The Path Towards Pura Vida

Hello lovelies!

I am excited to announce that I just started up a new blog called The Path Towards Pura Vida! I've been feeling so colorless lately, like I'm just drifting by in life and not actually accomplishing any of my goals. This is why I created a new blog based off of the Costa Rican catchphrase "Pura Vida."

If you check out my new blog, you can see what "Pura Vida" means and why it is important to me. Basically, the writing is going to be about my journey in reviving my life, enjoying the little moments, and working to make my dreams come true. This blog will be for anyone who wants inspiration to get out of being stuck in a rut or who loves to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Come follow me and be a part of my journey... Pura Vida!

Caylee

Photo credit goes to my best friend, Keri Brousil!

Works of Art by Cate Parr

Cate Parr officially creates some of the most stunning watercolor paintings on Etsy. When I came across her shop I literally added 10 of her works to my "favorites" list. Her fresh and colorful style of fashion illustration is just breathtaking. It is also pretty affordable in comparison to what most art costs... This means that I will be snatching up a few of her pieces soon! I'm really inspired by her paintings, so maybe I'll even start creating again. Check out Parr's shop here and some of my favorites below. Let me know what you think!

 

 

 

Song for a Good Mood

This song, "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, always makes me happy. Hopefully it will add a little sunshine to your life as well! In my opinion, it has a kind of Western or old fashioned prairie feel to it. So catchy. What do you think?

Famous Food Without the Branding

Would fast food still be appetizing to most people without the special wrappers and catchy branding that has been drilled into our minds? In my opinion, these famous burgers and sandwiches look strangely repulsive, if not diseased, against this sterile black background.

So what do you think... Gross? Or can you not help but find the fast food strangely appetizing?

Go to GOOD for the full article about photography by Jon Feinstein.



Quote of the Week

Image created by me! Enjoy it, my dears.

Time Tricked Me

A little over a year ago I wrote my last blog post saying that I was back from my blogging hiatus and ready to share some inspirational thoughts and quotes with you. Well...obviously that never happened! When I look back on the past year I am seriously shocked at how quickly time has passed. Not only that, so many life-changing events have taken place in this period. I am now with the guy of my dreams, and my career and entire life trajectory is entirely different from what it used to be. I couldn't be happier though!

To ring in a fresh new start to this blog, I feel like I should reintroduce myself and my writing focus.

I am currently in my third year of college at the University of Georgia studying anthropology and geography. My focus is on the cultures of South Asia, particularly India. It's my absolute favorite thing in the world to travel and learn about the small, intimate aspects of other cultures. Other than that, I have three main passions— all of the creative arts, the organic/local/healthy food movement, and women's rights around the world.

On this blog, I plan to write about all of these subjects and share with you things that deeply inspire me. I hope you enjoy the new content, and I can't wait to get your input!

I'm so glad to be back!

XOXO, Caylee


Photo credit: [heart spirit mind, The Only Night*]

She's Alive!

Hello lovelies! As you could tell, for the last month and a half I've completely dropped off the face of the earth. Several changes have taken place in my life recently, the biggest of which is that I ended the relationship with my long-term boyfriend. Lately, I've just been trying to meet new friends and spend time doing things I love that I never had time for previously. Anyways, I'm alive and well, and I'm back from my blogging hiatus now! For this first new post, I'm going to share two quotations that I love with you, one of which I find very thought-provoking and the other, inspiring.

"Most of us spend many hours each week watching celebrated athletes playing in enormous stadiums. Instead of making music, we listen to platinum records cut by millionaire musicians. Instead of making art, we go to admire paintings that brought in the highest bids at the latest auction. We do not run risks acting on our beliefs, but occupy hours each day watching actors who pretend to have adventures, engaged in mock-meaningful action.

This vicarious participation is able to mask, at least temporarily, the underlying emptiness of wasted time. But it is a very pale substitute for attention invested in real challenges. The flow experience that results from the use of skills leads to growth; passive entertainment leads nowhere. Collectively we are wasting each year the equivalent of millions of years of human consciousness. The energy that could be used to focus on complex goals, to provide enjoyable growth, is squandered on patterns of stimulation that only mimic reality."

-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."

-- Chris McCandless

Hope you all have been doing wonderfully! Let me know your thoughts on these two quotes, 

and tell me what you've been up to! 

XOXO, Caylee

 Photo credit: here and here

Befriending your Inner Child

When was the last time you played?

I'm not talking about going downtown to a bar with your girlfriends and stressing about guys the whole night. I'm talking about carefree, unadulterated, joyous playing. When you are concentrating on the true fun you're having and nothing else. For some of us, the last time we had a memory of a time like this is around when we first became a teenager. When I was ten, my friends and I would all run around playing hide and seek for hours in the woods surrounding my house, even after it got dark. In the pool, we would all giggle as we made up creative and funny new ways to jump in the pool. It was so great!

Around the teen years though, most people got stressed from more difficult schoolwork, became infatuated with their first loves, and get involved in more mature past times which makes it easy to forget about the pure happiness of our past. One day, years later, some of us may wake up and realize with regret that we haven't been enjoying life as much as we should be. I am calling on everyone to change that. Befriend your inner child, and give it the attention it wants!

I dare you to...

- Get a big sheet of white paper and finger paint!
- Go outside and blow bubbles!
- Make a gingerbread house!
- Take a friend to a playground and swing!
- Enjoy some chocolate milk (I do this everyday!)
- Fly a kite!
- Make a sandcastle!
- Color in a coloring book! (I find this very nice and soothing)
- Run around in the summer rain!
- Visit my new blog about living the good life! (x)
- Take silly pictures with a friend!
- Watch your favorite childhood movies!
- Make cupcakes!
- Take an energizing dance class!
- Create a "secret" space for reading and imagining! (x)
- Go rollerskating!

Double dog dare: Paint or draw on one of your walls to make your own personal mural!

The point is, just let it all hang out and have an awesome time! One of the greatest traits in most children, aside from their carefree happiness, is how curious they are about everything in the world. There are so many amazing things to discover, so while you're at it, embrace this quality of your inner kid too! If you have any other fun ideas or opinions, let me know!


Learn, explore, and play,
Caylee xoxo


Pictures found on We Heart It.

Once in a Blue Moon

Hello! I'm back, and I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, just as I did. Tonight is New Year's Eve, and it's even more of a special event than just that for several reasons. Not only is it a full moon, but it is a "blue moon," and there will be a lunar eclipse as well... all on the eve of a brand new decade! To me, this signifies a rare and special event, one that I will not take for granted.

A full moon is supposed to be a time for taking action and giving thanks, while a blue moon is good for setting new goals for yourself, no matter how lofty they are. Most of us make New Years resolutions anyway, so what better time to make wishes for the upcoming year than tonight under the strong energy and silver light of the moon? I plan on driving to my hometown's beach and sitting in the sand with a friend, basking in the beautiful light of the evening and contemplating the past year and future. Here are some of the wishes I have in mind to begin 2010 with:

- To be given a sign for what I should pursue in my future, whether it is art, filmmaking, journalism, or something entirely different.
- To be put on the proper path towards whatever career is best for me and would make me happy.
- To befriend new, kind and sincere people.
- To be surrounded with positivity and joy in my love life and life in general.
- To excel in school and enjoy the process of learning without being stressed out.
- To be given time to live and eat more healthily.
- For good luck and wonderful opportunities to surround my friends, family, and I.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions or wishes? Any special plans? Please share them with me... I am so curious! I can't wait to see what this new decade will bring, but it's crazy how fast the past one has gone by. Anyways, I hope you all have a meaningful New Year's Eve and a love-filled and prosperous year to come! I will be back up at school soon (which makes me sad because I love being home in Florida at the beach) and writing regular blog posts again (which makes me smile).

                    Until then, au revoir!
                    Caylee

Oh, aren't the moon pictures amazing? Created by a Russian designer. Find more pictures at Your Personal Moon.

Happy Happy Holidays!

Hey everyone! It's been so long... or at least it feels like it has been! I haven't written in a while because I've been dealing with finals and driving back to my hometown in Florida for Christmas break, not to mention my mom's house doesn't have internet now! So I'm currently sitting on the floor of Barnes and Noble trying to type out a quick update and hello to you all, because I've really missed writing on my blog!

This sounds really lame, but B&N is closing in 5 minutes, so I don't even have time to write out a proper post. I am so writing deprived right now! Anyways, what I really wish to say is that I hope you all have the Merriest Christmas (because I won't have the internet to tell you on the actual day) and a great New Years too! Let me know if you all have anything special planned, I'd love to know. I can't wait to get back to writing in my blog soon, and I hope you all are doing well!

Photo credit: i.Anton

Gypsy Living is the Life for Me

I am so incredibly happy right now! Wanna know why? No? Well I have to tell you anyways. I have spent the past couple of days tediously writing papers for my literature essay portfolio that was due earlier this evening. At this point, my brain is fried, but I am so relieved to be done with it all! Though tomorrow I'll begin studying for the rest of my college finals, right now I'm going to focus on my relaxing evening!

So I've been on a roll with my senses inspired posts, and I love writing them, but something came into my life the other day that I must write about... THIS INSTANT! I've always been inspired by caravan living, although I had forgotten all about it until I stumbled across some of the most amazing little campers. Maybe you think I'm crazy for wanting to live out of a tiny movable box, but something about it speaks to me. It symbolizes freedom.

I imagine myself pulling up to a beautiful seaside location, all of my most treasured belongings being carried right behind me. A friend comes along, and we strum our guitars while watching the sun disappear into the sea. It's just me, my charming caravan, and whatever friend is adventurous enough to come with me on my journey, enjoying life for its simple pleasures. We experience different towns, foreign roads, and new people on our trip towards nowhere in particular. At night, I fall asleep to the waves softly breaking on the rocks below, and if I look out of the window above my bed, I can see a million twinkling stars. In the morning when sunlight washes over my little home, I go outside to breath in the fresh, pristine air, and I think about how great it feels to be alive.

That is my gypsy living fantasy! I really hope to own a caravan someday, even if it's only used for short vacations or as a secret area for crafting and reading. Wouldn't that be so nice? People have started to remodel old Airstreams, as well as other brands, and they are amazing! I am even more completely in love. Here are some other cute photos that I have found:

 

 

I would love to know what you think of this post! Would you like to live in one of these movable homes too? Who wants to come with me? :]

xoxo, Caylee

Btw, I just got bloglovin, so follow my blog here!

Picture credit: silvertrailer, Design*Sponge, Apartment Therapy, and Snail Trail

Blurring Reality

Hey! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving last week! To keep on going with last week's senses inspired theme, I want to share with you my favorite part of having the sense of sight, watching movies. I am soon beginning a TV and film production degree, with a minor in film studies, so visual media is definitely a major aspect of my life. Of course, almost everybody enjoys seeing films, so I'm sure you all can relate too. A quotation from A Clockwork Orange perfectly describes how I feel about this subject (viddy = view/watch): "It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen."

Sometimes, real life seems like an illusion. Everything passes by so quickly, people get into habits and become numb to small, yet beautiful, human experiences. Emotions are dulled, not appreciated. Things sometimes turn out the opposite of how we want them too, and often there aren't inspiring moments where you suddenly find your true self and your inner happiness. But life in movies is different. The best ones seem to bring out potent emotions in people which they struggle to conjure up in their real lives. For instance, if you have ever seen American Beauty (If not, go see this masterpiece!), you know how Kevin Spacey's character cherishes the little details of life. He says at the end,
"It's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...and then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... You will someday."
This is one of my favorite movie monologues ever. But the point is, when watching this film, people (including myself) actually get emotional over the beauty of the world. It can make one appreciate even the most insignificant seeming of things, such as the fluttering of leaves on a fall day or the warmth of the sun on your skin. A movie is able to make people feel gratitude like that! Incredible, isn't it? But guess what? A majority of people leave the theater or pop out the DVD and then immediately stop feeling thankful for everything again. Life goes back to being robotic, and the wonder of our senses is diminished and forgotten... Until the next movie, of course. If you are able to see the beauty in life, that is a a rare and amazing gift. For those who may go through the world on mental cruise control though, getting lost in movies has a crazy way of making one feel truly alive (while watching them). In the fantasy world of film, human experiences and emotions strangely seem more real and less like the odd dream of life. I find this fascinating.

Anyways, I think that everything in existence is beautiful and that film is too. I am so thankful for my sense of sight. To add onto this topic, here are two great (very) short films I have found for you.


Leave Me from Daros Films on Vimeo.



Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.

Please let me know your thoughts on the short films! I would also love to know how you feel about the rest of my post. Thank you for taking the time to read it!

xoxo, Caylee

Indulging the Senses

Hey everyone! So I just decided that I want to write different posts inspired by each of the five senses. I am in a musical sort of mood today, which is why my focus will be on the sense of hearing! Below, I have shared with you eight songs that I adore, most of which have been favorites of mine for years now. They've been listened to a thousand times, yet they still have some sort of magical quality that stirs up something within me, whether this emotion makes me want to cry, dream, or dance. The songs like "Amber," "Chan Chan," "Pas de Deux," and "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" are especially meaningful, because they have the ability to bring me back to old places that I could never truly be in again. A different age, different friends, and different emotions that would be impossible to return to. It always astonishes me how the first note of a song can instantly cultivate memories that had been long forgotten until that moment. They come back so clear. When "Amber" plays, I can feel the exact temperature of the balmy Floridian air on that night, years ago, the cool sand underneath my feet, and the way I was smiling inside from pure contentment with life. I love that. Because of music, because of hearing, we have the ability to travel through time, back to the past.

So take a listen to these songs if you'd like. They are definitely an eclectic mix of genres! As a sort of experiment, let me know if you enjoy listening to them. If most of you don't, then it may show that I simply like these songs for the good memories associated with them. If you do, then perhaps I just know good music? :)

**I've heard that the music set isn't loading properly for some people. I have no idea how to fix it. If it doesn't work for you, find my playlist "The Right Sounds" here and take a listen! Thanks!**

Questions for you:

What are your favorite songs of all time? Which bring back memories for you? I love talking about this sort of thing; can't want to hear from you all! I hope you enjoy my musical choices!

xoxo, Caylee

Let's Have a Chat

Hey there! I've been posting on this blog for the past month now, so you all have started to get to know me in a roundabout way through my writing. That's all great and dandy, but I want to know more about you too! I'm a type of person who truly loves getting to know people. Some folks are champs at small talk, but I'm all about deep conversations (especially over coffees at a cafe). Obviously, though unfortunately, we can't all round up to have a chat, but I still want to pose a few thoughtful questions that I would love for you to answer! They come from Marc and Angel's 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind; my favorite questions are below, but some of the ones on the website may really make you rethink certain elements in your life. Anyways, on to the fun stuff (I love little questionnaires almost as much as I love lists)!

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

At what time in your most recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

What are you most grateful for?

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

Just leave your answers as a comment, and I would be absolutely thrilled! I'll be sure to post my response too. Thank you so much for participating! Below is a bit of candy for the eyes, since you guys are so awesome.

 Fifi Lapin = Most stylish bunny in the world

My favorite robe from Plum Pretty Sugar

 

  blissful images 

I can't wait to see your question responses!
xoxo, Caylee

P.S.- Last night I crossed off #28 (seeing the Leonid Meteor Shower) on my "21 Things to Do Before I turn 21" list!

 

21 Things to Do Before I Turn 21

Who doesn't love creating lists? They can make you feel focused, energized, organized, and even inspired. I write them constantly; I think there is just something about seeing all of my thoughts down on paper that makes me feel in control. Today on one of my favorite blogs of all time, hula seventy, I was reminded of an ambitious list that I've always wanted to make... 21 things to do before I turn 21! Now the clock is ticking, and I have exactly ten months to complete my goals. I'm hoping that an actual list on my blog, which cannot be ignored, will make me more apt to check off every single thing. I am determined to do this right, and I'm feeling pretty motivated at the moment! So here goes...

                             

1. Finish writing the first draft of my novel.

2. Go to a concert at the 40 Watt Club.

3. Learn how to play a real song on my musical saw.

4. Have a "photography date" with Jacob in Athens.

5. Go on a hike at the State Botanical Gardens.

6. Read the last Harry Potter book.

7. Participate in 29 gifts.

8. Take a drawing class.

9. Try out for the Georgettes.

10. Find an interesting job or internship for over the summer.

11. Sell some of my clothes to Plato's Closet.

12. Visit my friend Megan in San Fransisco.

13. Make some homemade gifts for Christmas.

14. Try out some yoga classes.

15. Audition for a local play.

16. Do well in school.

17. Contact an old friend once a month.

18. Witness the Leonid Meteor Shower.

19. Plan a difficult yet exciting meal to cook.

20. Check out the comic book store and record store downtown.

21. Go on an afternoon picnic in North Campus.

                            

Oh man! I feel excited already... I can't wait to start crossing them out. Is there anything special that you want to achieve within the next year? I'd love to hear all about it! Also, let me know if you have any recommendations for experiences/activities I should try. I might just add it to my list!

xoxo, Caylee

Photo credit goes out to imfreelykeely, with her beautiful photography.

All is Complete

Have you been having Domino Magazine withdrawals? Well, I have. I began reading Domino when I was sixteen years old, and it completely stole my heart away. It was different from other design publications; the interiors were often more colorful, modern, or youthful and the things featured were much more affordable than in competitor's magazines. I swear, I would stay up into the wee hours of the morning flipping through Domino's pages. It truly made me want to be an interior designer.

So you can guess that when they shut down, I was incredibly sad. I lost my inspiration for interiors, and it has not been back since. Then, on Happiness Is..., I saw a link for what was described as "a place to get our Domino fix." Let me tell you, I checked it out, and Lonny Magazine is where it's at! It is seriously the closest thing possible to being Domino. Lonny just came out with its first issue, but it looks so fresh and pretty and full of potential on my computer screen that I think I may have found my new obsession. Enjoy it... I know I will!

Get excitied and tell me if you like it!

xoxo, Caylee

I'm Feelin' Artsy

Hey everyone!

So until now, I hadn't taken an art class or even drawn anything other than a doodle in about five years. This makes me sad. In elementary and middle school, art was always my favorite subject because it felt so natural to me. I was thrown into painting at a young age; my grandma was an avid watercolor painter, and when she lived with us yearly during Springtime, she would teach me all that she knew. Those days of my childhood spent painting on the porch with her are some of the best memories I have. Once I got to high school, I didn't have time in my schedule to fit an art class, so creativity began to slowly slip away from my life. I decided to take an art appreciation class this year, in college, which has honestly been the easiest grade of my life. But I have enjoyed it, mostly due to the fact that we were given an actual art assignment to draw a self portrait. I was finally given an excuse to fit art back into my life! And it felt so good!

Below is the self portrait that I turned in to the teacher. 

Please give me your opinions on it, I would love to know!

 

Created with a #2 mechanical pencil and some effort!

Drawing this felt like meditation, it freed my mind from stress.

I loved it; maybe I should try to draw and paint more often now.

How do you feel while creating things?

 xo, Caylee

When Darkness Illuminates

My journal passage from last year which describes my fascination with all things nocturnal...

Enchanting.

        The word conjures up thoughts of my deepest loves and fantasies stemming back from when I was young. For a week during the summer of when I was nine years old, my mother and I drove to West Virgina to visit an old friend of hers. As we neared Myra's house, our car climbed low mountains shrouded in mist, and the thick forest covering the land around us was lush yet ominous. We arrived at the wooden cabin at dusk, greeted by Myra and hundreds of twinkling fireflies. They seemed to be like white lights strung about the property, flashing in the trees and bushes. These insects were a rare phenomenon to me... and still are. I grew up in South Florida, never spotting one of the beautiful lightning bugs until that moment.

        While Myra and my mother migrated inside, I became lost in the realm of twilight. I waded through tall feathery grass and sat down beneath the darkening trees to admire my magical surroundings. The fireflies danced around me to an unheard waltz, one giving me the pleasure of landing on my palm and lighting up in greeting. As the creatures of twilight came out to play, the dark cobalt sky gave way to sparkling stars, light years away, but just as magical as my earthly delights here. My nine year old imagination pictured little fairies waking up from their day-long slumber and flitting out of their hiding places in the trees. They would swirl and fly amongst the fireflies, creating a symphony of light for only my eyes to witness. But then eventually, to my dismay, the glow of the lightning bugs would slowly fade away. Little by little, they all disappeared for the night, and the fairies of my imagination danced away to a forest world that my human soul could not enter. I was left alone in the darkness to stare up at the beautiful infinity until my mother finally called me in to the warm flooding light of the cabin. After that moment, all I could think about was the next evening when I would be able to escape into my world of enchantment once again.


         After ten more years in Florida, I had forgotten about the effect of twilight on me... until this evening. As I walked up to the door of my new apartment in Georgia and began to unlock the door, I saw a twinkle of light in the corner of my eye. I turned and was met by dozens of blinking fireflies glowing in the impending darkness... and then all of the magic came back to me.

---

        As you can see, fireflies will always be a source of delight and wonder which most adults don't seem to have enough of. So why don't you sit outside in the silence of the oncoming night and watch for the beautiful blinking bugs? Maybe catch a few in your hand? Or how 'bout you visit the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to witness this amazing natural spectacle of lights:

I can't wait to go see this one day! I would be in heaven. Anyways, let me know your thoughts and tell me something that you find completely enchanting! Photos are from Firefly.org and knoxnews.com.

To Secret Hideouts and Being a Kid

Hey Everyone!

To kick off the start of my blog today, I wanted to share with you some of my very favorite pictures from a contest on booooooom and Spike Jonze's We Love You So. This contest was inspired by the new film Where The Wild Things Are, and I completely love it. The point was for people to create a fort or their own mini wonder world out of materials that they love from their daily life. I wanted to make my own fort too, but unfortunately, I found out about the project right as it was ending. I think I'm still going to make one though; it looks like way too much fun to pass up! I'll post pictures of it on here when I do! Anyway, here are the most awesome ones that have stolen my heart.

Matthew Wickham

Bunty May

Dennis + Hildi

Caitlin Frunks + Ellie Glen

Donnel + Paulo + Francis + Tim + Lou

Adi Sideman

Ausia Lauts

Sara Berntsen

Carrie Willits

Jamie Shaw

Eric Rice

Heather Minto + Steven Garrard

Aren't they amazing and creative?! Let me know what your thoughts are! When I was younger, I always used to make secret hideouts, usually inside the house. There was this little closet underneath the staircase filled with winter coats; I would take out all of the clothes and then fill the space with piles of pillows, blankets, books, and then tape up my artwork all over the walls. It was pretty nifty. My mom let me keep it like that for a couple of weeks, and let me tell you, I was in that closet whenever I didn't have school! When I was six, I created a fort outside from branches and leaves. My dad has a picture of me crouching in front of it with a messy sign I had written, "No boys allowed, only daddies!" He got a kick out of that sign, and still loves it! :)


I believe that the above project embodies the main idea of this blog; I'm going to post up things that inspire me (and hopefully you!) to always want to stay young and spirited at heart. Maybe you gathered it from the title as well, but this will be a fun website for those of you who never want to grow up. Keep checking back here for more posts! I'd love it if you wanted to contribute anything as well, just leave me a comment! Also, if you want to make a fort (like me!), send a picture of it to caypugh@gmail.com and I'll gladly post it up on here.



- Caylee