Yoga Wear for Petites

Professionelle is not meant to be a blog about petite clothing, but every once in a while I come across a petite solution too good to pass up.  I'm 5'0" and approximately 100 lbs so it's very difficult for me to find clothes that fit.  Recently, I've been on the hunt for petite yoga clothes.

Like everyone else in America, I LOVE Lululemon.  Every time I walk into one of their stores I find at least 5 items to buy.  They offer free hemming so it seemed like a petite girl's dream come true.  But Lululemon has outdone itself in the form of its girl's line, Ivivva.

The girls' section can be a petite woman's best friend.  Especially since girls these days are so...bold.  Not to mention curvier.  This means girls' clothing fits more like women's clothing, just with shorter inseams and smaller sizes.

I'm typically a women's 00 or 0 (hello size inflation!) and a girls' 12 (I try to ignore the age implications of girls' sizing metrics...and the fact that the model has braces...).  Ivivva size 12 fit well in pants and tops but the jacket was a little large.  I ended up exchanging it for a 10.

In addition to being cheaper than Lululemon, all Ivivva pants can be cut to length at home.  In order to prevent your pants from unraveling after you cut them, Ivivva sewed additional bartacks along the pants.  

What's a bartack?  It's basically a horizontal stitch that keeps the seams together.  So, if you cut just below the bartack that fits your inseam the best, you'll have a custom pair of pants in less than 5 minutes.  Brilliant.  Amazing.  So impressed.

Rhythmic Tight II (56.00)

 Record Breaker Jacket (78.00)

Rhythmic Crop II Gym (48.00)

Get with the Trends - Spring Neon

Even though a classic outfit is always appreciated, I actually love trends - so long as you don't out wear them and you don't wear them all of the time.  Spring's biggest trend is definitely neon and count me in, I love it.  There's nothing more uplifting than a pop of color, especially in New York where black usually reigns supreme.  I own two pieces in the collage below but have worn pretty much this exact look multiple times and it's only May.  Why two pairs of shoes?  Well - I had to give a wedge option for those petite Professionelles who may own flats but never wear them.

By August, I'm sure I'll never want to see neon yellow and navy stripes again, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.  

Pop Slim Fit Denim (79.90)

Cloud Logo Authentic 2-Eye Boat Shoe (75.00)

Taurillon Leather 'Deauville 105' Platform Sandals (422.99)

Henroa Striped Jersey Tee (105.00)

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)