dress (as skirt): c/o eShakti ~ shirt: MNG by Mango via JC Penny's ($34) ~ boots: Anne Klein via Macy's ($? so old!) ~ necklace: gift

Date: January 26, 2012
Ensemble message: Looooovvvve this outfit!  And when I first put it on, I hated it.  I guess I was having a low self-esteem moment because as soon as I knotted the shirt, I thought, "Whoa!  Look at those HIPS!"  So silly - we need to embrace our individual features!  I know I've said it at some point on this blog, but while one person envies another's lean figure, that person is wishing they had more curves.  So much stress (and I don't know about you, but I really don't need anymore stress in my life!!)  Let's just love us for us and be done with it :)
Which of your features do you love?  Let's declare it here!!

sweater: Gap (gift) ~ shirt: Old Navy ($24) ~ jeans: Target ($14) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

Date: January 20, 2012
Ensemble message: A mid-week casual look!  I wore this on a Friday in January after being inspired by this photo on Pinterest.  You should know that my thinking at times can be very straight and narrow, so I'm always looking to expand my perceptions so I don't limit my creativity.  This outfit is a great example of this... at one point in my life, I would have looked at the original photo and scoffed that it's silly to pair a collared shirt with a turtleneck.  Fast forward a few years later, I may have admitted that it looked cool, but that I couldn't pull it off for a number of reasons.  Fortunately, an older and wiser self saw this photo and immediately thought, "Awesome!  Now I know what to wear on Friday."

I guess the moral of the story is to keep your mind open.  Do you find yourself limiting what you wear, eat, do, etc.?  How do you break out of that comfort zone??

shirt: American Rag via Macy's ($35) ~ blazer: Marshall's ($24) ~ skirt: Atelier via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift) ~ necklace: gift ~ bangle: NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: January 19, 2012
Ensemble message: I always tend to dress a little more formally when I have meetings with directors and VPs... pencil skirts and blazers usually come into play.  I'm personally not a fan of wearing a lot of black in the form of a suit - too *yawn* for me.  So I mixed up the the colors and prints a bit with a floral top.
Oh, and I didn't forget - here is the winner from the Shabby Apple contest:
Congrats Erin!  Shabby Apple will contact you shortly.

shirt: Old Navy ($7) ~ skirt: Atelier via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ belt: Target ($15) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

Date: January 9, 2012
Ensemble message: Hi, my name is Nicole, and I'm addicted to stripes.  Except, I don't really want to overcome this addiction.  There are few prints that I find myself turning to over and over... actually, stripes are the only print that I can wear multiple days in a row.  And stripes are the only print that I don't mind buying multiple of in one shopping trip.  So, I'll stay addicted, thank you very much :)

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.......

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" ??

shirt: Anthropologie ($35) ~ sweater: Target ($16ish) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace: Macy's ($11) ~ cuff: gift

Date: November 9, 2011
Ensemble message: Today I bring you a mid-week casual outfit that would probably have been best for a Friday (oops).  November and December have been nuts for me at the Day Job, so comfort and easy-to-style outfits were key for me every day.  Between my hectic schedule and the weather cooling down, I'm really loving the more utilitarian looks that incorporate finer pieces (silk shirts, statement necklaces, heels).  Is your closet following any one theme this season?

Also, I was only in my house for a couple weeks and was still trying to figure out the best place for photos.  I now know that outside with my back to the house is best, and that I can get halfway decent indoor shots in my dining room.  For this post, you'll have to deal with these dark results ;)

shirt: Old Navy ($24) ~ skirt: Gap ($8) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~  necklace: Macy's ($25)

Date: November 17, 2011
Ensemble message: Thank goodness I had this outfit in my archives! (aka photos I haven't gotten around to posting yet ;)  Today's Every Body Every Wear theme is Sequins and Sparkles - how appropriate since it's the one of time of year where the parties seem to be non-stop.  And I don't know about you, but anything that glitters and shines always brightens my day!  On this particular day, I was up to my eyeballs with year-end work... but every time I noticed my skirt, I couldn't help but smile :)



Check out the rest of the participants here:

sweater: JCrew ($21) ~ skirt: Target ($23) ~ shoes: Marc Fisher via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace & bracelet: gifts

Date: November 8, 2011
Ensemble message: So since I'm behind in posting outfits, I'm not really sure what was going on that day.  From my work calendar, it doesn't look like anything special was happening.  So I'll tell you more about how I put this ensemble together (somehow, I remember that much better ;)  This sweater is a new favorite, and it looks great with skinny pants.  I wasn't sure how to wear it with a skirt, but since the sweater is longer and a thicker knit, I soon realized that the skirt should be more form fitting.  This pencil skirt was a great match!  And I like how the combo has almost a dress effect.


What do you guys think?  What else should I wear this sweater with??