Slowly but Surely.

I am making my place a little more home.

I made this fun pom pom out of tissue paper in about 5 mins. Its not as clean as Martha's of course, but the next few should get better. Ideally I'd like to do many different sizes and heights around the mirror. I love having a girly place to get ready. Find the tutorial here

I also found this adorable TV tray at the Folsom Goodwill for a whopping $4!! Its adorable and the print is something to be expected from Folsom. I foresee many shopping trips up there for household items.

Sorry for the crap pictures.

Right now this beaut. is acting as a little side table by my door. Updates:
 I had a fantastic Thanksgiving with my family in the bay
 Enjoyed a relaxing weekend with my man friend (met his whole fam!)
 Will be without internet for a hot min. (sort of, going to be using public at least)

Finals week is around the corner. I am all signed up for my classes for next semester. I am ready for school to be on the back burner for at least a few weeks. I have a lot planned for this winter and I can't wait to dig in! Hope you all had great weekends.

WTF

I'm thinking about fashion right now. There are few things I still feel completely lost, confused, out of the loop on...

Belts. What the hell are you supposed to do with them?! I see them. I LOVE them. I understand they are supposed to be used to make your waist look all little. Every time I go to a store I peruse the belt section. I check em out, think of what I have at home that may work with them, and then walk away empty handed. Not to mention, I have dropped 2 sizes (10 to a 6! I am really proud I worked hard) yet I still have a bad habit of picking up a size or two too large.

Accessories. I don't know how to do them. My mom and grandma both wear a TON of jewelry. I think as a result I am paranoid I am going to look like some Jersey shore trash if I wear too much. So I just opt out completely. I, again, see outfits put together and plan on buying a necklace or just one or two pieces every time. But when I am confronted with the sea of options out there I have no idea where to go!

 Does anyone else have this problem? Hope you all aren't too stuffed from Thanksgiving.

Movin On Up!

Jacket: again with the cousin present. Tulle.
Hoodie: Ralph Lauren. X-mas present from my pop
Mustard T-shirt: Gap on sale for something like $5!
Skinnies: Gap. $60. Pricey but I LOVE them
Boots: Lohmans. $80
Scarf: hand knit by yours truely!

I recently came across some fashion inspiration. I don't remember where I saw it. A girl wore this scarf that looked like a bow. I was pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to duplicate the look on my own. Looking back I have come a long way considering my fashion sense. I should post some pictures of how much its changed (it would at least be a laugh for me to see in one spot). I love cold weather because I feel you can experiment more with clothing. Here in California it gets so hot its difficult, at least for me, to do something when you don't feel like wearing any clothes.

So much work to do. I need to do a ton of research for my primate culture term paper and finish up my map assignment. When I put it like that it doesn't seem like a lot of work. But man, that term paper. The compiling of the research is whats kickin' my butt.

I am looking forward to break. Hopefully work some more. I want to spend some time making my place a home before spring semester starts. I feel it needs it. Brining my bubby Raybeez home will make everything so much better! I miss him more than ever! He is so cuddly and its so cold!

I have pre-bought tickets for the Harry Potter premier in honor of my dear friends birthday celebration. I am so so very excited. I may go crab fishing on Saturday with my new beau's dad (yeah, he is great. Things thus far are pretty incredible).

Gussy Up for the Monkey's

Jacket: Tulle. Bestest B-day gift eveR! Thanks cuz!
Stripy top: Old navy sale. Don't remember price
Ruffle shell: Banana Republic on sale for $15!!
Black pant: Gap outlet daaays ago.
Belt: Forever 21 about $5
Ridding boots: Lohmans $80 something

I got all fancy the other day to go observe the monkey's at the the Sacramento zoo. I had so much fun! My favorite were the Sifaka (shee-fa-ka). They are smaller than they looked in the pictures. The one Sifaka was sitting there resting his head on his hand and looking out into space as if in wise contemplation. They are very slow moving. Reminded me of a buddhist monk.

I had a great run today. I just had this burst of energy and booked it the entire 2 miles straight. My run tonight was sort of magical. Since its been getting darker earlier runners around the park have taken to carrying little lights. The lights bounce as people jog or walk. Come Wednesday I can't wait to bust out my light and join the party.

I have so much school work to do. Thursday is a big anthropology test. My zoo project is also due the same day. Next Friday my anthropology term paper is due and I have a stuuupid map assignment due in western civilization too.

I'll have time to relax when winter break sets in...or when I'm dead. haha.

First There was Carving

*I've learned that white pumpkins have thick walls and are incredibly hard to cut through.
*Pumpkin gut fights always end badly
*Maybe I should have cut up the baby pumpkin. Since I have smaller hands than Shane.
I had a blast at Joey's carving pumpkins. Joey lately has become one of my very best friends. We had a little break awhile back. I felt really proud of myself to be able to sit down and address everything and start fresh. I dare say maybe even a little bit adult. Growing up is so awkward and weird. I still feel like I am my 19 year old self sometimes. Then remember I am 25. An entire new set of responsibilities arise. I pay rent, have to take care of my space, people (kids) count on me to be at work everyday. Its bittersweet. One chapter closes another opens. I take pleasure in the moments I do notice my adult self growing and I get such a glowing pride in it. So much is going on so I have been terrible at updating this thing. I intend on breaking that habit. I love writing it helps me. Damn who likes or dislikes what I write. I enjoy it.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Letter to Myself

- Times have been tough lately. Particularly with school. I love that I wrote this almost a year or so ago to myself. Every time I am cleaning out my computer I come across this letter and it makes me feel better-

Dear Caitlin,

 You are pretty amazing. When I look at pictures of you I see the light of the world. You are extremely ambitious and that is fantastic! When you set your mind to something you go for it no holds bar and that is truly an admirable quality. You work so hard to be the best person you could ever be. You work so hard to learn from every aspect of life the good and the bad. As a result of this fact I feel that you are completely courageous! I would award you a medal of valor! You get so upset because you feel that life would be so much easier if you were blind to certain facts and truths about the world and society, you get so down on yourself trying to blind yourself from these things. Stop! You should be proud that you see what so many others cannot. Sure its a burden to be carried heavily, but you were born to fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves. Maybe you don't write a book like you thought you would in 8th grade creative writing class. But you will amount to something as a result of your whole hearted effort. Regardless of who is at your side. You are extremely strong, that is a blessing in disguise I know, but you must believe it is a very good quality that you posses.

You should be proud of the body you have. You are in the best shape you have been in since you were a kid! You quit smoking all by yourself! That takes a lot of strength, determination and discipline! So many have failed at doing just that, but you did it! Not to mention you run all the time. Don't get so down on yourself for the amount you do. Consider it against what you used to do…NOTHING! Don't be so concerned with the future. Just enjoy right now. Work on you and your relationship with god(or whoever). Work on having hope and faith and letting go of the reins. Go with the flow! Everything is going to be ok. Even when the worst events happened in your life you lived! It is true, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger( I promise!). Hold on to hope for the future! You were rewarded once before, maybe you will be rewarded again the second you completely stop thinking about EVERYTHING so much.