Email Etiquette

The guide to writing emails to your boss/important people:

(1) Try to put everything he or she needs to know in the subject line. Odds are they have no intention to open the email anyways. If you put key words of phrases in the subject, they get your thesis without having to click "open" on their cellphones. (Make sure it is not a "wordy" subject or it will cut off if opened on a cellphone)  Let's be honest. Odds are he or she wont even read the subject - they might just disregard it - the subject should then be searchable so that a few weeks or months from now when he (we are just going to use the pronoun "he" from now on to cut down on unnecessary typing) asks you if you sent that email, you can say "oh yes, check the email sent on 10/4 titled *insert your title here*".

(2) Use bullet points. Or numbers. You odds are greatly increased of getting a read if you have bullet points. No "unnecessary" words in this either.  Just a quick, super short, to the point summary. (don't take this post to be the perfect example of course). Don't get me wrong, when I have been told to "write a detailed email describing the situation", I have written a detailed email that would make your eyes roll to the back of your head half way through reading it, That can't be good for anyone's yearly optometrist visit,

(3) Bold. If you are lucky enough for him to open the email, you want the bolded words to smack him in the face. He should be able to understand the entire email by simply skimming the bold words. That way, if he "skims your email" you are helping him to skim the part you really want for him to read.

(4) Don't use long words. Write as though you are writing to a small child (with all due respect). He isn't going to use a dictionary to look up presumptuous words. (such as presumptuous). You don't come off as "more intelligent" if you used your thesaurus to write a quick work email.

(5) If there is additional information, put it in the attachment. Then you can say "attached, for additional information, is the *insert name of document*" Highlight the document (you can do that in pdf or excel or word) with the important key figures mentioned in your email. IF for some unknown reason he wants to actually read your email to put him to sleep at night AND opens the attachment, you are good to go.

(6) Make sure your document is client ready. Okay, we are not perfect. Today, I forgot to spell check an excel document and there was a small, hidden, completely irrelevant misspelled word. After a couple years of constant spell check and getting irritated with others for not using the little "check mark" function on all microsoft product, I forgot. AND got called out in an email about it - making my boss look bad. Easy to do - sucks when you don't.

(7) Make sure all attachments are print ready, and the little box in the excel document is at A1. Don't make it any more confusing than necessary or he might close it with all of the confusion of starting out on cell F45. You might have one of those old-school bosses that print everything - welcome to 2012 bossman,

(8) The email should be "client ready". If you can adequately write a professional and quick email, your boss can simply forward on the message to the appropriate party, (also eliminating the need for him to read it all together, ideal)

(9) Never BCC your boss. He wont feel special and your odds of him reading it are slim to none, Plus, who BCCs anyways? You shady bastard.(That being said, I do appreciate being BCCed on the "I'm quitting the firm" emails. That way I don't have to scroll through all the people you've ever passed in the hall after your 2-5 years with the firm.)

(10) Don't over use the "!" Urgent. You are going to be the "boy who called wolf". What is REALLY IMPORTANT to you, might be not such a big deal compared to the rest of his day.
Don't use Urgent unless one of the following has occurred:

• Someone is bleeding (actually, then you should call the doctor, or give them a bandaid depending on how serious the cut)
• There is an extreme emergency (but maybe you should be calling him at that point?)
• Something requires immediate action (but then you could just write "Immediate Action Required" In the subject line so he knows there is an action item associated with the whole mess)

Good Luck and Happy Writing.

The 30 minute rule

I am pretty sure I can do just about anything for 30 minutes.

But let’s be honest. If it doesn’t involve shoe shopping or lunch with friends and isn’t something that I WANT to be doing, I am going to put it off. Instead of working, I can drift into the world of online shopping. Instead of folding laundry, I can drift into the latest episode of Real Housewives (or maybe even a repeat.) I would find it hard to imagine that this is just me.

But I can do anything for 30 minutes. So go with that theory. It is a Sunday afternoon. I want to meet up with friends/shop/nap/fill in with lazy Sunday activities. I also have that laundry on my bed that I need to fold. 30 minutes. “I am going to just spend 30 minutes FOCUSING on this one task”. I saw whatever isn’t done in 30 minutes can wait. 80% of the time (rough estimate) the laundry is done). If I get into the trend of working out for an hour or more I can find it hard to drag myself to the gym (What a commitment!) But thinking about getting on a machine for 30 minutes? Easy. I can find 30 minutes in my day.

Same thing goes with work. The internet simultaneously increased and decreased productivity in the work place. (I am not sure how it netted out – but probably negative overall) It increased by opening communication throughout cities and states and the world. Transfer information. And obtain information. Easy to search. Easy to access information. Oh, but the time wasted by employees talking to one another. Or online shopping for shoes (wow, maybe I need to seek help?) Here is my challenge. Turn off the internet. Or gmail. Or chat session. And focus of work for 30 minutes straight. There is something to be said about not multi-tasking 100% of your day. This might sound old-school, but it is amazing what you can accomplish with 100% of your attention. Those 30 minutes can equal hours of multi-tasked work.

A modern girl simply needs more time. But maybe we just simply need to use our time more efficiently. 

Love Your "Now"

Okay, I'll admit it. I have had a self-diagnosed bad case of the post-vacay-blues this entire week. If you don't know what I am talking about, then you haven't been on a really good vacation (and by all means, stop reading this post and go book yourself an incredible trip). You know, that sitting at the desk at work dreaming of laying on that St. Croix beach.... bragging about your scuba diving abilities..... purposely picking outfits that will highlight that newly found tan (the one your coworkers have probably never seen, because, well.. you have a desk job) feeling. That was me this week. (if you add in "talking at nausea about the gorgeous island and the flavored rum to anyone who will listen")

I find myself at frozen yogurt (anyone who knows me is probably not surprised at this typical statement) with Ashlyn talking, once again, about our desire to do something adventurously fabulous. We want to be "those people" who pick up and follow our hearts. This isn't our first time to talk about it... seeing as we are both accountants.

And then it hits me.

I am not that person NOW. Sure, I always have the option to become a FatTireBike Tour Guide in Italy at any moment (not-so-secret dream), but that is not my life Now. And if I spend my days/nights thinking about what I might do in the future, I am going to wake up one day and  have completely missed the Now.

Let me elaborate. If I woke up tomorrow and went to Italy, I would miss out on those weekly girl dates with Ashlyn. (I would also blow my budget on a flight to Italy the day of, but lets not even go there). I would miss not going to my brother's graduation in a few weeks. I would miss the beautiful weddings that I am attending/participating in this fall for my closest friends. I wouldn't get to fly to Houston next weekend to have a girls weekend. If you spend all your time with your head somewhere else you will miss out on the great things in your life today.

One step farther? I think somewhere, deep, deep down I am glad I have a sell-out-to-the-man job (for 3-5 years max) so that I can prove to myself that I can do it. I'm not ready to win the lotto or take off to Italy tomorrow.... I want to live in my Now and know I can make it on my own. (However, if any of you just won the lotto and want to send me a couple million, then disregard the above post). A savvy twenty-something knows that great feeling of putting on her favorite stilettos and sassy work skirt and knowing that today you can tackle that corporate ladder (with the upmost style of course).

In Conclusion: If you aren't going to go to Italy tomorrow? Enjoy your Today. Because someday you might just end up in Italy missing what you have Now.

Watch Yourself

Time. Such a sensitive subject when you really think about it. “Time is limited” and “Time is money” and “Time flies”. Such a source of stress, anxiety, frustration, and arguments. How many times do I look back at when I was growing up and remember my Dad screaming at us to leave? Oh wait, that was over the holiday break too – some things really don’t change. (In our defense, my Dad thinks that 10 minutes early is on time…. Which means if he says to be ready to leave for dinner at 6, he really means 5:50. And if you are a teenage girl, those precious 10 minutes make all the difference in appearance… which is more valuable than time… but back on track). I think of the frustration my Dad faced and the aggravation it caused my mother and me. What wasted energy.

Basically, people view time differently.

It is interesting that people from different cultures view time differently. My experience is that Europeans view time as a relative term. 6:00 could mean 5:45 or it could mean 6:45. Why rush? What is the big rush?

Why are Americans so stressed and pressed for time? Are the Eurpoeans or eastern cultures less stressed and more content? Could our time pressure be what makes our culture so productive? (And also die of heart attacks and high blood pressure?)

You might be asking: What should a Savvy 20-something care about the large differences in time perspectives? Good question. (Maybe because technically I asked it of myself). When it boils down the importance of time, it is important to remember that there are people like my Dad out there. Infact, the real world seems to be full of them. What message does it send to a friend if I am 10 minutes late to dinner? It says “I don’t value your time, I think it is okay to make you waste your precious time waiting on me”. Same thing when you are meeting your boss – and in that situation? That could cost you your job.

I had to meet a manager for a meeting at 8am. This meeting was 30ish minutes from my house (and in the heart of rush hour). I also hate morning (mornings being before noon). But what did I do? I got myself out of bed extra early, so despite traffic, and despite hating mornings, I could be at work at 7:45 to prepare for the meeting. What message does it send to a superior (or a coworker) when you roll in at  8:15 instead? I don’t get “points” for coming early, but I am sure she was more willing to help me than if I came in late.

On the flip side, if you are meeting someone – and being the prompt person that you now will be – beat them to work/dinner/etc, have some patience. Know that sometimes life happens, and that their schedule might just not have let them get there on time. Their clock culture could be different.

To end: Just remember, always “Watch” yourself and be on time. (hey, good excuse to go shopping for a cute new watch right?)

Fresh Impressions

First impressions are everything. (I am clearly not the person who came up with that concept or the science to back it up - I wish I was, because then? I would be so rich and famous that I wouldn't have to keep my day job)  But first impressions are not always easy.

Welcome to training at a big four accounting firm. (It is not just public accounting, let's face it, there is probably plenty of this in your training rooms too. And if there isn't? well, are they hiring?) Here is a room with 30 people who are all at the same level and competing for jobs, raises, and titles. (vicious sounding, I know) The new girl walks in. She just transferred, never worked on a job with anyone from the rest of the group, and no one knows her. She is like the new kid in school (that no one really likes). When she has to give her introduction everyone watches her and sizes up the competition. (Okay, this may be a little dramatic, but the point is there). She sits down at the table, reaches into her purse, and pulls out a little tin of mints. She takes one for herself and then asks "does anyone else want one?". In 5 seconds she turns from "potential threat" to best friend of everyone at the table.

Okay, alittle dramatic. But the point is there. Everyone loves gifts. Something free. The offering of the mint makes her instantly a "friend" and there is a small tiny bond and a smile exchanged. If you enter a room of people find a gesture, whether it is a mint or simply plugging in the team's laptops. It's the little things that count.

Just remember, for  $1.50 at your local drug store you can buy your way into making a great first impression.

Calling all computer nerds

Now, I wouldn't call myself a computer nerd - I can barely log onto my work computer while at home (security and internet connectivity and all that jazz). Don't get me wrong though, I can find a shoe sale online at DSW like it is nobody's business.  Really though, I spend all day all day at my desk working (looking at the computer). I then take a break to check my email (looking at the computer) or to surf the web for some new shoes (looking at the computer). I can go home at night and read my favorite blogs (looking at the computer) or watch the tv show that I missed the night before (looking at the computer). I even prefer to read the news online so that I do not need to see all of the quite frightening videos of murders 5 miles away.

I am not alone. Most of my peers seem to spend all day on the computers only to go home and spend some more time. What is average? 8? 10 hours a day looking at a screen? We joke about how bad this is for our eyes, but what really is the effect? (I am guessing you are one of them if you are online reading this blog)

According to vision works, frequent computer users are at risk for vision stress, glucoma, and short-sitedness. To overall summarize? yes, you can have issues from staring at your screen all day and night. Is there something you can do about it? YES!

How to minimize the wear and tear on your eye balls from staring at a computer screen:

(1) Blink more often. Yes, this sounds really dumb, but people who stare at a computer blink less often than normal (I am very concious of my eye blinking at the moment). The lubercation of blinking helps keep your eyes from getting dry and irritated. Dry eyes from staring at the screen? get some visine!

(2) Take breaks. This is good for productivity anyways. Go get coffee. Go talk to a coworker. STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER. Hey, good reason to take a much deserved break huh?

(3) Adjust your brightness and contrast of the screen. If the screen is too bright you are asking to hurt your eyes. If it is too dark? you may make your eyes work harder than needed. Try to read black font on a white background when possible (like my blog!). If the background is too busy? you my be wearing out your eyes.

(4) Minimize glare. Glare from a window or wall can really wear out your eyes. Whenever possible, angle your computer to avoid this added eye-stressor.

(5) Try eye exercises. Do they work? maybe. Would I tell my friends I was trying them? probably not. Between us, here is a site that will give you detailed instructions.

(6) Consider corrective eyewear. Or just increase the side of the font on the screen. Either way, try to reduce the amount of work your eyes have to do. They even have those super stylish classes!

No matter what you do, you should get your eyes examed. I am not the best example since I absolutely LOATH going to the eye doctor and having them blow that air into my eyes. (Once they even had to tape my eyes open). Vision is so important and a sense that I would NEVER want to lose.

$5 or a bowl of ice cream?

This is not a blog saying that you should save $5 and not get ice cream. As any of my close friends (or anyone who has been within ear distance of me) could tell you I am a HUGE frozen yogurt fan. I could single handedly keep some of the "froyo" places in Dallas in business. (I would put froze yogurt right below my love of shoes).

That being said, we got free ice cream at work today (Marble Slab- not too shabby). I made the bold statement to my coworkes-friends (the coworkers who double as friends, everyone needs some of those, but that could be a whole different post) that "I would rather have $5 than a bowl of ice cream". We may not get big raises... but don't worry, we get free ice cream! Why would I take the $5 in my account? because, well, then I could do with the money as I pleased. (yes, a Conservative mentality... maybe living in Texas has actually gotten to me)

It took a bit of discussion for me to realize that perhaps the value that was given to be from the "Ice Cream Social" was more than the $5 the company seemingly wasted for my bowl. Let's look at the big picture. I axiously awaited "Ice Cream Day" all week. Most people here did. They might not have talked about it as much as I did, but people were actually in line waiting for it 10 minutes before the event started. We had some "bonding" while we all sat at tables and socialied for 15 minutes, and we thought "yay free stuff" (who doesn't like free stuff). I know their point was a little morale booster. To be honest? It probably boosted our morale more than $5 would have anyways -  that and I didn't have to pay tax on the morale booster. (It would only have been $3.50 anyways.

The lesson here is this:
(1) Try to keep the big picture in mind
(2) If it is free, be happy - don't complain
(3) Volunteer to help your company put together "morale boosting events" so you can pick more exciting flavors than vanilla, french vanilla, and chocolate.

Change is a good thing

Coffee in the morning (or green tea when I am feeling extra motivated to be healthy), several water bottles a day (don't worry, I refill the same camelbak over and over), and a drink at lunch (not alcoholic of course). Let's just say I have to use the restroom several times a day.

Not that there is anything WRONG with that... or that I am going to get fired for "frequent bathroom usage", but I have to walk by the partner's offices on my way to the restroom. Yes, I look like a slacker. No, I don't really think they keep track of my frequent restroom trips - but still.

Here's the trick. If your office has more than one hallway, use them both. Take turns choosing which hallway to walk down. Two bathrooms? use both and switch up which way you walk each time. We tend to be creatures of habit and frequent the same places over and over (human nature). If you can add some variety to your life, you can drink your 8 glasses guilt-free.

Same trick would apply to leaving early. Trying to sneak out 10 minutes early two days in a row? Maybe you should use the stairs located the opposite direction one of those days. (hey, its healthier for you too!)

Not everyone has the same "issue" as me. But really the greater lesson is to think about what you do over and over as a routine and try to change it up. You may become more efficient and productive (or at least appear that way).

Appearance is Everything

Dress for the part you want. Yes, we have heard that saying over, and over. Many good sayings come from truth.

I am about to buy a new suitcase (I know, its a weekday.. but I took the day off and I desperately need a new suitcase. Cool way to spend vacation huh?) I really need a midsized suitcase and a smaller "carryon". Seeing as I didn't budget for both this month, I can only buy one. Although midsized suitcase is probably more practical for my family wedding in Detriot this weekend, I know my job will potentially have me travelling quite a bit in the future. Lets be honest, no self-respecting business person is allowed to travel for a week a check their bags (trust me, I've been though the teasing). Instead of purchasing the suitcase better suited for a family trip, I intend to buy the carry-on. Gotta practice sometime right? Even if my colleagues weren't to tease me, if you act the part of a good traveler (or whatever part you are looking for) you soon assume the role.

Same applies at everyone's job. If you want more responsibility, volunteer for it once and you will soon be the go-to-gal for the job in the future. (On the flip side, if you DON'T want a responsibility, be careful not to volunteer too quickly... or you might be ordering dinner for the team EVERY night)

I think this saying applies beyond the work place and into your personal life. A good friend of mine (who will remain nameless at this point) was told "If you act immature, you can't be surprised by the type of girls you attract". Not that you should change for a person that you haven't even met yet- but if you want a certain role in the future, you better play the part now.

And with that I'll close with another cliche. "Fake it til you make it". Happy Dressing.

Calling All Working-Ladies

Here's to you all 20-somethings. The generation who learned to type on AIM, defines a relationship through facebook, breaks up over text, and can put all deep thoughts into 140 characters on twitter. Wait, and now you want me to have a business call/interview/etc on the phone!? I may send over 3000 texts a month, but I really only talk on the phone 5 minutes- and you are asking me to have a business phone call? Heres's to all the 20-somethings who I personally know have had the same experience.

At some point in your career, whether it is at the very start (with an interview) or sometime throughout it (conference call, client call, etc) you will probably have a business phone call. So how do we become comfortable in this situation and act like we know what we are doing?

(1) Properly prepare. If you are having a call from home, get completely dressed for work. Sit up tall, not laying on the bed, at a desk or table and answer the phone as though you are at work. If you look the part of a professional, you will act the part. (You wouldnt go shopping without wearing comfortable shoes to run around the mall in without blisters, right?)

(2) Gather everything you are going to need. Make sure you have a bottle of water (just incase), pen and paper, any information you may need for the call. (That would be the equivalent of forgetting to wear a strapless bra when looking for a strapless dress)

(3) Clear the area of distractions. Don't talk on the phone and browse the internet or read the latest newsfeeds on facebook.  (A girl on a mission should never be distracted)

(4) Write down questions or main talking points. BUT make sure you don't read off the sheet. It never hurts to have a cue card, but at the same time? No one wants to talk to a robot. Never interrupt the other person- if you think of something you want to say while they are talking? use that pen and paper you gathered in (2) to  remember your thoughts and continue listening.

(5) Use a normal tone. You don't want to sound cold. Or nervous. If you feel nervous then make sure to talk slower and enunciate- you want the other person to be able to understand you. (You wouldn't show signs of weakness when trying to make a bargain would you?)

(6) Take time to think through your thoughts. We are used to texting or chatting online where we can type, retype, and think about our thoughts before we push send. You can't do this on the phone. Think through what you want to say. THEN say it.

(7) Smile. It goes a long way. And for some reason you really can hear it in someone's voice.

Are we at a disadvantage over the other generations who grew up talking on the phone with friends instead of texting? possibly. Is this something we can easily overcome and become comfortable with? ABSOLUTELY. Grab your career by the phone and confidently rock your important phone call.

Any other tips or advice?

Don't hate your commute, Embrace it!

I am pretty sure no one would argue that Oprah isn't a pretty smart lady (let's face it, she has the most successful talk show, her own magazine, extreme wealth, a good reputation, and definitely a household name). I would have said that she tends to speak more to our mother's generation. (Isn't it funny how suddenly you reach your twenties and your parent's generation isn't so dumb anymore?) BUT A great point that Oprah made on her show is that more people hate their commute than hate their jobs when it really comes down to it. Interesting, since most people I know aren't exactly ecstatic about working.

Does this apply to our generation? Absolutely. This applies to my friend who has to drive an hour north to go to grad classes 2 days a week. Or my coworkers who got assigned to a client 45 minutes away. This applies to all the people I know (and see) stuck on the interstate trying to make it to work by 8.

So what? Is the solution to move? Well, maybe, if you live in an apartment and feel like you would be happier closer to the office. But that can be a bit drastic (especially if you are only on a client for a few months, or commute a couple days a week). Maybe instead we should just learn to embrace the commute.

I was talking to my friend Emily who was less than thrilled about her drive when this idea came to me. We started brainstorming ideas to make her commute something to look forward to. Here are my ideas:

1. Connect with old friends. No, I am not saying that you should text and drive. But so many cars have hands free devices built in anyways that its a shame to waste good technology. Haven't you ever had a meal with a friend where 3 hours feels like only 10 minutes. Apply this concept to driving. Bam! You are at your destination!
2. Plan your day. This is such a good time to think about your to-do list. Figure out when you will be getting things done, and get prepared and mentally ready for the day.
3. Jam out to your favorite playlist. When else do you get to listen to your favorite songs? Sure maybe if you go for a run, but this gives you the same opportunity without the pain and suffering.
4. Learn something new. There are so many books on tape, why not learn something you've always wanted to learn? Maybe a new language? or just some new skill? Improve yourself and take the time for yourself to actually grow.
5. Relax. Really. Road rage is a state of mind. Instead of being frustrated in traffic, think of it as some extra time that you get to spend by yourself. You have no other obligations at the moment and can purely relax and spend some quality "ME" time!

Did this work for Emily? Yes. Does it work all the time? Eh, I'm sure it doesn't. But its worth a shot right?

Let me know if the theory works for you. What do you do to embrace your commute?

I have a drug addiction- So what?

Hi, my name is Mallory and I am addicted to Caffeine. (Hi Mallory) I have been clean for 4 hours now (applause) but I have no intention of quitting in the near future (sigh).

I was not always this way. It starts slowly. At first it is just in the mornings. Set up your computer, check your emails, go to the break room for some coffee (200mg/8oz). Then you find yourself adding a diet coke (47mg/12oz) at lunch. Suddenly the 3 o'clock slump gets replaced with a redbull (85mg/8oz), tea becomes a staple choice of beverage (70mg/8oz), and if you have to stay at work past 8? there is just no helping you.  I am not just a social drinker. Caffeine gives me that little bits of energy that I need to keep me awake throughout a boring day of accounting. The energy helps me stay focused and makes me nicer to be around. In busy season? energy is a must and sleep just don't cut it alone anymore. Thank you little drug for making me a better employee and happier person.

But there is a catch. I have not been sleeping soundly. I can't help but think that this may be linked to the Caffeine. But I can't quit. Not now, not during busy season. According to WebMD, the symptoms of withdrawl include headache, tiredness/fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness/attentiveness, drowsiness/sleepiness, decreased contentedness/well-being, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating,  irritability, and felling muzzy/foggy/not clearheaded. There just is never a good time for these.


Are we really "addicted"? or do we just throw that term around loosely? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association, you only need THREE (3) of the following to be addicted:
(1) tolerance- I am not upset when my coworkers have their morning starbucks
(2) substance-specific withdrawal syndrome- I had my first caffeine headache one sunday at the movies with my friend lauren (who ironically writes a health blog and demonstrates GREAT selfcontrol)
(3) substance often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than expected- sometimes I work later than others, okay?
(4) persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use- I ALWAYS want to quit. I wouldn't write this post if I wasn't slightly guilty...
(5) a great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of the substance- Obtain? not so much, there is a starbucks on every corner. Use? it only takes about 3 minutes to down a diet dr. pepper. Recover? does not sleeping count?
(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of the substance- Yes, we have DMD (Diet Mountain Dew) time at the client's site. I try not to participate. Peer pressure SOMETIMES wins though.
(7) use continued despite knowledge of a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.


I am addicted. But probably so are you. (over 90% of adults in America are). Sure, we care about things like gas, natural resources, the national debt.. blah blah blah... But could you imagine if they suddenly wiped the country clean of Caffeine? Oh, the outbreak!

So here is my question. Caffeine, Friend or Foe? Or simply that Frenemy that I love to hate? Are you addicted? Do you try to stop? (Is the new "Jolt Gum" for addicts who just cant cut it completely?)

Help! I can't afford a work wardrobe

Work clothes. Those perfectly pressed pants, pencil skirts, and sharp button down that just screams "Screw Kelly Clarkson, I am the new Miss Independent". Sigh.

When I think "work clothes", my mind instantly goes to Banana Republic (my personal love), Ann Taylor Loft, Saks off Fifth, Nordstrom Rack,  and JCrew. These are the ideal work clothes that makes every working girl feel like shes "made it". They are also the safe outfits of choice that you KNOW will fit in with your new job in the office. Heres the problem: ONE pair of trousers will set you back $85 at Banana, and $250 at JCrew. ONE blouse? $70 and $100 respectively. And that just gets you through Monday!

DON'T DO IT GIRLS!

Secrets to Success?
1. Don't think of it as a "Wardrobe". If you are starting a new job, you don't need a whole month's worth of outfits, just enough to make it through the first few days so you can see what the other girls are wearing. Sure would stink to buy tons of jackets and find out that everyone in the office emphasizes the CASUAL of dressy casual.
2. Target and Old Navy? you are looking at your new best friends! Who says you need to buy a cardigan from Loft when you can get the same one from Old Navy for cheaper? Best part is.. no one knows but you.
3. That doesn't mean you can't steal inspiration. Check out JCrew's website. See what is "instyle" for work, and let that help you wade through the "is this okay for work?" questions you are bound to have.
4. Sale shop. You are going to work for years, you can wait until the blouse goes on sale before you buy it.
5. Beware of the Dry Clean Only. This saves you $40 a week! Too late? well try not to make too much of a mess and you can wear your pants more than once.
6. Ask around. Every job is different, every office. Ask what is the normal work attire for the office from a friend who works their. Or read the manual- most companies seem to have the dress code rules laid out. When in doubt? go conservative.

Stretch your money. In the long run, it is better to have a week's worth of clothes instead of just clothes for Monday. (And good luck to Kelly O on her new job- the inspiration for this post!)

What do you think? Ideas? Other tips? Where do you get your work clothes?

The Rotating Shirt System: Maybe boys are actually on to something

I am sure you have all heard about this system- the guys in my office talk about it all the time. They have all of their shirts lined up in their closet and then they simply go down the row and pick the next shirt "in line". So simple, yet so genius.

Is it possible for girls to implement this system? I do not think that boys are always right (especially not with fashion), but they really could be on to something here:

How much time do we waste everyday trying to "pickout our clothes"?
1. I  start with "what I feel like wearing", which always tends to be the same three things (which I sadly can't wear everyday).
2. Am I having a fat day or a skinny day? This causes way to much internal reflection for 8am anyways.
3. Did I wear that color yesterday? Or three times this week already?
4. Do I have shoes to wear with this? (Is there anyway I can pull together yet another outfit that I can wear by red heels with?)
5. Do I have jewlery?
6. Can I find an undershirt tank top/matching pants/stylish belt, etc?

If I could come up with 15 outfits (that I probably already have in my closet, but get pushed to the back because "I never feel like wearing blue"), I could have a different outfit every day without even thinking about when I wore that sweater last. Could this work?

I shared this theory with one of the guys from work (Richard) who is on this "rotating system". He explained that it would work even better if he washed his clothes after every use. (Ew. Mental note to self, try not to sit next to Richard on his second or third round).  Ladies- who is in for trying the rotating shirt system and enjoying an extra 10 minutes of sleep a night? Guys- please try to wash your clothes more often.

There are umbrella people and then there are people who get wet

To be honest, I do not think I am qualified to write about this topic. I am that person who, on a rainy day, is frantically running to her car with her coat over her head to keep her hair from getting wet. Yes, I sacrifice my comfort in the cold weather for the composure of my hair (sorry mom) but really? are the people inside going to notice my frizzy-rained-on-hair or are they going to notice that I was cold for the five minutes that it took me to sprint in the rain. That is not the point.

I heard this quote from the partner in my office as we were preparing for the snow and ice storm that was possibly going to leave us out of the office for the day. She meant it as being pleasantly surprised that we were all taking everything home that we needed so for work. She was happy that we were so prepared. I, on the otherhand, was not as much. I was brought back to the days of being a kid praying for the snow/ice to hit so that I could stay home and have a free unexpected vacation on a tuesday.  Who doesn't want to get to stay home without getting introuble and without being sick?

We got our storm. And we had our "umbrellas".

Turns out working from home is not as much fun as I hoped it would be. I spent all day in my sweatpants, but working from home isn't quite the dream I imagined.

1. There is the issue of actually starting to work. I might as well sleep an extra, well deserved hour. I should clean my apartment up because, well, you can't work in a dirty apartment. And I need to set up the perfect work environment (pens, water, coffee, calculator)
2. Asking questions. It is hard to ask questions to someone over the computer. Even from a multimedia generation that grew up having intimate conversations over AOL instant messenger, I find it difficult to ask questions and seek help without my senior at my computer screen and actually seeing the problem.
3. Motivation. How can you work when no one around you is working? Is it possible that I lack that internal motivation to work unless others are? Maybe this is why I studied so much better throughout college while in a library. Moral support.

There are three things I take away from today: (1) I have a new found appreciation for actually working in the office (2) I find myself praying for ice before going to bed... we didn't prepare for two days (3) Maybe it is time that I buy an extra umbrella for my car... couldn't hurt, right?

Stress at work: Why aren't there support groups for this?

Okay, so there actually are support groups for this.. but then, who has time to join a support group?

I must have the most stressful job in the world (Or so I thought). I am an accountant. We are about to start "busy season" (we have a NAME for it?) where we will be working late hours (so what do you call the last 6 months?). Don't worry, we are ramping up into busy season (and ramping down my social life...).

Then I took a look at my closest girlfriends. The marketing major who has late nights preparing for a huge presentation for to a CEO. The first year teacher who stays up late with lesson plans and deals with disciplining highschoolers all day. The fitness instructor who is thrown into coordinating 6am bootcamps and has to cover weekend shifts. Welcome to the real world- where stress is the only common denominator.

We are going to have stress. The goal should be managing how we deal with it.

Unhealthy ways to deal with stress? smoking, drinking, overeating, undereating, making voodoo dolls of our bosses, taking it out on friends (who wont be friends much longer), turning to retail therapy (that diminishing bank account will just cause more stress).

Healthy ways to deal with stress?
1. Say No- Find your limit and don't take on more than you can handle.
2. When number 1 doesn't work? Make a to-do list. prioritize. and then tackle just one task at a time.
3. Exercise- They say it releases that endorphin that makes you happy. I say it keeps you for getting fat, which just adds another thing to stress you out. Besides, a good kickboxing class while envisioning your boss just might be the trick.
4. Eat well- "Feed the brain so it can work" & "Start the day with a good breakfast". Why is it that suddenly you get into the real world and you realize the lessons your mom taught you growing up were right all along?
5. Get some sleep- These ideas sound so obvious, but they are easier said than done. The days that I get more sleep? I tend to handle situations better.

And when all else fails? Take a personal day.

What do you do when you are stressed at work? Trust me... I'm open for suggestions!

Can Facebook get me fired?

The gap between social media and work? It may be smaller than you think.

Today I received and email from a friend (Trey) issuing a warning that should be shared. He had sent a work related email to a coworker through their email system. The email came with a picture of Trey's face that was pulled from his facebook profile. Turns out the iphone and the new blackberry will automatically sync work email and facebook and allow the receiver to view the sender's picture. Thankfully Trey's facebook picture was appropriate and the coworker was a peer. That being said, there is potential for embarrassment. How many times have people come home from a Vegas weekend and posted a fun picture to their facebook profile? I am not sure I want my fun Vegas weekend picture associated with my work.

The separation between social life and work life is getting smaller. After doing some research, I found an article at PCWorld that illustrates a case where the US court system rules it "okay" to fire an employee based on facebook. And if you work in an "at-will" state? You can be fired without question. Fox News reported today that Facebook is lowering its security (shocker) and allowing more third parties access to personal information (oh like pictures?).

What does this mean? Make sure you have appropriate pictures and some intense security settings and don't express your hate for your boss or the fact that you are extremely hungover at work all over facebook. Somethings are better left unsaid.

What do you think about facebook and work? When has facebook gone too far?Is it okay to be fired for your status update?

Sticky-Note your life

This is the best work-life balance tip I have so far.

You might be like me. Sitting at your desk at work at 10am on a tuesday and thinking of everything you need to do when you get home. Pick up some hand lotion, order that cute sweater that went on sale, drop off the RedBox video from yesterday (AH! They charge a dollar a day), call your mom, pay the electric bill, do a load of laundry, etc. Why is there always so much to do? I find myself wasting 30 minutes (easily) thinking about what I need to be doing at work. Guess what? That gets me absolutely nowhere. The funny thing is, come 6pm I don't even remember everything anyways. Which is perfect because then I can try to remember the same list at work at 10am on wednesday. What a waste of time.

The solution? the Oh-So-Underrated Sticky-Note. This little invention gives me the option to write down the list of things I need to do later that night when I get home. It then gives me the freedom to put my "to-do list" out of my mind, think about work, and actually focus on my job without a continuous list running through my head... and stressing me out. Who needs to add stress to an already stressful job? Somehow I am actually able to get more work done- allowing for more evening time to get the "sticky-note to-do-list" done. Win Win situation? Absolutely. Best thing is, most offices have sticky notes in the supply room!

The Post-Holiday Blues

Sunday night after a long holiday break. This could quite possibly be one of the most depressing moments. You just roll off of a long vacation with family, friends, presents, cake, and sleeping until 10am. Suddenly the break is over and you are back to waking up at 7am, putting on work clothes, and sitting at your desk for 8+ hours. I definitely have the work-blues. Don't get me wrong, I like my job (as I am sure many of you do), but I really like vacation more. Americans get an average of 17 vacation days a year. The French? 37.5. (37.5!? Au revoir- I am heading to France!) It doesn't matter how sad I am about getting back to real life, or how many statistics I look up about vacation days, the days of college 4 week winter breaks are over and I (as most of you) have work tomorrow. So what can I do? Make the best of it and try to fight the Post-Holiday Blues.

Ways to beat the post holiday blues when heading back to work:

1. Be thankful you have a job. It would be worse to NOT have a job to go back to after the holidays- appreciate this blessing
2. Get excited to reorganize your work life. It is a new year and you have a new opportunity to organize your desk and how you work at work. Get excited about how you are going to change your work life for the better and going back wont be so bad.
3. Make plans. It is easier to go back when you know you get to spend time with your work friends. Get excited to catch up with them.
4. Buy yourself some new work clothes. (Am I suggesting retail therapy? maybe, but hey, it always does the trick.)
5. Get a good night's sleep. Chances are you have quite a few emails awaiting your arrival and who knows what other work obligations. EVERYTHING seems better when you have slept. Instead of thinking about how much you don't want to go to work, just go to sleep and know that tomorrow will come ready or not.
6. Be motivated for a new routine. It is sometimes nice to have a routine, something that vacation doesn't provide for you.
7. Listen to some good music. If nothing else works, at least you will be sent off to post-holiday work in a good mood.

On that note, I am going to download some N*SYNC (legally of course) to my computer, layout my new shoes (Not sure what outfit I will wear yet, but I have my new work shoes ready for their debut), text Kelly about lunch, and I am off to get a good 8 hours of sleep. (let me suggest the same!)

Working between Christmas and New Years? Turns out you might be on to something...

We were discussing in the office today about who is taking what vacation days off until the end of the year. Some people are working part of next week, some aren't working at all. Almost everyone, however, is taking off between Christmas and New Years.

There are A FEW people who will be working between Christmas and New Years. At first I thought these people were crazy. Why would you work on this precious week when you could go on a much needed vacation before busy season? Do you really like work THAT much? (If the answer is yes, then you really do need to find a hobby...) It then hit me- at midnight on a work night- that these people might actually be on to something. And if you are one of those people who are STUCK working this precious week? Well this post is for you, consider yourself lucky!

Think about it. You are in the office with very few other people, not alot of work (since there are very few other people) and free time that you are getting paid for.  Here are my list of ideas of how to spend the week between Christmas and New Years in the office:

1. Organize your desk. Would it really hurt for you to enter a new and busy year all organized and with a clean desk? Definitely not! Everyone will come back from their ski vacation frazzled and jealous of your organized desk.

2. Organize your life for that matter. You probably will have free time (since all the managers are skiing), you might as well make a budget, take care of personal finances, and prepare for the next year.

3. Network. There will probably be other people in the office. This is the perfect opportunity to branch out and make new friends in the office that you might not ever get to meet.

4. Snack on all those holiday treats that people left in the break room (hey, you deserve it! and they would just go bad without you)

5. Enjoy leaving at 5. Who is going to be in the office to give you work at the last second before you are walking out the door? Is there really going to be a deadline on December 28th? probably not.

6. Plan your next vacation. With this whole week of vacation time you have saved, you can use the roll over vacation to take a MUCH NEEDED vacation later in the year.

7. Stock up on cool pens. If they don't have any more in the supply closet, I am sure your neighbor will never remember exactly which pens he had before the holiday break.

This being said. My last day in the office is December 24th.  For a week- and a much needed vacation. While I have now convinced myself that working this precious week is not too bad, I think the real place to be on December 26th is laying in my bed at 11am.