Age in the Workplace

I was recently accepted into a leadership program were there are a wide variety of classmates in my class. Ranging from all ages and all levels of professional titles in the workplace. During our orientation for the program I glanced around the room, not recognizing a single person, and assuming by quick assumption of appearance I was the youngest or close to it in my class. We all participated in a networking icebreaker which consisted of talking to everyone to find out different characteristics of people, one example "Someone born after 1980." Well, I'm sure you can guess since I am nearing thirty I was pretty popular for this description on the list. I laughed it off not bothering me since well, it is true. However; I found it on my mind later after telling my husband about the evening.

 

 

I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in December of 2007 and started a full time marketing position the Monday after graduation. I say this to say I have been working in the professional world for a little over seven years now and have heard several remarks making it clearly obviously that I'm still considered "young in the corporate world." Ok, I understand seven years is not long and a few job titles later I am still young but this brings on the question, "At what age is one not "young" in the workplace?"

 

 

Most of the assumptions made of my generation is we are great to head up social media projects, easily roped into working long hours and weekends due to being young and in my case with no children, expect our titles to be handed to us and strive to take over the next generations positions. While I can agree with I do strive to be higher up in the professional world with a corner office, I am not out to take someone's position from out under them. I will work hard for my success and do not except it to be handed to me.

So, as my thirtieth birthday is in sight I am starting to feel a little older. Being in the next age range on the treadmill at the gym and checking that older age range box on surveys...when am I considered knowledgeable and credible in the workplace? I'd like to know what you guys think...both in my generation and outside. Kyle answered this by saying age is relative...do you agree? Let me hear your opinions!

 

Weekending: One Well Spent

Welcome back Monday, you came so quickly. This weekend was pretty great. I’ve really gotten spoiled to being home and not traveling for work on the weekends…right when travel season starts again for me. I leave Friday for my next trip but as nice as it has been to be home weirdly I’m kind of ready. Anyways, back to this past weekend.

Friday, if you read my favorites post then you saw that Target was having 40% off ALL shoes with their Cartwheel app. The deal was Friday only so of course I headed straight there after work…and then to three more locations after that. What? It was a great deal and I scored some awesome finds. I’ll share what I got soon! Did any of y’all pick up any great shoes? Kyle and I then headed to run a few errands and to dinner. We were planning on going to the movies but I have this cold junk so I was just ready to go home after dinner.

Saturday, since I was trying to kick this cold I slept in a little and cleaned up the house while taking my time getting ready for the day. Kyle left early that morning to go fishing so I was able to catch up on the chores. I then took advantage of a few coupons I had and hit the mall before my girl’s night. I met up with the girls for dinner at Johnny Carino’s. Not my favorite, but I enjoyed the time with friends. I love that we all make time to get together every month!

Taken 3 - Trailer from Nueplex Cinemas on Vimeo.

After dinner Kyle and I went to see Taken 3 and oh my goodness it is SO good!!! We both agreed that it was our favorite of the three. If you are or not thinking about seeing it, see it!

Sunday, after we church we went to see my older sister and her family. Kyle is going to do a remodel for them on their bathroom so I got to see my niece! Afterwards we took an impromptu road trip to Tahlequah, a town about an hour and half away from us. We love to take Sunday drives and drive by lakes and through small towns. We have been to Tahlequah a million times but Kyle needed to buy a lake license on the way so that was our motive for our drive yesterday. 

 

We stopped into Sam & Ella’s Chicken Palace for a late lunch and early dinner. Not to be confused with salmonella, haha! I’m still not sure why it is called the chicken palace because they serve pizza and sandwiches but nonetheless it is delicious! If you are ever passing through Tahlequah, Oklahoma stop in at Sam & Ella's, anything you order you won't regret! After our bellies were full we headed back home to relax and get ready for the week. 

 On our drive back home, crossing the Lake.

 

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend is having a great Monday!PS I apologize for the absolutely terrible pictures, but you gotta go with what you have!

 

Back for Friday Favorites

Its been several weeks since I've linked up for a Five on Friday favorites but today I have a few great ones! First off, happy Friday everyone! Is it 5 o'clock yet?! Oklahoma is suppose to have some amazing weather this weekend and I am looking forward to spending lots of time outside enjoying it. Now, back to my faves...here they are!

 

ONE::  NYX Eyebrow Shaper

 

 

I was just about to splurge and purchase the Anastasia Brow Fix after testing it out and falling in love right before my best friend found this! NYX eyebrow shaper, this a GREAT dupe of the Anastasia brow fix. Best part about it, its a fraction of the price. For only a little less than nine dollars, this is definitely one of my new favorites in my makeup bag! AND you can find it at Ulta and use a coupon, score!

TWO:: Baby Love Bug

I mean seriously, tell you don't want to just kiss this bundle of preciousness! My nephew Cyrus is now three months old but here is a shot from his one month pics that my sister in law emailed me this week. Eeek, love him!

THREE:: Piko Sale!!!!

I am a huge fan of Piko tunic tops and could not be more excited about this sale! My sister sent me an email yesterday afternoon telling me about the sale that BB Styled is having and I quickly jumped on the site. I haven't heard of this store before but Pikos for $9.99, whaaat?!?! Sign me up! I ordered a navy tunic and a hot pink tunic for get this...$24.98 total, shipped! Hurry, they are quickly running out of sizes!

FOUR::  NBC Parenthood

I am in true denial that there is only ONE episode of Parenthood left...It can't be...the very last episode, ever. Nooooo! This is season six of the show and I have only been watching for two seasons now and I already feel like I'm a part of the Braverman family. How will I ever do without them in my life?! Ok, I realize if you aren't a Parenthood fan you make think I'm being a tad overdramatic...but all of you that feel like you are a part of the family as well, devastation is setting in, right?! I'm seriously considering getting Netflix for a few months just so I can go back and watch all the seasons. I don't hardly watch TV but this one that I don't miss. I will truly miss the Braverman's.

FIVE:: Oklahoma Sunsets

I may be a tad bias but God sure does bless us in Oklahoma with some outstanding sunsets. This week we've had a beautiful colorful sunset painted across our sky almost every evening. Here are two of my favorites from this week.

AND SIX (Because I can):: Target Cartwheel Shoe Offer

Today ONLY at Target, 40% off ALL shoes using the cartwheel offer...I know where I'm headed after work!!

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend, thanks for stopping by my space today!

   

Miss Southern On Pinterst

Here is my Miss Southern Board on Pinterest including all my recipes I've posted here on my little space for you to pin to your heart's desire! I will continue to add any pictures from the blog in the future as well! Follow to save anything you see here that you love!

 

 

Homemade Easy Instant Oatmeal Packets

I am not a big breakfast eater, at all, and if its not fast and easy then you can usually count me out. I try to find healthy, easy and on the go ideas to ensure I do eat breakfast. I typically grab anything that I can eat on my drive to work and unfortunately a lot of the time this means things that aren't so healthy, like many breakfast bars that are packed with sugar. I have also been a big fan of the Quaker weight control oatmeal but even that has more sugar than I would like to have. So, when I read Brittany's post at Perpetually Daydreaming where she shared these oatmeal packets I jumped on the idea!

These packets are fast, easy and low in sugar and preservatives. Since I know exactly what is going into my breakfast each morning I feel a lot better. I made five individual bags so all I have to do this week is grab one and pop in the microwave while I make my lunch for work.

Homemade Instant Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Ingredients

1/3 cup old fashioned oats

1 tablespoon powdered milk

1 tablespoon brown sugar (or less, to taste. I used about a half of tbsp)

pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1-2 tablespoons chopped dried apples

1 tablespoon raisins

1 tablespoon chopped walnuts (I left these out, but will add to my next batch)

Directions

Add all ingredients into individual bags.

To cook the oatmeal, add the contents of one packet and 2/3 cup water to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 3-4 minutes, or until oats are softened and water is absorbed. 

These are so easy, took me all of fifteen minutes to put five bags together and I have breakfast for the whole week. AND so easy to eat on the go! You can find the originally recipe along with a couple of other flavor options here. Enjoy!

 

Motivation...Where are you?!

Well, apparently when the new year said hello my motivation said goodbye. Usually I am just like the majority of people and become super motivated at the first of the year, 2015 well you are different. I lost all sense of motivation in all parts of my life and I'm still unsure why. As I do every year I set resolutions, bigger fitness goals and monthly goals. I can say that I have started several of the goals but at turtle speed. I realize I have blogged once this year and I'm ready to change this slow motivation track I'm on.

 

So, here I go stepping it up! First of all, I did set a few resolutions. Read twelve books this year, I know this may seem small to some of you big readers but I'm a slow reader and actually can't even be considered a "reader". Last year I set the same goal and fell short by two books, so with a swift kick in my butt I'm trying to finish the last book I started in 2014. I have several books loaded, bought and on hold so here is in hopes I get to them all! Anyone have recommendations for good reads?

 

My next resolution set is to read the entire bible this year. I also started this one last year and failed, miserably. I got about three weeks in and became bored. With a tip from "Life in the Wilde" I am now reading in the Messenger version and its way more interesting. So far, still on track! Looking forward to falling even more in love with our amazing God we serve!

 

I used to set two monthly goals to complete and that fell off the wagon sometime early 2014 and I am working on setting and completing those once again. Also, planning a big birthday trip to Cabo with my best friend in June for our 30th birthdays so that brings lots more motivation in the gym area. I can say I have stayed mostly on track with that this year. Thank goodness! I have been a believer that working out is nonnegotiable in life for a few years now but this year I hope to set higher goals to knock out. PS- Anyone have recommendations for where to stay in Cabo? We are afraid of picking the wrong resort.

 

Here is to blogging more, achieving all of my goals and resolutions and getting a hot body for Cabo!

 

 

   

Our Christmas Memories

Well hello 2015! I unintentionally took a break from this little space last week but I'm back today to share our Christmas memories. I know, everyone is SO sick of seeing holiday recaps but for me personally I want to share our memories we made. At least the ones I captured. So much thought, planning and anticipation goes into Christmas and then bam its over. Here is our Christmas eve and Christmas day in pictures.

 

My poor dad was sick but was a trooper through all the festivities. 

My niece and nephew, Trey and Jada 

Kyle and I on Christmas Eve at my sister's house 

My sisters, Amber and Caileigh and I 

Our family, minus Kyle, my brother in-law and Trey and Jada.

Love my parents! 

It has always been a Christmas tradition that my mom makes sausage cheese balls on Christmas morning. This year we were at my in-laws for breakfast so I made them to take to breakfast there.

 My nephew, Cyrus' first Christmas (a little over 2 months here)

 My nephew Brecken's second Christmas. (Almost 19 months here)

Christmas Day/Evening at my parents  

We had a wonderful Christmas and were very blessed! I had a little over two weeks off from work and it was so nice to relax, spend lots of time with friends and family and get the house reorganized before starting back in the new year. New Years was very low key this year and I can't say I minded, at all. Kyle and I just went to dinner and then rented Into the Storm. I was actually glad that I knew we were home safe and off the roads....maybe I'm definitely almost thirty. haha 

 

Back to work yesterday and I'm certainly welcoming back the routine. I loved the time off but I definitely need structure in my life so I'm back and refreshed. Finalizing all my new year resolutions and will be back to share those tomorrow. Hope you guys are handing reality again like myself!