Healthy Hurricane Foods

I hate all foods that are not served at their proper temperature: pizza should be served hot, salad served cold and I will not touch a Vienna Sausage with a ten foot pole.

That being said, hurricanes are a STRUGGLE for me. Everyone is running around yelling, “HUNKER DOWN! STOCK UP ON WATER AND NONPERISHABLES!”

Do you know what they mean by non-perishables? Non-edible food. They’re talking canned tuna, uncooked black beans and peanut butter sandwiches. I’m allergic to peanut butter, so the only edible option is now ruled out.

I would make myself a tasty salad, but once the seal on the refrigerator is broken, my once prized sauces and veggies are turned to smelly mush.

This leaves me with a dilemma. Do I starve or gag while eating? Thankfully, I’ve thought up some healthy options that don’t make me want to run out into the storm.

My Healthy Hurricane Shopping List

Rice Crisps

Think the crispy part of an apple crisp. These babies pack a flavorful punch without all the calories. Beware: portion control, because I have been known to eat an entire bag in one sitting.

Rice Cakes

Full disclosure I haven’t tried these yet. They spoke to me in the chips aisle and white cheddar has never let me down. Will report back.

Larabar

These come in a ton of great flavors and they’ve never let me down. Larabar is known for having limited ingredients so you know what you’re putting in your body.

Apples

Need I say more? Golden Delicious apples are from God and last on the shelf long enough for a hurricane to pass.

Tuna Infusions

Hear me out on these. I know I said canned tuna is disgusting and I stand by that statement. These, however, come pre-flavored and have very little smell to them. They even have a little spoon in the lid so you don’t have to dirty a fork!

Sunflower Butter

My husband picked up whole grain bread for the weekend, but I’m definitely allergic to peanut butter. This sunflower butter tastes just as good and doesn’t make me break out while a storm is raging outside.

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5 True Crime Podcasts To Binge This Fall

If you know anything about me you know this: I love true crime. The maid of honor at my wedding even brought it up during her speech – and reminded my new husband of my extensive detective knowledge.

In recent years I’ve narrowed the scope of my consumption to something easier to devour: podcasts. From the grandfather of true crime podcasts i.e., Serial, to chilling cases like COLD, if you can name it I’ve probably listened to it.

These are what I consider the greatest hits of true crime podcasts, perfect for getting in a spine-chilling mood this fall:

My Favorite Murder

By far my favorite podcast OF ALL TIME. MFM (My Favorite Murder) was my gateway drug into true crime podcasts. What I love most about MFM are the hosts, Karen and Georgia, who every week tell each other about a murder that interests them. Listening to them gives me the same feeling I get when I call my best friend to divulge the details of a gruesome case I just read about in the paper – might not have all the details or pronunciations correct, but it sure as hell is going to be entertaining.

I love these ladies so much I made a trip to Atlanta for a live show at the Fox Theatre and am a proud member of their fan cult. I even wear a Murderino shirt around town and don’t pay any attention to the strange looks I’m given. I guess you could say we’re going steady.

Favorite Episode: Episode 18 – Investigateighteen Discovery

Up and Vanished: Season 1 

The Tara Grinstead case is fascinating and deeply disturbing. Tara was a beauty queen, teacher and small town girl – not unlike a lot of women from my hometown. The idea that she went missing without a trace and her killer went free for more than 10 years speaks to the investigation done on this case prior to Payne Lindsey’s (podcast host) examination.

What sets this podcast apart is the ending: they break the case wide open.

Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

Remember the Black Dahlia case? Of course you do. Everyone does. This podcast explores the family dynamics of the suspected Black Dahlia murderer and it left me thinking this is definitely the guy.

Warning: if you’re queasy beware. This podcast goes deep into the details of the murder and autopsy, including the torture that was inflicted upon Elizabeth Short.

Root of Evil, paired with its tv counterpart, I Am The Night, delves into the man behind one of the most infamous murder cases in US history. Both are good, but I’d recommend listening to the podcast before watching the show (if you haven’t seen it already). Directed by Patty Jenkins (director of Wonder Woman) and starring Chris Pine, it’s an eerie piece of television that lends itself more to creative direction.

The Last Podcast On The Left

Let’s sit crooked and talk straight: this podcast is raw and raunchy. Marcus Parks is SO GREAT at researching cases and all the guys riff constantly. Their multi-part series are what keep me coming back despite the vulgar humor which is comparable to a Will Ferrell movie and sometimes causes me to shift uncomfortably (especially the Albert Fish series).

That being said, this podcast provides very detailed information with a solid foundation of humor. Their Jonestown series BLEW MY MIND and included recordings from Jim Jones himself. These guys are my fillers when I’m waiting on new MFM episodes and I don’t regret it one bit.

Favorite Series: Episode 300-304 – Jonestown

Bear Brook

You know what I love? Cold Cases. You know what I love more? Cold Cases that are cracked by a librarian turned internet sleuth.

Bear Brook tells the untold story of barrels filled with bodies found in the Bear Brook woods. More than 30 years later, the case takes a surprising turn and is finally solved using familial genealogy. I never saw this ending coming and that’s why it rounds out my podcast greatest hits.

What are your podcast greatest hits and which do you think I should add to my list? Tell me in the comments!

Wedding Party Proposal Boxes

Wedding season is right around the corner and with engagements come wedding party proposals!

When it comes to wedding party proposals – whether it be bridesmaid proposals or groomsman proposals (yes, it’s a thing and my husband was VERY into it), a customized box is the way to go.

I wanted to go big, but knowing my budget, needed a way to keep the costs low. I was inspired by this post to do something more elaborate than a greeting card, but less elaborate than a candy butterfly that melts to reveal the invitation (yes it exists, no I could not justify it).

I started with a memory box from Michael’s, which regularly go on sale. They were being shipped all over the US, so I purchased butcher paper and paper shreds to line the bottom of the boxes and keep the items from moving in transit.

I designed the actual invite in InDesign, detailing the date, location and some more information. Kendrick and his friends are really into How I Met Your Mother, so I designed his boxes to fit that theme. If design isn’t your thing, you can also use Canva (it’s a free design website that provides easy to use templates).

Groomsman Proposal Boxes

What You’ll Need:

• Memory Box
• Paper Shreds
• Miniature Liquor Bottle (custom to what each groomsman prefers)
• Cigar
• Mason Jar
• Invitation
• Glue Stick
• Calligraphy Pen

Kendrick’s friends are your typical Georgia fraternity guys. When I showed him my Pinterest ideas, he wanted a mix of a couple options. We visited a local smoke shop to choose cigars that fit the wedding color scheme and chose to include each man’s liquor of choice. He also loved the idea of keeping it southern, so we added in a Mason jar for good measure.

After we had all the supplies, assembly was simple. I used a glue stick to adhere the invitation to the inside of the box and wrote each groomsman’s name on the top in a calligraphy style.

Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes

What You’ll Need:

• Memory Box
• Paper Shreds
• Candle
• Hair Ties
• Robe
• Nail Polish
• Invitation
• Glue Stick
• Calligraphy Pen

I was much more detailed with the bridesmaid boxes, because I’ve only been dreaming about getting married since forever. Really, I’m the girl who had a Pinterest wedding board in college when I didn’t have any idea who the groom would be. 

For the ladies, I visited Ocala’s local farmer’s market to pick up my favorite soy candles. They’re so fragrant and last forever, plus everyone loves candles. I visited Ulta to find a nail color (Essie gel) that fit our color scheme and included it to give the box a pop of color. 

I knew I wanted to include wedding day robes, so I researched texture, color and style. They’re surprisingly pretty expensive, but I found beautiful robes on Etsy that fit the vibe perfectly. (Word to the wise these robes have a blue hue in their photos but actually look more grey in person.)

Finally, I saw a really cute hair tie idea on Pinterest that I replicated for a much lower cost. Rather than spend extra money on a design I didn’t love, I designed my own “To Have And To Hold Your Hair Back” cards and ordered a bulk order of hair tie material on ebay to tie around them.

I assembled them similarly to the groomsman, with the exception of a different design on the inside lid. 

That’s it! It wasn’t a difficult project, and I love how we customized each box. How did you propose to your ladies?

Spotlight: Ocala Downtown Market

The Ocala Downtown Market is the only reason I’ll wake up early on a weekend. With fresh coffee, peach muffins (complete with a crumble top) and pups at every turn, what’s not to love?

The Ocala Downtown Market is one of my favorite spots in Ocala. Every Saturday I make my way to the farmers market to choose fresh produce for my meal prep and support local businesses.

I’ve been craving zipper peas for months and I finally arrived early enough to snag a bag before the sold out – seriously, they are a hot commodity at the market! While there I also bought fresh alligator meat and fried it up for a true southern meal that made my husband glad he wifed me up.

The Ocala Downtown Market doesn’t just have ingredients though, vendors also sell home goods, live plants, pet treats and my favorite mango salsa that is to die for!

This local farmers market has opened me up to so many unique flavors. For example, when my husband’s friend was visiting we tried a raspberry vinegar paired with strawberries and WOW! Our friends poked fun of us for being bougie with this treat at game night but with flavors this amazing, we’re the real winners here.

If you haven’t visited the Ocala Downtown Market I highly suggest you check it out this weekend! It’s open every Saturday 9 AM – 2 PM rain or shine and if you come early it’s likely I’ll see you there.

Have you checked out our local farmers market? What unique finds did you discover?

Spotlight: Ocala’s Chocolate and Confections

You know what’s better than a chocolate covered banana? A truffle. You know what’s better than a truffle? Ice cream. You know what’s better than ice cream? FUDGE.

Good thing Ocala’s Chocolate and Confections has them all! I’m always so surprised when friends tell me they’ve lived in Ocala for years and have yet to visit Ocala’s Chocolate and Confections.

This neighborhood store looks like it’s come straight out of Stars Hollow (if you don’t get the Gilmore Girls reference, I’m sorry.) It’s perfectly situated in downtown Ocala near the movie theater and is the perfect place to enjoy sweets this summer. Could there be anything cuter than a movie date at the theater and an ice cream cone night cap? I think not.

Last weekend I stopped by with my friend Brittany as we caught up and explored downtown. I had the blueberry cheesecake ice cream in a waffle cone while she treated herself to a truffle. It was worth EVERY calorie!

Have you ever visited this downtown spot? If so, what’s your favorite treat there?

2019 Nordstrom Sale Review

The Public Access of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is now live and will continue until August 4th! This is the first year I’ve shopped the sale and I stuck to a few pieces I’ve had my eyes on that rarely, if ever go on sale plus a few basics. My husband and I are sticking to a frugal budget due to our recent move, so the items on this list are all less than $100!

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

This is my second year purchasing these leggings during the sale and last year’s are still in great shape!

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

100% worth the hype. Smooths cellulite, comfortable, high waisted and have great stretch. These rarely go on sale so definitely get them while they’re still in stock!

adidas Edge Lux 3 Running Shoe

Y’all, I’m obsessed with these sneakers. I feel so trendy with the pattern and they’re extra comfortable while still durable enough for the gym.

Outdoor Voices 7/8 Springs Leggings

Save your money. I had high hopes for these leggings but they run extra small, have very little give and aren’t high waisted enough to control the belly. My husband’s remarks were, “Are those showing your knee?” Did I mention the color contrast isn’t super forgiving on us pale ladies?

BP. V-Neck Tee

A staple tee is always necessary and this tee does its job. I bought this in white, black and grey. It’s not as long as I would’ve expected, but is still long enough to tie up if you want to pair it with high waisted jeans or a cute slip skirt.

BLANKNYC Suede Miniskirt

I LOVE the texture of this skirt. It is a little shorter than I expected, but I’m very excited to rock this with some booties.

Leith Rib Wrap Sweater

I was really expecting this shirt to be more flattering with the wrap element. In reality the “girls” try to escape constantly and it’s so short that it sneaks from its tucked in form and is loose within minutes.

BP. Button Front Knot Hem Tee

Say hello to my new favorite shirt. Soft, affordable and oh, so flattering.

Zella Resolve Racerback Tank

What’s not to love about a good workout tank? I love the racerback element that shows off back muscles and the sleeveless element allows me to check out my triceps in the mirror! Come on, you know you do it too.

Do you shop the sale? I’ll feature a try-on session on my Instagram Stories. Share your favorite pieces with me in the comments section!

Explore Your Hometown: How To Find Events In Ocala

One of my favorite things about living in Ocala is how my calendar stays full with community events. When I first moved here I was at a networking event and commented on how hard it was to find things to do. The response I received was shock and awe – and rightfully so! It wasn’t that there weren’t things to do, I just didn’t know how to find them!

Photo by Brittany Bishop Photography

Now that I’ve learned how to find events I’m constantly asked, “How did you hear about that?” Here’s how I hunt out events and find adventure in my city:

Find Your Favorite Venue

The Reilly Arts Center is a beautiful venue that always brings great events to Ocala!

There are so many great venues in Ocala that have a wide variety of shows and events! Between concerts, festivals, art exhibits and plays there’s no shortage of entertainment. I’d recommend following them on social media, checking their website, and joining their email newsletters so you always know about upcoming events.

By paying attention to what’s happening at The Reilly, I learned about Couch Sessions which has become one of my favorite ways to support local artists. These are a few of my favorite venues:

• Reilly Arts Center
• Ocala Civic Theater
• Silver Springs State Park
• Appleton Museum of Art

Read Local Publications and Blogs

Kendrick and I modeled for our friend Brittany Bishop Photography at the Appleton Museum.

As a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism, I love supporting local publications. They’re also some of the best ways to find events I never would have heard of, because they have great connections with local nonprofits. Nearly every newspaper, magazine and blog has an “Events” section that’s always filled with out-of-the-box events like the “After Dark In The Park Movie Series,” which I found in Family Times Magazine.

Luckily for Ocala residents, a lot of these publications also have a strong social media presence. It’s not uncommon for me to watch Instagram stories and see Ocala Style or Ocala Magazine to post about an event for the coming weekend.

Support Local Nonprofits

Kendrick, Winslow and I love packing a picnic for the Levitt Amp Ocala Music Series!

If I had to list all of our amazing nonprofits this would be a 6-part series. Ocala has a strong nonprofit presence that always supplies exciting community events, and Marion Cultural Alliance is where I find a lot of them.

My all time favorite is the Levitt Amp Ocala Music Series, a free concert series that supplies our community with live music. This is the second year Ocala has been awarded a grant to host the series, and I pray it continues to receive support. With food trucks, amazing touring musicians and a pet friendly atmosphere, what’s not to love?

Make Your Own Events

Winslow’s first birthday party at Letty Towles Dog Park.

Sometimes you have to be the leader! The best times are spent with friends and it doesn’t always have to have large costs associated. Try a fitness class with friends, throw a potluck Taco Tuesday (or any day, tacos are never a bad idea), or a dog party!

I hope this helps you experience more of Ocala’s culture, meet new people and feel more connected to your community! What ways do you find events and what are some of your favorite places, publications or nonprofits that I missed?

My Pet Must-Haves

If you know me, you know I love my pets with all my heart. I work hard so I can create a better life for Nashville (cat) and Winslow (dog). Winslow comes with us pretty much everywhere, and over the years I’ve discovered some really unique products to keep them as happy and healthy as possible.

 

Cat Essentials

Cat Furniture Canopy Shelves

There’s nothing I hate more than having a fur covered cat tower in my living room. After searching for a more decorative option, I found these elevated shelves that give the appearance of plants. They give Nash a place to play and hide without sacrificing style.

PSA if your kitty is over 15 pounds I’d recommend using anchors so they don’t fly off the wall like ours originally did!

 

SmartyKat Catnip Mist Spray

Recently Nashville has gotten into the habit of stealing Winslow’s bed, which leads to him snuggling up between us in the night. I’m not one to turn down a cuddle, but there’s just not enough room for three of us in the bed. I bought Nash his own bed, knowing he would turn his nose up at it initially.

I sprayed this catnip mist on the bed and within a few days he was giving it a shot! Now when I’m getting ready for work he’s not only in his bed, but stays chilling there until it’s time for breakfast.

 

Nulo Medal Series Weight Management Cat Food – Grain Free

As part Maine Coon, there’s no secret that Nash is a big, cuddly boy. Despite his large size, his vet still wants to work on keeping him active (hence the shelves) and on a weight management diet. Nulo is a grain free dry food that includes L-Carnitine, which supports the metabolism of fats. I’m considering switching him to wet food, but this is my favorite dry food by far.

 

LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box

I’ve had this litter box for God knows how long, and I could not live without it. My next upgrade is to add a cat “side table” to put this baby in to keep it out of sight in our tiny apartment.

 

Clothing Hamper

I’m being a little silly with this one, but I truly have to hide our hampers to keep Nash out of them! He loves to hide in them and pounce at Winslow or use them as a hiding place for a cat nap. Skip the expensive cat toy and get yourself a $5 mesh hamper to entertain your cat for hours.

 

Dog Essentials

 

flexi^® New Classic Retractable and Multi Box Waste Bag Dispenser

We’re always on the go, and inevitably Winslow will need to do his business at the most inopportune time. This leash and waste bag attachment is my life saver. Most attachments have a clip that hooks to the leash, but doesn’t fit most retractable leashes. This attachment slides right onto the leash, freeing up my hands to pick up the business.

 

RescueBox

Like most pet parents, we love spoiling Winslow with new toys and treats every month. I’m also a token millennial, which means I love supporting organizations that give back. RescueBox is awesome because with every box, the company works with charitable partners to provide donations of food and vaccines in shelters across America.

 

Waterproof Pet Seat Cover

A short hair dog and cloth seats do not make a good pair. This seat cover has saved my Jeep from damage, mud and slobber. It was also the perfect way to keep the boys comfortable during two cross country moves.

 

Collapsible Fabric Travel Bowl

Another can-not-live-without item is a portable dog bowl. We take Winslow to brunch, concerts, the park, you name it. The last thing I want is for my man to be thirsty. This bowl zips up for easy transport and is easy to store on a leash.

 

KONG Dog Toys

Winslow has never met a toy he didn’t love to obliterate. KONG is the only toy that stands up to his force while keeping him entertained for hours!

 

What are your favorite pet products? I’m always looking for more ways to spoil my boys, so let me know in the comments!

Introducing I Go By Kait

Hey there! My name is Kaitlyn Butler, and I go by Kait! I love online shopping, eating well and living well. I live in Ocala, Florida with my husband, staying busy with a variety of community events and local offerings. I studied public relations at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and love interacting with all types of people. My blog is primarily focused on fashion, food and fitness.

Why A Blog?

In the last year my husband, Kendrick, and I moved across the country with our dog (Winslow) and cat (Nashville) to Chicago, got married and moved back home to Ocala. To many, it seemed like we couldn’t take the cold (it wasn’t the greatest, I’ll admit). In reality, we missed our life back home.

Moving thousands of miles away from family and friends put a lot of things in perspective.

Prior to the move I prided myself on my career and ambition. Changing jobs three times in a year really threw me for a loop. I’ve now started a 9-5 job and am looking for a way to express myself creatively outside of work.

A major factor in moving back to Ocala was the community. We met some wonderful people in Chicago, but we kept comparing life in the city to our life “back home”. We had no idea how much we would miss the people and places until we put a 16 hour drive between us. In this blog I hope to showcase the hidden gems of Ocala, bringing to light the things that make it home for us.

Then, there’s the Enneagram. I’m a Seven, which means I love any and all things exciting. Food, fitness, shopping – you name it. I’ll be sharing all my favorite activities here and I hope it lights your fire, too!

Thanks for stopping by — I hope you stay a while.