I was tagged by the lovely Victoria of GrowNorth to participate in this fun chain post that has been making its way across the blog world.  Here’s the scoop:
There are five rules:
1. Post these rules.2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them. 

{ decided yesterday that a bold lip was just what my workday needed }

So, here we go, eleven random things:
1.  I HATE being called Caitlin – I typically use my full name in a professional environment but I just feel like I’m so much more of a Cait.2.  Callie is pretty much me in dog form.  I adopted her when she was eight weeks old and she has picked up a lot of little things about my personality.
3.  I started riding horses when I was five years old – showed competitively throughout high school and was on my college’s team.  4.  I absolutely love planning things and making lists.5.  My go to Starbucks order is a grande no water dirty chai (try it, it’s delicious).6.  There are few things that make me happier than driving with the sunroof and back windows open, on a sunny day, while listening to a great song.7.  I have super blonde eyelashes so I pretty much can’t leave the house without mascara on without looking tired, sick or twelve years old.8.  Christmas is my favorite holiday – I love picking out gifts for everyone (I’m a great gift giver), planning my wrapping (but I hate actually doing it) and decorating.  If I could, I’d have a Christmas tree in my living room all year.9.  Instead of watching television before bed to help make myself sleepy, I catch up with my Instagram and Twitter feeds.10.  I fear no recipe and feel confident cooking or baking anything, but I suck in the baked goods decorating department.11.  If I could go back in time I would have gone to a big college and have been in a sorority.  I feel like I missed out being a commuter at a small school with no greek life.

And here are Victoria’s questions to me:1.  If you had to get rid of all but 5 of your belongings, which 5 would you keep? – The vintage jewelry pieces I’ve gotten from my mom, my iPhone (that’s a multi-purpose item), red lipstick, my Kitchen Aid mixer and a pair of sunglasses.2.  If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? – Paris, hands down3 . What are you most afraid of? – Not being able to achieve all of the goals I’ve set for myself.  I’m a total planner and have a pretty clear idea in my mind of things that I’d like to accomplish and obtain throughout my life.4 . What is one thing you are most looking forward to in the future? –  I’m really looking forward to constantly continuing to grow and evolve as the years go by – I want to never stop learning and always want more and be making steps towards new goals.5.  What “look” do you feel the best in? –  I feel the best in either empire waist dresses or a high-waisted pant – definitely the most flattering cuts on me.6.  If you could learn one thing, what would you learn to do? – I wish I could be more patient, it’s something I’m constantly working on (and I have gotten a lot better) but it would be nice to instantly have that virtue. 7. What is your very favorite meal? –  I’m totally a steak girl; give me an amazing steak, some brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes and I’m happy.8. What song do you play more than any other? – Today I listened to “MoneyGrabber” by Fritz and the Tantrums on repeat – loving that song!!9. What is your favorite thing to do to relax? – Honestly, I’m never relaxed; my mind is always going a million miles an hour.  I love to sit down and go through my Google Reader though – so many amazing blogs out there and I’m constantly inspired.10. What is your favorite date night? – A really great dinner and several glasses of wine followed by a movie cuddled up on the couch.11. What are you most looking forward to in 2012? – Getting a new apartment in August!  I can’t wait to officially be living in Chicago (I’m in a suburb at the moment) and experience living in a city for the first time.
And my eleven questions to Sara of Project Soiree, Ashley from Coral & Stripes and Molly of A Foreign Land and anyone else who would like to play along:1.  What does your favorite pair of shoes look like?2.  If you could change your name, what would you change it to?3.  What’s your usual order when you’re at the bar?4.  If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase?5.  Which season is your favorite?6.  If you weren’t in your current profession, what do you think you’d be doing?7.  What is the best thing you’ve ever eaten?8.  What is your favorite pattern?9.  What’s your go to beauty product?10.  Who is your celebrity crush?11.  What’s your favorite thing about blogging?