Procrastination Station- May 27
Posted on May 27th, 2015
Looking for some summer reading?
If you have commitment issues before selecting a new book, try reading this fascinating review in the New Yorker of Edward Follis’s new memoir about his time in the DEA doing undercover work. If The Dark Art: My Undercover Life in Global Narco-terrorism is half as compelling as the review, it’s sure to be a page-turner.
There are many foods I view as merely a vehicle for eating avocado. Sushi, salads, sandwiches, omelettes, pizza… I’ll eat avocado on anything. This list of how to incorporate more avocado into your summer diet speaks to me. Some of them are unexpected!
Harvard graduation is this week, and I’m really looking to being there and supporting my friends! I’ve gotten to know Anneli a bit through mutual friends, and have really enjoyed reading her pieces on Huffington Post. As a cap to her college career, she wrote a mock graduation speech that is really powerful. I relate a lot to this idea that there is a sense of responsibility (I don’t know that I would say burden) when you have extraordinary opportunities. I know Anneli will do awesome things to make the world a better place!
Suburbs of Manhattan
Posted on May 26th, 2015
About one month after I moved into my beloved apartment, I was at a cocktail party when asked where in the city I lived. I mentioned my address, to which the person responded, “But you’re so young—why would you want to live there? The Upper East Side is like the suburbs of Manhattan.”
If I was cool and trendy, I would tell you I was shocked and hurt by that statement. But a) I had already realized this and b) it was something I saw as desirable. I grew up in the suburbs. In college, I had been so grateful to have a car so I could occasionally escape 8 miles away from campus for some calm, wholesome experiences. Somewhere where vagrants are not smoking cigarettes in the produce section (yes this happened), a place where you can right-turn-on-red, a place where you can park your car for free. Is that so much to ask?
Of course, the Upper East Side isn’t at that extreme, but I can see where those sentiments arose. Compared to Midtown, the sidewalks on the Upper East Side are deserted. You are far less likely to come into contact with a stranger’s body fluids, for example. There are plenty of restaurants, but to find edgy ones, or funky late night spots, you’re better off hopping on the Lexington line to go downtown.
Most importantly (to me), there are FAMILIES. Working near Bryant Park and being completely surrounded by crazed Yuppies it can be easy to forget that there are real people living real lives in New York. Just this morning, I saw a kindergartener dressed in her red and white gingham pinafore (announcing her affiliation to Sacred Heart) holding her dad’s hand and walking to school. It’s amazing to see that kind of humanity, too, even amongst the bazillionaires and workaholics who haven’t left the office before 9pm since 2007. And because there are families, there are friendly people who have a little perspective in life and do things like say hello to you as you go by—something that would be essentially unheard of on the Avenue of the Americas.
I could tell you other things I love about living on the UES (proximity to Central Park, museums, etc.), but it really all comes back to the attitude. Let the record show that this Midwestern girl loves families and people who say hello, sees no reason to go to a club at 11pm, and values personal space. So sue me.
Sunday Snapshot- May 24
Posted on May 24th, 2015
We’ll start out this week’s Snapshot with a super familiar scene…
Are you all tired of me sharing photos of the reservoir at Central Park looking totally beautiful? Don’t worry, it will all be over soon. I talk to my mama on the phone each and every day (at least once), and I particularly love when we coordinate to “take a walk together.” I’ll get my shoes on and head over the four blocks to Central Park, and she’ll take my adorable dog for a loop around the golf course, and even though we’re over a thousand miles apart, it’s a special connection when we get that time to talk about nothing and everything.
My Cardinals came to town this week to face the Mets! My dad, my bestie from home Hannah, and I were so excited to go together… but it certainly wasn’t like our home turf! Busch Stadium always has amazing attendance, even for those random mid-week games, but Citi Field………. didn’t.
Remember the aforementioned adorable dog? I flew home to spend time with my family over the long weekend, so my mom and I walked with our little puppy, Gracie (she’s actually 10 but I’m in denial), to Starbucks on Saturday morning. She was loving her puppacino.
Speaking of my amazing mother… she has such a green thumb and her rose bushes (and her entire garden) look so beautiful. This color looks almost fake!
I may pretend like I came home for the pool and our snack bar’s chicken fingers… but really, I came home for this crew. We live in different parts of the country, our lives are all hectic and crazy, but last night the six of us had dinner together at our absolute favorite restaurant, and it was magical. My cheeks still hurt from all smiling. And my tummy is still full from the amazing food.
So there you have it! And now a big week ahead– Ian is graduating, it’s my last week of working and living in New York… Exciting! Hope y’all are having a super fantastic long weekend!
Grateful for the Grind
Posted on May 21st, 2015
When I graduated from college a year ago, I was excited to be entering The Real World (a stupid euphemism for financial independence if I’ve ever heard one). But like so, so many people, I didn’t necessarily think I was starting my dream job. I had accepted an offer to be a consultant with a marketing analytics firm in the spring, and I definitely knew it was the right decision (still do), but I wasn’t entering the situation thinking the position checked each and every one of my boxes on my Dream Job Description.
The thing is most people don’t start out on their dream career path. In fact, hardly anyone does! This is 100% okay. Part of this is that many people don’t even know what they want that career path to look like. So what’s important is to figure out how to be in a place that will help you identify that, and will help you develop a skill set that will position you well for the next step. The job I had this year really nailed it in that respect. Obviously I’m wrapping up my time here before beginning my new job next month, but I wanted to take some time to reflect on reasons (in no particular order) why I feel really lucky to have been in this situation:
- I learned a really important industry. My company specialized in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and given that Americans spend about $330 billion every year on pharmaceutical products, it’s a key space to know a lot about. Incidentally, I also discovered that there are some practices within the pharmaceutical industry that I find a little questionable (John Oliver can tell you why). Regardless, this is knowledge that will be extremely valuable throughout my life, even if I do not work in this space professionally in the future.
- I had the opportunity to live in New York. I didn’t really think I would want to make New York my permanent home, but I am so glad I had the chance to experience this craziness for myself. New York is deeply engrained in so many cultural facets of life; I’m glad I “get it” now.
- I learned big data. Like the cloud, big data is kind of a nebulous buzzword these days, but it turns out once you understand what’s happening, it’s incredibly compelling and incredibly powerful. Not only do I get big data—I believe in it. I believe there is so much opportunity in making the sorts of data- driven decisions big data facilitates. I’m very excited that my next role will include similar analytics.
- My quantitative skills are markedly better. Growing up, I thought of myself as good at math, but there were definitely a couple of years in high school/college where we were not necessarily on speaking terms. It feels really good to have reclaimed that side of my brain!
- I learned to juggle multiple perspectives. Working with clients helps you see things through a different lens, and I had the chance to practice taking a step back, keeping the stakeholders’ viewpoints and concerns in mind, and thinking about how the information I was sharing would ultimately help them drive their business.
- This job got me to the next step. I would never want to view anything in my life as simply a stepping stone, but pragmatically speaking, I would not be positioned to enter this next chapter if I had not had this unique set of experiences in the past year. I was introduced to someone who helped me get connected with the right people, and when opportunity came knocking, I had the skill set and knowledge base to be prepared to answer!
- The hardest projects are often the ones of which you’re proudest. A particular project comes to mind that was so, so painful to execute and pull together (I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry over it in the bathroom a few times). I stressed about this thing for weeks. But once it was presented, it was so well received, it’s some of the best work I have done, and I could talk your ear off about how great it was. But I won’t.
- …And sometimes things fall into place anyway. One of the biggest new pieces of business I was a part of securing essentially fell into our laps. So then you just say thank you and make the most of it!
If you’re heading into the Real World without a job you want to post about on your Instagram, don’t feel bad. You’re certainly not alone; you’re in the majority. No matter what your situation is, figure out the positives you can glean from it to carry with you down the road. My best friend Julia is currently waiting tables, but we always say that her crazy stories will be perfect for her comedy career someday. I learned so, so much during my first year of work—I am so happy for every aspect of this experience.
Keep going, trust yourself, and remember: good things come to those who wait, and work hard in the meantime.
Procrastination Station- May 20
Posted on May 20th, 2015
Since I am preparing for a move, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my dream home. Which, of course, this apartment will not be, mainly because I’m twenty-three and have not yet won the lottery. But that doesn’t stop be from surfing the internet like a WASPy housewife in her forties. One of my favorite designers to drool over before checking prices, laughing to myself, and closing the tab, is Katie Kime.
I think of her as the lucite queen, but she released some fabulous new wallpapers/textiles this week, too. Trying to figure out how to have something done with the ginger jar print… maybe a potholder would be in budget? These next couple of articles follow the seasons of life… It’s graduation season for many, and I got a kick out of Veronica’s reflections on Forever 21 in her post-grad life. I was never very into Forever 21 just because I found the experience too much of a sensory overload, but I could still appreciate these sentiments. Post-grad problems are real, y’all.
This next one is a cryer in the best possible way. Erin at Elements of Style announced recently that, after struggles with IVF, she is pregnant! So exciting. What was even more adorable was the post her husband, Andrew, wrote to share his thoughts on their big news. The sweetest and most perfect sentiments.
And finally, a piece for you to read and reflect on about what happens at the end of our lives. Sandy Bem was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and developed (and ultimately executed) a plan to end her life before she lost control. Whether or not you agree with her decisions is up to you (I’m still a little on the fence), but as usual, the New York Times Magazine does a great job presenting a complex narrative.
Blog Sale!
Posted on May 19th, 2015
If you read yesterday’s post, you know that in two weeks I am moving 3,000 miles across the country. It’s daunting. I have started packing, and obviously realized I can’t take quite everything with me. But, good news for you all– these beautiful items (Lilly Pulitzer, unless otherwise stated) need new homes!
If you see anything in which you’re interested, please email me at helen@aculturedpearl.com. All prices include shipping. Happy shopping!
Wristlet, Cosmo Pink Party Favors, brand new. $18 shipped Sold!
Buttercup Shorts in Garden by the Sea, size 4, very good used condition. $28 shipped Sold!
Black Maria Boatneck sweater, size small, very good used condition. $25 shipped
Jewelry box in Southern Charm, brand new. $33 shipped
Callahan shorts in Island Coral, size 4, very good used condition. $30 shipped
Brooks Brothers shorts, size 6, brand new with tags. $35 shipped Sold!
Dress, size medium (but runs small– would be best for sizes 2-6), good used condition. $38 shipped Sold!
Cashmere sweater in Lagoon Green, size small, new with tags. $53 shipped
Wynne top, size small, excellent used condition. $23 shipped Sold!
Late Night Toile dress, size 4, excellent used condition. $50 shipped
Mila shift in First Impression, size 4, brand new with tags. Currently retailing for $178, asking $115 shipped
Looking forward to sharing these goodies with you all!
Heading West with the Best
Posted on May 18th, 2015
(Bear with me on this post. I promise it’s going somewhere. This is the quite possibly the most major news of my life thus far.)
As some of you may know, I have this great guy in my life. Ian and I met in 2002, and have been dating since 2009. Annoyingly, we have been apart for much of that time. Vanderbilt/Paris, Vanderbilt/Harvard, Penn/Harvard, New York/Harvard… you get the idea. Consequently, we really treasure the time that we have had together, but it’s just not enough anymore. Call me selfish, but I just kind of want to see him all the time! So about a year ago, we made a decision: after his graduation, we would figure out a way to be together. (We were in the same class in school, but he took a gap year before starting Harvard) Here’s a good throw back, for your reference:
So that much was decided… but where would we be? The answer actually ended up falling into place at the end of last summer, when Ian was offered a post-graduation position at the end of his summer internship with Microsoft. At that point, I had started my full-time job here in Manhattan, but the terms of his offer were such that we really couldn’t pass up the opportunity, especially since it was with a company that had made him so happy.
Seattle. I never thought I would live west of my childhood home, but once we started saying it, it just felt right. Seattle is a big city, but not so big that it isn’t manageable. They have great professional sports teams. The natural setting is truly stunning. For the past few months, we knew the time would come. We would move to Seattle!
And then all at once it was here. It was time! Earlier this month, we flew out for a weekend of apartment hunting. Luckily, we had done our research and had made appointments at buildings that were in contention. Amazingly, fewer than 24 hours after we started the process and saw the first apartment, we had signed our lease and were all set in the most perfect place.
An aside: it is well known that New York real estate is insane, but apartment hunting in Seattle really brought that point home. I could not believe what we were getting that was in our budget. For example: this is a picture of me sitting inside my new closet. Naturally, I’m beaming. In case you’re wondering, there are two closets in the bedroom; Ian will be using the other one. Sharing is not chic.
You may be noticing that there’s one problem with all of this. I live in New York. My job is in New York. I, too, thought this was a problem. So… I got a job in Seattle.
You read that correctly. And not just any job. In June, I am joining the marketing team at the Nordstrom corporate headquarters. Does anyone else think this whole life sounds too perfect? What did I do to earn the distinct privilege of everything falling into place, all at once? I’m not taking it for granted, that’s for sure.
So, in closing, I am moving to Seattle with Ian in June! What’s next? We all live happily ever after.
Sunday Snapshot- May 17
Posted on May 17th, 2015
It was hardly a quiet week… but it was a fabulous one!
Firstly, I looked really fabulous thanks to the arrival of my latest Rocksbox! Still loving this service. I don’t know that I’ll be able to part with this Perry Street statement necklace… #checkplease. If you’re interested in getting in on the fun (which I do recommend), sign up with promo code HelenBFF51 for your first month free!
My brother Turner has been abroad this semester, but he made his triumphant return to America this week and stopped by New York for a few days first. My dad was here, too, and it was just so nice to get some time with some of my most favorite guys.
While Turner was here, we crossed an item off my Life List! On Wednesday, we went to the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center. I had seen the Nutcracker several times, but seeing other works was a great experience, and Lincoln Center is such a magical place. I’m grateful to Turner for coming into town so we had an excuse to go 😉
Thursday night I was able to have a father/daughter date at Fig & Olive, followed by a leisurely stroll along the High Line. These are the kinds of times I treasure! Without going into too much detail, I have unexpectedly gotten to spend a whole lot of time with my dad this year. I am so proud of his accomplishments, but more than anything I am endlessly appreciative of the chance we’ve had to be in New York together.
This weekend, I’ve been steadily crossing items off my to do list. On this list is planning for a new couch. It’s no secret I love Society Social, so I ordered a group of fabric samples from them as I prepared to make my selection. Spoiler alert: I didn’t pick any of these. Indecisiveness strikes again!
I did indulge in one of my favorite breakfasts yesterday, since my chances to eat Maison Kayser’s almond croissants are dwindling. Wondering why? Check back tomorrow!
In the meantime, the cheesiest Disney adage is so apropos for my current juncture in life. If you’re feeling a little discouraged, remember to keep working and moving forward because…
Procrastination Station- May 13
Posted on May 13th, 2015
Happy Hump Day, y’all! It’s all downhill from here.
Wow. This New York Times expose on the secret behind-the-scenes workings of nail salons is pretty shocking– not surprising that it’s going viral. It definitely makes you reconsider partaking in this little luxury in large urban areas.
Trying to do some financial planning? Check out this chart of how much you can expect to make annually in your dream job. A valuable reality check– no pun intended.
I enjoyed scrolling through One King Lane’s French Riviera boutique! I would love to have a leisurely ride on this bike wearing this chic hat.
So much literal LOL at this re-cap of Met Gala ensembles. A choice highlight: “Anne Hathaway look either like Little Gold Riding Hood or a Grace Jones impersonator.”
Have you all seen My Big Family Renovation on HGTV? I have, because I’ve seen nearly everything on HGTV, and the Hatmaker family is darling. Jen Hatmaker, their fearless matriarch, posted a piece on her blog about the difficulties of getting through the end of the school year. I have trouble buying that she is the worst end of school mom ever, but her description of The Struggle is hilariously real.
To those of you procrastinating finals– good luck, and get back to studying!
Better Bloggers
Posted on May 12th, 2015
I’ve been trying this whole blogging thing for about a month now, and it has been a fun space to share ideas and just do my own thing. As much as I try to develop original content and have my own voice, there are undeniably other women whose internet personas have shaped my ideas about what blogging can be like. Naturally, I have to give credit where credit is due.
The College Prepster was the first blog I really read with any regularity. I like that her content mixes some of the “pretty things I like to look at” with thoughtful writing, and that she isn’t afraid to reveal vulnerabilities from time to time.
Mackenzie Horan is similarly wonderful. I’m loving following along with her transition to Texas living! Given her impeccable taste, I can’t wait to see how her house develops. I have a big soft spot for female entrepreneurs that I don’t even know, so Mackenzie’s story developing her online boutique resonates with me, as well.
When I need to have One Fine Day, Ashley’s blog is a go-to. Her eye for color is amazing! She puts together epic collages with her favorite art of the moment, or just general sunny items she’s covering. She’s not officially a mommy blog, but her son Max is adorable, so I love that he’s become a regular in the cast of characters, too. What I love about Ashley’s writing is I feel like I know her, even though I don’t, and not in a weird way. She’s open and honest without being forced. Her life in rural Texas is not filled with brunches and shopping and nights on the town with fancy friends, yet I can’t wait to follow along with her adventures.
Camp Patton is my newest adoption, by which I mean I have only been reading it religiously every single day for a year. Grace Patton is a Mommy Blogger in every sense of the word– she writes about the adorable antics of her children, highlights products and services someone caring for a family might find useful, and occasionally shares fabulous Mommy-style outfits. She currently has 4 children (ages 1, 2, 3, and 4) with beautiful names, and is expecting her fifth next month– I anxiously await the baby name announcement. She is an absolute riot and I routinely laugh out loud while reading her posts. Particularly the Bash Chats and Julia Styles series– those kids are outrageous. Like Ashley, I genuinely want to keep up with Grace’s life even though a) I don’t know her and b) it’s not anything particularly out of the ordinary– she just does an amazing job chronicling it.
I also want to give a shout out to Lauren and Shelby. No, we have never met, but I consider them both friends (and Shelby is a great pen pal!), and watching them grow their blogs has given me the courage to make the leap, too.
So that about sums it up– these are the kinds of influences going into A Cultured Pearl. There are other blogs I peruse occasionally, but these are my staples. You’ve probably noticed I’m not one to pose around and have my photo taken in cute outfits, but please note that it’s merely because I think you have plenty of other sources of inspiration for these kinds of photos, and also because I pretty much only wear sundresses and cardigans or jeans and sweaters, and what’s fun about that? Hopefully I’ll improve with this endeavor, but I can only hope to be half as skilled as these ladies!
