take a break and celebrate: ban.do

These little babies  by Ban.Do have been talked about all over the blogosphere, but they deserve just one more minute of celebration. They remind  me of Dorothy's ruby slippers (which you better believe I had a pair of in the third grade). Clip the sequined hearts onto your shoes and your heels are bound to get to clickin' from the sheer, shiny fun of it.

Their headbands? Be still. Their shoe clips? my heart. Even their blog is super fun. It's official: there's no place like Ban.Do.



my thanksgiving message

I know that we’re past Thanksgiving. Trees are up, lights have been strung, and you're working hard to dodge the ten minute rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” on the radio (or is that last one just me?), but I didn’t want November slip away without me sharing what I’m dearly grateful for this year.

I am so thankful for the last six months.

Wait. Hold the phone, Caitlin. Haven’t you hated sitting around, feeling pathetic for not knowing what you were going to do with your life? Struggling to find something, anything that remotely appeared to be a career?

Oh, yes. You are completely correct.

Yet even though the last six months have been trying and may appear on the surface to have been incredibly unproductive, they have involved a lot of work on the heart, mind, and soul.You see, without a lot to do, there’s a lot of time to think. Think, think and rethink.

Even though I didn’t admit it, I felt pretty reckless, foolish, and to be completely honest, wasteful, about graduating without a single prospect or plan. It seems to me now, that God in His great mercy saw that there were things to address and work on before I could go on and out into the wild future. I heard a quote by John Mayer the other day, "To evolve, you have to dismantle." That's I exactly what I've had to do.

The last six months have brought clarifications, lessons, and even a revelation or two. God who is forever faithful, met me in the trenches complete with rolled-up sleeves, to work out fears, crazy ideas, and misunderstandings. It’s been a time of studying and learning, of fear and angst, rest and reassurance. It’s been the opportunity to once again share day to day life with my parents. It’s been the chance to see and even work for a dear friend that I don’t always have the chance to see on a regular basis. It’s been a time to just be, get back to me and come closer to Jesus.

If you read my blog regularly, thanks for sticking in there when all I did was mope and complain. Thanks for listening and coming back. I’m thankful for you and for the last six months that have allowed me to dismantle and evolve. Above all, I’m thankful for a God who gives dreams- big dreams- wild, impossible ones. I’m thankful that God is not satisfied with ho-hum existence and isn’t willing to allow it for me – or you. Happy Thanksgiving.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

a most delectable countdown

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I have to admit, I don't think I've ever tasted a macaroon- weird, I know. However, they are to France what cupcakes have become to the U.S. of A... an obsession. Six weeks from today, I plan to find out just what all the fuss is about. Growing-up, each six week grading period at school felt like a mini-eternity, but I have a hunch that the next six weeks are going to fly. I plan on taking deep breaths, loving each day and being in that time and space. The next will follow before I'm ready- of this too, I am certain.

happy one year

Hard to believe it's already a year since this beautiful, jubilant day. I'm so thankful for them and proud of them.
P.S. Don't they look the slightest bit  Kennedy-esque? Yep, I thought that as well.

wanted

via The Sartorialist

WANTED: A pair of fabulous, all-purpose, all-weather, walk 'till I drop boots to show a good time on the streets of Europe, most especially, Paris.

Have you seen any?

countdown: paris vs. nyc

Have you seen Paris vs. NYC?  It's such a fun print series by graphic designer Vahram Muratyan dedicated to my future home and perhaps, future future home. You never know...

Countdown: 7 weeks

anthro opening

I’ve been working the last two weeks at the new Fort Worth Anthropologie in preparation of it’s opening today. If you don’t know the company and store, get to know them. They value beauty and creativity, foster femininity and individuality, and promote an all-together thoughtful and lovely slice of life.  If you’re close by, stop in at the new University Drive store- it’s decked to the halls for the practically-here festivus season.
And in case you were wondering, here's a few of my favorite things in the store right now:

i do love a good wedding

Is it silly that I'm kinda really excited these two finally announced their engagement? And to top it off, Kate even has Diana's famous sapphire and diamond ring. I love a good wedding and there's no way theirs (next spring or summer) will disappoint. Congratulations to Will and Kate!

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lubbock or leave it

This past weekend, a Lubbock road trip with four high school best friends was in order for surprising our sixth, Audrey, for her 23rd. It was the first time ever that all six of us had been together in one of our college towns and quite possibly the longest period of time we all had been together since high school graduation...four and a half years ago. The surprise, masterminded by Rex and Eliz was perfect and the quick trip is something I won't forget. There was lots of silliness and many laughs, but no one could deny the love that filled the 32 hour trip. It was also an undeniable truth that we indeed are growing up- our lives are moving and taking shape with announcements and changes every day. I'm so happy we got this kind of opportunity to be together before I leave- they are five reasons why I will always love Fort Worth.

factual countdown

Paris Street, Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, 1877.

Fact: This is one of my favorite paintings.

Fact: When the tableau came to The Kimball a few summers ago, I would sit on the bench in front of it and just stare, getting lost in the world of Parisian drizzle and grey.

Fact: I can’t believe that in EIGHT weeks, I will literally, physically be getting lost in Paris. Still, even over a month after being accepted into graduate school, I still find myself shaking my head in disbelief anytime I think of it. Me? This can’t possibly be happening to me. Seriously, me?

Fact: Apparently so...!!

happy dance

I'm doing a happy dance. a major happy dance...cause my visa came in the mail!

I can't believe it. I'm good to go...this is for real!

twenty-nine years

Today I wish my parents a happy happy 29th wedding anniversary.

For better, for worse, in sickness and in health- they’ve lived their vows and been a demonstration of partnership, love, and devotion for my brother and I. When I stop to think about the many blessings in my life, their marriage is at the top of my list. I am continually amazed at God’s goodness in and to my life- that He would not only let me be their child and grow up in a stable, loving environment, but also have the opportunity to watch them love one another as well as the world they come in contact with.

P.S. Aren’t they so cute? (Last week in Montreal…so is the life for a president and first lady.)

add it to the list

How intéressant is the new Pompidou Art Cultural Center? Located in Metz, France, the modern art museum opened earlier this year and largely showcases pieces on loan from the Pompidou Center in Paris. I’m adding the museum to my list of must-sees.


9 weeks, mes amis.

all the right words

Before leaving this morning (waaay before the sun came up) to trek to Houston for my visa appointment with the French Consulate, I decided to read from my daily devotional book in hopes of finding any encouragement for the day's journey and slightly nerve-wracking meeting. I kid you not, the title of November 3rd's devotional was, "I Will Go Before You" and reads as follows:

I will go before you
and level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who summons you by  name.
-Isaiah 45:2-3

   God's imagery of going before us lets us know that he desires us to go on a journey. This is not so frightening. Most of us are aware that the Christian life requires a pilgrimage of some sort. We know we are sojourners. What we have sometimes not given much thought to is what kind of a journey we are to be taking.
   As we stand at this intersection of God's calling, we look down two highways that travel in very different directions. The first highway quickly takes a turn and disappears from our view. We cannot see clearly where it leads, but there are ominous clouds in the near distance. Standing still long enough to look down this road makes us aware of an anxiety inside, an anxiety that threatens to crystallize into unhealed pain and forgotten disappointment. We check our valise and find no up-to-date road map but only the smudged parchment containing the scribbled anecdotes and warning by a  few who have traveled the way of the heart before us. They encourage us to follow, but their rambling gives no real answers to our queries on how to navigate the highway.
(from John Eldredge's Knowing the Heart of God)

Unbelievable. I stand amazed, as always, at the thoughtfulness and generosity of how Jesus provides for me. Can I get an amen?

raise your voice

REDBLUEGREENDONKEYELEPHANT
RIGHTLEFT LIBERALCONSERVATIVE
MIDDLE   HIGH   LOW  TEA DRINKER
NO DRINKERGRANDOLDPARTYDEM
It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you honor the best thing about the United State: the right to speak. Today, if you're eligible to, use your voice by voting. Whatever your opinion, great – how very American of you. Now go voice it at the polls. Vote. Vote. That is after all, what really makes America the beautiful.


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