Hi everyone!  Well, I'm back from my little vacation and I'm trying my hardest to catch up.  I don't have a new outfit post from yesterday OR today due to lack of free internet, plane delays, and bad weather forcing me to work from home in my pj's.  Plus, my bloglovin' reader is about to explode (I'll tackle that later).  But one step at a time... I did get a couple exciting e-mails and tweets while I was gone!

As you see from the above picture, Gabby over at The Working Girl's Shoe Closet awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award!  I'm very honored as this is my first blog award... and, this girl has a shoe collect to die for, so I trust her sense of what's stylish ;)  As an award recipient, I should be providing you facts about myself and then passing on the award.  As in real life, here in the blogosphere you must make compromises when crunched for time.  I definitely want to pay this award forward to the following blogs, in no particular order:


Also, last Friday Employed Panache got a mention in The New Professional's Executive Summary!  Angeline enjoyed my post on being physically present at work.  In addition, Ms. Career Girl published my corresponding guest post on being mentally present at work.  Check both out and be sure to check the comments too - these articles are applicable to both your work life and personal life!

(If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I am away for a long weekend. But, I haven't forgotten about you readers!  I scheduled a couple posts for while I am gone... enjoy! :)

Breathing Like Little Ghosts ~ Been Dazed & Confused ~ Laid Back Chambray ~ Feminine Lumberjack

While I try to be creative and wear new outfits everyday, there are certain pieces that are consistently in rotation.  One such item is my blue chambray shirt that I picked up from Old Navy at the end of the summer.  I was a little doubtful that I would be able to really mesh it into my wardrobe, but now I find that I'm wearing it often, especially on the weekends.  The button down style keeps it polished, but the looser fit makes it fun.


Which look is your favorite??

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 :)

turtleneck: Banana Republic ($?? pretty old) ~ skirt: Anthropologie ($35) ~ boots: Bandolino via Macy's ($85ish) ~ belt: UO ($14) ~ necklace: DIY

Date: January 11, 2011
Ensemble message: I didn't have too much going on at work yesterday, so I went for a skirt and boots combo.  This skirt has graced the pages of Employed Panache several times, and Jonna Martin actually referred to it as "The Blog Skirt" - haha! :)  I am going to start doing remix posts, starting Friday... it won't be this skirt this week, but I'll feature another EP fave!
Not much else to say today... work has been crazy so my mind's a little burnt.  But how cute is my pup Donna?! ;)

shirt: Old Navy ($25) ~ skirt: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ cardigan: Gap (gift) ~ belt: ribbon from cardigan ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

Date: January 10, 2011
Ensemble message: With just a couple minor meetings today, I went for items in my closet that were comfy and warm.  I've also been trying to think of another way to style up this thrifted skirt, and this whole outfit just came to me while I was playing around in my closet yesterday.  I'm really loving the overall look, and have already thought of other ways to wear this skirt.  I sort of feel like a feminine lumberjack.  (Don't you love how I make up stuff to describe my clothes? ;)  I think it was the mix of the soft plaid, chambray shirt, textured tights, and nubby cardigan.  If only I had more rugged lace-up booties, that would have perfected this outfit!
It's actually pretty amazing how creative I can get with just an hour of pulling clothes off the hanger and out of drawers.  If you feel like you're in a style rut, I highly recommend putting aside some time, maybe with several inspirational photos, and see where your wardrobe will take you.  I bet you'll be surprised by how many new looks you come up with!

shirt: Zara (gift) ~ cardi: Target ($15) ~ skirt: Esprit (part of old suit set) ~ belt: Target ($17) ~ shoes: ?? via Macy's (old, not sure of cost)

Date: January 7, 2010
Ensemble message: Wednesday and Thursday of this week, I was in Arkansas on a short business trip.  Even though it was just an overnight trip, I wanted to work one major clothing item into both outfits.  I chose this black skirt because it doesn't wrinkle (I had a 3 hour flight) and could easily be made into 2 outfits without it being obvious that I wore the same skirt 2 days in a row.  And the small heel on these shoes were great for both standing in front of a room to present and navigating my way through the airport later that night.  The overall look is a classic office look, but with my spin on it: lacy shirt/stockings, mixing black & brown, and of course the chartreuse cardigan.
My flight was packed, and I ended up sitting next to an older gentleman who was wearing a dress shirt and tie.  I was dead tired and just wanted to get some work done and then nap.  But my neighbor was super friendly and started asking me questions around why I was in Arkansas and what did I do for the Day Job.  He seemed nice enough, so we began chatting and explained that I am in Human Resources.  I found out that he works for Lion Brand Yarn, and he mentioned several people at my company that he knew, all of them being in Sales.  I then innocently asked, "Oh, are you in Sales as well?"  His reply: "No, I'm the COO for Lion."  Imagine my shock!  We then went on to chat throughout most of the flight, even as I did some work, and we discussed everything from our companies to our families.
The point I want to make here is that I did not change before catching my flight.  I had time to and could have easily packed sweats or leggings in my carry-on.  However, you never ever know who you will be sitting next to!  What if I was looking for a job or a new client?  Or what if our companies worked closely together (they don't).  If I didn't look professional, he may not have been inclined to strike up a conversation, and I would have missed an opportunity.  So think carefully about what to wear before traveling... you don't necessarily have to dress in a suit, but you may want to think twice about rolling out of bed and heading right to the airport!

shirt: The Hubby's ~ skirt: thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($35) ~ necklace: Free People (gift)

We are just 4 days into 2011 and by now, a ton of other bloggers have already posted their New Year's resolutions.  Heck, some started stating their resolutions last week, when it was still 2010!!  Well, here's a tidbit about me: I am a shameless planner who won't feel right until all details are carefully and thoroughly evaluated.  Every. Single. Detail.  So of course I wanted to see what other people wrote and then took some time to think through mine!  The fact that I'm able to write down my resolutions just 4 days after the start of the new year is actually pretty darn good... but onto what I am determined to do this year, broken out by category, of course.  (See what I mean?  Love them details! ;)

Blogging Resolutions:

• Set goals and stick to them.  I have a ton of ideas for Employed Panache, and I usually write scribble them down in a notebook that's usually with me.  While this is great for brainstorming and spontaneous moments of inspiration, it doesn't necessarily mean anything else happens with these ideas.  So this year, I am going to get more organized and even write out a timeline of what I want to post and when.  For now, this will be done in an Excel or Word document... but if any of you have other suggestions, please let me know!
• Network more.  When I first started blogging, I read a lot about how building your network is key gaining both readers and knowledge.  Since I'm pretty shy, even behind the computer screen, it took me awhile to really venture out there.  Now that I have, I am so lucky to have my little community!  And in 2011 I will expand my blogger family by meeting more of you, virtually or in real life.

Personal Resolutions:

• Treat my body right, especially on the weekends.  I am pretty healthy, especially if I'm in my routine during the weekdays.  However, it doesn't take much for me to bend and this really rings true for the weekends.  Some people have a splurge meal or splurge day... mine goes from 5pm on Friday until Monday morning!  This year, I will consistently make healthier choices, which includes better choices when eating out and actually working out on the weekend.
• Get my condo on the market.  So The Husband and I have been ready to move for a little while now, but our condominium is not yet listed.  Why?  We've been procrastinating in order to tidy things up a bit, and also because the housing market is pretty darn scary right now.  But we just have to get it out there and see what happens.  Sooo... anyone want to purchase a nice condo in Northern NJ? ;)

Cross-Over Resolution:

• Be aggressive, be be aggressive!  This is a very special resolution because it applies to both blogging and my personal/professional life... as I mentioned above, I tend to mull information around in my head for awhile before taking action - probably definitely longer than necessary.  And, I'm a natural introvert.  In 2011, I am going to push myself outside of my comfort zone and be more aggressive and take more risks.  This could apply to finding/working with sponsors to speaking up more at the Day Job to wearing something I normally wouldn't (check back tomorrow for my first attempt at this!)  

dress: American Rag via Macy's ($18) ~ sweater: Derby (gift) ~ boots: Bandolino via Macy's ($85) ~ earrings: gift

Date: January 3, 2010
Ensemble message: Welcome 2011!  It's the start of another year, which  means 12 months of possibilities and new beginnings.  And for those of us who have cut back on work for the past couple weeks (or took off altogether), welcome back!  I am pumped for the upcoming year... 2011 is going to be amazing, I can just feel it!!!  But I'll talk more about new opportunities - aka resolutions - in tomorrow's post.  Today, my main goal was to get my brain defuzzed and crank out quality work at the Day Job.  I have a lot going on and knew I had to shake the laziness, and quickly too.

I find it very difficult to get back in the swing of things after a week or 2 off my typical routine.  Anyone else like that?  What can I say, I'm a creature of habit :)  Don't be fooled by the apparent effort behind today's outfit... I created this look during a lazy afternoon last week where I sat in my closet and created outfits around photos that inspired me and/or items I haven't worn lately.  This will make getting dressed easy this week :)  I'm glad I had an outfit ready that made me feel pulled together, even though I was mostly sleepy.  Change your outfit - change your state of mind!