Harry Potter and the Hectic Job Search

The Hogwarts Express has arrived! Harry is here! I've been waiting anxiously since, well, I left the theater of the previous installment of the brilliant Harry Potter series. And last week I finally got to have another dose of the beloved story.

I've read every book cover to cover, and sometimes back again. I've seen every movie numerous times, written about dear Harry in previous articles in school, and even dressed as the chosen wizard for Halloween once.

Besides getting lost in a magical world of spells, broomsticks, goblets of fire, sorcerers stones and invisibility cloaks, the thing I love most about J.K. Rowling's fantasy world is that I have always found a way to relate to the adventures of Harry and his mates. Although I am a mere muggle (blast!) and not going to battle with a Death Eater, I can see a little bit of myself in Potter.

Potter is trying to defeat Voldemort, while I am attempting to overcome unemployment. We both have mortal enemies where one cannot survive while the other still lives. Ok, well maybe I can survive while unemployment exists, but it's not the best quality of life.

My blog is my wand - my weapon - to take on that which must not be named - the recession. The more I practice, the better I get.

New York City is basically Hogwarts, a mystical place with creatures you've never seen before and never thought could exist. You don't need to go to the Lower East Side to see some interesting characters; they are walking among us all throughout the city. Who is to say that we aren't characters ourselves?

At Hogwarts the students are placed in either Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. In New York people are placed in either Finance, Media, Fashion or Entertainment. Where do you belong? There are so many secrets to the city and certain places you can get in only if you know the password, have a special card or a shiny key. Bloomberg is our muggle Dumbledore, trying to protect us all from Death Eaters and trying to keep NYC the magic city it is.

Ahh the job search, isn't it just a wild Quidditch match? We run (or fly) around all over the place, avoiding being knocked down by the competition just so that we can catch the Golden Snitch (aka: the perfect job). And the interview process is really the same as the Sorting Hat Ceremony - we go up to be judged by a talking head who really doesn't know us and they decide where we belong. The online job board is my Marauder's Map, helping me discover where the open positions are and who is hiring at any given moment.

In this economy, finding a job is just as easy as capturing all of Tom Riddle's horcruxes. But I will remember Harry's persistent spirit and bravery as I set my sights on my desired position.

Who would have thought that a 24-year-old gal in NYC could see her self in a teenage wizard?

I don't know any spells for finding the perfect job, but when I go on my interviews I hope the employers can see that I am the chosen one. Accio job!

Barn-Yard Beauty

Now you no longer have to be that girl standing outside of the Soho House, waiting for some Brit to invite you up.

Vital Juice is giving you a key to get inside, and not only does it give you spa access, but you can also relax at the coveted rooftoop pool - no need to pretend to be Annabelle Bronstein.

Sign up for the Vital Juice emails and receive 20% off your first service at the Cowshed Spa from now until Labor Day.

The Cowshed Spa may be barn-inspired, but I have a feeling that after a Micro Polish Facial you will feel nothing like an animal. More like going for a roll in the hay! Yee-haw!

Milk it, Bessie.

Holding Out

I've been spending a lot of time on lower Fifth Avenue - which I have discovered has amaaaazing shopping. You have every type of store - from Intermix to H&M and everything fabulous in between. I get lost walking Fifth between 21st and 16th streets; BCBG, Anthropology and LF, OH MY!

And what's even more tempting are all the sales going on in EVERY STORE right now. Retailers are practically begging for me to come in and do damage. The only thing holding me back from swiping my Visa is the fact that I am going to be on vacation (yes, I need a vacation from my vacation) for the next two weeks in southern California with my family. Hopefully I can make my parents feel bad for me so they will take me on as a charity case and buy me some pretty things.

I'm looking forward to spending my days at Manhattan Beach and my nights in Hollywood. And hopefully my time is the only thing I'll be spending, if you know what I mean.

I'm saving myself for southern California.

Thought This Day Would NEVER Come

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO???

Chanel in Soho is having a SALE. Say it out loud, S.A.L.E. This is coming from the French couture label who once claimed to never have sales. Apparenlty the women of NYC have decided that they don't need any more 2.55 bags and are "cutting back" this summer. From Chanel to H&M, all retailers are suffering from the lack of spenders. It's all relative, right!

It's a Chanelpocalypse!

You're Giving Up Already?

For those of you who have had enough, want to quit and leave your current position - of unemployment - then this is for you.

I'm not sure exactly how effective job fairs are, but I'm sure it can't hurt to go and see who you can meet. Or just go for the free cookies and lemonade.

New York Post Diversity Job Fair

The Hilton New York - Wednesday, July 29, 2009
1335 Sixth Avenue at 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 11AM-4PM

CONTACT INFORMATION: info@catalystcareergroup.com 815.308.5426

Listen, honey, I understand if you want to throw in the towel and join the working world. I wont' hold it against you - as long as you enjoyed your funemploymet to the fullest. Happy job hunting!

Ma Cherie Amour

Monsieurs and mademoiselles, today is le Bastille Day! Are you drinking champagne at a sidewalk cafe or munching on a baguette as you walk the streets? I admit I've done neither today, but le French holiday is making me want to learn the language of love.

Unfortunately, taking French lessons in the city is trés expensive and I am trés broke.

If you're in the same trés sad situation as myself, you are not a hopeless American case. All you need to do is land a French beau or belle, and - violà - you will be ordering at Pastis in your waiter's native tongue. Oui Oui!

Maybe you should head out tonight to one of the million French bistros in NYC to land your next, umm, le tutor.

C 'est la vie.

From the Red Carpet to the Spa

I've always thought to myself that when I finally get a job it's going to be super hard for me to ditch my unemployment routine for the structured schedule and desk. No more sleeping in until 10AM, leisurely coffee and TV in my pajamas and basically doing whatever I fancy.

I've gotten so used to this nonchalant lifestyle in the past 8 months, that I have forgotten what it's like to be on the clock.

Well, I was reminded today.

Yes, I have have started working on something other than the Red Carpet! Time to throw a party!!

Every recessionista appreciates beauty, health, fitness, spa and fashion - which is exactly what I will be reporting on at the SpaWeek blog. You may recall that I blogged about SpaWeek a few months ago, which is the famous week in which the best spas in the country offer discounted treatments. SpaWeek.com is the year-round headquarters for all things spa related.

We're blogging about the latest spa trends, off-the-wall beauty and health treatments, fitness and nutrition ideas, giveaways, and fashion and travel tips. For those of you on Twitter, make sure to start following us: http://twitter.com/SpaWeek to stay up to date!

The Red Carpet will remain the home for recessionistas and the funemployed - but even babes on a budget need to know about face workouts.

Brand New Billy

The recession is lasting longer that my budget had hoped for, my severance check is long gone, and so are my shopping trips to Saks.

I was just about to kiss the thought of a new fall bag goodbye (or more appropriately, arrivederci, Miu Miu), when I realized that I already owned my brand new shoulder bag.

Recessionistas have to be resourceful.

I’ll start from the beginning. Earlier this summer I was carrying a three-year-old white Balenciaga bag. Poor Billy (yes, I name my purses), he was just looking wretched. He had traveled abroad, been back and forth from east and west coasts and was just plain tired. The white leather was cracking and Billy was starting to look like a Canal Street imposter. My Mom told me that I needed to (gasp!) get rid of Billy. Clearly, no second-hand store would accept him in such rotten condition, and he was past the point of a good cleaning. I couldn’t bear the thought of giving him away, and I wasn’t ready to part with my dear friend and traveling buddy.

Then it dawned on me. Billy just needed a makeover. The worn-down white just wasn’t doing anything for his figure. So I decided that a beautiful sapphire blue would do the trick to perk up old Billy, and make him like new again. Think of it as plastic surgery for a purse.

I did what any patient (or mother of patient in this case) would do, and researched the top surgeons (aka: leather dye companies) in NYC. After surfing the web and calling different places, I finally found Billy a reputable doctor.

I bought Billy into Angelo’s Shoe & Leather Repair on 53rd and 5th to drop him off for surgery. After carefully discussing with Vivienne, the very helpful woman at the desk, we came up with the perfect shade of blue for Billy. So I had one last look at old, wrinkled Billy and left him at Angelo’s.

10 days later, and it was time for Billy’s big debut! I was nervous going to pick him up. Would he still be the same Billy? Would people tell that he’s had work done? Will he look like a fake?

But, alas, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to see the new Billy looked fabulous! He was rejuvenated and the color really bought out his features.

Girls, instead of shelling out a cool grand for your new fall it-bag, look inside your purse cemetery and see what old bag you can revitalize. I now have a brand new Balenciaga bag that cost me less than $100.

Now that Billy is brand new blue, he doesn’t have the blues anymore.

Say Au Revoir to Buyer's Remose

"Guilty feelings about clothes are totally unnecessary. A lot of people earn their living by making clothes, so you should never feel bad." Karl Lagerfeld.


Now I will never feel too guilty for shopping, because in reality I am helping someone keep their job. I may be at the bottom of the shopping food chain right now, but it's all a cycle, right?

Broadway on a Budget

I love going to Broadway shows - unfortunately, I end up spending my money on what could have been a ticket to Rock of Ages on a new cocktail dress instead.

Just seems more effective- the dress I'll have for a long time, and Billy Elliot will leave me after two hours.

Fortunately, my lack of commitment to Broadway has found a solution: Broadway in Bryant Park!

Now I can spend my afternoons getting samples of the best current shows without having to spend a thing - well, maybe for a cookie and lemonade at Le Pain Quotidien.

Every Thursday from today through August 13, enjoy a sample selection of four shows in the open air Bryant Park lawn. Instead of being stuck with one show in a cold theatre for two hours, you get to watch the biggest hits from different shows. In one hour, you can start at the Opera go down the Yellow Brick Road then under the sea to Washington Heights. It's like tapas for musicals - just a little taste of everything. Great for those with ADD.

Maybe I'll decide that I like one of the shows enough to go see the entire production and sacrifice a new pair of heels.

Restaurant Week

What's the point of living in NYC if you don't get out once in a while to dine at the amazingly scrumptious restaurants?

We are fortunate enough to live in a city that is the mecca of international and domestic cuisine. I can travel to India, China, Italy, Russia, Brazil, France, Spain or Lebanon in just a quick cab ride. In fact, last night I was on a Mediterranean cruise dining on fresh Halibut and Salmon.

And while it's easier and cheaper to get steak frites at Balthazar rather than hopping a flight to Paris, eating out in NYC adds up quickly.

Luckily, Restaurant Week is almost here to save our wallets and satisfy our appetites. Dine at some of the best restaurants in the city for a reduced price pre-fixe menu from July 12 - 31.

Make your reservations ASAP because these coveted spots fill up quicker than you can order from you fav Chinese take-out.

Dining Deals

Great list of recession specials.

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/recession_dining.html

This will really give you an appetite!

Vegas of the East Coast

I'm more of a Vegas girl myself, but being here in NYC I've always wanted to check out Atlantic City. Carrie and the girls of Sex and the City went; even the housewives of New Jersey spent a weekend in the casino resort town.

Prices are so cheap to get there, I'd say Atlantic City is a gamble worth betting on.

From now until July 31, you can take ACES Train directly to Atlantic City for only $29! Of course this isn't going to get you the first class seats or a spot in the lounge, but it will save you more money for Black Jack.

It's BYOB, so you can get your Jersey on before you arrive. I'm gonna put my money on this train!