable. It’s a bit odd, but would your daughter enjoy knitting? It satisfies a lot of the same urges.

      • lost academic

        Same. I’m a nailbiter and ONLY this year (in my 30s) have I made a conscious effort that resulted in nearly 6 months of not biting. Not seeing the white parts of my nails (using polish) can help. But I’d tried that before and I’d ended up picking off the polish or just breaking down. It gets a tiny bit easier every day, but it’s slow and hard.

        • Wildkitten

          Manicures. Like, daily, but maybe you could get away with less often if you’re less of a biter.

    • KT

      Has she been to the doctor/had bloodwork done? As a kid, I had pica, where I would chew random things (bottom of rugs was the weirdest, but pencils were another)–it turned out I had some nutritional deficiencies that caused my body to crave vitamins, making me feel compelled to chew non-stop

    • Anon

      Google “chewy pencil topper”. You will find products meant for autistic kids. this doesn’t mean that I think your daughter is autistic. It means she probably has a sensory need that she meets through chewing pencils.

      My son has or had sensory integration disorder and benefited from a few adaptive items like this to help him focus on school. He’s just about to turn 13 and has no issues to speak of and is an excellent student so don’t worry.

      My son also benefited from things to keep his fingers busy when he wasn’t writing. The same sources that sell the chewy pencil toppers sell items like this too.

    • Anon

      I left you a comment that is in moderation. Sensory issues are incredibly common in children and they don’t mean your child has OCD. You might mention it to your pediatrician but unless your daughter’s teacher is telling you your daughter can’t function in class, it is not an emergency.

      • anon also

        +1

        We were all worked up about various minor sensory things with our first grader, and now, by second grade, they all just went away on their own. If it’s not a big problem at school, give her a chance to grow out of it.

    • TOS

      Plenty of great advice – she’s also at an age where baby teeth are pushed out, so while she might be high on the curve for chewing (her teacher noticed and there’s a whole class with her age bracket) I’d pull back from OCD. Talk to her dentist as well.

  8. Anon S

    How much do you guys actually care about your jobs? This is a serious question. I don’t want to get fired, and I don’t want to suck at my job, but sometimes I just don’t care about it. I feel like I’m faking it so much of the time. Do you know what I mean? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I actually do a good job (I get positive reviews and have never had a performance issue problem) but when it comes down to it, I really don’t give a sh*t!

    • tesyaa

      Hmm, I love my job but I wouldn’t do it for free. Most people work because they need the income. Being super-invested in the job is a nice bonus, but hardly the primary reason for working.

      • Senior Attorney

        That’s how I feel: I love it but I wouldn’t do it for free, and if I won the lottery tomorrow (unlikely given that I don’t play) I would totally quit and do things I love more. I feel like I do a good job and I help people on a small scale, but as my predecessor in this job once said, we’re not curing cancer here. At the end of the day… it’s a living.

    • anonymous

      It’s basically everything to me… except people I love, obviously. I want to learn things and do things and accomplish something “real.” Sometimes I feel like you do, but that’s when there’s a particular problem or I’m having a really bad day.

      I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being either way as long as you’re a responsible and contributing member of society, broadly defined.

    • Anonymous

      That is how most people feel. Sure, you’re fed a lot of lies as a child about finding your true calling, and people have all those hokey sayings about finding your ~passion~, but really, most people work because they need money so they find something they can be decent at that earns them money. I do well at my job and I even enjoy myself from time to time, but if I were to become wealthy all of a sudden I would quit immediately.

    • anon

      I’m a lawyer. I care about my job in the sense that I want to do a good job for my clients. But, I also wouldn’t care at all if I got fired tomorrow (I like the steady paycheck, and i know it’s easier to find a job when you have a job, so I stay)

      • anon

        You are not alone. I am to the point of doing quality work and no more. Getting fired tomorrow would not be a huge loss–I already have a plan and savings to fund my next career.

        That said, it’s surprisingly difficult to get fired from a law firm in my niche because of the eat-what-you-kill pay structure.

    • JJ

      I used to care so much about my job. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that sometimes, a job is a job. I’m a hardworker, I want people to know that I’m good at my job/intelligent/trustworthy/represent my client well, but I also don’t work for any reason other than wanting a paycheck. I could certainly find other ways in life to satisfy my intellectual curiosity.

      • August

        I have become somewhat like this too. I am considering it growing up. I am good at what I do. I want to do the best I can. But at the end of the day, it’s just a job.

    • Rose

      I’m in this situation right now based on some restructuring (no layoffs) over the summer. That and I’ve been with the same company 10+ years and I’m only mid thirty’s.

      I’m looking casually but having the hardest time to find anything /much that fits me and is in my pay range.

    • anon also

      I feel a little bit about my job like I do my kids (obviously a milder emotional reaction with work, though). I don’t enjoy doing it in every moment, and there are some moments that I can hardly stand it, but when I take a step back and look at the whole picture, I really do love it. If you have to do something you are fundamentally blah about for the money, so be it – lots of people do. But it is possible to love your work, even work that doesn’t seem on its face inherently meaningful. I hope you can find that!

    • Baconpancakes

      No matter what job I’m doing, I care to the point of basing my personal self-worth on my job performance. It comes from being an overachieving straight-A-student, and being an awkward, graceless, friendless kid, so the praise and positive attention I got outside of my (loving and supportive) home was exclusively on academic achievement. I’ve hated a lot of the jobs I’ve had, and could not succeed at them because I simply wasn’t suited, but when I did well even in a job I hated, I felt 1000% better about myself. I do pretty good at managing work/life balance because I crave positive social interactions as well, but now that I’m on a path towards a position I really, really care about, I’m finding work taking more and more of my attention.

  10. Pearls

    I really care about my job, a lot, and probably too much. Actually, sometimes I envy those who can let things go and not take work so seriously. For me, if I’m not putting my best effort forward, it makes me feel diminished; I take pride in developing creative solutions, taking complex problems through to completion, meeting deadlines, all that stuff. I wish I could NOT give a sh*t……….but alas, not the case!

  11. Rose

    A close friends birthday is coming up and I know she really wants a Michael Kors purse. Listening to her gush over them, I know that she wants a medium sized bag and “not a girly color”.

    Given that info, what type of purse would you get her? Looking mainly for style advice, because then I plan on stalking every site and discount store (Marshall’s etc) to get the best price.

    • Wildkitten

      I’d give her a gift card so she can paw at all the bags and see which one she falls in love with.

    • Cncm

      I have the Selma in navy and love it. The saffiano leather is so low maintenance and I love the structured look. Got it for 40% off at Bloomingdales, so that doesn’t hurt either.

      • Anonymous

        You can get the Selma in steel gray for under $200 on Amazon. I have often gotten deals on Amazon once I figured out what style I was looking for. Too hard to actually shop for shoes and bags on Amazon, though.

      • Alli

        I second the Selma recommendation. I have it in a cognac color (I want to say they call it “luggage”). I carry it all the time and love it.

  12. Swimming advice

    I’m new to swimming and looking for a little advice. The chlorine in the pool leaves me parched and itchy in the 10 minutes it takes me to get home and into the shower in the morning. Also, my hair is starting to feel dry. Will a swim cap actually keep my hair dry while I swim, or is there some other way to save my hair? Any tips for saving my skin? I’m swimming 2 – 3 mornings a week. Thanks!

    • Rose

      I can answer the swim cap question. Yes, if you put it on and cover all your hair, it will keep it dry. I’d not cheap out on one though, because quality makes a difference and so does sizing if you have long hair.

      The other option is to wet your hair with regular water first, which helps keep the chlorine from soaking in.

      • Swimming advice - OP

        My hair is to the top of my shoulders and rather thick. Should I go with the long-hair cap size? Also, do I put it in a ponytail underneath the cap? Thanks for the advice!

        • lost academic

          I found that the ponytail under the cap tended to annoy me more, but try it out. I had very long thick hair too. I varied what I did – sometimes nothing, sometimes a ponytail, sometimes kind of a loose bun. It feels better without a knot anywhere, but try a few things and decide what is best for you. I don’t think you’ll need a long hair cap (but didn’t realize that was a thing now) – I just use the regular latex ones that you can get for about a buck apiece in any swim shop, they will eventually rip anyway.

          • Clementine

            I sprang for the $9 silicone swim cap and have been very happy with it.

            I personally do a single braid in the back and then tuck it up and flush against my scalp. That also seems to be the best to keep my hair from tangling under my swim cap.

    • Wildkitten

      Can you shower at the pool? When I was on a swim team we’d rinse off and wash our hair in the locker rooms even if we didn’t change out of our suits until we got home.

    • BB

      A swim cap will keep your hair relatively dry. Honestly, your best bet is to shower immediately after swimming. You may also want to get chlorine-removing shampoo.

    • mascot

      At a minimum, wet your hair with tap water before getting in the pool. Even better, add a little conditioner on the ends and stick it under a cap. I’ve never had much luck getting a cap on dry hair. UltraSwim shampoo works well to get the chlorine out (Babo botanicals also makes a post-swim shampoo/wash). Are you moisturizing your skin right after you get out of the shower? I really like Cera Ve cream or even coconut oil for helping my skin.

    • Anon

      this is time consuming but i promise it works: wet your hair with regular water and put a little bit of conditioner in your hair. Leave the conditioner in while you swim (with a swim cap). Rinse the conditioner out at the end of your workout (or when you get home). It keeps your hair from drying out and really helps with the chlorine smell.

      • Anon

        +1 this is exactly what I would have advised and now I don’t have to type it in.

      • Lobbyist

        I am a regular swimmer, and I color my hair. The conditioner while swimming is key.

      • Anonymous

        Agree with this. I also preferred braiding my hair under the cap because it kept the wet tangles to a minimum, but my hair will tangle if someone breathes out a mile away. That may not be necessary for normal people if it is pre-wetted and conditioned.

    • Anonymous

      My kids hate swim caps because they pull on dry hair so we were using Spandex ones – like made of swimsuit fabric – that dealt with hair-containment, but hair gets wet. It occurs to me that you could put one of those over your hair (damp, dry, conditioned, whatever) and then one of the silicone or rubber ones over it to keep your hair dry.

    • lost academic

      I swam competitively a lot as a kid.

      1) Rinse off if the chlorine is bothering you. There should be showers there – if you don’t want to actually shower, that’s fine, but rinse off. It’s better for your suit too, it needs to be rinsed every use or it’s not going to last as long.

      2) When we swam, we needed very different conditioners to keep hair from drying out. Pantene was a good one.

      3) Your hair will get wet with a cap. Getting it wet first does help with some things. Sometimes people would put regular conditioner on before swimming (added benefit of helping get your cap on) – that’s up to you, try it.

    • MJ

      What’s actually drying your hair is the chlorine on dry hair. So it’s actually better to wet your hair (so it soaks up non-chlorine water). You can also put conditioner on the ends right before you get in. The best way to cap up is to hold the cap against your forehead with all of your hair down, and then pull the rest of it to the nape of your neck. Then twist the bottom of your hair into a bun and shove it up. Also, although it looks dumber, put the cap under your ears (on the top of your ears) not over your ears. Yes, your ears will stick out, but it’ll be more waterproof. Silicone caps are easier to put on than rubber ones. They last a lot longer too. They are slightly more slippery, but also more gentle on your hair in terms of not ripping it.

      Also, if you’re itchy on the way home, you need to rinse at the pool. Most places have quick showers for health code reasons. Use these. It takes a few weeks for skin to get used to chlorine, and it’s a lot harder for your skin to know what’s happening if you only swim on certain days. Definitely buy some ultraswim shampoo and use really good soap/moisturizer on your skin, including facial moisturizer.

      Glad you’re swimming.

  13. Anonymous

    Conference-related opening wine reception tonight – are a brocade pencil skirt and cashmere sweater sufficient? (Versus Calvin Klein type work dress) Note I’ll only be able to stay for a half hour or so.

  14. Sydney Bristow

    I just got an adjustable standing desk. I eventually want to stand most of the time. Any advice of getting used to it?

    • Blonde Lawyer

      I just made the transition and it was surprisingly easy. I had an injury to my lower back so standing was much less painful than sitting. I have a fatigue mat and wear comfortable shoes. My feet and legs are a little sore at the end of the day but not much. I vastly prefer standing now. My concentration and attention span are better too.

      I’ll sit for a few minutes here and there. On a phone call, reviewing a paper document, but I hardly ever adjust my desk back down.

      I really didn’t do any gradual transition. I just went from sitting to standing.

    • Anon

      I am having trouble with this too.

      I need a fatigue mat.

      So far, if I set a timer, I will stand for 30 minutes a couple of times a day. But for client meetings and telephone calls I sit. Also, if I am working on somethign that involves paper.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I’d love recommendations for a mat too. My office didn’t provide one.

      • Blonde Lawyer

        My desk is the Kangaroo Jr. If you look at their website, they have add-ons that include a mat. That is the mat I have. I also have the side desk things so I can have my papers and stuff accessible while standing.

        • Diana Barry

          If you go o gle “best standing desk mat” there is an article that comes up that recommends one – can’t remember the name. It is over an inch thick and VERY comfortable.

  15. Rose

    I’ve gotten some great advice on stepping up my wardrobe game, as in basics to invest in. But has anyone successfully transitioned from casual to a little more put together and how did you do it? I don’t want to /will not be one of those peeps that spend a whole lot of time on my outfits, that’s just not me, but I do want to look more put together.

    • Anonymous

      I would (and did) achieve this by buying nicer versions of shapes and pieces I already know I like. I’m basically a t shirt and jeans girl outside work, so jeans got a little more tailored, crew neck shirts became cashmere or merino sweaters, ballet flats became pointed toe flats, etc.

    • KT

      Look at simple capsule wardrobes–just 10-15 pieces in complementary colors (mine is black based as my neutral and jewel colors) that can be mixed and matched. My focus is nice pants, 2 wrap dresses, good merino sweaters, and shells. It makes it really easy to get ready int he morning and I feel like I have more outfits than when I had a stuffed closet full of clothes that didn’t work together.

      • KT

        And think of a “uniform”. For weekends I’m all about skinny jeans, pointed flats, sweater or t-shirt and a scarf. For work, I’m a pants, neutral shell, blazer/cardigan girl, with the occasional tailored dress or suit tossed in.

        • Sydney Bristow

          I recommend the uniform idea too. My uniform is a pencil skirt, top, and cardigan. That allows for variations in colors and textures but most of it is totally mix and match. It makes it easy to shop for too.

          • Senior Attorney

            Yep, and I take it one step further by buying multiples of the same piece in different colors. The Skirt, BR Sloan pants, etc. I found a great Olivia Moon linen blazer last summer and bought it five colors. Nobody notices I’m wearing the exact same pieces every day in different colors and it makes things really easy.

          • Anonattorney

            I have about 10 different double serge wool no. 2 pencil skirts from J Crew, and even more tippi sweaters in various colors. Then a few blazers in black, gray and navy. I pretty much wear the same thing every day, but in different color combinations.

    • 2 Cents

      I’m interested in this too, since I don’t feel like I’m that put together. I’m also plus-size, so for most of my shopping life, it was about “if it fits = buy it” rather than “if it looks good = buy it.” I’m still seeing a gaping hole in the plus-size market for work appropriate wear for women who don’t want everything bedazzled. Any tips? Is Nordstrom’s personal shopper service good for this?

      • KT

        For plus size workwear, check out Talbots (great for suits/blazers), Kiyonna (my go-to for wrap dresses), Eloquii (when I want more fashion-y, Lands End (for basics)

      • Anonymous

        I posted a bunch a few weeks ago (also plus-sized) and man it was rough. I went to Nordstrom and did a personal shopping appointment and it was AWFUL. I was so disappointed. Their plus size selection is just not great and most of the material was very cheap looking. There were only a few pieces that looked decent (sejour brand was okay) and the shopper kept pushing me to be more casual despite my insistence that I needed more formal pieces. I think it was because it was short notice and they didn’t have anything in the store.

        I had ordered from ‘everywhere’ and struck out and was seriously freaking out. A few posters recommended I go into Talbots and try stuff on while keeping in mind stuff would need to be tailored. They knocked it out of the park. Once I figured out what size I was (some regular plus, some petite) I was able to put together an entire work wardrobe.

        I also just received a bunch of things from Bloomindales and had some luck with Calvin Klein pieces and Karen Kane wrap dress (another hive rec).

          • Anonymous

            Thank you! I’m so glad you all encouraged me to try again. Now I feel like I have a presentable wardrobe.

      • 2 Cents

        Thanks for the suggestions! I think I’m going to ask my critical (but nice) friend to help me out too. I tend to gravitate toward “ooo, pretty color” without factoring in what I’ll wear with it and if it’ll be a pain to maintain (must be machine-washable! haha)

      • lucy stone

        Nordstrom online is better than Nordstrom instore, IMO. I just did an instore appointment this month and the stock in store was all really casual – not a single suit to be seen.

  16. TBK

    Shopping help needed. I would seriously love a high quality tartan wrap, about pashmina size, wool or cashmere (or blend of both), that’s lightweight enough to wear as a scarf with a coat in winter but warm enough to wear on its own as a wrap right now. Looking for something that would go with tan/camel since my trench coat is tan and my winter coat is camel colored. Not too much brown/tan in the tartan though (e.g., the Burberry plaid makes me look so sallow — my complexion is very much a “winter”). I’d consider up to $300 for the perfect wrap, but would prefer closer to $200.

  17. KP

    I have had problems with neck stiffness for the past 5 years or so (basically starting when I started working a full time office job). I didn’t have any injury, I think it is just a combination of stress and improper posture. I get regular massages once a month. The massages give me a lot of relief but by the end of the month I am hurting and ready for the next massage. I know this isn’t a healthcare website but does anyone have similar problems and recommendations for other things I could try? It seems so sad to think this might be a forever problem. FWIW I have had an ergonomic assessment of my workstation but I don’t think I maintain appropriate posture when I’m sitting. I also notice discomfort watching tv or using my ipad, so it’s probably not just work. TIA

    • Anonymous

      Get a referral to physical therapy. There are lots of stretching techniques and strengthening exercises that can help, but there’s no one size fits all routine.

      • Carrie...

        +1

        Also, a visit with an OT/therapist to your work place to do an eval of your chair/desk/computer monitor position etc… is probably the most important step.

        Sometimes simple changes can be the answer.

      • Batgirl

        I would add that I wouldn’t let this go on for too long without seeing someone. It can sometimes snowball and get a lot harder to fix.

    • Mary Ann Singleton

      I used to have this, until I went to a really good chiropractor. I actually went there for my foot, but he thought it was too inflamed to work on, so I asked him if he could do anything for my neck since I was there anyway. He adjusted it over probably 3-4 sessions this winter, and I’ve been problem free since then. No doubt I’ll have to go back for more help, but it was amazing. I would use a lot of caution picking your chiro if you decide to try this, since the neck is sensitive and they really need to know what they’re doing.

      • Carrie...

        Be very, very careful with chiro work on the next. Even the term “Active Release” makes me worried…

        I have seen multiple young people come in to the emergency room with strokes due to manipulation of the neck in the chiropractor’s office. The stroke is usually not immediately after the manipulation. The manipulation of the neck can cause a tear in the blood vessel in the neck, which becomes a nidus for forming blood clots over time that can fly up into the brain and cause a blockage of a blood vessel. Then – stroke.

        No high velocity movements of the neck. None.

        The arteries that rise up the neck to supply blood to the brain are intricately woven within holes in the vertebrae of the spine/neck. They touch the bones. If you have a little bit of irregular/arthritic/rough boney protrusions on these vertebrae a brisk movement of the neck is all you need to cause a little tear.

        I would recommend seeing a physical or occupational therapist instead.

        • anonymous

          Not an MD like Carrie but I would not see a chiro before being seen by an MD (neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon) first. Very scary. I have a neurosurgeon in my family who refers patients to chiropractors when appropriate but has lots of stories of ones who saw chiro first, MD second.

      • Anon0321

        Also have had good luck w/ a chiro- she never did anything I would find uncomfortable, just very simple adjustments. She also has masseuses on staff that give massages after… which was amazing.
        I also try to actively remind myself to readjust my ergo potion (I say as I’m currently slouch to the right dramatically). Also, if you drive or have a long commute, make sure you are sitting correctly in your car. I find this makes a difference as well. Check your computer at home as well.
        Also- sometimes a back brace under your clothes can help when you are in pain (or starting to get there) & remind you to sit up more. I bought one on amazon, you can’t see it outside my clothes & it seems to help a lot.

    • N.C. anon

      My neck pain never crossed over into severe territory, but I had a lot of luck switching to a memory foam pillow. I discovered it by accident when trying out a bed at Ikea. I couldn’t find the pillow I liked there but found an identical one at Target for $12. (Do be aware that there is a top and bottom side for these pillows; I had some annoyance returning, then realized the pillow was upside down after remaking the bed.)

    • anonymous

      I had neck stiffness for 5+years and ended up having to have neck disk replacement at age 29. Don’t ignore it. See an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon first and then if there are no structural problems ask to be referred to a physical therapist. After that, I swear by yoga.

    • Anonymous

      I had these problems as well but I replaced my mattress and pillow and I’ve been largely pain free since.

    • heatherskib

      I get neck pain like this too. Mine’s all on the left side. I have a chiropractic pillow, my mattress is new, I do yoga, I did physical therapy, I also get therapeutic massage, and I have a GREAT chiropractor, but nothing seems to really help. At the easiest, it’s like a permanant kink in my neck. At the worst, it’s full painful spasm.

      I just set an appointment with an orthopedist about it today.

    • Emma

      I had something similar, and a family member who’s a physical therapist showed me how to stretch certain muscles that tend to get really tight with all the sitting at a computer / hunching over books I do. It has changed my life!

    • Anonymous

      Do you exercise regularly? I had this problem working in an office job until I started exercising (like intense cycling/spin classes, lifting weights, pilates). Now I only get neck stiffness if I don’t exercise for a week or two!

  18. ameralds

    This is more of a vent than a request for advice, although I guess advice is welcome. I feel like as long as I’m living in the apartment that I will be living in until next September (unless I break the lease), I will be making no meaningful progress towards any of my savings/life goals, because it’s just too damned expensive. I made the best call I could have with the restrictions and time limitations I was working with when I moved to my current city a few months ago (after a few budget-friendly shared options fell through, what was I going to do, live out of my car? spend 5 hours a day commuting?). I keep reminding myself that I need to keep my head above water for the next year, and then I can make some changes to the living situation.

    I’ve also had some unfortunately-timed expenses come up (two rounds of car trouble and a vet bill). This is exactly why I work so hard to save money—so I can handle this kind of thing without having to use credit. But it’s demoralizing to keep dipping into my savings account, especially since I don’t know when I can top it back up.

    I’m tightening up my budget and will be tracking all of my spending with YNAB. I’ll get through this. I just hate stressing and worrying about money.

      • Wildkitten

        I was feeling like I wasn’t achieving my goals at work and so I made a list of the other things I am achieving – like making my student loan payments, contributing to my retirement, etc. Surely there are goals you are progressing on even if they aren’t financial? Learning to cook more recipes at home? Reading more books from the library? Mastering new yoga poses in your living room?

        • emeralds

          I am achieving things! Financially, I’m even contributing what I need to retirement to maximize my employer matching. It’s too generous for me to leave the match on the table–it more than doubles my money.

          I’m cooking a lot, which is nice–I’d gotten away from it with living at home for grad school + 1 year. I’ve been reading lots of old favorite books, but I do need to remember to go get a library card. And I’ve been trying to do one new, free thing every day, even if it’s just walking the dog a different route, or chatting with a coworker I haven’t had a conversation with before. Thanks for the different perspective.

    • Emmer

      This may be a dumb question, but have you done the math on how much it would cost to break your lease + rent a new place + moving expenses +/- change in commuting costs? Would you still come out ahead over keeping your current place?

      • emeralds

        I haven’t actually done the math and am just assuming, so this is a great point. I will look into it.

      • Alli

        I was going to ask the same thing. What is the penalty for breaking the lease? If it costs one month’s rent plus forfeiture of your deposit, compare that to the savings in rent for whatever new place you find through September. If your current rent is 1500, and you can move to a place that is 1000, and you move at the end of this month, you save 500/month x 11 months (Nov. – Sept.) = 5500, minus moving costs and penalty for breaking lease. Might be worth it.

      • Carrie...

        Totally agree. Get out. Higher costs up front (to move, penalties etc…) may seem daunting, but do the math over the months/year and make your decision.

        Many landlords will make an attempt to fill the apartment and you wont be penalized. I’ve been in this position before and helped my landlord find a new tenant. All worked out.

  19. any NOLS alumni?

    Has anyone here ever done a NOLS trip? Or known someone who has? I’m specifically looking into the two-week course in Wyoming and am curious about people’s thoughts on safety, how your family/spouse /partner dealt with no phone contact for those 2 weeks, and other experiences. thanks!

    • MJ

      Not NOLS, but Outward Bound, and a lot of my friends and school instructors worked for NOLS. (My school growing up had an Outdoor Ed program). These types of trips are awesome. Two weeks is a long one–you may want to ease in with a 5 or 7 day one. Know that if there is a true emergency, everyone can get in touch–the instructors have sat phones or radios.

      These are such amazing, mind-clearing, empowering trips. You connect with nature and yourself in a way you didn’t think possible. Lots of pushing your limits and magic when you can do things you never thought you could. I would highly recommend.

      Also, WY is beautiful, and as long as you’re looking at Spring-Summer-Fall, I’d say do it. WY is no joke cold in Winter.

  20. Anonortherner

    Is anyone here familiar with the Charleston/Mount Pleasant legal job market? I may be moving there within the next year and while I am going to beg to be able to do my current job remotely, I am not optimistic that will be fruitful.

    I am a ’08 grad of a T4 regional law school (YAYYYYYYYY). I did very well in school, but again T4 regional law school. I have two years at a 500+ attorney East Coast firm (but not NYC BigLaw), two years in government, two years of bopping around in non-attorney jobs due to moving, and will have a 1 year + in a billion dollar corporation’s contracts group (oversimplified). My practice area/area of expertise is contract drafting and negotiating. I am active in the state where I live currently although my job is not a legal position. I work in the contracts group in a JD-preferred position. SC does not offer reciprocity (joy), so for a true attorney position, I would need to take the bar, which I am not opposed to doing for the right position.

    I would love to find a position similar to what I am doing now – contract stuff at a company. I don’t need to be in the legal department, although I am open to that as well. I would have some contacts there in academia and some personal contacts, but otherwise would be starting from scratch. I will be able to explain why I have moved with a very good reason (not job hopping). Any tips on how to get ahead of the game in that market before I am in desperate need of money??

    • lawsuited

      I got acupuncture in my ankle (I had a fracture injury 2 years ago, didn’t go to physiotherapy at the time because work was too busy, so I have ongoing instability in my ankle and pain due to shortened tendons). I found the procedure painful, experienced a big uptick in pain for a few days after the procedure, and then noticed no change in my symptoms. I gave up after a few sessions.

      • Carrie...

        This is a problem that would not be improved by acupuncture.

        You likely now have structural deficiencies in your ankle and poor joint stabilization. If you are developing loss of mobility and arthritic changes due to poor healing they may get worse with aging. This is a major weight baring joint that you will feel with every step for the rest of your life. Time to try to reverse some of these changes before it is too late.

        I know many people that delay PT when they needed it and now have chronic pain and loss of function. Don’t let this be you.

        I would try to go to PT now. There is really no excuse for not having time. This is your health.

        There are now therapy offices that open at 7am and stay open in the evening and on Saturdays. Maybe just a few sessions can teach you stretches and exercises so you can do work on your own. And then you go back to check in with the PT again to assess your progress. There may be small exercises you can do at work, sitting at your desk….

        Go. Doctor’s orders.

    • Carrie...

      A lot of people find relief for an amazing array of issues.

      Most recently, I know people who have had relief from elbow injuries, nausea with chemo, headaches and intersitital cystitis.

    • Lorelai Gilmore

      I’m convinced that acupuncture helped induce labor with my first baby!

    • anon

      I went to try to help my anxiety. I could not relax much during the sessions; then, at night afterward, I would lay in bed sweating and overheating. I didn’t experience any changes after a few sessions, so I stopped going, at which point my nighttime overheating stopped as well. I would try again, though, for physical ailments.

    • Batgirl

      I went for infertility. Not sure that it actually did anything (went for two different periods of time, one period seemed to help with my follicle count, the other did not–so not convinced it made a difference) and I stopped going because I didn’t like it (I hate needles) and didn’t really find it relaxing (so no real placebo/relaxation effect, either).

    • Amelia Earhart

      I’ve used it to treat the chronic pain I have from multiple surgieres in one area.

    • anon

      I have had acupuncture for various things over the years – menstrual cramps (worked okay), migraines (okay), sinus pressure from viral cold (worked awesomely). One of my friends has plantar fasciatis (sp?) and it has helped her immensely.

  22. heatherskib

    So after I just got my new office… a major life issue means I will be moving from Sunny Florida to Wisconsin A.S.A.P. In the event we have to move in the dead of winter, what should I be looking to add to my wardrobe?

    • padi

      I would go with a warm wool hat that, in the words of my mother, covers your ears instead of earmuffs.

      For the Wisconsin cold, think natural materials. I found down to be the best option for jackets, mittens, and blankets. Thick wool (like Hudson Bay blankets) is a good option for blankets. Heavy wool is great for sweaters. I like smartwool socks for Wisconsin winters. Silk long underwear (Lands End) is a very nice base layer. Leather is a great option for daily-wear gloves. Embrace the turtleneck.

      If you plan to do a lot of outdoor winter activities, get snow pants, a ski mask, and ski goggles. Keep your polarized sunglasses from Florida–the snow can have more glare than water/ocean.

      • heatherskib

        Ugg Turtlenecks… Just what I need to make my chest look even larger. I run outdoors, but will have to cut back on tennis. So I know I’ll need Cold weather gear is a must. I’ll never give up my polarized glasses. they’re the best for driving in the rain, even at night. I was joking with my boss that I am wanting to move just to increase my cashmere collection… ;) Thanks for the help Padi!

        • CKB

          Don’t buy turtlenecks if you’ll never wear them. I live in Calgary and used to like be in Edmonton and hate turtlenecks don’t own a single one. There ate other ways to stay warm. Scarves. Long hair. I worry more about keeping my feet warm than my neck warm.

          And with the right gear (and desire) you can run outside year round. My limits are -20 C and icy sidewalks. Either of those and I’m on the treadmill.

    • Beth

      More specifically, since I also moved from FL to MN and had to build a wardrobe from scratch: (1) Sorel snow/winter boots (2) Down coat of some sort, preferably with a hood (I like the Columbia/Northface versions that are two pieces – a thin down coat + an outer waterproof/windproof shell because I can use the thin down coat under a more professional wool coat or wear separately) (3) Windproof gloves with the e-thumb so you can use a cell phone

      Other “nice to have” – I live in my North Face fleece and it has held up beautifully over 4+ years; leg warmers/woolen boot socks for when you are not wearing snow boots

      Skip – I own but almost never wear long underwear/warmth layers. They add too much bulk.

      • heatherskib

        Hooray, so you know the challenge I’m facing. I hate cold, but the things we do for family. I’m familiar with Columbia, but I guess we’ll be buying down instead of the air conditioning shirts!

      • Beth

        You’ll be fine! I actually ended up loving the cold weather – its really beautiful and the cities/infrastructure are built to handle ice, snow, and cold in ways that the South is not. As a non-clothing note, humidifiers are handy to counteract the drying effects of heat, and I found I needed strong moisturizers (both face and body) for the first time in my life. On the plus side, no humidity means your hair will look amazing!

        • heatherskib

          I use L’Occitaine Shea Butter, so I’ll kick up to a higher concentration. I’m not so sure about my hair… I’ve got super fine super straight hair that only gets hair dryer treatment on the coldest of Florida mornings. I keep it in a chin length bob Unfortunately I have a fairly oily scalp, and most products are too heavy, so I’ll need to figure out another hair routine to keep it healthy.
          From one Floridian to another- I’m already missing Publix.

          • Beth

            Oh, Publix. I was so hopeful when they started buying up Albertsons that they would expand. Alas, no.

    • lucy stone

      Live in Wisconsin, went to school here and in Minnesota.

      1. Good winter boots. Not cute winter boots, good winter boots. They can be cute too, but go for good first.
      2. Down coat. Not everyone wears them, but you’ll need one. I like Lands’ End.
      3. Warm scarf, glove, and earmuffs. Go with wool if you can wear it, cashmere lined leather gloves if you need dressy ones.
      4. Outdoor stores will sell little handwarmer packets that people use when hunting or going to outdoor sporting events. Get them and you can keep them in your coat for those days you’re feeling really cold.
      5. Not clothing, but get an actual snowscraper for your car,with a brush and a long handle.

      • heatherskib

        I’m eyeing a couple pairs of the Sorels that Beth recommended for both hubs and me. Fortunately I’m a knitter, so I have a stash of good wool. I guess I know how I’ll spend my evenings and weekends for the time being! I have those hand warmers already, too. I keep them for winter tennis events. I live in North Florida, so while the northern cousins laugh at me, playing late night tennis in subfreezing temperatures on a misty night needs something to keep the grip on your racket. I’ll definitely get a couple snow scrapers, too.

    • heatherskib

      BTW- Also moving with me is my Big and Tall husband who likes cold in theory, but not in practice. If anyone has any suggestions on great cold weather products for him (including size 14 boots) that’d be a huge help, too!

      • heatherskib

        Where do you find the merino ones? I’ve found the silk ones several places

        • Digby

          Smartwool makes them, and REI generally has one or more brands of merino wool options.

    • gouda

      I got a trapper hat when I traveled to Wisconsin for work regularly. It is wonderfully warm – and was apparently fashionable (or at least ubiquitous) last winter in Chicago.

  23. Lizbet

    Anyone attending the Business for Social Responsibility conference in San Francisco Nov 3-5? Would love to meet up!

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