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all the posts!

perfect display for heirloom rings!

by Kaylah Stroup September 11, 2019

When my mom passed, I inherited her wedding ring. I wore it for a month or so before determining that I felt better keeping it somewhere safe. It’s not really my style and I don’t actually enjoy wearing very much jewelry. I briefly searched for ideas on how to nicely display a special piece of jewelry but came up empty-handed. The ring eventually found a home in my desk drawer.

Fast forward to last month, my dad gave me his wedding band. I put it in the drawer with my mom’s ring and headed back to google to hopefully find a good idea for how to display them. I didn’t want to wear them or repurpose them in another piece of jewelry. It was important to me to keep the pieces as-is. My mom’s ring is missing a couple of stones and my dad’s is comically misshapen. I just needed a good way to display them that fit my style.

Then, as luck would have it, as I was working on a Friday Favorites post I stumbled upon this sweet little glass case. Seemed like exactly what I was looking for and it was under $15! I ordered it immediately, half assuming it was too good to be true.

It is PERFECT. It fits my needs exactly. It’s 100% my style, looks great with my decor and is a beautiful way to display something really precious to me.

I did end up cutting two or three links out of the chain just so the rings hung up a bit higher. I literally just used scissors! It took one minute and was totally not a big deal.

Glass case for heirloom ring

This was a super simple post but one that I think is important. I can’t be the only one out there searching for the perfect way to display an important piece of jewelry. I was honestly surprised to have not found an abundance of options.

You can find the ring display here. It’s affordable, delicate and the absolute perfect way to keep heirloom jewelry safe! It even comes in a couple of different shapes too.

Glass case for mother's wedding ring.

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ghost town – Winton, WY

by Kaylah Stroup September 4, 2019
Ghost town of Winton, Wyoming

Throwing it back to June’s massive road trip again today. Check out the bottom of this post for links to previous posts.

After a short stop at a neat old cemetery and some ooh-ing and ahhh–ing at wild horses, our next stop was the ghost town of Winton. Just to reiterate, we really went into this trip with basically no plans at all. The general idea was that we were going to drive to Phoenix, Arizona and that we’d be taking interstate 80. Beyond that, we didn’t have any stops planned. While that sometimes leads to missing cool stuff, it’s also just really fun to accidentally stumble upon places.

I managed to find Winton while searching for ghost towns near where we were right before losing service. We really had no idea what to expect as we drove twenty some minutes out of our way down a bumpy dirt road but Winton at least sounded like it was worth checking out.

The road progressively got worse and worse until we finally spotted the ruins of a building. The road leading up to the building was far too deteriorated for our rental car so we pulled off, parked, and grabbed our camera gear.

Rusted out old car half buried in the dirt in the ghost town of Winton, Wyoming.
Ruins of a building in Winton, Wyoming.

Established in the 1920s, Winton was a small mining town with roughly 700 residents of all different nationalities. The mines closed in 1952 and that began the downfall of the town. Over the next few years residents began moving to nearby towns. Sixty odd years later, Winton is little more than ruins. There are a couple of standing buildings, only one with a roof (that I personally saw) but the majority of what’s left is rubble.

When we first pulled up, I was a bit disappointed. From the car I could only see one building and it was covered in scribbles of spray paint. I think at this point I’ve made it abundantly clear how I feel about vandalism on ruins. Go paint something else! It felt like a long drive out there for something like that. Still, it was something to photograph and somewhere to stretch our legs.

As we began to explore I realized just how awesome Winton was. There was far more than meets the eye initially. More ruins than you could shake a stick at! I have no idea how long we were there but it felt like every few minutes we were discovering a spot where a building once stood.

We explored until we were too hungry to go on, leaving knowing that there was still lots left to discover. I love leaving a place wanting more. It gives me an excuse to come back, and makes everything feel a bit more magical and mysterious.

Until next time, Winton! xoxo

My souvenirs from Winton. A penny, a marble, an old nail + an instant photo.

More posts from this trip;

  • Ohio to Arizona & back
  • the abandoned Anasazi Inn
  • Mel Gould’s Buryville
  • Mountainview Cemetery + Wild Horses
  • road tripping – abandoned gas station
  • ghost town – Piedmont, WY
  • ghost town – Two Guns, AZ
  • Twin Arrows, AZ
  • 2019 road trip video!

Check out even more road trip posts under the ‘travel‘ tag & more ghost towns here.

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Friday Favorites #530

by Kaylah Stroup August 30, 2019

This post contains affiliate links. Check out our disclosure policy for more details.

This sweater is…THE best!

OMG! This chair is incredible.

Oh! Hello!

This table lamp!

How cute are these air plant necklaces?

I found this ring display box last night and just about squealed. I’ve been trying to think of some nice way to display my parent’s wedding rings but couldn’t come up with anything. This is perfect! It totally fits in with my decor.

I’m just over here crushing on corduroy jackets. Also, this one thats a bit more orange and this one without the wool trim!

I have a big time crush on this polka dot apple watch band! I found this one too – white with black polka dots + much cheaper.

In case you missed the big news yesterday, wristlets are back in the shop! (ALSO! Labor day weekend – almost everything else in the shop is marked down 20%!)

I definitely link to this at least once per year and as the weather starts to cool down, it’s time to link it again! This future ghost sweatshirt is just too good.

This candle sounds perfect for fall!

Link love…

  • This pretzel cardigan and this pretzel bag are a match made in snack lover’s heaven.
  • A brain shaped planter!
  • I am very into this faux bird skull necklace. I also spotted this super neat bird skull hair tie.
  • This UFO sweater!!!
  • This moon globe is gorgeous. And this one? It’s outta this world!
  • If you’re looking for something to bake this weekend, I made these spicy Mexican hot chocolate cookies earlier in the week and OMG. So good!
  • This human anatomy back patch!
  • Anthropologie is offering an extra 50% off their sale section!
  • Urban Outfitters is having a sale on their sale selection too! 40% off all sale items (the discount shows up in your cart) Below are some of my favorite picks!
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The Dainty Squid shop update

by Kaylah Stroup August 29, 2019

Since re-opening The Dainty Squid shop back in January, I have not been blogging about it like I had planned. I really hoped to document what I was making better, and share more about each big shop update I did. As you can see, that never happened.

BUT! I’m here today to talk shop because it’s launch day for a new product that I am very excited about. Cork wristlets!!

Back in… 2010? 2011? I made wristlets. Basically just a larger than normal pouch with a strap on the side. They’re perfect for just tossing your essentials in and running out the door. The ones I made all those years ago were super popular but I never really kept up with demand. Honestly, I hated making the straps.

Last month I had a bit of an epiphany and figured out exactly how I could eliminate the steps I didn’t like and do things a bit differently. I am over the moon with how they turned out!

One of a kind wristlets!
One of my absolute favorites from today’s update.

Today 31 wristlets hit the shop! I’ve been working my butt off on these so to finally get them photographed and listed is very exciting. Right now there is only one of each in stock and with some of those fabrics it’s the last bits of them. Definitely do not hesitate if you see something you like.

On top of that, five of them are absolutely one of a kind. Those ones are bit larger too. They were all created using bits from my scrap basket – which was overflowing because I save everything. Making stuff like this is so time-consuming but honestly, so much fun. My process is to dump out the whole basket on the floor and start digging for pieces I like. Then I try to match them with others. If you buy one of these from me, its basically a guarantee no one else will have anything like it!

That’s all! Just wanted to come tell y’all about my latest little sewing project. I really need to try harder to document this stuff. I love being able to look back at the things I’ve made. xoxo

Shop The Dainty Squid.

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curiosity cabinet tour

by Kaylah Stroup August 28, 2019

It hasn’t been all that long since I shared photos of my curiosity cabinet but it was one of the most requested things I heard when asking what y’all wanted to see on my YouTube channel! I made a longish video (approx 12 mins) where I show off the goodies inside my cabinet and tell you a little bit about them.

curiosity cabinet

This is only part of my collection. I have various other things spread throughout my apartment (and honestly, a bunch of stuff in the closet I don’t have room to display!) My plan is to shoot a second video showing off some of the other oddities around my home at a later date. So, stay tuned!

oddities tour
tooth collection

▴ links to things mentioned in the video ▴
molar model
cat jaw model
tiny molar model

more oddities finds (a massive list!)

If you’d like to see more photos, check out this post from March – collection of curiosities 2019.

curiosity cabinet tour - the dainty squid

PS. To answer the biggest question I always get, the cabinet has glass doors so no need to dust! 😉

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my first time dump diggin’

by Kaylah Stroup August 27, 2019
dump digging
Sprite bottle.

Shortly after moving to Cleveland, on one of my found on beach posts, an anonymous commenter said something along the lines of “Is trash all you blog about anymore!?” In that moment, it hurt my feelings. I couldn’t see how someone would look at my colorful photos and not think they were even the tiniest bit interesting. Over time it became something I laughed about nearly every single time I took photos of my beach treasures though.

Truth be told, I really love trash. I truly enjoy picking it up on the beach, not only to help clean up our lovely beaches but because I’m interested in seeing the types of things that wash up. It’s relaxing and exciting! I’m well aware, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s easily one of my favorite things.

Right now the biggest thing on my travel bucket list is visiting London. Not for the normal things folks go there for though, I want to visit the Thames and try my eyes and luck at mudlarking. I follow many mudlarks and beachcombers on instagram. I’m more likely to feel jealous of a tiny old baby doll dug out of the mud than say, a fancy new whatever someone is showing off. I just love the excitement of it all. You never really know what you’re going to get. Best of all, it’s free!

All that to say, this weekend I spent some time digging in an old dump with my nieces and nephew and I had the most fun ever.

Etch A Sketch!
bottle dump
Some of our favorite finds.

This small dump isn’t too far of a walk from my childhood home but somehow I’ve only been there a handful of times, and this was my first time actually digging around in it. I don’t have much information on it at the moment. I’ll have to ask my dad if he knows whose it was or how old it might be.

Sunday morning, at my dad’s suggestion, after a cozy night spent in hammocks and a campfire cooked breakfast, we took a hike to go check out the dump. Poking out from the leaf litter we could see bottles. It didn’t take much effort at all to move the dirt away and reveal more treasures. With only our hands and sticks as digging tools, we managed to discover a fun little variety of items. Bottles of all sizes, a football, some shoes, teacups, an Etch A Sketch, and even a razor blade dispenser! We each returned to the house with at least one small treasure and an ache for more time at the dump!

glass Pepsi bottle from dump
My nephew checking the bottom of the bottle for details.
One of the three shoes found by my niece.
digging a bottle dump
Full bottles we dug up, all less than a foot deep.
Glass Pepsi bottle from bottle dump
Glass Pepsi bottle.
A football!
One of the finds I kept.
On a wild goose chase looking for another dump. Hiked through weeds twice as tall as me.

I am so excited to get back to the dump as soon as possible, this time armed with gloves and some digging tools. I really really have my fingers crossed for a baby doll! BUT no matter what I find, I’ll be totally happy just sitting on a log next to my favorite teenagers digging through the mud.

I seriously cannot express enough how much I love my family and the ways we bond. I would absolutely have fun at the dump alone but sitting there with these guys made my heart feel so big and full.

One of my new bottles. Cleaned out & holding flowers picked by my husband.

To Noah, Lola & Lainy: I love you guys so much. Y’all are the absolute coolest kids ever. Can’t wait to look for more treasures with you soon! ❤️

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Friday Favorites #529

by Kaylah Stroup August 23, 2019

This post contains affiliate links. Check out our disclosure policy for more details.

I know I’ve shared this mug before but its seriously too pretty!

How cute is this spider cardigan?!

I love a good catch-all dish!

Spooky all year! (Also, by the same company, boooobs. I LOL-ed.)

This side table! YES!

Holy cow, this sweater is fabulous!

This kidney model! YES!

These shoes? They’re made partially from plastics from the ocean! How awesome is that!?

This moon phase garland! Cute + super affordable.

I already shared this on my instagram last week but I’m head over heels for this sweatshirt. It’s super cozy. (Also comes in a tank top!)

skull sweatshirt

Okay, how rad is this shelf with hand shaped brackets!? That is 100% my style!

Link love…

  • This visible head is missing a few pieces but its still super rad. I own one and its easily one of my favorite pieces in my oddities collection. I don’t really see them pop up for sale too often.
  • This bat belt!!!
  • More fun side tables – goddess table + a face!
  • This sure is a foxy jumpsuit. Heh.
  • This bedding is super affordable and super cute.
  • Diggin these pink and green Sauconys!
  • This bunny planter!!! I’m probably just going to need to buy that.
  • Isn’t this orange couch so dreamy!?
  • This plant stand is very cute. (Can you tell based on the number of shelves and side tables I linked this week I’m running out of room for all my plants? LOL)

Happy Friday! xoxo

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Mansfield Reformatory

by Kaylah Stroup August 19, 2019
Mansfield Reformatory

The weekend before last, Jeff and I were spending our normal quiet Saturday morning in our favorite neighborhood coffee shop, as we always do. We had been there a few hours already. He had ignored my ‘I’m done when you are’ cue. (Me shutting my laptop, in case you’re wondering.) So I just figured he was getting a lot done and wanted to stay and work longer.

Because the coffee shop has a pretty good flow of good boiz (dogs, for the layperson) coming in all the time, I basically look up every single time the door opens. One such instance, I looked up and saw someone vaguely shaped like my best friend. It’s bright toward the door, and dark where we were sitting so I couldn’t be a hundred percent sure but I stood up at attention anyway.

Jeff had invited her and her crew out to celebrate my birthday. Two things make this especially cute. One – the week before, my actual birthday, I actually cried because I really wanted Elycia there. I was bummed we had failed to make plans. Two – earlier in the morning, while at the coffee shop, I jokingly asked Jeff “When is Elycia getting here?”

I only cried a little but it warmed my heart big time! Jeff ran home to speed clean the house, something he had planned all along since he knows how important it is to me to have a clean house for guests. After Elycia and her family got coffee we headed off to the rest of the surprise plans for the day, visiting The Mansfield Reformatory. It’d been a few years since my last visit so I was super excited to go back, especially with my friends.

Ohio State Reformatory
Mansfield Reformatory

Mansfield Reformatory, also known as Ohio State Reformatory, is a historic prison that’s actually open for tours. The reformatory opened it’s doors originally in 1896. After 94 years, it eventually closed in December of 1990 as the result of a prisoners’ class action suit citing overcrowding and inhumane conditions. In it’s time it housed over 155,000 men! It has the largest free-standing steel cell block in the world, six tiers high.

In 1995, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society was formed. Their goal is to restore the facility to its original state. Although the building still resembles an abandoned one, they’ve made great strides since opening the prison up to tourists. The smell of fresh paint was apparent during our visit and dumpsters full of debris were visible through some of the windows.

The history of this place is super interesting but I’d venture to say a lot of people that visit are probably just there because it’s where parts of The Shawshank Redemption were filmed. I mean that’s super exciting to me! Jeff and I watch that movie all the time. It’s one of our absolute favorites. Even if you’re not a fan though, the prison is still an incredibly fun spot to poke around.

Mansfield Reformatory
Shawshank Prison
Olive being dragged away to her prison cell. Her crime? Being too cute.

Visit The Ohio State Reformatory’s website for more information on the building + on the available tours. Ghost hunts, y’all, ghost hunts!

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Friday Favorites #528

by Kaylah Stroup August 16, 2019

This post contains affiliate links. Check out our disclosure policy for more details.

Digging this hand wall hanging. (And that eye one too!)

This dress comes in a variety of different colors (ones that would definitely look better with my hair than this one) but this color just grabbed my attention!

These shoes! How cute would they look paired with that dress above!?

Then top off that outfit with these earrings!

Once again, not trying to rush away summer but this coat is excellent! Really, that whole outfit is great.

How rad are these hand bookends!?

Loved this stained glass moon as soon as I spotted it but my first thought was that I cannot hang anything else in my window (they’re already home to one too many rainbow makers and crystals) but then I scrolled and saw it displayed on a shelf. TOO cute!

I have put this planter in my shopping cart so many times only to never go through with the checkout process! I already own one from the same line and absolutely love it so I don’t know what’s stopping me.

This mushroom cardigan!

I’ve been on a big time planter kick lately. I really like this one. The extra height would be perfect to set it apart from all my others.

Link love…

  • I am very very into this pink lace romper!
  • Cool vintage oddity alert – this foot!!! And a little pricier but way cool – this hand!
  • I just got this cozy cardigan in the mail this week. I am so excited to be able to wear it once the weather cools down just a bit more.
  • This bra, that color ‘golden curry’ color! Yes please!
  • Weekends are for adventure and pizza.
  • Last year I thought about buying one of these super fuzzy oversized hoodies but ultimately decided because it wasn’t something I’d leave the house in I shouldn’t but I am reconsidering. They just look so comfortable! (Also, this skimpy PJ set would be so cute underneath!)
  • This just me reminding you that I have a cute little handmade shop and you should probably bookmark it, favorite it, whatever because I have an awesome update coming next week. I’m seriously so so so excited.

Happy Friday! xoxo

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About Me

About Me

Hello!

I'm Kaylah! Renovating a 150-year-old home in Northeast Ohio. Likely found in my garden.

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disclosure

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The Dainty Squid is a for profit blog. and we participate in a number of affiliate programs meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase through one of those links. For more details click here

psssst! while you're here, check out my stained glass. Dainty Squid stained glass

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THE DAINTY SQUID
  • blog
    • all the posts!
    • stroup mansion
    • some of my favorite posts
    • plants + gardening
    • beauty, fashion + hair
    • reviews
    • window shopping
    • explore everywhere
  • about me
  • contact
  • shop