{ wanna know a secret? }

I got lots of sweet compliments on this little ensemble that I wore to The Everygirl Contributors party at The Bedford the other night, and I just thought I had to share the little secret.

I'm dressed head to toe in Target, y'all.

The only part of that that embarrasses me is that I hate wearing head to toe of any store. I always feel like such a dork walking into H&M because half the time I look like the mannequin. #needtogetoutmore.

Anyway, this stuff is awesome. The leather panel leggings were $30, as was the top, and the shoes were actually on sale for $20, I believe. I did, however, mix things up by throwing in my Blair Ritchey Mini Lulu in pale pink. I really love all of Blair's pieces (I mean, who doesn't?). 

Shop the look here:

{leather panel leggings, white blouse, snakeskin pumps, blair ritchey mini lulu}

Something neato is happening today that I don't want to share with you just yet...but fingers crossed I can soon! Just send good vibes, please :).

I'm heading to Cincinnati this weekend which I am so.excited.for. 

I think a little weekend away from work, the hustle and bustle, a few brewskis and glasses of wine with old friends, and quality time with Trevor is just what the doctor ordered.

Have an awesome weekend guys. Thanks so much for stopping in. lovelovelove.

-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

{ 48 hours in Chicago }

*Photo via The Everygirl's Instagram. props to my main squeeze Molly Rumpke for styling me up for this event. I would have been lost without her. More pictures to come!*

Hello, world!

I apologize for the unintended blog silence. The past couple of days have been so busy and fun and I found myself wanting to soak it up as much as possible. ALSO. My Iphone broke the day before I left, so I've been more disconnected from the blogworld than ever.  This means that I did not have my phone to take pictures during the BHLDN event. Maybe one of the saddest things to ever happen in my little life. Hopefully I'll get it fixed when I get back home to Cincinnati (on the bus right now...boo). Anywho! 

First things first. I had never met any bloggers before this trip! Crazy, right? So lemme tell ya about that. 

Meeting/ working with/ hanging with Alaina and Danielle of The Everygirl was totally weird. 

Like....that's me up in there in that picture y'all. Yep. Little ol' me. At a delicious dinner with The Everygirls. squee!

The first night I got in, Danielle asked me if it was as weird as I kept saying I thought it would be to hang out with them. It was. But in the most awesome way. I think what made it strange was that it was totally not strange. They really are completely normal girls. Talented and hysterical, busy and flustered, sweet and silly. NORMAL ladies. Just like you and me. They were so open and welcoming, and not at *all* intimidating, despite the fact that I've admired them for so long. I'm truly thrilled to spend more time with them this summer, and to continue helping them out with The Everygirl.

I also got to meet Jess Constable which was another totally surreal and amazing experience. I had followed Jess via her blog for a long time before I got chosen to intern for her this summer, and she was even more sweet and lovely in person than I imagined she would be. I cannot wait to learn from her. Truly one of the most inspiring ladies I have ever met, and I already know I will become a better person from working with her. 

Oh, that's not all folks. I also got to meet the sweet and talented ladies behind The Girls of Lincoln Park, Madison from The White Ruffle, Julia from The Urban Slant, Alex from Things That Sparkle, and Liz Schneider from Sequins and Stripes, among many others. They were all absolutely lovely and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to be introduced to them.

It was a wonderful quick trip to Chicago. And the best part is that I'll be back in just a few weeks for the entire summer. 

I think I'll go take a nap now. 

{ What I hope for in 2012 }

This looks like an amazing day. Working hard in a beautiful, light filled room surrounded by inspiring projects. In 2012, thats what I will strive for. Inspiration AND Action.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today...I started to feel a sore throat coming on last night and this morning it has definitely arrived.

Luckily, my dear boyfriend is going to make me breakfast this morning...

Hopefully some hot tea will soothe whatever is happening over here. 

How is 2012 going for everyone else? Any big goals or aspirations? I love the feeling of a new year. So many possibilities.

 Thank you so much for stopping by. lovelovelove.

-C

Photos 1,3&4. Photo 2.

{ Why I Blog }

Blogging is kind of a weird thing.

 Even the word. Blawwwg. It's not the most eloquent sounding word, now is it?

Some people think blogging is for dweebs. And some people are right about that. I'm a total dweeb and maybe that's why I enjoy blogging so much. But lately, as I've been contemplating my intentions for my career, and generally, what I want my life as a "grown up" to be, I also started thinking about my dear little blog. Why do I do this? Why does it make me happy? What's the point? (Particularly on days when I feel like I'm talking to myself.) 

(ideal movie collection)

I believe I've mentioned before how I only watch movies that make me happy unless I'm being forced against my will. I'm far too emotional already to subject myself to movies full of blood, sweat and tears. I want to watch something dreamy, inspiring, light. Some people think that makes me ignorant, and that's fine, but I disagree. I am fully aware that life is not one big romantic comedy, but why can't I indulge in that for a couple of hours to offset all of the scary challenges and battles that life presents on a daily basis? 

I don't talk about it too terribly much on here these days, but I've had some very non uplifting things happening in my life for the past couple of years. I'm sure we all could name a few things that have caused us to struggle. I started blogging more regularly when things started getting really hard, and I had run out of romantic comedies to watch. Blogging has become a way to create my own space of happiness. A happiness that lives somewhere that no one else can tamper with it. 

I am well aware that there is much more to life than a good cup of coffee or a beautifully styled room, or the current town that I'm dying to visit. But basking in the beautiful, simple things that make me excited about all of the lovely, inspiring things life has to offer is how I choose to get by. Dwelling in those things, and taking time each day to reflect upon them reminds me to offer some light to each day.  Even the ones that initially feel the darkest. 

So I know that right now it may just be a fluffy, silly dream to envision myself sitting in a cafe in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower, but one day when I'm really sitting there, I'm going to remember when I posted all of those pictures and daydreams on my blog. And in that moment, I'll be reminded that each and every reverie can become a reality, so you should never stop dreaming. After all, what would you do in your spare time? :).

Your turn. Why do you blog? Make a post of it, ladies (or gents...if you happen to be out there).

Thank you very much for stopping by. 

lovelovelove.

-C

source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5