There’s nothing like a full day of state travel with the boss to test the creativity of your style. When we plan nine-event days, no one is thinking of the number of wardrobe changes necessary to get you from touring a construction zone to lunch with the local Chamber; from an elementary school ribbon cutting to a fancy fundraiser. Not to mention, we’re always running late and the best changing room you’ll get is a Wendy’s bathroom. But hey- Clark Kent made due with a phonebooth.
The key to any professional travel is preparation. You work on events and briefings for weeks- why not give more consideration to your attire than a few minutes in the morning? Putting together a versatile look that will take you from breakfast meetings to cocktail parties without a wardrobe change is possible with the right accessories. Everything can be stowed in the average handbag, and you can even make the switch in the car (while in park).
The basics: I love a dark denim pencil skirt. And anyone who hasn’t discovered Cole Haan’s pumps with Nike Air, will soon worship the man who made heels feel like sneakers.
For the policy meeting: Add this Rachel Roy petal jacket. The masculinity of the jacket, mixed with the feminine blouse really floats my boat. Unexpected, yet totally professional. With the high collar blouse, I’d skip a necklace and keep it simple with these earrings.
Rachel Roy jacket, now $747 (a girl can dream)
Earrings- now sold out, from Etsy shop CatherineMarissa
For volunteering at a soup kitchen: Oh, what’s a day in the life of a politician without a little pandering? Lose the jacket, but add this simple cardigan to keep it professional.
Ann Taylor LOFT sweater, $59.50
For the evening function: Leave the jacket and cardigan in the car, and throw on a bracelet or cocktail ring to spice it up a little. For a lot of spice, try these zebra peep-toe wedges on for size. Grab a fun clutch for a muy-caliente evening.
Soo Inh Kim “Rimma Cluster” ring, $135
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M says:
Alison is still my favorite, followed by a toss-up between CJ and Jamie. While I liked what CJ had to say, it was far too similar to the rest of the blog–maybe she played it safe by picking items similar to Belle’s aesthetic?
M says:
Alison is still my favorite, followed by a toss-up between CJ and Jamie. While I liked what CJ had to say, it was far too similar to the rest of the blog–maybe she played it safe by picking items similar to Belle’s aesthetic?
K. Hill says:
I LOVE HER STYLE!!!! Absolutely adore! I will, in 2 months be encountering this same dilemma as our company travels to a place where there are 15 events in 12 hours and you had better leave the hotel at 7am ready to conquer them all! I needed this post in my life. Her sense of style is very similar, yet different in comparison to what Belle writes and I believe it contributes to the continuity of the blog.
O says:
Definitely my favorite so far! This is actually really helpful!! Love you CJ (also love how that reminds me of my favorite fashionable-ish West Wing character) 🙂
Katherine says:
Great post, but it feels like what Belle does already. That’s a good thing if people want to read more of what we’re used to, but a bad thing if one of the goals of getting an intern is to add a different voice. And I’m kind of annoyed that I now covet a pair of $278 shoes 🙂
Ash says:
I love CJ. I agree with Katherine in that Belle already does this, but hey- that’s why were here, isn’t it? CJ is my favorite so far. This girl has great style and I hope we have an opportunity to see more of it!
D says:
Some of her sentences are a little awkward, and the writing style in general is clunky and could use some editing, but this is the best fashion piece of all the interns! Very helpful, realistic, well priced (for the most part), and creative.
S says:
Great post! This is exactly what I look for when I slyly hit the refresh button on my office comp after a long meeting with the Boss (CHS keeps me sane at work – as I am sure most of you agree.) The post has a paragraph or two of text, great photos, awesome advice, and wit that falls right in line with Belle’s writing and personality. Everything she featured was affordable and unique. CJ wins my vote so far!
LT says:
I thought it was Belle writing this post as my reader hadn’t loaded the bio yet about CJ. I guess that means she would be a seamless addition to CHS. That is good and bad. I’m not sure what she ADDS to the blog. I think I like the guy or the Philly girl best, and for different reasons. I guess what I’m saying is that CJ would be a non-event for the blog. She is in third place with a tie for first to the guy and Philly (i’m terrible with names).
Dr. Jean Grey says:
This post is a solid hit, but not a home run. I feel like I already own most of these pieces (J. Crew frilly blouse? Check. Nude pumps? Uh-huh. Standard sort of fake vintage cute Etsy earrings? Yeppers. Cardigans? Dear God yes.) Right now, I’d say it’s between CJ and Alison.
Melissa says:
I like the post, the humor is spot-on and the picture:text ratio is wonderful.
The only doubt I have is that it’s SO similar to Belle’s writing, that it doesn’t seem that she’ll add as much to the blog, except that Belle can take a day off now and then without leaving all of us compulsively refreshing our browsers to see if maybe, just maybe, she decided to post after all.
I do like the style and the writing, though. Probably my favorite so far.
K says:
Far and away my favorite of the potential interns.
AL says:
LOVE her! She’s got just the right amount of snark (like you Belle) but also provides very insightful commentary to that which we all know and love – working on the Hill.
DCGal says:
Agree with most of the above – I dug her profile, but the post was more of the same, and we’re looking for something a little different (tho I loved the orange clutch!). Also, too many typos for someone who claims to be an editing fiend. We all make mistakes, but this blog could use a careful editor.
Mary says:
I think her writing tone and fashion sense are good but not as great as yesterday afternoon’s, what I LOVE is how practical the advice is. So while she wouldn’t be blowing my mind with envelope-pushing style ideas, she would probably give me a lot of good tips to incorporate.
Sarah says:
Still a heart flutter for the young gent, but I think this is my favorite as of yet.
bax says:
CJ nailed it! I loved her writing style (so what if it’s somewhat similar to Belle, can you really get too much of a good thing?). Her post was witty, funny, relevant, practical and fashion forward all at the same time! Who knew Payless had such cute shoes… I’d love to see what she’d come up with next.
Lucy says:
I think she had the most useful post out of all of them, even though the hangover also came in use too. But I thought her writing was a little underdeveloped, personally. Like a poor man’s Belle.
R says:
I like both CJ and Allison, but after a few days of intern posts, I miss you, Belle!
Anonymous says:
I don’t mean to be too snarky, but for someone who loves to compulsively edit, there are a lot of typos and grammatical errors in this post. However, she does seem like a sweetheart.
lulu says:
best so far
Lovin it says:
I think this was my favorite candidate thus far, mainly because it seemed seamless to what I would expect from the blog. Although maybe not contributing a completely new angle on things, it would be the safe choice! I wouldn’t mind reading more from her at all!
j says:
For me, it’s down to CJ and Jaime (so far!). These two are great in their own ways! While CJ does write in an astonishingly similar style to Belle, I think that she’ll definitely be able to bring something new in other posts. Jaime is different because… well… he’s a man. I love that he can bring a fresh perspective to CHS, and it’ll bring in a whole new group of readers. Style for men is definitely as important as style for women, especially on the Hill, where everyone needs to look good. CJ and Jaime both definitely know their stuff and write well, to boot, using a great picture to text ratio.
Kelsey says:
I like how similar the writing style is- it adds continuity to the blog. She’s a good and funny writer- that takes much more time to learn than to think of a new, creative idea for CHS. While it might have seemed a little mundane to include the ever familiar classics I will definately be checking up for inspiration from CJ to re-work them into a new, fresh look!
A says:
I LOVE this post! But, mostly because it reminds me exactly of a post I’ve seen here already. I swear, have you shown those shoes before? I think she would be a great addition to the blog but care would need to be taken to add variety!
Amy says:
Love this post, mostly because it is like others on this blog and has more than 3 pictures of clothes/shoes! There’s a reason that this is one of the few fashion blogs that I continually check, so I don’t think it’s bad that CJ’s style is so similar to Belle’s. For me, my intern selections come down to CJ and Allison. With a little editing/tailoring on both of their parts, either intern could hit a home run here.
DB says:
I’m with anonymous, and the handful of typos really stuck out to me. I found this post to be just more of the same. And not that I don’t love Belle (I love you Belle!), but if this post could have been written by Belle, then why even have an intern? I’m more excited to get a fresh voice and style, without deviating too far from the standard that Belle has set.
M says:
Alison is still my favorite, followed by a toss-up between CJ and Jamie. While I liked what CJ had to say, it was far too similar to the rest of the blog–maybe she played it safe by picking items similar to Belle’s aesthetic?
vanessa says:
LOVE HER! My fave by far.
Stephanie says:
Well, to be fair, she never claimed to be a GOOD editor–she just said she was a “compulsive” one.
CJ just doesn’t do it for me. Everyone already knows how to change an outfit from event to event, and this didn’t bring anything new to the table. There was nothing original here at all.
Her writing isn’t good, and it isn’t funny. It’s choppy, sloppy and forced. CJ’s writing lacks the wit, clarity and intelligence of Alison’s writing. I’m itching to read more from Alison, or more from Jamie. CJ is probably a wonderful person, but she’s much better off reading fashion blogs than writing for them.
G says:
Wow Stephanie. thats pretty harsh. I disagree that everyone already knows how to change an outfit from event to event. As an intern, I know I don’t and I think that this post is really helpful. CJ and Allison are the best so far! Good job Belle!
Maggie says:
I like her voice and sense of style! I, too, have to make frequent modifications in wardrobe when bouncing between events in-district, so her one-handbag, in-car approach speaks to me.
My only quibble – are there staffers for which a dark denim skirt would be acceptable for in-district or state with the boss? For me, a navy pencil skirt – YES, a denim pencil skirt – NO WAY.
A says:
After reading all the posts, I think C.J. is the clear winner.
1. Only one with the good sense to be anonymous. (google is not your friend)
2. Proper text to photo ratio.
3. Actual items for purchase highlighted.
Even though I completely disagree with her Anne Taylor LOFT comment (seriously, everything in the store was 50% off, I could really use some new work clothes, and I walk out with nothing because the two cute things weren’t in my size) I think she is the girl for the job.
Michelle says:
I like that this post was consistent with the styles on this blog, but had friendlier price points. For what it’s worth, she’s my favorite.
Norwegianette says:
LIke the style, writing is entertaining and while the writing might not be the sharpest we’ve seen from the candidates, she seems likeable!