by Solange Lopes | Jan 6, 2015 | Career |
Salvatore Ferragamo Ninna – $575 – Photo: zappos.com
I’m more of a stiletto woman, yet I’ve caught myself on many occasions, especially at work, being partial to chunky heels. It’s the endless dilemma between comfortable and cute shoes at work, except chunky heels are not just comfortable, they’re also upgrading from your grandma’s closet to the quite “cute” side of fashion. Hence today’s Work It post dedicated to chunky heels (and finally being able to combine height and comfort, painlessly that is…)
- Low chunky heels: For the more conservative woman (who’s also not too concerned about height), there are some pretty classic, can’t-go-wrong choices like this Salvatore Ferragamo pair from Zappos. On the more frugal spectrum of things, this nude patent Enzo Angiolini pair is also a safe bet. These Breckelle booties from Polyvore are also pretty fashionable, without sacrificing practicality (and safety for some of us)…
- Chunky mid-heels: I like these JODI Toe cap mid-heels from Topshop for their contemporary originality and versatility. In the boots department, these Lily boots from Nordstrom Rack are a fashionable steal, while this Ninna pair from Zappos is all you need for the Boardroom (plus or minus a few things)…
As for high heels, I tend to reserve them for personal time rather than the office (check out my corporate heels-tiquette post).
Are you into chunky heels for the office? Any suggestions? Please chime in…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 6, 2015 | Career |
Dating – Photo: huffingtonpost.com
Dating as a successful professional woman can be challenging. And when I say challenging, I mean, CHALLENGING! Between just having the time to date (not to mention prep time, finances and sheer willingness to interact with the other sex), and surmounting all the stereotypes and pre-conceived ideas about professional, ambitious women in their 30’s, anyone would be tempted to crawl on their couch with a good book or a glass of Pinot instead of hitting the dating scene on a Saturday night.
Let’s be honest. Dating is hard work. It’s like investing in volatile funds, or eating fat-free dessert, you put in the work, use up your make-up and heels, with no guarantee of any return. Plus you have to tread carefully, not to sound like you’re out-earning, out-manning or flat out emasculating your partner…And this is all after putting in a full day’s work, and then some…
1. Stop apologizing for your success! No need to work so hard at being liked or appreciated. You want a partner, not an approval stamp! While you may not need to brag, downplaying your achievements is also a no-go. Just be you!
2. Set the record straight! As a career woman, it’s tempting to paint a more or less traditional image of ourselves when dating. If your career is important to you, say so! If you are in a demanding field of work, set the record straight as well. If on the other hand, you are ready to kiss the corporate world good-bye, don’t mislead your date!
3. Use your power! Many a professionally successful and powerful women can close multi-million dolllar deals at work, yet cannot muster the courage to ask a date out. Use your power (in a good way) to attract the love you deserve!
4. Make room for love! Choices matter, and ours sometimes matter a lot more than we’d admit. More travel or less travel? More work or less work? Exclude or include certain types of partners? Make room in your life and work for potential partners, it may make the process less dreadful, and even a bit spicier…
5. Last but not least, don’t settle! As challenging as the dating scene may be for successful professional women, settling for less never made anyone happy. If your gut is warning you this person may not be for you, you may just have to listen!
Any dating tips you have for professional successful women?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 5, 2015 | Career |
What are your career goals – Photo: huffingtonpost.com
‘Tis the New Year, and while I don’t necessarily believe in the whole New Year’s resolutions thing for your career, I do think most of us could benefit from better habits when it comes to work. As yearly reviews are underway, and career goals are being thought about, set and un-set, what are your career goals for this year? Where do you see yourself in the next 12 months? Are you planning to go for the next promotion, volunteer for the next high-profile project, or just coast and see where all the professional hoopla takes you? Or are you growing restless of the corporate world, and itching to set up your own entrepreneurial venture? What’s it going to be?
[polldaddy poll=8562128]
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 5, 2015 | Career |
DVF Printed stretch-crepe dress – Photo: netaporter.com
Happy New Year everyone! To start off the week on a fashionable note, my pick today is this DVF printed stretch-crepe dress from Net-a-Porter, which happens to be having an ongoing New Year sale with some pretty serious discounts. As a big fan of DVF, I’m in love with the figure-flattering shape of this contemporary dress. The contrast between the printed bodice and the black skirt makes for a conveniently narrower waist, while this dress can be recycled from day to night in a cinch! It’s on sale for $172 at Net-A-Porter!
For a day at work, I’d pair this dress with conservatively stylish pumps like these J. Crew scalloped suede pumps, also from Net-A-Porter. To transition from day to evening, a nice pair of classically sexy pumps like these Tory Burch pointy-toe d”Orsay pumps would do the trick.
Would you like to recommend a great, work-appropriate, piece? Please leave a comment or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 5, 2015 | Career, Start Your Business
Photo: realizeyourpeak.com
There’s a new balancing act out there, and it’s no longer the perennial, beaten to death by the media, work-life balance. For many millenials of our generation, among all those born with an enterprising spirit, juggling day job and side hustle has become the new normal. And while it takes quite a bit of motivation to do both, we can all agree it can also be quite a challenge.
According to research by the Young Entrepreneur Council, 1 out of 3 millenials juggle their day job with a side hustle. For those who are under-employed, or even worse, unemployed, it’s not only a reality, but in many cases sheer necessity. So how does one balance day job and side hustle, without losing your mind or your current job?
1. Learn to appreciate your day job!This may sound counter-intuitive, but in order to balance day job and side hustle, you need to grow more grateful for what you currently have. Instead of begrudging everything about your day job, remind yourself it pays the bills, somewhat funds your side hustle, and allows you time to dedicate to your side endeavors without subjecting you to the ramen noodle diet of your college years. Not to mention being grateful will help you feel less miserable when pulling late hours working on your dream…
2. Don’t quit just yet! Even better, stop obsessing about quitting your job. Instead, consider all the positives about your day job, especially the skills you’re acquiring, financial stability you’re building, and security you’re preserving. Being an entrepreneur is hard work and requires a solid foundation. Keep your day job, build your foundation, stand strong before you make the leap and quit!
3. Ease your transition! Transitioning to full-time self-employment is challenging. Instead of abruptly making the leap, ease yourself into it. Take a few days off or a leave of absence to dedicate yourself full-time to your side hustle. Use this time off to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Also consider going part-time if you can sustain yourself financially. Take it easy..
How do you balance your job and side hustle?
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Jan 4, 2015 | Career
RIP Stuart Scott – Photo: espn.com
Enjoy our posts? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Pinterest!
Happy first Sunday of 2015! I hope everyone is well, and starting this new year in great spirits! 2014 has definitely been a milestone year for me, and I can’t thank enough each and everyone of you for your continued support to The Corporate Sister! As we are stil toasting to a new year full of health, joy, success and prosperity, here are the news that rocked this brand new year:
- The sports community is mourning the loss of longtime ESPN actor Stuart Scott, here’s an ESPN video legacy of this incredible man, while The Root reminds us of the touching speech he gave when receiving the ESPY award. RIP!;
- The Cut made me smile as I read how Vogue got the most diverse covers this year;
- As New Year’s health resolutions are now all the rage, Harvard Business Review reveals that for leaders, looking healthy matters more than looking smart;
- As you’re getting ready to get into the swing of this New Year, Essence Magazine pinpoints 5 ways to put yourself first;
- For all the Millenials out there, the Daily Muse lists 4 ways to achieve work-life balance in 2015 (and it got me at tip#1);
- As we’re looking back on 2014, NPR has a wonderful list of the 50 wonderful things from last year;
- Are you a travel buff? The Daily Beast takes an interesting (and brutally honest) look into the New Black Travel Movement;
- One of my New Year’s
resolutions decisions is to read more, even if I have to lock myself in the bathroom away from my kids’ threatening demands for snacks. Fast Company inspired me with this article about how busy people manage to make more time to read, as Mashable reports Marck Zuckerberg is also on the “reading more” bandwagon (check out his page “A Year of Books“);
- Daily Worth writes about the one piece of money advice you’ll need in 2015;
- Last but not least, I wrote this week about 3 new ways to start fresh to your old job.
Any news you’d like to add or discuss? Please leave us a comment…
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
by Solange Lopes | Jan 2, 2015 | Career |
Photo: fullplatenofork.com
That’s it, 2015 is here, new year, new (mostly failed) resolutions, and unless you’ve secured yourself your dream job for the New Year, you’re back, or getting ready to be back, at no less than…your old job! Same ol’ (untidy) desk, unfinished projects, and great expectations… For some, starting the new year fresh starts with their mindset, for others, much of a greater and bigger change is needed…
Yet for most of us, our daily circumstances, the “daily grind” as we like to call it, does not change much from December 31st at 11:59pm to January 1st at 12:01am. Actually, some think the so-called “New Year resolutions” can actually do you more harm than good, while others would argue the whole concept, unlike its name indicates, is simply outdated. While I don’t necessarily believe in resolutions or decisions that are simply spurred by a new calendar date, I happen to believe, on the other hand, that we all have the capacity to start fresh in the midst of old, and at times, undesirable circumstances:
1. Love the job you have now (at least enjoy one good thing!): Penelope Trunk said it right when she said in order to enjoy your current job, you have to focus on one thing! It’s jut like anything else, if you start putting all your eggs in one basket and overly thinking every matter, you’re bound to end up mad, with a nice headache to top it all off. Just like you’d have to pick between your thighs and your smile to keep from re-thinking your gym habits, when it comes to your job and career, put the focus on one thing. Whether it’s the flexibility, the team spirit, or the opportunities for learning or travel, pick one good thing, let it simmer and catch yourself smiling!
2. Commit to growing where you are! You may not have the power to alter your circumstances right now, whether it’s finding a new great job close to home with added flexibility (or making your boss magically disappear on Monday morning), yet you can work on you! Make a plan, an actual, pen and paper in hand, plan to learn and grow! Take that new certification, improve on a skill, look for opportunities outside of your company, etc. Decide to add something to your skill set every quarter, and get to work!
3. Start with a clean slate! Before adding too much to your slate this year, clean up what’s there first! Feelings of inadequacy, lingering sense of failure or lack of confidence, all of that excess garbage weighing your career down has got to go! Think of ways to feel better about your performance and leave behind the failures and misses of the last year. Forgive yourself for what you think you did not accomplish, toss the “what-if’s”, take a deep breath and start over!
How are you starting fresh this year at work?
The Corporate Sis.
