June 5, 2012: How To Incorporate Color Into Your Work Wardrobe

If you asked me what colors I thought personified summer I would say orange/coral and turquoise. Those three two colors just scream sun kissed fun in the sun to me. One of the things that I have been trying to do with them is incorporate them into my work wardrobe in fun and appropriate ways. While little pops of color are always most appropriate in very corporate environments, I think this outfit might push the envelope a bit... or maybe I'm just totally paranoid about dressing for work. After thinking about it here are a few tips and tricks I have under my belt for bringing more color into my (work) life:

• Neutral + Pop Of Color - One of the easiest and least jarring ways to accomplish the goal of incorporating bright colors into a work wardrobe is by including small amounts of color in a largely neutral or basic outfit. And this rule applies  The easiest way to do this is with jewelry but, really any small amount of color thrown in there does the trick!

• Nail It - If you can't reconcile wearing bright colored clothing or accessories in the office then maybe you can get on board with polishing your nails in a stand out shade. This is a good first step for those who might have an aversion to color generally.   

• One Focal Point - It is also easier to wear a bright color when you create one point to focus on so, instead of wearing multiple eye catching pieces you just wear one and anchor your look with that. It could be a a simple shirt, a piece of jewelry, or a pair of shoes... whatever works for you.
  

• Fun shoes/Fun tights - I feel like this tip might be a little trickier to pull off especially when it comes to tights. People might do a double take if you are wearing some killer shoes in an eye catching color but, probably not think twice about it. However, Tights occupy alot more space on your body, naturally and draw significant attention. Purple and teal are normally safe bets. Get ready for the comments either way!

And now onto what I wore... I guess with this outfit I combined a few all of the rules but, as we know I'm not afraid of color. I think overall it's still work appropriate but, bright and perfect for the summer. How do you incorporate color into your work wardrobe?

• Top: orange crochet embellished shirt, LOFT (same shirt different color here, here, here, here and here); beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, xhiliration for Target; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF    

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

September 8/9, 2011: KO'd

Sorry for the blip in posting. I have actually been slightly sick since Monday (fooled you didn't I?) and burning that candle at both ends while experiencing persistent symptoms (fever, sore throat, ridic congestion) was not a good idea. I completely crashed Thursday night when I got home in the early evening. Yes, that's right I missed all the FNO events... it's ok, I will survive. Fighting throngs of people for free manis or hair styling just didn't seem like as much fun as sleeping.

Thankfully the R&R gave me enough strength to power through yesterday and work plus the fun stuff in the evening. I got to go to a fun event last night thanks to an invite Katy from Modly Chic (thanks!) and after that I attended Blogger's Night Out (so much fun!) I will put a post up about all my Fashion Week shenanigans once I have wrapped them all up; No, I'm not finished but, let's talk what I wore.

September 8, 2011:

• Top: olive and pumpkin striped tee, Mossimo for Target; khaki safari jacket, LOFT (same jacket different color here, here, here, here, and here)
• Bottom: gray slacks, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black sneaker/shoes Rocket Dog; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earrings; gray and black Ashley shoulder bag, Pietro Alessandro

September 9, 2011:

• Top: yellow floral patterned sweater, Dana Buchman for Kohl's
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; silver knotted necklace, gift from my dear friend; gray and black Ashley shoulder bag, Pietro Alessandro

August 19, 2011: Time Flies When There Is Less

No, I'm not trying to push my luck with these awesomely professional jeans as normal pants; it is that one Friday a month where they are actually acceptable to wear to work! That is a pretty great way to end the shortest work week that I have had in a long time. 

• Top: coral artist tank, Merona for Target; beige short sleeved jacket, GAP
• Bottom: double waistband denim trouser, tailored by me LOFT/Christmas gift 
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target/gift from BF; garden party chandelier earrings, Stella & Dot/birthday gift; brown tote bag, Bulga  

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

August 8, 2011: Time Flies When You're Having Fun

First of all thanks for all the birthday wishes. You guys are the bestest! Overall, I had a pretty awesome weekend with friends and family and seeing a few notes from you just made it even better.

As great as it was to spend the weekend celebrating with everyone and generally shirking all responsibilities I felt like it might not have been the best idea when I rolled out of the bed this morning and realized I had to go to work. I was all thrown off! What happened to my weekend? I really could have used at least one more day to do all my normal weekend stuff AKA laundry/cleaning/groceries or maybe just more celebrating... 

• Top: coral sweater, LOFT
• Bottom: brown knit pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target; semi precious stone necklace, V'ta jewelry; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; brown suede purse with silver leaf embellishments, GAP

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

August 3, 2011: Back to Brown

No, I'm not completely reverting back to the hallway but, it was raining and I like to stay dry... 

Pre-blog the color combination in this outfit would have been a no brainer. Light brown plaid pants with a darker brown top = automatic; but, since taking of this personal style challenge I have constantly been challenging myself step out of my comfort zone and try new things like pairing these light brown bottoms with yellow or blue (crazy, I know). What was so wrong with just pairing it with brown? I think this phenomenon is a trap that we really should try to avoid... Yes, yellow and blue do look great with these pants (hence the shoes and bag) but, that doesn't mean that the most basic combinations don't work as well!  Do you, as a blogger, shun pairings you used to make because they are too "safe"?

• Top: brown short sleeve scoop neck sweater, GAP (same sweater different color here and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: brown plaid capris, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target; gold filagree earrings, AVON gift from Mom; yellow should bag

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, and here:

July 11/July 12, 2011: Monday and Tuesday

If I can get todays outfit up later and keep the momentum going for the rest of the week I will be officially caught up! I am so excited about the propect because that means I can venture into some of the extra things that I have been thinking about. Wish me luck!

July 12, 2011

• Top: cream embellished tissue tee, Banana Republic;  brown and black zebra print cardigan, New York & Company
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target; mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; purple shoulder bag, Coach (not pictured)

July 13, 2011

• Top: blue floral dress with metallic bead embellishment, LOFT borrowed from Mom; white linen blazer, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Genero Sandal, SE Boutique via DSW; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; purple shoulder bag, Coach (not pictured)

June 7, 2011: Wishing For Double

Do you have things in your wardrobe that you wish you had bought multiples of? Or do buy multiples of? Not in different colors or patterns; I'm talking about actually purchasing two for the same exact thing for when the first one eventually falls apart due to consistent use. Well, I have learned my lesson regarding that. When I find something I love and use all the time I am totally buying two from now on... 

This doesn't really pertain to clothes as much as it does shoes. I am so in love with these flats! I can't believe I didn't think of them before when I was struggling to find office appropriate shoes in my shoe closet. The problem is that I have had them for close to three years now and they are literally falling apart. The same can be said for my silver gladiator sandals, nothing is ever quite the same color.  If I had known in May 2008 that I would be in this position now I would totally have ponied up another $20 or $25 for duplicates!

Also, I'm wearing stuff on my body not just my feet. The outfit I'm wearing today is very similar to this outfit.

• Top: orange tank top, J Crew; beige short sleeved jacket, GAP
• Bottom: white skirt, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cut out flats, Merona for Target (similar here); turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; turquoise and silver bead necklace. gift from Mom; brown tote bag, Bulga

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, and here:

Which outfit worked better?

• April 7, 2010
• Wishing For Double

Created on Jun 7, 2011

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November 23/24, 2010: Two Birds, One Stone

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Did anyone go black friday shopping? What kinds of deals did you get? I know it's been a while but, don't worry I didn't slip into a food coma or get trampled I was just enjoying some family (and recovery) time. I'm catching up tonight before I have to get back to work tomorrow. We will be back on track darn it! I'm just grateful to have had an extra day before heading back to work but, I digress...

Because this past week was a short one (boo being sick, YAY Thanksgiving) I was actually only in the office for two days. In the interest of expediting my catching up I have decided to combine both outfits into one post, genius I know! On Tuesday I was still in recovery from being sick. So, I opted for comfy knit pants and an office appropriate t-shirt. My hair had a mind of it's own... don't judge.

• Top: red short sleeve embellished t-shirt, New York & Company (same shirt different color here, here, here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: brown knit pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats, Preview via Nordstrom Rack; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag 

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, and here:

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On Wednesday I only had one thing in mind, the long weekend! However, that did not mean that my business casual norm could be forgotten. I was one of a small handful of people that actually stuck with it... Did you go to work on Wednesday? If so, were you wearing jeans... it's ok you can be honest. After all, there was still work to be done, despite the upcoming break!

• Top: orange crochet neck blouse, LOFT (same shirt different color here and here)
• Bottom: gray really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories:  teal leather flats, Aldo via Re/Dress NYC (same shoe different color here); tiger's eye earrings, Citygirl Accessories; brown suede purse with silver leaf embellishments, GAP

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, and here:

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October 19, 2010: Hit The Ground Running

It's good to be back! No, not from vacation... to the blog! I wish I was still in California (they have the internet there too, I could have made it work) but, I digress... Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things AKA not take tomorrow's picture in the hallway but, transitioning back to normal life is harder that I remember! Today, I need to make it work because it is back to the office this morning and then to a committee meeting this evening.

Please forgive the pajama-like outfit, with all these things I have to take care of I appreciate/need the comfort while tihngs get back to normal! Plus, I'm not used to this chilly weather quite yet but, I am going be inspired by Nina and Lyddiegal's advice and layer! What are your tips for dressing in the falling temperatures?

• Top: red ribbed tank top, GAP; gray flyaway cardigan, New York & Company
• Bottom: brown and red pinstripe pants, New York & Company (these are one of the pairs of pants that I needed to lengthen and let the cuffs down, how do you think they came out?) 
• Shoes & Accessories: gray suede-ish kitten heel shoes, Mossimo for Target; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; turquoise and silver cross necklace; black Spy Bag, Fendi 

Purchases: September 2010

This (past) month I only bought two things. The fabulous teal ALDO flats (same shoe different color and on sale here) from my trip Re/Dress NYC for Fashion's Night Out. They were only $12.60 with the discount they had going on that night. The other thing I bought was a pair of beautiful natural stone earrings from a street fair in Morningside Heights this past weekend. You haven't seen them yet but, they are really beautiful and were a steal at only $2.00!! Total spent $14.60 for an awesome pair of shoes that I'm sure I will get a ton of use out of and great earrings which will be utilized soon... Honestly I'm not even sure that I should count the earrings because I only said I was going to limit my spending on clothes. Should that include accessories as well, what do you think? Either way, I think I got alot of bang for my buck and am happy with what I got!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

July 28, 2010: I Though I Was...

I'm was going to give the forgotten shoes a break today. But, I know they are itching to be worn and I was struck inspiration for this outfit while I was getting ready to run out the door. I really was not intending for all of these shoes to be worn in the order that they are pictured but, it seems to be working out that way...

I'm not sure that I LOVE this final choice but, I only have so much time in the morning to come up with an outfit. One would say, "You should lay out your clothes the night before"  and in this case I had but, when I put it on this morning it just wasn't working for me, such is life.

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, LOFT
• Bottom: gray cropped pants, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise wedges, born; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; multi-stone bracelet, V'ta (not pictured); purple bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, and here:

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Weekend Wear: Lady In Red

Yesterday I wasn't at work (obviously) but, I was taking care of business! I had alot of errands to run and appointments to keep so a personal day it was. I threw on this maxi (which I have had since at least last summer, perhaps even prior to that and have never worn) and went from laundry to, lunch a the River Cafe (which was fabulous! Their Restaurant Week menu did not disappoint!!), to a doctor's appointment, to other errands, to getting caught in a torrential rain storm (hence why I look a little disheveled and soaked in this picture) and remained chic, cool, and comfy all day long. I wanted to punch up the red of the dress with some turquoise but, I didn't have anything other than the jewelry... How do you think it turned out?

• Top: red and black maxi dress with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Shoes & Accessories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar and on sale here); turquoise and silver earrings, turquoise and silver cross necklace, black Fendi Spy Bag (not pictured)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

April 1, 2010

I love shopping as much as the next girl but, times are tough and even though the man says things are getting better I'm just not seeing it yet. Thankfully, I am employed but, working in an office (HR at that) there is definitely a business-casual standard that I need to meet when I dress for work in the morning. At the same time, I don't want to show up everyday in the same outfit. So, what's a girl to do about it? In-debt herself further to have all the latest things, take on extra jobs to make up the gap, borrow, steal, or make do with what she has? I will take the latter!

I have a pretty large closet... and another one for shoes. Sufficed to say I have ALOT of clothes. The vast majority of them are work appropriate so, I was thinking that I should be able to come up with enough combinations of clothes to last me for at least a year or more utilizing what I have. A different outfit for work everyday, hence 260 since that's about how many work days there are in a year. It sounds very daunting but, I think I'm up for the challenge Occasionally I might get a gift certificate, go shopping with my mom (who always buys me something *love ya mom*) or buy something myself but, it would definitely be something I have a need for since I will be hyper aware of what I have in my closet. As a person who did a significant amount of research in college I feel the need to define my terms. What I mean by an outfit is a different combination of top and bottoms (ex: Day 1 Top A and Bottom A, Day 2: Top B and Bottom A). This does not include shoes, accessories, or handbags. But, I will show them to you for the fun of it!

My goal with this is not to show off how much clothes I have or even that I can put a stylish outfit together. It is simply to show myself and others that you can make great things with what you already have not just "make-do" You don't have to go to the store and buy a whole new outfit for an event (even though that is fun) you might be able to find a dress in your closet with the tags still on it (yes, that has happened to me). And for all those times that you throw up you hands and say, "I have nothing to wear!!" I want to show that you probably do have something you haven't seen all the potential in the things you already own. Another thing that I want to show myself, and I suppose everyone could learn from it, is the use-value of my clothes (ex: basic black ballet flats that cost $12.99 are much more valuable than a prom dress that costs $199.99) I can agree that there are basic pieces that should be of higher quality because you will wear them more but, the trendy stuff that you could pay a fortune store in designer boutiques is better purchased somewhere like Target because it will be out of style next season.

Now, lets get down to business.

• Top: yellow ruffle front blouse from Ann Taylor Loft
• Bottom: gray pencil skirt from New York & Company (high use-value item I bet)
• Shoes & Accessories: brown/black snake embossed ballet flats from Target and an amazing carved bone and turquoise necklace. I will also be throwing all my crap in a patent leather purple Coach purse (not pictured).

I will try to take better pictures moving forward but, day one is very rushed. Check back tomorrow as this experiment continues!!!