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Nicole Martin
New Jersey
Remixing my wardrobe to create buzz-worthy, office-approved outfits! Find out more at: Creating Panache.
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Friday, April 29, 2011

DIY Necklace


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jacket: Kensie via Macy's ($35) ~ t-shirt & shoes: Target ($8ish & $20) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ necklace: DIY ~ watch: NY&Co ($20ish) ~ cuff: gift

Date: April 20, 2011 (I think...)
Ensemble message:  Hmmmm... if I'm not sure what date I took these pics, then surely I don't remember why I wore what I did ;)  Looking back at my calendar from last week, I had no major meetings scheduled.  So this was probably a quick, spring-like outfit fit for an office workhorse.  Oh, also I'm sure I planned the outfit around my necklace, which I made myself last week!  This was the same necklace that an Anthropologie cashier complimented me on, along with a vintage purse I won from Amanda :)

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By the way, can you tell it was BRIGHT that day?!  Sorry for the washed out pics, poor shadows, and squinty eyes (these were actually my best pics, lol!)  Without fully bloomed trees yet, it was hard to find a spot without direct sunlight.

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TGIF and here's hoping this weekend is as sunny as these photos!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Evolution of the Cubicle: Part 2

So as you may remember from this post, I mentioned that I'm changing office scenery three times this year at the Day Job.  Yes, three!!!  As you can see, my office environment last year was kind of old school and dark.  In fact, it was the oldest part of the building and had not been renovated since the early 90's.  Now they are ripping up that space to provide us with something new and pretty cutting edge!  But that will be Part 3 of this series... today, I bring you Part 2: The Transition Space.

Desk 4

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The contents in my space have not changed much at all.  But, the cube walls are considerably lower and I share a larger area with a colleague.  (Good thing I like her ;)  Lower walls equals more light, which I love!  I definitely have more energy in a well lit room.  And I can just stand up and speak with my surrounding colleagues.  But lower walls also means more noise... luckily, I can tune people out pretty well and we try to be considerate of one another.  It gets kinda tricky though if I need to take a sensitive phone call (which happens more often than not in HR!)

Which do you prefer?  High or low cube walls?  Or none at all???
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Take Two


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shirt: Anthropologie ($40) ~ skirt: Banana Republic ($?? old, not sure) ~ shoes: Pink via Daffy's ($27) ~ necklace: Free People (gift) ~ bangle: NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: April 27, 2011
Ensemble message: I am tired.  Exhausted.  Physically & mentally.  It's so bad... that I haven't been pre-planning my outfits!!!  Ok, dork alert :)  But it's true!  Picking outfits in advance helps me move so quickly in the morning. This was outfit #2... well, #3 or #4 if you count the versions with the blouse tucked in partway and completely untucked.  But despite running a little late, I really liked the results.  I think 10 months (!!!) of blogging has really helped me define my style, or at least narrow it down.  And I can make quicker decisions when necessary, like this morning... but I do really love spending time in my closet pulling together multiple outfits ;)

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What do you do to get out the door on time??  (I think I need more help :)

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Unexpected Nautical


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tank: Lucky Jeans ($10) ~ sweater & jeans: Target ($14ish each) ~ shoes: Pink via Daffy's ($26) ~ necklace/earrings: gift

Date: April 15, 2011
Ensemble message: Despite the title, I am not wear navy or red, nor do I have a sailor inspired dress or pants on.  But whenever I wear stripes, I feel nautical!  Even if the stripes are an ombre grey (not sure if you can see them going from light to dark).  And I feel like green is an unexpected complimentary nautical color... am I wrong?  Probably, but whatever, it worked for me :)

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I had way too much fun taking these photos!  It was last Friday and it was fun to take some time before work to figure out how to deal with the super bright sun.  Plus the cove of forsythia bushes made for a fun photo shoot location.  This last photo is the best... I don't typically photograph myself in my jackets, but after I noticed that the print was almost like forsythia camouflage, I couldn't resist ;)

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Still In-Between Seasons


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sweater: Target ($16ish) ~ shirt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ skirt: H&M ($???) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ bracelet: actually a necklace from H&M (also ollldddd... $6??)

Date: April 19, 2011
Ensemble message: I've been putting my nose to the good ol' grindstone this week, so I've needed outfits to figure themselves out.  Over the weekend this grey top and my purple drapey sweater decided to be friends, and I figured why not utilize the layers on the coldest day of the week.  What do you wear when you don't have a lot of time to plan your outfits??

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I have to say, the more I wear my We Love Colors tights, the happier I am with them!  Since northern NJ hasn't gotten it's big spring warm up yet, I'm wearing tights much longer into the season than I anticipated.  Good thing my We Love Colors tights can take a beating - commuting, running around the office, dog claws during happy evening greetings, weekend wear... I've worn them everywhere, especially these black tights, a staple in my wardrobe.  While you may not be looking for tights at this point of the year, lucky for all of us, We Love Colors doesn't just do tights.  They have a whole selection of socks and active wear - perfect for all your time outdoors this spring and summer!

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Monday, April 18, 2011

The Blues (& Giveaway Winners!)


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shirt: Old Navy ($25) ~ sweater: F21 ($24) ~ skirt: Gap Outlet ($19) ~ shoes: Pink via Daffy's ($26) ~ earrings: gift

Date: April 18, 2011
Ensemble message: I didn't plan on it, but my color scheme matches my mood today.  I think I've mentioned this before, but The Hubby and I have been house hunting recently, and on Saturday we saw The House.  It was perfect.  We made an offer, got as close to being in a bidding war as I ever want to get, and then found out this morning that we didn't get the house :(

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Some tears, lots of pouting, a great support group of friends and family, and 45 minutes on the treadmill later, I'm ready to move on.  So here we are, today's outfit being an unfortunate reflection of today's events.  Weird how these things happen, right??

Oh!  And file this under Bad Blogger....... here are the winners of the Crocs shoe giveaway!!!



Congratulations Annasaur, SarahO, and Sarah!  You will hear from the giveaway organizer shortly.
Friday, April 15, 2011

Voluminous


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So much material!!!

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shirt: Anthropologie ($42) ~ jeans: Target ($14) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ necklaces: gifts ~ bangles: thrifted ($8) & NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: April 8, 2010
Ensemble message: Lately, by the time I hit Friday, I am ready to wear only simple and comfortable clothing.  Jeans (whatever was clean) and flats were a must.  To feel at least like I tried, I grabbed this Anthro shirt.  I truly like this shirt, but I have to admit that I'm often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of fabric.  I haven't tried tucking it into anything yet.... that's for a non-Friday :)

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This weekend I'm going to attempt to catch up on sleep and laundry.  And responding to your comments!  I know, I'm a few weeks behind but trust me when I saw that I read every single comment and LOVE hearing from you!!  TGIF - any good plans for the weekend??

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Graphic Orange


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shirt: ?? via Century 21 ($35) ~ skirt: Target ($12) ~ shoes: uknown brand via DSW ($30) ~ earrings & bangle: gifts ~ watch: NY&Co ($20)

Date: April 14, 2011
Ensemble message: Today's weather is the best of the week, so I just had to post this outfit today instead of continuing to catch up on last week's photos.  Plus, I was finally able to take outdoor photos again!!!  Posting is so easy when you don't have to spend time touching up grainy, low-light, indoor pics :)

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Just an easy but fun and bright outfit for a typical day at the office.  I probably got too eager with both bare legs and short sleeves since The Day Job decided that it was warm enough to turn on the AC.... brrrrrrrrr!!!!  If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I wore my jacket for most of the afternoon.  At least I know I'll be comfy tomorrow for casual Friday!

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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Pink Thrift: Part 2


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shirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($3!) ~ shorts: Anthropologie ($35) ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ watch & earrings: gift

Date: April 5, 2011
Ensemble message: Ok you guys.  This whole new role thing at The Day Job has been a super exciting ride, but let me tell you.... it has been way, way more demanding so far than my old role!  In the next month or so, please expect, and forgive me for: 1) Outfits from prior weeks, 2) Not a whole lot of text in my posts, 3) Missed posts here and there, and 4) Sporadic tweeting and commenting on others' blogs!

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That said... here is an outfit from Tuesday of last week.  It is my second bright pink thrift find!  As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a versatile piece and that it would look great with my green wool shorts :)  AND, it was half price so I got this baby for $3!!!  I swear, this last thrifting trip made me a believer, especially now that The Hubby and I are looking for a new place to live (read: tight budgets).
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Recruiting Event


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dress: gift ~ shirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ shoes: Aerosoles ($35) ~ earrings/necklace: gift

Date: April 11, 2011
Ensemble message: The past 2 days has been a whirlwind of recruiting activities at the Day Job!  As crazy and exhausting as it is, I really do love interviewing college aged students.  What's better is seeing them come in as interns, get a full-time offer at the end of the summer, and then watching them grow in their careers.  The success stories are seriously one of the most rewarding parts of being in HR :)  So yesterday I wore this outfit, knowing that I'd be going out to dinner with the candidates right after work.  I wanted to dress up a little bit and obviously can't get enough of my thrifted shirt!  I wasn't sure if I was going to like the ruffle on the dress competing with the collar, but everyone played nicely and the outfit ended up looking really nice.  This is one I'd definitely wear again.

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By the way, did you notice??  Bare legs!!!!!  Now if only Mother Nature will properly coordinate the temperature with the precipitation... this week we're getting warm days full of rain, versus cold wintery days last week with sunshine.

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