Disney Day 3: Lottie!

Okay so Charlotte La Bouff (Lottie) from Princess in the Frog may be my favorite Disney character. Quite a lot of that has to do with how much I'm like her.

I just adore how excited she gets about everything. Which I also do. Plus she's a very loyal friend, which I strive to be. Also we both love pink! So I had a lot of fun dressing in nearly all pink for the day. Plus I got to wear my favorite hat. Lottie-like poses were so much fun to do. So I sort of went a little overboard. Sorry for the less than stellar lighting, I'm still getting the hang of my new camera.

Hat: Claire's

Dress: Thrifted

Tights: Forever21

I didn't have any pink or white shoes that weren't sneakers so I went with these brown vintage-y looking heels instead. Which were also thrifted.

I also experimented with taking some pictures of my makeup. I hope they turned out okay. (Earrings are also from Claire's)

That's all for now. See you tomorrow internets!

With love,

Caity

Find me on:

Twitter: @caitycaitcake

Instagram: caitycakes9736

Tumblr: diaryofagirlynerd.tumblr.com

Disneybound Day 2: Elsa for Oscar Night

A very loosely Elsa inspired outfit as I don't have anything in that icy shade of blue in my wardrobe. Also didn't want to wear snowflakes in the middle of March. The detail on the sweater kind of makes me think of snow though. Plus the heart necklace for the Frozen heart reference. The barrette looks a bit like a mirror and The Snow Queen (inspiration for Frozen) was all about mirrors. Anyways I'll stop my nerdiness is showing. 

Top: Macy's

Cardigan: White House Black Market

Necklace: Macy's

Barrette: I think Walgreen's

A Month of Disneybounding Day 1: Pirates of the Carribean

I decided to go with something comfier today because it is still raining and I had work. I like wearing things that are easy to move in when I'm shelving books. So of course I through on my pirate boots for a slightly pirate-y outfit inspired by my favorite Disney Parks dark ride: Pirates of the Caribbean. (Disclaimer I haven't been to a Disney Park since I was nine. This opinion is purely the result of childhood nostalgia.) 

I don't know why but black and white stripes make me think of pirates. Maybe it's the nautical look they have. The red because it seems to a pretty common color used for pirate themed things. And of course got to have those skull and crossbones. 

Lots of skull and crossbones. 

Top: WHMB

Cardigan: Thrifted

Jeans: Thrifted

Boots: Burlington Coat Factory

Necklace: Icing

Earrings: Claires 

Fun Project/Challenge for March

Y'all probably don't know this about me, but I am a huge Disney Nerd. So when I stumbled Disney Bound on tumblr awhile ago I was super happy. It perfectly combines my love of Disney and Fashion. Plus it's a little bit like secret cosplay which I love. To get to the challenge party I will be wearing a different Disney inspired outfit for the whole month of March and blogging about it of course.

Opening Up and Raising Awareness

This was not an easy post for me to write.

My name is Caitlin I'm 21 years old and I have bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ADHD. I'm a survivor of a suicide attempt, a survivor of rape and in recovery from self harm. It's not easy to talk about things like that and it's really not easy to put something like that up on the internet but I feel it's important. Why is it important? Because I want to start getting involved in Mental Health Advocacy and Learning Differences/Neurodiversity Awareness. If I'm going to start advocating for others I have to start by advocating for myself.

That means sharing my story and being open, yes even on the internet. I know I'm putting myself out there and leaving myself open to ridicule and hateful comments. (Hi Mom, if you're reading this I know you're worrying but I really do feel I have to do this.) This is all I really have the mental and emotional energy to write about this now. At some point I'll post a more detailed story, probably in parts, as I get more comfortable. In the meantime here are some great resources for both for those who want to learn more and those who are currently struggling with mental illness or disability.

General Sites:

• http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
• http://www.sayitforwardcampaign.org/ (this is about raising Bipolar awareness)
• https://www.afsp.org/ (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I've participated in one of their Out of the Darkness walks which was awesome.)
• http://www.mentalhealthsf.org (I want to get involved in their program SOLVE: http://www.mentalhealthsf.org/programs/solve/)

Self Care and Info from Tumblr (Which is an awesome resource)

• http://prospitdreamer.tumblr.com/post/55431522275/panic-and-anxiety-information-and-resources (huge master post of links to other sites)
• http://disintegratedsanity.tumblr.com/post/35958617919/lets-recover-together-distractions#notes (good distractions for an emotional crisis, panic attack, anxiety attack or really even when you're just stressed)
• http://disintegratedsanity.tumblr.com/post/37588998094 (How to deal with triggers. Triggers are something that well triggers someone's PTSD by reminding them of the past trauma.) 
• http://mentalillnessmouse.tumblr.com/post/29539153962/how-to-make-a-comfort-box (Another way to deal with emotional crisis, panic attacks, etc. I plan on making one this weekend and posting it of course)
• http://anatomy-of-recovery.tumblr.com/post/24986760540/safety-plan-printable-wallet-cards
• http://abercrombier.tumblr.com/post/54994336199/nipplely-if-youre-feeling-anxious-or-stressed 
• http://killyouranxiety.tumblr.com/post/60275305463/evalilith-kittykatears-advice-for-people-who (Advice for a bad day.)
• http://disintegratedsanity.tumblr.com/post/33229428384/caloriqe-i-l-l-u-m-i-n-e-glitter-jars-i#notes (I think may try making one of these two. Seems like a good calming technique) 
• http://onlinecounsellingcollege.tumblr.com/post/22274372008/exploring-and-coping-with-panic-attacks (Good at explaining panic attacks and how to deal with them.)
• http://betterthandarkchocolate.tumblr.com/post/29025912232/coping-with-flashbacks 
• http://onlinecounsellingcollege.tumblr.com/post/31656059389/10-rules-for-coping-with-anxiety-and-panic

I think that a lot of the coping techniques and self-care things can work really well for anyone. Everyone needs a bit of calming down sometimes. Anyways that's all for now. Look forward to my Comfort Box post in a day or two.

Farewell for now internets,

Caity

Quick Outfit Post

Only got one picture of it since my mom had to rush off to a date with my step-mom.

Necklace: Made by me!

Sweater: Hand Me Down

Cami: White House Black Market

Skirt: Thrifted

Tights: Target probably

Boots: Amazon

I went to Shanghai for Christmas! (picture heavy)

Yeah I know I suck at blogging with much if any regularity. I'll be real with you internet, I probably never will be good at it. I did really mean to have this post up as soon as I came back from my trip. I was there for a week from the 26th to the 3rd. Unfortunately I left my camera cord in my parent's (My dad and his wife) apartment there. They sent me a package with that, everything else I left because I am very forgetful and some more gifts because they are lovely generous people. I just got the package a couple days ago and this was my first week of spring semester. Anyways enough of that, on to the pictures! (Which are mostly of food.)

Day 1: Family Outing to Lunch and some shopping plus pictures at the Shangri-La

I thought it was so cute that they put a little heart in my bendy straw at this restaurant.

My siblings and I are so cool. (From left to right: Elizabeth - 16, Ciaran - 10 and me)

The other two siblings (Ephraim - 8 and Eleanor - also 8)

Outside the Superbrand Mall.

Christmas decorations outside the Superbrand mall. (Christmas decor was up everywhere the whole week I was there even though it was after Christmas.)

More adorable Christmas decorations at Superbrand

I was surprised to find Monster High dolls there. Super cool display though.

Just look at Abby!

Also surprised to find a Hooters.

My brother and me in the lobby of the Shangri-La.

The tea selection at the Shangri-La.

This was on someone's gas tank. I have no idea what it say.

Cool sculpture thing I saw from the car.

They have these screens in every elevator and they play all sorts of ads. This was in my family's apartment building.

Day 2: Lunch with Dad and my sisters at Element Fresh which is a healthy food restaurant

Pumpkin soup!

Watermelon juice, which I highly recommend. 

Day 3: Family Time, Shopping with Elizabeth and Ciaran and Hot Pot for Lunch

My sister wearing my spikey headband, she wants one now. 

Trying to take a picture of hot pot. If you don't know Hot Pot is a type of restaurant where they boil broth for you and you order all sorts of meats and veggies to cook in the broth. 

Making the soup!

Day 4: More Shopping and Dinner at the Kerry Hotel Buffet

My sister's mango sorbet that I stole a few bites of. 

Roasted duck wraps with plum sauce

Tempura! 

Shumai Dumplings

 Day 5: Lunch at their driver's, Mr Lee, Sister-in-law's restaurant. (Yes they have a driver it's common in China for expats because they won't give foreigners licenses and a driver is cheaper than taking taxis everywhere.)

More dumplings (I love dumplings so much!)

Some delicious spicy noodles.

I don't know what this is a building is for, I just had to take a picture.

 Day 6: Lunch at the Japanese place with Dad, his wife and my sister

Lunch Set with a bento and other yummy things. 

Birds Eye View (The egg is actually a savory custard with was delicious!)

More yummies. 

And lemon mousse for dessert.

Day 7: Ice-Skating

I am terrible at ice-skating and barely made it around once.

My brother isn't much better.

My siblings looking silly outside of the ice rink. 

A cool view from The Bund River, also outside the ice rink.

That's all for now. I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have. I have more from previous visits. (This was my 4th) 

Good bye for now internets,

Caity-Cakes (AKA Caitlin)