Minneapolis Career Girl

Minneapolis Career Girl Recommends: The Stir

2012-01-25T14:57:00.002-06:00

From time to time, Career Girl Blogs love to bring you great events to attend and increase your professional network. In Minnesota, for women, there is no better event than "The Stir", the Women's Foundation of Minnesota's Annual dinner, bringing together some of Minnesota's most influential business-women.

This year's event will be held on Thursday, March 8th. It's absolutely worth the price of the ticket and with this year's inspiring speaker, Lee Woodruff, you're sure to enjoy the evening.

Click here for tickets, and to learn more about the Women's Foundation of Minnesota.

Handling Saboteurs

2012-01-02T05:30:00.000-06:00

Well here you are, January 2nd. How's that resolution working for you two days in? Thus far, we've covered setting goals, visualizing success, preparing for possible failure, and rewarding yourself along the way. What's left is realizing that this journey is not going to happen in a bubble, and unfortunately, other people will set you off course. And again, unfortunately, some of those people will try to sabotage your goals.

We all have that friend. The one who says, "Oh my god, are you still counting calories? How much could a cookie really hurt you?" Or that person in our office who always brings the sweets to the table? It's hard to say no, right? They don't mean to sabotage you. Or do they? People who look at others' goals negatively are those who are having a difficult time setting their own. This is a fact. Do not let them get in your way.

Here are a few statements that work for me:

Thank you for your feedback, but I'm dedicated to meeting my goal.
Perhaps it would be best if I went on this journey on my own.
I appreciate you.
What goals have you set recently that I can help you achieve?

Be supportive of this person, and be supportive of yourself. Know that their attempts at sabotage are likely anger, fear, and jealousy of your progress and dedication. Let them know you care and that you appreciate their presence in your life. But know, too, that sometimes these are the people you most need to let go of in your life. No one needs chronic saboteurs in their daily routine.

Build in Rewards

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

Next in our series about New Year's resolutions is something I'm personally passionate about - Build in Rewards!

Theoretically, you've set a goal it will take you some time to achieve - maybe the whole year, maybe a few months, but it will have a beginning, a middle, and likely an end. Don't wait until the end to see the reward. Of course, accomplishing your goals is your greatest reward, but you have to have incentive to continue as well.

I recently heard of a sales person paid on commission who received none of that commission until the end of the year. What a terrible incentive. If you can't see the reward coming week to week or month to month, why keep going? Most people don't have the patience or time to wait a year for results or to wait a year to feel rewarded for the work they do. Would you take a job if they paid your entire salary on December 31st? Then don't do it to yourself either.

Set healthy, clear rewards for yourself. Here are a few examples of how I do this in my life and how I'll stick to it for my New Year's resolutions:

I love bagels. They are a huge treat for me. And breakfast is often a difficult thing to stick to in my life. I'm known for skipping it all together, which is terrible for my metabolism, or grabbing something sweet or unhealthy in its place. So I use bagels as a weekly breakfast reward. If I eat a healthy breakfast Monday through Thursday, then on Friday, I treat myself to a bagel for breakfast. Perfect!
When trying to save for a big trip or pay down debt, I recognize that some things have to have an unlimited budget. I love to read, but I don't get a lot of time to do it, so when I have some time, my Nook account has an unlimited budget. I will never deprive myself of buying a book - or five! It's a great reward for saving money other places and a way to keep some "me time" on the books.
Give yourself the ability to buy/implement tools that will help you meet your goals. I just spent what is probably a stupid amount of money on a planner from ErinCondren.com. Did I need the $50 planner vs. a $10 one from Target? No. But still. It will help me log my progress on my goals and it's what I need. Don't feel bad for buying things that will help you get to the next step.

Maybe you're motivated by a massage or a new watch or a trip somewhere. Or maybe it's giving yourself a day off of work to relax and go to the movies. Whatever it is, set mini-goals, and reward yourself throughout the year for sticking with your plans. It will make all the difference!

Prepare for Failure

2011-12-31T04:00:00.000-06:00

One of the biggest keys to success in keeping your New Year's resolutions is to understand you will fall off the wagon once or twice, maybe even a few times. To be realistically dedicated to your goals, you have to expect failure. Change is hard. If it were easy, everyone would be millionaires with perfect jobs, perfect bodies, and perfect lives. If you go into your goals knowing they will be difficult, knowing you'll skin your knees a few times in the process of achieving them, it will be much easier to stick with the process.

Some might argue I'm giving you a sense of negativity here, but I'm not. Preparing for failure doesn't mean being complacent in the idea of failure. You should hate failing. It should make you mad. And it should make you want to pursue your goals even more diligently. But preparing for it, talking about it openly, and knowing what it may look like for you are all reasons to keep you going in the long run.

I can certainly speak to the idea of failure in a weight loss journey. There are days that those frosted cookies just look too good to pass up. And there are weeks when you feel like you couldn't eat another damn vegetable if you tried. These are the days I fail in my journey. These are the days I forget my goals. But the key isn't in the failure, the key is in the rebound. People who lose sight of their goals have the mentality, "Well, I already failed, might as well continue to fail." However, those who prepare themselves for failure, know it's bound to happen at some time, will bounce back quickly, knowing that one day or one week does not damage a year of progress to your goals.

Expecting perfection is the shortest route to giving up. Set realistic expectations for yourself and know that you will fall down. Get back up, dust yourself off, and move forward. Even falling is a forward motion. Remember that, prepare for it, and you will get to your goals!

Visualizing Success

2011-12-30T04:00:00.000-06:00

Close your eyes. Take a moment to think through your list of "This is the year..." items. Can you see yourself achieving those goals? Can you see yourself boarding a plane to go on that trip you've always wanted? Can you see yourself looking down at the scale and seeing a healthy, fit number? Can you see yourself taking a seat at that new desk in that new office?

Damnit, neither can I! Some people do wonderful things with those "close your eyes" directions. Some people can envision themselves anywhere. Apparently this Career Girl's imagination isn't so great. Whenever someone says, "picture yourself thin," all I can see is a photo of me in my 10th grade prom dress (yes, the one still hanging in the back of my closet waiting for me to be able to fit into it again). I don't see me now. I see some ancient persona I left long ago.

So how, then, do we visualize success for our 2012 goals? For me, the answer is the vision board. You don't have to close your eyes to see it. Pick up some magazines, cut out some pictures that inspire you to meet your goals, and put those photos up on your refrigerator or in your office or on your bathroom mirror. Let them be a constant visualization of your goals.

For me, I'm using my new favorite toy, Pinterest, to create my vision boards for the year. There, you can find photos and sayings that inspire you and "pin" them on a virtual board that gives you something to come back, look at, and get inspired by. You can access Pinterest on your internet enabled phone as well, which seems to act as a good motivator when I pull up my exercise pin board when on the treadmill. It reminds me of why I'm doing this every day.

So whatever works for you, do it! Maybe visualizing is writing it down, maybe it's cutting out photos, maybe it's finding thoughts and pictures online, or maybe it's as simple as closing your eyes. But if there's one thing I know for sure about goal setting, it's that being able to visualize the goal at its completion will get you far when it comes to sticking to it!

A Letter to Me...

2011-12-29T04:00:00.000-06:00

Country singer Brad Paisley wrote a song recently called "Letter to Me." Its touching lyrics focused on what a grown man might say to his naive, younger self. And while the notion is tempting, clearly time travel just isn't possible. Or is it? Thinking about these lyrics, I remembered one of my favorite parts of the show The Biggest Loser. Somewhere in the beginning of the show, probably during auditions, the producers ask each of the contestants to say a few words to themselves as if they were in the final four. These are often the most touching words of the show to me. There sits someone dangerously obese, for the first time imagining they could be thin and healthy and talking to the person who did the work to make it happen.

When we're considering the work of New Year's Resolutions, we can take on the same challenge. Get out a piece of paper and date the top December 31, 2012. Then write, Dear Me. And go.

Write yourself a letter about all the good things you've experienced in 2012 as if you'd already lived it. Tell yourself what you're proud of accomplishing. Pat yourself on the back. Allow yourself to celebrate every moment of the success you wish to achieve. Think about what your family and friends might say if you achieved all of those things you wrote in yesterday's "This is the year" list. Write them in that letter, put it down on paper.

Then, just like the list, don't let the letter get tossed in a drawer. Keep it with you. Post it in your office or on your bathroom mirror. Let it be a constant reminder to you of how you want to feel at the end of 2012. Wouldn't it be amazing if all of those things happened? If your sheer will could get you everything you'd dreamed for in the year? And if on December 31, 2012 you could read that same letter with true meaning, knowing you'd accomplished all you'd set out to do? Strive for that feeling of accomplishment, for it will mean more to you than the 5 lbs or dollars saved ever will. Because we don't lose weight just to lose it or save money just to save it or change bad habits just to change them. We do it because it will change our lives, and it will give us increased joy and accomplishment with which to go forward into the year after and the next and the next.

Write that letter today, and keep it with you as you accomplish your goals in 2012.

Watch for tomorrow's post on visualization and more tips to keep your New Year's resolutions in 2012!

This is the year!

2011-12-28T10:00:00.002-06:00

I put this bracelet on the Career Girl Christmas list, even though I'd already bought it for myself. I've been wearing it for a few weeks, but truthfully, the sentiment behind it is all about 2012. "This is the year!" Whether you admit to it or not, we all set those pesky New Year's resolutions - all of the things we want to change, correct, add, subtract or get better at in the upcoming year. We at Career Girl blogs are no different. But we believe we've learned a few keys to "resolution success" to help guide you on your way.

Over the next six days, you'll see a series of six posts guiding you on your resolution track. Don't think of your New Year's resolution as an obstacle, think of it as something you desire so strongly, there's no other choice but to do it. Say to yourself, "This is the year...." Perhaps this is your year to get a new job, or land that promotion. Maybe 2012 is the year of adding to your family or bringing peace into your life. Whatever those desires are, harness them, write them down, and make them real.

To start it off, for me, it has to go down on paper. Take a sheet of paper and write at the top, "This is the year to..." Then, start your list. It may change over time, pieces may get added or deleted, but start that list now. Don't wait until February when you're already 1/12 in.

Here are a few of my resolutions to kick you off. For Chicago Career Girl, this is the year to....

Finish what I started - I've maintained a huge weight loss these past few years. Now it's time to finish it - and finally get to the goals I set from the beginning in 2009.
Re-prioritize myself, even if it means being "good enough" in other areas of my life. It's time to get back to spending time with me and enjoying it.
Continue to build a foundation for a strong marriage and a vision for our future. Twitter Husband and I have the most phenomenal relationship - it fulfills me every single day. But I want us to look ahead and not rest on the laurels of a beautiful every day. Where do we want to go? What do we want to see? What's next in our journey? Bring it on!
Foster a culture of opportunity and openness in my life. Too often I focus on things being prescribed and working in just the way I want. This is the year for me to realize that as long as I am authentic and work hard, the right opportunities and paths will appear.

You can have a list of three or thirty - don't hesitate if it means something to you. And don't let the list be static. It has to be a living document - breathing every day. Change it, scribble on it. Look at it regularly. Don't let it sit in a drawer.

That's the first step - our next two posts will prepare you for visualizing success and seeing your future in bright lights!

Embrace the Magic of the Season

2011-12-20T09:49:00.001-06:00

The holiday season is magical. The lights, the songs, the trees with presents wrapped beautifully beneath. But as time goes on, year after year, it's easy to become a holiday scrooge. It's easy to forget the magic and see the holidays as an adult to-do list rather than approaching them with the childlike wonder of Christmas.

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in a teleconnect with Tiara Coaching called "Reclaim Your Holiday Spirit." And it was enlightening. The most interesting suggestion was this: Name your holiday spirit. Sure! Give her a name. And when you just can't find it....when you're walking through Target thinking, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!."....that's the time to say, "Where is she? Where is my holiday spirit?" One woman on the call named hers Holly, another Gloria - all appropriate names.

Thinking it through, none for me could be better than "Buddy the Elf." My favorite holiday movie, what could be more Christmas magic than answering the phone, "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

So this weekend when my dear Minneapolis Career Girl journeyed to Chicago to spend the weekend with me, I channeled Buddy as we walked the streets of Chicago enjoying the Christmas hustle and bustle, and y'know what? I didn't get annoyed once! People everywhere, crowded stores, crowded streets, and I was just glad to have my dear friend with me on my journey through this magical season and time.

Perhaps it was the company, or perhaps it was the Christmas spirit. But whatever it was, it worked. So if you can't seem to harness that spirit in these next days and weeks, think about Buddy the Elf, or Gloria, or Holly and give your holiday spirit a name. Then, bring her with you through this magical season.

New job, new adventures.

2011-11-02T13:10:00.000-05:00

I have a new job! Not a contracting assignment. Not a short-term assignment. Not a "work from home" project. An actual real job. (Though it is part time, so I'm still rocking the solo benefits.)

It starts Monday. My hours are 8 am - 12 noon. A few hundred miles away, Chicago Career Girl is laughing herself out of her chair knowing how NOT a morning person I am. And how the earlier the appointment, the later my arrival time will be. "Minneapolis Career Girl AT her desk by 8 am?! When pigs fly." Chicago Career Girl is more likely to wear a hoodie and sneakers to the office (blasphemy!) than I am likely to arrive bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to work by 8 am.

For sure, that will be an adventure. Among many.

But right now, the thing most occupying my worries - how soon is it appropriate to move in your "stuff?" Personal collection of pens, note pads, photos of pets, etc. After being a "temporary" contractor for so long, I'm not used to having "space" that I can call my own. Is it OK on Day 1? Or should one wait so as not to seem too eager?

Excited!

Asymmetric-Tiered Chemise - White House | Black Market

2011-10-17T14:10:00.001-05:00

Asymmetric-Tiered Chemise - White House | Black Market (clipped to polyvore.com)

"City Girl" Career Girl

2011-10-03T08:37:00.001-05:00

Before I became Chicago Career Girl, as you all know, I was Minneapolis Career Girl (now a title held by an amazing and talented friend). But before I was Minneapolis Career Girl, I was just a small town North Dakota girl who, for a brief period, became DC Career Girl.

I first traveled to DC my sophomore year in high school with the phenomenal program for students, Close Up. Their slogan is "What Happens Here Can Change Your World," and for me, it certainly did. I fell in love with Washington and dreamed of moving there. The next year, I won a speech contest giving me a free trip to DC and again, fell in love with the city. I was so resolved in my plans to attend college in DC, I broke up with my high school boyfriend under the assumption I wouldn't want a boyfriend when I lived so far away.

Then, my senior year of high school, the September 11th attacks occurred and my cautious and loving father decided that Washington, DC wasn't the place for my education. So I reluctantly chose a school closer to home. But the first chance I got to intern in Washington, DC for the summer, I took it. And to say my life was changed, yet again, by the city and that experience, would be the understatement of my life.

It's been six years since I've been back to the District, and tomorrow I catch a flight out of Chicago to spend three days there on a client engagement. And truthfully, I'm irrationally excited to be back there. I feel as if I'm returning to the dreams of my youth, the idealist, smiling girl of my late teens and early 20s. I simply can't wait.

With evenings free, I plan to take a run around the monuments and perhaps visit a few favorite restaurants between catching up on work. It will be a short, and surely busy trip, but I somehow feel like I'm going home.

Blotter: 09.30.11

2011-09-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Each Friday, we bring you "Blotter" - an opportunity to learn more about the news of the career girl world, upcoming networking events in your city, and tips/tricks/products to make you more productive.

Career Girl Clips:

Despite the fact that Jon Stewart made fun of it last night, we here at Career Girl Blogs are incredibly excited about President Obama's choice to visit LinkedIn this week. LinkedIn has long been a powerful tool for job seekers and networkers alike, and frankly, most people's LinkedIn pages are easier to read than their respective resumes. It's a nod to the way job searching is going to change over the next few years that our Commander-in-Chief gave them a quick hello this week.
Huffington Post shares a controversial photo - Rathika Sitsabaiesan (say that three times fast), a Canadian Parliament Member, was photoshopped (seemingly without her consent) to remove a small bit of cleavage in her official photo. Controversial in a number of ways. First, is it alright to photoshop a woman's photo without her permission? Second, is cleavage appropriate for a parliament photo? And finally, shouldn't we allow a woman to portray herself freely as she'd like? So many issues, so many conflicting opinions. We're not quite sure where we stand on this one just yet.
Frequently featured here on Career Girl Blogs, The Glass Hammer tells us how "Professional Women are Key to Developing in Emerging Markets." A fascinating read.

Career Girl Events:

If you want to support a women's organization in Minneapolis, there are few more phenomenal and with greater impact than YWCA Minneapolis. Every day, the staff and volunteers of YWCA change the landscape to eliminate racism and empower women in the Twin Cities. One of my personal favorite events of the year is just a couple of weeks away. YWCA's It's Time to Talk: Forums on Race is once again being held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. The Twin Cities' most dedicated and successful women will be there to help the YWCA continue the important conversations they've carried on for years.
The Central Corridor is both an exciting and controversial transportation project in the Twin Cities, but Mpls.St.Paul Magazine is making the best of the ripped up University Ave. by sponsoring the Central Corridor Progressive Dinner. Choose from four different tours and work your way up and down one of the most exciting foodie streets in the Twin Cities on Thursday, October 13th.

Blotter: 09.23.11

2011-09-23T05:30:00.000-05:00

Career Girl Clips:

Congress and the President are talking about jobs creation, but the Secretary of State has a little different idea. What's the key to the US' economic growth, says Hillary Clinton? Women! Forbes has it here.
Stumped when applying for jobs? What about your last employer? Did you leave to get a leg up? Maybe it's time to see what's cooking back at that company. Nicole Williams examines reasons you might "Give Your Old Employer Another Chance"
It's one of the most controversial issues women debate.......the color pink. Whether you love it or hate it, one of our favorite sites, Healthy is the New Skinny debates it here.

Upcoming Events:

The Twin Cities are home to one of the nation's best all-female university - St. Kate's. But you don't have to be a student to take advantage of their principles and exciting offerings. In fact, some of their best programs are in Leadership Development for professional women. They have a number of exciting offerings this fall. Check it all out in their most recent newsletter here.

Guest Blog: Good Enough

2011-09-20T14:47:00.002-05:00

Here at Career Girl Blogs, we strive to bring you posts and experiences that run the gamut from professional to personal, practical to spiritual. We are delighted to bring you our first ever guest post from a woman we admire, a post so important it will reside on both Minneapolis and Chicago Career Girl sites today. This dear friend impressed us all recently by completing not one, but two triathlons in just a few weeks time. To say we respect this woman is a gross understatement. Her determination, courage and drive are inspiring. Read her story below and we know you'll apply its wisdom to your own life - for you, it might not be a triathlon, but we all have challenges to overcome in our minds and in our bodies. Enjoy!

Since the onset of puberty, I havewaged a war against myself. Bolstered bya society that preaches mind-body duality, I was convinced that my true selfresided only in my mind, and my mind preferred to have nothing to do with thisbody. This body was never good enough. Never thin enough, never strong enough, never fast enough. Because this body was not yet enough, Idictated many challenges over the years in an attempt to become enough.

The 2011challenge: be a triathlete. I imagined atriathlete body to be a thin, muscular machine. I spent much of the last six months trying to bend my body into thatimagined triathlete form.

Every weekI ran twice, I biked twice, and I swam twice. Neither the run nor the bike intimidated me, but swimming was theultimate frustration. My first time inthe pool, I could not swim a single lap. Breathing while swimming was a task I simply could not teach myself. I sought help by taking several swim lessonsand eventually learned proper stroke technique. I slowly built endurance and confidence in the pool.

In the lastfew months of training, I did “brick” workouts where two sports are practicedback-to-back. Often I biked to the lake,swam, and then biked home. Sometimes Iadded a few miles after running after biking and swimming. While I had a sense of accomplishment after atough brick workout, I never learned to enjoy the sensation of running withcement blocks for feet.

My body did not appear to changeduring these months of triathlon training. If anything I was constantly hungry, ate more, and gained a fewpounds. While my body responded totraining volume with increased endurance, it did not whittle away into themuscular machine I imagined. I arrivedat race day ready to complete the distance, but not nearly as proud of my bodyas I had hoped.

On August14, I participated in the YWCA of Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon. I swam 500 yards, biked 15.5 miles, and ran3.1 miles with 972 women between the ages of 14 and 74. Each of these women have earned thedistinction of calling themselves a triathlete, yet they raced in bodies of allages, shapes, sizes, and colors imaginable.

My idea of what constituted atriathlete body was shattered. Sure,there were a few women who fit into my preconceived tritahlete mold, but thevast majority were racing in whatever body they had that day. The young and the mature, the new mother, thecancer survivor, and the sister team each had their own reasons for racing thistriathlon. I imagine many of theirreasons were not as vain and insecure as my own: the body that I had failed toobtain.

The race itself is actually a blur,but I do recall being passed by a woman twice my age and by woman twice mysize. As I gasped for breath throughtears of relief at the end, the announcer cheered on a 70-year-old womanapproaching the finish line in celebration of her 70th birthday. I was floored. Her body was more than enough; her body wasstrong and amazing. And so were thebodies of the mother and daughter racing duo standing next to me. I had pride for each and every one of thewomen I raced alongside and dug deep to find a piece of it for myself.

Perhaps my body was alsoenough? I had set out a prettysignificant challenge, and I succeeded. In fact, I obliterated my time goals and finished in the top half of myage group. The biggest accomplishment,however, was not crossing the finish line, but feeling for at least for afleeting moment that my body was strong and deserving of praise. I am after all, a triathlete.

Blotter: 09.16.11

2011-09-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

Career Girl Clips:

LinkedIn instituted a huge new change today, one we're pretty excited about here. You can now differentiate your work experience from your volunteer work as two separate sections. As LinkedIn gets bigger and better, we have to ask, how long until resumes become obsolete?
Excited to hear that surfing the internet....wait for it....improves productivity. Thanks, Glass Hammer!

Upcoming Events:

What are you up to tomorrow morning? Feel like making a difference for Minneapolis Youth. Then strap on your running shoes and run a 5K or a 10K at Lake Nokomis for Bolder Options. Bolder Options is a non-profit mentoring organization that matches at-risk youth with community mentors to run together, as well as work on academic goals.Sign up today for tomorrow's Bolder Dash.

Blotter - 09.09.11

2011-09-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

Career Girl Clips:

Blogger at MariaShriver.com Sheryl Paul has quickly become one of our favorite writers. As the air gets crisp, this article is our personal fave so far - "Autumn's Invitation to Turn Inward."
Are we all challenging stereotypes by being successful today? The Glass Hammer further examines the ways in which women challenge masculine stereotypes in leadership.

Upcoming Events:

A politically active Career Girl is a smart Career Girl. Join one of our favorite Minneapolis organizations, womenwinning at Politics 101: A Smart Woman's Guide to Government on Thursday, September 15th. This fun and casual happy hour will introduce you to politics and great women who work and volunteer in the arena. For only $10, it's a steal of a networking event!

Career Girl Products:

It's that time again - when our office air conditioners are still on, yet it's getting a bit crisp outside and we are unnecessarily cold all day every day. How do you stay warm in the office without looking like a sherpa? Grab some Annie Fink sleeves. They let your arms stay warm with your hands open to type and write - and with so many designs, they'll add to your ensemble as well.

Celebrating Labor Day

2011-09-05T05:30:00.000-05:00

From the Department of Labor's website, Labor Day is:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

In honor of Labor Day, today we offer a special "Hey There Career Girl" to a woman who has contributed to our strength, prosperity, and well-being.

A Google search of "Chicago Career Girl" and "Martha Beck" together produces three pages of Google hits. That's how much this blog has talked about Martha Beck. We first became aware of the fabulous Ms. Beck with the dawn of O Magazine. Martha Beck's column is featured monthly in O, and touches on everything from dating and marriage to organization and work to home life and forgiveness. She is the consummate "life coach" - whole life, not just some life.

To honor Martha Beck on this Labor Day, we're posting the "best of" her work:

From 2008 O Magazine, "Get the Ball on the Green." It' not about hitting the hole in one!
Martha writes a lot about how we often allow others to affect our mood. Here, she talks about "Emotional Muggers" and boy, does it resonate!
Another article from 2008 - life changing, man! "Are you on the right course?"

We salute you, Martha. Thanks for bringing us the life coaching we need for so many years!

Blotter - 09.01.1

2011-09-02T05:30:00.000-05:00

Career Girl Clips:

Both Career Girls have recently navigated the unruly course of job transition. We both found great wisdom in this article from MariaShriver.com contributor Sheryl Paul. You'll find some too in the "Three Mental Shifts to Navigate Transitions Successfully."
We've subscribed to an awesome new newsletter, PureWow! And it's just that. Pure. Wow. Lifestyle, career and cultural advice for "women who know what they want." With any newsletter, it takes some time to figure out if it's right for you or not. But it won us over this week with this gem, an iPhone app that eliminates hold times with airlines, retail stores, and much much more. Check out today's newsletter here.

Upcoming Events:

Minneapolis based organization Women in the Boardroom is working day in and day out to get more women on nonprofit and corporate boards by training individuals to become prepared for board service. Their high energy, high influence event is once again coming back to Minneapolis on Monday, October 17th. Join some of Minneapolis' most successful women on boards and learn more about how you might become more engaged in your career and the work of fantastic organizations by serving on a board.

Career Girl Products:

Every month, we await the last day on the calendar to get RedStamp.com's desktop wallpaper for the next month. Color your desktop with something beautiful from Red Stamp.

Favorite Things in My Town: Link Party

2011-08-31T10:04:00.000-05:00

One of Career Girl's favorite blogs, Centsational Girl, challenged her blogger friends to participate in this amazing "Link Party" - so we're up to the challenge. Both Minneapolis and Chicago Career Girl today are featuring our favorite things in our two favorite towns in the nation.

1) The Guthrie Theater. Few cities have anything that even comes close to the excitement of the Guthrie Theater. Sure, everyone has a spectacular performing arts space, everyone has a cool place to view the city, but the Guthrie has something very few other performing arts spaces have in the country - it's a public space. Sure, you can come to the Guthrie on a Saturday night to take in some quality theater. But you can also come on a Wednesday morning to work, drink coffee and enjoy free Wi-Fi. It's one of the most peaceful, productive spaces imagined. If you can't get work done at the Guthrie, where can you?

2) St. Anthony Main. There are plenty of fun Minneapolis neighborhoods, but none so dear to our hearts here at Career Girl than this one. St. Anthony Main is a place anyone would enjoy spending the day. From coffee shops to bars to restaurants (and even a dog grooming center), St. Anthony Main boasts beautiful views of downtown Minneapolis, the river, and plenty of running/biking/walking paths to keep you busy for days. And if you get sick of the boulevard, walk on over to Nicollet Island, the city's best hidden treasure.

3) Biking in Minneapolis. Yet another case of "Minneapolis is better than your city" because, well, it is. It's the #1 bike city in the nation and trust me, no one can touch it's beauty for bikers. Vehicles respect bikes on the road, nearly every major thoroughfare has a bike lane, and the bike shop community is second to none. Biking in Minneapolis isn't just fun, it's respected and revered by the city and its residents.

4) The Mary Tyler Moore statue at Marshall Fields Downtown (ok, Macy's now). It's fun to know that one of the consummate Career Girls was, indeed, based in Minneapolis. Mary Tyler Moore laid the groundwork for successful women in business (and specifically in media) everywhere. We're proud to have her stand tall today on Nicollet Mall.

Bloggers, jump in. Join the Link Part. What are your favorite things in your town?

The Art of the Performance Review

2011-08-30T15:17:00.001-05:00

Yearly performance reviews are a process nearly every company and employee must endure. Though they're not something anyone looks forward to, it's important to think about your performance appraisal strategically. Given how busy we all are, this may be your only opportunity in a given year to negotiate a raise, get a promotion, and set goals for the following year. We've put together a list of important tips to remember when planning for your performance review.

This year's performance appraisal started the day after last year's performance appraisal. As a best practice, you should be keeping a list of accomplishments, results on important projects, and perhaps even a "kudos" folder to store emails and clips with positive reviews you may have received throughout the year. Keep this running tab of your performance year round will make your review much less daunting.
Ask for it. If you want a raise, you have to ask for it. No manager will simply throw a large salary increase in your lap. They want to see you know your own value. And it's not enough to say "I deserve it" or "I'm in need of the money right now." You have to prove your worth. Go into the review armed with statistics.

How much money did you bring into the company this year?
How much money did you save the company this year? Think about productivity statistics when answering this question.
What is the fair market rate for your skill set? Check Glassdoor.com, Salary.com, etc. for examples of what other professionals are making in your field.

Have a game plan. The raise is one thing, but maybe it's really a title change or promotion you're gunning for. If this is the case, you must start this process prior to the actual review day. Create a proposal for your supervisor at least two weeks in advance. Propose your new title, new duties, and include explanations for staffing your old duties or title. Include the ways in which this change might benefit the company or the department. Present it to them via email and ask that they read it and consider discussing it at your performance review.
Keep it professional. Money and stature in the company are emotional issues for many, especially women. And it's all too easy to get a little choked up or angry when something doesn't go your way. Sometimes no matter your performance, the company simple can't afford raises or bonuses this year. Be prepared for the worst if you have to deal with it and use that opportunity to show your boss your professionalism.
Dress for the job you want. Treat your performance appraisal day as a job interview. Dress appropriately, come prepared, take notes, and stay engaged. Show your boss you're ready for new challenges.

Blotter

2011-08-26T06:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new feature on the Career Girl Blogs. Each Friday, we'll bring you "Blotter" - an opportunity to learn more about the news of the career girl world, upcoming networking events in your city, and tips/tricks/products to make you more productive.

Career Girl Clips:

In the provocative article "What Michelle Bachmann Learned from Sarah Palin - and Hillary Clinton," Washington Post writer Nicole Wallace poses the question, did Hillary Clinton (and women like her) pave the way for Michelle Bachmann?
Ann Curry tells Forbes writer Jenna Goudreau, "I didn’t ask to be the co-anchor of the Today show; they gave me the job." We wonder, Ann, what kind of example does this set for the girls of America? Ask for what you want? Or wait for it to fall in your lap.
You don't have to be a genius to have genius. This and many other a-ha moments with Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com.

Upcoming Events:

Both Career Girls have worked for an organization supported by Macy's Shop for the Cause in the past. So we're excited to tell you to show up at a Macy's Store tomorrow, August 27 (or shop online) and pay $5 to receive a 25% off coupon to use throughout the day. Click here to check out some of the awesome charities supported in MN this year, among them the amazing Minnesota AIDS Foundation, Mixed Blood Theatre, Sojourner Truth Academy and many more.

I work out?

2011-08-25T22:53:00.000-05:00

A crazy thing happened this summer. I started working out! And I don't mean taking a walk around the neighborhood, I mean working with a trainer, lifting weights and hard-core cardio. For a girl who has always stayed within her comfort zone of yoga classes, this was a huge change. And moment of personal growth.

When Chicago Career Girl started working with Mind Body Spirit Home Fitness, I was one of her biggest cheerleaders, rooting her on with each session. But it was her thing; her achievement; her big personal growth. I bursted with pride as she shed the weight, but for reasons I cannot explain, I never got on the bandwagon. In hindsight, there were a LOT of reasons for not joining her (too many to bother mentioning) but what it really boils down to is that I wasn't ready yet.

This summer, I was ready.

This has been a summer of rebirth for me. Since shedding the mental and emotional weight of an unhealthy relationship, I have been discovering all sorts of new things about myself and doing things that make me happy. Whether it's taking myself out for lunch at my favorite spot in Highland Park, getting a pedicure or kicking back at a coffee shop patio with a magazine for a lazy afternoon - I've been doing things for me. Just me. As I've gotten back in touch with myself and liking who I am, it's made me want to take better care of myself. But eating carefully, limiting caffeine, cutting back sugar and avoiding processed foods wasn't enough. I found myself craving a bigger change. A bigger challenge. And then it hit me ...

It was time to start exercising.

A quick conversation with Chicago Career Girl solidified the idea and before I knew it, I was booking my first session with her beloved trainer.

Fast-forward six weeks and I'm now a devoted client of Mind Body Spirit Home Fitness and a full-on workout junkie. (I hardly recognize myself when I say, er, write that.) I'm so into it keeping my body in motion, that I event worked out each day during my recent family trip to the lake.

While I'm not sure you can physically see the changes to my body, I can feel it. I have more energy. I feel stronger. And I'm more confident. And I crave my daily workouts. Yes, daily. I make every effort to workout six days a week. And even when it hurts, or is hard, I love it because I'm doing it! And I can do it!

I've had a few moments where I wondered why it took myself so long to get here. But rather than beat myself up or fill with regret, I've accepted that it just wasn't my time yet. But now it is! And I'm savoring every moment - even the moments when my hamstrings are screaming. No. Especially the moments when my hamstrings are screaming. Because I'm loving life.

PS - In case you missed the two previous mentions, working with Mind Body Spirit Home Fitness is amazing and I whole-heartedly recommend you find out for yourself.

Career Girl's Best in Fashion

2011-08-25T11:14:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since we've talked, here at Minneapolis Career Girl, about fashion in the workplace. So today we're highlighting some of our favorite past posts about dressing for success.

Sometimes what you wear isn't as important as the structure you put underneath it. A well chosen piece of shapewear can change the way you look in any ensemble. Check out some of our favorites in this October 2009 Post about Spanx.
The case for women in glasses. And even with that, I still have a hard time wearing glasses to work. You told us what you thought in this September 2009 Post about professional eyewear.
It's actually quite strange to read this post because since then, I've become quite the suit wearer. From July 2009: Do you do the suit?

Minneapolis Job Search and Networking Tips

2011-07-29T13:06:00.000-05:00

A recent college graduate asked me this week to help her find a job and get her feet on the ground with networking in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I sent her a lengthy email and then thought to myself, "Gee, Chicago Career Girl, you should share this with your Minneapolis followers." So this Chicago girl is back on the Minneapolis blog to give you some tips on networking, job searching and general good places to know in MSP!

Job Searching

If you're interested in the nonprofit sector, MNCN is the end all, be all of the job search tools. Nearly every job in a Minnesota nonprofit is posted at www.mncn.org.
Many nonprofit workers don't think to check in foundations as well. So check out www.mcf.org.
One of my favorite little known places to search jobs is a blog called Minnesota Public Relations Jobs. Truly a fabulous resource for both internal corporate PR and agency positions: www.mnprjobs.com/.
If you're a communications or marketing professional, some of my favorite postings come from the Twitter account WriterJobsMPLS. Follow them here: www.twitter.com/WriterJobsMPLS

Associations I love:
For marketing and events professionals specifically, I'd recommend getting involved in the Minneapolis chapters of the American Marketing Association (AMA) and International Special Events Society (ISES). Their websites are www.mnama.org and www.ises-msp.org. They have great professional development programming, etc.

Networking OpportunitiesOther networking groups I'd recommend would be WIN (Women in Networking). Their website is mnwin.org and LEAD (Leadership Emergence and Development Project) www.theleadproject.org. They both have fantastic events where she can meet a lot of people and get her name out there.

Lost in Job Hunting?
For general job search advice and help putting together resumes/cover letters, etc. my old employer is a fantastic resource - WomenVenture. They are awesome at helping people find jobs. www.womenventure.org.

I know it's a short list thus far, but hopefully it helps someone. Miss you, MSP!

I’m awesome. And you are too!

2011-07-13T14:57:00.002-05:00

Operation: Dating is officially in full swing. While Chicago Career Girl is relishing her first month of wedded bliss, I’ve got an action-packed social calendar with various men-folk whom I’ve met from Match.com and OKcupid. And I’m having a blast.

I have always believed that the best part of dating is meeting new people who teach you important things about yourself and life. My belief has only been reinforced as each dinner/drink/coffee date reveals one more lesson, almost like an advent calendar of secrets.

The most radical and mind-blowing lessons—yes, plural—have come from a fine gentleman I met a couple of weeks ago. A 30-something downtown-dweller who works in IT, G has a zen-like outlook on dating. His insight frequently makes my jaw drop and often leaves me speechless—a rare event. I’ve come to dub him the Yoda of dating because of his mind-blowing insight.

His latest golden nugget of wisdom was pivotal. (Oh, but to understand how his lessons are brought to light, you must know that we are openly casually dating. He and I are seeing other people, we discuss our other dates, provide support to each other and have a rockin’ good time during our dates together. More on this brave new world of dating styles later.)

While recently lamenting about whether a guy would want a second date with me, G dropped this bomb of genius:

“Know that you’re awesome … know that you don’t need anyone to confirm it for you. If he decides to stop talking to you, he’s the asshole for missing out.”

You could practically hear the crickets chirp as I let this information sink in. Know that I’m awesome? And HE’S the ass hole? So simple. So profound. So true. So why didn’t I think of this before? G would say it’s because I’ve been busy being a “girl” (i.e., insecure/anxious/needy/paranoid) and focusing on the wrong things. He has encouraged me to be more picky, more selective and all-around more confident.

Which makes sense, how many times have you heard confidence is sexy? Because it is! While at first glance G may not be a proverbial 10 (I’m not being cruel—he will openly tell you this!), his personality and confidence are more like 15s. Or higher. And being around him is addictive! I crave his presence because he is so much fun—and he knows it! Not in a cocky, ass hole way, either. It’s more of a “this is who I am, take it or leave it, but I love me”-sort of way. And his self-love shines brightly.

So girls, stop being “girls.” Know you’re awesome! Know you are worth it. When you do, guys will notice and will want to spend time with you. And if they don’t—it’s their loss, not yours.

Be awesome!

Back in the saddle

2011-05-24T17:02:00.000-05:00

Newly single and still occasionally stinging from the break-up, I have decided it is time to plunge back into the icy waters of dating. When the break-up first happened, I swore to myself (and maybe even a few friends … ) that I didn’t want to date for a long time. Surprise, surprise when this weekend I found myself logging onto match.com and piecing together a witty profile of myself. For the record, match.com is how I found the now-ex.

It had been a roller-coaster experience with match back then – 2006. But one that I always regarded with respect and gratitude because it ultimately brought me to the boyfriend, so I chalked it up to paying my dues. Nearly five years later, I am alone and increasingly lonely. Even though he had ridiculous work hours and I spent more of my time alone than with him, the absence can be palpable. And the knowledge and awareness that he wasn’t the “one” isn’t necessarily enough to keep the tears at bay.

After spending Sunday afternoon with him, catching up and playing with the dogs – and crying – a lot – it finally hit me that it was time to move on. While hunting for new work (let’s not get into that right now) and even a fun new Buddy scooter (more on that later) seem like decent ways to channel my energy, it isn’t enough. (Boy do I wish it was …) I’ve always taken good care of myself, spent time with friends and known how to balance my needs with those of another, so spending time on “me” doesn’t fill any of my personal needs. Call it a ridiculous need for male attention, some kind of masochism or just boredom - I’m going to give match.com a go. Again.

But with a few rules this time. My profile will reflect my needs, wants and priorities. I will not speak in generalizations in effort to be “attractive” to a wide-range of guys. I will only meet guys who describe interests and values beyond movies, music and tv shows. They have to mention a social cause, personal belief or commitment to something more than “entertainment.” There needs to be a mention, photo or statement of love of animals. Since the dogs, cats and I are a package deal, this is obvious. But it also is a reflection of care-taking skills, commitment to needs beyond beer and burgers, and it’s just damn adorable.

So wish me luck as I embark on this new and yet not-new journey. I expect it will have pot holes and road blocks, but hopefully it will lead me where I’m supposed to go.

Craftstravaganza: a round-up

2011-05-05T14:42:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it - can't blame you for staying home during that nasty storm on Saturday - here is a round-up of some my favorite artists featured at the Craftstravaganza. Make sure to check out my earlier post, for a list of some of my perennial favorites.

Beth Heeney, Green Cricket Salvage, Unique salvage, inspired restoration.

Remember Fisher Price people? I don't know about you, but I spent hours and hours playing with these little guys. I was fond of the dog (surprise, surprise) and the girl with the blonde pig tails. Now you can wear one of them, thanks to Beth's clever jewelry-making skills.

Keli Catalano, Colette Paperie, For the love of all things paper + ink.

Cute paper + witty, snarky messages = love. And the napkins are just so pretty! Perhaps lovely bridal shower gift?

Kelly Hanson

The week before the craft show, I picked up one of these darlings at I Like You. It's a springy addition to my spring jacket and gets lots of compliments!

MBMB, Made by Michelle Brusegaard

If you didn't already know it, Minneapolis/St. Paul is a hot bed for amazing graphic designers and paper-making artists. Case in point: Michelle Brusegaard. She shares her talents with us on both paper and wear-able fibers, proving that art doesn't have to be framed. I didn't buy one of her scarves at the show, but plan to visit I Like You to pick one out for spring nights when there is just a bit of chill in the air.

Renae Redenius, Trigo Designs Fun, upcycled gifts.

Renae has a special version of these cuties that is big enough for your smartphone, but has a clear plastic front and a nifty set of velcro straps so that you can attach it to the handle bars of your bike, and see the the time or who is calling.

Melissa Gausmann, Earth Grown Crayons Handmade earth-friendly soy crayons.

Remember the episode of Mister Rogers when Picture Picture showed us how crayons were made? Clearly it made an impact on me, as I've never forgotten the amazing process. Or my love of crayons. While there is nothing quite as pretty as a fresh pack of Crayola Crayons, all the colors lined up in perfect rows and not yet smeared from use. But Melissa brings crayons to a whole new level. Formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and spanning the standard shades of crayons, these are made from all-natural soy. Because soy is all natural and completely biodegradable, these are a safe choice for kids. Especially little kids who like to put everything in their mouth.

Phantom Limb

A clever way to keep track of the books, cds, dvds that you lend to friends and family. No more searching for a book and not knowing who has it!

Fantastic Toys, Handmade collectible soft toys, paper crafts and kits.

Sorry kids, I want one of these darling toys for myself!

Candyce Fitzloff-Westfield, Connected Elements, Jewelry inspired by the elements around us.

I've been going through a natural materials phase, and am drawn to the earthiness of these pieces.

Caddie Jo Designs

Do I need to say anything? Every little girl needs one of these. Hell, every big girl needs one too! I think the cuteness is pretty evident. And the plastic is BPA-free, so no worries about the potential harms of other plastics.

Get crafty!

2011-04-25T17:07:00.005-05:00

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Grab your BFF and head to the State Fairgrounds for the Craftstravaganza!

Featuring more than 70 artists, this FREE craft event is a must-do. With perennial favorites like Amy Jo, Adam Turman and Burlesque of North America as well as up-and-comers like hbDesigns (who gets mad-props for designing the Career Girl logos!), what better way to spend a Saturday, than perusing row upon row of awesome craftiness!

I'm planning on visiting Julie Meyer so I can stock up on more of her fabric sandwich and snack bags that I scored at Craft-o-Rama.

Unlike other craft events, this one is even offering workshops so you can make your own stuff. Sponsored by the likes of Etsy, Crafty Planet, I Like You and Corazon, this will not be a your grandmothers cross-stitch craft fair. Expect subversive, witty and always cute stuff.

Oh — and if you go, bring cash. Not all the vendors take credit cards.

Craftstravaganza
Saturday, April 30, 2011
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.*
Free Admission
MN State Fairgrounds Fine Arts Building
Free Workshops throughout the day
*Free Swag Bags for the first 100 shoppers
www.craftstravaganza.com

Who am I?

2011-04-23T16:46:00.001-05:00

In the last year, my life has changed dramatically.

Laid off, moved apartments, credit card debt up to my eye balls, got a new apartment, new job, starting to make a dent in the debt ... and just when I thought life had started to level out and become somewhat "normal," it all changed again.

In the course of the last 30 days, I have 1) learned that my contract job may be ending May 31, without a renewal of the contract due to a client not renewing their contract with the agency; 2) decided not to lease or buy a new car when my Jetta's lease expired (April 18) and 3) broke up with my boyfriend. That is the first time I have typed those words. Tears are welling up just saying it. Yes, the Chef and I ended our 4 1/2 year relationship. It was mutual, on good terms and free of any name-calling or anger. But that doesn't make it any less painful.

Now single, car-less and possibly job-less, I've found myself confused and sometimes lost. I've always been a strong-willed, independent person who refuses to define herself by her relationship or partner, but it's shocking how accustom one gets to having a partner. It's the little things that really get me the most. Looking for my favorite travel mug and realizing he has it caused tears. Finding his socks mistakenly in my sock drawer got me choked up. And I won't even try to describe how hard it is to explain to our dogs that he isn't coming home, no matter how long they sleep by the door, waiting for the sound of his keys in the door.

Add to that the new challenge of living without a car, and I feel like a fish out of water. I am really, really glad that I decided not to renew my car lease - and for the record, I fully plan to lease/buy when snow arrives. This is just a summer project, to prove to myself I can function without being dependent on a car, as well as to save money and reduce my carbon footprint. It is a good thing, just another challenge to tackle.

Then there is the job thing. It isn't decided yet whether my contract will be renewed, or not, and I likely won't know until nearly the end of May, which makes for a great deal of suspense. I'm working on putting together a back-up plan and am optimistic that things will work out the way they are supposed to, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious.

Meanwhile, my dear Chicago Career Girl is going through her own battles, which are surprisingly parallel, and no less challenging than mine. Career battles and relationship changes (though hers is the OPPOSITE of mine!) have presented huge struggles for us both, each of us trying to keep in touch with who we are, what we are about and what our purpose is. I find myself pondering, "who am I?" at the most random of moments. Walking to work, doing laundry, buying groceries, I feel like I'm in someone else's shoes.

When I am able to wipe away the tears and focus on putting one foot in front of the other, I am reminded of a line from the Kate Winslet/Cameon Diaz movie, The Holiday. Kate's new friend and former film maker, Arthur Abbott, says "In movies, there is the leading lady and the best friend. you're the leading lady, but you're acting like the best friend."

For a very, very long time, I have acted like the best friend, watching other people live their lives while I stand to the side, watching and cheering for them. No more! I am dedicating the summer of 2011 to acting like the leading lady in my own life. I am not putting a deadline on this project, but I hope that by the time I go car shopping in the fall/winter, that I am more connected with who I am and am living the life of the leading lady. (And here's wishing Chicago Career Girl achieves the same!)

Congratulations 2011 Women in Business Honorees

2011-04-19T13:28:00.000-05:00

For years, one of my favorite Minneapolis events has been the Business Journal's Women in Business luncheon. Having worked for a women's organization and spent countless hours with Minneapolis' women at the top of their fields, it's always exciting to see some of these women honored with such deserving awards. Having moved to Chicago, I still get excited to see the list each year, and this year is no different.

Check out all of the Women in Business honorees by clicking here. If you're in Minneapolis, I'd highly recommend attending the luncheon on May 12th. It's one of the best networking events you'll find in MSP for women, specifically.

A few highlights from this years list I'd like you to know about:

Lynn Casey from PSB. What a great honor for Lynn to be this year's Career Achievement Award Winner. She is absolutely deserving after years leading Padilla's top notch team of PR professionals. She gives back to nonprofit organizations in a way most CEOs do not. She's a role model and a friend to all women in business in Minneapolis and I'm delighted to see her receive such an honor.
Carolyn Roby, Wells Fargo Foundation. Wells Fargo has long been a staple in nonprofit supporters in Minneapolis. Having worked for numerous nonprofit organizations in MSP, I can speak first hand to Carolyn's leadership and transformation of the Wells Fargo Foundation into a force to be reckoned with in Twin Cities philanthropy. Her work and the work of her team has changed the lives of thousands in Minneapolis' poorest neighborhoods and impacted countless nonprofit organizations.
Mary Blegen, U.S. Bank. There is little I can say about Mary Blegen without sounding like a crazed fan. I've had the privilege to work alongside her as the chair of a Board and even more of a privilege to become her friend and count her as a mentor in my life. I am so excited to see her honored this year as an Industry Leader. In my eyes, no one could deserve it more.
Angela Chambliss, Best Buy. Angela filled the large shoes in the WOLF program (Women's Leadership Forum) at Best Buy when the incomparable Julie Gilbert exited to take WOLF on the road to companies worldwide. Angela has been, for years, a tireless ambassador for Best Buy, the WOLF program and a true champion for both the women who work for Best Buy and women in Minnesota in general. Women to Watch? Absolutely. You'll see Angela in some pretty high places in the next few years. She is a true rockstar.

All of the women honored are true pioneers in their fields. These are just a few I'm excited to see on the list. Definitely attend the luncheon in May and meet them personally!

Equal Pay Day

2011-04-12T09:03:00.002-05:00

April 20th is Equal Pay Day, and here at the Career Girl Blogs, we're celebrating! For too long, women have made less money for the same work. Even in this modern year, women still make 80 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. But I'm not content to allow us to sit and whine about the problem. Instead, let's unpack one reason for the disparity and one tactic to overcome it.

What are the reasons women are not equally paid? Someone once said to me, "Men are paid based on potential, women are paid based on performance." This is absolutely true. I experienced this from a female boss years ago. My supervisor left the company I was with and rather than hiring her replacement, my boss' boss piled her entire job on me. When I was told of this, I asked for a pay increase and title change due to increased responsibility and accountability. The response was this (and yes, I'm quoting exact words), "Responsibility doesn't get paid. Results do." I was lucky that at the end of that year, I did receive a bonus and substantial raise. But at the same time, would a man be willing to do what I did? Take on nearly double the work for no pay? Likely not.

How can we combat unequal pay? There are many ways to change your circumstance to make more money. Negotiate more at the beginning of a contract, prove your value and your worth in the market during performance reviews, etc. etc. etc. But I have another tip you may not have heard and might initially balk at. But here it is: talk to your friends about what they make. Women are categorically adverse to telling friends and colleagues how much money they make. Guess what, ladies? Men aren't! Men know what their competitors and counterparts take home and they're not afraid to ask. Because when Bob the stock trader wants a raise, he's comfortable saying, "I know what Mike makes for the same work, and I know I deserve the same amount." Of course, you still have to justify your logic based on your work and qualifications, not your colleague's, but knowing what the standard is at your company, in your industry and for your level is paramount.

If we all take time to think daily about our value and ask for that value when we negotiate, we can (and will) close this gap!

Thank You For Being a Friend

2011-03-22T12:35:00.000-05:00

Dear friends! Thank you for being so patient during my absence. I haven't forgotten about minneapoliscareergirl.com — I've just been up to my eye balls in work. And after spending the day reading, writing and editing, doing more of the same at home seems more like a chore than a joy. I hope — and will do my best — to get back into the routine of writing non-work material, as I've missed it so much.

As a thank you for being the fabulous women you are, I'm extending an invitation to you for an advance screening of HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE on March 23rd, at the Landmark Lagoon at 7:30 p.m. Get your free pass here: http://ow.ly/d/cJG. And get there early to secure your seat.

Josh Radnor (CBS's Emmy-nominated "How I Met Your Mother") wrote, directed and stars in happythankyoumoreplease, a sharp comedy centered on a group of 20-something New Yorkers struggling to figure out themselves, their lives and their loves.

As a big fan of How I Met Your Mother, I'm super excited to see his movie. Join me!

In case you can't make it tomorrow (I just got the details, sorry for the short notice), fear not! HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE opens here Friday, March 25.

Spring in Minneapolis with Red Stamp!

2011-03-01T09:03:00.000-06:00

It's Spring (ok, ok, it's March...not Spring...but I'm dying in this cold, so I'm going to pretend it's Spring), and we here at the Career Girl websites want to introduce you to one of our favorite companies - Red Stamp.

RedStamp.com is a phenomenal stationery company with one of the most beautiful selections of greeting cards, invitations, and more on the internet. Gorgeous! But our favorite Red Stamp product isn't on paper, but rather, on screen. The Red Stamp Blog, every month, publishes wallpapers for your computer, smart phone and iPad. This month is one of our favorite so far and we couldn't resist sharing it with you.

What a gorgeous Spring print. I never tire of Red Stamp's innovation and bright colors. So download it now by clicking here.

"Musts" for a trip to MSP

2011-02-07T11:38:00.000-06:00

Chicago Career Girl is making a trip back to MSP. In just 10 days, I'll be back in Minneapolis and I'm ecstatic. Chicago has, of course, been fantastic. But I'm missing my friends, I'm missing the city, and darnit, my "look" needs some updating. So I thought this would be a perfect time to plug my favorite spots to get glamorous in MSP.

I've been in Chicago just over two months, and though I desperately need a haircut, getting it from anyone other than Michael just sounds...wrong. So of course, Sudz was my first phone call when I knew I was heading back north for the weekend. If you're looking for an amazing cut (not to mention a fantastic personality from a stylist) and something that won't kill your pocketbook, check out Sudz.

Then comes the most important, albeit painful, portion of my trip. A wax with the phenomenal Kris at the Refinery. She's quick, she's sweet, and my brows have never framed my face better than when she does them. Anyone at the Refinery is amazing, but Kris is a goddess. So I'm heading there as well!

So yes, friends, I'm excited to see you. But I'm also excited that when you see me, I won't have my hair in a ponytail and fuzzy brows! MSP salons, here I come.

If you do nothing else today ...

2011-01-18T14:48:00.002-06:00

... WATCH THIS.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions — and offers three powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the C-suite.

It's a revolution

2011-01-04T11:12:00.000-06:00

I'm a big proponant of breakfast. Skipping breakfast will leave me off balance, hungry, cranky and less productive all day long. For years, I've been a peanut butter & jelly girl, as well as a frequent consumer copious amounts of breakfast cereal. Y'know in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" how Jason Segal's character eats cereal by the mixing-bowl full? I am often tempted to do the same when I get a fresh box of Life or Special K with Red Berries.

I'm not sure if it was the change in season, or if I had just burnt out on cereal and PBJ, but this fall I found myself picking up a box of a cute little box of Oat Revolution oatmeal at the grocery store. I'm sure the eye-catching packaging is what got me at first, but as I read the label, I discovered the contents were super healthy and free of any fake, chemically or mysterious ingredients. Intrigued, I bought two boxes and brought them to work the next day. (I like to eat breakfast while catching up on email, etc in the morning.)

Much to my delight, upon opening the lilliputian box I found the oatmeal packets doubled as a measuring cup! Each narrow pack has a "fill to" line that makes it easy to measure out the correct amount of water for each serving. Sheer genius! The lame ducks at Quaker tell you to pour in 2/3 a cup of water, but who keeps a measuring scoop at their desk? I was already in love with the Oat Revolution and I hadnt even tasted it yet!

After its recommended cooking time in the microwave, I sat down with my aromatic bowl of Maple & Brown sugar. As I took my first spoonful, it was like the heavens opened and the angels were singing! The flavor was rich, full and sweet but not-to-sweet. The texture was perfect, more like steel cut oats than typical microwave oatmeal. The thick, chewy oats had just a hint of crunch and were very satisfying. I was in love!

Not only had I found an oatmeal that tasted great, the product was smartly packaged and produced by company with serious brain power.

Find out for yourself - and save - with a great New Year BOGO giveaway I found on their Twitter page. Just Like them on Facebook to get the coupon.

New Year = New Challenge

2011-01-03T11:01:00.000-06:00

When I was working as a marketing manager at a small nonprofit, I considered it a success if I got through the day without shedding blood or tears. I ate whatever I felt like (I had to "reward" myself for surviving) and as it took every ounce of energy I had to drag myself down five flights of stairs to walk my dogs, the thought of going to the gym was laughable. By 10-11 pm I would collapse into bed, begging for morning to never come so that I wouldn't have to return to that awful, toxic workplace.

And then I was laid off.

While it was full of challenging land mines, suddenly I wanted to go for walks. I saved up money and bought myself a bike so I could pedal around town. I even rode my bike to yoga classes! My jeans started getting looser and my spirits were bright. I felt great!

When I got offered a contract to write and edit at a marketing agency, a mere mile from my apartment, I was overjoyed. Not only for the work - but for the proximity. Instead of firing up the Jetta and sitting in frustrating traffic, I tied my shoe laces, popped in my earphones and walked myself to the office. Upon arrival, I would feel fresh, bright, ready to take on the challenges of the day. My body got the movement it craved, and rewarded me by slimming my waist a bit every week. It was blissful. My walks home at night allowed me the time to quietly unwind from the day, stretch my legs again and arrive home feeling refreshed.

When the snowflakes began falling, I nearly wept at the loss of this beloved routine. While riding the bus has kept me from fighting rush hour and still keeps my contribution to co2 production low, it does nothing in the way of exercise. Unless you count shivering at the bus stop a form of exercise. After weeks of bus riding, I have begun to notice my jeans are tighter. My energy lower. My cheery outlook a little less cheerful.

Once upon a time, I would have just whined about it to the boyfriend and plopped down on the couch with a snack, to eat away my frustration. But today - rather than whine and eat, I'm determined to do something about it. While it will be easy to hop down the two flights of stairs to the gym in my apartment building, I want to do more than just work out. I want to make a bigger, more full-body change, to purge all the toxins that I've been carrying and to start the year with a fresh, healthy body ready to take on the new challenges waiting for me. I'm going to do a cleanse!

After some research and comparing the options, I've settled on the do-it-yourself version of the Blueprint Cleanse. While I would LOVE to do the full cleanse that involves receiving pre-made, pre-bottled juices in a cute little cooler right at your door, it comes with a hefty price tag. So while it will take more time and will require making my own juices, I'm excited for the book to arrive so that I can get started! The book features three program options that allow you to cleanse for one, three or 14 days. I plan to tackle the 14-day program first. With all the crap that I've collected, both mentally and physically, during the last year, I want to be rid of it all, and if it took a more than a year to build up, it will definitely take more than one or three days to expel.

I know it won't be easy - no diet coke, cheese or chocolate - and short-term side effects that range from skin breaking out to lethargy, I'm up for the challenge.

Bring on the juice!

365 Thank Yous

2010-12-16T11:39:00.001-06:00

Watching ABC this morning, I saw a profile on John Kralik, the author of the new book 365 Thank Yous. This man, going through a rough time in his life, turned to gratitude to help him through. So he set a New Years Resolution to write a thank you note every day for a year, and what he found was his life changed for the better and he realized his life wasn't so bad after all...he had a lot more than he thought to be thankful for. Click here for the full GMA report.

Now, I don't know about writing a thank you every day for a year (that's a mighty long resolution to keep), but the notion is inspiring, and I've gotten a taste of John's medicine this past week. I've had a meeting nearly every day since I got here with individuals willing to help me get my feet wet here in Chicago and start my jo search off on a positive note. And after every meeting, I've written a hand written thank you note as well as an email follow up. And it feels good.

How many times does someone do something for you where you think, in your head, "Hey, thanks!" What if every time that happened, you picked up a thank you note and wrote it down. Nothing fancy just a quick thanks and words of gratitude? Would your future interactions with that person change? Would you develop a deeper relationship? Would you feel better about yourself? You might.

Yesterday, I bought a new box of 50 thank you notes, ensuring I have the tools on hand to pick up a pen and send a note whenever I think, "Hey, thanks!" We can all learn from Mr. Kralick. Join in the gratitude trend!

Tuesday Shoesday: I pioneered this look!

2010-12-14T08:52:00.001-06:00

Last year, I ventured to DSW to find walking boots for my first vacation with Twitter Guy - to Chicago, ironically enough. And I bought a pair of boots I've gotten rave reviews on. You might remember, I profiled them here. Blowfish Motorcycle Boots:

Well now, low and behold, these cuff styled boots are everywhere. And I'm craving a new pair. So for Tuesday Shoesday this week, here's a couple of my favorites from Piperlime.

These are from Naughty Monkey (my former boss, who has a shoe collection to die for, swears by this brand) for $99.

These combine two of my favorite trends of the year - the cuff AND the clog front. $119.99 from Vince Camuto Coco.

Can long hair be professional?

2010-12-10T15:45:00.000-06:00

I have grappled with the issue of long hair and professionalism for years...literally years. So today, when Little Pink Book sent an email called "Long Hair in the Boardroom?" I simply had to weigh in.

I tend to keep my hair shoulder length or higher, in sort of a "bob." But over the past few years, I've had stints where I've grown it longer, and have gotten tons of compliments. Friends, parents, men...love my long hair. But for some reason, I don't feel professional when my hair is long. Because I have thick and wavy hair, I'm always afraid I'll start to look like a Disney teeney bopper with too many extensions. Case in point:

Then again, just a couple of years ago, Sandra Bullock starred in "The Proposal" and sported a surprisingly professional ponytail.

So here's the point where I pull my hair out. Which is it? At what point do I cross over from professional long hair to something that's just a little bit too much for the office. Especially if I ever want to wear my hair down to the office.

Do we live in a world where the skin tight suits of the Victoria's Secret models are becoming acceptable? And where long, sexy waves are appropriate for corporate America?

For now, I'll keep my shoulder length coif. It makes me feel more polished. And significantly diminishes blow dry time for my ridiculously thick hair. The dilemma continues.

What do you think?

What not to wear - men's edition

2010-12-07T16:48:00.000-06:00

I have crossed paths a few times with a rather stunning silver fox in my office building. He’s tall, slender, built like a snowboarder and dresses like one, too. When I first noticed him, I appreciated his youthful style. I mean, just because you’re 60-something doesn’t mean you have to dress like a bore. He dons the attire of your stereotypical web designer – trendy shoes, hip coat, spiffy messenger bag and smart short hair cut – I loved his rebellion against dress pants and tie.

And then I spotted the jeans. Low-slung, faux-beat-up, I’m-a-douche, obnoxiously embroidered back pocket, Ed Hardy jeans. I nearly gagged.

To be fair, I don’t think anyone should ever wear Ed Hardy jeans, unless they want to look like a frat-boy, rapper-wanna-be, cheap beer-swilling dumb ass. And if you do want to look like that, then thank you – because your jeans are like a red flag that warns women that you are sure to be an idiot and that passing you by will save us time and irritation.

But when you are a full grown adult – with sultry John Slattery silver hair to prove it – and you’re working in a professional office building, I see absolutely no reason why you should be wearing these jeans. Not even if they are the only pair of jeans that are clean – because you should never own these in the first place.

I just want to scream, “Really?!”

Today, the whole ensemble is topped off with a backwards knit beanie hat, complete with Monster Energy drink logo splayed above the mini-brim.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all-for reflecting your personality in your clothes. I am the first to kick off heels in favor of cute sneakers. I love, love, love that the creative environment I work in grants us the flexibility to dress casually, when appropriate (i.e.: when one is not meeting with clients) – in fact, I’m even wearing jeans, zip-up hoodie and sneakers today. (Chicago Career Girl is likely shaking her finger at me...) But backwards beanie hats and faux-worn Ed Hardy jeans should never be worn in an office. Ever.

That is all.

The wheels on the bus go round and round

2010-12-07T11:19:00.000-06:00

I grew up in a small-ish town in south central Minnesota. I went to high school in an even smaller town, so rural that kids rode snowmobiles to school in the winter. (I wish I was joking.) In our neck of the woods, you drove a car whenever you needed to get somewhere. There was a bus in town, but no one I knew ever used it. In our family, kids had to buy our own car – so at age 15, I got a waitressing job and started saving. By the time I was old enough, I bought myself one helluva sweet ride – a 1987 Acura Integra five-speed. (Damn, I loved that car!)

Years later, when I moved to the Twin Cities for college, my car (by then, a VW Jetta) came with me. I loved the independence and freedom car ownership granted me. I was never dependent on anyone and I relished the flexibility. After graduation, the cargo space of my Jetta made me useful at my marketing internships and jobs. I could pack a LOT of event gear, promotional materials and even a giant mascot costume into that cave-like trunk. To and from event sites, vendor locations, coffee runs and back to the office, my trusty Jetta got me where I needed to go.

And yet – when we were first dating, it came as a bit of a surprise to my (now) boyfriend that I had never ridden a bus. Wait – let me clarify. I had never ridden a bus in Minnesota - but I’ve been on my share of busses, trains, subways, boats, etc. in other cities, states and countries. Just not in my own! Not only had I never been on a Metro Transit bus – the notion of riding one made me surprisingly nervous. What if I do something wrong and the bus driver yells at me? What if I trip on the steps and fall? How do I tell the bus driver I want to stop? What if I get on the wrong bus and end up somewhere far away? These may seem ridiculous, but fear is rarely rational.

When I got hired in October, a major bonus of the job was its location: a mere NINE blocks from my new apartment. For the first time ever, my commute could be done on foot. No struggle with stalled traffic, no fight to find a parking spot, nor expensive parking fee. I simply popped in my ear buds and walked out the door, getting exercise while enjoying the fresh air, arriving about 10 minutes later at my new office. It was blissful.

And then it snowed.

I loved walking and didn’t want some pesky snow to get in my way, so donning my favorite Bog boots, I headed out. I told myself, “Downtown sidewalks are well shoveled! This will be fine!” I was wrong. Downtown sidewalks are NOT shoveled well. They are icy. Very icy. And the salty slush that clings to the ankle of my pants is just gross. So after a few more stubborn attempts, I finally waved my white flag and surrendered.

Reviewing my options, I knew if I considered driving nine blocks and paying to park, my mother would have my head examined. Car was promptly crossed off the list of options. My boyfriend could occasionally drop me off on his way to work in St. Paul, but his schedule is unpredictable so I couldn’t depend on him daily. For the same reasons as walking, riding my bike was not a viable choice - though there are some nutcase crazies out there that think it is a good idea to pedal in these conditions. The remaining option was staring me in the face, slightly smirking at this small town girl. RIDE THE BUS!

With a bit of dread and trepidation, I pulled up www.metrotransit.org on my computer. After spending a good hour studying the various route and time charts, I learned that the 7 bus stopped RIGHT outside my apartment door! And my proximity to downtown is so close that it would cost me a mere 50 cents to get to work. (Is ANYTHING 50 cents anymore?!) The Pros list was quickly growing long while my Cons list still only included my fear and loss of flexibility. With more studying of the site, coaching from the boyfriend and a deep desire to avoid icy walks in the dark, I soon felt prepared to plunge into the world of bus rides.

Messenger bag packed, travel mug filled with coffee and pocket stuffed with shiny quarters, I headed out the door into the bright morning light – only to watch the bus pull away from the stop. Shit. It seems these drivers can’t actually read my mind and don’t wait for you if you’re a few steps behind their schedule. Having memorized the schedule, I knew the next bus wouldn’t arrive for another 20 minutes and by then, I would be late for work. So off I shuffled down the icy street to work.

That night, determined to successfully ride the bus home, I left work a few minutes early and walked the two blocks to the nearest stop at 4^th and Nicollet. Only trouble was, there are four corners at the intersection and not one bus stop sign says which busses stop there. Not knowing which bus stop sign or corner to stand at, I attempted to watch all of them, thinking that if I could see the bus coming, I could just run over and get on. I still don’t understand where I went wrong, but 30 minutes later there was still no sign of the number 7 bus, so I gave up and walked home. My pride and independence was taking a beating.

This cat and mouse game went on for a few more days, until my boyfriend – the bus riding expert – reviewed the schedule closely and explained I need to arrive early (it seems arriving fashionably late is not en vogue with busses) and that I had probably been waiting at the wrong corner. Swallowing the last bit of remaining pride, I followed his advice and sure enough, it worked. (DAMMIT I hate when he is right.) I was officially a bus rider!

It’s only been a couple weeks, and the boyfriend has dropped me off most mornings, but with each ride I’m getting more confident and less fearful. I think it will take a while before I come to terms with the variance of arrival times –but gosh, do I appreciate avoiding icy sidewalks. I’m contemplating a car-free challenge, to see how many days I can go without driving my Jetta – but I need to get better at reading bus schedules before I make a serious commitment.

In the meantime, I’m celebrating my perseverance and bravery, as I send my bus riding phobia packing.

A locavore's shopping delight

2010-12-06T15:50:00.001-06:00

Friday evening, as the snow was falling and my Career Girl counterpart was cruising across state lines on her big transplant adventure, I was clicking along on the LRT, bound for the annual No Coast Craft-o-Rama. (What better way to cope with a friend moving than to shop?!)

For those not familiar with the Craft-o-Rama – it is a gathering of local artisans who create unique items ranging from jewelry made of recycled materials to t-shirts emblazoned with images of feminist theorists. This is NOT your grandmothers’ pot holder, macramé-filled sale. When trying to explain my boyfriend that it’s more like rebel crafts – he asked, “You mean like samplers embroidered with FUCK YOU?” With a grin, I said, “Yes, precisely.” On their website, No Coast explains that it been hosting the Craft-o-Rama annually since 2005 “as a way to feature a variety of designers, artists, crafters and other talented creators of unique handmade goods.”

Just a couple of recent college grads, a dear friend and I were at the very first sale back in 2005, so it was particularly special to return to the event. With eager anticipation, we arrived at the Midtown Global Market - credit cards at the ready - while most of the Twin Cities was sitting in traffic, slowed by the falling snow.

The Craft-o-Rama can be an overwhelming shopping experience thanks to the sheer number of vendors, shiny, colorful objects and crazed craft shoppers, but we lucked out and were among the few and the brave willing to venture out in the snow storm. It made for a relaxing evening that gave us the chance to catch up with each other – but also to talk to the artists about their creations. For me, meeting the maker of cute, clever and pretty pieces makes shopping doubly satisfying. Learning about their technique, inspiration and motivation brings life to something otherwise one-dimensional. This is what the locavore movement is all about and it feels rewarding to spend my hard-earned money when I can see the passion in the artist’s eyes and shake their talented hand.

Because I’m on a “pay off debt” campaign, I only bought a few things, but I was inspired and in awe of many, many lovely pieces and picked up a business card from each vendor that impressed me. Here is a run-down of my favorites, plus a few others worth honorable mention. (Heads up – this will be a long post because I can’t just tell you how great stuff was – I have to SHOW you!)

Julie Meyer – Handcrafted items with vintage flair

I bought a sweet set of these sandwich and snack bags. An eco-friendly, cost-effective and cute way to tote my breakfast toast to the office.

Hungry Dog Designs

Three of these adorable greeting card/paper doll/magnet creations came home with me, but only one will be living on my fridge. My brother living out of state will be the lucky recipient of one of the Luche Libre designs.

Ink Orchard – original woodcut printmaking

It’s a bummer Kendra Gebbie has only one piece on her Etsy site, because her woodcut designs are so pretty, they bring shame to every white lampshade ever made. I hope she posts more soon, so you can enjoy her more-than-mood-lighting lamps.

Adorn Jewelry – tiny framed wearables

Jewelry designers in the Twin Cities are a dime a dozen. Everyone knows someone who threads pretty trinkets on a string and calls them art. But Adorn Jewelry creates true works of art. From delicately framed photos to petite pendants with sprouts of faux moss, these distinctive pieces are anything but ordinary. Not to be overlooked, the Mother Bird Nest pendant is a clever take on a mother’s necklace and would make for a lovely mother’s day or push gift.

KM Stitchery – eco friendly feminist fashion

In past years, rebel art took a more prominent role at Craft-o-Rama. While the theme had flickering presence this year, KM Stitchery had the most bold, powerful messages of any vendor – each hand stenciled onto recycled clothing. True to their dedication to recycling, their business cards are made of repurposed paper board packaging, stamped with their logo and website on the blank side.

Adam Thurman

Not so much of an "up and comer” like many of the artists at Craft-o-Rama, Adam Thurman work can be found throughout the Twin Cities, you just might not know it. Reknown for his promotional prints for beer, bands and events, Adam has a penchant for illustrating bikes, cityscapes and pinups with his unique approach to screenprinting. The Minneapolis skyline with snow print I bought isn’t featured on his site yet, but you can see a sort of mini rendition on the cover of his 2011 calendar.

A representation of the stunning view from my former apartment, this print will soon be living on the wall of my new (stunning view-less) apartment, as soon as I find the appropriate frame.

Honorable mentions

Plushroom Soup – Sewing strange softies

Studio Mela – surround yourself in positivity

My Friend Jess – ridiculously cute stuff

Penguin & Fish

Uptown Urban Craft – Beautiful designs for women & children, bridal accessories & home goods

Just Another Day Designs – Stationery & invitations

LuSa Organics – Elevate your everyday

Finally, an open letter to all local artisans, small business owners and makers of wares:

If you want to be viewed as serious business owner and not someone who “happens” to sell cute stuff, have a website. It can be basic and simple, but for goodness sake, have an online presence. At a minimum, use Etsy. I can think of no reasonable argument for NOT making your work visible to the world on Etsy – unless, of course, you don’t want to actually make money by selling the things you make. In this age of technology, not having a website is equal to not having telephone number. You pretty much eliminate any opportunity for customers to find you – outside of a craft show. Any chance of word-of-mouth recommendations is shot to hell when there is no where to find your items.

On a lighter note, as you shop for your loved ones this holiday season, support our local economy by spending locally, and buy from Minnesota artists like these.

Happy shopping!

Hey There Career...Guy?

2010-12-03T10:27:00.001-06:00

We here at Minneapolis and Chicago Career Girl don't generally post advice from the male persuasion. But this was too good not to share.

Last night, while catching up on "The Apprentice", one of the contestants won a meeting with famed hotel developer (often called the King of Hotels) Barry Sternlicht, the founder of Starwood Properties. And Mr. Sternlicht said something that made me sit straight up in my seat and smile.

"Genius is perseverance in disguise."

Talk about a breakthrough moment, an a-ha statement. And it goes back to my own personal mantra, one that came from my father. I may not be the prettiest, I may not be the smartest, but damnit, I will always be the hardest working. Maybe hard work isn't the key, though. Maybe perseverance is. I don't have to be a natural genius to succeed, I don't have to be the smartest one in the room. I simple have to persevere, always. And that, my friends, I know I can do.

I'll take Mr. Sternlicht's words with me as I journey into "funemployment" and seek the next challenge for my life in Chicago. I will persevere...and hopefully someone will think I'm a genius.

Saying Goodbye to Minneapolis

2010-12-01T15:21:00.000-06:00

Less than 72 hours from now, the city of Minneapolis and all it contains will be a fading picture in my rear view mirror. And until about 24 hours ago, it really hadn't sunk in. But today...it has. It's impossible to go through a huge change like this one and not reflect on the journey it took to get here. When I first moved to Minneapolis, I was fresh out of college, scared and had no idea what was ahead of me. Today, I'm confident, strong, and filled with hope and excitement about the future.

I've lived in Minneapolis for 5 years, and while it's possible we may come back someday, I'd like to tell you a few of the things I'm going to miss most about this city (or cities)...and I'm going to try to make sure not all are food related! Ha!

The Guthrie - I think of everything I'll miss, this has to be the top of the list. There is nowhere like the Guthrie. A public space open late with wi-fi and a great view, plus no need to purchase anything in order to sit there all day long. Where else does that happen? I have spent countless hours working from the Guthrie, reading at the Guthrie or just sitting at the Guthrie. And I will miss it dearly.
Northeast - It didn't take me long to find a "small town" in a big city. Northeast was my home for over half the time I lived in MSP - and it deserves mention here.
Pizza Nea - yes, I realize I'm moving to pizza heaven. But damnit, I love Nea's Con Uovo pizza. Best thing ever. Who thought egg on pizza would be good? It is!
The 35-W/Crosstown Exchange - It's finally done and I have to leave. Crap.
Solera's Ruby Red Slippers and Ham and Cheese Croquettes - I've heard rumors of a croquette eating contest that once occurred with Solera staff. I would have won that contest. And put down about 5 Ruby Reds at the same time.

Obviously this list is sans people. So don't get all upset if I forgot something. These are just a few of the hundreds of things I'll think of daily about MSP and miss.

Tuesday Shoesday: Career Girl's Most Important Accessory

2010-11-30T10:26:00.001-06:00

For this Tuesday Shoesday, I'd like to pontificate upon one of my greatest pet peeves in life. Beat up shoes.

We all know how important an accessory our shoes are. Whether comfort or sexy, practical or "hooker-esque", our shoes say something about who we are, what we love, what we do, and how we get to and fro in our daily lives. But here's my biggest pet peeve about women and their shoes.

You can spend hundreds of dollars on an outfit, wearing the best designers with the perfect ensemble. You can flawlessly do your hair and your makeup and wear jewelry that perfectly compliments your outfit. But if your shoes are chewed up, old, scuffed, scratched or beat up, you look sloppy. Sloppy. There's no other word for it. Sloppy.

So do one of two things to avoid this horrible mishap in your wardrobe:

Find brands of shoes you love that you can replace every year as not to have them get cruddy. I'm a fan of DKNYC black pumps. They're under $100 and I can just buy a new pair (generally averaging ever 2 years) when the old ones get a little rugged.
Invest heavily in shoes and make sure you get them resoled and cleaned up by a fantastic cobbler every year.

Don't make your outfit a mistake by adding beat up shoes.

Tis the Season for Greeting...Cards.

2010-11-29T14:28:00.001-06:00

I have a confession...I am a bit of a Christmas psycho. I love it all - Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees...and above all else, Christmas cards. In fact, I recently sent a shameless email to my entire family (cousins, aunts, uncles, extended families, etc.) with my new Chicago address included so they'll send me adorable pictures of their kin this Christmas season. I love Christmas cards. Cutest pictures, even cuter letters. Seriously. How can you not love a Christmas letter written from the perspective of a cat?

But I digress...as I faced another dilemma. Should I also send out a Christmas card from Twitter Guy and I? We're not married...so is that weird? But then again, it might be nice to send a "hey, we moved to Chicago and here's a picture of us with our amazing skyline view, aren't you jealous" greeting. And my mind has now been made up thanks to the amazing folks at Shutterfly. Their Christmas cards are just TOO cute to pass up, even if I'm defying etiquette by doing so.

Here's a few of my favorites:

Naturally, moving to Chicago. This one would be appropriate. Click here to order.

What a fabulous way to chronicle a year and avoid the dreaded writing of the Christmas letter. What are the top 10 things that happened in your family this year? Click here to see more.

Shutterfly also has folded cards, for those of you who, like me, enjoy writing a personalized message to your friends and family inside. The one above is beautifully simple. Check it out here.

I've always had great luck with Shutterfly, and I would highly recommend them. Because what better way to greet someone for the holidays than to send them a shining picture of yourself? It's like Facebook Profile Pics for people without Facebook...like your Grandma.

And if you're a Blogger like me, take this opportunity to apply for 50 free cards from Shutterly. Click here to learn more about this special promotion for Bloggers.

Hear my roar

2010-11-29T14:15:00.000-06:00

The last 2 months have been surreal. I get up each morning, excited. I’m eager to get into the office. I am stress-free. The evils of Sunday nights – which once filled me with doom, dread and anger – are gone. No more am I stricken with a brutal case of the Mondays. So what changed?

My job.

For the last 2 months, I have been working on contract for a marketing agency as a copy editor / proofer / writer. It’s pretty much the job of my dreams – except Don Draper has yet to make an appearance. A year ago, this is the work I fantasized about: a job that required ones full devotion to words, creativity and the pursuit of nothing less than quality work. Who knew it would take getting laid off, an arduous battle to receive unemployment benefits and a six-month stint of joblessness to find myself in the land of my dreams?

As I look back, I am grateful for the path the universe set before me. Each challenge of the last year brought me one step closer to where I am today. While there were very, very dark days at my old job and battles of all shapes during unemployment, I wouldn’t trade it for anything because it brought me here. I believe Nicholas Sparks was right, when he wrote, "Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy” (Message in a Bottle).

Each time I was knocked down or faced a roadblock, I could have chosen to run away and hide or to eat and drink myself into oblivion - or to do any number of other useless, self-destructive things. During the first unemployed month, I favored sleeping or staring at the television. By about day 30, my insightful mother reminded me to rally my inner warrior and take control of my choices.

With her coaxing, I fought the temptations of sleep and television like an Amazon warrior. Each day presented a series of tiny battles to overcome the darkness. Get up. Walk the dogs. Shower. Look for a job. While these simple tasks once felt insurmountable, by visualizing myself as a warrior wielding a shiny sword and staring into the eyes of my nemesis, I was filled with powerful energy and took on the dragon. While I may have slept until 10 am each day, when I awoke, I picked up my sword and charged into the day with conviction. Whether my agenda for the day included job hunting or reading a book at the park with my dogs, I made the choice to set the agenda and was in control of my day.

By finding the “fighter” in me, I learned how capable and strong I am. While I had so often felt like a victim at my old job, I now possess the tools to keep myself safe. With the warrior voice roaring inside me, I have found a way to overcome.

I believe that the treacherous path I fought my way down led me to where I am today; to a job that brings me pleasure, joy and satisfaction. Today, when I am dealing with a challenging project or dilemma, my warrior comes out and the battle reminds me that something worthwhile is waiting on the horizon.

Ask for what you need.

2010-11-24T09:35:00.001-06:00

As I close my time at my current job (only 6 work days left), I find myself reflecting on what I've learned here...not just skills wise, but what I've learned about myself. And one of the things I've learned also comes from Twitter Guy - ask for what you need. It's a huge fault of mine. I don't ask for what I need. In fact, I don't generally ask for much. Instead, I try to do it all myself. Now, most of the time this works. I've had a successful career built on the "do it myself" mentality. But in many ways, I've learned to ask for what I need. If I need my boss to call someone for increased effectiveness, I ask her to.

But here's the question I'm pondering lately. What if you don't know what it is you need? What if you know you need something...someone...to step in and help you, but you just can't figure out exactly what you want them to do? Then what? Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you tell someone "I know I need something, but I don't know what" are you risking sounding whiny and unsure of yourself? Or are you honoring your current state of missing knowledge?

So I suppose it's one more lesson I have to learn. Not just to ask for what I need - but to ask for help, even when I don't know what it looks like.

Used.

2010-11-23T15:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you can listen to a song over and over again and never really quite understand the meaning of it until it happens to you. Jason Aldean sings, "A grown woman should've known better than to treat me like some lipstick you use up and throw away." Obviously this song is about a slighted lover...but it applies whenever you feel "used" in your life. And for this Chicago Career Girl, that time is now.

I've learned an important lesson these past few days (a number of important lessons). But one strikes me as most important. Never. Ever. Give away the skills you should be paid for.

In my industry, I'm asked to "donate" my time often. On events committees, planning parties, etc. Being in events gives everyone the hope you can help them make their event the best it can be, but of course, for free. And generally, I don't mind giving advice. But know that's what you're doing. Giving. Every hour, every idea, every effort you expend for a donated project is just that - donated. Given away. Forfeited. You can never get that idea back. And you stand the chance of feeling...used...much like I do today.

I'm not advocating for a world where no one volunteers. Donate time if you can. But do it only for organizations, individuals and friends who are truly grateful for your time and your effort. Look out for your skills, your ideas, and your time. And make sure it doesn't get used and thrown away like an old tube of lipstick.

Call me Betty Crocker

2010-11-22T16:06:00.001-06:00

I grew up a very well-fed girl with a mother who is more than a good cook, she ranks somewhere about great. Not only can she make great meals, but she can figure out how to replicate dishes we enjoy at restaurants. And when missing an ingredient for a recipe, she knows just what to use in its place. She follows recipes loosely, working from memory or instinct – or just magic? – to make a dish delicious.

Her daughters, however, did not inherit these skills. (It’s still a mystery as to how/why baby brother did …) When it comes to cooking, the two of us count the microwave as our favorite cooking utensil. Meals by us are often spaghetti, quesadillas, peanut butter & jelly and if we are feeling wild, a veggie burger. I don’t know if we simply took her skill for granted or if we never really watched what she was doing, but I cannot explain why having spent hundreds of hours with her in the kitchen, we can do little more than boil water and fry an egg.

So you can imagine how surprising it was – to me as much as others – when I volunteered to cook not one – but TWO dishes for one of the Thanksgiving gatherings I’m attending. Has insanity actually taken over my mind? Or has my ambition gotten the better of me? I partially blame all the food-porn sites and magazines that I spend so much time drooling over. It seems you can’t “just read the articles” of these publications without the images eventually influencing your actions and behavior. (Which I believe is also true of select magazines “read” by men – but let’s not get distracted.)

Having committed myself to creating a vegetarian curried sweet potato pot pie in addition to baking a pumpkin pie to enter into the 1^st annual pumpkin pie throw down, I now find myself excited, terrified and hungry.

Historically, one of my major cooking weaknesses is lack of preparation. I’ll grab a recipe and some ingredients and leap into cooking, without reviewing the recipe and breaking down the steps, only to get to the end and find out I didn’t preheat the oven or left out a critical ingredient. My first solo cooking experience involved a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Not until the noodles were cooked and the weird orange powder was mixed in did I notice the step calling for draining the water. For lunch that day I “enjoyed” a strange orange cheese and noodle soup.

For the first time, I am determined to succeed! I’ve already gotten the pot pie recipe from my amazingly talented mother and I think I have settled on a Martha Stewart recipe for Pumpkin Cream Pie with a ginger snap crust, to submit in the big pie baking contest. Yesterday the boyfriend and I shopped for groceries and I carefully constructed the shopping list based upon needed ingredients – it took two stores to get everything, but they are now waiting patiently in the cupboard. And by some amazing grace of the cooking gods, my company surprised us today with the announcement of the office being closed Wednesday, so I have an entire day to do nothing but cook!

Having remembered my mac & cheese debacle, I brought the pot pie recipe to work so I could study it during down-time. And it’s a good thing I did, because while waiting for an assignment to come my way, I found that the recipe is written in a really disjointed manner. It includes a long list of ingredients – 21 to be exact – and the “directions” say things like “add next 9 ingredients.” WTF? The ingredients aren’t numbered! Nor is there an obvious batch of nine, making it easy to identify. Instead, you have to carefully read the list, counting the ingredients and notice the desired nine items start at the bottom of one column and then jump to the top of the second column. It took several reads and at least five minutes to solve that little puzzle – which surely would have put me into a confused tizzy had I been trying to find a solution while up to my elbows in sweet potato and curry. HUZZAH for pre-reading! I already feel like I’m succeeding at this adventure and I’m not even in the kitchen!

This discovery gave me the idea to rewrite the recipe, breaking down the directions into smaller, highly-detailed steps that will make for smoother cooking on Wednesday. For example, the very last instruction in the recipe is to bake in a preheated oven – but there is no mention of preheating at the START of the directions! Had I not found that backwards instruction today, the finished pie would have sat on the counter, waiting for the oven to heat up. Instead, my directions now list preheating the oven to 400 degrees in step one. [Please hold your applause.]

Only time will tell if my planning and preparation pay off, but I’m grinning with pride at my efforts to set myself up for success. Stay tuned for the big results!

Thankful.

2010-11-22T10:20:00.000-06:00

The last few days have been...challenging...to say the least. I've lost trust in individuals I believed I could trust. And I've learned that others have been shielding me from difficult information. And all in all, that's not easy. More tears than I care to count, more anxieties than I need, more doubts than ever before. The thoughts come up - can I really move to Chicago with everything that's going on? Can I really abandon the hope of relationships with some people and move away to start new ones? I suppose I can...because I am.

So as I navigate through what's been a very difficult few days, I'm turning my attention to the things in my life I'm most thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

My partner in life. He, without a doubt, gets me through the days both good and bad.
The health of my parents. Something none of us should ever take for granted.
My niece and nephew and my beautiful brother and sister-in-law. Their smiling faces light up my life, and the strength and love inside their family reminds me of the strength and love we have in our entire family.
The friends who have been supportive to me in the transition I'm making to Chicago. You'd be surprise that some tend to disappear. But others stand with you and stay in the moment and it makes all the difference.
My home in Chicago and my good fortune to have a partner whose job affords me the time I need to build a strong foundation in Chicago and network into the right job, not just any job.

There are so many more...but for now, these are my "thanksgivings" for this holiday season. I sincerely hope they will line up in front of me clearly when other issues attempt to get in my way.

Form and Function: Snow edition.

2010-11-18T18:31:00.000-06:00

In a climate where snow/slush/sleet/ice is reality for us during a majority of calendar months, developing coping mechanisms is the key to successful survival.

While there are staple survival skills we learn at a young age – how to drive on snowy roads, always wear layers, keep snacks and a shovel in your trunk – developing an eye for winter function AND form is what sets us apart from the pack. Sure, classic Sorel boots will keep you warm and dry on your way to the office, but do we really want to borrow from Paul Bunyan’s closet? Plus, they weigh a small ton and the tell-tale “clomping” sound of each footstep doesn’t exactly instill a sense of professionalism amongst colleagues.

Enter Bogs.

Water-proof. Insulated. Non-slip soles. Breathable. Adorable.

I’ve had my Classic Mid pair for more than a year and I cannot imagine how I survived winters before them. They are great for walking my dogs in deep snow or heavy slush and the non-slip soles keep me from falling on slippery sidewalks. They slip on easily, conform comfortably to my feet and are so lightweight that I have been known to wear them around the office for hours before remembering to swap out for my mary janes. And it doesn’t hurt that they get compliments routinely. So cute and non-boot looking, are they, that a coworker thought they my shoes peeking out from my pant leg. She was stunned when I showed her they were actually boots.

So when Chicago Career Girl mentioned she was on the hunt for a pair of boots to help her survive the wicked-wet cold of Chicago winter, I immediately directed her to the Bogs website. Go get yourself a pair and show others how form and function are possible – even during the fiercest winter weather.

A Test of Trust

2010-11-15T23:30:00.000-06:00

Trust is a basic instinct. But oddly enough, it's based on fear. An infant cries out of fear...or discomfort...and when the baby is comforted, its instinct is to trust the person doing the comforting. I read an article about this concept today and the conclusive fact was this: children who experience great comforting as children exhibit more trust as adults than those who are neglected. Not exactly a revelation in the human experience, but I began to think - does this same fear, trust, fear, trust cycle apply to relationships? And what happens when the comfort isn't easy to come by?

Past relationships, experiences, etc. have made me an incredibly distrusting person. I trust slowly, carefully and with great caution. And even then, my motto is generally trust, but verify. So it's no surprise to me that being away from the person I love for weeks at a time has proven a test of trust for me. Less so than I'd thought, but nonetheless, a test. But more than anything, I'm learning what it feels like to fear, but then miss the comfort that creates trust. With Twitter Guy physically away from me, I can't receive the comfort I want when I'm full of fear or doubt.

The experience has been a test - but more than that, a test I've generally passed. When I fear, when I doubt, now I have to learn to "self-soothe." It's a part of the process of learning to trust entirely. And after years of distrust and fear, I'm finally learning to trust. I suppose I should thank my parents for the years of comfort creating a trusting child. Maybe after all, that's what stays with you - not the negative experiences that sometimes destroy it later in life.

Working the Weekend

2010-11-14T12:15:00.000-06:00

In my previous job, I had a boss who didn't "approve" of certain tasks happening on "company time." Tedious things like stuffing envelopes, for example. If an employee were to take an hour or two out of their day to stuff a mailing at their desk, boss would likely say something like, "Can't you do that at home?" and imply that tasks like that shouldn't be done on "company time" even though they're "company work."

And in some ways, I still tend to agree with her. I can just as easily re-label 1,000 envelopes while watching Project Runway as I can at my desk - so generally, I take tasks like this home. But as I've developed this belief in my career, I realize it applies somewhere else, too.....weekends.

I relegate slow going, annoying jobs to the weekend. I simply can't justify doing them on a Thursday when I should be making progress and clipping through my to-do list. So today, on a Sunday, I'm in the office creating a huge 200+ slide photo PowerPoint - because the time consuming nature of it just didn't need to be done on a week day. Healthy? Not sure. Productive? Absolutely! Though some would disagree, I see this as just one more way I get a leg up on the competition and a little bit better productivity than others - I'm willing to sit in my office doing something on a Sunday so I have more time to be productive during business hours.

There's no rest when you're climbing the ladder, folks.

Just go, already!

2010-11-11T13:51:00.002-06:00

In high school, a friend's grandfather said of me, "That girl has two speeds; stop and go!"And he was right - absolutely, unequivocally right.

This summer, I had a massive fail at a 10K race. And looking back, I wasn't prepared for it. But more than anything, what got me hung up was the delayed start.

It's the same feeling I have now. Four weeks from now, I will be in Chicago permanently embarking on a networking whirlwind. I literally have at least 10 people who are "waiting for my call" when I get there to get the ball rolling. And that's awesome. But I'm going crazy waiting for "go." I just keep telling myself to do what I wish I had done at that 10K - wait, relax, focus on the moment I'm in, and know that when the time comes, it will be ok. But until then, I sit, ready to go.

Introducing Minneaplis Career Girl - Wait, that's me....no.

2010-11-10T12:02:00.000-06:00

Many have asked...."What's going to happen to Minneapolis Career Girl when you move to Chicago?" And until now, I've kept the answer under wraps. But now, I'll let you in on the secret.

You see, Minneapolis Career Girl has never been intended to end in Minneapolis. For years, I've had the dream of Minneapolis Career Girl becoming Cincinnati Career Girl and Seattle Career Girl - Career Girls all over the country blogging for change for women and advancement for girls. It's a long road to success, and Minneapolis isn't the only city on the map. So as of today, I am becoming, officially "Chicago Career Girl." And one of my best friends in life will now become my BFF in blogging, taking over the identity of "Minneapolis Career Girl."

Both of us will post on both www.minneapoliscareergirl.com and www.chicagocareergirl.com. So I encourage you to put both on your RSS/Google Reader/whatever it is you choose to use to organize your blogs. Some posts will be more Minneapolis geared - restaurant reviews, etc. Some will be more Chicago geared. So those posts will only end up on the blog they pertain to. But career advice, love, excitement, it'll all end up on both blogs simultaneously. At least for a while.

So - keep following me, Chicago Career Girl, as I transition my life, my health, my stress, and my love to Chicago. And meet the new Minneapolis Career Girl.

Yanked from the Nest

2010-11-09T16:33:00.000-06:00

I've been staring at a blinking cursor for what seems like forever now, trying to decide what to write. Knowing how I feel, knowing what's going on in my heart - but not knowing how to characterize it. Simultaneously, this weekend was the most wonderful and the most horrible I've experienced lately. Wonderful up until about 3:30pm yesterday. Horrible because...I had to leave.

I spent the weekend "nesting" (see photo above for the all important nest reference). I put away clothes, organized drawers, hung pictures - all with the most important part of my nest standing next to me. Twitter Guy and I made our house (or apartment, rather) into a home. For the first time, something was "ours" - living together in Minneapolis, the home we inhabited was once just "mine" before it became "ours" - and it's hard to ever totally remove that feeling. But this place, our place, is just that. It's "ours". And in just a couple of short days, I felt at home, more so than I'd felt in a very long time.

So imagine the torturous feeling of finding a home, finding peace, finding exactly where you are supposed to be...and then having to leave...for a month...and imagine life going on there without you.

The upside is, I know unequivocally that we did the right thing. I know, without a doubt, that Chicago is the right place for me, for us, for the next step in our lives. And I can't wait to get there and start the journey to finding out what the next career move is for me and really exploring who I am vs. what I do.

But for today, though I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm just plain, flat, sad. Sad. That's all I can say, it's all I can muster. Whiny? Yes. Don't care. Just sad.

Heading "Home" Tonight

2010-11-05T16:07:00.000-05:00

I'm flying "home" tonight. "Home" being Chicago. I mean, that's where Twitter Guy and my cat and my new house and my stuff all are...so does that make it my "home" yet? Who knows! But nonetheless, in 3 hours, I will be on a plane leaving the MSP airport and headed to CHI! And boy, am I excited.

Originally, Twitter Guy and I hadn't planned on my traveling to Chicago at all before I move permanently in December. But last weekend when our furniture and boxes were delivered on Sunday and he started his job on Monday, I heard something in his voice I'd never heard before - a little tiny bit of panic. At first, we thought, "Sure, he can live in boxes for 5 weeks until I move down." But the reality of not knowing where anything is and working all hours of the day starting a new job...doesn't work out the way we thought.

So my mission this weekend is solely this - unpacking. Getting the house set up so he can live comfortably for the next four weeks until I join him. And hopefully we'll have a little time leftover for some deep dish pizza and maybe a stroll up Michigan Avenue. Excited to be in my new home for a few days.

Back on Monday, all!

Thursday Purseday

2010-11-04T10:54:00.000-05:00

I have about 1,000 (ok, maybe less) purses. But isn't it always the case that you never have exactly the one you want.

As I prepare to move to Chicago and embark on my "networking whirlwind" I realize I really don't have an appropriate bag. I have purses, I have briefcases, I have laptop bags. But I don't have something that is both professional enough to take to an interview and comfortable enough to carry around all day on the CTA if I only have one meeting in a day but need to be out and about without looking like I'm carrying a briefcase.

The search is on...and here's my favorite so far (except for the whole $495 price tag). This is Foley + Corinna from Bloomingdales. What I love is that it's large enough to hold files and a computer - but it's also convertible to make room for a smaller purse day.

Don't Settle: Jobs Edition

2010-11-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

After yesterday's post, I had more reaction privately than I think I've ever had on a post. I'm glad this struck a core with so many of my friends and readers. But I never thought yesterday's post would have such a profound impact on one person - ME!

As I was re-reading my post yesterday, one sentence stood out. "Trying to make a relationship work with men that really don't fit their lifestyle or criteria just to avoid being...oh, god....alone." And in it, I substituted these words. "Trying to make a position work with a company/path that doesn't fit my lifestyle or criteria just to avoid being...oh, god...unemployed."

I had a stack of jobs to apply to last night in Chicago. And as I re-read this sentence, I threw out half of them. What the hell was I doing applying for "Events Coordinator" positions? I'm two levels above that now - why would I apply for a position I clearly have already surpassed professionally? Because I'm afraid. Just like so many women are afraid they'll "never find a man", I'm unbelievably afraid I'll "never find a job."

And in my head I hear my father say things like, "a job is a job" and "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." But I must remember to hear my own voice and my own ambitions and intentions here. I am leaving Minneapolis to pursue the next opportunity - not the next paycheck. I am making Chicago my next conquest, not my next dead end.

So in the end, my "Don't Settle" advice wasn't just for single ladies...but for everyone. The moral of the story is to trust yourself and your abilities and the knowledge that you know what's best for you and what you deserve. Trust and don't settle, and you (or rather, I) will be fine.

Tuesday Shoesday

2010-11-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

I've been itching for a fabulous huge platform. I love them - they're my favorite. I'm short, damnit.

I found this un-be-lieve-able wedge by Robert Clergerie at Nordstrom. In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I die." But at $795...my search continues.

Enter Carlos by Carlos Santana from Piperlime. If you haven't tried on a pair of Santana's shoes, you should. They are surprisingly comfy. I do wish they had a closed toe. But overall, pretty sweet for $700 less than the pair above.

Don't Settle

2010-11-02T09:09:00.000-05:00

As little girls, when we pick up a flower like the one above, somewhere along the lines, we're taught to pick the petals and say, "He loves me. He loves me not." Hoping the whole time that the last flower proves the object of our little girl affection "Loves me." Never in this scenario did our mothers teach us to pull a petal off the flower and say, "Do we have something in common? Do I love him? Will he make me happy? Do we share the same goals?" and so on and so forth, you get the point.

Is this (and so many other "lies told to little girls") the root of many women's dating problems? Are women settling because they believe they should just feel lucky if someone...anyone...loves them?

I can speak to this topic because I was one of these women. At a young age, I believed I should be lucky just have a man like me - and really, beggars can't be choosers. So I suffered through a relationship that made me miserable, married a person I, in hindsight, never really loved, and all the while wondered why I was A) miserable an B) an absolutely terrible partner for this man. I mean, hadn't I won the lottery? I picked the last flower and it said, "Loves me." Wasn't that enough?

Now, years later, I see my friends and family members doing exactly what I did - settling. Trying to make a relationship work with men that really don't fit their lifestyle or criteria just to avoid being...oh, god....alone. Trust me, I understand this. Going through a nasty divorce and then becoming what I like to call a professional dater gave me many a night to be nastily lonely. I get it.

But without sounding too preachy, it does happen. All those things you're trying to make that guy be...and he's not. You can find them in someone else. And you will. If your heart is open and you stop picking the petals off the flower wishing for this mystery man to love you. Don't settle. You deserve the love you've always wanted. Don't settle. Ladies, you deserve the best...not any smaller version of it.

Living from a Suitcase...well, sort of...

2010-10-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

For someone who loves to travel, I must admit...I am a terrible traveler. I get stressed easily, I hate crowds in general, and I tend to get tired and a little overwhelmed. Traveling back from Mexico, though, I kept telling myself, "You have spent five days relaxed. Don't ruin it by freaking out because of airport mishaps." So I did. Until we got to baggage claim in Minneapolis. Walking out to baggage claim, realizing we couldn't go back to our house. All of our stuff had been picked up and moved to Chicago while we were in Mexico. And all of sudden, it hit me. I turned to Twitter Guy and began to sob these words, "I don't have a home."

I unpacked at my new temporary home today - got myself organized into a closet and don't have to live entirely out of a suitcase, which will be nice.

But overall, I had no idea how hard this was going to be. Suddenly not having any of "my own" things. My couch, my piano, my favorite fleece blanket, my DVR, and most importantly, Twitter Guy and our adorable cat Betsey - who have migrated to Chicago already.

It's only a month - I'm just going to repeat that to myself over and over again. It's only a month. And I do have a home. Twitter Guy moved in there yesterday - and even though I'm not physically there, I'm there in every way I can be. And for now, to be honest, I've kind of enjoyed staying in my pajamas and watching crappy television all day...because I honestly didn't have anything else to do. Don't worry, I'm going out with friends tonight! Ha, not totally isolated!

Me encanta Mexico!

2010-10-29T11:39:00.000-05:00

Six days on the Mexican Riviera have left me feeling....refreshed...relaxed...beautiful...sexy...loved...and in pain (broken toes are not fun. More about that later.)

Honestly, I could not have even projected how much this vacation would do for me. I could not have projected how much fun I would have or how rejuvenated I would feel after. The beach is healing, truly truly healing.

We had "big plans" of exploring the area - seeing the Mayan ruins, checking out remote towns in the area. But I will admit, we didn't leave the resort once! With Twitter Guy starting his new job in Chi-town on Monday and the two of us spending 5 weeks away from one another, we simply used the time to lay on the beach, read, hold hands, and connect with one another before we part for a while. And it was magical.

The food, the drinks, the pools, the beach, the lounge chairs. All of it. I can't say enough! If you're looking for a resort in the Riviera, check out the Secrets Line. We stayed at Silversands and LOVED IT!

Vacation Reading

2010-10-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, Twitter Guy and I leave for MEXICO! So excited I could just BURST. I have never done a beach vacation. Every vacation I've ever been on has been an excursion vacation - what can we do/see/accomplish in this day/week/etc. This is the first time in my life that I'm taking a vacation purely for the sake of relaxation and regeneration....and maybe a little romance. With Twitter Guy moving to Chicago next weekend and me staying here for a month or so, it's going to be tough to be away from him. And I'm glad we'll have a week together to just be for a while.

But I'm also excited about reading! I love to read - always have. But I get so busy, it's tough to really dive into a book and find the time to finish it before I get distracted and forget I was reading it in the first place. So I'm excited to read a few books I've been pining for for months.

Here's my Mexico reading list - I'll let you know how it goes:

Get Ahead by Going Abroad - I came across this book almost 3 years ago when researching potential speakers for a conference and one was the co-author Stacie Berdan. Berdan and Yeatman chronicle the fast-track a woman, specifically, can take to get to "the top" by taking a position abroad. Specifically geared at the corporate sector, the book gives a case for working internationally to get ahead. International work has always been a dream of mine, so I'm excited to hear their stories.

Make a Name for Yourself - Definitely excited about this one. I love brand strategy, but I struggle with my own "personal branding". I wish I could be as concise as my idol Nicole Williams who calls her personal brand "communications diva". So clever, so easy, so clear. I'm hoping robin Fisher Roffer can help me to clarify my own personal brand so I have something more succinct when networking next month.

There's a few more on my list - but these are the two I definitely want to get through! So excited!

My Inner Voice

2010-10-22T09:43:00.000-05:00

I've already discovered what the most difficult part of this transition is going to be - quieting the voices outside of myself and continuing to listen only to my most authentic inner voice and trust it.

The truth is, I'm about the least trusting person you will ever meet. I've always been that way. I don't trust people, I don't trust facts, and I definitely don't trust myself. And the events of the last few years haven't made this trait any better in myself.

But now is the time where I need to trust myself. My inner voice, my authentic voice says, "You're doing the right thing. You will find a job that fulfills you and challenges you. Leaving your current position is necessary for you to take this journey. You cannot take it in Minneapolis - you have to go take this journey in Chicago...together with someone who believes in you." And I have to remember to listen to that voice above all else. I cannot hear the "what ifs" and the "oh my god, what did I do's". I have to believe in myself and continue to quiet the negativity and bring only the greatest authenticity to the forefront.

As "hokey" as it sounds, all of the "authentic inner voice" blah blah blah, it's true. Listening to yourself first is so important - because only you really know the truth about what's "good" or "right" for you.

Leap of Faith

2010-10-19T09:51:00.000-05:00

I just took the biggest leap of faith in my life. I quit my job. Without another job. I feel the need to type that again...just to be sure it's true. I quit my job. Without another job.

After multiple coaching meetings with my mentors and umpteen conversations between Twitter Guy and I, it's become clear that my Chicago job search will be more effective if I am, in fact, in Chicago.

So...effective December 3rd, I will no longer be Minneapolis Career Girl. Rather, I suppose, I will be "Chicago Searching for a Career Girl."

But overall, I feel confident in my choice. Pounding the pavement every single day, networking my arse off, and getting my name out there in Chicago is going to be ten fold more effective than blanketing resumes from Minneapolis.

It's a great big leap of faith...but I feel resolved. With both feet on the ground, feeling stable and ready to walk forward with confidence. I take a leap of faith, knowing I will land softly in the place I am meant to be.

Don't get sick, don't get sick, don't get sick.

2010-10-13T12:49:00.000-05:00

I literally CANNOT afford to get sick. I have waaaay too much going on. Twitter Guy's sister's wedding, Mexico, packing for Chicago...blah blah blah.

But of course, I have felt for about 24 hours like hell. I feel crappy. My throat hurts, I'm sniffly, I'm lethargic. I want to crawl under the covers. And yet - I have so much to do, I could literally work 24 hours a day and not get it all done.

May the universe smile down on me and make me feel better instantly!

Fat is a Four Letter Word!

2010-10-11T16:36:00.000-05:00

The word disgusts me, even today. Fat. Because, you see, I think it's safe to say I was never skin and bones. No one ever called me "skinny" as a child. And it just got worse as I became an adult.

But this weekend, I had an awakening...one that, frankly, hurt. I was going through my "keepsake" boxes, in an attempt to get it down to one for the big Chicago move. And I sorted through photo after photo after photo of grade school, junior high, high school...and I thought to myself - I wasn't all that much bigger than "insert name of friend here." How was it that I thought I was so much bigger than her?

Junior high was the hardest to see. I looked at pictures of our 6th grade party - I wore a smiley face t-shirt and black elephant pants (they were in!) and in one photo, I'm standing next to three other girls from my class - girls I might have called "skinny". And in all honest truth, I probably weighed 15 lbs more than they did - and probably had a fuller face. But overall, we were pretty similar sized.

You wouldn't know it by the way I felt - or what the torturous little 6th grade boys said. Maybe it was because I had breasts earlier than most, but for whatever reason, I always felt like the "fat girl."

And now....15 years later....I've actually been the fat girl. And now I'm the fit girl, not the fat girl. But no matter how far the journey came or how long it took, I can't help but ask myself this question, "How different would my life have been if no one had ever called me fat?"

In honor of that little girl - the one who felt like the fattest girl in the class, I beg of you - banish this word from your vocabulary - especially if you have children. Friends don't let friends "fat talk."

It's Official - Chicago!

2010-10-11T08:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I've held back from an official announcement - but I'm pretty sure everyone who needs to know in real life knows...so it can become public blog knowledge. Twitter Guy and I are moving to Chicago!

This whole thing has happened really fast. We talked in July about moving, and specifically talked about Chicago. We flew to Chicago in September where we both had interviews. Mine turned out to be more of an informational interview than anything else. But Twitter Guy's turned out into a job offer. So he's accepted a position with a large corporation based in Chicago and will be starting his position on November 1st. This immediately following his sister's wedding this weekend and a trip to Mexico the week after! But that's life.

I don't have a position yet - but I'm on the prowl. If you have any Chi-town leads in marketing, events, community relations, etc. drop me a line at minneapoliscareergirl at gmail dot com. So the original plan was that I would stay in our place until the first of the year or so and then head down when I get a job.

But sometimes things move fast. We wanted to get out of our lease, and our apartment rented...in two days. So we need to be out of our apartment by Nov. 1 as well and I'll be living in Twitter Guy's parents' spare room.

Send good thoughts my way for the perfect job to magically appear and for me to be in Chicago by the 1st of the year! More job search posts to come, I'm sure.

TC 10 Mile Race Recap

2010-10-04T16:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm alive. So I guess that means I made it through my first 10 miler! And I suppose the fact that I'm calling it my first 10 miler means I'm not hurting enough to rule out the possibility of another!

Overall, the race was good. We got to the Dome at about 6:50am and had literally just enough time for Twitter Guy to hit the portapotty and get in our corral before start. We were in the last corral (I'm slow, I know, get over it!), and though we were told by SOOO many people that the first mile is just a "shuffle" - I didn't feel like it was. We were able to get to a decent pace at least by the time we hit the Guthrie.

The most discouraging part of the day was this: Juan (this is the nickname I have for the voice of the man on my Nike Plus) is a liar. For those of you who aren't runners - the Nike Plus is a sensor that goes on your shoe and tracks both your running distance and pace. Then, in your ear through your iPod, it tells you things like, "Distance: 1 mile, Time: 12 minutes, Current Pace: 12 minutes per mile." I named him Juan because until Sunday, I loved him. And I used him in the race to pace ourselves and not go too fast out the gate.

But Juan is a liar. At the mile 3 mile marker, Juan believed we were at mile 3.3. And it just got worse. He "finished the race" at about 9.1. I wanted to throw Juan in the garbage and he was truly discouraging.

But other than that, here's my ups and downs of the race:

Ups (thinks that make me go wooooo!):

The spectators. People cheer you along the whole way and it was great. Specifically our families were amazing. Seeing my parents, Twitter Guy's parents and his sister and her fiance and puppy was awesome. It really gave me an energy boost.
The water stops - each is sponsored by a different Twin Cities company, so these are really great energy builders. Whether it's Target or Piper or ING, there are tons of people screaming for you and encouraging you to keep going. It was awesome.
I loved the number of runners! There were so many people around, it was great motivation and mutual excitement for everyone.
The fact that we finished. And the finish line in general. One of Twitter Guy's awesome law school friends cheered us on about mile 9.5 and boy did I need it at that point! But crossing the finish was awesome.

Downs (thinks that make me go yuck):

The hills - I know, I know, hills are part of the deal. But I hated them.
The last 5 miles of the course. The first 5 were amazing - you see the river and it winds along river road. You always feel like it's something new to see and experience. And then you hit Summit - and frankly, I got bored. Running straight at a slight incline for 5 miles is definitely not my bag. I tend to run here there and everywhere, so running in a straight line on one street for 5 miles got really super old.
The marathon signage mixed with the 10 mile signage was deceiving for me. For instance, you hit the "20 mile marker" and the announcers there are shouting that you're at 4 miles, but you're really not. You still have .2 miles to go to get to 4. It just made the miles feel longer to me.

Overall, it was a great race. Definitely ran slower than I thought I would...but part of that is because I was training with my Nike Plus and he told me I was faster than I really am. Damn you, Juan. So 2:18 was the final chip time, and I feel good about that.

Still thinking a half marathon might be next on the docket - but let's wait for me to stop walking like an old lady before making that decision. For now, I'm just excited to exercise for the sake of endorphins and not for the sake of training.

It's almost here!

2010-09-29T12:42:00.000-05:00

After months of training and anticipation, and really - nearly 10 months of leading up to this. The date is almost here! THE TC 10 MILE IS SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!

Sunday, I ran my last long training run of 8 miles - and I'd be lying if I said I weren't a little emotional. Actually - a lot emotional. After the run, I lay on my bed thinking about everything that has happened regarding my running self in the last 10 months.

A few highlights stuck out in my head:

That first day. When my trainer, Matt, said, "We're going to run today." And I replied, "Umm, no. I don't run." He pushed me and eventually got me to conceded to running just 30 seconds. And after realizing I not only could do it, but that I wasn't even winded doing it...I kept going.
Laboring through on the treadmill to get to 10 minutes. I remember the first week I ever had to run 8 minutes straight I was so terrified, I avoided it for three days!
The first time I ran 20 minutes for the first time was a huge breakthrough for me. I was so proud of myself.
Running my first 5K - what an amazing experience. Running for Komen for the Cure was so rewarding, and having an amazing running partner in both Twitter Guy and his sister was awesome. I can't believe how far I've come since then.
Quitting my first 10K - yes, this was a big one. Remembering now what "unprepared" looks and feels like, I know I'll never be there again. I am as prepared as I can be for this weekend and feel phenomenal going into it.

So wish me luck, blogosphere, because I might just need it. My parents are coming to cheer us on and I'm so looking forward to the race (and not just the finish line, either). I know I can do it. It's been a long time coming, but here I am.

Doesn't everyone eat Skittles this way?

2010-09-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

When we were on vacation, Twitter Guy generously brought me a bag of Skittles. And then was shocked at seeing my method in eating them. Above is pictured my Skittle eating method.

I line up the Skittles based on my favor for the flavor and I eat them in order from least favorite flavor (red) to favorite flavor (grape).

Doesn't everyone eat their Skittles this way? And for that matter, Starburst, etc. as well?

Square Peg, Round Hole

2010-09-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

The photo above perfectly describes how I feel right now. Square peg, round hold. 100%

Over the past 5 years, I've been very strategic with the jobs I've chosen. I've worked in Government Relations, Events, Marketing, Public Relations and Fundraising. And I've taken jobs specifically because they would stretch me in an area I hadn't been stretched before. I made the decision to learn every facet of the events, marketing and development world and create a knowledge base to aid me in the future.

The problem I didn't think of until now is this: how can someone look at my resume and see how I fit in their company or with a specific position? The answer I'm hearing lately: they can't. I am, without a doubt, a square peg in a round hole. I've now actually been told multiple times, "When you sit down in front of me and explain it to me, I understand how you fit. But I can't see that from your resume." One mentor/contact of mine actually said, "And I really don't see how you can change your resume to reflect it."

So here I sit...knowing I may have to make some significant career changes very soon...and finding a very difficult situation revolving around "fit." Where do I fit? And how can I get someone to see it?

New Feature: Thursday Purseday

2010-09-16T08:40:00.000-05:00

I'm following the blogger crowd, folks. And in addition to "Tuesday Shoesday", I'll be adding a new feature - "Thursday Purseday" to the Minneapolis Career Girl Blogtation. Featuring some of my favorite purses - ones I own, ones I wish I owned, and of course my favorite - purses I would have to sell my soul to the devil to own.

Let's kick it off with my favorite purse in my closet - from a designer right here in Minneapolis whose work is so innovative, so functional, and so fashionable I feel lucky and blessed to count her as a friend and tell everyone I know about her company - Urban Junket, designed by Tracy Dyer.

Years ago (literally years ago - almost 3 now, I think), I purchased the Maxine bag (pictured above) from Urban Junket. And it has been my go-to bag for so long. I put it away now and again, but no matter which purse I grab for a month here or there, I always always come back to Maxine.

Today, I depart on a jet plane for a pretty big moment in my career and a damn busy weekend. And my go-to Maxine will be with me. She's the perfect airport bag, "professional but fashion forward" meeting bag, and easy to carry around!

If you're looking for the best of the best in bag central, Urban Junket is the bomb!

Tuesday Shoesday: Welcome back to 1998.

2010-09-14T09:10:00.000-05:00

I am officially obsessed with the shoes above. I'm not even going to search for a cheaper alternative - because seriously...there isn't one. These are Prada, of course from Saks and a whole $850. No, I'm not going to buy them. But I am going to tell you a Tuesday Shoesday Story.

If you were in my high school choir in 1998-1999, you may remember this story. I believe it wash freshman year of high school and I had on a pair of loafer chunky heels (complete with buckle just like above) very much like the ones above (remember how popular these chunky shoes were back then, ladies?) Of course, I purchased mine from somewhere like Maurices (or rather, my mother did) for probably $30.

So apparently that day in choir, I was a little bored. And as we sang, I was rocking back and forth on my heels when...*SNAP*...my left heel broke and I fell backwards on the choir stairs (thank goodness I was in the back row). Of course, everyone stopped singing and clamored to see if I was ok.

I spent the rest of the day in gym shoes. And I'll never forget falling down in the middle of choir class. But I suppose $850 isn't the current price on nostalgia.

Getting there: 7 miles

2010-09-13T09:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was both the longest and the dumbest run Twitter Guy and I have ever done.

In preparation for the TC 10 Mile, we're trying to start running a little bit of the actual course, as I generally get panicked when I don't know where I'm going. So yesterday, we embarked on our longest run yet - 7 miles - and decided to run part of it on the course. For those of you familiar will Minneapolis, specifically West River Road, you're definitely going to laugh.

We parked at Boom Island where we normally park to run our Boom/Stone Arch/St. Anthony Main 5K distance. We ran from Boom Island past the Guthrie on West River Road. Once you get past the Guthrie, you're on the TC 10 Mile Course - which runs down West River Road to the Franklin Ave. Bridge and then over to the Capitol via Summit. Now, West River Road is known for being hilly - but what you don't realize is those first two-ish miles of West River Road are mostly downhill. So imagine our realization at the 3.5 mile turnaround point that we had just run 3.5 miles pretty much flat or downhill. Which means, yup, the next 3.5 is pretty much uphill.

It was the most brutal 3.5 miles of my running career. I officially. hate. hills. Yuck. But we made it. We walked a few of the hills (an ultra-marathoner once told me, "If you can't see the top, walk it." So that's what we did.)

But overall, finished 7 miles in 1:32. Which means, even if we walk the last 3 miles of the 10 mile, we'll finish under 2:30, which was my original goal. Yay for slow!

Next weekend, Twitter Guy and I will be in Chicago and we're hoping to get in 8 - but we'll see.

Increased Mileage - Gearing up for 10 mile!

2010-09-09T08:59:00.000-05:00

We're now less than a month away from the TC 10 Mile, and we are starting to really seriously gear up. Summer training has been brutal because of the heat. But the weather makes such a difference, and we're really starting to put in the mileage, and it's actually been (gasp) fun!

In North Dakota, visiting my family on Sunday, we set out to do 6 miles. I literally said before we left, "We're supposed to do 6, but that's not going to happen." My mother is a feeder, and in the day before the run, I'd had ham and scalloped potatoes, turkey and dressing...blah blah blah. I figured my tummy wouldn't handle a 6 mile run. But oh boy, it did! We had the best run we've had yet. Not stopping except once for a couple of seconds to stretch out my left calf (which has been acting up lately at about mile 4 on every run). The 57 degree temp in ND made for perfect running weather.

So of course, I hoped I wasn't just having a good day, but rather, might be getting the hang of this whole running thing when I ventured out on my 5 mile training run yesterday, and alas, I was right. 5 miles in 1:03 - I was hoping for under an hour, but I walked a tiny bit in the first 1.5 miles to stretch out my calf. So if not for that piece, I would've been at about a 12 minute mile the whole way. So cool!

Throwing in a tempo run tonight and then 3 miles tomorrow - then this weekend, we go to 7. But only three weekends remain until the 10 miler - so I'm feeling good at this point. Bring it on, TC 10 Mile!

Futuristic

2010-09-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

A few years back, I completed the "Strengths Finder" and a training along with it. It was enlightening. And still, I remember my strengths and what the exercise taught me. One of my top strengths, though, is also something I sometimes consider a weakness. Futuristic. Basically, being "futuristic" as a strength means you're forward thinking, vision and goal based, etc.

The problem with being futuristic, though, is that sometimes it becomes difficult to live in the moment and not think five steps ahead all the time. Especially during times of change, it's hard to stay in the moment when you know something may be different weeks or months from now.

So here I sit, with my greatest strength causing me issues at the moment. The future is coming, and I know that. But it's important to live in the present as well. I'm doing my best to remember that.

On the Road Again

2010-09-03T08:56:00.000-05:00

In just about 3 hours, we'll be "on the road again" (sing it with me) to North Dakota to visit the fam. In some ways, it feels like we were just there (July 24th), but it also feels bittersweet, because this could be the last time we're there for quite a while. September, October and November have quickly filled up. But there may be a trip in store for a dear friend's wedding in November, but I'll be likely making that journey by myself and by train.

Being away from one's family, as I've said before, can be brutal. You miss them dearly, but everyone understands that happiness just doesn't work for me in my home town, and they respect that. In many ways, I wish it did. I've wished for so long I could want the things they once did for me - 2.5 kids, a dog, a nice little house. And it's taken me a long time to accept and admit that I just...don't. And never will. So in the positive, I'm just blessed to have a family who accepts my choices and supports me unconditionally.

Excited to head home - not excited for the 50 degree weather that's predicted. We've packed plenty of sweaters! ND here we come!

Downsizing

2010-08-31T11:27:00.000-05:00

In last month's O Magazine, Martha Beck (my absolute favorite writer) wrote an article called "The Joy Dividend." In it, she broke down shopping and money into

I need it and I LOVE it
I don't need it, but I LOVE it
I need it, but I don't love it
I don't need it and I don't love it

Martha's theory is that you should spend your "budgeted" money on things you both need and LOVE (and yes, LOVE in capital letters is important. You really have to LOVE it.) Then, spend the next tier of your "budgeted" money on things you need, but don't love. I mean, really, can you LOVE your toothpaste. And finally, when you have money leftover - fun money - spend it only on things you LOVE, but not necessarily need. That fabulous dress, a great pair of shoes, a bag, etc.

For me, this was great financial advice. But it's also great advice when it comes to downsizing and clutter. In the anticipation of the fact that Twitter Guy and I will have to downsize very soon, I'm beginning to look at my home in a very different way. As I'm deciding whether to donate, sell, toss, I'm asking myself these questions over and over again. Do I need this? Maybe. Maybe not. Do I LOVE this? That answers the question.

Case in point:

Twitter Guy and I generally agree on "chotchkies" - we don't like unnecessary crap hanging around our counters. But every now and again, I LOVE something that could fit in the "chotchky" department. My mother bought me a decorative plate years ago that says "nibble." And while I understand it's a chotchky, I absolutely love it. It's me, it's cute, and it sits on my china hutch. It's adorable. I don't need it, but damnit, I LOVE it.

So I'm going to keep moving on my downsizing notion - I have to need it, and I have to LOVE it.

The Element of Surprise

2010-08-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

Everyone who knows me knows I cannot keep a secret to save my own life. I mean, if it's really important I can...but giving away surprises is like my life's specialty. I'm known for buying people two gifts on important birthdays and anniversaries. The first, which I cave and force them to open early. And the second, which I buy because I feel badly that I gave them the first one so early. It's a curse.

So imagine the difficult I had after Twitter Guy planned the most amazing birthday surprise for me in June. I had to up the ante, and a surprise just had to be part of it. And guess what? I managed to keep it a secret...for weeks. It was hell on earth!

Twitter Guy's birthday celebration, though, turned out to be an absolutely phenomenal day. It began with brunch at Cosmos with 10+ of his closest friends and family, all of whom also managed to keep it a secret. The look on his face when we walked in was priceless. He had NO idea.

After that, I surprised him with tickets to the matinee of Wicked, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. I've seen Wicked many times, but he hadn't. And I have to say, the cast in Minneapolis right now is bar none, the best Wicked cast I've ever seen. Absolutely phenomenal! See it if you can!

Then after a brief trip home and relaxing for a couple of hours, we made our way to dinner at Heartland Restaurant in Downtown St. Paul. I had arranged a five-course wine paired meal at a Chef's table with James Beard nominee Lenny Russo. And it did not disappoint. Literally the best meal I've ever eaten in my life. And watching my foodie boyfriend smile all night long from the tour of the coolers to the dessert course was totally worth it. The surprise was the best part, too. I told him on the way over to St. Paul which restaurant we were going to, but I didn't tell him it was a Chef's table until we were sitting down at the table. He freaked out.

So I guess I'm good at surprises after all. I feel pretty darn proud of myself. What an amazing weekend!

Being in "Work Mode"

2010-08-26T09:29:00.000-05:00

It's often hard to find a balance between work and home, but regardless of balance, one of the most difficult things for women to do it to make the transition from "work mode" to "non-work mode." Case in point, my lovely boss. Last night, waiting for the elevator in her apartment building, a man struck up a conversation with her. They began to talk about what she did for a living and he asked about our organization. Being in "work mode", she told him about the organization, what we do, etc. and he expressed interest in "getting involved."

Then, he asked for her cell phone number. And still being in "work mode", she gave him her business card instead, not thinking for a second that he was asking for her "digits", but rather for information about our place of work. He's called her work phone multiple times already (thank goodness for caller ID), and clearly isn't interested in the organization, but more so in her.

My boss' defense - "I was in work mode! I'll always give someone my business card in work mode."

So a word to the wise, when you leave the office at 5pm, do your best to make the transition immediately to "non-work mode." It's a big part of balance!

My body said "NO!"

2010-08-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

Alright, it's official. I've reached the point of stress in my life where my body just said, "No." I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I may have slept wrong on my left arm. But I got up and went to a meeting anyway. After the meeting, though, getting into my car and driving back to my office was excruciating. I thought it was my shoulder at first, but after careful examination realized it was my tricep.

So after leaving word and a ton of Ibuprofen, I still felt like crap. I basically spent all afternoon laying in the same position on the couch barely able to move without pain. It got better little by little throughout the evening, and though it still hurts today, at least I can move it around a little without crazy pain associated.

In hindsight, it's clear what happened. My body just said, "NO." No more, no more, no more. It needed an afternoon to lay - not to search Chicago apartments on the internet, not to read whatever career self-help book I'm currently reading, not to think about work, not to stress about bad relationships with people I really don't even want to be my friends. My body needed an afternoon without stress, and it took it. It wasn't without some tears or struggle on my part (and it didn't help that I had a bazillion things to do yesterday). But it was a need, and it was met.

Now I'm just hoping I can get back to my normal, stressed self without arm pain. Ha! Especially when it's so beautiful and I want to run!

Making New Friends

2010-08-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

My four-year-old niece is about to start all-day pre-school in a new town, at a new school. And I found myself saying, "She'll be fine. She's so social. She'll make friends." And I began to think about that. Making friends. I found making friends easy as a child. When I was 8, my family moved to St. Louis, then when I was 11, we moved to Montana, and finally back to our original location in North Dakota when I was 12. And in all places, I found friends quite easily.

That being said, I'm finding making new friends isn't as easy in adulthood. I was blessed to be a part of a company that created some of the most lasting friendships I could imagine and carry them with me still. But the fact of the matter is, it takes more effort to make friends now. We all have busy schedules, and we fill those schedules with people who excite and fulfill us, not those who don't.

So of course, I have been pleasantly surprised these past weeks when Twitter Guy and I have reconnected with some of his law school friends, and in them, I've found some kindred spirits in the mix - so much so that we've seen them a few times in just a couple of weeks. And I am careful to remind myself that making friends isn't so bad.

So in the anticipation of potentially moving to a new city in just a short period of time, I must remind myself through the fear that making friends isn't so hard. Maybe I'll join a running club, maybe I'll reach out to Bennie alums. But whatever I do, I will find more kindred spirits and create new friendships, all the while nurturing from afar the ones that already mean the most to me.

Taking Back Lunch

2010-08-17T12:47:00.000-05:00

Early in my career, I worked for a company where the CEO required his entire staff to leave the office at lunch. Exceptions were made for lunch meetings both in or out of the office. But in general, he walked out of the office at 12pm and everyone else was expected to follow for a 60 minute (not a minute less) lunch. He believed an hour of time in the middle of the day was crucial to productivity both before and after.

I've tried to emulate my old boss for most of my career - but lately, I've found I'm not sticking to my guns at lunch. In fact, I bet I've eaten lunch at my desk almost every day this summer. And if I haven't eaten at my desk, I've eaten very very quickly at Panera in order to get back to my desk.

This week (and from now on), I'm taking my lunches back. There is rarely a reason I cannot or should not take a full hour to regroup in the middle of the day. In fact, it takes me 7 minutes to get from my home to my office, therefore there isn't really even a reason to go out for lunch. Plus, I work far more than 40 hours per week - so why not take the full 60 minutes I'm technically allotted.

Today, I made myself a yummy chicken quesadilla at my house and watched the Real Housewives of DC before heading back to the office. I even left my Blackberry in the car while I did so. And yes, I had 11 emails when I came back, but I was less stressed when I was reading them than I would have been doing so on my Blackberry while eating. Mission accomplished.

Minneapolis Career Girl Recommends: Eat, Pray, Love (The Movie)

2010-08-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

I have a little bit of a crazy connection to the book Eat, Pray, Love - but then again, a lot of women do. But I'll just tell you my story before I review the movie. In January 2008, my boss asked us all to create vision boards for the year. Things we wanted to do personally, professionally, etc. I had just begun reading Eat, Pray, Love and wanted to envision myself going on a trip to Italy. So right smack dab in the middle of my vision board, I placed a huge picture of the cover of my book.

Seven months later, after going through a divorce, I randomly looked at my vision board and gasped. there in the middle was Eat, Pray, Love - a book that I read over and over again throughout my divorce proceedings. And right underneath it were words I had forgotten I even put on my vision board, and can't recall why I did - "Time to move on."

Reading this book over and over again, and frankly giving a copy to everyone I knew, I most identified with Liz as she went through her own divorce. Lying on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night sobbing into a towel so her husband wouldn't hear her - I had been there.

So now you know my connection to Liz - let's review the movie.

I don't care what any of the critics say - it was STUNNING. Yes, they were forced to "breeze through" some important moments in the book. But people, it's a movie. It happens. I thought they actually did a fabulous job hitting most of her "a-ha" moments. But I think if you hadn't read the book, you may not know that.

The scenery was phenomenal. Bali was never a dream vacation of mine, but it sure is now. Although I hear shop owners there are hanging signs that say "Eat, Pray, Leave" because the tourism has gotten so thick.

I didn't love Javier Bardem. I just found him too young. Having seen pictures and video of Liz's real life "Fellipe" - I just couldn't picture him as this young strapping hot guy. So that was a little odd.

But overall, it's a great film (and a terrific chick flick). I'd recommend it highly.

Tuesday Shoesday

2010-08-10T12:23:00.000-05:00

The clogs are coming the clogs are coming!

Anyone who knew me in high school knows that this girls loves herself some clogs. Seriously - love love clogs. And no one was more excited to see the fall collections than this girl - CLOGS ARE BACK! And to make it even better, big old high heeled clogs are back. I love me a clunky shoe that makes me taller.

So here's the Tuesday Shoesday - you could spend $595 on these gorgeous Prada studded clogs at Sak's.

Or you could spend $89 on these from Report at Piperlime. Do it!

Becoming a Morning Workout-er

2010-08-05T11:41:00.000-05:00

Summer has kicked my butt as far as working out goes. Life is busy, evenings are busiest and to make matters worse, it's damn hot outside. And while there are runners who brave the 90 degree heat, this girl isn't one of them.

So upon joining Ivy Fitness Club on Monday, Twitter Guy and I have resolved ourselves to work out in the morning. Tuesday, I bound out of bed excited, Wednesday the same. Thursday, a little less admittedly. But Twitter Guy reminded me I'd feel better once I got there, so I got up.

And surprisingly, I'm really enjoying working out in the mornings. It gives me time to do Yoga at night if I want to, and it clearly jumpstarts my metabolism. I'm starving to death by 11am! I feel happier, more energetic, and overall better about myself.

Here are a few things that have gotten me through the transition so far:

Lay out your workout clothes the night before right next to the bed. That way, you don't have the excuse of finding them the next day.
Pack your bag the night before as well - work clothes, shoes, etc. And my greatest advice for women is this - on days you work out in the morning, keep it simple. Choose a dress instead of a suit. Choose less stuff so you can easily pack it.
Eat breakfast first. This gives me time to eat, wake up and get moving. Then, I'm not famished by the time I get to the gym and I'm able to put in that solid 40-60 minutes.
If you get discouraged, don't quit and walk away. Yesterday, I just didn't feel like it after 20 minutes, so I pulled out the yoga mat, practiced a bit, meditated and then was able to do a 30 minute run. Great!

So we'll see how it keeps going - but for now, I'm liking this morning thing more than I thought I would!

Weight Breakthrough

2010-08-05T10:03:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Groupon, I'm currently partaking in 1 month of unlimited Yoga at CorePower Yoga in Minneapolis. B from over at Sex and the River City and I completed their "free week" in February, but then never went back. So we both bought the 1 month package and we're back on the Yoga bandwagon. We went on Friday and I had a horrible time. The instructor was way too peppy, and she didn't demonstrate at all. I had a hard time and wanted to kick something.

But alas, I went back on Tuesday and had an absolutely phenomenal pair of instructors - Sara and Brynna. They were phenomenal. And I actually really enjoyed myself - and had sweat running down my face into my eyes and more. Yuck, but awesome at the same time.

During shavasana (the part where you lay still at the end), Sara was talking and said something that shook me to my core. She said, "Be thankful for the weight of your body connecting you to the earth." She proceeded to talk about gravity and earth and what not, but I missed it because I was so shaken by that statement. "Be thankful for the weight of your body." Why? Is any woman really thankful for her body weight. Uhhh, nope.

But what if we were? So for the past two days, I've taken some serious time to meditate on this concept and I believe I've had a breakthrough. Yes, my goal weight is 170, but I can still be thankful for the weight of my body today. And guess what? I am. I am thankful for the weight of my body, as it connects me to the earth. It grounds me, it holds me up, it shapes my day. I am thankful for the weight of my body.

And oddly enough, being thankful for my weight...makes me feel lighter - in mind and spirit.

Minneapoils Career Girl Recommends: Ivy Fitness Club

2010-08-03T08:55:00.001-05:00

If it's possible to fall in love with a place, I just have. And that place is the Ivy Fitness Club. In July, we canceled our membership at Anytime Fitness in the Warehouse District. It was a great gym, but I was looking for something a little bigger with a few more amenities. We weren't planning on joining a gym until the fall, but I found that in training for the TC 10 Mile, I needed a lot more cross training than I had been getting and gym seemed imperative.

Now I'll preface this review by saying that Ivy Fitness Club's memberships are significantly more expensive than some other gyms. Price per person starts at $79. Twitter Guy and I were lucky to download the DealStork deal for Ivy Club last week and get 3 months for $75 each - a great steal.

Twitter Guy and I worked out last night and this morning at Ivy Fitness Club and we are smitten.

My favorite of their amazing amenities so far:

Seriously, the locker rooms are unbelievable. They are a part of the Ivy Spa as well, so they are swank and spa all the way. The doors to the lockers lock with a four digit code of your choosing, so no more keys to attach to your towel! There's ample room to move around and a beautiful setting to be in.
Towel service and robes are included. This is HUGE for me. Dragging a towel to the gym and trying to dry it out in your car all day is no fun.
The showers and bathrooms include all of the products you'll need to get ready. High end and luxurious shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair products, mouthwash, flat irons, brushes, blow dryers. You don't have to lug any of this stuff with you. It's all there! Same in the men's room says Twitter Guy - razors, gel, etc. It's all there!
The fitness center is small enough to be comfortable and put you at easy, but large enough to ensure you never have to wait for a machine.
And I saved the best for last - each locker room has a steam room, and the Club has an "Acquatic Deck" featuring a hot tub and sauna. I sat in the steam room for about 15 minutes this morning and experienced relaxation like I haven't had in a long time. Phenomenal!

I intend to try all of their fitness classes as well - including Yoga, Pilates, etc. and will update as I go. But for now, I'm hooked on the Ivy Fitness Club. Truthfully, I never want to get ready for work at my house again - it's so much more beautiful and serene there.

Saying Goodbye

2010-07-27T12:35:00.000-05:00

Well, I think I solidified my application in the "Aunt of the Year" competition this weekend. And boy did I have a good time doing it. This weekend was the most fun I've had in a long time, and I'm so sad to have to come back to the realities of work and life.

Saturday morning, my awesome brother and I went for a 4 mile run/walk, super fun. Then I played with the kids for a few minutes before excusing myself back to my parents house to shower because, "Auntie's Sweaty." I hadn't been out of the shower long when the phone rang - and my niece beckoned, "Auntie come over here now." So Twitter Guy and I obliged. And the rest of the weekend was "play time" with my niece and nephew - but play time for us as well.

We played Wii, we played Candyland, Uno Moo, Go Fish, and the Scooby Doo Game. We played on the trampoline, we played on the swings. Auntie slid down the slide and climbed up the swing set ladder. We played "keep away from Daddy" and we played in the sandbox. It was a blast.

On top of that, Auntie was the only adult in the place who dared donn a bathing suit to run through the sprinkler with the kids - but damn, I had a good time. The slip and slide even came out - and though I was accidentally dragged through the grass by my 60 year old father and "grass burned", hell I had a good time.

Saying goodbye on Sunday night to the babies was so unbelievably difficult. As they get older, they get more and more fun, and Auntie gets more and more sad to be so far away from them. But that's life, and the choices we make.

Next trip must be scheduled soon!

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-22T16:56:00.000-05:00

Being "Minneapolis" Career Girl clearly means living in Minneapolis. But, for me, living in Minneapolis also means being far away from my family and my childhood home. And normally, this isn't an issue. But lately, it's been difficult. I was home in December for Christmas and in March for the funeral of my Great Aunt. So it's been over four months since I've ventured into my hometown and spent time with my brother, sister-in-law and beautiful niece and nephew. Gratefully, my parents were here a couple of times between then.

I've been stressed for the past month or so...and I've said a few times, "I just want to go home." And now, after my stress has calmed down and my summer has begun, I finally get my wish. Twitter Guy and I are hopping in the car tomorrow at noon and heading to my home town - where I'll relax, enjoy my time with my family, and celebrate my parents' 60th birthdays.

I'm so excited, I'm actually even looking forward to the drive there! Twitter Guy has had a long and busy week at work, and spending 7 hours in the car with him excites me, ha!

Vacation!

2010-07-19T08:55:00.000-05:00

94 days from today - I will be here (see above). Yes, that's right, on vacation in Mexico (imagine me saying that like this MEH-HEE-KO - woot!)

Twitter Guy and I grappled for a while with our vacation choice - Iceland, Athens, Mexico, Caribbean, blah blah blah. And though I know Twitter Guy's first choice was probably Iceland, being the amazing and wonderful partner he is, he warmed up to the warmer temp vacation and we booked an October trip to Mexico. So so so so excited!

I can't believe I actually want to go on a beach vacation. For the first time in my life, I feel confident in my body, and I am ready to hang out in a bathing suit on a beach. So excited.

That being said, though, the next three months are going to be dedicated to physical training, and hopefully finally hitting my goal weight. I have about 15 lbs to go to my goal weight - and I want to do it. We found out we did get into the TC 10 Mile - so that's October 3rd and vaca is October 23rd. So I'm back focused on training and listening intently to the sounds of my own body and my hunger - I want to be in the best shape of my life to run this 10 mile and stand proudly in a bathing suit in Mexico!

Wish me luck!

Wining the Lottery

2010-07-15T14:39:00.000-05:00

After my epic fail on my 10K, running has been going a little better. The longest I've done is 5 miles, but I walked part of that, too. It's tough with the heat in the summer.

But still, my ambition gets ahead of me - and tomorrow, Twitter Guy and I are hoping to "win the lottery" - the lottery for the TC 10 Mile, that is. I'm definitely not ready for a marathon just yet. But the Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon is one of the most beautiful in the country. They don't have a half, but they do have a 10 Mile option. But so many folks want to run it, they do a lottery every year for the spots available.

So tomorrow we'll find out if we're in the bag for 10 miles in October - and if we are, then my whole life will be training for a few months. Whew. Nervous, but really excited.

Quitting the Gym

2010-07-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

If you're a Friends fan, you'll remember the episode pictured above - the "Quit the Gym" episode. Chandler wants to quit the gym he's been a member at for years but never goes to. Ross thinks it should be easy, but instead ends up being conned into joining the gym himself. Hilarious episode.

But often the reason Friends episodes are so funny is because they're based in reality. So naturally, I was a little nervous this summer when I knew I wanted to cancel my gym membership. I believe I have successfully canceled it, and here are the important steps.

1. Don't sign an auto-renew membership. My membership was 1-year, no auto-renew.
2. Call well in advance to tell them you're canceling - I called 60 days out so they had it in their system.
3. Pay out your contract. I paid out my contract over about 60 days in advance (paid the last two months) via one-time payment. That way the billing company can't "accidentally" keep auto-billing you.

I haven't utilized the gym in a while - but have wanted it more lately as I've been adding in my cross-training days to my running days. So I'm missing the elliptical. Bummer. Our plan is to live without the gym membership for a few months, and then get back into a gym when the cold weather hits. Does anyone in MSP have good recommendations on gyms. I'm looking for something close to NE/Downtown, something that has classes, and preferably free parking. Thoughts?

Farm Fresh Counts

2010-07-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

As I think I've posted before, we are the owners of a CSA from the amazing Driftless Organics in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. We started getting boxes of veggies in the beginning of June, and I'll admit, it's taken us a while to transition. Twitter Guy and I tend to eat out a lot - and when we do eat in, we tend to decide we're going to eat something specific and then buy the groceries to make it.

It's taken us about a month of getting used to cooking in the way that we have a full refrigerator now, open the fridge and say, "What can we make from what we have here?"

My favorite recipe so far was a broccoli and cauliflower salad I found by googling random ingredients we had in our fridge from our CSA. Click here for Giada DeLaurentis' Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad. It is phenomenal.

My point of posting this, though, is also how easy it is to lose weight and stay healthy when you have a CSA. It's hard for me to pony up the money for vegetables in the grocery store. But when they're already there, I'm determined to eat them - and as much of them as possible. Today for lunch my salad (prepared with love by Twitter Guy) had farm fresh lettuce, carrots, cucumber, onion, ham, and hard boiled egg. You can't argue with that balance!

So if you're looking to get healthy, look into a CSA. It works!

Infomercials, Really?

2010-07-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Prior to losing the 90ish pounds I've lost since last February, I had been on every "diet" known to man. If it was on an infomercial, between my mother and I, we'd bought it. The "think yourself thin" CD's you listen to while you go to sleep, the "all you have to do is breathe correctly" VHS tapes with the crazy blonde, the "Great North American Weight Loss" plan, the "Slim in 6"....and the list goes on.

The problem with these programs isn't that they don't work - it's that they're diets, mostly. And diets don't work. But on top of all those diet programs, I've also purchased a number of workout programs from infomercials - and always hated them. Because, seriously, a 280 lb woman trying to do something and get the full motivation for it in her living room just isn't what worked for me. I needed accountability and a trainer and a gym. But now that I have self-motivation, I thought maybe these things might work again.

So fast forward to now. I've learned to enjoy Yoga and Pilates in "class form" outside my home. And I've also become this avid runner I never thought I'd be. My one problem with running is the backs of my legs. I always feel like there's a stiff line from my achilles to my hip - and no matter how much I stretch, it's always there.

So last night, after my run, I thought to myself, "I wonder if Pilates would help." So I dug through those fitness DVDs and found the Mari Winsor Pilates 20 minute workout (promoted by Daisy Fuentes back in 2002 when I probably bought it!) and pulled out my Yoga mat. I did a really fun, but difficult 20 minute Pilates workout. And I realized that the reason I used to hate this was because I really wasn't in good enough shape to do it. Now that I'm strong, I can do everything correctly - and I did.

And guess what? I woke up this morning with no tightness at all in my legs. So, new normal, 20 minutes of Pilates after a run and I'm home free. I think I may break out the other DVDs I've got collecting dust now and see which ones get me going!

Minneapolis Career Girl Recommends: Dollhouse

2010-07-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Last night, Twitter Guy and I saw Dollhouse at the Guthrie. And let me tell you, it was amazing, phenomenal, awesome, all those things you say to convey excitement. It was truly one of the best we've seen this year!

Nora, the main character, is a typical "suburban housewife." Her focus lies on things - her granite counter tops, trips to Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Target, etc. And throughout the show, you watch her unravel - feeling less in-step with the life she's created. Her husband, though at times funny and likable, is almost ghastly abusive at times, with moments calling her names I literally cannot bring myself to repeat on my blog. But it was poignant and it was raw and it sucked the air from the room - just like playwright Rebecca Gilman meant it to.

The show, for me, is a commentary on the "American wife" - who is often focused too much on stuff. And also a commentary on the way we are often still oppressed by our husbands. Her husband, in the show, checks her receipts and forbids her to buy truffles because they might make her fat. It doesn't seem so entirely, but his abusive nature comes to light. How many times do American women allow someone - maybe their husband, maybe their boss, maybe their best friend - to put them down?

I guess, for me, its a meaningful show because I've lived Nora's life. I've cried over the Pottery Barn towel bars that were out of stock, because I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes and admit how miserable I was in my life and in my marriage. The difference is I did realize it and I left...and never looked back. I hope the show will open the eyes of one other woman...because it's so important.

Oh, and yes, it was hilariously funny as well - it's not just a feminist drama! :)