Yes, you read that right.  We’ve got SASSY gear (lots of SASSY gear – tee shirts, tote bags, hoodies, hats, undies and pins).  Go check our shop and buy something!

When you first get a job, they usually provide you with wardrobe do’s and don’ts, otherwise known as a dress code.   Usually this is spelled out and you can take your cues from there.  However, as we continue to work at a job, we find ourselves getting more comfortable and tend to adhere less and less to said dress code.    In addition, those who have their own sense of style tend to find the dress code limiting to the women who they feel they are.   Others aren’t aware of the difference between work and after-work clothes.   Hopefully I can provide some direction to help you SASSY women find the balance between work appropriate and your personal style.

1. The Right Shirt: As a woman, wearing the right shirt really sets the tone of an outfit.   Avoid wearing tops that reveal too much cleavage and are more suitable for the club.   Rocking a sexy forever 21 low silk poly blend shirt with a blazer doesn’t make it business casual, it only makes you look like you are cold.   Acceptable shirts include woven button down shirts, basic white v neck as well as two fer white shirts (which include a vest, or a belt, or a skirt all in one).  Of course you can be creative and wear all kind of shirts.  Do not limit yourself to a color or style.   Get creative.
   

   Banana Republic, $24.99

   

   INC, $49

2. Bottoms Up: Now that you have a few options top wise,  it is important to get the right bottom.  Fortunately for women, there are many options for career casual.    Of course, there is a direct relationship between what you have on top.   Therefore, if you have on a nice woven button down shirt, you should coordinate with a nice pair of wide leg trousers with a nice round toe pump.    If you are wearing a dress, pair with a nice pair of novelty leggings and an office appropriate flat.  If you are wearing a nice patterned blouse, you can pair that with a pencil skirt.  It is okay to wear denim, but make sure that the denim is dark denim or black and is form fitting.  There should be no holes, rips or anything too novelty.
   

   LNA Skirt onShopbop.com, $33

   

   Ann Taylor, $59.99

3. Finishing Touches: Once you have the shirt and bottoms, you should accessorize the outfit to complete the look.  You can accessorize with jewelry or throw a nice cardigan or blazer over the outfit.  You can finish off a nice basic cut and sew dress with a wide belt.  You can rock a patterned blazer with a brouche over a white tank and dark denim jean and boot.  The most important is to put your personal style on the outfit.

Rampage Boyfriend Cardigan on Overstock.com, $25

Belts on Overstock.com, $22.99

Christian Law

SASSY’s own Quianna has up and started her own online boutique: Ganache Couture.  We sat down with Quianna and asked her a few questions.  Check it out:

SASSY: What inspired you to start Ganache Couture
Quiana: I’ve always loved fashion and wanted to own a boutique but never really had a plan of attack.  When I moved back to Atlanta from DC last year, I met Tashia Joyner, owner of Shiami Doors boutique in the Atlanta area.  I was out shopping one day and visited her boutique.  She was very nice and inviting, so we started chatting.  Long story short, she brought me onboard as a personal shopper/stylist for her boutique and kept  reminding me to pursue my dream.  Soon after, I decided to move forward and launch Ganache Couture.  I’ve always thought footwear, handbags, and a nice chic coat puts the icing on the outfit, so those are the focus areas for our merchandise at Ganache Couture.  That’s also the inspiration for the name of the boutique.

S: How do you manage this and your 9 to 5?
Q: I’m very blessed and lucky to have a 9-5 at a company that allows me to live wherever I want to and work from home every day (except for the times I have to travel for business meetings).  So, my schedule is
very flexible and leaves me time to do other things for myself, such as launch and manage Ganache Couture.

S: What is your favorite piece?
Q: Ok…I can’t just name one piece, so I’ll give you two.  Our Tarah Smith Wino hobo bag in Tiger:   Love, love, love it!  And so does everyone else who sees me carrying it.  It’s a unique bag made of pony hair and leather that you will not see alot of people with.  Very important to me, because I feel a certain (negative) way about looking like other people…it’s just unnecessary, in my opinion. 

The other piece is our Alligator Print Leather thigh-high boot from Kathryn Amberleigh.  You can wear it several different ways: pulled straight up, pulled up/flap down, slouched down/flap up, or slouch down/flap down.  Fierce versatility, I tell ya!

S: How do you keep motivated?
Q: I’ve finally found something that I’m truly passionate about so the motivation comes naturally.  In technology sales, we always ask our customers what keeps them up at night to determine what their main
focus/passion is.  Now I know what that means.  Ganache Couture keeps me up at night.  It’s a great feeling!

S: Where you do you see yourself in 5 years?
Q: 5 years?  I can’t let the cat completely out of the bag, but I will say that expansion is a key aspect of the vision.  Stay tuned!

S: Any words of advice for future business owners?
Q: Uncover and pursue your passion, follow your gut, research (knowledge is power), and most importantly expand your personal and professional networks.  If you continue to surround yourself with the same and stay in the same environment, that’s what you can expect…more of the same!

Feel free to contact me at qzcouture@gmail.com if you have more targeted questions though.  I’m always available to chat and help where I can.  And check out the boutique’s blog too!

And a special gift to SASSY readers, use the code W2GCB to get 15% off your first purchase at Ganache Couture.

image from stock.xchng

A new season, a new reason to buy tons of new clothes.  Marie Claire offers 5 ways to to get the clothes you want and not break the bank.

1. Stay Within Your Budget. This is perhaps that hardest part of all.  So in order to stay within your budget, create a reasonable budget.  If you know you spend $100 a month on clothes, don’t budget for $50.  And if you do budget for $50, then only spend $50.  Simple in words, very difficult in real life.
2. E-Clip Coupons. I know, I’m not the best at this.  If you’re actually on your fav stores mailing list, you should get these in your email or in your real mail.  MC recommends subscribing to coolsavings.com to get coupons.
3. Hit Up Sales - Again, i you’re on a mailing list, you will definitely know when your favorite stores are having sales.  You can also subscribe to shopittome.com and get coupons from all the stores you love .  Oh and of course, check out the bougie baller, she ALWAYS knows how to get you a deal.
4. Don’t Splurge. Yes I know, essentially the same as #1 but the true way to not regret what you buy.
5. Indulge in fads sparingly. Yes, I know it difficult, but let’s be for real.  How much of what was hot last year is still hot this year?

Happy shopping ladies,
e.

I am in love with clothes. Perhaps that isn’t something I should admit, but it most certainly is the truth. I’ve had a thing about clothes and shoes and accessories since I was a young girl and I only have my dear mother to blame. She enabled the hobby by buying me those wonderful paper doll books. When I would tire of dressing and changing a doll in the clothes provided in the workbook, I would take pencil to printer paper and create my own designs. All of the designs mirrored trends of the moment by designers. One trend this season that has popped up seemingly out of nowhere is floral sprays.

Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2008 show was a hit. It set the tone for the trend we now see blooming this season—flowers everywhere! From dresses to skirts to tops, many designs are sporting spring blooms on their fabrics. Of course, as with any trend, it’s best not to overdo it. If you choose to add some petal prints to your spring and summer wardrobes, please do so in moderation (kind of like drinking alcohol, if you will). You want heads to turn as you sashay past looking fashionable and fabulous, yes, but not in the “Oh no she didn’t!” way. And whether you’re a fashionista on a budget or a lady who can splurge all she likes, you can still get up on the trend.

Here are several dresses that you can find in a variety of stores and price points:

Express, $128, Forever 21, $24.80

Vivienne Tam, $415

-Sara