Three Reasons Your Career Has Hit a Brick Wall

Perhaps you can remember, quite vividly, the palpable excitement with which you started your current job. This was going to be it! This was going to be the job that launched your career into the stratosphere. It had the perfect balance of familiarity and challenge. The people seemed so talented, so supportive and so ready to guide you to the next stage in your career. Every day looked brimming with opportunity and promise. 

Then fast-forward a year or two and you find yourself off that high. Perhaps you notice yourself complaining about things a lot more lately. Maybe the complaints even sound similar to those you made at your last job.

So what happened?

In the majority of cases, inertia is what happened. We become competent at what we do, then we become exceptional, and then… we plateau.

And if an employer doesn’t have the ability to recognize this pattern and roll out an infrastructure to support and nurture their employees TIMELY, well eventually, they will run out of steam.

Or, perhaps the people who seemed like such promising leaders or coworkers when you first started at the company, leave.

Or, maybe others are even getting promoted above you. And then, the work you used to find so rewarding begins to turn into a grueling chore. The momentum that propelled you through your career grinds to a stop.

As a recruiter, I’ve seen this pattern and had these chats with employees over and over again.

But it doesn’t all come down to your employer. Rather, it’s important for you to recognize patterns and have an open and honest conversation with yourself and your manager in real-time, not when it’s too late.

Some things to watch out for…..

You’re coasting at work

Be honest with yourself, have you started coasting through your days? Have you stopped giving 110% at work? When tasks no longer feel challenging to us, we stop applying ourselves to them with the same level of passion and vigor we once had. And if your current manager wasn’t around to see the almighty and powerful you when you first started, they’re likely not going to associate you as that now. That situation happens a lot, I know. And I’m sorry. But again, important to recognize and tackle these things real-time versus in hindsight.

So if you’re wondering why you keep getting passed up for promotions, lateral progressions and other opportunities, it may be because you are perceived to be coasting instead of stepping up to the plate to take on more work. But I’m here to help you with that. Go check out the blog post I wrote, Internal Job Promotions: Why Some People Get Them and Others Don’t.

Maybe you’ve lost your passion for what you do

Your passion is what gives you the X factor. It’s what makes you, YOU. It’s that indefinable quality that adds something extra-special to everything you do. Employers, clients and customers alike can perceive its value. And when it’s lost, it can be extremely difficult to get back. 

If you feel like you’ve lost your passion for the work you do (I know, I’ve been there), perhaps now’s the time to look into making a living doing what you love on your own terms. You may assume that our current circumstances with the pandemic are a barrier to entrepreneurship. But in reality, the current climate brings with it a wealth of opportunities for enterprising individuals who want to engage their clientele directly as they navigate this “new normal”. 

At the very least, you owe it to yourself to try and reignite your professional passion. Even if it means taking your skills elsewhere.  I’m happy to talk more about this anytime as I made a massive pivot this year in how I decided to allocate my skills.

Speaking of looking elsewhere, be careful not to look for opportunities in the wrong places

Here’s one thing I’ve seen over and over again as a recruiter. An employee at one company starts looking for jobs at other companies to do the exact same thing they’ve been doing, at the exact same seniority level, for x,y,z reason, and then expects to find happiness. Now, there could be a very legit reason why this could make sense, but it’s limited to either you had to relocate or you are 100% not on board with the business your last company was operating.

More often though, it’s because people get bored, frustrated, or start to feel resentment without doing a serious inventory of themselves as to why. Is it the content of the work, the process, the manager, the customers, the company’s principles and what they stand for, the industry, the lack of new opportunities or challenges? The list goes on and on. But you need to seriously inventory this about yourself and your internal frustrations and desires because this will help you better focus your attention on an actual sustainable solution. Because just changing companies hoping for greener grass very often times does not work. Do not be a job hopper. I promise you it will hurt you in the long-run. You need to know why you feel the way you feel, so you make sure the next direction you take makes sense for you.

At the end of the day, if changing companies is what makes sense for you, then the world is at your fingertips these days with everyone being forced to figure out how to work digitally. And I’m not just talking about the obvious sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster and Indeed. Recall that massive jobs hit we took earlier this year with COVID? States have really stepped up with their job posting capabilities and companies are taking advantage of it. For example, if you live in Arizona you can navigate to this website to check out a whole slew of professional level jobs. Same for other states and also professional organizations as well.

In Summary…

I think it’s oh so important that you inventory yourself constantly. I’m talking about your feelings, emotions, skillsets, performance, maybe even how others may be responding to you lately. This will tell you a lot about yourself and help you see the right direction for how to move forward. Again, don’t do this in hindsight, do this in real-time regularly, before you hit the brick wall.

Much love to you guys!

-Kristin

How to Make Money Doing What You Love

I’ve been saying for awhile now that we live in an age where anyone can literally make money doing anything. Between having anyone in the world at your fingertips through social media, to utilizing marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon to bring your craft hobby to life, to building a platform and brand of your own for the minuscule cost of creating a website, there is no excuse not to be able to start making money doing what you love. Even if it’s just pocket change and a fun little side-gig.

If you find yourself getting a little antsy in your day job, or just feeling like a massive part of you isn’t being tapped into the way it should (believe me, I’ve been there), then listen up. I’m here to help.

Here are my top recommendations for you to help you get started.

First, Do Your Homework

What is it that you truly love? What excites you or energizes you? Food? Travel? Jewelry? Interior design? Books? Football? Heck, gambling? Are there certain people you follow on social media that currently make money doing the same thing? Go find their backstories and read all about their journey. They started from somewhere just like you so it will very informative and inspiring for you to learn from them. Just remember, they went through a journey, not overnight success.

The next question to ask yourself related to what you love is, what’s missing? With the homework you’ve done, and the expertise you might already have in that area, are there things you wish existed that currently don’t? Do you see an opportunity for you to come into the playing field with a better option for people? Research, research, research, and spend a lot of time thinking through things.

Just like your favorite football team does with their competition, like in the case of these Chargers Super Bowl odds, time spent researching other players beforehand puts you at an advantage to know how you can come in, stand out, and one-up with your talents and skills.

Make Your Passion Known

You don’t need to have a full business model put together to get started. You need to start building yourself a platform, showing off to people how passionate you are about xyz, so that you can catch people’s attentions who just might relate to you. So get on social media and start posting about what it is you love. Show pictures of yourself doing whatever it is, or share pictures of whatever it is, so then people who realize they share the same joy will want to follow you. You need to do this over and over so you can start to establish a platform and brand identity for yourself.

Start Making Connections

Going off my comments above, start connecting with like-minded people or those in the niche/industry you love. Finding the right connections isn’t easy, and this part can be uncomfortable for many, but let me assure you, most people inherently love to help others, not screw them over. So don’t shy away from reaching out to people you think might be beneficial to your cause.

Connecting to people via LinkedIn, joining relevant Facebook groups, or attending local meetups or online events are all simple, wonderful ways to do this.

Consider Starting a Blog/Vlog

Again, going off the above, when turning certain passions into an income, you could find that starting a blog or a vlog is a beneficial way of showing people that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about something. If you want to work for a book PR company, having your own blog or vlog in which you review books is a GREAT way of showing just how much you love and know about books. Setting up a blog or vlog costs nothing, making it an option for anyone to explore.

A blog or a vlog could even become a money-making platform in itself.  If you get enough readers/viewers, it may be possible to monetize your blog or vlog through ad revenue. Some people are also able to make money via sponsored content. You can read these guides on how to make money from blogging and how to make money from vlogging for more information.

Find Your Niche

At this point, do ask yourself who would most benefit from your passion project that you’d like to turn into an income stream. Get pretty clear on this and start seeking out those types of people directly. It’s also a great way to understand your market and get an idea of what the demand might be like for your passion/skillset and where those people who might be seeking you are hanging out.

Lastly, Get Moving!

There’s a lot of people in this world and a lot of access for anyone to tap into anything. So you can’t sit back and just dream. Start pushing yourself to take steps forward. Be realistic with yourself. Expect that these things take time and there is a growth process to everything. Nothing happens overnight or at the snap of a finger. So make sure you love this particular passion so much that you will be in love with the process and the journey. That’s what living life is all about anyways. Now get moving!

-Kristin

How to Stop Anxiety - Read This

Some of you may know I have my first book that's getting ready to release soon.  My fiance and I have been working so hard at creating and publishing a new children's book series, Brudders' Books.   What a learning process it's been.  Yes, there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for, but I've had many unforeseen setbacks and challenges along the way. 

We're so close, we're almost at the finish line.  But to be honest, it's scaring me. 

I've been going through a lot of anxiety lately, being consumed with fearful thoughts of what-if this, or what-if that.

I've suffered with anxiety a lot in my life, always fearful of not being good enough or letting someone else down.  And while my to-do list in these final few weeks before my book launch is growing and growing, I'm feeling more and more paralyzed with anxiety and fear. 

So I prayed about it this morning.  Really hard.  I had nothing left to do.  I was stuck in this anxiety whirlwind that even I knew didn't make much sense.  Well, as it turns out, about 30 minutes after praying in complete desperation, I read something that couldn't have been any clearer of a response.  It immediately snapped me out of it.

I wanted to post this because something deep down in my heart told me there's someone else on here that needs to read this, just as much as I needed it. Here’s what I read:

"Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law:  Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.  For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool.  But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation…I, even I am He who comforts you.  Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die?...And you forget the Lord your Maker who stretched out the Heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.  You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor when he has prepared to destroy.  And where is the fury of the oppressor?...I am the Lord your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared.  And I have put My words in your mouth, I have covered you with the shadow of my hand, You are my people." (Isaiah 51)

How I interpreted the above:

Wowsers!  I mean the Lord makes a pretty darn good point.  All of these fears and worries I have built up inside of me…who and what am I really fearing?  Someone else's opinion?  My book's success rate?  The publishing process?  I could go on.  But the point is, all of these are just superficial things created by man.  So basically, I'm sitting here fearing what man thinks of me.  Yes, I'll admit, that's very accurate.  That's exactly what I'm fearing.

But to God's point above, that is just nonsense.  Man is just man.  He or she is no better or worse than you or me.  Man's power doesn't even come close to God's power.  Why?  Because God created man.  And He created all of us equally, so none of us are more or less capable or better than the other.  The only one we should be fearing is Him, as our Creator, since CLEARLY He is way more powerful than all of us. 

So for me, to hold these anxieties and fears of someone else's opinion, of the process, it's pointless. I told myself to just stop.  It won't do me any good or any better.  And so I snapped out of it and proceeded with a new confidence.

Will I falter?  Yeah, probably.  But I've got the above message saved on my phone as a good reminder of where my head and heart need to be. Talk about a prayer answered.

Happy Sunday ya'll,

Kristin

Visualizing the "Future You" Transforms Your Abilities Today

“Anyone who’s ever done something great with their life had to transform themselves from who they were to who they became.” 

-Dr. Benjamin Hardy, PhD

Photo by Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash

I just re-read this line from the book, Personality Isn’t Permanent, because I have been STRUGGLING a bit lately with major self-esteem and productivity issues.  And I keep asking myself, WHY? 

For the last two weeks, I feel like I’ve been paralyzed.  From a work execution standpoint, that is.

Ok, I am a bit hard on myself, but what can I say?  I happen to be a perfectionist, and I feel like my work productivity has gone to crap.

What happened, you might ask?

Allow me to first set the scene with a little known fact:

Let’s say someone wrote a book, and that someone is getting ready for its big launch day. Well, in order to get publicity around one’s upcoming book launch, one needs to write a press release.  Or several press releases.  Catered to one’s intended audience. 

You may ask, doesn’t the press write the press release?  To which I’ll proceed to shock you…No!  Said person, who needs the press release, must write the press release!

Mind boggling!

Then, the press skims through massive pools of poorly attempted press releases to search for the news-worthiest of them all, and may, or may not, decide to pick up and publish one’s press release.

Encouraging, right?

So I have a book that is due to come out in a month, and I NEED to write a newsworthy press release.  And let me tell you that in my opinion, writing copy, or writing for the press, is SO much harder than writing an actual book.  In fact, it took me LONGER to write the book description that goes on Amazon than it did to write the first part of my actual book. 

So needless to say, I’ve been frustrated.  I’ve been irritated, doubtful, driving myself insane on whether I think my press release angles are catchy enough…You name it, I’ve felt it.

…sigh…

(and apologies, by the way, for my less than stellar attitude about this)

BUT, let’s rewind a few months back to June, where I was…wait for it…unstoppable!  I felt like I could do anything! 

Me, fearless and unstoppable

In fact, I already saw myself as an epic, published writer who was knocking down what once were barriers and taking names while I was at it. 

I was like a Dachshund taking on a Doberman.  Questionably fearless. 

But what I realize now is, that attitude is how I was actually getting things done! 

The vision was there.  In MY head, I was already there.  And because of that, I was confident.  I was executing flawlessly!  Whatever goals I wrote out the night before in my planner, I got them done the next day.  Without fail.

So, theoretically, Dr. Benjamin Hardy was right.  His philosophy stated above just proved to be true in my case (and I’m sure in many cases, he’s a pretty smart guy).

Literally the ONLY difference between me being able to get things done swiftly back in June and me not being able to get things done now, is that in June, my actions and behaviors were those of the FUTURE me, not the less experienced past or present me.

Gnarly, right?

Perhaps this also resonates with you?

Well I have good news.  Dr. Hardy lays the steps out in his book quite simply.  And for everyone’s sanity here, well mostly mine, let’s take a walk through those steps:

Dr. Hardy says that basically anyone who has ever transformed into doing something great with their life, had to go through this process:

1.       They had to see something new in their mind.

2.       Then convince themselves it’s possible.

3.       Then act courageously beyond their current personality and circumstances

4.       To eventually do and become what they became.

So what does that mean for you if you are at Point A in the process?

1.       You must have a new goal.

2.       You must call it a purpose worth pursuing.

3.       To which you’re then pretty much forced to develop new attributes and skills. (ahem, like writing press releases)

4.       And then you have curated transformational experiences! (like what happened to me yesterday, I’ll fill you in soon!)

So if you find yourself in somewhat of a similar rut as me, take some time out this evening to just think through all of that. 

It really is a simple, yet profound equation.  I can see where it’s worked in my life versus the times I hit a stalling point.  I’m happy to say I’m back on track now, full confidence steam ahead!

And as always, comment anytime to let me know how things are going for you!

Have a great week,

Kristin

Pleated Skirts For Fall!

Fall is right around the corner and nothing gets me more excited than comfy, cozy clothes, cute sneaks, and COFFEE!!! And one of my favorite go-to fall outfits for when that weather starts to change is the pleated skirt, oversized sweater, and sneaks! YES PEOPLE!!

Fall is right around the corner…

…which means comfy skirts, oversized sweaters, cute sneaks, and COFFEE!

H&M actually has a solid assortment of pleated skirts in both fall and summer colors, AND they actually fit really well! ANNNNND some of them are on major sale so I saved my favorites here for you!

I can’t wait to hear which colors you bought! So let me know in a comment below or tag @suits.and.sneaks in your fave new skirt on Instagram.

Happy weekend y’all!

-Kristin

Four Easy Ways To Look More Put Together When Working From Home

Last week I wrote a post for the guys on Four Simple Ways To Up Your Work-From-Home Style During COVID 19.  We talked from everyday work wear to how to up your look in a suit on Zoom interviews.  Speaking of suits. Ladies, there are the most adorable Gold cufflinks on Etsy if you ever need a gift for your man.

But this week, it’s all about the ladies. 

Particularly those of us who are caught in the middle of loving the comfort of WFH clothes, i.e. sweats and fabletics, but miss the confidence that comes with getting dressed up to go into the office. 

So here are my favorite easy ways to get the best of both worlds so you can go about your workday feeling more chic and confident, yet still comfortable enough to get things done.

Pleated Skirts

Photo source: Promesa USA Silver Pleated Metallic Midi Skirt

I.  Flipping.  Love.  These.  What better way to feel fab and feminine in the comfort of your own home (or in the office if you’ve already gone back) than a pleated skirt!  They’re stylish.  They’re fun.  They’re beyond comfortable when sitting and working for long periods of time.  They’re expandable for all those extra snacks you might be popping into your mouth come 3pm (guilty).  And, you can take these skirts in so many different directions.  So overall, a fantastic investment.

Keep them casual chic by pairing them with some cute sneaks, or totally dress them up 10 notches with heels for a night out like you see below. 

Photo by Vicky Cheng on Unsplash

I saved some of my favorite pleated skirts here!

The Little Fitted Jacket That Could

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve thrown one of these on for a Teams meeting and suddenly looked 10 notches more professional.  Get yourself one of these!  If you’re literally still sitting in the cami you slept in and prefer to keep it that way for the entire day, then you’re totally cool.  Because if you suddenly realize your Teams meeting that starts in two minutes requires video, then this will be your saving grace.  Check out my favorites here.

Stylish Frames

Yessss girl!  I just ordered myself a pair of blue light filtering Phonetics and they took my work-from-home look to a whole new level.  Check out my before and after pics here. 

Kristin Leigh, Phonetic blue-light filtering glasses, before and after

Jewelry

Let’s finish with a super easy-to-implement one here, keeping those Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings top of mind.  Earrings or necklaces are a godsend for this because they’re an easy, inexpensive way to brighten up your face. 

I’m a huge fan of offsetting anytime I get dressed.  What does offsetting mean, you ask?  I always implement opposites into my look.  So if my shirt is extremely casual and plain, then I’ll be sure to include a necklace or earrings to offset that depending on my agenda for the day. 

If I’m wearing sneaks that day (duh), then I offset them with something more chic.  Offset, offset, offset.  I’m not sure that’s a technical term in fashion, but I’ve been using it as my formula for years now.

Same thing goes with materials or lines and shape of your clothing.  If what you’re wearing on top is very stiff or straight-lined, then offset it with a necklace that has a bit more depth.  You don’t have to go over the top, but even something as minimal as this Italian 14k rope chain could be all you need since the design is a bit more 3D than traditional flatter necklaces might be. 

Bracelets and watches are my absolute fave, especially minimalist simple ones with a single ornament.  Super inexpensive, super simple, and all you really need when working from home.

I hope those ideas gave you a little inspiration, and let me know any other tricks you’ve got below!

Have a great weekend!

-Kristin

How To Listen To Yourself and Others

Do you ever stop to listen to yourself?  Like really stop to quiet the mind’s chaos and listen to yourself. 

I’ve been doing this a lot lately.  And wow.  It’s amazing the things you hear when you take the time to actually listen and acknowledge what your inner self is trying to tell you.

Did you know there are actually three levels of listening?  They’re called Levels 1, 2, and 3.

And in this post I’m going to introduce you to the three levels of listening, show you the benefits of expanding your listening to the deepest level 3, and finish off with showing you exactly how you can go about putting this into practice.

Most people are stuck at Level 1.  It’s the surface level. 

Whether you’re in a conversation with someone else, or you’re just trying to get through the day but can’t hear past the noise in your head, that’s you listening at Level 1. 

At Level 1, you have only your conscious, self-centered thoughts as your frame of reference.  And I don’t mean that in a bad way.  What I mean is that, what’s on your mind in the current moment dictates how what you are hearing will impact you, whether it’s from someone else’s mouth or in your own head.  You are your frame of reference in the conversation. 

Level 2 listening is listening with more than just your ears. 

It’s focused at a much deeper level, listening for emotion, expression, perception, or perhaps underlying values or frustrations.   When you listen to someone else at Level 2, you’re noticing more of the underlying things behind what they’re saying.  You can apply this to yourself as well.

And at the deepest level, the root of it all, is Level 3 listening.  

Level 3 is when you listen to information from all angles of the universe at once.  You tap into your deepest intuition.  And beyond listening, you’re able to draw conclusions.

Most people listen at Level 1, because statistically, most people aren’t trained therapists, counselors, or coaches.  Level 1 listening is totally normal and to be expected.  But learning to listen to yourself and others at Levels 2 and 3 can bring some MAJOR benefits.

For purposes of this blog post, let’s hold on the benefits to others and spend this time talking about how this benefits YOU, specifically if you find yourself in a rut about something. 

Let’s start with an example, and I’m going to kind of embarrass myself here:

A scenario at Level 1 Listening:

I binge eat the daylights out of my kitchen in the afternoons, and unfortunately, this brings about a number of negative consequences.  I blow through my groceries budget way sooner than expected.  I’m eating way too many calories a day.  And it’s unhealthy, any way you look at it.  Not to mention, I feel like a complete failure every time I do this.  Failure in the sense that I can’t stick to my intended meal schedule, and that I have no control, no commitment, no strength, no nothing!! (stomps feet like a 2 year-old at this point.)

Ok so yes, this was a daily occurrence for me.  And yes, there was a LOT going wrong in that thought process I was having.  Thought distortions, meta views, the list goes on. I can elaborate more on those topics another time, but the point here is that all of the above is me Level 1 Listening to myself. 

Because I’m focused on the very surface level issue here (binge eating), and the impact it’s having on me at that superficial level (frustration and failure).

If you’ve heard of the weight loss Noom app that’s based on psychology and making major waves, a lot of what they teach in that is this exact concept. (I joined and it’s been a Godsend to me).

But here’s what Level 2 Listening would look like if we replay the scenario: 

Ok, I’m getting very frustrated on a daily basis because of this.  Why does this keep happening?  If I listen more closely, with ALL of my senses, I can actually see that there are several triggering events that happen that cause me to run to the fridge desperate for snacks.  (And none of them are hunger, by the way). 

In Level 2 listening, we start to see patterns and trends. When something with work comes up that I either don’t want to do, or I don’t feel comfortable or confident enough doing, I try to avoid or procrastinate doing it by getting up and going to the fridge for food.  Listening to myself at this level, I can also see that having a bowl of snacks sitting next to me is oddly comforting to me during those more difficult tasks I have to do.  WEIRD. 

But now, let’s go a little deeper into Level 3 Listening: 

It seems that I’m using food as a crutch to get me through something I deem to be difficult.  I seem to lack confidence in my ability to complete more time-intensive tasks, or those for which I might not have an immediate solution.  I’ve realized that I like finishing things quickly.  If not, it seems I fear the time and effort it takes to find solutions for people. Interesting.

Starting to see something here? 

Now look at how insane this Level 1 conclusion was compared to Level 3!

Level 1 Conclusion:  I keep blowing through my budget and eating way too many calories a day because I’m a total failure who clearly has no control or commitment to staying healthy!

Vs. Level 3 Conclusion: I like completing my work and finding solutions quickly for people.  I seem to lose confidence in more time-intensive projects, and in those instances, I use food as my crutch to get me through the task.

Wowsers. Quite a difference.

Can you imagine if you listened to yourself at Level 3 more often?  Can you imagine if you listened to your significant other, coworkers, friends, and family at Level 2 or 3 more often??

But really, this is so beneficial to understand, especially if you’re someone who beats yourself up a lot, OR just as importantly, if you’re someone who gets frustrated with other people easily.

So how do you start to make this a regular practice?

1. It starts with you being aware. 

And you can check that box because I’ve now made you aware of these listening concepts.  But also, take this awareness and apply to your own personal thoughts and the conversations you’re in with other people.

2. Stop and seek silence. 

I stumbled into this practice when I started going out to the dock first thing in the morning as a new way to set my mood for the day.  The longer I sat out there, the more still my mind became.  Of course it wouldn’t last more than one hour into my work day, so I started going back to my quiet place during my lunch breaks.  And then again after work.  I made a habit of seeking this silence multiple times daily.  Because there is no way you can think clearly when the usual distractions are right around you. 

So find your silent space.  Preferably outside your house somewhere.  Or maybe in your bedroom if it means there’s no TV, phone, or work distractions.  Or, if you’re home alone with nowhere else to go, just sit in the middle of your living room with your eyes closed and imagine yourself somewhere else entirely.

3. Ask out loud into the silence for help with your specific issue.

Some may call this asking the universe.  For me personally, I call it asking God.  And others might just call it talking out loud to themselves.  But I’ll tell you this, after two solid months of doing this daily, I can go outside to my God spot, ask my question, and I hear an answer come right back to me.  And not only do I get an answer, but I get a step-by-step understanding of my situation, myself, and others involved.  With all senses.  At all three listening levels.  It is pretty bad-ass. 

4. Do not underestimate the power of what you just did.

Do you know how rare it is for people to feel listened to or understood?  I’m sure you’ve said the same thing yourself! 

Do you know how powerful it is when you can actually hear your intuition (or God) speaking?  Where you can hear it so clearly that you have the confidence to act on it?  (By the way, if our intuitions didn’t come from something bigger and more powerful than our earthly physical bodies, then we’d never have any worries, stress, fear, or uncertainty, would we? Just my thought.) 

So this is an amazingly powerful thing!  So take this information and your time spent in silence, listening at all levels, very seriously.  It can be life changing.  Actually I’m going to come right out there and tell you it WILL be life changing. 

And don’t forget to thank yourself for this time spent listening at all levels.  It’s one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself and for those around you.  Give it a try and let me know what you think in a comment below! 

Have a fantastic week! On all levels ;)

-Kristin

Four Simple Ways to Up Your Work-From-Home Style During COVID19

Guys, this one’s for you today.  Ladies, I’m writing up a separate one for you as we speak!

Once upon a time, you lived in a world of waking up every morning, shuffling half-asleep into your closet, trying to make out the blur of clothes in front of you in order to decide what you were going to wear to work that day.

Then COVID hit, and you’re in a world now where, shoot, do you even get OUT of bed anymore to start your workday?  I mean, a laptop is the same laptop whether you’re in bed or sitting upright at your desk, right?

And so here is your new Monday through Friday norm.  Week after week.

But let’s say you DO make an effort to get out of bed and brush your teeth at least.  And you actually put on clothes. Eventually you begin to notice that you’ve been “showing up” to your virtual day job wearing your same favorite few tees every day.  Or, maybe it’s just a sweatshirt.  And, does it really even matter what’s on your bottom?

Question for you:

While I’m sure this is comfortable and all, are you starting to feel kind of blah inside?  Maybe a little dull?  Like you’re in this new work-from-home routine and it’s really not all that exciting? 

Perhaps you actually miss coming up with an outfit to wear to work each day because you could at least show off some of your personality. Or maybe, you were one to dress a level above your title in hopes it’d get you promoted faster. 

After all, getting dressed shows purpose.  But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, just choosing SOME simple accessories that best reflect your authentic style and personality could mean everything! 

So here are four simple ways to spruce up your virtual workday look and #letthrealyoushinethrough in your next Zoom meeting:

Photo by manny PANTOJA on Unsplash

Try Out Some Stylish Frames

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Prescription or no prescription, this is one of my favorite ways that guys can show off their personalities and up their t-shirt-around-the-house game.  In fact, I think frames paired with a comfy tee is a superb way to professionalize your look and show up to your Zoom meetings in casual style.  Kind of like, you make it look so easy, yet you’re so good. 

You can visit website and choose from a massive variety of top brands and styles.  You’re sure to land a brand new set of specs that frame your face and make you look even more distinguished in no time.

The Tiny But Mighty Pocket Square

If you’re more than a t-shirt guy and need to dress to impress on your next Zoom call, look no further than the humble pocket square. They are so easy, so simple, and yet so…bam!  You show up to your video calls looking like a man on a mission.  This little square is the color to your mon-o-chrome, the linen to your life, the silk to your, ok I have no idea where I’m going with that one, but you get the point. Go get yourself some!

Watch This

Photo by Tamarcus Brown on Unsplash

I love a good watch on a guy.  It just says, Hi, I’m a man.  And if your laptop camera is angled the way it should be (ahem, up angling down is a bit more flattering), then your forearms and wrists should be showing.  And who wants bare forearms and wrists??

You don’t need to drop big bucks on a watch, any priced watch does the trick  But if you can afford a Rolex or Omega, then by all means, shop right ahead!  But you don’t need to go the designer route to look great.  Any watch that is simple and well-made will add a dignified note to your look.

On The Cuffs

Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash

Got an upcoming Zoom video interview?  Nothing tells hiring managers that you’ve got attention to detail like the fact that you’re wearing badass cuff links on a Zoom video interview during COVID 19.  As a recruiter, I would freaking love you for it. 

Why? Because cufflinks are one of the most telling, yet subtle, signs of style for men everywhere. They’re small enough to know their place, yet special enough to have their shining moment in the world. Also, please know that managers hiring candidates using only video interviews will be looking to your video screen for ANYTHING to try and get a better sense of your personality.  And cufflinks show that you are ready to bring the goods, my friend.

In Summary

These are just a few easy-to-implement ideas to polish off that top half of you for when you need to show up to work on a laptop screen.  I’d love to hear other creative ideas you’ve been doing as well so update me in the comments below!

Have a great week y’all,

Kristin

Golden Goose Sneakers

A streetwear twist to a classic, simple star. This brand is pretty dope is you’ve got a lot of extra money to spare. I’m loving these sneaks for the kicked-back season of summer. I saved my favorites for you below!

Summertime Sneakers Suitable For The Office

it is indeed Tuesday, and normally I post a podcast, but I’m not feeling too hot and didn’t think you’d really want to listen to someone talk while under the weather. Eww, gross. On a brighter note though, I cleared out my closet and got rid of a bunch of old sneaks a couple weeks ago. The problem is I haven’t yet replenished myself with new cute sneakers to wear to the office! So I figured I’d take you all along with me, while I go sneaker shopping online.

Let’s first look through some inspirational looks that you could pull of wearing to work, and then I’ll include my full list of my favorite sneaks at the very end. Also, did you know I have an entire Pinterest Board dedicated to sneaker outfits you can wear to work? And another one with how you can wear sneakers with skirts? Make sure you go follow my Suits & Sneaks Pinterest account here.

So without further delay, I present to you my favorite women’s office casual looks with sneakers that I will soon be wearing to work. Comment below on which ones are your favorite!

Let’s Start With Neutral Looks

Polish off your favorite white kicks

With a light, summertime soft gray suit.

Summertime skin tones +

Can’t-go-wrong Cole Haan sneakers.

Then Get A Little More Black & Bold

TCB in Seavees

With their timeless Huntington Middies

Or run from meeting to meeting

In a pair of comfy slip-ons.

Happy Hour requires comfort

Swap out the heels if you mean business at the bar.

Shop Even More Of My Favorite Sneaks Here

Scroll to the right on each row to see more!

Menswear: Tom Ford Eyeglasses

Men’s accessories. They’re everything. And we so quickly have fallen for the Warby Parkers and Tom Fords of the world because let’s face it, men’s fashion eyewear has come onto the scene HOT.

Just look at our lovely model for example. This is one of my favorite men’s casual outfits by the way. But look at the way the glasses jive so well with the casual sneaks. And the glasses, quite frankly, really finish off his look.

Are any of you guys rocking the eyeglasses to work on a daily basis? Would you? To help you out, I included my four favorite styles below.

Happy shopping!

-Kristin

Forget Following Fashion Trends, You Do You.

Once upon a time there used to be a season for certain colors and an era for certain styles.

We can look back on the decades of our past and pretty much generalize the fashion trends for each era. 70s were the hippies. 80s was total hair. 90s was cutoffs and hip-hop. 2000s were punk rock and skater boys and babes. And now here we are in 2018, with the onset of social media’s Pinterest and Instagram. Photography and fashion are in full swing.

But here’s one thing I’ve noticed about this new digital world that we’ve all come to love and hate. It’s given us an outlet to express our individual style.

You can scroll through Pinterest and Insta feeds for hours and hit the like button on all different types of fashion. Why? Because the pictures look good. Because the ENTIRE LOOK looks good. You fall in love with the person’s overall style. The clothes, the makeup, the expression, the background, the lighting. Take all of that combined and the fact that a girl is wearing white pants in winter is pretty meaningless because, well, her photo completely ROCKS.

Fashion is a massive part of our modern lives, especially since so much of our lives have been shifted towards showing off our looks. And with any industry, some people have such a true passion and love for it that they dedicate their whole lives to it. (Think your major bloggers on Instagram)

Once upon a time we were also taught to dress a certain way for certain circumstances or occasions.

Interviews, weddings, corporate jobs. Shoot, think of the countries where women don’t even have a choice in what they can wear! And while times are changing for the better, the fact remains that if you dress outside what certain people consider “the norm,” you very well might be looked at twice.

Is that a bad thing though?

And honestly, what does it matter to people what you wear if it’s not hurting anyone?

Well the truth is, it does. Because your style speaks louder than your words. Especially on first glance. But just because people make judgments in a matter of seconds doesn’t mean you can’t tailor a polished look to reflect your individuality.

Freedom of expression is important for maintaining our identity as individuals. You can still totally do this even if you work a corporate 9 to 5 job by adding your unique favorite trends to a more conservative polished style. I explain exactly how to do this in fashion posts throughout my site. Crazy story but I actually work in a global pharmaceutical company and I can easily think of 4 coworkers that have tattoo sleeves. BUT they balance that with a more polished professional outfit so the whole look is just totally badass! (Side note, if you’re going a tattoo route, be sure to use barrier tattoo gel)

Remember that you should dress according to what you truly like and feel comfortable in, but by also dressing in such a way that makes others comfortable and shines you in the best, most respectful light. This is what Suits & Sneaks is all about! Follow along for loads more tips on getting dressed each day that gains you respect and authority in the workplace, but also lets the real you shine through at the same time.

Cheers!

-Kristin

How to Save on Corporate Style: Clever Cost Saving Tips

Polished casual styled with Seavees

If you’re like most, you’re anticipating the arrival of the new year with hopes and dreams to bring out a new and better you. New mindset, new habits, new routines, new goals. Heck, maybe you’re even on a mission to find a new job that you love for 2019. So what better way to package up this NEW YOU than with a fresh, new wardrobe?

Except that, this is the busiest shopping season of the year and you’ve probably already spent a TON of money. (And I’m guessing well beyond your budget?) So, how do you now build a stylish work wardrobe with the little that you have left in the bank?

I’ll give you a hint. The answer is not always to start from scratch. To take the pressure off you a little, here are six ways I typically save on my corporate style.

1. Stick with the simple

I’m a huge fan of basics for two reasons. One, because they never go out of style. You can wear them in different ways forever. And two, because it’s not as noticeable when you repeat a basic piece of clothing as it is when you repeat a flashy or trendy one. (Case in point, I haven’t gone shopping in OVER A YEAR.)

Get these basic pieces for Men and Women

I would even advise being strategic with your COLOR choices and stick with basic colors like black, white, or gray. I know this sounds boring, but remember, this is your foundation. Spend minimal dollars on a few basic things and your opportunities to style in different ways on top of that are endless. See #2 below.

2. Mix and match with layers and accessories.

Shop the look here

An added bonus to the basic foundation above is that any accessories or jackets you layer on top will instantly stand out. Whether we’re talking about a diamond necklace from Ritani or a scarf from Target, if you have a basic foundation, then most likely you’re pretty much guaranteed that any accessory or layer you add on will match.

Men’s Flatlay

This is genius I tell you for yet another reason: Accessories DON’T WEAR OUT! They don’t fade with washes, they don’t get ruined from spills. They take up little space. And what’s more, they typically go on major sale at certain stores throughout the year. Set this 1:3 spending rule for yourself: I will figure out how to buy a single shirt-price worth of accessories that can translate into three different looks. Boom, financial win. It’s that easy.

3. Always check the labels.

I completely stay away from anything that needs to be dry-cleaned. It’s just not worth it to me. I actually take it a step further and stay away from anything that needs to be ironed, because well, ain’t nobody got time for that. If you’re looking for money AND time savings, checking the labels is super important.

4. Shop out of season. Heck, shop out of style.

I could care less if clothing is in season or not. Why? Because quite frankly guys, it’s not so much about the clothes as it is the person wearing them.

Let’s all get real here for a moment. Think about when you see fashion bloggers on Pinterest or Instagram. What about the pictures attract you to it? Is it 100% the clothes? Or is it the model’s hair, his or her fitness level, the camera angle, the lighting, a statement accessory? There are a number of factors that can take a look from being blah to wow, and it will always be more than just the clothing pieces themselves.

So with that, buy that’s-so-last-season clothes! They’re cheaper! Because guess what? You can make anything look attractive by adding additional layers like a blazer or accessories, and most importantly, you will strut into your office silently screaming that this look is yours to OWN.

5. Look for deals online.

Like most purchases in life, you can usually find work clothes cheaper if you shop around for them online. You can use price comparison tools to compare similar items from different stores. You can leverage online voucher sites to find coupons for money off products both in-store and online. Heck, you can go sign up for mailing lists or newsletters for your favorite retailers because they will give you a discount code. Don’t want spam mail? Who cares! You just got 25% off!

6. And lastly, wear what is provided.

I’ll save the best scenario for last, in that if you’re a uniformed worker, then you luck out and don’t have to buy wardrobes of clothes. Though many might argue this and say you wish you could wear what you want, how easy and cost-effective is it to wear the same things everyday?! Am I right? But even if you’re not a uniformed worker, many companies give out branded shirts, polos, socks, etc. for free. Why not wear them?? This means one less outfit where you can save the money to buy something else.

Make use of company-provided shirts

So there ya have it folks! I live by these rules every time I look for something new to wear. I honestly am a cheapskate when it comes to fashion and style. I buy everything at discount prices, and at most, once a year. Building a work wardrobe from scratch can be costly, but, hopefully, with these tips, you can save yourself some money as you start the new year with the new you!

Kristin, Suits & Sneaks

-Kristin

Advice For Purchasing A Wedding Suit

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year! The holidays are here and love is either madly in the air, or it’s most definitely not. But the fact of the matter is, right around the corner, is wedding season.

There are fewer and fewer reasons to wear formal clothing these days, but one of those that still holds on is that of a wedding. Now, while wedding season might still be a few months away, being prepared for that time of year, believe me, is the right thing to do. Whether you’re buying suits or dresses, here are some things to consider before you find yourself overwhelmed shop-hopping trying to find your wedding best.

THE POCKET SQUARE

suit pocket squares

Men are in a somewhat fortunate position (actually a lot of fortunate positions if you ask me lol) in that suits tend to come in a small variety, and are quite frankly, the only expectation people have of you when it comes to formal attire. Especially for a wedding.

That said there are parts of suit buying and wearing that we should discuss, especially if you’re not used to the clothing, such as how to fold a pocket square .

And let me share with you my thoughts on pocket squares: I FLIPPING LOVE THEM. These little guys will take a look to the next level. They come in so many different styles, colors, fabrics. Oh my gosh, I just get so excited by them, for ALL looks and styles, from wedding formal to street and smart casual.

I included some of my favorites here, scroll to the right to view them all!

THE SUIT STYLE

While the number of jobs requiring suits has decreased in the last couple of decades, so too has the need for men to own them, so let’s take a look at the different styles and the etiquette of wearing one.

SINGLE OR DOUBLE-BREASTED

Suits do come in various styles, and this tends to be for different reasons. If you’re not the groom, you’ll likely be considering a single-breasted or double-breasted style and the decision will come down to your personal preference.

The double is more traditional for a taller man to wear and will usually have four or six buttons. Whereas a single-breasted jacket will have only one set of buttons - up to three - and holes that do not overlap. There’s a great article on this here

Now if you’re the man of the event, or in the main wedding party, there are of course the wedding suit and tuxedo for the much more formal look.

THE WAISTCOAT

Once you have chosen a style, you may then wonder whether or not you should purchase a waistcoat. Well, for starters, most suits will come as two or three-piece and so the decision will be made for you. The waistcoat is a personal choice once again, but it does a little more than just adding to the style. It in fact should be doing two things. One, to direct attention towards your face, and two, to keep your tie in place. It can be a great complement to your suit, but again the personal preference is yours.

SHOES

Once you have the suit sorted, you’ll need to start considering the shoes. Your dilemma could be around the color, whether to match the shoes to the color of the suit (black, brown, or burgundy are most common). OR, your dilemma could be on style, i.e. formal or casual, slip-ons or laces, minimal or funky loud. Suits or Sneaks. :) But for all the shopping in the world, make sure they are comfortable and fit you properly. Weddings can be lengthy affairs.

I just started a Pinterest Board - Wedding in Sneakers and pinned some of my favorite looks. Go check it out and follow along if you think you’ll be in the market soon! :)

ACCESSORIES

Wooden bowtie

The most important, of all the accessories that make up formal wear, is the tie. This is where it gets overwhelming and I feel for you guys. There are so many different types of ties! From the skinny traditional, to the wide traditional, to the bow tie. Your selection will need to consider several details, most importantly, your size. If you are a tall man you will require a longer tie, if you’re a short man then bow-ties are great! If you’re a skinny man then you might want to consider purchasing a tie that isn’t too wide.

The Tie Bar

And then there’s the colors. I love this part. First consider two factors - the color of your suit and your complexion. Then figure out the statement you want to make. Formal and serious? Go with your traditional colors and patterns. Prefer to be loud and proud? Then the possibilities are endless for you my friend. Go bright, crazy-patterned, and flashy for that matter if you want. Here are some of my favorite looks.

You can shop some of my favorites right here! Scroll to the right to view them all.

Finally, other accessories include the aforementioned pocket square which should complement your tie. Cuff links for a shirt with French cuffs are a nice addition to the formal attire and give you an opportunity in a limited environment to add some character to your wear. And lastly a dress watch or tie clip; both of these can complement the suit you are wearing and add an air of elegance to your wedding appearance.

Oh Happy Day!

Happy shopping!

-Kristin

Menswear Blogger, Igee Okafor, On How To Dress For Summer

"When it comes to personal style at music festivals, anything goes." 

Read the full post by Igee Okafor & Peter Minkoff here.

Photography by: Sebastian Cintron

Suits + Sneakers + Sunsets

Suits & Sneaks' smart casual attire for the end of your workweek.

Congratulations, you're approaching the end of your workweek.  And what better way to step out of the office and into a happy hour sunset than in your most comfortable and casual pair of suits and sneakers. 

Here, Brooks Brothers meets Ben Sherman.  It's my motto of offsetting at its best. The Brooks Brothers blazer is offset with a more casual Brooks Brothers tee.  BB's pants are then offset with a pair of white canvas sneakers by one of my favorite men's lines, Ben Sherman.

It's the perfect way to untuck your shirt, let loose a little, and still look like you owned the day.  Cheers gents.

-Kristin

Brooks Brothers suit with Ben Sherman sneakers

Suits & Sneaks smart casual with Brooks Brothers and Ben Sherman

How To Create 7 Different Outfits With 1 Pair of Sneaks

This was SUCH a fun concept to come up with because a) who doesn't love buying an awesome pair of shoes, and b) who doesn't love justifying them with SEVEN different outfits??

Let me introduce you to the shoe, so appropriately named the Huntington Middie.  It's casual, it's clean, and quite frankly it turns heads.  Which is why I call it my game-changer shoe.  But, GET THIS.  As is the mission of everything Suits & Sneaks, I've taken this shoe and dressed it up for you to wear to WORK, to HAPPY HOUR, and yes, to simply #KEEPITCASUAL on the weekends.

So let's dive into this amazingly comfortable pair of sneaks (which include plush insoles btw!), styled SEVEN different ways for each day of your week.  Here we go!

Monday.

When All You Want Is Comfort.

When you wake up late, still feeling full and groggy from the weekend, and for the love of God just want to feel comfortable for the next 8 hours of your day....This is the outfit for you. 

Offset Casual With a Dose of Glam

For the Perfect Polished Casual Look.

Offset the casualness and comfort of these pants and sneaks with a tan blazer.  And, bedazzle yourself in pearls.  You've heard me say this a million times: Offsetting is the way to go for that refined, polished casual look.

Shop This Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Tuesday

Styled Professionally.

You made it through Monday looking good, and if your coworkers had some sort of decency, they saved those important meetings for Tuesday.  Here's where you dress up your look with the easiest, most professional color out there - Black. 

BUT, don't be boring and wear black shoes.  That doesn't interest anyone. 

Hello Game-Changer.

Goodbye Status-Quo Dresser.

Instead, look like you've got style sense by changing up the shoe color with your black pants and blazer.  Sit down status-quo dressers.  Game-Changer just walked into the room.

Shop This Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Wednesday

Polished Comfort.

Halfway through the week and starting to tire out?  Simply take it down a notch with a warm, comfy sweater and this soft, muted pink scarf.  Next, offset the comfort on top with some dark fitted jeans or even a pencil skirt on bottom! 

Slipping Into Your Middies

Couldn't get any easier.

Shop the Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Thursday

Work + Happy Hour

A popular happy hour day, they say.  You definitely don't want to dress like a boring professional cause you're likely to hit up the bar scene after work.  You also don't want to walk into the office LOOKING like you're hitting up the bar scene after work.  #AMIRIGHT? 

Why Limit Happiness to One Hour

When You Feel This Good.

Here's a happy medium that's fun, but smart enough for the office.  And if jean jackets are more so meant for Friday, just switch this jacket out for a cute fitted blazer!  Hello Polished Casual.

Shop the Look:

Get  the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

TGI Friday

Jean Jacket Approved.

Ahhh, the day where the jean jacket IS allowed.  Grab those comfy pants from Monday and just swap out the top!  Here you could go with a neutral shirt, or get a little ballsy with a graphic tee under your jacket or blazer.  Just don't forget the accessories with this look. 

Accessories.

They Will Polish You Off.

While your threads are totes casual, you want to offset them with some accessories, like the bandanna scarf I've done here.  Or how about fun jewelry like a wooden watch??  No matter how casual you go, accessories and jackets will always polish you off.

Shop This Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Saturday

Sleep In Like A Boss.

I absolutely LOVE these Middies with shorts.  And here's where I stress how dang COMFORTABLE these shoes are.  I never even got blisters from wearing them brand new!  Take it from the girl with the foot injury that put her in sneaks in the first place.  These shoes are SO EASY to wear while you're running around. 

So Comfy

You Could Walk Miles In These Kicks.

The long cardigan takes the look up a notch.  It also covers the top half of your thighs if you're feeling a little subconscious about them.  Like in this case, I would've preferred tanner legs lol.  Florida girl problems. 

Shop This Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Sunday

Brunching + Shopping

A day meant for rest that's quite often supplemented with shopping or brunching.  Pair your Middies with a soft, floral shirt.  Top it off with a neutral, fitted blazer, and bam!  You're ready to walk in the door of any occasion. 

#Goals

She Rushed Out the Door and STILL Looked Styled.

My favorite part about this look are the sneakers and the blazer.  Because the combo simply screams: This girl quickly ran out the door and STILL managed to look styled!  Can we say #GOALS??

Shop The Look:

Get the Sneaks: Seavees Huntington Middies

Speaking of occasion, today was a special day!  I mean WOW.  What a post!  You just got SEVEN different outfit ideas!  And all laid out for you with just ONE pair of sneaks!!! 

I hope you all enjoyed browsing through the pictures and outfit inspiration to pair up with your new Middies!  Click the signup or subscribe button and I'll send you an easy-access style card with all the deets!

And allow me to give mad props to my photographer Nick Pecori who took all of the beautiful pictures you see in this post.  Comment below with what you think!

How to Style a White Blazer with Sneakers

Here's a teeny tiny teaser clip on how I styled a white blazer with jeans and pink sneakers!  Be sure to subscribe to my Suits & Sneaks YouTube Channel where I'll be pumping out tons more Suits & Sneaks outfit ideas!  Enjoy!

The Turquoise Series: Bright. Bold. Becoming.

You guys.  I'm not even exaggerating when I tell you I wore this outfit to work today and got compliments ALL DAY LONG.  They went a little something like this:

1. Nice job on the outfit!

2. You look so bright!

3. Omg, that is so springy and summery!

4. That is a total springtime color, I love it.

5. Omg even your shoes match!

6. I just love that color it makes me smile.

7. Wow I've seen you twice today, I can't believe I've never met you prior!  

See what good outfits can do you??  Can we say #makeyoumemorable??  I mean gosh, who wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of such love every day?  And while at work!  

As such, get ready for an explosion of turquoise on my Instagram feed.  In the meantime, get in on the color pop!  I put together my some of my favorite turquoise dresses and sneaks for you ladies below!  A separate makeup and accessories post will follow. And guys, I have a whole separate post for you hitting suitsandsneaks.com right after this one.  Happy shopping!

Suits & Sneaks Turquoise Chuck Taylors

Meet Turquoise Chuck:

My Favorite Turquoise Dresses