Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Link Love


Hopefully everyone had the relaxing weekend I did.  I'm proud to say we successfully and without any crying episodes, found bridesmaids dresses for my sister's wedding.  They're gorgeous and I can't wait to stand next to my gorgeous sister on her big day.

FYI, using fancy straws around the house has improved my quality of life.

Rosie has a spring chicken idea, and nothing makes me feel more badass than when I make a full on roasted chicken.

I know I'm late to the game but Chia seeds are changing my week and they're magically good for you.

Not being an overly religious person, sometimes it's hard for me to connect with Bible stories or verses. Tori inspired the hell out of me with this one though.

If you're dying for some sunshine go live through Dana's recent Cali trip and sit in front of a sunny window.

I'm so bummed I can't attend the CapFabb even on Friday like I was planning to. Something last minute and pretty important came up.  I love the direction this blogging network is taking and if you're a DMV blogger go join!

xoxo,
Erin



Thursday, March 26, 2015

If You Don't Know



Now you know.

This guy James Bay is everything. 
Thank you Joynes.
You're welcome everyone.

xoxo,
Erin

Toes


So it's going to probably reach 70 degrees today in Bmore.  OK, yes last week it was snowing, and a few weeks ago I was shoveling, but now it's going to be almost 70 degrees.

That must mean summer is coming, right?  I feel like I've been living in a Game of Thrones episode and winter has come and lasted for freaking ever.  Even the hint of a summer has me thinking of dresses, and skirts, and shoes I can walk in.

Summer means us ladies can run to the nail salon, get a pedicure and then slide our toes into those lovely summer shoes we packed away.

Summer means gorgeous sandals and wedges, both shoes I can actually walk in.

OK, there was that wedge incident last year that I still have scars from, but that was after a lot of drinks.

All I can think about is bright toes and tan feet, two of my favorite things.

Summer hurry.

xoxo,
Erin

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Link Love


One of my favorite parts of my day is when I can grab a cup of tea, curl up in a blanket and check in to get some inspiration from other bloggers.  Fashion, food, events, you can find anything for a little motivation.

Cathy was in Charleston over the weekend. I'm jealous, I miss my southern home, but she gave me a glimpse.

This is my new makeup boyfriend. Never leave home without him.

Trying to figure out what to wear to a blogger event is a nightmare. Bought this for a boost.

Need a good feel cry on a Tuesday.  Help yourself.

Mary is my constant style icon.  Now she has me lusting for a Oxblood Cobra clutch from August Made in Los Angeles. It's for a good cause.

Family dinner this weekend means I have another excuse to bake these.

xoxo,
Erin

Monday, March 23, 2015

Fork You


I'm trying to really enjoy and relax my last few weekends before grad school starts again.  

I've been doing things I don't do, like taking baths.  Thank you Tanya Burr for my new Lush obsession.

I'm grocery shopping for all these fresh and healthy foods, and then finding a fork outside the store flicking me off.  Charming.

I'm trying to make healthy versions of chocolate goodies, and failing miserably.  Tried Rosie's Chocablock with almond milk and a couple other healthy substitutes and it failed miserably.

Spent a Sunday afternoon with Prince Charming.  

School starts again in 2 weeks and I will then be spending my weekends glued to my couch doing homework, so I'm living it up by living it down.

xoxo,
Erin

P.S. follow me on Instagram and see all of this, plus more wine.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Someone Else's Sugar Sweeter


Maybe it was that Saturday a few weeks ago being surrounded by all things chocolate in my heaven at the Hershey Spa.  Maybe it's been the crazy life I've been leading lately, but all I want is chocolate everything.

Baking has been like a mosquito bite I can't scratch enough. I always want to do it.  So I have a few ideas.

Chocolate chip-coffee muffins.

Mississippi Chocolate and Coffee Cake. (There's bourbon)

Chocablock from Rosie.

Tanya's Oreo cupcakes.

One of these is happening this weekend.  Anyone have any dark chocolate recipes they swear by?

xoxo,
Erin

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

I Don't Think You're Ready


We're getting more snow this week.  Yep, you can still read, snow.  

And while all I want is to lay on a beach somewhere, that also includes my biggest fear: bathing suits.

I'm not a model, I'm not a skinny girl, so obviously the thought of wearing a swim suit makes me wish I owned a private island.

Ok maybe not completely, but it would make life easier.  

I've spent most of my life trying to fit myself into some kind of alternative bikini to not feel like a grandma, but luckily they're starting to make one pieces for those of us who have not had children.

Some are just sexy too. 

I'm not someone who will probably ever feel comfortable in a bikini, even if I get where I want to with myself.

Thank god they're making once pieces without those little skirt things.  I'm full on obsessed with the top right one.

xoxo,
Erin

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Irish You the Best


St. Patrick's Day has always been another holiday I loved, thanks to my mom.  All meals were green, other than dinner which was usually corned beef and cabbage.  We watched Darby O'Gill and the Little People (still gives me nightmares) and got all kinds of fun cookies.

As an adult it meant all day drinking, dancing, and waiting in line at bars.

As an older adult, it's just fun.  I have green eyes and the name Erin.  It's a no brainer everyone makes comments to me.

Grab some Guinness and/or Whiskey, throw on The Departed and celebrate with me.



  • If I didn't have a loyalty to red bags I would add this guy to my life.

  • My sister loved St. Patrick's Day for McDonald's Shamrock Shakes.  The smell alone made me sick but she loved them. Here is a boozy version.

  • You know I'm always looking for bling, and this is perfect for the holiday.

  • Finally a corned beef and cabbage recipe for your crockpot.

xoxo,
Erin J

Friday, March 13, 2015

Kiss Me


This week had it's moments.  
This year is going to be one of the craziest years of my life.
This weekend I get to spend some quality time with two of my best and oldest friends.
Oh and it's St. Patrick's day celebration time.
No one loves a good Irish holiday like a girl named Erin.
So have a good weekend.
Go dancing, work out, laugh until your stomach hurts because Monday is right around the corner.

xoxo,
Erin

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Battle Gear


When I decided to jump into the new workout party my first thought went to what I can wear.  I believe that when you dress cute when you work out you work harder.  

And you get to look cute. Old Navy has fantastic fitness clothing at a price point that doesn't make you second guess why you're paying so much to get gross.

Who wants to sweat in a $50 shirt?

I'm partial to black because I like to feel like I'm going into a battle, and I basically am.  Also, I'm not one of those people who likes to see myself drenched in sweat, at least not yet.

A great pair of tennis shoes make me want to actually do something.

Basically, I aspire to look like one of those cute bitches in the fitness category on Pinterest.  

Oh and my legs hurt so bad by the end of the day it hurt to bend down to put on my shoes.  So something must be working.  

xoxo,
Erin

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Meathead in progress

 
I've never been a gym rat.  I get bored very easily and if my patience runs out, I'm done. 

Finding a workout to keep me occupied has always been a problem.

I was a "runner" for a while, and running outside gave me motivation and half marathon training helped.  Three half marathons later, I think I'm done.

Being hereditary clumsy (thanks mom) I also have to be careful.  I've actually broken my ankle jumping a little too high during a Tracy Anderson cardio DVD. 

True story.

I follow Kayla Itsines on Instagram and of course I've been inspired looking at the transformations she posts, but seeing that the workouts change every day for 12 weeks was my real motivation.

She is the one in the picture above, isn't she adorable?

So yesterday was the first pre-workout day, it was legs, and it hurts to sit down.

If it ain't hurtin, it ain't working.

I'll keep you posted.

xoxo,
Erin

Monday, March 9, 2015

Monday Funday?


This weekend I did a lot of not a lot.

I bought some new candles, a lot of healthy food, and caught up on some Netflix.

Working on some of the revamping ideas for the blog, figured out the new name.

Starting Kayla Itsines workout this week, which looks painful.

One month until school starts.

Basically, I'm going to kill it in 2015.

xoxo,
Erin

p.s. Hot freakin HOT is Hozier?! I'm full on obsessed.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Friday Favorites





Snow days are meant for hot chocolate, TV marathons, and online shopping.

Can I get an Amen?

I'm not in the place to get everything I want, but picking a few things never hurt anyone.  This Gap skirt is something I have to have for Spring.

I'm going through a huge makeup phase, and I've heard things about Benefit's Dallas, but I've never actually tried it. Bronzers scare me.

Being buried in snow is a great time to get some inspiration, have a huge Pinterest stalk, and gather your thoughts.

I'm inspired again, I have motivation, and I have wine.  Let's GO.

xoxo,
Erin J


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Bloglife Crisis



Y'all I've reached my bloglife crisis.  I feel like I've hit a wall between throwing in the towel and really refocusing this and making it something more than a place for my random thoughts.

I've been steadily researching different designs and workshop opportunities, and then combating that with my schedule and grad school.

My head feels heavy, does it look heavy?

I feel like I don't know if I have enough of a voice to sustain any real blog future. I also feel like I love writing about my life and experiences, I just need more of a focus and confidence in myself.

I'm also terrified of getting in front of a camera and my self-imposed deadline is quickly approaching.

Is this the right thing to do? Do I throw myself into this and see what happens? Or do I just move on with my life enjoying the girls I have found that inspire me on the Internet?

See, bloglife crisis.

xoxo,
Erin

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Link Love


There is a place you can get all those super healthy foods for wholesale prices brought to your door.  You're welcome.

Mary has made me feel the need for a duster coat.  I'm thinking this one.

My girl. My jammmmm.

I've been missing my daily dose of Bethenny Frankel.  I've loved her since season 1 of RHONY and cannot WAIT to get her back on my TV.

My mom was talking to me about how I should start wearing more of winter whites and it's like Courtney Kerr just knew it with this post.

Vanilla Bourbon and Maple Bacon coffee. Oh, I'm going to have to get all over this.


xoxo,
Erin J









Monday, March 2, 2015

Kisses

When you get a phone call from your mom to take a last minute trip to a famous spa, you go. Easy enough, yes?


Luckily for me,  Hershey Spa is only a little over an hour from my house, and I was looking into fun ideas for my sister and I to do before her wedding.  I had never been and once we pulled up to the hotel I feel in love.  

The old architecture, the smiling hosts, and chocolate handed to you with the room key.

What's not to love. 

 Mom shows me the lay of the land, seeing as she's an old veteran, and then we found a cozy little bar to grab a drink and wait for our lunch reservation in the spa.


We had a lovely bartender who invited us to a mini wine tasting before we made a final choice.  Drinking our white wine and catching up, trying to figure out dinner plans, our new favorite bartender advised she had our problem sorted and would have us a table for the night since they were expecting a band.

Best service and good wine.  We then ventured to the spa to change into our robes and headed down to lunch, surround by dozens of other ladies doning the same robes and waited for our lunch reservation.



We tried a bit of everything with a side of wine.


The deserts were the exactly what you would expect from the home of Hershey chocolate, amazing.


After our boozy, but tasty lunch, we headed to one of the quiet rooms, where I found a lounge chair close to an endless supply of tea and a pile of magazines. 

This weekend the spa was over run with groups, so being a last minute decision the only services we could get was a manicure for mom and a pedicure for me.


Toughest decision of the day.  


I rushed as fast as my wet, but beautiful, feet could take me to the room to throw on something other than a robe, and meet mom for dinner.  

Our lovely bartender positioned us at a seat next to the jazz band, and we were entertained by people who looked to be auditioning for Dancing With the Stars, while sharing a delicious margarita pizza and more wine.

I slept like you would expect after a few glasses of wine and the most relaxing afternoon I've possibly ever had, amazing.  

We woke up the next morning to a fresh blanket of snow, grabbed a coffee and a chocolate biscotti (had to) and headed out of my little dream land to home.



Needless to say it's no surprise Hershey Hotel and Spa is continuously recognized for their exceptional service and amenities.  It was outstanding and I felt like I fell into a movie.  

I always imagined what a spa experience was based on that Gilmore Girl episode when Lorelai and her mom go and have to sneak out for wine and a steak because the only thing the spa offered was cucumber water.

Luckily I was wrong. I can't wait to go back for the full experience with my sister sometime soon!

xoxo,
Erin