ten on tuesday [vol. 1].

I've been lusting over this meme for a while over at Stephany's blog, so I finally decided to dive in and take part. Since I'm terrible at thinking of topics to write about, having ten questions gives me plenty to talk about.

If you're interested, visit Roots and Rings to take part!

1. What was/is your favorite live action (meaning not animated) kids movie?
Mary Poppins. Okay, so there's the teensiest bit of animation, but for the most part it's live action. It's actually one of my favorite Disney movies and I think I will love it forevermore. Julie Andrews is my hero and Dick Van Dyke was probably my earliest crush.

2. What is a bad habit you have? Are you working on breaking it?
Biting. My. Nails. Oh my goodness, I have been on-and-off trying to break this for more than ten years. Nothing has worked - not poorly-flavored nail polish, not bribery from family and elementary school teachers, not even three years of braces. I've managed to stop for a month at a time on a few occasions, but I always seem to go back to it.

3. Describe your father in 3 words.
Silly. Hard-working. Softy.

4. Which character in the Breakfast Club were you most like in the ’80s?
Considering I only lived the first three years of my life in the eighties, I don't think I can answer it in that regard. I can't even say which character I embodied in my teenage years - probably a large helping of Brian (The Brain) and a smidgen of Claire (The Princess).

5. Name 5 songs you know ALL the lyrics to.

• Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel
  
• The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
• If It Kills Me - Jason Mraz
• Most NSYNC songs (don't judge me, I see you judging me)
• Out Tonight - RENT (and most of the songs from that, too)
  

6. Do you make pancakes from scratch or a box mix?
I use a box mix, but I also have never successfully made pancakes without burning them and just making a mess. My brother nicknamed me Pancake!Fail and I doubt I'll ever live it down.

7. What was your worst job ever? Why?
I've only held a few jobs in my lifetime. None of them were awful, but the worst was my internship in the summer of 2007. It stressed me out and I was really unhappy. Basically I spent my time doing the work nobody wanted and answering phone calls. Gross.

8. What was your favorite class in high school?
The most fun was physics, but that's because we completely goofed off. I would have to say it was US History I in junior year because of my amazing teacher.

9. Favorite summer guilty pleasure?
Rita's Italian Ice Misto Shakes. If it was closer to my house, I would be there daily, I promise you that.

10. Please share your best money saving tip!
It's not exactly a direct money-saving tip, but don't charge more on your credit card than you can pay. Having debt scares the life out of me and I cannot fathom charging things past my means. I would probably die. While I charge things all the time, I always make sure I have the money to pay for it.

a busy extended weekend.

{via}

I have been outrageously busy the past few days, at least for me. Typically I do very little in a week – I trudge off to work for a few days and every other week, I usually have plans with friends. But for the most part, I spend my time cleaning and doing random home projects for my parents. Last week, though, my ‘weekend’ started on Wednesday and didn’t let up until Saturday.

As I mentioned briefly in Friday’s post, I was visiting Mark’s family for his brother’s high school graduation party on Wednesday. It was a lot of fun – his family is so lovely. We ate lots of yummy food, including his sister’s penne vodka which was some of the best I’ve had. Once dinner was over I slipped into party hostess mode and ended up helping clean up and serve cake. I guess I’m just destined to be the Martha Stewart for every family I know.

Thursday was date night with my fantabulous cousin, Lyndsay. We started by catching up with each others’ lives, considering we hadn’t really hung out in six months. Then we picked up some Chinese food and watched Zoolander, which she’d never seen before. After that we watched TV and chatted a bit about friend and boy drama before she headed out. Every time I go for a long time without seeing her, I start feeling like we’re growing distant, but that feeling always goes away as soon as we sit down and talk again.

My Friday wasn’t as busy as the rest of the days – I just had a late shift at work. It was pretty awesome, though, since I was able to put on music I liked (constant Michael Jackson on KTU) and chat with some friends online. Saturday, though, kicked my ass. I didn’t get much sleep the night before and I had my dance friend Dawn’s recital at 1pm. Luckily the show went pretty quickly and was really good. Dawn was fabulous, even at her solo, about which she was extremely nervous. It was so great to see how much she’d grown in just the past two years since we danced together and she moved on to a new school.

When I got home Saturday night, I played some video games, ordered some really unhealthy takeout for dinner, and ended up crashing at around 8. It was an intense few days that definitely took a toll on my body. On busy days, I usually forgo eating too much and hop myself up on meds because I have such a nervous stomach. I’m hoping to have a bit of a detox week this week, drinking a lot of water and peppermint tea and eating only really healthy stuff.

I also have a bunch of projects lined up for this week, including finishing my grandmother’s scrapbook and my brother’s dresser. It’s going to be a very productive week, I’m sure.

fashion friday: month two of six months, six dresses.

My dress for the month of June is one that I actually purchased in the same month that I’m showing it to you. A few weeks ago, courtesy of Rue La La*, I got a nice bargain on a super cute (but super plain) raspberry tube dress from American Apparel.

When it arrived at my doorstep, I tried in on and was a little concerned because it looked very blah on its own and the fabric was laying really strangely on me, bunching up in weird places. But, after a little creative brainstorm, I pulled a few pieces out of my wardrobe and made it work fabulously.

My first idea was to add a black, stretchy, front-clasped belt, which worked but also made it look very dressy. It would definitely be great for a nicer party, but I had bought the dress for something more casual, like a backyard barbecue. That brought me to my second idea – layering a white tank underneath and adding a large necklace – and I am very pleased with how it turned out.

This picture is from Wednesday, which is when I attended Mark’s brother’s graduation party. I got plenty of compliments on how cute I looked and was happy it looked at good as I’d hoped it would.

I’ve been indulging in a lot of new dresses recently that I haven’t had the occasion to wear just yet, so stay tuned for lots of prettiness, including a beautiful dress I found for a wedding I’m attending in August.

{This post is part of a series called Six Months, Six Dresses dreamed up by the ever-lovely and inspiring Kyla Roma. I'm actually straying a bit from her idea by including dresses I already own and starting in May instead of April. If you wanna get in on the fun, click the banner above and join us!}


*Interested in joining Rue La La, where really awesome brands are offered for some pretty nice discounts? Click here, sign up and you're in. And big thanks to Jamie for the hookup in the first place!

wherein i compare wordpress to a bouncer.

Today I decided that I had a dire need to discuss a past issue between Mark and I, but my paranoid self is afraid that he'll come stumbling by on the one day I talk our issues to death. Much to my dismay, I realized that Blogger doesn't have a password-protect option on blogs.

Being the crafty person I am, I suddenly realized that my always-defunct Wordpress blog could actually serve a purpose. Which is to hold all my delicate posts that need protecting.

So basically Wordpress is my bouncer.

If you click this little link right here, it will take you to the post. You'll have to message me for the password - either on Twitter (@princesscait) or e-mail/G-chat* (tink.inthepink[at]gmail[dot]com).

I know this a bit of a roundabout way of doing things, but I needed to vent and couldn't do it here. I should also note that it's a) very lengthy and b) about religion. Just a warning so you're not blindly going in thinking it's rainbows and sunshine or, you know, that I'm handing out chocolate chip cookies. (Not that I can do that, but I so totally would if it were technologically possible.)

*Also, I don't have any friends on G-chat. I know, total sad face. So even if you don't want my password, hit me up anyway because I like having friends.

by me, beside me.

Recital 2005: 'Last Dance.'

Five years ago, I was at my dancing peak. I had classes at least three days a week, though that number grew as we approached summer, our competitions and our recital. I remember sitting in our studio and finding a friendship with a 13-year-old girl. Because a lot of the girls in my class went to high school together, sometimes it was hard being the girl from private school. Dance class became social hour and all the day’s drama was dished. I loved these girls, there’s no doubt about it; occasionally, though, I felt left out.

Julianne, Shirley and I, rehearsals for Recital 2005.

I befriended that 13-year-old, Julianne, for many reasons. Not only were we out of the high school drama loop, but we were both passionate about dance. We took stretching seriously, worked on parts of the dance we hadn’t perfected yet, and learned choreography quickly. She was obviously amazing; being the youngest in the group by at least three years, she out-danced a good number of them.

Dress rehearsal for Proud Mary.

Five years ago, after late-night rehearsals and our final show day passed, I had a conversation with Julianne, discussing her future. A huge decision weighed on her shoulders on whether or not she should continue at our dance school, the one she had been with for at least five or six years. We talked about many things – how it would affect our dance ‘family’ and what she was truly looking for – and a decision was made.

Julianne ended up switching schools, and as much as it hurt to see her leave the ‘family,’ I knew it was best for her. She grew in leaps and bounds, something I observed through Facebook videos and performances at the local street fair. Every time I saw her, she became even more amazing and inspiring. I was like a proud older sister watching her flourish the way she did.

Last weekend, I attended her final recital. Just like during my ‘graduation’ recital, she danced in routine after routine, and she stole the show every time. Her face was lit up with a bright smile or whatever emotion was needed. You could tell she was having the time of her life. When it came time for her solo, she was incredible beyond my expectation. I found myself unable to stop tears from springing to my eyes because I was so amazed and proud. It really sunk in that this wasn’t little Julianne from five years ago, but a more mature and seasoned dancer. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

After her graduate recital.

Five years seems to have flown by ridiculously fast- it was only that long ago that I stood on stage, across from this girl in a pair of pointe shoes and a shiny copper costume. And even then, I knew in my heart that she would be something great.

Recital 2005: 'Troy.' We're both in front.

father's day: the men in my life.

I’m not really good with my words when it comes to talking about my family, specifically my parents. But it’s Father’s Day, so I feel I at least have to try.

St. Patrick's Day 2010. Spoiler alert: this gives away my last name!

First and foremost I celebrate my father. Although he seems to not have the strongest grasp on how to be a parent to a 23-year-old daughter, he was always a rock star when I was growing up.

He dressed me in Yankees uniforms and sunglasses, gave me bath time fauxhawks with shampoo and let me wear his massive headphones. He took my brother and I on countless trips to the local park and tied bandanas around our heads, which we thought was the coolest thing ever.

Saturdays were my mother’s “day off” most weeks. He would make us pancakes and French toast for breakfast while we watched PeeWee’s Playhouse. We’d have grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and go on bike rides in the afternoon. At night he’d let us have Pop Tarts as our nighttime snack. And sometimes this happened:

Yes, this is us on top of our china closet. Probably dangerous but really fun, actually.

As I got older, our relationship has been strained a bit. Whether it’s because he didn’t exactly know what to do with a teenage daughter or because he’s just getting older and more fed up with the 9-to-5 grind, we’re just not as close as we used to be. But as much as he seems like a crotchety old man sometimes, I know he’s a softy at heart and that he’ll always love me; I’m always going to be his little girl. And I can always count on him to dance the twist with me.

Lyndsay's Sweet 16, June 2007.

Father’s Day is also dedicated to my grandfathers who love me with great big hearts. My paternal grandfather, my pop-pop, passed away when I was only six or seven years old, so I was just getting to know him. What I do know his that underneath his tough exterior was a man whose heart melted for all of his grandchildren.

My maternal grandfather is the most generous and loving person I have ever known, and is the proudest grandfather ever. He still talks about my piano-playing days and dancing with great fondness. I was blessed to be his very first grandchild and spent countless weekends at my grandparents’ shore house. He taught me how to swim and how to work hard. When we visited him, he took my brother and me with him to pick up the paper and always let us get candy.

My Grandpa's 80th birthday, July 2009.

And finally, I owe my Uncle Russ a bit of praise and love for all he’s done for me in recent years. When I was little I was terrified of him because he was taller than six feet (issues, I haz them). Obviously I’ve grown out of that fear and now he’s like another father to me. I spent a good chunk of my teenage years at his house because my cousin Lyndsay is his daughter.

He helped me get an internship in college and has given me a bit of good advice in the past couple of years, but always makes sure to counter the seriousness by being a total goofball most of the time. He's a technology guru and is pretty much always behind the camera.

Thanksgiving 2007.

I am so very lucky to have such wonderful men in my life who have taught me what a stand-up guy is supposed to be like. They are all loving, protective, and work incredibly hard for the people in their lives. Any man I seriously consider marrying in the future is going to have to live up to all of these examples, so I'll just say this: good luck, future husband.

oh, paula deen.

If you were wondering what my sophomore year at college was like, it was basically this, except in person - not over Facebook - and on a daily basis.

And I miss it. A lot.

video game girl.

Thanksgiving 2009, Wii Tennis tournament.

I’ve always been a video game girl. For a long stretch of my childhood and teenage years, any money I received as a gift was put immediately towards a new video game. My brother and I would go into Best Buy and spend a solid half an hour perusing the shelves and trying to decide which games to get. Sometimes we knew exactly what we wanted, but I specifically remember the occasions on which we’d be holding two games in our hands, weighing the options and determining which one would be more fun.

Fall 1999; getting my game time in before a family picnic.

Because my brother was heavily into video games and I had my own healthy addiction, we accumulated several systems – everything from an old-school NES to our new Wii and my DS Lite. Hidden in our entertainment shelving is a vast collection of cartridges and disks, many of which we’ve very recently been using all over again.

Christmas 2006. Guitar Hero with my brother.

Last night, as I was sorting through my own Gameboy games, my brother came in with his collection and emptied the box on my bed. I nearly died - it was like he was pouring our childhood out, in little two-by-two-inch cartridges. Among the findings were five Pokemon games (blue, red, yellow, gold and silver), a word puzzle game that I used to play for hours, and a bunch of other favorites from when we were young. I hadn’t seen half of those games in years and it was just such a throw back.

Things clearly haven’t changed, though. With the purchase of my new DS Lite and two games to go with it, I spent most of this weekend attached to it. I could never gauge how "normal" it was, because I'm a girl and the stereotype is that they don't play video games (or, if they do, it's very limited). But to me, it's totally normal to spend a Friday night playing a bunch of old games or even dedicating a whole weekend to conquering a new game.

it's friday! bullet points!

It's Friday and this week flew by so fast that I'm pretty sure it didn't actually happen, so... here's a bullet list.

• The big news of this week was that Mark (my ex-boyfriend, which is a dirty word in my book so I'll just call him by his name from now on) finally, finally got into his top choice for medical school. This has been a two-year-long journey that has now reached its end, THANK THE LORD. The sympathy stress I've been under has been too much. But, aside from that, I am incredibly happy for him because he wanted this so badly.
  
  
• I'm kind of itching to have a party or at least a reasonably-sized get-together. Throwing a birthday party for myself was so much fun and I really like when everyone's able to hang out together. Last time we totally geeked out on old video games, but what I'd love is a full-fledged game night, which was our specialty back in college. So, to my real life friends: don't be at all surprised if I start chatting up this idea with you.
  
  
• I've been spending way too much money lately, but I think my spree is finally over, save for a few necessities (yes, sundresses are a necessity). My best (and most expensive) purchase has been this beauty, which is totally worth the money I paid, especially since I found a deal where I got accessories and two games with it!
  

Yes, I'm THAT girl who has to have all her electronics in pink.

• Tomorrow, as long as I'm feeling up to it, I'm attending a baby shower for one of my friends. It's a strange thing knowing that people my age, that I know, are having babies and getting married. This will be the first person who I'll actually physically encounter who's going through major life changes - all the other babies and engagements I've only witnessed on Facebook - and I'm really excited. She's a friend from my town that I went to school with up until I disappeared into private school, so it's basically going to be a mini reunion, for me at least. Frankly, I'm surprised I was even invited!

Happy Friday and happy weekend!

it's baaaaack.

Another summer, another season of So You Think You Can Dance. I promise not to talk it to death, but I can't help myself from the occasional plug.

Even if you're not normally drawn to dance shows, you should watch this. Why? Because this season they're bringing back ten of the BEST dancers from seasons past to help this year's contestants compete. The talent level is really high - this isn't like Dancing with the Stars where most of the people suck. Plus, SYTYCD is all styles of dance, not just ballroom.

There's hip hop:


Contemporary:


And yes, even dancing zombies (from the genius mind of Wade Robson).


If that doesn't give you a reason to watch, well, then I can't really help you. Well, I could post clip after clip (and would happily do so, because I have about ten billion more favorites), but that would be overdoing it. So, I hope you watch. I mean, what else is on TV anyway? Nothing good, I'm sure. (That's not true, I really have no idea because this is all I watch.)

memorial day weekend.

{Where I should have been this weekend. Taken summer 2008.}

It’s 4am and I’m eating Cheez-Its, trying to produce a lovely blog post for today. This is when the magic happens, people. If only you could see me – drippy post-shower hair, tattered college sweatshirt… I know, it’s almost too much beauty for you to imagine.

My weekend was thoroughly uneventful. My Special Monthly Friend came by for Memorial Day Weekend and decided it was a good time for me to be cranky and exhausted. Awesome, just what I wanted. So instead of being down at the shore, I was in my room, mustering up the energy to touch up the paint on my furniture only to realize that the touch-up paint didn’t match the original shade… of WHITE. How does white not match white? Seriously.

The most exciting thing was my brother coming home drunk, something I didn’t even witness but had to overhear the next afternoon from my dad. Apparently he dropped his keys outside, got leaves in his hair, then fell asleep in the recliner downstairs. My dad had to usher him upstairs and get him to bed, all of which I missed because I was taking the longest shower in history, apparently.

My social activities were limited to the confines of this family save for the AIM chat with my two guy friends (which I say like I don’t have any other guy friends… which is partially the truth). That’s always good times, except when it ends in me creating, uploading, and sending off an embarrassing video to them. And not even embarrassing in the “oh I was drunk and wasn’t that silly!” way, or the “that was so crazy!” way, but in the “this is really awkward and kind of lame, I regret having the ability to do this, I should be banned from the internet” way. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that bad, but it was something that sounded so great at the beginning and ended up being not that great.

So. There you have it, my wonderful kick-start to summer. Thrilling, I know. This week I actually have real-life, in-person plans, including a baby shower for one of my childhood friends WHICH IS THE CRAZIEST THING EVER. Sorry, unannounced caps attack.

How was your Memorial Day Weekend?