You've Lost That Christmas Feeling!

I started listening to holiday music immediately after Thanksgiving. Okay, fine. I started a few days before Thanksgiving. I had a tree in my apartment and decorated by the first weekend in December. But somehow, Christmas really snuck up on me this year.

It's always fun to receive gifts but I truly love to give them. This year, due to my unemployed status, I knew the giving part would be a little difficult. Thankfully, I landed a temporary freelance gig and started right before the holiday. Sure, it's only temporary but I'm thrilled.

After my first day, what did I do? Shop you say? No, I went home and cried to my mom on the phone. I was exhausted after working a full day. It had been months since I'd gotten up at 7am and worked all day. I was overwhelmed by the work. I knew I could handle it but I forgot how overwhelming is to learn a whole new set of processes.

And then I realized Christmas was just days away. At my old job, I always took a few days before Christmas off. My favorite days are the ones leading up to the holiday. (In fact, I had asked for a few of those days and they weren't immediately approved. It was the first thing that tipped me off that I might get laid off.) I was thrilled to be working again but a little part of me wished for a few more days of unemployment. After all this downtime, I was back at work during my favorite time of year.

I was worried that working would take away from the feeling of Christmas. The office was closed Christmas Eve and I was able to get out a bit early the day before and head to my Mom's house. As soon as I my sister picked me up, it started to feel like Christmas because we headed to the mall, of course! Had to get that Christmas shopping done!

Hope you all had a happy and safe holiday!

These Shoes Are Made For Walking

Working Girls, I need your help. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching I want to make sure that I have a list of things to keep an eye out for. I haven't decided yet what to get my family and friends so for this Friday and Monday the items at the top of my list are for yours truly. (Do you guys buy yourselves holiday gifts too?)

One thing that I don't think I've shared with you all is that I walk to and from work each day. (I love city living!) Well, with the days getting a little colder, I need to find a good pair of closed toe comfortable walking shoes. I know some of you are probably saying, "Just wear sneakers." Uh-uh. I want some cute walking shoes that would go with what I'm wearing. Maybe some flats, but nothing too expensive because these shoes will primarily be used for walking to and from work only.

Another thing that I'm looking for is a new work bag. I have a nice leather bag that I was carrying for a couple of years until the strap broke on my walk home from work one day recently. I think I could probably take it to be repaired, but I would really like a new work bag. My requirements for this bag are that it should be large enough to hold my shoes/boots that I will change into once I get to work and as well as hold my workday snacks (that might be a whole post for another day). My previous bag was a short strapped shoulder bag. I think I would like another bag like that; however, a small part of me is interested in looking at some cute messenger bags as well simply because having a bag that I can wear across my body seems so effortless for my walk to and from work.

That's it. Those are the 2 work related items that are on my list. (I'm not counting clothes because new clothes never really leave my shopping list.) If you run across something that you think is cute, let me know. Also, I would love to hear if you all have any work related items on your shopping list or your wish list for this holiday season (and if you plan to get up early Friday morning to grab a great deal on any of those items).

Let's Go Shopping!

While I sit here melting at my computer ... ugh, what is up with the weather lately?! ... I'm excited today to help answer a Working Girl reader question! It goes something like this:

"Hey Working Girl! I just got my first job and I need to know where to buy clothes. I've found that Express has some great pants, but I'm having the hardest time with tops. Is it so bad that I want something more classic vs. all the cutesy, frilly, ruffle-y stuff that's out there?"

I'm a big believer that it's not about where you shop, but knowing what you're looking for. As a newbie in the working world, the first thing you want to do is shop for some "business basics" before you go shopping for those fun tops. Check out the short clip below about how to dress professionally on a budget with tips from the Editor-in-Chief of ELIZA Magazine:


How to Dress Professionally on a Budget -- powered by eHow.com

So once you've got the basics down, you can shop for items that will allow you to easily mix and match to get the most out of your wardrobe. Purchasing a variety of fun tops is a great place to begin. Get creative. Choose unique patterns, be a little more bold in color. Below are three of my favorite looks:

Comfortable, yet dressy: I love tops like these because while the loose and airy cut will ensure comfort, the shiny fabric makes it dressy and professional. While you may think fitted tops are attractive, oftentimes they are most uncomfortable and all that tugging and pulling every time you stand or sit down is unattractive. A top like this obviously looks great paired with a pencil skirt (part of your business basics), but will also look fabulous under a blazer or over your Express pants sinched at the waist with a belt or even a wide black ribbon.

A top with pop: Dressing professional can be fun, don't limit yourself to stuffy button-down shirts. For example, look for tops with a little extra flair to it like this button detail with a pleated bib. Again, a top like this will look great under a blazer, a cardigan or a shrug, and then if you get warm, you can take off that extra layer and still look chic. You don't have to succumb to over-the-top ruffles to make a statement, but at least look for something that's different than what you already have in your closet and that makes a subtle statement.



Go sailing: Lastly, one trend that I am loving is the nautical-inspired look. Bold navy blue, black or red striped tops paired wih metallic accessories and/or a dark blazer is a timeless look that can make any working girl's wardrobe exciting and classy.

(Mostly I'm thinking the left or far right image applied to your working girl wardrobe, the middle one not so much.)

What are some of your favorite office looks?

Penny-Pinching Days

Lately, all I think about are apartments and money. Apartments because the boyfriend and I are moving in together in October (please don't tell my Granny). Money because I'm saving for all the costs of moving (hiring movers, security deposit, etc.).

While I've been living paycheck to paycheck since I started working, I haven't been frugal by any means. If I saw a shirt I liked, I'd buy it. If I was far away from home and lazy, I'd take a cab. If I was out to dinner, I'd have a glass of wine (or 4).

All along the way, I've been saving what I can. Saving is important but I also strongly believe that living is important too. Especially here in New York. I don't pay a ridiculous amount for rent to sit in my apartment and watch TV.

These days, I'm keeping track of my money like it's my job. I've been making lunches (and breakfasts and snacks) to bring to work. Renting movies On Demand instead of going to the theater. When I do go out to eat it's for some cheap eats. I'm clipping coupons (and turning into my mother). I'm saving a lot more than I used to.

Since everything here is expensive I've been shopping around when it comes to where I shop. My two new favorites: Whole Foods and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Whole Foods can be pricey. Very pricey. But not when you buy the Whole Foods brand 365 Everyday Value. For example, brand name yogurt at the average New York grocery story is $1.09. Whole Foods yogurt $0.79. Buying 365 Everyday Value cheese crackers is cheaper than buying Cheez-Its.

Bed, Bath & Beyond really does go beyond. Once my go-to for home needs, Bed, Bath & Beyond is now my go-to for all my drugstore needs. There is an entire drugstore within Bed, Bath & Beyond! Earlier this week, I went to Duane Reade to purchase a new hair brush (I'm pretty sure my little sister stole mine when I was visiting her last weekend). The brush I wanted was $10.99! For a Conair hairbrush! At Bed, Bath & Beyond a very similar and also Conair brush was $4.99.

Hopefully my savings at Whole Foods and Bed, Bath & Beyond, along with cutting back on shopping and dining out, will help me move with out going totally broke.

Working Girl Wardrobe: Fall Favorites

It is October and it has just begun to feel like fall in NYC. I have been particularly giddy about the change in weather patterns because I get to wear my new fall coat that I picked up at The Gap on sale a few weeks back. It's grey and oh so gorgeous and makes me a feel like a Working Girl who could defeat the world (all good coats should make you feel that way).

Fall means that I can hide my bumps with big sweaters, long pants, and awesome jackets that make you feel like a superwoman. But fall also means that I'm gonna have to start drying my hair in the mornings which makes me a little unhappy. But on the up side, I might actually start looking like a human being at work!

So in honor of fall, here are two outfits that I am immediately going to purchase. Everything featured are from my favorite "save me money" stores Forever 21, Old Navy, and Target.

I am recently loving on purple and according to WG1 it is the go-to color of the season. I am also really into rings lately - big and gaudy is my motto. Brings a little bit of flair into my day-to-day outfits.

While this outfit is on the verge of being "too wintery", I still love it. My wardrobe is all about grey, black and red this fall.

Omigosh do I just love autumn and hot chocolate and apple cider and hay stacks and leaves!

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• Over The Hills: It's been weeks since my last The Hills post and I would to officially state that I am over it. The dramatic reality show was fun when it was slightly believable but now I find Spiedi too draining to watch and Lo, who used to me be favorite, became a bitch. And while I applaud the girls for carving themselves careers out their reality success, they just aren't the type of Working Girls I want to waste my time on.

• Fall Fashion: Target (a.k.a. the best store ever) will have some new fashionable fall accessories for us very soon. British handbag designer Anya Hindmarch's line designed for Target and Sigerson Morrison footware line will start selling in Target stores on Oct 12th. Get there soon, you know they'll sell out.

• Vote!: The 2008 presidential election is weeks away, are you registered to vote? If not, click here and register.
  

• No Money, Lots of Problems: I wont try to make any sense of the financial crisis. Both of my roommates work in finance and/or on Wall Street, when they talk about work it's like their speaking chinese. Bottom line, something has to be done and no one can agree on what. While some of us may support the bailout and others may not, if it does not pass it could have a negative affect on our fellow Working Girls. Not everyone on Wall Street is rich and greedy. Some of them are just your average Working Girl.

• Ask Working Girl: Have a question for WG2 or myself? About the blog? Or work related? Email us! We will be starting a biweekly Q&A feature soon so send in your questions to workinggirlone@gmail.com and/or workinggirltwo@gmail.com.

• When the Working Day is Done: Enjoy this fantastic cover from Miley Cyrus and enjoy the weekend!
  
  

O to the M to the G

At work, I have a few nicknames. Most have been given to me by my gay, pushing 45-year-old, Cuban bff. To be quite honest, none of them make any sense. My bff is one of those laugh at his own jokes kinda guy. But I love him anyway. But I digress. My other office-wide nickname is the Queen of Target. And no, I'm so not joking. On a daily basis it is guaranteed that something I'm wearing from the retail chain. 

So good golly Miss Molly am I excited for the news I am about to type out here. Target is opening a chain of "bullseye bodegas" in New York City! How awesomely stellar is that?!? Apparently Target's numbers are down this year (sidenote: recessions are one of my irrational fears), so they are really pushing their diffusion lines. Translation: diffusion lines are those special lines done by hot designers like Botkier, Alice Temperley, and Jovovich-Hawk. Which means Target is going to be coming out with a lot of new lines for me to drool over. 

An apparel line by Jonathan Saunders, a new handbag line by Anya Hindmarch, and a shoe collection by Sigerson Morrison. What I'm really looking forward to? The new Richard Chai line. I love the bold colors for fall (dark purples and blues! woohoo!) and of course I love how Working Girl friendly the whole line is. 

Fellow NYC Working Girls, the bodegas will open in September in midtown, Union Square, Soho and the East Village.

Did Someone Say Discount?

Working Girl Two posted a Working Girl Wardrobe post on Monday about cityclips and you all told us how much you loved them and wanted to get your hands on a pair! Now thanks to Alexa, creator of cityclips, all you Working Girls can receive 10% off a set of clips! 

Just type in the coupon code, WorkingGirl, when prompted at check out.

Offer valid through Monday, August 11th. 

Now, I'm going to get myself this set with gold buttons:

 I'm way into gold right now. 

Working Girl Wardrobe: cityclips

Proving that twenty-something's are taking over the world, here is my new "must-have" for the upcoming fall season - cityclips - a new stylish and oh-so-cute accessory and the brain child of a twenty-something Working Girl. cityclips are an accessory specifically designed to keep Working Girl's long slacks and pant cuffs from dragging on the narsty, gritty streets of NYC without having to resort to stuffing your pants in your boots or picking up your pants and wading through that flood on your way to happy hour.

If you can't follow my diatribe above (sorry, it's been a long day), here's the condensed version:

Problem: most work pants are hemmed to be worn with high heels.

Another problem: most Working Girls wear flats on their commute to work.

Solution: cityclips.

Here's how they work. You buy a pair of these stylish cityclips, roll up your pant cuffs, clip on two cityclips to either the sides of your pant cuffs or the back heel area (note: these can be worn in a multitude of different ways, which makes me giggle with excitement). The best part - the cityclips are made with magnets so ultimately you're not ruining a pair of pants by using these god-sends - you're actually helping preserve them!

Ok, so I admit, my black pants aren’t designer-made (admittedly, they’re from Target, but if you say Target with a French accent then it automatically makes them cost $50 more than you bought them for), but that doesn’t mean I don’t want them dragging or fraying. Even though they’re cheap, I still expect them to last longer than six months. So once I get my next paycheck, I am totally shelling out the $36 to buy a pair of these cityclips.

Now I just have to decide what design I want. My biggest dilemma of the day, whether I should get the large nautical anchor cityclips or the pearl cityclips.

Or splurge and buy both. I vote both.

Working Girl Wardrobe: Glasses

Dorothy Parker once said, "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses." While I might not agree with this statement (you're talking to a girl who has been called 'four eyes' since the fifth grade), I do think glasses make a Working Girl look all the more professional. 

Take these classic tortoiseshell glasses for instance. These little suckers are the glasses that grace my face day in and day out. Do I think they make me look more like a pro than a schmo? I have to admit, when I'm wearing a pencil skirt and a cute top, these can make me feel like I could woo any client.


These playful and colorful glasses are all sunshine and lollipops. Sure to brighten any boardroom. 

Ferragamo. Prada. Versace. Designer glasses are like the little black dress of eye wear. And these Bulgari rimless frames spell out sexy secretary to me. 


Blast from the past eye wear can also spice up a boring black suit. And they're cheap to boot. Buy these throwbacks to the '50's from RetroPlanet.com for $5.99. The price tag might make you even consider to order these without even needing them to read your notes from your latest meeting. 

And with the right eye wear, a Working Girl might not get Working Boys to make passes but I'm sure they could get Working Men to make moves. 

Working Girl Wardrobe: Summer Fridays

It's finally Memorial Day Weekend! WG2 left last night for the Jersey Shore and I leave tomorrow morning. And no, it is not like True Life: I'm a Jersey Shore Girl, at least not all the time.

Summer Fridays were announced yesterday which means I get four Friday's off between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This morning I found out we get to leave at three o'clock today. While I was hoping for one o'clock, I'll take three, it's better than five. Much better than five.

The summer season is much more casual in the office. I can hang up my go-to black pants until fall and pull out my summer skirts and dresses. Here in New York it's not quite warm enough to leave the apartment without a light jacket, but we're getting there. Here is my perfect (early) summer Friday outfit.

The Stiletto Glamazons

All my friends can attest to the fact that I am an impulse shopper. I see something I like and I usually end up buying it. I can't help myself (especially if you set me loose in Target). 

I'm even worse really bad when it comes to buying shoes. They are my Achilles heel of shopping. Show me a cute shoe and I'm a goner. Uncomfortable? That's okay, I'll break them in eventually. Can barely walk in them? That's okay, I'll get used to them eventually. Too small? That's okay, I can deal. Too big? That's okay, a cobbler can fix that (and yes, I can a shoe repairman a cobbler - I'm old fashioned, sue me). 

The thing is I am not okay with being uncomfortable, being able to barely walk, or wearing too small or too big shoes. I don't deal with pain well and more often than not those great shoes I bought get worn once by yours truly and then thrown in the closet to rot until next season when I give them another try. And that other try never goes very well.

And I will tell you why it never goes well. Here's the big truth: I can't wear heels. Yes, I said it. I cannot wear heels. They hurt my arches, they pinch my toes, and I look funny walking in them. I'm more of a flats kind of girl (which is unfortunate because I'm pretty short and could use the height). 

Case in point, I once was in so much pain that I went barefoot in a really gross bar in the city. And then was asked to put them back on, which was way embarrassing. May I point out that I was very, very drunk and the shoes were still killing me. And to further prove that I can't walk in them, I once put a hole in WG1's toe with one of pointed heels (she still won't forgive me btw). Two very good reasons as to why I should be forbidden from wearing heels. 

I hate high heels, but I could not be more envious of those girls I see walking around in the city in four-inch heels. They glide. They look graceful. They seem glamorous. They are the very opposite of me in my ballet flats from Old Navy (last season, but don't tell anyone). More importantly, stilettos to me scream Working Girl -- someone who is a force to be reckoned with, someone you can't push around. And this is why I cannot resist high heels. I want to a be taken seriously while wearing kick-ass footwear. 

But then I put them on and remember that heels are just not my thing. I am a flats girl through and through. But it doesn't stop me from envying them - those graceful Amazons in heels stomping through New York City kicking ass and taking names. 

Which is why I want to buy these and these and these. 

Someday I will force my feet into a pair of gorgeous Prada pumps, walk through the halls of my office, and not feel the urge to take them off before lunch and replace them with Uggs. Someday. 

But for now I will stick with flats. 

Working Girl Wardrobe: Rainy Day

Weather Forecast for New York City:

Monday: Rain and thunderstorms
Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a chance of rain
Wednesday: Mostly sunny
Thursday: Few showers
Friday: Few showers

Since a higher being (or the effects of global warming) has decided to make the next few weeks of my life very difficult by soaking New York City with a minor flood, I thought it would be appropriate to write about what a Working Girl should wear in the case of a sudden downpour or just a smattering or even a light sprinkle of rain during her commute to and from the office using my new favorite website Polyvore.

If you couldn't tell from my little rant above, I'm not a huge fan of rain especially because I now live in the city. This ultimately means that on my way to the office the humidity will make my hair frizz, my pants will be soaked, and therefore I will be cranky all day long.

To avoid becoming cranky, a Working Girl needs to make sure she has three items in her wardrobe - staples that every Working Girl should splurge on to make sure she is safe from even the smallest drizzle.

A nice trench coat
The coat featured above is a Burberry Islington nylon trench that is unfortunately sold out (due to popular demand) -- not to mention very much out of my price range. But a good quality, classic trench coat is a must-have for any Working Girl. Not only does it keep the rain away, it is a timeless wardrobe piece that has never gone out of style. The look is not only very Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" circa 1961 but also very Blair Waldorf in "Gossip Girl" circa 2008 (yes, I watch teen drama - don't judge). I snagged my classic khaki trench from Banana Republic on sale last spring so look for some good deals as spring turns into summer.

A snazzy pair of rain boots
Rain repellent galoshes are essential in keeping puddles in the streets where they belong and therefore off your pants and out of your shoes. There is nothing I hate more than having wet shoes/socks/feet all day at work. I know, not a pleasant visual. The rain boots featured above are both colorful and playful and will make a great addition to a classic trench. The ultimate, timeless pair of rain boots to have are Hunter boots from the UK. A way to make them more memorable? Try them in this lime green hue. If you're on a budget, try Target for more reasonably priced version of the classic Scottish wellies.

An umbrella (ella, ella, eh)
The most important of all accessories when preparing to battle the rain is having a truly invincible umbrella. An umbrella that deal with crazy throw-you-to-the-ground wind and can beat off sleet and even snow if need be. My vote for best umbrella goes to the "bubble umbrella" featured above. Not only will it not turn inside out if faced with extreme wind conditions, but it will also help keep your hair frizz-free since it creates a "bubble" over your shiny locks. Another definite plus to this umbrella is its price tag - $16.99 at Target.

My rainy day wardrobe almost makes me want the rain to stay a few more days. Almost.

I Am Bored 75% of My Work Day

I will admit it. I am bored. Especially when my boss is in a different country and I fibbed and said I have about a gazillion projects to work on while she is away. In short, I spend most of my time 'looking busy' and preoccupying my time by surfing the net and talking to my fellow Working Girls while they are too suffering from the 9 to 5 grind. Looking busy while really putzing around is an art form, one that I feel I have perfected enough to let you in on my secrets. And then, and only then, will I reveal the best sites to scroll around on when bored at your workplace.

First off, open up at at least six or seven programs on your computer. This indicates that you are working on several different things at once and if you happen to be g-chatting with your Working Girl best friend then the people who pass by your desk just assume that you're flipping back and forth between work and your frivolous conversations. No one needs to know that you've actually been chatting with Working Girl One since 9:03 a.m. 

Always makes sure your desk is mildly messy. I say mildly messy desk because 'too messy' tells your boss that you're overwhelmed and therefore not good at handling pressure. But a 'messy enough' desk says you're busy, but not too busy. My boss also requires me to keep a to-do list (please refrain from your chuckles), so I always try to keep that as bulked up as possible so when she roars past my desk she can see all the things I haven't checked off yet. 

The major (said like Posh Spice) trick to looking like you have no time for 'extra projects' (which by the way are my most hated because they mean 'no one else will touch  this with a ten foot pole but you have no say in whether you will touch it because you're an assistant'), is to partake in a little thing I call the Internet (insert oohh's and ahhh's from the peanut gallery). There are many blogs and games that can take up time and look inconspicuous. 

The trick to browsing around the net during work is to pick sites that aren't too flashy or scream 'I'm really reading about useless facts instead of making Excel sheets'. So, in no particular order, here are some of my favorite 'how to avoid work' websites. 

1. Free Rice - Maybe it's because I'm an English major, but this delights me to no end. The website give you four definitions for a word like 'inception' and you have to guess the best match. Greatest part is that for every word you get correct, the United Nations will donate 20 grains of rice to help end world hunger. 

2. MASH - Not as inconspicuous, but I couldn't resist adding this to my list. And yes, this is the old school kind of MASH where you marry Jonathan Taylor Thomas, live in a shack, drive a garbage truck, and have 100 kids. Play on my friends, play on. 

3. The Pioneer Woman - To put it lightly, I am obsessed with this blog. I could read about her beautifully uncomplicated rural life all day if you asked me to. I have to admit that the credit to finding this blog goes out to Working Girl One.

4. Dlisted - This celebrity blog is one of the less colorful (a.k.a. Pink is the New Blog) and less popular (a.k.a Perez Hilton), so it goes unnoticed when you are reading at work. The blogger is also merciless, evil, and sometimes downright mean, which is exactly how I like my celebrity blogs. 

5. Shop Bop and Bluefly - Two great sites to 'window shop' in. Unfortunately, the price tags on these little numbers only allow me to do that. 

6. Fashion Under $100 - So after I skip around Shop Bop and Bluefly, I trickle onto this site and remind myself that dresses under $50 are more in style for my pocket book. 

And one more Working Girl warning, turn your sound off before you start surfing your way out of boredom.