Summer Staples: The one-piece swimsuit

This isn't really a work staple, per se, but it's hard to go a summer without putting on a swimsuit at least once. We've touched on swimwear and business before, but what about purely social events where coworkers are present? Pool parties, lake sports, beach bonfires—what's a lady to do?

One-piece swimsuits tend to harken Speedo, but they are making a huge comeback with new and retro styles. As a child, I remember my mom always looking glamorous by the pool in a fuchsia ruched halter suit (almost exactly like the Eliza from Rey Swimwear). I took the plunge and grabbed a one-piece last year, which I've used for situations that need a little more coverage and that are a little more sporty (like kayaking).

Things to look for in a one-piece:

• Movement. Run in place in the dressing room, sit down, get up. Does your suit stay in place? Having to constantly adjust is more than just annoying—it can also draw unwanted attention to the uncomfortable areas.

• Coverage. When it comes to swimwear, you have to think beyond just covering the mid-section or too much cleavage. Make sure the color isn't light enough to see through, and that there is enough coverage on top if you're prone to fripplage.

• Rewearability. Have fun with your one-piece, and you may find yourself wearing it more often. Plus, confidence always looks good.

• Tankini. If you prefer, a tankini can mimic a one-piece in coverage. If your top and bottom are different sizes, or if you have a long torso, this is a great alternative to common one-piece problems.

Some fun one-pieces (and a tankini) from around the web:

1. Tommy Hilfiger, $48 — 2. Merona, $35 — 3. Gap, $30 — 4. Land's End Canvas tankini, $90

Do you keep a one-piece handy? What do you look for in a swimsuit?

The end and the beginning

The Rundown:
11 + 16 + 24 + 8
Target headband - 2010 - $8 (similar)
Leaf necklace (via Vanity Lounge Salon) - 2010 - $22 (similar)
Gap belt - 2010 - $10 (similar)

I made it! Day 30. A really basic outfit, but most of the day was spent climbing on ladders setting up for our holiday party Friday afternoon.   A couple of the social committee gals and I decided we'd dress up a little for the party, and since I already wore outfit 30 during the day, you can bet I reached for....another item from my 30?  I added in a non-30 top and shoes to mix it up.

Tee - Wet Seal - 2006 - $7; Skirt - Target - 2007 - $6; Tights - Target - 2010 - $7 (available); Flats - Reflections (mall store) - 2007 - $10

Pardon the sick-face in these photos. I started feeling like I was coming down with something on Thursday night, and by the time I got home Friday all I wanted to do was sleep. So I decided to take make-up pics on Sunday. Of course, my illness is only getting worse this weekend, so these Sunday pics totally suck.  Back to bed now.

Handle Halloween like a pro

 

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Have you been hit over the head with Halloween yet?  Yeah, I think we all have.  I'm not a huge going-out kind of person, so Halloween is mostly about the sweets for me.  I think the last time I dressed up for a Halloween party was when my roommates and I hosted one our senior year in college (I made my own Dallas Cowboys cheerleader costume...yes, there are probably some pics floating around the Internet but don't go snooping).  But my office is pretty festive when it comes to holidays and socials.  We even have an employee social committee (shortened to ESC, wouldn't you know).

Corporette and Jane Has a Job have done their run downs on office Halloweens--those gals have some great tips!  But here are a few other ideas for quick, easy, office appropriate ways to show your spirit for the haunted holiday.

Costumes
Sexy fill-in-the-blank is not going to fly in the office the way it seems to everywhere else. But there are plenty of options for dressing up.

• Eras. In love with the 80s or the 50s? Take a decade and dress in a themed outfit. What better way to work some over-the-top fashion into the workplace?
• Sports. The NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS are all actively in their seasons, and sports is typically a safe theme for the office.  Dress up as a crazed fan, your favorite player, or a referee.
• Masks. Not the crazy-expensive, foul-smelling, over-your-head rubber kind that gives you the hairstyle and all in one fell swoop, but the (often paper) kind that you can place against your face and has elastic to go around your head.  They come in all kinds of themes, or you can make your own. These are great because you aren't stuck wearing it all day.
• Hobbies.  Wear your gardening hat and gloves if you've got a green thumb, or maybe bring your toolbelt if you're handy.  This should be easy since it will involve things you already have at home.
• Props. Add a witch's hat to an all-black outfit (or a stovepipe hat to a suit) and you've got an easy costume that magically transforms into a regular work outfit after your office social maven stops by to check on your Halloween spirit.

Decorating
While I'm all for having a snazzy cubicle, I'm not much on seasonal decorating. But one department of our organization is.  Pumpkins, cats, bats, and spiders are all easy themes that won't rock the boat too much.


Candy
I love candy. Like, I really love candy. I keep a candy bowl at my desk year round, as do a few other folks around the office. But around Halloween the volume of candy laying around is just crazy.  And after Halloween? Well, you know who has kids since they like to bring the extra candy loot to the office.  If you're a candy bowl kind of person, post-Halloween is a great time to stock up on fun-size chocolate bars. Just don't get the stuff that looks like eyeballs or pumpkins--people will know in March how old your candy is.

Socials
Like I mentioned before, our office is pretty big on socials.  We had an Americana themed picnic at the end of June, a luau in September, and our November and December are full of Thanksgiving and "Winter Season/New Year" celebrations.  Last year for Halloween we did a creepy dessert buffet.  Talk about a sugar overload!  This year we're ordering cupcakes and cookies from the local grocery and having a costume contest. Wish me luck (I'm going as my former coworker J, who left us to move to NYC a few months ago and had a very distinct work uniform of plaid shirts, hoodies, jeans, and cowboy boots).

What are you doing for Halloween at your office?

Playing the office hostess

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In my current stage of life, there is rarely a time where a friend isn't planning a wedding or having a baby.  Same goes for my workplace, where there are a slew of women aged early-20s to mid-30s.  In the past two years, there have been five babies and one wedding; there are currently three pregnant women and one who is engaged.  Every workplace addresses these types of life changes differently, and ours is actually in transition from exclusive, invitation-only events to more inclusive office-wide events.  So last month I got the special privilege of planning the first office-wide shower in about three years.  Now that I've survived the experience, I've got some tips.

Planning

• It is usually incumbent upon the individual's closest work friends to plan something. Often someone from their department is also involved.
• Not every office is into office-wide showers.  And that's okay.  Let the expectant mother (or father) decide their own guest list, and invite their partner if it's co-ed.  If there is an office policy (formal or informal), try to respect it.  Our office prefers office-wide showers.
• If you are having an office-wide shower, try a conference room. If it isn't open to all, go off site.  No need to let them see you all having fun if they weren't invited.
• Timing can be tricky.  From my experience, office-wide showers work best mid-day (since people might have engagements before and after work, while more selective off-site events should be held after work (or on a weekend if you so desire).

Invitations

• If you're inviting everyone, try an all-staff email.  Just one.  Don't club people over the head with this kind of stuff. 
• If you want a clear RSVP count, feel free to use Evite or other online invitation system. 
• Include all the basic information: date, time, location.
• While I typically adhere to the whole no-registries-on-invitation thing, I'm a bit more lax when it comes to email.  I include the information in small text at the very end.  That way it's not staring them in the face but if they really want the info, they can find it.
• If you are doing a group gift, tell folks who to contact and a deadline for opting in.

Gifts

• If you're having an office-wide shower, this can be tricky.  You don't want to make people feel obliged to buy a gift for someone they hardly know.  I recommend indicating on the email invitation that gifts are not required.  
• A group gift is a great way to a) get a larger gift, b) allow folks to contribute less, for example if they're not close with the honoree, and c) avoid any awkward gift-giving situations (for example, plastic toys for a very environmentally conscious couple).  This can be a difficult undertaking...some ways to make it go more smoothly.
• Select a gift beforehand.  Guesstimate the number of people that may be interested and multiply by about $10 for quick reference.  I go with $10 because there are some people who will give $5, and some who will give $15 or $20.  Go with a number that you feel appropriate for your coworkers.  
• Let people know what the group gift will be.  Include the caveat that if funds are shy, you will choose an alternate, and if funds go beyond, you will either purchase additional registry gifts or a gift card (so nothing goes to waste).
• Give folks an approximate amount to contribute, but let them be the final judge on how much they can afford.  When I did this, I usually said, "around $10 per person, or however much you're comfortable with."  Knowing that $10 is about average, noone gave less than $5, and several people gave more.
• Make sure everyone who contributed signs the card. If people are absent, put their name on it.  They helped give the gift, they should receive any thanks as well.
• Make sure to collect the money before you purchase the gift.  At least to the point where if no one else contributed afterward, you'd be comfortable footing the remainder of the bill.  
• Don't force the people of honor to open their gifts in public.  Check with the honorees beforehand to see if they have a preference and help guard it for them. 

Food & Decor

• A mid-day shower is the easiest for food, especially if people have already eaten lunch.  Try a veggie platter, crackers and cheese, and of course some dessert! If you're planning it with a few people, split up the responsibility.
• If you're in the conference room, keep the decor minimal.  A few balloons, maybe a streamer or two, and a cute banner will suffice.  Pool together with some of your other coworkers and see what you have at home that may work.
• If you're crafty, try making some finishing touches with whatever you may have at home.  For my boss's baby shower last month I used some cardstock leftover from my friend's bridal shower and brass chads leftover from my own wedding to make a "Congratulations" banner. 

Have you ever had to plan a shower at the office or been on the receiving end of one? What tips do you have?