Springtime bliss

Off to Austin, Texas today....so exciting! Going to visit UT, meet with some artists, check out the music and art scene and see if I have a good vibe for the city.  I hear you can get a bike to ride while you're down there...that's right, they give bikes to visitors! How much fun is that?

I've just been enjoying the beautiful weather, the flowers, and quality time with my friends and my boyfriend.  Can't really complain, other than I'm stressed about money and what may come in July when my lease is up and I haven't decided where to live! It's all fun and exciting though. And as long as I can continue to create art then it doesn't really matter where I go... 

A little peek...

...into what I spent my day doing yesterday....so much fun in the sun.

Photographer: Dan Kempf Check him out on facebook. 

Don't go to the corner...

Kelsey wearing the birthday hat

the birthday girl

(motel rocks dress, vintage bracelet, f21 rings, sam edelman harness boots)
A fun weekend spent celebrating a birthday at a restaurant I will not be returning to. Also spending time with friends, hanging with the minnesota cycling team, going on bike rides, grilling out, playing trivia and camping by the beautiful Iowa river.  So much fun, I want a repeat every weekend.

Lace & Leopard

(Vintage Lace Button up, Vintage Leopard Slip Dress, My Great-great Aunt's Vintage Diamond Gold Locket, Leggings from Denmark, Sam Edelman Boots, Vintage Purse)


Last night was date night with my boyfriend and we had so much fun!  Brian and I went to a restaurant called The Motley Cow and we got to sit and eat outside, which made us both very happy.  We had an excellent dinner with red wine, and ended with rich, delicious truffle and dessert drinks.  The weather has been beautiful...even the rain makes me happy.  My days have been spent painting and working at the restaurant and my late nights spent listening to music, sitting by the Iowa River, and going on walks....all in good company.  I'm fairly content with my laid back lifestyle as of lately, but am still unsure what I will do come July.  I suppose I'll know more after I travel to Austin...for now I'll just continue to enjoy life and the beautiful weather.

Sally Sail Boat

(Forever 21 Stripe T, Black Skinny Pants, and rings, Jeffrey Campbell Xenon Wedges, Vintage bag, Secondhand jacket and scarf)


A casual outfit for a casual Thursday of running around and taking care of business.  No, this is not my boat...but it really is finally starting to have much nicer weather so that all outdoor activities seem ideal.  I can't wait to spend sunny days in the park and by the lake.  Winter and I just really don't get along, it seems.  I spent this afternoon rummaging around little shops in downtown Iowa city but it appears as though either I have become extremely uninspired, picky and cheap or I just wasn't in the mood to shop. Oh well I suppose.  I have scheduled a trip to visit Austin, Texas in hopes that I will fall in love with the city and want to move there in July.  Any good suggestions on what to see and where to go?  I'll be working all night and then off to Des Moines tomorrow for a little rendezvous, yippee!  I have such an itch to travel lately, and I'm realizing its been far too long since I've been over seas. I miss Scandinavia and the European culture.

Wonderland

"The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible."

Went to see Alice and Wonderland tonight.  Most of my friends thought it was boring, and wouldn't watch it again....but being that I loved the book, and I'm pretty sure I'm just a little kid at heart...I loved it.   So here we are in our rockin' our 3D glasses on our way to wonderland.  I think I like it so much because as a small child I often had dreams similar to this, having to do with animals talking, strange creatures and evil ones too.  And I could still imagine that maybe a place like this exists....where there are queens, mad hatters, small rabbits and mice that talk....my favorite line of the movie is "I often dream of at least six impossible things before breakfast." Let's run away, err....fall down a hole to wonderland!
Yes, anything is possible.
One can have some imagination right?
Sweet wonderland dreams.

Possibility

Lykke Li just released a new video for "Possibility" online today.  So beautiful.  I just love her.

HiPPiES RE UNiTE

(Vintage Floral Dress, Vintage Oversized Blazer, Vintage Necklace, Target Watch, DIY leather bracelet, Doc Martens Combat Boots, Vintage Purse)


I had such a wonderful day off from work!  I went to trivia aka Study Hall at the Mill last night, which was tons of fun and lots of laughs and then got to sleep in today after a small whiskey hangover.  So I went and bought myself a Coca Cola (the cure for a little hangover) and went down to campus to take pictures by the Iowa river.  It's hard to believe that all of this was underwater not too long ago.  But the rebuilding is still happening, the grass is turning green, the skies are blue and the weather is amazing!  It was in the mid 60's today....so I was comfortable in just my little dress.
This dress is one of my most favorite vintage finds.  I'm just in love with florals and anything with a deep back.  I know its much more of a 90's grunge look than it is hippie, but my love for graffiti is stronger than a logical title.  I also often forget about my tattoos, so I decided to show you my heart on my wrist.  I doodled it one day and then just decided to get it  shortly.  My sister has the same one.  Speaking of, I'm going back to southwest Iowa to visit my family in a week and I couldn't be more excited.  I miss my Momma!

Sunny Sunday

(Urban Outfitters Slip Dress, Sweater, and Distressed Studded Belt, Aldo Wedges, Banana Republic Mixed Chain Necklace, Vintage Leather Purse, my roommate Misti's rockin' shades)


It's such a beautiful day today.  It's finally looking up...finally!  I went outside after being at work this morning and just knew I had to get out of my black clothes and put on something light and pretty!  Unfortunately I have to go back to work in a couple of hours...but that still didn't stop me from enjoying the beautiful weather.
On a somewhat serious note, I've decided that dating really sucks.  It shouldn't be so stressful should it?  I think I'm so independent and perfectly happy being alone that it's almost not worth it.  But as Lykke Li sings "Oh lover boy, you're hiding out...or could it be I've passed you by a thousand times before not knowing who you were..."  Oh Lykke, where is my lover boy?  Send him here! I've got a lot of love to give. :)

He doesn't ever bring me pretty flowers...

(Secondhand Dress, Vintage Velvet Jacket, Mom's Old Floral Scarf, Vintage Embroidered Scarf, F21 Lace-up Boots, Secondhand Kate Spade Bag)


So I make due with other sorts of florals. I've been listening to Billie Holiday today, which makes me happy.  After another restless night of what should be considered sleep, I've decided to be productive before work.  I have to wear all black to work every day, but I needed something to brighten up my day.  So what better than to break out my Mom's bright floral scarf?  I walked down to the park to snap some photos and it was so windy that my contact popped out, so I kept it in my mouth the entire shoot.  And my scarf went flying away! But I ran after it and saved its life....which I imagine would have been quite a comical thing to see.  Thanks again for your kind emails and comments. Blogging is such a positive part of my life :)