Monday, August 18, 2008

The Scene
For any of you who have worked tradeshows, you know it's not rocket science.

Installation day is all about putting out little fires. Finding missing shipments, managing the ornery guys erecting the booth, getting power to run properly, making sure you get the furniture you ordered, testing all the internet connections, negotiating invoice payments, stocking the booth with just the right amount of literature and chotchkees and cleaning supplies. I could go on and on.

Worked from 8 am to 7 pm today. Everything went smoothly. And I remembered I am good at this type of work. Damn good.

Haven't done it in a few years but it was easy to fall back into it. After all, I am thorough and detail oriented. I am good at improvising and problem solving. I know how to work with strangers. I know how to get them to want to help me.

I just wish I was doing all this for something that really mattered to me. Sigh.


The Outfit
Madewell jeans
Forever 21 tunic
Fuchsia wrap sweater


The Accessories
Nine West flats
Blackberry

The Grade
Pass




The Commentary
Comfort was the name of the game today. When you are going to be running around a tradeshow floor dealing with teamsters all day, jeans and flats are critical.




I tested out the "Katie Holmes roll" on Saturday with some AG jeans I have. Bought them resale for $12 but never wear em because they are just a tad too short.




Think the new fad looked OK but wasn't ready to rock them quite yet. No one knew me from Adam today so they might think I'm nutterbutters with high water pants. Stuck with the Madewell jeans. They are flattering but comfortable. Exactly what I needed today.


Opted for the sparkle on the top and the bright pop of the wrap sweater because I was going to be around men all day. Men who for the most part would be inclined to resist helping me. I wanted to look memorable. Distinct. I wanted to be feminine. Pretty. I wanted to look like someone people would want to help.

A female boss (who was our VP of Sales and a rocket scientist and gorgeous and hilarious) once told me there was nothing wrong with using everything you have to get the job done. And I agree. 110 percent. That means your sense of humor, your looks, your smarts, your personality - all of it, all of you comes into play with certain jobs.

Today I used everything I have - including my appearance - to get the job done. And it felt good.


p.s. Have you noticed wrap sweaters are everywhere lately? Michelle has. She sent me this article and this one and this one. She says my " influence is all over the internets." Hee hee hee.

10 comments:

dapotato said...

i need to get rid of my tired cardigans and get a wrap sweater already.

and yes, rock it and use all of you've got. i often use all of me (including cuteness, femininity, convincing-ness, and brains) to get my vendors to do what i need/want them to do. it's empowering, in a way. :)

WendyB said...

Thumbs-up to the rolled jeans!

Milly said...

Yes,...i too picked one up :D
dark navy close to black color..it was the last one....but...now what?
what do i wear it with and how? lol

Sable Crow said...

Rolled jeans look good. I noticed most of the pics are the girls outside, althought maybe that's just a function of where the paparazzi can find them...

I also love unnecessary articles and plurals, ie "the internets", "the afganistans", "the world wide interwebs", and such as.

weezermonkey said...

I just wish I was doing all this for something that really mattered to me.

I think you might enjoy reading a beautiful piece my blogging friend wrote recently.

Anonymous said...

I want a wrap sweater too. DKNY has a fabulous one I've been keeping my eye on.

Leslie said...

Hi there!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment on my blog today. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who can relate. It makes the world feel much less scary, you know?

I wish a brave, healing spirit for your mother. She is lucky to have you.

Tiffany said...

love wrap sweaters. they are especially great for long airplane rides too.

I'm very tempted to roll up my jeans too but have yet to leave the house in the look.

agreed with using everything that you got to get what you want. I've had men at my company mention that to me. Been told that I'm a force to be reckoned with as I've got the looks and the smarts to kill. hahaha. I just try to do what I can with the best of my ability.

tam pham said...

i love the rolled up jeans look, but I, too, am still hesitant to rock it. maybe once the fad dies down a little, i'll try it out.

amber said...

wrap sweaters are everywhere!! i just got a black one at my love BR and i've also seen them at tarjay and F21.

i fully support using everything to get what you need/want when you're at a job. love that outfit from today. i would totally rock that (with a flare jean though) running errands on the weekends. love it!

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