"Ummm excuse me Space Washer.... can I have my cash card back?"

Well, I finished my first week in the real world and all I can say is that I am exhausted but very eager to see what's to come.  My first day of work was Monday morning.  I arrived at the Kellwood offices on the 9100 block of Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.  Wilshire Blvd is a main street in LA and connects 5 of the main business districts throughout LA.  Most of the skyscrapers of LA are located on Wilshire and lets just put this lightly.... traffic... is ridiculous.  I literally live 6 miles from work and my commute has been around 30 minutes, both there and back. Being from a small town where I lived a mile from my high school, meaning I could get there in literally one minute, traffic in LA has been a huge adjustment.  Sporting Kansas tags are no help either.  If I so much as turn my head for a second to look at the buildings and am not riding the back bumper of the car in front of me... I get honked at.  There are many different ways for me to get to work but most ways include driving down one street or another that are right off of the major freeways... so the traffic is unavoidable.

On my way home... stuck in traffic

I have finally gotten my apartment just right... all I have left are a few pics of friends and family to be hung on the wall and a chair that I am attempting to be saving up for to be purchased for additional seating in the living room.  It's very small, but it has become my cozy little nest. FYI... not having a dishwasher is cruel and unusual punishment. I hate it.

My living rooom

My TINY kitchen

Bar and all...

"Bedroom"

The work environment in the Beverly Hills office for Kellwood is laid back to say the least.  You can wear whatever your little heart desires and one girl brings her dog with her to work everyday.  His name in Benjamin and I think out of everyone in the office, we've become the closest.  Audrey, the owner of Benji, works right across from me and our desks are nudged together so Benji spends his day doing laps around the desks and taking naps on our paper work.  Benji is loved by all and is obviously somewhat spoiled.  My bosses are great.  The CMO, Eric, took me out for lunch my first day and is absolutely hilarious.  He has a great attitude about everything, and his confidence in Lamb & Flag's success is refreshing to say the least.  Matt, who is the production manager of marketing, has taken care of me since the day I was offered my interview.  He showed me around the office and helped me get my computer and everything else I needed set up from the very first day.  Matt has literally been a lifesaver and after sitting across from him my first couple days... I realize his job title understates all the things Matt does for Kellwood and the Lamb & Flag team.  I have gotten to sit in on a few model fittings and I had no idea how much it took to get a pair of jeans just right.  Especially since Lamb & Flag is offering a large variety of fits!  I have set in on meetings where team members have discussed various materials for garments to be made out of and all the care it takes when washing each fabric.  Being a girl who just chooses to wash everything in cold( I know my mom will gasp when she reads that) ... I will now pay better attention to what my clothes are made out of... and how to wash and take care of them.

Benji resting his head on my Tech Packs

My Lamb & Flag team members are awesome! I have been given several projects to help me learn the production process when coming out with a line of clothing and when launching a brand and mostly I learned that I need to save all my money because I want to BUY EVERYTHING!  Our designers and those who help with production have done an amazing job and I am so excited for Lamb & Flag to launch in November!  Gary, the VP of Lamb & Flag, has given everyone the opportunity to help in creating this new brand.  He is a great boss and I am so lucky to be blessed with such an amazing opportunity with such amazing talent.

My first week alone in LA did not go with out error.  Yesterday I experienced my hardest day yet.  Kellwood has summer hours which means that we have every other Friday off.  Having my Friday to myself I thought I would get a few things done that I had been putting off including checking my mail, picking up some packages, and doing my laundry.  All three tasks were a major bust. My mailbox was full of mail from past residents who had lived in my apartment including one lady who's last name was Gustafson (my mom's maiden name).  That freaked me out because 1.) What are the chances of  that happening? 2.) I hardly know any other Gustafson's who aren't related to me 3.) I thought I royally screwed up and had written my name down wrong.  The next part was the worst.  After going to the office I realized that though we have the choice to wear what ever we want to work... people are still dressed up and look amazing, because they all work in the fashion industry.  So I saw this as an excuse to buy something.... or 3... from Forever 21. Welllllll.... my apartment complex LOST my package.  I was furious.... in a quiet and calm way... because I'm too scared to raise my voice at anyone in a big city.  (I have yet to honk my horn in LA traffic for fear of someone beating me up... or possibly pulling a gun out on me like I've seen in various rap music videos).  They told me to make a claim with UPS to try and figure out what happened to it. (aka: we lost your stuff and we need time to cover our butts).  After my lost package experience I thought it was time to do some laundry. I go get my basket and lug it down the hall to the elevator and I walk into a room full of washer and dryers... and a man, a woman, and an old lady in a wheel chair with her dog. None of them speak English.  I look for the quarter inserts... but all I see is a place to insert a cash card. Well crap. I don't have a cash card or even know where to to get one. I lug my basket back out toward the elevator where I see a machine where you have to BUY a cash card ($5) and then put money ON the cash card.  I finally figure out how to do this and lug my basket BACK into the laundry room. I insert my card and still couldn't get it to work. I look around for anyone willing to show me how to use these.... "SPACE" washing machines... but no help from the little family who chose to not speak English. The only look of sympathy I got... was from the dog in the old ladies lap. Thanks for your help Sparky.  In frustration and slight embarrassment I looked for any kind of POWER button, and while doing so... I dropped my card behind the 1,000 lbs (no exaggeration) washer....  Could the day get any worse?  I looked around... still no help from the family. I could swear the dog was laughing at me. I grabbed my basket in defeat and went back up the slowest moving elevator known to mankind and called my mommy.... in tears.

When calling my mother to explain to her that my life was over because I couldn't get my clothes I wasn't supposed to order and I couldn't figure out how to use the "Space" washing machines.... she did not choose to stay on the phone and hear me complain and vent about how much my life sucked at that very given moment. Of course I should have known this... neither of my parents are fans of listening to me cry in defeat and refuse to join me in my pity parties very often.  Instead my mother decides to be a parent.... and offer solutions to my problems. Of course she didn't understand that I knew there were solutions... I just didn't want to have to be a grown up... and use them.

So needless to say... I am learning to handle things on my own... but at times... I still need my mom and dad... and their much needed and sometimes unwanted words of wisdom.  I have been eating healthier... and working out nearly every day.  I have given up my beloved Mountain Dew... and if you know me well at all... this does sometimes lead to mood swings, long days, and depression.  Mountain Dew is what I use to fix a bad day, celebrate a good day, or any other excuse I can use to drink my favorite cold beverage.  Not only have I given up my Dew, I have given up Pop and Caffeine in general.  I only drink water at work and stick to Crystal Light at home.  Yes friends and family, I am in fact a changed person. The old Katie you knew and loved... who would order the Jr. Whopper and French Fries.... and buy the cold can of Dew... well she's gone. At least for now.

I hope you all are having a great summer. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as it's obvious... I need it! Especially in a life without caffeine. I love you all and miss you all so much!

Wishing you all my best,

Katie

Saying Goodbye to Home Sweet Home

These past few days can only be described as an emotional roller coaster to say the least.  Though my family found me complaining many times about the small town we lived in.... our home back in Washington was a place I could go to after a bad week, to see my amazing family, and to of course cuddle with my cat.  My parents and I discussed whether or not I should bring my bundle of joy with me to the city of Los Angeles once I accepted the position with Lamb & Flag.... we decided that the trip and the huge change to the Hollywood life style would be too much for her and thought life in the country would be more appealing to her. Saying goodbye to Freckles was tragic and devastating.... and no I am not over exaggerating and no I am not a creepy cat person.

The love of my life, Freckles

Saying goodbye to my favorite

After a couple days of visiting my grandpa in what felt like an old episode of the Andy Griffith Show... my family and I headed to our cabin in New Mexico to spend a couple of days reading and watching movies. Sunday my brother and sister and I went with my dad to hike up a nearby mountain that you can see from the front deck of our cabin.  My dad was decked out in his Cabela's gear.... camo and all, as he navigated us through the trail using his high tech hand held GPS.  So every 10 minutes my dad would stop and check out his new toy and I would use this as an excuse to catch my breathe. For the record, I do not remember hiking actually involving climbing straight UP a mountain. Not only was I exhausted... I felt just plain out of shape. The stay in New Mexico was exactly what I needed besides the part where my car was nearly being attacked.... twice... by the same GIANT elk right outside of town.

Our Cabin outside of Angle Fire, New Mexico

After a couple days spent in New Mexico we got back on the road and ventured through the desert of Arizona until we got to the mountains of Kingman.  We woke up early the next morning and continued west until we found ourselves at the California state line.  My dad was lucky enough to be pulling my UHAUL and was told to show the people at the state line what was in the trailer to make sure we were not bringing food, plants, or animals across the state line.  Though it was somewhat entertaining to see my dad forced to get out of his vehicle like some kinda of fugitive.... I did find myself worried my dad would have to pull out all my stuff that they had packed earlier that week.  Thankfully he did not and we headed towards LA where we arrived at my apartment complex on Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday I bought my very own couch and then dragged my family to a Target in West Hollywood.  Parking was an adventure since none of us had been to a Target that looked nearly 3 stories high.  My dad does claim he possibly saw a celebrity inside the Target though he does not know her name, what she was in, or even if she was a singer or an actor.  The woman was in fact wearing a baseball camp pulled over her eyes as she rushed into the Target and darted towards the check out line where she received many double takes by the cashier and those around.  My dad obviously needs to watch E! News more so that we would not run into this problem.  I am sending him a People magazine tomorrow so that he can study before his next visit to LA.

Thursday we finally got to see the sights.  First we headed to Griffith Park located by Hollywood Hills so that my brother and sister could see all of LA. The trip was partially a bust because of the "June Gloom" which means it doesn't get sunny until around 4.... so the fog made it very hard to see much of LA.  After the park we headed to Hollywood Blvd. so I could see the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lets just say this was a huge disappointment.  The people who hassle you trying to get you to take a bus tour was bad enough... but the CREEPY dudes who were dressed up in Star War costumes who caused me to miss where the fabulous famous people but their hands in cement which means they are the famous of the famous... because the Star War lookalikes where too busy forcing me to take a photo with them and then asked my sister for a TIP. I was beyond disgusted. But no this was not the end of it... there were also wannabe hip hop stars who were forcing their CD's into my brother's face. When he finally grabbed one out of his face.... the wannabe demanded to be paid for his wannabe hits.  To the wanna be hip hop stars on Hollywood Blvd. if you have to guilt people into buying your CD's because you force them on them.... your career will in fact be awkward. Finally we got to head out to Malibu through the mountains and then headed towards Santa Monica where we hung out on the beach and my brother and sister got to see the ocean for the first time. Though the traffic was terrible getting back we spent the rest of the evening finishing up my apt and swimming in the pool.

Griffith Park Observatory

The "June Gloom" and the Hollywood Sign

Me at the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to Judy Garland's star (Dorthy off the Wizard of Oz)

Getting harassed by the Star War look-a-likes

My brother and sister's first time in the ocean

With my favorite brother and sister 

Yesterday morning my family left which was very hard. I start work at Lamb & Flag Monday morning. I am excited for what's to come but am also very scared. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Kelso... you and Matthew need to book a flight!
Megan.... please visit me or better yet move out here as soon as you can!
Matt, Tommy, Derek, and Jaree.... you know what you promised me... hold up your end of the deal.
Jess-ICA.... still mad we didn't get to say goodbye... so make it up to me with a visit to Cali!
Kayla Marie.... start saving your money so you can come visit me!
Arika.... I feel like I've gained some weight but I PROMISE I will fit into my dress for your wedding in October.

Wishing you all my best,

Katie

Leaving The Little Apple

Today was my last day in Manhattan, KS.  Since the day I left for Sorority Recruitment in the fall of 2007 I have resided in "The Little Apple" and have loved every minute of it!  This past year I found out who my true friends are and can't help but worry about how much I am going to miss them!  I find myself constantly requesting that they SAVE their money and visit me in LA ASAP!  I even resorted to forcing my friends Matt and Tommy to sign a contract written on a napkin at Porter's one night at 1:30 in the morning while we were out and about in Aggieville. The contract stated that they would both visit me within the next year. I will be sending it to my lawyer to make sure all agreements are upheld.  To my friends who are reading this... I will nag you until I see a receipt from the plane ticket you purchased with the destination set to the  LAX Airport.    I am not above bribery OR black mail. Yes, that is a threat.  I am so grateful for my friends who took the time to organize a dinner and convince everyone to come out afterwords on a Tuesday night to spend my last night in Aggieville with me. I love you all and can't wait to get to come back to Manhattan for a little reunion!  I don't know what I am going to do without you because I know each of you have saved my life at least once. (Lane, Alyssa, and Ashley... your number may be higher)  I loved that I got to spend a day with my roommate from freshman year and best friend, Kelsey Fagan!  She left me for an entire semester for Italy and I'm trying to not hold a grudge.  She better make it up to me by booking a flight as soon as she isn't tied down by a final project in studio.  Gosh how much I hate those.

With Kelsey (my old roomie) at a Royals Game last summer

I am also crossing my fingers that I can convince Megan Norman, another close friend, to just move out to LA and live with me.  I am very scared about the fact that I do not know A SOUL in Cali and am finding it very difficult to picture my days without Meg giving me advice about boys, clothes, and life in general while laying out by the pool with drink in hand.

With Megan and Ashley on Fake Patties (I WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH) 

Today my sister and I will be making our way to southwestern Kansas in order to say my goodbyes to the rest of my family.  My parents and little brother will be leaving Friday after loading up the rest of my stuff from my apartment in Manhattan.  We will stay in our cabin in New Mexico (my favorite place on earth) for a couple days before traveling on to Arizona where we will stay the night and then head on west to California, hoping to arrive in LA that afternoon.  It will be a long trip, and an adventure to say the least!

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and stay tuned for future posts about my transition from small town USA to life in HOLLYWOOD!