Frilly in Philly

Every once in awhile, you are blessed to meet an extraordinary person that you just know is going to impact your life in some profound way. It could be a best friend, a mentor, a lover… Or it could be a group like the Next American Vanguard. Over the past couple of days, I was privileged enough to be part of this incredible group of young urban leaders committed to improving American cities.

Hailing from twenty states and a variety of focus areas, we descended upon Philadelphia’s Center City for two days full of networking and learning. We partook in a trolley tour of “eastern north” Philly and considered the built environment. As part of this tour, we visited a vacant lot where green stormwater management techniques have been implemented. Our group  checked out the Piazza at Schmidts, an open air plaza that is just one part of an urban renewal initiative.

We ventured to a superb model for urban farming at Greensgrow Farm. The farm is located on a former brownfield site and demonstrates that these areas can in fact successfully be reused and can become an integral part of the neighborhood. Day two featured seminars, a panel discussion on arts and the city, and a brainstorming session on leveraging the Vanguard, all held at the Painted Bride Art Center.

Now, the event wasn’t all work (if you can even call it that…) and no play. We enjoyed cocktail hour at the Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, a small shop that features a plethora of art contained within the structure’s original brick walls. Art in the Age also produces Root, an 80 proof organic spirit that contains thirteen ingredients and was originally introduced in the 1700s as an herbal remedy.

The Vanguards savored the scrumptious food of Farmicia, which offers local organic dishes and drinks (roasted eggplant cannelloni = yum!). On day two, I met some friends at El Vez, a modern Mexican restaurant that brings Des Moines’ own Dos Rios to mind. If you ever visit El Vez, be sure the bazooka limon guacamole is part of your experience; this concoction includes goat cheese, pistachio, chile flake, and roasted tomato, and is fabulous!

Unfortunately, words cannot explain the power of the Next American Vanguard event. As we discussed how to leverage the group, one idea continually arose. We were inspired – inspired to continue the discussions of the event, inspired to push the envelope and develop creative solutions, inspired to continue our endeavors to improve urban areas…

Such a special event naturally called for a special dress. Somehow, with all of the dresses that are hanging in my closet, I’ve managed to develop a favorite. This white eyelet Nanette Lepore frock was a college graduation present from my oldest sister and her boyfriend. The yellow underlay provides an aura of summer, while the amalgamation of thick straps, sweetheart neckline, and empire waist enhances the femininity of the dress by a few notches.

For me, the dress is just the complete package. Putting on a dress such as this one makes a girl feel graceful.  It’s comfortable while still flattering the figure. It’s frilly but not a little girl’s Easter dress. It’s elegant but possesses a bit of sex appeal. It’s that dress that makes a woman feel beautiful when she puts it on – and what woman doesn’t need one of those in her closet?!

As an aside, I strongly encourage you to visit Next American City and to subscribe, not that I’m biased or anything…

Say No to the Dress!

Wow. It’s been quite awhile… eleven days without wearing a dress! Honestly, it was a challenging stretch; there simply was no appropriate place to wear any of my remaining dresses, or the weather chose not to cooperate. I was having such withdrawls that I nearly bought a dress. In fact, I almost bought two!

One of my cousins is getting married on June 5th, and my mother is yet to find a dress for the event. Therefore, we went shopping last weekend in search of a gown for her. My mother, though, is one of the pickiest shoppers in the world when it comes to clothes. “It looks too young,” “I would have nowhere else to wear it,” “You can see this supposed flaw…” – the list goes on and on and on.

I certainly took advantage of this expedition to look at dresses for myself. I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything. After all, my mother was there to make sure that I didn’t buy anything, and what could be the harm in trying on a few (or ten!) lovely frocks? Well, the problem was that there were a couple of dresses that I absolutely adored – this Calvin Klein sheath, which would be perfect for work, and this Jessica Simpson striped halter, which drew me in with its adorable open back.

Now, I thought my mother would really help me overcome this conundrum of wanting both dresses when I could not buy either one of them. However, I was wrong. She thinks that I should only include dresses that I have never worn as part of this experiment.

My mother even supported the purchase of the Calvin Klein dress! In fact, I had her convinced to buy it for me, so I wouldn’t technically be ruining my own experiment. We got up to the counter, though, and the dress was not on sale as we thought; therefore, it remained on the rack… However, I did go back and look at it tonight; trying to stay strong here, people!

Fortunately for this experiment, the eleven day dress dry spell is over. Today was a big meeting day at work, so I pulled the last work-appropriate dress out of my closet. This simple black knee-length frock with a satiny pink cowl neckline, donated to my closet by a friend, functioned well as part of today’s policy meeting. Of the five discussion items on the agenda, four were mine. Consequently, I needed something very professional, very comfortable, very grown-up; I needed a dress to function as the Calvin Klein dress would have.

When I was considering buying the Jessica Simpson dress, my mother asked where I would wear it. I replied that I could find someplace to wear it, it was just fun so I wanted it! This thinking, though, has filled my closet with too many dresses. Letting the two dresses remain in the store reminds me of why I embarked upon this experiment to begin with. I am saving money. I am leaving room in my extra closet. And I am working on saying ‘no’ to the dress rather than yes!

Connecting the Dots

What a week! Lengthy meetings every day except for today, a public meeting, a class… and those were just the work-related components of my week. Throw in a committee meeting at The Continental and my grandma’s ninety-third birthday party, and you’ve got a girl who, yes, is tired and ready for the weekend, but also appreciative. Appreciative of what, you may ask.

Weeks such as this one make me appreciate the relationships that I’ve built along the way and that I continue to build. Not only was I able to continue collaboration on various projects, I also was able to meet a plethora of colleagues in related fields. The class I attended last night, part of the Neighborhood Resident Leadership Certificate Program, focused upon the importance of such relationships for non-profits and community organizations. While building relationships is part of my focus at work, the concept translates to personal lives as well.

No matter the arena, you build relationships by taking the time to really understand the other person. You take an interest. You find commonalities (e.g., a love of shopping?!). You ask questions (e.g., “How’s transport these days?”).  Many of these relationships will result in the development of other important relationships. After all, life is all about who you know; it’s all about connecting the dots.

How fitting, then, to have worn this simple Old Navy polka dot shift on class day. This frock, which has been part of my dress repertoire for about nine years now (wow, that’s almost 40 percent of my life!), is timeless due to its simplicity. Its length and cut make it suitable for the office, while the tie at the neck provides a playful touch. The polka dots also contribute to the youthful feel of the dress. Still, the black and white coloring transforms the polka dots from childish to sophisticated in an instant. To further the maturity of the look, I added my pearl ring, pearl necklace, and gold earrings, along with basic black Bandolino pumps.

You see, life really is all about connecting the dots. It’s taking friendships you’ve built over the years and utilizing them to create even more friendships. It’s leveraging relationships with co-workers to open more doorways. Quite simply, it’s drawing upon each one of those little dots (aka relationships) and connecting it to the next one.

Surprise!

Life is funny. In my last post about dreams and aspirations, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. Every day was the same, and I felt as though I wasn’t pursuing a lot of my dreams and aspirations to the degree that I could be. Quite simply, I felt as if I was in a holding pattern.

This morning, a friend and I discussed wanting more, not settling, always seeking the best… I remarked that there’s always something more on my horizon, another goal to achieve, another dream to chase. Then, just when I needed it the most, life dazzled me once again with a very unexpected yet wonderful surprise.

No, Prince Charming didn’t come and sweep me off my feet this week (or was he disguised as Mister “I’d be better if you were in a Hawkeye shirt,” and I missed him?). I didn’t win the lottery, nor did I win a lifetime supply of dresses; those dreams are still around another bend.

This surprise made me want to dance. It made me want to pop a bottle of Dom Pérignon. It made me think how perfect the day’s dress was for this particular occurrence.

With its small white polka dots set against a vivid red, this dress epitomizes fun while still being professional. The empire waist/v-neck combination and flutter sleeves lend this dress an aura of elegance and sophistication while concurrently creating a flattering silhouette. Paired with nude faux croc heels, the signature necklace, and my sterling silver link bracelet, the dress would have been ideal for a celebratory dance!

So, what exactly was the surprise? An invitation to the Next American Vanguard conference, which is “dedicated to enlightening, inspiring, and networking the next generation of urban leaders.” Don’t get me wrong, I have complete confidence in myself but must admit that I was not expecting this in any way. After all, it was a competitive application process, and only 35 people from around the country were selected. Nevertheless, I am thrilled to have this opportunity of a lifetime to work with other young leaders as we strive to improve urban areas throughout the country.

This invitation makes me think that I should wear today’s dress more often; maybe it’s a good luck charm. Unfortunately, the invitation also makes me think I should go dress shopping…

A Ruffle in My Day

What’s the best part of visiting a Chinese restaurant? The appetizers? The entrees? The ambiance? I would have to say none of the above. While I immensely enjoyed today’s visit to Chop Sticks with my co-workers, my favorite thing about visiting a Chinese restaurant is the fortune cookie.

In all seriousness, what other kind of restaurant can you visit and receive this kind of treat? Some fortunes are matter of fact (e.g., “You tend to express yourself passionately and courageously.”), whereas others provide insight into the future (e.g., “You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you.”). Today, though, was a different story; there was no fortune in my fortune cookie! One of my co-workers told me that I better watch out for foul balls at tonight’s Iowa Cubs season opener.

Now, some may believe that the lack of a fortune in a fortune cookie is bad luck; it may be viewed as an unfortunate occurrence that could put a ruffle in one’s day. However, the only ruffles in my day were the ones that drew me to today’s dress.

This strapless navy Gap frock features a series of ruffles around its circumference. This was one of those dresses that I just had to have; I bought it when it wasn’t even on sale, which is something that never happens for me! However, I did at least have a reason to purchase this dress – my college graduation. I figured that, after working so hard for three and a half years, I could reward myself (at least that’s how I justified purchasing it…).

The dress, though, needed an update for the spring, so I added a basic white half-sleeve Express cardigan. I augmented the ensemble with a lapis lazuli ring from Sundance and silver hoop earrings. Nude Bandolino faux crocodile kitten heels completed the look for what was a ruffle-free day. No, there wasn’t a fortune in my fortune cookie, but, that won’t get me down; I’ll just create my own fortune instead.

Epic Failure

I did it. I broke down and bought a dress nearly halfway through this experiment. Epic failure. Up until today, my will power was outstanding. I’ve been shopping plenty of times since wearing that first LBD, read plenty of fashion magazines, browsed for dresses online in anticipation of buying that next one… Then, today, it all came to an end.

It was the most adorable little dress I had seen in a long while – a deep purple color, a perfectly cut halter, a few ruffles… I just couldn’t resist. I was this close to leaving it hanging in the store, but I couldn’t; it was too dang cute and too dang cheap! The saddest part, though, isn’t that I bought the dress; it’s that you actually thought  that I broke down and gave up on this experiment… that’s just not going to happen! Happy April Fool’s Day!

I did, however, wear a dress very appropriate for the day. This jungle-print knee-length dress features wide straps, a fitted bodice, and a scalloped hemline. As I was headed to the office today, I paired it with a charcoal short-sleeved jacket with adorable puff sleeves, the signature necklace, my Italian charm bracelet, and nude kitten heels. This frock is one that makes me happy just putting it on; somehow, it provides a sense of summer, a sense of things to look forward to, a sense of having fun.

Speaking of having fun, given today’s date, of course there were intra-office shenanigans! Picture frames were filled with photographs of the boss, electronics were unplugged, laptops and nameplates were switched, mice were taped to the desk,  eyeglasses were hidden, chairs were taped to the floor… one of my co-workers even told our administrative assistant that she needed to go to the store to get saran wrap! However, she avoided that temptation, just as I continue to stick to my guns and do my best to wear all forty-seven dresses without buying another one.

Sail Away with Me

“Sail away with me honey, what will be will be…”

As we grow older, it’s interesting how our taste in music evolves. We may go from refusing to listen to a particular genre of music to embracing it. We may find deeper meaning in lyrics. We may look for certain instrumentation. Regardless, there’s no denying that our musical preferences do evolve as we gain more life experiences.

There’s a certain correlation between the music you listen to and your life in general. For me, it reflects my mood, whether I’m happy, sad, upset, energetic… there’s a song that is appropriate for every state of mind. Take David Gray‘s “Sail Away” – perfect for a mellow mood on a rainy day.

And it’s also the perfect inspiration for today’s dress! This strapless navy frock features a sailor-style, pleated front that makes one feel as if they are ready to board the yacht and head out on the open seas. Sadly, I was only headed to the office and a meeting at The Continental (if you go, you have to try the Continental, a delicious combination of vodka, Chambord, fresh mint, and a splash of soda) today, so I added a crisp white button-up with an oversized belt. Being that it is officially spring now, I busted out these fun peep-toes along with a large pendant necklace and my golden topaz ring.

Someday, I will board that yacht and sail away. Until then, my plan includes continuing to wear dresses frequently, checking out lots of concerts (Tyrone Wells, Jason Reeves, and the State Fair!), and maintaining the mentality that “what will be will be.”

Vegas, Rio, and… Des Moines?

Spring break week. I should be somewhere else. Somewhere warm. Somewhere exotic. Somewhere far, far away from Des Moines… but I’m not. I’m here, working to improve our public participation strategies, presenting at policy meetings, planning an educational event. I suppose I can take solace in the fact that I can go on vacation whenever I want, not just one week during the semester.

Still, reflecting upon past spring break trips makes me yearn to be somewhere else. Last year, it was a trip to Las Vegas. As planners, my partner in crime and I  structured our agenda to encompass a variety of activities: hitting the casinos, catching Le Rêve at the Wynn, celebrating St. Patrick’s day at McFadden’s,  checking out Fremont Street, and, of course, eating breakfast by the pool daily!

Two years ago, a study abroad course took me to Brazil. My classmates and I experienced historic Salvador, hiked across Boipeba, savored cupcakes in the middle of the ocean after snorkeling, enjoyed authentic caipirinhas, bartered for souvenirs, and hit up the nightclub scene in Rio. Yes, there were educational components of the trip, but it certainly was not a typical educational experience; it was more of a vacation with great friends where earning credits was just a bonus.

I think it was the Boipeba experience that led me to select today’s dress. The frock’s large cream-colored palm fronds convey a tropical notion while avoiding the prints on those over-the-top Hawaiian shirts (you all know what I’m talking about!). Its lightweight material makes it ideal for spring days, and the empire waist and nude faux crocodile heels help elongate my little legs. For finishing touches, I simply added the signature horseshoe necklace and my Italian charm bracelet.

The Botanical Center (the setting for today’s meeting) isn’t quite the tropical locale I wish it were, but it will have to suffice for the time being. Instead of lounging on the beach, I’ll use my time to begin planning trips – weekend trips here and there, trips to see family and friends, and, yes, a trip back to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics (hey, that gives me time to see other places, too!).

That’s Fierce.

Sometimes, as a young professional, it can be a challenge to meet new people. Sure, there are your coworkers, but you already see them all of the time. Don’t get me wrong, my coworkers are wonderful, but sometimes you need to switch it up a bit. Just as you can’t work on the same project for weeks on end without getting bored, you can’t hang out with the same group of people all of the time.

How exactly, though, do you go about meeting new people, beyond your existing circle of friends, in a new city? Take a chance and make the effort. Join the Young Professionals Connection. Attend events and engage with others. There are a lot of great people out there, but you have to take the initiative.

Take tonight’s YPC event as an example – happy hour at Mickey’s in Clive. A friend and I decided we would check it out, see what was going on. We didn’t know anyone else attending but ended up making a couple of great connections – connections with people whom we wouldn’t otherwise have met. The most important thing in making new connections, no matter the arena (the office, a conference, or happy hour) is to take the initiative and be open – be fierce.

Speaking of being fierce… dress number 16, an Express black and lavender animal print shirt dress. Dresses such as this one are ideal for young professionals; they’re professional enough for the office but can easily transition to happy hour and other non-work activities. Furthermore, the addition of a thin black patent belt equates to a figure-flattering shape, and the length is perfect for an almost-spring day (I decided earlier this week that I am done wearing tights until my birthday… hopefully October is mild!). I then added these classic Bandolino pumps, a fun sterling silver link bracelet, and the signature necklace. Put it all together, and you’ve got one fierce look (but would Christian approve?!).

The Little Things

What’s better than a dress that is on sale?! A dress that’s free, of course! A friend of mine recently was cleaning out her closet and contributed a couple of dresses to my closet just as I was embarking on this experiment. The first dress bestowed upon me was this black polka dot Ann Taylor frock. With its ruffled hem and v-neckline, it was perfect for a day that finally felt like spring! I was this close to not wearing tights but then realized that my office is always cold.

As much as I love receiving tangible items such as today’s dress, it’s the little things that make all the difference in life. A baby clenching his tiny hand around your finger, putting on your most flattering pair of pants, receiving snail mail… It’s these unexpected joys that make life complete, that make it unpredictable, that make it worth living.

Society is so fast-paced and so competitive that these ‘little things’ are often overlooked. People don’t take (or make) the time to enjoy the scent of freshly cut grass, to randomly call an old friend, to watch the sun rise… What are we doing, people?! These ‘little things’ result in this thing we call life.

In all seriousness, do you remember all of the gifts you received as a child? I certainly don’t. I do, however, remember the excitement at the kids’ table as we hurried to eat so that we could get dessert and then open up our presents. I remember my great-aunt making an angel food cake for my birthday when an ice storm knocked out the power at my house. I remember the cards my uncle and cousins made for ‘Tink.’

At the time, these things were inconsequential. I now realize, however, that there are no little things in life; these ‘little things’ are life. These small acts of kindness build and build. You remember these small deeds – those actions that are not expected or necessary, those ‘little things’ that speak volumes about how much a person cares about you. We often become so caught up in our own lives that we overlook these ‘little things.’ The truth is, we all need to step back from time to time and savor these things. After all, it’s not the dresses that make life…