Wilde Wednesday - Work Wear Wishes

How's that for alliteration? Today I'm thinking all about work wear. Though I guess it's not just things to wear to work, but also to carry to work and to bring to work because you need hydration and food. We spend so much of our lives at the office, why not look good and feel good while you're there?

1. C Wonder - Ikat Coffee Mug - $10 - More so for the winter, but I always like to have my morning beverage in a cute bug, rather than a paper cup. My mug is just making my desk look pretty these days, it's the season of iced everything!
2. Rebecca Minkoff - Medium M.A.B. Tote - $255 - I have this tote for my monster of a laptop. This Rebecca Minkoff bag is big and sturdy! It holds everything I need to bring with me to work, including my shoes and lunch.
3. Rebecca Taylor - Pleated mixed tweed dress - SALE $383 - Of course you need to have cute clothes for work. Showing up in a bright and crisp dress really sets the mood for your entire day at the office.
4. Fresh - Sugar Lip Treatment (Tulip) - $22.50 - I literally have four of these in my office right now. Three different tinted colors and one sheer. They are super moisturizing, which is completely necessary in this over air conditioned office world that we all live in. Bonus? It has SPF.
5. Fitbit - Fitbit Zip - $48.99 - And that SPF will come in handy when you get away from your desk for an afternoon walk. After I transitioned from a lab job to a desk job, I found that I wasn't moving around as much. Now I have my Fitbit (and so do many of my coworkers!) and I try to log over 10,000 steps per day. A quick walk after lunch totally helps me toward that goal.
6. Kate Spade - Black Cat silicone iPhone case - $45 - I have the toucan case from the summer collection. It was also $45 and I can't see spending another $45 on this iPhone case, but it's so cute. A black cat is so perfect for the fall!
7. DVF - Amelia Silk Combo flared wrap dress - $485 - I've been living in wrap dresses this summer. Combine them with some bike shorts and you're all set for whatever the day throws at you. Wrap dress + bike shorts = absolute comfort.
8. Basily - Infuser Water Bottle - $15.99 - With all of the amazing fruits I've been picking up at the markets this summer, there was no need for boring, plain water. Cut up some berries and pop them in the infuser and in minutes you have an amazing and refreshing drink!
9. Ikea - Knubbig Table Lamp - $7.99 - The light in my office is sub-par. I like to have an extra pop of light on my desk, not only to be able to read things, but also to cheer up the room a little. This is especially helpful on stormy summer days.
10. Kate Spade - Bedford Square Eastern bag - $398 - I know, I already said that I have the RM M.A.B. tote, but look how pretty this bag is! Look at all of those internal compartments! So gorgeous and useful.

What are some of your favorite things to have at the office? Something special to make the time pass a little faster?

Brights and Horizontal Stripes

This is my first summer with an office job. I have no idea what to wear! How casual is too casual? Are sandals kosher as long as they aren't flip flips? Should I save chiffon for nights and weekends? Will my coworkers frown on me wearing neon? It's so much more difficult than dressing in the fall and winter.

I've taken to wearing bright colors in combination with black and white. I probably own at least ten different black dresses and four or five black and white dresses. Pairing bright accessories with a basic dress adds something fun, without going over the top.

Dress: Calvin Klein (Last year)

Necklace: Charming Charlies

Tote: Rebecca Minkoff

Scarf: Target

Sandals: Kate Spade

What do you wear to the office when the mercury rises?

Day to Night - Take Two!

Hi Everyone! I'm back in New Jersey and back in the office. With the start of summer, I'm no longer heading straight home and hiding under heavy blankets. This time of year is my favorite time to take the train into the city for a fun evening with the boyfriend. Since I commute to my job via the train, it's faster for me to go straight to Manhattan rather than stop at home to change.

This just leaves one problem that I'm sure you all have with summertime day-to-night looks.  It's freezing in the office, but so beautiful outside! This is how I take my look from my desk to the restaurant...

The whole look is based on a black dress. Not a traditional, office appropriate black dress. I picked up this dress a few months ago, but didn't have the chance to wear it yet. To bring the dress to office appropriate levels, I tossed on this blue blazer that I got from Stitch Fix! Flats are my go to shoe when I wear a skirt this length to work. I love this pair from Marc by Marc Jacobs because they look like little mice!

My accessories are the usual office set - big bag for commuting on the train, Fitbit for tracking my steps and my favorite 3D printed necklace from Nervous System.

When it comes to work makeup, I keep it simple. Eyeliner, tinted lip balm and mascara.

When it's time to head to the city, the shoulders come out!

I fell in love with this sweetheart neckline of this Rebecca Minkoff dress.

The boyfriend was smitten with the back of this dress and insisted that I buy it. The back of the dress is the major reason I added the blazer for the office! It's a little too sexy for work!

Heading to the city, I leave the big bag at work and swap it out for this fun clutch. I also trade out my Fitbit for a rose gold chain. I always carry my Fitbit though, it's just in the clutch. Gotta catch every step I take!

And I'm off to the catch the train to the city!

How do you take your day looks into night?

Bluefly still has this dress in stock in a few sizes!  Major sale!!! Go get it before its gone...

 

Wilde Travel Musts

With all of the traveling I've been doing recently, I have started to rely on a few items during my long flights. I flew off to London this week and brought a bunch of my favorites!

Anker Power pack - Perfect for powering up your phone, iPad or anything else that needs USB power. There is enough power in this little guy to restore your phone up to nine times!

Fuzzy socks - Those airplanes really like the air conditioning. With seven hours in flight, I like to take off my shoes and put on some fuzzy socks. So cozy.

Metal water bottle - One that clips onto my bag. Head through security, fill it up in the airport, stay hydrated!

KIND bars - My favorite are the peanut butter and strawberry bars. They have enough protein to keep me from snacking through the whole flight. Just sweet enough to fool myself into thinking it's a candy bar!

SUGAR Fresh lip balm - Why are airplanes so dry? In combination with all the water I'm drinking, this lip balm keeps in the moisture. It also has a light tint and totally helps me look alive after a long flight.

Annie's bunny snacks - If I need a little sugar pick-me-up, I reach for these fruit snacks. I love Annies natural flavors, no question about what flavor the yellow one should be.

C Wonder Pouch - I hate fumbling in my bag for gum, lip balm or headphones. I put all of my small items in one of these pouches and just toss it in the purse. I actually have two of them. One for toiletries, one for odds and ends!

Kate Spade Tote - I have this tote in purple. It's the perfect travel tote, just the right size to toss over my shoulder and fit all of my essentials. It fits perfectly under the seat in front of me, but also zips at the top in case I tip it over. It's a Kate Spade classic and they make it in several colors each season. If they produce it in their new green color, I'm totally buying another!

Gravity

With my new job being business casual all the time, jeans are now reserved for the weekend. Skinny jeans and sweaters have been my weekend uniform for months now. The boyfriend helped pick this sweater out for me, he said the windowpane print made it look like my boobs were distorting gravity.  Guys... Strange creatures.

Rather than stick with an all black and white look, I threw on some neon accessories and my favorite fuschia YSL lipstick (Number 11). This lipstick will be making more often appearances now that Spring is coming!

Sweater: Theory

Belt: Kate Spade

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind, The Skinny

Boots: DV for Dolce Vita

Necklace: Via Stitch Fix

Gravity Boobs...  Woooommm...

Dolce Vita Boots · 7 For All Mankind Skinny Denim · New York & Co. Cardigans

2014 Budget - February Recap

Umm, yeah... So I totally blew my budget this month.  I can't even blame the boyfriend for bringing home purchases for me, though he was pivotal in me picking up quite a few of these items (the windowpane Theory sweater and wrap leather Theory skirt). I mostly blame Bloomingdale's and their ridiculous sales this month!  

While most of my purchases this month were just fun, I did pick up two necessary work items.  I've got a lot of conferences coming up and I stopped at Elie Tahari to buy some blazers. I also seemed to be on a big leather kick this month and picked up two leather skirts. I have been watching the Diane Von Furstenberg leather pencil skirt and it finally hit a price that I was willing to pay. The leather is beautiful and it's a piece I'll be wearing for years.

 Kate Spade - $179.10 (398)

 Milly - $157.50 (375)

 Theory - $224.77 (555)

Theory - $123.75 (275)

 DVF - $207.00 (498)

 $26.98 (69)

Elie Tahari - $198 (398)

Elie Tahari - $398

Ted Baker - $177.99 ($275)

Luckily I'm out of town for half of the month of March, not much time for hitting the malls!  Maybe I'll be able to make up some of my budget. I'm certainly set when it comes to pink purses!

Total spent in February - $1,693.09
Price before sales - $3,241
Total savings - $1,547.91 (47% off)
Amount over budget - $1,193.09 (whoops!)

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

Some of these items are still available online! Some aren't and I've given you some similar options!

Ted Baker Satchels · Ted Baker Totes · Ted Baker Shoulder Bags

One Dress - Day to Night

Sometimes I'm lucky enough to head straight from work to a night out on the town.  I commute to work on the train and that means my train takes me directly to the city, no stopping at home for this girl!  How do I go from day to night?  With one killer dress!

When heading to work, I keep it all buttoned up and professional.  This Banana Republic blazer keeps me office appropriate, yet warm.  I love a knit blazer, especially since my office is frigid.

Gotta be sure to carry a big bag that will not only hold the things I need for work, but also carry my little make-up bag and my clutch for tonight!

A delicate statement necklace (made by a 3-D printer!) adds just a little bit of fun.

And these fabulous Tahari Mary Jane pumps finish off the look.  To get the party started for night...

I trade out my shoes for something a little higher and brighter!

I swap out my bag for this fabulous woven clutch from French Connection and switch my jewelry for something a little heavier, blingier.

And of course I ditch the blazer.  The leather panels on this Kenneth Cole dress (available in stores) were secretly hidden all day!  With just those few changes and I've gone from desk worker to dinner ready!

How do you go from day to night?  I'm dying for your secrets!

Rebecca Minkoff Clutches · French Connection Clutches · Lauren Ralph Lauren Necklaces

Linking up with...

Simply Lulu Style
Simply Just Lovely
Perfectly Coutured
Style Elixir

Edgy Boucle

First,only a few days left to enter to win a $100 gift card for Stitch Fix!

 

You see that snow?  I was not expecting it when I took my camera outside.  I might have changed my mind about what I wanted to shoot!  Luckily my new Parker blazer is adorable and warm.  I wasn't quite sure of it when the BF and I picked it up at Saks, but I've really fallen in love with all of the fun details. Today I paired it with my favorite coated skinnies from Club Monaco, but I've also worn it over an LBD and also paired with a grey pencil skirt.  It's so versatile!

I finished out today's look with my new favorite red Kate Spade heels (check out the square heel!), a super casual gap tank top (I have about ten of this same tank) and of course, five dollar jewelry from Madeline.

Jacket - Parker (Last season, this one is almost an exact match)

Tank - Gap

Jeans - Club Monaco

Heels - Kate Spade

Necklace - Madeline (in stores only)

I love these heels for three reasons...  1. They're so red!  2. They're surprisingly comfortable & 3. They put me well over six feet tall.  I love it when I'm super tall.

And here's a little B&W shot because I thought the jacket looked amazing in grey scale.  What are your thoughts on Black & White photos for fashion blogging?  I'm always a huge fan of contrasty B&W, but maybe it's a personal preference?

Kate Spade Pumps · Paige Skinny Denim · Neiman Marcus Skinny Denim

Linking up with...

Wednesday Style Connection
I Feel Pretty Linkup
Love Your Look Linkup
Style Sessions

Me-Ow!

I'm obsessed with all things cheetah this fall. First it started with a purse, then I bought some booties and now these jeans! The boyfriend found them for me while we were out shopping on Black Friday. Kate Spade was having a great sale on everything in their store and these jeans were finally a price I was willing to pay ($228 is a little much for some crazy jeans in my book!).

While trying them on in the store, the shop ladies were so great in helping me style these jeans. I actually tried them on with a coral top and brown booties, today I thought I would pair them with my new green blouse from Stitch fix and my favorite black flats. They really go with anything and totally act like a neutral!

And since the cheetah print wasn't enough animal for me, I added my fox necklace. I love this necklace. I also love it that it only cost $8.

 Wondering what else you can wear with your cheetah jeans? Everything! Go get yourself a pair and have fun with them!

Steve Madden Flats · 7 For All Mankind Denim · Frankie B. Skinny Denim

Linking up with...

Fab Friday Favorites
What I'm loving Fridays Linkup

Wandering Soho

It's been five months now since my company closed and I was no longer employed.  I've been on the job hunt since then, but I can only take so many hours a day networking and applying for jobs.  The remaining hours of the week I try to fill with fun things to distract me from the fact that I have no job.  This including training for a half marathon, finishing partially complete projects and wandering the streets of New York.

My favorite place to wander is Soho and the best time to walk around is a weekday afternoon.  It's so much quieter than on the weekend and the salespeople in the stores are so much more helpful!  I've discovered so many fun shops that make me long for a new job, so I can buy pretty things.  

Since I was out for the whole day, I wore my favorite flats and carried along a big tote.

It's also much easier on a weekday to stand in the middle of the street and take pictures.

[jacket: Kenneth Cole / top: Anthropologie / jeans: 7 for all Mankind / shoes: Steve Madden via DSW / tote: Kate Spade / Necklace: Madelines]

Linking up at...
All Things Unpredictable & Chic
I Feel Pretty
Working Girl with Style Linkup
Three-fer Thursday Link-up