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Here’s a backpack I would not let my kids near.
If you’re a longtime reader, you know I love Issey Miyake’s designs, and this bag is no exception. The bag merges style and function — the pleats both create dimension and allow the bag to expand. It also taps into that first-day-of-school joy (if the first day also came with a huge first paycheck)!
This backpack is $690 at Nordstrom.
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
Cb says
T (age 6) headed off to Portugal with his grandpa today! I took them to the airport and there was a little tremble at security but he said a very brave “bye bye mumma, see you Thursday!” and walked on through. My poor husband thinks the next week will be all lie-ins and couple time, but I’ve got a to do list :)
Anonymous says
How exciting! He will have a blast and be so proud to tell you about everything he’s been up to. Enjoy the kid-free time! If I had a kid-free week I’d be waffling between taking the opportunity to tile the kitchen backsplash and just sitting in my armchair with a book for the entire week.
Anonymous says
Recommendations for an all inclusive resort in Mexico or the Carribean (ideally a non stop flight from DC) for about 1K a night, good for kids and decent food (yes I know this is subjective)? Nice beach is a bonus but not a necessity, but we do like all inclusive to take the stress out of meals. We like to get our December trip booked far in advance because resorts fill up so quickly at that time, plus I like something to look forward to! We would prefer a resort on the smaller side but am open to ideas.
Lily says
We’re heading to Finest Playa Mujeres next week so will let you know when we get back, but we’ve heard great things and we went to their sister adults-only resort years ago and loved it. We’re taking our two kids (ages 2 and 5) and meeting up with another family who also has two young kids. We got the junior swim-up suite and I think it did work out to about $1k/night all inclusive. Flights were maybe $600 each direct from PHL. There’s a kids pool area with slides, and lots of different restaurants. The beach should also be nice although Cancun does get seaweed at times. We prefer to hang by the pool anyway. There are also lots of very cool outdoorsy/water activities in the Cancun area if your kids are older and you want to leave the resort.
Lyssa says
I can’t recall the price (though I think it was reasonable), but we were really happy with Generations in Cancun a few years back. Food was good, staff was very nice and energetic – really big on playing with the kids and getting them dancing and things like that, and they had a lot of fun pool activities. Some of the rooms have a balcony pool, which was a huge hit with the kids. Beach wasn’t great – too much seaweed and rocks to enjoy swimming, but nice to sit on.
There’s also an adult-only sister resort you can walk to if you are able to leave the kids for a bit (there’s a kids club), which is very nice.
Anon says
Grand Velas
Momofthree says
We just went to Occidental Resort at Xcaret- note, this is not one of the Xcaret owned resorts, but owned by Barcelo. I would recommend joining their membership program b/c it gives you access to exclusive rooms, a pool & a small club. They have a nice manufactured sand lagoon (so much less seaweed) as well as 3 pools. It’s also right next to the Xcaret park (like 5 minutes walk) and you can get unlimited access to the park which is nice b/c you can get lunch/breakfast/dinner at the hotel & just head over to the park for shorter periods. Food was good- huge buffet with lots of choices. We didn’t do any of the reservation restaurants but our kids were happy with the buffet.
anon says
we just did the hilton in DR and the food was pretty decent (better than the Hyatt Ziva imo)
Anon says
I don’t understand the Hyatt Ziva love. We went to one once and I thought it was awful. I mean, maybe if we’d paid like $300 I would have been fine with it, but it’s not an $800/night resort.
anon says
yea that’s how i felt when i went to Ziva. the food was truly not good. but i guess the alcohol was top shelf. the service was better than the Hilton. so it’s kind of a what you value more type of thing …also it’s more like $900 a night these days. ugh
Anonymous says
I need a token (~$5) valentines gift idea for my 10.5 y/o girl. My other two (5,7) are getting small stuffies but she won’t want one. I’m leaning bath product, but would love other suggestions. Mask/nailpolish would stir drama with the other two because the like those things also. Gift card seems…small.
AwayEmily says
A set of cool markers (like, metallic or glitter ones). Or gel pens.
Mary Moo Cow says
Candy or a special sweet treat? Especially one that ties to her interest (my Harry Potter fan was delighted to get a bag of sherbert lemons, for example, that were just for her and not little sister.)
Anonymous says
A book from a series she likes?
Anonymous says
Bath bomb from LUSH?
Anon says
Washi tape?
MNF says
I got all my kids socks with hearts on them – perfect/useful for all ages and not more plastic stuff in my house.
anon mom says
I’ve been mulling over the discussion about friendships and am upset at how much of myself I saw in the comments. I’m absolutely that friend who pulled back, who disappeared. The last 10 years have been a blur of agonizing PPD, the death of a close friend, a sibling, and both my in-laws (separately, but just a few years apart), a serious health issue in my child requiring an extended hospitalization, a struggling spouse, and a job that is relentless. I’m finally, finally, feeling like I am pulling myself out of the fog and trying to rediscover what makes me happy. I miss my friends. Honestly if social media didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have had any connection with them at all (thank you Insta).
My question is, how do I reestablish these friendships? I had coffee with one friend and I felt so awkward – she knows everything I’ve been through, but at the same time the guilt just ate at me that I haven’t been a good friend for so, so long. I was already an introvert but I’m struggling to not be a complete social ostrich.
Anon says
that sounds like A LOT. you haven’t been a bad friend, sometimes you just have to hang on by a thread. hope your kiddo is now doing ok. reach out to people! depending on what they do/don’t know about your situation, you can share or not share. i love hearing from friends who might say something like “i know i’ve been MIA, but i’d love to find a time to catch up.” and try to let go of the guilt/dont let it hold you back
AwayEmily says
Oh my goodness, that sounds so so hard. I’m sorry you’ve been through all that. I think you just say THAT to your friends “I’m finally pulling myself out of a very long hard period and I feel like I haven’t been a good friend to you for a long time. I’m so glad you are still in my life and I’m excited to start seeing you more, and I really appreciate you being so patient with me over these past years.”
I’ve had friends say similar things to me, and I’ve said similar things to friends. I think most people are fundamentally kind and patient and they will understand.
Mary Moo Cow says
+1. I’ve reconnected with a friend where we both pulled away for different reasons and when she reached out, I was honest and it has led to frequent texts, increasingly frequent coffees and lunches, and a deeper friendship than we had before. It takes some courage to reach back out, but IMO, your are repaid in spades.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
+1 – I literally said this to one of my BFFs of ~20 years yesterday when I called her for her birthday. I just haven’t had a lot of bandwidth in this recent season to be a good friend and I know she’s needed more support that I’ve given.
Anonymous says
There is a 99.9% chance that your friend is nothing but delighted that you’ve re-established contact. Let go of the guilt and just enjoy the conversation!
A good script for reaching out is something like “Hi, Jane! I’ve been thinking of you lately and would love to get together to catch up.” In the initial contact focus on your excitement to see the other person. Don’t start off on a negative note with lots of apologies for being out of the loop. Those can come later, in person or over the phone, if the moment is right. Something simple like “I’m sorry I haven’t been more available–a lot has been going on and I was barely keeping my head above water. I really value our friendship and am so glad we are reconnecting.”
Anon says
Counterpoint, I would find it more helpful to hear the “negative note” off the bat. If a friend reached out to me after 10 years of silence, I’d be wondering what was going on and depending on what was going on with me, I might not prioritize it if I thought she was reaching out for networking purposes or (god forbid) with an MLM scheme. Start off with what you want, which is to reconnect, and acknowledge that that is a change from your recent communication.
OOO says
I would be absolutely delighted to hear from an old friend. A friend who I haven’t talked to in 10 years reached out to me recently, and it gave me so much joy to reconnect with them. I really don’t think a good friend would be upset with you over not staying in touch, given everything you have been through.
Anonymous says
Just let people like you! Suggest things and assume if people say yes they are happy to see you. Life happens you have nothing to be guilty over.
Anonymous says
This. Everyone has a lot going on. I genuinely would not blame any of my friends that I have lost touch with and just be delighted to reconnect. Friendships can ebb and flow. It’s okay. lean into them when you can and let go of the guilt when you can’t.
Anon says
I love all these responses! I’m a mom of two littles and in that stage still…I’m cheering for you and reconnecting with all those friends!!
Anon says
The best thing to do in these scenarios is to address the elephant in the room – that you’ve been absent a long time and have missed things in your friends’ lives. It is what it is! I would try something like this for an outreach email: “Hey Susie, it’s been a long time! I feel bad for my absence – life has thrown a lot at me and I’m only just now coming up for air. I feel like I’ve missed so many things in your life and in my other friends’ lives and I would so love to reconnect. Are you available for coffee and a walk on Saturday to catch up?”
Addressing the issue makes it much less awkward.
DLC says
Aw hugs! You have certainly been through the wringer.
I promise you that you are being much harder on yourself than any friend will be.
I feel like I don’t want to be friends with anyone who can’t be understanding of the fact that we are all human and shit happens. I read somewhere that being able to be vulnerable with friends is key to forming connections – so I think the things that are holding you back are the very things that will strengthen a good relationship.
Anon says
i really don’t like whoever invented those bff friendship necklaces with two halves, though i’m sure girls would still find another way to be exclusive. also moms, do you really need to have your kindergarteners purchase those
Lily says
I agree, I think they can only lead to bad feelings. Friendship bracelets are a nice substitute and you can give out as many as you like! Plus it’s a nice activity to make them yourself.
Anonymous says
Yuck. My 4th grader and her friends are looking at one but they want to be inclusive. They found one that is a pizza with slices of various numbers. They are considering buying a few and giving one to every girl in the grade so nobody feels left out and any 6-8 kids can make a whole pizza. But they have done nothing about it ;).
I’ve seen stackable rings that you can give out.
I don’t encourage them and instead suggest my kids make “bff” bead bracelets. We talk about how you can have lots of besties and they give them out to their buddies. In K we did one for all the girls; my older kids made them for their entire friend group which was pretty clearly defined.
Anonymous says
Your daughter and her friends sound incredibly wise and extremely kind. Keep up the good parenting work!!!
Anon says
I had those necklaces with multiple people as a kid, and so did my friends. I don’t think it has to be exclusive. As Mindy Kaling said “BFF isn’t a person, it’s a tier.”
Anon2 says
I remember when they were an affordable prize at Chuck E Cheese and arcades, when those were all the rage in the 90s. I’m pretty sure I got them every time and split them with whatever friend I was with that day. They were pink and yellow plastic. I also had a purple Lion King one that split into Simba and Nala halves and I gave that to my friend who moved away (core memory, unlocked lol)
Anon says
I also gave them to some close friends who moved away! One of them recently found it while moving and texted me about it.
bff says
My 6 year old told us this week that her bestie is more than a BFF, explaining that we would have to add a lot more “effs”. We tried to hold it together, it was too funny.
Anon says
Hahahaha
Anonymous says
Ugh, they still have those? I hated them as a kid.
Anon says
Am I really naive to think we can get in and out of the American Girl doll store (shopping and lunch) in <2.5 hours?
Anonymous says
you can! it depends on the kid and the store though. My 7 year old wanted to move into the NYC store.
Anon says
Yeah that’s my fear, lol. Although she only has allowance money to spend so it’s not going to last very long.
Anonymous says
I find that the less money they have to spend the longer it takes to narrow down their selections.
Anonymous says
+1
Anonymous says
I was the poster above and we didn’t even spend money other than on lunch, didn’t do hairstyles or anything like that! She just wanted to see everything, play everything, etc. There’s a section of bitty babies and she just played there happily with a couple of 5 year olds for like 20 minutes. There’s a pac man game console in the Courtney area. There are two full levels of stuff to look at. IN the basement they have a tennis match set up between two dolls and she was entertained by that for 10+ minutes. There’s a doll hospital and she just put her doll in each station and we took pics of it there. There’s a corner with the AG books and she sat down to leaf through those. IDK, it was a fun afternoon and we had no time commitment so maybe that’s why it took do dang long but I swear she would have slept there if they allowed it (don’t tell me they allow it!!). Again, this was the NYC store and we did it as a daytrip so she was just absorbing the awesome.
Anonymous says
I think it’s possible if the restaurant is not running behind, if you avoid the doll salon, and if your daughter is not a very slow decision-maker about what she is going to buy. With the salon and/or dessert, no way. My favorite lowest-stress way to do AG is to make a lunch reservation on the earlier side and show up to the store right at opening time to snag a salon time. Then fill in the holes with shopping. Make final purchase decisions after lunch.
Mary Moo Cow says
It depends on how into it your kids are, I think: we were done in about an hour, including a hair appointment, but my kids split up and each beelined to what they wanted and then took a casual turn around the store. If you have a kid who is more into browsing, generally, or has no idea what they want, it probably will take longer, but perhaps right at 2.5 hours.
Anon for this says
Rant.
Kiddo finally went on meds for ADHD. Immediately it helped with the impulsiveness and focus issues that teacher was concerned with in school. Minimal/no side effects. First month was great!! Kid was still themselves but able to sort of reign in the shouting out answers.
Of course, first time it comes to refill and pharmacy is out and won’t get any for a month-ish. Turns out all pharmacies are out in my area so we do an alternate medicine when it’s clear that it will be longer than a couple days.
Surprise! A couple weeks in and kid DOES have side effects on this med… specifically rage and emotional outbursts happening at school. Well, okay. Let’s stop that med ASAP, right? Husband is able to track down med #1 except we have to jump through hoops because kid just got a similar prescription less than 30 days ago. Husband is dealing with the ped, but…
Guys. It is so freaking hard!! It’s freaking low dose controlled release stimulant meds!! And seeing my poor kid just legitimately struggling sucks.
Anonymous says
Ugh I’m sorry. That dr-pharmacist-insurance back and forth is such a nightmare.
Anon says
I’m sorry, that’s really frustrating!
Anon says
all the hugs. every day my local facebook group has people panicking searching for meds. it is 2024, it shouldn’t be that hard for people to get the meds they need!!!
anon says
Another ADHD mom here, and I am SO sorry. Once medication gets sorted out, it can be a game changer, but it’s so stupidly hard to get there.
Spirograph says
I’m reading this while listening to my daughter rage… so much solidarity