Making Jenna Lyons Proud

Blazer // Similar Skirts: (1), (2) // Similar Tops: (1), (2), // Heels (my favorite work heels! For my full review of work day heels see here) 

Jenna Lyons is probably my biggest fashion idol. She is the president & creative director for J Crew, and a major risk-taker in the world of fashion. When I bought this JCrew flamingo blazer, I knew I wanted to be really bold with my style choices and 'make Jenna proud'. 

I decided to do some print mixing and wear the pink blazer with both leopard print and stripes for a bold work outfit. If you are shy about print mixing, don't be! If you missed my tips on print mixing, check them out here. Leopard & stripes are a classic print mix combo, and adding in any bright color with them (like hot pink) works perfectly. 

I also plan on styling this pink blazer in a more subdued work outfit later in the fall, so be sure to stay tuned on the blog for that!  

linking up with: casual friday // FFF // WW // friday favorites // spotlight (stripes)

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Navy & Pink

   Blazer // Similar Tops: (1), (2), (3) // Pants // Heels // Earrings // Bracelet

These pink pants were a purchase I made last week with the thought process of: "oh ya summer?! you think you're over?! Not a chance. I'll show you... I'll buy summer clothes to wear; take that!!"

Unsurprisingly, mother nature did not bend to my thought process, and indeed the summer weather here has come to an end. So; that meant styling these hot pink pants in a way that worked for fall. My favorite navy blazer and these suede navy pumps seemed like a great way to do that.

I really love the combination of navy & pink for early fall, so this is probably not the last you'll be seeing of this color combo here on the blog. (... in fact, if you follow me on instagram, you may have seen that I caved and bought this in hot pink). I have a hot pink addiction right now!

linking up with: let it shine // shoe & tell // #howisummer //hello monday

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Wednesday Wants: Trendy Fall Items

Crystal & Tortoise Shell Earrings // Royal Blue A-Line Skirt // Ankle Booties // Gold Tassel Earrings

Black Crossbody  (under $50!!!) // YSL Handbag // Black Dress // Gold & Blue Tassel Earrings // Blue Jeweled Heels

I can't get enough of fall items right now. The rich colors and fabrics that are trending this season are just so beautiful! One of my favorite things about fall is getting to scope out the new fall trends. I think we can all agree, fall fashion is definitely the most fun & anticipated!

I am particularly in love with royal blue & tortoise shell this season. I also want to update my jewelry for fall - focus more on statement earrings and bracelets. I love the idea of statement earrings with a top knot as a work day staple this fall.

Have you started shopping for fall yet? What items or trends are catching your eye? I would love to know, so feel free to leave me a comment below! (... unintentional rhyming there. sorry about that! ha)

linking up with: trendy wednesday

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Wednesday Wants: Stylish Blazers

Burnt Orange Blazer with Pink Trim  // Pink Blazer // Grey Blazer // Charcoal Blazer

Tuxedo Trim Blazer // Light Plaid Blazer // Olive Blazer // Royal Blue Collarless Blazer

As a primarily courtroom lawyer, I spend 95% of my time in blazers. If you too have to wear a blazer some or all of the time at work, you know the importance of finding one that is good quality, well-fitted, and stylish! It can be a daunting task (especially as a female!).

Luckily, this fall there are so many bold blazers that make a fashion statement while still ensuring you look polished and professional. The above ones are my favorites (... so far haha) I think I am going to invest in the pink one. Clearly, it can't be worn every day, but what beautiful statement piece! I love it with stripes (as they've shown), but it would also look gorgeous with pale grey, black or even leopard print for a bold choice.

How many of you wear blazers to work regularly? Should I style more of them here on LLB? I would love to know your thoughts! 

On another note, I am still on vacation and having so much fun with all my nieces and nephews. Be sure to follow along on instagram & twitter to stay up to date on my adventures. And for all you working moms out there - YOU ARE ALL SUPERHUMAN. I am SO impressed and have a renewed respect for all you manage to do. #TiredAuntLee

linking up with: oh hey girl // style me wednesday // what i wore // summer style // #wiwt // throwback thursday  

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Where to Shop to Build Your Work Day Wardrobe

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 // 

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Wearing Pink to Work

 Dress // Similar Heels: (1), (2) // Similar Chanel Handbag, Affordable "Look-a-Like" // Nail Polish

 I was recently asked whether or not I think you can look professional while wearing pink. To me the answer is a resounding yes! If anything, I feel more confident when wearing pink to work because it reminds me that not only am I taking the professional world by storm but I am doing so as a fashion-loving woman who, yes, likes the color pink.

I feel more powerful knowing that I can do the career that I love without compromising who I am and what I like. While I do still wear black suits to work a lot, I am focusing on brightening up my wardrobe when/where I can.

While I wouldn't recommend wearing your hot pink mini skirt to work any time soon, I firmly believe pink can look work appropriate. This J Crew dress combines a professional, tailored cut with this soft pink shade, creating an easy wear-to-work outfit. If you are looking to incorporate pink into your work wear wardrobe, look for items with classic shapes & silhouettes to balance out the bolder color choice.

The widget below has some of my favorite wear-to-work, completely office appropriate pink items that are available right now. Do you wear pink to work? Let me know in the comments below!  

linking up with: creative mondays // shoe & tell // let it shine // hello monday // #howispring // mix it mondays // on trend tuesdays // garay treasures //style swap // the mummy chronicles // thursday fashion files // #wiwt // trend spin // spotlight 

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