Some Housekeeping Items

Here is your homework for the weekend. Go here and enter our Starbucks contest! As a reminder there will be five (yes five!) lucky winners of the following prize pack from Starbucks:

• Stealth Switch - the "world's first desktop cloaking device" that uses patent pending technology to instantly and completely hide applications with a press of a foot-switch. The applications are not just minimized, they are made invisible.
• $5 Starbucks® card
• Starbucks Doubleshot Energy+Coffee coupons
• Starbucks Doubleshot Energy+Coffee branded white board

All you have to do is post a comment (aka answer) to the following question: "Sip on Starbucks Doubleshot® Enegery+Coffee to upgrade your energy levels without raising eyebrows around the office. What's your best real-life story of how some idiot in the office raised eyebrows and stirred up the gossip mill?"

As a reminder, the contest ends at 9AM on Monday, November 9th - so you have all weekend to think of an answer!

For all my Chicago ladies, I have a few events that might be of interest for networking, noshing, and all around awesomeness.

First is the Winter Wonderland CRAVE party on December 9th. In store for those who purchase tickets is an opportunity to pre-order the hottest fashions from local Chicago boutiques, indulge in mini spa treatments, and sampling some great food (and drinks of course!) all under the same roof. I know I will be there - so let me know if you're going so we can meet up!

Where: The Historic Stan Mansion at 2408 N Kedzie in Chicago

When: Wednesday, December 9th, 7-10pm

Purchase tickets here!


Second event is happening next Friday, November 13th (and I'll also be in attendance there as well!). As part of her nationwide tour to promote her book, Girl on Top, career expert and author Nicole Williams will be having a networking/shopping event/party at The Limited in the Woodfield Mall. The evening will entail an amazing gift bag, an exclusive 40% discount on The Limited's new business chic attire, cocktails and free career advice. Totally worth trekking to the Chicago burbs for!

When: November 13th, 2009

Where: The Limited at Woodfield Mall
Schaumburg, IL

Time: 6-9PM

Click here to RSVP!

An Event Planner Who Doesn't Plan Her Own Parties

A little bit of housekeeping before I give my two cents about an event planner who doesn't plan her own parties (which I'm guessing you already figured out I was going to blog about given that is the title of this post - shocker). Anyway, last week, the other Working Girl Karen Burns interviewed me and WG1 for her blog. You should all check out our interview here and also check out Working Girl's new book "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl". And one more thing - be sure to check back later because after we finish reading her book we plan on interviewing her as well (and let me tell you she has some GREAT advice!).

On to our regularly scheduled blogging...

This may be old news to some of you, but back in June NY Mag wrote an article about Vogue's new event planner, Sylvana Soto-Ward [pictured to the right]. It was just recently announced that she will be taking the place of former Vogue event planner Stephanie Wilson Wolkoff.

And some "naysayers" are apparently pissed off about this Soto-Ward being the new event planner since this means she'll be running the Met's annual gala next year (which Wolkoff has made beyond fabulous this past few years) and also because she used to be Vogue's accessories editor.

Here's the thing - I obviously can't judge whether her appointment to this position was a good move or not since I don't know her background (though it does seem weird that an accessories editor is now going to be an event planner) and I don't know Wolkoff's background compared to hers.

What I do feel like I can put my two cents about is the fact that an insider at Vogue is angry about Soto-Ward's promotion because she "didn't even plan her own engagement party". Which to I respond, 'whoa nelly'.

My main job at work is to plan our corporate events and I run two major ones in a year and during the rest of the year I manage special projects and help host other smaller corporate in-house events and parties. During my off time, I admit I do pretty much run the show in terms of other parties. I just love to plan - it's in my blood. So yes, in the past I have planned my own extravagant birthday parties, coordinated Spring Break trips, and I'm even planning my family's trip to Europe in August.

But I can whole-heartedly say that when (or rather if I suppose haha) I get married, I do not plan on planning my own engagement parties or even my own wedding. It's my special day people! I plan on not being stressed. Beacuse I'm an event planner and I know that events are stressful - especially when you're a perfectionist and watch Bridezillas. And the stress does not end until after the meeting/party is over and you sit back and go, "Wow, yes, it is over and it was amazing." And this potential future bride does not want to be stressed. So you bet your ass I will be hiring a wedding planner and not planning my own engagement or bachelorette parties.

So yes, maybe Soto-Ward shouldn't have been promoted, but just because she didn't plan her own engagement party doesn't mean she shouldn't be Vogue's new event planner.

Also, if Anna Wintour wanted to hire a team of peeps to plan my engagement party I would say, "Hell yes, Anna!".

[Photo Credit: NY Mag]

Be Careful What You Wish For

Since I was an intern, I wanted to work on events. I loved the fast-paced environment and running on adrenaline. As and intern and when I was a sales assistant, I assisted with numerous events. I ran around, did as people asked and solved small problems where I could. I was always assisting someone. I was never working on my event.

Very soon, I have my first event. I'm freaking out (which is causing me to break out, awesome). This isn't just a "hey, let's have a cocktail party for about 40 people" event. It's a "hey, let's fly a bunch a people to a place and do this and then that and oh, we just found out we need go here when we scheduled this" event.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited. But I'm stressed. I said to WG2 this weekend, "Um, why did I want this job?" I've realized that what I love about events, is the actual event. I love event day, even if I'm stressed. And there is nothing like the high I have after an event is finished and gone well.

Pre-event, well, it's a lot different when you're the one planning. I'm learning the ropes of the pre-event and learning to love it. There is much more that goes into than I realized, I've dropped the ball on a few things and, I think, disappointed Mom Boss a bit (another story for another day). Because it's my first event, I wanted everything leading up to it to go smoothly.

With the event only days away, I can only just get everything together, pull it all off on event day and use what I've learn with this event for the next one. Oh, and hope that the post-event feeling is event better because it was my event and it went well.

By George, I Think She's Got It

I have been at my new job in Chicago for over a month now (almost two months, which is so weird to say because the time literally flew by).

I'm not gonna lie, this whole new job thing was a huge adjustment. Despite the fact that I grew up in Illinois, moving back and adjusting to the new(ish) lifestyle here has been hard. I still don't have a clue where I'm going...ever (north, south, east, west, WHAT?!). The L confuses me to no end, and I make a silent prayer every night that I will wake up and the straight lines of the NYC subway will have replaced those loops and turns. And sometimes, I even miss hearing the incessant police car sirens (I can't believe I just said that).

And adjusting to a new company is difficult. You have to learn the lingo and jargon. You have to memorize names and complicated webs of who manages who. And worst of all, you have to make all new friends.

Friends. Ugh. I forgot how much work is involved in this task. I mean, at my old job, I think it took me a good 6 months to make actual work friends. And while it did take me a while, I did manage to finagle myself a great core group. We ate lunch together almost everyday (except during Biggest Loser at work when I practically starved myself so I could win a spa trip...which I didn't end up winning womp womp). We would whine and complain about work. We would share useless information with each other throughout the day (and inapporiate work humor of course).

I still miss my old work friends every day. Especially since I've been eating alone at my desk everyday since I started this job back in December. But I knew I had to muddle through and make some new friends.

And by George, I think I did it.

Last week, while at the event I put on in Atlanta, I had to spend a considerable amount of time sitting at a registration desk. Mainly the desk was open for anyone who had a question during the event (you know - room issues, food issues, lost alarm clock issues), but the desk was only open during breaks so during the "off" time when I wasn't running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I got to spend some time hanging out with my co-workers who were also working the event. I also got to try out Wii Fit, which told me that I am off balance and that I need to go the gym. Tell me something I don't know Wii Fit! 

I met two people who I really hit it off with - and they share my love for cheesy reality TV (like The Bachelor). That's when you know it's true friendship by the way, when they love the same TV as you. 

And while I still haven't sat down and had lunch with either of the girls I met at the event, I do know that I'm on my way to having real work friends again.

I also learned of a clique within our company. A new friend and I have nicknamed them the High School Musical clique since they are all relatively young and of course they also love to break out into song intermittently throughout the day so the nickname was obvious. They love to eat lunch together in our little cafeteria (if you can call it that) and go to meetings in a foursome pod. 

So far I've gotten along with a majority of the HSMusical clique, but I think for now I'm going to stick with establishing my new friendships with my reality TV bff's. Because if you can't form a solid relationship around your shared love of Rock of Love Bus then what can you form a relationship around? 

*Sidenote: Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the 20sb awards! Working Girl is the new "Best Career/Occupation Blog" of the 20sb! We are thrilled to say we are among the winners, because some of our serious blog crushes are on that list of winners (you know - the kind of blogs you are scared to comment on because they are like the cool, popular senior girl in high school that you worship from afar). So thank you readers!

VIP Status

I have arrived in Atlanta for my company's big event. And since I've been awake for what seems like over 24 hours, I am a teeny bit delirious. So bear with me.

As I write this post, I am sitting in the Executive VIP lounge on the Executive floor of the hotel. AH! I feel as though I have arrived just because I have a hotel key that is gold, sparkly, and says VIP. Ok, that's false. But I do feel pretty cool. I have been granted VIP status. It's official. I have come up in the working world.

When I checked into my hotel yesterday, I was informed by the front desk that I had been upgraded since I was the main on-site contact for the event. I was floored. Mainly because there are so many other people I feel like should be upgraded before me, you know? I'm a lowly coordinator.

But this means I have access to a free computer, a free printer (not that I've used it), and this pretty Executive lounge with comfy couches and a really awesome view of...nothing. Otherwise, there is nothing really special about my VIP status. But I do feel pretty important, which in turn has made me more confident, which I think in turn has made me a better worker.

Is it weird that a gold sparkly key has made me more productive?

More updates to come on Wednesday when the conference ends!

I'd Like To Invest

Apparently I started my new job smack dab in the middle of busy season. As the Project Coordinator, I have two large events each year that I have ownership of. One is in January and the other is in February. 

Having started in this position almost a month ago, I've been busy preparing the final details of the big event my new company has in early January. But as I go about attending meetings, editing all the written materials, and ordering the meals, I find myself not getting into it as I usually do. 

See, I love planning. In college and when I lived in NYC, I was always the planner. I took care of New Year's plans, birthday dinners, and spring break plans (and I especially love planning my yearly birthday extravaganza!). I like picking the restaurant or the bar that we'll get to go to. I like knowing all the details and being in the thick of plans. So in a way, it makes sense that I fell into this job of event planning and marketing. At my old job, we did two large events a year as well. I was very invested in both of them. I knew every answer to every question anyone had about the events. The decor, the layout, the food, the collateral - I was involved in every step of the process. 

I think this is why I'm having a hard time throwing myself into this event that will occur in January. I'm not very invested. Some would say that I'm lucky. I started this job and all the work was done for me. The things that are left to take care of are the small details and all the on-ground work the day of the event. Which should have me jumping for joy. Other than putting together some team-building projects, I really haven't had much involvement. 

But every day, someone will come and ask me a question. And most of the time I don't know the answer because I haven't been with this project since day one. I really think the best part of planning an event is following through - being there from the beginning when everything was just an idea and then seeing it all come together. It makes all the stress and all the worry very worthwhile. And you feel proud because you achieved something and you saw the fruits of your labor.

I'm doing my best to get caught up (ah! it's only two weeks away!), and I think I've been doing a pretty good job. Good enough that I know this event will run smoothly and I'll come back to Chicago alive. 

I just wish I was a little more invested.

Burnt To a Crisp

I feel like this is a complete and total cop-out post so I completely and totally apologize in advance. I am, unfortunately, burnt out. Despite my lovely and relaxing weekend at the shore (thanks Andrea!), I am still tired and at a loss of something substantial to write about so instead of my usual wit and humor I am going to regale you all with a short update on my working life. 

1) I am burnt out because my company has a big event coming up tomorrow which means I've been coming in early and leaving late. I even stayed late on Friday to finish printing name tags. I know yuck yuck yuck. Thankfully it will all be over tomorrow and I can go on to plan our next event in November without putting in the long hours. 

2) The New Kid is still killing me. After all your comments on how I should give him a chance I thought, "Ok, maybe I am being too harsh on this guy." It's been two weeks and let me tell you, he has not let up. My biggest pet peeve of the New Kid's is how he loses e-mails. I have sent him numerous e-mails and he somehow can't locate them when I ask to see his work re. that e-mail I sent two hours ago. Oh, and he loves to invite himself to lunch with me and my work friends. Not okay. 

3) My new roommate Natalie is still doing her boss. 'Nuff said. 

4) I still have not heard a word from my Chicago interviews which is highly, highly frustrating and nerve-racking. Unfortunately the economy is not helping my search for the perfect job in the city I yearn to be in. On the bright side Thanksgiving is right around the corner so I am going to get to plan a trip home soon (woohoo!). 

5) I am currently watching One Tree Hill and I just noticed how many work-related topics are in this show! But seriously their professions are so far-fetched. Brooke owns her own clothing line (well not really anymore), Lucas is a writer, and Peyton is starting her own record label. I don't know about you guys but I don't have any recent grad friends who own their own businesses or are making anything close to a number that would let them buy their own houses. Do you think Brooke would hire me? I'm a really super assistant. 

Again sorry for this cop-out post. I promise to bring my normal blogging back on Wednesday once this event is finito. 

I'm a Fashionista

Or at least I pretended to be one today. 

At 7:00 AM this morning, I bored the Amtrak Acela Express from New York to Washington, D.C. for a magazine sponsored beauty event. 

The event was held at a certain beauty counter at a department store in the Metro D.C. area. The particular beauty company is a sponsor of a corporate program and today's event was part of their sponsorship. The beauty company wanted beauty or fashion editors to attend the event to give consumers tips for fall fashion and beauty advice, what they got was me. 

They didn't know I was just a marketing coordinator who hopes every morning that my make-up is close to flawless and that my outfit is somewhat put together, they thought I was an editor. So, I had to fake it. 

The most important part of this task was my outfit. At 5:45 AM I put on a pair of wide-leg dark-wash jeans, a tailored white shirt, purple cardigan, gold skinning belt and white ballet flats (for the train ride, there was no way I was putting my black pumps a second before I had to).

To prep, on the train I read September and October issues of fashion magazines and I learned that purple is in for fall.

So, I stood at the beauty counter for two hours and told virtually every women who sat down for a make-up touch-up or foundation consultation that she should try purple for the fall. I varied what she should try, of course, a purple scarf, purple eye shadow, purple accessories. Purple. Purple. Purple. 

That's what you get when you send the marketing coordinator to pretend she's a fashion editor. Good thing the beauty counter girls were loving on purple for the fall just as much as the fashion magazines.

In It To Win It

We all know that I am a big fan of complaining. That and gossip are probably two of the things I love most about work. Sad? Probably. But as much as I might complain about all the tedious tasks I have to do and putting up with my clueless boss, I am a hard worker.

Hard to believe, I'm sure. But I'm not someone who talks back to my superiors. I do what I'm told to when I'm told to. I come in early and I stay late. I usually eat my meals at my desk. And this summer I have been working myself extra hard. We have had event upon event to plan and I haven't had a rest (proven by the fact that I made myself sick last week!). 

It's always nice to have your hard work acknowledged. But sometimes a nice thank you e-mail just doesn't cut it. At our company, we have a way of giving due credit where it is deserved and that is with the Employee of the Month award (and no, I do not work at a fast-food restaurant or star in a movie with Dane Cook). 

As I have mentioned before, my company slightly resembles NBC's The Office. And when I say slightly, I mean completely. Let's just say Dwight, Meredith, and Angela are all employed where I work. Point being, our Employee of the Month award is like a Dundie. It is given out once a month at our Family Meetings. Yep, I just put family and meeting in the same sentence. So at these Family Meetings, The CEO gets up and talks about how great our company is, how we're doing so well during this recession, announces the new hires, the anniversaries, and gives out a gift certificate to the hardest worker. Barf. I know. I hate these meetings (although they do get me out of an hour of work). 

This month, I won that award. And The CEO said some nice things about me. The office clapped. And I left the office smiling. It is deeply gratifying being told that all that hard work you do means something to someone (especially to the head honcho). All those thankless days and nights you spend toiling in front of a computer screen or all those nights you stayed late for events are finally being noticed. It feels great. It's a top of the world feeling.

And I can't help but feeling like doing a jig in a shower of champagne (preferably pink champagne). Thank you to all the little people who helped me get here...oh, wait, I am the little person! Ok, so instead here's a big thank you to my bosses for seeing that I am putting in the extra effort.

And my prize for working my little ass off? A gift certificate to a spa. Ahhh. 80-minute massage here I come.

All By Myself

After a long day of travel, I have arrived safely on the west coast. A very rainy and cold part of the west coast. The magazine is hosting an in-store event for one of our advertisers tonight and I'm in charge.

When I arrived last night, I met with the store manager and talent for the event to have a site inspection. A site inspection is just a fancy way of saying "checking out the venue." I was nervous. The store manager is in her late 30's and so is the talent. I'm 23. They didn't know my age, obviously. But they discovered that I was young and not exactly uber experienced when it was time for the business card exchange. I don't have any. Assistants don't get them, which I can understand. Assistants usually aren't jet-setting across the country to manage events. But I am and I'd like business cards, thankyouverymuch.

The event isn't until 6:30 tonight, so I have the day to kill. And by kill, I mean I have to sit in a coffee shop for the next two hours and actually do my work for the day and make-up for the work I missed yesterday. I stayed up until after midnight New York time last night on my laptop sending e-mails, organizing excel sheets and booking travel for my boss.

Sitting in this coffee shop, I've been more productive over that past two hours than I think I have ever been on any given day at work. There is something about being in your weekend clothes, sipping coffee and listening French pop songs that make me work better. It probably also helps that I didn't have a ringing phone next to me or sales reps popping by my desk to ask me questions (that they should already know the answers to).

I'm off to go find some lunch. Confession: I've never gone to a restaurant and eaten by myself. Thank god I have an unread issue of People. I'll update later about how the event went.