Category Archives: fashion

dots

I would like to thank Marc Jacobs for making polka dots cool again.

You’ve seen my blazer, here’s a skirt

Polka dots at work people. Let’s do this.

Any other patterns you thought you had to leave in your childhood? Bring them to work by making sure your shapes are classic.

more clutch

Day to night, new clutch style

As promised, a professional look with the clutch. Dressed up with some pants, red shoes, and a sweater over a button-up, you can go to work with a daytime clutch and not look out of place.

A closer look at my accessories (yikes, that top knot looks a little lopsided):

We got bracelets, we got watches, we got necklaces and we got PS I Made This’ hair comb!

To take this look from day to night, I just switched the bottoms to something more casual, easy peasy.

Enjoy your day, and daytime clutches!

obsessed

I’ve seen these bags around but hadn’t learned who made them until this past week. Meet Clare Vivier.

I love the bright colors and the simplicity and how I can picture any one of these bags sprucing up an outfit and taking a look from day to night. A few days ago, I filled my online shopping cart and was ready to drop the $468 it would take to get the bare minimum of bags I want. Then I woke up and realized I don’t have $468 plus shipping to spend on clutches, no matter how cute they are. So, while I scrimp and save and wait to buy one, I will have to make due with this:

I made it! I based the construction off of a bias tape zipper bag tutorial in the Purl Bee. I made it bigger and added some interfacing and lining for support and cuteness. The inside is black, outside is gray and zipper is white, which gives it a nice, clean look, I think. I’m looking forward to picking up some more zippers and making more in different colors/sizes soon!

Some weekend looks with my new cool bag.

Ways to dress it (and PS I Made This’ hair accessory) up professionally tomorrow!

Like what you see? (Or not.) Tell me more by emailing me at raesdays@gmail.com, tweeting me @rclnudson, or leaving a comment here or on Facebook.

simple

Day: black on top, white on bottom.

Night: White on top, black on bottom.

You cant tell, because it’s hard to fit both tall hair and tall shoes in one mirror, but my hair is a top knot. Make up is cat eye.

Show me yours? Email me at raesdays@gmail.com, tweet me @rclnudson, or leave a comment down below or on Facebook.

Fall office wear

“I tried to get crazy for fall. Really, I did. This morning I tried layering two tank tops and a vest. I even tried multiple scarves. But I felt like I was still too casual to work. Can you recommend some crazy-for-fall-but-still-professional-enough-for-the-office layering ideas?” — Commenter Jewels

Great comment, Commenter Jewels! Here are some ideas for fall office wear.

  • Like a T shirt? Got an outfit you love but aren’t quite sure about for work? Throw a blazer or light jacket over it. Roll up your sleeves if you want, and let the underneath layer show.

  • If you have some open-toed shoes you aren’t quite finished with, throw on some black tights or cute socks before the weather gets too cold and you have to close-toed everything.

  • On the flipside of that, got boots or booties you are already ready to rock? Throw them on underneath a skirt or cropped pants and show them off before it gets too cold to show off anything.
  • For winter, I like to use the biggest scarf I can find to bundle up, but that is usually too bulky for inside wear. Get a light scarf or pashmina to throw on to keep the chill off at your desk. This is also a fun way to play with color and patterns.

  • Got a great sleeveless dress? Throw a button up on underneath it to keep it ready for work. Got a colored shirt and a colored dress? Even better, my color-blocking friend.

  • I also like to do this with shirts or sweaters. A collar poking through can add a little bit of professionalism to basics already in your closet.

Mix and match any or all of these ideas in your look to layer it up for fall. This is just a place to start, got any ideas? Want to show me your look? I’d love to hear and see them! Email me at raesdays@gmail.com, tweet me @rclnudson, or leave a comment down below or on Facebook.

    Birthday fun (not mine)

    It was my nephew’s birthday this past week (also my Dad’s, big birthday week for us). Unfortunately, I don’t live by either of them, but if I did and I was running from work to a kid’s birthday party, this is what I would do.

    Believe it or not (ok, it’s not hard to believe) that is a sleeveless dress with a black shirt underneath it. You know, for when you aren’t quite done with that summer-time dress. I actually like the way it looks with this one, sort of geometric. For the party, I would take off that dress and don:

    Those pants. Thanks, Polyvore. Ok, I cheated and am demonstrating with my fantasy closet again, but only because I don’t own those Rag & Bone jeans in real life (even though I’ve been wanting them for months. MONTHS.) Same shirt—all you have to worry about is throwing your dress in your bag and putting on a fun pair of jeans. Instant style, no? And you need jeans and flats when you are at a three-year-old’s birthday party so that you, too, can join the bounce house. And/or tag playing. And/or whatever it is three-year-olds do at birthday parties. (If your nephew is anything like my nephew, you will end up playing hide and seek over and over again, as he hides in the same spot.)

    The thing I like best about this trick is how different you can look with just one item of clothing. And it’s easy to carry and easy to change into.

    Transitional dressing

    You know that in-between time, when summer is leaving, and you haven’t switched out your winter and summer clothes, and you aren’t sure if its going to be warm or cold or how many layers you should be wearing? This is that time. Run with it. Use it as an excuse to do crazy things that don’t make sense in any other season. Like wearing scarves with tank tops. Or wearing knee socks and shorts. Or gloves with a T shirt. See below.

    Work it:

    OK, I don’t have a cape, but if I did, I probs be wearing it. I had to make do with a sweater draped over my shoulders, but that’s cool—I like the look. Wide leg pants, my favorite most versatile tank, my layering necklaces (that I plan on adding to), and fun shoes peaking out below.

    Go run those errands:

    Heyyyy, socks with shorts. Tank top and sweater stay the same, switch the bottoms and add a scarf. I also switched the fun shoes for ballet flats, ‘cause errands require quicker feet.

    Your turn. Email me at raesdays@gmail.com, follow me @rclnudson, and I’m trying this Facebook thing, I hear it’s popular.

    let’s talk blazers

    If anything can add some quick professionalism to your outfit in a pinch, it’s a blazer. (As my friend at work says: I can wear a T-shirt under this and still look good. I may be paraphrasing.)

    Let’s go shopping in my fantasy closet, courtesy of Polyvore:

    So many colors! And so many ways to play with your look. Throw it on in the office, and take it with you when you go out and things get a little chilly.


    One blazer can work as a statement piece to tie all these things together. I put business on the left and play on the right—but, really, you could mix and match any of these items and be good to go.

    My advice? Invest in one you love, and keep it handy!

    I love weddings. Have we talked about how much I love weddings? And any other fancy thing that requires you to dress up and dance and drink and be merry? I love it. So let’s be prepared, shall we, in case we have to mix business and pleasure.

    • Get your hair ready. A top knot here, could also be braid, some curls, whatever you like. For dancing and merriment, I like a top knot. For cute professionalism, I also like a top knot. That is why I chose it. You chose what you like.
    • Maintain your accessories. Makes it easy to change in a rush and you don’t have to go searching for another necklace in your bag.
    • If you are dancing late into the night and you aren’t used to heels, I might recommend some business flats for your professional self, instead of heels the whole day. Gotta save your strength, you know.
    • In between your meetings and your fun, switch your pencil skirt for a fancy dress, leave everything else. Easy!

    From the commute to the business place.

    Commuter outfit with commuter shoes:

    Awesome outfit with awesome shoes:

    Let’s take a closer look: