It was exactly one year ago today that I have written my last post here on this blog. I really loved this blog and writing on it but I let a lot get in my way; excuses, fears and wants of perfection (or at least my version of it). That can be paralyzing and it's not fair to anyone who followed this blog regularly.

The picture I have up is the long stretch of road that was before me when I was heading to California from Ohio with my mother, we had a long ways to go. The whole metaphor for this blog was about the Fashion Freeway and the journey it takes us on, and I have so much farther to go.

In the 3 years that I created this blog I have graduated FIDM, started working at a fashion consulting firm, moved into a bigger apartment, had a boyfriend, broke it off with a boyfriend, and am now looking once a gain to find my place here in the industry. I think it's a cycle, we search we find we settle we search again. I like working on the business side of the industry and would like to continue to pursue it, but I'm wondering now where else it will take me? I'll let you know once I figure it out.

Either Neither Travelers it feels good to be back and I will make a strong effort to provide consistent content and find my voice again. I hope that you will return to travel along with me and share party of your journey as well. Sometimes I forget that it's not always about the destination but the journey that gets you there and I know that once I locate that thing that has kept me moving forward all along it will totally be worth it!

Until next time travelers:

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

Happy Monday Travelers,

Over the past few years I have noticed that more brands, networks, and publications have been providing more programs, shows, and panels/workshops on the business of fashion. It appears that as the fashion industry becomes more accessible to people they are not just interested in the glossy surface of fashion but the gritty business that makes it run.

I am actually pretty pleased to see this new interest as I have seen many a student come into FIDM thinking that all they need to do is dress great, smoke a ciggy, and have a jaded attitude with a camera and you're straight up fashion. That is so not true and every quarter there are tears and drop outs for the unprepared. But for those who understand that this will take so much more work than knowing the difference between Marc Jacobs and Marc Ecko, school plus the invaluable information provided by the various media outlets, can prove to be the foundation of a great and successful career in the industry.

Online zine Fashionista just recently had a panel discussion with select leaders in the industry about what it takes to build and maintain their retail businesses. Here is the article. I am interested to watch the live stream they will provide next year as I as not too impressed with the recording of the minutes of this meeting I feel there might have been some vital information and quotes that were left out of the notes or summarized which could minimize the points the panelist where trying to make.

One of my favorite sites The Business of Fashion as a great series on FashionStake and a detailed look on building their company. This is for the hardcore business minded but the terminology is priceless for being successful on the other side of the runway. Let me know what you think!

Happy Reading and Happy Travels,
"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back! No Fear, Just DIVA"
{source}

Well Hello there Travelers!

Yes yes yes I am back. I know I know the pic of Jay-Z's Black Album I found to be appropriate as this was the worst "This is my last post." Experience ever LOL! So let me be honest about my "retirement" from this blog, and take you through the steps of what lead to my return:

1. I started a new blog Confessions of a Modern Day Clacker. If you follow me on Twitter (@FirstThreeInc), then you will notice that when I tweet about my work I include the hashtag #ConfesssionsofaModernDayClacker. I really thought that this would replace NFJD, but in all honesty they express two different aspects of the industry. This blog is to show the opportunities out there for going for your career, where as Clacker is my personal experience out there with what I have learned from DIVA. Using the tools of DIVA I have been able to create Clacker. Does that make sense?
   
2. I am just really not consistent with blogging. I have yet to figure out how to balance life and this blog. I added WordPress for BlackBerry to my phone which makes it easier for me to maintain Clacker, but blogger has yet to have a similar component. (Let me be honest I am not even consistent with Clacker even though I have the tools) So the posts may not be updated on a consistent basis, which can affect my readers and reader count I know, but I promise the content will be worth it.
3. Being a perfectionist. I don't even know how that is possible b/c nothing is perfect, but I have been letting that hold me back from actually posting. Well that will be happening no longer!!
   

So keep a look out Travelers as your Fashion Freeway will be fueled and up and running in no time!

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA"

Today's post is all about watching your mouth at work. I was going to do this in two separate posts but I think that it works well in one.

One day the office manager asks me "Mei-Li, is this your first real office job?" Before I could allow myself to get offended I had to think, and it was. Well I mean, I was a leasing consultant for a year but to be honest the interaction with my boss there is nothing like the interactions with my boss/woman I want to be like when my fashion career grows up.

I told her it was (after going through practically all my previous jobs) and she sent me an article that she thought would be of help to me as she has said it has been help to her throughout her career. I want to share it with you:


I could have easily caught an attitude and missed a growth opportunity, but since the answer to her question was in the affirmative, it had merit. Sometimes when we are in a position of open vulnerability(ie the ending of my probationary period) we have a tendency to act as if every comment that is not open praise is an attack on you/your character or performance. This can blur the lines between genuine help and unsolicited criticism.

So if you are like me and love your job and are turning it into a career, read this fun article about taking criticism gracefully. It's a good read and fun to read with a British accent. But reading between the lines the writer makes a good point throughout the entire post: Your boss cares about RESULTS so fire the middle man named BS and take heed to what they are saying to you. Excuse, Blame, and Dissertations are all ways to kill office report (sp?) and is a sign of immaturity. Don't be this girl:

Yeah we all know Stephanie from Kell on Earth and her fate.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!" [source1] [source2]