2010: A Year in Outfits

Even in June I declared 2010 the best year I've experienced so far - and the subsequent months have proven this statement to be entirely true. I was determined to keep my head up, but I couldn't have anticipated anything that happened... going to New York during both Fashion Weeks, finally doing something about a two-year long secret crush (who has become a very good friend of mine), living freely, and letting my guard down. I rung 2010 in with friends, for the first time in years... the previous two, I had sat alone in my living room listening to music. I rarely mention such personal issues, but I feel that I've come a very long way and I'm finally breaking free from my longtime depression and anxiety that have plagued me since early middle school. Granted, there's still a sour day, but as a whole, this year has been nothing short of amazing. I'm glad to say I've been living my life - happiness, hurt, laughter, and tears.


January: I debuted my soon-to-be-favorite sweater and this body con rose printed dress, paired with my signature leaf necklace (which I've tragically misplaced...) and won a trip to NYC for the Chictopia 10 Conference.

February: A month later, I went to New York and had a blast. This was taken during a break in the conference. The night was followed with dinner at a cool restaurant and an after party at a hotel.


March: On an unseasonably warm March day, I broke out of my comfort zone yet again by wearing this tight dress - under a sweater, no less - and fell in love with spring all over again.

April: This spring was ridiculously nice. There was an appropriate amount of rain, and plenty of warm days to make up for the frigid winter. I showed off my handmade necklace.


May: And for more showing off, here we have a thrown-together outfit with a $1 Moschino skirt. I'm ashamed to say this was the only time I wore it, but my mysterious weight loss continued and I grew even smaller.

June: Ah, the DIY Miu Miu knock-offs I was so proud of... another piece I've only worn once. Summer doesn't really allow for polyester-lined heels that make feet sweaty. Just saying.


July: Sweet, almost-too-hot July... how I miss you. I couldn't tolerate wearing anything remotely fussy, so I threw on this sleeveless dress and my favorite platform sandals. Two days after this, I went to the beach with some friends, went night swimming, and made awesome memories.

August: I wore this in the middle of my trip to Cape May - nothing's better than late-summer pink sunsets. Nothing. Except for the warmth that inevitably accompanies it!... even if I did have to put on a sweater a little later.


September: Ah, the day I went to New York by myself to speak at the Chictopia.10 conference - during which I was numbingly nervous, but it was an experience I couldn't have dreamed of last year.

October: One of the last days I wore bare legs... I've worn this outfit three times this year, and I still think it's one of my favorite combinations I've put together.


November: I wore this after my weekend trip to Rhode Island - it might appear sunny and perhaps a bit windy, but don't be fooled. It was cold.

December: Merely a few days ago, I've been waiting to finalize this post until I could decide upon my favorite outfit of this month. I've only worn this dress twice, but I love it so. Can we note that my hair has changed minimally throughout the year? Bravo for signature hairstyles. Unless, of course, I want change...

I have no idea what 2011 holds. Until June, I am a high school student - then by late summer, I'll be going off to school in an undetermined place. It's scary to think that I don't know where I'm going, but I need to remind myself that nothing happens overnight - it's all a gradual process, and if anything like past experiences, everything falls into place. Even if it's in a chaotic and awkward sort of way.

So here's goodbye to a year of growth and love, and hello to a year of mystery.

xox Catherine

Do you still walk the streets at night with the wanderlust you fight?

Coat - Modcloth, sweater - H&M, dress - vintage, necklace - thrifted, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Spring

I decided to pull myself out of my days-long slump characterized by self-induced cabin fever... so the first step was dressing up and letting everything else follow. I was browsing online to price compare, and ended up going on an excursion to get a new lens! 50mm f/1.8, this baby is going to be a very good friend of mine.

Naturally, I purchased it only after I took these photos, and once it grew too dark. And my mom and I ate delicious Japanese food on a detour to our house - I've never had udon noodles before, but they are so good! I've been missing out, it seems.





I can't report on much else. I'm cutting super close to the deadline for college applications, but I'll manage just as I always do.

I have been listening to music lately, so here's what's on my playlist:
1. With a Girl Like You - the Troggs
2. Wanderlust - Flogging Molly
3. Ne Me Quitte Pas - Regina Spektor
4. Here Comes Your Man - Pixies
5. I'll Be Your Mirror - the Velvet Underground
6. Do-Wah-Doo - Kate Nash
7. Relator - Peter Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

What are you listening to?

xox Catherine

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Cardigan - sister's, dress - Asos, jewelry - selfmade/antique/gift, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Spring

So, it's Christmas day and I'm currently anticipating the arrival of a few friends for some post-Christmas-dinner fun. I've had a decent week - ups, downs, extreme disappointments, but all has turned out well. And I feel more awake and alert than I have in the past... month? Yeah.

I'm wearing two gifts from my aunt - a beautiful bracelet she purchased in Saudi Arabia and boots that I posted on here a while back! I love jewelry with some weight to it with interesting details, and how cool is it that it's from half way around the world?! And I think it's so thoughtful that she bought these after seeing them on here.





All in all, this Christmas season has been a success. I still have IOUs in place for a few people, but everything is on track. The cookies I made (in a giant pot since I had no mixing bowl large enough) are a hit and I've been pleasantly surprised in a heartwarming way more than once. Even if I'm not a fan of the weather and such, there's just a certain care that people exude when dealing with loved ones. I'm glad that I spent this holiday with many people who are so close to my heart.

xox Catherine

Not afraid to tell 'em like it is, not afraid to be the badass in this.

Jewelry - antique, top - Madewell, dress (worn as skirt) - Asos, boots - Urban Outfitters

My plans for the night fell through, and I'm pretty bitter since I've found a way to avoid sitting at school in the morning for an hour and a half. So I'm listening to ska and wondering why I'm not in my room jumping on my bed singing along. I tend to do that... it's impossible to stay sad while dancing like a maniac.




It's been too long since I've worn this dress, and I just bought this top last weekend on my mall excursion. I'm still clueless as to what to get my siblings, and I'm sure there's someone I'm forgetting... and my plan for my mom's gift was tragically ruined once I accidentally exposed my film. And now I'm all out of photo paper.




This past week has ranged from mediocre to plain bad - luckily, today was neutral. I really need to get healthy again. I've been so run down lately and susceptible to any cold. Ah, winter, how I hate you.

xox Catherine

Simple things

Sweater - sister's, skirt - Target, tights - Vera Wang for Kohl's, bracelets - antique, boots - Deena and Ozzy

I snagged this top from my sister's closet this morning... I had something in mind, but it didn't work out so I pulled out these tights I've never worn. I was pleased to discover they have vertical stripes, which I thought made my legs look long.

Today was frustratingly unsuccessful for the most part. I walked around school way too much for my own good, was stuck there until 5pm without transportation, etc. But I did have the opportunity to work on one Christmas gift... and I'm more optimistic about it than I have been! I also managed to crank out a few prints for a friend. I don't know what else to get him, I'm sort of terrible at gift giving.





My best friend got her license today so she picked me up from school (for which I referred to her as a gold star for the rest of the night), we stopped at a coffee shop for warm beverages, then headed to get some stocking stuffers.

Hope all is well,
xox Catherine

Standing on the corner, suitcase in my hand.

Cardigan - H&M, jewelry - antique, top - Kimchi Blue, skirt - Lulus, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Deena and Ozzy

I've been listening to a few songs by the Velvet Underground on repeat lately. I probably would've posted sooner if I didn't feel sick this past weekend. But here I am on this cold Monday evening.

I've been accepted on Teen Vogue's Fashion Click. It's sort of a collection of awesome blogs... so my posts will be up there as well.




I don't really have much to say, for once.

Hope all is well, xox Catherine

Not Monday

Cardigan - Forever 21, dress - Volcom, belt - flea market, tights - Target, jewelry - antique, boots - Dr. Martens



I can't get enough of these boots. Today feels like Monday which is messing with my mind - I go in late on Tuesdays, so it's alright for me to stay up late doing nothing. Lo and behold, it's not Monday. I'm going to be getting my hair done next Monday, which isn't soon enough for me... but I suppose it's best that I get my college class work and college applications done.

This dress looks short, but I didn't feel like changing. By no means do I dress modestly, but I always feel awkward wearing anything too short/tight/see through/etc. especially to school. Understandable, no?





Hope all is well! xox Catherine

12.3.10

Cardigan - BDG, tshirt - Wildfox, cuff - my grandmom's, jeans - H&M, boots - Dr. Martens

So, I wore this for the conclusion of wearing my new Docs all week. Maybe I'm the only person that does this... but so far, they're approximately $18 per wear. Yeah, I'm going to get my money's worth with these.

My lovely sister was kind enough to take these photos for me - on her birthday! She's nineteen now. We were originally going to go to the mall so she could pick something out, but then something else came up, and that ended up failing with a bit of teenage girl drama. And I'm not one to engage in drama.





I'm excited to (hopefully!) get a new lens for Christmas. Yesterday my friend taught me how to enlarge negatives, and surprisingly one print came out fairly well. I left it soaking though, otherwise I would have scanned it.

I'm trying to take a more DIY approach to gifts this year - normally I'm one to avoid taking much pride in my art work, but I have a few ideas that I'm sure will mean more than another scented candle.

What are you planning on getting your loved ones for the holidays?

xox Catherine

PS 177 followers?! Expect a giveaway once I hit 200 :)

12.2.10

Shirt - Olive and Olivia, necklace - my mom's, skirt - Forever 21, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Dr. Martens

Wore this on Thursday to school and ceramics club. The pieces that I'm working on are coming along, but not fast enough for the holidays! I'm getting pretty anxious about everything - my English paper I didn't complete that was due yesterday (but class was canceled so I have another shot!), college applications, Christmas gifts, etc. I cannot wait for December 23 - most of the factors influencing my stress will be over with. Also, my friend's having a Festivus party, and I haven't seen quite a few friends in a while.




Hope all is well, xox Catherine

Now it's Decemeber

Cardigan - H&M, necklace - my mom, tshirt - Target, jeans - Delia's, boots - Dr. Martens

...maybe I just needed to prove I can't stop wearing these boots? My fingers were numb when I took these photos and they're numb now. I'm tired and tomorrow I have to write a paper... and I have an art project I should have completed eons ago. Have I ever mentioned I procrastinate? I'm really good at it, too.





xox Catherine

Now, then

Tshirt - Forever 21, jewelry - antique, skirt - vintage, leggings - Forever 21, boots - Dr. Martens

It's been a while since my last indoor photos... let's see if I can optimize the space I have to the best of my ability. I'm in the process of editing handwritten headings for the blog - hopefully you'll see a new theme by the end of the week! I know, I know - I say it every post - I've been a terrible blogger, but I've been slowly gaining back my inspiration. Let's see if I can post everyday this week?! I feel that anything innovative is out of the question, but there's nothing wrong with wearing a pair of heels and a comfy skirt.




I found myself mesmerized this morning by National Geographic photography. I really want to visit an art gallery/museum/exhibit... ideally, I'd be able to get to the Barnes Foundation, but that's seeming unfortunately unlikely.

xox Catherine

PS I credit my resurgence of visual inspiration to an interior design blog, desire to inspire.