Long hours

Do you work long hours?

I've been struggling with the work-life balance question recently. At my company, everyone always seems to be so caught up in work, and working late, coming in early, rushing around meeting-to-meeting all day every day... it's exhausting even to be around!

I usually make it a point to not work during off-hours. I have a mobile phone for work email, and though sometimes I check it, I rarely act on anything until business hours. As a new mom, I feel like there's scarcely enough time to spend with family as it is - without wasting any of it glued to the computer. 

This last week has been very trying. Work was extremely busy, more so than usual, and I was in meetings back-to-back for days in a row. One day I only saw my own desk for about 20 minutes total, and that was it. It was difficult to even find 15-20 minutes for pumping. By the end of the week I was almost in tears from exhaustion and felt defeated - I simply could not get everything done, and had to beg a coworker for an extension - which meant working over the weekend.

I know this pace won't keep up forever, and I know that I'm quite lucky to have a wonderful (albeit stressful sometimes) job, and a fabulously supportive husband and family. One thing I've promised myself, however, is never to sacrifice happiness for work. So when I'm at home, I will continue to do my best to devote all my energy to the people I love. Life is too short to not spend every moment possible creating joy.

Hello again my lovelies...

First of all... HUGE apologies for my serious lack of posts...  Much drama happened during my over-stressed exam season, followed by weeks of perfectly stress-free holidays. Neither is conducive to the frivolous and fun blogging that I so enjoy.  Bits and pieces of the drama (and all of the crazy-awesome Christmas goodies) will make appearances soon.  For now, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now that we are a full 13 days into January, it's officially time to begin planning my vacation wardrobe!  I am somehow lucky enough to be traveling to the British Virgin Islands (BVI's) during the 2nd week of March with my très chic cousin, awesome aunt, and my mom (who is getting her own "moms can be cool, just watch" blog post... stay tuned).

We are going to be sailing around on a boat for seven days, and I am searching for a couple unique pieces to add just the right Caribbean vibe to my current wardrobe.  If there's anything I don't really need more of, it's basic summer/vacation attire.  I have a few ideas, and hope to get a second opinion before buying... (PS: my shopping budget has shrunk big-time; after holiday returns I have a nice J. Crew store credit, so I'm sticking to one retailer). 

First off, a new swimsuit - I have some great suits, but haven't bought one in almost two years.  This Biarritz-stripe is perfect for grabbing some rays on the bow of a sailboat, no?

Biarritz-stripe v-wire bandeau top & hipster bottom

Next up, the Straw seaside tote... not only is it screaming at me "SUMMER! VACATION! BEACH! TROPICS! SUNTAN! OCEAN!!!" it also could replace my purse completely, meaning one less bag to fly with, one less item to pack.  Not to mention its size... the perfect carry-on.

Straw Seaside Tote

I am completely split on the decision between these two shirts.  I love them both, but the ruffle one seems more practical (is that weird?)  I think the Sweeping ruffles shirt could be more versatile than the longer, straighter shape of the Chambray tuxedo beach shirt... but at almost twice the price, I may need to wait for this darling to pop into the sale section.  Both looks are similar (and I love them both) - opinions?

Sweeping ruffles shirt

Chambray tuxedo beach shirt

And to top things off (pun intended) I am totally enamored with the Panama hat.  It could really go anywhere... from with just a swimsuit (see above!) to a gauzy cover-up for Painkillers at the Soggy Dollar... to lobster dinner on Anegada in a summery dress. This hat could easily make OR break any look.  Any advice on how to make this work?

Panama hat

Thanks for being patient readers... I promise I'll be posting more soon!  School starts back tomorrow so my need to escape will be much greater, especially with the upcoming vacation on my mind!

P is for Party... A is for All Night Long!

Wahoo!  I just ordered my dress for the MBA school upcoming Holiday Party, and I couldn't be more excited about what I picked!  I started out looking for something frilly and fun, trying to find anything similar to this piece of puffy perfection.

J. Crew Organza Party Dress

Everything about this dress screams fun, festive holiday party.  The frills, the ruffles, the tiers, it's all simply amazing.  The price?  Not so much.  But don't cry, black frilly dress, I still love you dearly.  One day I hope we'll see each other again...  Meet me on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day?

I began looking in all the usual places-- Nordstrom, Bluefly, Bloomingdale's, Forever 21, etc... There wasn't anything at all anything close to my price point that caught my eye.  Major bummer.  So back at J. Crew, I stumbled upon the silk taffeta bow monde dress (btw... what's a monde?)  I've admired this dress in the catalog for a while, but never had an occasion to wear it.  I think is just what I need...

J. Crew Bow Monde Dress

Instead of going for a bright color (my usual), or the traditional holiday party LBD, I opted for "barely peach", which seems like a metallic warm nude, not anything orange-related.  I think it will work great for holiday, plus I can wear it to weddings or parties all year 'round.

In the same order, I also picked up the Harper crackle metallic platform heels (on sale woohoo!) and the skinny shimmerveil belt.  Am I on some sort of ridiculous glitter/metallic-obsessed bender?  Probably.  I don't care.  If sparkly is wrong, I don't want to be right!

Harper crackle metallic platform heels

For the holiday party, I have a great pair of bright blue satin shoes that I absolutely adore.  I've been just dying to wear them, and I think they would be gorgeous with the bow dress.  However I'm also tempted to wear the new metallic heels.  Help me readers!  I'm completely torn! Which shoes should I pick?

Nina blue Fleur heels

 PS:  I apologize for the recent lack of posts... it's crazy-busy exam time here at b-school, so there hasn't been much time to think about anything else.  Fear not!  I'll be back to a regular schedule again verrrry soon.  Believe me I would rather be here.  

Much love --Millie.

To Tuck, or Not to Tuck... That is the Question

 I recently bought the J. Crew navy check shirt - and I absolutely love it.  My dilemma today is about how to wear this type of shirt - the casual, relaxed-fit, button-down shirt, with a shirt-tail hem.

As you can see here, the model has the shirt untucked completely, which looks great on her, although can sometimes look sloppy, but is generally my "tuck" of choice.  This outfit, along with a black Jackie cardigan, is how I wore the shirt last Friday.

Overall look = B+

Another option for the button-down shirt-tail is to tuck it completely in.

Overall look = C+

Tucked in, the overall effect is much less casual, and depending on the pattern, could tend to be a more formal look.  The tucked-in shirt can work well for jeans or looser-fitting chinos or cords, but when I tried this with skinny jeans or Minnie pants, the bunched-up shirt was visible through the pants (a la VPL/visible panty lines).  Definitely not the look I want!

Now check this out:

Overall look = A

The model here has the shirt half-tucked in, half-out.  I love this look.  I saw this photo and have been able to re-create it nearly to perfection.  However, whenever I try to pull it off, I feel like it is obvious that I did this on purpose.  It looks staged, overly trendy, and like I'm "trying way too hard."  Again, not the look I'm going for.

Has anyone been able to pull off the "half-tuck" and make it work?  Any tips on making it look less planned and more like a happy accident?  "Ooh, is that my shirt-tail coming out? Gee whiz, I didn't even notice."

A Suiting Dilemma

I noticed yesterday that my very favorite J. Crew suit (black stretch wool, bought summer 2005) is getting a little threadbare.  It has become a little "shiny-looking" in areas, and this seems to be more prominent after professional cleaning, rather than better.  I've noticed this happening gradually over the past year or so, and I don't think it's a problem with my drycleaner, or a quality issue with the material.  I bought this suit after college graduation in 2005, and I have truly worn the life out of it (it was my only suit for 2 years, and has remained my favorite even after I bought others).  I think it's about time that I find a new black suit.

Online I found two options, one of which is a perfect replacement for my old favorite - it's the same black stretch wool that I love, and it matches the black Olive Dress that awaits me under the Christmas tree this December.  Theoretically I could put the blazer with the dress if I wanted, and it would match perfectly.

Stretch Wool Olive Dress in Black

Items in my "go-to" black suit:

Stretch Wool Jacket & City-fit Bistro Pants

Stretch Wool Pencil Skirt

The other option, which is currently my top choice (for multiple reasons) is the Super 120's pinstripe suiting in charcoal gray (pictured below).  This gorgeous material is one of my favorites, and feels amazing.  I really like the color, love the stripe (I currently don't have any patterned suits), and AND-- it's on sale.  That's the kicker.  Not only is it sale-priced, it's not yet in the Final Sale stage so it can be exchanged, plus they have all 3 pieces- in stock- in my size.  That by itself is usually enough to convince me.  However, the pattern and color aren't quite as versatile, and it was the black suit I originally intended to replace... Interview season is coming up fast in the MBA world.  I really wish I could have both, but suits are expensive, so I'll need to wait on one of these.

Which would you choose?  Should I go with the more versatile, black stretch wool favorite?  Or the new, interesting, and sale-priced charcoal 120's?

Super 120's Pinstripe 2-Button Jacket & Pants

Super 120's Pinstripe High Pencil Skirt