If you have seen my Instagram feed, you know that I am a friend of a draped jacket. In fact there are very few I have not loved.

I love draped jackets because these are the perfect weight for spring.  A draped jacket can always dress up a look for the work place without a lot of effort.  Also unlike suit jackets, they are usually easy easier to move around in and often have a little bit of stretch to always give a comfy fit.  I chose draped jackets come in several colors to go with all your outfits or really add a pop to any outfit.  And best of all, the price is usually right (these are under $100)!

So have I convinced you to add some draped jackets to your wardrobe? I have put these looks in these pics below (scroll on arrows for more details).  Just click on the pic to be taken directly to the products. The draped jackets are available in all sizes and in several colors! Yes!

Drape on!  

As much as we want to, we cannot do it all!  I know it is hard to let go but in order for us to be effective as managers and all around #bossbabes, we have to delegate tasks to others.  And we can't just delegate; we have to delegate effectively! But how? Here are some ideas on how to delegate to others in the workplace (and life) for the win!

One of the best pieces of advice I have gotten on how to treat and work with those that report to you in the workplace came through an MBA professor - Luis Martins. He said in order for someone to be an effective manager they have to learn to delegate. That means they have to be good at getting work done through other people. That seems intuitive to most but I submit it is not. And delegating well is even harder.

People want to hang on to control over not just the type of task delegated but the "how" of the task, i.e. they want to control every aspect of how the delegated task gets done. The problem then becomes the effect of this type of managerial behavior on managers' work and on those that report to them. When managers try to control the "how", managers are failing to manage. They are doing, not managing.

Further, the direct reports feel like they are being micromanaged. They feel their boss finds them incompetent and untrustworthy. Those kinds of feelings do not create a healthy working environment. Managers have to trust their reports, give them the task, and then release their reports to do the task.

So the takeaways: Trust your delegates. You manage, don't do. It will foster a better work environment for all and allow you to do the job of a manager (and all the other things you need to do!).  And don't forget to consider this in your personal life as well....

I always think you delegate best when you feel your best!  Here are some of my work staples to mix and match featured here in this post. This jacket comes in five colors ($118) and is really versatile.  The top is on sale just $26 and the leggings are just $61 both available in all sizes! The top is great t o wear for easy after work happy hour or date night! And doesn't a red purse say I can delegate like a pro! Click on the pictures below to be taken directly to the products!

We spend so much of our working time in meetings. Sometimes we are the attendee and sometimes we are the host - or for this post - the meeting boss!  We have all been at a meeting when the boss has been unprepared. Those meetings are the worst!  This post is to give some of the meeting lessons I have learned over the years.  I would love to hear your meetings boss tips in the comments!

1) Set the Stage
When conducting a meeting, it is important for the boss/host to get the time, place and agenda set. This means that you ensure the timing works for all necessary attendees and you have prepared an adequate space and time for the meeting.

2) Work with a Purpose
The meeting boss should cleary explain the purpose of the meeting. Do not just call a meeting without giving details of what will be expected of attendees (in terms of contribution or preparation). Further, have an agenda for your meeting that you will follow and, if possible, give to everyone ahead of time. This allows for a productive meeting so you don't end up with a meeting about future meetings but actually a working meeting that works!

3) Respect Time Restraints
Keep the meetings start and ending time (i.e. don't let your meeting drag on - folks are busy and need to get to other tasks). Further, keep the meeting agenda items - only discuss what you came there to discuss. Otherwise, people will not be as prepared and this can cause meetings to overrun their allotted time.

4) Keep a Record
Finally, the host should have someone keep a detailed record of meeting and task lists for items after the meeting. That way all will know what is to be accomplished after they leave the meeting.

These few points will help make for effective and efficient meetings - so you and those you work with can get back to the actual doing! Wishing you all brief but productive meetings!

Click on the pictures below to be taken to my favorite power suit (available in 5 colors!).  It is versatile among seasons and timeless styling.  Plus it always helps you feel like a boss when you look like a boss!

I love Easter! To me, it is a time to celebrate hope and resurrection.  I hope this post gives you some hope today!

My favorite Easter passage is from Matthew 28.  Here is Matthew 28:1-7:

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

How exciting is that! These verses are the good news after the culmination of the terrible suffering Jesus endured on the cross,  Do not fear.  He is risen. Not only did Jesus claim he was raised from the dead, he showed people he was risen (see the Marys and the guards above and then lots of other if you keep reading Matthew).  

So why does this matter and why does this story make Easter my favorite time of celebration? Not even the thing we think is the worst, most permanent thing in this life - death - could hold Jesus down!  These verses bring so much much hope and promise that no matter how bad things are, God has already conquered the worst of the worst (death) and He can conquer all the things holding you down, breaking your heart, or crushing your spirit! I hope you see the great hope that resurrection provides this Easter season because this hope was meant for each and every one of you! 

So as you contemplate this Easter week here is a little Easter inspiration. This year I am loving the blush and black I am seeing everywhere. You can see all my recent blush and black picks on my instagram shopping feed but I put a few of my favorites in here to give you a little inspiration as you pick out your Easter finest next week.  

Wishing you a blessed Easter week with friends and family.

Just click on the pictures below to be taken to each of the items.

When warmer weather hits, I dreaded having to wear a suit at work.  The majority of my suits for were some kind of wool or wool blend.  While wool is a fantastic fabric for suits generally and is quite nice in cooler months, it can be down right dreadful in the summer.  Even the "lightweight" wools that are out there still do not breathe as well a cotton or cotton blend for these warmer months.  

But I have found several jackets that now line almost all my instagram pics.  They are versatile suit separates that can be mixed and matched in a variety of ways to give you the perfect work suit or an easy blazer to dress up slacks. I have linked three different colors - black, white, and khaki.  These neutrals can go with almost any piece in your wardrobe.  These are light weight, breathable fabrics that are perfect for these warmer months!  They are also single breasted and each have a flattering fit that pinches in your waist to make you look and feel sleek and trim.  They also pack easily and will steam out to be ready to wear in no time when you travel.

I also linked a few of my favorite tops to wear in warmer weather.  Much like your blazers, it is important that your tops breathe with your skin in spring and summer. Each of these picks are lightweight cotton or cotton blends that are each staples to wear alone or under these blazers.  It is important to buy quality shirts so that they don't pill or stretch out. I swear by this brand and as you see from my pics - its is all over my wardrobe. Their fabric literally is better than everyone else. It is so lightweight and soft and always fits like a glove.  

To staying cool and stylish at work this spring and summer!
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My warm weather work staples are linked in the pictures below (scroll right or left to see more).  You can click on the pictures to be taken directly to these pieces!