Currently.

Thinking About - I wish my life problems were small enough at this time to be able to post online, but unfortunately, they are not. Let's just say, there is much to worry about.

Eating - No sugar. Ever. That's a total lie, but I had my last fillings appointment at my new dentist this week and I am totally cool with not doing that again for a while. Or ever.

Watching - Sons of Anarchy. This is the first season that I'm watching while the show is on TV since I jumped on the bandwagon late and rushed through them all on Netflix. I have the last two episodes recorded and cannot wait to watch them. I have to save them for a night that Christopher has off since he loves the show, too.

Anticipating - My trip to Montreal next weekend! Does anyone have any recommendations for me? I'm researching the best crepes, poutine (I found a place that makes it vegetarian!), cupcakes, and macaroons in walking distance from our hotel in Old Montreal and would love to add a few more stops!

Reading - I just finished reading Gunn's Golden Rules by Tim Gunn. The man is a genius. His book was not just about fashion, but life in general and he pulled so many stories from his childhood and personal life. I really enjoyed it and am now dying to read his new book Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible. Not to self: set DVR to record Project Runway! I don't know how I ever fell out of watching that show every week. Christopher sweetly let me use a gift card he had to buy Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit. I have been dying to add it to my Audrey collection because it was written by her son, Sean, and is supposed to be very good. I've flipped through to see all the (amazing and rare) photos, but I'll be diving into really reading that one tonight. 

Listening to - I have a playlist on my phone called "Feathers and Leathers" that consists of pre-1990's Aerosmith, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and David Bowie and it has been on a heavy rotation. Also, now that our room has been rearranged and Christopher's record player is accessible, our record collection has been getting some extra love. Specifically the soundtrack to Grease. Warning: don't interrupt me while I'm singing along to "Sandy" In while folding laundry.

Loving - Still - my new blog design! The amazing Natasha from Paper Crowns created this masterpiece with me and I am so thrilled with it. I feel like a real blogger now! She was a joy to work with so please, please, please head on over and check her out.

And, a couple things the Internet sent my way...

 

This Audrey inspired sleep mask.

No Doubt on Ellen this week. 

I have a huge girl crush on Gwen Stefani and "Tragic Kingdom" was actually one of the first cassette tapes I ever bought when I got my very first Walkman back in the day. (FYI - The others were Mariah Carey's "Butterfly" and Hanson's "Middle of Nowhere". Now you know.)



(Honestly, I don't know if anyone knows who started the "currently" post trend so I'm not even sure who to give credit to at this point.)

Introducing - New Blog Design by Natasha of Paper Crowns!

I was lucky enough to win a blog design from Natasha of Paper Crowns through a giveaway on Little Chief Honeybee and (drum roll, please) it is finally complete!

Natasha was a dream to work with. As a newbie to blogging, I was in the dark about at lot and she was able to get my creative juices flowing to give her a feel for what I would like. I threw a ton of ideas her way (colors, shapes, sizes, time periods, you name it!) and she pulled a bit from here and there and made it into an attractive, workable template that really expresses who I am as a person. My favorite part of working with Natasha was how excited she was to be doing my design. It really made me happy to know that she was enjoying herself and was proud with what she was coming up with. My blog is now perfect for me; bold and bright while still remaining clean and orderly. It has a bit of a vintage vibe to it and also includes a few symbols that hold a lot of personal meaning to me. (Spot the arrows, rabbits, Volkswagen's?)

If any of you are considering a new template, and especially if you are considering your first professional template, I would absolutely recommend Natasha.

Also, anyone who is using my yucky old button on their pages - please grab the pretty new one on the right! If you decide to use my button on your page, please let me know so that I can thank you and put you on my favorite people list.

Thanks again, Natasha! You've made my little corner of the internet feel like home!

10 Things I Love About Me

Beware of a self serving post.

I've recently been thinking a lot about the concept of self love. At a work retreat we did an exercise where we listed each employees best qualities. Most things were centered around their office self, but it was still special to see people get emotional to hear what others loved about them. We then had to list one of our own best qualities. It was so hard!

I don't think of myself of an overly critical person. I'm proud of the person I am and all my good points. But sometimes life gets in the way and stress clouds the good. After making a stupid mistake and feeling ashamed, the bad things seem to be all I remember. This is an effort to remind myself of the things that I'm happy with.

1.) I'm sensitive. I feel everything. Seeing other people in pain tears me apart - even strangers. I think this has opened me up to being hyper aware of others feelings and being careful about the way that I word things.

2.) I'm creative. It seems that I look at the world in a different way than most people. I love to go shopping with family or friends and pull out these seemingly odd clothes and then pull them off and prove them wrong. I can find beauty in a mud puddle. I can turn a toilet paper roll into a piece of art. It's all in how you work it. It's all in an objects potential. My creativity also allows me to express myself through art in a way that I will forever be grateful for.

3.) I have a great body shape. This one feels weird yet good to say. Let me start out by stating that I do not like my legs. I don't have nice legs. It's just the truth and I've accepted it. Nobody is perfect. But aside from that...I have a nice body! I love that I'm pear shaped and have curves. I love my B cups all the way to my wider-than-most-skinny-jean-sizes hips. I wouldn't change my shape for anything.

4.) I'm confident. High school was not my favorite time period. But after coming through it in one piece, I knew who I was and...who I definitely was not. I'm now completely comfortable in who I am. I have no shame in saying that I barely drink alcohol, my best friend is my mother, and I couldn't even tell you the last time I went to the mall. This is just who I am.

5.) I am an excellent friend. I like to take care of people. I will bring you soup when you're sick, drive two hours after midnight to pick you up from a party, spend my entire weekend decorating for your wedding, or drop everything to watch chick flicks and eat ice cream if you need it. In short - you'd be lucky to have me on your side.

6.) I'm forgiving. This can also be a downfall. I don't hold grudges. I find myself softening to almost anyone with time. People lead hard lives and sometimes the things that happen to them make them do hurtful things to others. I get it and I forgive you. Even you, dude - the guy that I held the door open for who walked straight through it while gabbing on his cell phone and never glanced in my direction. Who knows? Maybe you were never lucky enough to have a mother to teach you manners. I forgive you.

7.) I'm not overly superficial. Everyone gets self conscious, but I don't let it take over my day. I don't know how anyone lives life not going to the beach because they feel flabby that day or staying home from school because their hair color came out darker than the stylist said it would. Excuse my french but, shit happens. You're human. There are more important things to worry about. More often than not, I'm able to remind myself of that and live my life.

8.) I'm not afraid to be informed. Example - I became a vegetarian when I watched a slaughter house video when I was 15 and realized what the norm for meat production in the USA was. It was a real eye opener when I tried to tell others what I had found out and they "didn't want to know" because it would "ruin meat for them". What? You'd rather live in the world of denial? I have no problem with people who choose to eat meat, but please, at least educate yourself on where your food is coming from and make a decision after. Same goes for politics. This stuff is important. Living blindly and just trusting that things will work out and be okay is not for me.

9.) I'm family orientated. My family is number one. They always have been. My cousins are my friends. My aunts are my mentors. My brother is my superhero. They have always been such a huge part of my life. Seeing friends who almost never see their parents and dislike their siblings is so alien to me. I hope this is something that I will pass on to my children. Family first, always.

10.) I know I'll be a great mother. I have no doubt in my mind that I can be a mother. I will raise good children - polite, smart, worldly, beautiful children. I want to be involved as much as possible with their lives. I won't take it for granted and I will give them my whole self. I love that I know that already.

Those last few were hard to come up with! What are some of the things you love about yourself? Have you ever listed them out? Give it a shot!

Caitlin in the Wild - A Photography Attempt

I've always been interested in photography. I saved up my pennies in high school and bought myself my first DSLR. But, I've never had any classes so I'm still very much in the dark when it comes to the actual mechanics of photography. I would love to eventually know more about what I'm doing but for now I really just like when my friends let me use them as guinea pigs. 

I'm still using that first DSLR and since a friend asked me to take photos of her and her son today, I asked Caitlin to let me practice a few things on her yesterday. What do you guys think? She's a great model. 

Last Wisps of Summer - What I Wore

I love the in-between Summer and Autumn weather. The air is so crisp and clean but the sun still keeps everything warm. The world must have knew I needed good vibes because everyone seemed to be just a tiny bit sweeter to me. To put it the best way I can, a usually harsh and not terribly complimentary coworker told me that I'm the type of girl her granddaughters would think was a princess. Another coworker agreed and followed up by saying that my soul was equally as beautiful as my looks. I don't think compliments get much better than those. 

Bo was looking sweetly at me from his playpen so I decided to sneak him in for a guest appearance...

lace top - Target clearance - $4.00

Pants - thrifted - $2.50

Beaded necklace - Thrifted - $5.00

White vest - Thrifted - $2.50

Mocassins - Minnetonka - $40.00

Polka Dots & Whoopie Pies - What I Wore

Word flew around the office that there was a new bakery in town that had a salted caramel whoopie pies. My mom and I went on a bit of a scavenger hunt for them since we didn't know the name of the shop and when we finally found it...we bought three. I'm told that whoopie pies are a New England only thing and I would just like to say, if you don't live in New England you are missing out!

I have been in a polka dot mood. On a more relaxed day at the office I tried out my new wrap dress with a jean jacket and leggings. The dress is so short, I'm not sure how anyone could possibly wear it any other way...

Jacket - Old Navy, Thrifted, $6.99

Dress - Forever 21, Thrifted, $2.50

Life As Of Lately

I wish I could spend my days napping on the couch like my buddy Ca$h Catt (although, I would prefer it not be covered in cat fur and dirt from dog paws), but life has been nonstop. My great Uncle Donald has busted out of the nursing home he's been living in and is back in his own private apartment. Of course, since he has cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair his entire life, it hasn't (and isn't) easy. Being in and out of his new place every day with my mom and aunt and trying to make this new situation work has been tiring - and I haven't even been the one doing the bulk of the work!

I've started to carry my camera around with me again in hopes of capturing some moments in my days. Hopefully it will help me to get on track with regular posting. Here's a few -

I love this thrifted wooden birdcage. It was on it's way to storage until Christopher and I find a place of our own, but my mother stole it to put it in the living room.

 

I thrifted this adorable 1980's striped strawberry print skirt. It will most likely end up in my Etsy since my closet is bursting...literally. I think it may expolode soon.

 

 

My groomer always insists on leaving this weird looking poof on the end of Pitou's tail when he get's a hair cut. I can't stand it.

Office life... I got a new kitten calendar for my desk. As if anyone walking in couldn't already tell that I'm seven years old. And, I fished this glass coke bottle out of the recycling bin. Weirdo status.

 

The contents of my bag today. I ordered my first Urban Decay lipstick and am so in love with it. I got "Gash". Mostly because it's referenced that Blaire Waldorf from Gossip Girl wears it. No Shame.

 

 

Ca$h usually discovers and then gets into a fight with his own tail a few times a day. This morning the cuteness level went through the roof.

Happy Friday! Cheers to a weekend filled with renovating our bedroom, thrifting, and actually cooking meals in my own kitchen!