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Building a Work Wardrobe with Bellgray

September 8, 2016 by jessica Leave a Comment

We’ve all had similar struggles when it comes to work clothes. We’ve wondered what to wear to an interview, how to build a wardrobe that fits in a hard-to-define “business casual” workplace, and have found ourselves overwhelmed with an onslaught of trendy and casual pieces at department stores. Annie Shafran, the founder and CEO of Bellgray, hopes to change that.

Bellgray is a professional clothing e-commerce site that redefines how women shop for work clothes. It offers a curated selection of work-appropriate clothing from brands like Tory Burch, Vince, and Theory, making shopping easy for women in their 20s through 40s. In addition to a traditional online shopping experience that allows you to choose the specific type of item you’re shopping for, Bellgray offers a unique shop-by-solution option for women.

I had the opportunity to chat with Annie about the inspiration for her company, the steps to building a work wardrobe, and the essential piece that shouldn’t be missing from your wardrobe. Read more below!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH BELLGRAY?

My inspiration started in college at the University of California, Berkeley and then really grew more and more important to me since then. During junior year, my friends and I were interviewing for competitive internships across all types of industries from investment banking to tech firms. The one question that could be heard across the dorms was “what do I wear?” When you Google what to wear to a (fill in the blank) interview for a woman, nothing comes up. It was a mystery as to why there were no resources for young women on appropriate interview attire.

I eventually took a job in finance and spent the next three years wondering where to purchase work clothes I actually like and feel my best in. When you have more of an analytical mind, it is not fun to piece outfits together and hunt for the best brands at the best price. I started Bellgray for those women (including me) who wanted a place to buy work clothes that took the infinite options out there and edited it down to the best few pieces.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO WOMEN TYPICALLY FACE WHEN BUILDING A WORK WARDROBE?

I kind of touched on this above, but not all women like shopping. It is a common misconception! As more and more women enter the corporate world, they need a better resource for work clothes than the existing options:

While we all love the Shopbops and Revolves of the online shopping world, their “wear to work” section is too avant-garde for any girl in finance or law.
Department store sites like Macys and Bloomingdales have too much content and are hard to sift through.
Stores like Banana Republic and J. Crew only carry one brand, and you don’t just wear only one brand.

Our strategy allows you to shop by solutions, not just by tops or bottoms. Additionally, our curated selection of products cures browser fatigue. There is no more scrolling through hundreds of pages on a department store website. We pick only the best work-appropriate attire and our product assortment refreshes daily.

Some of our shop-by-solution options include: interview, business causal, budget professional, and happy hour. This gives women realistic inspiration with the ability to actually “shop the look.”

HOW SHOULD WOMEN START BUILDING A WORK WARDROBE?

Step one: build the basics. Buy a suit in navy, gray, and a lighter color. I prefer pant suits, but a lot of women like skirt suits as well. Buy two or three pairs of durable, long-lasting shoes: pumps and flats.

Once you have your basics, step two is to layer in printed tops, dresses you can wear with the suit blazers, and light accessories. It is great to keep updating your work wardrobe once you have the basics with fun, unstructured jackets, A-line skirts (as opposed to a basic pencil skirt), and more colors.

WHAT’S THE ONE ITEM EVERYONE WOMAN SHOULD HAVE IN HER WORK WARDROBE?

An unstructured jacket. These are often overlooked as an alternative to a blazer. They are great for business casual settings, and transition from day to night with zero effort required.

EDITOR’S PICKS

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This post is in partnership with Bellgray. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Bedknobs & Baubles.

Popsugar Must Have Box Review :: June 2016

July 1, 2016 by jessica 2 Comments

Subscription boxes are typically hit or miss. Most hold up on their end of the deal to provide items above and beyond the price paid for the box, but some fall short on offering items that you’ll actually want to use. So, when POPSUGAR offered to send a June Must Have Box over, I jumped at the chance to evaluate the goodies first-hand. First things first, the practical information: the monthly box comes in at $39.95 and promises a value of over $100 in full-size products. It’s not a bad deal if you love getting surprises in the mail, and I was actually pleasantly surprised by the variety of products in the June box:

Hat Attack Neutral Diamonds-Printed Sarong ($58): I love the neutral print on this lightweight sarong. It pairs perfectly with my favorite beach items.
Sisters of Los Angeles “Cheers” Gold Bottle Opener ($12): You all know I’m a huge beer geek and this is perfect for me, even though we already have far too many bottle openers!
Wild and Wolf Ridley’s Games Room “Who Am I?” Quiz ($12.95): This is a “guess who” game where you read off the clues to see if others can figure out who you’re referring to. At first blush, they seem to be mostly actors, actresses, and singers, so I don’t think I’ll fare well!
NCLA Born on the 4th Nail Lacquer (16): This color was created exclusively for POPSUGAR. It’s a red, silver, and blue confetti that’s just itching to be layered over my white manicure for the holiday weekend.
Knock Knock Are You Ready (For Your Close-Up?) Compact ($10): This little compact is awfully durable. I’m going to toss it in my beach bag for seaside touch-ups.
Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes ($9): These wipes can neutralize underarm odor for hours with an aluminum-free formula. I haven’t used them yet, but it’s another item worth keeping in the beach bag.
Pressels Sriracha ($1.29): Eh. I like spicy items, but this fell short. They’re pretty bland.

Would I order a box for myself in the future? Probably. I loved how the items worked seamlessly together and created an experience perfect for a game night on the patio. I’m also thrilled to have the exclusive nail color in my collection and I’ve already used the sarong as a pool cover-up. Curious about the July box? Get it here and use code Use coupon code MUSTHAVE5 to save $5 off your first box. Still unsure? They typically spill the beans on the most valuable item before the the end of the sign-up period, so keep your eye on their Instagram.

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Thanks to POPSUGAR for partnering on this post!

Choosing Art With Minted

October 21, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

I’m a sucker for a good piece of art. Ever since I moved away from home, I would pick out a piece of artwork each summer from the annual art fair in Madison, and my 31st birthday present to myself was a Gray Malin print. So, when Minted asked if I’d be interested in checking out their stable of artists, I jumped at the chance to add a new piece to my ever-growing collection. And, while we should be spending our time looking at houses, isn’t it more fun to think of the items nestled inside once the mortgage is signed? (No? Just me?)

Even though I’m kidding about that, it does bring up a worthwhile reminder. Buying art as a couple is full of compromises. We sat down together and scoured Minted’s marketplace of independent artists, discussing the things we loved and didn’t love about each piece, eventually narrowing it down to a handful of favorites (or ones we could both live with), including (clockwise, starting from the top): Float, Morning Mist, Going For a Swim, Pining For Pineapple, Bits, Malibu Surf & Sky II, and Rainforest.

Given my propensity for seaworthy prints and ocean hues, we decided to go with something that would complement our art collection and chose “Morning Mist” by artist Lindsay Megahed. The print has the color scheme I’m drawn to, while adding welcome contrast. Once that was settled, there were a few more decisions to make:

Paper: You can go with the standard option of acid- and lignin-free paper with a deluxe pigment print, or the archival option on 100% cotton rag paper for a museum-quality archival pigment print. We went with the less expensive, standard option.
Size: Most, if not all, prints come in a wide range of sizes. In the case of our pick, sizes start at 5″ x 7″ and go up to 44″ x 60″, giving you the flexibility to choose a statement piece to feature or find the perfect petite print to fill in a spot on your gallery wall. (We went with 18″ x 24″.) There’s also a handy size chart at the bottom that shows a person holding the various prints. It’s an easier reference point than gauging the size based on a room rendering.
Frame: Minted offers 11 choices to coordinate with various interiors. We went with the ultra sleek white option. (I’d like all of our art to have white frames, eventually.)

The print arrived safely in a sturdy cardboard mailer approximately 10 days later. Artist signatures adorned the inside of the package. (You know I love good branding.)

You also have the option of having the artist sign the work in pencil in the lower, right corner of the piece. (Honestly, I’m not sure why anyone would decline this option. It makes the work feel more personal.) It comes ready to hang with wire attached to the back of the frame.

Shop It: Minted art | Kate Spade couch, lamp, and table | West Elm glass knot | Zoya nail polish

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Thanks to Minted for partnering on this post!

Customize Your Jewelry With Stella & Dot

October 14, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

This post is in partnership with Stella & Dot. If you make a purchase through a link within this post, I will receive a small compensation. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Bedknobs & Baubles!

Many of us have no problem shelling out big bucks on wardrobe staples like the ubiquitous little black dress because it can be worn with different accessories and for countless occasions. Versatility makes it worth the splurge. However, we rarely have that mentality when it comes to jewelry. There’s either subtle everyday pieces or the statement-makers that make infrequent appearances. That doesn’t have to be the case. Stella & Dot’s Versatility Shop boasts nearly 100 items that can be worn multiple ways, making costume jewelry just as versatile as your LBD.

I was recently given the opportunity to review a piece from the collection and chose the Aida Tassel Necklace. The geometric design is inspired by the architecture of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and crafted with an antique gold finish. But, as you’ll see below, its versatility is most appealing. Along with the tassel, each “fan” is removable to allow you to change the length of the pendant. I prefer the longest setting with three links and the opulent tassel (obviously), but you could go to the opposite end of the spectrum and pull all of the embellishments off. Without the pendant, the collar necklace adds a sleek hint of gold for a minimalist ensemble.

…and because no tassel goes unnoticed by Bacon:

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Thanks to Stella & Dot for partnering on this post!

Baublerella Bling Brush Review

April 28, 2015 by jessica 9 Comments

As often as I talk about jewelry and choosing pieces with longevity, I rarely talk about keeping your collection pristine. Wearing your favorites is usually enough to keep tarnish at bay, but it doesn’t do anything for the soap residue and dust particles that can make jewelry lose its luster. Enter the Bling Brush by Baublerella.

The Bling Brush is an all-natural jewelry cleanser that comes in a mascara-size tube. The convenient size makes it easy to tote on vacation or tuck into a handbag. It also makes a perfect gift for a newly engaged gal obsessed with keeping the sparkle in her stone.

Simply twist the bottom of the tube to dispense the cleaner and get to work. It’s safe to use on both fine and costume gems.

To put the Bling Brush to the test, I sifted through my jewelry box for the most tarnished piece and turned up this pair of amethyst and diamond earrings. (I’m actually embarrassed to admit that I haven’t worn these in awhile. They were a gift from my parents that took a backseat to oversize costume gems in recent years.)

It didn’t take long to erase years of buildup with a few quick swipes of the Bling Brush. After wiping the excess jewelry cleanser away with a soft cloth, the earrings looked new.

Bottom Line: Love it. It’s much more convenient–and chic–than using those cleansing tubs. It is on the pricier side, setting you back $16 plus $5 shipping, but the portability is worth it. Baublerella also makes a cleansing glove for precious metals, which comes in at $12.

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In partnership with Baublerella.