Guys, it’s the return of Career Girl Chat!! It’s been a hot minute since I last interviewed and wrote an episode. The very last career girl we chatted was Jennie Yoon from Casetify and Kinn, and before that, it was Amanda Weiss from Poshmark. And speaking of Poshmark, I actually met today’s Career Girl, Paulina Mo at a local San Diego Poshmark in May of 2015.  Paulina, aka Lil bits of Chic, was one of the local OG fashion bloggers that Poshmark invited to the event, and I was a newbie Poshmarker that wanted to meet other Poshmarkers. We didn’t exactly connect at the event, but I started following Paulina on her Instagram account.

Related:
Career Girl Chat || From HR Intern to Director of Biz Dev at Casetify – How did she do it?!
Career Girl Chat || Work hard, stay humble, and be kind. Opportunities will follow

Fast forward to 2018, with me cranking up my blogging efforts and Paulina being on her maternity leave (Paulina and her husband recently welcomed this little bundle of joy into their world), we had the chance to catch up and I decided to learn more about her professional career in finance, and invited her to share her career experience with Cubicle Chic readers.

Rapid fire questions – what was your 1) college major, 2) your first job, and 3) how many resumes you sent out before you got your first & current job?

Paulina:  My college major was Management Science (Economics), my first job was a cashier at a water park, I only sent one resume to my old boss as a courtesy because she had already recruited me, and for my current job I sent one resume in to be considered for an open position and received a call back shortly thereafter.

When you first graduated from college, did you know that you’d end up where you are today, why or why not?

Paulina: When I first graduated, I knew that to be financially secure I would be doing some form of a job like the one I am in today- in the financial services industry, working with finance.

Are you happy with where you are in your career? If you were to name three things you have to have in your career/employment, what are they?

Paulina: I am satisfied where I am in my career, I also feel like starting a family has had me rethink my priorities and requirements in a job. Now I like flexibility (work-life balance), a good workplace culture and great benefits.

What’s your experience with mentorship like, who were your mentors and are you mentoring anyone now?

Paulina: Mentorship was vital to my success. I had great bosses and mentors who believed in me, but there was one who really invested in me. She recruited me as her assistant when I was a college student and had seen my work ethic when I worked in a bank branch. She mentored me, pushed me to get my securities licenses, went so far to sponsor me in them and opened my eyes to the career track I’m on. I’m currently not mentoring right now but it is definitely something I would like to pay forward in the future.

If you look back in the past 5-10 years, what were the most important experiences that propelled you to where you are today? These could be lessons you learned from failures, being part of a special project, or pursuing (or not pursuing) a passion you really have.

Paulina: I learned very important lessons from failures as they taught me not to repeat the same mistake, one of them being my relationship with credit cards or living outside of my means. Once I paid off every cent of my debt and student loans (which took me 3.5 years) I felt so unburdened and I vowed never to let that happen again. I live within my means, I have a good relationship with money and feel financially secure.

Now the dreaded “what do you want to be in 5/10 years” question…how do you typically answer questions like this?

Paulina: In 5 years, my son would be 5 years old, I would hopefully (God willing) have another child and be happy in my full-time career and blogging career. I’m sure blogging will have evolved by then but hope that I can continue utilizing it as a creative outlet.  Professionally, I would like to still be challenged and (for lack of better words) kicking butt!

If you have experience in interviewing/recruiting new employees, what do you look for in candidates for positions that don’t require years of experience?

Paulina: I look into their track record, or some sort of indication of their work ethic, either by checking on their references or if they were referred by a colleague. I think work ethic and attitude is essential especially in positions that don’t require years of experience because there is a lot of continuous learning so a go-getter attitude is better than an experienced whiny worker!

Lastly, what’s your go-to office outfit, and what is one piece of clothing you can’t live without?

Paulina: My go-to office outfit tends to be a fit and flare dress (that is not short of course) with a fitted blazer. I alternate between high heels and black flats. After working in Corporate America for so long I have discovered that this combination is a comfortable yet stylish option!

The post Career Girl Chat || The Finance Girl With a Fashion Blog appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Top: Equipment Alma Silk Top, size S // Handbag: Palla A-Bag use my 15% off code “Cubicle_chic” (P.S. They’re also available on Amazon!)

To a lot of my newer friends, I probably seem like I have it together when it comes to personal finance. However, what I’m sharing today about the untold realities of living a financially responsible life will introduce you to a different side of me. Oh and in case you’re interested about more personal finance articles I’ve written as a fashion blogger, here’s the 9 ways fashion blogging ruined my finances.

Hello, My Name Is Jessica. I Am A Shopaholic.  (This is where you say “Hi, Jessica.”)

Do you know someone who you’re pretty sure has a shopping addiction? If you knew me before 2016, you’d probably think that I was one of them. Perhaps the word addiction is a bit of a hyperbole, and I certainly never received a clinical diagnosis. But the impulsivity, utter disorganization, and unending appetite that I shopped with indicated something was, at the very least, behaviorally wrong with me on the personal finance front. And yes, something was indeed wrong – I had no idea what I was doing wrong!

An Incarnation Ago

I knew all the common knowledge – you need to save, and you shouldn’t spend more than you make, start investing in retirement early, etc. But I was still shopping the way I did anyway because I worked hard. I was living a privileged life, sure – I lived in my parents’ house and they were kind enough to not charge me rent, I didn’t have a student loan to deal with also thanks to my parents, and didn’t have anyone that I was responsible for financially. But I also worked hard at my budding marketing career, putting in all the hours and oftentimes overtime work too. So, I spent pretty much all my hard-earned money on fun – eating out, traveling, and of course, shopping. And I’m talking about designer shopping – $600 a pair of shoes and $2000 handbags kind of shopping. I think my record year was $30K spent on online shopping. Over a period of 3 years of having a full-time job, I had no savings, retirement or cash, and racked up about $5000 in credit card debt along the way.

The Change

2015 was a transformative year for me. It was the year that I moved in with my then boyfriend (husband now) and we started merging our finances together. I attribute most of my transformative progress in becoming a financially responsible person to my husband. He patintly showed me the way and shouldered our expenses together as I paid off my debt in 2016.  Another positive influence came from personal finance expert Dave Ramsey and his $100, 9-week course Financial Peace University which my husband and I took together. We often tell people it was our version of pre-marital counseling sessions. It was a difficult year to say the least, filled with many trials and tribulations and a lot of growing pains. I had to change my problematic shopping behavior and tendencies and most importantly of all, my money mindset. I can write a book on this process. Leave me a comment if you’re curious!

Top: Equipment Alma Silk Top, size S // Handbag: Palla A-Bag use my 15% off code “Cubicle_chic” (P.S. They’re also available on Amazon!)

Fast Forward To The Present, 2018

A wedding, a new house, and 2 new jobs later, we are living a married life that I couldn’t possibly have imagined before. We have a budget we share and hold each other accountable for. We have a mortgage but are on a 10-year track to pay it off. We are a one-car household (that’s a rarity in California) but we make it work. I sometimes wonder how would the 2014-Jessica view my current life, if she could travel ahead in time and peer into it now? I think she would be puzzled, confused, and overall questioning how it works. So that leads me to what I’m here to write about today…

Top: Equipment Alma Silk Top, size S // Handbag: Palla A-Bag use my 15% off code “Cubicle_chic” (P.S. They’re also available on Amazon!)

The Realities of Living a Financially Responsible Life

There’s the good and, of course, there’s the bad. What I would say is that all the bad is completely worth the good. And in the end, the bad isn’t so bad when you accept it as a way of life.

The less-than-glamorous side of living a financially responsible life:

1. It’s not just about the budget anymore. 

It’s about sticking to the budget, and checking and re-checking, aligning and re-aligning month after month. It does not stop. The only time when the budget feels like it’s not there anymore is when you and your budget are so in-synch, you don’t need to rely on it to know when to spend or when not to spend. But then life throws curve-balls at you. A flat tire. A leaky water heater. A friend who you haven’t seen decided to visit you last minute. Any of these things might put you in front of your budget again. I had to learn to be good friends with my budget and know that it means well so I don’t get sick of seeing it again and again.

2. The impromptu Target cosmetic-aisle shopping-spree is no longer.

This used to be my cure-it-all whenever I was having a bad day or just feeling down. The fluorescent lighting, plethora of new cosmetic and skincare products, and the HOPE of perfect skin almost always lifted my mood when I was down. But it was nevertheless a temporary solution. After the novelty and excitement wore off, the neon-orange shopping bag (when the remedy was the Ulta sort instead of Target) would scream at me and remind me how and irresponsible I was with my money. Then I’d feel worse. Not to mention, I only have a $250 shopping budget now. If I walked out of Target with $150 in purchases…. I’d only have $100 left!!

3. Designer things are a dream-like, remote possibility.

OK, guys, please don’t judge me or hate me for this fact. But I have a confession to make. I have 5 Chanel, 4 Louis Vuitton, 3 Gucci and 1 Proenza Schouler purses/handbags. Some of them came as gifts, but most of them I bought. I no longer owe any debt on any of them, but a few of them I did put on credit card when I bought them at the time. I have a weakness for luxury goods, obvi. But the last designer bag I purchased was in 2016. Ever since I went through the personal finance transformation, it’s become clear that designer goods purchase cannot be a frequent occurrence in my life anymore. It’s questionable whether there would be an occurrence at all. Unless I find another job where I make 6 figure again, I need to eliminate this reality from my life. No more designer bag purchases in the near future.

4. I have learned to either say NO, or wait patiently to save up for what I want which is not within my budget.

Saying no to things I want is hard. But it’s even harder to say no to things that feel like they are a need.  For example, my hair. You see my long & super grown-out roots? They’re so grown out they’re barely roots anymore. But I have been waiting for a time when I have $200-$300 so I can fix it. I am also contemplating going black again. Because that perfectly ashy brown color? VERY expensive to maintain. Another example is our unfurnished master bedroom. We just completed a $25K master bedroom renovation in December. We went over budget. The next thing on the list to do was to furnish our bedroom (the only thing in it now is a queen-sized bed on a box spring and nothing else) but since we went over budget, we decided to wait a few months to replenish our cash reserve before shopping for our master bedroom furniture.

Top: Equipment Alma Silk Top, size S // Handbag: Palla A-Bag use my 15% off code “Cubicle_chic” (P.S. They’re also available on Amazon!)

The unexpected UPSIDE of a living a financially responsible life:

1. I appreciate things now for what they are, and not what they represent.

I still enjoy designer products, but they don’t mean the same thing to me anymore. When it comes to the things that I use in my daily life now, I am much much more about quality than the brand. For example, this pink little handbag I am carrying in the photos in this post – it’s made by a company called Palla. This is the A-bag and it’s made of natural leather and is the most versatile bag I’ve had for as long as I’ve had this blog. It can be worn crossbody, on the shoulder, it’s got a little point pouch attached, and it’s reversible so it can be pink or it can be gray. Palla has generously agreed to give me a unique discount code for Cubicle Chic readers “@cubicle_chic” – use it to get 15% off if you wind up purchasing one of the Palla bags. And if you do, can you do me a favor and tell me about what you think??

2. I am living life fuller than ever now because owning material things is no longer an excuse I can use to feel like I am living well. 

Like I mentioned above, a shopping spree at Target or Ulta is no longer a viable option as a pick-me-up when I feel uninspired or just down. So, I started going to the library. Cleaning the house. Picking a playlist on Spotify and have a one-person dance party. Binging on an oldie-but-goodie favorite audiobook like When Breath Becomes Air. Calling and talking to a friend who I haven’t spoken to in a long time. Reading a book that’s been sitting on my desk for months. I started LIVING more.

3. Financial peace is a real thing and it’s awesome.

One of my cats was diagnosed with cancer in October last year. She is 14-years old and to say she is the love of my life would be an understatement. Sometimes I even question how much I’d love my future kids because it doesn’t feel like it’s possible to love anything else more in this world. And when she was diagnosed with cancer, we actually caught it early and were lucky to have a few treatment options available. We decided to go for the treatments even though it costs about $500 a month. But even before we decided to move forward with the treatment plan, we’d already spent a couple of thousands just in the test we ran to get the right diagnoses. If it wasn’t for the cash reserve we built up in our emergency fund, this sure was going to put us in panic mode, needing to scrounge up this kind of cash. It was enough of an emotional roller coaster to go through the process of finding out the love of my life has cancer. We really appreciated not having to worry about the financial aspect of putting her through the treatment.

4. We are able to be more generous.

My husband and I love having friends and family over. We LOVE hosting parties. We love preparing delicious food and entertaining our guests. We both derive a lot of joy and pleasure out of ensuring our guests have a good time in our home. For example, we threw a Friendsmas party this Christmas and we had the most fun having 12 grown-ups and 5 kids over – it was such a blast! But hosting people comes with some real financial commitment. And having a budget with flexibility within it so we can be generous in providing hospitality when we want to – is a real joy.

Conclusion…

So, now that I’ve shared my life story with you… it’s your turn! Tell me: where are you on your personal finance journey? What’s your biggest obstacle right now, budgeting, saving, making more income, or something else? If you can travel through a time machine and ask your future-have-it-together-self, what would you ask him/her?

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

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The post The Untold Realities of Living a Financially Responsible Life appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I am spending my money a lot more carefully these days.

I have a budget and a plan for what I buy. I still get tempted into random online “browsing sprees”, where I let myself throw things into the shopping cart as if I had unlimited funds. But I let the items sit in my shopping cart for at least ONE DAY before I hit the order button.

If I still like them after a 24-hour pause, that means I truly like them. And honestly, a lot of times after the 24-hour break, you’re feeling less impulsive and somehow all the things are just less appealing.

Nordstrom’s semi-annual sale is one of those things that I look forward to every year. I don’t have a lot of credit cards left anymore (under 5) but Nordstrom is one of those credit cards that I just can’t bring myself to get rid of … I love their customer service, selection of products, and the physical stores are like my haven. An iced coffee in hand (eBay, anyone?) and I can spend a whole day in a Nordstrom shop.

Here are a few things that I am eyeing in the Nordstrom semi-annual sale; everything is perfect for the professional working women in the corporate world!

What are you shopping for this Memorial Day?

The post Cubicle Chic Workwear Shopping List for the Nordstrom Semi-Annual Sale appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

First of all, thank you SO much for all of your responses to my last interview with Amanda from Poshmark. I love how some of you asked her more questions and we had more insightful conversation even after the article published. It’s such an incredible honor that I get to chat with these ambitious career women who are doing incredibly challenging but amazing things in their field. I hope to bring you more in the future!

This week’s #GirlBoss on Career Girl Chat

The second Career Girl Chat features Jennie Yoon, who heads up US & Europe Business Development and Marketing at Casetify, a hip lifestyle brand with a focus on tech. Jennie and I actually went to high school together, and reconnected over a blogger conference last year in the Fall. Jennie’s current role at Casetify revolves around maximizing growth and revenue through new distribution channels and strategic partnerships. Jennie’s totally OG in influencer marketing, and has been doing this for years before influencers were publicly acknowledged as a marketing channel. Casetify’s past collaboration includes celebrity endorsements (Hilary Duff, Snoop Dogg), TV placement (Good Morning America, Today Show) and brand collaboration (American Apparel, Pepsi) to name a few. As one of Casetify’s main strategy drivers, Jennie’s role at Casetify has evolved from digital marketing and story-selling in the beginning, to brand building and strategic marketing to her current role. She describes this job at Casetify and herself as a match made in heaven and it’s clear that every fiber of her is dedicated to the success of Casetify. So, let’s get into the question and find out how this #GirlBoss went from interning at a Law Firm’s HR department to holding this much coveted position at Casetify!

Rapid fire questions – what was your college major, your first job, and how many resumes you sent out before you got your first & current job?

I majored in Psychology and Human Behavior, had a minor in business. After working for a few years I went back to school and got an MBA from Pepperdine University which was the pivot point that ultimately led me into marketing.

My first job was at a law firm, I had an internship in Human Resources. I took the job because I saw the the stability of this career path. With my Asian upbringing, stability and access to climbing the corporate latter was important. HR made sense because it’s relevant to every company across different industries. My boss at the time saw my potential interacting with people and reading people, so I focused on recruiting and built the department from scratch for the next 4 years. I found myself enjoying building something in an unknown environment, and mainly, enjoyed the people I got to work with.

Before I landed this job, I probably sent out 10-15 resumes before I got the position in the Law Firm in HR—but the time was probably different. My most recent position with Casetify came out of opportunities I got through traveling, networking, and it was such a match made in heaven so everything just came together within a short time (more on that later).

1)     When you first graduated from college, did you know that you’d end up where you are today, why or why not?

Not at all. I always knew career was important, and I wanted to be part of something where I can make a difference. My mantra is that if you choose something, go all in—if it doesn’t work out, at least you won’t look back because you know you gave it all. People have told me to ‘find my passion’ but honestly, I don’t know what I was doing when I graduated. I just knew whatever I chose, I wanted to get my hands dirty and somewhere along the road, passion is something you figure out as you see more things and experience more things (goodness, I sound old).

TIP: Look for role-models, and surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.

If you’re in college, do take multiple internships to help find out what you like and don’t like. Study abroad if your school lets you. My realization came a bit later in my life, but I got a chance to study abroad during my MBA program to Hong Kong. Through a few networking events, I found my way to connect with Wes Ng, the Co-Founder and CEO of Casetify. I instantly connected over our common interest: Instagram.  I positioned my talent in content building and my interest in Instagram as help, and offered to just help him out. And the rest was history!

2)     Are you happy with where you are in your career? If you were to name three things you have to have in your career/employment, what are they?

I abso-fucking-lutely love what I do. This is a dream job that anyone could’ve wanted. But this position didn’t just land on my lap – I’ve earned it by working hard and pressing on through difficult times. Here is what I think are important for me to be happy in my career:

1)      A good mentor. I always talk to people that are more experienced than me. This could be your boss, your boss’s boss, your colleague, or someone outside of your office. If it’s someone outside of your organization, ask for an introduction through your contacts.

2)      A good team. In any company (startup or corporate), the work we do is very much a team effort. Everyone has a role to play and they’re the best as a team, in a way, it’s like a football team. You win as a team, never as an individual person.

3)      Growth. Personal growth. As long as you’re learning and you have a boss that’s interested in your growth, it’s a good environment.

3)     What’s your experience with mentorship like, who were your mentors and are you mentoring anyone now?

I have both work mentors and life mentors. Work mentors have always been my direct boss (maybe I got lucky with my bosses haha), and I have some in the industry that I’ve asked my friends to connect me with. In terms of people I mentor, I welcome with open arms to anyone who wants to chat.

4)     If you look back in the past 5-10 years, what were the most important experiences that propelled you to where you are today? These could be lessons you learned from failures, being part of a special project, or pursuing (or not pursuing) a passion you really have.

Travel. Traveling exposes you to see things you’re not necessarily comfortable with. It’s very true in business that you won’t find growth in comfort zones. Traveling forces you to meet people that are not like you and don’t operate like you.

As an extension of the same point, do things that are foreign to you, like going to networking events. Talk to people you don’t know. You just don’t know what opportunities will come from a contact you made, a trip you took, or a conversation you had because you stepped out of your comfort zone.

5)     Now the dreaded “what do you want to be in 5/10 years” question…how do you typically answer questions like this?

I’ve never loved this question because so much can change in just a year. I’ve never thought in million years I’d be where I am today. Professionally, I’m confident that Casetify will be a huge brand, and I hope to continue to grow with it. Running my own company doesn’t sound too shabby either. I also do hope that I can be a great role model and a mentor to people and pay forward the fortune I’ve been blessed with here at Casetify.

6)     If you have experience in interviewing/recruiting new employees, what do you look for in candidates for positions that don’t require years of experience?

Their attitude. It’s one of those things that a good leader can sense right away. I prefer to hire people with willingness to learn, and someone who is genuinely excited about the brand, rather than a know-it-all. Many times, the technical skills are trainable, but the attitude isn’t. Secondly, I’d see if you’ve done your homework. In order for you to stand out, make sure you’re prepared, including doing some stalking work around the company and the people you’ll be meeting with. And lastly, don’t forget the thank you note after the interview. It’s a good way to be on top of the recruiter’s inbox, and to be reminded of who you are.

7)     Lastly, what’s your go-to office outfit, and what is one piece of clothing you can’t live without?

My wardrobe is a lot of black, white and tan. Tech founders like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg wear outfits that almost look like uniforms. I’ve read that they stick to a standardized outfit so they don’t have to spend time thinking about what to wear. My go-to office outfit is all black ensemble – black jeans with black top. One piece of clothing that I can’t live without would be my black jeans.

One thing I’ve learned is that you can never be overdressed for a work meeting and you don’t get a second shot at first impressions. Just because we’re in the start-up world doesn’t mean we can be sloppy. So develop a routine and minimize the time spent in putting things together.

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post Career Girl Chat || From HR Intern to Director of Biz Dev at Casetify – How did she do it?! appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Thanks to a few business trips, in 2016 I’ve traveled alone more than I had done in my entire life previously. I’ve journeyed through Munich, Neuschwanstein, D.C., and Boston, all by myself.

Before you want to cue Celine Dion’s All By Myself for me…. Hear me out.

Initially, I traveled alone out of necessity – I was already there, instead of staying in the hotel all day, I might as well go out and explore. But over time I realized I actually LOVE travel solo which is a huge surprise because I am one of those people that could never shop alone or go to a restaurant alone (not the case anymore but more on that later.)

Traveling solo, I realized, is incredibly liberating. 

 Coat: H&M Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback  Coat: H&M Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback  Coat: H&M Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback

Traveling alone is amazing because it allows you to..

1)      Do what YOU really want to do

If you want to explore a corner in the city, you make a turn. If you are intrigued by the décor of a coffee shop, you walk in. If you see a high tower on the top of a hill, and wonder what it’s like to be in it…. You climb it! There’s no people’s interest level to consider, you just gotta do you.

For people that are always saying “but I don’t know what I really want in life” – take a trip solo, go to places by yourself, and listen to your gut telling you what you REALLY want to do, and hone in on your self-listening skills. It’s a very common but profound practice!

2)      Have no distraction and be present

This doesn’t mean you can’t text or email friends once in a while, or even yelp or google places to go. I think there’s a reverse, good kind of FOMO when you’re traveling alone because you’re afraid of missing out what’s right in front of you. Somehow when we are traveling with others, when we know they’re taking photos, or they can tell us about what we missed if we just got distracted for a minute… it’s still being “captured” and can be “replayed.” When you travel alone, if you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you’ve missed it.

Without any friends or family to talk to by your side, when you are at your destination, or a spontaneous visit to some unknown part of the place you’re visiting, you are there. It’s you and that lake, or you and that castle, or you and that view; there’s nothing in between. I call this the “I am here” moment… when you are fully aware and present of yourself being in a new environment, and fully appreciating the moment. It’s an amazing feeling. You should try it.

3)      Learn to be a mindful & responsible traveler

I for one am guilty of relying on friends and family for directions and ideas when I travel in a group.  I know someone will come up with the place to go to, directions to get there, and what to do when we get there. I tend to just go with the flow in a group.

When traveling alone, this approach won’t take me anywhere. I have to proactively plan, look things up, and know where my destination is. I am also notorious for being a very forgetful person who loses her belonging everywhere she goes. Traveling alone forces me to develop ways to keep myself more responsible and mindful of my belongings because I can’t count on people reminding me that I left my sunglasses in the café, or I dropped my ferry ticket behind me when I stopped to take pictures, or that I left my camera on the bus I took. If these examples sound really specific, it’s because they all have happened to me. But strangely, it never happens when I am traveling alone. It’s because I am actively watching my belongings as move about.

4)      Make new friends (if you’re lucky like me!)

 My friend Kay and me, in Munich

Striking up a conversation with a stranger may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the key here is to be open. Be friendly, and smile a lot. If you do this, people will come up to you.

When I was exploring Munich this year in May, I wandered into a Jimmy Choo on Maximillian Strasse, a super high end, Rodeo Drive kind of place. I was just randomly browsing the beautiful shoes, thinking maybe for my wedding I would wear one of these beauties. A friendly sales girl started asking me about what I was looking for, what I liked, etc. We went on to talk about my wedding, and eventually where I’m from. It had turned out that her parents are from Taiwan, and so am I… Next thing you know, we are looking at our schedule to get coffee the next day.

Long story short, we became friends and toured around Munich the next day, and are still in touch today. She is moving to NYC later this year and might even come to California to visit me.

Isn’t this just amazing?

5)      Find confidence and a new you

If you find traveling alone scary, well, you’re not alone (haha). Typical thoughts are as such “what am I going to do with myself?” or “How do I know where I’m going to go?” or “What if I get really bored by myself?” or “Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

These are all legitimate concerns, and it takes intention and preparation ahead of time to deal with them. In this process, you will learn to have faith in yourself, know that you are in control of your destination as long as you are prepared and willing and that even if things go unplanned, you can troubleshoot or go with the flow if need be.  There is something that is not just liberating, but inspiring and growth-inducing about this very process. You learn to trust yourself in a way that you haven’t before, and that makes you confident.

Traveling alone, by default, also gives you a lot of time to be with yourself. It sounds like an oxymoron, but the truth is in our busy lives, we rarely spend alone time with ourselves. When we are, we feel the urge to fill it with our computer, phone and apps, and TV. When was the last time you asked yourself the same questions you ask your friends and family, “How have you been?” or “Are you happy with your life?” or “What’s been on your mind lately, is there anything I can do to help?” A lot of these questions lead to discovery about where growth and improvement will come from in life, and are an incredibly critical skill to develop in life.

So, have I convinced you a little bit? Let me know if you want to start planning a trip solo now, or you’ve done it before, and where did you go!

All Photography By Justin Tsai Photography

The post Why I Fell In Love With Traveling Alone appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I am constantly trying to spruce up my work wardrobe. It’s one of the reasons why I started this blog, which is to share my outfit ideas with all of you and to know what other office dwelling women are wearing.

After 6 years spent in the corporate world, I have a set template developed for how to dress for the everyday office days. But occasionally, I like to add elements of surprise just to feel like I’m not wearing uniforms.

This trench coat is one of these totally surprising elements!

 Trench Coat: Miilla; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie

The lapels of the trench coat give it the structured element that you want to have in an office outfit, but the long flow-y nature of the piece elevates the style of the outfit.

I paired the outfit with some mules that are probably on the more casual side, but with any of these loafers or even heels below, this outfit would be perfectly office appropriate. They’re all under $100!

 Trench Coat: Miilla, available via Poshmark; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie  Trench Coat: Miilla, available via Poshmark; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie

On a separate note, these photos were taken around Alfred Tea Room in downtown LA. It’s SUCH a cute place, and of course, makes really awesome photos thanks to their pink decor! It was funny because when we were there, I saw at least 5 other groups there for photo shoots. If you’re in the LA area, don’t forget to check it out!

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post On Repeat In My Work Wardrobe This Fall appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Experiences in the past have indicated something about my personality, and it’s that I may have a more serious demeanor, especially at work. I even had one person that told it to me directly, that I am an intense person to work with sometimes. Having been an outspoken person my whole life, I’ve taken comments like that as a compliment. That sentiment changed slightly in a recent incident. I had a 1:1 teleconference with someone I was trying to make a really strong impression with, and in the teleconference the video capacity was enabled. For the first time, I was watching myself as I spoke, in a way that I thought exuded confidence. I was mentally gasping at the image of myself on screen – I looked SO serious and definitely intense!

 Dress: Kit And Ace; similar here Vest: Boutique; similar here Mules: Asos; similar here  Dress: Kit And Ace; similar here Vest: Boutique; similar here Mules: Asos; similar here

Needless to say, there is a bit of a gap that exists between the internal visualization of myself and, when I get the chance to get a glimpse of, the way the world actually perceives me. It’s uncomfortable to face this realization, and quite honestly, a bit unsettling.

Working in Corporate America for half a decade has taught me a thing or two. Number 1, 2, and 3 are as follows: Your image is everything, your image is everything, and your image is everything. Yes, in case I didn’t make it clear, your image is everything. For me, the ideal image consists of the following adjectives: strategic, conscientious, and poised. The challenge, though, is that I am human and made of flesh. So while I can be strategic, conscientious, and poised, I am also passionate and dogged, and I really do care. So at times I have to be dial up certain qualities, in order to balance out the way I carry myself. As a result, I deliberately try to behave more assured, authoritative, and firm. This is reflected in the following ways: 

1. I am very conscious of something a lot of women fall victim of, something called “Uptalk” – where you raise the end of your sentence with an upward inflection to make it sound more like a question/suggestion, rather than a statement or a demand. (It’s a thing, officially called High Rising Terminal, look it up!) I do everything in my power to avoid it.
2. I pay attention to body language. Twirling the hair, sitting in the back of the room, crossing my arms, or sitting in a “minimizing” posture (including slouching, looking down, folding your arms) all indicate the lack of confidence. I do the opposite – I sit in the front, sit back and try to relax, make direct eye contact, and speak up toward the front of the room.
3. I keep small talks to the minimum. I have a select group of people that I would consider friends at work, and outside of this circle, I don’t engage in small talks too often. I prioritize being professional and effective over being someone’s pal to chat about the weekend with.
4. When the circumstances are so that I have to pick between making progress and keeping the peace or that “good feeling” environment, I usually default to the former. There are good ways, tactful ways, to create a win-win situation and achieve both, it’s true. But when deadlines are real and decisions need to be made, something’s gotta give. For me, making progress usually wins out.

 Dress: Kit And Ace; similar here Vest: Boutique; similar here Mules: Asos; similar here

So maybe, just maybe, in the process of upholding that image as a professional woman, I lost touch with the core of my being – the warm, open, caring, and easy-going side of me.

Or maybe, just maybe, in the corporate world, room for an individual to exhibit these characteristics is just limited.

Or maybe, just maybe, could it be because I am a woman, therefore the trade-off exists?

I would definitely be re-visiting this topic soon. What are your thoughts so far?

All photography by Natalie Alvarado (Stylenfuse)

The post How I Came to Be an Intense Woman at Work appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Imagine answering this question as your 5 year-old, 10 year-old, and 15 year-old self. The answer may not have been the same, but I bet the certainty about whatever you wanted to become, dwindled over time. And what DID we want to be? A writer, an animal shelter owner, maybe a coffee shop barista. For me, it certainly wasn’t corporate marketing in the tech sector or even a lifestyle blogger.

 Top: High-end similar; affordable similar Trousers: Similar, similar Shoes:  High-end similar; affordable similar Bag: Banana Republic Tote (on sale now!!!)

But somewhere along the last 30 years, I gained more skills, learned more about myself, found out the possibilities of professions that exist out there. My options became plenty, but the certainty shrank in what I want to become when I grow up.

The one scenario in which we have to seriously consider this question, as adults, is often during an interview. When a potential job offer is at stake, this question becomes that much more delicate and difficult to tackle. So I’ve come up with a list of questions to help you shape your thinking and get closer to the answer. Answer to yourself honestly, and based on those answer, you can craft an interview appropriate response.

 Top: High-end similar; affordable similar Trousers: Similar, similar Shoes:  High-end similar; affordable similar Bag: Banana Republic Tote (on sale now!!!)

How do you answer “where do you see yourself in 5/10/15 years”, which is basically “what do you want to be when you grow up?” in the adult world.

I would segment your thinking into two areas: professional, and personal.

In your personal life, in 5/10/15 years:

What motivates you to get out of bed every morning?
How high does work rank in your overall life in terms of priority?
Who do you spend the most time with outside of work?
What do you do for fun?
Do you see yourself getting married and/or starting a family?
Do you live in the city, suburbs, the mountains, or a coastal city?

 Top: High-end similar; affordable similar Trousers: Similar, similar Shoes:  High-end similar; affordable similar Bag: Banana Republic Tote (on sale now!!!)

In your professional life, in 5/10/15 years:

Why do you have a job, is it just for financial support os is it a fulfilling cause?
Are you managing people, being responsible for their development?
What kind of hours do you work, 9-5 or freelance?
Are you a single contributor or do you work in a team?
Do you have entrepreneurial aspirations?
Do you work in a global setting or more regionally focused?
What does financial success mean to you?

 Top: High-end similar; affordable similar Trousers: Similar, similar Shoes:  High-end similar; affordable similar Bag: Banana Republic Tote (on sale now!!!)  Top: High-end similar; affordable similar Trousers: Similar, similar Shoes:  High-end similar; affordable similar Bag: Banana Republic Tote (on sale now!!!)

This is how I crafted my plan based on the approach above:

Having ownership over creative and challenging work is what motivates me every morning, the first thing I think of when I wake up. Work is a priority because it’s a source of (really good) income but also something that keeps me on my toes and hungry for intellectual growth. I hang out with friends that I share common interests within my free time, and spend just as much time with close family. I snowboard in the winter, surf in the summer, go on hikes, enjoy yoga, and rock climbing. I love being outdoors. I live in the suburb with my husband, possibly some kids, and not too far from my parents.

Work-wise, I work alongside a bunch of driven, inspiring, and kind people. I lead projects as well as people. I take ownership of my job and I trive to make an impact in everything I do. I find the idea of starting my own business interesting, but I think after my kids are older is probably the better time to take more serious actions toward the idea. I also work in a global setting in my work, dealing with people from different continents, and constantly applying my fluency in Mandarin Chinese. I think of financial success as having a good control over my daily budget and expense, and earning good enough an income where I can save, and occasionally indulge in nice vacations or occasionally more materialistic things.

With these two paragraphs as the basis,  I now feel much more confident answering the question “where do you see yourself in 5/10/15 years” now. What do your two paragraphs look like?

The post What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Sophia Amoruso may have written a book about it, but I have lived it. I’ve always embodied many of the components of what make up the #GIRLBOSS personality – firm, determined, unwaivered, highly professional, and very ambitious. Yet in the corporate world, you see all too often that strong minded women get categorized into the b*itchy bucket. It’s almost inevitable, and it really is a shame. That’s where being “nice” makes a difference.

Being nice is in the professional world is not about being easy-going or eager to please. And it’s definitely not letting people step all over you. It’s actually the ability to persuade other without force, to convey a message without having to scream, and solve a problem, reach a solution, without leaving dead bodies behind.

Having said all that, let’s come back to what I do best… putting together professional outfits to present the woman you want to be. Today,I’m sharing with you an outfit that makes me feel like a total #GIRLBOSS, and a very nice one at that.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

There’s something to be said about the soft colors and femininity of a flowy scarf.

 Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney  Blazer: Six Crisp Days Amelia Four Button Blazer (Dailylook) Jeans: Topshop Jamie Jeans Shoes: (similar) Gray pumps Sunnies: Banana Republic Linney

What do you do, use, say, or wear that makes you a #GIRLBOSS? I want to know!! 

All Photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

The post New #GIRLBOSS attitude and an outfit to go with it. You’re welcome. appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

Why you want to invest in a good sleeveless blazer

In this post I am featuring two sleeveless blazers with two outfits. These two blazers are very similar in terms of cut, material, length, and general look and feel. That’s why I wanted to showcase them side by sider, so you can see the versatility in these blazer vests. You can literally create infinite number of office appropriate outfits here. They are even season-less because you can very easily pair them with a long sleeve piece underneath, and voila you are ready for a chic office look!

Blazer: Banana Republic similar here
Sweater: Madewell
Necklace: Mirina Collections
Bracelets & Rings: Madewell
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS11

Blazer: Topshop
Turtleneck Sweater: Banana Republic
Bracelets & Rings: Madewell
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Necklace: J. Crew
Clutch: Proenza Schouler PS11

 Things to consider before you purchase

For those of us that are more vertically challenged, always remember to pair them with at least 3 in heels in your outfit. These vests tend to elongate your torso, so if you don’t leverage the help of some heels, your legs will proportionally seem shortened. No one wants that! Another thing to be mindful of is where the bottom of the vest rests. For me, I like them to sit right underneath my hip area so it covers my hip area and a bit of my thighs. If you have nice waistlines, I would pick a piece with a cinchable waist line so you can show off your curves!

So what’s your pick, the white one or the black one?

I think my heart secretly favors the one blazer just a little more. It shows in the number of times I’ve worn it when compared to the number of times I’ve worn the black piece. It just makes for a more bright and outstanding outfit in my opinion. But you may feel otherwise… so what’s the verdict, white or black?!

 Blazer: Topshop Turtleneck Sweater: Banana Republic Bracelets & Rings: Madewell Watch: Daniel Wellington Necklace: J. Crew

All Photography by Brianna Olsen

The post The Tale of Two Blazers appeared first on Cubicle Chic.