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15 to 30: brick and mortar

paper-source-chipman-adams

Goal: Open a Store

When I quit my cubicle job two years ago, my immediate goal was to open a stationery store. Unfortunately, that ambition was a bit premature, as I had no idea what was involved in owning a business or managing a store. I decided to put the dream on a shelf and focus on my freelancing career.

A couple of months later, my path serendipitously crossed with another New York City transplant who had recently opened a lifestyle and accessories boutique in the Old Market called Trocadero. She happened to be hiring, and I thought working for her would be a great opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of running a small business. So for the past year, that’s what I’ve been doing, working and learning. During that time, with the help of my husband, I created my own company, The Social Life of Paper, selling custom invitations and social stationery out of my house.

Eventually I’d like to grow The Social Life of Paper into a brick and mortar business, a store that features a curated collection of modern paper-related products. The store would be a reflection of me, from how it’s designed to what products are on its shelves. I’d be able to set my own hours and maybe even bring Briscoe to work. I’d be my own boss, and I’d be responsible for, well, everything (although I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to ask if I needed help). Certainly it would be a challenge, but I imagine the feeling of “I did it!” would be worth it.

(image source)

PJ 10 March 2010 musings, working girl No Comments

15 to 30: international jet setter

florence-bridge

Goal: Travel the World

While my sorority sisters were participating in wet t-shirt contests during Spring Break, I was sightseeing in Spain. The previous year I looked around London. Ever since I got my passport during my sophomore year of college (was I late bloomer?), I’ve made international travel a priority. In addition to Madrid, Seville, Granada and London, I’ve been to various cities in Israel, Australia and Italy, as well as our lovely neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

I doubt my thirst for travel will ever be satiated. There’s a time and place for relaxing on a beach, but I’d rather explore  narrow, cobblestone streets in historical cities and towns. I follow Rick Steves on Facebook (his tour guides are my bible), and I’m totally jealous that Anthony Bourdain gets to eat his way around the world on “No Reservations.” My dream job? Theirs!

In an ideal world, J and I would be able to spend a couple of months or a year living abroad (somewhere glamorous, not on a military base). If we had children at the time, even better. They – and I – would be able to learn a foreign language through immersion. (Really, all I’ve ever wanted is to have children who call me “Mum.” British is a foreign language, right?)

On my travel wish list: Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Tokyo and Barcelona. Ireland. India. China. All over South America. Basically, the whole wide world. Who can blame me? There is so much culture to experience out there.

Where would you go, if you could?

(image by me of Florence in 2008, one of my most fav cities)

PJ 9 March 2010 musings, traveling No Comments

15 to 30: Babies

Meyer.4x6.7

Goal: Become a Mom

When I turned 20 I assumed that within the next ten years I’d have at least one child. Well, I’ll be celebrating the big 3-0 in two short weeks, I can say with certainty that I will not be fulfilling my twenty-year-old self’s prophecy – not before I turn 30 and not in the next 9 months.

Still, I have babies on the brain. It seems that everyone I know is having a baby: high school classmates, friends from college, former roommates, Air Force wives, even bloggers I follow. I’m not gonna lie; it’s disappointing to me that I’m not where I thought I’d be at this point in my life, and I can’t help but feel a teensy bit jealous of my pregnant peers (but still very, very happy for them).

I have to accept that if it wasn’t meant to be in my twenties, it wasn’t meant to be. Despite the fact that everyone, including myself, seems to be obsessed with the idea of being a “young mom,” I have to remind myself that the right time to have a baby is when you are emotionally and financially ready, not just when you are a certain age (aka “under 30″).

But now my biological clock is starting to make some noise, and I can sense that my maternal and nesting instincts are warming up. I’m beginning to feel like I’m ready to enter the next phase in my life. So one of my goals for my 30s is to have a baby (and eventually one or two more).

Tick, tock…

(image by me of a friend’s baby, July 2009)

PJ 8 March 2010 musings , 9 Comments

oscar fashion trends

oscars-zoe

oscars-vera

oscars-penelope

oscars-miley

oscars-jlo

I spied these three trends on the red carpet last night:

  1. Dresses with poofy/frilly/drapey bottoms
  2. Oversized earrings
  3. Bedhead

What were your favorite looks? Least favorites? Personally, I hated all of the messy, frizzy updos. And I didn’t think Sandra Bullock successfully pulled off those bright pink lips. Maybe she should have stuck with a more classic red.

(images via People.com)

PJ 8 March 2010 in the news, stylish No Comments

15 to 30: freelancing

keyboard-flowers

My Past Accomplishment: Getting Paid to Write

Back in 2008, after quitting my full-time job, I began toying with the idea of opening a boutique, as owning my own business had always been one of my aspirations. Plus, I thought I could bring to Omaha something it was lacking. However, I knew I didn’t quite have the funds or the experience to be a store owner, so I began exploring additional ways to make a couple bucks. Freelance writing came to mind, and I came across a job posting on mediabistro.com looking for bloggers for a “saucy new women’s site.” (Actually, one of my friends might have sent it to me. Was it you, Lindsey?)

Having enjoyed writing my little blog for more than a year, I was excited at the opportunity to contribute to a national site. I used to dream of being a writer. When I entered Boston University as an eager freshman, I told my advisor I hoped to move to New York City after graduation and become an editor at a women’s or entertainment magazine. She quickly burst my bubble, informing me that I’d be a poor, struggling writer for a long time before I’d ever become a successful editor. I should mention that when we met, she had no idea who I was or whether I could even write. She was a published author who I suspected didn’t want anyone to reach the level of success that she had acquired. But I digress.

Encouraged by my closest friends, I decided to apply for the blogging position. I submitted a personal writing sample, brimming with my usual sarcasm, and I waited for a response. Eventually I received this email from the editor:

I loved your sample entry, and have been sitting here poring over what I want you to blog about for us: being a newlywed, being a city transplant to Omaha, being a military wife, starting a business, quitting your job… until I realized that all I need to know is that you should blog for us. About your life, if you’d be willing, and each week you could tell some story about any one of those aspects… I’d love it if you did one a week to start and then, if other topics piqued your interest, you could cover them now and then.

I got the gig! I couldn’t believe that I was going to a paid writer. Granted, I wouldn’t be making much, but I didn’t care so much about the money. It was the recognition that, yes, I have something interesting to say and people want to hear it. Still, receiving my first paycheck was such an amazing feeling. I got paid for doing something I loved. I was so proud of my accomplishment that I hung the check on the refrigerator for several weeks – until, of course, I realized I needed the money and deposited it.

Two years later I no longer contribute to the site, but it was still such a defining moment in my professional life.

(image source)


PJ 5 March 2010 musings 4 Comments
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