What's Your Occasion?

In my travels and experiences since graduating in May 2008, I, like many other 20-somethings (and human beings in general), am trying to find my place. I find myself dabbling in different interests. I'm figuring out my life's balance, though I feel like it won't really be balanced for some time. Still, I'm taking steps to figure out who I am and who I'm not.

I've figured out that I'm currently exploring my purpose. While working for JA, I figured out my purpose pretty quickly. I don't mean my general job duties, I mean the thing that makes me get up and go every day. My purpose was to help the kids in Osceola County, Florida to become better citizens. I still have a passion for helping kids, but my desire to learn more about the fashion industry led me to my current job with the Aveda salon. My general job duties are outlined, of course, but I'm still figuring out my overall purpose. I'm exploring some opportunities within the business that will be supplementary to my daily routine. It sounds like these opportunities will be helping the business put on events to benefit our community. I like my job, don't get me wrong. But this extra piece of it, the piece that I'm volunteering to do, I think will end up being my purpose here. Not only will I be helping to coordinate the daily workings of a top salon, I'll also be promoting our salon via community outreach as we try to help some of the nonprofit organizations in town. This aspect of my job at JA was my favorite part - getting out there and showing the people what we were made of (and helping people in the process).

So, even though I'm in a completely different position/work environment, maybe this is another sign pointing me toward where I'm supposed to go. At least I feel like I'm on the path.

This quote inspired today's post:

"Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." ~Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

I'm figuring out what occasion I'm rising to, one day at a time.

Mer-Tested

Young women like myself are always looking for the next best thing. This season's shoes, bags, sweaters, etc, are within many women's comfort zones. One would think that hair and makeup would fall into this category, too. I beg to differ.

I feel like as a woman, or maybe just being a human being, we want to find something that works for us. Whether it's the perfect pair of jeans or hairstyle, when we find these things, we don't want to let them go. For example, I had a pair of GLO jeans purchased from Kohl's many moons ago. These were the MOST comfortable pair of jeans I'd ever put on. I'm pretty sure I wore them from age 16 to 20. While there are certain staples that are difficult to part with (though I've found some lovely denim from Old Navy that compares nicely), when it comes to hair and makeup, trends are always changing. Brands are coming up with all kinds of products to keep us interested. Yet, many of us find that "perfect" eye shadow and can't part with it for ages because of its alleged level of perfection.

I am this girl. I've been wearing the same eye shadow for over a year now. Not only is this unhealthy (you really should replace makeup more often than just annually), but seasons and trends have changed. It can be a hard industry to keep up with. That's where my new job comes in.

As a guest coordinator for an Aveda salon, I now have new products to try on a daily basis. As an employee, it would benefit me to at least try all the products I can so I can better inform the masses of our earth-friendly skin care, hair care, and makeup. I'm happy to do so and can't wait for my discount to start!

This has brought on a new idea: a weekly segment dedicated to product-testing. It may be primarily Aveda (what can I say, I'm there 40 hours a week), but I'm open for suggestions. If you see or hear something about an up-and-coming product, but are nervous to step outside the box, let me do the stepping for you. Trust me to keep it real enough to give you an idea of how the product works. I'll even post some pics so you can see the results.

Comments and questions are welcome, and I will get to all of them as best as I can. Here's to us trying something new, together.

Premiere Week

Some of you may know that I didn't subscribe to television when I lived in Orlando. I had internet, so I watched things online. Now that I'm living at home, my television habits are back in full swing and there is a whole line-up of shows back in action this week. Let's break it down:

Monday: How I Met Your Mother

If you're not watching this show, you need to start. Following the lives of early-30-somethings in NYC, HIMYM is one of the funniest shows I've found on television. It has a silliness that everyone's witnessed in their respective night-out-situations while Ted narrates the story to his children. With each episode, the viewer comes closer to finding out the age-old question, how I met your mother. Dear Jason Segel: I've loved you on this show, but after I Love You, Man, I love you even more. Each episode brings a smile to my face.

Tuesday: The Good Wife

Mr. Big is back as a political figure who gets caught in the usual sex scandal. But this time, we get a glimpse into what may happen once the cameras are turned off. Julianna Margulies plays the wife of Chris Noth's character. Seeing her playing it cool during a press conference, then proceeding to slapping her husband in the face once they're alone has this girl wanting to know more.

Wednesday: Mercy

The commercial got me hooked on this new series, too. After returning from Iraq as a military nurse, Veronica uses her instincts to save lives in a U.S. hospital. She uses a straw to save a man in a car accident. What's not to love about medical improvisation?

Thursday: Grey's Anatomy

Last season's finale left me so stressed out, I'm already nervous. We left George on an operating table after being hit by a truck and Izzy was suffering complications from her surgery. We see them both in the after-life at the hospital, but it looks like one or both of them will be returning to Seattle Grace to continue their life. Who will it be? I'm on the edge of my seat, ready to find out!

In addition to a great week in TV, I also have the day off tomorrow. Don't get too jealous, I'll be working Tuesday through Saturday. But, having a three-day weekend this weekend is nothing to complain about!

And, check out my Examiner.com column for some snippets of Emmy fashion! Enjoy: http://www.examiner.com/x-14742-Indianapolis-Fashion-and-Style-Examiner

Just be nice.

Alright, folks, here's a Miss Manners reminder:

When someone is talking, it's rude to interrupt. If you'd like to share your thoughts with the person speaking, wait until they're finished, then wait for the appropriate time and place to make your thoughts known. This goes for presidential addresses in Congress, award-winner speeches, and everyday folks like us just trying to share stories with each other. Being courteous of others isn't difficult. Respect is something everyone deserves, whether or not you agree with the person who has the floor. You are entitled to your own opinion, but that doesn't mean you should steal someone else's spotlight just because you think your opinion is better.

*Stepping down from soap box*

En Vogue

It's been awhile since I've written anything that's not my blog. I purchased the September issue of Vogue when it came out, which is a great research tool (what a great business expense!). While flipping through more of the 500+ pages of Prada, Fendi, and other high-end designers' artwork, I came across an ad that made me look twice. It was an ad for K-Mart.

A smartly-dressed female donning a brilliant plaid overcoat and chic black ruffle dress is standing proud with the words "smart statements" making their own bold statement across her stylish bag. It made me look twice because it wasn't obvious where the outfit came from until I saw the words "Shop online now at kmart.com/fall."

For those who don't me, I'm going to be honest with you and tell you I'm a snob when it comes to shopping. My uncle and I just bonded this weekend over our shared fear of garage sales and flea markets (don't even mention Goodwill). I found a fabulous coffee table at a garage sale, but I would have never stopped had my Tampa love not been with me in the car. In addition to garage sales, I get uncomfortable thinking about serious shopping at the likes of places like Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Wal-Mart is great for cheap necessities and food items (some, not all), but never would I even try to find clothing I would feel good buying. However: with my job-change and living situation, maybe the time has come to look past the stigmas of these feared establishments. And given their most recent ad, I think K-Mart is positioning itself smartly in today's economy where people want to be stylish, but are sticking to a budget (something I need to work on).

Good job, K-Mart. You might have convinced this girl to peruse your latest fashion offerings. I don't make any promises, though.