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

 

 

 

 

I Made My Decision

I made my decision Tuesday night and decided to accept the offer at the other company.  After staying up till 4:30 in the morning and not getting so much as a thank you, I had, had enough.  It is time to start afresh while I still like everyone at my current job.  My boss told me I would have to continue to work on a team that I don't especially care for.  Working with them essentially means career suicide, since I am rarely able to meet my deadlines when I work on their projects.  (They also don't seem to have the words "thank" and "you" in their vocabulary.)  So now with that wrenching decision complete, I can look forward to a new job in a new month (I start August 1st).  This the first place I am going where I actually know people (who I also like), so the transition should be nice.  I told my work dad yesterday, that was very difficult.  You know what this sweet, wonderful man's reaction was?  He said, and I quote "Well, I'm going to miss you."  How wonderful is that?  I am looking forward to the evolution in our relationship as it transitions from a professional one to a personal one.  I think I am going to get him and my boss thank you gifts for being so wonderful.  In a world where people are so unpleasant, it is important to recognize those who are not. 

My craft room is completely painted.  It looks bright, green, and awesome :).  I have been so busy with work I haven't had much time to work on it. Since I am no longer young and spry an almost all nighter takes longer to recuperate from.  I think tomorrow I will work on painting the trim, and then it will be ready for decoration.  I am also getting new glasses tomorrow. Yay!  It's been three years, and my eyes are begging for something stylish.  I wore the outfit below Monday.  I bought it from the juniors section and it is still to big.  <sigh>

Dress: Kohls
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Michael Kors (Thrifted)

Feeling Ethnic

The July 4th weekend is here!  It will be nice to have three days off (I have work unfortunately).  We are thinking of  going to the beach.  I have a ton of projects around the house that need to be completed (tiling the kitchen floor, finishing my sewing room, staining the front door, etc.).  The Mr. is not very handy, so its all on me.  I can never seem to find the motivation to get my DIY home improvement projects completed.  I'm hoping this will be the weekend.  Anyway, I wore something a bit ethnic today.  I haven't  worn this top or shoes in forever, so I thought I would let them have their moment of glory.  The top and shoes are from India, I love the gold detail.  I am wearing jeggings I bought on our recent trip to Rehoboth Beach.  They are from the Express outlet store.  Let me take a moment to express my frustration at finding clothes that fit.  I am a petite person (if you can't tell from my photos).  I am about 5'1" and 100 pounds (on weeks I don't eat crap).  Which essentially means everything is too big or too long and sometimes both.  This makes the shopping experience frustrating to say the least.  I was not always this small, my weight loss has just made it more annoying.  So, since all my jeans are too big, this lovely number works well.  I have finally found the confidence to wear shape hugging clothes and things in mini form.  So while this newfound confidence lasts, I am taking full advantage and wearing all things skin tight and short :).

Top: India
Jeggings: Express Outlet
Shoes: India (gift)
Belt: Thrifted

On the career front, the initial feedback from the interview was positive.  It remains to be seen if that will turn into a job offer.  No worries though, my boss informed me I am likely get promoted next week (she needs approval from the powers that be).  Sometimes the universe just works in your favor.  Since that is rare for me, I am enjoying this moment while it lasts.  Whatever happens, I am confident it will work out for the best.

The terra cotta veggie garden is doing well.  There was a little hiccup in that I noticed that something was chomping on my buds (my money is on the bunnies I see hopping in the yard).  I bought a barrier thing to put around it to prevent any more damage.  It is not the most appealing to the eye, but hey at least I'll get to see my sprouts grow up.  I am also including the fruits and berries growing happily in the yard.  I picked the wild raspberries yesterday and they are delicious.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday :).

Barrier to keep the bunnies at bay

Bush Beans

Carrots

Spinach

Sweet Peas

Radishes

Cucumber

Apples

Peaches

Pears

Grapes

Wild Raspberries

Preparing for Interview #2

Tomorrow is interview number 2.  Hopefully, this one will work out for the better.  If not, well, maybe I'm just not meant to move to another employer just now.  I plan on wearing the same suit as interview #1, but with a red polka dot shirt (why not, right?).  I am looking forward to this interview as well.  It is always nice to learn about another company.  What better time to do it than an interview?  I came home early to prepare today.  Taking advantage of the extra time, I visited my favorite thrift store.  The tempation was just too great.  I managed to score a bolt of red cotton fabric and a lace doile.  What in the world am I going to do with a doile? you might ask.   I plan on making a dress. That's right a dress.  It might be a total disaster, but I spent a whopping $4 bucks, so a failure in this enterprise is not going to set me back much.  I am hoping this motivates me to finish my sewing room so I can get started on these projects.  I took a picture of what I was wearing today.  I like how this outfit turned out.  Well, it's back to interview prep.

Shirt: Target
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: BCBG, thrifted
Belt: from another dress, Kohls
Jewelry: self-made

Interview Day

I had my interview today.  It went very well.  Everyone I met was incredibly nice and warm.  I did not feel exhausted, like I usually do after a job interview.  The whole process felt more like a conversation, instead of a grilling.  I was able ask all my questions with satisfactory results.  Hopefully the folks who interviewed me felt like it was a good use of their time.  Now comes the waiting game, if it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be.  I am not worried about that at all.  I wore my favorite suit to the interview.  I bought this suit at a department store more than six years ago.  Remarkably, it still fits (actually it is a little loose), and is still current.  I like how my body looks in this suit.  I might add that for a woman, it is incredibly difficult to find a suit that both fits well and looks good on your body. Well that has been my experience anyway.  Maya got up to investigate when I was taking this picture.  She never disrupts my picture taking, she is such a good girl.

Afterwards I went thrifting at the thrift store nearest my house.  It worked out to be a good haul.  I  got a pair of satin shoes (strangely, despite my large shoe collection, I did not own a pair of satin black shoes), a dress, a black top, and a linen summer suit for 12 dollars.  Can't beat that.  I love thrifting! :) Needless to say, it was  good day.  (Yes, I did check and respond to work email after my interview, despite taking the day off, I think I can officially declare myself a workaholic.)

Suit: Kasper
Shirt: Express
Shoes: Bondolini

August Silk
This dress was only $1.50! (And yes as the
name implies, it is silk)

Also $1.50.  It looks cuter on

Summer Suit: Tristen & Isuet
$5, Linen

Summer Suit: The skirt (ok, I confess, I bought this
because I liked the bottom part of the skirt)

Satin shoes
$4

Lace, Ahhhh Lace

As I have mentioned in past posts, lace is one of my favorite embelishments on fabric.  (This might explain why I adore clothing made in the 19th century.)  So today seemed like as a good a day as any to bring out some lace.  The hubs liked the outfit this morning (he normally doesn't comment), which was a good sign.  The weather was perfect today: not to hot, not to cold, with just the right amount of sun.

On the job front I am preparing for my interview for tomorrow.  I have my schedule of all the people I will meet, so tonight will be spent formulating questions tailored for each of them.  I also need to come up with some questions about the organization itself.  The interview starts at 8:30 in the morning and ends at noon.  It will be tiring, so I'm hoping I will enjoy it.  After that, some much needed rest.  Although I suspect I will be working.  I actually have some work to get done before my interview prep tonight.  <Sigh> so much for work life balance.

Lace Top: The Limited (thrifted)
Cotton top: tee spoon
Skirt: Anne Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Shoes: Moda

Hi, My Name is Sunduri Das and I am addicted to Thrifting!

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CSA Time! :)

Well its that time of year again.  That's right I'm talking about the CSA (community supported agriculture).  My pick up day is Monday this year, which actually has been working out well.  It starts the week off on a positive note.  I LOVE the CSA.  This is one of the best decisions I have made (the other was adopting my dog  Maya).  The food tastes incredible, my community is supported, since it is an organic operation it is good for the environment (not to mention the savings in transportation), and as a bonus, the Mr. is finally eating his vegetables (he is not a fan of things that are green).  I find it to be incredibly relaxing as well.  Something about seeing the food being grown brings me back to what it is all about.  I have been pretty good about cooking things regularly (another CSA benefit), but this weeks things have slipped.  Work has been exhausting.  On the career front, I have an interview at another company on Friday.  I am very excited about this opportunity.  While I like who I work with, the promotion limbo has become frustrating.  (It doesn't help that I have been working above my job description without an increase in pay, recognition, or career benefit in a year and a half.)  That being said, I wasn't looking for another job, a recruiter contacted me and this company did work that would provide me some much needed experience in a different area.  I always say: "if opportunity knocks, you should at least open the door and inquire."  Whether it works out or not, it will help me brush up on my interview skills.  In general, I enjoy job interviews.  I find a good  interview is one in which both the employer and interviewee are both being evaluated to determine a good fit.  Anyway, here's hoping  it goes well.  Below  are pics of what I wore Monday and Today (Tuesday is not noteworthy).  As a bonus I added a recent picture of Maya sitting in her lookout chair (she looks out the window from this chair).

Monday:
Top: H&M (thrifted)
Skirt: Don't  Know
Belt: Ralph Lauren (thrifted)
Shoes: Joey 

Today:
Dress: Nine West
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Earrings & Pendant: Self-made

Maya sitting on her lookout chair