Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Daily MelWear: Blue Flowers

Happy Day-After-Memorial-Day to my U.S. readers! Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend relaxing, barbecuing and giving thanks for the freedoms we've been afforded.

I spent Saturday with my girl at our family's annual Memorial Day pool party (my aunt had to work on Monday so we had to switch the day) and then I brought her to her dad, since this was his weekend with her. Sunday was spent at home, going through clothes to donate, cleaning things up, getting blog posts ready (did you read yesterday's Proper Professional with Kileen?) and organizing a new series of blog posts.

Speaking of a new series of blog posts, I have SO much good stuff in store for you guys! I had a fantastic time at SheCon last weekend and I know that I can't possibly capture every part of it. I want to share the experience with all of you and I want you to meet all of the great new friends that I made. 

What better way for you to meet all of these fabulous people than to have them each introduce themselves to you! Starting this Friday, I'm beginning a series called SheCon Lovelies where each of my new friends will guest post in an interview format, sharing themselves and their SheCon experiences with all of you. This way you'll get to meet each of them and hear their perspective on what they learned and enjoyed at the conference. I'm SO excited! YAY!!!

Okay so back to the weekend - Sunday night, my mom and I went out with a good friend of mine to see Bridesmaids. SO HYSTERICAL! I loved it!

Monday was full of errands. FULL of errands. And kind of full of annoyance because certain places were closed or I forgot something or something else happened. I ran out of time and didn't get to finish everything I wanted to do, but I did get to go shopping with some coupons at Payless and DSW. Those shoes will be on the blog soon. VERY soon.

My mom wanted to look for some dresses for our family reunion-type vacation at the beach in June so we stopped by Ross. I remembered that TiAnna mentioned she doesn't have a Ross but heard that  Burlington was similar, so I decided to pop into Burlington (where I rarely shop) to check it out and compare. Today's outfit is the result of that trip and TiAnna can expect a bill in the mail for all the clothes I ended up buying there. {I'm kidding. Sort of.}

So - whew! That was a lot of text. If you got through all of it, you deserve a cookie. No seriously, go get one. Bring one back for me, too.





Have a great Tuesday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Skirt / Jacket / Belt: Burlington
Black Tank: Target
Black Heels: Beall's
Green Necklace: Beya

Monday, May 30, 2011

Proper Professional: Cute and Little

The Proper Professional feature was birthed out 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 learning more about what Kileen of Cute and Little thinks of professional attire!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
I'm a little asian girl in my upper 20s trying to figure out how to dress myself for the professional workplace and beyond. Finding clothes and restyling my closet has always been a challenge, so my blog is my attempt to chronicle my daily journey!
How did you come up with your blog name?
My blog name basically is a description of a comment that I get all the time -- that I'm so cute and little. Standing at only 5' tall, I can vouch for the little part. Cute, well, that's up to you to decide I guess. :)
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I work outside the home as a software developer at a Dallas hedge fund. Fashion is nowhere in my career description (in fact, just the opposite!), but I it's always been a passion of mine.
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?
My corporate dress code is labeled as "business casual with jeans allowed". As a software developer though, the dress code tends to lean more towards the casual side as we rarely need to interact directly with investors or external clients. My co-workers are all male (where are all the female engineers???) so their approach to the dress code ranges from button-down shirts and slacks to polo shirts and jeans. I truly appreciate the flexibility that my workplace offers with the dress code -- I would be so sad if I was stuck in grays and blacks everyday!
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 choose my outfits the night before as I am usually too rushed in the mornings to figure out anything interesting to wear. The entire process usually only takes 20 minutes, although there have been times where I've been really stumped with my closet and it's taken up to an hour.
If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
I love my workplace dress code and wouldn't change a thing!
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 think companies inherently do take into account the cost of a certain dress code as it's usually reflected in their employee compensation or employee benefits. As far as cost for both men and women, I think it's hard to account for those differences. There are retailers for both men and women to find cheap clothing that is work appropriate as well as exorbitantly expensive. That is really just up to the individual's discretion, in my opinion.
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 usually fairly modest -- definitely nothing too tight or short. Clothes should look tailored to fit and not draw attention inappropriately. Personally, I don't think there is any different whether the business in small or large. Professional is professional.
What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
Here are my picks: * a fitted blazer * skinny belts * pencil skirts * cardigans * black and brown pumps * button down shirt
What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
My picks: * tank top * shorts * mini skirt * bell-bottom jeans * flip-flops
Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work. 
A typical outfit for me at work usually involves cardigans and pencil skirts.  A trick I use to make cardigans more fitted for my petite stature is to belt them around my waist.  Instant definition!
 
2. A formal business meeting. 
For a formal business meeting, I would choose an outfit where I could wear a nice fitted blazer.  Blazers instantly pull a look together and have a way of commanding attention like nothing else. 


3. An informal meeting with co-workers. 
For an informal meeting, I would go a little more casual and wear something with a fun design or pattern.  I've been loving lace this season, and recently found an amazing lace skirt that is still work appropriate!
 
4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors. 
For a business dinner, you can't go wrong with a little black dress.  Stick with one that has a longer hem and is not sleeveless to pull off a more work-appropriate look.
Are there any questions you wish I'd asked or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
Nope. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity!
If you aren't familiar with Kileen, be sure to check out her blog, Cute and Little, for more professional attire inspiration! 

If you'd like to be featured (or want to recommend someone else), please contact me at aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com. 
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend and if you're in the US, hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day as well! See you tomorrow!

Friday, May 27, 2011

FBFF: HAIR!

If you've seen the Friend Friday posts but aren't quite sure what they're about,  click here to read all about it and here to meet Katy, the creator!

This week the Friend Friday bloggers are talking about hair! This isn't a subject I know a lot about, so bear with me here... :) 

1.      How often do you get your hair cut?
Um...when I have time. And money. Which isn't often, I'll tell you that much. I got it trimmed last about three months ago. Prior to that I think it had been a year. Ish. I know long hair should be trimmed every 3-6 weeks or something ridiculous like that (or is it months? eh...) but seriously, who has the time to go get their hair cut that often?

2.      Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?
See 1. I really don't have extra money to spend so I've been going to the Hair Cuttery where I see the same girl who is GREAT. I really like her. However, the woman who does my nails recommended someone at her salon so if she has an opening today after my nails are done, I just might see if she can do something for me. Because I'm bored. I'm always bored with my hair. I've had it layered with long layers and also short layers, I've had it one length, cut to my chin, with bangs and without bangs, and I just can't seem to find a style that is EASY, quick, and works my hair, that doesn't bore me. I'm bored. 

3.      Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?
I used to, before I had my daughter. I dyed it a really pretty, deep red one time and that was great, and then my standard used to be blond streaks. I really liked that but when I got pregnant, I realized I wouldn't have the time or the money for the upkeep so I had it dyed back to my natural color and haven't dyed it again since. So what you see now is my natural color. 

4.      The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:
Wash it. No lie. I know tons of people swear by washing every other day or just a couple of times a week, but my hair is very, very oily so if I don't wash it daily, it looks like poo. Fabulous visual, huh? You're welcome. 

5.      What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?
Up-dos! So many bloggers can throw their hair up in the blogger bun or a chignon or other styles and I just can't. I have ALWAYS wanted to learn how to french braid my own hair, but that never happened. I can't even french braid anyone else's hair, for that matter. Pathetic, I know. I end up leaving my hair in the same style every day, just down and usually blow-dried. Unless I get lazy. Like today. Good thing you can't see me right now. 
Now it's YOUR turn - what's your favorite tip or trick to keeping your hair healthy? What's your favorite updo? 

And help me out here: if you could pick a hair style for me, what would you choose?

Have a GREAT day and a fabulous weekend, everyone!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Daily MelWear: Mom's Office Jeans

No, these aren't MY mom's jeans. They're not mom jeans either. At least I hope not. You'd tell me if they looked like mom jeans, right? I bought them at Plato's Closet a couple of weeks ago and I really like them. They're not so low rise that I have to keep pulling them up, they have a wider hem so they don't look like plain old jeans, they're a darker wash, AND they're wide-legged! Whee!

AND it's Thursday which means tomorrow is Mommy Day with my girl! We're going to visit the VPK class that she'll likely attend next school year. I'm nervous. She's never been put in daycare, only in church, but she's so incredibly social and loves to meet and play with new friends. I don't really know why I'm nervous, other than realizing this is a huge milestone and she's growing up. My sweet little baby has turned into a smart, funny, beautiful, affectionate little girl and she's only getting more grown up with time. I'm so proud of her and really want to soak in this time with her. She's only going to be this age once and I already miss it!

Whew - enough of that before I cry. We're also going to Party City to pick up the goody bag supplies for her fourth birthday next weekend! YAY!!! I'm so excited! She's turning four, and yet this will be the third birthday party we've had with Disney princesses as the theme. Seriously. We picked the 1st Birthday Winnie the Pooh theme for her (duh) first birthday, but she's picked princesses every year since. Silly girl. :)










Okay I'm off to get some work done. Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

Today's outfit:
Jeans: Plato's Closet
Purple Top: Charlotte Russe
Yellow Belt: Target
Yellow Wedges: Ross (I will say that the only annoying thing with sandals and long pants is that the hem constantly gets stuck under my heel when I walk. SO annoying.)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Daily MelWear: It Takes Two, Baby!

Two belts are better than one, right?

I decided to wear this dress today for the sole reason that it's new and I haven't worn it yet. Otherwise, no real purpose.

It's a blank canvas, being a black shirtdress and all. I was wracking my brain all morning during my workout (AFTER watching a roach crawl under my bedroom door then back behind some things where I couldn't kill it; needless to say, when it was time for floor exercises, I turned off the DVD and ended the workout right there) and while I was getting ready, trying to come up with some way to wear this differently (cardigan, blazer, shirt, scarf, something), when I decided that I also wanted to add in some extra color.

Enter: BELTS. Clearly, belts make me happy. It's a rare day when I don't wear one. I bought these two at Target and figured since I like the colors together and they're similar widths/styles, they'd probably work together.

I can't say I'm ecstatic over this, but for a day when I'm going to be processing payments for board members and typing meeting minutes, it works.

What do you think, would you ever wear more than one belt?


Now that it's Wednesday and the week is half over, how has your week been going? What's been the highlight of your week so far?

Today's outfit:
Black Shirtdress: Ross
Teal and Orange Belts: Target
Black Sandals: Beall's

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Daily MelWear: Back From SheCon in Black, White & Red All Over

I've missed you guys! I tried to keep up over the weekend while at SheCon with Rachel, but I just couldn't do it. Thankfully with having yesterday's Proper Professional with Angeline pre-posted, I was able to get around to a lot of blogs and check in with many of you.

I really want to do a whole recap about SheCon, but that'll have to wait until I can get some photos from some people (specifically the ones of us at karaoke that Nicole took!). For now, here's just a few highlights:

The opening keynote speaker was Guy Kawasaki. Heard of him? Yeah, he's fantastic. And we each got a copy of his book, Enchanted! Awesome.

They estimated around 700 people in attendance, I think...but ended up having only around 150. Not great for the presenters or the sponsors in the exhibit hall, but GREAT for those of us attending. We had opportunities to meet and chat with some of the speakers that we wouldn't have had otherwise. It also afforded us the ability to really connect on a much more personal level with the other attendees. I met some truly wonderful people and I intend to stay in touch and make these lasting relationships.

I was able to meet and have lunch with Amy, had drinks with an old friend Courtney from middle school (and now that we've grown up, he decided to fill me in on some of the things people, mostly the boys, said about me back then -  not sure if I should be flattered or offended! Heh.), went to lunch with my friend Anita, and also got to meet and have dinner with one of Rachel's friends.


Our last night there, a big group of us decided to hit the karaoke bar. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read some things about that night, namely the fact that Serena Williams showed up! With her entourage of friends and bodyguards. We had SUCH a great time and as I mentioned before, Nicole took some blackmail great photos that I'll post once I have them. I'll do a better recap of the entire conference too, link to some of the new friends I met (because they're all FABULOUS and you need to meet them too!) and tell you more about what I learned.


But for now, I'll just finish up by talking about the outfit. That's why you come here, right? Well probably not really.

Anyway...

We have a board meeting tonight and I'm getting a little tired of the typical skirt suits so I decided to mix them up a little. I really love the black, white and red color combination, so this outfit was a pretty obvious choice for me. The zebra belt was a last minute idea and I love it with the rest of these pieces!

Hope your week started off fantastic and only gets better!

Today's outfit:
White Skirt: From a suit, from my aunt
Red Shirt: Can't remember now
Black Blazer: Ross
Zebra Belt: Payless
Red/Black Shoes: From my mom

Monday, May 23, 2011

Proper Professional: The New Professional

The Proper Professional feature was birthed out 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 featuring Angeline from The New Professional!
Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
I'm 27, married, and live in the Sacramento, Calif., area. I started my blog in March 2010 when I signed up for the Great American Apparel Diet (no clothes shopping for one year) to chronicle my journey of trying to stay creative and fun with my workwear while saving money and offering whatever advice I could to young professionals (office etiquette, career advice, etc.). Looking good at work is one thing and doing good work is another, but I think the two topics go hand in hand.

Now that my diet is over, I'm back to shopping, but have maintained my blog more as a personal style + office topics blog.
 

How did you come up with your blog name?
Although I knew from the get-go that my blog would have a fashion and outfit bent, I also knew that it wasn't going to be my only focus. So I picked a name that was open enough to accommodate my planned topics, and as a nice side effect, it also describes myself and my readers.
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I am a communications manager and magazine editor for a statewide nonprofit.
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?
According to our personnel policy manual, our dress code is business casual, although it really is based on what events or meetings may be going on (nice denim is allowed when we don't have anything big going on). Generally the expectation is neat, clean, work-appropriate (not revealing, etc.) clothing...the only things that are really frowned upon are shorts and flip flops. My coworkers and I definitely each gravitate toward our own styles, but we all still fit into the dress code.
Do you choose your outfits in advance or in the morning, and how long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?
If only! Sometimes (but only sometimes) I will think about tomorrow's outfit before I go to bed, but I have no formal planning process. This usually results in a lot of discarded clothes on the bed that I have to put away when I get home. From getting out of bed to getting out the door (including my morning shower) is about 45 minutes.
If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
This may seem weird, but I would make our dress code a little more strict. There are just some things that shouldn't be worn in an office, like leggings as pants (even on Casual Friday), short skirts, low-cut tops, etc. Or maybe I just wish our office would enforce something (anything), because they don't.
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 don't think clothing costs should be the company's responsibility--it is ultimately the employee who has chosen the type of position they want to be in and the company they want to work for (although I know choice is rather limited these days). The employee should be aware of the type of workplace they are hoping to work in and the expectations involved.

Although women tend to have more clothes and often spend more money on clothes than men overall, I believe that it is easier to find good sales and a wide selection of womens clothes, while most mens clothes are more expensive to begin with, don't go on sale as much, and aren't as varied. No one is requiring women buy clothing at the volume that many do, and the cost per piece can be (and often is) significantly lower than that for men.
What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?
To me, professional attire is appropriate for the type of work and work environment you're in, and varies greatly from workplace to workplace. If you're in food service, your professional attire is often dictated by your employer, and could include anything from a tank and shorts to full shirt and tie. If you're a trial attorney, your professional attire is likely a suit. If we're comparing large and small companies within the same business, I would expect the professional attire to be the same, but not across segments.
What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
A good pair of trousers, a versatile blazer, a fabulous work dress that can be dressed up or down, and comfortable closed-toe pumps. I would add a pencil skirt to that list, but I understand that many women don't feel comfortable in that shape and it may not be flattering to every body type, but if you are and if it is, a pencil skirt is a must, too.
What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Shorts. Strappy tops. Short skirts or dresses (more than 4-5 inches above the knee, though it depends on your proportions). Tight clothing. Sweats. Leggings or jeggings. Ripped or worn clothing. Flip flops. Cleavage in any piece of clothing.
Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work. 
I'm usually a pants gal, but lately I've been drawn toward skirts, so for the summer, it's a pencil skirt, a short sleeve or cap sleeve top, and heels. 


2. A formal business meeting.  
A black suit, colorful top, colorful shoes, and an interesting necklace. 


3. An informal meeting with co-workers.  
Trouser jeans, colorful top, cardigan, peep-toe heels. 


4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors. 
A knee-length dress, either with sleeves or sleeveless but not strappy, statement necklace, and heels.


Are there any questions you wish I'd asked or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
While I do encourage personal expression in the workplace, I do think that every employee should understand that work is work, and it's not always about personal expression. What you wear may affect your mood and attitude (which you are ultimately in control of), but it should not affect your quality of work. Keep in mind a dress code is not meant to try to restrict your individuality, but is put in place to create a professional and comfortable work environment for everyone. You may not think your dress is affecting others, but it does contribute to the overall environment.

If you're not already reading The New Professional, go check her out now!

If you'd like to be featured (or want to recommend someone else), please contact me at aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend -  now go have a great Monday!!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

FBFF: What I Like About YOU!

If you've been seeing the Friend Friday posts but aren't quite sure what they're about,  click here to read all about it and here to meet Katy, the creator!

Katy writes: "This was inspired by a post by Beautifully Invisible from a couple weeks ago entitled ‘The 10 things that drive me crazy about your blog.’ But before you read it list the 5 things that drive you crazy about blogs you visit."

Well...being the pot-stirrer that I am, I decided to spin this one a little differently. I don't know about you, but I don't really think it's going to do very much for my mood to read a ton of posts about what people don't like. There is WAY too much negativity in the world already and instead of adding to that by discussing the things I don't like, I decided to write this post my way - by sharing the things I LOVE about the blogs I visit! 

{I hope that's okay, that I'm kind of doing the opposite of what the topic is...}

1. I love visiting blogs that share a little bit about the writer's life. I like to know what your favorite food is or how you work out or what you do for a living and how your day was, or about your pets and your family. I want to get to know you and I enjoy reading about your life and who you are. 
 
2. Blogs that don't have music automatically playing make me happy. Most of the time, I read blogs at work (shhhhhhh) and it would not do well at all for me to click over to comment and then some song starts playing loudly. Quiet blogs are good

3. Lack of word verification makes me giddy. I don't have a ton of time to read and post comments but I really do want to comment on as many posts as possible, because I want to connect with you. When you add up all the time it takes to complete word verifications, it probably comes out to hours, at least a quarter of the entire time it takes to read blogs in the first place. I used to have word verifications on my blog but was encouraged to get rid of them and I'm glad I did. I don't get many spam comments, Blogger usually catches them, but the ones that come through only take a second to delete and if that's all it takes for me to make the lives easier of those who take the time to comment on my little blog, then I'll do that. I am SO very happy when I click "post comment" and it automatically goes through without having to complete a word verification!

4. Pictures. I like to see you. I like to see you having fun and being goofy and spending time with friends and family. And I like to see what you find beautiful. That's part of me getting to know you and I find it interesting to learn what others think is photo-worthy.

5. Funnies! As hard as I try to be amusing, I usually fall short. That just makes me love the funny blogs that much more! People like Brittney, Kimberly, and Taylor, just to name a few (there are many more but I can't list all of them!), usually leave me smiling and nodding my head because I can relate to what they're saying (maybe because we're all moms?) and because they make me laugh! I try to make you all laugh, I really do. Typically it's just me laughing at myself, though. :)

Those are just a few of the things that I love about your blogs! There are lots more things but I've run out of time, so we'll leave it at five.

Now it's YOUR turn - what are some of the things you love about your favorite blogs? 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Daily MelWear: Black and Tan

Does that make anyone else think of beer, black and tan? Or is it just me?

Um...

Okay so I saw this post on Ramsey's blog and about fell over because it's just SO stinkin' fabulous. Now, I don't have the cognac shoes and top like she does, so I used a chocolate brown shirt and leopard shoes instead. And I still kind of like her outfit a lot better. 

But whatever. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Be flattered, Ramsey. :) 

You GUYS! I'm leaving tomorrow for the SheCon '11 Blog Conference in Miami with my friend Rachel. We are SO excited!!! I still don't have a bathing suit. And I may not get one before we leave. Rach, is it okay if I go to the pool in a dress? Because that's kind of my only option right now.

Is anyone else going? Amy from Amy Fashion Blog works near there so I'll hopefully get to meet her for lunch on Friday.

All that to say that I may not get to post tomorrow or for the rest of the week (I'll try to post my travel outfit tomorrow but I'm not making any promises). I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share everything with you when I get back!


Have a great Wednesday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Black Skirt: Ross (came as part of a suit)
Khaki Blazer: Goodwill Boutique
Leopard Belt: Wal-Mart
Brown Shirt: Can't remember, probably Ross
Leopard Heels: Payless

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Daily MelWear: Tropical Red

Let me just start by telling you that the Harry Potter ride at Islands of Adventure is AWESOME. Probably the best ride, ever. I loved it! We had a great day, although I didn't take pictures. I brought my camera with several fresh batteries, but didn't take it out once. Sad.

Can we talk about bathing suits for a minute? I hate them. Really, really hate them. I went shopping for one on Sunday and it was AWFUL. I prefer a tankini for the practical purposes of having a two-piece but the modesty of a one-piece. However...NONE of the bottoms are made for anyone above the age of 12. Seriously! Why are they all SO low rise? I want one that comes to just under my belly button, not just above my lady-ness. Is that so much to ask? Really? And I've tried boy shorts, but they look ridiculous. On everyone. They make me look like I'm just wearing shorts that are way too short and tight and they're not at all flattering. So no.  Grrrrr.

Anyway.

Today's dress is the one I mentioned last week and even though we still have office guests, I decided to wear it anyway. I like it. I can wear it without the little bolero/jacket if I get too warm, or on the weekend, but it's office appropriate with the jacket. And it's comfy. And it has adjustable straps so I can make them a little longer if I want to. Yay!

I'm only in the office two days out of four because I was off yesteray and will be off on Thursday to leave for the SheBlog '11 Conference this weekend (is anyone else going?), so these two days in the office will be BUSY getting ready for our Town Hall meeting next Monday and our board meeting on Tuesday.

Whee!


Hope you're all having a great week so far!

Today's outfit:
Dress and Jacket: Sears
Belt: Wal-Mart
Red Sandals: From my mom

Monday, May 16, 2011

Proper Professional: Girls Day Out

The Proper Professional feature was birthed out 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's interview is with Sherry of Girls' Day Out!


Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
I have been married to Dan for nearly 29 years, I have 3 children, 3 grandchildren and LOVE my friends/family. I am a professional in the field of logistics for a large tech company you would recognize if I said their name. I have lived all over the world and the best place on earth is "home" - the US.

I began my blog as a way for the "girls" in my family to keep in touch as we all live all over the place in the US now.

The blog has turned into a fashion blog for me. I have now found an outlet for my interests: fashion, shoes, make-up, friends, family, pets, relationships and faith. I LOVE writing and this is an expected reward for me - writing. I forgot how much I loved being creative with my writing skills. I write Monday thru Friday (and sometimes more) using my OOTDs (Outfit of the Day) as the basis of my comments.
 
How did you come up with your blog name?
For 20 years, all of the women in my family would meet for a weekend. It actually started as my sister, mom and I talking our little girls (Amorina and Cassie) to see the Nutcracker and a fancy dessert at Christmastime. Then, as the girls and family grew, it turned into an entire weekend of fun for approximately 12 of us every year. Last year, on the occasion of our parents 50th Wedding Anniversary, it was our last GDO (Girls Day Out). We will get together as much as possible but we have all spread out further and further and getting together will include our spouses and children. SO - we have a Girls Day Out blog.
 
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I have had many careers in my lifetime (In chronological order): Bookkeeper for my dad, Supervisor at a fast food restaurant, Register Dental Assistant, Dental Office Manager, Stay at home mom, Property Manager, Certified Tax Preparer, Executive Administrator, Project Management Professional, Logistics Specialist, Sr. Program Manager in a global logistics position. That is my current position for a large tech company. I LOVE my job and look forward to getting dressed and going to work every day!

 
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?
At my company people dress very diversely. I live in the SF Bay Area - so that should tell you a little something! :) There are folks in shorts, shoes or no shoes, dresses (men or women), kilts, business suits, pajamas and everything in between. For me, I like to dress in business casual. You can see that in my posts every day. The only code I have is to wear clothes that show I mean business and look "professional". I dress every day as if I am going to meet our CEO. My rule of thumb - dress nicer than everyone else in the room.



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 think about outfits ALL DAY LONG! I just LOVE fashion! I pick out an outfit in my head and then the night before I lay it all out - including accessories (jewelry, belts, shoes, etc.) Then once I have it on, I might change it - but not often. It takes me 5 minutes to dress, 10 minutes for shower, 15 minutes to put on my makeup, 10 minutes to do my hair and 10 minutes to eat breakfast. I can cut out shower and hair and eat breakfast in the car. Sometimes I need to do that if I am tired and my hair is halfway decent! :)



If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
No pajamas, and shoes are required. It grosses me out to see someone barefoot in the cafeteria. ICKY!!!

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?
There have been investigations done about the productivity of people and their standard of dress. I can't site anything off the top of my head but I think that if people dress like they mean business, they will act the same way. Much like if you smile, you will end up feeling cheerful. Our CEO wears jeans and TShirts... but he always looks nice. He sets the standard and I am ok with that.

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 different based on the business and nature of the owners/leaders. I think the same code is appropriate for the rest of the employees. My definition, dress like you want to impress and command a presence of respect.



What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
Crisp white button up shirt; Pencil Skirt, Nice flats or pumps (leather); Good quality purse or handbag; Trench coat; Form fitting jacket that can be worn with pants or a skirt (black, brown, or grey - something neutral); Nice dress pants.

What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Flip flops, pajamas, torn clothing of ANY type, sweat pants, clothing that shoes too much skin.

Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings:
1. A typical day at work.
1. Pencil Skirt, Cardigan, Pumps, nice top or cami.



















2. A formal business meeting.
2. The same - it is acceptable in my company.


3. An informal meeting with co-workers.
3. Jeans, nice Jacket, crisp white button-up shirt.  

4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors.
4. Any of the above depending on the restaurant.


Are there any questions you wish I'd asked, or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
Maybe how big is my wardrobe? I have 80 pairs of pumps and 30 cardigans and 4 jackets. I am a hoarder pumps and cardigans!!! LOL! These questions were great! Cheers!
 
If you haven't checked out Sherry's blog yet, click here to go visit!
 
As always, if you'd like to be featured or want to suggest another blogger (or if you just wanna say HAI!), email me at aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com.
 
Have an AWESOME Monday, everyone! I took the day off of work to spend it at Universal having a girls' day with my sister-in-law and another very good friend. Harry Potter and frozen butterbeer, here we come!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Daily MelWear: Just In Case...

I had an outfit all planned out for today with jeans and a cute top...but then I remembered that I might need to run over to the main medical plaza for a couple things and I can't wear that. And then when I got here I found out I don't have to do it. Meh.

I have a serious case of writer's block right now. I'm usually pretty verbiose but lately I haven't had anything to say. Um...it's hot? Good, checked weather off the list.

That is some riveting stuff right there.  

Would you all rather see more outfits with less text or do you prefer to follow blogs with more writing? What do YOU want to read about? Ooooooh, how about this - is there anything you want to know? Ask me some questions and then I can answer them in future posts.

There. That's better.

Today's outfit:
Black Sheath Dress: Target
Black Cardigan: Ross
Teal Belt: Salvation Army
Silver Heels: Payless

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Daily MelWear: Modern Professional Momma

I like this suit. A lot.

Today we're going to lunch with another department to celebrate all of our hard work in launching the new electronic system that we purchased. I figured this outfit worked because:

1. It's a suit. Duh.
2. It meets ALL of the dress code requirements.
3. The cut and fabric make it a little more modern, and casual since we're doing lunch rather than attending a board meeting.
4. The jacket has belt loops! BELTS!!!
5. The color combo of teal and orange is super fun. I almost wore my yellow belt again until I remembered this orange one.
6. These heels, while slightly uncomfortable (to be honest, they're kicked off under my desk as I type!), have a fun little bow with rhinestones but they're not open-toe and don't have a pattern so they're within code.
7. Did I mention the jacket has belt loops? Oh how I love belts.

So. YAY!

I don't really have a whole lot else to say. My evening last night was full of exhaustion and waiting in a gas station parking lot for the highway patrol and UGH. Everyone is fine, I wasn't the one in the accident, but suffice it to say that I am TIRED.

Things will get better. They always do.




Have a great Wednesday, everyone!

Today's outfit:
Suit: Ross
Teal Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Orange Belt: Target
Cream Heels: DSW