Monday, October 10, 2011

Let's Chat

Oh, you guys. I don't even know how to begin this post.

Those of you who have been reading for a while know all about the changes I've gone through in the past year. You know the ups and downs, you know about the difficult times and many of you know about all the new and happy things I have in my life now.

Life is good. I'm happy. But I'm BUSY! There are new things that are taking up a lot of time in my life, things that are making me very happy, that I want to focus on, and things that are VERY important to me.

Lately it's been difficult for me to keep the blog together; I haven't been able to keep up with Proper Professional, I haven't been able to get guest posts together that I'm expected to write, I haven't had anything interesting to write about in my regular posts because my mind is on other things, and I obviously haven't been able to read and comment on other blogs in a month or two.

So, with that...yes, my friends, I think I'm going to have to step back from A Working Mom's Closet for a while and take a break. I have no way of knowing how long this break will last. It might be a few weeks, a few months, or I may find that I just can't get back to blogging.

I feel horrible taking this leave right in the middle of the BBCA challenge but I realized that I have to do what's best for me, for my family and for my life. I can't force myself to post every day when it's become so stressful for me. But I have updated the list of bloggers participating so you should definitely check that out and I strongly encourage all of you to keep it up!!!

The main reason I started blogging was to become a part of the community and get to know all of you fabulous people, and I'm SO glad I've had that opportunity! I don't want to lose those connections, so please keep in touch with me through Twitter and email {aworkingmomscloset a gmail.com}.

You guys have been so fantastic, so very encouraging and supportive, and you've helped me through one of the most difficult and challenging times in my life. I can't thank you enough. I hope you'll all stay in touch!

I love you guys!!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Daily MelWear BBCA : Pink and Purple

Every year my cousins and I get our kids together for a photo so we can give our grandmother a Christmas gift with a photo of her great-grandchildren. My brother and SIL are moving this week, so we had to get this picture done quickly in order to have their son included. There are six children total.

We got a grand total of THREE shots. Three. And in every.single.one, my daughter is not looking at the camera. At least in the one we picked, the rest of the kids are looking and my daughter's facial expression is happy. But still, really? Not one shot with her looking at the camera?

Perhaps I haven't been as much of an influence on her as I thought. Although I must admit that before the photographer got started, my daughter was the only one standing there posing with her hands on her hips. That kid cracks me up.










Today is FRIDAY and that means I'm HAPPY. I'm so glad the weekend is here!!! Hope you all have a great one!

Today's outfit:
Floral Skirt: Ross
Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Pink Belt: Salvation Army
Heels: Target

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Daily MelWear BBCA: Accented

I'm really excited about how nice the weather has been here lately. It's been cool in the mornings, not too hot in the afternoons, breezy, blue skies...THIS, my friends, is why I live in Florida. Now if only it would stay this way forever, I'd be a really happy camper.

As excited as I am for the new fall trends and to wear boots and tights again,  I have to admit that I'm good with the heat and being able to still wear my summer pieces. 

Speaking of fall trends, what are YOU looking forward to the most this season? I'm so out of the loop, I don't even know what the fall trends are (this is something a style blogger probably shouldn't ever admit, but I'm nothing if not honest). So tell me what you're excited about and clue me in!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

Today's outfit:
Skirt and Shirt: Target (super, super old)
Pink Cami: Charlotte Russe
Pink Belt: Salvation Army
Heels: Wal-Mart

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Daily MelWear BBCA: Springlike

Apparently I have an aversion to wearing just one color. Sometimes I can pull it off, like yesterday, but more often than not I've found myself playing with different combinations. Pink and yellow isn't an unusal one for me although it might seem unusual to most people. Or at least most people who aren't style bloggers (or readers!), because you all understand me, right? :)

Now my task is to come up with some other colors that can be combined with pink. That is a challenge I will gladly accept.

There are lots of fabulous women participating in the Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness Challenge! Have you checked out their blogs yet?

I hope you're all having a fantastic week!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Jacket: Burlington (came with a skirt)
Belt: Can't remember
Heels: Target

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Daily MelWear BBCA: Wearing the Pants

I am entirely not used to wearing pants anymore. I'm never quite sure how to make them work for me, but this outfit turned out okay.

Jeans are a different story...those rarely turn out okay! I need to work on those.

So give me your thoughts on jeans and pants. Do you like them, do you not? Why or why not? What do you wear with them?

I hope you've all had a great start to your week and that it just gets better!

Today's outfit:
Slacks: Charlotte Russe
Pink Blouse: Gift from ML
White Cardigan: Target
Pink Heels: Plato's Closet

Monday, October 3, 2011

Daily MelWear BBCA: BBCA Begins!

This post is going to be short and sweet! This is what I wore yesterday and rest assured, I did wear pink on Saturday, the very first day of the challenge, but I don't have pictures of that. You'll just have to trust me. :)

How are you all feeling about the BBCA challenge in this first week, do you have lots of ideas for how to sprinkle pink into your wardrobe? Remember, pink doesn't have to be the dominant color of the outfit; it just needs to be present.

I've updated the list of participants, so be sure to check that out and let me know if you're taking part and would like to be added as well.

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was fabulous. And happy. :) Have a great Monday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Belt: Salvation Army
Necklace: Wal-Mart
Sandals: Beall's

Friday, September 30, 2011

Daily MelWear: Seeing Spots

I think this outfit is an example of how a little bit can go a long way. A little bit of leopard, a splash of red, and a simple black dress is jazzed up just enough.

Thursdays (obviously I'm back posting) are jeans days in our office, and I was the only one not wearing jeans. I'm going to have to work on that when the weather starts cooling down. Maybe I need to go shopping for some jeans that fit better. Who wants to go shopping with me?

I have a small request, for those of you willing. The daughter of one of my former bosses took her own life last week, and the funeral is today. I'll be there to support their family, and I'd like to just ask for your thoughts and prayers. The entire situation (there's a lot more to it) is tragic and heart-breaking.

So...just pray with me. Please...and thank you.

And one reminder - BBCA kicks off tomorrow! We've had a few more participants sign up over the past couple of days and I'm so excited! I'm not promising an outfit post every single day, but I WILL wear my pink every day and I'll make a strong effort to take photos every day to post later when I can.

Hope you all have a great Friday - and please remember to pray.

Today's outfit:
Dress: Goodwill Boutique
Leopard Belt: Stein Mart (came with a skirt)
Red Sandals: From my mom

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Daily MelWear: Fall...ish

Although technically the first day of autumn was last Friday, it's still been in the 90s this week. It looks like we may get down into the 80s by the weekend but still...that doesn't feel like fall.

This outfit is my attempt at autumnal attire without sweating to death. Especially considering the AC in our office doesn't function as well as it should, so it can get up to almost 80 in the afternoon.

The skirt is actually a tube dress but it's a little big and the top doesn't stay up as well as it should, so I wear it as a skirt instead. Repurposing pieces is a good thing. :) 

So here are some questions for you: how do you dress for fall when it's still unbearably hot, and what item(s) have you repurposed recently?  

Discuss.

Today's outfit:
Skirt: Ross
Red Blouse: Wal-Mart
Belt: Charlotte Russe (I think...)
Sandals: Beall's

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Daily MelWear: Board or Bored

Yesterday was one of our bi-monthly board meetings. I've worn this suit before, pretty much the same way but with a different color combo. I haven't been very creative with it, but I'm coming up with some new ideas as I sit here and mope about the fact that this day seems to be taking FOREVER.

I really just want the days to go by quickly so I can get to the weekend faster. I know I'm not the only one. Right?

I'm getting really excited for BBCA! I also feel like I should go shopping. See, I never said that you couldn't shop during this challenge. If you find more pink pieces, by all means, go buy them.

I'm such an enabler...

(You're welcome.)

May you all have a wonderful and quickly-passing Wednesday! (Seriously, why does the weekend always take SO LONG to get here?!)

Today's outfit:
Skirt Suit: Ross
Purple Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Yellow Belt: Target
Heels: DSW

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness - 2011

It's time for this year's Blogging for Breast Cancer Awearness Challenge! If you're not familiar with the BBCA Challenge, click here to read more about it.

The bloggers participating in the challenge this year are listed below. Some are choosing to take part the entire month, some are doing just a week or one outfit per week, and others are sprinkling in the pink where they can.

If you'd like to join us this year, leave a comment or send me an email at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com} and I'll update the list with your link. I don't know how to create honest-to-goodness badges {I should really learn how to do that}, so just grab the photo and post it on your blog with a link back here.




And now...go check out everyone's blogs to see who's helping spread awareness among the internetz this year!


Amy of Amy Fashion Blog
Apples and Pencil Skirts
Jessica of Bows and Sequins
Bessie of Bravoe Runway
Tiffany of Breakfast with Tiffany
Cara of Cara's Closet
Van of The Clothes We Wear
Dayi of Dayi's Sense of Style
EE of eek!
Kelly of Fashion Fuel
Melissa of Frumpy Hausfrau Fashions
Heather and Kayla of H & K Style Journey
Courtney of I Can Be Many Things
Lisa of Just Fabu-LESS
Danielle of Keep Warm
Roseanna of The Long and Short of It
Francis of Mad Dress Game
Tara of Mix and Match Fashion
Randi of Not Just Mom
Charisse of Pretty Inside and Out
Rheannia of Rhe Style
Nico of Satin and Salt
Colleen of Scrap and Run
LeeAnne of Style 'n Season
Jenn of The Suburb Experiment
Tara of This Life, Redefined
Emily of Tinfoil Tiaras
Callie of Unladylike
Viktoria of Viktoria with a K
Andie of What Andie Wears

Daily MelWear: Charming

Apparently there is some fabulous accessory store called Charming Charlie's of which I was not aware. My parents went to Texas to visit some family last week and my aunt introduced my mom to it. This necklace and a matching bracelet is what my mom brought back for me. She keeps gushing about how much I would love this store...if only they had one anywhere near us. So sad.

However, it helps that this weekend was really good. Nathan and I took our girls to see The Lion King 3D! That movie originally came out when I was in high school and I remember seeing it with the youth group on opening day. I LOVE The Lion King, it brings back so many memories, and it was a ton of fun to see it in theaters again and share that with my daughter. She liked it, although she wasn't a huge fan of the 3D glasses and only had them on for a few minutes.

You guys, I realize that autumn has officially arrived, but I can't bring myself to break out the autumn clothes. It's just way too hot still! I love the heat, that's why I live in Florida, but part of me can't wait for cold weather so I can break out my boots again. I miss my boots. 

So tell me, what's your favorite cold weather item? 

Today's outfit:
Skirt: From my aunt (part of a suit)
Black Tank: Can't remember
Cardigan: Plato's Closet
Belt: Dots
Sandals: Beall's
Necklace: From my mom 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Proper Professional: Smart 'n Snazzy

The Proper Professional feature was birthed out of my desire to spread the blogging love while also gaining some insight into professional and business attire in various situations. My goal is to feature bloggers from all different professions, whether stay-at-home moms, mega-corporation executive assistants, work-from-home employees, small office staff, business owners or more, to view different perspectives and opinions on what is appropriate, acceptable, and professional. Hopefully you'll be inspired and introduced to some great new blogs, too! To catch up on previous interviews, click here.

Today we're hearing what Lia of Smart 'n Snazzy: Stylish Without Going Broke thinks about the attire of professionals!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog. 
I started 'Smart n Snazzy: Stylish Without Going Broke' as a creative outlet.  I have my degree in mathematics and work in a technical field, and I really wanted to force myself to be creative on a more regular basis.  I still haven't gotten to the "regular basis" part, but I'm getting there.  I love making things, so I did a lot of DIYs when I first started.  I've lately been doing mostly outfit posts and shopping hauls, in an attempt to branch out more.  I am still looking to find that perfect balance, I'll get there!  I try to focus on staying chic without spending a fortune.  I hope to inspire others, as well as gain inspiration along the way.

How did you come up with your blog name?
I wanted something that really represented me and what I wanted my blog to be. I chose "Smart" for it's literal meaning but also for its implied meaning, paired with "Snazzy". I think that "Stylish Without Going Broke" brings the two together. It's a little long, yes, but it fits me so well! I didn't want a name that was too simple, but I wanted it to be a little catchy yet very unique. I like to think that I'm bringing snazzy back :)

Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I work full time as a Data Analyst for Staples, supporting the N. American Delivery Customer Service unit. I do a lot of report development in MicroStrategy (a business intelligence tool) as well as write some mean SQL code. I am able to work from home when needed, which is rather nice! I am the only female in my department, but it's something that I'm used to and really does not bother me much.

Do you have a dress code by which you need to abide (either corporate or self-imposed)? If so, what is it and how do your co-workers (if applicable) approach the dress code?
Luckily, we have jeans days every Monday and Friday. The remainder of the week is business casual. All that said, the majority of the office is a call center, so the dress code is rather relaxed and not super professional. I try to dress nicely though; it's that 'dress for the job you want, not the job you have' idea. When I wear jeans, I still wear heels and a blouse or nice top. The other days, I wear a skirt or slacks. The guys wear slacks or jeans and a polo or button down.

Do you choose your outfits in advance or in the morning, and how long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?
I wish I was organized enough to plan my outfits in advance; alas, I stand in my closet with a towel around me, picking something out at the last minute. To shower, get dressed and accessorized and do my hair/makeup it takes me about 45 minutes. I could probably slash that in half if I planned better :)

If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
I think that women should be able to wear shorts so long as they are no shorter than an acceptable skirt length. I've noticed most workplaces do not allow knee-length shorts, but they will allow mid-thigh length skirts, which really makes little to no sense.

Do you think companies should take into account the potential cost for certain dress codes to be achieved and if so, should they be concerned about the cost being equal for both men and women?
I do not think that companies need to take this into account; since we are assuming it is a professional workplace, we can assume we are not talking minimum wage here.  It's more than possible to look fabulous without spending a ton of money, and I think that is what a lot of us bloggers are trying to show!  The cost doesn't need to be equal for men and women; men's clothes are plenty expensive and affordable as well.  What needs to be discussed though is pay equality for men and women.  If a woman is making say 10% less than her male counterparts, it makes it more difficult for that woman to dress the part and she has to work harder to look just as nice, on a smaller budget.

What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?
Professional attire is what one should wear if their clients were visiting their office. I think we should always dress as though that were the case. It depends on the workplace, of course. One who is a lawyer at a law firm would be expected to wear a suit daily, as opposed to an IT specialist, who strolls in wearing jeans and sneakers. It ultimately depends on if your role is client-facing or not, regardless of the size of the company.

What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
We all know the basics: white blouse, black blazer, slacks, and pencil skirt, trench coat, black pumps... I also feel that women should have a few beautiful silk blouses, leopard pumps, and depending on the local climate, a wool trench coat.

What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Anything with spaghetti straps without another item of clothing layered over it, a skirt that a women is not comfortable bending over in, ripped jeans, flip flops, and especially crocs.

Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work.
Any typical day at work you will find a 2/5 chance of me in jeans and a nice top, and a 3/5 chance of me in slacks in a top. I really let my personality shine through my accessories. 
2. A formal business meeting.
At a formal business meeting I would wear slacks with a silky blouse and more reserved accessories.
 
3. An informal meeting with co-workers. 
For an informal meeting with co-workers I wouldn't dress any differently than I would any typical day.
 
4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors.
I had a formal business dinner last week with my co-workers and superiors, and I wore a bright silky blouse, high-waisted trousers, black pumps and cuff bracelets.

Are there any questions you wish I'd asked or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
I'd like to ask/answer a question regarding interview attire.  In today's workplace/workforce/economy/etc, I feel it is a good question to ask.  "What would you wear for a job interview?"

I recently was in this situation after losing my job of almost four years.  I went to Banana Republic, who was having a 40% off suiting sale!  I bought a black wool blazer and trousers as well as the matching high-waisted pencil skirt.  I went to Target and bought a plain white blouse and to DSW for a pair of black pumps.  With this arsenal, I was prepared for a first interview, and would wear a blue blouse with the skirt if I was required a second interview.  Now, these items are staples in my closet, I wear the skirt,trousers, blouse, and pumps for a typical day at work, and the blazer I normally wear with jeans on jeans days.

So friends, to repeat Lia's question, what would you wear for a job interview? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks to Lia for sharing her thoughts and opinions with us. Take a few moments and check out her blog!

If you've thought about sharing your thoughts on the subject, what are you waiting for? I need more bloggers to feature in future posts so email me NOW at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com}.

Have a great day, lovelies!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Daily MelWear: Back to Normal

After the last few outfits of trying things I wasn't real crazy about, I decided to stick with my tried and true formula of a pencil skirt, blouse, belt, and heels. And leopard. There is truly nothing better than a good leopard print, especially in a stiletto.

This is typical me. It's comfy. It's familiar. It's not particularly creative or inventive, but it works. The one creative element is that I turned the belt around (groundbreaking, I know) so that the studs are in the front and more part of the overall outfit.

I know a lot of people have their typical outfit formula. What's yours? What do you think it is that makes it work for you?

Have a fantastic Thursday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Skirt: Ross (part of a skirt suit)
Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Belt: From my mom
Leopard Heels: Payless

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Daily MelWear: Fall?

Anyone who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows that I like to layer. It makes me happy to come up wtih different ways to layer cardigans, jackets, shirts, all that fun stuff.

But when it's 90 degrees out, sometimes layering isn't a great idea. However...I decided to wear longer sleeves and a cardigan anyway. Granted, I'm sweating, but they say beauty is pain, right? Does sweating count as pain?

Eh.

I was almost going to pair this skirt with pink but then I thought I should hold off on that for October when we start BBCA. Have you signed up to participate yet? I'm going to post a list of this year's participants very, very soon. If you're still unsure about whether you can do it, please keep in mind that although I'm doing it for the entire month of October, you don't have to. You can just do a week, or a few days, whatever works for you. I'll continue to add to the participant list throughout the challenge as well, so don't feel pressured to decide right this second.

Are you all having a good week? I think I had such a great weekend that it's carrying over into this week. And I'm excited about this next weekend too. So...YAY!


Have a great day, y'all!

Today's outfit:
Skirt: Burlington
Shirt: NY&C
Cardigan: Target
Heels: Target
Belt: Dots

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Daily MelWear: An Old Favorite

I realize I've worn this dress with red before. I know that. But when it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Or something like that? 

I really like the blue and red together, especially when it can be done without looking like Superman. And this dress does not look like Superman. Right? 

Mkay. Well, I do like this dress. It's one of my favorites and I wear it a lot.

And...I've run out of things to say. :) I hope you're all having a great week! 


















Today's outfit:
Dress: Target
Bolero: Sears
Belt: Salvation Army
Shoes: From my mom