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I am always on the hunt for comfortable blazers. Luckily, during the “before times” I was able to wear sweatshirt/sweater/ponte-material blazers for more casual days (saving full suits for trials and the like), and I would say a good half of my blazers are of the casual kind.
Now that I am on Skype for Business/Zoom/Microsoft Teams, I can continue to wear things that hint at a lapel. I also see washable blazers being essential when I return to in-person work, because I’ll be washing my clothing more frequently. I like this because it’s unlined, washable, and a one-button style.
It’s available in regular sizes 0–18 and petite sizes 00–18 at Loft and also comes in white. Full price, it’s $89.50, but right now you can get 60% off with code HOORAY, which brings it down to only $35.80. Loft also has a gray knit blazer in sizes 20–26 that is $130 full price and $52 with the promo code. Soft Knit Blazer
Looking for other washable workwear? See all of our recent recommendations for washable clothes for work, or check out our roundup of the best brands for washable workwear.
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Sales of note for 5.5.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase (ends 5/12); $50 off your $200+ purchase (ends 5/5)
- Banana Republic Factory – Spend your StyleCash with 40-60% off everything, or take an extra 20% off purchase (ends 5/6)
- Eloquii – $19 & up 300+ styles and up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Shirts & tees starting at $24.50; extra 30% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles & extra 15% off; extra 55% off sale styles
- Nordstrom: Nordy Club members earn 3X the points on beauty; 30% off selected shoes
- Talbots – 40% off one item & and 30% off everything else; $50 off $200 (all end 5/5)
- Zappos – 27,000+ 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 – 40% off everything & extra 20% off select styles with code
- Hanna Andersson – Friends & Family Sale: 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Crewcuts – tk; extra 30% off sale styles; kids’ styles starting at $14.50
- Old Navy – Up to 75% off clearance
- Target – 20% off women’s clothing & shoes; up to 50% off kitchen & dining; 20% off jewelry & hair accessories; up to $100 off select Apple products; up to 40% off home & patio; BOGO 50% off adult & YA books
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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?
T-shirts? says
I’m looking for everyday t-shirts. I’d like them to be loose and not tight-fitting – something to wear over leggings that drapes nicely. No tunics. A longer t-shirt is best. I’m short waisted, and tunics never look quite right. Any recommendations? Thank you!
Anon says
Does anyone have any tips for homeschooling pre-K?
Our preschool is closed for the year because of COVID and we have hired a college student for childcare. We’d love for her to help our 4 yo get ready for K in the fall, but she needs guidance. Any suggestions?
Anonymous says
Fine motor activities: tracing books, cut-and-paste activities, all manner of crafts, play-doh, drawing, mazes, dot-to-dots
Reading: Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read or the Teach Your Child to Read in 10 Minutes a Day book mentioned here recently, lots of reading aloud and asking the child to interact with the story (what do you think happens next? what’s this letter/word? how does that character feel?), make words with letter magnets on a cookie sheet
Math: count things, group objects (e.g., Legos) by 2s or 5s and skip count, add and subtract with objects
Gross motor: Play outside! Climb, swing, ride bikes and scooters, throw/catch/kick balls
Encourage pretend play and building. Allow multiple sets of toys to be out at once so they can be combined (e.g., cars and blocks). Build blanket forts. Set up a mud kitchen outdoors. Build a clubhouse out of large boxes.
If you allow screen time: Sesame Street, Signing Time, Sid the Science Kid, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Watch together and discuss.
Self-care skills: Put on own shoes and coat, use potty independently, clean up
Cb says
On this, one activity my son has loved is sorting cars by colour. I put down sheets of construction paper in different colours and he sorts. We can then count them and count again as one drives off.
AwayEmily says
I think I am in the minority here but we don’t do anything formal with our 4yo. We do talk a lot about social skills (for example, lately we’ve been focusing on “what are the verbal and non-verbal signals that other people give you when they want you to stop doing something?”), read to her a lot, and spend as much time outside as possible. But nothing about learning letters, phonics, math, very few crafts — basically just a lot of free play. I don’t think there is anything wrong with doing that kind of more formal education and some kids totally dig it (I did when I was little!), but it’s not a priority for our family right now. I am confident that even if she starts K a little behind we can figure it out.
Again, not saying this is what you SHOULD do, just saying that if you (or the college student) doesn’t feel like doing any lesson-type things, you have company in this family!
Cb says
Yeah, I was feeling a bit of insecurity as my Reddit bumper group has been doing loads of worksheets and proper preparation with their 3 year olds and then I realised that it is good for them, not for me. He’s at nursery but it’s Froebel so he’s more likely to learn to light a campfire than recite his letters. He gets 20 minutes of Khan Academy Kids while I drink my tea and apparently my lazy parenting has paid off – he’s learned all his numbers and letters. We do lots of building, reading, puzzles, gardening and cooking. I’d like to focus on those skills for now. The only thing I’m really working on is pencil skills – he just isn’t an artist so he doesn’t hold a pencil well. I’ve been trying to encourage it by handing him a pen and notebook so he can “make a list like mama!”
anon says
Thanks! I wouldn’t worry about a plan if I was doing this myself, but for a college student given zero direction, every day just ends up being 100% free play. That is both boring and doesn’t build skills that I’d like my 4 yo to have going into K. I don’t want to have to set up an actual schedule, but it would be good to encourage the nanny to do some cutting, coloring, reading, music, movement, playdoh, nature discussions, etc, as they move through the day.
In the past we’ve done 1/2 day preschool plus a nanny, so the educational part was all done at school and the nanny just supervised free play and that was great. Given the lack of preschool, now I’m trying to sort out how to get the college student to add some activities to the day without actually having to lesson plan / schedule myself, as I have a job and plenty on my plate already. Asking the college student to do activities with her hasn’t worked so far. The college student is motivated, but doesn’t seem to know what to do.
Realist says
Oh, in this case, I would make a loose schedule for the college student to follow. Something like:
8am-walk/play outside
9am-snack
9:30-read books
10:00-morning activity
11:00-free play
12:00-lunch
For activities time slots, the schedule would be a weekly rotation, something like:
Monday
morning: coloring or arts and craft project
afternoon: build stuff (blanket forts, legos, whatever)
Tuesday
morning: alphabet work
afternoon: music time/sing songs
Wednesday
morning: number work
afternoon: read books
Thursday
morning: alphabet work
afternoon: coloring/art
Friday
morning: make a simple recipe
afternoon: read books
Giving some loose structure around a schedule is an alternative to curriculum. YMMV on how much guidance to give the college student on the activities themselves. If the college student needs activities to follow, it is easy enough to buy some workbooks and flashcards, or make simple lists of activities that would qualify as a “craft project” or “practice numbers”.
Anonanonanon says
Similar to this, I would do a model schedule and have “choice” blocks where the “choice” is from a list of suggested activities.
You can buy hooked on phonics and workbooks and, as I suggested above, have her research crafts and tell you what to buy.
Homeschool says
Agree that you certainly don’t NEED a formal pre-K program. Reading and play is sufficient. But if you are looking for a curriculum to create structure for your babysitter, the Blossom & Root pre-school program is lovely. It’s around $20 for the download and full of nature and play-based ideas rather than worksheets. I can see how it could actually help structure the day in a helpful way
I haven’t used it for this age, but am currently using the first grade science program and generally like it
Anon says
My state puts out these newsletters and I think they have Pinterest boards that have different activities for kids of different ages: https://papromiseforchildren.com/learning-is-everywhere/learning-is-everywhere-september/
anon says
I would practice self-care and having a schedule (because K is all about following the schedule). All of the academic stuff seems besides the point to me – just color, read and explore.
SC says
If your 4 yo is happier with routine and predictability, I would focus on that. It doesn’t have to be a rigid schedule with set times, but more of a “Breakfast–outdoor time–snack–fine motor–free play–lunch–reading–nap–gross motor–snack–activity (art, science, cooking, board game)–free play/outdoor time.” Incorporate letters and math into various activities as it feels natural. We printed a sheet with clip-art for each activity so he could see the plan for the day.
anon says
The problem has become that the current schedule is “breakfast-free play-snack-free play-lunch-free play-snack-free play-clean up”. I need some other stuff worked into the day. Personally, I am comfortable working learning into activities. The college student is very nice and responsible, but doesn’t naturally pull any learning into the day. This is fine for a while, but it will be a long year with nothing more.
Anonymous says
In that case I’d give her a loose schedule like the one SC suggests, then provide her with a bunch of books and websites of little kid art and science activities so she can plan the specifics.
CCLA says
Yep – just use that same model but plug in “art activity” or “reading”or “science activity” or “game” for some of the free play blocks. If you feel like throwing money at it and you think sitter would be motivated with some direction, could you point her at some of the online resources suggested here, and pay her a bonus ($100?) to pull together suggested routine, to be blessed by you? That might remove some labor and get her more involved in the process and exposed to the various ideas.
Anonymous says
We do Blossom and Root for 3.5 year old. Volume 1 cause she has no interest in letters/numbers. It literally takes 10 min/day. We listen to classical music during morning free play, nature walks, exposure to classical artists and then she paints. Baking together.
Spirograph says
Not necessarily a curriculum per se, but we have the book, Mister Rogers Playtime (link to follow) and my kids loooove it. It has a ton of activities and crafts that you can do with stuff that’s probably already laying around your house. We’ve found it to be a good source of ideas.
Spirograph says
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/mister-rogers-playtime-encourage-your-child-to-create-explore-and-pretend-with-dozens-of-nurturing-and-easy-to-do-activities_fred-rogers/364437/item/2788679/
anon says
Thanks so much. I’m going to see if I can get this from the library.
Anon says
college student is likely well versed in social media. have her look at Busy Toddler, 7 Days of Play and Days with Grey on social media and maybe ask her to come up with 3 specific activities per week and then give you supplies needed. i’d also have them do any breakfast/lunch/dinner meal prep you think would be helpful, like making muffins for breakfast or cutting veggies for a salad – measuring things, reading a recipe, cutting – all good skills to develop.
anon says
Thanks, I’ll look those up.
Spirograph says
One more thought along these lines: there are some great monthly subscription boxes and magazines aimed at preschoolers. My kids have enjoyed Little Passports and friends have liked KiwiCo. For magazines, we get High Five, and ZooDinos, but you could certainly task your babysitter with identifying some based on your kid’s interests.
My kids think getting mail is the coolest thing ever, and novelty = interest for at least a few days.
Knope says
Busy Toddler has a play-based preK curriculum you can get for like $60. Might be worth it!
Anonanonanon says
We asked ours to research ideas while kiddo napped (ours is younger and still naps) and to tell us what she had come up with and what we needed to buy.
Probiotic says
Can anyone recommend a non-dairy probiotic? Eating yogurt has really helped my digestive issues but I‘ve has to cut out dairy while breastfeeding.
(Also – anyone else had to give up dairy? It’s much harder than I would’ve expected!)
AnotherAnon says
What are you thinking about wearing for family photos this fall?
Anonymous says
I don’t know but I have the same question! We are getting some family photos taken outside this November (in the south, so won’t be too cold out yet). I always have such a hard time figuring out what we should all wear.
Anonymous says
Surely just a combo of jeans or khakis with dresses for you and the girls and shirts or sweaters in a coordinating palate for the menfolk with a matching dog collar for the golden retriever? All this posed wardrobed family photos look the same.
anon says
*snort* There is some truth to that. I say this as someone who can totally overthink the family wardrobe situation.
Redux says
Plus masks. I am anticipating a lot of cheeky photos with masks (on the golden retriever, too).
We usually do formal photos but this year I think we’ll do snapshots instead. Feels a bit more intimate and that’s the vibe I need this year. This terribly difficult year.
Anonymous says
We do fall photos but put them on our holiday card, so I’m not totally sure this is relevant but we’re doing cozy winter whites this year. Trying to set a peaceful, healing vibe with the card. Last year was crazy plaid mania in reds whites and blues. The year before was a real Hanukkah vibe in greys and navy, I think a touch of eggplant. Year before was buffalo plaids in black and red. It’s always me dressed fairly formally, my husband in a collar and jeans and our son in something preppy and adorable that he will only wear for 15 minutes. Always start with my outfit and then do my sons and let my husband play along to his own taste. I’m excited to hear about other people’s photos.
*i know this probably looks like a LOT. My family is not on social media and we’ve never done a non-family bday party for my kid. So really I promise, it’s one set of pictures and year.
AwayEmily says
I think this sounds awesome! I *love* getting cards from families that get all dressed up in matching clothes.
Anonymous says
Aww. Thanks! Yes I love doing it!
Cb says
Yes, I adore these cards. I’d never get it together to take photos but I love receiving them. I’m asking for a camera this year so I can take my own Christmas card photo without having to art direct my husband.
Anonymous says
Haha. Thanks. I’m a cornball but I live for this.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Agree I love getting family holiday cards! In fact, ours received from last year are still hanging (in Sept… oh well!)
avocado says
I leave them up all year until the next ones come!
OP says
Um are you me? It’s pretty out of character for me to get dolled up, but our photo shoot is something I look forward to every year. I probably get way too extra about it, but it’s my birthday gift to myself so that’s how I justify it. Ok so this is exactly what I’m struggling with: doing them in November in the South, so it will be 80 degrees out, but it’s for Christmas cards. My photographer friend always recommends dresses, but that’s not really me. BTW she recommends your process of choosing mom’s outfit first then coordinating everyone else. Also I’ve done dresses two years in a row. Time to switch it up! I’m debating a black floral jump suit, or maybe jeans and a sweater? I would be wiling to suffer through 30 minutes of 80 degrees in a sweater for Christmas cards. Anyway, I’m enjoying the responses.
Anonymous says
Christmas card photos don’t have to look wintry. Most of the photos we get are from summer vacations.
Anonymous says
Yes! I’m your New York twin:)
I think a black floral jumpsuit sounds fabulous. What’s the accent color? If it’s black and white I might do: fabulous mustard shoes on you, little girl in black and white polka dots or stripes, or little boy in mustard khakis (or shorts!) and a white polo. Husband in dark jeans with mostly white but checked or windowpane black buttondown (tighter scale than the kids and you.)
Jeans and sweater are also cute. Definitely change it up from a dress.
Anonymous says
What are YOU wearing in winter whites?
Anonymous says
Well, I forgot to put ours on my calendar and they are tomorrow. I’m wearing a purple v-neck maxi dress that I’ve had for a year or two. Hubby is wearing a casual button up that is blue and purple plaid (that he has also had for a while) with either jeans or khaki shorts (his choice). Kiddo has two floral dress options that I had overnighted from the Gap brands 40% off sale on Monday. Neither of them really match hubby’s shirt as well as I would have liked. But, such is life. They look good against my dress at least.
Anon says
We typically pick coordinating colors and go with that. I have a preference for jewel tones given my coloring, but DH is strictly a neutrals person so it can be a struggle (and I refuse to buy clothes just for the picture because he would never wear them again). Toddler doesn’t have the most extensive wardrobe, so I usually pick an outfit of hers that I like and then go ransack DH’s closet and mine to fine something that coordinates. Last year it was a navy dress for me, navy polo and khakis for DH and toddler had a navy dress. The year before that I wore a black and grey striped sweater with black ponte pants, kiddo had a cream sweaterdress, and DH wore black pants with a grey sweater and white collared shirt. The year before I think we did jeans and a teal sweater for me, teal dress for kiddo and DH wore a grey sweater over a navy polo. We either have my mom or sister take the photos or we do them ourselves with a tripod and a delay in the backyard with “golden hour” light.
Anonymous says
We did professional photos last year for the first time, and part of the reason they turned out so well, I realized in retrospect, is that our clothes were perfect for the backdrop. We were in mostly dark blues/ grays, and they looked awesome in front of the changing leaves. I would definitely think about your location so that you pick something that either pops or blends, depending on your preference.
Anonymous says
My DH is picky about which one of his 27 flannel shirts he wears, so he picks one and then I buy myself/kids based off of that.
ElisaR says
haha same here
Anonymous says
Are there any stores people are really liking the kids (girls, in my case) fall collection for? We won’t buy something new just for pictures, but do tend to do pictures in something on the cleaner/nicer side of our normal attire so I typically buy something, wear it for the first/second time for pictures, and then weave it into the regular pile after that.
Anon says
i need ideas. the problem with choosing mom’s outfit first is i feel like i have worn all of my looks good in pictures clothing already and don’t want to buy something new this year since i don’t go anywhere. in fact for our last set of pics i wore the same shirt i wore for newborn photos two years ago. other people are much better at styling than i am
anonamama says
No pictures planned (yet) but I’ll play! I picked up Old Navy baby corduroys in burnt ginger and think they will look so cute with a navy cableknit sweater on LO (boy). Anything Janie & Jack for little girls. I would do a Boden dress and really amazing boots. Or Free People Ottoman tunic in cream with dark jeans and (also) really amazing boots. I previously wore the ottoman tunic in the berry color for professional pics and it photographed really well – have heard this from others, too. Would highly recommend for any photo ops or general ‘throw it on and look great’ purposes.
anon says
Can you dress my family all the time? These are great suggestions.
anonamama says
yes! hit me with some ages, styles, any other styling dilemmas and I’ll post some suggestions. I’ve got shopping carts filled in every corner of the internet.
anon says
OK! 10-year-old boy + 5-year-old girl. Our style tends to lean modern classic.For colors, we all prefer jewel tones and neutrals. My girl LOOOOVES dresses. I like florals; so does the girlie. Little dude looks excellent in plaids. DH is more of a solid-color dude and would sooner die than wear plaid. LOL!
anon says
Our beloved photographer has moved across the country and I’m not sure I have it in me to find someone new at the moment. This year’s photos might be quick snapshots taken by a neighbor in a pretty park nearby. I’m stumped on clothing, but probably something we own already, in fall colors. Normally I’d buy something for the kids that get repurposed as church clothes or outfits we’d wear to extended family occasions but we’re not doing any of that this year.
Anon says
I’m in the Midwest and we do the photos in the second half of October for fall color, so it’s usually too cold for anything except sweaters, jeans and boots, which are boring but easy to style. I just got this dress that I feel like could work for fall photos in warmer climates: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=610773022 (the flowers are more orange than they look in the photo, so I feel like it would work for fall despite the florals.)
Mary Moo Cow says
My favorite family photos is when we all wore some combination of navy and pink. I was in a navy dress with a hot pink scarf; DH, BIL, and my dad all in navy sweaters and jeans; my sister in navy blouse, jeans, and boots; my mom in a hot pink sweater and navy cords; my daughter in a navy and white dress with a pink hairbow; my niece in a navy and white dress and white bow; and my nephew in a navy sweater and khaki cords. This was in the coastal South in November, so no autumn foliage, but the colors looked great against the green trees! It was also pretty easy to coordinate, as everyone already had something navy or something pink.
My second favorite is when I wore a black turtleneck and jeans and leopard flats; DH in a black and white minicheck button down shirt and jeans; and DDs in raspberry dresses and green leggings (both from Primary). That year we did have beautiful autumn leaves!
I like either totally extra fancy clothes (like Janie and Jack) or simple, colorful basics (like Primary) for family photos.
Anonymous says
My 7 year old grew a zillion inches this summer. She’s my oldest and usually we shop around in person. We’re…not doing that this year.
What’s cute/in style for the 7 year old girl set? She is tall with a super athletic build (I am extremely jealous ;)) so skinny fit/rockstar style jeans usually don’t fit but jeggings do.
So far we have a couple pairs of denim jeggings, a jean jacket and a few dresses to wear with it, a tye dye sweatshirt. I’m seeing a lot of leopard.
What shoes are cute this season? Sneaker brands to look at? I think she’s a size 13/1.
I have 3 girls so I’m OK spending a bit on quality items because they get handed down x2.
Anonymous says
I like Peek Kids and the big girls’ section at Nordstrom.