Fashion tips: transition from office to evening out

Fashion tips: transition from office to evening out

Learn how to transition your outfit from office work clothing to evening attire with these fashion tips and ideas.
Many of us who work the 9-5 jobs understand the loss of creativity day to day when it comes to the way we dress. A few simple lifestyle changes can alter the way you dress at work, so you may look stunning for an evening out on the town. It doesn't matter if you're an investment banker or a creative director for an advertising agency; these tips are great no matter what business you are in. Learn how to transition from the office to a late night after party, a post-work date or a gala event.

The After Party
For a party such as a committee event like a museum exhibit party, a store opening or a company party, looking party worthy can be easy with a little pre-planning. If you're extra-business like by day, donning suits on a daily basis, it's more of a reason to dress sexy without going overboard.
Try a black dress with a low decollete. And, to save time, wear the dress during your workday with a black blazer over it. For the evening out, lose the blazer, add a wrap (either cashmere or fur), and add chandelier earrings and sexy makeup. Vamp up your eye makeup with black smoky eyes and try red lips for this look. Don't forget a stunning sparkly handbag. This is an easy look to cross over from office to evening.

The Dinner Party
The boss of your husband is throwing a dinner party and you don't have time to go home before it starts. No problem. If you're wearing a pants suit ensemble, you can easily change it up to get an evening savvy look. Lose the jacket and change your top to something a little dressier. Something beaded would look stunning. Now change your simple all black sling back shoes for something sparkly and wow worthy.

The Post-Work Date
It's casual Friday and it's your first girls' night out in a long time. The dilemma of what to wear has hit you and going home before the date is out of the question. You're in savvy jeans, but a dowdy shirt. Keep the jeans on and simply bring a tight fitted camisole to wear under a savvy tweed box jacket (a la Coco Chanel). Switch your comfortable flats for a black pair of sexy high-heeled boots and freshen up your makeup and you are set in no time flat.

The Gala Event
This one may seem the hardest, but not to fret. It can be a piece of cake if you know how to plan ahead. Your husband will be impressed by how well you multitask and how great you look after a hard day at the office at this $300 a plate plus event (on his company's tab). First thing is first.
Start with a long black skirt (earlier at work, you wore a blazer with it to give it that business edge), but now you'll lose the blazer and pair the skirt with a tight fitted top in the color of your choice. Add a faux diamond belt, large cz earrings, a large cocktail ring and a fur wrap and you are ready for your black tie event. Sweep your hair up in a bun and secure with Bobbie pins. The look will be finished in less than thirty minutes, without even stepping foot at home.

Tips:

Try to think of what you can wear during the day that can transition from workday to evening out.

Carry a leather tote bag to the office with makeup, Bobbie pins and your evening essentials.

Plan ahead. Those who think of looks ahead of time always look great at after work events. A great tip is to try on some different selections from your closet about once a month. That way, when the events come around you are all ready for it.

Have fun and don't take it too seriously. As you know life happens, so go with it.

Lighting Glossary: Terms to aid your search for the perfect light

Lighting Glossary: Terms to aid your search for the perfect light

Shortly after venturing into the world of lighting, you'll probably realize that it's a bit more complex than you might have thought. Incandescent, fluorescent, downrods, baffle - it's easy to get lost out there. Our glossary of lighting-related terms will aid your search for the perfect light. If you can't find the answer here, call us with any questions you may have, (800) 457-2109. We have a trained staff of lighting experts who can help you.

Key Terms

Ambient: Ambient light, also known as "general light", is an overall level of lighting in your room. Ambient light should provide a comfortable amount of light to suit how the room is used.

Base: The decorative body of the lamp, a base can be constructed from an array of materials: metal, brass, porcelain, crystal, hydrocal, or wood to name a few. Bases should be solidly constructed to resist tipping during normal use.

Color Rendering Index: Light bulbs offer a varying range of attributes that can produce different light outputs and qualities. The color rendering index (CRI) provides a base of mesaurability to render color accurately and consistently.

Color Temperature: Color characteristics of light (temperatures) measure the appearance of the light from warm (yellows/red) to cool (white). Color temperature is rated in degrees of Kelvin and do not reflect the physical temperature (or heat) of a lamp. Light sources such as incandescent bulbs (2700 degrees Kelvin) and halogen lamps (3000 degrees Kelvin)are at each end of the color spectrum.

Dimmer Switch: Gradually increases/decreases light intensity. Most torchieres are equipped with dimmers or high/low switches.

Downlight: A light fixture that concentrates light in a downward direction. Most often this refers to recessed lighting, though many ceiling fixtures now have more concentrated beams of light.

Non-unifrom Downlighting: Non-uniform downlighting uses less light sources and delivers a more "individualized" beam spread of light. This lighting technique creates a more interesting visual effect in a space as the beams do not overlap as in general uniform downlighting. Unifrom Downlighting: Unifrom illumination bathes horizontal surfaces in light. Typically a general lighting technique, uniform illumination adds little dramatic impact to a space.

Downrods: An accessory for pendants and chandeliers to add length

General Lighting: General Lighting provides an area with overall illumination. General lighting is basically the lighting that replaces sunlight and is fundamental to a lighting plan.

Lumens: The amount of light a bulb produces.

Swag: Decorative motif, image of a garland of fruit and flowers or of a length of cloth, tied with ribbons and attached to a background. If tied at both ends and suspended from them in a loop, a swag is generally called a festoon.

Task Lighting: Task lighting is for those areas where tasks or activities such as reading, paying bills, etc. take place. Task lighting should work with a room's general lighting and enhances the use of a room. Task lighting can be provided by adding portable lamps, undercabinet lighting as well as the addition of recessed lights at specific areas.

UL and CUL: Underwriters Laboratory, Inc., like Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL), is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization.

Uplighting: Uplighting visually expands a room by providing ambient light. Use them as a complement to recessed down lighting, and place them where they appear aesthetically balanced in the room.

Wattage: The amount of electricity consumed by a bulb.

Wall Lighting: The illumination of vertical surfaces can impact that perception of a space more than any other type of lighting. Light reflecting off walls creates a bright, spacious feel and adds visual interest. Dramatic effects can be achieved with light to illuminate vertical surfaces and highlight objects. Through proper lighting selection and placement a room can appear more spacious and interesting.
- Grazing: For dramatic effect on textured surfaces such as stucco, stone or brick, place fixtures 6-12 inches away from the wall. Grazing is not recommended on smooth surfaces as surface imperfections will be exaggerated.
- Light Scallops:Light scallop is an effect created when the fixture is placed closer to the wall resulting in a more concentrated and tighter scallop. Scallop light effects are often a part of the lighting plan for added drama, however they can be inadvertently created is fixture placement is not properly calculated.
- Wall Washing: For a gentle and even illumination of a vertical space, place fixtures the same distance apart as they are from the wall. Wall washing is best suited for smooth surfaces.

Types

Address Light: This light fixture is usually composed of a backlight that illuminates street numbers. Affixed to the front of a house, or at the end of the driveway, and Address Light lets visitors find a house even in the dark.

Bathroom Ceiling Fan: Bathroom ceiling fans are used to clear out the hot and humid air that occurs when the shower is running.

Bathroom Vanity Light: Bath or vanity lighting refers to fixtures used to light the mirror in a bathroom. A bath strip is a long fixture that mounts along the top or sides of the mirror.

Ceiling Cloud: Ceiling clouds are indiscrete overhead lights that blend into their surroundings. They get their name from their white color and conventionally curved shape.

Chandelier: A branched, decorative lighting fixture that holds a number of bulbs or candles and is suspended from a ceiling. These fixtures come in a variety of finishes and are most often traditional or contemporary styles. This fixture if often used to elevate the decor of a room. Some manufacturers are no carrying select styles of outdoor chandeliers to illuminate your covered patio or gazebo. Additionally, many manufacturers have now begun to carry mini-chandeliers. Mini-chandeliers are best for hallways and smaller rooms.

Convertible Pendant: A convertible pendant is a dual function light fixture. It can be used as a hanging pendant with a chain or rod, and can also be mounted as a semi flush mount to the ceiling surface.

Deck Light: These light fixtures are mounted on deck surfaces and are used to illuminate hand rails, steps, as well as to create an overall ambience in your exterior living space.

Desk Lamp: This fixture is used on desks for work or study. These can be very utilitarian styles or a more decorative style such as a banker or pharmacy lamp. The light source should be sit about 15" above work area.

Directional Light: A fixture commonly used for mood lighting. They can provide a decorative accent that draws attention to a particular area. Directional lights are also known as exhibit, display or spot lights.

Display Light: Display lights have a focused direction that is used to highlight or accent a specific element of the room. A wall mounted display light, for example, might be positioned over a painting to emphasize its impact in the d