In Defense of Instant Coffee

In Defense of Instant Coffee

Today is National Coffee Day, and while the classic black coffee and seasonally trendy pumpkin-spiced lattes are getting the accolades, I think I'd take the time to honor the easy and unassuming instant coffee.

I used to be a coffee snob. I only drank dark roast black, silently judging those who put cream and sugar on their mild or (worse!) light roast coffee. I never understood why people would dilute their palates, robbing themselves of coffee's full-bodied taste. However, over time, I've found plain dark roast to be one-note, lacking layers of taste. Thus, for the most part, I've moved onto drinking black tea with cream and honey. Sure, every now and then I'd crave black coffee, and when I do, I reach for instant coffee.

I can think of several pros and cons for instant coffee. It's cheap, convenient and fast - hence the name. It's bitter, which is a good thing because I like my coffee bitter, strong tasting, to wake me up. That makes up for the fact that instant coffee has less caffeine than ground coffee. Also, like most "instant" things such as microwave, it's supposed to have toxic compounds that cause cancer, among many other things. However, I think if I don't drink it in vats - aka I don't drink more than 2 cups a day - I'm about as safe from diseases as someone who drinks 4 cups of coffee a day. With everything else, moderation is my saving grace.

I'm neither championing fully switching to instant coffee or - gasp! - out of drinking coffee altogether. Coffee is so ubiquitous in society that I don't think that's even possible. All I'm saying is don't forget about instant coffee; give it a cup of chance, or at least a sip.

Runway Inspirations, pt. 2

I loved doing the last runway inspiration post so much that I thought I'd do another one. The premise is the same: highlight the looks from the ongoing Spring 2015 NYFW that can easily be replicated and worn in real world.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold / Indigitalimages.com, via style.com

Yes, this seems pretty dour, but it's giving off major Carrie Moss as Trinity realness. Some may suggest to add a pop of color or, God forbid, a neon accessory, but a cuff or a snakeskin clutch would be better in adding some interest to this monochromatic look.

Photo: Umberto Fratini / Indigitalimages.com, via style.com

This dress would look amazing on curvy girls. The print is also BEAUTIFUL. The only quibble would be the length of the dress can make short girls stumpier, so maybe hike up the hem 3-4 inches to just above the knee. Otherwise, this dress is perfection.

Daniele Oberrauch/Imaxtree, via The Cut

If I didn't know better, I would think that the jacket is Chanel. In any case, it's fabulous and make the body-con, albeit knee-length, skirt office appropriate.

Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Sun, via style.com

Every woman should own a sheath dress. This Brandon Sun dress is perfect for the office with it's graphic print in muted primary colors.

Photo: Courtesy of Steven Alan, via style.com

And this last one's for the lovers a good Casual Friday ensemble. The simple tee is elevated with the tailored trousers, smart employment of contrasting skinny belt, and comfortable penny loafers.

On the Job Hunt? Check Out These Online Tools

I've been looking for a long-term job for the last two months or so, and these are a few tools - mostly articles and videos - that I've discovered and utilized to keep me focused in this search.

Resume/Cover Letter Help
Writing a resume from scratch can become overwhelming. God bless State of Washington Resume Help! Their WorkSource website provides an inventory of basics that should be in a resume. However, if you already have a resume and it's been a long time since you've found yourself unemployed, this recent CBS article can help you refresh your resume. Once you're done, check it out against this resume checklist.

Once upon a time, I thought cover letters can be all encompassing - all I had to do was change the prospective employers' name and job position on the first paragraph. Wrong! Despite the fact that cover letters and resumes are supposedly skimmed through in about six seconds, the fact of the matter is that those are the six seconds that matter the most in your job hunt. Therefore, each cover letter should show why you're perfect for each specific job that you apply for. Check out this helpful Forbes article to help your cover letter stand out from the pile.

Interview Tools
Once your exceptional resume and cover letter got the hiring manager to call you and schedule an interview, it's time to practice your interviewing skills. First up, make sure you look like the perfect candidate - not too uptight, but still professional. I always go back to this quick video from Glamour for wardrobe and makeup reminders. If you're of the XY variety, you might want to check this short GQ Q&A out. Now for the actual interview - I've found this hilariously honest HelloGiggles article about Do's and Seriously, Don'ts For Your Next Job Interview. Another tool I've used is this surprisingly helpful Business Insider video that I found while perusing Tumblr. Bottomline is make the interview work for you as much as it works for the interviewer - find out if the job is really the dream opportunity you initial thought.

Follow-Up
I live by this Forbes article, especially number one and two. It sums up the process completely: Stay top of mind, It's half the battle.


...and lastly...
For Your Sanity
Unemployment sucks. I know. And though I may not be the expert when it comes to landing a job as I myself is still looking for a job, I am knowledgeable when it comes to staying motivated throughout the job hunt. How so, you may ask? Well, I bounced back from a depressive state that I fell into within the first two weeks of my unemployment. And then I found this HelloGiggles article,  and realized that there's a good reason why I left. I knew I would be utterly miserable if I faked and stayed working for my former employer. Financially I would be more secure, but my career growth AND emotional wellness will continue to suffer. And that thought keeps me sane.

However, if your situation is different from mine - which is completely possible - just ask yourself "What Would Oprah Do?". Although neither you nor I nor your bff can ask her - unless you actually can, in which case I say HOOK A SISTA, UP! - this article from her website will serve to remind you that even though you (and I!) are in such a pickle, remember to not let your overall health go on the wayside.  It's best to not let this short blip on your otherwise fab life affect your health as it will show, and no one wants to hire someone who cannot take care of his or her health and wellness.


Well, that's it. I hope these tools will help you as much as they continuously help me. If you have tools, make sure to share and leave a comment!

Runway Inspirations

New York Fashion Week is almost done, and, as always, it's a hodgepodge of glam, pretty, and occasional NSFW outfits. As a fashion enthusiast living in a real world situation - aka broke and not skinny - it's only appropriate that I highlight some looks that can actually be worn in real life by real women.

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold/Indigitalimages.com, via Vogue

IN LOVE with the dress. The white fabric makes the dress clean and crisp, and the flower prints become the focus of the look. The belted waist will work on women of all sizes as it gives a much-needed shape to the otherwise non-form fitting garment. Obviously the hairstyle could be very hard to pull off - or even just recreate - in real life, but a sleek ponytail would work just as well.

via DVF website

Every working girl has to own a smart pair of pants and a fun top, elevated by a crisp collar and strategic cuffing of the sleeves.

Photo: Daniele Oberrauch/Imaxtree, via NYMag

Another prime example of partnering staples - breezy skirt in a neutral color - with something fun. The oxfords make this look Casual Friday chic.

Photo: Fabio Ionà / Indigitalimages.com, via style.com

Another essential that a working girl needs is a power business dress. Probably take one of the cuffs off, and add a fitted blazer in royal blue or structured cropped jacket for drinks after work.

Photo: Livio Valerio / Indigitalimages.com, via style.com

And speaking of structured cropped jackets... The mix of floral free-flowing dress and the structured black jacket not only juxtaposes feminine with masculine, but also playfulness and business.

I'm thinking of doing a second round of this? What do y'all think? Which Spring 2015 runway looks do you think will translate well into real world?