Mia madre sent me a card with this lovely Thoreau quote on it yesterday. It is a good thing to remember, especially when one is completely overwhelmed by stressful, confusing [and expensive!] fourth year applications, and lots of very dull first-century philosophy reading!! Sometimes, to stop worrying about the future, it actually helps to look back at the past: at what you've done, where you've been, who you've become and how you have changed. I need to regain my backpacking spirit. I need to remember the world is wide and full of adventure and blue skies!
And there's so much to enjoy in the here and now, too!
Few things are more cheering than nights out dancing with my camerados [and The Boy!]...
And lots of other frivolous things are cheering me up, too - like free cocktails and meeting brilliant new people at graduate careers events! As Summer Roberts said:
"I'm not dumb, just shallow!"
Snuggling under the duvet with my favourite Irish engineering friend and watching the first season of The OC again has definitely been one those things...!
So was dancing away to Truly Medley Deeply at a performance in one of the local bars. These guys are absolutely amazing. They weave together medleys of songs that everybody loves to dance to - in fact, this time they asked everyone to shout out their favourites, and played a medley of I Want You Back, Mr Brightside and Don't Stop Believing! The Boy and I first stumbled upon them at the Emmanuel College June Event in the summer, when we wandered into one of the courtyards for an explore and found the trio playing under a little awning under the stars and drawing a big, happy crowd! I think they would make a great wedding band!
One activity that never fails to lift the spirits? Successful [and cheap!] lingerie shopping! I adore beautiful, impractical lingerie - nothing feels more glamorous or luxurious! And I am completely in love
in particular with
Marilyn Monroe Intimates [Ms Monroe would be so proud], and the best part is, I discovered them for a steal amongst the cluttered rails of TK Maxx! After that spree, I'm saving up my spending money for The Boy's surprise - but I can still daydream about deliveries from
Playful Promises and,
Oh My Greg Peck, FIFI CHACHNIL! Isn't the
sortir en culotte just the most gorgeous underwear you've ever seen? More realistically [alas], I wandered into Marks and Spencer's today for some new tights, and ended up trying on
these scraps of
fabric and deliciousness! *Sigh.*
If you, too, understand the beauty of good undergarments, this
Elle article is a good read!
I've also just been enjoying spending mornings doing this with The Boy...
...and, of course, planning things for his SURPRISE! I can't wait! The question is, what to wear...?
Romeo & Juliet Couture purple jersey ruffle front denim combo dress, $95
FEATHER JACKET, 3,903 GBP
PARIS Elliott Erwitt, 60 EUR
Agent Provocateur Stephanee satin underwired bra, $220
Myla Rosalyn suspender, $90
Agent Provocateur Stephanee satin tanga briefs, $170
Marc Jacobs Mouse Loafer, $495
Small Black Leather Suitcase, 150 GBP
Betsey Johnson "Betsey Goes To Paris" Eiffel Tower Pendant Necklace, $38
Amazon.com: New 100% Wool French Beret TAM Beanie Slouch Hat Cap Black..., $7.95
YVES SAINT LAURENT Muff, 995 EUR
british passportThe Secret History of the Pink Carnation-Lauren WilligReintroducing Rilke - WSJ.com 
As for some general life inspiration, I've been admiring some of my all-time favourite heroines, too...
Olivia Wilde.
Actress, humanitarian, married to an Italian movie-making prince whom she eloped with at sixteen. Want her life. And her dresses.
Marilyn Monroe as Amanda Dell in Let's Make Love
You can so see why Jean-Marc Clement falls head over heels in love with her - she is the loveliest character in the world. The star of a musical struggling through night school, Marilyn is perfectly gorgeous, smart and warm-hearted in this movie.
But I have to say, without doubt, that my #1 Heroine For All Time has to be Miss
Gala Darling. Her site is one of my favourite things in the world, and I love how she has made her passion for life, love, style and writing into a dazzling career. So much love, sparkles and crumbs for her!
Love, Catharine Wheels and cocktails, my darlings xxx
![An English Girl [& Boy] in Paris!](http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFjRrUEFwUVRlM3hHbTBKa1N5NFBYVEEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg "An English Girl [& Boy] in Paris!")
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