Sunday, January 22, 2012

Surviving your work week: Office to Happy Hour

With as much time as I've been spending at the office, I thought I would write series of posts dedicated to powering through a tough work week with style.  For me, part of surviving a brutal week at work is having at least one night for going out with friends after hours, having a few cocktails and a nice dinner.  The only catch to this is that at around 5 pm every evening -although I don't do any physical labor as part of my job- I look like I've absolutely been through hell and back.  We're talking flat hair, dark under-eye circles, chapped lips (from obsessive biting/chewing/licking lips when I'm stressed), red eyes, wrinkled clothes, etc.  All I really want to do is come home, take a shower, and crawl into bed... but I always have such a great time when I actually go out and socialize.  I know myself well enough to know that if I come home to change clothes or get ready, I won't resist the urge to cancel plans and stay in for the night.

My solution for this is twofold: 1) Start with a fab, comfortable outfit that can easily transition from work to happy hour:


           Office: Kate Spade necklace / Reed Krakoff tote / Valentino pumps / Chanel sheer gloss
Cocktails: Morgan Ashleigh necklace / Belle Noel ringBCBG clutch / Stella McCartney pumps / Nars lipcolor



... and 2) prep your work handbag/tote/desk drawer with an arsenal of key beauty products to help refresh yourself AND your appearance before your night begins.



1) Colgate WISP spearmint mini-toothbrushes. Need I explain?
2) Bobbi Brown blotting papers. Use these to blot any oily spots or residue from your face. Psst... in a pinch, toilet seat liners work well, too ;) 
3) Caudalie Beauty Elixir.  This revitalizing mist feels amazingly refreshing on your face at the end of the day.  Radiance in a bottle.
4) Kai Body Glow.  This body splash/dry oil spray smells amazingly fresh and clean and is great for moisturizing tired skin after work.
5) Ojon Full Detox rub-out dry cleansing spray.  Spritz a bit of this at the roots, flip hair over, shake out excess, flip back over and voila!  It's like you just fixed your hair (and it smells great, too).
6) YSL Touche Eclat.  If you have been living under a rock and haven't tried this yet, please do so immediately.  YSL has managed to formulate and package a good night's sleep in a handy little click-pen.  Genius.
7) Benefit Dandelion.  This universally-flattering color is perfect to freshen up tired makeup at the end of the day.  It isn't a shade that I typically use in my morning makeup regimen, but when I plan to wear a bold lip color (such as the Nars one above), this is a great product to liven your cheeks just a bit.
8) Lancome Hypnose Drama. I use this religiously -morning and night - an extra coat is crucial to make lashes pop for an after-work outing.

25 comments:

  1. Yes, YSL Touche Eclat is fabulous, I'm going to try a few of these others though!

    I'm with you on the going home and not leaving too, always better to pack a few pick me ups!

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  2. Love all these picks - even though it was 8 years ago that I was working in an office, I remember well what you're referring to! Can you believe I've not yet tried that YSL concealer...I really think I need it! :)

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

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  3. Oh I feel your pain. I too work too much and often want to just crawl into bed at the end of the day. But going out for fun is certainly worth it! Great tips and I love that Reed Krakoff bag.

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  4. I love how you paired neon bright bags with this LBD! that always elevates an outfit!

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  5. This guide is awesome! I love your cocktail look! Those Stella McCartney pumps are amazingballs and I love anything DVF and that LBD is gorgeous. Additionally, thank you for the beauty product recommendations; this will help me a lot as I'm starting a new job tomorrow!


    P.S.- If you don't mind me asking, how did you do your collages? Did you use Photoshop?

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  6. Oooh such lovely transitions!~ I do like the black and yellow together, it looks so bold. You put your pictures together so nicely. I seriously love that first bag.

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  7. Great tips! I had no idea about toilet seat liners, who knew!?!?

    I love the dress and ALL the accessories you choose! Very thoughtful post, I love it!

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  8. i adore this! I think I'll just wear this everyday.

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  9. The Touche Eclat by YSL is my savior, it works miracles, I swear! Love this post, and the handbags are so gorgeous!

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  10. LOVE this! the outfit is amazing and so are the beauty products :)

    xxx,

    Fashion Fractions

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  11. Love everything about this post. Did you know that coffee filters (for those who don't keurig) work equally as well for blotting? learned that during the sorority rush days! good times. ha. Loving your office to cocktails look. happy sunday/monday!

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  12. Love this post!! Great day to night look.

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  13. Yay for the YSL shoutout! SO necessary, I just got it a while ago and now love it so much :)

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  14. Those Valentino shoes are amazing.

    www.mrsprissychrissy.com

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  15. Love this, total inspiration! I am always amazed, even after a slow day at work, how tired I can look by 5, haha! Looks like you and a few others are recommending the YSL Touche Eclat, might have to give that a try! Also I love the simplicity of the work outfit that you provide that easily translates into happy hour... definitely a once a week thing for me too :)

    Hope you have a good week!

    -Rachel :)
    www.rachelslookbook.com

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  16. This was a great post! It took a dress, that I already have a similar one like, and turned it into an awesome day to night outfit! Thanks so much for this!

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  17. I want every single thing you posted! Love it all. I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for Benefit Dandelion next time I'm at Sephora!

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  18. Such a cute post - love the work to happy hour transition :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  19. Great board and great to see how easily a classic can transition from day to night.

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  20. yes yes yes to that dress! Perfect work to cocktail transition and both bags are amazing! xo

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  21. Love this post!!! Such a dilemma sometimes, especially when you have something come up unexpectedly. I can vouch for Ojon's dry shampoo - OBSESSED. I love it so much, I always have a back-up bottle just in case!

    Oh and how much do you love that Reed Krakoff bag? Seriously gorgeous!

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  22. This is such a wonderful post! The dress works beautifully for work and for after work. The shoes in the cocktails outfit is so pretty :)

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  23. hypnose lancome mascara is THE BEST! whenever i splurge on mascara, that is my FAVE! and i am buying the YSL concealer like NOW. wish i knew what color i need so i could just buy online!!!
    i am obsessed with concealer...although nothing works like photoshop...har har har.

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

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  24. Okay, your post just described every single day of my life- minus the going out part. I love this post. It is a good reminder to get it together and not loose touch with what is really important and healthy...um having fun? Thanks Sarah. Loving your blog.

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  25. LOVE LOVE LOVE, from one product whore to another....LOVE.

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