Who Says It’s a Man’s World?

If you think this season’s menswear trend means you must regularly raid some guy’s closet for oversized oxfords and jackets, think again.

Instead, head for one of this fall’s most fashionable must-haves -- the tweed shoe.

This isn’t your college professor’s tweed, mind you. This is tweed with a distinctly ladylike touch. And it’s popping up on everything from sexy spectator pumps to cool, comfortable flats.

Try jazzing up a black or grey (otherwise b-o-r-i-n-g) suit with a total-class-and-then-some Guess? Kendrick pump. The leather cap and toe totally fits the bill.

What we all need this fall is a pair of comfortable shoes to wear with the season’s mini-dresses and wide-leg trousers. Delman’s “Mona” houndstooth flat with rounded toe fits the bill.

And for just the right combination of uplifting femininity with a dash of menswear style, you’ll love Steve Madden’s Lezlie platform peep.

No matter your choice, the result? A shoe that finishes off any outfit to perfection. Or that might just steal the show.

So much for it being a man’s world...

An Uplifting Cup of Do-Good

Every smart woman knows and appreciates the virtues of multi-tasking.

But who would have thought that simply by sipping your morning coffee you could be adding a shot of “do-good” to your daily accomplishments?

Three ways to do it:

• Buy eco-trifecta coffee beans from Equal Exchange. They partner with small farmer co-ops in developing countries. Money earned goes for do-good projects -- like training programs for women in Guatemala.
  
  
• Help dig water wells every time you savor a cup of Ugandan Gold coffee. All their profits pour back into East Africa, where an ambitious water well project is under way. The first farm now employs 27 locals, helping to drive down a whopping 60% unemployment rate. Earlier this year, coffee proceeds allowed them to begin drilling for wells.
  
  
• Bring your own coffee mug to work, rather than swigging from a throwaway cup. Even Starbucks offers a $.10 discount to customers who bring in their own mugs to the store. In one year, according to Starbucks, that step prevents 586,800 pounds of paper waste from reaching landfills.

Now that’s three ways to get a lift even higher than caffeine can provide.

Career Horoscopes – It’s All in the Stars

In the five spare minutes before your next conference call, you could organize your desk a bit.

Or, you could do what we’re doing: Snagging a morning fix of work horoscopes on MarieClaire.com.

For example, today we found out that a host of shiny, bright new ideas sit on the shelves of our minds – just waiting to be tapped into. We also discovered that there’s a reason we get along so famously with that girl across the hall: The Virgo and Scorpio bond? Pure magic.

The daily horoscope is part of the office-minded “Your Brilliant Career” section of the site. After you’ve soaked up all things astrological, read “Tools for Success” and check out the “Your Brilliant Career Library”.

The best part? Marie Claire knows you’re way ‘more than a pretty face’ (one of their masthead tag lines). They also know how busy you are, so there’s no mincing of words: Each piece is sweetly to the point.

Now, if only your conference call would be so accommodating.

Shift Into Style Now

Fashionistas, take note. The fuss-free and flattering shift has arrived -- and has emerged as an essential building block for fall.

In plowing through the racks, we’ve seen our share of shifts that have been plied with sequins or turned into uber-short minis.

But what we love about these three picks is the way they fit seamlessly into our 9-to-5 repertoire. (No sparkle and long enough that you won’t have to worry about inadvertently exposing things better left un-exposed at the office.)

Get in the mood for the new season with Milly’s A-line charcoal shift dress with gold-button accents. Short enough to keep up with the new crop of shorter hemlines, but buttoned-down enough to be taken seriously.

Want to make a statement over lunch? Embrace the deliciously luxe look of Oscar de la Renta’s diamond-checked shift dress. Pair it with tights and pumps.

You can’t go wrong with the dynamite ‘70s chic of Diane von Furstenberg’s Luna dress. Go for a full-on Furstenberg look by pairing it with knee-high boots.

VIP Note – Calling All Smart Women on the Move

Attention working women of the world!
 
If you’re thinking about a new career, check out Women For Hire’s popular Career Expos which are held in ten major U.S. cities each fall and spring. These high-caliber recruiting events enable fabulously talented professional women (like you dear!) to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers from top employers.

Whether you're an experienced professional with several years of experience under your belt or a graduating college student, these one-day events are an ideal chance to launch or advance your career.  
 
Fall '07 Women For Hire Career Expos

• Oct. 9 – Tampa
• Oct. 11 – Atlanta
• Oct. 16 – Chicago
• Oct. 18 – New York
• Oct. 23 – Dallas
• Oct. 25 – Houston
• Oct. 30 – St. Louis
• Nov. 7 – Boston
• Nov. 13 – Los Angeles
  

Women For Hire attracts only the best jobs, from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies, for women who are serious about jump-starting their careers.

Check out their website (www.womenforhire.com) to read any of their 10,000 success stories from women who say they were hired at the career expos events or benefited from the their advice on job searching and career development.

Then find a Women For Hire career expo near you, proofread your resume, polish those pumps, and add yourself to the list!
 
P.S. To maximize your success, register for an early morning seminar prior to each event and join Women For Hire CEO Tory Johnson (also a regular on Good Morning America) as she shares informative, practical and inspiring advice.

Ultra-Fashionable Intellectual Style

Now that we women have demonstrated our considerable talents and abilities, racking up success after success in business... and in sports... oh yes, and in politics... and in academics... and in... oh, really, need we go on... (insert modest throat clearing and begin again).

Now that we women have demonstrated our considerable capabilities, it is no longer necessary, but rather, quite trendy, to show off our personal sense of style by sporting the ultra-fashionable-for-fall menswear look.

And what better way to do it than with the fabulously classic Black Fleece Collection – a Thom Browne and Brooks Brothers collaboration.

The line is a little bit classic Brooks Man, a little bit Miss Jane Hathaway, with a slim silhouette and plenty of girlish twists.

A few favorites:

This sleeveless pencil button back dress in herringbone wool just might be your new fall uniform.

A gorgeous dove gray cashmere coat dress with a grey flannel and voile accordion pleated skirt is head-to-toe elegance.

And a plaid cashmere dress and cape is sure to bring out your inner-Sherlock Holmes, giving you the perfect excuse to further display your intellectual prowess.

(Not that you needed an excuse, but always nice to have one.)

Simply Organized and Loving It

This morning, all across America, businesswomen actually leapt out of bed looking forward to paying their bills.

'What? Where? Didn't happen here!', you say?

Well, clearly, you need to know about the Bill Payer Cabinet. The Aston Martin of mail caddies, this baby is good-looking, fully loaded, and tucks neatly into a closet (in case you’re not always so neat).

When it’s time to pay the piper, pull out the caddy holding the bills, your checkbook, pens, envelopes – whatever - and tote it where you want. When you’re done, store important records in the handy hanging-file drawer.

Or you may prefer the smaller Real Simple Mail Organizer. Bills stay organized but not out-of-sight-out-of-mind. Bins hold supplies such as postage, Post-Its and pens. Pre-printed tabs can identify each slot as “pay this week” or “pay next week.”

Though you may never actually leap out of bed to pay those bills, simply being more organized may inspire a twirl or two across the room.

You’re Not the Only One

The results are in, and thank goodness, you’re not the only one.

Each day, hundreds of smart, well-put-together women find themselves frantically digging around in their oversized (yet very stylish) totes, for a business card.

And you know exactly what they’re thinking: 'Oh please let me find just one that doesn’t have a melted piece of chocolate or gum stuck to it. And please, please, help me avoid another accidental presentation of Ouida the Brazilian Waxer’s card, instead of my own.'

To ensure a smooth, frantic-free experience every time, try a fashionable card case, such as:

The Typology case – created from a line commemorating contemporary artists of the 20th century – is perfect for creative-career-girl-types.

The colorful De Stijl case lets everyone know you’re bold and ready to do some serious business.

The elegant black-and-white Napoleon Wallpaper cardholder, made from Thai silk, says you’re the consummate professional.

Yes, by taking a minute to secure the right card case, you’ll guarantee hours of stress-free business card moments.

(And while you’re at it, you might want to tuck Ouida’s card into a slightly safer place. After all, good Brazilian waxers are hard to find.)

Take the Boardroom by Storm In These Gorgeous Boots

Ahoy, stylish women! This fall, take the ship – and the boardroom – by storm with a gorgeous pair of pirate-inspired knee-high boots.

Look for swashbuckling details on these beauties such as roll-down-or-up hand finished leather cuffs and decorative piping that will make even Jack Sparrow proud.

Cole Haan’s "Dalya" boot (left) combines luxury style with all-day comfort. These buttery-soft tumbled calfskin boots feature NIKE AIR technology to put more than the usual spring in your step.

For a look that is slightly downtown, yet incredibly chic, check out Steve Madden's "Favorite" boot (right). Wood grain detail on the tapered heel and platform contrast nicely with the light or dark gray leather on this boot – sure to demand your crew’s attention.

Handcrafted in Italy, these multi-toned knee boots by Alberto Fermani are as stunning as they are versatile. Wear them with the cuff rolled up over the knee or with the cuff rolled down to show off the workmanship hiding inside. Show them off with a just-above-the-knee skirt and opaque tights.

There you have it, Captain. Now go take your rightful place at the helm!

Remarkable Desk Do-over

Every smart woman knows and appreciates the “accessory factor”. You know, the way one remarkable piece of jewelry or oh-so-right bag can take you from feeling drab to fab?

So when is the last time you thought about your desk and her accessories?

Try surrounding yourself with a few unexpected and exceptional pieces, and watch your productivity go from ordinary to out-of-this-world.

• Toss that run of the mill pencil holder and give yourself a touch of elegance by placing them in a crystal or cut glass vase. Crystal Classics has a wide selection to choose from. If you love one that’s too tall, put some colored glass beads in the bottom.
  
  
• Use a pretty oblong or rectangular planter to hold mail, directories, and this month’s magazines. Choose brass, bronze, copper or patina, depending on your taste.
  
  
• Just for fun – get a gorgeous hand-painted martini glass and fill it with pink paper clips – a working girl’s version of the Cosmopolitan.

Once you’ve finished the remarkable makeover, take a minute to note your desk’s best accessory is still there.

That would be you.

A Touch of Class –
Wonder Woman-Style

Dependable. Delightful. De-lovely.

No, we’re not talking about you (although we certainly could be).

We’re talking about the ideal accessory for this season’s classic power suits.

Cuff bracelets.

With their striking lines and weightiness, cuff bracelets bring to mind all that is good in a (wonder) woman like you. A clutch of cuffs worth sliding on:

With its patent sheen and jet embellished pewter flower, the Erickson Beamon cuff adds after-five sophistication to the LBD (little black dress). Slip it on with evening wear. Better yet, tuck it in an office drawer for last-minute or forgotten evening events.

Have an appreciation for the classics? Turn to this beautiful Multistone Cuff. Gently hammered and accented with a cluster of crystals, this bracelet comes in silver or gold. Try both for a sophisticated look.

Bigger and bolder (but fewer) is better, when it comes to jewelry. Skip the necklace and draw all eyes to your wrist, with the Openwork Medallion Cuff by Jose and Maria Barrera. Grape-sized crystals and jet jewels fan out deliciously on a yellow gold design.

Something New Everyday

"Learn something new every day." That’s some of the best advice ever given.

And here’s a smart site that makes it super simple:

Women in Business, the online resource run by Principal Financial Group, with a long list of teleclasses by an array of experts who help women build and run dynamite businesses.

And did we mention that the 45-minute teleclasses are absolutely free?

It’s like calling a friend for business advice, when your friend happens to be a financial contributor for “Good Morning America” or an entrepreneur worth $5 million.

Sign up for the next live class on October 30: " Build Rapport – How to Keep Your Most Valuable Customers and Employees".

Or peruse the archives for other titles like "Now Hear This! Lessons on Effective Listening" and "The Art of Being the Boss: Manage, Motivate and Inspire".

P.S. Host a small gathering in your office – tune into a teleclass and do some networking on the side. Have each woman to ask a single "favor" of the others. Everyone leaves with new knowledge, a new contact, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Now, isn’t that just like a woman – doing two things at once, and with time left over to help a new friend.

Cents, Sense or Scents –
You Decide

Conversation with self:

Remember, my dear, one must slow down – take time each morning to remind oneself of all that is most important in life...

Loving. Laughing. Dreaming. Living.

Oh, r-i-g-h-t. Exactly how am I – the focused, gotta-get-it-done-yesterday type – supposed to find time to think about all that when I’m nearly killing myself to get out the door on time?

Why, my dear (stated in your best Glenda the Good Witch voice), simply place one, two or more of Brighton’s Eau de Parfums on your dressing table, and that shall take you back.

You see, there are four different scents, four different bottles – each with a classic one-word name beautifully inscribed on the bottle – Live, Love, Laugh and Dream.

The Laugh is a complex floral of orange, jasmine and tabac rose. Dream, an oriental floral with peachy melon notes. Love blends tuberose and orange flower with hints of raspberry and sandalwood. And Live underscores a soft rose scent with musk and spice.

Ok, thanks Glenda. But next time, just cut to the chase:

The fragrances are great. It’s those bottles that matter. So darn purposeful – and pretty – to look at. Consider us reminded.

Style Statement:
Summon Your Inner Rock Star

This fall, summon your inner rock star to the office with one of the hottest must-have fashion items: the bootie.

Look for styles with classy flourishes, like zippers, buttons, or a tasteful dash of color.

The key to wearing booties? Pair them with a streamlined silhouette. (Think long pencil skirts, skinny black pants or a tapered mini-dress.)

Three bootie-licious styles sure to rock your wardrobe at work, and still worthy of hitting the nightlife scene after:

We’re all over buttons this season, and buttons make the Jonathan Kelsey Studded Leather Bootie a standout. The matte-and-patent leather combo is rich, while metallic leather piping adds a crisp finish.

Seems like everything designer Tory Burch touches turns to gold. These black patent leather booties, with gold-plated detail around the bottom, are no exception.

Chanel-like quilting on BCBGirls Echo boot adds a hint of luxury to your tootsies. And we could all do with a dose of that.

So there you have it, girlfriends. Go be a huge star at work.

We know she’s in there – somewhere!

Next Stop: Dream Career

Another Monday. What a perfect day to assess your CHQ.

(That would be your Career Happiness Quotient).

Let’s face it girlfriends. If you don’t adore what you do from 9 to 5, then it’s time to grab the mirror and start asking yourself some tough questions.

But before you start the inquisition, you’ll need an array of useful self-assessment tools. And you’ll find plenty at the Career-Intelligence.com online Assessment Center.

Got your mirror? Let’s begin:

• ‘Who am I and what are my strengths?’ Quick (free) exercises like the Personality Worksheet and the Quick Color test can help clear up career quandaries.
  
  
• ‘What is my dream career?’ It may be closer than you think. Try the Ignite Your Passion assessment to figure out the best fit.
  
  
• ‘What do I do better than anyone else?’ Their Skills Worksheet will lend a helping hand.
  
  
• ‘What do I stand for? What are my core beliefs?’ The Soul Survival or Things You Love inventories are musts.

With your newly boosted CHQ, soon you’ll be knee-deep in fulfillment, purposefully sprinting from one task to another.

All the while, knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Style Watch: Strapping Good Looks

Sure, we want to look stylish. But we’d also like to use our arms for something other than toting around today’s “it” bag.

That’s why we’re all over one of fall’s hottest trends – versatile satchels with long shoulder straps.

Sling it messenger-style across your body, and suddenly you’re free to multitask – holding your morning latte with one hand while checking voice-mail / texting your bff / applying lip gloss with the other (probably all at the same time, if we know you).

Here’s a few that will show off your impeccable – and incredibly productive – style:

Groovee leather tote, by Marc by Marc Jacobs combines gorgeous leather with a hint of the industrial in its detailing.

The edgy and iconic balloon tote by Marni allows you to trot out one of fall’s key finishes – patent. As one fashion editor noted, it’s big enough to carry around a laptop and a pile of notes.

Slouchy yet chic, the Gryson Skye Shoulder Bag has been spied on the arms of a celeb or two. Try the grey version (fall’s “it” color) – sure to win over a few more fans.

Bling It On

You’re a glass-half-full kind of thinker.

Sure, Brad and Jennifer broke up – but Brangelina is sooooo much more entertaining.

The copy machine has broken down again, but that means that handsome (hunky) technician will be swinging by the office.

And yes, having to take some work home is a) stressful and b) really going to cut into your “Private Practice” viewing time.

But it’s also the perfect excuse to use those hot, new Active Crystals USB Memory Keys from Philips and Swarovski.

These sparkling gadgets may look more “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” than “The Office,” but trust us – they’re as practical as they are glamorous.

Each jewel-encrusted memory key holds up to 1GB of data storage, allowing you to easily transfer those important (pesky) work files to your home computer and back again.

The Active Crystals come in two styles: Heart Beat and Lock Out. They can be purchased at Swarovski.com, where you’ll also find luxurious crystal-studded headphones that’ll help you tune out your co-workers to remain totally focused on creating your next masterpiece.

Now if they could just find a way to fit a crystal on a paper clip...

True Believer In You

When it comes to auction websites, EBay may be your tried and true love.

But for the moment, an interloper is making a play to steal your heart away.

BiddingforGood.com combines the thrill of auctions with the warm-to-the-core feeling that comes from doing something you believe in.

Here’s how it works: A nonprofit organization sets up its auction on the site. Visitors come searching for electronic gear, air tickets, restaurant gift certificates – whatever. They bid. Highest bidder takes home the goods. All the money goes straight to the nonprofit, whether it’s a group of educational advocates or environmental do-gooders.

You can raise your auction paddle for any of the thousands of items on the site. On a single day, you’ll find (among other things):

• 200 pieces of jewelry up for dibs
• one “Simpsons”-themed pinball machine signed by the entire cast
• hundreds of spa packages

Shopping for a gift? Search by desired item or by state. Or find an organization you believe in, then see what they’ve put on the block.

Online auctions. Doing good. All in one place.

This may be just the heart-throb we’ve been looking for all along.

Unforgettable You in Cashmere

Ever since Lana Turner flaunted her assets in a tight sweater in They Won’t Forget – 70 years ago – and became famous as the Sweater Girl, we all become sweater girls as soon as there’s a chill in the air.

But unlike our mothers, who took their mothers cashmere cardigan sweaters and wore them backwards to make a style statement, we have endless options when it comes to keeping warm – while making a fashion statement of our own.

This Tory Burch Cashmere Deneuve with ruffled collar, placket and cuffs is a lovely piece – perfect for your daytime office-inclined style, but suddenly comes alive with a major wow-factor when you step out at night.

Not sure what the day will bring? Pull on this K Karl Lagerfeld black oversized cashmere – add black skinny jeans and a pair of ballet flats – and you’re ready for anything.

And this Vince Lantern-Sleeve 100% cashmere is the look for the upcoming Winter ’08 season. With its crew neckline and three-button front, this sweater is sure to flatter just about any body type.

Yes, toss on any one of these beauties and you’ll be the girl they won’t forget.

VIP Note: Win-Win for The Cure

Yes, it's Monday morning, and here we all sit at our desks, ready to buckle down and crank out some serious work.

Right after we go shopping, that is.

'Shopping on a Monday morning - when we really should be working?' you ask.

You betcha. There are only three days left to shop the Little Pink Boutique at Bloomingdale's – and only three days left to buy something gorgeous for yourself and make a contribution to breast cancer research at the same time.

You see, every time you make a purchase from this chic boutique, a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Stunning dresses from Nicole Miller and Carmen Marc Valvo, casualwear from Juicy Couture and C&C California, shoes from Via Spiga and Tory Burch, lingerie from Calvin Klein and Cosabella, to-die-for cosmetics from Estee Lauder and Prescriptives and more...

Shop to do good. Look fab as a result.

And that, my friends, is what they call a "win-win situation."

The In Crowd

When it comes to the in-box – that highly necessary, quite functional, yet often energy-zapping desk accessory – well, a girl can find a million and one reasons to just keep piling more stuff on rather than get busy getting to the bottom of it.

But now there's motivation to clear it out and keep it that way.

The Iomoi Custom Tray with personalized inlay is the latest trend in desktop chic. With its super-modern style – and cool inlay on the bottom – suddenly you'll find yourself digging down... and digging... sorting, filing, finding a place for every little thing... until there’s nary a paper left.

Choose from more than 20 clever inlay patterns in stock, like:

• Island Sky Navy
• Parrot Cay Yellow
• Green Fleur de Lis (particularly pretty when customized with your monogram)

Can’t decide which one? Get multiples sizes (they come in 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17) and multiple patterns. One for mail, one for reports, one for bills to pay.

And maybe one more just to look at (for those rare occasions when you can’t seem to get to the bottom of the others).

A New (Smarter) You – Right Now

When it comes to matters of success, no Uptown-style woman wants to toil and labor when figuring out how to get ahead.

We want answers now. Make that right now. Better yet: yesterday.

So if only someone would invent a way to get expert career advice in a fast and I-need-it-now-because-I-am-so-on-the-go format.

Well, someone smart at AOL has done just that.

With the AOL Coaches Career & Business channel, you can get the latest and greatest tips to get ahead from a host of professional, best-in-class specialists. A couple of our favorites:

	Communcation and executive leadership coach Peggy Klaus. Peggy holds 'the secret' – the secret formula for getting ahead, that is. The key is learning how to sing your own praises, but in a totally engaging and, therefore, non-offensive way. For more tips and advice from Peggy on other key career-advancing skills, visit PeggyKlaus.com, Peggy’s personal site.
	Best-selling author and executive coach Gail Blanke. Gail teaches you how to embrace and enjoy – yes, we said enjoy – uncertainty and change in your career. Also known over at Real Simple.com as "The Motivator", you'll find additional tips to enhance your career on Gail’s BetweenTrapezes.com site, including her Six Steps for Embracing Change.