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abandoned greenhouse – revisited

by Kaylah Stroup June 2, 2015

Back in January I shared photos of an abandoned greenhouse that Jeff, Brandon, and I visited. (See here) Although I loved the photos I got on that visit I was really excited to go back in the spring and see it all grown up. Last week I had that opportunity.

As we approached the greenhouse the three of us each let out an audible noise of excitement about how insanely green the place was. We even questioned how plausible it actually was to photograph since it looked so overgrown. Would we even be able to move around with all the vines, trees and greenery? Funnily enough once inside I was a bit underwhelmed with the growth. It wasn’t until I got home and looked at the photos from the last visit that I realized how much more green the place was. Inside, surrounded by all these plants, it’s less like a greenhouse and more like a jungle. Save for the broken glass and pieces of metal peeking through in certain places it’s easy to forget what this used to be.

We read a few different accounts from people that had also visited. They said to watch out for foxes, coyotes, and other wildlife. So I entered with my fingers crossed, I wanted to see animals in here so bad. The pictures would have just been amazing. Alas, I didn’t see anything more than a quick orange cat who wouldn’t let me within 25 feet of him.

I’m hoping to get back here in the fall too, of course! It’s so much fun to be able to compare photos and see how it changes. Plus this place covered in shades of red, orange, and yellow has to just be magical.
xoxo

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Friday Favorites #314

by Kaylah Stroup May 29, 2015
Very much into this patch, for obvious reasons.
 (via: WishboneMM)
 This puppy is way out of my bra budget but my goodness, it’s gorgeous!!!!
(via: Anthropologie)
Okay!!!
 (via: Awkward Ladies Club)
Always a sucker for a good looking backpack. Would you just look at this thing?!
 (via: BagDoRi)
My view on a lot of things. Maybe this shirt would stop people from asking about my hair in public…?
 (via: alphonnsine)
This would be perfect in my apartment! I will always love old pull down charts. 
 (via: From Belgium with Age)
My beautiful city, on a necklace!
 (via: Crave Jewelry)
These lip glosses look so lovely. Love the shade of that first one.
(via: Batty’s Bath)
Oh, opal! You are so beautiful!
 (via: Rho & Jo)
It’s quilts like this one that make me want to just spend hours in front of my sewing machine.
 (via: Mast General Quilts)
Why yes, I would like to add this globe to my collection!
 (via: Two Moons and Hannais)

Link Love…
▴ The design lab Bandaru Organics has is pretty awesome. You can vote on different styles of plugs you’d like to see in production. Those shark ones are way too cool.
▴ Because a giant cat face pillow is just what everyone wants, right?
▴ Super Mario Question Block coasters!
▴ Danielle from Condensed Star Stuff  is giving a free print away with each order while supplies last!
▴ I wish these cactus pajamas came in adult sizes.
▴ But speaking of cactus, I am very much into ! Perfect for a trip to the desert, eh?!

Happy Friday!
xoxo

Ps. Don’t forget to browse my Everyday Favorites if you want to see more fun finds!

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Rockefeller Park Greenhouse

by Kaylah Stroup May 26, 2015

While Elycia, Ivan, and Milo were out I wanted to show them all my favorite things about Cleveland. Nearly all of those things involve bikes, or food. Bikes were out of the questions with Milo and by Wednesday we didn’t want to eat anymore so I was kind of stumped about what to do. Jeff suggested the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse. I had heard of it, of course, but had never been there. I was under the impression it was super small, and not exactly worth a visit.

I was 100% completely wrong. This place is AMAZING. It was built in 1905, used originally to grow plants for the city. This place is stunning inside and out. There are multiple rooms with different themes, and tons and tons of plants. Parking and admission are free. You basically have no excuse to not love this place.

We spent a ton of time in there, way longer than any of us thought we would. Like I said, I always assumed it was really small. I remember reading a review of the greenhouse that said something about how it was a waste of time and that just kind of stuck with me. While the greenhouse isn’t massive by any means, you can easily spend a few hours admiring everything, especially if you have a camera with you!

I was most enthralled with the desert room, well duh. I went through there at least five times. My favorite plant in the whole place was a century plant, seen above. I didn’t really know much about them but due to the size and name assumed it must be super old. I did some research when I got home and read that century plants actually only live to be 10-30 years old. They’re native to Arizona so I’ve got my fingers crossed to see some of those babies on our road trip next month! I would LOVE to see one in the wild.

This is easily one of my new favorite spots in Cleveland. An absolute must if you’re in the area. It’s a great spot to spend an afternoon. It’s free and possibly best of all, we only saw a total of five other people during our whole visit. That’s my kind of place!
xoxo

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Friday Favorites #313

by Kaylah Stroup May 22, 2015
Absolutely, positively need this shirt.
 (via: blackbird tees)
You guys, Treehotel in Sweden literally has some of the coolest places to stay ever. I would happily stay in any one of their seven rooms but the UFO has my heart. That’s some bucket list material right there.
 (via: Treehotel)
 Easily one of the cutest ever.
(via: )
Hah! How cute is this chameleon necklace?!
 (via: designosaur)
I LOVE this tiny skull ring.
 (via: Datter Industries)
If I can’t live in a beautiful home this style, at least my animals can, right?
 (via: HabiFab)
These prints by Nan Lawson are adorable. She has a handful available from different movies but I picked the two of my favorite movies.
 (via: Nan Lawson)
? Yes, please!
 (via: )
Does anyone out there have a rainbow maker? Are they as awesome as they sound because I could use more rainbows in this place!
 (via: Urban Outfitters)
Plant these to help save the bees!
(via: Hannah Rosengren Illustration)
In the past year or so I’ve begun collecting signs, these two would be an awesome addition!
(via: Sideway Signs)

Link Love…
▴ Another Beetlejuice inspired print!
▴ These plugs from Bandaru Organics are so pretty. Love the colors!
▴ The more I think about it the more I want a swing in my apartment.
▴ Eye love this phone case!
▴ If you ever wanted a dress covered in poop emojis – here it is!

Happy Friday!
xoxo

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road trip dreaming

by Kaylah Stroup May 21, 2015
Now that I’ve told you I’m going on another road trip I can subject you to hearing about it all the time just like everyone who has seen me in person this last week or so. It’s essentially all I think about and nearly every other conversation I have is related to it. I just can’t believe it’s actually happening again. *knock on wood* I am SO excited. It’s a little bit too soon to start packing but you best believe I’m already planning what I’ll be packing.

// //

I’m obviously trying to save every penny I can for the trip. Every thing counts, especially when you’re in In-N-Out territory and are a bit of a burger maniac. Y’all, I cannot wait to eat In-N-Out again!! But the day after I booked my plane ticket I stocked up on film and then went straight to TJ Maxx. I wanted to buy something special to wear on the trip. I tried on a handful of things but wasn’t particularly crazy about anything so I left empty handed.

// // //

Then this morning as I was catching up on the internet after a little three day break (My favorite Canadians came for a visit! More on this soon. I have, uh, 40 billion photos to edit) I saw was having and I immediately set to work browsing for thing I’d love to wear and take on my upcoming trip! There is seriously so much cute stuff marked down right now.

a // // c

I’m most interested in finding cozy shirts for the trip. I recently picked up these shorts, which aren’t currently on sale but are worth every penny, and now I just need some tops to go with them. Even though my wardrobe has changed from all dresses to a good mix of jeans and dresses I don’t really seem to have very many shirts.

a // b //

The last trip I didn’t take a single dress just because I knew I probably wouldn’t want to wear a dress when I hadn’t showered in a few days. The two above though look so cozy and relaxed I think they might be perfect for long days spent in the car. I’m especially fond of . I should probably grab it before it sells out in my size!

One of my road trip goals is to actually get photos of myself this trip, proof I was actually there, ya know? Jeff mentioned another couples outfit post in the desert with cactus, and I am 100 kinds of into that idea, I just need to make sure I pack something that will make me feel super cute no matter how sunburnt, and sweaty I am! 
xoxo

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It’s the little things…

by Kaylah Stroup May 18, 2015

So, how precious is that salamander? It’s a Northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus, and yes, he was very slimy. When I got to my parents my dad was removing the wood that didn’t get burned over the winter from the porch. He called me over to see what I assumed would be a big spider (because if you’ve never had a massive woodpile right outside your door – they’re spider city, man!)  but it was this little guy! My goodness, that little face is so adorable. There are some animals that I just can’t wrap my head around the fact they’re actually real because they’re just so neat, and this is definitely one of them. I took so many photos of him but when it’s something like that it just never feels like I took enough.
xoxo

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a walk in the park

by Kaylah Stroup May 11, 2015
Last week Jeff and I woke up early to take a hopefully foggy walk along one of the trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I’m honestly not one for hikes in the park. I don’t like walking along trails. I want to go off and look for mushrooms, skulls, and other things you almost never find along the beaten path. This walk though, it was perfect. It wasn’t quite as foggy as we’d hoped but it was still absolutely gorgeous. The temperature couldn’t have been better, there weren’t many other people, I saw some dogs (very important, clearly) and I am just beyond pleased with my photos. I don’t care what anyone says, Ohio is beautiful.

The whole time we were out I was collection plants to press. I’ve pressed a lot of the common plants we have here so when I press more of those I try to find ones with interesting patterns on the leaves. I spotted some tiny leaves early in the hike that I thought looked really interesting from standing height but when I bent down to pick them I realized there wasn’t a pattern on the leaves, it was dew! Needless to say I spent the rest of the hike with my eyes scanning everything for more dew to photograph. Every time I start to think about selling my macro lens I take a shot like the two above and realize how silly
that would be.

On the way back to the car I was starting to get crabby. We walked for what I felt was too long (told you, I’m not necessarily fond of trails, especially ones that don’t loop) and it was getting really hot really fast. Then we started seeing turtles… lots and lots of turtles. Just chilling in the sun, soaking up those rays. It’s basically a fact you can’t be crabby when turtles are out looking so darn cute. I mean just look at that little dummy with his legs all sprawled out.

Despite me being a total whiner when I’m hot and tired, it was one of the best mornings in a long time. Totally worth getting up at 4:45am for!  I want more mornings like this.
xoxo

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It’s the little things…

by Kaylah Stroup May 7, 2015
My absolute favorite thing about spring time? BABY ANIMALS.

I’ve been living in the city for around a year and half now, and honestly couldn’t imagine living anywhere else but there will always be a part of me that loves the country. Along those same lines, I love shooting abandoned buildings, and gritty city stuff but nature photography will probably always be my favorite. Last weekend I got the chance to get my knees dirty and shoot a few small critters, including a very tiny painted turtle, a newborn flying squirrel, and two feisty snakes.

Above is one of my dad’s flying squirrel babies.This is at about a week old, they were born on the 24th of April. It’s incredible to see one of these little things so…fresh. Not only are the membranes it uses to glide see-through but so is the majority of his body. It’s just so strange to imagine this tiny fur-less thing will grow into this. Nature is wild, y’all!

I already feel like I have my dream job. But I think if there was a dream job v2.0 for me, it would be to be an animal photographer. You know what I really want to do? I want to shoot for zooborns! Just baby animals in front of my camera all day, every day with lots of snuggles thrown in there too, of course!
xoxo

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Propagating – an update!

by Kaylah Stroup May 5, 2015
It was around this time last month I posted about the succulents I was propagating. See here. I’ve been thinking about posting an update but kept putting it off because I didn’t think they had grown too much. I just took a peek back at that first post and I think it’s kind of hilarious how I was so excited about that little tiny growth. Now they’re starting to look like bonafide plants! They are seriously WAY. TOO. CUTE right now. Take a look…

Below are the stems of the original plants, which seem to be really growing well too. Most of the stems actually have multiple babies growing.

(cuttings from the tops of the original plants)
I’m pretty darn excited, if you haven’t noticed. Every single one of the smaller leaves has shown some growth, some slower than others. The larger leaves seem to be growing a lot slower with the most recent actually only growing roots in the last week. Not all of them have grown something yet but I still have hope for them yet.
Here’s to hoping they keep on growing! And boy, oh boy am I going to have a lot of plants if they do…
xoxo
Recommended reading if you’re looking to get started –
▴ Propagating Succulents on Needles + Leaves
▴ How to Propagate from Succulent Leaf Cuttings on Snapguide
▴ How to Propagate Succulents from Leaves on Succulents + Sunshine
▴ How-To: Propagating Succulents on Terrain

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About Me

About Me

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

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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