Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Making it work

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Cardigan - Forever 21, dress - vintage, cuff - antique, boots - Deena and Ozzy

I tried to make this dress a little more autumn-appropriate. I wore this yesterday to school, then changed before I went to a friend's house because I thought I might have been taking a walk. I didn't.

I'm so insatiably underwhelmed lately. I have a list of possible culprits in my head, but I don't have the motivation to spell them out on paper. I need to remind myself that making lists does wonders for organizing my thoughts... but alas, nope.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

I'm hoping this weekend will bring a bit of spark. I'm finally visiting my sister at college - there's going to be a flea market this weekend, so we agreed it would be a cool time to go.

And can I note that yet another month has passed and we're going to enter the double-digit months? Yes? Very well then.

xox Catherine

9.24

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Tshirt - borrowed, jewelry - antique, skirt - vintage, shoes - Urban Outfitters

I wore this last Friday, which actually ended up sort of horribly because I couldn't lift my mood. I should clarify: most of the night was awful, but around 12am and on it wasn't terrible. I miss some of my friends!

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

I'm getting really freaked out about applying to colleges. I'm comparing myself to my peers way too much. I just have to keep reminding myself to RELAX, and that I can't change what I've done/haven't done over the past three years... and that I'm not defined by a lousy number. But what proof do I have?

xox Catherine

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Dress - vintage, cuffs - antique, shoes - Aldo

I'm glad to be wearing dresses again, with sandals no less. I'll admit, I'm the worst multitasker ever, but I'm catching a few moments of the new ABC show "My Generation." It seems staged and I can't tell if it's supposed to be reality or not - but I like the concept. But I'm a sucker for anything nostalgic... says the girl who still has months until graduation.

I think I should take a step back from the idea of applying to college and just reevaluate as much as possible while keeping the effectiveness of doing so. I feel that my extracurricular activities are sorely unimpressive, but I'm very passionate about what I am involved in... however, for the most part, my school is uninvolved.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

Anyway, I'm a bit indecisive - it occurred to me that for the past year and a half, I've been writing this blog. I think the amount of time I've put into it has shown dedication, and it definitely shows my creative side. I've spoken at a conference in NYC, I've written for an online magazine - but neither of those feats make much sense without mentioning this little blog of mine.

But it's rather personal - definitely more so than my Facebook profile or anything of the sort. I have only mentioned it to a few people, but they don't seem to "get" it. I can't decide if including my blog as a hobby is worthwhile/if it makes me stand out... but maybe I'm just being negative.

xox Catherine

PS I definitely feel like writing opinionated personal essays. I don't know that they'll show up here, but there's a good chance considering I don't really have a classroom to share them with...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Just exactly like I used to

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Dress - vintage, necklace - thrift, cuff - antique, shoes - Deena and Ozzy

Haven't worn these shoes in a while... shed my cardigan after 9:30am when the weather got a bit warmer. I took a nap promptly after taking these photos, was awoken by my dog and a visiting puppy, and have since eaten an entire bag of edamame.

Classy, right?

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

Hope all is well, xox Catherine

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Today

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Blazer - H&M, necklace - antique, cuff - antique, gray tank - Target, pants - borrowed from my sister, boots - Deena and Ozzy

So, I can't say I was quite as positive today as I was yesterday, but I ended up crashing on a reclining chair in my living room after taking these photos... I was tired. Anyway, I'm finally getting a better idea of how cameras functions, thanks to photography class. I'm pretty excited to shoot with film... I already have a few ideas for locations. And I decided that I want to (somehow) save up for a 50mm f/1.8 lens because it seems pretty awesome.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

My sister remarked she needed to take these pants back to college with her, but they no longer fit properly/they're mine until further notice. Truthfully, I want a straight-leg pair.

The weather is supposed to warm up this week and I'm so glad and I hope I'm not as tired as I was today and I want to keep my positive perspective.

xox Catherine

Monday, September 20, 2010

Not much to say

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Shirt - Olive & Olivia, necklace - thrift, cuff - antique, skirt - H&M, flats - Urban Outfitters

These photos are a little dark, I suppose, but I assure you that I took them as soon as I arrived home from an appointment. Gulp.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia

I haven't really much to write - truthfully, my thoughts are delightfully unorganized right now, so anything I would say would be nonsensical/weird. So I'll refrain because I want to! But I'll just say - I've had a good day. I'm feeling optimistic.

xox Catherine

Saturday, September 18, 2010

So it goes

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Urban Outfitters antique
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Urban Outfitters antique
Cardigan - BDG, necklace - antique, dress - H&M, bracelets - antique, boots - Deena and Ozzy

Wore this to get my senior portraits taken... which was a cringe-worthy awkward experience, involving people in my classes that I never talk to and a few odd staff members. But such is high school, right?

I feel like all I'm wearing lately is in the little bubble of my comfort zone, excluding the maxi dress and 5" zip-up wedges. But frankly, I'm not really in the mood to try anything ground-breaking, you know? Not that it's a bad thing, or a good thing. It's just how it is.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Urban Outfitters antique
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Urban Outfitters antique
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Urban Outfitters antique

Looks like I'm going to go to a Japanese restaurant with my parents for my mom's birthday... and perhaps later I'll go out and about. It's really starting to feel like fall, which has become a tad bit more bittersweet rather than just plain bitter.

Meanwhile, I'm still stressing over the idea of applying to colleges but not taking any actions to prevent said stress. Maybe I could go to the bookstore and flip through some "best colleges of 2011" books. Wouldn't hurt, right? And I still have to get my portfolio together and such is life and so it goes.

xox Catherine

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Untitled

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Operation Ivy H&M Forever 21
Tshirt - random, vest - gift, jeans - H&M, bracelets - antique, wedges - Forever 21

Wearing these shoes again despite the fact that they're uncomfortable... but I think some insoles might enhance them. I kind of seem to have attitude in these photos, which is just hilarious because I tend to be the least intimidating person ever. Yet some people still tell me I am... I'm 5'3" and pretty tiny. I'm rather quiet and I laugh a lot. Not very scary, in my opinion!

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Operation Ivy H&M Forever 21
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Operation Ivy H&M Forever 21
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Operation Ivy H&M Forever 21

I made some pasta with garlic broccoli for my mom and I. Truthfully, I enjoy cooking for people who are receptive, but: some tend to sign off anything I make because of the fact that I'm vegan, and if it's really delicious I want to eat it all myself.

Anyway, I'm finally getting prepared to get prepared to apply to college. Sounds so indirect... but it'll happen sooner than I'd like to admit!

And I have the October issue of Elle sitting on the table next to me. Looks like I'll be able to avoid my homework a little longer...

xox Catherine

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Head in the clouds

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Doc Martens Volcom
Cardigan - H&M, necklace - antique, dress - Volcom, cuff - Amrita Signh, boots - Doc Martens

Pretty sure I've worn this exact outfit before... but I could be mistaken. It was a bit chilly this morning and the college building is freezing, whereas the high school is similar to the outside temperature or far hotter than outdoors. Go figure. Today was picture day, but since I'm a senior the picture is only for ID purposes... but I didn't even have time to get it done.

Clearly, I'm still into the Docs+dress combination, but ideally, I would be able to create outfits in which Docs are everyday, "normal" shoes. Yes, I think they're pretty normal - but I'm getting tired of ensembles where Docs are worn to toughen something up. I doubt that made any sense!

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Doc Martens Volcom
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Doc Martens Volcom
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Doc Martens Volcom

I took a nap, but I'm still tired. Was planning on making pasta with garlic broccoli, but said nap interfered with motivation. Meanwhile, I should begin to consider college applications/finally cut my list in half. I really don't want to apply to more than five schools, but being me, I feel that this is such a high-pressure decision so it has the be the "best," for me of course.

On another note, my skin looks purplish. How silly.

xox Catherine

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A typical Tuesday

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Target Urban Outfitters
Dress (worn as top) - H&M, necklace - made by me, skirt - Target, cuffs - antique, boots - Deena and Ozzy

Today was a 10:30am arrival day - definitely preferable to 8am. I actually slept eight hours! Go me. Regardless, I'm tired now. The day has wiped me out and I can't wait to curl up into bed.

I've had this outfit in my head for months, but it became too warm before I could wear it. Lo and behold, the temperatures are dipping once again, so wearing something with sleeves is appropriate.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Target Urban Outfitters
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia H&M Target Urban Outfitters

Past two days, in photos:
Silhouette Girl style blog
Silhouette Girl style blog
Top: from yesterday... I doodled on the notebook I carried around at Chictopia.10, and I think it'll become a bit of a blog/inspiration/etc. notebook to carry around in my bag.
Bottom: went gallivanting after school with a friend today - he needed to take photos for a class, so I accompanied him on his journey and "modeled" a little bit.

Hope all is well, xox Catherine

Monday, September 13, 2010

Chictopia.10: The Outfit

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Chictopia Chictopia10 Asos vintage Forever 21
Cardigan - vintage, necklace - made by me, dress - Asos, bracelets - antique, ring - made by me, nail polish - Office (American Apparel), bag - Nich boutique, wedges - Forever 21

Jasmine from Transient Withdrawal was kind enough to take these photos for me... in the rain, nonetheless! I met her last February while in NYC, but we didn't have much opportunity to talk. We chatted a bit more this time - she's so cute!

The conference itself was incredible! I was a bundle of nerves in the beginning, since I was speaking on the first panel, but afterward, I was able to relax and enjoy what other tastemakers had to say. Naturally, the crowd was very well-dressed... so many different styles! So many covet-worthy pieces!

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Chictopia Chictopia10 Asos vintage Forever 21

I opted to wear something simple (surprise, surprise) for my day-trip to New York. Look, I'm wearing a maxi dress! I suppose the fact that it's not dragging on the ground makes me look taller, but it's a petite size. But in all seriousness, I felt tall (despite the amount of heels in the room!)

I like to think that normally I appear put together, but by the end of the day, I was a tired mess... my feet were killing, I was toting a dripping umbrella, and my dress was being splattered with rain. However, I threw my Keds on after stopping to purchase a birthday gift for my mom, then headed over to Maoz Vegetarian (seriously, probably the cheapest food in NYC).

I have to admit, I fell in love with the Jeffrey Campbell 99 wedges last fall, but didn't have the money to buy them/the lining is leather. So understandably, I was thrilled upon discovering these at Forever 21... which means I caved. I haven't purchased much from there in a while. However: they hurt. Not blister-inducing, but they put such strain on my feet. Ow.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Chictopia Chictopia10 Asos vintage Forever 21
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Chictopia Chictopia10 Asos vintage Forever 21

I'll be posting more on the conference itself once I obtain more photos - I have a few of my own, but I want my readers to see me speaking! Ha.

xox Catherine

PS I love this nail color.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Home from Chictopia.10

Silhouette Girl style blog Chictopia Chictopia.10 Union Square Ballroom

Dragged myself off the train less than an hour ago... I'm so exhausted. But I had an amazing day in NYC at Chictopia.10 - still can't believe I was invited to speak there! It all feels like a pleasant dream.

More photos to come soon - I've some homework to do!

xox Catherine

PS Thank you to anyone who introduced herself today! I was incredibly flattered to be approached by readers, especially ones who told me they follow my blog religiously! Such a huge compliment.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Still

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Element antique Keds
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Element antique Keds
Top - Asos, necklace - flea market, bracelets - antique, rings - self made/random shop, skirt - Element, sneakers - Keds

I probably would've opted to wear sandals because my school lacks air conditioning, but I was planning on walking from one school to the other. Luckily, halfway there, a friend was able to drive me the rest of the way. And so it began.

Today wasn't too eventful - still just getting into things.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Element antique Keds
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Element antique Keds
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Element antique Keds

Looks like I'm shortly leaving to go to an all-ages club... which I can do because I don't have class tomorrow, and on Thursdays I don't have to wake up until 9:30am anyway! This should be interesting. Hope all is well!
xox Catherine

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Slip inside the eye of your mind, don't you know you might find...

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Urban Outfitters
Dress - Asos, jewelry - mostly antique, handbag - Nich, boots - Deena and Ozzy

It's been too long since my last outfit post, but I've already explained so I'll save the time...

Today was my first day back at high school. I've already started classes at the community college, but of course, there's a huge difference between the environment of the two. My school now feels like a hospital - all "new" walls in the school are painted white. Basically, I have the urge to paint them.

Hopefully between now and January I'll actually learn something about photography - I'm taking a class at school, and I'm looking forward to it. None of my classes seem too dreadful.

Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Urban Outfitters
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Urban Outfitters
Silhouette Girl style blog Philadelphia Asos Urban Outfitters

When I woke up today, I noticed two packages on my table - one containing the textbook I don't need tomorrow (and the other one will get here tomorrow, of course), and one containing five dresses (!) from the giveaway the super-sweet Maggie conducted on her blog, lifesize paperdoll.

So far, so good!

xox Catherine

PS Guess who contributed to the 9th issue of Style Sample magazine... check it out!