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!

Date: October 7, 2011
Ensemble message: A casual Friday outfit from earlier this month... I received the Norah Tunic from Carissa Rose over the summer, but waited for the temperature to drop before wearing it.  As with other Carissa Rose designs that I've worn and reviewed, the fit is very flattering, especially for those of us with a few curves.  The belted waist hits at just the right point, and the zipper was a nice change from the typical buttons.

This is the third Carissa Rose product that I've reviewed, and I am very excited to be able to give away the Katerina Dress to one lucky reader!  This is a great shirt dress for work, or dress it up for a nice dinner out.  And with a retail value of $145, you won't want to miss this giveaway!

Photo via Carissa Rose

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment below telling me how you would style this dress.  And, 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 Thursday October 27th. I'll pick a winner at random on Friday October 28th!

Good luck and TGIF :)

dress: Katerina c/o Carissa Rose ~ vest: Old Navy ($14) ~ booties: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($100)  ~ necklace & bracelet: Macy's ($25 & $10) ~ stockings: Silk Reflections c/o Hanes

Date: September 20, 2011
Ensemble message: I dressed with intention on this particular day... this was the day that I helped launch a generational business network at the Day Job, which included co-hosting a kick-off meeting with cupcakes (come on, everyone knows the 1st rule of meetings - lure them in with food ;)  Since I had to present on a topic that is equal parts professional and fun, I took one of my most professional dresses and added a few fun elements: vest, black beads, and booties.

To add to the professionalism, I wore Hanes Silk Reflections stockings, which I was gifted to review.  If you've been a long-time reader, you know that I love my tights in the winter.  However, some days call for something a bit more sheer.  Here's my only problem... I tend to put runs in stockings within the first hour or two of wearing them.  Not cool if you have a big meeting later that day.  But Hanes Silk Reflections lasted me up to my network launch, until the end of the (work) day, and through dinner with friends afterwards!  Also, even though the toe was not reinforced, my toes did not tear through either - another annoyance that I have with all hosiery (yes, somehow I manage to tear the toes even in super thick tights!)  Overall, I was very pleased with the product.  My only warning is that the size seemed to run a bit small... even though I was well within the height & weight range, I still felt as if they pinched at the waist.  But, this won't stop me from wearing them over and over again!

Hanes and I are also giving my readers an opportunity to win a pair of Silk Reflections stockings, a $9.95 value!  Entering is simple... you must be a follower of Employed Panache & also follow Hanes Hosiery either through Twitter or Facebook.  Then, leave a comment telling me so below!  That's all :)  This giveaway is open through Thursday October 6th, and I will be drawing a winner at random on Friday October 7th.  Good luck!

dress: Katerina dress c/o Carissa Rose ~ shoes: Franco Sarto ($65) ~ bracelet: thrifted via Beacon's Closet ($8) ~ scarf & earrings: gifts

Date: August 1, 2011
Ensemble message: Last week, I had the pleasure of personally welcoming 8 new hires to the Day Job!  I had a couple hours to do my HR thing, and I wanted to look professional but approachable.  I love this Carissa Rose dress because the stormy grey color is a perfect canvas to fun and colorful accessories.

What clothing is your blank canvas??

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 :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  In the United States, today is a day to give thanks for all your blessings... and to fuel up for a full day of shopping tomorrow :)  Do you guys get up early to get your Christmas shopping done??  I personally cannot deal with crowds of people (I tend to get anxious and overwhelmed) so I love the online deals that most stores have these days.  Take advantage - you can really save a lot of money!  Here are some of my favorite Black Friday gift deals:

For Your Mom:  Get her a Nook from Best Buy!  This is a doorbuster special, so be sure to get there early... stores open at 5 a.m.

For Your Dad:  Get him a sleek pair of leather gloves from Macy's for the winter - classic!  Macy's is great for online deals, so you can shop from the comfort of your home.

For Your Sister:  Go to Old Navy for super inexpensive, on-trend knit sweaters!  These deals are also in the store only, and they have different specials on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

For Your Brother:  Got a bro who loves snow sports?  Head to Dicks Sporting Goods today for early bird specials on adult and kids thermals (among other items), and then in-store specials tomorrow!  (Hint: great golf deals for Dad too!)

For Your Boyfriend or Hubby:  You know those ratty t-shirts he just won't get rid of??  Change his mind with a cool new graphic tee from Threadless!

For Your BFF:  Get her an awesome studded purse, from JC Penny's of all places!  Seriously, check it out... the plum color is so hot this season, and you don't have to go to the store to get this deal.

For Your Niece/Nephew:  Be the cool aunt or uncle ever by giving the little ones a portal DVD player from Target.  Bonus: Mom & Dad will enjoy the quiet travel ;)

And don't forget Yourself!  Take advantage of Black Friday deals to pick yourself up something fantastic.  I recommend heading over to Carissa Rose Designs for work wear.  Remember the Lola dress I wore last week?  Well, you can get it for 20% off with the code CYBERBLACK20, beginning Thanksgiving Day and going through Monday, November 29.  This is a classic wardrobe piece that will carry you from interview to important dinners to the holidays!

Good luck with your deals!  I will be taking the remainder of the holiday weekend off, but I will see you all on Monday! :)

dress: c/o Carissa Rose ~ shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($100) ~ necklace: Free People (gift) ~ bracelet: thrifted ($8) ~ wrap watch: NY&Co ($20)

Date: November 15, 2010
Ensemble message: Today I was a back-up interviewer for an all-day recruiting event.  This is one of those times where I wanted to look super professional so I would make a good impression on our candidates.  Since I was a back-up, there was a good chance that they would not need my help.  I never did get called in, but I wanted to be prepared, just in case.