Veronica's Blog

I had the privilege of talking to a group of young women from Gonzaga University a few weeks ago.  The future of our country is bright, if these women are representative of the talent that is about to hit the job market.   Their questions were intelligent and their eagerness to learn from the “mature” women in the group was refreshing.

One thing that has not changed; they have same fears and challenges that I had as a senior in college.  How do you make the transition from college  life to career?  How will I pay the bills?  Am I ready for the responsibility of a real job?  Can I find a job? What do I wear?  Where can I find clothing suitable for work?

As I listened, it become clear that figuring out how to put together stylish business outfits is still hard. Thank goodness the days of dressing like a man to fit in are gone.  I cringe at some of my old pictures, with those horrible bow ties.  Seriously, what was I thinking. I looked like little Lord Fauntleroy.

5 Things Every College Senior Should Buy For Their First Job: 

A great jacket in a modern and cool cut. Make sure it fits perfectly and is comfortable. If your budget allows, buy two or three in different colors.  Jackets are a great wardrobe stretcher. They can be matched in an endless combination with pants, dresses and skirts.

Costume jewelry that is colorful and fun. You can never go wrong with hoop earrings and elegant pendants.  Leave your mother’s pearls at home. Jewelry is another great way to add color to your wardrobe.

Stella & Dot Felicity Hoops

An all weather trench coat in a traditional cut with a zip-in lining.  Black transitions well from day to night and the removable lining allows you to wear your investment year round.

Large leather bag that doesn’t look like a brief case.  This is great item to show some personality and be a little different and stylish. It  should send a message that you mean business, but are still a woman.  Don’t be afraid to buy a red bag or something with an animal print.

Shoes, Shoes and Shoes that you can wear with both pants and skirts. They should be appropriate for work, comfortable and also of the highest quality you can afford. Shoes tell me if a woman really cares about how she looks and it says a lot about her attention to detail.

Banana Republic Platform Pumps

Round out your shopping with a couple pairs of slacks to match your jackets and at least one skirt to start and you will be well on your way to developing a fashionable and professional wardrobe for your first job.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention hair and make-up.  These again are important details in projecting a professional look.  Hair is something you wear everyday and should be cut to fit your new lifestyle. Even if you don’t wear a lot of make-up, invest in a good lip gloss or lipstick and mascara. Don’t ruin the image by storing your makeup in a plastic zip top bag.   My Vemayca cosmetic bag is perfect for organizing and carrying your beauty essentials.

Every company is different and has its own culture. Pay attention to what the other women are wearing and that should provide a good road map for how you should dress. And no doubt you have heard this before, don’t dress for the position you have, but for the position you want.

As if I needed another social media outlet, along comes Pinterest.  My daughter had been talking about this for a while.  What I don’t need is another distraction during the day. This year was supposed to be a year of doing less of  the little things and more of the big things that really matter.  Translation, less time on Facebook and more time at the gym.

I have a rule of 3′s.  When I hear something mentioned three times, I start paying attention.  Besides my daughter, two close colleagues mentioned Pinterest.  So naturally I had to check it out and I was totally hooked in the first minutes on the site. The beautiful pictures, the food, the glamour, the quotes…I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, I love it all.

In my mind, I have rationalized that in the long run it will save me time as I build my boards with the things I love.  Already I have discovered many wonderful entertaining ideas.  And speaking of entertaining, later today, I will be on the look out for Super Bowl party ideas.

Several customers have purchased cosmetic bags and haven’t used them.  The conversation goes something like this:

Me: How do you like your Vemayca cosmetic bag?

Customer: I have not used it yet.

Me: Why not?

Customer: It is too beautiful and I don’t want to get it dirty.

I am flattered that these ladies think my cosmetic bag is beautiful.  That is what I set out to do when I designed the bag. Not only did I want the cosmetic bag to be beautiful, I wanted it to be functional as well.

The eco-friendly Soft Pearl Liner is replaceable and the outside of the cosmetic bag is machine washable. Sometimes, it is hard for my customers to believe this, since the fabric is so luxurious.

This is one cosmetic bag you should not be afraid to use.

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to attend the Total and Gift Home show at the Dallas Mart.  This event can be overwhelming with so much to look at and so little time.  Armed with a good pair of walking shoes, my backpack, a plan, and the support of fellow entrepreneur, Valerie with Eyecandy Coolers,  I managed to cover most of the showrooms I wanted to visit.

So many wonderful products are rolled out each year.  I was forever saying “why didn’t I think of that” or “how cute is that.”   I am especially drawn to products that make life more beautiful.  Here are two of my favorite finds.

Locker Lookz- Home decor for your daughter’s school locker featuring wallpaper, carpeting, chandeliers and so many other cute accessories. Definitely something that your future fashionistas will love.  And the lockers are too cute for words.

Daisy Doo

Poo Pourri-I was immediately intrigued by this product.  The best way to describe Poo Pourri?  It is couture bathroom air freshener.  Dustin, the owner’s son was nice enough to give me a sample.  And now I am a fan.

I am looking forward to returning in March and discovering new products that help us live life beautifully.

Bio: Veronica Mayo designed the Vemayca cosmetic bag with the exclusive eco-friendly, removable Soft Pearl Liner.  It was important to her to create a bag that was both functional and beautiful. She often writes about her experiences as an entrepreneur, as well as her travel and organizing adventures.