Marc Jacobs Fall 2013 Jewelry

First there were the little blue boxes from Tiffany. Then came gumdrop earrings from Kate Spade. But now we are lusting over Marc Jacobs' Fall 2013 jewelry line.

Gold foil and pink enamel, we are smitten. But what about this ombre mesh bracelet? Would you add it to your collection? And how would you style this piece?

Friday's Fancies: Lace Love

I inadvertently modeled this week's Friday's Fancies theme earlier this week, so today's Nine to Five outfit is based off of how I rocked lace in the workplace this week.

my version...

top | pants | jacket | flats | ring

It's super easy to incorporate lace into your work wardrobe. If it's too sheer, wear a cami under it and a jacket over it so you get a peep of the texture. I like combining the two textures (lace + tweed) in the same outfit so it gives some depth. And you can never go wrong with J.Crew flats. That's for sure.

Have you rocked any lace lately?

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

Friday's Fancies: Bling

Ooh friends. So let's talk about sparkles for daytime. {av} had a killer idea for this week's Friday's Fancies, and I'm obsessed with incorporating bedazzledness into daytime. It's totally possible. And the easiest way to add some sparkle to your style?

Serious baubles.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Someone do me a favor and get me all of these. But, really, sometimes you don't need to spend a lot of money to spice up your work basics. Just throw on a fun necklace or some adorable bow earrings and you can transform your outfit.

You can never go wrong with them! How do you add some sparkles to your work wardrobe?

Disclosure: Compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Feature: Brooke

Today's featured blogger is Brook from Lemon Drop Shop where she shares about all things party and DIY. She also has an adorable etsy shop - my go to place for all things party like paper straws, cupcake flags, and treat bags. She is also a full-time working wife and mom of three little people (and two rather large furry quadrapeds--aka fat cats). Her clothing choices need to be versatile - she look for clothing that can be dressed it up with a pencil skirt or could work with jeans.

Brooke knows how to make pattern work. A while back, she was slightly obsessed with plaids (and threw a bit of houndstooth in the mix. Both looks are comfortable and neutral enough to be changed many times over. They work for three seasons and can be punched up with any color to for a little pizazz (if you wish).

You can find Brook regularly flitting around on pinterest and occasionally on facebook and twitter.

Outfit details: Left: shirt - j.crew factory // skirt - j.crew factory // tights - target // shoes - target // belt - target // necklace - target  Right: dress - H&M // tights - target // cardigan - old navy // boots - nordstrom rack // purse - tjmaxx // necklace - groupdealz

If you would like to be considered to be one of our featured bloggers, email Shannon.

Friday's Fancies: Red Carpet Ready

This week's Friday's Fancies theme revolves around this weekend's Oscar awards. So let's pretend for a hot second that my nine to five job involved working the red carpet.

A girl can dream, right?

dress | shoes | bracelets

I like dresses to be comfortable, and this dress looks flattering and less constricting than a lot of other dresses out there. Plus it has built-in bling on the neckline. What more could a lady want? Throw in some Louboutin's (obviously) and some easy bangles and you are ready to work the red carpet.

What would you rock if you got the chance to strut your stuff?

Disclosure: Compensated affiliated links may be used in this post.

101: Spring Pencil Skirts

I don't know about you, but I am over winter. It has been way too cold recently. Spring better hurry up and get here - only 26 more days! One of my favorite spring to summer work essentials is a pencil skirt that steps a bit outside of the traditional conservative suit attire of my work place. Something about warm weather loosens dress code up, just enough that you can get creative with print in classic shapes. Here are some of the top styles you can find this season:

Anthropologie Mint Skirt (pair this with a classic white button down and a navy blazer and it meets even the strictest office dress) $98

J.Crew Double Serge a forever classic with a twist in fresh pear, on sale for $98, other colors $110 (like colbat blue that I have my eye on!) 

Modcloth Lei it On I love the way this skirt could go from boardwalk to board room with an accessory quick change. The key here is making sure that when you wear this skirt to work, the rest of your attire is finished well. $39.99

Boden Modern Pencil Skirt my favorite of the options. I would wear it to work, a bridal luncheon, and church on Sundays. It is classic, and its versatility is limitless. $88

Featured Blogger: Kim

::: Work Environment and Staples ::: 
I'm so excited to push through my fear of showing my personal style!! I am an interior designer, a stay at home mom and a blogger!! Whew...needles to say, my style changes hourly! It almost always has to be comfortable and movable (ie..no heels for this girl) I am either, chasing a 3.5 yr old, meeting with clients with arms full of "stuff" (plans, tiles, fabrics, photos) or sitting at my computer writing, researching and spending way too much time on social media.

Because of my ever changing schedule, I have a few major staples in my wardrobe. Cute Flats, Dark Jeans (I like to say "spills to stylish in 10 seconds flat") and cute accessories, mainly a chunky bracelet and long necklaces! I love Banana Republic and Forever21 for necklaces and bracelets...did you laugh at the difference there? Here is why..I like cheap pieces that are cute, that my son can pull on, and I don't worry if they break (Forever21) but I also like to have nicer pieces for client meetings, that look a little more expensive. When I am blogging, I am typically wearing a t-shirt or sweatshirt and jeans.

::: Does blogging make you a better employee? :::  
We just recently moved form New York to Nashville. While in New York, I worked for an architect 3 days a week, and stayed home with my son 2 days a week. I have been blogging since 2011, and I think it definitely helped me in my day job. I feel like I am more aware of all things design now. I always see things while shopping for clients that catch my eye and make me think, "oh I have to write about that!!" Also, blogging started out as a hobby for me. So it relaxes me, it helps me focus!! 

::: Do you see blogging as a means to recording life as alternate career? :::
I waiver on this. At first, I absolutely just did it to record life, and share great finds with my readers, along with honest mommy moments. But as my readership grows, and I make more connections, I am getting more offers. I can see that it IS an opportunity to make money, but I am so afraid that I will LOSE some of the passion behind it. I am staying open!! Trusting that whatever this little blog is suppose to turn into, will happen ;)

::: Is blogging your main outlet? Or do you have other hobbies? ::: 
Meditation is my main outlet, blogging is second. Before leaving New York, I had a daily meditation practice. It grounds me, it calms me. Now that we have just moved to Nashville, and I am a full time at home mom, its been a struggle balancing everything, I haven't been meditating as much, but I am still blogging ;) Blogging is really my passion, its what I like to do with my down time!!

::: How do I find time to do it all? ::: 
Here is the truth. I don't. Its really that simple. I absolutely do not find time to do it all. Its a struggle for me. I want to be present in everything I do. SO that means when with my son, I am 100% WITH him...when I am blogging, I am 100% WITH Design Thoughts. That's what I WANT, It just doesn't happen though, the way I make it work, is giving myself a break. Remembering that real life balance isn't equal. Its 20% here, 50% there and 30% over there. NOT balancing everything equally is my balance!!

The one thing that has helped me a bit, is starting a weekly schedule and trying to stick to it. So Mondays are my days for housework (cleaning, groceries, re-arranging) Tuesdays are my days for blogging, so any chance I get, I am blogging. Wednesdays are my days that I commit to my OTHER project called Moms Just Being, a Facebook community of moms who support each other, that I started with my two friends, Thursdays are my "Social Media" days, and Fridays are free days. I try really hard to stick to the schedule, but also know that the world doesn't end if I dont post on Instagram on Thursday!

::: What have you been pinning lately? :::
I had a major window treatment fail at my own house (way too short) so I have been pinning color block curtains. A hopeful solution to my problem! Also, I am WAY into large scale items, so anything and everything large scale.  

You can catch up more with Kim on her blog, Design Thoughts 

or on facebook, twitter, instagram, google+ or vine: Design Thoughts

Outfit Details:

Navy Polka Dot Shirt-$39.95 GAP
Banana Republic Skinny Jeans Dark- $35.99 on sale!!
Grey flats- GAP ( I don't remember the price I have had them forever!!)
Necklace- Banana Republic( last summer )$16.99

if you are interested in being one of our featured bloggers, email shannon for details