Glass Slipper Time: A Short Guide to Successful Interviewing

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Let's be honest, everyone wishes a fairy godmother would land on their desk and *poof* the perfect internship or next job would magically appear. No messy application process, phone screening, interview jitters necessary. Unfortunately for us the whole "bippity boppity boo" catchphrase has been translated into the 21st century lingo of "LinkedIn" and "informational interview" which don't sound nearly as whimsical or exciting. But, if you look hard enough, some magic and pumpkin transformation can still happen with the right perspective and your own team of mice to get you to the interview on time.

From Rags to Riches

You don't need a magic wand to find a killer interview outfit that turns everyone's head at the ball, ahem, office. Banana Republic and Nordstrom did not exist in the time of glass slippers, and you should take full advantage of the potential wardrobe magic just down the street. I am a firm believer that when you dress for the job you want, not only will you feel more prepared when you walk in the doors, but you will also appear more natural and a "perfect fit" to your interviewing team.

Of course, it is all about reading the culture of the office place. Similar to my advice in my informational interview blog post, you should dress like it is your first day on the job. Here is a short breakdown:

The Corporate Type: you know the drill, blazer, pumps, conservative and simple dark color. I always channel my inner Claire Underwood with a navy blue or black dress and blazer, pearl studs and a simple necklace.

Start-Up Scene: Still dress-it-up so they know you are taking it seriously, but don't feel the need to go full-on suit. A simple a-line skirt and blouse or tailored pants and nice top will do the trick. Throw on a pair of kitten heels to keep the je ne sais quoi your step.

NonProfit Niche: While some offices are very relaxed (I wear blue jeans, leggings and skirts interchangeably) you still want to set yourself apart in the interview. I recommend a conservative look with maybe a pop of color or statement piece of jewelry that's a little less "corporate" and a little more "personalized."

Do You Want to Dance

Cinderella's opening line (which wasn't really a line, but more of an action) of dancing with Prince Charming clearly set-up the evening for success. You want to make sure the first 5 min. of your interview do the same. There's always the old saying: your employer will know within 30 sec. if they want to hire you or not, so you either spend the remaining 59 min. reassuring them that you are the right fit or trying to convince them that they should hire you. Don't make it an unnecessary uphill battle. Win them over from the start.

A few simple tricks will help you kill it after that stunning entrance:

• Do your research. On the company's website, LinkedIn profile of your interviewer, google the buzzwords and know the direction of the industry you're interviewing for. Don't fumble on the simple "Why do you want to work here" type questions. Being confident is only a matter of doing your homework.
• Re-read your Cover Letter and Resume and then transform them into some strong talking points. This is your chance to be more than numbers on a page or buzzwords in a paragraph. Be an authentic person, and they will know you are a good fit for the team.
• Be yourself. I have heard over and over again from successful women in their fields that when they hire they are looking more for a personality fit and cohesion with the team, because anyone can learn the necessary skill sets if they are the right fit. Remember this. No One is perfect or has every experience the job description asks for. The goal is to be the right fit because your personality, hard work ethic and ambition shine through in the interview. 

It's Almost Midnight...

You've aced your portion of the interview, now it is the company's turn to impress. Just because you might be their Cinderella doesn't mean you picked the perfect prince at the ball. Make sure the company culture is also a right fit for your needs, growth potential, and a place you actually want to work at every day. Are they "your people" and will your supervisor be a strong mentor for you? Does everything just click, or do you feel something is missing? Ask those questions about company culture, "if you could change one thing about your job" or "what about this company makes you want to stick around and come back day after day?" Get past the salary and benefits (which are important!) and talk about the foundation stuff: what will fulfill you and make you happy. Even in a summer internship setting, these are people and connections you can cultivate for your entire professional life. Make sure they are the right ones.

Getting Back That Glass Slipper

You've left the interview, you are on cloud nine, you could conquer the world, etc. How do you make sure you are the foot the glass slipper will fit on? It's not rocket science, just follow this three-step process to success:

• Thank You Email. Within 24 hours of the interview. To the person(s) who interviewed you. Remind them of who you are, name a few specific things you like about the job and why you would be the ideal candidate. Short, simple, timely.
• Keep applying. Don't rest on your laurels after one interview and start obsessing over "that one job." Keep your options open and playing the field. It will keep you from going crazy and also make sure you land the right Prince Charming.
• Be gracious regardless of the outcome. You got the job? Awesome, be thankful and excited to start! You didn't land the position? It's ok, that means your right fit is still out there. Still be grateful and cultivate positive relationships. You never know when you will meet these people again in a professional context, or who is in their circle. Make sure you exit with class and sophistication, and your name and professionalism will go far.

Time to find your pumpkin, mice and get the interview show on the road!

5 Tips to Surviving a Postgrad Christmas

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During your Postgrad Christmas season, which of the following will you have to navigate :

a. buying gifts for your family and friends with a very limited salary (hello there, entry level job!)
b. holiday punch no. 1 or no. 2? (staff holiday party etiquette)
c. I swear these crisp white jeans fit me at last week's brunch...
d. end-of-the-year office stress
e. a need to snuggle-up and watch all of your favorite holiday movies
f. all of the above (yes, this one)

The days of carefree month-long vacations are sadly a thing of the past (but then again, so are finals), and now you're navigating the need for "me" time and family time and trying to get into the joy of the holiday season while still working full-time, trying to cross everyone off your Christmas list and successfully make it through your staff holiday party in one, dignified, piece.

Luckily, one year out from college, I have begun to put together a few tricks to surviving these at times stressful, and at times beautiful, time of the year. I hope you find time to enjoy the season with all of your loved ones' this season and have a cup of eggnog for me! Cheers!

Gifting on An Entry-Level Budget

Ok, this one is tricky. You want to be able to get everyone's wish list item, but we know that is not possible on a budget of less than 40k a year unless you're amazing at budgeting the other 340 days of the year (doubtful). So, here is how you can make everyone happy and not break the dwindling bank account-and hopefully have some $$ left over for killer New Year's plans.

• Don't underestimate your DIY skills. Honestly, Pinterest has made anything possible. Whether you're looking for the fashionista sister, the sentimental grandparent, or the hard-to-please best friend. They've got you covered.

• Remember how when you were 5-years-old and having your first kid birthday party with your bffs from kindergarten how your mom said "it is the thought that counts" in desperate hope that you would not be rude to your new friends? Don't underestimate the accuracy of that statement. Whether it is taking the crafty-approach, baking something, putting together a special collection of photos or quotes, your family and friends care that you put thought into something rather than spent the last of your monthly grocery allowance on a trinket. Think family memories, inside jokes, funny moments, personal goals of that person-and make it into a gift that speaks to them.

• Think experience v. material good. Sometimes a free concert together, or a fun gallery exhibit and "date" gift can be way more fun and enjoyable than having to wrap something in paper. Be creative!

Be the Life of the Party (in a really classy, sophisticated way)

Ok, we all know Holiday Staff Party is not code for reliving your frat days and pre-gaming with 3 shots of tequila and a chaser of coke. But it may be less clear exactly how to find the line between professional and social office-self. How do you show your fun side and fraternize with the coworkers while maintaining your reputation of being a reliable and hard-working team player?

• Stick to the wine. No matter how exciting or festive or tasty the "punch" is (because it will be awesome, no doubt) it will also leave you either face-down in your co-worker's car or the star of Monday-morning water cooler gossip. Avoid both. Drink wine. And lots of water.

• Make a point to say hi to your VIPs. This includes your supervisor, coworkers in your department and other pertinent leadership staff. Doesn't have to be life-changing conversation. Just a simple hello, how is the evening going, great to see you chat. It is good to show a little bit of your social side and connect on a personal level outside of the daily grind.

• Dress it classy and covered-up. While your Mean Girls uniform may have been a crowd-pleaser at your sorority social senior year, it will need to stay in the closet. Try a festive color (deep red, emerald green, silver or gold) and keep it office-appropriate with a just-above the knee length skirt or conservative dress. Showing arms=totally fine. Cleavage and upper thigh=not so much. 

The Christmas 15

You've eaten your weight in holiday cookies and are feeling the need to wear leggings 24/7. Such is the holiday lifestyle. Too much good food. Usually of the sugary, buttery, high-calorie variety. Try these tips to feel less bloated and actually be able to slip into those skinny jeans next Saturday night:

• Water is your best friend. Wake up with green tea. Go straight to the water. No mid-day soda breaks or juice binges. Water all the way. And after those holiday cocktails at 10pm? More water.

• Skip on the salty, stick to the fresh fruit and veggies. This is not brain science. I know those chips and dip look amazing, as does the cheese and cold cuts plate with baguette. But you will be very displeased the next morning. Fresh produce is forever your holiday best friend.

• Simple yoga stretches, such as these, will keep your energy up and those holiday toxins from settling-in for a long stretch of hibernation. Do these exercises every morning to wake you up, or to detox before you go to bed. Namaste.

• Walk more. Whether it is trekking to a further bus stop, going on a small walk during your lunch break, or taking a light jog around the neighborhood after work, little bits of regular exercise will make all the difference. You will be happy (yay endorphins), your tight LBD will look amazing on Christmas Eve and you will get to browse all of the holiday decorations in your neighborhood.

I just want to see that "Out of the Office" message already...

We all know the holiday and end-of-the-year cycle has its share of stressful moments. Some overtime will happen, not enough sleep will happen, and you will start to wish that AM coffee was spiked with something more than eggnog. Beat some of that office stress with the following adjustments:

• Put up some holiday decor in your cubicle. Whether it is taping up Christmas cards from friends and family, stringing a strand of lights around your computer monitor or pinning-up some garland on the wall, embrace the season! Add some peppermint sticks in a little mug on your desk, and spread the joy of the season.

• Get those 7 hours of sleep. Your body will be screaming hibernation mode, but if you go over 9 on the regular dragging your body out of bed will seem an impossibility. Get sleep, but don't give-in to the sloth voices in your head.

• Time management is key. You don't want to leave on vacation feeling stressed from the impending "to-do list" or with your head reeling from all the 2015 planning. Know how to wrap it all up in a bow before clocking-out for the holidays, and you'll actually get to enjoy the extra zzzs, curling-up with a leisure book and long brunches with the family.

A Definitive List of Classic Flicks and Holiday Cocktail Pairings

Holiday movies are the best (Love, Actually on repeat for days) and holiday cocktails are decidedly the best part of December anyway...so I put the two together. Enjoy.

• Love Actually + Pimm's Cup

• White Christmas + Hot-Buttered Rum

• Happy Christmas + French 75 Punch

• Christmas in Connecticut + Spiced Cranberry Sangria

• The Holiday Inn + Eggnog Martini

• Elf + Coquito

Who Are You Following?

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As millennials, our knowledge of what is happening in our community, and in the world, comes from the social media outlets we follow. Your version of what happened over the weekend will be very different if you follow @theSkimm vs. if you follow @taylorswift13 or your high school best friend. In a world where news updates literally happen every second, and every Twitter account or Facebook Page thinks they have the most relevant story to tell, how do you decide which source is worth following? What kind of messages should you be RT'ing? How educated are you after scrolling through the last 30 min. of your News Feed?

I am a huge proponent of following a variety of news sources and human interest outlets both to diversify the messaging I am receiving and broaden my knowledge of what is happening outside of the four walls of my Chicago apartment. In addition to bringing back smart anecdotes and scholarly opinions to your happy hour set, your social media feed will actually inform your followers and friends of something more than what you cooked for dinner and the cute little dress you had to buy over the weekend.

So, who are these amazing news outlets and sources that you should add to your following list? Below are some of my tried and trues. Let me know who your go-to's are. I would love to add more voices to the mix :)

1. @theSkimm. Clever, witty and can't-live-without-it news updates. Not only do you know what is happening in the international current event scene, but you can make an educated comment on it. And not feel totally depressed about the state of affairs (at least not with the daily Mean Girls references and pop culture quips) Sign-up here for their daily eNewsletter. Or check out my previous post on their amazingness here.

2. HONY. You've all heard of Human of New York. Obviously. But are you aware that right now the photos being posted on Facebook and Instagram are a part of a 50-day trip in partnership with the UN?? He is highlighting the ordinary people of Ukraine, South Sudan, Uganda and other countries we don't always personalize when we are blinded by political headlines and turmoil. Such an important way to connect with the global community, be informed, and realize that every person has their own story that deserves to be heard.

3. NPR. Yes, I know, Captain Obvious over here. But seriously, who else is going to tell you about the plight of neighborhood schools and what the high amounts of data being collected on dating sites tell us about our social impulses? 

4. Chicago Magazine. A local favorite. From a new perspective on neighborhood violence  to the inside details on the ongoing gubernatorial election.

5. @petridishes one of my favorite writers for the @washingtonpost whose columns are not only clever but bitingly acerbic with a great dose of feminism.

You're the Hunter, Not the Prey (Joining the Most Popular Hunting Party of the 21st Century)

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I imagine a good ol’ fashioned hunting party was a very classy affair: men dressed in their hunting coats, dogs running over the English countryside, a dashing Mary Crawley with her hat and riding crop… This is how I now imagine the hunting party I have joined: The Job Hunt. When you replace the hunting coats with our young professional smart business attire, arm us with crisp notebooks and ballpoint pens, and strategically plan the hunt based on a list of meticulously crafted informational interview questions, it is clear that the game we are looking for starts with a “j” and ends in an “ob.”

Of course, this hunting party comes with its own set of rules. From the "who do I contact?" game, to the etiquette of follow-up and maintaining good contacts, the process can seem daunting and unapproachable. But don’t let the chase scare you away, grab your riding gloves and saddle-up: I have outlined the critical steps of the networking and job-hunting process below, along with some of my insider tips. Let the hunt begin!

Who Should Join the Party

Strap on those riding boots and grab your crop-let’s get started! Who should be in your hunting party? How do you separate the promising contacts from those that won’t get you very far? How do you even know who a contact is-or how do you find them?

Finding contacts is actually much easier than you think-they are literally all around you. Think: college alumni, previous internship supervisors, old family friends, people who your colleagues know, even people you have worked with professionally but who are at a different company you have interest in. Everyone can be a contact if you cultivate them correctly. I personally recommend starting with people you have at least a second-degree connection with: alumni are a great resource, as are friends of your family or colleagues since they trust your mutual source. If you go into the conversation with that person's trust already established, you are one huge step ahead.

How to narrow in on the good contacts. To be honest, there is probably no bad contact, but if you’re as busy as I am, you really want to meet with those people who you know can lead to fruitful relationships and potential positions or advancement in your career. While I do think there is merit in the concept of cultivating contacts who you have a genuine connection with regardless of your positions, as your shared passion will lead to its own unique collaboration, for our sake let’s start with those in a field you are pursuing. This means people who may have the job you want, work for an organization you’re thinking of applying to (or have already applied to), or people who have a career trajectory you would like to emulate.

While it is admittedly a lot easier to have a networking chat with someone your age (they get your Mindy Project references, after all), really challenge yourself to diversify your networking pool. That means people that are your parents’ age, or older, because their experience can be even more valuable when you look at where you want to be in the next 10 years-plus they have some great contacts in their own Rolodex they might be willing to pass along. Don’t forget to creep on the old LinkedIn-see what positions people previously held-there might lie your secret connection, or an even better way to gauge where your dream position can take you in the next few years.

You’re the Hunter, Not the Prey

This can be a very hard mindset to crack into. After all, aren’t you the one looking for the job and thus in a position of less power than those you are chatting-up? No, you are actually the one who holds the cards: you are determining who you are meeting, you are leading the conversation, you are deciding how these networking chats will inform your next moves. Taking this motivation with you into the conversation will both keep you calm and let your qualifications shine. Forget those nerves-you’ve got this. (Of course, this “I’m ready to take on the world” attitude should not lend itself to cockiness-that is a very fine line. Remember, you are qualified and prepared, but the person you are meeting with deserves your respect and has a lot to teach you. Listen, young grasshopper.)

So, what does a seasoned hunter do before the hunt? Prepare those questions, do that research, and above all be timely. When getting back into the saddle, I like to steal some questions from this handy-dandy notebook (thanks, Denison!) to get myself started. Then I pepper in a few more specific ones: ask about that person’s specific position, the particular companies they have worked for, bring in your own personal experiences and mention your own qualifications and current decisions. Write these questions out planning for a 30-45 min. Q&A.

Research on all of your platforms: LinkedIn, company website, previous employers’ websites, company bio, their personal publications, etc. Have a fb friend in common? Do a little personal creeping (but don’t be obvious about this!) and see if you have something fun in common: beach volleyball, camping, going to the theatre, etc. to just throw in the conversation and lighten things up. Just don’t be awkward about it-let it enter naturally into the conversation. Be clever, be smooth. You’re a cool cat, you got this.

Polish those Boots

“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it,” wise words, my friend, from renowned costume designer Edith Head. Think those new white denim jeans and cute peplum top are shining star status for your networking coffee? Think again. Dress like you are entering the first day of that job.

Corporate setting: break-out that suit.

Nonprofit: blazer with colorful pants, or professional dress with a statement necklace. Start-up: conservative, but colorful dress or skirt/shirt combo.

Female-centric: go with a little more flair and personal style, they’ll notice.

Male-dominated field: be conservative and not too flashy.

Younger company culture: you can maybe do a little laid-back approach.

You the spring chicken out there? Keep it traditional and buttoned-up.

Personal note: Put on the heels. It will add a little confidence in your step!

Time to Trot

Questions are prepared, research completed, outfit pressed and ready to go. How to make sure the actual conversation goes off without a hitch:

1.     Arrive 15 min. ahead of your appointment. This makes you not only look prompt and like you are taking this seriously (duh), but also gives you a few extra minutes to look over your questions again, take a few deep breaths, pop in an Altoid and put your game face on.

2.     Bring multiple pens. Just like the ACT. You never know.

3.     Start-off the conversation with a firm handshake, strong smile, and simple conversation starter: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me, how is your day going?

4.     Listen, listen, listen. Yes, you hold the questions, but their nuggets of wisdom sometimes need patience to listen for. Ask follow-up questions to get to your point, and even if your contact rambles on a bit, you may land on another piece of advice that you weren’t expecting! Get the answers you want, but don’t rush the process.

5.     Offer anecdotes and speak-up when the opportunity presents itself. You don’t need to just fire-off question after question. Be natural. Share some of your own experiences, no need to be tongue-tied, be your charming self.

6.     At the end make your next steps very clear. Are you going to stay in touch? Do you want more contacts from them? Are you applying to a job with their organization?

7.     Be THANKFUL. Seriously, y’all. They just took time out of their busy workday to meet with you, be grateful.

Stay in the Saddle

Positive first foray into the networking field? Great conversation, outlined next steps, offer to stay in touch? You go, girl! Here is how to stay in your contact’s good graces: follow-up with a genuine thank you. In this case, a short and sweet email listing some specific points of gratitude (look over those meticulous notes) goes a long way. Make sure to mention those next steps: were they going to connect you with someone? Were you going to apply to a job where they have a connection? Make sure you make note of this so you both remember! Do you want to stay in contact? Go ahead and say that: “I hope we stay in contact as I continue to pursue opportunities in the marketing field in Chicago.”

Then, do those next steps! Apply to those jobs, reach-out to their contacts, send a follow-up to your networking bud when you find your new job or make an advancement. Keep them in the loop, and they might do the same. Don’t let yourself be forgotten-you are your own personal cheerleader so don’t leave that megaphone at home.

Hope that was helpful :) Next step in my Career Series: It’s Interview Time! From the etiquette to the tough to answer questions, I’ve got your back. For now, put on that riding hat and button up your jacket. Time to ride!

Approaching the Quarter-Life Crisis (where is my BMW?)

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Life crises are no fun. At least a mid-life crisis has the accompanying images of a red BMW convertible, a new lake house or some luxurious perk. I am pretty sure the only connotation existing for a quarter-life crisis is a stressed-out, debt-laden postgrad freaking out about societal expectations and how to find fulfillment. Not very glamorous. So, I am here to guide you through this sticky time (as I am experiencing it myself at the ripe age of 24) and see how us millennials can navigate this life change together (and find some perks in the process)!

Below are some guided questions I created to reason-through the stress and confusion to hopefully arrive at your own answers and next steps. May I recommend a glass of white wine to go with this guide? Okay, I do. 

What do you value?

And I mean, really value. Not getting brunch with your girlfriends on Sunday morning, or that new dress you just picked-up on extreme clearance at Banana Republic. I am talking the big stuff: family, relationships, your career, etc. These are the things you build your life around, drop-everything for, and are deeply invested in. Identify these factors. For me, this year has taught me that I value my family above all else: career, travel, etc. This took my about 11 months to admit…but hey, when you know what is important to you and have found that foundation, don't be shy or ashamed to commit. You do you. Don't let anyone else's visions or expectations for you hold you back from finding what you really love, and sticking to it. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

No, this isn't the "interview-ready answer." I want your honest answer, no matter how messy, cautious, wild or unrealistic it may seem. And I don't just mean career-I mean family, relationship, geographic location, everything. You need to be honest with yourself, and really do some soul-searching to figure this one out. It does not need to be static, but it should be something that guides your decisions over the next few years so that when you look back you don't have regrets. You get lectured all the time on not wasting your youth or not taking advantage of your twenties. This will help you feel that you have made the most of each day and took steps in the right direction to find your own definition of success.

Are you fulfilled (emotionally, spiritually, professionally)?

Another biggie (I never said this was an easy process. Take a sip of your wine.) Fulfillment often comes under the guise of professional advancements or a life partner. But there is so much more to it! In order to get through this time of questioning and life-analyzing, you need to take a step back and look at all of the factors. Just because you feel like you are stuck in a professional rut does not mean you should put all of your "unhappy eggs" in that basket. Have you also looked at how your relationships or where you live might be adding to that stress? Are you just blaming your current state on the easiest factor-and not admitting there are other issues weighing on you? 

I know-it's hard. We don't always want to take the time to fix the larger issues, or even admit them to ourselves. It might not (and probably will not) be the easy answer. But it is the answer that once addressed will leave you a happier and more stable person. This is also a time to explore what brings you fulfillment. Maybe you are lacking something in your life that you didn't realize. Take a dance lesson, pick-up the piano again, go to church, read a good book with no distractions from social media, cook for yourself. Add back some of the "simple life" activities, and you will be amazed how your quality of life changes.

What were you doing a year ago (that you really miss now)?

A year ago can sometimes feel like yesterday, or a decade ago. Which is why it is important to take some intentional time and re-discover who you were a year ago. What were everyday activities you engaged in that you wish you still had time for? (Guilty of this one! I keep saying I am going to get back into Yoga…I just need to commit to a studio already!) What people were in your life that you miss? It can be hard (especially after graduation) to stay connected with those close friends, especially now that you live more than 10 min. from each other. Truth is, there is always time for a text, phone call, or facebook message if you want to keep that person in your life. Of course I am all for making new friends wherever you move-explore, be adventurous, put yourself out there!-but it is important to have people who know you from different times of your life who value who you have been, and how you are growing into yourself. 

Was there a skill you were using that you miss engaging with? This is exactly why I started-up my blog again and have made a point to engage with my followers via social media. I really miss the PR/Marketing responsibilities I had in my university organizations, and (dare I say it) writing those papers for my English classes. For me, engaging with my writing and PR skills has been both educational and therapeutic. That is why I am hoping to make it part of my future career. Look for ways you can engage those skills (be it reading analytically, intellectual conversations, speaking a foreign language) and re-ignite those passions. 

What do you do just for you?

Ok, this is key. I know the other questions have been important (I am not negating that). But this one is sort of principal to your future happiness/life direction/general lifestyle. At the end of the day it is really your life, regardless of other roommates, relationships, family who are nearby. This is about you-your decisions, your future path, your career, your next big move. So-what is it that you do just for yourself? It doesn't have to be something life shattering. Maybe it is listening to your favorite playlist every morning. Or going on evening runs around your neighborhood. Perhaps finding time to read that good book that has been on your shelf, or committing to going out with girlfriends once a week.

If you aren't respecting who you are, and what you want to get out of life, right in this very moment then there is no way you can successfully get past this dilemma. It starts with these questions, but it ends with your actions. Make those small life changes (go to the farmer's market this weekend, head to a free museum night, finally go to that restaurant you've been wanting to check-out) and listen to what is bringing you fulfillment in the moment. Then take these passions, these callings, and incorporate them into your future plans. Maybe you join a new auxiliary council or pay for a new museum membership or plan time a few nights a week to curl up with your favorite book. Target these passions and you will make it through these periods of questioning and confusion one step at a time.

I Skimm! You Skimm! We ALL Skimm...

Wish you knew what people meant when they referred to ISIS and the latest on the VA scandal? Want something clever (and intelligent!) to say to your coworkers? Time to impress your happy hour set with some World Cup terminology?

If you're like me (i.e. a time-crunched, stressed-out, running all over the place young professional) you want your news. And you wanted it 10 min. ago with your boutique cappuccino and your morning emails already responded to. Le sigh. Enter one of my latest discoveries...theSkimm!

Seriously, this daily email gets you everything you need to know. Plus some Mean Girls or Friday Night Lights references thrown in, just to spice it up! Hello, since when was news actually ENJOYABLE to read? I mean, look at the state of affairs, it can be a bit of a downer at times. Far from trivializing current events, theSkimm offers a fresh and quick glance at what you need to know now.

As they say: "We read. You skimm." So...you should probably get off your AM Twitter feed and subscribe to theSkimm which will offer you just as many witty laughs and funny comebacks with the bonus of hard news.

(Did I mention I am a new Skimm'bassador?? Would love your support for this new start-up that I think is doing some great things for the millennial crowd. Seriously. Getting us interested-and invested!- in news can be a hard task. Bravo!)

Pro tip: Read theSkimm in your bed when you wake up (like me!) this way you start your morning with a laugh, or two, and feel prepared to take on the day with your worldly savoir-faire!

My personal favorite Skimm moments:

Because I've secretly been wondering this my whole life, but was too embarrassed to ask...

Because of all the awkwardness...

Mean Girls. So innocently interjected into international affairs.

 Tim Riggins. That is all. #TexasForever

How can you NOT want to receive these bundles of joy and knowledge in your inbox every morning? That's what I thought...

Beach & A Book: What I'm Currently Reading

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My perfect summer day: Lying on the beach with the Chicago skyline behind me and Lake Michigan a few feet from my towel, nose-deep in a new novel and ready for an all-day tanning marathon. Luckily for my Irish roots (read: pale skin!) I got a head start on my summer tan on my trip to the south the other week! Of course, I also devoured quite a few books between happy hour cocktails and evening walks in the surf. Here are some of my recommendations for stellar summer reads.

What is currently on your bookshelf? Any titles I should check-out this summer?

Me Before You. JoJo Moyes.
Bookshelves: Realistic Fiction. Romance. Brit Lit. Sob Fest. 
Good To Read: Really late at night when you're ready to succumb to very intense and heart wrenching emotions. Not a day read-unless you brought a box of tissues and have no one to see for the next five hours with your extremely swollen eyes.
The Short: The type of book that keeps you up until 4am, and then dissolves you into a sobbing, blubbering mess. AND, the screenwriting dream team from The Fault in Our Stars is taking on the adaptation. So. Excited.

French Milk. Lucy Knisley.
Bookshelves: Memoir. Comic/Graphic. Makes me want to backpack Europe. Again.
Good to Read: Ideally on a plane over the Atlantic on your way to Paris…or, just when you need a little escape from reality and want to feel like the Seine is right out your window.
The Short: Whimsical and tongue-in-cheek guide to living in Paris for a month. The illustrations add the perfect touch of grounding and young adult savoir-faire. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns). Mindy Kaling.
Bookshelves: Memoir. Comedy/I literally couldn't stop laughing out loud. Mindy=my spirit animal.
Good to Read: On the beach, on a Saturday. You will feel productive for finishing it in one day, and very wise from all of Mindy's life advice.
The Short: You need to watch The Mindy Project. Then you need to read this book. That is all. (Yes, I realize this advice is like 2 years behind the curve, whatever.)

The Dud Avocado. Elaine Dundy
Bookshelves: Memoir. Wanderlust. Paris Je T'aime i.e. everyone who has ever lived in France or been to Paris needs to read this book right now.
Good to Read: When you need to hark back to your study abroad days…oh, the freedom of being young, naïve and reckless.
The Short: Everything romantic, cynical, hilarious and shocking about a young American's awakening in the City of Lights. Addicting.