{ Obstacles }

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Ever since I announced last week that I'm staying in Chicago everyone has been so, so supportive, and I'm so appreciative of that. I hear things like "what a fabulous life you have!" and "you must be thrilled!" and it's true. I'm so lucky to receive these amazing opportunities and I truly am so excited that I'm able to remain in the inspiring city that is Chicago.

But I'll be honest: fabulous is not the only word I would use to describe my life right now. I'm extremely anxious and stressed about making sure everything comes together, wondering if I'm making the right decision, trying not to disappoint anyone, and juggling all of my responsibilities. It's a financial stretch for me to stay in Chicago (albeit, cheaper than trying to pay out of state tuition to go to school in Cincinnati) and while I do believe that I'm doing the right thing by staying here, it's not easy. The easy route would have been to go back to Cincinnati (even if i wasn't in school), live in my cheap but adorable apartment, hang out with friends and Trevor and get a job that pays the bills until further notice. 

Currently, I'm trying to find someone to rent my Cincinnati apartment, find a second job that will help supplement income, maintain my interior decoration services (which is what i truly love), keep my weekends somewhat available so that I'm able to maintain my relationship with Trevor, help the family that is letting me live with them for free until I save up enough money to get my own place in Fall, all while currently still trying to have enough money to pay bills (yes, I still have bills) and live, which is not the easiest thing in the world because right now I'm nearly a full-time intern. 

I am not complaining about this. The good far outweighs any negative. 

I just wanted to bring these realities to the surface because I know a year ago if I had seen someone in my position I would have envied them to pieces and thought their life was perfect and everything was in place. Oh heavens. Let me just say this: everything is not in place. While I do get to work with amazing, inspiring people like Jess and Alaina and Danielle at The Everygirl, at the end of the day, I am still just a 22 year old girl who doesn't know what the heck she's doing most of the time. We're all in the same boat, y'all. Unless I'm in here alone. Say it ain't so?

{ inspiration for my new home }

I may not technically have an apartment picked out in Chicago yet (and truth be told, I probably won't be moving from where I'm currently at until at least October) but that doesn't mean I haven't been scouring Craigslist to see what's out there. And like I told you guys before, the one thing I can be sure of is that it while I'm sure my little abode will be charming, its also gonna be teensy.

But a girl still has to live, doesn't she? That's right. So I made an inspiration board carving out a few zones (eat, work, live) that I plan to incorporate. Sleep will obviously be included, but I'm stumped about what kind of bed/bedding I want. I love all of the pieces shown above, but I'll more than likely be craigslisting/thrifting for similar options, as opposed to purchasing them straight from the store. le sigh. I just can't wait.

On another note, I received the sweetest, unexpected testimonial from a client over the weekend and it just made my day. Jen from Lemon Drop Love blogged about her living room revamp and said this:

"This week’s excitement has been rearranging/decorating our living room. I recently reached out to Caitlin of Reverie to Reality to use her very helpful services. She was wonderful at helping me wrap my head around how to reinvent my space without spending a lot of money. It is amazing how getting another person’s perspective can really get you out of a rut. I feel like I am in a completely different place that is much more inviting and comfortable. I will keep you updated on our progress...I strongly recommend working with Caitlin if you feel your space needs a facelift and you just don’t know where to start. She has great ideas and is fun to work with."

Yay! Jen has been great to work with and I am so, so excited to see the project continue to evolve and watch her incorporate my suggestions. I'm hoping to do a post on her home soon because I think it's a great example of making the most of what you have, and is a true testament to how the layout of your space will make all the difference. Stay tuned!

Hope you all have a wonderful week. I'm going to fill up my coffee cup because this girl is sa-leeepy! Can I get an amen? :). lovelovelove.

-C

{ Itty Bitty Living Space }

When I do eventually move into an apartment later this Fall here in Chicago, I know it won't be much bigger than the size of a good walk in closet. So I'm prepping myself and rounding up some good small space inspiration to draw from when the time comes. 


Here are some of my favorites so far:

office in the closet

lovely little setup.

Quite a bit of furniture packed into Zach Motl's 178 square foot apartment. Doesn't it seem larger than that?

Heaven knows it won't be easy to leave my sweet little apartment. But wherever I end up, I'll be sure to treat it like a little palace.

And on that note, thank you all so much for your support. I'm glad to have you all with me through the ups and downs that are sure to come.

-C

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{ Moving to Chicago }

So. I'm sorry for the radio silence yesterday. As usual, life is crazy busy and as usual, I'm still trying to figure things out. What else is new? I'll get it. Don't you worry.

If you've read my blog for a while, then you probably know by now that I'm 22 years old, a student at the University of Cincinnati, and that I came to Chicago at the start of June for a summer internship with Jess LC and to do some work for The Everygirl. My plan was originally to leave Chicago on August 25th to be back for Fall semester.

As per usual...things have changed. Isn't it funny how that happens? Life is so unpredictable, and yet a part of me is not the least bit surprised about what I'm about to tell you guys.

I'm staying in Chicago.

First of all, I know what you're all thinking. What about school? Oh yes. That. Truth be told, I am in a really stressful financial situation right now that is not allowing me to return to school in the Fall. I pay out of state tuition, which as you know, is not cheap, and the stress of taking out more and more loans and seeing my debt grow has led me to make a decision to step away and return when I can afford it. I'm extremely lucky that I have some amazing opportunities for my career in the meantime.

My time as an intern with Jess LC will evolve in the Fall to a paid position. Which is kind of crazy! I remember fantasizing about this kind of possibility in the Spring, but never anticipated that it would actually happen. I'll be picking up a second job as well to help pay back student loans and bills, and also continue offering my freelance design services, which I am happy to say, has been going amazing. I honestly never imagined that people would hire me to do this. I mean, I hoped, of course. But the response has truly taken me by surprise and I'm so, so grateful.

I am incredibly lucky to have so many people's support with this decision. My family is thrilled for me, Trevor couldn't be more proud, and the family I've been living with for the summer has extended their invitation to me to stay in their home for an extra couple of months while I try to save money for a place of my own, which is so beyond what I could ever ask for. 

All that being said, I am, of course, a little terrified and nervous. But when my fear gets the best of me, I step back and see the bigger picture. I am receiving opportunities that I have dreamt about for what
feels like an eternity, and sometimes it's hard to believe that this is all really happening. But you wanna know a secret? All I had to do was try. You know how people always say they wish they would win the lottery but they never buy a ticket? That was me. for so long. January 1st of this year I finally promised myself that I'd stop making excuses, go after the things that I wanted, and see where it would take me. 

Well, it turns out that it's taken me to Chicago. And I couldn't be happier.

-C

{ Love Note: Buckingham ID }

Today we have one of my favorite features to date on The Everygirl. I've followed Julia's work for a while now, so I was especially excited when I found out we (at The Everygirl) were featuring her. From the graphics to the interview, everything comes together to create a piece that is inspiring me today to keep going, work hard, and push through any case of the Monday's. Because just look at where hard work will take you. Make sure to go take a peek at the feature if you haven't yet. And while you're at it, check out Buckingham ID's website and portfolio here. 

Thank you to Julia Edelmann for today's words of the week:

"Love yourself and you will succeed." 

-Julia Buckingham Edelmann

Have a great week everyone. lovelovelove.

-C

all photos by Jennifer Kathryn for The Everygirl

{ not just for children }

Hey, lovely readers!

Sorry for being MIA yesterday. I was feeling under the weather from all of the heat this week and decided to take it easy while working from bed, but the poor little blog got the short end of the stick.

I'm wrapping up a client project this morning (although, I always say I'm wrapping them up and tend to  endlessly find more things to tweak...), drinking my coffee, and trying to gather pieces of my brain. I feel like lately they're scattered all over Chicago. 

Anyway. Let me get to the point. I was wrapping up a different client project a couple of days ago, and as I was gathering some color scheme inspiration for the sofa, I had a realization:

**If you pin or post this mood board elsewhere, please credit back to my site**

See those Moroccan throw pillows perched on that beauty-full couch? Yeah, those are from Posh Tots.

See these grey bordered roman shades? Yeah. Pottery Barn Kids.

Rugs courtesy of Land of Nod.

So what do you think? Am I crazy, or could this stuff totally extend beyond a nursery or a playroom?

Thanks for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

p.s. email me at reverie2realityblog@gmail.com for information and a price quote to work together on your own e-design project!

{ Stylin' and Profilin' : Jess LC Jackson Collection }

I'm so thrilled that I got to partake in ringing in the Jess LC's brand new Jackson collection. I know I probably seem bias, but this is absolutely one of my favorite collections from Jess so far. The ribbon bauble necklaces are interchangeable with different color combinations (you can buy additional ribbons for only $5 a pop!) so the look of your necklace can constantly change with you and your outfits. 

We had some of our favorite bloggers handpick their color combinations

(including Kendi Everyday, Camille Styles, Coco + Kelley, Design Darling, Oh Joy, and Atlantic-Pacific) so be sure to hop over to the Lookbook to check it out!

Oh, and shop the entire collection here. Get 'em while their hot, people!

Hope you all have the best day. Talk to you soon!

-C

all photos via Jess Constable for Jess LC

{ Life Lately }

 One.

 Two.

 Three.

 Four. 

 Five.

 Six.

Life lately is busy, crazy, beautiful, fun, exhausting, exhilarating, stressful and freeing. 

all at the same time.

One.  indulging in a blue moon in wrigleyville.

Two. thrifting for treasures in lakeview.

Three. see number two.

Four. color inspiration while out and about at the merchandise mart.

Five. feelin' pink.

Six. the beautiful city of chicago.

what have you been up to lately? thank you all so much for stopping in today. wishing you all a wonderful week! 

-C

{ the most divine exhaustion }

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I fell in love with this dining nook earlier this morning. 

Banquet seating, wishbone chairs, fun textiles, bunch of handpicked flowers, white walls, and lovely natural light.

I am more exhausted than I have been in a long, long time. But it is the most divine exhaustion. I am busy with so many things that I love. And most days I still can't believe I'm lucky enough to be doing everything that I am. I never, ever could have envisioned my life being what it is now. And there are still so many decisions to be made and possibilities to come. I'm not going to share them just yet, but I promise I will soon.

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for now, you can find me filling up my coffee cup to keep my eyes alert. I'm off to get dressed for Day Two of the Jess LC Lookbook Shoot and a meeting. 

Hope you all have the most wonderful day. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Here we go! }

Today may be one of the busiest days I've had in a long time.

A fun styling project in the morning (I can't wait to share the photos with you!)

a little inspiration for the shoot thanks to miss emily henderson

working on and wrapping up two client projects. 

i'll be referring to this photo as the perfect eclectic inspiration.

Followed by a meeting this evening, and some late night work for The Everygirl since I'll be heading out of town on Friday.

Oh yes, this weekend I'll be on a boat somewhere in Lake Michigan...

photo via

and i. cant. wait. I'll be deserting my laptop for the weekend in favor of cocktails, a good book, and relaxation. Perfection.

Have a wonderful day everyone! See you back here tomorrow.

-C

{ Life Lately }

Hey, everyone! 

Sorry for my absence yesterday. This week has already become one of the busiest yet, and it's barely Tuesday! I'll go ahead and pay for refills of coffee in advance for the rest of the day.

I spent yesterday morning wrapping up a few projects for a client:

{a sneak peek at some of the work for their master bedroom}

Working over at Jess LC:

{photo via Jess Constable}

And doing a mix of designs for clients, The Everygirl, and social media work when I got home. My computer caused a ruckus with some work I was doing which led me to starting over at one point--it's a good thing I love what I do :). 

Needless to say, it was a late night and I didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning, which is terribly late for me these days.  The extra sleep was much needed.

The rest of this week will include more of the same, plus a couple of really fun/big styling projects which I can't wait to share with you so soon! You're gonna flip.

Hope you all have a wonderful day :) If you're needing some extra assistance with your home, feel free to email me for a price quote! I'll be taking on new clients this week :)

Thank you so much for stopping in. lovelovelove.

-C

Happy Weekend!

TGIF! Realistically, I'll actually be squeezing in lots and lots of work this weekend, but lucky for me, sorting through paint chips, sourcing furniture pieces, and solving layout dilemmas is my idea of a good time. Besides, I'm sure I'll squeeze in a margarita here or there :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by the week. I hope you guys have the most wonderful weekend!

-C

photo via

{ Love Note: Shoppe by Amber Interiors}

I'm sourcing items for a couple of clients bedrooms right now, and I can't help but to continuously peruse Shoppe by Amber Interiors. My personal taste tends to favor texture and pattern over color, but with Amber Interiors, you neednt sacrifice either. The suzani pillows, in particular, get me all hot and bothered. Le sigh...

Do yourself a favor and head on over to the Shoppe now. I'll be there, as well. Wistfully browsing.

Have a wonderful day, everyone! lovelovelove.

-C

{ Happy Fourth! }

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I'm celebrating my freedom today with a mix of lounging around lazily and doing some work on a couple of client projects that I have going on. 

Pretty much my perfect day :).

Today over on The Everygirl we're sharing the freedom we are most grateful for. Feel free to join in on the conversation! Hope you have a great holiday!

-C

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{Words for your Week }

As someone who is constantly surrounded my products and pretty things, I repeat this mantra to myself almost daily. At the end of the day, all the pretty things in the world don't mean anything compared to the moments of love, laughter, and happiness spent with those I care for most.

I hope you all have the best day. I've got so much to do this week that my mind is spinning, but with some deep breaths and reflection, I can only feel grateful for all of the opportunities that life has presented me with.

Thank you for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

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{ Masterful }

     

I'm in the midst of sourcing some products and inspiration for a client's master bedroom, and both of these photos have my wheels turning and creative juices flowing. I love the light fixture and the enveloping wall color in the first photo, but simultaneously adore the pops of jewel tones in a sea of neutrals from the second photo. I spent yesterday wandering the city for inspiration, and I was not disappointed. I'm all kinds of excited to help this client evolve her home.

I'm excited to share more with you as the project progresses! What did you guys do this weekend? Do you have a design dilemma you need some help with? Feel free to shoot me an email about my services to see if we can work something out :).

I hope you all have the most wonderful Monday. Thank you so much for stopping in! lovelovelove.

-C

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