what a way to make a living

I have some news. Good news, in fact. Remember when I went to D.C. early in October? Well... after five months of job hunting, I have been offered {and have accepted} a grant writer position at a nonprofit organization in the district.

{Huge sigh of relief.}

Alexis Bledel as the "We Can Do It!" woman
(found here via Glamour)

I'm lucky, I know, to have gotten a) a job b) that I wanted c) where I can actually use my graduate education and internship experience.

But I am more than a little worried about making the transition from a lazy bum {not that all unemployed people are lazy... just me} to working girl, and having responsibilities, and being a grown up, and having programs and people depend on my ability to do my job well.

{Deep breath.}

someone talk me out of this

I want this:

Custom Acrylic Nameplate Necklace via here.

I want mine to say "j'adore" or "je t'aime" or something equally French and cliched. I want it in silver mirror acrylic, typeset in Helvetica Bold, and maybe with skull or heart or cupcake cutouts... Tacky? Or AWESOME? {Please say awesome.}

{I think I've been jonesin' for acrylic jewelry ever since I saw this necklace and these rings {by the same fab designer} in one of those daily Etsy Finds emails. I should probably give in and buy it... all. Or ask my friends to do an intervention.}

i would like to thank the academy...

part one

Thanks to Liz at Pink Monkey, I now have {or will have, rather} this lovely J. Crew scarf in my closet:

I love the knotted scarf and the multiple necklaces-- very effortlessly chic. I think I'll try this look once I get my new scarf! Thanks, again, Liz!

part two

I'm honored to have received the Superior Scribbler blog award from the very eloquent Mae at I am the Walrus!

Rules here.

The last blog I had {in college, when I used Xanga to document all the inappropriate and awkward things to come out of my mouth} lasted all of five entries before I lost interest, so I'm rather proud of myself for having kept up with this blog for the past couple months {this is called 'setting the bar low'}. And I'm always pleasantly surprised when I find out people are reading my posts and looking at my low-grade photography {seriously, I need a new camera}, and I want you guys to know that I appreciate you very much!

And now, in turn, I would like to pass on this award to:

• Ginger at Taste of Ginger, for sharing her adventures in Hollywood as she tackles the uncertainties of being a twenty-something and pursues her dream of becoming a writer/actress/singer/lyricist/painter.
  
• Samya at Eclectic Samya, for being half-responsible for the multitude of food-related posts on my blog... and for all the mouthwatering posts on hers.
  
• Katie at Whims and Inconsistencies, for embracing the life of a domestic goddess with humor, introspection, and vivacity.
  
• Holly at Her Southern Heart, for introducing me to awesome photographers, incredible places, and a laundry list of creative people through her daily inspirations.
  
• K at Blog Goggles, for her hilarious and inspired take on fashion.

You all inspire me daily and are part of the reason why I have kept up with this blog.

{And, seriously, if you haven't already, definitely check out these blogs!}

happy {early} national chocolate cupcake day!

Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing
from BabyCakes Cupcakes.

...

hope you have a wonderful weekend!

{and enjoy a cupcake or two on Sunday for National Chocolate Cupcake Day!}

inspiration: seeing red

(Image via StockholmStreetStyle)

How glamorous is this woman? I lovelovelove the menswear-inspired jacket and details {the pocket square!} and the red, red lips. Doesn't she look like she belongs in Old Hollywood?

I wish I had the confidence to pull off red lipstick. I always feel like a little girl playing dress up with my mom's make up or {even worse} like Ronald McDonald.

reward dependence

{Phew.}

I am back home, a little more hopeful about my employment prospects {fingers crossed! xx} and a little tired of talking about myself {though, apparently, not tired of writing about myself}. I like to pat myself on the back for doing things I should be or need to be doing in the first place {like interviewing for jobs}. {Let's pretend it's positive reinforcement. :)} Most of the time, these reinforcers come in the form of either food or fashion: after one of my interviews I bought a new sweater; after the other, a new dress; and at the end of the week, I celebrated by treating myself to Vietnamese.

Grilled Scallops and Shrimp on Rice Vermicelli from Four Sisters,
Falls Church, VA.

If you ever find yourself in the D.C. Metro area and craving Vietnamese, I definitely recommend Four Sisters. Their menu is comprehensive and their food delicious and reasonably priced. {I also recommend getting the shrimp toast. I didn't think it sounded very appetizing, but oh, it was. so. good.}

Also in reward, I slept in on Friday {the only day I didn't have interviews scheduled} and then, channeling my inner Gossip Girl, spent the afternoon on the steps of the National Museum of Natural History {not quite the Met, but...} with Le Petit Prince and a salty oat cookie and Japanese sweet green tea from Teaism.

Salty Oat Cookie and Japanese Sweet Green Tea from Teaism, Washington, DC.

Hmm... Perhaps my need for reward is a bit excessive...

traveling light

{Image via here; edited using Picnik.com}

I've spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out how to pack two suits and a week's worth of clothes, shoes, and other everyday essentials {flat iron, accessories, make up, etc.} into a carry-on for my trip to D.C. next week. {I have two interviews scheduled, which is the most I've had all summer. Long distance job hunting is hard!} I generally do not travel light, but I am flying Delta, which like most airlines, charges $15 for the first checked bag {one way} + $5 if you don't check your bags online. Frustration!

{I know... I might have to bite the bullet and fork over the $30.}

Sometimes I opt for comfort when I'm traveling, but often, especially when my suitcase is overflowing, I'll layer on items -- jackets and sweatshirts and bulky shoes -- that take up the most space. {It's not very chic.} the glamourai has some useful advice on packing jewelry and such, which I will keep in mind as I reorganize my suitcase yet again. If any of my fellow travelers out there have advice on packing or traveling in general--

do you roll your clothes to keep them from wrinkling?
or do you just fold them?

what can you not leave the house without?

-- please share!