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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 94 Comments · by

Coffee Break: Elongated Bow Belt

Coffee Break· Under $150

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Elongated Bow BeltEvery woman has her own gauge of when something becomes too “cutesy.” For me, this bow is on the charming-and-witty side of “not yet overly cute” (unless accessorized with, say, a Barbie pink dress). I like. It's got a ton of positive reviews at White House | Black Market, too — plus it's only $38 and available in sizes XXS-XXL. Yay. Elongated Bow Belt (L-2)

Sales of note for 9.19.24

  • Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September, and cardmembers earn 3x the points (ends 9/22)
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Boden – 15% off new styles
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
  • J.Crew – 50% off select styles — and 9/19 only, 50% off the cashmere wrap
  • J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
  • Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
  • Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Anniversary event, 25% off your entire purchase — Free shipping, no minimum, 9/19 only
  • Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
  • Tuckernuck – Friends & Family Sale – get 20%-30% off orders (ends 9/19).
  • White House Black Market – 40% off select styles

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

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

Comments

  1. TCFKAG

    Kat – I think you misspelled something in your post. Its YAY!!! (Number of exclamation points optional). Has Ellen taught you nothing?

    Also – I think I’d like this belt over a black dress as a way to add a sort of cool contrast – but over a colored dress I think the “bowishness” of it would become too obvious. But with something it doesn’t contrast with, I think it would look really cool. Does that makes sense?

    P.S. I tagged this onto the end of last thread but, well, it was the end – but I’m trying to come out of my “August is terrible and everyone else is on vacation except me” funk which means I’m updating my blog again. So you should check it out if you want. Last mention, promise.

    • Equity's Darling

      I saw those ferragamo zippered heels, they’re so amazing. So. Amazing.

    • OCAssociate

      The zippered heels are killing me. I need them and I hate that you made us suffer as you are suffering.

      • TCFKAG

        Insert evil laugh here.

        [And I accidentally reported your post! I hope that doesn’t result in it being taking down!! The report function is confusing – though I acknowledge useful).

    • NOLA

      Love the Ivanka Trump houndstooth flats! I have them in black and they’re so comfortable. And love the zippered heels.

    • Ellie

      Like other posters, I love these zipped heels as well. Totally out of my price range, but so amazing! Reminds me I buy far too many too-high-for-the-office heels for my many cocktail dresses because I’m constantly dreaming attending weddings and cocktail parties I will never go to. *sigh*

  2. Anon

    A poll:

    If you could only wear three colors for the rest of your life, what would they be? For the purposes of this question, black and white are both colors, and everyone can wear blue jeans (even if “blue” isn’t one of your three colors).

    If you could only have three pairs of shoes, what would they be?

    I’ll start:

    1) black, grey, and blue
    2) athletic shoes, sleek black flats for work, casual black flats for play

    • Anon in NYC

      1) Black, grey, purple. I was tempted to say white instead of purple, but I look better in purple.
      2) sneakers, black flats, black pumps

      • Amelia Bedelia

        Agreed on the colours.
        with shoes, I’d say animal print pumps, sassy ballet flats, and running shoes

    • Anonymous

      1. Grey, black, cream

      2. Running shoes, black stacked heel leather boots, comfortable flat leather sandals.

    • TCFKAG

      1) Navy, gray, and also purple.
      2) Knee high leather boots, casual navy flats, comfortable but work appropriate wedges.

    • Anon

      Hmmmmm…

      1) black, gray, red (gotta be able to support the alma mater)
      2) black pumps, black boots (flats), and some casual flats for summer

    • Equity's Darling

      I feel like I could never have just three pairs of shoes, because I’d have to use one pair on winter boots, leaving me running shoes and black flats? I’d miss sandals, but I guess I wouldn’t cry for heels.

      I’d pick gray, ivory and pink. I hope that this includes all shades of gray and pink, I think that leaves a lot of doors open for me.

    • NOLA

      1) black, charcoal gray, purple
      2) WHAT??? I don’t think I could do that. Okay, maybe black pumps (probably mary janes), athletic shoes (shouldn’t count), low heel black boots, and, because I can’t live without them, beaded sandals for summer.

    • KC

      Ha, I had a really hard time with the first question, because I love wearing lots of colors, but three of my favorites (yellow, turquoise, raspberry, green) would be tough to wear together every day.

      1) Black, blue, raspberry.
      2) Black flats, sneakers, brown leather sandals.

    • Miz Swizz

      1) Navy, gray, burnt orange
      2) Chacos, red patent peep toes, brown flat boots.

    • Duchess

      1) Navy, green, and coral

      2) Cognac knee high boots, black flats (although I suppose they should be navy if that’s all I’ll be wearing…), and some sort of sandal/flip flop. I want to say my sparkly gold Jack Rogers, but just comfy rubber flip flops sound a lot more appealing for the rest of my life…

        • preg anon

          Oh, and as to my shoes, I know if this were a real question I would pick three pairs of shoes that I love love love, but that are fabulous but totally aren’t practical, and then I would regret it for the rest of my life. :)

    • Miss Behaved

      1) Charcoal gray, navy, red. Can’t believe I didn’t say black
      2) My fave crocs sexi flip sandals, black suede clogs, black wedge heels

    • JK

      Black, Grey, Pink

      Brown flat tall boots, black patent j. crew martina wedges (best shoe ever!) and metallic jack rogers for summer.

      I would argue that running shoes should not count, but would be necessary too!

    • Anne Shirley

      1.) Navy, pink, and white

      2.) Sneakers, duck boots (the nicely lined, warm, and waterproof kind), and comfy black flats

    • zora

      Um, I am pre-winning at this game, because I already pretty much wear

      Black, grey, blue

      on a daily basis. And every time I shop, I buy the same colors. What is wrong with me!?!

      • Anon

        I estimate that 90% of my clothing is black, grey or blue. It works for me :) other people love many many different colors. To each her own.

      • TO Lawyer

        you’re winning because you now have a capsule wardrobe where everything automatically goes together ;)

        • zora

          Actually it’s the opposite, because I keep buying the same SHADES of blue and grey, so most of my clothes I can’t wear together, or i have this weird way-too-matchy thing going on. It makes it so much harder to get dressed, because one pair of jeans eliminates half of my tops. ;oP

    • Veronique

      This would be sooo hard for me because I love color and shoes!

      1. Pink (especially fuchsia), blue, and black
      2. Comfortable sandals that can be dressed up or down (such as my bronze Born sandals), black pumps and wedge ankle boots

    • HSAL

      I like it. I’m trying to think of “outfits” and what goes with what.

      Grey, purple, and white. Grey and purple were easy, but I chose white as something to “go” with either, even though I wear very little white now. Though I was tempted by JK’s suggestion of black, grey, and pink.

      Black dressy flats, casual grey flats, and purple heels.

    • L

      Black, blue and purple.

      peep toe black wedges, pointed toe black flats, gray/pewter sandal.

    • Bonnie

      I definitely could not narrow it down to 3 pairs of shoes. 30 would be tough.

    • Killer Kitten Heels

      1) Gray (since I could run the gamut from super-light to charcoal, I figure that’ll eliminate my need for white, khaki and black), blue (lots of different shades = appearance of wearing lots more colors than I actually wear), and mint (because I look awesome in mint)

      2) Waterproof hiking sneakers (attempting to combine my running sneakers and winter boots into one shoe, because I am NOT wasting two pairs of shoes on fitness and function when I only get three pairs), nude-for-me patent pumps (or I guess light gray ones if I have to stay within my colors), and dressy flat sandals (again in a neutral color).

    • Lyra Silvertongue

      1) Red, blue, black
      2) Knee-high gray boots, black pumps, neutral flat sandals

    • abogada

      1. grey, orange, green
      2. converse, black knee-high stacked-heel leather boots, nude/cognac sandals

    • Dr. Q

      Camel, Cream/white, and green (I think that means I need to buy more green — I just saw a new worker on my floor with the same complexion/hair color as me, and she has been wearing lots of green and white and looks stunning!)

      I couldn’t live without flip-flips. my other two would probably be cognac/brown knee high flat boots, and running shoes (cute flats in a complimentary color if work-out shoes don’t count).

  3. network burn-out

    I’ve been looking for a job for awhile now, and I’m trying to figure out how not to fatigue my network. I was unemployed for a few months following a lay-off. I found a new job, but it really wasn’t what I wanted (not even in my field). I’ve put in just over a year in that job, and am now looking again to see if I can switch to something better and, most importantly, to something that actually has a future for me. (I was hired into my current job at the highest non-management rank, so, given that I don’t want to go into management with this particular company, there’s no place for me to go here.) But since I already tapped my network just over a year ago, I feel like if I let people know I’m looking again, they’ll be annoyed I’m asking again, and/or they’ll think of me as a bit of a loser for being in the market again. Any suggestions for how to start a job search again so soon after the last one?

    • B

      I wouldn’t worry about other ppl so much. I think most folks understand that in this economy, taking something that isn’t the best fit can/does/often happens and that a year later you’ve given it a try and have determined that you need to find something different.

      Good luck!

    • a.k.

      If it’s been more than a year, I wouldn’t be annoyed if you contacted me, especially if 1/you were thankful for all the prior help; 2/could clearly articulate why you wanted to change jobs again so soon (you seem to have this covered); and 3/had a specific request of me rather than a broad “hey network help me find a job.” But I agree with B – the economy has been rough and your contacts probably won’t see anything wrong with trying to improve your career. Good luck!

    • Hel-lo

      Also, you should work on expanding your network. Join clubs/organizations! Volunteer! Go to meetups! Join a professional organization that is related to the field you want to be in, and join committees.

      Even running groups and book clubs expand networks.

  4. RED

    It’s strange, but I WANT this belt… even though I never know how to do belts. I usually wear high-waisted skirts (i.e., the J Crew telegraph), and doing the skinny belt thing looks redundant. Putting belts over a dress also doesn’t look right on me. Any tips?

    • Ellen

      I love this kind of skinny belt, but my dad come’s in to my apartement at least every other week even if I am NOT there to see what new stuff I have bought. I do NOT understand why he need’s to b/c he get’s all of my credit card bill’s to pay. What does he think, that I am buying stuff with CASH and it will not show up? I alwway’s use my credit card so that I can return it if it does NOT fit. I got a nice belt at H&M with my 20% coupon and I am wearing it now! Even Madeline said nice thing’s about it. YAY! Mabye she is not such a shtick in the mud after all, but she has been so MEAN to me that the jury is out on that.

      I will wear my new belt to court TOMORROW, so the JUDGE can see it with my new RED dress. He love’s me in RED I think, but when there was the last chambers meeting, he said why don’t I ever where my black dress into court any more? I said that it was a winter wool so it was to hot, and he said he is lookeing forward to winter! I am sure he likes that dress on me, so I told the manageing partner and the manageing partner wanted me to wear it right away. FOOEY I said b/c it is still to hot and the dress is still in cold storage. I will get it mabye in October, but NOT before b/c I will wear it ONLEY in court until mabye April. Mabye I will be able to apply to be a judge with that dress on. We will see. In the mean time, I have to prepare for tomorow, and also get the manageing partner’s CLE materials finalized THIS week. DOUBEL FOOEY!

  5. In-House Optimist

    I have this and love love love it. I wear it with a grey sheath dress on the regular and with various cardigans.

  6. Cat

    just wanted to say thanks for the Newport recs last week! TCFKAG, we did end up at the Moorings for lunch – omg still tasting the lobster on croissant, and we mentioned to the waiter that we were celebrating my birthday and we were given two glasses of a dessert champagne thing that sort of had port flavor to it — so good and nice of them. No actual shopping (I wasn’t in the mood and wanted to be outside, anyway) but we had fun — did the part of the Cliff Walk that was open, yummy food and a nice long meander around town.

    • TCFKAG

      The Mooring is actually where I had my rehearsal dinner so it holds a fond place in my heart of hearts. The food is fabulous and the staff is even better (especially when you’re about $800 under your minimum for the night and they start recommending the *really* good wine and booze.)

  7. AIMS

    Is anyone familiar with the brand Elorie? I keep seeing their stuff on Gilt and it’s all so pretty but I have no idea what to compare it to in terms of sizing and quality.

    • Anonymous

      I think that’s one of Gilt’s in-house brands. I won’t order products from those brands because of what you mentioned in terms of not being able to get sizing information, and it’s usually only returnable for credit (other Gilt stuff is too, but at least there you have an idea if you like the brand’s fit/fabric quality).

      • AIMS

        Well, that’s a bummer. Makes their “original price” and the “marked down price” feel like that much more of b.s.

        Thank you!

  8. Anon

    I want to learn Spanish. I live in NYC and have a demanding job with long hours, but I could probably sneak out for an evening class one day a week and could definitely take one on the weekend. Any suggestions for best places in NYC to learn a language? Should I try a class or start with language learning software like Rosetta Stone? I took a few years of French and Latin so I will hopefully have a leg up with the grammar, but I generally struggle with language learning (I have trouble pronouncing sounds correctly and I have a terrible memory) so I know it’s going to require a lot of time/effort. Thanks in advance for any advice.

    • AIMS

      My SO tried the Rosetta Stone and thought that it was sort of a crock. Helpful if you know absolutely nothing but not if you want to just pick up some conversational spanish. I’d say if you go that route, try to get RS used on ebay b/c it’s expensive and you may not end up liking it.

      There are lots of places to learn though. I’ve seen Queen Sofia Spanish Institute advertisements and they look interesting. Maybe check them out (http://qssi.org/landing/group-classes/?gclid=CLSd95-KsLkCFYKi4AodekIAzQ)

    • R

      I did Rosetta Stone for Italian. My company at the time paid for all three levels of it. It took me about 7-8 months to complete.

      I really enjoyed the program, and felt like I was at least basic by the end of the first level. I wouldn’t say I was totally conversational by the end of the entire program, but I could understand most things and navigate fairly well by myself. It was flexible and I could keep up with it even during travel.

      The biggest con to RS is that it’s self-directed. You have to have the discipline to sit in a quiet room (it uses microphones and headphones to help with pronunciation) and keep it up on a regular schedule, so you don’t forget what you last learned. Since mine was related to an upcoming assignment, I scheduled regular time in a conference room at work, and I think that was key to my relative success.

      As a side note, languages are transferable skills. If you’re in a corporate or consulting arena, you may want to research the options for your company to pay for courses or software as part of your development plan. I’ve approved these as “tuition reimbursement” for my employees as I think it gives them a better perspective on their work.

    • MJ

      The Don Quixote Institute is in Manhattan and offers cheap classes. Look them up…they are actually affiliated with the Spanish govt. My friend took classes there and he loved it. (I haven’t bc I was already fluent, so can’t comment on the quality, but my friend Ted is generally a tough audience, so….)

    • sm

      I’ve been trying to learn Spanish recently through a free app/website combo thingy called “Duolingo” that a friend introduced me to. I tried Rosetta Stone in the past and had trouble sticking with it, but the Android app has helped me because I and do 5 minutes here or there when I have some downtime. I’ve felt like I’m picking up a good bit of vocab. It doesn’t cover grammar very much, at least in the early lessons, but I’m finding it to be a helpful way to fit a low-stress method of learning into my schedule. I have used it both through the website and as a free Android app. I’m pretty sure that at a certain point I’ll need to supplement with some sort of classroom course and/or speaking practice, but for now it’s helping me feel like I’m doing something, at least!

  9. preg anon

    Gals, thanks so much for your help this morning with the nanny/day care question! You’ve given me lots to think about. I really appreciate it!

  10. Anon

    Hi all,

    I’d like to sign up for and take the February Washington bar exam (applications just opened). I’m already barred in California. Has anyone had any experience with the Washington bar generally that they’d be willing to share? Anyone taken it after taking California? From what I can tell, WA recently changed their exam. I’m trying to figure out whether I can waive part of the test or not. In any event, advice on the application, studying, and especially coming from another jurisdiction would be much appreciated!!

    Thanks in advance!

    • Anonymous

      Are you 100% sure you have to take the WA bar? While one can’t waive into anywhere from CA, there may be an indirect route. This info is a couple years old and things may have changed, but a friend of mine who is barred in CA was able to waive in to Washington D.C., and from there, waive into WA. I don’t know how long you had to be admitted in CA, I want to say 2 years.

      You will spend some money on fees and applications, but in my opinion, so so much better than sitting another bar exam.

      • Anon

        Realllly. I’ve never heard of this! Interesting. I guess the downside is you have to pay 3 bar memberships. But the upside of not sitting for a bar is awesome! I’ve been admitted for over 2 years in CA. I’ll look into this. Thank you!

        If anyone else has experience with WA, please let me know! TIA

        • Anonymous

          Also, you may only have to keep the other bar memberships active while your WA admission is pending, so it may only be one year of extra fees. Definately worth checking out.

        • ABC

          I heard that you actually have to WORK in DC for X number of years (2 for Washington, 5 for NY, etc.) in order to qualify for this exception. But I could be wrong….

    • cbackson

      I took the Washington bar five years ago. At the time, Washington didn’t accept the MPRE or the MBE – the entire exam was WA-only. My understanding is that the approach is very, very different now. The only thing I would tell you is that you will definitely want to make sure that you study the WA-specific law for the WA law portion, and don’t depend on what you know from other states. It’s substantially different in certain areas, and WA tests at least one subject (Indian law) that few other states do.

  11. Sammie

    Regular reader, occasional commenter here with a question for the Hive because I’m stumped: a pregnant friend of mine who was pregnant for the first time just lost her baby about a week before her due date. She was already full term. I don’t know the details of what happened and don’t want to pry until she’s ready to talk, but I am devastated for her and her husband and I want to send her something to show my support. I’m already sending a hand-written card but want to send a “gift” (sounds so wrong, which is why I put it in quotes) as well. Anyone who’s been through this or something similar have any suggestions for what to send? Thanks in advance.

    • OHCFO

      A dear friend of mine recently lost her 1 month old infant. It is devastating and there is no “right” response. Over the months since his death, I’ve checked in frequently and not shied around from saying his name. Mostly its just little messages like “love you today” or “thinking of today.” I know that sounds wierd, but my friend tells me that most often, folks are so afraid to upset her that they act like the baby didn’t exist. But talking about him and talking about the pregnancy help more than it hurts.

      Also, we just commissioned a portrait from an artist friend who has experienced infant loss and does tribute portraits. Her style isn’t for everyone, but it is very special to us. http://www.paintersam.com

      • OHCFO

        that should be “thinking of -baby’s name- today.” I formatted that poorly and the name disappeared.

      • Sammie

        Thank you for sharing your friend’s feelings, that helps a lot. You’re right, it’s so hard to find the “right” response.

    • CKB

      So, so sad! What about a memorial tree or something they could plant in the baby’s memory? Something so they don’t have to cook?

      And make sure to remember her on Mother’s Day – even just a ‘thinking of you’. None of my pg losses were as far along, but Mother’s Day was always really rough on me until I finally had a successful pg.

      • Gus

        I’ve heard that it’s best to avoid sending a plant or a tree. It sounds like a really nice idea, and I was going to do that once myself, and then someone warned me off, explaining that if they plant/tree later dies, it could be very upsetting to the couple. Given that I have a black thumb myself and manage to kill all but the hardiest of plants, I could totally see this happening.

    • Samantha

      You can call it/think of it as a “care package” rather than a “gift”.

  12. Different Kind of Breakup

    Hive, I’ve realized I need to break up with a new friend. She’s mentally exhausting, self-centered and full of drama. We’ve been friends for a few months and I’m not sure how to tell her I can’t be around her until she grows up. Any advice?

    • January

      Yikes! Do NOT tell her that. Be less available and don’t initiate plans with her, either. Yes, it’s a fade, but sometimes I think the fade is more polite than the alternative. (For reference, a friend of a couple years once faded on me… it hurt, at the time, but given that I think the reason that we “broke up” was that we simply didn’t get along all that well, I think it was the right thing to do).

    • zora

      My only advice is do not call her up and start yelling at her about what a horrible friend she is, and how she is a terrible, selfish person. Ask me how I know.

      • jcb

        Or send a long, dramatic email about how she is a terrible friend and you know she knows it.

    • Different Kind of Breakup

      We ended up traveling with a group of friends this past weekend and she’s always late, interrupting conversations, basically trying to make everything about her. She’s completely lacking in self-awareness and I’m mad at her for making it so hard to be around her. I think the fade is the kindest way to do it but I don’t think she’ll let it go that easily. I guess my question is if I can’t effectively fade her out, how much do I tell her as far as why I’m not interested in being her friend?

      • B

        Honesty may be nice here.

        If you 1. don’t care if she no longer wants to be friends (seems to be the case) and 2. have tough skin, it might actually be great for said person to hear these things from a person who means well/cares enough to point it out.

        On the other hand, you have only known her for a few months so she might just brush it off as your problem.

        My college bff did the fade to me (we were a group of 4, but at the time the 2 of us were closest) after taking a year off from school and not knowing why was the worst. While I have my suspicions of why (I was the only one to acknowledge her unhappiness/malaise), it still sucked as I began to question myself.

        • Avodah

          I think the fade can be really hurtful. If you feel comfortable, I suggest trying to be honest with her. She may even appreciate you telling her. Is it possible to keep her as a Tier 3 kinda friend? I realize that *sounds* awful, but I mean you could still invite her to the occasional group gathering, email once in a while or whatever, but just not get brunch every Saturday. A clean break after only a few months seems so harsh, but it sounds like she is a difficult person to be friends with. Good luck!

      • Hel-lo

        I think the fade is ok.

        If she asks, or if she tries to hang out with you so many times that you can’t avoid her, you can be honest as kindly as you can. Be specific about how her behavior affected you. “Sometimes it’s hard to spend time with you, Sherry. When we were on our trip, I remember when Jeanne was trying to tell a story about how depressed she got when her grandmother died, and you made us change the subject to when your brother went to jail. I was trying to be there for Jeanne.” Or whatever. Be as kind as you can, gauging whether constructive criticism might work for her.

        Also, traveling with a group often just frustrates everyone. You may forgive her or be able to tolerate her with time, or she may calm down.

    • Millie

      If you will continue to run into her then anything other than a fade is junior high-ish. Grown women don’t go around telling one another than they don’t want to be friends anymore. If you are in a romantic relationship, then a break -up is obvious: no more sex! What does it mean when you aren’t friends anymore?

  13. SoCalAtty - RE Indie Wedding Rings

    Just saw the indie wedding ring post from the holiday weekend. I wanted to send a “thanks” out to all who posted suggestions – DH and I are looking for something to do for when we travel so that we don’t have to worry about theft / loss as much as we would with our normal rings.

    The suggestions were very helpful, thanks!

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