And the winner is...

Not BlogSpot! It signed me out in the middle of posting and I lost everything I had written.

Anyway, on to choosing the winner! I used the old names-in-a-hat routine, so the winner would be totally random. The winner is... Isabel over at I Fly A Starship!!!

She will be enjoying this lovely little Blog Birthday Prize


Hope everyone had a lovely weekend :)

I had it all planned out...

Oh bother. Where is my brain? These photos were supposed to be in the last post and I completely forgot. It's been a stressful week, though, and I do believe my cognitive functions have been affected.

I love the architecture in Baltimore and wanted to share these pictures with you! All the buildings are so old and European-looking. And some are painted wonderful colors!



The jewelry that I brought on the trip.

The "statement necklace" is from my boss, who I think has now bought me more jewelry than anybody else has. The pearl & coral necklace is from my mom, the earrings in the box are painted horn from Africa, and the beetle brooch I received for my 17th birthday. The other necklace against the pear is one I made and has been featured before. The wonderful thing about jewelry is that every piece has a story.

I feel I should update you on my foot situation. I am officially in a below-the-knee boot :( The doctor thinks I now have a stress fracture. My foot had been getting better, but inexplicably took a turn for the worse. I'm not sure when I will be able to take outfit photos again, as I am to stay off my feet when I'm at home. On the bright side, I had today off! I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend :)

fluoresce

So, I am not suppose to be wearing heels, but right now my foot feels better in heels than in my 5 oz. running shoes. Why?? I don't know what is going on with it. It was getting better, but has gotten exponentially worse over the past couple weeks. Humph.



It is currently 61°F here and sooo bright. I think I will hobble outside and sit somewhere. Then I will watch the joggers go past, and for once in my life, wish I could jog.

Sorta what I wore! by catiebeatty featuring leather shoulder bags

My mom half-gave-half-relinquished these amazing lace pants to me. I can't actually where them anywhere yet, because there is a hole in the seat, but they still work for pictures. They are completely see-through, so it's not like the hole is that much more indecent, it just looks bad. Anyone know how to repair lace?

In these pictures:
Forever21 Tank Top
J.Crew Cardigan
New Look Wedges
Aldo Bag
Vintage Lace Pants
Handmade Italian Coral Earrings

Next please!

So I'm brainstorming for my next giveaway. It won't happen till May or June, but I thought I should start thinking about it sooner than later.

What would YOU like to see in the giveaway? Should I do another pair of earrings or a necklace? Also, if you're interested in collaborating, send me an email with your ideas! catiebeatty@yahoo.com

Hope everyone is having a great Monday :)

Coral & Orchid

It's almost Spring, which means it's time for something new.


Time for some personal envelope pushing and more colors in my wardrobe! I found these tights, which are the exact shade of purple I hate the most, but thanks to these tights, I now love it!



During this photo session the lighting changed dramatically and I was able to get some really neat shots. They're so graphic.







What are your plans for your Spring wardrobe? What shapes and colors are you hoping to add? What are your favorite Spring trends right now?

In These Photos:
Thrifted DKNY tights
Thrifted H&M Dress
Thrifted Cocoon Sweater
Vintage Coral Necklace
Handmade Necklaces
Bamboo Heels

Giveaway Results!

I decided to draw names the old fashioned way. Everyone's name went into my black felted hat and the lucky winner who's name was drawn? Janie!!

Thank you so much to all those who participated: both my old and my new followers :) I will have another giveaway in a couple months, maybe with a grand prize and a runner up! (I hate having to choose just one person!)

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day XOXO

Spring Giveaway!

It's here! My first giveaway! It features some lovely heart-shaped items.



One lucky reader will receive all of the lovely things in the picture above.
A compact mirror from Forever21, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Volumizing Mascara (travel sized), and a pair of earrings made by me! The earrings feature new glass beads and vintage acrylic beads, with hypoallergenic posts. (How adorable are those heart pins? I may need to go buy more of those!)

So here's how to enter:

1. Please leave a comment and follow my blog!
2. For an extra entry, post about the giveaway on your blog, and send me a link to the post.
3. For another extra entry, mention my giveaway in a post on Chictopia (if you have an account). Make sure to send me a link to the post!



I will choose a winner randomly on February 14th, 2011. Good luck!

Squirrel

I made myself a new necklace. It was hard to get myself to use the beads though. I get into this habit of thinking "No, I need to save these for something real special!" I'm like a squirrel, less like a hamster. At least hamsters remember the things they've hidden away.

I've had these beads for years now. A good portion of the beads are vintage, but the two blue ones are dyed coral from a bead store in Tacoma, Washington. It's hard when the beads are vintage because then I just think "These are one of a kind! I won't be able to find anymore of these!" So they just sit in my closet! Well, I overcame my brain and made something I'm really happy with. Two girls at the grocery store even compared it to J. Crew's jewelry right now, which is awesome, because I love the stuff but can't afford (my god, it's expensive!).

I plan on posting my first contest next week, and here's a little secret: it will feature some of my handmade jewelry. Keep checking back for your chance to win!

In These Photos:
Harmonic Shrug
Nordstrom DIY shirt
Vintage fur stole
Zella leggings
Handmade necklace
Vince Camuto boots

Ooh la la

I always hate showing a lot of leg, so this tights-and-knee-highs trend is right up my alley. It's not exactly subtle; it really draws attention to the legs; but I feel more covered up.

Plus, by some miracle, my legs have gotten slimmer!! I haven't lost weight, but for some reason I can wear more boots and these sheer tights suddenly look OK on me. I'm so happy because I LOVE BOOTS.

The shoes are from Forever21. They are basicly knock-offs of Miu Miu shoes from last Spring. They are massively uncomfortable and nearly impossible to walk in, but oh! are they lovely! I wore them on New Year's Eve but only because the festivities were at my own house. My friends made fun of me all night because I had to shuffle very carefully to get anywhere.


The bracelet is one my newest creations. The "stone" is called Goldstone, and I just found out it is actually a man-made mineral, comprised of silica, copper oxide, and other metal oxides. And there is your fact of the day! Anyway, I added the ribbon and the chain is gold-fill.

In these photos:
Vintage wool sweater
H&M scarf
Islay slip from Blackbird Ballard
H&M skirt
Forever21 socks and shoes

Time

Garnet, coral, and sterling silver. Hanging on a Vileroy & Boch herb pot.

I wish I had more time for art, but earrings are better than nothing! I've made two pairs in the past couple weeks and also repaired some things for a friend. I have plans to start on Christmas gifts. We'll see if anything actually happens, haha.



Vintage plastic from Czech Republic

Fancy fancy

I made a new pair of earrings. I half way constructed them some months ago, but then got a "Jeweler's block". They finally came together last weekend and I must say I am totally in love with them. Materials used: Gold-fill chain and findings, coral and Lapis Lazuli beads.





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More earrings

So I've had my ears pierced for 1 year and 8 months. The idea grossed me out so much that it took me 24 years to get it done! When I finally went in I nearly passed out. I am a big baby when it comes to needles of any sort. Do any of you have this fear?

So for the past year and 8 months I've been making nothing but earrings, because I have a lot of catching up to do in that department.

This pair I made with gold fill and Malachite.

Earrings

I'm a fidgety person. Always have been. I rarely watch TV, but when I do, I need something to keep me occupied, otherwise I just get up and leave. This is even true when America's Next Top Model is on (I've been watching the re-runs). Last night, I had already finished my dinner by the time it was on, so I decided to make my friend Ashley a pair of earrings. I made her a pair for Christmas a couple years ago and she has been asking for more. I made two pairs for her to choose from.

The first pair is made from Sterling silver, dyed coral, and glass beads.

The second is shell and Sterling.

The photo of me:
J. Crew cardigan
Chico design shirt