where in the world is chelsea diane?

i feel like as of lately.. i have been a little m.i.a. when it comes to the blog.
but my excuses are valid.. like a week of birthdays.
andrews and i had our birthdays the same week! his was the 11th & mine was the 14th.

andrews parents that week got a condo in the blue ridge mountains so we spent a good 26 hours there with them. we antiqued in a tiny town called mount jackson. and guys.. i scored some of the BEST vintage finds of my life.. even the mid century couch i have been hunting for months!

{i will be sharing the final before and after of the couch (that i got for $40!) on here shortly. }

turning twenty-six was an awkward thing. and i am still dealing with the awkwardness. i still feel like i am growing up. even though i have my own business and  have been living on my own since i was 19.. i still feel like a little girl. i have always thought that i was someone that had an 'old soul' but.. every day i realize that i am just young at heart. even though i am 26 (which i know isn't that old.. ) doesn't mean i have to define myself because of my age. 

last year i had a big birthday celebration.. so this year i wanted to keep it low key. andrew and i got breakfast at one of our favorite coffee shops (which is down the street from my apartment) and spent the rest of the day eating gelato, antiquing, more coffee, eating thai and ending the night with friends at the local winery (which is called the mermaid winery.. makes me think of my best friend). 

this year i hope to create more, find myself exploring new places, loving those around me & cherishing every moment.

x's & o's,

chelsea diane

PS i started an instagram for my photography business so follow give it a follow: @chelseadianephotography

thrifty thursday // 60's + 70's flea market finds

happy thursday! it's perfectly rainy here today, and I am happy about it at least. last weekend I spent Sunday exploring the Fremont Sunday market, a local flea market that is near one of my favorite vintage shops in Seattle. Lonnie and I came across some beautiful pieces, and although I can get a little bummed when I don't find a million things to take home, I have to remember it's quality, not quantity! and that's what happened Sunday. take a look at what we found!

first up is this absolutely gorgeous 1970's leather Coach envelope clutch! the man selling this was SO nice, [we bonded over the fact that he used to do hair for 25 years and we went to the same cosmetology school!] and he told me this is a rare saddle color leather Coach did only a handful of times. it's in perfect condition, has 3 pockets for organizing my stuff, and it's simple and classic. I had been looking for a clutch this size! [it's about 14in. long X 5in. wide] for $25, I couldn't pass it up!

next, I spotted this beautiful amber glass vase from the 1960's, the same guy I purchased the clutch from was selling this and a bunch of other amber glass pieces. I passed by it as I made my way looking at other things, but Lonnie picked it up and said he had to buy it for me! perfect for small bouquets of flowers, and for $8 I think it was a great deal! thanks again Lon :)

finally, I scored this amazing 1970's boho dress. I saw this, loved the color, the paisley print, pretty much everything about it. then I tried it on [see photo below] and it fit me like it was made for me. it's super comfortable cotton, I love that it has long sleeves so it's perfect for the colder months we're transitioning into. my mom said I look like I'm straight out of 1973... PERFECT! still not sure where exactly I will wear this one, any suggestions?! looking to do an outfit of the day in it soon, so keep an eye out!

the important thing to remember about flea market and true vintage shopping is that it's not going to be as "thrifty" as going to thrift shops like Goodwill. in most cases, you can barter with the seller and work the price down to one you feel comfortable paying. on Sunday I finally found the perfect leather motorcycle jacket I had been looking for, but after asking the price... $450! in this case, I wasn't going to bother talking him down because we would never agree on a price within my budget. but I do believe my dream jacket is still out there somewhere! the search continues...

happy hunting!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

what i wore // autumn morning

yesterday I celebrated the beginning of fall morning til night. I know today is actually the first FULL day of autumn, but I just couldn't wait. Lonnie and I went out to breakfast in the morning while the rain was drizzling and it cleared up a bit just as we finished. we walked along the river and I frolicked in the few leaves that have already turned and fallen. we treasure hunted in all of the best antique stores, and finally went home, lit some fall candles and watched a movie in the afternoon. I even ended my night with some hot apple cider! I know I'm crazy, but I'm going to use these last 3 months of the year to my advantage and soak it all up!

here's my first day of fall ootd! 

outfit details

white tee // old navy

jacket // target

jeans // high waisted levi's

boots // vintage

scarf // hand knit by me!

bag // FOUNT

camera bag // vintage

rings // @karissasmile on IG

I hope you all are getting to enjoy some change in the seasons where you are!

x's + o's

kaitlin elaine

thanks Lonnie Webb as always for taking so many wonderful photos! :)

pumpkin spice coffee recipe // happy autumn!

it's officially the best day of the year, meaning the next 3 months are the best time of the year! chelsea and I LOVE fall, and I am so happy it's cloudy today. summer is over! in honor of this glorious day, I thought I'd share one of my most favorite, easy, cheap recipes for making a tasty seasonal coffee drink at home!

I think everyone looks forward to the time of year when the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte comes out. [basically every typical girl: click to read this hilarious ---> Buzzfeed article summing a lot of us girls up!] anyway, I can't afford to spend $5 every day on a fall coffee beverage, and if I could, then I wouldn't be able to afford to put gas in my car.

I came across an idea for pumpkin spice coffee at Trader Joe's. they sell the coffee already blended with the spices, but of course slightly more expensive than their regular coffee. I thought "why not just add the spices in myself?!" so that's what I've done! [this recipe does NOT have any real "pumpkin" flavoring, it's the spices that go with it. so if you're looking for a pumpkin-y taste, you most likely won't find it here. but honestly, when the whole thing is complete, it tastes very similar to a pumpkin spice latte for half the price and calories!] let me show you what I do...

what you'll need:

1. ground coffee of your choice
2. pumpkin pie spice
3. sweetened creamer in vanilla or hazelnut [these are the flavors I've tried]
4. coffee maker, french press, aero press, or whatever you use to make your coffee!
5. mug
6. spoon
7. fall candle-- optional ;)

let's begin!

first measure out your coffee, my french press is a little one, so it makes 1-2 servings. 

then, add 1TSP. pumpkin pie spice per 1-2 servings. I like mine strong enough to taste the spices!

mix the coffee grounds and spices together, then add hot water, stir and let sit, or just start your coffee maker!

when your coffee is done brewing, add some vanilla or hazelnut non-dairy or dairy creamer into a mug. this is the replacement for the super sweet syrups and the milk in the typical lattes!

then add your coffee, and top with a sprinkle of spice if you want!

serve and enjoy! I found these amazing pumpkin bagels at Trader Joe's, and they are so yum with cream cheese while sipping on this coffee!

I'm incredibly inspired by autumn and I can't wait for a new season of blogging! goodbye summer, hello to the most wonderful time of the year! thanks for following along, I hope you try this super easy recipe!

x's + o's

kaitlin elaine