What I've Been Up To: eBay Shoe Shopping Spree, Summer Cooking, and Nokia N8

Well, as this post title implies, I've been up to everything except blogging. Kidding. I've actually been lounging around way too much, sleeping non-stop, etc. But of course I squeezed in some time for shoe shopping and cooking.

Stella McCartney has been one of my favorite designers for quite some time, and I've been dying to get my hands, er, feet, on a pair of her shoes since then. She doesn't use fur or leather, and I'm uncomfortable buying leather unless it's pre-worn or sustainably made. And shall I mention her stellar designs? My go-to flat sandal are falling apart, so I decided it was time for a new pair. At $50, I'd say I did well!





And then there's the See by Chloe's, which is slightly ironic since McCartney used to design for Chloe. Must say something about my tastes! There's a chip on one of the sandals, and they were going for $100 but I made an offer for $50. And voila. My first pair of wedge sandals, which is weird since I have so many damn shoes, it seems.




And now for... a recent summery food concoction! Yellow squash and zucchini with angel hair pasta - I based this off a recipe from People, of all publications, but it's super easy that it barely needs a recipe. But since it's so delicious, I'll share!





Ingredients:
1 small/medium yellow squash
1 small/medium zucchini
1/5 box of spaghetti, angel hair, or whatever type of pasta
olive oil
1/2 tablespoon fresh chopped mint
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
bread crumbs, optional

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and put vegetables on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and use salt and pepper. Bake for 7 minutes, stir, then another 6 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a saute pan, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil on medium-low heat, then add garlic. Cook until fragrant. Add the vegetables and mint, cook for a few minutes. Set to low heat.

Cook the pasta using directions on box, and when ready, drain and reserve 1/4 cup of the water. Add pasta to the pan, and add water. Cook until it begins to simmer.

Add bread crumbs if desired, and eat!

It's easy and perfect for summer - I used a zucchini from my neighbor, and mint from my parent's garden! Hopefully once our zucchinis come up I can make this more often!

And coming up soon on the blog...




A review of the Nokia N8! I've still yet to take a few more photos, but expect it soon!

xox Catherine

PS A spontaneous beach trip for the evening = probably postponed Weekly Favorites. Whoops.

Just Winter

Cardigan - BDG, sweater - vintage, skirt - Cooperative, leggings - Forever 21, jewelry - antique/gift, boots - Spring

I'm not really having a good hair day... guess I decided I wouldn't care so much since I'd be getting it done this afternoon. Of course, by the time it's finished, it'll be pitch black out, so perhaps tomorrow?

This is the first time I'm taking blog photos with my new lens. It wasn't exactly warm out (though mild in terms of our usual weather), so I didn't really fancy running back and forth. I looked down to discover my shoes were caked with mud. I'd prefer if it were warm and dry.



I've been rather lazy lately - not much to talk about. However, I did submit applications to two more schools, bringing the total to six. I have another to finish tomorrow, then just one more! Ah, such a process.

Also, I've changed my header! As always, it's handwritten. What do you think?

xox Catherine

PS I'm almost at 200 followers... I'm thinking a giveaway is in order, but I can't think of anything just yet. Decisions, decisions!

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

Wednesday

Jacket - Urban Outfitters, cardigan - Forever 21, tshirt - Interpunk, jeans - Delia's, purse - Nich, boots - Doc Martens

Nothing says Americana like a pair of Thailand-made Dr. Martens, right? I wore this the day before Thanksgiving. It's a tradition that my siblings and I go to my aunt's house the night before to watch a movie or two, set up for dinner, etc. We missed the showing of the movie we wanted to see, so we went back and made food even though dinner was at my house this year. And then we watched Love Actually, which is one feel-good movie I'm not afraid to admit I adore.




I was planning on dressing up for dinner, but I woke up late and that left me disoriented. So it goes. I bought "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" by Sloane Crosley after reading her essays during a canceled class. I haven't started yet, but I'll be sure to let you know how it is.

Thanks for hanging in there with me - I've been so stressed and it's been taking its toll.

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

Recent Purchases - 7.25.10

I don't believe I mentioned that I'd be going to a flea market this past weekend, but I did, and made out pretty well! I would've done more damage if my friends didn't want to leave. But in all honesty, it was ridiculously hot and pretty unbearable! I'm particularly pleased with the pretty-but-still-a-little-badass tank and the clunky Maryjane Doc Martens.

We got caught in the rain after stopping at Urban Outfitters...




So, I guess I'll give you a rundown of the prices I paid for these items, since I'm rather proud about how "well" I did.
Anna Sui tank - $1
Doc Martens - $10
Necklace - $3
Sandals - $10
Skirt - $10
...totaling at $34.

Again, I apologize for my lack of posts. I'm actually taking a day off from school since a few events from last night have left me feeling emotionally unstable. So don't expect an outfit post today. And I have to keep telling myself: I'm fine, it'll all blow over, it's for the better, but it's just hard because it's now. I guess the biggest drawback to learning to live in the present means feeling affected when stuff like this happens rather than trying to forget about it by providing myself the privilege of hoping too much for the future.

But I hold true to what I've been saying - this year remains the best year I've experienced yet. I wouldn't say I'm quite ready to take this as a learning opportunity just yet, but I'm hoping I'll look back in the future - remembering fondness as well as what I don't deserve. Because in the end, I feel there's nothing else to do. It might sound a little pessimistic, but if I'm able to keep the good memories I garnered with me, I'll be content. And you know what else? Happy.

Hope all is well for my lovely readers,
xox Catherine

PS I've reached 130 followers! And I don't think I can thank any one of you enough. But I'll just say it simply - thanks.

Airpopped

Cardigan - H&M, tshirt - American Apparel, skirt - Target, tights - American Eagle, booties - Deena and Ozzy

So in love with my new shoes. Minimal pain, they're wedges (I've been wanting a pair for so long!), and I have a ton of ideas for spring. I think I'm really going to try to embrace lace.

Today was a typical Monday - not too bad, but nothing special. I'm currently scarfing down crunchy granola bars. They're so good, and they taste like ginger snaps but less autumn-y. And now I'm making popcorn by an air popper - it's almost funny.

I really cannot wait until the weather's nice and I can resume taking photos outside... but my best spot has been destroyed, by snow of course. So I'll have to find a new spot!

Hope you're all well - xox Catherine

New

My new wedges... from Urban Outfitters. Yes, it's where I get virtually all of my heels - but the quality is usually decent, I like the styles, some shoes aren't leather, and the prices aren't awful.

I can't wait to wear these with pretty spring dresses.

Well I Still Love to...

Been wearin' 'em since I got home and saw a package arrived for me. Still overpriced, but they're great. I'm ignoring the comments ("are those really yours?" from my mom) and just letting it go. I'm far too occupied with my own stuff to worry about what anyone else thinks.

On another note, I think I'm going to make a ton of cookie dough so I can bake some cookies later. xox Catherine

I just...

Ordered these:


From Spanish Moss Vintage. A pretty hefty price tag for a pair of beaten up DMs (came to $71.33 altogether), but there's no way I could buy new ones and I need some boots I can do stuff in without worrying about damaging them. I know they're on their way out of being in style probably, but they seem quite practical for me at the time being. So there.

A Preview.

A few of my latest purchases.


Deena and Ozzy heels, Urban Outfitters.


Urban Vibe necklace, Wet Seal.


Bag, Aldo.

I'm quite content. Clearly, I'm feeling studs for this fall.

My other new additions to my wardrobe include two pairs of jeans, a plain navy tshirt, and a belt. Oh, and I've formed a new addiction - rose salve. It smells amazing and makes my lips so soft.

I really hope I'll be able to sit down and just catch up sometime soon. Until then,
xox Catherine.

Arrival of the shoes.

Tank tops - Target and Old Navy (, jeans - Delia's, shoes - Modcloth, jewelry - various

(...and I'll identify the bag sitting there, it was a freebie at Bath and Body Works and I've kept it in my locker all year. My school stuff is still in there)

And before I continue, a closeup of my new shoes:


I've been in a constant good mood lately. I'm hopeful. It's really nice for a change. Instead of moping around I've been doing... well, I'm doing my best to live my life. And these shoes didn't stop me from doing anything today! I went to see the Proposal with my friend, and it was actually very good. Some parts made me laugh hysterically and others made me cry.

Anyway, I'll just leave it at that. Hoping you're all well xox Catherine

Edit: I've walked a little bit earlier, and I took a walk around my neighborhood while wearing these shoes. They're barely uncomfortable, especially for being new heels.

Soon to be...

mine: the shoes from the previous post, the woven ones. I know they're trendy, but there's something about them I absolutely love. I don't care that people I've asked personally have told me they don't like them - these are for me. I guess that's how I'll justify this spending also referred to as retail therapy...

xox Catherine

PS The other day I bought this sweater:


It's from Urban and usually I don't buy things from there due to the high prices. But I somehow couldn't resist the $19 price drop.

PPS I'm laughing a little bit right now because somehow the language on Tinypic has been changed.

100.

I couldn't resist giving a preview of my fabulous flea market dress. I really need a strapless bra, I have two strapless dresses I love but have yet to wear.

I was expecting this to be an upbeat post, but I'm going to lead it in a negative direction... some things just don't seem important when you look around yourself. I'm not going to go in depth with this, but I hope the best for everyone and everything. RIP :(

xox Catherine