What to Wear on Valentine’s Day, When You’re Not Really Celebrating Valentine’s Day

I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is coming up! In my house, Valentine’s Day is not a huge affair… Even, before the kiddo arrived, my husband and I would sometimes go out to dinner or catch a movie or, if I remembered, I’d give him a humorous (non-sentimental) card. Then Darling Daughter came along and Valentine’s Day really became a day for her… We’d get cupcakes and a card for her. Now that she’s in school full time it’s become all about choosing the “right” cards and candy to give out to her classmates… So, overall it’s not a big deal, but it still is Valentine’s Day after all, and it deserves some acknowledgement. So, if your family’s like mine, here’s a list of some things to do to “celebrate” V-day, along with outfit suggestions.

Watch a Movie with the Family- This year Valentine’s Day is on a Friday, ie- not a school night, but everyone is still exhausted from the week. You could pack up the family and head out to the movies, or avoid the frigid polar vortex temps and rent a movie. Either way, get comfy cozy with a pair of boyfriend jeans and this easy luxlight cardigan from the Gap.

Enjoy a Meal- Similar to the above, either take the family out or order in and enjoy a candlelit meal at home (we sometimes light candles at home and pretend we’re at a “restaurant”). Even if you decide to stay home, don’t slum it and wear the yoga pants, remember, it is Valentine’s Day… Wear a pair of stretch skinny jeans with this pearlized gem sweatshirt from LOFT.

Play a Board Game- My daughter’s really gotten into board games now and playing a game on a Friday night has become a bit of a tradition. So, if you’re going to be playing a game, comfort is key. Try these drapey cinched pants with a stylish vest from Old Navy.

However way you celebrate it, enjoy your Valentine's Day!

What are your "big" Valentine’s Day plans? 

Stylish Work Outfits

According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Statistics in 2012, married women living with children under the age of 6, and fall into the “working full time” employment status spend, on average, 8 hours a weekday doing work and work related activities. In other words, a 1/3 of working moms (mom working outside of the home) spend their weekday at work. That’s a lot...

As soon as I started writing this post on stylish work wear, I quickly noticed that things were not adding up… Some of the occupations that moms have require strict dress codes, or mandate a certain “professional” look. Sometimes these dress codes clash with mom’s personal style. Taking it a step further- personal style is something that represents who you are, and if you’re spending a 1/3 of your day wearing something that doesn't represent you, that really doesn't seem like a great way to be spending your day…. 

No matter if you’re a doctor, teacher, lawyer, WAHM, etc and your personal style is traditional, modern, trendy etc, rest assured, you can maintain a professional look while letting your personal style shine. While professional dress codes and personal styles vary, here are just a few overall ways to achieve the winning professional / personal style combination.  

The Blouse Switch- A business suit is a business suit, it could be a bit boring. One way to let a little of your personality be seen, is to wear a blouse that represents you. Pick a blouse in your favorite color or pattern or print and pair it with a traditional suit for a professional / personal style balanced look.

Add a feminine floral printed blouse to a navy pant suit for a whole new professional look.

Work Wear- Update Printed Blouse by mk-344pm featuring Forever New

Add a ruffle blouse to the staple black suit for a fashionable work look.

Work Wear- Ruffle Blouse Update by mk-344pm featuring a buckle bracelet

Ditch the Blazer- If your dress code allows it, leave the blazer at home and instead, pair your button down shirt with a colorful cardigan, wrap sweater or crew neck sweater.

Pair a grey skirt and white button down with a cobalt blue (or any color of your choice) cardigan.

Work Wear- Cardigan instead of Blazer by mk-344pm showing how to wear a black belt

Forget the button down and blazer all together. Wear a turtleneck with dress pants for an updated professional look.

Work Wear- Turtleneck, No Blazer by mk-344pm showing what to wear with cashmere turtleneck sweaters

Accessorize- Accessories are key to any outfit. Whether you’re trying to figure what to wear to work, or to a summer barbecue, it's always a good idea to add an accessory. You don’t have to go over the top with accessories, something as easy as adding a watch (see my post on accessorizing with a watch here) or simple earrings can allow you to bring out your personal style.

Add a belt, watch and refined bangles to a classic black dress and you have a transformed look. Don’t forget to add the classic, yet powerful, trench coat for a look that will command attention. 

Work Wear- Accessorize by mk-344pm showing how to wear black shoes

Update the Basics- Depending on your personal style and workplace rules, one way to update the basics would be to switch out the traditional cut pant suit for one with a slimmer silhouette. Another way is to update your blazer- go from a traditional lapel to a narrower one, or a different collar all together. Also, have a little fun and really bring out your personal style by mixing and matching your basic suits. A camel blazer paired with navy pants a fun twist on a traditional look. 

The black and white trend continues this year. Let your trendy side come out at work with black pants and a boucle black and white blazer.

Work Wear- Mix and Match by mk-344pm featuring Pied a Terre

Update your black skirt suit with a flare skirt and shawl collar blazer.

Work Wear- Updated Skirt and Blazer by mk-344pm featuring Forever New

Are there any other things you do to transform your work wear to bring out your personal style? I'd love to know!

Tip Tuesday #8- Get Out of the Rut and Stripe it Up

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about the “weekend rut” from my clients. You know, Monday – Friday consists of the “work uniform”, and then Saturday hits and you have no idea what to wear. Therefore, you throw on your go to jeans or sweats and a tee or sweater. Then by weekend #20 of the same outfit you realize you’re in a “weekend rut”. I’ve been there, I know what it’s like, I’ve even been called out on my weekend rut outfit- it wasn't pretty…

What should you do about getting out of the weekend rut? Well, first email me to set up a wardrobe consultation. (Yup, blatant plug right there :)) But, one super quick and easy thing that I tell my clients is- add stripes to your wardrobe. For example, Jeans and a plain white tee- BORING. Jeans and a nautical stripe tee- FUN! It doesn't have to be a tee, just add stripe elements (tops, bottoms, accessories) to your existing repertoire and you've got a fresh, new, fun look.

Now, before you stop reading because you think you can’t wear horizontal stripes, let’s go over a couple things-

1) The old saying “horizontal stripes make you look wider” is not technically true.. Studies have been done (yes, really studies have been done) and the results are basically inconclusive.

2) No matter your body shape or size, you CAN wear stripes. Follow the stripe rule of thumb- If you’re tall or full figured go for wider stripes. If you’re petite go for narrower stripes. Easy peasy!!

Here are some ways you can wear stripes to freshen up your weekend look.

Top it Off- The easiest way to update a look is to add a stripe top. Regardless if you go with classic nautical stripes (big trend for spring 2014) or bold multi-color stripes, anyway you go, you'll get a great updated weekend look.

Nautical Stripe Pullover- Banana Republic

The Non-Stripe, Stripe- The monochromatic stripe look is great for when you want to add some stripes or texture, but don't want to overdo it.

Varigated Stripe T- Gap

Accessorize- Still not really into the idea of wearing stripes, but like the idea of updating your look with stripes? Get the same fresh look by adding striped accessories. 

Lfie Stride Wedge Sandal- macys

Stripes are not limited to only updating weekend looks, they're great for work, evening, daytime, anytime!

Tip Tuesday #7- Know When to Shop for the Best Deals

It's now the end of January and the Holidays are officially over and with it goes the frenzy of sales. Sort of... While Black Friday and 12/26 sales are behind us, that doesn't mean you can't get a good deal, so don't think you now have to buy everything at full price. As a matter of fact, unless you're buying a very high end luxury item, specific brand, or need something in a pinch (there are even exceptions to all this) you should never buy anything at full price. Having worked in the retail industry for umpteen years, trust me when I say, save your money, you can always get a deal!!

Here's a chart outlining the best times to shop for certain items. 

January- Stores need to make room for spring goods so the mad dash to get rid of anything winter is on. You'll find very deep discounts on winter items- boots, coats, scarves, gloves etc. I will say, at this point it's all been picked over but, you can definitely find some great deals on winter items.

February- Spring goods start hitting stores and it's a slow time for sales. But, now is your chance to browse all the new spring looks and note down what you want to buy when the sales start. If you're in the NYC area, during this "down time", why not  go out and catch a Broadway play. It's "off season"  and you can get a really good deal on theater tickets now.

March- Planning on travelling for spring break and realize your suitcases have seen better times? Well, you're in luck, because it happens to be the best time to get a great deal on luggage. Also, some of that spring merchandise will start going on sale, so start looking for those coupons and take advantage of One Day Sales.

April- Remember all that spring stuff you saw in February and held off on buying for a better deal? It's deal time and just in time for the start of spring! Goods that came in in February are making their way to the clearance racks. Best bet would be to shop early so you're not left with picked over merchandise. Also, summer goods start coming in now, so while you're shopping for spring clearance, browse summer merchandise as well. 

May- Summer is in full swing in stores (even though it's not officially summer yet). Summer deliveries are out with big sales starting, especially around Memorial Day.

June- Tired of looking at your chipped dishes or want to complete your incomplete dish sets? Now is your time to do it. With wedding season in full swing retailers have lots of home products on sale, even those fine china pieces that you keep wishing would go on sale.  

July- Let the summer clearance begin!! More aptly, time to buy summer SANDALS! Summer shoes and clothing are on sale to make room for early fall / back to school merchandise. 

August- Summer clearance is still going on and now true summer items, like bathing suits, are heavily discounted. This is the time to stock up and save for next summer. The family (Mom, Dad and kiddos) will always need shorts, tees, bathing suits etc. so buy them a size bigger (for the kiddos) now while they are on clearance, and you'll be all set for next summer.  Back to school items start hitting stores, so see what's out there, but hold off on buying them. 

September- Labor day sales are the best time to buy outdoor furniture, pool stuff and all "summer activity" things. Again, buy them now and save them for next year.

October- When is the best time to buy back to school stuff? During back to school! Fall merchandise is on clearance to start making way for all the holiday goodies. You can get amazing deals on denim end September / beginning October. 

November- And so begins the Holiday shopping season. I have three words for this month- Black Friday Sales, 'nuff said.

December- Sale, Sale and more sale. The best day to shop all year is 12/26 when all off the post holiday sales start. Once again, stock up and save on winter items or if there is something that you wanted to buy and can wait till after the holidays, now is the time to buy it. 

Take it a step further and plan to shop on Thursdays, it's the best day of the week to get a good deal since most retailers start their weekend sales on that day. 

Hope this all helps you save money and find the best deals!

What are some of your amazing deal shopping tips?

Tip Tuesday #6- How to Tell if Your Shoes Are Made Well.

Picture it- You’re in a shoe store, you see a pair of shoes you love (that also happen to be at a great price) and when you try them on they fit perfectly. You scream “I’ll take them!!!” You immediately start texting, tweeting, facebooking, a picture of your new shoes with the caption “I know you’re jealous :)”. Next day, you’re struttin’ your stuff, wearing your new shoes on the way to work, and BAM the ankle strap breaks and you go falling forward. The next thing you know you’re down on the ground stunned, sad and have a skinned knee. Not a great place to be with what you thought were a great pair of shoes….

With a chunk of my career being in both men’s and women’s footwear, I’ve learned a thing or 9,000 about shoe construction and what a well-made shoe looks like. Here are some quick and easy things (along with VIDEO) that you can do in the store to make sure your perfect shoe will go the extra mile.  

Once you’ve tried on the shoe, found it be comfortable and it passed the visual tests- hand your kid your iPhone, sit down and let the inspections begin. 

Here's the information in text form, as well as some additional tid bits.

Bound for life- Make sure the upper is bound to the sole properly. Hold the shoes up together and make sure they are even, flip it to the back, make sure the heels are even. Visually inspect for uneven stitching or exposed glue. Then go on and (sort of gently) try and separate the upper from the sole. Look out for stitching coming loose or gaps forming. Tug at heels, straps, buckles or any hardware, again, look for any separation or loose stitching.

Get acquainted- Go on, stick your hand in it. Feel to make sure the lining is secure, applied correctly and that there is no exposed glue. Feel the upper to make sure there are no exposed edges that could hurt your feet.

Flex It- Flex the shoe. Does it make a cracking noise, or feel like it’s pulling? That’s an indication that the sole was either not attached properly or the wrong size upper could have been put on the wrong size sole.

What is it really made out of- If you are buying leather shoes, you want to make sure it’s a good quality leather. If you have a dark color shoe and see a white cast or white speckles, this may be mold!! A good indicator that the leather was not handled properly. You can even scratch is slightly to see if the “leather” comes off.

At most you’ll end up spending a few extra minutes in the shoe store (I can think of worse places to be) conducting these easy “tests”. But at the end you'll know you're buying a well made shoe.

Hope this information helps and Happy Shoe Shopping!

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