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This jacket from BB Dakota comes in a lot of colorways, and I have always liked this look. It’s certainly affordable — generally under $100 — and this one’s hand wash cold rather than dry clean, so it’s mom-friendly. This version is even sold at Evereve, which is a whole store specializing in clothes for moms. It looks chic and wearable, whether you’ve got small kids or big kids, and I even like the camel color. The jacket was $115 but is now marked down to $80 at Evereve, and it comes in sizes XS-L. Pictured: Nanette Suede Jacket (other colors here, here, and here) Two plus-size options are here and here. This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
GCA says
I just…shouldn’t have got out of bed today. 2-year-old woke up at 3.30am and needed a snack (he was legitimately hungry because he barely touched dinner), woke up at 5.30 and would sleep only ON me, and then woke up late at 7.45 and we had to hustle him out of the house. I thought I forgot my umbrella, only to find it stuffed in the bottom of the stroller. I was three minutes late to a conference call…for which my headphones didn’t work at all. Is it 5pm yet?
Anon in NYC says
ughhhhh. Sounds awful. My almost-2 year old woke up at 5, 5:30, and 6 and then was up for the day. Something in the water, I guess.
GCA says
Definitely something in the water. It took me till lunchtime to realise what date it was and that the featured item is a light jacket…
Pigpen's Mama says
Despite being apprehensive the day before, I had a great ‘solo’ few days away. I did miss my daughter quite a bit, but also enjoyed not having to be responsible for anyone but myself for a few days!
Question for someone who has a better memory than I do — can anyone point me to a past discussion on how daily and weekly responsibilities/duties are split with partners? We’ve been flying by the seats of our pants and that’s been leading to resentment and disorganization, so I’m trying to put some structure on things. I know there have been several, and I’d rather not recreate the wheel (unless other people want to!).
Thanks!
Favorite Gear/Toys for Toddlers says
I’m going to an extremely large consignment sale tomorrow. I have a 1.5 year old daughter. Please list your suggestions on things I ought to consider purchasing for the next year.
HSAL says
Oooh, I’m interested in this as well, though I don’t have a consignment store. A play kitchen? That’s our next big purchase. I regret the one I saw being dropped off at Goodwill and didn’t immediately jump on. A water table for the summer?
POSITA says
I’ve always had great luck getting lightly used seasonal wear–raincoats, rain boots, snow pants, snow boots, snow jacket. I usually am open to buying one to three sizes up. They always grow into it.
Anonymous says
Carters or Hanna Anderson footed pyjamas, water table, wooden play kitchen, wooden puzzles – anything Melissa and Doug or Hape, Lego duplo (run them through your dishwasher), trains/train set, wooden doll high chair, dressy boots/coats (because not worn a lot, these are often in great shape second hand), good rain gear (full suit is best if they have it), Deuter or Osprey hiking backpack, Toddler Tula.
Pigpen's Mama says
Water table if you have the space for it outside
Little People toys
Duplos or MegaBlocks
Magnatiles or the like
Wooden puzzles (the board/peg kind)
Tool kit and/or work bench
tunnels or play tents (I’d want to open these up and make sure they were in good condition)
Anonymous says
FYI – tunnels and play tents are super cheap at Ikea if you have one nearby.
Meg Murry says
Part of it depends on how much storage space you have and what your vehicle can load in from the sale.
Good finds I’ve had in the past:
-Big bags of Megablocks and duplos
-Other new-in-box toys I put away until the next birthday/Christmas
-Smaller stroller to just leave in the trunk of my car (leaving big stroller at home in garage)
-Swimwear/rashguards (especially if daycare does water play in the summer)
-Crocs and summer shoes
-Adjustable waist jeans/pants for my skinny boys in multiple sizes when they were super cheap and still had knees
-Boots and snowpants (if there isn’t a sale in the fall – if there is, you may want to wait to see what size she is)
-Additional waterproof crib mattress protectors & crib sheets
-A crap ton of clothes when they were cheap enough – at that point, I’ll throw away the $1 secondhand t-shirt when it gets too stained
Things I’ve seen friends buy:
-Wagons
-Jogging strollers
-Bike trailers/seats that attach to adult bikes
-Climbing toys for the yard or basement (like a slide)
-Swingset attachments
-Water tables
-Tricycles/balance bikes – might be a little early, but she may be able to use next summer
-Toy storage for playrooms
-Kids tables and chairs
-Play kitchens
Make sure your phone is fully charged and you can look things up to see how much of a deal they are vs what they are selling for right now.
SC says
Yes to the last paragraph! I looked up a Radio Flyer tricycle at a consignment sale once, and it was selling for the same price as a new one.
Famouscait says
I always buy the clothes I leave at daycare for changes. Also any things that kiddo may outright hate for no discernible reason, but that I want to try (cheaply): hats, sunglasses, flip flops/water shoes, etc.
mascot says
Word of warning- be careful when buying toys and puzzles (or anything where missing/broken pieces matter). We got this fun car building kit only to put it together and realize that the gears and motor were broken.
Favorite Gear/Toys for Toddlers says
Are those tent-like beach shelters worth it? We’re in SoCal, so I anticipate many beach days.
Famouscait says
I got a cheap one that didn’t have any ventilation and it was unbearable. You wouldn’t think it could get so hot with the whole front face open, but it did. Some ventilation at the top/back would be helpful.
Cate says
We have enjoyed ours (TX)
LegalMomma says
we have an LLBean one that I love, it is super easy to put up and down, and it has ventilation plus an open front face with a flap that can be put up for privacy. Link to follow in reply. Great for the beach, but also for shade in the back yard, folds up nice and small so easy to transport.
LegalMomma says
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/86182?feat=506834-GN3&page=sunbuster-folding-shelter&csp=f&attrValue_0=Brilliant%20Blue&productId=1443002
Work travel? says
Not OP but also looking for something easier to set up than my umbrella- this looks awesome thanks for the rec.
mascot says
We’ve got the Costco version of this from a few years ago. They now sell a detachable blanket version which is nice. https://www.costco.com/Lightspeed-Outdoors-Newport-Sun-Shelter-with-Detachable-Blanket.product.100294421.html
They can get rather warm. If I were to do it over again, I’d just get a lightweight pop-up shelter. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/116223?feat=512954-GN2&page=traverse-packlite-easy-pitch-shelter&csp=f&attrValue_0=Natural/Cayenne&productId=1612861 and use a few towels or outdoor blankets.
It’s a pain keeping sandy, wet kids out of the tent and adults can’t really fit in there with chairs.
Meg Murry says
I would think this might be something better to buy new, or from Craigslist or an actual consignment shop where you could take the time to go over the parts etc- because you are taking your chances that all the pieces and parts are there and not broken when getting it from a consignment sale.
mascot says
In moderation for links. I like canopies over tents. If nothing else, they can play in the sand under a canopy which you can’t do in a tent unless you want sand everywhere.
Anon in NYC says
In terms of toys, my almost 2-year old is into puzzles, blocks, her play kitchen, and books. She also enjoys her radio flyer wagon (it’s really a walker, but she likes to push it around and put things in it, and also sit in it). We’re giving her a scooter for her birthday. I’m considering getting a balance bike for her. I think my daughter may be a little young for both the scooter and the balance bike, in part because she is very cautious, but if your daughter is very active, those could be good finds.
Anon in NYC says
Oops – this was meant to be a reply to the consignment thread!
Anon says
We got our extremely cautious kid a balance bike for his 2nd birthday. At first I worried he would take too long to grow into it, but at almost 26 months he’ll already get on it and walk around. I think summer will be fun.
AEK says
My little guy got a balance bike for his 2nd birthday in January. He wasn’t quite tall enough to do much with it, which was fine because of icy Chicago sidewalks. But he is obsessed with it now. Of course, if we are going somewhere more than 4 blocks away, I end up carrying him in one hand and the bike in the other for a little while, but he has so much fun. And is already trying to balance (hello, helmet).
Anon in NYC says
Oh, good to know! My daughter has just started to become more confident at the playground, so I’m hoping that the scooter (or bike!) will be a hit by the end of summer.
quail says
Does anyone have recommendations for a book on moving house for a two year old? We are entering into a somewhat complicated multiple-move situation (like moving twice this summer, and then likely again in about a year from now) and I think a book that could help easy the (many) transitions I am anticipating. On that front – any other tips for preparing/not preparing a young two year old to move? His teachers at daycare advised not telling him until right before the move but starting to read books.
AnonMN says
Our daycare transition around that age was tough, so along with moving books I would also add some good “grown ups come back” books to your list, as that message was the most important for our son when he transitioned. We like Llama Llama Misses Mama.
This is assuming you will be changing daycares as well, which might not be the case, but just thought I would throw it out there.
Famouscait says
Following this as well. We’re moving in 6 weeks! Our daycare advised getting him immediately into a schedule at the new place, which I am already dreading (the transition, not the daycare).
mascot says
I don’t have a book, but I’ve lived to tell the tale of 3 moves in 12 months. Moved our 22 month old to a new town/daycare where we lived in an apartment and saw dad and dogs only on wknd. Moved to a rental house at 24 months (welcome back to dad/dogs/ a yard) and then moved for the final time around at 34 months to our permanent home. Daycare stayed the same from 22 months on. We had already transitioned out of the crib by the first move so that helped. We also kept as much of his room the same so he was familiar with his toys and books. There were some rough patches, but overall we were fine. You may see some regressions or slow progress in some areas so just follow your child’s lead if they get overwhelmed (this summer may not be the time to lose the pacifier or whatever). It’s all temporary. My child doesn’t seem to remember much of the moves several years later. Good luck.
Anon for this says
We used this book: https://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Jamela-Niki-Daly/dp/1847803253. Note that it’s set in South Africa, which we have a personal connection to, so it might not all be as relatable to an American reader. Our kid liked it, though!
We also had a super complicated move. By July, we will have moved three times in 9 months. Our daughter was 2 at the first move, is now 3. She’s been a trooper about it all. We did buy a toy moving truck for her to play with as well, which she liked, and we let her help us pack up her toys so that she knew that they were coming with us. She’s now excitedly looking forward to our final move!
Blueberry says
To give you a little peace of mind, I’ll chime in that when we moved with a 2.5-ish-year-old, it really didn’t phase him. I don’t think we read him any books or did anything special. We told him a few weeks before, I think. In fact, we told him we were moving to one place, and then a dream job situation fell into place unexpectedly and we ended up moving to another place on short notice, so he was a bit confused, poor guy! We had a little going away party at his daycare where we brought pizza and read a book for the class. He was out of school for about 3 months after we moved while I was on maternity leave and waiting for a space to open up, and the transition to the new daycare after that was the rough part for him.
Meg Murry says
Since your moves are a little bit complicated, you might want to preview the books first – stories that are just about a single simple move (and then they packed up all their stuff and moved to a new house and met new friends and it was great!) might backfire on you if you are going to move twice – especially if you are going to a rental or staying with family and some of your stuff will stay in storage between moves.
If one of the stays is short and in a temporary place, you might even consider calling it something else, like “going on vacation in a different apartment” and if you are changing from a freestanding house to an apartment or similar perhaps start with books about all the different kinds of buildings that can be a home and how different families live in all kinds of buildings.
My only advice is to plan to hire movers, babysitters for when you pack, or both – because packing with a 2 year old around is an exercise in frustration – they want to “help” by throwing things in random boxes, or by unpacking the boxes whenever your back is turned. If you have a bunch of things you don’t want to make the move (baby stuff, etc) I’d suggest starting to get rid of it now so it’s separate from moving.
anon says
I have not read this book, but have liked other titles from the Mister Rodgers “First Experiences” series:
https://www.amazon.com/Moving-First-Experiences-Book-Rogers/dp/039921383X
Not sure if it is appropriate for a young 2 either, sorry. It appears to be worth its weight in gold on Amazon, but maybe a library would have it.
My 4 year old’s preschool talked a lot about moving in school with the class and read some books about it before our move. We were only moving down the block, and a long renovation happened before hand, so it was not a secret from my son. The big headlines were that we would all be going there together, and all his stuff would be there, and it would get taken there on a truck. He loved packing a little box with some stuff. But again, not sure how this would have worked at 2; I just can’t remember.
quail says
Thanks everyone! These are all really good suggestions. I like the ideas of having different books (not just about moving) because I don’t really even think he is that attached to our particular house, but will pick up on our stress and will miss his friends and teachers at daycare. I also think we will call the summer temporary situation “staying at our friend’s house” (which we are, as they are away this summer) and that will be easier since he will still be in the same daycare. He’s generally a pretty easy-going kid and was very outgoing when we visited the new day care – so maybe all this is really me projecting and it’s me who really needs the “moving is fun!” books!
Anonymous says
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day is a very good one.
Anon says
Good question! My kid will be 2 in a month and we are moving july 1. I think it is going to be more stressful for me than him but I am so anxious about the whole thing.
Anonymous says
Can you provide a bit more detail about the moves? Will his daycare stay the same? Two moves this summer and another move next year? Are all the moves in the same city or are they to different places? Is there a way to do just one move this summer and another move next summer? Try to keep his childcare situation as stable as possible in this period, and be prepared for lots of questions. We painted our daughter’s room in the new house, the exact same color as in the old house. We even let her ‘help’ with the painting. I strongly recommend doing that if possible. If possible, keep ‘his’ furniture the same – crib or bed, highchair, playpen, car seat/stroller consistent across all the moves. We moved our daughter out of her crib about six months after the move. I think having her familiar crib to go to at right really helped her. I would ask at your local library for books about moving. They may have some ideas and you can take a bunch out to read yourself and find what works best to read with your child.
quail says
Sure – his day care will be the same through the summer, while we are in a temporary house in our (generally) same city. Then, we move to a Big City for an academic year, where we will be in a much smaller apartment than the house he knows now and will be in a new daycare (with the added bonus of being an immersion daycare in a language we read books and sing songs in but do not speak regularly at home). Then, around this time next year, we move to another Big City where we intend to stay long term, where we hope to continue the language immersion/instruction if possible, but it will be in another new school. Yay for academic fellowships.
Thanks for these suggestions – will definitely check out the library first. We’ve been talking about transitioning him out of the crib (taking down the rail – it will be the same piece of furniture) and maybe the time to do it is now rather than waiting so he’ll be used to it by the time we move to temporary house #1 (6-8 weeks from now).
Anonymous says
Is there a reason you’re transitioning him out of the crib? Our oldest actually like hers, it was her ‘safe’ space so she stayed until she asked for an open bed at 3.5 years. Unless he’s trying to climb out, I would leave him in the crib as it reduces the intensity of the babyproofing you’ll have to do in each of his rooms. To prep for the new daycare, I would try to increase his exposure to that language – play songs in the car when driving. Check if there’s a Dora the Explorer DVD series for that language. Dora in other languages speaks the other language and learns English vs. regular Dora who speaks English and learns Spanish.
Meg Murry says
Honestly, unless you know the new place is super childproof, or he’s starting to dangerously climb out of the crib, you might want to just plan to keep it the same for the summer, so you know that when you put him in bed he’ll stay there. However, if he’s starting to escape, then yes, now would probably be a good time to take down the crib side and put up a toddler guardrail. Or even pack up the crib and just put the crib mattress on the floor, which you could then stick with over the summer, and then put up his “big boy bed” at the new place.
I would probably separate it into 2 phases – 1st being “we’re going to go stay in a new house for the summer!” and then later “we’re moving to a new apartment building in Big City!”
Does he watch Curious George at all? Perhaps he could relate to the idea that George lives in a house in the country and also an apartment building in the city?
Anonymous says
This is good advice. Talk about the ‘summer house’ now and then closer to the end of the summer, talk about moving to ‘Big City’ but don’t talk about leaving Big City (move #3) right now, as that’s way too far in the future for him to understand.
quail says
Hmm, these are good points about the crib. Honestly, our goal with the crib was to let him play by himself in the morning without waking us up (his current room is childproofed) – he now screams to get out of the crib because he hasn’t figured out that he can climb out and apparently isn’t content with the dozen toys and books that he sleeps among. But now that you both mention it, it makes more sense to just keep him contained until at least we get to the Big City apartment and see how childproof we can make it. Thanks – this is all super helpful!
anon says
Yeah, that dream is unlikely to come true, even if he could reach all his toys and such. They like company. I think my son has done that one time, ever (he’s almost 5). It was glorious, although his room was basically the biggest mess I’ve ever seen when we woke up.
quail says
I sort of thought this might be the case…dreaming the impossible dream, I guess :)
Anon for this says
You are living my life (my three moves in one year are also due to academic job stuff). I’ll say that while we probably should have followed the advice to keep bedding, etc as similar as possible, it just wasn’t feasible for us, mostly because our two shorter-term rentals were furnished and all of our stuff is in storage right now. Has not been a problem at all, even though we transitioned our kid from a floor bed to a “real” bed when we moved to the first short-term rental.
Again, I’m sure there is massive variation based on the child’s personality, but we had really worried about how all this change was going to affect our daughter, and it has ended up being a total non-issue.
Anonymous says
What do you guys give daycare teachers for Teacher Appreciation week? For reference, my son is 8 months and has 2 regular teachers and 2 “flex” teachers. I gave gift cards to Target and chocolate at Christmas. If I give gift cards again, do I give less than at Christmas? Same amount? Is it tacky to give to the same place?? Help me here!
HSAL says
For Christmas we did Target gift cards – $50 for her main teacher, and $25 for the two “backup” teachers who also covered a lot because the main teacher was a flake. Now we’re in a class where the two “backup” teachers are her main teachers, and daycare sent out a list of “favorite things” for the teachers that included the woman who covers naps. I think we’ll probably do $50 for the two main teachers, and $15 or $20 for the nap coverer and the main teacher from the old class, since she still flexes in there a bit. I don’t think it’s tacky to do the same place, but I’ll probably get some since they list stores they like on the “favorites” sheet.
I can’t decide how I feel about the “favorites” sheet. On one hand, I appreciate knowing what they like so I can tailor it, but it also seems a little gift grabby. It’s done for the entire center so I think the individual teachers are probably a little awkward about it too.
Anonymous says
I taught in an afterschool sports program in college. In the middle class neighborhood in Queens my supervisor pushed hard to get us tips. It was so embarrassing. But we rarely got tips in fancy Manhattan neighborhoods, so I appreciated it. (Especially since we were hourly and took Christmas break off and those tips always ended up being a chunk of rent.)
Anon says
I do Target gcs at the holidays too – $50 for main teachers, $25 for floaters.
For teacher appreciation, at the beginning of the week I bring in either Starbucks or McDonalds gift cards around $25 each for all the teachers. (They are right next door to daycare and I know most of the teachers go to one or the other for lunch on occasion.) Then at the end of the week, usually Thurs, I bring in donuts and coffee for the entire staff. I make a point of saying this loudly to all the teachers on Mon or Tues so they know to expect breakfast and coffee when they get in on whatever day.
We’re friends with the four other families at the daycare who do the same, so last year we coordinated. That way the teachers are getting free breakfast all week, plus a week of free lunches whenever they want to use them. But even if no one else was doing this, I’d feel good with giving them the two free meals and calling it a day.
Pogo says
Is Teacher Appreciation Week announced by the daycare, or do you just … know about this? I would definitely think to do a gift at the holidays, but not some random week in April!
Anonymous says
I got an email from the daycare. Thus the question :)
HSAL says
Ours sent out info about it last week. It’s next week (always the first week in May, I think). It is A Thing at ours. Sign up to bring in breakfast items Monday, bring in a flower for your teacher Tuesday, sign up to bring in a lunch item Wednesday, bring a “favorite” to your teacher Thursday, and “make a card of appreciation” Friday. We’re doing everything but the lunch item. It’s nuts, for sure, but these are people who make very little money taking care of my child, so I want to do what we can.
Pogo says
OK, that makes more sense! I was like… is there some secret Mom society where you learn all these things? An email from daycare is reasonable.
Anon for This says
Any recommended payroll services? We are planning on hiring a housekeeper as a cleaning service has been unwilling to be flexible with our circumstances, but payroll services are causing me to reconsider this decision
layered bob says
we use SurePayroll. It is fine. I have no particular loyalty. Get quotes from a couple and pick the cheapest probably.
blueberries says
Thanks! I’m also interested in recommendations.
POSITA says
We used SurePayroll. They were fine, but left a bad taste in our mouth because they charged a bunch of cancellation fees to get access to our info after we ended our contract.