This Week in the Fashion & Business World

 Good evening everyone! We arrived this morning in NYC at 5am and we couldn't be more excited! We arrived in the city and as we crossed Broadway the city was full of people setting up for the Super Bowl. It's always exciting to drive into the city and see all the activity. The best way people describe Manhattan, is that it's always "full of life"...literally and figuratively. Nonetheless, we're happy to be. There's no place like home.

1. Is staffing up the only way PERSONAL BLOG will survive? 

2. How to make the most out of a MENTOR RELATIONSHIP. 

3. With stores like Lululemon & Nike, ACTIVEWEAR continues to boom, along with the prices! How high will they go?

 

4. Short little article on How to Take a Sick Day.  

5. MOM JEANS are back! 

6. Oscar de la Renta gets a new CREATIVE DIRECTOR.

7. The Deputy Editor at Elle Magazine, RUTHIE FRIEDLANDER, dresses up in Beyonce's Grammy outfit to work. You have to see everyone's reactions in NYC.

8. Still debating if you should get the trendy BOMBER JACKET this Spring, after reading this article, you'll want one in your closet. 

9. Groupon buys flash-sale site IDELLI for $43 Million. 

How to Wear Shorts in Cold Weather

Good morning! Our last day in SF and I couldn't be more excited to fly home! Today's outfits is another outfit I've been wearing during the winter time in NYC. As much as I love wearing skirts out in the city, it's nice to throw on a pair of shorts with tights (it's so much easier getting in and out of cabs). Here are a few tips when wearing shorts in the cold weather.

1. Wear Tights - throw on any color tights with your shorts (I wore mustard color tights here)

2. Wear longer or rolled shorts - if you have any longer shorts or even shorts that can be rolled up, try those (like she did here)

3. Pair with Boots or Booties - this is a great time to bring out your boot or booties, which look great with tights and can sometimes be difficult to wear with skirts (love this look)

4. Tuck in Top - wearing fitted top & shorts is great for the summer, wear an oversized top with the look (love her outfit)

5. Layers - this is a great wear to throw on some of your favorite pieces, a black cropped blazer would have also worked with this look (like Olivia Palermo did here)

Top :: Express

Shorts :: The Limited (similar here & here)

Necklace :: J. Crew (similar here)

Heels :: Halogen 

Coat :: Zara (similar here & here)

Bag :: Zara (love this one)

What to Wear to Work in the Winter

Hi everyone! Just a few more days in San Francisco. We're trying to see as many friends as possible. It's hard to believe we only moved six months ago! It feels like it's been years since we've been back. Tomorrow night we take the red-eye back to NYC. It's going to be bitter sweet. The weather in SF has been so beautiful and I know the cold weather in NYC is waiting for us to arrive.

What to wear to work has been my biggest adjustment with the change of weather. Growing up in the Midwest I'm no stranger to the bitter cold, but dressing as a professional in this weather is new to me. Today's outfit has been a common outfit I've been wearing to work this season. The tights and wool dress have been essential to my daily wardrobe. When I first moved to NYC I was dreading wearing tights to work.  I've been surprised how happy I am with the tights I own. These tights from Hanes are warm, durable and the perfect shade for the LBD you wear to the office. My trick to making tights comfortable enough to wear an entire workday is clipping the top band. It loosens up the fit and you don't feel like you're suffocating. 

Dress :: Banana Republic

Sweater :: The Limited old (similar here & here) 

Belt :: Banana Republic (love this one)

Tights :: Hanes c/o

Heels :: Halogen

Bag :: Michael Kors Selma

Necklace :: NYC Street Vendor

Watch :: Michael Kors (similar here)

Bangle :: Kate Spade

Five Simple Ways to Always be on Time

   

Being on time is one of the most common stereotypes of women and nine times out of ten, we are always late. Myself included. This is my top goal for 2014. As a professional corporate women, being early to meetings is the same as being on time. You don't every want your customer waiting on you and furthermore, on a personal level, you don't want your friends waiting on you. Remember everyone is busy, not just you.

I've been working on being more prompt and here are five easy ways that you can be on time to your next meeting or girl's night out!

1. More clocks - this might seem silly, but when you're aware of the time you'll start to move a little faster. A friend of mine has a sport's watch in the shower, which is brilliant for the modern day woman who's doing ten things at once. If you have 30 minutes to get ready, you should probably take a 8-10 minute shower. Put clocks in your bathroom, vanity area, living room, kitchen, hallway and last, your wrist. Wear a watch, don't rely on your cellphone. It will be hard to lose track of time hanging over you head.

2. Minimal makeup- have a simple makeup routine. When I'm running late I put on face powder, bronzer, mascara and apply lip gloss when I'm walking out the door. You can always bring the rest of your makeup with you. When you have time later in the day, slip into the bathroom and freshen up.

3. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early - we've all heard to plan on arriving 15 minutes early. But if you're always 15 minutes late, doesn't that set you right at the time you're suppose to arrive? I aim to arrive 30 minutes early. Especially when you're traveling. You never know what' roadblocks you have ahead of you. 

4. Put down the cell phone- limit your distractions. Turn off your music, don't answer calls or text messages. Think about how much time it takes you to get your cell phone, put in password, reply back and wait for someone's response...a few minutes. Wait till you've arrived to your destination and reply back. However, if you are running late, make sure to let the person you're meeting know as soon as possible. 

5.  Wear all black- I know it seems boring, but everyone looks good in black. Throw a necklace or earrings into your purse and put on accessories later. When I'm running late, I spend most of my time figuring out what to wear...nothing seems to look good. Remember, no matter the occasion, go for all black! 

One last thing, when you arrive to a meeting, date, lunch, dinner or wherever (if you're on time or early) no need to explain you were running around crazy to get to your destination on time. Take five deep breathes and walk slowing and you'll always look polished and poised...it's all about perception. 

This Week in the Fashion & Business World

 Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend. This weekend we're sneaking off to San Francisco. Looking forward to catching up with friends and spending some time in Napa! 

I've been doing a lot of reading this week and here are a few articles that caught my eye.

1. Absolutely love this article, Confidence Tips from WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS.

2. On Tuesday, Sheryl Sandberg , Facebook's COO became a BILLIONARE with a total net worth of $1.04 billion. Good job Sheryl! 

3. I've always been a huge fan of SARAH JESSICA PARKER and she just released a shoe collection.

4. Great article from Forbes; Should Microsoft Acquire Yahoo for $53 BILLION? I love this response from TECHCRUNCH.

5. Powerful message, watch this pop singer transform during real-time PHOTOSHOPPING.

6. I adore KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN'S style, so I feel in love with her bright and beautiful home decor shown in Domaine Home.

7. Check out these gorgeous OUTFITS for the workplace, which could all be office appropriate with these lovely FLATS instead of a pair of converse.

8. Just because I'm getting married in June, thought this concept about WEDDING INSURANCE was entertaining.

9. This is a great article that goes along with my post from TUESDAY, 10 habits of HIGH NET WORTH WOMEN.

How to Wear a White Button Up to Work

Wearing white button shirts to the office is one of my least favorite pieces in my wardrobe. The stiff cotton makes me feel uncomfortable and it always gaps in the chest area, no matter how many safely pins I use to hold the material together. Overall, I try and avoid cotton button up as much as possible, I opt for polyester tops. The Express PORTOFINO tops are my favorite! They are more flattering to my body and don't make me feel boxy. 

However, when I have a sleeveless dress a white button up top is the perfect way to finish off the outfit. At my office, I'm anti cleavage and most v-neck dresses are too low on my body because of my short torso. So I couple a v-neck dress with a collar dress and it makes a professional and classy outfit for the office!  

The necklace I'm wearing was a gift from My Monogram Necklace with my "to be" initials. How exciting! OJL! 

Dress :: Banana Republic 

Shirt :: Express (similar here & here) 

Belt :: Banana Republic

Heels :: Kurt Geiger old (similar here & here)

Bag :: Michael Kors

Necklace ::  c/o My Monogram Necklace