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This is our second Pleione piece this week (after the faux wrap top on Tuesday), and this one is also marked down. It’s a flowy georgette blouse with three colors/patterns still in stock: black, a black floral, and a print they’re calling “ecru watercolor wall paint.” This looks like a good blouse for going back to work, it looks easy to layer, and you could dress it up with jeans or corduroys. It has that “the grownup has entered the room” look without risking looking sloppy at all, and I think it’s a good style for either work or weekend. It’s $40 at Nordstrom (was $68) and is available in XS-XL. Bateau Neck Long Sleeve Blouse Two plus-size options are here and here. (L-all)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?
Cb says
I went to a drop-in prenatal yoga class yesterday at a fancy new studio, not my normal crunchy ashtanga one. It said online come anytime from 12 weeks, I’m nearly 15 so thought it would be nice. I was the least pregnant person there by at least 2 months and for some reason, I found it completely mortifying. I added a week onto my pregnancy and tried to stick out my belly a bit because I was worried they’d think I was an imposter pregnant lady. I’m not normally that socially awkward/anxious but something about the studio / the older posh mums-to-be really intimidated me.
EBMom says
I get this way sometimes, but I think this was all in your head. I personally would never judge a pregnant woman’s belly at a class like this. Women show very differently at 12 to 15 weeks depending on their body type and the pregnancy. Remind yourself that people do not think about you or notice things about you nearly as much as you think they do. This helps me. And it is a good tip for motherhood in general. I’ve become where I really don’t give a flying flip about what other people think. I do what is best for my family, period.
Anon in NYC says
100% agreed.
Cb says
Thanks! I’m normally not sensitive at all about this stuff but did feel a bit goofy for some reason.
Anonymous says
Lol, same thing happened to me! I was like, what am I doing here amidst all these ladies ready to pop?
Katala says
Yep. I went at 9 weeks and felt ridiculous. I was so self conscious about my gut/bloat because I felt like everyone was checking out my belly (which I’m sure they weren’t). I didn’t go back, mostly for scheduling reasons but I wonder if I would have tried harder if I had a great experience.
anne-on says
I’m sure it was all in your head. Everyone shows so differently, and I was very small up until week 18 or so due to hyperemesis. Good for you for going!
avocado says
They probably weren’t thinking you were an imposter pregnant lady. On the contrary, I’ll bet they were secretly envious that you had the energy to take a yoga class at the end of your first trimester. That’s what I think whenever I see the pregnant lady who takes the (non-prenatal) yoga class at my gym–Wow, how is she doing this? I would have been at home throwing up.
shortperson says
i started prenatal yoga at 6 or 7 weeks because i couldnt handle regular yoga by then. it stretched my back in a funky way. i was the smallest for a loooong time. but i was still there at 41 weeks so i got to be the biggest too.
mascot says
I like the look of flowy tops, but I don’t think that they flatter me much. Busty hourglass who’s also short and shortwaisted. The Pleione tops I tried looked like I fell into a circus tent because it was so much fabric dropping straight down from the widest part of my chest. Are there such things as tailored flowy tops?
POSITA says
I’m not that shape, but I think sometime it helps to go longer or shorter to trick the eye. Really slim pants and heels/wedges also seem to help.
anon says
I’m not short but busty and a little shortwaisted, somewhat hourglass (but not a tiny waist), and I like the Boden Ravello top. I think the gathers allow me to get away with a slightly smaller size, so the bottom part isn’t as big. Although I have one in a larger size and like it too. Maybe worth a try? I also agree with long flowy top + skinny pants, or tuck it in if you are wearing wider-leg trousers so your waist is defined.
CPA Lady says
Speaking of tucking, mascot, we have the exact same body type, and recently realized that the only way I can tuck things in without looking absurd is if the top has a very high neckline. Otherwise, visually, all there is between the waistband of the pants and the top of the blouse is my large chest looking non-work-appropriate.
JP says
I’m a professor and my PhD student is getting a big award on campus today as part of a bigger event my department is holding. I have a six week old baby, my first. I’m excited to go see my student get the award and my colleagues basically told me I’m not allowed to attend without the baby because none of them have met her (in a nice way–it’s a very family friendly department). My dilemma, which I’m probably overthinking, is how to feed the baby while I’m there (I’m 75% breastfeeding and 25% formula). Nursing is preferable to bottle–it keeps her quiet longer and she can comfort nurse when she’s done since this is during the witching hour and she’s guaranteed to be fussy. However….while I’m all about whipping out the b00b wherever, I’m hesitant because it’s work. And I’m super clumsy w the cover and want to project an image of “calm and capable new mother”
I’ll feed her before we leave, but she’s a hungry baby and we probably won’t get through the event without her needing to eat again.
POSITA says
I went to a work event and moved into a different (though still public) room to nurse, just to have a quiet space with the baby. I’ve also retreated to my office or my car to nurse for pseudo privacy. Are there any quiet spaces nearby? I’d even just drag a folding chair into a corner of a lobby and use a cover. It’s pretty easy to sneak away to nurse for a few minutes and to reemerge with a happy baby. I have opted not to nurse amongst colleagues because it feels weird, even if I’m fully covered.
Anonymous says
Yep, this was my approach.
Katala says
Is there a quieter/more private place you can go to nurse? I think it’s fair to say it’s too much stimulation for baby in the main area and you’ll be back in 15 minutes. Also, do you have time to practice with the cover? It didn’t take long for me to learn how to use it failrly smoothly.
I think projecting confidence bfing in public does show you are calm and capable (which you are! Understand the desire for others to see it though), and people are not watching and judging as much as we feel they are. I’m sure no one will notice if you fumble a little bit with the cover.
You will do great, I encourage you to take advantage of the family friendliness and feed baby however you’d like.
Momata says
Another vote for stepping out to nurse in a separate area. You’ll have shown your support for your student and introduced baby to all your coworkers, plus you can feed and comfort your baby in a space that lets you do that with less stress. I also wouldn’t feel comfortable nursing in front of coworkers at the event (although I probably wouldn’t mind if some friends sat in my office while I nursed there). Your student is lucky to have such a caring professor.
POSITA says
Don’t be afraid just to make a quick departure, if necessary. Being anywhere with a 6 week old during witching hour is risky, let alone at a professional reception. Everyone will understand if you just make a quick appearance. Six weeks is still so so little! You’re doing great!
Anonymous says
This. Stay as long as you want but if you decide to stay 20 minutes and leave – that’s totally okay too.
anon says
I was in the EXACT situation a year ago with my baby! A colleague offered me their office, but I would have also just moved to an empty corner of the lobby or an empty room if possible. Have fun!
Anonymous says
Just ask a colleague to borrow their office to nurse or find a quiet corner. If you get stuck and are close to the library, I find library reading corrals great for nursing. Babies generally nurse better in a quiet environment anyway. I could never figure out the cover so I nursed in front of female colleagues without a couple times (e.g. chatting in their office while I nursed).
No one who is a mom or whose wife has had a baby expects you to have BF figured out at 6 weeks. Great that you’re going to the event -don’t worry about projecting an image of calm and collected – you benefit all women by demonstrating that it’s okay to not have everything figured out 100% all the time.
ChiLaw says
I was always awkward and fumbly with getting baby latched on, but she could hang out on the b**b for a good while once I got her there — could you step into a hallway/corner/whatever to latch, then return to watch the presentation?
For sippy questioner says
My early response didn’t post until the end of the day (too many links probably) but wanted to point it out because of the recommendations if you didn’t see them.
AEK
sippy cup tips? says
Thanks! I’ll check it out!
Katala says
Thanks all for the tips on helping baby’s cold. Sadly, nothing worked and he got worse, unable to eat or breathe well. He’s been in the hospital for 5 days trying to beat the virus. I’m doing my best to stay strong for him, but man this uncomfortable couch and tiny bathroom was not where I hoped to recover from childbirth.
Little guy is getting better and that’s what matters. This was a good reminder to call the doc if anything seems off even if you don’t think it’s “that bad” – especially with a newborn.
Momata says
I am so, so sorry!!!! You’re an amazing mom.
AEK says
Poor baby, and poor you too! I hope you can get some family or friend support at home so you and the babe can rest and recover comfortably when you get there. It sounds exhausting and scary. I am glad he is getting better.
Anon says
I’m so sorry – that must be very hard. Sending you and baby good, healing thoughts.
anon says
Ugh, I’m so sorry. We had a 1 week NICU stay at birth and then a 3 day hospitalization when my son was 2 months old, and it is no fun at all. Go home and rest some; you don’t need to be there every second.
Katala says
Thank you all. I’m having a hard time deciding if I should leave. I want to nurse as much as possible for supply and antibody purposes, but I did get a lot of milk pumping the days he wasn’t allowed to nurse so he would still get milk. Maybe I will go home tonight. I really miss my toddler who’s not allowed to visit here.
avocado says
So sorry to hear about this. I second the suggestion to go home and get some quality sleep and a good shower if at all possible. It makes a huge difference.
Amazon Fire? says
I’m so sorry you and your babe are going through this. Take care of yourself through this! Get some rest, eat real food and yes, take a shower, and give the toddler some one-on-one time.
Katarina says
Poor baby and poor you.
LegalMomma says
I’m so sorry! Sending good thoughts your way. And agree with everyone that you should give yourself permission to go home, sleep, and shower.
It's been a tough week for women but..... says
I am in a male dominated position in a male dominated industry in a very red state and this week my male boss pulled me into two high-level executive meetings and held me out as a valuable contributor to the meetings and took seriously and appropriately handled a sexual harassment complaint I brought to him. People like him are the reason I am able to maintain hope.
AEK says
I’m glad this gave you a boost, but at the same time this kind of treatment of all employees should be the default. I guess at this point we need to celebrate the small victories of decency.
Patty Mayonnaise says
Anyone have experience with perineal massage? I’m 34 weeks and started trying it out. My OB & doula both said there isn’t clear evidence that it prevents tearing, but it can’t hurt. I’d like to feel like I did everything I could do facilitate a smooth labor, fully understanding that it may not turn out that way. But I’m not sure I’m doing the massage correctly. Interested in others’ thoughts & experiences. Thanks so much!!
anon says
I didn’t do it much beforehand, but my OB did this during the crowning stage (even with an epidural, it’s uncomfortable) and it helped. My giant headed baby popped its chin up unexpectedly so I ended up with a tear anyway. Had that not happened, I think I would have gotten out tear-free.
Momata says
I also didn’t do it much beforehand, and my OB also did it during crowning with kid 1. I did not feel it at all through my epidural. Husband told me afterwards she did it with something that looked like olive oil and that she timed the pushes with the massage. I still had a small tear with like 3 stitches. I was TERRIFIED of tearing and it ended up being not a big deal at all. Second kid came too fast for any massage and I ended up with a second degree tear. Also not a big deal at all.
NewMomAnon says
My OB did it during labor and I was not prepared for it. I wish I had tried it before labor so I would have been ready. Also – tearing is not a bad thing. I heard a lot of doulas and moms-to-be extolling techniques to avoid tearing like tearing was this horrible thing. It’s what the perineum is meant to do! I know third and fourth degree tears are not optimal, but a first degree tear is no big deal, and the second degree tear I had wasn’t that bad compared to being massively uncomfortably pregnant….
October says
If you’re looking to do everything you can for a smooth labor, I have random recommendation – eat dates! Like, 4 a day starting now. I had read some research during my pregnancy about them stimulating certain hormones, etc. that promote a quick labor; my labor was 10 hours start to finish, natural delivery, about 20 min of pushing. Just anecdata, but I will certainly be doing the same for baby #2 :)
lsw says
Also chiming in to say that from what I understand, tearing is pretty normal. I had a pretty bad tear (giant headed baby also) and it was fine. I got stitches and they healed normally. It was painful for the first two weeks but I imagine it would have been without a tear, also?
Katarina says
I want to second that tearing is not the worst thing in the world. With my first I had an episiotomy and tearing, and my pain down there was very low, much less than the pain from breastfeeding. With my second I had a tear, and no pain down there.
anon says
We tried it. I enjoyed yelling “oil my taint” at my husband. I still had a small 2nd degree tear, so no clue if it worked, but I did have a 9 pound baby and an easy recovery. And he came out fast; I don’t think anyone had time to do it during delivery. But I had an epidural and really am not sure what was going on.
Anon says
Add me to the chorus. I had a “really bad 2nd/borderline 3rd” degree year with my first. I hurt a bit and bled a bit but after 2 weeks was completely fine. Really, after a few days at home it was NBD. I went into my 2nd expecting the same and had a “Mild tear, probably doesn’t even need a stich but I’ll put one in anyway” and left the hospital -honestly- feeling like a million bucks. I was induced for #2 so I had a full night sleep before, and a super fast labor (induced at 8am, contractions started in force around 11, baby born at 1).
I did massage a bit before #1. I’d recommend giving it a go, worst that can happen is it doesn’t work. The idea is just to loosen/stretch the area.
Shopping Help says
Does anyone here use the Madewell Transport tote on a daily basis? I’ve wanted it for awhile – or the Cuyana or Baggu versions – but was wondering if it’s useful for the moms here. I have a packing cube where I keep all of baby’s essentials and can move it between bags, so a traditional diaper bag isn’t necessary for me. Along these lines, if you have one, any suggestions for a less expensive but similar simple totes or suggestions to just bite the bullet on one of these?
MSJ says
I generally use canvas totes because they are washable and between food and bottles and dirty clothes I wouldn’t want to spill in leather. It’s just one less thing to worry about
anon says
I use mine daily for work but switch to a canvas bag when I have my kids with me for the reason mentioned above. I think it would work fine. Warning, though, it gets heavy quickly.
anon says
I have an unstructured leather tote. I only use it for work, but I really miss my old pleather bag that stayed open by itself. And had a light colored lining so I could see inside. It is hard to find things inside, even with a purse organizer thingie.
RDC says
Someone just asked me if we managed to prepare any freezer meals before our (second) child was born. Hahahaha. I was pregnant with a toddler. Does frozen pizza count??
Amazon Fire? says
Absolutely frozen pizza counts! Plus it can be eaten with one hand, which is more than I can say for the lasagna that I made before my first was born.
SC says
Seriously, since people don’t typically do baby showers for second children, especially if they’re close together, we should have a cultural tradition where the would-be-attendees give food or gift certificates to restaurants with takeout. I just have one, but I’m watching several friends and family members who are pregnant with #2, and it seems SO much harder.
Anononymous says
YES. (I bet there used to be such a culture, but it was handled by female relatives and a few old ladies at church and our modern dispersion of family wrecked it.) A friend of mine is having her first and I have a toddler and I’m hoping when she’s closer to 8 months to have her over for a freezer cooking party. We’ll all win!
anne-on says
Yes. I’ve done this a few times for neighbors/mommy group friends who had their 2nd or 3rd child and they were SO shocked and appreciative to have a hot, homemade meals. This was just what you did growing up in the Midwest so my mom totally drilled it into me, I hadn’t realized it wasn’t such a thing anymore.
Pogo says
Giant thank you to everyone who talked me down yesterday as I freaked out about leaning in while pregnant/having an infant. I talked to HR this morning and got the OK to take a 4-month leave, granted my director approves.
I just booked the appointment to talk to him this afternoon because I don’t think I could stand waiting over the weekend! I’m sure I’ll feel so much better when it’s over, and I don’t have to “hide” my pregnancy anymore.
Momata says
In case the readership here does not completely overlap with A Cup of Jo: she posted the link to follow and it made me literally laugh out loud at my desk and think of all moms out there.
Momata says
http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/craigslist-missed-connections-parents4parents/
NewMomAnon says
I would like to add my own:
Dear quiet, polite, redheaded neighbor lady who frequently rides the elevator with my daughter and me. I am sorry that my daughter called you “Yucky.” I am also sorry that when I asked her what she meant, she called you “super yucky.” I’m also sorry that when I asked her to apologize, she instead turned her back to both of us and licked the elevator wall until we exited the elevator. We have since had several conversations about not making assumptions about people, and about getting to know people before coming to conclusions about their yuckiness. I have not included my phone number or e-mail, because I am still so embarrassed that I am hoping I sink into the outer crust of the earth and become one with a tree root.
Anon in NYC says
lol.
Anonymous says
omg. Thank you. I needed that today.