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Thursday’s TPS Report: Patent Leather Blucher

The Personal Shopper (TPS) | · ·

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Many thanks to this week’s guest poster, Carolyn Hsu of The Daily Obsession and The Hsu Closet! PATENT LEATHER BLUCHERYou probably already own the basic black pump in a variety of shapes and heels but for office appropriate shoes that doesn’t require you change out of for the commute, take a cue from the guys. These patent bluchers are fashion forward and somewhat unexpected. Wear with opaque tights and your favorite pencil skirt or even with a polished pant suit. PATENT LEATHER BLUCHER Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-0)

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Workwear sales of note for 9.20.23:

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Comments

  1. Anon

    Please tell me this suggestion is a joke! Brogues = questionable. Patent leather brogues = unforgivable.

  4. Lilly

    For me, never in a million years. Far, far to masculine looking for my taste. Your taste may vary. ; )

    As an aside, I’d like to thank the Corporette who mentioned Birchbox in a recent comment thread. I’m signed up and excited. Where else am I going to get a welcome surprise in the mail every month for $10? Yay!

    • MelD

      I am a little jealous Canada has three versions, but I probably don’t need that many samples.

      • Equity's Darling

        To be fair, we miss out on a lot of things that you lucky American have….and there may be more versions in the US if you look for them, I only know of Birch Box because one of the Canadian companies (either gylmm or loose button) referred to it as “the Canadian Birch Box”.

    • ceb

      So how does it work (the website seemed a bit low on details).

      Do I get to fill out a survey regarding what types of products I prefer (dry vs. oily skin, curly vs. straight hair, preferred makeup shades, etc.), or do they just send you random stuff?

      • RRugosa

        Looks like random, from the website. Too bad. I’d use skincare and hair stuff, but not cosmetics.

      • jcb

        It’s random each month at to what kind of stuff you get – but you do fill out a survey re your complexion and skin type, if I recall correctly. I’ve gotten a couple of bronzers that were too dark for my complexion, but overall everything else has been great. It is so fun getting that box every month.

      • ADL

        Love birchbox. You get 4-5 samples. Ranges from makeup to skin care to body care to a fun treat (i.e. bracelet, KIND bar, sweetriots). You put your skin type and coloring in your profile and you get your box based on that. I’m Asian and have gotten some makeup that’s too light but figure, whatever, it’s one of five items. It’s a fun little treat each month and I’ve tried things I would totally not try ever, in a million years.

      • ceb

        Thanks for the replies! I think I will try it month-to-month and see how it goes.

  5. Ru

    I was actually considering purchasing oxfords/brogues/loafers for a formal flat that I can commute in. Ballet flats and other typically feminine flats have no support whatsoever and sometimes, commuting in sneakers is just such a downer.

    • Alanna of Trebond

      I LOVE these shoes — http://bit.ly/nFE6rK — I bought them on eBay (if you don’t want to click on the link, it’s just a pair of vintage Salvatore Ferragamo women’s oxfords) and I wear them ALL the time. I highly recommend them. I prefer them with trousers, because it looks so chic, but they work well with skirts as well. Not sure how much support they provide, but I walk everywhere in them.

    • Alanna of Trebond

      I just posted a comment that is awaiting moderation b/c of a link, but if you google “Salvatore Ferragamo oxfords” maybe “vintage” as well, you will find my favorite shoes. They are flat, and I wear them everywhere. They make me feel quite glamorous.

  6. In-House Europe

    I like the idea of these…but I feel like I would have to be 20 and a model to pull them off. In a similar vein though, I got these Cole Haan black patent flats that I like with skinny jeans on the weekend and pants suits during the week…

  8. Herbie

    No, just no. Unless you’re trying out for a Madonna video in the early 90s. Then… maybe.

  9. S

    Nice! Finally, a suggestion for those of us whose personal style tends toward the more androgynous look.

    • Anonymous Poser

      :-) Bingo. I think these could be really spiffy with a pantsuit, myself.

    • MaggieLizer

      This. It seems like there haven’t been a lot of options for ladies who prefer the androgynous look, so it’s a really tough look to pull off without looking frumpy or outdated unless you’re a stick. It’s nice that designers are starting to carry more options in this style.

  10. anon

    Hmm … they are kind of cute but I really can’t see them fitting into my wardrobe … or my life, more broadly speaking …

  11. b23

    Okay, threadjack: Somehow this weekend, the topic of washing bath towels came up. I am now feeling like a dirty person because everyone else said they wash their towels EVERY DAY or, at most, every three days. What??? I wash mine once a week, and sometimes even once every two weeks. I mean, when you get out of the shower, you’re clean. And I put them on the rack spread out so they don’t get stinky. I just don’t understand. Plus, that seems like a huge waste of water and bad for the towels, even. Am I the only one who feels this way? How often do y’all wash your towels?

    • SF Bay Associate

      Once a week. Daily washing is an absolutely ridiculous waste of water. Even when I stay in hotels, I don’t have them washed any more often than every 3 or 4 days.

    • Cat

      Once a week here – that’s the same frequency with which my mom washed them, too. I shower once/day and hubby showers once or twice depending on when he works out, and as long as we’re careful about spreading them out nicely to dry, they make it to washday without smelling.

      My MIL washes (or at least puts in the dryer) her family’s every day. However, they hate to turn on the airconditioning in the summer, so unless she does that, they really never fully dry (they live near Lake Michigan and claim the lake effect keeps their upstairs cool – but it doesn’t and the house just feels plain old sticky and damp to me). She got the habit started when my hubby and his brother were little and apparently made their towels “gross” – like, wiping toothpastey mouths on them – but that just let them keep up the habit! It’s the only thing I’ve ever felt I had to really “change” about hubby (now he just gets in the shower or washes his face without the interim towel wipe) – I both refused to wash towels every day AND refused to have to look at a toothpaste blubber smeared towel!

      • a passion for fashion

        this. and on a similar note, if i didnt have cleaning ladies that come every other week, my sheets would never get changed.

        • eo

          No cleaning lady here… and I have completely forgotten the sheets for way too long. Thank you for this reminder!!

          • a passion for fashion

            no problem. :) I dont know how we can be expected to remember things like changing sheets and towels. I have 2 small children and work a 60+ hour a week job (as does my husband). Its a miracle the 4 of us get out the door every morning clean and with clothes on.

        • Inva

          Hah, my cleaning lady is here now, and I’d never do any picking up if she didn’t come 2x a month.

    • CB

      I’m with you. Once every week or two is when our towels get washed. We live in a pretty dry climate, and they dry relatively quickly. And like you said, I’m clean when I dry off – and the water is clean too. Washing towels every day seems like a waste of water, time and energy, to me. Not to mention we are a family of 5 living in a fairly small house, so time and space are at a premium. I can’t imagine we’d have time to wash towels every day on top of everything else that needs doing, and if we used a fresh towel every day & washed them every week we’d need space to store the used towels and space to store the many fresh towels needed. Not that we don’t have several towels in our house, but certainly not enough for everyone to use a fresh one every day for a week!

    • MelD

      It really depends on where I live. I’ve lived in some humid places where I had to go ever 3 days because they wouldn’t ever get fully dry, and others where I could make it the full week I will go between washes.

    • Anne-on

      Once a week. As long as they’re hung up nicely to dry they make it through the week just fine.

    • Erin

      I normally change mine every week, if I remember. Sometimes it goes longer. They probably do get dead skin cells and whatnot on them, plus I use the same towel to dry my hands as I use for after a shower, so they may get some residual bathroom germs on them from that. But I agree with everyone whose said daily washing is nuts – apart from the waste of water, it’d make your towels last much less long. You know all the fuzz that’s in the dryer lint trap after you dry towels? That’s your towel, slowly falling apart.

    • PollyD

      Once a week here (DC), too. I did find that it’s better to hang my towels to dry in my bedroom (I have a towel rack that hangs on the door) because in my bathroom, they would start to develop a musty smell, I guess because there’s not enough air circulation.

      • Anon IB

        I switch towels every 3 days or so. In between, I spread to dry, but over time, any less than that and I think your towels get that nasty musty smell over the long term.

        • meme

          If they have a gross smell after washing, wash again in hot water with a cup of baking soda. Smell will be gone!

    • V

      Once a week for bath towels and bath rugs (less if I get my butt to the gym more than a few times that week, since I just shower there). But I do use a fresh washcloth every morning and night.

    • L

      Once a week here, too. Except for wash cloths. I have very sensitive skin and change the towels I use to dry my face frequently. It is cheaper and more eco friendly to just use small towels for that.

    • Anonabust

      once they stink, once there is too much hair on them, or once I use them to wipe off product or something else. Otherwise, clean is clean. No real system to it.

    • Sutemi

      Mostly once but sometimes twice a week. We don’t run an AC so in humid weather the towels don’t dry well and I will wash them more often, but they can always go at least 3 days before washing.

    • Unsub

      I’d love to use a clean towel everyday, but I feel bad about the water and power (over)usage. I compromise with a new washcloth everyday and a new towel every four or five days. New = laundered.

    • ks

      So appreciate this question and the validation of the hive. As a once a week towel washer, I go crazy whenever my in-laws come to visit as they insist on a new (fresh) towel everyday. One more reason to dread visits from the in-laws!

    • Jenn

      Daily. Every time I take a shower I want a new towel. But my mother is obsessive about cleanliness and does at least 2 loads of laundry per day – one of towels, and one of the clothes that were worn that day. I’m an only child, so it’s not like that constituted a whole load… I don’t wash clothes every day, but I definitely do not re-use towels or washcloths. I had no idea everyone else didn’t always use a brand new towel!

    • jcb

      My cleaning lady changes out the sheets and towels once every two weeks. I haven’t really seen a need to do it myself in the interim.

    • RRugosa

      People wash their towels every day?! Seriously?! That’s just crazy. And wasteful, as you say.

    • gov anon

      I’m in the once a week camp. Unless they’re smelly or were used to wipe down muddy feet or something, who has time to wash them every day?

    • ATC

      Once every couple weeks. I also usually shower every other day (preserving the horny layer!) so it’s used around 6-7 times, and not 14 times.

    • Jas

      Once a week, and the towel for drying my hands sometimes goes two weeks between washes. Anything else seems like overkill.

    • Ebro Fin

      Fresh bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth every morning. Wash one load of towels each week. I don’t think I could reuse them, drying my feet with it today and my neck or ears tomorrow? No way.

      • AN

        Thank god I’m not the only daily towel washer! But I live in a super humid climate too and that’s kind of been ingrained into me.

    • Bella

      I use a towel twice before laundering it, occasionally 3 times. That yields 3-4 towels a week that I wash along with my regular laundry. I try to do a load every weekend and if needed a second one. I have a decent stack of towels, about 8 or so and the same number of washcloths for just me. I wear clothes for 2 days in a row. I air suits and handwash/febreze work dresses.

    • Unsub

      I wore these with laces in high school so I really cannot revisit. Good for a commute, I’d bet, but I’d go for a more stylish loafer.

    • Anonymous

      Love (and have similar) for the weekend. I don’t like them for work.

      I don’t like today’s pick for any occasion, even though I love other iterations of oxfords very much. I think it is the jazz shoe look (which I also disliked in the 80s while I had a closet full of Bass bucs) that offends me the most. The patent doesn’t help.

      I even like and wear androgynous shoes for the weekend (e.g., Timberland Gavie vintage styles). I just don’t like patent jazz shoes.

    • Erin

      I like that style of oxfords with casual pants, but I think laceless ones are just, like, trying too hard. I’d look for a laced pair.

    • meme

      I had these in high school (early nineties). More of a chocolately brown and with laces. Timberland. I LOVED them. I think I could be persuaded to try these on weekends.

  14. roses

    I posted a couple weeks ago about what to wear for a “black tie preferred” wedding. After talking to the other ladies going, I decided on a short, very “dressy” dress. It’s a sleeveless V-neck gold dress with silver and gold beading at the center, just below the bust. My problem now is that I need to find something to wear over it during the ceremony (it’s a Jewish wedding, so my shoulders need to be covered, and it will probably be cold in the hotel anyway). I go back and forth on wrap vs. jacket, but even more of a problem is what color to wear! Black just seems too severe, and I don’t think it’s possible to match the gold color. Thoughts?

    • SF Bay Associate

      How about a faux fur shrug/wrap, probably in cream? You can’t match the color, so you may as well glam it up with a contrasting texture. That should keep you nice and cozy too.

    • Megan

      Chocolate? And I always prefer the look of wraps with formal dresses. Jackets always look off to me.

    • Salit-a-gotor

      How about a nice creamy white / light beige pashmina? Something that will complement the gold of the dress without looking like you’re trying to match it.

    • Terry

      Dark brown, dark red or dark purple? As a more practical suggestion, you could bring the dress to a store that has a huge selection of pashminas and look at the dress next to the different colors.

      • Anne-on

        Do you live in a major city? In NYC at least the “pashmina” street vendors are out in full force and have these wraps in every shade of the rainbow for about $5-$10. They also tend to have some lovely jacquard/paisley patterns in gold that might work well.

    • MelD

      I usually try to find dressier jackets I can rewear for different occasions. Since the holiday season is coming up, you should be able to find something good that will do the trick and cover your shoulders. I know some people think jackets look off, but I refuse to buy anything like a wrap/shrug on top of a dress because I feel like it is a colossal waste of money.

      • Diana Barry

        I once got a really great bolero jacket in a jacquard with beading on it from Forever 21. It was $25. :)

          • Bella

            Third, and I’d pick a contrasting colour, maybe coördinating with your party shoes or purse.

            Say you have red shoes and buy a red cashmere bolero…you could use those again with a little black dress or even bring them to wear over a grey shift for an office party. They would get a lot of use.

    • So

      Sounds like a wrap or bolero in a rich jewel tone would do the trick. My instinct would be to go for a deep or dark red, but any jewel tone should work.

    • Nonny

      My instant reaction was a cropped tux-style jacket, which I always think looks sharp….but I know you don’t want to wear black.

      That being the case, I go with the wrap vote. I always find bolero necklines need to be just right to go with a particular dress, and can never seem to find the right one.

    • Ru

      Depending on the color of the gold, you could pair it with a different metallic color. So if it’s a yellow gold, then go for a bronze or copper. If it’s a more subtle gold/champagne color, then go for silver. I’m a magpie, so out of work, I dress as sparkly as I can when the occasion will forgive it =).

  15. Monday

    Yeah, I love these. Already have something similar in, you know, (1) white with fake snakeskin panels and (2) copper with mesh panels. Not for work, but overall I love this look for a shoe. I don’t mind being in the minority here though!

    • PollyD

      I don’t love these particular shoes, but I do like the style. I got a pair of oxfords with a heel (maybe 2inches), AK Anne Klein, at DSW. They’re a little more feminine but I think will look very good with pants. I really wanted to do the flat oxford-no socks or tights-skirt thing this summer, for that quirky Zooey Deschanel look (yes, this would be totally appropriate for my office) but could never find a pair that didn’t either rub painfully or make my legs look short and feet look long. But I think it’s a very cute look. Not sure how it would go with a more formal skirt combo, and I think sheerer black tights or tights with a subtle pattern would be better than opaque ones. Your Office Probably Varies.

      • kng

        i would love to learn how to do this zooey deschanel look – i even bought the perfect flat navy perforated leather oxfords (by tory burch on super sale) but still – i have no idea how to pull it off. I think i may be too short? I’m about 5’5′ on a good day. my usual oufits are opaque tights (colors included), and simple sheaths and pencil skirts — patterned solid colorful whatever, but usually with one special detail. sigh. i think i’m just not quirky enough!

        • PollyD

          I’m thinking that one really needs the right attitude to do this. I’m also thinking of emailing Sally on Already Pretty to see if she can provide some pointers!

  16. Cat

    I go back and forth on what I’d think about wearing this shoe style to work, and inevitably decide that, although technically a conservative shoe, they’re a little too “cooler than thou” for my office – as in, “in real life I go to bars you’ve never heard of as a 20yo leggy ingenue.”

    • Rawr

      I already have the oversized, tortoise shell glasses (what can I say? I like things that are classic but also quirky), I worry that these shoes would take me right across that “cooler than thou” line.

  17. Erin

    I love these, and am really annoyed that so many commenters feel the need to slam the personal taste of others. God forbid we ever do anything different! We should all wear a uniform every single day to prevent us from being the slightest bit fashion forward at work! Ugh.

    I’ve been lusting over penny loafers, but I may give brogues another look. In general, I think they’d make my legs look stumpy with a skirt and my feet look big no matter what, but maybe I’m wrong.

      • Erin

        The very first comment says “Please tell me this suggestion is a joke! Brogues = questionable. Patent leather brogues = unforgivable.” Other comments imply you’d look like a lesbian in them, whatever that means, and use the word hate and ugly. If that’s not slamming to you, well, I wouldn’t want to see what you do call slamming.

        • Bonnie

          Slamming your opinion would be saying “you’re insane for liking those” or “how can you even think that they’re nice?” “I think patent brogues are ugly” is a personal opinion.

        • ex ny-er

          Fwiw, I’m a queer lady and think these shoes are adorable. I’m generally pretty femme-presenting, however, and would love it if making it easy for other people to id me as a lesbian were as easy as putting on a pair of oxfords…

          • Unsub

            I’m neither queer nor a lady (at least not often) and I, too, wish shoes could ID people. Imagine…nice people would wear say 2″ pumps, a$$holes would wear monk straps, abusers would wear high tops… Life would be so much easier. :)

          • Anon

            I’m the author of the original “unforgivable” comment. And I would be judging someone who wore these. Brogues, I can see, on the rare occasion when the woman is put together, slim, and going for a more masculine look. Patent leather brogues – I judge you. But that’s a consequence of being fashion-forward, no? Take some risks, reap some rewards and appreciation, get some rolled eyes. If you love them, get them. I think this site does a great job of getting at what your professional sisters think. The choice to buy or not buy remains yours.

        • Accountress

          Re: the lesbian comment. In “30 Rock,” Alec Baldwin’s character assumed, for a variety of *his reasons*, that Tina Fey’s character was a lesbian. For a great number of episodes. I think she wore this type, and if not, I can see “Liz Lemon” picking up a version of these from somewhere less where Elle Woods shops and more where Roseanne shops.

    • Anon

      I don’t like these, but setting that aside, they are a “look”. When you go for a “look”, its going to be polarizing. Otherwise its, by definition, not a “look”.
      Don’t worry what others think. Unless you want to worry about that. If you want to worry about that, then don’t get upset when they don’t agree. Because people won’t agree.

      • Anonymous

        Exactly! These shoes are something that you can either pull off, or you can’t whether lesbian or straight. It is all in the attitude!

    • mamabear

      taste is a funny thing. i probably wouldn’t wear this particular pair but I had the same style in suede in 1997-ish and wore them with black tights and a jumper type dress and felt very femme and stylish. it did help that I had long legs and was quite thin then. (still have the long legs, by the way, just not the thin!)

      I have never liked loafers of any variety, though, and would never wear them.

      • ATC

        Eh, it’s fashion. It’s all about being judgmental. What’s hot, what’s not, what’s out, what’s in, what’s amazing, what’s horrendous, etc. Everyone has an opinion. Putting black bars over someone’s eyes and labeling them a fashion crime is pretty mean, but fashion is mean – it’s about how someone looks on the outside as opposed to the person they are on the inside. Not touchy feely stuff. I think the snark is funny, even if it is directed at something I would wear. I can take it, and I can give it to: I freakin’ hate those shoes and think they are hideous.

    • Jas

      I think that’s to be expected for any trend, though. If they weren’t patent (I hate patent) I’d wear the heck out of them, but I understand it’s not a safe choice. I think it’s especially to be expected for any sort of androgynous/gender neutral look. A lot of people are still uncomfortable with the idea of playing with gender expectations or anything with the hint of gender neutrality.

  18. Sick of feeling "off"

    I’m not sure what to think about these shoes.

    I need some advice. I’m starting to notice that I might have some medical issues going on. For the last several months, I have started to feel more and more run down. Then about two month ago, I started having really terrible acne and feeling like I was PMSing constantly. I always have bad skin, but this is worse than it was when I was a teenager. For the last month, these symptoms have continued and now I have wild mood swings. All. The. Time. In addition, my work product has gone down. It is almost as if my brain isn’t getting enough oxygen or something. I’ve missed incomplete sentences, basic spelling mistakes, and it is not for being lazy. I have been avoiding seeking help because I figured it was just stress, and its not like I have a fever or anything “serious,” but this week I noticed that I am intentionally working from home and avoiding friends and family just to avoid the embarrassment. This is no way to live.

    So my question is, I just moved to a new city a few months ago and I don’t have any doctors. Where do I start? Go straight to a specialist? and what kind? Or should I find a primary physician? What questions should I ask? Is this normal?

    • Sick of feeling "off"

      More information: I’m 28. I previously had acne and an anxiety disorder, both of which were somewhat under control for years using medication. Now the meds don’t seem to be helping at all in either case.

    • MelD

      Are you on hormonal birth control? It sounds like you may be having a bad reaction. I’d suggest going off whatever your on now and seeing if that helps. I’ve had more than one friend who started to get these kinds of reactions even after using the same pill for years, but when they went off they felt much better.

    • PollyD

      This is from PulledOutOfMyA@@ Medical School, but I’d start with a thyroid check. Feeling foggy and run down could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Maybe also get checked for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – the mood swings and acne bring that to mind for me – or mono. I think you could start with a general practitioner, they should at least be able to order some blood tests and do a physical that might find things like enlarged thyroid, or some liver or spleen issues. If you are on the Pill, be sure to mention that – I know I’ve had to change the one I take a few times. Everything will be fine for a few years, and then it just turns on me. All my issues usually get resolved by switching to a different formulation.

      In the meantime, try to cut yourself some mental slack. I’m sorry you are going through this, but I bet it can be resolved.

      • PollyD

        Serial comment to say that a friend of mine thought she was developing early onset Alzheimer disease because she was feeling so forgetful and exhausted, but it turned out to be low thyroid.

    • Erin

      Ugh, reposting to get out of moderation.

      Please see an endocrinologist and describe all these symptoms to him or her. It seems clear that your hormone levels are off, and there could be a number of causes. If your insurance doesn’t require a referral from your primary care physician, you can skip that and go straight to a specialist. If you don’t know where to start looking, I’m sure Corporettes will have suggestions if you say what city you’re in.

    • Erin

      Trying a third time to get out of moderation.

      Please see an endocrinologist and describe all these symptoms to him or her. It seems clear that your hormone levels are off, and there could be a number of causes. If your insurance doesn’t require a referral from your primary care physician, you can skip that and go straight to a specialist.

      If you don’t know where to start looking, say what city you’re in and I’m sure others will have suggestions.

      • Erin

        Third time’s the charm I guess. And evidently using the name of this site or referring to readers of this site as the name of this site with an S at the end will get you stuck in moderation… bizarre.

        • Anonymous

          Agree with others to have your thyroid checked. I didn’t have mood swings, but I was exhausted all the time (even with 10 hours of sleep), weight gain, dry hair, horribly dry skin, acne, brittle nails, and really terrible memory problems, especially short-term. It definitely affected my work.
          My primary care doctor did a TSH test and I was hypothyroid. Now I’m on the correct thyroxine dosage and feel 100% better.

    • EC MD

      I would recommend starting with a primary physician and explaining what you just told us. Bring notes if you need to, so you don’t get rushed over. Ask people around you for recommendations. They should be able to help you figure out what the next steps should be, whether they are lab tests, a referral for counseling, etc.

      I would not recommend starting or stopping medications without discussing with a physician. I think it’s totally reasonable to ask about thyroid, hormonal birth control, etc.

      • TX Attny

        Yes! Second EC MD’s suggestion to take notes with you (print your post if you want to) and write down any questions you might have. Otherwise, if you are at all like me, you’ll promptly forget when the white coat walks in the door!

    • Noner

      You know you best, so if you are feeling different than you have before, you should totally get it checked out.

      I guess I would start with either a GP or a gynecologist – you’re going to need the latter at least once a year, right? If they can’t help you, they can at least point you in the right direction for the next step.

    • Miriam

      If you are concerned enough to post a question here, then you should really see a doctor! We can speculate forever, but a doctor is the only one who will be able to give you definite answers. Good luck!!

    • TX Attny

      I suggest an internist. The internists I’ve visited have taken everything – what’s going on at work, in my body, in my relationships etc – and have put it together to always help me pull out of it. Usually an internist will talk with you for quite awhile before suggesting blood work, etc. And the follow up visit can usually be within a week so you can decide what sort of vitamins, treatments, whatever you need.

      Also, I feel for you. I hope you will keep us posted.

    • OP

      Thanks everyone! I’ve been a regular reader for a while. You women are a regular source of entertainment and inspiration!

      I made an appointment with an internist. Sometimes I am too stubborn for my own good, and I really needed the push! The cloudy thinking is not helping any. This whole situation is really not conducive for practicing law!

      • RRugosa

        Good decision! I also recommend taking a list with you, my mind too always goes blank during the time I sit in the little white room waiting for the Whitecoat to show up. Lots of eye contact to make sure they are really listening, and know you are really concerned about this, and that you expect them to address it thoroughly.

    • mamabear

      Agree with the other suggestions, but urge you to have an overall physical before visiting with a specialist. The overall physical should include a blood panel, which should test you for low thyroid, a very common and treatable condition that sounds a lot like what you’re describing.

    • Ru

      I some similar symptoms and I knew I wouldn’t be able to think straight when I went to the doctor so I went with a list of my symptoms. It wasn’t thyroid related but it did have to do with hormones and that full list was key in diagnosing the condition. My doctor actually photocopied my list and put it in my file. I’d also recommend you taking notes during your visit so that you actually remember what the doctor said, it helped me a lot. Hope you feel better soon!

    • Coach Laura

      In addition to thyroid, please make sure that they test for celiac disease, which has among its many symptoms “brain fog”, anxiety and . Also, have them test for vitamin/mineral deficiencies – Vit D, B vit, calcium, iron.

    • GovtMom

      Adding to the chorus: make sure you get a full check of your hormones. I have hypothyroidism — much of this sounds like it, but the mood swings don’t really add up. And the bad skin is a stretch. That sounds more like PCOS, which can often go hand-in-hand with thyroid issues.

      BTW, when you have hypothyroidism, your brain ISN’T getting enough oxygen. That’s one of the things the thyroid hormone is supposed to do (I won’t link for fear of moderation).

  19. So

    To be worn with a skirt, the shoes would be great on an Alexa Chung coltish long-legged type, though I would only attempt them with trousers. Wish I could jump onto this trend – I love the look of menswear-inspired pieces.

    • jcb

      Me too! Sadly, my legs are the muscular type and just don’t look right with flat menswear-inspired shoes like this. I love the look on others, though.

  20. earth

    Hi
    Please go to a primary physician because it is difficult to get asap appointment with specialists, and same may hold true for primary physicians but most of them will accept new patients if they already are . Ask for recommendations around and please check with your insurance too.And tell doc your complaints ,tell any past health issues,any medications etc ,They will give you a form to fill which are like questions .Dont worry but tell whatever they ask you and try not to hide things because small things do matter . Take care,
    Earth

  21. Tigger

    Hi everyone, could anyone suggest a good umbrella? I’m always struggling to close it quickly when I am about to walk into a building/bus, so I’d like an umbrella that can close by clicking a button (kind of like how you open one). Do they exist? Any suggestions?

    • AB

      Try Davek, I have two. They are well worth the price and are often found on the sample sale sites.

    • just Karen

      They do exist, and I have gotten an inexpensive Totes brand version at Target – have seen them on Amazon as well (search “auto open/close umbrella”)

    • LinLondon

      I second the Totes from Target suggestion. I also have a button umbrella that I loooooooove with the painting “Paris Street; Rainy Day” on it. If you Google “art umbrellas” you can find a bunch. I also have a “Starry Night” one, but the “Paris Street” one is just so meta when it’s raining :)

      Artistgifts dot com has several.

  22. fx analyst

    thread-jacking to share my excitement of getting a $340 Tahari suit for $99 last night at Macy’s! Came way with 4 full Tahari suits for $300 total.

  25. Midwest

    I think these are cute, which pretty much confirms my suspicion that I have questionable taste when it comes to shoes. What can I say? I love looking at pretty shoes (heels especially), but practicality and comfort usually wins.

  26. gov anon

    I don’t think I could pull these shoes off. But if I saw another Corporette wearing them, I’d probably think she was one fantastically stylish lady.

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