November 12, 2012: Any Given Monday

We've been over this before... Mondays are suit days and while this was last two Mondays ago it wasn't any different. There was orientation and other business to be had and any this suit was a no brainer. I have been mixing and matching the things in my closet for three years now which leads to some creative and fashion forward interesting combinations but, sometimes a suit is best. I have been conflicted about defaulting back to suits as an everyday wardrobe choice but, as I establish myself in the office it feels more comfortable and easy. The challenge is keeping it fashion forward. How do you keep your suits interesting but, still work appropriate?

• Top: purple long sleeved t-shirt, VanHeusen (same shirt different color here, here, here, here, and here); brown tweed blazer with floral details, George via The Unique Thrift Shop 
• Bottom: brown tweed skirt with floral details, George via The Unique Thrift Shop
• Shoes & Accessories: brown/black snake embossed ballet flats, Xhiliration for Target; silver circle necklace, Charming Charlie/gift from Cousin V; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $50 Shabby Apple gift card!

Sponsored Post: Great Items from No nonsense

No nonsense tights have always been go to for me. After I had sprouted out of children tights I would always gravitate to No nonsense section at my local pharmacy for my tights and stockings. They were affordable and great quality for the price so it was a no brainer!

Nowadays, I still head to the No nonsense rack when I need any kind of hosiery. I was thrilled to learn that they have come up with new fun additions to their classic line and were going to send me some to try out! When the package arrived I was excited to see that they are branching out into leggings! They also sent some fishnet stockings which, honestly made me a little nervous. How does one pull of fishnets at work?

The first look I tried was in my comfort zone (literally and figuratively) incorporating the leggings. I have to say that they are my new favorite. I appreciate the extremely saturated black color and the extra high rise of the No nonsense style. While the high waist is extremely comfortable it also gives some added control to keep everything smooth. I only wish they were a little longer so they made it down to my ankles or that I was a little shorter...

When it came time to try the fishnets I was a little nervous but, I wanted to give it a whirl. It all worked out in the office. I think it was because the fishnets are a very fine gauge so they look like patterned tights. No nonsense also has a variety of colors available which would definitely be office appropriate. 

Honestly, I can't wait to head to the stores and pick up some more leggings and tights and grow my No nonsense wardrobe! What styles are you most excited for?

   

Thank you to No nonsense for sponsoring my post. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the opinions are all my own.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

To: You

From: Me

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $50 Shabby Apple gift card! 

Giveaway: $50 Shabby Apple Gift Certificate

Right now Shabby Apple is offering you a great prize to kick off your holiday shopping! You can pick anything from their website that you love and apply the gift card towards that. While browsing their sight site a few things caught my eye but, none as much as this Study Break dress. 

And also this Desert Modern dress...

And also... well, you get the point, there are a plethora of options to choose from for your everyday happenings or upcoming holiday fun. I'm making my list... 

This giveaway is open to readers with a US shipping address! Here are the rules: become a follower in GFC (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on this post telling me what item from Shabby Apple is you favorite! Don't forget to add your email so I can contact you! For bonus entries:

• 1 bonus entry - Follow Shabby Apple on Twitter. Leave another comment.
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• 1 bonus entries - Copy and tweet the below message. Leave a comment with the tweet link. You can do this everyday for multiple entries!
• I just entered to #win a @shabbyapple gift card from @260daysnorepeat. I can't wait to go #shopping! #giveaway #free
• 3 bonus entries = Give 260 Days, No Repeats +K on Klout. Leave another comment. 
• 5 bonus entries - Add 260 Days, No Repeats to your blogroll. Leave another comment with the link.
• 10 bonus entries - Re-post this giveaway on your blog. Leave another comment with the link.

The winner will be announced on Monday December 3, 2012 via Excel/random.org. Good luck everyone!!

And The Winner Is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations! I will be in touch shortly with details about your prize. Thanks to everyone who participated. I have one more giveaway in the works for this month so stay tuned!

November 9, 2012: Back To Business

Since winter had passed and the weather was warming up again it was time to come out of hibernation. Nothing says spring more than a fun dress, too bad it's not really spring... either way a modest dress is always a good professional wardrobe option no matter what season it is especially when you are inclined to put on the comfiest thing possible.

One part of this outfit that could be deemed less than professional are the tights. When I think of fishnets the first thing that comes to mind are burlesque shows and lingerie at least before I started wearing them myself. Fishnets are just another great accessory! I still wasn't completely confident about wearing them in my super professional office. Thankfully no one said anything, I even had a meeting with my CEO sans comments. What kinds of clothing items or accessories have you taken  a chance with at the office? How did it work out?

• Top: navy blue dress, Adrienne Vitadinni via Loehmanns; black pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein (part of this suit)
• Shoes & Accessories: black ballet flats, Xhiliration for Target; black fishnet stockings, courtesy of No Nonsense; pearl earrings, gift from Mom/Macys; 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, and here.

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop!

Reminder: $100 Shopbop Giveaway

Don't forget to enter the giveaway which will be until November 19, 2012 and is open to ALL readers in USA and internationally! I will pick the winner via Rafflecopter. Here are the rules: become a follower in Google (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on the original post letting me know what you would get with your $100 gift certificate. Check out the Rafflecopter widget for more ways to enter and keep your fingers crossed!

November 8, 2012: Winter Is Coming

Correction, winter is was here! After freezing my little piggies off trudging home through a few inches of snow in ballet flats I wanted to make sure I was prepared to stay warm during the morning commute. I went (way) against the rules and wore skinny pants to work so I could easily tuck them into my (secret commuter) black Ringo Star snow boots, courtesy of Cougar. I wasn't taking any chances! Of course by morning the sun had come out and by the time I left work in the evening all the snow had melted away. I suppose it's better to be over prepared... Was there snow in your area? Was it gone as quickly as it came?

• Top: teal cowl neck sweater, Mossimo for Target (same sweater different color here); gray pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: black kitten heel pumps, Coach; coin pearl necklace, V'ta jewelry; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered by me; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop!

November 7, 2012: Corporate Professional

As you might have guessed Wednesday was career day in my office. The annual biannual quarterly event has been such a success in the past the powers that be are interested in keeping them coming. I'm excited to be coordinating the whole day and that starts with recruitment and scheduling the right people my outfit! If you think my attire would compliment my professional manicure then you are correct. I can't expected everyone to show up interview ready and not be dressed in a complimentary manner. This is actually one of the suits I wore when I was interviewing for this new job. What do you think?

The one thing that I regretted about my outfit choice was the shoes. Sure, awesome metallic embellished flats are great for running around the office like a crazy person while looking stylish but, they do nothing to keep your feet warm. As I left work it was beginning to precipitate and by the time the train pulled into my station there was a nice layer of slippery snow on the ground. I has to trudge through it slowly and carefully to make sure I didn't slip and fall or make my still finicky ankle worse. My feet were freezing by the time I walked through my door! I could go for summer again please, thanks...

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, LOFT; navy pinstripe blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Bottom: navy pinstripe pants, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats, Preview via Nordstrom Rack; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop!

Weekly Manicure: Interview Appropriate Polish

As you (might) know I am an HR professional. Today I will be coordinating another entry level career day, wish me luck... One of the things that I stress to the attendees is that they should come dressed in professional attire. Naturally they all show up in their best suits (or the closest thing) but, there is more to your personal appearances than the clothing you wear. Men need to comb their hair and shave, ladies should do the same equivalent. You want to be the most polished you that you can be especially because a shrewd HR professional will make their first impression based on all those things; Don't forget the little stuff!

One of the most forgotten things for some ladies is giving yourself a neutral manicure or any manicure at all. Personally I am always aware of the fact that I might have to shake hands with more than one interviewer so, why not put a pretty polished one forward? Today I am leading by example with a simple and subtle manicure. Enter Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Tutu Much! While this isn't the most fun manicure strip I could pick it is perfect for making a professional impression. What kind of manicure would you give yourself if you had an interview on the horizon?

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop! 

November 6, 2012: Layering Is My Friend

What's this? A bonus Tuesday post? Nah... I'm going back to the original way of doing things around here. Why? Because I think it would be better for everyone me and I'm going to try to make it work. I'm also going to try to make this whole cold weather/hot office thing work. Even though no one suggested layering when I asked for advice yesterday (thanks much) I think that might be the best route. 

• Top: black sheath dress, no tag via The Big Fat Flea; orange ballet neck chiffon flower embellished top, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black kitten heel pumps, Coach; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop! 

November 5, 2012: I'm Back, It's Cold

First and foremost I would like to ask you all how you are doing? Were you at affected by the most recent weather-pocalypse? I was but, in only mildly annoying ways; I didn't lose power, I didn't lose hot water, I didn't even lose cable. I was however trapped in my apartment for a week and couldn't get to the office or anywhere else for the matter... When I finally did venture out I started to run low on gas and now I can't use my car either until that whole mess gets sorted out. Overall, I consider myself very lucky and blessed but, I can't wait for everything to go back to normal for everyone. 

Since everything is slowly but, surely going back to normal heading to the office today was inevitable and welcomed. When I checked the weather I was happy to see that the seasons are finally starting to shift appropriately. Don't get me wrong I love the heat but, I also enjoy the seasons and this fall has been a bit tepid for my taste. I'm sure I will be regretting those words after a few weeks of cold...  I bundled up when I left this morning to catch my train and I was glad for it. Even when I got to the office I was comfortable in my  chic turtleneck and blazer combo that is, until the afternoon when they started blasting heat. I was melting... I hope that I can predict the weather/office climate better tomorrow. How do you dress professionally for the cold weather/hot office combo?

• Top: gray turtleneck sweater, GAP; black pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein (part of this suit)
• Bottom: red a-line skirt, Ben Sherman
• Shoes & Accessories: black ballet flats, Xhiliration for Target; black Hanes Silk Reflections tights courtesy of Hanes via Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop!

Giveaway: Shopbop, Shoes, and Booties, Oh My!

I'm so excited to be able to bring you another Shopbop giveaway! There are a plethora of sartorial choices for you to pick from on their website but, I always find myself drawn to their accessories and shoes. I think it's because I know that I have better luck of fitting into those things without having to try them on but, I digress... 

Since I sprained my ankle a few months ago it is still feeling less great. I'm pretty sure I tore something and have been nursing it back to health by still trying to stay off of it and only wearing flats which is getting a bit dull. I am craving embellishments and metallics and these Unif shoes fit the bill perfectly! 

Unif Hellraiser Flats 

While they are an excellent solution for my current ankle situation I am craving high heels! While they aren't the most comfortable shoes in the world there is something about wearing a pair of skyscrapers that is so empowering especially in the work place. With the temperatures quickly dropping these Maison Martin Margiela booties or See by Chloe booties are excellent choices. If only my ankle would heal faster... In the meantime I'll be checking out the Shopbop blog to see what other fun things they have for me!

Plexi Covered Wedge Booties

Tana High Heel Booties

This giveaway will be until November 19, 2012 and is open to ALL readers in USA and internationally! I will pick the winner via Rafflecopter. Here are the rules: become a follower in Google (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on this post letting me know what you would get with your $100 gift certificate. Check out the Rafflecopter widget for more ways to enter and keep your fingers crossed!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchases & Acquisitions: October 2012

Yeah, I'm still here but, I'm not shopping. If you follow me on Twitter (which you should because I'm awesome) you might have noticed a number of tweets with the hashtag #overdressed. They are all direct quotes from the book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion. It was an eye-opener/page turner.

Image courtesy of  overdressedthebook.com

I'll spare you the all details (you should read the book for yourself) but, I will share that it was an excellent read to keep me on track with watching what I buy and trying to work with what I have. Who knows... November might be a month sans purchases as well!