How to Dress Professionally When You Are Young, Broke, and Working for Free

Dress Like the Boss, Spend Like the Intern

2014-10-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers! Life has been a little hectic and it has been a while since I posted in regards to inexpensive professional work-wear but here it is...some of my favorite looks.

It is important to go to work every day feeling confident and like you can take on any challenges that come your way. It is equally as important to avoid being faced with the challenge of an empty wallet. Below are some looks that help you dress like the boss but spend like the intern.

Above: A great look for an interview. Suit: Dark Navy Calvin Klein purchased at Burlington Coat Factory for $55 and paired with a lighter blue pin striped button down, $9.99 at Old Navy and navy blue heels from JustFab.com previously featured on this blog several times

Above: A great look for an office that follows a more "business casual" theme. Black long sleeve blouse- Burlington Coat Factory $12.99, Black Skinny Slacks from TJ Maxx $16.99 and Blush and Black Heels also from Burlington Coat Factory $14.99 paired with a Beige bag previously featured from JustFab.com

Above: A look that allows you to show you are professional and fashionable. Who says you can't be both? Black skinny slacks and pointed toe black heels previously featured, paired with a white button down- JC Penny $6.99 and a Black and White Patterned Blazer from K-Mart $7.99.....yeah that $7.99 is not a typo!

Above: I wore this outfit to the office and was complimented by several of my coworkers. The top is a black tank from K-Mart $1.99 and a Black Blazer also from K-Mart $19.99. The slacks are from Burlington Coat Factory and they broke the bank at a whopping $8.99!! I paired the look with the same bag and pointed black pumps featured above.

Above: Add a pop of color to a traditional grey pencil skirt (previously featured) with a bright purple top like the one pictured from K-Mart priced at $10.99. Pair it with a pointed toe heel ($7.99 Burlington Coat Factory) for a little help making your legs look longer and leaner.

Above: Not comfortable with a big pop of color? Pair the same bright top with a traditional light grey suit (previously featured).

Above: Give your black suit a break and wear a colorful blazer like the one pictured from K-Mart $7.99!! I paired the blazer with the tank, previously featured, Black Express Slacks purchased at TJ Maxx for $24.99 and a Forever21 necklace previously featured.

Above: Same idea as the previous image. Don't be scared to showcase your personality with a fun blazer as long as the rest of your outfit isn't too out of the box.

Above: Same outfit as before but this jacket was purchased at Platos Closet for $6.99.

Above: Black fitted dress from Nordstrom Rack and cost $18.94, it was on sale and I saved $100.30!! I paired it with the blush and black heels featured above. If your office requires a jacket, this look is perfect with this blush colored Theory blazer purchased at Burlington Coat Factory for $29.99

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked my looks and stay posted for my next post about winter work-wear! Happy Shopping!

Never Confuse a Single Failure for a Final Defeat

2014-09-22T10:52:00.001-07:00

The internet (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter) is usually a place where we post our best moments, a place where we publish our prettiest pictures and our positive news. I debated posting this because it's hard to share but since I am constantly sharing the good, it is only fair to also share the not so good. Also, any of you who have been reading my posts know that writing is cathartic for me. It is a free form of therapy.

After so much hard work and waiting, today I found out, I will have to retake one of the sections of the bar exam. For those of you who do not know, the Florida Bar exam consists of two days (Part A and Part B). I spent all weekend filled with anxiety, finding it difficult to control my emotions. Not knowing what the results would be was causing stress unlike anything I have ever felt. Today when I saw my results one column said "Failed" and the other "Passed". I must have rechecked it 50 times before I let it sink in. I felt my heart sink and the tears start flowing. How could this be? How could I study so hard and not have passed? I was positive. I worked hard. I envisioned the result I wanted, what went wrong? I have never failed at anything especially something I put so much effort into.

I started to make the dreaded phone calls to family members and friends who had been anxiously waiting for my results all morning. I felt like I failed everyone. I felt embarrassed, confused. I cried and cried (and am still crying in bits and pieces) but those who know me know that I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I have NO IDEA what the reason is at this point and I am frustrated to begin this cycle of studying all over again but I am also at peace with knowing that God has a plan for me. There are people dealing with terrible things right now, life changing things that cannot be controlled. This on the other hand, has a solution and now I am more determined than I ever was.

Today I am sad, but I am ok. I am frustrated, but I am grateful. One day I will look back and this moment will be insignificant. I have a family that loves me, a fiance that supports me with all that I do, and friends who believe in me and I am employed. Things could be better, but they could also be worse. I am where I am supposed to be. This is a lesson that I cannot control everything. Life isn't always going to take the path I want or planned and that is okay because what is waiting may be even better.

To my friends that passed, congratulations!! To those who didn't, we are more than one test. Soon we will also be celebrating and victory will be that much sweeter. Remember "never confuse a single failure with a final defeat".

While I Wait...

2014-08-22T07:40:00.002-07:00

Hey hey readers! It has been a while since my last post and a crazy couple of months. The bar exam is officially over but I felt like I needed a minute to let my brain function again for something other than multiple choice questions and essay answers.

Never in my life have I studied so hard, been so frustrated, so tired and never has my idea of reality been so skewed. My life literally became ALL about this test, nothing else was important, I felt like it was life or death, like if I didn't pass the world would judge me and there would be no fixing it, no way of making me whole again. At this point, I have had some time to think about it, to reflect on things generally and the importance of this exam on my life. Here are some things I have felt as I wait (and I am sure many of the thousands of other graduates who took the test probably feel the same):

1. I killed it! I definitely passed!

There are times when over and over again I tell myself "Of course I passed, sure it was hard, but so was law school and I did just fine". There were over 3,000 people taking the exam in Florida. It is intimidating when you see one room with thousands of anxious faces but I just keep telling myself, a large group of those thousands passed and I am one of them. Sure, my Florida multiple choice was a mess but I did great on the essays...I'll cling to that.

2. I didn't do enough...bombed it for sure

I try to avoid this thought as much as possible but sometimes the little devil on my shoulder just places pure doubt into my mind. I stress about the fact that so much of what I studied didn't even come up on the test, the fact that the one thing I barely studied showed up over 30 times, the fact that it's not uncommon to fail, and the stress overcomes me. Even as I write this, there is a little bit of panic that is setting in because I cannot even fathom studying so hard again or going back into that gigantic, scary, ice box that was the testing room.

3. Why did I go to law school?

I am drowning in debt and jobless why didn't I just stop after college?? I had so much scholarship money for college that I actually finished with money in the bank and I often ask myself why I didn't quit while I was ahead. What does this degree mean if it is essentially meaningless without my results? I then try to calm my thoughts by reminding myself that there is a bigger picture. Today doesn't define tomorrow. I went to law school because I wanted a better future for myself, because I wanted to learn, I wanted to help others, and I wanted to challenge myself. Sure, I may be paying off my loans till I'm 100 but who cares. No risk, no reward.

4. Pass or fail, I will be judged

If I pass my family and friends will be proud, if I don't then they will not. Now, I know that is not true. I know my family and friends will be proud regardless of the results but the mind is a tricky thing. It plays games with you causing self doubt and fear. We just have to be strong enough to fight the negative thoughts with faith; faith that things will be as they are meant to be and that all we can do is our best.

The bar exam made me forget who I was. As I was studying I would joke and say "I don't even know who I am anymore." I just felt like a robot: wake up early, study for 7, 8, 10 and at the end 12 hours a day and I still felt that I was not doing enough. Funny thing is, I wasn't joking. The week after the exam, I literally didn't know what to do with myself. Who was I besides a girl preparing for a test?

I am slowly coming to realize that a test does not define me. Yes, it is the most important exam I have taken in my life, but is the outcome life or death? Does my self worth hinge on whether the words pass or fail appear on the screen? NO. I am so much more than pass or fail. I am a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece, a fiance, a cousin. I am a friend, a writer, a student, a sarcastic, blunt, jokester who walks the line between making my family laugh and making them want to kill me. I am a hard worker, a determined, competitive individual, and I am often times too hard on myself always thinking that I could have done more. I am controlling and doing my best to be more of the "go with the flow" kind of girl. I am a believer in good vibes and good energy and the power of positive thinking. I am so many wonderful, beautiful, flawed, frustrating things....not one of which is a test result.

5 Truths About Studying for the Bar Exam

2014-06-06T10:05:00.002-07:00

1. Comparing your study plan to the study plan of others is the worst thing you can do. "What?? You studied 32 hours yesterday?? I'm slacking!"

There aren't 32 hours in a day and even attorneys who are not math wizards can figure that out, but come bar prep, somehow, we start believing what everyone is saying. As I study (granted a ton of hours a day but definitely less than 32), I quickly came to realize that it is about quality, not quantity when it comes to the hours spent. Sometimes I read and read and take quiz after quiz and at the end of the day, I couldn't repeat a word of what I had been "studying" all day. Figure out what is best for you and do it. If you need breaks, take them. If you are a morning person like I am, wake up at the crack of dawn and finish early. If you come alive when the moon decides to shine, whip out those books and study underneath the moonlight. At the end of the day we all take the same test with the same information. How you learn it doesn't matter.

2. There are times you will contemplate murdering your loved ones.

As a disclaimer let me say I would never ACTUALLY murder anyone (if you are studying for the bar, I would bet your brain just went through the different types of homicide and the elements of murder), especially those I love, but there is something about sitting at a desk all day and cramming your brain with information that makes you hate people. It is not their fault, but it is hard to remember that. I have come to the point where if I hear anyone talking as I am studying I just think they are so selfish....but they aren't, I am the lunatic who will burst into tears if I find it hard to focus because my neighbor decided to work on some construction project in the middle of the day (as normal people do at a normal hour). While studying for the bar, we must remember, the world doesn't revolve around us. People's lives continue even though ours are put on hold. Oh and by the way, those around you probably hate you at this point as much as you hate them. They are tired of hearing us complain about how hard it is or how tired we are.

3. Finding an outlet is necessary in order to avoid losing your cool.

At the moment, I have tons of things to do, but I stopped to write this because I was about to cry. Literally, I was going to just lose it. I am studying at home but since school is over, my little cousins are here. They were soon followed by my mom, my brother in law, and my sister. All Cuban, all loud. I stormed out of the room to pack my lunch and head out for my lecture earlier than I had planned because I was overcome with frustration since I couldn't focus on finishing the practice test assigned for today. Before heading to class and staying angry, I sat here to write. Writing is cathartic for me. It provides me peace and calm and a way to speak my mind. I have also been using exercise. After sitting on your butt all day, it is good to sweat it all out and end your day releasing the stress toxins from your body.

4. You aren't going to look cute for 98% of the 2 months you are studying.

Fact: Most days, you will look hideous. It is a sad truth we must live with. Studying takes priority and lets get real, my computer and my grandparents who see me every day don't care, and love me sweatpants and all. It is important though to try and look like a decent human being who can contribute to society at least 2% of the two months. Your significant other, your friends, your family, and most importantly, you will appreciate looking nice sometimes. The bonus comes with the fact that if you have seen me looking like a sad lunatic for 10 days, if I slap on a dress and some make- up on day 11....boom bombshell!

5. It is worth it.

Okay, so we have to spend a summer ignoring invitations to go to the beach and to take vacations....but do you want to also do that in the winter? If we pass this hideous, annoying, grueling, two day hell hole of a test, WE WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE IT AGAIN! Now, that's not to say that you won't have to turn down invitations with your friends in the future because you are being overworked as the newbie at a firm, but at least you will be getting paid!

Well, back to the books. If you are taking the bar good luck!! If you aren't sorry for being a lunatic. Please support my random outbursts and snippity comments. I'll invite you to dinner once I am employed.

Thanks for reading!!

How Social Media is Crushing Goals

2014-04-21T15:09:00.001-07:00

Hello ladies (and gentlemen, if you are reading this, thanks for the visit), today my post won't be about clothing (although I have a great one coming, just wait for it :)).

I wanted to take a second to talk about goals. In a world where social media rules, I don't think enough people are reaching high enough in some important aspects of life. Not enough people are realizing their potential, because reality is skewed by followers, likes, shares, and double taps on Instagram. Now don't get me wrong, social media is great I just think we have to be careful. As I scroll through my Instagram feed and Facebook wall I realize my "friends" (whatever that means on the internet) are divided. There are those who inspire me, the men and women who are studying, traveling, spending time with family and friends, living full happy lives, and then there are those who choose to post half naked pictures or talk about how high they are getting. Sure, that sexy booty shot got you 110 likes but so what? Unless you are a legitimate model (which in that case, more power to you), is that picture going to get you employed, are those who double tap that image going to pay your bills, reach out to you when you are in need, or give you a double tap on the back when you do something good for yourself?

Your self worth and confidence should not be tied to social media. There is a certain happiness that can only be achieved when you realize you have done something you never thought you could, when you struggled to get a project done and you finally finish, when your blood, sweat and tears actually mean something. Ladies, GOALS ARE SEXY! Having a plan and making things happen for yourself, being the master of your own life is a beautiful thing that those important people around you will appreciate and admire.

When you are out looking for a job and the employer asks what type of person you are, why they should hire you, what will you say? "I take selfies like a champ!". Will you give your boss a list of your Twitter followers as references? (maybe they know you better than anyone else).

I guess my point in writing this post is that I believe in our generation, I believe that it is filled with hard working, smart people and we shouldn't let that go to waste by not realizing our potential. I'm not saying someone can't post 10 selfies a day and still be a thriving, successful person, I just think it is important for us to know that success and happiness should not be tied to the response we get. I read a story about a boy who attempted suicide because he couldn't take the perfect selfie and I don't know if it was a hoax or not but either way, it got me thinking about the value we place on what our "followers" think of us. Who we are is not measured by our social media presence. You are defined by the work you do, by the kind act you did when no one was watching, by the love you share with those around you, the smile you gave the stranger on the bus, by the advice you gave a friend in need.

There is no edit button or filter feature on real life. We make mistakes, we don't always look good or feel great and that's okay. Just don't settle. Be proud of what you did today and know that you can do even better tomorrow :)

Thanks for reading! Until next time :)

Skinny Dress Pants: Fashion Do or Don't?

2014-04-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hello my beautiful professional readers!

Recently, I had to attend an Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium that I helped organize. As I was searching my closet and trying out outfits, I realized that my black dress pants were too big and needed to be replaced. I thought, it's just black dress pants, I will be in and out of the store in no time! EH! Wrong! Apparently boot cut or slightly flared, good old professional slacks are a rarity. First I went to TJ Maxx and realized all the pants were skinny so I moved on to another one of my favorite stores, Marshalls, and it became clear that skinny pants are "in". Running low on time and funds (as usual), I decided to give them a try and ended up buying the ones pictured below. I am torn however, as to how appropriate and professional these pants really are. I am all for new, young, hip looks (that's what this blog is all about), but I also think it is important to keep things professional because I rather my employer recognize my work ethic and smarts than my fashion sense (or lack thereof if they are not a fan of the skinny pant).

In the end, I was comfortable with the outfit and I didn't feel out of place at all surrounded by well dressed attorneys. Overall, I would say go ahead and rock the skinny dress pants as long as you tone down your outfit. Make sure you are wearing close-toed shoes and a jacket (especially if you are working in a corporate office). I would also suggest shoes with a pointed toe, it creates an illusion (especially for shorties like me) that the leg is longer.

Outfit above: Shoes and Jacket (previously featured), Top: Marshalls $14.99, Pants: Marshalls $16.99

Above is an example of how you can take the outfit from the office to happy hour or a dinner date by just having an extra pair of heels in your car.

So, what do you think of the skinny pant for work? Professional or better left at home during the work week?

Thanks for reading and remember, you can look like a million bucks without blowing your budget!

Shopping for a Bargain (as usual)

2014-03-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers! I know it has been a while since I last posted, but it has been a busy couple of months. I am in the final semester of law school and and things are exciting and scary all at once. Despite all that, this blog is still very important to me and when my mom told me she needed to shop for professional clothing I knew it was the perfect opportunity for a new post. We went to Sears, a hidden gem for low priced professional clothing. Below is what we found:

Top: $12.99 (obviously, this is in a dressing room but I would stress that it is never okay to go to work with such a wrinkled shirt)

Pencil Skirt: $25.99

Dress: $39.99

This dress is very versatile and can be worn with a different colored jackets and belts. Black and white is great to accessorize.

Dress: $39.99

This dress can and should be worn with a jacket for those working in a more conservative environment

The suits below were great quality and there were on SALE (arguably one of my favorite 4-letter words). Each suit had 3 matching pieces: jacket, pant, and pencil skirt and was priced at $16.99 and $29.99. I was so surprised and happy when I saw this because I have come to realize that full matching suits for women are increasingly more difficult to find (unless you are willing to spend more than my budget allows).

The suit pictured above was light grey and is paired with a blue button-down priced at $17.99

The suit pictured above was a beautiful navy/grey color and was paired with a hot pink button-down shirt also priced at $17.99

The dress above is just an example of all the great ones they had for sale. I love that it is colorful and patterned. This is great for the young professional who wants to look nice but who also wants to step out of the box. The dresses ranged in price from $24.99 to $44.99

The happy, colorful blazers above were all on sale for $18.99. I am a big fan of dressing in a neutral color and adding a pop of color with either my blazer or my shoes.

Last but certainly not least.....my new babies. I bought these beige pumps with a black ankle strap at Burlington Coat Factory for $9.99 so I just had to sneak them into this post!

Again thanks for reading! Happy shopping, happy saving, and happy job hunting! Until next time!

A Response to “23 Things to do Instead of Getting Engaged Before You’re 23”

2013-12-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

*Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with "How to dress professionally" but I was inspired to write it, so here it is

Yesterday as I scrolled down my endless Facebook news feed, I couldn't help but notice how many of my friends had shared an article entitled “23 Things to do Instead of Getting Engaged Before you’re 23.” As someone who recently became engaged on my 24^th birthday, I was curious to read the article everyone was so quick to share. As I read it, frankly, I was disappointed that I had wasted my time. The article goes on and on judging couples who choose to get married early, referring to it as a “cop out.” Yet, I still wanted to give the article the benefit of the doubt. I thought, it’s called “23 Things To Do…” so maybe the awesome list of “musts” would justify her moody, judgmental article. Then, I was disappointed again.

The list includes things such as “start a band”, “cut your hair”, and “sign up for CrossFit”….what?! 1) who says I want to do 90% of the things on this list, and 2) Why can’t I do the 10% that seems semi-interesting with the person I love?

Look, I get it, it is important to know who you are before you meet someone and spend your whole life with them because forever is a long time and we all owe it to ourselves to be who we are but not everyone is meant to do the same things. It is difficult for me to understand why someone would write an article clumping all young couples into one category. The article states that marriage:

“… is a way for young people to hide behind a significant other instead of dealing with life’s highs and lows on their own. It’s a safety blanket. It’s an admission that the world is just too big and scary to deal with it on your own; thus, you now have someone that is legally obligated to support you till one of you dies or files for divorce.” She goes on to say it is "insane that I have already experienced more of the world in the last 22 years than my married peers will ever experience in their life"

I think that is ridiculous! Sure, there are young couples who get married for all the wrong reasons, but there are also 30 and 40 and 50 year olds who get married for all the wrong reasons (you can be lonely, a gold digger, or a lunatic at any age). What I feel that this girl doesn't understand is that yes, her life is great, and good for her, it’s not easy to be in another country alone exploring and living and I respect her for that, but my life is just as awesome, and I bet many of my married and engaged friends 23 and under would say the same. I have traveled, been away for college, I am continuing with higher education (which according to the article is not a "trend" when you are young and married or engaged) and I do not plan on stopping because I all of a sudden have a ring on my finger. My sister got married at the age of 22, yes, I agree she was young, but I have literally never seen her happier. She lives a full life with love and responsibilities and she knows EXACTLY who she is, her marriage never stopped her journey to self-discovery.

I have been in a relationship for 7 years. We found each other at a young age, some would say it is too young but what the author of the other article fails to realize is that when you are in love, truly 100% in love and devoted to someone, life is better with them than without them. I would give up 10 trips to China to spend a full day with my fiancée, and if I ever had the opportunity to travel somewhere, I would enjoy it so much more if I could share it with him. I know who I am. Marriage is not a cop out, marriage is difficult, marriage is work, but people do it because it’s worth it, because their significant other makes them better. If you find the right person, they should not stop you from growing and learning, they should love you for who you are at the moment as well as for who you will grow to be. The article suggests waiting even if you think that you have found the one, but why? Life is short and you never know what can happen so I say, if you are single, live your life, travel, explore, read, learn about different cultures and languages, meditate, “start a band” if you so choose and if you are engaged or married, do the same because no one is stopping you.

Outfits: Internship Week 7-10

2013-10-22T09:50:00.002-07:00

Hello my fashionistas on a budget! Below are most of my outfits from the past four weeks. I have lost track of the days so the pictures are not labeled as usual but who cares about the days right?! What matters are the prices so here we go!

Above: Top H&M 12.99, Brown pants and brown heels were previously featured. This top is fun to add some color to your wardrobe but as usual, I would suggest having a jacket handy. Since, as I have said before, I work in an athletics office, I am usually overdressed (on purpose-remember, dress for the job you want, not the job you have) so a jacket is not a necessity most of the time but it is good to have one with you.

Above: All of these pieces have been previously featured. I chose to pair this tight fitting pencil skirt with a looser fitting top because I do do not think it is appropriate in the work place to be showing all your goodies, you know what I mean? It is important to look professional at all times.

Above: This was a casual Friday look. Dark pants: Forever21 $7.99, Grey T-shirt: Old Navy $4.99, Blue/Grey Jacket and flats were previously featured. I also want to make a note that all my pictures are taken at the end of the day so the wrinkles are a product of my work rather than a lack of ironing :)

Above: Black Slacks and Black heels previously featured. Top: Burlington Coat Factory $12.99

Above: This dress has been previously featured. The picture makes it seem a but short but in person, the dress falls a little above the knee. Rather than wear it with my black jacket and heels as I did in the past, today I chose to tone the look down a bit by pairing the dress with nude colored flats. (Previously featured from Old Navy)

Above: Another casual Friday look. Dark denim paired with a black long tank, black linen jacket, and tiger printed flats. All of the pieces have been previously featured except for the black linen jacket which I bought at TJ Maxx for $16.99. Pairing a simple outfit with bold shoes is a great option when you want to look professional but still young and trendy.

Above: Today I has no one to take my picture so I improvised. All pieces have been previously featured. Featured- Navy pumps and navy pencil skirt with a yellow flowy top.

Above: Black slacks and black shoes previously featured. In the past year have lost some weight and have found that all my dress pants are now way too loose and I was in desperate need of a belt. Who knew that this would be so difficult to find?!? Belts for women are harder to find than belts for men and apparently very expensive but I figured that at the moment it would be cheaper to purchase a belt than the replace all of my pants. I FINALLY found this black one on sale at Target for $7.99. Top: Marshalls $12.99

Above: Top and shoes were previously featured, Black Pleated Skirt: Marshalls $14.99. A skirt like this is a great way to look professional while stepping away from the traditional pencil skirt.

Above: Again, excuse the wrinkles, these pictures are all taken at the end of my day. Every item here was previously featured (white tube top, blue/grey jacket, beige dress pants, navy pumps). It is nice to step out of the usual black, white and grey we find in the workplace and step into something lighter.

You may have noticed how 90% of the pieces above have been previously featured but none of the outfits are the same, that is the joy of mixing and matching. Mixing and matching is essential for anyone on a budget. Again, thanks for reading!! Until next time :)

Top 5 Ways to Get Noticed and Move Up in Your Entry Level Job

2013-10-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

Hello readers!!

Today we have a very special guest feature from a long time friend of mine, Andrew Hernandez. This morning I got a text message from him letting me know that he had a great idea for my blog. Considering the fact that not only have I known him for 16 or 17 years, but also that he too is a young professional, I was all ears!

He sent me the article below and told me to feel free to add/change what I wanted but I thought it was great so I only added some pictures and my input on the section regarding women's clothing as I was asked to do. (My contributions will be in pink).

Top 5 ways to get noticed and move up in your entry level job:

So, you just graduated from college, and landed your first entry level job. Four years of countless hours studying, caffeine binges and late nights that resulted in waking up, literally, in between your books and Macroeconomic literature imprinted on the side of your face. You just feel you are worth more than the mind numbing tasks they have you completing at your new workplace. To add insult to injury, your debt from student loans is worth more than your salary. You’re not alone, but, the job market has become so competitive, that a Bachelor’s degree is basically just a piece of paper that will give you an opportunity to get an interview, having a degree will not automatically land you the job as it would before. As the great Bob Dylan would say, “Times, they are a-changing”

What do you do when the job market makes the Hunger Games look like a Disney flick? You stand out. Here are five tips to help you with that:

1. First One in, Last One Out

Arrive 15-30 minutes early every day, and stay till your superior has left. This doesn't mean you’ll be working overtime and not getting paid for it, it just means you care enough about your job to take the extra initiative. With your new-found time, you can make your morning coffee (From that addiction you picked up in college) read the local or national news (preferably something that relates to your field of work) and answer those ticky tac e-mails that seem like a waste of your 10 gigabyte inbox, but merit an answer nonetheless. Just settle in, you’ll feel more relaxed, and won’t be rushing to make it “in time”. (Remember there’s a difference between “on time”, and “in time”) Find your morning routine.

2. Dress For Success

This seems fairly obvious, and probably has been reiterated to you a thousand times over your college career. Still, I cannot stress this enough.

Men:

- Learn different knots on your tie.

Here are four simple knots (image is from http://willowbrookpark.blogspot.com/2010/03/fashionable-man-and-his-dressing-room.html)

- Own “Power Ties” for important meetings and interviews. (Vivid Reds, blues, and yellows)

- Match your belt and shoes. The cardinal sin of fashion is wearing a brown belt and black shoes, or vice versa.

- Have a good ratio of shirt and pants combinations.

- Dry clean your clothes. I know this can get expensive, but dry cleaning at least once a month will keep your clothes in good shape. A cheap alternative is self-dry cleaning products like Dryel, Which can be found at a local CVS for under $20.

- Splurge a little at one of Jos A Bank’s sales (3 dress shirts for the price of 1? Which usually comes out to $30 for a top of the line dress shirt. You can’t beat that)

- Invest in 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, shine them, and keep shoe trees in them to maintain the shape.

- Ditch “Jean Fridays” for a pair of Dockers, or Khakis and a polo.

Women: Ladies, please don’t dress like you are going to LIV Nightclub ** trying to woo the bouncer with your short dress, and cleavage hanging out, just to gain entry to the nightclub. (Sam, feel free to add whatever else you’d like, I’m not an expert on women’s fashion)

Well, I would't say I qualify as an expert on women's fashion either but I would say that the "rules" I've mentioned before are applicable here. Yes, you want to stand out at work, but you want to stand out for the right reasons. You want your co-workers and superiors to talk about your work ethic and professionalism, not about how hard it was to talk to you without staring at your cleavage.

As I have mentioned before, keep the pencil skirts no shorter than right above the knee. If you are going to go sleeveless, keep a jacket near (you never know who is going to walk in or what important meeting is going to pop up). As for shoes, no strappy sandals. Keep you shoes either close -toed or with a tiny peep-toe. Finally, keep your nails clean. No nail polish is better than chipped nail polish. If you look like you don't care about yourself, your superiors aren't going to think you care about your work.

Andrew and I spoke about this and are in 100% agreement that you should ALWAYS dress for the job you want, not the job you have!

3. Never, EVER, say “That’s not my job”

This is possibly the worst thing you can say at a workplace. Especially if you’re clawing through blood sweat and tears for a promotion. It shows a lot about your character. I understand sometimes other co-workers and colleagues might take advantage of your inexperience and rookie status, but superiors hate hearing those words. When someone asks you to do something for them, even if that person is not your supervisor, take it in stride, learn from the situation, and offer your best advice for a solution. Remember, you want to be part of the solution, not the problem. If you happen to find yourself on the other side of the situation, ask for help in the most humble way you can. Don’t EVER tell someone what to do, even if you ARE a supervisor. Explain that you feel a certain talent or knowledge that your colleague possesses might be beneficial to the project or task at hand. This way you maintain a healthy and smooth relationship with your co-workers, and/or subordinates.

4. Offer Help Whenever Possible

If you find yourself completing the mundane tasks that are beset upon you, ask your boss if there is anything else you can help with. Doing this will show your boss you care about your job, company, agency ,etc.. and as mentioned earlier, could be a learning experience, or a chance to gain insight on your boss’s job, knowledge, or expertise. (We are trying to get promoted here, and learning your boss’s job is one of the best ways to do just that) Also, offer help to your other co-workers. This will result in team work and efficiency, and your superiors will definitely notice this. (Think about that Christmas bonus too) And you just never know who will be your supervisor one day, people remember good deeds.

5. Own Up To Your Mistakes

Face it, you’re fresh out of college, and everything is new to you because of your inexperience. You’re going to make mistakes. Everyone will, it’s what makes us human. If you find yourself in a situation where you've made a mistake, you can’t change it. Nevertheless, you still have a chance to fix it, and get the desired results you wanted. Don’t make excuses for it, that will just make you look weak and selfish. Instead, own up to it, tell your colleagues you will find a solution (Even if it means staying late, See item #1) and learn from it. Nothing is worse than having two problems; The initial mistake, and a twenty-something year old punk making excuses, leading the superiors to believe they hired the wrong candidate and they need to find another twenty-something year old punk.

I hope my humble 2 cents helps any young professional out there, aspiring to achieve success in this cruel, vicious world. You will often feel undervalued with your new entry-level job, but maintain a relentless hunger for prosperity, and approach each day as an opportunity to be better than you were the day before.

Godspeed,

Andrew T. Hernandez

** LIV is North America’s most popular nightclub

I think our generation gets a bad rap. People say that we all want things to be handed to us, and we idolize reality TV stars, wishing we could get our own show so we could be showered with money and fame. Yes, there are those who expect success without hard work but I believe those people are outnumbered by those of us who understand that hard work and professionalism are necessary and definitely rewarding at the end of the day.

Thanks for reading, and thanks again to Andrew for thinking of me, my blog, and ways to help my readers! Until next time!

Outfits: Internship Week 6 and the Joys of a Good Peplum!!

2013-09-27T09:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Friday!! Another day another dollar right? Well no, not for me, at least not yet since I am working my booty off for free, but since I don't believe fashion and funds go hand in hand, below are my outfits on a budget. My Monday outfit is not pictured because it is a dress that I have pictured in the past.

Wednesday: Grey slacks-previously featured, Blue button down with white stripes- Old Navy $9.99. As I mentioned before, my current office does not require a jacket, but adding a grey suit jacket is a great option if you are trying to dress up your look.

Casual Friday: Top- previously featured, black skinny jeans- Burlington Coat Factory $14.99, Black close-toed wedges- Rainbow $10.99

Below is my Thursday outfit followed by the many uses for a peplum top. I own several peplums and I have found that they are very versatile so here are some ideas on how to make your $12.99 go very far...

Thursday: Black and white flowered peplum- Burlington Coat Factory $12.99, Pants and Black pumps were previously featured.

Paired with black skinny jeans and black wedges. This look works well for a casual Friday or maybe a weeknight dinner with girlfriends.

Paired with a tight black mini skirt and black heels. This look could work for something like a date or a work dinner. Wearing a tight mini skirt with a peplum gives the illusion that you are wearing a cute slightly 80's inspired dress (you can decide for yourself whether that is a look you like or not)

Make a peplum fun by adding a pop of color and a pair of shorts. I would wear this out maybe for drinks with my friends or a date night.

Weekend casual- Pairing the peplum with white, denim, cut-off shorts and sandals gives a casual yet very "put together" look.

White skinny jeans and a pointy black pump allow for a young yet sophisticated look.

Boom! Colored denim is very popular right now. I love the idea of adding a pop of color with a simple strappy black heel.

Obviously, depending on the style of the peplum, there are several ways to change your look, which makes them a great investment in my eyes! I hope you enjoyed this weeks looks. Happy shopping, happy styling, and happy working...we will make the big bucks someday!!

Until next week!

Outfits: Internship Week 4 & 5

2013-09-20T15:34:00.002-07:00

Better late than never right? I had a busy week last week and did not get around to posting my outfits on a budget but here they are...below is a combination of week 4 and 5 of my internship!

Above: Entire outfit previously featured.

This outfit sparked a debate in my office. I work with two men and they were curious as to whether black and brown was "allowed" for women. Apparently when a man wears black and brown, he is breaking some sort of unwritten fashion law. Personally, I like the contrast of brown and black and figure, hey, if the color combination is already built into this jacket then I am going to wear it.

Considering the countless things women must deal with that men do not even have to think about, I will consider the fact that women can wear black and brown together and still look fashionable a "win" for the ladies!

Above: Grey slacks and grey pumps previously featured. Yellow top- TJ Maxx $12.99. Depending on your office, this top can be worn either tucked in or out and with or without a jacket. I was having one of those "I want to stay in my pajamas" days so I was very grateful for this looser fitting option.

As I have said before ladies, we all know that a dress is a great summertime option. The above tube dress is from Target and was $24.99. Again, if required by your office, wear a nice black suit jacket and it changes the whole look.

I guess I wore a lot of black this week but it really is a great color isn't it? My pencil skirt and shoes were previously featured. Black top: Burlington $16.99. I was SO comfortable in this outfit all day today besides the fact that I walked through mud and ruined my shoes....anyone have any tips on how to get mud off of faux suede??

Above: All pieces have been previously featured. Last time I wore these pants to my internship I wore them with navy blue pumps and a white button down so I changed the look by switching out the white for black

Boom! I had to shock my co-workers with a little bit of color after so much black. Hot pink button-down top: Burlington Coat Factory $12.99, Grey pencil skirt: previously featured, Grey strappy pumps: Ross $18.99.

Someone told me today that my shoes looked painful but there are surprisingly comfortable. Even if they would be painful I probably would have worn them anyway because pain is beauty right? Well, I don't think that has to be true but we have all worn something slightly painful at some point in order to look good...but beauty does not have to be painful on your wallet, that's the biggest lesson of all!

Above: My casual Friday look- Brown tube top: Charlotte Russe $4.99, Beige linen jacket (great for these hot Miami months): Marshalls $12.99, Dark denim skinny jeans: Forever21 $7.99, "Tony the Tiger" flats-- I got these from a $5 shoe store!

Aging, THANKS FOR READING! I wish you all a fashionable, inexpensive week ahead...until next time

Outfits: Internship Week 3

2013-09-07T08:27:00.001-07:00

Time flies!! I am officially done with week three of my internship! Below, as usual, are last weeks outfits. Maybe I need to start taking pictures outside because all my navy blue clothing photographs black but take my word for it when I tell you something was navy...or don't...either way here it is!

Tuesday- White Pleated Button-Down: Sears $9.99, Navy Pencil Skirt (Nine West): Burlington Coat Factory $9.99, Navy Blue Pumps Previously featured

Wednesday: Today I was having one of those "I want to feel loose and comfy" days. Black pumps and black slacks were previously featured, Red top with black rimmed sleeves and collar- Burlington Coat Factory $12.99. If your office requires a dressier look, tuck in the shirt and add a jacket or pair the shirt with a sleek black pencil skirt and change the whole look.

Thursday: Checkered grey and pink lined pencil skirt and black pumps were previously featured, Black Peplum top with belt- TJMaxx $12.99

Casual Friday: Since I work at a college, Friday is "pride day" and the school's colors are navy blue and gold. Pictured above are navy pumps (previously featured), Blueish/grey slacks (The Limited)- Marshalls $12.99, Navy Blue T-shirt- Old Navy $5.99, Gold Necklace- Rainbow $3

Again, thanks for reading and if you have any outfits that are young, professional, and cost effective please let me know and I will happily feature you!!....until next week!

Outfits: Internship Week 2

2013-09-02T14:59:00.002-07:00

Hey! I hope everyone's work week was great and that you are all enjoying this lovely long weekend because I sure did (hence the late post) but here are the outfits I wore on week two!

There are some days were I feel overdressed for the environment I am working in (reminder: athletics office) so I am still working on balancing it all because I know that if I were working in a law office, some of my pieces would be different. As I have said before, below are some ideas but make sure to always tailor your look to your work place.

Monday- Black tank, black pencil skirt, and black pointy toed pump have all previously been featured. I chose to pair it all with a light cardigan rather than a suit jacket in order to dress it down a bit. The cardigan is from TJ Maxx and was $6.99.

Wednesday: Black slacks and black pointed toe pumps previously featured. The top is an off-white peplum with a black lacy design and it is from Burlington Coat Factory (I love this place, can you tell)- $12.99

Thursday: This entire outfit was previously featured on the post about dresses so I took the opportunity to show how this outfit can quickly turn into a happy hour outfit. With a little pre-planning, you can go straight from the office.

Changes: I took off the jacket and replaced the belt and shoes and tada, you are now ready for a night on the town. I used the black belt ($2.99 at Beya) which is elastic to make the dress slightly shorter. This is a great option if you are wearing an office appropriate look that is maybe a little too frumpy outside of the office because you can adjust it to be a length you are comfortable with. I also replaced the closed toed pumps with a simple strappy heel which is great to have in your car because they match with most things. They were $20 on justfab.com.

Friday: Last week on casual Friday I was told that I could come even more casual so I wore dark wash jeans ($7.50) at Forever21. Forever21 usually has their jeans $10.50 which is an awesome price but I was lucky enough to come in on a sale day. Polka dot top with a black tank underneath was previously featured. Shoes (I call them imitation Toms) Charlotte Russe $10.

Now on to week 3!

Outfits: Internship Week 1

2013-08-23T14:16:00.003-07:00

Hello readers! It has been a couple of weeks since my last post but I have been a busy busy bee! I officially started my new internship on Monday (working for free as usual) and from now on I will be posting my outfits for the week every Friday so please check back at the end of every work week.

I am currently working in a college athletics department (I am so excited about this opportunity!) so the attire tends to be a little more business casual than the outfits I have posted in the past. I am trying to find a balance between blending in with the current employees and being slightly more dressy in order to avoid looking like the intern who got too comfortable too quickly. Plus, if I went very casual, people would likely think that I was a student rather than someone who is actually working in the office. They say dress for the job you want, not for the job you have and I believe it is always better to be overdressed than under-dressed.

Every week I will feature my 4 work outfits (I do not work on Tuesdays), one of which is casual (or semi-casual in my case) Friday.

Monday: All the pieces have been previously featured--Shoes - Burlington Coat Factory $16.99, Black and white suit jacket- Burlington $10, Black dress pants - Marshalls $12.99, Bag- Justfab.com $20...this nude bag has become my go-to work bag and I LOVE IT!

Same outfit as above- black puffy sleeve top: Wal-Mart $4.99

Wednesday- Dress was previously featured: Ross $26.99, Brown shoes: Marshalls $39.99-- This is more than what I would usually pay for a pair of shoes but brown, closed toed, work shoes have proven very difficult to find so I splurged :)

Thursday- White button-down: Sears $9.99, Navy blue patterned pants (I am not sure why these photograph black, they are a beautiful navy blue and have a great pattern on them. They are my new favorite item): TJMaxx $24.99, Navy blue pumps: $20 (there is a better picture of these in my "There shouldn't be cleavage on your feet" blog)

"Semi-Casual" Friday: Teal and lime colored polka-dot top (tank top underneath it was a gift)- Burlington Coat Factory $14.99, Beige dress pants- TJMaxx $12.99, Beige pumps- justfab.com $39.99.

Happy work week everyone! I hope you liked this weeks outfits! Remember, you don't need a lot of money to be trendy and professional. Until next week!

A Young Professional Working for a Great Cause!

2013-08-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Today I am so happy to feature a very special, well dressed, young professional. Drum Roll Please! Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....my cousin Kristy!!

First, I will explain how this special feature came to be. Next, I will show you Kristy's fab low priced professional outfit followed by an explanation about how you can also be a professional working for a great cause!

Why Kristy?
Kristy is the Regional Manager of Child Sponsorship for a fantastic charity called Friends of the Orphans. In order to help sponsor as many orphans as possible, Kristy has devoted her spare time to hosting Mary Kay parties where 50% of the profits go towards child sponsorship (the other 50% goes towards purchasing the products). Last night we had a party at my house and it was such a blast! It was great to get together with friends and family, have some fun applying and learning about makeup, and then buying some great products knowing it would benefit a special child. Our party was all for the benefit of a 10 year old boy named Richard who lives in one of the homes in the Dominican Republic. The whole time we were trying on our make-up and having great laughs we had pictures of Richard surrounding us, reminding us that child sponsorship helps provide necessities for this innocent orphan.

Here is Richard :) He also has two brothers in the program who would love to be sponsored!

In the words of the Friends of the Orphans Brochure, "Friends of the Orphans supports a network of nine Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for 'Our Little Brothers and Sisters') homes and their outreach programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, [they] transform the lives of children by creating families for life and enabling them to transcend poverty and grow into caring members of their communities." With the support of Friends of the Orphans, NPH currently cares for more than 3,700 children. All this could not be possible without committed people like Kristy.

Her Outfit is as Great as Her Cause!

Above- Beige tank: Ross $7.99, Jacket: Sears (Bongo) $14.99, Pink Skirt: Kohl's $4.99, Beige Pumps: Sears $20.99

Above- She also had a great bun on her head and showed me this helpful piece underneath the bun to help make it perfectly round and professional. Purchased at Navarro for $7.99. A polished bun is a great way to go when you are either having a bad hair day, maybe don't have your hair as clean as you would like it to be, or if you know you have a long day ahead (as my cousin Kristy always does) and would like to keep your hair off your neck and face.

Would You Like to Help?

I am a firm believer that what goes around comes around. If you are a good person who is willing to help others, you will receive that same goodwill tenfold. If you say "I will give when I have" then I believe you will never have enough to give. Mother Teresa once said "“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." Listening to Kristy speak yesterday showed me how much love these children need. When you help sponsor the child you can write them letters and send them pictures. These simple acts help a child know that not only are they being taken care of, but that they are loved. I know this blog is all about getting by while being young and broke but I think it is important to realize that we can help others in many ways. I feel so blessed every night that I can go to sleep with a roof over my head, a pillow, a blanket, a full stomach and a world of opportunities and it is important to do what we can to provide those things for those who are less fortunate simply because of the situations they were born into.

If you are willing to host a party in order to benefit one of the orphans (you can pick which orphan and in what location), I urge you to contact Kristy by email at kfueyo@friendsus.org or by at her office at (305) 663- 6211. Swap out a typical girls night where you would spend money on drinks and spend a night among friends knowing that any money spent is going towards a great cause.

If you would like to learn more about Friends of the Orphans and the opportunities to help volunteer or sponsor a child, please visit their website by clicking: www.friendsoftheorphans.org. You can also follow them on Facebook by clicking: Friends of the Orphans Facebook

Dress it Up

2013-08-01T08:11:00.002-07:00

“A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.”

― Sophia Loren

Ladies, it is summertime and it is HOT out! Most places have seasons but here in Miami where I live the seasons are more like "Inferno", "Blazing Hot Summer", and "68 degrees," where for a month (usually January or February) we all quickly whip out our boots and scarves.

Besides that quick cool down where we rush to wear our "winter" clothes, dresses are great for the Inferno season. Dresses are an awesome alternative to suits when it is hot out because if you make the right choice, you can look professional and attractive without the added sweat.

Below are some of my dresses with stores and price breakdowns as usual :)

Above- Patterned wrap dress: Burlington Coat Factory $16.99, Navy Shoes (although for some reason they photographed black): Featured in previous post

Above- Red Dress: Burlington Coat Factory (can you tell I love this place?) $24.99- I would definitely recommend a jacket with this dress. It is a great option to dress up for a post-work happy hour, Black Pointy Toed Pump: previously featured

Above: Black and White Polka-dot dress: Burlington Coat Factory (I think there is a pattern here) $12.99- This dress is great because it has sleeves and may be worn without a jacket depending on your office, Black Shoes: Previously featured

Above- Black dress: GET READY FOR THIS.....Old Navy $3.99!! Old navy has great sales all the time, Black Pointy Toes Pump: previously featured

Necklace: Forever21 $6.99

Above-Peplum purple-ish (that's a word right?) dress with brown skinny belt: Ross $26.99, Nude Pumps: Justfab.com buy one get one $20, Nude briefcase bag: Same sale at justfab.com $20

So there it is ladies, dress it up and avoid all the unnecessary sweating during Inferno season. Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for my next post!

"Tell Me a Little About Yourself"

2013-07-26T10:55:00.001-07:00

Interviews- very exciting because it means there is a job opportunity on the horizon, but so incredibly stressful (for me at least) because of the uncertainty. Will the interviewer be nice? What will he or she ask? Do I seem nervous? They always tell me I seem nervous. Ugh with so many unanswered questions there is one thing you should go in being certain of...Damn I look professional!

Your interview is not the day to make a fashion statement. No crazy colors, sky high shoes, or bulky jewelry. Below are some ideas for interview clothing on a broke girls budget.

P.s. Ignore my bright nail polish--I would say that is definitely an interview "don't" but I guess nails will be a post for another day :)

Above- Grey Jacket: TJ Maxx $12.99, Grey Pencil Skirt: TJ Maxx $9.99, White Pleated Button-Down: Sears $9.99 (Sears is amazing for button-downs), Grey Pumps: Justfab.com $20.00

Above: All same as previous image except grey slacks: Marshalls $12.99

Above: All same as previous image except black puffy sleeved top: Wal-Mart $4.99

Above- Black jacket: Madrag $14.99, Redish/Orange top: TJ Maxx $12.99, Black Pencil skirt: Burlington Coat Factory $10, Black pointy toed pump: Burlington Coat Factory $9.99

A black pant suit is also a great option. I usually choose to wear it with a colored button down maybe baby blue or blush rather than a white top because when I wear my white button down and black pants I can't help but feel like a waiter at the olive garden. If you are however interviewing at the Olive Garden, then rock that look.

Make-up: We are broke and make-up is expensive so lucky us, a lot of make-up is not recommended for an interview. Go put together but natural (powder, blush, mascara, and a little gloss goes a long way).

Hair: Most importantly- brush it. I say this because I hate brushing my hair, I usually just brush my fingers through it but an interview is a special occasion. I would recommend keeping your hair out of your face. Whether it is a slick pony-tail, a "half-up, half down" hairstyle or a french braid (tutorial to come), show off that eager "I will work my ass off for you face."

Stay tuned for my next post about dresses on a budget for work! Thanks for reading!!

There Shouldn't be Cleavage on Your Feet

2013-07-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

I had planned on waiting until tomorrow before adding a new post until I received an item in the mail. I thought it was all a dream, I had already told myself this item did not exist in the universe and decided it was just a fact of life that every woman searches for this and never finds it. I am talking about NAVY PUMPS! Yes, you read that right, NAVY PUMPS, aw man I have to write it one more time just to believe it NAVY PUMPS! Not bright blue, or a weird shade of aqua, or a navy colored, baby heeled, pointed grandma shoe, they are friggen' NAVY PUMPS! Okay maybe that last reminder wasn't necessary but I am so excited!

Soooo what better day to write about work appropriate shoes. Here are some tips:

1. As per my title: Foot cleavage is usually a no-no! If your office requires truly professional work wear, it is safest for you to keep your shoes close-toed. On the weekend or the office Christmas party, rock that sexy strappy stiletto but at work it is best to stay away from any type of cleavage. I think especially if you are young and new to an office, you want to be taken seriously so be you, be stylish, but keep it classy.

2. Height is up to you. Now, some people may say that a very high heel is not work appropriate but I say hey, if you can walk in them (and I mean really walk in them, not waddle like a penguin heading to its igloo or drag your feet as if your heels weigh 88 pounds each), then rock those 5 inch heels (if they are closed toed and have no glitter on them of course...avoid studs, chains, etc.). On the other hand, if you are standing or walking most of the day, don't want to look taller, or are just not the high heel type of girl, there are work appropriate flats.

Below are some pictures of my shoes with stores/websites and prices :)

Above: I had to start with my new babies, I am going to wrap them in a blanket and cuddle with them tonight. The flash slightly changes the color but in person they are NAVY (sorry I just feel like lowercase letters don't do them justice!). I bought these on justfab.com on a buy one get one free sale so technically they were just $20 and were shipped straight to my house.

Above: These black pointy toed pumps are from Charlotte Russe and were $9.99 (insoles not included..hey there is no shame here. Shoving an insole to the front of a pointy toed pump helps keep your foot back and your toes happy)

Above: These are an alternative to the heel. I don't wear many flats to "work" because if I did I would look like a 16 year old. I had an internship at the courthouse last year and the one day I came with flats the bailiff begged me to never do it again because he kept thinking I was a high school student. These however, are great. I bought them at old navy for $6.99

Above: These are my "go-to" shoes. I pretty much have worn them to every interview I have been on. They are pretty plain but the small bow adds a nice detail when I wear them with a pencil skirt. I bought them at Burlington Coat Factory for $16.99

Above: Another one of my prized possessions. In person these shoes are slightly more beige than they appear. The heels are a nice height and they are very comfortable. These are from Ross and cost $16.99!! I was honestly in shock when I found them. Stores like Ross are difficult to search and are often frustrating but I promise if you go with a positive attitude and a little time on your hands, you are sure to find gems among the mess

Above: Disclaimer- these heels are high, high, super high, maybe like 5 1/2 inches. I usually wear these when my pants are too long and it works out just fine. I bought them on justfab.com on another buy one get one free sale so they were just $20.

Above: A smaller grey heel, great for wide legged pants. I bought them at Burlington Coat Factory for $9.99. Burlington is one of those stores I constantly check because they get new stuff all the time and their prices are unbeatable

Above: Again, these are very high pumps. I do not wear these often but they look awesome with the bright blue jacket I featured in my previous post. I bough these at Rainbow for $16.99

Above: Okay, I know, I said no foot cleavage but the peep toe on this shoe is so small I don't think I am breaking my rule. These are from Macy's (sale of course and I had a gift card, otherwise my budget does not extend that far yet). Price: $24.99

The only thing I am still on the hunt for is the perfect brown pump. Feel free to let me know if you have any idea where to find it. Otherwise, I will continue on my search and give you an update when they magically appear :)

There it is, those are all the "work" shoes I own, hopefully someday soon they will walk me into a place that gives me a paycheck at the end of the week :)

Stay tuned for my next post which will appear near the end of the week and is all about interview attire. Thanks for reading and remember at work, there shouldn't be any cleavage.

9 Colorful Items 9 Young, Professional Outfits!

2013-07-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hello my beautiful professionals!

As you saw in my previous entry, my wardrobe is VERY limited. I do not have many items and as I said before, mixing and matching is a broke girls best friend! I used 9 items of clothing and created 9 outfits. Can it be? Is it possible? Oh yes it is ladies! Today's post is all about bringing some color to your work-wear and making those happy pieces go a long way! I purposefully avoided using any accessories in order to show how just mixing up your pieces can change your whole look. (Stay tuned for future posts about how reasonably priced...my fancy way of saying cheap.....accessories will take your work look to another level).

Below are some outfits that will make you stand out at the office for all the bright, I mean right, reasons! :)

Outfit Above- Black tank: Charlotte Russe $2.99, Black dress pants: Marshalls $12.99, Red Blazer: TJ Maxx $16.99, Shoes: Burlington Coat Factory $16.99

Outfit Above-Same pants and tank as above, Blue Blazer: K-Mart $6.99 (can you believe it?!?), Blue Pumps: Rainbow $16.99 Note: this blazer does not photograph well at all but in person it looks great!

Outfit Above: Same tank, dress pants, and shoes from first image, Teal blazer: Sears $19.99

Outfit Above: Same tank, dress pants, and shoes as above, Polka dot jacket: Marshalls $12.99

Outfit Above: White button down: Sears $9.99, Grey slacks: Marshalls $12.99, Grey pointed toe pump: Burlington Coat Factory: $9.99

Outfit Above: All items already featured and priced below previous images

Outfit above: Red blazer and black pumps featured above, Grey dress with red belt: TJ Maxx $16.99

Outfit above: All items featured and priced in previous images. The belt in the previous image was reversible, how great is that?

Outfit above: Okay, this is slightly "schoolgirl-ish" but adorable nonetheless. Add a black jacket if you feel your office requires it. All the items pictured are priced above.

So, there you have it, a colorful display of 9 items (not including the shoes- I used 3 pairs but the black pumps alone could have worked with each outfit) that can become 9 work appropriate, young, professional outfits.

FYI: All 9 outfits TOGETHER cost just under $113...that's the price of ONE suit in most places!

The Pencil Skirt

2013-07-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Now, I am all about being a bad ass and rocking a great pantsuit most of the time. It makes me feel powerful and strong like a grown up (which I have yet to fully accept), but sometimes you need to feel like a lady. It's nice to feel feminine, show a little calf, feel the breeze as you walk.....enter the pencil skirt! It is such a versatile piece of clothing and definitely a must have item for any professional woman.

Some tips:
1. Depending on your height, keep the skirt at or right below the knee. Yes I know, you have great legs and would love to show those babies off but for the office, your calves will have to do. Save the mini skirts for a hot date night.
2. Wearing a pointy toed pump is always great with a pencil skirt, especially if you are a shorty like I am. It helps give the illusion that your legs are longer.
3. I would suggest finding a skirt that starts at the waist rather than one that is low rise. It helps you show off your curves while keeping it classy.

Below are some outfits featuring the trusty pencil skirt.

Outfit above- top: Burlington Coat Factory $12.99, Pencil skirt: (came with the white and black jacket featured below) Burlington Coat Factory $19.99, Black Jacket: Madrag $14.99, Pointy toed pumps: Charlotte Russe $9.99. Entire outfit: just under $58

Depending on your workplace, nine times out of ten I would say that wearing a jacket over a sleeveless top is the best way to go.

Outfit above: Same pointy toed pumps and pencil skirt as in the first picture. Aqua Jacket: Sears $19.99, Black Tank: Charlotte Russe $2.99, Necklace: Forever 21 $12.80. For an extra $35, you have a brand new outfit!

Outfit above:Tank and Pointy toed pumps: same as above, Suit: Burlington Coat Factory (Skirt and jacket) $19.99. Entire outfit: just under $33

Outfit above- Suit: Ross $19.99, Shoes: Justfab.com first purchase $20. Entire outfit: $40

Outfit above: same skirt as previous suit, Black peplum top: Burlington Coat Factory $9.99, Shoes: Burlington Coat Factory $16.99 Entire outfit: Just under $37.

My Closet

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Here it is for all the world to see...my closet. This little section of hanger upon hanger is the extent of my professional work wear. Throughout my posts I will do my best to show how mixing and matching is a broke girl's best friend. You don't need a lot of clothes, you just need to know how to wear it. Who cares if you repeat an item here and there? We aren't J.Lo with her walk in closets nor do we have her budget but we can be divas in the office regardless. Hey, J.Lo was once just Jenny from the block right?

Keep checking back for posts about professional work attire, hair, nails, and a few "don'ts" we should definitely avoid.

A Little About Me and My Blog

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Hello readers!

If you are reading this you are likely broke. Hmmm excuse me, I mean on a budget just like me.

My name is Samantha and I am currently a third year law student. Whether you are in college, grad school, law school, or you graduated and are seeking employment, I bet there is a four letter word that is always on your mind. It's a word we say under our breath and dream about at night. It is the word nightmares are made of....I am talking about DEBT. Ugh, just writing it makes me anxious. I think about it all the time (those law school loans are rough) but in order to pay them off I need a job.

At school we are constantly told how important it is to dress professionally. Well, thanks for the advice, I get it, and I think that looking the part goes a long way in terms of being taken seriously in the work place, but how am I supposed to afford this "professional" clothes they keep referring to? We are told to "network" (another word that sends shivers down my spine) and take every opportunity that comes our way, and I have. The problem is, most opportunities which are building blocks for my future entail working for free. Yes, free, as in I am going to drive to your office, pay for parking every day, work 9-5, and get paid with a check made payable to "Intern" in the amount of "Experience". Now, don't get me wrong internships are amazing and I have had incredible experiences in the past couple of years. I know that hard work pays off and I am eternally grateful every time I am offered an internship but dressing like an attorney on a student budget is frustrating at times... until I decided to make it a challenge.

So what if you are broke? You won't be for long! Tell the Universe I am rich, I am beautiful, I have style and class, I am woman, hear me roar!! Okay, okay, I got a little carried away there but you catch my drift. With this blog I will demonstrate my tips on how to look like a young professional for a fraction of the price. No need for frumpy black suits that cost a fortune or to look like the girl who walked into the office after an all-nighter at the club.

Follow my posts as I show how to dress professionally when you are young, broke, and working for free :)