"do your research"

    Accosted by two hyper college-aged people outside of the Ralph's on Barrington the other day, I figured I had some time to hear out their spiel. The guy started talking to me about Save the Children, Forbes most efficient charitable org or something like that. They go overseas, build schools, dig wells, I don't even know. I nodded politely and said, "Oh, so you're like an NGO."
    "What's an NGO?" he asked. I looked at him quizzically and his partner quickly jumped in, "Yes, we're an NGO!" She started talking to me about how I can sponsor a child and he or she will write me letters. I asked some questions about the structure of the org---do they work with local government? Are they an independent entity? Then I asked if they had been overseas and participated in the projects.
    "We actually don't work for Save the Children," they admitted. What?? They worked for a third-party fundraising org.
    "So you just go out and fundraise for whichever charity you get assigned to that day?"
    "Well,we don't HAVE to," they hedged. But you kind of do, I thought, in order to get paid.


    A week later, different people, same fundraising org accosted me on my way out. I said something like, "You guys don't even believe in your cause. You're getting paid to convince me to donate."
    The fundraiser guy objected and said, "Do your research!" as I walked away. Are you serious, guy? Research is all that I do.

DIY hair color

In the midst of writing my massive paper, I decided to color my hair. I went one shade lighter. Here are the results:

Before:



After:




The stuff I used (it was on sale at Rite Aid for $5):

fave work outfit

I love white button downs.

top and skirt from H&M



Great tips from Corporette.com for button-downs:

1. Beneath the white shirt: Wear a bra that matches your skin tone, and a white camisole, no matter how convinced you are that no one can see through it.

2. It should fit you at the bust. If the shirt is gaping, size up.

3. If you wear it untucked, it should hit mid-hip and should never be longer than your suit jacket.

4. Collars should stay on the inside of the suit jacket, not splayed on the outside.

5. Try not to put your white shirts in the dryer to avoid yellowing.

dresses for a gray day

Sleeves that flutter, a noticeable yet dainty bow, a little teal to break the monotony.


Asymmetrical neckline. Lace detail. Pockets. What's not to love?

Clearance aisle: 1, me: 0

The Asian in me loves clearance aisles. I ventured into the Ralph's aisle the other day and grabbed a bag of English muffins for 80 cents. I came home, reached into the bag and it was soggy. The moisture seemed to be coming from the raisins. I couldn't find the expiration date, but I did find the original price. It was around $1.60. I saved 80 cents, 80 lousy cents on some questionable English muffins. You win, Ralph's clearance aisle. You win.

fashion craving: nude heels

Nude shoes by StarlessNight featuring Report Signature shoes

Items in this set:
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN E06105 PINK VERNI 1857801, 450 GBP
Havva Jean Nude Shoe, 385 GBP
Peep Toe Shoes "Miss Sarah" in Nude, 275 AUD
Report Signature Ziska Heel - Natural, $180
Women's shoes: Theory Vidar - Sand, $335

kindness without pity

Last week, I went to volunteer at Union Rescue Mission. We served breakfast to people who are part of the mission's program and people off the street. Another lawyer was next to me on the assembly line. As the people filed by, she said to me, "Those poor people." Her words bothered me.Wasn't it enough to be kind? Why is it motivated by a sense of self-righteous pity?


I think it's enough to realize that I have excess and some people have less. The people with less are probably happier with my excess than I am. Net happiness increases. I voluntarily offer up my excess out of a sense community, an acknowledgement that sometimes we need to help each other. Ugh, bugs me when people couple pity into this mix.