Weekly Inspiration

It's a week of business travel for Emily. Check out her inspiration for success below. Xx. 

what to ask the interviewer

these six questions will make you appear insightful and interested, while also giving you all the information you want about the company quickly.

read all of them here

this spa gift 

I'm staying with an amazing woman, friend, and mentor this week, and a thoughtful thank-you gift she could enjoy time and again would be an ideal way to express my gratitude.

get the diy here

these business looks

I love the way these professional looks infuse personal styles. dressing for an interview is a cross between creative and conservative, and these looks say both without being just a traditional button down and pencil skirt.

for more outfit inspo

this tote

this tote is gorgeous and would fit everything I need for an elevated laptop carryall. plus, taking four different bags and a lunchbox to my job wouldn't be necessary. 

shop this gorgeous bag

all the diy inspo

you betcha that after my long travels, I'm going to come back and relax with a few DIYs and a lot of Netflix binges. I'm inspired by this list of 50 diys... 

see them all here

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Friday Find

The perfect coverage without the hat hair. 

After a few beach days without anything sun protection (I know, I know), and some particularly devastating sun burn, I was on the hunt for a hat - and not just for the trend. I wanted something with a wide enough brim to protect my face, neck, and shoulders. It also needed to match my look, which the traditional straw-colored ones often do not; I find the color blends too much into my hair and never gives me the look I'm going for at the beach. When I was buying sunscreen, I came across this black hat and immediately had to put it on, noticing how perfect it would travel and how it was defined by the details (my favorite part about black pieces) with the open weaving and tie. On sale for $20, I quickly grabbed it up, and after a weekend by the pool - that's me with it on above - feeling both fashionable and protected, I'm calling it one of my most successful purchases yet. 

Shop the Item Here: Black Sun Hat, $33.

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How to Say Goodbye at a Party

Five words: it is an art form. 

I first read about the Irish exit here. I was a little shocked about the idea of guests leaving a party without first saying goodbye. However, the more I thought about it, the more I recognized how much of a bummer pausing conversation to say goodbye to someone can be at the height of a fun night. I think back to the latest party I threw, and I was always slightly dimmed when my favorite people (aka anyone there) had to leave. 

I've had it go both ways, though. On one hand, a large party where a few guests slip out the door without saying goodbye is fine, but a smaller party becomes more complicated. Also, at large events, like weddings, if you know the couple very personally or are in the wedding, you should never leave without saying farewell. 

If you're worried about your friends, “this is key,” says Seth Stevenson in this Slate post, “They probably won’t even notice that you’ve left." If you're a little worried, just send a thank-you email in the morning with a lovely anecdote from the event.

Since I'm a sucker for those last tight hugs before departing, I would choose to do this at a larger event or if I'm sure I'll see them again (or see them regularly). What do you think? 

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+ Would you Irish Exit? 

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