by Solange Lopes | May 7, 2014 | Career
thegrio.com
So it’s after-hours, you left work, picked up the kids, ran a quick errand, or just dashed straight home…Or maybe you went to that happy hour after all…Yet, as you’re driving home, getting in the door, or even sipping on that cocktail at the bar after work, you’re thinking about…work! About this project that you’re having a hard time finishing, the co-worker who was trying to school you earlier, or the manager still ignoring your nagging emails….
Or maybe the day went great, and you’re already anticipating showing your manager this great memo you typed up to close the loop on that challenging audit! Whatever the case is, you’re out of work, but your mind quite isn’t….just yet! After all, it’s hard to leave work at work…
As corporate sisters used to multi-tasking, multi-thinking, and multi-doing pretty much everything, compartmentalizing different areas of our lives is most times mission impossible! So we think about dinner at work, and about work as we’re over-baking the pork chops for dinner! And here we are, after looking forward to getting out of work, mentally right back at our desks rummaging through the mental pros and cons of the week…. So what do we do to disconnect the one thing that does not have a battery life, plug or expiration date, that is…our brains?
For my $0.05, mentally disconnecting from work, especially after a long, tough day at work, is the hardest thing. So I do what I usually do when I can’t willingly do something, I force myself to do something else:
- Exercise: Mind in overdrive after work? Schedule an exercise routine after work. Yes, you’ll drag your feet to go, but that’s one hour of mental silence and health boosting you’ll get. Check!
- Meditate: Really, meditating after work when all you want to do is plop yourself on the couch? Schedule some reading or meditation time to unwind after work. Sounds counter-intuitive. Just try it….
- Do something you enjoy: I enjoy writing after work, it takes up the extra space my mind would otherwise use to run back to my desk at work. And since I stopped running about 10 years ago, I need to do something else, like something that makes me a
better more bearable human being….
Are you still thinking about work?
by Solange Lopes | May 7, 2014 | Career
Floral tie-neck blouse – $39.95 – nyandcompany.com
Loving this floral tie-neck halter blouse from NY & Company. I think the mix of the conservative tie-neck style, and the girly floral patterns works great for the office. I would probably wear this blouse under a dark blazer or cardigan, for a more professionally conservative look.
Although I’m weary of the floral pattern at times, I’m really liking the more subtle accents of this blouse. I would pair it with a dark or nude pencil skirt, and some elegant mid-length heels or wedges.
The blouse is a steal at NY & Company for $39.95!
by Solange Lopes | May 7, 2014 | Career
mybrownbaby.com
Happy Wednesday!
Yesss, it’s Hump-Day, almost there….As minority corporate sisters, and married moms, many are the stereotypes and labels we face. From work to the mall, the looks towards minority women carry some of the same popular labels we are used to facing in the media, at the supermarket, or around our cubicles. Labels such as “unmarried”, “single mom”, “welfare”…etc.
After having my children and accepting a new position, I constantly felt the need to justify myself. To legitimize what was already legitimate. To make sure everyone knew I was married, and not a single mom. That I would be able to travel and fulfill my job responsibilities just like any other professional, if not better?
For many a corporate sister, being a minority, a mom and a professional is a tough balance to maintain as it is, without adding to it the societal, economic and at times even political pressures of our complex identities.
I remember the raised eyebrows, some in sheer disbelief, others in pure wonder, when I mentioned how gifted my daughter is in piano. Or how my husband and I strive for our kids to attend private school. Or how we have yet to experience any shootings in my neighborhood.
And as much as we want to tell our stories, and sound off in order to dispel myths and stereotypes even within our own communities, at times even the most vocal among us tire of justifying what shouldn’t require justification.
Yes, defying stereotypes and crusading against wrong labels is certainly worth the effort for the good of all…but some days, I just want to do my job well, go home and chill out, just like everyone else…
Just sayin’…
by Solange Lopes | May 6, 2014 | Career |
Thaledda necklace – $18 – ALDO Accessories
With Spring, Summer and the colorful fashions exploding everywhere, it is tempting to sport some fashionable, and well…pretty bold jewelry designs at work. From overstated necklaces to colorful bracelets and rings, we, as corporate sisters, can be tempted to welcome the sunny weather with sunny accessories. However, when it comes to sporting jewelry at work, how bold is too bold? And can we sometimes cross the line when it comes to sporting too much, too night and bold jewelry at work?
My rule of thumb is that if my jewelry is distracting enough to prevent a co-worker from having a work-related conversation with me without staring at it, then it’s simply not for work! I think it’s ok to sport some of our statement jewelry at work, however, anything that’s visually distracting, clicking, clunking or just plain in the way, is a no-no?
For our bold jewelry pick, we selected the THALEDDA necklace from AlDO Accessories. I like the brightness and statement of it, however, the flat design and pattern make it ok for work.
What’s your perspective on bold jewelry at work?
by Solange Lopes | May 6, 2014 | Career
Crepe Flippy Skirt – $161.80 – asos.com
Hello Again…
For our lunch and fashion break today, this crepe floppy skirt by See By Chloe garners our professional fashion votes! Loving the flirty yet professional-looking pleated design and lightweight fabric, which make this skirt a staple in your Spring and Summer wardrobe. Let’s not even talk about the original elasticated waist, which is not only a nice twist on usual straight waists, but is also forgiving (and who doesn’t need forgiveness right after lunch?).
The skirt is sold on ASOS.com, and is part of the See by Chloe collection, derived of the house’s main line. We generally love the youthful and fresh vibe of the See by Chloe collection, especially in this contemporary yet classic skirt combining edgy design with classic color and cut. It’s priced at $161.80 on ASOS.com.
And if they could tell me where I could get those shoes too….
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please post a comment below, or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
by Solange Lopes | May 6, 2014 | Career
Happy Tuesday! Day 2 of this week already, and we’re still on our professional best…
As Mother’s Day is fast approaching, many a professional mom and corporate sister are certainly thinking about what it means to be a minority, a woman, and a mom at work…that is, if you even have time to think! So we at The Corporate Sister, want to take some time this week to recognize the continuous struggles and successes of minority women and moms at work, by highlighting some of the many stories around us.
Take Alesha for instance. Alesha has two young children under the age of 5, and works full-time as a banking branch manager. Alesha is an African-American mom, wife and professional.
This morning, as every morning, Alesha got the kids ready, dropped one off at daycare and the other at pre-school. Upon arriving at work, she stepped onto a hostile interaction between one of her team members and an angry customer. As she attempted to intervene, the customer, who also happens to be Caucasian male, rudely requested to speak to the manager in charge.
As she calmly replied that she was the manager in charge, he gave her the most incredulous look, turned around and said “Well, then, no wonder this place is terrible! Don’t they train you to do your job?”
After the irate customer left, Alesha went into the bathroom, sat on the toilet seat and just buried her face in her hands. This was not the first negative customer experience she’s ever had, and would certainly not be the last. So why was she so angry? All she could hear in her clouded mind were the words “Black”, “female” and “incompetent”. Despite all her experience, potential and ability, she was constantly reminded that as a minority woman and mom at work, she may just never be enough! As she lifted her eyes and looked up at her watch, she noticed it was only 9am. And she had to call the pediatrician to reschedule the little one’s appointment, since an impromptu meeting had come up at work this afternoon.
How many more of us go through similar situations at work, trying to justify our very presence? How many more wonder if after all, being a minority, a woman and a mom is just too much? Yet we continuously strive for better…
Are you a woman, minority and mom at work? If so, would you like to share your experience?
by Solange Lopes | May 5, 2014 | Career
meetup.com
Yes it is Cinco de Mayo, and it’s exactly why you shouldn’t walk around the office happily singing “Happy Cinco de Mayo!”
And since many of us are already planning to get together after work for drinks in commemoration of Cinco de Mayo, let’s just quickly point out, in the spirit of cultural awareness (and out of respect for those of us who are actually from Mexico), that Cinco de Mayo is neither the Independence Day holiday in Mexico, nor a drinking holiday anywhere else than in the US.
Actually, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday meant to commemorate Mexico’s victory during the Battle of Puebla against the French. So no offense to the tequila aficionados, it was never the National Tequila holiday.
So today, before any of us decides to give a (well-meaning) hug to our Hispanic co-workers or openly share our plans to experience the “real” Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, let’s choose to dip into our cultural awareness reserves…
And just because we are a litte bit more culturally aware in the office, it’s worth a couple of drinks between co-workers…
The Corporate Sister
