No Dresscode? No Problem!

One of the unique things about my current position is that there is absolutely no dress code. People here dress in a range of collared shirts, jeans, dress pants, sweatpants, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, pretty much anything goes as long as it's not revealing.

For me, this posed a sort of problem when I began working in July. I had quite the stock of dress skirts, shirts, and heels from previous internships, but I didn't have appropriate "office casual" wear. I knew I would get nothing done in the office if I showed up in sweatpants. In college, I was the type that would put effort into outfits for my daily classes, while the bulk of the student population wandered around in hoodies and sweatpants. I remember visiting Shikole in D.C. once at her college and putting on a skirt and top. Her reply was "Oh... you're wearing REAL clothes??" I might be the only one out there, but I just can't concentrate if I'm too comfortable!

Now, us post grads unfortunately have to graduate to wearing "real clothes" everyday. Here are some staples I've found for working in a casual environment, that still help me to focus.

1. Dark wash slim jeans- I'm not talking about the skinny jeans that suck the life out of your legs. I just mean that a slimmer line and dark wash makes you feel like your wearing actual, non lounging clothing, and still looks put together.

2. Sweaters- my office is cold all the time and there are just so many sweater possibilities. I have a few favorite crew necks, and button ups that I layer with other pieces.

3. A nice pair of dress pants- In high school I was part of Model OAS, sort of like international debate team, and every year we traveled to Washington for a conference. I remember splurging on a pair of classic black pants from h&m, (40.00 was a splurge at the time- okay?), and I still wear them to this day.

4. Boots& flats- Boots are less dressy than heels but a step up from sneakers. They are perfect for colder weather and have a classy casual vibe. Flats are amazing as well, as long as there is no snow on the ground! Flats + snow = cold, wet feet all day.

Due to the fact that I've been sick for the past few days, there are no helpful outfit pictures to accompany this post, but we're working hard to incorporate more photos into this blog! Stay tuned to "office casual" wear, and a few other photo diaries to come!

Skins

I love the Brits. And Netflix. And semi-trashy but super entertaining television. What do you get when you combine all three? Skins. It is like The O.C. minus the beach, but with much more sex drugs and cursing because there is no FCC in the UK.

As a post grad, sometimes you just need to watch something entertaining and that makes you feel better about your own life. Skins will do just that. It is funny, and dramatic and full of so many plot twists I could hardly keep up. Not to mention the adorable British actors. It has something for everyone, the little nerdy kid, the crazy anorexic chick, the musical black chick, the sheltered indian dude, you get the idea.

Please give the show a try in your very sparse but valuable spare time. You will not regret it!

Rating: 5/5

RIP

I'm going to go all serious on you all because today is the 12 year anniversary of my Dad passing away. My mom always used to make me write a poem to put in the newspaper for him, and I always got angry because you obviously cannot force creativity. SO instead of poem in the newspaper this year, I'm just writing this in his memory.

I would also like to note he is the reason I got my second tattoo. If I was smart I would've waited a little longer to get it.

Here's to all the loved ones passed!

Follow the Leader

Hi readers! We have been getting some amazing stats on who is viewing this blog. More than we ever imagined- that's for sure!

So let's make it official, shall we? Follow us using that nifty little button on our sidebar we just added and we'll check out your blog and follow you back! Always looking for fun blogs to fill our Google Readers with!

Why.

Long weekend is over. This means that I was back to my routine today. Writing-researching- writing -writing -lunch- researching- editing- gym- home. That's my life. Today, I got a bunch of edits on document I had spent so long rewriting and I wondered once again why I chose to pursue a career that is so mentally exhausting. I know all the doctors and lawyers reading this right now (are you guys out there?) are laughing at me as I whine, but sometimes I honestly can't figure out why I chose a profession where others tear apart your work on a daily basis.

Well...yes I can. To be honest, I am drawn towards things that offer me an excuse to stress. I stress about everything, and writing is no exception. I chose a career that would leave my work constantly to be scrutinized by others. Strangely enough, stress is comfortable for me.

With all of this swirling in my head this evening after work, I read Rachel Wilkerson's blog post about choosing one word resolutions (if you don't already- read this girl's blog. She is hilarious and speaks the truth). I thought about my resolution possibilities.. things like "achieve" and "accomplish" came to mind. Then all of a sudden I reached a point of clarity. I don't need to resolve to do these things. I am my own worst critic and I strive to do these things everyday.

What do I really need to resolve for this coming year? I need to RELAX. I need to accept that I can try my hardest, but I can't always control the outcome of everything I do. This also goes for the other people in my life. I can want so much for someone- to the point where I adopt their problems as my own (this is why I'm not a psychologist mom...), but you just cannot change other people. Sometimes I need to let life just go on around me, without trying to alter it all of the time.

Post grad life is a stressful place to be, but this year, I'm not letting it get the best of me.

Apple Bacon Pizza

A friend and I had an experimental cooking session yesterday that I need to share with you all because the results were the most heavenly thing I've ever eaten. The ingredients are not traditional however the flavors together work perfectly. First pre-heat the oven to 500 degrees.

Ingredients:

• Pre made pizza crust like Boboli (we aren't cool enough to make our own dough)
• Apple Butter (used instead of sauce)
• 6 slices of bacon, crumbled
• 8-10 slices of granny smith apple
• apple smoked guyere cheese, shredded (regular guyere works too)
• chopped red onion

I told you the ingredients weren't traditional. They are so much better.

Spread the apple butter over the crust like sauce. shred the cheese on top of that. Place apple slices, bacon, and onion on top. Let cook for 10 minutes. Voila! The best non-traditional pizza you will have in your life.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year post grads! Hope you are alive and no longer hungover. Time for a fresh start. And probably a shower. You should get on that. Stay tuned with us here to see how the second half of our first year post grad unwinds!