weekend scenes + sneak peeks

weekends are never long enough.

I always have the longest list of things to do

as well as a long list of things I want to do.

It's hard to balance both.

I think I did a decent job this weekend, both sewing away for the shop reopening Tuesday as well as getting in an outing to the Ballard Locks with part of my family.

The locks are where Lake Union in Seattle meets Puget Sound and smaller ships (read: not shipping containers or cruise ships) can come into the lake. There's also a fish ladder where you can see the salmon swimming upstream from the ocean. Even though the locks are only three-ish miles from my current house, it's somewhere I hadn't visited since I was a very little kid.

(my family minus one of the brothers-- do you think I look like my mom? People tell us we look identical. also, please note that I'm not that short; I'm about 5'4... my brother and my dad are 6'6.)

I think I live in a beautiful place.

And of course a huge chunk of my weekend was spent sewing some new stuff. I'm pretty excited and I hope you are too.

xo, erika

stuff I'm liking

There are some things you can take for granted in life, and for me, it's definitely my health.

I'm a relatively healthy person and it's so disconcerting to get really sick. I honestly was one with my couch for a lot of last week and part of this week and now that I'm feeling better, I feel like I have a whole new lease on life. (as cheesy as that sounds.)

other stuff I like this week:

via

>> soup recipes. check out my pinterest board; I'm obsessed. And I just ordered an immersion blender from Amazon and I can't wait for it. (I'm stalking the mailbox daily.)

via Acute Designs

>> I think I'm on a recipe kick (must be fall?) but crockpot apple butter? sign me up!

>> I love things that give back. A purchase of these prints sponsors a child through Compassion International.

>> um have you seen these iphone cases from Yellow Heart Art? I gave in and bought this one. 

>> other things I like: finishing an epic book, plans to go to San Diego next weekend to visit my best friend and see this girl (as well as sneak in a visit to this girl), perfect weather (70s here in Seattle) and my alma mater winning last night.

>> also, like everyone else, I cannot get enough of the new Mumford and Sons album. Thank you Spotify for letting me listen to it free. 

>> also, I am really excited for my fall (winter?) line. It's been a long time coming and little things have been delaying it but I promise, promise it will be debuting soon. Thank you to all your support and understanding. 

xo, erika

p.s. linking up with Beth!

home tour: office

Wondering where I spend those late nights sewing?
Maybe, maybe not?
After two years of living in this house, I feel like I finally have our two extra rooms-- guest room and office-- put together. And the office only came together recently and now that's clean, I thought I'd give you a little tour. 

Or rather, the monster thought he'd give the tour.

gallery wall featuring a mix of prints & photos.  

washington state print by moxiemandie // scripture print by naptime diaries

 a mix of man things & girly things. a representation of both the husband and me in a room we both share.

 meet Jan the Janome sewing machine. She's a beast.

 a beautiful encouragement that the husband gave to me back when we were dating.

 

books! books! books! reading is fun!

 some of my favorite prints: get stuff done via mary kate devitte // shh not while i'm crafting via yellow heart art // camera via vol25

 umm yeah, my house is awesome enough to have a built-in ironing board. I know you're jealous.
also, vintage thread holder from fawn & flora. 

 where the cutting out magic happens!

one of my favorite parts of the room-- two drawers ($5 at a salvage yard) and French print

I hope you've enjoyed the little tour. Also, I promise you that this room is rarely this clean. In fact, I may have already scattered fabric everywhere. :)

xo, erika

dots on dots and stripes on gingham

me: top: Old Navy // skirt, bracelet: thrifted // boots: ebay 

husband: polo and shorts: Gap // flip flops: Rainbows

Sometimes shopping your closet and putting together a new look is the best challenge.

I've had it in my head that I should mix polka dots and date night with the husband seemed like the perfect time to try it. You may not agree with me, but I think the contrast worked.

I asked the husband but he just told he his usual line: "You know what's fashionable, honey."

Can we also quickly discuss the husband's fashion forward outfit? I'm actually pretty proud of him for picking out by himself-- stripes and gingham. Lookin' good.

xo, erika

p.s. I also have to just thank the husband for putting up with me the past week. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I've been pretty sick with strep throat and the husband has been really patient taking care of me. And I know that I'm not super fun to take care of when I'm sick.

p.p.s. mom & dad, you guys have been pretty great, too. :)

football food: easy soft pretzels

I will be honest here.
I'm not the biggest football fan, or even sports fan in general, but the husband makes up for it. I joke that he's a fan enough for the both of us... and it's probably true.

However, it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy a good American football feast, which is a great excuse for chips and dip, chili, and homemade soft pretzels.

As daunting as making pretzels sounds, it's really not that hard. But I promise you that if you make them, everyone will be impressed (and you don't need to tell them how easy they are.)

All you need is some pizza dough (I like the kind from Trader Joes or Whole Foods, but you can also make your own here, or use whatever brand you like. This time around, I made wholewheat dough in my bread machine.)

Grab whatever toppings you want-- salt is great, I've also done cinnamon and sugar, cheese, chili powder... you name it. get creative. :)

directions:
- roll out the dough flat, to about 1/4 in to 1/2 in thickness.
- using a knife or pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1/2 inch strips. (these don't have to be perfect-- you can make big and little pretzels.)
- roll and form each strip into a snake and stretch it out a bit.
- form into pretzel shapes (simply curve into a "u" shape and then cross the ends over each other.)
- sprinkle with seasalt, cinnamon-sugar, whatever other toppings you want
- bake in the oven at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes (you may want to see what baking time your dough recipe calls for and go with that.)

these are best warm from the oven, but will keep a few days in the fridge.

enjoy with cheese sauce, mustard or whatever you want!

xo, erika

socks with booties

 dress: Target // jean jacket: high school, baby // socks: Target // booties: Wanted shoes

It's hard to say goodbye to summer dresses, especially ones you end up picking up toward the end of summer. This one, in particular, my friend bought me after I wore hers to a wedding (see it here). (It was on major clearance on Target.)

And even though crochet and lime is more of a summery thing, when it's paired with a jean jacket and short wedged boots, it's fine for September.

I'm trying out the shorts socks with booties trend and I really want to wear this more, but the only short ankle socks I have are these bright purple ones. I like them, but I'm really on the hunt for something a little less out there...

Apparently though, it's really hard to find cute ankle socks that aren't $10 a pair or more

Anyone else have any ideas for finding cute, ankle socks-- I'd love to hear them. (And for what's it's worth, the only ones at Target were neon... hence these bright purple ones.)

xo, erika

p.s. but let's be real honest here -- my best accessory is definitely the monster dog. not the socks.

small blessings

Sometimes the things you don't expect-- like getting sick-- end up being a small blessing.
I'm not good at taking time for myself and to be honest, I've been a little bit overwhelmed.

So I'm almost thankful for the chance, the excuse, to do nothing.

I've spent a lot of time on the couch with my favorite furry guy, who loves that I'm home. And we've watched a ton of Pretty Little Liars, which thanks to Carina, I can not get enough of. (Can we also talk about how Netflix now just automatically plays the next episode... not good.)

I've also spent a lot of time brainstorming, thinking and praying about my little blog and shop. I have been so blessed this summer by the response to my shop and I'm really trying to determine what the next step is. I'm getting a little bit excited about its future.

xo, erika

put a sheep on it

 put a sheep on it... via Madewell

When you're home sick with strep throat (boo) you have a lot of time to online shop and contemplate current trends... like the current trend of animals on sweaters.

At age 8 I had an amazing horse sweater, one that paired perfect with black leggings and light-up Reeboks (of course), that I should have kept, because apparently animal sweaters are in again.

However, as darling as those animal sweaters are, I will not be partaking in this trend. Although my medical file clearly states my age (mid-20-something), the nurse at the docter's office today asked me if I was still in high school.

I'm not sure if a sweater with a sheep on it would have changed her mind.

What about you guys? Sweaters with animals on them?

xo, erika

stretching out summer

 
   
   
   
 

 cardigan: old navy- similar // dress: fleet collection // belt & bangle: thrifted // bracelets: jungwa, fresh tangerine // boots: ebay

you can keep your pumpkin spice lattes.

you can keep your tights and sweaters.

I am still picking blackberries from my driveway, bakin' pies and wearing mint dresses.

But, fine, ok, I'll start wearing the boots. ;)

xo, erika

p.s. Speaking of mint dresses, can I bug you for a vote here? also, in case you need some incentive, you can still get 15% off at the fleet collection with the code R&W15OFF until the end of September.

p.p.s can we talk about what a good job the husband did taking these photos? you can praise him in the comments. :)

plain to polka-dotted tee (a diy)

 

 When your mother-in-law gives you a handful of white undershirts, what do you do with them?

I think she meant for me to pass them on to the husband, but I couldn't help but keep a few for myself for a few projects. I've been wanting a shirt with gold polka dots-- who knows why-- I just have had it in my head-- so instead of hunting one down in a store, I decided to make my own. If you have a crazy desire for a gold polka-dotted shirt too, I suggest you make one too.

 tee: diy // scarf: fundraiser market // skirt: H&M // bangle: thrifted // boots: ebay

all you need:
- white tee (a mens undershirt works great)
- gold fabric paint (I used this brand.)
- cardboard circle template (I use a circle punch to create mine.)
- foam brush

>> If you have a white men's tee, make it a little more fancy by hemming the neckline and the bottom hem. I also rolled up the sleeves twice and stitched them in place to shorten to them.

>> Place cardboard in between your shirts layers and stencil to your heart's content.
My only suggestion? Let your shirt dry at least 12 hours before painting the other side. :) And yes, the paint will bleed through the shirt, so the cardboard is key.

Yay! New shirt! Almost free! My favorite kind. :)

Also, this is just the beginning of the white tee makeovers. I have some other ideas on how to remake a few more.

xo, erika

p.s. thanks for the kind words on yesterday's post. Two of my dear friends moved away this weekend and I just really hate change and my friends being far away. I just think everyone should just live in my neighborhood.