Fun Friday

The day full of anticipation, a Friday before a long weekend. A dress down, free BBQ Friday I might add. Lots of perks to being at work today on a day nobody really wants to be at work. With the upcoming weekend weather looking absolutely spot on, there should be nothing but good times ahead.

Unfortunately that means that a lot of people took today off. That's great for them, though inconvenient for me trying to get a hold of them whilst trying to solve work-related issues. I can't find the appropriate purchasers, managers, customer service representatives I need to speak to no matter how many numbers I call, messages I leave or e-mails I send. It's incredibly frustrating. I am happy that people are enjoying their lives on a wonderful day such as today but I am still here and NEED their input, confirmations, etc. to do my job. I secretly wonder if all of these people, like me, are forced to be at work today too and simply are not answering my calls out of spite. Are they sitting in their offices looking at their caller ID thinking ' O no, not today. It's a Friday before a long weekend and I don't want to work!' Creating for themselves a work-free Friday whilst still being at work (and paid to be working, I'm sure).

I have to have faith that people are not that cynical or lazy and are simply out of office for real holiday purposes.

Bringing the sun inside the office today on this fashion Friday, I am wearing a pair of sparkly gold ballet flats I bought on eBay years ago for a Halloween costume. I went as a Gold Digger. All dressed in gold and carrying a shovel. The shoes were perfect for the costume and have happily transitioned into my daily life now! Love when that happens!

Enjoy the weekend.....In great shoes.

BUSY BUsy busy

It has been busy as a bee here today as I learn how to check invoices, do credits and issue re-bills. Lots of different coloured pieces of paper and date-stamping.

I have to say my favorite desk accessory is my date stamp. It makes me feel powerful when I stamp a date on several important documents, like a request for credit form or something similar. I can't describe WHY it makes me feel that way, it's not logical, but I really do enjoy it.

Looking forward to the upcoming long weekend, which I plan to spend among the best of my friends up at a cottage for a 3 day early celebration of my birthday. The fourth of August is my actual day of birth, but unfortunatly falls on a working Wednesday this year and so I will be at my desk like many of the other days of the year, thus not rendering it very special.

As I am late posting this today, I can't say much more as I have to go home... In great shoes.

On this exciting Friday-eve I am wearing my oxford style black and white brogues with this cool new headpiece I bought in Hong Kong.

A gentlewoman and a scholarship

A wondrous Wednesday to you!

It has come to my attention today that scholarships extend beyond your education. The corporate world also offers scholarships, including paid travels, accommodations and such at industry events, conferences and trade shows.

Excited by the opportunity to travel yet again, I am applying for a scholarship offered by PWH - the Professional Women in Healthcare (http://www.mypwh.org/) to attend this year's HIDA (Health Industry Distributor's Association) conference in October. It would take place in Chicago and is one of the largest conferences of its kind in the world. The application is done strictly by e-mail, only asking applicants to describe their interest in PWH and what PWH can do for them.

I have always been fond of writing, but writing open-ended applications like this one always strike me as difficult. What is enough? How much is too much? Do they want an essay-like submission or simply a few descriptive paragraphs?

I have decided not really to worry about length right now and just start writing. I will write what I feel is appropriate and edit when I am said and done. It's always easier to cut back with tons of great material than try to beef up crappy material. Though of course none of my material is crappy.

That said, I am already pushing two pages of work and still haven't said exactly what I want to say. The applications aren't due until the 20th of August, so I think I will stop where I am today and revisit this again tomorrow. There is still plenty of time to finish and polish this off. I really want it to be great though, so my chances of receiving the scholarship are high. I have always been extremely competitive so I taken things like this to heart very quickly.

Therein I am posting an excerpt from my application in hopes of getting some feedback / reactions to work with. Read it, let me know what you think and most importantly keep your fingers crossed for me... In great shoes.



*So just over four months after my degree was awarded to me, the annual HIDA conference takes place. As a new (and formally inexperienced) employee, I was not offered a spot among the attendees the Stevens Company will be sending this year; though in truth it would not be my first conference, not even my first HIDA conference. In fact, I have been attending industry shows and conferences since I was roughly six years old. Wide eyed and with a bag full of giveaway pens, stress balls and other promotions materials in hand, I followed my father through the maze of booths, showrooms and banquet halls. As daughter to the President of the Stevens Company, granddaughter to the Chairman of the board, I have been involved in the medical supply industry for at least sixteen years now and I’m only freshly 22.

I am the sixth generation of Stevens to take part in our family business, though true to my personality I am already breaking moulds as I am the first woman to actively peruse a position in this company. It is that fact that draws me to PWH and the many opportunities it offers.

My grandfather is a traditionalist; my father a baby-boomer, my uncle born of the X generation and now there’s me…a member of the generation they call Y. Personally, I prefer to think of it as Y not. *

If you were following my footsteps today, you would be following a black patent pair of chunky heels I bought in Brussels. I generally don't like chunky heels, though with the cobblestone everywhere in Europe, my regular thin heels simply didn't survive.

Milestone!

A milestone in my career I feel has occurred this lovely Tuesday afternoon - I have received my first company phone, wearing a pair of black and white Chinese Laundry heels I bought in Vegas a number of years ago.

It is a Blackberry, though not a new one, nor the same model as I current have for personal use. Therein, it will take some getting used to, however the fact that I have received one makes me feel important. It feels very much like a beginning of something. The eternal optimist in me suggests it signifies the beginning of being connected to the corporate world; the beginning of exchanging numbers/Pins with key clients, partners, etc. It could be the beginning of being someone people WANT to get a hold of.

Conversely, exists the realist in me suggesting that this is probably the beginning of being called about work matters at all hours of the day, hearing the sound of an incoming e-mail more than your loved one's voices, the feeling of vibration being stressful rather than pleasurable and so on and so forth.

The cool thing about this phone is that it has a Calgary number, the first real step in my move. It is the beginning of many changes as a result of my relocation - changes that are not only welcomed but highly anticipated. With all that is going on in this province (HST, increased driving restrictions, etc.) I am more than excited to move. I will miss my family and friends who reside here but I think that is the extent of it.

I enjoyed the feeling of Calgary during my short visit, it seems a tad slower paced than the GTA, which I can handle. People also seem a touch less stressed for some reason, perhaps it is the magic of the Chinook winds playing with people's moods. Oh well, whatever it is I will take it!

Just under a month now until my big move...here is hoping I find a place to live before then.

At least I have a number I can be reached at....In Great Shoes.

Back in Town

My and my shoes have returned to the homestead that is Brampton, Ontario after an eventful and educational journey out west.

We (my boyfriend and I) spent four days seeing all sorts of apartments, neighbourhoods, condos, etc., cabbing from place to place and hoping to find that perfect spot we could call home. Truth is, in a lot of case that perfect place simply doesn't exist - especially on a budget.

Calgary is what I like to call a litte-big city. It is geographically not that large nor extremly populated but the layout is good and all the amenitites of living in a downtown are there. I think I will really enjoy living in the city...when I find a place to actually live.

We did actually find a place we thought would suit our needs, not perfect but certainly doable. So we sort out our references, employment letters, deposit cheques, etc., only to call the landlord and find out that the current tennant no longer wishes to vacate. This is the news I receive about two hours before boarding a plane to return home.

August first, they say. August first we will know for sure what is available come September. I certainly didn't want to be back here empty handed (void of living arrangements) but of course this is where I am. So come August first I hear back from the landlord in regards to the final decision and if the current tenant does in fact stay - then it is back to the drawing board for me.

Everything happens for a reason, right? I am forced to subscribe to that notion at this point. What else is a girl to do? I have to believe it will all work out in the end, otherwise it will stress me out to no end.

The important thing is that my boyfriend is just as excited about living together as I am. Whilst looking and deciding on places, when asked "Where do you want to live?" his simple answer was, "with you". That's how I know it will all be ok.

In life we often stress and fuss over things that are superficial and relativly trivial. Does this place have in-suite laundry? Which direction do the windows face? How far to the nearest bus stop? When all we should be asking is ' Will I be happy here?' The answer to that is the pinnacle of any moving decision though, isn't it? That and how big the closet is....

As long as I am with the person that makes me the most happy - I'll be ok.



Granite couonter tops, a deep soaker tub and a walk-in closet couldn't hurt though... In great shoes.


Today, a pair of Spring leopard stacked heels.

Bring me the horizon

This morning was another first for me in the working world - my first staff meeting. Bright and early at 8am (which requires me waking up at about 6:40) the entire customer service team congregated to discuss current company events, issues, etc. It was nothing earth-shattering but always a learning experience and really the first time I have seen the entire department in one room together.

For the occasion I chose a classic work wear staple - the pointed toe black heel. This is a stellar photo of my one and only tattoo so I will address it at this point. I got in done in Belgium in August of last year - it reads "Je veux tout" which translates to 'I want it all'. For me it goes with the premise of setting big goals in order to achieve great things. If you want something bad enough - you'll work hard to get it. So for me it's about always wanting more, never settling, because I know I can do great things.

Yes that's a lot for a three word tattoo, but that's what it symbolizes to me.

Anyhow, today may be my last post for a bit as I have a very busy schedule coming up - a very busy and exciting travelling schedule. Thursday and Friday I will be attending a Professional Women in Health care event in Niagara, a great chance to network with many wonderful and powerful women in the industry. Should be great fun! Then Monday I fly out to my upcoming home base - CALGARY! I will be there all week so I will try to post whilst I am there but I can make no guarantees, so stay tuned.

I will be meeting the staff at our branch out there, looking for places to live and just generally getting a sense of this new city I intend to call home in roughly one month.

My significant other (who intends to move out there with me) will also be in attendance for the dwelling search, which will prove an interesting experience, as we have different tastes and concerns when it comes to where to live. So here's hoping we find something that satisfies us both. How hard could it possibly be right....?

He simply needs to understand that closet space is an ESSENTIAL deciding factor. That, and I want somewhere that is pet friendly so I can get a small dog - an English bulldog to be exact. That's something we have agreed upon. After we are settled, we will look into getting an English bulldog puppy who we intend to name Bacon. Sir Francis Bacon, after the man who invented the scientific method, but Bacon for short. I have owned and adored dogs all my life so I do not think owning the dog will be the challenge - it will be getting a landlord to love him as much as I do - so the dog is welcome that will prove difficult.

Anyhow, so that's my exciting life for the next week or so. Women, Travel and Dog concerns. Wish me luck, it will be an eventful week....In great shoes.

The art of e-mailing.

Today in white kitten heels I bought from a small shop in Brussels, worn from a year of abuse on cobblestone streets, I will discuss the fine art of e-mailing.


In this technological age corporations and the people who work for them have become wonderfully accustomed and comfortable with electronic mail. With a few clicks you can delegate tasks, ask questions, make comments and even arrange your lunch plans. Its simple, private (in the broad sense of the word) and empowering. Though with e-mail now being used as the prime form of communication between co-workers and contacts I can't help but wonder what is to become of the other forms?

Yes people still call in to place orders, ask questions (not always good ones), and generally just stay in touch, though how long will it last? I can speak from personal experience when I say that I much prefer e-mailing to voice calls. It feels so intrusive to call someone when they are not expecting it - even when they are it still seems odd. They have to speak to you right then and there and are under an unspoken pressure to deal with your concerns and get off the phone. E-mails can be ignored, delayed, put aside, answered immediately or simply disappear. Phone calls are harder to mentally (and literally) file for future reference or when trying to recall the conversation that was had.

Also, telephone headsets can ruin your hair and can cause breakouts on your skin if you wear them too close. though I so appreciate that it is black and therefore goes with most everything,
but moving away from my vanity and back to my point....

The written word has always been more descriptive, clear and common so I fully support using it for as many transactions as possible. Phone calls should be reserved for urgent matters or the technologically inept.
They were fun when we were 14 and chatted for hours with your friends (who you probably spent all day ta school with anyways) but these days phone calls are rarely happily received.
That said, I love hearing the voices of friends, family and acquaintances who I rarely get a chance to see.

On the other hand, I must address my pet peeve with e-mails. I thoroughly despite e-mails that have spelling errors in them. Your laptop, blackberry or whatever device you are using to e-mail surely has SPELL CHECK installed. I am not asking you to be a grammatical genius, simply press the CLEARLY MARKED spell check button before sending me your electronic thoughts - better yet set your device to spell check automatically so you don't even have to go through the tedious button pressing ordeal.

In summary, phone calls are a dying occurrence, where e-mails are surely the new standard. They are a wonderful way to communicate when done(spelt) correctly.
So please feel free to e-mail me....In great shoes.

Full speed ahead

Another week begins and back at the (not so ) ol' cubicle. Today's exciting tidbit revolves around language. The french language to be specific. Many customer service centres around the country have many bilingual representatives to help customers in the language of their choosing - here unfortunately we only have one. It's the GTA, so honestly french speakers are few and far between compared to other places, like our nation's capital for instance.


Our french speaking representative is a lovely lady who is a native francophone so prefers french calls to English ones for the most part and it works out wonderfully....until she goes on her standard two week vacation. She, like all other employees, is entitled to her vacation time but for lingual reasons her absence is more prevalent than many others. French callers now call in expecting to speak to her and sound sorely disappointed when she is not on the other end of their line. During her absence it is an anglophone who probably only knows how to say bonjour, or even worse - gets to talk to me.


Now I have a minor in french and lived in Belgium for a year but let me tell you that just because you speak a language does not mean you can translate product descriptions and/or details in this field (distribution of medical supplies). Luckily enough, my early morning caller had everything she needed to place her order and thus the transaction went quite smoothly, however it only takes an instance like that to make you realize how badly it could have gone.


I am just learning the products, vendors, descriptions and processes in ENGLISH and it is taking considerable time - forget the bilingualism. So today I am thankful that we have a full time representative who speaks french, though i am also slightly grateful that she decided to take her vacation (most unknowingly) whilst I was here - as it was a cool opportunity to learn. Also, it gave me a much needed reassurance that I have not yet forgotten the beautiful french language.


On a more 'chic' note, I am wearing the same flats as I was during the last post, as our house is being painted and the shoe closet is quarantined via wet paint. Thus I chose not to risk my new clothes for the shoes...though I assure you it was an intense internal dilemma. So instead of my shoes, today I will feature something else of note I am wearing. It's a boatman's whistle that I found in a military accessories catalogue here at the office and ordered to be worn as a necklace. I think it completes my nautical nod of an outfit.
















So I suppose here is to doing things differently, whether that be language or accessorizing......(though still)....In great shoes.

Relocation location

On a fairly slow Wednesday afternoon I have found time to look ahead in my life and begin searching for living accommodations in Calgary - where I will be transferring at the end of August.


There I will be doing market research and sales for the plastic surgery/ aesthetic market - a wonderfully glamorous sounding job if I do say so myself. In truth, it will be a ton of work trying to get info, make contacts, learn about products, etc. Leaving me tons of time to settle into (and hopefully appropriately decorate) my very first grown up apartment. Now I haven't lived with my parent's for the last 4 - 5 years however they have always helped me with the rent and the searching & moving in processes. As an added facet to this, I have also never lived in one place for more than a year. So in my mind a grown up apartment is one which you are TOTALLY responsible for and are going to be in long enough to be able to decorate it to your lasting preferences.


So I have begun searching online for potential places to call my new home. I am thinking one bedroom condo with modern fixtures/appliances, close to downtown, in suite washer/dryer as well as the option to get a small dog. Nothing crazy but still somewhat difficult to attain for under my budget of 1500 monthly (all in).


I have come up with about 7 fitting candidates that I plan to investigate further before I venture out to cow town (for the first time EVER) on the 19th of July. I would be lying if I said I wasn't giddy with excitement. My own CONDO downtown sounds like the beginnings of a very exciting life. Doesn't it? Sounds like the classy thing to say to someone when discussing living arrangements. "Why yes my Condo is right downtown, so it's no trouble at all for me to meet you at *insert trendy location here* in 20 mins."



Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself, I still need to visit this city before I start planning my fashionable and fabulous outings - in great shoes.





The home of my feet today: ASOS Ballerina Bow flats in black.

The employee's new clothes

Back at work again on this hot and humid Tuesday and have an update on my work wardrobe quest.

This Saturday my mom and I pulled off the ultimate quest for a modern yet functional work wardrobe. Five hours, over 20 stores and only 2 lattes later I feel complete. I have successfully built myself the beginnings of an awesome work wardrobe for about 700 dollars. Steep sounding, I realize, however more than half of that number was taken up by the all encompassing 3 piece POWER SUIT. At Tristan I found the most wonderful suit (on sale as well) that fits me wonderfully from head to hip. Not surprisingly I- at 5'3 -have to hem the gorgeous long pants but after that it will be perfect. It is classic black with clean lines and an inexplicable modern feel.

Clearly I am over the moon about it. It feels very grown up to make a large purchase like this so I cannot help my elation at this consumption milestone. I scored other great deals at H&M, French connection, Suzy sheer, Zara and Jacob as well. All in all an amazing retail escapade.

So choosing an outfit to wear for Monday morning was a whole new challenge. No longer did it entail a lack of choice but an abundance. So after carefully resiting the urge to wear every new piece at once, I settled on a new blouse and shirt combo that I found divine. Too bad my coworkers were too preoccupied with Monday morning tasks to notice. Well, a few did - which made my day - but all in all a very quiet ovation for my new fashions.

Today, the choice was minutely less difficult as I still have tons to debut but as the weeks wear on (pardon the pun) I am hoping I will still be this excited about my recent purchases. I can't imagine being back in the 'i have nothing to wear' mindset for at least a few months.

That's realistic right? Let's hope..... In Great Shoes.

Underneath my desk today: A pair of silver ankle wrapped sandals I bought from a street vendor in Athens last year while I was travelling. AS per a previous post, they do not make sounds when I walk - I made sure.

Also - it grinds my gears that a very similar pair of sandals is now available to the masses at Spring. It undermines the 'I bought these in Athens - aren't they lovely' allure. Thanks Spring for raining on my shoe parade (though I still love you for being a great value shoe retailer).

Looking ahead

Back to my cubicle now from the warehouse, where I had the supreme pleasure of putting together first aid kits for 5 hours.

Sometimes we take things like air conditioning for granted. A few hours of sweating in the warehouse and this little green cubicle feels like heaven. A green polyester tweed blend heaven, that is.

Due to the fact that this work week was wonky - with Canada day unevenly breaking it up - today feels like a Monday but is in fact a Friday, so my mind is focused on thoughts of weekend plans.

I think I will spend my weekend accomplishing another milestone in my work life - building the work wardrobe. I am thinking versatile dresses that travel well, long and lean dress pants, flirty and functional blouses and perhaps a structured jacket. I may or may not also look at a few pairs of shoes. =) This feat of consumption may be daunting to the average person but I have been mentally planning it since my work began. I have even cleared out space in my t-shirt and jean filled closet to make room. Time for change.

Another daunting feature of this quest is the financial. Buying new quality pieces is by no means cheap but I think I am prepared for that as well. My strategy is to not buy anything that doesn't make me look and feel fabulous, and when I find things that do, money is no object. I will add in here though that I do not plan on shopping at Louis Vuitton or equally as luxe establishments so I feel I can stay within my means even with the 'fabulous = priceless' attitude.

Honestly though, if you love something and you look stunning in it - isn't it entirely worth it? You are the most worthy thing of spending money on. I certainly subscribe to that belief. I may not drive a fancy car or live in a fancy house but when I walk into a room - damn do people notice. Looking like a million bucks (on a budget of a few hundred) is worth every penny. Look good, feel good.

So wish me luck, it's a big task but I am very excited about it. Look out Yorkdale here I come...In great shoes. (Today ALL red converse all star chuck taylor high-tops)