21st birthday princess takes on paris

My 21st birthday was one of my most magical days to date.  We were in Paris and I set out to treat myself (with the help of some generous relatives). After brunch, we set out for the Champs-Elysees, where we went to Laduree.  I bought myself a box of macarons and marveled at the ornate pastry shop complete with a tea room and bar.  I ate half of mine throughout the day.  We sat on some grass and soaked up the glorious sun, and eventually made our way to the original Chanel, where I intended to buy myself some perfume.  I promised 2009 Kaylie that I would buy more Coco Mademoiselle next time I went to Paris, and so I did.  

This time it was an incredible out-of-this-world experience.  After I chose my perfume, the woman carefully wrapped it up with beautiful gold paper,  sheer ribbon, and a white paper camellia.  Yes, I now have Chanel craft supplies and I could not be happier.  It didn't stop at that.  I was taken to a small room to sit down on a comfortable chair while another woman had me pay and typed out a receipt.  It was an elaborate process that was completely unnecessary, but maybe this was because most people sitting in that chair would probably be spending a lot more than I was (which was already a lot).  Those people would definitely need to sit down to hear the damage.  I was then asked by the first woman if I wanted complimentary tea as she gave me the bag.  I said yes and mentioned the perfume was my birthday gift to myself.  She promptly offered tea to the rest of my friends.  And there we sat.  In Chanel.  Drinking tea amongst expensive shoes, across from a very happy young woman with what appeared to be her sugar daddy.  I don't know how we ended up in this situation, but I honestly don't think I will feel that glamorous again in my life.  I'm so happy I had some friends to share in the absolutely insane experience!

After a little downtime, we got TACOS!  It was wonderful.  I tried to have a margarita, but it was weirdly spicy and my stomach was not a fan  That night I planned to at least do a little of the "American 21st birthday" thing, but I was not feeling up to it, so I didn't (I succeeded the next night, and it's safe to say, I will never do that again).  Ted and I ended the night in Montmartre, which was such a lovely conclusion to my birthday.

photos by ted

spring in bloom in my room

Obligatory banner, raindrops & flowers, garland from my friend's sweet mom, umbrella for our plastic  skull, flower seed packets, our seasonal gourd with a flower.

Happy Spring! xoxo

nostalgic spring

...

 

floral frenzy

I noticed a couple of things the day I wore this outfit.  

One:  Almost everyday I catch myself wearing things people have given to me over the years.  This is one of the perks of being open to most pieces even if they don't immediately scream my style and being petite--when people grow out of something or accidentally shrink something, they pass it my way!

Two:  I wear a TON of floral.  Ted's friend, who just met me last weekend, told him I was "the personification of a flower."  I laughed, then realized I was wearing floral on floral...

While I was taking this picture of Ted...

...Ted's friend was taking this picture of us.  Officially my favorite picture of us!

Outfit:  blouse (hand-me-down from mom)/Banana Republic, tanktop underneath (gift)/ Free People, jacket (gift)/ boutique, button from Ireland, skirt (another hand-me-down)/unknown, vintage belt from garage sale, tights (gift)/Kate Spade, shoes/Born, bow/Nordstrom, Deathly Hallows earrings/Whimsic Alley

happy spring!

i ♥ liberty market

(photos by Kate) 

I have two things to say: 

1.  Liberty Market makes me happy.

2.  I'm excited for Spring.

it's earth day and springtime--more than enough reasons to read some poetry, eh?

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
wich is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
 
-E.E. Cummings
 
 
Minott, Lee, Willard, Hosmer, Meriam, Flint,
Possessed the land, which rendered to their toil
Hay, corn, roots, hemp, flax, apples, wool, and wood.
Each of these landlords walked amidst his farm,
Saying, "'Tis mine, my children's, and my name's.
How sweet the west wind sounds in my own trees;
How graceful climb those shadows on my hill;
I fancy those pure waters and the flags
Know me as does my dog: we sympathize,
And, I affirm, my actions smack of the soil."
Where are those men? Asleep beneath their grounds,
And strangers, fond as they, their furrows plough.

Earth laughs in flowers to see her boastful boys
Earth proud, proud of the earth which is not theirs;
Who steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet
Clear of the grave.—
They added ridge to valley, brook to pond,
And sighed for all that bounded their domain,
"This suits me for a pasture; that's my park,
We must have clay, lime, gravel, granite-ledge,
And misty lowland where to go for peat.
The land is well, —lies fairly to the south.
'Tis good, when you have crossed the sea and back,
To find the sitfast acres where you left them."
Ah! the hot owner sees not Death, who adds
Him to his land, a lump of mould the more.
Hear what the Earth says:

EARTH-SONG.

Mine and yours,
Mine not yours.
Earth endures,
Stars abide,
Shine down in the old sea,
Old are the shores,
But where are old men?
I who have seen much,
Such have I never seen.

The lawyer's deed
Ran sure
In tail
To them and to their heirs
Who shall succeed
Without fail
For evermore.

Here is the land,
Shaggy with wood,
With its old valley,
Mound, and flood.—
But the heritors—
Fled like the flood's foam;
The lawyer, and the laws,
And the kingdom,
Clean swept herefrom.

They called me theirs,
Who so controlled me;
Yet every one
Wished to stay, and is gone.
How am I theirs,
If they cannot hold me,
But I hold them?

When I heard the Earth-song,
I was no longer brave;
My avarice cooled
Like lust in the chill of the grave.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


Be nice to yo' Mama Earth

-Me

portland day 1

The convention center.

Is that Micheal Bluth on his bike and cell?

Food stands!

Bookstore!  Score!

Sooo many shelves of piles of books (of prepositions...)

Was this taken with a cell phone or what?!

Self-explanatory.

This Buddha's tummy in Chinatown has obviously seen a lot of rubbing.

Pretty, pretty. 

 

The trees were so green I was under the impression the universe decided to turn up the saturation on them.

Passing through Skidmore--more exploring there to come!

today was a good day

Throw Me The Statue, "Lolita" from Thinklab on Vimeo.

I painted some pottery, read, went antiquing, took a half-nap, and watched When Harry Met Sally, which I had never realized I had never seen.  Of course I loved it and its obvious Woody Allen influence.  Gee whiz, way to be a movie snob, Kaylie.  Let's pretend that didn't just happen.

Anyway.  A good day.  And I couldn't help but be completely thrilled that the barista at the Coffee Bean commented on my dress.  The aura of mystery I tend to try to pull off with strangers backfired (as it usually does) when I gushed how much I appreciated the compliment because I finished the dress last night. We chatted and now the barista at the Coffee Bean knows about my New Years resolution.  I'm an open book!  However, at the antique store, when a couple of ladies told me they loved my dress, I was better equipped, simply smiling and saying "Thank you!" My subtlety was rewarded with one of them saying "How very retro!"  This added comment made my day, and possibly my whole haphazard, slightly shoddy sewing career.  Friendly strangers make life just snazzy, don't you agree?

music appreciation

The Sea and Cake reminds me of summer, of light hearts, and of sandy seashells tucked into a beach blanket. It's a top-notch situation. Kind of like how Coconut Records reminds me of spring, of favorite memories, and of falling in love. Isn't music funny in that way? I am quite glad it is funny in that way. Happy Tuesday.

happy happy tuesday

pictures via oh joy

i'm partial to easter mostly for its colors

sometimes my life is a cute indie film

This afternoon after school I helped Katie out with a photo assignment which included me and Domenico in the groves as Dorothy and (a really trendy teenVOGUE-esque) Tin Man.

Moral of the story: I wish I were in a fairytale, full of frilly dresses and endless groves. Or, uh, at least in a teenVOGUE spread.

Anyway, happy, happy Spring!

goodbye, spring break

You've been good to me. Somehow between movies, eating out, reading, the 1st season of Gossip Girl in celebration of Katie's 16th birthday, and outings with each of my three grandmas, I soaked in the relaxation that has been so foreign to me this school year. In fact, the school year is already three-fourths through, and the weather has begun to tease me with ideas of summer. Goodbye, spring break. You've always been my favorite.

happy 16th birthday to me!