cape: made by me! ~ shirt: Old Navy ($8ish) ~ corduroys: Gap (gift) ~ belt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ shoes: Nine West (super old!) ~ necklaces: gifts

Date: December 22, 2011
Ensemble message: So after recovering from a long busy period at the Day Job and prepping for the holidays, I was itching to let the creative juices flow and make something with my hands.  The work I do is so intangible, that sometimes I crave projects where I can physically see my results.  Luckily, I had recently found this link through Caitlin's blog and knew it was something that I could make... I mean, it's a cut-only, no sewing necessary project - perfect!  I found this thick, gorgeous flannel on sale at Joann Fabrics... I originally wanted to go with something more wintery (brick red, forest green, etc.), but the orange was so different and pretty, I just couldn't resist going with autumn colors!

I ended up using Stitch Witchery to clean up the raw edges... but that just employs an iron, a piece of machinery that I can operate without too much trouble ;)  Did anyone else see this article??  I'd love to see photos of your capes!!

t-shirt: Target ($8) ~ skirt: Talbots, thrifted via Goodwill ($8) ~ belt: Urban Outfitters ($14) ~ shoes: Nine West Outlet ($27) ~ necklace: DIY ~ earrings: Acute Designs, won via Miss Vinyl Ahoy's blog!

Date: July 18, 2011
Ensemble message: Why hello there!  I'm back, and on one of the hottest days of the year.  A day where all you want to wear is a t-shirt.  So, that's what I did!  Some may say t-shirts are too casual for the office, but I think with the right bottom and accessories you can definitely wear a t-shirt to work.

I'm laughing at The Hubby here, who just stuck his head out the door and said "sexy time" in his best Borat voice ;)

Would you ever wear a t-shirt on the job??

cami & shoes: Target ($9, $20) ~ jacket: Marshall's ($24) ~ pants: Century21 ($35) ~ belt/scarf: from a dress ~ bracelet: DIY

Date: June 8, 2011
Ensemble message: This was a crazy week with little time to think about clothing.  No major meetings or presentations, just keeping my nose very close to the grindstone.  Luckily this outfit came together and looked nice enough to photograph!  This is also proof that I remix... just the week prior, I wore the same exact top and jacket.  I was a little surprised because normally I space out clothes that I remix, but also proud to finally have a closet where I can literally pull out a few of my favorite pieces and have a decent looking outfit :)

sweater: F21 ($) ~ shirt: Gap ($30) ~ pants: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ bracelets: gift & DIY

Date: May 23, 2011
Ensemble message: Just another manic Monday!  More rain to start off my week, which for me meant wearing pants.  I truly hope this is the last of the yellow-ish, blurry, icky indoor pics for a long, long time.  But back to my outfit... I am so happy that I bought this sweater from Forever 21 as it's proved to be very versatile!  It layers well and is a great neutral on its own.  And given the up and down weather this past month, this sweater has really come in handy.

So who's ready for the holiday weekend?!  I am, obviously, since I'm posting early!  It's the first Friday of summer hours at the Day Job, which means if I work at least 45 extra minutes Monday through Thursday, I can take a half day on Friday.  As long as deadlines, workload, etc. allow for it, you can expect me to start every weekend early this summer :)  What are you doing this weekend??

striped shirt: DKNY via Filene's Basement ($12) ~ chambray shirt & vest: Old Navy ($24 & $14) ~  leggings & belt: Target ($20 & $15) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift) ~ bracelets: DIY & from a pack from Charlotte Russe

Date: May 18, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this outfit during the week-long span of cool temperatures and tons of rain.  I had virtually no meetings at work and then a concert in NYC that night, so I went the comfy route and wore leggings.  I honestly can't remember the last time I wore leggings to work, which is funny because during Winter 2010, that's pretty much all I wore (good thing I wasn't blogging then, haha!)  But then I saw this post by Elaine of Clothed Much and remembered that leggings can be sleek and stylish.  Next time I'll go for all out copy-cat with a blazer, but I loved the more casual take with multiple layers.

Have you re-discovered any clothing items lately??

cami & jacket: Marshall's ($14 & $24) ~ pants: Daffy's ($30) ~ shoes: Target ($20) ~ watch ($20) ~ bracelet: DIY

Date: May 4, 2011
Ensemble message:  It's official... I'm obsessed.  I love my silk pants so much, both pairs!  They feel like pj's but are cool enough in heat and humidity (well, at least while the warmth lasted here in NJ).  I actually bought this pair last year after throwing any logic out the window, and until now, only wore them on the weekend.  After these pants survived a night out in Mexico back in February (dinner, drinks, dancing, the whole shebang), I decided that they were tough enough to wear on more casual work days.  Now if only they can survive the days that I eat salad with oil and vinegar dressing....!!

By the way, my bracelet is a DIY that I whipped up in one night while forcing myself to have some relaxation time.  I really love the results and wear this bracelet pretty frequently!  It was pretty easy to make - then again, I made lanyards with the plastic string all the time as a kid.  If you're interested, use Love Maegan's instructions... the only difference is that I added a Buddha charm :)

jacket: Kensie via Macy's ($35) ~ t-shirt & shoes: Target ($8ish & $20) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ necklace: DIY ~ watch: NY&Co ($20ish) ~ cuff: gift

Date: April 20, 2011 (I think...)
Ensemble message:  Hmmmm... if I'm not sure what date I took these pics, then surely I don't remember why I wore what I did ;)  Looking back at my calendar from last week, I had no major meetings scheduled.  So this was probably a quick, spring-like outfit fit for an office workhorse.  Oh, also I'm sure I planned the outfit around my necklace, which I made myself last week!  This was the same necklace that an Anthropologie cashier complimented me on, along with a vintage purse I won from Amanda :)

By the way, can you tell it was BRIGHT that day?!  Sorry for the washed out pics, poor shadows, and squinty eyes (these were actually my best pics, lol!)  Without fully bloomed trees yet, it was hard to find a spot without direct sunlight.

TGIF and here's hoping this weekend is as sunny as these photos!

shirt: Anthropologie (gift) ~ turtleneck: H&M ($8ish) ~ pants: Calvin Klein via Filene's Basement ($24) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ necklace: DIY

Date: April 1, 2011
Ensemble message: Happy Monday!  How was everyone's day?  I spent today recruiting interns, which included a commute to/from New York City.  Needless to say, I did not have time to take outfit photos this morning.  Luckily, since I did not have time to blog since Thursday night, I bring you last week's casual Friday outfit!  I do apologize that it's a little slumpy and definitely wrinkly... but it was a long week and I was happy to be able to put together a photo-worthy outfit at all ;)

In other news, I chopped my hair!  Like, really chopped it... I can't put it in a ponytail anymore, haha!  Can't wait to show you guys this week.  Ok well it's been a long day... see you guys tomorrow! :)

sweater: The Hubby's ~ skirt: Target ($12) ~ boots: Bandolino via Macy's ($85) ~ necklace: DIY

Date: March 3, 2011
Ensemble message: This is another orange colored item that I recently acquired!  I'm getting super itchy for spring and have been steering towards lighter knits and brighter colors lately... despite the fact that I have a ski weekend coming up!  Can we say denial??  But I'm being sure to keep the colors toned down since it's still technically winter.  Luckily, The Husband had this sweater on his shelf in the perfect grey, so on it went :)

Once the weather warms up, I'm anxious to pair this skirt with nautical stripes and bright tops for a color-blocking effect!  What are you wearing in anticipation of spring??

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?! ;)