Recap: Ask4More

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Have you heard of Levo League?  It is an online community for Gen Y gals like ourselves to network, find jobs, obtain mentorship and career advice.  Similar to their online presence, the local chapter of Levo hosts events in popular cities so that you can participate in an open forum in person.  Last week, I attended a session called "Ask 4 More," about how you should "lean in" in your career by asking for more at work, starting from a job offer, to negotiating more responsibility and pay raises to climbing the corporate ladder one step at a time.  The group consisted of young professionals in various fields, yet we all had a common ground of yearning for more.  I learned a lot about our the vast potential we have in our careers.  Here are some of the main takeaway points:

• Negotiation is problem solving.
• The goal is not to get a deal.  The goal is to get a good deal.
• Be sure to pair competence with a "communal" approach that equally weighs the good of your counterpart, your team and/or the organization as a whole.
• Negotiation is more than just a salary discussion.

Participants in the discussion had some helpful tips in addition to the information presented by Levo:

• TED talks: offer motivational and informative videos relating to the business world
• Have a BATNA (Best Available alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) mentally stored so that you maintain standards and are not short changed
• You don't have to answer something (job offer, pay change offer, etc.) right away! Take your time to do your research.  It is okay to simply say "Let me think about that and get back to you." (Something that your manager most likely uses...you should, too!)
• Utilize online tools (here and here) as benchmark guides
• Don't negotiate against yourself (Jack Donaghy is a great example)

After this relaxed, open discussion, I know I'll be attending other Levo sessions.  Next on my reading list is Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg, getting a lot of hype these days!

Be sure to explore Levo League for updates on the latest advice worldwide in addition to events in the area.  We'll be sure to tweet about which ones we'll be attending!  How have you asked for more in your job? What worked? What did not work?

- Meredith

The Gals Behind Just Us Gals: Part 1

By now, we realize most of you are wondering who the gals behind JUGs are and why they (we) are writing this blog. Well, we finally sat down and drafted up all the reasons why! So, without further adieu...

 

Hi! I'm Suzanne, a graphic and web designer, interior design enthusiast, blog addict, Boston advocate and DIY attempter. 

In 2009 I graduated from St. Lawrence University with no idea of what to do next so I spent the next six months bouncing between retail jobs and internships before heading back to school. Going back to school was a big decision for me, but I decided it was the right time to pursue an old dream of working for a fashion magazine and study graphic and web design. After finishing my program I was hit with the harsh reality that a) jobs at well known fashion magazines are really really hard to get, b) mostly in New York, and c) going digital. So, I turned to the next best thing for me and joined a boutique branding and interactive firm in Boston where I work with a variety of clients on really fun projects.

As web design has become my day job, design and style blogging has become my side passion and outlet for all other things related to my personal style. Through blogging I find inspiration and the best forms of encouragement. For years I followed my favorite blogs (design*sponge, apartment therapy, sf girl by bay, and atlantic-pacific), but always felt a little left out as none of the blogs featured my beloved city.

It wasn't till 2013, after numerous discussions with Meredith and Cameron about how Boston really does have just as much to offer as the other blogged about cities, that I finally joined the blog community as we set up our first blog, Just Us Gals. For us the blog is meant to be a way to share what we enjoy doing in our city as young 20 somethings. On Just Us Gals you'll find me blogging about a well styled life on a budget, local discoveries, and pretty much anything and everything I think any outgoing gal my age would want to join in on. 

Favorite spot in your neighborhood: Charles Street

Favorite thing about Boston: The fact that it's on the water

T or Taxi: Walking

Polka Dots or Stripes: Stripes

Coffee of Tea: Tea

Running or Yoga: Trotting

Recap: StyleFixx

So, those of you that subscribe to LivingSocial probably saw the deal for this spring's StyleFixx event. It was a pretty sweet deal actually: $15 for two tickets to the event - which included 4 drinks each plus a swag bag! My friend Johanna and I had really no idea what StyleFixx was, but the deal was too good to pass up, so we went and checked it out last week in the South End. 

While I wasn't totally amazed by the selection of vendors, I did spot a few of my favorites including Stella & Dot and Honest Tea. The best part of the evening, however, was getting a *FREE* manicure courtesy of MiniLuxe (which was especially awesome since I didn't have time to get a MiniLuxe mani at the Blog Better Boston Style Summit last week). Speaking of BBBos, I ran into Syntia of Bold Chic Styles at StyleFixx! Us fashionistas stick together! 

The second best part of the night - getting my new sailor knot bracelet from The Pink Poppy!

All in all it was a great night. Between good snacks, good drinks, and free manicures - it was pretty hard to beat. I look forward to going again next fall. Hope to see you there!

- Cameron

Latest Obsessions: May 6th

Similar to Suzanne, I am constantly thinking up a wish list.  Luckily, Pinterest is a fantastic (free) outlet for ideas to have a home and helps to curb my spending.  However, now that my tax refund is somewhat burning a hole in my bank account, I wanted to share!  Please feel free to weigh in on some items I'm currently coveting and loving:

1. A 13" MacBook Air is bound to be my next big purchase.  I've loved my MacBook Pro for the near seven years I've had it since college, but I've decided that this year it is time for an upgrade. (I'm hoping Apple sticks with their usual release of new models in June... can anyone out there confirm this for me or know the best time to buy?!?)

2. These Agate bookends would bring the sparkle my plain, white bookshelves desperately need!

3. For my ever-growing jewelry collection, I'm always looking to sport something related to my Irish heritage, and this dainty necklace would be perfect to do so.

4. This is one of my most recent beauty purchases.  I love learning about new products, and this lightweight moisturizer made with natural products has solidified its place in my daily regimen.

5. Speaking of lightweight, this tunic would get a lot of use this coming summer... I plan to keep my eye on it like I did for a scarf by the same brand that is nice and airy with a subtle punch of color.

6. Over this past weekend while out for Derby Day with some fellow JUGs, I was introduced to this brew.  I'd highly recommend if you haven't yet tried it.  Its composition of beer + lemonade sounded weird to me at first, but I enjoyed its refreshing flavor.  Sure to be a regular order of mine on roof decks this summer!

7. Fellow blogger, Mackenzie, offers the most precious items in her online boutique, Design Darling.  I recently ordered a recycled leather business card holder (really bought it to impress others at AltSummit next month, but carry it in my purse daily!) and acrylic pen holder for my desk to exhibit my growing monogrammed item collection.

8.  This is simply the perfect throw to jazz up your bed, regardless of the New England season.

9.  And, because a girl can always dream, my ideal pièce de résistance item for my arm party for decades to come!


- Meredith