Style Log: Don't Worry, Be Happy

{dress/f21 :: watch/target :: everything else :: no clue :P }

I feel like I need to focus more on doing things that make me happy, rather than just things I just feel like I should be doing. I’m not talking about shirking my grown-up responsibilities or anything - just refocusing things. It’s getting warmer now and I plan on enjoying my summer fully.

So, some things I’d like to do...or stop doing:

-Spend less time in front of the TV. I mean that’s easier in the summer ‘cause “my shows” aren’t on, but still. Sometimes I just get to lazy and spend sunday afternoons watching movies. LAME.

-Be more active. Play lots of tennis. Take Theo on lots of walks. Maybe even play some basketball again. :P

-Explore. I will be living in a semi new town this summer, while I’m familiar with the immediate area I’m not with the surrounding stuff...there will be a lot of new places available to me within a hour or two drive. :)

-Get back into photography! This has really fallen back as of late, not cool, not cool. I really want to get back into the habit of taking my camera everywhere with me.

-I want to learn new things.  My commute is getting longer by about 40 minutes, so I'm thinking about getting some language CDs for the drive - spanish maybe?  Seems the most logical.  And maybe get back into the piano or guitar?

-Decorate or house!  Do DIY home and art projects!

-Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Eat better!

Okay, that's all I can think of for now!

My friends are headed up this weekend for a girls weekend and I couldn't be more excited! It's gonna rock!  Hope you all have great weekends as well!

xo, kass

 

Awkward & Awesome Thursdays!

 Brian & me geocaching a couple weekends ago!

Awkward 

 -Closing the car door on my hair....and not realizing it until I went to back up and turned my head. NW Iowa wind for ya! 

-Red, itchy allergy eyes...that made me look like I had been partying a bit too hard. I swear I hadn’t! 

-Venting about something...er someone, then having the person walk in the room....yea. I feel pretty crappy about that one. 

-People continually asking me if I’m going to church sunday.... 

-Finding TWO more ticks on my dog!! 

Awesome 

-Having yummy deep fried green peppers...and cheese balls...and steak! :P 

-Geocaching...again! 

-The Wild winning against the Blackhawks last Sunday night!! :D 

-Finding out that Summer Shandy is back on tap at the local pub. 

-Shaving 52s off of my mile! 

-That Instagram is available for Android now! :P

Awkward & Awesome Thursdays

I've seen this Awkward/Awesome Thursday thing on other blog, I hunted down the source {the daybook} and then linked up!  Sounds like fun! :)

yea, that's awkward....

Awkward

-The girl at Hickory Park that was laughing so hard that she squealed...then us laughing so hard we were crying...then her table catching our before mentioned laugh frenzy.

-The teenagers that I thought were crying at a sad part in Hunger Games, but it turned out they were laughing.   yea.

-Trying to draw Florida in Draw Something...it didn't look right.  At all.

-Introducing myself and Brian to my mother's coworker and then her saying, yea I know who you are, I hear about you everyday! Haha! [I guess that's also kind of awesome...]

-Getting ourselves and Theo covered in burrs...and a few ticks.

Awesome

-Finally finding a possible rental.  Pretty much the first one that will let me have Theo! Cross your fingers that it doesn't turn out to be a shack!

-Having dinner with my momma!  Instead of 4.5 hours away she was only 2!

-Starting back up my 5k training. 

-My new SPIbelt.  Seriously, if you run...this is an awesome accessory! It doesn't bounce around or anything and it's super small, but expands to fit your phone, keys, etc.

-Trying to concoct the perfect Moscow Mule on Saturday afternoon...along with the grilling and bags.

-Going Geo-caching and finding a really challenging one that was not in the correct place!

-

27 before 28 {resolutions}

27 before Twenty-Eight

My birthday was December 18th, so I decided to do this instead of New Year's Resolutions.  I like the idea of this better, because it feels more specific.  Instead of having a few broad ideas I have a list of specific things I'd like to accomplish this year.  On an important note, I borrowed this idea from Elsie of A Beautiful Mess {like every other blogger who has done this :P}

1. Lose 15 lbs {From 150 to 135}, keep it off.
2. Have a regular exercise routine!
3. Get my craft area/room organized.
4. Book and shoot 5 paying photo gigs {...this could be a long shot!}. Maybe just make it...photograph 10 new people!
5. Save $500 dollars. This might seem small, but I have a RIDICULOUSLY tight budget {because of stupid school loans} and I want it to be an amount that might, maybe, possibly be attainable.
6. Do at least one craft project each month!
7. Read through and do all the assignments in my portrait photography book.
8. Move in with Brian. :)
9. Stop using credit card and pay of ⅓ off balance.
10. Find the perfect modern retro coffee table.
11. Stick with my blog! Stop being a wimp and tell my friends and family about it.
12. Get abs/flat stomach.
13. Take a trip with Brian! {The Badlands?}
14. Work with Theo on behaving better. Get some training books or something. The barking and crabby attitude need to stop!
15. Try a new recipe once a month!
16. Grow out and then donate my hair! Do NOT color until donated! 
17. Be brave and get those “retro” frames you want! {warby parker}
18. Make a dress.
19. “Re Make” Blog. Logo? Headers for DIY, Style, Recipes, etc.
20. Read 15 books.
21. Take one “artistic” photo each week.
22. Go to a Wild game!
23. Celebrate 1 year with Brian - do something special!
24. Train for a 5k.
25. Take a dance class with Brian! Salsa? Swing?
26. Create a photo book. Theme: Iowa Barns [inspired by my grandmother]
27. Purge all closets. I have too much stuff.

Anyone else have resolutions of any sort?  Also, look for a holiday update later this week!

Happy Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I’m guessing right about now many of you are sitting down for Thanksgiving supper! I know I am! This year, I am sitting down with my boyfriend’s family...tomorrow we will be with mine. :) I know a lot of people get stressed out around the holidays [I admit sometimes I am one of them], but I really love this time of year. In honor of this wonderful holiday, I thought I’d write about what I love most about this holiday and what I’m most thankful for.

1. I love being able to see my family so much! I’m oddly close with my parents and it’s just great being around them and they rest of the gang!

2. I love turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, corn and my grandmother’s fantastic Grasshoppers!

3. I love getting cozy in front of my parent’s awesome fireplace - I also love the smell of the fire. :)

4. I love playing board and card games with the fam after dinner. A favorite in the past has been Phase 10! This year we are adding some Apples to Apples! Gotta watch out though, my family gets competitive!

5. I love holiday candles! Fresh baked cookies, Apple Cider, Fir Tree...

6. Speaking of...I love having my tree up! The lights from a Christmas tree just set the perfect mood!

7. I love watching all the holiday movies on TV and listening to holiday music (check out the She & Him Christmas album)! [in moderation!]

8. I am thankful for my job. This may seem shallow, but considering how many people need jobs right now, well I’m very happy for mine.

9. I am thankful for my life as it stands. This might sound crazy generic, but honestly I’m happy with my life and I’m so thankful for that. People always seem so dissatisfied with things [and I am too at times], but the thing is you have to make the best of what you have. For the most part, I’ve been pretty lucky in life and when I’m not as lucky I’m good at being positive. I’m very thankful for both of these things...and for where my life decisiveness have led me.

10. Most of all, I am thankful for my loved ones. My family is incredibly supportive and loving. I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today without them. My close friends have also been there through thick and thin. As you get older, you really do discover who those “kindred spirits” are and I’m very thankful for those who have stuck around. Then there is Brian, who I’m extremely thankful for. He’s everything I could have asked for and more. It sounds so corny, but he completes me; he’s my other half and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. Last, but not least, Theo - my dog. He’s my little man, my little buddy and is literally there for me whenever I want or need him. He is the definition of unconditional love. :)