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my earring collection

by Kaylah Stroup June 20, 2018

Eight and a half months ago I got my earlobes reconstructed. I had started stretching them over thirteen years ago. After nine years of having them at 38mm, and hundreds of dollars in jewelry, I finally decided it was time to say goodbye. I’ve chronicled the journey (with lots of photos) fairly throughly and now it’s time to move on to the next chapter.

What’s the next chapter? Finally getting my cute new earlobes repieced and starting an epic earring collection!

As you may have seen, I got my ears pierced back toward the end of April. It was painless, and they healed up quick. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to start wearing cute earrings. Loving that statement earrings are so popular right now too. Its made it easy for me to quickly build up a fun collection. Maybe a little too easy.

Just so things wouldn’t get out of control, I made it a rule that I couldn’t buy any earrings until I got my ears pierced. Obviously I bought a pair to celebrate the new piercing and I guess I’ve just been celebrating a whole bunch since then because my collection is already pretty darn awesome. I can’t imagine what it’ll look like in another year if I keep going at this rate.

left to right, top row first; Vintage Acorn, Océanne, Flying Tutu + Acute Designs

BaubleBar

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15

I wore no.12 on my wedding day! They were also the first pair I bought.

And, finally, my current storage situation. Not a good one, clearly. I take that back, it looks fine in this photo but this photo was taken fairly early on. The number of earrings has more than doubled. I think it’s time to suck it up and buy an earring rack like this one.

Now I leave you with two questions – How do you store your earrings? & Where is your favorite unexpected spot to find cute earrings? Right now I’m loving Target’s earring selection. Not super surprising because Target always has cute stuff but I’ve been picking up a pair nearly every time I go there!
xoxo

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adventures in avocado propagation IV

by Kaylah Stroup June 19, 2018

May 21st, 2018

Look how wild that one is getting! I’m a little grossed out by how… meaty(??), for lack of a better word, it is on the inside. At this time it seems to be the only one growing all that extra stuff.

May 26th, 2018

Look at all that growth! I’m super impressed with how quickly my little sprout seems to be growing. For a while it felt like it’d never make it’s way out and now every time I look at it I’m shocked how much taller it is. Even comparing these photos to the ones on the 21st of the month you can see how much it grew.

May 29th, 2018

We put the air conditioning unit in the window and all of my plants had to be moved from the kitchen table! I’m a little bummed because they did look so pretty there, all grouped together but they’d never survive with cold air pumping in on them.

June 2nd, 2018

Lots of growth and an accident. One of my containers slid and fell from my even so slightly slanted windowsill. I was pretty disappointed, especially since that one seemed to have some really interesting and healthy looking roots. Instead of throwing it away, I decided to just pop it back into the container, and see if it would still grow. Worst case scenario? It dies. Best case? I grow a tree!

June 14th, 2018

Didn’t see my avocados for over a week while I was off getting married. I expected to see a bit of change but I definitey did not expect to see all the growth that happened. All of my roots are SO wild! Pretty sure that one is just some sort of alien, not really an avocado! Look at the roots!

The photo above (and the one below) show the pit that had fallen and broken. Clearly that didn’t hinder it in the least. When I placed it back in the container the two pieces were carefully leaned up against each other so they wouldn’t just fall into the water. When I got back from the trip and finally checked on them there had been so much growth that they were both firmly pressed up against the glass. I’m thinking I might need to move it into a larger container so that it continues to have room to grow.

June 17th, 2018

Look at the leaves starting to open up on that guy! I’ve waited so long for this!!

Have you started your own avocado pits yet!? If you couldn’t tell, it’s pretty darn satisfying.
xoxo

Past updates – part 1, part 2 + part 3.

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instant photos from our wedding week!

by Kaylah Stroup June 18, 2018

Polaroid Originals color frame polaroid originals

Just a little round up of Polaroid film shot on our wedding road trip! One week on the road. We explored abandoned buildings in the desert, visited roadside attractions, hung out in a couple of caves, spent time checking out the Grand Canyon and uh… GOT MARRIED.

These road trips out west, which have become an annual thing for us, are the one time of the year that I completely go wild shooting instant film. It’s not a cheap hobby so I tend to hoard my film. There’s quite literally more film than food in our fridge most of the time!

Obviously I went into this trip knowing it would be even more special than normal. I took SO MANY POLAROIDS! Photos I know I’m going to treasure forever. The one of Jeff and I at our wedding, looking tough with our friends might be one of my absolute favorite polaroids ever. I already have it framed*. My scanner didn’t do it justice, at all.

I’m a huge fan of this film and it’s actually fairly inexpensive these days. I mean, comparatively. Still a little over $2 per photo but NOTHING beats being able to physically touch a photo, and watch it slowly develop. Despite the fact they’re not even close to the quality you’d get from a digital camera, there’s just something so special about them! I only wish I had taken more of them on this trip!
xoxo

*These frames are perfect for displaying instant film!
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Friday Favorites #470

by Kaylah Stroup June 15, 2018
This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, read here.

These bookends! So cute!

(via Indigo Trade)

I discovered Katie Kimmel’s work recently (thanks to Sara – who is definitely worth a follow!) and I’m in love! Her dog planters are so ridiculously silly!

(via Katie Kimmel)

These socks! So good!

(via Jimmy Buffalo)

These cactus mugs!

(via Pottery Lodge)

This brass beetle ashtray is so awesome! I have a fly shaped one and could easily see myself starting a collection of them.

(via Little Secret Room)

This shirt + those pants would look so darn cute together.

(via Modcloth)

Lomography’s newest camera is THE cutest!

(via Lomography)

Etsy shared a tutorial on how to make DIY rainbow cookies! So pretty!

(via Etsy)

LOOK AT THIS MAP DRESS. My goodness! Comes in sizes XXS-4X!

(via Modcloth)

Link love…

  • This dress! The colors and patterns. So pretty!
  • Cactus hooks!
  • In my dream home, there’s a whole room devote to my oddities. I’d definitely take out the door and put this beaded curtain there instead.
  • I found a fancy-ish looking dress covered in bees and I’m in love!
  • Diggin these funky pillows.
  • Love this green romper!
  • Just a simple blue and white polka dotted dress. Perfect for summer.
  • These candles look so lovely. Plus lavender, olive, and rosemary? Yes, please!

Happy Friday!
xoxo

PS. I have a list of more rad finds here + they’re organized by color!!! Each week I update a color. This week – yellow + gold! On top of that, this week I started a second list ‘things I own + love!”

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Just married!

by Kaylah Stroup June 13, 2018

photo by Madeline Barr

I’m baaaaack. A little sunburnt, super sleepy and most importantly… MARRIED.

I did my best to get the blog all scheduled up before leaving but failed to get anything queued for this week. I’m not even worried about it though. It felt really nice to step away from the computer, and work for a week. One whole week spent with my family, friends and HUSBAND. Exploring the desert, eating all the gas station snacks, and making memories. I have so many photos I want to share – both my own and ones from our incredible photographer, Madeline. (She had a sneak peek ready for us the next morning. I can’t stop looking through them!!!)

When I packed for this trip I forgot to include my gratitude journal which means I woke up this morning I had a lot to write down. I have so many thoughts and stories to start writing about as soon as I catch up on sleep but I just wanted to share a little list of good things, random memories, and happy thoughts from the last week in no particular…

▴ Finally crossing Cadillac Ranch off the bucket list!
▴ The lady at the courthouse put ‘Justin’ on the marriage license instead of ‘Jeff’. She was embarrassed but we thought it was hilarious. It’s especially funny because Jeff loves to give fake names. (Obviously she fixed it.)
▴ Found the best coffee shop in Flagstaff, Single Speed Cafe. Had the best lavender latte of my life the day before we were married.
▴ Went into this knowing where we’d get married but not the exact spot. It was a blast hiking around with everyone to find the perfect spot to exchange vows the day before the wedding.  Definitely one of my favorite memories of the trip. There were even puppies involved.
▴ Sunsets in Arizona are seriously top notch.
▴ The Wigwam is heaven on earth + the perfect place to have a mini reception! I just wanna swim forever.
▴ Exploring abandoned buildings with my dad was just as fun as I thought it would be!
▴ You guys, we got married in a ghost town, on top of an old tower complete with a spiraling staircase. Easily the best location EVER.
▴ Three words – complimentary cheese plate.
▴ So many great cemeteries! (Hello, welcome to the only blog where someone will be raving about how fabulous both their wedding and the cemeteries were!)
▴ Second to youngest niece correcting all the other kids – ‘He’s not Jeff anymore! He’s UNCLE Jeff!’
▴ Swimming with my nieces and nephew.
▴ Water slide races, even my dad + brothers got in on the action.
▴ Jeff looked soooo fine on our wedding day, and gosh darn it, I LOVE seeing that ring on his finger.
▴ Another favorite moment – Elycia going into the cave with her youngest, Olive, strapped to her in the carrier. We have zero plans for kids but Elycia is serious #momgoals.
▴ I only cried a little bit during the ceremony! I’m just as shocked as you are. Spent most of the day laughing, and just feeling overjoyed.
▴ Still can’t believe our friends and family came to the desert to watch us get married. I could cry about it now.
▴ Our wedding was legit perfect. PERIOD.

It was the trip of a lifetime!

That’s all for now. I have so much more to share later but we got home at 2 am this morning. Professor was meowing his little kitten head off and since picking Klaus up a little earlier this morning he hasn’t left my side, except to get toys to bring me. I have some cuddling to do!
xoxo

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Friday Favorites #469

by Kaylah Stroup June 8, 2018
This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, read here.

Everything is better with a face!

(via Atelier Stella Ceramics)

Look at this lil cutie!

(via Berkley Illustration)

This necklace!

(via Uncommon Goods)

Always a fan of a cute notepad!

(via Papermint Studio)

These keychains by Idlewild Co! So cute!

(via Moorea Seal)

Love the texture of this blanket!

(via Urban Outfitters)

Love the colors of this card. The Paper Pony Co has such a cute illustration style.

(via The Paper Pony Co)

Bando’s new planners are out!! I love this one!

(via bando)

Aren’t these socks so much fun!?

(via Zulu Zion)

I’ve built up quite a collection of fun earrings already but I definitely don’t have enough studs. Aren’t these ones so pretty?

(via Amazon)

Purritos!!

(via Striped Cat Studios)

Link love…

  • These custom paper doll portraits are the absolute coolest.
  • Never gonna stop crushing on this bag!
  • Love this flamingo wallet.
  • Guys, enamel pins that are fruits with butts. Fruity booty. They’re just so silly!
  • Definitely digging these earrings.
  • I really love Blue Q’s sassy socks.
  • LOVING this dress! It has stripes, floral and ruffles!

Happy Friday!
xoxo

PS. I have a list of more rad finds here + they’re organized by color!!!

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#fessermakesfaces – wedding edition!

by Kaylah Stroup June 7, 2018

Guys! I’m getting married this weekend. I’m not sure if you knew that. I mean, I’ve only been talking about it for seven months straight.

I’ve been counting down the days since the moment we officially set the date. Yet, somehow, I’m still shocked its here already. The photo above is a pretty accurate portrayal of how I feel. I managed to capture a few more photos of Professor that sum up some other thoughts and feelings I’m having…

 How I feel about not getting to sit beside my fiance on the flight there.

Yelling from the back of the plane “Jeffy! We’re getting married!!!”

Realizing how the desert sun is going to fade my beautiful, freshly dyed, hair color the days leading up to the wedding.

Looking up to ceiling cat, wondering how I got so lucky.

But then realizing I have to get up at FOUR IN THE MORNING on my wedding day.

Stressing over all the tiniest details.

I’m filled to the brim with excitement!

I’m a little worried there will be a bunch of photos of me like this…

and this…

aaaaand this!

But mostly I’m just excited to nuzzle my scruffy faced man…forever!!!

xoxo

If you’d like to see more photo of this wild little kitten, you should follow his instagram – @fessermakesfaces.

 

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nail round up III

by Kaylah Stroup June 6, 2018

CND Vinylux in Mint Convertable & Couture Covet + nail stickers

Veque Sea Cliff, ILNP Birefringence + scotch tape

My scotch tape designs are always kind of random. I don’t necessarily think them out before I start cutting out little pieces. Designs just sort of happen. That being said, I feel like I need to recreate whats going on on my ring finger on all my fingers sometime soon! That nail is so cute.

Wet n Wild On A Trip, ILNP Birefringence, Veque Sea Cliff + scotch tape

Sally Hansen Primrose and Proper, China Glaze Purr-fect + dotting tool

CND Vinylux Couture Covet, Veque Sea Cliff, Zoya Abby, Zoya Jordan + nail stickers

As you can see, I’ve kind of been on a color kick. Lots of shades of blue, and gosh darn it, I love ILNP’s Birefringence. I wish I could figure out more ways to wear it and show off how gorgeous the colors are without painting my whole nail in it. ILNP’s polishes are incredible. There are only three nail polish brands I truly love and in the last few months ILNP has definitely earned their place in that list! What are some of your favorite nail polish brands?
xoxo

▴ I’ve got a hashtag over on Instagram – #kaylahsfancynails – if you’d like to see some peeks before my round up posts go live.
▴ Check out previous nail round ups here + here.
▴ Here are a few of my favorite nail tools + some tips on how to use nail stickers.</em

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what I wore – a different kind of polka dots

by Kaylah Stroup June 5, 2018

what I wore, the dainty squid, ohio blog, target style pin game, flair, dainty squid, daisy natives kaylah doolan, cleveland blog, fashion blog, ohio

details
hat – thrifted
earrings – Target (similar pair)
cardigan – Charter School Cardigan via Modcloth
pins – girls support girls via Daisy Natives, look on the bright side via Rifle Paper Co
dress – Dalmatian Dress via Target
shoes – ballerina flats via Amazon (under $20 + they match everything!!)

I’ve always loved Target but y’all, they have been KILLING it lately. So many good earrings! I want all the housewares! And the clothes! Goodness gracious, the clothes! I don’t know when it started but basically every time I’ve been in there lately I find an item of clothing I really like. Most recently – this dress from the clearance section! I hadn’t seen in before and I apparently found the only one on clearance. (Most likely a return since it was marked ‘as-is’ and I still can’t find anything visibly wrong with it?) It’s not even my normal size but I tried it on anyway because the pattern was just too good to pass up. As luck would have it, the dress runs large and a small fits perfectly. Basically, it was there just waiting for me. You already know I have it in my suitcase for the wedding trip!

Hope you’re having an awesome week (+ that you find some hidden gems in the clearance section!)
xoxo

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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