First Week on the Job

My first official week at the new job is over and I'm still feeling good about it.  I have gotten to know my boss and his sarcastic demeanor seems like it will be a good fit.  In addition to his sarcasm, he also used to work for my old employer and knew my work father.  Which only confirms that one should never burn their bridges at their former place of employment.  I am already working on a project doing some writing, a great thing, since it is one of the reasons I joined this shop.  I am looking forward to the next few months as I get more involved with things.  The work seems interesting and challenging, both great things to keep the mind stimulated.

There are also other stylish women in the office who share a fondness for shoes, another sign from the God's this is totally where I needed to be :).  Today I wore one of my favorite dresses.  This green and black Nine West number fits like a glove and the pattern is just fantastic.  I paired it with some Jessica Simpson heels, chosen by the fashionista in this household: the Mr.

New Month, New Job

First days can be both nerve racking and scintillating.  Fortunately, mine was only scintillating.  I had a charming first day, everyone was warm, welcoming, and my boss and I seem to be a good fit (this is critical to success on the job).  It is always nice when at the end of the first day, especially at a new job, one feels that they made the right choice.  I definitely feel like I did.  While I don't have a big picture window (you can't have it all), the office spaces are well designed and let in a lot of light.  My colleagues from my former job are also present to help make this transition a seamless one.

Every job one has is a growth opportunity.  It is a chance to learn something new, as well as grow professionally.  A new job makes for a clean slate and thus the potential for better career possibility.  While I am not an optimistic person by nature, my last two jobs have provided me with great experience to evolve on a professional level, and as a result ensure I won't make the same mistakes in this career chapter.  Looking back I realize that my most valuable experiences have been mistakes.  Mistakes offer the opportunity to learn something new as well as a chance at self-improvement, a two-for-one deal.  It may sound counter intuitive,  but the errors in your life are the most valuable for the next time around.  This is especially true on the job front.

This is the week to savor all the goodwill and possibility that goes with the early weeks of a new job.  I will need to remember this moment when times get tough, because they always do.  Until the rough patch, it's time to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Dress: Conway; Shoes: Moda: Jewelry: Venice, Italy

 

 

 

 

The Art of Gift Giving

To give someone a gift is an art.  Gift giving, for it to be truly meaningful, requires thoughtfulness, planning, and good listening skills.  All three are necessary to truly find and give someone a gift that leaves their hearts touched.  I love gift giving.  It is one of my favorite hobbies.  If I had all the money in the world, I would spend the vast majority of my time looking for, purchasing, and giving gifts.  Unfortunately, my bank balance does not allow for this kind of generosity, so I limit my gift giving to the moments that really count.

One of those moments will be tomorrow when I say goodbye to my colleagues.  Among that group will be my boss and my work father.  Two individuals who have made the last two and half years incredibly productive for both my professional and private life.  Given their contribution to my development, a gift was warranted for each of this wonderful people.  I came home a little early to purchase the items I will be giving them (along with thank you cards of course).  I thoroughly enjoyed my experience this afternoon as I mulled through items to select that perfect gift.

For my work father I settled on a bottle of local Pennsylvania wine and a bar of organic dark chocolate.  The man loves food.  On one of our many get-to-know-you moments he shared a story with me about a taste bud experience that involved alcohol and chocolate.  We had recently tasted some local wine at a store, and low and behold, one of them paired very well with chocolate.  It was meant to be.  For my boss, the best boss I have every had in my 17 years in the work world, I bought a decorative glass plate that is painted with purple flowers (purple is her favorite color).  My boss has two sons and I figured she could use something pretty with all the testosterone that runs through her household.  I can't wait to give my gifts tomorrow.  I hope their hearts are touched, that is always my aim.  There is nothing like ending a professional relationship well. 

The gifts for my two favorite people at work:

For my work father

For my boss

This is what I wore yesterday, my outfit today was meh.

Dress: Thrifted
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Earrings: Self made

The Human Touch

On most days I consider myself to be a solitary person. Solitude seems to be essential in my ability to function. When people ask me to describe myself, I say that I am a modern day hermit, someone who doesn't really enjoy people. Humans, in general, are complicated, and too often unpleasant. Sometimes though, that same calming solitude, can be torture. It is a fine balance between serenity and loneliness.

This past weekend and today are fine examples of when the human touch can be nourishing to both the mind and soul. There are times when all of us need the company of friends and the appreciation of colleagues. We humans are social creatures after all. Interaction with other sentient beings is essential to our way of being.

The Mr. and I went to a potluck on Saturday where we spent several hours eating good food and having an engaging conversation with a physicist and former dancer (get your mind out of the gutter, she was not that kind of dancer). We talked about our families, the problems that ail our society, relationships, careers, but most of all we laughed. One cannot laugh and feel the full joy of that activity without the company of others. This brief moment was so perfect, I wish I could have bottled it up so I could bring it out in trying times. It never fails to amaze me how such pleasure can be had doing the simplest of activities.

Saturday Outfit to Potluck
Dress: Kohls
Purse: Wilsons Leather
Shoes: DSW
Necklace and Earrings: Made by me

            

Chickpea Dish Ingredients: Organic garbanzo beans, organic onions,organic potatoes, organic pasta sauce, Himalayan sea salt, Organic cayan pepper, Organic black pepper, grapeseed oil, Organic turmeric, allspice, curry  powder, organic ginger.
Riata (yogurt dish): Organic yogurt, organic cucumbers, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, organic cayan pepper, black
pepper, tamarind sauce

The perfection of that moment was followed by spending time with Maya on the beach the following day. My baby girl was unsure of the water at first, but with a little coaxing, she seemed to recognize its potential. She also thoroughly enjoyed chasing an inky black great dane that looked a bit like Marmaduke (albeit smaller). Needless to say, the weekend was pretty perfect. God, how I love having a dog. Hermits, it turns out, really enjoy pets.

Maya frolicking at the beach....

Enjoying the view

Splashing around

Making new friends

Playing with daddy

Posing with mommy

Finally, we come to today. I emailed my farewell note to everyone today. The response was overwhelming in a positive direction. I had no idea that so many people thought so highly of me, or would miss me for that matter. I always assumed no one noticed, it turns out I was wrong. No matter how awkward one is, or how reserved, we all want to be noticed. It is a shame we wait so long to tell people the things we think are great about them. Imagine what the world would be like if we spent half our time telling those we interact with everyday how their presence makes a difference in our lives. While I always say please and thank you, I don't tell people often enough how great they are. At this next job, I resolve to do this more. With those I care about, I resolve to do this half the time at minimum. After I tell people that I am a modern day hermit, I always point out, that hermits have hearts too. Ours are just more more prone to break than regular folks. So we have to spend a little more effort protecting them.

Outfit today.... 

100% Thrifted
Top: Urban Behavior
Skirt: The Limited
Shoes: BCBG

A Very Bad Week

I'm using today's post to update the week of the Jan. 10th.  It was an incredibly bad week.  They laid of 6 people at work.  Two of those folks I worked with directly, so this only adds more to my already full plate.  Thankfully, I didn't have to go into work for two days that week.  Things have calmed somewhat and it looks like the organization will be ok.  We shall see, they sang that same optimistic tune before the layoffs (which came out of the blue).  Well, I suppose it could be worse.  Fortunately, the job market is a wee bit better.  So here are my outfits for the remainder of that awful week.  I will post last weeks outfits tomorrow.

Thursday                                                Friday

Saturday (went to hang out with family)           Sunday

                            

Pretty, Pretty Velvet

Today was another beautiful day.  It was sunny and once again no wind.  If the weather continues in this vein, this will be a very nice season.  So far work is going smoothly without any craziness.  I know this will be short lived, so I am enjoying it while it lasts.  I have a client meeting tomorrow and am going to have to cheat.  I currently own very few pants that still fit (this is b/c of all the weight I have lost recently).  As a result I will have to wear some new pants I bought the other day.  This is a client meeting though, so I can't go in ill fitted clothes.  This also explains why I have been wearing nothing but skirts recently.  With that here is my outfit.  My outfit today is all velvet.  I think it is more elegant than what I wore yesterday.  The skirt is one of my favorites and is Carole little.  I love the design in the front.  The top is Jodon and the shoes are from Sears.

Back to Black - Day 52

I have to say the week started off crazy, but calmed down quickly.  The last two days have been normal at work.  It has been lovely.  It has been raining all day, I suppose that's a good thing for the water table.  The recent drop in temperatures has put a damper on my motivation to cook.  However, seeing that we will soon be reduced to jam and bread or raw vegetables, I have to muster enough motivation to make something.  I think I am going to make pasta.  Since that will take about an hour, I'm going to make this a short post.  I didn't really try today in the fashion department.  If there was a word to describe what I wore today it would be: tired.  So here it is: sweater is from Express, pants are Nine and Co., and shoes are Polvini.

Only Tuesday - Day 49 and Day 50 (week 7)

I had another night run into early morning yesterday (2:30 am).  Yes it was for work.  This is the primary reason I am posting both yesterday's and today's pics in one post.  The temperatures have really dropped and by the time I get to work I can't feel my feet.  I think it's a sign that the fall is coming to an end.  Anyway, today is going to be short post.  I am a bit tired from yesterday.  I also got up early so the hubs and I could go vote before we went to work.  I love voting, I feel like it is the one thing that makes me equal to all the rich and powerful people in the country.  It may be simplistic, but that is how it seems to me.  That and because it has only been two generations that women, or men for that matter, in my family have had the right to vote.  So for me, voting carries a special meaning.  Ok, enough of my soapbox.  Yesterday I wore an all velvet number:  the top is harve bernard, the skirt is forever 21, and the shoes are Michael Kohrs.  Today I decided to go with something from business casual: the top is banana republic, the pants are from a suit (Larry Levine), and the shoes are nine west.

 

Thank God Its Friday - Day 46

Finally, the end to this crazy week has arrived.  The temperature has dropped to the fifties today, which took a toll on the hands this afternoon as I was picking raspberries.  Although the week was hellish, it ended well.  I had a very productive day and actually met a deadline (I almost did the happy dance in my cubicle).  Now I am sitting comfortably on my bed, under the covers feeding my voracious appetite for current events.  I am going to a wedding tomorrow, something I am very excited about.  My dress has been fitted, the lovely Russian lady (Greta), is an excellent seamstress.  It was well worth what I paid her.  I have a couple of other things I am going to ask her to fix.  (I'm very loyal about who I purchase services from.  If you do a good job, I am not likely to take my business elsewhere.)  Well anyway here is what I wore today:  the top is Banana Republic, I don't what the brand is for the skirt (the label has fallen off), and the shoes are Nine West.

Velvet Time - Day 45

I hit an all time record in terms of how late I stayed up for work yesterday: 4 a.m.  That's right 4 a.m.  My previous record was 3 a.m.  Next time, I'm going to shoot for the all nighter just like the good old college days (and graduate school days). Now this information begs the question:  Did I finish what I needed to?  Answer: No, not really.  I actually had to finish up this morning.  Ahhh, how I love work weeks like this.  The most awesome part of this week is I actually have to be at work at 7:30 am tomorrow.  Now with my commute that means I have to leave the house at 6:30 a.m.  (Just as a side note: I'm not a morning person.)  I just can't wait for tomorrow.  And yes, I have work tonight as well.  (No I'm not likely to get a bonus or a raise for this kind of craziness, oh well, at least I'm employed.  Gotta count your blessings.)  So with that, here is my outfit for today:  the jacket is Tahari, the top is from Target, the shoes are Nine West, and I don't know what brand the skirt is (the label has fallen off).

It's Only Tuesday :( - Day 43

I think the fall color is at it's peak this week.  All the trees seem to be some hue of orange or yellow on the way to work.  I was a good wife today and made 3 seperate cooked items (rice, red lentil soup, and green beans).  All turned out edible AND the hubs said they tasted good.  Success like this makes me almost want to try cooking something a little more gourmet (the key word here is almost).  There is only two more weeks of CSA left, which makes me kinda blue.  Today's post will be another short one.  I have work that I need to get from the office, yet again.  Just 2 more weeks and then I'll get a break from this craziness.  Anyway, here is my outfit for today:  the skirt is thrifted (brand is Axcess), the top is a.n.a, the belt is Ralph Lauren (thrifted), and the shoes are Hype.  As I list out these brands, I have to say some of the shoe brands have very strange names.

Work at Home Day - Day 39

Worked from home today and it was wonderful.  I think the commute is what leaves me exhausted everyday.  I am not as tired as I usually am today.  The woman who I went to get my dress fitted was simply charming.  She is russian, probably over 62, and still looks incredible.  Alterations are pretty expensive.  Taking in the dress is going to cost me almost $70.  However, since dress is thrifted it doesn't seem so bad.  If she does a great job, it will be worth the money.  As a result of working from home, my outfit today is pretty uninspiring.  The top is from Eddie Bauer, the skirt is express, and the shoes are from Target.

Back to Black - Day 37

It was incredibly foggy this morning.  This made the landscape look like it came out of Lord of Rings.  It's so perfect, given that this is the month for Halloween (incidently one of my favorite holidays).  Work has been chaotic and frustrating.  There always seems to be to much do, but not enough time to do it.  I suppose that's how it is for most people.  Last night I made a penne dish with chicken, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers.  It was actually not bad.  I have to say nothing tastes as good as garden fresh produce.  On the style front today I am black to my old standby: black.  The skirt is Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted), the sweater is Casual Corner (also thrifted), and the shoes are Joey.

A Day for Errands - Day 26

Today was errand day.  It was another stunner in the weather department.  I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying this Indian Summer we are having.  So my out fit for today is as follows: dress is from Marshalls, I don't remember where I bought the hoodie, and the shoes are sketchers.

A Little Preview of Winter - Day 22

So the winter chill has resulted in the nun inspired number I wore today.  The weather has been so unpredictible this year, regardless of the season.  Anyway, I was a good wife today and made dinner (Risotto) for the hubs and me BEFORE he got home.  This is a rare occurance as my one hour commute (each way is one hour) leaves me lacking motivation to do much of anything when I get home.  However, seeing as there was nothing wholesome to heat in the microwave, I put the stove to use.  Today it was Risotto, who knows what culinary heights I will reach tomorrow.  As for the nun like outfit: The top is from Eddie Bauer.  The skirt is thrifted (vintage Ann Klein), and I don't remember where I got the shoes.  I made the necklace.

Another Perfect Day- Day 6

Today was another perfect day: sunny, 75 degrees, and clear.  We ran errands today primarily.  I have been motivated enough by this endeavor to not dress like a slob this weekend (typically I dress like a slob on the weekends).  My husband liked this outfit, so he was more enthusiastic about taking the picture.  So without further ado, here it is:  The dress is thrifted (Banana Republic), the shirt is from Old Navy, the shoes are from DSW, and the jewelry is from India.