All Hail

Did you feel the earth move?

Did the skies darken just for a minute?

Did the world freeze for a minute?

Am I being dramatic?

.........well duh, because Adele is COMING! The preview ran on the X Factor Sunday and I have barely been able to contain my excitement.

Music is so important to me, clearly, and Adele writes the music that gives me life.  Quite literally, not being dramatic, she gives me life.

I will be stalking ITunes, just waiting.  Not patiently, just waiting.

xoxo,
Erin

P.S. Here's what is holding me over until the queen's album comes out.

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

Just the Thought

The talent.

The harmonies.

The collaboration.

Dance party Thursday.

xoxo,
Erin

House that Built Me

Growing up is weird.  You think you're an adult, you think you have this big life and you've moved on from all those things you were when you were younger.

Then you drive away from doing your sister's wedding invitations at your mom's, with boxes of memories in the car, and realize it was probably the last afternoon you will have spent there and just sob.

It's the house I grew up in.  It both broke me, and put me back together again.

The last place my family was a family, in the original sense.  The last place where memories of my life with my dad were, before life went upside down on us.

It's a strange feeling because I have my own home for the past three years, but that house is such a part of my life, and in a about a week it'll be gone.

Well not gone, gone, but I can't exactly walk in anymore can I?

No seriously, can I?

Packing up 22 years of a home has been emotional.  I found things I completely forgot about, and discovered other things I am thrilled to walk away with.

I'm not ready to close the door, but I never would be.

It's the right time now.

So I'll just be over here listening to Miranda Lambert's "House that Built Me" and crying for the next week or so.

xoxo,
Erin

If It Makes You Happy

Just because it's #TBT and no one does it better than Kelly Clarkson.

Enjoy the moment.

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

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

It Might Sound Crazy

If this doesn't help you get through a Monday, you can't be helped

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

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

OK

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This is an issue we have to deal with. This is not an issue that people have to die over.

For me, I've always known who I am.

I've never looked in the miror an felt uncomfortable or unsure.

I'm a strong, independent, blonde haired, green eyed woman who loves her family.

I've never had to define my sexuality or gender.  If I had to, luckily, I have the best family support in the world who would love me regardless.

It's easy to get caught up in the hype, the tabloids, the coverage.  You forget that Caitlyn Jenner is an American hero, an athlete, a child, a father.

You see the transformation without seeing the realization.

She is finally, after 60 plus years, who she always was.  

Imagine a Freaky Friday happened when you were born, and you spent your whole life opposite who you weren't in the mirror.  Then add the pressure of being an athlete, a husband, a father, a reality figure, and a gender icon.

Then turn it left.

I don't know if I would have the strength, but I thank god for all the people out there, and all the future people out there, that someone did.

That someone is Caitlyn Jenner. Making the world a better place.

xoxo,

Erin

P.S. There are certain people in my world who have opened my eyes wider recently, and just a reminder, I love you unconditionally.  Always.

Old Blue Chair

This is the time of year I'm usually lying on the beach or by a pool with my family pretending the rest of the world doesn't exist.  I usually do this in Charleston, South Carolina.

I have been going to Charleston for almost 20 years in the summertime, and I can tell you right now I'm missing it something fierce.  There is nothing like the pastel architecture, the southern hospitality, the food, and the people.

This year with the weddings, yep plural, the family isn't taking a vacation.  With so much happening I understand, but it doesn't make me miss the Low Country any less.

So much of my childhood is down there, exploring the beaches, stores, and areas. It's an absolutely beautiful city, with so much to offer anyone who stops in.  The people could not be lovelier, and the atmosphere looks like something out of a novel.

One tragedy doesn't change my opinion, it strengthens it.  I love that city, I love what it's given me and what it will continue to give anyone who wanders through.

So Charleston, I'll see you next year.

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

They Are the Hunters

I saw Taylor Swift this weekend.

You guys.

It was the closest thing to church I've been to in a long time, if your church resembles a middle school sleepover.

It was wall to wall sparkling little girls with signs with lights.  There were costumes I had to spend a lot of time explaining to my mom. I saw choreographed dances to each song, I saw screaming, I saw a grandmother with a walker singing every word.

This is what Taylor Swift does to us.  She makes it impossible to not be drawn in to the feelings, the feelings we all have at some point.

She sparkled, danced her butt off, and brought Olivia Benson. The person, not her cat.

It was perfection, and I had no voice today.  If you can, go immediately!

Oh, I was SCREAMING to this song.

xoxo,
Erin

Better

This.  This. This.

TGIF y'all.

xoxo,

Erin

Blogger fail

I've epically neglected my little part of the world with this blog lately.



I'm sorry, I was busy, I was overwhelmed, I was exhausted.



Forgive me?



Cool.  I promise to be better, and to have more soon.



For this Monday, one of my favorite Ed Sheeran covers, OK fine, they're all my favorite.



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

Hero comes along

There is no one in the world like my mother. I know everyone says that, but in my case it's true.

This woman is ridiculously courageous, hilarious and loyal.  She has been able to stand on her own, yet give herself completely to her family.

I often wonder how people who don't have a mother like mine get through life, and luckily my mom is proof that they can become great mothers.

Whenever I am lost, confused or just wrong, she makes it right.  She always has the right answer, the perfect comfort, and the strength. 

She has been endlessly tested and life, and she's never wavered.  She is my constant, my North Star.

And luckily, she's my mommy.

Hope everyone had a happy Mother's Day!

xoxo,

Erin

That Fireball Whiskey

As happy as I've been to see a sneak peek of summer weather, I underestimated the devil: pollen.  So I've been battling this week, but it's nothing a little Fireball and some sleep can't cure.

Dana had posted about this book on her IG yesterday and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Still stalking this bag.  Sale prayers my way please.

One of my favorite TV moms finally gets a tribute just in time for Mother's Day this weekend.

What I'm sipping on.

As the weather gets warmer, my skin gets crazier, don't worry Courtney's got our back ladies.

xoxo,

Erin