Reader Request: What To Wear When Entertaining Clients

Happy Monday!  (Who am I kidding... nobody is happy that it's Monday).  Since everyone has work on the brain today, I think it's appropriate that this reader request post focuses on that part of the closet.

Sara emailed me with a scenario that's pretty common in service industries - what to wear when you're entertaining clients outside of an office environment.  In her case, she's accompanying her client and a contest winner to an event in LA (lucky girl!) and wants to maintain her classically trendy style while being respectful of her client's conservative taste.

It can be tough to dress in an outfit you love when the most important thing is actually how you represent your company.  That means anything too edgy is usually off the table, as is any kind of dress or top where you can't wear a regular bra (my personal rule of thumb), and cleavage of any kind.  I mean it - it is never ok for your clients to view you as trying to be sexy!  However, those guidelines don't mean you have to look frumpy or feel like something you're not.

Here's a few outfit ideas for an event outside of the office:

what to wear: client event by cardiganjunkie featuring high heels

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday! I have had a busy week, and hope that I have the laziest, unbusiest weekend known to man.  However, a full day of work stands between me and my freedom, and until that's over here are 5 things I found worth sharing on the internet.

1. I am in love with this blazer from Gap with the yellow and navy piping.  They're constantly running 30-40% off sales, which means it could be yours for under $60!  That means you'll have money left to have it tailored, since the last Gap blazer I tried on was cut for a lumberjack.

 

2. Random as it may sound, shopping for shower curtains is really tough.  There's tons of vomitous options for the folks who like a good beige palm tree print, and other candidates with three-digit price tags that are hard to justify.  Luckily, DENY Designs has tons of unique options designed by artists for under $100.

Reader Request: Weekend Capsule Wardobe

This week I was really happy to get an email from Kate, one of many people whose work wardrobe consists of scrubs and thus lacks the constant "I can wear this to work" shopping excuse the rest of us use to justify purchases.  (Or is that just me?)

Kate wants to be smart about her budget, but create a collection of pieces that are easily mixable so that she can wear them often and not amass a closet full of items that will only be worn a few times per year when the right weekend occasion comes around.  I think this is probably a really common situation (that also applies if you're packing for a trip), so I was excited to help out.

If I were reapproaching my own weekend wardobe, here's what I would buy:

Weekend Capsule Wardrobe by cardiganjunkie featuring leopard ballet flats

The Luckiest.

Source: shirt.woot.com via James on Pinterest

I hope I'm not the only person on the internet who had an amazing weekend.

I turned 29 on Sunday, and all weekend long I have felt blessed and loved and so grateful for all that I have, such as:

• Friends who drive 30 miles twice in a day to see me for a birthday lunch and again at a party after work
• More friends who get as excited about my high school girl playlist as I do and sing all the words to "Save Tonight" and "Sunset Strip Bitch" and replace my lost Coyote Ugly DVD
• Former coworkers turned true friends who dance in my kitchen, drink the "Haley Special" sonic slush and rum cocktail I made up, and concoct interesting shots with me
• A cousin I've literally known since the day I was born, and who remains my best friend and shopping partner 29 years later
• Generous parents and in-laws who are impatiently waiting for grandchildren but not making us feel pressured about it
• A sister who knows my taste in jewelry so well that she can buy "off-list" for my birthday, to great success and loves my doggies almost as much as I do
• Over 60 (at last count) friends and acquaintances who wished me happy birthday yesterday, an all-time record
• A husband who can build things, cook things, code things, make me laugh, and make it so I never feel alone or unloved

I'd say I've got it pretty good.  

5 Things Friday

This is my last post as a 28 year old.  I'm sure things will be very different around here next week when I'm a mature lady of 29.  Until then, here are 5 things worth sharing on the internet:

1. I've always been wary of jeggings, since I do not have ITC (Inner Thigh Clearance).  However, sometimes you'll be sitting down for hours on a plane, or you just want to be comfortable with your riding boots and long-ish shirt.  For those times, I am now a fan of Fade to Blue jeans.  My super stylish cousin introduced me to them and they're so much better than the other jeggings.  The fabric is nice and thick, and they have an actual button and real pockets.  Plus, they're constantly on sale at lastcall.com - I got mine for $30 plus free shipping! 

In case you're curious, they run pretty true to size.  I wear a 10 in most jeans and the large fits fine.

2. I said last week that I'm in love with the latest book I read, The Discovery of Witches.  This week, I literally squawked in excitement at my desk when I learned that it's going to be a movie.  Just in case the people at Warner Bros. are having trouble with the casting, here are my picks:

Help Me Shop! Kendra Scott Favorites

This Sunday I turn 29.  I'm not freaked out about it, and if anything, am enjoying my birthdays even more now that I can treat myself to a little shopping without guilt.  Kendra Scott is making it even easier by offering 50% to email subscribers during their birthday month (in-store only) and I plan to take advantage!

I'm torn between the prospect of getting some more "work horse" jewelry to wear all the time, or a statement piece to wear more sparingly but to more attention.  Since I plan to head down to the Dallas store this weekend, I need a little help deciding what to choose. 

These are my favorite pieces - which one do you like best?

kendra scott faves - birthday discount by cardiganjunkie featuring kendra scott jewelry

In other news, my birthday party is on Friday at my house and the theme is "High School" - specifically 1997-2001.  I need some help with the playlist.  What songs should I be sure to play??

Right now, I can't get this song out of my head: