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