in which i keep on the sunny side

I'm ending Stripes Week on a bright note :) I'm so glad I kept this lime green cropped cardigan, since on so many occasions I almost gave it away and now I suppose I kind of love it. There is so much road construction around these parts (winter is incredibly rough on our poor pavement) that it's hard to find a private place to take photos. My usual spot was overrun with enormous trucks when I went to take photos there and I had to find a last-minute replacement (easier said than done on days when the sun is blindingly bright). Taking my photos before work in the morning is starting to become quite a hassle... I wish I had a backyard.

(dress/belt: thrifted; cardigan: tjmaxx; earrings: gift; shoes: seychelles)

Last night K and I went to see Midnight in Paris at the Savoy, my favorite single-screen exposed-brick theater in Montpelier, and it was très magnifique! Absolutely my favorite Woody Allen movie since Vicky Cristina Barcelona (I guess he needs to stay out of the States for a while)--it was charming, funny, totally relevant, and pleasantly surprising in so many ways (everything that Woody is at his best--it reminded me of some of his older, more surrealistic films--specifically, I thought of Alice). So many of us are guilty of nostalgia for some Golden Age (Paris in the 'twenties would definitely be mine as well), but throughout time people have always been bored and discontent and disappointed in the lack of romance and excitement in their lives. Though the times might change, people's experiences probably vary very little. We are all searching and wanting and then disenchanted when we fail to find the things we expect out of life. Instead of whining and wallowing and telling ourselves and anyone who will listen that we were meant for a different time, that we would be happy if only we lived in a different place, we should embrace our circumstances and learn to find our happiness within those limits (*cough*guilty*cough*). Anyway, if you love Woody Allen (or even if you don't--K finds the man endlessly irritating and he very much enjoyed it), this one is a must-see.

After the movie we took a stroll over to the Royal Orchid for some tasty Thai and sat outside on the deck, sipping our Singha (his) and Monsoon Valley white wine (hers) and savoring our red (his) and yellow (hers) curries as we looked out over the river. Tonight, the festivities continue with more food, more wine, and music-making! Happy weekend, friends! :)

in which i wear sherbet shorts

I don't know why but this outfit makes me think of creamsicles and sherbet. Summertime must have arrived! I've been loving the clashing corals and reds around the blogosphere and wanted to join the fun. These shorts were a fortuitous find at Goodwill but super long and frumpy, so I shortened them up and voilà! A little bit bootie, but not too bad...

(shirt/shorts: thrifted; sandals: kohl's)

Tonight K and I are going on a little dinner-and-a-movie date and I'm so excited to finally have a bit of money to throw around! I wish I could go out to dinner every single night--the not-having-to-prepare-food part is pretty excellent, but I really just enjoy separating myself from the rest of the world (cell phones and computers and televisions out of reach) and sitting down for a good old-fashioned meal with K or my family or a rambunctious group of friends. Good times. Plus, the weather is finally gorgeous around here and it will be lovely to take a stroll around town.

in which i'm leaving in one week!

In one week I will be flying out west (if they stop those wildfires in time...............)!

(dress: zara; skirt: thrifted; shoes: charlotte russe; hat: uo; necklace: k's)

Some people like to wear bright colors on cloudy days, but I prefer to match my clothes to my environment. Call me Caitlin Chameleon. I really like this outfit a lot--it's very nautical and very classic but still feels very "me" somehow. K was cleaning out his closet and asked me if I wanted this necklace before he tossed it (he is not the type to wear man-jewelry... it seems strange to me that he ever wore a necklace!), and of course I pounced on it (I'm desperate for accessories!). It's pretty masculine, but whatevs. My favorite part is the little image of the ship.

Last night K and I watched "Pirate Radio" and I loved it! The 'sixties were so much cooler than today (and not just the outfits). I feel like our generation (in America, I absolutely must specify--obviously in other parts of the world this is completely untrue right now) is so boring (major overgeneralization). Nothing shocks us. We're not rebelling against any old customs or fighting for change, we're just lame and apathetic and indecisive and have no idea what to do with ourselves most of the time. The idea that rock & roll could have been such a revolutionary force at one time is almost laughable (although it also seems ludicrous that a type of music could be illegal), considering how tame The Beatles seem to us now. The movie was just filled with the fun-loving spirit that only comes out of passionate rebellion. I've actually been thinking about this kind of a lot lately... while I definitely would never opt to give up any of the freedoms that I am lucky enough to have, I sometimes feel like there is less excitement in life without boundaries to push. It's more difficult to identify exactly what we want when we can have anything. I do realize, of course, that there are still so many people out there fighting for the freedoms they deserve, and I'm sure they would rightly kick me in the kneecap for daydreaming about defiance in the face of adversity and all that, but it's just something I think about. Anyway, it was a good movie. It made me laugh and cry happy tears.

in which i would sail that vast stormy ocean

I'm glad I chose stripes for this overcast week. Florals are much more suited to sunny days, but I definitely associate nautical stripes with stormy ocean grey.

(dress: f21; denim jacket/scarf: thrifted; moccasins: minnetonka; ring: gift)

Can I just say: thank you to ABC for giving me The Bachelorette on Monday nights? It's such a guilty pleasure but I just can't help myself... sometimes a girl just needs a treat (esp on Monday)! I'm going to have a pretty fun week once I get over the hump (and get paid), so I'm kind of hoping to hurry time along a little bit. At the same time, I hate that I want to rush through the week. So much for living every day to the fullest. So often lately I find myself wasting time or spending it in unworthy ways (like watching The Bachelorette--though I also hemmed a pair of shorts and read my book, which felt like better uses of my time), and I really miss the days when every day of my life seemed chock full of adventure and excitement. I miss being on the move. I guess that's growing up... or is it? I don't want to settle for life, I want to savor it... to taste the flavors of every moment that passes and to fatten up on happiness. In case you somehow haven't noticed, the old wheels have definitely been spinning underneath my headscarves and hats this week...

I sure am looking forward to this road trip. I expect to do some serious soul-searching (my favorite activity...)

:)

in which i commence with stripes week

Stripes week!

(tunic: old navy; scarf/belt/sunglasses: thrifted; ring/earrings: gifts)

I had a pretty low-key weekend because the weather was foul. However, I did have a lovely time at Julio's on Friday night with the ladies, and K and I went to see Bridesmaids on Saturday night (because what else are you going to do when it drizzles?)... two words: SEE IT. I thought the movie was hysterical, and far superior to Hangover 2 (K agreed).

Other than that I just kind of hung out and ate food and watched TV until about 10 last night when I decided to start sewing a dress. Inspiration always hits late late at night for me. When I was younger I used to stay up until all hours of the morning working diligently on some project or other. Also, I had a bit of a revelation about why my creative projects (esp. writing) never seem to go anywhere, or why I seem to lose interest halfway through. I am the sort of person who likes to power through something all the way once I've started. As soon as I stop, it's as if the ball has dropped and rolled down thirty flights of stairs or a steep mountain or something (which of course, makes it far too much of an effort to retrieve). I work very well when fueled by inspiration, but when the inspiration runs dry it's almost impossible for me to force my way through. Does anyone have any tips for re-lighting a creative fire that has fizzled out? Is there an app for that yet?