Style Crush: Fearne Cotton

I don't know what's up with British television presenters being so stylish - probably more so than their American counterparts, but what do I know, I barely watch television. (See also: Alexa Chung, yes?) Anyway, I've heard the name many times but never really registered her as being worthy of style-stalking. After browsing the Fashion Spot, I decided this Brit would make a cool Style Crush-ee.

Her style isn't really over the top or very extravagant - it's practical. With school starting and knowing that I'll have to take public transportation frequently, I might need a little inspiration to keep me from going to my simple self-imposed uniform.

And shall I mention her hair? Or her socks peeping out from her smart footwear? Enough said.

xox Catherine

PS: (A side note) I'm so tired - I've been up since 7:30am (fell asleep at 3:30am, naturally) and I had my first class today. I ran into a few friends on campus but left as soon as I could to take a nap on my sofa. Also: I need to complete about three more art projects within the next week. I think I'll opt for watercolors, in case anyone was wondering. Cool.

Soon the summer will be over in the orchard

Cardigan - vintage, dress - Volcom, jewelry - various, boots - Deena and Ozzy, bag - Nich (West Chester)

I feel like the quality of my photos has been awful lately, mostly due to a lack of settings and the fact that as summer wears on, I've been going out later.

I wore this to see a friend of a friend play at a coffeehouse... kind of disappointing, to say the least. But then we hung out in town, came across another band playing that set the scene for some relaxed conversation and good times.




This is my new purse, purchased from a cute store in West Chester called Nich. I've decided that boutiques in said town are less pretentious than those in Philadelphia. I haven't encountered one long-haired hipster that takes a mere glance up from her Macbook to halfheartedly welcome me to the store.

I start class tomorrow. Where has the time gone? My summer has been quite something. I'm not ready for it to end, but technically, I've still got a week before school is in full swing. So I'll enjoy it.

xox Catherine

Sometimes it rains

Vest - gift, tshirt - Pacsun, pants - borrowed, jewelery - various, shoes - Aldo

First, I would like to address that my skin color is hardly a result of indoor lighting. It's really that dark. Crazy, I know... I just want to be pale again! Second, it was raining so I went in my room for photos - perhaps you notice a few changes?

I'm so behind with posting - I wore this on Monday! And my only real reason for not posting it then is because I was in the middle of Cape May posts, in case you were curious.




These pants belong to my sister, and they're still sitting on my bedroom floor... my room's an absolute mess, but she's now at college and they're here so I figure I might take them out for a few spins before she comes home again.

Also, I've broken my streak of not shopping - sorta, I guess this ring can be considered the start of the end. I've purchased two dresses and a new handbag, the latter which will be debuted in my next post.


And finally, I'm announcing the giveaway winner: comment #4, anna! Thanks to all who entered!

xox Catherine

Cape May odds & ends

The aesthetic of Cape May is a far cry from what one would imagine the "Jersey Shore" to be... although my brother and I jokingly spotted a "guido convention" while dining at a beachfront restaurant.

The colorful Victorian houses are so dreamy - I imagine the interiors are decorated in a similar fashion, but I love to picture modern decor inside any of these. Most of these were built in the late 1800's and are historic landmarks. I'm not sure how many of those pictured are, but it seems that almost every house in Cape May is a bed and breakfast.






I fell in love with the house pictured directly above.

Below: two images of Sunset Beach taken before my camera's battery died, two images of me being a goofball at the beach. Apparently, I have a thing for smirking while tilting my head to the side.






xox Catherine

Smile, you've got...

Tshirt - Wildfox, necklace - by me, dress (worn as skirt) - H&M, cuffs - antique, ring - by me, shoes - Aldo

These photos are from last Friday... my last night in Cape May and the height of my sunburn. Basically, my skin was approximately eighteen different colors at the time, so I was thrilled upon remembering that I had this super-comfy tshirt (that I always wear) sitting in my drawer.

The day entailed going to the beach, and the night consisted of going to a bistro in a former church. The setting was cool, and I had pizza for the first time in ages! Of course, there was no cheese... but I haven't eaten anything resembling pizza in probably two years.




I don't know what constitutes a "weird amount," but I purchased three magazines while down the shore. Magazines are perfect for the beach if you can stand to get sand and a bit of water damage!

I have two more posts before I'm officially caught up. I would say I haven't been purposely lazy, but that's a lie. I'm trying to enjoy the last/second to last week of summer (it's complicated) and my sister leaves for college tomorrow! Ah! So that's where my week went...

I'll announce the giveaway winner soon!

xox Catherine

PS Two envelopes labeled "application materials" arrived in my mailbox today. I keep telling myself that the best way to get through my senior year is justifying it as a year to sort my thoughts/wants out. Ah, I'll keep telling myself that...

8.18 and 8.19

So, this is going to be a long post...

8/18/2010

Shirt - Olive and Olivia via Ideeli, dress - Target, cuffs - antique, boots - Urban Outfitters

All of the shots from this day came out grainy and/or blurry. It was rainy so the lighting sucked... and I couldn't get any good photos inside.




Moving on... 8/19/2010

Dress (worn as top) - Tracy Reese, necklace - antique, cuffs - antique, skirt - Urban Outfitters, sandals - Urban Outfitters

I much prefer these photos. The sun was setting, and if you're familiar with Cape May, you would know that Sunset Beach is at the end of Sunset Blvd. I was standing on Sunset Blvd, so I figured having a setting pink sun would be pretty cool especially with the colors of my outfit. Take a second to notice the color of my skin. Yeah, pretty strange, right? I used these photos as an entry to the Make Life Juicy contest on Chictopia, but I have some very exciting news to announce.




I've been invited to speak at Chictopia10! I'm so excited, and I have to admit, I'm a little nervous too! Are any of you going to be there?

xox Catherine

PS Today's the last day to enter my giveaway!

8.17.2010

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters, tank - Target, skirt - H&M, necklace - by me, cuffs - antique, shoes - Urban Outfitters

Day 4 of my vacation... last Tuesday. The day was hot, then it rained a little, then my sister, her boyfriend and I went down to Sunset Beach. It wasn't as glorious as the previous night, but it was still pretty. It's a shame these photos didn't come out well. But hey, what can we do? I don't know how noticeable it is in these, but this is the start of my sunburn.




Earlier in the day, I stopped at the vegetarian cafe Higher Grounds (right near the house!)... and ordered a huge garden salad. I'm usually not one to order salads or enjoy them too much, but this was delicious. The vegetables were so fresh! I really wish I could have returned to order something else, but I didn't really have time since I went to the beach almost everyday and they close at 4pm. Bummer.



xox Catherine

PS While in town on this day, we came across a consignment shop. There was a pair of beautiful Miu Miu sandals in the window - $68, size 37.5 but they fit. I just couldn't justify the price because there was a small stain...

PPS Make sure you enter my giveaway for the Lucky Brand earrings! It ends Tuesday!

A week ago...

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters, dress - Billabong, necklace - made by me, cuffs - various antique, sandals - Urban Outfitters

Oh, back when I was pale, a mere week ago. I believe I have/had sun poisoning. Gross.

Anyway... this day consisted of browsing a flea market and craft show (so much cool jewelry!), making bruschetta, falling in love with bruschetta, and walking around "town." Cape May is so adorable... more photos of the town itself once I get further in the week! I have multiple outfits to post, but I don't plan on doing it all at once.

xox Catherine

PS I've become obsessed with bruschetta - I want to make some so badly right now!

PPS Have you entered my giveaway? It ends Tuesday!

DesignerApparel.com giveaway!

I am pleased to announce another giveaway on Silhouette Girl!

DesignerApparel.com has contacted me about a giveaway for a beautiful pair of Lucky Brand Earrings.



For those of you who don't know, DesignerApparel.com is a search engine that includes tons of popular brands, including Ralph Lauren and Prada, and even smaller labels like Christopher Blue. Whatever your taste, you're sure to find a plethora of covet-worthy items.

Rules: Leave a comment with your name and a means of contacting you by 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, August 24. Only one entry of this sort will be considered per person. Winner will be selected randomly shortly after contest has ended. Sorry - this giveaway is only open to the US and Canada!

For additional entries: tweet about this giveaway on Twitter! My username is _silhouettegirl. Leave an additional comment with your username so I can verify this.

Good luck! xox Catherine

via Flickr

Currently in Cape May, NJ until next Saturday. The weather today was sort of awful, so we left the beach early... and upon arrival back at the house, I showered then took a nap. Since waking up and discovering that everyone was eating at a very vegan-unfriendly restaurant, I've been catching up on True Blood and reflecting.

Before I start with any negativity, I must say, Cape May is unbelievably charming. Sure, it's just as touristy as any other shore point, but the buildings here are so lovely. There's gardens that are still fragrant, and there's antique shops strewn throughout town. If the beach isn't an option tomorrow, I think I'll set out on a bike with my camera to do some first-hand exploring.

I could use it. Right now, I just can't shake this feeling. I'm lonely. I know there's only so much you can expect from others, but it doesn't help to be thrown snide comments instead of (even meaningless) advice. I might not know what's best for me, and I might not know what I want, but I know I deserve more. But saying that I deserve the best turns me into some self-centered bitch. "Oh, why do you deserve the best?" Needless to say, there's a few relationships that need rethinking.

xox Catherine

PS Outfit post soon? Hopefully?

Things change, things stay the same.

Necklace - flea market, top - Kimchi Blue, skirt - vintage, ring - made by me, bracelets - various, shoes - Modcloth

I haven't worn this top in a while, but I quite like it. I guess pairing it with this skirt isn't too crazy or anything, but usually I wear this skirt with neutrals. I guess I'm finally wearing this necklace I picked up at the flea market a couple weeks ago. I think it's a little too dainty for me, but I suppose it's good for when I'm not trying to make statements with jewelry. Right?




I have strange expectations for this week - I'm having a scavenger hunt tomorrow until Wednesday, and I've been talking to a friend that I haven't communicated with in months... it's funny how things work out. Or rather, I should say, how things happen. Working out has a positive connotation, whereas I'm not entirely sure. And that's okay.




Hope all is well,
xox Catherine

The only thing that matters is just following your heart...

Dress - vintage, cuff - antique, belt - from a dress, ring - made by me, shoes - Aldo

I'm listening to "In This Diary" by the Ataris, which I haven't listened to in ages... it used to be my "all-time favorite song." While my music taste has changed, it brings back memories and still feels relevant. Oh, how I remember sitting on the deck down the shore four years ago, smiling awkwardly with a can of cherry Coke.

So, my art classes concluded today with an exhibition. I was accompanied by my parents and two friends, one whom took these photos for me. For some reason, they ended up blurry. C'est la vie, right?



Anyway, I was saving this dress to wear for today. I would've worn it last month or so, but I've been busy and running around the city isn't exactly what I want to do in a white dress.

xox Catherine

Such is life.

Top - borrowed from sister, necklace - mom's, skirt - H&M, belt - thrifted, cuff - antique, ring - made by me, sneakers - Keds

Yes, I suppose this is a simple little ring... but I'm quite proud because I made it! I was at school until 6pm finishing up a few projects because I don't have class on Friday and everything has to be done. I still have a self-portrait to do... yikes? I'll be able to do it!





I raided my sister's closet this morning upon deciding I had nothing to wear. Fair enough, all of my clothes need to be washed and she does the same thing. It's so weird that she's leaving at the end of the month for college. She's pretty much my best friend, so understandably, I'm a little sad. But c'est la vie! I already have expectations for this upcoming school year - some good, some bad. Frankly, I just can't wait to get through the year and move on. But I've still got some growing to do here in my hometown. Or so I say.

xox Catherine

Untitled yet again.

Dress - H&M, necklace - antique, cuff - antique, shoes - Urban Outfitters

These sandals are actually rather comfortable... which is nice for walking at least a couple of blocks everyday. I'm not going into details, but this past week has been weird. Imagine driving on a road, taking an unexpected turn, and then the road mysteriously goes straight up in the air and makes a few unexpected turns from there. Don't understand that? Neither do I. Neither do I.



In other news, my classes are almost at an end! It's sort of bittersweet. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my friends or doing whatever I please, but I'll miss having access to the studios and whatever else. I would have to say I'm most proud of my figure drawings and jewelry work - I've made a pendant and a belt buckle, and tomorrow I have the opportunity to try to rush to make a ring with a stone in under three hours. I think I can pull it off... or I hope.




And I hate to turn things negatively, but I've been feeling sort of uninspired lately. Maybe it's because I've been waking up late and have literally four minutes to get changed, or maybe it's because I'm surrounded by a different type of people - creative types, city types, etc. - and my self-confidence consequently lowers a small step as I compare myself. I'm not in a rut, but I just don't feel like I'm creative enough, you know?

Hope all is well! xox Catherine