summer 2k13 wishlist

summer 2k13 wishlist by catemarg featuring ray ban sunglasses

i am so stoked that summer is here (as in, no school, but where i live i would not doubt that it could be snowing in just a few days). my summer is full of beaching, friending, blogging, sewing, working (hopefully!), and driving. and yes, i am aware that half of those words are not real words, it's poetic linense if you must. so for all of these fun activities, i need just a few things... justtttt a few.


1. swim suit: love this pretty watercolor one.
2. sunglasses: i want to invest in a nice pair of sunnies finally. raybands, maybe? (thoughts?)
3. wedges: i need some casual wedges to spice up a few outfits. this toms pair does just that.
4. towel: how cute it this towel?! totes going in my beach bag.
5. nail polish: i am loving this peach color. not coral, not pink. peach.
6. sun hat: i have yet to find the perfect sun hat. hopefully, the time will come sooner rather than later.
7. lace crop top: i have seen a crop top like this worn with high waisted shorts, and it was really cute. i will probably not be wearing this to church (ha. let's see how that goes), but to the beach.
8. high- waisted shorts: everyone needs a good pair or denim shorts. i may even make some.
9. dainty necklace: because i will we going back and forth to many places in the summer, i need no-mess jewelry, while still keeping it chic.

what is on your summer 2k13 (that is what the cool kids are calling it nowadays) wish list? leave me a comment!  p.s. i realise i have made a lot of lists lately. but hey, what can i say? i LOVE lists. i could make a list about why i love lists, that is how much i love lists. (;

xo. cate  

new things are happening

if i am being honest here, lately i have ignored my blog. not that i have had a lack of posts up, but i simply did not know what to write. my rationale is i feel like why would you write something, if you do not feel inspired or have anything good to day. but, i DO have something to write about. a lot, actually. over the past month i have tried several new things. with spring, for me at least, is when new years resolutions get dull and you become in a rut of doing the same routine day after day. plus, i could not remember the last time i tried a new thing. i did try to tell my self that i tried that new chocolate cake last week, but i guess that doesn't really cut it.

 

~after the race~

the first goal on my list was to complete a 5k. i have this secret dream of finishing a marathon one day always in the back of my mind, so i thought i would give 3.2 miles a try. my mom and i trained with a neighborhood group where i live for 12 weeks, with a women's-only run at the end. and boy, was it hard. i am far from a runner, though i try to look like it in my cute tennis', yoga pants, and tanks. so after what felt like a hundred too many running sessions with my momma, we completed the race! finishing something feels so good. *sigh then hair flip*

 

~my machine (Singer Simple) and a sample of my fabric~

 

~please excuse my elementary-like mirror shot, but i thought it was worth it to show you guys my uper cute sewing bag. ~

my second goal was to learn how to sew. sewww (see what i did there), i signed up for a little 3-week long class with 5 other ladies that were at least 10 years older than me (i have just decided that i do more activities i with middle aged women, than my own age. i win the cool cat award, fo sho). supposedly by the end of the course, you will have made some pajama bottoms, but because i made a few (ahem, several) mistakes i am a bit behind. i am basically finished, i just have to put in the waste band and hem the ends. one would think that learning to sew would be fun, but oh no, you are far from right. after learning how to spin the bobbin, insert the bobbin, thread the machine, read a pattern, etc, you are worn out!! however, once i got the hang of it, it is a lot of fun. through the entire experience i met some really cool people, cried a little (you know you live a sad life when you cry over not being about to put thread through a needle), and almost made my very own pajama pants! yay for accomplishments!



~front cover on left, my poem on right~

although this was not necessary a goal goal (you know like when when you say you like someone versus 'like liking' someone), this next 'accomplishment', if you will, was to be published in my school's literary anthology (magazine). i submitted a poem at the beginning of the school year, and hoped it would make the cut, and it did! i got the book yesterday, and it is called 'Lost in Translation'. props to whoever thought of that artsy fartsy title. also, when i submitted it, i totally forgot to put
a title for my poem, so it is titled "Untitled", so now i am just playing it cool and saying that i meant for it to be deep and mysterious like that. duh.

all of these goals i had involved a starting date, a finishing date, and an ending product or event. it feels so fresh when you check something off your list. even though it is hard to learn, the finished product brings a smile to your face.

xo. cate

in a paint-y mood

 

lately i have been in a paint-y mood, if there is such a thing. i recently found my mom's old art collection from when she was in college, and i could not be any more ecstatic! i have found myself wanting to paint all the time, so i will defiantly not fight that hunger. here is a bit about how my painting process goes!

 

pick a color pallet. i have yet to actually buy a plastic pallet, so i guess paper will have to do for now. for my painting, i decided to stick to pinks, oranges and greens.

 

 

the process. first find an inspiration then just let your right brain take over and enjoy painting. 

 

 

add your sig. and yes, i did just abbreviate signature. i am losing it, i swear. also, my 'sig' is a bit messy, still working on perfecting it.

 

 

all done! now admire your work. (:

 

xo. cate

 

toss or save: shorts

contrary to this post, if you do want to wear shorts this spring and summer, but do not know which ones to keep or throw out, stay tuned! and yes, i am the perfect radio Disney commercial break girl.

save:

1. classic// denim shorts// denim shorts will aways be in, friends. and the best thing about them is that you can find a pair that work for you practically anywhere!

2. trendy// lace shorts// yes, you can let out a loud "wahoo" right now. lace shorts (in my opinion) are still in. really anything lace is in, and i could not be happier! i just bought these from urban.

3. classic// neutral twill shorts// everyone needs a basic neutral short. whatever length, cut, and style- is up to you! my favorites are from here and here.

4. trendy// colored shorts// yet another trendy item that is still in! remember this post about 5 must have shorts, last year?! well colored shorts were on that list and are still on my list for 2013!

toss:

1. plaid shorts// wear what you want, but i think that as for now plaid shorts are over. i know i know, you are shedding a tear, but wipe your tears with your plaid shorts and try wearing some other patterns like these from American Eagle.

2. bermuda shorts// unless you 5 or 85, these need to go. i am not saying you need to be strutting your stuff in daisy dukes (please do not, i beg you), but the awkward knee length is over. try the 4 or 5 inchers from Jcrew instead!

3. terry cloth shorts// do i even have to explain?? no, i do not think so. buy some nike running shorts to play in, not a towel disguised as shorts.

i am sorry if i made you cry while you read this post because of your emotional attachment with your plaid, terry cloth bermuda shorts, BUT remember to look to the future for new trends and be able to drop the others. meanwhile, spend more on timeless shorts, and just a little on trendy in-and-out pieces.

xo. cate

my short collection from left to right: yellow shorts from target, diy dotted shorts (see tutorial here ), jean shorts from american eagle outfitters, mint shorts from h&m, diy studded shorts (see how i did style them here ... i defiantly would not wear them like that anymore), lace shorts from urban outfitters, navy corduroy shorts from w by azwells, orange shorts from loft, and blue and black nike shorts!

new apps and old photos

i am so stinkin' excited the the new A Beautiful Mess editing app is finally out!! i have been playing with all day, using some of my old photos of myself and my friends, family, and other randomness! enjoy some of my editing madness...

 

... oh so grateful for a sweet friend like this one!....

 

 

... meet my precious dog, bogey!...

 

... some paints i am using in art class...

 

.... parker's birthday dinner...

 

... my older brother, jackson's, last day of school...

 

 

in this app, you can choose from a few filters (b&w is my favorite, obviously), cool borders, doodles, phrases, text! it is addicting and so. much. fun. plus, all of your old pictures can have a good spring flare to them! buy it in the app store today, only $1! well, actually .99 cents, but the real question is WHY is everything .99 cents nowadays? why can't we just add the single extra cent? app store, what is so hard about just saying $1? WHO IS WITH ME?

 

xo. cate

 

p.s. i am really not this angry about the .99 cents, just passionate. plus, now i can save a whole ONE CENT! i am so excited. (;

 

spring without shorts

spring without shorts by catemarg featuring a neon nail polish

if you are anything like me (i hope you are), sometimes in spring i would just rather wear pants than shorts. because, with shorts, comes shaving, farmer's tans', coldness, shoe crisis', etc.  the list goes on. so, i thought it would be oh so nice of me (you're welcome), to show you guys a spring outfit without shorts.

start off with your favorite spring time pants (white, patterned, or BOTH). then, add a bright tank, and if needed a light weight jacket. for shoes, wear what is comfortable. flats, sandals, wedges, or heels, anything goes. lastly for beauty and accessories, pop on your favorite sunnies, girly-est necklace, and add some coral nails and cheeks!

am i the only one who does not like to wear shorts all the time? well, if so, you will still always, always, always catch me in pants. sadly, the main reason for most days is because i have not shaved. judge me, now. (;

xo. cate

my everyday spring combo

the everyday spring combo by catemarg featuring ray ban eyewear

 

 

happy may 1st, my lovely friends! just in case you were up all night wandering what i wear basically everyday in spring, here you go! my go-to outfit consists of feminine silhouettes, unique details, basic pieces, and delicate jewelry. the best part? that it can transition from spring to summer with just a few easy switcheroos! and the other best part? peplums. really though, peplums make the world go round. whatever dogma you learned as a kid that makes earth spin is false. the real answer is peplums. peplums are the answer to everything. 2 + 2= ? PEPLUM. that's right, peplum.

 

xo. cate