Gift Guide: For Work

Hey y'all! I'm back with my final gift guide for the 2015 holiday season. These have been so much fun for me to put together, and I hope y'all were inspired by them. Have no fear, I'm not done with holiday themed posts for the year- I just feel like this completes my set of gift guides. This guide is designed with the working gal in mind. All of these items are picked specifically to make life easier or prettier while on the job! I hope you enjoy my gift guide for work!

Business Card Holder. I actually asked for one of these beauties on my personal Christmas list. Not only is it absolutely adorable, but it's a classy way to carry around your business cards. I love it!

Planner. Rifle Paper Co. is definitely one of my favorite companies right now. They make absolutely beautiful prints and I want to own them all! This planner is gorgeous and would help keep even the busiest girl organized.

Trinket Tray. This is perfect as a catch-all for a chic desk! The black and gold combo is so fashionable this year, and I think a trinket tray is a must have for any functional desk!

Stylus. In the age of technology, this is practically an essential! I love my stylus, it helps keep my touchscreens free of fingerprints. This one comes with an adorable case to make sure that you don't lose it!

To Do List. I am a self-proclaimed list lover and this notepad makes me so happy. I love the design on the bottom! The rectangular shape leaves plenty of room for the lengthy list of any go-getter!

Back-up Charger. Having one of these is seriously the best idea in the world! There's no doubt that any busy working gal will be using her technology while on the go- and nothing is worse than that low battery notification! Not only is this adorable, but it's slim design makes it easy to carry around.

Umbrella. This is an obvious essential for the working gal (sound familiar? I talked about this before here). But make sure it's not drab! This has a gorgeous and colorful print that still maintains a professional look.

Mouse Pad Notebook. Personalized gifts are always thoughtful in my book. I particularly love this because it doubles as a notebook! How many times does a great idea pop into your head while you're at the computer? With this mouse pad, you can jot it down immediately. No more lost bright ideas.

Dry Erase Decal. I think this is a fabulous idea for an at-home or at-work office space! It provides a convenient dry erase surface without putting holes in the wall.

Stationary Set. You never know when you need to send a handwritten note when you're in the business world, so why not have adorable stationary at your fingertips to accomplish the task?! These cards are beautiful and would definitely help get your thoughtful messages across!

Desk Calendar. This is an absolutely beautiful calendar. I love having a desk calendar at my fingertips to help plan meetings and events, and this would be the perfect chic addition to any desk.

Desk Name Plate. Does a Girl Boss desk name plate even require a description? This is hilarious.

File Folders. These would make filing less monotonous for sure! I love the quirky quotes across each of them, and obviously I love pink!

I hope you've enjoyed these guides as much as I have! If you missed any of my earlier guides, check them out here, here, and here! Happiest of holidays, lovely readers!

How to Prioritize "Me" Time

Let's face it- life can be pretty hectic at times. While I love the hustle and bustle, it tends to exhaust me after a short while. I'm a huge advocate of understanding your own personality and cultivating independence, however I too forget an important aspect of my week/day- carving out "me" time. Especially when things get busy with work!

Although it's often overlooked, nothing recharges me and helps me stay on top of my game like a little "me" time. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant, just something that allows me to take a step back and refocus. My favorite "me" time activities are reading, blogging, at-home spa treatments, baking, and sometimes working out. What I find relaxing really depends on where I am in my day, how much time I have, and my current mood. Here are some tips I use to help prioritize "me" time during my work week:

Schedule dedicated time on your calendar/to do list. This is huge for me. I feel as though I live and die by my Outlook calendar, my planner, and my never-ending to do list. Setting aside time (especially if it comes with a reminder) helps me to remember to indulge. It also helps me to feel as though it's productive and something I need to do to complete my day.

Set a specific amount of time to recharge then return to working. During the busy seasons of my job, like right now, I benefit from taking a break mid-afternoon to reset my mind. This helps me to return to finish out my afternoon strong. When I feel like I'm overwhelmed, I'll decide to take the next 10-30 minutes to do a relaxing activity then return to work fresh.

Remember the benefits you will enjoy! When I look forward to something, I'm less likely to forget it. This is also true for "me" time! By meditating or focusing on how relaxed I will feel afterwards, I'm more likely to set aside the time to achieve those benefits.

Set aside your materials in a visible place. If I want to go running after work, I'll be sure to lay out clothes and put my sneakers in an obvious spot. If I want to read during my lunch break, I'll be sure to put my book in my purse. Even if I'm in a different mindset when the actual time rolls around, I'm more likely to do my relaxation activity if I have all my supplies ready for myself!

These are just a few tips, but I've found them to be extremely helpful to prioritize "me" time in the middle of the hectic work week. I hope you find them helpful as well! Looking for a great face mask to pamper yourself? Read some of my reviews here and here. Prefer to read a new book? Check out my recent reviews!

How do you prioritize "me" time during the week? What are your favorite activities that leave you refreshed afterwards?

Gear to Survive a Rainy Work Day

Hey y'all! I hope you're having a wonderful week so far- we are so close to the weekend! Mine has been great, however we've had wet weather all week. YUCK. For most people, rain stinks- but they go inside for their job all day and only deal with the weather when arriving and leaving. For me, rain is TERRIBLE (almost as bad as snow!) because I of the nature of my job. I'm in and out of the car all day. So, rain is basically my enemy. I've always struggled over what to wear to work on a wet days and have come up with my essential rainy day gear through trial and error over the past few years. I wanted to share these fabulous items with y'all so you too can survive a rainy work day!

Water Proof Trench. I absolutely love my London Fog trench coat. It's the perfect color khaki and has a flattering silhouette. It's great to wear with pants or dresses, and keeps my outfits dry on rainy days. I purchased the coat with a detachable liner that really comes in handy on cold, wet days!

Stylish Rain Boots. A pair of cute rain boots are a must! I love the bow detailing on the back of these, especially in comparison to my plain black pair! I love that these look like riding boots and could be worn in a professional setting.

Umbrella. This is a must- no one likes to wear wet hair to work!

Travel Mug. Rainy days call for an extra cup of coffee or tea to keep you warm. Obviously, this is another opportunity for stylish accessories. I typically use Tervis cups but this Kate Spade mug is adorable!

Scarf. If your rainy day comes with wind or cold temperatures, adding in a scarf will help keep you dry! I think few things are more miserable than we clothing.

Boot Socks. I don't have Hunter boots, but I love how these look! They have an assortment of colors that look absolutely adorable in a rain boot. They definitely keep your feet warm and dry on dreary days!

What are your rainy day essentials?

5 Packing Tips for Business Trips

Hi hi! Today I wanted to talk to y'all about a small, but important part of my job- business trips. More specifically, I want to talk about packing for one! Week-long business trips are something that I do 2-3 times a year. So pretty rarely. But one of the biggest challenges I've run into is how to pack for the meetings. We usually head out to attraction destinations- I've attended meetings in Las Vegas, Orlando, and Scottsdale. These locations are mainly warm, so packing for the trip can be a little tricky.

Layers are key. For those of you who haven't been to a corporate meeting hosted at a hotel, let me set the scene for you. You are bustling around with hundreds of other people packed into conference rooms chattering all day. You may or may not change rooms depending on your meeting agenda. Hotels see large groups of people and decide to BLAST you with air conditioning, regardless of the temperature outside. I understand that it would be terrible in the rooms without the flow of the air. However, I am cold-natured and this is my worse nightmare. I pack plenty of layers that can be worn in different combinations to keep warm through the meetings.

Bring conservative post-meeting attire. While it's absolutely necessary to let loose after meetings end for the day, executives are also going to be around the hotel. I recommend either wearing your meeting outfit to the evening activities or packing something more comfortable yet still conservative for the evening. At my company meetings, everyone generally hangs around the hotel bars and it is a wonderful time to network. Be comfortable yet still try to look professional! You never know who you might run into!

Travel in style. In my experience with business trips, we are expected to fly in on the morning of our first meeting day. This means that we will be seeing people in the arriving airport to get transported to the hotel and be expected to sit in meetings after lunch. For my first trip, I traveled in the outfit I wanted to wear for the day but planned to shower at the hotel before our meetings. Big mistake. I didn't know that everyone would be completely done up even though they got to the airport at 5AM! Since my first mistake, I shower the night before and wear light make-up for my flight. I will typically wear my glasses on the plane so I can sleep (don't forget your travel pillow!) but fully ready myself in all other aspects! In addition to feeling more put together at the airport, I have enjoyed having the extra time to rest or get settled into my hotel before my meetings instead of frantically getting myself ready upon arrival. 

Create a packing list. This is huge for me. I have always suffered from over-packing when I travel, even when I was a little girl. Due to the clothing that I bring for work and the length of my stay, I need as much room as possible in my suitcase! Writing a packing list (and sticking to it!) helps me ensure that I'm bringing exactly what I need and helps me leave what I don't need at home. I've also found that preparing a list helps me create outfits with pieces that I can mix and match. I think that's truly my trick to packing less! I've also found that if I make my list a few days in advance, it is more reasonable. Without the pressure of a time crunch, I can make a well-thought out list that covers all of my bases.

Bring all of your chargers. While this should be a no-brainer, the last thing you want to do is show up to a company meeting with uncharged technology (especially if you were enjoying some in-flight entertainment). I have a laptop, iPad, and phone for work- so I need to make sure that I have the right chargers! I think that while chargers are important, they are easily forgotten. Make sure you add them onto your packing list!

While these ideas just scratch the surface, I find them to be helpful when planning my trips. I hope they help you pack for your next business trip too!

  
***This post is linked up with Tutu Tuesdays! Check out more great posts here!***

What are your travel secrets? How do you keep from over-packing? Do you have any travel essentials?

How to Appear Confident (even when you don't feel it!)

Happy Monday! I can't believe we're starting another week, time is flying by so fast for me these days! This week represents a big one- I have hugely important event happening for work this morning (prayers appreciated!), I'll be traveling tomorrow, Wednesday is the first day of Fall, and I'm attending the Landmark Music Festival all next weekend. To make things crazier, I'm in the midst of my busy season for work so I have a lot to do to make sure everything is squared away. I love to be organized, it gives me a sense of calmness that I have yet to find another way. Additionally, when I feel like everything is under control in a certain area of my life, I'm able to focus my energy elsewhere. But I'm human, and unfortunately I forget to cross certain t's and dot certain i's. It usually happens at the worst time possible- and the realization of those missteps leads to panic. Thankfully, I have learned a few ways to put my best foot forward and fake confidence on the outside even when I feel like I'm falling apart on the inside. I wanted to share a couple with y'all today!

Take a deep breath and focus. Whether I'm about to give a presentation to colleagues or walk into a meeting with an important customer, re-centering my thoughts is the way to go. Placing all focus into the task at hand- and squashing the temptation to worry about something completely unrelated- helps channel your energy towards rocking your task!

Stand up straight. Posture, specifically poor posture, can totally set the tone for how you are perceived before you even open your mouth. Standing with your feet shoulder's width apart and planted (read: not shifting your weight side-to-side), keeping a micro-bend in your knees so they don't lock, and rolling your shoulders back shows anyone who's watching that you have things under control. Be mindful of your hands and do your best not to fidget!

Smile. Having a bright, confident smile on your face does more than a million reassuring words! Think of something that makes you genuinely happy and it will show. This allows you to appear relaxed and ready to take on what's in front of you!

Wear a power outfit. That statement means different things to different people. To me, a power outfit would consist of clothing that makes me feel comfortable yet look polished. I don't want to be worried about straps sliding down or hemlines riding up! My power outfit is typically a pencil skirt with a loose-fitting sleeved blouse tucked in, and my favorite black heels. Honestly, it could be anything that gives you that extra "oomph" when you need it!

Speak slowly. I don't know about y'all, but when I'm nervous or excited I tend to talk at a rate that's easily 2x that of my normal language. Combating this takes conscious effort but truly helps to come across cool, calm, and collected! I try to intentionally pick my words and make sure that I'm articulating my thoughts in the best way. This keeps me from rushing ahead of myself in my mind and speaking too quickly.

While it doesn't seem like a ton of work, when used properly these tips have the ability to make a huge impact on how others perceive you! Next time you're in a pinch- I hope you remember a few of these and are able to implement them to project a little extra confidence. If you found these helpful, don't forget to pin this article to reference later!

What do you do to appear confident? Have you used any of these tips successfully?

How to Save Money in Your Twenties

Hi readers! I hope all is well in your world this week. Mine has been busy, but good. I really can't complain! Today's topic is something I've spent a lot of time thinking about. As a young professional, I feel as though I'm in a great phase in my life. I work for a great company, do a job that I enjoy (most days!), am financially independent from my parents, and am able to pay all of my bills while having a little left over for fun. But, finances can be tricky in your twenties. Not to toot my own horn, but I feel like I got on the right track pretty quickly from a financial perspective right out of college. I can't pretend to have gotten things taken care of on my own- I am very blessed to be surrounded by people who have great advice to offer from a financial perspective! On the flip side of that, I have also seen the financial struggles of people dear to me and my family during the economic recession that many are still bouncing back from. These experiences have given me a unique view on my finances and have allowed me to take charge from day 1. I want to share some insight with you so you can better understand how to save money in your twenties!

Thinking back on my initial job offer with my company, I was not thrilled with my salary offer. I was familiar with the cost of living in Atlanta, but I was going to be moving upon the acceptance of my position and was not sure what my salary would do for me in my next destination. I was pretty upset to be honest when I looked things up! It wasn't pretty. Thankfully, I signed on with a training program that had an increasing salary structure as I completed the phases and was able to live more comfortably as I moved through my program. Even though I felt strapped for cash and couldn't shop as much as I felt I needed to (getting a job required an ENTIRE wardrobe change for this gal! I couldn't wear Nike shorts and sorority tshirts every day), I decided to begin investing in my 401k immediately. I work for a company who offers a matching program up to a certain percentage of your salary. Y'all. That means FREE money from your employer for when you retire. Please, if you aren't sure, check to see if your company does this and opt-in for the maximum they match. I promise that you won't notice the small percentage missing from your paycheck! This is also the easiest way to save because it's already deducted before your paycheck is deposited into your bank account, so you never really know what you're missing! With all of the changes going on with Social Security and the instability of our economy, we have no idea what we will need by the time our generation retires. Saving early and diligently will absolutely help.

With that being said, I also believe it's important to have additional savings outside of a 401k. It's recommended to have 3-6 months of living expenses in an easy-to-access savings account as an emergency fund. Calculating this value is a great exercise because it forces you to look at your required costs vs extra costs (a great place to start formulating a budget...). Set this emergency fund as a goal and really do what you need to in order to build it quickly. So what if it means drinking water instead of soda at lunch? Or ordering frugally at happy hour? Or skipping the extra trips to Starbucks? You will survive, I promise. Establishing this fund ensures that you can live if anything happens to your current income flow and should be a priority. Oh, and once you've accomplished this? LEAVE IT ALONE. Don't dip into it next time Lilly or Nordstrom has a sale- you'll regret it if you ever happen to need this fund.

On top of an emergency fund, you may want to set an additional savings goal depending on where you are in your life. Do you want to purchase a new car or your own place? You'll need a down payment. How about replacing your hand-me-down furniture? That's not cheap. Are you going to be financially responsible for your wedding? You might want to start getting some extra cash set aside. Regardless of your goal, this is a great way to keep adding to your savings. Take a look at what you'd like to save and how long before you want to do so. This will allow you to break down what you need to save every month. I am currently allowing myself more flexibility here than I did with my emergency fund, but I do my best to keep track of extra spending so I can make up my shortcomings the next few months. I do this so my end goal isn't disrupted. This girl is hoping to buy when I move next, so I have a ton of saving to do!

As I mentioned before, bugeting is a great idea when you're first starting out. Getting paychecks larger than you've ever gotten before can trick you into thinking you can spend freely. Now, sometimes that is true (please refer me to your company if you have this kind of job) but more often it's an illusion. Required spends tend to increase when you're getting a full-time paycheck and need to be taken care of first before spending for fun. You should use some sort of visualization (I used Excel) to identify all of your earnings and spendings each month. I recommend splitting into sections with income, required spends (rent, car, gas, heating, power, etc.), and optional spends (eating out, concerts, shopping, etc.). This helps you to identify areas that you can have more flexibility in vs. those that are consistently there month to month. If you'd like more information on how I set up my budget, please send me an email and I'd be happy to go into more detail with you!

I hope you find my experiences useful and are able to start saving ASAP if you aren't already!

How are you saving? Do you have a savings goal? How do you prioritize your savings efforts?

My Recent Purchases

Happy Tuesday, y'all! This week as been rough so far- jet lag is not my friend! I've had the most difficult time readjusting from my 3 hour time change last week in Arizona. Hopefully I'll be back to normal tonight or tomorrow night. Mornings are already rough for me, I don't need to make things any more dramatic! Before my business trip last week, I did a little last minute shopping to put my best foot forward at my meetings. I wanted to share a few of my favorites out of my recent purchases!

1 J.Crew Factory Polka dot blouse. One of my challenges with work attire has got to be finding cute blouses. I have a difficult time finding age- and work-appropriate tops. During the summer, I prefer short sleeved blouses so that I can forgo the cardigan yet stay modest. This was the perfect fix for me and I love how light the material is!

2 J.Crew Factory Mini-Skirt. I bought this same cinched skirt in a beautiful emerald green before the holidays and absolutely adore it! The fit is perfect and it's just the right length to still be fun for happy hour after work! I desperately needed a navy skirt, so I thought I'd go with a tried and true silhouette.

3 Kendra Scott Alex Earrings. You may not believe me, but I found these cuties on CLEARANCE at Nordstrom Rack! Not only are they a beautiful color, but I couldn't pass up the price. I was a little worried about the weight, as I normally wear studs, but they were manageable for me. I paired these with the polka dot blouse and white jeans for my travel outfit to my meeting. I will definitely be repeating the combo- I got a ton of compliments! Who doesn't like that?!

4 LOFT Eyelet Skirt. This scalloped skirt is so on trend for several reasons- beautifully scalloped bottom, flowy silhouette, and laser cut-outs around the edge! It's perfectly flirty yet tasteful for work. I have already worn this twice and am sure it will get a heck of a lot more use as the summer weather is here to stay!

5 Cole Haan Leather Tote. I have been carrying a tote bag from Target for the past 1.5 years and it has officially seen it's last day. It was so overdue, I probably could've retired it around Christmas and that may have seemed like I was stretching it. Needless to say, I am so excited for this new bag! I removed the exterior dogtag and love the sleek look. It has a coy zipper that lines the pocket for extra storage. I love having organization in my bags, and this has plenty of room for everything I need. I am not sure how long I will make it without multiple interior pockets, but this will be a great bag to have in rotation if I decide to pick up a second bag.

6 J.Crew Factory White Shorts. Obviously I've blown up the J.Crew outlet near my house, but I couldn't resist these! I didn't have a pair of white shorts before, and love these! Yet again, I have a pair in another color and was surprised at how thick the white pair turned out to be. I am very aware of the delicacy of white shorts these days and don't like when you can see everything including white/nude undergarments underneath! That's ridiculous. Thankfully, these fit my thickness requirement and were perfect with wedges for casual dinners in Arizona!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week, and thanks for stopping by to read! I truly appreciate every person who takes the time to read my ramblings and am thankful for those who come back post after post. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thanks, y'all!

Which item is your favorite? What have you purchased recently?

My 7 Workday Essentials

Sometimes getting through the workday can be.. well.. work. Between looking professional, keeping organized, staying hydrated, and rocking your job- today's career girl has a ton on her plate! I have by no means mastered how to get through perfectly, but I do have some essentials that I can't get through my day without.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Trench. This is my favorite work wear item that I own. I absolutely love how versatile this jacket is! The removable liner inside is perfect for this crazy VA weather, and it helps me to transition this jacket through more seasons. It even has a detachable hood!

Bag. I am currently on the hunt for a new work tote. My current choice is a mustard yellow compartmentalized tote from Target. It has been a trooper, but the straps are on the verge of breaking at this point! I love the different pockets and pouches to keep me organized and the size to carry everything from my planner to my laptop! I am going to need to shop around some more, but having a professional looking yet functional bag is key in my day-to-day.

Planner. As I just mentioned, my planner goes everywhere with me. I keep my outlook calendar up-to-date, but I really love carrying around my paper one to access quickly. Everything from dinner plans to dentist appointments to work events go in here to help me remember them! I love Sugar Paper products, and have been using the brown and gold line available at Target for the past 2 years. They are cute, functional, and high-quality!

Wedges. I basically live in the black JCrew wedges. They are just high enough to make me feel professional, yet low enough to keep my feet comfortable. The patent material goes with just about everything in my closet and is super easy to keep clean. Two thumbs up from me!

Wallet. When I first started working, I didn't have an envelope wallet because I rarely carried a purse large enough to fit one. Now that I'm living out of a work bag, having an all-inclusive wallet to throw from bag to purse is a must! It keeps me from forgetting anything, and is easy to grab to take to lunch or into Starbucks without lugging the whole bag.

Travel Mug. Although I have really enjoyed my new routine change regarding my morning coffee, I still take a Tervis to work with me every day (even if it's empty!). I am a fan of the reusable aspect and how cute they are! I am able to get it filled at any coffee shop and they keep drinks the correct temperature- crucial detail!

Water Bottle. To be perfectly honest, I have a hard time staying hydrated throughout the week. I have a scale that measures my weight, BMI, and it also reports my percent water in my body. I have been trying to keep it up in the healthy range- which for women is 45-60% of total weight- and one of the easiest ways to do that is to simply have water with me! I find that if I wait until I'm thirsty to grab some water, I end up drinking less. If it's by my side all day I WILL drink it! I am a fan of Camelbak because I don't have to worry about spilling.

What are your workday essentials? Do you have any secrets to surviving your workday?