This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I knew the day would come when I would feel like I aged out of shopping at Forever 21. I think since I basically stopped shopping for two years straight (the nine months I was pregnant plus the year my body wasn’t the same, I was in a complete brain fog and I completely lost interest in following fashion), it’s become increasingly hard to jump back into trends. Especially now that apparently the ’90s are back, and I cannot bring myself to re-buy what was trendy when I was in elementary school. All that is to say, Forever 21 has completely passed me by. However, there is one thing that keeps me going back in — their basic camisole tank tops. They’re stupid cheap, I wear them under basically everything, and they last a surprisingly long time. I still have the ones I bought during my summer internship between 1 and 2L years. The tops are $2.90 each in sizes XS–XL and come in tons of colors. The plus-size counterpart is $3.90 and comes in 0X–4X in eight colors. Cotton Blend Cami This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® 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 5.5.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase (ends 5/12); $50 off your $200+ purchase (ends 5/5)
- Banana Republic Factory – Spend your StyleCash with 40-60% off everything, or take an extra 20% off purchase (ends 5/6)
- Eloquii – $19 & up 300+ styles and up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Shirts & tees starting at $24.50; extra 30% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles & extra 15% off; extra 55% off sale styles
- Nordstrom: Nordy Club members earn 3X the points on beauty; 30% off selected shoes
- Talbots – 40% off one item & and 30% off everything else; $50 off $200 (all end 5/5)
- Zappos – 27,000+ 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 – 40% off everything & extra 20% off select styles with code
- Hanna Andersson – Friends & Family Sale: 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Crewcuts – tk; extra 30% off sale styles; kids’ styles starting at $14.50
- Old Navy – Up to 75% off clearance
- Target – 20% off women’s clothing & shoes; up to 50% off kitchen & dining; 20% off jewelry & hair accessories; up to $100 off select Apple products; up to 40% off home & patio; BOGO 50% off adult & YA books
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
Click here to see our top posts!
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?
Lana Del Raygun says
If you have a top loader, wash these in a lingerie bag! I had a couple that got their straps wrapped around (and over — how???) the agitator and it stretched them out so that they were always slipping off my shoulders. Other than that they’ve help up to wayyy more than $2.90 worth of use.
Backyard Party Ideas says
This may out me, but hosting a backyard birthday party for our two year old this weekend… in Texas. We’ve got a big fan and are planning to put out sprinklers and baby pools and things like that.
Other backyard stuff that would be fun? I don’t want to organize specific games as we’ll have a range of ages, including some younger siblings. And also, I’m not really the organized game type! What have you all done that has worked well?
FVNC says
Water balloons were a huge hit at a recent backyard party with 4 and 5 yr olds!
anon says
the “bunch-o-balloons” water balloons are easy to use and fun for all ages. the package hooks to your hose and blows up…well…a bunch of balloons at once. all the bubbles are good for that age too.
Anonymous says
Ride ons, a giant block of ice with toys frozen inside (this takes a couple of days and ideally a best freezer to do but it is a huge hit! Add some plastic hammers), bubbles, balls (like the $2 playground balls), lots of juice boxes (frozen so they are like slushies). Cool plastic sunglasses. Balloons. All the balloons. This will be the biggest hit.
My middle turns 2 this weekend also! I am lazy and just did a “no gifts please” meetup at a local splash pad and will be bringing donuts and coffee. “Party” favors are a balloon and a sheet of stickers.
Em says
That party sounds amazing.
Anonymous says
To be honest I wouldn’t have done one but my older kids keep asking when my 2 y/o’s Party will be and then she started to ask I started to feel a little guilty.
anon. says
Look up Busy Toddler’s ice sensory bin. It’s awesome. Unfortunately it also melts fast in the heat, but it costs nothing (well, for this event I suppose a $3 bag of ice or whatever) and my kid that age loves it.
anon. says
http://busytoddler.com/2018/06/ice-table-sensory-bin/
Anon in NYC says
Bubble machine (plus lots of individual bubbles) will be good. Buy extra bubble solution.
AwayEmily says
Spray bottles!! The colored $1.99 kind you can get at Target or wherever. Kids (especially toddlers) LOVE spray bottles. Also pick up some stickers so they can decorate their own. I have done this at several get-togethers and it is a Very Big Hit.
Anonymous says
My child would love this! I might have to get her one for outdoor play!
DLC says
We love waterplay! We put a kiddie slide next to our kiddie pool so that you can slide into the water. It is awesome. Also- a little bit of work, but we built a water table that is kind of like a fountain: we bought a pump and tubing and cut a hole in our water table, so that the water drains into a bucket and then gets pumped back into the water table- it saves on the water bill because we basically use the same 5 gallons of water over and over all afternoon.
And a Stomp Rocket is the other best outdoor toy we own.
AIMS says
Just a heads up – the Nordstrom sale (which I don’t find that useful for myself) has a lot of good baby gear on sale. Some sold out already but lots of things that one may want to stock up on for gifts or otherwise – Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, sleep sacks, and stuff that rarely goes on sale like dockatot and maxi-cosi car seats and strollers.
Also, a separate PSA: I recently spent a lot of time looking for sheets for my toddler and finally found some great ones at Target, of all places. 100% cotton, cute but not overly juvenile prints, and very soft. I think the twin size was on sale for less than $20 and the toddler size was around $14. I was surprised how many “nicer” sheets were all or part polyester and my plain Ralph Lauren go-tos from the past felt scratchy and rough, so highly recommend!
FVNC says
I need a mini-wardrobe update. I work from home, yet have no real casual wardrobe. What are your favorite casual/t-shirt dresses WITH pockets? What are your favorite everyday jeans (i.e., not for like, date night)? I’m a S/XS, pretty straight up and down, flat chested. Help!
anon. says
I prefer a cotton gauzy dress to a true t-shirt. I have one from Velvet and one from Marine Layer. They weren’t dirt cheap, but they both have pockets and I’ve worn them so so so many times. They feel like nightgowns.
Spirograph says
With the caveat that I’m M and pear-shaped, so fit may be different on your body:
Check out Target’s jeans. I have 2 pair of favorite jeans. One is from Nordstrom and cost $200, and the other is from Target and cost $20. They’re equally comfortable, and the Target ones wear well, just aren’t “nice” enough for work or date night.
Lands End and LL Bean for casual dresses with pockets
AwayEmily says
+1. Target’s new Universal Thread line is great for jeans. They have a lot of different fits/rises. I also got a pair of denim shorts there this summer that are the first pair of shorts I’ve liked in YEARS.
anne-on says
I rotate through a capsule casual wardrobe of ‘nice’ blouses, button down shirts and tanks layered with cocoon cardigans paire with skinny jeans (Madewell high waisted ones) and shorts in the summer (the Talbots girlfriend chino ones are very cute).
My offices are ‘business casual’ but I still tend to dress slightly more formal than that, but I prefer my at home tops to also work for business casual office tops. Favorite brands are the brooks brothers red fleece button downs (on sale! load up when they’re like $20 $30 a piece) ann taylor/loft and jcrew. It helps if you pick a color scheme – my main bottom colors are blue and black denim, grey work slacks, and then my tops are usually navy/purple/green/yellow/pink/orange.
J says
I WFH nearly full time (just monthly visits to my office nearly 3 hours away). Honestly, I’m pretty much only wearing Old Navy jeans these days. Different versions of the Rockstar. I’m thinking about trying Wit and Wisdom for a step up. Especially some white jeans, which my wardrobe is lacking right now. I don’t like how the Old Navy white ones look on me.
FVNC says
Thanks for the suggestions! One of these days I may wear something other than leggings…maybe.
Cbs - paging autoimmune and pregnancy says
I missed replying to the post about autoimmune disorders and pregnancy and wanted to follow up. I have lupus and was lucky to have a pretty uneventful pregnancy but flares with a nearly walking one year old are the pits. My husband took one day off as I just didn’t feel safe looking after my little guy on my own. I think it is the combo of illness and prolonged sleep deprivation. Things I realized I needed to consider – pain relief when breastfeeding (Tylenol doesn’t touch the sides of the pain) and childcare. We don’t have any local family.
Following up on the discussion of screen time, i was incredibly anti screen time but my kid has been getting 20 minutes of London buses (literally just red buses going along Oxford Street -he is obsessed) each day this week while I lay on the floor next to him.
lawsuited says
Sending you lots of love, Cbs. It’s hard enough balancing family and work life and I can only imagine the added layer of complexity that chronic illness brings. From all your posts here you sound like a really wonderful mum.
Pogo says
Aw, hugs. You got this!
Batgirl says
Does anyone have any recommendations for comfortable but nice nursing bras? I guess by “nice,” I mean that they don’t give you that shelf look, they are smooth enough that shirts lay nicely on them, and supportive enough that your “girls” don’t hang too low. Not so concerned about looking cute beyond that criteria! All of the ones I’ve tried end up being hard to fold down to nurse or wildly uncomfortable. And, of course, I don’t want to break the bank! Thanks!
Anonymous says
Mine were nearly all from Motherhood Maternity and were good enough. The first couple I got were much less cute, as you’ve defined it. When I went back to work I went in and said I needed something a little less matronly, and they steered me toward something a little more typical with more support and separation. They were comfortable and easy to nurse in.
Pogo says
Same. I don’t know the brand that I have… but they look just like regular bras, but with the clippy things. They’re not super nice but they’re not bad either. I think they were $30-45.
lsw says
I had one that was so amazing – I will look at the brand and page you tomorrow.
I had two nice underwire ones for when I went back to work – one was Elomi and one was Cake Lingerie.
Anonymous says
I am very busty (34G not nursing) and loved my Anita underwires. It had stretchy seamless cups but was still pretty supportive. The material was thin so it moved out of the way easily, and it stayed clipped up when it was supposed to.
Anon in NYC says
Same.
Anonymous says
+1
AwayEmily says
I kinda think you have to try them on because preferences vary so much…so I would go somewhere that has a reasonable selection. Motherhood Maternity if there’s one near you, or if not then Target has at least 4 or 5 kinds.
Blueberries says
The best non-underwire for I’ve found is Hotmilk Show Off. I really like it much better than any other nursing bras. I’m larger so a lot of the smaller comfortable-looking bras don’t work for me.
Everlong says
Here’s a fun one… what is your schedule for visiting this community?
Days like yesterday when it felt like there were tons of conversations I was interested, I had a hard time not hanging out all day. Days like today… I’m more productive. Do you visit at regular intervals? Save it for when you accomplish a big task?
Anonymous says
Way. Too. Often.
Pogo says
When I’m eating or pumping.
Boston Legal Eagle says
When I’m busy, I save my visits for breaks in between tasks and lunch. For slower days, I pretty much refresh every hour or so. I have noticed that some days, usually toward the beginning of the week, have 100+ comments, while others have closer to 30-40 or so. I wonder if people taper off at the end of the week?
Mama Llama says
I’ve been reading all the recent coverage of maternal mortality/injury in the U.S., and it’s got me a little freaked out about my upcoming c-section. One of the big causes of death is high blood pressure leading to stroke. Would it be completely ridiculous to get a home blood pressure cuff so I can keep an eye on my blood pressure after I leave the hospital? Has anyone done this or thought about doing it?
Mama Llama says
Here’s a scary article if anyone wants to get freaked out with me. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/deadly-deliveries/2018/07/26/maternal-mortality-rates-preeclampsia-postpartum-hemorrhage-safety/546889002
Coach Laura says
After reading this article, I remembered that my sister, a 25+year L&D RN, told me that she thinks that if you’re going to deliver, you should have a personal advocate there – someone who knows about L&D. Like a nurse, doula or a midwife or a friend who is knowledgeable about childbirth. Ideally, this person should stay with you overnight and watch for things like blood pressure, bleeding, headaches and be willing to advocate to get you care that you need.
AwayEmily says
I don’t think it’s ridiculous. To my mind, even if the chances are small, anything that reduces anxiety in the post-partum period is good.
Anonymous says
I think that condition (post partum preeclampsia) kicks in within a day or two after birth…you’ll still be in the hospital if you’re having a c section, and your blood pressure will be plenty monitored.
Anonymous says
Yeah, it’s very rare for it to happen more than 48 hours post-birth. I called my OBGYN because I had crazy, crazy swelling come on very suddenly at about 5 days postpartum. It was so weird, my hands and feet just blew up like balloons (and I hadn’t any swelling during pregnancy or right after birth). But anyway I called them all panicked and they said “you can go to urgent care if you want, but because it’s been more than 2 days and you’re not having other symptoms, there’s basically no chance it’s preeclampsia.” I forget the other symptoms they mentioned but one of them was like something weird in your vision, like seeing stars or something? I’d just read up about symptoms and call/go in if you have any troubling symptoms.
But yeah maternal care is this country sucks and it’s very scary. I had a v-birth and was still terrified about all the ways I could die.
Em says
My sister got it 4 days after birth. Her doctor had another patient that the same thing happened to. Both were at home at the time.
Anonymous says
A friend had this happen about a week after birth.
Lana Del Raygun says
My practice actually sends you a cuff and has you track your BP in an app! I think this is a good idea if it would set your mind at ease, and a bad idea if it would send you into a terrible neurosis spiral.
NewMomAnon says
This was going to be my suggestion – ask your OB if they will prescribe one so you can rent instead of buy.
CCLA says
Not ridiculous. But if you’re the type for whom more info reduces anxiety, I’d also recommend just familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of HELLP syndrome, which include but are not limited to high BP. I haven’t read the above article but have read several with the same gist over the last year, and it’s shocking in some cases how symptoms are missed when the patient was still in hospital. My DH is a doc and I’m not anti-physician at all, but I do think this is one of those cases where until maternal care catches up here, you and DH or whoever your support is would be well-served to be aware ahead of time of what to look out for in case you need to be an advocate.
anon says
It seems like many people here work from home. Can you please share where you work or what type of job?
My office’s work from home policy recently changed from 3 days to 1 day from home and I am feeling it. Big time.
J says
Attorney. Medium sized law firm in a medium sized city. We had to move about 3 hours from my office for my husband’s job, and I asked to work remotely. I go in about once or twice a month – a day trip but leave super early so I’m at the office about 8:30-3:45ish (unless I have a late meeting). It works well because my department is more specialized, so we have clients all over the state/region. Most are used to conference calls, video chat, and generally not being in the same city as me.
FVNC says
OP, your previous arrangement would be my ideal! I’m sorry for the change in policy.
I’m an attorney for a F50 company; been with company 8 yrs, so I’ve had time to establish a good reputation. My official remote status is an exception in our department that was granted two years ago due to a relocation for my husband’s work. It is not meant to be permanent, i.e., if we move to a city where my company has an office, I will be expected to go into the office. That said, lots of my colleagues WFH unofficially or on an as-needed basis.
Our clients are world-wide, so even in the office, most people are on the phone all day rather than in face to face meetings. So, the company culture lends itself well to WFH. I definitely have to work a bit harder to establish work relationships/friendships, and I would likely never be promoted to exec level as a WFH employee (which for the time being is fine) — but overall it’s worked out really well.
Anonymous says
I’m a VP of product management/marketing. I’m 100% remote. My team is 60% office based (across 4 offices) and 40% entirely remote. I travel about 5 days/month to a mix of company offices and the occasional client or trade show.
Anonymous says
Oh, and I’ve been with my company 6 years. When I started I worked out of one of our offices. The office is still there but I work with nobody in it (my role changed and also a lot of those based on the local office working on my dept left). When I got promoted to VP going fully remote was a condition of taking the role, which has way more travel. I do have a desk/office in my regional office as well as the main office for my division. They get dusty and are mainly used for others to nap/have private calls/pump since I’m never in them.
Sarabeth says
I work from home approx 50% of the time. I’m an academic in the humanities at a private university.
lala says
I negotiate contracts in corporate America (former attorney), WFH 2-3 days per week, but I get to make my own schedule (I actually like going to the office for social reasons . . .)
Hilton Head says
We’re thinking of going to Hilton Head for a week in August. Never been before. Good for a vacation with toddler kids? We’re thinking of staying in the Forest Beach area (specifically, the Seacrest Villas or the Shorewood Villas). Anyone have any feedback generally about the location or these particular villas? Other stuff to do (besides the beach of course)? Thanks so much.
Anonymous says
Definitely a good family vacation except that it gets very very hot there. So be prepared. Hilton Head has great golf courses and tennis courts, though they might be a bit advanced for a toddler, haha.
Mrs. Jones says
Hilton Head is great for families. Mini golf is a good option for little kids.
lsw says
We were just there for a family vacation (extended family) and had a great time with our 12 yo and 2 yo. With younger kids who still need naps being walkable/bikeable from the beach was really appreciated. Everything was super kid-friendly and it was an awesome vacation!
We used Baby’s Away to rent a few things and they were AWESOME. Highly recommend if you need any gear.
LH says
Has anyone been to the Caribbean with babies? We’re thinking of going this winter with our then 10/11 month old. We’d splurge on a room with an ocean view and priorities would be playing at the beach/pool, relaxing in warm weather (we live in a state with a harsh winter), and hopefully DH and I will get to take turns doing some snorkeling/paddleboarding. We have relatively short, non-stop flights to several islands and she’s been a good flyer so far so I’m not too worried about that portion of the trip. But I’ve heard a lot about how babies and sand don’t mix – do you guys think I’m totally crazy? And any specific island recs? I’m thinking of Turks and Caicos. The Beaches resort doesn’t seem worth the splurge given that the baby is too young to do any of the kid stuff, but there are a bunch of more affordable hotels nearby that look nice.
Spirograph says
We’ve done a few beach vacations with babies around a year old, and they were all successful. Some babies love (and eat) sand, some refuse to touch it, and you never know which kind you have until you’re there. No matter what, this is totally do-able. Bring a big beach blanket and some kind of portable shade. My kids loved just sitting on the blanket and digging & building sand castles all afternoon, with occasional dips in the ocean. They would NOT nap at the beach, but it was easy enough to rest in the hotel room for a few hours in the afternoon. Remember sand gets really hot in the sun and baby feet/hands/knees do NOT like that, and resign yourself to really annoying diaper changes, or just plan on showering the baby when you’re done with the beach.
No advice on islands, though. We went to mainland US beaches :)
CCLA says
Have you taken her recently (or can you try before booking this trip) to the beach? Our DD was fine when quite little, absolutely hated the sand from about 9-18 mos, and now at 22 mos we have to drag her away from playtime at the beach. But I’m sure it varies by kiddo. I wouldn’t want to book a trip like that without doing some trial runs, unless you’re cool with hanging out elsewhere on the grounds or in the room in the event sand=screaming.
LH says
I’d be totally cool with hanging out at the pool, which I guess sort of renders the question about babies and sand moot. DH and I both want to spend some time in the ocean, but we’re fine taking turns doing that and watching the baby. Unfortunately we’re nowhere near the ocean so a trial run doesn’t make sense (a vacation to Florida would cost almost as much as the vacation to the Caribbean).
Lana Del Raygun says
What about a sandbox? (I’ve never heard of this issue so I don’t know if it would be a real test or if there’s something special about ocean sand that some babies don’t like.)
Anonymous says
My New York City baby was very confused by grass and sand around a year old, and I realized he had probably never felt them before. (Daycare had astroturf). When we took him to the beach around 14 months, he tried to play in the sand without touching it, which was amusing. He became a sand and dirt aficionado by the time he was 2 – he loved to eat it AND play in it.
Anonymous says
Do you live near any lakes that have a little sand? Not quite the same tho g, but should be a decent test
Anon in NYC says
I took my 3 year old to Turks and Caicos a few months ago and it was great. Kids can be really hit or miss with the sand and ocean (my daughter hated it), so I’d definitely recommend a place with a pool. I’d also recommend a ground floor room, for easy access to outside.
NewMomAnon says
My little brother hated sand as a baby. My parents would set him up in a frame backpack with an umbrella or a beach tent with a floor. There are options for kiddos who hate sand! Providing shade would be the bigger issue, and most beach resorts do that well.
TBH, my biggest issue with vacationing with a little kiddo is the time period between their bedtime and yours. Does the resort offer a babysitter service so you can go grab drinks with your husband while kiddo sleeps? Or are the rooms divided up so baby can sleep while you open a bottle of wine on the lanai?
AwayEmily says
YES agreed. I now refuse to go on vacation unless we can get a suite or rent an airbnb with a separate bedroom. Sitting in a dark hotel room starting at 7pm is the opposite of a vacation.
LH says
We seem to have a night owl – she’s currently a 9 to 9 (sometimes even 10 to 10) sleeper and to be honest I like to go to bed at 9 pm too, and getting lots of sleep is my idea of a nice vacation :) But I’m aware her schedule may very well change in the next 5 months. We always get a suite or one bedroom apartment when we travel. And a balcony is a must for me in the tropics. I plan to sit out there and read my Kindle and stare at the ocean while she naps.
Thanks for all the advice!
Anonymous says
We did a Mexico all-inclusive with kiddo last winter at just under 2.5. IMO, it is worth finding a hotel with rooms or suites having separate living and sleeping spaces and splurging a little bit on the upgrade. My kiddo is a napper and an early bedtimer. I often went to bed shortly after her and enjoyed catching up on sleep. Hubby stayed up later and enjoyed the separation to watch basketball or something on his iPad. We both appreciated the separation for naps but also tended to take turns going out on our own at naptime.