Belle’s Workday Reading: July 23, 2014
Jul 23, 2014
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1) Huffington Post examines #sorrynotsorry, and how we may be teaching the next generation of women to succeed and “speak up in the world we wished they lived in, not the one they actually inhabit.”
2) Moving out of the D.C.-humidity has benefits (great hair!) and drawbacks (dry skin). Every Anniversary Sale, I grab this giant bottle of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps. It also comes with a desk-size bottle, so your skin can be moisturized as needed.
3) The Cut examines why we treat the public relations field like a pink ghetto–a place where women vastly outnumber men, and still struggle to have their accomplishments recognized.
4) Off 5th has some great work pieces right now. From DvF, they have this cobalt Raquel dress and this black-and-white print wrap dress. I also love this tweed Milly jacket for $125. And don’t miss these mid-height black wedges for under-$100.
5) 11 grammar lessons leaked from the CIA’s style book.
6) Looking for cute tops under-$25? This tulip sleeve blouse with a dot print from Forever21 is fab. I also love this rust-colored crepe blouse and this teal-printed, tie-neck top (it would look great under a black cardi or blazer).
7) From Fast Company, an article discussing the five mistakes you’re probably making at work.
8) The Rebecca Minkoff sale at Gilt has some winning bags. I bought the Knocked-Up bag that I’ve been eyeing for a cool laptop/work tote for half-price. If you need a red bag, they have the stylish Perry satchel in the mini and large sizes. Not a Gilt member? Join here.
9) Financial concerns are relative, and it’s important to maintain perspective. In this article from Learnvest, a D.C. woman questions whether entry-level professionals who can afford to go to happy hour should ever call themselves poor.
10) Oh, Rouland Mouret, why can’t you just make me an entire wardrobe full of beautiful dresses?
If you love RM, he’s doing a collab with Banana Republic. Sign up for the e-mail notification so you don’t miss it. I need everything he made…everything.
11) Several readers have written in this month asking for tips on how to get back into the working world after being fired. Salary.com has some interview tips for the recently fired.
12) Zara has some cute flats right now. I love these black, round-toe ones with black gems are cool. These black cap-toe flats are also adorable. And don’t miss these pointed-toe, basic black shoes–for under-$50, I bought them immediately.
As for the comfort of Zara shoes, I find the flats to be a 7 to 7.5. They’re not well-padded enough for a long walk, but if you want to add an insole, they can easily go all day.
Thanks for sharing the Learnvest article, Belle. It’s thought-provoking and the commenters also make some interesting points,especially regarding the actual availability of those so-called handouts that people living below the poverty line get.
And hang in there, law school will get infinitely better after you’ve completed your first-year courses. Promise!
Thanks for sharing the #sorrynotsorry article. Frustrating as it is, it really speaks to an understanding of emotional intelligence, particularly because women pay a higher price for being unaware of the potential consequences. I’m interested in learning more about the “gender judo” concept.
The PR article is on point. I seriously considered going into PR as my career and had a college internship with a great company, but the reputation was one of the many factors that ultimately led me down a different path. It’s a shame, because so many of the PR women I know are so immensely talented!
That tulip blouse from F21 is super cute! I’ll have to take a gander tomorrow at the store.
I agree with the gender judo concept in law. I am currently experimenting with trying to eliminate apologizing, and being more confident/assertive with the male attorneys at work who are closer to my age, while keeping a more traditional attitude around the older male ones. My plan is that if the younger guys get to know me as assertive, and I’m already liked and accepted by the managing partners, that will gradually become the new norm. It’s a fine line and an interesting social experiment so far. Collaborative, friendly, non-assertive, non-confrontational is still the best way to go with female subordinates in my opinion.
KC, I have done a bit of this myself (though I don’t think I realized I was doing so until reading the HuffPo article and the comments surrounding it.
Reflecting on this I have also noticed another trend, which I am curious if you or other readers have seen. I find that men with wives who work respond more positively to my confidence and assertiveness than men whose wives do not work outside the home.
*I realize this is painting with a very broad brush, and to an extent the classification also falls along age.
Liz – not only have I noticed the same thing, but studies have actually demonstrated this effect: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/06/im-not-your-wife-a-new-study-points-to-a-hidden-form-of-sexism/258057/
I’d agree with the wives working thing. I think it also helps when they have daughters my age who are professionals. And, when they have wives and daughters who are professionals, I generally have to do less ‘gender judo’ because they are open to hearing what I have to say even if I’m not being deferential or assertive. They want and expect people to take their wives and daughters seriously, so they project the same.
Just wanted to express my overall adoration for these link roundups! I end up saving a couple into my ‘Job Advice’ bookmarks subfolder and sharing with friends.