A fashion and lifestyle blog for young professional women

Put a Bow On It

lace up blow blouse and skirt
black exposed zipper pencil skirt

black pencil skirt with side zipperlace up olive zaful blouse

lace up blouse and pencil skirt look
best handbag for lawyers tory burch robinson
black and croc pattern heels
Zaful Olive Bow blouse
Blouse c/o // Pencil Skirt // Heels c/o // Handbag
// Lipstick in "Anita" (the BEST nude lipstick!)

I have the hardest time finding pencil skirts I like. Something about the shape just never works for my body type. So, when I found this exposed zipper skirt I fell head-over-heels in love. The zipper allows you to make the slit as high or as low as you like which, I found, helps me make it sit better on my body. Win! Ps. I got this skirt using Ebates. You NEED to be using this program if you aren't! You click through to your favorite stores websites via the Ebates site and then you get cash back on all your purchases. No catches, they just mail you a cheque with your cash back. I use it every time I shop online and love it!

I also really like this olive bow blouse. Lace up tops are everywhere this season, but this is the first time I have found one that is work appropriate. It's a great compliment to the pencil skirt and the black and crocodile print heels! A perfect work day look! 

In other news, I am heading out on vacation tomorrow afternoon for a week and a half. I'm off to Toronto to visit friends and then heading to Aruba with my mother for a week. I am very much looking forward to it, though I *may* have gone a bit overboard on my book shopping... (see my instagram story for more haha)

linking up with: let it shine // shoe & tell // hello monday // #howifall // trend spin // on trend tuesdays // layers & lipstick // style swap tuesdays 

Where to Shop to Build Your Work Day Wardrobe

best stores for womens work wear

original photo c/o pink pot

Finding clothes to wear to work that don't cost an arm and a leg can be a daunting task. Below is a round-up of the places I think are best for office wear. I've also picked out some favorite currently available items (so many beautiful pencil skirts!) from each of these stores. Enjoy!

Nordstrom: 


Pro:
SO many options. Nordstrom is the mecca for wear to work shopping. My personal favorite brands for office wear are Halogen & Anne Klein (both extremely affordable). I also love Theory (though their clothes are much more expensive).
 

Con: They have far more online than in store. This means a lot of shopping without trying on. If you are in America though, they have a free shipping & returns policy so buy a ton and just return what doesn't fit! Shipping is $10 to Canada.

Some great options:



Club Monaco:  

Pro: Feminine work wear styles. High quality material.

Con: Expensive. I find that shopping their sale section online is that best way to get affordable items.

Some great options:


 

J Crew:

Pro: Timeless, Classic items. You can wear J Crew pieces season after season and still be fashionable.

Con: Expensive. Styles don't fit all body types (I hear many women complain that J Crew just doesn't fit them right. Try some items on and see how they feel for you).

Some great pieces:


 
J Crew Factory:

Pro: Affordable, classic pieces. Also- lots of "mix and match" items with different cuts of pants, skirts & blazers all in the same fabric/color.

Con: Lower quality material. I find the stitching is more likely to come undone, hemlines are more likely to fall, etc.

My favorite items right now:

 


Express:

Pro: Extremely affordable. "Trendy" items.

Con: Not much selection. Very fast turn around in products (ie. if you like it, buy it. It may not be there next week!)


My favorites:

  
White House Black Market:

Pro:
Affordable. Very stylish.

Con: Some of their "work wear" items are not the most work appropriate - sometimes they make v-necks that are a little low, slits that are a little high, etc.

My top picks:
 
Ann Taylor:

Pro:
Quality materials. They are also really quite good with returns and exchanges.


Con: Limited number of pieces each collection/season (only really a con if you're planning on doing a large haul of work wear)

Some of my favorites:
 

linking up with: casual friday // WW // friday faves // flashback fashion friday // friday favorites  // hello monday // 

Currently Shopping & a GIVEAWAY!

express-outfit-idea

Happy Monday readers! I am doing something a bit different for today's post. One of the things I struggle with is bringing you outfit posts while the items in the post are brand new and in stock. To address this challenge, I came up with the idea of doing a "currently shopping" post. This post shows you my dressing room pics (by store) of the items I am currently buying/wanting. Enjoy them, and let me know in the comments what you think of this post and what look is your favourite!

Be sure to get to the end of this post for an exciting GIVEAWAY!


STORE ONE: EXPRESS

Look 1:

fall-fashion-trends
I am LOVING this outfit for fall. The cardigan was so comfortable and I NEED to buy these black ankle boots. Black ankle boots are a fall staple and these were both affordable, comfortable and had that "little extra" in terms of detailing that really make them pop.

Look 2: 
fashion-trend-fall-2015-work
 Top
This shirt is, in my mind, the PERFECT shirt. It's great to wear to work, but it is just as great for after work drinks. I love that you can unzip the zipper (by any amount you want) and I love the black detailing against the cream. These pants are also GREAT- and you KNOW I am a huge "work pants snob". Work pants are my jam. I love the ankle cut of these pants, and how perfect that is for fall boots.

Look 3:
This is such a cute t-shirt to round out your summer! The interesting pattern (and how it comes further up the back than the front) is such a stand out look. This works great for now with jean shorts or transitioning into fall with leggings, like I've done here. 

STORE 2: KATE SPADE

Look 1:
outfit-idea-mint-dress
                                          Dress
I can't find this dress in this gorgeous mint colour online, but it was in my local Kate Spade store. Such a well made dress! 
Look 2: 
real-person-styling-kate-spade-dress
I can't even handle the happiness level that is associated with this many flamingos. I am in love with this dress. 

STORE 3: FOREVER 21


Look 1:
fall-outfit-forever-21fall-fashion-trend-cut-out-boot

fall-accessories
Hat 
I think this is going to be my fall uniform this year- loose dress, ankle boots, hat. I bought these boots immediately - they are the best flat ankle boots I've seen in stores yet! 

Look 2:


I love the "faux layer" trend. It's a great way to have that look without actually adding bulk. I LOVED the exposed plaid layer on this sweatshirt, I found the fit a bit too boxy though so I didn't end up getting it. I'd say try this one on in store before buying to make sure you are okay with the fit! 

STORE 4: J CREW

Look 1: 
j-crew-summer-shirt-review
This gorgeous summer shirt is on sale right now! The detailing is so intricate and it pairs well with white denim for summer or jeans and a navy cardigan in the fall. 

Look 2:
camel-blazer-fall-fashion
T-Shirt 

 I've been looking for a camel blazer to add to my fall wardrobe. This one is very structured and a heavy material. I think it would be great for colder months. Also this tee is a great staple. It comes in a bunch of colors, but this olive is definitely my pick for fall.  

GIVEAWAY:
fashion-blogger-giveaway
One lucky winner will be selected to win a pair of glasses or sunglasses (any pair of their choosing!) from Polette Eyewear! You may remember my post obsessing over their "E-Polette" line here or my favourite sunglasses of theirs, shown in this post. I truly love both the quality and affordable prices of their products!

To enter, simply complete the  4 entries in the Rafflecopter box below. There is also one "bonus" entry. This giveaway is open to
residents of the U.S. & Canada. Entries will be checked for winner verification. The winner will be e-mailed when the giveaway is over and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The contest will run until next Monday August 10th at midnight. Thank you so much for participating and good luck! 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with:
hello monday 

shoe and tell 
let it shine
sophisticated style
style sessions 
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style swap tuesdays 
on trend tuesdays 
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