Transitioning into "Real Life"

Well, I've officially survived my first two weeks at my corporate job, and it's been quite the transition. It's been a challenge learning to manage my new schedule and life. I'm glad I had the realization this year just how important it is to hang on to what I love and what makes me unique and not to throw any of these things away no matter where I am in life.

Here's how I've been able to do that lately, even now that I have to be a so-called real adult.

1. Fashion. The great thing about working for a company whose dress code is business casual is that I still have room for self-expression. Below is my outfit from casual Friday: I rocked a Hogwarts tee under my blazer and paired skinny black jeans with my studded combat boots (sorry no full outfit photos!). A blazer dresses anything up...right? I always have my skull or Slytherin jewelry on daily with my button-ups and pencil skirts, along with a (slightly) more subtle smokey eye than my usual gothed out eyeliner. I can enjoy my job so much more when I can express myself in these little ways.

2. Sword fighting. Nothing like a new hobby to spice up life a bit. I scored a Groupon for Medieval Combat lessons, and as it's been my ambition to become a pirate lately (and I'm writing a novel featuring pirates), I figured what better way to get into character than to learn some good old sword fighting. I'm completely addicted. My coworkers like to give me a hard time about this. I think they all thought I was kidding at first...

3. Developing my "personal brand." We've talked a lot about this at work, and while I've wanted to obviously present myself as competent, I think part of my, er, charm is that I'm kinda quirky. Everyone already knows me as the resident Harry Potter nerd (I showed up with the seventh book in my purse on the first day of training and admitted that I was in the process of my annual re-read of the series). When we had to go around and introduce ourselves and say a weird fact, I announced that -- though I used to be super embarrassed about admitting it -- I've been a Harry Potter fan fiction writer for ten years. I got a bit of playful teasing, but once again, I was hardly shunned because of it. I want to present myself as quirky, nerdy, and smart, a brand I feel like will let me be successful while still feeling like me. 

First Day of Work!

Don't worry, I didn't wear the following outfit to my first day at my corporate job! I had to have one last hurrah of un-classiness this weekend before being forced into business casual 5 days a week. And nothing says screams IDGAF like ripped up jeans, a cut-off Jack Daniels shirt, and old Converse. I had fun with the ensemble, and it was a great way to beat the rainy day blues (seriously, summer, where are you?!).

Now, here's the real outfit from my first day at my big girl job! Though I'm forced to dress nicely, I refuse to abandon my personal style completely. I've called myself the Corporate Witch Pirate for a reason! I decided to rock the pirate look for day one. The red stripes and rolled up sleeves on the button-up have always seemed pirate-y to me (I may or may not have actually worn it for my Halloween costume this past year?). Even if I'm the only one who immediately makes the pirate association, it still makes me happy inside. I also tossed on a skull necklace and bracelet -- hey, it wouldn't be me without these signature accessories. 

The full ensemble.

Oh, and the HAIR. The weird black-brown-red mess that looked like a botched ombre job is no more. After years off bad black box dye, I finally wanted to do something different (and have a professional do it for me for once; I guess I am an adult now...). I wanted to stay dark, but decided to do something new and exciting. I feel like some weird Ginny Weasley/Lily Evans/Little Mermaid hybrid. And I'm pretty excited about it. :)

Struggling with my new identity as a redhead.

My favorite pirate-y skull necklace.

Pirate bracelets.