The Vera Success Story

April 10, 2009 By ashleyG Leave a Comment

At my graduation party last year I received all of the usual graduation gifts. Cards with $10 bills and inspirational books telling me I could be anything I dreamed were piled on the table at the end of the party.  There was one gift, however that I had no idea what to make of.  It was a Vera Bradley zip ID case.  The gift seemed like a handy carrying case for my MSU ID and phone so I decided to throw it on my keychain.  After two days on campus I couldn’t walk five feet without seeing a Vera Bradley handbag or purse.
Small town designers Barbara Baekgaard and Patricia Miller started Vera Bradley to make travel luggage more feminine. The success of the line and generation of a complete business plan has now led them to become one of the most popular bag designers on the MSU Campus.  Follow this link to learn more about the business history behind Vera Bradley.

http://henriettashandbags.com/vera_bradley_handbags.html

So if  a regular 9-5 job isn’t for you, always remember that an entrepreneurial spirit and a solid business plan can lead to great things!

By: Ashley Goodenough

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How to “Mane”tain That Static Hair

April 3, 2009 By ashley Leave a Comment

We all know first impressions are incredibly important and that’s even more true if you’re interviewing for a job. So next time you’re auditioning for that dream position, make sure you look your best. That means taking care of that crazy bedhead or the albert einstein fro you’ve been rocking. It’s getting to be that time of year when the weather is changing and those ions are becoming negatively charged. Here are some quick tips on how to stop your hair from becoming an electrifying nightmare:

1.    Increase humidity levels in your home. You can do this by buying a humidifier.
2.    Rub a dryer sheet in your hair. It’s a quick, easy, and cheap solution to knock out that static cling. (Also works on getting rid of static in clothes).
3.    Spray your hair brush with hairspray before using it.
4.    Rub a small amount of gel in your hair.
5.    Get your hands wet and pat down your hair with damp hands.
6.    Use the excess lotion from your hands to smooth through your hair. (this is easy and makes your hair smell good, but be careful you don’t make it look greasy)
7.    Buy anti-static hair products
8.    Use the ion setting on your hairdryer if you have one.

Remember….don’t be static for your interviews, be estatic! =)

http://www.ehow.com/how_4830450_rid-static-cling-hair.html

By: Ashley Raymond

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Must Fashion Make Sense?

March 23, 2009 By megan Leave a Comment

Today’s fashion is all about different prints, funky bright colors and fresh silhouettes, according to about.com. This can explain for the tricky trends, daring looks and “out of the box” mix matches people have been wearing. Amusing enough, this “era of trendiness” has been investigated for a fashion alert.

Some, if not all of the people who enjoy this era must receive a slap in the face and issued a ticket for not making sense. But who says that fashion must make sense? We all know that fashion is a concept of self expression and an indication of how you want the public to view your appearance. However, “being trendy” is beginning to spill over into traditional work environments. Industries besides Marketing, Sales and Public Relations are accepting employees adding their own “flava” to suit & tie/skirt & blouse attire. Styles such as business casual, snappy casual and dress down Fridays are becoming very popular to appeal to the younger generation in corporate America. According to Google Fashion.com, “companies are responding to younger generations that are in the workforce to appeal and provide a climate of comfort.”

However be mindful in being “too trendy” at work. Some trends can be too outlandish and not appropriate in work environments and walking that line is often too much of a risk when beginning a new career.

By: Megan Wigley

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Stain On Your Power Suit? No Worries.

March 4, 2009 By ashley Leave a Comment

It’s the morning of your interview, you’re dressed and eating your cereal, when to your horror you somehow miscalculate the trajectory of your spoon and see your cereal end up on your shirt rather than in your mouth. This kind of event can cause massive shock and panic  like none other, but there is hope for you still. Try these quick tips to erase your clothing stain worries and get back to nailing that interview.

Tips and Tricks to Get Rid of Those Nasty Little Stains

1.    Timing Is Crucial! Get to the stain as soon as possible
2.    Blot don’t rub using a clean white cloth or white paper towel.
3.    Check garments before throwing them into the wash and treat with stain removal agents (but test a small area first).
4.    Rub stained fabric gently, so you don’t spread stain or ruin the fabric.
5.    Use cold water. Hot water will set in the stain.

For more information on removing certain types of stains check out the stain removal index:
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/a/stainsindex.htm

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Oscar Recap

February 23, 2009 By ashleyG Leave a Comment

The Oscars bring us timeless performances by noted actors. The history made at this annual event is cherished for generations to come. Outfits are analyzed, behind the scene drama is discussed in hushed whispers, and there are always some surprises. Likewise, each of these categories has their own best and worst.

Oscar Charisma

Best: Kate Winslet was the ultimate Daddy’s girl in a touching acceptance speech given after her Oscar for Best Actress in “The Reader”. During her speech, Kate thanked her parents and asked her dad to “whistle or something” so she knew where they were. The piercing whistle that followed was a moment fitting for a story tale.

Worst: ‘Mamma Mia!’ star Amanda Seyfried and ‘Twilight’ hunk Robert Pattinson are two young Hollywood stars that showed absolutely no charisma. Awkward moments were created by their inability to even pretend that they were interested in what they were talking about.

Light Hearted Moments

Best: ‘Man on Wire’ subject Philippe Petit, balanced the Oscar statuette upside-down on his chin. It was a pure, celebratory moment. Congratulations, Philippe, you just made Oscar history.

Worst: Not only did presenter Jennifer Aniston have to deliver some lame patter with Jack Black, but she had to do it mere feet away from front row attendees “Brangelina”. Talk about uncomfortable! The tension of the situation was easily read her face.

Best and Worst Dressed

Best: Sarah Jessica Parker. Ethereal off-white was the color of the evening, and (not surprisingly) Sarah Jessica Parker wore it best.
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Worst: Miley Cyrus. Miley showed up at this year’s Academy Awards to promote her movie ‘Bolt’, which was nominated for Best Animated Film. Already seemingly out of place at the prestigious Academy Awards, her fish-like ensemble didn’t help the situation.

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For more of the 2009 Academy Awards best and worst moments, check out: http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards/photos/best-worst-moments

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Dressing for Employers

January 21, 2009 By ashley Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a trendier look but hesitant about imposing a “bad impression to employers?” According to dailyme.com, the new flock of generation Y are becoming fashionably edgy in the workforce. “Graduates of generation Y are becoming fashionably daring in the workforce and employers will slowly but surely adapt to this climate.” says fashion consultant Tim Wilks from dailyme.com.

Although there are many corporate companies that require conservative attire, there are other companies who are comfortable with accepting employees to express their sense of style in a professional manner. However here’s a trick, companies in certain industries may be more accepting of a trendier look than other companies. For example, someone working in marketing may have more  flexibility than someone working in accounting.

Also, certain companies may have more of an inviting, accepting culture than others.  In any case, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

By: Ashley Raymond

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Spice Up Your Winter Coat

January 19, 2009 By ashleyG Leave a Comment

Generally, the first thought of penny-pinching college students is to find a warm winter coat that can be worn anytime and all the time.  We have all seen these coats and we all have these coats.  They are our long, black pea coats and short, brown north face jackets.  As the days get colder the campus turns into a mess of brown and black, not the most exciting thing to look at on a bitter walk to class.

SO SPICE IT UP!  There are plenty of cheap options for eye catching winter coats.  Forever 21 along with Overstock.com and ShopHousingWorks.com provide a variety of options for interesting coats with colors that pop. 

So tell me ladies–what color is your winter coat?  Are you a basic black kind of gal?  Or do you rely on your cheery coat to get you through the dreary winter?

By: Ashley Goodenough

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“Incredible” Fashion? Best & Worst of the Golden Globes

January 12, 2009 By ashley Leave a Comment

The Golden Globes are designed to award the best nominees for their amazing work and performances in the latest and greatest movies. We are here to award the “best” nominees for their “incredible” fashion choices!

Here are the Top Five Golden Globe’s Best of the Best and Best of the Worst Fashion nominees:

Best of the Best Award go to…
1.    Kate Winslet – As elegant and graceful as always!
2.    Jennifer Morrison – In her brilliant blue dress matched with her elegant hair do..how could she not be on our award list?
3.    America Ferrera – Looked gorgeous! I loved how she was able mix in the trendy one shoulder and teal length bubble bottom, but still look graceful enough for the Golden Globes!
4.    Christina Applegate – Looked like a princess in her Beauty and the Beast style dress!
5.    Adrian Grenier – Absolutely Dreamy with his messy do and his baby blue eyes (dreamy sigh….)

Best of the Worst Award goes to…
1.    Drew Berrymore – What was she thinking?! It looks like Drew was just wind swept right out of the 80’s!
2.    Jessica Capshaw – Looks like she is already in her after party dress. Although she looks good in it, it’s a little too much for the red carpet.
3.    Hayden Panettiere – Her dress looked a little too tight at the top, your suppose to push up, not squeeze out!
4.    Laura Dern- Dress was a little too boxy and Mary Poppins for me.
5.    Zac Efron – Not a big fan of his greased back hair and his dirty stach…looks a bit like a creeper.

Want to judge for yourself? Check out the pics for yourself… http://movies.aol.com/golden-globes/photos/best-worst-dressed

By: Ashley Raymond

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