Open Thread!
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.
Something on your mind? Chat about it here. But first…
Pictured above:
- For pregnant mamas: It’s debatable whether maxi dresses are work appropriate, but IMHO if there’s any time you can get away with them, it’s during your pregnancy. This bright, happy cobalt dress looks great — high V, thick straps, and a tie to help with fit — and it’s only $30 at ASOS. ASOS Maternity Exclusive Maxi Dress With V Neck
- For everyone: I’m swooning over this cotton terry jacket, which looks like that rare bird that can go with you to both work and the playground (and then the washing machine). It’s part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (see my top workwear picks here) — it’s currently marked $180, but will go up to $275 after the sale ends on August 4. James Perse Notch Collar Jacket (Nordstrom Exclusive)
- For the mama to kiddos under 45 lbs: the ERGObaby carrier is on a good sale (gray only) as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. We have and like the Boba 3G, but all of my friends adore the ERGObaby. As part of the sale it is currently marked at $79, but it will go back to $120 after the sale ends. It carries babies from 4 months old to 45 lbs. ERGObaby ‘Original – Starburst’ Baby Carrier (Nordstrom Exclusive)
- For everyone (particularly pregnant/nursing mamas, as a big necklace is one of my favorite ways to draw attention towards the face): I like this happy, unusual carved bead necklace from Kenneth Jay Lane. It was $495, but is now marked to $198 at The Outnet. Kenneth Jay Lane Carved bead and crystal necklace
- For everyone: I’ve been hearing about this gloss for years and finally got some (I got the VERY light colored 101 Nude Provocateur, from the “Rebel Nudes” line). It’s a really unusual product in that it lives up to its name — it stains your lips a slight color, but keeps a glossy appearance — somehow without making your lips sticky. I like that I can kiss my boys without leaving marks, and that I can leave the house on a windy day without having hair-in-lipgloss issues. It’s $35, available at spots like Nordstrom and Sephora. (I’ve only just gotten the drugstore dupe, L’oreal Caresse Wet Shine Lip Stain (made by the same company), and the color of Stubborn Plum is a bit too pink for me to recommend, but the products are VERY similar in feel. The YSL iteration has TONS of colors, though, and you can try before you buy — so it may be worth the $35.) Yves Saint Laurent ‘Rebel Nudes’ Glossy Stain — Mamas, do you have any favorite lip products? Did your picks change after having kids?
- Do you think maxis are work-appropriate (while pregnant) in most business casual offices? Can they be saved with a blazer for a casual day in a more conservative office?
- Which are your favorite lip products when you’re around your kids?
- Random C-Moms Q for you: do you think the Open Thread should go up on Fridays — or Mondays? When do you have more time/want to talk? (Or, some other day?)
- FINALLY: Please don’t forget to take the reader survey, up and running now (and edited slightly after some reader feedback). Some notes from the current survey answers — if this doesn’t sound like you, please take the survey so you’ll be represented!
- Most of you are between 25-34
- with small kids (the vast majority under 2)
- who work mostly outside the home, full-time
- 25% of you have a household income of $200-$299K, and almost 25% of you make $100-$150K personally
- 65% of you have JDs (welcome, lawyas!)
- surprisingly (to me), 35% of you say your fashion choices didn’t change after having kids
- most of you are budget shoppers for your kids
- 80% of you answered that you “never or rarely” comment on Corporette (welcome, lurkers!)
- It looks like the top things you think are “very important” for this blog to cover are: work/life balance, parenting, household management, sales/deals, business casual fashion, and career/job advice
Career advice, please: I’ve been in litigation for about 4 years. There are parts of my job that I really enjoy – intellectual challenge, I am good at what I do, etc.- but the hours and travel (up to 60% a week, no overnights but 3-4 hour drives each way are common) have been difficult to coordinate around daycare and breastfeeding my 5-month old.
I may have an opportunity to move into a less exciting but very stable government position. For those of you that have made the switch, do you miss being in the courtroom? Is the trade-off of a [potentially] less exciting career in favor of more time / stability worth it? If I jump ship now, am I correct that litigation isn’t something I could easily return to in the future? TIA.
I stopped taking the survey because it presupposes that you are already in the parenting phase. I have no kids and I’m not pregnant, but I plan to be a working mom in the future.
I’m probably not the only child free lurker!
On the Ergobaby rec- I bought one from a friend, and unless they changed the design in the past few years (mine would be 7 years old now since that’s how old her oldest was), I didn’t like how short the front was. I had a toddler Patapum for my first that since it was designed for a toddler had a much higher “pouch”. Also, the infant insert part for the Ergo was annoying and made it pretty much unusable for an infant for me. Overall, I’d look at reviews for other brands besides Ergo to see if there is one that can either be used well with younger kids or older kids – I feel like the Ergo’s usability range is really only from 6 months – 1 year, which isn’t much time for me.
Anyone have a favorite brand of washable nursing pads? Just ordered some bamboobies or whatever from nordstrom but they haven’t arrived yet
I think a Monday open thread would make sense, since the moms area seems to be basically one weekly open thread.
If it will be a post-a-day soon, I’d keep it on Friday for consistency with the main area.
Granted I work in a casual office, but maxi dresses were faux pas last summer and are everywhere this summer. After seeing a half dozen colleagues wearing a maxi, I started wearing one my mine (good quality fabric, black) and get a ton of complements from other women in the office.
I still feel like I’m wearing the skirt version of pajamas to work… but I’ll take it on hot days or meeting-less days when I really do wish I could wear pajamas.
Personally, I’ve totally given up wearing necklaces since I had my baby. First of all, I’m so rushed in the morning I barely have time to brush my teeth much less accessorize. Second, I’m pumping so I’m taking my shirt on and off three times a day, and I don’t want to deal with a necklace. I can’t wait till I’m done pumping and getting dressed becomes a little less complicated!