Me, Myself & I :)

1--What is your favorite season? Explain. 

+Fall, hands down. I love the colors, the clothes and the food. And I can't explain it, but I feel like a sort of excitement fills the air. :) 

me and my little brother this summer, lol

 2--Talk about a moment that changed your life? 

+ Meeting Brian has definitely changed my life. He's amazing. Moving when I was a child definitely changed my life, for the better I think. My brother being born definitely changed my life. Again, all of these for the better. :) It's really hard for me to just pick one moment, because I feel like there are several moments that were an important part of shaping who I am today. 

3--If you could be any Crayola crayon color, what would you be & why? 

+ Avocado green. I don't know why, I just like it. :) 

 4--Describe yourself as a superhero: Superpower? Name? Sidekick?

+Ha, honestly I have no clue how to answer this question...ummmm... okay. Superpower: teleportation -- Name: Ms. Porter ??? ha, Idk. Sidekick: My loyal canine companion, Tele HA. I'm horrible at this game. :P  

5--If you had all the money in the world and could only shop at 3 stores, where would you shop? 

+Target [love the clothes and it would cover my beauty, food and general household needs], Amazon.com [for all that other random shit I think I want/need but can't get at Target] annnnnd etsy.com!!

Good Intentions

I always have good intentions...but bad follow through. I wonder if this makes me an unreliable person? Sometimes, probably. I keep meaning to write a blog, but then I just don’t. Time gets away from me so quickly, so easily. I keep meaning to work on some holiday gifts, but then I get sidetracked. I keep meaning to work on my skirt, but then I think I don’t have enough time to complete it, so I don’t start it.

Excuses.

I need to work on my follow through.

I writing this blog earlier in the day and I am going to promise myself that I’ll post it when I get home. [See, totally did it!]. Since I feel like I’ve been a little MIA, why don’t I take this time to update you on my life? Because I know we are all best friends and you do care. :P

Last weekend we went up to Wisconsin to visit Brian’s mother. Holy moly it was cold...and it even snowed on us a smidge. Just a smidge, but still. While we were there she took us to an apple festival, again cold, but fun! I wish I had more pictures, but alas I do not. I think I have some on my actual camera, I’ll have to look soon...ha.

 Aren’t we cute all bundled up? Btw, there is rum in that cider and even though my boot broke right after this (unrelated to the booze!) it was super, super yummy! The fall colors up there were gorgeous. Apparently many of the leaves had already fallen, but I couldn’t tell. His mom sort of lives in the middle of nowhere...actually she lives in a national forest (which I had no clue you could do) and it’s just insanely pretty and peaceful. Sure there are houses and a few bars, restaurants and lodges around the lake, but there is just so much nature that is untouched by man. It has a completely different feeling and I like it. I definitely wouldn’t mind living somewhere like that, at least for a few years. I’m sure I’d get bored with it eventually, but it’s just so amazing to see nature at it’s finest like that. I really enjoyed it.

Anyway, I’m going to go enjoy the cool outdoors before it gets dark. I have a walk date with Brian & Theo.

Oh and here’s two more photos just cause. My cute shoes and my cute dog! :)

  p.s. those shoes were $9.99 at kmart - and I used my kmart dollars or whatever, so they were really only $6. AWESOME!

xo, kass

SL: That Fall Feeling

[cardigan/old navy :: sweater/f21 :: cords/kohl's :: boots/target :: necklace/modcloth]

Ohmygosh, I love fall weather.  I know everyone and their brother keeps saying that, but I can't help it.  It's just so wonderfully cool outside.  Not cold, cool.  Perfect.

I've been sitting here trying to write an interesting blog, but my mind is totally blank.  

So here...look at this photo of my dog flashing you. 

Haha, but otherwise isn't he adorable?! :)

On a separate note, I'm really trying to get organized and figure out a way to make photography a lucrative hobby.  I'm a transplant to my current town and I don't work here - so I don't know many people.  I have some ideas for marketing online...but I'm also thinking an ad in the local paper might be in order.

What do you think? Any ideas?

xo, kassie

October Goals

Every month I tend to write out a goal list...or at least I have been doing this for the past few months. Now, I never finish everything on the list (I have better intentions than actual follow through), but I always accomplish a few of the points. At the very least, it keeps me focused and helps me “wander” less (not that wandering is a bad thing!). I thought it might keep me even more accountable if I shared them with you. I do have the 27 before 28 list, but I think that’s too long term for me. I seem to do better with these month to months (although I have knocked some items off my big list!).

Onward!

This month I'd like to...
+Make a maxi skirt
+Finish Elise’s & Zach’s senior portraits
+Take steps to get more photo gigs
+Make progress on Family Recipe book - aim for 50% finished
+Workout 3x a week [walk theo- maybe take a zumba class?!]
+Work on new photography and blogger logos
+Start holiday shopping (and saving for holiday shopping)
+Go to a pumpkin patch! …& carve pumpkins with Brian!
+Celebrate Halloween

For the record, I have the fabric for my skirt in the wash as we speak AND in a couple weekends I'm headed back home to finish up the senior photos!

So, what are your goals for this month??

xo, kass

#14 Cozy

I love this outfit so much that I wore it Friday and today!  The only person who saw me both days was my boyfriend and I honestly don't think he would have noticed had I kept my mouth shut.  Seriously though, how can you not love a hooded, down feather vest?  And, don't forget the faux fur trim - love at first sight. <3

This afternoon I did a little photo shoot with my friend and her hubby for their holiday card!  I think it went pretty well and now I'm just editing some of their photos [and watching The Day After Tomorrow].  Anyway, while I was there, I figured I'd take the opportunity to get some nice outfit photos.  With the exception of the insane wind it was a pretty nice day and it felt good to get outside some.  The snow will be here before we know it...I cringe at that thought.

  

I would also like to say I did a little DIY on these skinnies.  I got them as a gift a year or so ago and I was about 10 lbs heavier then.  So obviously, my skinnies were no longer skinny!  I google some stuff, then ended up pinning up the inner seams and sewing them tighter.  Now, I have a perfectly good pair of well fitting skinnies and an extra $40 bucks in my pocket.  Good stuff right there. :)

 For real....love these boots!

Anyway, my brain power is about on empty.  Hope you had a great weekend!

#10 Teal & Bronze

Another boring one, my bad.  I actually wasn't planning on doing a 30 for 30 outfit this AM, becasue I was sooo tired.  Yet, somehow I surprised myself by even bothering to get dressed.  The party Saturday night went great and hopefully I'll have a post up on that soon!

At the moment, I'm handing out candy to the kids.  Theo isn't a fan because he's been banished to his kennel.  :(  Only 22 more minutes little guy!  While we are on the topic [sort of], the kids last year were so ridiculously horrible (like throwing tantrums on my front porch when I refused them another handful of candy!) that I almost didn't pass out candy this year.  I had a last minute change of heart and I'm glad I did.  There have been some major cuties in the crowd.  Although, message to the "big kid" (big as in age] - a zip up hoodie, jeans and sneakers is not a costume.  If you're going to trick or treat past an acceptable age you should at least make a small effort!  Oh wait, maybe he was supposed to be Donnie Darko?  :P

Happy Halloween everyone!!

#5 Breezy Boots

I did it. I went and took photos out in the world today! I love them! It was so much fun and I think they turned out pretty great! Of course, it was also incredibly windy outside. At one point, my tripod even started to tip over, but somehow I magically caught it. Oh well, that crazy wind blown look is in now, right?

 I really like this outfit. I don’t usually wear pink, but that’s one reason this sweater is in my 30 items. I love these boots. LOVE. I got them at Target for $30. I told you I would break the no shopping rule. I broke it and it feels so good! These shoes will be taking the place of my grey heels. I haven’t worn the grey ones yet, plus I have no clue why I even put them in my 30 items. Probably because we were having this crazy heat wave when I was selecting my items and now it’s crazy cold. I’m also switching out a couple other items [sorry], but I haven’t worn any of the switcheroos, so that’s allowed right? I’ll address the new items as the appear in outfits.

Back to the boots, best 30 bucks I’ve spent. Ever. These things are so flipping comfortable they should be illegal. I want to sleep in these boots. That’s how comfortable they are. I have planned several outfits around these boots. In fact, I will be basically living in them this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, it’s my friend’s wedding - yippee!! So, I won’t be around for a couple days. Plus, I don’t think either of my festivity outfits will be fitting into my 30 for 30, but that’s okay!

Have a great weekend!
Kassie

Pumpkin Carving!

Ohmygosh, I LOVE fall! Oddly [and I think unfortunately] we have been having really hot weather. Sweaty hot. Not cool! Well, right before this little heat wave hit my boyfriend and I carved pumpkins. Obviously, they did not withstand the heat and have sadly sunken in on themselves. :( We have already decided that we will be carving more in the next weekend or so, but I thought I’d share the first round with you.

 At first he was scared of it, then he tried to eat it.

pumpkin innards!

 We had way too much fun getting the goo out!

 Do you guys use patterns or just wing it? I used this cool pattern that came in a kit, then I used one of the kit tools to just trace it, which left little puncture marks. Super easy!

Finished!! Brian free handed his tiger hawk!

Even though these pumpkins are no longer we had a blast making them. I have a really neat idea for my next pumpkin using a photo...hopefully. IF if works out I’ll definitely do a How To post on it.

peace, kassie

Recipe: Apple Chips!

Good afternoon!

From now on I will be posting a yummy recipe every Thursday!  I'm definitely not the greatest cook, but I get by. :)  Plus, cooking for yourself is cheaper and usually healthier than going out.

So, I'm what you would call a "grazer" - I like to snack throughout the day.  I obviously try to keep healthy snacks around, but sometimes it's just a pain and much easier to grab some potato chips or something chocolatey.   My friend sent me this recipe the other day and I think it would be awesome to make these in bulk and keep around in ziplocks for a nice little snack!  Enjoy!

Apple Chips

You need:
4 Apples [really you can use how ever many apples you want!]
1/2 cp. Brown Sugar
1 cp. Water
Cinnamon
Saucepan
Paper towels

1.  Preheat the oven to 250°

2.  First slice up the apples very thin.

3.  In a saucepan dissolve the brown sugar in the water over low heat.

4.  Dunk the apple slices in the brown sugar mixture for at least 30 seconds.  I left mine sitting while I cut up the next apple.

5.  Take the apple slices out and lay them on the paper towel to soak up any excess water.

6.  Arrange the apples on a covered sheet [I recommend spraying it, not just foil!].

7.  This is optional, but then I sprinkled cinnamon and some extra brown sugar on top of my apples.

8.  Put apples in oven and bake for 2-3 hours, or until crispy!  Enjoy!

peace, kassie

Pumpkins!

Went to the pumpkin patch today!  Found the perfect pumpkin AND had some great apple pie!

Hope you had a great Saturday!

peace, kassie

Sweet Fall...& some gooey brownies!

I know I promised the first “real” post last night and did not deliver.  I apparently lied...or did I? Maybe I’m just fashionably late.

In any case, fall is in full swing here (or at least through the weekend) and I’m loving it!  Since we are all new here you probably don’t know that I live in the midwest. Yep.  I generally enjoy it. I get bored easily, so all the crazy weather changes suits me well. However, if I could change one thing it would be to make fall about 6 weeks longer.  What’s not to love about fall?  Cool & crisp, football, hockey, comfort food, comfort clothes and pretty fall colors.  To say that I love fall is a severe understatement.

I should have taken some outfit pictures yesterday and today, because both days I was more than presentable and very much dressed in fall spirits.  However, I did not and do not have time today, so instead I will win you over with a fantastic brownie recipe.  We’ll be best friends after you make these, trust me.

Best Brownies EVER

You’ll Need:
13x9in pan
1 cup melted butter
1 cup of unsweetened cocoa
2 cups of sugar
2 eggs
½ cup apple sauce
1 tsp baking powder
4 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1-2 cups of additions - this can be whatever you want (m&ms, marshmallows, Reeses pieces,
     butterscotch, nuts, etc] or you don’t have to add anything!

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F
2.  Grease the 13x9 pan
3.  In a large bowl combine melted butter and cocoa.  Mix until cocoa is dissolved.
4.  Add sugar and mix well.

5.  Add eggs and stir well.
6.  Next add the apple sauce and baking powder. *Note: This is instead of an additional 2 eggs.  You could just use 4 eggs instead if you want, but I’ve never made it that way.
7.  Add vanilla and flour.  Mix until you can no longer see the flour, but be careful to not over mix.
 

8. Fold in your Add Ins if you have any.  I know the recipe calls for 1-2 cups, but just add as much or as little as you want!
9.  Spread into pan and bake approximate 25-30 minutes.  Be careful not to over cook, put a toothpick in them to test, it should come out with gooey crumbs, but not runny.

 

I apologize for not getting any finished pictures, but let me tell you that once you taste these guys you will forgive me.  They are super moist and fudgy - the perfect brownie! 

I'll be gone for the weekend, so I probably won't see you until Sunday late or Monday.  The mister and I are headed to a college football game - my first ever, GO HAWKEYES!

Enjoy your weekend!

peace, kassie