#CoffeeTalk

First and foremost I have been following “TheBWerd.com” for quite sometime now and I love the way you have connected PR, fashion, and writing all while adding your own twist. I am a Public Relations major (junior). I have had the great opportunity to work with a few top luxury brands such as; Rolex, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc but as of now, I am in dire need of guidance on which step to take next in order to be prepared for the PR industry. More than likely I will want to connect my Public Relations degree to Fashion but I am slightly confused on how to do so?

From the sound of it, I should be taking advice from you! LOL those are some huge and a few of my favorite brands. With a resume like that I don’t see why you’d have an issue getting into Fashion PR, seeing as those are some of the most notable names in the industry. Before you graduate, create a digital portfolio in PDF form of the work that you’ve done with descriptions of what they entailed. That way it’s easily attachable to any email you send or job you apply for. Internships will really give you leverage among your colleagues. One thing I do want you to know about the PR industry before you dive into it is that it will not always be a glamorous job. The fun and luxurious events and venues are put together by you and that entails a lot of dirty work. You will spend hours staring at spreadsheets, you’ll have to be up early and often work late, you’ll have to do manual labor and may break a few nails. PR isn’t just a cute laptop and a cappuccino. It’s diligent and detailed work. Best of luck! I think you’ll do great.

Me and a couple of my good friends are visiting Houston next month, only for 48 hours! One of the girls is from Dallas, so when I visited Dallas we had an amazing time. Now it time to take on Houston, even though she’s from Texas she hasn’t been to the “BIG H” lol.  So, we just don’t know where to start from when we wake up to the nightlife. This trip was totally out the blue we’re college girls who just found a round trip under $140! I would appreciate your help so much. 

Welcome to Houston! I don’t want to sound like a Debbie Downer but if I didn’t live in Houston, I wouldn’t visit LOL. Needless to say there are still a lot of places to go in the city depending on the days you’re going to be here. It’s difficult because Houston is such a big city and so fun in one area isn’t likely. Assuming you get here on a Friday, I’d do happy hour at Blue Bar at Brenner’s. For a chill evening and good music I’d hit up The Flat or if you want a party night, Mercy is your go to. Saturday I’d brunch at Backstreet Cafe. As for the daytime, some really fun things we have going on right now are the Ron Mueck exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston that would make for some cool photo ops. Gelazzi has a Houston mural on the side of it that’s picture perfect. I’m not sure where you all are staying but Aloft Downtown Houston and The Marriott Marquis have the best hotel pools in the city if you all are wanting to lay out. Bike riding at Buffalo Bayou Park is a lot of fun too. For dinner, I’d do Hearsay on the Green then bar hop downtown. Stop by the Boulevardier, The Nightingale Room, Bad News Bear and Conservatory. Sunday Funday at 5015, which is my favorite brunch party in the city. For something more calm, AxelRad is a fun outdoor bar with colorful hammocks and music. Try Steel City Pops for the perfect Popsicle treat. Breakfast Klub is a city staple for food but the line is always out of the door, so get there early if you want to try it. You can ask anyone at any of the places you visit where you should go, the list is long! Y’all have fun in my city!

I recently went from working remote for a marketing agency to now working at the headquarters of the largest beauty brand in the nation. Needless to say, my corporate wardrobe is HURTING. I absolutely adore your professional attire and get so much inspiration when you post those looks/outfits. Could you suggest a few staple pieces and a couple ideas for fall work outfits? Our dress code is “dress for your day” – basically you can be as casual or professional as you want. I’d love to add some “power attire” pieces to my closet. 

We have the same exact dress code where I work but I still enjoy the versatility of dressing up or down. Things I absolutely keep in my wardrobe are H&M pieces, no joke. I live for all of their ankle pants. They’re great quality, inexpensive and come in solid colors along with really cute patterns. I’ll rotate those with oversized blouses and flats. Y’all should not sleep on H&M! I love, love cardigans, even in the summer LOL because I feel they pull my whole outfit together. J. Crew has the best cardigans but I only buy them when they’re on sale because they’re pricey (like $80-100 each). Throw on a cardigan with a solid blouse tucked into a pencil skirt and heels. Some power pieces in my wardrobe are a black blazer (they go well with ankle pants, skirts or over dresses), pencil dresses because I can dress them up or wear them with flats and chunky necklaces. You’d be so surprised what difference a big necklace will make to a simple outfit! Yesterday I wore all black yesterday and added a colorful necklace and got so many compliments.

I’m well aware that it’s August but I’m hoping to really buckle down on my goals and organization before the year is up to take full advantage of growing my brand in 2018. Do you have any planners you recommend?

I typically buy a Target planner every year just to scribble in. They’re not too expensive so even if they’re not the most effective I don’t feel bad. This one and this one are really cute. I also love Erin Condren planners, but they’re more expensive and only suggest them for people who will get their money’s worth. Honestly, I only use my Secure The Brand notepad because that method is most effective for me. I don’t necessarily think “to-do lists” are productive so I use my Secure The Brand notepad to prioritize what needs to be taken care of first in both my 9-5 and brand and it’s helped me grow significantly.

Any advice for a young woman that is degreed (highest Masters) and feels stuck with work and her relationship? I feel that everyday life is passing me by without me actually contributing and enjoying it. How do I figure out my passion, what-next-steps?

My advice is this is your life. No one else’s You’re not stuck, few things are circumstantial. If you don’t like something you have the opportunity to change it at any time, any day. I want you to make a list of things you feel like you’re missing, whether it be in your career or in your relationship. Identifying what you lack is the first step in figuring out how to go about attaining it. Begin with what you can change immediately on a day-to-day basis. Whether it be exploring things you love, making time to work in cute coffee shops to fuel your creativity or simply changing your mindset when you walk into work. Passion is what you love so much that you’d do for free. I knew I was passionate about helping people live their best lives when I was spending hours replying to emails regarding others careers, relationships and businesses. Then I found a way to be able to do that on a grand scale. If you don’t like your job, spend this weekend tailoring your resume and applying for new ones. You’re clearly qualified. If you are unhappy with your relationship, express what it’s going to take for you to feel more engaged and fulfilled. Nothing is permanent and everything can be tweaked to fit the visions you have of your ideal lifestyle.

I work in a corporate environment but I don’t care to wear heels everyday. I’m definite a loafer lover/ flats kinda girl for my 9-5p (Cole Haan is my fav brand right now). Can you post some cute loafers that can be worn during the week day as well as the weekend?

I’ve been so busy as of late, it’s been difficult for me to want to wear heels either with all of the running around I’ve been doing. I’m really rough on my flats so I don’t spend too much on them if I can avoid it. Here are some really cute loafers that won’t break the bank either –

I recently broke up with my boyfriend to give him space to get his life together. I wanted to know what are the boundaries of what you can do and what you cannot do. We haven’t set them but I read black or white; if we’re together or not. Simple. However it appears his feelings are still involved and as am mine’s. But I know I wouldn’t be back with him until he has his life together. What is your relationship advice for me being a newly single person that “plans” to be back with him if his life is together? Do I wait or move on? If I move on, what is your advice on doing so?

My advice to you is, if you two are going to be broken up, you all need to remain apart. Short and quick communication, as well as checking on one another is fine, but if you let things remain how they were the purpose of giving him space won’t be served. It’s not necessary to spend time or see one another. Doing so takes away the credibility of your reasoning behind not wanting to be with him. We can “plan” all we want for how we hope our situation will turn out but the truth is, you don’t know if he ever will get his life together or how long it’ll take him to do so. Had I waited on my ex to get his together, my life would’ve been at a standstill for five years now. Move on, and not even with another person in terms of dating. Move on with your own life. Continue to do things that help you grow into the woman you want to become and hopefully he does the same on his end. I believe all women should give themselves time to get back to themselves and adjust to who they are individually after breakups. Dating immediately after only seems to cloud your thoughts when you will still have a lot of sorting to do. Work on yourself. Write down some things you can accomplish on your own and focus on those. Whatever happens in the long run, you’ll be glad you didn’t let yourself get stumped on situation that would only hold you back.

I will be traveling to Miami in about three weeks for one of my best friends birthdays! We will be staying at the Mondrian (a hotel) in which I am sure they’ll have some day parties. I love how you dress by theme and I also love the sets you find/piece together. I wanted to know if you could pick out some bada** outfits I can wear during the ​the day, as well as some hot dresses or sets for the evening? I prefer some things under $100 because I am cheap however I am willing to splurge!

Believe me, I prefer EVERYTHING under $100 but make exceptions myself LOL. Miami has a beachy but still sexy vibe and you’ll really only need beach and pool wear during the day. This beach coordinate is very cute for moving around in the daytime. This coordinate is even cute enough to be worn with heels. Here are some pieces I’ve rounded up –

I saw that you’re going to be selling some of your items on Depop. Any change you’re going to be getting rid of the orange two-piece pant set you wore in Los Angeles the last time you were there?

I’ve sold that already, but no worries you can still get it here in four colors (black, white, orange or pink) for $41.99. I’ll have a lot of other items that I’ve photo’d up for sale so follow along here.

Thank you for all of the #CoffeeTalk questions! I really look forward to helping you guys out every week. Send any questions for next week to me via email or leave them below in the comments. Enjoy your weekend!