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some of my favorite posts

the critters – 2018

by Kaylah Stroup March 19, 2018

Just over a year ago I wrote a post giving a little update on how their animals were adjusting to life in the new apartment. I re-read that post quite often. Moving into this apartment with Jeff was a huge deal, not only because it was us moving in together for the first time but we found the most perfect little spot exactly where we wanted to be in the city. The pets adjusting super quickly was the icing on the cake!

A little recap here; When I moved to my first apartment alone back in 2014, the cats hid in the litter box for nearly a week. They were absolutely terrified and were honestly quite skittish the entire time I lived there. In my next apartment they hid for a few days after moving but quickly warmed up, and made the place their own. With this move, I expected they’d hide for a few days then everything would go back to normal. I was mistaken. There was no hiding and almost immediately they were out exploring their new surroundings. Its obvious they are SO happy here, and were from basically the second they walked in.

Jeff, Squid, Professor, Klaus, and I have been living together for a year and three months now. In this short period of time, all three animals have transformed into the sweetest, cuddliest versions of themselves. It’s been absolutely incredible.

Professor Stingray!

How much the animals have changed and just how happy they seem these days is basically a daily conversation between Jeff and I. It’s not that they were ever visibly unhappy or weren’t friendly but this last year they’ve just blossomed. All three are by our side at essentially every possible moment, not in an annoying or needy way, just a loving way.

One of the earliest big things that happened after moving in was both of the cats becoming more and more comfortable with Klaus. They went from not even wanting to be in the same room with him to not minding when he hops up by them on the couch. Professor even lays on top of Klaus some evenings. Let me repeat that – PROFESSOR LAYS ON TOP OF KLAUS.

They still don’t really lay together without either Jeff or I to bridge the gap but if there’s a human present they’re totally cool with touching! What used to be a huge deal – the three of them on one surface like the bed or couch together – is a daily occurrence!

The biggest change has absolutely been with Squid though! She is a different cat. It’s incredible!

Squid and I have been together ten years this summer. She’s always been a very reserved cat. The kind of cat that non cat lovers would assume all cats are like. She had one person she liked – me. She kept to herself, never really snuggling with any other animals. If company came around, she’d be out of sight. She even had a few little quirks like never sitting on my lap unless she was invited up AND I had a blanket on my lap. She was just a very quite, shy baby.

Squid since living in this apartment is essentially the opposite. She’s so talkative, and so so affectionate. The second she sees Jeff and I sit down on the couch together she immediately darts over and has to find some way to lay across both of us. Most evenings you can find her on top of us while we spoon and watch X-Files. She went from never wanting to be held to letting us hold her basically whenever. She likes to look out the window while you hold her. She even comes out when we have company over. WHAAAAT?!

The other huge thing is that she’s no longer just my cat. If anything, she might like Jeff more than she likes me! She follows him everywhere and is constantly squeaking at him to get his attention. They’ve been so buddy buddy these last few months I have legitimately been jealous a couple times. That just sounds ridiculous but you should see that way she looks at him! Hah!

It’s just so amazing that after so long I’m getting to see this totally new cat. She’s more relaxed than she’s ever been in her life and I am so happy for her!

“pet meeeeee!”

So, yeah, I just can’t get over how happy the animals are right now. It makes me feel good to see them so relaxed. Seeing these changes gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, the cats cuddling with Klaus without a human buffer is still a possibility! Fingers crossed!
xoxo

A couple more pet posts from the past twelve months;
▴ Professor + Klaus laying on the couch together
▴ Professor – a wild kitten with a thing for shoes
▴ 10 ridiculously cute photos of Professor

east cleveland abandoned factory

by Kaylah Stroup March 15, 2018

abandoned ohio

Four years ago I first shared photos of this abandoned factory located on the east side of Cleveland. Built in 1917, it became one of the largest machine-tool manufacturers in the United States. Eventually the company began to suffer due to competition, the recession, and corporate inefficiencies. They restructured, cut the workforce in half and continued to have lots of ups and downs for the remainder of their years. Eventually in 2002, the factory was completely abandoned after years of only a portion of the building being utilized.

A few weekends ago I finally went back and reshot the building. While a good portion of the 570,000-square-foot building is full of trash (literally FULL of trash! Between 30,000 and 40,000 tons of it!!) there are still so many photo opportunities. The wood brick flooring that has expanded and made waves across the ground. The old computers, piled up on the second floor. The peeling paint! What would definitely be a health hazard in the summer heat sure is beautiful in the cooler months.

Check out the ‘abandoned‘ tag for more beautiful decay.

adventures in avocado propagation

by Kaylah Stroup March 13, 2018

In my last apartment, I went plant wild. It was the first time since moving to the city that I had an outdoor space and I utilized the heck out of it. I amassed quite a collection of plants both large and small! (Seriously, look at them all!) Sitting on my porch, with the sun on my back, attending to my plant babies was the ultimate way to relax.

Sadly, my current apartment doesn’t offer any private outdoor space for plants. Before moving in, at the beginning of 2017, I gave away a ton of my collection because I knew I most likely wouldn’t be able to keep them alive. I kept a few of my favorites (which was still a lot of plants to squeeze into our place) and I’m still finding new ways to satisfy my urge to grow things. Most recently I’ve been learning to grow cuttings in water. They’ve quickly begun to take over my kitchen table.

January 12th

This little obsession all started on instagram. I follow a handful of plant accounts and would always see things being grown in water. I’m fairly knowledgable about propagation when it comes to growing things in dirt but water was a whole new world. I did a little research then threw some cuttings into a cute little container I found at an estate sale. It was a success, and I wanted more… (Check out dem roots!)

We eat a ton of avocados so clearly the natural progression here was for me to start trying to grow from them. I researched, and researched. I read a ton about what a pain in the butt they are to grow, and how most fail. But with the perfect container and an avocado pit already sitting on the counter, what did I have to lose?

I poked three toothpicks into the pit, popped that into the water, and waited.

February 18th

It didn’t do much for a while, basically just sat there and looked weird, but that didn’t stop me from adding more pits to my collection. I even picked up some cute little beakers perfect for growing in.

February 24th

Finally, a little after a month of sitting in the water, my oldest one split. Eventually I was able to see some roots peeking out which was beyond exciting. I’m pretty sure I checked on how it was doing every single time I walked past the table.

February 26th

More root growth! Just seeing those roots poke out the bottom felt like a huge success.

March 3rd

Added a few more pits to the collection… Help, I can’t stop!

March 6th

A second pit has cracked open! And just look at the root on my first pit!! So awesome! That one has cracked all the way open and if you peek inside with a flashlight you can see a sprout heading up toward the top.

March 8th

A few things I’ve learned / been doing / think might help other folks…

Growing from an avocado tree from a pit takes a long time. It’d take years to produce fruit and if it eventually did it mostly likely wouldn’t taste the same.
There’s a top and bottom to the pit. The bottom goes in the water. It’s pretty easy to tell which side is which based on the shape (fat bottom) but the fool proof way is to look for the circle shaped mark – that’s the bottom and where your roots will grow out of.
Changing the water once a week or so is a good idea so nothing else starts to grow, the water doesn’t get funky, etc.
Just like any other plant they need sunshine, so place them near a window.
Totally not necessary to take the skin off, and doing so may damage the pit. After a few days in the water it usually gets soft and is super easy to peel off. I’m the kind of person who likes to pick at things hence why nearly all mine have been removed.
PATIENCE. This is seriously such a slow going thing but it’s also super easy. Just make sure they’re getting enough sunlight, don’t have gross old water, and you’re good to go!

I’m so excited to see how my plants look in another month! I currently have no plans to move them to dirt. I have enough plants growing in pots so its fun to do something a little bit different. Not to mention, watching the roots grow is just incredible. It’s really fun to be able to see that for once.

I’ll be sure to update y’all on my progress. Cross your fingers they all sprout!
xoxo

abandoned masonic hall

by Kaylah Stroup March 8, 2018

Four-ish years ago, this is where my soon-to-be husband took me on our very first date. For that reason alone this rotten old building is kind of special to me. I’ve been back a few times since but not any time recently. It’d been on my list of places to reshoot for one small yellow reason…

One of my favorite abandoned buildings I’ve ever photographed is the ‘rubber duck factory’. My photography has improved tenfold but the subject matter is just too good. Hundreds of rubber ducks! Back in 2015, just a few days after what would become my final visit, the building housing all those ducks burnt to the ground. The ducks had been disappearing at a rapid rate before the fire but I was sad to think that any of them burnt. Not that I think dirty old rubber ducks are anything special, or worth saving but darn, they were an excellent photo subject.

A few months after the fire I started to notice photos of the ducks popping up on social media. Luckily I’ve got a pretty good eye for detail and can easily determine which building is which from a single photo. I immediately recognized that some of the rubber ducks were in the masonic hall.

There were a few failed attempts to go and check it out (still mad at the dude who kept circling the us on a bike, and waving!) but it wasn’t a huge priority. Located in a not so nice area, it really is better to be safe than sorry. Finally, last week, we got back inside. Funny thing is, I had completely forgotten about the ducks so I was more than pleasantly surprised to stumble upon them.

As you can tell from the photos, I didn’t actually find very many of the rubber ducks. Judging from photos that I can find, there were definitely more of them in here at some point. Guess they’re off on another adventure, or perhaps just hiding somewhere a bit more sneaky in this building.

It’s really fun to think of the ducks as playing their own little version hide and go seek with any willing explorers. Makes me wish I had taken a few to hide around other buildings too. Maybe I’ll find more the next time I’m back here, or stumble upon them somewhere I’m really not expecting them. I’ve got my fingers crossed!

abandoned cleveland

A few related posts;

The Rubber Duck Factory
The Rubber Duck Factory revisited
Masonic Hall (2014)

kitchen tour

by Kaylah Stroup March 7, 2018

You guys, a first here on The Dainty Squid! A KITCHEN TOUR! Woooooah!

Recently someone left a comment asking for a kitchen tour. As much as I love our kitchen it wasn’t something I had really even considered. The kitchen isn’t really a room you decorate, at least I don’t. I mean, it definitely has my touches here and there but for the most part its pretty utilitarian. I don’t feel like it’s underdecorated but it’s certainly not my living room. We’re also renters so it’s not like I’d be posting to share my excellent choice in appliances and paint colors. (I am absolutely in love with the colors in this room though! Our landlord made some solid choices!)

Lack of decor, and the fact we don’t own this room doesn’t make it any less important though. Looking back, I wish I had more photos of all my previous apartments. Each has been a bit better than the previous. All hold a special place in my heart but this one especially!

If you recall, we signed the lease on this place before the apartment was finished being remodeled. It was essentially an abandoned home at the time we first saw it but we could already tell we’d love the kitchen!

It’s not perfect. We could use more counter space. (Honestly though, who couldn’t?! FYI we aren’t interested in an island.) The paint job along the baseboard is sloppy, and there isn’t enough room to comfortably store all our food and gadgets. But it’s our first kitchen together! It’s big, and bright. Sunlight and warmth pour into the room every morning. The way it opens up into the living room means its perfect for entertaining. Its also great when one of us is working in the kitchen making dinner for the other one relaxing on the couch. We have and continue to make so many great memories in this room.

So, without further ado, I present to you my kitchen!

the dainty squid apartment tour globe collection

Resources + recommended reading –
▴ How to make your own rainbows! All the specks of light are from a disco ball.
▴ Table + chairs (the chairs come in a handful of colors but the pink regularly goes on sale!)
▴ Globes were all purchased second hand from estate sales, thrift stores, and auctions.
▴ Other rooms in our apartment: living room + my office.

apartment must have : a disco ball!

by Kaylah Stroup March 6, 2018

Last year I discovered the joy of rainbows in my apartment. Two suncatchers and some crystals hanging in the window means that when the sun is shining my apartment is filled with tiny rainbows. It’s nothing short of magic. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things in the whole world. I had no idea silly little rainbows could make me so happy. You’d think after some amount of time they’d have lost their charm but I’m still just as amused by them as the first time I saw them.

I’ve known that set in direct sunlight a disco ball would be equally enchanting but I’d basically written them off because if there is one thing that doesn’t fit my decor style, it’s a disco ball! The suncatchers, and crystals I have in the windows are fairly inconspicuous. They’re small, and to be honest, I never really notice them. A disco ball, on the other hand, is a little bit harder to miss. I had no idea where I’d put it, how to display it, etc.

A few weeks ago, I couldn’t resist the appeal any longer. I bought an 8-inch mirror ball… and guess what! I should have done it so much sooner! The first day I put it out in the sunlight had me rapid fire texting Jeff “Oh my gosh, disco ball is life. This is the best thing everrrr!”

disco ball apartment, mirror ball light

So, how am I hiding the disco ball and making it fit my style a little bit better? Truth be told, I’m not.

Like I said, one of my biggest concerns with buying a mirror ball was where in the world it’d fit into my decor style. Well, it doesn’t but you guys, the light it throws off into the room makes me 100% not care at all what it looks like. Instead of hanging it somewhere or giving it a permanent home I’ve found the way to best utilize it is to move it from room to room as the sun moves through the sky.

In the morning, sunlight fills the kitchen which means the disco ball goes on the kitchen table. A little bit later in the day my living room is sunshine central, the ball goes on my table in there. Finally, in the evenings, sun comes in my office so I’ll bring the disco ball in there.

I’m well aware that what I just described sounds like a pain in the butt. If I had read that before buying it, I probably wouldn’t have been convinced. Obviously it’s not necessary to drag the disco ball from room to room but my point was that this thing I would consider kind of tacky looking doesn’t have to become a main piece of decoration in any one place. It does it’s job and then I move it.

Magical, right?!

I’m absolutely obsessed with all the fun things that happen here when the sun shines. Rainbows and specks of light covering the walls always bring a smile to my face. It’s one of the few things that is guaranteed to make me stop and just appreciate the moment. I think everyone could use something like that…

Everything else aside, if you have a cat and get direct sunlight in your home you should just go ahead and buy a mirrorball for your cat. Professor is OBSESSED. You should hear him chatter when this thing lights up the room.

You can read more about the rainbows filling my apartment + find lots more photos here.

Updated 8/17 – Still loving this, so much so that I purchased a 4-inch disco ball as well. This one I don’t move around, it has a permanent home on my pencil cactus. It obviously doesn’t throw as much light as the one twice it’s size but it’s still great! I’d definitly recommend picking up a smaller one if you aren’t sold on a big one that you move around your home.

wedding talk pt. 2

by Kaylah Stroup March 5, 2018

We’re actually a lot closer to 3 months at this point…

Its been about two months since my last post talking about wedding plans. I’m not sure I have too much to report back on but I also feel like if I don’t share a little bit about my current plans and feelings I’m gonna be kicking myself a year from now!

Right now we’re sitting at just under 100 days left until the big day. It’s definitely coming up fast. I can’t believe we’re in the double digit numbers already. I have a feeling the remaining days will go even faster.

Some big things…

I bought a dress! Well, actually I bought two dresses. One was definitely not the dress. It was a huge headache. I felt really awful – blah blah blah – but then I found THE dress. This dress is a dreeeeam! It’s 100% not what I was picturing myself in but the second I tried it on I knew it was the one. It’s a very ~me~ dress. I can’t wait to wear it. I wrote a whole big post on my dress fiasco but you’ll have to wait to read that until after the wedding.

I bought the perfect shoes! Shoes weren’t actually a huge deal to me. I figured I’d just get something cute + comfy. Then I found the absolute perfect pair that match my dress like a dream. Best of all, they’re from a small business so they feel really special. I still haven’t received them in the mail but I’m dying to try them on with the dress.

We found a photographer! Wooo! This was honestly my second biggest stress causing thing right after finding a dress. Photos are a huge deal to both of us. It took a while but we found someone who both agreed takes gorgeous photos and can definitely capture the vision we have for our wedding. It felt really good to pay that deposit and know that that was taken care of.

January 2017

Some things I need to buy/do still…

A skirt for my dress. The dress I bought, while it is full length, doesn’t have a full enough skirt. I found a handful of folks who make exactly what I’m picturing. It’s really just a matter of choosing which maker to go with. I’m a little nervous here but fairly confident things will turn out more than perfect.

A bouquet. Remember, nontraditional wedding here so I only need a bouquet for myself. No other flowers. My original idea was to buy a variety of flowers from a store like Trader Joe’s and make my own bouquet. Ya know, something fun to do with all the ladies the night before the wedding while we hung out in the hotel. Then I got nervous that the flower selection might not be good enough. I ended up finding a florist about 20 minutes away from our hotel that I looooove! They make bouquets that are essentially exactly what I was picturing. Right now the plan is to contact them but who knows, I might change my mind and wing it! Once again, not something I’m super stressed about. Obviously it will feel really good to cross this off my to-do list though!

Figure out the aisle and altar situation. Long story short here, after finding the dress my whole idea for what our ‘altar’ would look like changed. Part of me feels like this doesn’t really matter and that we don’t need one at all because the location is cool enough. Then the other part of me feels like there has to be an easy, travel + budget friendly idea that my wedding won’t be complete without.

July 2014

Some things stressing me out…

I still haven’t found someone to do my hair or make up! Gah! I know I’m overthinking this one but you guys it is so hard to make a decision that is essentially based on instagram photos. I’m positive that I want someone else to do my hair and make up but I also have a hard time letting that control go to a stranger. So far searches on wedding websites, on google, on instagram, and other random task websites have left me empty handed. I’m sure there is hidden gem out there, it’s just a matter of finding them. If you happen to be someone who does hair or make up in northern/central AZ or are willing to make a drive there, holler!

My to-do list is stressing me out… I guess? Just like that last time I talked about wedding plans and what was stressing me out, I can’t really pin point very many specific things. There are so many little things on my wedding to-do list and that bothers me. I hate knowing that I have something to do, I just like to get things done. I’m overjoyed that the wedding is coming up so quickly so that we can just get to the fun part. I most certainly don’t enjoy wedding planning. I can’t imagine being one of those people who plans one for years! A short engagement was definitely the right choice for us.

More exciting things…

▴ We’ve booked a few hotel stays including the most important room of our trip, ~the wedding night!~
▴ Almost all our friends and family have booked their rooms as well! Hearing that makes it all feel so much more real.
▴ I’ve spent some time on Google Street View and identified a few areas I really want to get photos. I’m getting married out west – obviously I want some wedding portraits with saguaros!
▴ I bought Jeff’s wedding band. I have never been so excited to spend money in my life.
▴ We asked my brother to get ordained so that he could officiate. He said yes! This was actually Jeff’s idea. The fact that he loves my family so much makes my heart feel like it’s gonna explode.
▴ I’M GETTING MARRIED!

November 2014

Check out more wedding related posts here; including my engagement story, a little bit about our plans + more.

10 things making me smile

by Kaylah Stroup February 28, 2018

▴ this sweet, sweet pup even if he stinks up the couch.

▴ this guy who thinks plastic mailers make the coziest bed.

▴ plants taking over every surface in my home.

▴ perfectly dried flowers

▴ these fun socks!

▴ this disco kitten!

▴uh, whatever this is…

▴ this cactus + how cozy it makes my office feel.

▴ starting my own mini avacado farm.

avocado propagation

▴ seeing progress in my stretches, and this concerned pup.

Other good things on my mind: ▴ Jeff had flowers delivered to me at our apartment – I cried ▴ gourment burgers at home ▴ Squid turning into a cuddle cat supreme ▴ trying out new sodas ▴ sunshine! ▴ days so warm you don’t even need a jacket in February ▴ Professor’s bowtie (I will never tire of it!) ▴ freshly painted nails ▴ finally remembering to buy stuff to make the carpet not smell like dog ▴ cactus PJs for our Arizona wedding

What’s making you smile today?
xoxo

wedding wishlist

by Kaylah Stroup February 21, 2018

I mean, if there were ever an occasion to wear white satin jammies I think it’d be on your wedding trip!
Bride vibes. I’m so anti-everything traditional wedding related but y’all, I’m a sucker for ‘bride’ related things. I can’t help it.
A remote + mini tripod for my phone. This will probably be the only vacation we ever go on with all our favorite people. Obviously, I plan on taking one billion photos but sometimes setting up the big camera and tripod is too much of a pain. I think having a remote and tiny tripod for my phone would be so so so helpful and help ensure I capture a ton of photos of all of us.
All night dance party! We’re not having a traditional reception so no DJ, dance floor or anything like that but I’m sure there will be more than a few happy dances happening. This shirt seems appropriate.
No bad days. Yeah, a sweatshirt in the desert is definitely not a necessity but I really dig this one!
Our wedding day reception involves a pool and while I know the hotel obviously has towels I can’t help but think how cute this giant heart-shaped towel would look in photos.
Dang right I want a ‘bride’ robe!!
Each year, when we go to the desert I drag along more cameras than I need and way too much film. This trip will be even worse. I’m basically planning to bring along all the film I own (a ton!) plus more. I still think this round frame film would make for some stunning wedding portraits. I just feel like film is for capturing special moments and what will be more special than this once in a lifetime trip?!
Lacy white underthings? Yes, please!
You guys, I want these shoes so bad that I had a dream about them. In my dream I had found them NIB at a thrift store for three bucks. Wish that would happen in real life!
Cute, comfy shorts. I don’t feel like I’m alone in the ‘I hate shorts’ boat. It’s not that I don’t love my legs (quite the opposite, actually!) I just feel like shorts are normally super uncomfortable, and never fit the right way. At the end of the summer last year I discovered the joy of non-denim shorts and I’m looking forward to finding a few more specifically for this trip.

Our wedding is sneaking up fast. It went from feeling like it was just ages away to being “oh shoooot, we need to book hotels!” Luckily, everything seems to be going really smoothly. I’m honestly not too stressed about anything.* I was in a bit of a panic about making a registry though. It sounds so dumb (and it definitely is) but finally, once and for all, coming to the conclusion we weren’t going to make a registry felt amazing.

Honestly, what do you get a couple who already lives together? We both already had all the things we needed before moving in together, and after getting our apartment, we had two! Everyone says to ask for better versions of what we have but that just seems wasteful, and totally unnecessary. Jeff couldn’t think of a single thing to put on the list, and the only thing I really want is a fancy vacuum. I can think of all sorts of random odds and ends I’d like for our trip though, hence why I made this list…
xoxo

*Hahaha! JK! Everything is stressful. More wedding talk soon, I promise! Check out the ‘wedding‘ tag if you want to read more right now.

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