Work Style

Work attire is a tricky subject. While there are a few general rules of thumb for office dressing, it really depends on where you work. Different environments call for different ensembles.

If you’re new to the working world, I should warn you: Beware of the fashion police otherwise known as “Human Resources” and your fellow co-workers. Committing an at-work fashion faux pas is a legitimate offense. Just because you didn’t get the pink slip for your crime (crime = teal tube top) doesn’t mean you’re getting away with it (it = teal tub top)... Wearing the wrong threads has the potential to distort your image as a valued employee and may even prevent you from getting ahead. If Wendy Worker sports tight skirts, sheer blouses and routinely puts her “girls” on display at work, her co-workers may have a difficult time taking her (and her wacko wardrobe) seriously. Therefore, as with all occasions, dress for success—and mean it, especially when you’re on the clock!

Even though all work environments have different rules as to what is and isn’t okay to wear, the following commandments cover most of the general dos and don’ts of dressing for work:

• Thou shalt never let your outfit outshine your work.

• Thou shalt abstain from clothing with obnoxious logos.

• You shall avoid all sexy and revealing clothing. Never show more than 1 inch of cleavage or wear a skirt that skims your bum. For most offices, skirts that hit more than 3 or 4 inches above the knee are considered inappropriate (If you want to wear shorter skirts, or even dress shorts, pair them with opaque tights to temper the higher hemline). Also, no tank tops unless you have something layered over it to cover your shoulders.

• Thou shalt not wear any ripped, torn, or sloppy clothing. This includes anything that can be worn to the gym or the beach (gym shoes and flip-flops etc.).

• Thou shalt dress like my female boss. If you do not have a female boss, emulate the highest-ranking female in your company. This doesn’t mean steal her style. Rather, base your office attire on what she considers appropriate. Is she casual? Always dresses to the nines? Take a cue from the people in positions you aspire to have someday. They don’t say, “dress the part” for no reason.

• You shall always dress to impress—even on “casual Fridays.”Don’t let casual Fridays fool you. Jeans may be okay, but that old tee reserved for lazy Sundays and those hot pink flip-flops are just not going to cut it… Casual Friday attire should be based on your weekly work wear, but taken down a few notches.

• Thou shalt not don underwear as outerwear. Ever. This is pretty self-explanatory…

• You shall always use your best judgment. Consider your work environment and dress accordingly. Anything you can wear to a club should never step foot in an office. If you’re unsure about an outfit, it’s best to err on the side of caution and go with something else.

Hope this helps with your new job style!

Classic Red Nails

Today nails are becoming more and more relevant.

With different shapes, airbrushing, crazy colors and even 3D art, inventive nails have become a great way to express your personal style. Because of this, many of us find ourselves reaching for an electric blue or sunshine yellow polish.

We have been having so much fun with our wild nails that many of us have forgotten about our old friend Classic Red. That timeless red that we used to love so much now gathers dust in the back of our bathroom drawers. So why not rekindle the friendship?

Paint your nails red… and then the town!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving.

This is the perfect time of year to give thanks for all you have.

A few days ago I was thinking about the many things that I am thankful for over the past year and here is what I came up with:

God and the relationship we have

Building relationships with people I care about

Having an amazing group of girlfriends

Having friends I can call on and ask for prayer, and know they are truly praying

My job

Charcol

Family

My Sister and the time we get to spend together

Good friends and spending quality time together

Girls Nights

Hope you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember to give thanks for all you have.

Beauty Emergency Kit for the Work Place

Static Guard. It may sound strange, but this is an absolute must. Not only will it come in handy when your new dress is sticking to your legs, it can also be used in lieu of hair spray to tame flyaways. Just spritz a little on your fingertips and lightly dab unruly hairs into place.

Floss Pick. After each meal, give your pearly whites the once over. If you spot any leftovers, dislodge them using a floss pick. Floss picks can also be used to de-clump mascara or remove dirt from under your nails. However, please remember to perform such forms of maintenance in the privacy of the ladies room.

Mini Mirror. It’s always a good idea to keep a small pocket mirror close at hand. You’ll never wonder if you have lipstick on your teeth again!

Lotion. Usually, offices are either too cold or too hot, which can lead to chapped hands, especially when you’re washing them constantly after using the restroom. To prevent dry, cracked hands moisturize throughout the day using your favorite hand lotion. Your hands will thank you.

Hand Sanitizer. Sneeze, cough or blow your nose? Do your co-workers a favor and disinfect. No need to pass around an unwanted bug.

Blister Blockers. Is there anything worse than breaking in a new pair of shoes? Keep a stash of extra strong blister bandages at your desk, just in case.

Vaseline. This is one of the most underrated beauty products out there. Use it to quench dry lips, smooth it over your heel if your shoe is rubbing, or swipe it over your cuticles for a quick pick me up.

Deodorant. Keep a travel-sized deodorant stashed in your kit. You’ll never have to sweat the small stuff again!

Stain Remover. Food should be in your mouth, not on your clothes. And the same goes for coffee. Never worry about walking into a meeting with marinara polka dots again!

Snack. It sounds silly, but I keep little bites in my desk in case of the hangrys (hungry + angry = hangry).

Meds. Whether you’re team Tylenol or you’re an ibuprofen fan, having a stash of goodies to combat headaches is a smart way to keep your head clear. Also, having a few Tums on hand isn’t a bad idea either…

Bobby Pins. Nix bedhead, windy-day-hair or I-was-in-a-rush-this-morning head with a few bobby pins. A topknot, ballerina or fun bun can always tame unruly hair with the help of a few hairpins.

Those are my essentials. If you’re stranded at your desk, these 12 items will get you through.

Fall Fashion Trends

This on is for you Rachel!

Wanted to post a few fall 2011 fashion trends, to keep an eye out for.

Here are some easy ways to add fall fashion to your wardrobe!

Sheer Blouses

All Back Outfits

Camel Color Outfits

Chunky Knits

Maxi Length

Bow Blouse

Burnt Orange

Cobalt Blue

Hope you can find a few of these trends to wear for fall!

Fall is here!

Fall is here!

I love fall! I love the crisp air, The leaves changing colors, and the long awaited pumpkin spice lattes from starbucks.

In honor of this change of season, I thought I would show you all my favorite things for fall.

Leaves

Pumpkin Spice Latte From Starbucks

Steve Madden Boots

Burberry Scarves

Mac Mulch Eyeshadow

Makeup Blenders

We’ve all been there… while rushing to get your mascara on, more of it ends up on your lid than on your lashes. Or you press a little too hard with your liquid liner and it looks like you’ve been taking crazy pills. My favorite of all offenders: you’ve created a masterpiece then with a heavy hand you try a new powder and now look like your grandmother’s friend whose make-up is so thick you could scratch your name across her cheek. But fear not ladies; make-up is temporary! No need to start over from scratch. Here are my favorite tips that have rescued me throughout the years.

• Liquid liner gone awry: (try to catch it before it fully dries if you can) dip a pointed cotton swab or q-tip into a dollop of body lotion instead of eye make-up remover (that creates too oily of a canvas for the new line to adhere to) and erase the mistake with a quick drag and wipe.

• Kohl liner drawn thicker on one eye than the other one: If your line is thicker on one eye, decide if you want to go back and draw the other one thicker, or if you want to thin it out. This is an easy fix by simply lightly wetting a q-tip with water, pressing out any excess water onto a tissue or towel then twirling it slightly while you drag it across the bottom part of the line.

• For any mascara mishaps, using the slightly-wetted q-tip, press it directly on the mascara mark, swirl it 180 degrees then drag it a millimeter as you lift it off.

• If your concealer is too heavy or cakey, dampen your fingers with water and smooth it out.

• If your blush is too bright, dab back over it with the make-up sponge you used to apply your foundation or layer a neutral blush shade over it.

• If you’ve over-powdered your face or it looks like your wearing a mask of make-up, spray it with a misting atomizer or dampen your hands and lightly press them all over your face for ten seconds to dilute everything. Then with a clean sponge, smooth out any uneveness.

• If your lipstick color is too dark, blot it with a tissue as many times as necessary to tone it down then add lip balm. Or blot once and add a lighter color.

• If your lip liner is too harsh, dab a little lip balm on your finger and thin it out while blending it inward.

• If your brow pencil/shadow is too dark or uneven, smudge it with a q-tip or tissue.

• If your make-up foundation looks too pink, correct it with a yellow shade of powder.

Hope you enjoy!