A Ridiculous Dip & A Reality Check

While Monday usually gives me little satisfaction, this Monday feels incredible.

 Let me explain by starting with our Friday. I had a great day and a fun play date with the kids and after nap time whipped up one of my favorite appetizers (shared to me by one talented friend) and posted this picture on my Instagram at 5pm. 

Life was grand. 

Then the kids would not eat, were whiney, and clearly not themselves. We bathed them and got them ready for bed. 

And then it hit. 

The stomach flu. 

Like a hurricane that rocks your entire house, we had been hit and it was not pretty. 

The parents are spared. 

At first, 

and then it was our turn. 

The entire weekend was horrible and there was nothing to do but survive. 

So while the picture above may look like the perfect weekend image, what happened after was the reality. I considered putting up a picture later, but honestly did not have the strength. 

Luckily, we are on the mend and eating solids again. 

So just a really nice reminder that things are not always as they appear in cyberspace. Actually pretty much never. 

Now back to that dip. I had posted this recipe before if you want to check it out. It is very easy, can be made in advance, and it such a great starter. I highly recommend it. 

I hope your weekend was much more fun than mine! 

xo

Erin 

Currently Liking

The beginning of this year has gotten me seriously out of sorts. Between travel, sick kiddies, work, there is not a lot of rhythm to my day. But there are a few things right now that I am either enjoying or hope to soon. Some lovely randomness for you...

1. Instagram is probably one of the only social media outlets I check regularly these days and I love @natgeo. Photos and stories around the world each day that inspire and educate you, what could be better? 

2. My beloved little bracelet with my kids initials on it broke. So I am on the hunt for a new one. Thinking this one with both of their initials would be a nice replacement. Bauble Bar $119

3. I am also loving a hat right now. This floppy one from J. Crew looks perfect. $54

4. Reading actual books was a resolution of sorts and I am deep into Unbroken right now. Anytime you need some perspective start reading a book about a POW from World War II. It makes your day, no matter how difficult, feel like a breeze. Love the way she entangles the story of the protagonist and those  in his life. Plus the education on the Pacific theatre of this war is insanely eye opening. Love a good history lesson on this grand old dame of a country of ours.

5. With the influx of new things after Christmas, my mind keeps wandering on how to simplify my life. My house, my mind, my day. This 30 day challenge might be something great for the coming weeks. You into it?  

6. Santa brought a Nespresso machine, which is great, except I do not drinks coffee. But! The milk frother has changed my life. I am perfecting my Chai Latte every day. (ps: the coffee is delicious)

7. That picture is terrible, but Jimmy Kimmel was on the Bachelor this week and it was pretty great. I love how into he is. The above is Jimmy eating wings while watching the Bach and his date make out in a hot tub. Does anyone else still watch? (ps: Melissa, I miss your round ups!) 

Anything cool and exciting that is making your day/week? Would love to hear. 

xo

Erin 

Current Favorites

This week was busy, but it wasn't. Do you know what I mean? Not a lot of things on the calendar, but the days were filled with to do lists, errands, cleaning up after the kids, and after bedtime chores. And because my mind is on lame things like how to get rid of the fruit flies in my house, my creativity for writing was shot. But I at least wanted to leave you with some things that are making me happy. 

1. I have been craving this sausage and kale soup so much. Cannot wait to make a big pot of it this weekend. 

2. My mother in law dropped off some of this wine, Imprimata, for us and it is AMAZING. If you see it or looking to order some red, it is delicious. 

 3. So loving my new Splendid jumpsuit. Think I might sport it to my high school reunion next weekend (15 years ack!). But I love that I can also wear it with flats to run errands and feel chic. 

4. Our current Netflix binge watching obsession is Damages. Have you watched it? If you like Scandal or Law & Order, it is kind of a mix of the two of them. And the clothes are impeccable. 

5. If you need a laugh this weekend, start following The Fat Jewish on Instagram. So so inappropriate, but so hilarious. Here is a recent NYT story on him. 

6. Fashion week(s) are ending soon and I usually just watch snippets on Instagram (follow Miraduma, anna_dello_russo, and ninagarcia) to see the shows. I thought Fendi was so lovely. Especially this leather pleated dress.  

7. I literally have like ten of these Clinque Chubby Sticks in my bag and I love them. Part balm, part lip color, and so easy to put on. 

8. Got to break out my favorite loafers this week. These Minnetonkas are basically like wearing slippers in public. 

I hope you have the best weekend and get to enjoy all your favorites too. 

xo

Erin 

Bringing Back the Photo Collage

Remember the good old days when you would take pictures, bring the film or disposable camera in to be processed and pick up the images with so much anticipation you could hardly contain yourself? I miss those days. I miss them more for the the fact that I had honest to goodness pictures around to frame and pin onto a photo collage. 

And though those days are long gone, there are some creative and chic ways to bring back the photo collage, just like the days of dorm room living. 

Check out this amazing piece by photographer, Annie McElwain. 

She simply pulled some of her favorite images and made a collage for her home. I love the scale, the different colors and I am sure she gets so much satisfaction seeing her work in this fun way. 

And though your work may not be professional, you certainly have some fun images to display. Not to mention this helps you decide how to display all the amazing photos you have from that trip to Europe, your three year old growing up or even wedding pictures. 

I found a couple of options to make this work for us that do not have access to a professional photo display designer and printer. Snapfish offers a 20 x 30 that you can make yourself. Choose the pictures you want and the background (skip through the cheesy themed versions) and simply order. 

If you are an Instagram user (If not, and an iPhone user, visit your app store and start playing), this service is perfect. Printstagram will make you a 20 x 40 poster with up to 400 images from your Instagram app. They also have some other fun printing concepts to check out. 

I need to seriously start using my Instagram, because I am obsessed with this homemade art. For sure an upgrade from my beloved college photo collages still hanging out in my basement (priceless). 

xo

Erin