i know nothing ever keeps you safe for sure no one ever dug down so far we go

So, a fantastically lazy Friday night spent giving my parched hair an olive oil treatment and listening to Starfucker's 'Reptilians' album in the bathtub (props to the lovely Ali Jafari) led not only to pruney fingers and toes, but playing online dress up with the H&M website's Fashion Studio. How have I not known about this until .. now? Some sites have attempted to do the whole dress up Barbie deal, but this is the best, most realistic one I've come across so far. If only they allowed for options like tucking in items, or letting the girls pull from the men's clothing ... In due time. For now, I actually got to play with two items I recently purchased - a pair of grey trouser pants and a long grey skirt. In case you didn't know, I'm a neutral whore. I always tell myself I'll branch out of my white/black/grey/beige/tan tendencies, and grab a red pencil skirt, just so I feel adventurous, but I retreat back into my comfort color zone. Old habits die hard, I suppose. And, for the record, that damn red pencil skirt is hanging, unworn, tags still attached, in my closet.

On the left, I'm obsessed with the corset/lace top combo, especially with the pants. Obviously, not so 'work appropriate', as my mother is pushing me to purchase more in that category, unless you have an appreciative work environment .. :) Anywhooo, I usually don't go for the smaller cardi's, but as I'm attempting to branch out, I gave it a shot, and it ain't so bad. The booties downplay the femininity of the top, which I'm all for, since a raging pool of estrogen isn't necessarily my style.

Onto the right .. My new favorite thing is the long skirt. It's so chic and modern, and can be dressed up or down quite easily. The oversize, geometric sweater is form-fitting enough to accentuate the right parts, but billowy enough to be comfortably cute. I never really tapped into the whole bib necklace ordeal, but I'm a fan of this one since it looks a little haphazardly thrown together. Red pumps for a touch of color! See, I can break out of my comfort zone. Well, on an online Barbie, at the very least.

Speaking of necklaces though, I ALSO can't believe I just tapped into P.S. I Made This - Erica Domesek's DIY blog for jewelry, clothes, etc., often times using household items and crazy cheap craft store supplies to recreate the latest trendy pieces. I looooove a good DIY, so I'm definitely going to try and make the Rose Gold Necklace she featured for December.

I think a thick, black velvet ribbon, knotted up with some of the copper tubing would look good, hmm?

Anyways, lastly, I played with a little Ken doll on the H&M website too, of course. All I want to say is, I'll take two. One for me, and the other .. so I can steal that sweater.

In other news .. my beautiful, oh-so-smart best friend, Tiffani, is leaving me for med school. I'm so happy for her - moving onto the next chapter in her life and pursuing her dream. Yet, that also comes with the lovely downside of my father's commentary on 'what a good kid' Tiffani is, while shooting me, the journalism major, reproving looks for not being the exemplary Vietnamese daughter. Welllllp, you win some, you lose some.

A couple photos from our Wii party at Jason's, complete with booze, light-up hula hoops, danceoffs, and James' dumb watch that resembles a speedometer.

Oh, congrats on the new job, James :)

I like my friends.

there's no dollar sign on a piece of mind, this i've come to know

I don’t think your inner child ever dies. It may be suffocated at times, but it tends to always find its way back, at least I’ve found. Maybe that’s what nostalgia really is.

Anyways, whenever my life gets too claustrophobic, or I need to just clear my head (which I’ve needed to do a lot quite recently …), I find that the best remedy is an old friend. What’s even BETTER is when that old friend not only humors me and my childlike whims, but is an inner child advocate themselves.

So, how was my day spent? With Nathan Eliot, of course. A bike ride around the neighborhood and lake, traipsing (my new favorite, overused word) around in the ‘forest’ of our community, going on tree swings, climbing into abandoned, decrepit tree houses, and sword fighting with branches. It’s okay to be jealous. It’s actually completely understandable.

Keep good friends close. They keep you sane.

i'm ridin' on hell's hot flames comin' up from below

So I might have been coerced into an alcohol-soaked Newport 4th of July.
...actually, I was a part of it.

It's about 4pm. My brothas from otha mothas, Nathan Eliot Kemp & Eric Chuckleberry Slim, now Yo Huckleberry, Lake are just sitting around shooting the shit about Eric moving away in TWO days to Portland and how we were entirely sober and sun-deprived on one of our favorite holidays. Fuck it, we're going to Newport.

Embracing cirrhosis & melanoma, one day at a time.

he was white once.

prints&stripes.

check out them baby bluez.

leaving his mark.

tostitos&four locos with strangers turns into ...

indoor water fights with strangers.

team surplus. always.

Two friends I've known forever. Two friends I'll keep forever. You two are alright.

listening to:

up from below - EDWARD SHARPE&THE ZEROS

honest abe

This is about as close to the beach as I’m going to get today.

I’m pretty sad I’m missing out on the debauchery that is Newport 4th of July … drunkards getting slammed down on the hoods of cop cars, girls wiping out on their bikes as hoards of guys on balconies cheer and point, and of course the fireworks you promise yourself you’re going to watch but never do.

At the VERY least, I'm so excited I get to see two of my oldest friends today. Nathan Eliot & Eric Lake, aka DJ Chuckleberry Slim. Haha, that name still gets me. Alright, off to Nathan's hoodrat palace ... down the street.

Happy Birthday America, everyone be safe.

source: whatisrealityanyway

times they are a-changin'

birthday remnants.

listening to: THE DRUMS - down by the water

in hindsight ...

I suppose I’ll post a few pictures from graduation. Originally, I was going to abstain from doing so, because I wanted to prevent an outpouring of philosophical ranting, emotional reflection, and general “what college meant to me” kind of post. Maybe I’ll do it soon, but for now, I’m still gathering my thoughts. Plus, I’m sure the rest of recent grads can attest to this, but if I hear “So what are you going to do now?” again, I might stab myself in the eye with a fork. Oh, and if I get another shocked, incredulous look when I respond with a forced smile and my rehearsed “I’m escaping to Australia for awhile. After that, I’ll figure it out …”, your eye might be getting the fork. On that note, I’m going to start carrying a fork with me everywhere.

Anyways, here you go.



It seems like every time you get a group of girls together, someone inevitably squeals ‘Oooooh! Let’s do a jumping picture!’ I mean, clearly I partook, so I’m not complaining. Just pointing it out.

let's play ketchup.

Here are a few shots from a few weeks ago, when I had to endure Randy laughing his ass off as I tangoed with death climbing down Mount Everest in gladiator sandals with my precious camera wrapped in a blanket tied around my body. What are friends for? My good humor was restored with a wild animal prowling in the shrubbery ruining Chelsea’s soapbox presidential speech and Nusha’s subsequent cackling. As usual, Joey wanted ice cream afterwards, needy bitch.

timberland hiking boots.

lung cancer.

fireflies & highway lava.

burning world.

his milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.


ghost of hanukah past.

back to square one .

Welcome to my second attempt at a blog. While it may seem sacrilegious that I deleted my prior posts to start fresh, I saw it as necessary in order to make this, what I like to call at least, a life blog. As deep as my love runs for fashion blogs, I wanted it to be more. Plus, it was only a measly three posts, hardly anything worth getting your undies in a bundle over.

So, let's begin. I'm Caroline. I'm going to document things. That's all I'm going to promise at the moment.

I'll start with a throwback, since it was as cleansing for me as beginning anew here is.
Coachella 2010. Indio, California.
Instantaneous camraderie induced by alcohol, sweat and, most importantly, music.

best outfits go to these cats.

lovetunes.







the green hat that saved lives.

tribal beenz.

rejuvenation.

beat the heat.

tiesto crowd.



midafternoon snooze under the crane.

alter ego.

girl scout camp nostalgia.



an experience, summed up in one photograph.