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

Friday Favorites: To the Lake!

Happy Friday my lovely readers! I am happy to announce I will be MIA until Wednesday. Okay, not really MIA...as I have a couple posts planned for you and I will no doubt be posting incessantly on Instagram [kassie_nichole]! Anyway, tonight I’m heading up to the lake for our yearly family vacation, so for this Friday Favs I thought I’d share my summer lake must haves!

Banana Boat SPF 30  ::  Mary Kay After Sun Replenishing Gel  ::  Bettie Page Gardenia On Piece from Modcloth  ::  Old Navy Ruffle Jersey Dress  ::  Old Navy Tie Waist Tube Maxi Dress  ::  Lucille Polka Dot Sun Hat from Ruche  ::  Castro Green Floral Sunglasses by Aj Morgan from Ruche  ::  Garnier Conditioning Creme

1.  No. 1 on my list is definitely sunblock and aloe. Why the aloe? Because it doesn’t matter how much or often I put on sunblock I will end up a tad pink and thus need the aloe. Plus, it’s good for cuts and other burns, so who knows! Ginger Tip: Put the aloe in the fridge, feels sooo nice on irritated skin!

2.  Swim Suit! It’s quite possible I won’t go swimming (last year I got a staph infection and I’m sure it was from the lake!!), but you never know. Besides, when you’re out in the boat for a few hours it can get hot and and a swim top and some shorts will do the trick! [oh and don’t forget a beach towel!]

3.  I always pack a couple sundresses that can double as suit cover ups. Light, cotton dresses are perfect for lounging around at the cabin or for dinner and cocktails in town. Plus, they don’t take up much room in your suitcase! Ginger Tip: For even more space in your suitcase, ROLL your clothing!

4.  Being on vacation at the lakes is all about simplicity for me...and protecting my skin! A big floppy hat is the perfect accessory to a sundress AND it products my face against the sun! I also always make sure to have a couple pairs of sunglasses. A cute head scarf is another good route and will help wrangle those frizzy flyaways [gah humidity!]

5.  Speaking of flyaways, the wind and sun can be rough on your hair and cause lots of tangles, so I always like to bring some sort of leave in or spray on conditioner to keep my hair looking healthy!  The Garnier Conditioning Creme is my favorite!

Old Navy Classic Flip Flops  ::  Mossimo Winifred Braided Sandal from Target  ::  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & The Girl Who Played with Fire  ::  Phase 10 & Apples to Apples  ::  Classic Denim Jacket from forever21  ::  Canon Digital Rebel xsi  ::  Weekend by the Water Bag from Modcloth  ::  Just Popping in Tote from Modcloth

6.  I would like to state that I am a horrible packer...as in I’m indecisive and end up over packing, especially when it comes to shoes! However, I always pack a good pair of running/hiking shoes and at least two pairs of sandals. Regular old flip flops (usually a pair on their last summer) that can get dirty and gross at the beach (those old navy ones are perfect for this!) and a cute, but comfy pair for shopping days in town.

7.  Reading material is a must! I generally bring a couple magazines that have been vying for my attention and a couple books! This year I’m taking up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and (b/c I’m almost done with that one) The Girl Who Played with Fire.

8.  I love playing card and board games, so I always try to get some games going when there is a big group. Family favorites are Phase 10 and Apples to Apples!

9.  Since we go to a lake in flat NW Iowa near the Minnesota border a light jacket or hoodie is a must! It's crazy windy and can get a bit chilly.

10.  My camera! Oh geez, oh man...can’t go anywhere without the camera!

11.  Yes there a no. 11. Last but not least, a tote! If you’re going to wander down to the beach or whatever a tote is a necessity to carry your sunscreen, book, oo bug spray...you know whatever, but you should have a bag of sorts. :P

Have a great and sunny weekend!

xo, kassie

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

 

Style Log: Pink & Tan (ten)

{Shirt/Old Navy, thrifted :: Khakis/kmart :: flats/American Eagle, payless :: necklace/f21}

This weekend was packed with....er packing.  I really wish I had more to report on, but seriously...moving just consumes my life right now, it's insane.  I guess one other cool thing happened - we saw The Avengers! ...in 3D!!  It was seriously awesome!  I'm not some comic book fan or anything, but I did LOVE the Ironman movies (probably because of Robert Downy Jr., yum) and I enjoyed Thor and what I saw of Captain America. (*for some reason I posted before finishing my thought...I meant to also say....) Either way, I think this movie rocked!  I was expecting to enjoy it...but I will actually say I loved it!  ...and it's definitely worth the few extra bucks for 3D. :)

Weekend Recap!

Weekend recap in photos...in no particular order. :P