Happy Holidays!

Today is my last day of work before I'm off for a whole week for the Holidays!

I'm beyond excited!
I'm leaving for my parent's house tomorrow and it is going to be a day filled with holiday cheer!
First, we're going to have our (extended) family Christmas at my aunt's house! That should be an adventure, since her house is prettyyyyy small. But she felt a little left out since we've had Christmas basically everywhere else (even my apartment!) so we're giving her this one.

I'm still super excited!

Then, basically right after family Christmas, it's friend Christmas!
We started this little tradition last year and it was so fun, so we decided it obviously had to go on!

Last year, we drank wine and baked/decorated Christmas cookies.

Well, this year we're going to have a Gingerbread House competition!!
It's going to be parents vs children, which should be exciting.
I'm a bit competitive, so things may get a little out of hand.

Okay, so I'm really competitive. A lifetime of doing well at band & orchestra competitions didn't exactly make me humble.

My World is Changing

Most definitely.

I've almost been at my first big girl job for almost 6 months!
I've had Rory for just a little over a month!
My roommate for over a year just moved out!
My dream job is an open position on Kate Spade's website!!

That's just a peak into what is going on in my life, lately.
It can be a lot to handle at one time, but I'm getting through it!

My job has had it's ups and downs lately, but I am so grateful for the experiences it is giving me. The people here are truly wonderful and though sometimes I disagree with the operations of things, I love the work that I'm doing.

Rory is still the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my life! His potty-training is going well and he's so playful! Although I have to admit, he probably isn't my biggest fan right now: We haven't been on a walk in almost a week because it has just been so cold. Maybe soon! For now he's just zooming around the apartment and absolutely enjoying himself when I have company over and they want to love on him!

My roommate! (Ex roommate?) Well, we had a good run these past 18 months, but she had to move on to bigger things! Those bigger things? Her belly! She's pregnant, and so for the good of herself and her future child, she has moved back to be near her family! It's kind of nice to have the place all to myself (at least temporarily) but I am in process of locating someone to take over her lease! Until I find someone, her room has become my craft room! It's definitely exciting.

AND THE BEST NEWS OF ALL.
My DREAM JOB is open at Kate Spade & Company!
And I APPLIED FOR IT!
I'm definitely qualified, but the fact that I would have to move might be a downside that keeps me from getting it. Also the fact that I only have about 2 years of experience in my field and most of the is through internships.
It might be a bit of a reach, but no one ever got anywhere by just sitting still and staying exactly where they are!
Here's hoping something comes of it!!

So, all these life changes and yet my life still seems so boring.
I'm sure with the holidays coming up that will all change very soon!

If anything big and exciting (or even little and seemingly unsignificant!) has happened to you recently, tell me all about it!
I looooove comments and emails!

So, About That

Aaaand it's been almost a month since I last posted.
I am just all over the place lately!

I'm thinking I need to sit down and reorganize my life; it seems ever since starting my real job it's been more difficult for me to follow a set schedule. Well, I need to fix that!

So, I've decided: Starting on Sunday, I am going to create a new schedule for myself!
I'm a type of person who likes to have a bit of disarray in my life, but for the most part I need structure. Basically just a basic plan of when I'm going to do the few things I consider important: walking my dog, working on projects, blogging, etc.

So, here we go.
I'm going to use this blog to hold me accountable and maybe that will be the kick in the rear that I need to get back in the swing of things!!

Bonus:

Here's a picture of my adorable puppy, Rory, in his new reindeer antlers! SO CUTE!

Hi There!

My name's Brittany, which I'm sure no one knows because IT HAS BEEN FOREVER SINCE I BLOGGED, GUYS.

Sorry about that to the maybe 2 people that read this perhaps once a month!

Well, I'm back.

AND I HAVE A PUPPY. (One of the few many reasons I've been MIA the last....how long has it been?)

His name is Rory and he's 6th months old and I adopted him from a rescue on November 8th!

He's a weirdo, but he's adorable and I LOVE HIM.

I've also been working on my portfolio and developing my new website, so maybe when all that's done I'll post a link so anyone who would like can have a looksie!

These things coupled with working all the time have really taken up a great big chunk of my life, which left little room for blogging. I'm working slightly less now though and I am doing better (still not great) with my time management, so here's hoping I keep up with this thing!! (I used to be so good at time management...what happened?)

If all goes according to plan, you'll hear from me on Friday!

All Hallows Eve

Today is the day!

One of my favorite holidays!
(Not only because I can eat my body weight in candy and it's socially acceptable. I promise.)

Halloween is just the perfect excuse to get with your friends and have a great time!
On Halloween, you can be anything you want to be, whether that be a princess, a doctor (or the doctor), a pirate, or the ridiculously overdone (but still seriously punny) cereal killer.

There's no stopping you! Unless of course you have a job and you have to work Halloween night.
In which case, I am very sorry!

I actually ended up taking off from both of my jobs for Halloween this year!
I needed to use up my PTO for my real job and well, if I'm not going into my real job, there is no way in hell that I am going to set out to Mellow. Sorry, team.

Since no one took my poll (yeah, you guys suck, btw) and I ended up spending all of my money on Clinique and Bath and Body works (hey, there's nothing wrong with wanting to look and smell nice, okay!?) I am going as the Eleventh Doctor this Halloween!!

I may or may not post pictures.
I guess it really depends on how the night goes.
We shall see!!

If anyone else has some super awesome Halloween plans, let me know!!

Halloween Help!!

Okay guys.
I am completely obsessed with Halloween.

Like, the decorations, the costumes, the candy.
It's the BEST.

But I have a problem this year!
I just cannot seem to figure out what I'd like to be for Halloween!

My friends and I are going to a party one of the fraternities at my university holds every year called "Fright Night" so I absolutely have to be something fabulous.
But also significantly nerdy, you know? Because that's just who I am.

So I am asking for YOUR help!

If you could just choose an option from the poll below, that'd be awesome!!

What Should I Be For Halloween?

River Song

The Eleventh Doctor (Female Verson)

Danaerys Targaryen

Hogwarts Student (Slytherin)

Other (Please Leave a Suggestion in the Comments!)

pollcode.com free polls

If you can think of something else, let me know in the comments!

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Busy, Busy, Busy Bee!

Things are really picking up at work!

Which is super weird, since that is the exact opposite of what everyone was expecting!

I do the marketing and design for a Real Estate company and, as I'm sure you can assume, not many people typically move during the Fall/Winter months.
Well, not so this year, it seems!

We have had SO many new listings and closed listings I just cannot keep up with it all!

I'm designing new brochures, flyers, and postcards like a mad woman!
At least I'm keeping busy!

I also have recently been added to the blog for our company, so that's exciting!
Right now, I'm just blogging about our new listings, but maybe someday soon I'll be able to contribute some actual content!

I am also still in the works of developing a remastered social media marketing plan, so that's pretty exciting!

I know some of you out there have got to be into marketing, or at least social media, so any tips would be extremely helpful!
I learned a lot in my coursework and internships, but there's no reason to not look for a different insight into it!

 

I Guess It Could Be Worse

Can we just talk about how insane this week has been??

First things first, I've been super busy at my full-time job (why is everyone selling their houses this week??)
I cannot even tell you how many brochures and postcards and flyers (Oh my!) hat I have made for our agents this week. Plus, I'm taking over some of the corporate marketing since another marketing production assistant is going part-time. This week has been CRAZY.

Then there's the fact that I've been trying to get better about eating at home, so every night when I come home I spend probably an hour cooking when I would usually be relaxing on my sofa with a quesarito. And that relaxation would be accompanied by a few hours of watching The Big Bang Theory Re-Runs.
Well, NOT ANYMORE!
My roommate and I recently decided to get rid of cable, so every time I turn on the television I get a screen full of fuzz and a heart full of disappointment.
But don't worry too much. We might be getting Directv by the end of the month!

To make all of this even worse (is that even possible??) I started coming down with something Wednesday.
And it has progressively gotten worse and worse and today I feel like death.
Hopefully I'll be able to make a doctor's appointment for when I get off work.
One of my lovely friends agreed to cover my shift at Mellow Mushroom so I can go! Hooray!

My focus for next week?
Less stress.
More relaxation.
Less sickness.

Let's hope I can see it through!

Future Endeavors

 Okay, so I'm thinking of starting a little Etsy shop!

I paint, design, do paper crafts (think invitations, thank yous, paper boxes) and a bit of sewing, so I think it might be a good idea!

I have to set up a sort of "business plan" and starting working out when I'll work on the projects and stuff before I even set the shop up, so there's plenty of work for me to do. I also think I might wait until I get a new computer so I can better run my programs and such (I'm looking at this one. What do you think?)

Once I have everything finalized and I have the shop all set up, I'll be sure to post about it! 
This will be a way for me to have a creative outlet AND make a little extra money on the side! I'm pretty excited.

Has anyone else set up an Etsy shop? I definitely need some tips before I hit the ground running!

Think Pink!

As I'm sure many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I'm not able to participate in fundraisers like I usually do, because of my job, so I'm sporting the pink in the office!

I'll be wearing my "Think Pink" ribbon that the ZTA chapter at my University chapter passes around every where for the rest of the month.
And I'll definitely be donating to Susan G. Komen!

Be sure to look around your area for any fundraising participation options so that you can help increase awareness and join the fight for a cure! And don't forget to make a statement by sporting your pink!

Handling The World's Worst Coworker

I'm sure we've all been here.

There's that one person in the office who just doesn't sit with you. She's rude; she's obnoxious; she's just flat out AWFUL.

Or he. 

(It just happens to be a she in my case)

How do you handle the person who speaks so condescendingly toward you and your fellow coworkers? How do you get her to stop stealing your desk supplies? And how do you get her to realize that the world doesn't revolve around her?

Well, I haven't quite figured it out yet. 

But I think I'm on my way!

My main firepower right now? Being as nice as I can be.

We've all heard it: "Kill them with kindness"

Well, so far it's working. She seems pretty startled and occasionally returns  the kindness. 

WEIRD.

My other method? Honesty. I tell her what she can and can't do in our office. She is slowly coming around and realizing that this isn't her old company; she is not the boss anymore and she needs to learn how to deal with that.

Does anyone else have a coworker that is extremely difficult to deal with? (I'm sure you do!!)

Let me know your best methods for handling them so I can try to apply them to my current situation.

I appreciate any suggestions!

My Sunday Funday!

Do you remember this post about budgeting that I posted just yesterday?

Well, in that same day I managed to reinforce the reason I need budgeting help!
Between my trips to TJMaxx, Michaels, WalMart, and IKEA, I spent entirely too much! But I saved a bundle too, so that counts, right?

Okay, not really.

Despite my obvious lack of self control, I did a lot of crafting this weekend! SO excited to show you!

First, I made up this cute little centerpiece using a craft pumpkin and some artificial floral picks! It looks super cute on my coffee table and matches my leaf garland! How perfect.

My other project?

Turning this:

Image from IKEA's US Website

Into THIS:

Okay, so it wasn't much of a change.

But it's amazing what a few coats of gold paint can do!

Aaaand the final touches:

It's perfect!! In the little drawer I've got the rest of our shot glasses (you didn't think we only had four, surely!) and our bottle openers and wine corks. 

I'm sure everyone else has a DIY project that they've been working on! Tell me all about it! I love getting new ideas for decorating my apartment; it's pretty dull at the moment!

Fall Fashion

I recently read this post over at allisonleighann.com about what she's anticipating for Fall and it got me thinking about my favorite aspects of Autumn!

1. First and foremost, fall flavors. Especially pumpkin. Yep, I am that girl. Give me some pumpkin pie, a pumpkin muffin, and a pumpkin spiced latte and I am one happy woman.
   Then, of course, there's the seasonal beers.
   Sam Adam's Octoberfest?
   Hands down the best part about Fall. No contest!
   
2. Bonfires. Yep. Who doesn't love sitting around a bonfire, preparing to roast marshmallows? No one? That's what I though. The smell, the crackling, and the beautiful light; what's not to love?
   
3. Corn mazes! Now, I'm not one for those haunted corn mazes. There are very few events in which I'm okay being scared willingly (see below,) and corn mazes are definitely not it. I just love getting all snuggled up in my Fall clothes and wandering through the corn maze with friends and family. Bonus points if there's a hay ride!!
   
4. Scarowinds!! Scarowinds is when Carowinds becomes absolutely festive for Halloween and it is perfect. Everything is decorated and they have "cast members" who wander around the park and scare you, plus they have little "haunted house" type things that you can walk through all over the park! My favorite thing to do is talk to the monsters; some of them get a little startled and that's a nice turn of events! Oh, and I definitely can't forget to mention: the rides are open. Want to wander through a haunted high school and then hop on a thrill ride? GO FOR IT.
   
5. Fall fashion. I will be the first to admit how much I hate cold weather. If it could be 80+ degrees every day for the rest of forever I'd be mostly happy. But I would miss Fall clothes. I am so in love with the sweaters and boots and scarves and everything in between. Give me a good Fall wardrobe and I'm one happy girl...as soon as I get over that nip in the air.

Now I know everyone else out there has their favorite things about Fall! If you post your own to your blog, don't hesitate to share the link in the comments so I can go take a look! I'd love to see it!

Budgeting?

You may have noticed that there's a question mark following that.

Why, you ask?

Well, this isn't a post full of suggestions.
It's a post full of questions.

I have no idea how to budget.
You see, I'll think that I'm doing really well and I'll have a budget set up for the month.
But then the month actually happens.
And I don't stick to the budget.

I am the queen of impulse purchases. And that is starting to wreak havoc on my finances!
I definitely need to get my stuff together so I can actually start saving (instead of buying that cute Kate Spade bag that I want. But it was the surprise sale, so that makes it okay, right? Yeah, not really.)

So here I am. Asking you.
What do you recommend?
How do you budget?
And more importantly, how do you stick to your budget?

That is probably the biggest struggle in my life right now and I seriously need to get this budgeting thing under control!

LACK Hack ~ Part 2!

So, you may or may not remember this post.

If not, I talked about the super cheap coffee table I got at IKEA and how I planned to paint it to make it beautiful!

Well, about 3 months later, HERE IT IS!

Okay, it didn't actually take me 3 months to do it. (How sad would hat be?)

In reality, it only took me like a day.

But it took 2 months to actually start.

And then another to post about it.

So, here we are, 3 months later, and I'm finally showing off my finished table!!

I absolutely love it. It turned out exactly how I wanted and it looks soo good in our living room. The contrast is perfect and it matches basically anything, so even throughout the seasons (aka, the 2 we've experience since the first post) it fits in just fine with the rest of the decor!!

I'm so excited it's done and this has given me a new wave of DIY fever.

I WANT TO CRAFT ALL OF THE THINGS!!

I'm currently planning my next project now and I have a gallery wall in the works (did I mention that I rearranged my bedroom? Yeah, I did that. At 5 in the morning. Before work one day. Yep, I'm a freak.)

So hopefully within the next 3 months I'll have something new to show you all! Stay tuned!

1500 Pageviews!

I just hit 1500 pageviews, everyone!!

I know that's probably nothing to most of you, but that is SUPER EXCITING for me!!

So I'd like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for visiting my blog!
I appreciate it, guys!

Surviving the Average Workday (My Way)

   

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have our dream job at the current moment in time

(Sometimes I think Carly at The College Prepster is closer than any of us, though!)

You know what that means?

A 9 to 5.

Or, in my case, an 8:30 to 5:30 (with an hour lunch, of course)

How are we expected to get through a long work day--or worse, work week--when every second seems like it's dragging on forever and we've been done with our actual projects for hours?

Well, there's problem number one:

You're  never  done with work. If you're in the office, you should be busy.

When I first started my new job, I would spend a good bit of time feeling bored and hopeless.

And then I realized.

There's plenty for me to be doing.

I just haven't found it yet.

So I asked. That's a big part of growing up. Asking.

I asked my boss (the marketing director) if there was anything else I could do and, what do you know, I was handed not one large assignment, BUT TWO!

Those two projects have kept me sane the past two weeks.

They've also given me a sense of responsibility that, prior to now, I didn't really have with this position. I felt like just another marketing assistant, doing busy work. Now I have what I call "real work" in addition to my day-today projects. It's been great.

And when all of those day-to-days get out of hand and I'm a little stressed? A quick break with a hot cup of tea and my sketchpad calms me down. Maybe you'd prefer a glass of water and a game on your phone. Whatever you can do to "get away" from it all will work. It's been proven that taking a break from your work can increase productivity AND creativity! So give it a try and see how it goes!\

Finally? Make friends. Work is going to be no fun if you're sitting around by yourself all day not talking to anyone. Befriend your coworkers; form an attachment with them; eat lunch with them. You're going to be spending 8+ hours a day with these people, so you might as well bond over something.

In summary:

1. Ask Questions
2. Take a Break
3. Make Friends

It's pretty simple, if you ask me.

Now, every workday is not going to be perfect and some days even the most foolproof plan is going to fail, but keeping these few things in mind should make those bad days just a tiny bit better.

Please tell me if you have any of your own tips that I missed! I'd love to be able to try new ways to make my unbearable days a bit better!

Update!

So, as you may have noticed (and as I mentioned in my previous post) my blog ha a bit of a new look!

I'm going for a simpler, minimal look this time.

Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions!!

Under Construction!

As you might have noticed, my blog isn't quite looking like itself today.

Well, that's because I got BORED with it!!
There are a lot of changes happening in my life right and now I think it's only fitting that my blog's appearance change along with the others.

Don't worry (not that anyone was,) I'll still be posting (somewhat) regularly!
My blog just isn't going to be quite as fabulous for a short period of time.

Hopefully once I've settled down a bit and decided what I actually want, it will be even more fabulous than it was before!!

Well, one can only hope, right?

If anyone has any tips for blog designs, hit me up! I'm still not quite used to coding this way, so any help I can get is greatly appreciated!

Morning Survival Kit

I have something I need to confess.

I'm a morning person.

*GASP*

Glad I got that off my chest.

Yeah, I know it's pretty weird.

But it's true. I wake up at 5am (almost) every morning and most of the time I hit the ground running.

Notice I said most of the time.

Some mornings are a struggle! Not all, but definitely some.

And when I wake up as a passenger on the struggle bus, I need to make sure I'm getting off at the next stop.

That's where my "Morning Survival Kit" comes in.

It's things I need to do to feel ready for the morning and prepared to take on the day. This will definitely change from person to person, but here are my basics:

1. A Fresh Cup of Coffee ~ Sure, instant coffee may be convenient, but it's not very good (in my opinion) and doesn't perk me up quite the way a fresh brewed cup can. I prepare my coffee every night and then just press the on switch right before I hit the shower so that's it's ready and waiting when I'm out. If you're more likely to forget to turn it on every morning, you might want to invest in a coffee maker with a timer. Or you could get a one-cup machine, like a Keurig or Tassimo, so you can be ready to go with your cup of coffee! Or 2. Or 5.
   
   
   
2. The Today Show ~ Okay, so I'll admit it. I'm basically an old lady. I absolutely love watching the Today Show in the morning. I turn on the TV right after I pour my first cup of coffee and watch my local news for about an hour and a half. Then? It's time for The Today Show!! I love it because they don't only hit the important news-worthy events that are happening all over the world; they include trending pop-culture news as well! What better way to stay in the loop than to get all of your information in one place? Enjoy your coffee, a nice balanced breakfast, and the Today Show in the morning and you'll be ready to go!
   
   
   
3. A List ~ Okay, so maybe you hate lists. I don't. I absolutely adore them. They let me see a quick overview of what I need to get done that day so I can plan accordingly! And now that I have my super cute Kate Spade Notepad, making lists is an even more exciting part of my morning! The format of your list can vary based on your specific needs, of course. My list items are short and sweet, usually one or two words, but you might need to use a full sentence to get across what you need. Shape it to fit you!
   
   
   
4. Exercise ~ I'm pretty sure every person in the world knows that exercising in the morning can help give you energy for the rest of the day. Well, here I am telling you the same thing. And trust me, it WORKS. I cannot begin to explain the difference I feel between the days I exercise and the days I don't. But I'll try! I have way more energy and I'm more optimistic about the day. You know that dragging, why-won't-this-day-end feeling? I don't get that when I squeeze in some exercise in the morning. And, of course, there are the health benefits, too.
   
   
   
5. Get Started ~ Remember that list I was talking about not too long ago? What better time to start on it than first thing in the morning? If you wake up early enough to have time, do ahead and jump on it. I have a lot of free time in the mornings, so there is absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be able to tackle at least one list item before I formally begin my day. And the great thing about this is that it gives me a jump start on my productivity. If I've already completed one task and the sun isn't even up, what's to stop me from finishing everything else?

There you have it.

My "Morning Survival Kit."

Probably not what you were expecting, since there aren't really any tangible items that you can go out and buy to make your mornings instantly better (except for coffee. Coffee definitely does that.)

But it's the little things that I do every morning that help me tackle my day, one task at a time.

Does anyone else have a similar "Survival Kit" that they swear by? I'd love to hear it. Maybe there's something missing from mine!

Work Wear!

I've seen so many people post the best back to school fashion posts.
I'm not really what you would call a "fashionista" (is that what the kids are calling it these days? #oldlady)
And I'm most certainly not going back to school.

But I thought it would be a good idea to put together some of my favorite office outfits!
Now, my office is business casual, so these picks definitely won't work for everyone, but they look pretty nice if I do say so myself!!

(Some of my actual items are no longer available, so I used comparable ones available on Polyvore!)

That gives you a bit of my tastes! Does anyone else have a few favorite outfits that they wear to work? Or school?

Using LinkedIn Like a PRO

I'm pretty sure every young adult is told that they need to get on LinkedIn if they want to have any chance of succeeding.

And while LinkedIn most certainly isn't going to be the only thing that helps you succeed, it definitely helps.

But that's where the problem arises: it's not just being on LinkedIn that helps you become successful; It's being seen on LinkedIn.

One of my marketing professors put it best: "They say it's not what you know, but who you know. Well, I say it's not who you know, but WHO knows YOU."

That is definitely some of the best advice I got in college.
Everyone is always talking about networking and worrying about how many alumni and business executives they know, but no one ever stops to wonder if these people actually know you.
How embarrassing would it be to walk into a networking event hosted by someone you claim you know, only to have them look at you like you're a three-headed dog when you walk over and say hi? (I am proud to say that this has not actually happened to me. Yet.)

One way to avoid a lot of these awkward encounters is to master LinkedIn.

As a start, I think you should take a look at this article on HerCampus: The 4 Deadly LinkedIn Sins

I have also taken the time to provide a few of my own tips! Take a look:


1. If your profile doesn't say "All-Star" when you're editing it, is there really even a point to have it at all? ~ There are varying levels of a "completed" profile on LinkedIn, from Beginner, to Intermediate, to Advanced, to Expert, to All-Star; these all relate to your "profile strength." The highest rating you can get? All-Star. This means that you have everything filled out and that you have everything filled out well. You don't just have your past employment; you have detailed descriptions of what you accomplished there. You don't just have a list of the projects you've completed in your career; you have examples and detailed descriptions.

2. Does you profile have relevant information? Or just information that you think you should include? ~ Sure, it might sound nice to include that you successfully planned a sorority formal under a strict time constraint. But why is that important and how  does it relate to the type of career you're aiming toward? Are you going to be an event planner, then that's basically all you need to say. If not, you need to explain. If you cannot relate whatever experience to your area of expertise, then you shouldn't include it; at that point, it's just a filler and it distracts away from the things that recruiters could (and should) really be looking at.

3. If you're not sharing, no one is noticing you. ~ Now, I'm not saying you have to draft up a super witty article every single day so that you get noticed. But you should be sharing articles that relate to your industry, the job search, really anything that seems relevant to your professional career. This way, you're showing up in the Updates for all of your 1st connections as well as that of some 2nd or 3rd connections in your groups. If they like what they see, they'll share it and then even more people will see it and you are more likely to get noticed. This effect is 10x better if you are the actual author of a post that gets passed around! This is the number one way that you ensure that people know who you are rather than just being another profile. Remember, it's who knows you, not who you know.


So, those are my tips for perfecting your personal LinkedIn strategy! Obviously, LinkedIn is not a one-size-fits-all platform, so play around with what you like and what you don't like to see the best results for you!

The main purpose of LinkedIn is to connect with other professionals, but another really get benefit is finding a job. The more connected you are, the more out there you are, and the more people who will reach out to you with jobs that fit your qualifications (believe me, it happens!)

I'm sure there are plenty of you with your own LinkedIn suggestions, so tell me all about 'em! I know you all know how to use that comment button.

KATE SPADE SURPRISE SALE!

The Kate Spade Surprise Sale is happening right now!
I repeat:
THE KATE SPADE SURPRISE SALE IS HAPPENING RIGHT. NOW.

I know, I know, for a lot of you this is old news.

But still, it ends today, so you had better go FAST!!

I've already gotten my goodies:

Top left: Et Cetera Idiom Bangle | Bottom left: The Long List Large Notepad | Right: Wellesley Patent Rachelle

I hope everyone else is having good luck with the sale, too!! Let me know what you got!

Where Has The Time Gone?

I have already been at my new job for over a month!
How did that happen?

It feels like I just started, and now here we are: 35 days later. I feel like it's just gonna keep speeding past me now.

Everything is still fabulous (except for that one new girl who is managing to get on everyone's nerves!)

But I do admit, this working 2 jobs thing (My full-time marketing job & my part-time hosting job) is getting a little crazy!
I appreciate the extra income (hello, student loans) but I do NOT appreciate the lack of extra time.

I do get a break (I'm off every Saturday, yo!) so I still get a chance to have some alone time and spend time with my friends!
That is definitely essential:

Make time for yourself!

There's no way I would be able to survive without having that one day off; those few hours of my very own make the rest of the week worthwhile.

Those few hours also give me entirely too much time to spend all of the money I just earned!
(Sorry, bank account, but I really needed those shoes. And that wallet. And that day trip with Mandy just to get lunch 2 hours away.)

All-in-all, I'm enjoying it, but it is taking a bunch of my free time away! (Definitely the reason I have been so MIA lately!!)
I am actually penciling in some blog time now, though, so the poor thing will not be left abandoned!!

Has anyone else recently started on a new journey? A new job, a new school, or a relocation perhaps?

Working Woman

Okay, so I know what you all probably think of when you hear that, but I'm not that kind of Working Woman.

I'm just a woman.
Who works.
A lot!

Now that I'm working my real job and my host job at Mellow Mushroom, I'm working 60 hours a week! Woah!
I actually love it, though. For multiple reasons.

A) I'm making BANK. It's pretty fabulous. I still have to budget, but not nearly as much as I did before. Puppy? HERE I COME.

B) I'm back on a schedule. Before, I had pretty regular hours at Mellow, but I only worked 25 hours a week. That left me with entirely too much time; I was going insane.

But now, I'm working a lot. And I'm doing things that I actually LIKE!
It's so weird getting paid to do things that you enjoy; I'm not used to it!

And now, I'm able to buy the things I want, too!
Guys, it has been SO long since I've been able to do that!

I just got an adorable Kate Spade wallet and, as I've mentioned plenty in this and recent posts, I CAN GET A PUPPY! Not quite yet. But before the end of the year, you can bet that I will be getting all of the puppy snuggles. (And not just from Snickers!)

I also just completely rearranged my room, so I'm looking into getting some new furniture!! I'm preparing myself for the IKEA trip of a lifetime!
(You can also bet that there will be a post on this ASAP!)

All of these wonderful changes are happening for me right now and I just cannot contain my excitement!!
Does anyone else have any exciting news they'd like to share?? I'd love to hear about it, people!

Back in Motion

Welp, life sure has gotten busier this past week!!

Like I said in my last post, I started my REAL JOB last week!!
And, I'm still working about 15-20 hours a week at Mellow Mushroom.

So basically, I'm working all the time.

Which I actually like. It means I don't have time to be bored.
Which I hate.
And it also means that I'm making money.
Which I love!

I've already started planning out how I'm going to budget myself and things like when I can get a new computer and *gasp* a puppy!!

I've been wanting to adopt a dog for like, the last 2 years. And now I will finally be able to!! I cannot tell you how happy I am!!
I've already been looking online at shelter and rescue websites, as well as visiting Petsmart on their adoption days and the Humane Society!

I still have about a month until I'll feel comfortable getting a puppy, but as soon as that day comes, believe me I will be staking out every single rescue group and shelter I can find!!!

I wish I could just adopt all of them!

Moving Upward

I am SO excited to start my full-time job this coming Monday!!!
I'll be doing marketing and design for a realty firm in Charlotte!

This is by no means my dream job, but it's definitely a starting place and I absolutely love the people and the culture of the firm, so I know I will enjoy it!! I CANNOT WAIT!!

I am going to try to stay at Mellow Mushroom, as well, just to make some money on the side. I also love it there, and I would hate to leave all of my fabulous coworkers that I am just starting to get close to.

All I can say is that it is definitely going to be an adventure!!

And, hopefully coming along for this adventure will be a puppy!! (Just so you know, when I say puppy I mean dog. I don't care if it is 10 weeks old or 10 years old. It's a puppy.)

I've applied to adopt a puppy from the Carolina Poodle Rescue and hopefully I will have a phone call today that decides whether or not I can! I'm hoping to bring him home some time in September, if I get the okay from the rescue!! EEEEE! So excited.

Basically, there are a lot of changes going on in my life right now and they are all super exciting and I just cannot wait to see where I go from here!!

Apologies!!

I just wanted to take a minute to apologize for not updating my blog for such a long time!!!

I went on my vacation and since my return I have been working at Mellow Mushroom AND interviewing for a full-time job (which I start August 11th!!) so my blog kind of got put on the back-burner!

I might not be updating as frequently as I used to now that I will be working two jobs, but I still hope to update at least once a week--hopefully twice!

Keep checking in to see what kind of insanity I manage to get myself into now that I'll be working my butt off!

Bonus: Sneak preview of my cruise!

(Now I just need to lose those 12 pounds that I gained....)

Healthy Eating

Is it as hard for you as it is for me?

Because I slowly came to the realization this holiday weekend that I basically just a whole lot of junk. Fried, salty, unhealthy junk.

Fourth of July? Barbecue.
Mom's birthday? Cookout.
Sunday? Pizza.

The only remotely healthy meal I had was Monday, when my dad made teriyaki chicken with rice and I made edamame. Even that is truly healthy but hey, it's better than pizza, right?

I visited my parents from Friday until Tuesday, partly for the Fourth, partly for my mom's birthday, and partly for a dentist appointment. I need to find a new dentist!!

When I got home, I really started thinking about how unhealthy I've been. And then I thought about all of the food that I'm going to eat on my cruise (filet mignon, warm chocolate melting cake, and the bread. Oh god the bread.) So, I made the decision: for the next week, until I get on my cruise, I will be eating healthier. I went to the grocery store and picked up fruit, vegetables, eggs, chicken, and green tea.

Yesterday was the first day of my new healthy eating plan, but I did very well! Hopefully I can keep it up until my cruise and even get back on track afterwards. There is no way I will be able to eat healthy on my cruise. That warm chocolate melting cake is just entirely too delicious.

Free Time Freak Out

Have you ever been so bored that you just don't know what to do with yourself?

That has been me basically this whole, entire summer. 

I'm ashamed to admit that yesterday I honestly just laid in bed for 3 hours playing with my phone.

Three. Hours.

That's when I realized that this has gone absolutely too far. But I don't really know how to remedy!

I wake up, go through my routine, do all of my cleaning, write a little, read a little, manage my email, and THEN...!

And then it's only like 1 in the afternoon and I have absolutely to do. All of my friends are working until later and I'm not one who can just sit down and watch hours upon hours of television. (Unless I'm like sick and dying, like that time I had the flu and watched 2 seasons of Game of Thrones in one day.)

So, what do I do?

I nap.

I never used to nap. But ever since actually developing a sense of time management and getting my stuff done efficiently, I've had entirely too much time on my hands. I want to shop, but I don't really have the means to do that right now.

So, I've decided: anytime I feel the need to nap, I'm going to do something productive instead. 

Nap time? Nope. Time to work out.

Nap time? Nope. Time to organize the bedroom.

Nap time? Nope. Time to do absolutely anything BUT nap.

I start working at Mellow Mushroom today, so hopefully that will help get rid of some of my free time. But, if it doesn't, I have this plan in place. Now it's just time to see if I have the willpower to actually go through with it.

Prepare for Paradise: St. Maarten

17 Days!

image from Carnival website

Our final island on this cruise is St. Maarten!
I haven't been here in a long time (I think I was 11 last time we came) so I'm super excited!!

Here are a few fun things you can do in this tropical paradise!!

1. Snorkel
   Okay, I'm not going to lie: I am absolutely terrified of snorkeling. I tried it once with my dad when I was like 8 and the moment they mentioned jellyfish I was like, uh BYE. But now that I'm older and a little more sensible (just a little) it really seems like fun. I really think if I have time I'm going to give it another shot. Although, I'm still probably going to make my daddy go with me. I'm a wimp.
   
   
2. Stuff your face
   There is SUCH a great variety of food on this island. Want to eat the local fare? Go for it? Got a craving for some barbecue? You're set. Hungry for a hamburger? You'll be okay. In the mood for something a little more gourmet? Yup, they've got that, too. It's basically impossible to go hungry as a tourist on this island. There is just SO. MUCH. FOOD. There's also this fabulous shop that sells DELICIOUS Belgian chocolates. I don't think I have ever tasted anything so wonderful.
   
   
3. Dance
   Ever wanted to go to a calypso bar? Well, here you can! And while you're there, head on over to the dance floor to show off your moves! A word of warning: twerking is not an accepted form of dance here. (Although realistically it shouldn't be an accepted form of dance anywhere. But if you want to twerk, go for it.)
   
   
4. Shop
   Do I really even have to say it at this point? The shops here are right along the waterfront and are absolutely fabulous.

This is the final port on my cruise, so I'm definitely going to be trying to get the most out of it. Hopefully I'll have budgeted well at the other ports so I can actually enjoy myself appropriately! I can't wait!!

Furry Fever

I want a dog.

I mean, I desperately want a dog.

Yes, I have my adorable little Snickerdoodle,

but he's my parents dog and I don't really get to see him as much as I'd like.

Which is why I want need a dog. 

I've been browsing the websites of all of the local shelters (and by local, I mean basically every one in the state) and I have found some ADORABLE dogs!!

There are just two problems here:

1. I need a small dog that doesn't shed.
2. I have no money.

So, those are the dampers on my puppy plans right now. 

I also really want a puppy so I can train him/her how I want, but that's not like a necessity or anything. 

So, I'll just sit here in my apartment looking at all of the adorable dogs that I cannot have a dream of a day when I will be able to bring one home and call him my own!!!

How to Survive the Job Hunt (AKA Don't Be Like Me)

Maybe you're fresh out of college, like me. Or, maybe you're just looking for a summer job before you head back to school.

Either way, the job hunt can be pretty intimidating if you're hoping for something specific.

I know everyone says that you're not going to find your dream job right away, but that also does not mean that you have to settle for whatever job happens to land at your feet first. 

You don't want to be miserable at your job, because that makes going in even more difficult than usual.

That's the first rule:

1. Don't settle.
   Yeah, you don't want to be unemployed for a long time. But you also don't want to be stuck in a miserable job, working paycheck to paycheck, just because you didn't wait until something better came along. I've already turned down 3 job offers because I knew they weren't what I really wanted to do, but I almost considered accepting the most recent one just because I was sick of the job search. Wait for a job you'll be happy with. I promise that you (and I) will find it.
   
   
2. Search Actively.
   I'm sure you've heard it said a thousand times before: Searching for a job is like a full time job. And honestly, it is. You may not be applying for every single job that you spot online, but the time you spend searching can take up a lot of time. I'm pretty sure I'm at my computer for at least 6 hours a day searching and applying for jobs, and those are just the ones that I am qualified for and feel I would enjoy. It may be kind of disheartening to sit at your desk all day just clicking, "apply," but think of it this way: you're preparing yourself for your future job!
   
   
3. Personalize It.
   Okay, first of all, I don't care if an application doesn't require a cover letter. Write. One. Anyway. That shows initiative and it shows that you are truly interested in this position. Now, it's okay to have a cover letter that you use as a template for all of you applications, but these are not one size fits all. Every time you sit down to write a cover letter, you should be considering the job description and ensuring that you're including details that hint to your skills and how they match said description. For a while, I just changed out the position and company title and sent the same cover letter with every application. Not so surprisingly, it wasn't very good and I didn't hear back form most of those companies.
   
   
4. Don't get Discouraged
   The job hunt can be a trying time; believe me, I know. But don't let it get you down. Just because you've sent out 50 applications and haven't heard back from anyone doesn't mean you're a failure. Maybe they just haven't gotten to your application, or maybe it got lost in the chaos. Contact the companies and check up. Make sure they got your application and ask about how the application process goes; they'll appreciate your initiative and maybe even ask you in for an interview right then (trust me, it's happened). But even if they don't, just keep on keeping on. You'll get the best job for you when you get it!
   

So, while it may seem never-ending, the job hunt will eventually come to a close for everyone. Hopefully sooner than later, but whose to say what can happen and how it will happen? I know I'm not going to settle for a job that will not make me happy, and I'm sure you're the same. If money is an issue, you can always work a part-time job on the side while you continue your job hunt! I'm currently a hostess at Mellow Mushroom while I send in my applications and go on interviews! 

If you have any job search advice or even just a find story, let me know in the comments or an email! I'd love to hear from you!

Prepare for Paradise: St. Thomas

21 Days!

Okay, first of all: Sorry for the late post!!

We've been having some technical difficulties with our internet recently and I haven't been able to get anything done!

But now I'm back!

On with the paradise!!

image from Carnival website

The third island we'll be visiting is St. Thomas, one of the US Virgin Islands!!
I feel like we're constantly visiting this island on cruises, but I never run out of things to do!

1. Magen's Bay Beach
   Okay, first of all: Magen's Bay is absolutely beautiful. It is also, however, absolutely crowded. Don't let that deter you from visiting, though!! For a small fee you can hop on a bus and head to Magen's Bay where there are lounge chairs, fruity cocktails, and tons of activities! There are icebergs like the one in Grand Turk, in-water bouncy castles, and even jet skis! Of course, you can also go parasailing...if you're in to that.
   
2. Coki Beach
   If crowded, touristy beaches aren't your thing, Coki Beach is perfect for you. Hop in a taxi and head on over to this quaint little beach and you'll be able to relax and have fun! The sand is soft, the water is beautiful, and they offer snorkeling!
   
3. Coral World
   Love touristy attractions? Love cute sea animals? Coral World is the place for you!! It's basically a fancy aquarium, except the fish aren't in "captivity," so you see them in their natural habitat. And there are a ton of sea horses! Exciting! You can also pet turtles, sharks, and sea lions!
   
4. Explore
   Okay, disclaimer: I haven't actually done this one! But I have heard killer reviews from my friends and family. So, what is it, you ask? You take a sailboat and explore the secret coves around the island! How exciting is that? If you're up for adventure, definitely try this!! I'm definitely hoping to try it this year!
   
5. Shop
   Like I said, I'm probably going to say this about every. Single. Port. But at St. Thomas, it's a different type of experience. The shopping "center" is in the historical part of St. Thomas and is absolutely beautiful! There's also a great variety of shops for you to browse and, if you need a break, some nice spots for food!

The biggest thing about St. Thomas is to just enjoy it! I really can't wait to be back next month!!