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

Mug Off

Potter/Mermaid/Boss/Empire/Woman

If you know two things about me you know:

1. I love my family more than anything.

2. I consider my coffee family.

Remember in 7th grade when you wanted to rebel when your mom told you not to drink coffee, so you'd wait until she left for work and brew a pot for yourself?

No?

Just me then.  I've had a long love affair with this drink, and it just is more fun when you have something extra special to put it in. 

I have several of Ashley Brooke's mugs, and this Boss one is at the top of my wish list now.

And I've been stalking this Harry Potter mug, trying to justify spending the money on it. 

You guys the words appear when you pour the coffee in! 

HOW COOL IS THAT?!

OK, I'm totally chill.

xoxo,

Erin

Magic

This is a little Monday pick me up.

Doesn't this song remind you of that final song at the end of "Teen Witch"?

Well my weekend was spent buried under a pile of homework, but I've got it together and I'm ready for the next five days.

I realize I say this every week, but I'm serious this time.  Finished the Ronda Rousey book, cleaned most of the mess my mom left from cleaning out her house, and meal prepped like a boss.

And by cleaned I mean stored it all in my "office" until I can handle facing it all.

There's a time and place people.

Side note: I have a hair crush on Pierre.

xoxo,
Erin

Something Big

I've got that feeling again everyone.

Maybe it's because my family's wedding madness is about to kick off.

Maybe it's because professionally a lot of changes are happening.

Maybe it's because I turn 29 in a few weeks.

Maybe it's because I can hear the postman getting as shipment of September Issues and I can't wait to get my hands on them.

But I just have that feeling something is brewing that is going to alter my life again. I had this feeling last year and my mom and sister got engaged.

In the meantime, I'm stress baking this tasty treat from Rachel Zoe, and watching too much Bravo.

xoxo,
Erin

Mom the Meatloaf!

source

Summer eating is one of my favorite things.

Farmers markets, veggie stands, fresh everything.

Trying to turn a corner on healthy eating should be easy, but nothing is easy.

I've been searching for those easy recipes for a busy gal, that are perfect for that summer night.

A Greek salad is probably my favorite thing.  The feta, the olives, the light dressing.  Here's an easy recipe I plan on duplicating.

Of course Rosie, The Londoner, has the perfect alternative for your pizza cravings.

Jessica over at My Style Vita has a perfect, flavor packed Mexican dinner I can't wait to try,  With a jalapeño marg on the side.

Anyone else just crave a smoothie on a summer morning?  I have been so hard lately, here are another few ideas.

Holy pesto and tomatoes! YES PLEASE. And like 3 ingredients.

And for desert, chocolate chip zucchini bread.

Any ideas, please share.

xoxo,
Erin

DNB

source

"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

If It Makes You Happy

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

Enjoy the moment.

xoxo,
Erin