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.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 6, 2014 | Career |
Cowl-neck A-line Sweater Dress – $62.96 – Photo: the limited.com
Loving this cowl-neck A-line sweater dress from The Limited. Perfect for the Fall, this dress pairs an elegant flared skirt with practical 3/4 sleeves and a flattering belted look.
I’d pair it with suede boots or elegant black pumps for work. This dress is on sale for $62.96 at The Limited.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 5, 2014 | Career, Find Your Purpose
What seeds are you planting – Photo credit: http://science.nationalgeographic.com
I do NOT have a green thumb. You know how the cashier just puts up the “Closed” sign right when it’s your turn to cash out? Well, that’s what kinda happened when green thumbs were being allotted in the “Natural Gifts” department, and I got to the cashier station… In all seriousness, all it takes for any plant nearby to collapse and die is for my non-green thumb to make an entrance. So when it comes to gardening and planting seeds of anything remotely supposed to grow out of the soil, I’m unfortunately (or fortunately, it’s just a matter of perspective) not your girl…
Thankfully, physical, Earth-based seeds are not the only ones we can plant (sigh of relief). Even for those of us who were not born-gardeners (or act as natural plant-repellers), we CAN and do plant more seeds than we actually realize. From the way we choose to live our lives, to the successes we create, to the challenges we surmount and the mountains we climb, what seeds are we planting in ours and others’ lives? What are we teaching our kids, neighbors, co-workers, life partners about what it means to lead a successful life?
My pastor asked me and Dear Hubby about the seeds we are planting in our lives, that of our children and of our community. Are those seeds of failure or success? Seeds of anger and resentment, or rather forgiveness? Good or negative seeds? Edifying or discouraging seeds? What are we planting, and what legacy are we set to leave?
I’m part of a blended family, and when I say blended, I mean ultra-blended. Many are the seeds that were planted in me, some of which brought out the best in me, and some which grew the worse in me. Today, as a parent, a woman, an active member of society, it’s now my turn to plant my own seeds. And for all of us looking to live meaningful lives, to make a difference, however small, it’s our turn to choose the seeds we’ll plant in ours and others’ lives. Are these going to be seeds of Faith, resilience, determination, and success? Or will we turn away from the brilliant legacy we all can leave?
The question is: What seeds are you planting today?
As for me, I’m still quite the hazard to plants of any kind, but I’ve recently invested in a sturdy cactus, which so far has not let me down…There is hope, and I’m planting away, or at least trying to….
Happy Sunday!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 5, 2014 | Career |
Weekly News Update – Photo credit: pinterest.com
Happy happy Sunday! Hope everyone had a great week-end! Ours was quiet (as quiet as a week-end with two toddlers can be), mostly spent de-cluttering. And you wouldn’t believe how much clutter a couple of people can accumulate in a few years. If your mess is causing you stress, then ours definitely had to go. So with our new semi-stress-free mind and coffee in mind, these are the news we enjoyed this week:
- TLNT writes about how it pays to hire crappy people (yes, it does);
- Wondering about having multiple careers or a side hustle? The Daily Muse tells us it’s perfectly OK , and while you’re at it, it also lists the 9 best apps for reading on your daily commute;
- Forget about having it all! Fast Company points out instead the many, many, did we say many, things we should say NO to at work;
- In light of the NFL scandals on domestic violence, the Washington Post reveals Black women’s groups are finally to meet with the NFL on the lack of diversity in domestic violence panels;
- Got Productivity? Forbes Woman provides 7 tips to make each hour more productive;
- Can fashion be feminist? Apparently so, as Elle reports the latest Chanel runway was also a feminist rally. And speaking of Chanel, Levo League teaches us 5 career lessons inspired by Coco Chanel;
- In first news, The Huff Post announces Cornell University’s first female president, while Fortune MPW explains why wearables could be a breakthrough for women in tech;
- Thanks to the Atlantic, we’ll never look at our pockets the same way, as apparently there is such a thing as the Gender Politics of Pockets (yes);
- And if you were wondering how your partner affects your career, read this article from the New York Times;
- Last but not least, I ranted this week about getting a Lego mentality for career success, how to avoid repeating the same mistakes at work, and also this banging’ suit and awesome standing desk.
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 3, 2014 | Career |
Stand Stand desk – Photo credit: businessweek.com
You’ve heard it over and over again, sitting at your desk all day long is slowly killing you! And while you may be able to alleviate your back pains and other resulting ailments with some smart inventions like this one, or even spin through your day with this baby, your desk job is still killing you.
So no wonder standing desks are killing the market these days, literally. One of the latest ones I stumbled upon, and which is actually a Kickstarter product still raising funds, is this bad baby rightfully dubbed as “Stand Stand” (just in case you didn’t get the product’s premise)…
Stand Stand is a portable standing desk, which means I can walk my busy self around with it and not be restricted to any particular space. The whole thing is the size of my ex-Financial Accounting book (which I saved to remind me the battle against Evil has been won), and you basically can assemble and disassemble the whole thing in a matter of minutes. It also only costs $50, which fiercely competes with my dwindling shoe allowance.
My $0.05: I would buy it. Period. Check it out on Kickstarter if you’d like to back up the project. I’m pledging my lunch money to it, my back will thank me in about 60 years…
The Corporate Sister.
