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

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport..."

Coat - ModCloth, top - Monki, skirt - Monki, leggings - Forever 21, shoes - Topshop

These were taken last Monday... I'm feeling a bit under the weather now. I wore this to the airport to meet my friends and family! The reunion was so nice; I didn't expect they would already be waiting by the time I arrived, but I spotted the group and my brother saw me. My friend Lauren ran to hug me, then I dashed over to the rest of the group, almost slipping on the airport's smooth floor.




I do enjoy London in many ways, but the visit made me realize how excited I am to return home, especially in time for the holidays. Seeing these people makes me want nothing more than to be in my house, cuddled beneath a blanket with my cat on my lap, eating edamame and watching a movie with my sister. It is bittersweet that I will be in the air twenty one days from now, en route to Philadelphia... but it's becoming increasingly sweeter.

My aunt and my friend Christian (who took these photos) are still in town, so I shall spend time with them over the next two days. It's nice having companions in London, which can often feel quite impersonal.

xox Catherine

Life, lately

Sweater - Urban Outfitters, top - Anthropologie, jeans - Madewell, bag - Melie Bianco, shoes - Topshop

I realized it's been nearly three weeks since my last outfit post - where does the time go? I suppose all my blogging efforts had been dedicated to the coverage of LFW. It was a little more stressful than I had anticipated - not the events themselves, but editing, refining, and posting content. I'm glad my first fashion week was international, and I do think I'll try for NYFW next season if my schedule allows.

This photo was taken last Tuesday by my friend Jeremy. Truthfully, I've been having quite a difficult time actually securing friends. I'm quite introverted and reserved, and my homesickness has affected my mood. It's a cycle I know must end, but being in a foreign city with no close companion is just plain intimidating.

Here's to looking up.

xox Catherine

London: Part One of very many

Not a week has passed since I arrived in London, but it feels like I've been here for so much longer. Perhaps it's because I've been rushing around, essentially nonstop, over the past few days. This weekend has provided me some downtime to sleep in, and explore without any agenda. I headed to Camden Market with a few flatmates, stumbled upon a vegan cafe called inSpiral, lost the group, and took the tube to Oxford Street just as shops were closing for the evening.

Aside from constant occupation, my mind has been in a different place as well - home. So many sights and sounds remind me of someone, something from home. I saw a girl with hair similar to my friend Tracey's in a store today, so I became excited until it clicked that it was not her.

I will not lie - I am homesick. Being in a huge city with no true friends is tough. Instead of mingling with flatmates at night, I've been either curled up in my bed or on Skype with my mom or sister.

I know this feeling will lessen during the upcoming weeks, as I meet more people, become better acquainted with the city, and start classes.

I obviously have not done an outfit post in some time, partially due to stress and partially due to a lack of tripod/person-free place to go or someone to take photos. I haven't really taken my camera out much yet, but I expect to tomorrow post-farmers' market browsing.

I hope all is well in your lives, and that your summer is ending on a good note.

xox Catherine

PS Sorting through 850+ posts on my feed is no easy task, but I am confident that the Weekly Favorites feature will return tomorrow.

That Suburban Feeling

Necklace - antique, top - H&M, bracelet - gift, skirt - vintage, shoes - Urban Outfitters

Everything I've been doing lately feels so suburban. Of course, that makes sense, since I live in a suburban town and do typical suburban things, but it almost feels like a dream. Maybe it's that I'm slowly coming to the realization that I will be moving thousands of miles away this fall, but my life as of late has felt like something out of a coming-of-age-but-not-exclusive-to-teens drama. The kind where they film outside on a summer night and the grass is a shade of nighttime grass green.




I wore this yesterday to a friend's barbecue get-together. Sparklers, food and drink, frolicking in the grass... even though I'm having fun it's almost panic inducing once I drag myself up the stairs into the comfort of my bedroom. It's weird. Not entirely atypical, though.




Tomorrow's the fourth of July, and I have no idea where my summer's going. But compared to last year, this was the point when things just started to become fun and spontaneous and whatever else summer is stereotypically.

I hope all is well! In the event that I don't post tomorrow, happy 4th!

xox Catherine

What I've Been Up To

So, it may seem that I've been MIA these past few weeks... it's been, what, two weeks since I've posted an outfit? Truth be told, I haven't really been dressed in anything besides a tshirt and cutoffs, if that. Most days I've just been lounging in a tank and pj shorts.

Life has been a little crazy, as usual, and I'm dealing with some personal issues at the moment. Sometimes it's really difficult to detach myself from a situation - I can't be too involved in others' problems too much, or this happens. And that's just not fair to me, regardless of whom I want to help. I need to remind myself to protect myself before trying to assist others.

I just caught up on blog reading, and loaded up my Tumblr queue. I'm contemplating a few purchases (many items from the ASOS summer sale, a suitcase at Ruelala and a skirt at Ideeli...) but I'm experiencing typical indecisiveness. If anything, I should probably go for the suitcase, but I could probably find a normal looking one for cheaper. I've never owned a "regular" suitcase, now that I think of it... it's always been polka dots, animal prints, and bright colors.

Lucky me, I've won giveaways at What I Wore and LIVE GLAM OR DIE.

I hope all is well, and I may go on a city date tomorrow which would mean an outfit post, finally!

(P.S. I have been writing frequently on EIU, though. Check out my articles here, here, and here.)

xox Catherine

Graduation Day

Dress - Urban Outfitters, necklace - Piper Blue on Etsy, cuff - my sister's, shoes - Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange

I took these photos prior to heading out for a graduation rehearsal then the actual ceremony. I bought this dress the other day and sort of fell in love. It fits perfectly, and isn't quite like any other dress I own. The material is lightweight and silky, but not actual silk. Score.

This beautiful necklace arrived in my mailbox yesterday morning. I had a similar vintage necklace, but I lost it this past winter. I loved the uniqueness of it, and even though the sentimental value is gone, this cottonwood leaf will replace it quite nicely, I think.




I was expecting a long, drawn out ceremony like last year's, but it didn't drag on nearly as much as I expected it. Also, I was delightfully surprised at winning one of eight awards! Truthfully, I was a little zoned out, but I heard something pertaining to achievement in visual and performing arts. And what do you know, I won. I'm honestly very proud of myself - something that's a little rare since I'm so critical most of the time.

That felt more like an accomplishment than simply graduating. I usually say I don't/didn't put much effort into my work at high school, but that was sort of just an excuse or preventative measure so I wouldn't care when I wouldn't be recognized. I know, I know - that's sort of lame and that recognition can be overrated, but out of all the talented people that could have won it, it was me. And it feels good.



After the ceremony, my family, a few friends and I went to the Wayne location of White Dog Cafe. It was really nice, even with the torrential downpour upon exiting.

Today shall involve cleaning my room, and hopefully purchasing a new computer (Macbook Pro!) with my award.

I'm happy.

xox Catherine

Senior Prom, 2011

Dress - vintage, earrings - vintage via my aunt, bracelets - vintage via my grandma, shoes - Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange

Prom was nearly a week ago, but I'm just now finding the time to post these photos. It's been a little hectic, with a shore trip, wallowing in self-pity due to some terrible sunburn, graduation rehearsals, and whatever else.

So, I suppose I shall explain my outfit! The dress is vintage, and I've had it for years. It's miraculously fit me all along, and the second I tried it on, I knew I had to wear it to a prom. Or somewhere, but prom was the most likely option.

All of the jewelry is borrowed from my aunt - these awesome firework-esque earrings and the rhinestone bracelets which were formerly my grandma's.

And the shoes... I had spent a day in the city trying to find shoes, and came across these beauties in Buffalo Exchange for a mere $26. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good shots of them, but they're pretty versatile so don't expect this to be my last time wearing them!




Now, for some typical prom photos, since I guess that's the thing to do when you're going to prom. I went with my friend Christian, who I may or may not have mentioned on here before? He's taken a few outfit photos for me and has been one of my really good friends over the past year.




Below, pictured is Tracey and I, along with a random date lurking in the back with whom I'm not familiar.




Above, is Christian, Manny (Tracey's date), Tracey and I, being the usual goofs that we are. This pretty much describes each of us.

I didn't take many photos at prom since I was too busy dancing and mingling. I'm sort of joking about the latter - I'm a chronic non-mingler. My hair and makeup were in tact by the end of the night, thanks to my lovely friend Lauren who will soon be graduating from cosmetology school.

Within the next eight hours, I will officially graduate from high school. It's become less and less of a big deal over the past few months, but it's gaining a bit of significance as I'm going to be studying abroad in London this fall. And you know, it's sort of a big transition. I leave in a little over ten weeks, which is entirely surreal.

I hope all is well!

xox Catherine

Weekly Favorites, v. 15: 6/5 to 6/11

Clockwise from top left: Late Afternoon, KANSAS COUTURE, Raspberry and Red, Delightfully Tacky


Clockwise from top left: YeYe! Style Blog, Flashes of Style, Tick Tock Vintage, The Styling Dutchman

After a whirlwind weekend of prom, lounging in an inflatable boat in the front of a YMCA, going to the beach, going to another beach, falling asleep on the beach with my clothes on beneath an overcast sky and waking up to the bright sun... I'm back. Plus sunburn, which you'll probably see soon if I can find anything suitable to wear.

To-do list for the evening includes: posting on my Tumblr and emptying the tabs I'm browsing, aloe vera, catching up on blogs, more aloe, and editing all of my photos.

Hope your weekend went just as well... minus sunburn, of course.

xox Catherine

Thoughts for Tuesday, v.11: Free Write

Honestly, I'm really stressed out - no apparent reason either other than getting into the habit of my internship and still not being able to figure out whether I'll be studying abroad during fall or spring, if at all. I can't think of a controversial topic or anything thought provoking. No, here's another personal post.

My room is such a mess and I have my artwork piled up everywhere. Though I definitely feel more motivated with creative endeavors, I'm simply too stressed/busy to attempt to go through it and find a place for it all. Seriously, why did I think I'd ever use nearly a hundred mismatched bowls, cups, and other ceramic items?

I have my prom in a little more than a week, and before I go I plan on dying my hair back to its natural color. I'm not even stressed about that, though. One of my best friends is in beauty school, so she can do it for me whenever and it's pretty much just hanging out rather than feeling obligated to make small talk with the hair stylist.

That's another thing: small talk. I'm an introvert. I keep to myself, by nature. I don't share my every though nor do I strike up conversation all the damn time. It's a hassle for me, honestly. I think I've come out of my shell enough where I can talk to people without being crippled by anxiety - or simply text someone to see what's up without getting incredibly nervous - but I'm not the kind of person that talks all the time. I observe, I soak up my surroundings, etc.

With all of that being said, I'd like to take a moment to reflect upon how far I've come in that aspect. You know, my "social life" aka the most important part of high school. I used to sit in all the time wishing I had something to do, despite my comfort being alone sometimes. I think the difference is that I was lonely, not simply alone, y'know? Over this past year and a half I've made quite a few friends... many of whom are merely acquaintances, but I've also gained some solid friends.

Hurrah. I do prefer this feeling over being insatiably bored, but I suppose I'm just trying to explain my absence. I don't think I'm doing a great job though - or perhaps I am, considering how poorly constructed this entire post is. I'm not trying to be critical, but normally I put more thought into writing. Sometimes it's nice to just let the words come to me instead of desperately trying to find them.

Hopefully by next week I'll be back to blogging more frequently. And then the following week I graduate! This is madness. The good kind, of course.

xox Catherine

Last Day

Jewelry - antique, cardigan - sister's, dress - Billabong, shoes - Aldo

So, I did it. I have to complete my internship, but I'm done classes at high school. Forever. For years I thought this day would never come, but alas, it has, and I even shed many tears. Yeah, me, the girl who tried to remain indifferent to everything, the girl who tried to conceal all emotions while in school. I hugged friends and teachers and went on my merry way.




By now (post-nap and having to lug all of my stuff home) I'm kind of over the whole sentimental part of leaving high school. I mean, for now, anyway. I'll probably have the same song session and cry-fest the night before I graduate. Looking forward to that, of course.




I'm in the market for a new pair of sandals. Actually, two pairs of sandals, if I count shoes I'll need for prom.

I hope you all have a nice weekend!

xox Catherine

Close your eyes, and it's passed.

Cardigan - H&M, necklace - made by me, dress - vintage, cuff - antique, shoes - Aldo

So, today (Thursday... I've lost track of the days this week) is my school's annual art show and was the second to last day of high school for seniors. My mind is occupied on the first event, but surely, after the show, and especially when I'm tearing down all of my hard work, I'll feel it. That high school is over. I know it's really not a big deal, at all. I mean, I was barely phased by starting high school. I haven't put much effort into my studies here, even though I was recognized at an awards ceremony for an "outstanding contribution". Whatever that was.

"High school seemed like such a blur. I didn't have much interest in sports or school elections, and in class I dreamed all day of a rock and roll weekend." - Social Distortion

No, I didn't first hear that song through Guitar Hero, though I'll admit it was always my first choice to play. I first heard that songs years after my first exposure to Social D, while in a friend's car on a warm summer night. It was the summer after seventh grade.

I'm just amazed that the time has passed so quickly. But then again, it felt like the end would never come.




Needless to say, I'm feeling a little ambivalent about this whole high-school-ending-and-possibly-not-seeing-many-of-my-classmates-ever-again thing. Despite my apathetic attitude I held most of the time, I'm probably going to cry. Weird.




Anyway, I should be leaving for the show very shortly. I'll be sure to take photos of my wall that I've put together!



Also, I'm thinking of finally telling people I know (besides a select few) about my blog. I mean, what are they going to do, judge me? Maybe I'll gain a few new photographers. Ha. I'm silly

I hope all is well.

xox Catherine