Thankful for the Gym

Today I am thankful for my gym.  I used to go to a different gym that didn't offer classes, was full of unmotivating people, it was just blah.  It was cheap so I didn't mind paying for the membership even though I rarely went.  I would just work out at home and go on long therapeutic runs.  But NOW I love my gym!  I'm motivated to go, I have a good schedule, it's not too crowded, it's not intimidating, it's just right!  They have everything I want/need/love in a gym.  My friends? Check!  Zumba?  Check!  Pilates?  Check!  Spinning?  Check!  Total Body Class?  Check!  Weights that are not being hogged by goonsquaders?  Check!  Ellipticals?  Check!  Magazines for when I'm just looking to do a hike?  Check!  FOAM ROLLERS?  Check!  *Ermergerd I lerve form rorlers!  I just couldn't be happier and I love going (most of the time...let's be serious if eating popcorn and M&Ms on your couch while watching Christmas movies made you lose weight I would love that more than a sweat sesh)  But all in all I'm thrilled with my new gym!  I'm also thankful for the ability to work out and the free time to work out.

Day 14 of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful for Direct Deposit.  Honestly, who isn't?  You go to bed and wake up and BOOM money in your account!  That's the only motivation I have to get out of bed sometimes.  I'll gladly wake up those paydays to check to see if my check cleared yet!  It's really not a hassle to go to the bank and deposit my moolah but it just is nice to see your bank account go up once in a while, right?

Thankful For...

Today I am thankful for popcorn and M&Ms with cinnamon on top.  I just love chocolate and salty mixed together!  It tastes even better if you use Christmas M&Ms...just saying :)

Day 12 of Thanks

Hey y'all!

Today I am thankful for Feminists!  Thank God for Feminists!  I am a proud, lipstick wearing, hair dying, women's rights loving, feminist.  I'm blessed to live in a country where feminists can be free to make a meaningful difference in the world!  Sometimes people think of feminists as man hating, bra burning, marriage hating women.  Not true.  My definition of feminist is a woman who is autonomous, self-sufficient, and doesn't need anyone to help her succeed and flourish in life.  Feminists lift everyone up, men & women!  I was never leery to call myself a feminist and I think my parents knew they were in for a feminist baby girl when they took me to see Pocahontas and asked what my favorite part of the historically inaccurate film was.  I answered, "That Pocahontas saved John Smith."  Oh boy!  They knew I was gonna be super feminist even at age 5.  In 3rd grade I chose to read and do a book review on a book about women's suffragist historical fiction.  I'm not trying to make any converts to the fem squad (but you are more than welcome) but I think that women's rights are incredibly important.  I'm all about supporting diversity in the workplace, in government, in medicine, in education, in law enforcement, and in the military.  Women's rights are important for everyone!  

Feminist Month at 1969 Exhibit at the Constitution Center in Philly!

Here is a list of my favorite Thank A Feminist Ifs:

THANK A FEMINIST! If you are female and ...

	... you can vote, thank a feminist.
	... you get paid as much as men doing the same job, thank a feminist.
	... you went to college instead of being expected to quit after high school so your brothers could go because "You'll just get married anyway," thank a feminist.
	... you can apply for any job, not just "women's work," thank a feminist.
	... you can get or give birth control information without going to jail, thank a feminist.
	... your doctor, lawyer, pastor, judge or legislator is a woman, thank a feminist.
	... you play an organized sport, thank a feminist.
	... you can wear slacks without being excommunicated from your church or run out of town, thank a feminist.
	... your boss isn't allowed to pressure you to sleep with him, thank a feminist.
	... you get raped and the trial isn't about your hemline or your previous boyfriends, thank a feminist.
	... you start a small business and can get a loan using only your name and credit history, thank a feminist.
	... you are on trial and are allowed to testify in your own defense, thank a feminist.
	... you own property that is solely yours, thank a feminist.
	... you have the right to your own salary even if you are married or have a male relative, thank a feminist.
	... you get custody of your children following divorce or separation, thank a feminist.
	... you get a voice in the raising and care of your children instead of them being completely controlled by the husband/father, thank a feminist.
	... your husband beats you and it is illegal and the police stop him instead of lecturing you on better wifely behavior, thank a feminist.
	... you are granted a degree after attending college instead of a certificate of completion, thank a feminist.
	... you can breast feed your baby discreetly in a public place and not be arrested, thank a feminist.
	... you marry and your civil human rights do not disappear into your husband's rights, thank a feminist.
	... you have the right to refuse sex with a diseased husband [or just "husband"], thank a feminist.
	... you have the right to keep your medical records confidential from the men in your family, thank a feminist.
	... you have the right to read the books you want, thank a feminist.
	... you can testify in court about crimes or wrongs your husband has committed, thank a feminist.
	... you can choose to be a mother or not a mother in your own time not at the dictates of a husband or rapist, thank a feminist.
	... you can look forward to a lifespan of 80 years instead of dying in your 20s from unlimited childbirth, thank a feminist.
	... you can see yourself as a full, adult human being instead of a minor who needs to be controlled by a man, thank a feminist. http://www.nownys.org/thankfeminist.html-source So hug a feminist today everyone!

Thankful For Our Vets

Happy Veterans Day!

To start:  a 4th grade vignette.
ME:  Boys and girls do you know what holiday it is today?
ALL: Veterans' Day!
ME:  Why is it important to celebrate and remember Veterans' Day?
Student A: To remember all that have served.
ME:  Yes, very good.  It's important to be thankful for them.  Anyone else?
Student B:  Yes we celebrate because they gave us our freedom and everything we want to do we can do because of them.
ME:  Yes, you are right.
Student C:  We should all say thank you to Uncle Si.
Other Students: Laughing
ME:  Yes, Uncle Si did serve in our armed forced.
Student C:  Yes he served in the Vietnam War.  He fought.  He calls it 'Nam though.
ME:  Yes, he did fight in the Vietnam War and sometimes it is called 'Nam.

And who said Duck Dynasty isn't informative?   Love 4th grade!

Anyway, today I want to take a moment to thank our veterans for their service!  Thank you for all that you do for us and all that your service will bring us.  We are so thankful and grateful for all of your service and your sacrifices.  We love you more than you will ever know!

My family's personal military background is interesting.  My paternal grandfather was a Captain in the USAF.  He flew B52's and my first semester in college I read about one of his missions in a book!  I was super pumped and shared my excitement with the class.  (They weren't nearly as excited as I was but, that is usually the case)  Love you Grandpa Kitley!  We couldn't be prouder of you!  We know you are flying around Heaven in your plane.  My maternal grandfather was in the Navy.

Personally, I have been a Navy girlfriend and let me tell you, it is the hardest thing in the world.  We need to also remember all of those serving at home.  The wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, girlfriends, boyfriends, fiancés, and fiancees, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, grandparents who are home and holding down the fort.  They are heroes, too.

I'm thankful for the military men and women who fight to give us our freedoms, liberties, and everyday little things that we often times take for granted.  Thank you!  We love you!  Welcome home!  We support you always and pray for your safe homecoming!

In high school I studied under a fabulous teacher who taught a class on the Vietnam Era.  She brought in Vietnam Veterans to speak to us about their lives and careers and what it was really like to be soldiers.  The class was brilliant and it opened our 21st century eyes to a different world.  A world where the boys in our senior class would be drafted to war.  A world where we didn't all love our military men and women.  I learned a lot from this class.  The most important thing I have learned is to thank a vet and welcome them home.  They are the reason we are able to walk around this country freely.  They are the reason we are able to enjoy millions of little freedoms and happinesses.


Plus...how hot are our military men??  I swoon.  :)  Who doesn't love Navy Dress Whites?

So, from my heart to all our veterans,  Happy Veterans' Day!  Thank you to all who have served.  All who are serving.  And all that will serve.  WE LOVE YOU!  We wouldn't be here without you.

Love Always,

Erin

10th Day of Thankfulness

I'm one day behind so today I'm going to be doubly thankful!  Today (Nov. 10) is Lilly Pulitzer's Birthday!!  I'm thankful for Lilly and her inspirational story, creative genius, and for dominating the fashion world as a woman in an era when men ruled the world.

Lilly was a Palm Beach Princess who was born to upper class socialites and a classmate of my idol, Jacqueline Kennedy.  She married Peter Pulitzer and had three children.  After her youngest child was born she began selling juice (from oranges/grapefruits from her husband's plantation) on a trendy avenue in Palm Beach.  She needed something to wear to hide the juice stains so she made simple little shifts.  Ladies were interested in buying her dresses so she began selling them.  The dresses took off and Lilly became a huge success!  Pretty preppy patterns came to fruition and celebrities and socialites starting wearing her things!  Lilly Pulitzer's brand went to the next level when Jackie Kennedy was photographed wearing her gingham dress.  Since Jackie was the fashionista of the 20th century, every woman in the world wanted this dress.  Lilly then became an international fashion icon.  In the 1960s fashion world men ruled all.  Preppy wasn't as prevalent and it would be a few more years until Ralph Lauren would bring preppy style to the public sphere.  Lilly was it.  She was also the perfect antidote to  the burgeoning American fashion and beauty empire.  *History dork time* Post WWII, America was the wealthiest country in the world and we had an increase in power and the disposable income to invest in American fashion.  Also, the rest of the world's economies were not doing so well.  America was rich!  We had our boys coming home from Europe and we had the GI Bill.  Women, more and more who were working to make ends meet because of the war (and some who enjoyed working) had disposable incomes for the first time ever.  Women's dollars were now buying more than just dough, they were buying dresses!  Lilly's were what they wanted!  Lilly started her brand with a friend and after her divorce from Peter, she used it as a financial lifeline. Lilly also helped friends open satellite stores in trendy southern and northern beach towns.  These friends were often divorcees who needed the income.  Women from all over the world flocked to upscale retailers to scoop up their coveted Lillies!  In the '80's Lilly Pulitzer closed its doors for financial reasons.  In the early 90's the Lilly Pulitzer brand was revived and the flagship store opened in King of Prussia PA!  And Lilly was brought to a whole new generation of Lilly Lovers!  Lilly stayed on as creative director and gave birth to a new vision of modern, sophisticated, preppy happiness.

Every June there is a fabulous gathering of Lilly Lovers who meet up to shop the sales/steals/deals at the Oaks Convention Center.  I went last year for the first time and I was overwhelmed by how fabulous it is!  There is the iconic Lilly jeep, and a line out the door of Lilly crazed girls!  Everyone dresses in their Lilly finest and shopped til their little pink and green hearts were content.

So here's to Miss Lilly and her fabulous love of all things fun!  Lilly made clothes for women and girls who define their personal style as, "sophisticated and refined, yet at the same time, fun and flirtatious,".  And isn't that the best way to be?  I think yes!  So to quote Miss Pulitzer:

"Wear pink and make all the boys wink!"
"Life's a Party, Dress Like It!"

1. “I was a gypsy, living a carefree life of ponies and tennis.”

2. “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.”

3. “Style isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you live.”

4. “It's always summer somewhere.”

5. “If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”

6. “Being happy never goes out of style.”

7. “I designed collections around whatever struck my fancy ... fruits, vegetables, politics, or peacocks!”

8. “I didn't set out to be unusual or different. I just wanted to do things my way.”

9. “That’s what life is all about: Let’s have a party. Let’s have it tonight.”

10. “Jackie [Kennedy] wore one of my dresses – it was made from kitchen curtain material – and people went crazy.”

quote references:  http://www.matchbookmag.com/daily/39-top-10-lilly-pulitzer-quotes



Photo Credit:  http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.co.uk/2013/04/for-the-love-of-lily.html/screen-shot-2011-02-22-at-9-31-59-am


So Happy Lilly Pulitzer Birthday,

Erin

Lilly Pointe Shoe In Saratoga...I Died!

Close Up...Love That Pink and Green!

Lilly in Nashville<3

Day 9 of Thanks

Hi!!

Today I am thankful to live so close to the best city in the world:  Philadelphia!  I love Philly so much!  Have you ever heard people say that they don't think they could live too far away from the beach?  The mall (this girl)?  Wegman's?  Well I can't live too far away from a city Philadelphia.  I just love Philly!  Philly has everything you could ever want and need in life.  I try to get to the city at least 3 times a month.  I live about 20 minutes away from the city and it's perfect.  I can take the train in, drive in, or if the parentals are feeling extra sweet that day they have been known to drive me in.  I just love the city.  I like the city for many reasons.

1.) Historical Reasons--Philly was the birth place of America!  Many famous historical faces are from Philly and I love walking around Old City and stating with certainty that "Ben Franklin walked here!" or "I'm fairly certain that this Starbucks was Betsy Ross' fav!"  Philly is a history dorks dream!  I've been on every tour, seen all the sights, and still can't get enough!

2.) Walkability--I love exercising and Philly is a great place to walk around to get some cardio while catching up with friends and wandering into one of the many incredible shops.  I like to just wander the city with my friends and just see where we end up.

3.) Sports!!  This could easily be my number one reason to love Philly but I reserved it for number 3.  The energy surrounding Philly sports is INSANE!  Literally the craziest thing you will ever be a part of in your life.  Some people say that we're rude (true...we boo the other team when they are announced), insane (see line above), and too devoted (not a bad thing).  Philly to me is home of the greatest phans in the world!  My favorite of all the Philly sports are the Phillies!  I'm a baseball girl.  I'm completely at home just eating my Chickie's and Pete's crab fries and then devouring (I've actually walked around the entire stadium to find one) a funnel cake.  (Pitcher's report on Valentine's Day just so you know :))  Our lives revolve around sports and we wouldn't have it any other way.

4.) The shopping--Ok, I could write an entire blog about Philly shopping but I won't...not today anyway.  So I'm just going to list my favorite places:

Tiffany's-American Classic
Zara-Kate Middleton wears this...nuff said.
Walnut Street shops-All of these places are fantastic!

5.) Nightlife-I am not the biggest fan of clubbing and drinking but I love hanging with my girls and from time to time we've been known to party it up.  Last night we went to Cuba Libre in Old City.  Mucho Fun!  The drinks were dalish---I'd recommend Red Sangria!  Salsa dancers came out to perform for the crowd and you could watch them from the upstairs balcony (what we did).  The decor is also fantastic!  It made me feel like I was in Havana in 1959.  Beautiful!  Some of my other favs:

• G Lounge-Swanky Club, expensive, but you most likely will see an athlete or someone famous who is shooting in the city here.
• Tavern 222-the best shots in the city.
• El Vez-Best Mexican food in the city.

6.) Culture-So many great museums to see!  Parks to visit.  Ballet's to watch.  Shows to take in.  My favorites:

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art
• The Constitution Center
• The Kimmel Center
• Academy of Music
• Wachovia Center (for the popular concerts)
• The Barnes Foundation
• Washington Square
• Rittenhouse Square 
• Love Park

7.) Food-Where do I even begin.  Okay, this isn't going to be all the best places because I can't spend forever on this one post.

• El Vez
• Geno's (cheesesteaks <3)
• HipCityVeg-Vegan
• La Fuente-pizza heaven
• Serafina-pizza heaven if you wanna spend a little more money
• Victor's Cafe-singing opera waiters, caviar...fancy shmancy
• The Melting Pot
• Reading Terminal Market

So to sum up, I love living near this city because it is the coolest place in the world!  You just never know what you're going to see/do/meet.  Just totally awesome!  I also love how the Philly culture influences our part of NJ.  I just think that you have a better handle on the real world the closer you are to a city.  

xoxo,

Erin

Thankful for Reality Shows

Today I am thankful for reality TV.  Shallow?  Probably.  Cheesy?  Definitely!  Fabulous?  You Betcha!  Reality TV is a train wreck.  It is juicy and terrific, and terrible, and romantic, and delicious, and eye roll worthy and just bad.  Horrendous really, but it is sooooooooo good!  Reality TV holds a special place in my little pink sparkly heart because some of my favorite memories of hang time with my Mom-Mom include "late night" (i.e. 8 pm) Monday nights watching The Bachelor.  We would scrutinize all the girls, pick our favorites, mock the dates, (but secretly want them to end up with each other in true everlasting love), pray for the best candidate to be the acclaimed last one standing and win the coveted "Final Rose".  We would watch Chris Harrison MC the most dramatic rose ceremony ever rose after rose, week after week, year after year.  We would have long discussions about life, love, and just die laughing at the ridiculousness that is reality shows.  Reality shows are just the juicy best.  I can't tell you how many friends I have made through bonding over the sentence, "Did you watch last night?"  Just great stuff.  My mama always asks me, "What are you doing to your brain cells?  You're a smart girl, why are you watching this stuff?"  The answer?  I don't know.  I am addicted to it.  I lerve lerve lerve it!  It's juicy, sweet, gross, and something I can't stop salivating over.  Reality shows also let me de-stress...something I need a lot of lately.  Between finals, COMPS, life, and work stress I'm a wreck and a half and if reality shows let me blow off some steam and forget about my craziness for a little while...so be it!  I embrace my inner reality fan girl dorkdom.  Also, reality show date nites are my absolute fav!  In high school my cheerleading squad would bond over Two-A-Days on MTV.  We'd all watch the Hoover Alabama boys and cheerleaders wrestle with high school dilemmas and relate to all of them.  A different group of friends and I would watch Laguna Beach and/or The Hills/City every Tuesday night armed with popcorn and chocolate.  Then, college came and my next door neighbor floormate and I would watch every teen pregnancy show and RHONJ episode together while munching on the greatest/most important thing I ever learned in college pop corn & m&ms.  Now that I am legal we have champagne and brownies while watching The Bachelor or Bachelorette sojourn through their quest for love.  Reality shows are a great medium for catching up, laughing, and secretly wanting to be a part of the drama yet simultaneously thankful that you are not.

 Last night one of my besties and I had a total NJ Fan Girl Nite.  We drove our big haired, red bottom shoed, Jersey Girl decked out selves up to Hoboken!  We went to dinner at Little Town NJ and then had dessert at Carlo's Bake Shop.  This isn't the first time I have gone to a Real Housewives of NJ event.  No sir.  I'm a crazed fan girl.  I went to a Blk Water Signing last year and totally embarrassed myself.  Good Times Erin!  I won't recount the details (if you so choose to read about them you can on the bloggy post from last September)  but it does involve me Cajun Voicing for Chris Manzo and having him walk away in sheer terror.  So that's a win.  Also, two year ago, my same friend Kate and I went to Rowan University to see Teresa Giudice and have her sign our copies of Fabulicious.  

Back to Little Town NJ.  We weren't sure how the food was going to be.  You know, kitschy reality show yields kitschy restaurant.  FALSE!  In case you don't know what Little Town NJ is, it is a Jersey themed restaurant (no not the big hair, sparkly dress, leopard print, boobs&Loubs kinda place) owned by the Manzo brothers.  The idea was to bring together and celebrate NJ's unique food culture.  The menu included veggies (we are the Garden State after all), seafood (Hello Jersey shore...the real kind not the show that I abhor.) and fresh meat.  The restaurant was beautiful!  I was blown away.  It's a bar vibe but a very upscale bar with little pictures of NJ landmarks on the immaculately painted walls.  It's super hot!  I loved it!  The service was insanely good!  I ordered one of the night's specials--a salmon burger with not one, but two ginormous onion rings, mixed greens, Jersey tomatoes, and an avocado spread.  The side was fries, and not just any fries--no I'm talking the greatest fries I've ever eaten.  They were thick cut, salty, seasoned, and just...wait I'm having a foodmoment...okay I'm back...delish!   (I'm not a fries girl but I managed to eat the whole plate no problemo)  Our food came out in less than 15 minutes.  You can't even get a water in most Jersey diners in under 8 minutes so this was a shocker!  The best part was when the check came (everything was pretty reasonably priced, too) and included were Salt Water Taffies.  I missed those little bad boys.  I would highly recommend Little Town NJ for dinner/lunch/late night.

Store Front

My Salmon Burger (p.s. it is great as a leftover)

Kate's Epic Mac & Cheese

Since we both have a penchant for sugary desserts we headed a few blocks over to Carlo's Bake Shop, home of the TLC famous Cake Boss.  No we didn't see Buddy & Co., but we did see the shop and more desserts than our little hearts could tolerate.  I was kind of disappointed by the slow service.  There were 6 people working standing behind the counters but only two people were actually taking orders, running to get the food, packaging it, and ringing up customers.  The others were just kind of staring at everyone.  Anyway, I ordered a Nutella Lindsor Torte and cupcakes for the famsquad and Kate ordered cupcakes and brownies for her famsquad.  The man serving me messed my order up though ( and because they package everything up before they show it to you) I didn't realize this until I got home later that night.  Anyway, the famsquad said the cupcakes were great so I guess all isn't lost.

My Treats and Me

Kate and Her Treats

Anyway, back to Reality, (oops there goes gravity...sorry I loved Eminem as a little kid) here are a list of my top reality show loves from yesteryear and today in no particular order:

The Bachelor/Bachelorette 
Dancing With The Stars
The Newlyweds
The Ashlee Simpson Show
Keeping Up With the Kardashians (I stopped watching 3 years ago when they went totally bonkers.  Not a fan anymore)
Say Yes To the Dress (Atlanta and Bridesmaids)
Real Housewives of NJ/OC/BH/DC
Laguna Beach
The Hills
The City
Teen Mom (2&3)
16 & Pregnant
Rock of Love (come on, you know it was great)
Eric & Jessie:  Game On
Girls Next Door
Kendra (season one)
Denise Richards It's Complicated
Cake Boss
Bethenny
Two A Days
Love or Money
Melissa & Tye
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making The Squad


All are disgustingly fabulous and addictive and I love them all.  Anyway, I am thankful for reality TV because it makes you feel a little more normal, appreciate what you have, and laugh your booty off.  It also lets you relax and just go completely coo coo for 30 to 60 minutes.  *Also I maybe had a soda last night at Little Town NJ.  I felt bad about cheating and I stopped drinking it about 4/5th of the way down.  Womp Womp*

xoxo,

Erin

OOTD:
Skinnies:  Jessica Simpson
Top: Old Navy
Necklace: LOFT
Shoes: Mr. Christian Louboutin
Ring: Macy's
Purse:  Kate Spade
Earings: Tiffany's
Bracelets: Lia Sophia

Kate at Little Town NJ 

Day 7 of Thankfulness

Hola!

Today I am thankful for days off.  Today is NJEA Teacher's convention so I don't have to work and my class tonight was cancelled so for the first day in a long time I'm off on a weekday!  I'm thankful for days off.  For resting.  For doing nothing.  For starting a new favorite obsession called Eric & Jessie:  Game On.  Have you ever seen it?  It's so funny!  I love Sydney.  I don't know if I'd say she's my spirit animal yet, but I like her juxtaposition to Jessie.  I digress.  So today's agenda:

1) Blood Work Fail (I had the wrong scrip...womp womp womp)
2) Panera Breakfast Date with Mamma
3) Get New Blood Work Scrip (scurrred)
4) Watch Eric & Jessie (6 episodes)
5) Watch Bethenny
6) Study For The Comps (buzzkill)
7) Lunchy Lunch
8) Zumba/Pilates/Zumba
9) Big Bang Theory Fam Date
10) Dinner
11) Sleep


I have nothing else to say because it's a sweats and no make up and pony tale kinda loungey day <3  Oh, I'm also thankful for Pink Sweat Pants.  They feel like chocolate tastes.  They make me so smiley and happy.


xoox,

Erin

Day 6 of Thankfulness

Howdy y'all!

Today I am thankful for country music!  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a country girl Southern Belle through and through.  I love my country music, the South, jeans, boots, and Southern morals/values.  (I also heart Hush Puppies/gumbo/seafood/pralines/cutoffs/cowboys...reel it in Erin)  So while I'm a displaced Southern Belle I thought that since the CMAs are on tonight, I think that it fitting that I write about my thankfulness for country music.  I'm thankful for country music because these are the songs about my life.  I've been a country fan since I was a little girl.  I even rocked black sued cowboy boots, cut offs, and a Garth Brooks concert tee in preschool.  I even had Dolly Parton's Children's Book, Coat of Many Colors, and I rocked out to my Dolly tape when I got my first tape player.  Good parenting right there!  I always love country jams because you can always find a country song to fit your mood.  Can you do that in rap?  No, it's not relatable.  In my everyday life I don't pop champagne and drive a tricked out Caddy.  Pop songs are too manic.  They're either super happy or super sad.  Country music is real.  It's relatable and there's something for every mood I'm in.  When I'm having a pitty party for myself I play Martina McBride's Blessed or Jessica Andrews' Who I Am, Jerrod Neiman's Shinin On Me, Travis Tritt's It's A Great Day To Be Alive.  When I feel like I'm going on a date and being super cute I listen to TSwizzle's Fearless, Enchanted, Everything Has Changed.  When I'm feeling sassy I put on Sugarland's Down In Mississippi and Up To No Good, Toby Keith Whiskey Girl, Trace Adkins' Chrome, Dolly Parton's 9-5, JoDee Messina's Heads Caroilna Tails California, When I feel super GirlPower I jam to Sugarland's Settlin', Every Girl Like Me, When I'm going through a break up I have my own version of the Stages of Grief:

When You're Sad and Crying and Still Wearing Sweat Pants
Rascal Flatts-What Hurts the Most & These Days
Luke Bryan-Better Than My Heart
When You Are Pissed As Hell and Are Running Off Your "Post Break Up Weight"
Miranda Lambert-Mama's Broken Heart
Taylor Swift-Picture To Burn
The Band Perry-Done.
Travis Tritt-Here's A Quarter Call Someone Who Cares
When He Calls You Again
Faith Hill-Let Me Let Go
When You Regress
Randy Travis & Carrie Underwood-I Told You So
When You Are Wearing Your Hot Jeans Again and Going Out For Revenge
Carrie Underwood-Undo It/Before He Cheats/Wine After Whiskey/Songs Like This
Patty Loveless-Blame It On Your Heart
When You See Him Out
Jana Kramer-Why You Wanna
Dolly Parton-I Will Always Love You
Kellie Pickler- Red High Heels
When You're Happy Again
Carrie Underwood-Starts With Goodbye/Lessons Learned
Garth Brooks- Some of God's Greatest Gifts, Are Unanswered Prayers
Garth Brooks-The Dance


This also goes for happy first date flutterflies and googly eyes.

For That Great First Date/Early Relationship Stage:
Taylor Swift: Begin Again
When You Are Coming To The End of the Date and You're Like pretty pretty please kiss me goodnight
Lady Antebellum:  Just A Kiss
The Day After A Great Date
Trisha Yearwood:  Thinking About You
When You Just Know and You're Reflecting On All The Lil Things
Carrie Underwood:  That's Where It Is
When You're Happy And Planning For The Future
Miranda Lambert:  Makin' Plans
When You're Deliriously Happy
Lonestar:  Amazed
The Sweatpants and No Make Up Stage In Your Relationship
Sara Evans:  As If

Joe Nichols:  Gimme That Girl
Lady A:  Our Kinda Love
Sara Evans:  Perfect

Josh Gracin:  Nothing To Lose
The Forever Happy Stage:
Rascal Flatts: Bless The Broken Road
George Jones:  I Always Get Lucky With You *the most honest lovely sweet song*
Dustin Lynch:  Cowboys and Angels
Dixie Chicks:  Cowboy Take Me Away
Randy Travis:  Forever and Ever Amen
Keith Urban:  Raining on Sunday
Tim McGraw:  She's My Kinda Rain
Dolly Parton:  Somebody's Everything


Country music is where it is!  It need/crave/live off my country music!  This past summer I went to Nashville it was like country music overload.  I had a deliriously goofy grin on my face the whole time I was there.  I just loved it so much!  I know that some people don't like country music...I guess we can still be friends.  But just give it a try because there is something for every moment in your life.  I'm happiest when I'm at an outdoor country concert just singing my little heart out and dancing around like a fool.  I'm loving it!  It's just my heart<3  And who does't love country boys?  They are musical (so hot), manly (dying) gentlemanly (swoon) love their mamas (precious) are good pure souls (okay maybe I'm generalizing here...sorry I live in the North where the hot Southern gentlemen are as allusive as a rent controlled apartment).  Who doesn't love a cowboy??  This girl does!


And the song that is always appropriate, gets me dancing, makes me smiley, gets me jamming, lovin' life again:  The King Luke Bryan's Country Girl Shake It For Me

So enjoy life, rock on to your country jams, and love life!  I'm off to dance around to the concertparty that is the CMAs!

xoxo,

Erin

NoSODAvember

Heeeeeey!!

     So Happy November!!  Are we all excited?!  It is the 11th month and that means what?  *This is my example of using my teacher voice in everyday life.  A fun little discourse experiment, eh?*  Well the answer boys and girls is...The Christmas Season Is Upon Us!!!  Yep, yep, this girl is ready for Christmas and all the seasonal festivities!!  To all of you who are saying, "But we just had Halloween,"  I say yes but (as my dear friend Corinne wrote on my FB wall today) "November is just a pregame for Christmas".  Do you see why I love my cohort?  They get me.  We're all a little Christmas obsessed!  I completed the local radio station's Christmas Survey (like I do every year) and I put that I want Christmas music to start November 1.  However, when I turned on my radio this morning, what should my wondering ear appear, but Rihanna not Christmas JAMS!!  So.  Sad.

I saw this lil gem on Pinterest and thought it captures
my dream world perfectly!

     Also, I have been inspired by those No_____vembers.  You know the NoSAHVEmber, NoSTRESSvember, etc and have decided to start my very own.  I'm doing a NoSODAvember.  I'm a sweet tooth to the nth degree and I just can't stop drinking my sweet stuff.  All the sugar and carbonation really take a toll on my body, energy level, and mood.  So for 30 days I'm going to detox and be soda free.  I have already made a behavior chart for myself.  (Raise your hand if you're a SPED)  I am going to give myself a star for every day I go soda free.  My reward will be a pre-Thanksgiving mani.  Total relaxation after a very stressful (and caffeine free) November.

     November is going to be a busy month!  On the docket I already have multiple friends' birthdays, concerts, my COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (Oh you know the all inclusive exam that I must pass in order to graduate...no pressure or anything.)  The South Pole elves must have decided to test us during the holiday season :(  My parents anniversary--Happy 28th!! and their anniversary dinner! Thanksgiving!  Black Friday!  Babysitting!  Plus pretty much every project for school ever created!  But alas, in 30 days it will be the best month ever!  I think I can deal with that!

My professors deciding Christmas time was the
appropriate time to give our Comps Exam...

     So with the holiday season quickly approaching, I figured I would jump into the season with a 30 Days of Thankfulness posting series because I think this time of year it is very easy to take things for granted.  I know I do.  I'm always creating, editing, revising it to make it perfect.  And guess what?  I usually get everything on my list.  I also take for granted that I will get everything on my list.  *I'm not a totally heartless individual, I do buy a lot of presents for my local toy drive*  I think right now is a pretty good time to be thankful that I have so many blessings.  I think this time of year becomes the time of year when I'm stressing over will I find the perfect gift for _____________?  Do I have to buy them a gift?  What if they don't get me anything but I show up with a present, will that be awkward?  I think I often times lose sight of the fact that this time of year is supposed to be about being thankful for what we do have.  So today I am going to start the first of these posts.

Thankfulness Day One:

I am thankful for God and my faith.  I don't usually write about this topic because I believe to each their own, but I am very thankful for God and prayers and faith.  I say my prayers every night and thank God every night for all the wonderful things He has given me.  I do sometimes oftentimes get impatient and ask if He could answer my prayer right now that'dbegreat but I know that He is going to let it all work out in the end.  

Happy November and wish me luck with my NoSODAvember!  I'm already sleepy and it's only 12:30 pm...this no caffeine thing may actually kill me.  Keep your thankful thoughts coming!

-E

photo credit pic 2:  

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/287104544965390541/