Mostly frivolous

 - The manicure problem may not have been the top coat. After many rounds of product application, attempts at curing, wiping uncured product off and trying different combinations, signs point to my old-ish LED gel curing lamp not being a high enough wattage for newer generation products. (The first time doing an at-home builder gel manicure was with minim's lamp, which is a few generations newer than mine.) My new lamp arrives sometime today.  

(An aside to Stax: I haven't tried building out a nail with the nail form stickers - I've been using the builder gel to strengthen my natural nails and help them grow out. Building out a nail seems like an extra level of fiddly hell, but I may try it next time.)

- Next week I'm meeting up with my product team in person. We've got three new people joining the team -- including my new writer! -- so we're meeting up for lunch. Am I taking this opportunity of leaving the house to dress up? Oh yes. Planned shallow fashion details:

• Black/gold/silver L'Artiste boots. (Thank you again, Maura!)
• Black ruffled taffeta skirt with petticoats.
• White menswear dress shirt, worn with the reproduction Hannibal murder tie.
• Black frock coat. 
• Hair pulled back with an enormous black taffeta bow clip. 

Why yes, it is important to reinforce the Unnerving Governess reputation I have in the minds of my coworkers. Very important.