Comfort Food

I don't know about you but there's something about the winter months that makes me want to completely hibernate under a blanket any chance I get. 

Snow is threatening to make another appearance this weekend, so basically I'm running through websites to make my house smell like heaven during my couch cuddle sessions with Damon Salvatore.

I have a few ideas, and the majority are chili of some sort, but if anyone has any suggests please help.

Cheesecake Factory's white chicken chili is a classic favorite.

Skinnytaste has a buffalo chicken and bean chili that looks amazing.

Eat Yourself Skinny claims to have the best turkey chili recipe, we shall see.

Or we can switch it up and try a Greek roast chicken or really go hard and do her rough tough gentleman's pie?

Lets be honest, all of these will happen at some point, but the real question is when.

xoxo,

Erin

Wednesday Wishlist

Tshirt/Cuff/Skirt/Booties/Bag

When you were little did you ever pile into your parent's bed with a huge bowl of popcorn and get to stay up late watching old movies? 

If not I highly recommended doing the adult version by adding wine, ASAP.

My mom was a huge fan of old movies, and Elvis was a favorite.  I watched endless amounts of Elvis movies when I was younger and remain a fan to this day.  The music, the antics, the gorgeous man.

That's why this Old Navy tee is perfect.

There's something about the dark hair and the effortless voice that just gets right to me.

Speaking of mothers, how perfect is this cuff?  My favorite blogger Rosie, her mom has a jewelry company of these unique pieces. This is one I think is made for me.

xoxo,

Erin

Club Members Only

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Someone important in my world lost a parent over the weekend and I had no idea how to help her.

You would think as someone who has gone through the loss of a parent themselves I would have all this insight and comfort to offer once they go through it too.  

Truth of the  matter is I have no clue.

Nothing makes it better, nothing eases the pain, especially when it just happens.  People say they're sorry and that time will help, but the truth is nothing helps, you just learn to adjust to the pain.  

It's as if your heart breaks and then learns how to survive without a piece of itself.  You'll always miss them, you'll never be the same, but you have to keep going because there isn't an alternative.

Take your time, let yourself feel the moment, cry all day and then start to survive and live again. 

I promise you will think of them every day, I promise you will never forget the way they made you feel, even if the specific details fade a little, and I promise that you will really be happy again.

xoxo,

Erin

Link Love

This weekend didn't turn out as expected (shocker), but none the less I got my day to spend with my newest obsession House of Cards (thanks to my sister for the Netflix hookup) and cuddling on my couch.

Now it's Monday again (ugh) and time to round how to distract yourself if you're actually at work, like me, on MLK day.

• One of the first bloggers I ever consistently read, Grace, has a new website and it's inspiring.

• My BFF CBK and I have newly launched a plan for a Euro trip in the coming year, any fun tips would help.  I read up on Mary's post about traveling with friends for ideas.

• Do I need this?

• BaubleBar is having their MLK sale, so you know what I'll be doing all day.

In celebration of MLK day let's all have a peaceful Monday.  Take a minute to put any kind of hatred or  negativity aside and remember what makes our country a great one.

xoxo,

Erin

Love at first question?

I was catching up with one of my favorite bloggers Hallie the other day when she was recapping a NY Times article about the 36 questions that can help you fall in love with anyone.

Now if you're new to my little world, welcome, and I'm a busy girl but I like to spend a lot of my time doing this:

Love has not been something I've been good at, so this caught my interest.  The questions are intended to "accelerate intimacy" when answering with a partner, something that makes me start to sweat just thinking about it (commitment problems party of one).

Deep breathes, pretty skies, back to my happy place, and we're going to run through a couple of these bad boys.

Do I have a glass of wine while I'm answering, yes.

When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? In the shower every day and probably karaoke with the girls to bar.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? Turn back time (cue Cher) to go back and spend more time with my Dad.  Not to even change what I did really but just to look at him longer, hug him longer. 

What do you value most in a friendship? Loyalty, ride or dies only. I've made a few mistakes in my judgement of friends (College), and I haven't taken it easily but I got through it. Most of my friends have been in my life for more than 10 years. 

If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are living now? Why? I would sell the house and everything in it and travel, endlessly, then come home and stay with my mom.  I don't think I take the chance to see the world enough, I work and focus on paying the bills and what is in front of me thinking there will always be that "some day" and don't take enough chances.

How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's?  My family is my everything, we're unbelievable close, warm can take some time, but usually yes.  We all have strong personalities, and very different traits.  I can 100% say I had a happier childhood than most other people's. I was always happy, I wanted for nothing, and I knew I was loved every single day.  I'm lucky.

Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share....."  My life, my everyday without wanting them to go away.  My fun.

If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for  him or her to know.  I'm really OK with being on my own, I tend to prefer the quiet to the noise, and if you try to talk to me in the morning before coffee you might lose an appendage.

Sigh

Well I'm uncomfortable, but I think that is the point.  The questions push you to reveal yourself to the person you do them with in order to create that closeness.

Some of them are far too personal for the world to know, but a lot of them force you to open up in ways you would not even think to.

OK so who's in love with me now? Don't all jump at once.

Thanks Hallie!

xoxo,
Erin

BB and Cuffs

Heart sweater/Ear Cuff/BB Cream/Red Midi/Hunters

With the weather in my area in recent years I find it astounding I don't own a pair of Hunters, honestly how did I miss that? 

I know I'm disappointed in myself.

I am fascinated with BB cream and have heard this Stila one is pretty fantastic.

I'll tell you a secret: when I barely made any money and had no responsibilities I would cash my paycheck on a Friday and drive an hour to Nordstrom to spend that at the make-up counters, and specifically at Stila.  

I was so in love with the luxury of it all even at 16.

Ear cuffs are something that have grown on me, I got a sneak peek at BaubleBar's sample box for testing a few months ago and turned away from an ear cuff, but this guy looks like something I have to have.

I'm just not trying to look like a Game of Thrones character.

Or am I?

xoxo,

E

Link Love

This about summed up my weekend.  Obsessed with the banana bread and luckily I had 2 slices and gave the rest away.  10 month pre-wedding diet began yesterday, the way I figure I've eaten everything for 28 years, 10 months won't kill me.

And there still will be wine.

• Obsessed with Jess's black and white outfit.  I really need that MK watch.

• I follow this chick on IG and I've been contemplating getting this guide.  I feel like this is a tax refund investment, huge body makeover commitment which I need.

• Might need this ABD notebook to get me organized, or at least looking like I'm organized.

• Jessica has inspired me to put a little more work into my work wardrobe, and she makes it look so easy.

xoxo,

E