Coming up with outfits for work can be fun sometimes. I mean, I do have a blog called Cubicle Chic. But there are also times when I have to be at work for 7 am meetings, or if I’ve pulled a late-night working session the day before when outfits are the last thing I want to think about. So, I’m all about simple accessories that transform and elevate a work outfit to look like another. This way, you can repeat an outfit without anyone noticing!

Style a Scarf

One of the easiest tricks is using a scarf. Pick a scarf that’s big enough to be wrapped around the collar of your blouse/blazer. Also, pick a color that’s bright and attention-grabbing, so you steer people’s attention away from what may be a second-day outfit underneath! This Yellowcake Shop Triangle Scarf needs a special shoutout because it’s not like any scarf I’ve ever seen! It’s got two tassels attached to two of its corners, creating a necklace-like kind of look. Any outfit paired with this scarf looks instantly chic!

Discount code provided by Yellowcake Shop: Use exclusive code “CHICYC” to get 15% off your first order!

Change Up Your Hairstyle

I sometimes think of my hair as an attached accessory I don’t have to remove. When I get my hair curled, I instantly transform my work outfit. So, whether this means you go from an up-do to letting your hair down, or simply adding some overnight curls, it’s a quick and easy way to change up your everyday look and work outfit. Have you tried the Sleep Stylers Hair Rollers that debuted on Shark Tank a few months ago? Let me know if you have… I’m curious what the verdict is out there!

Own Your Most Trusted Pieces In Multiple Colors

I always get a “you’re crazy” look from people when I say I own something in multiple colors. But it’s my way of reserving brain power when it comes to creating new work outfits! If you found a blouse that fits well and is comfortable, get it in all the colors they make! If you found a pair of shoes that are comfortable and go with your everyday outfit, get it in all the colors they make! Need I say more?

Incorporate A Long-Line Sleeveless Trench Coat

These babies are probably my favorite pieces to own because they are so versatile and always elevate an outfit with a little je-ne-sais-quoi. All my various blog posts featuring long-line trench coats speak to my love for this tried-and-true item of clothing! Get it in a few different colors, and they’re sure to transform your outfit into a new one!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Yellowcake Shop and I was supplied with the triangle scarf free of cost to review it. All opinion and suggestion are mine!

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse 

The post Simple Tricks to Elevate Your Everyday Work Outfit appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

From me to you

Maybe it’s the new year, maybe it’s the 1.5 years under my belt in the blogging world, or maybe it’s me wanting more out of what I’m doing in my life… regardless, I want to really speak to YOU, yes, my Cubicle Chic reader, whose eyes are crawling these text right now. Thank you for your continued support. I will keep writing, bringing you more useful and relevant information!

My promise in 2017

I hope this blog has been somewhat interesting to you in the past year. I have swayed in different directions out of wanting to venture out, but also out of lack of focus. I have done different sorts of office-related writing, wanting to show you various aspects of my working life, but I’ve also having committed my number 1 blogging faux-pas – talk about outfits for the sake of talking about outfits. This, I promise you, will not be in my blog posts in 2017.

 Dress:  Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Bracelet: Gramerci Design

When I look back on 2016, I’ve really accomplished a lot on Cubicle Chic:

• 8 collaborations (product sponsorships)
• 11 photo shoots with 4 different photographers
• 43 blog posts (wow, really??)
• 2 sponsored event attendance
• 2 speaking engagements
• 2 featured articles
• new logos for Cubicle Chic (thank you Michelle @ EM Branding & PR!)

Even in my own professional life, I’ve accomplished quite a lot. I got a new job, became more strategic in my role and responsibilities. I’m still getting acclimated in my new environment and learning a lot, but I am in an even better place compared to last year this time. I’ve also traveled for work to Germany, Boston twice, San Francisco, and DC, and I am incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities.

And People Matter

I’ve also met a lot of amazing people along the way… Natalie, who has become my go-to photographer (Stylenfuse), Sangyay who has essentially blown up over Instagram (ItsSangTime), Lisa (Everyday Elevated) whose questions make me feel SO worthwhile and always reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place, Jennie (xoyoonicorn), my high school friend who’s taking Casetify to new heights, and many many more people that I’ve met in 2016 that made it that much more special.

 Blazer: Tobi Adriana Boyfriend Blazer (ON SALE For $35, originally $105!) Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

My Focus and Direction in 2017

Because of your response and feedback, the one post that turned Cubicle Chic on its head was 7 Pieces of Career Advice I’d Give to My 20-Something Self. This was what gave me the inspiration to write more about my professional journey, the trials and tribulations, and all my lessons learned.  This is a topic I’d be exploring more on, as I adapt and learn in my new role at the new company. I invite you guys to share with me any challenge you encounter, whether be it salary negotiation, interview tips, or of course, how to dress for any business occasions. Let me hear what your everyday challenges are, and I will be your pocket consultant and see if I can offer some help!!

 Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

Coming up on Cubicle Chic in 2017

I have exciting stuff coming up in the pipeline. Many interviews with career women who are slaying and loving what they do. I will also be featuring more office appropriate outfits, if not exclusively office appropriate outfits. Lastly, for those of you who know that I am getting married in March, I also have some wedding planning snippets to share with you. So STAY TUNED!

 Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!)

This Outfit Though…

Just really quickly.. I can’t tell you how much I love this dress I found off of Macy’s during the holiday shopping frenzy. I already know I’ll be wearing it to work, date nights, birthday parties, or just girls night out! It’s SO comfortable yet super flattering because of its structure. If you don’t know Maison Jules yet, you’re missing out big time! This is not a sponsored post AT ALL (I wish) and I am such a big fan of their pieces. They’re highly affordable and designed JUST for career women like me who need professional but chic options at the same time!

All Photography by Natalie Alvarado @Stylenfuse

The post Looking Back So I Can Look Forward appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Last week we talked about what to wear for the off-site kind of holiday party that’s more formal and dressy. I featured the Morning Lavender Lynette dress that has since come back in stock! Check it out before they run out again!!

Now, there is the other type of company holiday party that happens during a normal work day. For these  parties that happen in the office, perhaps a lunch gathering or a late afternoon happy hour, the dress code is usually a lot more laid back and casual.

So for these occasions, Maison Jules is actually a great choice! I’ve only recently gotten to know this brand but they’ve been around for a long time, and as far as I can tell, are sold exclusively at Macy’s. They make a lot of work-appropriate, stylish, and demure pieces that are perfect for the holiday season. For example, this windowpane fit-and-flare dress:

I was planning on adding a leopard print belt to this outfit, but accidentally left it out of the photo shoot. I think this look would’ve been more complete that way..

Along the same lines, because this is a more low-key dress, I paired it with my new over-the-knee boots from Amazon (only $39…what??) to add some color and a focal point. They turned out to be surprisingly slimming, these vegan suede OTK boots, which was a total surprise!

Here are a few other pieces from Maison Jules that I’ve been eyeing. They would all make awesome in-office holiday parties, with a few colorful accents like the red scarf on the right.

What are you wearing to your holiday party, in office or out of the office??

By the way, if this dress looks familiar to you… you may have seen it on Jean from Extra Petite. YES…. she totally sold me on this dress!! Who else follows her?

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post The In-Office Holiday Party Dress || Maison Jules Dress Review appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Isn’t this everyone’s favorite season of the year? The crisp air, the string lights, the pops of green and read everywhere, the gifts…. and the shopping. OH, THE SHOPPING.

How bad was it, for Thanksgiving? What did you all get?? As part of my November shopping budget, I knew I wanted to get something for the holiday parties coming up. SO I was trying to be careful, only going down a very selectively curated list of shops I wanted to hit.

And one of these shops I’ve been coveting is MORNING LAVENDER. It’s a clothing brand created by Kim Le Pham aka Lace and Locks. I may have come across this store while searching for my engagement shoot outfit. They have the most high quality and amazingly classy tutu skirts available anywhere (no 5 year old ballerina feel at all). If you just take a look at their website, it’s immediately clear that the collections are curated by someone who knows TRENDS but also how to blend trends into classy and timeless ensembles. Which, if you don’t know yet, is my kind of style!

So I knew I was going to pick something from their collection this holiday season to be a part of my Company Holiday Party dresses..and then, I found the one… LYNETTE GREEN LACE MIDI DRESS. This piece is unfortunately sold out at the moment, but if you sign up for the email notice, they will let you know when they restock it!

The details on this dress are incredible. It’s very sturdy kind of lace with a slight bit of chiffon at the bottom of the dress. My favorite part of the dress is the shorter sheath layer on the inside… so it’s sexy but in a very subtle way!

I think this dress is PERFECT for those more formal, offsite company holiday parties where you want to be a little daring, but still be completely appropriate and professional. I wore this dress with a trench coat when it was cold, and I felt totally holiday party ready!

 Dress: Morning Lavender Lynette Dress Shoes: Valentino Rockstud Heels Clutch: DailyLook Baggu Clutch; similar here  Dress: Morning Lavender Lynette Dress Bracelet: Gramerci Design Clutch: DailyLook Baggu Clutch; similar here

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post!

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post The Perfect Dress For The [Formal/Offsite] Company holiday Party | Morning Lavender Dress Review appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I think I was lucky. I didn’t start my career in the corporate world until I was 26 because of grad school, so I think I got into the working world a little more matured and a little more ready. Maybe I was more ready to become, shall we say, a #GirlBoss?

But thrown into the midst of the workplace without much experience, I was facing a steep learning curve and some real growing pains. Like my manager told me on the day I started, “Be ready to drink from the fire hose.” She was not exaggerating. And this was how my career in biotech marketing began.

It wasn’t just the workload or the new processes and jargons I had to pick up. It wasn’t even the fact that I was hired to fill a position that required at least 2–3 more years of experience than I had. It was the fact that this is now a new environment where things operate based on completely different rules. I came to learn that the work place is a complex ecosystem with hidden intricacies. From what you casually mention to your boss, what you use as desk decor, to what perfume you are wearing; everything adds to or detracts from your reputation. And reputation, as I’ve come to know, could mean the difference between promotion and layoff, getting visibility and never being noticed, moving on and up and staying static in your position.

So here are a few things that I have learned from 5 years of working in the corporate environment. If I could go back in time and chat with my 25-year-old self, I would tell her:

1. Choose your work friends carefully

Your work friends are people you eat lunch with, seen going on coffee runs with, people that you actually directly work with (which you have less control over), and people that you do happy hour with. This is simple: birds of a feather flock together. If you associate with people that are lazy, overly casual, “loose”, and careless, you will be perceived as the same.

2. Don’t be labeled as “The Young One”

Even if you are the youngest on the team, don’t ever settle for a label as such. Labels like this often come with the association that you lack experience or even skills. Just because you are younger in age, doesn’t mean you don’t have more to offer. Labels like this are also very hard to get out of once you have it.  What’s worse, is that “the young one” is often used as a psychological crutch that hinders people’s growth. Stay away from it, for your development’s sake.

3. Know your core competency, and find ways to make it shine

In the early phase of your employment, try to find out why you were hired. Is it your analytical skills, sales experience, or technical know-how that got you your job? Find it out, and stick to what you are best at. Are you good at Excel? Add data to your presentation. Are you really good with PowerPoint? Create a presentation even when you don’t need to. And in your spare time, develop other missing skills. Not great at presentations? Volunteer to present. Not good at Excel? Find a co-worker who is, and ask nicely or bribe them – do whatever you have to do to have them teach you.

4. Know the job after this one

This doesn’t mean you start looking for the next job as soon as you find one. This means that the job you are interviewing for and preparing for should pave the way for your next one.  Never leave “figuring out what my next thing is” till after you get a job; you should do that prior to your interview. The reason is that so you negotiate terms that allow you to develop skills you are lacking (refer to the last point) and make you more prepared to go for a more senior, but similar position, or switch to a tangential kind of function.

Shoes: Kenneth Cole; similar here, here, here Blazer vest: Chelsea28 x Olivia Palermo; similar here, here, here Bag: Louis Vuitton Bag; similar here, here, here

5. Find a mentor

A good mentor can guide you through uncertain times and difficult decisions. They may have been in your shoes and know the consequences of taking certain directions  But finding a good mentor is not easy. Mentors are not floating around waiting to teach you the ropes or how best to climb the corporate ladder. Mentorships have to be sought out, fostered, and maintained. But mentorships could also come from places you least expect. If you’re lucky, your boss could be your mentor. Or our co-worker could be your mentor. The best mentor is the kind that is personally invested in your development.

Whichever direction you go in to look for a mentor, know to always prepare questions before you meet with your mentor. Your mentorship is as good as you make it out to be. It takes work.

6. Your boss is not your buddy

Don’t get me wrong – friendship can certainly exist between you and your boss. You can even have a friendship outside of work.  Your boss is there to make sure, as a team, you deliver results. Your boss may even be there to motivate you, encourage you, and help the team be efficient. What they’re not required to be, is to be your friend. They may look out for your benefits and crack jokes with you and that would be great, but they’re certainly not obligated to.  The point is to never default your boss to be your friend, or worse, your equal.  Because they are not.

7. If you think you are being underpaid… prove it

Rather than complaining about being underpaid, spend your time investigating your “worth”. Simply put, in the working environment, your “worth” is equal to what an employer is willing to pay you. Different employers may have different opinions. So if you think you are being underpaid, prove it by looking for other jobs and seeing if others are willing to pay you your ideal salary. If you do, you either have found a new employer or solid evidence that you deserve higher pay at your current job. If you don’t find an employer willing to pay you your ideal salary, then maybe it’s time to explore options to enhance your value and skillset, so that eventually you can find offers with your ideal salary.

Top: Zara; similar here, here, here Blazer vest: Chelsea28 x Olivia Palermo; similar here, here, here Bag: Louis Vuitton Bag; similar here, here, here

So what do you think? I used very specific examples that related to my particular experience. Do you have anything else that you’d share with your 25-year-old self if you could go back in time?

The post 7 Pieces of Career Advice I Would Give to My 20-something-Self appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Last week we talked about how to stay graceful and chic when traveling through airports. Staying along the same line of traveling, and more specifically, traveling for business, I want to talk about one of the easiest Staying along the same line of traveling, and more specifically, traveling for business, I want to talk about one of the easiest piece to get in and out of when you’re getting ready for business meetings!

Psst… this ASOS piece is STILL AVAILABLE AND 50% off now!!! GET IT BEFORE IT RUNS OUT!!

So whether you’re going in the office and looking for a simple fail-safe outfit, or looking for something you can slip on quickly after you’ve landed in your business trip destination, this dress is it!

My favorite feature of it is how flattering it is without making you too curve-conscious. It has a ring on the left side of the wrap, and on the right is the piece of tie that loops through the ring to tie the dress together. It’s very comfortable, and do you see that slit there?? It makes the dress more interesting and adds just a little bit of sexiness!

 Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring  Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring  Dress: Asos Soft Wrap Pencil Dress with D-Ring

All photography by Arielle Levy

I’m headed to Boston next week for another business trip. I am looking forward to being in downtown Boston for business! Are any of you from the area?

The post Easy & Chic Wrap Dress for Business Occasions appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Black, white, nudes, gray, and monochromatic color combination is typical for women’s workwear collection because they’re season-less. But once in a while, I give into the temptation of something that’s a bit funky, a bit different, and a bit..dare I say, colorful!

This blazer I bought from Nordstrom, and it’s the brand Halogen, which is Nordstrom’s own creation. I love the fit, the color, and length, and the material. It’s really the perfect piece!

P.S. Scroll to the bottom to find out about the Poshmark Party I’m hosting on 5/24, and the specific items I’m looking to feature in this party, themed VACATION VIBES!

I also recently became addicted to looking and admittedly, shopping, at Rebecca Taylor pieces on OffFifth.com because they’re just SO nicely made!  And OffFifth offers sweet discounts on these amazing and versatile pieces making the temptations even stronger. You should really check it out!

PSSSST: I am hosting a Poshmark Party on the app on Tuesday 5/24/2016 at 7PM PST!

Elle, blogger at The Gray Asparagus, Lisa at HelloImFabulous on Instagram, and I are teaming up to host this awesome Vacation Vibes Poshmark party on Tuesday 5/24. We each have a different sub-theme, i.e. our own take on the Vacation Vibes theme. Mine is “European Escape” since I just came back from a business trip in Germany (did you see my Instagram documentation of the beautiful Munich trip?). I would love to be tagged on items such as comfortable but stylish travel clothes, floppy hats, comfortable shoes i.e. SNEAKERS!

Find me on Poshmark here @CubicleChic!

The post The Perfect Spring Color in My Work Blazer appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Happy Friday, you!! I am sharing a Friday casual outfit with you today, quite unlike my usual office wardrobe outfits!

But before that – what are your plans this weekend? Doing anything fun? I am spending time with family and WORKING OUT. Yes, exercising has definitely been on my mind lately.  I blogged about how to stay healthy in the corporate office lifestyle here, and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen a lot more sporty/athleisure type of outfits and accessories. For example….

THESE SNEAKERS. Can we just take a collective moment of silence in honor of how GORGEOUS they are?

*silence*

Anyhow… moving onto the outfit.

It was easy putting this outfit together, because the top basically speaks for itself. I just paired it with neutral and “quiet” type of pieces so they don’t compete with the top.

I’ve always believed in keeping a “Monday outfit” edge in casual Friday outfits. If you work in a relatively traditional and conservative environment, even if it’s Casual Friday, it doesn’t mean you should show up in ripped jeans and see-through or sequin tops.

The truth is, even on Fridays you are building an image, a reputation even, amongst your peers, your superiors, and your inferiors. It’s okay to be more comfortable and laid back, but being respectable and put-together should still be a priority.

Ok, the half-tucked-shirt trend may be a bit much if you are REALLY going to the office now. But I thought for the photos I would throw it in to make the ensemble a bit more interesting. Tuck it in otherwise!

This top was purchased from the outlet website of Saks Fifth Avenue, Off Fifth (all inked below). In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated websites to shop at. They have a ton of designer stuff at heavily discounted prices, you just might be surprised!

What’s your casual Friday outfit principle? Do you have any? Share with me below!

All photography by Arielle Levy Photography

The post Casual Friday || Rebecca Taylor Embellished Top appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Sophia Amoruso may have written a book about it, but I have lived it. I’ve always embodied many of the components of what make up the #GIRLBOSS personality – firm, determined, unwaivered, highly professional, and very ambitious. Yet in the corporate world, you see all too often that strong minded women get categorized into the b*itchy bucket. It’s almost inevitable, and it really is a shame. That’s where being “nice” makes a difference.

Being nice is in the professional world is not about being easy-going or eager to please. And it’s definitely not letting people step all over you. It’s actually the ability to persuade other without force, to convey a message without having to scream, and solve a problem, reach a solution, without leaving dead bodies behind.

Having said all that, let’s come back to what I do best… putting together professional outfits to present the woman you want to be. Today,I’m sharing with you an outfit that makes me feel like a total #GIRLBOSS, and a very nice one at that.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

There’s something to be said about the soft colors and femininity of a flowy scarf.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

What do you do, use, say, or wear that makes you a #GIRLBOSS? I want to know!! 

All Photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

The post New #GIRLBOSS attitude and an outfit to go with it. You’re welcome. appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I knew this piece had a lot of potential versatility to it when I saw it on Poshmark. It’s an Olive & Oak little black shirt dress with an open front, and a soft tie around the waist to close up the piece. I can already envision so many ways that this piece can be worn…

I decided to wear this piece just as a normal LBD.. I paired it with a these gorgeous, GORGEOUS, did I say gorgeous, strappy heels from Missguided. They can be found here at a discounted price on ASOS.

This outfit right now may not be immediately office appropriate, but I could easily pair It with a white turtle neck, a pair of trousers and wear this shirt dress open. Or I can wear this over a collared shirt and a pair of jeans, and that would be a perfect casual Friday outfit. I am so excited about it already!

Here are 6 different dresses that are highly similar, at a spectrum of price points!

All Photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

In the spirit of sharing, today I am also linking up with Michelle’s Paige and Ana Luiza to share more timeless and classic looks from other fabulous bloggers! 

‘);

Stay Cubicle Chic!

The post Classic LBD with a Twist appeared first on Cubicle Chic.