Weekend Magic

This weekend was pretty perfect.

Spending the weekend meeting up with one of your oldest friends for a gorgeous dinner doesn't suck.

Heading to Hershey Hotel and Spa with your family for a weekend of pampering was the thing dreams are made of.

I was rubbed, scrubbed, and painted.  Celebrating my sister's upcoming wedding in only the way we do, together.

Now it's time to kick this week's ass.

xoxo,
Erin

That girl

This girl.

This girl was my first real best friend.

This girl is the one who has known me at every stage of my life.

This girl is the one who loved me when I had headgear at sleepovers.

This girl has stood by me for over 20 years.

Happy Birthday Joynesy! My life would not have been what it is without having a best friend like you in it for the whole ride!

xoxo,
Erin

Young

This weekend was a combination of all my favorite things: friends, family, beer, and holiday.

Not a lot of sleeping, a lot of long talks, and enough giggling to last me a lifetime.

Thursday was life changing seeing Magic Mike with my 2 besties.  GO, GO NOW!

Friday was one of the good old days, at my BFF's mom's house for a cookout and some good old college drinking games. Catching up on life, love, and everything in between.

Doing this whole family thing is new to me, and spending Saturday night with my new extended family was what I needed.  We sang to a couple of birthday kids, drank a lot, lit some stuff up, and had a deep 1AM convo.

Sunday I barely moved from bed. Not even sorry about it.

The only thing missing from this weekend was my sister, who is still on the road to recovery.  She is my family, my friend, and my bestie all rolled into one.  Soon she'll be back to being my partner in crime.

Follow the disaster on Snapchat @ejohns20.

xoxo,
Erin

#GirlBoss

It's much harder to find someone that you like, want to talk to than it is to find a man you want to sleep with.

Sometimes you're just looking to be pushed, for motivation and a spark to get you back on your game.  Mindy Kaling always does it to me.  She's a BOSS in every sense of the word, and so smart that it moves you to be better.

She gives such a voice to women, and single women.  She has an unapologetic, straight forward approach to life, but is sweet and funny at the same time.

She expresses the difficulty of being a woman who is single in her early 30's, which is something that is nice to hear, since most of the people our age are married and having kids.

I just needed to hear this, this level of power in a woman that you feel, but sometimes feel like you shouldn't.

It's strange to be so OK with being alone and being me, I feel like I should be lonely and online dating.  I'd rather drink my beer and go out with my friends, and there is nothing wrong with that.

There will always be boys, but the experiences you have with yourself are sometimes the ones that you will never forget.

xoxo,
Erin

If I Knew What I Was Doing

10 years ago I graduated high school. 

I'm sorry I just had a mild panic attack typing that, I'm OK now.

There are so many things I wish I knew and so many things I wish I would have appreciated.  

1. Stop worrying, stop wondering if you'll ever find that happiness you had before Dad died. You do

and you will. 

2.  You won't lose touch with Catie, she's a constant and always will be.

3. Go to your 8am class, the freedom isn't as cool when your professor forgets your name and you

barely pass the exams because you're too hungover.

4. None of the friends you made in college will be your friends in 2 years. Stop trying to dedicate your time to pleasing them, shit hits the fan.

5. Wine in a box is an investment in your future.

6. Your mom won't marry anyone until it's the right one. Don't worry she knows how to pick them.

7. Your sister will be fine, she will figure out what she is perfect at in life and stick with it. 

8. Go to the gym more, stop eating McDonald's at 2am.

9. Don't play quarters with Rikaoff, it doesn't turn out well.  Ever.

10. Let your mom give you the first aid kit when you move into college. Trust me you will take too many shots of Bacardi one night and appreciate it.

xoxo,
Erin

College Kid

OK, straight up, my weekend had a lot of drinks and not enough work. I spent it catching up with my oldest best friend, who I literally can't imagine my life without. 

We've been best friends since second grade, she knows where the bodies are buried. She really is my sister and there's so many exciting events coming up in her life I'm just thrilled for her.

I ran a few errand with my mom for my sisters wedding. That shindig is right around the corner and it's starting to scare me. 

I drank wine before noon.

I watched the first Harry Potter.

 

I didn't do enough homework. 

I regret nothing.

Xoxo,

Erin

Battle Scars

It was my best friend's birthday this weekend, so naturally we spent most of Sunday day drinking and running around Baltimore.

More on that later this week.

Coming home and hydrating, I was able to catch the new TSwifty and found her new music video had a little twist.  And by little, I mean Kendrick Lamar.

Needless to say I was all over ITunes finding this bad boy.

Yesterday was spent doing a lot of housekeeping and mindless reading of 99 cent books.  I loved every minute of it.

Prom King and Queen of the Billboard Awards, without question.

I need these, in every option available.

Hallie's Monday post will make you smile.

Oh, and if there wasn't enough evidence I needed to join the Soul cult, Dana wrote an awesome piece about her journey.

xoxo,
Erin

But this is my city

I wasn't born in Baltimore, I don't live in Baltimore, but living a short distance from the city itself for almost 20 years my heart is broken.

Understand that justice is deserved, that there needs to be actions for the lives lost.  Understand that violence and looting does not lift your voices higher.  

Baltimore is a great city, Baltimore has great people. What is happening right now is not for the man who died. 

Let's take a message from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

The old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.

Praying for peace.

xoxo,
Erin

Until I Made My Getaway

This weekend was made up of moving, allergies, good makeup, patio drinking, sweat pant drinking, laziness and best friends.

I'm ready to kick this week's ass.

Getting back on my blog game.

Kicking ass.

xoxo,
Erin

I'm Not Dead

It was a bit of a whirlwind of a week. A lot of driving, a lot of waking up early, and a lot of stuff.  Getting back into the groove of the usual week was not easy and I'm more than happy to see the weekend.  

Craving carbs after a long week made me turn to this super healthy alternative.  I added chicken meatballs and pesto instead of the other things.

Hallie helps outline the realities of making a blog a job.  Oh hey poetry Friday too.

Having dreams on how I could pull off this dress Courtney rocked in my life and not look like Ursala. 

These dainty babies finally came back in my size so I ordered them as quick as my fingers could click.

Being full on obsessed with chia seeds and Bethenny Frankel I feel I have to try this ASAP.

xoxo,

Erin

About Last Night

Last night was probably one of the coolest things I've gotten to do, ever.

 I spent hours in the car, didn't sleep a ton, but it was worth every second. 

Spent most of the night with my head on a swivel just taking it in and wishing my Wildcats were there. I have a soft spot for Coach K so I was happy with the outcome.

I'm so lucky I got to do this with one of my oldest best friend. She probably is the closest thing I've ever had to a cousin in my life.

I'll barely be functioning on Wednesday but it was totally worth it. 

Xoxo,

Erin 

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

Bloglife Crisis

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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

TMI

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When I started blogging I had a few rules. 

Kind of basic ones like no talking about my job, no getting too personal and not hurting anyones feelings.

Other than never talking about my job, I find a grey area with the others.  There has been a lot going on personally and I've struggled with no writing about these occurrences.

For the most part it's not even the over sharing that I'm afraid of (hello, blogger) it's more the fear of hurting someone's feelings I care about.  I'm not one to air out my dirty laundry, never have been, but where is the boundary?

I don't want to write about disagreements with my family because it's no ones business. I don't want to write about frustrations with my friends because I don't want to hurt them.  I don't want to write about deep feeling because well, is that what I'm here for?  

Finding my way in this world is interesting. 

I have plans in place for giving this little blog of mine a bit of a face lift and I'm not thinking a new direction as much as a new look.  Oh and I'll actually put my money where my mouth is and get in front of the camera.

Until then, more humor, fashion, and random thoughts.

To Be Continued.....

xoxo,

Erin

Face Palm

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Right about now I will be drifting in and out of a cough syrup coma on my couch surrounded by piles of Kleenex and mugs of tea.  The snow will be on the ground outside and I will be wrapped in a blanket, until I get the hot flashes and then I will kicked said blanket off, before the chills come back to visit.

I'll be online shopping for things I don't need, like dozens of mason jars and movies I haven't seen since 1994 (hey Blank Check).

I'll be catching up on my favorite blogs, dreaming of a time in the near future when I can actually get in front of the camera and make this thing happen.

I'm having a sick day, and it's not the sick days I remember as a kid.  

Where's my mom with the grilled cheese when I need her?

How many Real Housewives shows are too many housewives shows?

Why does ESPN just go on a loop?

Didn't that chick on Days of Our Lives die like 5 years ago?

Get. Me. Out.

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

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

Steeler Nation

My love for the Steelers is something you should know by now.  I'm from Pittsburgh, even though I'm a Maryland girl now, and the tradition runs deep.  My grandfather was a steel mill worker, there have been season tickets in my family for a couple generations now.  

The Black and Gold is part of who I am.

Now when it comes to being a Pittsburgh girl in Baltimore, things get a little crazy.  I love my team, I'm proud of my roots, and that doesn't go so well in Baltimore.  

Ravens fans are passionate about their hate for my Steelers.  They make it known, and I try to remain calm because that's what my Dad taught me, but they push it man.

I usually only have to deal with the drama twice a season, but tomorrow night is a playoff AFC game.  I have been to a few, the championship a few years ago with my sister was a game I'll remember for the rest of my life, what I can remember of it.

So many of my loved ones are Ravens fans so I try to stay calm, use my words, and realize it's just a game.  

My family is coming over for the game, and this should be interesting to see who survives.  I'm not lighting any candles or using a glass, so hopefully everyone makes it out alive.

Hopefully.

xoxo,

E

Blank Space

The new year creates a clean slate.  You get the chance to start again.  Some people take this really seriously.

Then there's me.

I like a blank slate, but I'm not a person who leaves the past behind.  I like to learn, I like to evolve, and I like to carry the good with me.

2014 brought so many good things into my life.  I'm getting a new brother via my sister's engagement, I'm getting a second father via my mom's engagement.  I had adventures with friends that will stay with me forever.  I started on a path that with further my career starting grad school.

2015 will bring so much happiness into my life, I am staying open and creating a positivity around myself.  There are so many new beginnings to come and I can't wait.

And I will keep drinking too much wine, laughing at the wrong time, navigating how I fit into the blogging world, and dancing with my favorite people anywhere I can.

xoxo,

E