Maternity Monday: Knife-Pleat Dress
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.
This pretty navy dress definitely doesn’t scream “maternity dress” like some can, so even though the brand name has always given me the ick, I’m loving this style from Ripe Maternity. (Why do so many maternity/nursing brands have questionable names? NOM Maternity, Boob Design, Udderly Hot Mama…) If this dress had been in my maternity wardrobe when I was pregnant, I think I’d have reached for it in my closet again and again.
I really love this shade of blue, which caught my eye right away, and the knife pleats are rare enough to add some interest. Note that the dress isn’t labeled machine washable, but I’m pretty sure tossing it in the washer on the hand-wash cycle with some Woolite will work out fine.
This dress is $100 at Bloomingdale’s and available in XS-XL.
Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines.
Sales of note for 7/15/25
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – The Anniversary Sale is open for everyone — here’s our roundup!
- Ann Taylor – Semiannual sale, extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything + extra 50% off clearance
- Eloquii – Limited time, 100s of styles starting at $9
- J.Crew – End of season cashmere sale, take 40% off select cashmere
- J.Crew Factory – All-Star Sale, 40-70% off entire site and storewide and extra 60% off clearance
- M.M.LaFleur – Sitewide Sale, save 25% with code — 48 hours only! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Spanx – Free shipping on everything
- Talbots – All markdowns, buy 2 get 1 free, on TOP of an extra 40% off (ends 7/15)
I’m in my second trimester and find that my anxiety has gotten worse the last few weeks. For example, I am stressing so much more about little things at work that don’t matter, including over the weekend, and am losing sleep over it. Crying frequently. I used to do this in my former biglaw job (and went on meds at the time), but have been much less stressed/anxious since moving to a local government, 9-5 position a few years ago. My job is the same as it’s been the last few years, so it seems hormone induced.
Is this typical? I’m going to raise with my OB at my next appointment, but wondering if this is common and if anything I can really do about it. I really want to avoid meds to the extent I can while pregnant, but it’s been awful recently.
I just wanted to reach out into the internet ether and say how proud I am of myself. This weekend I road in a charity bike ride, raising $20,000 and completing the “challenge” program of 100 miles on day 1 and 100 km on day 2. I trained really hard, and carved out the time from the family to do so (and DH was just fine.) I felt so strong and capable riding in at the front of the pack with mostly men (and especially when I would pass them on hills).
Just a win for a mom’s mental and physical health to celebrate here. (and funds to a great cause!)
To the bike poster below: the cycling community is so supportive. I have literally been riding for 2 years, having not had a bike since i was ~14. I have received so much great advice and support. I also got one to ride with kiddo when he graduated from a balance bike. (I did upgrade for this ride). Not suggesting that this is what you are trying to do, but just that if you ask around a bit, people will help get you there.
styling help? I’m a lawyer and giving a large presentation later this summer. I’d like to wear something professional but striking, i.e. be memorable (but still appropriate). Any great ideas??
Talk to me about taking your kids to Europe….I would LOVE to…but part of me is so, so worried about traveling with two little ones. They are in the toddler stage and it sounds like a pretty wild idea to me now. But…I am itching to go…not sure if I should plan a trip or wait until the kids are a little older.
Does anyone have a skylight calendar and not like it? Or an alternative I’m not thinking about? We have four kids ages 3 – 10 and looking to fall feels like it would be nice to have all their schedules on display for myself, DH, our nanny and the older kids who can read. I can get a 15″ for $270 which feels not terrible versus waiting for black friday. Enable me or hold me back haha.
Pros and Cons of sending a packed lunch vs cafeteria lunch for a kindergartener? He’s not a very picky eater, but has your usual 5yo preferences.
Also we live 1 mile from school and are considering doing some form of walking/biking/scootering to and from school after he gets settled in and when the weather cools off. For those who do, do you just leave the bike or scooter at school during the day? I’m imagining me or dad walking or jogging along with him. Live in suburban SEUS and a lot of kids from the surrounding neighborhoods walk as well.
My 2-years-and-one-month old daughter has developed a new behavior this weekend: shouting “I don’t want to” when we try to wash her hands or go upstairs for a nap and similar. Oh-oh. I know it’s developmentally normal, but how have you all handled this stage?
We do not “force” her to do anything unless it’s a matter of safety, so I’ve just been mostly working a lot harder than usual this weekend to convince her to wash her hands, etc. I want to be prepared, however!
This is weirdly embarrassing to admit, but here goes: I’ve never learned how to ride a bike. My family had a lot of upheaval during my elementary school years, so I think it just fell through the cracks when I was a kid. I was too embarrassed as an older kid to try in front of other kids, and then it was easy to just never think about it as an adult. But now I have a 4-year old with a balance bike and I want to get her a pedal bike for her birthday and I think I want to get one for myself and learn too. But I’m not at all well-coordinated and also kind of scared, so I’m officially asking for help. I found a one-time learn to ride class for adults at a local nonprofit but it’s not until late August, and I would love to maybe get started sooner (while I have the nerve!). Is this something where maybe I could get a coach to give me a lesson or two? What kind of bike is really good for beginners? Are balance bikes for adults a thing (lol)? I would really appreciate any advice.
Is it normal for a toddler to become obsessed with something?
Ever since we went to Sesame Place two months ago, my 22 month old has been obsessed with Sesame Street stuff. She carries a Sesame Street book around with her all the time, always wants her Elmo or Cookie Monster stuffie, wants to listen to Sesame Street songs. (We have not introduced the show yet, but I’m sure she will be addicted to it.). We spend 90 mins to 2 hours reading Sesame Street books to her at night and she doesn’t want to play with any of her other toys. Should I be worried? I find the singular focus weird, but maybe it’s normal?
So cute and only goes up to a US size 12.
Could use some perspective/advice from this group! I have a 1.5 year old son, and I’m feeling a good amount of resentment in my marriage for carrying so much of the mental load of our life. I’m the one to handle schedule and plan everything to do with pretty much any aspect of our lives, going from nanny coordination to ordering groceries to planning vacation, making social plans on the weekend and researching schools and where we will live. My husband is a doctor who is a solo practitioner and his practice is not yet very profitable (though high potential for profitability); I am a biglaw partner so obviously my work is also consuming. I’m feeling like he gets to “just” focus on work while I both focus on work, manage literally everything, and also have the stress of being the sole breadwinner right now. Basically, I’m looking for empathy or someone to tell me it gets better? Feeling tapped out and burnt out. I think what is sparking this feeling right now is that we have a vacation coming up that is dovetailing with what will certainly be a busy time workwise for me, so I’m not going to get the break I was hoping for.
SOS- heading into a chaotic work week after a weekend where I was solo parenting my two kids (3 and 10 months). My husband was out of town all weekend and didn’t get back until late last night. I am 10/10 on the grumpy scale this morning and trying to hype myself up.
Would love advice from the other busy moms on this board. I am trying to do a better job working out but am finding that even if I make the time for the workout, I’m struggling to actually push myself to work hard. What ends up happening is I start the peloton ride but a few min in, just tune out and go super low effort for the duration of the ride, or I go out for a run and then switch to a walk, or start the strength workout and stop early. It almost feels like between work, parenting two toddlers, doing everyday life, I just don’t have the mental energy or willpower to put effort in. I am getting sufficient sleep and am not battling illness, so it does truly feel like a mental thing. Any idea how to break this? I’m frustrated with myself that I’m making the sacrifices required to find the time early in the morning or late at night and then not capitalizing on it. I do have some weight to lose and strength to regain from my last pregnancy (and am already doing well with diet) so I do really want to make this happen.