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.

dress: Anthropologie ($30) ~ cardi: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ scarf: Gap Outlet ($8) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60)

Date: January 18, 2012
Ensemble message: Just a colorful outfit for a blustery day!  Been pretty crazy around here lately - the Day Job has been highly challenging and has me going full speed all the time.  The optimist in me says that this will all be worth it...... my impatient side wants to see results now ;)
Don't forget - you still have a few more hours to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway!

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 :)

dress: Tucker for Target, thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ cardigan: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ cuff & necklace: gifts

Date: October 24, 2011
Ensemble message: This month's EBEW is all about colored tights, and luckily I just happen to wear colored tights often once the temperature drops.  Though these photos are from a couple weeks ago, I am actually wearing colored tights again today.  I love the fuschia and purple together with a couple neutral pieces to balance out all the color.  I find that this tan cardi easily tones down any outfit, and is quickly a go-to piece when I'm craving color in the office.
For some, colored tights can be overwhelming, especially in a professional setting.  I try to stick with muted, darker colors so that you don't feel like your legs could glow in the dark.  My favorites are purple, maroon, navy, sage, and cerulean.  I'd like to add a forest green in there and a rust red as well!

Do you wear colored tights to the office?  What are your favorite colors??

See lil Donna's paw?  She hurt it last week :(  But, she's better now!!

dress: Francesca's Collections ($25) ~ cami: Gap ($8) ~ cardigan: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~ belt & necklace: gift ~ scarf: F21 ($7ish?)

Date: October 18, 2011
Ensemble message: I went on a mini-shopping spree recently... something I typically wouldn't do since we're closing on the house this Friday!  But, I'm going away for a girls weekend soon and decided to look for some end-of-summer sales.  I've become more familiar with Francesca's Collections from the blogosphere, and let me tell you... having an actual Francesca's store close to me is going to be dangerous.  I wanted to buy the whole store!

Of course, I can't wait to wear anything new that I buy, so I layered this sundress to be more appropriate for fall.  This also made me feel better about the summery purchase - I know that I'll get use out of it year round.  Oh, and don't forget to enter the Carissa Rose giveaway :)

tank & skirt: Target ($8 & $23) ~ cardi: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ vest: Old Navy ($14)  ~  boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~ necklace & earrings: gift

Date: October 12, 2011
Ensemble message: Last week I had ANOTHER team meeting where I wanted to balance a look that is casual yet buttoned up.  I like the juxtaposition of the pencil skirt and cardi with the vest and lace-up boots.  Nope, not sick of the olive green vest yet ;)

t-shirt: Ann Taylor Loft (old - $25ish?) ~ cardigan: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ jeans & scarf: Target ($14 & forget) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120)

Date: October 6, 2011
Ensemble message: This is an outfit from one of my many team meetings in the past several weeks.  These meetings are generally casual, but I will wear a skirt or dressier slacks if I'm presenting.  Clearly I wasn't presenting this day, so I opted for jeans for comfort and layers for warmth (aren't hotel conference rooms always so cold?!)  Between the boots and scarf, I felt very equestrian!
TGIF!!!  Any good plans for the weekend?

shirt & dress: Forever21 ($14 & $23) ~ belt: Target ($17) ~ shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($100)  ~ bracelet: thrifted ($8)

Date: October 4, 2011
Ensemble message: I'm honestly not sure what to make of this outfit... it's one that looked better in my head than on.  I was trying to break up the pattern with the sheer shirt over the dress, but I'm thinking this would have worked better with a long-sleeved shirt.
What do you think?  Does this work?  (If you don't like it, just please be nice :)

dress: Katerina c/o Carissa Rose ~ vest: Old Navy ($14) ~ booties: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($100)  ~ necklace & bracelet: Macy's ($25 & $10) ~ stockings: Silk Reflections c/o Hanes

Date: September 20, 2011
Ensemble message: I dressed with intention on this particular day... this was the day that I helped launch a generational business network at the Day Job, which included co-hosting a kick-off meeting with cupcakes (come on, everyone knows the 1st rule of meetings - lure them in with food ;)  Since I had to present on a topic that is equal parts professional and fun, I took one of my most professional dresses and added a few fun elements: vest, black beads, and booties.

To add to the professionalism, I wore Hanes Silk Reflections stockings, which I was gifted to review.  If you've been a long-time reader, you know that I love my tights in the winter.  However, some days call for something a bit more sheer.  Here's my only problem... I tend to put runs in stockings within the first hour or two of wearing them.  Not cool if you have a big meeting later that day.  But Hanes Silk Reflections lasted me up to my network launch, until the end of the (work) day, and through dinner with friends afterwards!  Also, even though the toe was not reinforced, my toes did not tear through either - another annoyance that I have with all hosiery (yes, somehow I manage to tear the toes even in super thick tights!)  Overall, I was very pleased with the product.  My only warning is that the size seemed to run a bit small... even though I was well within the height & weight range, I still felt as if they pinched at the waist.  But, this won't stop me from wearing them over and over again!

Hanes and I are also giving my readers an opportunity to win a pair of Silk Reflections stockings, a $9.95 value!  Entering is simple... you must be a follower of Employed Panache & also follow Hanes Hosiery either through Twitter or Facebook.  Then, leave a comment telling me so below!  That's all :)  This giveaway is open through Thursday October 6th, and I will be drawing a winner at random on Friday October 7th.  Good luck!

t-shirt: Target ($6) ~ skirt: Atelier via Nordstrom Rack ($2) ~ scarf: old sarong (rediscovered) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift) ~ bangles: thrifted & wearyourmusic.org ($8 & $15 each)