Cruisin' down the coast, goin' 'bout 99

The longer I stay at this job, the more of a necessity vacations become to me.  I'm an absolute psycho when it comes to vacations.  Got a day and a half to spare?  Let's fly across the country.  It's indicative of the job.  In my line of work, it's a very work-hard-play-hard mentality.

Given that I'm on a bit of an insane work schedule right now that allows me only two days home, the trip to Indian Rocks, Florida proved to be a 36-hour trip.  Nonetheless, it was amazing and totally called for.  There's nothing like coming out of the airport and just feeling a wave of humidity hit you as the doors slide open.  I live for weekends, now-in-days, and going into Labor Day it's become an ever present reminder to treat yourself right whenever you can.

As such, have a great Labor Day.  If I can harass someone to take pictures, I'll write something a little more exciting next time.  In the mean time, I'll try to be a little less of a wreck... when it comes to work and everything else.

Snapshots from Boston

Ever taken a personality test?  Over the last week, I've noticed a good amount of Facebook posts about the myths to being an introvert.  For example, introverts don't like public speaking or being in crowded rooms.  It comes at a surprise to most people that I am an introvert, and if you've ever met me in person, you'd think differently.  However, I couldn't agree with my Myers-Briggs type more.  I think my favorite definition of an introvert is someone who draws energy from being alone.  There's something thrilling to me about being able to wander and explore by yourself.

Working full time has given me an appreciation for those stolen moments alone, as rare as they can be in my profession.  Last Friday, I had the opportunity of going to our company's office in Boston to have my computer fixed.  No computer meant no way of working, and with no way of working, that meant more time for exploration.  Our office is conveniently located in Back Bay, one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city and home to Copley Square (excellent shopping) and the Boston Public Library.  If you didn't know any better, you'd think I purposely brought my camera out for this.

Aside from the tourists, which for a Friday morning weren't too large in amount, the day proved to be a perfect source of creativity.  I'm one of those weird people (I think it comes from way one too many creative writing classes) who likes to write novels in their head when their alone.  I never actually write down anything, but it's fun to muse on for a bit.  With the Italian architecture and the coffered ceilings, it's really hard not to find inspiration there.

The Pack List: 36 Hours in Tampa

Packing has never been my strong suit.  To be more specific, I'm a notorious over-packer, and a serial baggage dumper when it comes to leaving luggage at my hotel.  To a point, I'm one of those people who like an outfit for all occasions.  Even more so, I'm one of those people who constantly think that they can get reading and other life work (that involves weighty items) accomplished within a trip's span.

The Fauxgchamps Bag

In the spirit of defying odds and following in the footsteps of knowledgeable people like Jean from Extra Petite, I made a first attempt at packing efficiency for this weekend's 36-hour stint in Tampa, Florida.  In retrospect, I would deem this trip's packing job as a half success, considering I still had to leave my baby camera in the hands of one of my friends to take back as it wouldn't fit in my faux Longchamps ("Fauxngchamps") bag.

Of which containing:

3 sets of swim suits 2 dresses - one beach cover-up and one maxi 1 pair of jeans 1 skirt 2 pairs of sandals

3 tops 2 pairs of shorts Tolietries, make-up, jewelry Some reading material

All that went in, and all that it came from.

Looking at this now, I'm not terribly sure how I accomplished putting all of this stuff in here.  I dare say, I'm impressed.  The takeaways?  Despite my fear of "anything can happen," I probably would've not packed about 40% of what I did.  As well, communicating what the plans were with the group first would have also been a good place to start the pack-planning.  Not to mention, going to the mall before you fly out could be considered a bad idea.  That being said, I completely resent the last statement considering I came out with a cute Club Monaco top.  Take that, efficiency!

Readers, any packing tips for the packing-deficient?  Is there hope for me somewhere out there?

Friday Notables & Quotables

Following the marathon that was experienced the last two weeks at work, I finally have a break.  I'm in Boston this morning before I fly out, waiting for my computer to be fixed.  No computer means no way I can get do work (understandably so), and hence, a forced break and some much needed bakery-blogging time!  It's really a perfect day to do so.

WATCHABLE:  "J. Crew and the Man Who Dressed America", CNBC Special

Last week, I went on an absolute J. Crew binge, which still has yet to manifest itself again into the deep-delving blog post that I promised.  CNBC did a fascinating profile on J. Crew CEO Micky Drexler a couple years ago showcasing his management style and J. Crew's rise from fashion meh to cult brand.  It's viewable for free on Hulu if you want a little education.  

COVETABLE:  3.1 by Phillip Lim for Target

I'm a skeptic of high-fashion collaborations with more affordable retailers, but when pictures came out from Philip Lim's collaboration with Target... words couldn't even describe them.  Until the clothes actually come out and demonstrate how the quality actually is, I'm still superbly jazzed about the peplum tops, sparkle-dappled dresses, and BAM! scarves that are on display on Refinery29.

READABLE:  Jennifer Lawrence in Vogue's September Issue

From an news writing perspective, the Vogue's September issue article on cover girl Jennifer Lawrence is definitely more than a bit biased.  Then again, Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant so I'm not going to argue against that very much so.  I love how this article does give a different picture of Jennifer Lawrence, who a year later is going through much less spotlight pre-Hunger Games/Oscars madness.  Also, there are pictures of her with puppies, and who doesn't love puppies?

ADORABLE:  Kanna's Imagination

Internet-aggregator-and-sometimes-news-source, Buzzfeed posted a collection of adorable pictures from Japanese photographer Nagano Toyokazu.  Toyokazu photographs his daughter Kanna in a variety of adorable circumstances like screaming at radishes, getting proposed to a Ken doll, and playing with stuffed pandas.

AUDIBLE:  Lake Bell on NPR's Fresh Air

Lake Bell did a great interview with actor Fred Melamud and Terry Gross on NPR last week.  Bell and Melamud play a father and daughter in a comedy about movie trailer voice actors.  Funnily enough, both of them are voice actors (just in different capacities).  It's an interesting interview, I promise.

If you have anything to distract me with, comment below.  I'm much obliged, or else I'm going to the mall at Copley Square because I can't do anything from my personal computer.  Comment away!

The Fun in Errors and Trifles

Have any of you guys ever written up an entire document or journal entry, and then accidentally delete it all and never recover it again?  It's funny how often that happens.  I think I'm at the point in my life where I acknowledge it, say a quick "that sucks" and move on.  Then again, that means I just get to do all of the writing and researching again this weekend, which does make me a bit excited.

Jacket:  J. Crew Nolita Indigo Denim Jacket, Shirt:  J. Crew Silk Color Block Camisole (sold out), Shorts: J. Crew 3" Chino Shorts, Necklace:  J. Crew Crystal Feather Necklace (sold out), Shoes:  Sam Edelman Heels (old), Purse:  Banana Republic, Sunglasses:  Kate Spade Gayla Wayfarers.

Call me a nerd, but I've incredibly jazzed about writing on business lately, specifically retail strategy and management.  Inspiration, as such, has come from a random source.  Case in point, the blog post lost was a discussion of J. Crew's success in revamping their brand image.  Inspiration in this instance has arisen from the fact that I completely binged last week on the J. Crew end-of-summer sale online, which explains the results of said purchases shown in pictorial form.  It truly is the power of the invisible hand at it's best, folks.  Now, thoughts are flowing once I've received these purchases, particularly, for two reasons:

• Firstly, ever notice how J. Crew's discounts (at least in the last year and a half I've been tracking this) never go above the additional 40% off?
• Secondly, how did J. Crew manage to completely revamp its image from the brand of my childhood (a somewhat itchy, standard brand of khakis and polos) to being the forefront of consumer fashion?

I've chatted with my roommate about namely the latter point in regards to how well J. Crew has done with its image.  Coming from a marketing background, she was quick to point out the flaws as much as their successes in their quick rise to cult-stardom.  At the risk of saying too much before I start writing again, I'll cut this discussion short as I have one more training video to run for work, and sleep is probably important.

 Consider this your warning, friends.  As you'll probably be hearing a good chunk of my business opinions and babbling as a result of this hobby.  I'm already having buckets of fun framing the argument in my head.  

I do have some questions, if you feel obliged to answer.  Any way to recover improperly deleted posts on the Internet?  Any tips for the wary Blogger user?  If you do, however, have some thoughts about the aforementioned questions, give me a holler.  It'd be great to get some other opinions in the mix.  You might get something out of it, like my undying love and appreciation.