Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I want to add to Jiabei's post about the New York Times article on courtroom attire. Both this article and a story that a friend of Jiabei's and mine told me recently have gotten me thinking about the importance of workplace dress codes (both official and unofficial) and how far we, as employees, should push the boundaries of these codes. Must we stay safely within the guidelines or can we wear things that might be just over the line or surely right up against it?
This friend of ours when she was a summer associate at a business casual law firm painted her toes with blue polish and wore open-toed shoes to work. A female partner pulled her aside and told her that her toe nail color was unprofessional and that she should remove the polish. This friend then asked her associate mentor for advice on whether she should do as the partner said. The associate said that, especially in this economy, the friend should remove the polish to ensure she received an offer at the end of the summer. My friend did as she was told by the partner and the associate, but the experience influenced her decision not to accept her offer at that firm.
Was my friend right to wear blue toe nail polish and open-toed shoes to work? The judges mentioned in the New York Times article probably wouldn't think so. But my friend didn't think she was doing anything wrong. She wasn't trying to test the system. She is just a colorful person and painted her toe nails to express her personal style. But is my friend's intent to express herself even relevant to whether she did the right thing wearing blue polish to work? Maybe part of going to work each day is leaving our "selves" at home. Maybe employers are entitled to have "self"-less employees, and dress codes are a way to ensure that the workplace is a "self"-less place.
Assuming work is a "self"-less place, are employers right to make us check our "selves" at the door? This is a loaded question that often comes up in sociological studies of the workplace (for e.g. it comes up in scholarship on sexism and gender differences at work). Putting aside the larger philosophical and moral issues this question evokes, I think that employers are sometimes right to enforce dress codes at the expense of self-expression. An employer is justified in enforcing a dress code against an employee if that employee's attire interferes with the goals of the employer. For example, my friend's employer would be justified in making her take off her blue toe nail polish if her nail color made her a less effective courtroom advocate or dealmaker, if it offended clients or business contacts, or if it interfered with any other employee's ability to do his/her work.
But maybe this is too simple. I am already doubting my formula. Even if my friend's toe nail polish didn't interfere with her, or any other employee's, ability to do their jobs is she really justified in flouting the dress code (which lets assume prohibits colored toe nail polish)? The recent law student in me thinks "Oh no! Beware of the slippery slope!" What if my friend's cavalier toe nail painting encouraged other employees to violate the dress code? Eventually, inevitably, some employee would go too far and that employee's personal style choice would interfere with the employer's goal. So maybe it's better to nip the problem in the butt before it escalates, unfortunate as that would be for my friend.
So I guess I haven't decided whether I think an employer is only justified in enforcing a dress code at the point that an employee's attire interferes with the goals of the employer or whether the employer should also have discretion to enforce against minor deviations from the letter of the law of the dress code. Luckily, while this question is intellectually interesting and important to address in the long-term, it is not one that we need to know the answer to in order to know what to wear to work each day. My answer to the question of what you should wear to work each day is to dress conservatively. You should play it safe with your employer's dress code to ensure that you find yourself far from the black-and-white area in which your boss is clearly justified in telling you to change because your attire is causing an interference.
This is not to say that you can't have fun with your workplace attire. I would just be selective in how you choose to add flair to your work uniform. Identify the elements of your employer's dress code that leave room for originality and stand out through those elements -- Colorful pumps or handbags? A scarf? A patterned blouse? A long necklace? One of the goals of this blog is to help you find ways to flex your personal style even within the confines of a business formal office. If you would like advice on how to use a particular accessory or item of clothing to incorporate some flair into your look, please let us know in the comments. We would love to help!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Courtroom Clothing
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Sarah's boyfriend shared a very interesting article with me this afternoon. It seems that the age old debate about whether conservative dress codes for women are sexist has hit the judges of the 7th Circuit.
What do you think? Should women be forced to cover up so that men don't feel uncomfortable? I personally think that dressing appropriately for work doesn't mean you need to stifle your personality (in fact, that's one of the main reasons for this blog), but come on, feminism is no excuse for showing cleavage or too much thigh in the courtroom. Women dressed inappropriately make me feel uncomfortable so why shouldn't they make a man feel uncomfortable as well? But perhaps I'm wrong, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this issue.
Sarah's boyfriend shared a very interesting article with me this afternoon. It seems that the age old debate about whether conservative dress codes for women are sexist has hit the judges of the 7th Circuit.
What do you think? Should women be forced to cover up so that men don't feel uncomfortable? I personally think that dressing appropriately for work doesn't mean you need to stifle your personality (in fact, that's one of the main reasons for this blog), but come on, feminism is no excuse for showing cleavage or too much thigh in the courtroom. Women dressed inappropriately make me feel uncomfortable so why shouldn't they make a man feel uncomfortable as well? But perhaps I'm wrong, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this issue.
Giving Back: Urban Debate
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I'm sorry to have slacked a little on the posting this week but I'm back with a very important post. It's a volunteer opportunity that will allow professionelles to use their skills to improve the lives of underprivileged high school students. Most of us have benefited enormously from good education allowing us to succeed both personally and professionally. It's time to give back and support those who may not have access to the same opportunities.
Urban debate leagues bring debate programs into inner city high schools. High school debate dramatically increases the likelihood for future academic success among its participants. The statistics are impressive. The LA Times reports, "Literacy scores among debaters have increased by an average of 25%. High school graduation rates among regular participants are nearly 100%, and more than 75% of urban debaters attend four-year colleges."
There are urban debate programs in 18 cities across America and they desperately need enthusiastic and capable volunteers to serve as coaches or judges. I would imagine that each and every one of these leagues would love to capitalize on the skills of the professionelles reading this blog. No debate experience is required. Debate is actually an activity that is very easy to pick up so long as you have analytical and communication skills and the passion to impart those skills onto others. Here are the details:
If you're an HLS student, as many of you are, the easiest way to volunteer is to join Harvard Law Students for Urban Debate. Please contact, Hrishi Hari at Hhari@jd11.law.harvard.edu for more information.
If you're are not an HLS student but live in the Boston area, please contact Steve Stein at Steve@bostondebate.org for volunteer opportunities with the Boston Debate League.
If you live in Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Southern California/Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, Austin, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Providence, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Washington D.C., please contact Eric Tucker at Erictucker@urbandebate.org for volunteer opportunities in your city.
I'm sorry to have slacked a little on the posting this week but I'm back with a very important post. It's a volunteer opportunity that will allow professionelles to use their skills to improve the lives of underprivileged high school students. Most of us have benefited enormously from good education allowing us to succeed both personally and professionally. It's time to give back and support those who may not have access to the same opportunities.
Urban debate leagues bring debate programs into inner city high schools. High school debate dramatically increases the likelihood for future academic success among its participants. The statistics are impressive. The LA Times reports, "Literacy scores among debaters have increased by an average of 25%. High school graduation rates among regular participants are nearly 100%, and more than 75% of urban debaters attend four-year colleges."
There are urban debate programs in 18 cities across America and they desperately need enthusiastic and capable volunteers to serve as coaches or judges. I would imagine that each and every one of these leagues would love to capitalize on the skills of the professionelles reading this blog. No debate experience is required. Debate is actually an activity that is very easy to pick up so long as you have analytical and communication skills and the passion to impart those skills onto others. Here are the details:
If you're an HLS student, as many of you are, the easiest way to volunteer is to join Harvard Law Students for Urban Debate. Please contact, Hrishi Hari at Hhari@jd11.law.harvard.edu for more information.
If you're are not an HLS student but live in the Boston area, please contact Steve Stein at Steve@bostondebate.org for volunteer opportunities with the Boston Debate League.
If you live in Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Southern California/Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, Austin, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Providence, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Washington D.C., please contact Eric Tucker at Erictucker@urbandebate.org for volunteer opportunities in your city.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Copyright for fashion?
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Representative Delahunt from Massachusetts recently reintroduced the Design Piracy Prohibition Act before the new Congress (a Senate bill will follow shortly). The Act would give copyright-lite protection for fashion designs for the first time in the United States (a similar type of protection has been effective in the European Union since 2002). What is copyright-lite? It's not a legal term. It's my attempt at describing the less-than-full set of rights that fashion designers would receive under the Act relative to book authors, music composers, and screen writers (to name a few traditionally protected groups). Instead of the usual copyright term of life of the author + 70 years, the Act would only protect designs for a term of 3 years. Additionally, instead of the traditional "substantially similar" test for copyright infringement, the Act would make it harder to prove infringement in the fashion design context -- a plaintiff would have to show that the allegedly infringing design is "closely and substantially similar in overall visual appearance to a protected design" and that this similarity doesn't "merely reflect a trend."
Is this Act a good thing? Scholars have written about the consequences the Act would have for intellectual property law and for the economics of fashion. But what about for us --would this Act, if it became law, be a good thing for us? Would it lead to there being "better" -- i.e. more "original "** -- fashion at cheaper price points? If Forever 21 could no longer rely on the designs running down the runway at the Prada and Dior shows to be templates for the clothing it puts out season-after-season, might Forever 21 re-work its business model and hire a set of in-house designers to create “original” designs for the company? Surely, this would cost Forever 21 more money. Would we be willing to pay a premium for “original” clothing? The fact that stores like Forever 21 do so well suggests that many of us do not have a problem wearing "copies" of high fashion designs and would probably not put a very high premium on originality. On the other hand, H & M and Zara, which strive to add originality to their designs and which do not engage in the identical copying that Forever 21 does, also have booming businesses.
Whether we'd be willing to pay a premium for original clothing comes down to two things: (1) Do we like original clothing better or do we like looking like the people that wear high fashion and like each other (because Forever 21 et al. mass-produce these copies, many of us are bound to be wearing the same copied design, while Prada et al. recognize that exclusivity is part of the what makes their clothes valuable and so make many fewer of each design)? And (2) Do we feel that we have a moral obligation to wear clothing that is not an exact knockoff of a fashion designer's hard work? The second question is more personal, and each of us may feel differently about it -- for some this may be akin to stealing, while others might consider fashion designs to belong to all of us as part of the public domain.
An answer to the first question, I think, is more capable of generalization. Most women get a sinking feeling when they see another woman at a party or at work wearing the same outfit that they are wearing. For most women, then, some degree of originality is important. But most women also like to go out each season and buy a few on-trend ensembles. To be on-trend, by definition, these women have to wear things that look similar to what other women are wearing. So this seems to be a question of degree. Most of us want to look somewhat original and somewhat similar. In the comments, I would love to hear how "original" you like your clothing to be and how important looking "original" is to you. Does it matter how "original" each individual piece of clothing is or do you feel sufficiently original combining knockoff pieces with other pieces and accessories to create your own unique ensemble?
** I put "original" in quotes because truly original (as we usually think of the word) is hard to come by in fashion -- pretty much everything that can be done has been done. Instead, what's original is the unique combination and arrangement of already-done elements (e.g. florals, ribbons, fringe, etc.).
Representative Delahunt from Massachusetts recently reintroduced the Design Piracy Prohibition Act before the new Congress (a Senate bill will follow shortly). The Act would give copyright-lite protection for fashion designs for the first time in the United States (a similar type of protection has been effective in the European Union since 2002). What is copyright-lite? It's not a legal term. It's my attempt at describing the less-than-full set of rights that fashion designers would receive under the Act relative to book authors, music composers, and screen writers (to name a few traditionally protected groups). Instead of the usual copyright term of life of the author + 70 years, the Act would only protect designs for a term of 3 years. Additionally, instead of the traditional "substantially similar" test for copyright infringement, the Act would make it harder to prove infringement in the fashion design context -- a plaintiff would have to show that the allegedly infringing design is "closely and substantially similar in overall visual appearance to a protected design" and that this similarity doesn't "merely reflect a trend."
Is this Act a good thing? Scholars have written about the consequences the Act would have for intellectual property law and for the economics of fashion. But what about for us --would this Act, if it became law, be a good thing for us? Would it lead to there being "better" -- i.e. more "original "** -- fashion at cheaper price points? If Forever 21 could no longer rely on the designs running down the runway at the Prada and Dior shows to be templates for the clothing it puts out season-after-season, might Forever 21 re-work its business model and hire a set of in-house designers to create “original” designs for the company? Surely, this would cost Forever 21 more money. Would we be willing to pay a premium for “original” clothing? The fact that stores like Forever 21 do so well suggests that many of us do not have a problem wearing "copies" of high fashion designs and would probably not put a very high premium on originality. On the other hand, H & M and Zara, which strive to add originality to their designs and which do not engage in the identical copying that Forever 21 does, also have booming businesses.
Whether we'd be willing to pay a premium for original clothing comes down to two things: (1) Do we like original clothing better or do we like looking like the people that wear high fashion and like each other (because Forever 21 et al. mass-produce these copies, many of us are bound to be wearing the same copied design, while Prada et al. recognize that exclusivity is part of the what makes their clothes valuable and so make many fewer of each design)? And (2) Do we feel that we have a moral obligation to wear clothing that is not an exact knockoff of a fashion designer's hard work? The second question is more personal, and each of us may feel differently about it -- for some this may be akin to stealing, while others might consider fashion designs to belong to all of us as part of the public domain.
An answer to the first question, I think, is more capable of generalization. Most women get a sinking feeling when they see another woman at a party or at work wearing the same outfit that they are wearing. For most women, then, some degree of originality is important. But most women also like to go out each season and buy a few on-trend ensembles. To be on-trend, by definition, these women have to wear things that look similar to what other women are wearing. So this seems to be a question of degree. Most of us want to look somewhat original and somewhat similar. In the comments, I would love to hear how "original" you like your clothing to be and how important looking "original" is to you. Does it matter how "original" each individual piece of clothing is or do you feel sufficiently original combining knockoff pieces with other pieces and accessories to create your own unique ensemble?
** I put "original" in quotes because truly original (as we usually think of the word) is hard to come by in fashion -- pretty much everything that can be done has been done. Instead, what's original is the unique combination and arrangement of already-done elements (e.g. florals, ribbons, fringe, etc.).
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Cosmetics Review
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
For the first time ever, I am completely content with the contents of my make up bag. After trying dozens of eyeliners, mascaras, and blushes, I have found the perfect combination. Below are the winners.
Mascara: Mascaras are my obsession. I have the tiniest, shortest lashes, so I'm constantly looking for a miracle mascara. In this category, I have three favorites. The first is Chanel's Exceptionnel ($30). It has a unique six sided brush. Three of the sides are combs and the other three are brushes. The formula creates incredibly thick and feathery lashes. You're supposed to roll the brush up and out when applying, but I find that putting it on the old fashion way works just as well. The second is Rimmel's Glam Eyes ($7.49). This is a great, cheap, alternative to Exceptionnel. If you have slightly longer or thicker lashes, this may be even better for you. The brush is also unique in that it's a four sided comb that seperates as it thickens. The third is Maybelline's Lash Discovery (6.59). This lengthening mascara proves that bigger is not always better. The mini brush grabs each lash individually and lengthens from root to tip. I like to apply Lash Discovery first, and then layer Exceptionnel or Glam Eyes on top.
Pencil Eyeliner: I've been using the same eyeliner since I first started using make up. Estee Lauder's Automatic Eye Pencil Duo ($23) is by far my favorite. The liner is soft so that it always goes on smoothly. The pencil comes with a smudger on the other end, but you can buy a refil in a different color and put it on the other end instead. I currently have Black on one end and Charcoal on the other.
Liquid Eyeliner: I only recently started using liquid eyeliner. Admittedly, it takes some practice. But once you get the hang of it, it's easy to apply, and I like how it adds more definition to the eyes compared to a pencil liner. The key to liquid liner application is having the proper liner. I have found that it's more important to find a good liquid liner than it is to find a good pencil liner. My preferred liquid liner is Shu Uemera's Liquid Eyeliner ($18 for the empty pen plus $15 for the ink cartridge). $32 is a lot to spend on an eyeliner but there are several reasons to invest in this eyeliner. First, the cartridge lasts for several months. Second, take it from someone who has wasted $5 here and there trying on inferior eyeliners, dabbling in bad products definitely adds up.
Eye Shadow: I have brown eyes. Brown eyed girls, so I've been told, should wear purple shadow. I'm not sure how true this conventional wisdom is, but I just love Clinique's Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Blackberry Frost ($17.50). It's the perfect combination of shimmery purple and deep gray to create light and dark constrasts.
Blush: I love that flushed, glowing look. Like you've just gone on a run, except, as anyone who knows me can tell you, without the running part because I loath exercise. I use a two step approach to creating this look. First, I apply Benefit's Benetint ($28). Next, I sweep on a very light layer of Nars Orgasm Blush ($25) across my entire face. The Benetint provides that subtle color while the Nars provides the slight shimmer. Do not, however, mistake Super Orgasm for Orgasm. I find that Super Orgasm is too sparkly for every day use which makes it definitely too sparkly for work.
Benetint
Nars Orgasm Blush
This is obviously not a complete beauty product review. I'm still searching for the perfect lip gloss or tinted balm combination as well as a lightweight tinted mosturizer with sunblock. If you've got any suggestions, please leave them in the comments section or on the Facebook page.
For the first time ever, I am completely content with the contents of my make up bag. After trying dozens of eyeliners, mascaras, and blushes, I have found the perfect combination. Below are the winners.
Mascara: Mascaras are my obsession. I have the tiniest, shortest lashes, so I'm constantly looking for a miracle mascara. In this category, I have three favorites. The first is Chanel's Exceptionnel ($30). It has a unique six sided brush. Three of the sides are combs and the other three are brushes. The formula creates incredibly thick and feathery lashes. You're supposed to roll the brush up and out when applying, but I find that putting it on the old fashion way works just as well. The second is Rimmel's Glam Eyes ($7.49). This is a great, cheap, alternative to Exceptionnel. If you have slightly longer or thicker lashes, this may be even better for you. The brush is also unique in that it's a four sided comb that seperates as it thickens. The third is Maybelline's Lash Discovery (6.59). This lengthening mascara proves that bigger is not always better. The mini brush grabs each lash individually and lengthens from root to tip. I like to apply Lash Discovery first, and then layer Exceptionnel or Glam Eyes on top.
Chanel's Exceptionnel
Rimmel's Glam Eyes
Maybelline's Lash Discovery
Rimmel's Glam Eyes
Maybelline's Lash Discovery
Pencil Eyeliner: I've been using the same eyeliner since I first started using make up. Estee Lauder's Automatic Eye Pencil Duo ($23) is by far my favorite. The liner is soft so that it always goes on smoothly. The pencil comes with a smudger on the other end, but you can buy a refil in a different color and put it on the other end instead. I currently have Black on one end and Charcoal on the other.
Liquid Eyeliner: I only recently started using liquid eyeliner. Admittedly, it takes some practice. But once you get the hang of it, it's easy to apply, and I like how it adds more definition to the eyes compared to a pencil liner. The key to liquid liner application is having the proper liner. I have found that it's more important to find a good liquid liner than it is to find a good pencil liner. My preferred liquid liner is Shu Uemera's Liquid Eyeliner ($18 for the empty pen plus $15 for the ink cartridge). $32 is a lot to spend on an eyeliner but there are several reasons to invest in this eyeliner. First, the cartridge lasts for several months. Second, take it from someone who has wasted $5 here and there trying on inferior eyeliners, dabbling in bad products definitely adds up.
Eye Shadow: I have brown eyes. Brown eyed girls, so I've been told, should wear purple shadow. I'm not sure how true this conventional wisdom is, but I just love Clinique's Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Blackberry Frost ($17.50). It's the perfect combination of shimmery purple and deep gray to create light and dark constrasts.
Blush: I love that flushed, glowing look. Like you've just gone on a run, except, as anyone who knows me can tell you, without the running part because I loath exercise. I use a two step approach to creating this look. First, I apply Benefit's Benetint ($28). Next, I sweep on a very light layer of Nars Orgasm Blush ($25) across my entire face. The Benetint provides that subtle color while the Nars provides the slight shimmer. Do not, however, mistake Super Orgasm for Orgasm. I find that Super Orgasm is too sparkly for every day use which makes it definitely too sparkly for work.
Benetint
Nars Orgasm Blush
This is obviously not a complete beauty product review. I'm still searching for the perfect lip gloss or tinted balm combination as well as a lightweight tinted mosturizer with sunblock. If you've got any suggestions, please leave them in the comments section or on the Facebook page.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Shoe Report
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Another reader asked for a post about work shoes because she has little choice in what kinds of clothes she can wear to work. Even employers with strict dress codes allow more flexibility in the shoe department. Here are a few of my favorites, from the classic pump to something a bit more daring.
Another reader asked for a post about work shoes because she has little choice in what kinds of clothes she can wear to work. Even employers with strict dress codes allow more flexibility in the shoe department. Here are a few of my favorites, from the classic pump to something a bit more daring.
Nine West Barbe Pump (69.00)
As many of you know, I wear heels nearly every day. I've searched far and wide for the most comfortable pair of heels and Nine West shoes are consistent winners. Plus, you can't beat the price on these classic pumps.
Mariana by GOLC Pam (119.95)
These adorable flats are playful yet professional enough to wear if your office is on the casual side.
Christian Louboutin Triclo Crisscross d'Orsay (795.00)
Now these are the kind of Louboutins I would invest in if I had an extra $800 dollars laying around (alas...). They're classic enough to make them worth the splurge, but they're unique enough that it would be hard to find something similar for less. Plus, they're incredibly sexy, and after all, isn't that the point of wearing Louboutins?
As many of you know, I wear heels nearly every day. I've searched far and wide for the most comfortable pair of heels and Nine West shoes are consistent winners. Plus, you can't beat the price on these classic pumps.
Mariana by GOLC Pam (119.95)
These adorable flats are playful yet professional enough to wear if your office is on the casual side.
Christian Louboutin Triclo Crisscross d'Orsay (795.00)
Now these are the kind of Louboutins I would invest in if I had an extra $800 dollars laying around (alas...). They're classic enough to make them worth the splurge, but they're unique enough that it would be hard to find something similar for less. Plus, they're incredibly sexy, and after all, isn't that the point of wearing Louboutins?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Public Transportation Worthy Books
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I started a discussion on Professionelle's Facebook page with a call for post suggestions and a reader wrote in that she would like suggestions for books to read while riding public transportation to work. She, like most of us, likes the occasional chick-lit but wanted something that went better with a suit than a swimsuit. I have to admit, since starting law school three years ago, I haven't had much time to read anything other than casebooks. One of my favorite Saturday afternoon past times, however, is to go to the local bookstore. I head straight for the "award winning fiction" section and peruse the tables for the prettiest cover. I figure it's more acceptable to judge a book by its cover if it's already "award winning." Here are a few of my favorite books that I've picked up using this method. They're all deliberately targeted towards a female audience without being too lifestyle focused. After all, you shouldn't read novels for fashion trends, read Professionelle instead!
I started a discussion on Professionelle's Facebook page with a call for post suggestions and a reader wrote in that she would like suggestions for books to read while riding public transportation to work. She, like most of us, likes the occasional chick-lit but wanted something that went better with a suit than a swimsuit. I have to admit, since starting law school three years ago, I haven't had much time to read anything other than casebooks. One of my favorite Saturday afternoon past times, however, is to go to the local bookstore. I head straight for the "award winning fiction" section and peruse the tables for the prettiest cover. I figure it's more acceptable to judge a book by its cover if it's already "award winning." Here are a few of my favorite books that I've picked up using this method. They're all deliberately targeted towards a female audience without being too lifestyle focused. After all, you shouldn't read novels for fashion trends, read Professionelle instead!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not a whole lot happens in terms of plot, yet the book is incredibly touching and romantic.
Prep by Curtis by Sittenfeld
Although the cover makes Prep seem like just another chick-lit, it's actually not chick-lit at all. It's the modern day A Separate Peace.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I haven't read Olive Kitteridge, this year's Pulitzer Prize winner, but the synopsis looks interesting and it will probably be the next novel I read...after the bar exam.
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not a whole lot happens in terms of plot, yet the book is incredibly touching and romantic.
Prep by Curtis by Sittenfeld
Although the cover makes Prep seem like just another chick-lit, it's actually not chick-lit at all. It's the modern day A Separate Peace.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I haven't read Olive Kitteridge, this year's Pulitzer Prize winner, but the synopsis looks interesting and it will probably be the next novel I read...after the bar exam.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Deal Brief:The Outnet.com
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I was shocked to learn yesterday that Phyllis hadn't heard about TheOutnet.com so I figured that if she didn't know about it yet, most of you didn't either. TheOutnet.com is Net-a-Porter's try at competing with Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, and Hautelook. It's a hybrid of sample sale sites and more traditional sale websites like Bluefly.com. The merchandise is very upscale so it's not a place I check every day, only when I'm looking to splurge.
Here are a few of my favorite finds:
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Amazing Folding Technique
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
My boyfriend sent me this video a while back. It was on my old blog (it's finals time so I've resorted to recycling posts), but it's pretty amazing and promises to make doing laundry more efficient so you can spend your precious free time doing something more fun.
My boyfriend sent me this video a while back. It was on my old blog (it's finals time so I've resorted to recycling posts), but it's pretty amazing and promises to make doing laundry more efficient so you can spend your precious free time doing something more fun.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Online Shopping Review
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
These days there are so many ways to spend money online. Gone are the days when online shopping was restricted to Amazon.com or Ebay.com. Now, websites offer sample sales, sale alerts, and powerful comparison tools. Online shopping can be particularly useful (and oh so exciting!) for Professionelles too busy to hit up bricks and mortar shops or needing a break at work. Here are a few of my favorites as well as tips to make the most of your online shopping experience.
These days there are so many ways to spend money online. Gone are the days when online shopping was restricted to Amazon.com or Ebay.com. Now, websites offer sample sales, sale alerts, and powerful comparison tools. Online shopping can be particularly useful (and oh so exciting!) for Professionelles too busy to hit up bricks and mortar shops or needing a break at work. Here are a few of my favorites as well as tips to make the most of your online shopping experience.
General Tips:
- Don't pay for shipping: Most websites these days offer free shipping. Usually free shipping on returns as well. For example, Endless.com, one of my favorite online shoe retailers offers free overnight shipping on most shoes. Amazing! If the website isn't offering free shipping directly, Google the web site's name with the words "free shipping" and you can usually find a free shipping code. People who hate online shopping often complain about the extra cost of shipping, especially if the item doesn't fit and needs to be returned. With free shipping, online shopping costs the same as in store shopping.
- Search for coupon codes: Stores often mail out promotional codes to preferred customers and sometimes those customers post their codes online for the rest of the world to use. It's definitely worth the extra effort to look for promotional codes.
- Price compare: once you find an item you like, make sure you look to see if other stores are carrying it at a cheaper price. This is as simple as typing the item into Google (notice a theme in this post?) and seeing what else pops up. If you do find the same item, in the same size, for less, you can check to see if your original retailer offers a price match or beat promotion. Also, make sure to check back within a week of your purchase to see if the price has dropped. Many websites will give you a price adjustment. For example, Zappos.com will credit you the difference within 10 days.
My Favorite Sites
- Sample sale sites: These websites take overstock items from designers, usually sold at sample sales, typically in New York, and puts them online. Most of these websites are "invitation only," but an invite usually just means a referral from a friend. There are two that I visit regularly: Gilt Groupe and RueLaLa. Both work in the same way. Each day, several new designer "boutiques" are opened. The sales last for a few days and the items are heavily discounted. Popular items go very quickly. From personal experience, when a Gilt sale is posted at noon each day, many items are sold out in 15 minuets. I personally prefer Gilt Groupe to RueLaLa, primarily because Gilt has better designers. RueLaLa will occasionally carry a designer I love, but Gilt is more reliable. Gilt, however, usually carries items at a higher price point than RueLaLa. A $500 bag is still unaffordable even if it is 75% off. A general tip for Gilt is to preview the week's coming designers and make sure to sign in at exactly noon on the day of the sale. Put all items you find initially desirable in your shopping cart. This will give you 10 minuets to decide if you want the item. When time runs out the item will be released to other shoppers. If you aren't already on Gilt, click here to sign up.
- Sale alert sites: My two favorite sale alert sites are Shop It To Me and Shopstyle. Sale alert sites send you emails informing you when items you're interested in go on sale. These sites allow you to customize the kinds of sales you're interested in by brand, category of clothing, or specific items (Shopstyle only, once you find a specific item you'd like receive an alert on, roll over the item, then click the sale alert button). You can also narrow your results by size and price as well as dictate how often you receive these sale alerts. Once you find an item you like, you will be taken directly to the online retailer offering it and you can make your purchase there. Shop It To Me also allows you to poll your friends on whether they like a particular item you're considering buying. When you receive your SaleMail alert click on the envelope icon under the specific item.
- Comparison sites: Comparison sites allow you to compare prices and styles. My two favorite are Like.com and Shopstyle. Like.com works by running visual, color, and detail searches of a base item or type of item you designate. For example, if you are looking for wedge sandals, search for wedge sandals. Once you find one you like, you can run a visual search which will pull up other wedge sandals that are similar. Through this search, you may be able to find something similar or even better for less. Alternatively, you can enter a specific item you know you like, but perhaps can't afford, or is not exactly perfect. Using the same search mechanism, you may be able to find a cheaper option or a more perfect item. Shopstyle is sort of a hybrid between aggregation websites (like yahoo or MSN) and social networking websites (like Facebook or Myspace). Shopstyle allows you to search a broad cross section of stores for theperfect item. It also allows users to create a profile , make a look book, or maintain a wish list. Other users can browse or follow particular people in order to find inspiration.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Brilliant Idea: Travel Trench
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Last week I posted my favorite rainy weather gear, but I wish I would have known about this before posting:
Elie Tahari Double Breasted Travel Trench (263.90)
A clever travel trench that folds into a small pouch.
Last week I posted my favorite rainy weather gear, but I wish I would have known about this before posting:
Elie Tahari Double Breasted Travel Trench (263.90)
A clever travel trench that folds into a small pouch.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
See this Weekend: Valentino: The Last Emperor
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Last week a few very fashionable girlfriends and I went to see Valentino: The Last Emperor. The documentary follows the last two years of legendary fashion designer Valentino and his business partner Giancarlo Giametti's careers. The movie gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful world of Haute Couture and the real business pressures facing the fashion industry. I particularly enjoyed watching the interaction between Valentino and Giancarlo, his life long partner in business as well as life and love. The constant presence of Valentino's five pugs also provided many laughs. This movie, however, is not for the casual observer of fashion. Those of you who prefer InStyle to Vogue or WWD may find that it takes fashion a bit too seriously. For the die-hard fashionistas out there, Valentino: The Last Emperor is an entertaining and insightful documentary. It was also a great change of pace to watch a documentary in a movie theater. Visit the movie website for more information.
Last week a few very fashionable girlfriends and I went to see Valentino: The Last Emperor. The documentary follows the last two years of legendary fashion designer Valentino and his business partner Giancarlo Giametti's careers. The movie gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful world of Haute Couture and the real business pressures facing the fashion industry. I particularly enjoyed watching the interaction between Valentino and Giancarlo, his life long partner in business as well as life and love. The constant presence of Valentino's five pugs also provided many laughs. This movie, however, is not for the casual observer of fashion. Those of you who prefer InStyle to Vogue or WWD may find that it takes fashion a bit too seriously. For the die-hard fashionistas out there, Valentino: The Last Emperor is an entertaining and insightful documentary. It was also a great change of pace to watch a documentary in a movie theater. Visit the movie website for more information.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Adding Variety to the Perfect Suit
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
Regardless of where your firm fell in last week's guide, you will need at least one suit to get you through the first week of work as well as to hang on the back of your office door. A suit may also be just what the doctor ordered for those nasty bouts of what-should-I-wear-to-work-today-itis. After finding the perfect suit is the question of what to wear underneath. Here are a few of my favorite pieces to add variety and style to any suit:
Regardless of where your firm fell in last week's guide, you will need at least one suit to get you through the first week of work as well as to hang on the back of your office door. A suit may also be just what the doctor ordered for those nasty bouts of what-should-I-wear-to-work-today-itis. After finding the perfect suit is the question of what to wear underneath. Here are a few of my favorite pieces to add variety and style to any suit:
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Fabric Covered Thumbtacks
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Spring is the perfect time to add some color to your office walls. These adorable thumbtacks will make you smile the next time you need to consult your "Common Billing Numbers" sheet tacked next to your monitor. Easy to make, see instructions at How About Orange.
Spring is the perfect time to add some color to your office walls. These adorable thumbtacks will make you smile the next time you need to consult your "Common Billing Numbers" sheet tacked next to your monitor. Easy to make, see instructions at How About Orange.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Summer Associate Wardrobe Guide
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Just a few more weeks and thousands of rising 3Ls will head to New York embarking on the best [working] summer of their lives. Being a summer associate in New York is a surreal experience. What other profession treats its interns to little work, high pay, and amazing perks for an entire summer? Summer associate positions, however, should not be taken for granted. Especially in this economy. Summers should do everything in their power to avoid giving firms any reason not to hire them. They should also attempt to stand out in a good way. This applies not only to work product, but also to a summer's professional style. Chances are, the associates in your firm will not only be appropriately dress, but also stylishly dressed, and you should follow suit. Pun intended. Because each firm is different, consult the unofficial guide below to determine what pieces to invest in for the summer.
Suits required: Cravath (closed toe shoes required as well) and Wachtell
Max Mara Belted Suit (1335.00)
Vivienne Westwood Asymmetric Suit (782.00)
Banana Republic Classic Skirt Suit (247.99)
Suits optional, business casual: Cleary Gottleib, Davis Polk, Jenner Block, Sidley Austin, Simpson Thacher, Paul Weiss
Just a few more weeks and thousands of rising 3Ls will head to New York embarking on the best [working] summer of their lives. Being a summer associate in New York is a surreal experience. What other profession treats its interns to little work, high pay, and amazing perks for an entire summer? Summer associate positions, however, should not be taken for granted. Especially in this economy. Summers should do everything in their power to avoid giving firms any reason not to hire them. They should also attempt to stand out in a good way. This applies not only to work product, but also to a summer's professional style. Chances are, the associates in your firm will not only be appropriately dress, but also stylishly dressed, and you should follow suit. Pun intended. Because each firm is different, consult the unofficial guide below to determine what pieces to invest in for the summer.
Suits required: Cravath (closed toe shoes required as well) and Wachtell
Max Mara Belted Suit (1335.00)
Vivienne Westwood Asymmetric Suit (782.00)
Banana Republic Classic Skirt Suit (247.99)
Suits optional, business casual: Cleary Gottleib, Davis Polk, Jenner Block, Sidley Austin, Simpson Thacher, Paul Weiss
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April Showers
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I have the Bus Stop theme on my Gmail where the background image changes with the weather. It is currently displaying a tower of umbrellas and has been more often than I would like it to lately. I thought this would be the perfect time to showcase my favorite rainy weather accessories meeting two important criteria: professionally stylish and easily portable.
I have the Bus Stop theme on my Gmail where the background image changes with the weather. It is currently displaying a tower of umbrellas and has been more often than I would like it to lately. I thought this would be the perfect time to showcase my favorite rainy weather accessories meeting two important criteria: professionally stylish and easily portable.
Totes Flat Auto Open Close Folding Rain Umbrella (28.00)
Totes umbrellas are my all time favorite and I love the auto open/close function (an unfortunate childhood umbrella injury steered me away from regular umbrellas years ago). They are exceptionally well made and well worth the $28.00. This particular umbrella is also small enough to fit into most work bags or even a trench coat pocket. I have this umbrella in magenta. Brightly colored umbrellas are perfectly acceptable so long as they aren't also patterned.
Totes umbrellas are my all time favorite and I love the auto open/close function (an unfortunate childhood umbrella injury steered me away from regular umbrellas years ago). They are exceptionally well made and well worth the $28.00. This particular umbrella is also small enough to fit into most work bags or even a trench coat pocket. I have this umbrella in magenta. Brightly colored umbrellas are perfectly acceptable so long as they aren't also patterned.
Old Navy Belted Trench Coat (49.50)
A classic trench coat is a must have for any professionelle. A good trench, however, is remarkably hard to find. If you're on the taller side investing in a Burberry trench like this one is well worth the money, but for petite women I would recommend a trench from the Gap family of stores (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy). Even their normal sizes work well on petite women. I'm 5'0" and my Banana Republic trench fits me better than any Burberry trench I've ever tried on.
Metropolis T-Ion Mini Dryer (59.95)
For the times you forget your umbrella and those umbrella vendors at the top of subway openings are mysteriously absent. Or when a gust of wind splashes rain into your face, eyes, and inevitably on your hair. This small hair dryer is powerful and so compact that it fits in the palm of your hand. Unless you have giant hands, or a very small purse, that should also mean that it's small enough toss in your work bag.
A classic trench coat is a must have for any professionelle. A good trench, however, is remarkably hard to find. If you're on the taller side investing in a Burberry trench like this one is well worth the money, but for petite women I would recommend a trench from the Gap family of stores (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy). Even their normal sizes work well on petite women. I'm 5'0" and my Banana Republic trench fits me better than any Burberry trench I've ever tried on.
Metropolis T-Ion Mini Dryer (59.95)
For the times you forget your umbrella and those umbrella vendors at the top of subway openings are mysteriously absent. Or when a gust of wind splashes rain into your face, eyes, and inevitably on your hair. This small hair dryer is powerful and so compact that it fits in the palm of your hand. Unless you have giant hands, or a very small purse, that should also mean that it's small enough toss in your work bag.
Technology Tip: Section Sign Shortcut
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I often wonder who invented the keyboard and why on earth they chose to put certain keys on it and omit others. For example, why is this ({) symbol deserving of a spot on my keyboard but not this (§) symbol which I, and I would imagine, most professionelles, use with much greater frequency. But fear not, Microsoft Word allows you to assign a shortcut key for the section symbol (§) and any other symbol. Here's how: In Word, go to Insert > Symbol. Then click on the symbol you would like to assign a shortcut key. Click the "Shortcut Key" button and in the box that says "Press new shortcut key," type what you would like for your shortcut key. For example, on my computer I typed in Ctrl + Alt + S for the section symbol (§). Now every time I want to use the section symbol (§), I simply type Ctrl + Alt + S and voila! I would not recommend assigning Ctrl + S as your shortcut for the section symbol (§) because it is already the shortcut key for saving. *Unlike most fashion and lifestyle blogs, Professionelle seeks to provide more than just Spring shoe trends (although I'm currently lusting after these, if only I were tall enough to wear flats). In that vein, occasional technology tips will be posted to help make your work and personal life more efficient and effective. Please email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com if you have any computer, internet, or blackberry tips.
I often wonder who invented the keyboard and why on earth they chose to put certain keys on it and omit others. For example, why is this ({) symbol deserving of a spot on my keyboard but not this (§) symbol which I, and I would imagine, most professionelles, use with much greater frequency. But fear not, Microsoft Word allows you to assign a shortcut key for the section symbol (§) and any other symbol. Here's how: In Word, go to Insert > Symbol. Then click on the symbol you would like to assign a shortcut key. Click the "Shortcut Key" button and in the box that says "Press new shortcut key," type what you would like for your shortcut key. For example, on my computer I typed in Ctrl + Alt + S for the section symbol (§). Now every time I want to use the section symbol (§), I simply type Ctrl + Alt + S and voila! I would not recommend assigning Ctrl + S as your shortcut for the section symbol (§) because it is already the shortcut key for saving. *Unlike most fashion and lifestyle blogs, Professionelle seeks to provide more than just Spring shoe trends (although I'm currently lusting after these, if only I were tall enough to wear flats). In that vein, occasional technology tips will be posted to help make your work and personal life more efficient and effective. Please email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com if you have any computer, internet, or blackberry tips.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Back to Basics for Summer
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
It's brutal out there. Law firms are laying off associates, delaying start dates, and cutting summer programs. Banks are still not hiring. Bernake predicts the economy could start to recover in one year, but one year is a long way off. Some of you will make a budget and stick to it, but the rest of us will undoubtedly spend some of our precious salary advance (if you're lucky enough to still have one) or deferment bonus (does calling it a bonus make it better?) on clothes. The key, however, is to shop smartly. That means it's time to hunker down, get back to basics, and choose pieces that do double duty. Here are a couple of my favorites looks that can be worn at work as well as at play.
It's brutal out there. Law firms are laying off associates, delaying start dates, and cutting summer programs. Banks are still not hiring. Bernake predicts the economy could start to recover in one year, but one year is a long way off. Some of you will make a budget and stick to it, but the rest of us will undoubtedly spend some of our precious salary advance (if you're lucky enough to still have one) or deferment bonus (does calling it a bonus make it better?) on clothes. The key, however, is to shop smartly. That means it's time to hunker down, get back to basics, and choose pieces that do double duty. Here are a couple of my favorites looks that can be worn at work as well as at play.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Welcome to Professionelle!
Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!
I turned 24 last September. For most women 24 is nothing special, but for me it was the year that I would become an adult. At least in my own mind. Since the age of 12, I knew that I wanted to go to law school and become a lawyer. At that tender age, I eagerly counted the years to go before I would graduate and go on to defend justice and liberty as a lawyer. It seemed so far away at the time. Now that time is finally here. I am 2 months away from graduation, 4 months away from taking the bar, and 6 months away from finally becoming a real lawyer.
Next Fall, I will be starting as an associate at a large New York law firm. So maybe it's not exactly what I set out to do 12 years ago, but, hey, I also thought at the time that I could be a triple threat akin to Jennifer Lopez (except replace dancing with lawyering). I'm actually very excited about starting my job. I'm going to a very respectable firm whose people I admire and actually enjoy spending time with. I am well aware that this is not an easy thing to find, and for that I am very grateful.
Leaving behind my life as a student is something that I'm less enthusiastic about. Students get up at noon, spend a few hours in class, control their hours, and answer only to themselves...and their cell phones. It seems that the only thing professionals and students have in common is the ability to walk and send emails at the same time. What's more, as a woman entering a very male dominated world, the challenges of next year sometimes seem insurmountable.
But anyone who knows me well knows that feeling powerless stresses me out more than any actual challenges I may soon have to face. So, in an effort to better prepare myself for my entree into the cut throat New York legal world and help others along the way, I've decided to start this blog. Professionelle is a blog devoted to helping young, professional women succeed with style and grace. It is also a blog devoted to helping women hold on to what made them happy before they started their climbs on the corporate ladder, be it an awesome deal on a pair of shoes, a good chic flick, dinner and drinks with girlfriends, or the simple pleasures of celebrity gossip.
Helping me along the way will be my good friend Yun Ah. She is an [investment] banker at a large New York Bank. Investment in brackets because those don't technically exist anymore. Pretty soon I may be referring to her as a government employee. Yun Ah is one of the most savvy and stylish women I have ever met. We immediately hit it off during a summer banking internship our Junior year of college, and there is no one I trust more to help make this blog a success.
I hope that you will find the information on this blog informative, interesting, and helpful. If this blog becomes a place you go not only to get information but also as a release after a stressful day of work, then I have succeeded. Please feel free to email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com with any comments and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jiabei
I turned 24 last September. For most women 24 is nothing special, but for me it was the year that I would become an adult. At least in my own mind. Since the age of 12, I knew that I wanted to go to law school and become a lawyer. At that tender age, I eagerly counted the years to go before I would graduate and go on to defend justice and liberty as a lawyer. It seemed so far away at the time. Now that time is finally here. I am 2 months away from graduation, 4 months away from taking the bar, and 6 months away from finally becoming a real lawyer.
Next Fall, I will be starting as an associate at a large New York law firm. So maybe it's not exactly what I set out to do 12 years ago, but, hey, I also thought at the time that I could be a triple threat akin to Jennifer Lopez (except replace dancing with lawyering). I'm actually very excited about starting my job. I'm going to a very respectable firm whose people I admire and actually enjoy spending time with. I am well aware that this is not an easy thing to find, and for that I am very grateful.
Leaving behind my life as a student is something that I'm less enthusiastic about. Students get up at noon, spend a few hours in class, control their hours, and answer only to themselves...and their cell phones. It seems that the only thing professionals and students have in common is the ability to walk and send emails at the same time. What's more, as a woman entering a very male dominated world, the challenges of next year sometimes seem insurmountable.
But anyone who knows me well knows that feeling powerless stresses me out more than any actual challenges I may soon have to face. So, in an effort to better prepare myself for my entree into the cut throat New York legal world and help others along the way, I've decided to start this blog. Professionelle is a blog devoted to helping young, professional women succeed with style and grace. It is also a blog devoted to helping women hold on to what made them happy before they started their climbs on the corporate ladder, be it an awesome deal on a pair of shoes, a good chic flick, dinner and drinks with girlfriends, or the simple pleasures of celebrity gossip.
Helping me along the way will be my good friend Yun Ah. She is an [investment] banker at a large New York Bank. Investment in brackets because those don't technically exist anymore. Pretty soon I may be referring to her as a government employee. Yun Ah is one of the most savvy and stylish women I have ever met. We immediately hit it off during a summer banking internship our Junior year of college, and there is no one I trust more to help make this blog a success.
I hope that you will find the information on this blog informative, interesting, and helpful. If this blog becomes a place you go not only to get information but also as a release after a stressful day of work, then I have succeeded. Please feel free to email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com with any comments and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jiabei
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