Taylor N. Lacey: internship

After work today, Lili and I went to Ikea to look at things for my apartment. I wanted cute functional bookshelves and nightstands if my mom cannot find me free ones for my apartment this year. I like how Ikea sets up their stores with little model rooms because this really let us see what we would need to buy or how we could use things. We walked through a ton of rooms that were not really my style but cool none the less. I fell in love with this blue cart for my room and I will purchase it if my mom does not find me a bookcase to put my things in. Isn't the color divine?! It also rolls and I love the baskets as storage on the storage rack.

Another thing I wanted was wall art for my side of the room. I made a couple little things but I want a big piece to hang above my bed. I really like a lot of the paintings and little things that they have at Ikea. I got a lot of inspiration from the storeroom and tried to snap pictures of what was really adorable. I think I can make something similar for my room. I really like the flowers in the this canvas print but I would do something with open tulips or hydrangea. I also love the idea of a little greenhouse for fresh herbs in the kitchen. I really like fresh basil and thyme for my food.

I am a huge goofball when I go to department stores and had too much fun in the kids section. There was so much stuff for kids that I would get. Little dog lunch boxes and cute little lamps caught my eye. Outfitting any kid with a ton of toys on the cheap is gonna be easy now. I can go to Ikea and grab some really cute dolls and stuffed animals. I loved this little stuffed African American baby. I almost bought it!

After we bought everything that was cheap or under a dollar, we had dinner at Ikea. I tried the salmon lasagna. IT WAS BOMB. I would make something similar at home during the school year. Because Lili and I signed up for the Ikea Family Card we got free tea or coffee with our dinner. We also got some percent off of the items we bought which was awesome! I got a bunch of cute things for our apartment including salt and pepper shakers, some guest bathroom napkins and a nice clear bin to keep my dry food under by bed safe from bugs. We ended our trip with some frozen yogurt and getting lost trying to get out of the parking lot.

Overall, I missed going to Ikea and it really like looking at home stuff there. It makes me get creative with what I have to make something really cool in my own spaces.

crafts

IKEA Trip

This weekend my company walked in the Boston pride parade. We basically threw bags of chips at everyone in the crowd and they loved it. It was super fun seeing all of my coworkers with their families in a casual environment. Of course my girl Lili was there and we had a great time!

After the parade, we walked around Boston. We first ended up back over by the North End and we love it over there. We found this little park in the middle of all these buildings and halls and sat there for a nice long time. I got to start my book and Lili took a nap. I also got to wear my Jacks a little bit more which was awesome.

After a nice rest, we went and walked back over by the aquarium where we were last week. We went further to the east of the Aquarium and found a lot of cool things. A dolphin statue and metal statue really caught my eye.

We walked further away from the North End and more towards the Financial District. We found a nice little park that we sat in for a bit. It had a Life is Good station for you to charge your phone and umbrella tables.

Then, from there we walked further into the Financial District and found Chinatown.

From Chinatown, we past the theatre district and we went to Boston Common and had a great time looking at all of the structures, statues and plants in the park. It's probably my favorite place in Boston when it's sunny and the worst when it's rainy. Beware it's about to be picture overload but it was gorgeous there.

After all this walking, we walked along Newbury Street. We actually ended up exactly where we got off the T in the morning! We got back on the T and went home. Overall it was a perfect Saturday full of parks, reading, sun and flowers.

On Sunday, I ventured back in to Boston. I hung out in Boston Common/Public Garden by myself. I laid half in the shade, half in the sun for a couple hours. Got a nice little leg tan. I had packed lunch (tuna, crackers, an apple and two drinks because I am forever thirsty) and ate that under a big tree. It's so gorgeous there! There were so many people out today! Then, I took a little nap (it was more like an hour) and walked around the common some more. The ducks are hilarious.

After I woke up, I walked up Newbury Street. I had to stop at my favorite cupcake place Georgetown Cupcake. I picked up two cupcakes: a salted caramel and a vanilla birthday. Yum yum yum. Then, I needed a little caffeine to make it through the day. I was looking for Starbucks and yet I ended up in Anthropologie... I got a couple more little Latte Bowls because they are perfect for dips, ice cream and even rings. I've got a post coming up about them for y'all. I also got signed up for their customer program that gets me two free shipping passes online and 15% off any purchase during my birthday month. Sign up here at my.anthropologie.com/signup :)

After I got sidetracked, I went back to Starbucks and sat myself down at the Boston Public Library to recoup and rest after all this walking. After a break in the air conditioned library, I went back to the Common to read more and eat my cupcakes.

I caught another nap and woke up to find the ducks looking for bread near my blanket.

I went home on the T, drove to Trader Joes for groceries (cheapest fresh produce and great flowers) and watched a documentary before bed. I love Boston filled weekends.

boston

Moving to Boston- Summer 2014

As a huge believer in dressing how you want to feel, I wanted to write a post about what are the best things to wear for internships, what combinations are good and how to put your best foot forward. Being an engineer, we have to get internships to get good full-time job offers. It's also nice to experiment with what we might be interested in as well as seeing what different companies have to offer you. I start shopping for clothing before my internship starts to try and find clothes that will fit the environment.

My summer internship this year is at a food company, where I will be on the plant floor as well as in an office. Due to safety restrictions, I have to wear closed toe shoes, pants or bring a change of pants,and no jewelry on the floor. These restrictions mean that I need different clothes that I am used to wearing. Regardless of my special circumstances, these are the main things I think you need to have to have a functional and fun wardrobe for the summer.

Cardigans - especially crew neck cardigans look great for work. You can layer them over blouses in a colder office or tuck them into skirts for a fun top.Get some fun colors like red or cobalt blue and then some basic ones like navy or black. Patterned cardigans are also great for rainy days and you need a little something to pep you up. Great stores for cardigans that have lasted me a while are Target, Gap and J Crew.
Blouses are a great investment piece for work and beyond. You can wear them out after work, on the weekend with chino shorts, tucked into skirts and with jeans on casual Friday. I called blouses the t-shirt for work. You cannot go wrong with one! I suggest long sleeve or sleeveless. Short sleeve blouses can bunch up under sweaters and it looks unprofessional. I tend to pick up blouses from any store I visit but I love all the blouses I have gotten at H+M.
Buttondown shirts are key. They look great under a suit, tucked into a skirt or with jeans on casual Friday. I have several in fun colors like purple and pink and I love a black button down with skinny pants. Make sure the bust fits well and you don't have a bulge when you tuck it in because it is too large on the bottom. Many of my busty friends get the shirt in a bigger size and tailor it to fit perfectly. I get all of my button downs from Old Navy and Jcpenney because I have long arms.
Shoes - buy good shoes and your feet will thank you. You walk around the office, plant floor and city and you will notice what other people have on their feet. I prefer something dressier for the office but don't be afraid to experiment with color. Just make sure your heel high is less than 4 inches and that your shoes do not include a huge platform. I pick up flats from everywhere but my favorite flats are from Target. Good price for the quality and they have a ton of colors and styles.
Pencil skirts are my favorite work clothing piece. I have so many different colors and styles. I love a grey skirt because it goes with everything. You can wear a skirt with a t-shirt for a more casual look, with a blouse for business casual or with a suit jacket as a cute skirt suit. My rule of thumb with pencil skirts is to be no more than 3 inches above your knee. Also be very careful about fit - your skirt should skim your curves not cup them. All of my pencil skirts are from Target and Forever 21.
Skinny pants look great on everyone. They are almost like wearing leggings but look much better. I like darker colors and patterns for a sleek look. I try to pair them with nice flats or with pointy heels for a classy look. I have skinny pants for NY&Co as well as Old Navy and J Crew. Whatever fits your body best is the ones to buy. If you have wider hips, I suggest a straight leg pant for the same effect but much more slimming on your body shape.
Blazers instantly make whatever you decide to wear business formal. I like to keep a blazer on the back of my cubicle chair for meetings because you never know who could be at the meeting - like a upper level VP or CEO. I also like to wear them with jeans and a blouse for casual Friday or with skinny pants for a casual suit. My blazers are mainly from H+M and JcPenney.
Trenchcoats are the best outerwear for summer internships. It's classier than a jean jacket and it will look good in the rain. I have a tan trenchcoat and I wear it all the time. I got my trench for NY&Co but I love the ones from J Crew or Kate Spade. (It's an investment!)
Nice Quality Work Bag is a must, You will be schlepping a lot of papers back and forth, possibly a work issued laptop, plus lunch and snacks. I have several bags I rotate including a purple Longchamp, a camel colored satchel and a brown legal tote. Make sure you get it in the color family you wear the most if you invest in just one.
Simple Jewelry is a good choice on your part. I like to wear simple necklaces or pearls to work. I will wear a statement necklace to work with a plain blouse and a suit jacket. I always try to wear jewelry in the same color family - gold or silver - to work. It's not the place to be mix metals and do something eccentric.

Hopefully, this list of tips and items can help you look and feel your best at your internship. Don't be afraid to mix and match but be mindful of the environment you work in. Engineering corporate culture is different than fashion or banking. Look towards your boss or ask an HR person what is best to wear at work before you leave for your internship.

basics. clothing

IKEA Trip

A Prideful Yet Relaxed Weekend

A Weekend to Start the Summer

First Day of Internship Dos and Donts

Moving to Boston- Summer 2014

Internship Basics

Bio

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