Accessory Tuesday: Soft Studded Obi Belt
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I completely forgot about belts during the past year and a half. Now, I remember why they’re one of my favorite accessories — even the simplest one can completely transform or complete
an outfit.
I’m looking for something beyond a traditional trouser belt, and this Soft Studded Obi Belt from White House Black Market might be it. This black, studded belt will add some edge to any flowy dress or tunic top and will instantly define your waist. I could see taking it into the fall by pairing it with a textured sweater dress or even a wool sheath.
It’s also made from easy-to-care-for polyurethane, so you can just wipe off any splatters or spills.
This belt is $69 and is available in XS/S–XL. Prefer real leather or need additional size options? Check out this option from Eileen Fisher that’s available in sizes XS–3X for $98.
Sales of note for 5/14/25
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Beauty Deals up to 25% off (ends 5/17)
- Ann Taylor – Suit Yourself! 30% off suiting (ends 5/16) + 25% off your full price purchase (ends 5/18) + extra 60% off sale (ends 5/14)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything + extra 60% off sale + $1 shipping on all orders
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off long-weekend styles + 50% off select swim and coverups
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 50% off clearance + extra 15% off $100+ + extra 20% off $125+
- M.M.LaFleur – Lots of twill suiting on sale! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off all markdowns (ends 5/18) + 30% off dresses, skirts, accessories, and shoes
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
How much do I need to care if the lunch I send to school with kiddo smells? She will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and I’d like to come up with a list of options to pull from throughout the schoolyear. I sent a lot of lunches when she was in preK last year, but I omitted things like hard boiled egges that she’d happily eat. Because of Covid, they were eating in classrooms, and I didn’t want to make it smelly for everyone. They’re planning to be back in the cafeteria this year, so I don’t need to worry right? Will she get to a point where friends make fun of food that smells? Feel free to tell me that I am way overthinking this ;) Last year she asked to take her lunch about 70% of the time.
I live in the NE and was invited to a wedding in Missouri for a good friend (but not best friend) on Labor Day weekend. I am so torn on whether to attend, mainly because of covid and because my children are not vaccinated. I would go by myself, but still don’t want to bring anything back. My friend would 100% understand if I didn’t attend, but I have known her for a decade and would like to be there. I was planning to attend, but now hearing of more and more people who got covid even if vaccinated so second guessing.
Paging the poster whose husband kept finding reasons to avoid childcare, including building you a piece of furniture in the garage as a gift.
I recall recommending “How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids” to you. Any chance a you read it? Any updates? I just recommended it to the poster above wondering if her marriage will change after her baby is born. I’m sure she would love to hear from you.
How do you think having kids affected your marriage? We are due in a few months and I am worried about what it is going to mean for our marriage. A lot of people I know seem a lot less happy as a couple after their first baby.
Why won’t my 3 year old poop on the potty? Helppppp.
We’ve done: sticker charts, poop = toy/treat, sit on the potty with a tablet for legit 45 mins, praise, shame, everything in between, peer pressure from similarly aged cousin.
She starts preschool in September 2 days/week and is supposed to be trained. I’m starting to get very anxious about this. Words of wisdom? She’s successfully done it a handful of times but it’s like 1x/week if that. We’ve seen no incremental progress in the last 60 days.
I have a Kid Mystery and I’m wondering if any of you have experienced something similar or have ideas. My husband and I have both noticed that our kids (5 and 3) get along with each other *significantly* better when there is just one parent watching them as opposed to both of us. When all four of us are together they devolve into bickering/picking on each other really quickly, but when they’re with just me or just him, they largely keep it together. It’s bizarre and annoying, since in an ideal world both of us prefer to parent together. Usually I feel like I’m pretty good at decoding my kids’ weird socio-emotional tics, but this one has me stumped. Maybe they are trying to get our attention because we are talking to each other and not to them? But on the other hand when I was parenting on my own last night, they happily played together for an hour without me while I deep-cleaned the kitchen.
Can anyone who’s back to in-person court (state general jurisdiction trial court or state appellate court, any state) comment on whether and how female attorney attire has changed since everything shut down last March? I am presenting at a judicial conference next week and am not sure what to wear. My current options are black or gray sheath dress with black or gray jardigan or collarless blazer, or bright blue MMLF fit-and-flare dress with collarless white linen blazer. For shoes I have block-heel pointed-toe pumps in tan suede, tan smooth leather, or black smooth leather. I feel like the Interwebs are moving away from sheath dresses to shift dresses, but those are not terribly flattering on me and I don’t think there is time to order something and have it tailored. The blue dress is more memorable but the fit-and-flare seems more casual and younger. The goal is to look like a put-together, powerful, stylish boss lady. Thoughts?
For anyone who’s used Miralax for an extended time with their kid, can you share your experience? We’ve been using it for close to a year and every time I try to taper off (while ensuring that plenty of fruit and water are being consumed), we go back to owie poops once the dose gets to a certain point. Our ped (who I usually love) has basically said eh, it takes a long time (this is via the nursing line), but a year feels like an excessively long time and it feels frustrating that we keep getting stalled out regardless of diet.
How do you make part time or flex time work as a transactional attorney (with lots of deal work)? Are you able to sign off at xyz time and come back after bedtime? Knowing we have grandparent backup care ready for those really crazy deals, would I be able to make this work? (And if so, any suggestions on percentage I should ask for? I have a firm that is very flexible on stuff like this) I have two little ones and ideally we’d like to send them to a preschool ending at 3.
We have an upcoming 9 hour drive with the 1yo. I think I have everything prepped as much as possible for in-car entertainment for kid but am looking for some podcasts for me and DH. It doesn’t need to be kid friendly as long as there isn’t a ton of violence, cussing, etc. In the past, we’ve enjoyed stuff you missed in history class and armchair expert.
Related to kid- is there a show like Cocomelon but that doesn’t make you want to gouge your eyes and ears out? Kid is definitely interested in it, but I cannot stomach it for more than 15 minutes.