style crush: le happy

blog post

I've recently become infatuated with the incredibly popular blog, Le Happy. 

She has hundreds of thousands of followers (over a million on her Instagram), but I actually came across her page on Facebook because she was featured on Chicwish. 

The photo above was the featured outfit, and I think it caught my eye for a couple of reasons. I love galaxy prints, first of all. I also love color-tipped hair. I immediately saved the photo for future reference in case I ever wanted to dye my entire head red with blonde tips. I'm not sure what it is entirely about her style, but there's something that really resonates with me. 

A piece of my style world is perfected in her outfits. The bit of grunge, bold galaxy prints, funky layers, metallics, Lennon-style sunglasses, an affinity for cats and macarons, skinny jeans and tights. 

My style can also be very feminine and romantic at times, with lace and florals and vintage dresses. But I think if my style could be described as a schizophrenic's collection of personalities, Le Happy would be one of them. 

blog post / blog post / instagram post

As I wrote on my 26 before 27 list, I hope to dye the tips of my hair purple this year. I'm contemplating achieving that goal over Thanksgiving weekend. I work for the city's elementary school district, and staff technically aren't allowed to dye their hair. Since I work behind a desk and not with students, though, I'm going to try spending Thanksgiving break with some fun hair and see if I can keep it for a week or two. If not, I'll go ahead and cut my hair or dye it back.

I'll leave you with some of my Pinterest hair dreams:

crush: the pixie cut

Sigh. The Pixie Cut. It's kind of taboo, this tomboyish cut that seems destined to only be successful on the rich and famous. After all, they have the million-dollar hair stylists and the endless supply of that just right hair product, which is akin to finding the holy grail. 

I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to it. Like a moth to a flame. It would be the death of me. People would probably scoff and point and laugh. I know I would look terrible. I can hardly do my hair now, what in the sorcerer's stone makes me think I could possibly make a pixie cut look good? It's baffling. And yet it's an inevitability, this semi-annual alarm that tick tocks to the craving I have for the hair butcher. 

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These photos make me yearn. I try to tell myself that it's all an illusion and that my short stature and tiny forehead and round face would be the death of the pixie, but there's that little flicker of hope inside me (I call her stubborn) that still whispers, maybe I could do it. But the reality is, I'd probably be called "sir" by mistake. 

Which is really the central fear revolving around the pixie cut, because looking like a boy is not normally what we ladies strive for. Chopping off such a vital part of our body feels absolutely terrifying, life changing, and it kind of is. A woman's hair is an embodiment of personality, style, glamour, mystery, and femininity. 

But we are not exclusively those things because of our hair. A woman with no hair does not cease to be incredible and feminine. There's more to it than that, so much more. 

Yes, doing something as drastic as a pixie cut to my appearance would be a ginormous leap of faith [read: mistake] but perhaps in the process I could unleash some glorious piece of myself I've been longing to find. Something like bravery and freedom. Something like that. 

milkmaid braids

outfit: gifted // the shopaholic, earrings: chelsea girl designs on etsy,
sunglasses (remixed): ruche

Happy Friday, friendlies!

I'm incredibly excited for this weekend. My husband and I have planned an extravagant camping trip. I haven't been camping since I was a kid! Turns out most people hate camping (cue shocked exhales and shouts), which I find a crying shame. We had hoped to go gallivanting through the woods and around the lake with a fun group of people, but it has dwindled down to just us and my little brother. I'm actually fine with that, though. We bought a hippie canvas hammock and I plan on logging many hours in it with a good book in hand. 

On Tuesday I caught a glimpse of a milkmaid braid tutorial over at The Clothes Horse, so I decided to add that to this week's to-do list (also on my to-do list: find friends who like camping). 

I've always wanted to be more creative with my hair. In fact, for my birthday in October I was thinking about doing a "26 before 27" list (a list of 26 things I want to do over the next year, before I turn 27), and one of the things on that list is to learn how to french braid my own hair. 

I have yet to master the perfect ponytail, too. I'm lacking in the hair skill department. Maybe I should just take a class. Do they have hair handling classes?

Anyway. I washed my hair on Wednesday morning, and while it was still wet, I simply divided my hair into pigtails and pulled them across the top of my head. It was so much easier than I thought it would be! I was really excited. Such a quick and easy hairstyle for the week. I got a lot of compliments at work.

The only down side?

I was also asked to yodel, and called Bertha. One lady at work gasped because she thought I had chopped all my hair off. 

So, the jury's still out on this one. 

I personally love this style. Which is probably all that really matters. One of my favorite bloggers, Mara of M Loves M, wears her hair like this a lot, and every time I see styles like it I get all misty-eyed and jealous, and find myself wishing I could accomplish cute up-dos like that. Well, I have tried and conquered, so I'll keep trying my hand at new hairstyles!

Meanwhile, I'll be shamelessly milkmaiding it. 

earth day: giveaway!

In honor of the beauty of the earth, and in celebration of Earth Day today, I am hosting a very flowery giveaway!

What better way to give a nod to budding spring and our world's flora and fauna than by adding to your floral accessories collection?

The winner of this giveaway will receive a gift box of spring Posies, valued at over $40!

Your gift box could include: earrings, headbands, clips, brooches, rings, bookmarks, thumbtacks, magnets...or a little bit of everything!

Take a look at Posies by Cait for a sneak peek at some of the items for sale - although the giveaway items will be made especially for this giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to spread the word - the giveaway winner will be announced on May 1st!

Enjoy!

new hair + parisian flair

It was almost warm enough yesterday to go without a coat in the early evening. Almost. 
Today, it is a boiling 66 degrees and I'm already planning on getting a snow cone after work!
I can't wait to soak up the warmth of the afternoon.

Cardigan: J. Crew, Scarf: Gifted/World Market (shop), Dress: Ruche (similar, similar)
Jeans: Forever 21 (shop), Boots: Urbanog (similar, similar), Headband: J. Crew

I did it.

I cut my hair!

I talked about it earlier (last week), and managed to get to the salon for a fresh bob.

It's not super short, which I'm happy about! But even so, my husband cringed a little at the first cut.

Men do love long hair!

For the first time, I went for the a-line lob look. Unfortunately, I made that bangs-cutting mistake earlier this year, so they're still growing out and get in the way of a true, straight a-line cut.

To me, this outfit speaks volumes in favor of travel. 
I think Melina from The Caffeinated Closet has been a subtle influence to that effect!
I'm dreaming of Paris often these days, hoping we can make a trip there soon.
I think my subconscious was working toward a Paris-worthy outfit yesterday, with the classic stripes and layers.

Short dresses make for great layering tools in cold weather.
This dress served as a very comfortable tunic yesterday, layered over jeans, combat boots and a scarf and cardigan!

This spot on the hill is a pretty incredible view of Lynchburg.
I got a bit distracted from picture-taking as lights started to twinkle in the early evening light, lit from all the houses and businesses sprawled out below.

 Without the layers, the dress is soft and sweet, little fabric-twist bows on each shoulder.

Warm weather will definitely be welcome!

Can't wait for that snow cone in an hour or two. :)

Enjoy your Tuesday, too!
Cait