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.......

t-shirt & chartreuse cardigan: Target ($6 & $14) ~ grey cardi: gift ~ pants: Anthropologie ($20) ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: Free People (gift) ~ bracelet: thrifted ($8)

Date: November 7, 2011
Ensemble message: Ok, so I'm officially a month behind on outfit photos ;)  But, I think things have slowed down a little at the Day Job to bring you all up to speed!  And I have some good ensembles that are way better than what my burnt-out brain is coming up with lately.  But onto this one... this is the 1st photo shoot in our new house!  Hence an empty room with icky lighting.  You'll see some progression over the next several posts.  This outfit was a sort of a JCrew inspiration... I've noticed a lot of their recent looks have neutrals, at least one bright piece, and some sort of pattern.


What do you think?  Could I have done anything differently??

sweater: Banana Republic (old... $25ish?) ~ pants: Anthropologie ($20) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ scarf: old sarong ~ bracelet: thrifted ($8)

Date: October 27, 2011
Ensemble message:  This was the day before The Husband and I closed on our new house, so most of my clothing was packed up.  Plus, I was wrapped up with last minute moving preparations, so I needed an outfit that didn't take much thought but still looked pulled-together.  Tonight, almost a full month later, I am sitting in my den and listening to the rain fall, and I can't believe what a whirlwind November has been!  So much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving :)

shirt: MNG by Mango via JC Penny's ($34) ~ skirt: thrifted Ann Taylor ($8) ~ shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ bangle: NY&Co ($10ish) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

Date: October 26, 2011
Ensemble message: Nothing special about this particular day, except that it was T-minus 2 days until the Husband and I closed on our house.  Has it really been just a few short weeks since I was living the nomadic life, where I was calling a hotel room home/photo backdrop, and swapping summer clothes from my suitcases with autumn clothes in storage?  (I think this last point is clear by the lines in my skirt - kinda embarrassing!)  My schedule has been jam packed since we moved, and more than ever, I am truly looking forward to the holidays... blissful time off spent with my loved ones.  And maybe some paint brushes too ;)

Soon I'll have photos taken in the new house - too exciting!!!

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??

dress: Francesca's Collections ($44) ~ blazer: Marshall's ($24) ~ boots: Chinese Laundry via Macy's ($65) ~ necklace: thrift store in Zurich ($19) ~ bracelet: NY&Co ($10ish)

Date: October 19, 2011
Ensemble message:  My other find from Francesca's Collections!  (I told you yesterday that I was tempted to buy the whole store... but these 2 pieces were it ;)  As soon as I saw this dress, I knew that I could wear it alone on the weekends in warm weather, or pair it with a blazer.  A plain, black blazer would make the print a bit more serious, but this striped jersey blazer is just so much fun!  The tough black boots with black over-the-knee socks also help bring the overall outfit down-to-earth.  A fun look for an otherwise boring day at the office :)

blazer: Zara (old - $40ish?) ~ cami: Gap ($8) ~ skirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($6) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ necklace & earrings: c/o Jada's Jewels

Date: October 11, 2011
Ensemble message: Hello everyone!  I have yet another giveaway for you this week, yay!!   Jada's Jewels contacted me for a product review, and seriously, this site has gorgeous jewelry at totally reasonable prices.  And, this site is also great for those who love variety because every day, a new piece of jewelry is for sale.  But, each of the pieces are only available for several days, so you need to make a decision before time is up!  I've been monitoring the site for a couple weeks now, and I've seen all different styles of jewelry: classic pearls, bold metal pieces, boho necklaces, statement necklaces, and more!  Also, the pieces have been priced anywhere from $9 to $30 (which is on the higher end).  I chose to review the the stone necklace & earring set in malachite, and the quality fantastic for the price.  I love that the set looks like it cost more than the actual listing price.  And, it adds such a nice burst of color!


This gorgeous set isn't available anymore, but one lucky reader will win it for themselves!  All you have to do is register for Jada's Jewels and leave a comment telling me that you've done so.  As usual, easy rules :)  Oh, and you can get extra entries for following Employed Panache via GFC or Bloglovin', Twitter, or Facebook - again, just leave a comment for each of these.  This giveaway will be open until 11:59pm EST on Wednesday October 19th.  I'll pick a winner at random on Thursday October 20th!
What are you waiting for?  Register and then comment to enter the giveaway now!

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 :)

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

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

Date: August 8, 2011
Ensemble message: This outfit was styled especially for this week's Everybody Everywear challenge - mixed prints!  Mixing prints is not a stretch for me, I've done it before (see below).  But it was a challenge to find a new mix since my wardrobe is a bit limited at the moment.  Though it's subtle, the stripes on the jacket do count as a print!  I personally think that stripes and floral are the easiest prints to mix (for those of you who might be a bit shy when it comes to mixing prints).

Here are some other ways I've mixed prints: