dress: Poof via Daffy's ($15) ~ belt: Target ($17) ~ jacket: Olive & Oak via Century 21 ($30) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ cuff: gift ~ bangles: wearyourmusic.org ($15 each)

Date: October 10, 2011
Ensemble message:  Just another typical day at the office, but this was one of those weird autumn days that wasn't really cold, but it wasn't really warm either.  I don't normally feature jackets on the blog since I don't wear them all day, but I had a feeling that this day would be different since it's usually on the cooler side in my office.



By the way, olive green is officially my new obsession... I have an olive vest, olive pants, and now an olive jacket.  I think it's the perfect muted color :)  Do you have any favorite colors?

Oh, and don't forget to enter the Jada's Jewels giveaway!  Just over a day left to enter!

t-shirt: Ann Taylor Loft (old - $25ish?) ~ cardigan: August Silk via Nordstrom Rack ($20) ~ jeans & scarf: Target ($14 & forget) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120)

Date: October 6, 2011
Ensemble message: This is an outfit from one of my many team meetings in the past several weeks.  These meetings are generally casual, but I will wear a skirt or dressier slacks if I'm presenting.  Clearly I wasn't presenting this day, so I opted for jeans for comfort and layers for warmth (aren't hotel conference rooms always so cold?!)  Between the boots and scarf, I felt very equestrian!
TGIF!!!  Any good plans for the weekend?

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!

dress & shirt: Target ($28 & $14) ~ scarf: Gap Outlet ($?? I forget, sorry!) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~ bangle: NY&Co ($10ish) ~ cuff: gift

Date: October 5, 2011
Ensemble message: So yeah, absolutely no regrets buying this dress.  I. LOVE. IT.  I wear it to work (and it's hard to not wear it every week) and I wear it on the weekend.  It's awesome alone with a few accessories, or layered with undershirts, overshirts, scarves, etc.  I really have no other words to describe my love :)

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 :)

Happy Friday everyone!  Last week, the lovely Classy Career Girl used a quote from moi in a blog post with advice to young women entering the workforce.  Check it out here!

Also, here is the winner of the Hanes Hosiery Silk Reflections giveaway:

Congratulations!!!  I'll send you an e-mail this weekend with more details.

TGIF! :)

shirt: Gap ($13) ~ jeans, shoes, & scarf: Target ($14, $20, & old) ~ watch: Fossil (gift)

Date: September 9, 2011
Ensemble message: Just some quick inspiration on Casual Friday Eve!  This picture was taken almost a month ago, when we had a spell of real autumn weather.  Cool enough for longer sleeves & scarves, but warm enough to wear my strappy sandals a little longer.  Good stuff!

What will you be wearing for this week's casual Friday?


Oh, and don't forget to enter the Hanes Hoisery giveaway!!  Today is the last day!!!!

shirt & belt: Target ($17 each) ~ skirt: Gap (gift) ~ boots: Steve Madden via DSW ($120) ~ earrings: Jess LC ($16) ~ cuff: gift

Date: September 27, 2011
Ensemble message: Yesterday I posted the outfit that I wore to dinner the evening before an extended team meeting.  This is what I wore to the actual meeting, where I had 45 minutes to present an HR update.  Normally I don't stress out about a quick update, but this was the first time I was meeting this team!  I knew that most people would be casual during this meeting, but I didn't want to be in jeans while presenting to this group for the first time ever.  I feel that this outfit was a good balance, and my presentation went really well!


Oh and for Profession Gal, who has never been to Philadelphia, here is a couple photos from my hotel window (sadly I wasn't about to get out and about while I was there!)

Not the best view of the Philly skyline - but it's a shorter city than NYC!

Famous indoor market, which I didn't have time to visit :(

dress: Anthropologie ($30) ~ jacket: Ann Taylor Loft ($14) ~ belt: Target ($17) ~ shoes: Steve Madden via Famous Footwear ($14) ~ cuff: gift

Date: September 26, 2011
Ensemble message: I wore this outfit last week for one of two busy days.  On this particular day, I had to be in the office for most of the day (with several meetings) and then drive to Philadelphia for a team dinner.  One of the client groups I support were having a 2 day extended team meeting, and they asked me to join them for dinner and then to provide an HR update the next day.  This day was a little tough to plan for because I had several factors to consider: I was meeting this team for the first time, I'd be in the car for 2+ hours and going straight to dinner (no wrinkles allowed!), and it was an oddly warm day for late September.  I think this outfit worked out well - the dress was fun but the jacket added a little formality, and the cotton didn't wrinkle a bit!


Oh by the way, did you guys enter my Hanes Hosiery giveaway yet??  Only a few more days left!

And on a brief personal note, today is my 3rd wedding anniversary with The Husband.  Last year I posted some gratuitous photos, but this year I'm writing a quick post so I can go enjoy the wine and cupcakes he surprised me with after work :)

sweater: F21 ($24) ~ blouse: American Rag via Macy's ($25) ~ leggings: Target ($20) ~ shoes: BCBG (gift)

Date: September 22, 2011
Ensemble message: Over the summer, as busy as I've been, I have noticed that crop tops have made a comeback.  I personally think this is unfortunate for a couple reasons... first, crop tops on their own will never, ever be office appropriate.  Second, my stomach has never been toned enough to show off ;)  But I do like the look of a long tank layered under a crop top, I think it really lengthens the body!  This sweater is not technically cropped, but with the long top underneath, it gives the illusion of being shorter.



What are your thoughts on crop tops?  Fun for the weekends, or leave it for the teens?