by Solange Lopes | Oct 8, 2014 | Career |
Stripe collared peplum top – Photo: Anntaylor.com
This stripe collared peplum top from Ann Taylor has the makings of a contemporary yet classical top. Perfect for work, and compatible with virtually any bottoms, this top combines a flattering and slightly bold peplum top with a demure Peter Pan collar.
I’d pair this top with this pencil skirt from
Pencil Skirt – $110 – Photo: shopbop.com
Shopbop, and some classic black pumps. This top is $79 at Ann Taylor.
Pssst…Use code SHOPFALL and save $50 off $100, or $75 off $150 or more!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 7, 2014 | Career |
Should you decorate your office – Photo: design homes.pic
I used to work for a toy company, where most employees used to decorate their office space/cubicle with toys. At the time, coming right out of Public Accounting, where I was fortunate to find an empty spot in the office when I was not on the road traveling to clients’ undesired (and undesirable) conference rooms, office decorations seemed to me like THE most superfluous thing…
Fast-forward a few years, and working, breathing, moving around in the same space day in and day out, I can understand how someone, anyone would want to feel comfortable at work. And yes, comfort does involve adding your own touch to your space, or what constitutes your space for now…
My $0.05: Work is NOT home, BUT for most of us, it’s home away from home, even if for 8+ hours. So yes, if you’d like to decorate your office, you should! Bringing in pictures in cute frames like this one, or a funky decorative lamp like this one is actually advised to personalize your space, and look like you actually have a life outside of the office. You could invest in some original stationery like this one, or even get some funky accessories like this one for the hubby. However, when it comes to decorating your office space, moderation is KEY! Invest in some elegant and professional pieces like this one or that one, and avoid excess photos or personal mementos. All in all, anything you display in your office space should be tasteful and professional (and no, that does not involve the pictures of your last margarita-filled girls’ night out…)
What do you think? Are you open to any office space decorations, or do you think these should be kept reasonable?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 7, 2014 | Career |
Mixed Media Suit Jacket – $88 – Photo: nordstrom.com
Loving this Halogen mixed media suit jacket from Nordstrom! This two-tone jacquard jacket is polished enough for any work environment, and the black panels at the side are extremely flattering. The coordinating contrast waist print suit pants are also available in the same Regular and Petite sizes, and are on sale for $52.80. The jacket is also on sale for $88.
I’d merchandise this elegant jacket with this no-less elegant Ivanka Trump Rebecca satchel in nude from
Ivanka Trump Rebecca satchel – $86.99 – Photo: 6pm.com
6pm.com. Can you say polished?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 7, 2014 | Career
Why you need a mental health day – Photo credit: http://blog.brazencareerist.com
Not sleeping well, or feeling frazzled after a long week-end? Snapping at the store cashier because they used plastic instead of paper bags? You may be in need of a mental health day. I know there were, and still are times when, as a mom, a wife, and a professional, I could literally feel my head about to explode with the weight of to-do’s, not-to-do’s, what-to-do’s and how-to-do’s…
Yet like many of us, I was always reluctant to take a day off to do a whole lot of…nothing. Days off were reserved for meticulously pre-planned vacation, running important errands I could not tackle after-hours or on the week-end, or shuttling the kids to doctors’ appointments. Resting, relaxing? Who needs that? According to a top UK doctor, our English fellow professionals need a 4-day workweek to combat stress. Yet considering how hesitant many of us are to even talk about health at work, let alone mental health, how do we even begin to request the time we need to take care of ourselves:
1. Plan for mental health days: Just as you plan for vacation, or doctors’ appointments, reserve at least a couple of days that are obligation-free. And no, your errand-filled, socially committed, packed-to-the-brim week-end calendar does not qualify….
2. Limit the number of to-do’s on your mental health day: The first time I took a so-called mental health day, I had about two notebook pages filled with things to do. After all, wouldn’t it be a great opportunity to clean the drain, change the draperies and catch up on laundry. End result: yet another stressful day, except at least at work I can sip on my cup of coffee in a more comfortable position than upside down looking into a nasty drain…
3. Stop feeling guilty! You know when you take a day off for no apparent, tangible reason other than to take care of yourself, you are going to feel a bit…guilty! Actually, a lot guilty! Chances are you will be thinking about what’s happening at work, what you could have done at work, and how much work you could have accomplished…Cut it out, the work will always be there, and you should want your health to do the same…
What do you think? Do you need a mental health day?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 6, 2014 | Career |
Crying at work -_ Photo: styleite.cM
The first time I cried at work took me by surprise. I had gotten less-than-stellar feedback on a particular project, and I was bummed. Plus it was a Monday, I had had an exhausting week-end and a rough, kids’ scream-filled morning…
None of it was an excuse, of course, and neither was the fact I had been on the job for only 6 months. I realized actual tears were streaming down my face over my new Maybelline bush when my manager handed me a tissue…For a week afterwards, I could not look him in the face.
Crying at work happens to the best of us, even those who think they can weather any professional storm. And it sucks, big time! And there is no “3-step rule”, Master Checklist or special template to going back and erasing the whole thing.
My $0.05: You did it, you cried at work and now you’ve just got to move on! Don’t dwell on it, don’t go back, don’t discuss it at the office. Just reapply your blush, put your chin up and work your butt off! Results shall speak for themselves…
Have you ever cried at work? How did you react afterwards?
The Corporate Sis.
