This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Compression socks are often recommended for pregnant ladies as well as postpartum mamas — I was told I was most in danger of blood clots in the 60 days following birth.
As someone who has a blood clotting disorder ANYWAYS (Factor V Leiden), in colder months I kind of like compression socks, particularly for long drives or flights. It’s pretty easy to find boring black/gray compression socks, but finding fun, crazy compression socks (that are affordable) can be difficult.
I forget how I found the site Crazy Compression Socks, but they were having a 50% off sale when I did, so I took a chance on a pair of mermaid socks and a pair with extra cushioning and “infused silver to fight bacteria.” (I don’t know about the silver, but the cushioning is very comfy!) Two thumbs up on both! I’d worried the mermaid socks would stretch out so the pattern wouldn’t be recognizable (or that the pattern would look faded), but that hasn’t been a problem.
(Just to be TOTALLY clear, I’m wearing these under full-length pants, although they do feature them sometimes with shorts on the site.)
The socks are generally $15-$30 full price, but the site often has major sales. The brand also offers compression “cycle crew socks,” compression runners, and even some nice Halloween socks.
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
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
Click here to see our top posts!
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?
Anon says
Oh wow Kat – a Factor V Leiden pregnancy is intense – I’m glad you got through it.
anon says
+1 I have a clotting disorder as well, and it stinks. Trying to decide if we want to have another kid right now and fear around my clotting disorder (even though I had my PFO closed) plus dislike of Lovanox is definitely a factor!
Thanks for this rec – I need to be better about wearing compression socks, so will pick up some of these!
Cb says
Oh the Lovanox is the worst. I had a blood clot when I was in my early 20s and then had to be on injections through my pregnancy.
Pogo says
I was lucky enough to only have to take baby aspirin, kudos to you ladies!
Anon says
Oddly enough, the lovenox for my Factor V is barely a blip in the memory, but the vomiting every day still haunts me. Everyone says you’ll forget, but I have not forgotten (and must be insane because we’re trying to do it again).
Anon says
Suggestions for a book to read to a class of kindergartners? We’re guest readers next week – ahhhh. DD generally loves chapter books and doesn’t really have a favorite picture book. She’s less into silly than her brother, but could definitely go for a crowd pleaser.
Cb says
What about There Are No Bears in this Bakery? The language is gorgeous!
OP says
Don’t have this yet but looking it up!
Mary Moo Cow says
Yes! My kindergarten brought this one home a few weeks ago and we all loved it!
ElisaR says
great suggestion – I bought it when someone (maybe you?) recommended it a year or so ago….. my son LOVES this book.
OP says
Just to clarify also – it’s over zoom! Thanks all!
Anonymous says
Rosie Revere Engineer!
Anon says
Any of this series would be great! We like Ada Twist Scientist best.
Anon says
I’m partial to Sofia Valdez Future Prez :) That one’s super timely, too!
Clementine says
The Gruffalo is wonderful to read aloud. Great cadence, great rhythm, just a good book.
Alternately: the Book with No Pictures. Forever and always. I get probably wayyyyy too into it and… it’s so fun.
Boston Legal Eagle says
We’ve got around 10 of the Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler books and they are our 4.5 year old’s current favorites – good cadence, good stories. The pictures are fun to look at too.
Anon. says
+1 We got Room on the Broom as a Halloween gift from Grandma and I will now be searching for all the titles from this duo. Love the cadence.
OP says
Ahh all so good – the parents last week did Room on a Broom though! I love the idea of Sofia Valdez but I’d definitely end up getting political!
These are all great suggestions – going to present Rosie Revere and Book with No Pictures as ideas tonight to her. Please keep other suggestions coming!
octagon says
Agree with Julia Donaldson – Snail and the Whale is working overtime in our house these days.
anonanon says
Another good one!
Anonymous says
Shorter picture books (good for older PK/K)
the book with no pictures
Dragons love tacos
Short stories:
Any curious george
Frog and Toad
Pinkalicious/Fancy Nancy
Or just do what I do (pre pandemic) and swing by the library first and ask the librarian to hook you up.
If you are reading via zoom or something like that you may want to get a book that shows well on the screen and/or that you can screen share vs holding up the book to the camera.
EB0220 says
We Don’t Eat our Classmates is our new favorite.
Counter stools says
Just finished a kitchen reno and trying to figure out counter height stools for the island. I want something that will work for the kids, not concerned if they are too high/small for adults. I was debating the IKEA junior chairs. Any other suggestions? Hoping for wooden vs fabric seat for easy clean up. Meals eaten at kitchen table so it’s more for sitting up and chatting or helping when I am cooking.
Anonanonanon says
How old are the kids?
I bought one of the ikea junior chairs after the discussion last week (delivery has definitely sped up in my area!) and I wouldn’t say it’s high enough for counter height use.
Anonymous says
They are 6 and 9. The counter isn’t bar height, it’s standard counter height, that’s why I was debating it. How much higher are they than a regular chair? I thought of the junior chairs because they look like they would not tip over as easily as many stools.
Anon says
The IKEA Jr chairs really are meant for toddler or preschooler bums. They are narrow. I would buy these for use by older kids.
Anon says
*wouldn’t
Another Anon says
I think they are meant for a table height, or at least the one I have would not work for a counter.
Anon says
We have the urban junior chairs from Ikea and I love them and they don’t tip easily at all (have a 4 and 5 year old in them – have had for a couple years). Only thing I’d warn is they feel too small for me to sit in so years of use might be limited.
Anonymous says
Those are sized for table height and are narrow — my skinny 5 year old is comfortable on it at the table but I wouldn’t expect it to last much longer. I don’t think they would work for counter height or for a 9 year old.
Anonanonanon says
They aren’t as high as I expected, and the one I have is INSANELY narrow. My 9-year-old is in the 3rd percentile size-wise (probably more like a 7-year-old) and I don’t think he could sit in it.
That being said, assuming normal counter height is the height of our counters, I think the height would be fine for kids that age.
Cb says
I also need recs on this, as we’re moving to a house with a kitchen counter. I’m so excited, such fond memories of chatting with my mom and scamming snacks while sitting at the counter.
anon says
We just use normal stools for my 3 and 4 yos for the same sort of thing.
Anonymous says
Thanks all – sounds like regular stools are the better choice. Appreciate the feedback on the idea!
Anon says
Two weeks ago Trump held a rally in my inlaws retirement community. They didn’t attend, but many others did in big crowds and without masks, waiting for hours for Trump to show up. Over the weekend they
both tested positive for COVID, as part of a major surge in their community. So far they’re doing okay, but they both fall in the very highest risk groups. 2020 sucks.
Anonymous says
So frustrating that they got it even though they were being responsible. That’s the worst thing about all these spreading events that Trump is hosting, many people who don’t attend end up getting infected from community contacts who did attend. Hope they recover quickly.
Anon says
Is the The Villages? Grandparents in law live there and we’re really worried for them. Many in their inner circle has it. So infuriating.
Cb says
Oh no, that’s awful! Do they live in The Villages? I was listening to The Daily special and it sounded bananas.
anon says
Yep, the Villages. Thanks for the heads up–Ill have to listen to that Daily episode.
Anon says
His rallies have been linked to 30,000 cases and 700 deaths, mostly in people who did not attend a rally. The actual numbers are almost certainly much greater. It’s infuriating. I hope your in-laws make a quick recovery.
Realist says
His rallies contributed to a surge in my community too. Idiots. So sorry this happened. Angry and sad for your in-laws.
Anonymous says
The villages? My parents are closing on their house there this week. Don’t even get me started. Hope your in-laws recovet
Anon says
I am so sorry! I hope they recover.
Anon says
How are folks handling election anxiety (if you are dealing with it)? I feel super stressed and overwhelmed today; I’ve been limiting my media diet for weeks which is helping but now that it’s upon me no avoiding it.
anon says
I told my DH no gardening until after the election. I just… can’t. Too anxious!
I really focused on halloween over the weekend and now I’m organizing my christmas lists. So i guess I’m handling my anxiety by being weird about holidays?
Anonymous says
Ha, I’m the opposite! Gardening is the only thing taking my mind off it, so there’s been plenty of that around here.
Pogo says
I booked a therapy appointment for right after the election. Also planning on this being a long haul, not knowing the outcome for weeks or months, so not to get my hopes up.
AnonATL says
The next 72 hours or so is going to be rough for me. Work is somewhat slow so I can’t really distract myself there. My in-laws are visiting this week, and we have near identical political beliefs, but my MIL loves to stream CNN/CNBC almost non-stop and get all worked up about whatever they are talking about. Adds a lot of noise and stress to me.
Luckily I am still WFH this week so I think it will be many hours in my office with my noise-cancelling headphones on trying to listen to something soothing and pretending to work.
When that fails… wine.
I’m not having panic attack anxiety yet but just an impending sense of doom. With the bus incident in Texas, I’m concerned about violence around election day. We live in the Lucy McBath district in metro-Atlanta, and it’s such a mix of both parties… who knows how election day(s) will go here. At least we already voted and can stay home.
Clementine says
Uh, I just used my anxiety to clear out every flagged email from the last 3 months.
Bright side, after sending about a dozen ‘Hi, I was going through old emails and just wanted to confirm we had closed the loop on this and the issue was fully resolved. Please let me know if there’s anything further you need.’ and getting about 6 ‘Thank you for confirming! Yes, your staff was great and answered all my questions’ emails, I’m pretty dang proud of my team.
We just started watching The Queen’s Gambit at night. It’s on Netflix and… dark but fascinating.
anon says
The Queen’s Gambit is so good!
Anon says
I like this idea. I’m struggling to function at the moment but maybe I can channel that anxiety into something useful.
And yay to your team!
Boston Legal Eagle says
Going outside as much as I can. Limiting news intake today and tomorrow (although this is really hard to avoid). The only site I’m regularly checking is the one tallying early votes – nearly 100 million so far!
Cb says
Ugh, I feel like my body is just fully tense. I’m in the UK and am not sure how I’ll sleep on Tuesday night. Planning sleeping pill and an early wake up?
Anon says
I’m going to take meds to help me sleep tonight and tomorrow. If it weren’t for the pandemic I would seriously check myself into one of those destination spas that takes away your electronics, but that’s not really an option now. I also expect this to be a long term situation with results not known for several days or even weeks. Bleh.
Anon says
currently freaking out bc i live in Houston and voted by drive thru voting and there is still a suit pending in federal court today about throwing out all the votes, in which case i will have to go spend all day tomorrow voting. very very stressed out. and i also know even if the case does get tossed, i suppose they could file an appeal and my vote could be litigated after election day, which is infuriating, since the drive thru voting was literally the exact same as normal voting (same procedures, same machines, etc.)
Anon says
I hope this works out in your favor. In my state, the republicans tried to invalidate vote collecting. The clerks sorted the ballots in with all the other ballots immediately to head off any ability to distinguish how they were collected.
Anonymous says
Phone banking tonight and going to a swing state tomorrow to do GOTV. It’ll keep me off Twitter and make me feel like at least I did my best to get the outcome I want.
Anon says
So stressed. I woke up at one in the morning and could not fall back asleep at all. I’m also pregnant and so uncomfortable and feel the need to go to the bathroom all the time, so that doesn’t help things.
I’ve been doing a lot of meditation apps to calm down but sometimes I just can’t take another one and want to stuff my face with chocolate and stare into the void.
Realist says
Volunteering like crazy today and most of tomorrow night. Planned easier things for meals. Using the calm app. Planning holiday decorations. Trying to take it easy because tomorrow might be the starting line rather than the finish line.
Anon says
Pretty sure election stress has worsened my TMJ and thrown my jaw alignment out of whack, so I’ll be going to the dentist… I’m trying not to dwell – I think of the election and let it pass. I also haven’t voted yet, so tomorrow I’ll feel like I’m “doing” something
Anon says
Came here to ask the same question. Thanks to all with advice!
AnonATL says
Inspired by the comment above about throwing myself into holiday plans to cope with 2020 stress, anyone have opinions on the quality of the custom needlepoint stockings at either Lands End or LLBean?
Planning to buy some this year for kiddo’s first Christmas. Also welcome any suggestions on custom ornaments to commemorate the year. Preference for non-breakable varieties. There are a million options on Etsy.
Clementine says
LL Bean Needlepoint stockings are very nice. Would recommend.
Also throwing myself into the holidays and ordered a stocking for baby last night. Trying to convince my husband to put up the outdoor decorations this week.
Anonymous says
We bought Lands End stockings 10 years ago for the same reason. They look great and are still going strong. I also think that they keep the styles/sizing somewhat consistent so you can add additional ones over the yeas.
LittleBigLaw says
+1 I just received some from Lands End that I ordered to coordinate with DH’s childhood stocking, and they are almost an exact match! I’m very happy with them and the quality for the price.
Mary Moo Cow says
I still have my lands end needle point stocking my grandma gave me when I was a tween so it’s going strong 20 us years! My kids are little so I bought them PB kids stockings (more brightly colored and childish) but likely will get them their own needlepoint stockings in a few years.
Anon says
all those memes about day light savings as a parent are so true. i am so tired and don’t recall my kids waking up this early last year. how long does it usually take your kids too adjust?
Anonymous says
Two weeks before we are back to “normal”, but after the first 3-4 days, signficiant strides have been made.
Anon says
My 2 year old is very attuned to waking with the sunrise and sleeping with the sunset (which is actually a really useful thing if we can ever travel again, because it means she doesn’t stay jetlagged) so she never really adjusts to the end of DST. Her wakeups will be significantly earlier than normal for the next month or so until the sunrise time gradually gets pushed back to what it was before the time change, and then they will start getting earlier again as the days get longer. She sleeps a lot more in the winter than in the summer.
AwayEmily says
May be too late for this year but if you don’t already have a Hatch/OKtoWake/something similar, it really earns its keep during the time change.
Anon. says
+1 million. I have never been so grateful for our Hatch as I was this weekend. Doesn’t work for everyone, but my 3-yr old waits for the green light as if his floor was wired with landmines.
Anon says
My kids are HORRID sleepers for their ages but since we aren’t on any strict schedule we seem to luck during time changes…my three-year-old slept until new 8/old 9 am after a busy Halloween, and the five-year-old stayed in his room until new 7/old 8 am thanks to his Hatch. We are back to normal already today
Guilt says
I’m super stressed about the election and also have a lot of guilt – we have a 5, 4 and 1 year old and I have not managed to phone bank. Everyone I’m in contact with is liberal and has already voted (yeah, we live in a bubble). But I feel like I should have done more! But parenting these days is so draining. Ughh. I considered being a poll watcher tomorrow but honestly did that four years ago and it super stunk when the outcome went the way it did and I think there are enough volunteers in my urban city anyways.
Anonymous says
Give yourself the grace to not do ‘the most’ or ‘everything possible’. You did a lot. You actually did do everything possible for where you are with your life right now as a mom of three small kids. Give yourself the kindness you’d tell a friend to give themselves if they were feeling guilty about what they had/had not done.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I agree that you have to give yourself grace and accept that you’ve done all you can. There is always more to be done, but with 3 small kids and a pandemic, I’m sure you have very little time to do much beyond survive. I keep reminding myself that this is a season, and in this season, the best I can do is donate what I do have (money) and vote myself. Trying to do much else beyond that is going to make me more stressed.
Realist says
I’m volunteering as much as I can because I know there are moms like you who would if you could, but you don’t have the time. So count my shift today for you. If you think it would help, make one or two calls to a representative you have that did something right. I have one really good rep and I try to call once a month to say “you did really good job with X” or “I know Y was hard and came with a political cost, but you did the right thing” I think they hear so much more often from the people that hate them. It only takes 2 minutes and is uplifting.
Anon says
I usually work as a poll worker and am not this year. I feel really guilty about it, even though my city has more than enough. I will step it up in the future! And you can, too. We all have times when we can give more and times when we need to give less.
Sal says
Can you partner cover dinner or bedtime tonight and you phone bank for an hour? We’ve done that a few times and it’s nice to get a tiny childcare break and helps me feel a tiny bit better.
Anon says
Anyone have experience with zoom weddings, especially with kids involved? My husband’s sister is getting married soon (everyone except the officiant is attending virtually) and apparently my daughter is supposed to be a flower girl, but I have no idea what that entails. Do I buy her a dress? A bouquet? Any other suggestions for ways to make this virtual ceremony + reception special? My SIL has sort of made me an unofficial wedding planner and I don’t want to let her down because I can’t even imagine how much this s*cks for her, but I also don’t really have the bandwidth for it right now with work/kids/pandemic/election/etc. The only thing I can think of is asking attendees to take a photo of themselves celebrating at home and send it to her so she can make a “wedding album.”
Clementine says
OOO. What a welcome distraction.
– I would 1,0000% get your daughter a flower girl dress. I would dress up your whole family.
– Ask all invitees to have a beverage of their choice ready in a fancy glass so that at X:00 you can toast the newlyweds.
– Yes, you get your daughter flowers. Have the mothers sent corsages.
– Order her a fancy mask on Etsy. I would go blue. You can also get ‘just married’ masks. I would order those and have them shipped directly to them.
Anon says
so first, i would ask SIL a little bit more about what she wants – like how long does she want people to be on Zoom for? how many people are attending virtually? and how soon is soon? i like your idea about the pictures, i have attended a zoom wedding, though it had a few more attendees than the one your SIL is having. i think it depends on how plugged into Zoom she wants to be during the wedding. like are they going to be talking directly to the camera? after the ceremony, are they going to sit down looking at the computer? the one i attended, the parents of the bride, siblings of the bride, parents of the groom and siblings of the groom all gave truly beautiful speeches via zoom and since it was over zoom i was actually able to pay attention. you could ask guests to be prepared with a beverage of their choice for a toast? i know of one couple who mailed little kits to all the attendees. i don’t know how old your daughter is, but i was a flower girl twice as a kid and loved it. i dont think you necessarily need to buy her a dress unless you want to, or she might even have some kind of costume dress she could wear. you could get some fake flower petals or real ones from Michaels or something, and to make it a bit easier, you could prerecord her walking and dropping the petals and maybe have her say something cute for the bride/groom, that you can then play over zoom
Anonymous says
I would just put her in the fanciest dress she currently has. How old is she? Could she verbally ‘walk the flowers down the aisle’ by reading a sentence or two about the meaning of some of the flowers in your SIL’s bouquet. Like ‘red roses are for the love Aunt SIL and Uncle BIL share. Hyacinth is for playfulness and sports because they like to go cycling together.’
Anon says
A Practical Weeding website has done tons and tons of articles about COVID weddings and I bet some on Zoom weddings – you or SIL could take a look there for some inspiration.
Anon says
holiday gift idea if you have a dress up loving kiddo – buy on sale halloween costumes/accessories and a cute box/trunk from michaels or target or something and then you have a dress up kit gift. my bff did this last year for her kids and it was a huge huge hit
Anonymous says
We did this two years ago and it was a huge hit. The kids reminded me over the weekend that the costume box needs a refresh because they have outgrown some of the outfits.
H+M also had cute costume pieces on sale from time to time.
Anon says
Like others, I am channeling my election stress into buying things. I need three different gift ideas.
1) I usually have a Friday lunch/go home early activity with my team for the holidays. We’re not doing that this year. I’d like to send them a card and a small gift (I buy lunch so Id be looking to spend $10-$15 each). What should I send as the gift?
2) I have a handful of employees who helped me tremendously during the initial COVID-19 transition. I would like to send them a thank you note and small gift. Some overlap with the folks in #1, but most report to the people in #1 (i.e. their managers report to me). I was thinking a gift card. Maybe for coffee?
3) One of our favorite daycare teachers, who is a saint with our super high energy, extremely verbal and sometimes pain in the butt kiddo, is leaving. Her last day is Friday. She’ll miss out on the holiday bonus. I was thinking we’d give $50 and a card. Should it be more? We really love her.
AnotherAnon says
1) I’d go with a coffee mug and a $5 Starbucks gc. Also, can you still send them home early? It was actually really meaningful when our boss gave us a free afternoon.
2) Can you gift alcohol? I’d do a bottle of wine with a thank you card. If no, see suggestion 1.
3) $50 is plenty, but I’d go as high as $100 if I could swing it. A heartfelt thank you note is always in order too.
Anon says
I can still give them the afternoon off! I wasn’t sure how meaningful it would be since we’re all WFH. But I will tell them all to knock off early before Thanksgiving and again Dec. 18 to catch the last night of Hanukkah + prep for Christmas. Good idea!
Anonanonanon says
It will still be meaningful, trust me!
Anon says
Hanukkah starts Dec 10 so the last night is Dec 17 and it will be over on the 18th, FYI.
Anon says
Thanks! I looked it up and it said it ended 12/18, but that makes sense. I can do the week before!
Anon says
Yeah, calendars are always very confusing about Hanukkah because they list it as beginning on the first day of the holiday (December 11) even though it actually begins the night before (December 10) and same thing with the ending (during the day on the 18th vs night of the 17th). I’m sure your staff will appreciate a day off no matter what!
Clementine says
1) $15 to Amazon or Starbs/Dunkin
2)$10 to Starbs/Dunkin
3) $50, a card, and a piece of your kid’s artwork, along with an offer that if she ever needs a parent reference, you can speak highly to how lovely she was with your kiddo.
SC says
1) I would buy a gift card to Starbucks or a local coffee shop that’s convenient to most people.
2) I would not buy a gift for some employees vs others. It will look too much like playing favorites. You can write a card saying they’ve been especially helpful this year. You can praise them to their managers or your managers and support them for promotions or other types of career advancement. In other words, reward them through official channels.
3) I would spend as much on the daycare worker as you’d spend if she stayed for Christmas. We usually only spent $25 per person, but we gave to about 6 different people.
Anon says
Most of these staff aren’t in positions with a lot of promotion opportunity (their on-site, essential workers. Thank mail room). We are a public organization and have no bonus opportunity. I understand the concern, but it was really above an beyond kind of work. I will keep it small, but I would like to give them something in addition to the note.