so much fun!

One of my favorite parts of my job as the creative director for a beauty retailer is the model shoots. I don’t work in an environment that has a coordinator for these - so I basically get to meet each model at the model call, then I work directly with the agency, the wardrobe stylist and the hair and makeup stylist. 

Over the years, I’ve been really fortunate to work with industry experts and I’ve learned so much from each shoot. I love the talent that we get to work with. Each shoot brings new challenges, new hair and makeup looks and really fun personalities. 

I simply can’t say enough about Sara Domi, who owns a salon on 5th street in Austin. Whenever I can work with her, I jump at the chance. She is beyond talented and FAST. Another huge bonus is that she’s just a really nice person and very open to new ideas. She always brings fresh styles and usually knows our products so well, that she brings out the best in them. 

Although it’s a lot work to produce at shoot - which usually occurs in a very short amount of time, it’s just a lot of fun. When the shoot is over, I comb through all of the amazing images to determine which ones are the absolute best to select for post production and usage. The models are so talented, they make this part of the project really difficult.

There are days when I come home from work and just realize how fortunate I am. I always feel this way after a big shoot. I hope you have an element of your daily gig that brings this much fun and excitement to your work. If not, try to find some new opportunity within your position where you can do something a little fun. You’ll shine in the opportunity if you are enjoying what you’re doing. Go for it!

Show you care

Thanks to Denise for the reminder of where to buy heart-shaped balloons! They make the PERFECT Valentine’s Day gift. 

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Make it special! 

such a mystery

I know this is late, but we had a mystery at the office on Valentine’s Day. 

No clue where these little stickers came from, but everyone in three departments on the 1st floor had these sweet little, heart-shaped stickers greeting them when they arrived at work. 

Every sticker was different.  And adorable.

It was a really nice gesture. But who would be so kind?

We have no idea. It’s a mystery completely unsolved.

I mention it, because I’m just now letting it go. I tried to figure it out - asked many people about this and nobody knows who is responsible. 

Did I mention that I’m not really a mystery person? But this - well THIS is keeping us on our toes! This was fun!

Now, looking forward to March (& some spring weather)!!

happy happy

What to do for the team on Valentine’s Day?

I’ve worked in a great place where a very caring individual would get heart-shaped balloons blown up each Valentine’s Day for everyone (and it wasn’t that small of a team)! Each year, we would come in and look across the cube horizon to feel immediately special - thanks to Denise. And when she left our department, we tried to continue on in her footsteps with some sort of caring act, but I’ll always remember what she would do for this particular holiday. (On people’s birthdays, Denise would always bring in their favorite dessert - that she would make herself. Amazing!)

So, while I didn’t find huge, heart-shaped balloons (where DID she get those?), I did manage to bring in some yummy chocolates for everyone. 

I’m so curious to know if others celebrated at work - and if so, how?

BTW, I got home tonight with the kiddos and just as my husband had me convinced that we weren’t really making a big deal out of Valentine’s Day - he TOTALLY did! (Of course Brooke had to jump into that moment with her signature stamp of approval.) LOVE him!!

I am lucky to have worked with wonderful, caring people like Denise - and I’m lucky still to work with my current, very talent group. Lucky at work & in love at home.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

happy? holidays

Well, here we are - just 24 days away from a Very Important Holiday: Christmas.

My kids are SO excited - they just can’t STAND it (even though we have yet to make our home look any different from how it did for Halloween). By the adorable excitement on their faces - you would think Christmas were in the next few days. While I’m EXTREMELY thankful that it’s not.

I’m FAR from prepared (did you read the part about not have decorated one little, tiny bit?).

And of course, we’re the only home on the block that is clearly darkened as if Scrooge lives here. Or the Grinch. Or anyone who says, “Ba Humbug” when it comes to this particular joyful time of year.

Honestly, I’m excited about Christmas also. Just to know that another special season with twinkle lights is basically here - gives me that warm glow feeling.

THE THING IS - making the time and finding the energy to actually decorate, shop for and wrap just the perfect gifts, mail Christmas cards (YES - we still do that!), attend fun & festive parties (ok - that part is actually pretty awesome!) can be a challenge.

Suddenly, I long for a “simple, quiet” Christmas.

LOTS to do. Christmas boxes to unpack. Kids to excite even more.

Sleepy just thinking about it. Maybe red nails will help wake me up and get me going!

good use of time

Sometimes the most relaxing thing I enjoy is to hunt for the next item that is going to make some corner of my office or house a little more comfortable (sense of cozy). I met the nicest couple who have an antique shop just outside of Hilton Head. I had my son with me  and the owners were SO warm and welcoming to him (they even offered him candy!!). It was actually a very smart selling technique. I had actually found a nice original watercolor in a different shop, but I had walked away from it - mainly because the owner seemed a little “cool” (and my kiddos weren’t with me in that store). 

I guess the moral of this story is if you are genuinely helpful and friendly towards your customers - they will buy what your selling. 

This shop was quirky (a good mix of high and low), but it was such an enjoyable shopping experience. My son even found the experience so much fun that he couldn’t help but dance (!!) to some of the big band music that they had playing in one of the rooms. 

Yep, I found a little box that I think will add a little “something” to his bedroom dresser. He’ll never forget this little shop (they had quite a few memorable items), and hopefully, this little box will be something that will hold some of his own found treasures.

I wasn’t about to leave such a nice couple with such a friendly environment without buying something! In fact, I found myself looking for something that I really wanted (read: needed) to buy. And as I was paying for my found object of desire, my son (and daughter when she also came in to tell me that my time was up for shopping) were given CANDY by the owners (with my permission)! So nice!

Shop info:

Bluffton Antiques & Gifts

12 Calhoun Street

Bluffton, South Carolina

843.757.7488

deep breath - almost there

Last work day before a vacation. A vacation that I’ve been dreaming of for about six months and am VERY excited. 

A much needed vacation.

Will I get as much relaxation as I want from it?

Will I read important (or not important) things while I’m gone?

Will it be the BEST vacation EVER?

Will my kids act okay - and not drive us nuts?

Will I look as cute in my new bikini as I hope?

Will we have any major travel issues?

Will I get burned (in a striped pattern) like last year?

Will my son get his head caught in the balcony bars (like last year)?

Will I find some amazing unique treasure while there?

Will the office survive without me? (duhhhhh.)

Will I survive being away from the office this long (that’s the REAL question)?

Will my TIVO get everything that I want while I’m away (sad, but yes a true question for me)?

Will my husband and I actually walk on the - like we say we will?

Will it rain a lot?

Will we have fun?

WHO CARES? WHO OVER THINKS this stuff?

Yep - I’m sure it will be wonderful. We’ll have a great time. I will read what I read and my kids will drive me nuts by the end of the trip (and I’ll TOTALLY miss work) - but it’s called a vacation - and I’m so excited!!

just what you need

So - I try to be pretty frugal. Save more - that’s generally my theory. Although I do have my favorite brands (I really think everyone does) that I gravitate toward when it’s time to renew the closet. Different brands for different types of items, but one all-time favorite is J.Crew. And like any good mother, I’m trying to brainwash my kids early into J.Crew by supplying them with super-soft, fun t-shirts (for the son) and ridiculously cute fluffy skirts and dresses (for the daughter).

Well, it’s that time again. The entire family needed some specific items & like a good provider (one with VERY little time to shop) - I went online, bought and had them delivered.

Not all things worked out. Sadly the oversized straw hat for ultimate sun protection, flopped (literally!). So, that’s a return. HAPPY though, that when I intentionally bought two different sizes in white jeans (replacement pair - much needed) - the SMALLER size worked best!!! Also, the new bikini just absolutely ROCKS. (Thank you Bootcamp workouts and my super strict trainer, Michelle!!!)

Honestly, I think that everyone has a moment when they just need a couple of new items. In our case, we’re planning for an upcoming family vacation - and between all of the work preparations, I realized that the family needed some prep work as well.

Are we even close to ready yet? NO. But these new items are definitely getting me excited about going. Added that bounce in my step as I left for work today.

on everyone's lips

So - here’s what everyone at my office was talking about yesterday! There’s no question that this news got a mention in just about every meeting - and pretty much every person was either planning to get the new iPhone when it releases, or they were hoping that they would be able to afford an older model because of the G4.

I only heard the news in a meeting (hadn’t seen the Apple video) and thought, “Well, you never buy the first release, always go for the update so they can work out any kinks.” 

Then I watched the video on the site. And now, I understand why everyone was saying that they really don’t want to do the practical thing and wait.

Yep - I want one. Don’t you?

testing

SOOOOO excited!!!! Testing my new SUPER fast MacBook Pro!!! LOVE it!!!!

office mate

This weekend I got a new office mate & he's already made quite an impact. His name is C.D. (which stands for Cranky Dog). He is the perfect office mate in that he is a great listener - he's there when I need him, but is super quiet so I can think. He's old enough to have a ton of wisdom (1940s!), but really regardless of his presence - my decisions are my own. I like him. He looks cranky, but he's really the ideal office mate.

is it Christmas Eve already?

Well - closest thing to a Christmas Eve feeling at work is a Thursday!

Thursdays are the best days of the week - even better than Fridays - simply because everyone is in a GREAT mood! Think about it - we're close to the end of the week, everyone has their weekend to look forward to - with all of our big, weekend plans - we're all just a bunch of kids waiting for the school bell to ring with freedom! Nobody minds when something goes totally kabloom on a Thursday because the typical response is "Well, let's think about this over the weekend and we'll get back together next week."

Fridays, while they are also on the good side of the week - don't have as much anticipation in them. They full of the pressure to "finish stuff up" before "heading out." And what about those big, weekend plans? Now, those plans are starting to look a little more like "have to's." The Thursday anticpation of a wonderfully full, yet somehow relaxing weekend is starting to get a little more realistic and suddenly people are already stressed about the stuff that is going on next week. Before some folks head out - they'll actually start packing up work to take home with them (just to get a jump on next week's already looming hectic pace).

I LOVE A THURSDAY. It's (by far) my favorite day of the week!

Ready for Monday?

Most people have some kind of stress level increase when it comes to thinking about the upcoming workweek. Not me. I tend to think about what I can do to make my Monday something to look forward to. It might be a crisp new folder that has all of my materials organized for me or a fresh manicure. No matter what, I try to give myself just a little extra something to get excited about before my week begins. I might have a heavy workweek ahead of me, but I've got the right mindset about it.

Hallelujah - It's FRIDAY!

Corporate world loves a Friday! It's the ender to a hectic work week - so we can all go have a wonderfully hectic weekend ("Work Hard, Play Hard" anyone?). At my office, we time our staff meetings for Fridays because usually everyone is in a great mood, we all have a good grasp on items to discuss, and we can look ahead to the next week and it's upcoming challenges.

The other side to our "Happy Friday" is that it's the last day of the week - and you want to get as much work finished as possible to: a) not have as much weekend homework to take home with you over the weekend, and b) not have as much on your plate - since you won't actually get ALL of your weekend homework completed - to start the next week with. (HELLO stressful Monday!!) So while Fridays are the "whistle-while-we-work" day, they are still amazingly busy.

Friday is also the day that most folk go out for lunch. They've had a week and everyone wants to actually leave the office and so Friday's are usually the days that the office café is pretty empty. They take it outside to vent about what all has happened at work during the past week and to talk about upcoming weekend plans (possibly a Happy Hour or a movie that everyone wants to see). It's a form of work therapy: eating outside of the office with work friends and talking through what's going on in your work life and also home life.

Here's to a good Friday for you and an amazing weekend that you've no-doubt earned!