From Professional to Personal: Three looks that easily make the transition!

Hi Everyone!

It seems like the longer I work the longer I work, do you know what I mean? I seem to spend all my waking hours during the week typing behind a computer screen. Therefore when out shopping it's so difficult for me to pick up a great outfit for girls night, a chic weekend ensemble, or a spicy little date night number. I feel guilty. I feel guilty spending money on clothes that I may not get to wear very often, so that's why I think it's so important to pick up pieces that easily translate from your work life to your personal life. Check out below what I've put together and you'll really see how easy it is! You can invest in great pieces, that worn a certain way, that be perfect for almost every occasion!

 

Let's start out with the most practical: from work to weekend. I know it easy to want to throw on those Old Navy yoga pants and basic t-shirt or zip-up and go about your weekend activities, but I totally believe that when you look good - you feel good! Let's start with work. First I paired a Michael Kors Sequin Shell (1) with a Jaeger Birdseye Pleated Pencil Skirt (2) in silver grey. It's definitely worth it to invest in a beautifully constructed pencil skirt. There are so many things you can pair it with and a sassy sequin top is one of them! A top like that is also perfect for a variety of occasions, keep an open mind! Over top of the skirt consider investing in a great fitted blazer. This exquisite jacket is the Alexander McQueen Crepe Jacket (3) with jeweled buttons. Now, of course you don't have to spend your entire paycheck on a terrific piece and that's the best part. Stores like J.Crew, Anne Taylor's Loft, and Banana Republic have very affordable and very chic fitted blazers. I chose ASOS SCAMP Suede Wedge Court Shoes (7) to complete the basics of this work look. I love the added texture and surprising comfort offered by a suede wedge shoe. To pull the outfit together I added a bright, but classic YSL Kelly Green Scarf (4), a showy Kenneth Jay Lane Amethyst Cocktail Ring (8), and rebel chic Alexander McQueen Skull Cuff (5).  Every girl needs a great versatile bag and Marc Jacobs is my man! This Marc by Marc Jacobs "ClassicQ Hiller' Hobo can be found right here on Oohilove for a great price! 

Now to transition this outfit from work to weekend simply trade the pencil skirt for a great pair of skinny jeans (9), like these from 7 For All Mankind, and trade the sequin top for a basic fitted v-neck t-shirt (10), for example the James Perse Scoop above -- and that's it! Everything else can stay the same! You've gone from totally work appropriate to sophisticated weekend casual in an instant!

Sometimes though you have to make your work outfit your Thursday night date outfit, but don't worry this can be just as easy! Start off with essential basics!

Most offices are pretty business casual, so I think it safe to say that you can probably start out with a great pair of professional looking skinny jeans. This pair of Citizens of Humanity (5) are in grey. I absolutely love to layer, especially when that means I can still wear some of my favorite spring and summer tops in the colder months. Try taking a thin long sleeved black turtleneck, like this one by Rick Owens (3), and pairing it with a super feminine and sexy top like this Valentino Rosette-embellished top (4). You can find a turtleneck like this everywhere imaginable, but definitely start at places like the GAP and H&M. As for the girly top, that will be just as easy! Even stores like Forever21 have very cute and feminine pieces. As for footwear, let's be comfortable! I love these Tory Burch flats (6) from Oohilove. The hardware accent definitely brings these shoes from boring to interesting in a heart beat! It's also so important to invest in a great work bag. This simple Givenchy Elme Leather Shopper tote (1) is perfect. It's simple, but classic. Add perhaps some cute silver cuff bangles and you're good to go! The interest on the shoes as well as the top keep you from having to add too many accessories.

There isn't much to do at all to transition this look from work to date night. You could of course add some killer heels, but I don't think it's all that necessary. You want to look polished and put together, not like you were trying too hard, right? To change up this look simply lose the turtleneck and trade the work bag for an interesting clutch like this Y-Mail Clutch in Patent Leather (2). You're definitely sporting some figure friendly and sleek clothing, but without showing off too much skin - perfect combination! Now there's no need to go home after work and then have a 9:30pm dinner date - you're good to go right from the office! 

This third transition is probably the most fun to put together: from work to girls night!

 

Making this transition probably seems like a difficult task, however it can be really fun! I like to start with a great dress. This  Lanvin Washed Satin One-Shoulder Dress is absolutely beautiful! Alone this dress is gorgeous; even with just flip-flops in the summer it would be divine. However, for work we have to manipulate the statement the dress is making. First I'd added some chocolate brown leggings underneath, like these from FarFetch.com. And then to make the outfit a bit more business casual I paired with with a cute and chic boyfriend cardigan, like this one above (1). I love taking really feminine outfits and pairing them with a classic pair of riding boots. I absolutely love this YSL pair (3)! When you have a really great outfit you must have a really great bag! I love this Louis Vuitton bag (5) from Oohilove.com. It's classic and elegant, what more could a girl ask for?! To complete this look I added silver bangles from Blu Bijoux Grecian Bangles (7) for only $45 bucks and this really interesting Aqua Blue Octopus & Fish Cocktail Ring from Inka  (6) for only $46! This outfit is probably my favorite of the three!

To change up this look from work to girls night, just lose the leggings, boots, and cardigan and add some super sexy pumps. As you can see I'm totally into suede for the season, so there's no surprise that I'm all about these Christian Louboutin brown suede gems! And there you have it - from work to girls night! 

As you can see it's much more simple than you think to pick out great pieces that will translate perfectly from your professional to personal life - all you need is a little creativity! 

Thanks for reading and I hope I sparked some good ideas!

Let me know what you think :)

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How to Create a Fabulous Professional Look Now & Transform it for Evening Later!

It's no secret that life can be a bit chaotic. From all the responsibilities we must to do to all the things we'd like to do, there is hardly time to look up from your Blackberry. And forget about having an extra hour to jet home after work to change and reapply an entire face of makeup before an evening out. You'll never make it in time for a date with your honey or some much needed drinks with your gals. Therefore to make your life a bit easier, and get to that evening engagement quicker, here are a few simple steps to creating a fabulous professional look now and a fun going-out look later!

Step 1: Prep & Prime
It's very important to prep and prime your face in the morning; but there are simple ways to do it that won't break the budget or take up too much time. For a gal on the go, skip the face primer. Begin with a hydrating tinted moisturizer like Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30. This not only hydrates your face, but acts as a base for your makeup. If you wanted to you could stop here and not continue with foundation. At this point you should have enough coverage for an even skin tone. If you'd like to use foundation, try a light weight foundation like Clarins Truly Matte Foundation. It's oil free and lasts all day. Finish off with concealer underneath your eyes and around the bottom of your nose, where it can be a bit red. Look for a concealer palette like Sonia Kashuk's Hidden Agenda Concealer Set. This set contains two concealers, a neutralizer, and a translucent powder; perfect for solving all types of problem areas! Use the concealer to act as an eye lid primer as well. The warmth of your fingers will work the product on your lids and keep your shadow in place. To finish set your face with powder, think Revlon's PhotoReady Powder!

Step 2: Eyes
Instead of thinking about what colors will look nicely together and then have to lug around the individual shadows in your already overstuffed bag, let a cosmetics brand do the work for you! For under $7.00 test out Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow. Here I'm using the shades from the Designer Chocolates quad. Where to place the color is already listed for you on the shadows. Begin the second to lightest shade and cover both lids. Pick up the chocolate cranberry color next to it and work that into your crease. Use a blending brush or your finger and blend out any harsh lines. *Think about investing in a double-ended brush, Sephora makes a bunch of different variations. They're perfect for travel and they definitely save space.*

Then using the lightest shade highlight your inner corner, this opens up your eyes and makes you appear refreshed. Then finish with sweeping the color underneath your brow bone. Curl and apply a mascara of your choice, I like really like Lorac's Special Effects Conditioning, Defining & Lengthening Mascara in black. Next line your water line with a brown eyeliner. After this step you should notice how fabulous your eyes look! And it only took a few minutes!

Step 3: Cheeks
I like to use a cream blush for long lasting color. Pick a shade that highlights your skin tone and subtly compliments the eyes. Don't worry, most cream blushes are not at all sticky. And the best part about them? You can apply with your finger tips! Try using NARS'  Multiple in the shade Orgasm. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards.

Step 4: Lips
Make lip application easy! Stick with a tinted lip balm. It will keep your lips hydrated, it's super simple to apply, and will last through two cups of coffee and that half of a chocolate chip muffin that you swore you won't going to eat. Try one of NYX's Tinted Lip Spa's. They come in a variety of colors and are very creamy on your lips.

And Viola! Four simple steps & you're out the door!

Now to transform your day-look into evening ready!

Step 1: Concealer
Unless you were caught in the rain, hit the gym at lunch, or took a 3:30pm nap your skin tone should still look pretty even. Try not to reapply a full face of foundation again, this may make your face look a bit heavy. Instead use a concealer palette and blend shades to cover up blemishes, redness, and/or dark circles underneath your eyes. That's all you need to do to start looking alive again!

Step 2: Eyes
First repeat any of shade steps from earlier, if need be. Then using that dark chocolate color, work the product into your outer corner. Use a blending brush and blend out any harsh lines. Take the brown eyeliner from before and line your upper lash line, try to stay close to the lash line. And then line your water line. Next re-curl your lashes. Applying mascara again can sometimes be a bad idea and give you some awful spider lashes, however it's up to you. If you think that most of the mascara from the morning has flaked away or you didn't apply too much in the AM, reapply with caution. You should now be starting to look like a gal who is ready for a night out!

Step 3: Cheeks
Begin by applying your cream cheek color from the morning. That may be just what your face needs. However, if you want to amp up your look a little further, try taking a similar color but in a powder form. Set the cream with the powder blush. You can even use your fingers for this! The result will be fabulous. By doing this, the subtle cheek color now is a bit more bold.

Step 4: Lips
Take your tinted lip balm from earlier and apply. Then take a lip gloss, try Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss and apply over your lips.

And in minutes you've gone from professional at work to evening chic! There are multiple ways to take day makeup and transform it for evening, however it's essential to remember two things: take the extra minute in the morning to set your face and invest in a small shadow palette. These two things will save you much needed time as well as energy!

Good luck!
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