work relating: hate shopping? suck-it-up and deal

Posted on November 2, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

chilly: “i hate shopping!” 

me: “well, when you only shop once a year i can see how you could feel that way.” 

as much as i enjoy looking stylish for work i don’t enjoy spending hours in the mall or trying on outfit after outfit. i’m well aware of how so not fun shopping can be.   

shopping more than once a year and shopping smart can ease some of that pain and be less taxing on your wallet in the long-run. Here are some other tips to help you deal with the ordeal of shopping: 

  • start with your closet
  • stick with one area of your lifestyle
  • make a list
  • have a budget
  • be an informed shopper
  • common sense stuff
  • try it on
  • if at first you don’t succeed, keep going
  • head to outlet malls
  • bring a friend
  • check yourself out 

i’ll share more on each of these tips over the next few weeks. 

me

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my closet: transition piece – patterned skirt

Posted on November 1, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

i bought this skirt at joe fresh in the summer – i really liked the pattern. here is how i’m ‘working’ it for fall (i’ll add a blazer for the office):

 

 

 

 

skirt and belt – joe fresh (2010)

bow blouse – mango (2009)

 

me

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closet redis: gettin’ my grrrr on

Posted on October 31, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

 i’ve discovered two things while doing my closet inventory: 

  1. i have a thing for animal print – particularly leopard; and
  2. animal print accessories (belts, scarves, handbags and shoes) are a great way to add interest to an outfit for work. 

so if you think wearing a leopard print dress might be a bit overkill for your cube try to rock an animal print scarf , belt or shoe.  

what’s in my closet:  

Handbag – Gap 

 

 

Handbag – Banana Republic 

 

 Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction 

 Belts – Aldo, Gap, Jacob 

Scarves

me

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Quote: I love Beauty

Posted on October 28, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

I love beauty, it’s not my fault

Valentino – the Last Emperor
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work relating: meeting etiquette – making an exit

Posted on October 27, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

you might be annoying your co-workers when… 

it’s time for the meeting to end but your co-worker is still speaking. you start packing up anyway, check your watch with an exaggerated flick of the wrist and then tap your fingers lightly on the desk.  

time is money after all, besides, you need another frappuccino before your next meeting.  

do 

chances are everyone else knows the meeting has ran over time, there’s no need to announce it by being so disruptive. 

Stop fidgeting and be still. Think of it as an exercise in patience, courtesy and respect for your colleagues. Learn to become one-with-the-boardroom. 

And if you have to leave, do so as quietly as possible.  

me

 

 

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work relating: meeting etiquette – you eat, drink & are noisy

Posted on October 25, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

you might be annoying your co-workers when… 

you bring your breakfast/lunch to the meeting.  who doesn’t love the smell of eggs and sausages on an english muffin?! and if the wrapper makes a bit of noise with each bite of your sandwich, well, you can hardly be blamed. it’s not your fault. 

do 

your co-workers shouldn’t have to fight the urge to gag from the smell of your food. the person speaking shouldn’t have to compete with noisy wrappers. 

eat before your meeting. if you must eat during the meeting, choose less aromatic foods and set the noisy wrapper aside.  

me

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quote: it’s easier to swallow orders from a woman…

Posted on October 21, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

it’s easier to swallow orders from a woman in a suit than one in a plaid miniskirt.

dress your best, stacy london/clinton kelly
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Closet Redis: When the Cashmere calls, step away

Posted on October 20, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

i recenlty recieved emails from two former coworkers in need of shopping assistance: Chilly said, “i need everything” and then Lisa-Marie emailed, ”help!”

so for the past two saturdays i’ve been walking around a shopping mall for hours. i know, its like the universe is mocking me! i’m trying to resist the urge to splurge and work-with-what-i-got and i end up hanging out in a mall two weekends in a row. sheesh. but you know what they say, friends in need…

so there i was store after store surrounded by new fall fashions; boots, sweaters, dresses, and coats. oh my. think i might have experienced withdrawl symptoms:

  • uneasiness in my stomach at sight of tall leather boots, 
  • my pulse doing double-time as i walked passed leopard heels,
  • shortness of breath at the sight of the cashmere sweater, and
  • jittery-ness all round (although that could have been from too much coffee).

it was hard but i stayed focused on the mission and talked myself into distraction! one day at a time, one day at a time. *sighs*

i have to admit, despite the let down of not buying something for myself, it did feel pretty awesome helping my friends look and feel fabulous.

me

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running shoes + sports socks + suits = why?!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

lately i’ve been noticing women wearing running shoes, sports socks and skirt suits – not kidding. i don’t get it, it was awful back in the 1980s and still awful now (like big shoulder pads – *shudder*).

i take over 200 stairs going to and from work each day – by taking the stairs i feel less guilty about my aversion to the gym *blush*.  wearing high heels on my commute is not practical; but this doesn’t mean i have to wear sneakers and look like some ’80s throwback either.

how i work it: 

i wear a pair of black sam edelman lace-ups to work. they are comfy and if i work it right i can almost pull of an Alexa Chung inspired look (ok, maybe not, but a girl can try can’t she?)

i also like them ‘cause they fit my orthotic inserts. i know, not sexy, right? but neither is spanx… i’m just sayin’.

do

  • only wear running shoes when participating in a sport or exercising
  • leave the heels at work and opt for a ballet flat, lace-up, or wedges as your commuter shoes

if you’re one of those women who can work a high heel 24-7 then power to you. my feet hurt just thinking about it.

me

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Work Relating: meeting etiquette – you make an entrance

Posted on October 18, 2011 by cassandra mcd.

don’t

you might be annoying your co-workers when… 

you arrive late to the meeting, apologize to everyone in the room, rummage around noisy for a seat, then turn to the person beside you and whisper…loudly, “so, what’d i miss?”  

do

apologizing at that moment may seem polite but drawing attention to your lateness is disruptive.

just take a seat and be quiet.  

me

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