Just a little bit of Hocus Pocus

This weekend was unexpectedly lovely, probably because it involved family.  I love my two ladies more than life itself, and spending just some quality time with my big sister was perfect.

And yes, I bought us onesies. We drank a lot of wine, talked about a lot of things, watched a lot of TV.  

I just love her beyond words. We also had a very honest conversation about if we became zombie's during a zombie outbreak we would shoot each other.  OK, fine, I wouldn't even be able to shoot her as a zombie, even if it meant she was going to kill me. 

She however, would have no issue, typical.

Also, going with the fall feeling, I made Gina's biscotti.

Fell in love with a rucksack. Who doesn't need this in their lives?

Filled my house with the heavenly smell of meaaaaaaaaat.

Stalking the hell out of vests for winter. Obsessed, completely obsessed.

Are you watching X Factor UK? Well you should be, this chick is unbelievable. 

xoxo,

Erin

Link Love

Let the wedding madness officially begin!

Bridal shower: Check. Now onto the bachelorette party.

I have been successfully avoiding Atlantic City for 29 years now, but apparently that ends this weekend. 

I'll report back, or you'll hear me screaming from whatever part of the world you are in.

Help! I need a classic trench ASAP! Possibly this. 

Dana is giving me life on staying comfy this fall and still looking chic as hell.

Secretly trying to talk my recovering from an Achilles tear sister into getting the silver version of these for her wedding so I can get the black. (Pleassssssse Jackie!!)

My forever blog/girl crush Courtney Kerr has launched a YouTube channel! The first video is basically an ode to her love of big Texas hair and hairspray, and I love it!

As a loyal devotee of SkinnyTaste my jaw practically dropped when I caught this recipe yesterday. Yes, yes, yes.

I'm missing you like candy.

xoxo,

Erin

Wrap It Up

Green Plaid/Check Tassels/Oversized Plaid/Geometric/Quartier Plaid

It's that time of year y'all.

Thats right, time for everyone to open their IG and see every girl rocking the blanket scarf, boots, and Starbucks.

I completely fell for this last year when I scooped up my first ASOS blanket scarf.

Oh, I remember the feeling of opening it and not being sure if it was meant for a tailgate blanket or for my neck.

But I got used to it and quickly fell in love with how it transformed an outfit. 

Oh and if you do it right, they can be the single thing that keeps you warm on those in-between days when you don't need a full jacket.

Grab one, hell grab the Starbucks too. Be basic, you'll be cute I promise.

xoxo,

Erin

Scream Queen

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When too much is enough, sometimes one of the classics makes the biggest statement.

This woman won the Emmy's for me. 

OK, Mindy Kahling in that marigold did too, but Jamie Lee Curtis just made my jaw drop.

Simple, stunning, superb.

Killed IT.

xoxo,

Erin

Heel Over

Shiny Burgundy/Leopard/Shiny Nude/Plaid/Burgundy

You know why I secretly have been lusting for fall?

Real talk: it's the only time of the year when I can wear heels that I can actually walk in.

That's right, booties and boot season is fall.

I don't know if it's the ankle support, or the overall structure, but boots are the only shoes I can wear without the fear of toppling over after a few cocktails.

OK, honestly I've fallen in heels sober enough times to make that statement just silly. Disregard.

What is it about getting older and not being able to walk in anything with a heel?  In college I would walk forever to get to a bar in heels from Target, without incident. 

Since I graduated and became an adult (sort of) anything higher than a flat and there's an 85% chance I'm flat on my face, sober or not.

At least for the fall I can make my legs look longer and my Kardashianish ass look better.

Well,  it's not there yet, but a girl can dream.

xoxo,

Erin

Realized I loved you in the fall

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I know September has barely shown it's face, but I'm all in for fall.

Give me pumpkin everything, give me leaves, give me sweaters and boots.

First up, buying every pumpkin coffee I can get my hands on. Slightly terrified of the idea of making it in a crock pot. Could it taste like chili if I do this?

These distressed skinnies look like the answer to my budget woes.  And a fall staple.

Seeing these booties on Dana has given me full on shoe envy.  

When I think of my dream outfit to rock in AC for my sister's bachelorette party, I think of this Courtney jumpsuit.  I would need industrial duck tape for my boobs, but a girl can dream.

How many black drapy shirts is too many? Honestly? This one looks important.

Maybe it is time to give bootcut jeans another whirl.  They seem to be everywhere.

What am I missing for fall?

xoxo,

Erin

DNB

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"There’s not a single muscle on my body that isn’t for a purpose, because I’m not a Do Nothing Bitch.”– Ronda 

If you know anything about me you know I'm a girl who stands for girl power.

I blame it on growing up with the Spice Girls, but whatever.

The newest example I've found is Ronda Rousey.  I've never understood fighting, or the sport of it and I honestly have always felt it was gross.

Then I caught the hype of Ronda Rousey, YouTube-ed a few fights, and I'm in big.  She's a BADASS. Got her book, completely motivating and inspiring.  

Her story supplements the argument that she really is the greatest in the world at what she does.

You have to respect someone who puts her money where her mouth is, and these shirts are on my list.    

Not only do they stand for something that means so much to me with women empowerment, but a portion of the proceeds go to an organization to support mental health and women with body issues.

Now I want to kick someone's ass.  

xoxo,

Erin

Girl Power

When you enter into a blogger world, either as a reader or a participant, you find those people/posts that inspire you.

I'm a loyal reader of a few blogs out there, they are my everyday.  I check them out of outfit inspiration, food porn, or just some fun.

Lets start with who I started with, Rosie over at The Londoner.

I remember stumbling across her on my search for breakfast food, where I found the ultimate egg recipe and then fell in love with her along the way.  She is witty, gorgeous, and takes some of my favorite photos.  Following her around the globe is inspiring, and the food choices never fail, except one for pancakes I'm convinced was my fault.

When it comes to style icons in reality I always go back to Mary over at So Then They Say. She has this simplistic, yet striking style and fashion choices that stop me in my tracks every time.

She is also well traveled and has an eye for interior design that just sucks you in.

When I want my daily reality check I go to Hallie at Corals and Cognacs.  She is real, unedited, and hilarious.

Her style is forward but attainable, and if you follow her on SnapChat, her daily schedules make you want to move your ass. Oh, and girl can walk and SnapChat like a BOSS.

When I want to get business motivated about blogging I go to Cathy at Poor Little It Girl and Jessica at My Style Vita.  Both are the boss ladies for the Southern Blog Society, which is a task I can't even wrap my head around.

If you are ever lacking in inspiration, head over to check them out, the level of organization to not only execute their own blogs, but keep together regions of bloggers blows my mind.  Oh, I'm impatiently waiting for the Northeast chapter to open.

Finally, we have Dana over at Pink Champagne Problems.  She's just the cutest.

Caught my eye as a Pittsburgh Penguins fan (duh), and kept it with her relatable writing and fashion.  Plus I think she likes a cocktail as much as I do, so I feel supported.

I keep getting inspired by these girls, and with my school/work/everything else schedule I am trying to find time to create a space here I'm really proud of.

Good things are coming.

xoxo,
Erin

Four Letter Word

Lace print/Basket-weave/Red cocoon/Black tie/Layered tweed

I'm going to say the dreaded four letter word: fall.

Yes y'all, summer is coming to a close and it's time to start thinking fall.  As someone who hasn't had sand between her toes all summer, I'm about ready for it.

Luckily for me, fall means wedding life kicks into overdrive.  Since both my sister and mother decided to get married (weirdos) I have to find a bunch of dresses for all the festivities.

There are so many rules. 

Don't wear white.

Don't wear anything close to white.

Don't look prettier than the bride.

Look gorgeous since you're the MOH/daughter and will be in tons of pictures.

On the bright side, I get to shop for a bunch of new dresses. 

One of the above I already have lined up for one of the events.

Any rules or tips I'm missing? I'm a novice wedding person here so I need all the help I can get.

xoxo,

Erin

Link Love

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I cannot stop raving about Amazon Prime Day.  I was skeptical, but was able to grab some essentials, probably my favorite being the Fire TV Stick.  

Being a longtime Amazon user, I've been watching Prime videos on my little Kindle, being able to access them on my TV is a luxury I didn't realize I was missing.

Next would be these Nikes.  I rarely invest in sneakers, for some reason I never see the need when I'm not training for a half marathon, but the price I got on these was embarrassingly low. 

Leave it to Ms. Kerr to illustrate how much I need a pair of girlfriend jeans in my life. I am still on the search for the perfect white T-shirt.

We all know I love my time in the kitchen, but with school it's not easy to find time.  Giving these guys a whirl.

Leave it to Hallie to introduce something I never knew I was missing in this bath caddy. Oh, it's $19.99 and my birthday is in a month.

Can someone point me in the direction of some magic skincare?  My late 20's is creating a monster that I never had, even in my teenage years.  Mary has a suggestion I may be looking into.

Not ready to accept this happened.  I can't talk about it yet. RIP Shelbert.

xoxo,

Erin

Summerkissed

Eye palette/Blush/Eye primer/Tinted moisturizer/Lipstick

If you love makeup or follow any fashion/beauty girl on IG you know the moment has come.  

It's a serious moment in out lives, the Urban Decay Smokey Eye Naked palette is OUT.

Yep, I can hear everyone still busting out of Sephora.  I personally love these palettes so I cannot wait to get my hands on one.

If you're sporting a summer tan, I hate you, and this is the best time of the year for makeup.  Everything looks better on tanned skin, fake if you care about your future Botox bill.

Grab a tinted moisturizer, a cream blush and a pretty lip and get out there. You don't need the crazy bronzers since you're already a bronzed baby.

If you're me, looking like an Edward Cullen relative you're faking it until you make it.

Anyone have the new Naked palette and have any reviews?

xoxo,

Erin

Have another beer

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I feel like this summer it's officially summer.  I'm going to a concert, it's July, and it's hot as hell.

So what do you do when it's hot as hell?  Find new cocktails of course.

I've never been crazy about coconut, but tequila I love.  So mix it all together.

Heading to the tail end of shark week. Get it? Tail end? OK, well there's a blue cocktail for that.

Spicy and tequila. Where do I sign up?

Porch Crawlers.  It's a cocktail and a challenge. And there's beer.

Oh, I'll try all of them and report back.  If I can still read and/or type.

xoxo,
Erin

Country girl shake it for me

Cash/Wine/Rebel/Alright/Hellbound

Country concerts are what summer is about. 

The beer, the music, the fashion.

Now I've been to my fair share of country concerts, and I've rocked a lot of different looks.  None of them involved cowboy boots.

Never say never, but there's a 98% chance you'll never catch me in a pair.  It's just not me.

Flannel,  yes.  Whiskey, yes. Hats or boots, nope.

Since my sister is out of commission she has been sweet enough to bestow me with tickets for Kenny Chesney this weekend.  Now it won't be the same without her, seeing as it's our family tradition.

My first thought went to outfits.  Now above are some of the bad boys I want to get my hands on as part of my summer style, but are also country music approved.

Spoiler alert: I'm actually wearing one this weekend.

xoxo,

Erin

Shady Shadester

Straw boater/Yellow floppy/Striped/Baseball/Straw Trilby

Full confession: I used to be a sun baby.  I was at the pool every day in the summer, and though mom did lather me with sunscreen, I don't think the amount of time I was in the water could withstand the SPF.

Then there was the high school/college years when my theory in life was "if you can't tone it, tan it".

Coming from German descent I get an unbelievable amount of sun.  Now that I'm older-ish and wiser-ish I know that sun isn't my best friend.  

I struggle with hats.  I have a phobia of my own ears, they stick out like no other, so hats are my worst nightmare.  Being someone who loves summer and accessories you would think I have a hat rack like no other.

Well, I'm going to try.  For the millionth time I am not going to the beach this summer because everyone in my family has to get married, so I don't feel the absolute need to grab the first hat I see.  I am perusing, I am being picky, and I am trying to get over myself.

I'm looking for the patio drinking hat.  There must be one out there for me. 

Anyone who knows a successful sunless tanner please help, my skin misses the tan I feel it.

xoxo,

Erin

Welcome to New York

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Let's recap my Saturday everyone.

6:30 AM: Mom comes into the guest room where I'm pretty sure I sweat off 5lbs due to the heat in her house and wakes me up.  Wonder why we stayed up until 11:30pm drinking all the wine and talking all the talk with her fiancé.

6:35 AM: Mom comes back in to remind me she woke me up, in case I forgot.

6:45 AM: Mom offers to bring me coffee while I put on my makeup, because she knows how it's either that or deal with me growling at her until I get coffee.

7:20 AM: Get onto the bus and shimmy our way into our seats due to the two complete idiots in from of us who have used their reclining seats function liberally.

7:35 AM: Change seats to the section diagonally behind us or else deal with mom punching the seats in front of us for 3 hours and a possible bus brawl.

8:30 AM: Hear the lady across from us cough up a lung, then glance over to see her pull out a large freezer Ziploc bag and puke in it.

8:33 AM: Watch the puking lady Ziploc her bag and place it in the area in front of her seat, then close her eyes and start to snore.

9:00 AM: Mom gets her glasses out for the 100 time to stalk someone on Facebook with me, while lady across from us reaches for the puke Ziploc bag.

9:15 AM: Puke lady goes back at it for a few minutes, loudly, then returns the Ziploc to her front area, then pulls out her cell phone and starts giving someone directions in German.

10:00 AM: Puke lady goes to the bathroom, then returns to retrieve her puke bag to fill it up some more for one final time.

10:30 AM: Walk through the doors of Macy's, not even realizing that was the last fresh air I would have for almost 5 hours.

10:35 AM: Starbucks, large Starbucks.

10:45 AM: Walk into the Bridal Salon at Macy's and immediately have my Starbucks plucked away.  She lived, barely.

11:30 AM: Mom finds a dress, while I sit and watch people I've only seen before on Jerseylicious reenact a scene from "Say Yes to the Dress".

12:35 PM: Mom finds another dress, I stare at a tiara that retails for $3840 wondering the purpose of my existence without my Starbucks. Also, I probably need that tiara for my birthday.

1:30 PM: Walking out of the bridal salon promising I'm never getting married, or if I do it will involve Elvis.

2:30 PM: Mom begs the lovely man directing traffic at the escalators to direct her toward a restaurant with a bar before I kill someone.

2:40 PM: My butt barely hits the bar stool before I order a Bloody Mary from the bartender with a twinkle in his eye and promise him a place in heaven.

3:00 PM: Wander through the bedding department and wonder if anyone would really find me if I slipped under the last set of down comforters.

3:30 PM: Mom goes off to find presents for the little kids we love while I find a Trenta iced coffee and a seat next to an outlet to charge my phone and pass out. 

4:30 PM: What is that thing up there, is that the sky?  What year is it? Who is the president? Where am I?

4:45 PM: Sephora, I remember you old friend.  I wonder if I can wedding dress shopping guilt mom into buying me that lipstick Joynes wanted me to try?

4:50 PM: Yes, yes I can.

5:00 PM: WINE PLEASE, ALL THE WINE.

6:30 PM: Good wine, oh hello bus, I wonder how Ziploc puke lady enjoyed her day.

6:35 PM: Puke lady must have decided to stay, well at least we get to shove our knees into the seats in front of us so those jackasses don't end up in my lap again.

7:35 PM: I thought this Exodus movie the bus driver was playing was a family friendly movie, but Christian Bale is not family friendly.

9:00 PM: I need to go to church, mixing Moses and Noah up reflects badly.  That movie would've been better with Emma Watson.  

9:45 PM: Realize I only took pictures of alcohol with my phone while my camera sat sadly in my bag all day, bad blogger.

10:30 PM: Goodbye bus of hell, hello my car, goodbye mommy.

10:45 PM: (face slams into bed)

11:00 PM: Ew, New York body needs a shower.

11:10 PM: (face slams into bed) Goodbye Scarecrow, I will miss you most of all.

xoxo,

Erin

Sunshine, Tanlines

Red/Black/Tortoiseshell/Mirrored Tortoiseshell/Mirrored Aviators

I've found myself in a bit of a rut lately.  All black everything with my favorite statement baubles.

It's summer for Christ sake, it's pattern time.

I have been totally guilty of being  boring with sunglasses.  Three pairs of Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses run my life.  They always look fab, they're classic, and they're versatile.

Maybe it's because I spent my high school days trying to be Mary-Kate and Ashley with my sunglasses that I feel the need to stick to a classic.

First rule of summer, step outside your comfort zone, where do you think the term "summer fling" came from?

OK fine I threw a pair of mirrored aviators in there just for a comfort blanket, but I don't have a pair of gold ones.

xoxo,

Erin

Link Love

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I'm not afraid to admit I have a full on girl crush on Gigi Hadid.  I mean how can you not?  Her style is ridiculous and she's that perfect California girl who is killing it in high fashion.  She's the basis of my summer style inspiration.

If you are lacking a summer vacation, like me, hop on over to The Londoner and live through Rosie's Australian adventure.  Her last few posts have me wanderlust.

Feeling like Morticia Adams lately with my color choices, so I'm turning to a classic favorite to throw some paint on the canvas.  Picked up this guy from Talbots yesterday, among other things.  

I don't know what is more fab about this, the brow game Caitlyn Jenner is rocking or Kanye looking happy.

Charleston has been a place I've called home almost every summer since I can remember.  The recent tragedy is devastating and my heart goes out to the Holy City.  Annie did a fantastic post on the strength this southern landmark has. #CharlestonStrong

This Baublebar necklace just does things to me.

Happy Tori Kelly album release day! Just do it, buy the damn album, she's ridiculous.

xoxo,

Erin

Link Love

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Hopefully everyone had a more productive weekend than me.  I spent it staring at a computer screen wishing and praying that my paper for school would abracadabra it's ass onto the screen.  

Spoiler alert: that didn't happen.

Full on obsessed with making breakfast a real thing with these guys.

One of my favorite bloggers Hallie is getting ready for a new adventure.  I can't wait to follow!

This Sheryl Sandberg piece on grief illustrated so many feelings, and she's 30 days into it.  

Yep, going to need to it now.

It's no secret I bow down to Mary's style, this white ensemble as me running to the closet to see if I can recreate.

This cover is EVERYTHING. Trust and believe, he makes everything better.

xoxo,
Erin

Ready, Steady

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It's here!  After the snow and the polar freeze it's finally here!

SUMMER Y'ALL!

Break out the shorts, flip flops, cold beer (well more of it) and sundresses!

Spend the time outside of the office laying by a pool or taking a trip to the beach.

Go day drinking and watch a baseball game. 

Grab a friend with a Jeep, take the roof off and drive with your hair whipping around.

Call out of work to lay out on the deck so you don't look like a vampire. Oh, that's just my summer plan.

Enjoy the long weekend you all are hopefully getting while celebrating Memorial Day.  

And all the beer.

xoxo,

Erin

Summertime girls

Naked palette/Shimmer brick/Mascara/Tanner/Tinted moisturizer

I don't know about y'all, but when summer comes around my skin becomes someone I don't recognize.  

My skin changes completely, and in turn I have to adapt with it.

I think summer makeup is some of the best makeup.  You have a bit of a tan, spray or accidental, and you can rock colors you can't when you look like a vampire in the winter.

There are some products I've been dying to try, knowing that I will get the best out of them in the summer months. I can put away my full coverage foundations and break out a tinted moisturizer.

I have been dying to try the Bare Essentials Complexion Rescue.  My skin has been out of sorts this spring so the limited coverage wasn't appropriate, but hopefully with a bit of color I can go swipe one of these guys.

What products work for you? I'm looking for a powder for shine too other than the Bare Essentials and Rimmel options I have now.

Oh and I'm drinking water like a freakin fish. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

xoxo,

Erin