Monday, September 17, 2012

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 14

This weekend we celebrated my roommate's birthday with a night out on the town.  We've met some really great people since moving to the area and I look forward to many more fun nights with them!


Yesterday afternoon after recovering from the birthday fesitivities, we ventured to Ray's Hell Burger, a famous burger joint in Arlington.  It was nothing short of amazing.  I got mine with bacon and guacamole and it may have been the best guac I've ever tasted (besides mine of course). Great way to cure a long night.

I also met up with a few coworkers from my new job last night for some dinner and drinks to wrap up the weekend.  I am so thankful that I am going to be working with such nice people, and doing something I love!  Next Saturday is my first day and I'm very excited!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thursday Thoughts - Anything but not Everything

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All I want to do is sleep!  Look at Audrey, doesn't she look so comfy?  I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off the past few weeks and I need a breather!  My posts will continue to be sporadic for the next little while, but I promise I'm not leaving Just Squeaks behind!  I'm just realizing that while I can do anything, I can't do everything.  So with the new job starting soon (before I'm even done at my current one, helloooo 7 day work weeks...)  and all the other pressures going on, I'm taking a small hiatus for myself to relax before I go bonkers.  (Though that might make for better reading, huh?)

Be sure to subscribe on the right of the homepage so you'll get notices when something new is posted! :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 13

Are you ready for the biggest gratitude yet on Just Squeaks??  Wait for it....

I got an interior design job!

Can you believe it?  I still can't!  Someone is actually going to let me follow my passion and then pay me for it!  I've had the idea to move up and out from where I am now for awhile, but hadn't really done much about it.  I felt silly leaving where I was if it wasn't in pursuit of what I really wanted to do: interior design.  But I also thought that without previous experience and only a couple classes under my belt that was pretty much out of the question.

It just goes to show, you never know until you try!

When I came across a Design Assistant position at a well-known, well-respected company, I decided to submit my resume because they worst they could say to me was no.  Within a few hours I got a call, that weekend I interviewed, and the next day I was offered the job!

I am so incredibly excited to start working there and learning from all the amazing staff they have.  To be able to work for such a great brand and be doing what I love is beyond amazing, I can't even fully imagine it yet.  I know that this is going to be a life-changing experience, I can just feel it. 

If you've been following Just Squeaks (which you can do by subscribing on the right side of the home page) then you may have been wondering what the heck big life decision I was talking about in this post.  Well, now you know!  I wanted to wait and spread the word until after I had signed the offer letter and notified my current employer.  As insanely excited as I was when I got the offer (my cheeks hurt from smiling so much and calling everyone I knew to tell them the great news), I was also very nervous because of my lack of experience (I hate feeling unprepared) and because it is a little bit of a  big financial gamble to quit my full-time, salaried, benefitted job for a part-time position that offers neither and is further from my house.  I've always been very financially stable thanks to lots of hard work and saving the majority of my income.  I was worried that taking my dream job and continuing classes was going to send me to financial ruin.  Enter fortune cookie here:


I know it's silly.  But this was the message I needed...  I know myself.  I'm an extremely hard worker, even when it's something I hate.  So to be able to work on something I love?  There will be no bounds for me and I'm going to learn as much as I can and work my behind off to make sure my dreams aren't just dreams, but realities.  So thank you to Golden China for letting the universe contact me through your fortune cookies, and thank you to my soon-to-be employer for helping me check another item off my bucket list by hiring me and paying me to do what I would do for free!


What did you feel like when you got the job of your dreams?
Were you excited? Nervous? Both?
Comment to share your story, I would love to hear it!


If anyone knows of any opportunities of what else I can do part time that wouldn't conflict with a job like this please forward them along, as I will be looking for another way to make up for the cut in income.  Thanks, I appreciate all of you!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Lamp or Jewelry Holder? Try Both!

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This lamp really struck my fancy this week when I was patrolling my Google Reader and came across Kate's apartment design for her daughter.  The entire room is amazing - a beautiful mix of coral and navy with lots of beautiful furniture and accents.  But man oh man, this lamp!

I don't know how this double duty combo has never occurred to me before... But that's the beauty of blogs, you get inspired by other people and their ideas.  When I finally get to make my desk-vanity dreams come true, you can bet your tush a lamp like this will be present.  Front and center!  So go check out Centsational Girl and get inspired.


What accessories would you use on a double-duty desk/vanity?
What bloggers inspire you with fresh ideas?
Please comment and share!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday Thoughts - Haters Gonna Hate

This is a story of a very drunk man and a young woman.  These happenings may or may not be true (they are) and are certain to provide at least a little chuckle to start your day.  So let's set the stage, shall we.

While working this past weekend I was introduced to a man who works in the architecture/design industry.  I couldn't seem to get the real details, as he could only ramble on about eggshell finish chairs.  When told I was working towards joining the interior design industry, the lecture began...


He proceeded to tell me that I could go into residential design and make pennies per project or commercial design and make decent money but be bored to tears because there was basically no creative freedom in hotel lobbies.  He then asked me to "pick my poison" and when I said that I loved all design in general, though I was thinking of focusing more so on residences he laughed in my face and told me it was inevitable I'd become destitute.  I told him that being happy was more important to me than having tons of money and I would find ways to get by (I'm already working two jobs and going to school, afterall).  Cue laughter.  I thought this was one - extremely rude, but two - pretty comical how much of a hipocritical turn this conversation was taking.
 
country modern living room A Real Accent {Wall}
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 The conversation (I use this term loosely as I wasn't really allowed to speak, only to nod) continued as he rambled on about how you can only make money if you are asked to completely build a house from scratch and pick out all custom furniture, otherwise you'd be painting a wall pink.  Those are the only two options - full scale remodel or a solitary pink wall.  On and on about how in New York City you can be paid extra to ignore laws like OSHA and EPA, but in DC politics is so prevalent that all rules must be followed exactly, including union wages.  According to him, this turns a $9 million project into a $16 million project, but going to painters not designers.

His next point was that the design industry was fascinated by gay males.  Because I was not a homosexual man myself, no one would be interested in me or my ideas.  And if I were to get into home design I would have to become part of a large firm (otherwise I'd be out on the streets, remember?), which would inevitably be run by a gay man.  He also so kindly pointed out that he couldn't believe that I was able to succeed in the event industry.  He implied that it was near impossible and he thought I was lying to myself and others that this was how I made my living.

At this point I would like to remind you this is a real conversation I had with someone.  I can't make this shit up...

Finally after about 15 minutes of my life that I'll never get back, my roommate came over to save me from the constant lecturing and ridicule.  She told me later that after I left he told her she needed to "watch out for me because I wanted to do some pretty adventurous things" and I needed help.

It's so insane I can't even be mad.  I can only take away two things from this exchange:

One - Bitches be crazy.  People can't seem to grasp the concept of common courtesy and I've come to the conclusion that if my career in design never happens, there's always an opening in the world hosting etiquette classes to teach people what is and is not appropriate to say to people they've just met.  (Hint:  Insulting their career and life choices probably not the best option.)

Two - Haters gonna hate.  Coworkers, family, and random drunken strangers all seem to have their opinion on my life choices.  But I'm smart enough to realize I can't change their minds, nor do I need to.  I can guarantee that nothing these people have said to me are things I haven't already thought about on my own.  The difference is I believe in myself and if nothing else, have been smart enough to gain an array of skills that I can fall back on if I am forced to choose a different career path. 


Sometimes you just have to laugh and tell the haters to step back and watch you shine.

Have you ever had someone try to squash your dreams?
Comment below and share your story!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

You're Making Me Blush!

Things have been extremely hectic lately.  I know I'm not the only one feeling overwhelmed so I'll spare you the details, but Saturday I really reached the max I could handle and I felt like I was losing my mind.  As much as I would love to, I can't seem to organize my thoughts enough to pull together a few well-written posts this week.  So rather than giving you crappy half-written posts, I will rely on the magic of imagery.

Lately I've been mesmerized by blush.  The color, that is.  Something about it just seems so regal and feminine, but not overly cheesy.  So here are a few blushing highlights from around the cloud.

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I promise tomorrow I'll be back in full force and you will get an earful for Thursday Thoughts.


Are you hopping on the Blush Wagon?
What color has you feeling good lately?

Monday, September 3, 2012

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 12

As summer comes to an end, here are the things I'm grateful for this season:




Happy Labor Day Squeaksters!