NYC - Yesterdays

So I just spent a quick two days and two nights in New York for work.   I only had time to eat dinner out and be in meetings.

At least the view was good from our conference room...

On Tuesday night I did get to meet up with the lovely Midtown Girl but I have to photographic evidence.  We are bad bloggers, being more interested in our drinks and chit chat than in documenting.

Since I don't have any great photos and I didn't even get to pop into my favorite, Bergdorfs, I wanted to share this great archival footage of 1939 New York.  It's so colorful, I just love it.

I need a longer trip in the city. These 48 hour work trips are much less fun!

Professional in Pink - The Travel Edition

Travel for work reasons may not be in your regular job description (as it is in mine) but it's something you may have to deal with.  I've mentioned before (in other "Professional" posts) that it's important to find a balance between your style and being appropriate.  But that doesn't mean you have to completely lose your identity.   Here are just a few words of advice from me to you about keeping your comfort and sanity when traveling for work.

1. Pack Light

This will be a laugh for anyone who knows and has traveled with me.  I can be a heavy packer.  I like to have options and outfits and shoes for every combination.  But that is only when I'm traveling for fun.  When it comes to work, I'm want to be dealing with as little as possible because usually I am with others and usually men.  So being able to keep mobile and keep up is important.

I can pack for overnight in a small duffel bag and for a week in a pilot case. And with all the hassles between security, luggage costs, limited space on the plane and the fact that everyone is trying to avoid the baggage claim area, it helps to have only a few bags.

This past trip to Atlanta I avoided a coat which made it way easier getting in and out of the security line, the plane and the group car.  I had just the small bag above so when the plane stopped letting pilot cases on, I was able to sail through.  If you do bring a pilot case, make it hard-sided, as small and light as possible and with 360-degree wheels.  I have a small case I never use because it actually weighs more than another pilot case I have that is twice the size.  And hard-sided is key.  Between baggage handlers and your suitcase sitting out in the rain, a cloth-sided case just won't do.  And don't forget the TSA approved lock!  I prefer combination ones so I don't have to worry about a key.

But how do you pack so lightly? Well, take a hard look at every single thing you are bringing - I didn't bring a curling iron or a bottle of shampoo. I even just brought my daily vitamin in a small piece of paper rather than bring the bottle. 

For clothes I did have another outfit but I only brought the one pair of shoes that I was wearing.  I wore a jacket and had new scarves and gloves to mix it up and keep warm.  I try to be somewhat neutrally professional with smaller personal style accents.

2. Skip the computer.

If you can avoid bringing your laptop, do so.  They're fragile and expensive and, while you may need them for a week, if you are just going overnight you can probably avoid it, especially if your phone or iPad can access the web, your work email and more.  Laptops are so much heavier that this saved me tons of effort.

3. Collapsible water bottle

Cheaper and easier and lighter - enough said.

4. Bigger purse

I use an open tote style purse that can easily get into when it's under the seat in front of you and that is big enough to carry your water, iPad (and or book), headphones, a wrap and whatever else you end up shoving in there as you move from gate to plane and back again.

5. Flexible shoes

I don't mean folding flats (although I do throw a pair in my bag).  Instead I mean shoes that can take you from morning to night, airport to client dinner, in rain or not and won't leave you a cripple by the end of the night. 

The shoe I pick 9 times out of 10?  My Aerosole buckle heel shoes.  I've worn these walking all over New York during Fashion Week and I just wore them last week.   I've had these shoes at least 12 years and they are still looking good.  I am not sure what I'm going to do if they ever have a major problem my cobbler can't fix.  These heels look dressy enough for suits but fine with heels and have stood up to rainstorms and airport running.  They are around 3" high so comfortable for walking.

If you have a pair that meets all of these criteria... buy two pairs!  I have this same heel in a claret color.  I wish I had second pair of the black.

6. Sleep on the plane

I don't care what anyone else is doing.  If you can, sleep on the plane.  It can be awkward if you are sitting next to a co-worker to do this.  If you can, get in separate rows, ideally behind them.  I prefer the aisle too.

7. Entertain yourself

I always prefer to read on the plane and with book and game apps on phone and tablets, it's easy to do so even while you seem to be working.  I find travel distracting and disconcerting enough, trying to work on a plane is next to impossible for me.  One thing to note: on the last flight I was on they made you turn off your phones completely, not just into airplane mode. I was very glad I had brought an actual book with me. My iPad battery was low and I wouldn't have had music or movies to play either.


8. A good soak

Not all hotels have fluffy robes or great ambiance but almost all of them have a tub.  And a hot bath with a bath bomb is a great way to finally relax and unwind after a stressful trip.  Pack one or grab one in the hotel gift shop if you have that option.  It may even help you sleep when you are in the strange bed without your favorite spouse/pillows/pets.

Last but not least, no matter how annoying everyone is, remember to smile and say thank you.  I get a way easier time when I give people a smile. 

Instant Access - 12/4 - 1/22

I can't believe that it has been more than a month since I've done an Instant Access recap.  But given all the craziness of the last few weeks, I feel like (except for the last two weeks of the year), I've been running from one thing to another.   From my grandmother passing away and having to travel for that, to ending at one job, starting another, traveling for work and then for fun, it's been a whirlwind!

There were, of course, plenty of polish changes including...

Essie's Luxeffects Set In Stones

China Glaze's Mistletoe Kisses

China Glaze's Party Hearty over Essie's Marshmallow

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects in Peppermint Twist

OPI's Russian Navy (suede)

OPI's Warm & Fozzie

A half-moon manicure with Zoya's Pasha over OPI's Designer... De Better!

And my favorite red, China Glaze's Phat Santa.

Christmas was fun and quiet. The dogs were excited for their gifts.

And, among other things, I got the Miu Miu glasses I'd been pining for.

Picked up more Salon Effects - Love Letter, Brattlesnake and Sweet Tart-an

I'm ready for the time to change and more sun, so I'm already putting out my Valentine's Day centerpiece.

And did I mention we brought home Briar the goat.  You have to check out all the pictures!

My new job and been going well.  Busy but good. I've used my little Lunch-Crock nearly every day.  This is the best thing if you hate planning for lunch.  I just plug it in and lunch is all warm and ready when I am.

I have an actual office with a door, so I'm very excited. Walls!  I've brought in some pictures and met some people.  I have a Twin Star at work who loves a lot of the same things and happens to have the funniest blog ever!  You have to go read some of her hilarious day to day life (she actually talked about me on there too.  Ha!)

I hope your weeks have been going well too!  It's a new year and there's lots to do.

Breaking Boundries

As you may know from my Instagrams and Tweets, I've just started a new job.  Among all the moving office stuff and learning who everyone is and what they do, I'm also contending with a big shift in workplace style.

It's funny how different each new company is.  They each have a unique personality, character and (not withstanding a few outliers) style.

I've worked at many different extremes along the "professional dress" scale.  At Disney, we had a full Look Book of rules and regulations that applied to office staff as well as those "On Stage". While our creative team had a dispensation and could dress however, the rest of the department was required to at least adhere to the spirit of the law, if not the letter.  Some groups were really picky and some less so, but over all, it was pretty toned down and conservative. On a personal note, I didn't break any rules (I actually kept a copy with me all then time) but I did raise some eyebrows at times.

My now former company was towards the other end.  We did dress up for presentations but on the day to day it was pretty casual.  Let's say that flip-flops, shorts and tees were common year round.  I can't say that I fell fully into this camp either.  I tended to be a bit dressier but I also felt comfortable being a bit experimental too.  One day would be a conservative look but another would be a sequin skeleton dress with laced-up boots, a vintage band jacket or a big pink gingham poofy skirt. 

I can't peg myself as casual or conservative... I'm.... hmmm... whimsical, I guess would capture it best.

But my new place is leaning more towards the conservative side.  We don't have to wear hose as a mandatory, like at Disney but I'm not sure how a crazy glitter sneakers are going to go down.  So I'm starting out with some of my favorite interesting-yet-fun outfits.  A grey belted shirt dress with bright green accents at the collar and cuffs, a lace print shift and a bow sweater top and great patterned tights.

I was really keen to see how others have showcased their style as well.  One lady was wearing the most striking mangenta-y purple nail polish.  Another has great style with perfect tailoring and some of the guys dress quite snazzy with a real eye for pattern, color and detail.  The spirit seems to be all about playing with the parameters not worrying about any boundries.

So I'm doing the same.  Great polish. Great accessories. Great shoes, of course. 

Going forward I'll probably be weeding out some pieces that I liked and hung on to, despite the fact that I only wore them once or twice. I know I'll be making a few purchases that support those I already have.  I've found a great red pencil skirt.  I want cardigan in a good black and white pattern.  And I really have been on the perfect pointed black pump to wear with skirts and jeans and at a height to wear all day.  Jimm Choo has two options but I'm still considering options.

I have a new office to decorate and a new me to decorate too.  I better start shopping my closet with a new eye!

Change is Difficult

I don't talk about my work too much here on the blog but things have been a-changin'.

I have been with the same company for the last five and a half years, and happily so, but an opportunity presented itself and it seemed like a good one.

So I'm transitioning to a new company right after the new year.

I've been a bit absent the last few days and weeks because my head was all wrapped up in the process.   I'm not afraid of change but, even if it's all good, I get anxious and worked up.

So, I have let my current company know about this impending change and now I'm in that weird space between old and new.  Not sure about what's to come while still working on stuff that will be out of my hands soon. 

So the year will be ending along with a chapter of my professional life.  I am looking forward to the new while appreciating the past.  So, I'm sorry about the weird absences but I hope more good things to be coming down the road!

Can You Keep A Secret?

Image via Flickr from Robert S. Donovan

I'm sorry I've been almost non-existent this past week. For my job and client it is pretty much the busiest time of the year. My main client is a furniture company and we've been getting ready for Furniture Market which happens twice a year here. This is when dealers and retailers come from all over the world to see the new designs created by manufacturers and decide what they are going to carry in their stores for you to buy.

I've spent the last week (including until 10 last night) at the showroom getting the rooms for a new brand ready. Basically getting rooms constructed, huge graphics up, pictures and shelves hung, etc.

Exhausting.

The new brand I'm working on is a celebrity line (hmm... who is a celebrity that does a lot of home related things and has a great love of the above pictured ingredient?) and it's a lot to get ready for. So, that's what's been keeping me away!

By the way, this new line looks gorgeous. I can't wait to share it with you. Soon!

Where the Magic Happens... Showing my Blogspot

The lovely Winona at Daddy Likey has created her own meme because she's just that clever and motivated. No longer content to just pass along and half-assed answer the same 5 memes that are out there, she has to make us all look lazy.

Damn her and her cleverness.

Anyway, here are the rules

Show Us Your Blog Spot!

The rules:
1. Once you are tagged, post a picture of where you blog. This might mean a picture of your cozy bed, or your office at work (you naughty employee, you!), or a boring ol' desk like me. Feel free to be creative, but be honest--if your desk is usually covered in Ritz crackers and love letters to Rahm Emanuel, then show us!

2. Feel free to tell us a little about your space, or explain certain items in more detail. Or not.

3. Link back to this post. (I want to see how far this goes!)

4. Tag five other bloggers to show their blog spots.

5. If you are tagged and do not participate, you will become allergic to cabbage.

Well, lord knows I don't want to become allergic to cabbage (and frankly I'm avoiding my work as you will now have photographic evidence of - doh!) here we go.

I blog in at least 3 places and they are all boring. At my dining room table while the hubby watches Family Guy or plays Xbox. Upstairs in my bedroom at my really really tiny desk 6" in front of the TV while the hubby watches Deadwood or plays WoW in his office. Or at work where it is actually quieter than either of those other two places.

I work in a half cube. And I actually don't mind it too much except there is only so much crap I can stuff in there. By the way, these pics are all linked to the big versions on Flickr. With notes!!!!

I have about 30 cords crammed behind that laptop, 3 phones on the desk, an external hard drive and a ton of paper, cups and "inspirational junk".



I love this little corner: my fancy lamp, a glowy salt light, my iPhone so I can see all the Tweets coming through, snarky post-it notes and 50 different colored Sharpies.



I think I've shown this view before but I have even more junk now. And tissues. And papers. I really should do some friggin work already.

Nice quotes about style. More snarky (vintage) quotes.

Ponies! Nuff said.

Domino magazines (sob!) and Blueprint magazines (sob!) and work papers (ick!) as well as some "art" from Japan at Epcot, my lovely Napoleon picure and Etsy.

So who to pick, who to pick????

I'd love to see:

- Ashe at Dramatis Personae

- Painter Girl at Art and Life

- Xenia at Doe Deere

- Vanda at Paraphernalia

- Wendy at Wendy Brandes jewelry (because she loves these!)

- Jennine at The Coveted

I can't wait to see their spaces!

Professional in Pink at Work

A while back I had talked about how you need to be willing to be brave and maintain your personality and sense of fun in your work space. I thought I would show you that I really put that into practice in my own work space.

Here's my desk at work right now:

Taupe walls are a neutral backdrop for my fun stuff, all of which cheers me up during the day. My laptop and blackberry are there on the left. Then we get into the pink. Going from left to right I have Carrie & Danielle's Manifesto of Style tacked up (3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 are highlighted) with a few magic wands, a Hello Kitty, and a Waterford letter opener stacked in a pink FredFlare smiley face cup.

Next in line is the Domino calendar tacked up next to fuzzy Princess heart car dice with my ShoeDaydreams business card tucked in. Below them is the Andy Warhol Shoes book behind a vintage owl statue. Next to that is a picture of a dear friend, my doggies and a pink luck cat.

Next on the wall is a picture of my rooster Napoleon with more pet pictures, a FredFlare mushroom timer and another small vintage owl (yes, I still love the owls). Tucked in are a piece of pyrite, a photo I took at Biltmore of St. Francis, a pink luck cat phone charm and a caledar of insprational quotes. You can see actual piles of work stuff there but behind that I have a cute pink knitted cupcake on a giant pad of paper.

Of course there are family and friends photos throughout. It's all me and all mine.

The rest of my desk is filled with a mix of work stuff and fun items. I'll have to take more photos!

So as you can see, my life spills over into my work because they are both a part of who I am. They should appreciate that side of you as well. And have fun!

Professional in Pink

In my previous post a lovely lady made the following comment giving me some props for wearing pink but expressing her own concern with it:

I must confess I've been phasing it out of my wardrobe because as an administrative person at my job and pretty new in my career I worry that I won't be taken as seriously. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. When I get to be an executive I'll wear pink all I want.

This made me kind of sad because it is something that I've seen being beaten into the employees in a number of companies over the years. It's the incorrect assumption that the workplace cannot be both fun and productive. That anything but neutral cannot be tolerated and that you come off as unprofessional if you do branch out.



I've been in business for a while now. But it still surprises me how unimaginative companies can be. I understand the cost efficiencies that can come from buying the pre-packaged "cube farm" but geez! Talk about a lack of vision. How can you expect innovation from such a sterile environment.

I actually worked as a Senior Advertising Account Manager for 5 years at what is probably considered one of the world's most creative and innovative companies. So there I was in a creative department in a creative company and guess what it looked like.



Yeah, pretty much like that (except my walls were higher and I had a door, such luxury). And we were "encouraged" to not do anything externally to our offices or office doors. I was pretty much appalled. It was stifling.

So instead of trying to spend 10 hours a day in a big grey box, I decided I needed a little color. And you know what, pink goes perfectly with grey. Luckily, I was already a Hello Kitty fan, and once all that started coming in there was all kinds of pink and Princess Poochie accessories to be incorporated.




The two that I used the most were my Hello Kitty clipboard, which was used in every meeting and presentation, and my Hello Kitty calculator, used to add up many a multi-million dollar budget. And you know what, they functioned just as well as boring, bland, generic clipboards and calculators.



Now, you may be thinking that, I work in a "creative" industry and can get away with such things. And to some degree, that's true. Especially when you're in an independent agency. But actually many agencies can be kind of stuffy and corporate themselves, for fear of pushing clients outside of their comfort zone. And at this particular company we were given, day 1, a "Look Book" telling us how to look, dress, act, etc. Even if we were solely working internally.

But, this is why it's so important to wear that pink if you want to. I like the fun and sometimes quirky shoes. Shoes 99% of the people in my office would never even consider wearing. And sometimes I think they just didn't get me. But it soon became my trademark. And they loved it. That's actually one of the reason I started this blog, because I had people from my old job still asking what shoes I was wearing now that I've moved.

I always was a professional. I always worked my butt off. But I had some fun doing it too.



And actually would you rather work with someone all boring and stuffy or someone who enjoys being there? Who knows how to make the job fun for them and fun for their team?

"Who has more fun than me under pressure???? NO ONE!"



So I say, find what you have fun with and incorporate it into your work life too. You may not even have an office but you could have a fun screensaver. And share the Cute with some folks to get them to crack a smile.



And the most important thing is to be comfortable with it. Own it. If you are office-appropriate and don't think it's crazy no else will think it is either. They'll think it's just "so you".

Photo credits to Flickr:
DrHaggis, The Marmot, LiquidBlaque, Clockwork Panda, Ntisocl