EDGY PROFESSIONAL OR PROFESSIONALLY EDGY?

Blazer: Theory; Heather V-Neck, Gold Necklace & White Jeans: J.Crew; Rock Necklace: Urban Outfitters; Purse: Hermes Birkin Bag 25cm; Patent Leather Oxfords: Nicholas Kirkwood; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

Jobs. Something most of us 20-somethings devote the best years of our life to. So why should something important equate to a stuffy sense of style? It shouldn't. Silicon Valley is a place where folks dress to the antithesis of what most would describe as professional. In fact, other geographical locations around the nation are taking note and following suit (no pun intended!)

My mother always told me, "Only boring people get bored" I adopted that into only boring people change their personal style entirely to appease fopaux office standards. Be you. Don't be that person that buys things because, "I'd never where this but don't you think it'd be really great for work?" No. Unless it's a Roberto Cavalli gown that's perfect for the reddest of carpets please do not purchase things that you plan to only wear to sequestered areas in life. That's how you end up wasting money and with a closet full of, "I never wear this, why did I buy this again? Oh well I'm too busy to return it so I guess I'll just let it sit here for 4 more years."

(6) TIPS ON DRESSING PROFESSIONALLY EDGY:

  1. Subtle nuances enmeshed with basics. Notice: My patent leather Nicholas Kirkwood's with pink laces and pin stripe toes? Pretty out there, however footwear allows you to do such things without appearing over the top. Footwear is also the most subtle since it covers the least amount of surface area on your body. Go buck wild! Don't wait for the next #shoesdaytuesday
  2. COLOR! Unless you have a mandated uniform squelching all creativity I highly suggest bursts of color. Notice the Birkin and how it pops against the basic-ness of the contrasting colors? A MUST. Too much color can be seen as Floridian or trying too hard. Stick to one crazy color and keep the rest neutral.
  3. DO: Buy structured architectural pieces. The blazer is arguably the only 'professional' thing about this outfit and truly pulls it together. With one piece that meets this requirement you can make the rest of the outfit pretty casual, T-shirt and jeans! Not a fan of blazers? Try a button up chambray shirt (personal favorite) or a nice pair of slacks, fitted of course.
  4. Buy clothing that actually fits. I'm piggy-backing off of #3 a tad but this is a biggy. I know the baggy clothing, boyfriend pants, sleeve-less t-shirts that show off your entire ribcage and and so on are totally in right now but let's leave those out of the office. Exceptions include: wearing one of these and making the rest of the outfit fairly upscale.
  5. Dem Jewels. Come on ladies, you're all gems so why not wear some? Statement necklaces are my personal favorite but you can really have a lot of fun with all kinds jewelery at the office. Snake/Octopus rings, cluster bracelets, that jewelry box is an oyster to any edgy professional.
  6. Easy on the Maybelline. It isn't a social outing at a bar or a party, it's work! However, if you love your job and your co-workers like myself that's pretty easy to forget. You should be caring more about what's in your mind rather than what's on your face - keep them both clear! Make up is a nice to have and I'm not saying to abolish it entirely, just don't go Kylie Jenner on us. Fake lashes and extra long nails don't exactly scream, "I'm SUPER smart and entirely focused on my job!" Know your audience.

I fully endorse the edgy professional, but as for being professionally edgy? Let's leave that to someone else..

"It's Carrie Baby!"

Sunglasses: Primark (Ireland), Dress: FCUK, Yellow Belt: J.Crew (Kristine Constantino), Blue Suede Heels: Stuart Weitzman, Champagne: Veuve Clicquot, Styled & Photographs by: Kristine Constantino

"It's Carrie Baby!" The initial words that come to mind when you want to go out with your gals and have an evening to "remember..." or not? Carrie (is unfortunately) the main character of popular 90's sitcom SATC, but her essence is so much more than that. Carrie's style is girly, fun, flirty, and completely OUT there. I'm not fond of Carrie but I do admire of her ability to be a total girly-girl and consistently push the envelope with her clothing choices. I, myself, am much more of tomboy!

“A dress should be tight enough to prove you’re a woman, but loose enough to show you’re a lady”
— Marilyn Monroe

My good friend, and obvious fashion guru, Kristine Constantino convinced me to push my limits and go in a direction I would normally shy away from - what do you guys think? "It' Carrie Baby!" Even though I view myself as much more of a Samantha ;)

When "coffee" is more than coffee

I understand it takes real confidence to ask the lady you're fancying out on a date.  Whatever you've been through -- that ish takes real character! Lezzbe honest men these days don't know how to be gentlemen (most of the time). Call me old fashioned, but I don't think chivalry is dead, nor will I ever settle for less than what I believe I deserve. You can quote me on that.

What's with this coffee thing? I have to be real - this is not something I'm familiar with but lately I've been asked out on a few coffee dates. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate coffee. I don’t drink it often (unless it's a coffee bean hazelnut latte,) but I'd rather drink merlot. Starbucks doesn't serve that yet. Time to maximize that franchise.

I'm a private person so discussing my personal life, especially as it pertains to the male species (yes they are another species!) is out of character for me. Recently one of my former bosses has asked me out for “coffee” I replied with, 

“Are you asking me on a d8?!” 

He said "yes", so why did he only go halfway? It's obvious what his real intentions are but why did he half ass it? It's my opinion and I'm only 24 (he's a bit older,) but I feel it's sort of silly to ask a girl for coffee.  If you want to meet me, let’s go on a date and call it a date.  In complete transparency if I wouldn’t go on a date with you, I wouldn’t go for “coffee,” with you either. It's the same thing boys. If you are trying to get on my good side let's throw some red wine into the mix. Your odds and my mood will be better. According to the well revered, Dictionary.com, "date" is defined as :

"A social appointment, engagement, or occasion arranged beforehand with another person."

Is coffee cheaper? Is that what's happening? I learn through what I've been through. Not complicated it's simple. I am a cheap date but Starbucks is far too basic for a chick like myself. We have to go somewhere where pastries aren't the only thing available in solid form. Plus how cute can I really look at Starbucks? It's not happening. Stop trying to make it happen.

If neither of you felt some sort of magnetic pull or romantic chemistry if you will, the concept of a date would have never been on the table (pun intended!) Am I right or am I right? Maybe you're testing the waters because you want something to be there so badly, or you want to make certain; either way you're feeling some type of way.

GUYS: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

what I learned in NYC: the best things in life are black

Oh wait.. I already knew that!

Peplum Top: Anthropologie; Studded Belt & Jacket: BCBG; Black Jeans: J.Brand; Shoes: Target; Rocco Bag: Alexander Rocco; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

As recent as last week I had the pleasure of going to the greatest city in America that needs no introduction (NYC!) A city that sounds so nice they named it twice. When I arrived at Penn Station via Boston, all I could think was, "Wow! I guess I really am a grown-up now." Having the good fortune of working for an incredible company that pays for my travel and desires my expertise in various cities around the country. It's all surreal, don't ask me how it happened..

Okay back to the MAIN point: BLACK BLACK BLACK. The second thought in my mind was radiating that color, everyone was wearing it with little to no discretion, I loved it.

Bright, west coast colors, I have not forsaken you. I have just temporarily replaced you. The blackness in a city that legitimately never sleeps (which I can't attest to, seriously quiet in my  accidentally booked hotel room in Mid-Town,) fluorescent with activities all hours of the day -- don't even get me started on the night! The city is chalk-full of a completely blacked-out population. And man, can they work it. Every individual so impeccably dressed that I even found myself becoming insecure! Then it donned on me, the lack of color was a way of neutralizing the playing ground. Perhaps their personalities are so robust, and their accomplishments so great that they do not need to be, "LOUD," with their clothing. I find this to be as admirable as it is inspiring.

10 great things in my life that happen to be black:

  1. Records
  2. 50 Cent
  3. The gas lever in my car (SUPER IMPORTANTE)
  4. 50% of Giant's Colors
  5. Combat boots
  6. OG Ray Bans
  7. Pen Ink (because pencils are so 2002 and red/blue are too weird)
  8. Jo Malone boxes
  9. My lighter
  10. This fit!

While I have always had the inclination that the best things in life are black, I have to bring out the Kelly Green Rocco -- life is just better with little Alex around. What do you think? What's your favorite color to rocco?