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Thursday, February 23, 2017

70 Degrees in February?! Photo Shoot

It really can happen here, folks! Mid-late February has felt like late March-early April here in Missouri and other parts of the US. It's amazing, but I'm almost sure that we're going to be seeing temperatures dip down again before they're here to stay for spring and summer.

My BFF Sheridan (who has been featured on here before) and I took to the streets of a small neighboring town and had some more photastic (heh heh) fun.

We had no theme and decided to just make it random, meaning we threw on whatever clothing and accessories we felt like wearing that day. I happened to be in the mood for a 1930s/'40s kind of thing and Sher went for a free spirit '70s look.

I just wore a simple black dress (which awesome lining) that I probably bought at Goodwill. I paired it with simple black high heels from Goodwill and a hat that I bought at the Salvation Army for just over $3. Besides that, I wore a cheap pair of earrings, a pin that says "Have Fun" (loooove it) and a bit of glam-inspired makeup.


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

A super hi-res photo!



Heeeeeere's Sheridan











L I T E R A L T R A S H 











Until next time,

Meredith ๐Ÿ’š

Monday, February 6, 2017

A Mini Photo Shoot Adventure

I'm so late on posting this because I've been working on a few other projects lately! A few weeks ago, my BFF Sheridan and I were searching through my closet to find some fun outfits to wear for another photo/art project that we are planning on participating in in the near future.

While trying on stuff, we decided that it was time for another little photo shoot. We packed up a camera, a tripod, and drove to one of the local parks and had a fun hour of this:



























 Until next time,

 Meredith ๐Ÿ’“

Friday, November 18, 2016

A Day in Florals ♡



"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." ๐Ÿ”…


Earlier this week, I ventured out into the world all covered in flowers.
The flowers scoffed at me. 
The wannabe.
But hey, flowers rule!





Heeeeeere's Johnny! 

The look of trying too hard. But gosh darn it, I like this picture.

Poor Max.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Quick Mid-November Fashion Roundup

Here in Missouri, November has been unseasonably warm - that is, until the last week or so.

Welcome, November. It's been a long time coming.

Here are just a few outfits I've worn recently. I hadn't realized until HOW MUCH BLUE I have been wearing. What on earth? Eh. 


Blue always feels good













Thursday, November 10, 2016

Video Stores: The Lost Art


"Kids these days" may sound really clichรฉ, but kids these days really have no idea how much they missed out by not growing up with video stores.

An old video store in Monroe City, Mo -
I just had to snap a picture of it.


I'm 23 and I was fortunate enough to spend the first fifteen years of my life rummaging through the shelves of a local video store. To clarify, we had two of them: Blockbuster and Great River Video, a family-owned business. My family always went to Great River. My dad would explain to me that it's important to support local businesses.

To put it plainly, that place rocked.

It was often a tradition for my family to go out for dinner on Friday nights when my brother and I were little. We usually ate at a restaurant called Bubba's, which specialized in seafood. After we ate at Bubba's, we would almost always venture over to Great River Video. Bubba's was literally flooded beyond repair and subsequently went out of business in the summer of 2008, which was such a shame.

(courtesy of waymarking.com)

The memories I hold from those days are on the vague side, but not vague enough to be totally blurry. I can still clearly picture its layout: The drop-off box outside (I always thought it was so cool), the check-out counter on the left side in the front of the store, the posters which hung on the walls behind the cash registers, the dark shelves which held the films - first VHS tapes then gradually DVDs - , the extra shelving space in the form of a big white rack in the middle of the floor space, the tags that you had to pick up off of a hook under the movie that you wanted to check out, the popcorn machine that was in use occasionally, the TV which sat a small shelf in the front, playing movies from Elvis musicals to new releases...

I even remember, at one point, seeing a melted VHS on display on the check-out counter as a warning to patrons NOT to leave our tapes in the heat. I will always remember that visual. Who wouldn't?!

(courtesy of buzzfeed.com)


When Great River Video closed in April 2009, I remember feeling a large piece of my childhood go with it. The last memory I have of Great River Video is the final sale they held to get rid of the rest of their movie inventory. I remember going to the sale after getting back from an academic team competition. That was my freshman year in high school. It seems so long ago.

The Blockbuster in town closed its doors about four years ago. It seems like much longer. Today, in a town of roughly 18,000 people, not one video store remains. We have several Red Box kiosks, but they don't even come close.

Today, precious few video stores exist. The ones that exist are now novelty shops. Every so often, I will come across one when I'm traveling. If you're lucky, you may have the chance to find one in some big college town amidst the vintage clothing stores and psychic shops. Do yourself a favor and walk inside.

The internet is a beautiful thing. Sometimes. While I cannot say something negative about streaming services like Netflix without balancing it out with a positive comment, I will say that I can never fully love streaming services because of what they replaced. The convenience of streaming is awesome, but it doesn't allow you to step inside a building filled with movies and talk to the owner about an awesome movie from 1963 that you just discovered.

Visiting the video store wasn't just walking through the door, picking up a movie, and checking out. It was more than that. It was what my fourth grade self looked forward to on Friday afternoons.

It was an art.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Election Day 2016: Vote for The Marx Brothers

(courtesy of doctormacro.com)

Make America Zany Again! 

#I'mWithThem

Alright, folks - the day is here. The dreaded day: America is about to get a new President and people are heated on both sides. Both major candidates are polarizing figures, leaving many voters having to choose the "lesser of two evils".

I'm planning on leaving serious political discussions out of this arena, but I will say this - PLEASE go out and vote if you're able to. This is such an important election for many reasons.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Where Would the United States be Without the Marx Brothers?



Courtesy of startribune.com

The Marx Brothers began, at least in their film years, as a team of four: Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo. Groucho is the most famous of the brothers: the wisecracking, fast-talking wit. Harpo is by far the most adorable: a mute and a precious cinnamon roll. Chico is the silly, often-incompetent Italian: he makes amazing puns and plays the piano like a true champ. Zeppo is the straight man: the "serious" one.

They began their film careers in the 1929 talkie comedy The Cocoanuts, which incorporated musical numbers into its wacky, fun, and sort-of-clunky plot. 

They would go on to be masters of comedy in the 1930s with such films as Duck Soup (1933) and A Night at the Opera (1935).

Should the Marx Brothers be regarded simply as comedy legends? Why can't they run - all four of them - for President(s) of the United States? Disregarding the fact that they are no longer with us, let's think about this.

Here's why I'm endorsing a #Marx2016 Presidency:


They have the ability to bring us together in a way that few have ever done.




They know how to play. And win. At all stakes. Er, steaks. (And french-fried potatoes.)




They can ward off enemies by simply playing musical instruments. Plus, they can put tears in your eyes and a smile on your face.








The quality speeches. The unpredictability. The sheer madness.




Face it, ladies, and gentlemen: We need Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and even Zeppo. In this time of political unrest, a new wave of Marxism is needed. Forget Karl! Out with the old, in with the new. 

Hooray for Captain Spaulding! 

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Russell and Cleo: A Nearly 65 Year Love Story

My Great Uncle Russell passed away this June. I wish I had been doing this when he was alive, because we could've had one heck of an interview together, along with my Great Aunt Cleo. However, I was able to meet up with her on October 26th and we had a lovely discussion.

Aunt Cleo and Uncle Russell, late '40s or early '50s - I love this photo of them.

I went to her home to chat with her and her son (my second cousin), Kevin, who I keep up with through Facebook. My grandparents decided to join me in the 45ish minute journey since they jump at any chance to visit them.

I've been wanting to ask Aunt Cleo about her memories of growing up and her life with Uncle Russell. Russell - my Grandma's brother - was known as a truly lovable and exciting guy.

Aunt Cleo has many memories from years gone by. I asked her about getting to eat at drug store counters. She informed me that the toasted ham salad sandwiches which were served at a local drug store many years ago was some of the best food she's ever eaten. The sandwiches were always served with a glass of Coke. Also, it was popular to go for a Coke with friends and on dates.

Aunt Cleo told me that she used to have a scrapbook filled with photos of classic film stars. I threw out some names to her and we tossed names like Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, and Rita Hayworth around. My Uncle Russell worked as an usher at one of local movie theaters when he was young, which is something I dearly wish I had asked him about. I hadn't realized he had that job until after his death.

Speaking of Uncle Russell...

The two met in a chance encounter - a blind date when they were teenagers. Uncle Russell was a mutual friend and came along with a group and took Aunt Cleo out. She simply told me that it was love at first sight. What stood out to her was that Russell was well-dressed and that he brought her candy on that first date.

Aunt Cleo was eighteen when they married in 1950. Less than a year later, Uncle Russell went off to serve in Korea for about eighteen months. During this time, Aunt Cleo went to work as a secretary. When Uncle Russell returned home, he resumed work at a local shoe factory.


They raised a family and went on many adventures. They loved going camping together and doing things like going to shows at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, and seeing movies at drive-ins.

Aunt Cleo has vivid memories of visiting a local burger chain (no longer in existence) with the family. My cousin, Kevin, is holding a little A&W root beer glass that they got from the restaurant. 


In the '80s, Uncle Russell and Aunt Cleo helped start a local -and vibrant - jazz society which lasted for over thirty years.

These albums are filled with photos from a cruise Uncle Russell and Aunt Cleo took and from the early days of the Great River Jazz Preservation Society, which they helped found.  

Uncle Russell passed away less than four months before their 65th anniversary.

Uncle Russell gave gifts like these stuffed animals to my Aunt Cleo for Valentine's Day.

A life of love