the color: emerald

The color: emerald green by catemarg featuring a green sleeveless dress


i have seen it just about everywhere, so i am pretty sure that the color for spring is emerald. i absolutely love this color and how it really brings a sense of unique elegance to an outfit. it is a color that is still very understated in an outfit, yet still makes a big statement. emerald is a great color for accessories, such as a satchel bag, nail polish, or statement necklace. however, i also love to wear it in clothes; this velvet dress and wool skirt are both so pretty and fashion forward. two items that normally would not be seen in the color, emerald, are these awesome lace up booties and eye makeup pallet. if you decide to buy emerald shoes, i would not spend a lot of money on them since it is just a trend that may not last forever. i have been seeing emerald eye makeup everywhereeeeee... while it seems strange to put green on your eyes, i have come to find out that if you do it in a subtle way it can be very pretty (especially if you have greens eyes, wink wink).

hope you are liking "the color" series as much as i am, and enjoy learning along with me about new trendy colors of the moment.

xo. cate 

expectations vs. reality

in my favorite movie of all time, 500 Days of Summer, there is a scene that shows two sides of a story: his expectations and the reality. being me, the first 5 times I watched the movie i always just looked at the expectations. why? because it is simply prettier, easier, and has a better ending.

in life, I feel like that is what we do a lot of the time. we focus on our expectations of what we want to happen, and truly believe that that is what will be reality. sadly, no. our expectations of having a pleasant family reunion is not reality, our expectations of how good that cup of coffee will be is not reality, and our expectation of what each day will bring is not reality.

for example...

i love green tea. i love frappuccinos. i love Starbucks. so, i thought that all three in one cup sounded amazing. boy was i wrong. it was discussing! my expectations of enjoying a new drink were destroyed by the reality of the first sip. if you ever think that this sounds somewhat good... it is NOT. 

while this message seems somewhat of a "oh thanks for telling me reality stinks" story, it is not. i firmly believe in having dreams and goals in your life, and to expect good things to come of them, but sometimes that is not always the case. we should look forward to a good future, yet not let it control us, but also realize reality, but not let it become us.



xo. cate

the color: oxblood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this year, i will be this starting a new feature called the color, which will show a color that i am loving at the time, pieces i like in the color, and how i would style them.

 

to start off, you all know that i am somewhat obsessed over the color, oxblood this winter. it is a great substitution to purple or red in your wardrobe, and looks good on all skin tones. i am currently loving oxblood in small doses-- such as a nail polish ( i have Essie's Sole Mate), a clutch, tights (they have some at target for under 15 bucks!) or a scarf. also, if you want to be more bold with this trendy color, try a fit and flare dress like the one shown above, or rock some oxblood jeans with any neutral top. last, if you want to try out this color in a comfy way, order a Toms sweatshirt in oxblood rather than a basic gray or black!

 

 

xo. cate

2013.

 

 

 

2012 was a big year for me. a year full of change and life lessons. i have a feeling that 2013 is going to be not as crazy, but who knows, right?! i have big goals for this year, a few of which i will share with you today:

 

fashion goal: spend on clothing basics-- and of course the first item i bought this year was this sweatshirt. everyone needs a graphic sweatshirt, right? or is that just me trying to justify that i did not already break this resolution?

health goal: choose water over sodas--i have come to realize that water is just better all around. how it took me 15 years to figure that one out, i do not know.

blog goal: new design on blog-- hopefully this will happen. right now, my blog is in a transitioning stage... cannot decide what is next. help me out and leave a comment for tips!

other goals: call someone once a week-- i have realized that most of the time the only way i talk to people when i do not see them face-to-face is either through texting or social media. this needs to change.

other goals: find something to look forward to every week-- i need something that will get me through the week, whether that is a Starbucks frap or knowing that i will put aside an hour or two to watch Gilmore Girls at the end of the week.

 

also, my word of the year is BOLD. i want to try new things that i never thought i could do and smile a little bigger and laugh a little harder. (:

 

 

 

i know that in one year one cannot change every aspect of their being, and that is not what so called "new years resolutions" are about. they are about reflecting on the past year and seeing what you can do to make a difference in your life or in the world this year. make sure to be specific and realistic as to what you want to achieve yet know that the sky is the limit, so do not let anyone hinder your goals.

 

xo. cate

 

 

outfit details: -Neiman Marcus sweatshirt- target/ boho long necklace- american eagle/ purple cords- american eagle / shoes- urbanog.com



leather and velvet

two of my favorite trends that i have been craving to have in my closet this year are leather and velvet. blast from the past, for sure. okay, so let us start with leather: in the outfit i put together above, it shows leather sleeves on this top. while leather is great and adds a lot of edge to any outfit, you really should only wear it in small amounts. for example, try a top with a leather collar or find some leather leggings (on my Christmas wish list this year!) to layer with. i also like how the leather booties tie together nicely with the top. as for velvet, i, of course, want some velvet leggings or pants (shown above) in my wardrobe. i think that velvet is an unexpected yet easy to style texture to wear with an outfit substituting corduroy or any other basic pant fabric. in this outfit, i added a tangerine fur peacoat (i also am loving fur for the winter!!) and emerald statement jewelry. so many trends in one outfit... just cannot keep up! enjoy your after Christmas resting and eating leftovers, friends. (:

xo. cate

holiday dress & shoe guide

holiday dresses by catemarg featuring nude pumps
 

what are you feeling this holiday season? i have chosen 4 versatile dresses (with shoes) to match what you want to express through your clothes this season for every party or event you have to go to!

1. TRENDY- for all of you fashionistias out there, a high low dress in your favorite color and some crazy heels with do the trick.

2. GLAMOROUS- this look is perfect for a new year's eve party-- the more sequins the better!

3. FUNKY- with these awesome booties, you will get all of the attention where ever you go. also, a plum sweater dress is the perfect way to go from day to night.

4. CLASSIC- you can never go wrong with a lovely red dress for a Christmas dinner, and to spice it up wear these adorable bow wedges.

hope this helps! which one would you choose?

xo.cate

black & white

some things are just better in black and white. here are a few sweet sweet moments over the start of my Christmas break. enjoy, friends.

 

parker

sophie

 

 

cheesin' hard.

 

 

wishing.

 

birthday celebrating (not mine).

 

Christmas partying.

xo. cate

the cate version

exams week for students is a time to be stressed and wear sweats. while the first thing is true of my week, the second is not. i have always had a hard time with sweats, because i hate looking like i just woke up and do not care. also, when i feel put together, i always feel more confident which results in better test grades. anyways, here is how i style my lazy day outfit version of sweats.

 

i am wearing a men's white v-neck tee and a boyfriend style black cardigan on top. as for bottoms, i am wearing navy cord shorts and my new best friend, leggings. it is an obsession, you guys, i just cannot stop wearing them. of course for shoes, i cannot go wrong with my tan lace ups.

 

this outfit is so comfortable yet still looks somewhat stylish. you can dress this combination up with tights and sheer top or dress it down by wearing just leggings and a big band tee. i like to wear neutrals when i am tired and short on time, because as i justified this outfit, i think that all neutrals go together. however, wear whatever you desire, darling.

 

xo. cate

'tis the season

 

it really is beginning to look at lot like Christmas around here, and i LOVE it. sometimes you need to really slow down and enjoy it while it lasts.  

 

 

 

i was having one of those "i don't know what to wear" days, so this is what i came up with: a sweater and scarf. what's new?

 

 the lovely, parker sporting her gray forever 21 sweater and pink statement necklace.

 

 

brick walls are my favorite.

 

sophie sitting in the cutest red chairs i have ever seen.

 



 

what's a outing with friends without a shoe pic? i truly do not know.

 

silliness at it's best.

 

lights, light, and more lights!

 

 

hope you are enjoy this Christmas season as much as i am!

 

xo. cate

sweaters for every style

SWEATERS for every style by catemarg featuring knit tops

i will say this again and again but... i LOVE sweaters. if you do not share the same love i do, i will eventually conform you... maybe even today. i know that the sweaters i buy and wear are not every girls' style, so i have created a guide on Polyvore for you as to what sweater you would like/wear!

1. for the edgy rocker: studs are key
2. for the quirky nerd: anything with a fun print ( i LOVE owls)
3. for the Christmas-loving girl: reindeer anyone?
4. for the vintage babe: floral is a must
5. for the preppy queen: the jcrew polka dot is preppy city
6. for the wild child: leopard, zebra, snake skin... anything will do
7. for the laid back lounger: an over sized knit and stripes are oh so comfy
8. for the fancy friend: think you can't wear a sweater, think again! sequins are perfection.

hope this helps, and please leave a comment as to what sweater or style you would wear!

xo. cate