BACK AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

Hello again, Blog World! 

It is I, Kay, back from her travels in Lazyville, where all ideas and ambitions go to die. Thankfully, I caught a bus out of Lazyville and am now trying to get back into blogging -- because, well, it's fun, right? 

Update: I have spent the last couple of months doing an assortment of things. For starters -- this summer -- as I think I mentioned maybe once or twice in prior posts (from, like, a million years ago), I was working in a factory. Factory life did nothing for my creativity -- whether in clothing or otherwise -- and jeans and t-shirts had become my default. Nothing wrong with that, just not what I enjoy wearing.  Unless I'm going somewhere super early, which is what I was doing for work. I finished working there in August and have now been attending my new college for about two months (give or take, considering mid-terms are over the next week or two). College has been fun, but I've definitely been in a style and creativity funk since the factory. Over the last few days, I've started feeling a lot better and wanting to dress up and write and take pictures and all the other stuff I used to do!

So, that was a little update on the last few months (I can swear to you: nothing really happened anyway -- it was far from interesting) and now I'd like to talk about forward. I want to do a few more things on this blog, not just photography. So, this is my plans for the next month:

• Reviews -- I'd like to start doing a review post every couple of months, whether it be a book or a movie or something similar. I've been proofreading the heck out of published material since I was a kid (my brain melts when I find a typo in a published book), so I think I want to try it out.
• A Picture A Day -- I am thinking about starting something coming up in the next few months, here on my blog, involving one picture a day. It will be a combined post, probably on Fridays, in which I'll share five pictures of something I've noticed throughout the week that made me super happy when I saw it (such as: particularly beautiful graffiti, a gorgeous tree, ...squirrels, because they are so awesome). Things like that. 
• TV Shows -- I have gotten into TV shows super bad lately. Supernatural is my new obsession. I can't get enough. I love it. (Well, I love Castiel, so there's that.) So, yeah, not really something changing on here, but I'm going to be referencing TV shows wa-aaaaa-ay too much. Look forward to it.

So, yeah, just a few things I've been thinking about. Over the next week or so, I'm going to be fixing some of the problems with my current layout (I did not edit that wardrobe quite the way I thought I edited it and is the color of the wood too bright? Blah) and sharing some pictures I took over the summer and the beginning of the school year.

And, if you're too lazy to read any of the above, because I have finger-vomit at the moment, just know this: I'M BACK! YIPPEE! HOORAY! AWESOME. 

THE IDEA OF SEASONS

"You don't love seasons, you just love the idea of seasons." 

I think that just about sums up how I feel about seasons, primarily winter and summer. When it's cold out, I love the idea of summer. When it's hot out, I love the idea of winter. Although, I must admit, snow always makes me rather giddy, unfortunately... it's 90 degrees out right now, on a near-daily basis, and there's little to no sign of snow. Hot weather doesn't really motivate me, either -- it just makes me lazy, tired, depressed, and hot. I'm one of those people that could overheat on a 60 degree cloudy day... yup, that's me! So, anyway, the weather is hot and I'm just lacking any and all motivation to dress up in the mornings (the five o'clock alarm doesn't help either, clearly) nor to really take pictures of people. That's my little summary of why I've been lacking in outfit posts lately -- laziness. Sad, but true. Sorry! 

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 6: MY FAVORITE ZOO EXHIBIT

So... what's my favorite zoo animal ever?

Otters!

And here's an entire post devoted to them!

Yay! 

So, feel some otter love for me!

(Although I couldn't add the gif I wanted to in...

Photoshop doesn't like me very much, apparently.)

NEW HOME SWEET HOME

I've finally started settling down in my new apartment and new town (I'll call it Btown)! I got this nifty little apartment with my mother, her boyfriend, and my little brother Sammy (he's seven). The place is huge. Five or six bedrooms, big kitchen, two bathrooms, and the magnificent porch above (which is gorgeous, I love it, and it looks fantastic in pictures, right?). Other than that, I started my new job. I work in a factory making catheters, but it's actually not bad. I sit at a counter for about eight hours listening to books on tape (currently on The Shipbreaker) and working. It's not bad. I did have a ton of blisters, cuts, and burns on my hands this week, but hopefully I'll just get used to it and it won't be so bad! Having quite a bit of fun in Btown, getting to see my old friends (I attended one of the high schools here for a year and a half, but ended up moving back home before my Senior year) and hanging out. 

This outfit was from last weekend. It was the last of the outfit pictures taken by Aaron. He went back home Monday (which is five hours away), which is sad, but it'll be just fine! We went to see Oblivion (which I really recommend, I loved it!) and I wore this: a polka-dot skirt with a red sweater over a white shirt and my favorite thrifted shoes! 

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 5: MAMMALICIOUS

Ah, warthogs. The Phantoms of the animal kingdom --

the maskless wielders of the ugly stick. 

I, personally, think warthogs are really, really cool.

Especially the way they sit on their knees to snort around in the dirt.

And that long, luscious back hair. Braid-worthy.

But, in all seriousness: warthogs are cool.

As are the other zoo mammals -- check 'em out!

What did I say about the knee thing?

These prairie dogs were just being fed --

they were yippin' and squackin' all over the place!

They'd jump in the air on their hind legs

and squeal. It was adorable!

I forgot what these guys are called, but they're pretty much pigs with quills.

Cuties.

Lions and tigers -- oh my! (But, apparently, no bears!)

Loved the camels! Really pretty!

Aaron was just like, "Them floppy humps."

Way to ruin the moment.

I LOVE RED PANDAS. 

Caps lock gets my point across better, right?

These guys are Takins. The one at the front, I believe, is Kong,

and the one right behind is Mulan --

they just had a baby!

See him in the back? 

The zoo was holding a contest to name him! 

Cool!

Anyway, the above guys were super cool!

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for visiting!

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 4: THEM BIRDS

The above delightful creature scared me half to death --

I didn't realize he was staring at the back of my head

(from, like, a foot away and behind a wall)!

So, anyway, I love birds, if you couldn't tell already.

But zoo birds are a totally different story --

I don't know if they freak me out or if I love them.

(Especially the peacocks, which run around all wild-like.)

Here are some bird pictures!

PLAYING TETRIS WITH... STUFF

Please ignore how dirty my beautiful baby car is... its been a long winter.

I'm back!

Kinda.

FASHION CHOICES GONE WRONG

On the last day of classes, Aaron had to be in a debate. 

Along with that, he had to dress "professionally" --

we came up with this shirt and pants 

and he added in the hat, because he knows I like it.

Unfortunately, his color of choice was black...

and the 40 degree weather we'd had all week...

suddenly turned into 80. 

The poor guy was clearly melting,

but the outfit still looked good!

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 3: REPTILES, FISH, OH MY!

Above are the beautiful fish from the koi pond at the zoo.

One of my favorite things to see at the zoo are the reptiles and fish --

I love being in the little in-door reptile exhibits

and I love sitting around and watching the aquatic creatures!

(I love aquariums, too -- one of my favorite places!)

So here are some reptiles, fish, and whatever else pictures! 

Enjoy!

LAST DAY

Wednesday was my last day ever at my current college --

next year, I'll start at the main campus. 

Although it's exciting, it's also a little sad --

I would've shed a tear, if I hadn't seen three others doing the same thing in the hall

(over finals, no doubt). 

Thankfully, my last day on campus was in the 80's

and, while I did get heat stroke, it was still beautiful out!

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 2: PRIMATES!

Our main goal at the zoo the other day was to study primates, because Aaron's in an anthropology class and this is his extra credit. (Can I just say... BEST EXTRA CREDIT EVER! Why does he get all the cool classes?) So, this whole post will be all primates, primarily because I had to stand around watching Tamarin's for an hour so he could study them, but oh well. They're awesome and adorable and super cool (and I chose them as his assignment, so, whatever!) 

Enjoy these cuties!

ZOO ADVENTURE, PART 1

So, last Friday (the 26th), Aaron and I went to the zoo for his anthropology class. Thankfully, as of a few days ago, I now have a laptop (my dad's old squad car laptop, which is from 2008 but works really well!) and can edit the 900+ pictures I took of the various animals (I am ashamed of how many photos I took, really). I downloaded a free version of photoshop from my college database and now can edit pictures... although I'm still rusty with this newer version of photoshop. 

Anyway, Aaron and I went to the zoo and had a blast! I have a bajillion pictures, but I'll just do a general outfit overview today and get into the animals next time!

GREETINGS FROM FINALS WEEK(S)

It's finals week! (Or, well, weeks, since I have finals this week and next week!) I just turned in my final English paper (which was about agriculture patent laws and how they are crummy -- yeeeeah) and I have two Philosophy and one Politics final next week. Then? I'm moving! Next Saturday, I'm packing up all my stuff and moving to my new college town. I'm super excited, a little nervous, kind of sad that I'll be leaving Aaron and his family -- but it'll be fun and I can't wait to see my three super-duper best friends that live in that town! On another note, my computer is still broken (i.e. why I don't have my photoshop program, so the pictures are so-so), but I decided to utilize my access to Aaron's laptop for the next two weeks and take some photos. These were taken during one of the warmer days this week and they're on my current campus. (If anyone can tell: tights-less season is here! Not. I'm just forcing the weather to feel warmer by not wearing tights. Oh well.)

RUNNING OUTTA LUCK

LESSONS FROM CRITTERS

One of the reasons I love being a pet owner so much

is because pets do a lot more than sit around and demand food --

They teach you lessons that you never realize you're learning!

And these lessons -- the ones I've learned from mine --

have been some of the best I could have hoped for.

So, today, I'd like to share with you some of the lessons I've learned

and I sincerely hope you enjoy them!

Although it'd be a great help in teaching them that licking burglars to death doesn't help.

WELCOME AT LAST, SPRING!

So, while I know everyone is sick and tired of hearing about the weather (and, I know, weather posts are like a bad fad that's been beaten and stretched till it can't take anymore -- ahem, like UGG's), you're going to have to bear with me for at least one more post (or a bazillion more, who knows?). Spring has finally sprung (lame phrase is lame) in my little corner of the Midwest, if only for a day. Sunday was a brilliantly warm day that didn't have a cloud in the sky -- unfortunately, I can't say the same for the following two days (think icy rain and an almost soaked camera -- you get the picture). But, still, Sunday was great -- we went for a walk, took some pictures, ate some hamburger helper, and I stayed up till two in the morning working on my Ethics presentation that I totally forgot was due the next day (someone is clearly neglecting the sticky note calender -- which took almost half an hour to make -- plastered over the computer wallpaper). Hey, at least I got the homework done eventually! Anyway, it was a super, awesome, fantabulous, marvelous day and I hope it won't be the last warm day for the week -- I really need more days like that one (as I'm sure we all do)!

JUST A LAZY SUNDAY

WEEKLY FINDS | WEEK #3

MONDAY, APRIL 8TH

I'm desperately searching for a swimsuit right now. I'd actually looking for a pin-up styled two-piece, but this retro blue and daisy-styled one piece on Thrifted & Modern totally caught my eye. Isn't it cute?

TUESDAY, APRIL 9TH

I am moving -- have I mentioned this before? (Sorry, it's going to keep coming up.) And this is the coolest bed set (from Ikea) ever. Moose! I'm having a thing for antlers lately, can you tell by this list? I NEED THIS BED SET.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH

Did I mention I love antlers? This is a necklace made by the Etsy shop Paperface Studio and it's absolutely adorable. They have gold and silver -- but I am more fond of silver than gold. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 11TH

I'm bathing suit searching, as I mentioned. This is more toward the style that I want, although I'm not sure I'm the florally, pink-styled person, but I love the pin-up, high-waisted look! I've been searching through tons of websites -- ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Delia's, etc. -- but still haven't found the style I want. Anyone have any store suggestions?

FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH

This Bonne Chance Collections dress is absolutely adorable, primarily because it seems to have cardinals on it (I'm assuming they're cardinals, but, whatever, they're red birds!). I love cardinals, primarily because I live in the cardinal state (well, that's not a dead giveaway). Cute, right? Love the style and the print! 

So, yeah, it's been a slow week, but here are my week's obsessions!

(Also, I'm crazy bruised -- outfit pictures will resume when I can move again.)

JUST ONE OF THOSE WEEKS

I've just had one of those weeks. You know the ones: where the world just seems to be out to get you and you become a paranoid mess that usually either is the first or the last one to die in a horror flick. That was me throughout the end of this week, primarily because I became vertically challenged. Literally. Let me tell two stories -- one long and one short. First, on Wednesday. I had a meeting with my English Professor (I'm an English minor) on the third floor of our tech building. I was about to go up the stairs, but wasn't sure how high they went up (I'd only been in the upper floors of the tech building once to change my major -- I'd taken the elevator), so I decided to take the elevator. So, I'm standing in this elevator by myself. And it's just going up and I'm watching the numbers change from 1st to 2nd... and then we got to 3rd. But the elevator didn't stop. It went up higher than the third floor and then... dropped down to the third floor level. It was, like, a foot drop at best, but I almost had a heart attack. Then the doors opened about an inch... and then the whole elevator turned off. None of the buttons worked. Not the emergency button, not the "doors open" button. Nothing. I was about to freak out when I saw a shadow pass by the opening and yelled for help. My Philosophy professor came and we pried open the doors and I was finally free. Most horrifying five minutes of my life. Ever. Period. Second, Thursday... I fell down a flight of stairs. From the very top. I bruised my wrist and my back. 

I have now decided I will never leave the first floor of a building. Ever again, if I can help it.

A NAUTICAL SPRING

Spring rain has been hammering down on the house for the past few days -- it's scattered, although heavy, and I'm not brave enough to risk my camera just to take a few pictures. Hence, I haven't gotten any outfit pictures in a few days, but -- alas -- Aaron is home from house sitting a family friend's house and can now take my pictures again (ain't he lucky!). Today was a warm day, don't know how warm, but it was warm enough for me not to have sleeves! I just got this Rue21 nautical shirt the other day (because I had a coupon... I mean, come on, how could I resist?) and I absolutely adore it. It's soft and long and I can totally tuck it into some skirts and stuff. So. Much. Potential. Along with the shirt, I got that necklace and earrings, because I realized I am lacking in the accessories department, especially with big necklaces. So, I got two big necklaces and a pack of cute little, stud-like earrings. And I got two dresses, which will surely be showing up in no time at all (as per usual)!

INSPIRATION: BEDROOM DECOR

I don't know if I've mentioned this yet -- or a million times -- but I'm moving come May... or, well, in 25 days. Yay! I'm super duper excited and nervous and all sorts of other things, even though I'm just moving into an apartment with my Mom (lame? na-aaaaa-ah, she's cool) and it's into a town that I lived in for two years in high school, before I made the decision to move back to my hometown by myself. I'm really super excited, but -- more than that -- I'm super excited to have my own bedroom and work space. Crazy, right? I've been living in someone else's cramped corridors for nearly three to four years, so it's hard to imagine that I will get to decorate and fill the space with stuff chosen by me! 

So, due to the fact that I wasn't up for much posting this weekend, here's some inspiring pictures for my future bedroom -- or, well, close enough! (Because I'm such a kid, the majority of these are children's bedrooms -- whoops!)

credit: home-designing

TOO SCARED TO LOOK!

As interesting days go, this Friday has been very interesting. Max, Aaron, and I went and picked up my brother, Lyphie, and went to the mall for a bit (I got an awesome bird-print dress, but more about that some other day) before going to see the new Evil Dead. Guys. Guys. I am a big fan of the original Evil Dead films. I grew up on them. In my family, they were more iconic and nostalgic than any Christmas film (other Sowka-family-Nostalgia-films: Labyrinth with David Bowie, Troll, Yellow Submarine, Night of the Living Dead, and any pre-90s zombie flick). The new one is awesome and I loved it. It's horrifying in the way that Campbell always wanted it, but quite funny in the spirit of the original three. It made us laugh, cringe, shake our heads, and cover our eyes. It was excellent as a horror flick! I would recommend it 100%, especially for the essential plot twist that makes this a stand-out compared to the originals (which is fine by me -- I didn't want a complete reboot!). Go see it! Seriously!

I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU

My camera was having a love affair with the sparkle ball -- hence, the crummy focus!

Hey, guys, those of you that read this blog: You're awesome. I can't stop loving you. I also love these six stop signs on the way to my grandparent's house that someone vandalized in the most awesome way ever. They're too cool for school and all that 90's jazz. So, on Tuesday, Aaron and I went Goodwilling -- i.e. Goodwill shopping. It was awesome. Last time I went, I'd totally forgotten about the dress section! How sad. I couldn't believe it. I got so much stuff. Two items I need to sew -- a dress and a skirt that are crazy long. I got two shirts, three skirts, a bunch of dresses, and belts that are fantastic. Also, I saw this awesome light switch cover on a blog the other day and was obsessed. I posted it all over my personal facebook and couldn't stop talking about it. Guess what? I found two antler wall hangs at Goodwill for $3. Score! Now I can just make my own! So happy. When I move come May, someone needs to remind me to post pictures of it -- it's going to be swell! With that out of the way, on to the daily outfit!

ATOP THIS HILL, THE WIND DOTH BLOW

So, I kind of used my really, really Easter-y outfit on Saturday, hence, I had to come up with another colorful, Easter-egg like outfit for the next day! (Which, um... was actually Easter.) So, I picked my Rue21 dress (I can talk for hours about how awesome the colors and designs are on this dress, but I will refrain!) with a blushed bow belt, a yellow cardi, and heels! I really loved this outfit, but it wasn't particularly well suited for the terrain on our nature walk. My feet felt like they were going to fall off by the time we got back! Ye-owch! But it was fun anyway!

EASTER DAY RECAP

Multiple days of Easter for me -- well, Saturday and Sunday. Happens every year. On Easter Sunday, anyway, I was at Aaron's grandparent's Easter celebration and then later spent it at my own grandmother's. Here's a little recap of the afternoon at Aaron's grandparents (which was pretty gosh darn fun -- wish I didn't wear heels!).

DAY OF BUNNIES AND CANDY

It's Easter -- the day for egg hunts, candy, and yummy meals (anything except ham, please -- yuck). I'm not going to take up too much of your precious time on this day of festivities, but here's my Easter Day outfit. I chose bright colors to compliment the day -- and, look, I've got an egg... which isn't painted... and I just pulled it out of the fridge. My bad. I haven't painted eggs in years, sadly. Enjoy.

WEEKLY FINDS | WEEK #2

M / Tu / W / Th / F

MONDAY, MARCH 25TH

This cute eShakti corset style dress is covered in little hopping bunnies! What's better than that for the upcoming bunny-inspired weekend? You could blend into the festivities aisle at your local chain store! (I would take that opportunity to jump out and scare small children... I mean... What?)

TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH

Ugh. If only I was fifteen years younger and could wear toddler sizes -- I would have everything from Little  Goodall's etsy shop! I would live and breath in this bunny jacket -- or even the owl one! All of them are just adorable.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH

I fell in love with these shoes at Modcloth -- in all the colors, but these pastel-y green ones are absolutely cute. I love the buckles and... just... they're perfect. Pastel for a bunny weekend? I think so.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH

Bunny necklace! I love this wood one from the etsy shop Nicola and the Newfoundlander. It's adorable and has a very fairy tale-esque feel to it. It reminded me of the Velveteen Rabbit when I saw it! (I loved that story as a kid.)

FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH

Obligatory Doctor Who mention on here, since the second half of the season airs tonight! So excited! Anyone else totally going crazy over it right now? Anyway, I'm a big fan of the DW aliens -- Cybermen are awesome, although Daleks are my favorite. But this shirt totally made me giggle like an insane person.

Anyway, bunny inspired items for a bunny weekend.

Got any awesome outfit plans? Dressing up like a rabbit?

(I know I would if I could.)

SICKLY VAMPIRE AM I

The weather might have hit 50 today! Maybe. It felt like it! Especially in the sun -- which (gasp!) was out. Finally. I've been getting real sick of this weather real fast -- I'm through, I'm done, I'm finished. And, with the weather being so nice, Aaron and I decided to take a nice little walk down to the community center to take pictures by the woods and their fence (which I think is pretty nifty looking). I played my video game till late last night -- My name is Kay and I'm addicted to Bioshock Infinite -- and didn't get up to pretty late in the day today, so... pretty much all I've done today is take a walk. Oh, life is so hard. Anyway, in lieu of the good weather, I decided to go the route of shorts (which wasn't the most weather-conscious decision, but whatever) and my hand-me-down polo sweater (which, a few years back, I kept calling my "polio shirt"...hm). 

WARNING: Butt-tons of pictures coming up.

I had wa-aaaaa-ay too much fun with the camera.