Never Change, My Deer.

Days pass with the speed of a sea-cucumber sometimes. But I'm grateful for it. 

It feels like I've gotten so much done and it's merely noon. Glory be. One of the best parts about this brief hiatus is the ability to play the piano all the time. And to be relaxed and goofy. And to read. Which is something I've put by the wayside for a long time.

In the meantime, I've also found a fabulously dreamy singer named Zee Avi. Zee is a 28 year old Malaysian-born singer and ukulele virtuoso. Here is one of my favorite songs of hers: Concrete Wall, as well as the remix (also marvelous) by RAC:

Original:

Remix:

In the meantime, I am also trying to increase the bravery of my wardrobe decisions.

I've decided life is just too short to dress for others. 

Wear what makes you happy. What makes you smile. What makes you feel beautiful inside and out. 

Don't wear something that you think is expected of you if it makes you uncomfortable. 

Be marvelously you, now and always.

Love,

Chloe

PS: My darling Monet would like to say hello to you all from his new and improved food dish.

Water, Water Everywhere... It Gives Me Time to Think.

I got to go back and visit my parents in my hometown over the past three-day weekend. During this, I got to visit the beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene, which is not a terribly long way from where I grew up.

It led to a lot of introspective realization. (Whoo-hoo, look at dem word choices!)

But really, going home helps to clear my head. And this last weekend was by no means an exception to that rule. I made some fairly life-changing decisions.

The biggest of which was to drop my classes at the university for this semester and take a break from school.

Woof. That sounds crazy, right? Yeah, maybe it is a little. But life lately has led me to realize that crazy comes in all forms, and some are better choices than others. 

I found that I was heading in a direction I didn't want to go, but felt was 'necessary' or 'expected'. When I realized that most of what I was keeping up with was due to pride, I also came to see that I had to let go of some of the things I was stubbornly holding on to. One of these was my major in History. 

As it turns out, I'm not cut out to sit in museum basements. 

But that's not to say I will never get the opportunity to work for the Smithsonian! But this realization and some other major issues need to be dealt with first. I don't know where life is going to take me at all. All I know is that right now, I'm going to take a break and resume school in the fall to pursue a degree in Food and Nutrition.

At least that's the plan.

But who knows?

I'm not in charge here.

Love,

Chloe

Caffeinated, Falling, and Wearing Fire Engine Red

Dudes and Dudettes,

I am buzzin'. I have ingested enough caffeine to make my every action feel as though it is being done at the speed of light and accomplish every task with the same amount of energy that could power a small village for two months.
                                     

Fingers crossed that my heart doesn't stop along with the crash from this.

Got a suggestion for all you Lords and Ladies of the I-Don't-Know-What-To-Do-So-I-Guess-I'll-Just-Stream-The-Office-On-Netflix-Again Realm: don't do it. Not tonight. Watch this instead (Best part-it's an Instant on Netflix!!):

The Fall

This movie blew me away. Named as Number 6 in the critic's Top Ten Movies of 2008; it is visually stunning. The acting is incredible. The plot is so riveting you will not have time for that "oh it seems to be slow enough for a bathroom break' moment. 

So go beforehand. 

The film took four years to film on-location in twenty different countries, just to ensure that not one set would be used. All of the scenes are shot in real places. No Hollywood cut-outs, no 'movie magic'. Just real, breathtakingly beautiful on-site locations. 

For Example:

And:

Seriously, 100% real. No miniatures, no fake sets used.

I promise it is not a 'two hours of my life that I'll never get back' movie. In fact, you'll probably watch it again. And again. I did!

Here's the link for the trailer to get you intrigued:

Trailer for The Fall

On another note, has anyone ever asked you what your favorite color is? I just can't do it. I can't tell all those other beautiful colors that, sorry-you aren't quite good enough so I made your second cousin my favorite. Who does that? That, folks, is discrimination. And favoritism. 

Nah, but really, I don't have one. Some days it's orange, yesterday it was blue, today it's red. Maybe I just don't like to be tied down by decisions. 

But mostly, I think I probably have spectrum ADD.

 Cheers to my beautiful roomie, Michelle, who gave me these wonderful genuine leather boots!

She's a keeper! 

Hope your Wednesday is treatin' y'all well!

Love, 

Chloe

Top: JC Penny's, Leggings: Target, Earrings: Thrifted, Boots: Gifted

Sock Lobsters

Hi, my name's Chloe. And I have a sock problem. I am deeply in love with socks. 

But you know what?

That's okay. 

Warm toes, warm soles, ain't nothin' wrong with that.

My favorite pair are covered with lobsters, vaguely reminiscent of a song from 1978 by the B-52s...

Which, incidently, was named #147 by Rolling Stone in their list of the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.

Who woulda thunk.

In other news, I have a book suggestion for you ladies out there:

"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli. 

 Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is my favorite book of all time. Poignant, makes you cry, and oh so true to how life can be. I won't say anything more because I hate to be a plot spoiler, but I advise this read with all my heart. 

End bookworm monologue.

And in other-other news, I'm back in the sewing game. Made this punk-tee dress the other day, and am wearing it to a meeting with some of my lovely ladies tonight. I was inspired to make it by a dress I found in our local consignment shop here in town.

Methinks I might make this my first DIY I post on here. More to come tomorrow on that!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Love,

Chloe

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Wearing a Large Sweater

Yesterday I had the opportunity to finally watch the book-made-movie "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". And folks: it's a must-see.



I read this book only a couple of months ago at the recommendation of a friend, and I read it in three days. My scale of read-worthy books goes from good Italian-food books: substantial but read slowly to enjoy them fully and digest it all; to butterscotch cookie books: you know you should go through it slowly, but dangit it is so darn good that you want to finish it as quickly as you can so that you can make another batch and read it all over again. 

Alrighty... not my best metaphor, a bit lengthy, and definitely written on an empty stomach, but I assure you, "Perks" really is a butterscotch cookie book/film.

 If you have seen or read it, good on ya. If you haven't, I highly recommend you do so ASAP. This movie/book's got it all- indelible characters, an emotional roller-coaster ride, and a dialogue that is a smorgasbord of quotable lines.

One of my favorite lines is from when the main character, Charlie (played by  Logan Lerman *swoon*) says to Sam (played by Emma Watson *Harry Potter Fan swoon*):

"Do you ever think that if people knew how crazy you really were that no one would ever talk to you?"

Amen, Brother. Amen.

On another note, large sweaters are the ultimate cure-all for the weather lately.

The perks of wearing a large sweater:

 Ability to wear leggings without being petitioned by the "Not-Real-Pants" club.

Can be spruced up or down in a jiffy.

 Keeps you snuggly and warm. 

 Come summer, string this baby between two trees and you've got yourself a hammock.

Alright, maybe not.

But,

These sweaters are slowly becoming my favorite wardrobe piece. And the best part? Thrift stores are always full of these in the Men's Section. I got this one recently for 47 cents.

Boo-Yah.

And, on one last cuddly note, here is a picture for you of my boy, Monet:



Now, if that can't make you feel warm and fuzzy, I hear there's vacancy on Mount Crumpet.

Stay warm, folks!

Love, 

Chloe

There and Back Again

Greatest apologies and salutations. I am a shameful, neglectful blogger. I have let this blog collect dust while months have gone by and I have no excuses, just reasons.

Life happens.
Crap happens.
But new leaves are always waiting to be turned, yah?

So here goes... 2013, will you be my neighbor?

And some photos from this past Christmas eve: I went a little '60s.

Might post a DIY on this hairdo, as it was marvelously easy! Took a grand total of 20 minutes. The perfect college girl time-limit.

Love,

Chloe

Polka Dots. Oh My.

So here's what looks like a cool idea in my head:

Thrift Store Outfit Posts, each with a thrift store purchased piece.

Yeah man! So here's the first!

Top: Rue 21, Flats: Walmart, Belt: Target, Shorts: Thrift Store (Altered)

(Sorry about the pose...Cameras make me nerdy.)

Here's to the start of some more thrifting inspiration for all of y'all.

Love,

Chloe