Soundset has been the tell tale sign that summer has arrived in my life for the last seven years. I could not be more proud to say that I have attended all of the magnificent 'hip-hop summer camps' as my friend Sarahdope calls them. I can't list of every act that I saw each year, hell I can't even tell you which friends I drove with for some of the years but what I can assure you of is, I am going to hold my friend Skye to his promise of presenting me with some sort of a plaque in 2015!!! haha. 

The first year I was just being introduced to a lot of the different artists that I would grow so attached to. I don't even remember if there was more than one stage. I do remember that I went with my good friend TBeezy and we had a great time. TB was also the first person I went to Warp Tour with and an all around great influence on my music tastes. Thanks TOM, LOVE YOU. Who knows if I ever would have fallen deeply in love with Minneapolis hip-hop without you!

Year two highlight was definitely that I got a picture wearing the hat Slug threw into the crowd! I tried pretty hard to keep it but the guy who actually caught it was not having that nonsense, so the pictures lives on.

I have a really cute pic of me and my ex from this day but I am not sure if it's appropriate to put up, so I guess I will refrain myself.

2010 was a great year, it was the last time that I had the pleasure of seeing Eyedea & Abilities perform before the tragic passing of Mikey 'Eyedea' Larsen in Oct. of 2010. <3 Flash forward to 2014 and I'm the girl in the crowd crying while Slug, Plain Ole Bill and Ant perform, Sean's interlude was heart-wrenching.

It was the first time that I saw Wiz live, I got to see Method Man & Redman - something that I will not likely forget, they are icons in the world of hip hop! 
Even more maybe than year one I had a revolution of love for all the performers; These being some of the ones closest to my heart: Dessa, Prof was working with Rahzwell, Toki Wright, Cecil Otter, Dark Time Sunshine and Plain Ole Bill.

This CityPages article has the full 2011 lineup and I almost didn't remember until reading it that, that was the first time I had seen MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - and in case you don't know how I feel about their whole posse fine out here & here. 

This was also the year that Mac Miller almost made me cry when he proclaimed that we were the largest crowd he had ever performed to and how grateful he was for all of the fans. (Insert many crying emoticons!)

THE FIRST YEAR I HAD INSTAGRAM! 

Some of the names I most remember being awesome were Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Action Bronson, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (again, not at all a bad thing!) and I had been a long time fan of Lupe Fiasco. My boyfriend at the time was a BIGGG Big K.R.I.T. fan so I had been listening to Return of 4eva for a whileeee.

I didn't think I'd be impressed with Danny Brown but his performance was energetic and I actually had fun. Not to mention I got to meet him later on in the Record Room of First Avenue during the after party, he was so humble and friendly!

Although a lot of people blame Lupe for the rain-out (because it was so hot he asked everyone to pray for rain during his set), he in no way wanted everyone to be evacuated due to potential storms - which is what happened around 7:30pm. I had just rounded up my cousins and was planning on making their dreams come true by hooking it up so they could watch Atmosphere's performance from the side stage, the festival's headliner never came on and instead my cousins were stuck pushing the van out of the mud hole that we ended up stuck in. wahh wahhh... 

This musicisgood blog does a great review.

I was pretty bummed when Busta didn't show up but I did get to see SNOOP!

And although it was the most energetic performance I enjoyed it, it didn't hurt that I had the pleasure of watching it from the sound booth in the center of the crown with SB.

This year was amazing, and to think I almost did the financially responsible thing and not buy tickets, HA! 

My brother and I underestimated the traffic, like we always do, and got there during G-Eazy's set. We missed Lady Killer but I am still happy about what we did get to see. I was bummed about missing the Grouch and Eligh but I didn't spend much time thinking about it because the main stages were firing off great act after great act all day!

It's been a dream of mine to see Cypress Hill, until this last weekend I was convinced I had never seen them live BUT T.Beezy argues that they opened for Blink 182 at the Target Center in 2004 - a show I definitely went to. In my mind that band that played after New Found Glory was Kottonmouth Kings but maybe I was too young to know the different. The internet has yet to confirm or deny. 

Any way I got to see Cypress Hill during one of my favorite festivals of all time so either way I am stoked on it! I've had a crush on B-Real for as long as I can remember! 

My bro and I ran into two of our younger hip-hop lovin' cousinsss and took this awesome picture. We were all bummed that Snow tha Product had played early, I was especially excited to support a lady hustler but my pal B-Rolla had the honor of watching her performance and he assured me that she killed it!

I screamed & sang every word during PROF and Grieve's sets, Two Chains got me dancing, Nas had me all nostalgic and Wiz obviously killed it but what had me in awe the number of kiddos that don't know what is good for them! So many babies were leaving slowly but surely during Atmosphere's set. Yes it helped with traffic, yes I moved so far up I could take a good picture, yes I understand that he is a man with several decades of fans loyally behind him but I felt sad for the youngsters that turned down this opportunity to jam with a legendary act.


Any way I could not be more proud of my state, my local hip-hop team turned out another great festival! Seven years running and I have yet to be disappointed. To all the wonderful people from Rhymesayers, to all the staff that gets flown in, to the vendors and security I appreciate all of your hard work and your passion, without all of us, most importantly the fans, this great event would never have come this far! Proud to be a part, even if it is an awfully small one!

Hope to see y'all next year! As Slug always says, "This is as close to church as some of us get!" 


xoxox, kp

I was so moved by the flattering reposts and nice comments on last Friday's Instagram #ootd that I decided to do outfit details, which I hardly ever do because pretty much everything was found at a thrift store. So I can not tell you where to get these exact items but I will share a few of the shops that I normally can pull a treasure out of.

The shoes were purchased at Nancy's Nifty Thrifty in St. Anthony Village. They don't see a lot of action because of how high and impractical they are but when I wear them you can bet I'm feeling sassy!

Leggings are from Savers in Columbia Heights.

The fabulous, amazing, perfect belt that I should definitely find a million more outfits to wear with, is from Rewind NE.

Button up is from Unique Thrift off of 37th, as well as they sunnies on my dome.

I have been rocking the small, black, leather back pack for about a week now, I have had it forever - can't even remember when I bought it. It's a great size and is a good change up from a traditional purse. The hair clip is from Target, and the Asian style take away box is Pineapple Fried Rice from Ginger hop, a meal I have been craving since getting home from Australia. Yum!

Trench is from Arc's Value Village in New Hope, a wonderful chain of thrift stores that does wonderful things for the community. Also they are so lucky to have Michelle Dustin, I have done a piece about her for Sol Inspirations. She is a stylist that does amazing work for the patrons of AVV and was such a sweetheart to repost this outfit on her own Instagram! <3 her.

Clothes are great, they protect our body from the element, fashion is a weird, manufactured concept that can be expressive and endlessly beautiful, but fashion can also be dangerously destructive - to the planet, to esteem levels, etc. 

Putting your best foot forward can have nothing to do with an outfit or can be everything to a first impression. Either way be ready with wit and charm, because visuals aren't everything. 

xoxo, kp

Flying to Sydney the day after my birthday, a day that is also a Mexican holiday that usually results in at least a few tequila shots, was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished. My hang over was pretty horrific but by some miracle I woke up at 5:50 am after far too few hours of sleep. Pulled my shit together and MF and I got out the door and headed to the airport.  

MF and I found our way to our digs for the night, a quaint house in Rockdale (suburb of Sydney, 30 min train ride). We were being taken in by a few fellow Americans who are taking in the world one country at a time, a month here, a month there. I am thankful to have met them and now to call them my friends, a few of these journeyers took an epic bike trip from Melbourne to Sydney in 40 days. They had great stories of sneaking into camping parks, cycling on freeways next to semi-trucks, taking homeless showers in public sinks, they revealed in how good a Magnum Ice Cream tastes after biking for 8 hours and they exuded such a pride in their bodies were able to conquer the intense circumstances.

They were a truly were an inspiring group of people to be around, not to mention how great it was for them to put us up when we first got to Sydney. Their place was right on a river. It's a shame I don't have any pictures.

This first day after we got settled MF and I threw on bathing suits and headed to Bondi, a beach I was now familiar with and very fond of. We chilled on the beach for a while and eventually headed back to Rockdale, got a pizza and a box of wine for dinner. Around 9:30pm we headed out for the night, first stop - downtown to explore Kings Cross for a while and ended up at the Opera House Bar where our host KJ is a server. 

Seeing the Opera House during the day is one thing but at night this landmark is at it's best! The bar has it's own beer, the Opera House Pale Ale which I drank during both of my visits. Delicious! When KJ got off of work, his lady AV met up with us and this foursome made our way to the The Ship Inn. We drank several rounds and ended up out until about 4am. We met some characters, made some friends, challenged a few cultural norms and had a really good night.

Needless to say this group didn't pop up bright and early, even though we had plans to catch a train and climb a mountain. We did get our asses up at a pretty decent time and ended up headed to Katoomba on the 1:18pm train.

A two hour train ride and a few chapters of Chelsea Handler's Uganda Be Kidding Me we had made it to the Blue Mountains. We stop to get a few more things at the grocery store and made our way to the mountain. Our starting point was Echo Point, it has a full service visitor center and an amazing view of the Three Sisters.

At the lookout point MF and I assisted some wonderful women in taking a picture, one of the ladies had come to this landmark 56 years ago on her honeymoon, such a romantic story! These adorable ladies thought we were crazy to camp in the rainforest during the 'winter,' I say it in quotes because the temperatures were not frigid at all to a Minnesotan, although they did get much cold at night - a good camper/fashionista knows all about layering.

Then we climbed down, hiked in, walked down a million stairs and I experienced my first rainforest camp out! Sleeping under the canopy was such a cool experience, there was so much going on above me; rustling, things peeing out of trees, koala mating calls, birds singing and creatures climbing. 

That night I got to know four new friends on a level that only people who camp can understand, I don't know if it's the lack of distraction, the fresh air or the feeling of communal accomplishment but camping bring people together on a level that is hard to reach in any other setting. The highlight of that night's bonfire was when one of my new friends whipped out a couple of oranges and a water bottle filled cake mix! 'CampFire Cakes' are apparently all the rage on sites like Pinterest, the hardest part was cutting the orange out of it's peel, although the snack is a worthwhile reward. The trick is premixing the cake batter in a squeeze bottle, remember to bring tin foil and be patient - the cakes will need a good thirty minutes or so depending on how big your fire is. It was such a fun thing to do after we all made dinner when it was pitch black, felt like midnight but was actually only 6:30pm.

In the morning we had to say goodbye to two of the guys that had camped with us that night and KJ, AV, MF & I were off to Castle Ruins. After some deliberation about going back up to get a better map, versus relying on the partial map we had we decided that we should just keep moving. The main argument against our decision was that if we had to get airlifted after being lost for days we would look extra dumb if we didn't have a complete map of the route we were taking. Disclaimer : Everything worked out for us but I suggest that when you camp you have adequate navigational resources. 

We passed by Katoomba Falls late in the morning, we climbed down in order to fill up our water jug, we had purification pills that needed a few hours to work. We munched on pb&js for lunch, I took lots of pictures and after a 5 to 6 hours of trekking we found the most perfect place to camp!

In the morning we climbed the Golden Stair Case and it was one of the hardest treks of my life. After being out in the woods for two nights and three days I was exhausted but that made all of the difference when we reached the top. I always have mad love for myself but in that moment I was so proud! 

Top left is my new friend KJ and on the right a wonderful woman AV - I want to thank these two wonderful humans for everything! They were both great camping cohorts, extremely smart, adventurous, generous and open. I feel so blessed to have the memories of this trip. I was challenged physically, nurtured & loved by my new friends, we even got creative writing a Blue Mountain song under the stars. This experience would not have been what it was without these smiling faces! I am forever grateful for these two, I am confident they will continue their awe-inspiring roving and I hope in the future our paths bring us together again for further globe-trotting!

After we found our way back to Katoomba we ate what will go down in my history as one of the greatest meals of my life!

The train ride back to Sydney was a lot smellier then the ride there, but we all cherished the rest.

After checking into our darling hotel, MF & I ended the night with an enormous, delicious Italian meal! You know it's good when the server can not understand you, or specifically words like alfredo. We got gelato on the way back to the hotel, watched a bunch of Eurovision and got a great night's slumber!

MF and I went to a sports bar in Kings Cross for some beers and to try to watch the Wild game but of course it wasn't being aired on any where, so we slammed three pints since they were the cheapest ones we had found any where at $5 each. AFter we left that joint we avidly checked live score updates, ended up at the Opera House and toasted to the Wild win! (Round Two, Game Three against the BlackHawks.)

After that MF and I took a ferry to Manly beach and hung out there for a while before heading back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. 

For dinner we went to the Opium Den, it was across the street from our hotel and it was fricken delicious! It's BYOB, which means we were able to bring a bottle of cheap wine that we bought at the bottle shop next door and bring it in with us, a $2 cost per person. We got three different main dishes and it was under $50. The service was fantastic and the food was filling and super tasty!

Leaving this country, the getting on a plane part, forcing myself through security was one of the hardest things I have ever done. And I climbed a mountain earlier this week! 

I had an unbelievable time, experienced some of the world's most wonderful sites and fell in love with some extraordinary people! The places you see are only enhance by the people you reconnoiter with. I was inspired by friends to visit Australia and even more inspired by the new friends I made while I was there. I am also inspired by my readers and everyone who has been so supportive of my wayfarer ways, so thank you thank you thank! I hope you find some inspiration in my stories and motivation within yourself to achieve the things that you dream about. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

xox, kp

Prior to my Australian adventure I actually started picking up a few different things at a time a couple weeks in advance, constantly checking what was on sale at Target. Here are a few products that I felt it necessary to bring with me.

While I did not actually pack this product, as you can see it is over the allotted 3 oz of fluids but I did however use this wax on several different parts of my body before I left. I have written a little bit about my feelings towards hair removal but I feel like it is a topic I will continue to elaborate on more and more as this blog develops. 

FIrst off, I am a hairy bitch. My arm hairs are super long, I pluck my uni-brow at least bi-monthly and I have been using MOOM to wax my own bikini line for years. I have even waxed below the knee on my legs a few times but for some reason I have always been afraid to wax my own armpits. This trip was the time to pull the trigger, I couldn't afford to do it at a salon and I had the materials necessary so why not? (MOOM's kits include reusable waxing strips that can be hand or machine washed, I have always hand washed to save on water! Also I think that the strips will last longer if I keep them out of the spin cycle.) 

Truth time, waxing fucking hurts and it did take two separate sessions, two days in a row after getting out of the shower I did as much as I could handle, but I did it! I successfully waxed my own pits!! It was a small feat but I am quite proud. The results have been amazing! I haven't shaved the pits for almost two weeks, the hair normally returns there within 30 hours. It's not perfect but it's pretty darn good.

Sun exposure leaves skin incredibly dry, I am sure you all have heard about how important moisturizer is for your skin. So naturally I wanted to be prepared with a heavy duty lotion. After CG and I's first two amazing days of beach bumming on Bondi I was so thankful to have this product. This super thick lotion smells amazing and instantly your skin's thirst is quenched. I am not super familiar with any of Weleda's other products but this one I am impressed with, the business practices discussed on the site are right up my alley and I was pleased to read about it.

Even when I am at home it is hard for me to dedicate proper time to face washing and full showers, I seem to always find something better to do with my time. LOL, but seriously. Towelettes are not something I don't use a lot because I think that towels and soap seems more sustainable than disposable paper products, that being said these are a life saver for make-up removal and also for 'waterless showers' whilst I am running around this epic continent. 

They were helpful for my busy schedule of box wine drinking, walks on the boardwalk and deep talks with new friends. But they were AMAZING during my two epic camping trips! I of course kept the dirty cloths in my pack because I would never liter, a good camper leaves a site more beautiful than when they got there and even the used wipes actually kept my pack smelling great! 

I have used a few YESto products before, they all smell insanely good and have been really effective. There was a lip balm in my life at one point and these wipes will probably be a staple in my luggage for further travels. A seemingly ideal business with great practices and a positive mission, the #YESTOMOVEMENT is definitely worth a few minutes of your internet allotment. 

These were purchased a while ago, I think I may have bought them in Vegas while visiting KB at a TJmaxx.They turned out to be great for camping. I did have the other facial wipes which were amazing after sweating all over my face and neck. But it was nice to have another product, another smell, for my hands before eating meals around the camp fire. I even used them on my arm pits after a particularly long day of hiking! 

Tooth paste is boring but I felt buying this travel sized Tom's was noteable because up until this point I have always just used the samples they load you up with at the dentist. Recently I guess I have become a brand loyalist to Tom's of Maine - fresh mint... hence the purchase! :) Cray, I know but I have once forgot the rules at in line at security watched a woman throw a way a full sized tube of Tom's... #EPICFAIL. This is a sign I am growing up :)

In the makeup department I only brought my brow kit, under eye concealer, eye liner and water proof mascara. Oh and one tiny bottle of purple nail polish!

Here is a bit more help from my friends at HelloGiggles: How to Pack Light For Your Summer Holiday. In the wardrobe department I am not sure I did the best job but mix and matchable basics is definitely the key!

Whether you are going to Brainerd, the Hamptons, South America or the lake down the street I hope your summer is filled with lots of time outdoors with tons of sunshine! Remember to moisturize and drink lots of water; Hydration should be the easiest, most important part of your beauty routine.

xoxo, kp

This is not going to be super detailed but it will give a good idea of week two, my time in Melbourne. Week three gets a tad bit more exciting, not that I didn't love my time in St. Kilda but it was a soft kind of glamour. There was a lot of drinking, eating and bonding with new friends, all very beautiful things that I was super present for. I didn't spend THAT much time evaluating and documenting. 

SO HERE IS WEEK TWO:

MF and I took a really great bike ride from St. Kilda into downtown Melbourne. I was so excited to adventure through the alleyways and arcades! First off we took a scenic way through the park and got a couple of coffees, a mocha and a long black to get the day started. 

Slept in and realized that I had to get the live stream going for Game 1 pretty quickly if I wanted to see the puck drop.

I quickly went from this..

to this..

I dragged MF from the apartment and instead of gelato I ordered a ham and cheese croissant (I love breakfast food for lunch) accompanied by an enormous mocha milkshake. Delicioso! 

Then I posted this, so my mama could show my grandparents :)

Then NT, MG and I went for a little adventure, there were rickshaws and haunted ball rooms involved!!! 

Saturday night a bunch of us went to the grocery store and bought fresh ingredients, all the fixings, for tacos! We met a woman in the elevator on our way back up to the apartment, we invited her to join us for dinner and to our surprise she showed up with a bottle of wine! I was amazed with her, the kind of person who without trying teaches you about yourself. P was clearly a bit older than the rest of us, but so humble and open, I was so intrigued to find out about her work as the Curator for Fashion Exhibits at the Gallery of Victoria. We were graced with her presence for the vast majority of the night. The conversation was fluid, we all learned something, had many laughs and ate like kings!

I had the pleasure of watching Mr. F play in an intramural basketball game at MSAC, a super cool sporting complex with endless space for activities! I sat on the sidelines, drinking wine out of my stainless steel water bottle and did my best not to embarrass MF. Also there is limited visual proof that this happened, I will be holding it hostage because I think someday it may help me out. 

MF and I went to the CBD, gawked at a crocodile for too long, had a great lunch on a second level patio and finally headed back to St. Kilda to get birthday cake from a famous Auckland St. bakery. 

Unfortunately MF had to go to work that evening but fortunately I had made some amazing friends at this point in my trip. BH, NT and I were invited to a Cinco de Mayo party! The host was a doll, from Colorado, she made delicious enchiladas, all the other guests were fabulous new faces from different parts of the world (who all brought bottles of to-kill-ya: silver, gold, 1800). The chemistry between the group was apparent really early in the night, no filters, all topics on the table and did I mention the AMAZING FOOD? We all took more than one tequila shot, it's a universal way to enhance the communication, naturally we ended up playing charades. 

This handsome threesome tried our hardest to have a night cap at MF's bar BUT we showed up just as he was locking up. Bummed out but still glad to see him we had a glorious walk home! Four wonderful friends; two of whom I had known for less than two weeks - IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. These people are beautiful. 

The following day, the start of week three MF and I got a plane for yet another adventure. 

Melbourne is wonderful, a thriving downtown, crazy cool alley ways and Federation Square looks as cool as I thought it would. There are museums, beautiful parks, sporting complexes, so much to do!

BUT St. Kilda, a beachy little nook about 15 minutes on the tram from the CBD, where my friends are residing in a super historical building, in a great location is where I spent most of week. I felt at home instantly; the people were welcoming, open, positive. The beachfront boardwalk is lovely and I can see why my friends are having such a great time there.

Stay tuned for more #gettinafteroz, week three has great pics and there might even be a packing post. Life is for living and don't ever forget it; this blog is great but being out in the world is better, finding your own adventure is better!


xoxo, kp

I've been compiling this STUFF for a very long time and I don't know why but I felt like giving it to you today! It is officially May where I am, as I post this, in AUSTRALIA. It's for girls, it's for people who love girls, it's for women who are strong and girls who are growing. It's a random assortment that I hope you get at least one thing out of.

Happy May Day :) 
ENJOY.

--- 13 Voices Speak on Fashion's Appropriation of Urban Culture

------ 6 Reasons to do WHATEVER YOU WANT // @HelloGiggles

Just for the love of NPR & world awareness.
--- An Afghan Village Of Drug Addicts, From Ages 10 to 60

-- A Punk Rock Take on the Four Agreement // @GalaDarling

EDUCATE, even if you think you know this is helpful!!
------- You Can't POP Your Cherry! (HYMEN 101)

-- H&M’s surprising PR gaffe

AMAZING & I think that we need to seriously stop furthering these lies!!! Seriously.
----- 17 LIES WE NEED TO STOP TEACHING GIRLS ABOUT SEX

- An Ex Model Reflects

--- The Hook Up Culture Only Exists Because This Generation Has Never Fallen in Love <3 <3 <3

-- A VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF BARBIE HITS SHELVES TO REVOLUTIONIZE HOW GIRLS THINK ABOUT THEIR BODY

- Fashion likes to dress itself up as something more, but it is one of the most hyper-capitalist 

(Insert Z-Snap)
--------- 18 Things Women Shouldn't Have to Justify

Although you might love Toms, etc. its important to educate yourself.
--- The Limits of Buy One Give One

---- If You’re Not Good Enough, Just Do This One Thing Over and Over and Over… and Over Again.

These two related stories will have your mind spinning around in a great and challenging way.
-- American Apparel Stirs Up Controversy…Again
-- The REAL MADE IN BANGLADESH! 

---------------- PROOF BUYING MORE STUFF ACTUALLY MAKES YOU MISERABLE!!! 

I actually have and do plan on continuing to celebrate St. Patty's Day and I think that some times it's ok to just get shit faced in the name of patriotism but I do think that being open to why someone might now is so so important.
--- Why I Don't Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

TRAGIC!
------ AM I PRETTY? OR UGLY?

Super inspiring and full of perspective.
-- Camo Confession

- The Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess

- 17 Signs You'll Never Actually Be a Grown Up

I read a lot on the internet and sometimes I think that y'all need to see it! Remember to spend the time online as productively as possible, challenge yourself with content, educate yourself with world news, explore new areas and MOST IMPORTANTLY - DON'T SPEND YOUR LIFE ONLINE. Be in the present. :)

xoxo, kp