Only two short months into the post-grad working world, and I have already reached my limit. It’s not that I don’t like pencil skirts – much to the contrary I actually think they are extremely sexy and flattering on almost all body types. But the staple black pencil skirt with cute-but-not-too-revealing-top uniform can get really boring, really fast.

So instead of stuffing my closet full of yet more simple, streamlined skirts, I’ve decided to spice them up just a tad with unique details that give an outfit just a ounce of wow factor. I’ve gone on a hunt for pieces that are still totally office appropriate, but keep me from falling asleep when looking at my outfit in the mirror.

The perfect skirt? Banana Republic’s Silk Pocket Skirt.  From a block away it appears to be your standard black skirt, but a closer look reveals understated detailing that takes an outfit from average work attire to office chic.

The length is just right – short enough to be feminine and flirty, but long enough to save you from developing a reputation discussed at the water cooler. I love the silky cotton fabric that is super comfortable and breathable, and those pockets! Not only can I store my 3pm snacks in there, but they add a laidback vibe to an otherwise stuffy outfit.

The best part of the skirt by far is the gathered waistband. The rusching effect is adorably feminine and the pleating that ripples down the front gives movement to your bottom half. I see it with a thin, candy-colored silk top and flats for an office look that still allows a recent college grad to be young and fun.

And this skirt’s lifespan doesn’t end before happy hour. Throw on a pair of heels and a smokey eye and you have a chic, sophisticated look (think glamorous professional) that will go perfectly with that cosmo….or the $1 Miller Lites on special. Whatever.

When it comes to many things in life, including fashion, I’m a fan of odd, quirky things that leave people asking questions. No, I’m not going to start wearing fairy wings like one of the girls on What Not To Wear, but I did pick up a pair of pants last week that totally fit the bill. They were a pair of skinny pants by Fragile I found at T.J. Maxx for seventeen bucks, but which retail for $29 (sweet!). Had they not been at T.J. Maxx, I never would have fallen in love, as they are typically sold at Hot Topic, a store I haven’t stepped into since my friend’s goth days in high school.

The pants look like jeans, but function somewhat like sweat pants in that you basically pull them on and button the single button at the top. They feature back pockets, faux front pockets, and no zipper, so you can imagine my surprise when I took them off the hanger and unbuttoned them in the dressing room to discover… pants that were not actually jeans. I tried them on anyway and loved how they looked. They are low rise, so you can avoid that weird baggy look around your danger zone and are stretchy to fit a broader range of body shapes (they come in letter sizes instead of number sizes – pants for all!).

I would say that they are comparable to denim leggings, although I prefer these Fragile pants since they look more like jeans and aren’t so skin tight that they literally outline every cellulite bump on your legs. The leg openings are also not super small, so you won’t look too unbalanced if you have wider hips. They are amazingly comfortable, like sweatpants, but just way more chic.

These pants are definitely the answer to every college girl’s fashion dilemma: chic sweatpants? That you can wear to class? And not look schlumpy? I think it’s time we all made a run to Hot Topic.

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

This may look like any ordinary knit dress from the front, but turn around to reveal (and surprise your friends!) some awesome and sexy cutouts on the back. They turn this otherwise plain dress into one fit for a fabulous night out on the town. Adorable and flirty, showing just enough skin, this dress may rival your current little black dress. It has a flared skirt and even includes side pockets for your essentials (like your cell phone, just in case a cute boy wants to exchange phone numbers).

The dress comes in three colors: the classic black, a bright passion, and a cool blue. Though, with such a cute find, you may need one in each color. The dress looks nice by itself or with a few accessories such as a belt or a necklace. A basic, yet chic article of clothing like this is great for expressing your own style, so don’t be shy, and try it with other pieces!

I’m on my way to Urban to get it now. I just L-O-V-E it.

And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

So the holidays are coming up and you can’t decide what to give the loved ones in your life. Or probably more accurately, what you want (I want a new TV… just sayin’). One of the hot items this season is a camera. It’s the perfect gift (aside from that TV I mentioned earlier): it’s not too expensive, everyone loves em, and it’s extremely handy. But, as always, it’s always a good idea to know who you’re shopping for.

The Casual Photographer

These are the friends and family that only take pictures at gatherings and vacations. For memories. Their shots aren’t always great and more often than not it’s some group picture. A sub division of this group is the “caught you doing something stupid” photographer.

For these people I suggest a light weight and sturdy camera. They don’t want to bother with something bulky and heavy,nor do they need a bunch of special features. They’re more about point and click. Sturdy because, well, it’s going to be tossed around, thrown into bags, shoved into pockets and all manner of things. That little guy will need to be able to take a hit.

I would recommend this Kodak Easyshare. It’s EASY, as the name implies, and is more focused on the fun of photography.

The Hobbyist

This the person you know who wants you to stand in a certain ray of light, or pose just so. They walk around with their camera taking shots of nature and society. Maybe they’re art students and these are just future studies for them. For whatever reasons, they’re looking for more in a shot than a memory.

These people will need a little better quality of camera. They need a clearer, crisper picture. More mega pixels. More zoom and light options.

Something more like this Canon would work better for this set.

The Professional

Stop right there. You can’t buy a camera for them on your budget, and if it’s for you, you might want to sacrifice a little on what you want. In any case if you’re still looking to give a gift, then have you thought about accessories?

From Digital picture frames to extra printer ink the list is endless. Make a little bundle pack.

In any case these are just suggestions to get you started. Look around the fliers to find things of comparable quality. A different brand might be way cheaper (especially with the season) and have all the same qualities. Happy shopping!

To me, these little breads are almost like magic. You roll them flat as pancakes, then they puff up and fill with air. How does it happen? I have no idea, but I’m glad it does.

For two pita pockets, you’ll need ½ cup flour (all-purpose or wheat works), 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon rapid-rise yeast, and 2 tablespoons water.

In a small bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and water. The water should be around room temperature—just make sure it’s not way too hot or too cold. It’s OK if the dough hardly comes together—you’re going to knead it, and it will absorb more flour when you do that.

In the bowl or on a flat work surface, knead the dough for about 5 minutes. You may need to add more flour as you go along to keep the dough from getting too sticky. When you’re finished, shape the dough into a ball, and put it back in the bowl.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and set it in a warm place to rise for 2 hours. The oven with the pilot light turned on works well. After those 2 hours, the dough should have expanded. It will look flatter, puffier, and maybe a little darker.

Preheat the oven to 500. Separate the dough into two balls, and sprinkle a little flour onto a flat surface. Roll out each ball into a flat pancake shape, somewhere between 1/8” and ¼” thick.

Here’s the tricky part. When you have your two pancake shapes, place them directly onto the oven grids. The oven will be incredibly hot, so BE CAREFUL! Use hot pads if you’re clumsy or if you think you might drop the flattened pieces of dough.

Shut the oven, and bake the breads for 5 minutes. When they’re done—no joke—they will have puffed up to about 2 inches in height. Awesome—and delicious!