All that Jazz

Hey, it’s me! I feel like that dead beat friend that comes around when the wind blows in heavy. I take some pictures for  the intended post, write out my thoughts and feelings and leave my poor blog to steady on until I come around again. I say this to those who actually take their time to read through my lengthy posts and I say this to my first project baby (my blog), I’m sorry! I wonder if me saying that I mean well will hold any weight? Okay, no excuses. I need to get better at managing my two projects. If you don’t see me writing candidly on here, then you’ll catch me on Tracey Edmonds’ website www.alrightnow.com (the link tab isn’t working ) under the “Lookgood” tab. God works in mysterious ways, let me tell you! That’s the only thing I can say about how I was given that opportunity. I’m not promoting on my own blog here like some pretentious bugger, I just wanted to put it out there that I’m not some come and go-jive turkey. 

Speaking of jive turkey, the holidays are coming. I had to make a post for my favorite season. You know I’m basic so I love the Fall season like everyone else out there. But, if I had to try to set myself apart from the masses, I’d say the Fall season to me is special  because it gives me hope. Hope that a new beginning is ahead. As trees shed leaves, I can’t help but to see the changes in the greenery as one big metempsychosis. Shedding the old to bring in the new. Making room for the things to come. Listen, I’m no tree hugger, okay! I’m saying everything around us in the Fall season signifies, perhaps, that we can all do ourselves some good by shedding some dead layers off.  What doesn’t suit you anymore? What signs have you been getting from the Universe? I’m one to talk; your girl has yet to take that trip to the women’s shelter to donate clothes. Or hell, even try a new hair color. However; I am on the PTA board committee. Did I just deflect? Okay Okay!!! All, I know is that I’ve been feeling like a change is coming and this Fall season makes it feel all the more sweeter. I hope whoever is reading this finds a way to center themselves, listen to your assigned Angels and recognize the signs they lay out for you when they’re trying to guide you through change. Oh and listen to some Jazz! That always helps me !!

Love you guys and thanks for reading!

Xoxo, 

Catherine

Alrightnow

The Gift of Nostalgia

This season I thought I’d finally have my thoughts in order to be able to put together a flawless Christmas: sending out Christmas cards, baking a new Christmas cupcake every weekend, or even posting more during this time of year. Did I do any of those things?....... No. Time ran away from me like I’m sure it does to most of us out there. But, as I was strolling around my favorite part of town (Uptown Whittier) and I saw the beautiful Christmas decorations and was humming along to the carols being played I realized that it wasn’t too late to feel the excitement of Christmas.

 I know that we get caught up in the, “what am I getting so and so”, and the proverbial, “how am I going to afford all of this?”. Once you’ve played those thoughts in your head over and over, Christmas almost begins to feel like a chore in a sense. I know all too well from growing up in a single parent household as the middle child that certain compromises during this time of year would have to be made. My mom would say,”Do you guys want gifts or our traditional Seafood Gumbo?”.  Of course my sisters and I would vote for our traditional Gumbo because that’s a tradition we hold close this time of year. But, my mom being the Super Hero she is, some how would find a way to still give us gifts for Christmas. Like I’ve said in previous posts, there’s a special place in Heaven for my mom. While we didn’t have the lavish Christmases our friends did, we had each other. Corny, but true.  

This year we had a loss in our family during  the worst time of year to experience something so sad. Grief is a very strange emotion. You think you know how you’re going to handle something, but then BOOM !! There you are.... a wreck. You can’t speak to that person anymore when the thought of them comes to mind. But, through everything you have to see the beauty in things. That’s the only way to live. I mean that with my entire being.  You see, my Mother, Aunt and Uncle haven’t spent Christmas together  in their entire adult years. This year, with the passing of their Mother (my Grandma), they’ve finally reunited and are being given the gift of .... each other. My heart is so full with the experience of being able to spend this holiday season at my Grandma’s table sharing childhood stories with my Mom, sisters, cousin, Aunt and Uncle.  My Grandma really gave us all the best Christmas gift ever through her passing. She gave us each other and with that was the gift of Nostalgia. For that I will forever be grateful. Thank you Grandma. 

With love to you all,

Cathy

End of Season

As the last weekend of Summer approaches, it's time to say goodbye to the colorful wardrobe. I'm usually not one to go full on with loud colors, but I couldn't resist pairing my new "Mary Poppins" dress with some  loud accessories. I get a "Cuba" vibe from my ruffled dress, so I wanted to create the idea of a "Hot Havana Night in L.A.". My yellow feathered earrings pulled that idea together seamlessly and my Michael Kors purse was the exact color that would throw everything off; just the way I like it. 

Seasons change as do some people. Something I've learned this past year is that change is inevitable. I tend to fear change because I like the comfort of my day to day. But, I've come to realize that in order to grow as a person and in spirit, change is necessary. 

Until next time guys, take care!

Xoxo, 

Catherine 

Sunday Granny

Sunday's are usually my favorite days. For some odd reason I like to listen to old jazz or sometimes I switch it up and listen to 80's Pop music while I  walk around in a circle with my cup of coffee before I figure out what I'm doing for the day; which is more than likely laundry and taking my Millie to see her YaYa, my Mom. Boring; just the way I like it!! I get total pleasure out of my daughter hanging out with her YaYa on a Sunday while I watch the two of them be silly and love on each other. Something I get to relive from my childhood with my PaPa. 

So there you have it: Sunday's are meant for Grandparents, laundry and hits from the oldie's station. At least for me anyway. 

See you guys soon!

Xoxo, Catherine

She BANGS

It's become a joke around work how getting bangs can either make or break you. Why is that a joke? Because my first reaction to getting bangs was rather DRAMATIC! So now everyone says "I got bangs and you're just jealous because of the risk I've taken by getting bangs!" A little comedy routine my sweet coworkers thought of as I was going through my little crisis. Oh and just an FYI I got over my DRAMATIC moment the second I realized it cuts my makeup routine down by 30 minutes because I can hide behind them. 

Anywho, that's what's going on with me!!

I've been a bit busy with work/life balance so that's why I've been MIA, but I'll try to keep you guys up to date on my current affairs!

Take care guys!

Xoxo,

Catherine

Top: H&M

Jeans: Zara

Mules: F21

OOTD

Just a quick and easy outfit to rush off to work. I grabbed the first thing I could find in my closet and threw on some knee high boots to liven up the fact that I didn't bother to comb my hair. Luckily I had my trusted trench coat in my car to throw the whole look together. Speaking of throwing things together, I found my choker in my purse as I was putting on my lipstick in traffic. Talk about a total come up!!

Any who, gotta run!

Take care out there and see you soon,
Xoxo

Trench: F21
Hoodie dress: F21
Knee high boots: F21
Backpack: street vendor

In The Waiting Line

I know all too well that good things come to those who wait. Growing up I was always inpatient until one day my mom asked me, "If the line to Heaven was too long, would you just walk off and quit?" You just gotta love my mom and her way of thinking!

 I say this on today's post because I know my little blog has come a long way. While it's been slow and steady in progressing, I stand in the waiting line of whatever God has in stored for it patiently.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Xoxo

Moto Jacket: F21
Plaid woven: H&M
Distressed Jeans: H&M
Booties: Steve Madden
Purse: Louis Vuitton speedy 35
Hat : vintage LA dodgers cap