I know that it might not seem like it, given that I take a good portion of the month of October to watch really, really bad horror movies on Netflix or go to comic-conventions to stock up on t-shirts and trinkets- but I’m a pretty busy woman. I work long hours at my office (including on Saturdays!), I have a packed planner filled with appointments, gatherings, dinners and social events- I bring my eight year old niece to school twice a week, and I still have to make time to cook, clean, get a good workout in, spend time with my family (and my dog!), do my blogging- and manage to get enough sleep to keep me functioning like a normal person.

It’s a lot, and when you’re living on a schedule and deadlines have to be met- sometimes I don’t have as much time as I’d like in-between leaving my office and racing to catch dinner with my friends to re-do my makeup or get glammed up. For that reason, I’ve become a sort of master of easily transitioning my daytime look into a “nighttime” look- and all I need are a couple of pieces to add to my ensemble and two or three makeup products that can easily be stored in my bag.

To demonstrate how the process takes literally 2 minutes of my time- I thought I’d go with a regular, “standard” outfit for me on my days off when I’m running errands- jeans, a t-shirt, and my black knee-high boots (it also works with leather or velvet ankle booties!) It’s classic, it’s chic- but most importantly- it’s comfortable. I’m not terribly concerned with looking like a runway model when I’m doing laundry or couponing at my local grocery store. I just want to be cozy!

BUT- once the sun begins to set and I have to hop on over to whatever I have planned in the evening- there’s a few essentials that make me look more put together and get me feeling more confident:

– THE LEATHER JACKET –

The quintessential “cool girl” piece, I pair my leather jacket with much pretty much anything and everything in the evenings- jeans, mini-dresses, pencil skirts and blouses, rompers/jumpsuits or sweaters. It always takes my outfit from looking professional from work or casual from my days off to looking effortlessly chic. This particular jacket features my HYDRA pin from Marvel- which I think adds a neat, badass touch.

– THE STATEMENT JEWELRY PIECE –

With Halloween approaching, I’m having a blast busting out my more creepy pieces to wear out and about at night at friends’ costume parties or when checking out haunted houses/hay rides. The above-pictured tarantula bangle is one of my favorites, but during the other 11 months of the year when those types of pieces aren’t exactly considered seasonal (or appropriate)– I keep my jewelry simple but noticeable.

One of the best “All Day Wear” pieces I’ve come across recently is this minimalist gold bar necklace from AUrate New York. What I love most about this 14K Yellow Gold piece (which also comes in Rose Gold- my favorite, and White Gold) is that it really pulls together my workday outfits, but also gives me just the right amount of subtle sparkle at night. It’s the perfect transitional piece that I don’t have to worry about misplacing since I can keep it on from morning through the evening!

– THE RED LIP –

During the day, my makeup is definitely on the neutral side. Light eye shadow, barely-there-blush, and my usual rose-colored matte lipstick. I like to look fresh-faced and awake at work, and I find this color scheme works well for me- even on my most exhausting of days. At night, however- I swap out my usual pale lipstick for bright reds or deep oxblood hues to make my lips pop or give me that vampy look I covet around this time of year.

If I’m feeling a bit more daring- I can also get my eye look to catch up to me in the evenings by adding a cat-eye effect with a swipe of eyeliner or add a bit more of a darker shadow to my crease to give me a nice smokey eye.

Overall, my entire transition process- from a day look to a night look- takes me less than 10 minutes to achieve. All of the pieces/products I’ve listed and shown above can transform any outfit- nearly anything you’re wearing- from on-the-go to out-on-the-town in little to no time at all!

Do you have transitional tips/tricks or must-haves when you go from your daily activities to nighttime excursions? Feel free to share!

xx