Blog

Every summer, I end up purchasing one item from Old Navy that I wear into the ground.

The post Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Crepe A-Line Midi Skirt appeared first on Corporette.com.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Every summer, I end up purchasing one item from Old Navy that I wear into the ground. Last year, it was a shirtdress that I wore to the office once a week; the year before it was a T-shirt dress that I bought in three different colors. With that in mind, I have really high hopes for this crepe skirt that’s on its way to my house right now.

As someone who spent the first decade of her career in pencil skirts, I’m thrilled to see more voluminous silhouettes coming back in. I bought the solid black colorway, but if it’s a hit, I’m going to go back for this flowered version that’s giving me fabulous ’90s vibes.

The skirt is on sale for $17.49 (marked down from $34.99) at Old Navy and comes in sizes XS-4X, ST-XXLT, and XSP-LP

Sales of note for 5/4/25:

• Nordstrom – Select clothes, shoes & more up to 50% off
• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals (ends 5/4) + extra 15% off $200
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
• Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
• Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale + $19 & up spring steals
• J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + up to extra 60% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance
• Kule – Lots of sweaters up to 50% off
• M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Rothy’s – Final Few: Up to 50% off last chance styles; new favorites added
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
• Talbots – 40% off one regular-price item + 30% off everything else

The post Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Crepe A-Line Midi Skirt appeared first on Corporette.com.

Tips to stop stressing about your schedule, what’s behind the pronatalist movement, and understanding boundaries in relationships. Plus, some of this week’s best threadjacks.

The post Weekly News Update appeared first on Corporette.com.

• Fashionista looked at how celebs have interpreted the often-tricky Met Gala themes of the past decade. (We’ll soon see how they’ll dress to follow this year’s theme of Black dandyism.)
• The Wall Street Journal [gift link] highlighted how some employers are making their office lighting more pleasant as workers return to the office — and sometimes healthier.
• Forbes profiled Scale AI’s 30-year-old cofounder, Lucy Guo, who has become the youngest self-made woman billionaire in the world, taking over the title from Taylor Swift.
• WalletHub ranked the best and worst states for working moms.
• Inc. explored how AI coaching could (ironically) help people improve their soft skills at work.
• The New York Times [gift link] gave four tips to stop stressing about your schedule.
• NPR explained what’s behind the pronatalist movement to boost the U.S. birth rate.
• The NYT’s “Modern Love” podcast spoke to author and therapist KC Davis about how many people misinterpret the concept of boundaries in relationships.
• Your Laugh of the Week comes from The Hard Times, with “Help! I Keep Trying To Set Tesla Dealerships on Fire but the Cars Keep Exploding on Their Own.”

Noteworthy Threadjacks This Week…

• tips for a kitchen demo & remodel
• traveling light with business clothes
• how to relax and sleep in economy class on an int’l flight
• where to buy skirts if you work in a conservative industry

On CorporetteMoms Recently…

• We offered some clothes for working moms, including some maternity basics and washable workwear.

Are you a mom or mom-to-be? Don’t miss this week’s news update at CorporetteMoms. 

Feeling social? You can check us out on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, X (fka Twitter) or via Bloglovin,, Bluesky, or Threads! 

The post Weekly News Update appeared first on Corporette.com.

I was excited, then worried, then excited when I saw these shoes… it was a rollercoaster.

The post Weekend Open Thread appeared first on Corporette.com.

Something on your mind? Chat about it here.

I was excited, then worried, then excited when I saw these Sam Edelman shoes… it was a rollercoaster.

First, excited: the jelly shoes of my youth, back in style but in a newer shape!

Then, worried, as so many memories of blisters returned, as well as general memories involving the thought, “can I just walk home barefoot?”.

But then! I checked the reviews, and I’m glad I did, because now I’m excited. There are only 3 reviews, but they’re all 5 stars — including this review raving about the comfort:

I took a chance and couldn’t be happier with these. They are so much fun and match so many different things. They are incredibly comfortable, which was surprising. I think the buckle and Mary Jane style dress them up a little bit, but you can still wear them to the pool. You can’t see this in the pictures, but they are lined with cork, which makes them very comfortable.I don’t think I’m buying any other brand but SE from now on. The most comfortable shoes, but still with edgy style. 

Alrighty then! I like that the shoes are only $50 — my favorite color is (of course) this pretty light blue, but there’s also a red, dark pink, and a clear for offer as well.

Sales of note for 5/4/25:

• Nordstrom – Select clothes, shoes & more up to 50% off
• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals (ends 5/4) + extra 15% off $200
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
• Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
• Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale + $19 & up spring steals
• J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + up to extra 60% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance
• Kule – Lots of sweaters up to 50% off
• M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Rothy’s – Final Few: Up to 50% off last chance styles; new favorites added
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
• Talbots – 40% off one regular-price item + 30% off everything else

The post Weekend Open Thread appeared first on Corporette.com.

This pink is a perfect shade for spring.

The post Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Linen Herringbone Blazer appeared first on Corporette.com.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I usually think of herringbone as a fall/winter staple, but I’m delighted to see this lightweight linen version from Ralph Lauren for spring. The pink color is a perfect shade for spring but doesn’t veer into neon Barbie territory (not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just not for everyone!).

I would pair this with navy trousers for the office and could also see it being a lovely topper for the millions of spring baby showers / bridal showers / first Communions I have on the calendar. 

The blazer is $345 at Ralph Lauren and comes in sizes 00-18.

Looking for something more affordable? Talbots has a nice option in four size ranges for $199-$219.

Want to go a bit further and wear an entire pink suit? As of 2025, some of our latest favorites for women include saturated pinks from Boden, Reiss, and Eloquii, as well as pale pinks from Boss, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and Tahari (in regular and plus).

Sales of note for 5/4/25:

• Nordstrom – Select clothes, shoes & more up to 50% off
• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals (ends 5/4) + extra 15% off $200
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
• Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
• Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale + $19 & up spring steals
• J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + up to extra 60% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance
• Kule – Lots of sweaters up to 50% off
• M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Rothy’s – Final Few: Up to 50% off last chance styles; new favorites added
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
• Talbots – 40% off one regular-price item + 30% off everything else

The post Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Linen Herringbone Blazer appeared first on Corporette.com.

Did anything look different at the office when you went back? Has your workplace redesigned or renovated, or did your employer add any perks for those RTO? What would YOU change if you could?

The post Has Your Employer Redesigned the Office for RTO — or Added Job Perks? appeared first on Corporette.com.

While some employers clearly — and shortsightedly — don’t care if you aren’t exactly enthused about coming back to the office, others are making changes (with varied success) to entice workers back. We thought this would be an interesting discussion after seeing a recent WSJ story that touches on this: “Offices Ditch Harsh Fluorescent Lights. New Tech Is On the Way” [gift link]. (Because who doesn’t love harsh, buzzing lights?)

If you’re one of the many people who have transitioned from WFH to RTO, either voluntarily or under duress, did anything look or feel different at the office? Has your workplace redesigned or renovated, or did your employer add any perks for those RTO? What would YOU change if you could?

{related: the best office chairs for women}

The WSJ story focuses on making improvements to typical office lighting that add comfort, potentially increase employee productivity, and even provide health benefits. Here’s what they featured:

• circadian lighting, which is customized (brighter/dimmer, warmer/cooler) to the body’s circadian rhythms and can balance people’s melatonin and serotonin levels
• faux skylights, which produce “sunlight” and “moonlight” as needed
• adjustable lighting in certain spaces, e.g., conference rooms or private focus rooms
• AI-controlled windows that adjust to outdoor conditions (“Adjust to outdoor conditions, HAL.”)
• fancy lighted portals for transition spaces (hmm)

What’s the lighting like at your office, readers? And has your employer made other physical changes to make more employees more likely to want to return? What would YOU change?

Some companies are hoping to lure people back to work by focusing on majorly brightening up office spaces with color and decor. Check out this other WSJ story [gift link] about using color to boost productivity and motivation (the term “color-drenched” makes an appearance), and also this 2023 NYT story [gift link] about creating the ultimate Envy Office” by “try[ing] to combine the comforts of a living room and the glamour of a vacation” (hmm).

{related: better ergonomics at the office: what products have you tried and loved?}

What about adding employee perks that may make the return to the office a bit more attractive? Some companies are doing one or more of the following:

• relaxing office dress codes, often switching to business casual (we have tips!)
• offering commuter benefits, such as public transit passes, parking reimbursements, or even free parking
• covering relocation expenses for formerly remote workers
• giving raises (see Cameo‘s $10,000/year incentive)
• providing on-site childcare; subsidizing childcare
• allowing flexible work hours
• providing free lunches

Have your employers added any of the above, and did it/they factor into your decision to RTO? (We realize, of course, that some readers aren’t actually permitted to make a decision.)

On the more negative side: Did your office switch to a hot-desking setup (ugh) as people returned to work in person? Is the space more crowded than it was pre-pandemic because those hired as remote-only are now on-site? Any other unwelcome changes you’ve been dealing with since ending or tapering remote work?

{related: how to decorate your workspace?}

Readers, tell us about any changes your employer has made since RTO! And if you could transfer one thing (furniture, lighting, vibe) from your home office to your workplace, what would it be?

Stock photo via Stencil

The post Has Your Employer Redesigned the Office for RTO — or Added Job Perks? appeared first on Corporette.com.

Here’s a practical pick for your Monday.

The post Coffee Break: Breathable Cotton Pillow Protectors appeared first on Corporette.com.

This is not a particularly interesting item, BUT it’s great to have, and good for your health, too. If you have allergies (or even if you don’t), consider getting a pair of these allergy pillow covers, especially if you want to wash your pillows less often, because NO ONE likes that household task. (Btw, Martha Stewart’s website advises you wash them, uh, every three to six months. Yeaahhhh.)

These pillow protectors from AllerEase (a 100-year-old American company) not only keep pollen, pet dander, and dust mites (eww) away from your pillow, but also — if you sleep hot — keep any sweat off of them, too. The covers are 100% cotton and machine washable, and they have a zip closure for extra security against ickiness. (Some reviewers say they tumble-dry these, but I line dry to preserve them.)

If you’ve never used pillow covers and are wondering, know that I’ve never noticed I’m sleeping on two layers of fabric.

Amazon sells sets of two and sets of four that are available in standard, queen, and king sizes, starting at under $20.

P.S. Something more interesting to complement today’s practical pick: Nordstrom has a lot of cute espadrilles right now — a summer classic!

Sales of note for 5/4/25:

• Nordstrom – Select clothes, shoes & more up to 50% off
• Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals (ends 5/4) + extra 15% off $200
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% everything + extra 25% off
• Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
• Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale + $19 & up spring steals
• J.Crew – Up to 50% off must-have styles + up to extra 60% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance
• Kule – Lots of sweaters up to 50% off
• M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Rothy’s – Final Few: Up to 50% off last chance styles; new favorites added
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
• Talbots – 40% off one regular-price item + 30% off everything else

The post Coffee Break: Breathable Cotton Pillow Protectors appeared first on Corporette.com.

“I live for a good house salad,” writes Pittsburgh-based Jessica Merchant in her new cookbook Easy Everyday, which I’ve been loving this month. “For some reason, a few years ago I became obsessed with the idea of having a signature house salad.… Read more

The post Would (or Do) You Have a House Salad? appeared first on Cup of Jo.

Right now, the three words I’d use to describe my friendships are: deep, happy and sporadic. I feel good about those descriptors, except for the last one…

A month after delivering my now four-year-old daughter Ella, my husband Max and I moved from our hometown of San Jose to a smaller agricultural town.… Read more

The post How Are Your Friendships Doing? appeared first on Cup of Jo.

We live near a popular café, and the perk is that every morning I get to stroll by the chicest people. Above is Ameerah, whom I met today.… Read more

The post 5 Street Style Moments in Brooklyn appeared first on Cup of Jo.

Which are you? By the lovely Grace Farris.

P.S. Parenting teens and parenting methods I’ve tried.… Read more

The post Momsters on Mother’s Day appeared first on Cup of Jo.