Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Blogger, May I?

When I received an email titled, “Bloggy Idea – I might be crazy” in my inbox yesterday, there was no way I couldn’t open it right away.  Blog ideas that are so insane they might just work?  Sign. Me. Up.

The proposal: blog all day e’ry day for the month of May.  Okay, not all day, but the every day part is true.  I tried to do this way wayyyy back and the results are something I should probably delete because I had no plan and you know how much not having a plan drives me nuts.

Well, Katy is such a rockstar that she has a plan.  She, Meghan, and myself will be using the prompts below to write one thing every day for the month of May.  We’re calling it Blogger, May I? and I love it.

The prompts are broad enough that anyone and everyone can join the fun.  Or you can just use your own – ain’t nobody got time for rules here.

You don’t have to write every day if you aren’t inspired to.  Maybe there’s just a few things here that tickle your fancy – that’s cool, too!  Either way, link up with us when you post and use the hashtag #BloggerMayI on your social pages so we can see that people actually are into this follow the fun!

#BloggerMayI daily blogging challenge with Angelica, Meghan, and Katy

#BloggerMayI

May 1: Introduce Yourself
May 2: Five Favorites
May 3: SUNDAY LATELY (Dwelling, Helping, Forgetting, Switching, Relying)
May 4: Never Have I Ever…
May 5: The Story Behind Your Blog Name.
May 6: Share a Recipe.
May 7: Where do you call “HOME”?
May 8: A Story Without Words.
May 9: Most Important Female Figure in Your Life.
May 10: SUNDAY LATELY (Updating, Reminding, Needing, Wearing, Being)
May 11: What Are You Learning?
May 12: Favorite Blogging Tools.
May 13: This Time Last Year…
May 14: A Big Dream/Goal.
May 15: Who/What Inspires You?
May 16: Tips on How to be a Tourist in Your City.
May 17: SUNDAY LATELY (Completing, Visiting, Repeating, Applauding, Scheduling)
May 18: Current Struggles.
May 19: How Do You Define Beauty?
May 20: Show Off Something You’ve Created.
May 21: Blogs You Love.
May 22: Describe Your Style.
May 23: Makeup Must-Haves.
May 24: SUNDAY LATELY (Planning, Loving, Reading, Wishing, Feeling)
May 25: Favorite Quote.
May 26: Summer Plans.
May 27: Treat Yo Self!  What would it be?
May 28: #Get #Hashtag #Happy
May 29: List of Ten Things.
May 30: If I Had a Super Power…
May 31: SUNDAY LATELY Doing, Appreciating, Designing, Humming, Expecting)

Grab a button and insert it into your posts or sidebar (and if you forget the prompt for the day, it’ll link back to this post!)

bloggermayi

An open invitation to let it go

This has been sitting in my drafts folder and I felt like pulling it out for some reason.  I started it about a year and a half ago.  I was feeling entirely stuck, uninspired, and unappreciated at work.  I was doing everything I could to get myself out of that hell, but I just couldn’t.

I largely blamed my current employer.  Who wants to hire me as a content manager when the company I work for can’t spell correctly?!

That said, I knew it couldn’t be all them.  It’s hard to break into the ad scene in Pittsburgh.  If I tried a little harder, maybe something better would have happened faster (I’m starting to feel like a Daft Punk track).

I’m happy to say I’m no longer with this company I’m writing about today.

So this one goes out to all of the people who have wanted to write something to their boss, a coworker, a friend, a family member and just couldn’t.  This took me two years to say.  Get out there, write something down, and let it go.

If you're looking for permission to get things off your chest and let it go, here it is! Write it down, set it free.

I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing women this year (and year’s past).   This is in no way a snub to them.  I am eternally grateful that they see someone worthwhile in me and for learning from them.  Just recently, I accepted the opportunity to intern for Yelp in Pittsburgh and it got me thinking.  I send out tons of job applications each week, but get very few chances to actually speak with the company.  Once I get to speak it someone, it’s a lot easier to explain I’m the victim of circumstance, but it’s hard to write in a cover letter, “Please don’t hold my current employer against me.”  That’s what I feel like I’m going to have to start doing.  So here is my open letter to my future employer:

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and do what is asked of me.  In doing what is asked of me, I’m running into trouble.  I know, I majored in English and there are typos aplenty all over my current employer’s menu.  That doesn’t look good on me applying for a content creator job.  I’ve asked thousands of times to take a look at the menus before they’re printed..to no avail.

Just the other day, in fact, I said that I’d be happy to take a look and make sure the spelling was good and the alignment was right.  I was laughed at.  Literally.  I was told the menus were already printed and he wouldn’t take any of my suggestions anyway.

“I don’t care about all of that grammar stuff,” he said.  When your boss tells you they don’t care enough about how they are perceived to make sure there are no errors in a menu that tons of people see every day, what does that say?  What does that say to the customer?  What does that say ABOUT the customer?  What does that say about the COMPANY?

(And don’t get me started on the commas and the apostrophes.  I’ve tried to eradicate them when possible but if you see “pint’s” somewhere, I didn’t do that.  I’m not saying the “pint is” or the pints are possessive.  They just don’t know that to pluralize something, one simply adds an “s.”)

Same with clip art.  I tried to do something different and creative when I first got to my current position, but all of my attempts at doing something different were waved off.  I’m lucky I can just get away with some coordinating colors and matching (not cartoon-y) fonts.  (Also, I’m sorry for the Comic Sans.  That is actually trademarked.  I cannot do a thing about it).

I have a minimal aesthetic.  I like clean lines, bright color choices, and bold fonts.  These guys were shown clip art and went to town.  They like lengthy descriptions when simply a list of ingredients will do, lots of pictures, and background patterns; that just isn’t me.  At least we don’t make people wear pieces of flair and have used trombones and license plates hanging on the walls.

Then let’s move on to damage control.  Our “policies” are hard to stand behind.  Defending the servers who are consistently rude, slow, incompetent, and petulant isn’t easy to get with either.  The kitchen and the food I have absolutely nothing to do with but I’m getting tired of responding to Yelp reviews with, “I’ll review with the cook how to properly prepare that dish.”

Just because my current employer feels as if something is satisfactory doesn’t mean I do.  Their version of “complete” doesn’t reflect my version of complete.  The standards that they set forth for their company aren’t as high as the standards that I set for myself.  This is an effort to correct some of those misconceptions.  My abilities aren’t theirs, their company isn’t a reflection of what I’m capable of.  I’d do more, but I’m not able to.  I’d like to do more and keep my career positive and constantly learning.  I’ve plateaued here.  The only thing I’ve learned recently is that this job is hurting me and isn’t helping me to move onward and upward.

What’s something you’ve wanted to say but couldn’t?  Let me know in the comments and get it off your chest!

Sunday Lately, 17

I really need to stop writing posts when I’m frustrated.  I think that’s why I always start these Sunday Lately posts with “OMG THIS WEEK HAS BEEN AWFUL!”  This weekend, I’m going to Baltimore with Jonathan and very much looking forward do it.  So instead of saying. “ZOMG this week suckeddddd,” I’m going to say, “This weekend is awesome.”

What have you been up to lately? This is week 14 of Sunday Lately link up with Katy, Meghan, and Nicole!

Doing

Packing, buying presents for baby showers and mamas-to-be, figuring out what to get my dad for his birthday, making lists, writing beer blog posts….so much doing.

Appreciating

Sunshine.  Seriously.  There are some times when I crave thunderstorms and to curl up on the back porch listening to the rain on the roof (or curled up in bed), watching a comfort-movie or reading.  But this week, I seriously need a dose of happy that comes from sunshine.

By the way, what was with the snow this week, Mother Nature?  I did not appreciate that.

Designing

Say it with me, folks….an update to this site!  Did you say it with me?  Was it with a game-show level of enthusiasm?  Good.

But seriously, I’m trying to design some organization for my office using things I already have.  I can do it, but the problem is that I don’t have the materials all in the room I need them.  Some are still in my father’s house.  Others are upstairs in my house and it’s only me, so getting a desk downstairs is a little tricky.

Humming

Remember last time when I was like, “OMG my coworker sings bits of songs and when I finally get them out of my head, she starts up again?”  Wellllll, it’s happening again!

“Sug-ah.  Yes, please.”  Ugh.  Make.it.stop.

Expecting

A visit from my mom in two weeks!  And the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in one.  (Shameless plug: have you seen my recent posts about running here and here?)

I’m expecting to finish this half marathon because I know I can.  Usually by now, I’ve had a few rough runs and I’m totally and completely in the mindset of, “How the EFF am I supposed to do run 13.1 miles when I can barely cover three?!” but I’m not feeling like that this year and it’s a very good feeling.

What were you up to lately this week?

Five questions (plus six more)

If you don’t know who Emily Cassel is, you really should.  She’s all about taking your passions and making them into your job.  You’d think the market would be saturated with that by now, but it isn’t!  I’ve been loving her blog for gentle-yet-no-BS inspiration and I found something fun.

She was nominated for not one but two Liebster awards.  Emily wrote a post and asked for her readers to respond with answers to her questions.  So naturally, I just had to write my own post answering them.

No, she didn’t nominate me nor am I claiming I was nominated for this award.  I’m just responding and sharing a little more about myself. (Who doesn’t want more Angelica?)  Think of it as, “If we were having a drink together, here’s what I’d tell you…”

If we were having a drink together.... #askmeanything

What is your favorite place you’ve ever visited in the world & why?

My mom’s kitchen, hands down.  It’s always warm and smells great.  It’s totally one of my happy places.  I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving and I’m totally missing her cooking.  And her dog.  Clipper is the best.

Who is the most inspiring person in your life right now?

I’d have to say my best friend.  She’s graduating with her masters in a few weeks and then getting the hell out of Pittsburgh.  D has known for ages that she isn’t staying here; in the past, she didn’t know where she’s going or how she’s doing it, just that she is.

I’m happy to say, she has a plan now, though.  I so admire that courage to leave what you know for something different.

If you could choose only 3 foods to subsist on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Barring the fact that they aren’t nutritionally sound at all….. Anything from a Pittsburgh food truck (definitely Oh My Grill‘s sandwiches, Steer and Wheel‘s burgers, and Leona’s ice cream sandwiches), my mom’s homemade pierogis, and cinnamon rolls.

Ooh, and good beers.  And pie.  I can’t decide.  If only I were Leslie Knope and I could answer, “Waffles, waffles, and waffles.”

I think that covers most bases, right?

What is your dream career? If you already have your dream career, what’s your alternate dream career?

Writing.  I’d write all day in cute coffee shops, on my back pork with a glass of wine or beer, curled up on the couch with a blanket and coffee.  I’m getting there.

What’s your favorite/most-played song at the moment?

I’m sooo sick of everything on the radio.  That said, I discovered The Griswolds last summer and still can’t stop listening to them.  And anything Fitz & the Tantrums always gets me going.  And y’all know Anberlin is hands down my favorite band ever.

What do you purely because it brings you joy?

Sleep.  Kidding.  I love making things tidy.  Weird right?  Especially since my house is kind of a disaster.

I also love creating things just because I want to, not because I have to write a post on it or I signed up for a class.  Just sitting down to make something and not knowing exactly how it will turn out is fun.

If you could choose one responsibility in your career or life to eliminate, what would it be and why?

Making decisions.  I hate making decisions.  I also am not a fan of customer service, but that’s kind of my whole job, so I can’t really eliminate that.

If you could choose one super power, what would it be and how would you use it?

I’m so torn between flying and making time stop.  Or turning everything into ice cream.

I’m sure if you asked me a few years ago, I’d say turning back time or reading minds.  I’m happy to say I’m more confident now, so I don’t think I’d need those super powers anymore.

What’s your favorite room in your house?

My entire house is kind of in transition.  I think the winner goes to the kitchen.  It’s the most complete of all of the rooms and my mom installed seriously awesome appliances before she left.  I LOVE my stove/oven.  Gas stove with a convection oven and warming drawer/mini oven in the bottom.  It’s a baker’s paradise.

Post your favorite photo of yourself and tell us the backstory. Do you remember what you were thinking, doing, or experiencing that day?

I scrolled through some photos but I really don’t take pictures of myself, so I didn’t see much I wanted to share.  Sorry, guys.  I still love the photo here with the duck (and Jonathan) though.

I think it’s the stigma attached to “selfie.”  Ugh I hate that work.  I used to take pictures all the time with me and my best friend just being goofy and making silly faces, but we haven’t taken a single picture of us since she’s been home.

What’s your go-to order at a coffee shop?

It depends where I am, but 99% of the time, I’ll get regular coffee.  I’ve been going to Coffee Buddha a lot more recently (it’s another one of my happy places) and I usually just get regular coffee but an iced coffee with Vietnamese Spice syrup is so refreshing for summer and their Peanut Buddha latte rocks, too.

So tell me about yourself today. Pick one of these questions (or all 11) and answer in the comments!

Oh!  If you have burning questions you want me to answer in a future Ask Me Anything series, leave them below, too!

Life lessons learned at work

Work.  It’s my least favorite four-letter word.  I’m lucky in that my work environment is pretty laid back and I don’t have many complaints, unlike some places I’ve worked before.

Even though people mostly learn from the negatives, I like to think we can learn from all experiences both good and bad.  Here are a handful of things I learned (or am still learning) about the working world.

Work is my least favorite four-letter word! There are good things you can learn about life at work. Stay motivated, stay strong.

 If you’re not okay with something, speak up

This is something I’m working on actively.  There have been so many instances in the past where I didn’t speak up when something wasn’t right and it bit me in the ass.

Just right now, I’m trying my best to let my manager know when I feel overwhelmed with my work instead of just silently martyring myself and letting my anger and frustration fester.

You’re not there to make friends

I know, this sounds harsh, but really, you aren’t getting paid to goof off, you’re paid to work.  I’m not saying don’t form relationships with your co-workers.  I’m saying the primary goal isn’t to make friends with everyone you encounter.

I cannot tell you how much it annoys me when I’m silently martyring myself in my cube and I hear people just BSing.  So please, don’t be that person.

You totally need a work BFF, though, and if you happen to become good friends with your coworkers, that’s fantastic.  Just don’t treat it like a social club, mmkay?

Recognize your accomplishments

I’m so awful at speaking up (as I mentioned before).  So I have a Warm n Fuzzies folder where I’ll sort out emails of praise and good work.  It really helps to recognize my accomplishments when they’re sitting right there in front of me.

For example: I wrote a blog post for my company’s “Company Culture” series.  It was nice to have someone else recognize me as the writer I know I am.  It helped me to be like, “Yeah, I am a good writer.  Other people can see it, too!”

Here’s a great article about recognizing your accomplishments at work.  Thanks, Levo!

It’s okay to leave

I’m not afraid to admit that I was fired.  Yep, I got the boot.  Canned.  Sacked.  Let go.  Etc.

And that’s okay.  Sometimes if you can’t say no yourself, someone else has to do it for you.  It was one of the best things that happened.

Leaving, either willingly or unwillingly, allows you to make changes that you need.  Just like Rachel from Clarity On Fire says, though, recognize where the problem is.  Are you leaving and not fixing problems that are fundamentally wrong?  Maybe there’s a glaring trend that you just aren’t seeing.

What have you learned from your experiences at work?

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together