Long hours

Do you work long hours?

I've been struggling with the work-life balance question recently. At my company, everyone always seems to be so caught up in work, and working late, coming in early, rushing around meeting-to-meeting all day every day... it's exhausting even to be around!

I usually make it a point to not work during off-hours. I have a mobile phone for work email, and though sometimes I check it, I rarely act on anything until business hours. As a new mom, I feel like there's scarcely enough time to spend with family as it is - without wasting any of it glued to the computer. 

This last week has been very trying. Work was extremely busy, more so than usual, and I was in meetings back-to-back for days in a row. One day I only saw my own desk for about 20 minutes total, and that was it. It was difficult to even find 15-20 minutes for pumping. By the end of the week I was almost in tears from exhaustion and felt defeated - I simply could not get everything done, and had to beg a coworker for an extension - which meant working over the weekend.

I know this pace won't keep up forever, and I know that I'm quite lucky to have a wonderful (albeit stressful sometimes) job, and a fabulously supportive husband and family. One thing I've promised myself, however, is never to sacrifice happiness for work. So when I'm at home, I will continue to do my best to devote all my energy to the people I love. Life is too short to not spend every moment possible creating joy.

A Suiting Dilemma

I noticed yesterday that my very favorite J. Crew suit (black stretch wool, bought summer 2005) is getting a little threadbare.  It has become a little "shiny-looking" in areas, and this seems to be more prominent after professional cleaning, rather than better.  I've noticed this happening gradually over the past year or so, and I don't think it's a problem with my drycleaner, or a quality issue with the material.  I bought this suit after college graduation in 2005, and I have truly worn the life out of it (it was my only suit for 2 years, and has remained my favorite even after I bought others).  I think it's about time that I find a new black suit.

Online I found two options, one of which is a perfect replacement for my old favorite - it's the same black stretch wool that I love, and it matches the black Olive Dress that awaits me under the Christmas tree this December.  Theoretically I could put the blazer with the dress if I wanted, and it would match perfectly.

Stretch Wool Olive Dress in Black

Items in my "go-to" black suit:

Stretch Wool Jacket & City-fit Bistro Pants

Stretch Wool Pencil Skirt

The other option, which is currently my top choice (for multiple reasons) is the Super 120's pinstripe suiting in charcoal gray (pictured below).  This gorgeous material is one of my favorites, and feels amazing.  I really like the color, love the stripe (I currently don't have any patterned suits), and AND-- it's on sale.  That's the kicker.  Not only is it sale-priced, it's not yet in the Final Sale stage so it can be exchanged, plus they have all 3 pieces- in stock- in my size.  That by itself is usually enough to convince me.  However, the pattern and color aren't quite as versatile, and it was the black suit I originally intended to replace... Interview season is coming up fast in the MBA world.  I really wish I could have both, but suits are expensive, so I'll need to wait on one of these.

Which would you choose?  Should I go with the more versatile, black stretch wool favorite?  Or the new, interesting, and sale-priced charcoal 120's?

Super 120's Pinstripe 2-Button Jacket & Pants

Super 120's Pinstripe High Pencil Skirt