endless summer

You know it's fall when Sunday afternoon is overtaken by a gloriously intense thunderstorm, complete with window-shaking booms, flashes of lightning and driving rain.

What's incredible, however, is that only a few days ago it was 91 degrees in Seattl: a perfect day to squeeze in last bits of summer.

My family, and a few friends (who are practically family) crammed into our boat for a evening ride on Lake Washington. It was too choppy for wakeboarding, so instead we inner-tubed. (And as much as I love inner-tubing, my body does not love it quite as much.)

It was on the boat, with the sun setting into the water and just the faintest nip in the air-- and people I love around me-- that I just couldn't help but think how precious that very moment was. And I wanted to hold as tight as I could to it, enjoying just every second of it.

I'm not good at doing that -- celebrating tiny moments -- and so I was incredibly thankful for that reminder, sitting on the boat, bare shoulders to the sun, that life can be so good.

 (my mom & me)

 (not-so-little brother)

 (if you inner-tube ith us, we may make you perform some tube olympics.)

are you doing anything to soak up the last bits of summer?

xo, erika

linking up with blair for life lately

loving right now.

camo. I never ever ever ever thought I would want anything camouflage. The me of two years ago is shaking her head -- but I can't apologize. I'm digging the camo look and may have to get these Target flats for a pop of the trend, but I'm also loving camo in pants. Check them out from Urban Outfitters, Gap (on sale!) and Banana Republic. I love how Andrea of For the Love of styles her camo jeans and this post is also a dressier (who knew!?) version of camo pants.

lyft. Do you know what I don't love? Driving the husband to the airport at 4 a.m. I did that yesterday and it was rough. You know what I should have done? Had him take Lyft. It's cheaper than a taxi and it means I can stay in bed. Lyft is starting in cities across the country -- and just launched in Seattle! If you're in the Northwest, you can use SOCIALSEA for $20 off your first ride! (hey husband-- next time, that's what we're doing, ok?) Also, another thing I love: the fact that Lyft drivers attach bright pink furry mustaches to the front of their vehicles.

getting home inspiration. I am pinning up a storm lately-- and it is mainly home decor. Now that the ginormous home painting project is winding down, I have my eye on some interior projects. Maybe, just maybe, one of them will get done this weekend! Stay tuned & follow me on pinterest. :)

Besides the above mentioned items, I also have to say that Seattle is killing it in the post-summer weather. 85 degrees every day? So good.

What are you loving right now? And would you ever wear camo pants?

happy weekend, friends!

xo, erika

p.s. voting was extended! may i have a vote from you? 

 

still running + why I believe in exercise

 

via leah flores designs

 

After I ran my half marathon in late June, I took a bit of a break. I still ran, but not as often. I was busy and running was no longer something I had to do as I wasn't training for anything.

Weeks later, however, I realized, that I need to run. It's not because I felt like I was getting lazy or wanted my body to look a certain way, but rather I need to run for my mental state. When I don't run, I am not my best self, to the point that even the husband notices.


Doctors advise at least 20 minutes of cardio activity at a minimum of three times a week. They advise this for your heart and physical body's health, but I would argue that even more so, people need it for mental health. Even the Mayo Clinic recognizes exercise as a healthy way to deal with anxiety and depression.

To be honest there are days when exercising, and running, is the very last thing I want to do. I dread lacing my tennis shoes; I take forever to get myself out the door. But once I'm there, feet pounding the pavement, I feel the tensions of the day release.  And I've never regretted working out once I've finished.

I don't know if running is for you. Maybe you like biking or swimming or kick-boxing. But find something that you like -- or even just kind of like-- and stick to it. It takes awhile to get used to exercise --  people say it takes 40 days for a habit to form -- so you're going to hate exercising for awhile and even maybe for a long time. But it's worth it, I really believe so. At the very least, I know it's worth it for me.

 xo, erika

shrimp basil panzella with tomatoes and spinach

 

You know why I like Italian food? It's because they have dishes like panzella, which is pretty much a fancy word for bread salad.

And what's not to like about bread salad? Not much, in my opinion.

Also, panzella, despite its gourmet and fancy name, is super easy to make. Delicious, contains bread and is easy to make. Clearly this is a meal that the husband and I will be having much more often.

Shrimp Basil Panzella with Tomatoes and Spinach (adapted from Cooking Light)
1/2 loaf of French bread
5 cups of tomato wedges (about 4 to 5 large)
1/2 pound shrimp (most sustainable shrimp is wild-caught Oregon pink shrimp)
2 tbs olive oil
1 tsp red pepper
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp sea salt, divided
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
juice of 1/2 lemon
handful of basil leaves
handful of spinach

Cube the bread and toast on a cookie sheet for 10 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees until toasty and brown, flipping once half way through.

Slice tomatoes and sprinkle with 1 tsp sea salt; place in large bowl and set aside.

Heat a pan over medium heat. Add oil and garlic cloves and cook until fragrant (about 5 minutes)

Turn heat down and add shrimp, black pepper, red pepper and remaining sea salt. Cook until shrimp are down, about 2 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in lemon juice and add shrimp, bread and basil to tomatoes. Mix gently and let sit for 5 minutes.

Serve over fresh spinach leaves.

 

xo, erika

p.s. last week to vote!

 

date night + a sneak peek

For awhile the husband and I stopped having a regular date night and weren't really going on dates at all, but somehow, without ever verbalizing it, we've started doing little dates again.

Usually they're Saturday night. The husband has to work all day and he always tells me that he loves to have something to look forward to. Two weeks ago, we met for dinner at The Yard, this past weekend, we tried out a new place that just opened up near us -- another local bar/restaurant within walking distance of our house.

It's easy to make excuses to not have date night. It is more expensive than staying in but I've decided that it's worth it. Sure, we could be saving a few bucks by making dinner at home, but I've decided spending money on dinner and drinks is a good investment in us.

Also -- do you like the clutch? I'm finishing up my fall line and decided I needed to take one of the clutches for a test drive. I'm hoping to get everything up in the next week or so and on my brand-new website! Get excited; I am. :)

 

xo, erika

wear: 

earrings: fresh tangerine (similar)

cardigan: old navy (similar)
tank: target

necklace: milk & crown

jeans: paige via nordstrom

flats: target

clutch: rouge & whimsy *coming soon*

linking up to life lately at wild and precious and style elixir 

p.s. last week to vote!