Let me put it simply; I love Halloween. I also love creepy, emo, and just plain weird things. But it took 22 years for me to finally dress up as something on the scarier side for Halloween. This year I used my artistic ability and made my face my costume by following a sick sugar skull make-up tutorial on YouTube. I felt prettier than I normally do and 100x more badass.

Something about dressing up as someone different for a night is so freeing to me. I find myself daydreaming a lot about starting over or dropping everything and becoming someone new. Halloween is a less destructive way to get those feelings out of my system.

My friends and lumberjack boyfriend and I gallavanted around Downtown St. Petersburg and had a grand ole time.

What did you do?

Love from Tuesday!

Labels: best friend, boyfriend, candy skull, candy skull makeup, dtsp, ilovetheburg, sugar skull, sugar skull make-up, sugar skull makeup tutorial, youtube makeup tutorial

I'm kind of crazy in love with this boy. We've been together now for almost nine months so the definition of crazy has changed since our first month of dating. Instead of the annoying crazy that comes with that thrilling high of the "cupcake" phase, now it means we're crazy enough to commit to each other and let each other develop as people even if it doesn't always involve the other person. It's a great place to be and even with the challenges I'm excited that I get to know this goober even better everyday.

One of my favorite times with him was our trip to Atlanta. We had been dating for two weeks when we decided to take a trip one weekend to a city we both didn't know. It was risky, and everyone told us we were moving too fast but we honestly didn't even think about it. We listened to a two hour commercial for Coke products (aka World of Coke), the Georgia Aquarium, and dominated trivia night. It was awesome and one of the most spontaneous things I've ever done.


Happy Thursday!

xxoo

Labels: atlanta, best friend, boyfriend, georgia, georgia aquarium, octopus, relationship, roadtrip, sharks, stud, whale shark, world of coke

I met my best friend when I was 5. We both entered Kindergarten fearlessly and ready to rule the world. Naturally we found each other and have been a part of each others lives since then. No matter how far we go or what paths life takes us down, it's always nice to know that I have a friend to go to for advice and a helping hand.

Last Saturday was Lia's little girl's birthday. Carolina is my tiniest friend and the sweetest baby I've met in quite some time. Our photo-shoot at the park was interrupted by lots of exploring and playing on the playground. Ella was loving it so much that she would just stand on the play set and squeal. I love her so much and I'm so happy to have her and her mommy near me again!

Love from Thursday!

Labels: 1st birthday, baby, best friend, golden hour, kindergarten, park, photoshoot, sunset, twilight

Labels: catalyst, chemistry, chihuly, dali, downtown st. petersburg, dtsp, fl, fla, flo grown, florida, museum of fine arts, rollbotos, St. Petersburg, street art, sushi, vintage

Far too often when I'm doodling an eye, I hear people say to me, "I wish I could do that." What? Draw something? Distract yourself from what you should be doing? Pick up a pencil!

What they mean is they wish they could sketch realistically. These comments get me thinking about artists and non-artists on a larger scale. Why are so many people satisfied with thinking they can't be artists? When the truth is, they probably already are very artistic and creative thinkers. And if you're really not, all it takes is a little discipline and effort.

I decided to let everyone in on some secrets about art and creativity that I've learned after years of art classes and practicing my craft. Here's 5 reasons why, "I'm not an artist" is a dumb excuse.


1. Being good at art is a skill to be crafted, not a personality trait.

Sure, some of us are born with an eye for design and a steady hand, but just like musicians, artists have to spend years perfecting their technical skills. And that creative, unique "something" that you think you will just never have? Artists develop that over time as well. So unless you've taken years of art classes and devoted hours of practice to the medium you claim you'll never be proficient in, I will continue to think most of your shortcomings are just the result of laziness.

2. Art is about intention.

How many of you look at a men's urinal and think, "what a breathtaking piece of art?" I'm gonna just go ahead and guess none of you. But when Marcel Duchamp put one on a pedestal and called it art, it was. That work of art completely pissed off art critics and snobs around the world, and it is still making people scratch their heads and think today. If the Dada movement (and basically every piece of Modern art) doesn't tell you that anything can be art if you intend for it to be, you're not really paying attention.

3. There are creative ways to do anything.

There are a hundred different paths you can take to get to one destination. According to CSUN, creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. To me, this means if you have the ability to see things from a different perspective and enough ingenuity to solve your own problems, you're a creative individual.

4. Not all artists can paint.

Art encompasses painting, sketching, pottery, sculpture, dancing, theater, graphic design, and so much more. Just because your fine motor skills aren't up to par with that of DaVinci's doesn't mean you can't find your niche in the arts world.

5. Remember what we learned when we were little: We can be anything we want to be.

Pretty much speaks for itself. You can be as creative and artistic as you're willing to work to be. Now go do it!

Labels: 5 reasons, 5 reasons why, art, Art History, artists, banksy, creativity, excuses, intentional art, painting, sketching, van gogh

     When I'm with other people my mind is often too preoccupied with whether or not I’m making a good impression to think about things of substance. When I’m alone I explore museums, and write songs, and make works of art. When I’m with other people all that is on my mind is what those people are thinking. Not to say spending time with others is not something I like to do. I love talking with people I've known for years or have just met and hearing about their lives; what they love and what they are facing at the time. But when I want to make something of consequence, and really get stuff done, I need to be alone. 

     I feel like my room really reflects who I am in that way. There's art and mess and stories everywhere. As an introvert, I actually like (and need) to spend time alone. I'm very thankful to have a place to clear my head that I can call my own.

     Where do you find solace? It could be a place but it could also be a person, a song, a religion. I'm genuinely curious. 

Happy Saturday!

Labels: art, bedroom, boho, brown hair, brunette, dali, dark ombre, drawing, etsy, eyes, folk, fortress of solitude, free, hipster, intovert, melting clock, ombre, painting, room tour, Whimsikohl

     Nothing like a good sundress on a summer day. This dress is one of my favorite pieces I've ever found while thrifting. Something about 90's silhouettes just really compliments my curvier body type. These kind of dresses have been my go-to this summer.

     Speaking of this summer, I don't know if I have ever experienced a lazier time in my life. As a result of quitting my job and dropping my summer classes all before the second week of May, I've had a lot of time on my hands. But I will no longer stand for this mind-numbing boredom. I wanted to start selling vintage about a month ago and today I have finally opened my vintage shop on Etsy!

     The dress featured in this blog is actually one of the listings in my shop. If you'd like to check out what else I have for sale you can go here:

                                                        Etsy.com/shop/whimsikohl


Happy Tuesday!

Labels: 5'10", 90's, 90's dress, Amanda Kohl, backyard, boho, etsy, Fashion, fashion blogger, folk, free, hippie, St. Petersburg, summer, tea length dress, thrifted, vintage, Whimsikohl

Labels: 5'10", 80's sweater, 90's sweater, Amanda Kohl, bar and grill, beading, best friend, Fashion, fishtail braid, long sleeve top, off the shoulder, shoulder pads, sweater weather, thrifted, vintage, Whimsikohl

Labels: Amanda Kohl, backyard wedding, DIY, Fashion, Homemade, St. Petersburg, Wedding DIY, Wedding Photographs, Wedding picture ideas, Whimsikohl

Welcome to my blog…this is a thing now! 

If you don’t know me in real life, my name is Amanda. I'm a 20 year old senior at the University of South Florida and I've recently made some pretty big and scary decisions concerning the career path I'm taking. I've been studying psychology for 3+ years now (I started college in High School). Becoming a psychologist was never my dream but I was surprisingly good at it, and knew I could help people live happy lives and make good money at the same time, so I chose that path. And, man, it is shocking how wrong of a career choice it was for me. After a pretty disastrous experience working in the field of Psychology, and about a month of praying and deliberating, I've decided to change my major to Art History. 

I've always loved art of every kind. Music, film, paintings, sculpture, graphics, fashion, and anything else you can label as art has always excited me. I know I can help more people by becoming a curator and absolutely loving what I do, than I would by being a resentful psychologist wishing I could be anywhere but with my patients. So I am taking a leap of faith and giving it all I've got.

Now that you know that much, and took the time to read this, we're basically almost best friends. I don't know for sure what this blog will become, but I have an idea. I thrift constantly, love doing crafts, and live in one of the most beautiful areas; I'll find content for my blog posts. I'm thinking this will be a fashion/DIY/everydaylife blog. Those exist, right?

Here's some things you can expect if you so desire to stick around:

Labels: Amanda Kohl, Art History, AWOLNATION, Fashion, Nails DIY, Psychology, Snell House, St. Petersburg, The Ritz Ybor, Whimsikohl