Katiebaby

          There are certain people in everyone's life that you know you will be friends with forever. People that fit you so completely, that have been there for you through everything, that will never ever let you down. You may live miles and miles apart, maybe even in different countries or continents, but somehow you manage to find a half an hour here and there to squeeze in a tell-all phone session complete with both laughter and tears. In all honesty, I haven't got very many of these friends. My year in France and my current living situation in Quebec make it difficult for me to hold on to those I've left behind, people I thought I would never be without. But no matter how far apart we are, no matter how long we go without seeing each other, there always is, and always will be Katiebaby.
          She is home to me. She is Hamilton-Wenham. She is ice coffees, walks around her block, driving to Ben's house, socks at the movie theatre, Singing Beach, and Appleton Farms. She knows about every kiss, every more than kiss, every heartbreak and every new fling. She was there when friends hurt me, when Gabe died, when I moved to France. She has always been there, and I love her for it.
           I knew I was going to write this entry once I got home for the summer. I knew it would feel so natural to go into Katie's room, play dress-up and take some photos, laughing all the time. And it did. Her fashion influence on me is unmeasurable. We have shared more clothes than I can count. Whether its a sweatshirt to take to the beach or a pair of jeans that make you feel like a million bucks, we've been doing this for years. I remember the first time we ever went shopping together, she convinced me to buy this blue sundress from American Eagle. We've gotten dressed together for so many school dances, parties and plays, I basically know her whole wardrobe. There's the purple and black striped dress for the halloween dance sophomore year, the black dress she wore to the masquerade when she was dating Tom, and the fuck-me pumps she bought when she needed something to take her mind off things. Picking out these outfits was simply a matter of remembering all the fun times we've had together.
           These pictures represent the three sides of Katie I've come to know so well, the classic, fun-loving girl, the beautiful, natural woman she is becoming, and the glamorous beauty queen hidden inside. She is everything a best friend should be and I love showing all of you just how beautiful, inside and out, she really is.

Wearing classic Katie colors (bright pink and turquoise)

Laughing, loving life, as always.

Wearing that outstanding vintage ball gown and posing with the Caddy. 

So there she is, my best friend, the one and only true love of my life. The song at the top is one that I heard Katie sing a few years back when I was on the verge of making some of the biggest decisions of my life. This song, sung by this girl, made the tears roll down my cheeks and silently confirmed my decision to go to France. 

"I'm not afraid to graduate. I'm not afraid to go away and never come back. I'm not afraid to fall in and then out of love. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm going to do it all." 

- entry 5/18/08 

Katie, you were there for me when suddenly, I was afraid. Of everything, of all that and more. So thank you, for being there, for being fabulous, and for being Katiebaby. I love you.

These photos were taken by the wonderful Aaron Whitman. It was so incredible for me to have a vision in my mind of how I wanted a shot to look, and Aaron just magically made it happen. He's a genius and I loved working with him. There are a bunch more of these photos on his facebook if you want to check them out. 

                                               Peace,

                                                            Helen

Blissed out on Lilacs

          I love it when the town smells like lilacs. Its a droopy, sweet smell that always makes me want to buy a new notebook and fill it with love poems written in cursive. I used to have a lilac colored dress. It was given to me by an elderly neighbor who lived in a little brown cottage and served me tea in pretty floral cups whenever I went over to visit. Once I wore lilacs in my hair to a prom. I don't remember much from that prom, but I do remember that my date noticed the lilacs when we were dancing. He said they smelt nice.
          They're just starting to bloom here. My yoga teacher brought a bunch in to the studio this morning. She commented on a little inchworm who had settled on a leaf "he's blissed out on lilacs" she said, "what a wonderful existence, to be blissed out on lilacs. We should want nothing more than that in our life". I've been driving around all day with my windows down trying to catch their heavy breeze, trying to be blissed out on lilacs. They grow on huge trees, sometimes lining a whole block. On more than one level it's completely intoxicating.

Ralph Lauren Sundress

Nina Ricci bracelet

Anthropologie bloomers

Whether you Lilac it or not Dress, Modcloth

Anyways, florals are on my mind. Try mixing up some different floral prints and pairing it with a lilac scented perfume like Pacifica French Lilac Spray. You can find it at Sephora. Hopefully it will have you just as blissed out on lilacs as I am. 

                                                    Peace,

                                                                 Helen

*Bluebirds by Kensington Prairie at the top (thanks Katiebaby)