a little holiday cheer

Here's a bitty little tree I made for Andrew & me. 

All of the ornaments came from Target! There are little mushrooms and music notes everywhere. 

It now has a few more presents taking up space, but that's not 

such as bad problem to have,

is it? :)

How perfect is this? I saw it at Barnes & Noble and as soon as I saw the red velvets 

on the cover, I was sold. I'm a little over the moon for 

red velvet anything. 

I can't wait for him to open his gifts! It's going to be great. 

My friends know me so well!

And a message for everyone before Christmas:

Thank you for reading. You all are fantastic and give me motivation to keep posting. I love

each one of you. I hope you have the merriest holiday possible!

xoxo

the closet cleanse.

i love clothes. i'll admit it. i love buying them, wearing them, putting pieces together, and cutting pieces apart. and i'll admit something else, too:

i think i have a problem.
yes, folks. i, whitney caldwell, am admitting my out of control addiction to clothing.

so what is a twenty-something clothing addict do to remedy this situation?

answer: a full-blown closet cleanse.

i have a basic plan of action for this. here are the rules:

1. if i haven't worn it in 6 months or longer, good-bye. 

2. if i've never worn it at all, and i'm "waiting for the right occasion" to wear it, see you later. 

3. if it's strikingly similar to another item (i'm calling you out, three mustard-colored cardigans), best wishes. 

4. if it does not fit, au revoir. 

5. if it is picked, ripped, faded, or icky, peace. 

6. if it is functional, can be worn with most of my other items, in good condition, and i get regular use out of it, congratulations, you made the cut!

this is phase I of the cleanse. once I separate all the things I no longer wish to keep, I will donate them. then, i will reorganize my greatly downsized closet to a navigable space. and finally (what i am most excited about!), i'm going to do a post on how to create 50 outfits out of only 18 pieces of clothing. 

let's get started!

life lately, according to my iPhone pictures.

                                     

                                     

                                  

1) waterfalls

2) vegan food! lasagna & cupcakes

3) tree climbing, as per usual

4) we have some new instruments! how many drums can you count?

5) obsessed with these helloberry bracelets

6) design*sponge for home lookbook has been my bible as of late

7) laughs

8) how to be alone: essays and personalized coffee (we've become known as

"the little lady" and "drummer boy")

9) "don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" -do you know which movie this is from?

Happy Monday, everyone!

 

here we go again...

Oh, golly, lovelies. It has been far, far too long since we've spoken. I spare you the details of the absolutely crazy 6 months since I've logged on for your sanity, but I assure you it has been bonkers and beautiful.

Some changes for ya...

I went dark again!

Stood atop Mt. Mitchell...

...got a present...

...saw Nashville...

...had a holly jolly holiday...

...got some new hobbies...

...rang in the New Year...

...and read when I got the chance. 

Such a brief overview, so many details omitted, but I assure you, things have been swell, and I intend to keep life this way. 

Welcome back!

wonder-fall, a things i love thursday special!

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Hello, friends! It's been far too long since we've spoken. I hope all has been well in your worlds :) As for me, I've been doing the dreaded work-school combo that so many of us are all too familiar with. Still at the bookstore, and still in nursing school, both of which keep me really busy, but in the best possible way. Apologies for the hiatus! 

So, now that we're all caught up, it's time to focus on my favorite time of year: AUTUMN!! Kids, I cannot express how much I LOVE this time of year. The leaves, the air, the sky (sunny or cloudy, they're both beautiful), the clothes, the boots, the coffee, the pumpkin everything; there's just a general cozy feeling floating in the air that's tangible and beautiful. I love the fall. And all that it comes with. Which is why today's T.I.L.T. is autumn-themed! 

fall-ish nonsense i adore...

cloudy, gray skies / the first falling leaves / boots! / pumpkins ...

...but really, get in everything I drink for the next three months / Beach House - go to www.daytrotter.com and listen to the 2/1/2010 session with Beach House. "Walk in the Park" is such a perfect autumn song! And best of all, it's from daytrotter which means free, legal downloads of all the sessions. Huzzah! / the smell of bonfires and cinnamon / fall candles, like "Kitchen Spice" from bath and body works / coffee, all day, every day / this fall bucket list: 

and I am going to do ALL OF THE ABOVE! / aviator shades / layers and layers of clothes / new nails: 

the ring finger is "Jade" by Orly, and the mauve is "Tickle My France-y" by OPI / snuggling under blankets outdoors / sleepy afternoons / hiking / neutrals and gold jewelry / the inexplicable sense of calm when I go outside / how the color orange seems to sneak up everywhere (I mean, look at this post!) / rosy cheeks from chilly wind / 

What are your favorite aspects about fall? Maybe we share some of the same ones! 

Happy Thursday, my dears! 

the summer sabbatical

Greetings, my dears! It feels like eons since my last post. And eons may as well have passed since then. But no matter. I had my bout with anonymity and escape from here; now I'm back from my brief June hiatus.

And this is exactly what I needed to do. 

Now, you may have noticed I didn't embark on a June Happiness Project. Honestly, darlings, I didn't pick anything in particular to focus on. I had a case of those aforementioned mean reds, and put most of my time and effort into feeling better. I'll definitely pick it up once more in July, which (shockingly!) isn't too far away! 

Hmmm. Maybe this can be my July project?

Anywho, I'm back, folks. Still recovering from a case of SCS, otherwise known as "Sad Cookie Syndrome." I've been reading like a madwoman, writing here and there, and embarking on new projects to keep busy. 

Homemade necklace I churned out

Doing this as soon as possible!

Fabric flowers are insanely adorable.

And that's only the tip of the iceburg! I've been scanning Pinterest for new ideas, and they are indeed abundant! So, that's all for now, lovebugs. It feels good to be back!

Au revoir!

the mean reds

Breakfast at Tiffany's is iconic. It's classic, cult, outlandish, heartbreaking, and beautiful. It is also my favorite movie of all time. I think it's because I think Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is so relatable: closed off, yet so willing to befriend; frightened, yet adventurous. She is a marvel.

In the above still frame, Holly is divulging the definition of the mean reds. 

"...The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of..." 

I feel like I've had a case of the mean reds lately. I'm certainly not a fan of this. But I've been doing some thinking, and I've come to a conclusion. Negative feelings are inevitable. And sometimes it's easier not to combat it and force yourself to into happiness. Rather, I believe sometimes it's healthier just to channel those mean reds. Savor the lows. That's what makes the wonderful things in life wonderful, after all. 

Au revoir, mes cheries. 

a fortunate fortune

"Remember three months from this date.

Good things are in store for you."

This fortune popped out of my cookie at lunch 3 days ago. So, July 26th, let's see what you have in store for me! 

whitney wonka and the chocolate factory

j'adore la chocolat. This is a known fact. So I persuaded Derek to venture with me to a small town in east Tennessee, Jonesborough, to visit a chocolate shop known as Earth & Sky Confections. 

The chocolate shop itself is a beauty. The downtown strip consists of old brick buildings, and nestled in one of these is Earth & Sky. The shop is small, with exposed brick and the candies on display like jewels under glass and light. Take a look: 

passion fruit on the left, peanut butter & jelly on the right

an upclose; they look like big marbles!

kahlua and salted caramel 

mint and honey lavender

Let me go ahead and tell you, darlings, the chocolate is unimaginably over-the-moon heart stopping phenomenal.

clearly enjoying some salted caramel

Not only are the chocolates delicious and beautiful, they're reasonable priced! Which is always a pleasure to my frugal side. 

So, next up, Derek tried the honey lavender chocolate. This can go one of two ways....

does he like it...?

...yes! 

Earth & Sky is operated by a couple of lovely people named Chris and Laura. They clearly have a passion and talent for what they do, and I (and my tastebuds) thank them greatly for it! I will take time to venture back there as soon as possible. Here are some shots of their handiwork (not taken from my iPhone, heehee):

aren't they gorgeous? almost too pretty to eat...almost. 

Please investigate their website here. Bravo, Earth & Sky! You have made me a true fan of artisian chocolates!

au revoir, mes amies!

the happiness project-miscellaneous thoughts

Hello, my darlings! So though it isn't yet the start of a new month, therefore not time for a new month of the happiness project, I was thinking about it pretty intently today in class (oops...hehe). Anywho! I found myself reflecting back on all of the aspects of this project: what I'd wished to accomplish, what I actually accomplished, and how it improved my happiness. I realized something: over these past five months, whenever I set a goal to improve my happiness, I changed something in my life to accommodate. And I think that's the ultimate key here, folks. If you're unhappy with something, change! It's that simple! Now, exercising and implementing the change isn't that easy, but bringing yourself to that awareness is.

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This is so incredibly true, isn't it? I've printed this out and I'm putting on the ceiling above my bed. It's something good to dwell on before dreaming and when getting up in the morning.

what to do when you're feeling blue

As hard as we may try and fight it, sometimes a case of the blues is inevitable. But just because the blahs try to take hold does not mean you have to give in to them! Here is a list of activities and things to help combat those negative Nancies.

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Write a letter to who and/or what is upsetting you. Write furiously, without cease, until all of your feelings of anger are expressed. Afterwards, crumple it up and throw it away. Consider it symbolic of tossing out the anger.

Volunteer. Doing something for the good of others will in turn make you feel good.

Get an overpriced, complicated drink from Starbucks. It's fun being a coffee snob sometimes.

Watch your favorite movie. In bed, with a blanket and a surplus of pillows.

Tattoo yourself with marker. 

Hula-hoop.

Go for a windows-down drive blaring your favorite songs. Treat those other drivers to what your music sounds like.

Plan your dream getaway. Cut out pictures and maps and envision yourself there.

Paris, je t'aime

Watch the sunrise. Sacrifice a few hours of sleep; the feeling of being totally renewed is absolutely worth it. 

Buy old vinyl records. Even if you can't play them, owning them makes you feel a little bit cooler. 

Call a friend. Hear their voice. 

Bake cupcakes, the most adorable food on the planet. If you don't eat them, take them to someone special. 

Go to a toy store. Ride the bikes up and down the aisles. 

Go outside! Lay in the sunshine, pick flowers, jump in a pile of leaves, build a snowman...whatever the weather permits. 

Learn something new. A new word, a foreign phrase, the lyrics to a song, etc. 

Color. 

Send texts to the most interesting people you know.

Watch a good stand-up comedian. Laugh yourself silly. 

Ladies, go to a make-up counter. Enjoy getting dolled up. Release your inner Barbie for a while. 

be still, my heart!

Wear ridiculous sunglasses, all day. 

Fly a kite.

Hike, walk, or jog outside.  

Take a bubble bath. Give yourself a bubble mohawk, bubble goatee, bubble bracelets, build a bubble castle...trust me, the more bubbles, the better. 

Recycle. Do the earth a solid. 

Blow bubbles. 

Indulge in your favorite food and drinks. On a diet? I really don't care. You deserve to eat and drink  whatever you darn well please. 

Try a food unfamiliar to you. Sushi, tempura, schmaltz, picci pacu...even if you don't like it, you can feel proud that you tried it!

Color coordinate. Clothes, books, eyeshadows, shoes, your spice rack...

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Listen to Pandora radio. You might surprise yourself with the music you find. 

Browse your local bookstore. Find the funniest titles you can, post up in an overstuffed chair and have at it. 

Give in to your guilty pleasures. Dark chocolate, getting your nails done, Glee...enjoy!

Write your own fortunes for cookies. 

Buy postcards and send them to the people who make you smile. 

Be cheesy. Take pictures of yourself. 

Hug your friends, family, yourself, or a stranger. 

Go to a candy store. Behave like a kid.

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Window shop at absurdly expensive boutiques. 

Visit an antique store. 

Do some brain teasers. Make yourself feel better with little wins via crossowords, Sudoku, Tetris, word searches, or grid-based logic puzzles that my best friend Lindsay so passionately adores :)

Eat brightly colored kids cereal. Trix are not just for kids.

Paint. Your nails, a canvas, a wall, a fence, your face...

Tumble. Do a somersault or a cartwheel. Be careful not to get hurt! 

Visit awkwardfamilyphotos.com. If you're not grinning by now, I'll be shocked!

Smile. 

And, most importantly, remember the cardinal rule: 

Le bonheur et l'amoure,

Whitney