"I'm Running in Stupid Heels"

Faulty internet, an annoying television and my beyond pathetic Monday night bedtime have prevented me from posting my The City recaps every week. For that, I apologize. I know many of you enjoyed those posts but they have officially been retired. But, I've decided to take up a new weekly television show: Running in Heels.

Running In Heels premiered Sunday night on the style network. The eight-week docuseries will follow three interns and the staff of Hearst's Marie Claire. I feel better about following people who actually work where they say they work. So, Working Girls, here we go.

The 3 Interns

Ashley from Washington, D.C.
"I'm always trying to be the stand out one of the interns"

Talita from L.A.
"I believe I have the talent of Fashion. I think I was just born with it."

Samantha from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
"I'm a little nervous because I don't know much about fashion magazines and how they work."

According to Ashley, the magazine gave her the names of the two other interns, they decided to live together and Ashley found the apartment that the three girls are living in online. False and false. Granted, they only have one bedroom and there are bunk beds. But still, when I was an intern I paid $2,000 to live in an NYU dorm with five other girls.

Immediately after introductions, there is drama already boiling. Ashley doesn't like Talita because she's very L.A. and Talita thinks Ashley is standoffish. Samantha, in true Midwest form, likes them both. So far, Talita and Ashley have nothing bad to say about Samantha. I give it 10 minutes.

The Staff

Joanna Coles - Editor In Chief
"It is stressful but i love it."

Zoe Glassner - Senior Shopping Editor
"Positions in the industry are limited"

Lucy Kaylin - Executive Editor
"Nothing gets in the magazine without going through me first."

Zanna Roberts - Senior Fashion Editor
"It's definitely not all glamour but it's fun and I love what I do"

The First Day

Ashley, Talita and Samantha take a cab to work. Shouldn't interns be taking the subway or the bus?

Zoe greets the girls, gives them a quick tour and then offers them her advice.

Zoe's words of wisdom are:
1. Don't speak unless spoken to.
2. No gum.
3. No flip-flops.
4. Wear appropriate underwear
5. And don't forget "there are hundreds of girls who would kill to be you."

I think I've heard that last one somewhere before. I just can't put my finger on it...

She also gives them their first week assignments:
Talita - assist the beauty department at fashion week.
Samantha - tend to Joanna Coles and newly hired Nina Garcia.
Ashley - assist Zoe in the fashion department

Talita and Samantha are beyond excited by their assignments. Ashley is not and she should be. Zoe has worked at Marie Claire for eight years. I'd guess she knows the ins-and-outs of the magazine more than most. If Ashley were to preform well in assisting her it would be very helpful for her career. Throughout her assignment she's sulking.

We get our first real glimpse of Nina during a fashion department meeting. She is channeling Miranda Preistly. I like it.

Down in the studio Zoe is also hardcore and I like it. Ashley does not. She did not pack up items from a photo short correctly and Zoe is not having it. Zoe says, in a voiceover, that internships are all about learning and that if you don't know how to do something, you need to ask. Ashley says, to the camera, that Zoe didn't tell her how to pack the times, so she shouldn't be mad. Who's side are you on?

Sergio, Joanne's assistant, gives Samantha her first assignment. To pick up designer outfits for Joanne. And before we know it she is literally running in her heels. On her way back to the office, she tries to hail a cab. "I don't know what the lights mean," she says about the cabs.

(A quick NYC cab lesson from WG1: if just the lights in the middle are on, the cab is available. If no lights are on, the cab is taken. If just the "off duty" lights are on, the cab is off duty. If the "off duty" and the middle lights are on, the cabbie might take you were you need to go if he feels like it.)

Talita's assignment is to go to the Rock & Republic fashion show and interview models backstage about their beauty secrets. When she arrives backstage she looks totally lost. I can't blame her, it looks beyond overwhelming. It's stressing me out just watching. The following Monday, Talita meets with a beauty editor to discuss her assignment. According to the editor, Talita didn't get enough information and had several spelling mistakes in her draft. That's a huge no-no.

While Talita was doing a bad job backstage, Sergio called the intern apartment and gave Ashley tickets to the show and she did not invite Samantha. After the show and back at the apartment Samantha confronted Ashley. Ashley was not sorry for not inviting Samantha and this upset Samantha. Drama, drama, drama.

Later, Zoe is passing out assignments again. For the Nina Garcia party, Samantha gets to work the red carpet, the glamorous assignment, while Talita and Ashley are working on event planning (read: gift bag stuffing duty). And obviously Ashley is sulking about it. She thinks she should have the more glamorous assignment because she has more experience.

After the Party

"Never would I ever have the audacity to walk around a party, with Nina Garcia, during fashion week, barefoot, with a glass of champagne in my hand, as an intern." - Ashley.

"It was very clear tonight that Samantha doesn't know what shes doing." - Talita

"They were looking at me like I was the biggest idiot" - Samantha about Ashley and Talita.

Upon first meeting the girls, I thought I was going to hate Talita and that Samantha was slightly annoying. Ashley appeared to be the perfect intern. She was experienced, poised and polite. Those last two didn't last long. Perhaps she has the most experience but she needs to cut out the competitiveness and realize that each opportunity during her internship will be helpful. Even it is stuffing gift bags and packing up photo shoot items.

I began rooting for Samantha, the nice girl from the Midwest. But, I was right, she's annoying and "green" as Talita put it. As an intern or even as a full-time employee working the event, you should not be seen eating the food or drinking the drinks while the party is going on. Nor should you take of your heels.

Talita, while she made some mistakes with her first assignment is the most mature intern so far. She stayed out of the drama between Ashley and Samantha and only reacted to Samantha's actions at the party. We'll see how long she remains drama free.

(Editor's note: I apologize for the lack of photos. As previously mentioned, my internet has been faulty lately and pictures are just not going to happen for this post.)

Take Your Tie Off 2009

Around this time last year, I started itching for Spring Break. So me and two of my friends decided to keep alive the tradition of ditching all responsibilities for a week and headed off to Las Vegas. That vacation was great and included one very drunken night at the only Irish pub on the strip that left us hungover for the rest of our time in Sin City, lots of sing-alongs to "Damaged" by the band formerly known as Danity Kane, and one very interesting experience at Cirque du Soleil. 

This year, I don't have the funds (not like that stopped me last year) and it turns out that instead of planning my own Spring Break, my company has done it for me. On Thursday morning, I will depart for Key West for a long weekend of sun, sand, and Kenny Chesney on repeat on my iPod. 

Explanation for this little getaway: each year my company has a sales incentive competition. Last year, the top 10 salespeople won a long weekend away in Puerto Rico. This year, it is a long weekend in Key West, Florida. And since I had a hand in planning the excursion (aka all the flights, all the meals, all the hotel arrangements, the shuttle service, and even the guest's beach activities), I get to tag along. Yes, I am pretty much their travel agent. 

But I am more than over the moon about this trip. Not only is it 80 degrees right now in Key West (and it's about -13 here in Chicago), but I get some free time while I am there as well. The first few days we are there we have dinners and meetings that I have to deal with, but come Sunday I have free time to lounge by the pool, drink strong margaritas, and add some more freckles to my already over-freckled skin. 

And that's not all! My company is allowing me to bring a guest, so Thursday night one of my best friends from college is going to be flying in from New Jersey so we can hang out and maybe convince a few of my colleagues to take their ties off. 

I'm sure this trip will inspire a story or two, so stay posted for an update on my excursion down south on Monday! 

Procrastination is Golden

In high school, I was a big procrastinator. I would wait until the last possible minute to start studying for finals and term papers...let's not even go there. In college I was the same way - and I hate to admit this but a lot of the time it was with articles I would write for the student newspaper. My dad tells me I inherited this from my mother, who was also an editor and extreme procrastinator. 

For the most part, I try not to let my procrastination get the better of me in my professional life. I think the one remark I hear from a lot of my superiors is that I do things quickly. If you ask me to do something, I do it. And I realized recently that's because if I don't do it right away and get it over with, then I will procrastinate until the very last second to get it done (which is no way to be in the working world). 

It's easy to procrastinate when you're working on deadlines. And for a good chunk of my life, deadlines are what I worked on. I was a writer, an editor, a journalist, a student. Homework was due at 10AM on Monday morning, I would sit down and do it at 10PM the night before. Article is due at 6PM on Thursday night, and I would still be racing to get the last quote at 5:30PM. 

Some people would say it is sheer laziness, and I would have to agree with the kind of work I do now. I know that if my boss asks me to fax something and I just don't do it right away...it's because I'm lazy. But I think with writing and editing, you pull the best stuff out of your head when you're under pressure. I think some of the best stuff I've ever written was written quickly and without over-analyzing. And to avoid over analyzation, you have to write at the last possible second. 

The last few weeks at work I have seen procrastination start to pull at me. My boss is going to be out of town next week and the week after, which means I will be unsupervised for two whole weeks. For the most part, my boss leaves me be - I get my work done when I get it done. He is very hands off, which is a complete 180 from what The Boss was like (who would read my to-do list everyday to make sure I was getting stuff done). 

At times, I love the hands off atmosphere. I feel less stressed and more relaxed at work. I don't feel panicked if I'm three minutes late and I don't feel the need to stay late and pull my hair out to be an ultimate perfectionist (which is what was required of me at my past job). 

Sometimes I do wish that I had a boss who was there more to watch me and make me perform better. But I think I realized just this past week as procrastination set in, that being a grown-up is pushing yourself. Not having a teacher at hand, or an editor, or a boss to push you requires you to do it for you. And I think that is the best lesson that my boss could teach me. 

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• It's a fact that unemployment numbers are through the roof, but there are a few states that are staying more afloat than anyone else. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22 states are recored at lower employment rates than the national average. The top five include: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Utah.

• The founder of Take Your Daughters to Work Day, Nell Merlino, has a new book out entitled Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way in Life, in Love, and at Work. In the book, Merlino talks about focusing on what you're good at and what's important to you to enjoy your job more. Here are seven of her top tips as reported by U.S. News.

• Happen to catch my post on how Disney sweatshirts at work make me dryheave? Well, if you happen to see women in your office who are having the same problem, we suggest you send them over to WorkChic.com. The presidents of the company, Megan and Jennifer, created this website and blog to help women be creative with their wardrobe while still looking professional. My kind of women!
  

• Seems that Stewart Bradley, the NFL lineback for the Phildelphia Eagles, has joined in on the celebrities becoming magazine interns. Stewart has joined Elle as a fashion intern. I'm baffled...and slightly attracted (I only said slightly, don't judge).

You're Just a 23-Year-Old Who Can't Drive

I'm the baby sister of my work family. I'm 23, almost 24, and I am given a hard time because of it. When I complain about turning 24, I'm put in my place. When I talk about having worked at my job forever, I'm put in place. Promo Girl often says things to me like, "It's just like in Clueless...have you even seen that movie?" Yes, Promo Girl, I have. I'm not that young. As if!

I'm old enough to drink, to enlist in the army and to drive. But I'm not old enough to drive a rental car. Okay, I am old enough in most states. But, not without an additional fee.

Seriously rental car companies, seriously?

I have been driving since I was 15-years-old. I haven't gotten a single speeding ticket and I've never been in an accident. I should be able to rent a car and drive it at the same price as any 25-year-old.

I'm a serious Working Girl who is going on a business trip on Monday and needs a rental car. My boss is also going on this business trip but asked me to take of the rental car. So imagine how mature I felt when I had to book the car in her name because I'm too young and the company doesn't want to pay an additional fee. Super mature.

Do Not Wear Disney Clothing To Work

This week has been crazy busy (and I was seriously bummed when I found out it was Wednesday and not Thursday - isn't that the worst?). And sometimes when I'm crazy busy or just plain tired, I don't make sense when I speak, I forget what I'm talking about halfway through conversations, and essentially become brain dead. Thankfully, I am still able to put together a sentence when writing e-mails otherwise I wouldn't be able to communicate.

So this morning when I was running around printing 100 copies of a worksheet for a training session and making sure the 20 people who my company is taking to Key West next week all had their jet ski tours and deep sea fishing trips booked, I walked over to the copier and saw our legal assistant wearing a Disney pullover.

And I did a double take.

Mainly I did said double take because I was so delrious that I thought, 'Ok, now we can add hallucinating to the Tired WG2 Brain Dead Snydrome'.

But no, my eyes had not deceived me. The legal assistant was wearing a white fleece pullover with Winnie the Pooh on it. And the best part...she was wearing it with white leggings circa 1992 (which I'm pretty sure I also owned and wore at the wee age of seven).


This picture of a Minnie sweatshirt is a marked improvement over what our legal assistant was wearing. Yea, think about that. Sending shivers down your spine?

So my question is how did she get up in the morning and think this outfit choice was ok? Sure it's comfortable...for a Saturday afternoon spent on your couch (because yes I'm guilty of wearing some pretty gross ensembles while lazily lounging around my apartment)! But for a professional day of copying documents and manning the phones? Sorry, I think not. What if a client saw her dressed like that? In Disney attire...most likely purchased at a theme park! This is a working fashion don't if I have ever heard of one.

And sadly, I don't think I will ever be able to take the legal assistant seriously ever again. Because she wore a pullover that made me dry heave.

My advice to all Working Girls is this: Do not wear Disney themed clothing to work. Ever. If for nothing else, so you don't make your co-workers dry heave.

Dad Scares Me

First, some housekeeping. For a while now, I've referred to my bosses as my female boss and my male boss. They haven't had super cool blog names like Chicken Noodle Soup Boss or Facebook Friend Boss but now they do. Promo Girl and I have been calling them Mom and Dad for quiet some time now because our little marketing department really is like a family. There are 9 kids and mom and dad. Dad even calls us "kids" when he walks into the office every morning. So now, they are Mom Boss and Dad Boss.

Now that that is out of the way. It's review time at work which means Dad Boss gets to critique my job performance in about 2 weeks. But first, I had to complete self-review online. Last year, Chicken Noddle Soup Boss was the only on reviewing me and she said, and I quote, "Just put 'I think I'm going a great job.'" So that's what I did and I received a good review.

This year, Promo Girl scarred the crap out of me. Dad Boss is the hardest interview everyone is my office has experience. They all say that if you can survive and interview with him, you can survive an interview anywhere. Except for maybe WG2 in about 10 years. My dear friend is going to make one scary boss.

Unfortunately, I never interviewed with Dad Boss and am therefore unprepared for many interviews to come and for my review. The only interview I had was for my internship and that was with Mom Boss. Although they are both my bosses, Dad Boss is handling my review. Dad Boss is critical, asks tough questions and looks at you funny as you answer. Like real funny. Makes you want to crawl under your chair and hide funny.

I submitted my self review last Tuesday. I think I'm pretty freaking awesome at my job but it's one thing to write that here and a completely other thing to write about it in a formal form for my boss. Once you submitted your review, you couldn't go back and add thoughts or edit a sentence. Promo Girl reminded me of this several times thus making me increasingly nervous. Since I submitted it, I thought of several more points I'd like to make and a few things I'd like reword or just flat out delete.

I'm obviously totally looking forward to my review in a few weeks. Hopefully I wont end up hiding from Dad Boss under my desk.

I <3 New York

This past weekend, I dragged my dad to see Confessions of a Shopaholic with me. And just as the opening credits were rolling, he leaned over and asked, "Is this making you homesick?" 

The film was shot in New York...my old home. And I think what I was so taken aback by in that question was that when he said 'home', I instantly thought of New York. I do think of myself as a New Yorker (or Jersey girl really, but for the purposes of this post let's just say New Yorker). New York is where I did my growing up and a lot of soul finding. It's where I left behind some of my closest friends and greatest memories. It's where I had my first job. So I think New York will always be home to me. 

Which leads me to my answer, which was yes. Yes, I am homesick. I think it's hard not to miss the things that are the most familiar to you. I miss being able to go out to dinner with my NYC friends on a moment's notice. And I can't even tell you how jealous I was that everyone just drove to Mohegan Sun to celebrate our friend's 24th. I miss being comfortable with the subway system, and confident that I'm great at my job. 

Moving to Chicago has not been easy. It's a daily struggle. And I know I've said over and over that I've made the right decision (to about anyone who will listen), and I know it's not just to convince myself. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and I'm proud of myself for coming to a city that I barely knew and reforming those friendships with my high school friends, and healing my relationships with my family and for getting a new job, and trying out new things (like Match.com yikes bikes). 

At the bar this weekend, as I was sipping from my beer tower, I realized that I started over. And it was hard. And some of it was easy because I had my family and old friends. But a lot of it was hard, and it still is. But I started over...how cool is that?

Last night I baby-sat for my cousins (one of whom is my goddaughter) and it was so nice to just be there in that moment. To have them know my name, which wasn't always the case every time I came home for the holidays in the past, and for my goddaughter to fall asleep on my stomach as we watched Hannah Montana - the greatest show ever made. And then when I got back to the city, my dad drove me home and told me goodnight and that he loved me - in person. And I realized that yes, I did make the right decision. Because if I left them, if I left Chicago, I would be homesick. For the first time in a long time I would be homesick for Chicago and all that I had left behind here. 

(I have to apologize for this post because I know it's not about work, and this blog is about...work. But I'm running on about five hours of sleep because this is my hell week at said job and I had a brain fart about what to write about. And then this popped into my head and I just went with it. So enjoy my sincerity and this picture below of New York and Chicago blended together like they love one another). 

Valentine's Day is for Suckers

Dear Cupid,

Valentine's Day has always been pretty rough for me. I've never had a boyfriend to speak of when the holiday rolls around. And this year has been no different. 

Last year, I experienced my first Valentine's Day in the workplace which I observed was a lot like grade school. It's like all of a sudden we're keeping track of which girl got the most gifts, the most flowers, and the most praise on this day of 'love' than anything else. Last year, I watched as girls received bouquets upon bouquets of flowers, chocolates and teddy bears (yes, there were even teddy bears) at their desks at work. And my gay bff and husband at the time felt so bad for me that he gave me a tube of Dermalogica cover-up he found in the beauty closet as a gift. Lame, I know. 

This year, I could not be more excited that Valentine's Day has decided to give all us single Working Girls a break. This year, Valentine's Day is on a Saturday. Which means, yea, maybe a few girls will get flowers and balloons and singing telegrams tomorrow at work...but most boyfriends and husbands will be saving up their energy for the actual day. In turn, I not only will we be saved the humiliation of not receiving any gifts, but I also won't have to watch other women get all lovey-dovey, make faces like they want to cry from happiness, and jump for joy when they realize that yes, he really does love me. 

Can you tell February 14th makes me bitter? 

Maybe so, but Cupid thank you, thank you, thank you for letting us dodge the bullet this year. 

Love,

WG2 

Liar Liar

I called in sick to work yesterday. But I wasn't sick. I lied.

After my root canal, I was not done with all the required dental work. I need a post and core and then a crown. I got my post and cord and then I was told I need a crown lengthening. The dentist did a horrific job of explaining the procedure to me. "Will it hurt?" I asked him. "No, no, you'll be fine. Standard procedure." Fine, no big deal, I thought.

Now, WG2 has enforced a strict policy that I am not allowed to visit websites like WebMD. I'm a bit of hypochondriac. But since WG2 moved halfway across the country, she is unable to jump across the living room and grab my laptop out of my hands when I say something like "omigod, I think I have malaria," I Googled crown lengthening.

I read about the procedure, the recovery and the complications. It was right between the recovery and the complications that I felt faint and began to sweat. I found a health message board and a woman posted a message asking if a crown lengthening was necessary. Several posters wrote back that they were told by one dentist that they need the procedure and then by another that you don't. It was then that I started crying.

After calling my mother and telling her that I'm never going to the dentist again because they scared me. To comfort me, she scheduled me an appointment with my dentist from high school. On a Monday. My dentist from high school is in New Jersey. And I'm not talking close to the city, hop a train Jersey. I'm talking close to Pennsylvania, take a bus because no trains go there Jersey.

I didn't want to waste a personal day travelling to New Jersey and going to my dentist so I planned to call in sick. My catholic school guilt set in immediately and I hadn't even done anything. All week I contemplated just taking the personal day. Or just giving one my bosses a heads up that I'd be calling in sick cause maybe she'd be ok with it? Yeah, I didn't really think so either.

I made my way to New Jersey on Saturday and spent the weekend with my Mom. Monday morning, my alarm went off at 7:30, per usual. I went to the guest room and turned on my mom's desktop. It took a million years to turn on and a million more for my Webmail to load. I drafted my email, told my bosses I had felt sick all night and didn't feel any better in the morning. They both wrote back to feel better.

Today, they both asked me if I felt better. I felt awful. So guilty. I looked fine, not like I was recovering from any sort of illness. I felt like a nun was going to crawl from under my desk and slap my knuckles with a ruler. I told them I felt better and that was that.

As bad as I felt, the calling in sick was totally worth it. I didn't waste a personal day. And I don't need a crown lengthening. In fact, I don't even need a crown. But if I ever want to do this again, I'm going to need a more convincing excuse.

Not So Crazy in Love

So I never really did figure out if Jay was asking me out or not. 

Equipped with all of your comments and suggestions on how to deflect his love, embrace his offer of free drinks, and ideas of how to let him know I just wasn't that into him, I went to work last week ready to shoot him down gently (by telling him I was so, so, so, so busy when in reality I was really busy eating a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby). 

But Jay never put his offer out there to grab drinks again. In fact, he barely spoke to me the last few days he was in the Chicago office. 

On his last day, I was working late again. Some of the IT guys took him downstairs to grab some Berry Chill before coming back upstairs to test the phones and do all that other IT stuff they do in that cave of theirs. As I was leaving, I gave Jay a hug and wished him luck. And that was that. We promised to stay in touch, but I knew that probably wouldn't happen. We'd known each other for a measly month and there is no real attachment/attraction on my part. 

On Monday, I came to work and sat down and in front of my computer screen was a tiny bottle of Visine with a note that said, "Just in case -Jay". (Quick background: one day, my contacts were really bothering me and were all blurry so Jay saved me by giving me some eye drops). Which was a nice gesture...but also bizarre.

So now I have a bottle of eye drops to remind me of my non-existent relationship with the IT guy Jay. Cool?  

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• As more and more layoffs begin to occur in industries such as manufacturing and construction, it seems that women are climbing further and further up the nation's payroll. According to this New York Times article, because women are usually employed within industries that survive economic hardships (such as healthcare and education), women are on the brink of being the majority in the workplace. 

• A lot of people have been asking me recently about finding a job in a different state. I stumbled recently upon this step-by-step process on MSN.com. It has some really good suggestions such as registered with a large staffing firm and offers tips on how to tap into your network to help you make that out-of-state dream a reality.

• Update! Kelly Cutrone's new reality show has been picked up by Bravo and is set to revolve around "strong women in the workplace". Sounds right up our alley. 

• Nursing, computer information science, engineering, economics, and education. What do those 5 degrees have in common? Apparently they are the 5 most marketable degrees for anyone who is about to graduate in the upcoming class of 2009. Read on to learn how to make your degree more marketable in today's market! 

• Do you dress to impress for work? Well if you want to work at the Bank of England you have to. Women's Wear Daily recently obtained a memo from the prestigious bank that dictated what their female employees should be wearing on a daily basis. Some of my favorite requests included being "careful with perfume", "always wear a heel of some sort - maximum of 2 inches", and not to be associated with "overstuffed bags, an overload of rings, or double-pierced ears". If I worked there I would officially have been fired on my first day. 

Ask Working Girl (and Awards!)

Today I bring you another installment of (insert trumpets blaring) Ask Working Girl! But before we get to my oh-so-experience answers to your lovely questions, WG1 and I would like to say thank you for a few awards we've received recently. 

Symphonic Discord, Dreamweaver and She's Got the Gift of Gab awarded us with the The Lemonade Award (which makes me want to drink lemonade out on my porch even though it is currently 12 degrees outside). Thank you! 

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Little Woman, Little Home awarded us with the Proximidade Award. Her 101 Things in 1,001 days list makes me want to get off my ass and do it too, so read her blog for inspiration! 

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These Are the Days of One Gemini and Relish gave us the Honest Scrap award. Thank you very, very, very much! We honestly love our award!

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And last but not least, Sunny gave us the Premio Dardos award. And I just read that Sunny can speak in four languages and write in six. To which all I can say is damnnnn. 

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And now on with the show, which includes me answering questions to the best of my abilities (while simultaneously watching a bad Lifetime movie). 

Melly asked: I'm a therapist, but I'm sure there's quite a few of us who have to set-up/decorate an office to meet with prospective clients. Can you give us a DO and DON'T list? 

WG2 answered: I cannot boast of my styling skills. Some of you might remember my recent post where I admitted I would like to use PB Teen to style an office if I ever get one. 

But if I were going to give some do's and don'ts, I would say "less is more" is always a good styling go-to especially when styling an office. You don't want minimalist, but you do want simplistic. Plants and flowers always make an impression on clients and also make you feel like you're in a homey environment (I'm a big fan of orchids myself). Works of art can also spice up the work place and can even get be a conversation starter. I would check out etsy for some good finds or even hit up an art fair - just don't get too crazy on this one, you don't want anything that is NSFW. 

Anonymous asked: How do you manage to juggle between personal and professional life? Has your personal life ever suffered? 

WG2 answered: Juggling between the two has always been a hardship of mine...which is funny because I'm only 23 (almost 24!) and I don't have children or a husband (or even a boyfriend), so it really shouldn't be that hard, but for me it has been. See once I leave work, I usually hit a dead zone where all I want to do is order in Chinese food and veg in front of my favorite TV shows. I am also poor, so going out after work usually takes a toll on my bank account. 

Since I moved to Chicago, I have definitely seen a difference in myself though. I really think it's just a matter of pushing yourself beyond that limit of tired and frustrated. What works for me is making a schedule of what I plan on doing each day after work. Like this week, I went to the gym on Monday, had dinner with my dad on Tuesday, vegged out tonight, and tomorrow is the gym again. You're more likely to do something if you have a set plan. 

Luckily, my work has never really prevented me from plans in my personal life. I've worked a few weekends and late nights here and there, but I usually compensate somehow by leaving work early one Friday or taking a day off. It's all about finding a perfect balance. 

Diaries of an Insomniac asked: I just started a blog and am wondering, what are some good ways for me to get my blog noticed? I'd really like some feedback, and to know someone is reading it. Do you have any advice? 

WG2 answered: One great way to get feedback on your blog is by joining 20sb's. It's a great forum for 20-something's to post discussions, participate in forums, and get feedback on what they are writing and put out on the web. 

Another great way to get feedback is just to ask for it! Sometimes some of our favorite bloggers can be intimidating. I mean there are some bloggers out there who I think of as celebrities! But it never hurts to ask what they think. So just be blunt and ask. 

MY asked: How about getting a job you love in your field? Regardless of how much effort you put into your college career it seems as if none of it has paid off when it comes to finding the first job. Any of us who have graduated last year could not have picked a better time in history to graduate! 

WG2 answered: It's true that the economy is horrible right now. And I can't be anything more than thankful that I found a job during these tough times, but I think my finding a job is living proof that it is possible. 

The only piece of advice I can give anyone looking for a job right now is perseverance. You just have to keep going. I think I probably applied for about 30-50 jobs a week when I was looking for a new job last year. And to be honest I started looking for a job in the summer and didn't get any real interviews until November. The problem with this economy is that finding a job in our dream field might be hard, so taking something that we like (instead of love) might be the best bet. But never stop looking. You never know when the perfect opportunity might pop up. 

Have a work-related question? Blog-related question? Or want to know something random about one of us? Ask! Send your questions to WorkingGirlOne@gmail.com or WorkingGirlTwo@gmail.com or just post a comment here. 

Might be a Quarter Life Crisis

Last week, I said to WG2: "Is it bad that sometimes I think 'I wonder if I'd be happier if I lost my job and could figure out my dream and then follow it?'"

To which she replied: "That was like when I would walk down the street be like 'Hmmm, I think I would rather work at this Chinese restaurant than go to my job today."

I know that my statement is an awful thing to say in this economy when people are losing jobs everyday but it's honestly something that's crossed my mind and I feel it has for valid reasons.

I truly have no idea what I want I really want to do with my life. In college, I wanted to be a psychologist, then a journalist, I wanted to study sociology or french. I landed in publishing by way of journalism. As a marketing intern for a women's magazine, I thought I found what I loved, what I wanted to do for my career. I began setting goals to make that happen and I eventually landed my sales assistant job and eventually my marketing assistant job.

My boyfriend has known what he's wanted to do since he was five. Both of his parents are journalists and he's been preparing to go into the family business since he was a munchkin. He has late hours, works on the weekends, doesn't get paid nearly half as much as he should for the work he puts into his job and works with some grumpy old men, but he loves being a sports writer. I don't know anyone with the dedication and love for their job that he has. So you can imagine my frustration being around someone who knows exactly what they want to do, is doing it and loves it.

For a while, I thought I had found that when I moved to the marketing department at work. It was creative and fun. I thought that I was on my way to starting a long and successful career in publishing. But I'm growing more and more frustrated with this industry everyday. Because business is slow there is less for me to do and the projects I that I do have are unfulfilling. I could go on for quite a while explaining these projects and every frustration I have with them, but I'll bore you with that another day.

These days, the smallest issue or slightest jab from a client sets me off. I used to be excited and inspired by the marketing department's weekly status meeting, these days I'm bored and don't contribute. I want out but there isn't a chance I'd find a job and having no clue what I want to do next doesn't help. The economy is somewhat of a blessing in disguise; I have a job and I can try to take this time to figure out what's next for me. But I find it difficult to be inspired by anything else when I'm completely drained by work every night and weekend.

While one part of me wants to figure out my dream, another part of me thinks the practical thing to do is stick with what I'm doing and suck it up. I know what I'm doing here and I think I'm good at it. If I'm dedicated I can make my way up the ladder and be successful in the monetary sense. This practical part of me is strongly influenced by the fact that my boyfriend (who I'm pretty much in it for the long haul with) has his dream and it's not exactly the most lucrative one. Let me just say that I'm by no means "all about money" but I do know what I would like for my future and that requires some money.

I feel like I'm in limbo with no direction and zero motivation...

Chivalry Is Alive and Kicking in the Midwest

Back in July, I wrote a post about chivalry being dead on my morning commute. If you look back and read the post and then read the comments, you might see that the post wasn't received too well.

And I think I now realize why. It's because all our readers are from different parts of the country/world. When I wrote that post, I was making a sweeping generalization of all men being a-holes when commuting. So, I would like to revise my statement because back then I was commuting in and out of New York City on a daily basis. Since I moved back to Chicago, I've found my commuting experience to be completely and totally different than my experience out east. I have found that men in Chicago (and I'm going to guess most of the Midwest as well) are very chivalrous even in the mornings before they've had their coffee for the day. 

The one thing I have consistently told friends about how much I enjoy Chicago compared to NYC is how people here are so nice. I say this like I didn't grow up here, but I think having been out east for 6 years made me forget. 

I get in cabs, and the cab drivers ask me how my day is going or talk about the weather. (I was in a cab the other day, and the cab driver asked me if it was okay if he used his phone! I was so shocked, I almost didn't answer.) People smile at each other on the streets. People I don't even know say 'hi' to me. This obviously did not occur on a daily basis in New York.  In NYC, you avoid each other's eyes and if you do catch each other staring, you don't say 'hi'...you look away. 

But what has really shocked me is that all my gripes in my previous post on chivalry being dead have been proved wrong. On my commute in the Windy City, I have witnessed things I never thought I would get the chance to see. I have seen numerous (not just one, but many!) men give up their seats to elderly women, pregnant women, and sometimes women in general on the bus and on the L. Doors on the bus and at my office have been held open for me countless times. And at work, men make sure that women get on and off the elevator before them. 

This isn't to say I haven't seen some men not hold open doors, but for the most part I've been pleasantly surprised at how different men act during their commutes in Chicago as opposed to Hoboken or New York. 

And I have to say, I'm getting used to being treated like a lady. 

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• Interns: Pay up! - Not only are parents paying for college, they are now paying for internships. According to the Wall Street Journal, a number of parents have resorted to internship placement programs and charity programs to help their college-aged children find internships. These programs cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. One charity received $12,000 in exchange for a one week internship at a music production company. It may sound like something for rich kids but many of the people quoted say that's not true.
  

• The City 2 - Season one is barely underway and MTV has already renewed the series for a second season. Looks like we'll have a lot more Whitney to look forward to. Any by Whitney, I mean Duncan. (Editor's Note: this week's The City recap will be posted this weekend.)

• Corporate Attire - WG2 and I cried ourselves to sleep when we noticed we were nominated for any Bloggies (just kidding!). But we did find some new blogs that we love! One of them is Corporette - "a fashion and lifestyle blog for overachieving chicks." In the few days I've been following these Working Girls, they've had some great workplace fashion finds and I love it!

• You Deserve it! - Your job that is. Some women in the workplace think that someone else may deserve their job more than they do. For women who have a hard time promoting themselves, Shelly Banjo of the Wall Street Journal put together some useful advice.

• Banker GF's - Think your life is tough in these economic times? At least your not dating a banker and lost your monthly shopping allowance. The girls of DABA (Dating a Banker Anonymous) have it tough these days and they've created quite the buzz in New York. While it's slightly annoying to hear them complain about having fewer Manolos, the recession is affecting everyone's lifestyle and it's interesting to see their perspective. 

Hold the Phone

I am not a phone person.

I was the girl who when I babysat would call my mom and ask her to call Papa John's and order pizza for the kids. I was the sibling who ran away from the phone when it rang rather than run towards it. The first time I called my now boyfriend I tried to find a way to leave a voicemail without his cell phone ringing. (It didn't work.)

On my first day of my first internship my new boss told me I had to called 150 women and schedule make-overs for them. I was terrified. I sat in my cubicle and talked as quietly as I could but that's hard when you have a high-pitched phone voice like mine. My usual alto voice shoots right up to a high soprano when I'm on the phone with someone I don't know. I hate it but I don't know how to stop it.

That project and sitting in a very open office have helped me with my phone fear but that doesn't mean I enjoy the phone. Especially at the office.

I am an email person. An email, instant message, text-message person. When my guy boss says "WG1, call so-and-so about that promotion," I email so-and-so about that promotion. I'm all about the email. But he is more about the phone call. Sometimes I think his mentality is that a phone call will make whatever needs to happen, happen faster. In today's world, I think an email is more efficient.

It may be a difference is working generations or just a personal preference. Either way, I'm sticking to email.

Did He Just Ask Me Out?

I make fun of WG1 a lot for being one of those girls who is just too nice. You know, the girl in the bar who will talk to a guy for an hour because she feels guilty saying she's not interested. However, I have to counter that with the fact that some nights she is the exact opposite of that girl. Oh, WG1, she is such a conundrum. Point being, I am not that girl. If I don't like you, I will tell you (at least when I've had one too many tequila shots). 

So color me surprised but I think I'm in that situation, but my particular sitch is minus the bar and tequila and set instead in the office. And I'm dumbfounded. 

Ok, well we're probably going to have to start at the beginning for this one. I started almost two months ago at my new job. I've made a small amount of friends since I've been here. Two I met while at the conference, one I met at training, and the third I met while he was hooking up my computer. Apparently, I have a knack for being friends with IT guys. And I mean, who doesn't want the IT hook-up? Being friends with peeps in IT has its perks. 

So one of the first people I met at my new job was Jay. He set up my computer and then helped me set up my new Yahoo messenger (something I'm still not used to - using IM at work is foreign to me). Since that first day, Jay has always come around my desk to check on me, but I had always just thought he was being friendly/nice to the new girl. Then he would just stop by to chat, which at the time was so nice. I didn't know anyone yet! He filled me in on gossip (which is my weakness) and we'd chat about frivolous things which helps during a hectic workday. 

Then two weeks ago, I found out that Jay had given his two week's notice (except he really gave a month's notice). The whole thing had been kinda kept under wraps, which I had thought was weird. But Jay said he was just moving down to Miami, and since our company also has an office there he will still be with the company just in a different capacity. I was bummed, but definitely not so upset that it fazed me in any which way. 

So yesterday, I stayed late at work to finish up tallying the evaluation forms from the conference in Atlanta. Jay had also stayed late to finish up some things and the following conversation occurred over IM (which still boggles my mind that corporations use as a form of communication). 

Jay: U still here?

WG2: Yep, had to stay late tonight. 

Jay: your Internet working? 

WG2: Yea, I think so...why has it not been working today? 

Jay: ...um...obviously it's working...you're on right now...

Jay: I just wanted to make sure it wasn't slow at all today so I can reboot the server

WG2: Right....wow...I obviously have had a long day haha

Jay: Haha, that's ok

Jay: that's why I like you

Jay: Do u drink? 

WG2: yep

Jay: before I leave, we should go grab a drink sometime and talk

(Please note, I didn't know how to respond so I just didn't respond like any mature adult would do in this situation). 

Jay: But only if you want to...no pressure :) 

WG2: haha, no, yea, sure

Ok, so this convo I just sputtered out above is not verbatim. I know I missed some parts of our convo, but these were the points that stuck out to me. 

Maybe I'm crazy, but last night I was pretty sure that Jay was hitting on me. I know I could just be imagining things, reading into stuff that isn't significant. But I'm pretty sure I'm stepping into unknown territory with this. 

I am in no way attracted to Jay at all. He is a nice, solid guy. Someone that would have been great to have as an office buddy and I'm totally sad that he's leaving. But would I want to grab a drink with him before he leaves for Miami? No, probably not. You're moving to a different state...that requires a plane ride to visit on a moment's notice. Odds are that we're not gonna start dating. I guess I don't understand why he'd even bother asking me out, which is why I'm questioning the fact of did he/didn't he just ask me out. So am I exaggerating this situation here? Am I making this up out of thin air? 

And please, please readers tell me what to do. Because I'm at a loss for words. 

Now, I'm Legit.

It used to be that after meetings when it was time for the business card exchange, I would lie and say that I just ran out of my business cards and my new cards were on the way. And during interviews for interns, I would do the same thing. When I was traveling and someone asked for my card, I used a different excuse: I forgot them.

The truth is that assistants and coordinators aren't supposed to get business card.

And what was I supposed to these people? "Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Important Businessman, I'm not important enough to be given business cards" or "I'll write my info down on this paper for you, Ms. Potential Intern." I definitely don't want my interns thinking I'm not important.

Shortly before the new year, I built up the courage to ask my boss if I could have business cards. I walked into her office with my serious Working Girl face and said I had a few things to talk to her about. The first was that I wanted to work on a specific project (which is not TBD because the project may or may be happening) the second and third that were that I wanted business cards and a Blackberry.

Today, I got the business cards. When I asked for them my boss said "Just order them. You should have them." Now, I feel so legit. They are cute and colorful with my name on them and I love them. It's amazing that a little card can make me a little bit more important. Now, instead of running as fast and my heels can take me out of the conference room, I'll trade business cards with the rest of 'em. 

...I'm still waiting on the Blackberry.

(not what my business cards look like, just a fun example I found here)

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

All offices have their own quirks. 

I've worked in four offices (well five if you count that one internship where I worked in my pj's from my bed) in my short work life and all of them have had their oddities. 

I once worked out of my employer's apartment since it was a start-up company and she couldn't afford an office - the kitchen table was my desk and her dog was my foot warmer. The office I worked in last had a theme to it (not one that I can reveal because it would reveal my former company). And my newest office is pretty bland compared to the lavish NYC offices I've seen in the past. 

But as bland as it is, I like it because I have more room than I'm used to. More space to move around, more space to store files, more space to hang pictures of vineyards and beaches and more places of where I wished I was instead of stuck behind a cubicle. 

My walk down memory lane was brought on by an article I read in Gawker today, about how Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is pretty anal about how they let their employees set up their desks. So much so that they have an "approved office supplies" list. Does that mean I can't bring my pack of Disney princess pens and multi-colored Gelli Roll pens? Just kidding, I left those in my high school locker. The Martha Stewart employees are also kept white, stark, and they are told to keep their office spaces devoid of personal photos. 

All of this reminded me of an office space I worked in once. Where the walls were white, the dividers see-through and all supplies (bought by yours truly) black. This meant no blue pens, no yellow legal pads, and definitely no multi-colored Sharpies. 

And since I was only a little bitty intern, it didn't really bother me that I couldn't have personal pictures of my family and friends up on my desk but it did bother some of the other employees. I remember when a newbie had started and she had put up pictures of her and her Jersey Shore girls on the wall by her desk. The next day we had all come to work and her pictures had been taken down and an e-mail was circulated stating that we were to keep the walls clean and pristine with no clutter. 

Now that I have my own desk at a company, I have pictures up of my friends that I left behind in New York and my girlfriends from Chicago and of course the pre-requisite picture of me and my family. And while I still don't think I would freak out if I was told to take my personal mementos home, I do think they make my work space just a little bit cheerier. They remind me that there is life beyond my Outlook. 

And someday, when I'm rich and own my own company (hey, a girl can dream can't she?), I'm thinking that my office will look something like this: 


Because who wouldn't want a professional office space that was originally designed for a teenager (image stolen from PB Teen)?

Calling All NYC Working Girls!

I need a haircut in a MAJOR way. I haven't had a haircut since July and it's approximately 18 inches long at it's longest point. I know, I'm turing in "Horse Girl" from grade school.

Anyway, by the time I finally found a place I loved in Hoboken, I moved. And while I could go to Hoboken for a haircut, It's just so far away.

So, NYC Working Girls where in this great big city can I get a good haircut for a decent price? I don't need anything fancy. Few inches off, a few layers and my bangs (if I can still call them that) trimmed.

-Working Girl One

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• I have an unhealthy obsession with Target and to make it even worse, Target has officially announced that the Alexander McQueen for Target line will be coming out March 1st. I fully intend to sleep outside the night before so I can snag some of this hot new line. 

• According to the Wall Street Journal, women only make up less than 20% of today's executive MBA enrollment (and at some programs that number can be less than 5%). Schools across the country are now trying to combat these numbers by being more attractive to females. Cornell has gone to great lengths to bring more women into the program by changing the face of their advertisements to women, creating personal networks to lure women, and change classroom-time requirements. Cornell, here I come!

• Having a hard time finding a job in this economy? The New York Post suggests turning to that job that got you movie money in junior high, clothes money in high school and got you beer money in college. Yep, turn back to baby-sitting. Or as the wealthy call it - become a nanny. Apparently the cream of the crop nannies can make up to a whopping $1,500 a week. Which almost makes me want to quit my job.

• I just happened upon this commercial for Australian vacations and I'm not gonna lie, it kinda disturbed me. The whole premise of the ad is that this working woman has lost herself and her relationship because she is an executive of a company (which of course can happen). But am I living in a dream world when I say I hope that we can have it all? Job, relationship and a life. Ok, I agree. We all need a vacation every once and while, but I think this message came on a little too strong. As in, women can't handle it all. The ad reads: "She arrived as Ms. K Mathieson, Executive VP of Sales. She departed as Kate." Oh, and the little girl/boy (I can't tell), kinda creeped me out. 

The City: Boys Night Out

Here's our weekly The City recap. A little late due to the inauguration and last night's premiere of LOST. 

This episode is title "Boys Night Out." Something tells me that there isn't going to be much work going on here. 

In this episode we get to know Allie. I guess she's a model and is getting kind of naked for a Diesel shoot. She's worried that while she's away, Adam will play. 

Olivia and Nevan are looking for artwork because Olivia could not make it the Christie's auction. Poor Olivia. While shopping, Nevan explains to Olivia that he needs to find a nine to five job. It sounds like his daddy was taking care of him for a while and then cut him off. But, if he gets a job, he might get his rent paid for again? 

"As long as is doesn't involve me boozing six nights a week at some watering hole in the east village, he's happy." - Nevan. Just what every parent wants for their child.

The boys [Jay and Adam] go out. And I'm bored. Dear MTV, the audience for The City does not want to girls dancing on poles. Love, Working Girl. 

Jay seems seriously annoying when he's drunk. Total chatty Cathy. 

Another breakfast for Whitney and Erin. This time Whitney's friend Samantha from Bergdorf's joins them. Based on what they are wearing, I think it's a Saturday or Sunday. Some girl named Cat made out Adam. Didn't see that coming. 

Okay, Jay and Whitney are a little bit cute sitting in Madison Square Park.

Jay confronts Adam about the alleged make-out. Adam decided to tell Allie. He does, and spins the story.

Nevan is staying with Olivia. Apparently he's homeless.

"Try to find a job, please." - Olivia to Nevan.

"Not gonna happen." - Nevan to Olivia

The girls, including Samantha, have lunch with Allie and talk about Adam. Typical girl "We're just looking out for you"convo. Allie looks upset. 

Allie and Adam fight. I don't like watching other couples fight. It's just weird and they sound annoying but then i think "do I sound that annoying when I fight with my boyfriend?"

And that's the end. Lame episode.

Best quote:

"Who has drinks at two in the afternoon on a Friday?" -Nevan

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Work Day

Yesterday, America's 44th President, Barack Obama, was inaugurated. 

(Or 43rd, depending on how you look at it. Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, making him the 22nd and 24th president. There's your brief American history lesson of the day.)

Last week, my boss, a self-proclaimed "Momma for Obama" told us she'd be parked in the conference room for the day, watching coverage of the inauguration. I wondered if our strict publisher would allow this. I figured she wouldn't and that myself and my coworkers would be sneaking on to CNN.com to watch. 

By 9:30AM my boss was in her position in the conference room. Only an hour later, nearly my entire office was there watching. Some of us working on laptops and others just watching. I've never paid much attention to politics and never watched an inauguration. So, I don't know for sure if this is normal or not. Something tells me it isn't.

We sat in the conference room until about 1pm. Something that normally wouldn't fly around this office. But it did yesterday. Regardless of your politics or who you voted for, it's hard to deny that history was being made. It was nice that my office could take a long break to witness such an historical event. 

                [Image via PhotoBucket]

Sidenote, how freaking cute are the Obama girls?

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!

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• Now that ELLE and the CW's Stylista is over we need a new women's magazine reality TV show. Marie Claire and StyleNetwork are giving us just that this spring. Scheduled to air for eight weeks, "Running in Heels" will debut on March 1st and follow three interns as they work with the Marie Claire writers and editors. Think Stylista meets The City.

• 

Would you wear a skimpy outfit to work if you thought it'd help you get a promotion? According to the UK's Daily Mail, 27% of women would. Some other fun facts: 54% of the women polled believe dressing up helped them preform better at work; 63% have experienced wardrobe malfunctions; and 14% split their pants at the office.  The poll also named marketing and advertising profession as the most competitive for fashion rivalry. 

• Women have some a long way in the work place but it looks like we are still giving one another a hard time at the office. Earlier this week in the New York Times, leadership coach Peggy Klaus discusses female bullies in the work place. She says that while woman will help one another some have the mentality that they shouldn't help someone that could replace them.

• Ask Working Girl! Have a question for one of us? Work-related? Life-related? Ask us! Leave a comment below or send us an e-mail at WorkingGirlOne@gmail.com or WorkingGirlTwo@gmail.com. 

Delurkers Unite!

This is what happens when you go away to Atlanta for a week - you come back home with your Google Reader overflowing (280 posts!?!? really guys?!?!) and realize that it's Delurking Day/Week. And we at Working Girl practically missed it all.

I have confessed many a time that I am a huge lurker. I'm not a good commentor (one of my New Year's resolutions!), so this is the perfect week for me to start. And it's the perfect time for you to start too!

WG1 and I read our Google Analytics. We know there are a lot of you out there lurking and we'd love to meet you! So leave us a comment or e-mail us.

You know you want to!

What a Working Girl Wants

I'm over winter. So totally and completely over winter. It's cold out. And it's windy and it's snowing. My skin is dry. And my shampoo, which sits on the windowsill of the window in the shower, froze today. I'm over winter.

The window displays at The Gap are now screaming "SPRING" at me as I walk by everyday. I was planning on doing some serious winter sale shopping with my Christmas money but then I needed a root canal and that is costing me. So, instead of added some much needed pieces to my winter wardrobe, I'm day dreaming of a new spring one. Here are just a few things I'm looking at to get me in the spring mood!













Polka-dot dress - Anthropologie












Brown Sandals - Steve Madden at Piperlime























Red raincoat - Old Navy








White Jeans - AG at Shopbop

The City: Lock it Down

At DVF there is a big party coming up and Olivia is working on the guest list of editors and "socials." Socials are socialites. Which, I think, has got to be slightly awkward for Olivia. She has to work the event her friends are invited to. She may as well be serving the champagne. "It's just like...abbreviation." - Olivia on the word socials.

We spot DVF herself for the first time on The City. How cute that she played with Whitney's hair for a second.? "No, I don't." - DVF when Whitney says she looks pretty.

Whitney felt that her meeting with DVF went well. "I'm so happy for you." - Olivia. That is false.

Tell me that Erin and Whitney are having a pre-work breakfast chat again! I can't even focus on what they are saying. I'm trying to figure out if that's a sandwich Erin put in her mouth of if it is toast. Basic gist of the conversation: Jay doesn't want to commit to Whitney.

I wish my office looked the DVF office. The big party is the Wonder Woman party. Whitney has been given the task of windows. Olivia has been told to help her. She doesn't look happy. Surprised? Me neither.

I love Duncan. He made Erin's bed. And he did a good job. If only my boyfriend would do that. Duncan is thinking about moving to the city and explains to Erin that he'd need to sleep on her couch until he found a place. "And, by couch, I mean bed" - Duncan. He's seriously great.

At the Wonder Woman party, Whitney meets Chris. The kind of cute guy who works in the finance department of DVF. He asks her to lunch in front of their co-workers.

While Whitney is at lunch with Chris, Jay calls. Dun dun dun. I feel awkward watching Whitney and Chris. Ok, what was that hug when they got back to the office? So awkward. "I'll see you down the hallway." - Whitney to Chris after the awkward hug.

At dinner, Whitney tells Jay that she went to lunch with a co-worker named Chris. He gets jealous. And he should really calm down because if he knew how awkward the lunch was he wouldn't be worried.

When gabbing with Whitney about boys and dating, Erin uses the term "riding the wave," which I love. Two points for Erin. But she's still no Whitney circa The Hills.

Jay meets Adam at his place of work, Il Bastardo (yum!), to discuss the Whitney situation. Jay decides he needs to "lock it down." I think that's Australian for "make her my girlfriend."

So, Jay goes to Whitney's apartment and tells her he wants her to by his girlfriend. I couldn't really watch because it was weird to watch them make-out.

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!