5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope you're all having a great week!  I'm about to spend my last week as a 29 year old, and I'm hoping it's a good one.  I feel like I should do something exciting.  Any ideas?

And because I love you, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. After weeks of Craigslisting and trips to Homegoods, I am officially sick of shopping for end tables.  What's worse is that the Target end table I purchased in 2005 was literally falling apart.  Rather then try to repair it again, I said 'screw it' and picked up this little guy at Target for $70.  It will do until I find my dream vintage table, and then it can become a guest room nightstand.  However, if I didn't need my tables to have storage space for a bonanaza of remotes and coasters, I would have taken this baby home with me.  I love the lines, and the price!

 

2. This month, my book club is reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple and I love it.  I'm about halfway through, and have been staying up too late the past couple of nights because I am getting wrapped up in the story.  I can't speak for the ending yet, but so far I highly recommend it!

3.  Earlier this year I started wearing a long-wearing mascara by Benefit called They're Real, and while it really does stay put all day, it's super hard to take off.  Luckily, I have found the holy grail of eye makeup remover.  Almay Longwear and Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads are the best at taking off every bit of mascara and (thick cat-eye) liner without having to pull or scrub the skin around my eyes.  Plus, they're way cheaper than the cleansing wipes I was using before. 

4. Is there anything more effortless than a perfect white tee and dark jeans?  I am loving the fit of my Gap breathe v-neck tee, which also wicks away moisture and doesn't get gross when I climb into my 120 degree car and start sweating.  It runs a tad large and long, but that's the look I wanted.  I think I'm going to dress like this at work today, but my bra will keep things under control. 

5. Aren't these diorama kits the coolest??  They're only $12 and intended for older kids, but I think they would make a nice addition to a styled bookshelf or table vignette.  I also think they may be a good option come Christmas for those friends who have all of the things, and it's a much more memorable (cheap) gift than a candle or picture frame.  Act surprised, friends!

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

Lookin like a fool with your pants on the ground...

Excuse the title, but I just couldn't resist.

Today's post will be short and sweet.  And it may offend a few people, but please know that I come from a place of kindness and wanting to help.  That said, I'm going to go ahead and declare:

It looks really sloppy when you wear flats with pants hemmed for heels.  Seriously.  It's even worse when the pants are flared. 

I completely understand that wearing heels all the time is not practical.  I don't do it either.  I also understand that not everyone is comfortable wearing slim cut pants (you should try it anyway - if they fit right, they're so flattering!), but wearing a flared or boot cut pant that drags the floor makes for a very strange body shape.  Your feet should not be one of the wider points of your silhouette, which is what happens when you stand in a puddle of fabric.

And don't get me started on frayed hems with holes in them... the horror!

That said, here are a few examples of how to mix flat shoes and trousers without resorting to a super skinny style.  Think cropped or cuffed styles, or simply hemming a pair of pants to keep them off the floor.

I hope I didn't upset anyone, but tough love is necessary sometimes.  If you need help finding the right style for you, shoot me and email and I'll be happy to assist!

What to Wear: Interviewing at Marketing Agencies

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was good, though I mostly watched my husband and his friend work really hard on our bathroom renovation.

I don't have time for much of a post today, but wanted to share a quick set of outfits that I put together to address a pretty specific situation - interviewing at marketing agencies, and other creative companies.

I've worked in client service at agencies for over 8 years now, and it's definitely not a conservative environment.  On any given day in my office, you may see someone in shorts, various dogs, and definitely not many (if any) people wearing business attire.  And since interviewing is mostly about proving that you will fit in, showing up dressed like a boring banker suggests that you don't really understand the industry.

So, if you're looking to make the switch to a more creative environment, here are a few ideas that will still suggest that you take things seriously, but are unique enough to convey some taste and personality.

interviewing at agencies by cardiganjunkie featuring l k bennett

J Crew j crew dress
jcrew.com

J Crew dot blouse
jcrew.com

EAST silk blouse
$65 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Topshop
topshop.com

Mango jacket
mango.com

Yves saint laurent
mytheresa.com

L K Bennett l k bennett
$92 - johnlewis.com

Ivanka trump shoes
zappos.com

Sigerson Morrison high heel pumps
piperlime.gap.com

Worthington high heel pumps
jcpenney.com

Clare vivier
seevivier.com

Zara leather handbag
zara.com

J Crew leather handbag
jcrew.com

Kate spade jewelry
nordstrom.com

Aurélie Bidermann cuff bracelet
net-a-porter.com

Kenneth jay lane
shopbop.com

Warby parker
warbyparker.com

Generally, I like the concept of a suit but not necessarily a traditional set.  That's why I tend to layer a jacket over a dress, or substitute a pattern for a basic white shirt.  I also like wearing at least one unique piece of jewelry that's not too crazy (or noisy!) but interesting.  Basically, you should look put together but with an edge.  

However, if the HR person tells you to dress (business) casually, you need to do it.  It's pretty awkward to sit down in front of a person wearing a suit when you are wearing shorts.  I have seen it happen, and then people wondered why that guy didn't listen to the recruiter.

Good luck!

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope y'all have had a great week.  Mine was pretty good, and I'm looking forward to a weekend without anything that I have to achieve, besides a meal with friends.

Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. For those of you who don't know me in real life, Project Bathroom Update is totally underway.  My husband has gutted the room, run new plumbing, and will be hanging drywall over the weekend.  That means that the time to decide on wallpaper is NOW.  I've ordered several samples from Spoonflower, and I'm hoping one of these babies is the perfect mix of color and pattern for our space.  (Check out option 1 and option 2)

2. This week's recipe is Cinnamon Toast Crunch cupcakes from BS in the Kitchen.  They're not too advanced, and my taste testers in the Finance department heartily approve.  Check out the recipe here.

3. I've got a ton of pregnant friends, and I think one of them should consider a cool gender neutral nursery like this one.  It would be pretty cheap to execute, and that wallpaper is now available in removable tiles!  (Check out the post at Handmade Home here)

4. I love this top, but not the price.  Anyone have leads on a copycat??

5. I love everything about this outfit.  It will look great on all body types, and translates especially well to plus size cuts.  The shoes offer the perfect pop for color, and not one piece needs to be a big investment.  Let's all dress like ladies!

 

And with that, I bid you good weekend!

More hairstyles I'm unlikely to achieve.

I really do love the look of braids and pretty knots, and I have the super long hair to pull them off now.  My only roadblock is ability. 

I don't have enough time for a real post today, but thought I'd share the prettiness that I plan to attempt this weekend.

 

See ya Friday, internet!

Reader Request: Mama About Town

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was good, and I'm already ready for another one.  However, today I'm excited to be here and help Jessica.  She's a new mom, and not very happy with the state of her wardrobe.  She wants to have some options for going out with her husband, friends and family that she can feel confident about, without showing lots of skin or abandoning her ladylike style.

Although this looks like a lot to take in, I put together the outfits below to show that you can transition the same pieces from season to season, and adjust the fanciness with jewelry and shoes:

Mama About Town by cardiganjunkie featuring a petite trousers

First of all, an LBD (little blue dress, or black dress) will take Jesslica to nice restaurants, weddings, and shows.  Don't worry about wearing it too often - a classic dress that fits is always a good choice.

A great pair of slim (not tight) cropped black pants is another staple piece, and if Jessica invests in a sleeveless beaded tank and a great flowy blouse she'll have two perfect outfits for visiting bars and wineries with her girlfriends.

After looking at her Pinterest board, it's evident that Jessica is drawn to ladylike silhouettes and that means a great full skirt will get a lot of wear.  She can pair it with a short or long sleeved blouse, or even a fitted sweater later in the year.  Add a skinny belt and she'll be good to go!

Finally, I wanted to show how a great black blazer will take her usual jeans (mid-rise, dark denim is best) and tee up to another level.  She can also go without the blazer and add fun sandals and a great necklace.  And obviously, a pair of leopard pumps goes with almost everything!

Hopefully this was helpful!  What's your favorite evening outfit?

5 Things Friday

TGIF!  I hope y'all have had a great week.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend not involving an airplane or a road trip.  I hope you will be up to something equally satisfying.

Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. A nice reminder:

 

2. I like the idea of wearing a hair comb like this one.  I think I could pull it off... maybe.

 

3. This week I read The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin and really enjoyed it.  If you're a Downton Abbey fan, you'll enjoy the story and the characters.  

4. Why yes, you can make your own cinnamon bun donuts at home.  Check out this recipe from Averie Cooks.

 5. Is anyone else as excited about this week's True Blood episode as I am?  They better not kill Eric or Pam.  I don't know what I will do, but it will be something...

Feel free to make fun of me, but I love it.  Unless you watch The Bachelor(ette) - then you have no room to talk.

And with that, I bid you good weekend!