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Updated: Jun 11, 2019 221 Comments · by

Tuesday’s Workwear Report: Knit Jersey Faux-Wrap Dress

The Personal Shopper (TPS)

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Commenters were recently extolling the virtues of this Talbots wrap dress, and I totally get it. It’s flattering, machine-washable, and available in a variety of prints and sizes. I like this blue geometric print, but it’s also available in solid black or navy with white piping. Depending on your bust size, you may also want to add a camisole or demi camisole underneath for a little extra coverage. The dress is $129–$149 at Talbots and is available in Misses S–XL, Petite P–XL, Plus X–3X, and Plus Petite 1X–3X. Talbots Knit Jersey Faux-Wrap Dress This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support! Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. 

Sales of note for 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a 30-something lawyer living on the East Coast. She spent seven years as a Biglaw associate in NYC, three years as a partner at a medium-sized firm, and is now in-house counsel for a large company. She loves Diet Coke, '90s sitcoms, and dresses with pockets.

Comments

  1. Anon

    Rant: can we stop with asking women when they are having kids? Can we stop with trying to guess at secret pregnancies?

    Like, do people actually think that someone else’s reproductive system is their hobby?

      • Anon

        I mean, if you’re going to invite my rant:

        My life has been hell for the last four years, with the one exception of meeting my husband. At this point, a baby would be bittersweet: people have limits, and even “good change” can just be too much.

        The people who know me well understand this. It’s the acquaintances who think that if I just s–t out a baby, and probably be a SAHM to boot, life would be peachy. (I guess they ignore the fact that I earn the lion’s share of the household income….)

        And then we are supposed to manage our explanations to strangers with pert answers or an appropriate death stare. It’s exhausting when people spout off their mouths on personal matters and then expect a mannerly response.

        • MagicUnicorn

          Acquaintances mean well, but they don’t know me deeply enough to understand my medical history and how lucky we are to have ONE healthy child. That entire pregnancy was fraught with worry over whether to test for problems or not, how to minimize the chances of them, and what to do if any were detected. So when they push for answers to “But when are you having a second?!” and I tell them we are happy and content with our one, they don’t understand why I get pissed when they won’t drop it.

          • Anon

            I’m really sorry to hear that.

            People just don’t understand that you don’t go to the baby store and order up a bundle of joy.

          • Anonymous

            Oh I love invasive questions about medical issues. I take it as an invitation to talk about really gross gory details. Like when someone asks me what happens if I eat dairy. WELL SINCE YOU ASKED…. They look a little green and promptly end the conversation and never ever bring it up again. Ymmv of course.

      • Julie

        I don’t think it’s that rude of a question. I think people are interested in you, and for lots of people who have kids, their experience is that kids are great. They’re just trying to connect with you.
        Clearly this is a sore subject for you, and that’s fine. But IMHO, this is more about you. There are so many questions people can ask one another that could be considered rude if the person has some particular situation that isn’t readily apparent.
        I can see where people telling you “oh, you’ll change your mind” can be condescending.

        But overall: I think this is a case of “presume good intentions”.

        • Anonymous

          No, it’s a really effing rude question. Find a new way to make conversation and “connect” with someone.

        • anon

          Hard disagree. Asking someone when they’re going to have kids isn’t just a way to show interest, it’s rude. It touches on so many private things, like sex, reproductive health, miscarriage, genetic issues, health of marriage, and financial stability. If you’re not close enough to someone that they volunteer the information, you’re not close enough to ask.

          I’m curious, and happy to chat if a friend volunteers. I may volunteer this information to a friend. However, even though I have nothing painful in this area, these aren’t topics that I’m going to discuss with whom ever thinks that they have the right to pry.

        • Anonymous

          No. Never, ever ask this question. You don’t know whether a person wants to be pregnant and isn’t, is pregnant and doesn’t want to be, is pregnant and wants to be but having terrible and frightening medical complications, is pregnant and wants to be but isn’t ready to tell people (or tell people *like you* – coworker, acquaintance, person-who-knows-her-mom), or many other reasons that this question is inappropriate and might be hurtful.

          • Anon

            Yeah, “I’m going to tell this rando before my own mother” is superfun.

    • Abby

      My go-to response is “We’re not having kids, I hate babies”. I don’t, and we will have children but it stops the conversation real quick!

      • In-House in Houston

        My response is “I’m barren, but thanks for asking!” That stops them in their tracks too!

        • eertmeert

          I say this, too! Works like a charm to shut their mouths right up. usually happt to move onto other topics after that.

      • Anonymous

        I wish that usually stopped the conversation. Mine usually goes like this: “When are you having kids?””We have no intention of having children.” “Oh, you’ll change your mind!” “…No.”
        I think I’m just going to start crying instead when asked so people realize there are a lot of reasons that THIS IS NOT AN OK QUESTION.

      • Anon

        I get that you’re trying to shut down rude comments but “I hate babies” is also a pretty rude response. Being childless by choice is fine, “hating” an entire segment of society based solely on their age is not.

      • Anon

        I don’t think this response helps the sisterhood, and I think it actually empowers the annoying questioners. Because if you DO plan on having kids, they will take your previous answer as proof that “women are liars and they all secretly want babies! I know one person who changed her mind!” And then you just continue the cycle, and make life worse for women who actually don’t want them.

      • Irish Midori

        From personal experience, the only downside is that it gets a little awkward later when you announce you’re actually having a baby, and everyone is secretly worried that you won’t be a good parent…

    • Anon

      I HATE THIS. See also: “Oh, you posted a photo of your husband with your friend’s baby, WATCH OUT!!”

    • Anonymous

      I once started crying when a stranger started in on me about this while I was waiting in line with my friend as she bought clothes for her daughter.

      I often wonder if said stranger now thinks twice about this kind of comment. I doubt it.

      • anon

        I sometimes think this is cultural… I find that older women from cultures with more traditional gender roles can’t STOP talking about babies. My 3yo’s hairdresser (who btw is childless herself) kept going on and on about how I needed to have a 2nd kid… little did she know I was right in the middle of my 3rd miscarriage. I just try to let it not get to me… people don’t understand who hurtful their comments can be.

        • Anon

          Yes.

          It’s one thing to say kids are the most important part of one’s life, but another entirely when children are your life or the only important thing you’ve ever done.

          • Anonymous

            I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your children being the most important thing you’ve ever done. I think a lot of people feel this way, and I think it’s sexist to denigrate what a lot of women have taken pride in for generations.

    • Anonymous

      I’m pretty over protecting rude people’s feelings. Why should I alone bear the burden of being uncomfortable? If someone asks a rude and invasive question then either tell them “wow no I’m not going to talk about that what a weird thing to ask me” or give them the answer the question deserves (i.e., why don’t you want another baby? Because the first pregnancy nearly killed me, would you like to know about all of the medical complications attendant to pregnancy, it’s really not talked about enough).

    • Anon

      Ugh yes. We were TTC and then my husband’s health took a turn for the worse and we had to put that on pause. (1) this isn’t something I have shared with my own family, let alone strangers; and (2) I’m heartbroken, but thanks for bringing that up in a random meeting.

    • Anon

      Recently, Chrissy Teigen shut someone down rather gracefully on twitter when they commented “baby bump?” on one of her photos. I wish it had gone more viral.

      • Ms B

        If you are up to it, for humor on the subject, I suggest the Yo*Tube of Bonnie Milligan singing “I’m Not Pregnant, I’m Just Fat”. Brightens my day anytime!

    • anon

      Most of the folks who ask me wouldnt blonk at medical details- they are very down-to-earth and do have compassion (though still totally rude. I find it’s very effective to start praising the effectiveness of current BC, and they usually seem to blush, laugh, and be remembering that they weren’t always thrilled to be pregnant. Some even admit it.

      • Anonymous

        Ok, you are hardcore assuming that people regret kids or are glad they don’t have them.

    • Anonymous

      I am nodding. DH and I are child-free by choice and if I had a dollar for every of ‘oh, just wait’s and ‘you’ll feel differently when you’re older’s I’ve had, I would be driving a Ferrari to the country club.

      • Anemone

        My favorite response to “You’ll change your mind” is “So will you, but you can’t return them”.

        I no longer need it much, since apparently 40 is the magic age at which this nonsense starts to taper off.

    • anon

      oh yes people do. i got those questions before i was pregnant. now i have twins. people are always asking if they are natural or run in my family so they can avoid directly asking me if we used ivf. i did not use ivf, but i have a lot of friends with singletons who did! i just hate the word “natural” – like they are not made of chemicals or robotic materials. i have fraternal twin girls. one is a bit larger so i get asked which one is the boy, or didn’t i wish for a boy and a girl. people are just rude.

      • Anonymous

        People are stupid about twins. I have a twin brother. Question I get asked far more than you would think would be possible: “Are you identical?” I just stare for a bit and then “…No” and see how long it takes them to figure it out.

        • Anonymous

          Ok, I’ll be honest for a second here – I have a college degree and a graduate degree (though obviously not in the sciences) and until someone actually explained the biology to me of why boy-girl twins couldn’t be identical I totally did not get it. Maybe it’s a failing of our educational system, and I can understand why any repetitive question gets annoying, but I also understand how some people just don’t know that one.

          • Anon

            I don’t think you have to have any understanding of science to get this…Identical means they look identical – they can make different hair, clothing, makeup choices obviously, but they fundamentally look like the exact same person. A boy and a girl obviously can’t look identical to each other.

          • Anonymous

            Yeah, I get this now. All I’m saying is that when your experience with twins growing up is just the Sweet Valley kind, unless someone says that to you, you may not realize it.

      • Anon

        My sister had boy and girl singletons 18 months apart. She’d walk them in a double stroller and people would ask her all the time if they were twins. My favorite was
        “are they identical twins?”
        “No, they’re 18 months apart, and they’re a boy and a girl”
        “Are they the other kind of twins, then?”

    • Anon

      People think WOMEN’s reproductive systems are their hobby, yes. No one cares what men do.

      • Anonymous

        on this note, because I’m a hormonal first time mom of a 2.5 week old (thread jack)- can we also not comment on the size of a women’s stomach during pregnancy? First, I have a tremendous amount of respect for each of you women out there who has had some sort of comment along the lines of “you must be carrying twins!” and you’ve managed to not at least slap the person who said that. Second, even if a woman is small, please don’t say anything about how small she is. This was me. I am not a small person, am a little overweight, but I didn’t really have a “baby belly”. Turns out, when mom’s stomach isn’t getting bigger, then there’s a very real chance that the baby isn’t getting bigger either. So, you’ve freaked out the mom, who may end up like me, hooked up to a bunch of monitors at the hospital 38.5 weeks and having to have conversations with multiple doctors about how most likely her placenta is at the end of it’s useful life and being told by doctors she’s never met before because hers is on vacation various stats about the chance of a stillborn birth and how my child was measuring in the 1% and how we need to do an induction. right. now. Any part of pregnancy and your reproductive system generally is scary and daunting and nerve wracking on all ends and hey, also, it’s personal to YOU, the owner of said reproductive system, and a genuine “How are you feeling?” goes a long way. But asking and commenting about the specific details when you have not been invited to do so, please don’t. /rant over. thanks for letting me say this.

        • Suburban

          Hugs. I’m so sorry that happened. I hope you and baby are doing better.

        • Anon

          Hug.

          My friend gave birth to a small baby (5 lbs) because of problems with her placenta. She was terrified, not proud of the cute bump.

    • Anonymous

      I tell people now that I can’t have children. It shuts them down. Good! Feel uncomfortable! I’m tired of strangers or random acquaintences asking when I’ll have a child. I’ve tried, its highly unlikely due to PCOS, and its my body not a topic of conversation.

    • Anonymous

      I have a 1 year old and many people (friends, family, co-workers) have asked when we’re going to try for a second. I’ve started just saying “Its complicated, I don’t really want to discuss it” which is true.

    • Suburban

      Agree x1000.

      I have a colleague who in genuinely what I’d call a blowhard. A middle aged angry white dude. I try to stay away from him. Anyway, one day he was blabbing loudly about how he thought so and so was pregnant so I stepped in. His feeling was that she’d gained weight so she HAD to be pregnant and it was just a farce not to announce it so he was going to ask her.

      So I stepped in and shut it down. In my most compassionate voice – I don’t like this dude it was hard- asked how he’d feel if she had been pregnant but just lost the pregnancy. They guy’s jaw literally dropped. He said that never occurred to him. He said he’d feel horrible.

      Fifty something years old with two kids and that never occurred to him! Imagine begging so dumb and so lucky that you didn’t think of that. That’s not to say he wasn’t /isn’t a jerk. He really is. It’s just that the lack of awareness is staggering. It reminded me of a clip I once saw of Paul Ryan discussing his pro-life stance. He just started talking about his wife’s healthy pregnancy with the child they very much wanted and how he couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t carry a pregnancy to term. These people just can’t see beyond their very limited life experiences with pregnancy, which compounds their rudeness.

    • Anon

      Back in the day, I found it helpful to simply say, “Hopefully soon!” or “Not anytime soon.”

  2. Steam Dryer

    Good morning Hive:

    Current dryer is on its last legs and I am considering purchasing an electric steam dryer. Can anyone speak to whether the steam function is worth it, and if so, what model you have? In the alternative, if you have recently purchased a non-steam electric dryer, what model do you have and do you love/hate it?

    Thanks!

    • anne-on

      I have a whirlpool steam dryer and love it – basically the ‘wrinkle release’ function is my version of ironing for everything but the MOST formal events. It is also really nice for refreshing things like tablecloths/curtains without having to pull out the iron. At this point NOT having it would be a deal breaker for me, but if the hook up is difficult you can do the ‘toss a wet washcloth in with the clothing’ hack.

    • anon

      Wwe have a GE, I don’t think the steam function is worth it. the clothes just come out with random damp spots, and not really less wrinkles. DH wears button downs everyday and was so excited to cut back on ironing, but the steam option really hasn’t helped. I think part of the issue is that you have to run it on a full load, and then also our bedrooms are on the 2nd story and laundry is in the basement, maybe we’d use it more if they were on the same floor. I love the delay dry option though, so we can move clothes over before bed, but not have it start until closer to morning , and add extra tumble.

    • Anonymous

      I have an LG with steam. I use it all the time and would only get a new dryer without the function if I simply couldn’t afford one with it. My clothes come out wrinkle free afterwards 90% of the time (depends on fabric mostly, though deep creases are generally tough) and assuming the cycle is allowed to finish, I do not get “random wet spots” on the items.

    • Irish Midori

      Haha! Thanks for pointing that out. I was trying to like it, but you’ve nailed it.

    • Ellen

      I know. I would not wear this, tho it could be cute for plus sizes. I read the thread above on having babies and think it is a personal choice. Some people can’t have them biologically, and that is a tradgedy, and others can’t have them b/c they do not have a worthwhile spouse or can’t trust he will be there over the long term. Either way, we lose. FOOEY on people who ask dumb questions like that!

  4. Anon

    I need some career advice. I’m making a career change into public accounting. I’ve got a year left in school, but thanks to throwing myself headfirst into every networking opportunity I could find, I’m expecting a full-time offer from a big four firm very soon, with the start date set for after I graduate. I’m in an oddly small market where we only have one big 4 option, so their recruiting is a little different than in larger cities. I’ve been warned that they pay everyone the same coming in. I’m almost 30 with 10 years of relevant experience. I’m actually fine with the “standard” starting salary (it would be a lateral move for me in terms of salary), but I’m wondering if I should try to negotiate, based on my experience? There’s no real point to negotiating other benefits – there’s loads of time off in public accounting and the other benefits are pretty standard and likely not negotiable due to the size of the firm. Thanks in advance for the wisdom, ladies – it’s so reassuring to have such a great pool of smart professional women in your internet corner.

    • Anonymous

      I would at least give negotiating the salary a try due to all your years of experience. Are you coming in as an associate (or equivalent) or senior associate>

    • The original Scarlett

      Normally, I’m all for negotiating but a factor to consider in a lockstep workplace is if you negotiate up a class/level, etc whether you’ll be able to succeed without starting as a first year and if you get pushed out faster. I saw that happen to people in law firms who advocated to come in as second/third/fourth years when starting over would have given them a longer on ramp. I don’t know accounting but I’d ask someone you trust.

      • Equestrian attorney

        +1 in law as well (don’t know about accounting). Some people did it successfully. Others could have used that extra year or two and expectations will be higher if you come in as a higher year, but it’s worth asking, especially if your experience is transferrable to some extent and you are comfortable that you will succeed in a higher year.

    • Anon

      I worked at a Big4 shortly after graduating. I had gone back to school a bit later, so I was 35 doing a job alongside all the 22 year olds. I was able to negotiate a bit of a bump – I think it was $5k and early consideration for the first promotion – and they had to run even that paltry concession up the food chain several levels. But yeah, the salaries are all the same, but try to get whatever you can.

      Also, I say this all the time to my friends who are still there: They will work you to DEATH. Don’t let them. Set up your boundaries EARLY or they will regularly expect you to be working at 2 am. (My friends regularly talk about the mental stress of having to be available 24/7, about having to step out of weddings/graduations. It’s accounting, for Pete’s sake! No one’s life or health is on the line.) Your firm will talk a big game about caring about your career and your wellness and work-life balance – take all these speeches with a grain of salt. There are literally tens of thousands of baby accountants lined up behind you to do that same job. They’re kind of like big law in that they condition you to believe working 70 hours a week is normal. It’s not. Set your boundaries early. Good luck!

      • eertmeert

        All of this, so very much.
        “Your firm will talk a big game about caring about your career and your wellness and work-life balance – take all these speeches with a grain of salt.”
        You are an expense to them until you hit partner level/begin generating income and become an asset. You are easy to replace. This is all good news, because it helps you set boundaries. Do not fall into the billable hours competition. Do what it takes to retain your humanity and sense of humor. Take advantage of opportunities that come your way, and make friends in industry. It’s an amazing chance to learn a huge amount and become highly marketable in industry after 3 – 5 years.

    • Anon - OP

      I’ll be coming in as an associate. You all have hit the nail on the head about my reservations – it’s very much lockstep (and grueling) and I don’t want to set the bar any higher for myself by negotiating upfront, especially when the timeline for promotions is pretty short. Thanks for the advice on boundaries – I’m excited but a little apprehensive!

      • CPA Lady

        I think this is a good way to approach it. Public accounting is totally different from any other industry I’ve ever worked in, and big 4 is very intense. No need to make it harder on yourself than it’s already going to be.

        Unsolicited advice:
        1. You can still have fun, but it will be in your best interest to establish professional boundaries with your peers. You’ll be spending so much time together this will be surprisingly difficult.
        2. Don’t go into the big 4 expecting to last more than 3-5 years. If you want to and do, great, but don’t get your heart broken over it or feel like a failure. There’s a reason the majority of people leave after that much experience. It’s also the sweet spot for getting a job in industry or a smaller public accounting firm with better hours.
        3. I had to chuckle at your “loads of time off” comment. You’ll need to balance taking vacation with meeting your billable hour requirements. And you’ll probably work as many weekend days as you have vacation days. The “loads of vacation” looks good on paper, but it doesn’t actually turn out to be that great of a deal when you factor in how much overtime you’re working.

        Good luck and have fun! I love what I do, but wish I had someone to clue me in a little bit before I started.

        • Anon - OP

          I see the irony in the “loads of time off” – I mostly meant that it seems silly to negotiate for more than 5 weeks. That’s great advice – trying to keep an open mind and not set my expectations too firmly. And thanks – any and all advice is much appreciated!

    • anon

      if you are only almost 30, unless you started in the working world really early or worked all through college, it seems unlikely to me that you have 10 years of experience. that being said, there is no harm in asking, but i don’t know if I would lead with “10 years”

      • Worry about yourself

        Right, your experience doesn’t start with your internships in college, unless they were year-long, full-time internships that were basically entry-level jobs that you could do before getting your degree. Is that a thing? I know some schools do co-ops but those are 6 month stints, you’d need two to count them as a year of experience. Most people (and employers) count years of experience starting with the first relevant, full-time, post-college job, but if you’re a year or two under the minimum but are otherwise fully qualified, a lot of employers will still give you an interview.

  5. Anon

    Do you think that employers should allow employees to work from home during a triple digit heat wave? I had to go into work in San Francisco yesterday in 100° weather in an older building that has no air-conditioning nor fans. Then I had to deal with a major BART meltdown (related to the heat) on the way home. My industry is very conducive to working from home, but my boss doesn’t like it. I’m thinking that next time I might just work from home anyway (telling, not asking) because I actually felt almost unsafely overheated yesterday. Thoughts?

    • anon

      Even in a place that regularly tops triple digit temps, my office sends us home if the AC breaks. But they are known for leniency and generous use of admin leave (relative to USA standards).

    • The original Scarlett

      Yes, you should work from home. I’d also look for another job, they’re pretty easy to come by in the Bay Area, especially if this is your boss’ approach.

      • Anon

        Already looking to leave (the job and the Bay Area) but I’ll probably be here through the summer at least. I agree my boss is being unreasonable given the standards of the market.

    • Inspired By Hermione

      Yes. I have a chronic condition where heat like that (especially with no AC) creates issues. I get shaky and out of it and dehydrated really fast if I overheat and it’s tough to rehydrate for a number of reasons. I also have a hard time breathing if it’s just too hot. So I stay home and my office is fine with it the few days a year it happens. I also work from home when it’s smoky.

      • Anon

        Conversely, I’m more likely to go to work when it’s super hot or smoky, because work has A/C and home doesn’t. (Also in Bay Area)

  6. Favorite veggie meals from Trader Joe's?

    What are your favorite vegetarian entrees from Trader Joe’s? (Forks Over Knives and What the Health have done their job of persuading me.) Thanks!

    • Anonny

      No reccomendations because I’m Canadian, but sending all the support for this amazing positive change you’re making! You are doing the right thing!

    • Z

      Gorgonzola Gnocchi
      Vegan Tikka Masala
      Fettuccine Alfredo
      Sweet Potato Gnocchi
      Meatless Meatballs
      Penne Arrabiatta
      Spinach Lasagna
      All frozen. I eat all of these regularly.

    • Cat

      Cauliflower gnocchi (just saute it, don’t boil or it turns to mush)
      Channa Marsala (chickpeas), great to have with hummus & naan

    • Anon

      Frozen:
      – Cauliflower gnocchi
      – The frozen gnocchi with red pasta sauce
      – Asparagus risotto

      And not frozen, but the various refrigerated premade ravioli

    • AIMS

      The veggie lasagna (but cooked in oven, not MW).
      Veggie Melange frozen veggie fix – I put it with everything, inc. scrambled eggs.
      Veggie gyoza

    • anon.

      In addition to the suggestions above:
      The large spanikopita – can be multiple meals with just some hummus or something on the side.
      The Indian food in the pouches, not the frozen section (there are several varieties)
      Japanese fried rice

      • Jules

        +1 on the Japanese fried rice. I usually add tofu, maybe one of the baked tofu varieties at TJ’s. Sauteed kale (already cleaned and cut, also at TJ’s) with some sesame oil FTW.

  7. anon

    I confirmed yesterday that the endometriosis is back, only a couple years after the last aggressive treatment with surgery and aggressive medication, despite treating with BC the whole time. This sucks. The meds are incredibly controversial, because the have horrible side effects; I feel like I lucked out last time that it only whacked out my hormones and mental health temporarily. The surgery is probably quite safe, relatively, but it seems unfair to have to get surgery every couple of years. I know I’m lucky to be getting good care, but I still feel very sorry for myself.

    If anyone else has stories or advice, I would welcome it. Thankfully, I’m fairly certain I’m childless by choice anyway.

    • Anonny

      Why not have a hysterectomy leaving in the ovaries to prevent hormonal disruptions? I know this might not be an option if you’re American and have insurance considerations, but it seems like a final solution.

      • OP

        That’s now considered a treatment of last resort, because it causes much worse scarring and physical recovery. And there’s also some research that it may not be effective, because the material causing the problem isn’t literally endometrium.

        • sadie

          I had one 2 years ago. It was done laproscopically, I have 4 tiny scars approx 1 inch each. That’s it. they left my ovaries and I have them tested regularly to make sure they are still functioning (ie, I’m not in menopause).

          Best thing I ever did. My recovery was approx 3 weeks. So far I’ve had no recurrence of symptoms.

        • Oh so anon

          I had a hysterectomy (including ovaries) at 25 due to endometriosis. Recovery was no big deal; I was out of the hospital in three days and back to work in less than one week. Ten years later, I feel amazing. Why suffer through repeated surgeries and the side effects of medication (which were miserable for me), when you can fix things once and for all? I have never once regretted my choice.

      • Pale Girl Snorkeling

        Had a hysterectomy at 29 after years of pain and suffering and it was the best thing I ever did. The healing process does take a long time, but compared to 10+ years of monthly agony it was nothing. I kept my ovaries for 9 years so far and I’ve only had mild symptoms. I’d have them taken out in a minute if the real pain ever comes back.

    • Anon

      No advice just commiseration. Going to a new doc Thursday for a consult about exploratory surgery to see if I have endo.

      • OP

        Good luck. Despite my pity party above, the surgery was not bad at all last time. I was off meds within 36 hrs; started a new job the next week. And I did feel so much better for the validation that it WAS REAL, as well as the relief.

    • Endo Anon

      Commiseration here too. I ended up doing surgery three times, spaced out every few years between the ages of 26 and 33. I also went to a pain management clinic and was able to get on a non-opiod pain and nerve block medication regimen that really helped me manage each cycle. A twin pregnancy (and the crazy amount of hormones that go along with it) has provided me with the most relief – it’s been 7 years and counting since my last surgery, and with an IUD now my pain is barely noticeable compared to what it was.

      And I hear you on the validation – it took years for me to find a doctor who believed that I was experiencing the worst pain of my life every single time I had my period. It was such a relief to find someone who agreed that blacking out from pain wasn’t just cramps.

  8. Anonymous

    I am attending an awards dinner next week. My mentor is receiving an award. The dress code is black tie optional. I know from past attendance and photos that the male honorees and those at reserved tables wear tuxes. Female honorees or those at reserved tables wear “mother of the bride” type knee length dresses with a matching jacket. I have never seen anyone wear full length dress, so want to stick to knee length. This is my first year at a reserved table and I’d either like a nice layer to wear over a solid sheath dress or a dress with sleeves. I’m 31, so the “mother of the bride” dress doesn’t really sing to me. Ideas? Budget ~$150.

  9. Anonny

    Very random, but any recommendations for an art appraiser in the Philadelphia area?

    • Anonymous

      Very random, but any recommendations for an art appraiser in the Philadelphia area?

  10. CC disputes

    Is it usually pretty smooth to dispute a credit card charge? It’s the first time I’ve ever done this, so not sure what to expect. I was on a business trip and the hotel charged me when I checked in (I was coming off a 12 hour flight and thought they were just doing the pre-authorization charge). But then when I checked out, they said there was no record of payment and charged me again, claiming that if I had swiped my card before, it was the pre-authorization. Both charges posted, so I’m disputing the first one. It’s one of the giant hotel chains.

    • Anonymous

      Not sure, but sometimes it takes a few days for the charges from a hold to come off your bank account. Could this be the case here? Did they give you a receipt initially?

    • Anonymous

      Did they both actually post or is one pending? I’ve had the latter happen before and waiting a few days made the pending one go away.

      • Billables

        Yes, it’ll probably go away. I travel a lot for business and this is always how it works. But if it has actually posted, I’d try the hotel first and then dispute after that. The dispute process is easy.

    • lsw

      Are you disputing via your credit card company? Could you first call the hotel chain and ask them to reverse the charge? I’ve found that’s usually pretty easy in the case of a double charge.

      • Anon

        Right, this would be the first step. But I’d be willing to bet that one of those charges is just the pre-authorization and will disappear. They’ve both posted, but have they both cleared?

    • Anon

      Call your credit card issuer. They can tell you if one of the charges is still a hold. If not they’ll help you dispute it. It’s very easy and there no reason to call the hotel chain because they will just transfer you to the accounting office of that particular location, and the accounting office is usually a voicemail box with two day turnaround at best.

    • Anonymous

      Did you use a company credit card? if so, there might be someone in your accounting department who handles this kind of stuff. But definitely just contact the hotel chain first — it should be obvious simply looking at the bill that there were two identical charges bookending your stay dates.

    • CC disputes

      Thanks everyone! My credit card co confirmed both are real not pending charges and I filed the dispute. Sadly, I think the time to address it with the hotel was probably while I was still there. They had no record of charging me and I didn’t find the receipt for the wrong charge until I got home, so if I called them now, I’d probably be getting into something involving sending photos of receipts. Oh, and possibly doing all of this in a foreign language I don’t speak well.

  11. Anonymous

    My father gave me money for college by giving it to me in an account at his brokerage (Schwab). I still have this account 20 years later, adding to it over the years until it now has 100K in mutual funds mostly. I asked the advisor what the fees were when I realized I didn’t know, and learned he does not charge me anything because of his long relationship with my father (a longtime client who has a lot of money).

    I recently started a new job and asked him to review the options for my 401K, and he told me he missed my father and to say hi for him. Oops. Apparently my father switched advisors when he moved to a different state so no longer uses this guy after 30 years.

    Now I feel awkward continuing to take advantage of his generosity. He didn’t ask me to start paying…should I offer? I don’t take up a lot of his time (probably one 30 min phone call a year), but I don’t want to be taking advantage. Yet honestly I’m not sure I would want to pay for this service instead of moving my money to Vanguard or similar. I don’t have a lot of interest or knowledge in the finance area so I kind of like the idea of a professional who can advise me on what I should be doing, but I also don’t even know enough to know whether this guy’s performance is good enough that it should be worth it to me.

    Argh, what would you do?

    • Anonymous

      Check schwab’s policy. Once you’re at a certain threshold of assets, this stuff is free. You may be close enough that he isn’t bothering to start charging.

      FWIW we also got the “kid of a client” no fee stuff. We lost it when DH severed the account completely from FIL but got it back in relatively short order.

    • Frilly Lizard

      If it were me, I’d ask my father how their “relationship” ended and if he was happy with advisor’s performance, then go from there. If he worked with the guy for 30 years, then chances are they were pretty good friends and he gave your father good advice. He could have told your father that he’d take care of you since your father wasn’t going to be a client anymore. But ask your father and also ask him if he thinks that should offer to start paying the advisor.

    • Anon

      They make money from the investments too. I wouldn’t worry too much about the fees.

    • Veronica Mars

      No, I wouldn’t. Most of the time, at institutions like Schwab and Vanguard, having an advisor is free after a certain amount of money is free. At Vanguard, I think it’s 1 million, and .3% of assets before that. I mean, do you feel $3,000 per year bad about it, especially if he’s not giving you $3,000 worth of help and advice? On Schwab, it looks like you’d be something like, $300 to start and $30/month plan. Or .08% fees with a minimum of $500k per year. He may also be making a commission if you’re buying Schwab-branded funds.

    • LawDawg

      Depending on what kind of funds you have, he may be getting paid for your account. It sounds like you don’t have a lot (over $100k) invested in each fund so the funds include 12b-1 fees. Those are paid by the funds as part of the expense ratio and eventually find their way to the broker. So don’t feel bad about using his services.

  12. Anonymous

    I need a clothing steamer. Do you have a workhorse you love?

    We have terribly hard water and will have to use distilled so “ability to use city water” isn’t a requirement.

    • Anonymous

      My Jiffy garment steamer is truly a workhorse, and I love it. So, so worth it for me (having gone through a few cheaper options over the years). FWIW I think the instructions say to use distilled water but I just use city water and it seems fine. Anecdotally my father received a Jiffy steamer, I think the same model, as a graduation gift in 1980, used it pretty much daily until his retirement last year and then he gave it to my sibling, who now uses it heavily. He (and my sibling) used city water.

    • Anon

      I have the standing jiffy steamer and I love it almost as much as I love my roomba (and I love my roomba a lot). I never get my iron and ironing board out any more.

    • Anonymous

      I use the travel size My Little Steamer. It’s small and inexpensive, heats up almost instantly, and is available at Target and BB&B. I keep it in the bathroom, where I actually use it frequently. I suspect a giant one that had to be hauled out of a closet and set up would rarely get used.

      • Anon

        I have the giant one (jiffy) and I don’t put it away. It’s in the corner of a bedroom and I just leave it there.

    • Anonymous

      I have a Conair handheld one that’s been a workhorse for the last 3 years, used almost daily. Got it from Costco

    • Rowenta

      I have the Rowenta steamer. It’s fairly small and super powerful. Best steamer I’ve owned.

  13. Anon

    I went to a wedding this weekend. The bridesmaids were wearing pinkish spaghetti strap dresses. Almost all of them had tattoos, large ones, on their backs or arms or both. It looked ugly. I’m sorry, I can’t wait for this trend to die. I know people think they’re doing something so unique and edgy but when everyone is doing it, how edgy is it exactly?

    • Eyeroll

      My bridesmaids had tattoos. I picked a dress color that coordinated wonderfully with their tattoo colors. It looked fantastic in the photos!

    • anonshmanon

      agreed, the trend of making other women be your entourage is super laaaame.

        • Lilac

          I know right! I can’t believe the bride did that. ;)

          Personally I have lots of tattoos and did not have bridesmaids. I’m also one of those corporate type people so I get a good chuckle when people assume I’m a barista because of my tattoos.

    • Cat

      I don’t find tattoos personally attractive, either (and yes, I’ve seen tattoos that are objectively well done), but it’s not my body so… whatever.

    • grumble

      Spaghetti straps are better than strapless. I’m so over strapless wedding/bridesmaid dresses.

      • elbow

        Having lived through the 90s I can assure you that you’re wrong. Spaghetti straps are the worst. #wisdomofage

        • grumble

          haha. My comment was all sarcasm, eye rolling at the tattoo rage above. Though I think you are correct re spaghetti straps, they are pretty juvenile looking. But, I also have horrible posture so strapless tends to make me look slouchy, and I’m always pulling it up because I have no chest.

      • Anon

        I loved my strapless wedding dress.

        However, when I sent my bridesmaids pictures of about a dozen different dress options to get feedback, one of them said that she really wanted to wear a dress that would accommodate a normal bra. Based on that and a few other things, my other bridesmaid found a dress that they both really liked. I was happy knowing that two of the people I like best in the world, besides the man in the tuxedo, were comfortable and felt good about what they were wearing.

        Moral of the story: figure out what each person likes.

    • Anon

      I doubt they picked out the dresses to compliment their tattoos. You’re not exactly choosing your own bridesmaid dress most of the time, and they’re usually ugly. Don’t even get me started on spaghetti straps and other formats that aren’t conducive to wearing a normal bra.

      • Anon

        can I get an amen?! I wear a 32G bra, and my sister chose backless dresses for her wedding. I had to pull her aside and tell her that I flat out cannot wear a dress without a bra. It. Is. Not. Possible. And she has a big chest! And her wedding gown accommodated a full bra! It’s like these brides lose their minds.

    • Anonymous

      I think tattoos are hideous but I just then do t get them and it works out great!

      • Anon

        Same here! It’s really one of those things that’s super easy for me to solve. I just don’t have them!

    • Anon

      Say it with me: “Fine for them, not for you”. Just because you think something is ugly doesn’t mean it is to most, or even many people. And tattoos aren’t people trying to be unique and edgy, they are a form of self expression. It’s okay to be old school/prudish, but don’t expect a lot of “here, here, you’re so right” from the majority. Honestly, you’re being judgey and it’s coming off as very nasty Karenish.

    • Rainbow Hair

      Wow, yeah! I’d look terrible in a pinkish spaghetti strap dress!

      I’m considering wearing a black and red cowl back number for the next wedding I officiate — it shows off my back tattoo like it was custom made. [dancing girl in red dress emoji!]

    • Anon

      You know that literally every person with a tattoo is doing it to be edgy? It must be amazing to be so clairvoyant.

    • Anon

      Meh – good for them, not for me. I do think bride’s should do a better job of picking dresses that flatter their bridesmaids, regardless of tattoos, sizes, heights, hair colors, etc.

    • Anonymous

      I know right, spaghetti straps would get in the way of showing off the tattoos. Really should’ve gone with strapless, maybe even backless, to compliment the tattoos. I know people say strapless is dated but sorry your 90s era spaghetti straps are no longer edgy like you think they are.

      • Anon

        Oh don’t get me wrong. The tattoos were definitely ugly but the dresses were just as ugly. Two of her bridesmaids told me the bride picked them so that all the bridesmaids would look heavier than her.

    • Julie

      I’m with OP. Luckily none of my bridesmaids had tattoos so it wasn’t an issue. If some of them had had tattoos, and if I’d personally found the tattoos ugly, I probably would have picked a dress that would have concealed them.
      I don’t think it’s as much that people who get tattoos are trying to be edgy. In my mind, that is a form of expression and that’s fine for them. I see tattoos as kind of like a permanent accessory; the accessory may not always “go” with a certain outfit, and the issue is whether it goes with the bridesmaid dress.

    • OP

      Way back in the 90s, a bride in my family chose her backless wedding dress to show off her tattoos. Looked amazing. The red cowl RH is talking about above sounds pretty awesome too.
      And this from someone who does think almost all tattoos are ugly–but why should anyone else care what I think? Nobody’s ever told me to get one…

    • Jtapp

      Agree! It just isn’t attractive. But, I’m old so it may be a generational thing.

  14. anne-on

    Help dress me please. I’ll be onsite at an awards ceremony for my company in one of our funky ‘creative’ tech-y offices in NYC. Dress code is business ‘casual’, with jeans allowed, but our new CEO is also present our company is very much on the formal side of business casual, I’m a new-er employee and I read young. I’m inclined to go with slim black pants (the MM LaFleur foster), either black flats or pink rothy’s and this top:
    https://thefoldlondon.com/product/belmore-top-dark-magenta-textured-satin/
    Too formal? I normally ‘dress up’ my black jeans with a blazer over an interesting top but I think a blazer might be overkill? A dress or skirt are out as are heels as I’m rocking some crazy scrapes/bruises/pain on both knees/leg (thanks dog for going after that squirrel on our walk at full speed!)

  15. Anon

    I have had a couple of title changes at my job in the last few months, and I’m wondering how to reflect them on my resume, as I’m actively looking for a new job. In November, I was promoted from a lower level position what we’ll call Acting Supervisor – our Supervisor left for maternity leave. Because we were short staffed, I continued to carry out my lower level duties as well as supervise the other lower level employees. When Supervisor returned from leave last week, she and I became Co-Supervisors. I still have exactly the same role as before, including doing my lower level duties (she still has the Supervisor title but not the responsibilities – long story), so how do I reflect this? Right now, I have it like this (with better formatting, obviously):

    Acting Supervisor, Nov. 2018-present
    -duties blah blah blah
    -continue to carry out lower level duties

    Lower Level Position, Mar. 2015-Nov 2018
    -duties blah blah blah

    So how do I reflect that I was Acting Supervisor for 6 months, but am now Co-Supervisor, but with exactly the same responsibilities as when I was Acting?

    • UHU

      The “co” implies that you have shared supervisory responsibilities. I would leave it like that and if/when questioned by interviewer explain what your role in the supervising is–i.e. you’re more hands on the other person liaises between your office and the CEOs, for example.

    • anon a mouse

      Since the job is exactly the same, I wouldn’t take up an extra slot on the resume for it.

      I would probably do something like
      Co-Supervisor, Nov. 2018-present (acting Nov.-May)

    • Billables

      Is “Co” part of your title? Unless it is, I’d leave it off entirely and just have Supervisor from November 2018-present. If it is, I agree with UHU’s suggestion above. I would only include “Acting” if you had gone back to the old job/title.

    • Anonymous

      Format as follows…

      Current job, Company. Start – end (with company)
      Led department of 10 people for x months, having been promoted and holding an interim position during the previous 14 months
      – accomplishment 1
      – accomplishment 2
      – accomplishment 3

      (Note, never have duties in your resume, only the accomplishments!!!!)

  16. Anonymous

    Reposting from yesterday (thank you to responders yesterday! Very helpful) DH and I booked a last minute trip to New England for the week of 4th of July. We don’t have it all hashed out yet but likely spending 2.5-3 days in Portland, Maine and then driving to Cape Cod 3-3.5 days (including 4th of July). Looking for recommendations! Haven’t booked hotels yet (will tonight) so flexible on itinerary. We love eating, the beach, whale watching, walking around, very easy/light hiking. DH wants to relax. We’re not really into the art scene. TIA!

    • Frilly Lizard

      I live in Maine and one year, drove down to the Cape to take the ferry to Nantucket, over the 4th of July. The traffic was absolutely horrendous so keep that in mind. If memory serves, it took almost double the amount of time…. New England is a popular destination in the summer – driving from Mass to Maine on a Friday will take much longer and vice versa (ME to Mass on a Sunday)… I’m more north of Portland (about 45 minutes) so can’t offer much in the way of recommendations as I don’t get to Portland very often. Just wanted to warn you about “Tourist Season” as we call it =)

      Definitely check out Old Orchard Beach or if you want to come more North – Popham Beach and Reid State Park (which are in my neck of the woods) are great beaches and are quite large. Bradbury Mountain and Morse Mountain are good hiking spots. Brunswick (where Bowdoin College is) and Bath both have great downtowns with plenty of great restaurants and shops. You can even take the Amtrak Downeaster from Portland (or Boston) all the way to Brunswick and it’s a great ride. Bath also has the Heritage Days celebration over the 4th. Cook’s Lobster and Ale House, Morse’s, Estes Lobster, and Dolphin Marina all have great food right on the water. Sorry for the Bath/Brunswick recommendations but this is my stomping ground =) I hope you enjoy your trip!!

      • Bostonian

        Bostonian here, right smack in the middle of those two locations. If I had 5-6 days I would pick either of those destinations and not both. Portland and surrounding Maine coastline (Acadia!! Bar Harbor!! Brunswick!!) is outstanding. Cape Cod, MV and Nantucket are going to be SWARMING with tourists. Like, can’t-enjoy-it-it’s-so-busy levels of busy.

        • OP

          Thanks, hadn’t considered doing that! We are flying into Boston. Swarming with tourists sounds no bueno

    • Anonymous

      Eventide restaurant in Portland was great. Delicious lobster roll and an interesting cocktail menu. It was packed when we went (late April and not really lunch/dinner time), so expect a wait during a busy holiday week, but it was worth it.

    • Anonymous

      I agree with the advice not to do both – too much driving misery. Why not go to Portland and then further north in Maine, like somewhere along the coast (acadia) or inland.

    • Anon

      I agree with everyone else to do Portland + Acadia or Cape Cod (+ Boston if you want a city experience). It’s way too much driving and the traffic is miserable in the summer. If you end up going to Portland, I loved Holy Donut, Otto Pizzeria, Gelato Fiasco, and Street & Co for a fancier meal.

    • Anonymous

      Thank you so much everyone, I’m convinced to skip Cape Cod and just do Portland + Acadia. Follow up question, how much time should we spend in Portland?

      • Anon

        I think it depends on how much you like food. Portland has an amazing food scene, but I feel like there isn’t a lot to “do” there besides eat. Presumably you could find a whale watching trip that goes out of Portland, and that would fill the better part of one day. You might want to plan only a couple days in Portland itself and then a couple days based in Portland (eating breakfast/dinner there) and doing daytrips to nearby scenic areas.

    • Anon

      I’ll add a plug for Two Lights lobster shack in Cape Elizabeth. Also hello to the Brunswick reader! I lived there for years and miss it so much!

      • Frilly Lizard

        What small world =)

        OP – if I were you, I’d spend 1 night in Portland; 1 night in Brunswick (or Freeport to go to LL Bean and do the outlet shopping); 1 night in Boothbay Harbor or Camden/Rockport; then 2-3 in Bar Harbor. That’s only about a 3.5 hour drive total but it’s scenic (go Route 1 the whole way). Then upon leaving Bar Harbor, you could even fly out of Bangor which is only 1 hour-ish away OR take 95 from Bangor all the way back to Boston (or stop for a night in Kennebunk/Old Orchard/Wells/Kittery to break it up) or you could even fly out of Portland. That would give you a really nice tour of the Maine coast =)

  17. MomOfAnOldRedBeagle

    I’m not sure what it is, but I have tried wrap and faux-wrap dresses and always feel a bit frumpy. It might be that I am curvy, especially on top (32G). I keep hearing that they are universally flattering but I don’t find them so for me. And this particular one screams bathrobe at me. I think it’s the pattern and the straight sheath silhouette. Not for me.

  18. Anon

    Wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for food tours/wine tasting/cool walking tours in Venice, Florence, Siena, or Riva del Garda. We really enjoyed a Paris by Mouth tour we did in Paris and enjoy small group walking tours that are “off the beaten path,” etc. Bonus for a good wine tasting or if that is included… we generally like to go on winery tours on our vacation but can’t fit one into this trip, though we would still like to taste/buy wine in the cities that we are in.

    • AFT

      In Florence – Florencetown cooking school. Visit to farmers’ market, then cooking and drinking wine at a house in the Tuscan countryside. Favorite part of a recent trip to Italy.

    • Lise

      From Florence, a truffle hunting tour with truffle hunter dot net. They’ll pick you up outside of the library in Florence and drive to the countryside for the tour. The full day tour is truffle hunting, lunch (with truffles), and wine tasting, and it’s so much fun.

      It’s a little different, but in Venice, we loved the Cichetto Row lesson with Row Venice. You spend an hour learning traditional Venetian rowing then row from bar to bar for delicious snacks and drinks. The site is row venice dot org.

    • Never too many shoes...

      I hired a local tour guide from Venice for a day trip to the prosecco region – she drove us in her own car and we went to three amazing wineries and to a fantastic place for lunch. If that interests you, OP, leave an email address!

    • Davis

      I went to the Tuscan Wine Shop ( w w w dot tuscan wine school dot com no spaces) in Siena about five years ago and had a terrific time. We were part of a lovely small group and started with the Savor Siena tour. It took us around the town and to several small shops to learn about the local food. We returned to the shop and then did the wine school part, which was also great. It was one of the best parts of my visit. Enjoy!

    • Patricia Gardiner

      It’s late and this is not a food tour, but we took a kayak tour of the canals in Venice and LOVED it! Highlight of the trip. Our tour co was called “Venice kayak” and they even took lots of pictures for you so you weren’t trying to wrangle your camera and a kayak paddle all the time.
      Have an amazing time!

  19. anon

    Anyone have any suggestions for graduation presents for students of nursing programs?

    • eertmeert

      what about a gift card to a local health care worker clothing store or online store? They can get cute scrubs.

      • Anon

        +1 – DH is a medical resident and at a happy hour a couple weeks ago, everyone was talking about a specific brand of nicer scrubs. They cost more but apparently are much more comfortable, which I imagine comes in handy especially for long nursing shifts. I bet a recent grad would be reluctant to treat themself on one, but a gift card would make that easier.

    • Inspired By Hermione

      Nurses can be a bit picky about their scrubs (and their hospital might have required scrubs!) I got my best friend (a nurse) a large Hydroflask as part of a Christmas gift and she loved it for other night shifts- it kept coffee hot all night. She also wore out tennis shoes like crazy, so maybe a gift card to a store with a good sneaker selection (and maybe even cute compression socks!). Lastly, a Fitbit or Apple Watch. If she or he is a floor nurse, they are going to be racking up steps and having a watch can be helpful for patient care, too. Google indicated they’re generally OK for nurses to wear but it might make sense to get one that’s waterproof that can be washed off or submerged completely so it can be cleaned.

  20. Tryingnottobefrumpyintheburbs

    Cross posted with the mom site! guys, I need some fun clothing for social events when I cannot wear the typical athleisure I live in while carting my kids around on the weekends. Flowy styles are not typically flattering on me so I have been having issues finding things that are slim fit and/or tailored that are still casual. Anyone have any “go to” fun outfits? TIA!

  21. Anon

    I am a board member of a non profit research organization. They have decided to stop printing agendas. The agendas are heavy on graphs and other data oriented items, and I am a big note taker, circling points on the graphs, writing notes about trends, etc.

    Rather than print the agenda myself, I’d like to participate in the spirit of the thing and figure out how to do this electronically.

    Are there apps for the iPad that you have used to draw or otherwise take notes on PDFs? I would probably have to buy a new iPad but I guess I’d be ok with that it it were really an effective way to do this.

    • Davis

      I’m not sure about an iPad, but on a regular PC, you can do all kinds of things to PDFs like that. It might depend on your version of Adobe Reader, so you may have to upgrade. Try opening one of the documents, and then going to Tools -> Comment That will bring up a whole new toolbar under the regular one. There, you can make sticky-note comments, add text boxes, use the pen/highlighter, and more.

      • Anon

        I would like to use a handheld pen. I don’t think I could actually keep up with the meeting trying to use a pen tool that relies on the mouse/touchpad.

    • Anon

      I use PDF Expert. I do have an iPad Pro, but I think it also works on previous models.

      • Inspired By Hermione

        I also use this and like it. The highlighting is solid. So is the notes and annotating. I’ve read multiple-hundred page docs with it and like it. It also has a pretty good search ability, even when it has to use OCR.

    • Cb

      I think if I were you, I’d still print the agenda. It seems like that works for you and environmentally, it’s probably better to print than buy a new piece of kit. Wait until your ipad requires an upgrade and then switch then.

    • blueberries

      I use an Apple Pencil and just the preloaded pdf reader software to mark up pdfs on an iPad. I think a finger might work too, but the pencil is much nicer for writing notes.

    • Poppies

      I use an iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil. I don’t think you need the pro version to work with the pencil though? There are a ton of apps where you can write your notes directly on the pdf (I like Notability). Very helpful for CLEs when I’m trying to follow along.

    • CTAtty

      I use iAnnotate on my non-pro iPad. You don’t need the Apple Pencil, but a stylus is helpful.

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