Handy tips for Changing from Office to Happy Hour

It’s Wednesday, 5pm. A hump day you’d rather forget, having just finished your monthly reporting to the big wigs. You’re contemplating getting home, slipping into your comfiest pyjamas, and watching back-to-back episodes of Grey’s Anatomy or Gossip Girl when your best friend calls saying you need to meet him for drinks and dinner. There’s some impressively eligible colleagues coming and of course it’s at the hottest new small bar in town. It’s the kind of last minute social call that gives you zero time to go home and refresh.

You’ve been in such a predicament before – remember that impromptu Tuesday (school) night out with the girls, and subsequent 4am return? – and likely, are to, again. Make swinging from workplace to drinks mode a breeze with our top tips on how to rock a great night look rather than a desk-bound mess.

  • Turn up the volume and your mood. Crank up the iPod with tracks list:
    • Marvin Gaye Got to Give it Up
    • Kelly Rowland Daylight (feat. Travis McCoy)
    • Sleepy Brown Margarita (feat Pharrell & Big Boi)
  • Make yourself a cocktail (every respectable office nowadays has well stocked mini-fridge, or now’s the time to champion one) – here’s the recipe for a Metropolitan Cocktail to get you on your way.
    Name Metropolitan
    Glass Cocktail
    Ingredients 25ml Chambord®
    25ml Finlandia Grapefruit
    10ml Fresh lemon
    20ml Organic pomegranate juice
    Orange peel
    Method Shake ingredients over ice and strain.
    Garnish Garnish with a flamed orange zest for an extra special touch.
  • Be prepared for a bit of primping. Make up and beauty items you should keep with you at all times:
    • Brighten things up with a dramatic slick of lippy – we love Tom Ford Beauty Lip Colour in Wild Ginger and Napoleon Perdis ‘Front Row Red Lip Gloss’ or Napoleon Perdis DeVine Goddess Lipstick in Tiara. Don’t forget to line lips with a matching colour prior so there’s no unsightly ‘bleed’.
    • A vial of your signature perfume – a few strategic sprays to draw them in makes irresistible sense, not to mention make a memorable first impression. Wear the same scent when you meet up again / on the first date.
    • Dry shampoo – your secret weapon when reviving hair that’s dull and lifeless. Redken 5th Avenue style connection powder fresh aerosol comes in a neat travel size.
    • Pop all of the above all in a cute carryall – M.A.C. Cosmetics Hey, Sailor! navy-and-white striped canvas Makeup Bag Set, replete with bright red patent edges and golden roped hardware closures, makes it stylish enough to even carry on its own.
  • Keep an essentials bag in the office, filled with key pieces including:
    • a jacket – either a pop of colour courtesy Ellery, something that sparkles from Megan Park or a classic cut with leather trim courtesy of Willow.
    • Accessories such as a bold cuff or duo set of statement rings to your ensemble. Rose Gold is your colour of choice for easy day to night wear whilst a necklace like Helene Zubeldia’s Seafoam Green Glass Beads necklace instantly adds sophistication – just don’t go overboard with jewellery pieces remembering less is more.
    • Safely stow a pair of high heels under your desk – Louboutins will do nicely.

Presto! You’re ready to hightail it to cocktails.

Presented by Chambord Australia

About the author

Carrie is the Founder of Daily Addict. She's an uncanny ability to uncover social experiences and must-have things that interest and inspire. Consider her your go-to-lady (you have on speed dial) to reveal the lesser-known gems compelling you to get more out of life.