Just a click away to a better me!

 When I didn't live downtown, I used to make such a big point about 'looking presentable' every time I left the house in my car. Even on the errands I deemed worthy of slummin' it up with worn yoga pants and a frayed t-shirt, I still looked pretty okay with manicured hair and bright lips. But, that has been a bit harder in my more downtown-ish home. Not to sound like I'm writing the premises to a Richard Scarry children's book, but now that I live walking-distance adjacent to my Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker (or in real life terms: Grocery Store, Gym, Coffee Shops and ANY OTHER store I need...) I tend to be running out the door much faster and more frequently with much less attention to detail.

And each time that I'm roaming the streets yet again on another errand, I always think to myself- "Please Lord, don't let me see anyone I know". And those concerns are just for people I see in real life regularly. Don't even get me started on how stupid I would feel if I ran into someone who only knows me from my Blog while I'm rocking my Senior Year of high school basketball shorts and flip-flops with socks on (that has happened and in my defense, I had 5 minutes to make it to the post office around the corner from my house- and I remembered that when I was laying on the couch watching TV post-workout).

So, in the spirit of hoping I'm dressed for the occasion of meeting someone from Blogland without prior planning but fearing that it will happen, I wanted to also prep you with the fact that I am also not as 'glowy' as my photos may seem sometime. I edit 85% of them... such as below.

 Normal Photo >>>>>>> Touched-Up Photo

I've also found that making everyone's teeth whiter in photos results in a lot less complaints from your friends as you take pictures of them doing things worthy of documentation, such as pumping gas. 

So there it is. If you meet me and wonder my eye makeup isn't as vibrant or why you see laugh lines- the above is why. I just pray to all that is Good that I meet you when I'm NOT in laundry day sweats and "I worked out yesterday" hair as I head to the gym while eating a burrito and blasting an exorbitantly loud rap song.

Skyrise Home Dreamin'

If the City of Chicago were human, he (the architecture is far too masculine to be a 'she' city) would have a restraining order against me.

My search history reads like evidence in a trial after a crime has been committed "No signs she would do this? Well what do you call this psychotic behavior?" ... and a screen grab of every possible 'Chicago' term Googled for 5 hours straight on a Friday night would display on the big screen. Oops. Guilty as charged.

I don't know why Chicago is my lobster, but he is. And I love him. And I think about him more than I should. Which lead me to find this listing, which lead me to daydreaming I could afford it for a good 2 minutes before being cruelly dragged back down to reality.

Located in the prestigious John Hancock Building (large, regal, black one above)

Horrendous views, eh? While I'm not a fan of large, brown entertainment centers... I still know that I would swoop this right on up if I could. I can only imagine how relaxing weekend mornings would be there, sipping coffee, watching the news and looking out at Lake Michigan.

A girl can dream.

What city would your dream Penthouse be located?

[all images via the listing HERE]

Stop Trying to Make Fedoras Happen

 I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day Weekend! I did even though I didn't do that much. I went shopping for my trips, I went on a long drive to my favorite part of Oregon just because and I ate some fine Sushi and some very unrefined breakfast food (I struggle saying no to a greasy spoon breakfast... always and forever). I even went into work for about 5-hours on Monday to prepare my desk for my departures next month (does anyone else's offices scare them when they're there alone? I try to convince myself that you need key card access to get in but every little noise creeps me out!). But really, I didn't do too much of anything as I'm really focused on packing and saving money for June. Except... I do actually want to spend some money on something: a Fedora.

Me in 2011 with a borrowed Fedora. I plan on wearing one of these when I gorge myself just like the above.

 I know what you're thinking: "Fedora? Whoop-de-f*cking-do... yeah, I heard of those about 12 years ago." And I agree. But the thing with me and Fedoras is that they have never worked on me but I still long to find one that does. It is the quest of my life! And I need one now more than ever due to the fact that going to Cabo with a group of your college friends means a lot of late nights... and I will need all the help I can get the next morning as I try to camouflage into my pool chair the next day until about 3 PM.

I mean- they just look so cute on people...

Kelly Rowland VIA | Lauren Conrad VIA | Beyonce VIA

But for some reason, not on me. But I will persevere and continue to try. 

2013 is the year that Fedoras (and 'fetch') WILL happen.

To Mexico, To Italy - I go.

Next month is going to officially be something I've never experienced in my adult life: I will be going to Cabo for a wedding at the beginning of June with all of my college friends... and 2 days after my arrival back; I will be boarding a plane to Italy with my Mom to visit my Brother who is currently studying abroad over there. I obviously would never have planned to go to both places in such a short time period but circumstances with the wedding + my Brother's school curriculum made it impossible to change...
so C'est la Vie. I can't pass up my first trip over to my Italian motherland.

Though I'm nervous about the fact that I will be so much fatter and carrying a much lighter wallet once I touch back down on American soil, I'm really, really excited for the adventures ahead! I don't know too many times in my life that I'll be on (2) different continents and (3) different countries within mere days of each other.

In the meantime, the world's worst packer (ME!) is trying not to think about how in the h*ll I will pull all of this off. At least I can seek comfort in knowing that my Passport picture looks like Javier Bardem in "No Country For Old Men"... in drag. 

You can see it, can't you??

 

Cheers to the thoughts of margaritas, red wine, tacos, pasta, oceans & vineyards carrying me through the next few weeks of responsibility...

 

[Images via 1 2 3]

Do go chasing Waterfalls.

It happened last week at the end of a long, busy day at work. I realized that in the midst of all of my 'to-do' list checking-off, I had only been up from my desk about 4 times that day to use the Ladies' Room. That is disgusting. 8 hours of sitting. I don't think the human body is made for that! I'm fairly certain that if the David had a 9-5; the most important part of his 'birthday suit' wouldn't even be visible thanks to his stomach. And that my friends, is a fate I don't intend to have. Not that my legacy will ever be encapsulated in the form of a sculpted male nude but I would still like to keep my options open for whatever opportunities come my way.

250 feet up and enjoying the view of the Columbia Gorge (which separates Oregon & Washington). I'm in Oregon but beyond the river there is Washington.

So I promised that even in the most stressful of days, I needed to AT LEAST fit in a couple quick walks outside. And on the following weekend, to get out and see the REAL wilderness. With that, on Saturday we headed about 30-40 minutes East of Portland to a 'town' called Bridal Veil, Oregon. Though it is federally recgonized as a town, I kid you not that all it has left to offer is a cemetary and a Post Office. But that is enough. Know why? Because Brides continually flock to said post office to mail their wedding invites- all for the "Bridal Veil" stamp across the top.

The freshest air in the world lies at the base of a waterfall.

I call this collage - "The Headless Hiker"

So much green. One of the few good things about our rainfall.

But what it lacks in man made structures, it more than makes up for in inherent beauty: trails, peaks, valleys, waterfalls, canyons, streams... it's a Hiker's dream. Most especially for lazy day-hikers like us who want to be in and out in a few hours and call it good.

The Instagram View @Caitielady08

The views were spectacular, spending uninterrupted time with my boyfriend was needed after 3-weekends apart and seeing the world from 250 feet up felt just as good as I had hoped it would. 

Hard to tell but we're about 300 feet up there! Taller than the trees.

A day without stress and/or stuff is great but burning calories while you do it is just the icing on the cake you can't eat. I vote for more hikes this summer!

Happy Tuesday!

little beauties

If there's one thing I was reminded of this weekend, it's just that life is so, so stankin' gorgeous. On Friday, I found beauty in myself as I strongly ran 5.2 miles with ease. On Saturday, I hiked waterfalls and canyons (photos to come) and felt the unparalleled beauty of the great outdoors. And on Sunday, I witnessed the beauty in a happy bride-to-be who enjoyed a bridal brunch with girlfriends before her wedding next month.

The pretty Bride-to-Be and some of the flowers from her shower. Can't wait for the Cabo nuptials!

My adorable Cactus bridal brunch Party Favor via Instagram (@Caitielady08)

Life is a beautiful thing. In so many little ways. Don't you forget to look for them.

Tomorrow's post won't be so cheesy, I promise. Enjoy your day my dahhlings.

Puppies, Condos, Views & Favors.

It always makes me feel good to do favors for other people- that's a given. Lending a hand is one of the most underrated tasks out there. Just simply offering help or displacing yourself for another. That is the fruit of life.

So when you are asked to house sit a downtown condo whilst simultaneously pet sitting a 9-week-old Boston Terrier... I do as duty calls, you know- in the name of helping someone out obviously. My Boyfriend's StepBrother clearly owes me HUGELY for doing this favor as I had zero fun for the duration of my stay... there's nothing I hate more than puppies, sun porches and a Condo with a view...

Sometimes I just can't help myself when it comes to taking thousands of pictures. And spending an entire weekend with a Puppy and an outstanding view of Portland is such a time.

Also when I'm at a concert. But those pictures always turn out like utter sh*t.

[all images are mine]

the balloons who fought to fly

While enjoying a glass of wine last Friday night on the balcony, I looked over and saw a family of balloons caught in the electrical wire. They bounced about feverishly, seemingly trying to make their great escape from the utility lines. Each tussle of wind shifted the entire group and the exuberant colors against the dusk backdrop kept me mesmerized for a few minutes. After darting up and down and twirling around in panic, the balloons broke free and flew off into the night. Scathed I'm sure, but on their way.

May I project such tenacity and cheeriness when I find myself tied down and struggling to break free. The balloons were cute clamoring around the wire, but they were simply radiant soaring untethered into the sky.

Weekend Duds & Carol Brady

 I don't think I mentioned that I received an unsavory haircut a few months ago. As usual, I went into the salon and asked them to give me JUST A TRIM as I'm trying to grow it out and don't like the layers around my face. So what does she go and do? Trim up the layers around my face to almost my ear lobe. UGH. Thank you, Lady- for once again giving me the look that every client HATES yet every hair dresser is dying to cut: the Carol Brady.

So in the meantime, I've been trying to do everything I can to hide the short layers while they grow on my flammable hay head. And because I get a little bit lazier with my hair with each passing year, this usually means taking a curling iron and waving them around enough so they fade away into the night. At least that's what I try to do anyway.

People are always trying to raise money for diseases and trees...not to get all 'Miss Congeniality' on you but I'd like to see some legislation which maps out harsher punishments for hair stylists who violate your requests. I would even DOUBLE my typical political donation. So that's right whoever gets that bill going... 10 big ones.

Anyway, I thought about my hair a lot this weekend as I actually went out Friday and Saturday last weekend. Which is rare for me in my old age. But, the Boy was out of town at a Bachelor party and I had friends with fun plans so I decided I was game and that the fresh air would do me and Carol Brady some good.

^Friday night outfit-I swore I would take pics of what I wore all weekend for my blog hence the classic serial killer expression that is my mirror pic photo go-to apparently!- and snack before heading out around 10 pm: Greek Yogurt with Pomegranates & Blackberries

^Waiting for my ride and watching some 'Modern Family'.

^Left: Friday night at a hip hop venue. Right: Saturday morning and off to the pool. I slept in my makeup on accident so it was no makeup and sunglasses alllllll day Sat.

^Left: What I wore to a low-key venue on Saturday night. Middle: My girlfriend and Me watching our other girlfriend sing at the Lounge. Instagram always makes my skin look so dewy, God Bless it. (Instagram @CaitieLady08) Right: My original yellow outfit was not to be- walked right past my eyeshadow brush and had to change last minute.

So anyways- that was last weekend. Besides of course holing up with my Mom and Sister on Sunday over Mimosas, Quiche and Cupcakes (bloody 'ell we are a huge cliche) and enjoying our time together for the Mommy Holiday. It was great to see them. But of course my lovely older Sister made sure to remind me that I'm a middle child and therefore, I suck.

"Caitlin, I'm sorry- but I'm cleaning the tops of your cupboards, I just have to. It's so gross"

"Caitlin, why does that area by the couch smell of baloney?"

"Caitlin, everyone knows you suck at wrapping gifts! Don't get so defensive, just own it! It's sooo you."

For the record, we do not eat baloney at my house. And for the record, my gift wrapping is the ugliest thing in the world, so I'll give her a pass on that one.

Happy Tuesday guys- just remember: Don't play ball in the house.