seersucker, what! what!

haha...it must be spring, or that special time of year in D.C. cause I'm bringing out the seersucker, folks!

This Ann Taylor suit jacket is actually paired with a skirt for the full suit ensemble, but I find that to be a little overbearing...so I never wear them both together at once.

Then I paired with a ruffle white top (which was a huge hit back in the Fall when I bought this from H&M and now feel entitled to bring it out again!)

But what I love is the little gold belt I used as an accent...brings a little something to the outfit. (Jcrew $30)

White before memorial day = a do!

Happy Wednesday...

Yes, Bring out the white skirts people...winter is officially over!

I don't know about you but I'm loving the spring/summer weather especially when thinking about outfit ideas...thank god for no more heavy down jackets that hide your ensembles.

However, sometimes I find it hard to figure out what to wear in the in-between seasons, like it's not summer (so no cotton dresses yet) but too hot to wear pants all the time.

What's a girl to do?

Change it up and dress for both seasons... wear a skirt but have a long-sleeve sweater or bring an extra cardigan. Or wear pants and dress up with a cute silk tanktop and wear cardigan to make office appropriate and versatile.
I think my best advice is layering, but a few staple items like a cardigan or a scarf (which can also be turned into a wrap will work too)

It's sunny outside, what's there to complain about!?

The little black dress

If a girl could only have one staple work-appropriate item in their closet (don't worry that doesn't include sweats because those are essential too) I would think it should be the classic little black dress.


Dress it up, dress it down, add a cardigan, or accessorize, it's easy to rotate the black dress in your wardrobe without anyone knowing that this is the third time you've worn it in a week.

Today I paired it with this light weight cropped jacket I purchased at Anthogology, but since it's sleeveless, you can also take the jacket off or add a cardigan underneath.

I also accessorized with some of my bold turquoise jewelry, which can make a nice statement and add some color to the outfit, without going over the top.

Simple flats for shoes, or opt for heels..and you have yourself a signature outfit.

Parisian flare

Scarfs are great and an essential accessory.

They can add a little color to your outfit and versatile to wear as a shaw, or wrap..

I paired this H&M scarf ($12) with some crop black pants and a white tee. But you can't see the red shoes, to make the outfit a little more fun.

Sun sun sun...

I love Fridays!

Sometimes I think it will never come... Work weeks are getting busier, but it's always nice to wake up and realize it's Friday.

I opted for casual today, but this sunny weather has convienced me to bring out some spring wear. Hence the new top I just bought (at Marshalls of all places?!)

Menswear anyone?

It's all about the vest...and yes, this may have been a little over-played this past Fall, but I still like to bring out the shruken men's vest once in awhile.


This one is corduroy and tan, which can go with partically everything. I bought this in Seattle at a second-hand clothing store, so it could have possibly belonged to a little boy...


Oh well, I'm keeping it anyway.

A little prep in your step

A little Argyle this morning, this is a JCrew grey wool cardigan that I usually wear alone buttoned or pair it with a dress or dress shirt.

Today I wore this H&M navy blue shirt dress, that's light weight and good for spring.

Urban chic

I love these boots...yes I can't stop wearing them, but every girl needs a great pair of black knee high boots, its practically a waredrobe staple item. And these Macrow boots seem to go with practically everything. I paired them with some black tights/leggings and a fun spring H & M skirt ($29). The result...urban chic!

Rainy mondays...

Today is just ick...With it down pouring outside, I'm finding little motivation to wear a dress or anything that I don't mind getting drentched in during my commute to the office.

So here's what I finally ended up pairing, a skirt too (in the rain? I know, but not as a bad a dress) and paired with rainboots to commute to and from until I get to the office.

Then changed into my favorite jcrew black kitten heel pumps...

Casual Fridays

Ah, Fridays...


Not only is it the marking of the end to a long week, but Friday's also are often associated with the term "causal Fridays": Jeans!

I paired this black linen top with french-inspired embroidery, from French Connection. ($32)









These Chinese Laundry gold flats ($39 from DSW) are great for making an outfit causal but not sloppy and still work appropriate.

Lady in Red

I love these two colors, red and black, because they are the few colors that don't have to go with a particular season, you can wear them summer to winter and still look in style.

Here's a red Ann Taylor dress ($50) that I paired with a belt and a velvet Gap tuxedo jacket ($40)...the result: office chic!

Since it's still cold outside, I wore black tights, which can also make the outfit more "office appropriate" so you aren't showing too much leg....

The heels are from my Banana Republic ($98)...which I've always had good luck with the shoes I've purchased from BR lasting more than a couple seasons. My favorite part is the gold lining inside! And even with the heel, they are super comfy.

I've also worn this outfit with just-below-the-knee black heel boots, which makes it more urban city style.

Not your typical suit?

This is a Ann Taylor jacket (circa 2004) that I paired with a Target Isaac Mizrahi ($30bucks, no joke!)...and the result is this:

And the rain boots are for traveling to and from work, but still could be stylish to wear with...

Belts with sweaters

I just got this high waisted belt from Forever 21 ($12bucks! such a steal) and paired with a sweater...cute but subtle.

Hi! Welcome to my blog!

"Omg, you look great today! Actually, you always look so "put together"...how do you do it?"

Want to hear this everyday?

The art of mastering "dressing professionally" can be scary to any 20-something, fresh out of college starting their first "real" job.

Q: What do I wear that says professional and not intern?

You may feel like it's a no-win situation, full of trial and tribulations as you are forced to quickly learn its true meaning during the early years of your career. Why wasn't there a class on this in college? It might have actually been useful than say, geology?

As a new "working professional," I'm slowly starting to master the ways of looking professional and chic in my everyday wardrobe. Yes, even I, like many have traded in those comfy sweatpants of student loungewear for the heels, pearls and matching suits... well not exactly the last one (thank god!)... I'm fortunate my office is "business casual" (another phrase that often has many interpretations!)For our purposes in navigating the business attire how-tos, all this means is that I don't have to wear those stuffy, boring 2-piece pant suit combos, or whatever those Hill-types like to call it. Basically you CAN have a little fun with your wardrobe picks.

So how do I find inspiration? Actually, it's quite easy...have confidence in owning your style, be creative and work with what you have. Through pictures of my outfit creations, I hope this blog will give you some ideas or inspiration!

Happy styling all you fashionistas!
JRose