Speaking Engagement…What Do I Wear??

If you read my post earlier this week on how I conquered my deadly fear in public speaking, you know that I was invited to speak at a fashion conference organized by Poshmark every year in the Fall. It wasn’t my first public speaking experience, but certainly the first time to speak in front of HUNDREDS of fashion obsessed ladies. I knew I had to bring my A-game in terms of my outfit.

DailyLook to my Rescue

So I partnered up with DailyLook, and used your Elite Box service to help me create the look that I wanted.

I told my stylist that I wanted lots of white in my outfit because I wanted to stand out in photos. I also told her that I needed outfits that conveyed authority but approachability at the same time. I liked rompers and flow-y materials.

I know. Kind of a tall order for them, right?. To make matters tricky, I’m known to be a finicky customer sometimes. But what the DailyLook team delivered was BEYOND amazing. I felt so comfortable in these clothes yet very, very confident. I’ll let you decide on your own… I felt like I had a personal stylist that curated these looks for me.

Outfit #1

Outfit #2

If you want to get on the DailyLook bandwagon, you can use my code to get 20% off of first box: CUBICLECHIC20. Let me know what you end up getting!!

The post What I Wore To A Speaking Engagement appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

For us career-oriented and ambitious types, talking about “how to think about taking vacations”, at first glance, sounds unnecessary and frivolous.

But we all know burnouts are real, and that work-life balance requires true “time-off” from the constant hustling. As women, we have to deal with our biology (child birth) and social prejudice (the glass ceiling) that make us more susceptible to burnout.  Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to think about work and climbing the ladder even if you’re away from your computer/cell phone/meetings.  What we need is conscious and intentional effort to create a space that allows our body and brain to disconnect from work and recharge.

Over the years I’ve seen people either end up burnt out or waste away their precious vacation time by not planning ahead. Below are 6 common mistakes that can be easily avoided: 

1. Not Taking Vacation At All

When deadlines are approaching, PowerPoint decks need to be built, and clients are waiting on your deliverables, taking a vacation just sounds flat-out inconvenient. If you’re one of the so called “work martyrs” deemed in a recent survey by Project: Time Off and Gfk, you’re probably even having anxiety about taking time off. it’s just too easy to leave it to the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities to “require” you to be away.  But think about it this way: if your vacation was given to you in its cash equivalent, imagine 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks worth of your salary, would you just waste it away, and leave it to chance whether you benefit from it? Probably not. And that’s what is happening when you don’t take vacation that has been given to you as part of your compensation.

2. Not Planning Ahead For Vacation

Continuing on the point of leaving it up to chance to take vacation, people sometimes just mentally anticipate an “off period”, and don’t make any actual changes to get ready for it. What I mean by planning ahead for vacation is this: block that section of your calendar as soon as you have vacation planned so your coworkers don’t mistakenly schedule you in for group meetings. Finish your deliverables before you leave. Designate a person that will answer questions or resolve ad hoc problems on your behalf. Let people you work with know you’re going to be away. Which bring me to the next common mistake people make..

3. Not Letting Your Supervisor Know Early Enough

This is a simple point. As soon as you have made the decision to be away, you should give your supervisor a headsup. Have at least a phone conversation with them, if not face to face. And then, email them the dates you’re going to be away and your replacement plan in an email. Some managers will ask that you create an event in the group’s calendar so that everyone’s aware of everyone else’s schedules and whereabouts.

As far as when to do this, typically if you’re going to be away for just 1-3 days, it’s enough to give notice 2 weeks ahead. If you’re going to be away for more than a week, it’s generally recommended that you give the notice at least a month in advance. These are general guidelines though. Depending on the nature of your function, the dynamic of the team you’re in, and your supervisor’s tolerance for last minute changes, the ideal time for you to give notice may be different.

4. Ending up Working During Vacation

Just a little caveat to this mistake: there are times when a project you’re committed to really does need your support and response even during your vacation. I would even go as far as saying that’s a good thing because it shows that you play an irreplaceable role. But be careful here, because thinking you are irreplaceable can easily be masking the fact that you are not able to let go.

Unless you’re going on vacation alone, otherwise do this for the sake of your loved ones that you’re vacationing with. Stay off the grid for a bit and really be off.

5. Not Building A Cushion At The End Of Vacation

This is especially important if you’re traveling somewhere that has at least 3 hours in time difference. I always build at least 1 and a half day at the end of my vacation before I have to go back to work.

Vacations are meant to relax and recharge you. If you come back from it struggling with time zone changes, it defeats the purpose. So, fight jetlag by adjusting to the destination’s timezone a few days before you leave, and build just a day or two at the end of your time off to wind down and get ready to rock and roll at work again.

6. Planning For The Wrong Kind Of Vacation

It takes a little bit of self awareness and introspection to know what kind of time off truly relaxes you. Do you feel more energized spending a whole day at beach with nothing but margaritas and sun screen around you, or visiting museums in foreign cities to learn about new culture and history? To each her own but known what type of vacation you need at the time is important. To certain people, lying around on the beach all day might leave them bored and uninspired, whereas for others, museum hopping in a new city may leave them feeling overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of the trip. So know what vacation type you are, and what vacation type you need for the time you’re taking the vacation.

PRODUCT REVIEW: JORD WOOD WATCH (GIVEAWAY BELOW!)

If you’ve been looking at my pictures and wondering what is the piece of art on my wrist in the photos… let me tell you ALL about the amazing wood watch made by Jord. All the Jord watches are exquisitely made of real wood (you will smell it when you open the box), and I get a TON of compliments when I wear it!

I have teamed up with Jord watch to have one of my readers receive a $75 voucher, even if you don’t win, as long as you enter, you will receive a $20 e-gift card! If you want to be entered for a chance to win, please fill out a form HERE.

The contest will run until Sunday 10/16/2016.

Luxury Wood Watch

Disclaimer: I received a Jord wood watch as a gift in exchange for my review; all opinion expressed is true and solely my own.

The post 6 Typical Mistakes People Make When Thinking About Vacations | Jord Wood Watch Review & Giveaway! appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

GREAT PUSH-UP BRAS For WORK OUTFITS ARE HARD TO FIND!

Fact 1: I am SUPER finicky when it comes to bras. I have only worn 1 style of Victoria’s Secret bra and multiple Gilly Hicks bras in my life-time.  On average, I would only find 2-3 styles of bras every year that I actually like and will wear. I have tried numerous other styles and most end up going back to the store or staying at the bottom of my drawer.

Fact 2 : I only wear black, white, and nude colored bras. This is a habit I’ve adhered to over the years. My biggest concerns when it comes to picking the right bra for workwear are 1) when the bra straps show, and 2) when the cups’ color peeks through more sheer clothing material. My bra straps have to be the right color so if they show they’re not hideous. I am also picky with the colors of my bras because I don’t want anything other than neutral colors to show through my workwear ensembles.

Fact 3. I’ve NEVER liked push-up bras. On occasions I’ve worn them out of “need” but never really enjoyed the experience or the appearance. I can confidently say I’ve never found a single pair of comfortable push-up bras that I can wear on a daily basis.

So, when I was approached to try out Upbra, I was skeptical. I almost turned it down…. But I didn’t, and thank goodness I didn’t! As it turns out, their bras come with this unique mechanism right inside the front touch point between the two cups, and it’s fascinating how it works!!

The BEFORE & AFTER, AND A PREFACE

So now I’d like to show you the before and after comparison. I do have a preface for the pictures you’re about to see:  I am a relatively conservative person when it comes to showing my skin in outfits. And showing cleavage? It makes me cringe. As you know, the internet is permanent and if my grandkids come ask me one day about grandma showing cleavage online… I wouldn’t be able to deal!!

 The criss cross straps you see in the middle? That’s where the magic happens!

All of this is just to say – the effects of this bra is actually A LOT more prominent than what I’m comfortable showing on my blog. You have to try it to see it… I promise you won’t be disappointed. The “after” pictures are the maximum cleavage I’m able to show without wanting to shut my site down permanently *insert crying smiley face*.

In the photos below I am wearing MM.LaFleur’s Rachel Dress.

 Here I am wearing the UpBra without using the tightening straps inside the bra. The UpBra comes with natural push-up effects before you tighten up the straps.  Here I have tightened up the straps inside the bra so the push-up effect is more apparent!

GIVEAWAY FOR THREE LUCKY READERS!!!!

If you’d like to buy them today (they have white, nude, and black as color options!), use my code WB-10P-22 to get 10% off.

However, I’m working with UpBra to bring 3 lucky readers a free pair of upbras!! 

What you have to do: 

Comment on this blog post below, and share with me what your biggest concerns/struggles are when you’re shopping for a new bra. Anything and everything goes! Also, leave me your email so I can contact you in case you won!

Winners will be announced on this blog by Friday 9/23!!!

Update 9/23/16:  The winners are Hao, Thuy, and Jennifer. I will share your emails with the manufacturer and have them contact you about which color of bra you’d like! Enjoy <3

Disclaimer : I received this product for free to review it. All opinion shared here is solely my own and I have not taken any other compensation for writing this article.

The post Workwear Essential: UpBra || Push-Up Bra Review & Giveaway!! appeared first on Cubicle Chic.