Dressing Up a White Tee

Yay for hump day and the weekend in sight! During the summers I just can’t help but count down the days until the weekend comes. I’m pretty sure that makes me a bad employee but let’s be honest here, I’m not the only one who does this. Summertime is when we get to live for the memories, BBQs, and inevitable country music infatuation we develop for a few months.

One thing I don’t look forward to is the intense heat though. With my move to Dallas coming up, I’ve been looking at the weather trends this time of year and I’m mentally preparing for the intense heat that comes with living in Texas. Being the clever, stylish girl I am, I wanted to find a way to make a simple tee look professional for the office. T shirts are just so much more generous when it comes to keeping you cool than a button up blouse might be. With that being said, here’s my office uniform for the rest of the summer!

  

I think the key to dressing up a plain white tee (pun intended) is to use bold yet professional accessories that draw the eye away from the simplicity of the outfit. This gold braided necklace I’m wearing was a steal from New York & Co for only $4! The necklace is simple and spices up my tee and navy pencil skirt. Would I wear this for an important meeting with an executive? No. But for a regular day sitting in your cubicle picking the day’s Pandora station, I’d say it’s perfectly acceptable.

Leave me a comment with your go-to summer office outfit!

-Liz

What I Keep at the Office

Rejoice pretty people, it’s Friday! We’ve all been working hard (or hardly working) this week and it’s time for a break. Living near Washington, D.C. means that we need it more than everyone else. We truly are the city that never sleeps. We’re also the city that knows way too much about happy hours and not enough about how important it is that our livers function properly. That’s another post though.

I mentioned in another post that I got my first “big girl” job. I started about two weeks ago and have been going through some introductory meetings several times a week with my new team members- all of whom are guys. I’m the only girl to be hired on for this project. Many of you might run away at the idea of this but trust me, that would be a mistake! There’s a lot of power I have because of my unique position. Ok, maybe not. However, there are some advantages such as playing a leadership role when no one else is sure who should. Or being the only female voice, thus automatically getting more attention. Like I said, it isn’t a bad position to be in!

With everything in life, you need to be a little prepared though. I have a few #bosslady necessities that you’ll always find me with at the office or in a meeting. Let’s start with my red lipstick because it’s becoming my persona. Nars Cruella lip pencil is something I don’t leave home without anymore. It’s dramatic and eye catching! In a city that’s all business, this beautiful red fits the bill of being a business savvy Washingtonian.

My next must-have are heels. Ballet flats don’t command the attention of anyone. Heels, on the other hand, are quite attention grabbing. I work with men whom are all taller than I am, the heels really level the playing field for me. Plus, my legs look great! #winning

I feel like this next one goes without saying, but my grande vanilla iced latte will always be near by. I need energy to keep up with my team members. They’re smart, witty, and have commutes that are far shorter than mine. The coffee stays with me to cling to in my most desperate hour, which usually comes around 2:30 when I’m ready for a siesta.

Being the grown-up I am I always carry with me an agenda/planner. Little things I need to remember for certain dates always seem to come up in discussions. With my hot pink pen, I write down the details of events, projects, and the occasional happy hour.

Finally, I rock my reading glasses. Ladies, never underestimate the visual power of such a tool. Glasses suggest so much about a person’s intellect. I’d wear them more often if they didn’t get in the way of my Audrey Hepburn-style sunglasses.

I’m always adding to and updating my must-have list. Aren’t we all? I’m always falling in love with something new. During the winter months, my must-have was a heating pad so I wouldn’t be cold. I may be keeping it on the list if this new office proves to be chilly!

Enjoy your weekend!

Monday Morning Inspiration

Hello loves! I hope your Monday is going swimmingly and you’re surrounded by pretty things. If you aren’t, then I have just the ticket for you! Everyday on Instagram and Pinterest I’m bombarded with things to love and to yearn for. I had a friend that told me I was a marketer’s dream because if it’s packaged pretty, then I’ll buy it. I concur. I rounded up a few of my favorite things that are inspiring me right now and am sending them your way!

Being surrounded by beautiful things is great for our mood and even better for our confidence. Inspiration is what makes our days productive and worth living. For example, in my own bedroom I’ve hung illustrations by my favorite artist, Inslee Haynes, and hung pretty printed quotes on my walls. My desk (though cluttered with papers at times) has a gold votive holder with brightly colored pens in it. I’ve also put my favorite candle near by.

My dresser has a mirrored perfume tray sitting on it and necklace mannequin with pearls draped around it. Across from my dresser is my bed, and while tempting to curl up in all hours of the day, I promptly make it after waking up and fluff the pillows and comforter. I also put a few decorative pillows on top along with a fluffy faux fur blanket.

There are so many things you can add to a space that really spark the creative flow in your mind for the day. As pictured above, here are the links to the pretty things inspiring me right now!

• Gold Sequin Hanger by Pearls and Pastries
• Chanel and Champagne T-Shirt by T and J Designs
• Flare Skirt by Brina Box
• ‘Get It Girl’ Mug by Type and Style
• Mirror tray by Threshold
• Gold Vases by Z Gallerie 
• The Glitter Plan by creators of Juicy Couture
• Adventure iPhone case by Kate Spade

My last piece of inspiration for you: “Always believe something wonderful is about to happen!” Enjoy your day!

How to Make Your Desk Look Attractive

I came across an article the other day about creating a chic desk or office. The main theme of it is making the space you work in function correctly and increase the chances of you actually wanting to be in that space. Right now, my desk is piled high with summer shorts I’m trying to find a place for, candles, and my InStyle magazine. And its dusty. I just don’t want to be in that space for long.

I browsed Pinterest for awhile and finally came up with a few items that I might actually enjoy being near or on my desk. These accessories essentially make the area warm and inviting. When I’m at my desk, I want to feel powerful and ready to take on the world, even if I’m in my sweatpants. I also want to feel feminine and pretty at the same time.

Starting with the Kate Spade boxes on the left, I think these are a really good way to conceal all those papers on your desk that don’t have a home. Plus, they’re decorative and just plain cute.

The picture frame may seem odd but I have a great idea behind it- make a collage. Put a canvas backing to the frame and then tack or tape pictures from magazines that inspire you. Call it your “inspiration board”.

Monogrammed note cards are just too cute to have sitting in a neat, little pile beside your computer. These ones are from Design Darling! I love having stationery sitting around just so I can look at something pretty.

This lovely jewelry tray can double for a paper clip holder, rubber band deposit spot, or whatever you tend to toss on your desk. If I don’t keep things in a central spot, then it will walk off I swear! This tray is from C Wonder.

The ‘Stay Golden’ print is actually a little something I designed. I just loved the font and had to use it. Having inspiring quotes or words framed on your desk really keeps you motivated throughout the day.

If you work in an office, then I’m sure you’ve noticed the fluorescent lighting you get to work with. I absolutely hate it! If you can, get a small table lamp to sit at your work space to give you adequate lighting that doesn’t require sunglasses! This lamp is from Target.

Finally, get yourself some pretty Sharpie markers like these metallic ones. Writing little notes will be a lot less boring! I also suggest finding office supplies like this gold Kate Spade stapler. Pretty things like these make everyday tasks a little more enjoyable.

If you have any tips for great office or desk spaces, then leave me a comment!

How to Get in the Mood to do Homework

Good morning loves! Today is a busy day of homework for me as I try to cram everything in before my weekend starts. If you’d like to know what I’ve got on my plate for this week’s assignments I have 3 discussion forum posts and 10 responses, 2 quizzes, and one paper due by Sunday. I, quite honestly, would like to hide underneath my blankets and pout about the work I have to do instead of actually doing it.

I’ve determined that a strategy like the one I suggested just doesn’t fly with professors. Let’s pray my Thursday is as productive as it needs to be. Here are a few things I’m doing to get in the homework mode!

Brewing my coffee:

Is there anything better than a fresh cup of coffee in the morning? I think not. I’m going to be drinking quite a few cups of it I think. That wonderful aroma that fills the kitchen just makes me smile. When I pour it into a favorite mug of mine, it doubles that happy factor. My final touches are French Vanilla creamer or whatever seasonal creamer is in at the moment (cheers for Pumpkin Spice) and whipped cream. Suddenly, sitting down at my desk isn’t such a big deal anymore.

Study music:

I get my best studying done when I don’t have anything to distract me- including sone lyrics. Turn on the easy listening station on the radio or create a station on Pandora. No lyrics whatsoever if you want to be successful in your work endeavors!

Comfy clothes:

No, I don’t mean your pajamas! Something you can sit for hours in and still feel at ease and be productive. In other words, sweatpants are acceptable as long as they aren’t ones you sleep in. I enjoy wearing ones I got from Victoria’s Secret Pink with a little hoodie or something. They just make homework less unhappy!

Light a candle:

Seriously, do it! I like scents that have vanilla or lavender in them. They calm and relax your mind while also making the room smell pretty. I also am loving the Bath and Body Works collection this fall.

Give your desk a make over:

Having a pretty desk makes sitting at it much easier. I’m trying to create a space for myself that is relaxing but makes me feel like I can run the world (think Beyonce’s song). Adequate lighting is probably the most important thing you can have too. Also, add a collage of things that inspire you to a bulletin board that hangs on the wall behind your desk. Clip images from Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar for chic pretty things. Check my Pinterest board for my personal desk inspiration!

Do you have any tips for getting in the homework mood? Comment below and share with friends!