I like to add personality to my outfits for work while still keeping an extremely professional tone. I do this by pairing traditional business attire with more youthful pieces.

As you can see here, I made a fun print more professional by pairing it up with a black blazer. The blazer keeps a traditional undertone while the colored pattern and unique pleating gives off a fashionable tone. I received a lot of compliments on this dress and its appropriateness for the workplace... little do they know the dress is entirely backless! Risque

Black Blazer: Victoria's Secret
Patterned Dress: ModCloth
Black Opaque Tights: Target
Black "Snake Skin" Pointed-Toe Pump: DSW
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co Heart Lock

ModCloth had their annual Cabin Fever Sale a few weeks ago and I picked up this gem:


A pleated pencil skirt. I thought it was really unique... definitely not something you see every day. It's still quiet and professional but it has personality and stands out in a sea of suits!

Cropped Black Sweater: H&M
Gray/Blk Pleated Pencil Skirt: ModCloth
Tights: TopShop
Shoes: DSW
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co (vintage key and women's dog tag)

I never participate in my work's Jean Weeks but since this is a short week due to the holiday I went with it. Plus to participate you have to donate $15 to a charity so it was well worth it since this is the holiday season!

Every time I wear this sweater and blouse combo I always get compliments on my ability to wear animal prints professionally. I find that two-toned animal prints are much more subtle and can be more easily dressed up. I paired this leopard print cardigan with a dusty pink blouse with flowery ruffles. Then I topped it all off (or bottomed it all off) with a pair of dark denim jeans with a large, but flattering flare, that perfectly showcase a pair of Coach peep toe wedges.

Today was a Tiffany & Co kind of day!

A perfectly colored belted sweater paired with a black and white polka dotted skirt helped me pay tribute to a legend.

Who says blazers can't be fun?!

I livened up this Thursday with this pink, ruffle blazer with a shimmery white, oversized, cowl neck shirt.

Simple and fun!

Despite the dropping temperature, this outfit made me feel like spring is upon us!


Paired with a simple dark gray dress pant and off-white cardigan, this floral-like blouse brought a splash of color to this dreary fall day. And the ruffle colar looks so cute peaking out from behind the cardi (or even a blazer)!

The pink, gray, white and yellow floral top was a recent find and the rest was just pieces I had laying around in my closet.

The necklace is a piece out of my aunt and uncle's jewelry line that I used to sell for. It is peridot, iolite, champagne topaz and pink tourmaline set in sterling silver. Their website is currently offline and under construction but when it's up I'll definitely let you know!

Cream cardigan: Target
Floral Blouse: Gap
Gray Dress Pants: Gap
Jewelry: Family Jewelers (contact me if you're interested)

I like this outfit mostly for it's dusty pink, tweed blazer.

Dusty Pink & Gray Blazer: H&M
Dark Gray Pants: Gap
Black Micro Knit Top: Target
Gray and Black Bow Shoes: DSW

• A gray, high-waisted pencil skirt at H&M - $40.00 (pictured)
• A pink and white polka dot blouse at Forever21 - $25.00 (pictured)
• Dark gray high-waisted cigarette pants at Forever21 - $25.00 (not pictured)

What iWore:
Pants: Express ($60)
Jacket: H&M ($50)
Shirt: Generic white tank top

Why:
Last week the President and CEO of my company requested a meeting with me in regards to LinkedIn. He's a German businessman new to our company and the American culture so he wanted me to explain to him the purpose of LinkedIn and putting all your information out there for everyone to see.

From what I was told, he's an intimidating man and I want to make a good and memorable impression. I'm extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter so the perfect outfit is all I needed to seal the deal. I wanted to dress professional but, like always, I didn't want to lose who I am as a young woman in the industry.

I chose this perfectly-tailored, medium gray dress pants from Express and I paired them with this beautiful, vintage-inspired pink and gray tweed blazer from H&M. It is professional, yet fun!

And in case you were wondering, the meeting went fabulously!

Lately, I've been trying these Sally Hanson Salon Effects real nail polish strips as an alternative to painting my nails.

Salon Effects (Kitty, Kitty)

Salon Effects (Laced Up)

It's as easy as pealing the decal off the plastic, placing it on your nail then filing off the excess decal at the tip of your nail.  They're literally "peal and apply" with absolutely no dry time (except I like to put a top coat on mine for extra protection but it's not necessary)!

The box says they last up to 10 days but I had my first pair on for over two weeks.  You'll see some chipping but hardly anything compared to traditional nail polish. For as strong as they are, they sure are easy to remove. I just soaked my nails in an acetone nail polish remover for a few seconds then wiped them clean. So easy!

I've been so busy with work and my personal life lately that I was having a hard time keeping up with my nails so I gave these a try and I absolutely fell in love.

They run around $7 to $10 depending on where you get them.  I've found them at CVS, Meijer and Ulta.

So far the only two I have tried have been the leopard print (Kitty, Kitty) and the black lace (Laced Up) ones.  But now there is the new Designer Collection, which I can't wait to try!

What iWore:
Skirt: American Apparel ($36)
Shirt: generic black tank-top
Cardigan: Target ($18)

Why:
Sometimes when I can't decide what to wear I let my boyfriend choose.  Today I didn't want to wear all black to work so I let him pick from my larget variety of colored cardigans, he chose this nice teal one.

Since I've been working at my new job, I've been complimented by several of my coworkers on how professional, but modern, I dress for work. I dress both appropriately for my age and for the workplace.

I've always considered myself fairly fashion forward (whether I want to put forth the effort to get dressed, is another question) so I've always found it quite easy to put together outfits. Over the last few months I've been having fun piecing together different outfits to wear in the workplace.

Since I'm young (only 23) and this is my first real job, I've basically had to purchase an entirely new wardrobe. Let me tell you, this hasn't been cheap! But I feel like I have been doing a good job spending my money wisely, buying quality pieces and keeping a fresh, modern, professional look.

I look forward to sharing my outfits and giving advice to other young professionals who may be in the same predicament as myself. Stay tuned for iWore!