A few days ago, a good friend of mine asked me over a plate of portobello mushroom fries and a glass of overpriced sparkling water, “When you go shopping for clothes, what do you look for?”
After a moment’s thought, I told her, “Quality. I like to keep my closet lean and invest in beautiful pieces that I know will last a few solid years.”
Rewind to my college days when I gravitated towards trendy, flimsy pieces that broke down after 3 nights out (ahem, Forever21). Granted, at that time it was all I could afford but as soon as I started earning a decent paycheck, I found myself becoming more critical of the things I bought.
I wanted clothing that lasted and reflected my newfound sophisticated taste. Now, the more I learn about the manufacturing process, the more I make it a point to never consume mindlessly.
Quality over quantity became my tried and true, albeit cliché, shopping motto. So beautiful fabrics, impeccable stitching and carefully thought out silhouettes became must-have qualities.
A year ago, I discovered PIOL — makers of custom-made dresses — a company that makes all kinds of LBDs (Little Black Dresses) with an attention to detail that would make even Miss Hepburn proud.
I spy with my little eye… the perfect LBD!
Of course, it’s an investment and each tailored dress will cost you a pretty penny: $550 to $650. But when you can tailor a dress to your exact measurement and tastes — from the neckline to the pattern — and unique shape — from your bust to your height, it’s an investment that pays itself off in the years to come.
Plus, it’s versatile enough to look killer at work and play.
Style Notes
PIOL black sheath LBD
Nina Ricci black cat eye sunglasses similar here
Christian Louboutin black patent leather pumps similar here
Opera length pearls similar here
Helen Kaminski straw clutch similar here
Beauty Notes
Giorgio Armani red lippie
Photos by The Amazing Sabrina Hill of Party With No Cake
Want to know how I wore these sunglasses with a pair of leather culottes for the office? Peek here.
Cold weather has a way of taking it out on your your skin, leaving it flaky, dry and parched. The worst is when you hop into your car before work, do a quick “check” in the rear-view mirror (we all do it) and to your dismay, the chilly air has already done it’s damage. Your cheeks feel like sandpaper and the pesky corners of your nose are already chapped.
To avoid this skin faux pas when you’re on the go, here are my favorite winter-ready skin products that will keep your face hydrated and healthy.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliating at least once a week removes dead skin cells and helps other products, like your moisturizer, absorb into your skin. You can either use a buffer or an exfoliator to gently slough off dead skin cells and get that polished glow. I love the Mia 2 by Clarisonic—it’s a splurge, but worth every penny.
2. Moisturize
Before applying moisturizer, keep the bathroom door shut. The humidity from the warm shower (FYI: hot waters dries out your skin) helps lock in moisture, which is why it’s also best to apply lotion when you’re skin is still damp.
3. Hydrate
Treat yourself to a hydrating mask once a week to give your skin some much-need love. I currently adore Irish Moor Mud, an odorless mask that decongests and draws out all the icky dirt from a long week, replacing it with vitamins and fresh-looking skin.
4. Lip Care
As a notorious lip biter, my lips get especially chapped during the frosty season. To combat this, I swipe on some Champagne Cocktail lip balm. The plant oils and cocoa butters keep them soft without being greasy. Plus, the hint of sweet champagne doesn’t hurt.
5. Sunscreen
A common misconception is that since summer has passed, you can toss out your sunscreen. Don’t make this mistake: the sun’s rays are just as damaging as ever (especially if you’re exposed to snow glare). Protect yourself with sunscreen before you walk out the door, rain or shine, hot or cold.
I like BB cream by Dr. Brandt, since it doubles as foundation and sunscreen. Great for when I’m in a rush.
This Valentine’s Day, I’m skipping the heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and reaching for a sweet, seductive cupcake instead. If that petite treat just so happens to be from Sprinkle’s magical Cupcake ATM (uh, genius?) , who’s going to stop me?
Luckily, said Cupcake ATM just so happens to be near my neighborhood and I headed to the one in Beverly Hills. Confession: I’m a cupcake die-hard and this may or may not have been my 1787 time here.
Automatic cupcakes? Hint: the answer is yes.
I’ll take one of each, thank you very much.
Sweet, tasty Sprinkles for lunch > Boring salad.
Nothing beats LA’s blue skies.
A quick peek inside their boutique: delicious human cupcakes on the left; adorable mini cupcakes for your furry friends on the right.
Pairing my cupcake with a healthy dose of Ferragamo.
Snacked on a couple when I got back to work (oops!) but brought home a week’s worth of cupcakes for By. Love is in the air, after all.
What are you doing for Valentine’s Day, Ambitionistas? Romantic dinner for two?
Cocktails with the girls? Do tell in the comments below.
Style Notes
Balmain Brown Sunglasses similar here
BCBG Black Wrap Cardigan similar here
Ann Taylor White Shirt similar here
Ferragamo Calf Hair Clutch similar here
Photos By Sabrina Hill of Party With No Cake
Special Thanks To Sprinkles Cupcakes Beverly Hills
It’s that time of the year again: tax season. While the fateful day can be cause for fits of anxiety and stress, I’ve learned that being organized helps to make April 15th less “Week of Total Chaos” and more “Week of Mild Annoyance.”
So, how can you, my dear Ambitionista, no longer be at the mercy of a few pages of paper?
I thought you’d never ask.
1. Know Your Tax Status
Life happens. Did you get married this year? (Or, divorced?) Kids enter the picture? Dad move in to live with the family? Did all this happen this year? These might be situations that affect your tax status and make you eligible for more than one. Before you file your return, think about the past life events and any exemptions you may have.
2. Designate a place to keep your documents.
Half the battle of tax season is sifting through all the messy paperwork. So, gather all your receipts, expense forms, sources of income (1098, W-2 or 1099 forms), deductions such as receipts, property tax documents, etc. and records of any investments.
Having one place for all these important documents will save you time and that migraine that seems to hit as April looms closer.
I recommend these apps to help you with organizing:
Expensify: a quick solution to capturing cash expenses, mileage, reimbursements, etc. and importing all card transactions.
Shoeboxed: a ridiculously simple way receipts and create expense reports
IDonatedIt: an app that keeps track of non-cash donations
3. DIY or Hire a Professional?
Are you going to be filing your own taxes this year? If so, it’s especially important to be aware of changing tax laws and to double check information you include — putting in the wrong social security number can delay the process and even cause you to file your papers late.
If you’ll be hiring a tax professional to do your papers, make sure you contact them at least a month ahead of the deadline. Tax season is huge for them and they get swamped with people who wait until the last minute. So don’t try to call an accountant three days before the 15th — chances are they’ll tell you to get in line. How to get a good tax accountant? Look for someone who seems like she’s got her s**t together < cough cough> and ask for a recommendation. You can go on Yelp (no seriously) or Google and look up 3-4 potential candidates. The best tax accountant is someone who has experience working with people in your profession. So, if you own a restaurant, for example, look for an accountant with a lot of restaurateur clients. Mainly because they can give you all kinds of advice on how to manage your finances based on similar experience.
FYI: While trying to file your own taxes may save you money upfront, a tax professional who does this for a living might save you a lot more money in the long run. If you’re a small business, a contractor or own several properties, you’ll be spending a lot of time sweating the small stuff. A pro, however, gets paid to do these tedious tasks and can help you pay less in taxes or maximize deductions.
4. You Waited Until the Last Minute. Don’t Panic.
When filing online, the return won’t be considered on time until the IRS formally accepts it for processing. So, make sure you file at least two days before the deadline. If you’re going the snail mail route, there’s a list of IRS-designated private delivery services to meet the “timely mailing as timely filing/paying” rule for tax returns and payments. These include:
Federal Express (FedEx):
FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 2Day, FedEx International Priority, and FedEx International First.
United Parcel Service (UPS):
UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide Express Plus, and UPS Worldwide Express.
For tax returns to be considered on time, the papers must be postmarked by April 15, 2015. If it comes down to the day-of and there’s no possible way you can get your returns in on time, then file for an extension. The penalty for not filing or getting an extension by the deadline is harsh — 5 percent to a max 25 percent per month of the amount due on the late return.
We’d love to hear your own tips for making tax season easier. Let us know in the comments!
This year, Valentine’s Day crept up on me and all of a sudden, we’re less than a week away from a holiday associated with lacy lingerie and romantic candlelight dinners. The only problem? I’ve been so knee-deep in emails and meetings this past month, that I haven’t had a chance to come up with a killer look for date night with the beau. For those Ambitionistas in the same boat, I put together Valentine essentials for the working woman.
So whether your style is classic, contemporary or casual, here’s everything you need to wow this weekend. Just pair a flattering black or red dress (or suit!) with one or more of these handpicked accessories.
Dolce & Gabbana red semi-sheer lipstick
Kendra Scott 14k cat’s eye black stud earrings
DVF metallic clutch
Yves Saint Laurent iconic rouge nail polish
Juliet & Company winged crystal earrings
Fendi fuchsia leather envelope clutch
Getting paid to shop from the comfort of your living room while lounging in your silk pajamas is no longer a pipe dream. Presenting Cosign. An app that pays you for your selfies, food porn and the new Pradas you just splurged on. Really.
When I was first approached to review this app I was quite intrigued – The fittingly named app lets you endorse products you post on all the major social media platforms , rewarding you with cash every time followers purchase something you’ve shared. However, the appeal of Cosign lies in its broad spectrum of items. Anything from the #ootd you shared on Twitter ( as yet, Instagram is not supported) to the new desk chairs you bought for the office are up for grabs. This is a huge move toward embracing the “every day” consumer — not just fashionistas (hello!) and self-proclaimed foodies.
It helps that joining the growing movement is effortless, simply create a username, upload a photo, tag your products and share via social media, email or text.
So here’s how :
First, I made an account. Easy peasy… so far.
Second, I uploaded a photo to “Camera.”
Oh hey, just my Tory Burch Fitbit, aka the constant reminder for me to
skip the donut and head to the gym. Ugh.
Next, I looked up the item in the search tool and tagged it with the “Cosign” button.
Finally, sent a tweet out to my fellow Ambitionistas.
Psst: Peek how I wear the Fitbit here.
The social platforms available include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr, to name a few. When followers hover over the image, details on price and where to buy it conveniently pop up. There’s even the option to text links, which brings Cosign to a more personal, private level — uncharted territory for retail apps.
So far, Cosign has caught the attention of Russel Simmons, who livestreamed his ArgyleCulture’s Spring/Summer 2015 menswear collection via the app, and Laquan Smith, a Kardashian favorite, who’s T-shirt pop-up line was inspired by the platform.
Personally, I’m a fan of the app’s interface and sheer simplicity. A big plus when you’re trying to do a zillion things at once. Also, getting paid to text your girlfriends photos of your new Hermès clutch? Yes, please.
Download Cosign here for Apple, here for Android
PSST: All NY Ambitionistas are invited to attend the Cosign Launch Party on Feb 11th. Meet the creators and enjoy complimentary drinks & hors d’oeuvres. More deets here.
“Tea Breaks” are a sacred time for me to disconnect and de-stress in the middle of a hectic work day. Sometimes, the endless onslaught of URGENT/ASAP/IMPORTANT emails wear me down and I have to close my laptop, set my phone on silent and take a walk outside away from the chaos.
Luckily, there’s a Starbucks (surprise!) next to my office where I like to grab a hot cup of Earl Grey every now and then. The spot makes for great people watching while I take time to collect my thoughts before heading back to the office.
While getting my Starbucks fix, I came across these adorable puppies. Yes, it’s a coincidence their fluffy coats matched mine…
For this particular Monday stroll, I paired a leopard print blouse from Zara with a comfy camel hair Max Mara gilet and skirt. Tip: When mixing fun prints for the office, balance them out with neutral tones (like this camel gilet, cream coat and skirt ensemble) to make them office-appropriate.
Since it’s chillier of late, I threw on a roomy coat and grabbed my catch-call Prada, which held my phone hostage while I relaxed. Just what I needed to end a long week while saying hello to the weekend!
Style Note:
Zara Leopard Print Blouse similar here
Max Mara Coat , Camel Hair Gilet and Skirt similar here,
here and here (respectively)
Chloe Black Boots
Cat-eye glasses c/o David Kind
PS: Need helping choosing glasses that fit your face?
David Kind will send you six to try for free here
Photography by A Party with No Cake
