Style Log: Breezy Basics

[white shirt/thrifted from my grandma’s closet, ha! :: pink tank/thrifted, maurices :: skirt/thrifted :: flats/american eagle by payless :: shades/kmart :: watch/gift :: belt/with dress]

As I’ve probably said more than once now...I have a long commute. 50 miles, one way. Yea, that’s love for ya. :P Anyway, on this commute I pass several places that I think oh hey, that would be a good spot for photos. This was one of those places. Now...if I could just remember my camera more often I could try some other spots!

Lemme tell you, this is one cheap outfit. I’m going to add it up for you, because...well because I can.

White Shirt, Watch, Belt $0

Pink Shirt $3

Skirt $3

Flats $12

Shades $9

TOTAL $27

See, it’s totally possible to be cute and thrifty! I’m actually willing to bet that most days my outfits were created for under $50 - although I do have a few pricier items. Hmm, maybe I’ll start doing a cost break down to see. Could be a fun experiment!

While I love these summer, breezy outfits I’m beyond ready for fall. The weather keeps getting cooler, than spiking up for a few days. I just live for those cooler days when we can keep the windows open. Especially at night when we’re asleep. I sleep so much better when it’s chilly in the room! Plus, I’m so ready for fall foods...thick, creamy soups and shepherd’s pie, yum!

Sigh, soon enough it will be winter, so I suppose I should stop wishing away my summer days!

xo, kass

Shabby Apple!

 

 I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m part of the Shabby Apple Affiliate Program. See that Shabby Apple icon over to the left? Yea, if you click that and purchase something it benefits me, which is awesome!

Want something that will benefit you? Of course you do!

Right now you can get 10% off sitewide, until Friday, September 14th! Just use the code: favorite10 when you check out!

And just in case you need a little shopping inspiration, here are a few of my favorite items! :)  Click through the images to the site!
[all images from shabby apples online shop!]

Is that enough pretty dresses for ya? 
Don't forget...click through to the site using the icon to the left or at the top of this page AND use the code favorite10 for 10% off sitewide!

xo, kass

Let's talk about love...

 Let’s talk about love. And marriage.

We were at our friend’s place the other night, our married friends. Some partying had been happening and I’m not sure how we got on the topic, but the wife made some comment about how getting married didn’t matter and it was just a waste of money (or something along those lines). Her reasoning was because nothing changes, so you might as well just stay a non-married couple. Her husband agreed, and chimed in and made a joke about the only thing that changed was he pays more of the bills (they keep separate accounts). However, they have only been married a year, so the husband also said well, maybe the tax cuts will make a difference, the wife agreed. [SIDE NOTE: I think the fact they both agree marriage hasn’t changed anything just proves they have a good one. :) personal opinion of course.]

I immediately tried to put the kibosh on this discussion as my boyfriend was sitting there and I hope one day he will be my husband. I’ve been assured by him in the past that he would like to get married at some point (who knows when that will be, lol), but even so part of me is concerned. But why?

Does marriage really matter in the long run? Would it make a difference either way?

I don’t know, but I do know I still want to get married. Blame society, blame the little girl in me, I don’t know, but I know I want it. I was contemplating this topic on my drive to work yesterday morning (an hour commute allows for plenty - too much? - thinking time!) and I came to the following conclusion.

A wedding is not meaningless. A marriage is definitely not meaningless. You may not feel them necessary for your life, but they are not meaningless.

I don’t need a big wedding, which is not a new thought. In fact, I’d love to just get married in someone’s back yard somewhere and have a big cook out, I think that sounds fantastic. So, the argument that it costs a lot of money doesn’t bother me. I mean sure it still won’t be super cheap, but I’m thrifty. Also, I want the party! Who wouldn’t? I agree that a relationship shouldn’t or doesn’t need to really change after a marriage. I don’t have expectations either way, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want the symbolic act of a ceremony. I think traditions are nice...and that’s kind of how I look at a wedding. It’s not religious for me at all or about tax breaks (although that’s a possible bonus, ha).

 It’s just about sharing the love.

Ultimately, love is a simple idea. I think. The act of loving can be more difficult I suppose, but it’s a simple idea. It’s joyous...and infectious (in a good way). I love Brian more than I could possibly explain. He makes me a better version of myself, I care about him and enjoy being with him. End of story. To me, getting married is a symbol of your commitment and love for one another. The actual wedding is a vehicle in which to share that love with others that you love! It’s the one day that your family and friends get to partake and share in the love you share with your partner. It may sound corny, but I think it’s a beautiful idea. And ultimately, it’s something that I would like to do.

What do you think? 
xoxo, kassie 

Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Today I'm going to share a recipe with you, but it's not just any recipe - it's a family recipe!  I have been compiling recipes to make a Family Cookbook and I decided to make a couple of them and get some yummy photos for the book.  As far as I know this isn't some *secret* recipe (it appears pretty standard, but is fantastic), so I figure I'd share it with you.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

You Need:

For the filling...

3 cups of rhubarb (I used frozen, but def use fresh if you have it!)

16 oz. frozen strawberries, thawed

2 Tbsp. of lemon juice

1 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of corn starch

For the cake...

3 cups of flour

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp. of baking powder

1 tsp. of baking soda

1 cup of butter

1 cup of buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

For crumb mix

3/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of flour

1/4 cup of butter

You Do:

1.  Preheat oven to 350F & grease a 9x13 pan.

2.  Cook the fruit in a pot, covered for 5 min.  Then add lemon juice.

3.  In a separate bowl mix sugar and cornstarch together.  Add to fruit mixture.

4.  Cook 3-5 minutes more until sauce is thick, let it cool.

5.  Start the cake batter, mix all the dry ingredients together then cut in the butter.

6.  Beat the milk, eggs and vanilla together.  Add to the dry mixture, stir to moisten.

7.  Spread 1/2 of batter into the pan and then spread cooled filling over batter.  Spoon the remaining batter in small mounds over the filling.

8.  Combine crumb mixture until fine and sprinkle on top.

9.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

....and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee (or something else if you don't like coffee, ha)!

 

Holiday Weekend...in photos! :)

Oh. my. gosh.

Where did all my free time go? Out the window apparently. Anyway, I had a crazy, busy, fun Labor Day weekend, did you? We headed up to Chicago for the Iowa/NIU game and it was AWESOME. I’m obviously a Hawkeyes fan. :) Okay, so photos!


This hotel was way too fancy for us....tv in the bathroom mirror, lol.


We rented bikes and mine was named Kyle.


Brian’s was named Eliza!







view from hotel room!


just a walk to dinner


Brian tried the oysters, I did not...I think they look like giant boogers. :P


This on the other hand was amazing!


I’m not sure when a bucket of booze is a good idea, but definitely not the night before a busy day!


Brian’s niece is a freshman and made the Hawkeye Marching Band!






train ride home


Meet Mimi. I fed her. Yea, no big deal. HA, yea right! Lemme tell you, THAT was awesome! :)


my little bro’s bday dinner, ha! he turned 18!!


Hope you all had a great holiday weekend as well!

xo, kassie

Style Log: Coral Shirts & Charcoal Skirts

{top/thrifted :: skirt/jc penny, old :: heels/target}

Another style post and I’m rocking the sock bun. Meh, whatever. I like it. I don’t love this outfit the way I thought I did, now that I see the photos. Oh well :)

Okay, so help me out here. Take a look at my outfit. Go ahead I’ll wait. ….

Do you think this is work appropriate? Okay, so maybe you are like “Well, Kassie it depends on where you work.”. Alright, I work in an office setting. Hell, I’ll go one further (since I’m sure I mentioned it before), I work for a county, in the courthouse (but not for the court!). I know I’ve said similar things before and probably will again, but why is it such a huge deal when I “dress up” for work? For the past year I probably averaged wearing a skirt & heels combo (which is how my coworkers define dressing up) 2 times a week, maybe more. Yet there is always someone who makes a comment.

I will admit that the tone of office attire is generally a bit casual....actually, I think it’s getting too casual. I’ve been here four years now and I feel like a handful of people just push and push the dress code, but that’s just my personal opinion. On second thought, I did wear my colored jeans to work on a wednesday....so maybe I’m guilty of it too? I still don’t think wearing the above outfit should cause a fuss. I feel I look office appropriate. It’s modest and presents a professional image, again in my opinion.

See the way people react to my “dressing up” isn’t always positive. Often yes, but just as often their reaction is one that makes me feel like I should be feeling embarrassed over my outfit. What the what?? It’s those underhanded comments that are trying to pass as a compliment, you know what I mean. Or I’ll get the plain, “You’re dressed up today.” Period. Flat face, blank stare. Okay....how should I respond to that? I’m actually asking you btw, because I haven’t a clue. This actually happened the other day when one coworker said she wanted to wear more dresses and another told her not to start that. I asked why, because I wear them all the time. Coworker 2 snaps, yea I know. Blank stare.

Getting down to the core of this, I know I shouldn’t care what people think about something so trivial, but it does play at my insecurities. Which is a tad upsetting and frustrating. Sure maybe someone doesn’t like what I’m wearing, but do they have to tell me? Can’t they just let me walk around happy thinking I look great? (unless of course I have toilet paper on my shoe, have tucked my dress into my tights, or have spilled food on the front of me, then please tell me! ha!)

I don’t know, I just think that (and this next thought applies to life in general) instead of tearing each other down or playing on others insecurities shouldn’t we be supportive and help build each other up?

xo, kass 

Last night is still ringing in my head...

"Last night is still ringing in my head like that lonesome whistle in the rain" - Ben Harper

That simple line carries so much weight.  It can mean so much.

website/facebook

Ben Harper...yum.  TMI?  I don't care.  Not only is this man uber sexy he's an amazing musician.  I love his voice and I love his sound.  I'm starting to realize one of my favorite styles of music is blues rock...or maybe that's not what's its called.  I haven't a clue, but I enjoy a bluesy vibe.

Oh, also did you know that he is married to that blonde chick from Jurassic park?  Laura Dern, or sorta married.  According to wiki they are having troubles, sorry Ben.  :/

I also really love the lyrics to his songs.  Amazing.

I'm tired, so stop reading my silly words and just enjoy.

If you asked me to name my top 5 favorites songs, that one would be in it.  In fact, I'd probably name it by #3.

I would rather find out who you are than who you're not. - Ben Harper


LOVE.

xo, kass