new beginnings

I have good news and bad news. The bad: There will be a bit of radio silence as I dive into training and become a productive part of my new company as quickly as possible. The good: I'm so happy with the position and company. The days are flying by!

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dream desk

With the end of my unplanned winter break drawing to a close, I can't help but start thinking about my new desk. There are few places I like more at an office than my own little space to decorate (second only to the break room). It's where I'll spend 8+ hours a day, so it better instill inspiration, patience, and motivation.

In my dream situation, I would have these pretty little pieces at my new desk.

 

poppin inbox trays // gold shears // acrylic stapler // monogrammed pencil cup // frends headphones

In reality, I'll come stocked with my favorite pens, K-State mug, and a picture frame or two. 

working girls' favorite shoes

Hooray, hooray. I accepted a job last week!

It was actually a great few days, where I landed two offers and had the opportunity to compare them side-by-side, ultimately making a decision that is going to keep me busy and happy. Not to mention I'll be using and learning even more Finance skills on a daily basis. Yay for numbers and Excel. (But seriously, they're kinda my thing.)

My start date isn't for another two weeks, so I created a list of goals I'd love to complete before jumping back into the corporate world. The list includes watching seasons 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey, spring cleaning my closet, and not buying tons of new business casual clothes. So far I have only purchased one top from J. Crew's sale (extra 30% off with code GOODNEWS through Friday), but am really wanting these beauties.

j. crew janey patent flats

Can they be more perfect for the office? Comfortable yet bright. And that heel.  To top it off, they come in the most fabulous colors. I mean, they're sooo good, no? 

silence

Hey y'all. (I just came back from Tennessee, remember?) It's been a little quiet around here lately. Well OK, silent for the past week. Not just on the blog, but in my apartment too.

I've been perched at my table-turned-job-finding-command-center for hours on end everyday. Lots of research, resume editing, cover letter writing, and networking going on up in here. No TV, music, calls to Mom (maybe one or two), or any other distractions allowed. I'm taking action and continuing moving towards where ever I'm supposed to end up.

With that said, I've covered a lot of ground this week, and thinking I can start easing the blog writing back into my schedule. (I know, you just cheered yippee and put your hands in the air, didn't you?)

Cheers to the freakin' weekend, friends.

lately

I took a longer break from the blog than expected. A week of that break was because I was here:

In case you're curious, all but the photo with the beer and Kindle were taken with the Rebel. 

Love, LOVE it.

The rest of the blog break, how do I say this, is because I've been looking for a j-o-b. That little endeavor I mentioned here? Yeah, didn't work out. It sure wasn't for lack of effort. To put it extremely kindly, the devil angel investor backed out on his entire investment while I was boozing about San Pancho. So on my second day in Mexico, I received an email from this guy announcing he is pulling the plug on 12 people because his health is bad and he's stressed.

Surprise!

It should have ruined the trip, but some people have an uncanny ability to compartmentalize. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not. In this case, I did all but forget about the situation waiting for me at home for the rest of our time in paradise. Thank goodness for tequila.

I learned a lot in those 2 months of starting a company. Lots and lots and lots. But the most important lesson I'd like to document here (in case I get any hair-brained ideas and want to start a company again someday) is to ask for the financials and a business plan before signing anything. Duh, right? I'm a finance major, I should have known better. But things get exciting, you trust people you shouldn't, you get that giddy light-headed feeling of exhilaration, and you go with it.

The upside of being unemployed: I allow myself to drink wine every night that I apply for a job. So it's Monday night, and you better believe I'm drinking wine. Cheap wine. Because after all, I'm unemployed.

Truthfully though, unemployment is nothing to take lightly. I kind of joke about it here because you don't want to read a sob story and because I'm awkward. And because this isn't the worst thing that could happen to me. I'll be fine and happier in the long-run doing something else (until then, does anyone need their dog walked?). I do want to say, there are a handful of my former colleagues who have been left high and dry by this horrible man (dangit, I knew that would slip in my typing somewhere) in a depressed economy in upstate New York with kids and sick parents to take care of. I pray for and think about them everyday. It's heart breaking.

With that, if you have a job, take today to be extra thankful for it.

Sorry for the debbie downer ending there, but that's what's been up lately.
Onward ho with the job search!

bucket list: be part of a startup

Since the age of 9 (whether I was technically aware of it or not) I have wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Yep. You read that right. Nine. Entrepreneur.
I learned that word from my dad, who worked long hours during my childhood to keep his company thriving.

There weren't any briefcases on my Christmas list or Excel spreadsheets in my dreams.

There were many late nights sketching apparel designs and inventing clothing store names.

While my dreams of being the owner of the best Delia's knock-off store have dissipated (at nine, Delia's was the coolest), my ambition to be part of a new company has not.

I didn't start my own business, yet.
But this past month (as I vaguely mentioned here), I became a founding member of one.
There have been lots of ups, a few downs, some restless nights, and many glasses of wine consumed since I quit my old job two Fridays ago.

Perhaps the best part of this whole experience so far is creating a company culture I can be proud of, and have an influential part of.
That, and I got to write the copy for the website.

It's a crazy thing, really. Leaving something old and familiar and hoping that your professional relationships and drive are enough to launch and sustain a a brand new venture.
I don't talk much about my corporate life on the blog, and I don't plan to much after this post, but I just had to share the exciting news.
It's hard to believe I get to cross this off the bucket list. I thought for sure I'd be at least 40 before an opportunity like this came around.

Here's to hoping hard work pays off!
Now I do believe it's just about wine time...

Image credit.

these times they are a-changin'

Although I'm not the biggest Bob Dylan fan, the chorus of this song has been stuck in my head for some time.

My life is changing in some pretty big ways.

I'm taking a leap of faith in the career department, and I couldn't be more excited. Crossing something off the bucket list that I didn't think would be a possibility until I was in my late 30s, early 40s.

Life is GOOD.

Fall wish list for the working girl

Mossimo vianca tuxedo flat

gap embroidered loafers

I almost never wear heels at work. If I do, I have to make sure I've brought my lunch to the office because my ankles have become so weak and used to not wearing three inch heels everyday. The down town Kansas City streets were not made with cute heels in mind.

I am loving these two loafer options from Target and Gap. There are so many cute print and color options for both of these styles, and the price points are reasonable enough that I might have to splurge and get two of each. I'm thinking adding the purple Mossimo flats and the polka dot Gap loafers to the mix.

madewell true love shrunken oxford

Along with my very favorite Banana Republic silk blouse (mentioned here, similar found here), this Madewell  oxford is a staple in my closet.

gap really skinny pants

Gap pants for work. You just can't go wrong here. Actually as I'm typing this (at work, shhhh.), I've got the True Straight on, which are the more conservative option than the Really Skinnies above. I live in these pants when the weather gets too chilly for skirts and I wake up too late to put on tights. Which is most everyday.

j. crew etta cap toe pump

In my own little dreamworld, these shoes are sitting right next to the Gap and Target loafers above. This is one heel I could live and work in: a sturdy heel, leather and cap-toe to boot. Even the description says this shoe is "for the girl who only ever wears flats". *sigh*

I bet I know what you're thinking: J. Crew, Gap and Madewell. Really. Don't step too far out of the box. But let me tell you, after dressing business casual for four years, these three brands continually deliver quality garments, have sales, and most everything is compatible. i.e. mix-match heaven. Today I barely have to think about what I'm going to wear in the morning, I just pull a top and bottoms from the work section of my closet, add a watch or necklace, and I'm out the door. Love that.

What are your work wardrobe must-haves this fall?

it's planner time

Yesterday I received my second save the date of the 2013 wedding season. For now, this only means one thing - it's time to start looking for next year's planner. The Type A personality is out in full force today you guys.

Most planner owners struggle with the same general issue when it comes to picking their paper BFF for the year:  finding the one with the perfect mix of functionality, space, size, and aesthetic. Don't worry, I've done a lot of the hard work for you this time around. Here are some of my favorite planners I have found for 2013...

This planner from Etsy shop Letter C design includes touches of whimsy, simple and convenient weekly & monthly layouts, and six {really} cute cover designs to choose from. 

This self-proclaimed multi-tasker planner is from See Jane Work. It includes pages with lines & check boxes, graph paper (side note: did anyone else love using graph paper notebooks for all their high school courses?), and weekly appointment pages. 

It's personalized, chevron, ombre, AND you get to choose a layout option. Not to mention there's a back pocket (third image) for stashing important stuff. I always have random bills and photos sticking out of my planner - a pocket is the perfect solution. Coming to you from Etsy shop plum paper.

Here's another pretty chevron option with large spaces for each day. I love the "diary style" ribbon to keep your place. This Breast Cancer Awareness planner can be found at Blue Sky. This layout is similar to my current planner from Paper Source which I've been very happy with.

The owls were what first got me to click on this planner, but the inside is just as intriguing. Part planner, part journal, and you can start using it at any time since the dates are filled in by you. From yet another Etsy shop, Notbook Notbuk. Isn't Etsy the best?

For the minimalists, a way cute monthly version of the planner above from Letter C design. I'm thinking this would be perfect for a blog editorial calendar. Not that I have one of those, but maybe by 2013 I'll be ready for one. PS: doesn't Letter C design do an amazing job styling her planners? I feel like if I buy it my desk that I don't have and my life would be so clean and organized. SOLD. 

How do you stay on top of your busy schedule? Are you a hard copy person like me or have you moved on to a fully digital calendar? If you are a planner person, I'd love to hear which ones you've used.

//Image credits in text.//

green + leopard

I just love getting this in my inbox. Although it means I've probably spent a benjamin, I know my closet will be a happier place in a few short days.

Through tonight, J. Crew is giving online shoppers an extra 40% off their sale items, just use the code "OURTREAT" at checkout.

Inspired by the impeccable style below, I bought what I expect to be my staple ensemble for the fall work season: the Jackie pullover sweater in jade and the No. 2 pencil skirt in safari cat. Rawr.

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ho hey hump day

Tunes I'm currently enjoying while sifting and analyzing a chunk of spreadsheets and data (jealous?).....

the lumineers - ho hey
eels - mr. e's beautiful blues
foster the people - i would do anything for you
alabama shakes - be mine  *confession: totally thought the lead singer was a white guy. wrong. check it out.
jack white - sixteen saltines
dire straits - money for nothing
elton john - the bitch is back
the temper trap - love lost
little dragon - ritual union
of monsters and men - mountain sound
michael jackson - black or white

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new favorite work blouse

silk crepe de chine blouse via

Pretty sure the post title gave it away. I am obsessed with this Banana Republic silk top. The only colors available online are the coral pictured and dark navy. But, in the stores they have it in a creamy off-white color, which is what I got! I'm wearing it right now with a coral tank underneath (because it is very sheer), and black cropped skinny pants, which BR hasn't uploaded online yet. They were only $69.50 and Sunday was Friends & Family day, so they were 50% off!  If only I had some bright shoes to kick this outfit to the next level... I'm thinking along the lines of these beauties:

Jessica Simpson Halie

Aldo Capecoral

Sam Edelman Tacoma

Happy Tuesday!

thought for the day

This week I'm in San Antonio for a work conference. If you've never been to one of these before, there is always a keynote speaker to kick off the event, and by 6pm 50% of the attendees are wasted and being completely politically incorrect. Since I'm not actively trying to lose my job, I'll focus on the first part of that description and remain in the boring 50% of the audience.

This morning, our keynote speaker was Vicki Hitzges. I usually don't get too excited over these speeches, but I liked Vicki's message today and thought I'd share with everyone.

"People reach out to people who reach out."

Simple, right? But a great mantra to remember when heading in to the office, meeting someone new, trying to decide if you have enough time to call your best friend, or going to an interview. 

On a totally unrelated note - has anyone gone to Target yet to stock up on the Missoni goodies? I heard their site crashed earlier this morning already. I can't decide if this jumpsuit can be pulled off without looking like a clown. Hopefully they have it in stock when I get back to KC on Thursday.... how fun is this??

missoni for target jumpsuit

Well, off to some information sessions about finance and state laws - yippee. 

spotted: the perfect office dress

I haven't found a dress that balances chic modesty and flattering details, with more color options than just LBD, as well as this piece of perfection in a long time ever.

J. Crew origiami sheath dress

Bad news alert: If you want to purchase this little number online in morning fog (shown) or dark charcoal, most sizes are back-ordered until DECEMBER. Time to practice some patience.... or go J. Crew store hopping. I'm going to do the latter even though that means paying retail - Totally worth it.