+ How long should you stay in a job?
+ Black work flats with a little something extra.
+ Being single and living alone is incredibly expensive.
+ These puff sleeve and double v-neck sweater dresses are holiday ready.
+ A guide to writing a great LinkedIn headline.
+ I have a new favorite writing pen.
+ This newsletter features a new 30-minute recipe every day.
+ WFH Outfit. Cowl-neck sweater + Side-zip pants + Slippers
+ Advice for finding career potential in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
+ Love my Fitbit Luxe with the bracelet band; so much lighter than Apple Watch.
+ Can’t change the world? Try changing your feelings.
+ Plus-size? This bright dress and off-the-shoulder dress are perfect for parties.
+ Flight attendants share their best skincare tips for wearing masks.
+ This lipstick and balm collection and gloss set are awesome.
+ How to decided if freezing your eggs is right for you.
+ Nordstrom Rack has coats on sale. I love this teal one.
+ What you learn in Santa School.
+ This is such a pretty Christmas Tree ornament.
A Good Watch. This video is guaranteed to brighten your day.
I have failed you. And I feel terrible about it. Actually, terrible.
I bought these Ann Taylor Side Zip Straight Pants in black months ago, hung them in my closet and forgot about them. Then, last week, I took them out of the closet (because my go-to AT pants are at the cleaner), and realized how utterly incredible they are.
For an entire 12-hour work day, these pants were comfortable. I sat. I walked. I climbed stairs. I squatted to set up computer cables, and climbed under desks. All of it without even a pinch.
These pants are like the yoga pants we wore in college. Soft, comfortable, easy — plus, they look so good. Luckily, they’re still available in grey and tan, so I only failed you a bit. Hopefully, they bring back black.
Remember my beloved Athleta Skylines…I can’t believe I’m about to say this…I like these better. Please don’t tell.
{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}
6 comments
Amanda says:
These are also my new favorite pens! Were you also influenced by TIBAL, Abra?!?
Cait says:
Just ordered these pens as the finishing touch on a stationary-themed Christmas gift! Thanks for the great timing on this recommendation, Abra!
Allison says:
Whoa. That opening quote is good. I have been really struggling with the monotony of daily life, and trying to be grateful for what I have. I like the re-framing of aiming to take genuine interest in every day.
Mary G. says:
Highly recommend books by William Morris – he was a genius, artist and a renaissance man.
Sarah says:
I bought those pants in the black and brown houndstooth a while back and super loved them. They are wonderful pants. Then I tried the sage green and the fit felt different! But the houndstooth ones are still the best pants I own.
Crystal says:
One ‘existing single’ issue I think is particularly important is how it affects your long-term housing options. Even if I made double my current salary, I would not feel comfortable with a twice-as-expensive home mortgage. When you’re partnered (in a healthy relationship), you have one or more human beings you can rely on in case you are unable to work long-term due to an employment gap/problem, healthcare issues, elder care issues, maternity complications (like months of ordered bedrest!), etc. Most of my friends are college graduates with about 15-20 years of experience or additional education, and most have had some kind of emergency like this that could have threatened their abilities to pay their mortgages if not for having a partner who could, for a time, function as the sole breadwinner. When you live alone, you have *no one* to rely on in those situations unless you can rely on your parents. So not only does that potentially create higher levels of anxiety/risk, but it further depreciates the equity you might have otherwise been able to build with the same total income.