by Solange Lopes | Feb 12, 2017 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
As I watched Beyonce glowing in all her expectant glory on the stage of the Grammys, I literally had a moment. As in all the goddesses of times past, present and future (plus those you occasionally call on to when you’ve had one too many coffees and still can’t tackle your to-do list) came down together on that Grammys stage all at once…I mean, there aren’t enough hashtags to picture the glorious career moment Queen Bey laid down for all of us to see (ahem…including the now silent and unidentified souls who claimed she used surrogates to have her babies, just sayin’…)
As a career gal, I was particularly mesmerized to watch an accomplished woman show up in her career, not in spite of being an expectant mother, but precisely because of it. How many moms-to-be, and moms in general, can proudly show off their belly on the job with as much pride as Bey did, and actually get a huge career boost for it? Granted, most of us don’t exactly grind the way the Queen Bey does, but still…
Most of us wait to find the right time to announce our pregnancies at work, and despite our genuine happiness at the prospect of carrying Life, silently make peace with the fact that our bulging bellies also mean we may not advance as far in our careers as we’d like during this time. And unlike Bey, many of us may not be particularly keen on displaying our growing baby bumps in the Board room for fear it may make us look slightly inadequate, or even worse, hormonal…
But it took just ONE performance by Beyonce to show that not only is it OK to rock your baby bump while on a major work event, it’s also just become highly advisable. Because: carrying double the bundle of joy while rendering a MAJOR performance, all the while lighting up the whole stage/world/universe, is something only women can do! And so is carrying through entire pregnancies while holding down a job, raising another one (or many) little humans, being a wife, and not giving up on dinner/laundry/contouring…
So next time the world tries to convince you that carrying babies may make you less competent/productive/extraordinary, just think about that time Beyonce lit a whole Grammys stage with her double baby bump, and got an award for Lemonade to boot…
And go on and proudly show how you can actually get that month-end presentation done, while positively slaying in that maternity suit and glowing from all that mommy-to-be-unstoppable-creature vibe…
via GIPHY
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 10, 2017 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
So you’re working from the comfort of your home, in your PJ’s, sipping on your hot cup of cocoa while dropping some nuggets of professional wisdom on your laptop….All is well, you don’t have to wear pants, comb your ‘fro, or look human for that matter, and you can still get your work done without the office buzz and constant interrupting.
That is, until your toddler comes crashing into your office with a full cup of juice now spilling all over your laptop, actually, ahem, the company’s laptop…And there goes the romantic aspect of working from home, right out the window, as you proceed to call IT to figure out how you can save that spreadsheet you’ve been working on for the past day, or resuscitate the almost-defunct machine…
That’s the story of many working moms (and dads) who get the luxury of working from home, with the steep discount of doing it all in the lovely company of their active, attention-needing kids. And while there’s a lot being said out there about working productively from home, and eliminating all the distractions that come with it, what’s not being said enough is that doing the whole work from home thing with kids is a whole ‘nother ball game. As in juggling ten thousand balls in the air, and dropping all of them, all at once…Yeah, like that…
Many companies allow their employees the flexibility of working from home. It’s a great perk that’s often used as a backup for school closings, unavailable childcare, doctor appointments, etc. Except in most cases, it also means you’re working extra hard to deal with your kids, your work, and looking for your pants in the meantime…
From catching up on my work from home day with a work-from-home evening/night/whatever it takes, to having full-blown conversations with my kids about the importance of letting their parents earn a paycheck (so they could buy toys), here are some of the best most practical tips I’ve gathered over time. Nothing glamorous, just what works without anyone losing their mind, hair or allowance for the next 10 years:
Start early!
As in: wake up before the storm starts! At least that’s how I call it… I try to set my alarm for at least an hour before everyone wakes up, not just to be able to hear my own thoughts, but to get started on any major task I have for the day…
Have a P-L-A-N!
It’s one thing to have somewhat of a plan when you’re working from home alone and trying to stay away from the fridge or keep from getting it done and over with that pesky laundry!
It’s another when you’re surrounded by kids who have zero concept of your professional obligations! Hence the P-L-A-N! I’m not talking about your basic to-do list, but an actual kid-proof contingency plan, complete with games, fun activities, and even sugar bribes….because: sanity…
Be realistic!
Let’s be real! Working from home with one or multiple little humans is not going to be as productive as being in your comfy cube listening to jazz music… Just sayin’…
To avoid major frustration and chocolate meltdown, be realistic about how much you can REALLY get done! Adjust your to-do list to reflect the most urgent tasks and use early morning hours, naps and other quiet times to get your hustle on…
Take breaks!
Between running after your kids to make sure they don’t accidentally lock themselves in the freezer, and being on conference calls while singing the “happy poop” song to your toddler, it can get rough! I mean, I remember dreaming of the peace and quiet of my cube while begging the kids to keep quiet so I could explain why my project status was down to zero…
So give yourself (and the kids) some breaks during the day! Whether it’s taking a quick walk outside, playing hide-and-seek for 10 minutes, take a load off sometimes…
Keep the communication with your team open!
Make sure to keep expectations on par with your team! Set clear deadlines and allow yourself what I call some “buffer” time…. You know, in case the little one unplugs the wireless connection, spills juice on your (company) laptop, or has a serious crisis over non-cooperating Lego pieces…
Use the rewards system!
You don’t know what working from home surrounded by little humans is until you’ve actually done it…And come out of it alive with some sanity and professionalism left!
So reward yourself for holding it down all day and still be sending civil emails and well-crafted reports… Oh, and give the kids a hug for actually trying to understand why “mommy” has to keep her job to be able to buy more Lego pieces…
Get feedback!
Don’t forget to seek and get feedback to improve on your productivity while working from home. It could be a simple “hey how am I doing?” to your boss, or a personal assessment of how many projects you’re completing in the office versus at home…
Oh, and ask the kids how mommy’s doing too…You’d be surprised how many ideas of legitimate kids’ bribes they can come up with…
What’s your best advice to work from home with kids?
To Your Success,
Solange
by Solange Lopes | Feb 10, 2017 | Career
Peony Blossom Blouse – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
I was looking for a fun, yet professional blouse that I could sport on a casual Friday at work, but also recycle on a serious Monday morning. Hence today’s pick, this cool, retro-but-really-in English Factory peony blossom blouse from Shopbop! I absolutely love the embroidered tie at the collar, which takes this top from basic to head-turner! It’s perfect with your casual Friday jeans, and would look ah-mazing with simple slacks or a pencil skirt.
In similar styles, I also like this Vivetta heart-collar long-sleeve blouse (perfect for a themed-Valentine’s Day event), and this Re:named floral neck-tie top too…
Seen a piece you’d like to be featured on TCS? Email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Cheers,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 10, 2017 | Career
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 honor of Black History Month, The Corporate Sister’s (aka yours truly) is hosting a Race & Work Series. This week, I’m discussing talking about race at work;
- Ellevate Network tells you when it’s ok to turn down the job you thought you’ve always wanted;
- If you’ve seen the movie “Hidden Figures“, Black Enterprise writes about this modern day “hidden figure”;
- Have you read Sallie Krawcheck’s “Own It: The Power of Women at Work“? If so, Ellevate Network invites you to share how you “own it” and win a lunch with Sallie Krawchek;
- Are you bored at work but not quite ready to quit? The Muse lists 4 career-changing things to try first;
- Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and Black Enterprise is tipping you off on how not overspend;
- Speaking of Valentine’s Day, the Glassdoor blog lists the do’s and dont’s of office romances;
- Fortune had me raising interesting questions as it confirms a college degree doesn’t get you far if you’re Black;
- iPhone aficionadas (and dudes) alert! Forbes reveals iPhone8 leaks uncover some pretty cool (and expensive) Apple secrets (Shhhh);
- Entrepreneur confirms that despite all the existing bias, female entrepreneurs are a force to be reckoned with (*dusting shoulders off here);
- Baking for V-Day? Food52 lists 14 impressive (but not hard!) desserts to try;
- It’s snow boot weather in the Northeast. Check out my selection of cute and practical snow boots (because who wants to look like whoddunitandwhy).
Check out my weekly #workinggirlchat Twitter Chats on Wednesdays at 8pmEST!
Cheers to the week-end!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 9, 2017 | Career
Bogs Watercolor Waterproof Snow Boots – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Listen, there’s nothing cute about painfully treading your way through the snow with weather-inappropriate shoes, even especially when they’re super cute…But that’s not a reason to walk around like whodunnitandwhy just because New England’s weather decided to go crazy and jump from spring-like 60 degrees to sub-zero/snow storm/end of the world temperatures… So for all the sisters out there still holding on to their sense of fashion in the midst of crazy weather, here are my selections for practical AND cute snow boots:
For the Fashionista-In-Chief…
The Love Moschino Boot:
Love Moschino Ankle Snow boot – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Now these are not your traditional snow boots… Some may even argue they’re a bit on the loud side. But these LOVE Moschino ankle snow boots will make your day, in addition to protecting your toes against frostbite. I personally love the cutesy pink color, comfortable round toe, and general cool look. They’re $174 at Zappos.
Because You Can’t Wait for Spring…
The Bogs Watercolor Waterproof Snow Boot
Bogs Watercolor Waterproof Snow Boots – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Spring ain’t coming’ any time soon, but while we’re hoping and dreaming, let’s do it in style. Like with these Bogs “Watercolor” waterproof snow boots! Loving the “watercolor” pattern, plus the cool little handles on each side. And did I mention its moisture-management technology helps keep your feet dry and smelling good, you know, so you don’t kill half the planet when you take them off…They’re $129.95 at Nordstrom.
For the Utilitarian Gal:
The Drift Snow Boots
‘ End Drift Snow Boots – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
For the utilitarian gaol who wants to cover her toes (and behind) when the snow starts falling, these Lands’ End Drift boots are a sure bet. I love the full functionality of these boots, as well as the pretty faux fur collar. They’re on sale for $35.00 at Lands’ End.
Seen a piece that you’d like us to feature? Email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
