inspiring work spaces

I usually find that when I surround myself in a creative environment, I produce better work. That's why I'll bring my iPad into a coffee shop to blog or sit on my couch, intermittently reading and staring at the colorful prints on my gallery wall. But I don't have a work desk or any kind of real work space in my apartment (since my bedroom is so teeny). Hoping to reorganize my bedroom set-up sometime soon, since there are so many things I'd like to learn while sitting on a real-person desk, like graphic design, sketching, etc...

(Photos: Jenna Lyon's desk via 1; 2, 3, 4, 5)

6 tips to driving your career

There are many things in our careers that we have no control over, so I started thinking about the things that we actually can control. Isn't it true that we often undervalue our own power to improve our work lives? In a recent NYTimes article, Birchbox co-founder Katia Beauchamp said something that I find very honest from an employer: “This is your life. This is your career. I’m here to set you up for success. But you’re driving.” Inspired, I compiled 6 tips to driving your career that I hope will benefit your company, your colleagues, and yourself.

1. See the potential in yourself. Know your own weaknesses and opportunities for growth better than anybody else -- having humility in all the things you don't know will drive you to work harder and learn faster. You should never be blindsided during mid-year and annual reviews with your manager. In fact, you should be adding to the list of things you'd like to develop further within yourself.

2. Banish that concept of "beneath you" kind of work. Some of the most junior team members are closest to tracking data, executing on your business and watching your competitors. Keep your fingers on the pulse of your business: don't look down on the "junior" tasks (i.e. pulling and analyzing data) that are often most critical to influencing strategy.

3. If you don't feel intellectually challenged, find your own challenge. Put in longer hours to take your projects to another level beyond what's asked. Think of work as getting paid to learn and investing in your professional development, instead of just a means to pay the bills. Remember: some people go back to grad school to learn the kind of things that you get to learn for free!

4. Don't obsess over your job description. Your actual job will never completely match your job description, so don't obsess with what's on paper. Stubbornly committing to a defined role makes you inflexible to change, and guess what-- industries change and evolve all the time. Your title may not be reflective of your actual responsibilities, but remember what's actually important (your responsibilities).

5. Say yes to projects that are not in your field. Raise your hand for new work on new teams. Deeply understanding other teams' contribution to the company will help you understand the entire business in a more comprehensive way. Your perspective may actually provide great insight to a team that has only been seeing things in one way.

6. Practice communicating the hard stuff. If you have any working relationship issues with your team, ask if you can do anything to help. If your manager is too micromanaging or doesn't manage enough, it's your responsibility to schedule that one-on-one meeting to identify ways to improve working together, and to do it with compassion and respect.

These are my tips... what other ways can we drive our careers? Do you agree or disagree with anything in the above?

PS: 16 tips to rocking your job interview.

(Photo of Wonderwoman via here)

16 tips to rocking your job interview

Five of my close New York friends are currently interviewing for new jobs right now, so I've been emailing tips and mock interviewing the past couple of weeks. Until this year, I didn't really have much experience interviewing. I had received a full-time offer after my junior year college internship at L'Oreal, so I was out of practice until Amazon/Quidsi reached out on Linkedin three years later. (That led to 5 interviews, which then led to an offer). Anyway, I wanted to share some advice that I've accumulated from very smart people in my life and through personal experience. Here are 16 tips to rocking a job interview...

The First 11 Basic Rules: These rules are tweaked by me but originated from Josh Golden, CMO of Story Worldwide, a millennial in a Gen X body and a great advice giver. (Thanks Josh!)

1. Dress appropriately -- either plus one over the interview if it's a corporate job, or reflective of the company's culture if it's a start-up (i.e. don't come in wearing a suit if everyone wears jeans).
2. The interview starts before you arrive. Be nice to everyone and turn off your cell phone.
3. Bring multiple copies of your résumé, which should be customized to reflect the job you're applying for.
4. Rehearse your interview with someone. You'll be surprised by how often you say "um".
5. Do your research. Seriously... research voraciously.
6. Write down 3 things you remembered from the interview. Take notes during or immediately after so you can reference some nice details in your thank you note.
7. Thank you note within 24 hours. Under 3 hours is too short. Over 24 hours, not interested enough.
8. Have 3-5 questions ready. More on that below.
9. Stalk them beforehand (on Linkedin). Not knowing who you'll be talking to is just irresponsible. You don't need to share this info with your interviewer, but being prepared is always a plus.
10. If it feels right, ask what next steps should be. 
11. Follow up within 2 weeks with an appropriate email that highlights something you read or is related to what you talked about during the interview. This shows that you keep up with industry news and that you're on the same page as your interviewer.

The Next 5 Rules to Raise The Bar: These are my gold stars that will take you from standard to exceptional.

1. Be an Active Listener. Never interrupt. Actively listen, then answer questions without a 5 minute long prelude. Don't ramble so much that you forget the question they asked in the first place.
2. Be positive and additive. Why would you ever complain about your current role? Even if the complaints are warranted, the negativity will cling to you. Suddenly, you're a Debbie Downer with a sense of entitlement. Also be careful when giving feedback on the company you're interviewing for, because you are probably about to critique something your interviewer directly works on. Be additive, not negative. 
3. Have your 5 good stories. Learn them so well that you can fit them into any question coming your way.
4. Use the STAR methodology. Before the interview, take out a piece of paper and split the page into: Situation, Task, Action, and Results. Now write down your 5 stories, find the STAR in them, and practice your narrative.
5. Make your questions count. Don't be redundant and ask a question that your interviewer already addressed. Here are a few general favorites:

• What's your background and how did you end up here at X?
• What are some of your key challenges in your career and how did you overcome them?
• What’s your favorite part about your job?
• What kind of challenges is the business facing and how can I help?
• What type of skills and characteristics will help a person in this role thrive and succeed?
• What are your key priorities/projects for this year?

Any other tips to add to the list? Hope this helps, and best of luck on your interviews! I'm here to mock interview you, if you need me. :)

the nail diaries: 3 months of essie!

I never, ever painted my nails until I worked on essie for a 3 month rotation this winter. Before that, I think I owned like 2 nail polishes. Suffice to say, I am now completely addicted! Would love to share with you my essie colors from those 12 weeks or 3 months (I know, I'm crazy! And Instagram just makes it easier to capture my obsession :)

Bold & Beautiful December:

Clockwise from top left:

ole caliente

luxeffects pure pearlfection + midnight cami comboapertif

luxeffects as gold as it gets + glamour purse combo
Oh So Nude-ish January:

Clockwise from top left:

power clutch

glamour purse

fun in the gondola

master plan

Bright & Ladylike February:

Clockwise from top left:

a crewed interest

navigate her

orange it's obvious

sand tropez

What's your favorite nail color shade? Do you use essie?

fragrance launch love

Awesome breaking news! (Well, sort of.) My friend and L'Oreal co-intern Skip from the Ralph Lauren fragrances team just helped launch the brand's new fragrance line, the Big Pony collection, which I'm totally in love with. The concept is fantastic, with the collection representing "the key passions of modern men: Sport, Seduction, Adventure and Style." Thus four different fragrances! Ralph Lauren has such a colorful personality, and I'm having so much fun observing this new launch! (Even though I'm even more psyched for my own team's launches - go Garnier Fructis, the "big green machine!". I won't say I'm not biased ;))

Also, One Republic's hit song “Secrets” is the theme song for the Big Pony Fragrance video which, no lie, I just watched about five times. (Can you say eye-candy?) I've been obsessed with One Republic since I went to a concert 3 years ago- back when "Apologize" was the biggest thing ever and people were still confusing the band with Timbaland. We've come a long way, baby.

PS: My "Polo" experience!

my new makeup bag

Before I started interning at L'Oreal, I was far from a beauty connoisseur. I wasn't at all adventurous and simply stuck with what I knew: tinted moisturizer, mascara, and a wee bit of eyeshadow. Fast forward to present day, and I'm seriously having a ball with the many innovative, exciting products L'Oreal puts on the market.

I'm on the Garnier Fructis brand team specifically, but I'm having so much fun trying out the other brands from all beauty divisions: luxury, consumer, and professional. I actually had no intention of blogging all of these beauty items, but since I was compiling this product moodboard for my own inspiration (all L'Oreal of course!), I thought I'd share with my lovely readers! From my makeup bag to yours! There's just so much to love...

Also, coolest assignment ever: I will be marching in the NYC Gay Pride Parade tomorrow and handing out Kiehls products to the crowds. (I love my job!) Hope you have a thrilling, fun-packed weekend!

vintage posters

I love vintage posters, so when I found this collection of glamorous posters from L'Oreal, my employer, I almost squealed in my cubicle! Click, save, and post. They're really representative of the history, style, and breadth of L'Oreal's many famous brands -- too lovable! I want some for my walls back home...

blazer bonanza

For this business student, now is the hectic season of job interviews. I had three in the past week and a half. (And more to come!) But guess who left her nice "interview blazer" back home in Philly? Yes, this (scatterbrained, sheepish) business student. I've been making do with crisp collared shirts and the usual slacks and pencil skirts -- but a working girl just feels naked without a blazer!

I think I'm going to make a trip to Bloomingdale's pronto (lots of sales right now), but while we're on the subject of blazers, I just need to say: I am in love with these sassy jackets and coats from Smythe.

(click to view online)

Plaid blazer, equestrian coat, you both need to make friends with my closet right now. And introduce your sisters. K, thanks.

PS: Guys love it when we suit up.
PPS: Maybe because pencil skirts can be quite sexy.
PPPS: And pink.

I'm sick!

It took me three days to realize that this congestion and fever and headache were all because I had a cold, not jet lag! So I'm resting, drinking soup & OJ, reading NYMag's "Reasons to Love New York" (these two are my favorite reasons!), and listening to the Pride & Prejudice movie soundtrack. (So relaxing.)

Also, I chose a photo! You liked... Photo #1! (It won by a landslide, I never would've imagined.) Thank you so much for your advice, I could shower you with hugs and kisses right now! I'm so lucky to have your honesty and support. xoxo

HELP! which girl would you hire?

The situation: Choosing one passport-style photo to send to potential employers in the beauty industry at the corporate level. Would you prefer the more subdued, professional candidate? Or the much more friendly-looking one (though with squinty eyes)? We all know that first impressions matter! Keep in mind the final photo will be 400 x 300 pixels.

Photo #1:

Photo #2


I would really appreciate your help!
Voice your opinion in the comments below
or vote in the poll.
Thank you! xo

(photo credit: My little sister, Jessica)

Poll: Which photo should I send to future employers?

art in real life

Water on the side of my street...


Or Matisse's Icarus?

candle-bright

On my walk to a classical concert, I passed by two lovely candles flickering cheerfully outside in the streets of Prague. Candles sure can make a girl feel cozy, even in the rain and cold. PS: Can you believe it's December already? Amazing.

SELF (in b&w)

reminded of this, inspired by that

flowers and berries

Two photos of things in bloom. The first, I took in Antibes, a sweet town in the South of France. The next one is from Kutna Hora, which is right here in the Czech Republic! Oh, I'm ready for Spring already! I miss color -- winter is sometimes too dreary.

the secret garden

I think I just found my own little winter wonderland, and it's called Wallenstein Palace and Gardens. Such a beautiful, breathtaking place. Great for long walks. (The "cave" wall in the last picture is artificially created, but isn't it magnificent?)

PS: I leave for my fall break tomorrow night! See you in 10 days?

danke schön berlin!

My friend Lisa and I visited Berlin this weekend and had such a fun time! I loved exploring museums, eating delicious food (doner kebaps, currywurst, apple strudel!), and seeing all the interesting landmarks. You can read more about my trip here!

an icecream break with hare krishnas

A neighborhood in Karlovy Vary | Near Prague Castle -- an absinthe icecream shop!? | My comfy study couch in the NYU center. (See my "H" tote bag?) | Hare Krishnas making their rounds in Old Town Square | The magnificent Loket Castle.

dining with statues in castles

Burčák (a partially fermented wine that tastes like cider, but has alcohol content between 5% and 8%!) | Statues at the St. Agnes convent | Czech McDonald's | Lovely ceiling in an NYU in Prague classroom | View from Karlstejn Castle. As always, more pictures here!

dressing up for fruity dancing

Prague vintage | My local fruit/vegetable store | Dancing in front of the "Dancing Building" | Desserts (crepes and berry dumplings!) | My friend's collection of beer cans. (More here!)