Workplace Must Have - Lint Roller!

Every working girl should have a lint roller in her desk.  I have the cutest fourteen pound kitty (no, his name is not Garfield, but he is orange) and his hair always finds his way in my eyes, in my hair and of course, on my clothes.  So, what that means for me is I have to keep a lint roller, at home, in my car, in my desk, and even a mini one for my purse....

But, keeping a lint roller in your desk is not just for pet owners whose homes have been overturned by pet hair.  Non pet-owners can also fall victim to linty clothing.  Didn't clean the lint tray in your dryer, your overcoat left particles on your blazer or cardigan, or that infamous kleenex residue, all can leave you looking a little dishelveled.  Please know I am speaking from experience here!

While many may debate what really pulls together an outfit (and I am by no means Tim Gunn), my two cents says if you are wearing that fab Power Suit from "The Limited" or your brand new black cardigan paired with the cutest pencil skirt (both which are still their pre-wash jet black), nothing can turn that outfit upside down, like a colony of lint!

So the next time you are out shopping, add a lint brush/roller to your list.  Hint: even if you don't have a pet, try the lint rollers designed specifically for pet owners, that paper is so sticky, one swipe and you're good!

What I made happen this Monday

So - since I coined the term "Make it happen Monday" just last week, I am proud to say, that although not as rested, wide eyed and bushy-tailed as I was last Monday I still managed to make it happen.

How?

1. I had a great breakfast - 2 packs of oatmeal and a banana!
2. I wore a fantastically chic outfit - black pencil skirt, leopard ruffle blouse and a tan blazer.
3. Managed to sit through a painful discussion about the fraudulent activity taking place when it comes to our employees covering ineligible dependents on health benefits.  Hey - take your grand kids, your boyfriend and girlfriend's niece off of your medical insurance right now!

There - with a smile on my face and sling back heels on my feet - I made it happen this Monday!

Is professional attire in the eye of the beholder?

Ironically on the night of "Fashion's Night Out 2010" I read a story about female sportscaster Ines Sainz and the controversial outfits she wears when performing her job covering sports events.  While the story intends to discuss the sexual harassment she endured by a couple of the New York Jets players on Sunday, by the end of the article, the issue is clearly Ines' inappropriate choice of dress when she entered the office of football players - the locker room.

Check out the article which I found on lemondrop.com and see what readers have got to say.  Whoa - and the opinions on this topic. http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/09/14/ines-sainz-sexual-harrassment-jets/?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk3%7C170626

Now, I've been nicknamed Carrie Bradshaw around my office (stylish, quirky, and great shoes), but I do keep it work appropriate.  While I choose to not place judgement on Ines' outfit selections from what I've seen and read, I'll just say that sometimes people just don't know what they don't know.  It seems like common sense to know what professional work attire is, but those lines can get blurred depending on what industry you work in and also based on what is communicated to employees upon hire and through the working relationship.

At the end of the day, this article brings up lots of topics: Professional dress, sexual harassment, gender double standards, and freedom of expression or choice.  Who would have thought an LBD (little black dress - for the guys who don't know this) could cause so much drama!

Saturday Shopping Tip: Seeking Stylish Work Clothes

Banana Republic to the rescue...

Growing up, Saturdays meant hitting up the mall.  Me, my mom and my two aunties.  What fun we had - Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, Express, New York and Company, Ross, Marshalls, Old Navy and my then favorite Mervyns.  Is there a Mervyns around anymore - I know they closed the ones in my town.  Anyway - I am always on the quest for stylish work clothes, that can also double as going out weekend clothes.  Gone are the days when you had - work clothes, church clothes and weekend clothes.  If you do it right, you can pretty much mix and match for any occasion - within reason. 

Right now, my favorite store and website has to be Banana Republic because they are catering to working professionals.  Being the professional shopper that I am - I am signed up on most retail websites and get alerts literally every day!  But Banana Republic comes through each time.  Not only do they have great sales and discounts and but free shipping frequently too.  Their clothes really can transform from day to night - weekday to weekend!  Even if I don't buy anything new, their website gives me countless outfit ideas.  This is not just for ladies either - MEN - they have great business casual ideas for you too.  

So whether you are shopping your closet or actually spending the dollars - next time you seek out work attire ideas hit the Internet and hit up Banana Republic.com!