dress: Forever21 ($23) ~ jersey blazer: Marshall's ($24) ~ shoes (which I probably wear all too often ;) Mia via DSW ($60) ~ bracelet: gift

Date: November 23, 2011
Ensemble message: This outfit was worn 2 days before Thanksgiving... I could have easily gotten away with jeans and a sweater (because like most offices, mine is a ghost town the week of Thanksgiving).  However, this was smack-dab in the middle of 2 very crazy weeks, so instead of letting the stress get me down, I decided to dress up :)  I really liked this combo of patterns... it's a bit busy, but I think the overall neutral palate tones it down enough for the office.
How about you guys?  During crazy times at work, do you kick it back or dress it up?

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 :)

shirt & belt: Target ($17 each) ~ skirt: Gap (gift) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~ earrings: Jess LC ($16) ~ cuff: gift

Date: September 27, 2011
Ensemble message: Yesterday I posted the outfit that I wore to dinner the evening before an extended team meeting.  This is what I wore to the actual meeting, where I had 45 minutes to present an HR update.  Normally I don't stress out about a quick update, but this was the first time I was meeting this team!  I knew that most people would be casual during this meeting, but I didn't want to be in jeans while presenting to this group for the first time ever.  I feel that this outfit was a good balance, and my presentation went really well!


Oh and for Profession Gal, who has never been to Philadelphia, here is a couple photos from my hotel window (sadly I wasn't about to get out and about while I was there!)

Not the best view of the Philly skyline - but it's a shorter city than NYC!

Famous indoor market, which I didn't have time to visit :(

turtleneck: Target ($14) ~ sweater: F21 ($24) ~ jeans: Buffalo via Macy's (?? old) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ necklace: gift

Date: March 25, 2011
Ensemble message: TGIF!  Well, a day late now but it's still the weekend :)  Yesterday I knew I'd have a full day at work and then dinner with friends afterwards, so I wanted to wear something that could transition from work to play.  I just bought this sweater from Forever21, and I love the soft, larger knit.... and I love how the vintage white color softens up harsher black and white stripes.

So I don't normally post on Saturdays, but what do you guys think?  Does it make a difference to you guys if I post Monday through Friday or 5 days a week but not consecutive days??  Inquiring minds want to know! :)

turtleneck: Gap (gift) ~ skirt: Banana Republic (old - $35?) ~ belt: UO ($14) ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: Macy's ($11) ~ earrings: Jess LC ($15 on sale)

Date: February 15, 2011
Ensemble message: I was just going for something simple on Tuesday... I was still not quite with it yet after a week off, but I think for a last minute outfit, it works!  Those tights are sage green by the way... but they look grey in the photos.  Sort of a mod look, no?  Maybe it's just the black turtleneck :)
I'm also seriously obsessing with keeping my skirts high on my hips.  One of the Lucky Magazine editors said in the March 2011 edition (sorry, I can't remember and don't have the mag in front of me!) though it might be counterintuitive, wearing higher waist lines can create the illusion of a longer torso.  I still stand behind this belief despite a couple readers' opinions from this post.  Maybe the skirt was too full or too long?  Or did it actually look fab?  What's your opinion of high waisted skirts?

long sleeve t: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($12) ~ sweater: Target ($16ish) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Kensie Girl via Century 21 ($20) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

Date: January 28, 2011
Ensemble message: Ever since I bought these Calvin Klein pants, I've been craving them for all of my weekend looks.  Luckily, they also work for casual Fridays in the office!  This time, I kept the look sharp with graffiti stripes and a statement necklace but balanced it with a soft sweater and outdoorsy boots.
I also love rolling up the pants a bit to show off some fuzzy socks.  This is definitely the type of look I would rock on a ski vacation... which is where I am right now!  I've taken the week off from The Day Job to ski in Utah, so I don't think it was a coincidence that a week before, après-ski was already on my mind.

turtleneck: Target ($10ish) ~ open cardi: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shorts: Anthropologie ($35) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65)

Date: December 29, 2010
Ensemble message: This outfit was worn right after Christmas, while my offices were deadly quiet.  There was still a lot of snow on the ground from the blizzard so I needed to keep warm.  Didn't want to wear pants, but wasn't feeling a skirt either... so I went with my trusty wool shorts.  I had just scored this great DKNY open cardigan from Filene's Basement too, so I was eager to wear it :)

Find me, never, never far gone

Ensemble message: It's been a slow week at the Day Job... not really sure what's going on!  The calm before the storm, perhaps?  Either way, I had ZERO meetings today!  This gave me the green light to wear something a little more casual and fun.

shirt: Target ($12) ~ silk tank: JCrew ($25) ~ skirt: Gap Outlet ($19) ~ shoes: ?? via DSW ($??) ~ necklace: F21 ($5) ~ cuff: gift

Roll in the navy & white stripes, which is was really popular over the summer.  But then again, the temps rose into the 70's today, so summer weather calls for summer trends!  I'm not the only one holding onto stripes this fall... Ashley & Becca over at Free Honey are still wearing them too.
What do you think... are stripes still in or should they be packed away with our other summer clothes??