9 to 5

4 TIPS FOR WORKING FROM HOME

Whether you have a day job that allows you to telecommute at times or you work from home full time as a blogger or something else, working from home can be the best and can be the worst! During the day, I work in the media industry in NYC but there are days where I have the ability to work from home. Below are my 4 tips for successfully working from home! 


1. Get Dressed. While it is so tempting to stay in pajamas all day when you are staying home, I highly advise changing your clothes. I'm not saying you have to get dressed up, but I do think it's key to change into a pair of jeans & a tee shirt at least to signal to your body that it's time to start the day!

2. Set a Schedule. My office hours are 10am to 6pm so even when I'm working from home, I stick to those hours. It's easy to roll out of bed and hop right on your computer & end up working 10 hour days, but I think it's still important to have a work/life balance even when working from home. I keep a similar morning routine for myself and then sit down at my computer around my scheduled time to start. Same goes for the end of the day; without my commute home, there are days when I feel like I could sit on the computer working all night long. It's important that come 6-ish PM, I shut down the computer and enjoy time with family or friends. 

 3. Take a Break. Piggybacking off of the idea of setting a schedule, I think it's important to give yourself some breaks while WFH. While in the office, I usually go for a walk around lunch time either to pick up food or run a quick errand. You should allow yourself to do the same when working from home. In fact, if you don't go out, you may go the entire day without being outside.

4. Designate a work space. This is such an important one when working from your home. Whether you have an actual desk/office set up or not, you want to designate a quiet space to get work done that is free of distractions.  Sit away from the TV or phone. Away from a place where the people you live with may come charging in and instead find a place that is comfortable yet suitable for getting your best work done (ie. a table & chair or desk...not your bed or couch!)

 Do you WFH? Have any tips for doing so successfully?

 XO
Michelle Paige


PLAID TOP FOR FALL WORK DAYS





Top: Ann Taylor | Pants: c/o DL1961 | Bag: Tory Burch | Shoes: J Crew


This is gonna be a super quick post. I'm writing this Sunday night after a bridal shower AND a wedding AND I have jury duty bright and early tomorrow morning. Safe to say it's a busy 48 hours!


XO
Michelle Paige




SPRING DRESS FOR WORK

 

How perfect is this dress for the office in the spring & summer? I love the print & classic wrap style. I wore Aventura clothing during the winter & was so excited to check out their spring line. Just like the sweaters, the dresses are super versatile & their fashion is sustainable! I'm not a person who goes out purposely searching for sustainable fabrics or brands but I love when I come across them since I know I'm doing good while wearing something cute! The great part about Aventura Clothing is that their fabrics are really soft, comfortable & well made! 


Dress: c/o Aventura Clothing (sustainable style & under $100!) | Shoes: Steve Madden | Bag: Tory Burch
I feel like we are entering crunch time for our wedding!! We are going this weekend to choose our wedding bands, I need to make some music choices & I have my first dress fitting! Ah! What are you up to this weekend? 

 XO
Michelle Paige

HOW TO WEAR STATEMENT SLEEVES FOR WORK






When you have to dress up for work, the idea of looking trendy & professional can sound tough. It's easy to fall into a routine with your outfits or end up wearing a 'uniform' each day. This is a great idea for getting dressed in a crunch but it's always fun to dress up on work days & try incorporating new styles in your looks. 



A statement sleeve is a popular trend that's been around for a couple of seasons now & lucky for all of us, it's a trend that works for all occasions. From ruffles to bell sleeves, the statement sleeve adds a touch of fun to every outfit without going overboard.  I love this cute polka dot blouse with it's ruffle sleeves. I dressed it up with a pencil skirt for a work day and then changed into jeans for night time to grab dinner. I promise you, it's super cute both ways & it's under $50!!


Top: Sugar Lips c/o Social Threads | Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar) | Sandals: Michael Kors | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

On a more personal note, I took off a couple of days this week from work to get some wedding stuff done & one of the major things that I did was go try on dresses with my mom & sister!!! I was really nervous about trying on dresses, feeling overwhelmed in the store, and was confused on how I would know what dress was THE one, but we did really well!! We are heading back to the store this weekend to show my dad my top 3 dresses and then hopefully, we will pick a winner! Ah - crazy how everything is falling into place!

What are you all up to this weekend?

XO
Michelle Paige 
PS. This is the last chance to receive $15 off your order at Social Threads. Use code MICHELLE15 at checkout to receive a discount on your purchase of $100 or more!

FALL WORKWEAR WITH TALBOTS





Sharing a 9 to 5 look today! I always enjoy getting dressed for work more in the spring & fall seasons.  In the summer, I end up in a dress almost every day and during the winter, I end up in a sweater & jeans. During the fall season, there are so many great outfit options & those are the seasons that new styles really seem to emerge.  I love the collection that Talbots released for the fall. It is full of ladylike, Paris inspired pieces & stunning, structured shapes like fit like a glove. (hello, this coat!!!)



Coat: c/o Talbots | Top: c/o Talbots | Pants: c/o DL1961 | Shoes: Steve Madden | Bag: Tory Burch | Sunglasses: Ray Ban

A printed blouse & black pants are always a go-to work day look for me because I know it is an outfit that always, always, always works. I adore the fun print of this Paris inspired blouse. A statement coat & structured bag finished off this look & was easy but looks professional.

XO
Michelle Paige


Shop more Talbots Fall Favorites:




MY WEEKDAY MORNING ROUTINE

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LockInSoftSkin #WetSkinIsBestSkin #CollectiveBias





Anyone else having a case of the Mondays? It seems I am never ready for the weekend to end & the week to start (although this week I am a little excited for this particular week because I am traveling to LA on Tuesday!) Anyways, I thought I'd give you all a peek into my morning routine for today's post. I love my sleep so anything that saves me time always gets two thumbs up in my book. Read on for my weekday morning routine & the tricks I use to save time in the mornings!

7:15 am - my alarm goes off for the first time. I snooze once or twice before actually getting out of bed. 

 Save Time: If you have trouble rolling out of bed in the morning like I do, set your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier than the time that you actually want to get out of bed. This way you have time to snooze & still leave yourself enough time to get ready.


7:30 am - I crawl into the bathroom to brush my teeth, wash my face & jump in the shower to help me wake up a bit.
Save Time: Wet Skin moisturizers are my new favorite products & they really work! My skin is left feeling soft & looking healthy all day (perfect for all those dresses I've been wearing to work & on weekends!) plus they save me an extra step in the morning! I have been using Jergens® Wet Skin™ Moisturizer with Nourishing Monoi Oil & the smell is amazing, it is easy to use & doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky at all - in fact, my legs are looking better than ever!




7:45 am - Time to get dressed! To be honest, if I'm not shooting blog photos, my outfits are a little more basic. I stick to neutrals, simple shapes & patterns, etc. I am obsessed with my new white slides. I asked you all on Instagram stories if I should go with the white or the blush and while I was nervous about the white getting dirty, I'm so glad I followed your opinions are ordered the white pair. They match all of my summer outfits & are under $70!
Save Time: Choose your look the night before. Of course think about your outfit but also choose any accessories & pull them out so they are ready to go in the morning. 
8:00 am -  Hair & make up time!

 Save Time: As mentioned above, I sometimes jump in the shower in the mornings to help wake up but I always wash & pre-style my hair at night since it takes time. When I jump in the shower in the morning, I just wrap my hair up in a bun & add a shower cap. In the mornings, I am able to just touch up the front with a curling wand if needed & add some dry shampoo at the roots.
8:20 am - I head downstairs for breakfast. Depending on how much time I leave for myself, I will pop something in the toaster or just grab something out of the fridge. Also depending on time, I like to take a quick Instagram photo of my #OOTD.

 Save Time:  Have a few go-to breakfast options that don't require prep time. If I'm running low on time, I grab a banana, a breakfast bar or a hard-boiled egg.
8:32 am - That's right. At 8:32am every morning, I say 'Time to go' & head out to the train to go to work!

Dress: LOFT | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (under $100!) | Shoes: BP via Nordstrom (under $70!)
What's your morning routine like?

 XO
Michelle Paige



This post is done in partnership with Jergens. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

TOP 20 WARDROBE STAPLES



It's officially spring cleaning season! Slowly & surely, I have been making it through the different sections of my closet & have been purging, selling & donating styles that are worn out, don't fit or just aren't my style anymore. It feels so great to narrow down my closet & get rid of old styles & trendy "what was I thinking?!" pieces. Spring cleaning is also the time of year that I use to evaluate what I have in my closet & what I need. It's often a time that I refresh & replenish my wardrobe staples. Today I'm laying out 20 of the wardrobe basics I can't live without...


 1. Trench Coat - A trench coat is the ultimate in classic rain coats. I personally love a classic beige trench but black gets the job done just as well. Burberry makes expensive but really great trench coats. I have had mine for over 5 years, so I can definitely say the quality holds up well, making it worth the price tag. (also worn here)

 2. Dark Wash Skinny Jeans - Honestly, any shape of denim that you feel comfortable in is worth investing in but for me, skinny jeans are my favorite style to dress up & dress down.  I've talked extensively about how much I love American Eagle jeans; their jegging styles are my favorite because they don't lose their shape even after wearing them over and over and over again.  (You can see & read more about my AEO jean styles here)

3. White Blouse - I have more white blouses than I can count but for me it's worth having a large selection because I wear them so often! (see how I style white tops here, here & here) A classic white blouse looks great with jeans, skirts, leather pants & work trousers. Banana Republic & Ann Taylor make great blouses.

 4. Tailored Blazer - Another piece that looks great with everything from work day looks to weekend styles. A blazer automatically ups the sophistication of any outfit. I love the J Crew blazers - they come in classic colors & shapes, plus the quality is fantastic!

 5. Black Leather Jacket - Even if you wouldn't consider your style to be 'edgy,' I still say a black leather jacket is a must have. It's great for those transitional weather days from winter to spring & from summer to fall. If you're like me, you don't like your style to fit into one cookie cutter so I love pairing a leather jacket with a girly outfit to balance it out. The best leather jacket for under $100 is by Blank NYC. I wear it all the time (seen here & here)

6. White Tee - I go through white tee shirts as quickly as I do shampoo LOL. I wear them to death & then buy new ones, so I don't like to spend a lot. Forever 21 makes great basics & American Eagle tees are SUPER soft. (Black & gray tees are good to stock up on too!)

 7. Black Pumps - If you invest in one pair of heels, make it a black pump. I have fun colored heels & trendy styles and no matter what else I buy, the pair I end up wearing the most are my black pumps. They go with everything! Depending on your price point, you can go for a designer brand or a more affordable pair like Sam Edelman.

 8. Denim Jacket - Once summer hits, I wear my denim jacket just about everyday. It's the ultimate warm weather jacket & matches that easy, effortless vibe of the summertime. Not surprisingly, my favorite denim jacket comes from my favorite place to buy denim: American Eagle! (seen here & here)

 9. Striped Tee - As I mentioned above, American Eagle makes great tee shirts but my favorite striped tee is actually from Madewell. It's a classic shape & print at an affordable price! (I talked about my favorite tee shirt styles in this post)

 10. Little Black Dress - Perfect for work, weddings, date nights, weekends, etc, a little black dress is truly the one piece you can wear anywhere and pair with anything. ( I will be doing a post later this week about LBD's under $50! Stay Tuned)

11. Neutral Sweaters - Being from NY, I have a lot of sweaters! After all, I feel like I end up wearing sweaters for almost 6 months out of the year. The ones that I recommend splurging on & the ones that I wear most often year after year are the neutral shades. White, black, beige & gray are staples that you will wear over & over again, season after season. I love Free People sweaters for cozy, slightly oversize styles.

 12. Classic Watch - If you want to be taken seriously, you need a good watch. OK, not really, but I love when someone asks me the time and I don't need to check my phone! I switch off between wearing my Michele watch or my Michael Kors watch daily. 

 13. Black Trousers or Jeans - A classic pair of black pants or black jeans are guaranteed to become one of your most worn pairs of pants. My favorite tailored trousers come from LOFT & my favorite black jeans are by DL1961.

 14. Neutral Ankle Booties - During the fall & winter, I am constantly wearing ankle booties. I love that they keep me warm but look stylish with lots of different outfits. For a splurge pair, go with Rag & Bone or for more affordable pairs try Vince Camuto.

15. Chambray Top - I know you might be questioning this one, but a chambray top has become my go-to top when I'm not sure what to wear. I love that it's easy & comfortable but makes me look like I put effort into my outfit. Double blue denim is one of my favorite looks but you can also pair a chambray top with black or white jeans. (worn here & here)

16. T Shirt Dress - A t shirt/casual style dress is a weekend staple in my book. Once the weather is nice, I wear a casual dress with sneakers or sandals almost every day. I love how comfy they are. 

 17. Neutral Flats - Working in NYC, I am definitely more of a flats gal than a heels gal. I have a few favorite brands for flats & lucky for you all, they come in at different price points! I love Tory Burch for a more expensive style. They last a while & are really comfortable once they are broken in. Sam Edelman is another favorite for flats - the Felicia is a stand out. I love that they are mid-priced  & come in endless colors! Steve Madden is my favorite to shop for trendier style flats since they are often under $100!

 18. White Sneakers - Sneakers have always been a favorite shoe style of mine but thanks to athleisure being a huge trend, I wear my sneakers more than ever lately. While I love wearing colorful pairs for workouts to get me motivated, I love a classic white pair for daytime since it leaves a clean palette for a fun outfit. My favorites are the Nike Juvenate or Adidas Stan Smith.

19. Tote Bag - I'm sure you're like me and have more than one bag. I actually could probably do an entire post just on bags, but if I was to narrow it down to one must have, I would definitely pick a tote. Toss all of your essentials into it and you're out the door. (Cross body bags for weekends & clutch styles for date night would be my other 2 must have picks!)

 20. Dainty Jewelry - While statement jewelry pieces definitely add an element of boldness and fun to an outfit, dainty jewelry is perfect for everyday occasions. I love layering my pieces for a unique look. My favorite daily jewelry pieces are my David Yurman 5mm bracelets & necklaces by Gorjana. Lately this Taner Bar necklace has been on major repeat!
Trench: Burberry (shop more styles) | Top: Forever 21 (shop more styles) | Jeans: American Eagle | Bag: Reed Krakoff (similar) | Flats: Steve Madden
I'm sure I forgot SOMETHING. Let me know what pieces you consider to be staples!

 Happy first day of spring!!! 

 XO
Michelle Paige


FIVE WORK WEAR BASICS


Talking 9 to 5 looks again today (woo hoo)! These posts have actually been pretty fun because they push me to dress up a little extra in the mornings and to buy pieces that I normally may not, so I hope you all are enjoying reading them as much as I am enjoying putting them together! Today's post is all about 9 to 5 basics.

I've been doing a bunch of spring cleaning lately & have really been thinking about the colors, shapes & pieces I wear most. I'll be doing a larger, more general wardrobe staples post next week but for today I thought it might be helpful to some of you if I shared my top five work wear basics.

 They include:  1. Shirt Dress, 2. Pencil Skirt,  3. Black Trousers, 4. Silk Top,  5. Blazers

 These pieces can be mixed & matched to create tons of different looks for endless work day outfit options. The easiest of course is to toss on a shift dress; one & done & out the door. Pencil skirts & black trousers are classic, fitted pieces that will always look professional, especially when styled with a silk top. I love printed options just as much as I love solids! Top off any of these looks with a blazer & you'll instantly look like a boss ;)

 I want to point out that even though I'm referring to these pieces as 'basics,' they definitely don't have to be basic. This shirt dress from Banana Republic has the cutest ruffle detail & banker stripe print making it a stand out piece for the office, but it's simple in shape & can be worn over and over again for work days, meetings or even an interview! I love finding classics with a twist that are professional for a work day but allow my personality & sense of style to shine!
Dress: Banana Republic (on sale now) | Bag: Tory Burch | Booties: Steve Madden | Sunglasses: Ray Ban
XO,
Michelle Paige

Shop Work Day Styles: 



DRESS FOR SUCCESS WITH TALBOTS x O MAGAZINE




I am so, so excited to be teaming up with Talbots & Oprah Magazine to feature items from their limited edition capsule collection today. Even more exciting, 30% of all proceeds from this collection will benefit Dress for Success!   As soon as I heard about this collaboration, I knew I needed to be a part of it. As a working gal myself, it is SO important to provide women with the confidence and tools that they need to make it in the workplace. 


A big part of why I chose to start a style blog was to help inspire women to put together a great outfit each morning. I fully believe what you wear makes a huge difference in how you feel; there's a certain way that we all hold our heads a little higher when we know we look good :) Talbots x O Magazine were able to partner with Dress for Success and help over 20,000 women last year & this year they are aiming to help even more!


There are 3 ways YOU can help make a difference & empower women. 
1. Shop the Collection!   Each piece in this collection can be mixed and matched to create a number of different looks. I love classic black & white prints & the accessories with the bold pops of red & floral. Each piece exemplifies Talbot's motto of modern, classic style. 
2. Donate! Bring your gently worn work day items to a Talbots store this weekend & they will be donated to Dress for Success.
3. Gift! You can give a monetary donation to Dress for Success by visiting a Talbots store or Talbots.com through the month of March.



Sweater / Top / Bag: all c/o Talbots (shop the entire collection here) | Jeans: c/o DL1961 | Shoes: BCBG (similar) | Lip: c/o Laqa & Co (shade: mixtape)


If you have a Talbots store nearby, stop in this weekend (ends 3/5) to drop off your gently worn work wear to donate to Dress for Success. You can find store locations here!


XO,
Michelle Paige


Shop the entire Talbots x O Magazine Collection below:





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