Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Daily MelWear: Teal and Red

I feel like I should just make this a Wordless Wednesday post. I still really don't have much to say and that's entirely unlike me. Usually I spout off TMI.

Hmmm...well I like this dress. We're not allowed to wear anything sleeveless and I typically layer a cardigan or something over it, so I decided to change it up by layering a shirt underneath this time. Teal and red make me happy so the belt and shoes were easy additions.

Oooh, have I talked about my daughter starting VPK? She's having a BLAST and has gotten great reports every single day. She's in her third week and doing really well. Last week towards the end of the week, she started to have some issues crying and not wanting to stay. Let me tell you, dropping her off and hearing her cry, "I want my mommy!" is not a pleasant way to go. Well, a very good friend came up with the brilliant idea to give her a watch so that she can see the hour hand move from 9 to 12, so she'd see the closer it gets to 12, the closer we are to picking her up. I went out and bought her a watch that very day, gave it to her after school and told her how to watch the hour hand.

Seriously, brilliant. I asked her dad how she did this morning, and he told me she said she wasn't scared because she knew when both of the hands were on the 12, he was coming to get her.  And she went right into her classroom with no problem!

I'm so proud of how well she's doing and of all the glowing reports she gets every day. I love that little girl.

There now. That was more words than yesterday.


Yay for Wednesday! The week is half over! I truly, honestly, wholeheartedly, cannot wait for this weekend.

Can't. Wait.

Have a great day, y'all!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Target
Blouse: Charlotte Russe
Belt: Salvation Army
Shoes: From my mom
Necklace: Gift from ML

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Daily MelWear: Turquoise and Pink

Can I tell you how much I love this dress? I think it's the color more than anything else. And what else goes with turquoise but PINK? Okay, lots of other colors like yellow, red, purple, orange...

Options, I like them. Did I miss any other coordinating colors?

I'm feeling a little wordless today. I'm happy. That's really all I have to say.

Hope you guys are having a great week so far!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Pink Cami: Charlotte Russe
Cardigan: Kohl's
Sandals: Beall's

Monday, August 29, 2011

Proper Professional: Heather of H & K Style Journey

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 I have the honor of introducing some of you to (because many of you already know) Heather of H & K Style Journey! Heather and her daughter started a style blog not long ago, but they have such fantastic style and are so personable and fun that their blog is growing leaps and bounds. Without further ado, let's hear what Heather has to say!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
My name is Heather. I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and I have been married to my wonderful husband for 11 years. My 16 year old daughter Kayla and I started our blog in May 2011 as a way to share our love of fashion, a way to spend time together, to learn to shop our closets, and show that you can look stylish on a budget.
How did you come up with your blog name?
We came up with our blog name because we feel that finding your style is a journey and the H and K are our initials (Heather and Kayla)
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do? 
I work outside the home full time as the General Manager for a hazardous materials removal contractor.
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?
We do not have a strict dress code at our office, so my dress code is self-imposed. I feel in my position, I represent our company in various situations so I need to look professional at all times. Our office staff is more on the loose side of business casual and our construction staff has company logo uniforms.
Do you choose your outfits in advance or in the morning, and how long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?
Most of my outfits are chosen the night before depending on what my schedule is for the next day. It usually takes me 30 minutes to get ready in the morning and the other 30 minutes are spend getting the kids out the door and taking care of my dog before leaving for work.
If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
If I could rewrite the dress code, I wouldn't change much at my office because I have the freedom to dress as I please. I would like our staff to tighten up on the business casual look a bit and have actual dress code guidelines.
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 feel that anyone can dress professionally on a budget no matter where they work and what position they are in. I am a big fan of Target and Kohls as well as thrift stores. You can find some good deals by shopping the clearance racks and by thrifting. It's amazing all the great quality items that can be found out thrift stores!
What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?
My definition of professional attire is someone who looks pulled together no matter what the dress code and whether it's a small or large corporation. A nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt, a pencil skirt and a cardigan, or a nice pair of dark wash trouser jeans with a blazer can all be professional.
What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
Everyone should have a few basics in their professional arsenal. I feel that a pair of black, gray and brown dress pants or skirts, a few colorful tops, a great dress, a blazer, and some fun accessories and jewelry to change up your look. It's amazing how just changing your accessories can make the same outfit look totally different. Also, just adding a blazer can really take a look up a notch.
What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Flip flops, tummy bearing tops, ripped and torn jeans, and hooded sweatshirts are never work appropriate. Believe it or not, I have seen all these items in the various offices I have worked at!
Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work.
A pencil skirt in a fun print and a bright top.
2. A formal business meeting. 
A wrap dress.

3. An informal meeting with co-workers. 
A skirt or dress, or a nice pair of pants and a top.
4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors.
I would probably wear a fun top with a colorful pencil skirt.
Are there any questions you wish I'd asked or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
I think you covered a wide spectrum of questions! Thank you so much for the opportunity to be featured in Proper Professional! This is one of my favorite features on your blog and it is so much fun to see all the different walks of life are out there in the blog world!
Heather, thank you SO much for taking the time to answer the questions and give us your take on how to dress professionally. You've been such a source of inspiration to me and I'm excited for you and Kayla as you develop and grow your blog
And YOU, dear friends...I need more of you for future Proper Professional posts! If you've ever considered it, please contact me right this second and let me know you're interested so I can add you to the list. I've been doing this for a few months now, and my list of future features is getting shorter and shorter, so now is the time to let me know. It doesn't matter if you're a stay at home mom, or work as a cashier, or are the CEO of a huge corporation - everyone has an opinion and I want to feature yours! Email me at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com}. 
Have a happy Monday, lovelies!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Daily MelWear: Style Me, Heather!

A few weeks ago I posted an outfit suggested to me by the always fabulous Kish. I had fun wearing what she suggested and so I asked if any of you have other suggestions.

Heather of H & K Style Journey wrote this: "I would like to see you do a pink and yellow combo? And incorporate one of your scarves into the the outfit."

Well...clearly I slacked on the scarf part. I only have one pink scarf and it's a little too thick for 95 degree weather. And I don't have a yellow scarf. So.

I still pulled out the pink and yellow! I love these two colors together. They're always so bright and cheery and while I would've preferred wearing a white skirt or dress without any black, I think this one works just fine.

It really is kind of fun to wear an outfit put together by someone else. If you're so inclined, take a look back through the archives and see if there is any combination I've missed that you think I should try - style me!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Yellow Jacket: Burlington
Pink Belt: Salvation Army
Pink Heels: Plato's Closet

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Daily MelWear: Mad Men...ish

So, here's a sad story. I don't have HBO. {I know, it's really not all that sad.} That has made it so that I can't watch Mad Men. In fact, I'd never seen any of them until about a month ago when the first season popped up on Netflix. Oh, happy day!

I've watched a ton of them already and I'm hooked. I hope Netflix keeps up with them. Or I'll be sad.

Yay pockets!!!
Anyway, this may not be entirely Mad Men inspired, but it's what I thought of when I saw this dress. I really love the silhouette, the color, the simplicity, the sleeves, the length, everything about this dress makes me feel good. And...POCKETS! Not to mention that my boss said I look nice. So if she approves, I'm a happy girl.

This is what I wore last night to our board meeting. Normally I do wear a blazer as well but I figured the dress is professional enough on its own, especially considering I'm typically the only one wearing a blazer anyway.

I also don't usually wear hose, but these were sent to me from Hanes Hosiery to test out on one of my busy days, and technically our dress code requires hose for "business professional" attire (which is what I'm supposed to wear on board meeting days). My issue with hose is that it's normally very uncomfortable and it snags and runs so easily!

I have to admit that these have been great! They're comfortable and they're not too warm at all. They've been fantastic! I do have to admit that although they were perfect all day long, they did have some runs in them by the time I came home after our board meeting. It was a really long day, though...

The lovely Hanes peeps have given me a few extras for a giveaway too! So be on the lookout for that. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to post that giveaway on the blog or if I'm going to make it a Facebook one. Decisions, decisions...


Have a happy Wednesday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Hose: Courtesy of Hanes Hosiery
Heels: Target
Necklace: Gift from the gorgeous ML

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Daily MelWear: One More Time...

Look! I did it again! I put an outfit together WITHOUT A BELT. Belters Anonymous would be proud!

If such a thing existed and all.

I almost did grab a belt but then I figured it went over okay last time without one, so I could do it again. It's comfy and the cardigan draws the waist in enough, right?

Smile and nod, ya'll, smile and nod...

So I feel like I haven't been around to visit blogs lately because...well...I haven't. I've been busy. And work is getting really busy as we work on our policies and procedures in preparation for our upcoming accreditation.

I miss reading all of your blogs! At least my reason for not being able to do much reading lately is a happy one. I'm happy. And I hope you are too. 

Have a fabulous Tuesday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Skirt: Kohl's
Pink Tee: Target
Cardigan: Kohl's
Heels: Wal-Mart 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Proper Professional: Breakfast With Tiffany

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.

This week I'd like to introduce to you Tiffany, who blogs at Breakfast at Tiffany!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog. 
I’m a mom to two little crazy munchkins, a wife to the man of my dreams (*sigh* I’ll try not to be too sappy), a newish runner, a full time paralegal, and a Christian, in no particular order. If I were listing it in order of importance, paralegal would have fallen at the very end, I promise you!

After I had my Little Miss a little over a year ago, I was struggling to lose the baby weight, wasn’t feeling like my chipper, confident self, and therefore, I wasn’t putting any effort into what I wore each day.  During that time, I stumbled across fashion blogs and became hooked and started my blog. It’s a place where I tell amusing stories about my munchkins, post outfits and often ask for fashion related advice.

How did you come up with your blog name?
Well, before starting my own blogs, I read blogs on my lunch break or while eating breakfast at the office. So, Breakfast with Tiffany (obviously a play on the best movie ever), was the perfect choice. =)
 
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I’m a paralegal for a very small law firm that does a little bit of everything. We get people out of jail. We get people divorced. We get people lots of money through suing various companies. You know, the typical lawyer stuff. However, I have some stuff in the works to possibly make a career change in the near future!
 
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 office has no dress code whatsoever. When I was pregnant, I literally wore yoga pants and jeans almost every day of the week. (Of course, the attorneys may have put up with that only because I was huge and didn’t fit into much of anything else.) However, I have developed my own personal dress code recently. Simply put, it’s sort of business casual.
 
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’ve noticed that my mornings go much more smoothly when I pick my outfits out at night. If I wait till morning, it is inevitable that both of my kids will be incredibly cranky and needy and require my utmost attention, which will lead to me grabbing a pair of jeans and a boring top, with no jewelry and barely any makeup. Are there are any other moms out there that can relate??
 
If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s nice to know that I can wear whatever strikes my fancy.
 
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 that if the dress code is business casual, then no, they should not. However, I feel that if a business has a more formal dress code, requiring their employees to wear blazers or suits every day, then their employees should be compensated accordingly. I honestly don’t think a company should expect their employees to purchase enough suits or blazers or dressy skirts to wear every single day and still pay them only $10/hour.
 
What is your definition of professional attire and would this vary if the business is a small business compared to a larger corporation?
I definitely think that professional attire changes for the size of the office. When I worked for a large firm downtown, the attorneys almost always wore ties and dress slacks. The support staff was always dressed on the dressier side of business casual. Since moving to a smaller firm in the suburbs, I’ve noticed there’s a much more laid back vibe in the office. The attorneys wear polo shirts and khakis when they’re not in court. And I’m able to dress up or dress casual, given whatever mood I’m in. 
 
What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
Definitely a few bright cardigans. A brightly colored cardigan can add some interest to an otherwise boring outfit, while also dressing up the outfit a bit. Also, a sheath dress! Sheath dresses look great on any figure and to me, they scream “professional.”
 
What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Tank tops, flip flops, low cut tops displaying “the girls”, hemlines that are so short, you wonder if you might flash someone if you bend the wrong way, and midriff baring tops. Basically, if you look like you could be at the beach or at a club, you shouldn’t be wearing it to work. Unless you work at the beach or at a club, then I guess it’s ok. =)
 
Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work. 
On a typical day at work, I'd wear a dress like the one above (or below depending on where you put the pictures) or a skirt & blouse.  I usually wear some bright colors or a fun belt to add interest to an outfit.

2. A formal business meeting.
We don't have many of those, so "formal business meeting" to me, means a day in court.  Which means, I'd bust out a sheath dress and keep things kind of simple in order to keep the attention of the jury off of me and on the attorney.  A black dress works perfectly.  But for a day in court, I'd probably add hose and lose the turquoise heels, but I haven't been to court in so long that I didn't have a picture of me in the perfect outfit. =)

3. An informal meeting with co-workers. 
For an informal meeting with coworkers, I probably wouldn't do anything much different than what I wear on a typical day.
 
4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors. 
I'd probably do something a little bit more fun than normal, by wearing some bright colors, but still keep everything pretty conservative.
 
Are there any questions you wish I'd asked or is there anything else you'd like to mention regarding this topic?
The only thing I'd add is that I notice an obvious difference in how I'm treated when I dress professional, as opposed to when I wear jeans or dress down. I get more respect from my bosses and even from clients. Being professional in the work place definitely pays off!
 
Isn't Tiffany ADORABLE?! I haven't been following her very long but I'm so glad we found each other's blogs because she's been a constant source of inspiration and support for me. If you're not reading her already, go add her now!

If you'd like to be featured as a Proper Professional or want to recommend someone else, please send me an email at {aworkingmomscloset at gmail.com}!

Have a great Monday, everyone!

Friday, August 19, 2011

FBFF: A Dream Is a Wish...

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 Katy mentioned how she's heard about several people who were able to quit their current jobs and walk into the realm of self-employment, doing what they love. As Katy says, "So that got me thinking... we all have dreams, goals, aspirations. Putting them down on paper is often the first step to realizing those dreams."

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?
Sing. Without a doubt. (Or blog...that too.) I do sing professionally but only as a side job during the Christmas season, it's not something I've done full time but I honestly wish that I could. 


2. What draws you to this?
Singing makes me happy. Music energizes me, it relaxes me, it restores me, it's how God speaks to me a lot of the time (I really miss singing on a worship team) and I can't imagine how sad and depressing my world would be if I couldn't sing. It's how I get my energy out (well, that and working out but I'm not about to become a fitness instructor).

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?
I've wanted to sing for as long as I can remember. My parents have pictures of me when I was just a couple years old stealing the microphone at some big Christmas party. And no I'm not posting them. I was a cute kid though, I'll tell you that, but I don't have a scanner available right now. I was always in chorus, always in choir, always singing with friends, always singing in general.

4. What's holding you back from going all in?
Honestly...the thought that as much as I enjoy it, I'm not quite good enough to do it full time. That and the fact that I'd have to be an independent and I don't feel like messing with keeping track of my taxes and health insurance and all that. Plus...I'm too chicken to actually audition.

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?
I think the fact that I sing professionally on the side is a first step, so I'm kind of already there...(right? At least that's what I'm telling myself...)

So what are YOUR dreams? 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Daily MelWear: Fully Clothed

It's Thursday! Happy dance! Or not. I can't really dance .

Thanks for being so sweet about my beltlessness (yes, that is now, in fact, a word) yesterday. I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling naked when I'm missing a favorite accessory. It really was pretty comfy and maybe I'll go beltless again, but not today.

Clearly.

We had a little class type thing in our office so I wanted to make sure I did the closed-toe, no jewelry, jacket thing. Yes, there's pattern and more color than I'm sure Corporate would like, but...really, this isn't too far out of code. I think.

I can't belive there's so much talk already about fall. Listen, I live in Florida, we don't really get a "fall" season here. It goes from hot to not-as-hot. Sometimes I think I'd like a real fall with the changing leaves...but then I remember how much I hate being cold and suddenly I'm okay with leaves going from green to dead. I like my Florida sun too much.

Although, I will admit to being a little excited about wearing tights again. They're fun. And my leopard booties. Also fun.



Have a great day, ya'll!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Target
Jacket: Ross? Eh...
Belt: Wal-Mart
Heels: From my mom

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Daily MelWear: I Feel Naked...

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I wear a belt pretty much every day.

I couldn't find one that worked the way I wanted with this outfit...so I'm not wearing one. And it makes me feel a little incomplete.

Most people have nightmares that they find themselves walking around naked...I have nightmares that I find myself without belts.

I never claimed to be normal.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

{PS - thank you to those who thought about me and asked about my daughter's first day of VPK! She had a BLAST and couldn't wait to go back the next day! Her daily report was full of good news and I'm so, so proud of her. Taking the day off on Monday to bring her to school and pick her up just makes me wish I could be a stay at home mom, though...}

Today's outfit:
Brown Skirt: Salvation Army
Leopard Blouse: Salvation Army
Red Sandals: From my mom

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Daily MelWear: To Church

I'm guessing most of you haven't noticed, but lately I've been posting my outfits the day after, for various reasons.

Well, yesterday I took the day off from work to be there for my daughter's very first day of VPK! Needless to say, I didn't wear anything spectacular so I didn't take pictures.

What you get today is my outfit from Sunday when we went to church. A dress and a belt. Still nothing spectacular, but proof that I do get dressed on the weekends. Just in case there was any doubt. :) 


















Hope you all had a wonderful Monday and have an even better Tuesday!

Today's outfit: 
Dress: Ross
Belt: Salvation Army
Sandals: Beall's

Monday, August 15, 2011

Proper Professional: Mix and Match Fashion

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 meeting Tara from Mix and Match Fashion. Tara has such a fantastic eye for incorporating bright colors into professional ensembles. She is one of my absolute favorite reads and I know you'll find a ton of inspiration in her, too!

Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
I'm Tara, a 30-year-old who looks like she's 20 from good old New Jersey. (no fist pumping here...ha) I live with my amazing husband and two miniature Australian shepherds, who love to be photographed and make appearances on my blog. I started Mix and Match Fashion last September after about a year of reading fashion blogs, in hopes that I had something positive to contribute to the blogging community. I wanted to show people that most teachers are not frumpy, which is a common stereotype. I also wanted working women to see that your work wardrobe doesn't have to be boring.
 
How did you come up with your blog name?
Realistically, most women cannot afford to buy new clothes all of the time. However, many blogs out there make it seem that way, and show people never wearing the same items twice! I like to take the pieces I have in my closet and mix and match them to make new outfits, while mixing in some select new pieces (when LOFT and Ann Taylor have big sales...lol) My main thing is incorporating color and pattern into my outfits....which is where "mixing in splashes of color" comes in. It's not the most creative name in the world, but I think it represents what I do on my blog.
 
Do you work from home or outside the home, and what do you do?
I teach Middle School Special Education and Social Studies. This will be my ninth year teaching, and I absolutely love it! It is a lot of hard work, but totally worth it. I am also an Independent Stylist for Stella and Dot jewelry, so this is where I get my fashion fix.
 
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'm pretty sure that our dress codes reads something like "Teachers will dress in a professional manner at all times."  This leaves a lot open to interpretation, and people definitely interpret it in their own ways.  The one thing our principal is adamant about is not wearing jeans and rubber flip flops.  (Although we are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays)  This means on a daily basis I see everything from skirts to fleece sweat suits....and the month of December gets very interesting with the approaching Christmas season.  Most people do dress appropriately, but every office has their one or two people who push the limits, right?
 
Do you choose your outfits in advance or in the morning, and how long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?
Honestly, this depends on my mood.  Every once in a great while if I have time, I will spend an hour or so on a Sunday trying on outfits and planning them out for the week.  Other times, I might have an outfit in my head the night before and hope it looks good the next day.  On some days, it is a free-for-all in my closet that morning.  I am going to try and be better this year about planning out my outfits ahead of time, because I like to get to work pretty early and not be stressed out when I get there.  I shower at night, so generally it takes me about an hour or so to get ready in the morning.  
 
If you were commissioned to rewrite the dress code, what would you change (if anything)?
I would probably make it a lot more specific, especially pointing out things that are not appropriate. 
 
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 that your work wardrobe gets ridiculously expensive only if you allow it to. There are many stores out there at different price points for different budgets. I think the most important thing you can do is set a realistic budget and stick to it. You also need to make the most of items that are already in your closet. I don't think it is a company's responsibility to worry about the costs of your wardrobe.
 
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 the most important thing is looking neat, clean, confident and put together. What is professional attire varies so much between different lines of work. I don't think it has to do with the size of a business, more with the type of business. 
 
What are some pieces that every woman should have available in their professional arsenal?
1) A few pairs of well-fitting trousers in neutral colors, such as black, brown, and gray
2) A few skirts in neutral colors, as well as at least one skirt in a fun color, such as red, pink, or blue
3)  Black and brown heels  Also, one pair of heels in a fun color (I vote red, pink, or yellow)  A fun pair of shoes can make an outfit look so much more amazing.
4) A well-fitting blazer
5) Several cardigans in a variety of colors
6) Several tops with interesting, work appropriate patterns and details
7) A well-fitting dress
8) Some jewelry pieces that you love

Having the above items will allow you to make the most of your wardrobe, and mix and match to create numerous looks without a massive amount of clothing.

 
What pieces are never professionally appropriate regardless of the situation?
Wrinkled clothing, clothes that don't fit, mini skirts, anything low cut, flip flops, sweatpants
 
Describe an outfit you'd wear in each of the following settings: 
1. A typical day at work. 
My typical work uniform is a pencil skirt, fun top, cardigan, and heels.
 
2. A formal business meeting.  
If I have a meeting with parents or the principal, I am more likely to wear a dress.
 
3. An informal meeting with co-workers.  
I would probably still be wearing some sort of skirt or possibly trousers, though I don't wear pants to work super often.
 
4. A business dinner with co-workers and superiors.
Depending on where we were going, I might wear a skirt or a nice fitting pair of boot cut dark wash jeans. 
 
 
Isn't Tara fantastic? Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these, Tara! You're awesome. :) 
 
And today, my friends, I am taking the day off from work because MY BABY IS STARTING PRE-SCHOOL!!! Man, I feel old.

Have a happy Monday, everyone!