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Something on your mind? Chat about it here. I have such fond memories of the maxi-skirt trend from the last time it came around that a part of me really, really wants to indulge in a great, interesting maxi skirt this time. In general I love Rachel Pally’s stuff — her clothes are very soft, figure flattering, and they wash and wear nicely — and this skirt looks no different. The colors! The waves! The abstract nature of it all! I’d wear it with a simple white tee on a hot summer day — preferably with wedge sandals, of course. This one is $216 at Revolve Clothing. Rachel Pally Long Wrap Skirt in Wave (L-2)Workwear sales of note for 4.18.24
Our favorites are in bold!
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Boden – 25% off through 4/18; 15% off 4/19-20; 10% off 4/21
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- Everlane – Spring Sale: up to 60% off 600+ styles
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off $125+; extra 25% of $150+; up to 60% off everything; extra 50% off clearance
- Nordstrom – Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (on eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- White House Black Market – 25% off entire purchase; $50 off $200
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Just starting
Just booked a sublease in Prague for a holiday! Anyone have any recommendations of things to see, places to go etc?
Prague
If Jewish history interests you, there is a lot in Prague. You can take a private tour of the synagogue and surrounding area.
Equity's Darling
Yes, the Jewish Quarter is very moving- especially the exhibit of the children’s artwork from the ghetto. They have a synagogue with the names of every person from Prague and the surrounding areas killed. I spent at least 2 hrs reading all the names, because all I could think was that they all deserved to have their names read.
The Veletrizini Museum, it was more modern, but I loved it. The Kafka Museum was hilarious, as was the Communism Museum (located directly above a giant McDonalds, which is so ironic).
The Charles Bridge and Lenin Wall are also great. The Opera had great last minute seats (I saw the nutcracker), I also liked the National Museum- when I was there they had an adorable exhibit on Czech Fairytales, I bought a great book.
The Astrological Clock was overrated…but you sort of had to see it.
The beer was also fantastic- and I don’t like beer very much at all.
Prague is by far one of my favourite cities ever, I’m so jealous. Enjoy the vacation!
Just starting
Thank you so much, I actually took a picture of your post!
Echo
There are also several quirky things in Prague, such as the Sex Museum– it’s full of strange historical devices, and it’s pretty hilarious. There’s an exquisite stationary/letterpress store right near the clock tower, and I bought several cards as gifts.
The night life in Prague is pretty big too; other than that, try some goulash at a local restaurant, it’s divine! I too took a tour of the Jewish Quarter as well as some other synagogues; it’s very easy to get around by walking or with the trolley.
The castle right in the city is also a great visit, and there are several walking trails around the wall that provide lovely vistas.
I also second the day trip to Czesky Krumlow, it’s so gorgeous!
Have fun in Prague, it’s amazing!
MJ
I am not Jewish, and cannot recommend the Jewish quarter highly enough. I also think you should day trip to Czesky Krumlow–the castle there is AMAZING, and the town is cute–don’t miss it! Enjoy!
Mere
Thought I should share my shopping success story with my fellow Corporettes:
I bought a pair of black Stuart Weitzman Luna wedge pumps from Nordstrom Rack for only $25 (originally $315). :-)
Louise
Score! I love a good bargain :-)
Miriam
Can someone please explain the difference between Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack? I passed by a NR the other day and I’m curious whether it is worth a visit. TIA
Louise
Nordstrom Rack is Nordstrom’s clearance center store. As far as I know, it is the same merchandise, but on final sale, so sizes can be limited.
Clothing in Cairo
It’s not always the same merchandise. There are a few lines that show up exclusively at one or the other, and some Nordie’s sales stuff never makes it to NR.
When I need cheap(er) clothes, I check my sizes at Nordies’ and head to NR to stock up on bras, underwear, etc. Also beauty/hygiene products if you’re not a brand loyalist.
Eponine
It’s Nordstrom’s outlet and clearance. Like a TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, but only for Nordstrom’s.
stc
Also, I believe only the really high end designer stuff is final sale. I’ve definitely returned stuff to the rack, although they aren’t quite as generous with their return policy as the regular nordstroms (may be 30 days, receipt required).
happycow
Dinner suggestions for Chinatown in NYC tomorrow nite? Friends from out of town and one is a picky vegan. Being an UWS gal I never go to Chinatown, so suggestions welcomed!! TIA!!!
anon
a vegan??? oh boy, you may have difficulties feeding your friend in chinatown, not least because it’s not easy to get the precise ingredients of each dish (and I say this with full 100% chinatown love, i used to live there)
Buddha Bodai on Mott Street is a very tasty vegetarian place, and if you’re set on eating in Chinatown I think it’s your best bet to feed everybody reasonably well.
There are plenty of other delicious omnivorous places but I’m afraid they would leave your vegan friend out in the cold.
Clothing in Cairo
Buddha Bodai is AWESOME. But if you’re not used to Chinese food, you may have a weird stomach ache afterwards.
On the other hand, you won’t find a better place in Chinatown for your vegan friend.
happycow
BIG THANKS to both of you- this is great info!! :)
Clothing in Cairo
Tell us what you ate and what you loved! ;)
Old Broad
Does anyone else feel like popular, casual fashion has taken a really weird turn as of late? I work in a mostly-casual office and I am having a hard time finding tops that will work even with my relaxed dress code. I think part of it is that it seems like everything I look at has some kind of hippie-esque print, is ruffled, has embroidery/beads/sequins, or is cut WAY too low. I am only in my mid-thirties and I’m in pretty decent shape but I feel way too old for most of what I’m seeing. I went shopping for some basic black pants and a couple of plain tops today and found absolutely nothing. If I had been looking for low-cut, tie-dye print shirts with mondo beading; or aged/distressed/patchwork jeans, however, I would have had a bonanza to choose from. Maybe I am aging out of fashion and should just start shopping at Kasper and St. John? I don’t know.
MelD
I think it depends on where you live. My hometown seems to have the issue you mention. There really isn’t anything in a lot of stores in the spring and summer seasons could wear to the standard business casual office and be appropriate. The buyers only get the items from the weekend/evening lines that are geared to going out or ultra casual. Now I’m in a place that requires people to dress up a lot more for work and you’d have no lack of options for basic black pants and dress shirts at the same stores that just had cargo capris and sequined tops in my hometown.
Louise
I agree. I went on a search for nice, short sleeved tops appropriate for a business setting and it took me months to find exactly two. It’s easy to find sleeveless/tank tops in fairly dressy fabrics, but short sleeves are like unicorns.
I even looked through the more matronly brands and had no luck. If the sleeve was right, the fabric was sheer. Nice fabric? Too low cut. Perfect neckline? Covered with sequins. Argh!
The two I found were at TJ Maxx, which at least has all its summer weight blouses on a single, long rack, so they are easy to browse. But talk about kissing a lot of toads…
JAS1
I had the exact same problem this weekend! I ended up just lowering my standards a bit, ie, even though I wanted simple short sleeved blouses I would settle for sleeveless if everything else was right. I second the suggestion below to try TJ Maxx; I didn’t have any luck there yesterday but the stores vary widely depending on where you are.
Taylor
Me five. I don’t look good in sleeveless tops. I can wear jeans and tees to work, but I am in my forties so I need to look a bit more polished. Would like some nice tops that I feel good in when I run into my lawyer buddies at lunch and they are in a full suit. UGH!
anon
I think a lot of it has to do with the season (e.g. late summer) … and think (hope) that come fall, there will be a lot more wearable, interesting tops in the stores …. blazers jackets sweaters etc. Summer weather, especially the end of summer, always brings out the flimsiest crap — some nice stuff, but a lot of crap. My two cents.
btsbsc
any recommendations for amazing bridesmaids gifts? im not sure about the jewelry route… i was thinking getting them gift certificates to a shoe site, but that seems so impersonal. any help?
Eponine
I was recently a bridesmaid and the bride treated us all to mani-pedis the day before the wedding. It was fun.
Mandy
I got my bridesmaids each clutches in colors/styles I thought they each would like, and they were a hit. With some planning, you could shop discount websites and spend like $100 a pop for designer level clutches. They were intended as just gifts, not to be used during the wedding.
anon
i love the clutch idea.
Grace
I would pay for their hair/makeup, shoes, or something else that they would otherwise have to spend money on for the day of the event. Plus a small token non-wedding related gift. I have been in far too many weddings and think the expectations that many of my friends had re: how much money we should spend was out of control. I never wore any of the shoes, dresses, accessories again, and really couldn’t have cared less if my hair and make up were done for their weddings.
Sorry for the rant but I’ve spent close to $10,000 on these weddings and think your bridesmaids would appreciate the financial support more than a pashmina.
MelD
I agree that it’s a nice gesture to pay for something you’d like the bridesmaids to buy/do for the wedding, like hair/makeup, shoes (if you are specifying a certain shoe), some place for the out-of-town bridesmaids to stay the night of the wedding, etc.
kz
The last wedding I was in, the bride bought us our bridesmaid dresses. And they’re ones we can actually wear again. That was hugely appreciated, especially since she lived and got married abroad and plane tickets were expensive.
Janie
Probably cheaper than what you are aiming for but I see a lot of “jewelry rolls” for packing jewelry to travel on etsy, sold in groups for bridesmaids gifts specifically. Practical AND fun :)
Sad
For my wedding, all of us stayed at a B&B. So, I got everyone nice (bright) house slippers/shoes from LL.Bean. Evidently, everyone wears them. (Note, I had no showers or bachelorette parties, and so, I thought a more affordable gift was appropriate.)
My sister got us Kate Spade clutches, pashmina, and cute Havanna flip flops for the time in the wedding when everyone wants to remove their heels. (For my sister’s bachelorette, we went to Puerto Rico, and so, she felt obligated to give something nicer.)
I have also had friends pay for the dress or at least pay part of the cost of the dress and then give jewelry. Another friend booked a day spa, and she offered to pay up to $100 on spa treatments for each of us. I think the main thing is to not give a gift that is merely something that a person will never use after the wedding.
Gem
Styling advice please ladies. I have 2 (work appropriate) print dresses; one in a bright green and black abstract swirls, the other a blue and White geometric flower print. They were both gifts, and though lovely I have no idea how to style them for work and think the bright colour is part of the problem (colour = scary it seems). The gift giver was desperate to see me in colour and out of black, so it seems churlish not to at least try with these items. So; what do I wear with these dresses?
Lostintranslation
Belt and cardigan to break up the pattern? Then again, my style isn’t so bold either. I just got around to hanging up the first set of clothes from my transitional move and realized that 80% is either black, grey, or dark blue.
Louise
Totally understand your hesitation…its a big step from mostly black/neutrals to patterned color.
I haven’t tried this myself, but I’ve seen a number of fashion bloggers layer dresses to tone down the print. In other words, wear a top or skirt OVER the dress so it looks like the print is just a skirt or just a blouse.
For instance, scroll down to the third outfit on this post:
http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2011/08/monday-to-wednesday-skulls-neutrals.html The sweater doesn’t show any of the top of the dress, so it looks like a skirt.
I can’t find an example of the opposite right now, but if the patterns and colors of your dresses are much more colorful than you usually wear, treating them like blouses might be easier. At least for me, a bright top seems more business-like than a brightly printed skirt. Obviously, the fabric of the dress has to be right for this to work, but its an idea.
Louise
*it’s
Sigh.
Gem
Thanks to you both – I think I might wait for colder weather so I can layer both dresses under something that feels less in-your-face
Anon
Any suggestions on a bag that can hold ALOT of books and a laptop?
I have a 13′ macbook pro so I don’t require a lot of room for that, but I have about 3 or 4 books I need to lug around daily.
I am open to backpacks or a rolling briefcase, I have found either that fit the amount of stuff I need to take that don’t look like I’m going hiking :)
Thanks!
Monday
Emergency question! HOW on EARTH do you ladies get concealer to stay on? I shelled out for Laura Mercier’s blemish concealer, and it looks great for about 20 minutes. Then it’s either flaky or just gone. I have a huge zit and can’t look at it (or ask anyone else to). Do I need foundation primer just for this spot? Other suggestions? Thanks…
xoxo
use pressed powder on top of the spot to make the concealer stay. get a lot of powder on the pad and pat the spot lightly, then tap it to rub it in if you need to.
MJ
Maybelline Super Stay Concealer. It’s the best. I have tried them all. I mix the two lightest shades because I am in-between. Lasts ALL DAY.
Anonymous
Make sure you’re not using a heavy eye cream!
jcb
I had trouble with LM concealer too (I bought the one with two types of concealer in the top, with pressed powder in the bottom of the container). It moved around, even with the powder on top, and it didn’t look natural. I switched to Giorgio Armani (which weirdly enough, came up on an earlier comment – I swear I don’t shill for them). The Face Fabric for foundation, and they have a great concealer as well. Doesn’t move around and doesn’t dry out my skin.
girl in the stix
Have heard that eye drops that ‘get the red out’ are good for lessening redness of blemishes– it’s a vasoconstrictor
Anon for this
Hey there ‘rettes. I have a job interview coming up in my dream city. It’s for a non-profit. I believe in their mission, but my views are much more moderate than theirs on the issues. Also, I think their activities are probably very controversial for a lot of people, and their work is frequently in the news. On one hand, the position would allow me to do exactly what I want to do skill wise, and I would be working on major issues. On the other hand, I don’t know if I will want to do it forever, and I am a little worried about painting my resume with an extremist lefty brush. I can’t, financially, afford to be picky. Any thoughts, reassurance, or insights on this dilemna would be much appreciated!
anon
If the debate is whether or not to interview, of course you should – you need a job, it’s your dream city, and the position is “exactly what you want to do skillwise”. So go interview. Don’t stress about whether or not you take the job until you actually have the option to.
NO job lasts forever (especially these days), so your concerns on that point are irrelevant IMO. if we all held out for jobs that we wanted for life, 95% of us would be unemployed.
As for the extremist lefty aspect – I don’t know what industry or field you’re talking about, and ultimately you have to decide whether you really think your long-term career ambitions would be meaningfully hurt by your association with this group (do you want to go into politics someday or something?). HOWEVER, if you can show in a resume or later interview that your experience at this place allowed you to build specific, transferable skills and knowledge that are useful to other jobs, I think that’s really all that matters. You can also address, in person, any ambiguities or misconceptions that may arise, when the time comes.
MelD
The reality is that no organization is going to do something you agree with 100% of the time. The interview is a chance for you to get a feel for the organization and see how much involvement you’ll have in those activities that regularly pop up on the news. I work in government for an agency that is often getting negative press in the news (a lot of government agencies get this sort of press), but in many cases the stories are slanted and you don’t get the full view of what is happening.
I think there are very few organizations that people think are too extremist all around. PETA is really the only extremist lefty (if you can call it that) organization I can think of that might cause problems on a resume, just because employers might be worried about how you’ll react to people who eat meat or wear leather/suede.
AttiredAttorney
Just bought a dress that features a leopard print top to it (if you go to 6pm and search for “tahari zack” you’ll find it), and now I’m having second thoughts that it’s too much. The leopard comes across much softer in person. My office dress code is what I would call creative business, meaning women wear more creative ensembles: breaking up suits, big & bold accessories, red heels, etc. Is this dress too much?
Eponine
It looks fine to me. I see animal print blouses from time to time and the pattern seems perfectly office appropriate to me. The dress itself seems to be cut pretty conservatively, too.
anon
Looks fine to me as well. Wear it!
attiredattorney
Thank you!
Law Student 2L
Is this suit too light for a law firm interview/callback? I already have the navy BR skirt suit, which is my go-to suit, and I have a black express skirt suit (don’t like wearing it b/c of the cheaper quality). I’d like a grey suit since I’d probably wear it more beyond interviewing, but I want to make sure that it’s conservative enough for an interview before I purchase it.
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=15406&vid=1&pid=850722&scid=850722002
Bonnie
I think it’s fine.
E
Agree. I’ve seen that suit in store and it’s very nice. But, I just bought a gray suit and I chose to go with Ann Taylor instead. Also, if you’re still in school, AT will give you a 20% discount if you buy in store and show your student ID (if they don’t have your size in store they can order it and you’ll still get the discount).
MelD
The color looks fine to me, but the pants they’ve pictured with it look a bit too snug for an interview suit. If there is a skirt or wider leg pant, then the gray would be fine.
Very anon!
I have a small toenail fungus on my right pinky. It’s been there for couple years after I accidentally split my nail, it never got worse, and it didn’t spread to other toes. I went to a dermatologist who prescribed topical treatment (a lacquer that I use daily).
Now -gross alert- I booked a pedicure. I am dying to get a pedicure at a nice salon. They do sterilize every piece of equipment in individual pouches that they open in front of you.
The fungus is hardly visible (dermatologist had to use a magnifying glass). I have been using the lacquer religiously for the past 5 weeks.
Would it be acceptable if I get a pedicure as long as I keep a band-aid on my affected toe? or should I just cancel my appointment
E
Please, on behalf of all pedicure-getting and nail-salon-working women everywhere, cancel the appointment.
Even if the equipment is sterile, it can be spread to the technician. It also can be spread to the next user of the foot wash basin if they don’t absolutely simonize it with bleach (and few places do). Plus, you’re asking a person to touch your toenail fungus! I’m sorry, that’s just gross. Please cancel.
Anon
I’d cancel the appointment, why give someone else foot fungus if you can prevent it? Do the right thing, wait until the fungus is gone and you’ve been cleared by your dermatologist. Then get the pedicure.
Former 3L
Look at canceling as a deposit in your karma bank?
M
If anyone is still on this Sunday night, I’d love some help for my second week at a new job. Here’s what’s up:
I just finished my first week of my first job out of law school. Very exciting. It’s a small office of 15 attorneys, all of whom are at least 10 years older than me (I’m 24, they’re all in the 35-60 range). About half of them are women, which is wonderful, but I’m worried that we don’t have much “outside of work” topics to discuss. They are all married, I am happily dating my law school boyfriend who lives in another city; most of them have children, I have a dog. All of their conversations seem to revolve around their families, and while I think family is great and important and all that wonderful stuff, I just don’t have much of anything to contribute. I feel super awkward during lunch and other social chats when I just sit there nodding. I can’t tell if it’s because I’m new or young or both. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Blonde Lawyer
I bet a lot of them have dogs! In my past two jobs I bonded with the older folks with pet stories… ie: Marley got skunked again. Boots ate the remote control…
E
It takes a while to find things in common and make friends. They probably default to talking about their kids because they have that in common. After a few weeks, you’ll start to find out what you have in common with them and then you can steer the conversation that way. Talking about your dog is a good start.
Just starting
Feel your pain. I’m 22 and 4 months into my first post law school job at a firm full of oldsters…
MelD
You may want to try going to lunch/coffee in smaller groups (no more than 4). I find that’s when the topics veer out of the norm and you get to know more about your coworkers’ interests. The reality is that someone isn’t going to go on about fishing or pilates if only 1-2 others in the group like those things, but in a smaller group you can really talk about those interests without boring others.
Fiona
I’m in a similar situation in my workplace, where I’m the only person who is not married with kids. My advice would be to start learning about your co-workers and their lives, including their kids, and over time you will develop a genuine connection and interest. What starts as “Jim has a 5 year old and a 3 year old” can turn into “How did Jack like camp? Is he nervous about starting kindergarten?” and “When does Jack get his cast off? Does his elbow still hurt?” etc. Even though you don’t have kids, you have lived among them enough to know what kinds of things kids do and what makes them tick. Give it some time and make a little bit of an effort, and six months from now you’ll have no trouble making conversation with everyone.
Annnon
Quick tip! At least for me, when I first started working, I often felt like I could contribute to conversations with my older colleagues by calling on my parents’ experiences. Pro tip is to bite your tongue! Your older colleagues know that they *could* be the same age as your parents, but they don’t want to be reminded of it. Also, you don’t want them to think of you as being in the same category as their children or their children’s friends. You are their colleague – a much younger colleague no doubt – so try to avoid inadvertently falling into a parent/child dynamic.
EM
I’m one of the “30-somethings” at work, and our youngest employee is 25. He gets along just fine with all of us “oldsters” who have spouses and kids. ;) At lunches out, we talk about stuff going on at work, tv shows, pets, what we did on the weekend, etc. Focus instead on what you have in common instead of focusing on what you don’t. Just don’t roll your eyes or sigh if a coworker shows you some nonsensical garble that their preschooler wrote that they swear says, “I love you Mommy”. :)