Tip Tuesday #9-What to Wear When You Find Yourself Working From Home

Today's Tip Tuesday a bit unplanned... When I found myself home today with a sick little one I decided to set aside that tip I had originally planned for today and blog about tips on what to wear when you find yourself working from home with a sick little one... We've all been there, your kid gets sick, and you can't send them to school or daycare so you end up staying home from work and your day turns upside down...

While I was able to move some things around, I do have 2 Skype calls that can't be cancelled. So what's a Mama to wear when she's gotta be professional enough for business calls and casual enough to pick up tissues and offer hugs all day. Well, there are quite a few ways to do this. My outfit of choice today- Casual waistband pants, with a pastel sweater and statement necklace (that I'll put on at the time of my call and remove when tissue duty starts again). And since my client can only see me from the waist up I'll be leaving on my warm furry slippers. (I hope my client's not reading this...)

Some quick tips on what to wear when you're working from home with a sick kid:

1. Machine washable- Kids =  germs (sick or not). Therefore, you want to be able to throw all the germy clothes in the wash. And yes, there are lots of work wear clothing that is machine washable. 
2. Accessorize- I know I may sound like a broken record with this one, but accessories help. Throw on a scarf, necklace, earrings etc when it's time to work. Even if you don't have to interact with anyone and it's just you and your laptop. It's a good idea to get a little professional when it's time to work. When you're dressed in work attire you feel like you're in work mode as opposed to tissue picker upper mode. 
3. Comfortable- You're home after all, why not be comfy. The fabulous thing is this season the trends are all pointing to comfort- from easier fitting boyfriend jeans to stretch pants and baggier boxy tops. 

What's you're outfit of choice when you're stuck working from home?

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Vacation Outfit Ideas

Hello all! I’m so sorry I haven’t blogged in a while, but I was on vacation. Now, before you get all excited and say “lucky you”! - let me clarify. I was on vacation, with my family, on a Disney Cruise… yup… right… So are you still thinking “lucky you”? Sure, it was great to be out of the snow and in the sun, and it was so rejuvenating to be away from the routine. Of course, it was wonderful spending time with my family and I loved being on a cruise with everything taken care of, Disney does a great job at catering to families. It was so fabulous seeing my daughter’s face light up when she “met” Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and the big M.M. But, like all the other kids, my 6 year old was also on “overload” which meant the Hubs and I were chasing after her as she would bolt from one end of the ship to the other. The good thing (or good in my mind at least) is, as I looked around the ship, I saw other parents running after their kids as well. Some were also juggling strollers, diaper bags, other little ones and of course, “grown up” drinks. By dinner time most parents had the same dazed and tired look as me. But, I suppose it was a family vacation after all it’s just par for the course. 

If you’re planning a mid-winter or spring break vacation with the family, here are some ideas on how you can incorporate this spring’s trends into your vacation looks and still be comfortable enough to run after your kids.

Nautical- The nautical trend is huge this spring / summer. Pair a nautical stripe top with easy Bermuda shorts and running sneakers (which, thankfully is also a big trend) for a look that’s not only fitting for a cruise but any fun filled vacation.

Vacation Outfit by mk-344pm featuring a cotton shopping bag

Maxi Dress- Perfect for formal dinners or casual walks on the boardwalk (aka running after your kids as they accost the balloon guy), the maxi dress is trend right and versatile. Pair a floral halter maxi dress (that’s 3 big trends in one) with ankle flats for a “Mama’s got this covered” look.

Vacation Outfit by mk-344pm featuring a floppy beach hat

Pastels- This spring is all about Pastels. While your day of sightseeing may end up being chaotic, you can look and feel in control by pairing a pastel aqua tee with crop pants and athletic sandals. 

Vacation Outfit by mk-344pm featuring cat sunglasses

Did you go on a mid-winter vacation or planning a spring break family vacation? What are your go to fashionable vacation outfits?

Want more tips on how to dress your style? Connect with me here:

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!