Sunday Fun(tights)day



Tights: Pac Sun($5), Booties: DolceVita(dv) from Marshalls ($35)

 Yesterday, I went to the Bloomingdale's outlet grand opening and got a few pieces, which will be featured at a later date.  At first, I received the 15% off scratch ticket, but near close, I asked the salesman for another chance because I was not satisfied with 15% and he gave me another and it was 20% off.  Whoo hoo!  Never be afraid to ask for things like that and other discounts, because you have nothing to lose but money on your bill :  )

When shopping, I try to wear really simple things that make it easier when trying things on in the dressing room.  You don't want to get a bunch of clothes into the dressing room and have to get in and out of uncomfortable jeans, or an intricate outfit.  You could be stuck literally wrestling with yourself to squeeze in and out of it and instantly take the fun out of shopping.  You are there on a mission- dress accordingly. 
I tend to wear some variation of the following:

1. Camisole (To make sure I already have a shirt on to wear under sheer/lace shirts in the dressing room with me)
2. Tights or leggings (This is my preference because I mostly wear skirts, dresses, and tunics)
3. Wedge shoe (Everything looks better in a heel, but when you are shopping, and walking all day, I find the wedge to be the best of both worlds)
4. A comfortable skirt, or dress (Because it is fuss free)
5. Little bracelets and necklaces (For the same reason as above) 

Below is what I ended up wearing minus the belt, because that is one less thing I had to worry about in the dressing room. 


Cardigan: Ana from JCPenney($18), Tank Top: Pac Sun($10) Belt: LP from WISH boutique on Charles St, Boston($30), Skirt: American Apparel($35)

 Just for fun, I tried on my friend Christine's blazer(one of my bests and another young profashional).  It really makes the casual outfit look completely polished.



Blazer: Marshalls (We will have to ask Christine)





Online Shopping

With a strict budget, I have found four discount sites that I frequently visit.  These sites help inspire me.  Once in a while I will make a purchase, even though I find it hard to online shop without trying things on first for me.  Some deals are too good to pass up!  My top four sites are listed below:

 1. Ruelala (http://www.ruelala.com/)

2. Gilt (http://www.gilt.com)

3. Ideeli (http://www.ideeli.com/welcome)

4. Hautelook (http://www.hautelook.com/)

 All of the above have a lot of the same products, but if you check, some sites will have the same products at different prices on different days.  They include some of my favorite brands like BCBG, French Connection, my most coveted Marc by Marc Jacobs,  Seychelles, and Matisse.  These sites have also have helped introduce me to other brands that I normally don't see every day.  GILT and RUE also have daily deals for local restaurants and hotels. 

Above is my latest purchase from Rue that just arrived today.  It is my Mom's Christmas Present! 

Follow me on twitter to see what is inside: @Profashionalism

Bloomingdale's Outlet

Bloomies is one of the best places to shop and they have great quality clothing with really good sales.  They are opening an outlet store in Wrentham, MA and are hosting a "scratch off" event for a surprise discount on arrival that you can use towards your entire purchase.  Also, I have heard that if you spend $100, you get $20 off through December(if someone goes - let me know if the rumors are true!)

Another sale going on this weekend if anyone is around on Newbury St



Boots with the fur, well kind of

Hunter Boots, gifted

Yesterday, the rain/snow was a shocker.  Huge puddles formed everywhere as usual in the back bay and that has taught me to buy the proper attire for any kind of weather.  As jealous as I am of the "LA cool" relaxed fashion, sometimes fashion surprises you when even plain rain boots can be transformed into all different styles.  My friend Ashley has an awesome pair of the classic hunter rain boots.  The twist?  They are red and have removeable fleece/fur lining for a day like yesterday. 


Here are the boots with the faux fur lining



The hunter boots shown above, have a taller, narrow fit, but they also carry shorter ones that give more room if you need it.

I have a little bit more of a unique pair of rain boots I found at the BCBG sale this past January.  They are definitely my style- black with a twist of sparkle.  It is boots like these, that make me okay with a rainy day because they are so much fun!



BCBG rain boots ($35)



Cold Rainy Day

On one of the first really chilly days of the year, I decided to layer a summer dress I bought at the outlets almost a year ago.   I love wearing a long sleeve under a strapless dress during the fall and winter to give it a totally different look.  I also wear it by itself on warm days, or with a cardigan if I get cold. 

Theory Dress from Barney's Outlet in Wrentham, MA ($30), Black International Concepts blouse ($20), Black tights, grandmother's vintage bangle seen (here)





Lily

Yesterday's post reminded me of a picture I love........
A co-worker of mine has two beautiful daughters.  A year ago, I decided to get some fun trends for his daughter, Lily for her 1st birthday.  My present included jeggings, legwarmers and more.  This picture is Lily rocking a pair of the animal print tights I gave her with an all black dress.  There is nothing cuter than a little fashionista!


Animal Print Tights, The Children's Place

 

unFURgettable

There are certain trends that tend to come up every year and can sometimes be extreme.  Animal prints/fur are in this fall, and can be overwhelming to some.  I find picking a few small pieces to pop in an outfit is the way to go for me just because it is something that is a bit fun for work, but has a dual purpose for the weekends.  I also only like to pick a couple of pieces that are affordable, because some of these trends can fade quickly, or personally, I tend to get bored with it.  My latest purchase is seen below. 



Fur headband from Nordstrom off the Rack ($9.99)

I also found a Tibi skirt this summer at a boutique on Charles Street- where all skirts were on sale for $50 and under, so I couldn't resist. (originally $255)  I wore this skirt to work already with all black-everything......now some might call me a pop-a-holic, but my love for all black with a twist has been an addiction lately!


Tibi Skirt ($50)

Finally- the one piece I have been on the hunt for: an animal print scarf.  My friend Danielle has one that I swear has chamelon-like powers.  It goes with so many outfits from a t-shirt to a blazer and maintains a classy feel regardless of what she pairs with it.

Now to just find my own............

Vintage Jewelry

This past year, my mom gave me two pieces of jewelry that were my grandmothers.  They have become my "go to" pieces as of late.  Discovering that my grandmother's name was engraved into the inside was such a cool surprise!  These pieces really sparked my interest in vintage jewelry, and inspired me to keep my eyes open for more pieces (even though the top two are my favorites!)

Above, the pearls and red bracelet were $1 each at the Hollis, NH flea market, and the middle piece is from Alex and Ani 

A vintage watch necklace at the Hollis flea market, $5

The black necklace was purchased at a Washington DC flee market($20), brooch from Hollis, NH flea market($3), and locket at a consignment shop in Boston ($15)

All these pieces are timeless and are very versatile.  The vintage watch is fun, because if you flip it, the back side looks like a floral pendant. (Will show in a later post)  These pieces work well with a lot of my work attire, because they do the trick when you want to spruce up your uniform pencil skirt and plain top.  The black necklace has been worn over some high-necked, black shirts to create more depth as well as with a plain scoop neck in the summer.

Welcome to the Young Profashional!

HEY Hey hey!

Throughout this blog, I am going to attempt to focus on things I love-

family, friends, fun things I see, while of course attempting to keep up with

fashion (in a functional way) as a young professional.

I am currently living in Boston and I do not have a background in

fashion, nor do I know any of the rules - learning as we go along will

make this whole thing all more fun!

Fall is hands down my favorite season, so with the crisp autumn air

rolling in, the crock pots raring to go, and, of course, the first

pair of leg warmers already purchased, I thought this would be a

perfect night to make my first post.  Fall always delivers when it

comes to boots, cold gear, and an array of tights from opaque to

floral print.

The colors this year are that of the fall foliage (spicy oranges,

bright reds, and muted yellows) and vintage inspired clothing is one of my favorite looks this season- well who am I kidding- always!