Mary Kate and Ashley Called

If Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen called me and asked me to get lunch this is what I would wear. I would attempt the whole bohemian look but this is as bohemian as I would get.

I found the dress on J.C. Penny's website and thanks to Harper's Bazaar Magazine and their top 6 trends of fall, know that floral dresses are a must have. But if your like me (poor), snap one off the summer clearance rack that can be used in layering and it becomes a fall piece. Check out all the items above on {Stuff Under 20} as I was their guest blogger today!

{Post I}, {Post II}, {Post III}, {Post IV}, {Post V} and {Post VI}

{Stay Tuned}

P.S. Like Stuff Under 20? Me too! And guess what? They like me! So much that they asked me to be a permanent blogger on their site. More details to follow here.

How did I land a job?

I was fortunate to get a few snippets of why The Southwest Times hired me as their newest reporter during my interview process.  I want to take the time to share it because I think it might be helpful for others in future interview process.  

1. Enthusiasm. They said I was the most enthusiastic person they interviewed during the phone interview process.  My reaction: I was nervous for the phone interview but I was excited I had an interview.  Plus they were asking me questions about my past experience and why I wanted to be a reporter. Hello,  I got to talk about myself. That was easy.  As silly as this next part is going to sound I am going to go ahead and type it.  When I worked at Target as the store operator, I was told to smile when I answered the phone.  They said the smile would come across into my voice. Try it sometime. It actually works. 
2. Getting the Scoop. For the phone interview process, I was given a few examples of a possible story and was then told to explain what I would do to get "the scoop".  I said I would first do research and find out what the background of the incident was.  Then I would contact all parties involved for an interview and from there have the story.  Apparently, in one example that was given to all ten phone interview candidates I was the only one that said I would begin with research and speak to all parties involved.  Everyone else just said they would only contact the main influential player.  Elon taught me that a creditable story is one with multiple sources and research.  That was such a standard answer for me and one I thought everyone else would give as well.  
3. Question Master. They said I asked questions and good ones.  I asked not only about the newspaper but about the community and the area. Well, considering I had never heard of Liberal till about a week ago that came natural for me.  And while, I guess asking if Liberal had been effected by H1N1 or the current economic downfall of this country sounded like I wanted to know about possible news stories, I actually just was curious if I needed to bring Purell and to brace myself for what kind of status this town was in.  

Bottom line, interview process was just very natural for me.  I answered truthfully and was myself the entire time.  I didn't try to be something I wasn't or present myself in a false light. And that's the best piece of advise I can pass on.  

{Stay Tuned} 

P.S. Only one reported case of H1N1 in the county and Liberal was not effected very heavily by economic hard times.  The main industry there is meat packing (think Kansas City Beef) and well, people aren't stopping to eat beef these days. 

Leaving Kansas...for a week

I am leaving today to go back to Ohio.  How things have changed since last week.  I am leaving Kansas with a whole new plan for the next week, month and year of my life.  I am officially moving to Kansas the Weekend of October 2nd and begin work on Monday, October 5th.  Basically in a week I will be back in Kansas.  My goal today is to figure out and make a decision on housing before I head out of town for the drive to Wichita. Flying from Wichita to Ohio tonight.  I'll keep everyone posted.  I have a few options that I did research a bit on Thursday. But need to do further research and make sure Tiger Lilly can live with me.  

I want to thank all my friends, Twitter friends, and blog readers for all their on going support and encouraging comments this week.  I did get some questions and I'll go ahead and answer them at this time.  

Yes, I will continue to blog.  Hello, exciting things are on the horizon and I want you all to know. 

No, I will not be changing my blog name. People know me as the Boomerang Lady and well, you could say I am boomeranging to Kansas. 

Yes, my parents are completely on board.  They have been very supportive and they can tell how pumped and excited  I am.  I think that helped a lot. 

Yes, still be guest blogging for {Stuff Under Twenty}.

Probably be pulling back on The Examiner and I did officially call the Gap store in Cincinnati and quit.  I only held that job for one week! Felt bad about it but it was always a "something in the meantime". 

Anymore questions leave them here and I promise to answer.  Anyways got to get a move on.  

{Stay Tuned}

P.S. Photo above from the entrance of Dorothy's house and below is Munch-kin land. 

And I Can't Get "Sequin Shoes" Out of My Mind

Leave it to Dorothy Gale of my new town, Liberal, Kansas to inspire this post.  Dorothy will always be known for Ruby Red Slippers.  Well, Dorothy red is great and all but I think it might be a little to "lady of the night" for my taste. Here's the deal I'll wear sequins on my feet but more along the lines of silver, gold and black colors.  Check these out. 

1. Kansas born Kate Spade knows her roots with these sequin, satin and bow, 3 inch Sling back heels. {Carly} A steep $375
2. I'll take some {Sequin Ribbon Booties} from Charlotte Russe.  At $29.99 I think these are perfect for a little night out on the town. 
3. Not in the mood for a sparkly bootie, then {Peep Toe Sequin Heels} from Windsor might be your style.  Apparently these sequins change from silver to black.  Priced at $34.90. 
4. Jones New York {My Hero Sequined Flat} comes with a mixture of silver and gold.  Therefore no worries on matching your jewelry.  Priced at $49.99 on DSW.com.
   

{Stay Tuned} I'll let you know if I get a sparkly pair of new shoes.

P.S. Photo above from inside Dorothy's house. That would be Dorothy's bedroom and notice her rudy red slippers. 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

You know the song.  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Well, that somewhere over the rainbow is Liberal, Kansas for me.  Today, in Liberal I interviewed for a reporter position with The Southwest Times.  And in Liberal, today, my somewhere over the rainbow, I got offered a job!

Newspaper reporter: covering specifically the county government meetings, the school board, the hospital and general assignments that come up with feature writing. Pay is good. Benefits, yes are available. The staff young.  The desk comes with a Mac with Adobe programs.  The newspaper is owned by a media company that most of their papers are in the South (which included papers in Georgia/Kentucky...so future newspapers jobs are looking my way).  It is perfect!  

Not perfect is being so far away from my parents, sister, friends, and everything I know.  But this is just too good of an offer.  This is the opportunity.  This is where I need to be.  And that is why I am accepting the position tomorrow morning.  

Move over Dorothy, I am coming to Kansas and I am bring Tiger Lily.  So warn Totto she is a feisty little orange cat. Coming to begin my "Somewhere Over the Rainbow...skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream. Really do come true." 

"That's where you'll find me."

{Stay Tuned} Move is early October!

Guest Blogging on Stuff Under 20 (Third Times A Charm)

If you happened to check out the very awesome fashion blog {Stuff Under 20} then you know...I was yet again N & S 's guest blogger today! Check me out!

{Post I}, {Post II}, {Post III}, {Post IV}, {Post V} and {Post VI}.

I wanted to create a look for getting drinks with friends on say a Thursday night. Thinking about the colder temperatures upon us, I went with dark denim, sleeveless top but paired with a cute cardigan to keep us warm. I had to thrown in a little detail and we all know I am a fan of the flower jewelry. Not to mention, I love this Target tote. Regretting I did not buy one over 2 weeks ago. Hope you like this look.

{Stay Tune}

P.S. I made it to Kansas! So far so good!

A Little Hectic

The days before an interview is always a little hectic. 

You want to mentally prepare. Research the company. Have questions ready.  

You want to be interview ready. Simple jewelry. Professional suit or outfit. Nails done. Hair and make-up looking good.  

You want to know how to get there, confirm times and who is interviewing you.  

Well, when you do that for an "out of town" job and one that happens to be a plane ride away...it suddenly becomes a lot more hectic. Am I packing everything I might possibly need? 

As of right now the packing is half done. Got to iron a few items tonight and stick them in my bag along with toiletries in the morning.  So I am basically ready.  But the key word is "I". My parents on the other hand aren't exactly.   

Mom, Dad and I sat down for a talk today and let's just say they have quite a lot of concerns. 

• The distance
• I'll get paid peanuts
• I'll hate it
• After a few months I'll get laid off due to the economy
• I wouldn't be home for the holidays
• I'll be taken advantage of professionally
• I wouldn't know anyone in a five hour radius
• Adjusting to small town life 

The list could continue.  My parents have valid points and are being lets say "very protective".  But it is quite difficult to hear these things from my parents because I feel like they don't think I, myself, haven't already thought of them.  

I tossed and turned in bed on Thursday night thinking about it all.  I know what I am up against.  Pretty much all things mentioned above. I've thought about them.  But the truth is I've tackled many of these issues last year working in Chapel Hill.  I've know that this was a pretty likely picture of what my next career move would be. You have to start small.  Nothing in my situation is forever and I truly believe this opportunity wouldn't have come to me with out myself suppose to be getting something out of it.  Make sense? 

Tomorrow off to Kansas! Let's tackle the interview, have fun and really get to see all Liberal has to offer. Then I'll get to the very valid issues.  

{Stay Tune}