{ finding the "i" in relationship }

Today on The Everygirl, Jess Constable is sharing her latest Living Well column, discussing the recent lesson she learned about the importance of balancing friendships and family with your relationship. It is so well said and a topic that I think most of us can relate to, and it got me thinking about my own relationship.

When it came to making my decision to stay in Chicago, there were obviously many things to consider, but one of the biggest things weighing on my mind was my relationship with Trevor.

At this point, Trevor and I have been together for about six years. Our relationship is clearly extremely important to me. However, when I started my summer here in Chicago, I quickly fell back in love with the windy city and started seeing more potential for my career than I had ever anticipated. Because I knew my financial situation wouldn't allow me to return to school in Cincinnati, I had to make the decision to either stay in Chicago and see what it had in store for me and my career, or return to Cincinnati and finish out the year in my apartment with Trevor and all of my college friends. 

The thing is, I've made decisions before based entirely on what would benefit my relationship, even if I knew that those decisions weren't always the best thing for me as an individual. While I think sacrifices in relationships are important and oftentimes necessary (especially later in life when you're married, have children, etc) I also know that in the end, if Trevor and I are not fulfilled or happy as individuals first, our relationship suffers, even when the intention is to better it. I have found myself in the past unhappy and putting too much pressure on my relationship to "complete" me when I've put my own needs and aspirations aside because I worried they would stand in the way of us.

Funnily enough, even though Trevor and I are long-distance right now, our relationship feels stronger than ever because we are both taking care of ourselves, and in turn, taking care of our relationship. I'm lucky that he supports me and loves seeing me happy, doing what I love, and moving forward with my life. Yes, I could have returned to Cincinnati and returned to my apartment right down the street from him and we could have hung out every single night together. But would it be worth it if every time he saw me I was moping about the loss of opportunity in Chicago or felt stuck and embarrassed that I wasn't doing more for myself and my career?

Sometimes we think that if we attach every ounce of ourselves to something, that will ensure that it stays close to us. And sometimes, that approach works. But I know right now that making decisions that are good for my own future ultimately means making decisions that are good for our future. 

thanks for stopping in today everyone. lovelovelove to each of you.

-C

{truth be told...}

Truth be told, I don't have any inspiring images or words to share today. Truth be told, I'm plum worn out and sick to my stomach and it's one of the days that I'm just working on getting through it. I feel okay saying that, because we all have those days, so I know you guys will understand. In general, I would say I'm in a good place in my life. But naturally, just when you think things are rolling along, issues pop up. Obstacles occur. And you have to deal with them. Even when all you want to do is lay in bed and pull the covers over your head.

So that's what I'm doing today. I'm dealing with the obstacles. Checking things off the list. Moving forward. Thank you guys for sticking with me while I figure things out. Wishing each of you a happy Thursday. And thank you so much for stopping by the blog. Really.

lovelovelove.

-C

image via 

{ Obstacles }

image via

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

image 1, 2, 3 and 4

{ 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