The Little Lady Goes to Work

Many of you have asked me to restore my “Little Lady” series (see here, here, and here) — I suppose a classic never goes out of style after all.  I’ve been trying to breathe new life into my LRR work wardrobe, so this post will be just as much about taking stock of new plans for my own workerbee get-ups as it is about bringing a favorite Magpie collection back.  First up: a slick color-blocked look.  I lovelovelove this affordable Bailey44 number ($130, ShopAmbience), and would pair it with a long, mixed-media necklace ($200, SuzannaDai):

I’d pair with a pop-of-azalea-red scarf ($195, ChanLuu), some classic black patent pumps (you know I’m a sucker for Louboutins, but these affordable Vince Camutos are a nice everyday option — $79, VinceCamuto), and this made-for-the-dress ladylike satchel ($395, RebeccaMinkoff):

Alternately, create a colorblocking effect yourself, beginning with a simple black dress (love this cowl-back style — on sale for $220, LoefflerRandall) and a pop-o-strawberry necklace ($140, LorenHopeDesigns):

I’d add a colorblocked purse ($550, Be&D) and a taupe heel ($125, PiperLime):

I’m still loving the look of tailored shorts, but am a little anxious about actually pulling it off.  Will I look like a little boy?  (A serious consideration for anyone of comparably diminutive proportions…)  I’d wear a chic tailored pair (Cacharel, $495, LaGarconne) with a nude blouse (Equipment, $208, Shopbop) and a statement necklace ($155, CarolMarieDesign):

And I’d finish with some polished flats (Chloe, $450, Net-A-Porter) and a geranium orangey-red bag ($415, LineaPelle):

I’m also suh-wooning over this Alexander Wang blouson-style dress (love the contrast of the fabrics — $550, LaGarconne), which I’d wear with

I’d pair with a snakeskin bag (Rebecca Minkoff, $450, Shopbop) and a pointy-toed wedge (PourLaVictoire, $208, Endless):

I’d finish with a couple of classic enamel bangles ($570 apiece, Hermes) and some polished gold studs ($95, EmilyElizabethJewelry):

Or how about a simple jersey-weight dress (Tibi, on sale for $130, TheOutnet) with a gold-on-pink necklace ($365, Kabiri):

I’d finish with a blush-toned leather, slouchy tote ($298, Nordstrom) and these un.believable Fendi pumps (love the raffia and the little half bow at the tow — $664, Bluefly):

A breezy scarf in an updated leopard print ($135, Lily and Lionel) would be the perfect finishing touch:

Finally, I’m all.about the shirt dress, and this military-inspired Tory Burch style ($350, Tory Burch) in pristine, summer-ready white leaves me with a serious covet problem, especially coupled with an oversized link necklace ($30, TopShop) and some aviators:

I’d wear it with this Z Spoke by Zac Posen bag ($535, ScoopNYC) and these eye-catching, funky-yet-polished little shoes ($375, Be&D):

If cold, this summer-weight tweed coat by M by Missoni has my name written all over it (but not Mr. Magpie’s approval, given the price tag…$1,184, MyWardrobe):

I’d keep my laptop (a Macbook Air — love.of.my.life.) safe in a chic leather sleeve ($50, Russell and Hazel) —

And while I like a legal pad as much as the next girl, when I lived in France, I noticed that all of my classmates took notes on grid/graph paper, and was an instant convert.  So much easier to stay neat with them (OCD much?) — and for that reason, I am obsessed with this Bob’s Your Uncle notebook to keep myself organized at work ($16, SeeJaneWork) and a rollerball pen ($40 each, Kate’s Paperie):

Just some idea to put a little pep in your step 🙂

DON’T forget to enter the AMAZING TheLittleBlackShop giveaway for personalized stationery!  OMG.  To enter, all you need to do is leave a message on this post telling me about the best piece of mail you’ve ever received — I’ve already received tons of touching responses.  Please also check out TheLittleBlackShop’s Facebook page and bloglet to swoon over some amazing design and entertaining ideas.  Enter to win by tomorrow, Thursday, 5/19 — I’ll announce a winner on Friday, 5/20!