Maternity Monday: Melissa Maternity Top
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.
I’ve always liked the brand Olian for maternity clothes — the quality was on par with what I was used to with the price range, things washed well, and I generally liked the designs. This swingy top could be great for work or weekend — and I like the hint of edge the faux leather accents bring. The top is $120, available at Nordstrom. Olian Melissa Maternity Top
(L-all)
Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines.
Sales of note for 1/16:
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Cashmere on sale; AllSaints, Free People, Nike, Tory Burch, and Vince up to 60%; beauty deals up to 25% off
- AllSaints – now up to 60% off (some of the best leather jackets!)
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles with code — readers love this blazer, these dresses, and their double-layer line of tees
- DeMellier – Sale now on, free shipping and returns — includes select options like Montreal, Vancouver, and Venice
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; extra 50% off all clearance, plus ELOQUII X kate spade new york collab just dropped
- Everlane – Sale of the year, up to 70% off — reader favorites include their scoop tee, Dream Pant, ReNew Transit backpack, silk blouses and oversized blazers! New markdowns just added
- Hannah Andersson – Up to 30% off all pajamas;
- J.Crew – Up to 40% off select styles; up to 50% off cashmere
- J.Crew Factory – 40-70% off everything
- L.K. Bennett – Archive sale, almost everything 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Tag sale for a limited time — jardigans and dresses $200, pants $150, tops $95, T-shirts $50
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Semi-Annual Red Door Sale – 50% off + extra 20% off, sale on sale, plus free shipping on $150+
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
This might be too late in the day, but I’d love to hear how others have dealt with extra embryos post IVF. I’ve just paid my latest storage bill, but eventually have to make a decision. I have a fabulous set of twins and feel very happy with the current size of my family – my husband and I haven’t had any yearnings for another baby and given my very challenging pregnancy/birth, it’s something I’m not keen on going through again even if it would likely be easier. We still have two frozen and have discussed donating them to science or to an infertile couple. But it’s such a hard choice and I’d love to hear how others have made the same difficult decision (I’ve read a few articles but it’s hard to find people who talk about this).
At a meeting today my boss said she feels I have a “closed door policy” and that she feels she is disturbing me. It’s because I’m pumping, and I mentioned that – she has knocked on my door probably 3-4 times since I’ve been back from leave where I’ve been pumping, and I always say “just a minute” and quickly get presentable and open the door. So I thought it was obvious that’s what I’m doing, since my door is closed three times a day for the same amount of time around the same time. She is not in the office much and so perhaps that is not obvious to her. I asked how I could help, such as signaling with something on the door, and she liked that idea. So, what can I do to let people know I’m pumping? Tie something on the doorknob? Hang something? Putting it on my Outlook calendar or something like that would not help, I know that. (I know my boss.) Something physical would be best. I want something not tacky or weird, if possible. Am I overthinking this? I think I’m just embarrassed and also a little mortified that she thinks I’m just randomly working with my door closed and not available for her. (She is very much an “at the moment”/ad hoc type of person – we don’t have monthly one on ones, she’ll just stop in my office and talk to me for 45 minutes, so that’s part of the problem.)
Question on potty training and beyond. We’re planning to start with the twins (2.75 yr old boys) next weekend. I’m moderately freaked out about this, but it will go how it goes. My question is how we need to handle life once we’re past the “stay home and put the kid on the potty every 20 min” phase and back into real life. Kids are currently in cribs and when they wake up in the morning, they often hang out quietly in their beds and look at books. Do we need to be up the second they’re up to put them on the potty? (We’re planning to do pull-ups overnight. But I know we’re not supposed to encourage them to go in their diapers anymore.) On the weekends, I’ll hitch our dog to the double stroller and go out for an hour long walk. What do I do if I’m 20 min out and one kid has to pee RIGHT NOW? How insane is it going to be if I’m out on my own with the kids — shopping or whatever? I just see rushing to the bathroom every 10 min since I’ll have TWO kids just out of diapers. Finally, we’re supposed to travel to South Carolina over Presidents’ Day weekend. Probably by air. How likely is it that one kid will have to pee RIGHT NOW while the plane is either taking off or landing? If so, what do we do? (Pull-ups for the flight? Even though all the experts oppose pull-ups?) I’m frankly terrified less of potty training itself and more for what it means for the rest of our lives, until they’re fully self-sufficient in this area. To be honest, diapers are just incredibly easy!
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-long-swing-parka/id_304012?sku_0=::CPI
Totally random post. Was scanning through online sales at lunch and came across this. Who thought: Huh, what women want this season is to wear a Daisy Scout Pinafore! https://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi40264&defaultColor=0573&N=10598+1049940670+4123895845&No=&selectedConcept=&_=1483985130237&Nrpp=1030&ViewAll=True&Nr=AND(OR(product.siteId%3ATalbotsSite)%2COR(product.catalogId%3Acatalog20002))
I’ve had some back problems pop up with my second pregnancy that is forcing my hand to move my 21-month old out of her crib. We are thinking of going straight to a twin bed. Ideally we would get one in a classic style that is bunkable — so that we could keep the option, five or ten years down the road, to purchase a bunk bed. Flexible on price. Any suggestions from those who have been there before? Or should we get a toddler bed or put a mattress on the floor for now, and worry about our long term furniture setup later?
What is your favorite eye cream? I am 32, normal skin, trying to prevent aging.
Local DC residents — what are you guys doing about inauguration? I had given thought to attending the women’s march with my 5 year old daughter, but my husband vetoed it for safety reasons (big crowds, volatile issues, etc.). As it gets closer, I’m increasingly nervous, and now wondering whether I’ll stay in town with the kids. If nothing else, it will be a demoralizing weekend for me at least, and I’m wondering whether it would be nice to get out of town, put my head in the sand, and then refocus the week after.
Do any of you curl your hair? I have shoulder length fine hair and I could use some volume. I am thinking about splurging and getting the Harry Josh Curling Iron. I have heard very good things about it and apparently the curls last very well without using products. Plus it does not damage your hair. The question is, will I get used to it and use it often? How much time do you spend on hair?
Here’s a pro-tip: Do not try to hit up some great sales at your favorite clothing retailers three weeks post-partum. No matter how body positive you think you are, your ego will take a hit. What was I thinking/ leggings forever.
Does anyone have a Learning Tower (or a similar one)? I think my 19 month old would really love being able to get up to counter height and helping in the kitchen, but the price tag is so high. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it or if there are good alternatives. (The Ikea hack that I often see is probably a bit more than we can handle.)
Those of you who went up for a big promotion with little ones at home, what made you decide to do it? Those of you who didn’t, why not? Are you pleased with your decision?
The time has come, or will come soon, for me to start the partnership process at a big law firm.
Honestly, I never thought I’d stick it out this long. But ~8 years after starting, I’m still here and the senior partners I work with want me to consider throwing my hat in the ring. It’s a multi-year process at my firm, and partnership prospects are statistically slim, but in theory I’m in a good position practice group wise.
I don’t know if I want to go for it. I’ve got a toddler at home, and I already feel like I don’t have enough time and energy for dealing with her while working a ‘reduced’ schedule. My husband has an equally intense, but not as well paying, job, and we don’t have any nearby family or back-up.
Not only is the process time and energy consuming, my impression is life as a partner is even more work than as a senior associate — more travel, more things to juggle, more non-billable work.
Of course, I have no idea if I’ll get it, and I admit part of me wants to try to just get that check mark, but part of me doesn’t, because I don’t want to fail.
I’m also not sure what my options would be like if I didn’t go for it, but I’m sure I could figure something out.
There seem to be three new high tech breast pumps hitting the market this year: the Medela Sonata, Naya Health, and the Willow. Has anyone heard or experienced any real-life tests of any of these? I am expecting my second soon and willing to invest a little more if it will improve the miserable experience of pumping this time around.
Has anyone had experience with cholestasis in pregnancy? I just learned of this via Dr. G o o gle. Long story short I am just beginning my third trimester and have severe itching and a raised, red rash on the backs of my hands (although not palms) as well as intermittent intense itching on my arms, legs, back, face, and other random spots. It’s bad enough that I’m constantly scratching and even do so in my sleep. I didn’t think anything of this but did an internet search on it today and learned (yay) that intense itching can sometimes be a symptom of this condition which can be quite serious. I have left a message for my doctor’s office but am still freaking out, which I realize is not super helpful or rational. Anyone have knowledge to share about this condition? Thanks.
Totally frivolous question: I just weaned and now my b**bs are completely deflated. They’re back to pre-pregnancy size, which, let’s just say, would allow me to chair the itty bitty t*tty commit*ee. (Let’s see that get through moderation!) I’d like to treat myself to one or two new bras, but don’t know where to begin. What brands do you recommend for someone who’s roughly 30A/B- 32AA/A?