Warby Parker

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry I've been MIA but I've been so busy with work, because its the busiest time for any retail worker....... Black Friday weekend.  But enough about Black Friday, I have a post all about my feelings towards Black Friday, and believe me they haven't changed since I wrote that post.

Anyhow, on to one of my favorite new companies.... WARBY PARKER.  I've recently received the news that my once 20/20 vision isn't what it used to be.  To be fair I can see well during the day but I've noticed that I'm squinting more and more when I drive at night and am having a difficult time reading signs.  I've been told I have night time near sightedness, which means I need glasses when I drive.  I was kind of excited to receive the diagnosis that I needed glasses because I just began picturing all the different choices of glasses  I had.  What I didn't realize when I was daydreaming about glasses is just how expensive frames are and how expensive a prescription is.  My best friend, told me about Warby Parker and their at home try-on program and told me I should check it out.

Warby Parker was founded by 4 friends who wanted to create cute and trendy glasses that didn't cost $250+. "The Warby Parker aesthetic is vintage-inspired with a contemporary twist. Every pair is custom fit with anti-reflective, polycarbonate prescription lenses" that you get for the reasonable price of $95!!!! If the price alone doesn't convince you to try out a pair of Warby Parker pair of glasses, the simple fact that for every pair sold Warby Parker will donate a pair to someone in need through the non-profit VisionSpring.

The only thing I don't like about Warby Parker is that there is no showroom near me.  Sure, I could easily hop on a train and visit one of their 3 NY showrooms, but that just seems annoying to me.  However, before this one little nuisance makes you think you can't get a pair of great glasses, you need to look into the home try-on program.  Warby Parker will allow you to select 5 frames to try at home.  

The HTO program is so simple and is really the best way to try on glasses.  

1. Log on to www.warbyparker.com
2. Select mens/womens optical or sunwear
3. After selecting "optical" you will see all the eyeglasses that Warby Parker offer.
4. Once you click on a pair of glasses you can see alternate views of the glasses and the different colors the frames come in.
5. You'll see on the right hand side that you have the option to click "Add to Home Try-On" or to try on virtually.
6. You are able to pick 5 pairs, however if you don't pick 5 pairs, Warby Parker will pick options that they think will work for you.  
7. Now here's the great part, your HTO is completely free.  Warby Parker does ask for a credit card number and they will charge your account $1, which will be refunded after a few days.  
8. After a few days you'll receive your HTO in a nifty display case.  
9. Now for the fun part, try on your glasses!
10. You have 5 days to try the glasses on, wear them out, take tons of pictures, write a blog post about it.
11. Once you've made a decision or your five days are up, you need to package up the box and attach the prepaid packing label and drop them off at a UPS location.
12. Once Warby Parker receives your package they will email you.  You have the option of ordering a pair, if you found the one! or you can pick 5 more glasses to try-on. 

Photos of the glasses I picked:

Clyde in Blue Marblewood

Wiloughby in Striped Chestnut

Welty in Whiskey Tortoise

Pierce in Oakwood Brown

Chamberlain in Saddle Sage

Currently, the Welty is my favorite pair followed by the Pierce.  I also like the Chamberlain, but I think the frames are a little too big.   I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on any of the pairs so I think I will do one more round of HTO before making a decision.

I will write a follow up post once I decide on the winning pair!

Until Next Time!!!!

Time for a change...

Hello lovelies,

Long time, no blogging.  I know I haven't done the 30x30 challenge, but I found that to be really difficult with work and what not.  I work with some pretty fashionable people who don't ever seem to repeat outfits.  I'm not ruling out doing this challenge, but I think I'm going to push it back until summer, because this summer will be all about bright colors and maxi dresses! So, I think it will be much easier to actually follow and complete this challenge.

Ok, now onto more important matters.  I recently got my hair cut in January but I set up an appointment for April 11, just so I could touch up the haircut I got originally.  The cut was a little below my shoulder and has a lot of layers.  I loved this cut and the reason I scheduled an appointment so soon after was because I was contemplating going even shorter.

Well, after much thought I've decided to go even shorter than I originally anticipated.  A few months ago I found a picture on pinterest of this simply stunning lob (a long bob).  I've always envied people who look amazing with short hair, but unfortunately I have a round face that can't pull off super short hair.  I can however, pull off shoulder length hair.  Here are some ideas of the hairstyle I'm thinking of, all the pictures were found on pinterest or boxno216.com.  

I really want a shorter do for the summer and think this will be perfect.  My only issue with my hair is that it is only one blah color.  I have never dyed my hair or lightened it in any sort of way.  I think this haircut needs some added dimension.  So I think I'm going to get subtle highlights.  I've never been a fan of streaky highlights. I want my highlights to look as natural as possible and just give me a beachy look.  I'm thinking of doing something along these lines:

Let me know what you think.... I'll post a blog post about it once I get it done!

Please check out http://www.boxno216.com... they do some amazing work with color!!!

I am Jersey Strong

Hello lovelies,

This post isn't going to be like my normal posts, actually it's going to be a little darker and very depressing. As many of you know my home state, New Jersey, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy this past weekend. Although I do live relatively close to the shore, my town and my house were spared, thankfully. I wish I could say the same thing about the surrounding towns or even New Jersey as a whole. I've been without power since Monday so I haven't really gotten the chance to see all the destruction sandy caused. I'm using my iPhone to actually write this post because I'm one of those people who feels better when I voice how I'm feeling and I've been bottled up for too long.

My dad works for a local gas company in New Jersey and for the last couple of days he's been touring the devastation. Now my dad is not someone who shows much emotion but each night he's come home he's been so depressed and upset. He showed us some pictures of Union Beach and there was nothing left of the town. The only way he could describe it to us was to say it looked like a bomb had gone off. He said walking around he saw pictures lining the ground and people clothes thrown about. The pictures really are horrific because it shows that these poor people lost everything. I feel extremely guilty because the worst thing that happened to my home is that we lost power. We didn't loose our home, pictures, possessions, or cars. Yes, material things can be replaced but its a pain to do. They have been calling this storm "The storm of the century" and to me it doesn't feel like that because I have yet to see the full extent of what actually happened, and frankly I'm not sure I really want to.

What I did see is that Sea Bright, the place I spent most of my summers as a child is officially destroyed. I don't think Sea Bright will ever be the same. My lovely grandmother, who passed away almost 2 years ago, spent most of her life living in Sea Bright. She was always the crazy person who thought she could ride out a storm and would trudge through flood waters to get to her job at the bank. I am grateful that she did not have to see the town she loved destroyed. Seeing Sea Bright in this state would have broken her heart. It breaks my heart just thinking about it. Unfortunately, the house she owned is probably destroyed and will need to be demolished. It's painful to think about because I had so many memories in that house. Although, the Sea Bright I know and love has been destroyed, the memories I made there will forever be in my heart!

I have no doubt that New Jersey will bounce back from this terrible event. I remember years ago there was a shirt that said "new jersey: only the strong survive!" I believe that's true. Every resident who has called jersey home will bounce back from this. It may take a year, heck maybe even 5 years but we will rebuild and we will survive and we will be better then ever.

This storm has made me reflect and look at my life. If I lost everything in the storm, what would I have left. I probably would be upset that my iPad or my computer was ruined, which is pathetic. There are people out there that have no where to go. I now realize going shopping every weekend is not important. I need to stop caring about materialistic things and start caring about what really matters in life. I know I am only one person but I want to do everything in my power to help rebuild the place I call home!

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!

Seriously... When did I become a grown up?

I get that I graduated college, oh like 3 months ago, but does that mean I have to have a job already.  In an ideal world, I would love to be working a full-time job that provides me with benefits and paid vacation days, but lets face it; the economy sucks.  Every person I know seems to ask me "Do you have a job, yet?"  I really want to come back with a witty response and say, "Actually, it's by choice that I don't have a job right now!"   NEWSFLASH, people that don't have full-time jobs that utilize their degrees don't really want to be asked about their job searches.  It's so annoying, if I want to update people on my job search process I'll let you know.   Whatever happened to "hey how's it going?" or "how have you been?"  Nothing like angering the person your about to have a conversation with!

Literally every person I know has asked me what I'm doing.  Currently, I'm working nearly 40 hours a week at my retail job, so it's not like I'm sitting at home doing nothing all day.  But when you tell people you don't have a "real" job they assume you're doing nothing.

Yeah, working in retail is not my ideal career path but I'm trying to make it work and trying to figure out what my next move is if I am to stay in this field.


HERE'S SOME ADVICE:
STOP ASKING RECENT COLLEGE GRADS IF THEY HAVE A JOB!!!!!  IF WE DID, WE'D BE SCREAMING IT FROM THE ROOF TOPS.

As Christian Grey would say... these are shouty capitals.

quote from http://alittledashofash.blogspot.com/2011/10/just-saying-steve-jobs.html

Life.......

Life can be so challenging sometimes.  Today, I had my yearly review with one of my managers at the retail store I work at.  The company I work for decided upon completing our reviews we are required to answer a few short questions.  What kinds of questions you ask?  Completely pointless questions that do not relate to my job.  I was asked "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" REALLY... this question is haunting my life.  My response was, "uhh not here."  The next question asked me to rate my satisfaction with my job from a scale of 1-10.  I asked if I could give negative numbers and my manager seemed less than thrilled (I found it hilarious).  I don't understand why people expect me to have a plan for my life 5 years from now... I don't even know what I'm going to be doing next week?

These question have got me thinking?  What are my career goals and aspirations?  Do I want to stay in retail or do I want to move on and explore the world?  Now is the perfect time in my life to just pick up and move for a career opportunity.  Sure, it will be completely scary not living by my family but is it worth it to have a successful career?

Hopefully, I'll have exciting news soon!!!!!!

Tori

The Importance of Networking

Hello All!!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days but I'm trying to work out a schedule for when I'm going to post (and what I should post about).  I'm thinking 3 times a week (it could be more but 3 is the number I'm going to promise weekly).

As you can see by this blogs title I'm going to be talking about how important it is to network.
When you're searching for a job, sometimes the only way you can secure an interview is by asking your personal connections for a recommendation or simply the opportunity to get your foot in the door.  A piece of advice I've gotten over and over again is "to reach out to your family, friends, and acquaintances and ask them if they know anyone in your field?"  This might not lead to a job but if you ask someone you're close to for that persons email address or phone number that's a major step.  After reaching out you can setup a meeting where you can talk about the field with your new connection.  Don't be afraid to ask if it's ok if you keep in contact with them and occasionally ask for advice.  Obviously, when you meet with this person you'll have to do your best to impress them.  Once you impress them (which I'm sure you will) they could recommend you to other companies who may have a job or may call you down the line with a possible position.

Case in point, the other day my supervisor from my internship called me with a possible lead for a position I may be interested in.  She had taken the liberty to talk with that person and give them an informal review of my work.  She then contacted me and mentioned how she thought I would be perfect for this position.  Fingers crossed this could be the end to my job search!!!!!  But it's such a sweet gesture when someone thinks of you first for a position and wants to see you get a job.

It's extremely important that with every person you meet you make a good impression and hope that they will remember you!


Tori

PLEASE.... give me a chance

Ok recent grads, how many of you are frustrated that you simply can't find a job?  I think the problem isn't that there aren't jobs out there, there are tons, just not enough for recent grads.  I really would like to use my degree (Communications) for a job and not just work in retail, like I'm doing now.  Every job that I've seen somewhat interested in applying to requires some amount of prior experience.  Umm... how am I going to get any experience when no one will give me a chance.  It's actually really discouraging that no one wants to give people a chance?  Don't they remember that someone gave them a chance too.

I'm hoping that I'm not the only one who is completely lost in this job hunting process.  I've become so desperate (really I could use all the advice I could get) I bought a self-help book.  I actually recently bought a book from Target that is a guide for college students about all the things you don't learn about in college.  I haven't actually read it yet, but I plan to write a review of it once I'm done with it.

It's a scary world out there and let's hope this book helps me become more comfortable with growing up, because as of right now I'm terrified.

All the best!

Tori