https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 11 May 2026 15:22:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34233 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:41:14 +0000 Tanya 34233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, I am late here, sorry about your party, but it's probably for the best considering the reasons.</p> <p>I love the idea of wearing your Paris jacket with skinnies to the reunion. I think it would be absolutely smashing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34232 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:39:23 +0000 shiny 34232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>P.s. Tarzy... I meant to also add that your situation is different than my dad's. He is a pre-boomer: one of the reasons he was given an early retirement was to make room for the boomers coming up behind him. </p> <p>You, on the other hand, are a boomer. There are simply not enough workers coming up behind you to fill the extra slots. As my dad says, "be prepared to work for a long, long time - well after age 65, if you choose." Because that is the demographic for my generation, which is the beginning of GenX. </p> <p>I think at your age, while still a boomer, you will have an easier time landing on your feet and finding a job again. Not saying it's going to be easy in these economic times - just saying, *eventually* as the market recovers, your skills and experience are highly valued, and that there are simply NOT ENOUGH younger workers to fill all the slots. The younger workers may get hired first (because they are cheaper labor). But if you want to continue working, I have faith you will eventually find a job. </p> <p>As for me, the way I have been looking at things is that it's not so much about monetary advancement anymore. It may never be again, from here on out. Provided I'm making adequate income to cover expenses and live comfortably, what I would trade for raises in the future is just the right experience, and work that I love. So I am hoping to move laterally and into areas of work I have never done before, to keep me challenged. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34224 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:30:25 +0000 shiny 34224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alecia - I'm considering wearing the Paris jacket to the reunion. Since it's supposedly "casual" .... maybe I will wear it with my dark-wash skinnies? Could be fun! I'm sure I will get use out of the velvet slacks this season and future seasons - nice classic to have in my closet. So those are not going back, but the cream ATL slacks are, and pressure is off for further hunting!</p> <p>Laura, sorry to hear about your book deal! And, you reminded me, I actually have it on my personal to-do spreadsheet "read that email from YLF writer's group".... I think there is still something in my email inbox? Or did I dream it? </p> <p>Patience, I can't help but feel that this economic downturn is different - but not in a doom-and-gloom way. Every economic downturn is the same, and as Angie says, a boom will follow. What I mean is that I can't shake this feeling that all over the world there is this mystical something or other - we just got a new president, environment is becoming top of mind, etc. It's not JUST the economy. Something big. Change in the air .... hokey stuff, I know. I guess I just have renewed faith that we can all pull together and face major challenges ahead of us, as a nation and as a world. Since I work in internet arena, I think the internet will play a big role in bringing people together, and encouraging new business models to fuel the economy. I could go on and on....let's just say, I think a chapter is closing (it was 100 years long) and the next chapter is just beginning. These are interesting times. </p> <p>Tarzy - my heart goes out to you in particular. About 18 years ago, we had an economic downturn, and my dad got an early retirement at age 55. It was a major blow to him. He loved his job. He never expected to retire that early - and he had fears because he was retiring in the middle of a downturn. So I have a sense of what you are going through, after seeing my dad go through it. </p> <p>I can assure you that my dad wound up in a really good place eventually! Not just financially - but *emotionally* *mentally* etc!! He learned to turn his passion and energies towards a combo of consulting, volunteer work, and getting involved with his local gov't. It keeps his mind active and engaged, and brings in some $ too. As Angie says, when a door closes, a window opens. This is just so true!</p> <p>I don't think I'm at any immediate risk of layoff, but if I did get laid off, my "trouble" will be figuring out which new venture I should put my energies into! My list of potential ideas is getting long! The good news is, things I'm doing at work are giving me exactly the right experience for many of these ideas to actually.... work. So we shall see! </p> <p>To the writers: my daughter and her friends have their own little writing group. One friend is working on a novel. I have read the first two chapters and given her feedback. I believe she is quite talented and with encouragement will someday successfully publish a novel. I may be partial, since she's a sweet kid and kinda like an adopted daughter! But, I am wondering... would any of you be interested in helping her by reading chapters and giving her constructive feedback? Less about editing - more about shaping plot and character development, with lots of positive feedback for the things she does just right. I am very behind on her latest chapters, and feeling bad I have not had room in my life to keep up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34177 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:41:41 +0000 susan 34177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura and Tarzy-can I play too? I would love to just listen to 2 real authors chat about their work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34173 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:34:56 +0000 Nicole 34173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Shiny, sorry to hear about the Holiday Party Cancellation, but I'm glad that your company is doing their best to keep things in perspective. It says a lot about the people who make those kinds of decisions.</p> <p>I too loved Laura and Patience's philosophy about moving forward and being excited about it. It took me 35 years to get the point where I stopped worrying over things I had no control over. While I'm not a particularly religious person, I am quite spiritual, and my coping mechanism is to pray for acceptance and guidance. If you can accept your situation and be open to the clues "the universe" is sending your way, then you can come out ahead. I also beleive in the powers of the Supernatural. I have a very close person in my life who can direct her energy in positive ways.</p> <p>Shiny, I'm sure you will get another opportunity to wear your Paris jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34154 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:06:43 +0000 tarzy 34154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura - I'd love to talk about both of our books - but I don't want to hijack the thread! Would you like to chat in e-mail? (tarzucker@yahoo.com.) I've got roughly three chapters, first draft - it's humorous narrative non-fiction - and I'm in serious avoidance mode right now. You know - when you absolutely have to alphabetize your spice rack? I also need to stop logging onto YLF, but I'm sort of addicted right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34149 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:34:39 +0000 Ana 34149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for having an upbeat attitude, everyone, and expressing it so eloquently. I'm very much a worrier, so bad times REALLY get me down. Reading all of your responses, though, keep things in perspective for me. </p> <p>P.S. I do Tarot cards too (just for fun). I have an actual deck and deal the cards. It's kind of meditative, and sometimes it can help you think of aspects of a situation that maybe you haven't thought of before. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34146 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:28:39 +0000 Laura 34146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tarzy, how interesting! There are a bunch of writers on the forum. What are you writing? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34077 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:45:32 +0000 tarzy 34077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's never easy to be laid off, but at 51 I'm having a bit harder time dealing with it. I know I'm nowhere near being ready to retire, but I don't know if I have the energy to start all over again, either. I was sort of hoping to just drift along for another 10 years or so at my old job. I guess the universe doesn't like drifters! </p> <p>I'm using this unexpected downtime to write a book I've had in my head for a few years. (I've been a writer for years.) It takes a lot of discipline to actually sit and write instead of searching for cute shoes and the perfect pair of pants. Darn internet - too many distractions! </p> <p>Laura - maybe we can form a very fashionable writers' support group! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34076 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:45:17 +0000 Angie 34076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, whenever a door shuts, a window will open. I’m sorry you’re left in uncertainty. That’s often the hardest part but your attitude is stellar. At the risk of sounding like an unrealistic optimist, remember that there’s an economic boom after every recession and that’s what we should focus on. “Shiny Consulting”, here we come! Your effervescent warmth, intelligence and energy will always shine through – that’s why you’re “Shiny”. </p> <p>Laura and Patience, it’s precisely the good that comes out of bad that makes people stronger and more successful. I love your words of wisdom and hope it rubs off:</p> <p>“I hope everyone here uses this surge of energy to move forward in their lives!” – SO TRUE. </p> <p>Ps. Sorry to hear about your cancelled book deal, Laura. What a heart sinking moment. BUT! Onto bigger and brighter things. Your other book opportunities sound fabulous and I am holding thumbs for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34074 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:32:57 +0000 Laura 34074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Patience I love what YOU said about everything going on right now. It is an incredibly exciting time to be alive and in America. I am just glad to be around to witness it. </p> <p>In personal terms, I have had an idea for a novel on the back burner for a year now and another novel with an agent waiting to be sold (the novel is international and has racial diversity as a theme). It is almost too much to hope that the first novel will finally sell, but I feel a huge urgency to write the second book, because the new theme I am pursuing suddenly feels highly relevant.</p> <p>I hope everyone here uses this surge of energy to move forward in their lives! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34072 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:24:34 +0000 Patience 34072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I love what you said. With everything going on right now I feel like the universe is trying to push everyone forward a bit. It's so exciting.</p> <p>Shiny, I hear you on the tarot cards and horoscopes. I like those kinds of mystical things too not because I believe they're true but because I think you can let them promote an attitude to be more open, ready and proactive in making things happen for yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34069 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:13:26 +0000 Laura 34069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, you are absolutely right in your attitude and I completely share your outlook on the recession and possible layoffs. Here in Chicago we aren't seeing many layoffs - yet. But my publisher in NY (where of course they are feeling it big time already) just cancelled my next book (it was up for its fifth edition, so it's really shocking that they would cancel it). </p> <p>Strangely, although I am sad for my book, I feel incredibly free and happy and open to taking on new creative challenges. Like Shiny, I feel that it's the universe's way of pushing me forward to doing bigger &#38; better things.</p> <p>You gotta roll with the punches! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34048 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:39:15 +0000 Alecia 34048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are uncertain times. I'm sorry you won't have an opportunity to wear the jacket - for now. It does seem more prudent to cancel the party than other options that might be available. You have such a positive attitude, Shiny. I take comfort in that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34029 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:51:29 +0000 shiny 34029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>P.s. Looks like that dream job I interviewed for probably won't materialize anytime soon either, due to budget tightening. I could be wrong on that, but I'm not holding my breath. And anyway, I had left it with them that if not this exact job, one down the road... </p> <p>Maybe it sounds corny but ....I trust the universe to sort it all out. </p> <p>Even when I've been laid off in the past, even when I struggled financially without a job, things always had a way of turning around for the better, and sending me in a new and different direction I never imagined. </p> <p>I sometimes play with the online tarot cards - I put as much stock in them as horoscopes (i.e., not much), but I do find it can be a meditative exercise. </p> <p>Recently (when I interviewed for that position) I was playing with them, and the cards kept coming up in a way that suggested I would NOT get that job... but I would get a different job that would be completely unexpected and surprising - a direction that bring on good fortune (not financial necessarily - but in terms of personal growth). Something exciting. So we'll see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/holiday-party-update#post-34028 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:44:41 +0000 shiny 34028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The party got cancelled! Due to budget cutbacks. </p> <p>I am happy that they cut the party and didn't resort to laying anyone off. But, I am still going out to HQ to get some valuable face-time, and combining the trip with a much-needed vacation. </p> <p>We're all being encouraged to take lots of vacation before end of year, because this also helps bring down costs. Of course, that worries me because if you do get laid off, it's nice to get your vacation as extra pay. However, you do what you have to do - I really don't want to see my coworkers laid off because I hoarded vacation time. :-(</p> <p>I am hoping that I will make it through this economic downturn without losing my job. I have been laid off soooo many times in the past - I am mentally and financially prepared for it. If it happens, it happens. I will take it as a sign from the universe it's time for a change - possibly consulting and going it on my own. I already have some ideas in that direction, but have been thinking more along the lines of "in the next 10 years - after the kids are through college"... rather than right now, while they're only a few short years away from college. Was hoping these would be the years I could increase my salary to help them offset costs. Looks like that's not going to happen. It is what it is!</p> <p>Hang on everyone... we're in for a ride.... </p>