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Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday's Fancies: Me

When {AV} first announced the theme for this Friday's Fancies was "Dress Yourself," I have to admit, I was a bit stumped. And then I started combing through my own pinterest style board and finding my go-to items and my wish look items. Here is what I pulled together.



1. Heart Gingham - Is anything better than the perfect J.Crew button down?

2.Wish List - fur vest! This image is from H&M from 2009, so you know it isn't still available. I am on the hunt for the perfect fur vest in a very low price range (its a trend piece, right?). The search continues.

3. Classic - Kate Spade gumdrop studs

4. Go-to - I love Paige Denim. And here is a tip for all the girls out there who are short like me (5'3"). I buy the cropped version, always. They don't bunch under boots, drag with flats, and still look great with heels. Plus, I don't ever have to pay extra for hemming.

5. Wish List - Dooney & Bourke will forever hold my heart. Must get one of these bags someday...

6. Classic - Frye always seems to make the perfect riding boot, don't they?

7. Go-to - another tip for you, or maybe a confession. I wear running socks with arch support under my boots. My feet stay comfortable, cool, and dry all day and no one knows...except now you all do.

Disclaimer: Compensated links may be used in this post.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

First Lady Style

So let me tell you all my secret love: Michelle Obama. Girlfriend has some serious style, a killer set of biceps, a love I definitely admire and we both happen to love the same store.

I love looking at her outfits and recreating them for my work day.
blouse | cardigan | skirt | pumps | belt
Who do you look to for style inspiration?
Disclaimer: Compensated links may be used in this post.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Friday's Fancies: Black Friday

I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving yesterday! Today, {av} picked a Black Friday theme for Friday's Fancies. I'm sure the sales out there are ca-razy awesome today, but I'm probably shying away from them. But today, I pulled together my interpretation of an office-appropriate Black Friday outfit.
blazer | pants | blouse | ring | purse
Did you brave the crowds for Black Friday sales? As a former retail sales person, I understand the pain a lot of employees face on days like today. So if you worked today, thank you. Now go have an alcoholic beverage.
Disclaimer: Compensated links may be used in this post.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday's Fancies: Autumn Faves

dress | heels | jacket | earrings | bag
Tomato soup just screams fall to me. And this recipe from The Kitchn looks too divine for words. I like bringing soups for lunch because they're easy to eat in a rush. If I'm eating at my desk (which I do far too often), it keeps one hand free to continue checking emails or my company's Twitter account.

And, well, nothing makes me feel sassier than a bright red dress. It's the perfect way to spice things up in the office, but the longer hemline still makes this dress feel office appropriate. And if someone could buy me that camel coat, I'd love you forever.

No, but seriously.

This week, I'm linking up with Friday's Fancies and craving some comforting tomato soup.

What recipe screams fall to you?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Poppy + Leopard

When I first came across this pin, I knew I needed to track down the outfit details! I am a basics girl, but a pop of color this beautiful might just bring me out of my comfort zone. Originally seen in Redbook, this outfit totaled at nearly $500. But I found classic pieces to pull this look together for even less!





Outfit details:  $60 Banana Republic Scarf | $50 J.Crew Pants {on sale!} | Gap Camel Sweater | Steve Madden Loafers


Find more inspiration on my Nine to Five pinterest board!

Disclaimer: Compensated links may be used in this post.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Work Bags That Work

I feel like my bag is often a black hole. Things go in there and then they sort of disappear. Sometimes forever. Like that time I thought I left my phone at home, but really it was at the bottom of my bag all day. Mah bee.

When it comes to work bags, you need to be smart with space. On any given day, I'm toting along my wallet, my planner, my keys and small wallet for my train pass/work pass, a small cosmetics case, a laptop, my Kindle, my iPhone, a water bottle, and a laptop. There's a lot going on. I like to stay as organized as possible, and right now using my Lo & Sons Savoy tote totally helps out. It's just a plain black, so I'm always on the lookout for another fun bag. There are plenty of options out there...
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
What do you use for work?
Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Friday's Fancies: Bonfire


The last time I sat around a fire pit, I was roasting marshmallows and most likely wearing a beat-up old sweatshirt. So when {AV} gave the challenge this week I was excited to look at this from a new spin. Here are six essentials for any outdoor soiree.


I am linking up to Friday's Fancies and dreaming about a roaring fire this weekend.

How about you?

Disclaimer: compensated links may be used in this post.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Light and Airy

I love checking out Marie Claire for just about everything. Make-up tips, clothes I wish I could buy, career tips. Ya know, everything the working lady needs.

And it's a great place to find great outfit inspiration. I loved the color of this blouse and the great sweater so breezily tied in place. For a casual to business casual office, this outfit is a total yes.

Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Feature: Cally Watts

Welcome to the new and improved Nine to Five! This week we've got the lovely Cally from Wear Love. Cally's got chic New England style  down to a science, and gives us a look at her fabulous work attire. Today she shares with us how she finds inspiration for her work wardrobe. Also, make sure you check out the fabulous Wear Love blog for some more fun treats! Trust us, you're going to love her!


::: Describe your work environment from a style perspective. :::
My work environment is definitely business casual (global education nonprofit). I work with a lot of former teachers who now develop professional development programs for other teachers. On days when we lead different workshops or programs, the dress is more business formal (suits, etc). Otherwise, my colleagues dress is way more laid back. I love fashion and styling outfits, and my favorite type of outfit is business casual. I love dressing up a pair of trousers with a cute sweater or blouse. I think the thought that goes into an outfit affects how you carry yourself, and especially in an office environment I think it’s important to be well put together. It doesn’t mean you have to have the latest trends and wear the most expensive designers, but it’s true that in the business world, the way you dress will leave an impression on people for better or for worse. Certainly there are environments that are more gracious than others. Building a business wardrobe can be super expensive, so I’ve managed to do it in slow increments over time after graduating from college and entering the working world. I’ve also become a PRO at searching for the best deals and knowing the brands that sell trendy articles of clothing without breaking the bank. I also do most of my shopping online. The process can be so overwhelming and exhausting, so I love sharing my shopping advice for people who are looking to save but also want to be current in their wardrobe choices.

::: What are your nine to five staples? :::
Go to brands include Ann Taylor LOFT, Ann Taylor and J.Crew. I’ve also bought really expensive articles of clothing for over ½ the price from daily deal sites like Rue La La, Haute Look, and Gilt City.

Key items for me are a staple pant/trouser. Having a comfortable pair of trousers or a cropped pant that can transcend the seasons. Sizes and fits vary greatly between different brands, so find the brand that fits your body (and wallet!) best and stick with that. LOFT pants and J.Crew Minnie’s do the trick for me.

You can make many versatile outfits out of five items of clothing. Having a few different blouses that can be paired with different sweaters or blazers, etc. can accomplish this! It’s about being creative with what you have and finding different ways to wear it.

::: Does blogging make you a better employee at your day job? :::
Yes and no. I blog and do social on the side for a business called Wear Love, which is a wonderful creative outlet for me. We haven’t focused on the blog much recently, but we’re hoping to jump start it again! It’s definitely a juggling act between my day job and Wear Love - there isn’t much overlap, and neither really enhances the other!

And I never thought I’d do this, but I felt compelled to start a blog of my own called Business Theology. I’m totally fascinated by the business world and how it can be used for good. I blog on things related to vocation, faith, current events in the business world, and my journey of pursuing a business degree and what I learn along the way. I think it definitely does make me a better employee at my day job because I’m more attentive to what’s going on around me. I work in a non-profit, and am currently involved in the organization’s strategic planning process where we are making important decisions for the strategy of the organization moving forward. I’m eager to see how nonprofits handle change and develop strategy, and it’s all relative to the business world. Every day I see things that give me fresh content and ideas for my blog.

::: Do you view blogging as a means of recording life, or as the start of an alternative career? :::
Both! Blogging about nonprofits and businesses - especially those who are committed to making a positive impact in the world - helps me process what I’m learning through my experiences. It also makes me more excited about things to come further down my career path and helps me formulate how my vocation is developing over time, and what areas of business I’m interested in pursuing.

::: Is blogging your main creative outlet, or do you also write novels, run marathons and knit all of your own sweaters? :::
Exercise is a necessary outlet for me, and it’s where I do a lot of my thinking and planning for the blog!

::: How do you find time to do it all? When do you blog? :::
Weekends and evenings! And sometimes if there’s a lull at work...

::: Finally, what have you been pinning lately? What are the items you are just dying to add to your work wardrobe? :::
I have been pinning a lot of fall outfits. I love boots, scarves and sweaters in neutral colors. I love a good, put-together and tailored outfit!

::: Outfit details :::
Calvin Klein dress (similar) // Mia Calvary boots // Target scarf (similar) // H&M trench coat (similar 1 and 2)

Where do you find your classics?