better.

Finally, everything is coming up Catie! If that doesn't make any sense, it's a Simpsons reference. Millhouse said something similar once. Anyway, things are starting to go very well for me.



After nearly a year of foot problems, my feet are finally starting to feel better. I've completely cut coffee out of my life (sigh) because it causes inflammation and I'm seeing an acupuncturist. After trying everything else, I didn't think it would work. I was wrong! Acupuncture is magic!! I have my second appointment tomorrow, which I'm hoping will go well. You see, I'm pretty terrified of needles. Like get-up-and-run-out-of-the-dentists-office terrified. My aunt, who works at the acupuncturist's office, didn't think I would actually come in for it, but I did! Christie, if you're reading this, thanks for telling her I blacked out when I got my ears pierced!



I don't know if I'll ever be able to wear heels again, but I am so, so thankful to just be pain free. It's nice to have a little break from that whole ordeal.

On top of improvements in health, I've been approached for more features and a collaboration; two things that are always welcome! And I have all you lovely readers :) It feels good to be a part of this community.

P.S.

A little shout-out to my Uncle Paul and Aunt Anita who made my latest Forever21 shopping spree a possibility :)

In theses photos:

Forever21 jacket & stockings

Forever21 sheer blouse

H&M cotton mini dress

DKNY fishnets

Kate Spade iPad case

Aldo shoes

up/down

There have been so many ups and downs today! First thing in the morning, a little bird, a lark specifically, came to tell me some good news. This lark, of Happy, Honey, and Lark, said that I am in the October issue of Marie Claire!!! I have been to 5 different grocery stores hoping to find the issue, but apparently only some subscribers have received it so far. Not me of course, mine always comes late :/ BUT I AM IN IT!!! Can't wait to see how the pictures turned out!

Downside of my day (week, month, year), my feet have been doing quite poorly. I haven't talked about it much, but it seems the pain in the ball of my foot is chronic. I've bought Danskos and am seeing a podiatrist, so hopefully it will eventually heal. I also just found out some very sad news regarding a family friend. Knowing that she lived a very long, wonderful life is a comfort to me and, I hope, a comfort to her family. Ok, so not to end on a sad note... well, I'm working a lot which means I'm not quite as broke as I usually am and the weather was gorgeous today! And didn't my husband do a nice job taking these photos? He was mostly patient with me and kept giving me tips on how to pose. Mostly, though, he just said "look model-y" and "stop moving." In these photos: Forever21 blouse Thrifted maxi skirt Aldo bag Neon Xhilaration bra

Fashion by Feelings

Ahh, yes, a promotion I can really support! Woolmark has launched the Fashion by Feelings Campaign to promote wool and provide another awesome outlet for posting looks. Visit the Fashion By Feelings website to post a look (or 3, like I did, haha), give Love to other posters, and learn more about the amazing trip to Australia you could win!


I am a huge fan of wool, so I have no shortage of great pieces to style, but I live in Seattle so it makes sense that I own lots of wool. It's warm and it's water proof, but did you know that what makes it waterproof also makes a moisture-wicking material? Yup, that means it's great for warm climates, too! Sheep wear wool in the summer and sheep wear wool in the blazing Australian sun, so why not you?



I can't seem to figure out how to link to my looks via my blog, but, if you have nothing better to do, visit the Fashion By Feelings site and search for "Catie Beatty." I would be happy to return any Loves given!



In these photos:
H&M cardigan
Thrifted oxford shirt
BDG cropped cigarette pants
New Look wedges
Aldo bag
H&M sunglasses
Scarf bought from a street vendor in London

So far so good

I haven't bought any clothes in June! I know it's only June 6th, but that is still a good start! I almost bought a sweater at an estate sale, but it was too much and didn't fit in the arms. I've been thinking I might make an exception for really cheap things at estate sales, since that is my favorite hobby that I rarely get to do, but honestly, I would just be cheating.

Instead, I've been working a lot more lately. I'm not working full time, but it feels like it with all the driving. I might even pick up a little more work at a fifth job! It would just be temp work for a small high-end consignment shop on Queen Anne, but that's if it works with my cafe schedule and if the nice lady will have me.

In these pictures I am wearing a wool sweater. Yes, wool in June. The very next day, the temperature soared above 70 for the first time in 2011. Such a sad city made ridiculously cheerful by a little heat. People waved, actually waved, at me as I drove by in my car. It's amazing what an impact some sun can have.

In these photos:
Forever21 sunglasses
Forever21 skirt
Vintage wool sweater
J.Crew denim shirt
Aldo bag & shoes
H&M scarf

neighborhood

The good news:
The duplex behind me has all these lovely flowers that sprout up everywhere. They're all well established and come back year after year. Two of my favorites, iris and poppy, are the most notable. There is one giant pink poppy that has probably a dozen buds on it. Then there are these little orange Icelandic poppies. They grow along the rockeries in the front and back. They are day-glow orange and so papery and delicate; photos don't do them justice. The irises bloom like clockwork every May.

The bad news:
Crime is getting more noticeable in my neighborhood :( I was actually interviewed by one of the local news channels today in regards to safety at the park where I got married. Then last Wednesday, I was awoken at 3am by ADT, because our office had been broken into. It's two doors down from my apartment, which made it easy to go talk to the police when they arrived. *Sigh*

Luckily, nothing was stolen; they just broke our door knob and smashed one of our windows with a HUGE rock. Honestly, the flood we had in January was worse than this.

Ok, enough of about that. I have decided to go on a clothing fast. No shopping for the month of June! No malls, no thrift stores, no boutiques, nothing! The past two months have been so spendy (wedding, after wedding,after wedding), that I will be in serious financial pain if I do not take a break from buying clothes.

It's time to work with what I have (which is about 5,000 skirts). For instance, I just bought this mini at H&M. Isn't it a cool color? It was $6. I also bought a great little lacy top that I hope to style soon.


Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

In these photos:
H&M mini skirt
Nordstrom Men's Shirt (cropped)
Cooperative wedges
Aldo bag
Vintage resin and shell pendant

Necessities

A black turtleneck has been on my list for a while, and I finally found one. It's Merino wool, fits perfectly, and was only $5!


Even if you feel that turtlenecks are unflattering, you should still own one for practical purposes. Even if you live in Southern California! What if you decide to go skiing?? You will be so cold in shorts and a tank top! So buy some pants, too. Those are very practical.

On a side note, if you're ever in Seattle, make sure to get yourself a cupcake or two at Trophy Cupcakes. I think they are the best. Their chocolate frosting is the pinnacle of perfection.



And that is my fashion tip for the day: Buy cupcakes and pants.

In these pictures:
GAP turtleneck
Forever21 skirt
Aldo shoes and bag
H&m glasses
Trophy Cupcakes

Coast to Coast

Oh man, what a tiring trip. It wasn't long enough to fully relax and get into the swing of things. It was just go! go! go! Trevor and I were in Baltimore Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and then took the bus to New York Sunday afternoon. Then we had to take the bus back on Monday to catch our flight out of Baltimore!



On Saturday, Trevor was the best man in his best friend's wedding. We spent most of the weekend preparing for this; running errands, setting up, partying with lots of old friends. It was a gorgeous wedding and quite possibly the most fun I've ever had at a wedding. We all partied till very, very late. When the photographer posts the photos, I will post some of my outfit. I maybe some of the bride, if she gives me permission. She's amazingly gorgeous and one of those people who is friends with everyone. I could gush about her all day.



I love the East Coast, and I'm sad I didn't get to spend more time there. We had planned to spend all day in NYC on Sunday, but missed the bus because I was sick in the morning. Thank goodness it was short lived, and we made it to Manhattan by 7pm, but then had no time to go to Uniqlo. We were really looking forward to this, but it's probably good we didn't make it, since we were pretty much hemorrhaging money.

We had dinner and drinks with a bunch of friends on the Lower East Side. We have friends who moved to Brooklyn last fall and another group of friends were visiting them. It was perfect timing! Dinner was enjoyed at CultureFix, which is a great little bar/gallery run by Trevor's distant cousin. The service was great and the food was delicious and affordable!



I had really hoped to wear this outfit while there. It's so easy and simple and perfect for warm weather. When I left Seattle, it was 60 and sunny. Not so on the East Coast. The weather was sunny, dry, and really cold. The wind was awful; I hate wind. We had better weather than I had expected, but lots of layering was required at all times.

What a whirlwind trip. We took taxis, trains, buses, subways, airplanes, and cars. We ate grilled cheese on the Lower East Side, pizza in Manhattan, bagels in Baltimore, hot-dogs and pretzels in Chicago, and Starbucks in Seattle. We were in 6 states yesterday alone! It was pretty exciting :)

Well, now I am exhausted from just reliving the trip! I hope everyone is having a great week!

In this outfit:
Urban Outfitters shirt
Thrifted skirt
Aldo Flats
DIY scarf
Thrifted belt
H&M glasses

Holiday

Today was one of those very meaningful holidays. The kind where you can't run any errands, unless they involve buying mattresses at great prices! I realized halfway thru getting ready that I was not going to be able to go to the bank, post office, or library. I ended up at our one-and-only outdoor shopping mall.



Have you ever noticed how much your attitude effects how you perceive the weather? I'm so ready for Spring and keep thinking it IS Spring, so today I didn't think much of the bitterly cold wind. Let me tell you, I was pretty surprised when it started snowing. All of a sudden, my Uniqlo jacket and nylons seemed flimsy and ridiculous (they pretty much are), but thank God for my hat! My one practical item.



The dress and the bag are two of my newest wardrobe additions. The bag was on sale at Aldo. It's amazing what they can do with polyurethane these days. Everything looks so soft and real, and I swear they spray the bags at Forver21 with leather-scented perfume.



In These Photos:
H&M Dress
Uniqlo Jacket
Urban Outfitters Nylons
Forever21 Stockings
Bamboo Platform Heels
Aldo Bag
Vintage Hat
Ray Ban Wayfarers