Renaissance Trophy Wife

modern lifestyle investments for women who want it all

Archive for April, 2009

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Honey, I Got You A Bugatti…

Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on April 29, 2009

… a Bugatti blender!

Um, seriously?  That’s just cruel.  Hm… would an espresso maker make it better?

Guess not. The caffeine rush from an espresso, however perfectly prepared, in no way compares to the endorphins generated by driving this:

I've got an 8L 16 cylinder engine that puts out 1,000 HP... they have replaceable filters and a 400-watt motor. Are you sure they're related to me?

All I have to say is, those kitchen appliances better come with a Bugatti key fob.  At least then you’d have something worth showing off.  What’s next, the Aston Martin french press?

By the way, if you want to watch a grown man cry, this could be a really effective way to accomplish that.  April Fools for next year, anyone?

What’s the funniest brand extension you’ve seen?

Posted in Carpe Diem, Girly Geek | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Beginning at the End

Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on April 26, 2009

For the past couple decades, I’ve had a 10-year+ career plan with definite endpoints:  get into medical school, graduate, finish residency +/- fellowship, make attending.

Ever since I abruptly truncated that plan a couple years ago post-graduation, my long-term focus has become, well, more unfocused.  I love the liberation from tests and schedules and deadlines, but it’s just my personality to feel more secure with a long-term goal.  Instead of being constrained by academic guidelines, I can now define my own timelines and take time to explore side paths along the way.  That’s not to say my goals won’t change, but at least I’ve got something to work towards.  Why start there?  An end is more easily influenced than a beginning.  Don’t know about you, but I haven’t figured out a way to turn back time.

What do I want?  For me,  a large component of happiness includes  autonomy.  I don’t like feeling hemmed in, and even mistakes are more palatable if they’re my own rather than a result of a forced choice.  Almost every decision I make is based upon the freedom it gives me to make smart investments at a future date.

More specifically, I want to be able to make valuable contributions to my community, and also enjoy the security of knowing that my family is provided for.  A lot of my perspective is colored by my experiences in healthcare– I’ve seen adults have to choose between supporting their aging parents or provide better opportunities for their children, and that’s a choice I don’t want to make.

My vision includes a great partner to enjoy life with, a house to raise our future children in, quality time spent with family and friends, and a challenging career that is both interesting and doesn’t exclude any of the previous things.  In essence, what I’m working toward is a feeling, not a set of material milestones.  While assets are undoubtably helpful in achieving security, money is only a means to an end.

Taking stock of my current position, I’m in good shape, considering I thought it would take me several more years to get here… but that’s all the more reason to continue working on the other elements.  Hence, my consideration of a career change (although not as drastic a shift as the previous one) even in this turbulent environment.   Sometimes the unexpected moves turn into the best opportunities.

So, plan your goals first, then figure out an exit strategy to get you there.  If you’re not certain of the endpoint, it helps to take a path that leaves the most number of attractive options open.  And even if you are certain, be flexible and remember to evaluate opportunities that come up along the way. Detours can lead to some pretty incredible sights you might’ve missed.

Related posts:

(Re)Invention Roadmap

Image from serafini on flickr

Posted in Career Chick, The RTW Tao, Venus & Mars | Tagged: , , , , , | 5 Comments »

It’s Been 6 Months…

Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on April 15, 2009

… since my last real haircut.  That’s a pretty long time, even for me!  One thing just led to another, I kept going in for bang trims, and before you know it, half a year’s gone by.  I guess long layers are really the cut to go for if you don’t have the time to maintain your hair.

Hee hee…  at least my stylist rocks and is well worth shelling out for.  I’m lucky I still look quite presentable with the wash and wear “styling” I do every morning; but I could see how 6 months between cuts could drive some people nuts.

Would you rather spend more and get less frequent haircuts, or spend less and maintain your hair more regularly?  I know it’s pretty dependent on hair type, but just curious if anyone else goes the non-existent low-maintenance route like I do.

Posted in Who's Your Stylist? | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Louboutin Love

Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on April 14, 2009

My first purchase from Gilt Groupe!  Safely cushioned for the cross-country journey…

And the big reveal!  Black Louboutin Decoltissimos for less than 50% of the retail price.

Couldn’t resist a pic of the signature soles.

Sigh…  I love them.  So does the BF– I did a little victory prance around the apartment which was quite well-received.

Compared with Stuart Weitzman pumps, Louboutins feel slightly narrower and run true to size.  While the rule of thumb I’ve heard is to go half a size up in Louboutins as they run small, I didn’t find that to be the case for me.  I knew the sale was coming up, so I sized myself at a local department store on my lunch hour…  and was very glad I had that reassurance before purchasing.

While they’re a splurge, I consider them an investment in my career wardrobe, and they’ll continue to serve me well for at least the next few years.  Louboutins have a fantastic reputation for quality, and I plan on keeping these classically beautiful pumps around for as long as I can!  I’ve already looked up my local shoemaker who can resole the toes using matching red rubber.

The female equivalent of Hermés ties, Louboutin pumps are elegant, stylish, feminine and powerful.  Honestly, aren’t those pointy toes the equivalent of a (perfectly arched) raised eyebrow that says, “Don’t mess with me”?

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to own that interview.

(Note:  Do not attempt substitution with Louboutin sandals during workdays, unless you want to be mistaken for one of these poor girls.)

What’s your favorite work-related splurge?

All images by Renaissance Trophy Wife.

Posted in Career Chick, Who's Your Stylist? | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

(Re)Invention Roadmap

Posted by RenaissanceTrophyWife on April 12, 2009

With the upheaval in the financial industry, and looming instability of our healthcare system, I’ve been pondering my next steps in this environment.  My friends would exclaim, “Again?!?!” but smile and laugh that it’s so quintessentially RTW.  As a good friend once quipped, “You’re only predictable in your unpredictability.”

Image from Brittanica.

Evaluating my path as I traverse the distance from point A to point B is nothing new– I’ve also revised my destination enough that I’m more comfortable with change than stasis.  (A large portion of that can be attributed to my personality as well.)

However, I’m loath to call this next turning point, or any of the previous ones, a reinvention.  To me, that word is associated with mid-life crises, U-turns to correct ineffective decisions, and self-help books.  While reinvention is a useful process for those who have progressed too far in what they may see as the wrong direction, making the call to take the correct exit at the right time is an entirely different matter altogether.

I’ve yet to see an industry spring up around inventing yourself in a satisfying manner the first time around… and while I’ve made my share of mistakes, I think I’m young enough to escape the mid-life crisis label.  It’s all about perspective, right?

I prefer to think of my evaluation process as inventing my path forward, utilizing the various skills and knowledge I’ve gained to date,  rather than a revision of prior decisions that now need to be recast in a different light.  Maybe the distinction is subtle, but it has a considerable impact on the way I formulate my approach going forward.

Every time I make a career move, I get more introspective for a time, recrystallizing my story and highlighting the elements most relevant to my targeted future undertakings.   What better time to refocus the blog as I concentrate on my past and present strategies?

(Incidentally, I find it somewhat appropriate that I’m posting this on Easter, a day of resurrection.)

Would love comments/suggestions re lessons you’ve learned in similar situations, or particular topics I should highlight!

Posted in The RTW Tao | Tagged: , , , , , | 7 Comments »

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