hellllo...lover

Stalking around the internet I found THIS posting at OhJoy! and fell instantly in love with the "twisted coil necklace" by Eleanor Bolton.

The necklace is made from 16 meters of twisted rope and what elegant rope it is.

I want this on my neck NOW NOW NOW (I am channeling my inner Veruca Salt).

A little about the artist from Howkapow - where you can purchase this gem.

During her MA at the Royal College of Art, Eleanor developed her own craft technique, coiling and stitching cotton rope. All her jewellery is made using this innovative, beautiful new method.

this is only a test.

Such dangerous lunacy

One of my favorites - An Excerpt from Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'

There was also a certain bent appeal in the notion of running a savage burn on one Las Vegas Hotel and then—instead of becoming a doomed fugitive on the highway to L.A.—just wheeling across town, trading in the red Chevy convertible for a white Cadillac and checking into another Vegas hotel, with press credentials to mingle with a thousand ranking cops from all over America, while they harangued each other about the Drug Problem.

It was dangerous lunacy, but it was also the kind of thing a real connoisseur of edge-work could make an argument for. Where, for instance, was the last place the Las Vegas police would look for a drug addled fraud-fugitive who just who just ripped off a downtown hotel?

Right. In the middle of a National District Attorney’s Drug Conference at an elegant hotel on the strip…Arriving at Caesar’s Palace for the Tom Jones dinner show in a flashing white Coupe de Ville…At a cocktail party for narcotics agents and their wives at the Dunes?

Indeed, what a better place to hide? For some people. But not for me. And certainly not for my attorney—a very conspicuous person. Separately, we might pull it off. But together, no—we would blow it. Too much aggressive chemistry in that mix; the temptation to run a deliberate freakout would be too heavy. And that of course would finish us. They would show us no mercy. To infiltrate the infiltrators would be to accept the fate of all spies: “As always, if you or any member of your organization is apprehended by the enemy, the Secretary will deny any knowledge etc…”

No it was too much. The line between madness and masochism was already hazy; the time had come to pull back…to retire, hunker down, back off and “cop out,” as it were. Why not? In every gig like this, there comes a time to either cut your losses of consolidate your winnings—whichever fits.
I drove slowly, looking for a proper place to sit down with an early morning beer and get my head together…to plot this unnatural retreat.

(Image Credit: Slate.com)

I've got a little secret for you....

I found the perfect boots for cheap, cheap, cheap.

Earlier this week I was about to click on the"confirm purchase" button on piperlime for these boots. I thought $89 was a steal until....

I stumbled upon the Charlotte Russe website.

Don't judge me... I am a lady on a budget. So what?

I found the twin to the Piperlime shoes by for 1/3 of the price.

For reals.

I was concerned they would look cheap but after trying then on with a pair of black skinny trousers I was convinced. They looked shockingly similar to the pair from Piperlime; the biggest difference?

The price tag.

Judge for yourself.....

Exhibit A.

Steve Madden Chelseey: original price $129 on sale $89

Exhibit B.

PATENT PLATFORM BOOTIE: original price - $42 on sale for $30.

What am I listening to while bragging about saving mooolah?

window shopping.

Habitually Chic has posted THIS amazing post about the Windows at Bergdorf Goodman and the $550 book that catalogues all their fantastic displays.

Check the post out immediately.

Here is just a little taste:

(About six years ago my family was in NYC right before Christmas. I pulled my reluctant family around Manhattan to all the major stores to see their window displays; it was simply amazing.)

dream a little dream.

Of course I was aimless roaming the internet this morning. Of course I was clicking around Not Just a Label and I found this job posting...


DEVELOPMENT AGENCY EXPANSION
INFORMATION

Job type:Job Offering
Location:Soho, London
Salary:Negotiable
Hours:Negotiable
Contact person:Emma
Link:http://www.sohoroom.co.uk
Submitted by:SOHOROOM
DESCRIPTION
To be on hand with managing and developing our portfolio of clients and liaising with the press, personalities and fashion houses during London, Paris, New York Fashion Weeks.

All interest must be sent with a full CV.


APPLY/CONTACT

So I spit my coffee at the screen, ran and cleaning off my computer off and promptly hatched a plan to obtain this precious position by pulling a Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead with a "right on top of that rose" attitude and a fake resume.

Ok, so not a fake resume, but a "artfully" worded resume. I am a wordsmith when it comes to my accomplishments.

Anyway, you get the point. Tonight, I will be working on my resume and figuring out how to lose 50 pounds to fit into the clothing at the sample sales.

Soho here I come.

I forgot!

To obnoxiously proclaim what I am listening to right now....

and yes... this.

Just call me a coupon cutter.

Keeping it short & sweet today.

Here is what I am drooling over today at www.piperlime.com. I had to limit this to two items.... otherwise, you would be here all day. (Or simply give up and hate me for wasting your time)

Cole Haan Oleanna




Steve Madden Chelseey

The Chelseey boots are on sale for $89.99 - I might have to pick the pair in black as well. I have all these coupons from Banana Republic for spending too much money on their clothing, so I can most likely get then both for the price of one. I sure hope they work with piperlime as well.

Fingers crossed.

work.a.holic

Sorry about the absence. work. sucks. I will be back very very very soon (THINK 4 hours).

An Open Letter to Rick Owens...

(Rick Owens Leather Wedge Ankle Boots.. find them here)

Dearest Rick,

First, let me begin this correspondence by expressing my undying love for your genius. From your buttery leather to your beautifully draped turtlenecks you are sheer perfection. I have fallen under your spell Rick, and what a fantastic spell it is. Although, to be completely frank, I am having trouble coming up with the $1,285 required to purchase you leather wedge ankle boots. What do you propose a girl should do? Wear a substandard ankle boot around? Exclaim dramatically that should would just DIE if she could not have some Owens' "all up on her feet"?

Rick, your prompt response would be appreciated in this matter.

I wait with baited breath....

Kait

PS. Really? $1285. Sigh.

So now... what is fueling this open letter?

Wine and Music of course.... duh.

Beautiful Music.

Work. Makes. Me. Stressed.

Tonight. I will drink fine wine whilst listening to this beautiful artist.

Coeur de Pirate.

I have the entire album. Download. Immediately.

So I am missing home.

Linoleum Block Print of Washington D.C. and Motto carved on Inauguration Day of 2009. Emily Wick twoeyeballs.com

I found this block print while stalking about the internet. My husband is playing a video game. I was reading for a bit but the constant gunfire became a bit distracting.

Thankgoodness.

I want it for my wall; something to remind me of home.

While I am on there I also think I will pick up the T-shirt with California and it's state motto "Eureka". (This by the way has nothing to do with where I was born/grew up. I for some reason get such a giggle out of the work "Eureka".

Thank you Emily Wick.

Holiday Parties...

Normally, this time a year I start saving copious amounts of pictures to my "cock-tails" folder of dresses and costume jewelry; this year I decided to shake it up a bit.

Here is how...

I am wearing a turban.

Maybe not this EXACT turban, but you get the idea. I am going to pull a full out Zoebot assault on every and all parties that are stupid enough to invite me. Wine club, you are first (mwah haha ha haaaaa).

I think the funny thing is that with a black dress the turban would look fantastic but I am actually taking it a step further with this...



a Romper from ModCloth.com.

(My new years resolution is to only buy clothing from ModCloth)

Then I plan on finishing the ensemble with these monsters...



ASOS TRAGEDY Leather And Stingray Wedge

I am still undecided on accessories. I am thinking a bit dainty and gold. Possibly a wish bone AND a double finger ring.

/div>

So there you go.
My first lesson in alienating your friends - one accessory at a time.

So what am I listening to now you ask? Wait, you don't care.

Too bad suckers.

Mid Week Management.

Rosie.

Guess what I am going to be for halloween?

I have give you one hint:

All the day long,

Whether rain or shine

She’s part of the assembly line.

She’s making history,

Working for victory....

Give up?!?!?!


I am going to be Rosie the Riveter

What am I listening to right now (while drinking a fine Shiraz)...

David Byrne & Brian Eno.

Collin... Oh, Collin

At this very moment, sitting in my bedroom, I have a cigarette hanging out of my mouth.

My cat Oscar sits on my window sill.

In a weird way, this is a perfect way to end a long day.

I have been working a lot. My soul is tired and if I hear the word Medicare one more time I think I might scream.

The only thing I can think of is to blog about someone, anyone, that is living the life they dreamed. Ok, not always the live they dreamed but one that they created; one they can feel proud of because it has been spent in pursuit of things of beauty - even in drudgery.

This is why this is dedicated to a photographer named Collin LaFlece.

Let me begin by saying Colin was born in 1987.
His resume is chock full of amazing exhibits that I can only dream of attending.
A graduate of NYU, he has developed an incredible body of work that has captured the human condition - with a smatering of the human spirit. By smatering, I mean all of it.

The thing about photography is that is captures a human in their true form.
Of course I omit from this catagorey Glamour Shots, portrait prints and anything that involves the phrase "cheese".

So introducing Collin LaFleche. I WILL have your work on my wall.







most images were found at his blog and .... his real website

His new website should by up late October.

Appropriately... I am listening too....

Here is one of my own sad photographs. God knows I love the Grandin....

Obsession...

I have been working out more than before. By working out I mean going to the gym and trying to use the machines. I clumsily stalk around Gold Gym trying to look like I know what I am doing in Electric Blue Nikes. The other morning when doing some weird arm bicycle thing this came on "my pod" ....

When the beat started to pick up so did my arm peddling (how silly) and before I knew it I was bobbing and weaving to the beat. It made my arm "workout" more bearable until I realized that I was making a scene and I think the gentleman who was actually trying to burn calories thought I was having a seizure.

To make a long story short this is now a work out staple. The video also appeals to my rampant OCD.

lights.on.lights.off.lights.on.lights.off.
Right angles.


Cheers.

Stylish Sleep...

Sleep: everyone needs it.

When it comes to sleepwear I am in a style rut. The prospect of putting on anything but the usual black leggings and white deep V neck for bed is daunting to me. Now I know that sleepwear for most is the LAST priority but I really want to feel glamorous YET comfortable when sleeping. I know that wanting to feel anything while sleeping aside from warm and safe is the epitome of indulgent behavior but hey, what can I saw... I am a jerk like that.

I know that I am NOT the type to saunter over to my local Victoria's Secret and pick out a frock that will not only require me to tug and pull on it all night but also only look good on Adriana Lima. When I started this quest for chic sleepwear that will actually ALLOW me to sleep I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. Everywhere I looked - on the internet or my local mall, I came across the same genre impasse; comfy cozy frumpy or slinky sleazy crotchless (ok so that is a little dramatic). I would still be at the crossroads of confusion today if ONE inspiration had not entered my life.... BOARDWALK EMPIRE on HBO about Atlantic City during the 1920's.

Now before I go all prohibition on your ass I can explain my love for the show in three words - The. Wardrobe. Rocks. (and Steve Buscemi & crazy Paz de la Herta but this does not fall into my three word theme... hence the parenthesis). I know by using the word rocks detracts from the very point I am trying to make - that the 20's had the most beautiful and artfully done clothing, but it was the only word that came to mind... where is my Thesaurus? Not only are the dresses amazing, but the headwear, shoes and undergarmets. This show introduced me to something called "Step Ins" and romper style undergarmet that every woman during the time wore. Now I am not about to wear a romper to bed, as I toss and turn an incredible amount and I forsee myself choking to death in the spaghetti straps but it did give me an idea...

Vintage Slips as sleep wear.

The best source I have found for this is Etsy - more specifically Dancing Girl Press and Studio Shop . She has a beautiful collection of vintage slips and I plan on purchasing at least 2 in order to have sweet and stylish dreams.

I included below a visual aid in order to show you before/after... simplistic yet it gets the point across right? Plus, fashion "math" is the only math I know.

(boooooring is missing it's g.... thanks publisher.)

So there you go. Kait + Beer = Done.

Off to sleep, dream and feel glam.


What is Kait listening to at the moment?



Beautiful Music.

Until next time jerks.

Saturday Girl Crush

pop.pop.

(portrait courtesy of Lisa Warninger Photography from Urban Weeds PDX Street Style)

Alert... my new obsession .. Gretchen Jones from Project Runway. Not only is the painfully hip, awesomely indie and incredibly beautiful but my husbands loves to refer to her as Saint Vincent. I know there was something I loved about her that I simply could not put my finger on.

Reasons why I love Gretchen:

1. She is from Portland, OR ( When Tim Gunn visited her there I was so impressed with the limited shots they gave us of the city. It looks so amazing and I would LOVE to visit.)

2. Her designs are incredible (more about that later)

3. She listens to sweet tunes (She lists Yeasayer among her favorites)

4. She is not afraid to speak her mind.

5. I want her hair cut: --------------------------------->
6. She exudes casual cool.
7. She only uses natural fabrics.

8. She pulls inspiration from the Southwest. Throughout Project Runway she has the most amazing jewelry. It reminds me of our trip to Santa Fe. I picked up some amazing pieces there. Too bad I was only 14 and did not appreciate them as much as I do now.

The great thing about this.......

SHE HAS HER OWN CLOTHING LINE. Is is called MothLove and stalk that site everyday looking for something, anything that might go on sale.

My favorite thing on the site right now for Spring 2010 (I know..late)- as impractical as it is... a silk body suit.

Yes, a body suit....

So please, pop on over to MothLove and make certain to check out the ML Loves Section. It is chock full of great music and designers that inspire Miss Jones.

UPDATE: Stalking around the site I found that she has recently posted her Fall/Winter 2010 line. Here are some of my favorites. I think I am in love... again.

(the purse is from S/S 2010)

On a Side Note....

(Photo Credit: Paris Daily Photo http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/)

If I could be anywhere right now , guess where I would be.... ?

Wandering aimlessly though the streets of Paris, drinking wine, smoking french cigarettes and holing up in dusty bookstores.

Just to make you smile that pretty smile....

Right back to where I was...

I am back to where I was months ago... confused, displeased and overwhelmingly lost. After some issues surrounding personal relationships, a lackluster feeling surrounding my job and a messy apartment (really?!?!) I have come to the conclusion I need to stop waiting to become the person I want to be... and do it. Unlike every other time I have tried this and given up, yes this time I THINK I have a refreshing outlook on it. Instead of doing everything at once, I am taking it a small step at a time. I have been listening to a lot Brooklyn Rider lately. They are an amazing string quartet and I realized that my life is like one of their practice sessions. They all have their own beautifully haunting part. I am certain if one person is absent because of illness of a family emergency (do those even happen in hip string bands?) they still practice, they still create and they don't stop dead in their tracks because ONE piece of who they are is not there.

This takes me to another point... who the hell am I? Who do I want to become? Am I already that person? Whose expectations and I trying to live up to. Honestly, I know that a large part of this who issue is that I am not happy with the way I have "forsaken " (so dramatic I know...) who I WAS. I was a painter, a writer, a photographer, a designer, and a musician... now I am a sales person. The reality though is that this is part of being a grownup ... I think the embrace that as a reality. Instead of focusing on how to grow those talents outside of work I have become lazy. I have EVEN let myself get fat (GASP).

What is my next step? Work on each part of my masterpiece - one at a time. Right now, I am cleaning out my apartment. Next step, sell off or give away all the crap I don't need. Third, redecorate - use some of my creativity to make my living space a work of art and then third... take a painting and writing class. While this won't "solve my issue" I think it will allow me to feel like I am gaining some headway. Look, my job is my job right? It pays the bills, I get SOME satisfaction out of it and I can't complain about the commission I make. Instead though of letting it define me I will use the resources it provides me with (i.e. money and a somewhat flexible schedule after December 31st) to define myself.

So.... what were my steps again?

1. De clutter my life.
2. Redecorate my living space.
3. Reinvigorate my zeal for painting and writing with a couple community college classes.

Side Note: I realized I became so obsessed with going back to grad school and WHAT would be practical to study that I forgot that I actually needed to enjoy SOME of it to get through 2 - 3 years of hard studying. I am not going to take that step until I figure out what the heck I am going to want to do with my life.

Now... some beautiful music that I am listening to whilst cleaning my place....

Ding dong.....

Music Sampler - THANKS NPR!

Click HERE to get a free 11 song sampler of artists at SXSW - you can thank me later.

Enjoy. Thank you Canada.

The other day I discovered two things, one, that Myspace is still good for something and two, Couer de Pirate.

Please check it out. I picked up the album on itunes and I love it.

Dream Job?

Anytime I have a crisis of identity I blame it on my career choices. Currently, I am in a job that I am not that thrilled about. That being said - I am simply lucky to have a job. 8 months ago I was laid off my job as a non-profit fundraiser. I worked my little tail off for the organization and had many many big successes. Unfortunately the reality about non-profits is that when the going gets tough - the development department should start packing. Myself as well as my boss lost our jobs as they ruthlessly gutted our department. I look back on that and think that while devastating it was a wonderful thing. Like most people I started my job search with fervor and applied to any and all jobs that were available. As health care is a growing industry OF COURSE a GIANT health care company in my area was hiring and I was graciously offered a job as a sales professional. I enjoy some of what I do but other things drive me up a wall. I don't want to disparage the likes of this company, as they offered me a job in one of the worst economic times our country has ever experienced but it really is not ME. So now instead of starting a full blown job search AGAIN, I am taking my time. I am learning what I can at my current job, making the best of it (even though I found myself crying in the bathroom during my lunch break the other day) and doing a lot of soul searching.

What do I want to do?

Many many man ideas of crossed my mind. The thing is I don't want to approach this haphazardly like I have done in the past. I don't want to run directly to graduate school because it is a safe haven and in fact, I want to end this cycle of finding jobs I HATE and finally find one I love. Throughout high school I though I wanted to be a writer, then a doctor (very short lived), then in college - a lobbyist. I got my degree in political science and then... everything changed. I hated Washington and what it stood for. I found the pandering between politicians to be completely maddening. I honestly HATED all that I had worked for. It was disheartening and I simply wanted to give up. I felt completely lost and without direction and to this day I feel the same way. Now that I have told you what I hate... here is what I love:

1. Fashion
2. Design
3. Writing
4. Music
5. Art
6. Public Radio
7. Public Health (odd yes, but would explain my utter fascination with Zombies)
8. Reading
9. Teaching
10. Talking
11. Politics (I know... I know... time heals all wounds)

I have been watching a lot of Kell on Earth and I think I would like to work for her. Public relations particularly in the fashion industry to my utter dream. I know I need to me more realistic - but honestly it is hard to let it go. While I teeter on the edge between my 20 and 30's I need a plan and I need it quick. I need to discover my dream and then make it happen. So wish me luck. Maybe I will end up in New York some day or maybe I will be studying disease outbreak at a Health Department near you. Either way I want to feel passion for what I do - not just an empty dissatisfied feeling like I have eaten way too many carbs.

Warning, Saks Fifth Avenue Will Drain Your Wallet (and your soul)

Ok, so Saks won't drain your soul; I was being incredibly over dramatic. It will though, drain your wallet. I have decided that in 2010 I am going to focus on improving my financial situation through some creative budgeting, commitment to putting something in my savings account every week and NOT BUYING CLOTHING on a whim like every year since I have been shopping for myself. My obsession with internet shopping has not helped me, and today, when I logged onto the Saks site I found this...




The PERFECT coral cocktail ring by Yves Saint Laurent. It runs about $195.00 I do not plan on whipping out my credit card just yet and in fact, I really want to find a cheaper alternative to YSL.

Maybe THIS will just have to be my treat when I lose all the weight I need to.

One more request

My best friend is finishing her Masters Thesis for her Masters in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University. She needs YOUR help! Please fill out the survey below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PHJGSQX

Thanks a million times over!

Finally!

I have gotten my life a bit back on track and I am going to start blogging again Tomorrow!

to enjoy while I am away...

Favorite songs will still aboud...

(ps. I love French Music... I WILL devote an entire 300 posts to my favorite artists)













This is an AMAZING SONG in a hipster kind of way...





(people at work think I look like Regina. To them I say... Thank you. The most amazing compliment eeeee.vvvvvv.eeeee.rrrrrr.*

* check out everything that Regina has done. While you are at it..check out Sami Akbari.


ps. introducing... Sami Akbari... becoming her is my New Years Resolution (ps. she when to Roanoke College)



Lauren Hill.....beauty.
Another one of my New Years Resolutions... Play this song acoustic and sing at an open mic night.



My theme...



If you have no fear of the underdog.. you will not survive :-)

And to that I say GOOD DAY!

Jamericans...

My new year beings AFTER the HONEY/lived together forever-moon.

promise.

seriously. a new life

Begins.

A new me will emerge. happy, tan and totally balanced.

thank god.

my "out of sortness" will disappear. I will be .....

who knows...

but I will be

me.

I simply love this..

"You cannot find peace by avoiding life"

-Virginia Woolf

Happy New Year