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 }

Fashion Fetish Friday: Gigi Pump

New season, new shoes?

When looking for quality, style and timelessness, I turn to Tory Burch. Though pricey, Tory’s items have proved to be worth it.

One of her latest shoes released this fall is the Gigi Pump, a sleek, feminine and classy patent leather shoe that can add a pop of flare to any outfit. The sixties-inspired pump comes in five shades, ranging from this deep ocean blue to fiery red. With Tory Burch graphic detail and a flared block heel, they can easily be taken from day to night. 

Photos: Tory Burch

These shoes lend themselves well to the urban working girl. With a small heel and shiny gold hardware, they can be paired with pencil skirts, slim pants and button downs. I’m hoping to snag these shoes before snow falls so that I can have some of the best Autumn outfits ever.

After all, Autumn is the best time to reinvent your style. With the beginning of a new season and so much creativity to take away from September magazine issues and fall fashion week in New York, it's an ideal time to get out of the rut you’ve been stuck in for the last year. These shoes are how I plan to get out of mine.

How do you plan to get out of your fashion rut? Tell me on Twitter.

An LBD for the office

The nice thing about a little black dress is that you only need one. That’s the whole point. You’ve got one simple dress and by pairing it with different shoes and accessories, you’re able to create an entirely new look.

This LBD is a great option for the office since most of us go to work every day of the week. But be weary, knowing how to change it up every time you wear it is the difference between being a savvy fashionista and an outfit repeater.

This dress, made by Zara, is tailored perfectly for the office. Resting above the knees, it’s conservative enough while still letting you show off those legs you’ve been working so hard on. And the bust tailoring gives it a formal edge that we often look for in work attire.

It’s much more appropriate for the office than this LBD, so be careful when choosing an office dress and make sure it’s right for the occasion.

But enough about the dress. The real heroes in this outfit are the shoes. Block heels made a comeback last fall and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. I like the retro style because they’re mod, different and easy to walk in. I’ve worn these shoes on a night out and was able to dance with my friends, run from the creeps and not have to sit down every five minutes. These are shoes worth buying.

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Gala

Networking event

Dress: Zara | Heels: Chie Mahara | 

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }

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Grown & Ready

Last week I wrote a column about how glad I am to be graduating from college and my excitement to enter the workforce. But now that my days of wearing Lululemon leggings and college-branded sweatshirts to class are over, it's time I step up my daily attire with a more sophisticated approach.

This outfit is office-friendly and stylish, making it perfect for the working girl who needs to be taken seriously, but also wants to look as good as she feels. Don't be afraid to break out of the corporate black and navy pantsuit mold and wear something that reflects your personality (that's valuable, too!). 

This wool J. Crew skirt is a great winter staple. It can be paired with a variety of shirts, sweaters and blazers, and the side zipper spices up what would ordinarily be a fairly conservative piece.

Love this skirt? Check it out here!

Outfit Destinations:

Office

Networking event

Worship service

Shirt : Zara | Shawl: Express | Skirt: J. Crew | Pumps: Forever 21 | 

Fitbit: Tory Burch | Watch: Montblanc 

{ Photography: Natalie Craig }