Sometimes Things Fall Apart… A Year In Review

A year ago today, my life changed forever. I went on a trip to New York, for Fashion Week with two of my closest friends, and by the end of it, I knew I was in trouble. I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it a million more times: that city is magic to me. We were there just long enough for me to catch my breath and reevaluate, everything.

 

At the time, I was working for a creative staffing agency as an account executive. This was going to be my big transition from grad school, and second attempt at Corporate America, only this go-round, I would be in the creative industry, so I just knew I’d be fine. I graduated from Grad School in December of 2013, and started working at the company just a couple of months after -the same week as my 27th birthday actually. I was pumped. Salary, benefits, opportunity to make a commission, the whole nine… Instead, it drained the very life out of me. Literally.

My commute was an hour at minimum. The walk from the parking garage to the office was another 15 minutes. We had a meeting that started every day at 8:30am on-the-dot. I’m pleasant in the morning, but I’m a full-blown night owl. My brain doesn’t even kick in until 10am. Don’t ask me why. It’s just my wiring haha For the next 3hrs we had “Power Hour” where we would be on the phone reaching out to ad agencies, corporations, small business and so on developing new business. Power hour ends. We break for lunch at 12pm for an hour -a real hour, not a minute over- and back to the phones unless we had client visits…

Day in, day out this was my life. I hate monotony, with a passion, and that had become my story. My nonprofit, Mia’s Closet, suffered, more than I could have ever anticipated, and it was heartbreaking. I’m not a crier, and I cried a lot that year.

I very quickly realized that I had been sold a dream, and that I was partially responsible. I got that job in an effort to impress my parents. Plain and simple. As much as I like to think I’m a free spirit, I have to be very intentional about not subscribing to traditional means of success, and that’s the thing about understanding your purpose. When you feel you’re moving in the direction that God is calling you to, the opinion’s of other’s mean less and less.

My first day back to work from New York, I requested a meeting  with my boss as soon as power hour ended. There we were in that small conference room. I had it all figured out in my mind. I was going to sit down, look her in the face, thank her for everything she’s done, tell her I just couldn’t do it anymore, and politely resign.

Well, somewhere along the way, I started to feel bad, really bad. She had stood up for me, cheered me on, and I felt awful for still wanting to leave after all that. It started to feel just like a break up… and then she asked me if I thought this is where I was supposed to be –I burst into tears and choked out a no.

See, leaving this job was more than just leaving a job. I’m a planner, futurist, and there were so many factors tied into this move being a successful one, and the fact that despite all that, I still couldn’t shake the gut feeling that it just wasn’t working scared me. This was going to be my bridge into being a career woman, buying a house, traveling, saving up to move to a new city, and so on…

My mom, said something to me one day while I was on the phone with her having a full on melty on the way to work that I’ll never forget. She said, “Chelsea, at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live this life, no one else. Life is too short to lead one that makes you miserable.”

More or less that’s the summary of 2014. It was a rebuilding year, and the crazy thing about rebuilding it that you don’t get there without things falling apart.

I’ve spent the last year breaking apart every area of my life asking God to clarify my purpose in all areas. My work, me personally, my calling, spirituality, family roles, all of it. The last year hasn’t been perfect, but I can actually see the progress, and I wouldn’t sacrifice this lifestyle again for anything, even if that means saying no to opportunities I would have jumped at two years ago.

As I sit here on the rooftop having breakfast up here for the first time, I can’t help but think of the following quote: Build your career around your lifestyle, not the other way around. That’s the goal.

I’m praying for any of you guys who want to make the leap, and just haven’t quite figured out how. All things work together for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose.

Just wait and see 😉

Peace, Love & Sunshine ~Chels

Photos from last year’s trip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffey Break Chat: How to Start a Fashion Truck

Hey guys!
Sunday, March 23rd, we had the pleasure of kicking off our very first Fashion Truck Block party with Crave Sushi benefitting Mia’s Closet! Fashion trucks Park Boutique, Shoe Bar, Punch Drunk Fashion Truck, Urban Izzy  and our vintage line The Coffey Shop joined forces to bring our city a fun filled afternoon of shopping, food and sounds by DJ Fanci!
Warmest thanks to Clifford Pugh of Culture Map and Channel 11 for their wonderful support by spreading the word, here: Heels on wheels: Fashion trucks come together for parking lot party, and a million hugs and kisses to fashion bloggers Magen Pastor and Meagan Ball-Jordan for coverage of the event!
See below for my interview with Lillie Parks of Park Boutique where we highlight tips on how to start a fashion truck business and photos from the event. Hope to see you at the next one!! Enjoy!
Peace, Love & Sunshine ~Chelsea

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tCGm3oeLl4

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LOOK OF THE DAY 9.24.2013

Wednesday September 25, 2013

Save The Future

Sometimes the weight of the world seems to weigh a little heavy for my comfort. For whatever reason, the best way for me to shake it is by putting on a fun outfit and a great playlist. This look is a reflection of this. Check out one of my jams below. 2 Chelsea Coffey LOTD 9.24.13 3 Chelsea Coffey LOTD 9.24.13 JPG 4 Chelsea Coffey LOTD 9.24.13 5 Chelsea Coffey LOTD 9.24.13

This is one of my favorite sweatshirts in time. Short of it getting physically destroyed, I plan on hanging on to it forever. Hopefully it’s message plants the seed for those who view it to give back, get involved and make a difference.

Looking for an organization to get involved with? Check out my nonprofit Mia’s Closet. We’d love to share our story with you!

Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

Song of the Day: Jay-Z -I Know

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Mia’s Closet celebrates our first year of serving the greater Houston community!

Hey guys!
Today is a very special day for me and countless Mia’s Closet supporters! It is our 1 year anniversary and I am so blessed to be able to share this occasion with our Coffey Break readers! For one year we have been dedicated to providing clothing, free of charge, to families in dire need of support. Words cannot express the beauty of our volunteers interacting with the children and teens k-12 that we serve in the greater Houston community.
Our Houston-based nonprofit  Mia’s Closet, has had an incredibly busy couple of months, and  here are some of our most recent highlights. Mia’s Closet is a clothing donation organization that provides events to build confidence and self-worth in girls k-12.
On Saturday, March 3rd, we hosted our very first Family Fun Day in collaboration with several local companies and organizations. Thank you to the support of Wing Express, Hungry Heroz, Raydon Marketing Solutions, Moonstar Clothing, Mr. Fix It, State Farm, Triumph Christian Center, DJ Fanci, Karaoke for Kids and HCA Healthcare for helping us create a truly remarkable experience for these families! We were able to assist 200 kids with clothing, sports equipment and food –all for free! Please take a look at the following link for photos from the event: MIA’S CLOSET PRESENTS FAMILY FUN DAY AT YATES HIGH SCHOOL!!

On Friday, March 30th, Mia’s Closet and Niko’s Locker teamed up with Las Americas Middle School, Kaleidoscope Charter School, NHPO -National Hispanic Professional Organization Leadership Institute, PAIR -Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees, TSU Student Government Association, The UNO Project 2050, and Kachi Designs to present The Mia’s Closet After School Carnival at Las Americas Middle School! It was the most incredible experience, over 300 students attended. Las Americas and Kaleidoscope serve as a relief campus for HISD. Their students are non-native speakers and refugees. They represent over 32 different countries and over 20 different languages. We had the privilege of visiting classrooms on a few occasions prior to the event, and the loving atmosphere they have created for their students is one of a kind environment. Here are the photos from the event! MIA’S CLOSET PRESENTS THE LAS AMERICAS AFTER SCHOOL CARNIVAL!!
We recently received a really wonderful testimony from one of the Las Americas teachers, Ms. Sosa: “I just have to tell you, we have already gotten visitors as a result of the volunteer e-mails that you sent out, they were forwarded your e-mail with our website info and they came to see the school for themselves and they are seeking volunteer opportunities here! We even had the Houston Chronicle here!!! They will be here next week hopefully to do a feature story! All stemming from Mia’s Closet! God Bless You!!”Our first year has been a great year so far, and we look forward to the opportunities to come! This year we created Niko’s Locker, our subsidiary for boys k-12. Mia’s Closet hosts events on a quarterly basis and it is a blessing to say that we are ahead of schedule! Our next event will be during August for back to school. Feel free to contact us for opportunities to donate or get involved, and please, spread the word!
Thank you and God bless,
Chelsea

“Like” Mia’s Closet on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/MiasCloset

 Follow us on Twitter at: @miascloset_hou

View Mia’s Closet highlights at: http://thecoffeybreak.com/category/mc-videos/

Niko’s Locker at Las Americas Middle School!

Niko's Locker at Las Americas Middle School!

Shorts
$19 – kohls.com

Puma athletic shoes
$100 – puma.com

Polo Ralph Lauren canvas sneaker
$95 – stylebop.com

Nike shoes
$78 – nike.com

Black shades
$7.99 – gogglesandglasses.com

BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB Varsity Jacket
£665 – flannelsfashion.com

WESC ALESSANDRO SKINNY JEAN
£57 – farfetch.com

Locker Storage Tower Right
$140 – target.com

Circo Sports Applique Rug
$50 – target.com

IKEA Komplement
$10 – ikea.com

HOUSTON TEXANS LUNCHEON NAPKINS
windycitynovelties.com

Boys clothing
€43 – littlefashiongallery.com

Basic Solid Cargo Shorts
$20 – aeropostale.com

Shorts
$11 – kohls.com