for the venue. While most galas warrant a pair of stilettos, check the invitation to make sure you'll be able to comfortably walk in the pair that you have in mind. If the venue is outdoors or the flooring is notoriously precarious, opt for a shorter or wider heel for added stability. Both open-toe and closed-toe shoes are acceptable, depending on the weather. If you're unsure about what kind of shoes you should wear, ask the party planner to clarify! Your shoe color should complement the color of your gown. If you're in doubt, opt for a basic black satin heel that will match most evening gowns. Wearing flatter shoes may make it difficult to walk without tripping on a long hem, so be sure to try on your shoes with your dress and walk around a bit. If you can't or don't want to wear heels, choose a pair of glamorous flats that complement your gown without drawing too much attention. Look for pairs that have embellishments like jewels or bows, and are made of high-quality materials like patent leather, leatherette, or even suede. Regardless of the dress code, wear tasteful, classic jewelry, like a pair of sparkly earrings or a pearl necklace to draw attention to your face and hair. If your gown doesn't have many embellishments, wear some silver or gold bracelets to add some glamour to the outfit. Make sure your jewelry looks valuable, even if it's not. Gold, silver, and pearls are all acceptable, even if they're imitation pieces. If you're looking for sparkle, cubic zirconia is an inexpensive and beautiful alternative to diamonds. Remember to balance your jewelry. If you're wearing a very colorful or large statement necklace or bracelet, pair it with smaller earrings or bracelets. Alternatively, you might choose to wear one statement piece and no other jewelry. Since you'll be on the move all evening, pack a clutch with lipstick or gloss, face powder, your ID, a small wallet, and your phone. Some clutch purses have a small, delicate shoulder strap that allows you to use your hands throughout the night, as well! Coordinate the color or fabric of your bag to match your shoes. It will pull your look together and make your choices seem thought-out and purposeful. Leave the shoulder bags and totes at home since they tend to be bulky and burdensome. Your hair is an integral part of your gala look, so it needs to be polished and perfect. A professional stylist will be able to achieve the best style for your gown. If you have a gown with a lot of embellishments on the back or neckline, consider getting an updo to show them off. For short hair, make sure it's sleek and polished. Your hairstyle should look purposeful, even if it's shorter cut. Devote time to straightening or curling your hair at home with quality products, like a styling balm and strong hold spray. Then, leave your hair down for an ultra-glamorous look, or pin it into an updo for a more sleek appearance. You can even try to do a simple braid, as long as it looks clean and professional. Classic styles like the French twist, chignon, and curled bun are easier to pull off at home. Try watching a YouTube tutorial and doing a trial run about a week before the event. If it doesn't work, choose a different style and try it out before the event! with accented eyes or lips. Keep your foundation and blush looking natural, and use concealer to cover any blemishes. Focus on your eyes or lips as the accent for your makeup look, but not both. If you choose a dramatic eye look, keep your lips a natural nude color. If you're wearing a deep or bright lipstick, use only mascara and eyeliner to accentuate your eyes. For a more natural look, try wearing a light foundation, a few swipes of mascara, and a clear lip gloss. This gives a very subtle but professional look, and allows your clothes to be the focal point of your appearance.

Summary: Select the perfect pair of heels Choose classic jewelry like pearls, earrings, and bracelets for any gala. Stick to a small purse with just the essentials. Have your hair professionally styled to save time. Do your hair at home for a less expensive option. Wear makeup

Many states have laws protecting workers who discuss politics or other topics outside of work. You should research your state's laws to find out what is protected and what isn't. Look online or contact a lawyer to discuss your state's laws. Some state laws are very expansive. For example, California law protects employees from demotion or termination for their legal off-duty activities. You can find a lawyer by visiting your local or state bar association. If you are low income, you can find nearby legal aid at the www.lsc.gov website. Many states afford strong protections to people who write about union drives in their workplaces. Accordingly, this is usually a safe topic to discuss on the website. However, you should still be careful not to blog about unionizing during your work hours. Instead, keep the activity for after hours. Some state labor laws will also protect any speech about the conditions of the workplace if more than one person is discussing this issue. Some states, such as California, have laws protecting employees from retaliation based on their political speech. In these states, you can sue if a boss fires you for blogging about politics. Nevertheless, you should think carefully before you do. It is fairly easy for a boss to find a pre-text for firing you. For example, they could claim your work is substandard. Can you really prove otherwise? You also could alienate people at work based on your political beliefs. As a result, your work performance might suffer and you'll feel less job satisfaction. Many laws protect employees who "blow the whistle" on their employer's illegal conduct. However, these laws protect you when you report the violation to an appropriate government authoritynot when you post on your blog. Make sure to report violations before blogging about them. Contact an attorney if you don't know who to report violations to. You can find a lawyer by contacting your local or state bar association. Ask for a referral. At the consultation, you can discuss the violation and what your next steps should be. Your company's confidential information has a lot of value. Accordingly, you should never discuss this information on the blog, even when masking your identity. Confidential government information is also legally protected from disclosure. Depending on your job, you may violate your ethical obligations by discussing client confidences. For example, a lawyer should never discuss details about a client's case in a blog. If the case became public (e.g., by going to trial), then a lawyer can talk about the public information. Otherwise, tread very carefully.
Summary: Research your state laws. Talk about unionizing in your blog. Think twice before discussing politics. Notify authorities before blowing the whistle. Avoid discussing confidential information.