but you don't like butterflies

top: banana republic outlet // belt + skirt: thrifted // shoes: macys

That's what my mom said when I bought this skirt.

"But you don't like butterflies," she said hesitantly. What she meant is that I don't like butterfly prints. I kind of OD'ed on them in junior high-- butterfly clips, glitter, sparkly tees with dragonflies... I'm sure some of you get what I'm talking about. 

However-- although this skirt is covered with butterflies-- the print is small and when I first grabbed it off the rack, I thought they were flowers. Cute little flowers. And the skirt is definitely not glittery.

Flowers or butterflies, I decided it didn't matter because for $3.99 the skirt was perfect. I honestly cannot get enough of mid-length pleated skirts-- especially when paired with heels. (perhaps I'm destined to be a librarian. A butterfly-loving librarian.) 

xo, erika

linking up with the pleated poppy + momma go round!

that's a maternity top

top: thrifted // jeans: Urban Outfitters // shoes: bc shoes

The cute polka dotted shirt was at Goodwill for under $5. I didn't really bother trying it on; Goodwill was closing soon, so I held it up to me. Looks good.

However, after it took a spin through the washer and I tried it on for the first time I realized the shirt was really long.

Really really long.

And when I peeked at the tag on the side, the shirt said maternity.

Nice.

So, yes, I'm wearing a maternity top. And no, I'm not even close to being pregnant.

Oh, dear husband, don't worry-- this was an inadvertent purchase; I'm not trying to send you signals.

xo, erika
p.s.  i'm over here today and sharing a discount code to shop... may want to go check it out. :)

did you win?

happy monday!

I'm recovering from sunshine and too much good food (and drink) this weekend plus celebrating my wonderful father on Sunday. (if you follow me on instagram- @rougeandwhimsy- you may have seen a few of my photos.)

Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington-- one of my favorite vacation spots

what I did all Saturday. relax... 

but I thought I'd step in and briefly tell you who won $50 to shabby apple!

April G. congrats! Shoot me an email girl!

what did you guys do this weekend?

xo, erika

friday finds + favorites #4

another round of what i love online + in the real world! hope you're playing too :)

  popsicles. 'nuff said.

what you didn't graduate this year? don't matter- get inspired with these speeches

a plea to cat lady bloggers. this made me giggle. (prob because I could be considered a dog lady blogger) 

okay- I couldn't blog about this earlier because my mama reads my blog (hi mom!), but I bought a wool felted custom pet from good natured by dani for my mom's birthday and when I got it, I was blown away by its adorableness. Honestly it looks exactly like my mom's little corgi--the details are incredible. I have to order another one from Dana asap. She's a doll and SO talented! Get thee to her etsy shop pronto!

I want to tackle sewing with patterns. these look like a good place start. (right now i just make my own patterns.) 

I eat chips + salsa daily. so this recipe for mango salsa is a must!

these earrings! I wear earrings every day and feel naked without 'em, and these color blocked ones from Acute Designs are ridiculously cute.

in the real world...

- I got the best clothes at my local thrift shop the over day. it was like the thrifting olympics and I won the gold. That good. Once they're out of the washer, they'll be making their appearance. :)

- going to Eastern Washington this weekend (read: desert-y, hot side of the state) for a bachelorette getaway. Pool + magazines + girl time. I need it.

- I made the best salad the other day. I can't take credit for it-- you all should make it though. nom.

have a lovely weekend-- whatever you end up doing!

xo, erika

that one time I drove to portland and back

 sara gray photography

it was somewhere along I-5 past midnight when I questioned my sanity.
Down and back to Portland in a day, no less a span of less than 10 hours?

Insane may be the word for it.

But I deemed it worth it-- especially if it meant no hotel and saving a buck or two.

So I left work a little early, hopped in the trusty Ford Focus and bombed down the freeway the 100+ miles and 3 hours to Seattle's neighbor to the south. All for a few beers and meet and greet time with people I've only "met" online.

Crazy, right? But c'mon-- wouldn't you do it too if it meant you got to hang with Chelsey, Mandy, Heather, Carina and Moorea in person?

Yeah, thought so.

PNW blogger meet-up in Portlandia. Hipsters galore, delish beer and lots of ladies.

So many ladies, in fact, this guy stepped in and told us he could hear us gabbing from blocks away. Naturally he took a photo with us. #thatshowweroll

Chatter, advice from Heather, giggles and the best swag bag ever (no lie) and I was back on the road, questioning my sanity just a little bit as I swigged from my diet coke. (I only drink that stuff on rare occasions.)

1:30 a.m. I rolled into the driveway. Slept in until 9.

Totally worth it.

xo, erika