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: 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 :)

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: 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: 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:

shirt: Anthropologie ($35) ~ skirt: Old Navy (old - $15ish) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace/earrings/watch: gifts

Date: October 25, 2011
Ensemble message: Casual yet office appropriate outfit!  I love burnt orange and other shades of rust, but worry about looking like a pumpkin.  I will stay away from too much green and brown, but these sage tights seem just right.
I know things have slowed down a bit here guys... but a house is seriously like another full-time job.  And, the Day Job lately has been pushing well beyond 9 to 5.  But I will try to get you guys quickie posts like this - I am still taking outfit photos, so they might as well get published.  Thanks for sticking around y'all :)

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 ;)

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!

shirt: Limited (gift) ~ skirt: Atelier via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ vest: Old Navy ($14) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ bracelet: thrifted via Beacon's Closet ($8)

shirt: Banana Republic Mens (borrowed) ~ skirt: Kensie Girl (gift) ~ vest: Old Navy ($14) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ bangle: NY&Co ($10ish) ~ necklaces & watch: gifts

Date: June 30, 2011
Ensemble message: Another from the memory card!  I wore this almost 2 months ago... assuming it was a typical day in the office.  Clearly it wasn't too hot yet since I stole borrowed this shirt from The Hubby.  I thought the grey in the shirt would look too monotone with the grey skirt, but the green vest breaks everything up nicely.

I also wanted to thank you all for sticking around while I blog very inconsistently... you guys are truly the best!  I seem to be over the hump of my project.  Just in time for fall fashion too I might add - my favorite time of year!!

striped shirt: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($12) ~ chambray shirt & vest: Old Navy ($24 & $14) ~  leggings & belt: Target ($20 & $15) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift) ~ bracelets: DIY & from a pack from Charlotte Russe

Date: May 18, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this outfit during the week-long span of cool temperatures and tons of rain.  I had virtually no meetings at work and then a concert in NYC that night, so I went the comfy route and wore leggings.  I honestly can't remember the last time I wore leggings to work, which is funny because during Winter 2010, that's pretty much all I wore (good thing I wasn't blogging then, haha!)  But then I saw this post by Elaine of Clothed Much and remembered that leggings can be sleek and stylish.  Next time I'll go for all out copy-cat with a blazer, but I loved the more casual take with multiple layers.

Have you re-discovered any clothing items lately??