Now three times in one week?! Must be the holidays or something. Or it’s just me freaking out about buying presents *typical* I just HAD to post one more time for my last minute Christmas shoppers. If you’re stressed, take a deep breath because it is going to be alright!
The holidays are a rough time for our wallets. From normal monthly bills, to events, gifts, traveling, the list seems endless and money seems to spontaneously grow wings.
But just because it’s the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t mean that every gift you buy has to be $100+. There are plenty of fantastic gift ideas out there that you can purchase for $50 or less. Stocking stuffers, small wrapped presents or handouts to colleagues, I have scoured the internet to bring you the best of the best. Here are my top picks for gifts $50 and under.
Second post of the week and it’s only Tuesday…who am I?!?! Well let me tell you, I’m still a true procrastinator. In everything I do, I usually wait until the last possible minute before completing the task.
It’s the way I’ve always been, from 3rd grade papers to waiting until 11PM to pack a suitcase before a 5AM flight. Not much has changed, so why would Christmas shopping be any different. I tend to stay on brand.
If you are also a bonafide procrastinator, you will surely appreciate this less-than-two-weeks-before-Christmas Gift Guide for Her. If you are either late with letting others know what you want for the holidays or late in buying for the women in your life, I tried to make it easy on all of us!
Below you will see my top picks for holiday gifts this year, many of which I am even asking for myself or already own. Everything is linked for easy access or you could even send this blog post link to your family members so they can easily access the items. If you have any questions on any of the options, just let me know!
For the past three years, female empowerment and advocacy
for equality has become a highly publicized societal evolution. This has been a
fight for centuries, but it’s no secret that in these last few years, women’s
voices are louder and more forceful than ever. Although it may seem trivial,
when you’re fighting the good fight, you also have to look the part. I feel the
same way for when you are wanting to be taken seriously in the workplace. As
modern, professional women, we are constantly fighting to deserve a seat at the
conference table, not to take notes, but to lead passionate discussions and
make big decisions. In order to be taken seriously and in order to present
yourself as a professional, you need to dress the part.
In my personal opinion, every modern, professional woman
needs to own a suit. If you work at any sort of establishment, you need to own
a suit. If you want to be taken seriously at work when big business meetings
are taking place, you need to own a suit. Period, end of discussion. The
evolution and right to “power dress” go hand in hand with the work that the
women before us have done in order for us to have that right. Remember, not that
long ago, women weren’t even allowed to wear pants. Women’s suits are the amalgam
of a women’s determination, her willingness to show up and the stereotypical
masculinity. Suits makes me feel confident, intelligent, powerful and
empowered.
Interviews are the perfect time to wear a classic suit. I
also think it’ super important to always have a good suit in hand if you have an
important business meeting coming up. Quarterly business reviews or annual
planning presentations are a few prime examples of these. Always read the room.
If your client is younger and more laid back, perhaps wear a suit in a
different color or with a cropped pant, but if you’re meeting with someone who
tends to fall more on the traditional side, I’d stick to the classic tailored
suit in a neutral color like navy or dark charcoal.
The power suit trend has been with us for so long, nothing in
fashion is ever really new but rather born again. This time around, the suit is
gaining traction in regard to oversized blazers and bold shoulders. That’s
right ladies, the shoulder pad is making a comeback, but I encourage you to
embrace it. With the suit standing in the spotlight recently, I thought it’d be
fun to share some easy and fun ways to wear a suit this season. Whether it’s
for work, holiday parties or events, suits can be professional and trendy.
1. Wear a fun color. I found this amazing Robert Rodriguez suit (above) on Rent the Runway and knew that I had to wear it. The powdery blue was just the perfect feminine touch I needed to take this oversized, should pad adorned blazer from menswear-inspired to totally chic. Find a soft, yet eclectic color for a dreamy monochromatic look.
2. Find a classic plaid. Don’t go crazy, but the way I would wear a head to toe plaid ensemble to work and to happy hour would be to stick with a muted print in a neutral color. The gray plaid is the epitome of this kind of look. A classic gray checked suit can be worn from day to night especially if paired with a pop of color shoe.
3. Inspired by the men. I’m talking oversized blazers. The bigger the better as long as they are tailored properly. Everything should not be skintight, that just isn’t in anymore. Hailey Bieber pulls off this look flawlessly. Go for a more fitted pant and an oversized blazer for that effortlessly cool vibe. Make it look like you just grabbed it out of your boyfriend’s closet.
4. Turtleneck undershirts. I am a sucker for a good turtleneck. If I could have only one piece of clothing in my closet for the rest of my life, it would be a classic black turtleneck. Layer your suits over a traditional neutral turtleneck for the perfect wintery aesthetic.
5. Mix and match. Under the right circumstances, funk up your suit look by mixing and matching the blazer and trouser with contrasting patterns, colors or fabrics. Wear a plaid with a cheetah print, a green with a red or a sequin with a cotton. If you have multiple matching suits in your closet, experiment one day by taking one jacket and pairing it with a different pant. It will totally elevate the whole look.
As long as your look is tasteful, professional and puts you
in a confident mindset, it really doesn’t matter how you style different suits.
There is no tried and true guidebook, but these are a few ways that I like to
rock a suit for work. I hope after reading this, it inspires you to try
something a little out of the ordinary. If you are looking for a sign, well
honey this is it.
