Our Wear to Work feature showcases workwear pieces in various styles and price ranges. Please note this post contains affiliates links.
Don’t you just love a white dress in the summer? Especially when it combines class with some surprising details in this Mossimo cinched waist woven shirtdress from Target. I love the easy fit of this short-sleeve dress, with its mesh collar, lace inset and toggles which elevate its style. Perfect for summer at the office, especially at its $29.99 price point!
In a similar style, I also like this Michael Kors high-low shirtdress from Neiman Marcus. Oh, and this timeless gingham sleeveless Eliza J number from Nordstrom too!
Seen any piece you’d like us to feature? Email corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
“It’s summer, and the kids are out of school!”, said no working mom ever. Let’s be real, as soon as school’s out, a host of issues present themselves. As in, which camp to pick for the kids? How to secure childcare if camps don’t pan out, or in between camp seasons? How to keep the kids entertained while we’re working? How to stretch the budget to accommodate vacations, staycations, and other summer treats?
While most of what we see on social media in the summer smells of tropical vacation getaways, perfect family moments and adorable family summer escapades, the reality is that for most working moms out there, summer spells packed schedules, busy families, tighter budgets, and some occasional headaches…
The reality is, it’s tough out there for working moms (and dads) in the summer. Unless you’re that super-organized working mom who’s got her family’s summer schedule downpacked, you may be like the rest of us, scrambling to find great camps, fun activities, and get everyone fed, bathed and happy all summer long.
From my own experience of “summer scrambling” as a working mom, and from taking advice from the amazing moms role models around me, here are 5 pieces of working mom summer wisdom:
Plan Ahead, a little bit at a time
Ok, I’ll never be that mom who plans her family’s entire summer months ahead of time, down to the smallest details. I made peace with that (something about that adrenaline rush). However, what I’ve learnt to do is to plan a little bit at a time. Which means selecting a camp for the kids , while still allowing some room for spontaneous weekend escapades or staycations. Not everything can be planned ahead of time, but planning the most important aspects of your family’s summer vacation a little at a time can go a long way.
Unpack your kids’ schedule.
Seriously, if the kids are going to sports camp, taking music classes, dance lessons, and having a private tutor while still keeping up with soccer practice and voice rehearsals, chances are their schedules are a tad too much packed. Many times, as working moms (and dads), we overdo the whole “keeping the kids busy” thing. While we mean well, we end up overloading their schedules and driving ourselves insane rushing from activity to activity. So lay it off a bit and cancel one, two or maybe even three activities…How about just letting these kids use their imagination, while you sit down somewhere for a minute and relax!
The pressure of keeping your work on point during the summer month, while still spending time with your family and entertaining the kids can sometimes be just too much! Asking for a flex schedule can help relieve some of that pressure, while allowing you to enjoy the summer more!
Summers are fun, but they’re also messy. Plans fall through, schedules get messed up, and organization sometimes turns into the messiest of chaos. I’ve learnt over time to just let it be. Juggling the stress of work and entertaining the kids during the summer months can be daunting if you don’t just let the mess slide…
The grass is not always greener at other working moms’!
It’s no secret that one of the biggest pitfalls that parents, and working moms in particular, fall into is comparison. We’re browsing social media,, desperately attempting to keep up with the Jones’ Punta Cana vacation. Or trying to enroll the kids in as many activities as our co-workers or neighbors. Before you know it, we’re engaged in an all-out competition with other working parents, and we’re exhausted! Resist the temptation to compare and compete. Instead, look at what works for your family and do just that!
Enjoy the process!
Last but not least, just enjoy it! Spend time with your family, even if it’s just to sit together in the backyard or share a meal together. Let go fo the pressure to have the perfect summer vacation, and just take advantage of every moment!
What other tips do you have as a working mom to ace your summer vacation?
“I love Mondays”- said no one ever. Ok, actually, a very select few may…You know, the ones with the stamina and energy you envy as you’re trying to remember your login password for the fifth time this month…
Starting the week after a weekend filled with errands, to-do’s, and laundry (yes laundry) can be quite daunting. Even if you’ve actually relaxed and taken in one movie or two, you’re likely to feel frazzled as you head back to “reality” on Monday.
The biggest AHA moment of my 30’s was when I (finally) realized everything is mindset! E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! That includes tricking your mind to actually love Mondays!
Here are 5 tricks to play on your mind if you want to go from dragging yourself out of bed on Mondays to actually loving the start of the week. And this is regardless of whether you love your job or are still searching for the dream:
Strategize on Sunday! One of the main reasons why we feel overwhelmed on Mondays is lack of planning. I mean, let’s be real, I used to roll out of bed with zero idea about how I was going to get anything done. And as soon as the reality of everything I had to get done hit me in the face, including getting two kids bathed and dressed, hit me in the face, I would freeze. Instead, start strategizing on Sundays. This doesn’t mean you actually have to “work” on your day off, but more like thinking about your goals for the week and how to tackle them effectively. For me, it means quickly checking the calendar, jotting down some to-do’s, and drafting a timeline to get things done during the week. The result? Peace of mind, plus saving myself some premature wrinkles.
Speak yourself motivated! What you speak into reality becomes well… your reality! Do you notice how as soon as you say “I’m tired”, whatever little energy you had seems to seep right out of you? Exactly… Start tricking your mind with positive affirmations as soon as you get up. For me, it’s my favorite Bible verses as well as other inspirational quotes. Another trick not to forget? Stick your favorite affirmations, quotes or inspirational words on Post-it notes all around the house. I have mine on my bathroom mirror, office wall, fridge and coffee machine, and if course on my vision board. So get to speaking!
Start with fun! Whatever anyone may say, there’s something about doing something that stirs your soul that just pumps you up! So instead of tackling that dreaded task that will make you want to crawl under your desk, start with something fun! Whether it’s listening to your favorite tune, taking your favorite cardio class first thing, or talking to your bestie, pick something that brings a smile to your face, anything, no matter how small. For me, it’s to spend some time writing or reading before hitting the work circuit. What is it for you?
Make it a challenge! I love a good challenge, even if it’s with myself. Blame it on my competitive nature ( fine, I admit!). Make it a challenge to start the week on a productive note. Which brings me to my next and last point…
Reward yourself! Listen, we all know a little reward can go a long way! Then why wait until Friday to reward ourselves after spending the entire week in a pre-war funk! So reward yourself for a productive, kick-ass Monday too! Treat yourself to an extra lipstick, a mani-pedi, or just two pages of your fave summer read at the end of the day. Who gets a treat on Monday, you may ask? Well, no one other than Trailblazing, Mega-productive, Badass You!
Summer’s here, and with the warm weather, trips to the beach, kids’ camps, vacations and other summer activities, also comes a slew of…expenses! Of course, the weather’s nicer, we want to spend more time eating and having fun outside…And of course, we end up blowing our (somewhat) tight budgets and going way over our fun (and shoe) allowance.
It can definitely help to make some money on the side to cover your additional expenses this summer. Whether you’re a student looking for a summer job or you’re just browsing around for a side hustle, here are 12 ways you can actually make extra money from the comfort of your home, as long as you have a Wifi connection:
Shop and earn cash back with Ebates! Love to shop online? Well, you’ve found the app that pays you to do it! Not only does it provide you with the best coupons online, but it also pays you money to purchase online. Similar alternatives include:
Save money without thinking with Digit! This awesome app basically allows you to save money without thinking about it, just like that! Basically, what it does is study your money habits, and transfers extra cash from your checking account to your Digit account, if you can afford it (there’s a no overdraft fee guarantee in effect, so you don’t have to worry about hitting the red). The only caveat is that they’re recently started charging their customers a monthly subscription fee of $2.99, which if you think about it, kinda defeats the purpose of saving money, right?
Get cash back with Ibotta! This is a free mobile coupon and cash back app available on iPhone and Android phones. You basically can earn cash back by buying select products, providing proof of purchase, and voila! Think of it as getting paid to shop, what better incentive right?
Gain more referral cash with iGain! This is an affiliate network in which you can earn commissions for each person you refer who can sign up for a survey.The more referrals, the more money in your pocket!
Get paid to express yourself with American Consumer Opinion! Do you like to take surveys? You can now get paid to simply express your opinions on new products, issues, etc. Signup is free too! A similar option is SurveyJunkie, another platform which allows you to get paid for expressing your opinions.
Get healthy and paid with Healthy Wage! What if you were getting paid to get healthy and lose weight? That’s what Healthy Wage does for you. Become a member, join a team and start reaping rewards simply for being healthy!
Bet on your health with Diet Bet! The principle here is similar to Healthy Wage. You basically bet on yourself to lose weight within in a team or by yourself, reach your goal and split the pot!
Get your money back with Paribus! If you’ve purchased an item online and the price happens to subsequently drop, this app will help you get your money back. It tracks your purchases from retailers such as Target, Amazon, or any of the other retailers on its website, and determines if you’re owed a refund. The best part? It also tracks your shipments to ensure you get money back for any late shipping, at times up to the entire shipping fee amount.
Let it go and make money with Letgo! How many times have you looked at all your stuff and realized that you’re not using half of it. This app lets you earn money by getting rid of your unwanted stuff. All you have to do is snap a picture, upload and voila!
Monetize your clutter with Decluttr! As its name indicates, this website will pay for any unwanted books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Time to declutter!
Get paid for your old books with Bookscouter! If you’re like me, you’re probably holding on to your old books from college. You can now easily let them go, and make money through the process, with Bookscouter.
Take beautiful pics with Foap! Like to take beautiful photos with your iPhone? You could actually get paid for them. Foap lets you upload your iPhone pictures to this marketplace, and if someone buys their license, you make money too!
Click BELOW to get your FREE download of my best 12 ways to make extra money online:
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
In light of the recent workplace shooting in Orlando, TipHero suggests 5 self-defense tips that could save your life during a similar situation at work;
Corporette lists 4 personal safety apps for women who live at home;
Have you heard that US Homeland Security is planning on banning laptops from flights? Inc. tips you off on how to be productive on planes if the ban occurs;
Addicted to your phone? Ellevate Network explains how putting your phone away will lead to more opportunities;
The Glassdoor Blog tips you off on 5 things you need to know about childcare costs and the workplace;
Love to write? Business Insider lists 14 high-paying jobs for people who love to write;
Want to change careers? Forbes advises you to take this step first;
Ellevate Network explains why you don’t need to ask every meeting invite;
