dear 11 year old self,

You're.. developing. It's awkward. You think it's awful. I'm here to help you out.

You see from here (11 years later), I'm looking back on your mortification. You think it's uncomfortable wearing a bra and you HATE the fact that you have to start wearing one. How are you going to play football at recess now?

But let me tell you: soon enough, you'll feel comfortable in your own skin again (and it's sooner than 11 years). It's going to be awkward at first, but you'll get the hang of the clasp in the back. Bra shopping really sucks-- so leave it to Mom for as long as you can. Then think of it as joining a new club, where more than half of the population is right there with you.

And in the mean time, don't wear a white bra with a white shirt. Trust me.

Love,
Future You

dear employee-seeking employers,

I think we can all agree that the job market is a little bit of a mess right now. All of us new graduates are eager to start their adult lives, and you're trying to find the best of the best for your company. You get dozens (if not hundreds) of responses to your job listings and all of a sudden you're overwhelmed by all of this potential. People are desperate to work for you, and before you know it, you're a new kind of commodity.

I get it.

But I'm writing from the other side of the spectrum. While you get your pick of the litter, I'm fighting for your attention. I promised myself I'd never be one of those people who writes generic cover letters and sends as many out as possible. I take my time to write to you. I only apply to jobs that I think would suit me. I really think we'd be a good team. We both have a lot to offer to one another.

But lately all of this attention has been going to your head.

I understand that if you get hundreds of applicants, it's going to be difficult to write back to everyone. But what happens when you actually call someone in for an interview?

Well, in a recent experience, I was invited to come in for not just one-- but three visits. A writing test, a preliminary interview, and a final interview. Each of these appointments was given at the last minute--in fact, for the final interview, I received an email at 8:30am asking me to come in at 2pm the same day.

If dropping everything I have planned is what it takes-- I'll do it. In fact, I did do it.

But now it's more than 3 weeks later and I haven't even been given the courtesy of an email with any notice. How can you expect such professionalism from your candidates when you can't even return the favor? How difficult is it to email or call to say, "Thank you for coming in but we've hired another candidate."

I know that not all employers are like this, but the fact that any exist is disheartening. Especially after asking me to come in so many times and at such short notice.

Employee-seeking employers, please clean up your act.
*coughcatherinehallstudioscough*

love,
Celeste

dear pinterest,

Shame on you.

I wish the world would stop insisting on this single-minded idea of beauty.

disappointed,

celeste

dear moneyball,

No offense, but I hope you guys leave out Chapter 4.

love,
Celeste

dear internet,

sometimes you make it hard.

you make me feel like i need to own the most beautiful clothes, visit the most beautiful places, have the most beautiful blog, edit the most beautiful magazine.

and by comparison i feel mediocre.

maybe i should start my own magazine:

mediocrity magazine
for those of us who aren't part of the internet's social elite.

maybe.

love,
celeste

dear paris,

You were really lovely the second time around.
(I only wish David was here, too).

love,
Celeste

dear blog,

David says I should rename you

"a letter whenever I want"

or

"a letter when you least expect it"

He's probably right.

love,

Celeste

dear coly,

It just didn't work out, and that's okay.

love,
Celeste

dear blake,

"I don’t believe that any of us should be limited to a title like that. I don’t think you are a “journalist,” and I don’t think I am a “musician.” I think that you can write and choose to write, but I wouldn’t limit you to that. I don’t know you, but I’m positive you’re more than that."

I agree.

Love,
Celeste

dear society,

what are you teaching us?

i stumbled upon a list of "most beautiful actresses" and 90% of them are white. why is color so rare in what you define as "beautiful"?

as a society that claims to have progressed so much, it's sad to see how little we've come along.

dear everything,

love,
celeste

dear heart,

have a little patience, please.

love,

celeste

dear may,

when did you get here and how are you already half-way over?

love,
celeste

dear 30-day project,

This has gotten ridiculous. Here are the rest of the days that I should have posted 3 months ago.

DAY 18: A picture of your favorite place. (The library)

DAY 19: A picture of a habit you wish you didn't have. (Late-night snacking)



DAY 20: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel. (Antarctica)


DAY 21: A picture of something you wish you could forget. (It's a long story).

DAY 22: A picture of something you wish you were better at.


DAY 23: A picture of your favorite book.


DAY 24: A picture of something you wish you could change. (Not my body, but the way society seems to make a lot of people feel like they aren't okay the way they are).


DAY 25: A picture of you last year and how you've changed since then. (I'm not sure how much I've changed).

DAY 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you. (The first photo I ever developed).

DAY 27: A picture of yourself and a family member. (Our newest family member).

DAY 28: A picture of something you're afraid of.



DAY 29: A picture that can always make you smile.


DAY 30: A picture of someone you miss. (Always).

love,
Celeste

dear day 17,

Day 17: A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Physically, anyway.

love,
celeste

dear day 16,

Day 16 : A picture of someone you've been friends with the longest and still feel connected to.

This is the same as Day 2.

Love,
Celeste

dear martin,

thank you.

love,

celeste

dear day 15,

Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die.


love,
celeste

dear day 14,

Day 14: A picture of your favorite pastime.
In all honesty.

love,
Celeste

dear day 13,

DAY 13: A photo of your favorite band or artists.

I know that Josh and Zac just left the band, and it does change the way I see the band as a whole-- but after everything their music speaks the loudest.

love,
celeste

dear day 12,

Day 12: A picture of something you love.

Perhaps my best purchase of 2010. On sale in Florence. Win.

love,
Celeste