{ on a boat }

One of my favorite ways to wake up is with coffee and AirBnB. I could (and do) literally spend hours perusing all of the adorable little cottages, castles, seaside villas - you name it. My wanderlust is in full swing right now (I think it's something about summer) and when I happened across this quaint little houseboat in Amsterdam this morning, I was wishing I could click the "Book It" button and hop on the next plane over. Mostly because I think the simplicity of a little boat (not too decorated or with too much fuss) with all of the essentials (like a sweet outdoor space to enjoy the canal) sounds like the perfect place to get inspired.

Ah...one day, folks. Have any of you tried AirBnB? I haven't yet, but I plan to the very next chance I get.

lovelovelove.

C

{ Off I Go! }

The car is packed and the gas tank is full. It's time for me to head off to Chicago!

I'm nervous, a little sad to leave Trevor and my friends, but mostly thrilled to spend the next three months in an amazing, inspiring city while working with amazing, inspiring women.

Let the games begin!

lovelovelove

-C

photo via

{ Love Note: Dabble Magazine }

Do you guys read Dabble Mag? It is decidely my perfect cup of tea. Travel, Design and Food.

My three most favorite things in all the world.

I browsed their gallery this morning and couldn't click fast enough on just about each and every photo. So much inspiration. I simeltaneously want to leave town and travel the world, redesign my entire apartment, and eat something delectable.

Sounds plausible, right? Do yourself a favor and go check it out if you  haven't yet.

Thanks for stopping in, everyone. Have a wonderful weekend!

-C

*all photos from Dabble Mag's Gallery via their website*

{ 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

{ words for your week }

"What happens when we lose the things that anchor us? What if, instead of grasping at something to hold on to, we pull up our roots and walk away? Instead of trying to find the way back, we walk deeper and deeper into the woods, willing ourselves to get lost. In this place where nothing is recognizable, not the people or the language or the food, we are truly on our own. Eventually, we find ourselves encumbered by the past or the future. Here is a fleeting glimpse of our truest self, our self in the present moment. After that, maybe we can finally go home--or maybe not."

"What I found on the road was a tiny piece of myself, the one I kept unknowingly shuttered for so long in order to play the many roles I thought were mine. It was no cyclone, but these past few years I had survived my own personal disasters and realized I was strong enough. I was on the other side. In this new place, I could hear the whispering voice inside my head growing louder, my voice--not those of my parents or teachers or Carly or Muriel, even--telling me to live my life without fear or worry or doubt that nothing was going according to plan, as though such a plan ever existed in the first place."

I've been reading a memoir by Rachel Friedman called The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost, and when I read these passages I knew I had to share them with you. They tugged at my heart strings, as I'm sure they will yours. It's a really inspirational story and I'm glad I picked it from the book store.

For now, I'm off to get dressed, grab some coffee and a croissant (sometimes I treat myself to a croissant on Mondays because it makes me feel French and puts me in a happy mood) and will be heading into work for a little bit. Monday's are supposed to be my day off, I'm not sure how I ended up going back into work during them. Le sigh.


Thank you all so much for stopping by today. I hope these words help start your week off right. lovelovelove.

-C

{ French }

After getting some homework done last night, I took the rest of the night off to watch Midnight in Paris with a glass of vino, and the most amazing chocolate bar ever (hazelnuts in chocolate, people. its a godsend) 

If I wasn't entirely obsessed with going to Paris before, I certainly am now. This movie had me dreaming of the winding roads, cafes, shops, lines of gorgeous trees. So beautiful. I was so thrilled that Woody Allen spent the first 3 or 4 minutes just giving the audience a tour of Paris. It was such a treat. If you haven't seen it yet, you absolutely should.

Alas, I am not being whisked off to Paris. I am finishing up my coffee and getting ready to head to class and work. But I hope you all have a wonderful day. Thank you so very much for stopping in.

lovelovelove.

-C

photos via: 1,2,3,4,5

{California Dreaming}

These frigid temperatures are sure making me yearn for a little fun in the sun on the West Coast. I'd love a day in some cut offs, sunglasses, iced coffee, walks on sandy beaches, maybe a trip to Santa Monica Pier? Ah yes, I think that sounds just about perfect. In fact, the second to the last picture even has me imagining living there. Just look at that sun streamed kitchen, and the pretty lady with her cozy blanket, and cute yet casual ensemble. 

 I haven't been to California in about 3 and a half years, but all this talk makes me hope to go back veerrryyy soon. 

But! I suppose we have to work with what we've got. So perhaps I'll stay cozy with some cocoa until further notice. Sadly, I'm still feeling sick and was up all night coughing (whomp whomp) but hopefully this weekend will still bring some good times (with the help of some dayquil, tea and plenty of tissues)

Thank you all so much for stopping by today. lovelovelove.

-C

All photos via 

{Wanderlusting}

1. Rome

2. Ireland

3. The original Starbucks in Seattle

4. Madrid

5. Savannah, GA

I would just squeel with delight if I was on a plane en route to any of the above locations. I'm in a jetsettin' kind of mood. Maybe it's because Treasure and I are hoping to take a little trip to Louisville, KY for the night tomorrow, but we aren't quite sure if the weather will be on our side. I'll keep ya posted, but either way, my heart and mind belongs to a plane right now.

In reality, I'm also having a pretty lovely morning of a yummy breakfast, good coffee (I tried that Starbucks Instant Coffee for the first time this morning, and it's surprisingly delish!), Trevor is snoozing  for a bit longer while I get my daily fill of Live with Regis and Kelly and prepare for a day of class, loooots of work, and loooots of homework. Let's hope it's a productive day :).

I hope you all have a marvelous Thursday. Tell me, if you were to hop on a plane today, where would you go?

Thanks so much for stopping by. lovelovelove. 

-C

{ 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

{ When you wake up on the wrong side of the bed...}

just take a moment to daydream...

Le sigh. 

I can envision myself with camera in hand and smile on my face exploring each and every one of those places. One day that will be a reality :).

I was in the middle of taking pictures of my apartment yesterday for my blog post when my camera died. No big deal, right? Except then I couldn't find my camera charger. It must have gotten mixed up somewhere random in the move, but I looked everywhere! Oy. I'll try and remedy that ASAP so I can finish the post. I was so darn excited to show you guys what's been happenin'. Fooey. 

 To try and get my self out of my funk I'm going to take a shower, turn on some tunes, finish touching up the paint in my apartment (I know, what a procrastinator) and try to r-e-l-a-x. This evening I have an interview for a second job, so keep your fingers crossed pretty please! 

I hope today is a good one for all of you.

-C

source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4, source 5, source 6