Happy 2013

Hello Lovelies,

I hope everyone is having a great and safe new year.  I'm never one to make resolutions but I feel like now that I'm done with school I feel like I should start making some resolutions.  For me it is important to set realistic goals because I actually want to achieve what I'm setting out to accomplish. Ok, so I'm hoping 2013 is a year of discovery.  I want to discover who I really am! That may sound odd to you but I feel like I'm currently in a space of indecision.  I want to find a job that I'm passionate about and that supports me financially.  I also want to start making the beginning steps of venturing out on my own.

So what I hope to accomplish in 2013 is:

1. Find a full-time job. Whether this is in retail or in communications, I want to find a job that allows me the financial security I'm looking for.  I want benefits, vacation time and a lovely paycheck.  I know it's a tough market out there but there has to be a job for me somewhere.  My mission in 2013 is to find it!!!!!!!!!!
2. Start saving to purchase an apartment.  For me, it's important that I start establishing my independence and I honestly don't think I can fully do that until I move out.  I don't think 2013 will be the year I move out but it will be the year I start making financially sound decisions that will help support this goal.  As noted on this blog, I am a shopaholic.  I planning on only shopping for clothes 2-3 times a month.  I need to really analyze my purchases and not just buy because I feel like it's a good deal.  I have a million great deals in my closet that still have the tags on them, which makes them a bad deal because I haven't worn them.  Goal for 2012: Stop shopping and start saving!!!!!
3. TRY NEW FOODS. I make this a priority every year and every year I try a few new things a year. This year I re-introduced meat into my diet.  I've never been a huge fan of meats such as hamburgers, pork, steak, or ham but I've had 3 hamburgers this year and some turkey sausage that weren't terrible.  Honestly, I could live without meat but I realize if I'm in a pinch a hamburger won't kill me.  For 2013, I'm thinking of trying sushi (vegetable rolls, I don't do fish), and I want to introduce new proteins into my diet.
4. Improve/mend friendships and relationships.  I've realized over the years that sometimes I let the people I care most about slip away.  I want to make it a point to re-connect with lost friends and improve the friendships I have now! When I lost my grandma 2 years ago, I swore that I would tell the people that matter the most to me how much I really value them.  Although, I've done a decent job at that I want to keep doing that.


These are my new year resolutions that I hope to achieve in the coming year.  I also plan on working out more and eating healthy but I don't think those boring resolutions need there own bullet point. I'm also hoping to try new things in terms of my appearance.  I'm thinking of trying the 30 outfits challenge that Kendi Everyday did http://www.kendieveryday.com/p/30x30-remix.html). Click here to see the Pieces Kendi chose.  This is a way for me to stop shopping and to rediscover key pieces in my wardrobe.  It's also a way for me to update this blog more frequently!!!! Wish me luck!

A Week in Review... Interviews and New Jobs

Hello lovelies,

Well another interesting week has come and gone.  This week was filled with tons of highs and some lows, naturally.  This was my first official week at J. Crew and I absolutely love it there.  Sure, you probably think I'm on a new job high but I love the people I work with.  They're all super friendly (something I was missing at my other job) and actually want to work (which is shocking!!).  I'm still in the training phase so it's interesting to learn all the different aspects of the job, something I didn't get to do at my other job.  I actually like where I'm working which is a feeling I haven't felt in awhile, so it's very refreshing.

Now onto the big interview!!!!  Today, I had an interview at the organization I use to intern at.  I was excited for the interview until I had to actually go because then naturally my nerves kicked in.  I feel really comfortable at the organization and love the people I worked with but I'm afraid that my lack of experience may hold me back compared to the other applicants.  I believe the interview went well but there were definitely times where looking back I wished I said something different.  It was extremely intimidating to interview with the Executive Director of the organization, someone who is so influential and has done so much.  He had some tough question but he seemed to like some of my answers.  I hope that my past work with the organization will speak for itself and help me stand out compared to the other applicants.  Well, unfortunately we shall have to wait and see what happens?

Now for some inspiring quotes that I stumbled upon on pinterest......

Is it sad to admit that I kinda want a big girl job so I can dress up everyday and post pictures of my outfits on here?  Plus, a new big girl job means a new big girl wardrobe, which of course I'll post on here! I think it's a win win for everyone!

Shopping like it's going out of style

Well, in my last post I mentioned that I was going to post what I've bought and here it is.  Keep in mind with a new job comes the need for a new wardrobe.  I love, love, love to shop so any excuse to shop is always welcomed, even if I don't actually need any new clothes.

This lovely navy stripped dress is from Gap (surprise!!!).  I originally had passed on this dress because I liked it but I didn't LOVE it, however I kept thinking about this dress.  I would find my self day dreaming about how I would style it, so I figured I had to go back and purchase it.

                        

This next dress looks terrible on the hanger but it looks super cute on (I'll be sure to take a picture the next time I wear this).  Below is a lovely chunky sweater from Gap which is a great way to transition the neon trend into the fall.  

 The next few things are what I bought to be compliant with my new dress code at my new job!  I bought a simple basic sequin tank that I plan on layering with a blazer or cardigan.

 A super cute long v-neck cardigan which I think will look cute with an oxford under neath it.

 Speaking of oxfords here are a few I picked up from Banana, Old Navy and J.Crew.

Banana Oxford

J. Crew Oxford

Old Navy

Banana

Love this beaded bib collared tank from The Loft.  I want to try and pair this with cable sweater or a simple crew neck sweater so that beaded bib can hang out. 

 My favorite purchase of the last week has been these gold Cece flats from J.Crew.  I've wanted these forever and when they went on sale I knew I had to go get them.  So far they've been super comfortable and I actually want to get a few more pairs of this shoe!

Cheetah pencil skirt that I plan to wear to work this Saturday. 

 In case you wondering, that is in fact a Derek Jeter cardboard cut out that I have rocking a tutu behind my closet door.   I love Derek Jeter and mean no disrespect to him but a scary life size cutout can frighten you in the middle of the night, so the tutu makes it a little less threatening.

On another note, I decided to reorganize my closet by switching the placement of my pants and my shirts.  Not sure if I like this better then how I had to originally but we'll try it out for a little.

How I originally had it

New way

I'm leaning towards changing it back to the original way but in my defense I did buy a lot more clothes so that's why it looks a little messy the new way! Oh well... more time to reorganize my life and closet!

A (Late) Week in Review... Cars, Books and Work

Hello all,

Sorry for posting so late but I've been busy working my butt off.

This week has been a week of me spending money that I don't have.  My lovely Honda Accord Coupe has been making this unpleasant sound that sounds like metal cans being run over by an 18-wheeler.  Through some clever research I discovered that a lot of people have had this same issue when they reach 35,000 miles (which is exactly where I am).  Once I took my car to the service department at my local Honda dealership (which is one of my LEAST favorite places on Earth).  I've had my issues with them in the past and this appointment followed the previous ones.  To spare you the frustrating details my rear breaks were worn out and that was why they were squeaking.  Now I'm now down $300 but my breaks are working fabulously and they are not making that terrible sound, so I think it was money well spent.  

Well I've finally finished the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and am sad that I'm done with them.  Although, being the crazy person I am I'm rereading them because I feel like I missed some things.  Last night at work, my one manager who insisted I read the books and I were casting the movie.  We could easily cast most of the characters but we struggled with who would play Mr. Christian Grey.  I think there are tons of actresses who could play Anastasia and I hope that Kristen Stewart is not one of those people who is in the race.  Now I think Alexander Skarsgard would make the perfect Christian!  
If anyone needs and convincing I recommend watching him in True Blood seasons 2-4!

Now my manager believed that Ian Somerhalder would make the perfect Grey. I'll admit he's not terrible looking but I don't know I don't like him as much as I love Alexander Skarsgard.

Who do you think is the perfect Christian Grey? I know like many of you I hope and pray that Mr. Christian T. Grey is real and I'm just waiting for him and Charlie Tango to come rescue me!

On a positive note, I finally booked my plane ticket for Boston (which was money well spent!!!!!)

A Week in Review... Fifty Shades of Grey and Horror Stories from Working in Retail

Hello all!!!

I had every intention of posting several posts this week but I've been busy working.  When I wan't working I've been reading Fifty Shades of Grey (I know I'm late on this bandwagon, but I never actually wanted to read it).  I've had every friend and coworker recommend this book to me and I hesitated but I can honestly say I'm glad that I finally did read it (better late than never).  Funny story about the book, yesterday I was reading the book and realized I was about 95% done with it so I quickly downloaded the second book on my Kindle just so I could start it while on my break (thank you wireless).  Can you say obsessed!!!!! I'm excited to see which actors they are going to get to play Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele for the movie, although I have no idea how they are going to be able to make it into a movie without having an NC-17 rating?

Enough about that book.  This week I've had a taste of full-time employment because I worked 40 hours at my "lovely" retail job.  I've always wanted a reality tv show crew to come to where I work because some of the people I work with are real characters and some of the customers we get are questionable at best.  Without saying where I work, I'll give you a two clues.  1. It's an American company that is made up of 5 stores (2 are online stores) and  2. It was found in 1969.  At times I L-O-V-E where I work while other times I hate it.  This past week has been pure torture.  I think as the summer goes on and the heat gets more intense customers just start to loose their minds.  Here are the top moments I've had while working in retail:

1. Shoplifters... like most stores we get people that want to come in for the "five finger discount" and leave with merchandise that they haven't paid for.  How someone can do this is beyond my grasp but that person has to live with that on their conscience.  Maybe about 2 years ago we had a customer who came into the store with a huge empty purse.  We watched her and realized she was there to shoplift.  My manager went to ask her if she needed help and she brushed her off.  Next I went over to my manager to ask her a question when the lady looks at me and shouts "I'm tired of you following me through the store... do you think I'm shoplifting?" I was completely caught off guard... I had no idea we were following this lady and I didn't even say anything to her, in fact that was the first time I saw her.  Next thing I know the lady throws the clothes she has in her hands (not the ones she put in her purse) at me.  My manager quickly calls security and the lady leaves with a final threat of "remember you have to leave the store sooner or later!" Umm, the clothes we sell aren't that expensive, just pay for them like everyone else does!

2. This past week has been a week of ups and downs for me.  I had an elderly lady threaten to kill me.  Yeah I kid you not, she said "I'm going to kill you" because I unfolded a reusable tote that she bought to use.  Now your probably thinking she said it jokingly, nope she was fuming when she said this.  I've also been called "un-American" by a customer.  Where I work we get a lot of tourists.  Now some of the tourist don't understand that you have to wait in line and you can't just walk up to the register and pay.  I had just returned from my break and another employee told the next customer to come down to my register.  I hadn't looked at the line to know who was next.  These three tourists came up to my register and I began to ring them up because I assumed they were next in line.  After they left, I made the mistake of looking to my left to call the next customer in line.  The lady at the register next to me looks at me and says "Why did you help them, they weren't next in line." I looked at her like she was crazy (and frankly she was) and told her I was sorry.  Clearly my answer wasn't good enough for her because she continued to berate me by saying that  I don't care about American customers and why should they get special treatment.  I was shocked, I pretty much did the only thing I could think of that would tick this lady off and I smirked and walked away.  I was not going to give her the satisfaction of apologizing or even responding.

3. By far the most interesting events I've ever had come with returns.  Our return policy is pretty liberal in the sense that you have 90 days (yes, 3 months to return something for a full refund).   This past week this lady came in and told me she bought a pair of pj's in Florida and brought them home and realized they smelled funny.  She washed them in the wash with the rest of her laundry and realized they still smelled.  Instead of drying them in her washer or even laying them out to dry she put them in a plastic bag and left them there to get moldy.  I didn't know what to do so I called my manager who in turn called customer service and asked them what we should do.  After a long phone call, customer service told the lady we weren't going to return them because she was negligent with washing them and leaving them wet for 3 days before bringing them to the store.  About an hour later the lady comes storming in and grabs another package of the same pj's a rips them open and shoves them in my managers face and says "smell them, they stink too!"  This lady was clearly pissed and frankly the pj's did not smell that bad.
Similar to this situation I've had people try to return things that they've worn or have had for years.  I hate returns because people just assume we have to take everything back and people always come up with the most ridiculous stories as to why they are returning things.  News flash, as long as the tags are still on it and it wasn't worn, I don't really care why you're returning it.


Well I've rambled on long enough.  Maybe in the future I'll write a post all about my crazy experiences in retail because I have plenty more crazy customer encounters.

Until next time....  

Things I Want to Accomplish This Summer

Every year I set out to accomplish a "Summer Bucket List."  It never happens, but I always make them with good intentions however this year is different because I seriously want to accomplish these things.

With out further ado, here's my "Summer 2012 Bucket List"

1. FIND A JOB- Ideally I would like a full time job that provides me with vacation days, full benefits, and a salary.
2. Try new foods- I'm an extremely (let me stress that EXTREMELY) picky eater.  I don't eat red meat or fish.  I will only eat chicken and turkey.  I realize that my diet is not the best it can be and I need to change that but I'm afraid to because I hate trying new foods.  Hopefully, by the end of summer I will have discovered new healthy foods that I can enjoy.
3. READ- I love to read so this summer I want to read as many books as possible.  I've held off from reading "Fifty Shades of Grey" but I think I may give into the hype and see what it's all about.
4. Go on an adventure- I love where I live but there are so many places in NEW JERSEY that I've never been too.  Hopefully, I can explore and learn more about the greatest state in the country!
5. Make a major change in my life- whether it's  a new job, a new hair cut, or a new outlook on life, I want to change something.  My life is so scripted that I would like to just once live on the edge.

Well here you have it... these are just a few of the rings I want to accomplish this summer.  If I don't post for a few days it's safe to assume I've become preoccupied with trying to accomplish my list.

I hope everyone has an amazing summer and accomplishes something that is on their summer bucket list as well!