Current Crushes

Kelli Lamb:

http://theeverygirl.com/how-kelli-lamb-went-a-year-without-shopping/

Not only do I love this article about quality over quantity (I am guilty of spending way too much time at Marshalls and the like...) and the ethics of consumption, my favorite part is when she talked about wanting to start a blog but having nothing to say about her boring life.  Honest.  Refreshing.  Humbling.  Rare.


Michelle Madsen:

I love her message:  Take Aim.  Take aim at what you want.  Take aim with her.  Go for it.  Why do so many of us hesitate to go after what we want?  I know I am not the only one

https://www.instagram.com/michelletakeaim/?hl=en

Random Thoughts

It's been over a week (eight days to be exact) since I last wrote.  I thought a lot about writing, I made a mental list of topics (most of which have left my mind)  But I didn't put them to paper or on screen.  I kept waiting for opportunity, kept trying to get all the ducks lined up. In the meantime, I think opportunity passes me by, time passes me by, when I should be creating opportunities.  And about those ducks, I don't even know exactly which ones I should be lining up.

Thoughts swirling around in my head:

• What if I want to do something creative?  Not get back into the corporate world.  How would that work?  How would I break into it?  Could I make enough?  What would my loved ones think?
• I hate Facebook.  I hate having to use Facebook because it's the only means to communicate about something, or the only way to communicate about something in English
• I worked from the time I got up at 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Pretty tired, and it's only mid-day
• My craving for sweets, especially chocolate, seems less strong.  Maybe my sweet tooth is finally subsiding!!!  I'm going to continue keeping desserts as a weekend treat
• I am tired of deciding what my next purse should be because I have limited myself to only brands that do not or only depreciate a little, and they are very expensive and not the most functional
• Back to bullet one...I am both excited by the idea that I can do something that interests me for a living and that maybe I have finally found something I want to do, but I have so many doubts.  Not the least of which is "what would people think?"  By people I mean certain people
• I'll end this post by promising to post again tomorrow, with whatever is in my head

Talent vs Interest

As I embark on my next career, I have been thinking a lot about talent and interest.  Do we do what we do because we are naturally good at it?  Because being good at something makes us feel good and do more of it?  Or do we do what we are interested in, and get better at it with practice?  I strongly believe you can master almost anything with practice.

I believe we all have natural talents, whether it's math, cooking, swimming, or any number of things.  Does this mean you should aim to be a mathematician, cook, or professional swimmer for your career?  Probably not.  Everyone of us likely has personal requirements and values that automatically filter out certain prospects, be they financial, geographical, or something else.

Then, should we choose careers based on our interest?  Yes, if you subscribe to the theory of "Do what you love, the money will follow"  I don't disagree with that idea but I don't think it's that simple.  For example, I am a good actor, but I won't be going to auditions or taking head shots or getting an agent any time soon.  Why?  Because it's a famously difficult profession to make money in, and I am rather risk averse.  Maybe I will feel differently at another point in my life, but right now I'm not looking for an SAG card.

The key, then, is to find things that you are naturally good at (your innate strengths) and love to do.  What are those things for me?

Stay tuned...

I Miss Wanting

I mean really wanting something.  Like getting into a certain college, landing a certain job, then a promotion, etc.  It's not that I don't want anything at all, but the energy is different.  Maybe it's because I have achieved or gotten some things, and they weren't all that they were cracked up to be.

Osaka Photo Diary

Self Portraits

Why Coveting a Chanel is a Good Thing

If you are into fashion, you are likely well versed in the world of Chanel handbags (if you are not into fashion, you can stop reading now)

Chanel's Classic Flap bags are considered the holy grail of handbags by many.  From the quilted leather (lambskin or caviar) to the interwoven leather chain to the double C turnlock, a classic flap takes any outfit up a notch be it casual, business casual, dressy, black tie, or somewhere in between any of those.

Granted, it's not for everyone.  Some don't like the way it looks (too flashy or too old looking are common complaints,) others find the flap hard to get things in and out of.  And others will not spend that amount of money on a bag.  Regardless, I have decided I like the style, I will put up with the flap, and I am tired of losing money on almost every other handbag within my reach (which does not include Birkins and Kellys)  Right now, the Classic Flap I want is not exactly within my reach, even though I have sold three bags to fund this purchase (one Celine, two Louis Vuittons; see what I mean about losing money?!)

To add to my Chanel piggy bank, I have also refrained from buying other things I normally buy.  Namely, make up and clothing and other bags (of course)  Along the way, I discovered some pleasant surprises:

1.  With most things I forget about them in a couple of days, so I end up not buying them (instead of clicking the "purchase" button only to make returns later)
2.  I have more time since I am not spending hours going through sale pages (the hell of filtering...on sale, then women, then the category, then size/color/price, and finally some sort order)
3.  I have more time since I am not packing/shipping/making returns (see #1)

I still have a ways to go to fully fund my dream bag, but not spending on other things in the meantime feels good.  And when I do have the money saved up, I may or may not buy that bag.  Who knows.  In any case, I'll have a nicely filled piggy.