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I have a fine collection of bold cocktail rings (thanks, Mom!) that I used to wear when I wanted to make a statement. But they weren’t always the most practical (for one thing, the huge stones don’t fit under gloves).
Here’s a ring that has a modern, low-key design that still makes you look twice. This 10K solid gold ring is perfect for everyday wear. The rope pattern is striking enough to wear alone, yet it plays well with others. (I’d pair it with a gold diamond band.)
Stone and Strand’s Gold Brioche Ring is $395 and comes in sizes 5–10.
Sales of note for 11.30.23…
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Limited-Time Sale of 11,000+ items; up to 25% off select women’s coats & jackets (ends 12/6); Nike up to 25% off (ends 12/2); markdowns include big deals on UGG, Natori, Marc Fisher LTD, Vionic and more!
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off sale styles
- Banana Republic – 40% off your purchase, including cashmere; up to 60% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 25% off $125+
- J.Crew – 50% off women’s styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – Up to 70% off everything; free shipping (readers love the cashmere)
- Summersalt – 30% off everything; up to 60% off select styles (this reader-favorite sweater blazer is down to $75)
- Talbots – 30% off entire purchase, including all markdowns — readers love this cashmere boatneck and this cashmere cardigan, as well as their sweater blazers in general
- Zappos – 35,000+ women’s sale items! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kid shoe brands on sale.
Kid/Family Sales
- BabyJogger – 25% off 3 items
- Crate & Kids – Toy & gift event: up to 50% off everything; save 10% off full price items
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 50% off everything; extra 30% off sale styles
- Ergobaby – 40% off Omni Breeze Carrier, 25% off Evolve 3-in-1 bouncer, $100 off Metro+ Strollers
- Graco – Up to 30% off car seats
- Strolleria – 25% off Wonderfold wagons, and additional deals on dadada, Cybex, and Peg Perego
- Walmart – Savings on Maxi-Cosi car seats, adventure wagons, rocker recliners, security cameras and more!
Anonymous says
Has anyone found a collection of fairy tales that isn’t as s*xist as the originals are? I don’t need a “hit you over the head” feminist version per se but maybe just a more modern retelling?
Anonymous says
Not exactly a fairy tale but I enjoyed that the new Peter Pan and Wendy movie had Tiger Lily as someone that helped with rescuing, not a princess in distress like the original cartoon.
Lydia says
How old is the kid you’re looking for? I loved “The Maid of the North: Feminist Fairy Tales from around the World” when I was a child…it’s an anthology. In the world of chapter books, “Dealing with Dragons” by Patricia Wrede isn’t a specific retelling but deals with a lot of fairy tale themes, as does “Ella Enchanted.” T.A. Baron’s Merlin books retell that legend in a more feminist way. Jane Yolen has some fairytale rewritings too. Not a fairytale per se, but for the same vibes, “Wise Child” and “Juniper” by Monica Furlong.
Anonymous says
My seven year old LOVED dealing with dragons. The second in the series is good too, we got burned out by the third but I hope we’ll get back to it at some point.
Spirograph says
*I* loved Dealing With Dragons when I was a kid, and I cried on the inside when my 8 year old rejected it recently.
OP, does it need to be traditional Brothers Grimm ish fairy tales? We have a few anthologies of fairy/folk tales from around the world and they’re not as sexist in some other cultures. :)
AwayEmily says
My 7yo and I just read Dealing with Dragons also! My actual copy from when I was a kid — I grabbed it from my childhood room the last time I was home and was so thrilled she liked it.
Anonymous says
Memories of Wise Child and Juniper led me to my diagnosis of chilblains this winter!!!! I would never have realized without having read them!
Anonymous says
Not a full collection but the Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is great.
Emma says
We have this for our baby (I think we have a short version) and it’s my favorite :)
OOO says
Check out the the Once Upon A World collection
Anonymous says
This isn’t a retelling, it’s just a new story, but I highly recommend Gina Farina and the Prince of Mintz for a feminist tale about the baker’s daughter and the prince that has a happy ending for both of them that doesn’t involve getting married. I rediscovered this from my childhood bookshelf and it’s really, really good!
EDAnon says
You might try the podcast Circle Round, if you don’t need a book. They modernize a lot of older stories.
OP says
Sorry, just coming back to this after a hectic day! My kids are 7, 5 and 7m and I’m open to all suggestions but was specifically looking for a replacement of the more traditional ones (Princess and the Pea, Rumplestilskin, etc) because we have a book they love that has questionable views on women! Thanks for the great suggestions, checking them all out!
Momofthree says
Hi OP- I finally looked up the book after struggling earlier today. There’s a series of books called “Girls to the Rescue” by Bruce Lansky that I read a lot when I was younger. They are shorter stories with a mixture of folk lore & real life hero stories. Would recommend those if you can find them.
Anonymous says
If your kids like the princess and the pea, maybe check out Once Upon a Mattress. it doesn’t solve the sexism problem, but the soundtrack is fun! (now I’m having flashbacks to my 10th grade high school musical)
Anon says
We had some birds build a nest in our front door wreath and the eggs hatched a few days before we left on vacation 10 days ago. We weren’t sure the babies were going to survive because the mom seemed AWOL right before we left and the babies looked so hungry. But we came home to fully-feathered fledglings! Big excitement for the preschooler.
TheElms says
We have baby birds in our wreath too. Our eggs hatched about 4-5 days ago. We are still in the mostly featherless phase but they seem to be growing so we hope they make it. Preschooler will be devastated if they don’t.
Anonymous says
Such a nice story! Thank you for leaving them alone. A someone who does wildlife related law, my clients biggest vents in the spring are always about people that interfere with baby birds or animals because they assume incorrectly the mother has abandoned them. Best thing you can do with any baby birds or animals is stay as far as possible away so the mother is not afraid to come and go freely.
Anon says
I did call a wildlife rescue right before we left, because I was worried we hadn’t seen mom in over 24 hours and they said to bring the babies in, but I was skeptical because everything on the internet says leave them alone. Also we were really busy getting ready for the trip and frankly just didn’t have time to drive the birds to a rescue 30 minutes outside of town. So we left it alone, and it turned out to be the right decision.
Anonymous says
Absolutely the right decision. It’s ancedata but we are having issues with increasing numbers of wildlife rescue groups with a frequently updated social media presence who are much more interventionist than the govt scientists I work with would prefer (Lion King Circle of Life as my kids would say). It’s hard though as the line isn’t always clear. Enjoy the fledglings!
anon says
The same thing is happening with litters of kittens in my area. At this point, the shelters are practically begging people to leave the kittens alone because chances are good that the mama is foraging and has not abandoned them.
Anonymous says
My parents have had a pair of birds build a nest on their porch the last five or so years. Most years they successfully fledge several babies. Sometimes they even try for a second brood (although my dad usually tries to prevent that by disturbing them after the first ones are gone, the second brood is too late into the summer and they overheat and dont make it)
It’s fun to watch them get bigger and louder and see the parents coming and going all day with food.
Anonymous says
That is so fun. My wreaths recently housed a pair of tree frogs and it was a huge treat for me (my kids didn’t care as much).
Anon says
Ooh I would love to have tree frogs. How cool.
Anonymous says
Fun! I had a duck try to make a nest on my front porch a couple years ago.
AwayEmily says
Anyone have a source for kids’ tshirts (4/5T) that have a similar fit as slim-fit pajama tops? After wearing only dresses for the past year, my very particular and very wonderful 5yo has now switched to t-shirts BUT NOT LOOSE, MAMA. Right now he often just wears his pajama shirts as regular shirts, which is fine, but I’m wondering if there’s another source I’m missing.
Anonymous says
I’d check out Primary, which has a lot of different t-shirt fits (including ones that fit my kids pretty closely).
Mary Moo Cow says
Second Primary. The classic fit tees are slimmer than like, the t-shirt that you get when you sign up for a race, but the slim fit tees are even slimmer, more like a pajama top.
octagon says
Both Hanna Anderson and Tea have tended to run more narrow (at least for girls).
Anon says
Try just a 4 or 5 size. I think the “T” runs wider in the belly area. 4 and 5’s seem to be loner and narrower if that makes sense. Also, I think Children’s Place runs small/narrower than other brands.
TheElms says
Primary has a slim tee – its on sale at the moment too. It is too slim for my fairly slim kid, but its not a stretchy knit like a pj top might be. https://www.primary.com/products/the-slim-t-shirt?ref=plp_pdp_g1_3&variant=39571253657659&color=cobalt&size=2&image=the-slim-t-shirt_raspberry_main&image-color=raspberry
Old navy also has a ribbed t-shirt that has a slim fit because the rib is designed to stretch a bit. https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=552917002&vid=1&&searchText=rib%20t%20shirt#pdp-page-content
AwayEmily says
ooo that old navy one is great; he is very into both the color blue and flowers these days.
anonM says
nos specifics, but I do love resale for this kind of thing (kid-specific) because then I’m less cranky when they switch preferences again and I can see the fit in person. Also, solidarity — my 3yo does the opposite, and everything is “TOO TIGHTTTTTT”.
Anon says
+1 I had to buy size medium capri pants for my kid because the pants in her correct size small were “too tight” around the waist. The regular medium were too long, but we lucked out that capri pants were available and they are full length on her. I would have been lost if this happened in the fall or winter.
Anon says
The brand French Toast fits quite slim. They’re a uniform brand but fine if you’d like plain tshirts.
AwayEmily says
thanks all! lots to try. and consignment is a great idea I had not considered — I get irritated by our local place because prices are way higher than I think they should be, but this is a good use case for it.
Anon says
Do any stores carry maternity clothes in store? I hate doing the online ordering roulette and having to find time to get to the post office to return stuff. I just want to try stuff on! I’m in the middle of my second trimester and really need some clothing for work. I work in the government, so can probably get away with more causal things if necessary but also don’t have the money to spend a lot. Any recommendations would be great!
AwayEmily says
I had luck ordering a bunch of maternity stuff from Target online and then returning what I didn’t want to the store. Less annoying than going to the post office since you’re probably making a Target trip at some point anyway.
Anon says
Me too- Target and Amazon (sadly) have been my maternity go tos.
AIMS says
Pea in a Pod used to have stand alone stores. There are sometimes gap maternity sections but those are rare. Target sometimes has maternity sections. Seraphine has stores but is pricey. I think you have to look this up in your area to be sure.
Emma says
It depends on your area but unfortunately it’s very slim pickings. I did a few in-store trips when I was in a big city, then ordered a lot of Gap/Old Navy and a few things from Seraphine online.
Anon says
Other than Target, our local Macy’s has them. It’s a bigger store though, I think most don’t carry maternity.
Mary Moo Cow says
You could try ship to store and then try it on in the dressing room when you pick it up and then make returns immediately. And if USPS pick up is available, use that! I forget about it, but it really is convenient.
Anonymous says
Target carries some depending on the store, same with Macy’s (the one at Metro Center in DC had a large room of stuff 5 years ago…in case you happen to be in DC). Standalone Motherhood Maternity stores as well.
Bette says
I was pleasantly surprised with Old Navy’s maternity pants (both jeans and work pants). Affordable, machine washable, and functional front pockets!
anon says
Do you all have your elementary school kids participate in summer reading programs? I sort of did this naturally as a kid, but I feel like my second grader could benefit from some structure around it and the chance to practice. But I also don’t want to turn it into an obligation that she dreads.
Anonymous says
When there’s a prize, yes.
Anon says
FWIW I’m thinking about setting up my own at home where he gets a star for each book (maybe differnet “tiers” of stars for differnet length books) and gets prizes when he completes a row of his star chart etc. That way hoping I’ll add some incentives while not making it a “requirement”?
Momofthree says
My local library has a summer reading challenge that comes with themes, recommendations and prizes at the end (baseball tickets, free pizza, etc.) May be worth checking out if that is available in your area.
Anon says
We suggest it but don’t make it obligatory. My daughter enjoys it as long as we count reading together, which we do.
Anonymous says
Nope. Just independent reading.
Mary Moo Cow says
Definitely, through the library. My kids like tracking their progress on an actual piece of paper and picking out the prizes. Their school also requires summer reading, so we try to make it more fun by printing the recommended reading list, going to the library or bookstore, and crossing off each title as they read it. We set aside time for Drop Everything and Read, now that everyone can read silently, and make sure to read at bedtime. Maybe for your second grader (I have one, too), letting her pick out the books is key.
Anonymous says
I’m planning to print the chart that was shared here yesterday by Cb. He’s a rising first grader and his teacher specifically asked me to continue working on reading skills this summer. I’m planning to tie it to iPad time to make it “fun”, but a prize would be a good incentive also. On a related note; Does anyone else miss personal pan pizzas? I know they still exist I just haven’t had one in like three decades.
Anon says
A Pizza Hut personal pan pizza is still the prize for our library’s reading programs! That reminds me we have one to redeem.
anonM says
My kiddos do the 1k books before Kindergarten program and will do the summer reading this summer. (DS starts KG in fall). I like it – all you do is stamp a number for each book/chapter read. But when we fill out that sheet, it prompts me to go to the library to swap out books. It gives the kids a positive experience with the librarians. I read more to them when there are new and pretty books that we are all excited about. I also LOVED these reading programs as a kid, and I did get competitive about it. My parents facilitated but didn’t require them or demand I meet a specific level. I hope to do the same. Also, I don’t have to create a system or rewards or put in any more work than go to library, read to kid. I’d be much less likely to do this if I had to come up with a chart and rewards on my own.
Cb says
I keep a counter of books read to my kid and find the tiny dopamine hit from ticking it off (just in the counter app) encourages me to make sure I have a book in my bag and plan fun reading activities (going outside to read on a blanket on nice days, etc). We hit 600 last year, which is pretty good considering I’m only home 70% of the time.
Our library doesn’t seem to do a reading challenge but I wish they did.
Anon says
For my elementary age kids, we have a checklist before screens. I think I got it from here.
– Read something
– Make something
– Clean something
– Practice something
– Call someone (usually a grandparent or elderly relative)
Once they’ve done all 5, then they’ve earned screen time for the rest of the day. Each one takes about 20-30 minutes, so the remaining screen time after summer camp or after weekend activities is manageable. And they have the option to skip it if they’re not interested in screen time.
It gets reading in most days without it being an obligation, and helps reinforce that they can choose what to read to make it fun. My at the time fourth grader once chose to spend 20 minutes reading Dr Seuss on Facetime to her younger cousins, and thought she got away with an “easy” way to cross two off the list at once. My sister and I let her think that, but it was awesome for everyone involved.
Shoes says
What shoes are we liking these days for littler kids? Ideally shoes that don’t cost over $50? DS is 4.5yo and wears a 12. Most of what I see for him has laces, which I’d like to avoid. Anyone have a velcro sneaker option that they’d recommend?
Anon says
I don’t like Adidas as a company, but the Adidas velcro sneakers we’ve had have held up great. We have several pairs that lasted through near-daily wear for a year or more. I posted about this recently, but we had a very bad experience with Skechers. The velcro in both shoes was completely shot after less than three months (along with other damage), and when I complained about how fast the shoes wore out they just said “meh, that’s wear and tear.” Target shoes last me longer than three months!
Clementine says
We’ve liked:
Saucony Jazz
Misc Nikes from Nordstrom Rack with stretchy laces and Velcro
Keens
Converse (runs narrower)
Kid did not like vans, adidas sneakers wear out quickly for us…
Anonymous says
Honestly I get them on Amaz*n, just search for lightweight sneakers with a velcro strap. They cost $20-30.
Anonymous says
New balance fuel cores forevah! No laces.
Anonymous says
I search for New Balance sneakers with hook and loop (Velcro) on Zappos and then pick what’s cheapest. All but one of our new balance have lasted well enough to be passed down. They have Velcro at least up to size 5. Ironically it’s the 5s that broke- 7 year old pulled the Velcro so tight he snapped it in half. A sign that tie shoes would work better for him.
Anon says
Nordstrom Rack is my go-to kid’s shoe source. Some of them are hideous but if I find something cute and a good deal from a reputable brand in a size that my kids will grow into, I snag it for future use. It hasn’t failed me yet. If we need something seasonally appropriate in a pinch, I go to Target since my kids are super hard on their shoes and wear through them in a few months anyway.
AwayEmily says
We used to be big Saucony Jazz fans but I feel like the quality has really gone down in the last year or so. We recently switched to Tsukihoshi Kids. They definitely hold up — my very active 7yo wore the Racer style daily for ten months and they still look almost new (she finally grew out of them). Also, they are machine washable. A little over your price limit, tho — more like $60.
Anon says
I had pretty good luck this last weekend at Kohls with my 3.5 year old. Kiddo ended up with some New Balance shoes without laces for about $25.
Anon says
For little kids I still like See Kai Run – but only the on sale styles!
Anonymous says
Merrell waterproof for outdoor sneakers
Keen breathable for school year indoor sneakers
Merrell or Keen closed toe sandals for summer day camp
Anonymous says
The Target Nevada sneakers fit both my twins, and they’re hard to fit. They’re also $20.
So Anon says
I want to go sit next to a beach or pool with my two kids somewhere that it is warm for a long weekend in between jobs. I’m thinking somewhere in Florida because I want a short, direct flight from the northeast. I’m not interested in leaving the country because that requires coordination with the ex. Mainly, I’m looking for a gorgeous pool, preferably more than one, on-site restaurants and not a long drive from the airport. Kids are 9 and 12. Any recommendations?
Anonymous says
The Breakers
Anon says
I’d look at Miami. Easy airport access, tons of resorts, great food especially if you like Latin American food. We loved 1 Hotel South Beach and it seemed kid-friendly although we stayed there pre-kid.
NYC says
+1. Miami seems like the easiest, most versatile option. We also have enjoyed the 1 Hotel in the past.
Naples is also a nice Florida destination, but it is a bit further drive from the airport.
Anonymous says
South Beach in Miami. Did that with my parents around that age. Hung at the pool, hung at the beach, rode bikes along, ate easy lunches. Hotels are fun and some have a retro vibe which I remember liking.
Anne-on says
Does this mean you took the new job? Congratulations!!
The Four Seasons Orlando, it’s basically kid heaven with a HUGE kids club/multiple pools/lazy river/water slides/etc. If you have points you’re looking to use the JW Marriot Turnberry resort in Aventura (~25 minutes north of Miani) is attached to a water park which is free for guests and looks like it would be super fun.
Anon says
Anyone remember Love Taza? She went there with her family and it looked SO nice. I’m not a Disney person and we’ve always avoided Orlando vs. other places in Florida because of the prices and the sheer number of kids running around, but her post made me really want to visit. So much so that I still remember it ~10 years later.
Anon says
I do remember her and I will always wonder what happened re: her disappearance! (She’s alive and living out west somewhere, but totally ghosted her blog and socials. And I am nosy.) I remember her twin pregnancy announcement like it was yesterday and those girls must be five or so by now!
Anon says
I know many people here have the opposite problem, but it’s our first summer with a kid in K-12 school and I’m struggling with how to pack everything into what feels like a very short summer break. My kid only gets 10 weeks and we currently have plans to be out of the town for 6 of them (3 weeks of vacation and 3 weeks visiting friends and family where DH & I will work remotely and kid will go to camp). I know there’s going to come a point at which our kid isn’t happy about being gone this much or it interferes with activities, but as of right now it’s ok, right? I don’t want to ruin her social life or deprive her of the chance to have some lazy summer pool day memories, but travel and visiting our friends and family is also important.
Anonymous says
Omg please just enjoy the win this is a great thing not a problem
Anonymous says
A couple weeks of lazy summer pool days are more than enough. After that they start to get bored. Vacations and camp are where it’s at for summer fun. Sleepaway camp when they get a little older.
SC says
I was an extrovert and an only child. My summers were packed. I went to sleepaway camp for 4 weeks, I spent a week with each grandmother, I went to day camps or as a tween, overnight church camps. Even when I was home with a babysitter, I spent whole days with my neighborhood friends riding bikes around and then swimming. These friendships outside of school were really good for my social life and self-esteem. So, don’t borrow trouble. Your daughter may get a lot of value from an expanded circle of friends and family that she sees during the summer.
Is there any possibility of a lazy summer pool/lake/beach day while you’re on vacation or while visiting friends and family? It sounds like you’ll be gone long enough that you could build in some time for relaxation near water, frozen treats, mini golf–whatever summer means to you.
Spirograph says
Yes it’s ok. Gently, you’re imagining a problem where there isn’t one. Kindergarteners, especially ones whose parents both have full-time jobs, don’t have lazy days at the pool with their friends over the summer… they go to day camp. And then they go back to school in first grade and make a whole new crop of friends with their new classmates because friends are still fairly interchangeable parts at that age.
You are many years away from family vacations interfering with activities or social life. I don’t remember that being a thing until high school. From more recent experience, my rising 4th grader complained last summer that he only had a few hours after camp to play with his homeschooled neighbor friend, but he definitely didn’t complain about vacation. We don’t do scheduled, structured activities (other than camp) in the summer.
Anon says
Thanks yeah, I was really thinking more about the social aspect than the downtime. I didn’t really think it would be an issue at this age, but I wanted a gut check. I have friends with tweens and teens who would definitely balk at being away from their friends this much of the summer, but I realize age 6 or 7 is very different than 11 or 12. You also answered another question I had in the back of my mind, which is how fluid friendships are in early elementary school. I wasn’t sure how much we should be trying or expecting to hang onto friends made in K and whether being out of town for so much of the summer would interfere with that.