Office Essentials On and Off the Clock

If you are looking to start your office wardrobe or are just replacing the essentials, you may be surprised at how these basics can serve as more versatile options off the clock.

1. The Blazer

Banana Republic Black Blazer
Photo: Banana Republic

This black blazer is a staple for most office environments.  However, more people are starting to wear this jacket more casually off the clock. A simple black blazer can often be seen paired with a white tank or bustier and skinny, flare, or boot-cut jeans.  My first work blazer was from Banana Republic, and it won't be my last.  They make nice structured work pieces and are one of my go to places for office blazers.

2. The Pencil Skirt

Ann Taylor Black Pencil Skirt
Photo: Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Navy Pencil Skirt
Photo: Ann Taylor

Blue or navy pencil skirts are an essential to many office work environments and can be easily paired with a cardigan, tunic, collared shirt, or blazer.  I have several of these skirts and I really like the fit of this brand because of the wider waistband and paneling on some of them. 

3. The Cardigan

Premise Studio Gray Shawl Collar Cardigan
Photo: Stein Mart

This gray cardigan is a great office essential for more "Casual Friday" dress days. However, this cardigan can also be worn on the weekends for a day at the beach over a sundress, or with jeans and a tank.  I happen to love the Premise Studio cardigans because of the quality of the material they use.  I also feel that the shawl collars look more modern and are more versatile than a traditional fitted button down cardigan.

4. Not Just Dress Pants, Dress Pant "Yoga" Pants 

Betabrand Dress Pant Yoga Pants
Photo: Betabrand

Perfect for the office

Or the lunch time lotus

They stretch too!

These "Dress Pant Yoga Pants" by Betabrand were designed by a woman named Sarah James and have sparked my curiosity.  I have yet to try these pants, but I see them as an office outfit essential in my near future.  These pants can take you from the boardroom to the beach (that is if you do yoga at the beach) or yoga studio.  You may even be able to bike to work in these if you work local.  These pants look stylish with their sophisticated fabrics and sound super comfortable because they are built with a soft, stretchy performance knit that moves with you.  They even have plenty of styles to choose from such as: boot-cut, straight-leg, leggings, and cropped-leg.  Thank you for designing these Sarah.  I can't wait to try these pants!  If you want to see some of Betabrand's other comfy and professional looks, Betabrand's Pants Section is the place to look.

5. The Black Sheath Dress

Banana Republic Black Sheath Dress
Photo: Banana Republic

The black sheath dress is a great alternative to separates, or can be worn on those mornings when you don't know what to wear and you are in a rush to sit in LA traffic or catch the train.  Throw on a cardigan or blazer, add a scarf, or a chunky necklace and ta da! You're ready to start your day.  This dress can also be worn for most social events when accessorized accordingly.

6. White Collared Shirt

Banana Republic White Collar Shirt
Photo: Banana Republic

The white collared shirt is a timeless classic for both men and women in an office space.  You can never have enough of these for each season because white gets dirty easily and constantly needs to be refreshed in one's working wardrobe.  A white shirt is great for job interviews and adds crispness to most day or evening looks.  The white shirt is probably one of the most versatile pieces we own because of its' layering capabilities.  On weekends, this shirt can be worn with jeans and a tank, layered over a thin turtleneck with a trench or blazer, under a vest, or under a v-neck sweater

7. Shoes

Cole Haan Black Pumps
Photo: Cole Haan

The shoes are one of the most important parts of any office wardrobe because it is the basis of how you will be feeling for the next eight hours.  Cole Haan makes excellent, comfortable, and stylish work shoes.  Basic black work heels with a closed toe is always a safe choice and can pair with many outfits.  Over the course of working for many years in an office environment, I can honestly say that if you have comfortable shoes on, you will have a good attitude on as well.  Many of you may know that in any work environment, Attitude is Everything!

Hope you enjoyed this post and see how office essentials are not only useful for the boardroom, but are also versatile for life outside the office space.

XO Joanna

Creating a Memorable Wooden Watch with Engraving

 

*This is a sponsored post and I received a Jord watch to review.

Hello!  How are you?  Today, I wanted to share a sponsored post with you about personalization with Jord watches.  Hand-crafted, Unique, Gorgeous!  These are all key elements of JORD watches.  I was looking for a watch that was both beautiful and customizable because I like options.  One of the nicest options is being able to engrave these watches for that special someone.  Engraved time pieces mean so much more when they are gifted with a message on the back.  I remember receiving a beautiful jewelry box that had a special engraved message on it.  I still have it, and I will always remember the person who gave it to me. 

Photography: Mason Hall

Photography: Mason Hall

Photography: Mason Hall

Engraving

Watch engraving is an option that can add even more personalization for a memorable Valentine’s Day gift, Anniversary, Wedding, Graduation, or Birthday gift.  A funny quote, an inside joke, or a meaningful message can make this watch a “timeless keepsake” or “heirloom piece” that can be passed down in your family for generations. 

Watch Selection

Browsing the Jord website was easy.  They carry both men’s and women’s watches with small and large faces.  When I chose my watch, my eyes quickly landed on the women’s Cora Koa wood watch with the rose gold face.  I love rose gold because it can go with just about anything.  There were so many pretty watches to choose from, but I thought this one was the prettiest.

Wood Selection

There are several types of wood to choose from.  Koa wood is actually sourced from Hawaii and “koa” is a Hawaiian word that means “brave, bold, and fearless”.  Nice!  I also have a connection to this particular type of wood because my family is from Hawaii.  That’s when I knew that this beautiful wooden watch was the one for me.  The selections of wood are: dark sandalwood, maple, zebrawood, koa, purpleheart, ebony, walnut, kosso, stacked sandalwood, rosewood, and olive.

Face Selection

There were many beautiful watch faces to choose from however, the rose gold face was a nice neutral tone that would pair nicely with so many items in my closet.  Engraving can be done on the back side of the face to make this a very special sentimental gift piece as well.  Additionally, there were also many face colors to choose from like: sable, vintage rose gold, Aegean blue, navy, turquoise, grey, ivory, rose, smoke, ash, plum, champagne, slate, emerald, khaki, maple, burl, sandalwood, and mint.  I received my watch packaged in a beautiful cedar wood box and it was even more beautiful in person! 

If you ordered one, would you get yours engraved?  Who would you give it to and what would it say? 

Photography: Kendra Blair

Watch: Jord

The Freedom to Choose!

*This is a sponsored post and a dress was provided by eShakti.  However, all opinions are my own and I was not paid for a positive review.

Dress: eShakti

Heels: Bebe

Umbrella: Forever 21

Hair: Angie Williams @ Flaunt Salon in Long Beach

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones @ No Labels Just Beauty

Photography: Franz Swantko

Happy 4th of July everyone!  What an appropriate post, just in time for the 4th!  "Freedom" is definitely a gift, and is something that we should celebrate with great joy.  What better way to celebrate, than with a dress from eShakti!

Recently, I was contacted by eShakti to write a review on a dress from their company.  However, they also offer: tops, pants, skirts, jumpsuits, shorts and special occasion dresses.  This company's slogan is  "We Design.  You Customize."  I prefer to call it "The Dream Dress Store" because only something this good could exist in your dreams right?  eShakti allows a shorty like me, the freedom to customize a dress in the perfect size and length according to my height and individual measurements.   They offer clothing from size 0-36W.  

Additionally, they offer customers the freedom to choose a customization option in regards to the length of the dress, the type of sleeves, and the necklines they desire.  Also, they have plenty of nice selections offered in classic and modern styles to suit your taste.  While scrolling through the choices, I had a difficult time deciding on which one I would pick because they had so many cute dresses to choose from!  If you have unusual sizing issues like myself, and have to get practically everything altered to fit just right, then this is definitely the online store for you.  I chose this dobby-dot print dress with a corseted top.  It arrived quickly and the material it is made out of is really soft and of high-quality fabric.  The stitching is sturdy, and as soon as I put it on, it fit my proportions perfectly!  I chose the length to the knee and kept the sleeves in the original design.  It came with a matching belt that you could tie at the waist, but I thought it looked better without it.  It also gave me the option to choose pockets with this dress, but I opted to have no pockets.  I liked having so many options in the ordering process.

I love my dress from eShakti!  It fits me perfectly:)  Thank you eShakti!  This will not be my last time ordering from here. 

I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July!  Now go ahead and exercise your freedom to choose something "made perfectly just for you" from eShakti!

XO Joanna