Paranoia

So, first post from the cube...

Honestly, it's not that bad. The atmosphere is a bit more social (demented and sad, but social--anyone guess that one?), I'm as far away as possible from my (much hated) boss, the building has so many more amenities, and the location is much more central. The one thing I'm really hating? People have no concept of personal space boundaries when you are in a cube. I keep turning around to find that someone is right at my elbow. I know there isn't a door to knock on, but couldn't they at least clear their throats or something to announce themselves? It gives me a heart attack at least three times a day. I might have a solution, though-- a very shiny silver frame sits on my desk, and I can usually see the reflection of a visitor in the frame. It gives just a tiny bit of advance warning. Now I just need to learn to be quick about my alt-tab to switch screens!

One other thing about the move is that it's made me attempt to be a little more professional. In the old office, I never saw anyone. Literally, I could go all day without talking to a soul if I wanted. I took a train where I would almost never see anyone I knew, and the office was in a not-as-busy part of the Loop. So I pretty much dressed the part. At first, it was a nice break from my law firm suit job. Then, I just got lazy, and I'm pretty sure I looked it. Now I feel like I need to step up my game a little bit. I see other coworkers more often, several of whom are always very polished looking. (My department? Not so much of that going on. Literally, my boss wears sweatshirts with kitties on them and large, white Reebok shoes.)

It's a work in progress, I guess. This week I'm all about wearing my white pants and shoes/seersucker/Lilly before it is time to put it away for the season on Monday. (Yes, I know the Manolo says this is no longer true, but it is for me. I can't help it.)

Also, unless your husband sent you an ominous email today entitled "Budget Spreadsheet" as mine did, it might interest you to know that In the Pink is having a members-only Labor Day Sale. It's a good one, too, with 50% off the entire summer collection with the Discount Code: 1005.

Happy Homemaker

I'm not usually one who attempts Martha Stewart-like behavior. I'll leave that to the experts, like MM or TCP Mom. But I do have a little housework hint to pass along. (Full disclosure: my "green" friend who works for the EPA told me this trick. I did not come up with it myself.) If you have a plastic shower curtain liner that is getting scummy around the edges, you can throw it in the washing machine with a little detergent and it will be good as new. Now, I know you are thinking, TCP, a new liner is about $2, aren't you taking the Yankee Thrift a bit far? Maybe, but think of the environmental cost of all that plastic. I'm trying to take baby steps and be a little more green. This is one small way to work on that goal.

So, yeah. Washing shower curtains. That is what passes for an exciting Saturday night around here. Try to contain your jealousy!

The End of an Era

I'm packing up my office today. Effective Monday morning, I will go to work in a new building...in a cube. The horror! Not very excited about that, let me tell you. This could seriously curtail my internet time. (And thus, my shopping time.) It's so wrong on so many levels.

While I fill some more boxes, here's an old article that I stumbled across while googling something else...thought you kids might get a kick out of reading about how We're All Preppies Now.

Must. Buy. These.

You know that there is no way that I will be able to resist buying these for TCP Baby, right? I mean, seriously. I only have so much self control. And there is a great deal through Celebrity Baby Blog. Not only will my child have adorable shoes, but my pathetic need to be fully informed on all celebrity gossip will have saved me money. Vindication!

PSA

Free Shipping at Land's End:
On the Billing Information page, go to the section labeled “Source Code” (below the credit card payment box) and click the “add” button. Enter the Source Code FALL and the PIN 427878817 in the space provided.

Free Money from English Tea Paperie:
Refer a friend to the mailing list and you'll receive a $10.00 gift certificate when they place their first order!

Free Money from Babystyle:
$20 off $100 maternity clothing, with the code TRYUSON.

Endless Summer Sale at In the Pink:
Take an additional 30% off the entire Clearance Section. Sale ends Sunday, August 19, 2007. Discount Code: 0899

Answers...

Here goes...

Ladybug's Picnic said...
Here's an easy one (ha) - from one full-time working mama to another: what is your greatest challenge as a full time working mother? And what about it do you like the most?

Oy, nothing like a softball question to start out! My greatest challenge is probably trying to make sure that when I'm hanging out with TCP Baby, I'm focusing on him. I only get a few hours a day with him, so I want to make sure that they count, and that I'm not spending the whole time doing the dishes, or cleaning up, or some other stupid task that really doesn't need to be done rightthissecond.

I like that I'm not totally financially dependent on Mr. TC. I was a divorce attorney once upon a time, and saw lots of women who had left the workforce and later had trouble taking care of themselves. Not that I foresee divorce in our future! But, you never know what life is going to hand you. I like keeping my hand in, even if it isn't in an all-consuming, high-powered way.

Tres Poshe Preppy said...
OK. What I ask everyone... It's a 3 part question.1.Where did you meet your (hip, slightly more now preppy) husband?2.Where did you get married?3.Where did you go on your honeymoon?
1. We met in college. He was my pledge dad...oh, the scandal!!
2. We got married in here, in Chicago. I still think it is one of the most gorgeous churches around. 3. We went to Antigua for a week. It was amazing! We did nothing that was more strenuous than snorkeling and drinking banana sip sops. If you have the means, I highly recommend it. ;)

Melissa said...
What part of the city do you live in?

We live on the Northwest side, in Irving Park. Since I moved to the Third Coast, I've been a Northsider: first in the Gold Coast, then Lincoln Park, then Lakeview. I still miss Southport, but we have a house (with a yard!) inside the city, which I love.


Lilly said...
My question is...1) What is your favorite area to shop in Chicago? 2) What is your favorite store? and 3) What is your favorite restaurant?

1. Hmm, I've become such an online shopper that it's pretty rare for me to actually go shopping "in person," but I love doing the boutiques on Armitage and Southport. I've been known to do some damage at the outlets in Aurora. Marshall Field's was my favorite, but I hate it now that it's Macy's.
2. I honestly don't have a favorite. I probably buy the most from J.Crew. It's easy, and I always know what will fit.
3. I can't narrow it down to one, but I love The Half Shell, Mirai Sushi, and Salvatore's. And Mia Francesca. And lots of others. I like to eat. ;)

Keep 'em coming, I'll keep answering!

J.Crew for Fall

And while I'm at it, let me ask you something: if you had free money to spend at J.Crew right now, what would you buy? Not only did I just get my reward card, but got a sizeable gift card from the grandparents for my birthday. So far, I like these:

Lazy

So I have no great topics of conversation today, but yet would much rather blog than work. My office is moving next week, and I will be the *proud* resident of a cube, rather than an office. So, until then, I'm on the internet as much as humanly possible. Might as well take advantage of the privacy while I have it, right?

Given my lack of inspiration, I'm going to blatantly copy what some other chicks have done lately and open up the floor to you all. Ask me something, and I'll answer it. (But be reasonable. I'm not going to post my full name and social security number, people.)

What?

Mr. TC and I are heading out tonight. (I know, and on a school night! Amazing.) We're going to a fundraiser for a friend's pet cause, which happens to involve on of my favorite causes, wine drinking.

I haven't decided what to wear, in large part due to an email I got yesterday which describes the attire as "generally the rule of thumb is something that is business to casual elegant, weekend trendy " What? Is it just me, or is that somewhat unintelligible? Business casual, I understand. Casual elegant? Maybe, although you're getting a little hazy there. Weekend trendy? I think this is something that one doesn't have in the closet after childbirth. At any rate, that sounds like three distinctly different dress codes, all smushed into one.

I wish the EGs were still available. I bet they would have a field day with this.

Odds are I'll just wear the J.Crew madras dress that I was planning to wear before I got the "clarification" email. That can't be wrong, can it?