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A love letter to my car

by Kaylah Stroup

Hey there, sweet thing! Today is our one year anniversary. Exactly one year ago today I signed the paperwork that made you mine. I didn’t even get to drive you home since I didn’t have my license yet, only my permit. I was too nervous to drive on the highway, a highway that we would eventually move very close to and drive on almost every day.

I remember the first time I saw you on craigslist, I took a screenshot that I still have tucked away somewhere. I didn’t even have to sit inside you before I was sold. You were even prettier in person than you looked online. You did have a bit of a funny smell from the previous owner. Something similar to hamster bedding, the clean kind. It was weird but I eventually came to love it and am kind of bummed that it’s either finally went away or that I’m so used to it I can no longer smell it.

Together we’ve gone on many adventures. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Columbus, Akron, Cincinnati, and so many more places. We’ve seen so many stupid roadside attractions together, including that silly giant basket. We’ve visited at least thirty cemeteries together and I hope we get to visit a few hundred more.

 Sometimes you can be a jerk. Right now you’re a little shaky. I know, I know, it’s the pot holes in Lakewood that did it to you so it’s not your fault. I need to get your tires aligned. But how about that time your tire blew out at 2am on the highway in Cleveland before I moved here? Or when you wouldn’t start in Pittsburgh and I had to call AAA and sign up on the spot so they’d jump me? Regardless, you’re still great, I don’t really blame you for any of those things.

You’re a petite little thing but still have lots of space for anything I might find out adventuring and need to haul home. Your tinted windows, and low profile tires (thanks to your previous owner) make you look so slick. Basically, you’re everything I could ever want in a car. If I can’t have , you’re absolutely the next best thing. 

Sorry I never gave you a real name, but I hope we get to go on a million more adventures together. You’ve made me a Volkswagen fan forever. 
xo

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holga TIM

by Kaylah Stroup
I fiiiinally finished off a roll I had sitting in my TIM since the beginning of the year. I’m not as happy with the photos as I had hoped but they’re definiately still worth sharing. I’ve had this darn camera for at least three years and still haven’t mastered it. It’s still fun to experiment with though.

TIM
shoots half frame photos. By closing one eye, taking a photo, closing up
that eye, opening the other and shooting again before advancing the film
you’ll get two pictures on one print. It takes regular 35mm film so
there is no fussing with sending it out to get it developed if you don’t
want to. It’s fairly simple to use! By leaving both eyes open at the
same time and taking a shot you get two of the thing on the print except
they’re from slightly different angles – which gives you a 3D image.
(You can learn how to view it using photojojo’s tutorial)

This roll had photos from our trip to Savannah, Pittsburgh and a few from Louisville. 

Like I said, nothing that really blows my mind on this roll. I think I might have been trying too hard. I took these photos with perfect visions of how they’d turn out and it never works that way with film, and especially with a cheap plastic camera. I’ve already started another roll that I’m just shooting random pictures with, without expectations of what they might look like. Hopefully they turn out more fun than these.
xoxo

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apartment living // the living room

by Kaylah Stroup
I realized last week that I’ve now been living in my new apartment for one month. It’s been the best month. I absolutely love it here, I couldn’t be happier. I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be right now. Initially a little nervous about city living, my fears have disappeared! This place is perfect for me.

Like I’ve mentioned in other posts, I’m mostly settled in. My bedroom still need a little work, really I’m just waiting to find a desk to make into a vanity and then it will quickly come together but in the mean time I’ve finished up my living room. It’s basically the cutest thing ever, in my opinion.

Behind the couch, from where I would be standing to see the view in the above photo, is where I have my desk set up to work. It’s the only wall with blank space left on it in this room, hence why it’s not shown. As soon as I get it all set up I’ll be sharing photos of my new office. To the left is my bathroom, a few closets and my bedroom. To the right is the dining room and kitchen.

I planned on doing a “sources” list but when it comes down to it, basically everything in the room is second hand, from a thrift store, ebay, a gift, etc. The couch is from Thrive Furniture. The fox and beetle pillow are from Target. If you’re curious about anything else specifically, just ask!

I love this place dearly. 
xoxo

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Jerry’s Junk // on film

by Kaylah Stroup

One of my favorite stops on Mickey and I’s latest trip was in Louisville, Kentucky at Jerry’s Junk. I want so badly to have an easy way to explain this place but it really something you just have to see first…

 

Jerry Lotz is a collector, clearly. He owns five homes in the neighborhood, all of which are packed to the brim with a wide variety of items. The place that draws people in is on the corner of Frankfort and William street. The lawn is covered and when you peek inside the windows (Don’t worry, he lives upstairs) you can see the inside is filled up with odds and ends as well. You could hang around for hours and still keep spotting new things.

Mickey and I just stopped to take photos but soon met Jerry who we ended up spending over two hours with. Jerry showed us around two of his homes, taking us inside to get a closer look at things we might be interested in. He told us stories of his childhood, and told us how his daughters don’t appreciate his collection. We volunteered ourselves up for adoption! He told us how everything he owns has a story behind it and even shared some of the stories. The funniest part is, the whole time he’s talking to us he’s dragging around a rake. It was SO hard to hear.

But really, it was incredible to be able to talk to him and hear all about his collection. Even though I could never see myself amassing a collection like this, there’s just something that draws me into collections and their owners. It’s like I just get it, I understand how it feels to be passionate about weird things.

Even a few spots not specifically on his property were adorned with his things. Below are some things found in the sidewalk.

  Above is the man himself, Jerry Lotz.

It was truly one of the most fun experiences ever. Mickey and I each bought a really great “souvenir”, I’ll tell you all about that another day though. Jerry is so very kind. If you’re ever in the area “Jerry’s Junk” is a must visit!

xoxo

All of the photos above were taken with a pentax k1000 and Fujifilm 35mm Superia X-TRA 400.

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cabinet(s) of curiosities

by Kaylah Stroup

Back in October I shared some peeks of my cabinet of curiosities,
since then my collection has grown and bigger than that, I’ve moved. My
new apartment has the best built in cabinets with gorgeous glass doors
on each side of the entrance to my tiny kitchen. The second I saw them I
knew I’d fill them with skulls, teeth and the like. I also chose to have my hutch, that at my old residence held weather houses, in the dining room to house the rest of my collection. I absolutely love how it looks.

It’s really fun to have these things I love so much on display instead of tucked away in my office. From my desk, which is set up in the back corner of the living room, I can see into the dining room where I have the perfect view of the hutch.

Not the best photo, thanks iPhone panorama feature, but here’s one last photo so you can get the gist of the room’s layout, and a better look at those beautiful built ins.

I’m really loving this place. For the most part, I’d say I definitely had creative control over my last place but this one is mine. Every little corner is mine, everything in it is mine, and I can make it look exactly how I’d like which is almost kind of overwhelming in a way. I’m a little bit stumped on what to hang on the walls. As you can kind of see in that last photo I have some prints taped to the wall. Not permanently of course, but just to see what it would look like. Previously I was a cluster-er when decorating. For example, all my paint by numbers went on one wall, all the cuckoo clocks together on another, etc. So, my first choice is to hang my taxidermy in there because it would fit so well with the rest of the things but I’m thinking of mixing it up and spreading my taxidermy out throughout the place. Plus those prints really are perfect for in there. We’ll see! I’ll surely share full room photos are soon as I figure out what to hang more permanently than with tape.
xoxo

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South of the Border

by Kaylah Stroup

While in Georgia, Mickey and I decided to get road trip tattoos. We got matching peaches that ended up being even cuter than either of us had imagined. During our short visit to Anonymous Tattoo we told the artist all about our trip and how we were obsessed with silly roadside attractions. He asked if we had stopped at South of the Border and suggested if we hadn’t already stopped we make it a priority. We looked it up and decided to hit it on the way home since it would only take us a little bit out of the way.

It didn’t take long before we started seeing signs for South of the Border. I have literally never seen so many billboards for one thing in my life. I don’t even understand how they could possibly make enough money to cover the advertising costs. The closer we got the more there were and the more excited we grew.

South of the Border is a strange, strange place. There are over a dozen large animals, at least two restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a bunch of souvenir shops, a motel, and even an indoor reptile exhibit. It’s all so wildly colorful too!

According to their website “Our trademark has always been a value-oriented service ~ we provide a clean, safe & fun environment for travelers of all types to visit on their way to or from the southeast.” I’m not so sure about that. Mickey and I used one of the bathrooms while we were there. As we walked in the attendant scowled at us and then sat down in a rusty old chair. Needless to say, she didn’t get tipped.

It’s apparent the place seen better days. It’s a bit sketchy and I probably wouldn’t want to be there at night but it sure was awesome. Running around from animal to animal taking pictures was a blast. I’m not sure any roadside attraction could ever top this but you best believe I’m gonna look.
xoxo

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my apartment!

by Kaylah Stroup
Like I mentioned last week (and have been constantly talking about on instagram) I very recently moved into a cute little apartment of my own. It’s been really great so far. My new digs are super cute and I’m having a blast making it completely mine. Everything is unboxed, my walls are still pretty blank but it’s definitely coming together rather quickly.

I’m living in Lakewood, Ohio. It’s a suburb just to the west of Cleveland. It’s definitely the most condensed area I’ve ever lived in. According to Wikipedia (yep, I’m using wikipedia as a source) Lakewood’s population density is the highest of any city in Ohio and is roughly comparable to that of Washington, DC. I grew up on seven acres with no close neighbors. Moved to Geneva, where the neighbors were much closer but it was still nothing like this. This is all a brand new experience for me.

I’m actually liking it a lot more than Geneva because although there are more people no one knows who you are. I enjoy being somewhat anonymous to my neighbors (says the heavily tattooed orange haired girl Hah!) Living in the city is pushing me out of my comfort zone in so many ways and I couldn’t be happier about it.

My apartment is fairly small, but the absolute perfect size for me! The living room is large enough to comfortably have my couch, books and things on one side and an office area on the other side. The dining room which is just currently home to Klaus’ crate (I’m still undecided if I should put a table in there) has the most gorgeous built in cabinets that are perfect for all my curiosities. The bedroom is probably the biggest bedroom I’ve ever called mine in my life. My apartment also has four BIG closets, and the BEST natural lighting ever. In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m clearly smitten. 

I actually had someone email me to ask about my “downgrade” (move from house to apartment) This is NOT a downgrade to me. I know everyone will have their own opinions on that but I’m just asking you keep any negative vibes to yourself at this time (and forever) because this is a super exciting time for me, it’s exactly what I’ve been needing for a very long time. I’m on my own for the first time ever. I have so much room to grow and so much growing to do. The last thing anyone in the world needs is for someone to unnecessarily rain on their parade.

You can, of course, expect lots more photos and full room tours as soon as I’m completely settled. I can’t wait to share all my new adventures with you all, I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer ever!
xoxo

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what I wore : stripes + polka dots

by Kaylah Stroup
details 
jacket – c/o HauteLook
cardigan – Modcloth
shirt – TJ Maxx
jeans – Target
boots – c/o The Drifter Leather
necklace – Buzz Worthy Beauty Necklace c/o Modcloth (last year)
camera bag – Siena c/o Jo Totes
patches – Explorer’s Press

Well, would ya look at that, another outfit featuring this darn coat. Sorry ’bout it. I’m obsessssssed. I haven’t left the house without it since it got here. I’m not sure I’ve ever loved a piece of clothing so much, except maybe this camera bag, which I’m sure you noticed I’ve been wearing an awful lot in outfit posts. I’ve basically been using it exclusively. I even sold some of my other camera bags since they were getting ignored. As a camera bag hoarder, I think that speaks pretty highly of this particular bag.

Hope you’re having an excellent Tuesday!
xoxo

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