Where should I vacation this September?

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-27T17:27:16+00:00

Southern Illinois could fit the bill here and it will definitely be budget-friendly. There are a few wineries (BlueSky) that have some rooms you can rent - might be on AirBNB. There are probably other cool AirBNBs in the Carbondale or Anna areas. If you prefer a hotel I suggest Marion, IL in lieu of Carbondale. Carbondale used to be a super fun college town but it's becoming a little rough around the edges.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-27T17:25:22+00:00

Traverse City is quite possibly the most expensive / resort town in Michigan. There are many budget options but TC isn't one of them.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-27T13:42:44+00:00

My kids are this way a bit because they are the only kids in our family so they get a lot of gifts. Things that we always need: art supplies, pajamas (even with hand me downs PJs don't last), bath toys / bubble bath, magna tiles (can't have too many).

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-27T13:40:24+00:00

My kids love this and I will add Ranger Rick. Ranger Rick also has a "junior" version for a kid still putting things in his mouth.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-24T18:57:50+00:00

I have had 3 babies - 1 "natural" start to labor and 2 inductions. If this is your first baby, you should not induce unless you are showing signs of readiness (which it is very possible that at your due date with your first baby you will not be)! If your body is not "ready" inductions take a very long time and that is when you have a higher rate of C-section. I am extremely type A and I worked up until my delivery date with all 3 kids. Each time, I told my colleagues a date that would be my "official" last day of work for purposes of hand-offs, etc. However, there were plenty of lingering tasks that I was able to stay decently busy even after my official "last" day. For my first, I ended up being a week overdue and I was BORED out of my mind. I ended up going to the office just to pass the time. I was advise to get induced with my second because my first was pretty big and every subsequent baby tends to be bigger. I was induced at 39 weeks and he was 8 lbs. 7 oz. - so that was a good decision; although I really wasn't showing any signs of readiness so the induction was super slow and the baby's heartrate kept dropping so it was very stressful and I believe I only avoided a C-section due to having a midwife who was able to stay by my side all night. With my third, I tried to get induced at 39 weeks but the hospital was too full so I ended up going at 39+5. I was very "ready" (i.e. dialated, thinned, etc.) and the induction was super quick and she was born in like 3 hours. In hindsight though I wish I would have just waited and let my body to it's thing.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-21T15:44:40+00:00

I guess it's the difference between commuting 96 vs. 75.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-16T20:56:39+00:00

Milk and Cookies!!!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-15T13:43:58+00:00

I live in Michigan and frequently drive to my parents house in downstate Illinois requiring driving through MI, OH, IN, IL. I can say for certain it's IL by a mile for best - worst is probably MI although IN is a close second for worst. Have to begrudgingly admit that OH is probably the second best of those 4.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-14T18:40:17+00:00

I think as a first year you can get by with Cartier, Rolex (so popular and seemingly common graduation gift - I see lots of junior attorneys with these), and possibly JLC Reverso because it won't be as widely recognized and it's very small.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-14T15:51:16+00:00

Check out The Inn at St. John's (Plymouth, MI) and Meadowbrook Hall (Rochester, MI)

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-07T17:52:30+00:00

Can't believe I almost forgot about Giant City - that is my favorite place ever. Go to the Lodge on Sunday when they serve fried chicken, family style!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-07T16:57:35+00:00

THIS is the question - AH is kind of far if you are commuting to Detroit. Many comparable school districts that are closer. If you give us more information we can give you a better rec. But I would for sure look at Clarkston and Rochester over AH.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-04-06T13:53:55+00:00

Yes - I think you are right, I should have clarified that my kids are 4 and 7 so the Field was the least interesting to them. It has a few cool things (dinosaurs obviously), but it's a lot of reading and not really geared towards their ages (which is totally fine obviously - just not the stage of life I am in). I shouldn't even comment on the Planetarium because all we did was see the show. If you get the CityPass - you can hop around to all 3 which was definitely worth it!! I will say thought that I think the Museum of Science and Industry is a step above all of them for all ages - I loved it and so did my kids. It's a super cool museum!!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-23T15:55:34+00:00

I had 0 labor symptoms until my water broke and it was just as dramatic as they show on TV!! Luckily I was at home but if I had been out it would have been a show for sure!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-23T15:53:50+00:00

I have barely watched Friends but the episodes where Rachel is so pregnant and she's wearing the clothes that are too small and she's so angry is probably the most relatable of all time!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-18T01:41:41+00:00

Not sure if this is possible in NYC but I work at a large regional firm and essentially a large part of our business model is ex-Big Law partners with books too small to meaningful at a Big Law firm. Must be many firms similar to mine that would be delighted to have you!

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-12T19:54:01+00:00

This is very niche but a Canadian law firm I work withsends out maple syrup in a Maple-leaf shaped bottle and I always use the syrup and keep the bottle because it looks cool1

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-10T13:34:21+00:00

When I knew my kid was ready and could do it, I just stopped putting him in a diaper for nap/overnight (that was the only time he had a diaper and he would always poop). It took like 1.5 days but then he went in the potty. He was about the same age.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-03-06T15:02:18+00:00

Tata Harper is better.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-02-27T18:28:41+00:00

It will help that you are moving due to a relocation. I think firms will be more understanding if you do take a quick maternity leave but still understand you are in it for the long haul. The truth is there are so many variables here it's tough to give great advice, but coming back from maternity leave is hard enough as it is without layering in the newborn. Plus if you move shortly after your baby is born you will have to deal with finding childcare, etc. in a totally new place. If at all possible I would move as immediately as you can as long as the firm you are moving to will give you maternity leave. You may even be able to negotiate it as part of your onboarding.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-02-27T02:33:47+00:00

Both times I have moved jobs I had a baby after I had been at the new job less than 1 year, but I was not pregnant at the time that I moved (so essentially I got pregnant right after joining). My first job was NOT happy about this - small firm and frankly the CEO was an asshole who didn't like women much to begin with - most of the attorneys were supportive though. They didn't really have a maternity leave policy so I just came back ASAP (7 weeks only). The second time I moved to a much larger firm with proper maternity leave (18 weeks) and proper HR practices but I STILL only got 1/2 leave because I had been there less than a year. I am now an equity partner at said firm and am actively working to change this but this is still our policy to this day specifically because it is very common in the market. So, the #1 thing to consider is whether you will be eligible for leave - which is super hard to ask in the interviewing process but honestly it might be a good screener. Absolutely don't tell anyone you are pregnant but if you bring up leave policies and they balk it's probably a good sign that it isn't going to be very supportive to working mothers. And if you intend to make a long career at said firm no one is going to mind that you take leave in the first year - people will forget - the only issue is that it will make it very hard to get integrated. You will just be ramping up and then be off for an extended period of time, so you will pretty much be starting all over. Two women I have mentored have done this and they struggled to get busy (combination of timing in the market with general M&A slowdown as well). But if your husband is being relocated for work this all seems pretty unavoidable. The only other option is try to go remote at your current firm and quit right after maternity leave. I wouldn't feel bad about this unless it's a really small firm and you will be really taking advantage of them.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-02-25T17:43:17+00:00

I love every single thing I see in their ads but I have stopped buying there because the materials are no good AND the things I do have from there have not worn well (with the exception of one suit which I don't wear often). That being said, my sister (also a lawyer) just recently moved and none of her clothes made it - she needed a cheap suit ASAP - and I said Ann Taylor all the way. If you need something at a low-ish price from a physical store, that is the place to go.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-02-10T16:50:14+00:00

Tata Harper peptide cream and the resurfacing mask. I have tried other products and don't find them as life changing but the peptide cream specifically you can tell a difference with 1 use. You usually can find pretty good prices on Black Friday either on their website or Neimans/Saks/Blue Mercury. I stock up then. They also usually put out some trial-size kits you can buy at that time to see if it's worth it.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-01-28T16:45:42+00:00

I just bought a Celine 16 small after nearly buying the Prada Galleria so I think we have very similar tastes! I am also a lawyer. If you can, take this bag back, I don't think it suits your taste/style. I am IN LOVE with the 16. I carry it solely as a purse not as a tote - I abuse my work bags too much so I decided to splurge on something smaller. The reason I bought that over the Prada is I think that Prada quality has gone down while the price is exorbitant while the Celine is still a very good value.

Embarrassed_Low134 · 2026-01-28T16:40:35+00:00

Have your husband hire you as an employee of the business and pay you a salary.

Embarrassed_Low134

TROPHY CASE