cardigan: Banana Republic (gift) ~ cami: Target ($9) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ scarf: Express (gift) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ watch: Fossil (gift)

Date: December 29, 2011
Ensemble message: Pretty simple message here... it was post-Christmas and I wanted to wear a couple new items I had received as gifts.  I was also going to be moving offices that day, so a skirt or dress wouldn't be the most practical.  And done.
But seriously... this faux fur scarf is ah-mazing!  My secret santa (aka my younger sis) bought it for me, and it adds the right amount of fanciness to every outfit ;)  What accessory adds fanciness to your outfits??

cape: made by me! ~ shirt: Old Navy ($8ish) ~ corduroys: Gap (gift) ~ belt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ shoes: Nine West (super old!) ~ necklaces: gifts

Date: December 22, 2011
Ensemble message: So after recovering from a long busy period at the Day Job and prepping for the holidays, I was itching to let the creative juices flow and make something with my hands.  The work I do is so intangible, that sometimes I crave projects where I can physically see my results.  Luckily, I had recently found this link through Caitlin's blog and knew it was something that I could make... I mean, it's a cut-only, no sewing necessary project - perfect!  I found this thick, gorgeous flannel on sale at Joann Fabrics... I originally wanted to go with something more wintery (brick red, forest green, etc.), but the orange was so different and pretty, I just couldn't resist going with autumn colors!

I ended up using Stitch Witchery to clean up the raw edges... but that just employs an iron, a piece of machinery that I can operate without too much trouble ;)  Did anyone else see this article??  I'd love to see photos of your capes!!

dress: Fossil (gift) ~ shirt & scarf: Target ($14 & old - $8ish) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ cuff: gift

Date: December 21, 2011
Ensemble message: Looking for something comfy for work, so I grabbed this Fossil dress that I got as a gift a couple years ago.  It's a grey sweatshirt material, so it's nice as is, but can be difficult to layer in cold weather.  This time I went for a simple striped shirt, and mixed things up with a printed scarf.  This is probably my favorite way of wearing this dress, and I would totally wear a similar ensemble on the weekends - but maybe with bolder colors and prints!

Hey everyone!  Time for just a quick post tonight announcing the BeKnown giveaway winners.  Soo, here they are:



Congrats to both of you!  A rep from BeKnown will contact you shortly :)

sweater & shirt: Gap (gift & $13) ~ skirt: Target ($23) ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: gift

Date: December 8, 2011
Ensemble message: So in case you were wondering, this is what I, as an HR person, chooses to wear as an interviewer.  Less formal than being the interviewee, but I still like to wear traditional office pieces (pencil skirt, trousers, cardigan, blazer, etc.) to show respect to the candidates.  Now, I wouldn't suggest going overboard as an interviewer... afterwards, you want to properly reflect your company and team's culture.  So, in some cases, jeans might be appropriate!  As always, remember that the clothes you wear to work are a reflection of you as a professional and also your company.

sweater: JCrew ($21) ~ shirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($4) ~ jeggings: Target ($20) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ necklace: gift

Date: December 1, 2011
Ensemble message: On December 1st, I was counting down the hours of when my super, crazy, insane schedule would go back to normal.  Between long meetings on team performance for the year and multiple recruiting events, I just wanted to be done.  This was the day before that last recruiting event, and while I was attending to last minute details during the day, I had to be ready to wine and dine the candidates that evening.  I personally love the dinners because you can get to know the candidate on such a personal level, which in turn can help them score a position down the road.  So I went with an outfit that was a little younger but still professional, comfortable yet polished.

brrrrrrrrr.......

Hey everyone, have you heard about BeKnown yet??  It's a professional networking tool created by Monster.com to operate as a Facebook app - in other words, BeKnown helps you build your professional network with your existing Facebook contacts!  While there are other professional networking sites out there, let's be honest... you probably check Facebook more throughout the day than those websites, right?  I know I do!

Ok, I know what you're thinking... why would you want to use another networking tool, especially one that is connected to your (most likely) unprofessional and/or very personal Facebook profile?  First, it never hurts to network everywhere - you just never know what opportunities may come up!  Second, BeKnown allows you to create your own professional profile that is not linked in any way to your Facebook profile on the reader's end.  So, you can post those all those crazy party photos for your Facebook friends to see, but your BeKnown contacts will only see the professional profile you set up through the app.  Pretty cool!

Also, you can connect with current Facebook friends, people on Facebook that are within your extended networks (schools, companies, etc.), Twitter connections, and e-mail contacts.  This is truly an all-encompassing networking tool!  With so much emphasis now on first impressions through social media, BeKnown is a powerful way to connect to a broad range of people while also staying in control of what you want them to know.  In fact, I know a number of people who won't connect to their colleagues on Facebook, but now you can without revealing the details of your personal life.

BeKnown is a new app, so to kick things off, they want to offer 2 Employed Panache readers an interview survival pack!  This includes a limited edition beauty kit by Benefits cosmetics, a professional (and cute!) business card holder, and a $10 Starbucks gift card (total $70 value).  Wow!  To enter, all you have to do is sign up for BeKnown and leave a comment below telling me that you did so. For additional entries, leave separate comments telling me how you follow Employed Panache (Google, Bloglovin', Twitter, and/or Facebook). You can also tweet about this giveaway - just link back to me @EmployedPanache.



* Please note: Please use Disqus to leave a comment. Make-up kits may vary from the sample pictured.  This giveaway is open until 11:50pm EST on Thursday January 19, 2012. I'll pick a random winner on Friday January 20, 2012.

Get networking and good luck!

Good morning everyone!  Since I came home to no cable or internet last night, I had to wait until I was back in the office to post the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway.  So here it is:



Congrats Cat!  A rep from Shabby Apple will be in contact with you soon!

If you're still itching for some pretty clothing from Shabby Apple, don't forget that all readers can use promo code Panache10off for 10% off, good through February 12, 2012!

sweater: JCrew (?! really old) ~ dress as skirt: Francesca's ($25) ~ booties: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace: DIY ~ cuff: gift

Date: November 30, 2011
Ensemble message: I'm actually quite impressed with this outfit as I look back on photos from the end of November.  After the big meeting I facilitated the day before (where I wore this), I was full speed ahead on preparing for an upcoming recruiting day.  But there are some obvious signs of fatigue... slightly messy hair that I couldn't be bothered to dry all the way?  Check.  Bags under my eyes that keep growing?  Check.  Grainy photos since my brain wasn't working enough to operate a camera that morning?  Check, check, check.  Soooo happy to be done with that part of my busy period!

shirt: H&M ($) ~ skirt & belt: Anthropologie ($35 & gift) ~ sweater: Banana Republic: gift ~ shoes: Nine West (ancient - bought during my 1st job out of college!) ~ necklace: charm is actually a key fob from a gifted purse

Date: November 29, 2011
Ensemble message: I had a HUGE meeting to facilitate that day, where I was going to be in front of VPs and directors.  A little nerve-wracking, to be honest.  I always feel good in this skirt - ladylike and polished - so I grabbed it first.  While I like mixing prints with it on top, I kept with the colors of nature to pull it all together.  And since the button down is sheer, along with a cami, I topped it off with this open cardi.

Have you entered the Shabby Apple giveaway yet?  No?!  Well, what are you waiting for! ;)

Hey everyone!  Have you discovered Shabby Apple clothing yet?  I admit that I'm still new to their brand, but their clothing is gorgeous AND functional!  As I was picking out the prize for this giveaway, I was having difficulty narrowing it down to one.  And I kept getting distracted by the rest of catalogue ;)

So without further ado, I give you the "Spanish Steps" dress!  To win this beauty, please like Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave a comment below telling me that you did so.  For additional entries, leave separate comments telling me how you follow Employed Panache (Google, Bloglovin', Twitter, and/or Facebook).  You can also tweet about this giveaway - just link back to me @EmployedPanache.

And if you can't wait to get some Shabby Apple clothing for yourself, all my readers can get 10% off with the promo code Panache10off!  (Expires February 12, 2012.)

* Please note: Open to US residents only.  Please use Disqus to leave a comment.  This giveaway is open until 11:50pm EST on Wednesday January 11, 2012.  I'll pick a random winner on Thursday January 12, 2012.

Good luck!

dress: Target ($28) ~ shirt: Old Navy ($24) ~ belt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ tights: c/o We Love Colors ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace: Macy's ($11)

Date: November 28, 2011
Ensemble message: The message of this outfit is pretty simple... it was the Monday after Thanksgiving, I was still in a turkey coma, and I probably didn't know what was on my schedule for the day.  So I grabbed a few items I consider to be "ol' reliables" - olive dress, button down, a belt - threw them on, and hoped for the best.  In my humble opinion, this dress can do no wrong, so it probably wasn't a huge risk.  But that's what having a smart wardrobe is all about... you can grab a few items and have an ensemble without much thinking!

What are your "ol' reliables" ??

dress: Spotted Moth (gift) ~ sweater: Target ($14) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~  necklace & cuff: gifts

Date: November 23, 2011
Ensemble message: This outfit is from the day before Thanksgiving... and man was I burnt out from work (and still have several more weeks of craziness ahead of me - yikes).  Yes, yes, I'm still behind on photos but hey, what a great way to drag out the holiday season just a little more!  Better than keeping your Christmas lights up AND lighting them til the spring ;)  This outfit incorporated orange and purple/maroon, a color combo that I recently wore in another post.  One of my goals for this fall and winter was to incorporate more colors into my outfits, and using jewels tones has made this easy to do.

Have you incorporated colors into your fall and winter wardrobe?  I'd love to see links to your colorful cold weather outfits!! :)