tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45558088451922961702024-03-12T19:41:22.286-07:00creating a lovely lifeCate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-42669405286115093252016-06-16T11:34:00.000-07:002016-06-16T11:34:02.457-07:00Creating A Lovely Life: A Conclusion<div style="text-align: center;">
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I write this post with a heavy heart and bittersweet tears in my eyes. Trying to refrain from being too dramatic for the ole internet, yet my heart is truly feeling <i>alllll</i> the feels. This post marks the end of an era & the close to an important season that has shaped my heart. Today I shall conclude Creating A Lovely Life blog. (<i>*cue all the tears-- happy & sad*</i>)</div>
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As my high school career drew to a close, I learned (and still am) the importance of endings. I have felt a need to retire CLL for quite a while due to the lack of desire to post & an even larger desire for something new. We often embrace and praise beginnings, nevertheless endings are dreaded and often avoided. I do not want this space on the internet to feel like that. It is with joy and thanksgiving that I close this chapter!</div>
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Here's the thing: I have <i>loved</i> this blog. I love it because I can see true growth in the archives of my posts. Started in the eighth grade (age 13), content like <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/07/top-knot.html" target="_blank">"The Top Knot"</a> and <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-favorite-spring-shoes.html" target="_blank">"My Favorite Spring Shoes"</a> (<i>cringe</i>) was filled with trivial fashion or DIY posts (and overly-saturated photos-- talk about <i>yikes</i>). Not that those are not valid posts (as I had to begin somewhere, and that therefore produced growth), but I felt the urge for something more after a couple years. By ages 15 and 16 , I began writing posts with more emotion and heart (see <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2014/08/dont-take-yourself-so-seriously.html" target="_blank">"Don't Take Yourself So Seriously"</a> and <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/02/thoughts-on-perfection.html" target="_blank">"Thoughts on Perfection"</a>). I started to take ownership of my writing, and was eager to write my URL down for anyone who showed the least bit of interest. Yet, I think it was this past year that I am most proud of. With post like <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2016/01/in-questions-inspired-by-if-you-feel.html" target="_blank">"In The Questions"</a>, <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/09/thoughts-on-firsts-lasts-and-progress.html" target="_blank">"Thoughts on Firsts, Lasts, and Progress"</a>, and <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-ten-encouraging-days-project.html" target="_blank">"The Ten Encouraging Days Project"</a>, I felt vulnerable, genuine, and understood a glimpse of what it means to be truly creative. </div>
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Like this blog's description states, I feel I have sincerely <b>[shared] pieces my heart here & there.</b> I do not know who read my content consistently or at all, but I hope this place has been one that has encouraged you, inspired you, or has made you think. I hope it has been a place that you have felt welcomed, understood, or been able to remark <i>"I like cats that much, too!"</i>. </div>
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Yet, as they say (all cheesiness intended) "as one door closes*, another one opens". Therefore, this journey is not over just yet. As Creating A Lovely Life has been a place for me to share personal growth and pieces of my life, I feel the need to move on and grow up, of sorts. </div>
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Therefore, I hope you will continue to follow me in my writing as I now pursue a degree in Journalism (<i>yay!</i>) to my next space on the web: <b><a href="http://habitandheart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Habit & Heart</a> </b>(click text for link!). This site will be one more specific in content, personal yet relatable, and one that I hope also influences and uplifts all those who encounter it. This next adventure has been created with a lot of thought and a lot of heart. <a href="http://habitandheart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Habit & Heart</a> will "[celebrate] real lives through your inner creative"-- and I could not be more excited for this fresh start!<br />
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I cannot say thank you enough (so thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you) for following this silly adventure of mine. For supporting my writing, for believing in my dreams, but most of all for simply reaching out to tell me that you read a post & were touched by it.<br />
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Slowly, slowly, slowly I am creating a lovely life for myself. One with beginnings and endings, and one with a whole lot of love. <i>And boy oh boy, have I loved you, CLL.</i></div>
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Yours truly,</div>
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Cate<br />
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<i>*Though this site will no longer be updated, I have chosen to still keep it up to invite you to peruse the archives.</i><br />
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-61192682397959151892016-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:002016-04-07T06:00:28.813-07:00Colorful Colorado (A Photo Diary).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you know me, you know I love all things white & minimal & clean. Think your grandmother's restroom, but way more chic. Being in Colorado a few weeks back only inspired me more & more with its concise color scheme and bright whites. There is just something about travel and simply peering out your window that trumps Pinterest inspo any day. And let's talk about those mountains! <i>Gah</i>, steals my heart every time.</div>
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<i>Colorful Colorado, you wear neutrals so well.</i></div>
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Yours truly,</div>
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Cate</div>
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<br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-17158162435868084012016-04-03T15:49:00.000-07:002016-04-05T20:01:12.514-07:00Thankful For The Blooms.<div style="text-align: center;">
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There truly is something about spring and all its liveliness that brings my spirit alive, too. Maybe it is the white blossoms lining neighboring homes as I drive to my house, or the sweet seventy-five degree weather. Maybe it is the fact that light still shines through my window at 6:30 p.m. and patio seating at my favorite pizza place is bearable. Maybe it is just the pure changing of seasons and a turn of pace that brings a new energy to core of my being.</div>
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Either way, I'm pleased. Spring in all its beautiful glory prompts a smile on my face and cheer in my heart. It really is the small things that produce <i>life & joy & hope</i>.</div>
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All this, of sorts, is really just a whole lotta <i>thankful</i>. </div>
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And boy, am I thankful.</div>
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Hope this spring fills you with a sense of <i>hope & renewal</i>. Yet, let's use this hope to drive bold conversations (hence Longfellow quote in photo), purposeful relationships, & the little pep in our step as we walk out our door and into the vast, blooming world.</div>
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As they say-- <b>"The world is your oyster"</b>. And as I say-- <i>darn right, it is</i>.</div>
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Yours truly,</div>
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Cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-81897837412067551882016-03-26T06:04:00.001-07:002016-03-26T06:04:40.248-07:00Small Ways To Be Creative Everyday. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.designlovefest.com/2016/03/dress-your-tech-136/#more-49770" target="_blank">designlovefest.com</a></td></tr>
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I have come to realize that the days & weeks & months that I feel down, or uninspired, are ones without creativity. I used to think that the phrase "I cannot live without art" was only for highly-creative, type-b, professional artists (none of which I am), yet time and time again I am realizing this to be a vital necessity for not just my well being, but joy in my life. </div>
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However, on those days that I am not creative, it is often times because I feel I am too busy to do traditional artistic mediums (i.e. painting, writing, drawing, etc.). And, I often think: <i>If this essential to my life, and many others, there must be an easier way to incorporate it regularly</i>. And, good news-- there is!</div>
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Here are a few ways for my fellow creatives (which means, <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/06/thoughts-on-creatives.html" target="_blank">you</a>, all of you) to add a little extra inspiration to your crazy, busy days.</div>
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1) <i>Podcasts!</i> I have wanted to get into podcasts for years, but could never find ones that I was eager to keep up consistently. However, times are a changing and my current favorites that I cannot get enough of are <a href="http://jesslively.com/livelyshow/" target="_blank">The Lively Show</a>, <a href="http://heritageradionetwork.org/series/after-the-jump/" target="_blank">After The Jump</a>, and <a href="http://www.accidentalcreative.com/category/podcasts/" target="_blank">The Accidental Creative</a> (all found on the podcast app on your IPhone). These are great because they can be easily incorporated to your daily life-- whether on your morning commute or as you are cooking dinner.</div>
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2) <i>Write it down.</i> Capture all the funny, wise, random bits of information (quotes, thoughts, conversations) that come to you throughout the day. Like I have stated before, I try to write everyday. Yet, this "writing" does not always mean pages on pages of solid content, but can consist of what I call "the little things". For me, I jot down a few sentences each day in the notes section on my phone. This way, when I later go back to write for real, I have a plethora of inspiration to choose from. Plus, remembering the small things in life is so beautiful. </div>
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3)<i> Opt out browsing social media for more uplifting and inspiring content</i>. My all-time favorites are <a href="http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/" target="_blank">The Jealous Curator</a> and <a href="http://www.designlovefest.com/" target="_blank">Design Love Fest</a>. Just a simple shift in fifteen minutes-- from perusing instagrammable-lives that can lead to jealously and discontentment to surrounding yourself with substance that makes you think-- can greatly impact your outlook and feed your creativity. </div>
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4) <i>Get a change in scenery.</i> We often get caught up in our routines- same commute, same coffee shop, same breakfast. For a type-a gal like myself, shaking up the everyday can leave my mind in chaos; yet, I'm learning that if done correctly, a small change can get you out of the rut of routine. Whether it is driving a different route to school or work, going for a run around your neighborhood instead of the gym, or ordering the special instead of your regular meal at your go-to restaurant, these straightforward variations of your day take intentionality and frankly, an adventurous spirit. Because, being "adventurous" does not mean you have to go for a hike every weekend.</div>
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5) <i>Unplug for one hour a day.</i> This may be the most difficult for us millennials, but oh so necessary. It is easy to think that if we were to turn off our phones, computers, and TVs that we would be missing out or, for us irrationals, that our great aunt will need to go to the hospital and we are the only ones who can help. However, I think that is a risk we should be willing to take (unless the latter actually does become a reality). To go screen-free for just 60 minutes allows not just time to do other activities, but also grants your mind to slow down. And, slowing down is something that we should all practice a little more often, don't you think?<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">How do you add small spurts of creativity to your everyday?</span></i><br />
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Yours truly,<br />
Cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-12306143064581103462016-03-24T08:02:00.000-07:002016-03-24T08:03:08.189-07:00From Woman To Woman | 01.<div style="text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite things in the world is "girl talk". Those discussion between good friends that are often full of both laughter and tears, joy and grief, acceptance and advise. Those kinds of conversations leave me feeling so loved, so valued (and normally full coffee / tea). I have always wished to have conversations with certain women in history and to soak up all their wisdom-- and quite honestly, to have a little "girl talk".<br />
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So, from one woman to another,<br />
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"Women of God can never be like the women of the world. </div>
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the world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are <i>tender</i>. </div>
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there are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are <i>kind</i>.</div>
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there are enough women who are rude; we need women who are <i>refined</i>.</div>
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we have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of <i>faith</i>.</div>
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we have enough greed; we need more <i>goodness</i>. </div>
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we have enough vanity; we need more <i>virtue</i>.</div>
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we have enough popularity; we need more <i>purity</i>."<br />
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From the wise, Margaret Dyreng Nadauld.<br />
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Yours truly,<br />
Cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-22848449276074535582016-01-24T20:31:00.000-08:002016-01-24T20:38:17.537-08:00Playlist | 01.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">One of my goals for the year, or just in general, is to be more consistent with content here on CLL. I am a perfectionist at heart, so it honestly can take me months to finally publish a post. I actually write quite a bit, trying to make myself write </span></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">something </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">everyday (even if it is "get your life together, gosh dangit" on a napkin between cupcake crumbs</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">), so it's funny that I somehow do not have content to put out on a regular basis. Yet, I'm going to try to give myself a break every once in a while, and just post after only one edit (or five... baby steps, you guys).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.8px;">So to shake it up around here, I thought I would share my current music playlist. On my Spotify (follow me!-- Cate Willis) I call it "Don't Listen to Sad Songs in Winter", because this season can already be depressing enough with its short-lived days and biting cold, so let's not get ourselves down with overly-emotional music for now. Sorry, Adele.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.8px;">Lost | Jack and White</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Polarize | Twenty One Pilots </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.8px;">(actually anything from their new-ish album)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I Will Be There | Odessa (eeep. this song. the <i>chills</i>.)</span></div>
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Cloudline | Joseph</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Here | Alessia Cara (now deemed popular, but still such a good one)</span></div>
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When I Get Older | Wild Party</div>
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Fix My Eyes | KING & COUNTRY<br />
Future People | Alabama Shakes</div>
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Not to mention the embarrassing amount of Bieber I have been listening to. No shame. Actually, a little shame-- because I'm definitely <i>that girl </i>in the car intensely (& poorly, I might add) dancing to "Love Yourself" at red lights.</div>
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Enjoy your week, friends! Let's eat some cake and give ourselves a break every now & then.</div>
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Yours truly,</div>
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Cate</div>
</span>Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-38874654799488201602016-01-05T19:37:00.000-08:002016-01-06T15:15:01.720-08:00in the questions // inspired by "If You Feel Too Much"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">This weekend, I read Jamie Tworkowski's "If You Feel Too Much" in a span of 24 hours. It was that good. I honestly cannot remember a time I have read a book that after every chapter I say "dang *long dramatic pause* that was so *pause* freaking *pause* good" out loud. It probably got a little obnoxious to the onlookers at the coffee shop. <i>Sorry, you guys.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In one of my favorite chapters ("To David"), Jamie recalls a story of a time he had to go to an event . He dreads it-- the small talk, the strangers, everything. I read this initially and laughed because I feel like this a lot of the time, too (introverts unite!). But, instead he was met with authentic people talking about things that matter. Afterwards he states:</span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;">"And it struck me that this moment had happened inside a gathering that I had feared might be a shallow celebration of folk with a lot of answers. Instead, the moment that meant the most was the one with no answers at all... I am less and less impressed by "impressive" things or people who are presented as having it figured out. I am impressed by people who are honest and kind. I am inspired by moments of vulnerability, moments of confession and compassion, moments where someone makes it clear that they are a person in need of other people and someone else makes it clear that the first person is not alone."</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (From page 86 in IYFTM)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This, and many other beautiful quotations from the novel (just read it), has consumed my mind the past few days. So, a lot of the following is a reflection of that, it seems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*Note: this book will make you cry. I have cried many, many tears in response to Jamie's words. But I hope my own words are not from an emotional state, or of angst-y teenager, but from an honest & reflective mind.*</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I often get caught up in giving advise to others. I always mean it in a genuine way, and want to help, but I don't think our advise is always needed. And, it is really hard to admit that because we feel like the hero when we give mediocre guidance to others-- it is as if we have saved them or made a change in the world. It's that "do good, feel good" attitude that we so often want to obtain. Yet, in these moments our focus should not be on ourselves, but on the person we are looking at across the table. So, instead of advise, I think love is needed. I think our presence is needed. I think moments of silence are needed. I think meeting someone in their questions & uncertainty is needed. Because, we don't have all the answers at times. And I am learning this to be so true in my life at the moment. Personally, this season of life has been asking far more questions than answers, and is filled to the brim with uncertainty. It is a season that is fleeting, and full of transition. That fact is encouraging to me, yet also fills me with confusion. <i>How do we enjoy and be present in a time of life that is coming to an end? How do we hold on, but not too tight? And, in what ways can we actively pursue peace and hope in this moment?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe you are feeling this today, too. I like to think I am not the only one. I hope, at least. I would be wrong to not completely believe that because I know others are hurting, confused, lost, or in pain. I know that. And I wish I had the answers-- to this season of life for me, and to this season of life for you, whatever that may be. So, I am not going to pretend to be your shrink when my mind is only filled with questions. But, I think there is beauty in that. Better yet, I know so. There is a lot of beauty to be had in these moments because amazing things happen when we meet one another in questions. Walls are broken down. Hope is a possibility. Friendships happen. True love occurs. It is when we are not eager to give Pinterest-worthy advise, but ready to lend a listening ear or a hug when needed (and for a non-touchy-feely person like me, I'm working on the whole hug thing). Ready to tell those we care about that we care about them. With words and actions and a smil</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">e. To remind them that they are not alone. And to remind ourselves that we, also, are not alone in these trials. I'm a strong believer that everyone needs these reminders continually, no matter who you are or what stage of life you are in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I write this because I want to meet you where you are, and I want you to meet me where I am. I write this because I want you to know that this time on earth is temporary, but oh so significant. I write this because I, too, need to hear these words. To believe these words. To live these words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I invite you to do that with me today. To reach out, to listen, to remind yourself that you are special and worthy of love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Because you so are.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yours truly,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cate</span></span></div>
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-53023290722763908542015-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:002015-11-25T07:00:04.053-08:00well said // fall writing inspiration.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designlovefest.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/06/dress-your-tech_gabriella-sanchez-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.designlovefest.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/06/dress-your-tech_gabriella-sanchez-4.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via <a href="http://www.designlovefest.com/2015/06/dress-your-tech-101/#more-41479" target="_blank">design love fest</a> and created by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatnoisegal/" target="_blank">gabriella sanchez</a></i></td></tr>
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i am a strong believer in the idea of <i>to write well is to read well</i>. there are times (aka, most days) that i have no idea what to write about, or what to say quite frankly. yet, these are days that i take that cue to put down my pen and read. and to read <i>abundantly</i>, and <i>often</i>, and <i>deeply</i>. to notice every phrase, not just in a novel, but in news articles, on blog posts, and on the back of my shampoo bottle. (okay, that last one may be a stretch, but you get the idea.) because, there is a lot we can learn from others and loads of inspiration & those <i>hummm </i>moments to be had. so i say, <i>let's have them!</i></div>
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here are <i>seven </i>pieces of writing i have been inspired by recently. ergo, please stop reading this post and read some of these people's talented work. <i>ah, i love fellow creatives.</i></div>
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<i>one </i>// <a href="http://www.abigailmarygreen.com/blog/dear-american-christians" target="_blank">dear american christians,</a> by abigail green.</div>
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<i>two</i>// <a href="http://www.kelseymarie.co/self-care/" target="_blank">self care</a> by kelsey marie.</div>
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<i>three </i>// <a href="http://darlingmagazine.org/sharing-our-knots-learning-vulnerability-and-privacy-in-realtionships/" target="_blank">sharing our knots: learning vulnerability </a><a href="http://darlingmagazine.org/sharing-our-knots-learning-vulnerability-and-privacy-in-realtionships/" target="_blank">and privacy</a></div>
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<a href="http://darlingmagazine.org/sharing-our-knots-learning-vulnerability-and-privacy-in-realtionships/" target="_blank"> in relationships</a> via darling magazine </div>
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<i>four </i>// <a href="http://www.simplyilluminatedblog.com/the-blog/my-bedroom-studio-a-metallic-story" target="_blank">my bedroom studio: a metallic story</a> by jordan stokke</div>
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<i>five </i>// <a href="http://blog.anthropologie.com/a-fall-feast-friendsgiving/" target="_blank">a fall feast: friendsgiving</a> via anthropologie blog</div>
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<i>six </i>// <a href="http://blog.urbanoutfitters.com/blog/about_a_girl_arden_wray?cm_re=Blog_Content-_-B10-_-about_a_girl_arden_wray" target="_blank">about a girl: arden wray</a> via urban outfitters blog</div>
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seven // <a href="http://www.bando.com/blogs/our-happy-place/56382341-hyper-island-talks-to-jen-gotch" target="_blank">hyper island talks to jen gotch</a> via bando blog (a video!)</div>
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<b>who or what are you inspired by on a regular basis? and, do you think there is a correlation between reading and writing?</b></div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
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p.s. i used the word "ergo" in a piece of my writing. can you say "winning"? or, maybe just trying too hard.</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-81070152988809968342015-11-22T20:22:00.001-08:002015-11-24T19:55:38.971-08:00#10encouragingdaysproject // on stopping the glorification of negativity.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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about two months ago (also known as: this post is long overdue), i created a project i decided to call the "ten encouraging days project". each day, for ten days, i posted an encouraging note on social media (instagram: @cate.marg) that was on my heart that day. i tried to also make them somewhat creative and not written just on normal mediums, making it fun to experiment with type on something other than a white sheet of paper. i used the hashtag #10ENCOURAGINGDAYSPROJECT on each post along with a short caption sharing a little more behind the few word phrase. </div>
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i created this project because i have realized in the past year or so that we as a society <i>glorify negativity.</i> we complain just to fill silence and always find a way to pick one dislike out of a situation. "i can't even" and "literally cannot deal right now" surface a majority of the conversations i hear at school, as girls dwell on the one unfortunate aspect of a circumstance at hand. i think that people (myself included) complain for one of two reasons, one) just to hear yourself speak or two) to find a way to relate to those around you. if you find yourself under the first reason, then i'm sorry i cannot help you. learn to be at peace with silence every once in a while, sista friends. but, the latter is more common in our lives, i think. i find myself at times desiring to keep a conversation flowing by giving in to the temptation to talk about a common negative thing both me and my company are undergoing. "can you believe that mrs. so in so assigned us that paper and expects us to get it done by tuesday?! that's ridiculous", "ugh, this weather puts me in the worst mood", or "i wish there was more [fill in the blank] here", the list goes on. these are just a few of the ways i find myself focusing on negativity. yet, let us be brave enough to <i>start a conversation that matters</i>. not that it has to always go into the deep parts of our lives (though there is much beauty in those moments), but that it goes beyond the weather, beyond the gossip, and beyond the present complaints. because, let's be honest with ourselves: it is easy to gossip, complain, or talk about nothing (except for us introverts; small talk is pure pain). yet, what good are we doing (for ourselves, for others) if our words are only devaluing people? it makes our words cheap and undependable. let's challenge ourselves to take <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/10/postcards.html" target="_blank">genuine interest in others</a> and not default to what is <i>easy </i>to talk about, when we can instead <i>relate to others in love and light and truth</i>.</div>
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likewise, i simply wanted to use a platform as self-focused as instagram for something other than glorifying myself and my life. at times, i can get caught up in what my life appears like via the internet (which is so, so silly-- but maybe some of you can relate) instead of what really matters. so, i took an active step to not focus on myself, but others.</div>
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i will try to stop rambling here, and let my photos speak for themselves. below each is the instagram caption i added to the photographs when i posted. </div>
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<i>day 1 / September 22:</i></div>
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"often times, it is so easy for us to get bogged down in our inadequacy, failures, even our mundane routines that we forget how amazing it is to just be alive. so, for the next ten days, i will be sharing a daily note-to-self (equally for you as it is for me) that hopefully renews our lives for life & others & ourselves. i will try to be more meaningful than "you go girl", but no promises. here's to what I'm going to call the #10ENCOURAGINGDAYSPROJECT !! (so, if you hate excessive encouragement, plz unfollow)"</div>
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<i>day 2 / September 23 / first day of autumn:</i></div>
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"don't underestimate the beauty of new seasons & changes in life. (and, the literal changing of season-- aka happy FALL, you guys!)"</div>
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<i>day 3 / September 24:</i></div>
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"it's true. You really are. (i on the other day, am capable of devouring 3+ cookies in 0.0983 seconds)"</div>
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<i>day 4 / September 26 / after i took a day break:</i></div>
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"in the spirit of forgetting to post yesterday...: perfection only steals joy, beauty & creativity. (plus, being perf is SO last year anyways)"</div>
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^^ my second favorite of the ten ^^</div>
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<i>day 5 / September 27:</i></div>
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"repeat this to yourself daily. (especially when doing statistics homework.)"</div>
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^^ my third favorite ^^</div>
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<i>day 6 / September 28:</i></div>
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"a lyric from Sara Bareilles' new song, "She Used to Be Mine": "she is messy, but she's kind". thankful for friends to share the messy & authentic stuff with. because, in our flaws we are loved & cared about, and THAT is the most beautiful thing."</div>
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<i>day 7 / September 29:</i></div>
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"the three magic words-- treat. yo. self. (you deserve it.)"</div>
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<i>day 8 / September 30 / also, the day i got new shoes:</i></div>
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"mid week pick-me-up. (also, pun was definitely fully intended.)"</div>
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<i>day 9 / October 1:</i></div>
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"late night encouragement/inspiration from my mag of choice-- Darling. because, while I'm a big advocate for expression through style, we are more than what we clothe ourselves with & overall more than what our "outward-self" deems us to be. and, to me, there's a lot of power in that."</div>
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<i>day 10 / October 2 / also, my birthday:</i></div>
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"and to conclude, 10/10: CELEBRATE! celebrate the little victories, big accomplishments, the good days, the bad days, & everything in between. it makes life a lot more fun."</div>
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^^ this was my very favorite^^<br />
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i know most friends have already seen these photographs and read these captions due to their existence on instagram, but i decided i wanted to share it with more of the world. and honestly, i am quite proud of this project. i have always been impressed with those who can follow through with day-to-day projects, and though 10 days does not even compare to a full year project, got to start somewhere, right? anyways, this project was not only fun for my creative-self, but good for the soul. sometimes it is crucial to refocus our mind on the positive things, even amidst negative circumstances.<br />
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so, <b>how have you been encouraged recently? and, who in your life needs</b><b> encouragement in this season? </b>let's <i>overflow </i>with optimism, friends.<br />
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yours truly,<br />
cate</div>
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-45920433066814041462015-11-18T20:24:00.000-08:002015-11-24T19:52:43.724-08:00write it down // on the art of journaling.<div style="text-align: center;">
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(<i> side note: my absence on the ole blog has been partially due to what this entire post is about.</i> )</div>
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growing up, i always kept a journal or diary writing down the really <i>dire </i>life circumstances: which boy in my class i thought was cute or how i would never wear yellow and red together. the latter was actually so important that it received a full page in my fourth grade journal, followed by the phrase "ugh, mcdonalds!". i am proud to say that i have only broken that vow once, and with the more sophisticated shades of mustard and maroon. yet, as the teenage years rolled around and schedules began to be filled, i rarely sat down to write just for the sake of writing. unless you count the notes app on my phone or a word document (darn you, technology). i blamed its absence on my busy routine or a lack of inspiration. yet, it was those times that i really wish i would have consistently journaled. will there ever be proof that i once wore polos and khakis on a regular basis? or that paper i somehow scored an A on? and, did that time i walked out of the bathroom as a high school freshman with toilet paper on my shoe really occur? who knows, i did not journal about it. though the embarrassment or excitement of these moments is ingrained in my mind, i feel as if there were plenty more where that came from that are forgotten due to not being documented in some way.</div>
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as august rolled around this year, i reviewed my new years resolutions and was reminded of my most specific goal-- <i>journal</i>. other goals included deep, vague concepts like "live simply" and "maybe get bangs" (which i've decided is one big <i>heck no</i>). my dear friend, Sophie, gave me a beautiful journal this summer during my time in North Carolina. it is covered with a vintage-esque map print and has what i like to call "proper paper thickness" (this is a priority for yours truly). so, i decided to write again, no matter how sporadic or messy my thoughts were. i reminded myself that this is for me, and me only. (and maybe my children later in life, when i find high school breakups and tripping up the stairs funny.) for just a few minutes a day, i tried to actively pursue the art of journaling-- with a real pen and real paper-- instead of scrolling continually on my computer, only seeing my words in perfect type.</div>
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like i said <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/09/ten-things.html" target="_blank">a few posts back</a>, i am a rule-follower at heart. in the past, i have set up guidelines for myself to form a habit, saying "cate, you will journal every single day." however, the thin margin of creativity left me only seeing my notebook as a chore rather than something to abide in. so my rule was simply this: just write and let it flow naturally. as i go on month four, i now write a few pages almost daily sincerely out of pure desire to document. i am no pro on the art of the journal, but here are a few reasons why i think it is so important for all of us to do so.</div>
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one. <i>the therapeutic aspect</i>. somehow getting thoughts from your head to paper, can not only lift a burden from your shoulders, but even help you to figure out situations more clearly after physically seeing your words (especially without a backspace button). plus, it's a big stress reliever. particularly for the person (ahem, me) who cannot get herself to the gym if her life depended on it. </div>
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two. <i>kills the perfectionist</i>. when you begin to journal, you are hesitant at first as to how to go about it. i am pretty sure my first page in this year's journal went along the lines of "hey journal. is that how you journal? anyways...". yet, by page three, you are starting to write as you would think or talk to a friend. you learn that this is <i>your </i>space to fill with <i>your </i>words, no matter how ugly or jumbled they are at times. this is one of the only instances where i would stress to be selfish-- for your only audience is the personalized pages of your journal, so if you need to write about how great your hair looks today without the fear that you are "that girl", i say <i>go for it.</i> </div>
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three. <i>documents time</i>. this is so important and so beautiful. though a photograph can say a thousand words, so can a thousand words! write down the eventful times and the mundane days. looking back in a month, year, or ten years can be so amazing-- you can see the growth that has happened since then and reflect on how the past has shaped present-you.</div>
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therefore, i say: hey, you. go pick up a journal from target (pro tip: if you want to appear as a hardcore journal-er, purchase a moleskin) and just write. write your worries, fears, hopes, prayers, and the day-to-day stuff that you think is not noteworthy. remember to get it all out and leave nothing stirring in your mind or heart. journaling is just one way to allow you to learn the wonderful lesson of <i>being still</i> (in a world that tells you to go, go, go) and <i>letting go </i>(as you are surrounded by people who praise gossip and grudges)<i>.</i></div>
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but, if you are a regular journal-er, <b>how has getting your thoughts on paper aided to you well being?</b></div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate </div>
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-49009864485955225722015-10-11T16:17:00.001-07:002015-11-24T19:54:55.185-08:00postcards // on taking genuine interest in others. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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one of my favorite solo-sunday activities is browsing my local antique store. i find comfort there, like i am among lost friends who still know me through and through. there is just something about being surrounded by unknown people's objects-- some deemed special, others collecting dust in a box-- that makes my own heart flutter with curiosity. i am quite nosey deep down, but describing yourself as 'curious' makes people not turn heads as quick as 'nosey' does. there is one corner i always make my feet go somehow: a small wooden box that is filled to the brim with used postcards. letters from friends and loved ones lie in traces on the back between a stamp and quickly written address. what is it about an unknown person's short, often mundane notes that is so dear to me? it is the curiosity of it all? the game-like attitude i encompass as i try to distinguished imperfect mark from imperfect mark? or is it the fact that i am holding a piece of someone's life in my hand? a life no less precious than my own, yet i flip through the outdated remnants like switching gears in the car-- mindless and routine. maybe we hold those we physically encounter with the same attitude we obtain holding a slip of paper. for like a forgotten postcard, we are all crumpled, torn, sometimes ripped in half and mended with tape. yet we are both equally special, worthy and yearning for someone to pick us up from a hidden box among a crowd and read what we have to say. </div>
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i spent a total of $5 that sunday afternoon between four lonely postcards. now they are claimed and posted on my wall secured by golden paperclips and comforted amidst my own traces of life waiting to be found by another curious soul.<br />
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i do not think we show enough interest in the lives of what i like to call "our people". meaning family, coworkers, and friends we talk to almost everyday. when people become constant in our lives, it is easy for them to become devalued just as quick. we stop asking questions. we brush over the initial small talk like a pro. we even quit looking them in the eye when we talk to them. it is so easy to pick up the phone and scroll endlessly on social media instead of showing authentic interest in who is right in front of us. it is so easy to forget that sometimes it is those closest to us that need us the most. and, it is so easy to take for granted what has been carefully placed in our lives at the moment. it is easy because it is <em>natural</em>. yet, doing the <em>unnatural</em> is where true love lies. genuine love belongs to those who give without expecting any return, listen without their mind wondering, and sacrifice selflessly for the sake of someone else.<br />
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<b>what would our lives look like if we took <em>genuine interest</em> in those we encounter on a regular basis?</b><br />
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
<br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-28637947768258144632015-09-25T16:13:00.000-07:002015-09-25T16:13:00.675-07:00ten things. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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every so often, i try to take a break from my lengthy posts & intentionally share about myself on this site (i.e., <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2014/09/crying-over-planners-and-other-facts.html" target="_blank">this post about a year ago</a>). so, here is an updated <i>ten facts </i>about yours truly.</div>
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<i>one</i>. i am just about 18 years old (next week, my friends!) & live in the beautiful state of arkansas. </div>
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<i>two</i>. i plan on majoring in journalism in college. but, who knows, life is crazy & anything can happen. </div>
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<i>three</i>. as right-brained as my creative pursuits are, i am left-brained at heart: list-maker, time-oriented, and rule-follower. </div>
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<i>four</i>. top three favorite cities-- chicago, washington d.c., & barcelona.</div>
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<i>five</i>. though we are all more than our myers-briggs personality types, i am an infj (introvert, intuitive, feelings, judgment). i encourage you to <a href="http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test" target="_blank">type yourself</a> & those close to you if possible; learning about yourself and others is so healthy and needed for relationships. </div>
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<i>six</i>. i say i am a "cat-person", yet am hardcore allergic to all animals. (okay, maybe i am more of a <i>i-will-buy-anything-with-a-cat-on-it</i> "cat person".)</div>
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<i>seven</i>. one-on-one coffee shop dates are my JAM. seriously, give me a cup of tea and a quality friend across the table and i feel invincible. </div>
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<i>eight</i>. i wear b&w on a regular basis varying here and there with pops of grey & cognac. <i>and they say i ain't wild. </i></div>
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<i>nine</i>. current favorite songs on my september playlist:</div>
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"here" // alessia cara</div>
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"all the pretty girls" // kaleo</div>
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"101" // walla</div>
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"a million years" // johnnyswim</div>
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"the men that drive me places" // ben rector</div>
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<i>ten</i>. i am a lover of the little things: fresh flowers, washi tape, old photographs, hand-written letters, and expensive cheese (plus much, much more)</div>
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now, i want to hear from <i>you</i>! <b>what makes your heart flutter? what are your quirks?</b> share, friends. it's what makes the internet, well, the internet. </div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
<br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-33092190796186698992015-09-09T18:57:00.000-07:002015-09-10T19:41:45.012-07:00thoughts on: firsts, lasts, and progress.<div style="text-align: center;">
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with the start of senior year, or any year for that matter, at a trot, the essence of "lasts" is in air. from the realization that this is my last year at home (and the realization that it may be more upsetting to me than even my mom) to even mundane "lasts"-- last first day of school, last school functions, last time to have to ask to use the restroom (can i get a hallelujah on that one?!)-- i am reminded that things are beginning to come to a close.</div>
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yet, amidst all the "lasts" of this season in life, surprisingly there have been many "firsts". from first dates to first friendships to the first time finishing a sandwich with mayonnaise on it (update: still gross. i was very hungry.)-- it is these "firsts" that make the "lasts" so sweet yet so wistful. because i am a planner at heart, every time i begin a new phase in life, my mind is automatically focused on what the end contains. <i>is it worth it? will it work out? what is the "right" response or step-by-step plan? AND, where is the dang "_____ For Dummies" book on this? </i>my list of thoughts are endless. (note to self: put "stop making lists" on today's to do list.) </div>
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in a season that is so vital and exciting (yet equally scary as ever), i am reminded that life is so special, so fleeting, but most of all, life is <i>so </i>beautiful. it is easy to get caught up in "the big plan". it is easy to assume that with every decision you make, you have to have it "all figured out". it is easy to think that "i know/do not know what i am doing". i put quotation marks around phrases such as these, because honestly, they make me laugh (or at least do that pretentious humph that we all do when someone says they watch The Bachelor, but we secretly do too). how unrealistic to think that every choice we make, despite our better judgement, is the best choice? heck, i still internally debate the pros and cons of using a pencil or pen on a regular basis<span style="color: red;">.</span> how unrealistic to think that every 18-year-old can truly know what he or she should be doing with their life? most days, i still want to be the next Hannah Montana (wait, i take that back. sorry, Miley.). most importantly, how unrealistic to think that we could do it alone? <i>because, i know i sure can't. </i></div>
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^^^(the college question is definitely directed towards every adult who asks a senior in high school one or more of these questions: <i>what school are you going to? have you applied yet? what is your major? are you sure you want to go there? </i>etc., etc. no, i am not bitter. just confused as to why it is any of your business, lady-i-ran-into-at-the-store-who-hasn't-seen-me-in-3-years. okay, maybe i am bitter.) ^^^</div>
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after becoming content with the fact that a) i do not have it all figured out and b) that is perfectly okay, i have learned the beauty in being a <i>person in progress</i>. someone who is humble enough to answer the tough questions with honesty-- even when the answer may be <i>i just don't know</i>. to be the friend who meets someone where they are in life, not pretending to be the psychologist we all want to be or acknowledging that we have been there, done that. yet, most of all, to be the one human on this planet not focused on solely ourselves. because, when we take just one step back outside the realm of our minute problems, we are met with an even bigger question:<span style="color: red;"> </span><b>what is our goal at the end of the day? </b>and does what we choose to do in the small or large decisions reflect and respect that standard?<br />
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questions such as these are tough. they just are. it takes a bowl of ice cream and too many late nights to wrap my mind around them, honestly. though tough, just as important. with decisions and "firsts" that are more crucial than deciding what is for dinner (but if you are curious, pancakes. i'm having pancakes.), we must train ourselves to look away from our ideal five-year plan and instead be fully present. "forever" is not created over night; if we have our heart so set on how to perfect our future, we miss what truly establishes our forthcoming: now. it is the new, intimidating "now" that cultivates long-lasting friendships and relationships, the "now" that establishes our priorities, and the "now" that sets the foundation for our mindset on each circumstance that life throws at us.<br />
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because sometimes beginning a new relationship, or filling out college applications, or starting a new job or [fill in the blank here] can be scary when you do not know the outcome. yet, despite the confusion and uncertainty at times, let us stop thinking of the "what ifs" in life. instead, let's <i>just start</i>. progression has to begin somewhere, right? it does not mean we will never make a mistake. it does not mean it will work out according to our own plan. it does not mean that you will have all the answers. but, it does mean that you are <i>actively here</i>, and you are <i>intentionally trying</i>.<br />
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Charles Eames said it best-- <b>"art resides in the quality of <i>doing</i>, process is <i>not </i>magic."</b><br />
and, in my opinion, doing life (with love, grace & growth) is an art form in and of itself.<br />
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yours truly,<br />
cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-17897402517336495522015-08-10T21:22:00.000-07:002015-08-10T21:22:32.345-07:00summer travels: north carolina <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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you know how i promised to cover my d.c. travels next? me too, then i got too nostalgic looking back at the moments captured while i was with my bestie, sophie, in north carolina and, well, here we are. sophie moved to highpoint, north carolina about two and a half years ago, and will soon be moving to london, england. <i>like, what?!</i> she is living the dream (and i am living the dream vicariously through her). my time with her, though short, was nothing short of wonderful. we had some much needed friend-time-- you know when you stay up until 3 a.m. multiple nights in a row talking, laughing, and crying (and many combinations of the three), you have one heck of a friendship.<br />
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enjoy a few iphone snaps (whoops, did not whip out the camera once) from my time in the most beautiful state with the most beautiful friend...</div>
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<i>left to right, top to bottom:</i></div>
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<i>one</i>. // taken after almost missing my connecting flight (and doing the ugly cry in the charlotte airport). yes, i am "that girl".</div>
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<i>two</i>. // my read for the trip. an adventurous book for the adventurous heart.</div>
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<i>three</i>. //<i> reunited and it feels so gooooooood.</i> (80+ selfies taken soon after)</div>
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<i>four</i>. // my face as i touched down in greensboro. (i love using words such as "touched down". just call me a jet setter.)</div>
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<i>one</i>. // spent the next day smoothie making and smoothie breaking. (seriously, we broke the blender.)</div>
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<i>two</i>. // 'smoothie bowls with a lovely soul.' this was <i>definitely </i>an inside joke. there was <i>definitely </i>voices to go with it. if anyone who did not know us was around, they would <i>definitely </i>think we are in. sane.</div>
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<i>three</i>. // soph gave me these adorb cat socks. the way to my heart, people, the way to my heart.</div>
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<i>four</i>. // smiles & sleeping in until 11 a.m. </div>
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<i>one</i>. // best thing about visiting a friend with style is getting to borrow said friends' clothes. </div>
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<i>two</i>. // downtown greensboro-- the cutest street art.</div>
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<i>three</i>. // a restaurant solely devoted to crepes? what more could a girl ask for?</div>
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<i>four</i>. // from our day in chapel hill. we visited UNC with some friends (hi joe! hi henderson!) and it was the best day. it was also really hot, but we won't get into that (sweat. lots & lots of sweat.).</div>
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<i>one</i>. // soph & the great green wall.</div>
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<i>two</i>. // me & the great green wall. (thanks boys for the photos!)</div>
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as i was thinking about this summer, i wished i would have blogged and written more. yet, <i>i realized that i was too busy living life than blogging it.</i> and i am completely okay with that. with this trip being no exception to the adventures taken and memories made this summer, i am beyond thankful & excited as for what is in store. </div>
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and a big hug goes out to sophie for just being the friend she is. <i>virtual hugs for the win!</i> only good things ahead for you sister friend, even when it means an ocean apart.</div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-40499142036850047402015-08-08T21:58:00.001-07:002015-08-08T21:58:12.773-07:00thoughts on: social media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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this week, i have taken a little break from social media. i try to do this every so often to get refreshed and focus on things outside of a five-inch piece of glass. when i reflected on the last time i fasted from social media, all i could remember is how bad i wanted to tweet about how well it was going. ironic, right? let's just say that i did not fully get the point of why i needed a break. this time, however, i made a goal to not just refrain from using social media, but be present in what was right in front of my eyes-- to not feel the need to look down at my phone as conversation started going stale and to not take a photo of every event of the day (did you know you can still have brunch and not instagram it?!). </div>
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i remember reading a cynical, better-than-you phrase a few weeks ago that said "you are not all that you post to be". after a slight humph, i thought to myself <i>of course i'm not all that i post to be, i'm <b>more</b>.</i> yet, and more notably-- we are <i>all </i>more than what we put on the internet. i think we have this misconception that how we are perceived on social media is an accurate assumption of ourselves. why? because, that is exactly what we think of others. <i>oh, they are always hanging out with friends and eating healthy food AND have a close relationship with their parents</i> (you know what i am talking about, teens-- those three-paragraph long instagram captions to your parent who does not have an instagram on mother's/father's day), or <i>wow, why do they always look so cute? how do they have enough money for a $6 cup of coffee everyday? how do they balance work, family, and fun so well?</i>, or whatever you may think when a follower posts. we are so quick to assume that what we post, and what others' post, is all we are.</div>
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i often times get compliments from friends and followers that i "have such a cute instagram" or the even more 'hip' compliment, "you're instagram is so aesthetically pleasing". while flattering, i dislike being recognized for something so minute and unimportant in the long run. when someone says that to me, all that comes to mind is how i will tell my children someday how "cool" i was for posting photos on the internet and multiple people 'liked' them (or clicked a button on their device). i can only imagine the smirks and chuckles as they mumble <i>yeah right </i>under their breath. do not get me wrong, i <i>love </i>social media. i really do. yet, as for me, i use social media (mainly instagram) as a creative outlet-- i try to make my photos artistic, somewhat decent quality, and have a creative caption (<i>you're such a try-hard, cate</i>). i do this not because i want likes and comments, but because i truly enjoy it. yes, i really do love finding a creative way to capture what i am doing. yes, i really do love editing a photograph of mine for way too long than i am willing to admit. and yes, i love to write and love to express just a little of who i am through captions and tweets. note i said "a little" of who i am-- because i am (and you are) more than what i (you) post. i bet you did not know from my social media that in this past week alone i have cleaned out and given away over half of the contents in my closet. or that i frequently walk around the container store by myself (i do not think i should be admitting this one). or that i have an extensive candle collection because i cannot bear to throw away beautiful candle holders after they are out of use. and no matter how authentic i try to be, social media can never capture the true joy i get when i have "real talk" conversations with a friend. it can never speak the thousands of words and emotions i feel about a current event. most of all, it can never tell you how much growth and peace i have gained through trust in Christ. the list goes on. all this to say-- social media cannot tell our whole story. yet, i believe there is beauty in the mystery and the unsaid. it opens the door for curiosity and conversation outside the realm of likes, shares, and comments. </div>
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though social media does not tell the whole story, it can be used effectively and positively. for instance, how cool is it that we can connect with any and everyone? whether that is a friend from high school you haven't seen in 10+ years or someone from another country that shares in your love of [fill in the blank here], the possibilities are endless. sometimes i just think about that, and i'm like <i>DANG, i love living in the 21st century. </i>another one of my favorite aspects of social media is that when meeting people in person or catching up with an old friend, you do not have to go into your whole life spiel (your family, your job, what you do for fun). instead, you can dive into deeper topics since you have the basics covered (or maybe that is just an introvert's comfort). lastly, social media can be used as a marketing space. stores and brands that post quality content frequently draw me in. for example, <a href="http://www.shopbando.com/" target="_blank">ban.do</a> has excellent social media handles. fun, colorful, inviting posts on not just items for sale, but behind-the-scenes action around their studio. they even have a social media coordinator whose job is solely to focus on how to market their brand on the internet (talk about dream job!). </div>
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yet, despite the positive effects of social media, i have realized that every time you log onto facebook, instagram, twitter, etc. your focus directs to yourself*. whether comparing what you are doing to your friends or deciding how to make your life attractive and "post-worthy", this can be such a dangerous cycle. the thing is this: we only post what we think <i>others </i>want to see: perfection. when in reality, all we really want to see is that someone else can relate to our situation, whether good or bad. as we log onto our social media accounts, we are faced with images of smiling faces and beautifully written accounts of good news: high test grades, job promotions, vacations, and [insert that annoying person on facebook who brags about his or her child 24/7]. we scroll aimlessly and automatically think that everyone is doing just fine, actually better than fine-- they are at the beach with their perfect family who all gets along while still having the most relaxing time. right?! or is that just what social media tells you? it once again displays only one aspect of the story. we are not shown the messy, un-photo worthy details of life-- the fights between families, the lonely friday nights, or the multiple failed attempts to get one's math grade up (the 'one' i am referring to is me my entire high school career). not that those details and life events should consume every post, but we need to remember that everyone is dealing with something-- whether now or later, small or large. <i>what parades our eyes on the internet is not always the complete truth</i>. </div>
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as my week of social media-lessness comes to a close, i have learned a few things:</div>
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one // i have connected with people more this week even without social media updates.</div>
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two // i have found myself forgetting to photograph what is happening. (<i>that</i>, i think, is when you know you are truly enjoying yourself.)</div>
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three // i have indulged in activities that i love when i have extra time instead of staring at my phone. (i have written four long letter to friends, finished a book, journaled multiple times, as well as many artistic pursuits. woo to the hoo!)</div>
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four // i have been less "self-focused". (*revert to previous rant on how selfish humans are, myself included)</div>
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five // i have been way more productive. though this is a given, it reminds me how much of a time-sucker that the internet can be.</div>
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six// people are not waiting hand and foot for an update on your life. i know, it's hard to believe, people. as much as you think that your posts are needed for the internet to stay alive, they aren't. life still goes on without you. <i>let's stay humble, folks.</i></div>
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i hope this post reminds you that you are, in fact, <i>more </i>than what you post, and that sometimes it is healthy to step back from social media for a short time. yet, do not feel pressured to go off the grid for a month or even a week (but more power to you if you do!), but maybe just for an evening or on a rainy day. </div>
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let's consider this: <b>what would change about our lives and the lives of those around us if we unplugged and were truly present?</b></div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-4446761510557990832015-08-02T19:59:00.002-07:002015-08-10T20:23:23.355-07:00summer travels: philly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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hello, hello, hello.</div>
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let me start off with this: this summer has been one for the books. not even in just a figurative way-- like, i will seriously have a chapter dedicated to the summer of 2015 in my memoir (coming soon to a store near you... in 15+ years). i have had the opportunity to travel quite a few places-- north carolina, d.c., philadelphia, as well as a few day trips here and there. thought i would share with you the story of each of my travels through the photographs that were taken there. though photos can speak a thousand words, they do not tell all of the story. behind each perfect composition and beautifully-edited capture you see on people's social media, there is always more to it. we must remember that. </div>
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as for now, photos will do. here's a little play by play of my time in philadelphia. </div>
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<i>left to right, top to bottom:</i></div>
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i. // neighborhood plants and new shoes.</div>
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ii. // steps of cute homes (colorful doors make my heart oh so happy)</div>
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iii. // flower petals adorning the streets</div>
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iv. // cute philly homes in the neighborhood where we stayed</div>
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i. // hershey park! (p.s. i rode my first roller coaster. didn't pee or cry. success.)</div>
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ii. // beautiful bridge along the schuylkill river.</div>
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iii. // my new vans making another appearance (not pictured: the huge blisters that i had from the smart decision to wear new shoes on a trip. this is where my mom would say "at least you're pretty".)</div>
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iv. // some of the youth group hanging out at the park at night.</div>
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i. // philly streets in the rain (fun cate fact: big city + rain-- my two favorite things)</div>
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ii. // philadelphia museum of art. i may or may not have followed this lady around for a while because i was obsessed with her dress.</div>
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iii. // van gogh's sunflowers! ah, what a dream.</div>
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iv. // found this cute lil' kitty hanging in a cute lil' bookstore. </div>
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i. // reading terminal market. i had the best burger here (restaurant called 'hunger burger') and not to mention how adorable their space was (subway tile *heart eyes*).</div>
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ii. // more park hanging and soccer playing. (no, friends, i did not show my skills this time. had to hold back. couldn't have others feel embarrassed this time around.)<br />
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(photos that did not make the cut but equally important: multiple selfies taken, even more photos of my feet [sorry, instagram followers-- you got those], liberty bell & independence hall photos [yay, america!], a photo of some children with tails [oh, the people you see at amusement parks], as well as a multitude of photos at the airport [think: 25 people. 3 flight delays. 3 cancellations. 2 days later, we were all home. see, told you photos do not tell the entire story.])<br />
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my time in philly was due to a mission trip with my church youth group. while there, we worked with a local church planter and his family by assisting him in making relationships with the people in the area. from taking surveys about the community to handing out water bottles, what we did was out of the ordinary for the people in the neighborhood. i have learned that with unfamiliarity comes two choices: to reject or to question. we got rejected multiple times, yet we also had the chance to be questioned about why we are doing what we are doing. due to the curiosity of people, we were able to share the reason behind a mundane water bottle and simple questionnaire: Jesus. our love for Christ should compel us to share. (note i said <i>share</i>, not <i>force</i>.) by opening with a mere action of love, we were able to talk about what truly matters.<br />
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so very thankful for my time in philadelphia. a city so unknown to me, yet Jesus is working and moving in the lives of his people who he knows and loves fully. now, <i>that </i>is something to shout about! also, crazy grateful for my youth group-- from card-playing to roller coaster riding to late night talks, we grew together and separately.<br />
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thanks for reading, whoever you are. stay tuned for my next travel post focusing on one of my favorite cities ever-- washington d.c.!<br />
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yours truly,<br />
cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-58118853305724577332015-07-03T10:09:00.001-07:002015-07-03T10:09:42.609-07:00permission to feel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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this week, i watched the movie "Inside Out", and man, was it so good (and cute, and sweet, and moving, and authentic). seriously, my inner-pixar-loving child was coming out big time. in a nutshell, the movie discussed the emotions and inner feelings of an eleven-year-old girl. from joy to sadness, to fear to anger to disgust, it truly captured it all-- the good, bad, and ugly, as they say. </div>
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what i loved so much about this movie, and what i have learned to be true in my life as of late, is that it is okay to have memories and situations that are not marked as strictly "joyful" or just "sad". you can have a mix, and, to me, it is actually encouraged. beyond the black and white of the world, life is more complex than we want it to be. if we block out emotions like sadness or fear, how do we ever grasp the fullness of joy and freedom? to accurately keep our lives in a healthy state, we must experience genuine feelings-- ones that hurt and make us cry, and ones that come with a grin and that warm feeling in your chest. we must have one to obtain the other. </div>
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so often, i look for permission to "feel something". whether that be permission from a friend, family member, counselor, or book, i constantly ask those around me "is it okay to feel/think ____?". i have always been a rule-follower kind of girl ever since i can remember. i can recall the one and only time i got in trouble in elementary school. it was the one hundredth day of school, so my class was sitting on the rainbow carpet in the middle of the room carefully examining jars filled to the brim, each with one hundred items. my teacher reached for the jar of marbles, eager to twist the cap of to share with us, yet was having trouble. she asks the class "who is strong in here and can help me?". i immediately respond with a loud "i am!" as i reach for the girl's arm that is next to me and twist it so hard it turns red. the teacher gasps, the girl cries, i cry, and the dang jar went unopened. i was mortified and had to have a talk with the teacher between my hyperventilation and excessive tears about what just occurred. sorry, haley (girl whose arm got twisted), i have been beating myself up for this since that day. *whew! talk about guilt!* all this to say, i do not break rules. i go the speed limit, do not pass "do not enter" signs, and rarely eat food past it's expiration date. however, when it comes to more complex situations, with no rule or course to go by, i question how i should act. i used to denounce any anger. disappointment, or sadness in response to a circumstance where that was my natural response. i thought that by allowing myself to feel those emotions, i was weak, vulnerable & not the 'strong, independent woman (who don't need no man)' that is so prized in our society. yet, that is <i>so </i>far from the truth.</div>
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i was texting a friend recently about a situation i was quite frustrated about. i tried to "play it cool"-- you know, no exclamation points or all-caps-- to appear that my current dilemma was no big deal. i expected an overly-positive "it is all going to be okay" reply, but was met with feedback that contained validation and permission of my feelings. sometimes, allowing someone to be angry, sad, frustrated or disappointed is needed to get to the next step. not to give them permission to wallow in their own pity for weeks on end, but granting someone the freedom to act on what is emotionally natural in the moment. whether that be to scream, cry, vent, or to scowl and growl (my personal favorite), by giving permission to hurt, you open the door for growth, acceptance, and embrace of the circumstance.</div>
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(^thanks, friend! you know who you are.)</div>
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phrases such as "spread good vibes" and "positivity only" surface a good portion of pinterest boards, instagram feeds, and walls of hip coffee shops. while it sounds enjoyable and simple in a water-colored print, is it really doable? can we really only be happy all the time? the answer, my friend, is no. not to be negative-nelly here, but is just unrealistic to think that life is going to be all daisies and roses. the facts are this: hard times have come (and are coming), yet also great experiences have occurred (and will continue to occur), plus every little happening in between. some years, it will be a 50-50 split between the good & bad, and most years it will vary like no other. yet, do not let yourself miss out on the reward of true joy by not admitting an initial emotion. metaphorically, i am saying that it is okay to not immediately turn lemons into lemonade (<i>what? who are you and what have you done with Cate?!)</i>. it is okay to miss someone that is no longer in your life, or to wish for a state of life that has come and gone. let yourself taste the bitterness and pain of the situation for a moment so that you can thoroughly enjoy the sweetness that is to come. </div>
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(pro tip: ditch the lemons altogether, and make some brownies.) </div>
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learning to let yourself go through the ups and downs of life, taking each phase at your own speed, is part of being a fully authentic individual. because, occasionally we have to remind others that we <i>also </i>do not have our crap together. <i>but who really does, anyway?</i></div>
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(read more on this in my post on letting go of perfection <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/02/thoughts-on-perfection.html" target="_blank">here</a> )</div>
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give someone permission today to be themselves-- to respond with true gentleness and validation for the sake of emotional progress and a genuine soul. someone out there needs it, </div>
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and it may just be <i>you</i>. </div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-89916296968462280652015-06-05T20:33:00.002-07:002015-08-02T20:11:50.859-07:00thoughts on: creatives<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">i often times describe myself as a creative person. yes, it was my go-to word when asked in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">elementary school to name an adjective with the same first letter as your first name-- </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">creative cate</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. so original, right? however, others often </span>describe<span style="font-family: inherit;"> me as creative too. this compliment is honestly hard for me to take most days as i try to mumble out a "uh, sure, thanks" a few minutes too late. as i have been reflecting on this characteristic of myself and other "creatives", i got to wondering:</span><br />
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<i>what does it mean to be creative?</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">in my opinion, everyone is creative. dictionary.com describes creativity as such: "<span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">ability</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">to</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">transcend</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">traditional</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">ideas,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">rules,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">patterns, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"></span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">relationships,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">or</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">like,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">to</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">create</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">meaningful</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">new</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> i</span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">deas,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">forms, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"></span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">methods,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">interpretations,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;">etc." i like the way they say '<i>transcend</i> traditional ideas', as to state that to be creative we must go a step </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">further, work harder, and think differently than the in-the-box kind of people. it requires extra effort and extra work (and extra mistakes-- lots & lots of mistakes). to be creative means to crave the unknown and the to-be-discovered. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">in most's minds', creativity is only associated with artists. whether that be fine artists, photographers, designers or just your artsy ig-ers & bloggers, why are we so quick to assume that these titles are the only ones who can obtain & succeed in creative pursuits? maybe we could blame it on pinterest with those dang diy's or even on it over-use of the term "creative" when describing people who can those do so called "crafts". (i am hesitant to say this because i feel like half of the girl-world will hunt me down, but completing a step-by-step guide to how to paint a flower is just. not. creative. sorry to break it to you to the hard way, i really am.) let us expand our minds to people who are creative outside of traditional art & classic mediums. think about the cook who arranged the food on your plate at dinner last night or the teacher/boss who formed the seating arrangements of your classroom/office away from your friends you could "meet new people" (</span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">yeah, thanks for that teach'. sincerely, all introverts</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">). those are crazy creative individuals. also, appreciate the people who you interact with on a regular basis who are creative: your family & friends, who despite busy schedules, make </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">intentional</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"> time to spend with you. again, </span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">crazy </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">creative individuals. </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">you can also be creative with how you speak-- choosing to be kind and encouraging to others rather than talking about the weather. you can be creative with how you dress- choosing to express yourself in a modest way (yet with mad style, of course) through something as materialistic as clothing. you can be creative with how you act-- choosing to be confident and true to yourself despite circumstances. we are all <i>created </i>to be <i>creative </i>people. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">take time to slow down and realize how innovative and artistic ordinary people are-- whether that be on your drive to the store or just in your own home. learn to </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">acknowledge</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"> the 'creative' in everyone, even yourself.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">all this to say, yes, <i>you</i>, are creative. <i>you</i>, the math geek and the basketball player. <i>you</i>, the netflix-</span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;">enthusiast and video-game player. even <i>you</i>, the party thrower and party goer. all creatives, just in different ways. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;">so, heck- let's embrace it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">yours truly,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">cate </span></span></div>
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Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-75238469593877464192015-05-30T21:58:00.001-07:002015-05-30T22:06:03.072-07:00styling lessons (for the everyday girl)<br />
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hey hi hello, friends! </div>
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unrelated note: long time no see. <i>you can say that again, cate.</i> yes, i know. i have taken a little blogging hiatus this past month or so. due to the immense amount of school work, family + friend obligations (well, not all obligations), and honestly a lack of sleep & desire to whip out the ole laptop for a post, this site has been taking a much needed cat nap. but nonetheless, school is out for summer (do not make me break into song) and i am more than eager to blog again. with a mind full of ideas and unlimited creative boundaries-- let's do this whole blog thing once more.</div>
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<i>styling</i>. the art of the perfect composition and freedom to make ordinary objects & actions look beautiful. styling is one of my favorite creative outlets to pursue, so i am constantly learning and growing in the process & outcome. whether i do it for the 'gram or just for kicks and giggles, it is something i genuinely crave & thrive in. in an ideal world, i would have a pretty studio (think ban.do or rifle paper co.), a plethora of backdrops, and endless props. but, <i>plot twist</i>: we do not live in that world. surprise, right? through this i have learned how to create the most with my current circumstances and make do with my available resources. </div>
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through just a white desk, a window, and so much washi tape that it makes you think i have a problem (i do)-- let's dive into the creative process of <i>styling </i>for the everyday girl, doing everyday things.</div>
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while browsing through the aisles at target (which, as you all know, i do on a semi-regular basis), i came across this funky washi tape and thought <i>well if that doesn't say summer, then i don't know what does</i>. so i bought it. being the girl i am, i have this desire to use/wear whatever i buy immediately. i thought that the pattern would work well as a mini-backdrop for a shot, so i taped about 12 strips of this fun-fetti washi tape to my desk. </div>
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then, i gathered supplies! i had stamped two pieces of art the previous day (they turned out quite wonderfully, too) so thought that they might look appealing on the backdrop. also, i collected this polaroid from the night before of <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/04/forever-friend.html" target="_blank">abigail</a> & i at anthro (<a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-art-of-weekend.html" target="_blank">surprise,</a> <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2013/10/anthropologie-fall-lookbook.html" target="_blank">surprise</a>). </div>
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i tried out the stamped 'hello's' first. after i took 10-12 shots shifting each of them in and out of the frame, i ended up not loving the way it looked. </div>
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quickly, i tested the poloroid and realized the colors of the photo match the washi tape. can you say match made in heaven? again, i shifted the photo every which way...</div>
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...and even did the 'so instagram hip' shot of holding it...</div>
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... thought it may have needed another aspect, so i added these pretty pink packaging peanuts...</div>
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... and shifted those out...</div>
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... then i started from scratch and took the photo from a different angle so the tape lines point diagonally...</div>
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and at the end of it, i decided to go with the first shot of poloroid. clean, simple, and just what i wanted to capture. i actually ended up posted it on instagram*, but just used an iphone photograph because i am, well, lazy.</div>
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though a posed shot (thank you, self-timer), this is a pretty accurate representation of what my personal process looks like. i am sure i get a great deal of looks from my neighbors and passing cars, but heck-- i have way too much fun doing this to even care.</div>
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i have learned that through styling (and most creative pursuits) <strike>sometimes </strike>most of the time you do not get your desired look on the first try. it's a <i>process</i>. it takes time. it takes patience. it takes trying and believing in your every idea. and through it all, and an abundance of practice, the process shortens & you actually long for your initial frustration of coming up with the next best idea. the key to success is learning to love the growth and progress-- embracing every mistake, laughing at failing ideas, and mostly realizing the art of "not yet" but "close".</div>
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~</div>
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hope you all enjoyed seeing a little peak into one of my passions. and thanks, friends, for sticking around through the lack of posts, but get ready for operation: take over the blogger-world.</div>
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just kidding, i am not <i>that </i>ambitious. pretty ambitious, but not that crazy.</div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
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(*p.s. shameless plug: missed me so much? follow me on instagram <i>@cate.marg</i> for almost-daily posts of my un-instagram worthy life.)</div>
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<br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-31733162991013620562015-04-20T14:50:00.002-07:002015-04-20T14:50:30.560-07:00the art of the weekend. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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weekends are one thing i am particularly pretty darn good at. just ask my alarm clock. </div>
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last weekend, cate succeeded yet again. friday night, my friend, "AB", and i went totally & completely seventeen-year-old-white-girl on ourselves and saw "the longest ride" on it's opening night. at the end of the movie, we were both in tears. AB asks, "are you crying because they are finally together?", to which i say "no, i'm crying because of all the art." then i ask her the same question, and she answers, "no, i'm crying because of the hot guy." nonetheless, it was an A+ movie in our teenage hearts. </div>
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plus, we went to anthropologie. i got a glance at their new spring stuff and <i>oh my heart. </i>pretty things everywhere, i tell you. forever my favorite place. forever.</div>
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saturday was spent with family & good food. my little brother works at a special needs camp on some weekends, and he normally has a break during the weekend for a meal. so graham, my mom and i hard-core brunched. and by "hard-core" i mean i had croissant french toast. did you hear that? i said CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST. later that day, my mom and i ate at a new pizza place downtown and stopped by my favorite coffee shop for a treat. 'twas a good time. </div>
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real, non-instagram-worthy activities: i did have to spend a few hours of the afternoon doing standardized test prep. i swear it will be the death of me. seriously, if i am ever MIA just check underneath the stack of ACT packets on my bed and maybe you will find me. </div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjmcVJUS9MQ/VSqX5quscjI/AAAAAAAAD8g/kXzHUPTu08k/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-68323910714953613622015-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:002015-04-10T07:11:30.124-07:00note to self.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.designlovefest.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/02/LET-yourself-REST4.jpg" target="_blank">design love fest</a></td></tr>
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here's a little known fact about me: i'm a list maker. i <i>love </i>lists. i <i>love </i>goals. i love crossing things off lists. i love accomplishing goals. annoyed yet? i have learned through the years of becoming a professional list-maker that the most successful way to get things accomplished is to be specific and intentional about a goal. for example<span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span style="background-color: white;">instead of </span><i><span style="background-color: white;">"make an A on a test"</span></i><span style="background-color: white;">, you say </span><i><span style="background-color: white;">"cate, you are going to listen in chemistry class. </span></i><i><span style="background-color: white;">y</span>ou are not going to cry. you are going to take notes, then study your notes, and study some more. you are going to take the test. and you are then, going to make an A." </i>yeah, it's tough. accomplishing real problems no matter how small or big they may seem is not all flowers and butterflies. it's hard. it's easy to give up. it's easier to not even start. however, the reward is so, <i>so </i>much sweeter.</div>
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here are a few of my note-to-self's lately:</div>
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<i>1. don't take everything so personally.</i></div>
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aka, everything is not about you. people are often times too wound up in their own mess to even dwell on yours. </div>
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<i>2. people will disappoint you. </i><br />
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the kicker here is to not let your standard of others be something they are not. my mom would always say "you cannot make a cat bark". and it's true. i've tried it.<br />
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<i>3. do not judge a situation by how it looks on the outside and how it feels on the inside.</i><br />
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because feelings are only temporary & not the truth. and someone else's outside may be the opposite on how they feel on the inside.<br />
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<i>4. smile, darn ya, smile!</i><br />
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you seriously cannot ever go wrong with smiling. ever. also, there is scientific proof (click <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/2013/02/26/fake-smile/" target="_blank">here</a>) that even if you fake smile, it will boost your mood and simulates something in your brain that allows you be happier over time of smiling. <i>obviously</i>, i am super scientific.<br />
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<i>5. this world is not our home.</i><br />
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yet again, i need to remember that this earth and my time on it is only fugitive. not that it does not matter, but that we should find joy in that fact that we belong in a much more beautiful place-- and that my friends, is with Christ. oh, what a day.<br />
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happy friday!<br />
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yours truly,<br />
cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-46095613887251934922015-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:002015-04-08T07:00:06.250-07:00forever friend. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outfit details: tee-shirt dress: beehive boutique in little rock, ar. | poncho: urban outiftters | shoes: anthropologie | purse: marc by marc jacobs (borrowed from mom) | necklace: vintage via grey dog boutique in fayetteville, ar. </td></tr>
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let's play honesty hour.</div>
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there have been times throughout my high school career that i just think<i> this is not my place</i>. i often times have a difficult time connecting with the typical 16 year old gal, and have never had a large group of friends that are together every weekend. i am constantly awaiting and yearning for the day that i find "my people". those who just get me, and i likewise with them. not that i am discontent with my life as of late, but do not have the normal high school friend group that i you see in movies. however, i do have a few friends that i truly do confide in-- i think about <i>sophie</i>, my bestie who lives 15 hours away from me, i think about <i>sara</i>, my friend who is in college that i get to see every holiday. i think about taylor swift... who, uh... (oh wait, you can't be best friends with someone you have never met? oh.). and i think about my dear friend, <i>abigail</i>. </div>
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there are not many people in this life that compare to abigail. she's kind, she's intelligent, she's beautiful, she's encouraging, she's a giver, she's authentic, she's confident... and the list goes on. this past weekend i had some time to spend with this girl. people who are perfectly content with sitting on your bed and just talking about how messy life can be at times are those who simply get it. then we went out for tacos & stuffed our faces (and took too many selfies along the way, too). i am beyond thankful for such a loving, consistent friendship like this one. abigail, you are someone who, no matter how inconvenient making time together is, is such a blessing to have be apart of my life. </div>
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heck, you're a <i>forever friend</i>. </div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
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<br />Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-76729204274837889962015-04-05T16:14:00.001-07:002015-04-05T16:14:19.333-07:00spring break road trip.<div style="text-align: center;">
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hello friends!</div>
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last week was my spring break from school and i thought i would share a little insight as to what is going on in the life of yours truly. my older brother, jackson , and i took a little road trip to neighboring states for a few days. with little to no expectations (and planning) those few days were one for the books. full of laughter, car jamming, city hopping, and way too much mexican food, it was a major bro/sis bonding experience. here are just a few snip bits of our travels. </div>
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our first stop was <i>st. louis</i>. i have always wanted to visit this city and since jackson has a good friend who is in college there, we thought it was a good time to go. when we first arrived mid-afternoon, we met up with j's friend for lunch and a tour of washington university. later that night, we went to the city museum and let me just tell you: this place was ah. maz. zing. i didn't take many good shots, but it is basically a gigantic jungle gym. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[ dare i say-- i got my chucks on with saint laurent... jk about the ysl part. ]<br />
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the next day, we got up early (the '9 o'clock' kind of early) and headed downtown to wander around the city gardens. these were seriously so cool-- over a dozen huge sculptures covering just a few blocks in the center of downtown. very interactive & photo-worthy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ no, thank you, horse & carriage for making this photo perfect. ]</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">[ st. louis skyline from 630 feet up in the gateway arch. we crazy like that. ]<br />
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then we walked over to the arch. after trying (and failing) to get a decent photo to capture it's beauty, we took a tram ride to the top. 630 feet later & hearing our fellow passengers life story (j likes to ask too many questions to strangers), we arrived at the top of the arch. this tiny room (with even tinier windows) provided us with the best view of st. louis. is there anything better than a city skyline?<br />
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the only downside to the arch, was that the grounds are currently in construction. so, it did not make for the prettiest photographs & left your shoes a bit muddy, but hey, even more reason to return!</div>
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later that afternoon we went to the st. louis art museum. short story: since there was no parking spot close to the museum and being the princess that i am, j dropped me off at the front while he parked about a half-mile away. i had no idea what this city's art museum was known for beholding, so i just went in with open arms. however, somehow i ended up paying $14 for just the exhibit that i was not even interested in while the rest of the museum was free. after probably complaining about the waste of money on the two-roomed show of river boat paintings (i am sorry, artist who spent hours working on these, i just do not care), i ended up in the comtemporary art room. ahhh, joy. happiness. love. all words that come to mind when i hear the words "comtemporary art". i was one happy girl.<br />
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afterwards, i grabbed a cup of tea and j & i walked back to the car. *here is where i tell you how scary it was walking within 10 feet of a man holding a very large snake. plot twist: i asked to hold the snake. wait... no, i actually did a mad dash down to the car and avoided any eye contact *</div>
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right before closing time, we hopped over to the missouri botanical gardens. i did not know what to expect, and was blown away. it felt as if we were in a safari. huge greenhouses adorned with the richest hues of green and vibrant flowers were everywhere you turned. i wish we could have stayed longer. </div>
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the next day we drove two hours over to kansas city. upon arriving, we were met with some hotel complications. (apparently, you have to be 21, not 18, to check in at certain hotels.) so, we just adventured around kc for a few hours. we walked around the grounds at the nelson-atkins museum of art (again, the sculptures were to die for), ate too much cheesecake, and popped in urban outfitters (thank you j, for letting me "make the rounds one more time" 20 times). </div>
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off to fayetteville, ar we went!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[ it wasn't even wednesday. (har-har) ]</td></tr>
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being in the town where j lives, we had a slower couple of days, which was much needed. one morning we (me, jackson, and his friend) visited the gentry drive-thru zoo. you were suppose to keep your windows up at all times, but when a camel comes up to your window, you <i>have </i>to roll it down. call us rebels. ;)</div>
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then i had my 3rd meal of chicken tacos for the past 3 days thanks to a local taco truck. hey, not complaining. </div>
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later that night, j and i went to a coffee shop that he has been wanting to take me to for a while now. we sat there and chatted about school, future, friends, and just life in general. very thankful for a older brother to talk with and listen to.</div>
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the next morning, all three of us went on a short hike in the fayetteville area. it supplied us with a vast overlook filled with trees ready to bloom. the weather was perfect and i only tripped once. i call that an outdoor-success for this one.<br />
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shortly after, we stopped for snow cones & headed home.</div>
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until next time, you beautiful open road. </div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-87480561971594933422015-03-24T20:28:00.001-07:002015-03-24T20:28:45.960-07:00happy list. <br />
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let's be honest: there are days (or weeks... or months) when life is just <i>blah</i>. it's true. i've been there more times than most, it seems. sometimes i just want to shout to the lady checking me out at target <i>"hey guess what? i don't have my crap together!"</i>. then i realize that that may be intrusive and i just need to eat a piece of cake and get on with the day. </div>
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however, the other way (and healthier way, i might add) to refrain from dwelling on these moments in life is to be focus on what <i>is </i>going right, what you <i>do </i>love, what <i>does </i>make your heart sing, and <i>does </i>what lifts your at-times dying spirit. here are a few of mine as of late:</div>
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<i>1. card games //</i> i may not be the most athletic, but give me a deck of (preferably cute) cards and i will take. you. down. </div>
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<i>2. the unexpected encouraging text // </i>hey, friend who may or may not read this-- thanks for your sweet text last week. i needed it. </div>
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<i>3. one-on-one conversations //</i> there is nothing that leaves me more renewed than long chats with friends. plus, food or tea is always involved. win-win situation, i guess. </div>
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<i>4. hugs. //</i> there, i said it people! i like your hugs (even if i continually resist them). </div>
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<i>5. content that makes you think. // </i>current favorites: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI-gW-Ojt38" target="_blank">this video</a> containing ira glass' two cents on the creative process & <a href="http://darlingmagazine.org/saying-slander/" target="_blank">this article</a> on being a graceful woman in a gossip-filled world. </div>
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<i>6. sunflowers. // </i>thanks, mom. you dabom.com/yourmom! (get it? get it? excuse me while i face the cold hard facts that i cannot say things such as this anymore since i am an almost 18 year old.)</div>
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<i>7. parks and rec season finale. // </i>we laughed, we cried. and this "we" i am talking about is just me and my plate of waffles. all i gotta say is: <i>treat. yo. self. </i></div>
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<i>8. advise. // </i>so often we (me) get too prideful to listen to the advise of others amidst hard situations. yet, so often we (me) can be reassured that we are not the only ones going through a circumstance. thankful for the advise from friends, family, adults, and random strangers that is meaningful and full of love. </div>
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<i>9. beginnings and ends. // </i>there is something about nearing the end of the school year yet also planning for the next one that makes me do a little happy dance. </div>
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*insert white girl dance moves here*</div>
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<i>10. cats. // </i>because, cats. </div>
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<b>what makes you joyful despite circumstances?</b></div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555808845192296170.post-61211212214411061172015-02-25T15:00:00.003-08:002015-02-26T09:41:38.868-08:003 years of blogging.<br />
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last week marked 3 years here on creating a lovely life, and what do you know- the day was forgotten yet another year in a row (remember <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2014/03/dream-and-repeat.html" target="_blank">last year</a>?). no worries, though, i ate enough cake when i remembered to make up for it. you see, i am a big believer in birthdays, holidays, and other special dates that only come once a year, yet still seem to let my "bloggerversary" come and go without a thought each year. however, i got thinking (and got creeping) on my past posts. from my very first <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/02/hello-so-im-cate-and-this-is-my-newly.html" target="_blank">outfit of the day </a> (brace yourself, people) to the one time i posted a photo of <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2013/04/hair-envy.html" target="_blank">Lauren Conrad's hair</a> and it got over 4k repins on pinterest, to just <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2015/02/thoughts-on-perfection.html" target="_blank">last week </a> when i posted words that were more honest and raw than any post before, the special date for me on this site lies within <i>every</i> <i>post</i>. i can see myself growing, not just with better edited photographs or more complex wording (thank you, thesaurus.com!), but additionally growing as a person. </div>
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so, let's get festive with looking back on a few of my most <i>cring-worthy</i> content in the past years...<br />
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<i>(psst. hey you. just click the post titles in the following list & it will lead you straight to the post itself. you're welcome.)</i></div>
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1. <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-favorite-spring-shoes.html" target="_blank">my favorite spring shoes </a> (circa march of 2012) // oh dear, those edits. i am embarrassed to tell you that i thought saturation was <i>the</i> <i>stuff</i> back in the day. go big or go home, right? (for more saturation-filled photos & terrible fonts check out <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/03/at-ballpark-again.html" target="_blank">at the ballpark again</a>.</div>
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2. <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2012/10/and-that-is-okay.html" target="_blank">and that is okay</a> (circa october of 2012) // this is when i reminded my readers that they are going to fail a lot. i think there was more wisdom to it than that, but when i looked back and read the words "you are going to fail" it makes me wonder if this post is why i only have 75 followers. </div>
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3. <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-paint-y-mood.html" target="_blank">in a paint-y mood</a> (circa may of 2013) // this post makes me laugh because, well, nothing has changed. my desk still has paint stains adorning it's once white surface from the hours of art that happens there, and not to mention i still take photos of my desk everyday (<i>hello current post photo</i>). however, i hope my painting has somewhat improved... i think i was going for a <a href="https://riflepaperco.com/" target="_blank">rifle paper company</a> feel, and obviously failed.</div>
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4. <a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2014/01/our-mediocre-microcosm.html" target="_blank">our mediocre microcosm</a> (circa september of 2013) // i actually really like this post, but i think i was stretching the whole alliteration thing with the title a little too much. again i say, <i>keep it together, cate. </i></div>
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<i>5. </i><a href="http://creatingalovelylife.blogspot.com/2014/04/crazy-pants-crazy-life.html" target="_blank">crazy pants crazy life</a> (circa april of 2014) // ah, my most recent embarrassing moment here on the blog. i am constantly apologizing for my model moves (or lack there of), but for these photos i think it is perfectly acceptable to. OH, and with the grainy iPhone photos... do not even get me started.</div>
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this year i am thankful for growth. and thankful that i can laugh at my past posts that helped me get to where i am today. who knows, maybe in another three years, i will cring at content that i was so proud of just last week. everyday is a new day!</div>
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yours truly,</div>
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cate</div>
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(p.s. remember when i went all gossip girl on you by ending by posts in "xoxo, cate". yeah, me too. )</div>
Cate http://www.blogger.com/profile/08555739239408153972noreply@blogger.com1