1 year on Creating a Lovely Life!

guess what? i missed my one year bloggerversery (is that a word? of course!), which was February 15. sad, i know. i truly cannot believe that it has been 365 days since my very first post. here are a few things i have learned along the way.

1.) i am not a professional. this blog is for fun, and that is why i originally created it. many times this past year i kept comparing my blog to other famous blogs, and got discouraged. however i have learned that i blog to inspire others, to capture moments i love, and to share my style and fashion!
2.) editing makes a photo. probably the first 10 or so posts i uploaded unedited photos. when i look back to posts like this i seriously want to cringe. now, i mainly use editing apps or sites to enhance my not-so-great-nor-fancy-camera-photos.
3.) it's all about growth. several times i have wanted to delete certain posts. then i convince myself not to because it shows growth and how far i have come since the start. and i like that. i like seeing how my photos have gotten more creative, how my vocab has gotten stronger... i mean more stalwart, and the memories just get sweeter.

my favorite posts since day one...

downtown day style 

my inspiration board

why not?

diy dotted shorts

Guest post: Anye Sarre (most exciting blog moment ever *squeals out of excitement*)

'tis the season

2013. (bold)

 

i am beyond glad that i decided to click the "create" button for this blog. it is such has been such an incredible experience i hope to continue for a long time. i hope you have enjoyed getting to know me and reading Creating a Lovely Life!

 

xo. cate

 

 

learning to be simple

most of the time, i like layers and fun, creative outfits consisting of many different pieces. yet lately i have been more and more into simple styles with minimal accessories and quiet features. it truly is hard for me to "keep it simple" a lot of days because i constantly feel like my outfit needs moreeee. while sometimes that may be true, most times less is more.

note: this is not me. see end of post. *

this outfit is made up of mostly neutrals, and since i am a neutral girl at heart i love it. normally, in addition to these kind of two or three toned combos i would also wear a scarf, fun belt, or jazz it up with cool shoes. but i have to learn that what makes this look pretty and polished is it's simplistic aspect.

note: this is not me. see end of post. *

this outfit really sticks out to me because sometimes all i want to do is put on a knit dress, sneakers and throw my hair up, and i can. for some reason i feel like when i am wear less i look less put together... however i am learning that that is far from true. i can rock a one piece outfit (that is if it is a dress...), i can just wear some fun kicks and go, and i can eat a donut or five (ya know, to keep mornings simple).

again, i am learning to be simple and to not add unnecessary items to clothes (even if they are totes adorbs... uhhh did i just say that?!). 

xo. cate

*these photos are not mine, found from:

jazzabellesdiary.blogspot.com

www.chictopia.com

the color: cobalt blue

the color: cobalt blue by catemarg featuring flat shoes

if you know me, then you know i am not one for flashy, bold colors. however, i have been seeing more and more primary colors, like cobalt blue, on the runway and in celebrity style lately, so i have decided to give it a try. cobalt blue is the best way to add unexpected color in your wardrobe. i think we forget about this color and tend to lean towards more baby blues or teal blues. cobalt blue is great alternative to neutrals in basic pieces, such as a clutch, earrings, watch or scarf. or if you want to be more trendy with it, try to wear it in a leather jacket, peplum top, loafers, or fun shorts.

this series is one that i am loving. i get to explore the latest fashion trends and see how i can incorporate them into different pieces, and then tell YOU!

xo. cate 

zooey deschanel style

zooey deschanel style by catemarg featuring wolford stockings

i love zooey deschanel for so so so many reasons... maybe it's  her bangs, her humor, or the fact that she has "chanel" in her name, but most of all it is her quirky style. although, her style is a bit more childish in her tv show, New Girl, she still resimbles that wardrobe in her everyday wear. zooey is famous for her odd prints, feminine siloquettes, and overall nerd chic style. in the outfit shown above shows a more casual look for her, which i adore. a striped top color blocked with a bold color, black shorts, tights, and fun flats is her go-to street style outfit it seems. she keeps her ensaumbles very minimal, with simple pieces and little jewery or embellisbents. zooey is one who loves color, an aspect i wish to imitate and strive for in my style.

xo. cate

january to february

january is always the month everyone has high hopes. with the start of a new year, people (myself included) make goals, dreams, wishes, and desires for the upcoming year. as we all know, a week into january and we are already cheating on our diet, complaining about the same old situations, and falling back into the rut of the past year... and year before... and year before. so this year, i wanted to change that in my life. i decided to have my new years resolutions mentioned here, that are realistic and specific enough to achieve, but also bold and new to have something to strive for. in addition to that list, i have been begun writing "monthly to do lists", which include different objectives or things i wish to achieve for the month. i try to keep them distinguishing and attainable. this past month, i had about five ambitions to achieve and completed three of them. and that is perfectly fine with me. this technique gives me something to go for and complete when all i want to do is sit and watch gossip girl.

to describe my january in a few words i would say...

music-filled (went to a couple concerts with my favorite amigos)
thankful focus (because when we step back to look at our life, it is pretty amazing)
cold living (...as in soup, thrifting, reading, and wearing scarves every chance i get)

ah, february. i LOVE a new month. see what i did there... love wink wink. february is a fun month for many reasons... it starts getting all springy-dingy in my neck of the woods, and i like wearing pink... so this month gives me an excuse to do so. tonight i am going to kickoff my february to do list to see what this month will bring. pretty lovely things, i think. (:

xo. cate



photo from: http://juanchavarriajr.tumblr.com/post/6831341610