{ everywhere you go, chicago }

It's my last night in Chicago, and while I know in the morning things will feel a whole lot brighter, I can't deny that the weight of leaving this beautiful city has finally hit me. I had my last Chicago dinner tonight with Alaina and Danielle - it was only right to have it at Feast, where we had our first meal together just over a year ago. 

{after the BHLDN event in 2012}

On the way home from dinner, they asked me what my favorite Chicago memory was. It's nearly impossible to pick because honestly, this whole year has been one amazing memory in and of itself.

But then I remembered this moment:

It was from last August, at my first movie in the park (a free movie screening in the park where Chicagoans gather with blankets and snacks and wine). I can't even remember what movie was playing, but I vividly remember a huge wave of peace washing over me when I laid back and stared at the Chicago sky, knowing in that moment that I was in exactly the right place. I had no job, no money, no apartment of my own, and yet, life seemed pretty much perfect. I was home.

There's no doubt in my mind that I'm leaving the Windy City a better person. A year ago I was just barely on the brink of feeling like my life had some direction. I know many of you feel that way right now, and let me tell you, I am the last person who can say that I have it all figured out, but I can tell you that you can do so much more than you think you can. I have achieved things in this last year that I never thought I would be able to. I have grown up, become more confident, more daring, more ambitious. Not only has this city inspired me to dream bigger and hold myself to a higher standard, but it's introduced me to people that (without fail) reach out to help me, believe in me and instill nothing but absolute faith in my capabilities. For that, I am eternally grateful. 

I do believe that life is far too short to be complacent and it's up to you to make your life the story you want it to be. Chicago has been the most amazing chapter. I feel nothing but love for this city and all of the people in it, and I couldn't be more grateful for the last 365 pages. 

Chicago, you are not an easy city to leave. Thank you, thank you for all of the memories.

{ introducing Caitlin Creative Interiors & Styling }

I am so, so excited to announce the official launch of Caitlin Creative Interiors & Styling. As most of you know, I did a few freelance decorating projects before I took on a new full-time job working in social media back in the Fall. Well, things are changing, and I'm thrilled to be back to focusing on design work, and especially excited to be focusing on smaller spaces (think apartments, condos, little bungalows, etc.) in a more budget-friendly and new format than before. While I love e-decorating and full service design, the Design At Your Door package strikes a happy balance - giving you tangible, in-depth information to execute your design, plus a 30 minute follow up consultation, while still allowing you to execute the plan in your own time, as your budget allows you to. 

The Design At Your Door services are very budget friendly to begin with, but in only feels right to give you guys a little extra to celebrate the launch, all of the wonderful support I've received, and my pending birthday next week!

From now until May 22, you can receive a custom Design At Your Door package, for 50% off of the full priced service. That means you can get a full Living Room (or bedroom, etc.) for as little as $250! I know, y'all. Call me crazy, but I'm just so doggone excited to be back in action that I feel the need to share the love. And if you haven't had a chance to check out my portfolio (more to come soon!), be sure to take a peek!

So go on! Just email caitlinpaigebrown@gmail.com and we'll be on our way :).

lovelovelove and a happy weekend to each of you!

C

{ heading east }

So I know I've already been a bad blogger and I only started again a couple of weeks ago, but I promise I have good reasons! A few things have been changing around these parts and I had to wait until everything was settled before I could let you guys in on the fun. 

Here it is: I left my job at the PR firm. I'm going to be offering decorating services again (more on this very, very soon). Trevor was offered an amazing position as an Industrial Designer. In Baltimore. Hence, we are moving. Next week.

Cue the freak out. 

No but really. I am so, so excited (and yes, a tad nervous) for this new chapter. We're heading out next week to search for an apartment (yay!) so this is all happening very quickly. If you don't already know, Trevor and I both grew up in Baltimore. His family lives there, as does my sister, so we're thrilled to be close to family again (even though we never expected to be moving back to Baltimore so soon in our adult life). 

Of course, I will miss Chicago tremendously. I have grown and learned so much since I came to the Windy City one year ago. The idea of leaving this beautiful, wonderful place and saying goodbye to the amazing friends that I've made is enough to make me all misty, and I know there will be days in Baltimore that I'll ache for all of this. BUT, I am certain that this is what I'm meant to be doing right now, and I couldn't be more excited for the journey. It should be a fun one :).

lovelovelove.

C

{ be right back }

Good morning guys and gals. Hope you all had the best weekend. I definitely did, as I spent it flying to Baltimore for a surprise visit to Trevor for his graduation party. I have so, so much to fill all of you in on, and I plan to do just that later today. For now, I'm off to work with Jess Lively on an exciting project for Business with Intention that will be debuting later this Spring/Summer! Stay tuned, and I'll be right back!

lovelovelove.

C

{ Treasure Hunting: Chicago }

I spent last Saturday thrifting at one of my favorite local thrift stores ( The Brown Elephant) when I stumbled across this hunk of $125 goodness. The photo really doesn't even do it justice, but hopefully you can tell that the lines are pretty spectacular. Even the fabric was in amazing shape. I wanted to take it home with me - I even texted a photo of it to Trevor to see what he thought (he wasn't as obsessed as I was but he liked the price). In the end though, it doesn't make sense for me to make any big furniture purchases at the moment (more on that to come).

IF I had taken it home though, I was envisioning it with a big, patterned lumbar pillow from Caitlin Wilson Textiles. I liked these two most:

Obviously I just copy and pasted photos of the fabric on there, so use your imagination. :)

What do you guys think? Do you like it, or are you siding with Trevor on this one?

Happy Thursday! Thanks so much for stopping in.

lovelovelove.

-C

{ office hours }

A friend of mine just moved into a new apartment and is currently planning out a little home office for their spare bedroom. She asked if I had any suggestions for a space that would primarily be hers, but also suitable for her boyfriend to work in occasionally. 

(Uh, chyeah.)

Don't get me wrong, I like sequins and pink just as much as the next gal, but I'm beginning to accept that there is definitely a part of me that's very much drawn to a more masculine first layer, with more feminine pieces drizzled on top, if you will. 

I'm currently obsessed with Bashful by Benjamin Moore, and this is a perfect example of my favorite way to use it. In a room of more masculine furnishings, the peachy pink hue envelopes the room and softens each piece, making it fit for a lady but still apropos for a man. Win, win! The fun mint file cabinet (which I just happen to have been lusting over for several months) also serves as a side table between the two side chairs facing the desk), and lends a bit of color and fun to the space. Actually, the lamps would also be a great place to inject a little more "her" in the room, but I kind of dig the simplicity of the black. Plus, the finish on them still makes it all feel just a touch "glam." 

(Oy, I really detest that word.)

As you can tell, I couldn't find the perfect painting to sit above the credenza just yet, haha. I'm thinking something with a bit of that mint color in it, but so far I haven't found anything that seems quite right. 

Any reccs? What kind of environment do you prefer to work in? Do tell!

Thanks for stopping by, all! 

lovelovelove.

-C

{ new beginnings }

There are certain times in life when the only thing that feels right is starting fresh.

Anyone else with me on that one?

After neglecting my little blog, Reverie to Reality for six whole months, I decided the best thing to do was to start a new. And it's kind of perfect, because there are so many changes happening in my little life right now - some of them I'm not even sure of yet. But in the meantime, you can get all caught up as we figure it out right here. More on that to come soon.

I spent my weekend walking around furniture flea markets, instagramming simple pleasures that I encountered throughout the days, watching my favorite movie (When Harry Met Sally), and getting inspired from my favorite magazines. It was a weekend full of things that I haven't done in a really long time, and it was perfect.

In the midst of all of the latest changes that are underway, I can't help my think back to my little feature on The Everygirl. (Which launched over one year ago now!)

"When something is not encouraging you anymore, when the joy in your work is gone, you owe i to yourself to make a amove. Find the joy again, wherever it may be. Change doesn't mean failure. It means growth, and most important, bravery."

I'm thankful to have my little story there as a reminder for myself to keep the faith, move forward, and take each chapter as a lesson learned. Because you really never know what opportunities lie ahead.

I'm so excited to be back to blogging and I can't wait to fill you in on what's to come.

lovelovelove.

-C