dream a little dream of me

    Ah, it may have took a bit longer than I excepted, but the trees are finally looking like spring has arrived. I forgot how much I love driving down Broadway and seeing all the "cotton ball" like blossoms on the trees on my way home from school, the little flowers popping up everywhere (even a small tulip plant right outside my apartment), and the green grass glowing so bright in the sunshine. This time of the year is perfect for wearing lots of color, hints the bright blue skirt I wore the other day, and still time for sweater tights (to provide a little bit of extra warmth, I'm the girl who is always cold). For some reason I also decided to support a middle part that day, which happens sometimes when your bangs are cut in a V shape and are getting rather long... possibly thinking of growing them out again. 

    I also recently found a new favorite store, Yoki, which is a Japanese-themed home decor/goods store in the Rivermarket neighborhood. I fell in love with every single item here, I could hardly walk away from anything, and I can't wait to purchase more of the cutest things I have ever seen from here. I bought a little sushi rolling kit from Yoki the other day, and my boyfriend and I have been eating it for all of our meals. We have also been going to the local farmer's market more frequently since the weather is warmer, and nothing is better than buying fresh veggies then coming home to cook them. 

    I just finished up a weekend of dog sitting, which consisted of me lounging around and watching cable television (I don't have that luxury at my apartment). I am ready for a much more relaxing week than the last few have been. I recently finished up training for some volunteering I am starting, looking for a summer job, and starting on a new magazine project. I think I just simply like keeping myself busy... and that's okay. 

the southern wild

(find more of my collections on my photography website, here.) 

    Although it snowed for a bit earlier today, spring has been in full-force for the last couple of weeks. Seeing blossoms bloom on all of the trees, ladies in long flowing dresses, people on the street eating ice cream, and fresh flowers all around town makes me feel so much joy for this time of the year. I read in a quote earlier today about how when you get older, you seem to become more in love with spring than fall. I believe I am becoming older, because I think spring is my new favorite season. 
    This collection of photographs, to me, screams joy and happiness of a new season. I photographed these at the Rosedale Arch, with my friend Bethany as the model. The gloves are for sale in my shop, along with the dress that is coming soon to the shop (so sorry ladies whom have already asked me about the dress, life has been so busy lately! I will post it as soon as I get a free second). 

Also, if any of you would like to fill out a survey regarding a magazine I am planning to launch in July, you can do so here! 

it might as well be spring

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...

"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” 

― Frances Hodgson Burnett,

   I cannot fully comprehend that spring has arrived. It seemed just like yesterday I was digging out my woolly sweaters and heavy coats for the winter season. Although I am on the verge of sadness to see winter leave, I do love the blooming of flowers and warmer breezes in the spring time. I have been trying to pull out all my pastels and floral prints for the start of the season, and I can't wait for more rainy April days that will shortly bring flowers in May. I have made my seasonal to-do list here as you can see, which I am excited about checking all of these off my list by the time summer arrives. I do hope this spring season stays for awhile, I am not completely looking forward to the heat of summer yet (or really ever for that fact!). Readers, what is on your spring to-do list? 

i know her face from the tombstone

(find more of my photography here, make-up by Courtnie Marie Ross.) 

    The Union Hill Cemetery is one of my favorite historical spots in Kansas City. This cemetery was founded in 1857 and many famous Kansas Cityians reside here. The mossy and unreadable (almost all) tombstones, the abundance of trees, and the old stone-enclosed tombs make this spot unmissable. I photographed my friend Laura here the other week, and I was so excited to dress her up (and I am in love with her dreadlocks, normally I am not a fan but she pulls them off so well). This flower-printed purple dress is also going to be posted for sale in my etsy shop shortly, the beret is for sale here currently. 

mysterious roads

(tights: target, everything else is thrifted or vintage)

    I have not took the normal route for my spring break this year. It was too chilly for my boyfriend and I's original plans to go to Eureka Springs (we would have been camping), or even to simply camp somewhere nearby. With the weather the way it always is in the midwest, I've been staying around town working setting up my shop and charity event. I can always seem to find things that I need to work on, and those have been keeping me quite busy while my plans fell through. 

    Earlier this week, my boyfriend and I decided to take a small day-trip into Kansas since the weather was too cold for our previous plans. We are both fans of anything "haunted" and "slightly-creepy", and that's where the idea of visiting Stull Kansas came to my mind (you can read more about it here and here, it's quite creepy.) My boyfriend has visited years ago with friends in the nighttime, but I opted for a daytime visit in hopes to explore and see what all the tall-tales were about. Needless to say (proof of the lack of photographs) the tales were true about the locals chasing out anyone who dared to come to their town. I was hoping to walk through the graveyard to see if I could find the rubble from the old church, or the supposed "stairway to Hell" behind it. As we arrived to Stull, parked my car in the church parking lot, walked to the abandoned fire station to take a few pictures, and then out of no where two large trucks pulled up blocking the view of the cemetery. Slightly confused, we walked back to my car and drove out of town, while the trucks followed us to the main road and then turned back around. It was a silent way of them telling us to leave. 

    I was disappointed about Stull and the lack of documenting anything really, but the "something is wrong here" feelings were all on point. The tiny, almost abandoned town, is probably the single-handedly creepiest place I've been in my life (and I love exploring places like this). If you have been thinking about visiting, I am not sure if I would suggest going. But then again, I might try and go back again one day. 

    After our short trip to Stull, we headed to Lawrence to go to a favorite antique mall in the downtown area. There were so many treasures to be found, and so many things I wish I could have brought home with me. We later went to Free State Brewing Company, then Billy Vanilly Cupcakes (where I decided to get three small cupcakes so I could try different flavors). All and all, our little day trip was a bit interesting/strange, but Lawrence is always a great town to go to escape the "big city" for awhile.