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This dress has been around forever, but it’s marked to $29-$34 now and I just got it for myself, so I thought I’d share. I like the pockets, the fact that it’s machine washable, and the price. It’s available in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes. (While I sometimes buy petites in Lands’ End, I needed a regular size here to get the length I wanted.) Note that today at Lands’ End you can save 30% with code ORDER30 and PIN 3007 (although it’s “not valid when combined with any other promotional offers,” alas). Lands’ End Ponté Keyhole Sheath Dress Psst: I can’t believe that there are so few sizes and colors left of this old reader favorite sheath dress, also machine washable and with pockets — it must just be a temporary thing before they restock with next season’s colors. BUT: lucky sizes left and a steep discount. Update: Thanks to a comment from a reader, we’ve learned that you can in fact use the 30%-off promo code on this dress even though it’s already on sale. Nice! (L-3)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?
POSITA says
So miracle of miracles it sounds like we may have found a daycare spot. Does anyone have advice for transitioning from a nannyshare to a daycare? My daughter will be turning 2 right around when she starts. She is generally an outgoing kid, but I don’t know what she’ll do with a giant change in her routine. I’m anticipating that she may have bit of anxiety.
A few questions/thoughts: Should I start discussing going to school with her now or introduce the idea closer to her start date (in about 6 weeks)? Should we stop in for a visit so that she can meet the teachers and see the classroom? Should we go back and forth between the nanny and daycare for a week or two to help her transition or just do a clean break? Do we need to start with short/part days at the daycare while she gets used to the new people or should we just keep a set routine from the start? Do I need to get any clothes or toddler items to send specifically to daycare? (They provide breakfast, lunch and snacks.) Do I need to label all of her clothes or just backup clothes? Suggestions for labels?
Anything else I need to do to get ready or advice? We’re in the middle of moving, too, so my brain is full of movers and contractors (in addition to work stuff). There’s a lot going on and I don’t want to make a mess of this change.
mascot says
If she has never been in daycare/preschool, you might want to start with a couple of half days to get her used to everyone. The 2 year old classes usually have a pretty solid schedule for meals/playtime/nap. I’d probably spend the next few weeks trying to get her close to that schedule. At that age, we had to send in a cup, a nap blanket, diapers, and a change of clothes. We kept the clothes in a wet bag (bag and clothes labeled) that stayed at school. We use NameBubbles for labels (Mabels Labels are also good). I didn’t label his clothes, but did label shoes and outerwear. Except for a few potty accidents, he didn’t use the extra clothes much so there wasn’t a chance to lose clothes.
Kids are really adaptable. There may be a few rough days, but all of you will survive. Even though my outgoing child was in daycare basically his whole life, he still had some days where he cried at drop off. My advice for that is to give her a hug and kiss, tell her you will see her later, and walk out the door. Lingering makes it worse. She will calm down before you get to the car.
kc esq says
Daniel Tiger!! Show her the one where he first goes to school and explain her teacher is like Teacher Harriet. I swear, that show is my kids’ third parent.
NewMomAnon says
I have a very social kiddo who struggled with the transition to the toddler room. I ended up coming half an hour early a few days for pick up (not drop off, you don’t want to set the expectation that you’ll stick around for lengthy drop offs), and just sat on the floor of the toddler room so she could come and go from my lap. By the end of the second day, she was pretty much ignoring me and now she loves the toddler room.
Expect some anxiety and clinginess for a week or two. Toddlers nap on cots, so if she is used to napping in a crib, she will probably skip naps for a few days and you’ll have a cranky kiddo. Expect some reports that will make you sad from daycare – tears, hitting, tantrums, etc. As far as whether to do short days – kids are really flexible.
At my daycare, we bring an extra set of clothes (labeled), and we have the option of bringing a blankie or pillow for naptime (again, labeled). We bring diapers (label the bag or box). Once a week we bring a swimsuit, water shoes and a towel for water day (labeled). You don’t *need* to label the everyday clothes, but they are more likely to disappear if you don’t. I label her shoes too.
Spirograph says
Your daycare should provide a list of everything you need to send with kiddo. Everything is supposed to be labeled — so far I just write initials with a Sharpie on things as I send them, if I remember. We haven’t lost anything that I miss. For my 2 year old, I need 3 sets of extra clothes to keep at school (and another 3 sets for an “emergency kit”), which goes up to 6 once they start toilet training (WHO HAS 9 EXTRA OUTFITS? I’ll be hitting the 2nd hand store for these soon). 2 year olds are required to be in pullups with the tabbed sides, and I have to send a supply of those and wipes. Crib sheet, a blanket (these go home every week to be washed), sunscreen, bug spray. Once a week, swimsuit and towel for waterplay, a book for “my favorite book” day, a toy for show-and-tell day, and occasionally some random thing for a special activity. Thankfully, they’ve been really good about advanced notice for the random things. My current daycare provides food and all dishes/utensils, but I had to send a cup, bowl, plate, and utensils to the old one.
As for introducing your child to the idea… my son was only one when he switched from nannyshare and didn’t seem to care beyond meeting a new caretaker, but he switched centers right around his 2nd birthday, and we started telling him the week or two before that he was going to go to a new school. I don’t think he got it until we showed up at a new place the first day. There were definitely rough drop-offs for the firstcouple weeks, but he was always happy when we picked him up in the afternoon. As mascot said, kids are really adaptable! I really don’t think half days are necessary, but you know your kid best. If you do want to do some kind of gradual transition, definitely ask the teachers about that. Unless there is also a half-day program where more parents will be picking up kids mid-day, they may vastly prefer that you not interrupt the routine and/or possibly upset kids when little POSITA’s mommy comes, but theirs doesn’t.
mascot says
9 extra outfits is completely insane. They must have lockers instead of cubbies. Maybe I got lucky that our daycares always seemed to have some extra backup clothes in case the kids went through their back-up outfits. I periodically donated them some outgrown pants and tops for the extras closet.
In addition to secondhand, I thought Kohls (Jumping Beans line) had great clothes for daycare. There is always a sale and the outfits lasted the season.
Meg Murry says
Have you asked your daycare? Many have a formal transition or “phase-in” program that involves coming for X hours on the first day, then X+Y on the second and so on until up to full time. I guess it’s not impossible, but it’s unlikely that it would be “drop her off full time on a Monday and that’s that!”. I’d ask now so you can work that into your work/vacation time schedule or coordinate with the nanny.
Bloom says
Love this dress! And the 30% off code worked, even though it’s already discounted.
NewMomAnon says
OMG, that sale is amazing. I got myself a pair of nice water shoes, marked down to $29.99, with $9 off and free shipping. Thanks for the heads up.
Anon in NYC says
I just ordered it as well – will report back!
CHJ says
For the moms of toddlers, what are your kids’ favorite books right now? My son just turned 2 and I’d love some ideas for new books.
And if anyone else is looking for ideas, his current favorites are:
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
The Gruffalo
Three Ninja Pigs
Dragons Love Tacos
If You Give a Dog a Donut
Little Owl’s Night
Click Clack Moo
NewMomAnon says
For us, it’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See (more commonly known at my house as Bumber Bumber).
Any lift-the-flap book or book with interactive features is popular at my house right now. Also, any book with dogs. I made a Shutterfly book of family pictures, and that is also a popular one.
Spirograph says
I hate If You Give a Dog a Donut (and the others in that series, except If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), and my son loves it. I’ve never heard of the rest of these! Will have to check some out… At our house:
Pajama Time
Are You My Mother?
Dr Seuss ABC (and basically any other Dr Seuss book)
Jamberry
The Big Red Barn
Where’s Spot? (lift-the-flap)
The Boy Who Wanted A Dinosaur
Little Blue Truck
Thank You, Bear
A lift-the-flap book about trucks, cleverly titled “Trucks”
We have a set of “Little People” books, one about school, one about vehicles, one about zoo animals, etc that are big hits. The stories are terrible, but there are so many things in the illustrations, you can spend 15 minutes just having kiddo point all of them out/find them.
pro-tip: Preemptively reinforce all the flaps on lift-the-flap books with clear packing tape. They last SO much longer.
Lorelai Gilmore says
We have a similar set of Little People books and my 2 year old son adores the one about Noah’s ark – lots of animals, a story that is not completely ridiculous – it’s a good one.
Other ones we like:
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
The Pookie books by Sandra Boynton
Dear Zoo (lift the flap)
A series of books called Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring – really simple text, but cool cut-out pictures
A horrible Christmas book that plays a tinny version of “Up on the Housetop”. My son loves it. It is awful.
CHJ says
Ha! I just said the exact same thing to DH this morning about If You Give a Dog a Donut. I hate it and try to hide it under the furniture, and DS loves it and is constantly bringing it over for me to read.
JJ says
Ha – I know Dragons Love Tacos by heart.
My two kids currently love:
The Boy Who Cried Ninja
The same lift-the-flap book titled Trucks
Red Truck
The Little Engine That Could (uuuggghhhh…..)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
Little Blue Truck
And Where’s Waldo books – the 3-year old LOVES them.
Kate says
Some of our favorites:
Where to Sleep by Kandy Radzinski
picture books by Stephen Huneck
Mr. Wuffles, Flotsam, and Tuesday — all 3 by David Wiesner
Press Here by Herve Tullet
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
the Bad Kitty books by Nick Bruel (there are picture books and books for older kids)
Lorelai Gilmore says
Oh, for wordless books – I highly recommend Rainstorm, which is pictures-only – we love it. We also have one that I love about a chicken, which I can’t remember the title for.
Lorelai Gilmore says
While we’re talking about books, I’d appreciate recommendations for read-aloud chapter books for five-year-olds. So far, we’ve enjoyed Children of Noisy Village, Ramona (though it is a slog to read it aloud because the chapters are so long), and Pippi Longstocking. Some of my favorites from childhood – Betsy Tacy, Little House on the Prairie – don’t seem to be working quite yet. Any other ideas? My daughter likes books about girls and does not like books about animals.
books books books says
What about other Beverly Cleary books, like The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Ralph S. Mouse, etc? she might be ready for some of the Roald Dahl books, especially the shorter ones like Esio Trot or Fantastic Mr. Fox. We started enjoying Tintin around then. We also had a childrens’ Tales from Shakespeare that we definitely started reading around that age.
sfg says
Amelia Bedelia? Boxcar Children? Anne of Green Gables? I remember reading the first two series around ages 5 or 6; I didn’t discover Anne of Green Gables until much later but I have friends who have read that series with kids close to yours in age.
mascot says
My Father’s Dragon series, Magic Treehouse series, Mouse and Motorcycle trilogy have all been hits.
books books books says
Mascot – YES, My Father’s Dragon series!!!!
Meg Murry says
My son loved Amelia Bedelia as a kindergartener, and now there are easy reader versions as well so he was able to start on the easy ones in first grade and have me keep reading the trickier ones to him. Not quite as long as a typical “chapter” book, but still good.
Meg Murry says
Good dog Carl is another good wordless one.
My kids love the “If you give a” books – we a have a 4-in-1 version that came with a CD of the audio and some extra songs that is a favorite.
I think all our other favorites have been listed, other than:
A Home for a Bunny
Fat Cat (a book from my husband’s childhood that is out of print and very non-PC but funny)
And the ones I recite in my head but don’t read to the kids: Go the F*** to Sleep and You Have to F***ing Eat
Katarina says
Go Dog Go
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
The Runaway Bunny
Going on a Bear Hunt
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Rescue Trucks
Elmo Halloween
anonyc says
Great thread. Our general favorites (starting at toddler but good for a while):
Mo Willems books (Elephant & Piggie, Cat the Cat, Knuffle Bunny series have all been big hits)
How Do Dinosaurs ___? by Jane Yolen (There are a ton of these but our starter was a 4-board-book set)
Llama, Llama books by Anna Dewdney
Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman
Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas and Jennifer Plecas
Tomie dePaola books (The Knight and the Dragon & Strega Nona in particular)
James Marshall books (*I* appreciate the sarcasm–the Fox series, the Miss Nelson books)
Kevin Henkes books (Lilly, Chester, Chrysanthemum, etc.–lovely)
Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
For beginner chapter books, we also like the My Father’s Dragon books. I do not like, although they are on point, the Magic Tree House series of books, and those are good for 4/5/6 year olds.
After a few years of being the in-house librarian, I realized that many of my reading choices for my kids are from Reading Rainbow recommendations. I miss that show!
Spirograph says
I also loved Reading Rainbow! There’s is kickstarter campaign to bring it back… it started last year — I just looked for the updates and it seems like they’re doing really well.
In House Counsel says
Current faves with my toddler:
Llama Llama series
Pip and Posy (british books)
Anything by Karma Wilson especially the Bear Snores On and Hogwash
Pick Me Up Mama
Alfie books — May I please have a cookie and Please Write Back
The Bus is for Us
Oh Daddy
Anonymous says
Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the School Bus (and all other “Pigeon” books)
Pete the Cat
“No, David” (and other David Books)
I went Walking
OCAssociate says
Any suggestions for getting kids to transition from going on a small potty seat to a large toilet in public? We tried to train him at home on the regular toilet, but he absolutely refused. Now we want him to be able to leave the house without diapers, but he’s scared of the big seats in public restrooms. Any ideas?
Kate says
One thing I recommend: Bring post-its with you to cover up the auto-flush sensor on public toilets (or else drape some toilet paper over it). My son is 5 and still doesn’t like the LOUD automatic flushing of toilets in public bathrooms, and it helps if it doesn’t go off when he’s ON the toilet.
Anon says
You could try bringing a foldable potty seat with you. I got one at Walmart that folded into a sandwich Baggie size. Maybe practice with at friends houses etc until he gets comfortable.
sfg says
Next week I’m taking my first overnight trip for work while pumping. What do people do with respect to washing pump parts and bottles in a hotel bathroom? Rinse with water followed by wipes? Bring a small container of dishwashing soap? I will have a fridge in my room but not sure about a microwave, so I think steam sterilizing is out.
Beep says
I just wash my pump parts with the hotel soap and hot water, and air dry in the bedroom. I have a bottle brush I use on the bottles.
JEB says
I bring a sponge and a small bottle of dish soap and wash the parts once at night (I keep them in the fridge during the day between pumps). I usually spread out a towel on the desk to let all of the parts air dry, so they’re not drying in the bathroom.
Also, I know you didn’t ask, but make sure you line your cooler if you’re carrying the milk back with you. I usually line mine with the hotel laundry bag. I learned the hard way on a flight where the bottom of my cooler was soaked and leaking from melted ice.
sfg says
I have learned this the hard way already as well – thankfully my cooler wasn’t near my laptop!
RDC says
I took a tiny bottle of dish detergent (I poured some into one of my travel cosmetic containers). Don’t forget a sponge or bottle brush.
Tunnel says
This is genius! Thanks for the tip!
Meg Murry says
Same with tiny bottle of dish soap, and don’t forget to check to make sure the fridge is plugged in and working as soon as you get in the room – sometimes they get unplugged or turned off if the room is empty for a while.
sfg says
Good point re: the fridge, thanks!
LSC says
I have a tiny brush and dryer rack set that folds up from OXO. You might find it helpful for being able to scrub and dry parts. Good luck!!
sfg says
Amazon for the win! Thanks for the tip.
Tunnel says
+1
Spirograph says
If you got the drying rack, this might not be an issue, but…
If you have a pump like Medela’s with the little membranes, do NOT leave those separate from the piece they stick to as your accessories are drying on, say, a washcloth on your vanity. The maids might just grab the washcloth and throw it in the laundry and then (yay) your pump is useless. Ask me how I know. Thank goodness I’d brought an extra set (I strongly recommend you bring an extra set).
PregAnon says
Pregnant cold help!! I’m 32 weeks and 6 days (yes, I’m counting down) and Sunday the dreaded sore throat started. By Monday I was coughing, and I’m still coughing and super stuffed up. I called my OB, and I can take Robitussin and “regular” 4 hour Sudafed, and that’s about it.
I feel terrible, but I HAVE to be at work because we have a ton of attorneys out on vacation right now. I’ve got a big cup of mint tea and cough drops. Not sure if I’m looking for advice or just commiseration…this is day 4. My general doc always tells me “come see me if you’re not better in 10 days.” I’m sure I will be by then but it seems like an eternity.
JJ says
Pregnancy colds are the worst! Have you used a Neti-Pot? I swore by mine – first thing in the morning and right before bed. Cough drops with menthol in them were also incredibly helpful. And sleep – as much as possible while very pregnant and congested.
Pigpen's Mama says
Saline spray was the best thing I used when I had a cold while pregnant.
PregAnon says
Good idea! I have one at home, no idea why I didn’t break it out already.
Anon in NYC says
Breathe Right strips always help when I’m super stuffed up. Try to sleep on an incline – add a second pillow if you can.
mascot says
Those vick vapor wall plug-ins are awesome at night. They make a kids version that helped with baby stuffiness too.
anonomom says
Bought this dress yesterday before I saw it here. My second keyhole.
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