WIW: A Gussied Up Bookworm

This was the ensemble I created for a very important business meeting I was last week, and I was SO damn proud of myself. Curled hair, tights, and booties all in one outfit, this only happens every month or two, maybe.

When I got to work someone commented that I was 'gussied up'.  Now gussied up wasn't quite what I was going for, dressed nicley or put together might have been some of my choice synonyms, but 'gussied up' it was. 

So when the meeting was cancelled and re-scheduled for today (internal monologue/dilemma, can I wear this outfit? ...no one in the meeting saw it or reads this blog), I was heartbroken, and had the thought every blogger has when things like this happen. Damn I wasted a good hair day.

Good hair day or not you probably noted the blonde locks are gone.  They aren't gone for good, but in hopes of growing my hair as many (hoping for at least three) inches before the wedding I returned to my natural color so I could go a few more weeks, or months without dying it.  All things considered we will see how long this color lasts, I'm already anxious.

As for other things about this post this skirt was a $14 sale find at Nordstrom (still on sale), and I love it. Worn it too many times to count since I got it.   The scarf was a gift, and home knit via arm knitting.  I've never heard of it before, but turns out it's a beautiful thing.  Maybe I'll try it, or maybe I won't my New Year's resolution  was to read 52 books this year, which I am still unsure is actually going to be attainable.  So my 'free time' is usually consumed with book-worm-itis, and am happy to report I am three down so far.  Now just 49 more to go.

If I go missing. You know where to find me. On my couch kindeling.

Longing for the Mountains

I spent the entire work day yesterday (all eight hours of it) in the same conference room with two back to back meetings, and a furry of inhaling my lunch and sending the worlds longest email in between.  Talk about long day, I am clearly not cut out for cubical or clerical work.  Today I am back to my office for more Friday hustle and bustle until I bust out at 3:30 (if all goes as planned) for a weekend in the mountains. My favorite.

No there is not this much snow, YET, this picture is from last year Zoey's first snow adventure, and it was too cute not to share again.  Sorry for the repeat.

When packing for this weekend, I may have gone a bit overboard. Somehow three pair of jeans (and leggings too), six shirts, three scarves, two pair of boots and three jackets jumped in my suitcase. Whoopsies....the things that happen when I don't have a carry on size restraint or lb. limit.

And what are we going to do this weekend? We'll probably have grand ideas of going to get our annual season pass pictures taken, walking around looking perfectly mountain cute like this pinspired look.  But in all reality, I'll probably spend a ton of time in my Uggs and leggings by the fire, and drinking more than one three of the micro brews at the local brewery and restaurant.

It's going to be the perfect fall weekend, and a great way to share time together before the craziness of Thanksgiving (the middle child Holiday) and all the family members!

Oh my goodness. Only three more HOURS.
#ithinkicanithinkican

My Boss is Coming Over

I've been buried deep in the crevasses of my house, cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, laundering, arranging, and repeating all week.  Also in 1200 square feet I'm not even sure we have crevasses, but if there are, I have found them.  All of them.

My boss, and my bosses boss are attending a bridal shower I am hosting at my house this weekend, and if I've never been intimidated in my lifetime, I am now.  Our house has been a work in progress for almost two years (yup, we lived through a remodel that was fun) , and while we're alm o s t done, we're not qui t e there yet.  But this year we've come a long way, and there are many sections of my home that I love, parts I have worked hard on, and things that make me happy.

Both taken with my phone from my couch, because I'm lazy.

But since my home is a place where I find comfort, and escape to after a long days work, it's hard to let people in with the idea that they are going to find the same satisfaction with it as we (my boyfriend and I) do.   Which in the end might be perfectly fine, despite the fact that that's exactly what I want.  But I'm a girl, and I want them to be impressed, and think it's beautiful, because wouldn't anyone want that for their home?

To be honest, I'm mostly nervous a pillow won't be fluffed enough, the food won't be scrumptious enough (yes I am feeding them all too), and the floors won't be clean enough.  But seriously what I was thinking sweeping and mopping, Cinderella style on my hands and knees, on Tuesday, when little Miss Zoey can single handily make any floor dirty hairy in 37 seconds flat? Fail.  God I want need a Roomba. 

Mostly I just want it to all go well. I can't wait to have all my crafts done, food prepped, drinks made, and guests here. I'll be sure to have a candle burning, all lights on, and fresh towels, new soap, and flowers in the bathroom.  My silverware will be wrapped and bowed in linen napkins, and my serving trays will be matching.  The wine will be chilled, and mimosas will be ready for an awesome party.  

This party has to make up for the the terrible bachelorette party the bride had, and I'm determined to do it.  So excuse me while I go fold the three loads of laundry that are currently heaped and barley fitting on my kitchen island, and scrub that back toilet, and clean up the back room in hopes that when my boss(es) come over Saturday morning, they'll be pleasantly surprised with what we've worked so hard to put together.

Fingers crossed.

Labor Day Plans

I get to work all weekend long...

No but seriously, if you tuned in last week, I don't hate my job, so it shouldn't actually be that bad, minus the whole 30 hours in two day thing, but hey once a year I can come out of my grandma ways and make s*** happen.

What I will say is having breakfast, lunch, starbucks, and dinner at your office is when you have reached a new high, or low whichever way you see it.  But seeing as how I am a glass half full kind of gal, I'll say it's a new high and continue to try to convince myself.

I normally don't leave for work until hours after most people get to work, which was affirmed when a client commented, "You really are a bankers daughter, you keep bankers hours." Compliment or insult, again I'm not quite sure.  Part of me wanted to be insulted, sorry my job isn't like yours sir.  Anyways, when I got to work three short minutes after 8 this morning, it was a miracle....now if only I can get here at 6am two days in a row.  I think I can, I think I can,

So when all of you have awesome posts of enjoying the lasts remnants of summer, I'll be skipping that and fast forwarding to fall...if only California weather turned to fall in September like it does back East...we'll get there someday.

So when I go missing later this week, don't be alarmed, I'll be at my office.  But if you don't hear from me by next Tuesday send out the search party. I'll probably be in shorts, and a target tee shirt, looking for some sleep and some sanity.

I Don't Save Lives or Change the World, But I Love What I Do

I'm still working for the same company I worked for during college, what's it to you.  No I'm not still making that wage, although it wasn't bad when I was a full time student and had all my job money to spend on useless things on shoes, at the bar, and useless trips to Target.  Gone are those days, hello car insurance, cell phone bill, and 401K.  Guess it's a good thing I am 'making more money' although to me it's debatable.

via

Now I won't tell you what I actually do IRL (in real life for all wondering), I have to keep some aspect of my life a mystery.  But I will tell you I am certainly not in the business saving lives, creating a cure for cancer, or studying the environment and figuring out how to preserve it, and I am totally okay with that.  I am doing something semi-related to my major, which according to google is not as common as you might think.

For all those who clicked the link, I apologize. Looking at the stats in the second link makes going to college seem like it was optional, like the customer service survey that Comcast invites you to take after the inevitable 37 minute technical support phone call you are about to endure.  On a more serious note, does anyone ever do that?

Did I mention that I bring this little girl to work sometimes too, well I do.

I have accepted that graduating college in the height of recession (that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one), with a soft degree had potential to be horrible.  Hearing stories of people with graduate degrees job hunting for months on end with no success,  people moving back home for lack of anything else to do, and any place else to go.  But hey that wouldn't be so bad, my Mom makes awesome food, irons, and my parents have a three car garage. I'd say that's living the high life, but then again maybe not. Would I really want to explain to my parents where I was if I hadn't come home...awkward. 

I'm in the business of enjoying the forty hours a week I spend away from my house, my family, my dog, and my life. The forty hours I spend with co-workers that often feel like family, and I the word office are often used synonymously with 'home'.  I'm not saying I have found my forever dream job, because of that I am not yet certain, but what I will say is I am continually challenged, engaged, and growing as a person and employee. I like my hours, and my company culture, and hey I get paid too.

For all you other folk out there, it'd be great if you could continue to preserve the environment, develop a caner cure, and saving lives, because heavens knows I'm not doing it. It takes all types of people to make the world go round, and that is simple a beautiful thing.

Out of Focus

The busy-ness of the past two months has almost knocked me off my feet.  And while yes, I am busy by choice, busy is busy not matter which way you slice it.  All you middle twenties gals know the feeling when all your friends are doing things at the same time, and somehow you're privileged enough to be invited to what feels like every.single.one.of.'em.

Due to said busy-ness, I feel as though I've lost perspective, just like my iPhone did when I was trying to snap a picture of 'my two', relaxed and content on a Sunday afternoon, just the way I like to see them.  So I'm going to work to renew my focus, because to me it's important.

It's as if we get caught up in all the things 'happening' in our lives, and forget what is actually 'happening'.  Every day I take for granted the health and happiness I have in myself and my relationships...something that might seem like a small fortune to most others.  I have a job that satisfies me, and though I don't save the world, cure cancer, or seriously change peoples lives, I enjoy it, which is more than 34.7% of employed people can say.  If you are impressed by my 'research' on the topic, that number is completely arbitrary, but I gottcha didn't I?

So here's to a fresh cup of hot chocolate in my elephant mug, an awesome weekend with my bestie, and focusing, investing, and giving back to those things that keep me going and give back to me, especially those two in that picture. They are perfect.

Business Casual Work Shorts?

I have been saving these in the depths of my closet until the weather was finally hot enough to wear them.

Well hello 80 degrees, and hello work 'dress' shorts? My question is- DO THEY WORK???

I am always trying to find ways to alter the standard 'business wear'- make it more comfortable, stylish, fun, etc. But I am thinking these might be toeing the line. I found them at TJ Maxx for $15, and they are Banana Republic which gave me the affirmation that yes some serious women wear these, so go ahead, buy 'em. I am just so tired of wearing the standard long skirts or capris to work in the late spring and summer.


They are totally comfortable, still conservative, and Banana Republic soooooo let me know what you think- Okay for work, yes or no?

P.S. Remember all those fabulous Spring accessories I found at forever 21? (See here) Well like I thought when I bought them, the earrings are wayyy more my speed feather- less :)

My beau and I are going out for dinner tonight (insert fancy martini drink/cocktail and excuse to wear my new dress here) to a restaurant we have never been too.

I'm excited.

It's sunny and beautiful here. I hope you all are having a great weekend.