Daily MelWear: All Mixed Up

I've always loved the black and brown combination on other bloggers, but I don't have enough brown in my closet to pull it out very often. Today felt like a simple day, after being a bit more formal with meetings the past two days, so I went with this black shirtdress and decided to throw on my cognac sandals and cognac snakeskin belt.

The mixed neutrals begged for mixed metals too, so I added this necklace that has both gold and silver.

You guys, I've been doing really well with the whole exercising and eating well thing, even allowing myself some cake for my mom's birthday last weekend, but I've just had the munchies the past couple of days! I need to drink more water and pop more gum, I think.

Do you have a calorie range you try to stay within each day? What do you do when you're hungry or have the munchies?

Today's outfit:
Black Shirtdress: Ross
Cognac Belt: Salvation Army
Cognac Sandals: Target
Necklace: Wal-Mart (I think...)

Daily MelWear: Not A Dress

As much as I wanted to wear a suit for the board meeting last night, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I absolutely adore Florida and all of its warm weather glory, but I do wish it wasn't quite as hot, so I could wear some of my suits. 

Contrary to how this appears, I'm not wearing a dress. It's an a-line skirt, my turquoise/teal blouse, and a black jacket. The orange belt made me feel a little Halloween-ish, but I figured the blouse threw it off enough. The leopard heels kick it up a notch, too.

I've worn the teal/orange combo before and almost wanted to do a yellow belt today instead, but I really do like it with the orange. It just makes me happy.

What are some of your favorite unexpected color combinations? 

Today's outfit:

Black Skirt: Kohl's

Teal Blouse: Charlotte Russe

Black Jacket: Can't remember, probably Ross

Orange Belt: Target

Leopard Heels: Payless

Daily MelWear: Not A Suit

So, I said yesterday that I was going to post a suit today...except that I didn't wear one. 

We did have our Town Hall meeting that we co-host with another department, but when trying to decide on a suit the night before, I just didn't have it in me to wear one, because most of mine include heavy long sleeves. I need more summer suits. The meeting isn't as formal as our board meetings (we have one of those tonight) so I felt like I could get away without an actual suit.

The color combo of gray, black, and red is what lead me to throw this outfit together. I really didn't need the black shirt but just wanted to make sure my neckline was covered enough for my boss's preference, and I liked the double collar with the jacket anyway.

And now if you'll excuse me, I need to go waste some time watching The Bachelorette.

Have a great Tuesday, friends!

Today's (ACK - yesterday's!) outfit:

Gray Dress: Ross

Black Shirt: NY&Co (SO old)

Red Jacket: Can't remember

Black Belt: Ross (came with another jacket)

Red/Black Heels: From my mom

Proper Professional: Monster Cakes

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 Jessica at Monster Cakes is going to tell us what she thinks about professional attire!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.

My name is Jessica, and you can find me over at Monster Cakes, my life and style blog, where I share adventures with my mister and our two giant pups. When I'm not blogging or freelance writing, I'm drinking coffee, reading, and swooning over anything with polka dots.

How did you come up with your blog name?

My husband calls me Monster. Monster Cakes when he's cross (wink wink). I'm completely smitten with the name, so it just seemed natural to use it for my blog.

Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?

I'm an executive assistant at a small audio book publishing company. 

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?

Since my office is smaller and very laid back, there isn't really a dress code. People dress very casually, and many of my coworkers wear jeans and hats to work every day. I'm a big believer in dressing for the job you want, not the job you have, so I dress much more formal than most of my coworkers. To not be overdressed, I try to mix my casual pieces in with my pencil skirts and blazers. 

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 usually choose my outfit in a chaotic moment of panic five minutes before I should be leaving the house for work. It never fails. It usually takes me anywhere from thirty minutes to forty-five minutes to get ready in the morning, depending on how clean my room is and if my clothes are hung up.

If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?

If I was able to change my company's dress code, I'd probably make it more formal. I think that if people are dressed like they mean business, their confidence and their work will reflect that. I do love the freedom that accompanies business casual, though, so maybe just a bit more dressy would be nice.

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?

Honestly? Not really. I think it's fair to provide uniforms if you want employees to all dress the same every day, but otherwise I think dress codes are part of the game. I think if you want a job that bad, you will do what it takes to get it. There are always ways to look amazing and professional while still shopping in a budget friendly way. Sometimes it just takes a little more creativity, which can be the fun part! 

What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?

I do think it varies from small to large businesses, which is something I had to adjust to when I got my current job. I was amped and ready to wear pencil skirts, sky high heels, and suits, but I quickly realized this was not that kind of establishment. It was more casual. So I decided that for me, professional attire is dressing in a way that shows I should be taken seriously and I am ready to take on the world. Now I approach my office's casual style by mixing in my own flair with my dressier pieces, that way I'm adhering to normal standards while still showing I mean business.

What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?

I think classic pieces that never go out of style should be in every working woman's closet: a pencil skirt, a trench coat, a white button down shirt, a pair of black pumps, and a blazer. With these at your disposal, you can get creative and mix in a bit of your own flair. Plus, it's an investment because they never go out of style!

What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?

I'm not a big fan of spaghetti strap tank tops, no matter how casual the work environment. I could also do without midriff. What can I say? Belly buttons and bra straps distract me.

Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings:

1. A typical day at work.

I typically wear a white button down or a white tee shirt with a pair of trousers or a pencil skirt. I keep it simple and add a few pops of color with accessories.

 

2. A formal business meeting.

If I know I have a big corporate meeting, I bust out the sheath dress or the high-waisted dress pants to give me the extra boost of confidence.

3. An informal meeting with co-workers.

I like wearing nice jeans, cardigans, and some chic flats to casual business meetings.

4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors

If I had a business dinner with co-workers and superiors, I might just add a higher pair of heels and some extra bling to my normal work attire. The extra somethin' somethin' would make me feel a bit dressier without overdoing it.

BIG thanks to Jessica for answering these and letting us know what she thinks about professional attire. Have you visited her blog yet? What are you waiting for?

Today we're hosting a Town Hall meeting with another department so I'm in a suit, to be posted tomorrow. 

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and have a great Monday, too! 

Don't forget - if you'd like to be featured as a Proper Professional or have someone to recommend, or if you just want to say HAI!, email me at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com}.

{ETA: I know I'm a little late to the Smashion party, but my interview with them posted today! Go check it out!}

Saturday Stuff: Features, Thank Yous, Info, and Questions

Happy Saturday, everyone!

There have been some happy things in the world of the internetz this past week and I haven't had a chance to post about them. I figured I would start a Saturday Stuff feature that I might do every so often just to talk about things like this, things that I don't get a chance to bring up during the week (or more likely, I forget!). 

So for this first edition, I wanted to let you all know about a website called Pocket Change. They have a style and fashion blog where they featured me as one of their Best of the Web blogs!  They run this feature on Fridays and I'm excited to be mentioned!

I also have some thank yous to extend to several bloggers who honored me with the Best Blog Award on Monday! 

Thank you so very much to Heather, Angelica, and Tiffany!

Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the person who gave you this award. Okay. :)

2. Share 7 random things about yourself. I feel like I've done this a lot lately so you may read some random things you already know about me.

- I'm a cat person, I LOVE cats, I've grown up with cats, and I've never NOT had a cat until this year when mine passed away on New Year's Eve. When I get my own place, I'm getting another cat.

- I've played soccer, taken dance lessons and was even in the dance company for a year or two, did baton twirling for a season, and have always loved singing and performing. My favorite is singing. If I could sing for a living, I would, but right now it's mostly just during the Christmas season that I sing professionally.

- I love to read and used to read ALL the time. Now that I have my daughter, and the blog, I haven't read a book in years!

- I cooked dinner for my parents last night to surprise my mom for her birthday! If you know me, that's a HUGE deal. You see, I can burn water. Yes. I'm worse than a beginner when it comes to cooking but I did it and they liked it! Who wants to teach me how to cook?

- I've had serious acne issues and swear by ProActiv. I will never again use anything different.

- I'm trying hard to make this blog a space where everyone feels welcome, relaxed, and uplifted. It's kind of difficult when I'm going through some stuff and I don't feel uplifted. After lots of talk within the blog world in the past about how some bloggers aren't authentic, I don't want to be un-authentic, but I also don't want to bring my personal issues into this space to bring everyone else down.

- Match.com and eHarmony scare me. Lots of people have recommended them, and I know lots of people who have met and even gotten married because of those sites, but they kind of make me very nervous. 

3. Award 15 blogs. (In no particular order)

So many of the people I would award this to have already received it, and I don't want to leave anyone out, so let's just say if you're on my blog roll, I award this to you! Honestly, I consider all of the blogs that I read to be the best blogs and deserve this award. I wouldn't read and follow them if I didn't think that. :) 

4. Answer the following questions:

a. Your favorite song
Oh, there are too many to pick just one!

b. Your favorite dessert
Anything chocolate, really. Except chocolate cake. For some strange reason, I'd much prefer white cake with white icing. Otherwise, anything chocolate.

c. What is ticking you off

The fact that I can't fit into my white pants again!

d. When you are upset, you:
Cry. Usually. And if I'm crying or depressed, I can't eat. If I'm angry, writing usually helps me get that out so I'll email a friend.

e. Your favorite pet
Probably my Figaro.

f. Black or White

Black and White cookies. Yum.

g. Biggest fear

Just one? I have too many. Flying, elevators, natural bodies of water. Then there's the usual one about anything bad happening to my daughter.

h. Best feature

Probably my hair. Even though I'm kind of bored with the style of it, it's still healthy and shiny and I like it.

i. Everyday Attitude

Just trying to stay positive!

j. What is perfection

God.

k. Guilty pleasure

Can I say chocolate again? No? Okay then wine. Or beer. Or both. But not together, that would be gross. 

 

Thanks again for the award, ladies! You made my day. :) 

 

For those of you who may be interested, I've decided to start posting on my other blog, Melosophy, again. I'm not sure how often I'll post because A Working Mom's Closet is my primary focus right now, but that was the first blog I started to help me on my weight loss journey, and it's just a place for me to write about life and my philosophy on anything else I feel like writing about. 

And last but not least, if you've made it all the way through that, not only do I commend you :) but I also want to ask your opinion:

 

What do you LIKE about A Working Mom's Closet? 

What don't you like? 

What would you like to see more of, or less of? 

What changes would you like to see here, if any? 

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Now it's time for me to go get my princess ready for soccer practice this morning. Afterward, my brother and his family will meet us for brunch, then my SIL (his wife) and I, and her mom, are going to see Harry Potter! Tonight we're all going to dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday. It's going to be a great day!

Hope you all have a fantastic day too!

SheCon Lovely: Nicole Morgan

The SheCon Lovely feature is my way of introducing my readers to the new friends that I made while attending SheCon '11 in Miami, Florida in May. Rather than doing one post with only my thoughts on the conference and telling you about those that I met, I thought it would be more fun for you to read opinions from more people while meeting them firsthand through a guest post.

To read what the previous SheCon Lovelies had to say, click here.

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of my personal favorites: Nicole! I met her on the 2nd day (I think) and just fell in love with her fun personality and how incredibly sweet she is! She lives in Florida too so there's a chance we might be able to get together sometime, too. Yay!

*Tell us a little about yourself and your blog (your name, your blog name and any meaning behind it, what you write about, WHO you are, etc.)

Hi, so very pleased to meet you - I am Nicole ...

LOVE that blurry look for aged, don't you?


and I write a little blog called By Word of Mouth Musings

You can read all about me in my About Me and My Family 

pages on my blog, but for now I’ll just share a little bit.

By Word of Mouth Musings was a ‘need to have a name right now, need to start a blog right now, heaven forbid I should take a little time over this’ decision kind of name.  In hindsight, I would change it, but for now it is what it is.  My words, my musings.

I write about my life as a Wife, and a Mom to a tween and a teen, I’m a Liberal Christian Homeschooler, married to a Gourmet Cooking Atheist, traveling the world and getting by the best that I can.  Some days I’ll make you laugh, some days I’ll make you cry, and hopefully, some days I will make you stop and think. Mostly, I’d just like to keep you entertained, and I am WAY better than a magazine because never on my blog will you encounter an airbrushed sixteen year old that will make you feel badly about yourself. Nevah!

*Have you been to any other blogging or social media conferences before? If so, which ones?

This was my year to head off to bloggy stuff and truly get my feet wet and I attended my very first conference this year in Nashville TN - Blissdom. It opened my eyes to a whole new world and thus the post  Dare You Find Your Bliss was born. Next up, was SheCon where I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa.  Being a complete blogging junkie this year, I then headed to TypeA which I would highly recommend for anyone looking to attend a very first conference.  Next up is Blogher and then Relevant - so more news to follow!

@frelle, Nicole and me before heading to karaoke! I feel left out without a boa...

*What were some of your reasons for attending SheCon?

Living in Florida, I had yet to meet any Floridian bloggers and was hoping to make friends and plan a social event to get them together to network, and of course, have fun. Meeting bloggers from these sunny shores was such a pleasure and so for bloggers living anywhere nearby, or anyone reading who is thinking of blogging, be sure to be in touch - because we are planning a get together!

*Who were your favorite speakers and why? 

To pick just one - it would have to be Guy Kawasaki - real, upfront and personal.  He connected with the people in the audience and came across as genuine - the real deal. Being real and sincere is so important when it comes to reaching an audience.

*What do you think is the most important thing you learned from the SheCon presentations?

Do not be afraid to put your self out there.

Be personal, be real, be genuine, be reliable.

Be You!

*What do you think is the most important thing you learned from the conference as a whole?

You will take from a conference what you are willing to put into it.  Sadly, the attendance was not what they had anticipated, but for the attendees - that was great.  It made for more personal connections and one on one time relationship building time.

*What were your favorite events/activities?

The Wine Sisterhood rocked it hands down as an event to attend.  Kudo’s to The Clever Girls and their cupcakes, Calliope Games were loads of fun and then the word ‘karaoke’ crops in here … and that is all I will say about ‘that‘. {Editor's note: Nicole was HYSTERICAL at karaoke. She's just a *few* years older than me and I have said, and will say again, that I want to grow up to be JUST like her!}

*What advice would you give to someone who has never attended a conference and is considering one in the future?

Just do it!  It will open your eyes to a new world, and the more you put yourself out there, the more you will gain in personal growth and that too will translate into growth for your blog and really increase your sense of community.  I solicited a friend to publish a blog so that I didn’t attend Blissdom alone, of course, now we are inseparable and I love it that way! But for anyone reading this and planning on heading to a blog alone - just send me a message and I PROMISE to seek you out!

Meeting bloggers in real life, a face to the words that you read on line, you cannot imagine what that feels like.  You see someone across the room and you recognise them from their Twitter avatar and the next minute you are sharing a hug, happy squeals and cocktails! I never could have imagined the relationships I have made here in the blogosphere - and so far not one Mommy Blogger has turned out to be a 60 year old cross dresser!

I really can't say enough good things about Nicole. She writes lots of posts where bloggers can link up and get to know one another. It's obvious from how many people link and the types of comments she receives that she is well loved by her readers and for good reason! Nicole is a wonderful person and even if you aren't a mother, you'll love her too.

I hope you all had a wonderful week and have an even better weekend!!!

Daily MelWear: Swirly

I really had no idea what to title this post, and then I looked down at my dress and figured swirly was appropriate.

This cardigan is a little too long with the length of the skirt (see the full length of the cardigan here and wow that dress would be too short at this office...) so I folded it under (hence the extra love handles around the waist - I assure you that's the cardigan fluff. I think.) and used a wider belt. (What's with the plethora of parentheses and asides in this post?!)

I posted a photo of this dress styled for the weekend on Facebook last weekend. Are you a fan on Facebook?

FYI, since some of you have asked about my dress code at work, so I've added a page that explains more about it.

I'm still a little preoccupied with some things this week, but I'm trying to make the rounds to visit blogs even if I can't comment and hopefully I'll have more to say next week. Unless you're liking these less verbose posts, in which case maybe I should make this the norm. :)

You guys are awesome. You all make me smile every day with your sweet comments and emails, and I'm so grateful for technology to have "met" you. Have a great Thursday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Wal-Mart
Cardigan: Plato's Closet
Belt: Kohl's (came with a dress)
Heels: Wal-Mart

Daily MelWear: Maximum Comfort

I think I want to live in maxi dresses forever. I know some people may argue that they're too casual for the office, but I think this is entirely appropriate for my office setting.

I also need to invest in more summer scarves. While our dress code prohibits necklaces, it says nothing about scarves.

Who wants to teach me a million different ways to tie a scarf? Because this is pretty much the only way I know how. Although I've belted a scarf a couple times, worn one under a blazer, used one as a belt, and pinned & belted a scarf once, too.

Still...I need some new tricks.

Hope you're all having a fabulous week!

Today's outfit:

Black Dress (as a skirt): Ross
Purple Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Scarf: Plato's Closet
White Snakeskin Belt: Dots
Sandals: Beall's

Daily MelWear: Meow

I don't feel particularly leopard-like, but "meow" is what my co-worker said when she saw me in the jacket, so I'm going with it.

I wore this yesterday because I met a friend for dinner last night and wanted to be able to go from work to dinner in the same outfit (see the dress by itself here and here). I figured she would look fantastic because she always does, so this was my best effort.

I'm kind of short on words and thoughts today, friends. I may be a little sparce in the internetz this week. And maybe next. I dunno, we'll see what happens.

Today's (yesterday's) outfit:

Dress: Ross

Leopard Jacket and Belt: Ross
Heels: Beall's

Proper Professional: Megan Mae Daily

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 from Megan of Megan Mae Daily. Megan is so very dependable and faithful. I can count on her to honestly tell me if she doesn't like something; she is always tactful and kind, and always offers suggestions for improvement. I can be very sensitive and critiques are hard to take sometimes, but she always manages to put a huge smile on my face even on those days when I'm not at my best. She was and is still one of my biggest supporters during my rough patches of the divorce, job loss, and other life stuff. 

And now that I've gushed a lot, let's see what Megan has to say. :) 

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.

I'm a young married woman and currently attending college. I started my blog to meet people who were interested in fashion and to develop my personal sense of style. I've always loved costuming and extreme fashions, and I am to push my personal boundaries to discover clothes in a whole new way.

 

How did you come up with your blog name?

It's just me. Almost every day. Talking about life, the weather, and my clothes.

 

Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?

I go to school and take care of myself and husband around the home. I've also taken on small projects from volunteer work to art commissions.

 

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?

I do not have a dress code, but I have begun to set a standard for myself. I try to push past the typical black tee and jeans (though they show up sometimes). I try to extend past that though and play with as many different things as I am able to hopefully create a well edited closet with a defined style. I also do not allow myself to wear sweatpants to classes (only one time I have, and I had the flu and a final exam due!). I get dressed every day no matter what I do.

 

Do you choose your outfits in advance or in the morning, and how long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?

Sometimes I have my whole week planned out. For example Fashion Challenge I tend to pre-plan the whole week so I can focus on making sure outfits get accessorized, and I won't be scrambling with an ill-suited outfit for the day. Other days, I wake up and put on whatever appeals to me in that moment or whatever is most appropriate for the weather - trying to pick interesting pieces that need little additional accessories.

 

If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?

I wish my fellow class mates would consider appropriateness. I know that college is freedom for many people, but I think that clothes that are way too tight/exposing are inappropriate anywhere. Also sleep clothing is not day wear and should not be worn to class except in rare cases.

 

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?

Yes I do. Especially if you're expected to dress in specialized clothing like suits, scrubs, uniforms, or other occupational specific dress code. I think money wise men and women should be about equal. In my experience, professional women's clothing can be acquired at much more reasonable prices and in wider ranges of fit than men's clothing. I just took my husband to buy his first suit, and let's just say I'd rather find a suit for myself any day! Women spend more when you add in beauty products and accessories, but I think that should be considered aside from "clothing/shoes" which is usually all that's required for dress code.

 

What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?

I think professional attire's appropriateness is dependent on the venue. I'd never expect retail workers to wear the same thing an accountant, nurse or lawyer might wear. I think small business owners/workers should be as aware of the image they project as any in a larger corporation, and make sure that their clothing reflects the level of professionalism expected of them. First impressions can make the difference between success or failure.

 

What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?

Slacks or skirts, blouses, comfortable professional looking shoes (be it flats or heels). A fitted blazer. I think every woman will have different needs, but most will need these key things.

 

What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?

Sweat pants (unless you're a professional trainer). I could throw in halter tops, mini skirts, and shorts, but the blog world has shown me that shorts can be made into a shorts suit, mini skirts are subjective, and halter tops can be hidden under a blazer if carried off properly. Expect the unexpected. {Editor's note: AMEN! Especially with the halter tops. :)}

 

Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 

1. A typical day at work. 

A typical day at class: Jeans and a top with boots, or a dress with heels depending on the weather.

2. A formal business meeting. 

A class presentation: Slacks with a blazer and nice blouse. Dressier than every day.

3. An informal meeting with co-workers. 

Going out with friends, or meeting classmates for group work: Something a bit more quirky or over the top. Make up and interesting accessories.

4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors.

Dinner with the in-laws, or meeting with a teacher: A blouse and skirt or nice dress.

Thanks Megan! If you're not following her yet, you really should. She and Keely host Fashion Challenges that are SO much fun (and I'd participate if I had more leeway in my work dress code). 

 

If you're interested in being featured as a Proper Professional, send me an email at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com}.  Or just email me to tell me what you did this weekend! Hope you had a great one!

FBFF: I'm a WHAT?!

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!

Katy wrote a post last week about labels and decided to use that as the topic for this week's questions, too.

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category?
Absolutely. There are some blogs that write about high fashion, some about thrifting, some about DIY projects...I write about my daily outfits that are most definitely NOT high fashion. Honestly, I don't even know the names of most of the popular designers. I just don't keep up with fashion news, really. I like what I like, I'm inspired by other style bloggers, and I don't feel a need to surround myself with designer ideals. So, that being said, I feel that I've placed myself in the outfit-of-the-day, professional working mom style blogger category. 

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a certain kind of blogger?
I guess the feeling that I need to make sure I blog in a certain niche. That's the advice you'll hear from most pro-bloggers, that you have to define your niche so that you can find your readers.

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being?
I'm drawn to the ones who blog similarly to the way I do, with daily outfit photos, but I really love the witty and encouraging blogs. I've stopped following blogs when the writer constantly berates themselves and doesn't seem to really enjoy writing or have any happiness in what they're writing about.

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others?
I think there's a benefit to labeling blogs, because it helps people to find the subjects that interest them the most. Even labeling a blog as fashion and beauty is too broad. It does help to have more clear, concise labels for writing style and subject matter.

5. Agree or Disagree - We're all just people; we don't need all the labels.
Now with people, I really don't think we need labels. There are too many possible labels, too many emotions, too many moods, too many variables to label a person as any one thing, or even several things. People are people, and that's the only label they need.

What do YOU think? Would you label yourself and if so, how?  

Daily MelWear: Zebra In Green

I wasn't so sure I'd like this outfit. I'm not positive that I really like this dress to begin with. The only other time I've worn it was here and while that outfit worked pretty well, I think the dress by itself stumps me a little. {I just noticed I'm wearing the same necklace, too. Wow, how's that for unimaginative?}

The shirt seems like it would be too long to work well, but I actually really like the length of it against the length of the dress. This may not be my most professional outfit, though nothing really stands out as inappropriate, but I think it's a bit more "different" than my boss would like (she tends to say that I dress "crazy"). The good news is that she didn't say anything about it, so I suppose it worked okay.

There have been a few times I've put on an outfit, felt okay about it, then by the time I got to work (or halfway through the day) I was uncomfortable because I decided it wasn't as appropriate or professional as I'd like to project.

So friends, tell me about a time you wore an outfit you initially liked, but then vowed never to wear again. I can't be the only one with these outfit mood swings, can I?

Okay and speaking of questions, does anyone use Formspring anymore? I don't really get questions on there and have considered deleting my account, because people can contact me via email (or Twitter, or Facebook) with questions. What are your thoughts?

Have a great Thursday, lovelies!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Green Shirt: Charlotte Russe
Black Belt: Macy's (came with a dress)

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Wal-Mart

Daily MelWear: To Blazer or Not to Blazer

I think I need more summer blazers in my life. I planned this outfit around wearing this blazer because of last night's board meeting, but it was so stinkin' hot (even in the board room, I was almost sweating) that I didn't put the jacket on once. 

Okay that's a lie; clearly I did put it on once. For these photos. And that's it for the day. 

So let me pose these questions to you, dear friends. Does this outfit say board meeting attire to you without the jacket? Also, if it's too hot to wear a blazer (seriously, I need to go shopping for more lightweight and short-sleeved blazers), what else screams "professional" to you? 

Thanks for sharing your opinions with me about this! If you want to share even MORE of your thoughts, email me at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com} to be featured in an upcoming Proper Professional interview!

Have a great day, everyone!

Today's outfit:

White Skirt: From my aunt

White Blazer: Stein Mart

Shirt (it's all one piece, folks): Ross

Red Belt: Salvation Army

Red/Black Shoes: From my mom