A Case of the Mondays

Hello at last! I've been off the radar in a major way because I've been packing (legitimate), moving (also legitimate), traveling (ehh...) and Tindering (oh boy) and all these pursuits have been taking me away from my little corner of the internet. I'm in a listicle mood because it's Monday and I worked a long-ass day today (no, not a long ass-day. Although it kind of felt like that too).

1. Packing! Dear God, is there anything less stressful than packing and moving? I moved officially yesterday and only brought with me a suitcase full of clothes, a duffel bag full of gym stuff, and a carryon suitcase full of makeup. I am officially a woman with four pairs of shoes but six shades of blush. Priorities are for idiots.

2. Moving - can this be a separate category? My new place is adorable but my bedroom is teeny tiny, hence the serious downsizing of my wardrobe. Most of my clothes are in storage and I brought with me only about thirty items of clothing. I'm not seriously considering a change to the minimalist lifestyle, a la Project 333, but it is weirdly comforting to know that everything I own, everything in my entire apartment, can be combined to form outfits and they've been pre-vetted so I know everything "works." That means nothing is missing a button or needing a hem fixed, nothing is a little too tight or a little too lose. Everything is shipshape and ready to go, which is a blessing because...

3. Work. I'm rostered for 60 hours per week plus call which isn't the worst schedule in the world but it's far from the best. I give myself another two weeks before I switch to all-scrubs all-the-time mode. The work itself is busy but manageable and thankfully busy days pass quickly. Today I met a little old lady with purple hair. Now I want purple hair too. Also we had this interaction:

Me: I've heard you're asking to see [consultant not involved with this patient's care]. Can you tell me why?
Purple Haired Glamazon: Do you have an iPhone? Google him.

I do. I realize it is the best looking man I've ever laid eyes on and I followed him down a corridor this morning just to see where he was going.

PHG: Ah, now, I wouldn't be kicking him out of bed for eating crisps!

I've seen my future, and it. is. awesome.

4. Tinder - How have I not tried this before now? I love making snap judgments, I love looking at pretty things online, it's like Tinder was made for me! Honestly the actual flirting and followup is a little bit more effort than I'm into, but the swiping left and right is positively addicting.

5. Running - I'm officially back in the game! I've been running for five weeks now with only minimal plantar fasciitis pain. I'm considering doing a half marathon next year and ideally a few more races in between now and then as well. I still want to do the Edinburgh Marathon very much but I'm a little nervous because it seems like I tend to injure myself when I go for distance. Fingers crossed for healthy feet and a healthy mind (equally crucial it seems).

And with this cartoon I leave you for a few days more. I used to have tidy lovely handwriting. Now expediency is the name of the game.

Not my cartoon. Because I can't write as tidy as that. 

Good night, and good luck!

xo CaitlinK

Back by (moderately) popular demand

Hello again! Long time no blog. The last three weeks have flown by in a blur of too many white wine spritzers, American Horror Story marathons, and occasional jaunts to faraway locales.

Behold the briefest of updates...

1. Running: huzzah! I've been battling plantar fasciitis since Christmastime and this week made my very gradual return to running. Before I was injured I was routinely running about 4-5 times per week, with the requisite Saturday long run to prepare for a marathon. Sadly I had to back out of the race but I'm hoping to try again next May! I'm using the Couch to 5K app to help get me back in it and I highly recommend it for beginning runners and the previously-injured. 
2. Turkey: remember my previous post about my quest to be the glammest bitch on the beach? Well I don't know if I pulled it off, but I do know I wore an overlarge sunhat and drank cocktails poolside for a week. So there's that. I'll do a full post next week (probably) because I need to relive the best holiday of my life.
3. Seattle: I'm home! I booked an impromptu trip to Seattle early this week to catch some sun, stare at the ocean, and bemoan my decision to stay in Ireland another year. Seattle is seriously the most beautiful place on earth, but let's not tell anyone because I want it to remain pristine and uncharted. 
4. American SHOPPING: You knew I was going to say this, right? I've been home two days and already been to Target, Sephora, and MAC. Unless my dad wants a Revlon Balm Stain for Father's Day I'm afraid he might be slightly disappointed this Sunday when he realizes none of my shopping has been for him. Stay tuned for an obnoxious post about all the shizz I spent my not-yet-earned money on. 
5. Employment: Sweet baby Jane I have a job! I'm starting work on July 3rd in a hospital in Ireland. To any of my Irish readers...don't get sick or injured in July. Please.

I'm so sorry to leave you with only a sad little update for now but I promise good posts will be forthcoming. Today it was only about 65 F outside so I had plenty of time to play around with my new purchases and get ideas for a post. 

In the meantime please enjoy two photos from my holiday in Turkey! My friends and I did a hot dog legs contest (whatever that is) so here is my submission: 

and naturally I am nothing without a good beach tote. I chose this one from Kate Spade which was rather appropriate for a holiday that was an excuse to get White Girl Wasted every single night. 

Till next time! I promise I'll write you a better post soon. Today's forecast is for rain (harrumph) so I'll probably churn out some questionable beauty writing. 

xo Caitlin

Kusadasi Dreaming

In less than a month I'll be lying on a beach in Kusadasi, Turkey partying my cares away. Unfortunately in the meantime I have some pesky schoolwork and even peskier exams to get through. To make the time go faster I've been pinning my favourite summer looks and planning what stories I'll be inventing when my credit card bill arrives. The itinerary for the trip largely revolves around beach time with some bar hopping and sightseeing mixed in, so I need outfits that transition from the beach to the bar easily but leave enough room in my luggage for a few pashminas and harem pants. We're flying on some budget airline that I've never heard of, so I want to fit all my makeup and clothing into a small carryon as well. Shall we explore my packing/wish list?

Beach Lounging
Retro bathing suit styles are really "in" lately but I can't wear them at all. On me they look costume-y and weird, so I tend to stick to a more bohemian aesthetic. Since this trip is to Turkey I'm feeling inspired by images of Istanbul and the Bosphorus to guide me. That means kaftans and big hats with enormous sunglasses. I want to look like a 70s Elizabeth Taylor but with possibly more jewelry.

Here are a few of my favourites:

This Issa kaftan is appropriately called the "Ocean Print Goddess Kaftan." Unfortunately it is slightly out of my price range (694.99EU) but, hey, a girl can dream.

Anyway I'm using this kaftan as a jumping-off point. I love the vibrant colours and the relaxed vibe. I'd prefer a shorter kaftan anyway, I worked hard doing squats and spin class all winter and I want to show off my legs! 

Tunics and bikini by J Crew

Sunglasses: Ted Baker "Biotime" 

Headband: Deepa Gurnani (available at ASOS)

Bracelet: ASOS

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman at Zappos

The tunics will be perfect as beach coverups and then with a pair of denim cutoffs and those divine sandals. I'm in the market for a new salt spray, my current favorite one from Charlotte Ronson has been discontinued and I'm down to my last stockpiled bottle. Hopefully I'll find one in time for Turkey because the babely boho beach girl look is all about artfully tousled waves. I'm tempted by this Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Texturizer because it's a gel rather than a spray so I expect I'd get more even distribution through my hair. Feel free to weigh in on other favorite sea salt sprays!

Also features shimmer. Mermaid Hair?

Today was a particularly rainy gross day and only my upcoming vacations are keeping me going lately. Before Turkey I'll be headed to Tuscany on a five day cycling trip through wine country. Stay tuned for packing updates and wine recommendations. My good friend is a very experienced oenophile (okay, I've been looking for a reason to use that word, sue me) and has been emailing me nonstop with wine recommendations that I can't wait to share. 

Salt spray recommendations? Preferred beach activities? Recommendations for can't-miss Turkey experiences? Weigh in below. 

xo Caitlin