Utility Charm Earrings

I started noticing earrings with unexpectedly adorable charms on a trip to Seattle.  Since then, I've been seeing them everywhere including Austin last week where I picked up a pair of scissors on 6th street.  I love the contrast between the dainty charms and the harsh utility of their real life counterparts.  Affordable to boot, they're the perfect accessory for those days when you feel like shouting "I'll cut you!" to everyone you see.

Tea Pot (15.00)

Pocket Knife (28.00)

Hatchet (28.00)

Wrench (10.50)

Bicycle (12.00)

Scissors (19.00)

Utensil Set, I love that you can mix and match these (10.00)

Meat Cleaver (7.00)

Canoe and Oars, a pair after my MN heart (50.00)

Measuring Spoons (26.00)

Introducing Ampere!

Professionelles!  I'm so sorry for the lack of posts recently.  What have I been up to?  Well, I quit my big law job, started an online lingerie company and traveled for a month and a half sourcing manufacturing.  But, I'm back and I'd like to introduce you to Ampere!

In short, Ampere is a luxury lingerie line that is focused on fit and is beautiful yet comfortable enough for every day.  It will be sold exclusively on our website in a format that allows customers to find their perfect fit in the comfort of their own homes.

Sign up for a free measuring kit and priority access to our site.  To get updates, like our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The (Last) Case of the Mondays

Tomorrow is my very last Monday as a corporate lawyer!  I can't believe the last week is finally here.  To bring in the week (and ring out my legal career), I present the most beautiful work dress I've seen in a very long time.  It's definitely a splurge, but oh - so - pretty.

Giambattista Valli Printed Dress (2995.00)

Quitting Polish

Hello Professionelles!  So much to catch up on.  A week or so ago I gave notice at my law firm.  I'll still be able to call myself a Professionelle, however, because I'm starting my own lingerie company.  More details to follow in the next few months, but needless to say, I'm super excited.  I have a few posts coming up about some awesome female entrepreneurs, but for today, I bring you some quitting polish.  Nail polish that is. 

(via Chloe's Nails)

This is O.P.I.'s Lincoln Park After Dark in Matte with a stripe of Seche Vite.  I went to Spa Butterfly today to try to get this manicure but they didn't have the matte polish.  Instead, I got the regular Lincoln Park After Dark with a stripe of Black Licorice by Essie.  The effect wasn't quite the same (it looks more like an ombre), but it still feels like the manicure of someone who just quit her job.  Yet, it's still fairly office appropriate.

For those of you who are curious, I'm writing a new blog detailing my life in lingerie.  Quitters are Winners.  It's password protected for the moment, but if you'd like access, please email me at professionelle.blog@gmail.com.

Edie Parker Clutches

I wish I had discovered these in time for New Year's eve.  Jen (who patiently shopped for clutches with me last Spring) can tell you that I am the pickiest person ever when it comes to evening bags, but I am absolutely head over heels for these Edie Parker pieces.  Structured and vintage-inspired with a prolific use of mica and pearlescent.  Stunning.

Punting the Present Guide

A few of you have been asking for a Professionelle holiday 2012 present guide.  I have to admit, I'm not particularly great with present guides.  So, I'm punting this request to Pinterest.  I absolutely adore Pinterest.  So much so that I actually wrote begging them to open a New York office and then hire me to do something, anything!  Pinterest team, if you're reading this, call me. 

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  There's a little widget you install onto your browser (for those of you who work with me, yes, this works on our antiquated computer system).  Anytime you're on a web page with an image you like, you can hit the "Pin It" button on your bookmark bar.  A pop up appears and you're able to, among other things, comment on the image, attribute it and categorize it.  Users follow other user's pins much like Twitter or Instagram. 

Pinterest is great for gift inspiration.  After all, it's a catalog of what your friends actually want (brilliant, it's constantly marketing to me and I don't even care).  Here are a few of my favorite pins by the people I follow:

From lolitas.se, James Dean reading.  Not sure if this comes in print, but would be a great image for over the couch

Wood Glass Canisters (22.00)

Champagne jello shots by Amanda Johnson.  The gift of libation.

Follow Professionelle on Pinterest here.

STREETFSN

Last week I pushed a few fashion boundaries at work - wore things that I would never recommend fellow Professionelles wear.  Every once in a while, it feels good to throw away the rules and just wear what you want.  This week, it's back to my usual rotation, although there's still a part of me that wishes I could get away with more - like the people in the following shots:

If I owned this dress, I'd break it out sometime in September when the weather begins to turn, but before my wardrobe turns mostly black and gray.

I love the top on the girl slightly in the back.  With a black skirt you could probably pull this off at work.

These shoes are killer. 

There's something intriguing about the black bag/ripped jean combo, although I'm not a fan of the 70's print shirt underneath.

This is my favorite look.  I love the colors and texture on an otherwise classic shape.

The shots above are from STREETFSN which is by far my favorite street fashion blog by Korean photographer Nam.  I've been meaning to post about STREETFSN for a while, and the timing this week seemed perfect.       

Helmut Lang - Holiday 2011

First of all, thank you so much for your readership and support these last few years.  Since the launch of the new Professionelle this Spring, we've had over 10,000 visitors!  I know that's not a lot for some blogs, but it means a lot to me, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to peruse this little corner of the internet.  Coming up next, I'll be posting about menswear inspired prints, upon the recommendation of a reader, so please write and let me know if there's ever anything you'd like to see on Professionelle.  But today, it's all about one of my favorite designers...

My mom and I love to shop together, so naturally, I took her to my favorite hidden shopping spot - the Theory Company Store which also carries a full line of Helmut Lang.  Much to my surprise, my mother loved Helmut Lang, and so do I, particularly their new Holiday 2011 collection.  Below are my favorite pieces.  Keep in mind if you're going to order online that Helmut Lang tends to run small. 

Mantle Felt Coat (1290.00)

Smoking Wool Blazer (575.00)

Supple T Dress (220.00)

The Murse - Reinvented

I caught up with an old college friend last weekend at the October Ball, and he told me that he has read Professionelle from beginning to end (I won't out you, but you know who you are :)).  So, I thought, as a thank you to all of the Profession-hommes out there who read this blog regularly, I would post something that you might actually find useful.  To see a man carrying a bag is no longer unsual, in fact, the most stylish men in my office tote their murses proudly.  Last weekend, I went searching through the West Village with Chris for his very first murse.  We didn't find anything that day, but he ended up with this great bag (that he picked out on his own!):

Tumi Everett Essential Tote (295.00)

I also like the following two choices, both of which I've seen around the office:

Filson Original Briefcase (215.00)

Jack Spade Nylon Laptop Briefcase (425.00)

Fendi Chameleon Calfskin Leather Shopper

I have been searching for the perfect work bag for over two years.  It had to be structured and professional yet young and modern.  It had to fit my laptop and papers, but look appropritate on my petite frame (which knocked out the oversized YSL Muse).  And as much as I'm willing to pay for quality, handbag prices have skyrocketed this year eliminating a few of my Chanel favorites including this gorgeous bag I posted about in March.  But the search is over.  Although it's still pre-order only, I'm going to put a fork in it and proclaim that the Fendi Chameleon Calfskin Leather Shopper is the perfect work bag.  It's beautiful and not overly flashy, the straps look durable and the shape is flattering.  Priced at $1590, it's expensive, but not out of reach.