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window shopping

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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friday favorites #559

by Kaylah Stroup May 15, 2020

this post contains affiliate links.

I’m normally more into scented candles than decorative ones but these things are seriously awesome!

I bought this dress this week. I am so excited to wear it! Gonna pair it with my jean jacket + Tevas!

This pin is precious.

This dog planter is just absurdly cute.

Two of my favorite things – eyes + rainbows!

I have broken two pairs of sunglasses in the last week. I can’t decide if that’s a really good reason to buy these or a good reason not to buy them. Aren’t they so snazzy!?

These handmade lip balms come in so many amazing sounding flavors. Coffee! Root Beer!? Chai? Sign me up!

I literally never ever put food in bowls like this but gosh, these bowls with tiny houses! Too cute!

I went looking for a polka dot summer dress and ending up finding this wrap dress. Not exactly what I had in mind but better. It’s also available in other colors and patterns.

This beach towel!!

Very into these shirts by Residential Ghost.

Link love…

  • This peacock doorknocker!! Seriously, why would you ever have something boring and plain when things like this exist?!
  • A polka dot T-shirt with a crocodile in the pocket!
  • I can’t decide if I think these corgi butt bloomers are the best or the worst.
  • This vintage cat painting is so so so good!
  • I’ve linked to this bra a couple of times before but gosh, I still love it so much. Paired with some joggers it’s the sexiest cozy outfit ever.
  • This jumpsuit looks so comfy and breezy. Perfect for summer!

Happy Friday! xoxo

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About Me

About Me

Hello!

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

I also always take two shots because I’m an inst I also always take two shots because I’m an instant photo hoarder and it physically pains me to not have these photos in my collection. 😛
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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