One Toe in the Real World Pool

One of the most annoying aspects of landing an internship or job is how many things you need. No, not the intangible qualities like talent or connections, but the material goods just to get in the race. I started to wonder just how much all this cost.

Step One: Finding a Position
-Computer: Whether it is a huge database like Monster or the company’s website, you are going to need a way to access it.
Estimated cost: Uh, 600 for a boring, bare bones desktop.

-Coffee: Your new best friend during the job search. Invest in caffeine or suffer the consequences when the bland job descriptions lull you to sleep.
Estimated cost: 2 dollars per cup at your local coffee shop… let’s up this to 20 dollars for a couple intense search sessions.

Step Two: Applying for Said Positions
-Previously mentioned computer for composing cover letters, resumes, and other application materials.

-Printer: If case you need to send hard copies of the materials.
Estimated Cost: About 50 dollars for a bottom of the line inkjet.

-Nice resume paper: Do these people really care if your resume is on heavy linen paper as opposed to normal printer paper? I guess it cannot hurt!
Estimated Cost: About 10 dollars for a package.

-Manila envelopes, stamps, and other such shipping materials: Stupid letters of recommendation.
Estimated Cost: About 15 dollars for it all.

-Time Spent Obsessing over Resume Font… priceless. Which one will tell them I am a efficient person? New Times Roman or Geneva?

Step Three: The Interviews
-Portfolio: Filled with ten extra resumes just in case.
Estimated Cost: About 20 dollars for a decent leather one.

-The Suit: Not just any suit, but one that actually makes you feel confident. There is nothing more awkward than someone who is wearing a suit two sizes too big. Remember to get it tailored.
Estimated Cost: A blazer and pair of trousers at J. Crew will set you back 386 dollars… round up to 400 for very minimal tailoring.

-Dress shirt: Because you have to wear something under that grown up suit!
Estimated Cost: 60 dollars for a broadcloth button down.

-Classic Heels: Your New Balance tennis shoes are not going to hack it here. You should really already have these shoes in your closet.
Estimated Cost: Hmm, I going to ballpark 75 dollars for ones that will look nice and wear well.

-Tights/Nylons: Grin and bear it.
Estimated Cost: Only like 5 dollars. Just pray they do not run.

-Knowing the Right Answer to the Off-the-Wall Questions: Cannot be bought. If you really wanted you could invest in one of those books about interviews, or reading the Vault… a lot!
Estimated Cost: Free!

All this junk amounts to approximately one thousand two hundred fifty-five dollars. Ugg, think of all the purses that would buy. (Two? Three?) I suppose compared to the thirty thousand for tuition this little expense is a drop in the bucket. All this “investing” in the future, it just better have a good ROI!

The Oscars... Minus the Pesky Awards Part

This year I found the whole Oscar thing even more overrated than usual. I knew it would be bad when my pop-culture guru friend told me she would not be watching. If the ratings are especially bad this year she alone is probably half the reason! Most of the time I have not even seen most of the movies nominated. It is not that I dislike going out to the movies, it just seems pricey for a tame night out. It costs ten dollars to sit in a dark room and not interact with anyone? It is hard to justify in my budget.

Despite all this I still am a girlie girl and enjoy looking at pretty dresses. And let’s not forget all the handsome men in tuxes. What is it about formal wear? It makes guys look so darn cute. Since the Oscars are a wonderful venue for observing both pretty dresses and handsome men I make it a priority to watch… the arrivals. What can I say; I have work to do on Sunday nights!

Here are some of the Oscar night looks, from my most hated to most adored:
This is just all wrong. Kirsten Dunst’s dress looks like something an old lady would wear. Is her stylist’s name Ethel? She would have been better off stealing some of those regal gowns from the set of Marie Antoinette. At least she could have passed it off as a nod to the movie winning for costume design.
I normally love Gwyneth’s style but this is just heinous. First, the color is not very flattering and on the verge of plain ugly. Then to top it off the dress is poorly fitted.
I usually like presents. However, Anne Hathaway’s dress is certainly not a gift I would like to receive. She has very pretty porcelain skin but the white dress just blends right in. That leaves the giant black bow just sitting there, looking out of place.
I loved the top half of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s gown, that neckline is just beautiful. I also liked that she kept it simple and let the asymmetric lines of the dress do the talking. But what was on the bottom half? Faux fur? A dead beaver? It confused me.
Jodie Foster looked amazing! Can you believe she is 44 years old? I loved the soft lines of her dress. I want to wear this to my next gala, seriously.Yea for picking a color other than black or blue! I like a girl who is not afraid of pink, especially bold fuchsia. Plus, she is an expert at knowing how to flatter her curves. That is exactly why every guy I know is obsessed with Jessica Biel.Reese’s thoughts: “Ryan, eat your heart out. I bet you are kicking yourself now jerk.”Emily Blunt’s shimmering sapphire dress was one of my favorites of the night. I liked it because it was sleek and clean. I am sure being super skinny helps pull it off. This dress looks like it would show any flaw. I only wish she had paired it with a pendent necklace or choker so her neck did not look so bare.
And last, but certainly not least, Abigail Breslin looked too cute for words! Aww.

I suppose the Oscars were not a total waste. My favorite (The Departed) did win Best Picture...

Bring on the Rain

Well Britney Spears has shown us that umbrellas can used for bad purposes. I guess the paparazzi were lucky she did not have a tee time that day. I bet a nine iron would have done a tad more damage. (She has a talent for taking nice things like umbrellas and hair and turning them into disasters.) If you are the sort of person who prefers to use umbrellas in a more traditional way, the choices are endless.
I am the first to admit that I am not a Juicy Couture lover. I blame them for all those heinous terry cloth tracksuits. Why are people still wearing them? Anyway, I was surprised when I actually like one of their umbrellas. The map design is fun and it wins big bonus points for not having Juicy Couture plastered all over it.

Kate Spade usually has cute ones as well but they only seem to have one on their website now. Come on Kate, spring is not that far away.

This Tray 6 umbrella really puts me in the mood for tulips and raindrops.

But please play nice with your stylish umbrellas and try to not attack people. It would be a shame to look crazy with such adorable accessories.

JT Should Look into Bringing Brooks Brothers Back Too

Today the NYT's has a lovely article about shopping at the flagship Brooks Brothers store. I just love their clothes for guys. It must run in the family. I have hazy childhood memories of my Grandfather looking dapper in their suits, ties, and shirts. Some of those same ties where even passed down to other family members. I believe the biggest fight was over a tie with Harvard crests. (By fight, I mean a low key discussion. It's a WASP thing.) I cannot believe people cared that much! Guys and ties, it is a strange bond.

Back to the point, it makes me happy that some guys my age have learned the value of Brooks Brothers (and other assorted nice establishments). Don't guys get that girls love it when they dress up? (It must be so easy to be a guy.) I am glad the bf has this lesson down. Now I will just spend the rest of Thursday classes picturing him in one of his B.B. button downs. Thank you for the daily distraction New York Times.

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

About a week ago, one of my professors requested that we “dress up a bit” for today’s class since the University would be photographing us. First of all, it is not exciting to be a part of promotional material. It is embarrassing! My parents are the only ones who seem to enjoy pictures featuring my fake, forced smile and me. Or even worse, the photographer will try to capture the “academic” look where you are thinking oh-so-profound thoughts. Too bad you are most likely thinking: why won’t this guy just take the picture and leave me alone?

As I dragged myself up for my early class I had to consider the meaning of the “dress up a bit” mandate. I was not sure if this was a warning directed just at the people who constantly wore t-shirts and hoodies. Or on the other extreme, were we all supposed to show up in snappy skirts and trousers, appearing to be responsible young adults?


I briefly considered just wearing my usual cozy Theory sweater and jeans. After all, I do have seven straight hours of class. Literally, seven hours and twenty minutes. (Insert me desperately running into Trillium for food so I do not abruptly starve and die on Tower Road.) Anyway, then I did a 180 and decided to class it up. I threw on my favorite Lilly Pulitzer skirt (and assorted matching items) and was out the door.

Later in the day I finally arrived at my class. It was a classic vague dress code situation. The room was an odd mix of guys wearing slackers and blazers, people in suits, and those in their normal jeans and sneakers. Seriously, people need to clarify on these attire instructions. I doubt the University is striving to promote the value of “diversity” in clothing styles. Those pictures will only serve to confused people thinking about coming here. I can see a misguided kid pointing to the picture and excitedly saying to his parents: “Look! They will accept my love of daily tux wearing at this school.” Here comes trouble…

Mardi Gras Madness

Today is Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday if you prefer). The thought of flashing someone for cheap beads does not appeal to me at all. Maybe if the revelers were tossing goodies like this I would be more inclined to celebrate:

Gold beads or a lovely brushed gold bangle… easy choice, right? This bamboo style bracelet opens up so it is very easy to slip on.

You have to have green for Mardi Gras. This peacock green watch is just the thing to celebrate with. You need to keep track of time at these events, right?

And here is a little nod to the Big Easy with a Fleur de Lis necklace. (I suppose it could be a nod to Kappa Kappa Gamma as well, but for the sake of the holiday forget that connection.) You can wear this little treasure all year long.

If you really want to get into the spirit, you can waltz over the Nars counter. They have a duo eye shadow compact with (you guessed it!) green and purple hues. In reality they are referred to as “metallic jade” and “deep aubergine” but you get the idea!
Have a wonderful Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Carnival everyone… if you are really lucky you will find the prize in the King Cake and rule for a day!

If You Like Pina Coladas...

It is officially less than a month until Spring Break! So get excited to leave the cold behind for a few days… and attempt to forget about that huge paper you have to write when you return. In my experience, traveling is ten times better with a little pre-trip planning. Desperately trying to pack a few hours before your flight takes off will not relax you one bit. You are more likely to fly into a rage when you discover that your favorite bikini is inexplicably MIA.

There are a few necessities when packing for your tropical getaway. (Oh and if you will be going to a not-so-warm city, I am sorry if this post makes you feel unloved.) First and foremost, pack a good bathing suit. Not an “okay” one! Those are the ones that end up making you feel fat for the whole trip. I prefer a bikini to a one piece but that's mostly because I dislike odd tan lines. This cute lavender and pink printed Cavalli Freedom bikini is on sale at Bluefly.

Do not forget a beach towel. These striped ones are two for a mere 12 dollars at Target. They come in a bunch of colors so you can coordinate with your bathing suit. Much better than whatever the resort has lying around!

A practical tote is great for hauling your magazines, water bottles, iPod, and assorted junk to the pool. This straw one is on sale for about 20 dollars at J. Crew. And remember to bring your sunscreen to the pool with you! (SPF 8 does not count.) You do not want to end up being that girl who looks like a lobster in every picture. Or even worse, you may have to stay indoors the whole trip. This always happens to someone on the trips I go on!
Whenever you leave the pool for some random reason, an excellent cover up is in order. This lightweight white C&C California dress is right up my alley. It is all cotton so you do not have to worry about being extra careful with it. It is always nice to have a wearable fabric when you are drinking margaritas in the blazing sun. Not that that would cause you any problems, right?

No one wants to face the tropical rays without a pair of shades. (Unless you really like to squint.) I am somewhat tired of the huge oversized sunglasses. Lately I have gone back to wearing aviator style ones. I am a big fan of these Stella McCartney ones. They cost a pretty penny so try not to wear them in the ocean. It seems like a good idea until you get tossed by a giant wave.
While tossing a ratty pair of Rainbows or Reefs into your suitcase might seem convenient, an upgrade would not hurt. These Mella leather sandals are the perfect getaway footwear. They are even nice enough to wear out at night if you want to stay comfortable. Just watch out for mean girls with heels! They always seem to step on exposed toes.
Finally do not forgot to bring at least one fun sundress. You can use them for day activities like exploring the local town. (Cheap jewelry anyone?) Then at night, throw on an eye-catching necklace or dangly earrings plus a bright clutch and you are set! I love this Anthropologie dress because it reminds me of the blue and green colors in the ocean and sky.

So do not wait until the last minute, get planning now!

At Least There is Food!

All this trudging through piles of snow has temporarily erased fashion from my mind. I suppose I am just more concerned with not falling down and breaking a leg, arm or nose. (I saw a poor guy slip down the tall stairs in the Engineering Quad yesterday; it broke my heart.) I am sure I will come to my senses in a few days. In the meantime I have been dining out a lot recently. Here are a few of the Ithaca eateries I have visited in the past week:

The Lost Dog Café

This restaurant on the Commons would probably best described as quirky or eclectic. There is funky décor and very relaxed atmosphere. I have been there many times and have yet to have a bad dish. Also true to Ithacan form, there are plenty of vegetarian options.
Try: The hummus (you need this appetizer!), Roasted Red Portobello Salad, Parmesan Sage Crusted Chicken Sandwich, or Falafel Sandwich.

CTB

Collegetown Bagels is a staple around here. As much as I love their food, CTB drives me crazy! I just dislike the chaos and inefficiency. Lose my sandwich once, shame on you. Lose my sandwich twice, shame on me. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to get that lesson through my head and keep going back. To CTB’s credit, on this last trip nothing was lost and I was not elbowed/bumped into too many times while waiting for my food.
Try: The Milestone (chicken with a plum sauce), the Flatrock (can you say no to goat cheese?), or the Michigan Hollow. Then there are all the baked goods… mmm.

Aladdin’s

I love going to Aladdin’s with my friends. They have delicious Arabic, Greek, and other assorted types of ethnic food. Plus they have great house wines that you can drink without breaking the bank. Good food and good wine makes a great girls night in my book. Who else can appreciate your sarcastic sense of humor? Anyway, it is a nice C-Town place.
Try: The Tourlou (great for these cold nights), Spanakopita, Shishkebab Pita (their spelling, not mine!), or Falafel Pita.

The Boatyard Grill

I think my boyfriend summed it up best when he said that this restaurant is “like every other one you have been too.” Basically, if it turned out to be a chain restaurant you would not be surprised. (That could be good or bad depending on your opinion.) Remember to bring your patience with you when you come. They do not take reservations, instead there is only a call ahead system. We still waited forty-five minutes despite calling when they opened for the day. The meal itself was pretty good and our waitress was adorable. I probably would not go back until the outdoor patio is open.
Try: The Blue Crab Stuffed Shrimp (very rich) or the Chocolate Cake for Two (really, do not try this on your own).

The Carriage House

This place has the best breakfast! Not diner-style food, but real, nice brunch dishes like stuffed French toast. The whole setup is just too cute. The food is usually great here. However, this last time the coffee was inexplicably horrible. Think: drinking tar. And the garlic potatoes were freezing. (We usually love them but they are not so great cold.) I hope it was a blip and next time it is back to being wonderful. They also have dinner at the Carriage House but I have not experienced it yet.
Try: The Pecan Pancakes, Multigrain Waffle, or Garlic Home Fries (they were only bad once!).

I will not be going anywhere until I finally dig my car out of the giant pile of snow that has buried it. I hope everyone else is having fun playing in the snow!

Blizzard of Love

I would just like to thank Ithaca for the lovely Valentine’s Day gift. It was very sweet of you. But I have to break it to you: girls do not really want two feet of snow for this holiday.

Next time, try raining candy (Reeses Pieces perhaps) or how about giving us a few UV rays so we are not deathly pale. At least coordinate with Cornell so we get the whole day off and not just the afternoon. A half snow day? That is not nearly as good as a real one. Think about getting half a pair of socks. Same concept.

Stay gorges,
A Cold Student

PS- You had better watch it or I might have to end this relationship in a few months.