Oh, and you guys will be shocked — shocked! — to hear that the 3.1 Philip Lim Pajama Silk Shorts Suit is on sale.  Wonder why it didn’t sell?

The post Bergdorf Goodman Contemporary 5F Spring Fling Sale – Deal Alert appeared first on Corporette.com.

• there is a TON of St. John on sale, for some reason — from classic sheath dresses and suit jackets to fun silky t-shirts; check it out if you’re a fan of the brand.
• Great work pants.  There are just lucky sizes left in each pant, but the general selection is pretty good and I’d be surprised if there isn’t something for everyone.  Just search on your size first…
• Some classic reader favorites are on sale: the Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Faux Wrap Jersey Dress (in plus sizes too), the Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt (and the new Halogen Seamed Sheath Dress – lots of colors for $50), and the Shimera Seamless Camisole.
• Due to tech problems, I don’t think my previous recs on sale are showing up yet, so some of the great shoes that were previous recommendations, now on sale, include the Kors Michael Kors Ghita Pump, the Stuart Weitzman Daydream Pump, the Cole Haan Air Tali Wedge, the Geox Donna Marian 2 Pump, the Michael Michael Kors Pressley Cap Toe Pump, the Franco Sarto Cicero Pump, and the Joan and David Gardner Pump — oh yes, and the Kate Spade Alix Jacket.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from today’s sale — hover over the pictures for more info.

Readers, what are you getting (or tempted by) at the Nordstrom sale?

(L-all)

The post Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale – Deal Alert! appeared first on Corporette.com.

Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale for women and kids has started, with savings of up to 40% on lots of good things, including denim, spring coats, Theory, Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, and more. I’ll do a deal round-up a bit later this morning, but for today’s TPS I’m liking this lovely white silk blouse from Elie Tahari — the neon placket and black details make it interesting but still classic. It was $248, but is now marked to $148.80 in sizes XS-XL. Elie Tahari ‘Chelsea’ Seersucker Silk Blouse

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
(L-all)

The post Wednesday’s TPS Report: ‘Chelsea’ Seersucker Silk Blouse appeared first on Corporette.com.

(L-2)

The post Coffee Break: Alexis Barrel Satchel appeared first on Corporette.com.

I work in legal services on the East Coast, and I’m a little stumped about how to address people. On the one hand, working with the legal services population makes me eager to address people with titles, using Mr./Ms./Mrs. So-and-So as a mark of respect for folks in my office who otherwise may feel disenfranchised. On the other hand, as a native West Coaster, this level of formality is not inherent in my being and I frequently find myself slipping and referring to people by their first names.

Meanwhile, reader J was fuming because

opposing counsel start[ed] calling me ‘Ms. X’ as opposed to ‘Attorney X’. I have never seen male attorneys addressed as other than ‘Attorney Y’. The devolution to ‘Ms. X’ is clearly intended as an insult by opposing counsel. Any good suggestions for a professional but firm response?

We’ve talked about a lot of name issues — how to correct colleagues if they call you the wrong first name, how to get rid of an old nickname, and more — but When to Use the Last Name is kind of a big one.  I suspect this is going to vary widely by region, so readers, please be sure to say where in general you are.  A few notes:

• Never, ever use “Mrs.” in a business setting.  Marital status is completely irrelevant.  For my $.02, the only person who can call me Mrs. Griffin is my husband, at least until our son has playmates who are speaking in sentences.
• Presume, in writing, that you should use the person’s last name, at least on a first correspondence (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”).  (If you’re not sure whether it’s a man or a woman, check out this post on gender neutral names.) This always feels fantastically weird to me, too, but if they’re the kind of loosey goosey person who wants everyone to call them by their first name, they’ll think, “oh, how funny, she’s being very formal.”  I always find this vastly preferable than choosing to go with “Dear Bob,” and getting the kind of person who takes huge offense that you’ve not called him “Mr. Smith.”  I feel like this gets harder the older you get, though — particularly when you’re in that gulf of the late 20s/early 30s where you’re definitely not a kid but the person you’re addressing may still have 30 years on you, and view it as an important sign of respect.  In fact, I’d say that the more you want to convey respect, the more you should default to a last name. 
• With people you meet while networking, it isn’t usually a problem because they’ll introduce themselves.  Call me crazy, but I think if someone says “I’m Bob Smith,” then you’ve got permission to call him Bob.  On the other hand, if you’re introduced to someone — “This is Mr. Smith,” then that’s what you go with until he says, “Oh, call me Bob.”
• The “Attorney X” convention is actually new to me — if it’s happening in briefings for the court I’d probably put a snarky line in a letter to the court or in my next brief when addressing whatever issues caused opposing counsel to refer to you anyway.  If it’s in private correspondence, though, I’d chalk it up to “either he or his assistant is a moron/sexist pig” and move on.

Poking around the web, I see that Evil HR Lady (writing for CBS Moneywatch) notes that either “Dear Suzanne” or “Dear Ms. Lucas” is fine, but she hates when she gets “Dear Susan” or “Dear Suzy” letters (I 100% agree with this!).

Readers, where do you fall on this issue — when do you use “Mr.” and “Ms.” in business? How do you respond to someone who hasn’t addressed you with the appropriate respect (e.g., Attorney X)?

(Pictured: My Name Tag, originally uploaded to Flickr by Mr. T in DC.)

The post That’s Ms. Griffin To You: When To Use Last Names appeared first on Corporette.com.

Purty! Love love love this slub sweater blazer from Marc by Marc Jacos. The slub texture! The blue and beige! The navy trim! Gorgeous. It’s $350, and available at Ssense or Revolve Clothing. MARC BY MARC JACOBS Blue Suze slub Sweater Blazer

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
(L-4)

The post Tuesday’s TPS Report: Blue Suze Slub Sweater Blazer appeared first on Corporette.com.

(L-2)

The post Coffee Break: Rian D’Orsay Patent Leather Kitten Heels appeared first on Corporette.com.

Before the First Day

• Read the company’s website, particularly if they have a “Press” section.  Consider Googling further to learn more than just what’s in the press release on their website.
• Google your company to see if it’s been in the news or mentioned otherwise.  If you haven’t already set up a Google Alert, do it now.
• Research your liaison.  If you have the name of your contact or liaison, search for their name on the company website.  You may find mentions in press releases or a bio, but for smaller companies you may just find a listing of responsibilities.  You may also consider checking out their LinkedIn or even their Facebook page.  There is, of course, a fine line between being creepy and being well prepared, so be smart about what you ask him or her about at your first meeting.  Fair game:  responsibilities at the job, career path, school background.  Getting creepy: your making any comments about kids, significant others, or recent vacations the person may have posted about on Facebook.

First Day Tips

• Look as professional as you did on the job interview. Don’t worry about wowing them with a new dress, or about “boring” them by repeating a suit — your clothes should be a non-issue the first day. Depending on where you work you may also want to be prepared to take a corporate headshot, either for the company website or for an informal “meet the interns!” memo that is often passed around.  You may want to check out some of our previous what not to wear to work lists, if only to avoid wearing something eyebrow-raising on the first day.  Briefly, you may want to avoid: cleavage of ANY kind, bare legs, open-toed shoes (this includes peep toes), or wearing a sleeveless dress with nothing covering your arms (such as sleeves, a blazer, or a cardigan).
• Show up early. This is one of those situations where if you’re on time, you’re late. If you get there super early, sit in a nearby coffee shop until about 10 minutes prior to start time, and then go in.
• What to bring: A notebook and a pen.  Your ID(s) — bring your passport if you have it handy — as well as a blank check (often asked for for direct deposit).  I’d also bring a few paper copies of your resume, particularly if anything “new” has happened since you interviewed (you published a paper, you got on a great journal, you won an election in one of your activities) — you may meet a liaison or other superior who will guide you through the internship, and it never hurts to hand them an updated copy of your resume and point out the new things. You may also want to consider bringing lunch for yourself, or at least a snack.
• What not to bring:  Anything that might slow you down if there is unexpected security in the building (e.g., a Swiss Army knife on your keychain); a box of stuff to decorate your work area (save it for later in the week if you do want to decorate your space).
• Prepare to spend a lot of time doing administrative stuff.  Paperwork!  Computer setup! Email setup!  Voicemail setup! This may be the bulk of your first day.  Don’t presume you’re going to immediately have access to a computer and printer as soon as you get to work.
• Repeat people’s names.  Whether you’re meeting two people or twenty people, this tip always helps — remember people’s names by repeating their names back to them as soon as they say it.  “I’m Bob, I’ll be your mentor this summer.” “Hi Bob, I’m Kat.”
• Take notes.  Take notes in meetings, whether it’s a presentation by the HR department or a new work assignment.  Take notes after meetings (who you met, impressions, future items to look into).  You may even want to take notes beFORE meetings if you’re given advance notice of anything.  For example, let’s say at 11:40 you’re told to come to a meeting at noon about [a case, a project, a company, a client, etc.] You have twenty minutes to research whatever the meeting is about — get a feel for what it is already, as well as any questions you may have about it.  Call me an old-timer, but for my money the only way to take notes in any meeting (or refer to notes) is on paper — most superiors will think you’re checking your texts or emails if you’re glancing at your phone or typing on your phone during a meeting.

First Week Tips

• Keep your personal social calendar as clear as you can during the first week.  This can help in two ways…  A) You may need more time to decompress than usual this week — personally, meeting new people always tuckers me out.  B) It leaves you free to partake in social opportunities that may arise at work — you don’t want to miss an impromptu cocktail hour (and the networking opportunities therein) because you have to be somewhere else.
• Email people in the company you want to work with, very briefly.  “Hi, my name is Kat; I’m a new intern this summer.  I’m fascinated by [Your Specialty Here]; I’ve attached a recent resume.  Do you have any projects right now that you need a hand with? I’d love to help any way I can.”  If they say no (or something vague like “Ill keep you in mind!”), ask them to lunch and tell them you’d love to hear about their career/job in general.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors, if they haven’t introduced themselves to you.  If you can, do a bit of research on who they are and what they do; that will help you say something like,  “Hi, I’m the new intern; I’ll be sitting in Room __.  I understand you’re in charge of ____?  I’d love to hear more about that or help you if I can.”  If you don’t really know what you want to do at the company/firm, this is a great place to start.
• Bring some stuff into your office/desk.  Again, this is not first day stuff, but things that I think are acceptable for the first week: a tissue box, a colorful calendar or something else, a blazer to keep at the office, and a basic pair of pumps to keep at the office; perhaps even a few shelf-stable snacks like granola bars or an oatmeal packet.  Depending on where you work and what your job entails, I would also consider bringing a pair of glasses if you wear contacts, as well as a pair of sneakers and socks.  (The sneaker/sock suggestion is, perhaps, a weird one, but I’ve heard so many stories of women being forced to walk home in uncomfortable heels (particularly on Wall Street — after 9/11, after blackouts, etc.) that this piece of advice is firmly burned in my memory.  Plus, hey: maybe you can make it to a workout class near the office, or walk home some night just for fun.)

Readers, what are your tips for a great first day/first week?  What mistakes have you seen interns make that could be avoided?

(Pictured: Be Prepared, originally uploaded to Flickr by Calsidyrose.)

The post First Day on the Job: How to Make Your First Day a Great Day appeared first on Corporette.com.

Happy Monday! I’m liking this Smythe blazer, featuring the newest trend in blazers: the cutout hem in the back. I’m just starting to notice these odd, geometric cutouts on pieces for sale, and after a few minutes of rubbing my eyes, I’ve decided I like the trend — it’s a breath of fresh air after the past few years of Peplum Domination, and an interesting counterpart to the hi-lo trend. This blazer (exclusive to ShopBop) is $595; it’s available in both navy and black. SMYTHE Button Blazer with Cutout Hem

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
(L-2)

The post Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Button Blazer with Cutout Hem appeared first on Corporette.com.

Wedges are big for the summer (aren’t they always, though?) and I like the curved, slenderish heel on this one.  It’s available in black, silver, and gold; I love the gold the most.  The shoes are $59.99 at Amazon. Aerosoles Women’s Bronze Age Wedge Sandal

(L-2)

The post Weekend Open Thread appeared first on Corporette.com.