Monday was the first day of summer session, which includes my internship , and this is what I wore. I wasn’t 100% sure of what I would be doing on the first day but I wanted to make a good impression, even though I’ve met with these folks before. I mostly sat through a few meetings, received my first project assignments, and nailed down my schedule. Not too bad for a first day. I’ll probably stick to more comfortable shoes in the future, as I’ll be doing a lot of walking. But I’m really looking forward to the work I’ll be doing this summer, which includes grant writing for funds to carry out new research. That will be really good experience for when I’m back in the real world.

I was going to wear a different navy pencil skirt with this outfit but the zipper on it got stuck and would. not. budge. I even tried using pliers but that sucker wasn’t going anywhere. I eventually had to give up and put on this skirt instead. I might even like this outfit better.

Here’s the fun one:

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Top, Skirt, and Shoes: Banana Republic
Handbag: Fraco Sarto
Bracelet: Old Navy
Pearl necklace and bracelet: Wedding gifts from my mother-in-law

If you couldn’t tell, I really like Banana Republic. Their petite sizing fits me like a glove, and they always make me look so grown up. I would wear their clothes even if Nick didn’t work there and gets us a sweet discount. It’s no secret that I”m short so tailoring is a way of life for me if I want to look put together. But with petites at BR, I rarely have to have anything tailored, which makes life a lot easier, and kind of makes up for the prices. I’ve started to branch out to other petite departments, like Loft, mostly because they finally have them! I guess what I’m trying to say is if you make clothes that will fit me without much effort, I will love you.

Anywho, I wore this outfit to my first internship meeting and then to present in my public health ethics class. I was leary of the flair on this skirt because I was afraid it would make my hips look even bigger than they are, but it actually balances them out. It’s like perfection in a skirt.

Also, more navy.

And here’s the fun one:

When I first saw this shirt, I thought it would be a great casual piece  I could wear with jeans and sandals and couldn’t wait for Spring/warmer weather to wear it that way. Then I started putting looks together and realized it would make a good dressy piece, as well. I don’t normally do the half tuck because I’ve realized it doesn’t work very well with my body shape – my short torso looks even shorter with a half tuck – but with the drape of the fabric, it works here. I find myself loving this shirt more and more each time I wear it. Thanks, Stitch Fix!

Isn’t the detailing on this shirt just amazing?

This is not a suit. It looks likes one, though, which is great because it works really well as a spring/summer interview or office outfit without having to spend a ton of money on an actual suit. All you need is black crop trousers (or slacks) and a black blazer, and just about any blouse would look excellent with it. The secret is to make sure the blacks match as closely as possible. For this outfit, both the blazer and trousers are from Banana Republic so I was pretty confident they would be the same color.

By the way, I’m loving this blouse. Nick picked it out and surprised me with it and it’s perfect for spring, really comfortable, and really versatile. I can’t wait to wear and style it more.

Sometimes you just need to walk barefoot in the grass!

And here’s the fun one:

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 I’ve already said you can’t go wrong with neutrals, so of course I did it again. But this time, I took it a step further and added a pop of color with this fabric flower clip/hair elastic and my yellow clutch. I bought the flower to wear in my hair for a wedding but it works with everything. I put it in my hair, pin it to my shirts and blazers, and I’ve even pinned it to my handbags.

The button-front top has gray stripes, to give it a little more interest.  I wore this outfit to class and was a total cutie the whole time.

And here’s the fun one:

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