Big Changes

I received this small journal as a gift a few weeks ago and fell in love with it. It has been sitting on my desk and I have found myself staring at it during the middle of the day. Most of you know that I have been considering the option of moving for quite some time. I was never sure when the right time was to go but these past few weeks I have really started to feel like it was totally the right time.

I gave my notice on Friday to my boss and will be leaving Washington DC on Friday, May 7th! It is a little scary but also so exciting. After being with same company for 7 years, the company I interned with in college, it was a crazy thing to give my notice and walk away. However, it felt so good and I feel like a weight has been lifted from

my shoulders in a way.

I found this picture of me from when I just started my job 3 years ago. I saw the building come together as a great site for events from a construction site. It has been a great experience,

but I am ready for what is next!

I'll be packing up my desk soon and heading to Florida with beau.

I am sure I will have lots to write on the way!

xoxo~Becca

pick myself up

So as you all know, I have been doing the job hunting thing for awhile now. I haven't found anything that I've accepted, loved or that has accepted me. This week I applied for a job I was REALLY excited about but unfortunately do not think I will be getting an offer for. I feel well over qualified for the position, but that is another story. After the emails went back and forth with their HR team I went to bed last feeling upset, frustrated and not very optimistic about really anything. I had a bust day at work today, I have a lot of events coming up, I'm running the NYC marathon, I haven't seen beau in awhile and all in all I was just blah.

Tonight I talked to my sister Chair who always has a great boost to give me. She is the oldest one of the sisters and always has a good perspective for me, "life is not that bad". I started ranting about running, being tired, stressed, job hunting, etc. She gave me three simple words that put it into perspective for me, take a break. Maybe this was just what I needed to hear. Take a break from the job search. I'm running the NYC marathon for my 3rd time, a lot of people don't get to do it one time. So she is right, I need to take a little break from the job search. I need to wake up tomorrow morning, go for a run, relax over the next two weeks, eat healthy, get sleep and enjoy the time I have for myself. After November 1st I can dive back into the job hunt.

So like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire sang ... I pick myself up Dust myself off, Start all over again. I need to do this! I can't let the people who did not want to hire me bring me down.

I need to take a couple of weeks to regroup, focus on myself then start all over again!

xoxo

Sunday Soirees - my portfolio

Recently my mind has been filled with applying for jobs, interviewing and being on a constant hunt for the next career opportunity in Florida. Applying for jobs online, following up and never hearing from anybody other then an automated email response, well, it makes you feel very frustrated! I feel like I am "just another" piece of paper on a desk, another application online. Last week I realized that I need to start marketing myself more then just a resume emailed or a good cover letter. After being in the events business for 6 years it was time for me to finally gather up some pictures and put them all together of what I have accomplished and start sending it out.

I wish I would have saved photos from events beginning on day one of my career, but I can't go back. I think I have a nice start of a portfolio to grow. It made me feel proud to look at the pictures of what I have been able to create and be a part of. I often get frustrated, upset and angry at my current situation and looking over these photos made me feel excited again. I wanted to share a few pics from my soirees from over the past years. I'm proud of them and I can't wait to create even more wonderful things as the years go on!

xoxo

not just a boring suit

I remember shopping for my first suit. Job interviews for summer intern programs, I headed straight to Ann Taylor. Oh my. I guess that is what I knew it as. Once known for boring button downs and an everyday corporate suit.....things have changed!

Recently I keep seeing pieces from Ann Taylor's Fall line in magazines, blogs and on the streets. Ok, I know I live in DC, the land of government employees who wear suits daily to work...and white gym sneakers! ugh. However, I went into Ann Taylor recently and wanted EVERYTHING!

Ann Taylor has a new Director of Design, Liz Axelson. Reading that Liz came from Club Monaco was no surprise after my last trip to the land of what was the land of suits. Liz has made the clothes more chic and modern and quite honestly...I'm loving it! Affordable, chic business clothes. nice. Now I'm not saying suits aren't sold there because they absolutely are. However, now they are paired with chunky necklaces, patent leather belts and look oh so much better!

Here a few things I am loving! Leather bags with chain handles, leather motorcycle jackets, lots of bling and over sized jewelry, skinny jeans and platform shoes, grey leather booties, shirts with bows (are you surprised)black sweater dresses. They have a great line of leopard belts, bags and shoes. Great accessories! I really love it.

Ann Taylor had their first fashion show this year! How fabulous! Let's hope the Winter line is fun and affordable and we can all go out and buy a fun party dress!

happy shopping! xoxo

working girl

The interview.

Yes, the interview on Monday went well. I had my little rental car and drove down to Miami in my ruffled shirt and blown out hair (which frizzed from the humid weather! must fix that!). For awhile I was a little lost of exactly what warehouse door lead to the office for the interview. Finally I got in touch with my contact, picked him up and drove to Starbucks. After almost a 3 hour meeting I think it went well. The company seems exciting, young, growing. The food seems interesting and it looks like they have a nice clientele they are growing. We ended it that they would contact me this week. Good thing!

When I drove away it wasn't the feeling I had before. That exciting anxious, can't wait for them to call feeling. The feeling I had was questionable. Was this what I wanted? What is it that I want? I am not sure of that answer. Recently I think my dream is too some day have my own boutique planning business: brides, corporate dinners, intimate beautiful affairs. I use to question that. It's a lot of work! My wonderful older sister is amazingly successful with her own design firm and my Dad had his private practice for year. Maybe these are reasons that I am realizing I'm not loving the big corporate world. It's tough, there are ups and downs. Big companies have structure, benefits, paid time off. Small companies have flexibility, more room to have your ideas heard, a feeling that you are making a difference. So it was hard when I left the interview and wasn't sure.

I asked myself what it is I'm looking for and I couldn't answer it. Do I really want to move down and make this big change in my life to be with Beau, a new area, a new change and be working 24/7 on something I may not be passionate about....I'm not sure. I'm moving so I can do something difference, be with my love after 4 years apart, see how life will be. So right now I'm taking some time to search. To search in myself of what will make me happy. I don't want to settle. Some days I wish I could afford to go to Pastry school for 3 months, think a little, learn a lot and start at it again. Working full time and searching full time is not easy. I guess the pastry gig could be an option!

Oh my, the working girl world. Wish me luck! There are for sure some amazing big companies out there and I'm looking. The economy is a little tough, but I have faith that it is turning around and people will once again want to plan an amazing event!

Wish me luck with the job hunt and with the career hunt. I'm looking for something to move to and I'm looking for what it is too make me happy. I know it is a long hunt, but in time I know it will come!

xoxo