TallAnna on Life, Love, & Fashion.

All this hype about Sean Avery and his "internship" at Vogue has seriously made me wonder what a real intern does.

You know, the fresh-out-of-college (or perhaps still in college) twenty-somethings dying to become the next Anna Wintour, or the Devil Wears Prada gal, who would do anything just to have a taste of the high-fashion magazine world. Even if that taste means running around New York City (or in my case London) dropping off clothes, running silly errands, and getting coffee. I've been a fashion intern. In PR. It's not all glamorous like shows such as The Hills make it seem. Or as fabulous and involved as Sean Avery's diary explains:

I jumped right in. First up was a creative meeting attended by the magazine's senior staff, which gave me a broad look at upcoming shoots, potential covers, and which writers, editors, and photographers were covering which stories.

You're kidding, me. Senior staff? Meetings? Actual insight? Assistants, let alone interns, hardly get this privilege. Plus, he is a guest editor for Men's Vogue. Okay. I get it. He's a famous hockey player. Professional. In his late twenties. But a blurb in New York Magazine mentions,

To be afforded such responsibility can only mean he's doing a truly stupendous job as an intern.

I seriously doubt that him being awarded such luxuries as an intern, so unlike other Vogue interns, means he's doing a "stupendous job." Frankly, I think it means he's just "well-connected" and is good press for the magazine and its internship program (especially after Devil Wears Prada, the book and the movie, that divulged...well sort of...the harsh reality behind high-fashion glossies).

Truly, why should he have an up on all the other fashionistas dying to have the job, too, who have the same credentials he's claiming -- a sincere interest in fashion and clothes -- if not more qualified ones, like an education in the subject (and professional writing experience). Everyone who loves fashion, it seems, wants to work at Vogue, because like many people say, it's the "bible of fashion." And who doesn't want to say they've worked on the Bible? The industry has a glamorous, party-life facade, but what's underneath it all is overworked young people in a drama-central atmosphere. I want to know: is it worth it?

Finally, New York Magazine broke the ice and spoke to some real Vogue interns, who essentially revealed that all Sean Avery is getting is special treatment. He got his own desk (and assignments!) when all they got was a cramped, shared space, a list of unrealistic requests and insane amounts grunt work -- expected to be performed in stilettos.

Who are we supposed to believe?

If you have any stories about your personal experience in the industry, speak up! Let's hear 'em.

As it turns out, today is Take Your Dog To Work Day. Officially. Nationally. No, I'm not kidding. For about three minutes last night, I contemplated bringing Zoe (see below), my cat, since, well, I don't have a dog. But after her traumatizing road trip to Pine Mountain Lake recently (i.e. getting car sick, and later, having a rendez-vous with another cat), I wasn't so sure how she'd hold up on transbay public transportation and in my office without a window, and thus, without a window sill on which to perch.

But to my surprise, I was not completely thwarted, and for about five minutes indulged in the joy of having an animal at work. A lovely lady in our office brought her 9-week-old Boston Terrier, Hector, for a short while. I don't actually think she knew it was TYDTWD, but that's not the point. I'm not a dog person, but LOOK HOW CUTE. I want one.

After reading this article in Dame Magazine about the entitled generation (my generation), I found myself annoyed, and admittedly, a bit defensive. And perhaps a bit guilty for having such high expectations of the "real world."

As a twenty-something one year out of college, and one year into my first "real world" job, I am still always trying to gain that extra tidbit of experience. I accept tedious proofreading assignments with a smile, because I know that I need to prove myself worthy of the little stuff before being trusted with the more thought-stimulating projects. And while I can't say I'm happy in my current position, or that I've even learned much beyond how to deal with office politics, I can say that I am lucky to have been offered my position in the first place during a time when a) the economy's not so hot and b) some of my other classmates were still scrounging around for work - or in some cases, because there were no other options, unpaid internships meant for those still in college.

I feel like while the younger generation may have different perspectives about the work place than, say, our parents, and while some of us do indeed act (maybe overly so) like it, we can't all be clumped into one category of being entitled.

"Younger women arrive at a new office pumped up on Suze Orman and you-go-girl self-empowerment, and are quickly deflated by the necessary drudgery of copying and collating. Older women, who have paid their dues dealing with sexism and grunt work for decades, are chagrined that younger women assume they can just show up and take over. Commence an intergenerational clash."

Hmmm. Okay. I can see that. But my big issue with this whole "intergenerational clash" is that the seasoned professionals are unwilling to move along and change with the times, including crucial know-how in a technologically advanced age (managers who don't know how to use Excel? Yup - heard of 'em). We are already engaged in a generation where men and women are (or should be) treated equally in the workplace. And while, yes, we're still working on perfecting it (statistics show that for every dollar a man makes a woman makes only 3/4 of it), allowing our managers and executives to treat us (younger women) like they were treated does not help anyone. In fact, I'd say it moves us, as a soceity, backward.

As a 43-year-old founder of a financial blog for women boldly mentions,

'I’m glad they have confidence, but boy do I wish they also had the savvy to realize that they can be pretty offensive to the veterans when they clearly don’t expect to play by the rules.'

Wait - what rules? ...that younger women should expect to be treated poorly just like how some older women were when they were our age? You must be kidding.

I know that we have to start at the bottom and work our way up. But why is it that our eagerness to learn, so that we can make those moves, is being shunned? I would hope it's appreciated. "Dear Manager, I'd love it if you gave me something-anything!-to help me learn so I can become a better, more profitable employee to you." ...Where's the harm in that? There's also a fresh batch of college graduates every quarter waiting to apply to those bottom-of-the-barrel, coffee-fetching, copy-making jobs. So why not move everyone through the line?

It's 2008. I most definitely expect to work my ass off to move to next levels and to be successful. And I will. And I'll even wear a broad smile and designer jeans while doing so. But I have some expectations, too, and refuse to let someone utterly take advantage me. You take on internships for a reason - to me that's your stepping stone. Your first glimpse into the "real world." But now, I have my degree, so yes, my expectations have risen. There's no way you can get me to consent to putting up with sexist, well-I-had-to-so-you-have-to bullshit from executives who grew up in a completely different generation. We must keep up with societal changes (We all use e-mail now, and feel naked without our cell phones...right?), including those changes that imply that certain young people are graduating from college smarter than generations before, and that they are probably smarter than a lot of people already in the workforce. 

I love this vintage throwback - a polaroid with my amazing boyfriend. Even though it accentuates our height difference. I know a lot of people may gawk, but to me (to us?) it's no big thing.

I heart the New York Times. Their news, their magazine, and well, their fashion coverage. And while yes, coverage from runway shows is all fabulous and glamorous, truly it's their behind-the-scenes looks into the industry that totally get me. Especially during a time like now, when the economy, well, sucks, and things like fashion seem frivolous and unaffordable. Even more especially when movies like Sex and the City come out - movies that make us (or is it just me?) want to buy, buy, buy. But a closer look at my wallet and bank account make me realize that all I should be doing is save, save, save. Through all this I start to contemplate - how is the industry still thriving and putting on outlandish shows every season, and in-between seasons, and still coming out ahead, alive? Or are they even taking a hit? Perhaps it's our own wallets, not designers and retailers, that are crying silent tears.

Relieved, in an article published last week, the NY Times broke it down for me. And crazily enough, over the past ten years, luxury goods, in general, have nearly DOUBLED in price. Their first example, the Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 - now priced at $685, in 1998, was in the $300-range. Luxury shoes used to be in that range, too, but now, $300 for a nice pair of leather pumps seems more like a steal! No wonder the fashion industry is still thriving. Even taking inflation into account, these prices are higher and more extreme than ever. Profits, I presume, are following suit.

But wait! Don't get discouraged! Here is the fantastic news. Amidst all the increases prices in gas, food, drinks, designer fashion and shoes, mainstream fashion is actually being priced more reasonably, as in, cheaper than it was ten years ago:

"Today, shoppers pay the same price for a basic Brooks Brothers men’s suit, $598, as they did in 1998. The suggested retail price of a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans, $46, is about $4 less than it was a decade ago. A three-pack of Calvin Klein men’s briefs costs $21.50, only $3.50 more than in 1998. ... Even some items that may seem more expensive today, like a $75 Ralph Lauren polo shirt (which cost $62.50 in 1998), are really not, because their prices have risen more slowly than inflation."

So what does this mean? Well, the rest of us who aren't exactly in the market to purchase designer clothes (even when they are marked down to varying degrees for all the sales right now) are in luck! We can afford $9 dresses from Steve & Barry's or even the designer lines from Target. Even if we do want to splurge on something we don't typically buy, there are sites now like LabelSpree and HauteLook that make higher-end and designer clothing relatively more affordable.

While we may not be on the waiting lists for Carrie's SATC movie shoes, we can be in line at Steve Madden buying the knock-offs. ...And still afford dinner and drinks after the spree!

He has finally found a way to get to me. To tug at my heart, my guilt, my love for all things slightly overweight and furry. This one homeless man who roams the financial district streets near my office holds not only a cardboard sign asking for food, money, a smoke, what have you, but in his arms -- a cat. An adorable, shades-of-gray kitty with light-colored eyes that make it impossible to pass by without feeling guilty for not stopping, and who is utterly devoted to, committed to this homeless man. This morning, the kitty was perched right behind the man's used soda cup propped up for spare change, as if the cat was monitoring the deposited coins...and asking for them. Looking up at you with its irresistible eyes...uttering, "mew."

My heart pulls for the cat, and admittedly, not for the homeless man. I know neither of their stories (perhaps I should ask), and for all I know the cat was in a worse place before befriending this man, but of course, when I see a cat attached to a homeless guy, it makes me wonder how it's fed and how it stays healthy. And then it makes me want to buy things for this cat to make sure it has food and isn't dying.

There's a part of me that rejoices - at least this homeless guy has a companion, someone (ok, fine, something) to keep him company, to talk to... But also, homeless having pets - something about this screams "bad idea" to me, because when it comes down to it, are they truly taken care of? Are they safe?

Oh kitty.

Eye-popping color seems to the theme for summer wardrobes this year. And shoes are not excluded! Whew. Thank goodness. I have an excuse to pull out my bright green peep-toes again after a cold season on display on the top shelf of my shoe cabinet (the cabinet - that's a different post). But what I'm excited for most are the flat sandals.

I can't always bear to wear heels all day. I am known for taking off my shoes underneath my desk on occasion, or bringing two pairs of shoes to work: one to wear on the commute (leather flats, usually), and one to wear around the office (heels that make me around 6'4"). So finally I can relish in summer's solution: darling flat sandals in to-die-for colors. YAY. Comfort + Chic = my kind of shoe!

So last night marks the day I indulged in my second facial. Wait. Let me rephrase that. Yesterday I endured the poking and prodding, circular massaging motions, and after-the-fact redness and swelling that was, in fact, a "SkinBella Particle-Free Dermabrasion" facial rejuvenation. Sometimes I am amazed by what I am willing to put myself through in attempts to have a clear complexion. Five years of a toxic (in my opinion) topical prescription, though, still seems worse than the painful poking and prodding. Let me explain.

Since my last facial a month ago, my skin became noticeably worse. It's always hard to pinpoint one reason why my

acne gets so bad in one particular area of my face (my chin), probably because there isn't, well, one reason. There are many (cat, boyfriend's hair products, my hair products, fingers touching my face, my phone, etc). So this time around during my facial, my esthetician had quite the extracting job to do. It was the first time I had to literally fight back tears during a beauty treatment. Extracting the bacteria from my face was, yes, that painful. But is it as bad as the potential side effects of my previous treatments? No. I'd rather deal with the extracting than with icky, birth defect-causing chemicals wandering my bloodstream.

That said, my esthetician was fabulous. She provided me with some insight and another perspective about combating acne. Plus, I left with cleanser and lotion samples. I want to do everything I can to combat my acne naturally, for now, and stay away from the prescriptions that I know a dermatologist will recommend (plus, I swear, I have tried them all at this point). As long as I can prevent scarring and make some headway, I shall continue down this road to (hopefully) clearer skin. I know it's under there. I've had it before!

To the men of the San Francisco Bay Area, and other places where it's unseasonably warm right now:

Even if your HR department relinquishes the office dress code in an effort to appease employees dying of heat and allows the wearing of shorts, please do not take this is not an invitation to wear denim shorts. Under no circumstances should you even own such garments. They do not communicate professionalism, nor do they communicate a sense of style.

Their significant lack of both should promptly encourage you to purchase and wear a better alternative: chino shorts.
 

Available in a variety of colors from just about any apparel retailer, chino shorts are not only more attractive, but in hot weather are much more comfortable. They are lighter weight, fabricated in more technically advanced materials, tend to fit properly (unlike most denim shorts which are usually either too large & baggy or too tight & short), and communicate class.

Please make note of this for future outfit decisions. Thank you.

...in case you didn't already know.

In a recent interview with Politico.com and Yahoo! News, Bush did not do a whole lot to boost his appeal...or his reputation of being an idiot. In my opinion, he gave any watcher a plethora of reasons why he is not fit to be our president. I want to highlight reason #48216: because he knows NOTHING about the environment.

The interview was Bush's first that was intended specifically for the Internet. When one Politico user asked what Bush and his administration can do to help people RIGHT NOW who are trying to afford to live while the record-breaking prices of oil, at $126/barrel*, are raising prices of everything...even food, Bush said, and I quote (thanks to the official White House Transcript):

With the price of gasoline going up, it's like a tax. ... In other words, it took us a while to get to where we are -- very dependent on oil, and in a world in which demand is greater than oil. So my answer to Steven is that the best thing we can do is to increase supply, and to drill for oil and gas in environmentally friendly ways at home, and build more refineries. ... We haven't built a new refinery since 1976, and if we're truly interested in relieving the pressure on our consumers, then we ought to have a very active domestic policy now. ... The truth of the matter is that in order for there to be a substantial change either consumers have to change their habits -- which we're encouraging through alternative tax of automobiles -- or there has to be an increase of supply. And both of them have to go hand in hand in order to achieve less dependence on this very unsettled oil market.

Now, if someone could please explain to me how INCREASING SUPPLY is the answer, I'd greatly appreciate it. And also how it's possible to drill for oil in an environmentally friendly way. I don't understand how Bush could blindly disregard options like innovative technologies or WEENING OUR COUNTRY OFF OUR OIL DEPENDENCY.

Where do you imagine we would be now had Al Gore been elected back in 2000? I'd imagine far, far away from here.

*...now up to $128/barrel.