Friday Fancies- LWR

Happy Friday ladies and gents (if there are any) It's once again time for Friday Fancies with {av} from Long Distance Loving! This is my favorite link-up so be sure to head over to her blog and make your own outfit. Today's theme it the LWD, as in little white dress, though I changed it a little to LWR, little white romper. I love rompers but can never find any that fit right because I have a long torso and do not want it too short. So, in a perfect world this romper would fit perfectly and would not be see-through at all (it is white linen, after all)

 

 

Friday Fancies- LWR by erk525 featuring a linen romper

What do y'all think? I think it is perfect for a summer day or even a casual night out. Give me a "like" if you love it as much as I do!

I hope you're having a smashing Friday! I am packing up tonight and heading to the beach tomorrow, so I might not be blogging much for the next 2 weeks, but I will try!

ERK

Juicy Couture linen romper
$103 - revolveclothing.com

Lilly Pulitzer green shoes
$268 - simplysoles.com

Michele Watches sparkle jewelry
$1,195 - saksfifthavenue.com

Ray-Ban green aviator sunglasses
£118 - my-wardrobe.com

My beach bag

I know you are all soooo interested in seeing what I take with me to the pool or beach, so I thought I would share (since my bag is all packed up and I'm ready to hit the road Saturday morning!!)

How cute is that bag?!?

As y'all know, I have a wide array of SPF in my bag, even some for mah hurrr

Farmington CC hat and monogrammed towel are musts!

I always have:
A towel... duh
Sunglasses with monogrammed croakies
A hat
Sunscreens... I always use a different one for my face. I am going to try the Aveeno baby stick, but I have my ol' standby Mustella incase I'm allergic to the Aveeno.
Headphones
Camera... I might see something I want to document for your viewing pleasure
Nook

Not pictured:
iPhone for tunes
Magazines
Water/ beer
Koozie... that matches my monogrammed croakies

So there you have it ladies, everything you need for an enjoyable day a la playa!

I hope y'all have had a great week! Mine has flown by and tomorrow is my last day at work. I am really going to be sad when I leave!! Until I think about having 2 weeks off, that is! ha

ERK

Hurry up and get over to Graphic Image!

Ok, ok I know just about every blogger out there has mentioned Graphic Image's Christmas in July sale going on TODAY only. But, it is such a great deal that you just can't miss out!!

Everything on their site is 50% off until 10 am tomorrow!!! Yes, you read that right; fifty, five-oh. Are you kidding me? What a steal!

I got these two little ones which I totally needed.

Business card case, I got the pink, and of course I got it monogrammed!



Medium envelope, I got the lime color with a monogram, duh!


How cute are those?!? I might use both of them as "wallets" for now, but of course put some of my Sweet Pea Designs leopard calling cards in there as well!

Ok head on over and grab a few things while they last!!

ERK

Crazy Week!

Just a warning, I might not be around too much this week because it is going to be a crazy one! I apologize in advance if I don't post or comment much, and the next 2 weeks may not be any different because I will be relaxing at the beach!!!!

This is my last week at my job and I have really mixed emotions about it. I am so excited to start the next "chapter" of my life when August 15 rolls around, but I am also really sad to be leaving. I have met so many great people in my office and feel so blessed to have had the chance to work at an excellent law firm. Though, I am the first to admit that working this summer has been HARD! I was not ready for not having a free summer for the first time ever! #postgradproblems. But, having this trip to the beach to look forward to has made it easier. Enough bishing about how summer vacay doesn't exist when you're a grown up...

This week I will be finishing up all of the random projects I have left at work and packing everything I own some stuff for the beach. I have started laying things out, and this is what I have so far:

Check out the Harrods teddy bear in the background I won on my study abroad in London for my excellent storytelling abilities!

I will probably be taking some stuff out, but this doesn't even include my toiletries (I literally travel with a pharmacy and every beauty product known to man!) But don't worry, my sunscreen is already in my super cute beach bag that my friend Kimmy gave me for my birthday this year (the orange and aqua coral bag). It is even monogrammed! I will try to share it with y'all this week, along with everything that goes with me to the beach!

Ok, that's all i've got for today. I hope y'all are having a great week and it is flying by like mine is!!

ERK


Oh, PS- Great news, my camera is not broken!!! After it got wet on July 4th the battery had a short, so with a new battery it is working again! I will have to share the pictures from that day soon (another thing to add to the to-do list!)

U.S. Women's Soccer

I have to admit, the only Women's World Cup game I watched was the final game yesterday. Die hard fan, right? Ok, not really, but I do love watching soccer and watched a ton of the men's cup last summer while I was in Europe. I was working during most of these games, so that is my excuse. The women on the US team are all tough and I was amazed at how athletic they all are. Um, Abby Wambach? Girlfriend is a beast in a good way. I was disappointed when we lost, because we dominated the game. However, the shoot out brought back very fond memories of the 99' World Cup and the women who were my heroes at 11-years-old.

I loved soccer growing up. I was nicknamed "big foot" on my teams when I was really young because I had a strong kick. I guess as I got older, my determination lacked that of others who really excelled. So, after not making varsity 2 years in a row in high school I quit. I know if I had worked harder and taken it more seriously I probably would have made it, but that's neither here nor there.



Childhood team picture, I'm second from the right on the bottom row

My short hair days... thanks mom! I'm on the left in the front

I digress... The 99' women's team had all of my heroes on it; Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, Shannon MacMillan, Sara Whalen and the list goes on. I remember having posters and wanting to be them and play as well as them. I makes me sad to see that not many little girls idolize strong, athletic women any more. It's all about pop stars these days (or so I gather from my two younger cousins). Don't get me wrong, B. Spears was my girl, but I didn't want to be her.

Can you even imagine how good she felt?

Images via Google Images

I don't know if this is just the new generation or that I am just clueless to the millions of little girls who don't idolize scantily clad women who dance around on stage singing in a voice so disguised with auto-tune you don't know what they really sound like. Does anybody else agree with me? I think there are FABULOUS female role models out there, but it doesn't seem like they get much attention.

Ok, end of rant about the direction our society is going in. All in all, it was a great game and I am still a US women's soccer fan. We'll get 'em next time. And, I think Japan winning is great for the moral of the country that has been through so much since the earthquake and tsunami.

Did y'all watch the game? Any other fans of the great women's soccer stars like Mia and Brandi? I know i'm not alone!

I hope y'all had a fabulous weekend! Mine was nice and relaxing!

ERK

Friday Fancies: Lazy & Hazy Summer Chic

Sorry I have been MIA this week, who knew that you can still get swimmers ear at 23... in both ears! Ugh!! But I am back with another edition of Friday Fancies with {av} from Long Distance Loving! Head on over to her blog to participate in today's theme; lazy and hazy summer chic! I love light, comfy clothes on a regular ol' summer day, but I added some special accessories to make the outfit pop! Hope you like!

 

 

 

Lazy Summer Days by erk525 featuring 18k gold earrings

What do you think? Would you wear this outfit? If I could, I totally would! That bag is TDF!!

Happy Weekend! I can't wait to see HP7.2 tomorrow!!

ERK

James Perse v neck t shirt
£30 - brownsfashion.com

J Crew full skirt
$70 - jcrew.com

Sam edelman sandals
$30 - footcandyshoes.com

Mulberry leather satchel
€1.160 - jades24.com

18k gold earrings
$1,080 - tiffany.com

Tom ford sunglasses
$450 - sunglasshut.com

LE VERNIS Nail Colour – Morning Rose - CHANEL - What's New - Makeup -...
£17 - selfridges.com

Tarjay!

Hello, and welcome back from the weekend!!! Um, not really, I hate Mondays! I wanted to share about some great finds at a little store I like to call Tarjay. I don't know if you have ever heard of it... the one with the red Target sign. Anywho, I have gotten some super cute clothes there recently and I thought I would share with y'all.

I was devastated when Target stopped the Isaac Mizrahi line because I loved all of that stuff! It was all so cute, preppy and cheap! Gotta love the latter. Well, recently Merona has been making some great items! Here are a few things I have recently scooped up, and I can't help but be reminded of the J. Crew of old when I look at some of the preppy prints. (Sorry the pictures are so small!!)



Brinn Woven Skirt



Cecila Woven Skirt

 I also got a super cute navy and white stripe cardi with ruffles and gold buttons. I love it, but cannot find it on their site.

The Mossimo Micro Rib Tanks are AMAZING! I have them in several colors and they are comfy and on the cheap! I wore a red one with the first skirt the Sunday before the 4th for a little patriotism. And I am wearing the second skirt with the white tank today!

Tank Dress with Front Twist in Durango blue/ white

I wore this dress Saturday night to watch fireworks that were rescheduled from the 4th (we had some serious rain her in Atlanta). I need to have it hemmed though, because it is long one my 5'3" frame. It runs big as well, so if you are going to get it, I would suggest sizing down.

Any great finds on the cheap recently? Please tell!

I hope y'all had a great weekend, mine was relaxing, which has been rare this summer.

ERK

Friday Fancies Beachy Chic

Good Morning Ladies! It's is Friday, woohoo! I am once again linking up with {av} at Long Distance Loving for Friday Fancies. This week's theme is beachy chic, and if money were no option, I would rock this look on the beach when I head to the Carolina coast in a few weeks!

 

Beachy Chic by erkeister525 featuring tote handbags

What do y'all think? Would you wear this to the beach? Let me know!!

Happy Friday!!

ERK

Emilio Pucci underwire swimwear
$450 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Karla Colletto bandeau swimwear
$275 - net-a-porter.com

Tapeet by Vicini leather sandals
$260 - couture.zappos.com

ALDO tote handbag
$21 - aldoshoes.com

Prada sunglasses
$290 - sunglasshut.com

Borsalino straw hat
$160 - forzieri.com

Butter London Three- Free Lacquers Nail Polish
$14 - zappos.com

Summertime and the living is easy!

I don't know about y'all, but during the summer I like to keep things easy peasy, and my "beautifying" regimine is no different. I have noticed that over the past year, my makeup preferences have changed soo much, but this summer I have taken it down to the very basics. I'm not going to lie, there are days when I don't wear any makeup. none. at. all. I'm sure people are scared and think I look like the crypt keeper, but who cares?!? I simply don't have the time on some days, and sometimes I'm just plain too lazy to do it.

However, the days that I do worn makeup this summer, this is what I wear (after I wash my face and use toner and moisturizer):

That's all folks!

Clinique Quick Corrector concealer... I use this with a brush, a la Pretty in Pink Megan, and it looks completely natural and even. I really like how this product gives great coverage, but is not thick like many concealers I have used before. Also, the wand makes it super easy to dab on. I use a loose Bare Minerals Powder to set it. (The one I use now had a little shimmer/ gold flakes)

Maybelline Volum' Express One by One Mascara... This is a newbie to my makeup drawer, and I am really liking it! It is similar to the Chanel Immitable in the wand, yet is way more in my budget. The Chanel is my all-time favorite mascara, but I just can't swing it anymore, especially since I go through mascara pretty quickly.

Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 20. I found this through Shasta's blog, and I am obsessed! It is way better than a loose powder because it doesn't make you look "all powdered up." I ordered it online, but ordered the wrong shade so they sent me several samples to try out, and when I figured out which was the best, I sent my original order back and they exchanged it. They were wonderful to work with! I bought the handi brush with it and it makes it go on smooth and flawless!

Nars blush in Gilda... I swear I bought this a good 8 years ago and rarely used it, but now I love it. It is a pretty coral/ peachy color and has serious lasting power! Just a little on the apples of my cheeks and I am out the door!

Ok, so things that I used to be obsessed with but I am no longer using day-to-day:

Bronzer... I've found that if I use the right color base, i don't really need it. However, if I am going out or to an event, I will still use it.

Eyebrow pencil... I just don't want to take the time to pencil in my brows everyday. Nuff said.

Eyeliner... I just think that eyeliner looks too dramatic on me during the day, so I only wear it when I'm going out.

What is your summer makeup routine? Is it different than your normal routine?

ERK


PS- Here is a sneak peak at some of the progress on the house!

Happy Belated 4th!

I hope y'all had a fabulous 4th of July Weekend! Mine was great, though I was on-the-go constantly!

Friday after work, my parents and I met with our contractor for the new house and went over final plans. The best news was that they are going to start today!!! After an afternoon nap (I was soo tired because I picked up my brother from the airport at 1 am Friday morning) I headed to dinner with some girlfriends. I had already "splurged" by eating chicken fingers and french fries for lunch, and slipped up again with pizza for dinner. Ooops... but treating myself every once in a while helps me stay on track weight watchers wise. After dinner we hung out at my friends house and played with her pug child and her dad's pug child, who she was baby sitting. They are some funny dogs!

Saturday we hit the ground running. My mom and I went to a lighting store in Alpharetta looking for light fixtures. We ended up leaving with 3 new lamps and no fixtures. Our B. We then hit up HomeGoods for some July 4th decor, but they had nothing. How unpatriotic? After that we headed to Henri's, a great bakery/ sandwich shop staple in Atlanta to pick up lunch and some petite fours  for the fam. After lunch, we headed back out to some other lighting places, where we found a fixture we liked for the bathroom, but wanted my dad to see it. However, when he went to take a look at it and order it, they informed him it was discontinued. Wouldn't you think they would have mentioned that to us when we were in there before that? Ugh!!

After a trip to the grocery and Costco we finally made it home to prepare a delish steak dinner, and once again I was in bed early. I was pooped after a non-stop day!

Sunday started with an AMAZING church service. If you have never heard of Dr. Michael Youssef, go check out his blog. He also is the founder of Leading the Way, an incredible radio program that broadcasts all over the Middle East teaching about Christ. His sermon was special for the 4th, and was inspiring and made me really think about how far our country has strayed from its beginnings based on Christian principles. Watch his sermon here.

After church, my mom and I started cooking for our BBQ the next day, and were in the kitchen all day. I did take Cupie to Petco to get some food, and I am sad to say that she has become very shy. She was scared to death and made me hold her the entire time. She used to LOVE going to pet stores and the dog park. Now she hates both. :( Later, dinner at Houston's was necessary because none of us wanted to cook.

Yesterday we got up bright and early to drop my brother off at the start of the Peachtree Road race, the largest 10k in the US, and then we grabbed Cu and headed to a spot on the sidelines to watch him run. Cupie was scared then too, but not nearly as bad. My sister and her dog came as well, so I think that made her more at ease. After waiting forever and thinking we missed him, we finally saw him run by, so we headed home to get things set up for the BBQ.

We had several friends over and spent the day outside for the most part. I rained some, and unfortunately I accidentally left Canon Rebel outside when the downpour started. Luckily my dad saw it and grabbed it, but now it won't turn on. My second cousin is a photo expert and was there when it happened, so she said she would take it to her old camera store today when she dropped her film off (she doesn't believe in digital). I'm hoping it is not completely ruined!!! I also had some great pictures on it, so I am really hoping those can be salvaged. To say I am mad at myself for leaving it outside is an understatement. Hopefully it will be ok and I can share my pics with y'all soon!

After eating some great cookout food and having one too many beers/ sangria, my WW points are shot for the week. But, it was worth it to celebrate with family and friends, including my brother who was in town from California. I ended up going to bed around 9 because I was sooo tired and my head hurt for aforementioned beers, so no fireworks for me this year.

I hope y'all had a great long weekend and celebrated my favorite holiday right!

ERK

Sorry for no pics, but i'm sure you understand my camera situation!

Independence Day Fancies

Good morning Ladies! I am linking up with {av} from Long Distance Loving for her Friday Fancies July 4th edition! Here is an outfit I would love to wear to the pool come Monday... if only I had the money to buy it all! ha

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Independence Day Fancies by erkeister525 featuring a halterneck bikini

What do y'all think? Would you rock this patriotic look?

ERK

Red And White Stripe Bandeau Cover Up
$30 - topshop.com

Miu Miu halterneck bikini
£125 - net-a-porter.com

Kate Spade platform wedge
$225 - endless.com

Kate Spade tote handbag
$193 - katespade.com

Karen walker sunglasses
$180 - shopacrimony.com

Straw hat
$48 - nordstrom.com