My new office is at the Library

My new office is at the library. Yesterday morning I awoke as usual, got dressed in my fashionable navy blue pin striped suit with matching pearl accessories and I was off to work. I arrived at approximately 8:33 and only had a brief moment to clock in and set my purse down when my supervisor stepped into my cube and almost whispered "Can I see you in my office when you have a sec?" I already knew what what going on when I walked down the hallway. I braced myself for the inevitable and sat down next to the Regional Vice President and across from my supervisor. There was an envelope on her desk with my name on it and she started to read off a paper. Her first words were "Unfortunately due to the nature of the economy....." I think I went deaf for a brief moment afterwards and all I heard next was ""We are going to have to lay you off." I looked up from my clasped hands at her and she looked like she was trying to muster up her most empathetic facial expression but it felt ingenuine all the same to me. After I read over the terms of my separation notice and my severance package I retrieved my hard copies, blotted my eyes from a few tears and headed to my desk to retrieve my belongings. I opted for them to mail me most of my things since it was now nearing 9 AM and I didn't want to be faced with anyone in the hallway duirng my departure. Although after heading straight to the library afterwards and signing myself into one of the private study rooms so that I could collect my thoughts and start applying for my new future I can't help but feel somewhat relieved. I didn't like my job at all but I can't say that I hated it. I moreso tolerated it for the 2.5 years I worked in that cube. I like to think highly of myself and I needed to be doing something more challenging and creative. Times are definitely hard out here and I'm a homeowner. You'd think that would be a good thing but in the midst of being unemployed you have to learn to live off of your savings, whatever that may be, and your Uncle Sam check just to keep your home. I was a bit disheartened when I went online last night to watch a video about homeowners fighting the banks and it started with a woman who lost her 40K a year accounting position and is now living in the dark without utilities just to pay her mortgage. This is only day one for me and I am here at my new office, the library, because I figure if I got up and spent 8 plus hours doing a job I didn't like I could atleast spend half the time planning for my new future.

~Minique

What Is In YOUR Bag??!@$%!???...

My bag is "out of control!!" lol. I mean literally, it must weigh at least 7 pounds, and Im just being nice. After lugging it all the way to work this morning, and knocking into numerous things and people with it, Ive finally decided to actually take a look and see what 7 pounds of importance looks like, cause clearly I cant live without this stuff!

Now off the top I know I have my essentials, my comb and brush, my umbrella and hat, since I actually did my hair this morning and decided just to throw the hat in the bag since I hear there's a chance of rain later, and the ever important cell phone (with charger of course). There's my makeup bag which i TRY to keep to a minimal, checkbook, iPod...my friends iPod, wallet, sunglasses (even though there is not a stitch of sun in the sky...actually, as I glance out the window I see snow flurries), gloves, 2 hand sanitizers, and my bag of candy!:) I have 2 bottles of nail polish, cause you never know when you may chip a nail and need to reapply with a top coat, oh and with that my little handy mini manicure set, you know, mini file, cutters and so forth. I see my camera...for emergency pictures. I see a not so travel size bottle of Victoria's Secret Coconut Sugar body lotion, and body spray. There's a spare set of earrings, Tweezerman eye brow tweezers (the best tweezers ever!), keys, dental floss, and the ever important Excedrin. Ive got 2 notepads, an appointment/calendar book, and the book ive been carrying around since Christmas that Im fake reading, "Who Moved My Cheese?", which I do hear is very good. Finally there's a headband, 2 packs of tissue which I can never find, thats why Im always adding yet another, and last but not least, my taxes!, that Ive been carrying around since January 31!!!!

...yes yes....all things I can't seem to live without! Alright, maybe one hand sanitizer is good enough!, lol

~J. Genese

Crocheted Slouch Hats

I must say that I have recently taken a liking to the crocheted slouch hats (worn by Beyonce in the above picture) I first spotted last year adorning the heads of young college women around Atlanta. I also like the cute ballet shoes I've seen worn with these hats as well. It reminds me of a BoHo chic look. I also love how B and J have been 'dressing alike' in similar color schemes. So cute!

How the OTHER WOMAN Will Get to Celebrate Valentines Day...

So this year Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday, and immediately I knew what some men were thinking...uh oh!...how am I going to pull this off!!, lol...

If you have more than one sweetheart, how do you decide, or "squeeze in" everyone so that they're all given a "Happy" Valentines Day? I asked a male friend of mine, a serial dater and playboy at heart, some of his tricks and secrets, so that we can know what to look for and what to expect if our Valentines try to play us for a fool this year ladies!

One of the main and most reliable excuses will be the classic, "I have to work". This excuse gives him the chance to either have to see you early in the day, and then "work" at night, ie, "work" on his other sweetie, or vice versa. Either way, if you've notice that your sweetie suddenly has to work this weekend, when he's never worked a weekend before.....beware!

Another excuse was the good ol "we're in a recession". This might be used so that he can share the wealth this weekend since he will be spending a good amount of money trying to keep everyone happy. And of course, if there have been any sudden arguments or disagreements leading to fights and slight "break ups", thats his way of freeing up some time during the weekend, since your mad at him he wont have to bother....or he'll come around maybe Saturday night, to "make up", after he's taken out his other sweetie....dont fall for it!!

If you dont hear from him too much on Friday, and he say's he's just trying to build up anticipation for Saturday...that just means he's taking the "other Valentine" out on Friday, so that she wont be interrupting on Saturday. I thought of that one on my own;)

All in all, I do wish everyone a delightful Valentines Day, and hopefully you wont have to be weary of any suspicious behavior this weekend. But im giving you the "heads up", for just in case;)

Happy Valentines Day!....xoxo...

~J.Genese

Liquid Leggings

Look SUPER SEXY with a pair of what I like to call "liquid leggings' because with the right curvaceous shape you can look like they're painted on! "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard!" lol These leggings have been seen in the streets on women of all sizes and shapes and I must say they look fly with a sexy stiletto or even a high boot. You are sure to find these at your local mall or women's boutique! I found these at American apparel online for $42 bucks but I know there are less expensive pairs at stores like Charlotte Russe and Level XI etc.

~Minique

I GOT MY LOUI BAG

What is up for grabs: Louis Vuitton Keepall 45, Louis Vuitton Pegase 50, Louis Vuitton Poche Toilette 10 and a Louis Vuitton Evasion Tote, total worth almost $5,000!!

When: Tuesday February 3rd 2009, 9 am PST through Tuesday March 3rd 2009 at 11:59 pm PST.

How to enter: Click here and head over to Who What Wear to register.

You’ll need to grab the promotional code from here and enter it when you register.
Promotional Code: Malletier

You will have a couple ways to increase your chances of winning! While registering over at Who What Wear, enter your friends email addresses and you will receive extra entries. And keep coming back to Purse Blog throughout the month and look for an entry about the giveaway and receiving an extra entry from us (hint: pay extra close attention during the middle of the giveaway)!

Have fun, stay tuned and GOOD LUCK!

I Heart Sanaa Lathan!

If you didn't know by now I HEART Sanaa Lathan. Here she is posing at the NAACP awards last night. I think she is just radiant in these pictures and I love how she looks natural & elegant. I've been a fan of her acting since way back when lol even in the days of Disappearing Acts. I secretly think we are twins too!

Go ahead wit yo bad self girl!

Minique~

Gloves Galore!

Gloves are all the rave these days from the long kit fingerless gloves to the snazzy fishnet gloves shown in the pictures. I love the Cinid Lauper or Madonna look these gloves can add to your modern outfit and the greatest thing is they are not expensive at all. You can rock them with a cute dress to spice up your club look or even a racy 3/4 length leather jacket in the spring. Either way this look is hot, sexy & stylish!

Visit http://www.mydivascloset.com/ to find these and more.

~Minique

Zen Chic

I love this picture from HGTV's website on sexy & stylish headboard designs. I am absolutely infatuated with Interior Design and you can tell by my home's interior. I have a small business named 'Chameleon Decor' in Atlanta where I do freelance interior design. I think my style most often gravitates towards what I like to call Zen Chic and this picture captures all the elements I love with this style of design starting with the Asian accents, both bold and earth tones, clean lines and the pops of the color green from the subtle stripe on the wall to the green candles sitting on the shelves. Visit HGTV.com for more inspiration or tips & tricks.

~Minique

"He's Just Not That N2 You"...

"If He's NOT Calling or Texting You", i.e, NOT giving you the time and attention that you deserve and that you're devoting to him...

"If He's NOT Sleeping with You", i.e, NOT showing you the kind of affection that you're showing him...

And "If He's NOT Marrying You", i.e, NOT willing to show you any level of commitment...then quite frankly, "He's Just NOT That Into You"...

One of the most popular Sex in the City episodes has gone from page to stage, as "He's Just Not That Into You" hit box offices this past weekend, and has had women, and some men, selling out shows on even a Tuesday night. I had to venture to two movie theaters before I was able to purchase tickets in the nick of time for the almost sold out 7:30pm showing last night. A long time Sex in the City fan, and having already read the book, I had an idea of what to expect from the movie and what lessons they would be trying to teach throughout the next 2 hours and 9 minutes. So as me and a girlfriend of mine literally grabbed the last two seats in the theater, and as I checked to see whether or not he had texted me back yet before silencing my phone, I was good to go.

The movie, in a nutshell, explored dating practices and relationship standards that many woman can certainly relate to or surely know of. Now while I wont give the movie away, as my counterpart would kill me when she reads this since she has yet to see the movie, I will say that more or less its like a slap in the face...a wake up call so to say. We all know good and well what it means when a guy says he's going to call, and a week later your still looking at your phone, checking for a dial tone and making sure you dont have any missed calls! No he didnt lose your number or had an accident or sudden death in the family....he's NOT calling, never had any intentions....he's just not that into you! And as you watch the movie and kind of sympathize with the main character as she embarks on her somewhat pathetic search for romance, you may silently say to yourself, "awww, she's so niave...why doesnt she get it?" The answer is the same reason why we just dont get it ourselves sometimes...

Whether its being played out on the big screen, or from a page out of our own dating lives, at some point we all can relate, and know the signs of when he's really just not into you. Sometimes we just dont want to, or are not ready to face it, or may be in denial...and we're all entitled to our moments of weakness...

But just as "GiGi" realized that he wasnt going to call, and as I casually checked and noticed that he still didnt text me back, we have to stop making excuses for them...for ourselves...and start taking these "signs" just for exactly what they are. Sometimes he may just not be into you, and sometimes that can be quite alright...cause its surely his loss, NOT yours!

~J. Genese