Close your eyes and picture this scenario: it’s the night before your first day at your summer internship. You have planned everything out in excruciating detail — you know exactly how long your commute is, where you can find the closest Starbucks to get your iced coffee fix before work and have stocked your “survival kit” with extra breath mints, bobby pins and band-aids. Then you realize that you have overlooked something very important: your first day of work ensemble.
Caught in this moment of crisis last night, I flashed back to 15 year old Maddie who painstakingly planned what to wear the first day of ninth grade a week in advance (okay, yeah I was pretty neurotic, but I meant well). Swap my flared, white jeans for anything business casual and the thoughts running through my head were almost identical to those of my adolescent self: what can I wear that shows my personality without being too out there? If I wear a shirt with cats printed on it, will it come across as playful or preschool? Is neon ever appropriate?
So for those of you faced with the same questions, spare yourself the worry! Below is my recipe for a foolproof first day of work outfit. And remember, it’s okay to stick with your trusty staples (e.g. the classic black pencil skirt, a neutral blouse) even if you feel like you look a little — dare I say — boring? On the first day, it’s better safe than sorry. Add a little pop, pattern or sparkle to satisfy your inner wild thing and leave the neon hot pants at home (that is unless you’re supposed to wear neon hot pants to your internship — coming from Las Vegas, you can never be too sure about these things).
Whatever you decide to don on your first day, the takeaway is simple. The more comfortable you feel on the outside, the more confident you’ll feel on the inside — and that leaves an impression on employers far outlasting any piece of clothing or accessory.
A warning to everyone before I start this post — I have just spent the last four days back home on the West Coast and I am feeling introspective. It’s spring break, and I have been looking forward to this time off because every part of me has needed it. Not because I feel physically overworked or burnt out, but more because I have no idea what happened to the month of February. In January, I was in the starting blocks, waiting for the gun shot to indicate the start of the race. February was my 400 meter dash — I don’t think I was even racing against anyone but myself and maybe time. I was always on the move, updating a never ending list of things to do and places to be. There were a lot of joyful moments in the month of February, but also a lot of times when I wouldn’t know what day of the week it was or what I had eaten for lunch. During this time, I would always recall a line from one of my favorite movies, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:
“Life moves pretty fast — if you don’t stop and look around every once and a while, you could miss it.”
Spring break couldn’t have come at a better time — I have the chance to stop, reassess and take a cold hard look at where I am, the state of things. Going home for a few days was a good start to this. I road tripped to California with my parents, and while there were still times when my head would be moving in eight different directions at once, I had some chances to stare out the window and watch the giant windmills spin in the sky. Something about the movement of these giant mechanisms quieted the spinning in my mind.
From a sartorial standpoint, my trip home was also very good to me. Ever one to pursue a shopping adventure, my mom pulled off the road in Palm Desert at the first sight of a thrift store. It was there I picked up a sequin rainbow mini-dress (it is even cooler than it sounds) and some vintage Prada flatforms that will be a staple in my wardrobe this spring/summer. Looking forward to previewing both of these purchases on SLB in the coming weeks.
I also had the great fortune of inheriting my grandfather’s vintage Burberry trench coat. There is something so cool and authentic about owning an item passed down through the generations, especially something as timeless as a Burberry trench. This coat will stay with me through every major milestone in my life, until one day I can hand it down to a grandchild or niece or nephew who can appreciate it just as much as I do.
I also had the chance to visit a super groovy vintage shop in Palm Desert. The Fine Art of Design almost felt like a museum, there were so many fabulous designer pieces from across the decades, a collection that was clearly lovingly curated with just the right amount of whimsy and eccentricity. Enter fabulous Todd Oldham jacket that I referred to as “the technicolor cube-y jacket” when my mother picked it up:
When I get my first real grown up job out of college (with my first grown up paycheck), I will make plans to come back here so I can stock my wardrobe with a few more whimsical goodies — maybe this Moschino top will wait there faithfully for me…
I am writing this post on the plane en route back to DC. My break is only half way over and I plan to make the most out of these next few days, savoring every moment when I can silence that chatter in my brain. I have written out a manifesto for myself, similar to Emily’s — maybe at some point soon, I can post it, but for now it will remain tucked away as a reminder of all the beliefs I hold near and dear to my heart. It’s easy for me to lose sight of these things when I start running my race, but I’ve realized that it doesn’t need to be a sprint. I am hoping to finish off this semester slow and steady — it’s less about that moment you cross the finish line, and more about the moments that get you there.
Okay, I know what you’re probably thinking: “Here we go, a nice big post filled with photos of puppies in baskets, children dressed up as baby cupids and old couples holding hands next to a scenic lake or mountainscape.” Now everyone utter the obligatory collective groan and give me a chance to explain.
None of the following will be included in tonight’s ramblings. I will, however, try to point out the redeeming qualities of the holiday. First of all, let’s all remember this: it’s a holiday. A time for celebration. Sure, you may not get the day off of work, and maybe you don’t have a “valentine”, but this is no reason to keep yourself from having fun. From the wise people at Parks & Rec, you gotta treat yo’ self:
Valentine’s Day is as good of a time as ever to treat yo’ self — I mean, it is a holiday all about love, so who better to love than yourself? Sounds good, right? Right. In case you need a bit of inspiration, I have come up with a little list of my favorite day-to-day indulgences…
but first, you’re required to listen to this India.Arie song:
Now, on to the list:
1. Bake something decadent — then share it with friends!
2. Wear something wild
3. Wear mustaches for the hell of it
These things stray from the standard treat-yo-self collection of massages, mimosas and fine leather goods that seem popular around this holiday. When I think about treating myself, it’s less about the material and more about what will make me feel the best… and let me tell you, there is no better feeling than sporting a fake mustache for a night. What do you do to treat yourself? I hope this post will spark your desire to celebrate yourself and those around you — it’s Valentine’s Day guys, might as well just spread the love.
