For those that are new around here, I worked in corporate America for 3 years after college. It’s actually where I started my blog and first shared my love for putting together outfits, which at the time was all work wear since I was working that 9-5 life. After I quit my corporate job, I still made a point to share office wear because frankly there aren’t enough bloggers that do and isn’t that what most women wear on a daily basis? I got you girl.
For me: a 20 something, single, city girl; I was always ready for happy hour or some social event right after work which meant wearing something to work that I could easily transition to after 5 attire. Even now, I firmly believe in purchasing clothes that are wearable for many occasions for example work to weekend or church to wedding. You get what I mean! I will not purchase a piece of clothing if I know I will only be able to wear it one time or for one specific purpose which is why I started my Day to Night series. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can do so here.
LITTLE BLACK DRESS
There is nothing more classy or timeless than a little black dress am I right? Even better if it’s office appropriate! See below for a roundup of some of my favorites.
STATEMENT TOP
If dresses aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with a statement top and a quick change-a-roo from your work slacks into a pair of jeans for date night. I used to always keep a pair of jeans, black heels and red lipstick in my car for emergencies and I highly suggest you do the same š Some of my favorite statement blouses below!
Every time I ask you ladies what you want to see more of, the answer is always the same. The verdict is always one piece styled multiple ways because around here we are all about getting the most bang for our buck. Well let me introduce you to quite possibly the most genius idea to having more styling options without paying for multiple pieces: reversible clothing. White House Black Market has come out with a new Reversible CollectionĀ that is changing the game. The line includes reversibleĀ tops and dresses which is really amazing when you consider how many more outfits you can make when you getĀ twoĀ for the price of one.
I am styling one top, two ways for you ladies but I also want toĀ noteĀ that their reversible dress collection is just as fabulous. From work to weekend, I’m amazed that this collection can do it all. If you are in need of a little black dress, this is my favorite one from the reversible collection. Such a great option for work, date night, church or weddings!
If you are looking for business professional clothing, White House Black Market has you covered!Ā You will find suits that have a little more character than say your run of the mill, no personality black suit. For instance, I love that this skirt has a flounce hem which is something I have never seen before and is so flattering. If you are confined to wearing a suit everyday, you might as well have some fun with your options! My blazer also has a slight peplum detail to it that makes it stand out andĀ hug your girly figure a little better than most. I particularly love that it is a three quarter sleeve which makes wearing a blazer in this southern heat a little more bearable.
I almost couldn’t believe the transition from yellow to such a bold patterned top! My favorite part being that once turned to the patterned side, the yellow still shows on the bottom of the tank for a layered look. I styled this look for a casual Friday at the office but as soon as that blazer comes off, you are ready for after 5 cocktails! I’m already planning many nights out with this little tank.
One of the reason’s I have a particular liking to White House Black Market is that they cater to all sizes: regular, petite, plus and short sizing options! I am just shy of 5’4″ so finding petite clothing, especially work wear is always a struggle. For sizing reference I am wearing an XSP in the tank, OP in the jackets and a 00P in the jeans and skirt. I would say that everything runs very true to size.
While no two holiday parties are created equal, the perfect party look can be! Since I’ve already shared several options for a more formal event, I wanted to do a post on something I would wear to a more casual occasion or possibly a night out around the holidays. My go to for something a little bit more casual is a cute top and skirt combo, jumpsuit, or flirty dress. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites below.
**Click the right arrows below to start shopping!**
Over the years working in a corporate job, I’ve accumulated a LOTĀ of work clothes. Something that I have come to find as of recently is that I have far too many items hanging in my closet that only serve one purpose. Either they are strictly for the office or strictly for the weekend (aka there is no justifying making it office appropriate). I don’t have a happy medium of outfits that could swing both ways which is both annoying and not efficient. The solution? I’ve started buying items that can serve more than one function. I’ve found that a pretty safe bet to know if it passes the test, is if you know it can take you from work to happy hour without having to swing by the house for an outfit change.
After going on the hunt for items that could fit both of these scenarios, I had a couple of takeaways I think anyone looking for work wear should do as well. First off, you can make almost any sleeveless, strapless or even backless dress work appropriate by throwing on a cardigan or blazer (I list a few favorites here). If you do not have at least a few staple color cardigans, you are doing it wrong! I have cream and black colored cardigans in my car at all times. You know for emergencies and what not. This way depending on my outfit, I always have a sure source of coverage or anĀ Antarctica (because what office isn’t?) protector if need be.
Secondly, shoes can totally change the occasion of any outfit and make it more wearable. My favorite way to take a dress from work to drinks is to throw on a strappy pair of heels. Want to wear the same outfit for a moreĀ casual look? Throw on a pair of sneakers. As long as you have at least one pair each of pumps, strappy heels, sneakers and maybe a pair of flats. You are set!
Don’t forget that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going on and there are lots of items still in stock, including lots of work wear! The sale ends August 6th!
You know who you are and if you are reading this my hope isn’t to inflate your already inflated ego and it’s most certainly not because you deserve the time of day. It is because while I may never hear from you again, I in fact have something to say.
I’ve been perfectly fine by myself for some time now. I seemed to finally have life dialed in:Ā my career, family, friends, the blog, a social life and I was happy and thriving all by myself! The only thing that seemed to be missing from my life was love and I had gone so long without someone filling that void, that it just seemed normal. Natural even. Until you came along and ruined it all.
The first night that I met you, 4 hours flew by like they were minutes. I don’t think I’ve laughed like that in ages and it felt good. Too good. I should have gone out with the girls that night after our date but this would be the first trap of yours that I fell into. I told myself to be guarded and I think I put up a good front.Ā See you are a salesman and therefore a charmer so I know your type, but somehow I was outwitted from the start.
After that date you put effort in and I do have to give you that, but you and I both know why that is and it’s not because you were after my heart. Each time we hung out, the conversations that we had felt like we had known each other for years and while that seemed like a good thing at the time, maybe that was our problem all along. Maybe we skipped directly to the relationship stage without ever having dated at all.
See I know what we had was short lived but I’d be lying if I said that’s what made it all the more exhilarating and intense. I certainly questioned the sincerityĀ behind eachĀ compliment and if our seemingly easy, deep conversations were too good to be true. I’d never had a guy communicate quite the way that you could and this intrigued me. I even joked that I had never met a guy that talked more than I did (and that is still true), but the way you analyzed me and each situation is what made me fall for you. While you might not have been great at a lot of things (like cooking a steak or being on time), you had a way of knowing exactly what I was thinking and what I wanted to say even before I did. If that’s not a super power in itself, I’m not sure what is. That and boy did you know how to make me laugh. Those 2 things are what unknowingly sealed the deal.
We went through some hard things that I could say played a factor in our demise but that would be a lie because it started long before that and we both know why. You see, I’m not sure what your intentions were atĀ the beginning, but I now know that they weren’tĀ pure. The flattery and talks about the future were just words to you with apparently no meaning behind them at all. I didn’t put too much thought into what you were saying at the timeĀ because I didn’t plan on falling for the charmer that I figured had charmed a million other girls.
You said that I was different and we had several inside jokes that made me believe this might be true. We would stay up late talking about anything and everything as if when we were together there was never enough time. We talked about meeting each other’s parents and what we wanted out of a relationship. You talked about the future as if I was a part of it.Ā I like to think that I easily kept up my guard until that day that you were telling meĀ about your family and sang me your grandpa’s favorite song. I looked at you and thoughtĀ “this boy doesn’t lack confidence and that is for sure”. But it was more than that, it was the first time you let your guard down around me and somehow you instantly dropped mine too.
But like I said, I know your type and there is only one person that is ever going to satisfy you the most, and that’s you. So while you made it seem like I wasn’t just another girl, I was never going to be good enough for you because right now you only live to serve one person and that person is not a girl. I never stood a chance. So why did you do it? Why did you say the things you said to me if you didn’t plan to follow through? Why when things started to get tough did you immediately runĀ away? See I knew you would hurt me from the beginning but I never expected it to be this way. I didn’t expect you to awaken feelings and then completely shut them out. I didn’t expect a coward that treats women like they are disposable. And I most certainly didn’t think that one day I would wake up to never hear from you ever again. No goodbye, no call, not even a text. So yea, I didn’t expect to regret having ever met you at all.
