Accessory Tuesday: Solar Powered Mesh Watch Strap
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.
Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I always wear a watch when I go out — I like being able to check the time without whipping out my phone.
I actually have a solar-powered watch like this one from Skagen and I love how I never have to worry about getting the battery replaced. This pretty rosegold watch has a stainless steel case, lightweight mesh strap, and easy to read face. It even glows in the dark! The modern minimalist look will work both in and out of the office.
Skagen’s Grenen Solar Powered Mesh Strap Watch is $195 at Nordstrom.
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
Anyone have experience with their kid getting foot braces? DS is in PT for gross motor issues. He had some muscle tightness that was initially causing core weakness. Now that he is working on pulling up/cruising/etc., PT has made some comments that he is pronating a lot and may need braces. I had noticed the same pronation issues… but thought it was more strength-related and would resolve once he was strong enough to start walking. Internet research I did suggests the opposite– that the foot pronation may actually delay his ability to walk. I’m really stressed about this– did anyone’s kid either use foot braces for a limited period of time and then wean off or have a foot pronation issue that resolved before the kid actually needed foot braces?
I’m going to be solo parenting next week. What’s adding a wrinkle to this is that I will be 4 weeks past having a major surgery. I’m doing fine and not on painkillers anymore and can drive, but I am still so tired and really dreading this. Kids are in elementary and middle school, so they’re older but also need to get to activities (we don’t have a carpool for those), homework supervision for the second grader, plus the usual parenting stuff. Oh, and I’m supposed to go back to work.
How can I make this easier on myself? Our biweekly cleaners are coming. I can do grocery pickup or delivery. But really, I’m tired just thinking about this. DH absolutely can’t cancel his work trip, unfortunately.
Good morning! Anyone in NYC or other VHCOL area with a nanny willing to share what they’re paying?
I am a in the final stretch of my pregnancy. My hair is now really long and thick, so I’d like to donate most of the length while its still healthy. Any estimates of how long I have once my baby arrives to get it cut before it starts dropping out?
What do you guys do when your kid is sick but it’s just a lingering cold? Daycare has been texting me all “Little Pogo is not himself” and “Little Pogo still coughing” and…. so? This week is a nightmare logistically and we just can’t have him home. No fever, no COVID, no strep, no flu. He’s sick, sure, but he also demanded to play outside last night after dinner so it’s not like he’s on death’s door.
I feel bad, but realistically, I don’t think he’d “rest” at home – he would just drive me crazy. I’m not sure what ped would do, he has a cold. I guess the guilt is just getting to me.
Any medically inclined folks want to help me self diagnose? For reference–5 months postpartum, BFing, taking progesterone-only mini BC pill. I did the Everlywell women’s health test just for kicks because I like to have all the available data, which revealed some interesting results. I have been reading online about PCOS/possible “estrogen dominance.” Any other ideas? Or if it is one of the above, any recommendations on how to self correct?
–(1) Estradiol is high–12.3 pg/mL (normal range 1.1-7.8 pg/mL). I expected this to be low because of BFing.
–(2) Progesterone is low–31 pg/mL (normal range 99-333 pg/mL). I expected this to be high or at least normal because of the progesterone mini pill.
–(3) LH is low– <0.2mIU/mL (normal range 1.6-9.3 mIU/mL). This one is not that surprising to me since I am likely not ovulating due to BFing and the mini pill.
How do you all decide whether it is “worth” the extra work to attend work social events? I get a great deal of pressure from my boss to attend as many social events as possible. I know that they are good for my career and a part of progressing up the corporate ladder. The challenge is that I work for a branch of the corporate office, and corporate headquarters is a 2-3 hr drive each way. Many of the social events for the bigger corporation are at headquarters. An upside to working form home for the past few years is that this pressure was gone, but now it is back. I try and go to any social events that are more local (and many of the execs actually live closer to our branch so they are up here). The idea of driving 5-6 hours plus needing evening childcare to attend a one hour lunch seems bonkers to me. The most recent request is to attend an afternoon lunch on the last Friday in August, which would mean that my drive home would likely be 4+ hours with tourist traffic. My boss doesn’t seem to get it because, while she was a working mom, her spouse was the default parent.
Hi Ladies – I’ve found a working mom thing that’s really helped me and passing it on in case it might help you. My job involves developing policy positions on areas that are generally known to me but each position requires a lot of learning the overall policy context for that specific position. And, I have two young kids and limited time for background research. I’ve taken to downloading 6 or so podcasts about that policy area when a new issue comes up and listening to them on my commute and while doing tidying/prep at home. Not fun but does get me a lot of background context and info without requiring extra “work” time. YMMV but thought I’d pass it on.
I’ve been solo parenting 93% of the time since my kids were 5 and 8. They are now 8 (almost 9!) and 11. For dinners, I generally make one dinner with something for everyone, and I try to sit down with my kids most nights. Our weekly menu is pretty set: Monday is tofu night. Tuesday is tacos. Wednesday is order out or they are with their dad. Thursday is choice pasta, which means that they can choose and I will end up making two different types of mac n cheese. Friday is pizza on the couch. I try and do a side of fruit and veggies. I know that veggies are not a favorite, so that tends to be whatever I want. We can each customize the meal to our liking. That means that my son eats his “taco” as a bowl without an actual taco shell, and I put taco toppings on top of whatever salad/lettuce/spinach is moderately fresh in the fridge. Weeknight meals tend to be pretty quick. Sunday dinners tend to be more elaborate and are totally my choice. Weeknights are a struggle because I work until 5:30, which can easily become 6 or 6:30, but I need to cook and get my kids fed in time for them to do showers, read and bed by 8 or 8:30. I also try and get all of my night time chores done before they go to bed so I can either get a bit more work done or relax after they go to bed. It isn’t easy!
We’ve started meds and cleaned all the toys and bottles, but today I need to tackle laundry. Will bleaching or boiling do less damage to my nursing bras?
For anyone who does solo parenting in the evenings, what do you do for dinner? Husband travels so eating as a family is not an option, and doing a family meal solo is hard. I often end up just feeding the kids and then eating alone after they go to bed at 8, but wish we could all eat together. Kids are 4 and 7. Does it get easier when they are older?
Any advice/things you wish you knew for transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood? I’m not even sure what exactly I’m asking for. My 13 month old is just clearly turning into a toddler before my eyes and it feels like the routines and strategies we’ve developed over the past year are rapidly being outgrown. I guess we’re starting to graduate from being POOPCUPs.
We moved and started a new daycare. Kiddo started his prior daycare when he was 5 months and spent over a year there. It’s day two of new daycare and he wailed and flung himself on the ground when I left. I know the transition will be over in a week or two and he will be happy soon, but I can’t focus at work and just feel bad for him with all the new transitions.
Today’s likely ADHD thought: ‘OO! I need a laminator’
I’ve decided my kids need some visual schedules/checklists and that laminated paper with velcro is the way to do it… and now I’m shopping for laminators. (Which I likely will not buy.)