Mardi Gras

Wishing I had found a way to Mardi Gras this year. Spending some time with my family, reliving my "glorious" 21st birthday down in the Quarter. As it stands I'll be sporting my yellow, purple and green, and possibly making red beans and rice or oven baked beignets. Not the same I realize but you've got to make do sometimes. Of course if anyone wanted to find a place to grab a hurricane, I'd be down for that too!

The Blues

Chicago is known for its bi-polar weather and wind that will knock you clean off your path, but what it's been known for lately is cranking out some grey and bitter days. On a daily basis I seek solace in going home, changing in to sweats as quickly as possible, and drinking hot tea in bed by the delightful radiator in my apartment that sounds like a VHS tape is being rewound. I close the curtains and the sound lulls me in to a warm dullness that blocks the wind and cold from entering my tiny sanctuary.


Today proved no different. I woke up, took a scalding hot shower, and shuffled around my apartment in my Minnetonka slippers lapping up coffee and zoning out in to my bowl of Chex. I started window shopping spring clothes online, then swimsuits, then airfare, and oh look! My debit card is already sitting on my bed! Must be fate. I book a spring flight for Atlanta and let the warmth spread over me and the muted Chicago sky fades to blue.

Oh my gosh, I am so freaking excited!

Monday

What did I say just a gosh darn week ago? Blog content is so hard to create when you're surrounded by gray slush and dropping temperatures. Luckily a few things have been ruling my world lately that have been pushing me full steam ahead. Those things are (in no particular order):

The arrival of Ms. Whiskey-Pants to Chicago on Saturday for RB's birthday. We are gonna tear. it. up.

Travel plans to see Ms. E in Atlanta and a potential road trip up to Nashville for the Color Run. Better dust off my running shoes.

Photo Via

Lastly but not least-ly, Starbucks oatmeal. I was already under the impression that steel cut oats were just good for your soul, but I will plan my day around making it to the Starbucks on Michigan and Adams just to get a bowl of this chunky deliciousness. I realize, I have a problem.

What's getting you through your winter week? (9 weeks until Spring!)

Hurry Up and Wait

The blogosphere is rife with New Year's resolutions. Mostly, I think, because blog content is hard to create when you're three sheets to the wind on holiday spirit and trying to settle back in to your normal gloomy winter routine. Not only is it harder to get creative, but people need to invent something to look forward to to get them through winter: "I will lose weight!" So I can look good in a bikini that I will wear to the beach with my friends this summer...oh! Leftover Christmas cookies! But there is one particular thing that I find myself doing often and wish I could break the habit. A new year and a fresh start is as good a time as any to tackle it...

I've been accused of wishing my life away, and I am the first person to back those accusations. I am a total ace at wishing I was in some other part of my life. Before I moved to Chicago I remember thinking that once I was settled in I'll feel a wholeness. Like I was making my own life. My career would take off and I would be the adult I always dreamed of in elementary school.


I want to feel about my life now the way I feel looking back on high school: you don't want to go back, but the reflection lets you see how far you've come. That you are more the person that you are supposed to be. I want to recall with some strange fondness how crazy my life was. I moved to Chicago with a little bit of money, lived in a studio apartment, worked a couple of jobs (mostly in theatres at night), and had an amazing time. But now, I feel more like myself. Like the person I always knew I should be.


Let me reiterate: I'm not one to make resolutions in January since for the past two years I've had the __ Before __ list to contend with. But this year I just wanted to take the time to remind myself, even if it's only for this moment, to slow down. Stop wishing it was some other time or place and just enjoy what I have right now. Some day I might find myself wishing deeply for that wild time I spent independent in Chicago.

Fill In the Blank

I swiped bits and pieces of this survey from the Man Repeller (who had swiped them from Proust) quite some time ago and tried to answer the questions without giving it too much thought. I decided not to post it for whatever reason and just found it in my drafts. Since the answers still ring true months later I figured I would post. Feel free to copy and paste in the comments, I'd love to hear your answers.

Your favorite virtue.
Honesty

Your favorite qualities in a man. 
Strong, sensitive, thoughtful, understanding

Your favorite qualities in a woman. 
Kind, comfortable, strength, 

Your favorite occupation.
Arts, working with people

Your chief characteristic. 
Humor & Stillness

Your idea of happiness. 
Busy, caring for others, loving

Your idea of misery.
Isolation

Your favorite color and flower. 
Green & Snap Dragons

If not yourself, who would you be? 
A style icon, writer, parent

Where would you like to live? 
Somewhere warm and inspiring

Your favorite painters and composers.
I tend to like the painters and composers I know most about because I can relate to their work on a more emotional/human level.

Your favorite heroes/heroines in real life.
Those that are extremely flawed but driven by passion to do what is right

Your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction.
See Above.

Your favorite food and drink.
Popcorn and sparkling wine

Your favorite names.
Archer, Rowan, Leigh, Jack

Your pet aversion.
Cats, but only because I can't pet them (allergies)

What characters in history do you most dislike?
People who ignore the rights and needs of others

What is your present state of mind?
Focused on maintaining a calm exterior

For what fault have you most toleration?
Indecisiveness or the unwillingness to make a choice

Your favorite motto.

"Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked in to jet engines" 

24 Before 25: 6 Month Review

A little under 6 months in and I thought it was time to do a review of what I have left to do on my 24 Before 25 list...and so far it appears that I have a lot. Being the fanatical list maker that I am, I put a check mark next to the things that I'm well on my way to doing and crossed out the one that is for sure done. I did have to make some edits to the list but that's the way it goes. I think the new goals are more reflective of how I feel about myself and what direction I'm taking my life.

24 Things To Do Before I’m 25

1.) Travel to one place I've never been before (Atlanta) ✓ 

2.) Write something every day (Blog) ✓

3.) Be happy and self-sufficient with my employment (getting there!) ✓

4.) Find a work-out regiment that makes me happy

5.) Complete a full length play

6.) Save up enough money for a puppy (money, no time) ✓

7.) Take a class (free at work!) ✓

8.) Finish reading all the books on my shelves (three to go) ✓

9.) Wear a bikini

10.) Start sewing/crafting again (Knitting) ✓

11.) Check off every place on my foursquare brunch list ✓

12.) Start shopping vintage/thrift more often

13.) Get a credit card

14.) Promote myself without being embarrassed ✓

15.) Pair down my beauty supply (organizing and finishing products) ✓

16.) Shop my closet and wear all of my clothes. If I don’t I have to donate it at the end of the season ✓

17.) Donate money or time to charity ✓

18.) Run a 10k (Researched, just not training) ✓ 

19.) Learn to cook for myself (Cooking, but same five things) ✓

20.) Get out of my comfort zone professionally

21.) Find a way to manage my stress level ✓

22.) Get a bike

23.) Go to the zoo with my Goddaughter

24.) Dance or sing in public ✓

Sunday

I bet you don't know what today is! And the reason I'm a betting woman is because I didn't even realize it myself until last night...

One year ago today I started blogging! I spent November unpacking my belongings in my very first Chicago apartment, all the while hemming and hawing about a blog title (which really is the hardest part of staring a blog) then I eventually settled on Kiley Kate, it being my name and all.

I'm not one for speeches, but thank you to those of you who have supported me by reading Kiley Kate and admitting openly to me that you do read it and enjoy it. It means a lot to me as a writer working to find my voice and direction while I'm living and learning in Chicago.


I don't know about you, but I'm going to celebrate with a baked good of some sort, and I hope you'll do the same, at least in spirit you know. I'd love to share a cupcake with you all!

Have a lovely Sunday!

-K.K.

Nooks and Crannies

I would like to introduce you all to my lovely yet extremely awkward nook space. My neighbor tells me that everyone else has shelves in theirs, but not me. I have this adorable little nook.

Right now the nook houses my rocking chair and pseudo-end table/storage unit/bucket of summer clothes that I need to find new homes for. Plus my Christmas Tree, Albert. As happy as Albert is with his situation, I really think I need to spiff it up. I did a lot of soul searching and Pinteresting and decided that I wanted the nook to be...

// 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 //

...and adorable nook office! Clean and simple. I love the one drawer writer's desk with a chair and a file cabinet for extra storage (for my endless amounts of notebooks) and the two or three wall shelves for my books and tchotchkes. Just a cozy little place to work and be inspired. Seems like the perfect place to set my laptop up and type or go to first thing in the morning and write. I'm glad I didn't just get boring old shelves in my nook!

Work It Out

Sometimes when you have a nerdy question, worry or insecurity, I think it helps to put it out there. Chances are you're not the only nerd that feels this way and other nerds would enjoy commiserating with your inherent  nerdiness. Nerd.

I was in the midst of a work-out/room cleaning spasm...you know, 50 crunches and then you hang up laundry. 20 lunges and then you clean your sink. It's the ultimate form of procrastination. I'm procrastinating cleaning by working out and procrastinating working out by cleaning which results in actual results. God I'm good. The procrastination took a turn for the awesome when a spine roll/dresser reorganization turned in to a dance party. Thankfully I have but one mirror in my bedroom, and as I'm going in to a full on rage I catch sight of myself and realize that I have no idea what to do with my arms. It was all hips and tush and my arms were like spaghetti noodles. So my nerdy question is: what do you do with your arms while dancing?


The obvious first choice is to Google "what do you do with your arms while dancing?" and low and behold Seventeen has a forum discussion for it. Duh. I started there and worked my way around the internet, and here are my best solutions:


// Run your hands through your hair / Touch other parts of your body: hands on the hips, on the waist, head shoulders knees and toes? / Let your arms move with your hips / Vogue it out / YouTube your favorite songs and try out a few things / Should a friend be present, hold hands with them; this is genius really, let them figure out what to do with your arms / Don't think about it at all. Chances are no one is noticing that your arms are out of sync, and you're just trying to have a good time anyway //

I hope you all feel less like a nerd, I know I sure do(n't), but we'll dance anyway.

Play On

I read this amaze-balls article on Thought Catalog:

30 Things You Should Do Right Now

Other than reading poetry, writing every day, and flossing my teeth, one tip in particular blew my 24 year old frigging mind:

23. Listen to a whole album. The digital sales market has returned music to the singles-centric model that worked in the 50s and 60s, but even then the best work was the full vision of an artist. Be it Cher Lloyd or Bloc Party, listen to the entire thing and be sucked into their world. 

Blew it. Clean out of my skull. I can easily recall begging my mom to take me to Media Play to buy a couple of CD's so I could lock my door, plug in my little green box CD player and let the music take me where the artist wanted me to go. Whether I was singing, dancing, or writing on my mammoth sized window 95 wordpad, I was intrinsically lost in the music.

In the spirit of my 7th grade self, I bought some whole albums and allowed myself to get carried away.

Photo Via

Makes me want to dance, love, play the banjo, see the world, and love again.

Photo via

Soulful, romantic, and takes me away from the city for a while even when I'm on the train. 

What other albums should I be downloading? Other than a Rat Pack Christmas that is...

Ink

I've wanted a tattoo for as long as I can remember, but when I finally turned 18 I decided against it, mostly because I didn't think that I had anything truly meaningful/unique/artistic enough that I'd want on my body for the rest of my life. I went back and forth between a "notebook" or a "fleur de lys" but I've honed the fine skill of talking myself out of things. I accompanied quite a few friends to get their tattoos done, and even when someone suggests that they might get some ink, I always volunteer my services as a hand squeezer just so I can hang out and watch.

Then I picked up some advice from who-knows-where, probably the almighty Pinterest, that said if you choose something truly beautiful you'll never regret it. I suppose I might be ready to consider getting a little one, just to start with. I'm hoping I can rope my brother or a friend in to going with me to squeeze my hand and share the experience. 

Photos

1 / 2 / 3 / 

A Little Light Reading

Browsing the Urban Outfitters book section is almost, if not more delightful that wandering their hipster/adorable sales rack offerings, and I often find myself getting sucked in to reading more than a couple before I can physically exit the store. Running Buddy happened upon this gem the other day:

Purchase here

It's a list of 20-something truths accompanied by squiggle illustrations, and the page that got me the most was the real-life resume, which included things like "applying eyeliner" and "making myself throw up after I've has too much to drink". Charming. But it inspired me to create my own Real Life Resume...

Kiley Morgan

Education: The School of Hard Knocks on the Head

Major: Procrastination with a Minor in Sarcasm 

Walking in heels

Falling asleep on the El

Taking care of my friends when they're drunk

Finding a legitimate need to go shopping twice a month

Successfully editing and curating several Pinterest boards

Eating a family-size bowl of popcorn in one sitting

Exploring and implementing fitness methods that don't involve me leaving my house (see couch yoga)

Calling my boyfriend just as he's about to go to sleep with a major life crisis

Throwing away a tooth brush even though I feel that we've formed some sort of kinship



What are your "real life" resume skills?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Despite getting my adult stuff together for the most part...full time jobs, apartment searches and whatnot, I feel that in living on my own I haven't been able to conquer one aspect: cooking.

I've never liked the idea of standing in the kitchen for two hours only to have my hard work devoured in five minutes flat. Besides which, in between my two jobs I just don't have the time. Unfortunately when I give up my food service job my one free meal a day goes too, so I have to start getting serious about making food for myself. I've always had fun baking and being the sous chef to my friends, how can I make cooking fun for myself?

First, I found a few great ideas from my beloved Pinterest, and the stand out so far has been thefitcook.net. Fresh, easy and healthy ideas to get to started, a recommendation to all 20-somethings or otherwise who are trying to get in to the routine of cooking healthy.

Second, is making the time. This has been one of the bigger hurdles as I only have a two hour break between jobs. Would it be nicer to sit on my laptop for an extra hour and just eat PB&J? Yes. But would it be as satisfying as Bistro Style Crispy Chicken? No, no it will not be.

Third, making your shopping list/budget. I would love to make every recipe that I come across, but factors like out of season fruit and expensive yet delicious cheeses come in to play. Knowing what's in season and what you can afford greatly affects what I can make...that being said the price of meat is going to rise this year due to the drought, so plan accordingly.

Fourth, try to make recipes that call for the same ingredient in the same week. A family of four could polish off a pound of grapes, but a single gal needs a little more time. Mix them with a salad, freeze them for a sour snack for later, put them in a little baggie for a snack on the train.

I'll have some more 20-something cooking tips to pass along...because hopefully I'll be able to keep up with my progress. Help me out here, what makes cooking fun and easy for you?

Sunday

A week later and the internet has finally been restored! Headache after headache this week. Despite my ability to relocate to a coffee shop, I just couldn't make myself re-connect until this morning.

Photo Via

It's funny how once life really starts to take a turn for the worst you really don't feel like sharing anything, much less the better parts of what's going on. I had an awakening moment when I realized that I'm not focusing enough on the good things and accomplishments. I'm a strong person and I have the will and drive to get through this 20-something anxiety. I will figure it out. I will keep going.

Enjoy your Beatles Sunday!

-K.K.

This Time Last Year...

Are you where you thought you would be this time last year?

This time last year I was working for the zoo, teaching children's theatre and working with a sketch comedy troupe, all while living in my parent's house in the bedroom I grew up in. When I fantasized about my life in Chicago I had a few things in mind...

I would have a great apartment in the city...we'll give this one a check.

I would be working in theatre...we can check this one too

Buuuut I also thought I would have a full time job that payed me well enough to take care of not only the bills but ever so slightly feed my clothing and adventure habits. I want to admit this to the blogosphere because when I moved to the city I thought all of my friends were self sufficient and I was in the minority scrambling to catch up. Since moving I realized that there are plenty of 20-somethings that are struggling to make it all work which makes me feel far less alone. The part that caught me most by surprise is that I'm not the only one getting help from my parents. 

I've always paid the apartment bills myself, but my new driver's license and plates? Parents. New summer clothes? Parents. Gas/food to visit Ohio? Parents again. I can not do everything that I want to on my own. I'm fortunate enough to have parents that want to help and don't see it as a burden, but I want to be able to support myself, which is why it's re-appeared on my 24 Before 25 list this year. 

I guess my point is that right out of college you might struggle, and through your struggle you will ultimately get frustrated, down on yourself, and question the smart capable person that you thought you were when you were still in school. But don't give up, and know that you're not all by yourself. Chances are the schmo sitting next to you lives with their parents or has their rent paid by their sweet grandmother. It doesn't make them any less intelligent or hard working, and that certainly goes for you too.

24 Before I'm 25

I wanted to give myself some time after the 24 before 24 list to think about which goals I wanted to roll over and which to edit slightly or get rid of. Plus I had to come up with some new stuff, and I think I'm pretty happy with the results. I tried to err more on the side of achievable and yet something that would propel me towards the life I see for myself within the next year.  

So without further ado, here is my list:

24 Things To Do Before I’m 25

1.)                Travel to one place I’ve never been before

2.)               Write something every day

3.)               Be happy and self-sufficient with my employment

4.)               Find a work-out regiment that makes me happy

5.)               Complete a full length play

6.)               Save up enough money for a puppy

7.)               Take a class

8.)              Finish reading all the books on my shelves

9.)               Go on one romantic trip with Viking

10.)           Finish making the dress and skirt I started

11.)            Start researching Grad Schools

12.)           Start shopping vintage/thrift more often

13.)           Get a credit card

14.)           Promote myself without being embarrassed

15.)            Pair down my make-up to only high end stuff or things that get a lot of use

16.)           Shop my closet and wear all of my clothes. If I don’t I have to donate it at the end of the season

17.)            Donate money or time to charity

18.)           Run a 10k

19.)           Learn to cook for myself

20.)          Get out of my comfort zone professionally

21.)           Find a way to manage my stress level

22.)          Get a bike

23.)          Go to the zoo with my Goddaughter

24.)           Dance or sing in public


Anything I'm missing? I have no qualms with this becoming a "28 before 25" list.

Treat Yo Self 2012

It's my birth week! I don't think I'm being entirely narcissistic (lies) but I'm really excited about this one! My 23rd "Golden Year" is coming to an end and it's the first time I'll celebrate my birthday in a new city. Plus, Mom has a theory about me: the odd years always wind up being really tough and the even years are fantastic. After this weird year I'm ready for things to take a turn for the better, and I obviously need to start storing up energy for my quarter-life crisis, can't wait! (lies again)

So what will I be treating myself to this week? Baking cupcakes for work! Picking up a magazine and a lip gloss at CVS! Another month of working electricity (oh yeah bills)! A day off to spend with Mom! Finishing as much of my 24 Before 24 list as possible! Finding a great birthday outfit! Finally, planning what I'm actually going to do! I don't normally make plans per-say, but this year having a general idea would be swell.

Young lady in a big city for her 24th, what would you do?

Pre-Planning Outfit

One month from today, it will be June 23rd...my birthday! There's always the running joke that it's one day, but somehow it becomes your birthday week, then birth month, and less than a month until the birthday. I've narrowed it down to a radius of about five days, but as you know I love dressing up for things. You're reading about the girl who starts thinking about Halloween costumes in August, so it's completely and utterly normal that I start planning a birthday outfit, right?

Birthday Outfit Idea by goldenwings

Better Run

Happy Year of the Dragon! I myself am a dragon and as is customary I read through my Chinese Horoscope, picked out the parts about it I liked, and declared in accurate. To celebrate Running Buddy and I tackled the icy paths again and rain 3 miles! We rewarded ourselves with Chinese food from a little hole in the wall place near out apartment (that Roommate found). Pineapple Chicken awesomeness ensued.

I also did a heap of laundry, not just to celebrate the year of the dragon (although my domestic and organizational dragon qualities approved) but because I only have one pair of long leggings and two long sleeve shirts to wear running so I have to keep up with the laundry. Fortunately/Unfortunately we're going running twice in a row this week so I'll have to find something else to wear, BUT if I had unlimited funds this is what I would be spending my cash on:

When I went on my artist date last week these are the running shoes I picked out. Comfy, not too narrow, and they support breast cancer which is aproximately 100% of the reason I've run a 5k in the past four years. You can buy them here.

Upping the ante just a touch is the Nike Vapor Flash Jacket. It's warm, stylin', and super reflective. The runner in front of me was wearing it and it reflected absolutely everything from traffic lights to the small blinky arm bands other runners were wearing. It is beyond pretty and mesmerizing, but would I ever bring myself to spend over $200 on something I'm going to get sweaty in? Probably not. But this is unlimited cash happy-time at Kiley Kate, so this is going on the list. If you're so inclined you can buy it here

And while I'm getting high tech here I have to mention these firewall 220 tights. Not only will they keep your legs warmer (than a $5 pair of cotton leggings like I've been rocking) but they're guarenteed to make you look like Olivia Wilde in Tron. Finish off with sassy hair cut and you're pretty much set to rule the virtual universe...or at least your running path. Here!

And just for funsies I had to include the unicorn poop colored shoes that my Artist-Self picked out! Buy here!

Saturday Beats

I woke up this morning not to the sound of children jumping above me, the reggae fest going on downstairs, or even the maintenance guy yelling obscenities at the snow, but with the clutching fear that my checking account was overdrawn. I checked and of course it wasn't. I just fell asleep the night before thinking about the bills that were due, rent is in another two weeks, and will I have enough left over for groceries AND waterproof boots? Probably not for now.

My wild fantasy world does have me jonesing for Valentine's Day a little early this year. Since I won't be going out (more than likely) I put together a cozy staying in outfit. Red tights 4 life! I should also be sticking to my promises and putting myself together right about now, even though it is way easier to jam to the sweet beats pounding through my floorboards in the snoopy pj pants I stole from Viking Boyfriend.

 

I'll more than likely post more since I have an unnatural obsession with Pinterest and Polyvore as of late. What else is a girl to do when it's snowing mercilessly outside?