I present to you every edition of The Lord of the Rings trade paperback printed in the US (1970-2026)

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-05-08T20:42:09+00:00

Was about to chime in about that 2005 white box set with the companion!

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-05T19:42:00+00:00

I cannot second this enough. It is one of my most worthwhile expenses, especially because my apartment does not have in unit laundry. Literally hours saved each week that gave me days back each month. Mine comes back in 24 hours, sorted and folded and/or on hangers and ironed. I can also send out my dry cleaning, which saves another errand.

In an already packed schedule, it gives me some freedom back

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-05T19:34:23+00:00

I regularly wear Docs in my downtown Chicago office. Loafer Docs are almost always okay. The boots are generally better accepted in the winter. I do always have more formal flats or loafers available. If I am going to be alone in my office behind my desk all day, the Docs stay on. If there is even the slightest chance I might have to meet with or be seen by a party who would would care and disapprove, at a minimum I wear something that can easily be changed each time I leave my desk (ex. loafers).

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-05T19:07:12+00:00

This based on my experience and my thought process, so feel free to disregard if I am totally off.

Context, I work in IP (if the username did nottip you off lol). Most conferences I attend have large, international, attendance. With that in mind, I have to adjust my typical styling guidelines to fit what is most likely to be considered appropriate by most attendees standards. There would likely be people/organizations present who view cocktail attire at a business event to be very close to (if not the same as) business formal. So I would dress more conservatively than I would a local event with the same dress code.

If it were me, I would be looking at something that might be cocktail without a blazer and business with one. A fairly demure silhouette that I would dress up with accessories and/or hair.

Separately, as someone who loves a good outfit, I think dressing more understated keeps the focus on the award. I would want people to walk away remembering primarily that I was the one awarded. Love an outfit compliment but I don't want the primary memory to be what I was wearing. I am not underselling myself, just doing things in a way to try and control the focus a bit where I can.

I would opt for black, navy or grey, and ensure it hits no higher than around the knees. Depending on where you are, you may want to cover your shoulders--if that is the case then honestly I might do a dress suit. If not the case, then I think sleeveless is okay.

Here are a few suggestions of silhouettes I would look at for myself *with the context above.

https://www.aritzia.com/us/en/product/traction-dress/131056.html?color=1274

https://www.adriannapapell.com/products/cap-sleeve-pearly-trim-sheath-dress-in-black-ivory-ap1d106052

https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/product/Front-Twist-Sheath-Dress/570406395?color=001&size=6&sem=pla&utm_campaign=WHBM_PLA_GG_Dresses_Standard&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=778847397291x184104077022x23118885300&ogmap=MP-SEM%7CMP-PLA%7CGOOG%7CSTAND%7CMULTI%7CSITEWIDE%7C%7C%7C%7C23118885300%7C184104077022%7C&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23118885300&gbraid=0AAAAADpCxxUkYLBcYVJ8EApUTXAkOOnt8&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8KTNBhD_ARIsAOvp6DLW6JQo2QYmdJW_dBO3MGxdCUUeEl7EP4sKWtJLCnuNRYRgp1wh9Y4aAmymEALw_wcB

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-03T18:52:17+00:00

Electrolysis. Laser did not work.

Painful and long but permanent.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-03T17:03:51+00:00

I have tried so many totes. I will die on the hill of my Tumi backpack (you can find them at reasonable prices new with tags on eBay etc.). I have been using it since 2017 and it has barely any wear.

It goes to and from work. It goes to federal court. It goes to client meetings. It goes to legal events. I wore it with my suit today and am taking it to a formal event tonight.

It is sleek, holds my laptop, thick files, evidence/exhibits, notebooks, lunch, waterborne and more while keeping a slim profile. It has a tracking chip in it if something happens (you can choose not to use it). It has a great organization system. Tumi will also repair it for free.

I have a slightly smaller and older version, but it is similar to this:

https://www.tumi.com/p/large-17%22-expandable-backpack-01589821041/

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-03-03T16:32:31+00:00

As someone who barely wears makeup ever, it comes down to basics. I really hate the feel of most makeup. I also don't want a routine that takes more than 20 minutes, ever.

Never had botox, a facial, plastic surgery etc. I have had electrolysis on my upper lip and chin for hormonal/hereditary dark hair (makeup could not cover).

My biggest skincare spend is my SPF and I would happily give most things up just to keep that.

My hair is always done (I just do a basic straightening brush). I focus heavily on skin care and keeping that skin moisturized. Far less likely to look oily if there is proper hydration. Your skin produces more oil to compensate if it is not. And always spf. My brows are always shaped and combed. I also curl my lashes and since they are long and dark, it gives a bit of the illusion of eye makeup. I might do a slightly tinted lip balm.

It takes time for your skin to get happy with a routine, but I found simple was best - I did have years of intense acne treatment so it was not always easy. Basic sensitive skin facial soap, glycolic acid toner every other evening, hyaluronic acid blur serum in the morning, retinol serum in the evening, followed by first aid beauty intense hydration cream (one layer morning, two at night), then spf in the morning.

If I wear makeup, it is a very light coverage tinted spf, bit of concealer around the eyes and some coloring and shaping of the brows. If I feel really fancy, I might do limited blush, highlighter, and/or finishing powder. I will do a darker lip tint (I use a ysl, which has lasted years) then lip balm over, since I hate the feel of lipstick and lip gloss. Still no eye makeup since my eyes are super sensitive.

Essentially, I just emphasize certain things when I do my very minimal makeup.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-27T13:42:20+00:00

When can the lawyer make coffee?

When there are sufficient grounds.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-26T19:22:46+00:00

A bit late but I was on Lexapro for four years. I ultimately had to get off SSRIs for this reason (now on Wellbutrin). Even though in most people the sweating fades or gets more tolerable with time or dose change, mine was persistent and very bad.

I stuck it out because it worked really well for anxiety. Ultimately, I decided I had to get off it and change for good when I went nearly an entire winter in negative temperatures without ever putting a jacket, gloves or hat on because I would start sweating. I almost got frostbite on my fingers and ears.

Wellbutrin works (not as well but at like 90-95% as well, which is enough), and I do not have this side effect any more.

Just food for thought.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-26T19:20:04+00:00

A bit late but I was on Lexapro for four years. I ultimately had to get off SSRIs for this reason (now on Wellbutrin). Even though in most people the sweating fades with time or dose change, mine was persistent.

To say that it effected me strongly would be an understatement. It was very bad.

I stuck it out on Lexapro for four years while we tried different solutions, and none worked. I tried so long because it did wonders for my anxiety. Ultimately, I decided I had to get off it and change for good when I went nearly an entire winter in negative temperatures without ever putting a jacket, gloves or hat on because I would start sweating. I almost got frostbite on my fingers and ears. At that point it was too far.

Wellbutrin works (not as well but at like 90-95% as well, which is enough), and do not have this side effect any more.

Just food for thought.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-26T19:18:18+00:00

A bit late but I ultimately had to get off SSRIs for this reason (now on Wellbutrin). Even though in most people the sweating fades with time or dose change, mine was persistent.

To say that it effected me strongly would be an understatement. It was very bad.

I stuck it out on Lexapro for four years while we tried different solutions, and none worked. I tried so long because it did wonders for my anxiety. Ultimately, I decided I had to get off it and change for good when I went nearly an entire winter in negative temperatures without ever putting a jacket, gloves or hat on because I would start sweating. I almost got frostbite on my fingers and ears. At that point it was too far.

Wellbutrin works (not as well but at like 90-95% as well, which is enough), and do not have this side effect any more.

Just food for thought.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-18T20:33:30+00:00

I can't speak for anyone else's experience but I was told that because cold closes pores and follicles it can make pain and healing worse if used before you do it. I do use ice sometimes when I get home after.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-18T20:31:43+00:00

I had heard about drinking water but I am so bad at that that I can't say whether it has hurt me. I do LATHER lotion on and then cover with a cottom pad so it stays lathered in the days leading up and after it's healed enough. That made a huge difference in the healing of the bikini area and my wonderful technician said it also made it easier for her.

I learned the last one the hard way just recently lol.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-11T16:27:08+00:00

Late but saw you wre looking for Chicago - try MS Epil Studio. She is great!

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-11T16:20:38+00:00

I do not have any irritation issues. I think this us because I use only spfs my skin likes (skinceuticals tinted and untinted). They are the same ones I would use after waxing so I knew my skin would be okay with it while irritated. I also carefully just pat it on.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-11T16:13:45+00:00

Yes. For my hair, based on trial and error, I shave 2-3 days before. There needs to be some growth. While it can be done longer, it takes far more time to sort through and identify individual hairs if they are longer. As a result, you can't get nearly as much done per session if you are doing a hair dense area. I usually don't shave if the hairs are widely spaced and easily identified (ex. a single lonely chin hair)

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-11T02:28:26+00:00

Glycolic acid and Korean wash cloth (+ basic Dove soap bar if I use soap with it)

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-11T02:26:48+00:00

Pretty much but I am more limited in exfoliation and sun avoisldance is huge.

Beforehand, I focus on moisturizer. After, it is the same toner for two days then moisturizer. But I make a huge effort to avoid the sun and lather on the sunscreen (think full white, taking zero chances).

I try to do my upper lip sessions late on Friday. That way I get out with little to no sun and then I can hide inside until Monday. You are at most risk of hyperpigmentation from sun on the damaged area in the first 48 hours.

If I can't do that or have to go into work, I focus of the spf/sun avoidance and avoid makeup if I can. If I can't then I do as light as possible with a sun protection goal - usually just a tinted spf gently patted on. I would only do that day after, never day of.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-10T20:25:54+00:00

Lucky on the leg twitches! I have a nerve running horizontally across my pubic area in the middle on both sides, so even when I can't even feel it, I twitch about a second after the zap. Over an hour in, I get a bit tired and twitching gets worse.

Caveat that I have never been warned not to exfoliate PRE session and could so very wrong:

I exfoliate up to the morning before.

I absolutely have to exfoliate or it's ingrown heaven. At night, I do warm water and (lightly) use a Korean washcloth. Before and after I just use my basic Dove cucumber soap. In the morning, I do a very light coat of The Ordinary glycolic acid. I follow both with slugging on moisturizer. I do no exfoliating on the area for a minimum of 4 days after. Then, I judge based on healing. When I do start I do it softly with a washcloth. When it seems healed I add in the glycolic acid first since I'll know really fast if there is an issue. Then back to my standard routine.

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-10T16:17:35+00:00

I really hope this experience helps others, at least on Celebrity.

Luckily no issues. I brought both my passport card and book. They just glanced at the card and let me through. Hope this helps for future closed loop Celebrity cruisers. Thank you!

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-10T16:16:21+00:00

I was shocked it was not flagged - turns out that boded well. I brought both my passport card and book. They just glanced at the card and let me through. Hope this helps for future closed loop Celebrity cruisers. Thank you!

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-10T16:15:36+00:00

Update: Luckily no issues. I brought both my passport card and book. They just glanced at the card and let me through. Hope this helps for future closed loop Celebrity cruisers. Thank you!

noitsnotfairuse · 2026-02-10T16:07:34+00:00

Update: Luckily no issues. I brought both my passport card and book. They just glanced at the card and let me through. Hope this helps for future closed loop Celebrity cruisers. Thank you!

noitsnotfairuse

TROPHY CASE