BUT WHY. Because you want to wear open-toed shoes but you miss that stank-foot feel?
Let’s everyone just take a moment to admire the sheer strength of will being exhibited by these toes.
Lace-Up Peep Toe Booties: $32.90
…
Against impossible odds and under extreme duress they are STILL. HOLDING. ON.
These boots look like the BDSM cousin of Doc Martens.
They’re also contributing to what I refer to as the Rihanna-ization of trends happening right now and we are all in WAY over our fucking heads if Forever 21 actually has a demand for these toe-shredders.
Neil Gaiman's seminal novel, "American Gods," is finally coming to television.STARZ officially announced today that they have given a green light to Fremantle Media North America to adapt "American Gods" for the small screen. Fantasy and sci-fi veterans Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Heroes) and Michael Green (Heroes, Kings) will write and serve as executive producers on ...
Millennials to Snake People does exactly what it says on the tin: Every time the internet spits out That Word at you that describes a certain generation of post-GenX youths, it changes it to "snake people." Suddenly, all those think pieces, lists, and annoying articles make a whole lot more sense!
1. Committing to a start date before the background check is done
I’m well aware it’s common practice for employers to want a start date nailed down before the background has cleared, but why?! I know you’ll say this is a red flag, but it’s so common. I’ve done it before with previous job changes but I’m just not comfortable this time around, even though my background will run squeeky clean.
I’ve recently been offered a new position I am super excited about with a great company. When working with the recruiter to accept my offer and make some negotiations, etc., she was taken back a little that I was insistent that I needed to wait for background to clear before I put in my 2 weeks. It sounds like people don’t request that often from her.
What’s the deal? Why do employers keep doing this? And why do new hires just keep letting them? I realize it delays filling the position which isn’t great for them, but in the big picture it’s our livelihood. In the end the recruiter is allowing this, but I can’t help that I’m annoying them with such a request.
They do it because they see the background check as a rubber stamp and assume that it will come back fine, and — particularly annoyingly — that the only people who need to worry about it are the people with reason to fear that they won’t pass the background check. But of course, sometimes people don’t pass, and sometimes it’s for good reason and other times it’s not. Regardless, though, it’s not at all unreasonable to decline to quit your job until they remove the background contingency from their offer. When they’re ready to commit to you, you’ll commit to them. Good for you for holding firm on that.
2. Can I forward praise of me to my boss?
I’ve been at my job for 8 months now, and it’s been a steep learning curve, learning completely different processes than what I’ve been used to. I’ve had admin assistant jobs for the last 10 years, but this job is basically acting as a PA for about 20 or so consultants. I’ve encountered some hiccups since I started; some were my fault and some were things out of my hands. I’ve put my hands up and admitted they were my fault when they happened and worked on improving the processes to stop them from happening again.
Luckily, I have an extremely supportive boss who has helped me learn, and also helped me with this small issues and is happy with my progress, and I haven’t had any issues in a couple of months and have really settled into my work now. Recently I’ve received a couple of really nice praise emails thanking me from the consultants I support. Is it okay to forward these on to my boss to make her aware of the good things I’ve done, rather than her just seeing the negative?
I am not seeking out a pat on the back from her, but these things I’ve helped on have been big, complex, last-minute trips and she was unlikely to have these consultants loop her in on positive feedback as they’re so busy. I don’t want to come across as insecure in my abilities, but I’d like her to also see that I’ve done a lot of positive things too.
Yep, absolutely. Don’t forward minor praise (like a quick “thanks for your help”), but when people go out of their way to praise your work in a more substantive way, it’s perfectly appropriate to share that with your boss. I’d just forward it on with a note like “Just FYI, thought you’d want to see this” or “here’s a nice note from Jane!”
3. Should I reach out to a hiring manager before applying for a job?
I am currently freelancing, but I am considering looking to join a company to have a bit more stability and benefits over the next few years. I am not actively searching for a new role, but a company I really admire and like to work for is hiring for a position that sounds perfect for me. In researching the company, I found that one of the cofounders (who would also be the head of the department I am applying for) and I share a few interests that we both blog about. I am considering trying to connect with him on LinkedIn sending a personal message about our shared interests and my desire to work at the company. In addition to this, the job description is fairly vague and I was considering contacting someone from the company to get a better idea of what the role would entail and what goals they are trying to achieve with the position (it is a new position). However, I don’t want to come off as pushy or overbearing. So my question to you is, do I:
a) Send a LinkedIn connection to the manager at the company with a personal message about our shared interests, while also expressing my interest in applying for the position at the company. Once (if) he accepts, consider asking for an informational interview. b) Ask directly for an informational interview by emailing the hiring team. c) Do nothing and just send in the best application I can.
I think it’s also worth noting that the company is very big on candidates being a good fit with the company culture, which was why I was so excited about our shared interests.
Just apply the normal way. If you weren’t applying for a job right now, it would be fine to reach out to him with a message about your shared interests, but when you’re also applying for a job, it’s going to look like you’re just trying to circumvent their normal application process, and most people get annoyed by that.
Don’t ask for an informational interview (same reason as above). And don’t contact anyone there with questions about the role and its goals before you apply; that usually comes off as wasting their time on questions that are better discussed in the interview, if they decide to offer you one.
Just apply and see what happens. (And if it ends up not going anywhere, you can always reach out to the cofounder afterwards and network with him, and that might set up in a stronger position the next time they have an opening. But you can’t do that until this process is over, or it’ll look insincere.)
4. Should I ask for an on-the-spot interview at a store event?
I shop at Sephora a lot, and I’ve ended up become well-acquainted with one of the sales associates. (I’d say friends, but I don’t want to be too forward, since generally we all have to be extra nice in customer service positions.) I asked her about openings and she seemed really excited to tell me they were hiring currently. She talked to her supervisor, who said I should apply online that night (which I did) and had me put her name down in the employee referral spot on the app.
There’s a special event before the rest of the mall opens this Sunday and that sales associate and the main manager will both be there. She said that she would introduce me to the manager, and I was hoping I could ask for an interview. Would that be too forward? I don’t want to just ask for them to pull my application because I haven’t had a job for over a year, I quit it without notice, and it was just Subway.
I really, really want this job. It’s the only job I’m applying to, even if I don’t get it. I don’t necessarily need work, and I’m currently in school. Since I take a lot of online courses, my schedule is pretty open and I’d like something to fill the time. I know this job would be a great fit for me. I’m applying as a cashier, which is one thing I felt I really excelled at while I worked at Subway, I love the employees at this particular Sephora, and I’m really passionate about makeup and sharing products that I love with people.
How can I make a good impression on this manager? Would it be wise to come prepared for an impromptu interview if they happen to offer or accept my request on the spot? Is that common? Would it be a weird to bring a folder with a copy of my resume, references, and maybe a cover letter? I planned to dress similarly to their uniform, full face of makeup, a dress, leggings, and stylish flats, to maybe look like I would “fit the part,” but not be out of place and -too- dressy if nothing came of it.
I wouldn’t ask for an interview on the spot, but I would say this: “Jane told me that you’re currently hiring and I’d love to talk with you about that at some point. I’ve submitted an application online and would love to work here!”
I would then be prepared to be interviewed on the spot in case she offers it, but don’t go in expecting it. But prepared means that yes, coming with a copy of your resume would be great to do. A cover letter isn’t necessary in this context but would probably make a great impression if it’s a good one, and the same goes for a reference list. Good luck.
5. A shower guest asked where her thank-you is
I am insulted that I have been asked by a guest if I sent out a thank-you note from my wedding shower. Is it wrong to feel this way? I feel it to be rude, as I have been sending them out as time goes on. It’s been three months since the shower. I have 150 handwritten thank-you’s to write. Do you find it rude that a person should be asking why she hasn’t received it yet? Is that really the reason why someone should give a gift so she receives a thank you?
This isn’t a workplace question, but it’s Saturday so what the hell, I’ll answer it.
Etiquette experts seem to agree that you should send thank-yous for wedding showers within two to three weeks. So yeah, you’re late.
If your guest asked where her note was, that’s not terribly polite either. Any chance that she’s feeling unappreciated for other reasons? It sounds like the kind of remark someone might make if they thought they saw a pattern of apparent ingratitude or self-centeredness. I have no idea if that’s the case here and I’m not accusing you of that, but it’s worth considering whether there could be something like that going on. Either way, I’d get her note in the mail immediately.
And no, it’s not about giving a gift in order to receive a note, but rather that people want to feel that you cared about them and their gift and it wasn’t just one in a pile that you simply accepted as your due. This person is telling you that she currently feels unappreciated.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (or Next Gen, as it will always be known to me) is one of the formative shows of my childhood. In my memory, every time I snuck through the family room after I was supposed to be in bed, my parents were watching one of three programs: Next Gen, Poirot, or Nick at Nite reruns of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Critical difference between cat shaming and dog shaming: cats feel no shame. Look at this sassy cat with no fucks to give. "Yeah, I'm obese and manipulative. Your point?"
Spotted by Tom in Newcastle, UK. I had to look closely at the markings to make sure it wasn’t the same fat cat Sam spotted in London a few years back.
The best part of naming your cats after video game characters is instantly knowing when you've found the right vet because she was the only one at the practice who understood.
Brienne of Tarth swoops down from the sky gathers Queen Sansa in her voluminous magical cape they glide across the skies of Westeros in a glorious rainbow MATRIARCHY
“Game of Thrones” actress Gwendoline Christie attends the 2015 Elle Style Awards held at Sky Garden at The Walkie Talkie Tower in London in a Giles ensemble from the Fall 2015 collection.
blah blah gwyneth and some crazy facebook comment blah blah WHATEVER--real reason i'm sharing is because i always love looking at/judging the top bar on phone screenshots. like you had 5% battery left and you were using that to read the useless comments on this useless article? but then you found one SO insane that it was like "holy shit better screenshot this before my phone dies" #PRIORITIES
"The record has been described in the Icelandic Sagas" ---> phrases from a totally normal day in the life of an Viking God
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson a.k.a The Mountain, made history by breaking a 1000 year old weightlifting record this weekend, reports Iron Mind.
Hafþór Júlíus broke the record while competing in the World’s Strongest Viking competition – which he won for the second time in a row.
“The record has been described in the Icelandic Sagas,” said Ilkka Kinnunen who reported on the event for Iron Mind. “The legend of the Icelander Ormur Stórólfsson goes that he walked three steps with a monster wooden log which weighed over 650 kg and was 10 m long. It took 50 mere mortals to help him place it on his back. After he took his third step, his back broke under the enormous pressure and he was never the same after that.”
Hafþór Júlíus carried the 650 kg and 10 m long log for 5 steps.
“Well, today my friends, I made history!” Hafþór Júlíus wrote on his Instagram account following the win. “As well as winning the title of The World’s Strongest Viking for the second time in a row, I carried this MONSTER LOG 5 steps! My back held up fine! I’m on my way to my ultimate goal, to win The World’s Strongest Man! NOTHING CAN STOP ME!! NOTHING CAN BREAK ME!”
A writer named Ijeoma Oluo has shared an interesting Twitter conversation she had with a 14-year-old, racist troll on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the result is truly inspiring.
"You guys I'm a mom," she wrote on Facebook. "You think I'm going to let some 14 year old outlast me? I got love for days."
Warning: there are a lot of racial slurs and other awful stuff in here, but make sure to read all the way through to the end.
Really fun to mentally check off the ones that I've seen. Also I had no idea there was a Lizzie Borden movie starring Christina Ricci but now that I know about it I am SO INTO IT. I hope it's on demand.
Why yes, I would like to read a long piece about the origins and evolutions of Lifetime's famously cheesy, campy, violent, unintentionally hilarious, low-budget, women-in-danger, don't-let-your-teen-leave-the-house-but-also-don't-let-your-teen-on-the-Internet, made-for-TV movies, thank you for asking!
If I ever saw a friend leave their FB logged in, THIS is totally what I would post from their account. So much troll-ier than "nickelback rocks" or "i'm a dumbass who left my fb open at the apple store lol"
Before there were iPhones, there were paint brushes.
Now, Olivia Muus, a designer and marketer from Denmark, has merged the two types of media into something new entirely: the portrait selfie.
Surely, this was the original artist's intent.
"So get this. I’m driving down Park Avenue one day and this guy waves for me, so I pull over and I ask him where he’s going. He tells me 74th street, and I tell him that’s too far for me, because my shift just ended, so he says ‘thanks anyway’ and walks away. But then I think about it, and I start feeling bad for the guy, cause hey— I got a conscience. So I call him back to the cab and tell him to hop in. And he gets in the car all excited, all animated, and he’s talking about all these things. But he’s got his cap pulled down way over his eyes, so I can’t see who it is. But pretty soon I start to recognize his voice. And when we get to a light, I turn to him, and I look him in the eye, and I scream: "WIIIIIIILLLSSSSSOOOOOOON!!!" And that really got him. He started laughing hard. He sees that I’ve got this Ferrari hat on, and a Ferrari shirt too, so he starts calling me ‘Mr. Ferrari.’ The whole ride, he keeps calling me ‘Mr. Ferrari.’ So after we get to his destination, we snap a quick photo, and he goes on his way. And I think that’s it. But that’s not it, cause get this. Over the next few weeks, I just happen to randomly pick up people that know him. People who have acted with him before, people who work with him. And every time, I tell them: ‘Tell Mr. Hanks that Mr. Ferrari says ‘hello.’" Every time I say that. Then one day I’m driving, and I get a text from one of the people that I’d driven, and it says: ‘Mr. Hanks wants to invite you to see his Broadway show.’ So I bring my lady to the show, and we get to go backstage and everything, and after the show, we’re waiting for him in his dressing room, and he walks in and screams: ‘Mr. Ferrari!’ Can you believe that story? And you wanna know the craziest thing? The name of his show was ‘Lucky Guy.’ How crazy is that? Cause that was me. A lucky guy!"
Royal Ascot 2015: Ladies’ Day
“Game of Thrones” actress Gwendoline Christie attends the 2015 Elle Style Awards held at Sky Garden at The Walkie Talkie Tower in London in a Giles ensemble from the Fall 2015 collection.
Giles Fall 2015 Collection
“Tarzan” actor Alexander Skarsgård filling up his Porsche with gas in Hollywood, California.
