reflecting on 2014.

and just like that 2014 turned into 2015. join me as i reflect on the goals (see original post here ) i set for myself this year. let's see how many times i can use the phrase "well i kind of accomplished this one" in one post. here goes nothing.

• read more. well, yes i did accomplish  this goal. however, what is so sad is that i only read two (and a half-- currently in the middle of one) books this year for fun. and what's really sad is that that is two and a half more than i have read in years past. slowly but surely, people, i will become a reader. you just wait.
• write and paint more. yes and yes and yes to this goal. though i did not post as much on the ole blog as i would like to, i felt as if my quality was so much stronger. i am no longer writing just to write, but choosing to publish content that i actually enjoy reading and am proud of. quality over quantity, that's the motto. as for painting, this year i have discovered a love for watercolors. with inspiration from rifle paper company , chris ballasiotes , and various other graphic designers, i know i love to create art focused around typography, simple graphics, and a specific meaning. with a love for writing and creating art, it only excites me as i look into how i can use this in the "real world" later in life. with thinking about college, jobs, and all that jazz-- somehow incorporating my passions even in the smallest of ways is very important to me. the future is scary, but less scary with something you enjoy. 
• find something active and enjoyable. to that i say one big, HA! the most active thing i did this year was go to the gym for a few days in a row because our water at our house was not working, so i showered at the gym; and i felt bad for just showering and not additionally working out, so i ran a few miles here and there. so there's that. and i walk from the bottom lot at school all the way to my first class. i'm crazy athletic, let's talk about it.
• write down a joyful memory per day // aka be an optimist. i did this one for a while, but soon after forgot about it. however, i have found myself looking at the bright side of situations more this year. learning that the grass is not just greener on the other side, but greener where you water it. (pinterest inspiration, represent)
• work on my room. on this goal, i get an A+. i have constantly decorated & redecorated little parts of my room this year. little things here and there, bring me a lot of happiness.  my favorite additions to my room include the artwork i got while in europe, my various random garland (pom poms, tassels, bunting banners, etc.), and my random knick knacks on my desk. 

my word for the year was share! (catch up for new readers: for the 2nd year in a row, i use a word as a goal for the year. in 2013 it was bold. i know you are on the edge of your seat to see what is next.) being an introvert myself, i know how hard it is to share about yourself with others. not just sharing via instagram, during a class presentation, or the fact that you like pie too (we all do! you don't have to add in that fact!), but genuinely sharing. sharing about yourself is scary for multiply reasons. first, you have to open yourself up and let people in. people that may leave your life, hurt you, or eventually lose their trust with you. on the contrary, sharing, i have learned is so, so wonderful. it can bring you the best of friends, new opportunities, and truths about life from another perspective. sharing is also great because it is (most of the time) reciprocative. when you are willing to allow yourself to share about your thoughts, knowledge, and life in general, others are more likely to do so. it's a ripple effect, kind of. ah, sharing. it's my favorite.

all in all, i am so very thankful for this year. with lots of change, comes an abundance of growth. and 

growth, in my book, is always something to be thankful for! i am so fortunate to have the life that i do, and am continually in awe at all the people who take part in it on a consistent basis. that means you, *insert your name here*, too!

i will be sharing my new goals for this coming year very soon. stay tuned, dear ones!

yours truly,

cate

black, white & borrowed

[a photo from my instagram. shameless promotion: follow me @catemarg ]

well hello there! my dear friend sophie (check out her youtube channel here) lives far, far away from me and we visit each other back and forth whenever we can. when she stayed with me this past summer, she left this girl with a full heart, the funniest memories, and... her cutest top. when i was cleaning under my bed (i have a lot of time on my hands, obvi) the other day i came across this black lace number and had to give it a wear. sorry, soph, you may or may not be getting this back. 

also, i was going for an all-black vibe today. i changed about 7 times (you know you do it too), and somehow this combo came about. my friend described it as "casual business wear"... and after that comment i did a sigh and a shaking of the head. i was going more for a "funky but chic but also edgy" look. can't win everyday, can we?

[polka dot button up: f21 // black lace top: borrowed // black jeans: loft // shoes: thrifted ]

[details.]

[it was a little bright. so of course my first reaction is to flash a peace sign. ]

borrowed clothes are just the best, right? 

yours truly,

cate

how to style your odd purchases.

styling is hard. especially when it involves a crew neck cat sweater.

here are my top three tips and tricks for making weird purchases that you just had to have worth it.

one// decide what you love about it? is it the fit, the graphic (ahem, a cat), or the comfort of the garment? highlight that factor when putting together the ensemble. if you love the fit, in my opinion you have hit the jackpot. clothing that is flattering is all about the fit. i do not care if you are in a kate spade dress (one can dream) or one from goodwill-- if it does not work well with your body it is a no-go. if the graphic is what drew your eye (like my obsession with anything and everything cat-related), make that aspect the attention getter. nothing is better when you see a person's head cock sideways with that curious grin (or smirk) wondering why the heck you have *insert odd item here* on your shirt. as for comfort goes, i am all for wearing pajamas out of the house. you know the skinny sweatpants (chic word: joggers) that are all the rage right now? yep, right up my ally. however, if you are talking about your prized snowman pajama bottoms that grandma made for you, i suggest you leave those at home. sorry, grandma. 

two// what do you dislike about it? again, is it the fit, graphic, or comfort of it? as for fit, if it does not fit correctly, we will compensate! add layers (i.e. a freaking awesome moto jacket) to make the baggy-ness of a sweater less.... well, baggy. or belt it, cut it, tie it, the list goes on. life tip: most clothes are made for the "model" prototype. do not let that discourage you, but encourage you to work around unrealistic standards for what fits best for you! the quick fix for a graphic disaster is to hide it. what you do not see on the outside is not really there, right? right. (well-- clothes talking, yes. life talking, no.) add a scarf, necklace, or even add a thin layer. and, if it is not comfortable, you have two choices-- put your big girl panties on and deal with it or trash it (i mean, donate). 

oh no, is the word "panties" really on my blog? ew. sorry, boys. please send help.

three// do not listen to your mom and/or twitter followers when you mention that you bought a cat sweater. if something catches your eye, buy it! unless it is too much money or a has no purpose. those are the two rules for when not to buy things. 

other than those, buy the dang cat sweater, ya freak! 

yours truly,

cate