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beach combing

by Kaylah Stroup
beachcombing on Lake Erie

One beach, a half hour of wandering, twenty-eight objects to get the tangles out of your hair.

Wild, isn’t it?

I also found a handful of barrettes and a weft of braided hair that had to be at least a foot and a half in length.

beachcombing
Beachcombing in Cleveland
beach combing
found on the beach

A quick found on the beach FAQ

  1. You found all of these in one trip?  Sadly, yes.
  2. What do you do with all after your done? Normally I toss it in the trash or recycle if appropriate. Sometimes I may take certain pieces with me if I think they’ll look cool in a future arrangement or if it’s something I collect. Toy soldiers & all other tiny plastic characters come home with me! I also collect plastic plants, leaves and flowers.
  3. Do you wear gloves when you pick all this trash up? No, I don’t. These are things that are washed up from the lake, not just left on shore. They’re no dirtier than the sand or water. That’s not to say I don’t sanitize my hands as soon as I get back in my car though…
  4. Are all of your beaches this gross? No, absolutely not. We have lots of gorgeous, clean and downright picturesque beaches along Lake Erie. This one in particular just seems to collect all the debris from the lake. I have yet to find another this bad in the area.
combs found on the beach
Boots by Joules. (I highly recommend them!)
CHECK OUT MORE ‘FOUND ON THE BEACH” POSTS HERE!

If you like my ‘found on the beach’ collections – prints, phone cases, and more can be found here.

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the doolan family bus!

by Kaylah Stroup
school bus renovation

For as long as I can remember my dad has said he wanted a school bus that the family could camp in. A few months back, he made that dream a reality. He bought a bus at an auction!

(Side note – My dad & auctions are a solid pair. If you haven’t read about the photo album he bought at an auction that I helped reunite with its family – read here! It still brings a smile to my face whenever I think about it.)

The bus runs and the interior was the condition you’d expect it to be after hauling kids for however many years. So, a bit beat up but still solid! It’s the prime candidate for a vehicle to be made into a family camping bus!

My parents ripped out the seats together a month or so back so when Jeff and I arrived last weekend it was time to rip up the old, gross, rotten flooring and start prepping for the new flooring. We spent the better half of the day – four adults, two teenagers, and two dogs – happily crammed in the school bus working away.

Right after my parents got the seats out. I had the pleasure of ripping up all the rubber. I LOVE ripping up flooring! Such a great stress relieving activity!
school bus renovation
school bus renovation
Laying down some plywood for under the laminate flooring.
Klaus is afraid of every single noise ever but luckily, my niece was there to snuggle him nearly the whole afternoon.

I’m not sure that any of us have a true vision for what the bus will look like when it’s finished. Benches, lots of storage space for camping goods, a stovetop, a questionable toilet (that, for the record, I am totally against!) and obviously, sleeping space are all things we discussed. We agreed that painting the outside all black would be rad. Beyond that, I’m not sure what else… but I’ve very excited to see how it progresses.

Now, more than ever, I’m so happy to have a family project. This bus feels like exactly what we need right now. Something to pour our blood, sweat, and tears into. I can’t wait to get back out there and work on it again this weekend.

I’ll be sure to share updates as I have them! xoxo

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Friday Favorites #513

by Kaylah Stroup

This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, read here.

Absolutely love this plant stand!

A recent purchase I love – these overalls!

See how cute they are!? Also, look at that BEAUTIFUL plant! You can grab one here.

I certainly don’t need a night light but… this one is definitely cute.

Perfect summer dress!

I searched “vase with a face” and was not disappointed. Look at this little cutie.

Because who doesn’t want a brain shaped pin cushion?!

I’m crushing on this pajama set big time. The folks in the review photos are looking extra cute too! I think I need a pair!

This purse! I’m also very into this one. I just really love that mustard color!

Diggin’ this striped skirt!

This listing is just for the stencil but my goodness, I love this finished project!

A sweet little snail that serves no real purpose other than being adorable.

Link love…

Happy Friday! xoxo

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abandoned rubber factory 2019

by Kaylah Stroup

Two years ago I explored this massive abandoned complex for the first time. Not too much has changed since then which is rather shocking considering how quickly some places become unrecognizable. I guess when the property is mostly ruins to begin with, decay is less noticable.

This rubber factory complex closed nearly thirty years ago. Multiple buildings still stand but a vast majority have been demolished, at least their upper levels have been. The property is littered with holes, both large and small, giving you a peek as to what’s down below. Definitely a place you have to watch your step, lest you end up breaking an ankle or worse!

The buildings are mostly empty. A pile of tires here, a burnt couch there. Few traces of its original purpose are to be found. Of course, in true massive abandoned factory form, there are piles and piles of invoices, checks, and other files containing personal information that definitely should have been properly disposed of laying around.

If you’d like to see more, Jeff has a video!

Use the ‘abandoned‘ tag to view more posts on forgotten buildings across the US. (Here’s 2017’s visit to this same factory!)
Lastly, be sure to check out my husband’s book – Abandoned Cleveland.

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thankful

by Kaylah Stroup

I’m sure it comes as no to surprise to anyone that your mom dying will send you through an absolute whirlwind of emotions. These last few weeks have been a wild ride. There have been ups and some major downs. I’m trying to keep my chin up but needless to say, it can be hard.

The weekend before last, I was so anxious about celebrating Easter without my mom. Not that Easter is a big holiday for me but it’s one that we already had plans to be at my parent’s house for. One that my mom was already planning dinner for. My mom always went all out for every single holiday. There was always enough food to feed twice the amount of people that were actually there. She loved having people over.

We managed to pull it together and have a great dinner but, unsurprisingly, it still felt so different. At the end of the day, reminiscing on everything that we did, I couldn’t help but feel thankful.

Thankful for…

this silly zip line Jeff & my dad hung last year.

& the fact that it creates bonding time with my nieces and nephew.

& that it allowed me to capture this image of my brother being beamed up to go live with his real family.

that I got to grow up surrounded by nature and the fact that it still excites me after all these years.

& that I get to watch my nieces grow up appreciating it as well.

walks in the woods with my dad, dog & husband.

my mom’s dog, who brings a smile to everyone’s face.

…and just being able to hang loose with my family.

I might be approaching 29 but I still feel like a lost child without my mom. I’m so thankful to have a supportive family to lean on during these hard times. We’ll make it through this together!

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Friday Favorites #512

by Kaylah Stroup

This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, read here.

This oven mitt set is right up my alley!

My most favorite boots are back in stock. I’m very tempted to grab a new pair. I had my last pair for over five years before I finally wore them out!

This dress + this jean jacket = I’m ready for summer!

These earrings!

This tank top!

Forever a fan of random household objects that are cuter than they need to be, like this skull brush. (Also available on Amazon.) Its made by the same company that makes this skeleton hand jewelry holder that I’ve been drooling over forever.

I am very into this moth sweatshirt!

Another great summer dress! It’s super affordable too. (Here’s a similar one except it has slightly longer sleeves!)

Yard bouquet season is approaching! These tiny vases would be perfect for all my floral finds. (Love this one too!)

I LOVE Scrinium Daffodil’s insect displays! They’re just so visually appealing.

Obsessed with this pants + sandals combo. I’m still not sure how I feel about this style of pants on myself but I LOVE them on everyone else.

YES! Ya know, because you need something to pair with your favorite leggings.

Link love…

Last but not least, Squid turned twelve last week so this weekend we’re celebrating with a huge sale in the shop named after her! Everything is already marked down. It’s a great time to stock up on gifts.

Happy Friday! xoxo

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what I wore – on the beach

by Kaylah Stroup
The Dainty Squid
lake erie beach glass
the dainty squid, beachcombing
lake erie beach glass
Joules rain boots
Perkins Beach, Cleveland, OH
lake erie beach glass
count blessings, not calories

outfit details – sunglasses, jacket, sweatshirt, jeans, rain boots & camera bag.

Just a couple of photos from the beach late last month. Right now, more than ever, I’m especially thankful to live so close to the lake. I know I’ve said it before but it’s my favorite place to just relax and unwind. I love plopping down in the sand and searching for treasures. Nothing but me and the crash of waves. It soothes my soul like nothing else.

Lake Erie, I love you!

A few related posts – camera bag review, my favorite spots to beachcomb in Cleveland & tips for finding beach glass.

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that time I grew some beetles…

by Kaylah Stroup
June Bug

The woods surrounding my parent’s property are covered in birdhouses my dad built and hung. He has a snake camera that he uses to peek inside. Often we take walks just going birdhouse to birdhouse checking to see what, if anything, is living inside.

Last summer on one of these walks, we found a fallen birdhouse. It was wet and rotting. When he picked it up we realized there were a handful of big fat white grubs munching on the decaying material. In true dad form, he asked if I wanted them (because what daughter doesn’t want some!) I said ‘heck yes!’, we gathered some of the surrounding dirt and popped it all in an old screw box he had laying around the garage.

May Beetle life cycle

I brought that box home, misted it regularly and gave them fresh dirt as often as they needed. (They went through a surprising amount of dirt/rotting log, leaving massive poop pellets in its place!) After a bit of time passed, nearly all of my grubs had made themselves cozy little cocoons. They looked just like clumps of dirt.

May beetle cocoon

They’d been hanging out in their cocoons for what felt like forever. I’d just about given up on them. I’d gone from checking on them quite frequently with great enthusiasm to barely ever looking in the box because I knew nothing had changed.

Until last week! It finally happened!

I opened the box and right on top was a big fat healthy June Bug! I couldn’t have been more excited if I tried. There’s something so satisfying about being able to witness nature do its thang like that.

Right now I have two hatched beetles and another three cocoons left PLUS a handful of juicy looking grubs. I’ve got my fingers crossed for more beetles to hatch soon.

One of the grown beetles burrowing into the dirt.
Fresh dirt!

I’ll keep ya updated if anything else exciting happens! 😉

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the greatest loss

by Kaylah Stroup

This is my least favorite post I will ever write. I feel like I need to put it out there to start to heal though…

Last Saturday, completely unexpectedly, my mom passed away from a heart attack.

We have matching heart tattoos on our thumbs. We each drew half.

I don’t think anyone is ever prepared to lose a parent but to say this took me by surprise would be a complete understatement. As far as anyone knew she was healthy. We had even had a conversation about women & heart attacks recently. I never thought she’d have one two weeks later.

Right now I’m still in shock. It doesn’t feel real at all. My brothers and I have been spending lots of time together at my parent’s house with my dad. Sorting through photos, watching home videos & just being together has been such a great source of comfort but every night when we go home I can’t help but want to text my mom to talk about it. I want to tell her how much we love and appreciate her, and how we all know how lucky we are to have such a great mother.

I feel lost without her.

I’ve found grief to be a real weird beast so far. Sometimes I’m fine, just so happy to have had so many years with such a special woman then not ten minutes later I’m sobbing because it isn’t fair. The tiniest things set me off too. The thought of never smelling all the candles at TJ Maxx with her again or never eating her eclair cake again breaks my heart.

My mom was my greatest supporter. She seemed genuinely annoyed whenever anyone would leave a comment they were The Dainty Squid’s ‘biggest fan’ because that was her title. She encouraged me in everything I did and rooted me on in all of my interests. She also spoiled me rotten. 28 years old yet still her baby.

I’m going to miss all the stressed out texts she’d send me whenever a spam call showed up as from Cleveland. “Kaylah! Are you okay!? Answer me! Got a Cleveland call!” I’ll miss our girl’s shopping days and eating at Five Guys with her. I’m going to miss the way she smelled. I’m wearing her pajamas now. They smell so comforting. I’m truly going to miss every bit of her and our relationship.

44 years together this year.

There aren’t words to express how upset I feel that she was taken from me. I’m trying to look on the bright side, at least she didn’t have prolonged suffering or have to stop doing the things she loved the most. I’m so glad she got to see her baby girl get married and go on the most epic family roadtrip last summer. I’m so freaking thankful for those memories. Traveling around the west with my parents was already special but now that trip means even more.

photo by Madeline Barr

I feel frustrated I wasn’t able to write more in this post about what an amazing woman she was. Life feels so foggy right now. Even in my best moments this week, I still feel like I’m moving at half speed. Thankfully Jeff was able to take the week off work to take care of me. (Gosh, I wanted to tell my mom so bad. She loved how good he was at taking care of me!) When we went to the grocery store the other day it took all of my energy. I hope you’ll be understanding that the blog might be a little quiet for a while. I’m looking forward to getting back real life but everything just feels overwhelming at the moment.

Please keep my family and I in your thoughts & if you’re feeling generous tweet me an animal photo because those seem to really help!

Freshly born! You can just see how pleased to finally have a little girl.

Mom, I know you can’t read this anymore but thank you for everything. I’m sorry for ever being a shithead, especially during my teenage years. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have had you as my mom. Love you always.

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