Corporette.com

Updated: Nov 1, 2018 214 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Trina Turk Fenella Long-Sleeve Pencil 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 TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Trina Turk Fenella Long-Sleeve Pencil DressY'know what I love? Sleeves on dresses. And high scoop necklines. And ladylike hems. And interested pleating/ruching/draping details that, actually, I think would look kind of awesome as they suggest you style it: with a brooch. I also like the dark color, which they call “marooned.” The dress is $298 at Neiman Marcus. Trina Turk Fenella Long-Sleeve Pencil Dress Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-3)  

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 Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. LilyB

    Ladies, I like wearing pantyhose (both nude and black) during the winter as a way to keep my legs covered without wearing tights (I don’t mind tights for commuting, but it’s a pain taking them off/putting them on throughout the day when I go out for lunch, etc). But I’m going through a pair every day! I just can’t seem to keep from getting runs in them… and I’m buying Hue brand, not the drugstore brand… with the sale at Macys they came out to ~$6 each, which is expensive if I’m only wearing them once or twice! What am I doing wrong? Is the skin on my feet too rough? Toenails too long (I don’t think this is the case…)? Should I put on gloves to put them on in the morning?

    • wildkitten

      I can’t handle pantyhose either. That’s why I stick to tights. Why are you taking them off for lunch? I just wear my tights all day…

      • LilyB

        I just can’t get on board with the opaque tights + pumps look. I feel like a 12-year-old.

        Maybe I need to look into something between tights and hose? Like sheer-er tights? Do those exist???

        • Bonnie

          Tights do come in different levels of opaqueness.

          I love Trina Turk clothing.

          • Anonymous

            Really? I rarely see professional women wearing opaque tights in my major east coast city.

          • Anonymous

            I live in one of those cities and travel to the other frequently. I see students and younger people wearing opaque tights but not professionals wearing suits and heels.

        • OttLobbyist

          Secret has a brand of light tights (or they did — a bit tough to find this year it seems) that were perfect – they last through several wears and washes, but have a slight sheer quality that stops the “little girl in tights and mary-janes” feel.

        • AIMS

          Hue makes sheer-er tights. But I agree black tights + black shoes is pretty much what every woman I know wears all winter long.

    • TBK

      Why not try the drug store brand? I wear L’eggs and can wear them 5 or 6 times before I get a run. I’ve found that the department store brands often look nicer, in large part because they’re much finer than drug store brands, but that they don’t always hold up as well. I save my expensive stockings for my most formal events (interviews, big client meetings, etc.) and wear cheapo stockings the rest of the time.

    • Anon

      I’m not trying to be snarky but make sure you are wearing the correct size. I’m right on the border of A/B and C/D (for Hanes, which is what I wear) and if I buy A/B, they run. Every time. Try sizing up and see if that helps.

      • Cornellian

        Same. I wear a size 2 but buy large tights… it seems to be the only article of clothing that is undergoing the opposite of vanity sizing.

      • Pink

        sizing up also helps avoid the sausage look!

        I have hue pantyhose/tights that have lasted a while and I also just throw them in the regular wash with my regular clothes.

    • Humdilly

      This may be too obvious but my mind was blown when my Mom showed me the correct way to put on hose a few years ago. Using your hands, bunch the hose up so that the toe part is up where you insert your legs (crotch area). Then insert your foot directly at the toe part and pull the hose up on your legs. I do this one leg at a time. This way the hose aren’t ever being dragged across your foot or toes/toenails. Try to keep your fingernails nice with no sharp edges and don’t wear any rings/jewelry until the hose are on.

      • NOLA

        Maybe I’m closer to your mom’s age, but that’s how I’ve been putting them on my whole life. The rings and jewelry issue are absolutely true. When I got married, I wore these sparkly hose under my dress and one of my bridesmaids ripped a pair with her engagement ring while they were helping me into my dress.

        • Humdilly

          I did ballet as a kid, so maybe this is why it blew my mind – for 15 years of ballet she never once told me I was putting my tights on wrong!

          • Marilla

            Same here, at 27. My mom taught this to all her daughters when we were quite young (as soon as we were putting on our own tights/pantyhose!). And always check for runs before putting them on by bunching them up and then running your hand through them.

      • emily

        And if you have rough cuticles, put lotion on your hands right before putting them on.

    • TO Corp Chick

      FWIW I tried DIM brand hold ups and even though at $14/pair it’s a lot, I’m getting 4-5-6 (!) wears out of them – way better than pantyhose. I think because I don’t have to “adjust” them through the day. And no pinching waistline.

      • Nonny

        And if you wear hold-ups and only get a run in one of them, but have multiple pairs, you can still wear the one without the run and switch up its mate.

    • V

      Back in the day, I swore by Sheer Energy and bought them in bulk from the Hanes outlets or by mail. True support hose looks orthopedic, but the light support ones were almost run-proof and I kept them until the elastic in the waist eventually gave out. I think there is also Hanes Alive and they came in a a shade a little lighter than nude (so pasty enough to be nude for me without going all the way to white-for-nurses).

      Black hose was hard though — it tended to have horizontal rings and the runs were so obvious. It never worked and I consider black tights to be a welcome relief.

      • Anon

        I have a pair of Sheer Energy “nude” stockings that have held up for at least 20 wears over the course of 2+ years. I throw them in the washing machine in a net bag and sometimes accidentally throw them in the dryer, so it’s not like I baby them. For the OP, make sure you’re buying reinforced toes not “sandal-foot” and control tops hold up better even if you don’t need the control. (Man, I feel old! While I’m at it, I should offer to demonstrate using a fax machine.)

        • Anon

          I have some of those (and JC Penney tights) that are my mom’s from the early 90’s. They’re still going strong.

      • CKB

        Me too. And I often find them at Winners – which I think is the Canadian version of TJ Maxx/Marshalls.

    • Niktaw

      Depends on where the hose tear on you. If the runs start on the toes, it might be your nails. In other places… could be too small a size as others suggested.

    • anon-oh-no

      I get many, many wears out of my spanx. Although i wear tights more often than hose, the hose will last a full season most of the time. And I have found that if i get a small run in a non-noticable spot, they dont run further down my leg, so i can usually wear them one or two more times without issue.

    • R

      Also, if you see a run starting, you can use clear nail polish on the hose to stop it. Just paint a thin coat of the polish around the edges of the run and it should hold the run. I do it while I’m wearing the hose, the coat is thin enough that it dries in seconds and doesn’t really get much on my skin. It’ll help the pair last the rest of the day, sometimes even a second wear (depending on the size of the run).

    • AttiredAttorney

      Buy the pantyhose about two sizes bigger than what the height/weight chart suggests. A lot of runs are caused by too much tension in the fabric, so that it can’t withstand a slight tug or scratch. Decrease the tension, decrease the runs. Obviously, you don’t want elephant saggy legs, but generally 1-2 sizes bigger does the trick.

      • January

        ?? They’re the same as nude hose, except they come in black. Or sometimes off-black, which, as it turns out, does not go very well with black. Tights are generally thicker material. I don’t know about sheer tights.

        • Orangerie

          Well, tights come in varying deniers/thickness of material. I’m confused as to what differentiates “black pantyhose” from black tights with a low denier.

          • Babs

            Black sheer pantyhose, and before that, stockings, have existed forever. I think it’s a new phenomenon that they are being marketed as “sheer tights” now— probably for those of your generation who turn and run at the mere idea of “hose”:)

          • January

            Yeah, I guess I don’t get the idea of sheer tights…. If they’re that sheer, they’re pantyhose.

    • Flying Squirrel

      Dance stores allow you to buy tights by the denier. I suspect you want something that’s like 40-60 denier (heavier than hose, lighter than normal tights). I think they are also sold as semi-opaque.

  3. Carrie Preston

    Very important question, how do you ladies sleep on a blowout to keep it looking nice the next day? I end up with a mess I have to tame. Any tips?

    • Hiphopanonymous

      Curly haired girl here. I wrap my head in a silk scarf. That usually does it — if I end up with any kinks I have a small fast-heating straightener and I just quickly run it over any kinks (which, incidentally, I also use for random wrinkles on my clothes/pressing collars).

    • CountC

      I was going to suggest a silk pillowcase. I generally just need to quickly run a straightening iron through it each day after the blowout. I can usually get 4 – 5 days out of it that way.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I twist my hair into a bun on top of my head and loosely secure it with a scrunchie. It works well for me, but might not work as well if you hair isn’t long enough.

    • Carrie Preston

      thanks!! (& I second the flat iron as iron, thanks – that is genius!)

  4. Interrobanged

    So, what is everyone wearing to Thanksgiving dinner? I am cooking for the family (~10 people), so I will probably wear some ratty crap to cook and then change into some comfortable (read: ponte) pants and an oversize sweater for the meal. These will be my, uh, pie-eating chic clothes.

    Also, and unrelated to the above question, why did I decide to wear 4″ heels the day after it snowed and it’s still all icy outside? What is my damage?

    • NOLA

      I’m teaching all day and the weather is awful (cold, windy, rainy) so I wore a pencil skirt, black tights, a new wrap sweater and my Vince Camuto booties with chains up the back. I need something to keep me going!

    • Miss Behaved

      I’ll be wearing the leopard print Lands’ End sleeveless shift dress with pockets (I think of it as “the dress”) with a Lands’ End black cashmere cardigan, black tights, and black suede wedge booties.

    • EC MD

      We are flying with two small children the morning of Thanksgiving to my hometown (75 min flight), then going to dinner at my Godmother’s house which will be a big fun casual party. It’ll be rainy probably. I’m thinking skinny jeans, comfy sweater and riding boots. We love flying on Thanksgiving morning (especially such a short flight) because it’s festive but not such a crush as the day before.

    • JJ

      Leggings and a long sweater/tunic. I cook all morning in yoga pants and a t shirt and change right before we eat.

      Although I’m tempted to unpack some elastic-waist maternity pants and just dub them my “buffet pants.”

    • Parfait

      I’m thinking maxi dress and sparkly cardigan.

      That reminds me, need to build in a shower-and-beautifybreak into my T-Day schedule before folks show up.

  5. TBK

    Thanks everyone for the good thoughts and stories yesterday. It really helped. I especially appreciated the CNN video and the blog. I’ve shared both of them with my husband and the grandmothers-to-be (they’re taking all of this as hard as we are — these guys are the first grandchildren on both sides) and I think they’ve helped. I’ll keep everyone posted.

    • JJ

      I’ve been thinking of you, TBK. After thinking about this last night, I don’t know of any friends of mine that had twins (and for some reason, I have a lot of friends and family with twins) that weren’t on bed rest for extended periods of time. And all of them have happy, healthy children. I know it’s just anecdata, but I also know stories like that helped me when I faced pregnancy complications.

    • Marilla

      I was just skimming through yesterday’s post in a few minutes of coffee time this morning and was actually coming here to send you some online hugs and good wishes. I think you’ve got everyone here rooting for you and your little twins. I hope they decide to stay cooking a little bit longer and I’m sure you will be a GREAT mama to them, whether they need some extra medical attention in the beginning or not.

    • OCAssociate

      I’m thinking good thoughts for you, too. For more anecdata – my friends who have been on bedrest with twins all had fabulous outcomes and healthy babies, who are now happy healthy toddlers.

    • MU JD

      Sending lots of good thoughts to you TBK! I was on bedrest with my twins from 31 weeks and delivered two healthy baby boys at 35 weeks, so my advice is to follow doctor’s orders and take care of yourself and those babies. Keep us posted!

    • RR

      I totally missed this yesterday (and I’m a little late today), but I wanted to send you some encouragement. I wasn’t on bedrest with my twins, but by virtue of having twins I know a lot of moms of twins. A lot of them were on bedrest, had complications, had preterm babies (as early as 28 weeks that I can think of). They all have completely healthy children. You may want to check out a website called twinstuff [dot] com. I know message boards are kind of old school, but it was really helpful for me while I was pregnant, and there are tons of stories there about women with all kinds of complications (cervical issues, TTTS, preterm labor, etc.) who have fabulous success stories (and really very few sad outcomes).

      Having twins is a scary thing. Even in a healthy pregnancy, you are always “high risk” and scared for your babies. But, at least you know your issue, you are being monitored and taking steps. I have my fingers crossed for you that you will be telling us all about the crazy life of a lawyer with twinfants in just a few months. Lots of positive thoughts your way.

  6. kitty

    Sooo I see this sometimes, but what makes a hem “ladylike”? Is it the length? Does it go from ladylike to tarty when you get to like 6 inches above the knee?

  7. Anon for this

    There aren’t many people I can share this with in real life, but I just got a 25% raise. !!!!!!!!

    • Ellen

      Yay! Congratulation’s! You see, we WOMEN can suceed in Business! The manageing partner recognises that women are an ASSET so he take’s care of us also. Doubel Yay!

      I emailed my dad the Obamacare benefit’s stuff, and dad told me to stay with my current plan b/c it is the best. But b/c it is also the most expensive (in term’s of copay’s and dedeacutable’s), dad is thinkeing that mabye I should put MORE money into my Health Account b/c that money is tax dedeacutable and I need more dedeactuion’s, but I would HAVE to use it or loose it!

      What is the HIVE doing on Obamacare? I told Dad I would ask the hive, and he laughed b/c he does NOT think the hive knows much about economic’s. FOOEY on him! Just b/c I delagate to him does NOT mean that we, as WOMEN, all have to do this. I delagate b/c I have to FOCUS my expertize on the law, b/c I am an attorney in GOOD standing in the court’s of the State of New York, and I will leave it to HIM to figure out what is best for me economiclly.

      Dad is the one with an MBA, not me, tho Dad and the manageing partner now BOTH think that I should go back and get my MBA part time from NYU or Columbia University. I realy do NOT want to sit in a class, but since the manageing partner is willing to pay 100% of my tuition and book’s and give me “resonable time off” to study, dad is pusheing for me to reconsider. I found out that I would STILL have to take a test to get in, and I hate those test’s b/c every time I ever took one, the PROCTOR alway’s was stareing at me, so I could NOT concentrate!

      I also remember when I took the Bar exam along time ago that the proctor had very clammy hands, b/c he took my paper at the end then asked me if I was MARRIED. I told him no and he said that mabye we should go out, but I told him that I did NOT want to date the proctor’s. FOOEY!

      Myrna is now goieng to meet me and her freind and Vikram tonite for drink’s. I hope he does NOT have sweaty hand’s either. DOUBEL FOOEY!

      • ML

        I have grown so fond of Ellen’s posts. Thank you, Kat, for not takeing them down :).

    • kjoirishlastname

      hoooorarrrrraaaaayyyyy!

      I’m going to be trying to negotiate a raise in the next few months, but I work in govt, so it’s a sh!t ton of red tape. I’ve been doing my research, and have found how ridiculously, grossly underpaid I am for my position, knowledge and skill

    • Marilla

      Missed yesterday’s thread but wanted to comment and wish you congratulations! And good luck wedding planning – will you be importing your family to the UK for the wedding, or getting married back at home in the US?

      • Cb

        Thanks everyone! My family is pretty tiny and our lives are here in Scotland (the other half is from London) so we are having a small(ish, a surprising number of people are game for the trip) wedding here next autumn and a big casual celebration (think Mexican food truck and hanging out) in California.

        Wedding planning sucks but we’ve divided and conquered, I’m logistics, he manages communications. It’s shocking though how stuck in gender roles the vendors are, some of them are desparate to speak to “the bride”.

  9. j

    My 30th bday is coming up and I’m considering hiring a personal stylist to do a consultation, closet clean-out, and shopping trip. I’d love for some help to spiff up my wardrobe. Has anyone (who isn’t a celebrity with an unlimited budget) ever done this? Any DC recommendations? I’m interestered in an independent person not someone affiliated with any store (I had a bad experience with a personal stylist at Nordstroms – she seemed to think that since I’m a size 16 that I wanted to dress frumpily and older than my age).

  10. Miss Behaved

    Ladies, I’m working from home today, but I’m at my brother’s house. My sister-in-law put my nephew down for a nap. He just peeked around the corner at me. Uh oh. Looks like he figured out how to climb out of his crib!

    • anon-oh-no

      i love this. this post totally just made me smile (not the climb out of the crib part per se, but picturing your nephew peeking around the corner at you)

  11. A Nonny Moose

    Many thanks to all who recommended Plush tights. Mine came in just in time for today’s horrible D.C. weather. I’m nice and cozy!

    • Anon

      I have a pair and want to pick up a few more but they’re pricey… does anyone know if they ever go on sale anywhere?

      • Ella

        Re/Dress has fleece lined “teggings” which are tights crossed with leggings. I think they look like high denier tights and not like leggings, but they are footless, which I don’t like. But with boots, they look the same as tights!

  12. Anonymous

    I have decided an old bottle of OPI is my new favorite, but it’s getting a bit gooey. Will the Seche Vite thinner work, or do I need some other kind of thinner? I’m pretty sure there’s more in the bottle, it’s just getting too thick.

      • Orangerie

        Do NOT do this (Ellen caps necessary). Acetone will break down the polish, rather than thinning it.

        The Seche Vite thinner works great, just don’t add too much at a time. Do a few drops, roll the bottle between the palms of your hands (shaking will cause air bubbles), check the consistency and repeat as necessary.

    • posey

      you could also try to see if you could buy it on amazon or something? old colors could go for like $2-$3.

    • Anon

      Late for this, but Sally’s sells polish thinner for ~$4 (their brand, Beauty Secrets) and you can use it on just about any polish. The polish thinner adds in solvents that have evaporated. I second Orangerie’s sentiment-DO NOT USE acetone. It will not work.

  13. Best pumpkin pie recipe??

    I’m looking for a traditional flavored pumpkin pie. I tend to think they are a little boring, but my crowd would be annoyed if I added anything ‘fun’ (cheesecake, bourbon, etc). I was thinking of trying smitten kitchen’s silky pumpkin pie recipe which includes candied yams, but haven’t tried it. Any favorite pie recipes out there?

    • Architect

      My family is the same way. I always make a recipe from Cooking Light that is a slight twist on the typical. It’s Cinnamon Streusel Topped Pumpkin Pie. The recipe is on their website. It’s so good. My kids have been talking about it for a week!

      • AIMS

        You could also make a fun whipped cream to go with it. Just get some heavy cream, sugar, and beat in some vanilla and bourbon, or whatever else suits your fancy (Bailey’s? Chocolate? Candied orange zest?).

        • Best pumpkin pie recipe??

          Oooh, this could go well. Literally they are like out of the freezer section pie people (and prefer it). It’s so bizarre to me. It has no taste!!

    • Lyssa

      I haven’t tried their pumpkin pie recipe, but I’ve found that if you want the best of a basic, traditional recipe, you can’t go wrong with Cook’s Illustrated. (Their site is paywalled, but you can usually find the recipes free from another source with a little searching.) I know that their pie crusts are to die for.

    • Alice

      I tried this recipe twice. I wanted to love it–I am a huge Smitten Kitchen fan–but I actually didn’t like the ultra-smooth consistency and I found that it had a lot of work for not a lot of flavor payoff. I prefer the back of the Libby’s can recipe.

      I do like to add minced candied ginger to the whipped cream, though!

    • anonypotamus

      I always am in charge of pies – we have a large crowd, many of whom are traditionalists. I use the tried and true Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe on the back of the pumpkin puree can. Then, I also make a “fun” pie for myself and anyone else who wants to be more adventurous. This year is maple bourbon pumpkin pie :) I don’t find it that much more work to make an extra pie, and then there is a better chance of leftovers! But I would agree that adding a fun whipped topping can spice up a more traditional pie.

  14. Calibrachoa

    Well, I have now seen it all. There’s a development event series for young professionals in town to the tune of Seven Deadly Skills. This week, they’re covering Grooming and Self Management under Pride, and their list of experts includes beauticians, fashion columnists and a burlesque performer.

    I have a lot of confused feelings and a deep regret I cannot attend, possibly with popcorn.

  15. EB0220

    Dear Type A ladies: I have controlled Grave’s disease and have gotten some positive pregnancy tests at 11 and 12 days past ovulation. Should I call my endocrinologist/OB now or wait until after the holidays and an actual missed period? Hmm….

    • anon

      Assuming you’ve told both docs that your TTC, and that you have your marching orders as to what a pregnancy means for your meds, etc (and if you’re Type A as you imply), it would be fine to wait until after the holidays. However, if you haven’t discussed the “plan” for pregnancy and your Grave’s disease until now, don’t wait–call.

      • EB0220

        The OB and endo both gave their blessing for TTC, so they’re aware. There’s no specific plan other than regular bloodwork to test thyroid levels and adjust as needed. Still, I suppose it can’t hurt to go ahead and call the endo’s nurse.

    • Anon

      You should call ASAP. I waited until my 8 week visit, and my thyroid levels were out of control by that time (doctor said no damage to baby, but I was physically exhausted and gained a lot of weight). I read somewhere online that you should start upping your synthroid dose immediately once you know you’re pregnant, but I wouldn’t have been comfortable doing that without a doctor’s sign-off.

      Good luck! Crossing my fingers for you.

      • EB0220

        Thank you! Grave’s actually causes hyperthyroid, so my meds suppress thyroid function. But I will definitely go ahead and call today, just in case they want early bloodwork.

        • Anon

          Sorry! I assumed you were in the “no more thyroid” camp. Pregnancy eats your thyroid hormones (obv. I’m not a doctor!) especially during the first trimester, so I’d guess that your suppression plan will need to be monitored closely. I just wish I had known to go in for thyroid tests before my 8 week OB appt, because it would have made the first trimester easier.

    • Senior Attorney

      Congratulations!

      I would probably wait, but there’s no harm in calling and giving your docs a heads up. They will probably tell you to wait, too, but at least you’ll have, you know, done something.

      • EB0220

        Thank you! Hah, yes, I’m antsy with the Thanksgiving holiday so I guess it doesn’t hurt to go ahead and let them know.

      • EB0220

        Thank you! I had no expectations this cycle due to less than ideal timing so I am still a little in shock!

    • anonforthis

      I’d go ahead and call since you have a positive pregnancy test. I was surprised at the toll pregnancy took on my body early on. I had CRAZY low blood pressure at my 6 week appointment and I felt like crap. No need to add to that by having your thyroid out of whack when it’s easy and quick enough to get blood drawn. Your endo might even just send you an order for a blood test and then just have you come in depending on results.

    • OCAssociate

      Congratulations! My theory is that it never hurts to call. Then if they have input/want to see you, you didn’t wait too long. And if they don’t need to see you, you get that extra boost of reassurance that you’re ok.

    • EB0220

      Thanks, everyone! Now I’m glad that I called because I found out that my OB has switched hospitals to a hospital that’s about 20 min further away. Since my labor was pretty fast with my first, I don’t really want to be too far away….so I’m glad I found that out early!

  16. amelia earhart

    Seeking advice from the legal crowd: I work in a legal field, but I’m not an attorney (yet!). My boss (who is an attorney) is sending me to represent our company in a handful upcoming hearings in small claims court. I’ve never done this before. Given the setting, maybe it isn’t a big deal, but does anyone have any advice for a first timer?

    My anxiety about this is making me feel like I’m going into the Hunger Games.

    • Anne Shirley

      Check your local rules and make sure that your role isn’t classified as practicing law without a license.

    • BMBG

      In some states (California) attorneys *can’t* appear in small claims court. So it doesn’t sound fishy. I did this for a company back in my law school days. The judge doesn’t expect you to know much law, so just go in with the relevant facts at the ready. You’ll be fine, I promise!

      • amelia earhart

        I took the advice above and a corporation can assign an employee to appear on behalf to defend the action.

        But this a relief, thank you!

    • Dulcinea

      As a new attorney myself who was immedately thrown into a wide range of courts from the beginning of my practice, my advice to you is to just accept the fact that no matter how well you prepare there are bound to be little quirks of the particular court that you can’t know until you get there. So don’t panic when something unexpected happens.

      Arrive early, greet the courtroom staff if possible to try to get any questions you might have answered, pay close attention to what happens in the cases ahead of you (where everyone stands, how they address the judge/clerk magistrate, where they go to get their papers afterwards, etc) . Also, there will be a lot of lay people in small claims court, so LOTS of people who don’t quite know the procedures – you won’t be alone.

    • Jo March

      In my jurisdiction the whole point of small claims court is that anyone can go. Even the Dept. of Justice sends their articling students (law school grads, but not yet called) to Small Claims. And actually, even in regualr court, students are allowed to represent people as long as the Law Society has them registered as under someone’s supervision.

  17. Margaret

    I bought a pair of Prada classic black pumps yesterday. Panicking a bit today about the decision. I can afford the price point, but I’ve never actually taken the plunge on something like this before. Am I going to regret this? Please talk me in/out of keeping them …

    • jc

      Lovely! I honestly was expecting them to more than the price you paid. If you can afford them then this seems like a great buy. You can keep them forever (hopefully), and they will look fab. Treat yourself and enjoy them!

    • A Nonny Moose

      How comfortable are they? Do they fit perfectly? Do you plan to have kids soon? They’re a gorgeous shoe and won’t go out of style, so fit would be my only concern if you can afford them.

    • TO Corp Chick

      Those are LOVELY. Baby them and they’ll last for years. And I guarantee that every time you put them on you will feel like a million of fanc-ay, pampered, gorgeous bucks.

      IMHO at least one pair of shoes that make you feel AHMAZING (as long as you can afford them reasonably) should exist for everyone – men and women.

      I vote keep them – it’s a worthwhile splurge, they are classic and will last ages.

      • Need to rant

        I have a very sinilar pair of Prada pumps in a camel color that I’ve had for at least 8 years. Every time I take them to the shoe repair guy to get reheeled, he marvels at how well made they are.

    • OCAssociate

      I can’t imagine that you’ll regret having these. You should absolutely keep them (assuming they’re comfortable/wearable). They’re gorgeous and I wish I could buy them.

    • Margaret

      Thanks for the enabling, ladies. I knew I could count on you. They are comfortable and didn’t feel nearly as tall as they look in this picture; plus, I keep my work shoes like this in the office and only wear them indoors and for walks down the hall (sedentary lawyer job). I think they’ll last forever. Most importantly, I love that the finish (which the saleswoman told me is a Prada trademark finish) is halfway between patent and kid leather, so I didn’t have to choose which to get. I justified it by telling myself I would otherwise probably end up with two pairs of black heels. AND … this was the only pair I tried on (and I tried a LOT) that didn’t give me toe cleavage, so I’m very excited about that. I just hope I don’t get old before my time or have my knees give out or something …

  18. May

    Ok so maybe this is really early, but as an avid reader and occasional poster from the other side of the world, could I just send out thanksgiving wishes and cyber hugs to Kat and this absolutely stunning online community?

    I’m 12 hours ahead of you so I really need to organise myself if I’m to post at the right time for anyone much to read what I post, although I love reading on here!

  19. Anony

    Need some advice here –

    I’ve read that you should not place baby carriers in the seat of a shopping cart because the seat can easily shift if you hit a bump and the carrier can fall off. I don’t yet have children so I haven’t been faced with this issue. My good friend just had a baby and I accompanied her to the grocery store the other day and she put the baby in the seat of the shopping cart. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to be the friend that knows everything about baby safety yet doesn’t have one herself.

    Another one – put the handle on the carrier in the down position when driving because in the case of an accident the handle could be jammed into the back of the seat breaking it and injuring the baby.

    Another one – Don’t put babies in fluffy snow gear into their carseats (take fluffy gear off and use a blanket). The snow gear creates a space between the restraint belts and in the case of a crash the baby can come out of the seat.

    I saw these three things with her and didn’t say anything because like I said, I didn’t want to be one of those overbearing people that thinks their advice is best. Any opinions on the above items and do I say anything?

    • tesyaa

      I am not sure about #1. My carseat (about a million years ago) had latches that attached it to the shopping cart (and made it almost impossible for me to remove it, even when I wanted to).

      I was always careful about #2 and I don’t see any difficulty associated with putting the handle down. Takes less than a second.

      #3 makes sense, though at the time I had babies I didn’t know this and everyone I knew buckled their kids in with snowsuits.

      I don’t know what to say to your friend, though. Depends if the is the kind of person who takes unsolicited advice well. Of course the baby’s safety is paramount, but if she’s not going to follow your advice, you’re just going to cause tension in your friendship without doing any good.

      • Anon in NYC

        I don’t have kids, so grain of salt etc., but I agree that this is a “know your friend” type of situation. Maybe your friend has read that information and has decided that she’s not that concerned with the associated risks or that the risk is not that great. I probably would not say anything in those three scenarios. If I were to be in charge of my friend’s kid in those scenarios I would maybe do things differently and then maybe say something if she asked why I was doing things a certain way.

        • Anony

          OP here – my friend is the type of person that didn’t even read a book on giving birth and didn’t know what an apeseotomy was. She’s very go with the flow. I doubt she’s read much about baby safety. I’m still hesitant to say anything…

          • Anon

            Um….this is going to come across as horribly snarky, but if you’re spelling it “apeseotomy”, then you don’t know very much about babies, either…

          • Anony

            I’ll admit that I don’t know how to spell the word, and it definitely looked wrong…but being that I’m at work I thought I’d refrain from Googling it :)

          • Anonymous

            I’m pregnant and have no idea how to spell the word, but I’m refraining from Googling it *anywhere* *ever* *no matter what*

    • Anony

      I just read a couple of articles that say that he handle thing is really no longer an issue with newer seats but that you should read the book that comes with the seat.

    • Diana Barry

      I always hooked the hook of the carrier under one of the wires of the shopping cart – that way it doesn’t come off. Not a big deal IMO.

      I haven’t heard of the second one.

      I have heard of the bulky gear and car seat issue. However, I do still put my kids in their snow suits in the car seats for short trips, and just tighten the straps extra tight. If we are going on the highway, I don’t put their jackets on.

      If your friend is at all touchy, I wouldn’t mention it, and actually I might not mention it anyway because you don’t have kids. Parents tend to be touchy if their childless friends tell them anything they “should” be doing. If you can couch it as “I read this thing, have you ever heard that?” then it MIGHT be okay, but I probably wouldn’t say anything.

      • Lyssa

        I think the “I read that, have you heard it?” – expressed as curiosity, is a better way to go. I recall when I was pregnant that a younger, childless but engaged and really fond of kids co-worker asked me a bunch of questions about what I was and was not avoiding, but it came across as more of genuine curiosity and considering how she will do things when its her turn, rather than busy-body-ness.

    • Orangerie

      It’s not your baby, so don’t say anything. I don’t see any scenario in which bringing it up would end well.

      • anon-oh-no

        this. none of the things you mention are objectviely wrong, as the literature changes all the time on these (it was different between kid #1 and kid#2 for me), and so in reality, its none of your business. let her figure it out herself. she is already getting enough unsolicited advice from family and friends with kids.

    • kjoirishlastname

      Ugg, that’s a tough one.

      You’re right that baby isn’t supposed to be on the seat of the buggy, but rather in the cart.

      The handle thing depends on the model. Some seats require the handle to be down, some it doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t touch that one unless I knew for sure the brand, model, and considerations.

      Lastly–you are absolutely right about no fluffy stuff.

      Could you say something that you saw something posted by a friend on facebook who’s a CPST or something just a super-advocate about winter car seat safety? “Hey, Friend! I saw this crazy video of a kid in a car seat in a giant puffy coat! Did you know that if that all compresses, the kid can just get ejected out of the seat? Here, look, Jane, my friend is a CPST and posted this…” Could you buy (or make) a car seat poncho or blanket for the baby as a gift? Or one of those shower-cap style covers?

      As for the shopping cart, I had a problem especially at Target where the carts are super tall, and I am super not. Putting the car seat on the seat would make it nearly impossible for me to see. You could offer to push the baby in your own basket while she does shopping with her own basket?

    • preg 3L

      I have no advice but I just wanted to say — I think it’s super nice that you didn’t get all preach-y at your friend. Unsolicited advice, even just during my pregnancy, is already annoying (“OMG you really shouldn’t have that coffee – the caffeine goes straight to the baby!” “Wow that looks so unhealthy – having a craving?” etc.) so I can’t imagine how much more fun it’s all going to be once the baby is on the outside.

      • anonforthis

        My favorite is then getting stuck in the middle of unsolicited advice givers. I had people battling recently over whether you can have a cup of coffee or if all coffee is bad just because I turned down coffee when I am usually known to drink a lot of it. I turned down coffee because I have morning sickness all day and the idea of drinking something as strong as coffee is simply revolting right now. Whether coffee is okay for the baby is actually a moot point for me right now, but thanks for your opposing viewpoints on whether it’s okay for me to have any or not.

      • TBK

        My favorite so far:

        Also pregnant coworker (eying my cup of regular tea): So you didn’t cut out caffeine?
        Me: No, everything I read said up to 200mg a day is fine.
        Coworker: I cut it out the minute I found out. It just didn’t seem worth it. It’s not anything you’d even miss really.

        Please applaud me for keeping my boiling hot tea in my cup and not on my coworker’s face (which is where I really wanted to put it).

        • buffybot

          Applause. Applause. Applause. (per Lady Gaga).

          Seriously, that coworker was tempting fate.

        • TO Lawyer

          I’m late but I just had to respond because I’m assuming if I was pregnant, I would not want to give up caffeine because coffee is my life blood and comments like your coworkers would probably send me over the edge so you deserve a million props for not throwing your tea in her face.

      • Anony

        OP here – Same friend did hot yoga through her whole pregnancy. I didn’t agree with it but didn’t want to say anything. I would think that a room heated to 103 degrees is just as bad as a hot tub that’s 103 degrees.

        • ITDS

          Water transfers heat to/from your body more readily than air. That’s why you freeze to death in 40 degree water much more quickly than you do in 40 degree air.

        • Pink

          I’ve had very pregnant hot yoga instructors and zumba instructors!

          I think it’s more of an experience and know your body thing rather than, omg 103 degrees thing (plus not all studios heat to the same temp).

        • anonforthis

          But here’s the thing about that–do you tell your friends who smoke that it’s killing them? What about your friends who eat artery clogging fast food? Or who cross the street in the middle of the block? Or who ride motorcycles? Why is it okay to make these types of comments to pregnant women when you wouldn’t make them to other adults? Adults are adults and can make decisions about what risks they are comfortable with. My sister spent 2 weeks in Africa during her second trimester and I plan to ski during my second trimester. At the same time, there are other things we both avoided because we’re okay with some risk and not with others. Like Pink said, it’s a know yourself/know your body thing.

          • Orangerie

            This. So much this. It’s not necessary for you to agree with all of your friend’s life choices.

          • anon-oh-no

            i dont really think its OK to make those comments. do you think your friend that smokes doesnt know its not good for the baby?

            The only place i think it might be ok to comment is if its something that is super dangerous and a friend might not know it is harmful (i cant really even think of an example)

        • Anonymous

          I do hot yoga while pregnant. I’ve had several OBs tell me its okay and there’s a pregnant OB that regularly does it in the same class that I do.

          I also drink a cup of coffee every day and *gasp* have a glass of wine or half a beer every once and a while.

      • Flying Squirrel

        This. Especially since 90% of the people who’ve said anything to me about coffee (which I actually haven’t been drinking, just swiss process decaf) don’t actually seem to know the medical reason for limiting it. The concern is that it increases the risk of miscarriage, not that it will make your baby hyperactive!! (Sorry, just need to get that off my chest.)

        I will say, though, that if you honestly think that your friend hasn’t done any research on child safety and would welcome advice like this, it might be worthwhile approaching it (outside of the situation). Like maybe, “You know when we were shopping the other day you did X, and I kind of remembered hearing something about not doing that. I looked it up, and here’s what I found…though I also know that there is so much conflicting information out there that maybe you heard something different. Just wanted to share in case you hadn’t seen this.”. Still kind of risky, but I guess could save a life. All I can say is that if I was doing something potentially dangerous just because I hadn’t heard otherwise, I would want to know. At the same time, if you attend any prenatal classes or even skim a book, you would probably have heard of most things.

      • Nonny

        My favourite so far (when I was about 18 weeks and hardly even showing at that point, but had “come out” at work): a middle-aged male partner saying to me, “why are you wearing those heels? Isn’t that dangerous?” I was wearing about 3-inch heels, which until recently I wore quite often and am quite comfortable walking in, and was only walking from my office to the kitchen.

        I tried to tell myself that he was just being solicitous, but man, it annoyed me. A couple of weeks later, the same partner expressed concern that I was wearing “binding” clothes (I was wearing a jersey wrap dress), and “wasn’t that dangerous for the baby?”

        Let it be known that this particular partner isn’t known for having much of a filter.

    • WestCoast Lawyer

      Personally, I think the shopping cart is a non-issue. I did it with my kids and always just put one hand on the car seat when we went over a bump. Yes, there have been accidents, but accidents can occur doing just about anything. The only one that strikes me as potentially an problem is the snowsuits in the car seat (thankfully, I never had to deal with this). kjoirishlastname’s suggestion is a good one for broaching the topic but I wouldn’t go any further than that.

      Honestly, there are so many things when you have kids and it’s up the parents to decide what level of risk they are willing to accept. Being a good parent doesn’t necessarily mean you have to eliminate all possible dangers (says she who kept using her very well-made drop sided crib despite the recalls because I just didn’t believe that there was any significant chance of it becoming unhinged and posing a risk). If you really want to see the claws come out, google “how long should children be in rear-facing car seats.” People get downright stabby over that one (fwiw, I rear faced as long as possible after seeing the you tube video of crash test dummies in forward and rear facing seats).

      • Anonymous

        Can someone explain the snowsuit thing to me? I can’t even picture how the child could come out of the seat. Aren’t the buckled in like three different places?

    • Anoooooon

      I think you need to know what kind of Mom your friend is, or wants to be. Some people (myself included) are more go-with the flow. There are a million things in the world that can hurt a kid; at some point you just have to let it be. Besides, she may already know and just decided that the risk was low enough to ignore. Some risks are – lots of people put babies in cars. Even in properly strapped in car seats, etc, the risk of an accident is pretty high. You just can’t stop your life to surround your baby in an impenetrable safety bubble. Maybe she’s that kind of person.

      Or maybe, if she knew, she would be so grateful for having a friend willing to point out that she can do something that takes a millisecond to protect her kid from a potential hazard. If she’s the second kind of mom, by all means point this out to her. If she’s the first kind of mom, you have to let it go. Maybe you’ll be a different parent, but this one is her choice. As long as she’s not actively hurting her child, you just don’t want to be the friend who tells her that she shouldn’t bottle feed – should be cloth diapering because they’re better – needs the most expensive stroller because its safest – really ought to be cosleeping – shouldn’t cosleep because you might roll over – whatever. It’s good of you for thinking about it before speaking, since lots of people don’t.

    • Annanon

      The snowsuits thing is down to climate. Where I live it’s routinely cold enough that skin starts to freeze within a few minutes of exposure. I often wonder what would happen to my unsnowsuited baby if we had an accident on a remote road and his seat was flung from the car… he would probably freeze to death pretty quickly.

      When it’s super cold, usually I strap him in very tightly in his snowsuit and hope for the best.

      Parenthood is fraught with 2 million people telling you how every tiny decision you make is going to kill your kid. But the fact is that the stuff people freak out about nowadays tends to have a vanishingly small chance of actually happening. This is because we’ve eliminated most of the real dangers of childhood — viral illness, bacterial illness, food contamination, etc. — and health authorities now spend their time obsessing about minutiae.

      I wouldn’t say a word to your friend, to be honest…

    • RR

      I think 1 and 2 depend upon the carseat. Some specifically state that the handle position doesn’t matter (my current carseat is one of them, and I never put the handle down), and I think some click onto the shopping cart (regardless I think staying with said baby is probably a bigger deal). You are right on 3, but it is one of those rules that 75% of the mothers I know don’t follow. Regardless, you shouldn’t say anything. Unsolicited parenting comments make me stabby.

  20. Need Tights

    So, a lot has come up the last few days about tights. I’ve tried the archive search, but haven’t found exactly what I’m looking for.

    I need tights. I need NOT to break the bank. I was cruising around Target yesterday, and was balking at the $15-25 pricetag for Target tights, and that just seems high for me, for a random brand?

    I don’t mind paying $15-20 for something that is going to be awesome quality, well-made, and long lasting. I’m specifically looking for opaques and subtle patterns/textures.

    What are your go-to brands, and where do you get them??

    • tesyaa

      Lands’ End are about $12, and in my experience they feel great and last a really long time. Buy them when LE has 25-30% off and it’s a real deal.

      It’s the one thing from LE I don’t size down in. I am a size 6 and I buy size M.

    • Anony

      I thought $20 bucks for Target tights was ridiculous too until I wore the same pair 30 times with now issues. I wash them on regular cycle with jeans and they’re still in good condition. They’re expensive but they are my go to brand.

      BTW – I buy the Spanx brand ones at Target.

    • tesyaa

      Though I’m curious about the high Target prices. I have some Target tights, and I’ll admit they’re not as good as Lands’ End, but I only paid around $5 or $8 at the most or so and they weren’t even on sale.

      • anon-oh-no

        the 15-20 is the assets brand that is made by spanx. and i second that they are great.

    • Diana Barry

      I used to get Gap brand, but now I have all Spanx. They last forever and are very nicely supportive, and don’t shrink. I think that Rue La La and Gilt may have them sometimes.

    • Aerith

      The Simply Vera ones at Kohl’s are usually cheap or free when they send out $10 coupons in the mail.

    • MH

      DKNY tights from Nordstrom. They are 2 for $25 usually. Opaque, seem to last a pretty long time (I wash in a special laundry bag for intimates so they don’t snag on other clothes), I think they have some good patterns.

        • long time lurker

          Ditto! I throw them in regular warm wash no special bag and hang up to dry – and they last a long time.

    • Ella

      I don’t really have a recommendation but I do have a word of warning.

      Last year, I decided to splurge and buy several pairs of the tights that Belle from CapHillStyle recommended at the time the Commando matte opaque tights with the really wide waistband. She has since rescinded her recommendation and I completely agree that they are terrible. Do not buy them. The waist quickly stretched out and now the tights start to fall down after walking short distances. This is probably aggravated in my case since I have a walking commute and a really straight figure (so no hips really to keep the tights up) but its ridiculous. They were so expensive that i am trying to make them last two years but they are a huge pain to wear. For what it’s worth though, I haven’t experienced any ripping issues like Belle did.

      I think my favorite pair currently is this gap pair I bought last year when I was traveling and realized that I didn’t pack tights. They’re a good level of thick-ness, a not too tight/not too loose waistband, and I can throw them into the washer and dryer without concern. I think they were like $15 which i think is actually a good value considering I wear tights 5+ days a week from November to late March and these are already on year two.

      Good luck with the hunt.

      • Anon

        I love the Commando tights but I’m in that “not showing but my old clothes don’t fit” stage of pregnancy. I think they’re ideal for that or any other “can’t have tight clothes around my waist for medical reasons but need to look normal” type of situation.

    • Anon

      Worthington brand from JC Penney. Usually $8 as long as you buy 2 or more pairs and in my experience last forever.

    • Greener Apple

      I have tights from J. Crew, DKNY, Wolford. I’m pretty sure I just have been really, really lucky, because none of them have ever run on me–some of the ones I’m wearing now I bought in 2008.

      I definitely suggest hand washing, though. Currently I use either baby shampoo or Laundress detergent.

    • I am a banana.

      My opaque tights from Target have lasted for 2+ years with heavy wear. Highly recommend.

    • Need Tights

      Thanks ladies! So, it looks like a “normal” pair of tights is just going to run me about $20 full price, and should last several years.

      Thanks for all the recommendations and tips. I do wash in a laundry bag with the rest of my stuff (but not with bras or anything else with hooks that can get into the bag) and tumble dry.

      Anyone have any favorite pattern/texture tights? I’m really loving the tiny cables & chevrons/herringbone

  21. JM

    Question for fellow lawyer readers re: writing samples. I’m a 2010 law grad, just finished a two-year public interest fellowship in a rural area. In two weeks I’m moving back to the city where I went to undergrad and law school, so I’m long-distance job-searching for now (which is just as awful as it sounds). Until I can plug back into alum networks, etc., I’m mostly limited to applying for online listings.

    A state appellate clerkship in my new city was just posted to my law school’s jobs site. The judge was just appointed like a month ago, and I think they’re scrambling to fill the position. I never applied to any clerkships in law school so I know little about the process first-hand (although I’ve read a lot of the online handbooks this morning).

    The job listing requests a writing sample but has zero info on what kind, what length, etc. I don’t really have anything to use from law school (my unpublished law review note is on a dead laptop, and then I have a seminar paper which is not particularly analysis-heavy). I do have an article which was published two months ago in a national journal for public interest attorneys, about the work I did in my fellowship. It’s 7 pages and well-written and interesting, but it’s more narrative than “legal writing”: I think I cite to federal regs once and that’s it. So I could use that, or I could try to write something brand new. I’m not sure how to go about that (picking a topic, etc.) but I definitely have free time and I could figure it out if I need to.

    What do you think? I’d welcome any opinions on this. Thanks everyone.

    • Anon

      Take dead laptop to the geek squad and see if they can extract your note from your hard drive.

      Judge will want something with legal analysis (brief or memo). The article won’t cut it.

      Good luck!!!!!

    • jc

      I believe that for clerkships law review articles and the like are discouraged. Did you do an appellate brief 1L year? I know many people who just cut theirs down to the argument section and added a cover page explaining (briefly) the case and what was missing from the brief.

      Length depends on the judge, but I’d say at least 10 pages and probably not much more than that.

    • roses

      Definitely don’t use the article; when a legal job asks for a writing sample, it means a sample reflecting legal analysis. Did you do *any* legal writing in your fellowship? Even if it was policy-focused, perhaps you wrote some sort of analysis of the legal implications of a law or regulation? If it was litigation, you could certainly adapt a motion, brief or memo you wrote. If none of those are possibilities, I’d call the clerk’s office and ask what kind of sample they’re looking for, and draft something new accordingly.

  22. nermin

    I think you did what you thought was right for that moment. Plus you mentioned that there was someone there to console her so it turned out O

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions