Friday, March 30, 2012

{ Happy Weekend! }



Did you guys see this sneak peek of my home tour (shot by Arielle Elise Photography) that The Everygirl instagrammed yesterday?! So awesome. I can't wait until it goes live!

Speaking of Instagram, leave a comment with where I can follow you at if I don't already! I love getting peeks into other peoples lives. 'Cause I'm nosy. :). You can follow me @caitpbrown.

The weekend will be spent working, as per usual, but I also have some fun part-ay plans for this evening and a ladies night with my main squeeze for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get to spend some quality time with the boy as well. This week has been super busy. But I can't complain :). Life is good.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks so much for stopping in today. Y'all are the best of the best. lovelovelove.

-C

Thursday, March 29, 2012

{ Wanting: Candlesticks for my coffee table }


I've been studying styling really closely lately, and when I came across this image on Pinterest I was totally head over heels in love with the coffee table styling. I must, must, must go pick up some candlesticks and lovely holders for them to live in ASAP. My coffee table now looks totally naked without them and she's embarrassed. 

How do you guys style your coffee table?

By the way, I am doing the COOLEST thing today. You'll just never guess what it is, but I can't wait to finally share! In due time. In due time. :).

Thanks for stopping in everyone! lovelovelove.

-C

photo source via 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

{ Life Lately}






This "life lately" post is VERY lately. As in today. I'm posting later than usual because it's been  a pretty hectic day around these parts. Lots of little projects keeping me busy, and I like it :). So many exciting things to look forward to. Isn't it fun to look back at your day in photos? The glory of instagram.

Excited to catch up with all of your blogs later tonight when it's time to hit the *relax* button. Woot.

Thanks for stopping in lovelies :) Have a great day. lovelovelove.

-C



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

{ what would you do? }


1. My sister recently purchased this awesome bamboo wicker couch  from a consignment shop for her new apartment (I LOVE!) and now she's trying to decide what she should do with it. Spray paint it glossy white or something bright and crazy? Floral or geometric fabric? Or something neutral? We need opinions. What would you do?

2.  I'm recovering the seat of a chair for my living room, and I know the fact that you haven't seen the chair makes this rather difficult, but what do you guys think of this fabric?:


I love toile.


Please share!

I'm off to a meeting at work, followed by tons of errands for a fun project this week :). I can't wait to share with all of you!

Thanks so much for stopping in today y'all. lovelovelove.

-C

Monday, March 26, 2012

{ words for your week }


The only real new years resolution that I set for myself this year was to stop apologizing for myself and the things I wanted. I'm a really easily embarrassed person and I really started to notice that this was causing some major compromises for the things that I wanted in my life. I started blogging in 2009, but it was really only this year that I started stepping outside of my comfort zone and tweeting/regularly commenting with other bloggers. Before then, I had told myself that if I tried to reach out and interact, I would look like a doofus. I just felt really insignificant and timid, which is something that I think many bloggers can relate to. But it wasn't just with blogging. There have been countless posts, tweets or advertisements about job opportunities/internships that I talked myself out of even applying for. Every time I saw something that sounded like a great opportunity I would silently and sub-conciously apologize to myself. "Sorry to disappoint you, I know that sounds amazing, but it's just not going to happen."

As I'm writing it out this all sounds rather dramatic, but it's really the truth of the matter. I just didn't realize it for so long because these thoughts and apologies became so habitual that I started not to even notice them anymore. But my frustration grew and grew as I continued to watch opportunity after opportunity pass by. Finally, I became tired enough of feeling like an audience member in my own life that I decided to change my attitude. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but at the start of this year, I made it my goal to stop apologizing, and start trying

I've surprised myself with how much this new thought process has changed my life. I take my goals and aspirations more seriously instead of just dismissing them, and whaddya know, because of that, it seems that others do too. A few weeks ago I applied for a summer internship with Jess Constable, designer and founder at Jess LCMakeunder My Life and the Business with Intention Workshops. Interning with Jess was something that had been floating around in my head since I first discovered her in 2009, but I honestly never, ever thought it would happen. But it is. I'm going to Chicago in June to be her intern. This, coupled with a couple of other exciting things coming up, makes me feel like I must be reading someone else's blog or looking in at someone else's life. To some people, these opportunities may not seem monumental, but they are to me. They remind me that the first step to getting what you want is stop apologizing for it. 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

{ Mood Board: Budget, Feminine, Cheery Living Room }


My sister is moving into a new apartment at the end of April, and asked me to put together a little mood board for her. When I shop for my own home, I always tend to look for textures and neutrals and focus less on bright colors. When I was browsing items for Chelsea, I stuck to my basic philosophy of building around neutral basics (like the jute rug and white couch) but felt much more inclined to pick bright, punchy accents. Does that reclaimed wood coffee table look familiar? It was the very first budget find featured on The Everygirl and I think it looks swell in this imaginary room. I also love those yellow wicker side tables (only $56!). They would instantly turn a frown upside down.



What about you guys? Are you inclined to pick neutrals or do you like a more colorful palette to live in? I'm staying with a friend in Baltimore right now whose entire home is full of warm, rich tones and it's making me want to redecorate entirely. Stay tuned for her house tour coming soon :).

Thanks so much for stopping in today! lovelovelove.

-C

P.S. Please pardon my less than stellar photoshop skillz. I'm learning! ;)


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

{ Treasure Hunting: Latest Finds in Cincinnati and Baltimore }

My time off is almost always spent browsing flea markets, thrift stores, consignment shops, HomeGoods, etc. I love hunting for deals and I hate feeling like I'm missing out on something, so I feel it necessary to browse for treasures a LOT. Hunting for deals is really hit or miss so you have to frequent the stores often in order to strike gold. There's a consignment shop in Cincinnati called Legacies Consignment which I had been in about a year ago, but never returned to until recently. This time around, I found so many goodies that I didn't even get to photograph, but here's just a few of my favorite finds:

Chevron Curtains! I couldn't find a price tag unfortunately, but I was so surprised to see them in a consignment shop considering chevron is rather trendy.

I loved the lines of this nightstand, and it was under $100.

Neat wall clock, yes?

Gahhh. I LOVE this butler tray. I desperately want to decorate a bachelor pad for someone and place this in it as a bar area. So, so neat. I wish I could remember the exact price of this, but I'm 97% sure it was under $200.

I liked these plates for some fun color inspiration.

Brass lamp heaven?

Brass sconce heaven. $33.00, it looks like.

This amaze chair could be yours for $225. 

I loved this one too. $125. I'd definitely recover and *possibly* paint it (but maybe not). Great deal, though.

And then there was this lady. Whom I just met mere hours ago while browsing a consignment shop in Baltimore, MD (I'm here for a few days this week! It's where I grew up, incaseyadidn'tknow). She costs only $89.00 and if it was ANY OTHER WEEK I seriously would have snatched her up within seconds of spotting her, but unfortunately, I have to make the grown up decision to walk away due to things called bills, groceries, and gas. You have no idea how much it pains me. I would probably paint her some fun, bright color (or glossy white, or black?!) and recover in some type of punchy fabric. I'm going to stop talking about it before I get teary.

SO, what about you guys? Have you spotted any treasures lately? 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I'm going to try to post as regularly as possible while I'm away for a couple of days. Oh, ALSO, I'm about to go get my haircut at the salon my wonderful sister works at. I'm so excited. It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've gotten a cut. Maybe even a year and half. But don't tell anyone that, k?

-C



Monday, March 19, 2012

{ Words for your week }

Good morning, everyone! I'm about to hit the road to Baltimore for Spring Break. Hopefully the eight hours of driving will go by quickly because I am so anxious to get there to see my sister and friends!
I love this Monday's "words for your week." We're all going somewhere, folks :).

I hope you have a very happy Monday. Be sure to check by the blog again for more goodies this week. Thank you all so much for stopping by. lovelovelove.

-C

Photo via Patterson Maker by Ben Watts Photography

Friday, March 16, 2012

{ Happy Weekend! }



Morning, guys! How are we doing today? Despite the storms yesterday, I'm still in bliss with the weather being as warm as it is, and it's led me to do some serious daydreaming about my Spring wardrobe. I'm not one to normally spend a lot of money on sunglasses, but those Kate Spade stunnas had me at first sight. I'm also seriously debating the Anne Klein white/rose gold watch. I find that Anne Klein watches are always so well priced, and there's such a large selection! Check them out if you haven't yet. Also, in case no one has told you yet, Laura Mercier's illuminating tinted moisturizer is heaven/a miracle in a tube. Thinking I may have to splurge on some again, soon. 

This weekend I'm planning on lots of productivity! I have a couple of projects I want to tend to around the apartment (hopefully I'll be sharing them soon!) and lots and lots of cleaning/organizing/laundry to do. Spring is so renewing. Don't you agree? What are your plans this weekend?

Thank you all so much for stopping by the blog this week, even during my sporadic posting with finals. Y'all are the best. Have a great day! lovelovelove.

-C

Thursday, March 15, 2012

{ Adam Levine's House Tour }




I'm always interested to peek inside men's homes to see how they're living. I found this space of Adam Levine's in Architectural Digest really interesting. I'm not sure I would have done it myself, but I do like the contrast of lux fabrics (hello, purple velvet tufted sofa) against more masculine elements like the wood paneled wall or the round velvet ottoman next to the dark grey walls and industrial style lamp.

Thoughts? 

Thanks for stopping in today, everyone. I'm off to brave the monsoon outside and walk to work. eeek! Wish me luck. lovelovelove.

-C

All photos via Architecture Digest

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

{Hold the phone}


This is how I'm feelin' at the moment.

I am two final papers and one exam away from calling this turkey DONE. As of 8:30pm I'll be a free woman and this blog will be back to it's regularly scheduled programming. I don't know why I didn't think to hook you guys up with some lovely guest posters while I was trying to survive this hellacious week. Shoot.


Can't wait to be back in the blogosphere tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by. lovelovelove.

-C

Monday, March 12, 2012

{ words for your week }



I am admittedly starting out my morning pretty stressed and with looming deadlines, so I'm finding it important to remind myself to acknowledge all of the things that will make me happy this week, no matter how stressful it may seem. So far I've gotten happy about waking up to my old/new living room rug (more on that later), the thought of the first sip of morning coffee, and thinking how nice it will be that Trevor will be staying in Cincinnati next quarter, so I won't have to miss him. Also, winter quarter is almost over.

What's making you happy today?

Thanks for stopping by everyone. lovelovelove. Send me a little luck for finals this week, will ya? ;)

-C

Friday, March 9, 2012

{ Happy Weekend! }


Happy weekend, everyone! I had my first final today. It went surprisingly well! I have two assignments due at midnight this evening, a final paper due Monday, an exam Tuesday,  and two more final papers due Wednesday. Let's all keep our fingers, eyes, toes, etc. crossed until this is all done, shall we? I doubt I'll be looking as cute or as happy as this lovely lady looks while I'm studying this weekend, but a girl can hope.

Thank you all for coming by the blog this week :) Sending lots of lovelovelove and a happy weekend your way.

-C


Thursday, March 8, 2012

{ Life Lately}








It's been a little too long since I've done a "Life Lately" post so I thought today would be a good day to catch all of you up. I went to the bookstore the other day while waiting to get my oil changed, and sat and read these two books from Barnes and Noble about starting your own business. I love reading about entrepreneurship. It's so interesting and gets me all excited for what I hope will be my future. I've been REALLY wanting to read Creative, Inc. by Meg Mateo but they didn't have it in stock when I was at the book store. Has anyone read that yet?

Also. Those coral rimmed dishes? They're Calvin Klein, I found them at Tuesday Morning and wanted them so bad, but I couldn't justify the expense. Dang practicalities.

Thanks for stopping in today, everyone! Looking forward to catching up with all of your blogs this morning :)

lovelovelove.

-C


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

{ His & Hers }


I spent some much needed quality time with my favorite ladies last night. AKA, I watched reruns of Sex and the City recorded on my DVR. No matter how many times I see the show, I find it endlessly exciting. The energy of the city, Carrie's outfits, the different apartments. It just puts me in a better mood.

And then I thought about Carrie and Big's apartment in that movie which we do not name. 

Designing a living space fit for a man and woman is a challenge. Im still not sure any man would tolerate the pink rug, but I think the velvet, clean lined sofa, grey walls, abstract art, and the rest of the space has it just right. Thoughts? How do you blend the styles?

Thanks for stopping in today, everyone. lovelovelove.

-C

image via decorpad

Friday, March 2, 2012

{ Happy Weekend! }


I saw this Instagram photo on the {Girls of Lincoln Park's}{ Pinterest } and shed a little tear. This is the corner that I lived on with my sister (in a studio, people. Actually, it was more of a walk in closet than a home) but nevertheless, I would love to be spending my weekend on this charming, lively street. 

While that is all just a dream for now, I will be spending this weekend finishing up my entryway project, cleaning, and sprucing up my home in the evenings after work.  I'll be sure to catch you guys up once things are complete. It's been a little crazy around these parts so my poor home has taken a back seat, and needs to be shown some love. I'm excited to hit the thrift stores today to see what goodies I can find :).

That being said, I must go get dressed for job numero uno, so I will have to catch up with you lovelies later. Thank you all so much for stopping in today. 

lovelovelove and a happy weekend to each of you!

-C

Thursday, March 1, 2012

{ Faith }



Remembering this as I embark on my day. Go visit TheEverygirl to see the full feature


Enjoying breakfast, getting dressed, and marking things off of my to-do list. Hope you all have a beautiful day. Thank you so much for stopping by. lovelovelove.

-C