The Unsolicited Father's Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is coming up and now it’s Dad’s turn to get some appreciation. Father’s day gifts used to be a big challenge for me because all the Dads in my life have different interests- from my techie husband to my retired Dad and my Grandpa who loves to do yoga.

I know I’m not the only one in this situation, so I decided to take a small break from style blogging and instead write a post on Father’s Day gift ideas for different types of Dads.

Please note, this is NOT a sponsored post. Similar to how I run my business (I do not receive any commission on clothing items that I recommend for my clients) I will not receive any payment on anything that I recommend. This is just a plain old list of items or ideas to help you figure out what to give dear Dad for Father’s Day. What better way to show Dad that you love and appreciate all he does by giving him a gift he will truly enjoy.

THE FASHIONABLE DAD- For the Dad who knows his Hugo Boss from his John Varvatos. 

Jack Spade Nylon Wing Duffle- Travel fashionably! 

Ray-Ban "Original" Aviator Sunglasses- Aviators are still a huge trend. With these sunglasses Dad will be looking sharp while enjoying the summer.

Shinola "The Runwell" Leather Strap Watch - These watches are hand-crafted right in Detroit, Michigan. They do carry a hefty price tag but they have gotten some good reviews. 

Help Dad Put Outfits Together- I blogged about this last year and to my surprise I got a lot of people contacting me about this post and wanting more information. Not to mention that my husband loved this gift and has already hinted that he now has some new shirts and ties and needs help creating outfits. 

Harry's Shave Sets- Dad will look dapper with a clean smooth shave.

THE "SPIRITED" DAD- For the Dad likes his "spirits" and beef jerky.

Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey- A bourbon from Upstate NY.

Build a Jerky- Let Dad build and choose his own jerky!

Schiller's Liquor Bar Cocktail Collection- Drink recipes from New York City's famous Schiller's Liquor Bar.

Wild Boar Salami- Get Dad the famous National Award Winning Salami from Creminelli's.

THE READING DAD- For the Dad who loves to read, here are some special Dad books.

Darth Vader and Son and / or Star Wars: Vader's Little Princess- Take your Dad's love to Star Wars up a notch with these delightful books from Jeffry Brown. Get the inside look at Darth Vader as a Dad.

Sh*t My Dad Says- This NY Times Best Seller book is filled with Justin Halpern's Dad's hysterical quotes and fatherly advice. 

Dads are the Original Hipsters- Photos of real Dads back in the day. 

THE SENTIMENTAL DAD- Put a smile on Dad's face with these sentimental gifts.

The Apple Photo Book, cards, calendars etc.- Create a personalized photo collection for Dad to peruse. 

#Hashtag Father's Day Instabook- A personalized photo book with a modern look and feel. 

Cards from the little one- This is an idea I've been mulling over. Every year my little one gives a hand made Father's Day Card to my husband that usually gets stashed in some drawer. I was thinking I would collect the cards over the years, bind them and have my daughter present them to her Dad when she turns 10 (or whenever she decides she's too old to make Father's Day cards).

THE TECH DAD- For the Dad that loves all things tech.

Pebble Smartwatch- With wearable technology getting bigger and bigger there are a wide variety of "watch gadgets" on the market. There's been quite a buzz around the Pebble watch. 

Fitbit- Again in the wearable tech arena. The fitbit tracks Dad's activity to make sure he's reaching his fitness goals.

Withthings Smart Body Analyzer- Another health / fitness tracker, this one's a scale. It "measures weight, body composition, heart rate and air quality". The scale along with the app keeps Dad on health track. 

Apple iphone 6- If Dad can take a rain check, the new Apple iphone 6 is rumored to be coming out in September. 

THE FOODIE DAD- He loves to barbecue, cook and eat. Here are some items for your foodie Dad.

The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Vegetable Cookbook- The Beekman Boys took center stage at The Amazing Race and transformed a small Upstate NY town and farm. Their latest cookbook takes veges to the next level.

Williams-Sonoma Monogrammed BBQ Set- Dad's personalized BBQ tools.

Williams-Sonoma Ultimate Grilling Rubs- Let Dad's barbecuing creativity go wild with these fabulous rubs.

THE DAD WHO HAS EVERYTHING- Still can't figure out what to get Dad? Here are some other ideas I had that may just help.

Tickets to a Sporting Event or Movie

Is there something Dad always wanted to learn but hasn't yet? Sign him up for lessons for cooking, golf, dancing etc.

House Cleaning / Mow Service- Let Dad relax by paying for a service to come in and clean the house, mow the yard or remove snow. 

Make a Donation in his name to Dad's favorite charity

Hope this list of ideas has helped you figure out something to get the Dad's in your life. Is there something special you're planning on getting for Dad?

Have a great Father's Day!

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What to Wear on an Interview

Your stellar resume and superb LinkedIn recommendations got your foot in the door. You nailed the phone interview with the executive recruiter. Now it’s time to head to the company’s HQ for a grueling day of interviews. No sweat off your back, right? You know your strengths and weaknesses, you’ve done research on the company and the job, and you’ve come up with questions to ask that will have the hiring manager say “Whoa, she knows her stuff!” But, do you know what you’re going to wear?

It takes just 7 seconds to make a first impression. So even before you get a chance to drop your mad skills on the hiring manager he / she has already made up their mind about whether you are competent, confident, likeable, etc. According to US News and World Report 1 of the 7 things that interviewers notice first is (drum roll please…) yup, you guessed it- Attire. The way you dress sends a message about your judgment, how you perceive yourself, and how you project yourself.

With quite a number of my clients asking about interview attire, I figured what better way to launch the “What to Wear When” blog series with, What to Wear on an Interview.

Not to sound 107 years old, but gone are the days when you’d wear a navy suit to an interview and call it a day. Now-a-days there are so many different types of companies (from start-ups to banks) with so many different types of dress codes (casual, business casual, casual professional) it’s hard to keep it all straight… But, have no fear, I’ll break down the “dos” and “don’ts” of proper interview attire.

TIPS

No matter what type of job or the type of company you are interviewing at, you must always look polished, clean and professional. Do your research on the company’s dress code prior to the interview. The general rule of thumb is to dress a ½ step above the dress code. If you show up over dressed the interviewer may get the impression that you won’t fit into their corporate culture. If you show up under dressed and sloppy well, that’s just not good… However, if you show up looking professional and just a notch above the dress code, then you’ve passed the first mark.

Here are my Top 10 Interview Dressing Tips.

THE COMPANY WITH A CASUAL DRESS CODE

First, step away from the hoodie and flip flops!! I completely get that dressing for an interview at a start-up or a company that has a casual dress code can be tough. It’s hard to find the professional yet casual balance. But hoodies and flip flops are not the answer.

I recently worked with a client that was interviewing at a West Coast e-commerce company that has a very casual dress code. To make things tougher, she was interviewing for a position in the legal department. She needed to portray her command of the legal field, yet dress to the casual culture. We decided on black skinny pants, a ruffle blouse, a cardigan and riding boots. Not the typical “lawyer suit” but we still stayed on the conservative side with the cardigan. The ruffle blouse and riding boots (that were clean and not scuffed) brought out her personality a bit and lent itself to the casual culture, while still staying polished. Finally, you can’t go wrong with black skinny pants. Needless to say, the interview went well and she got the job!!

Here’s another example of how you could dress for an interview at a casual company. Switch out the traditional blazer for a fun moto inspired jacket. Add a printed (but not a distracting print) blouse and black skinny jeans. Slightly accessorize by adding a fun tech watch (just make sure it’s not the competitors…) or a big face watch. A low wedge or flats round out the outfit and give it that clean polished look without being overdressed. Don't forget the clean manicured nails!

What to wear on a interview with a casual dress code.

Now, some may say that black may not be the best color to wear to an interview because it could be signified as being unapproachable, but it really depends on how you wear it. Personally, I’m all for wearing black because it also signifies leadership traits.

THE COMPANY WITH A BUSINESS CASUAL DRESS CODE

Business Casual means the dress code is business like with a casual spin. For this scenario I would not recommend wearing jeans or any true casual attire. I would also stay away from a full suit. Here I’ve taken the traditional white button down shirt and navy blazer and paired it with a fun stripe pencil skirt. I added a pop of color (nothing too bold) with beige mid heel shoes (you don’t want to wear high heels to an interview) and matching laptop bag. Keep the accessories very simple with stud earrings. A note when wearing a skirt to an interview, as much as it really, really stinks, you should wear hose when you wear a skirt for a more professional look.

What to wear on an interview with a business casual dress code.

THE COMPANY WITH A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS DRESS CODE

This would obviously be the complete opposite of what you would wear to a casual dress code company. Stick with traditional colors and silhouettes. A grey pant suit with a navy blouse and low heel shoes is perfect. Add small stud earrings, a bracelet watch (not a big face watch) and a structured matching bag for a classic, clean and polished look.

What to wear on an interview with a professional business dress code.

So there you have it- tips and ideas on what to wear to an interview for different types of companies.

Do you have a favorite interview outfit? Or do you have an Interview that went south because of what you were wearing? I’d love to hear your interview outfit stories and what worked / didn’t work for you!

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A Giveaway to Honor Mom on Mother's Day

Hello All! Long time no chat!! It’s been quite hectic (in a good way) here at 344pm HQ…. I can't believe it's already spring!

With the start of May comes one of my favorite celebrations- Mother’s Day. Yes, I’m a Mom and I am a bit biased because I do love getting all the hugs, kisses and “World’s Greatest Mom” paraphernalia from my little one. However, Mother’s Day for me goes beyond that. Growing up, Mother’s Day was (is) always the time of year when I would realize just how much the Moms (Mom, Grandma, etc) in my life helped me, cared for me, loved me, and did so much for me.

When I was in 1st grade I made an egg carton flower plant for my Mom. I wanted to show my Mom how much I appreciated her so I put my all into that fake plant. I clearly remember focusing so intently on coloring within the lines and choosing the perfect colors for my “flowers”. I really wanted my Mom to have THE BEST egg carton plant possible because she deserved THE BEST. On Mother’s Day, when I gave my Mom her egg carton plant she was overjoyed, and so was I. Because for me, in my little 6yr old way, that was how I chose to honor my Mom. To this day, every Mother’s Day I try and do something special to let my Mom know that I understand how difficult it is to do the toughest job on the planet (being a Mom) and that I continue to appreciate all she does. 

To honor all the Moms, and "like Moms" out there, 344pm and Melissa Dew Genuine Gems (another Mom owned business) are giving you all a chance to win a 344pm Wardrobe Consultation (45 min) AND a $60 Melissa Dew Giftcard. Total value $120.

We know that a Mom's job is never done and that Moms rarely have any time to take care of themselves so we wanted to make sure this Mother's Day was special.

(Enter Below)

344pm provides busy women with clear and simple ways to dress according to their own personal style, in a quick, convenient and affordable way. From insightful blog posts to online wardrobe styling consultations, and more, you’ll be able to find the answer to your style dilemma.

Melissa Dew is a fabulous jewelry line that features sterling silver and genuine gems.  They feature new classics to wear every day along with unique sparklers that will be the finishing touch to anyone’s style.  Why buy faux gems when you can enjoy the real thing? 

Show your Mom, yourself, or that special lady in your life that you really care by giving the gift of style. With a new wardrobe and beautiful jewelry "Mom" will not only be looking good, but she’ll be feeling good!

Just Login (so we know who to contact if you are the winner of the prize!) and fill out the form below to enter. Hurry though, this giveaway ends at midnight 5/6/14!

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The Athletic Inspired Shoe Trend

I have to admit, one of my most favorite trends this season is the “Athletic Inspired” trend. It’s like taking the comfort of yoga pants and sneakers and mixing it with dressy components to create a comfortable, fashionable look!

What started as the wedge sneaker (see post here) and sweatshirt trend has now exploded to a true lifestyle look. Athletic inspired footwear and clothing were all over the spring 2014 runways and a dominant street style look. Now, before you stop reading and say “Seriously? You are going to talk about what models wear on a runway? No thanks, I can’t wear that stuff”. Hold on, because if you do like this trend, no matter where you are on the “trend spectrum”, you CAN wear it! You don’t have to exactly replicate the runway looks if you don’t want to you… You can easily wear this trend according to your personal style and your lifestyle, your body shape and your budget. The easiest way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe is to start with the shoes! A very good place to start… No? :)

Sneakers are no longer the “commuter shoe”- you can keep them on even when you get to work! (Yes, you can wear them with a suit). Slip on sneakers go from day to night with sparkly sequin. Athletic sandals are comfy and chic.

Here are some ways to go sporty without breaking a sweat!

The Running Sneaker- Brands like New Balance, Asics and Puma which have been associated with true athletic gear are now making headlines during fashion weeks. Take the running sneaker to the limit and pair it with a suit or dress.  You can also ease into the trend by wearing them with jeans and a dressy blouse. Or you can never go wrong with wearing them with updated jogging pants and a tank.

The Slip On Sneaker- Oh my goodness- this shoe has literally exploded!! You can find this shoe at any price point, from flat to platform and from leopard print to sequence and more!! The ease of a slip on mixed with the elegance of a detailed upper makes this shoe a fabulous day to night shoe. Pair with a dress, skirt, jeans or pants. Anything really goes!

Athletic inspired Sandals- From true athletic comfort sandals (updated Teva’s and Birkenstocks) to athletic heels- athletic influences can be found throughout this summer’s sandal assortments. Perfect for any personal style or wardrobe needs. 

Will you be embracing the athletic inspired shoe trend this season? If so, what’s your favorite way to wear athletic inspired shoes?

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Tip Tuesday #10- How to Feel Blue (In a Good Way)

What better way to start talking spring trends than amidst a snow and ice storm!! Pretty much sounds right based on the winter we've been having… 

Looking at the calendar, spring will be here in a few days and even though Mother Nature may not have gotten the memo, that doesn't mean you can’t start dressing for spring. 

Blue is a hot color this spring and it’s perfect for these transition months. Red carpets were adorned with blues and the term “Blue is the new Black” was mentioned many times during this year’s SAG awards. Stores a chock full of all shades of blues- from cobalt to navy to pastel blue. It’s good to be blue- in a happy, fun sort of way. :)

Today’s tip- Here’s how you can very easily incorporate blue in some of this season’s top trends. Along with some inspirational looks to get those creative styling juices going.

Nautical- Nautical looks are hot this year. Anchors, boats and the classic Brenton stripe are adoring any garment and accessory this season. The true navy color is perfect for this transitional time of year. Add some gold accessories navy and white for a bit of pizzazz. 

Denim- Head to toe denim / chambray is still a look that’s going strong. Go casual or dressy with this versatile “blue look”. Add in pops of red, pink or leopard print to break up the blue a bit.

Athletic Inspired- Athletic inspired looks are a huge trend for this spring. Wear blue athletic inspired dresses, bomber jackets or skirts for some fun spring looks.

What are some ways that you wear blue?

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