Efficiency Tip: Classic Clothing Checklist

This simple checklist can help you pare down an overflowing wardrobe of trendy items or help you build a classic wardrobe from the ground up.  Simple and efficient, just what the doctor ordered for a busy Professionelle.  Found at {a glamorous little side project}.

Techonology Tip: Organize Your Email by Color

I hate being on working group email lists because I end up getting a million emails that do not concern me and consequently miss the emails that do concern me. I learned a neat trick that allows you to color code emails in Outlook that are sent directly to you. Emails sent directly to you will show up in blue (or red or whatever color you pick) so that it is visually distinct from all of the other emails you receive. Here's how you set it up:

Click on "tools" then "organize." Select "using colors." The second bullet point should be an option to "show messages only to me in . . . ." Select the color you want and the hit "turn on" button.

You need to do this for each folder you have individually. For example, if all of your mail regarding Project XYZ gets automatically filtered to a certain folder, you will need to do this for that particular folder.

Deal Brief: Copy Cat Chic

I recently discovered Copy Cat Chic blog. Reichel B., the author, finds inexpensive alternatives to chic, but pricey, home decor items. The concept is nothing new, but I'm utterly amazed at the deals she's been able to find. Her readers help her scour the web for deals, sometimes finding the same exact item at 1/10th of the price. If you're thinking about buying a new piece of furniture or accessory for your home, be sure to check out Copy Cat Chic before putting down your credit card.

Here's just one example post, for more visit Copy Cat Chic!

Twiggy Floor Lamp

>> Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The perfect way to add a splash of color to your room: The iconic Twiggy Floor Lamp. So simple, so gorgeous and sooo expensive! ;)

via

Hive Modern's Twiggy Floor Lamp in Red = $2,338

CB2's Lantern Arc Floor Lamp = $199

Kansas City Kate

It used to be that Kate Spade handbags depressed me. They were black, boxy and horribly expensive considering they were made from nylon. Now, the Kate Spade brand has the exact opposite effect. I love her feminine details and bright colors. Looking at the Kate Spade window display on 5th Avenue always brings a smile to my face.

She also happens to be from Kansas City (the about page on her website describes how her upbringing in KC influenced her aesthetic), which is where I will be going next week to spend the holidays with my boyfriend's family. So, I thought this was the perfect time to feature some of the things I love from Kate Spade. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Polka-dot Jillian Dress (375.00)


Head in the Sand Melinda (425.00)


Stripped Bow Jacket (445.00)

Theory Winter Roundup

Just in time for Christmas, the Theory website is full of amazing pieces to get you through a winter work week.

Riva Sweater Jacket (355.00)


Abree E Dress (695.00)


Betty Dress (285.00)


Lentora's Blazer (425.00)


Ellery Coat (645.00)

Typography for Lawyers

The first time a senior associate asked me to change "straight quotes" to "curly quotes" I thought he was crazy. But, apparently there is good scientific reasoning behind his request (along with putting only one space behind periods and using bold or italics but not both). Typography for Lawyers was written by Mathew Butterick, a former graphic designer and typographer turned lawyer. It's filled with handy tips on how to make any document, particularly legal documents, more effective from a visual perspective. This is not to say that I advocate torturing junior associates with typography changes at 4am on a Friday night, but the advice is sound and the tips are interesting.

Boutiques.com

Fashion meets Facebook meets Twitter meets...Google? Google's new website, Boutiques.com, combines social media, blogging and shopping. For more information, see this article by the New York Times.

After taking it for a short test drive, I can say that I am completely addicted. The website allows users to create their own "boutique" where they can shop for and share the items they love (kinda like a Facebook profile). Google has also convinced celebrities and fashion bloggers to help with the launch of the site by creating their own boutiques for the public to peruse. Want to see what Olivia Palermo is buying? Simply go to her boutique. You can even "follow" her (exactly like Twitter).

What I really love about the website is that Google has teamed up with Like.com. As previously featured on Professionelle, Like.com technology shows shoppers items similar to the one you're interested in. It worked decently well before, but trying to find say, a black bag with gold hardware, was sometimes difficult. Like.com would show you plenty of black bags approximately the same shape as the one you're looking for, but it didn't always pick up on the details. This time around, the "similar products" feature on Boutiques.com does a much better job. So, if you found the perfect brown riding boots, but they happen to be $700, you can look for a similar product for less on Boutiques.com.

Let me know what you think, and start following Professionelle at Boutiques.com!

New Job, New Clothes

I start my first “adult” job tomorrow, as a law firm associate. How have I prepared? I went shopping. It sounds silly; I know. But given that so much about this new job seems uncertain—What kind of work will I be doing? Will I like it? Will liking the work be enough to sustain me for many long hours?—the only preparatory thing that seemed certainly helpful was to buy work-appropriate clothing and accessories. While I don’t know how I will take to my new job (or how it will take to me), I do know that it will require a new suit, comfortable pumps, a sensible handbag, and many pairs of stockings. So that’s what I bought. Specifically:

A sensible pinstripe pants suit from J. Crew

A black velvet blazer to pair with a black skirt or a pair of black pants I already own to form a make-shift suit (my new employer is business formal!). It’s Ralph Lauren from a consignment store, so I can’t link to it;

Two pairs of sensible Cole Haan pumps, one black, one brown

Two pairs of shoes in which to walk to work:

Riding boots 

Patent leather low-heeled pumps (Link is to the suede version.  I need a little heel to wear with pantsuits so that they don’t drag on the ground)

A black nylon Longchamp bag that can hold a laptop and files when necessary and that is courtroom appropriate

And as mentioned, many pairs of Hanes Silk Reflections stockings.

I am curious; have other professionelles had this experience, where shopping seems to be the only clear way to prepare for a job? And what new-job purchases have you made?

Fashionable Scrubs

My friend Nikki loves fashion, but as a pediatric oncology nurse, her wardrobe options for work are severely limited. I'm sure many other Professionelles are in the same position so I thought I'd do a little digging into fashionable scrubs. I didn't have high hopes, but much to my surprise, I found some very chic (or at least adorable) scrub options.

Baby Phat Bright as a Feather Scrub Top (23.99)


Koi Layla Monaco Print Scrub Top (24.99)


Landau Bow Bodice Scrub Top (19.99)

Lonny Magazine

Sorry for the long absence! I've been working...and working...and working. Despite that, I managed to find some time to do a bit of apartment hunting and have finally found my dream apartment. I will be moving next month (provided I pass the coop board process...but that's a post for another day). The upcoming move has reignited my interest in home decor. Christina, my partner in crime at work, came across this web-a-zine devoted to bringing accessible design to the masses. Lonnymag.com came in the wake of the recession which put many home decor magazines out of business. It has dozens of click-able pages of furniture, art and other design ideas and products. If you see something you like, you can click on the image and it will link you directly to a site where you can purchase the product. No more trying to match the tiny numbers next to pictures with the product descriptions. Clicking through the items is half the fun because it introduces you to other awesome websites such as Poketo!. I also appreciate that unlike most conventional magazines, Lonnymag.com features Esty.com items.

Below are a few items I discovered in this month's issue of Lonnymag.com:

Lisa Congdon Print (40.00)


Exeter Cross Dip Bowls (40.00)


Savannah Story Bust, Rhino (68.00)