This is something I've been struggling with lately. It all has to do with my recovery from the c-section. I didn't want to have a c-section, and although I've apparently recovered much faster/better than other women who have them, it's been really tough. It's been almost three months and I still hurt. I can't do the things I'm used to being able to do. I have stretch marks that I can't even bear to look at. Let's not even talk about the inches-long scar. I have no muscle anymore and building it back up is going to be a lot harder than I'd like to think about, especially since I also have no endurance to speak of. So that's what I need motivation for this week (and probably the weeks to come) - moving on from the c-section I was never supposed to have and starting to love my body again. I hope everyone has a great week!

When it comes to reporting the news, there are certain universal truths. Getting the facts right the first time is more important than being first; the why of the story is usually more important than the what; and appearance is everything.

Last month, I talked about ways to build up a professional wardrobe without breaking the bank (You can read that post HERE). Then it occurred to me that many just out of school journalists may not have a clear understanding of what a professional wardrobe should look like.

A couple of years ago I wrote a guide to being a good news intern. Looking back at my tip on how to dress appropriately, I'm inclined to share it again:

"...while sex appeal is certainly taken into consideration when hiring new talent, looking like a whore isn't going to score you any brownie points. And yes, casual attire is common, especially for behind-the-scenes people, but wearing pajamas just makes you look like a slob."

The fashion of today's teens and young adults baffles me. The shorts are shorter than ever before, crop tops are apparently hugely trendy again and some stores look like the '80s threw up in them. Maybe you like all of those things, and that's fine, but let me be clear - short shorts, crop tops and most of the '80s fashion that's been revived lately are not appropriate for work.

Here are a few general rules of thumb I follow when it comes to work wear:

-Spaghetti straps are not acceptable without a jacket/cardigan over them.
-No tube tops or crop tops.
-Sheer anything is a no-no.
-In fact, anything that shows my bra is pretty much off limits.
-Stay away from bodycon anything.
-Dresses, skirts or shorts must be longer than my fingertips.
-If you have to ask if something is too short, it probably is.
-Only wear sleeveless tops/dresses if the straps are as wide as or wider than three fingers.
-Absolutely no cleavage.
-Jeans can't have holes in them.
-If I'd wear it to a bar/club, I won't wear it to work.

I've been developing my personal style for the past six years and really working on my professional wardrobe for the past three or so years. I try to look for pieces that are versatile yet fun to wear. I like classic pieces that will stand the test of time and not go out of style. Some of my favorite places to find work wear include JCPenny, The Limited, Old Navy and Kohl's. I steer clear of places like Body Central and Charlotte Russe (other than Charlotte Russe shoes which are surprisingly well made). Investing in quality pieces may cost you more up front but will save you money in the long run because you won't have to replace them as often.

If you're just starting out in this business and don't know where to start with your wardrobe, here are some of my recommendations for ladies:

-Invest in a nice black dress. You'll wear it ALL THE TIME. Trust me.

-You can't go wrong with a white button-up. I have three in different styles, plus a white t-shirt with lace detailing at the top, a white/cream printed shell and two plain white t-shirts with different necklines. I wear at least one a week.

-Invest in a black blazer. You can put it on over nearly any top. I also have blue, white, red, pink, black & white striped and blue & white polka dotted.

-Sheath dresses flatter most body types. You can find them everywhere in a variety of colors and patterns. They're a quick, easy way to look put together without making a lot of effort. Stock up.

-Invest in a pair of nude-colored pumps. They go with everything.

Dressing well doesn't have to be boring. Trust me when I say that people will respect you a lot more than if you're dressing like you're about to head to the club. There's that saying that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. All the more incentive not to dress like a two-bit hooker.


I've been thinking about starting a weekly segment called "Newsroom Fashion Fridays" in which I show you what I wore to work during the week. I might also enlist the help of some of my coworkers to show you what they wear. The posts would include where the items were bought, how old they are and links to similar pieces. Maybe by doing this we could help avert the fashion crises occurring in newsrooms across the nation. What do you think?

We've got another busy week ahead of us, although maybe hopefully not as tiring as last week! There are no doctor's appointments this week that will require getting up earlier than usual, but there's another new person starting at work this week so I'll be dealing with another round of training plus doing all my normal job duties. I'll also be picking back up with making schedules for everyone and working on my next special project - taking our noon show back on the road for Independence Day. One of the things I'm excited about doing for the show is putting together a feature piece on the 98th Army 'Silver Wings' band. Some of my other goals for the week are to actually go grocery shopping, have bottles washed before bed so I don't have to scramble in the morning and actually get started on my next (Not So) Basic Journalism Skills post. Hope everyone has a great week!

So earlier this week I set a goal to write more than one blog post this week. Easier said than done. We've survived two weeks of me going back to work and the baby going to daycare. We're exhausted (mostly me), but we've survived.

Here are some things I've learned this week:

1. Five minutes makes a huge difference in the morning.

2. Setting a 6:00 a.m. alarm is the only way I'll make it in the shower at 6:30 a.m.

3. It's harder to leave Alexis at daycare when she's awake. Especially if she's smiling at me.

4. Always have a pair of flat shoes in the car. Carrying a carrier in heels is much harder at the end of the day than at the beginning.

5. The baby will always get more sleep than me. Why? Because there's always something else to do after I put her to bed before I can lay down.


In the past month, Alexis has grown a lot. She's gained almost 4 pounds and grown 2 1/2 inches. She can hold her head up, is really close to rolling over and doing her darndest to start crawling. She's "talking" a lot more and smiles whenever Chris or I talk to her. She likes bath time and laying on her tummy and is starting to hold onto things now. When you hear parents talk about how fast their children grow up, they're not lying!

After my first full week back at work in two months, I'm still trying to find a balance between news and mommyhood. While I feel like I've gotten back in the swing of things work-wise, my body hasn't exactly adapted to this new schedule. The goals for this week are to find a more stable schedule for me and the baby. I also hope to be able to post at least once more this week. Hope everyone has a good week and accomplishes their goals!