Changing Locations

Ironically, a move to a new floor at the office has coincided with a move to a new home for me. From this, I have concluded:

• The universe decided I needed a change of scenery in the two places I frequent the most... I rather agree.

• I really don't mean to be, but I might be a pack rat. I am sentimental about items from the past (like keeping a few of my old business cards and some very old sorority t-shirts).

• Moving is so not fun - stressful and painstaking - yet as soon as I am unpacked, the experience wipes clean from my brain like it never happened. Now if I can just get to those boxes of files I've hidden near the windows at my office.

In honor of this physical transition, I have picked out a delicious piece from Milly. It can change its location in your wardrobe - wear it as either a work dress with a navy blazer or a cocktail dress. Let's hope Spring comes soon so I can wear it!

Adopting Holiday Spirit

Some years can feel super holiday - where you've had ample time to think about it, have fun parties and get-together's planned and generally happy to hear Christmas songs when walking in to a crowded Gap. Other years, the holiday period seems to have snuck up on you. All of sudden there are small white lights everywhere, your getting cards from people and charities in your mailbox and all you can think is, wasn't it just August?

This year I am in the latter camp. But instead of maintaining a deer in headlights stance, I've decided to combat it head on. I will get in the holiday mood! I will not be annoyed by the music and the crowds and the forced office party! Here is my 5 step action plan:

• Buy a Christmas tree. I will withstand the pine needle mess and soak in the natural pine fragrance like an aromatherapy treatment.
• Ignore the Scrooge in me and organize my calendar, RSVPing yes to most holiday invitations.
• Buy a great day to night dress for the office party and actually dress it up after 6pm: 

Click here for sources.

Some other options here at refinery29.


• Be a secret santa and give to charity - with all the people in need right here in NYC, this is easy.
• Write out my blessings this year. Everyday includes a running list of all things I still need to do or all the things I wish I had (time, money). My soul will be reminded of all the things I am blessed with!

I'll let you know how it goes...

Change From the Outside In

If you've ever experienced a loss of something or someone profound, you might identify with my current desire for physical change. The magnitude of change I seek is often directly correlated to the depth of emotional impact a loss carries for me. After a big breakup a few years ago, I adopted a weekend rocker style with leather jackets, ripped t-shirts and skinny jeans. Today, I've been thinking about dying my hair from blonde to red. Pretty significant. 

Thinking Emma Stone like red.

BUT, can a drastic change to your appearance impact your career? I've always believed if one buys a new well-fitting outfit or gets better glasses, this positive change can have a positive impact on their attitude and thus their career. But what if its just a change for the sake of it? Would I be perceived as going off the deep end or unfit for client work? No one will actually tell you that if they do. Doing some research online on the topic resulted in general consensus that as long as the change is natural looking enough, it doesn't matter too much. I'll soon find out.

How does the redheaded me dress? Still thinking about that but so far, a new coat from Helmut Lang for the new me: light colored to highlight the new hair, casual when worn open but formal when closed, with edgy leather sleeves:

The Best Holiday

With Halloween approaching, excitement abounds. Dressing up as someone else, being someone else even for a short period, is true pleasure (maybe I should have been an actress). The daily corporate routine only makes it that much sweeter. Costume choices for the last few years have been real people: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, the maid who was sexually harassed by the head of the IMF... This year is still undecided. 

Inspiration from 2012 events include the tanning mom and Clint Eastwood with an empty chair. However, this year, with all the change in my personal life (and I mean big things... worthy of changing your health insurance outside of the annual enrollment period type life events) I am thinking of simpler alternatives to balance these big events. Maybe a sheet with a couple of holes?

Of course, my year wouldn't be complete without some acknowledgement to a character. So I found this fantastic dress at Zara to wear on 'All Hallow's Eve' Wednesday the 31st to the office. I like to think it's what Lara Croft may have worn if she had a corporate job by day. Structured with its paneling, modern with its leather sleeves. Edgy and sexy all at once. The price is right too.

Now, all I need is a long braid. Happy Halloween!

What's Up with All These Collars?

Just like in the 80's with plastic charm necklaces and big hair, and in the 90's hypercolor t-shirts, slap bracelets and plaid flannel shirts, this decade has had a number of fast trends already. We're not ashamed to say we love sporting the newest fad, but with age has come some maturity in wearing them. 

Unlike the days of spending all our savings on a new pair of Z.Cavaricci's, we spend more on the lasting items and look for lower priced versions of the fads. Right now, the collar is in focus and not just ones that are attached to shirts. You can find them studded up or even sold separately as a necklace (for a shirt or not). We featured a version of this in February of this year with Karl Lagerfeld's line and the idea has flourished in to mainstream.

We found this gold studded silk button down shirt at Zara and love it. And it's only $90! 

We've worn it buttoned to the very top, to emphasize the studs, with a demure shin length tan pleated wool skirt. It would also look great with black pleated trousers or an olive leather skirt (there are two great ones at Riess). 

On the weekend, wear it untucked with skinny jeans and heels.

So go for that next fad... Just not at the designer end of the spectrum.

Word Association

What comes to our mind when we think of leather: 
-a luxurious fabric
-a topic of controversy
-often makes items more expensive than other fabrics
-Sandra D
-bikers
-popular in white on coaches in the 80's and
-can now be found as trim or the core of many ladies' fashions today. 

Does it pass the officewear test? YES. We tried it and it worked well. You just can't go overboard - the same for many other items when dressing (eg., too matchy matchy, too much jewelry, too many different colors etc.).

We paired this lovely reddish/burgundy leather skirt from Madewell wth a black silk top and black jacket. We toyed with the idea of a cream top but went the safer route for the first try.

Click Here to find out where all these pieces are from.

We kept the shoes low-key and low-heeled and added a traditional linked bracelet to contrast the other pieces.

Madewell also had a super cute leather dress in the same color - absolutely wearable with a black jacket to the office and both great for a work to cocktails/date look.

A Confession and a Gorgeous Pair of Black Pumps

A confession from Ludlow to her budget:
Forgive me budget, for I have sinned. It has been 2 months since my last confession (pretty good, no?). I recently splurged on a pair of black Louboutins.. and while I was originally going for a basic pair of pumps for work, I couldn't help but acquire these.

Yes, I am a shoe whore. I collect them, admire them from afar and up close too. I never tire of them. But, I adhere to one rule: if I am going to splurge, they need to be the coolest, most unique version of themselves. It's true, one can argue that basics are where one can justify spending more given the higher probability of overall use per pair.

But I argue that you can find a basic shoe anywhere, and spending more should only be for the special items. 

I love the cutout on the inside of the shoe, 
I love that they are shiny but not patent leather and of course, 
I love the flare of red that will peek out with my conservative black suits and dresses. After all, I can't not be me completely.

Fear not budget, as I will suffer for my sin. They are high in height and pointed in toe. I will carry them in their little red bag while walking in flats, and change in to them only when securely at my desk.

Wear it now, Wear it later

We've found some really great pieces for work lately that are built for fall but with some tweaking, can be worn now in warmer weather and later, when temperatures are lower. It's a great way to stretch your clothing budget (if only we were so structured that we actually mapped out a budget!).

3.1 Phillip Lim, Phillip Lim's lower priced line, has some really great pre-fall and fall numbers. We grabbed this timesaver option that's perfect for cooler weather: a navy ponte peplum long sleeve top and matching pencil skirt (on the right below). It's stretchy and so comfortable. 

On the left, we've taken the top out of the equation to wear the skirt now. Roll up the button down's sleeves, add a belt and you have a summer work outfit. 

For info on where to find each piece, click here.

Fall on the Horizon

It's hard to even think about fall when it's so damn hot and humid outside. All you can really think about is; how long do I have to be out of the A/C before I can go back in? 


However, coming off the back of a weekend research shopping trip, the stores are starting to fill up with clothing for cooler weather from 'pre-fall 2012' collections. Comfy greys, deep burgundies, emerald greens and mustard yellows are everywhere. Refreshingly, bold bright prints are also a trend for fall... which means some of the items you wear today can be converted as temperatures cool down. More on that later.

Inevitably, each research trip we do, we find an obsession... and of course its usually something out of budget. We can't stop thinking about it, partly because we shouldn't buy it and partly because it's so beautiful. This season, it's a colorful and bright work-appropriate dress made by environmentally aware designer Stella McCartney.  


Behold... 
worn with some simple black pumps and small gold earrings, hair up... lovely.

Give us a second to wipe the drool... Maybe I could put it on a credit card and pay it back over time?

Power Trousers

Printed trousers seem to be on racks in every store. We love how light and airy they are - particularly for those hot summer days you don't feel like shaving your legs before work (wink).

They are a great way to spice up your wardrobe too, but make sure you style them to stand out for themselves and the print doesn't stand out more than you!

These are a great option from Zara, shown styled for work with a navy cotton jacket. We purposely chose a jacket that matched the darkest of colors in the trousers and was on the shorter side given the wider legs.

Here's how we styled for play too. We took off the jacket and added a vintage gold belt - easily done when your day is too (or on the weekend).

A Side Note: Clothing from Zara is highlighted often in this blog. They really do carry great stuff for the trendy parts of your wardrobe and well within most budgets. But a caveat: be careful regarding 1) quality: the fabric can be cheap and not wash well, and 2) sizing: I often have to take a size up. 
So be discerning and if you can swing it, take the pieces you like from there home. Ensure it fits rights and can blend with what you already have, particularly because the dressing rooms usually have a long line. If it doesn't work, there return policy is pretty generous at one month.

She's Shifty

......she's just my type! 

(a little sidebar tribute to the beastie boys, may Adam "MCA" Yauch rest in peace)

Something easily forgotten these days is that fashion is not only a product of creativity, but also of function and social change. Bet you didn't know (or probably ponder) that bermuda shorts came in to existence because of a shortage of clothing during World War II in Bermuda!

A historical and functional fashion reference for women is the shift dress. In 1920, women in the US earned the right to vote, equally to men. Women were empowered to break social norms and flappers started wearing shift dresses. They found them comfortable, easy to dance in and a rebellion against the cinched waists that had been in style in the previous decades. Shift dresses were also popular during the mod fashion era of the 60's - arguably another decade of social change.

We love what they represent!

The chic French brand Sandro has an amazing shift dress for this summer, complete with pockets and fun color (and their sale is going on now!). It's a classic piece, flattering for every shape and for any part of your life, including the office:

(The shoes are Louboutin Summer '11)

Plus it has a bow detail in the back that we went crazy for:

So celebrate the shift dress for the freedom it symbolizes - after all it was created so we could dance to the Beastie Boys if we wanted to!

Figure Flattering Peplum

In a previous post we featured one of our favorite Spring trends: Peplum. And we can't seem to get enough of it.

We honestly couldn't walk out of Zara without this bright red skirt. Trust us, we tried but got as far as about a block down the street before that gnawing feeling beat us down. Like a moth to a flame, we promptly turned around and purchased.

What specifically did we love so much about it?

1. The peplum was actually assymetrical... and you know what little edgey details do to us.
2. The flaring is around your middle area which means it's a great piece for the not-so-skinny feeling days. It literally hides any bloat.
3. The bright orangey-red color and the stretchy linen fabric are perfect for summer.
4. Did we mention the location of the flaring covers up the pizza we ate too late last night?
5. The final detail: pretty gold buttons snap it together in the back (see below).

With a color this bright and design this pretty, all you need is a basic white button down and nude pumps. Be sure to tuck in the top so the peplum is kept in focus and enjoy!

A little detail indulgence

They say the devil is in the details. When it comes to fashion, we say the joy is in the details. Whether it's a skinny belt, well crafted shoulders on a jacket or some buttons going up the back of a dress, we love to find little added treats.

These Prada heels fit right in with that theme. 

The metal adds an edge we love, while the pinky beige shade keeps it sophisticated.. not to mention neutral enough to wear with anything at the office this summer.

Another reason we love these comes down to this detail: the shape of the heel. It's the same heel seen on many of the Prada Spring '12 Runway styles that are too crazy for the office but SO creative and fun. Check these out: jewel toe flame sandals. (Ludlow secretly hoped they lit up in the back, and you had to hide batteries in the heel.) 

So our featured, tamer pair, allows you have a little fashion cake, and eat it too. 

NB: These shoes were found directly at a Prada store, but can be found in red and black here.

Brighten up your day

Nothing says it better than the song "Summertime" from DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, from 1991 (can you believe that was 21 years ago? the song is of drinking age now!):
"school is out and it's a sort of a buzz,
a back then I didn't really know what it was,
but now I see what have of this,
the way that people respond to summer madness".

Warmer weather generally makes us as humans happier. Even the air in NYC smells better as the weather improves. Weekdays can start to become something to look forward to with longer hours of light for outdoor workouts or dinners.

How we dress is often a reflection of our mood. With summer almost here, we wanted to share a great piece that reflects that higher level of cheeriness.

This tie dress from DVF does the trick.

The bateau neck and tie waist flatters any figure. And of course, we love the button detailing in the back (since we are suckers for detail). Wear it with a neutral pair of heels and a chunky bracelet.

This dress is reminiscent of 70's styling too - a remake if you will - just like the DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince song was a great remake of a 1974 Kool & the Gang song.

Multi Season Dress

With temperatures ranging anywhere from the 80's to the 50's,the weather this Spring has been crazy in the Northeast. How the hell does one keep a wardrobe for this?  

It comes down to trenchcoats, scarves, and one particular solution: the sweater dress. It's an all year round wardrobe piece and a no nonsense throw-on-because-I-was-up-a-bit-too-late-last-night solution for a more casual day at the office (Friday timesaver?). 

This blue Fendi number is particularly stunning.

(Similar options here and here )

The simple knit is complemented with puff sleeves, which serves to balance out a lady's silouhette (and hips). 

Change up your shoes depending on the season: pumps for Spring and boots and tights for Fall. 

Given the material, it can also double as a piece for weekend brunch or a casual date (which can justify the price tag!).

Not so mellow yellow

We have been emphasizing pops of color for your work wardrobe this spring as an easy solution to update some of your staple pieces. While we've already covered pink and coral, we recently found two yellow pieces that definitely help brighten up a basic, without breaking the bank.


Despite her initial fear of being "too bumble beeish", this yellow blazer creates a whole new look for Ludlow's LBD, without the stinger (although it would be sort of fun to literally buzz around the office). The zipper detail adds an edge while still staying appropriate for the office. 

And it's easily transitioned for the weekend with a pair of blue jeans. 

Lex found this softer yellow lace top as a great shell for a suit. For casual Friday pair it with cropped trousers and a cardigan.

This zipper detail is perfect for after work drinks sans the blazer or cardigan.

Staying Neutral

Staying neutral when it comes to some situations is a staple of office life. A staple in any spring/summer wardrobe, be it for the office or outside, are pieces in neutral colors. And, per the definition of a staple, they never go out of style.


We were inspired by a pair of peach trousers from H&M. We especially love the zipper detail at the hem of the pant legs! Keep the look clean, fresh and feminine by pairing it with a peplum top. We finished it with neutral heels (or flats), stud earrings and some bangles.

Click here for details of each piece.

A Peplum in Your Step

Ludlow was watching Khloe and Lamar on E! the other day...(yes, not the most high brow of TV shows but the reality addiction continues). In one scene, Lamar was explaining the cartoon character Peppy Le Pew to Khloe. His description of Peppy always wanting to date the cat that he thought was a skunk like him, because of her black and white coloring, reminded us of how image is so important (bet you didn't expect that!).

It can get you in the door for prospective clients and even be considered for promotions. Of course, it can work the opposite way too... See, a classy french skunk's attractions CAN teach us a thing or two.

Which brings us to our word association with professionally classy french-like clothing: Peplum. The word itself is lovely and the image is so 1950's old hollywood, like Grace Kelly in Monaco.

Ludlow wore this peplum top from J.Crew. The floral print incorporates a second trend this spring (a 2 in 1). 

Here it's paired with white wide leg trousers, (old, similar here) but would go just as well with a navy or white pencil skirt (the true French way).

So elegant - it's sure to put a pep in your step. Something that doesn't go unnoticed by your colleagues, manager and clients in the most positive way.

Lace-it-Up for the office

Like animal print, lace is often associated with sexiness, lingerie, candles and maybe even silk sheets (for some reason we are now picturing a cheesy 70's sex chamber like the one Elvis Presley had...). All light years away from the fluorescent lighting of an office building. But with the warmer weather this spring, the lace trend of this season is slowly moving in. 

So like anything we show you, as long as you keep it professional and simple, with limited accessories, you can make a stylish, appropriate look in lace. 

One option is to go with a detail of lace. Lex found this cream silk and lace blouse at Madewell (it also comes in black but the cream color is closer to sweet versus sexy). Since the lace is really only on the sleeves, you can wear a jacket over it, with the lace peeking out during the day. It then nicely transitions from the office, to a client dinner/drinks in the evening. 

For the weekend, wear it with dark blue denim bell bottoms (Rag and Bone) and platforms (Ash) for a 70's feel (which we still love!). 

Ludlow wanted all over lace and found this demure number at J.Crew. The 'neon azalea' color makes it fun (and less sexy). We love it with a pair of ankle length blue trousers (also from J.Crew).

A note on those trousers: Notice the pleating and button detail. The fit is also amazing.. something about the fabric that is sort of stretchy and forgiving.

For weekend, untuck it and let the scallop edging on the bottom show - worn here with a pair of skinny jeans (and neutral flats).

So go ahead and lace it up ladies! Show em whatcha got.





Pop of Pink for the Office

We LOVE this pink top from Tibi.  We think you'll be seeing this color a ton this spring. Here we toned it down for the office, pairing it with a navy suit and neutral accessories. 
On the weekend, let the color do the work and wear it with skinny black jeans.

Shop the full outfit here.