New Use For Old Things

Hair Dryer

Original Use:  Blow Dry Hair.

New Use:  Feet warmer in my cold basement.

Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Spray

Original Use:  Hold hair in place

New Use:  Spider Killer.  It is very effective.

Beynac, France

Don't these pictures make you want to go here, too?  I'm most definitely saving up to go here. As far as I'm concerned it's the most gorgeous place I've ever seen.  Like a fairy tale. Mmm.

Real Deals

I understand the need to feel trendy. 

I understand that most college students my age are dirt poor. I am one of them.

There is hope, my dirt poor friends.

I've included some latest trends at Nordstrom and found much more affordable alternatives.

At Walmart.  And Target.  Believe it or not.

I just want to throw in, also, that I own a violet dress.  From Walmart.  Cost me $8.  I get a zillion compliments on  it every time I wear it. 

Also.  There is a woman in my neighborhood who I have declared the best dressed woman.  Well, perhaps in the Top 5.  She shops at thrift stores.  And just buys what looks trendy. 

It's possible to stay in style on a budget.  No need to go granola on me.

:)  Enjoy, and happy bargain-shopping!

Nordstrom Dress A $138

Nordstrom Dress B $138

Walmart Dress A $16

Walmart Dress B $16

Nordstrom Cardi $95

Walmart Cardi $14

for the Target Cardi's I love click {here}

When I save up some moneies I'm goin' shopping!  What will you purchase?

I'm thinking about getting these beauties

PS Fall's Favorite Color?  Coming soon...

What I know for sure.

As I was twiddling my thumbs in the Long Beach airport awaiting the flight back from sunny California, I decided a good way to kill some more time would be to pick up a go-to magazine.  Naturally I tried to find Real Simple and Martha Stewart Weddings, but since I subscribe to RS and MSW was nowhere to be found, I picked up the O magazine.  That's right, kids. Oprah.

I used to tease my mom about watching Oprah every day, then highschool rolled around and I started to join her.  I've truly grown to love the show, and the magazine isn't bad either.  It's kind of Real Simple meets Martha Stewart---just without all the darling layouts and paper art that is the appeal of Real Simple.

Anyhow, as I'm reading through it, I guess Oprah writes a one page article every month.  And titles it What I Know For Sure.  

Here's what Ellen DeGeneres knows for sure if you're curious 

Anyhow, it got me thinking.  What does Erin know for sure?

I think I do know a lot of things for sure.

But lately {lately this thought tends to be all the time more recently} I've been thinking about reaching my full potential.  I want nothing more than to be successful and to be completely happy doing what I know and love. 

How funny that Oprah's article this month was about reaching our full potential. 

Reaching your potential as a human being is more than an ideal. It's the ultimate goal

She talks about discovering who we are, dealing with problems as they arise and living each day to be better than you were the day before.

Doesn't it ring a bell? 

It just clicked again; 

What I know for sure.

I've been progressing toward reaching my full potential every day.  One day at a time.  I know for sure that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be made perfect and reach our full potential.  Because, my friends, through Him, everything is acheivable.  If you can dream it, you can do it.  I'm serious.  I know that for sure.  

 He is our Savior, and He is the author of your great expectations.

-Thomas S. Monson

Auto Tune The News

seriously where do I find this stuff?

Oooh-wee am I crazy, am I trippin on shrooms?
Are you singin' bout pimpin on the late night news?

Katie coo, baby boo, you got swaggah like a star
don't stop real talk we gon' take it to the charts
You can be
Lady Gaga
I can be
T-Pain
We can be bringin on the boogie
droppin rhymes like rain!


Hahah, hilarious!

what makes the world go round?

well, what makes MY world go round?

and

Not kidding, I LOVE these.  The layouts? Pictures? DIY's? Love.


Real Simple is my favorite.  I'm a subscriber and have the app for that on my ipod.  Sheesh.

The Bed Intruder Song.

If you haven't seen this yet. Watch it now. It makes me laugh SO hard. This happened 2 weeks ago and already has over 8,000,000 views. They made this news report into a catchy song that is now on itunes. ...? Awesome. Enjoy.

The Greatest Invention

My dad is famous for 3 or 5 jokes he rotates through. You should ask him to tell you these. My whole family could quote them, but my dad does an accent.  Which makes the joke hilarious instead of just funny.

One of them he calls The Greatest Invention.

But this isn't even the reason for my blogging.  It just reminded me because I've decided what the greatest invention really is.

Pandora.

Ever heard of it?  If you haven't, You need to be introduced.  Not kidding. Go. now.


What is it?

Internet radio. 

But not just any internet radio.

You type in your favorite artist, song, etc. and it chooses music like that.  Most of the time, I am very into all the music.

The other day it created a "Disney" playlist.  It started playing way old Radio Disney hits.  Back from when I was in Jr. High.  A long time ago.. I knew every word to the songs.  It was so fun taking a trip down memory lane.

Last week we had friends over and were playing some cards {sem ceards} We turned on the Michael Jackston playlist and listened to funk music all night and had a ball.

Seriously this is the best invention.

I love you, Pandora. 


If you'd like to take a trip down memory lane, here's the song that got me:

Forgiveness

I do not like to cry. But check this video out on Forgiveness. Made me bawl. Totally worth it.

November, why can't you come sooner?

If you asked me which month is my favorite, I will tell you October.  Every time.  But reasons why I love October is for another post.

Right now, November is sounding extremely delightful.

Think about it

Crisp Autumn air
Thanksgiving weekend and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Harry Potter 7 Part I is coming out!
Disney's Tangled is also coming out
Sweaters
Boots
Skinny Jeans
Scarves
Pea Coats.

Seriously people

Fall is the best ever.

November, don't take too long!  K Thanks, Bye.

Wedding Bouquet 101

Many of you might know that I work at a cute little wedding shop doing the floral orders.

Yesterday alone, we put together

38 centerpieces
approximately 40 boutonniers/ corsages
bridesmaids bouquets

and Bridal Bouquets.


Okay people.

Some Brides are very particular and are looking for a specific look.

That's fine, I used to be ultra picky too... Until I became the one doing the bouquets.  Please just stop caring and let me do my job! 

Certain flowers cooperate with me. They are:

Roses

Spray Roses

Dahlias

Lisianthus

Stock

Orchids

Mini Calla Lilies

Freesia


See?  SO many to choose from that are nice flowers.


You will not believe how many brides love the

Asiatic Lily

Hate.

Hate.

Hate is a strong word.

REALLY dislike.

Here are reasons why you should not choose this in your bridal bouquet.

• They are HUGE and take over the whole bouquet.
• The pollen stains EVERYTHING... Including your white wedding dress. (okay that's not a huge deal.. we take out the pollen. But Still. MY hands are stained, not your white dress. You're Welcome.)
• They are very hard to create a bouquet with, the stems do not cooperate. You have to work around THEM and I do not like that plan.

So don't choose them.

Tell your engaged friends.

Stay At Home

While doing all of the many gazillion floral orders I've been doing lately, I've got a ton of time to think.

About EVERYTHING.

School

Work

Future Goals

Boys

Not Boys

Church Callings

Friends

Today's thought subject:

The kind of Mother I want to be.

Yeah, I think about strange things.  I'm not even CLOSE to being a mother.

But I used to have so many ideas of what motherhood was to me.  I wanted to be that corporate business mom who worked and still had a family life.  One of those glamorous looking moms who had a nanny... Yeah, that seemed like the ideal life for me a few years ago.

But today, I was thinking about it.

And there is no way on earth I want to be a working mom.

I want to be a stay at home mom, absolutely.

I want to be the mom to help with homework and random school projects, I want to go to the dance recitals and even read my book outside in the SUV while the girls are in dance practice.  I want to be an involved mom.  I want scriptures and FHE to be exciting and looked forward to in my house.  I want to be that mom.

The mom that knows exactly what to do in sticky situations.  The mom that knows the right answer to everything.  The mom that's great at math.  The mom that's great at spelling.  The mom that has all the time in the world to sit down and read bedtime stories and make dress ups. 

I want that to be my career.  As much as I have loved that idea of having such a glamorous working life... I want that, too. I want to get my degrees.  

But first and foremost I want to be a mother.

My mom is a perfect example of the kind of mom I want to be.  She's the best ever, and any of you who know my mom know that she's the best ever. :)