Life Lessons: Balance

Similar Tops: (1), (2) // Yoga Pants (my absolute favourites!)

 

Today’s post is different than usual. (You’ve been warned! Haha) Today, I wanted to talk to you about finding balance as a busy professional. If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen the Facebook Live video I did last week on this topic. One of the biggest challenges you can face as a working woman is finding the balance between building your career and taking care of yourself and the things that matter to you. 

If your 20s are for figuring things out (as they say they are), since turning 30, I've decided that your 30s are for implementing all those things you figured out. I’ve learned that to be the best friend, girlfriend, family member & lawyer I can be, I need to not put myself on the backburner. 

Some of the main ways I take time for myself are through dance, pilates & yoga. I try to find my balance (figuratively & literally haha) through these activities. As a courtroom lawyer, my days are hectic to say the least, and often involve a lot of drama. By taking the time out of my schedule to do pilates or take a dance class, I find my body & mind are aligned.
 
Being in-sync benefits all aspects of your life, from your performance at work to your relationships with friends & family and, of course, your own physical and emotional health.  It’s only when you feel totally in-sync with your core that you can harness your greatest potential. You need to make yourself a priority in your own life in order to achieve all of your daily goals. … and that, my lovely readers, is some completely unsolicited life advice from your friendly neighbourhood working woman/wear-to-work fashion blogger.

  Similar Tops: (1), (2) // Workout Leggings 

I would love to hear your thoughts on this advice, and your thoughts in general on the challenge of balance as you build a career. What activities do you find help you feel more aligned and in-sync?
 
Being InSync is that special state when body and mind are aligned, we are in touch with our core, and we are driven from within to achieve our full potential. The positivity that radiates from being InSync will benefit all aspects of a person’s life – at work, in personal relationships and in the all-important relationship with oneself. Activia is an expertly designed yogurt with exclusive B.L. Regularis, carefully selected ingredients and a refined texture. Activia, #LiveInSync.

This post was brought to you by Activia From Danone via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed here are those of the influencers and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Activia from Danone.

linking up with: fabulous friday

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The 5 Blazers Every Working Woman Needs

~original outfit post here~

As a young professional it is tough to build up your wear-to-work wardrobe. You want to put your best foot forward in your career, and that includes looking & feeling your best. Blazers are a wardrobe staple for young professionals, so today I have got your guide to the top 5 blazers every working woman needs.

(1) Fitted Black Blazer

~original outfit post here~ 

A fitted black blazer is the absolute staple of any young professional's wardrobe. It's a timeless piece that can be worn with just about anything. I recommend keeping a well fitted black blazer in your office at all times. Think of it as your professional looking security blanket - thought you had a casual day and then suddenly an important meeting is thrown at you? You can add a fitted blazer to whatever you are wearing to make your outfit appropriate for any work event. You can shop my top picks for fitted black blazers below.

(2) Menswear Inspired Blazer

~original outfit post here~

Every woman needs a powerful blazer in her arsenal, and a menswear inspired style is perfect for that. A tuxedo jacket, similar to the one I am wearing here, is a great style that carries both the confidence of a menswear inspired blazers and the fashion forward element that every working fashionista wants. You can shop my top menswear inspired blazer picks below. 

(3) Good Quality Blazer

~original outfit post here~

While you are starting out in your professional career, you may not have the budget to go crazy on work wear. In my opinion you don't need a ton of expensive blazers, but you do need one really good quality blazer. My personal favorite blazer is the one pictured in the above photo from Citzen's Mark. The fabric and tailoring are so high quality and so beautiful!

(4) Cropped Blazer

~original outfit post here~

A cropped blazer is an important item of wear-to-work clothing that pairs well with those wide-leg trousers you've been seeing on-trend this year, as well as office appropriate dresses. Below you can shop my personal favorite cropped blazers.

 (5) Bold Blazer 

~original outfit post here~

Every working woman needs one bold or bright blazer they can wear to work that is their "stand out" item. I love wearing a bright blue, emerald or red blazer with basic black to brighten up my work wear. Below are my favorite bold blazers; and all are under $200! 

linking up with: let it shine // #ootd // #howispring // mix it mondays // friday faves // fabulous friday // WW // creative mondays

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How to Style a Sleeveless Blazer

Similar Sleeveless Blazer // T-Shirt // Pants // Heels // Similar Handbag // Necklace

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The hotter the weather, the harder it is to dress professionally for work. If you work in a business casual work environment the sleeveless blazer is the perfect item for you.

While I unfortunately can't wear sleeveless blazers to work; I can wear them on my rare 'in my office' days or on weekends. I have been wearing this long black one non-stop! I love the functionality of having pockets but not having the added bulk of a full blazer.

Whether you choose to dress up a sleeveless blazer for work or dress it down for an evening/weekend look, I think there is one important tip to rocking this item of clothing. Balancing your proportions. 

By that, I mean pay attention to the length of your sleeveless blazer. If you are wearing skinny pants, as I am here, you can opt for a longer length blazer. If your bottoms are fuller though- like a midi skirt - stick to a sleeveless blazer that hits at or above your hips. In the widget below I've rounded up my top picks for sleeveless blazers (at every price point). Enjoy!

linking up with: let it shine // OOTD // hello monday // shoe & tell // #howispring // style sessions // on trend tuesdays // trend spin // style swap // tuesday fashion party 

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5 Professional Style Tips – According to a “Less Young” Professional

Happy almost Mother's Day! My mom has always been a huge fashion inspiration for me. She is a lawyer like myself and growing up I remember loving all her beautiful suits and heels. You may remember seeing my mom & her style in this post. In honor of Mother's Day I decided to ask my mom for 5 style tips she thinks that every young professional should know. 

As a fashionista who has been in the professional world for nearly 40 years (..sorry to age you there mom.. opps!) she has some great advice. So, without any further ado, here is a "guest post" from my mom. Enjoy!  

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Top Five Fashion Tips From Mom

1. Be well groomed
Whatever your level of self care (naked nails or bright red gel) be consistent. Touch up your makeup, stay on top of roots and trims, practice good oral hygiene and make sure your hands are immaculate and your clothing is clean. Who cares what you’re wearing if your mascara has run and you’ve got food stains on your shirt ?

2. Find a signature scent
Experiment with different scents but once you have found your signature one, wear it everyday. It doesn’t have to be expensive it just has to smell good on you. These days certain workplaces are “scent free” and of course you must respect those who are overly sensitive or allergic to strong scents but absent that restriction, indulge yourself (and remember to reapply as needed). My personal signature scent is this one, and Lee's is this one.

3. Make it fit
From thrift shop finds to high end fashion nothing looks good if it doesn’t fit. Find a seamstress and treat her like gold. Sleeves that end where they’re supposed to, hems that hit just the right spot to make your legs look amazing, a waist that follows the unique curves of your body, will set you apart. An inexpensive suit can look stunning if it fits you like a glove (that in part is what haute couture is all about).

4. Invest in a full-length three-way mirror  
Have a good look before you head to work every morning. How you look leaving a room is just as important as how you look arriving. If you can’t afford a three-way mount a second mirror on a door opposite a wall mirror. By moving the door you can get a 360 view!

5. Have a "style emergency kit"
Carry a small emergency kit with you at all times. You know what’s vital to you but my list is below. You can also read Lee's 10 Things Every Woman Needs in Her Office post for some "must-haves".
- bandaids
- tape or safety pins for fast repair of a fallen hem
- an emery board to fix a broken nail before it tears further or catches your clothing
- an extra pair of earrings if they’re a staple in your wardrobe. I have a bad habit of removing mine for phone calls then leaving them on my desk. When I get to meetings I then discover them missing and can make do with my emergency pair.
- an extra pair of pantyhose if you wear them

6. (I know she said 5 but this one’s a bonus) SMILE!
A sincere and radiant smile is the best fashion accessory going!

linking up with: casual friday // friday favorites // WW // flashback fashion fridays // friday favorites // shoe & tell 

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Professional Patterns

Similar Blazer // Pants // Wedges // Similar Necklace, (2) // Handbag
photography by: jayjay photography

This plaid blazer is a few years old, and every fall I find myself reaching for it again. Incorporating prints and patterns into your work wardrobe is a great way to update your look and embrace the trends of the season. Below are my tips for how to wear patterns to work. Before I get to that though; I have some announcements for you:

1) Today is the last day to enter the giveaway to win a pair of Kendra Scott earrings and $105 gift card to Sephora! If you haven't entered yet, you can do so here.

2) Starting today every Monday I will be sharing a "Monday Must Read" on Facebook & Twitter. Be sure to follow along to catch some great articles aimed at all of you amazing women working hard to achieve your goals! The "Must Reads" will be articles I found interesting each week ranging from fashion, to business, to career advice.  

Tips for Wearing Patterns at Work:

1. Stick with one color scheme 

You'll notice with this outfit the plaid is in wine shades with hints of black. The rest of my outfit is therefore black.

2. Stick with one pattern at a time  

If you are wearing a patterned blazer, generally stick with a solid colored blouse. Print mixing is awesome; but rarely will it work for the office.

3. Pick a feature item 

Your patterned item should be the focus of your outfit. Don't let the rest of your outfit compete with it- that can look too "busy" for the corporate world. My personal favourite item for patterns, are blazers.
 

4. Experiment with pattern size 

Depending on the pattern, you may find that a smaller print or a larger print looks more professional. Once you’ve picked a pattern you want (say, polka dot); find a large print and a small print and try them on with the rest of your outfit – you’ll often find one feels more professional!  

Have a great Monday everyone. I'll be busy with back to back meetings today, but that will make a nice change from being in court all day!

Linking up with: shoe & tell // Let it Shine  // #howifall  // creative mondays  // hello monday //  a lovely little a la mode // sophisticated style  // mix it mondays // beauty by miss l // on trend tuesdays // garay treasures // style sessions // style swap // tuesday fashion party // trend spin linkup // the mummy chronicles // How I style It (Plaid) // throwback thursday // #wiwt // what i wore to work // casual friday 

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5 Tips to Look More Professional

Similar Blazer 1 & Similar Blazer 2 // Pants // Belt // Similar Handbag // Heels (the best) // Necklaces

Today I wanted to share with you all a classic work look modernized with a belt. Lately, I find myself wearing a wide belt over a blazer and pants quite often. It adds an element of chic to a standard professional outfit.

I was recently asked if I had any tips for making work outfits look more professional. I thought it was a great question and so, here are 5 simple tips to make your outfits look and feel more professional. I hope you enjoy them! Have a great weekend everyone and I will see you back here on Monday.

                 5 Tips to Make Your Outfits More Professional

1) Choose a Fitted vs. a Boxy Blazer 

In the above photos, you'll see that I'm wearing a well fitted blazer. A sure fire way to make your work outfit look more professional and polished is to opt for your fitted blazers instead of any boxy or slouchy ones you may have.

2) Choose a Structured vs. an Unstructured Handbag 
My handbag above has a classic structured shape. While handbags like this are gorgeous and on-trend, your work outfit will look more professional if you choose one of your structured handbags instead. if you are looking for a great structured bag I would suggest this. 

3) Choose Pointed vs. Round Toe Shoes

While you may still like the look of a rounder toe on shoes, a classic work look is far more likely to favor a pointed toe. It elongates your leg and pulls the outfit together. In addition to my Ivanka Trumps (linked above) I also find these to be very comfortable.

4) Choose Tucked In vs. Out 

An untucked shirt in a professional setting appears messy. While I am a huge fan of untucked tunic shirts with leggings on my "off days", at work your shirt should be tucked in.

5) Material Matters! 

Avoid sheer fabrics when putting together your office outfits. period. Shirts in heavier materials will not only 'hold up' better through a long work day, but they also will make an outfit look more professional.

Linking up with:
casual friday // fab favorites // fabulous friday // flashback fashion fridays // forage fashion // friday favorites // favorite fashion friday // style saturday // shoe and tell // hello monday // what i wore to work

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