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!!!

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 :)

dress: Luxe Print Maxi Dress (custom altered) c/o eShakti ~ shoes: Marc Fischer via Macy's ($36) ~ jewelry/bracelet: Macy's ($25 & $10)

Date: October 17, 2011
Ensemble message: Have you guys heard of the clothing site eShakti? They have a variety of apparel in a wide range of sizes, styles, and fabrics/textures. What’s even better is that all items can be custom fitted and altered – anything from sleeve length, to the neckline, to the hemline. I also love the name, eShakti, because the name means power in Sanskrit – in other words, they value empowering women to look their best by giving them the ability to tailor-fit their clothing. Finally, a site that understands that one style does not suit all women!
The lovely folks over at eShakti recently offered me a product to review, and since I was given the option to choose any item that I wanted, I decided to take advantage of the custom alteration option. This dress was originally a maxi, and I chose to shorten the hemline because I knew I’d get more use out of it. In addition, the eShakti website forewarned me that the dress is on the sheer side, and recommended a slip to purchase in addition. The slip was altered to my custom length as well!
I really enjoyed my experience with eShakti since their attention to detail was phenomenal. I will certainly purchase more from here in the future. And as incentive for my readers to check them out, eShakti is offering a discount of $20 off any purchase (minus overstock) using the promo code EMPLOYEDPANACHE0811. This code is good through December 31, 2011, so this is a great place to check out for holiday gifts :)

TGIF everyone! Have a great weekend :)

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??

Happy Friday everyone!  Without further ado, here is the Carissa Rose giveaway winner:

 

Congrats Kaitlyn!  I'll have Carissa Rose contact you directly :)

Oh and before I head off to my house closing, I had to share this new-to-me video with you... I discovered it on I Spy DIY, and it's awesome!  Now that the weather is getting cooler, check out 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes:


TGIF!

sweater: JCrew ($21) ~ tank: Target ($9) ~ pants: Anthropologie ($20) ~ shoes: Nine West (ancient) ~ necklace: Kiln Design Studio (another oldie - all I know is that it was discounted :) ~ cuff: gift ~ bracelet: thrifted ($8)

Date: October 14, 2011
Ensemble message: So while I was looking for end-of-summer clothing on sale, I stumbled upon this sweater in JCrew.  Ok, so it's not a left over from the summer... maybe early fall?  But it's $21 price tag had me sold!  And, I want to try to incorporate more green in my wardrobe... I feel like I don't have enough ;)
Oh, and if you've been keeping up with my random personal updates here, I'm ECSTATIC to announce that The Husband and I are finally closing on our house tomorrow and moving in on Saturday!!  I'm going to try to post as much as I can next week, but please understand that lack of internet may hold that up :)

And, last chance to enter the Carissa Rose giveaway!  I'll announce the winner tomorrow!!

shirt: MNG by Mango via JC Penny's ($35) ~ shorts: Anthropologie ($35) ~  shoes: Mia via DSW ($60) ~ necklace (hard to see - same as in this post): gift

Date: October 20, 2011
Ensemble message: Just a quick post... I know there are a lot of you out there that would not (or could not) wear shorts of any sort to the office, but I'm lucky that the Day Job is more relaxed on their dress code.  Of course, I wouldn't wear these shorts for anything but a day at my desk :)

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 :)

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 :)