Afternoon in Hampstead

Coat - Calvin Klein, necklace - thrifted, sweater - H&M, purse - Lulu's, skirt - Zara, tights - Hue, shoes - Marais USA

I spent Saturday afternoon wandering through my old haunts in Islington (Indian Veg Buffet! All you can eat for £5!) and visited my former flat. I sat in the park behind the building for about twenty minutes while eating sweets I had purchased at the adjacent Co-Op store... some things never change, and that no time seemed to had passed was entirely surreal.



After my brief excursion into East London, I returned to Hampstead where we perused a few charity shops, walked through the quaint streets oohing-and-ahhing at the magnificent homes with their adorable gardens, wandered through the high street in pursuit of dinner, and stumbled upon the cutest pastries and sweets in shop windows.



To some extent, being in London reminded me of the loneliness I frequently felt while living there a year and a half ago - time flies, right? Eating at my favorite buffet alone, hurrying to Somerset House to catch a show or two. Sitting behind my flat, remembering writing there while elderly women walked by with bags from Sainsbury's in hand.

But it was also quite different; instead of feeling jaded as I had towards the end of the term, I felt giddy to be exploring the city again. London is mammoth and I feel like regardless of how much time I ever spend there I will never truly know it fully, but instead of letting that deter me, it was actually quite exciting this time around. I was pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant where my family and I had celebrated Thanksgiving (Spice Market) while strolling through Soho at night. I felt happy and proud to be walking along the embankment without the need for maps or direction. I saw tourists, arms stretched out and cameras in hand, experiencing the city for the first time.

London didn't feel as dark and gloomy as it had when I left exactly fourteen months ago. It felt fresh and new. I loved it.

xox Catherine

Kelvingrove Park

Coat - Calvin Klein, sweater - H&M, necklace - thrifted, skirt - Zara, ring - made by me, tights - Primark, shoes - Dolce Vita, purse - Lulu's

I wore this on Friday to class and a stroll through the park with my friend Alix. I had fallen into a jeans+sweater rut, so I bought these tights from Primark and they're surprisingly wonderful. I tend to loathe Primark, but decided to go in for whatever reason and found these cozy fleece-lined tights (and a jumper which I ended up returning promptly).




The sweater and skirt are also new... I only desire to wear neutral colors lately, which I guess isn't entirely uncharacteristic. And I promised I'd debut my silver-cast ring on here - voila! I'm hoping I'll have the opportunity to make another piece using casting while I'm here in Scotland.




Hope all is well!

xox Catherine

Last of the US of A

Coat - Calvin Klein, sweater - H&M, skirt - Lulu's, purse, Lulu's, leggings - Hue, boots - Urban Outfitters

It's been entirely too long. These photos are from Christmas day, so over a month ago. Oops. Time has escaped me once again, but I have an excuse this time: eight days after I wore this, I left the country. I'm in Scotland! Shouldn't be news (especially to anyone who follows me on Twitter and such) but here I am. I've yet to take any outfit photos here, but hopefully I'll get a few snapshots sometime when it's not 1. freezing/windy or 2. rainy. So, good luck to me there, eh?



Things are going fairly well here so far, with the usual ups and downs that will occur during any set of four weeks regardless of geographic location. I've been in the studio during the better half of the past two weeks, currently working on a silversmithing project that involves raising and forging. I've learned quite a bit already! But, if I'm honest, I really just can't wait to get started with wearable work again. Realized I never posted a photo of the ring I made for my final project last semester... which just shows how little I've been blogging since I barely take it off. I also have yet to get proper photos of the Mackintosh building or anything else in Glasgow, really. Oops.

xox Catherine

You're so nice and you're so smart

Jacket - Urban Outfitters, sweater - TJ Maxx, brooch - made by me, skirt - Urban Outfitters, boots - Dolce Vita

And yet again I've unintentionally taken a break from blogging. School has been kicking my ass, and a few situations at home have turned very sour and have left me a bit upset and in an overall glum mood. I figure I'll be able to put that all aside once I leave for Scotland... in just twenty three days! It's totally overwhelming but just the thought of starting the new year - symbolically a fresh start, I suppose - in a different city and country seems like what I need.




On a more positive note, I made the brooch I'm wearing! It's two pieces of copper riveted together with a paint chip I've doodled on laid inside, then with resin poured over. I made a few similar pieces as well - two pendants and another brooch. For a while I was questioning whether I wanted to continue with jewelry as my concentration, but I've become more comfortable with it. I recently tried lost wax casting for the first time, and I'm very pleased with the result. It's a sterling silver ring - I'll post photos at some point, I promise.

Where does this time keep going?

xox Catherine

Rainy

Blazer - Urban Outfitters, necklace - thrifted, sweater - 3.1 Phillip Lim, cuff - antique, ring - self made, jeans - Madewell, shoes - Rachel Comey

This week somehow wasn't as bad as its predecessors; I suppose having classes cancelled three out of five days helped ease my anxieties about coursework, and I learned I've been accepted to study abroad in Scotland next semester! Which is such a huge relief, especially since it's something that caused seemingly infinite stress just two weeks ago.

Since I'm incredibly sentimental, the prospect of leaving the country (again) inspires me to reflect upon my experiences here over the past year that I've been home. I suppose it's been dull compared to my first set of European adventures, but I've made some important decisions and stuck to them. So, that's good. I think I'm ready to head off again.




Life works out in funny ways.

xox Catherine

Late October

Necklace - thrifted, sweater - TJ Maxx, purse - Lulu's, jeans - Madewell, shoes - Marais USA

I think this is the longest break I've taken from blogging since I've started - and I'll add that it's entirely unintentional. To summarize the past two months of my life in just a few words: I moved into an apartment, I've been incredibly busy with school, managing my coursework with my part-time job, a few awful events have occurred, my trial of Photoshop has expired, and so on. To illustrate that I've been busy/unmotivated to blog, I'll mention that these photos are from 2.5 weeks ago, and I have another set of photos from early September.




It's crazy how's time flying and it's already a month into autumn. Midterms week has passed, so I'm hoping the stress will temporarily halt. This semester is truly terrible, so far. Over the past two years I've questioned my dedication to and passion for art, and it's only worsening as of late. I'm not one for autumn, but maybe this crisp weather and infinite amounts of tea and baking will make everything better. I can hope, right?

xox Catherine

Off to NYC

Tshirt - C&C California, necklace - from Mindfulnest in Venice, dress (worn as skirt) - Target, shoes - Rachel Comey

I wore a variation of this the other day to go to a hookah lounge with some friends - I ended up ditching the heels and wearing a different white skirt, but the sun had set long before I could take photos of that outfit. Oh well.




I'm heading off to NYC this morning for a late-summer mini-vacation. Hoping to get in some sightseeing, shopping, and meeting up with a blogger friend! I have just a little more than a week left of summer. It's entirely bittersweet.

Hope all is well!

xox Catherine

Saccharine Sweetness

Shirt - Asos, necklace - thrifted, skirt - Forever 21, shoes - We Who See

I wore this on Monday for a brief excursion to the market to pick up some stuff to make japchae/chapchae? I'm not sure how to spell it properly. I was just in the mood to get dressed and wear something I hadn't worn in a while (this shirt). It ended up feeling a little too twee... these shoes are rather feminine, and this shade of purple? blue? isn't exactly bad ass when paired with such. I'm on a quest to find myself again. I feel like my style has become a diluted version of its former self, for which I haven't quite found a solution other than shopping. I'm determined to save my money/not buy so much, but I end up spending it on things like food and a new phone.




So, an entirely different subject: I'm a bit perturbed with Independent Fashion Bloggers' recent scandal. In case you missed it, here's a recap: IFB contributor Taylor Davies wrote an article that touched upon the lack of successful, high quality blogs written by women who aren't skinny. To quote:

"In order for a more holistic image of fashionable women to permeate the top tier of blogging as well as traditional fashion media, there needs to be a serious commitment to higher-quality content. Plain and simple – there aren’t enough insanely good blogs that are run by these types of women."

Taylor subsequently apologized, but what really irked me was the open letter response from IFB's founder Jennine Jacob. It was entirely dismissive, defensive, and even a tad elitist. I've always imagined IFB as a community that values input from its members, but going on to argue that any opposition is "bullying" is immature and unprofessional. Several people commented on the original post about the lack of the "other" in IFB's posts highlighting professional bloggers, and Jennine simply said the author never said the word "other." But it doesn't have to be explicitly stated; it's a sociological concept that is used to justify the majority's inequality against those who are different (the "other") - in this case, not thin, blonde, white.



I'm mostly just rambling, but I no longer feel comfortable supporting IFB. To echo the commenters, criticism isn't bullying. Arguing isn't bad. The fashion blogging community skews toward adoration and compliments instead of any sort of criticism. Even something as simple as "I'm not crazy about that dress you're wearing" will often be deemed unwarranted. But isn't the whole point of personal style blogging to keep it personal?

Just my two cents.

xox Catherine

Not Just Black and White

Necklace - thrifted, shirt - Madewell, skirt - H&M, shoes - Bakers

I'm in need of some new jewelry... not need, obviously, but craving. One perk of going back to school is having metals and ceramics courses this semester; it's been so long since I've worked with either (2 years and 1.25 years, respectively) and I'm a bit too excited to return to my preferred mediums. In the meantime, though, I've been scouring Etsy for electroformed pieces with druzy-type minerals. I'm into organically designed jewelry more than usual; sometimes I drool over bright, costume pieces or anything silver plated, but I'm definitely feeling something more subtle, gold and natural for this fall.




By the time this is published, I'll probably be at the beach absorbing sun and frolicking in the ocean. Most beaches on the Jersey shoreline are crowded with tourists their fluorescent umbrellas, but it's incredibly calming to be sitting along the water listening to music or reading a book... ignoring the children who have no problem splashing whomever, of course. I seem to have painted a picture of my summer that's entirely lackluster, and while that's not entirely untrue, it just isn't the full story. I've hit several rough patches with my significant other of two years (on and off) and it has me pretty upset. I do mention tidbits of my personal life on here, but I try to stray away from anything too involved or detailed. It's the internet, after all, and despite my online presence I am generally very reserved, especially when it comes to sharing my most personal matters.

On a similar note, I always wonder how accurately my own written words portray my personality and life. It's surprisingly easy to write that everything is always quite peachy, but of course, that isn't always the case for anyone. I also look pretty serious in some of my photos, but I'm usually very silly when I'm around close friends. Conversely, I'm often told I talk/dress in a decidedly proper manner, to which I refute: stoned librarian. It's my alter ego, if I must have one, but my style inspiration regardless. It's late and I'm rambling.

xox Catherine

Chevron and Striped

Dress - ASOS, cuffs - antique/thrifted, sandals - Bakers

Today I went into Bucks County with my aunt to visit the Michener Museum - an art museum in Doylestown featuring a nice collection of works by several local artists - and the nearby Peddler's Village. I was impressed with the museum; I especially liked seeing some of George Nakashima's original work and James Auth's political cartoons. Afterwards, we ate at an Indian restaurant called Cross Culture, which was somehow my first time eating Indian food since returning to the States... it was quite delicious and filling (but not heavy).




My sister told me I'd love Peddler's Village, but I was actually a bit underwhelmed. There were a few nice shops and the "village" itself was so charmingly beautiful - and peaceful! - but overall the vibe was a little too Martha-Stewart-country-home for my tastes. I did walk away with some delicious jasmine incense, though, and I'm now regretting my decision to not buy an amethyst pendant from the same shop... eh, it happens.

I have very few complaints about life as of lately, which is nice. Last Thursday I ended up having what I proclaimed to be "the best night of summer so far" at 6am or so following a walk (during which I frolicked and cartwheeled) around my neighborhood. I saw friends I hadn't spent time with since last year, and it was good to catch up and reminisce and whatever else. I've no plans for this week aside from a double shift at work tomorrow and the morning shift on Sunday. I'm hoping to have fun.

xox Catherine

Those dreams weren't as daft as they seem

Shirt - H&M, skirt - vintage, purse - bracelets - mostly antique, shoes - Rachel Comey

My posts have become even more sporadic, and I just wish I could say it's because I've been out so much doing so many fun things. I have, but not enough to reduce my time to blog. I went to the beach with my brother, sister, and her boyfriend and forgot to reapply sunscreen after swimming in the ocean. Can I just say swimming - not just wading - in the ocean is a good work out? Yeah. I also ended up a little less pale than usual, so any evident difference in my skin tone is not just imaginary.




I have only a little more than a month left of summer, which is such a bummer, for lack of a better word. I'm definitely excited to see my friends back at school, but I know I'm going to get my ass kicked academically since I'm taking four studio courses and two other classes. I always have this idea that summer is such a whirlwind of fun and adventures and spontaneity, and sometimes it is. But it hasn't been, for the most part, and I just have my fingers crossed that everything will look up and that I won't mope around quite so much. I've been letting anything and everything get me down, and that's not good.

xox Catherine

P.S. HOW GOOD IS THIS SEASON OF TRUE BLOOD?! Seriously.

Pastel Shades

Dress - ASOS (similar here), bracelets - thrifted/antique, shoes - Aldo, nail polish - Sally Hansen "Coral Reef" and "White On"

I've been bored and have taken a sudden interest in painting my nails... mainly trying to perfect an ombre technique. This is attempt number two. Expect to see three and four sometime soon? My friend/hairstylist Lauren did my hair the other night; it's a bit shorter than what I was hoping for, but I love it regardless. It's so soft and actually has shape again. I think I have a goal hairstyle for whenever my hair is long enough, but it could take a few months.




I really like how the detail shots came out this time around; I downloaded a few curves from Julia Trotti and am quite pleased with the results. I know I always say it, but I want to improve my self-portrait photography skills. I might invest in a larger tripod instead of using a Gorrilapod with a stool, and a remote would seem to be a handy addition.




Not much has been going on in my life - I worked a double on Wednesday, ran into a friend I haven't seen in ages last night, and caught up with another friend over lunch this afternoon. I'm very sentimental and tend to see the past through rose-tinted glasses, but it's always nice to discuss the present while reminiscing over distant memories.

xox Catherine