Life as a Runway

One of my main goals with my blog is to give women ideas on how to embrace style in their everyday lives. That's why I give outfit destination suggestions with every post and do my best to showcase clothing that you'd actually want to wear in real life. Occasionally I blog about a revealing cocktail dress or a pair of heels that begin hurting your feet after 20 minutes, but for the most part, I want my fashion advice to be accessible.

This outfit below is one of them, I hope. With a plain black shirt paired with faux suede pants, this is an ensemble I frequently wear to work. Both pieces are from my favorite brand, Zara, and remain staples in my wardrobe. The pants are more comfortable than a traditional work pant and their high-waisted cut helps accentuate the hips.

But the garment that ties it all together and elevates the outfit from standard to stellar is the shawl. I usually wear this piece as a scarf, but decided to style it differently and give my outfit a more feminine edge. And though the shawl is a bit chaotic, it includes all the colors in my outfit and seamlessly blends in.

Lastly, I added these Tory Burch pumps, which were a Fashion Fetish of mine last fall. I had to break them in, like I have with many other Tory shoes, but now that I have, they feel great on my feet. The mini heel makes them ideal for city living when I'm walking blocks at a time or hopping on and off public transportation.

So is this outfit realistic for everyday fashion goals? I think so.

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Networking event

Fashion show

Shirt, pants & shawl: Zara | Shoes: Tory Burch | Watch: Montblanc

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

Panic vomit, a dress and confidence on your worst days

The first time I wore this dress I was in Washington, D.C. for my first-ever official business trip. I was four months into my job and my editors wanted me to cover an annual cardiology conference. I was the only reporter from our company going and the pressure to perform was weighing down on me.

The night before I left I was panicking, panicking so much that I had panic vomit. I had been sick that week, was really anxious about the trip and had a seafood pasta dish that day, which may or may not have caused the vomit. Either way, I was a mess.

On top of my physical and mental breakdowns, I was trying to pack. I needed clothing that was professional and journalist-y, but also realistic and comfortable since I'd be spending nine hours a day in a large convention center. I had just bought this H&M dress and hadn't worn it yet. So I hastily packed it, hoping it was a good choice.

After nightmares about being publicly humiliated in front of Abbott researchers, it was the morning of the conference. I was still on edge about the whole thing and fearful of messing it up.

I pulled the dress over my head and looked in the mirror back at myself. The dress was comfy since it was made of knitted cotton and it rested nicely above my knees. It hugged my waist and expanded gracefully near my hips. Ultimately, it was professional and tasteful, and consistent with my personal style, just like I'd hoped.

I didn't look half bad, I thought to myself. And instantly, this dress made me feel more confident about the challenges I had to tackle that day. I put on these black leather lace-up flats, grabbed my recorder and left the hotel room. 

Later at the conference, I landed an exclusive interview with the chief medical officer at Abbott and surprised even myself. I was composed, asked good questions and was one of the first to break news on the company's new heart stent. I looked good and felt good, and the dress helped me get there.

Who says an outfit can't make you confident even on your worst day?

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Commencement

Holiday party

Dress: H&M | Flats: Halogen | Bangle: Henri Bendel | Watch: Montblanc

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

No New Clothes

Many people make New Year's resolutions, but not many stick with them. It can be hard to commit to something for a whole year, or forever.

Clothing is my guilty pleasure, which shouldn't be a surprise—I run a fashion blog for Christ's sake. But I wanted to cut down on the amount of clothing I was purchasing and be a more conscious consumer. My closet is overflowing. I have many garments that look the same, and I was generally indulging too much in retail therapy.

Besides, I began thinking about all the money I could save if I just stopped shopping as much.

Me looking guilty after a shopping spree.

So I made a resolution, but it wasn't necessarily a New Year's one. It was more of a January resolution, and really, much more of a January goal. I promised myself that I wouldn't purchase any clothing for the entire month of January. And believe me, it was hard. I know it probably sounds like I'm being a bratty baby, cause what's 31 days without a new shirt or pair of shoes? But it's 31 d a y s.

Curbing my itch to shop was difficult all on its own, but it became even more challenging when my friends asked me to go shopping with them. Even though I tagged along on some shopping trips, I resisted the temptation to buy. But in doing so, I realized something: For as much as I like to shop on my own, I get roped into purchasing clothes simply because I decide to join a friend on a trip to Michigan Avenue.

Throughout January, I was successful in my efforts to avoid shopping, and it was because I set a short-term resolution, one I knew would end in 31 days. And at the end of January, I felt accomplished, even if I had gone out and bought something Feb. 1 (I didn't).

So have something you want to cut back on or change about your routine? Try doing it for just one month. If at the end you feel accomplished and not deprived, then try making it a more long-term goal.

It's now Feb. 2 and I have all this freedom to go shop. I accomplished my goal. Don't I get a reward?

Realistically, I know I'll have to eventually buy new clothing because how else will I sustain my blog? But I think I have enough for now, and whether or not I buy clothes every month going forward, I will make a conscious effort not to over indulge, not to be excessive and to understand when too much is simply just too much.

Regardless of how I use my purchasing power in months to come, I've accomplished something and it's worth being proud of. And since I was able to make it through all 31 days of January, I'm confident I can make it through the remaining 26 days of February.

Tacos can't trump this blazer

Picture this: It’s the beginning of September and I’m looking for a camel blazer. For a working girl in a city where fall and spring happen, having the blazer seemed necessary. Camel blazers and coats have been trending for a while now, mainly because they're neutral and sophisticated pieces that can instantly help step up someone's style game.

I got this particular blazer at J. Crew, and though it was love at first sight, I didn’t buy it right away. It wasn’t worth the $218 the preppy clothing brand was asking for.

But a few weeks later, I’m at Taco Fest in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and I wander into a J. Crew just to see if my blazer was in there (even though I’m supposed to be eating tacos). And to my surprise, they had it, and it was on sale! So I bought it—obvi.

     

It looks great with denim and earth tones, and gives me the ability to instantly dress up casual outfits. Without the blazer, this outfit it pretty basic. It's just a black shirt and jeans, and I look like I'm running errands. But adding the blazer gives the outfit a business casual element. I love wearing this outfit and others like it to work and networking events—places where I want to look sophisticated and refined, but not overdo it with formal wear.

Fast forward to November and I'm looking for a new pair of black leather boots. Last year I wore out my Marc Fisher boots, and the year before that I was wearing a pair of black leather riding boots from Michael Kors. So since I obviously have a thing for black leather boots, I figured I'd stick with the trend.

That's when I found the Tory Burch Chelsea boots below. They got me through fall and now they're getting me through winter. Though I have to be careful about wearing them when there's snow and salt on the streets, they have remained a staple in my wardrobe. They seemingly go with everything because they aren't overdone with a ton of hardware and other distracting embellishments. With a simple Tory Burch logo on the heel, these boots' simplicity is what makes them so versatile.

Now let's rewind back to June. I'm in Nordstrom looking for a new pair of sunnies when I see these square-frame Celine glasses. I pondered long and hard over them, but figured I could justify treating myself since I had just graduated from college and was offered a new grown-woman job. They cost me, but it was worth it.

Takeaways: 

Wait for items to go on sale

Stay true to what you like

Treat yoself

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Networking event

Mixer

Shirt: Zara | Blazer: J. Crew | Jeans: Lucky Brand | Booties: Tory Burch

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

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Seeing Double

Tank dresses never go out of style. One reason: They're so basic. And depending on the color, you can wear them again and again. The best part about them? They're so much fun to accessorize. 

I love these particular Zara tank dresses because of their length. Often times it's hard to find midi dresses that reach your knees, or somewhere close to it. The length adds sophistication and elegance to the look.

Below I've styled the same dress in two different colors by just switching up the shoes and accessories. With the black dress, I paired it with stark white lace-up flats for a dramatic contrast, perfect for a night out and dressier occasions. For the army green dress, I toned down the contrast and paired it with a soft beige Marc Jacobs hobo and Tory Burch sandals, resulting in a more casual, day look.

Which look do you like better? Tell me on Twitter.

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }