League of Extraordinary Women

In an attempt to stay relevant in the workings of career-pathing and general networking benefits, I try to read articles and books (my latest is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook-- a gift from my equally fierce and career-minded mama and so far, so good). I stumbled upon a great article earlier this week on a website called Levo League, and have since noticed that the site is full of useful nuggets for those interested in reading about careers/job advice/or just pure curiosity.

A few that I've found today include the following:

 1)  Article: "Working With a Sibling Can Be Crazy, But Also Crazy Wonderful" By Meredith Lepore

Topic: (in case the title didn't tip you off) Sisters who work together professionally:  aka Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Venus and Serena Williams, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, all seven of the Kardashians, etc.

More about Author: "Meredith Lepore is the former editor of the women's career site, The Grindstone. Before that she was on staff at Wall Street Letter and Business Insider and was a contributing writer for Learnvest. She earned her Masters in Magazine, Newspaper and Online journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University after graduating with a degree in Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Rochester. Meredith resides in New York full time and enjoys reading, jogging, shopping and playing with her puppy, Otis." 

2) Article:  "7 Ways Busy, Young Professionals Can Volunteer"

By Candace Faber

Topic: (again, in case it isn't obvious) "Studies show that volunteering makes people happier and healthier, but contributing to a cause you believe in has other benefits as well, from expanding your professional network to providing leadership opportunities you might not get in the workplace for years to come."

More about the Author: "Candace Faber is a foreign policy and gender issues expert who has worked for the U.S. Department of State in Afghanistan, Belarus, Poland, Russia, and Washington, DC. Before becoming a diplomat, she served as editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs and co-edited the 8th edition of Careers in International Affairs. She holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and bachelor's degrees in political science and Russian from the University of Washington. Candace currently lives in Seattle, Washington, where she enjoys racing triathlons, writing short stories, and working on her latest book project, a compilation of interviews with trailblazing women."

3) Article: "Beyond the Pencil (skirt): Meet Sarah, Teen Vogue " By: Kathryn Worsham

Topic: Behind the scenes at work with Teen Vogue Assistant Fashion Market Editor Sarah Pillai

More About the Author: "Kathryn is a Communications Associate at Levo League and the writer and photographer of Beyond the Pencil (Skirt). Follow her on Twitter @kaworsha"

So, if you fancy this type of networking/reading, join, or simply read up on things that interest you (there are tons to choose from).

For Example: 

 

{click here for above article}

{click here for Two Jobs are Better Than One}

And a personal favorite:

{click here for The Golden Rules of Happy Hour}

 

{New} Partners

Getting back to a series you might have thought I'd forgotten about, Bachelor Beauties and Their Real-Life Day Jobs. (Okay, so it's a working title, but you get the point.) Back to a few of my fav Bachelor contestants' enviable jobs. The first was Sarah Herron, who works for the famous ad agency, 72 and Sunny. Today, I'm turning my head toward Capitol Hill, and the campaigning efforts of Lesley Murphy.

The blonde bombshell originating from my neighbor state of Arkansas (woo pig sooie) is a successful political consultant at the D.C. office of {New} Partners communications group (hence the post title--and shout out to my favorite politically-minded comms-lover located in good ole District of Columbia, Jessica Carroll.)

 Not only do I find knowing about politics enviable, Lesley knows enough to consult. I'd say that's pretty darn impressive. She also managed to keep her distinct Southern drawl and congenial hospitality among our Yankee friends above the Mason-Dixion line. For that, she deserves some credit.  

 

{Wore her fab Bachelor dress to the inaugural ball... holla}

And then of course there's her adorable style and the fact that she's also a Bachelor "sister wife" (like Sarah Herron).

 

{"CellfieSunday" with her friends = we would totes be friends}

Whether your red or blue when you head to the polls, we can all agree Lesley is equal parts precious and fierce.

*most photos from Lesley's instagram or google.

72 and Sunny

Despite the title, it is not 72 in M-town today (more like 27), but it is sunny; so, I'll take it. In keeping with the Bachelor theme from the past few posts (here, here or here), I wanted to dig a little deeper into the past of a few of the lovely ladies. I'm particularly interested in their jobs, since most of them actually had interesting ones this go around.

Starting of with Sarah Herron, a fan favorite for sure. Sarah is a Jr. Designer for 72 and Sunny ad agency (named best ad agency by Ad Age in 2013) in the city of angles. I'm particularly intrigued by working for an ad agency since I imagine most of them to be extremely cut-throat, but since Sarah is basically as sweet as pie, there's hope.

She's stylish, sweet, a "sister wife" with some of my other fav. contestants, and a work-related book nerd (much like myself). Easy to see why she was a fan favorite from the beginning.

 {sister wives: L to R, Lindsay, Ashlee, Jackie, Sarah, Lesley, and Des}

 

{Navajo style}

 {advertising books + wine = epic}

 May or may not have a job crush on Sarah.

Blog to Book?

It's no secret that I'm an uber fan of SATC and SJP. Not only does Carrie Bradshaw manage to make a successful living as a columnist, a 4-time author and Vogue contributor, but she also lives in a Manhattan brownstone apartment and has a closet any gal would kill for. Granted, I'm well aware that Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character (click here for the "Carrie Bradshaw Lied" blog for a glittery dose of reality); ergo, her accolades are fictional. But do they have to be? 

{Compelation of Carrie's fictional (as in they don't exist.. not just fiction reading) books}

This is a question I find myself asking whenever my mind wanders to one day writing a book and/or novel. Thankfully, my handy dandy helper, pinterest, has a few tips for those of you out there who might also be thinking about writing one day. And if she can turn her columns into a successful book, who's to say you can't turn a series of blog posts into one too?

This user-friendly site answers that question, and then some. It's a perfect starting point to turning content you already have into a potential best-selling book. And if you're looking to completely start from scratch, or make new characters (considering most besties aren't going to let you air their personal lives to the public just to earn a profit), this next cite (below picture) is the next step to stardom.

 {site numero dos}

Now, if you think you want to create a book/novel and don't have any previous content you can recycle/don't want to, then starting with characters is a must. Once you have an idea in mind, you'll need a plot (duh, characters don't just create their own stories here people), which is where the last site comes into play. And by site I do mean book, because you're going to have to do your homework and use your imagination to create a totally brilliant new plot.

As Ms. Huntley used to say, "there's no such thing as a free lunch," and it's gonna take some effort to get on the NYT bestsellers list. Hope this has helped a little or maybe inspired you to even consider writing. Everyone has a story, and what good is it if it's never told?

When I Grow Up

If you're anything like me, the title of this post made you start singing the Pussycat Dolls song in your head, if not out loud. My crazy, wacky brain tends to move at warp speed, and today I stumbled across a few images that inspired this post: the many things that sound fascinating to me as a potential career. As I'm sure you're well aware, my lifelong dream has always been to do this:

 

And now that I am, I'm seriously happy as a lark. And to put the icing on the cake, I work for a magazine/magazines that I actually believe in (somewhat of a rarity among possible career paths for a journalist that actually enjoys a roof over her head and food on the table). 

Nevertheless, my fast-paced mind has wandered to the world of fantasy (as it often does) and I just wanted to share a few of the other things I think I'd enjoy.

First up,

 

I've actually told several people that this would be a dream job of mine. To most, I sound like even more of a loon than I already am, but in fact, this does exist. Don't believe me? Check it out.

 Next, my obsession with Sephora/Ulta/Drug Stores/Beauty products has always made me intrigued by a career in the beauty industry, and lo and behold, this one exists too.

 {click here to take part one the beauty industry test (then take part two, then three). I'm a beauty blogger, nail technician, and product developer go figure}

Lately I've had a freakish desire to learn to bake. Maybe it's talking to EZ about our mythical start-up magazine that would include recipes or maybe it's being around all of these cookbooks and foodie events, but either way I now want to own 

Georgetown Cupcakes.

 {If I'm honest, I've been obsessed with the idea since the show premiered}

Last, but certainly not least, I've always thought

 it would be fun to write a novel.

 I have no idea what it'd be about or anything like that, but just entertaining the idea until something clicks and I'm newly inspired. Of course, if I ever did, I wouldn't hate for it to be a best-seller...

A gal can dream, right?

One Step At A Time

 Welp.. I did it. I finally graduated from college. Not just any college, but a university. And, while I may be biased, a darn good university at that.

{ May 19th 2012--graduation from Samford University--

the day I thought would never come}

{My amazing support system came to cheer me on,

 help me move, and bring me home}

{These were the reason I didn't wanna go.}

Since moving home I've gotten to do some pretty cool things, to lessen the sting of leaving my besties back in b'ham (and Lakeland, Orlando, and most recently ATL)

For example:

Carnival Memphis (more common known as The Cotton Carnival fashioned after Mardi Gras Carnival)

{This was the first night, the "Crown and Scepter Ball" where Ben's sister, Grace, was presented as a Princess"}

{The next night was a cocktail party at

 the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club}

The most recent development is that I got a "job" as a ServiceMaster intern for 10 weeks in Memphis, which was a real answer to prayer. I'm excited to learn and work on new and interesting projects as I explore the world of corporate media and graphic design. 

If I've said it once, I've said it a 100 times, I may not know what my future holds, but I know the One who holds my future. I'm trying to be patient and take everything one step at a time. After all, how else can I do it. Thanks for all the love and prayers!

 'Til next time... 

Judge a book by its cover..?

While sitting on my apartment couch, watching SATC on DVD I stumbled upon a wonderful pearl of wisdom from the ever-fabulous Carrie Bradshaw...

She said, 

"I think it’s pretty fair to say that “open-minded” = good; “close-minded” = bad. 

But are we being too quick to judge judgment?

 Perhaps judgment is not so much a snap decision, as an early warning and detection device.  If it is instantly clear that a person, a place, or even a profession is not for you, is it better to ignore your better judgment and read between the lines? Or should you judge a book by its cover?"

This ^ has been a toughie for me lately. Do I take/go for jobs that I can get in the horrible economy, or can I be choosey and go with my gut even when I don't have another option/reason to not take it?

I'm trying to remember this: 

And remember that, in my heart of hearts I know I'll know when the opportunity is the right one. 'til then, I'll just keep chugging along this lil journey called life.

'til the perfect thing comes along I might need to pick up this little gem; I hear it's a must for gals "in my stage of life"

 pick up your copy here

God is in control

I've come to realize over the last few months that I am, in fact, a control freak.

It came as a shock to me, considering I'm not overly OCD in every aspect of my life. I don't color code my closet, make my bed every morning, flip my light switches certain ways or turn my soap bottles to 90 degree angles, but nevertheless, I am a control freak....

about jobs.

(searching for them, sending emails, updating my resumé daily, checking LinkedIn, following up with contacts, making new ones, and essentially obsessing about the next step in life just about every second of every day)

I allow it to take over my mind so completely that I forget to enjoy some days because I'm too worried about finding a job, taking that next step, planning it all out etc.

I'm nuts, and I know it. Thus, the purpose of this post-- a semi-cathartic attempt to purge myself of negativity and focus on the good (better yet, wonderful) aspects of my life.

By remembering this:

And singing this at the top of my lungs:

(yes, the is the real music video.. it's an oldie but goodie)

Okay, I'm not quite here yet...

but I'm tryin'.