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Fall florals usually skew dark and moody — here’s one if you like brights.
This emerald green dress with splashes of pink will cheer up your commute. It features a point collar with delicate black lace trim, balloon sleeves, and a universally flattering midi length.
Make it office-friendly as pictured with a belt and jacket or party-ready with some sparkly pumps.
This dress from ME+EM is $495 and available in sizes 0–12. If you actually prefer dark and moody florals, here’s an option in black and blue from the Gap that also comes in petites and tall.
Looking for other washable workwear? See all of our recent recommendations for washable clothes for work, or check out our roundup of the best brands for washable workwear.
Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Zappos – 26,000+ 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 – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
Anonymous says
Looking for gift ideas for my BFF, pregnant with her second IVF baby. Difficult pregnancy, planning to move shortly after her maternity leave. Any good delivery restaurants in Montclair NJ? Thinking of maybe a gift certificate, as much as I would like to get her a tangible object I don’t want to add to the stuff she’s going to have to move.
AIMS says
No restaurant recommendations but I’d get her a GC to Holsten’s Ice Cream. She can go with kid 1, it’s fun (esp. if she is a Sopranos fan but even if not) and who doesn’t like ice cream?
Anonymous says
I’d get her a massage gift certificate
Anonymous says
Oh, no. A prenatal massage is a know-your-audience thing (being touched literally made me vomit). After baby arrives, a massage gift card is just one more obligation.
AIMS says
I like this dress & some version of midi dress and blazer is basically my work uniform right now (if you’re in the market, I recommend the Boden Laura Jersey dress. It’s got a good 70s shirt dress vibe but the buttons don’t actually go all the way down, which is great for work. I have it in the green polka dot & considering getting another print).
I know that we’ve done this before but can we share some kid lunch box ideas?? I feel like I have lost all creativity and it’s only a few weeks into school and my kids are already rebelling. Things that work at room temp a plus!
anon says
What shoes are you wearing with this ensemble? That’s where I always struggle with midi dresses.
Spirograph says
+1 I have a different midi dress from Boden that I really like, and a similar shirt dress from not-Boden, but I always feel like my shoes are wrong. Over the summer I’ve been wearing them to work with pointed-toe flats, and to church with heels, but I feel like they may work better come real fall weather with my tall brown boots (similar to how the model’s pictured here).
In general I feel like midi dresses make it tough to get my proportions right, but I want to love them because they’re easy to wear, comfortable and appropriate in so many situations!
re: lunch, I’ve given up on creativity. Today my kids have various combinations of orange wedges, apple slices, cucumbers (they are rebelling against most vegetables and vegetable-like fruits), a tortilla with cheese, pb&j, and a couple graham crackers. This week we’ve also done leftover mac and cheese, black beans, a hard-boiled egg, and cheese, cold cuts +crackers as the protein course.
Anonymous says
RE: lunch, what do they claim to want instead? I would just give them that, even it’s the same thing over and over. Other alternative is to just make them buy or get the school lunch. We’re at a title I school so lunch is free, so we’ve been pretty firm with the kids that packed lunches are not an option. If they don’t like the hot lunch the school offers sunbutter and jelly (which is what we would probably be packing anyway). When we packed for camp we did peanut butter on tortilla for one kid and crackers and cheese for another kid.
Cb says
Yeah, our school does free lunches and my goodness, what a lifesaver. Whenever I have to pack a lunch for camp, I’m in despair.
Boston Legal Eagle says
This. Our kid gets the school lunch everyday (also free here for everyone in MA). Most days it’s sun butter jelly, but sometimes he gets the hot option. Same thing everyday is totally fine if they like it. Snacks are yogurt, crackers, pepperoni, cheese, etc. something similar.
Anonymous says
I do a turkey and cheese on a roll, peanut butter and honey on bread, or ham and cheese on a wrap, plus either cookies or crackers or a mini granola bar. And that is it. My kids are welcome to request something else and I will buy it next grocery trip if it is reasonable but my mother stayed home and we got turkey and cheese on a roll daily for twelve years I’m not called to be creative and do a job.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
AIMS – Love the dress that you mentioned – I just looked it up! Does it hold shape without the belt? I’m short and thick of waist with long legs so sometimes dresses that come belted at the waist aren’t the most flattering on me…
As for lunchboxes, following with interest. This is the first time we’ve had to pack lunch daily (DS #1 has tried and didn’t prefer the free lunch at school, SMH). He’s getting a PBJ, chips/pretzels/veggie straws, carrots, sliced fruit (usually apple), and piece of cheese. He is happy with the same thing everyday. The way we (I) plan our dinners, sending leftovers to school isn’t really an option since I cook 1-2x/week specifically for dinners.
One of my close friends does a pimento cheese sandwich or roll-up in tortillas (“sushi”) which her kids love. I’d love to do a hummus + cheese or hummus + cheese + turkey, which he’s not enthused about, but I may give it a try soon.
AIMS says
Replying late because my day got away from me, but dress might be okay look a little off without the belt because there is a seam that kind of needs something, but the belt is pretty flexible in terms of where and how you tie it. I found it to be somewhat generous for Boden sizing and the petite had very long sleeves, which worked out because I could roll over the cuff but I was a bit surprised at the fit.
AwayEmily says
I love that dress (shirt dresses are my favorite) but I wish it wasn’t midi! Such a tough length to pull off for me (looks great on other people tho).
Anonymous says
Two year old twins get: cheese stick, fruit (strawberries, blueberries or apple), a raw veg, a cookie or granola bar, and a thermos with two chicken nuggets. Sometimes I send dip. One twin doesn’t eat sandwiches. The other will only eat chicken nuggets for protein. I know this may not be an option for you, but my first grader buys lunch every day. I don’t love that I can’t see how much he ate, but he prefers this to my lunches and it saves me a lot of mental energy so we’re going with it.
Anonymous says
We’re not allowed to pack nuts / peanut butter, so our go-to lunches are i) leftover pasta (mac n cheese, tortellini, spaghetti) or ii) burritos (rice, black beans, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese in a tortilla) or iii) quesadilla. Plus a fruit and “snack-y” item like a granola bar, chick pea puffs, pretzels, goldfish.
Anon says
How old are the kids? We’ve had great success with our 6 y old packing their own lunch. We lay out minimum – 1 veggie, 1 fruit, 1 protein and they pack and eat it all. They pack – sandwich, leftover pasta with cheese, random cracker, cheese & lunch meat, etc. honestly, basically less interesting than I’d pack but the sense of ownership is key
Anonymous says
How does this work timing wise? I tired last year with then second grader, but the result was he got no play time with his little brother, and that’s something I want to make sure the kids still have daily. Or if he had homework, it would’ve meant no time for homework. Kids are getting home between 5-5:30, dinner sometime between 5:30-6 until 6:30, then they can play till 7 before getting ready for bed. They miss each other so I want to still have that time, plus often need to get wiggles out before bed. Is that just the trade off?
Anonymous says
It takes like 5 minutes.
Anon says
It shouldn’t take half an hour to pack a lunch.
Anon says
so we made a lunch menu at the beginning of the year (the kids helped) and it repeats each week and some things they have twice a week. here is what they each have as their main and then they always have a fruit, a veggie, something crunchy and a sweet (which is sometimes chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, raisins, dried fruit, etc.)
kid one- M: peanut butter sandwich, T: turkey sandwich, W: grilled cheese, Th: Turkey Sandwich, Fr: grilled cheese
kid two – M: almond butter sandwich, T: mac and cheese, W: grilled cheese, Th: egg/cheese tacos, Fr: mac and cheese
Anon says
I love this colour!
I feel like our lunch roation is kind of boring. Currently my kids’ favorite thing in their lunch are yogurt pouches- I freeze them and they thaw by lunch time but are still cold. Other than that they get a sandwich or a wrap (usually ham and American cheese), veggies (peppers or carrots), fruit. And a sweet treat- fruit snacks or jelly shots (from the Asian Market), or a cookie- they get to choose on grocery day.
My 6th grader has been packing herself DIY Lunchables. I get her salami, pepper jack and crackers (Ritz or Triscuits), and she just throws a variety of that in her lunch box along with a veggie and fruit and Takis. She will also do leftovers or ramen in a thermos.
We’ve also done mini bagels w/ cream cheese and jam.
And this week, I didn’t get a chance to go to the store so we’ve run out of fruit and veggies – the kids have been getting dill pickle slices in their lunch.
I will say my lunch strategy is heavily influenced by what single serving stuff is available at Costco. I know it’s wasteful in terms of packaging, but it makes the mornings easier.
Anon says
Bean salads and pasta salads are good room temp options, if your kids will eat them.
anonM says
+1 to mini bagels. Have also been putting in his vitamin chews in the center “treat” compartment.
Anon says
We make my picky eater eat school lunch three days per week (she chooses which days), which results in her having to eat some things she doesn’t love but nothing she hates.
When we pack a lunch it’s usually the same thing every day: hamburger patty, strawberries, lettuce and dry cereal, plus some M&Ms for a treat. She doesn’t care about having variety and (other than the M&Ms) this meal is about as nutritionally balanced as it gets for her.
anon says
3rd pregnancy question. Calling Away Emily et al. Did you show veryyy early, like week 5/6? I honestly feel like I already could wear maternity clothes. Tricks for hiding? I have two formal weddings coming up as well as a formal dinner. If anyone has a specific dress that worked for them at this stage, let me know.
AwayEmily says
I felt like I showed earlier but not quite that early. Weirdly, shirt dresses with a belt were good “hiders” — I would just make the belt pretty loose. And basically any clothes that aren’t too clingy. I told my best friend one evening when I was around 10 weeks after spending a full day with her *while in a bathing suit*, and she said “oh wow, I just figured you had gained some weight.” Which I think is most peoples’ assumption when they see your body looking a bit different.
Anonymous says
The real giveaway is in the face, not the waistline.
anon says
Adding a blazer to formal wear can hide a lot. I had a great black velvet blazer that was really useful at a couple of early formal functions. I put it over a loose dress and it gave me a non-maternity shape.
Anonymous says
I signed up to have lunch with my first grader and he said he doesn’t want to because it’s embarrassing. My feelings are kind of hurt, which I know is silly. Mostly, I don’t care about the lunch: I want him to 1) consider other people’s feelings and 2) be grateful that I was trying to do something nice for him. Is that too much to ask of a seven year old? How do I foster these traits in him?
Anonymous says
I think you are asking too much of a 7-year-old. School lunch with a parent is about the kid, not the parent. It’s kind of weird to expect him to consider your feelings in this particular matter. And frankly, I think it’s great that he wants to keep school as his own place and have lunch with his friends.
I always got the opposite guilt trip from my kid because all her friends’ SAHMs came for lunch and I couldn’t because my office was an hour away.
Spirograph says
Aw, first of all, virtual hug — it’s a sad milestone when kids start to *not* want you around all the time.
It’s a lot to ask of a 7 year old, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. I think you say exactly that — When you told me that you would be embarrassed if I had lunch with you at school, I felt a little sad because I was trying to do something nice for you. And see what happens. If nothing else, it will reinforce the idea that other people have feelings and his actions can affect on them. My 7 year old would probably say something like “I’m sorry mommy, I didn’t want to make you sad, but kids might make fun of me for being a baby if my mom came to lunch.” And then the day that some other parent came to have lunch, he’d tell me he felt left out and ask why I didn’t come to lunch with him, having no memory that I’d offered. Kids are just fun like that.
OP says
This is a good script: thank you for being kind. And yes, I bet you $10 when I don’t show for lunch he will be like “why didn’t you come you’re so mean.” Sigh. The joys of parenting.
Anon says
Don’t guilt trip your kid into eating lunch with you.
Anon says
I think it is good that he was honest! It would be an unhealthy dynamic if he did something that he didn’t want to and would embarrass him just to protect your feelings.
The onus is on you to manage your feelings. Kids want to spend more time with peers and less time with parents as they get older.
Anonymous says
Agree! I remember my mom coming for lunch and me not wanting to hurt her feelings, but definitely wishing she wasn’t there. I would like my kids to be honest with me about that stuff, and I don’t like the above script because it sounds like you’re trying to make him feel guilty for his feelings. He should be allowed to want to have his own space.
Anonymous says
Exactly. I much prefer the idea someone else had of asking him what he wants before you sign up.
Spirograph says
Interesting take that it sounds like a guilt trip. I can see that, but to me it depends on how you feel about “negative” emotions to begin with. We talk a lot in our house about how all feelings are OK, you can’t control how you feel but you can control what you say and do. There’s nothing wrong with feeling sad, and you should be able to tell people you love when you’re sad, because they probably want to help.
I would envision the rest of that conversation being something like [mom:] “I’m glad you told me, because I like to spend time with you, but I want it to be fun for you too. Is there something else you want to do together instead?” and then the kid will inevitably want to play Candyland or something else that makes me want to bang my head against the wall, but I’ll do it anyway because I love him :)
Anon says
Commiseration. My usually very sweet daughter (age 5) told me she doesn’t want to see me right away after school. I guess she doesn’t like me being there to pick her up?! Thanks, so glad I stuck around in my dreary dead-end job so I could have the flexibility to pick you up every day and spend more time with you. Being a mom can be very thankless at times (I just have to remind myself of the sweet heart-filled drawings she gives me, negativity bias and all).
Anon says
Maybe she means she wants some alone time to decompress before hanging out with you? I’m an introvert and was the same way as a kid. I wouldn’t take this personally, and I think it’s great she can articulate her needs like this at only 5.
Anonymous says
Going forward, ask first. Parents are asked to be lunch/recess monitors at our elem. i asked my kids if they wanted me to do it and got an eye roll but “it’s fine, just don’t bother me” from my 4th grader, a “can dad do it instead?” From my 2nd grader and my kindergartener asks me daily when I am coming in and wishes I worked at the school ;).
OP says
Two weeks ago he asked when I was coming for lunch. I can’t win.
Anonymous says
In that case “ouch, that hurts my feelings a little bit because you asked me two weeks ago to sign up, so I did. What’s changed?”
anonM says
Sometimes these comments really sting, even if logically we want them to assert themselves, etc.! Commiseration. My 3yo has been announcing that she missed daddy and brother at school, “not you mom.” But, she’s 3 and also tells me I’m the “best mommy in the world” (sorry ladies, but if she says it is must be true! You can be #2! ;) But, I don’t think you need to worry that because of this he won’t have gratitude or empathy skills. On the other hand, it never hurts to exchange things you’re grateful for at dinner or before bed and building that into your routine. Another good thing on thoughtfulness is doing nice things for your partner and making sure to narrate a bit. (“Kiddo, we are going to stop at the grocery store. I want to make sure we get Dad’s favorite coffee. I think he’ll really appreciate that after a long week!”). Credit to this goes to my mom, as she makes a big point to do this for the kids when she does something nice for me or my DH, and the kids really do notice so I’ve tried to do it more. Small thoughtful gestures can be routine or almost automatic, but the key here is modeling/narrating so THEY see you doing it, even though it feels weird/braggy. We also help the kids pick out Christmas gifts for each other/grandparents, which is a really nice exercise in thinking about what someone ELSE wants. (“hmmm, do you think Grandma wants a Minnie Mouse stuffy? Hmmmm….” “is that Grandma’s favorite color, though? Hmmmm”)
Anon2 says
Asking too much. But the real question is, do you want to encourage a pattern of lying to protect your feelings? Because that leads down a road to codependency.
I think it’s great he was honest, no matter how blunt. A kid should be able to share their true feelings with their parents, no caveats or dithering about “manners”.
As he gets older you can guide him in ways to be truthful with grace. But a 7yo telling a parent they are embarrassing is par for the course and nothing to be offended by. It is, perhaps, a signal that you need to work on letting things slide off you, and managing your emotions separate from your children.
Anon says
Yeah, the “considering other peoples’ feelings” part kind of rings alarm bells for me. You want him to do things he doesn’t want to do just so he doesn’t hurt your feelings? That’s not a wise lesson to teach. He didn’t do anything mean, he’s just being honest about how he feels.
Anon says
Yeah, I agree with the other comments that your kid was not being mean, just honest. Calling you a name would be mean and inappropriate, but I don’t think you can or should punish honesty.
Sorry – I know this must sting. I’m dreading the day my 5 year old starts not always wanting me around. I do agree with the advice to ask before signing up. You might be more likely to get a yes that way, but even if you don’t, it should be their choice.
Anonymous says
One way to reframe this more positively is that you have equipped your child with the confidence to manage the chaotic social situation that is school lunch just fine on their own, which is great!
Anonymous says
Yeah, I don’t see this as anything but positive. He probably wanted you to come two weeks ago because school had just started and he was still getting settled. Now he has more important things to do than hang out with mom at school and it’s great! But I am that mom who is always happy not to hear from my kids during camp etc. because I know it means they are too busy having fun to even remember that mom exists. YMMV.
Anon says
Sounds like he has a likely correct read on school culture. Maybe he didn’t before? I think it’s a lot to ask of a 7 year old to be more tactful, but it could be a place where you could model? “I’m disappointed because I was looking forward to this ever since you first mentioned it. Could we instead go out to lunch somewhere else?”
Anonymous says
Are you my MIL?
Anon says
Low stakes question – Does anyone have a nap earrings recommendations? I’m a little overwhelmed with all the options. I’m due with my second next month and would like earrings I can leave in my ears over night or I can actually nap in.
HSAL says
Not nap earrings, but I highly recommend using some of the earrings intended for post-piercing. I went from basically never wearing earrings/holes closing up to having these in my ears for the last six months straight. The material is non-irritating, the backs don’t move, and I’ve never even felt them in bed.
Anon says
Hi – I’m from a culture where baby girls start wearing earrings at 6 months old or younger, and all of the women in my family (including me) wear earrings daily, so I consider myself an expert here.
Get earrings with the most expensive metal you can afford that have screw-in backs. Etsy is a good place for this.
Anonymous says
During the pandemic my second holes started to grow in so I got tiny 14k hoops that clasp inside themselves. I bought them from Mejuri. Maybe I can find the link since it’s hard to describe. I haven’t taken them out in two years (I clean them monthly with alcohol wipes).
Kelly says
I love the basic hoops by Bony Levy (Nordstrom house brand I think) with “snap-post” closure. For example, the “14K Gold Beveled Edge Huggie Hoop Earrings.” Or “14K Gold Overlap Hoop Earrings,” which I just bought a few weeks ago and really like. I can wear this style/brand for months straight. No issues with sleeping, phone or otherwise. They’ve been great for my daughters as well, really since babyhood.
Scilady says
Any recommendations for Girls size 6/7 pants?
My daughter is no longer interested in wearing leggings as she thinks they are too tight. Any suggestions for pants that will get me through a MA fall/ winter/ spring? Should I just go with sweatpants/ joggers or is there something else? Looking for Target recommendations or similar.
Thanks!
Mary Moo Cow says
Mini Boden has pull on cords that I just ordered for my 6 year old. In the past I’ve ordered joggers from Hanna Andersson and Primary; Hannas are thicker.
Anonymous says
Sweatpants / joggers are probably your best bet, unless she’s interested in jeans. My daughter mostly lives in leggings-under-dresses, but also likes joggers. We get a ton of stuff from lands end kids; there are lots of joggers in “pretty” colors, which is a requirement for her.
anon says
My kid just asked for another pair of Old Navy flared yoga pants. There are a few colors and they’re super soft.
Anonymous says
Hello from MA! My 2nd grader wears dresses every day except gym. She wears a leotard & leggings to dance class because she hates tights.
For fall we got long sleeve longer dresses and ADORABLE knee high suede boots. If she’s cold enough, she’ll add leggings.
We also have really cute flared sweats (they feel like a sweater IMO) from Abercrombie kids.
She has some athleta leggings but they are not her preference. That might changes as it gets colder! She will no longer wear jeans (my
Older ones has super cute flared jeans that my 90s heart loves).
Anonymous says
Note- this is a question that comes from a very privileged place. Also, The answer may just be “you can’t do all the things”. However, I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to do this that I haven’t thought of, and this smart group of moms has great ideas all the time.
For those of you that do more beauty/self care treatments than just a basic haircut, how do you fit it in? How often do you go? I get my hair cut about every 7 weeks (no color) and it takes about an hour. This is the only thing I can fit in regularly. Generally, only time I have to do this stuff is on weekends, and places aren’t open on Sunday, don’t offer nighttime appointments when I could make them (7:00 or later) and I have kid activities on Saturday morning, so it’s just Saturday afternoon that I regularly can commit to making and keeping an appointment for something that is going to take an hour plus. But there’s also kid and family activities and household tasks and general relaxing that I’d like to do as well. So I find that I’m not getting my nails done or eyebrows waxed as often as I would like. I’d also like to start getting facials more regularly (like two times a year or so), but both this and getting nails done take over an hour. Do people actually go doing the work day to get this stuff done? How do you fit it in? Thanks in advance!!!
Anon says
something like getting your eye brows waxed takes like 10 minutes. is there a place near work that you can duck out to? or near home? i recall growing up that sometimes on saturday afternoons my mom would duck out for an hour to get her nails done. i’ve given up on my fingers for now and just try to get a pedicure every 3-4 weeks, but honestly that can be hard to fit in (and i work part time) bc there is always something else to do. i think like other stuff you have to schedule it. if you have a partner, maybe one night your partner takes care of dinner/bedtime so you can get a manicure.
Anonymous says
Op here! There actually isn’t a place near my office at all. I tried going to the closest place to my office, and between getting out of my parking garage and then parking in the parking garage where the place was, going to my appointment,!85 was 45 minutes. I also work with all men, so I had to basically hide my face the rest of the day due to the redness. I’ll start looking for more places open at night as someone else suggested, and maybe this will be the kick in the pants I need to learn to paint my own nails. I always end up with nail polish everywhere, no matter what I try.
Anonymous says
I do my nails myself with Dazzle Dry. It takes an hour at home instead of the 2+ hours it would take to drive to the salon, have ,y nails done, wait for them to dry, and drive home. Dazzle Dry really does dry instantly—I can wash my hands and cook dinner 5 minutes after applying the final coat, whereas you can easily spoil a salon manicure for at least a couple of hours after application. Dazzle Dry is also more durable. I used to only get manicures before business trips because life at home would inevitably cause chips within 48 hours. I can get a full week out of Dazzle Dry.
For other personal care appointments, I take a long-ish lunch during the workday.
Anonymous says
My kiddo was asking about dazzle dry. Is there a “system” or do you just do the color?
Anonymous says
It’s a system that requires a minimum of 4 coats. I use an extra base coat that adds 3 more coats for a total of 7.
Essie has a quick-drying one-coat all-in-one polish but it doesn’t hold up any better than traditional polish.
Anon says
I also do my own manicures and do them right before bed so they can fully dry overnight. They don’t take long if you have everything nearby.
Anon says
I primarily use Olive and June. A manicure generally lasts a week. I’ll take it off when it starts looking rough over the weekend and reapply on Sunday evening right before bed each week.
Spirograph says
I’d say I pay for some kind of beauty treatment once a month or so? Which is definitely less frequently than I did pre-kids. And yes, I find it easier to do it during or adjacent to the work day, since I can always catch up in the evening if I need to.
I usually try to schedule hair appts so I’m dipping out of work about an hour early and just make sure my husband plans to pick up the kids that day. If I’m having a slow, meeting-less wfh day and have stuff to read, I’ll take it with me and go get a pedicure + eyebrow wax, but more often do it spur-of-moment on a lazy, rainy weekend afternoon. (I rarely pay for manicures because I destroy them too quickly — instead I just take care of my fingernails while vegging in front of the TV at night.) I take a half day off for a massage + facial a couple times per year.
Anonymous says
I have 2.5 hour hair appointments (partial foil, cut, dry). I go in at 8 and am done around 10-11. I block my morning, use downtime to answer emails, and when possible listen to recorded calls or things where I don’t need to actively participate.
Anonymous says
For a long time I just skipped this stuff because I was too tired and wanted the weekend for relaxing. If you really want to keep doing this stuff, you probably will have to give up some of your weekend time. I can get my eyebrows waxed next door to the grocery: they make really late appointment so sometimes I go on a week night after the kids are in bed and then do my grocery shopping. I get my hair cut and colored every 3 months: it takes 3 hours. Tbh I usually just take a Friday afternoon off work for this. I also get Botox twice a year and I use sick time for that, since I go to the derm for it. I don’t enjoy getting my nails done, but I’ll get a gel pedi once or twice during the summer. That I do on a Saturday while the babies are napping and my husband watched the older kiddo.
Anon says
I really don’t like using weekends for these things, and here’s why – scheduling a hair appointment at 11:00 on a Saturday means that a day trip to the beach or an all-day thing with your family at the aquarium are not possible (much less going away for the whole weekend). They cut up the weekend in a really unsatisfying way.
I really find that I do best mentally and physically when weekends are for fun/adventures, not errands. For me, it helps to cut, cut, cut so there are fewer demands on the schedule. If there are things that you just can’t or don’t want to cut, then I would search around for places that DO have weeknight hours – it’ll make a big difference in giving you your weekends back. If you must schedule for weekends, try to do first thing of the day or last thing so you can have the rest of the day wide open for real fun.
AwayEmily says
Can you take a day off once every two months to do all your beauty stuff? Haircut, nails, etc? I only get my hair cut twice a year and don’t do nails/eyebrows/etc so I don’t have direct experience but I do try to take a day off every six weeks or so for my version of self-care/errands — so, returning things to the post office, making myself a leisurely breakfast, meeting a friend for lunch, sorting through some kid clothes, going for a long walk, etc.
anon says
I take vacation time to get my hair cut. My stylist doesn’t work on weekends anymore, and that’s not how I’d want to spend my precious free time anyway.
Anon says
I do most of these things myself.
Anonymous says
I do all of it at work and I just block off my calendar. With the caveat that I don’t get my nails or brows done, it’s just hair cut and color and the occasional facial and massage. All scheduled for towards the end of the day or at lunchtime when it’s easy to duck out or during times I know will be slow.
Anon says
Same, I don’t do much beauty stuff but schedule haircuts and pedicures during the workday. Lunchtime and in the 3:30-5 window are the easiest times.
Anonymous says
This thread is making me think of the time I got a mani pedi at 5:00 pm and a gaggle of young-ish female lawyers were there with two first-year associates in tow. The first-years were siting on the floor with their laptops drafting something that they kept showing to the more senior women, who were all gossiping while getting their mani-pedis. It was gross and I was embarrassed to be a lawyer.
Anonymous says
I keep my fingernails short and use ballet slippers on myself. A colleague who likes manicures gets them done at lunchtime.
Over the winter I do my own pedicures. I take my mom for pedicures together for Mother’s Day and when I book that one I also book 2-3 others for the summer.
I do a seasonal facial – try to book the next one before I leave. Usually like the first Saturday after back to school, the first Saturday after Christmas holidays, first Saturday after spring break, and the last Saturday before summer break.
DH and I trade off mornings ‘off’ 11am. I try to book stuff for my Saturday morning off but this usually means booking well in advance. If you have a workweek thing – put it in your calendar as an appointment.
Anon says
My husband and I do the same but I use my morning to sleep in because I’m lazy.
Anon says
For hair (cut and color every 4ish weeks), I schedule it during a work day. I try to do it late enough in the afternoon so it’s just like I’m leaving work a bit early. I do my own gel nails and try to do them at home on an evening or weekend. Husband takes over 100% of kid duty while I do them (probably takes an hourish to do, but they inevitably want me when I’m in the middle of this). I sometimes do pedicures at a salon and will either take time out of my work day to do it or do it on the weekends. Again, my husband takes over 100% of kid duty while I’m gone. I’ve found that making these things non-negotiable really helps to make sure that they do actually happen. My hair appointment is a standing appointment with my stylist and on my calendar. When I have to do my nails, I have to do them.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I get my hair cut and colored about every 3 months (color is just highlights and looks fine grown out). I usually do this on a Friday morning, and just check emails when I’m there. Pedicures are when I can – more in the summer, but then I have summer Fridays to do this and the occasional massage. I don’t do much face stuff.
Waffles says
I squeeze in what I can at home, when I remember. Usually tackle whatever needs help the most first, haha.
– Vitamins (could be appearance-based, I just pop a multivitamin)
– Stretches
– Sheet masks for face
– Teeth-whitening treatment
– Protein treatment for hair
– Improve the appearance of my nails in some way
– Plan an outfit/jewelry
– Edit bag/shoe collection
Online shipping to fill in any gaps.
Hope this helps!
Anonymous says
I usually get my nails done on a Sunday afternoon. Most nail salons, if not all, are open on Sundays around me (Monday is their day off). Does your hair salon not do waxing? For longer treatments like a facial or massage my husband watches the kids and I go on a weekend. We utilize all the grocery delivery/etc that we can do weekends aren’t a lot of errands.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Part of the reason I work is so that I don’t have to do this stuff myself because I do not enjoy doing it myself and I am not good at it.
Haircut/Color – this I do on Saturday afternoon because mine takes about ~2 hours. Everything else – mani/pedi, facials/massage, eyebrows etc. – I usually treat it as an appointment during the workweek, and book them occasionally and on weeks where I’m not juggling multiple kid-related appointments. Eyebrows are usually lowest on the priority list but I feel like make such a huge difference and is the quickest appointment.
For mani/pedi, I go through cycles where I have a gel mani, then do a color change, and – most of the time – I just let my nails breathe before getting another manicure. Just getting a color change or polish removal does not take nearly as long as the mani. Non-gel pedicures last a long time (4-6 weeks at least) so I leave them as long as possible. Caveat I probably get a manicure like 6-8 times a year, this isn’t a monthly thing.
anon says
When I have a slow day I schedule last minute appointments
Anon says
feel good parenting moment (and outing myself to anyone who knows me)- i have twins who just started K at a public school and twin A’s teacher messaged me over the weekend to answer a question I had, but also to share with me that at pickup my kids had mentioned that they’d be celebrating Rosh Hashanah over the weekend and that the teacher asked twin A if she could tell her class about the holiday on Monday and that in the future she’d love for a parent to join, but since this was so early in the school year we couldn’t really plan in advance. Twin B’s teacher also wanted her to present. We practiced something over the weekend and they each brought in a prop and each spoke in their respective classes and were SO proud. especially since during the first week of school Twin B came home sad one day reporting she is one of the few in her class who doesn’t celebrate Christmas. I am so grateful for the teachers who are open to this, for giving my kids the opportunity to practice their public speaking skills and share their religion/culture. the teachers also encouraged anyone in the class who wants to can share throughout the year
Anon says
That’s lovely! And impressed your 5 year olds could do that solo. My husband did a presentation on Passover at our daycare but our then 5 year old could barely sit through it, let alone do the presentation herself.