Offer Meeting Attire

Why is it that corporate positions always require so many meetings on so many different occasions with so many different people??  I've always thought it to be such a waste.  But anyway, this is what I wore to my 2nd interview/offer meeting.  Now the real fun begins.  Deciding if I should go back to working for someone else.  Not my first choice, but sometimes in life we don't have many fun options.

skirt - Express; blouse - Tiny for Anthropologie; nude tank - Anthropologie; tights - Gap; shoes - Damita K; jacket - H&M; cardigan - Banana Republic; necklace - Ruche

There may possibly be a tattoo on my right ankle so when wearing a skirt for an interview, dark tights are a must.  After hire though, all bets are off and you let your freak flag fly!

I think all went well during my meeting so we'll see what happens next.  Perhaps I'll need to go in again.  For more meetings!  I'll need more clothes.  :)


2 days after meeting:
Job Update: Unfortunately, despite a super attractive salary, benefit and perk package and the chance to work with my old boss again, I had to turn down this job offer.  My husband and I just could not work out the whole what to do with the kids after school thing.  It is a sad day when you realize that your options are very limited and that you don't have the support you thought you did.

Buy These Pants!!

Let's consider this a public service post.  You NEED these pants.  Bought them yesterday, tried them on today and did not want to take them off.  So comfortable but much neater and sexier than sweats.  I got the licorice color with the loose fitting peach top (which looks much darker and looser on the website for some reason).  Brings to mind pictures of a quiet Sunday, just me and the hubby milling about the house.  Perfect with gladiator sandals if you chose to go outside.

Plus, Express has a nice coupon running through Monday.  You can click and print it HERE.  If you buy, you may want to order a size down as they seem to run large but have ample stretch.

Apparently Express.com is greedy and doesn't let you "borrow" their photos so you'll have to click to see.  I'll try to put it on later and post a photo.

Express Wide Leg Pant
Loose Fit Tee

Ok, go now.  Buy them.  What are you waiting for!  :)

There once was a purple sweater

it was ruffly and thick and had a funky bow and buttons where buttons need not be.  The minute I spotted it, I was sure I would just love, love, love it.  And then I put it on. Que the chirping crickets.  Hmmm...totally on the fence with this one.  My husband liked it.  And I mean REALLY liked it.  I was showered with smooches before work.  One thing I know I like though, it is slimming (yay).

Perhaps it would be better with some black wide leg trousers?  Perhaps I just need to get really into working out again.  And by getting really into it, I mean actually doing some form of physical activity besides laundry.  Grrrr, nasty winter!  You need to leave now!!

So here's my new lady - the Anthropologie Peppered Cardigan

And, since it's what I do, I had to style it with jeans

Sweater - Anthropologie; tank - Victoria's Secret; jeans - ReRock for Express; booties - Madden Girl; necklace - Loft; nails - Zoya Mata Hari

Ok, so I went the whole day in my purple ruffly goodness.  It's been decided that I like it.  The empire waist really elongates the body and that is always a good thing.  The bow is still kind of weird for me and the flounce may make me look a little hippy, but as of right now, it is not destined for ebay.

The Look for Less - Anthropologie

Does anyone remember a show called The Look for Less?  I think it was on E! or TLC, or maybe I'm just nuts.  Anyway, those types of shows, television segments and magazine articles are always my favorite.  It's so great to see a designer outfit get cut down in price for us regular folks.

This is my first attempt at re-creating a look I love but didn't want to fork over the big bucks for.  My look is not exactly close, but just a loose interpretation and, well, much less expensive (still on the lookout for a rockin' anorak though).  Plus, it was comfy!

The Anthropologie Look (approx $350 not including oversized ring and shoes which are currently sold out online, poop)

Betty Ray's Look for Less (approx $155 with shoes)

Jeans - Lucky Brand (way old); tank - Tinley Road from Piperlime ($29); scarf - Ann Taylor Loft ($12 from 40% off sale); jacket - Target ($20 on sale); booties - Madden Girl ($39 after $10 coupon); cocktail ring - vintage, gift from the hubs; nails - OPI's Lucertainly Look Marvelous

Of course, I'd still love the Anthro outfit - especially those cute shoes!

So, I Used to Love These Pants

But after seeing myself wearing them, not so much.  They make me look much bigger on the bottom than I am.  Sigh...

Figured I'd share anyway as I went ahead and paired some things from my closet that I never would've before.

Going headless as I just couldn't get a pic where I didn't look like an angry old lady.  LOL

Whoops, the flash makes a sheer shirt a bit too sheer (didn't look at the pics until I got home from the office - eek)

Outtake - Rico loves to check out what I'm doing.  I think he wants to eat my camera remote

Wide leg trousers - Gap; blouse - Express; cardi - Banana Republic; necklace - Ann Taylor Loft; shoes - random black patent pumps (not shown)

I like the upper portion here, but I'm very not happy about the pants.  I've had these for years too and wore them often when I worked in Manhattan!  Oh well.  Perhaps this top will look better with a leaner pant or a pencil skirt.

When You Can Wear Jeans to Work

Let's just say it's very easy to get into a rut.  Five mornings a week I work in an office with zero dress code and zero supervision (for the most part).  Love it.  The rest of the day and sometimes on weekends, I work from home.  Again, no dress code, no supervision, nobody sees me.  Even when I strictly worked from home, I would shower and get dressed, but there were lots o' sweatpants going on.  Just over a year ago when I added the office job, I would wear jeans but with a nice top, perhaps a scarf, etc.  Over the past few months, it's gone to jeans and a tee shirt - even leggings and a sweatshirt!  Gasp.  I've gotten very lax to say the least.

This year I'm going to amp it up again.  Even though nobody sees me for the most part, it's nice to look like you care and I do feel better when I look good and put together.

Here's an outfit I wore for drinks with my husband that I would also wear to work.  Well, with a nude tank under the lace shirt.

Sorry about the cut off pics.  Was hoping you could see the shoes.  Still no tripod and nobody home to shoot.

Cardigan - Madewell
lace top - Victoria's Secret
boot cut jeans - ReRock for Express (extremely flattering, highly recommended)
shoes - grey flannel pumps by Jessica Simpson