cami & shoes: Target ($9, $20) ~ jacket: Marshall's ($24) ~ pants: Century21 ($35) ~ belt/scarf: from a dress ~ bracelet: DIY

Date: June 8, 2011
Ensemble message: This was a crazy week with little time to think about clothing.  No major meetings or presentations, just keeping my nose very close to the grindstone.  Luckily this outfit came together and looked nice enough to photograph!  This is also proof that I remix... just the week prior, I wore the same exact top and jacket.  I was a little surprised because normally I space out clothes that I remix, but also proud to finally have a closet where I can literally pull out a few of my favorite pieces and have a decent looking outfit :)

shirt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ skirt: Gap Outlet ($19) ~ shoes: Nine West Outlet ($27) ~ necklace: Aerie ($5) ~ cuff: gift

Date: June 7, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this during a (thankfully) brief hot & humid spell.  Days like that are always hard to dress for, because the temperature in the office can vary drastically from one part of the building to another.  This outfit proved to be just right: the loose fitting blouse was cool but also covered the top half of my arms, and the skirt allowed for airflow but came to my knees.  I tossed on a fun, colorful necklace and was ready to go!

What do you wear to work on really hot and humid days??

jacket: Marshall's ($24) ~ cami & jeans: Target ($9 & $14) ~ sandals: Nine West outlet ($25ish??) ~ watch: NY&Co ($20) ~ cuff & necklace: gifts

Date: June 3, 2011
Ensemble message: This is the face of pure, unadulterated RELIEF!  When I started my new role at the Day Job back in April, I was tossed into several projects midstream.  One project was to organize and facilitate the summer intern orientation.  These photos were taken the day after orientation ended.  I believe the overall experience was a success, as measured by the number of hugs I received as the interns departed for their final office locations ;)  I have to say, helping out with an internship program is one of those areas of HR that takes so much time and energy, but it seriously might be the most rewarding.  I also get to benefit from the program by having an HR intern of my own... so I will try to write a post sometime this summer about hiring and managing an intern!

Oh yeah, not to ignore the obvious, but I'm also back... for the long haul I hope!  Did you miss me these past couple weeks?  While I didn't have time to post, I did take multiple outfits shots that I can't wait to share with you!

sweater: F21 ($) ~ shirt: Gap ($30) ~ pants: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ bracelets: gift & DIY

Date: May 23, 2011
Ensemble message: Just another manic Monday!  More rain to start off my week, which for me meant wearing pants.  I truly hope this is the last of the yellow-ish, blurry, icky indoor pics for a long, long time.  But back to my outfit... I am so happy that I bought this sweater from Forever 21 as it's proved to be very versatile!  It layers well and is a great neutral on its own.  And given the up and down weather this past month, this sweater has really come in handy.

So who's ready for the holiday weekend?!  I am, obviously, since I'm posting early!  It's the first Friday of summer hours at the Day Job, which means if I work at least 45 extra minutes Monday through Thursday, I can take a half day on Friday.  As long as deadlines, workload, etc. allow for it, you can expect me to start every weekend early this summer :)  What are you doing this weekend??

blazer: Marshall's ($24) ~ tank & belt: Target ($8 & $14) ~ skirt: H&M (ancient, $???) ~ shoes: Aerosoles ($35) ~ necklace: I forget-also old ~ bracelet: thrifted from Beacon's Closet ($8)

Date: May 25, 2011
Ensemble message:  I wore this outfit just because.  Because I love this new striped blazer, and was psyched to see how well it pairs with this ancient skirt.  Because the sun is finally out here in NJ.  Because I knew I had a boat-load of work waiting for me at the Day Job and I wanted to feel good while chained to my desk.

This blazer is quickly becoming my new favorite article of clothing... the material is almost sweatshirt-like, so it's comfy and could work with a casual outfit.  But the crisp black and white stripes and structured fit makes it perfect for work as well.  Have you bought anything recently that you keep wearing over and over?

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??

dress: Katerina c/o Carissa Rose ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: Free People (gift) ~ bracelet: NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: May 17, 2011
Ensemble message: As you know (because I've whined about it enough here), my work-life balance as of late has been, well, unbalanced.  Some days are ok, and even if I don't get to blog, I finish off enough on my never ending to do list to feel accomplished.  But some days or weeks are much worse... and last week was one of those.  However, my day was instantaneously brightened on Tuesday when I got home and found a package from Carissa Rose on my doorstep!  In it was a tunic (saved for another post) and this dress.  Despite the much cooler temperatures and the need for tights, I was so happy with this dress!

The material, collar, and cuffs remind me of a typical shirt dress, but this dress is so much better.  Instead of buttons, the eye-hook closures on the bust lay flat no matter how much moving around you do throughout the day.  The length is just right so sitting, standing, or anything in between, you know you're staying modest ;)  But I think the very best part is the double-wrap built-in belt that nips you in at the most flattering part of your waist!  I can most certainly see myself wearing this dress not only on a typical work day, but to an interview, big presentation, work dinner, bridal/baby shower, fancy brunch, or nice dinner out.  In fact, I have a charity dinner to attend in early June right after work - and you can bet that this is what I'll be wearing :)

cami & jacket: Marshall's ($14 & $24) ~ pants: Daffy's ($30) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ watch ($20) ~ bracelet: DIY

Date: May 4, 2011
Ensemble message:  It's official... I'm obsessed.  I love my silk pants so much, both pairs!  They feel like pj's but are cool enough in heat and humidity (well, at least while the warmth lasted here in NJ).  I actually bought this pair last year after throwing any logic out the window, and until now, only wore them on the weekend.  After these pants survived a night out in Mexico back in February (dinner, drinks, dancing, the whole shebang), I decided that they were tough enough to wear on more casual work days.  Now if only they can survive the days that I eat salad with oil and vinegar dressing....!!

By the way, my bracelet is a DIY that I whipped up in one night while forcing myself to have some relaxation time.  I really love the results and wear this bracelet pretty frequently!  It was pretty easy to make - then again, I made lanyards with the plastic string all the time as a kid.  If you're interested, use Love Maegan's instructions... the only difference is that I added a Buddha charm :)

sweater: Forever21 ($24) ~ skirt & shoes: Target ($12 & $20) ~ belt: Urban Outfitters ($14) ~ bangle, necklace, earrings: all gifts

Date: May 11, 2011
Ensemble message: Oh how thankful I am that Frances of Mad Dress Game styled me up so pretty today!  It's been a rough couple weeks with no sign of letting up, and if I wasn't told what to wear, who knows how I would have looked when I got to the office this morning.  But Frances did a phenomenal job and managed to make me look professional while also tossing in some bright orange.  This outfit will definitely get repeated :)

If you're curious about the other paper dolls, check out the full list here.  Thanks again to Suze, Erin, and Liz for coming up with and continuing this fun collaboration!!!

jacket: Kensie via Macy's ($35) ~ t-shirt & shoes: Target ($8ish & $20) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ necklace: DIY ~ watch: NY&Co ($20ish) ~ cuff: gift

Date: April 20, 2011 (I think...)
Ensemble message:  Hmmmm... if I'm not sure what date I took these pics, then surely I don't remember why I wore what I did ;)  Looking back at my calendar from last week, I had no major meetings scheduled.  So this was probably a quick, spring-like outfit fit for an office workhorse.  Oh, also I'm sure I planned the outfit around my necklace, which I made myself last week!  This was the same necklace that an Anthropologie cashier complimented me on, along with a vintage purse I won from Amanda :)

By the way, can you tell it was BRIGHT that day?!  Sorry for the washed out pics, poor shadows, and squinty eyes (these were actually my best pics, lol!)  Without fully bloomed trees yet, it was hard to find a spot without direct sunlight.

TGIF and here's hoping this weekend is as sunny as these photos!