Hi loves,

After moving to Virginia I still have to get used to the humid weather here in the South. The sun ist still super hot and the pool is attracting me like a magnet. The time to wear summer dresses isn't over yet. I have a weakness for white dresses and in this blog post I wanted to show you my two favorite white dresses and how I combined them.

1. White Knit Dress

The first dress I just purchased recently from Ralph Lauren. It is a midi knit white dress that is good for a night out but also for work. I love to combine it with colorful shoes like the sandals from Steve Madden. If I like the outfit to be a little more elegant, I choose yellow Rockstud Valentino high heels. I promise you, this is definitely an eye catcher. A white dress gives you the freedom to combine to all different kinds of shoes, so risk something and choose the most colorful pair you have.

Dress RALPH LAUREN Sunglasses MICHAEL KORS Sandals STEVE MADDEN

2. The Casual White One

The second dress is from Hilfiger Denim and a more casual variant of a white dress. When it is hot outside and all the other dresses seem to be too thick and heavy, this is the one to wear. Today it was one of these days when I didn't really know what I wanted to wear. In the end I decided for a super cute white neck holder dress I bought years ago. White dresses never get old or uncool, they are always an eye catcher.

Dress HILFIGER DENIM Sandals TOMMY HILFIGER Sunglasses MICHAEL KORS Purse BOTTEGA VENETTA

So go to your closets and dig up all the white dresses to take advantage of the last summer days.

Love,
Juliana

Hello loves,

as I told you in the previous blog post A new adventure lies ahead - Guide for the job application process, I will be moving soon to a new city to start a new job. I've been to the Washington, D.C. area once before last year (which you can read in an older blog post) and I fell in love with that city right away. Since I will be working in Virginia, I didn't exactly know where to move best so I wouldn't have to drive too long to my work place. But how is someone supposed to know where to move when they don't know the area??

This is something I would like to talk about in this blog post. I've only been to D.C. once and therefore just know typical tourist spots but no insider tips or areas that are best for living.

So the first thing you gotta do...

1. Research

Do a lot of research on best areas to live, go to websites such as Apartments.com to search for apartments in your price range and look at the reviews. However, I realized that sometimes you can't rely on reviews from only one website, so I also went to Yelp to see more reviews - and then suddenly reality hit me: Previous tenants have uploaded shocking pictures of the actual condition of apartment complexes which influenced my decision immensely. I looked at my list I had created and deleted about half of them just looking at Yelp.

2. Create an Excel Sheet

I created an Excel spread sheet to make sure I have all the apartment buildings and property groups on it and make sure not to miss my appointments with them. Normally, the property groups prefer for future residents to make an appointment but after a while I realized that being a walk-in wasn't also the worst thing in the world. Don't let them tell you that they can't help you right now because you didn't make an appointment.

3. Explore the Neighborhood

Moving to a new, strange city can be very scary. Therefore, it is even more important to explore the city and see which areas you like and which districts you would rather avoid. Doing some online research prior doesn't hurt but it is always better to see the areas yourself. In case you don't have a car, you can rent one and just drive around for a couple days. Some property groups and apartment complexes might catch your eye on the way.

4. Talk to Locals

People who have been living in the city for a longer time might know some insider tips you can't find on Google. So, if you grab some lunch at a restaurant during the day, just talk to the employees or other guests and ask if they can give you some advices. That can help you a lot!


These four tips are no guarantees to find the perfect new apartment, but with a little bit of luck and much research and preparation, it will be alright. Don't be afraid to go this new path: It might mean to leave friends and family behind, it can end in a catastrophe but it can also be the best thing you have ever done.
I chose to go this step and moved to Washington, D.C. It has been 4 weeks now, every day is a new adventure and I don't regret it a bit.

Part 2 of the "Strange in a New City"-series will tell you more about my new life in D.C., my new job and new people I met. I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Hello loves,

today's blog post is an unusual one because I talk mostly about job applications, resumes, cover letters, interviews and new adventures that lie ahead.

As you all know from previous posts such as 5 Graduation Dresses - How to choose your perfect Graduation dress, I recently graduated with my Master's degree in Communications from a university in Connecticut. My focus is on PR which I really enjoy doing. Many of you might ask why a girl from Germany decided to go to America to complete a Master's degree. Well, first of all, it was always a dream of mine to study abroad. I also liked the practical teaching style at American universities in comparison to the more theoretical one in Germany. I've always been a practical girl who lived by the motto 'learning by doing'. Studying abroad would also give me the advantage to bring my English to its full perfection. It is incredible how much you forget in only six months back at home. Therefore, I am very thankful for these last two years and that I was given this amazing opportunity to study at this wonderful university, meeting many new people and gaining so much more life experience. But now, the gravity of life has begun and the real world is waiting.

But how and where do I begin?

Writing a Resume - What is Important?

When you are looking for a job, the first thing you should do is look if your resume needs any updates and if so edit it. You can organize it the way you are most comfortable with. I started first with my education, moved forward to professional experiences such as internships or other jobs I had in the past, and rounded it up by mentioning certain skills such as languages or certifications as well as IT skills that might be relevant for the job. The professional experience should include a couple bullet points describing each job and what you have achieved. Make sure that your resume is clearly arranged and is easily readable. Try to stay within one page, so the hiring manager has a good overview of your qualifications.

Does the Perfect Cover Letter even exist?

I'm not quite sure if the ideal cover letter even exists, so all you can do is give your best. However, there are some points you should include in your cover letter. First of all: Do your research! It is nice to address a person directly instead of the traditional "Dear Sir or Madam" or "Dear Hiring Manager". You could find the names of the hiring manager on LinkedIn for instance. Even if it is the wrong name in the end, at least it shows your effort. Researching the company itself is also an important point on the list. In the first paragraph, you could mention what fascinates you about this company and why. The next paragraphs should be about you: Your education and experiences, why you would like to work in this profession and how you will be the perfect fit for the job.
I know, it is hard work and I personally had to spend several hours on writing different cover letter. But in the end it is worth it and you can be proud of yourself. Everybody has a different style, I just explained the way I structured my cover letter but I am sure there a many forms of writing them and every one is unique.

The Challenge of Interviews

When a potential employer has invited you for an interview, something on your application has caught their attention. To me, the hardest step seems to be getting an interview. As soon as you have overcome that step, you can prepare for the interview. Here again: Research the company, typical interview questions and think of some possible answers.
An aspect I'm always looking forward to is searching for an outfit ;-) Of course, it depends on the job but I prefer dressing a bit more business-like that I would actually dress to go to work there every day. During the interview process, just keep your cool and be true to yourself.

Never Give Up!

Most importantly, never stop believing in yourself. Even with several denials for jobs you thought you were more than qualified for, never give up because the right job is still waiting somewhere to find you. I know, the job application process is very difficult and takes very long beginning from the minute you submit your application to the official job offer. It can take up to months, so be patient and stay positive. Sometimes it seems that even being fluent in two languages, or having five relevant internships on your resume don't seem to impress future employers anymore. The slogan is: The more, the merrier! :-)


I can not tell you how many applications I submitted in the last couple months, but when I recently received an offer, I was so stoked I could not believe it. Now, I will be moving from Connecticut to beautiful Virginia, not far away from the capital Washington, D.C.
This new adventure that lies ahead of me generates many emotions - from being super excited to being scared as hell. I will meet many new people, make new friends, and will be in a job I absolutely love. However, especially in the beginning, I am a little more scared because I don't know anybody and I would also like to prove to my supervisors that they made the right decision in hiring me. Do you know this feeling? It is hard to explain, but it is a challenge I'm very excited about.

Cathedral of Learning - University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates

Dress URBAN OUTFITTERS Shoes COVERSE Necklace TIFFANY & CO. Bracelets THOMAS SABO Sunglasses RAY-BAN