by Solange Lopes | Nov 20, 2016 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
![]()
Chocolate-dipped sugar cookies with the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix
In my family, our favorite way to get in the holiday spirit is to take some time out from all the to-do’s, and spend some time in the kitchen baking…and eating! This year, we’re channeling our inner holiday creativity and family cheer with the Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes. They come in various flavors, from the traditional sugar cookie to the peanut butter mix and everything in between, and are perfect to pull easy, quick and tasty recipes for any busy mom out there! And if you know me, you know if it’s delicious and quick enough to make to let me get on with my to-do list, it’s right down my alley…
For me, it’s as easy as stopping by my local Walmart in Providence, RI, darting through the “Baking” aisle, and grabbing a few Betty Crocker Cookie Mix pouches in various flavors. My favorites are the Sugar Cookie, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chunk kinds.
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix from my local Walmart store
My daughter enjoying mixing up a batch of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie recipe
Chocolate-dipped Sugar Cookies:
- Prepare the cookie dough and bake cookies according to the Betty Crocker package directions
- Microwave chocolate baking chips (I used the Baker’s brand semi-sweet chocolate kind) until melted according to package directions
- Let the cookies cool, and dip 1/2 of the cookies in the chocolate
- Sprinkle the chocolate section with colorful sugar sprinkles or candy before the chocolate cools
- And voila!
Chocolate-dipped sugar cookies with the Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix
These cookie mixes have gotten me out of a jam (in addition to making me look like the perfect housewife that I’m not) countless times, from piano recitals to school functions. All of this for a very low cash and time investment!
How easy is that! So stop by your local Walmart and pick yourself a few Betty Crocker cookie mixes and get in the holiday spirit!
How would you get in the holiday spirit with the Betty Crocker cookie mixes?
Happy Holidays!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 18, 2016 | Career
Kate Spade New York Bunny Sweater – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Our Weekend Wear feature showcases clothing and accessories for stylish business and professional women to sport on week-ends.
I’ve been obsessed with graphic knit sweaters these days…There’s just something about the fun patterns and graphics that puts a smile on your face, no matter what you may be doing. Like this Kate Spade New York Bunny Wool Blend sweater from Nordstrom.Love the sweet embroidered bunny face on this otherwise classic sweater, that I’d pair with leggings or jeans on the weekend. It’s $268 at Nordstrom.
I also like this Lauren Moshi flamingo v-neck knit pullover, also from Nordstrom. This fun white snowman face slouchy number from Zulily is also perfect for the season, while this quirky “Holiday” sweater from Target is as festive as it looks.
Which one is your fave?
Cheers,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 18, 2016 | Career
This is our weekly career and lifestyle news roundup, where we round up exciting news of the last week and we let you have it…ahem, news-wise that is…
Think of it as your career gossiping section on steroids…
And while you’re at it, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,IG, and Pinterest!
Here we go…
- A special homage this week to political reporter and “PBS Newshour” Co-anchor Gwen Ifill who lost her battle to cancer, she was 61;
- This week, I attended an amazing event around issues affecting the future of women post-election in America, sponsored by Ellevate Network. Read my recap HERE;
- Speaking of the elections, Ellevate Network‘s Chair Sallie Krawcheck writes about what Trump could mean for women in business (and it’s not what you may think);
- Are you an introvert? Work It Daily reveals one job search tip you may not want to hear, but really need;
- As you’re gearing up for Thanksgiving, the Lindsey Pollak Blog confirms that gratitude is totally work-appropriate;
- Business Insider lists 32 things you should never say to your boss, even if you’re friends;
- Falling asleep at your desk? The Muse describes the 2-minute exercise that will wake you up;
- Are you facing changes in your life and career? Ellevate Network tips you off on how to manage changes and transitions successfully;
- Black Friday is right around the corner! Entrepreneur lists the best Black Friday deals;
- For all the vegetarians out there, Love and Lemons cooked up a series of Thanksgiving sides for you.
Cheers,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 17, 2016 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
You can tell the holidays are looming near. As soon as pre-holiday season starts, the hair’s in a bun; the to-do lists are out; deadlines are on and poppin’ everywhere, and your edges are growing thinner by the second…
Most working women know the feeling all too well… That restless ball of nerves somewhere between the pit of your stomach and your chest cavity says it all: too much to do, not enough time, and why is everyone driving like they have nowhere to go?
Plus all your work deliverables are due yesterday, which may seriously impact your free time to make your signature homemade pie for Thanksgiving, buy everyone on your list a thoughtful gift, and get your eyebrows waxed for the family gathering….And all of a sudden your armpits go on a sweat fest, as every fiber in your body starts asking for chocolate (the milky kind with almonds)…
Most advice out there will give you 101 tips to cope with pre-holiday stress, or 1,000 ways to to grin and bear though this period while consuming outrageous amounts of chocolate (or wine, or vodka…)But really, how much fun is it to just survive what’s supposed to be one of the happiest times of the year, when instead we can thrive, strive and enjoy the whole process instead?
Except since all this pre-holiday stress won’t go down without a fight (and we won’t either), here’s my own version of a battle plan for every working mom who’s ever considered jetting to Bali until January 1st:
Put Your Anti-Holiday Stress Armor On.
There are 1,001 reasons to stress out during the pre-holiday time…All your work deadlines are coming crashing down on your already busy calendar. You can’t keep track of how many gifts you have to buy, wrap, mail out, or exchange. And now it really doesn’t look like that cute red dress you’ve been saving to wear over the holidays will ever fit…
When all hell is threatening to break loose and you feel you have no time to stop and catch your breath…is definitely when you should! Start the day by spending some quiet time, whether it’s praying, meditating, or just sitting in silence. It’s another way of preparing your mind for the onslaught of stressful deadlines, to-do’s, requests, not-to-do’s, etc…
So even if that report due yesterday is not coming out the way it should, or you realize you forgot half of your shopping list, or your waistline is filing for divorce from the rest of your body, you can still maintain a shred of sanity (and your edges)…
Think Less Effort, More Impact.
Admit it, those homemade toffee candies you’ve dug out the recipe of from Pinterest, and are desperately trying to fit in to your crowded schedule, can be skipped. As in, you can buy the same exact toffee candies from the store, and save yourself a couple of precious hours, loads of dishwashing, and a serious case of sugar high…
So ditch the perfect-housewife, I-can-do-it-all attitude, if you know you have neither the time nor the energy to bake bonbons from scratch. If you can buy it from the store, please do yourself a favor and grab a double set. The same goes for spending hours wrapping gifts when you can order them pre-wrapped on Amazon, or pick the wrapping option at most stores….
Think less effort, more impact…And you can tell that perfect frenemy of yours who’s just out-baked the whole neighborhood, that this is not about being lazy… It’s just smart allocation of your resources and energy, plus saving yourself wrinkles, lost edges and other stressful side effects…
Ditch the Pride and Seek Demand help.
Gone are the days when you tried to do it all alone, so you can get credit for pulling all the holiday weight all by yourself…only to show up at the Thanksgiving family gathering with a deep-seated desire to utter choice words to pretty much everyone in attendance.
The pre-holiday stress economy has officially turned in to a sharing economy. Which means you can spread the cheer (and the stress) around…So enroll the hubby and the kids into the Pre-Holiday Academy, and start spreading the wealth assignments. Hubby can type the gift tags while the kids help with Christmas Eve invites. And wveryone can bring a dish while you just make the main course…
And you may just be able to make that eyebrow threading appointment after all!
Enjoy the Process.
As in, have a bite of that pecan pie (my favorite), stop by your favorite shoe store and grab yourself a pre-holiday pick-me-up, or book that spa appointment…Or drive a bit slower and enjoy the holiday lights in your neighborhood (as opposed to skipping the Stop sign to get home early enough to get started on those homemade bonbons).
Yes, there are a gazillion things to do, and no one can do them better than you (and if they can, they better not say it!). But there are also a gazillion things to enjoy over the holidays, from having precious family and friends around, to the many calming benefits of chocolate, cake and wine…
So in the middle of all this pre-holiday frenzy, lift your head up from your pile of files and to-do lists, log off of the Thanksgiving recipes boards on Pinterest, close your eyes and picture yourself victoriously crossing that pre-holiday stress line with your edges still on and one set of lashes put…
Now that’s a pre-holiday stress battle plan…
How do you plan on battling this pre-holiday stress?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 16, 2016 | Career
Wear to Work; Faux-sude skirt – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Today’s Wear to Work feature is this faux-suede A-line skirt from The Limited. I love, love the classic silhouette of this business-appropriate skirt with a side twist. Perfect from desk to dinner! It’s on sale for $69.99 at The Limited!
Speaking of suede skirts, I also like this Elizabeth and James number with studded embellishments from Neiman Marcus. This simple Calvin Klein faux-suede pencil skirt from Zappos is also perfect for any occasion.
Which one is your fave?
The Corporate Sis.
