cait simply

the only person in this world who can deny you happiness is yourself

[caitsimply]

A Piece of Advice for You, and Me

      We all feel lost. Maybe not now, or in the past, regardless the feeling is inevitable. If you are half as cliché as I am then at one point in the midst of your confusion you have probably asked for a sign. The act of asking for a sign is in itself helpful. By doing this we are acknowledging that we need help. For many people that can be a difficult task. But you can’t just ask for a sign, you need to be able to see it. Read it clearly BEFORE you make the wrong turn. When we are in the middle of a confusing situation, whether it be friendship, relationship, work, school, life decision, we can often hear and see what we want to see and hear.       When you ask for a sign you must also be willing to accept the outcome even if it is not in your favor, even if it is. Keep a level head, if your mind is too clouded by this mess, and the matter is not pressing do not over analyze. Learn from the Buddha and shift your focus to areas that need it. Also prepare for the worse in the most positive way possible. That sounds odd, but basically tell yourself that even if worse comes to absolute worse it still will be ok. Like I said, I am a cliché, and I love the truth that is: Everything will work out in the end. Just maybe not in the way you expect.

Hang in there reader(s)

Love Always,

-Cait  

[caitsimply]

Heart Room

       If your heart were room what would it look like? Maybe it would be many rooms, a mansion filled with people dancing and music and food. Maybe just a library one chair, comfy enough for you to read for hours on end. Maybe your heart is not a room, or a house, but beach where you stand and contemplate things while watching over the horizon.        You may think that it seems silly to ponder what your heart looks like. Others of you may already know and visit often. But I think it is important to have place that you can go to when things are rough, or confusing, or downright boring. We all need a place that we can carry with us to remind us who we are, where we can find peace and calm just by closing our eyes.  It’s not Monday, but here is a meditation: If your heart were a place, what would it be?  Why would you go there? Who would you let in? It’s all a bit strange to think about, but it is definitely worth a try.

Love always, 

-Cait 

[caitsimply]

In the wise words of Nelly, "I am, getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off"

I apologize to the thousands, and thousands of people who read my blog. I know you have been angry with my absence . . .  HA HA HA.

      Alright, all kidding aside I am sorry (of course more for myself) that my regular writing fell short there for a moment. BUT I AM BACK! AND IT IS SUMMER!*  The temperature is climbing and the necessity for clothes is becoming nearly obsolete in the blistering heat. Which brings me to today’s topic, or thought really: SCANDOLOUS CLOTHING.        Ever since I started to mature, and pick out my own clothing, I have found that I am always in favor of a deep plunging neck line. This is actually pretty silly, because even though I have a phenomenal rack my ladies aren’t actually that  large. In fact in proportion with the rest of my curves, and I do have quite a few of those, my girls are actually not that large. Despite my very average tits, I love scandalous clothing. I love the way they makes me feel, the way they make me look. I feel confident, sexy, and unstoppable.        So when summer roles around and shorts get shorter, and skirts, and shirts, I personally don’t mind. It really irks me when people tell women to dress “appropriately.” I can’t stand others blaming our bodies for the distraction of others, even going so far to blame abuse on the length of a skirt rather than the abuser. It’s wrong and more, so sickening to limit humans a way of expression.        Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for everything. It is ok to give places and events dress codes, I’m cool with that, so long as they are fair. I also understand that even though I LOVE my little black dress with the plunge neck line, I probably wouldn’t wear it to see a priest. After all wearing what you want should be a reflection of who you are, but just like anything context is important. Let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t go to meet a priest anyway.        Your clothing should reflect yourself. So if it is fucking hot out there and you want to wear that skimpy little dress, wear your fucking dress. If you feel sexy in that lacy little top, by all means go for it. It is your actions, your words that reflect whether or not you respect yourself. Not your clothes.  Respect yo self ladies, and wear what ever the fuck you want. That is all for today. It is almost to hot to write...

Love Always, 

-Cait

  * When I say summer I of course mean summer vacation.  Not to be confused with the season which does not start until the 21st of June. The fact that I felt the need to clarify this says a lot about my character.  

[caitsimply]

WISE UP: A few thoughts on what wisdom means to me.

Here is the thing about wisdom:

      It is not about knowing the right or perfect thing to say. Wisdom is knowing when to keep quiet. You have to let people come to their own conclusions; the truth is we have to learn from our own mistakes. What may have been a hard lesson for you to learn may be something that another person understands. All of our journeys are different and even though we are desperate to help sometimes that means not saying anything at all.        I am not saying you shouldn’t warn people of potential hardships and downfalls. Most of all wisdom is accepting that you can never know or understand everything. Accepting that there will always be something to learn and understand leads to an open and tolerant mind. From what I can see in this world no matter how much we wish the world were black and white, it’s not. So, let’s try and listen more guys, let’s work on understanding every point of view, lets open our eyes to ever possibility, and most of all let's try and be a more tolerant people. 

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

READ IT AND WEEP BOYS

       Ah, summer. I can almost taste it. The last chapters are being read and studied for classes, finals are practically here, and reservations are being made for our vacations. (HAHAHAHA JK NONE OF US CAN AFFORD VACATIONS.) Though my summer is not as boring as thought it was going to be, I am realizing that I will have an odd amount of free time on my hands.       I fully intend on taking advantage of this. So I am going to share with you my SUMMER READING LIST, because I know that you are just dying to hear about it. Here are my goals:

Read between 15 and 30 books. 

Read just as many classics, as YA. 

Read at LEAST one non- fiction book (Flower encyclopedias and cool table top books about the Clash and dreams don’t count.)

  Write a review for every book I read.

      I used to spend so much time reading books, no, I would devour them in a day or two at the most. I loved nothing more then jumping into a story and being someone else for a while. I find that I spend so much time on homework, and writing and THE INTERNET, that I never take the time to read a book. I make time for everything else, why not reading? So this summer will be different! And I cannot wait. Wanna read some more too? FORCE YOURSELF. We make time for the things we really want. If you really want to read more put your money where your mouth is, make an attainable goal and work towards it! 

BOOKS TO READ YO  (list currently under construction, will be posted soon)

The Great Gatsby

The Bell Jar

Me,  Earl, and the Dying Girl

If I Stay

Our Tragic Universe

The Diviners

Shadow and Bone

Room

Elanor and Park

The Program

Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality

17 and Gone

Brideshead Revisited

Lord Of the Flies

As I lay dying ----- Maybe not now but eventually

Fahrenheit 451

Anna Karenina

Tender Is the Night

Catch 22

Madame Bovary

The Phantom Toll booth

Harriet the Spy

Matilda

The Golden Compass

A series of unfortunate events

Into the wild

Swoon Great Seducers

Challenging Casanova

Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life

Present Life

Miss  Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 

Divergent 

[spectacularuniverse-ity]

[caitsimply]

Meditation Mondays - Focus

For those of us in school, the end is near. Finals are weeks away projects and papers are ready to be finished… or started.

      Focus is getting increasingly difficult as the days pass, and I find myself less and less willing to put in the work and effort necessary for me to succeed. This is no good. It is really easy to put off things that are important to us and spend the day outside.  With weather like this who wouldn’t want to? Now, if you are a senior in high school, and going to graduate no matter what, this DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU. I am a firm believer in senioritis, it is a necessary and fun part of the high school experience. BUT, those of you who are not graduating you are in a bit of a pickle. Today’s meditation is to help you maintain focus as we near the end of this hellish semester. 

Why are you in school? What is it that you want?

Is this slacking harmful to your grades?

You can do it, there is time for everything.

      It is hard to ignore the beginnings of summer, but it may be necessary for you to accomplish what it is that you want. Shift a few minutes of your time to focus on what it is you want. Evaluate what it is you are doing, and attack it head on. ALSO, remember you can do it, dedicated people can make time for everything that they need and want, sometimes we just have to reevaluate what it is we actually need and want. Have no fear. No matter what you will survive. 

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

Quick Tip Tuesday: The Rainy Day Cure

      So this April is thankfully filled with lots of showers, however, sometimes rainy days can be hard as you can see from my April 10th post. When the weather is gloomy and doomy keeping your mood up can prove to be difficult. My friends, this is where I come in, I am going to do my best to help you. However, in order for this to work, you have to try it.  STEP 1: No matter HOW busy your schedule is you must clear at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour, but I understand. Set a timer. Don’t cheat. You can spare 30 minutes. I swear.  STEP 2: Breath. Like seriously, take a deep breath. This next hour or 30 minutes should be relaxing. NOT stressful. STEP 3: Get comfy. Bring on the fuzzy slippers, your favorite worn out sweat shirt, pajama bottoms, what ever. Don’t matter, as long as you are comfortable. STEP 4: Do something that makes you smile. It can be anything. Take a bath, call a friend, watch the latest [Insert Favorite Show] episode, paint your nails, watch a movie, read a book, flip through a magazine, make some tea, draw, paint, do a puzzle. GET OFF THE COMPUTER. CALM YOUR MIND BY DOING ONE TASK.        Life gets busy and it can be really easy to get down when the weather is not agreeable. Take this time to remember that nothing is worth sacrificing your own happiness. Absolutely nothing. Either you have to think differently, or live differently. At the very least, if none of this works, remember: April showers bring May flowers.

Love always,

-Cait  

[caitsimply]

Spring has [almost] Sprung

      I have this weird habit of watching certain movies during certain times of the year. It’s like, it cannot be fall unless I have watched When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, or Harry Potter.  And even though the weather isn’t exactly quite spring yet, I am itching to watch those movies that help me welcome the season with open arms.       So, because I have nothing useful to say this week, I am going to share with you a few of my favorite movies that I love to watch during spring. For some reason, a lot of my spring movies are also interchangeable with fall, in case you were wondering. If you have not seen any of these, I suggest you change that very quickly. They are funny, and sweet, and lovely. 

Amelie

The Brothers Bloom 

Stranger Than Fiction

Dan in Real Life

Romeo + Juliet

A Little Princess 

Harriet the Spy

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

Rainy Days

Buddhist are all about living in the moment, not worrying yourself with the past, or future. But instead accepting fully what is happening in this very moment. According to Buddhist, life is supposed to be joyful, you have to be able to see all the beauty and joy that surrounds you every second.        Sounds a bit exhausting if you ask me, and I am a very optimistic person. Sometimes I feel like I am torn between being amazingly happy and downright miserable.  I have come to the conclusion, that life is hard. This is not new news but it surprises me everyday. What’s funny for me is that I am the one who makes life harder then it has to be. I constantly self sabotage, and screw myself over. I don’t need any help in making my life a living hell. And yet. Some part of me goes on.        Something resides in me that says let’s keep going, maybe you will change. No I never change, but I do keep going. Though the idea of finding beauty and joy in every moment, in every tragedy, in every pain, sounds extremely fucking exhausting, but I relish in it. It means that if people can live their life that way, even when I find it hard to, then there must be beauty and joy, everywhere, all at once, all the time.  After a long, cold, demanding, rainy day it is comforting to know that even if I can’t see the beauty in the world, it is there. It is always there.

Love always,

-Cait  

[caitsimply]

happythankyoumoreplease

       I wish I came up with the title all by myself, but alas I did not. This title is actually also the title to a wonderful movie I saw recently, one that I recommend everyone try and see if they can.        In the movie this woman talks about advice that was given to her from a cab driver. The cab driver tells her she needs to be more grateful. But not just that, he tells her that she should not only express gratitude but also ask the universe for more. This is where the ‘thank you more please’ comes from.         It is okay to want things. You should want to be happy, not only that but you should be able to ask for more.  If you are able to see all the great things before you, no matter how absolutely shitty things may be, then you are allowed to ask for more.         Sometimes I get so afraid that things are going well, it means that they are bound to fall apart. I fool myself into thinking that I am doomed to have something awful happen to me. And it’s true, things are bound to fall apart, something awful will happen at one point or another. This does not mean that good things cannot also happen.  This whole philosophy is the act of focusing on the good in your life, instead of the bad. If you can be aware enough to say thank you for all the wonderful things in your life, instead of cursing the awful, then you deserve to ask for more.         Everyone deserves all the happiness they can obtain. Happiness is like love, in the sense that if you are doing it right then there is no limit to how much you deserve. So let’s do something, let’s say THANK YOU. And not the typical, “Thank you for my house, my family, my life, blah blah blah” try and think of at least five different things every night for a week. After you give thanks to God, or the Universe ask for more, because whether you think so or not, you always deserve more.

 Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

Pinterest, Imgfave, Tumblr, what do all of these websites have in common, you may wonder?

They are a beautiful, beautiful waste of time. And I am about to make it a whole lot worse. 

       For the past few months I have been day dreaming about redecorating my room. Of course first I should probably clean it... but that is besides the point. Amidst my daydreams of the perfect room renovation I came across the most wonderful website known to man: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com         You may be perfectly content with your living situation as of this moment, but I guarantee the moment you enter this website you will be overcome with the sudden urge to redecorate. The need to tackle a DIY project will consume you. Within days you will be dreaming of the perfect color for your bedroom/bathroom/kitchen walls.         Of course I may be crazy, and you may find nothing addicting about this website. However, I urge you, perhaps out of malice, to give this site a try. So at the very least I will not be the only one who has accomplished nothing. 

Now for your viewing pleasure, some lovely photos from the site:

[caitsimply]

You Can't Plan Spontaneity - A Righteous Failure

       So, I am sure you can tell by the lateness of this post and the title, I did not succeed in my week of spontaneous. At first I was bothered, disappointed, frustrated, then I realized how stupid I was. The whole plan was flawed from the beginning! By setting the goal to be spontaneous I found that every night I would look up “spontaneous things to do” in google. Who does that? If you want to be spontaneous, you don’t plan it. You just do it.        What I really wanted to do was be more of a bold person, but I was afraid to admit that to myself and everyone else for that matter. I wanted to be a person that kept other people on their toes, someone that was unpredictable.         For the most part all of my “bold” or “spontaneous” ideas crashed and burned horribly, or I didn’t go through with them at all. It wasn’t a total fail though, I did try a few things that were new to me. Best of all I learned that I am just not as spontaneous of a person as others, that doesn’t mean I can’t do things unexpected. I must say, dear reader, you would be proud of the spontaneous things I tried. Like, asking a person to be my friend, or skipping class and going to the park, or “vandalizing” with one of my best friends. Okay, maybe your not proud or impressed, but I realize now that if I want to change an aspect of myself it shouldn’t be to impress others, it should be to make me happy. And I am, really happy.         Routine doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though I prefer to try and avoid too much of it. I will continue to be bold and spontaneous and so should you! Well, if you want to. 

Sorry if this post was boring, 

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

Meditation Monday: What's your weakness?

"Take the weakest thing in you, and then beat the bastards with it. And always hold on when you get love. So you can let go when you give it."

I am not only madly in love with this song, but this line in particular. It makes me feel strong even at my weakest, and leads me to ask these questions: “What are my weaknesses?” -Too many to write.... “Can I over come it?” - Some of them yes!  “Can I use my weakness to in fact make me stronger?”- hell fucking yes. 

     What I love about this lyric is that it is undeniably true. We all have weaknesses, many of them in fact, but the truth of the matter is, that doesn’t make us weak. Just by moving on, getting up when we fall, we prove to all of those who don’t believe in us, we are able. We are strong.

Last year was a hard year, but I survived. Hell today was a hard day, but I am still here. 

      Sometimes we are too low to pick ourselves up, that much is true. I have been there. But I challenge you to always try. You will be amazed at your strength! There is so much more I could write about this lyric, so don’t be surprised if it comes up again. But for now, remember “always hold on when you get love, so you can let go when you give it.” It makes things hella easier. 

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

How often do you do something different?

         Yesterday I contemplated ‘How often do I do something different?’ As I reflected I realized, that for the most part I live my life pretty routine. My conclusion: Oh God I’ve become monotonous. My life has become for the most part predictable. Am I ok with that?             I honestly don’t know. I guess to a certain degree I am. Patterns, constants, routines, they can all be comforting. They mean that you have nothing to fear. They mean that you have consistency. I like that, but what if I want to try something new? How do I escape this unsurprising life and go head first into the unknown? I have become too comfortable. Now what do I do? Where do I get the courage to do something I have never done before?  So if you are with me, or even if you just want to have a little fun let's try something. It is currently Tuesday, March 12 2013 6:45pm I will (and you if you so choose)  everyday, until next Tuesday March 19, do AT LEAST one new/different/unexpected thing everyday.           Then I will come back here and let you know how that worked, if I am still alive. *Le Sigh* This should be interesting. Wish me luck, and good luck to you if you choose to try this with me. We are gonna need it. NOW BREAK. Let's not live in fear, and do something different, exciting, new!

Love always, 

-Cait

[caitsimply]

Meditation Monday- Cheesin’ it up. (AKA YOU CAN DO ANYTHING)

So.  Spring Break, or the weekend, or your next day off may feel like forever away. So today, lets reflect on this horribly cheesy generic, yet heart felt inspirational speech I wrote:

Long story short someone has said a few things, about me, these last few days that I DON’T agree with. At first I was really upset and angry. Then, I was like fuck it. 

I know it can be hard when someone drags you down to get up and brush it off. But I am in a power-you are awesome- inspirational –mood. I know, it’s pretty intense. So if you are down because of someone else, let me pick you up:

YOU ROCK. Fuck what they say you can and cannot do. Fuck what or who they say you will be, or how you will end up. Fuck their standards of life, fuck their attitude and fuck their lack of ability to see so much more. THERE IS A WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE READY TO MEET YOU, SO LET’S GET UP OFF OUR ASSES AND GREET IT. Like your Mama says, “You can do anything.” And if your Mama didn’t tell you that, I AM. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. DON’T BE AFRAID TO LIVE YOUR LIFE DANGEROUSLY CREATIVELY AMAZINGLY DIFFERENTLY. YOU are in control. Now be smart and show everyone how much you value your life and LIVE IT. Don’t let others tell you how to live it, or worse live it for you! I know that you are awesome. You know that you are awesome, NOW LET’S SHOW THE WORLD JUST HOW FUCKING AWESOME YOU CAN BE!  LOVE YOU!

Love Always, 

Cait

[lacigreen]

[caitsimply]

Keeping in theme with my inability to write anything useful this week, I give you Laci Green. AKA. My sex guru goddess. And also, my body image guru goddess. 

Love this woman. LOVE HER SHOW. NOW ENJOY!

Love always, 

-Cait