by Solange Lopes | Jul 9, 2018 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
As busy working women, it can be a challenge to find the time and energy to shop for the right products for us. Taking a trip to the store when you’re struggling with your to-do list or getting the kids from school can be nearly impossible at all times. Hence, monthly subscription boxes to ease the shopping process.
The principle is simple. You basically pay a monthly fee, which allows you to sample products without having to commit to the full price at retail. You also don’t have to leave the privacy of your home to get the best items fitted to your lifestyle, at your convenience. While there’s always the risk that you may order something that doesn’t fit you, or looks different than advertised, the overall positives outweigh the cons.
After marriage, kids and career, my days of leisurely shopping and comparing prices as I strolled through malls and boutiques were definitely over. I frankly had no desire to drag my babies to stores filled with people. Neither did I want to spend extra time looking for what I needed. That’s how I fell in love with subscription boxes. Plus the fact that you kinda get a surprise every single month in your mailbox…
Here are my 10 favorite subscription boxes for working women:
- Sparkle, Hustle & Grow
If you’re a female entrepreneur, or have a side hustle, the Sparkle, Hustle & Growmonthly box is for you! Every month, you get four to six items, including fun and chic accessories, desk supplies, as well as books to help you be more productive at work. You also get access to powerful online resources along with being automatically added to their Facebook group.
- ShoeDazzle
I admit, I’m shoe-obsessed! While parenting and the need for more conscious budgeting has slowed my shoe habit down over time, I’m still very much into beautiful yet practical footwork. ShoeDazzlehas been my go-to for shoes for quite a while now. The principle is simple. For a monthly membership fee of $39.99, you get to pick a pair of your favorite footwear among the selection offered every 30 days. Pretty convenient and a nice treat for shoe-lovers like myself!
The website also offers a selection of apparel, accessories and bags to choose from as well. As a monthly subscriber or VIP member, you also save on the prices of items you choose to purchase.
- JustFab
JustFab is similar to ShoeDazzle, as it works on a monthly membership basis as well. In the same way, you get your own personalized shopping boutique along with VIP credits to allow you to purchase the items of your choice.
Similarly, it offers apparel, accessories and bags. One additional common feature is your ability to “skip the month”, or elect not to pay the monthly fee and purchase a new item during the month of your choice.
- Fabletics
Fableticsis the athletic alter ego to Just Fab created by Kate Hudson. It works on the same monthly membership system. However, this is all about athletic wear for women and offers plus-size options as well.
- Adore Me
Adore Me offers affordable quality lingerie on a monthly membership basis as well. The principle is also pretty simple. You take a quiz to assess your lingerie needs, and get matched with various options personalized for you.
As a member, you get to pick a lingerie set of your choice every month. Your 6thmonth is at no cost to you, and exchanges as well as shipping are also free.
- Curlbox
Calling all curly girls! Founded by entrepreneur and thought leader Myleik Teele, Curlbox’s goal is to help curly girls find the best products for their naural hair, one monthly box at a time. For $20 a month, curly girls get to try various products from established brands. All you have to do is get on the list.
- Home Made Luxe
If you’re into crafts and are a Pinterest addict, then Home Made Luxeis right up your alley. This monthly craft subscription box delivers your favorite Pinterest-worthy craft projects right to your doorstep. You’ll get all the supplies you need to create outstanding home décor projects, plus a small bonus craft for you to enjoy.
- Birchbox
If you’ve ever searched for the right mascara or night cream for weeks on end, then you know that finding the right beauty product can be a challenge. EnterBirchbox! For $10 a month, you get your own personalized mix of skincare, fragrance, hair and makeup samples delivered right to you.
- CauseBox
If you love to spend your money towards good causes, you will love CauseBox! This monthly subscription box is filled with seasonal items produced by companies to empower women, be socially conscious, and create jobs. It’s a great way to get nice products, but also give back!
- Scentbird
For the woman who loves to smell good, this monthly subscription box offers 30 days worth of brand names perfumes. For $14.95 a month, you can pick a new scent every single month through Scentbird.
Bonus:
MMLafleur
Take the work out of your workwear!MMLafleursends you a professional wardrobe that will not only fit you to a T, but also fits your style. However, this is not a subscription service. You can simply order your style Bento box whenever you’d like.
What are your favorite monthly subscription boxes for women?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 9, 2018 | Start Your Business
You’ve made up your mind, and have decided that you’re ready to start a side hustle. Maybe you need the extra money, or you’re itching for something new to do. Whatever the case is, you’ve made the decision to pick a side hustle. Now the question is: “What side hustle is right for you?”
In the current “gig economy” we live in, everyone seems to have a side hustle. From the financial analyst giving cardio classes at the local gym, to the lawyer creating artful paint works on the side, many of your friends and family members may already have one. However, as you get ready to embark on this new adventure and pick a side gig for yourself, you should be careful to choose one that suits your schedule, personality and abilities.
It’s one thing to have a side hustle. It’s another one to have a side gig that strengthens you, empowers you, and makes you some extra money. When I picked my own side hustle, it was based on what really motivates, inspires and empowers me personally. I did not want to invest any extra time, resources and energy on yet another to-do on my already busy list of activities.
If you’re wondering which side hustle is right for you, here are a few pointers you may want to consider:
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Identify your why
After all, this is an additional commitment you’re adding to your already busy schedule. Even if it’s just a side activity, it will require your time and resources. This is why it’s so important to make sure that your motives are aligned with who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.
Are you doing this just for the extra money? Or are you looking at the future and seeing a potential business opportunity? Is this to apply some of your dormant talents and skills? Or are you envisioning to bring your entire family on board some day? Is your motivation to create a freer lifestyle for yourself and your family? Or is it about creating spare income to go back to school or pursue another goal?
The point is, you must spend some time getting clear on your “why”. It will allow you to better define your side hustle and increase your commitment level. Additionally, your “why” will also be there to keep you going on those days that you feel like giving up.
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Start with your passions
Begin with passion. As much as you may want to be realistic, and maybe re-purpose some of your acquired skills, I find that passions make for the best side hustles. You already have to be practical in many areas of your life, starting with your day job. Why not pick a side hustle that taps into the skills, talents and passions you don’t get to explore at work?
Make a list of all the activities you enjoy doing. As a matter of fact, go a step further and list those you wouldn’t mind doing for free. This will give you a clear indication as to what you’re really passionate about. When you’re able to take money out of the equation, then you tru get clearer about what you love and…what you don’t.
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Check your schedule
Time is of the essence, and any side hustle requires extra time. If you schedule is already packed, you may have to re-consider what kind of side hustle you could fit in, and how you can re-arrange your time to do so. As such, checking your schedule is one of the most crucial steps to undertake.
Take an honest look at what you already have to do on your daily schedule. Assess how much free time you currently have on your schedule. Additionally, determine what you can let go of and replace with a side hustle of your choice.
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Narrow down your niche
Even after listing all the things and activities you enjoy doing, even those you wouldn’t mind doing for free, you may still have too much to choose from. As a matter of fact, you may now be more overwhelmed than when you first started. It’s normal. Many, if not most of us, have many interests and even passions we’d love to explore.
The next logical step is to narrow down your niche. This is a very personal process that requires you to look deep within, and explore which activity on your list would bring you the most fulfillment and would also have the post potential of developing well. You must also take into account the time that it would require, as compared to what your schedule would realistically allow.
It may take you a few days to come up with the right answer for you. However, I find that the more time you give yourself at this stage, the better equipped you will be to truly pick the best side hustle for you.
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Adjust your mindset
Devoting extra time and energy to a side hustle will also require a mindset shift. Do yourself a favor and adjust your mindset as you pick the right side hustle for you. Ask yourself questions such as:
“Am I mentally, emotionally and spiritually ready to pursue a side hustle?”
“Will a side hustle make me happier or overwhelm me?”
“Can I withstand the pressure of having a side gig?’
“Is this something I welcome in my life or do I feel resistance towards it?”
These personal inquiries will help you assess how you feel about integrating a side hustle into your life. They will also help you adjust your mindset from one of apprehension and maybe resistance, to one of acceptance and even excitement. This mindset shift will also serve you in the long run as you face obstacles and challenges running a successful side gig and business.
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Be open to experimenting
Picking the right side hustle for you is not a foolproof process. It may actually require a few tries before you find what really gets you going in terms of side gig. Be open to experimenting with a couple of ideas, if you haven’t successfully narrowed down your niche yet.
It takes some time to find out what you actually love doing. While you may have numerous passions and likes, experimenting with them may actually allow you to eliminate some and keep others. I experimented with freelancing, and writing in various capacities, before setting my heart on blogging and book writing. However, it took a few unsuccessful tries to figure out the right formula for me. Be patient with yourself as you go through this process.
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Learn from your mistakes
In the same way, be open to learning from your mistakes as you pick the right side hustle for you. Your process is very much unique. While it may take someone else about five minutes to settle on their perfect side gig, you may take longer to decide. As a matter of fact, you may start by picking the wrong side hustle, or have to adjust the side gig of your dreams to fir your personality and lifestyle.
In any case, look at the mistakes that may occur as you choose your side gig as stepping stones rather than obstacles. The more you can learn from them, the closer you may be getting to uncovering your ideal side gig.
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Enjoy the process
Last but not least, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Even if this is about making extra money to pay your student loans or get out of debt, it is still a process that can allow you to learn a lot about yourself. Enjoy the process of exploring something new, learning, and growing as well! Remember, if it doesn’t bring you joy, then you may have to re-consider!
Now your turn: How did you pick the right side hustle for you?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 3, 2018 | Career
Being a mompreneur comes with its challenges. Combining the pressures of running a successful business with that of raising kids can seem impossible for many. You never quite sign off of being a mom. When you’re an entrepreneur, clocking out of your business is rarely an option as well. When you add to it the fact that many, if not most moms, have an abbreviated schedule in the summer as kids are out of school, it can even be more challenging. And then, can we talk about the hear, shining sun and lack of motivation as the weather warms up as well?
As a mompreneur myself, I’ve found myself slipping away from my business responsibilities in the summertime. Between organizing kids’ activities, beach days, cookouts and other fun distractions, keeping up with my business responsibilities has been tough. The pressures of enjoying the great weather with the kids, or simply relaxing, were way too great to ignore.
So how do you manage your business effectively in the summer as a mompreneur? How do you still work smart while being present with your family and taking the time to relax? After many weeks of teetering on the edge of complete inactivity and frantic multi-tasking, here are a few pointers I learnt from experience and other mompreneurs about managing our businesses in the summer:
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Change your mindset
I’ve found it necessary to change my mindset in the summer in order to be productive and present with my family. Instead of an “I can do it all” type of mindset, I’ve willfully switched to an “I can do it well” one.
What this means is that instead of trying to fit in as much as possible in my schedule, I focus on quality. It also means that I’m taking on fewer projects in the summer, and reduce my client workload on purpose. This allows me to spend more time with family, but also to allocate more quality time to my activities, whether professional or personal.
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Automate as much as you can
Automation is any mompreneur’s friend. Remembering to return a client call or pay the mortgage can seem like yet another chore, unless it’s automatically scheduled. Since you’ll have less time to spend on work and other responsibilities, make sure to take your precautions and schedule as much as you can in advance.
For me, it means automating most of my bills, setting auto-responder sequences in my business and automatically scheduling my social media posts. In addition to giving me peace of mind, it also allows me to still be effective in less time yet with as much, if not more impact.
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Set reminders
There are a lot of competing priorities when you’re a mompreneur. You may just not have the bandwidth and energy to remember them all. This is why setting reminders for yourself is not just good planning, it’s necessary to keep your business running as smoothly as possible!
I set daily, weekly and monthly reminders of important meetings, events and deliverables to ensure they don’t slip my mind. Additionally, the brain space I can save by doing this is better used cleaning up the mess the kids make.
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Target priorities
In the summer more than ever, setting priorities in your business is key. Not everything is going to get done, and that’s ok. This is when you must start thinking in terms of your desired impact and results.
What are the clients that are important for you to service? Which projects are top of mind? Wat tasks are most instrumental and can yield the biggest results in the shortest amount of time?
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Take care of yourself
While summer is the proverbial relaxation time, it’s easy to get drowned in a myriad of activities as well, especially as a mompreneur. Faced with an irregular kids’ schedule, lack of motivation and business demands, it can be tempting to overwork yourself to get it all done.
Instead, you should invest some time in your favorite self-care activities. For those of you who like me don’t get much of a summer, enjoy the outdoors and take the opportunity to wind down.
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Pick your devils
In other terms, pick your distractions. There are many distractions out there in the summer, especially with kids. Avoiding them all is nearly impossible. Pick the ones that will not ruin your entire productivity or prevent you from having fruitful family time.
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Enjoy the process!
Last but not least, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Summertime is a wonderful time to make family memories, so take it easy on yourself, be compassionate with yourself and have fun!
Now your turn: How do you manage your business in the summer as a mompreneur?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 28, 2018 | Career
Burnout happens to the best of us. Yes, even the most organized and diligent among working women. While there definitely are slower times during the year, like the month of August when professional and business life seem to come to a standstill, it’s not always the case. There are, on the other hand, times when all professional and personal aspects of life break loose, and we’re left with the pleasant burden to figure it all out.
When it comes to workload and personal responsibilities, peaks and valleys are inevitable. You will go through periods when you feel like there are not enough hours in the day (and you may be through these as we speak). You will also have times when you may feel like you’re not as productive. As a result, we tend to burn out during extremely busy seasons, as we try to get everything done well.
I’ve been a victim of burnout too many times not to know the horrible feeling it leaves you with. Much of it was also self-imposed, which prompted me to look for ways to avoid it. As a working mom, I’ve also realized that it doesn’t just affect me, but pretty much everyone around me. It’s no fun being around a cranky, sleepy, frustrated mom, wife or sister.
Here are a few ways to avoid burnout or face it when it’s already too late:
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Set your priorities straight
One of the main reasons why we tend to burn out is that we take on too much. As we fail to set our priorities, whether personal or professional, straight, we often put ourselves in unbearable situations.
Instead, set your own priorities straight, and take some time to understand and define what really matters to you. These are your non-negotiables, or the stuff that you NEED to do. It may be your mandatory department meeting and deliverables, or your gym time in the morning. Whatever it is, don’t just write it down on your to-do list. Schedule it and strategize in order to accomplish it as successfully as you can.
I’ve learnt the hard way not to allow everyone else’s priorities to become mine. Instead, I take some time every day, week and month, to make a list of my minimum requirements. I usually try and tackle these first thing in the morning to ensure that they don’t slip under the radar.
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Delegate!
Repeat after me: You can do anything, but you CANNOT do everything! Burnout is also often a consequence of not being willing to delegate some tasks and responsibilities off your plate. As a result, you end up committing to way too much, and not being able to deliver in addition to driving yourself insane in the process.
Don’t hesitate to ask for more support and delegate tasks you may need help with. It may even be worth paying for it so you can focus on important tasks, save your time and energy while avoiding burnout.
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Self-care
Self-care is a priority when it comes to avoiding (and healing) burnout. However, in order for it to be effective, it’s important to turn it into a consistent habit. Do something for yourself each and every day, whether it’s fitting in 30 minutes of exercise or managing to sleep for at least 7 hours a night.
The trick is to include self-care in your calendar as you would any other important commitment, and to stick to it.
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Add meaning to what you do
One of the reasons why you may be feeling burnout is that you may not be motivated because you don’t see any meaning in what you do. You may not feel as accomplished as you’d like because you don’t see how you contribute to something bigger. Lacking purpose is one of the ways we can incur significant burnout in our lives.
If it’s the case, then consider taking up a hobby. Sign up as a volunteer as a food bank, or simply commit to helping someone else. Volunteer for a project that excites you, or one that really makes a difference.
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Invest in people
Doing it all on your own can feel quite lonely. Instead, decide to invest some of your time and energy on the people around you. Nurturing your relationships is a great use of your time.
Instead of powering through work all the time, consider going to lunch with a co-worker. Organize playdates with friends, and watch the kids play while you chat (and sip on cocktails). The point is to make the time to be with friends and family, and invest in the right relationships for you. Not only will you benefit from the natural networking, but you will also enjoy the simple pleasures of fun company.
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Find out what drains you
When was the last time you really paid attention to how you spend your time? If you do so, you’ll find out that you may be engaging in activities that drain you. You end up feeling burnout when you engage in too many activities that drain you.
Find ways to spend time on projects that increase, instead of decreasing, your energy. Get the support you need, delegate some of the chores or tasks that drain you, and start really enjoying the work you do.
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Be at peace
Not everything will always be perfect. Actually, very few things, if any, will be. So make peace with the mess, the disorganization and the occasional snafus. Develop your mental strength to accept those things you cannot change, and instead focus on what you can work on making a difference in.
There’s always an option. You can always find another job, ask for a change in schedule, ask for help, and so much more. Things may not change overnight, but your life can look very different next week, month of year. Keep going!
How do you avoid burnout as a busy working woman?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 23, 2018 | Career
Looking professional as a working woman during the summer months is challenging. I mean, you’re supposed to look put together in the middle of the sweltering heat outside, and as you battle the icy cold of air conditioners blasting inside. Your clothes are supposed to remain immaculate, as you gracefully lodge your freshly manicured toes in elegant open-toed shoes. The reality is that many times, you’re clutching your underarms for fear some unwelcome stress sweat will drown the room, as you’re blotting your face for the umpteenth time before getting mistaken for the corner mirror.
You’ve probably noticed that summertime is also when company and departmental dress codes magically reappear after the winter. It’s because it’s also the time when some pretty interesting, and inappropriate fashion choices, are made in the workplace, from lazy flip-flops to eyebrow-raising tank tops. As a general rule, you may want to check your office dress code, to ensure you’re abiding by the rules.
How to look professional in the heat
Although you certainly don’t wake up like Beyonce (none of us does), there are a few things we can do to actually look professional in the heat:
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Hello summer dresses
French Connection Whisper Ruth Sheath Dress – Nordstrom
The easiest and quickest piece of workwear in the summer is the proverbial summer dress. When in doubt, throw one on, which will avoid you the headache of figuring out which pieces to pair together. My favorite dress shapes in the summer are easy sheath dresses, like this fresh French Connection Whisper Ruth sheath number from Nordstrom. I also like fit-and-flare shapes, such as this Elie Tahari fit-and-flare shirt dress from Saks Fifth Avenue. The point is to be comfortable, fresh and still polished.
Elie Tahari fit-and-flare dress
You may want to avoid too short dresses or dresses that are overly revealing. Preferably, you would pair it with a cardigan or light blazer to combat the air conditioning assault inside building (see tip#6).
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Pick the right fabrics
The last thing you want as you head in to work is to literally suffocate as you’re trapped in some too-heavy fabric for the weather. Make sure to pick breathable and comfortable fabrics, including cotton, linen and silk.
COS Short-sleeve shirt
Flowy silhouettes also tend to be more comfortable and versatile, especially at work. I love this Cos A-line short-sleeveshirt for its basic simplicity. This Akris Punto Kodak stripe wrap blouse from Saks Fifth Avenue is perfect from the meeting room to the after-hours gathering.
Akris Punto Kodak Stripe Wrap blouse – Saks Fifth Avenue
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Pay attention to details
Details are ultimately what make you look polished in any season, but especially so in the summer. As the layers tend to come off in the summer, details such as your nails and even undergarments are more apparent.
Essie Guilty Pleasures nail polish – Dermstore
Keep your manicure and pedicure fresh and polished for a professional look. My favorite nail polish shades for the summer include this Guilty Pleasures cheery shade from Essie,as well as this gorgeous lavender shade from OPI. You also can’t go wrong with clean nude shades like the iconic Christian Louboutin Nudes collection from Nordstrom, or the Burberry Nude pink No. 101 from Net-A-Porter.
In the same vein, make sure your undergarments are supporting and complimenting your figure adequately. The 24/7 Lace Perfect Coverage Bra from Third Love is great to achieve the comfort and support you need at work.
24/7 Lace Perfect Coverage Bra – Photo courtesy: Third Love
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Put your right footwear forward
As a general rule, if there is more shoe than foot, you’re probably dressed too casually for the office. When wearing peep-toe pumps or sandals, pick dressy ones that look polished enough. Avoid flip-flops or overly open footwear.
Cole Haan Patent Leather Peep-Toe Wedges – Saks Fifth Avenue
My favorite footwear for the summer is elegant and comfortable wedges, preferably peep-toe style. For work, I like these classic Cole Haan patent leather peep-toe wedges from Saks Fifth Avenue, or these Lucky Brand Jestah beauties from Nordstrom.
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Carry some summer essentials with you
Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers – Sephora
The heat definitely makes it necessary to carry some beauty essentials with you, including a small deodorant, blot paper and antiperspirant wipes. My favorites are these Aburatorigami Japanese blotting papers from Sephora, made of natural abaca leaf and gold flakes to absorb excess oil without damaging your make-up.
These IGK charcoal dry shampoo hair blotting tissues, also from Sephora, also come in handy when you don’t have time for more frequent shampoos in the summer. While you’re at it, grab these Dermadoctor Med E Tate antiperspirant wipes from JC Penneyas well, and this Fresh sugar roll-on deodorant anti-perspirant from Nordstrom.
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Mind Your Layers
J. Crew Factory Cardigan
I’m still not sure why the air conditioners are set to blast arctic air inside when the temperatures rise outside. The point is, it’s always recommended to plan for layers in the summer. This may mean carrying along a light blazer or cardigan that you can quickly throw on in the office, and take off when you step outside.
One of my favorite is the cotton, three-quarter Clare cardigan from J. Crew Factory. I also love floral cardigans such as this Karen Scott printed number from Macy’s.
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Work your do
As a curly girl, summer is one of my least favorite “hair seasons.” Between excessive frizz and rebellious edges, it can be hard to keep a professional hairstyle all day long. I’ve found that it takes the right products to keep your locks in place and look the part.
Cantu natural coconut curling cream – Sally Beauty
My go-to’s to tame your curls into professional and elegant looks are the Cantu leave-in conditioner from Sally Beauty, as well as the Cantu coconut curling cream, also available at Sally Beauty.
Over to you: how do you manage to look professional in the summer months?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
