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window shopping

sunnydaze day dreaming

by Kaylah Stroup March 29, 2023

this post is sponsored by Sunnydaze Decor.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

I feel like every year I am more excited about spring than I was the previous year. This year I feel like I could absolutely just explode waiting for the weather to finally warm up enough for me to really start spending time in the garden. I recently got one of these galvanized steel raised beds from Sunnydaze Decor and then immediately fell down a rabbit hole of things I’d love to add to our yard (hence this list!)

Sunnydaze Decor is a brand that specializes in providing high-quality, affordable outdoor decor and accessories. Their product line includes items such as fountains, fire pits, hammocks, outdoor furniture, and much more. They pride themselves on offering a wide selection of products that are both functional and stylish. I basically want everything. I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t need a frog fountain in their garden!? Did you know I started collecting garden frogs? Because I did.

Here is a tiny peek at one of our many current outdoor projects- laying bricks around the fire pit. The area surrounding it currently is bare dirt which mean when it rains, it’s muddy. We’ve have piles and piles of bricks all around our property so this seems like an obvious solution!

Right now the plan is just bricks in a circle around the pit but I’m already envisioning a smaller half circle off of the big one where I can have a swing, like this one, to read in while I enjoy the fire. I am so excited to keep creating a beautiful outdoor space. xo

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fun finial finds!

by Kaylah Stroup March 10, 2023

I recently thrifted a lamp that sent me on a wild goose chase to find a lamp shade. (No but have you tried to find an affordable lamp shade recently? It’s more difficult than I imagined!) I ended up at At Home where I stumbled upon this bird shaped lamp finial and it hit me – why in the world haven’t I been upgrading my finials?!

In case this word isn’t part of your vocab – a finial is element marking the top or end of some object, often formed to be a decorative feature. In this case, we’re talking the very tip top piece of a lamp.

Adorable, right!?

I am of the belief that if you can buy a boring version of something or a fun/silly version of something you should always choose the one that makes you smile! That’s why I own a bird leg table. That’s also why my fireplace pokers are horses! So, of course, I bought the bird finial and then immediately starting hunting down other fun animal shaped finials. Here are some of my favorites I found…

1. birds 2. elephant 3. monkey 4. horse 5. rabbit 6. frog 7. cat 8. fish. 9. parrot

I wish all my lamps could be as cool as my snake lamp but at $150 a pop that’s not really reasonable. Thrifting a lamp for under ten bucks and then adding one of these feels like a really great cheap alternative!

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20+ cute planters (that won’t break the bank!)

by Kaylah Stroup June 29, 2021

this post contains affiliate links.

black planter (comes in a set of three!) // white planter (comes in a set of five!)

With over one hundred house plants in my collection, hunting down cute planters has become a sport to me. I am constantly on the lookout for snazzy pots to add to my collection! Here are a handful that are already around my house and some I’ve got on my wishlist. Nothing on this list is over $50.

  1. set of three speckled planters
  2. matte black planter
  3. black + speckled tan planter – set of two
  4. white drip planter
  5. black + white raindrops – set of two
  6. striped planter trio
  7. smoked white planter – set of two
  8. terracotta pots with legs – set of two
  9. pink terracotta planters – set of two
moon face planter
moon face planter
butt planter
butt planter // planters with tiny legs (a set of three!)
cute planter round up!
  1. beaded planter
  2. two-tone geometric planter
  3. unglazed terracotta planter – set of two
  4. white and gold planter – set of two
  5. footed planter
  6. embossed planter
  7. dotted planter – set of two
  8. trio of pots with metal stands
simple black planter (set of five!)
tooth shaped planter
tooth planter

Remember, drainage is essential! Most of the planters shown in this post already have drainage holes but if you end up with one without, it’s super easy to drill your own. Check out my how to drill holes in planters tutorial.

Still not satisfied?

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Friday Favorites #564

by Kaylah Stroup October 10, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

I am positively wow-ed by Sclo Glass Studio’s work! Look at this crow. (They also do custom pet portraits!! OMG!)

Victorian mourning bath salts! Perfect for a spooky, seasonally appropriate bath!

How cute is this ghost mug!?

Grey Squirrel Studio makes gravestone impressions from clay that are seriously too cool. I’m particularly fond of the hand below. That’s one of my favorite headstone symbols.

Are you a member?

These earrings!!

Doesn’t this candle sound just incredible? I bet it smells so cozy.

This tea light holder!

Look at this precious little toad witch!

Just a totally normal way to spread jam on your toast!

Spooky & cute. My favorite combo!

Link love…

  • Loving this pumpkin shirt.
  • Halloween is also a good excuse to send out cards. Perhaps this one for your sweetest – I want to hunt cryptids with you.
  • Does your cat need a pie costume? I think so. (I mean, even if not, you need to go look at the photo. SO CUTE!)
  • A succulent planter shaped like a brain!!
  • A Halloween mini enamel pin blind bag!
  • I cannot tell you how much I love victorian mourning jewelry. This locket is so dreamy.
  • Very into this ‘witch things’ blanket!

Check out Etsy’s Halloween Guide for even more spooky finds from small businesses! xoxo

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friday favorites #563

by Kaylah Stroup September 11, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

This vintage snake lamp is… just amazing! I found a black version too.

This bat pin!

I got it in my head that I’d like a swing in my future home and now I spend oodles of time looking them up. Isn’t this one cute?!

These hand earrings!!

I cannot express how much I love this opossum print! There are other animals playing instruments too.

Spine candle!!!

I’ve got a massive crush on this green couch. I think my bright blue one is reaching its end days. I definitely want another bold piece. Green feels like a solid choice!

Loving this little kitty planter from YasyaCeramics. I’m a big fan of their work. I bought this cutie for myself.

Love this brightly color pendant lamp. I think it’d look really cool to hang a few of them at different lengths and in different colors.

Danial Ryan’s work is ridiculous and I can’t get enough of it. This print is hilarious.

This doorbell button! Oh my!

Holy smokes. A raccoon lamp!

I don’t think this is the first time I’ve featured this ghost pin but gosh, would ya just look at it? It’s cuuuute!

Link love…

  • This moon phase over the door rack is so snazzy!
  • I’ve talked about how much I like this dress in the past. I own it in a terracotta type color but it’s so pretty in dark pink. It’s so easy to style and super comfortable too.
  • You can literally grow avocado pits in any sort of container buuuut this one is shaped like a UFO!!!
  • I LOVE these Tevas! That color is fab.
  • This tiger bath mat is fabulous!
  • In case you wanted to be a mushroom for Halloween… or any other day. I don’t judge!
  • Look at this fox sconce!!! I’m really all about the lamps today, huh?
  • These plant sheets are perfection.

Happy Friday! xoxo

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friday favorites #562

by Kaylah Stroup August 14, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

A cat with a plant.

Oh sheet. These are cute.

These colors on this dress are perfect!! I actually have sandals that match almost perfectly.

Aren’t these handmade earrings so cute!?

Look how cool this secret storage planter is!!!

Be well!

I already own this dress in the black and white polka dot pattern and gosh darn it, I’m digging this one too. It’s such a cute dress.

This handmade mug! So pretty!

I’m kind of on a mirror kick at the moment. I just love the look of this one.

This lamp!

This stay weird sticker from Redbubble looks so cute on my mirror. I have a list of some more of favorites from Redbubble here and you can use code RBC-B2S20-thedaintysquid for 15% off!

Loving the color of this throw blanket!

Link love…

  • Umbra makes some of the coolest home decor things. I’m loving this shelf / planter.
  • I LOVE this stained glass spider web.
  • Tooth lovers, I found the mug for you!!
  • Yet another super cute mirror.
  • It’s almost sweater weather! I am very excited and definitely eyeing up this cozy looking striped cardigan.
  • I am 100000% obsessed with this snake door knocker.
  • Well, hello! This doormat is ca-yoooot!
  • It’s been months (maybe even years?!) and I am still dying over this lamp. It’s seriously perfect. I mean, other than the price tag.

Happy Friday! xoxo

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friday favorites #561

by Kaylah Stroup June 26, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

Plant person. It’s me! I really just love everything from Hemleva!

These opossum stickers are so silly. I love them.

LOVE these earrings. If you even kind of like these, you have to check out the rest of Lace & Pearls handmade jewelry.

A recent favorite purchase – this striped dress. It is PERFECT for summer. It’s breezy, comfortable and looks great without anything else added.

Elena Zaycman’s work is just incredible. I love this moth suncatcher.

I think the fact this pin is called ‘tiny dancer‘ is what really draws me in. So silly.

No touching!

A surprise mini cactus in a handmade planter. This is such a cute gift idea.

Mmmm! Cinnamon Chai!

The universe needs more humans like you!

How cute is this phone case!?

This shirt cracks me up.

link love…

  • I got these sandals this month and I’m probably just gonna never take them off.
  • Folks with cats – have you ever tried squeeze tube treats?! I bought my babies these ones and I LOVE treat time. It took them both a couple of tries before they really understood not to try to bite it and run away. It’s reeeeeally cute.
  • I am just obsessed with the packaging design of this fish head enamel pin. So clever.
  • I love Maria Tilyard’s animal pillows! This greyhound is incredible.
  • A planter made from cork! So neat!

Happy Friday! xoxo

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friday favorites – black owned small biz edition!

by Kaylah Stroup June 5, 2020

Nash + Pino has 10 free vegan nail polishes! Caramel Macchiato (pictured below!) is my favorite. Issa Vibe is also gorgeous.

NaturalAnnie’s candles are so fun.

These cocktail-inspired soaps from Soap Distillery sound great! I’m particularly interested in the one called ‘beer and cigarettes‘ (hops, tobacco and lavender! Gosh, that’s gotta be so good!)

Diggin Studio Nom’s work! She even has a DIY kit available if you’d prefer to make something for your wall.

Worthy and Badass has a wide variety of goods I think y’all will like! I’m particularly fond of her mirror sticker & monstera propagation station (which comes with a cutting of your choice!)

No Justice No Peace!

This planter by rkitekt is the cutest!

Blade + Bloom makes skin care balms, candles, scrubs, soaps and more.

Loving BobbiMadeThis’s earrings!

Hello Wildflowerrr has so many cute sticker designs!

Same!

Within three minutes of discovering Paige’s Candle Co I had one of her candles in my cart. I bought rum & tobacco but I REALLY want them all.

Love this junk food wrapping paper by Siyo Boutique!

Even more!

  • Pretty Honest Shop has so many lovely sounding candles!
  • Pi Colors Luxury Nail Polish has color changing polish!!
  • Everything from Chanvre Naturals sounds like an absolute treat.
  • Life Goal : Pet All The Doggos.
  • EcoVibe Style has so much awesome stuff I can’t even choose what to highlight.
  • The Lotus Bloom Co’s handmade wedding dresses… OMG.
  • Her shop is currently empty but y’all have to check out moonflesh on instagram! Her work is seriously out of this world.
  • Also amazing with an empty shop – Lolly Lolly Ceramics.
  • Gina Kirlew makes art featuring happy food that is so cute it hurts. She also does custom work!
  • Ahem. What’s that? Another candle shop? Yup. I freaking love candles and this tobacco caramel one sounds incredible. Black Orchid Apothecary also has a three for $35 deal!

Etsy also has a Black-owned shop feature right now. Check it out here.

After you’re done clicking around here & checking out all these black-owned small businesses, please check out this link. It has up to date links to petitions, places to donate, and perhaps most importantly, resources to educate yourself. xoxo

Also, just gonna note that at the the time of publishing, these shops all still had stock left. If they’ve sold out, bookmark them and come back another day! This isn’t a one time deal. Make an effort to support black-owned businesses everyday!

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friday favorites #560

by Kaylah Stroup May 22, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

A recent purchase I am SO excited about – boob planter! I liked it so much I bought a butt planter from the same company.

Digging these overalls. They look super comfy! (This pair is cute too! Love that baggy fit.)

Emily Kinsella’s work is so lovely. I really like her style.

Very very into these earrings!

The colors of this dress are so pretty. I’m featuring a dress that isn’t black and white striped?! Who am I?!!!

Love this weekly to-do list!

I feel like I feature Calhoun & Co’s blankets every other week. They just have such cute designs.

Aren’t these planters so pretty!?

This pillow!

I just love this dress! Perfect to just throw on with some sandals and be all set. It comes in a handful of other colors as well.

I LOVE this rug!

Link love…

  • THIS RUG HAS A FACE AND I LOVE IT. Yes, all caps.
  • Iridescent shower curtain!
  • This washi tape set in earth tones would be perfect to tape down pressed plants in a notebook. That may seem oddly specific but I’ve been finding TONS of four-leaf clovers lately so I’ve got pressed plants on the mind.
  • I wish this dress was photographed on a model because it is very cute and I’d love to know how it actually fits.
  • These PJs legitimately made me snort because they have bananas and ketchup on them? It just seems so random.
  • I LOVE the color of this shirt.
  • Oh hello. This bra sure is something! Also, this one!

Happy Friday! 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 is a for profit blog. and we participate in a number of affiliate programs meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase through one of those links. For more details click here

Christmas came early yesterday when my husband sco Christmas came early yesterday when my husband scored a huuuuge bag of free daffodils bulbs for me! I spent the  morning planting them along the trail on our side yard and I still have half a wheelbarrow full to plant tomorrow morning.

I won’t get to see them or even know what varieties they are until next spring. I am SO excited! I can’t wait to take this same picture of me surrounded by flowers next year. 

They say you should plant spring blooming bulbs in fall but honestly, the best time to do it is whenever you get your dirt covered fingies on them. 💁🏼‍♀️✨

Oh! And by all means, if you ever have outside plants you no longer want and you live in NEOhio - consider me a *~plant sanctuary*~ 😛

#kaylahgardens
Still over the moon about my new curio cabinet. ✨😍
two cool things found in my garden. ✨✨✨ two cool things found in my garden. ✨✨✨
End of May garden view! ✨✨✨ I can’t believ End of May garden view! ✨✨✨ I can’t believe we didn’t think to brick the inside before this year. It’s SO pretty! 😭❤️ Plus I don’t have to mow the inside anymore and I gained a lot more room for new flowers. Win/win/win!!!!
(Color difference between the outer ring and inside circle is because the outside is mulched. Going to wait to get a few more plants in the center before bothering to mulch.👍🏻)

#kaylahgardens
Probably woulda cried if you told me it’d take T Probably woulda cried if you told me it’d take TWO WHOLE YEARS to finish this “little project” but we’re finally done! 🎉🎉🎉 

All I wanted to do was replace the ugly plywood that was surrounding our front porch. (Scroll to the very end for a picture!) BUT old house rules means every project has to be ten thousand times more complicated than expected. The porch wasn’t supported by anything. So I dug and dug and dug so we could add concrete blocks to support it. Then my dad and I covered those in rocks to match the rest of the house. We also rebuilt the stairs!

It’s still a work a progress but gosh darn it, I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally have this big thing done! Can’t wait until the mortar cures and the color matches. 

(Also! Had to try to recreate that picture from my childhood! Some things never change. ❤️)
🐸✨ 🐸✨
2023 vs 2021 ✨ At the risk of sounding cliche, t 2023 vs 2021 ✨ At the risk of sounding cliche, this is truly my happy place. I spend so much time out here walking around, absorbing all the tiny details and changes. Every tiny bud brings me immense joy. In my garden, I feel peace. My noisy anxious brain finally settles. 😌

Also, dude, it’s only May! Look how big everything is already. What this bed gonna look like in August?!? It’s going to be INCREDIBLE!!! ✨✨✨
#ad21+ A busy day making the yard look good called #ad21+ A busy day making the yard look good called for a glass of whisky neat afterward! #MakersMark46 & some reading time! We really enjoy @MakersMark to begin with but Makers Mark 46 is something else! Easy-to-sip! Notes of caramel, vanilla + baking spice! It is DELICIOUS. 

Here’s your friendly reminder that Father’s Day is coming up & this would make an excellent gift if any father figures in your life are into tasty beverages! Click the link in my bio to purchase! 
@makersmark #MakersMark
added a little extension to the rose garden today added a little extension to the rose garden today because this rose was ✨irresistible✨ but now I’m thinking how I could extend the bed further and add even more roses! 🤗
Being working on this for a little while now and f Being working on this for a little while now and figured it was finally time to share here! I still have a boatload of work left to do on the stairs but I’m so excited to have these seventeen spindles done. Adding a handmade element like this to the house just feels incredible. 🎉✨

PS Subscribers saw it first! ✨I don’t share a ton to my subscription thing but they definitely see a few extra lil (or big like this!) projects before I’m ready to share with everyone.

copyright 2023 the dainty squid / kaylah stroup. please contact me about photo usage.


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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