Monday, December 2, 2013

Keeping up with Kate


Wow, sorry its been so long since we last chatted!  Time flies when your having fun and do I know how to have fun or what?!  I've missed you all so I decided I would do a little post to fill you in on my life up until this point.

This past summer I interned at Pearl River CC in the public relations department and had a great work experience.  I didn't think I would have such a huge say in what went on, but I was wrong.  My boss and supervisor Mr. Chuck Abadie was great!  He and Mrs. Janet let me do a little bit of everything in the communications office.  From writing billboard copy, working new student orientation, creating recruitment material for the softball team, to implementing new social media, I got to put my knowledge to use.  It was a busy and rewarding summer that I will be forever grateful for.

The beautiful campus of Pearl River Community College.  This building is Moody Hall! 

Along with my summer internship, I decided to take my crafting to another level and open my own store!  I have always been a "trash to treasure" girl and loved my weekend projects of distressing furniture or up-cycling old finds.  I turned a passion into a business venture and began the Facebook page Mementos & Magnolias.  I sell unique art and furniture pieces made from recycled materials.    Sales have been busy and I have my very own intern Maddie Dunn.  She helps with the organization process of the orders that are placed and I am the creative.  This has been such a fun venture and have even sucked my parents in on the excitement.  My dad, the carpenter, has a way to fix everything and is such a great problem solver when pieces come in that need a little extra t.l.c.  My mama on the other hand loves to shop!  She has such an eye and can stumble upon some inexpensive finds for my dad and I to revamp.  Combined we make a pretty good team!  Its a little tough to manage the orders with school on my plate, but I enjoy staying busy!  My goals for the new year will be to launch some pieces on Etsy and buy a few booths at local antique markets.  Two things I have just been a little too busy to do.
A few pieces from Mementos & Magnolias!

Once school was back in session I began my next adventure: sorority recruitment!  I was elected as a member of the Executive Rush Committee and responsible for the decorations for Skit night!  So much work and preparation went into transforming the Alpha Omicron Pi house into a "Kate Spade" Vegas themed party!  With the help of my wonderful committee members, especially Chloe Dickinson, we conquered the night and won so many girls over.  I thought staying within budget would be tough, but I found ways to cut corners and lower the cost of some items.  I think my sorority sisters were happy with the results!
My sweet committee members Roxanne and Taylor posing in front of our fab sign!
Since the launch of my store I have had several calls/emails about creating decorations for weddings.  One Facebook email came from a good friend Maggie Rafferty.  It began as asking for decorations to her asking me my opinions on wedding related items.  A few days later Maggie popped the question to me and asked if I would be her wedding planner!  What PR loving girl could say no to a good event planning opportunity?!  I said yes and we have been in full throttle planning a beautiful October wedding!
Maggie and I at State DECA Competition!
The workload kept getting bigger as I currently have two internships this fall semester.  One with the PR department at Ole Miss and the second as an ambassadorship with Lover.ly.  Ole Miss PR has given me the opportunity to write many articles and press releases that I typically didn't do.  Before this internship I had never had an official byline of my own besides my Pearl River Dixie Drawl days.  Lover.ly is such a great up and coming company to work for!  It is all things wedding related which is great for planning Maggie's wedding!  My supervisor rewards me for things I do on our campus to promote the brand which is a plus! I'm always getting little "happys" in the mail!  These two internships have been so enjoyable!
Lover.ly care package! How thoughtful! 
Here it is, December 2 and my last fall semester as an Ole Miss student is at an end.  I have had some great opportunities to build my resume and better myself in more ways than one.  I'm so thankful for where I am in life and I look forward to what the future holds.

My final thought of the night is bring it on spring semester!!

xoxo
Katie

p.s. I still haven't finished that chair. (procrastination problems)


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