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Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Colorblock Sheath Dress

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Victoria Beckham Colorblock Sheath Dress | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. I always love the polished, sleek looks of Victoria Beckham dresses — and this fun colorblocked one looks gorgeous. (I'm also in love with this solid green sheath dress and this solid orange sheath dress, if those are more your style). I am sorry to tell you that they all not only have an exposed zipper in back, but a two-way zipper (gaaaah), but some of the seaming and colorblocking here were too artistic to not share. It's a mere $2600 (limited sizes only). Victoria Beckham Colorblock Sheath Dress A few lower-priced options are here, here, and here (plus sizes). Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-all)

Sales of note for 3/15/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off
  • Ann Taylor – 40% off everything + free shipping
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 50% off select styles + extra 50% off sale
  • J.Crew – Extra 30% off women's styles + spring break styles on sale
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off 3 styles + 50% off clearance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Friends and family sale, 20% off with code; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off 1 item + 30% off everything else (includes markdowns, already 25% off)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

184 Comments

  1. My sister’s birthday is coming up soon, and I was planning on getting her a beauty box subscription. It looks like the big names (i.e. Birchbox) all have hair products in them – unfortunately, due to health issues she can’t use any of the hair stuff. Can anyone speak to whether birchbox can send makeup-only boxes or if there’s a company that you’d recommend that has only makeup? Thanks!

    1. You should check out the beautybox review series on Millihelen – she reviews a ton of boxes and I bet if you sent her an email, she’d know about one that would work for your situation!

    2. I like Petit Vour, which does occasionally have hair stuff, but it’s all natural and vegan if that makes a difference at all. Otherwise, I would recommend checking out the various blogs that do reviews as suggested above.

    3. Julep is mostly nail stuff and sometimes beauty stuff. I’ve gotten a couple of really great lotions and facial serums from Julep. Occasionally hair stuff, but as a subscriber, you can see your box before they send it to you during their Window, and you can change it to a different box (different nail colors, or only nail polishes box, etc.. they have a variety) or cancel it if you wish (I think if you sign up now, there’s a limit to the number of times you can cancel a year).

  2. All VB dresses are lovely. I think that they all require heels.

    I have capsulitis (which is in layman’s terms, a toe joint trying to dislocate itself). It hurts a lot (sort of like a neuroma, which maybe is more common). And heels are out for now. And the orthotic to help fits really well in men’s shoes (which helps me zero, although they fit in my Keen hiking boots).

    Have other readers had either condition? Did it get better? And did you just wear sneakers? I am told that if I just ease up on my feet for a while that I can be back in normal shoes (normal for me is still 2″, nothing in true Victoria Beckham territory). Also: just scale back on the cute close to match the bad shoes or just wear what ever clothes I like even if the footwear combo is clownish?

    FWIW, I am in an office that is officially business casual, but I always taken that to mean “wear as much DVF as possible.” Short of that, I’ve got a few black pencil skirts and black pants (BR Sloan Ankles).

    1. Wear whatever you like! Personally, I’d just go with sneakers if even comfort brand like Arche and Munro don’t work. You’re treating a medical condition- you do not need to stop wearing clothes you love and get a new wardrobe.

      1. I swear by Louise et cie flats/mini wedges. I have terrible feet and keep my podiatrist in a healthy lifestyle, and Louise et cie is a godsend. The shoes are incredibly comfortable, but look sleep and elegant. I’ve worn them to black tie affairs and cocktail parties, as well as daily work, and get so many compliments on my beautiful shoes.

        I even shoved orthotics in mine for a time and they worked great.

  3. Someone please talk me out of buying anything at the Nordstrom sale. I have a wedding and a honeymoon coming up and don’t want to spend any more money. But I do have gaps in my wardrobe and found stuff to fill them!

    1. Nope! You don’t have gaps in your wardrobe. That’s just an excuse they give to buy buy buy ever more stuff. Do you find yourself leaving the house PANTSLESS? Do you only have 4 pairs of undies? Nope right? Stop buying clothes! Stop looking at clothes!

      1. Yay! Pricey Monday’s! I love pricey monday’s and Victoria Beckham, and even color block dresses, but there is no way I can buy a TWO way exposed zipper. Frank would have a field day. Those are meant for peeople who are MARRIED, where the husband want’s to have easy access to our private part’s in public elevator’s. FOOEY b/c it is us who are embarased if the elevator door open’s and other peeople see stuff.

        I sweated alot yesterday b/c I was waiting for Myrna and could NOT get out of the sun. DOUBEL FOOEY. I was hotter then she was and she did the tryathlon in record time for her. She said the water was OK this year. Too bad I could NOT have visited with Noah, if he is still there in the ER. All I see is looser’s but still have hope that my prince will arrive soon to impregnate and MARRY me! YAY!!!!

        2. Yes, I agree. Ellen probably does not have cookies on her iPhone so that her name is not retained in the dialogue box. But we love her all the same! Ellen, you know you can always visit with Noah even without Myrna in tow.

        1. The funny thing is, PANTSLESS in all caps is actually an auto-correction. And I have no idea why!

          1. This makes me laugh, and laugh, and laugh. On one of my girlfriends group texts, when one of us goes on a date and misses the assigned check-in time, we start with genuine worry, but it usually quick evolves into all of us screaming WHERE ARE YOUR PANTS?!?! I don’t know why we find this so hilarious, but we do.

          2. One of my friends teaches special ed. She once overheard another teacher asking one of her students, “Where’s Miss Sharon and where are your pants?” It’s become such a running joke that now when anyone asks, “Where’s Miss Sharon?” we all say “and where are your pants?”

        2. I am going to be asking myself this question all the time! “Are you PANTSLESS? No? Then stop shopping!”

          2. Also – I buy my jeans one pair at a time and wear them until they have holes, so sometimes my answer to “Are you PANTSLESS?” is “Yes” and then I buy pants.

      5. Yes, this will be my new mantra, thank you! I am not PANTSLESS, I am not PANTSLESS…

    2. Maybe ask yourself… What is more important to me, these pants or an amazing candlelight dinner on my honeymoon? You’re not losing shopping here, you are choosing to do something different with your money very soon.

    3. I totally regret that wrap dress buy. I love the dress but it was uncomfortably low cut today at the office. Hope this helps! Haha

  4. I love this dress’s length and shape! But does the colorblocking look to anyone else like a sweetheart neckline that fell down?

    Can any ladies who are in small firms talk about dealing with intra-firm jealousy/competition? I am in a small firm that is very vertical/silo, not a big triangle structure like big firms. I am worried that we are hiring a mid-level associate in my department and that the new person will eventually overtake/eclipse me (I am a non-equity). Any tips?

    1. I am also a non-equity partner in a small firm. I’m non-equity because I haven’t put a lot of time and energy into business development, mainly because it’s important to me to spend a lot of time with my family. This works for me, but I have had to accept the fact that the firm will hire ambitious associates who will overtake me to become equity partners. This has already happened, and it’s about to happen a second time.

    2. That person, should they so choose, will eclipse you. That’s what you have signed up for in staying non-equity. Prob not for a while, but eventually.

      1. I too am a non equity partner. I had to get over that too, but the best I can tell you is that you need to do what works for you. If you want to be an equity partner, then you have to do what it takes. It was just not worth it to me, since I have two children. Do what makes you happy. If you are happy where you are, then there is no reason to be jealous of someone else. It has taken me a long time to wrap my head around that though.

        1. Whenever I feel work jealousy, or really any jealousy at all, settle in, I remind myself I’m not seeing the full picture. That is, I can’t take the one slice of a person’s life that I envy without changing the other factors. In this case, you would have to give up the parts of your job that you love (flexibility, time with family, etc.) to become the partner that achieves equity status faster. Similarly, I have a friend who is crushing it with her career, and whenever she nabs another brass ring, I feel a stab of wishfulness that I haven’t achieved as many career goals (better title, higher salary, etc.). However, we are close enough that I hear about the daily frustrations of two working parents who often can’t make daycare pickup, or when they have to arrange for coverage when both parents are traveling at the same time. I can’t have a great, super flexible job, and still accomplish as much as fast as my friend who’s daily life looks a lot different than mine. When you hear the exciting news (equity partner!), remember that the accomplishment was built through a series of decisions that are often not as noticeable.

          1. Sorry anon non-equity – I didn’t intend to respond directly to you! Although, I think we are mostly saying the same thing :)

    3. It’s a good problem to have, no? I am always worried that I won’t have enough work, that they will be fearful of spending too much time in a niche, and that they will leave and I will never be able to take a reasonable break from the office (much less a vacation that I don’t drag work to).

      This means you may get a quality junior person who really commits to the practice. Overtaking you will not happen overnight and you are still doing good work and have something you bring to the table, no? I only worry when I am a cost-center. Can you not use this as an opportunity to grow up in your practice? Like free you up to talk / speak / develop more (while the junior person does the work and the client really relies on you for oversight)?

      I took a great junior b/c otherwise I was going to be doing all of the junior work and all of the higher level work (and doing 2 jobs was crazy when I really wanted to be doing about .9 of a job).

      Signed,
      Junior partner 4 life

      1. Thanks, everyone! In terms of what I really want? I really want to retire, or if not that then ONLY work remotely. I don’t really want to work extra hard to become equity or to continue to BE equity. But I also think that I don’t want anyone else to become equity either! Sigh. I also think it bothers me more because the new person is a guy.

      1. The orange blocking is off, and the white under the right arm at first look almost looks like a cutout baring flesh rather than white fabric.

        It’s an interesting style, but I’d be hard-pressed to call it workwear.

    5. This happened to me, but it wasn’t someone junior to me, it was someone at my level. And a guy. With a stay at home wife. Me, as a mom of young kids, was never going to be able to compete with that. I had been there for years as the only female attorney and it looked like they were going to be promoting this guy over me at some point. So, I left the firm and never looked back. I have no regrets – I want to be valued and appreciated and I really did not have that, and the hiring was just the last straw.

  5. I started using Supergoop’s everyday sunscreen, but I’m a little confused by it. Is it like outdoors, sporty sunscreen, or is it everyday under your makeup sunscreen? And how do you tell the difference? If I’m using it under my makeup, do I need a moisturizer too?

    1. Oooh, piggy-backing off of this:

      Do you ladies have any recommendations for daily wear sunscreen for face and body? I am currently using Cereve Daytime 30spf facial moisturizer and Lucern’s 15 spf body moisturizer. I want to up my sun-protection game as I’m in my mid-20’s and want to prevent any more skin damage!

      1. I went to sephora and priced out all the high end sunscreens per ounce and ended up with the Jack Black double duty sunscreen. It’s a little more than drugstore per ounce, but I think it’s reasonable and really lovely. Anyway, it’s an everyday, two in one sunscreen so it is both your moisturizer and spf all in one. I think I’ve been using it religiously for 3 years or so? It’s only spf 20 broad spectrum, but every time I try to find a higher spf, I miss the weightless texture of the Jack black and I never wear the new product.

      2. Biore UV Aqua Rich! It’s Japanese, I buy it off Amazon. Super light and perfect for under makeup every day. Look it up on Amazon and read the giant pile of rave reviews!

        1. I bought that based on the recommendation here and I LOVE IT. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve ever tried that I actually enjoy putting on. I am an oily person and most sunscreens leave me clawing my face off because the last thing I need in the summer is more moisture. I feel like such a grownup when I put on my sunscreen, haha.

      4. I usually wear BB cream (spf 35, from the face shop, I use the HD Perfect one) which comes with sunscreen, but if I wear my Lancome foundation (dual finish) instead, I use Neutrogena’s “clear face” sunscreen, which is spf 55, broad spectrum. It’s light and doesn’t cause breakouts (yay!).

      5. I use pretty cheap neutrogena beach defense (in the big yellow bottles) as my everyday go-to–it’s probably a little too heavy if you’re prone to breakouts but if you have low-maintenance skin it’s great!

    2. I use inexpensive sunscreen for a very wise reason I once read in Allure: you don’t want to be worried about price when it comes to sunscreen because it’s a product you need to slather on. You know the statistics that say everyone uses too little sunscreen, so we’re really not doing ourselves any good if we’re measuring out designer sunscreen.

      I use Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 – it’s about $10 at any drugstore.

      Shiseido makes an undereye sunscreen in a little blue tube for $35 and I’ll never be without that stuff. The skin around your eyes is so susceptible to sun damage, so I’m thrilled this product is out there. I temporarily live in the southwest and I noticed dark spots popping up around my eyes after a few months of being here. (I was overjoyed, OVERJOYED, I tell you, just by the mere privilege of seeing clouds a couple days ago. It’s like groundhog day around here – 100* with blinding sun for months on end. Take me back to the east coast!) The tube’s pricey, but I’ve had it for 3 months now and there’s plenty left still.

      I don’t wear a moisturizer under either because my skin doesn’t need it.

  6. I’d like an inexpensive one piece to wear to the beach this summer. Target and Old Navy both have options. Anyone have experience with either one? Any other recommendations? Should I just wear one of the two pieces I already own and say to h*ll with it?

    1. I don’t think anyone will judge you for wearing a 2 piece. If you’re getting something new, consider a 2 piece tankini over a 1 piece. Much easier to maneuver!

    3. I just bought a bikini + rash guard from Old Navy and it is great. I usually wear tankinis but the bikini top has more support and the rash guard gives me the coverage I need + SPF. I can’t wear 1 pieces unless they are long/tall so this is a good solution for me.

    4. I vote for a 2 piece and here’s why: you will still have to pee 400,000 times an hour at the pool/beach. Have you ever tried to wrangle your pregnant self out of a wet one piece suit?

      (I just wear a bikini.)

    6. I got a Liz Lange one piece from Target for use while (very) pregnant. It was high quality and had a cute retro-ish design. However, it would have been so much more practical if it was actually 2 pieces, for all the reasons mentioned here PLUS at the very end of my pregnancy, when swimming would have been the most delightful, I literally could not pull it on over my bump. For what it’s worth, my neighborhood has vast numbers of pregnant people and all of them seem to be wearing 2 pieces this year at our community pool. It’s kind of nice to see so many women feeling proud and fabulous about their pregnant selves.

    7. I had to get a new swimsuit while pregnant, only because my b**bs wouldn’t fit into any of my old two pieces. I got a one piece from Target, which I loved, only because i couldn’t find a two piece I liked. If I could have just worn the bikini, I would have.

    8. I have the grey/white chevron maternty one-piece from Target and it is great. I got it because I like to be more active in the water, plus I wanted the coverage. Definitely recommend!

      1. That’s the one I have in my cart! How’s the sizing? I usually size up with bathing suits b/c I find that vanity sizing hasn’t caught up with this one area but not sure with a maternity line.

        I like the black one posted above too, but I am very busty now and it might be too much now.

        I don’t so much have an issue wearing a 2 piece but I am still not *that* round of belly and so it feels very weirdly in between to wear one. I definitely look like I’m in my condition and I don’t think I’d mind if I was like 8 months along but I don’t know it just feels odd at this slightly showing stage. Maybe I need to get over that. Will try on my 2 pieces tonight before ordering. Thanks y’all!

        1. True to size, I think. I started wearing it at 12 weeks and it still fits great at 30 wks. I use it for lap swimming and water aerobics. Leg opening is VERY conservative.

    9. I found that suits from Lands End that aren’t necessarily maternity worked better than ones that were technically maternity but cheaply made – but I always bought 2 pieces for ease of putting them on and off, and so that the top had some actual support for my b00bs – not just chest and belly squashed together with maybe a crummy shelf bra. If you aren’t super picky about the color pattern, you can often get really good deals in the “on the counter” section.

      I also liked to wear the skirted or shorts options when pregnant, because after a while it can get tricky to shave the bikini line carefully when you have to do it from odd angles. So unless you are still waxing regularly or otherwise having someone else groom you or you are just naturally sparsely haired, you might want to take that into consideration. Or at the very end I sometimes wore clearance men’s trunks over my bikini bottoms in a complete “I’m as big as a beached whale and I don’t care how I look” statement.

      1. LOL – beached whale. If you’re in the water it’s easier to pretend you’re not a whale. Good for you Meg!

  7. Some friends invited my husband and I to stay at their family’s cabin in VT this weekend and I’m looking for ideas of what to bring. It’s a long drive and we’ll be stopping in a B&B at a different locale on the way, so it can’t be anything perishable. Also, it’s actually our friends’ older relatives cabin, who’ll also be there and who we’ve never met, so it feels a little bit extra necessary to bring something nice. Right now I’m thinking a bottle of wine, some lemonade and maybe some fresh pastries from a bakery on the way or some non perishable baked goods from home (chocolate babka?), but would love other ideas.

    3. What part of VT? Depending on the area you may be near one of the state’s many fine cheesemakers, brewers, or bakeries if you wanted to bring something local.

    4. I’m a fan of coffee cake type desserts because they conform to whatever the hosts’ plans are. It can be dessert, breakfast, afternoon snack, or all of the above.

    5. Are you going to be passing near Windsor? There is a fabulous spot with the Simon Pearce outlet, Harpoon Brewery, local spirits, and a local cheese/food shop all near a garden. I highly recommend it – amazing honey and cheeses and great small batch beers.

  8. Recs for haircuts in DC? I’ve been going to St. Germain by Molecule but looking for something more in the $60-$80 range.

        1. Yes. He’s more expensive than the other stylists there but is still within your price range for a cut.

    2. My fav salon is actually in Clarendon (Casal’s of Clarendon). But since I moved that’s too much of a schlep and have been going to Eastern Confederate in Mount Pleasant. They do a really good job but it’s an extremely no-frills environment.

    3. Just had a friend get a cut with a junior stylist at Immortal Beloved for $25 and loved it. So, look around. I’ve been to Parlour and didn’t love it. Salon Cielo in Dupont was fine – followed a stylist there, lost him when he moved again.

      I like Frizzles in Old Town Alexandria currently (Tanisha is my fave but she’s on maternity leave; Betty is also good). Casal’s is seriously a fan favorite amongst my friends.

      1. I like Frizzles in Alexandria too (I see Xanthy – I have a short bob, considering a pixie).

    4. Elena at Blondies is great, but can be opinionated if what you ask for won’t look right with your hair. She is usually right, which is why I love her.

    5. I am obsessed (OBSESSED!) with Meghan Moody at 1201 Salon in Foggy Bottom. I have been seeing her once a month for about 5 years now and have sent several friends to her, all with different hair and fabulous results. People regularly stop me on the street to ask me for my stylist’s info — that’s how good she is. I have had short hair for over a decade and that never ever happened before her. She charges $80 for a cut.

    6. Late to the recommendation game, but Hunter at Michael Anthony Salon is amazing, and I enjoy that you can make appointments online.

  9. I have thick (both in strands and in number) curly/wavy hair that up until a year ago I had been wearing curly. I have switched to blowing it out. I finally used up the last of my Deva Curl One Condition conditioner and am wondering if there is a different conditioner that would be better now that I’m blowing out my hair. Availability on Amazon is a HUGE plus.

    1. I swear by UseMe Coarse/Thick conditioner. If you have dry, curly hair that likes moisture to weigh it down, this stuff is the best. You can occasionally get it on Amazon, but I get mine direct from the mfr. They are based in Portland, ME. I really, really love this conditioner for my dry ringlets. Have been using it over a year. Pricy but totally worth it.

    2. The Aveda products are my go to, always. Most are also heat activated and they keep the frizz away. Be Curly for the days you want a great curl and Be Straight for the days you want to straighten. If you go into an Aveda store, they will help you find whatever you need because they are fantastic.

      1. Be Curly really has never worked for me. I love the smell, but my hair remains frizzy. Just another point of view.

    3. I madly love Living Proof. (On Sephora, don’t know about Amazon.) I also have thick curly hair that I’ve recently started blowing out. At first, I used their No Frizz collection, but after 6 months of daily heat styling, it was pretty damaged, so I switched to the Restore line, which is my absolute favorite. My hair’s like silk. I combine a dollop of the No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream with one pump of the Satin Hair Serum on wet hair before blowing out.

      Give the No Frizz humidity protectant spray a try, if that’s a concern where you live. I’ve only used it twice so far, but it seems to work well.

  10. I had all-white stonewear settings for 8 and some are breaking. Replace with other white stonewear (will not be the same pattern)? I bought some correlle and love it b/c it is so lightweight. Is it not fancy enough for things like Thanksgiving dinner? I am thinking of getting 8 settings of it b/c it seems so easy to use (and maybe a step up from having mismatched plates, albeit all all-white). I still have all of the stonewear serving pieces.

    I only have one set of dishes and don’t plan to do any upgrading to china or occassion-specific patterns.

    1. Can’t you find the pattern? Maybe on Replacements.com. Personally I’m a total china snob and hate Corelle. And Corelle on the table at Thanksgiving with nice serving platters just doesn’t seem very nice to me. I’d sooner do mismatched stone wear myself.

      1. See, I’m the opposite – not a china snob at all, and if we didn’t use Corelle we would be using disposable plates – because I have a huge family and I don’t want to store a ton of “nice” dishes for 1x a year, but I don’t want to use and keep breaking/chipping the stonewear in daily use. And because I never grew up with china, so it isn’t an expectation I have.

        I think you need to decide which is more important to you, to set a fancy table or to have a set of practical everyday dishes that have enough place settings for occasions like Thanksgiving, and then go from there.

        Alternately, if you did want to continue with stonewear, is there another color in a similar pattern? I think half white and half another color could look nice and like you did it on purpose.

          1. Not the OP, but when having 30 or 40 some people over for T-day (or Easter), we also do disposable plates, and buffet-style food. We went with real silverware though, with a couple families pooling resources.

      1. Yes. And when Corelle breaks, it disintegrates into approximately 1 million tiny pieces of glass. Ask me how I know…

      2. It can, but it seems to bounce considerably more often. Says the child who washed what felt like 700 Corelle white plates every holiday by hand.

    3. Best thing I ever did, for my kitchen at least, was buy multiple sets of white dishes from Ikea. I think I have service for 16 (dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs). They are great for holidays or mixing in with another set when I have more than 16 guests. The best thing is that I do not care if they break/chip because I paid a minimal amount of money for them.

    4. I love our white Corelle plates. They don’t take up much room, are blank slates and are very durable. We have had them for about 20 years and only broken 1 or 2 plates. We do fancy them up for holidays with silver or red charger plates.

  11. Anyone have any tips for curing a Benadryl “hangover”? Got eaten alive by mosquitoes over the weekend and really needed one, but am still feeling its effects more than 12 hours later…

  12. I’m so sick of my hair. For reference, its long (longest part is br@ strap length), curly/wavy and have some very overgrown side bangs. It’s layered as well. Something like this, but obviously less amazing. (http://hairstyles.thehairstyler.com/hairstyle_views/front_view_images/358/original/10600_Reese-Witherspoon.jpg)

    I’m getting a haircut in two weeks and want to do something different, but for the life of me can’t decide what to do. I have a round face, wear it curly during warm months, blow it out in cooler months and can’t imagine going super short (pixie style).

    Has anyone seen anything interesting lately? I’m thinking of taking it up to my shoulders, but am still feeling pretty blah about it.

    1. For a round face, I like a deep side parting with a long fringe which sweeps over and highlights the cheek bones. It’s especially good with shoulder-length hair. With a little bit of serum or gel each morning, this will work for curls too.

      Or, as you don’t have to worry about your face looking elongated, long hair with barely-there layers – say three at 1/4 inch apart.

    2. I was in the same boat – ended up getting about 9 inches chopped so it was just above the shoulders. The curl was amazing with all the weight gone, but I’m back in grow-out mode because I miss the ability to throw it up in the bun I was used to corralling it in. Not that I regret cutting it, but it reminded me of why I liked it long :)

      I would suggest going to shoulder length and living with that for a bit before making any further changes. It might solve the blah feeling just by removing some of the hair and doing the reshaping that happens with a cut. And talk to the person cutting your hair and the blah feeling, see if they have any suggestions you like.

      1. Thanks to you both. I look at pictures and can’t figure out whats actually practical and trendy anymore! Definitely have to keep it long enough to pull it back; that’s a good place to start in my browsing.

      2. I too was seduced by the “lob” and chopped off a lot of my hair & am in full on grow it back out mode. I’m sure this is ridiculous, but does anyone have any tips to make hair grow faster?

        2. Castor oil + burdock oil applied on your root as a pre wash treatment. A little goes a long way and yes your shampoo should wash it all out easily.

  13. Curious for some advice. I kept diaries through college and grad school, and they are still around. Sometimes I read them, and they are so embarrassing. (Think about all your issues as a freshman in college, written down in overwrought prose.) Some entries are funny, or remind me of something I’ve forgotten. Others are just terrible. Here’s the thing. I’m terrified of someone else reading these diaries. My husband (maybe in a moment of bored curiosity). My son, when he grows up? I know I searched through stuff in my parents’ rooms. A bored babysitter? Or what if I die in a accident, and family members are organizing my stuff? Right now, they are just all in a drawer under my bed. If I could keep them, knowing for sure that no one else would ever read them, I’d definitely keep them. I think I will get a kick out of them when I’m older (and I do now as well). Nothing sensational or terrible is in them. They are just private thoughts of my former self that I’d like to keep private forever. Is that possible? Or should I just get rid of them?

    1. I have no idea how this works legally, but can you keep them in a safe deposit box with a notation to destroy upon your demise?

      1. + 1, I think a safety deposit box is likely the easiest and best answer. Or perhaps a small safe that only you know the combination to? I think it would be unlikely that your family would go through the trouble of hiring a safecracker if there’s a clear note that it’s only paperwork inside. Actually, I think with safecrackers you have to provide proof of ownership, so that might be another obstacle.

    2. Could you keep them in a locked trunk or a fire safe box with a key? Alternately, perhaps scanning them to the cloud, and then only you have the pw? (I know, I know…there’s something lovely about having a volume in your hand).

    3. I was in your boat exactly and I got rid of them for the reasons you mentioned. I’ve since started dabbling in writing and really wish I had them to reflect upon.

      1. THIS!!! I used to destroy all my journals because of the embarrassing feelings (usually, I’d toss the journals unceremoniously in a bag of trash and haul them out to a dumpster). That changed one year in college when I broke up with my first serious boyyfriend and then two months later, one of my closest highschool friends committed suicide. I picked up that journal a year or two after it had been filled, and I realized that no matter how out of control/embarrassing/petty those feelings were, and how much I *didn’t* want to remember myself that way, I was never going to be the person I was *before* that journal again, and I wanted to hold on to a record of how I got to where (and who) I am now. So the last ten years of my journals are tucked away in storage in the basement, and I often wish that I had the first ten years of my journalling also.

    4. There is no way to prevent people from reading them if you die. Sure, you can ask people to destroy them, but there’s no guarantee they will. If you keep them, there will always be a chance people could read them. That said, I have a feeling that, like many things in life, we are more horrified/embarassed, etc. by things we have done or said than anyone else would be upon discovering it/them. My personal feeling is, if you want to keep them, keep them and be damned what anyone else decides to do/think in the event they read them. I believe that after death I am toast and so what happens after I die doesn’t really matter. YMMV

    5. I’m a historian, and have spent quite a bit of time reading people’s old diaries. While I understand not wanting others to read them, I 100% promise you that no one else will find them as embarrassing or as terrible as you do. When I read other people’s old diaries, it’s a fascinating invitation into a world that used to be, and into a particular moment in that person’s life. Anyone who finds them – especially anyone who loves you already – will read them with generosity and empathy.

      1. Thanks, all. I guess it’s no big deal. In a way, I think even to put them in a lock box in my house (or to keep them under the bed) is blowing things way out of proportion, and signal to everyone around me, “There’s something secret here. Don’t open!” Maybe I’ll just try to camouflage them on bookshelves.

        1. They will be found. And if your children find them, there is a good chance they will read them. If you say, “please destroy upon my death”…. even more likely they will read them.

          If they just reflect the normal ebbs and flows of young life, I would agree with others. They are much more embarrassing to you than they will be to your family. Try to just let it go…

          But if your diaries include revelations about family that could be damaging/upsetting to your children ….. I strongly support destroying them.

          I have unfortunately discovered such letters after my mother’s recent early death. They were devastating. And it is very isolating, keeping this information to myself, when my father is still living and I have siblings.

          But hopefully this has no relevance to you.

    6. I think many of us have that one drawer, or box, that must be destroyed the second we die. My best friend knows exactly what to do. Done. :)

    7. I got rid of all mine, but most of them were filled with stuff from a very difficult time in my life that I wanted to move past. I would stay up late rehashing everything about that time and make myself upset. So I got rid of them as a physical way of letting go and moving on. It was cathartic for me. I do sometimes wish I had saved ones from before that time which probably would be funny to look back on.

    8. I have kept journals since I was 11, mostly detailing my romantic escapades as a teen and young adult. Before I got married, I went through all of them and shredded them. It was fun reading through them one last time and I did save a few pages that were meaningful or funny. I mostly did not want to bring those old relationships into my marriage or have my husband find them and obsess over them (he probably would not care but in my worst case scenario mind… you know). I still journal as an adult but sadly, my life is far less scandalous or exciting that it would become a problem if anyone read them. I don’t regret shredding the journals.

  14. Car threadjack: I have been not-so-thrilled about my car for some time now, and two things happened recently that have me really wanting a new one. Couple of questions:

    1. As I was standing in the driveway this morning waiting for the Uber driver, I thought “Why shouldn’t I just lease a new car? I know leasing is expensive long term but everybody does it and I could get a fancy car for a low-ish payment and… why shouldn’t I just do that? Well, Hive? Why shouldn’t I do that? Yeah, I’d be committing to a permanent car payment but… is that the worst thing in the world if I were always driving a new car?

    2. What car would I even get? I want it to be small but it has to have a smooth ride and all the bells and whistles like leather and heated seats and navigation and sunroof and so on. I think I want either a luxury brand or a “novelty” brand (like Fiat or Mini). Any suggestions?

    Or am I just crazy and should I get the work done on the paid-for car I don’t love and keep driving it?

    1. Depends on what the work is for and how much it costs. Generally I’m inclined to keep driving until the car won’t go anymore, though.

      2. We have winter here, too. Sometimes it gets all the way down into the 40s! ;)

      1. Just came into a little unexpected money so yeah, I could do it if I shuffled my budget around a little. But of course I have about 100 other things I want, too. Trying to decide whether the car is the best use of the money.

    4. Since you mentioned waiting for an Uber, how frequently do you really drive? If you’re just looking for something “fun” for weekends/trips, consider renting something? Could you buy a used cheap “fun” car?

      Personally, I’d keep my car that is paid for and not necessarily fancy and invest in something else. No one really sees me in my car (not driving to clients etc) so in my life it’d be fairly pointless.

      1. I drive every day. I was waiting for the Uber because when I got in my car this morning to go to work, it was dead. Can. not. live. without a car in So Cal!

        The car I have is fairly fancy and I’d actually like to downsize a little.

        1. I’d say this. Maybe try renting a version of something you’d like for a week or two. It’s a relatively cheap way to figure out if you actually want something new or not. Then you could run the numbers on lease versus trade-in and buy too. I think I want a new car until I drive a rental around for a month. Then I want my regular car back!

    5. Get a grip! Are you made of money? No right? Save it for when you actually need a car, or need to retire. Buying a brand new bells and whistles car just because you want to feel fancy is dumb.

      1. I’m enjoying the tough talk today, Anonymous. I agree that fanciness is not a good reason and I despise leases, but I’m sure I blow my money on things other people don’t.

        1. But a new luxury car…. that’s a lot of $$. Lease or buy. Especially if it has not so good gas mileage and you drive a lot in LA.

    6. I am pro-leasing and (unlike the random Anon above) pro-luxury car. The only reason I don’t lease is because I drive 60 miles round trip to work and would probably be over the mileage limitation. Leasing is awesome, especially if you don’t want to deal with maintenance, which I don’t. I also want to avoid roadside breakdowns as much as possible, so I do tons of expensive preventative maintenance and leasing would help with that.

      As for car, if you can afford it, how about a Lexus or Mercedes or BMW? I am a BMW person myself, but that’s because I like the harder ride. Lexus/Mercedes is a lot cushier.

      1. +1

        I lease a luxury vehicle and I love it. I can afford it and all the maintenance is covered (plus a loaner vehicle; which is key for a single person like myself…finding rides isn’t an option). I also like having a new car every 3 years. It’s certainly not life altering, but if it’s in your budget, why not?

      2. Me too – I think cars are generally “no wins” – if you buy, they end up costing you money in repairs and tend to not suit your lifestyle at some point during the life of the car and you feel guilty about getting rid of it because you bought it. If you lease, it feels frivolous for all the reasons above. That said, I’ve come down on the side of leasing lately – I know what my payment for driving around is going to be every month, no surprise “repairs” ever and I drive something nice that I love and that suits my current needs and makes me happy. That’s all worth something too, even if you can’t put a dollar amount to it.

        1. This is a great way to think about it, Scarlett. I always say the same thing — cars cost money, full stop. Either a payment or repairs.

          1. Yeah, but there is generally a period with car purchases (at least if appropriately financed – say over 3-5 years max) where you have neither a payment, nor repairs.

          2. Yeah, and I’m coming to the end of that magic period now, I think. Which is what has me with a bee in my bonnet..

    7. I feel strongly that leasing is a waste of money, but I know there are many arguments on the other side of the coin, so I’ll address your question#2: have you tried an Acura before? It’s what I’d call entry-level luxury without the price tag of the BMWs of this world. All the bell and whistles you could want, including a very nice smooth ride (even the 4 cylinder vehicles). I think a used TSX might work based on what you’re describing, or their new ILX model (they recently discontinued the TSX/small body and the TL/larger body to create a hybrid ILX). I loved my old TSX and now love my SUV!

      1. As noted below (above?) I loveeeeeeee my ILX. And Acuras, being a Honda company, will last forever. I lease it so I’ll reevaluate at the end of that period.

    8. I won’t advise on whether you should or not, but if you decide to buy a car (I wouldn’t lease because if you’re making payments, you may as well have something when it’s over– but that’s also how I felt about renting v. buying a home, and I know it’s different for everyone), I can highly recommend an Infiniti G35(or 37). It’s nice and upscale but not hoity-toity, they have all the bells and whistles you mentioned, and they are luxury without being flashy. Not sure how small you want, but they are pretty small– two doors, with sunken seats in the back that someone can ride across town in but probably not long distances (too compact). I have driven two and I loved them. Adored. I still get a little wistful when I get into my parent-appropriate SUV.

      2. So funny you should say that! My current car is the Infiniti G35! Bought it new 8 years ago and it was the fanciest car I’ve ever had! I loved it when it was new but I’m kind of over it for a variety of reasons and am ready for something really small.

        But yeah, it is comfy and has every bell and every whistle and has kind of spoiled me…

      3. Inifiniti discontinued the G35. They made the G37 their new entry level car and it’s EOL’ing this year. I leased one of the last ones left last month for a song. Love it. Not sure what their new entry level will be.

    9. And you could get a free car out of it. My aunt gets a company car on 3 year leases and one day recently, she got the title to the BMW she was leasing in the mail. She called to say they had made a mistake but they were totes like that’s what’s on our books, your gain. So she won’t have to turn it in at the end of the lease.

    10. I drive a Mini and LOVE it (it’s my Mum’s, not my own, though). It feels like a go-kart to drive, and it’s super cushy inside. We don’t actually have leather seats any more (we did in the old one) because of the bare-legs-sticking-pain factor, but we do have heated seats and a DAB radio. The Fiat 500 has an indisputably better sunroof though (although you can get convertible Minis).

    12. During a short stint as a Stay at Home Mom, I switched from a Lexus to a fully loaded Mazda. We just could not afford the maintenance. The Mazda actually does pretty well in comparison and the cost savings have been insane (okay, it is no Lexus but it was just fancy enough for us). By purchasing, though, we were able to sell the Lexus for 15K with 100K miles on it and put that all into a new car. You cannot do that if you lease. Luxury cars hold their value better, but cost a lot more in maintenance. If you drive anywhere near a lot, you need to really be careful of the mileage fees on a lease.

      In the end- If you want fancy interior at a cheaper price, I would definitely recommend the Mazda. Still have mine and I really do love it.

      1. I also drive a mazda and I love it. Although, I’m coming from an old beater jeep wrangler. It’s a smooth ride, responsive, gets excellent mileage, and is very versatile. I got the 2015 mazda 3 hatchback as I have a large dog and still wanted a smaller vehicle. I actually chose it based on a recommendation from a coworker in California who bought his back in 2012 and loves it.

    13. I lease. Whatever.

      As far as little luxury cars go, I wanted mine because I knew I could park it anywhere (and I have, and I do, regularly). I got a 2015 Acura ILX, which had my two required features, heated seats and a sunroof (and 4 doors, moving from a 2 door). Pearl white + black leather and she is my love. I just like the size/gas utility. But I’m relatively young, so YMMV.

    14. I have no opinion on leasing (I drive too much for it to be feasible for me), but I would strongly recommend AGAINST a mini. I had one and it was nothing but trouble, towed numerous times, and I reached a point where I was convinced it wouldn’t start every time I got in it. A friend has had similar issues with her mini. I would vote for an Audi A3 or A4 if you want a sedan.

      1. I test drove a mini and it had no zip at all. It was basically like a Flintstones foot-powered car.

        We ended up with a Lincoln which I LOVE LOVE LOVE, it has an 8 cylinder engine and I can dodge out of the way of things at will and it floats over the road. Leather, heated seats… I will NEVER go back (knock on wood).

      2. My experience with Minis is that I felt every bump in the road – it was not a well cushioned ride.

      3. Ha, I have an A4 and it is not a cheap car to own. I adore it but wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t prepared for throwing money at it.

      4. THIS. I have 4 or 5 friends who have had minis as various points and they all got rid of them because they weren’t reliable. One girl on a 7 year old mini ended up with a rental car for a total of 3 months one year because of all of the repairs.

      5. I loved my mini and had no issues with reliability over the 5 years I drove it (I got it used so it was probably around 8 years old at the end.) it was a Mini Cooper s and had plenty of zip… It was like driving a go cart. Super fun to drive but not at all cushy. Not so comfy when I was 8 months pregnant.

    15. What about buying a certified used car?

      Whatever you get, I highly recommend my Lexus IS250. It’s very small, has all the bells and whistles, and feels solid yet sporty. I’ve had mine for 5 years and will likely have it for another 5 years.

    16. No advice on leasing but I see nothing wrong with getting a car with all the bells and whistles instead of repairing the old one if you can afford it. We upgraded our car last year to something nicer, newer and bigger. We could have kept driving the old one but I’m glad we made the switch.

    17. I would not lease a car and would (and do) continue to drive the paid-for car into the ground. But that is what makes sense for my financial situation right now.

      As for cars, my mom has a Lincoln MKZ that is really nice. I would look at Lexus and BMW.

    18. If you don’t love your car, get a new one and drive that into the ground if it is older than three years and you have lots of money. We just got my husband a Mazda3 with all the options (leather, heated seats, sunroof, nav) and it is amazing and just like the luxury cars our friends drive except half the price!

      1. Yeah, I have a Honda Civic with leather, heated seats, sunroof… could have gotten navigation but didn’t want to pay for it. So, moral of the story is, you can have luxury features without a luxury car! ;)

      2. +1 people cant believe what I paid for my 2015 Mazda 3 with all the bells and whistles it has. Also I love driving it, nice zip but still smooth.

    19. I love my little car – soooo easy to park! But I bought an inexpensive car with a ton of upgrades. No opinion on leasing but I have to say that those little FIATs are adorable. I would look at them!

  15. TJ – I need a professional looking backpack. Some health issues with my pregnancy means that I can’t lug my black leather tote with laptop around like I used to. I think a backpack will be easier to use. Style-wise I’m pretty much a JCrew addict. Any suggestions of something professional looking and that doesn’t look like something an unstylish man, a mountaineer, or a kindergartner would carry? Must be able to fit a laptop and 2 inch binder. Budget – $200 or less. I’m using my shopstyle app, but hoping the hive has some great ideas.

    2. Tumi and Zac Posen make stylish backpacks that you should be able to get under $200 with sales/coupons.

    4. I also have pregnancy health issues that drove me to get a rolling briefcase. To jsify this to myself (normally wuld never use rolling briefcas) Igo oe tat will double s an under-seat suitcase for air travel in uture. It wa a good buy!!

      ALSO:: I quit trying to edit skipped keystrokes above, beginning with the second sentece. STILL have heavy ad activity on this site and it’s making it very hard to comment. Anyone else having this problem? I hate to be grouchy, but I am about done, ladies.

    6. Even the mountaineer-type rucksacks often come in colours that are less… rough and ready. I use a Karrimor Urban 30 when I need to carry a load of stuff, and although mine is purple and grey I have seen an all-black one which looked a lot more sophisticated.

  16. If making car payments is not a big deal for you, why not try out a lease for 2-3 years? If you don’t like it, you can buy the next car. I buy, but I put on a lot of miles driving kids around (and they’re messy). Otherwise I’d lease a Mini in a heartbeat!

      1. I have a mini & absolutely love it. I’m leasing it now but love it so much I might actually buy it at the end of the term (they changed the body style a bit in the newer versions so they’re bigger – not an issue in LA, but a big issue in SF where the tiny size makes parking easy)! Keep in mind that the really old ones (I think pre-2007 or somewhere in there) have different engines. Now they’re made by BMW so they’re a lot peppier and really find to drive. And they are so easy to park.

      2. If you’re sure you won’t go over the mileage, then lease away. I recommend BMW, bc it comes with the maintenance so you don’t have to worry about it. Plus you get a loaner car when your car is being serviced. If you go over your mileage but you love the car, you can buy it back at the end of your lease.

        If you think you might drive over the mileage, or that you might like driving the car for a long time, then finance, and, like a lease, in 3 years or so you can be like, hey I want a new car, and trade it in and buy a new one.. Maybe not the smartest financial move, but if you like the fancy, that’s one way to go..

    3. The Minis are super fun to drive and it doesn’t feel like you are driving at tiny car (says an SUV person). I drove an S model and I felt it was sufficiently zippy.

  17. Hello ‘Rettes,
    I will be in Boston for a couple of days for a wedding in late August, and have never really spent any time there. Any must-do’s or must-eat-at’s? I’ll be doing wedding stuff one evening, but have some day time the day of the wedding and the full day after to explore. I’ll be near the West side of Boston Common/near Back Bay if that helps, but I’d love to explore a bit (on foot or otherwise)!
    Thanks in advance!

    1. You could wander around Beacon Hill and Back Bay – both are v nice for old and pretty streets to wander in. I also like the duck tours if you are a tourist – they are cheesy and also very informative! Walking or running along the esplanade is also nice and can be slightly cooler if it is hot out. If it is super hot, I would go to the MFA and/or the Gardner museums.

      What do you like to eat? any particular cuisines? that might help guide additional recs.

      1. +1 to the duck tour. DBF (who grew up in Boston) and I (a tourist on her first visit) both really enjoyed it.

  18. Thank you to whoever recommended the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD! I finally started it yesterday and I love having such an intense workout in such a short time. I’ve resigned myself to getting up at 5:00 from now on, and I think I’ll be able to squeeze in the DVD, a quick 20 min walk for the dog, and my shower before the little guys wake up! (It helps that they finally finally finally truly sleep through the night. At sixteen months. And, no, I don’t want to hear how your baby has been sleeping 12+ hr/night from 3 months on. No.) Also, while some of the commentary is hokey, overall I like her style — I definitely prefer toughness in fitness instructors. Anyone have suggestions for after 30 days? (Of course I can go back to this one, but thinking I’ll want to switch it up, too.)

    1. I don’t know how long the Jillian Michaels videos are but if you ever need something you can do in 20 minutes, I really enjoy the Ruthless series.

    2. I really like Autumn Calabrese – she does the 21 day fix series for Beachbody. Great workouts (all 30 min long). Very challenging but there are always modifications, too. She reminds me a lot of Jillian Michaels, but a little less hokey. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can buy just the DVDs without the portion control eating containers, though.

      1. You can buy the 21 Day Fix Extreme series with just the DVDs, no containers. I’ve done that and those workouts are tough! This coming from someone who recently completed Insanity and Insanity Max 30. I was so sore the first week of 21 Day Fix Extreme!

  19. Any recommendations for restaurants in Montreal? We’ll be a party of 7, so need some place that could accommodate a larger group. TIA!

  20. I know y’all have a much higher salary that I do. However, would any of you really spend $2800 on a dress that was not for your wedding or to accept an Academy Award or Nobel Peace Prize in?

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