Working Girl Wardrobe | Chloe: IDEALS Grant Coordinator

Working girl Chloe York is employed as IDEALS Grant Coordinator in the Community Education department at Memphis College of Art. She manages and recruits for the IDEALS grant, which allows low-income students to attend any of the college's community education courses at no charge. 

"I also plan activities for these budding artists to take part in for college planning and portfolio building with the hopes of eventually leading them to a career as a successful artist in some capacity." - Chloe

10 Things NOT to do if you get laid off

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One day you're getting up and heading to the office like any other Monday. A few hours later, you've found out that you're being laid off, that your position is being eliminated, or that the company is outsourcing your department's positions to off-shore workers.

After almost a year at my first real full-time job, I found out my position (and entire department) was being eliminated. As part of a staggered layoff, I still had a month and a half to get a job lined up, and I ended up finding a job better suited to my creativity, passion, and skills anyway.

Getting laid off is a very scary reality that many of us might experience. Looking back, I think I handled it as gracefully as I could. It paid off. So I thought I'd share what I learned with you:

1. Don't Mentally Check Out

If you have a future end date, keep working until that date. It's tempting to slack off - especially when you see others doing just that - but the bottom line is that you're still getting paid to do a job. Getting laid off doesn't mean you can't get fired. Giving up on doing your work might also mean giving up on your severance package, a good reference from your manager, or even another employment opportunity. Now more than ever, it's important for you to be poised, polite, and professional. Channel your negative energy into preparing and educating yourself. Go to HR with your questions. Continue to do the tasks at hand. And be present.

Desk Decor: Black & White | Inspiration Board

Add some class to your cubicle or dorm desk with crisp 

white, bold dashes of black, and a few shades of gray.

Products: Anglepoise reading lamp / Coffee mug / Crystal Cluster Paperweight / Akto Notepaper Holder By Blomus / Motivational poster / Motivational poster / Palaset Document tray / IKEA Sy / The Container Store > Baroque Letter-Size Interior File Folders / Wall art / Starter Set, White

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Business Casual Basics: 6 Clubby vs. Classy Styles | Working Girl Wardrobe

Between internships and jobs, I've worked in office environments that ranged from business casual to creative professional to completely laid-back. While I've never felt comfortable wearing a jeans and sweatshirt as work attire even in the most casual office, I don't mind when co-workers do if that's part of the acceptable dress code. What really strikes me are the women who come to work dressed for the club.

Working Girl Wardrobe | Desi: Graphic Design & Marketing

Working girl Desi and blogger behind A Northern Girl works in graphic design and marketing for a Division I University's basketball arena. When she's not working sporting events, she's handling donor benefits, Broadway shows, and other concerts and events. Just as she has to be versatile, so does her work wardrobe.

Some of Desi's must-have ensembles include:

Colored Skinny Jeans + A Blazer
Desi's day-to-day look combines pulled-together with laid-back. Hued skinnies and a classic blazer is professional enough to meet with clients, yet comfortable enough to take on the day.

2 Staples, 5 Styles | Working Girl Fashion for the Job Hunt

With springtime here and graduation right around the corner, 'tis the season for interviews. Whether you're on a hunt for a full-time job (like me) or searching for your summer internship, it's important to revamp not only your resume and online presence but also your working girl wardrobe.

The Navy Blue Blazer | How would you style it? | Working Girl Wardrobe

Springtime or autumn, business casual or business conservative  corporate or creative - the navy blue blazer is a wardrobe staple for any working girl to have on hand for internships, interviews, and the daily grind. It can be dressed up or dress down. It can blend in or stand out. And you're bound to find a cut and cost to suit your shape and budget.

I've been looking for the perfect navy blue blazer for a while now - mainly because I love the look of a blazer thrown over a white tee and skinny jeans. (Perfect to wear from the office to happy hour!) Now that I'm back on the job market, this blazer rose right to the top of my working girl wardrobe wishlist. And while thrifting, I found one. Perfect fit in the shoulders. Slim in the arms, but roomy enough for moving around easily and shaking hands. Slightly long in that menswear inspired boyfriend blazer style that I love so much. Like-new condition. And since I was thrifting, I scored it for a bargain price of $6.

10 Essentials for Your Job Search

After almost a year at my first "big girl" job (full-time, benefits, and all that jazz) I'm back on the job market. Yesterday I found out that my position is being eliminated. I do have about a month of employment left, but it will be a whirlwind of a month trying to land another job that fits my skills, passions, and desire to stay in the area. It's a bummer going back to square one, but on the bright side it makes for some great blog post fuel.

As I prepare for job boards, applications, networking, and (hopefully) interviews, I like to be as organized as possible - in the loveliest way. So while you definitely need things like motivation, enthusiasm, and confidence during the application and interview process... I've rounded up my ten essentials that keep me organized, sane, and excited. (Pretty patterns and colors make everything a little better, right?)

1. A Practical Planner

A simple but chic scheduler can be a girl's best friend when it comes to keeping it together while trying to get hired. Google calendar is handy, but penciling in an interview, follow-up meeting, or other important date feels so much more satisfying.

Guest Post | 10 for 10: Style Essentials for the Young Professional

Today we welcome self-proclaimed "fashion junkie" Tiffany Lashai Curtis to The Lovely Side! The creator behind Undergrad Style File and a blogger for Your Style Forecast, Tiffany is one fierce and lovely lady that I love to follow on Instagram. As a current undergrad with plenty of retail experience under her chic belt, Tiffany curated ten fabulous must-haves for any young professional - all under a budget-friendly $10. Whether you're interviewing, interning, or working the nine-to-five, put these style essentials at the top of your list.

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Ten for Ten: Style Essentials for the Young Professional

Guest Post by Tiffany Lashai Curtis

Whether you’re currently in undergrad or post-grad, chances are you’re no stranger to a pair of khakis - or is it chinos? Either way, we've all come into contact with the inevitable... work-wear. Before you begin conjuring up images of bland black suits and nude pantyhose, step away from the pantsuit. Professional wardrobe options have gotten a major face-lift in recent years and there are tons of trendy options. Young professionals in creative industries everywhere can now rejoice!

Guest Post | How to Ace Your Next Interview | 12 A+ Tips from a Teacher

Spring is just around the corner. If you're a college student, you may be hunting for a summer internship. If you're a soon-to-be grad, finding a big girl job after graduation is probably at the top of your list. Interviews can be scary - whether you're interviewing for your first job, your dream job, or a summer or part-time job. As part of the new Working girls series, guest contributor, blogger, and newly hired teacher Chelsea is dropping in with 12 tips for acing your next interview.

Guest Post | Bring Your Lunch to Work (Benefits + Tips + Recipes)

Dining out or eating in the dining hall or workplace cafeteria can add up quickly - not only in dollars, but also in pounds. Below, guest contributor Daria Patrusheva highlights the benefits of packing your lunch, provides some friendly tips, and shares some of her favorite take-to-work recipes.

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Tips for Bringing Your Lunch to Work

Guest Post by Daria Patrusheva

Let me just begin by saying, I am not one of those people who bike to work and eat kale for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I find many cookbooks overwhelming with their abundance of exotic ingredients and unrealistic preparation times. As a student, I juggled full-time studies, two part-time jobs, and volunteer commitments, which often resulted in chaotic eating schedules and dependence on frozen pizza and food from the cafeteria.

Working Girl Wardrobe | Amy: MPA Grad Student & Non-Profit Intern

Doubly busy as a University of Georgia grad student pursuing a Master in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Non-Profit Administration and interning for a local non-profit called Books for Keeps (which helps combat "summer slide" by every May giving books to children at schools where over 90% of students are on free or reduced lunch), Amy needs a doubly versatile wardrobe.

Working Girl Wardrobe | Daria: International Student Services

Today's spotlight falls on working girl Daria Patrusheva. In her position as Student Information and Program Support (at the International Office of University Student Services), Daria works with incoming and outgoing exchange students, as well as international students studying in Canada.

Daria stocks her closet full of basics that she can switch around to create new looks as well as layer to accommodate Vancouver's climate and a sometimes chilly office. She prefers lighter neutrals to black - especially a neutral look with a splash of color. Her go-to clothing and outfit combinations include:

Working Girl Wardrobe | Shelby: Assistant House Manager

Whether you're interning, working full-time, or job searching, you can never get enough workplace wardrobe inspiration. Business casual doesn't equal boring. Professional doesn't mean stuffy. New on The Lovely Side, we'll be spotlighting how young professionals, college students, and interns dress for work - combining office-friendly elements, chic style, and elements of their own personality.

Today we're featuring Shelby Converse, an assistant house manager for a theatre and the blogger behind A College Theatre Dork. Shelby's go-to clothing items for her position at the theatre include:

Guest Post | Living Proactively: A Short Guide on How College Students Can Prepare for Their Future

New year, new you? Not sure what to do? Whether you're planning to amp up your money smarts, get involved with the community, or make some professional networking connections, we've got you covered with some tips and tricks. Julie, today's guest contributor from Skyo, has put together a quick guide to proactively preparing for your future. Use these ideas to make your new year's resolutions or to make long-term changes over the next few years. It's your future - plan for it proactively!

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Living Proactively

A wise man once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This wise man’s name was Benjamin Franklin, and maybe one day, you too can be as successful as Mr. Franklin. Maybe that is a stretch, but it’s far too common for college age students, and I was no exception, to procrastinate certain steps or engagements that contribute to immediate and future success. By carrying out the few strategies below, you can start to proactively shape your future to the successful life you desire.

Winter Workwear: Bundled Up (But Not Bulky!) Business Casual

Brrrr! Lately, I've come across a lot of posts about how to dress professional and still stylish during the winter months. Problem is: it appears that these posts are directed at young ladies living in balmy 30-degree-winters with no snow on the ground. Heels?! Really? 

I say balmy 30-degrees because in Iowa, I've been riding out sub-freezing temps for over a week now. We're not talking a cozy 20 degrees either. I'm talking 5. With a -15 windchill. Eventually, we Iowans acclimate to the cold. And when that first 40-degree sunny day comes next spring, we'll be out and about sans coat, sans sleeves, sans pants. 

But for now, we need to keep bundled up - and stay cute and professional while we're at it. Because interviews, internships, and jobs don't take a break for winter hibernation. So I've put together several cozy layered looks that keep you warm when you're on your way to or from work and out and about - but that can be easily peeled away once you hit the wonderful warmth of the office. The outfits range from the very casual end of business casual to a more professional look.

Collegefeed | Your Career Matchmaker

We live in the era of internet matchmaking. Pandora picks out artists who are music to your ears. OkCupid sets you up with potential partners. And social media networks like Facebook and Twitter throw suggestions at you to like and follow based on your interests. It's hip. It's personalized. And it works. (Ok, not all the suitors on OkCupid are suitable.) What about career matchmaking?

Pencil It In | Working the Pencil Skirt into Your Work Attire, Including 25 Examples with Do's and Don'ts

Starting this week, every Wednesday on The Lovely Side will be devoted to wardrobe, hair, and beauty content.  With summer internships right around the corner and interviews for real world jobs looming as well, I thought now would be a good time to delve into the world of office fashion.  

Sarah, a reader, recently emailed me asking about how to style a pencil skirt for her "somewhat casual, somewhat professional workplace full of fashionable co-workers."  She's been lusting after pencil skirts at several stores, but been hesitant to purchase one for fear of looking bad in it and not knowing what to wear with it. 

Beautiful Laptop Skins

While you can't go wrong with classic and classy black... my lovely new HP laptop keeps dinging me for a makeover.  I stumbled across Society 6 and immediately knew I'd come to the right place.  The only drawback is that there are sooo many options!  We're talking thousands!  I rounded up a few of my faves, but I only skimmed through 50 of the 1,391 pages of options.  Did you really think I was exaggerating when I said thousands?  Anyway, isn't that laptop skin lovely?

Stalking: Know it. Name it. Stop it.

Each year, 3.4 million Americans over the age of 18 are stalked.  3 out of 4 stalking victims are stalked by someone they know.  30% of victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner.  10% are stalked by a stranger.  1 out of 4 victims report being stalked through the use of some form of technology, like email, instant messages, and text messages.

Persons 18-24 years experience the highest rate of stalking. 

18-24 years old?   That's us college students.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month.  So to promote the safety of lovely undergrads, here are some tips if you may be being stalked.