by Solange Lopes | Jan 31, 2014 | Career
Asymmetrical Fleece Wrap Cardigan – $39.99 – Nordstrom
It’s almost the week-end, and…almost time to look for something comfortable, yet stylish to don over the short break. This asymmetrical fleece wrap cardigan caught my eye, not just because of its dramatic wrap style, but also because the asymmetrical cut is so cool and sophisticated at the same time.
I love how it combines edgy with elegant with its fitted arms, while still upping the style ante. And the single button at the neckline…just cool! The reviews are great on it, mostly around the comfort factor and the great quality of the fleece material, as well as its fashion-forwardness…
It’s on sale for $39.90, down from $58 at Nordstrom; and is available in Regular and Petite. Be-au-ti-ful!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 31, 2014 | Career
Cashmere Sweater – $59.95 – H&M
For our lunch break today, we are “gaga” over this cashmere sweater from H&M. This long-sleeved, fine knit sweater in cashmere wool is perfect as a casual alternative to a blouse over dressy pants or a pencil skirt for your 9-to-5. It’s also the perfect complement to a nice pair of jeans on a casual Friday (please know your office).
I love the luxurious premium quality of cashmere, and the more casual cut and style of this sweater, which makes it all the more versatile. It’s available in white, light gray and antique rose (which I’m partial to).
It’s $59.95 at H&M, and is a great investment coupled with a pretty stylish buy!
Seen any great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please post a comment or email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 31, 2014 | Career |
Do you want to be happy – clutchmagonline.com
I know, I know, we’re not used to asking ourselves this question. Most times, we settle for just knowing that we have a job, as much as we may hate or despise it. Who loves their job anyways? Right? Wrong…
After years in the corporate sphere, more and more corporate sisters are looking for…happiness. Beyond even work-life balance, or breaking the glass ceiling, or satisfying the gender equality dilemma, what we all want at the end of the day is to be happy. We want to be happy for the 8+hours (more like 10+ for for some of us) we’re at work, we want to have fulfilling careers that make a difference in ours and others’ lives, we want to feel like we’re earning a living while not sacrificing or compromising important things and values like family, or self-respect, or dignity. We pretty much all want the same thing…
The only problem with all wanting the same thing and being painfully aware of it day in and day out, is settling with less than we want. Because we don’t think we can get a better, more fulfilling career. Because we think we have to stay put and put up with the status quo, hoping for a better tomorrow. Because we just don’t really think we should even want to be happy, period. After all, happiness is overrated, right? Wrong…
Sure, there’s a difference between wanting something and actually getting it. We do have to be reasonable. After all, we all live in the real world. Such are the mental blocks and barriers we build in our minds, that somehow stand in the way of our own success.
Oprah gets paid to hang out and talk to people. Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie makes a living writing the stories of an otherwise silent continent, and gets paid to speak up. Sheryl Sandberg dreamt that all women could lean in at work, so she wrote a book that is being turned into a movie, that inspires millions of women worldwide. Tyler Perry wanted to tell Black stories that empower and inspire the world, so he created Madea, and we’re all laughing our ways into inspiration and empowerment. All these people, and so many more, wanted something so bad they made it their career, and they are actually happy…at work! Exceptions? Maybe…
Yet maybe, if only maybe we asked ourselves questions like “Do I want to be happy in my career?”, maybe we could at least give the Universe something to work with…for a change…
Do You Want to be Happy at Work?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 30, 2014 | Career
1Password – softicons.com
I’m notorious for forgetting my passwords, especially at work. From my login password to work applications’ passwords, to my bank account, email, social media passwords, as much as I try to keep these consistent, I just cannot seem to remember them! Plus the security requirements, and password updates differ from application to application, site to site, even at times from module to module within the same application. And with all the security and identity theft concerns there, keeping strong passwords has become a necessity….
That’s when 1Password comes in, as it can not only help you create strong and unique passwords, but also restore them directly in your web browser when you are unable to remember them, all through a strong system of encryption to keep your data safe. 1Password can be used on Mac, Windows, Iphone/Ipad, and Android. It can also be combined with the free service Dropbox in order to be synced on all your computers and mobile devices.
On Windows systems, it’s $49.99, with a free 30-day trial, and may be well worth the expense for your peace of mind and ease of use…
Seen any great app you’d like to share/recommend? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 30, 2014 | Career |
Fitted Non-Iron Shirt – 2 for $159 – brooksbrothers.com
I love love dress shirts, and I believe that it is one of the best wardrobe investments for your career. And I also happen to have 0 time and availability for ironing…which is why I’m loving this Brooks Brothers fitted non-iron wide strip dress shirt. The material is stretch cotton poplin, which is comfortable and breathable. The silhouette is shaped with room through the shoulders and chest, which is great for large-busted girls like myself.
And speaking of flattering, the vertical darts allow for a slimming effect and feminine look; while the white collar, cuffs and placket with pickstitch give a nice contrasting effect. It’s also available in pink and blue.
And did I mention that it is virtually wrinkle-free…It is $98.50 at Brooks Brothers, or 2 for $159 (which brings the price of the individual shirt to $79.50), and is well worth the price for the use and polish you can get out of it!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to recommend? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 30, 2014 | Career
Talk a big game at work – madamenoire.com
As corporate sisters, and as professional women in general, we tend to downplay our achievements and successes, and credit the team for the work we achieve. We had discussed months ago about silence being one of the biggest corporate sins for corporate sisters. As much as I don’t believe in endlessly bragging and boasting at work, I also think that one of the many reasons why women are undervalued at work is that many times, we fail to talk a big game in order to further our careers. While we may not be conditioned as women to speak out loud for ourselves, there are some things we can say and ways to say it that can help us further our careers:
- Toot your own horn, especially around men! According to a recent Catalyst report, women tend to think that “doing all the right things” at work are enough to get them the recognition they deserve. However, it’s been proven that those who advance in their careers and get the most promotions, mostly males, are also great at tooting their own horn. Additionally, it appears that women’s tendency to undervalue our own professional contributions is increased around male co-workers. according to a Personal and Psychology Bulletin. So, what are we to do as accomplished, competent corporate sisters? Keep a tally of your contributions at work, especially when working on group projects when your contribution can be more easily minimized. In meetings, speak out loud and praise yourself for your contributions, achievements and successes. I admit not being comfortable with tooting my own horn, and most times, not even being given the space and time to do so. In those cases, I have found that written communication can be just as effective, by summarizing your contributions and achievements in an email to your superior(s), while also (and if it makes you more comfortable), also outline the contributions of the rest of your team.
- Be more direct! When presenting your accomplishments and achievements, beating around the bush is not only ineffective, it also gives off the wrong impression. Be direct about your accomplishments and contributions and speak on your own behalf. And when speaking about yourself, be also specific enough to use concrete examples, numbers and figures to illustrate what you actually did.
- Last but not least, let others do the talking for you! Remember how you feel when a third party compliments you, and how convincing the praise of a third-party effectively is! Truth is, compliments from others give off a great impression! Yet here as well, for others to praise you, you have to give them something to praise you about. So do not hide your wonderful successes and achievements, and watch others do the talking for you!
Are you talking a big game to further your career?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jan 29, 2014 | Career
Packing-Pro app – iflynonstop.com
Whether it’s your first or hump-teenth business trip, packing always feels like a chore. At least it does to me…And frankly, there are better alternatives than the Post-its with scratches of items you are to pack…while you still manage to forget your toothbrush at home.
Well, it’s with much relief that I discovered the Packing Pro app.
For a mere $2.99 for Iphones and Ipads, this app allows you to use a digital packing list. Talk about getting the stress out of traveling! And what’s really great about it, is that you can customize your packing list based on your trip’s duration and other needs…
Check it out, and let us know what you think!
The Corporate Sister.
The Corporate Sister
