Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It's Off To Work I Go....

My job is changing. I've been working as long as I've been a housewife (excepting the nearly 2 months it took me to find said work) as a designer/art director for a small restaurant magazine based in the suburbs of Chicago. And for the past 2+ years, I've been working from home. Now, that is all going to change. My company is expanding, and this means investing in professional office space. For a company that has worked the remote/digital route for the past couple years, this is going to be a big shift. But it's a positive move and one I'm excited to be a part of. I only have to be in this new office 3 days a week, but all I can think about is...... What Not To Wear.

No, not the TV show (well, sort of).... more like: How do I make the shift from my normal routine of wearing PJs and lounge clothes for working from home TO dressing in a moderately professional and appropriate manner for working from an office 3 days a week? My wardrobe sports a fair selection of business casual attire (thanks to previous jobs and some fruitful shopping trips with my fashion-conscious mother), but most of it is at least 2 years old and I'm looking to invest in a few good pieces that will bring it up to speed. So, a la the wardrobe stylings of one of my favorite bloggers, here's my "palette"...

From Top, left to right:

Roll-Cuff Blazer (Kohl's) The one I originally found seems to have disappeared from their website, but you get the idea. A classic black blazer will never go out of style and can be dressed up or down: pair it with jeans and a cute top for casual; or pumps and a button down for work.

Annalise Ruffle Cami (J.Crew*) I really do like the style of J. Crew. Alas, it is a tad beyond the price range in which I typically shop. Believe me, if I could afford to pay $80-$200+ for every piece in my closet, I probably would. But then, that would take all the fun out of bargain shopping (I'm pretty much a pro bargain-hunter)! Also, if you check the link, this top in the mustard-y color did actually exist on the J. Crew website at one point.... though sadly now it seems to be sold out. It's more the color I love than the actual style. See note below.

Gray Open Front Cardigan (Kohl's) A cardigan will never fail you. An open-front cardigan seems to lend itself more to casual than business attire but, like the blazer, it can be dressed up with a nicer top and a belt cinched at the waist; or dressed down with a cute cami and skinny jeans.

Roll-Up Boyfriend Cardigan (Old Navy) Yes, another cardigan. You really can never have too many (in my honest opinion). One in every color! Speaking of color, you will notice some bright pops of it in this collection. The grayness of winter does not have to mean a gray-centric wardrobe, and I picked this palette to add some highlights to my darker pieces and also in anticipation of a lighter, brighter spring wardrobe. These fun-hued pieces will add flare to my cold-weather garments while transitioning smoothly into the next season. How, you ask? Pair this pretty cardigan with some white wide-leg trousers and a pair of cute espadrilles and POW! You're ready for spring!


Ikat Floral Bungalow Skirt (J. Crew) I love this skirt! Ikat + flora pattern = fabulous. And replete with options for mixing and matching! This a-line skirt is really the most pivotal item in this palette, as I tried to base several outfits around its color scheme. Although it is pricier (thanks, J. Crew) it will probably be my first purchase from this collection.

Ruffle Button-Down Shirt (Kohl's) This top speaks for itself. Pretty ruffles, fun color (one will little presence in my wardrobe), easy to wear for work or play. And it evens comes with a coordinating belt... Pretty and easy and fun, oh my!

Black Ankle Boot (DSW) I have avoided the "bootie" trend for a while because I wasn't too sure I could pull it off (thick, short legs are not flattered by such things). But it occurred to me that these work just as well under pants as with dresses or skinny jeans (at least until the trend wears off). And sometimes you just want the look of a boot without wearing a full boot -- really, what's a girl to do? Well, buy an ankle boot.

Embellished Satin Tank (Kohl's) I really like this color (I'm partial to blue), and the length of this top means it could be worn tunic-style over pants or tucked into a skirt for a different look. Top it with a blazer, a cardigan or go bare -- whatever the look, I think this top is going to be a great piece for mixing and matching!

Straight-Leg Black Pants Last but not least, a classically cut pair of pants. I don't have a link for this one because I really haven't found a pair that I think will work for me. There are a lot out there, but they seem to be either too flared, too wide or too skinny. I foresee a lot of trying on in efforts to find the perfect pair, but I find that process all part of the fun (for the most part). And a flattering pair of black pants is really a necessity in any wardrobe -- so I'll let you know when I find mine!

*Nota Bene: Because I shop mostly Sale items, some of these are no longer available in my size/color. So, these are really just visual standards for the types/styles of pieces I want to add to my wardrobe.

So, what are you picking out to make your wardrobe more fashion-forward and flexible for coming seasons and/or events???

Interior Designs

I love decorating. Even when I was younger, a favorite game was to re-arrange furniture in my bedroom or our playroom/study. I still get a kick out of making small changes in our apartment that pack a punch without spending a lot of $$$. Recently, Patrick has even gotten into helping out and his suggestion for a furniture rearrangement in our living room (also my office space), has made a huge difference in the space!

I am constantly perusing home stores (ZGallerie, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ballard Designs, just to name a few of my favs!), but I also like to play a little game--call it the grown-up version of my childhood rearrangements--where I pick out a specific item and design a room around it (digitally, of course). The pièce de résistance is usually a piece that's on sale or something I wouldn't normally choose for myself -- this makes it more fun and challenging to work with!

This week's piece was a warm,  earthy/floral-patterned duvet set on sale at Target:

I liked the warm colors and the pattern (I have a hard time saying no to florals!), and the price made it a worthwhile pick ($99 for the Queen). Also, because our bedroom is currently in a palette cool blues, I wanted to play around with a color set of an entirely different focus.

And here's what I came up with:

 The linen nail-trim headboard is something I've been dreaming of for a while. A DIY project available  several places online (most notably: http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/2010/06/progress-on-headboard-meets-upholstered.html), I'm looking forward to actually accomplishing this one someday as the in-store equivalents range from $800 to $3000!

The side tables, leather storage bench, rug and purple throw pillows are all Target finds (I've been eyeing the plum pillows for a while as well as you'll see from my Wishlist to the right!). I love the shape and color of the orange bedside lamps -- a pop of color that I wouldn't normally be drawn to, but it seems to fit with this scheme. The other accessories (wood-carved owl set, framed botanical prints, random stack of books) were all Google Images finds. I love vintage botanical prints and hope I can find a place for some in my future home.....You know, the one I'm always daydreaming about? :)

And that's my happy thought for Monday!

In the Kitchen

My New Year's resolution to be on-the-ball about meal planning and healthful cooking has been working out so far! Here was last week's "Meatless Monday" recipe...

This (90%) meatless soup was delicious, and made enough for dinner and 2 full lunches! 

Cheese Tortellini & Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 oz) Can of Diced Tomatoes with Garlic & Onion (undrained)
- 1 (11.5 oz) Can Condensed Bean with Bacon Soup* (undiluted)
- 4 Cups Water
- 1 (16 ounce) Bag of Frozen Italian Style Veggies *

- 3/4 Teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 (9 ounce) Package of Fresh Cheese Tortellini
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

I also tossed in a bunch of fresh spinach just before serving for some added greenery, and served the soup with spinach salad.

 Directions:
1.  Combine the first 6 ingredients in a 4 quart saucepan.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
2.  Add the tortellini, reduce heat to medium  Continue cooking for around 7 minutes or until pasta and veggies are tender.
3.  Stir in the grated cheese.

*Okay, so this makes the recipe not totally meatless.... but it's such a teeny amount, I'm pretending it doesn't count.

Epiphany

Welcome to a new year (and a new blog design)!

2010 flew by, but I was more ready for 2011 than I expected. Ready for a clean slate, fresh start.... even though it's all really just a mental thing. We see January 1st as the start of something new because the calendar says so. Because that is the arbitrary date set for the beginning of a new calendar year. In truth, every day is a new day, a chance to be better than the last. Every Sunday the start to a new week, inspired and encouraged by Sabbath worship. That is my number one resolution for this new year: to live in each day with full awareness of the present, complete attention to giving my best effort, and acknowledgment of God's grace that has given me the chance to enjoy life in His creation for yet another day. If you're really interested, you can read my Proviso for a New Year's Revolution.

If not, here are my less-revolutionary New Year's resolutions:

1.     Paint more regularly (it's been rather sporadic since 2008)--and complete the paintings I start.

2.     Exercise more often and attain a healthy weight (what this will be I'm not quite sure... I think I'll know it when I see it) 

3.     *Keep House... better and with a joyful spirit
*This covers a variety of concepts, including but not limited to cooking, cleaning, organizing, decorating and maintaining a general environment of comfort and joy.

4.     Cook meals that are both healthy and delicious (this includes weekly meal planning to avoid last-minute restaurant meals and as well as consideration of nutritional value)!

5.   Pursue contentment, peace and gratitude in any given predicament: job, location and general life situation.

6. Be more proactive in all of my relationships -- near and far.

What are your goals for this new year?

Currently Listening:
Sleeping at Last, January EP