Temp Agency Husltin'

(Have I mentioned how much fun this snowy-cold hell is? This is my neighborhood in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn)

The nice thing as of lately is that I have an income. The not so nice thing as of lately is that having a full time job for the first time in awhile means my health is totally taking the back seat. But thats a "WOE" is me tale for a different time. Back in December I met with a temp agency called 24 Seven Talent, they have a huge wide range of clients that I was very eager and excited to work with. Even if it was for a temporary period. Unfortunately after our meeting in early December it took them until late January to finally place me in a job. I've been working as a temp Administrative Assistant at One Kings Lane until their LA office Admin makes it out here. 

It's a bit of a heart break though, I always get UBER passionate about wherever I am working so naturally I fell in love with the laid back/casual environment of OKL and I am ONLY hear until March 13th. I'll especially miss Free Lunch Wednesday and Bagel Friday but, the bigger heartbreak is going back to unemployment. While I do have some faith in 24 Seven to put me into another temp position I am still frantically applying for and interviewing for full time positions. 

So if your new to the city, tired of interning, and just want to get placed into a job hopefully sooner rather than later I highly recommend hooking up with a temp agency. I've read a lot of reviews online and the many agencies across the city have varying reviews but 24 Seven Talent seems to have the best. And I know other fellow hustlin' fashion job hunters who have gotten full time positions out of the agency. I am hoping I'll be next! 

Observations On: Unpaid vs. Paid Internships

Someday I should probably have quality photos of myself taken. Today is not that day. I get to weird and to shy when somebody else turns the camera on me. Side note: This is like my go-to interview outfit, that is probably bad and probably needs to change. Somebody please employ me long enough so that I might purchase a more appropriate outfit. This was yet another rather uneventful week. 3 interviews, one job offered but, it turned out to be a paid internship instead of an assistant position like the original posting said, one was a follow up interview from a group interview the week before - and this is the one I really hope works out, and the last one was a place I never gave much thought to but, the fabulous man who interviewed me made it sound very appealing and like it would be the most educational of the 3. So.. Dear World, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for a job please let one of these workout already!

Things your college programs/internship instructors might not tell you: After you've had at least 3 unpaid internships it actually seems harder to get a paid position. The company knows you were willing to work for free in the past and they also know you want to "learn more" about your given choice of field so they will continue to offer you unpaid positions because, they know they can get you with the whole you'll get more experience and be more hirable blah blah blah. Hold out. I am holding out. It might not work out for me in the long run but, I refuse to be a dish washing sample checker-inner anymore. At least an unpaid one. When you are looking for your first internships look for paid ones, if you have some retail experience and skills that pertain to the internship you might be more likely to find a paid one. Based off of my own experiences I feel like companies have more respect for you and will be more likely to want to pay you if you've had paid internships vs. unpaid ones. Or maybe I am completely wrong, who knows but, this is what I have observed.

I will however be making some money this glorious week of February 2nd- 6th as I will be freelancing with One Kings Lane. I am sure I will develop some very strong opinions on freelancing here soon and will post about them accordingly.

This City.

(The view from Milk Studios, 8th floor)

It's absolutely wonderful but, at the same time so unforgiving. After completing an internship that looks wonderful on my resume but, left me emotionally drained and a feeling under appreciated I have been desperately seeking a paid position. I have only been looking very hard for about a month now. I've had interviews every other week, sometimes multiple interviews. During winter break from about the December 19th-January 5th the fashion industry seems to shut down so that cut out a huge amount of time in my hunt.

I cut a lucky break in the first week of January when a Facebook friend whom I've never actually met asked me if I was interested in freelancing for Lanvin the 10th-15th. I eagerly said yes since it was paid. Working as a freelancing sales assistant for Lanvin was exactly what I needed. As a PR intern working for a large agency you are so disconnected from the brands and the culture behind the brands that goes into creating a RTW (ready to wear) collection. The account executives just see you as the eager, young girl-boy who is going to archive their 102+ piece fall collection for 5 hours and then run across the city to pick up some matte black envelopes, make a stop at the magazine store for an issue of a magazine that the store said they had on the phone but really doesn't, and then stop by the cute french bakery to pick up some pastries for an office party that you aren't invited to because, you have to finish doing 15 large returns in the next 30 minuets or you are going to get home an hour and a half late for the 5th time this week. Don't get me wrong, I love working as a PR intern, it can be an absolute headache and when you finish a task or do something right a thank you or smile can be in short supply but not getting told to re-do the project is the ultimate sign. It means you did it right, and if you can stick out this internship you are a step closer to being an account executive yourself.

But being at Lanvin reminded me why I switched my major. The very first day of my 6 days with them involved the Women's Wear Market Director breaking down the 96 piece collection and giving a State of The Union address on the state of the fashion industry. It was inspiring and so insightful. I couldn't help but quickly type away notes on my iPhone. I felt like I was listening to something meaningful for once. Someone was laying down the truth and I was learning. I haven't been learning about anything fashion related since I left the classroom last spring. I then spent the week working with a very nice freelance sales rep and meeting with our daily buyer appointments. Hearing what the buyers like and dislike about the collection as well as their methods for buying for their customers was very informative. It was everything we learned about in the classroom about buying put into action. Except with a lot more cursing, Hermes bangle wearing ladies, and sassy gay men nit picking the collection. It's good to know my friends will get even sassier with age.

All in all I am slowly coming out of my rut. While I haven't yet secured a long term paying job and haven't even been paid for my freelancing work yet, I have high hopes. And at least hope that my inspiring week can hold me out for awhile longer.

Winter Wants.

I'm so poor it hurts. To be living in one of the most fashionable cities in the world and feeling sub-par and frumpy every single day hurts. I've got 4+ inches of nasty brown grow out going on, my bangs are long and stringy, and I don't even want to talk about my eyebrows. #thatunpaidinternlyfethough. So while I most likely won't be buying any updates for my closet for fall/winter, here is a list of the things I would buy if I could buy. Maybe a few of these things will end up in my possesission if I am really lucky. 

1. Thermal Rollers.

I want to try thermal rollers so bad! I have not so awesome memories of rollers from my childhood but, after watching and reading several how-tos I want to give them a try. I can always use some easily obtained added bounce.

2. MAC Rocky Horror Collab.

I accept literally anything from this collaboration. Particularly the nail polishes. 

3. Mid sleeve button ups. 

I want ALL of the neutral/stripe button ups, silk preferred, polyester accepted. 

4. Gap Jeggings. 

I tried on the jeggings at the Gap factory store over here in Bay Ridge. Instantly fell in love but, couldn't afford $35 on sale pants. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT MY ONLINE COUPON. 

5. Navy Parka.

I just really want a navy parka.

6. Swanky Heeled Boot Thing. 

I'm not sure of the formal name for these shoes, but I want them. Preferably in some kind of grey metallic color.

7. Creepers.

I've been dying for a pair of creepers ever since I saw the administrative assistant at Yigal Azrouel wearing a pair every day with cuffed skinny jeans looking chic as fuuuuuuk. I want in maroon or navy. Would look awesome with my new Gap jeggings. 

8. Chelsea Rain Boots.

Probably the most useful thing I could order. I might actually splurge and buy a pair from Target.com right now.. I've ruined so many flats here in the rains of New York. No more!

How to feel like you are getting something when you're broke and love to shop? Buy the rain boots, if your parentals ask what you are spending your money on you can justify this one. Especially if your parents are concerned with you getting sick. 

Rain+Flats= Wet Toes, Wet Toes=Wet Feet All Day, Wet Feet All Day= Some kind of sickness/virus/death.

The First 264 Hours.

Mandatory Portland International feet/carpet photo.

 

My boo took me to see my tween-now style idol and role model. Dita is so effortlessly sexy.

 

What I wore to my BPCM internship interview.

 

What I wore to literally walk around the streets in, and wound up finding a help wanted sign outside of a small boutique.

My first 264 hours in New York have been crazy! For some odd reason I keep saying my start days for jobs/internships are Friday instead of Monday, who does that? Who says they'll start on a Friday? I guess I do. I started last week at a particular PR company and actually loved how nice everyone was but, I wasn't really about that sit around for 3+ hours of the day waiting for a task life. Halfway through my 2nd week, AKA Tuesday I had an interview with BPCM to be a fall intern and knowing they have a lot of accounts and opportunities I quickly jumped on board.

 I've also literally applied to over 30 retail based jobs online, had one formal interview and they've been contacting my references this weekend. However, said job is two transfers on the Subway and an hour commute from where I am living out in Brooklyn. Thankfully, today on my wanderings around my neighborhood I found a help wanted sign outside of a small boutique. Went in not wearing what I would like to of been wearing the first time I apply for a job but, what do you do when you see a HELP WANTED sign and you are WANTING? I start training Tuesday and am ecstatic that I am working within walking distance of where I am living.

Moral of the story, apply to all of the internships before you get to the city so you can have some options. Apply to all of the jobs. Don't be afraid to walk into stores with help wanted signs, even if you don't have you resume on you. KEEP YOUR RESUME ON YOUR PHONE OR IPAD (whatever one you keep on you).

Blurred Life.

Hi, my name is Chandra and I need a real camera/picture taker. Did I circulate these photos on my Instagram 7 weeks ago? Yes, thank you Instagram time tracker dealio for a semi-accurate timeline of my postings. So much has happened in 7 weeks... so much more will be happening before this entire week is even finished. For the first time in a long time I have actually be praying for relief from this stress and emotional turmoil that is raging through me. Hence why I post these pictures. I look damn good, and sometimes you need to remember that you look damn good to be reminded things could be a lot worse. Cause looks are all that matter right? WRONG. But it helps knowing you can look good every now and then. #lifelesson #realtalk

(In case your wondering I totally took these photos with my laptops photobooth, and pretending the blur is some intentional/ironic/hipster knowledge thing.)

Sweater: Hotopicc

Skirt: Maurices

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Hat: Freakin Wal-Mart for $7.97

Beauty: To become more in depth in the future.

Dressing for work.

My work wear isn't to far off from my everyday outfit wear-age. Unless the only thing I have going on during said day is to go to the gym, then you best believe I am scrubbing it all day. I always like to bring my own style into work, really no matter what the atmosphere is. I am the Men's Department Supervisor/Assistant Manager at a store called Bealls in my hometown. I would call the dress code... well we don't really have a dress code. I guess its pants that aren't jeans, and shirts that don't have distracting graphics or words on them. My personal dress code usually consists of some form of legging/dress leggings (slack like material, oh my!), button up blouse usually in black, leopard print, or striped and some form of black flat. Once upon a time I use to wear blazers a lot to work for this job. Its summer, so I am probably not going to wear a blazer at any point but, I love the idea.

I am utterly obsessed with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream lip glosses and own 3 of them now. The particular shade pictured is my go to. I'm super pale with black hair and blue eyes so the shade looks bomb on me. I won't lie my personal Michael Kors watch is similar to the above but, better. My boyfriend bought me the Michael Kors heart earrings for our one year anniversary (celebrated on the 21st of July!) and I'm pretty smitten with them. Since I am an Assistant Manager I have a lot of keys, many of which I don't use. AKA I wear a lanyard.

Moral of the story, still do you at work. If I didn't dress the way I do at work and did wear, I don't know lets say.. flared slacks with orthopedic tennis shoes and some boring top, I'd just be sad all day. I feel my best at work when I am constantly checking myself out in the side mirrors.

So wear something you'd check yourself out in. End of story.