4 Make Up Products I Trust and Recommend

This is my first beauty focused blog post. As a fashion student and a girl who works for a brand that communicates luxury, I have to make sure I look well put together. Although I feel like I have no time to bother. But, it is a material world and after all I'm carrying the company's name with my image.

You don't need to pile make up on your face like you're about to be crowned in a pageant. Not saying that pageant girls wear a load of make up. That is another one of my bad examples.

Gone are the days where you need to have strong eyebrows, contour your cheeks, line your nose, highlight half your face. Not only does it cost a lot to complete that make up look and the tools, but it's also too long to complete.

Compulsive Shopping and Fashion Classes

The thing about being a fashion student is that you get exposed to fashion industry a lot. Our class yesterday involved analyzing and observing the retail industry. And as my professor said, what better way to study the industry than be in it and participate.

So he asked all of us to channel our inner mademoiselle Coco and go to 3 brands that we are drawn to. These 3 brands must be brands that captures our brand and aesthetic.

Now the thing is when surrounded by people who are shopaholics, and inside a store where sales associates are trained to sell. There is a high chance that you will in fact, not leave the store without carrying a ribbon tied pastel colored box inside a beautiful paperbag, with a note of appreciation for spending so much money on clothes you probably don't need.

We visited six individual stores and two department stores. I left with two paperbags. It took all of my will power to put down an electronically pleated navy skirt (that I swear could easily match all of my whites, and blacks, and navys.) It took me a little less to let go of black and white ankle strap heels (which I have in flats, that I got while I was in college, of course my parents paid for it.)

You know how banks now offer forced savings? They deduct an amount every month from your savings account and transfer it to a secured account for saving and investing. This is a bank solution that they offer to make middle class (or young adults, or those who are between rich and broke) afford luxury items that they can't spot buy.

Now the thing is when you have that set up please please please do not withdraw it for a pair of Valentinos. No matter how much that product screams your name. Or no matter what the sales lady tells you. Or no matter how much discount she throws in. Let it rest there. And be invested. Let it grow. Nourish it by injecting more money. Those pumps will decrease in value but investments will keep you alive after 5 years.

It felt like I needed these purchases but after awhile, you'll realize that you don't need it and that these could have been properly invested somewhere else or saved for a rainy day. And unlike in the US you don't get refunds when you return in this country. So you have to be sure you'll be able to live with yourself if you splurge while on a budget.

Now I just have to ask myself always "do I need this?" And make sure I answer ccorrectly. Need to budget!

Xo,
Paula

Paranoia and Self Appreciation

You know how my professors all know my boss? Cause in this industry everybody knows everybody. And those teaching fashion are a select few and because of the scarcity they teach in all the fashion schools available.


Yesterday my prof snapped a photo of me, in my very minimalist kind of sad ensemble consisting of a grey origami skirt, a black knit long sleeves rolled up to my elbows and tucked in neatly, pearl with gold details earrings, gold watch, gold stud necklace, and black booties and tote that came as a set, and he texted during my presentation. And I assumed he was texting my boss. Who coincidentally texted me in class.

I texted her back telling her I won't be able to meet her that day and I'll just do whatever needed done tomorrow (which is today.) and Lev called me out. Good thing i was slightly paying attention and was able to salve what little was left of my dignity after being called out.

So there really isn't anything going on. Or at least my boss hasn't confronted me. I am prepared too. If you go through my neat table (with the mess is hidden inside the drawers) you'll find in a little envelope my resignation letter. I have no reason to stay in this company anymore. I think I've learned everything I can. Got the contacts and networked to all the people I needed. And those I'll need in the future I can also make through other opportunities.

Honestly I think my silence has improved the attitude of all my other co-workers towards me. But the feelings that have been stirred up mostly leading towards the dark dark sadness and loneliness do not just go away. And although my bosses are amazingly kind and easy to get along with in the end its the environment and the people you spend less than eight hours a day with that makes or breaks the way you see yourself in the company. And most of my co-workers, I've nothing against them, have future plans that doesn't involve the company. Of my whole stay its always been "my friend who works for my old company gets benefits, wonder when we will." Honestly? People who get paid a lot either are skilled a lot or work a lot and in this co-worker's case she is neither skilled nor hard working enough to get what all her other friends get.

I get it, friends compare company backgrounds, and employment benefits and salary packages. I do that too all the time. But everybody knows although all my childhood buddies make 3 or 4 times more than I do they don't get the same work hours that I get. They have no peace of mind on weekends. They dread Mondays. They get little to no sleep each night. They're in the office sun up to sun down. And I don't. I go to work when I feel like it. I leave whenever I want. I have the longest lunches any working girl ever has. So I don't know why my co-workers would compare what they make to what their friends make. On a side note, why stay if you feel like you can do better?

No I'm starting to sound bitter. Let's go  back to talking about me. You know how I'm in between rich and broke at the moment? Quitting my job would mean being broke. Now this is what an emergency fund is for. For when I go broke. My mum taking me to work every morning helps me save. So far I haven't shopped. I need to prepare for my resignation. Unlike that time when I graduated and I had a tiny bit of surplus when it comes to cash because of my thesis equivalent which is business implementation. I don't have that surplus anymore, because commute is not cheap and neither are lunches, or tuition.

All my future expenses that comes after my resignation is making me even more sad. This is the last month of my contract. I'm not going to extend it. Even if they all quit. You have to know when to stop a non profitable business. And I'm worth more than I'm getting in this place. Originally since I don't know anything being paid little was okay. But as a person who knows a little now and who is taking additional classes for self development I would say my worth went up a little.

Its a Friday and I'd like to end on a positive note. Never settle for something less than you deserve. If you know it in your heart that you're worth more than that bargain for it, insist a little. And if they turn you down move on to the next. Never stop believing in yourself. If you don't who would?

Xo,
Paula

Introduction

Hi,

I'm Paula. I'm 23 years old. Barely successful in my career. Often bored. Wishing to travel but rarely get the chance or the budget together to get to it. I work in the fashion industry selling premium bags as their admin and finance head. I also double as the hr. And sometimes even the inventory officer.

In this world people are dressed up in labels, where you eat, who you are wearing, where you spent your weekend, what you did on holidays. Everything is labeled and judged based on your ability to keep up with the high life that everyone you work with has. Well in this case their parents.

I'm under paid. And i work few hours. I'm taking a course (that I think I paid too much for) to network and to better my chances in life.

This will be a chronicle of my struggles in fashion and food, and finances. I'll try to post as often as possible but I'm trying to develop my discipline. And with that I'll post at least one note about finance every Tuesdays 8AM CST. Cheers and have a good one!

Xo,
Paula