lumberjack

It's pretty stereotypical of me to associate a nice plaid print with a lumberjack - I certainly didn't feel like a lumberjack yesterday.

With my poofy skirt, clinking bangles and bright teal tights, I'd say I was more of a...fairy lumberjack.

Which I'm on board with.

On a side note, these are my very first tights of the season.
I feel rather happy that they're the crazy teal. Who knows what colored tights will show up this fall!

It's funny how the simplest things can really change the way you see yourself.
Small things that other people may not even see, but that seem like such a drastic change to you.
Things like changing which side you part your hair, or getting that small but significant trim that you feel sure people should notice.
Losing a few pounds, changing your makeup routine, using new hair product.

For me, it's when I don't use a bobby pin for my bangs.
Because the thing is, I don't even have bangs anymore. I've grown them completely out, and yet I still stick a bobby pin to the side every single day.
Yesterday, the bobby pin started slipping (which also happens multiple times a day...darn you, fine hair!) and I went to readjust it and clumsily dropped it in the car somewhere, where it shall remain forevermore.

Top: Ross, Skirt: J. Crew, Tights: Target, Boots: DSW, Bangles: Kate Spade

My husband and I went on a date night, bobby-pinless, and when we got home we went straight out to take some pictures before it got too dark.
When I look at these pictures, there's something odd and different about my appearance.
And all it took was the escape of a bobby pin.

flutter on by

I love Monday and Tuesday nights.
For the last few months, we've had two of our favorite friends come over almost every single Mon/Tues for The Bachelorette and SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance).
We order pizza, or make crepes, or grab ice cream, and/or make coffee and enjoy some quality television together.
The result is hours of fun conversation revolved around the dramatic happenings of a woman trying to find love and a group of dancers that just want to try and make their dreams come true.
We've had a blast. With the finale of The Bachelorette this past Monday, there was gasping, crying, screaming, laughing, throwing things. It was the best darn 2 hours of television I've ever experienced.
(And by the by, I was #teamChris from the very beginning!)

Dress: J. Crew, Necklace (shop!) (similar!)/Earrings/Shoes (shop!): Ruche
Bangles: Kate Spade

Yesterday's outfit was very minty fresh.
This dress was one of my favorite buys from our local J. Crew Outlet two years ago, our first year living in Virginia.
It has served as one of my favorite go-tos, and has encouraged my love for anything and everything mint in my life.

During Ruche's jewelry sale last week I snatched up one of the very last listings for this layered necklace!
It's absolutely perfect for this monochromatic look, and I can already see it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
(Especially since Ruche included a surprise pair of matching earrings for every necklace I purchased! They're the best! I would highly recommend scanning their jewelry section.)

After my husband kindly took these pictures for me out on the damp rainy asphalt, we wandered back towards our front door when we noticed all of our friendly butterflies happily grazing away at our front bushes.
There are literally hundreds throughout the summer, and I try never to take advantage of how beautiful they are to watch.
We spent the next 15 minutes or so just taking a few shots of our dear friends, watching them live their lives, just fluttering on by.

Our front door :)

wishing for springtime

A few days ago, the hubby and I snuck away for a fun late afternoon dinner after work.
He's been gone all week (in Chicago for a Mediation Tournament through the law school), so before we got home and had to get started on the laundry and the packing we decided to splurge at Texas Roadhouse.
That may seem like a weird date place, but it has become one of our go-to spots...why?

1. Hot rolls and cinnamon butter (free!)
2. Peanuts (free!)
3. House salad and chili (cheap!)

Haha. We love going there for a casual date night. It's perfect!

It was finally sunshiney enough to feel at home in bright colors, and I got to wear the first pair of sandals I've worn all season.
Of course, it's chilly again today, so it's back to tights and sweaters.
But we took a few seconds to take some outfit photos before our date. :)

Top: Primark in London (similar, similar),
Bottoms: Old Navy, (similar), Bangle: Kate Spade, Earrings: Cookie Lee

I'm in love with colored denim, and I don't see the affair dying down any time soon.
I'm happy to say I will be sporting colorful pants for years to come.
I think this spring is the perfect time to get my mint pair hemmed and ready for wear!

Cheers (and prayers) to warmer weather this weekend. :)

coziness + handmade accessories

I love to shop handmade.
There's something really exciting and extraordinary about owning something (art, clothing, jewelry, anything) that was made by someone else.
That's one of the reasons I really love Etsy - it's like the Ebay of handmade items.
People from all over the world can have their own "shop" in electronic form, showcasing their talents and selling their goods.

I own a little shop called Posies by Cait.
I have met hundreds of amazing people and seen hundreds of beautiful shops throughout my time on Etsy.
Recently, my cousin started her own Etsy shop, and sent me this incredible set!

It made my cozy Friday even cozier, and I can proudly say that her items are well-made, soft, and adorable.

Top: Anthropologie, Cardigan: Banana Republic (similar), Pants: Forever 21 (shop!)
Shoes: Urbanog (shop Ruche!), Headwarmer/Scarf: Roo's Loop De Loops (shop!)
Bracelet: Kate Spade 

I would highly recommend snatching up an adorable headwarmer/scarf set for yourself or a friend this winter and spring!
As a special to my blog readers, use code "Posies" for 10% off in her shop.
Can't get any better than that! Go now!
If you get one, please let me know which one and how you like it! I'd love to see them.

I hope you all have an amazing week. Mondays usually give me the blues, but I'm looking forward to every night this week. It's gonna be a good one!

See ya,
Cait

emerald + peter pan

Green is my absolute favorite color.
It possibly stems from my obsession with all things Irish growing up, when the shamrock became my "favorite flower". My dad is particularly excited about our Irish heritage, and St. Patrick's Day was always filled with a delicious Irish meal (potatoes, corned beef, cabbage, or Guinness stew, etc.) and lots of Irish spirit.
This vibrant color was more solidified as my true favorite when it became my wedding color!
Green, brown, and gold will always elicit images of the happiest day of my life.

Thus, when the Pantone color of the year was announced as Emerald Green, I knew 2013 was going to be my year.

Top: Ruche, Collar/Top: Ruche, Jeans: Forever 21, 
Booties: Urbanog, Watch: Gifted, Bangle: Gifted/Kate Spade

I've recently become obsessed with Kate Spade.
My best friend has fueled this fire - if there ever was a brand that really defined my friend Becky, it would be Kate Spade. And in that brand we have found love. And color and pattern and style.

She gave me this incredible gold bow bangle for Christmas, and I've hardly stopped wearing it since.

Details are the best.
I have gotten to the point where I hardly ever shop for cheap thrills - it's the statement pieces, the more investment pieces, that grab my attention.
This top was no exception.
And because I'm an Arizona girl, and I never get to see snow, I had to add that Christmas-y pop of red to such a beautiful wintery day!

It's still pretty chilly around here, although the snow has almost all melted away.
Rumor has it we'll be getting more on Friday, so fingers crossed for more snowy photoshoots!