Blog Posts by The Daily Muse

Best Dressed Wedding GuestIt's finally June, which means warm weather is here to stay and wedding season is underway. Between bridal showers, swanky soirées, and post-wedding brunches, the next couple of months can get really busy for you and your wardrobe (and your checkbook). And with all of those attendee rules-"Don't be a Pippa and wear white!"-it's hard to keep every occasion straight in your style schedule.

That's where we're here to help. Take a look at our top choices for the season's range of wedding events, and snag some best-dressed inspiration for every occasion.

The Shower

Whether it's a tea party with just the gals or a low-key couple's shower, we love the idea of dressing up a pair of crisp white shorts with cork wedges and a blazer. The trick to keeping this look both sailor-chic and shower-appropriate is girly accessories. Try rosette earrings, a bag in a summery-sweet hue, and a nautical blouse that's equal parts feminine and preppy. Shower Get the look here!

The Bachelorette Party

The Read More »from Best-Dressed Guest: Outfit Inspiration for the Summer Wedding Season

Starting a business is a huge personal commitment, but it's also a commitment for your spouse and family. So, what happens when they aren't exactly thrilled about your entrepreneurial aspirations? Fran Dorf, author of the "Just Ask Me" advice column at The Daily Muse, weighs in.

Dear Fran,
I have been dreaming of having my own business for years, and in the last few years I've come up with an idea for a business in the health and wellness space that I think is a winner. Of course, due to the demands of everyday life (mortgage, student loans, a baby on the way), I've been working in a corporate job for almost eight years. But I'm finally ready to take the plunge and at least begin to explore my entrepreneurial side. I know it's not realistic to quit my day job anytime soon, but I realize that if I don't get my business underway, well, it's not going to get underway on its own.

Here's the real issue: My husband of five years is not fully supportive of this idea. He is a very

Read More »from Help! My Husband Doesn't Support My Business Idea

You've made your mind up: You're quitting your job and pursuing your passion. That's an amazing decision-and it should feel great-but abandoning a cushy or stable salary to make a career change is a huge leap of faith for your finances, and it can be scary.

I've taken this risk twice since graduating college. First, I left a paying job to pursue an unpaid internship. Then again, recently, I turned down a paycheck to commit to an early stage start-up. And both times, I've been exhilarated, but also pretty frightened about my financial future. Through these experiences, I've discovered a few ways to save big and cushion the financial transition. Read on for nine ways to trim (or, well, slash) your expenses.

1. Review Your Rent

Your rent is probably the largest line item on your budget, so think about how you might be able to cut it down. Could you find a cheaper place, move in with a roommate, or rent out your spare bedroom? If not, or if you want to stay in your current Read More »from 9 Ways to Seriously Slash Your Expenses

After sending out countless resumes, you've finally landed a job interview with your dream company. You've picked the perfect outfit, tucked ample copies of your resume into your folder, and practiced your answers over and over.

And then-it happens. You realize the interview was at 11:30, not 1:30. You spot an error on your resume. Or you make some other totally avoidable mistake that you know, backwards and forwards, that you should never, ever make as an interviewee.

No matter how thoroughly you prepare, mistakes can still happen during the job application and interview process. But, they don't always mean game over-yes, even imperfect people get jobs. If you've made one of these common blunders, a few key steps can help you make the best of a bad situation.

1. Submitting the Wrong Resume

It's actually a good idea to have a different version of your resume for each position you apply for (or at least, a couple versions for different types of jobs), especially if you're applying Read More »from 4 Major Interview Mistakes (and How to Recover)

Starting and running a new business isn't for everyone-but regardless of your career, there's something to be said for the "entrepreneurial spirit." A little entrepreneurial zeal can give you a distinct advantage in your professional life, whether or not you think you'd ever strike out on our own. So how do you train your corporate mind to think more like a business owner? Try these five easy ways.

1. Get Passionate

Entrepreneurs tend to be immensely passionate about their work-and in the long-term, this is the key to career success and fulfillment in any field. So, if you're spending most of the day dreaming about how you'd rather be doing something else, think about how you might be able to "pivot" your career. (Need help deciding if you're on the right track? Answer these 15 questions to know for sure.) Look for ways you can take what you have and put it to better use doing something else. Could you translate your position to another industry? Transition to another department in Read More »from 5 Ways to Think like an Entrepreneur in Your Career

If you've been promoted to management for the first time, you're probably stoked about your new gig, ready to take charge, and, let's be honest, contemplating how to spend your first new paycheck.

But, if you're like most, you're also feeling pretty terrified. While graduating to management is a huge accomplishment, it's also the beginning of a pretty huge challenge. Not quite sure where to start? Get off on the right foot with these steps for a smooth transition.

1. Get Smart

First off, make it your personal mission to learn everything you can-believe me, this is the big key to success as a new manager. Seek out the management tools, resources, and classes that your company offers. Some organizations have formal supervisor training, and nearly all have manuals and HR policies. Read them, digest them, and keep them on your bookshelf. You should also do some digging and learn more about each of the people you'll be managing. Review their personnel files, their resumes, and their Read More »from You're the Boss -- Now What? 7 To-Dos as a First-Time Manager

It's the day before your interview, and your mind starts racing. What is the company going to be like? What types of people will you meet? Will you fit in?

Stay calm, dear interviewee. To ease your pre-interview jitters-and to give yourself a leg up-throw on your Angela Lansbury hat and do some spying on the company. The more information you have ahead of time, the better you can plot your strategy, go in feeling confident, and rock your interview. Believe me, most interviewees don't do much of this research-but you can, and it'll give you an extra edge.

Step 1: Ask the Right Questions

Before your interview, get a list of the people you're meeting with from the company. Hopefully, they'll give you this information without asking, but if not, don't be shy-it's completely normal to request it. On top of that, if you've built a good relationship with the recruiter or the person scheduling your interview, use that relationship to your advantage. Ask her if there's anything you should Read More »from I Spy: How to Scope Out a Company Before the Interview

7 Smart Ways to Save More on GroceriesIf you've noticed your grocery bill creeping a bit higher lately, you're not alone. The rising price of gas means that many other products are being marked up a bit, too, in order to cover transportation costs.

Which, sure, makes sense--but doesn't make it any less painful for your pocketbook. So we've pulled together some easy ways to help you stick to your grocery budget. Just a few simple steps and some shopping savvy, and you can trim that grocery bill back down in no time.

1. Timing is Everything

Plan your weekly shopping trip on Wednesdays, when new store coupons are usually released. Grocers should still honor last week's deals along with the new sales, so there are double the opportunities to save.

2. Go Paperless

Speaking of coupons-thanks to technology, you're no longer required to pour through the Sunday circulars and show up with a binder full of clip-outs to get good deals. Try downloading the Coupon Sherpa mobile app, which offers mobile coupons to many different Read More »from 7 Smart Ways to Save More on Groceries