Corporette.com

Updated: Nov 1, 2018 92 Comments · by

Coffee Break: ‘Estrella’ Pump

Coffee Break· Under $150

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.

Via Spiga 'Estrella' PumpNordstrom has a lot of new markdowns in the shoe department, including these fun black and white shoes from Via Spiga (lots of sizes left, too). I like the pointed toe, and the pattern is abstract yet conservative (at least compared to all of the shiny silver pumps I'm seeing these days). The shoes were $198, but are now marked to $98.98 at Nordstrom. Via Spiga ‘Estrella' Pump (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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. Anonymous

    Is there some secret to keeping your glasses clean all day without constantly having to wipe them down? I got the most expensive lenses, so that shouldn’t be the problem. Maybe I just have greasy fingers? Ugh, it’s an everyday battle.

    • SAlit-a-gator

      No secret here….I’ve had glasses most of my adult life and I carry a small bottle of glass cleaning solution and a wipe in my purse at all times. If someone’s got this all figured out, I’d love to hear it.

      • Anonymous

        Same, but I use pre-moistened wipes lens cleaning wipes. They sell them at drugstores.

        • preg anon

          I guess this is what I should start doing. My little wipe that came with the glasses is so dirty that it just smears the dirt around on my glasses. Ugh.

          • Diana Barry

            The microfiber guys? I just wash them with the rest of the wash, they clean right up. Also, most glasses stores will give you one for free if you ask.

          • preg anon

            I only have one, and it’s at the office, so I never remember to take it home on the washing weekends, and then when I actually do remember, I leave it there indefinitely. Ha ha. It sounds like getting some extras from a glasses store would go a long way in my dilemma.

          • preg anon

            That was a lot of excuses and drama for one simple little task like washing your glasses wipe. I mean, seriously, an adult should be able to handle something so simple.

    • TO Lawyer

      I don’t think so – I keep a glasses cleaning cloth (wipe?) on my desk and clean my glasses periodically throughout the day

      • NOLA

        Me, too, except I have one on my desk, one on my dresser, and one in my purse.

    • Godzilla

      When my glasses get super smudgy, I wash them very gently with foamed up soap and rinse with water, no scrubbing. It gets rid of the oil that’s attracting dirt. Works like a charm.

    • SAlit-a-gator

      Forgot to mention: if you buy a lens cleaning kit from Costco’s eye glass department, most branches have a free refill station for the lens cleaning solution. So I just fill up anytime I’m at Costco.

    • (former) Clueless Summer

      My glasses place says just wash them – like everytime you wash your hands, put a little soap on the glasses, and rinse with cold water, then dry on your lens cloth. That way the cloth doesn’t get dirty and you don’t have to buy spray!

    • a

      I am impressed with all of you who use actual glasses-cleaning cloths or wipes… I have worn glasses daily since age 8 and I just use my shirt.

      • KLG

        Whew, this makes me feel better and less like I am failing as an adult. I wore glasses daily from ages 8-16 and now wear them 2-3 days per week and always use my shirt.

      • Silvercurls

        Yup. One of the advantages of wearing cotton T-shirts (either the nice ones or DH’s old ones from nonprofit employer).

  3. Yaz/Yasmin

    Has anyone seen the recent newspaper articles about these BCP? I know there have been class actions launched in both the US and Canada. I remember when I raised these concerns with my doctor, he told me not to worry about them, but now that the articles have reemerged, I’m starting to get concerned again. Anyone else? Can someone tell me to stop worrying?

    • Anonymous

      Are you on them? I was on them, and then my doctor told me to get off — not because I was at any particularly high risk, she just said in an abundance of caution, she was advising all her patients to switch. I did have a friend that developed a blood clot while taking Yaz. I would not advise my friends to take it, after hearing her experience. OTOH, when I was on it, I loved it and had zero side effects, except for my cholesterol weirdly shooting up (which could have been unrelated).

      Should you be concerned? I guess that depends. Are you over 35? Do you smoke? Do you have other lifestyle factors that put you at higher risk for blood clots?

      Remember that even though Yaz and Yasmin are at the target of lawsuits because of their *higher* risks (compared to other OCPs), it’s still an incredibly minute risk in terms of the number of women who actually get blood clots, compared to the number of women to take or took Yaz or Yasmin. So it comes down to how comfortable you are with the risk. Remember that everything you do, every day, carries risk.

      Also remember that if you raise your concerns with your doctor, and they dismiss you rather than taking the time to go through them with you and address them, you deserve a better doctor. I don’t know if that happened in your case, but if it did, I encourage you to find a doctor who will honestly listen to what you’re concerned about and explain to you why your concerns are or are not unfounded, and then help you get to a place where you’re comfortable.

    • buffybot

      One thing to consider — do you get migraines? Especially those with auras? Any tingly fingers or numb toes?

      If so, I would say (in my completely non-medical opinion) definitely switch. And consider going off of dual hormone BCP all together.

      According to various of my doctors/neurologist, the World Health Organization thinks that women with those characteristics REALLY should not be on hormonal BCP due to risk of stroke, and so I would think that would go double for Yaz/Yasmin. Which sucks, because I greatly preferred dual hormone….but I guess acne/spotting is better than a stroke.

  4. preg anon

    Has anybody worn Zara shoes? They have a ton of cute styles on their website but I’m curious as to quality. They’re cheap but not really cheap enough not to care if they last, you know?

    • Anon

      I find that they run narrow, so I’ve never had any fit well enough to purchase.

    • espresso bean

      They have cute styles, but I haven’t found them to be comfortable at all.

    • Calico

      I’ve ended up returning every pair of shoes I’ve bought from them. The online ones I return because they look so cheap in person. Ones I’ve bought in the store I return because they are too uncomfortable to wear. YMMV

    • Gallerina

      Their TRF ballet pumps are super comfy if you have narrow feet, but I would approach their high heels with caution!

  5. anon

    Counting down the minutes until this day is over. Sigh. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

  6. anon

    I wish someone would just slap me if I ever even think of buying a cotton suit again. I’m wearing a navy one from Talbots today, and it is a stretched out, wrinkled mess. I’m seriously embarrassed to go get coffee. I have bought 3 over the last few years, and I ended up hating each one. I keep thinking the next one will be different, because the weave is different, the blend is a little different, and cotton is so cool and comfortable in the summer. I mean, I expect them to wrinkle some, but this is ridiculous. The one I have on today is worse then 100% linen. This suit was not cheap, and I doubt I’ll ever wear it again. I should know better!

  7. Patent Pending

    I have a question for the DC area ‘r ett es: My DH turns 30 in September I would like to plan a party for him. Probably 40-ish people would come; I’m thinking a bar with good specials and maybe a separate area we could hang out in. I don’t want to pay for everyone, but would pay to reserve the space and then a round for a toast of some sort. If we could bring/procure a cake that would be a plus. Thanks for your thoughts!

    • D

      Old Ebbitt’s. We had our engagement party there and they have lots of private dining options (private room I think has a $1000 f/d minimum, but with 40 people that’s easy to accomplish)

      • Patent Pending

        Old Ebbitt’s would be great and centrally located, since this will most likely be a weeknight. Do you have eat a sit-down dinner or can you just mingle?

    • Ru

      When my coworker turned 30, his wife arranged his birthday party at Brooklyn Bowl in Hipstertown, Brooklyn. It was a lot of fun – we all paid for our share of bowling + dinner.

    • roses

      Lucky Strike is the same kind of thing that Ru was talking about but in DC.

      But first thing I would do is search the archives of the Going Out Gurus Chat on the Washington Post website, or submit the question to them for their chat this Thursday. They have great suggestions for these kind of things.

      • patent pending

        Great idea– I’ve never checked that out before. Penn social looks good too. Thanks so much!

    • Anon

      If you’re okay with something super casual and on the early end of the night, parties at Penn Social are fun. It’s a huge space, so plenty of room to bring a lot of people without needing to reserve (I would recommend getting there early though– happy hour would be better than later as it does fill up eventually). It turns a little clubby later, but it’s great for an after-work event. There’s also a lot to do there– so many games. And centrally located.

    • Anonymous

      Mad Hatter has private rooms with their own restrooms/closed door so you won’t hear anyone else in the place and provides food, 18th Street Lounge (you’ll have to get a caterer for that one)

    • DC bars

      I’ve been to parties with private or separate areas at the Dubliner, Gordon Biersch, Poste, Sixth Engine, James Hobans, Fado, Lucky Strike, CoCo Sala, Urbana, Sonoma, Zengo, Red Line and La Tasca. I don’t know whether any charge a “rental” fee; I don’t think James Hobans did. I didn’t organize the other outings. I like the idea of Old Ebbitts too!

        • patent pending

          Oh jack rose would be nice especially the patio. DH has mentioned that before

          • DC Anon

            I tried to rent space at Jack Rose for a Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Party for out of town folks when I got married last year, they have a rental fee of $1,600 (unless it’s changed). I think they might have a food/drink min. too. We had around 40 people too.

            Just a heads up so you aren’t as shocked as I was when you get that piece of information.

    • J

      Also check out the Saloon on U Street. You can reserve the top floor for a very low donation, and they have drink specials during the event. Plus the beer is excellent and bar food better than most. I think that’s what we’re doing for my husband’s 30th this fall.

  8. Intern with the Birkin (Not!)

    Is a tissot watch “too fancy” for an intern in a NYC financial firm?

    • Lady Harriet

      I’m not in NYC or finance, and I’m probably around intern age myself, but on Amazon the cheaper Tissot watches are <$200, so if it's in that range I think it's probably fine.

      As soon as I get a better job, I'm going to save up and buy this for myself: http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Womens-FD1036-09D-Silhouette-Drive/dp/B004JKBIB2/
      I never thought I'd be the type to spend a lot (for me) on a watch, but I have metal allergies so I can't have base metals touching my skin, and cheap watches just break so fast. I've stopped wasting my money on ones that only last 6 months, but I miss wearing a watch in the meantime!

    • mascot

      Unless it is completely encrusted in diamonds and the size of a dinner plate, I think you are fine. It’s ok to be young and have nice things.

    • mtr

      1) these are $500 watches. they’re not too fancy for anything.

      2) even if it was too fancy, no one cares.

  10. D

    I just saw the link Kat posted on facebook re: dirty purses so I have to ask: how do you clean your leather handbags?? There doesn’t seem to be an anti-bacterial wipe safe for leather…

    • Godzilla

      No alcohol! That’s a GREAT way to dry out your leather. Google leather cleaners – there are oils and lotions you can use to clean your purse.

      • D

        I have leather cleaner, but don’t think it actually kills the bacteria that make the purse “worse than a toilet seat” :::shutter::: but wondering if anything can and not ruin my bags

        • Mpls

          If the leather clean has oil or soap, then it’s probably getting the majority of the bacteria off, since the put the bacteria in a form than can then be more easily wiped off. Antiseptically clean- no, but you weren’t planning on eating off of your purse, right?

      • Green

        This is so sad. I have been known to grab a clorox wipe to clean my black bag every couple of weeks. Thanks for the info

    • Ellen

      I think I once responded to a question like this, but in case you did NOT see it, you can either

      1) get saddel soap and rub it down and then finish it off with MINK oil; or
      2) give it to a shoe shine guy at Grand Central who polishe’s shoes, and for $10, he will CLEAN it and POLLISH it all up like a shoe for you.

      If you are not in NYC, you can do the same at a SHOE repair place. They do a very good job on Long Island also.

      Dad is comeing in tomorrow to the firm, so I expect to be very busy with all of his restructureing questions. Frank is already thinkeing up answers to question’s that dad has NOT even asked yet. I wonder about him some times. FOOEY!

  11. Equity's Darling

    A good friend of mine is turning 30 soon, and I want to get her an awesome gift. I have no ideas though. I’m drawing a total blank, mostly because I think I’ve used up all my good ideas on her over the past few year.

    Suggestions? I’d spend up to $75 I think, since I believe there is also a weekend away planned.

    • Anon in NYC

      Depends on what she likes. If she’s into fitness things, maybe a session with a personal trainer, or fancy gym classes. I think you’re in Toronto, if I recall correctly, but in NYC we have bootcamp places, fancy pilates places, etc. Or, you could get her a massage / gift card to a nice spa, some cute gym clothes, etc.

      I often see Groupons and the like for meal delivery services, so if she’s the type of person who works a lot and never has time to cook, that might be a good idea. I think with those types of things the person can work with the service for any dietary restrictions.

      If she is the type of person who likes wine, you could get her a fancy bottle of champagne or wine.

    • Flamingo

      Some things I would love to get: new card case (Lodis or Kate Spade have some nice ones), travel jewelry case / pouch thing, a basic waffle robe from Nordstroms – these are like $60, and you could get it embroidered with her initials, one of those small trays that are lined in gold looking foil to put by the door to drop my keys (any museum shop will have these), gift certificate for mani / pedis, new wallet / card case. I think these are all under $75. This list is also evidence that I am terrible about buying things for myself and should just buy a card case already.

  12. J Crew suiting TJ

    I ordered the 1035 jacket and thought it might be a little longer (it comes to the top of my pants inseam) than the jackets I am used to (b/w waist and inseam).

    I tried it on when it came today and it seems that the arms too long and the overall length seems to be too long for my frame. Or is that just how things are these days? I can’t quite embrace it (but am not sure if a petite jacket would work or it’s just a visual that doesn’t work for me).

    FWIW, I am 5-4, so not officially petite, and have my height more in my legs than my trunk.

    • Cornellian

      I’m 5’4 and 120, but have more weight in my torso than my legs. From what I can tell, petite jackets generally have shorter arms (good for you) but also narrower shoulders (not sure if that’s good for you. for me, it’s awful). I think jcrew has free returns, so maybe you should check out the petite if there’s nothing to lose.

      For me, I am eternally in petite size 0 or 2 pants, and regular size 6 jackets… but I definitely have a pretty athletic upper body and broad shoulders. If you don’t, petite may work for you.

      • OP

        Thanks — I wish they just had everything in stores!

        I am generous of butt, but have the upper body of an 8-year old boy. Maybe petite will work.

    • Anonymous

      I had the same problem. I think that’s just how it’s cut, but I didn’t like it, I ordered one size up, but in petite, and that worked great (so instead of a 2, which was too long, I got a 4p) because it’s the same measurements around, just shorter in torso and arm.

  13. anonypotamus

    Mini rant: I thought I was going to be able to duck out after lunch today to enjoy my birthday, but instead, I am stuck on an urgent filing that I had nothing to do with until this morning. And I had to skip a fancy firm lunch today so I’m hungry and grumpy. Any suggestions for how to make the rest of this day better?

    • Frugal doc..

      Happy Birthday! Today is my b’day too!

      My day has also been not what I planned/expected, but I am treating myself to a fabulous dinner out later. So I hope this is something you can still do for yourself. I glass of wine will make everything seem a little better….

      I’ve learned that B’days are more fun (and less disappointing) when you plan what you want to do for yourself. And if today blows up…. make tomorrow your substitute birthday!

      • anonypotamus

        Happy birthday to you too! D(almost)H just told me he planned a nice dinner out tonight, so I do have that to look forward to. Wine (and ice cream!) make everything better. I think I just wanted to complain! :)

        Hope you have a fabulous day!

        • Frugal doc..

          You are always allowed to complain on your birthday. That is my birthday gift to you.

          I hope this is a great year for you, and your (almost)DH.

  14. Alana

    Any advice on shopping for swimsuits with weight fluctuations? I enjoy swimming and would like to start again soon. Land’s End has cute 2–piece suits that have features that I like. However, my pants size is currently 41″ and would eventually be 38″ with regular exercise. What size bottoms to buy? It’s hard to wear ill-fitting swimwear because it either leads to flesh spillage or saggy fabric. Should I get more than one size?

    • V

      I’d order for what you are now so you can go swimming now. When you are smaller, order for that — by then, it’ll probably be on sale.

    • Cornellian

      Also, I’ve never bought bathing suits from J Crew, but their sizes tend to be GINORMOUS. Even though I’m a healthy average weight at 5’4, I literally cannot buy even an XS in half of their clothing. I would look closely at reviews for sizing before I ordered.

      • Anonymous

        In my experience, this is not true of the swimsuits. In regular clothing, sometimes even their XS is too big on me, but in LE swimsuits, I wear an 8.

        • Nonny

          …and FWIW, I am 5’4″ and usually a size 6 or S, and I have found Land’s End swimsuits to run true to my regular size.

  15. Peasy

    Workout clothes TJ. Any recs for good workout t-shirts (not tanks) in a quick drying material? Ideally trying to find something not skin tight (so not under armour) but somewhat slimming still and not completely see through (like the lululemon tees), though I would still wear a sports bra underneath so some sheerness is potentially ok. I’ve been looking around, but finding something has been really tough! Thanks ladies!!

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions