TGIF!  If you've been as busy as me lately, then you may not have known that Lindsay and Meredith over at Cubicle Chic hosted a Work Style Week.  Today was my day for a guest post!  I took one fun and festive skirt and created 3 ways to wear it from the office directly to the party afterwards.  Check it out!

shirt: Limited (gift) ~ sweater: Target ($16ish) ~ skirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ boots: Ann Klein via Macy's ($115) ~ brooch, bangle, mittens: gifts ~ earrings: Jess LC ($16 holiday sale!)

Date: December 15, 2010
Ensemble message: The goal for today was to be comfortable sitting in hours upon hours of meetings, but to also look pulled together enough to make an appearance at a NY Style Blogger soiree right after work.  I didn't really have time to put together a second outfit to change into at the office, so I needed something that would carry me through the day.
I just thrifted this long wool skirt the other night on a spontaneous trip to Goodwill.  I like that it's long, because it is FREEZING in the NYC area this week.  I also like that the plaid, colors, and overall style feels very wintery and holiday-like.  I'm already planning on wearing this skirt on Christmas Day!  I kinda felt like a grandma in the outfit, and Sammy from Sammy Davis Vintage rightfully called my look Granny Chic.  And I'm totally ok with that :)  My new earrings from Jess LC were also a great touch - perfectly dainty to wear every day!


Speaking of, last night was my first ever blogger meet up.  SO. MUCH. FUN!  I loved meeting everyone, especially Sammy and Lindsay & Meredith of Cubicle Chic, who I all speak to via the interwebs pretty much on a daily basis.  As soon as I get copies of the pictures, I will post them :)

Happy 100th Blog Post to Employed Panache!!  Who's excited?!  I'm excited!!!  Ok, maybe it's just me ;)  What a great day to have my 100th post... not only do I give you my picks for office holiday party dresses, but I am also hosting my very 1st giveaway!!

First, the dresses... The key to dressing for a work party is to make sure you're not showing too much leg or cleavage, and that the outfit isn't too tight either.  But, this doesn't mean that your outfit needs to be boring!  Check out these picks... all dresses because in my opinion, a dress is the easiest outfit to style.

For those on a budget who want a fun and playful dress (all from Forever21):

Find them here, here, and here.

These dresses are perfect for a holiday party with dancing!  Fair warning: if you're really tall or leggy, be sure to try these on first... since Forever21 is a juniors store, some of their skirts can be extra short.


For those on a budget who want a more professional look (all from Target):

Find them here, here, and here.

I love these dresses... demure but stylish with clean lines!  The best part?  You are guaranteed to wear them again to another event!


For those who can afford to spend more and want something between playful and professional (all from ModCloth):

Find them here, here, and here.

Similar to the dresses from Target, but with fun details like sequins or rosettes.


For those who can afford to spend more and want something with more coverage (all from Macy's):

Find them here, here, and here.

Maybe I'm getting conservative in my old age, but I am loving every. Single. Dress!  So classy but still fun... and definitely no frump here :)


Accessories for every budget (from Forever21 and Ann Taylor Loft):

Top row: here, here, and here Bottom row: here, here, and here

Ok, and now what you all skipped to the bottom for... 


Employed Panache's Shine into the New Year Giveaway!


As I mentioned above, this is my 100th post and I am blown away by all of YOU!  Not only have I networked with some amazing bloggers, but I also love hearing all of your comments.  And let's not forget my dear lurkers... I know you're out there, Google Analytics tells me so ;)  So as a THANK YOU to my readers, I am giving away 4 fun items that will help you sparkle and shine into the new year:

• Anthropologie 2011 desktop calendar
• Essence nail polish in Walk of Fame and Gold Rush
• Target jeweled headband

As I sit and watch 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' special on tv, I think it is appropriate that I write about holiday gifts in the office!  Depending on your office culture, you and your co-workers may or may not exchange gifts during the holiday season.  In the past, I have traded gifts with my boss, sent out cards to all my team members, participated in a team yankee swap, and done absolutely nothing.  Keep in mind that this is across 3 different companies, so make sure you know what's expected before going overboard or doing nothing.

Of my past 7 holidays in the working world, I have done yankee swaps just twice, but they seem to be pretty popular.  For those who haven't played before, yankee swap is like a grab bag: each person brings in a wrapped gift within a certain price range.  Everyone picks a number, and the first person chooses a gift from the pile (not their own).  The next person chooses another gift, and then decides whether to keep it or take a gift that someone else has unwrapped.  And so on... it's a lot of fun!

But what do you buy for someone in your office, who you may not even know that well?!?  Well, my friends, I've put together a list that should satisfy young or old, man or woman, traditional or hip.  Check these gifts out for ideas:

Candle - Organic Soy Candle
Business Card Holder - Leather Holder with Horse Emblem
Money Clip - Enamel Finish Money Clip
MP3 Player Sleeve - Hand-printed Leather Sleeve
A Fun Gag Gift - Office Voodoo Kit
Cell Phone Sleeve - Phone Pouch with Pocket
Desktop Speaker - Pop-Up Mini Speaker
Desktop Greenery - Bonsai Village Biodome

What would you give to a colleague??