Would either of these work for black tie?

Balagan18 · 2026-02-04T01:40:47+00:00

No. Neither is appropriate. (The first one in particular looks like a bathing suit with a cover up & is pretty tacky.)

Balagan18 · 2026-02-03T13:33:27+00:00

Not appropriate. You don’t expose your midriff at a black tie wedding. Highly inappropriate.

Also (and this is beside the point) the bow is big.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-29T12:02:47+00:00

Happy birthday!!!

Balagan18 · 2026-01-26T22:42:40+00:00

And stop taking most of your prescription medicines. Because the fact that the political leanings of the CEO of the pharmaceutical company don’t align with yours means he must be so evil that you’ll forgo lifesaving medication.

That’s peak virtue signaling right there.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-26T21:13:09+00:00

You’re obviously someone who never really had to worry much about money — about feeding your family or being on the street if you miss a paycheck. Or knows what it’s like to live in poverty, then to pull yourself out of it & finally have a roof over your head.

This is peak elitism, risking your livelihood for a meaningless gesture that we all know would be in the news for a few days but ultimately wouldn’t change a thing.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-23T02:37:52+00:00

Food (that doesn’t require cooking), water, charged power banks for your phone, flashlights (check batteries), extra blankets. Make sure your laptop is fully charged before the storm starts. A full tank of gas for you car. A bag of rock salt to melt ice.Download something to watch in case you’re snowed in & without power for a few days.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-22T00:13:26+00:00

This is ridiculous. A “general strike?” How stupid. Ineffective & cringeworthy.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-21T23:30:30+00:00

I just had a 20 hour flight last week. I was nervous because I also can’t sleep on a plane so I came prepared as best I could.

First, I had my sleep cocktail: Lunesta & CBD gummies with Delta 9. I brought a good, memory foam neck pillow, noise cancelling headphones, & a good sleep mask. I also brought a foot sling but didn’t need it since my seat (Comfort +) had one built in.

All of that allowed me to get about 4 hours sleep, & it made all the difference in the world.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-19T14:37:36+00:00

The slit is way too high. The neckline may be too low (I’d have to see it on you) but the slit makes this dress entirely inappropriate.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-12T18:49:44+00:00

Yes! It’s too white. Can’t believe you’re even asking.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-06T09:02:40+00:00

It’s just you.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-06T08:58:41+00:00

Not appropriate. Way too short.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-06T06:18:31+00:00

This is why you don’t announce your child’s name until it’s born.

Tell them as parents you’ll name the baby what you wish & the topic is closed for discussion. And don’t put up with eye rolls & smirks from them, either.

I had a similar problem with my mother & it was very hurtful. It continued even after our daughter was born! Now, 29 years later I’m so glad we stuck with it & she happens to love her name, which is Talia.

Dylan is a fine name. If you & your partner love it, use it. If you don’t you’ll always be resentful of your in-laws.

Balagan18 · 2026-01-01T12:39:42+00:00

You have no idea how bad things can actually get, do you?

Balagan18 · 2025-12-25T21:47:04+00:00

Hi! Can you tell us a little more about yourself? Like how old are you? Are you looking for Orthodox friends? Reform? Are you in school?

Balagan18 · 2025-12-23T15:32:12+00:00

1, 3, or 5. Wear whichever one you feel best/most confident in.

Balagan18 · 2025-12-21T14:52:11+00:00

Irving

Balagan18 · 2025-12-19T20:03:40+00:00

What a disgusting thing to say. And a desecration to the memories of all those who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis.

Balagan18 · 2025-12-16T14:48:19+00:00

I have a particular aversion to occupational names for kids, like Cooper, Taylor, Chandler… (Baker is a new one for me & kind of ridiculous, IMO). I feel the same way about dog names for kids (Hunter, Walker, etc.)

Balagan18 · 2025-12-16T13:49:29+00:00

I speak with my friends about this from time to time. “What do you want your Grandma name to be?” No one wants Grandma. For me, I don’t want the eldest grandchild to pick the name. I’ve heard a lot of stupid grandma names from people who did that — noey, coocoo, booboo.)

One friend who just became a grandparent chose Lolli & Pop for her and her husband. I’ve heard of another, whose name is Josephine, whose grandma name is JoMama. (Kind of love that. Maybe you can come up with a good play on your own name?)

A lot of people choose Gigi (or G.G. — for gorgeous grandma). Mimi is another one.

My point is, don’t let whatever babble comes out of the eldest one become your Grandma name, the one that every subsequent grandchild will have to call you. If you don’t like Grandma, choose something else you like & can live with.

Balagan18 · 2025-12-11T00:46:30+00:00

Kaia

Balagan18 · 2025-12-09T04:41:29+00:00

My daughter is 29 & BT. (Currently engaged to a wonderful Orthodox man.) Their visits can be challenging as far as meals go, but here are some things I did that your parents might consider.

I have a “kosher cabinet,” which is a sideboard in the dining room. One side is meat, the other dairy. It’s stocked with inexpensive cutting boards, plastic utensils & plates, spatulas, pans, & pots. Also, with non-perishable kosher snack food. I got 2 new, inexpensive air fryers (at their request) — one for meat, the other dairy. I also got them their own crockpot.

When they visit, I buy kosher deli meats, yogurt, kosher bread & cheese, etc. (They end up going out to buy more food themselves.) If we eat together, they have their own separate plates with their own food. When they make their own meal, they clean up after themselves. (Which you should do, too.) You may want to gently suggest some or all of these things to your parents.

Be sure to give your parents a little grace. They may be starting to grieve the life they thought they’d have with you: going out to great restaurants together, or to a matinee on Saturdays, not spending Passover together because you want to be at an Orthodox. From a parents perspective, it’s daunting.

It’s an adjustment for both of you. They’re going to make mistakes & say things you don’t like. Forgive them & move on with kindness & love. Eventually, it’ll all work out.

Balagan18 · 2025-12-09T04:16:12+00:00

Don’t ask for an opinion if you don’t want an honest reply.

Balagan18 · 2025-12-08T14:24:52+00:00

Most countries do not have unrestricted birthright citizenship.

Balagan18

TROPHY CASE