i love where i live

 tee: gift // skirt: anthro, two years ago // boots: old favs from nordstrom // necklace: c/o oh so antsy

So I've been accused of being a state snob.

And it's true. I really really like where I live.

There are some downsides-- it's grey a lot, think like London -- and it's not that hot until July, but I grew up here and I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Which is why when Jessica of Oh So Antsy offered to send me a state necklace, I knew I had to proclaim my love for Washington. (With a little heart over my adopted city of Seattle. I grew up about 30 minutes north.)

And if you're looking to rep your state or country-- I highly recommend you check out her shop or swing by her blog.

But if you're also curious about why I love my state so much, here's a few reasons (I'll try to not to list all of them.)

a few reasons:

- my family lives here and I love them to pieces

- it's so green and lush (at least over on my side of the state) and the air is clean

-  the scenery is killer. I love that I can walk to beaches, see two mountain ranges and a skyline all in one area

- it's casual city-- read: I wear jeans and flip flops to work.

- even though it's a pretty big city (similar to Boston or Memphis), it doesn't feel big and despite the fact that I live in the city limits, I can see the stars at night from my little house.

- but if I want desert, I can drive three hours to Eastern Washington for farms, rolling hills, and wineries

there are a ton more reasons, but I figure you don't want to wade through 'em all. But if you ever want to come visit my state, email me and I'll tell you all the things you need to do. :)

do you love where you live?

and don't forget-- tomorrow is friday (not sure how anyone could forget that) and I'll be posting my friday finds + favorite linkup!

xo, erika

p.s. the husband just informed me that I'm actually a snob about some other things too-- (like homemade pie and how the dishwasher is loaded) -- apparently I know what I like and I'll tell you so. ;)

maxi skirt 4 ways

I've shared my major love for maxi skirts several times on the blog.
First off, they feel like pajamas but they look semi-fancy.
They're perfect for hot days or even not-so-warm days.

And they can be styled in a million different ways. I didn't have time to put together all of them-- but here are four ways that I like to rock my maxi skirt.

 skirt: Nordstrom (similar)

tank: tj maxx // cardigan: old navy // wedges: blowfish

button-up: thrifted // boots: nordstrom

tank: nordstrom // wedges: blowfish

button-up: nordstrom // wedges: blowfish

And I decided I need more of 'em in my closet. Here are a few of my favorites:

sources from top left clockwise: floral, sheer, chiffon, knit

and of course, I need to make one too, (someday when I have time), using this tutorial or this one.

xo, erika

diy: 5 minute heidi braids

I don't wash my hair every day.
Sometimes I don't even wash it every other day... shh don't tell anyone.

But lately I've been tired of my typical bun for my 2nd/3rd day hair, so I decided to switch it up with some heidi braids. Remarkably, they were are easier than they look.

Separate your hair into two equal parts and secure loosely with a band.

(optional: tease each side at the crown to create volume. I also tease part of the lower hair before I braid as well.)

Braid the right side starting at your ear. Braid "up" -- as you braid, move the braid higher (see above). This will make it easier to pin to the side. Secure with a clear elastic.

Pull the braid straight over your head and pin at least three times: one near your ear, once in the middle and one at the end of the braid. You can tuck the pins into the braid to make them less visible.

Repeat on the other side, braiding the left side up at an angle and then pinning over the right side. Tuck the ends of each braid underneath each other.



Hairspray liberally!

Tada! Easy-peasy heidi braids.

And don't worry if it isn't perfect; it looks better a little mussed.

happy braiding!

xo, erika

diy: neon nut bracelet

I like the neon trend but being a pale redhead, I'm a little wary of rocking large amounts of neon. So when I spotted some neon green embroidery thread at Joanns, I snagged it. And when I was at Home Depot with the husband this weekend, (we're so grown up, I know), I snagged some small gold nuts. While he barbecued dinner, I sat at the table and made myself a little neon bracelet. 

Cost: about $5 or less

Time: about 10 minutes (depending on your braiding skill)

 

 

Supplies:
- neon thread/cord (mine was pretty thin, so I doubled the strands when I braided it)
- nuts in gold or silver
- scissors

Step 1. Knot your threads at the top and braid. To figure out where to braid and when to put in the nuts, I suggest wrapping around the thread around your wrist and mentally making marks where the braid should stop. You can also measure exactly when to stop braiding and when to add the nuts. (but I wasn't in the mood to be that exact.)

Step 2. Tie a big knot.

Step 3. Thread nut on. Tie another big knot. Repeat process.

Step 4. Continue braiding and end with another large knot. This knot will fit in the loop at the top as the clasp. You can also just tie it on your wrist.

voila! a pop of neon and a new bracelet!

xo, erika

friday finds + favorites: linkup #2

happy friday! this week has been nuts & I'm so thankful that I have a weekend coming up. Here are a few of my favorites that got me through this hectic week:

 the pros + cons of a maxi skirt by simply bold (mostly pros in my mind)

amazing cross stitch cookie! via design sponge

 post-it note flowers from the modcloth blog... what i'll be doing at work tomorrow :)

ooh, pretty fonts shared by my new sponsor the darling blog

 this space and all the other pretty interior design eye-candy on this blog

 where i'm going tonight! portlandia!

more good stuff:

-- a post on time management (something I always need help with)

-- elise of blowfish shoes always tweets the most interesting links... like this and this


real life good stuff:
white wine w/ strawberries. sending color block bags to new owners. pretty stuff coming in the mail. solar powered string lights for our deck. diet coke when i am so tired. husband cooking dinner. getting new books from the library #nerdstatus. baking lavender lemon cookies. icecream!

what good things have you found or experienced? link your post up below! (all i ask is at least my button or text link back to here somewhere on your post.)

xo, erika