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Sam Edelman is a brand that I had not heard of — or at least had not taken seriously — until a few years ago. Now, the Petty boots and Okala heels are almost standard issue, and it looks like these Opal heels aren’t far behind. They have 28 reviews on Zappos with a 5-star rating overall, and come in sizes 5-11. Sam Edelman Opal
Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Zappos – 26,000+ 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 – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
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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?
Mom Humor says
Did anyone else see the headline and thought this was a new brand of breast pump?
Msj says
Yes! Speaking of breast pumps, I got the manual Medela pump (Harmony) as a backup for when I don’t want to lug around the electric version and it’s surprisingly wonderful. I can fill the bottle quickly without the same compressions I need for the electric version, but of course, can only do one side at a time. It’s small and light enough to throw in a large purse.
Need advice re: doula and my spouse says
I’m thinking of getting a doula for 2nd childbirth, mostly because my spouse (husband) and I are not in a great stage of communication right now. My problem is how do I communicate this to him without making him feel like he’s a bad husband (he’s not) or like I’m taking away his New Dad Territory. Any advice appreciated.
We’ve been through a lot of recent transitions, and hit marriage counseling (ongoing, but not in chronic/emergency management stage, more like every month or 6 weeks). But also I’ve been in individual therapy that has helped me realize when Spouse and I are not on the same page. In the delivery room (and for some post-partum help) I want someone who will have to listen to me and also whose opinions/experience I trust. I’m anxious about telling him that I want a doula, I’m willing to pay for it (~$800) and making sure that I don’t hurt his feelings.
Alternatively, it has been suggested to me that husband/partners end up really appreciating doulas, so that they don’t feel like they HAVE to be the sole support for a woman in need – has this been anyone’s experience? I’ll probably talk to my spouse about it this weekend, I just wanted to ask the Hive. I really value your opinions and Mommy experience. Thanks.
Spirograph says
Even though your actual reason involves doubt that your husband will be the support you need (FWIW, I was worried about this too, and I was totally wrong), I don’t think you should say that. There are plenty of neutral reasons to have a doula you can bring up instead.
– you want an extra person there to take care of you so that husband will be able to take breaks (esp if you had a long or difficult labor the first time)
– in the event of complications, one person can stay with you and one can go with the baby
– you want an extra person “on your side” to help think through non-emergency interventions suggested by your medical team (esp if you are planning an unmedicated birth)
– not sure what your plans are for firstborn during this birth, but a doula would afford your husband the opportunity to check on him/her, too.
– in general, doulas are correlated with more positive birth experiences, fewer interventions, and faster recovery
I hired a doula my first childbirth. I think my husband was weirded out at first, but ultimately liked the idea of having someone with more knowledge and experience than either of us as support, because it took some pressure off him.
KJ says
My husband was very on board with having a doula because he was nervous about being my sole support person. We were both very glad she was there. I would frame it as something to benefit both of you, and leave your fears about his ability to support you out of it. That said, I’m sorry you’re in a place where you don’t feel like your husband will listen to you. That’s really tough.
Carrie M says
+1 to KJ’s comment, and +1 to the reasons listed by Spirograph
I think it is especially helpful in terms of framing it for your husband that you already have one child. Having a doula with you means that if there’s an emergency with your older child, your husband will be able to handle that without leaving you alone.
My husband and I were both happy to have a doula with us. I ended up in back labor, and having one person push on my back during my contractions was so helpful – but would have been really hard for my husband to do on his own. It was great that he and the doula could switch off.
Also: if your husband raises the cost of a doula as a concern/con, you could look for a doula-in-training who charges much less. We considered this, but ended up clicking really well with a fully trained doula so that’s who we went with.
Meg Murry says
Doula-in-training is a good idea since you already have at least a clue since you’ve had one baby already. Although like Carrie M, if you find a doula you click with, you should use her.
Not sure its an option for you, but if your husband balks at doula, would your mother or a sister or aunt be an option for you? Or are they too far away or not close enough for you? My mother was in the delivery room with us both times, and I now totally understand why people who don’t have that option hire a doula – its so nice to have a second support person, especially one who has a clue whats going on, and can also be support to the first support person
RDC says
Ditto the comments above – there are lots of other totally valid reasons for wanting a doula that you can focus on when you talk to DH. My husband was initially confused by the doula idea but after our first session is convinced it is the best idea ever, since he won’t be the only support person when I deliver. He is relieved to have someone who can answer his questions and help keep him calm too, since he tends to worry / freak out when I don’t feel well. Haven’t actually had the baby yet, so I can’t comment on how well this works in practice, but so far husband has been really happy to have a doula despite initial skepticism.
NewMomAnon says
I was in the same boat regarding spousal issues during pregnancy, and hired a doula for my first birth. It was worth every single penny, and she ended up holding my spouse together through some dicey moments during labor. My spouse was sort of grudgingly accepting at first, but the doula explained that her role was to complement him; one could attend to me while the other got ice or fresh towels or dinner. He loved having her there. Doulas are used to making the pitch to husbands, so I would just put it out there to him and set up some meetings to find one you both like.
anon says
Can you phrase it as in part wanting him to be around to help out your oldest if needed?
mascot says
Karma post- We hear about the mommy wars all the time. I, however, find that there are plenty of times where everyone is acting like a member of the “team parent” village. What are some of the nice things people have done or you have done to help another parent out? I’ll go first.
1) When my child was about 3 months old, we were shopping at a warehouse store. I walk out with a full buggy and hungry fussy baby and it is just a monsoon outside. It was clear when I went in so I have no rain gear with me. I must have looked really overwhelmed because these two women came up to me and said that I looked like I could use some help. The younger one introduced herself and her mom who was with her, and offered to go fetch my car for me so I didn’t have to get the baby soaked. (her mom and her buggy stayed with me as good faith that she was legit) My spidey sense (correctly) told me that this really was a good Samaritan, I handed her my keys, and 3 minutes later she and her mom are helping me load the car under covered loading area. I about cried with how generous this complete stranger was to help out a new mom and still remember her kindness.
2) I am also thankful for the SAHM that takes pictures of my kid’s class parties and field trips and shares them with all the parents who couldn’t come. It’s great to see all the kids and how much fun they are having
Experiences like these help me remember that we are all doing the best we can and sometimes you really should help a sister/brother out.
Meg Murry says
I can’t think of a specific example off the top of my head, but I am grateful every time someone complements my boys on their behavior or manners when we are out and about, or tells me something along the lines of “its ok, we’ve all been there” when one of my kids has a meltdown and is not doing so well.
Oh, and I guess I can think of a more specific example – I’m grateful to the other parents I’ve met through daycare who step up to say something to my kids if they are behaving in a way that they know I wouldn’t approve of or are doing something dangerous (like “hey, lets all step back from the street and stay on the sidewalk”) and that they appreciate when I do the same for their kids (and don’t get all “don’t discipline my kid you crazy lady” when I say something like “hey now, lets not throw sand, lets scoop it in the bucket instead”).
Carrie M says
Yes, love this! And totally agree, people can be so warm and generous.
When my daughter was about 8 weeks old, we were having an especially tough day – bad nursing sessions, no naps, didn’t want to be put down, horrible reflux, etc. I took her out for a stroll and we ran into a woman whom I had never met before who must have seen the exhaustion/desperation on my face. She stopped us and said the nicest things and was so warm and encouraging (e.g., it does get easier, you’re doing a great job, she looks so healthy, etc.). For some reason, hearing all that from a total stranger was just what I needed to stay positive and cherish even the worst days with my wonderful baby.
Once before I had kids, I was taking the bus to a busy metro station. A woman with 2 kids under 5 and an umbrella stroller got on the bus, all dressed up. She looked a little nervous, like she wasn’t used to taking public transit. When we got to the metro station, another woman and I both offered her help at the same time. She sort of resisted, and the other woman (who looked like an experienced mom) insisted. So we helped her get the two kids off the bus. The other woman held one kid’s hand down the long escalator while the mom held the baby and I carried the stroller. We got her to the right platform and told her which train to get on. Then the other woman and I started to walk back up to our platform, and the woman couldn’t believe we had taken the time to help her when we weren’t even going in her direction. She was so thankful, and I was so happy to have made her day even marginally easier.
MomAnon4This says
Great story! I think I would be more comfortable letting mom-seeming people watch my baby then give them the keys to my car. Good for you and your sense of trust and their sense of kindness.
mascot says
Yeah, it was really amazing. I was telling my husband about it later and he was like omg, you could have been carjacked, etc. But for whatever reason in that moment I just knew that it was all going to be ok.
ANP says
mascot, your story about the monsoon and the warehouse club just brought tears to my eyes.
JJ says
What a great idea. About two weeks ago, I was dropping my kids off at daycare and one of the rotating substitute teachers came over to me (they keep a few just rotating around rooms, so they always have the correct teacher/kid ratio). She pulled me aside and told me that moms always hear about how problematic their kids are, but she wanted me to know that my boys were a joy to watch, were sweet and well-behaved with everyone, and that my husband and I must be good parents. I had been having a rough week full of mom guilt and that made my day.
NewMomAnon says
The teachers at daycare have been so incredibly supportive, and the pictures they send of a smiling, happy baby (or sometimes a sleeping baby) make it so much easier to leave her there during the day.
noob says
Baby girl was a month old, we went to the mall after dropping my mom off at the airport and were in the Nordstrom’s lounge nursing. I looked like a hot mess and my stuff was everywhere when a woman with a toddler walked in and asked how I was doing. After I burst into tears, she commiserated, assured me it would get better, and gave me some water. I wish I’d run into her again, because I could use some more mom-friends.