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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
Anon says
How did you deal with anxiety in (very) early pregnancy?
I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant, we’ve been trying to conceive for 7 months so I’m absolutely thrilled. But it’s very early, I haven’t even missed a period yet so I know the chance of a chemical pregnancy/miscarriage is really high. I’m finding it so hard to keep my hopes in check and to concentrate at work. I just want to browse nursery furniture and prams which I know is absolutely insane at this stage. I’d love to know how others coped.
oil in houston says
I wish I had a silver bullet to give you. Lots of activities to try to keep my mind busy was the only thing that worked a little – meeting colleagues who I couldn’t discuss the pregnancy with, talking to friends who love to talk about themselves or their families for hours etc. But really, I counted the days until I could be sure, and then the days until we could heat the heart beat. Sending you all my wishes for a successful pregnancy!
Anon says
Right there with you. I’m almost 8 weeks pregnant after a miscarriage this summer, and it’s really hard to be both cautiously excited and really scared. I’m just trying to take it day by day. My therapist told me to kind of accept that fear is normal and not try to fight it too much, which somehow was helpful. I’m looking forward to (and also dreading) my first ultrasound next week.
Anon says
I wouldn’t say really high — 75% of pregnancies DON’T end in miscarriage. But I get the anxiety, I also feel it every time. I remind myself I am pregnant *today* and there’s nothing I can do about tomorrow. And somehow the weeks go by. If getting your levels drawn to see your HCG progression would be helpful to your anxiety, call your OB today and ask. Some do it as a walk-in at the office, others will send a script over to Quest, etc.
I had three healthy, textbook pregnancies, followed by my first very early miscarriage. It was sad, and it was jarring, and I let myself lean into that. It was a baby that I’d already started connecting with. I’m now on the other side, pregnant with my rainbow, and it’s still a tender memory, but just the same the weeks go by. And I guess the 1 in 4 stat was spot on for me.
It’s okay to be excited now. You are pregnant, congrats! Most likely all with be okay. But even if it’s not, let yourself feel whatever you need to, and you will get through.
TheElms says
I filled the time by making lists. Very detailed lists about everything including some baby stuff. So I created a staples grocery list of the things I purchased every week, the things we needed on Costco runs and roughly how often, trips I wanted to take (some with mostly planned itineraries), projects to do around the house, Christmas and birthday present ideas for my entire family, all my favorite Children’s books, etc. For work I made checklists for routine projects I did. I did the same thing in the run up to my wedding when I had a lot of nervous energy/anxiety. Lists work for my brain but also they have the side benefit of actually being somewhat helpful down the road.
And on some days I just wasn’t as productive at work and it was ok.
Anon says
Congratulations! Waiting is the worst part. I’ve been through years of IVF (finally had 2 successful births and now pregnant with my third). I feel like I’m an expert in waiting at this point (and the anxiety that comes with it). There is no silver bullet. You just take each day at a time. You look forward to the next doctor appointment, next bloodwork, next scan to confirm everything’s ok. Once you feel the baby move it gets easier. Do what you can to keep busy. Lean into the planning if it makes you feel good! I had a baby registry list in Excel before I was ever pregnant (but on year 3 of trying). I bought some baby items as I went along knowing that we were committed to have a baby (naturally or via adoption). Fingers crossed for you for a healthy and successful pregnancy :)
Anon OP says
OP just retuning to thank you all very much for the replies. I really appreciate this community – it has somehow made me feel much better just to know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Especially because we’re not yet sharing with friends and family.
Anon says
I’ve had two losses (no living babies yet). I looked at strollers the first time around (at around 7 weeks) and didn’t at all the second time. I would say the first time was a harder loss, but not because of looking at baby stuff. It’s going to be hard to have a loss either way, so you may as well enjoy the planning. You deserve some time to feel happy and excited and there is a very good chance everything will be textbook smooth anyway.
Anonymous says
I don’t have any advice as this was me during my first pregnancy. 28yrs old and tried for 7 months. Spoiler alert – she’s almost 7 and I’m listening to her piano practice right now :) what helped was the first ultrasound at 6.5 weeks. Once you see a heartbeat the rate of miscarriage is actually pretty low! I think I actually did have some sort of psychological anxiety during pregnancy and PPA. But thankfully it resolved itself and I did NOT have it with my second child (who was a surprise pregnancy!). Best wishes!
oil in houston says
I have been using this for years and love it too!
Clementine says
Big news. Husband is on his way home after a long stint away and told me he just said goodbye to everyone as a final goodbye. That means he’s really switching jobs.
My entire marriage and parenthood I’ve either been a solo parent or essentially had a stay at home spouse. I have moved ahead but the day to day was hard and seeing my kids struggle without Dad was worse. Husband is switching fields and having to basically ‘normal’ job hunt for the first time in his career, but it’s happening.
Shout out to all the people who have listened to me vent. I stopped telling friends how hard it was a long time ago because I did t want to be that guy, so this was my place to vent. Thank you all. Still here but with hopefully much more normal complaints.
OOO says
That’s wonderful, Clementine!
Cb says
Woohoo, that’s wondereful news Clementine! The penguins will miss him (in my head, he’s based at the station in Antartica doing penguin research) but it’ll be so amazing to have him more integrated with your lives.
Anon says
Ha! I like your vision more than mine (a spy, and Clementine is possibly my neighbor :)
Clementine — so happy for you! But also, I imagine both of you should be emotionally prepared for a big adjustment period. My husband never traveled like it sounds like yours did, but he still struggled with not having periodic “breaks” from a noisy, kid filled home during COVID. His work travel scratched an itch for quiet, calm, fancy dinners and rooms. It was good for both of us to send him to a local hotel one night a quarter (I hate sleeping in hotel rooms, but I always ordered pizza and permitted unlimited TV on his hotel night, and then had a massage and a night out with friends the weekend after his hotel night.).
If he is, in fact, a decommissioning spy (still a novelty to this Midwestern raised person living in Northern Virginia when I find out friends and neighbors actually do/did this kind of stuff), also be prepared for him to struggle with identity a bit after. I think I recall you saying that his job was a bit of a passion project, so even if not a former spy, this part might be tough to grapple with for him. Passion job + long stints away + voluntarily chose this job for a long time = possibly a weird identity shift after. Still obviously a great thing on balance, just don’t be surprised when shifting to a day job + limited or short travel is a transition for all of you.
Good luck, and I’m so happy for your family!
FVNC says
This is good advice. Similarly, I know your husband is not military, but you might find the military resources re: integration back into family life following a deployment to be helpful. The loss of identity is also real, and he may not be prepared for the emotions that go along with it. But you both sound thoughtful and caring, so I’m sure you’ll navigate this new phase in a way that’s best for you both and the kids!
Clementine says
Thank you! Before this job he was in the military, so he’s done the identity shift before and was happy for it.
Anonymous says
So my cousin is actually more or less a spy and he sees his kids all the time. His family has moved with him on assignment and they’ve lived in some really cool (international) places. His wife has passed four different bar exams in the US and has taught international law at foreign schools. The kids are bilingual, with some bonus languages in there.
Clementine says
Hah! Not a spy. Uncommon field so I’ve mentioned it before but prefer the mystery.
Anonymous says
So happy for you
Anon says
This internet stranger is so happy for you and your family!
Mary Moo Cow says
Wow! That’s big news! I hope this is the start of a wonderful new stage for your family. We’ll still be here to listen to you vent!
AwayEmily says
Hooray!!!
Anonymous says
I’m so happy for you and your family, Clementine.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Happy to hear this!
FVNC says
I’m so happy for you and your family! Thanks for sharing the wonderful news.
anon says
Cheers to you and your family! I hope this is next chapter is an amazing change for all of you.
Anon says
oh wow! i didnt realize he’d actually taken the steps to apply for a new job. good luck to you and keep us updated about the transition. you’re supermom!
Cerulean says
That must be such a relief! Congrats.
Clementine says
Thanks!! I won’t believe it until it’s final, but I’m hoping this is actually a positive for him overall.
One of the things I’m looking forward to oddly is having friends over to play cards. Nothing crazy just friends and cards and normal socializing.
Anon says
I am glad you had this space to vent! I always felt bad when you’d get piled on in comments when you vent here; I recall what your husband’s career is and while it makes family life very difficult, it is an essential job! As an essential worker in a family full of essential workers, I’m very protective of people in similar situations. Everyone wants the benefit of your husband’s job but no one wants to be the “man in the arena”.
I’m thrilled for you and your family that he’ll be around more! And I wish him best of luck on his job hunt (I’m curious as to what type of jobs he’ll be looking for , but no need to share due to privacy concerns).
avocado says
Exciting news! This is a big transition for your whole family. Enjoy those game nights.
Spirograph says
I’m so happy for you! I know this has been a challenge and I’m glad you’ve had this space to vent. You’re amazing for supporting your husband’s career for so long, and I hope this is the start of a great new stage for your family with more balance.
(I like the spy idea… for some reason I’ve had commercial shipping in my head, but that might be projecting a family I know onto yours)
Clementine says
I don’t know if you will read this, but… not sure that me sending angry messages because his parents are somehow making my life MORE difficult and the kid’s teacher is emailing that kid was argumentative at school and OMG WHAT DO YOU MEAN I NEED TO GO TRACK DOWN X WEIRD PART FOR THE FURNACE is exactly ‘supportive’, but I’ll take it.
I really pushed him hard for a long time to leave his field. The pay is good, but not good enough. He started to miss too much… he missed Christmas again and I think that was really his last straw.
Cb says
My son and his pal are having a playdate and I made them take our donut order, do the math, count the change (T had change and wanted to treat us to lunch but it didn’t stretch to it), and then queue to order donuts, and they grumbled but are so, so proud of themselves!
Mary Moo Cow says
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing and the reminder that I can nudge my kid to more independence.
Cb says
I realised he’s probably 2 years out from walking home solo (can self-release from P4 – 3rd grade) so trying to do some scaffolding now. He’ll go into the library and return books, order for himself, etc.
avocado says
Well done! These little experiences are so good for building confidence and independence. This week I saw a mom in the airport waiting patiently while her daughter, who was about 9 or 10, figured out how to get to their next gate. It’s all about the scaffolding.
Cb says
We spent 2 weeks commuting to summer camp in Lisbon and when my husband arrived, he was so excited to show his dad that he could navigate the subway changes all by himself. They left me at home and his dad was under strict instructions not to look on google maps.
I sometimes have students (teach at university level) who are mystified by how to navigate the world and I’m determined my son won’t be one of them.
Anon says
How awesome! Someone said something snarky to me recently about only children not being very independent or self-sufficient (I have an only too). I didn’t even realize that was another negative stereotype we have to deal with, but I’m glad you’re proving the haters wrong ;)
Anonymous says
Which, if any, retailers do you feel still offer decent quality clothing? I used to rely on Boden and Banana Republic, but a cashmere sweater I recently got from Garnet Hill (which yes, was at least twice the price of BR, but is also soft, thick, and minimal pilling so far) plus quite a few disappointments is making me rethink. I’ve gotten to the point in life that I would rather spend $300 plus shipping on a sweater and just have fewer things.
Anon says
For casual stuff, Talbots, Lilly Pulitzer, Tuckernuck, Vineyard Vines, LL Bean. I need a new pair of ‘straight’ jeans and I’m dreading that as both Jcrew and Madewell have weird fits and haven’t held up well. Jcrew factory isn’t super high quality but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by their tops/dresses as long as you filter for all cotton/natural fibers. For work I primarily wear Kate Spade, The Fold, Brooks Brothers, and Talbots (pants). Work shoes are also almost all Kate Spade/Mgemi with loafers from Sperry and Cole Haan thrown in.
I’m having a hard time finding elevated casual winter stuff (nice but still machine washable sweaters!) so if anyone has any suggestions I’m all ears!
Mary Moo Cow says
My machine washable sweaters for work this year have all been J. Crew Factory, but, I don’t know if they will last more than 2 years. My cashmere sweaters last year came from Lands’ End, and they were thinner than the previous ones I ordered in the mid-2000s, but still thicker than J.Crew.
I’m with you, OP, I would rather buy nice than buy twice. I just ordered two cashmere sweaters from Quince after some here recommended it. I will report back. I also shop second hand specifically to buy older pieces that I guess are from eras when I knew the brand had better quality.
Anon says
I guess it depends on how you define decent quality. At the price point I shop at (J. Crew/Old Navy) I expect stuff to last for a couple years, and those brands meet that standard so I consider them decent quality. They’re not going to last decades, but I’m not convinced anything lasts decades anymore though.
Anonymous says
Try Everlane, Faherty, maybe Reformation or Club Monaco. Everlane you have to be comfortable with boxier fits, and Faherty isn’t the most exciting. But I’m generally happy with the quality in things like sweaters.
Anon says
I always really liked my Everlane cashmere sweaters, but when I went to finally replace one this year I was really disappointed. It is now re-cashmere, aka some kind of substandard recycled cashmere that’s not very soft.
Anonymous says
Well, cashmere is its own thing. If you’re getting a “deal” at this point it just means you’re paying for a mediocre product. The market can’t keep up with demand (it all goes back to herders in Magnolia).
Anon says
I like buying from Emerson Fry. It’s expensive but I’ve been happy with the quality.
Anon says
Same here. The clothes I bought many years ago at nicer thrift stores and high quality brands have lasted so many years. The jcrew factory sweaters I bought this year shrank as soon as I washed them.
One trick I’ve used is trying on expensive brands in store for sizing reference and finding them on Poshmark.
Anon says
My daughter does not love the after school care. She in 1st grade. She doesn’t hate it, but doesn’t love it and will at times complain a little bit about it. I think the days are too long for her. I am trying to figure out a solution.
1. Have her come home and watch TV for an hour or two (I WFH and can pick her up, but I am not done with work at 2:45), at least for a few days a week. It also seems to me that watching TV is worse than being at the after school care.
2. Hire a part-time nanny, but this is hard to find and costs money.
3. Find after school activities she likes and fit in my work while she is at the activities.
4. Keep things as is and let her deal.
I need help brainstorming which way to go or if there are better ideas.
Anon says
I’d do #1 but not allow TV the entire time. My kindergartner goes to aftercare 3 days a week and is home with me the other 2 days. I don’t ignore her completely when she’s home and occasionally she needs me for something, but she is mostly on her own with zero TV (she gets generous TV time in the mornings so we don’t use it at all after school). I know ability to play by oneself varies, but I think in first grade you can tell her she has to do quiet things by herself for most of the time (if she’s not into pretend play, books? homework? arts and crafts?) and then possibly reward with a small amount of TV if she’s on her own for a solid block.
If you have any neighbor friends who could potentially come over at this time, it will help. In the fall my daughter had her neighbor bestie over every Monday and it definitely made things easier. I basically never even saw the kids after I fed them their after school snack.
I also wouldn’t put too much weight on kid complaints. My kid regularly complains about going to aftercare, which is *her* choice (she has good friends there). When she complains, we say “do you want to quit next semester?” and she always says no. So if it’s just occasional complaining, don’t overthink it.
AwayEmily says
I would keep her in it. Another potential solution: I have said this before but I am a big fan of the “break day” in the middle of the week. My kids don’t go to after-school on Wednesdays — on those days they sometimes have activities (Girl Scouts), sometimes their grandma watches one/both of them, sometimes I stop work early to hang with them, sometimes they have a play date. It gives them a bit of a more relaxed day. I can also imagine doing a break day 2x a week (especially if you made Friday afternoons “movie afternoon” or something similar where she could just veg and watch a movie while you worked).
anonM says
We do something similar. DS does after care three days, one day is grandma day and Fridays I pick him up and let him watch a show. I’ve also started getting a sitter for half days instead of aftercare, and I think that helped. Those seemed to be the days he didn’t like aftercare the most, because he knew a lot of kids didn’t have to go.
Anon says
Depends on your kid, but my 1st grader benefits a lot from coming home and just chilling. TV isn’t an option, but she can easily entertain herself with books, toys, craft supplies, etc. If your kid is going to be more demanding, then aftercare might make sense even if it is boring.
Another thought is does your school have a bus system? If my kids take the bus home they get home around 4:45, vs if I go pick them up I have to leave the house at 3:15. That’s an extra 1.5 hours of potential work time.
Anon says
+1 If you can spare 20 min to connect with her while she eats a snack, she may then be able to settle into play. If she can’t reliably entertain herself I’d keep her in aftercare (maybe do a couple trial run days before making a decision?) Maybe you spring her early on Friday afternoons and that day she can watch extra TV
Anonymous says
Let her deal no question. There may come a time when let her deal doesn’t feel like an option save your energy and resources for them. Safe and not hating it is sufficient.
Anon says
Instead of a nanny can you hire a high school or junior high kid to come hang out with her a few days a week? Some high school seniors get early dismissal which may line up with her getting out.
Anonymous says
+1, our babysitter did the after school pickup for other kids 5 days/week. She was a senior with her own car though.
If it was JUST my first grader she could totally do some tv plus snack plus independent play for a few hours. Adding her brother in the mix could create drama. FWIW my 1st grader is introverted and just cannot do the additional social time of aftercare. She needs to decompress.
Anonymous says
Been there. My kids are in K 2 and 4. We weaned out of aftercare because (1) $$$$ (2) lots of complaints even though they liked it (3) other school activities popped up and we ended up paying for far more than we use (4) they are older and more self sufficient and (5) they all need some veg time – more than they get at aftercare.
In our area aftercare is heavy on K-2 and only children then really tapers off in the upper grades as sports pick up. My 10 year old has friends over all the time whose parents WFH and they are no trouble at all. One girl comes over almost every Wednesday bc her mom has long surgeries that day. They hang out 3-5:30, then I take them both to their sports practice. Other kids mom picks them up and brings mine home late when my two younger ones are winding down for bed and I would otherwise have to drive across town. Everyone wins.
Anon says
this is a know your kid situation. with my twins, one could come home and play by herself. the other would nag me too much/i’d have to turn on tv. at home together i could get no work done at all.
Anonymous says
I tried to cut back on aftercare when my kid in pre-K had a hard time with the long days (despite being in daycare from infancy). Long story short, I’m really struggling to keep up at work. He’s in aftercare two days a week and it’s not enough. Next cycle, in the spring, we’re going back to 3 or 4 days.
In your shoes, I would cut just one day (maybe Friday?) and see how it goes. You could sign her up for activity she’s excited about as a reward, or use the time on Friday for fun mom-daughter time. When it’s nice we go out for ice cream and to the playground.
Anon says
If you can do aftercare some days but not all, I’d do a mix of picking her up at 2:45 and aftercare.
I’m personally okay with that amount of tv a few times a week (though others aren’t), but my kids are also good at entertaining themselves with coloring, playing on the swing set, playing whatever game without needing me. School / aftercare can be exhausting so I am sympathetic to a child who doesn’t want to have aftercare every day.
Do any of her friends have similar situations? I’d be happy to pick up a friend at 2:45 and let them play at my house until 5, especially if the friend’s parents reciprocate.
I think a great schedule could be 1x a week at home with a friend, 1x a week at a friend’s house, 1-2x a week at aftercare and 1-2x a week home without a friend to decompress.
Anonymous says
I WFH. Kiddo brings the bus home and arrives around 3:15. She has a snack and iPad time until 4:00. At 4:00, she reads for 15 minutes. I’m done with my day when she finishes her reading. If I’m delayed, she’s still done with screen time at 4:00. She’ll play with slime or art supplies on her own while I finish up. We’ve been doing this since kindergarten, and kiddo is now in second grade.
Anonymous says
Yes this is what I would envision. Our school hours are 9am-3:45. 2:45 seems so early!
Anon says
Our school is 9-3:30 but I always thought it started really late! Most of my friends’ kids start way earlier.
Anon says
The intermediate (4-6 grade) school in my town dismisses at 2:15!
I don’t know what I’m going to do about aftercare for those years. It feels too old for the “play in the cafeteria” kind of aftercare the K-3 kids do, but even with a flexible, WFH job that schedule will be really tough for me, and I don’t see my kid being the type to have regular sports practices after school (said with zero judgment – I wasn’t that kid either). The junior high & high school get out later, so hiring one of those kids isn’t an option.
Anonymous says
I have done 1 with no TV, 3, and 4. I found 1 and 3 extremely stressful and disruptive to my work. Blocking off pick-up time on my calendar created the impression that I wasn’t dedicated to my job, and it was very hard to get back into a productive working mindset after pick-up. Having her ride the bus home would be a lot less disruptive. I find working in the bleachers or waiting room during extracurriculars virtually impossible. Another option to look for is an after-school program that centers on an activity. Where we live there are several martial arts schools and an indoor soccer facility that pick kids up from school, give them a snack and homework time, then do a class or practice for the activity. They are not well publicized so you have to look at the websites of the sports facilities to find them. I’ve heard that dance studios in some areas have them too.
Anon says
3 also doesn’t seem like it will solve the problem if the issue is her day being too long. Activities might be more fun and engaging than aftercare, but it will still be a long day.
Anonymous says
Y’all, my daughter’s birthday party is tomorrow and the activity venue where it was supposed to be had a series of unfortunate events and confirmed today it’s closed for the weekend to fix the facility. My daughter doesn’t want to reschedule, so now I have a passel of 7-11 year old girls coming to my house tomorrow. Of course it’s supposed to rain. We have a slapdash plan — games, cupcake-decorating, pizza & a movie in the basement — but I will take all the thoughts and prayers for my sanity. Thank you in advance.
Tea/Coffee says
Bless you (sincerely) and have fun! Blast some Taylor Swift and just lean alllll the way into it