Slowly Getting There

Type in a Google Search for the term "going crazy" and this is what popped up, and it's totally my life right now. 


Work is slowing getting better. I went from 5.5 accounts (it was 6, but I wasn't able to devote my full attention to one account, so I count it as 1/2) to four, and I no longer feel like I'm paddling just to keep my head above water. Now I'm in a position where I can think about my client's needs and offer them good, strategic counsel. 

It's so funny how things work out. I was talking to a former client yesterday and remarked about how much has changed in the three years we've known each other. Back then I was an entry level account executive who knew very little about tech PR. He was a product manager for one of my accounts. Now I'm an account manager and he's a VP of marketing. 


Looking back on three short years I've made significant leaps, and I can only imagine how much more I'll grow in my career in the next three years. The challenges I face now as a new manager will be old hat in three years and I'll be working on new challenges, and honestly those challenges are probably things that aren't even on my radar now. 


For a long time I thought I was ready for the step into a manager role. I knew what was expected (or so I thought) but I never had any idea the extent of what was expected. And I don't want to whine, but being a manager is HARD. There are decisions I've had to make early on that I didn't believe I'd have to think about for a long while. Yet, here I am, 5 weeks into being a manager with tough decisions to make. Knowing what I now know, I have new found respect for every manager I've worked with. I had no idea the challenges they were facing and what they were being asked to do. I realize now that they were doing the best they could, and 99% of the time they did a great job. And what's harder is that I've realized early on how thankless a manager's job can be. If we're doing our jobs well, our clients will be happy with the results the reps are getting, and all the background work we're doing will never be known. And for a Leo who loves the spotlight, I can honestly say that's going to take some getting used to. On the flip side though, if a client isn't happy about something (real or imaginary) the blame and the expectation to fix it is directly on the manager. Talk about a pressure situation!

I think the part of this job that's going to be hardest for me is not taking things personally. The thick skin I've developed over six years in this industry is going to need to get thicker. There are going to be days I'm not going to enjoy being a manager, when I have to deliver bad news, when I make someone cry/get angry/frustrated/you name it, and I'm going to have to remember that it's not personal, it's business. I told Stephen that my goal at the end of the day is to be respected as a manager. I may not always be liked (I know, I'm shocked at that thought too) but if people can respect my decisions, respect me as a person, then I will feel like I succeeded. 


So I realize that I'm slowly getting there. And hopefully I don't become like the comic above. I don't want to do what I'm doing just to avoid poverty. I want to keep doing what I love, especially because it's challenging.

To my Hero

From the moment you held me in your arms, the bond was formed. That first photo of us is one of my prized possessions. From that first moment, to nearly 32 years later, you have been my rock. And no matter how rough your exterior to outsiders, I know it's just a front and that you're a marshmallow with a heart of gold. And now my readers know too.

You taught me the meaning of hard work, you taught me how to go after what I wanted, and you taught me how to do it while being graceful - to myself and to others


And no matter what I've done, whether it's good or bad, you've always let me know how proud I make you. The thing is, you make me proud. You make me want to be better, and you make it so easy to succeed in life; after all, you showed me how it's done. 

So happy birthday to my hero. You're really the best dad a girl could have. 


 

Snowpocalypse, Shaq Style

Courtesy of The Boston Globe

It's been snowing in Boston. A LOT. The graph above demonstrates how much snow we've gotten, compared to the beloved newest Celtics member, Shaq (why we love him so much I'll never understand.) 


As you can see, we typically get an average of 41.8 inches. Can you see what we've gotten so far? That's 60.3 inches my friends. The scariest part is that we've still got a few months to go, and those 60 inches came in the past 5 weeks. Scary, right? 


And here's the craziest part: we don't have a snow blower. Yeah, you heard me. That means we've had to shovel those 60 inches. And we have a corner house, so that means 60 inches on two sidewalks, PLUS 60 inches from our driveway. At this rate friends, my arms are going to look AMAZING when it's time to wear sundresses, just like the Material Girl.

Courtesy of Seattle Pi

Love Actually, Sort Of

Borrowing this from A Cup of Jo. It's so sweet, and reminds me that 1) Love is hard, especially when it's new and 2) Love is hard, even when you've loved the person for years. 

I say don't hold back. If you love someone, tell them.

Ahoy!

Oh lovelies, so sorry for being tapped out last week. Remember when I got promoted and I was super excited because it's a goal I've been working toward for years? Well, I'm still excited and proud of what I've achieved, but it's come with with a greater workload and I'm putting in 12 hour days to keep up. It won't be like this forever, but I've felt like I've been working to keep my head above water.

I've clearly got water on the brain, so it's fitting that I've been craving all things nautical. I've been loving the nautical theme for a while since I got this Shabby Apple dress last summer, but the revival of all things nautical started earlier this week when I got an Ann Taylor e-mail on spring arrivals, and most items had a nautical theme. Think tons of stripes, wide leg pants and polka dots. Perfect, no?

Apparently I'm not the only one who's in love because the collection sold out online within days. Deciding I had to try to snag some of the striped tees, I headed to Ann Taylor last night and got the last red and white striped tee in my size - yippee! I'm imaging lots of fun and various outfits including black skirts, black tights and bright red pumps (thankfully I own three pairs of those!) I'm also thinking about adding some nautical fun to my adult spring break trip this year, something like the bikini below.

So what about you? Do you dig all things nautical?

American Eagle

A Muse to Someone - My First Blogger Award

Woo hoo y'all! I just got my first blogger award, from my dear pal Becky - apparently she finds me stylish (thank you love!) 


I'm not one for long speeches since I don't like talking about how great I am, but I do love it when others talk about how great I am (just kidding folks. sort of. not really.) But I am honored to be given an award from someone who thinks I'm stylish, mostly because I never felt stylish until the past year or two. 

Wait. I just realized that I have to talk about myself. Thems the rules of receiving this award. Can I just get seven of my friends to tell you something about me? No? Ok, fine. Here goes:

1. I'm naturally shy. This may come as a shock to those that know me, but put me in a room full of strangers and I'm more awkward than Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles. Yep. awkward. But, once I get to know you (or introductions have been made) I can't shut up. So be warned if you don't know me. If you like quiet types, perhaps we shouldn't meet. 

2. I'm a cry baby. I cry at everything. Commercials on TV. Other people's engagement stories. Sappy movies. Basically, almost anything that elicits an "aww" reaction usually means I'm in tears. Even more tragic than crying at everything? I'm so embarrassed at crying at everything, that I will try to hold it in. That means my nose starts snotting up (yeah, sorry for that image) and I get a huge lump in my throat, which usually means a release and even more tears, which is even more embarrassing. Yet I continue to try this technique, assuring myself it will work this time. 

3. I'm terribly afraid of heights. I'm not afraid to go up high places, but God almighty, I had better not look down. If I do, then I'm in trouble. If memory serves me, the Ghostbar in Vegas has a clear, plexiglass cutout in the middle of the balcony outside the bar that looks all the way down to the basement. I made the mistake one trip of standing on it and looking down. I'm getting panicky just writing that. 

4. I failed out of college. I had such a good time partying my first year that I didn't make the grades and had to sit out the summer session, and went back on probation. I also had to take a class that taught me how to study (pretty ironic coming from someone who cried when I made a B in high school, right?) It wasn't fun, but I worked hard to make up for it, and I will make sure my future children don't repeat that mistake. 

5. I dislike cupcake gifts. I make cupcakes on the side. I love making cupcakes. I do not, however, love getting cupcake-themed gifts. I'm so much more than cupcakes, and while I appreciate that people recognize my talent, I'm over the cupcake themed gifts. 

6. I'm easy to please. It probably doesn't sound it, but my favorite gift from Stephen was when he threw me a surprise b-day party. It didn't cost much, but I'll never forget it. 

7. I LOVE football. It's a southern thing to be sure, but Lord do I love football. There is nothing I'd rather do than spend my entire Saturday and Sunday sitting on the couch watching that game.

So there you have it. Thank you again to Becky for selecting me as a stylish blogger. I'm sharing the wealth with one of my all-time favorite style blogs, the Bon Bon Rose Girls. Kristin and Meg tempt me daily with drool-worthy fashion, so it's only right that I nominate them too.

Military Inspiration

Maybe it's because I was in ROTC in high school (including the all boys' drill team!,) but lately I am inspired by all things military.

Feeding my obsession is none other than the maestro, Monsieur Louboutin. Now, I know he's one of, if not THE best shoe designers out there, but holy wow did he nail these boots. If only money were no object (so if you recently won the lottery and you're reading this) I'd snag these beauties up before you could say "Christian Louboutin." So if you know someone who is feeling generous, I know someone who's looking for a handout. :)

Christian Louboutin Ronfifi Supra - hot damn!

Christian Louboutin Loubout in Winter White