Friday Favorites Olympics Edition

Happy FriYAY!

How is everyone doing?!  Sorry I've been MIA, I've been trying to get back into the swing of normalcy over here after 3 weeks of weddingstravaganzas!  Raise a wedding cake covered fork if you're ready to have a weekend free of weddings?!

Not that I don't love weddings, but I'm ready to breathe and have a peaceful low key weekend.  However, I can't wait to show you the pictures from Kate's shower and her bachelorette party!

Is everyone watching the Olympics?  I'm not a huge Olympics fan **put down the pitchforks lol** but I've watched a few of the competitions.  Gymnastics...obviously!   A little bit of swimming (Ryan Lochte's blue hair doesn't impact how cute he is) and some beach volleyball.

In traditional Friday Fashion here are my favorites from the week!  Feel free to play along in the comments section.

Botched By Nature- Wednesdays at 9 on E!  I'm obsessed with Botched anyway and when I found out the doctors were going to do another show my plastic surgery obsessed self started to dance!  When I was 2.5 I fell at my swim club and broke open my forehead.  My parents opted to have plastic surgery done to fix my forehead.  I'm so glad they did.  I know that if I didn't have that surgery, I wouldn't be as comfortable with myself as I am now.

This Michael  Phelps picture.

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What a great quote!  I think everyone has gotten caught up in jealousy or envy or self doubt and this picture is a great way to visually understand that it's all BS.  How many times have you played the comparison game?  She's faster than me, she's prettier than me, she's stronger than me.  The list goes on and on, but do those comparisons make you better or improve your skills?  Nope!  They don't help you improve at all.  I think all of that negative self-talk actually makes your performance worse.  So next time you want to compare yourself to someone else, think about this picture.  Phelps is focused on the wall and winning, and Chad Le Clos is focusing on Phelps.  Focus on winning.


Aly Raisman's Parents!

These two crack me up!  How do they not make her even more nervous?  If those were my parents I would ask them not to come because they would make me wayyyyy too nervous :)  They're so funny and it's so obvious that they love their daughter and want her to be successful, but they are hilarious!


Phillies Wall of Fame and Alumni Weekend!

Every August, the Phillies welcome another player to their Wall of Fame.  This year the honor is going to my favorite Philly *drum roll please* Jim Thome!

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Thome was a first basemen for the Phillies who was the #1 home run hitter in the NL in 2003.  He has 612 career home runs, the 7th most in MLB.  

For Christmas in 2003, my dad got me a Thome jersey (in a size Men's XL none the less) and I can't wait to resurrect that jersey for today's game.


First Comes Love by Emily Giffin.  This book is so so so good!  I have read all of her books and love how the different characters from her different books are intertwined.  This book focuses on the relationship between two very different sisters.  The book alternates chapter by chapter between one sister's point of view and the other.  It's a cool way to understand the various points of view while keeping the book fast paced.  I am almost done and I am doing what I always do when I get close to the end of a good book...I put it off.  I try to avoid the book at all costs.  When I lay out I read a few pages then I fall asleep because I don't want to finish the book.  I don't want it to be over because I know I'll miss the book.

Plumcots!  They're baaaaaack!  Plumcots are an apricot/plum hybrid and they're delicious!  They're sweet, but not so much so that they cause the sugar shakes.  I had green plumcots this year, too!  A little bit more tart than the red ones.

Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Bleue Parfum Rollerball

This week I picked up this new perfume for my upcoming cruise.  I wanted something different than my usual Calvin Klein Eternity and since Tory is my fave shoe designer and Philly girl, I decided to try hers.  It was love at first smell.  At a $28 price point, my purse was happy, too!  I love how convenient it is to just roll on and throw it in my clutch and I'm good to go out for the night.  I know it's also strange, but the cap screws on really tight and that makes me smile because I'm confident that the perfume won't get all over my purse.


So those are my favorite things from the week.  What are you all loving?


xoxo,

e

Friday Favorites

Hey All,

How is your FriYAY going so far?  Mine has been crazy busy already.  I started my morning at 4:30 with a 5 mile run, then hit the gym for a schweaty lifting sesh.  I'm getting ready to run to tutoring and then it's shopping for the Florida Georgia Line concert!  I'm going to channel my inner Jessie James tomorrow aka boots, cut offs, and a bandana.

Ra and I have dinner plans in Princeton tonight!  I can't wait to join forces with my partner in crime and college roomie.  I'm introducing Ra to the wonderful world of Indian food tonight!  Ra introduced me to Ed Sheeran (Ra was the first person to hear about him.  I know this for a fact because she used to force me to jam to him in 2010) and Matt Nathanson.  She also introduced me to the actual lyrics of Ozzy's Crazy Train.  #Friendshipgoals

Today for FriYAY Favorites I figured I'd share some things I'm loving as of late!

1.)  Cameron Rupp's Instagram account.  Cam is our catcher and he's hilarious!  He puts up solid numbers a catcher and fill the big cleats of Carlos Ruiz or Philadelphia's beloved CHOOOOOOOOOCH!  Cameron puts up hilarious pictures and captions.  This week he put up a pic of the team wearing American flag onesies.  Hilarious!

2.)  Watermelon.  OMG I think we've eaten a watermelon a week over here this summer.  My favorite morning snack.  Watermelon is a healthy snack because it's 92% water, has loads of vitamins including A, B6, and C.  It also has lycopene and antioxidants!  Healthy and delicious?!  Sign me up! You can read about more of watermelon's benefits here.

3.)  THIS TOP!  I think it's perfect for the FGL concert with the girls tomorrow!  Is anyone else obsessed with denim and white eyelet like me?

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4.) Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  After seeing the previews for this movie last week I decided I HAD to read the book before I saw the movie.  Well....I'm hooked!  I read it in about 4 days and was obsessed with it!  So good!  You all need to read it.  

5.)  Finding Dory!  Deb, and our two other mother/daughter co-worker friends went to see this movie on Tuesday.  It was everything I hoped it would be!  It gave you all the feels.  It was sweet, hilarious, and heartwarming.  It brought tears of happiness, sadness, and hilarity.  Great movie!  Worth the 13 year wait.

I hope you enjoy the day!  I'm thinking a pool day after the mall is in store.  

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Debbie Daughter Day

Happy Tuesday!

Sorry this is a little late today, but last night was a late one with The Bachelor in Paradise Party.  Wasn't it good?  I'm so sad Tenley didn't pick Michael!  I'm also not a fan of the whole no rose ceremony at the end of the episode.  Also, not a fan of Jenny Mollen.

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I'm bored with her because she's mean.  She's not funny, she's just mean.  I liked Ashely S.'s response to one of Jenny's comments:  "I don't even know you."  Only Ashely S. can call someone out and still be sweet about it and not come off as mean.  Love her!

BIP Dinner:

How good does this look?

Cait hosted this week and made delicious taco seasoned chicken with corn and beans.  We wrapped them in lettuce and it added a perfect little crunch.  Amazing!  I brought Srircha, Tamari, and lime juice caulirice.  It was good, but holymoly SPYYYYYCYYYYY!  

Today was my day off and therefore Deb and I headed to Princeton for a little secret mission.  

This little guy stayed on the car the entire 45 minute trip to Princeton and about 30 minutes home.  He flew off during a heavy rain storm.  Crazy!  We were pretending it was a math problem:  If the car is moving at 65 MPH N, how fast is the bug going?  How fast was the bug going when he/she flew off?  We couldn't solve these problems :)

Look at that Cicada!  Hang on little buddy

After the Cicada keeping us very occupied and entertained, we accomplished our secret mission.  We finished the day with cupcakes 

Vegan Chocolate For Me

and a pupcake for Cody at House of Cupcakes!  

Cody's Pupcake :)

Apparently, we're those people now.  Those people who buy their dog cupcakes.  He kinda liked it.  He was nervous about it at the beginning, but then gobbled it all up rapidly.  I wonder where he gets that from.

 On the way home we heard this jam:

Oh yeah!

When my dad would take Dylan and me out for the day when we were little, we would jam to country and this was always one of our favorites.  My dad always made us swear we wouldn't tell Deb that we sang the "real version" of I told you once you son of a ______, I'm the best there's ever been.  

What happened in the Volvo stayed in the Volvo!

Weekend Recap

Happy Oxymoron Day!

It's my last Monday with students and I'm worn out!  I have 7 days left of work (4 with kiddos and 3 without) and I feel like I'm running on E.  I have so much I want to do with them still, but alas time is almost up.

Friday was our school's End of the Year Party. It was at our casa and therefore I've been sneaking dessert pretty much all day.  I'm going to be handing them out to my friends as souvenirs every time I see them.

Saturday was a training gym day for the half.  It involves Zumba, spin, Pilates, and Pound…plus a little weight sesh.  Apres the gym, I babysat.  I love babysitting for this family because the kids are awesome and I love hanging out with them.

Sunday was my half birthday!  I'm 24 and a half!  It turned out to be a happy, lazy day.  It started with a 9 mile run that was perfect in weather.  I'm kinda sorta starting to fall in love with my 6 am runs on Sunday…

I came home, veged (aka caught up on an hour of RHOC…of which I have 50 hours saved up on the DVR.  Winning, I know) and went to church.

After church, it was a Whole Foods Hot Bar lunchy with Jess.  We ate outside under the most romantical lights.  Well done Whole Foods!

So pretty right?  I bet it would be gorge at night :)

The usual…gahhhhhlicky kale, lemony carrots, and vegan chicken stir-fry.  Ahhhhmazing

After lunch, craziness ensued as we shopped for my end of the year presents for my kiddos.  I'll post about the gifts later.  Here's a leeeetle sneak peek that proves we are not mature :)

We wanted to be Katniss..

But we don't know how to work a bow..

Everything I know about using a bow came from Pocahontas and Brave

Carrie Underwood moment…I took a *pink* Louisville Slugger to both headlights

Because you should always dress up in catcher's equipment at 24.5...

*Fun Fact* Dylan and I used to play a game at Dick's called Dress Up and Try to Make the Best Outfit From All the Gear!  We would each go opposite ways and then meet up in the middle wearing ridiculous concoctions of gear.  Hockey mask paired with catcher's chest pad plus boxing gloves and a fishing hat--you name it, we wore it.  Clearly, we were well-behaved kids :)  We also used to ride the bikes around.  The week after we engaged in the biking races, Dick's locked the bikes to the floor.  I wonder if those things were related?

Oh you know, just cruising around on the pedal boat at Dick's

Nevermore…Edgar Allen Jess

There are no words.

We tried to get a canoe to reenact this pic…








but they were all locked up.  I wonder if they knew who they were dealing with? :)

After shopping, we came back to swim.  The water was 85 degrees and lurvly!  

Unfortunately rain cut our fun short so we relied on the old Jersey Girl standby…shopping!  After shopping Jess went home and we ate BBQ.  I had a skewer and some corn on the cob with goat cheese.  Does anyone else think corn on the cob tastes like summer?  

Anyway, tonight it's Bachelorette Monday and that means the girls are coming over for dinner and the show.  I'm making Chipotle Black Bean Tacos with Daiya.  Yummmo!  

I hope everyone has a good Monday!  

xoxo,

E

It All Started With a Juice Stand...

Happy Monday!!   (oxymoron much?)

Well Bloggies we have a special treat on the blog front today!  I have a guest blogger for you!  She is one of my best friends, a fellow SPED, and all around fabulous lady!  It's Queen of Yummy Drinks Jaclyn!  (She also has reached all the levels of precious!  A feat in and of itself)

I'm trying to force her to get her own blog (and as soon as she does I'll do a link up so you all can read it because I'm sure it will be just as precious and fabulous as she is!) about juices, sassy waters, and smoothies!  Ever since we became friends some 5 years ago I have always asked her about her intriguing drinks and drink concoctions.  This girl was drinking coconut water before anyone knew what it was.  I'm pretty sure 90% of the things I say to her are, "What are you drinking?"  "Where did you get that?"  "What's in that juice?"  "Can I smell that juice?"  "OMG I need to get that!"

How did we meet?  Well, that's a serindipity story if there ever was one.  We met during Welcome Week at TCNJ in 2009 and welp, it wasn't exactly best friends at first sight.  No, no, it was enemies at first glare.  I am super duper competitive (I know, shocking right?  The girl who hides all of her Black Friday goodies is competitive?  Say whaaat?!) and our floor (T7 what what!) was competing in a cake baking contest. One of my friends and floormates is actually a cake decorator and I knew we were going to win.  I was sitting with my fellow floormates literally creating a human shield so no one would copy our design (we took everything too seriously...maybe this is the reason our floor was regarded as the most competitive floor...) and I look up and see Jaclyn eyeing our cake.  Well I threw some serious shade and we were enemies from then on.  (Jaclyn really was just admiring our beauteous cake)  Well, fast forward a few months to second semester frosh year and guess who is in my class?  Jaclyn.  Well I avoided her like the plague and she did the same to me.  Well one day we had to switch seats and I had to sit next to my new enemy, Jaclyn.  Well, soon enough we dropped our shade throwing ways (Jaclyn is an excellent shade thrower if you were wondering.  Puts me to shade shame!) and became besties.  We bonded over being precious (obviously lol) and The Office.  It turned out that we had two classes together and we both dubbed our math class as the college equivalent of The Office.  We quickly realized and concurred that our prof looked like Creed but acted like Michael.  A famed Dr. Michael Scott quote:  "Sometimes I look at the test scores in this class and go wow I have smart students.  Then I realize that I taught you and that makes me responsible for your intelligence."  Also, this Creed/Michael hybrid didn't show up to class one day.  So we waited the obligatory 20 minutes and then left.  We passed him in his office and all ran.  The Dwight in our class stopped to tell him we all left and he goes, "I just got so swept up in the math problem I just lost track of time!"  Presh!  We also realized we had a Phyllis, a Stanley, a Toby (literally this poor kid would get one step into explaining a problem and Professor Michael Scott wouldn't let him finish.  He would say, "______ sit down!  No that's not even right!"  P.S. his work wasn't ever wrong lol.  We had a Meredith who would tell us all about her drinking and partying.  We even had a Jim and Pam.  (They didn't last longer than the semester though...)  You already know we had a Dwight!  Anyway, we became fast friends and I can't imagine my life without her!  So much serindipity!  On top of that we have both been practicum partners for the past 4 years.  You know how some friends can't work together?  Yeah, we don't have that problem.  We work best together!


Anyway, one thing we bond over is juicing!  We juice all the time!  Jaclyn is the Queen of Juice though!  Below are some of her delish recipes and pictures of her creations!

I hope you enjoy!

This is my favorite one! It's a juice made of freshly juiced oranges and pineapples, seltzer water, frozen grapes at the bottom to keep it cold, a couple ice cubes, mint leaves on the top, and a strawberry and a pineapple slice on the side. It's light, healthy, refreshing, and perfect for the summer. I call it the Summer Sparkler! 

This is my favorite pink fruit smoothie. This one happens to be all vegan. Made of ice, filtered water, pomegranate seeds, oranges, kiwi, bananas, sunflower seeds, and a little bit of honey. I don't know if you need to know this information, but to make the kiwi slices stick to the side, I washed out the mason jar with water, didn't dry it, and put it in the freezer. After a few minutes, I took it out and put the kiwi on the inside of the jar (they stuck because they were room temperature; also I sliced them very thin). Then I put the jar back in the freezer for a few minutes. Finally, I poured the smoothie in.

This is an infused water with a tropical twist. Water with cucumber slices, lemon slices, and mint. Can let it sit in the refrigerated for a few hours or over night.  Know as sassy water. Then I took it a step further and added a splash of freshly juiced pineapple. Serve in a tall glass over ice, with a cucumber slice, a lemon slice, and some mint leaves on top. Very good for staying hydrated and detoxing from any processed foods.

Isn't she a great photographer, too?!  Her pictures are all of her drinks and taken at her lake house!  Here are a few of my fave Jaclyn and Erin pix!  Also she makes a mean Malibu Bay Breeze with Cranberry/Pineapple ice cubes so you don't dilute the flavor!  Amazing!

Typical!

Pre 22nd Birthday Drinks!

Jac's 22nd!  This is Typical Life:  Jaclyn looks lovely and I'm an Awkward Turtle

KDP Chords Ceremony!

Graduation Girls!

We Heart Denim! 

Bathroom Selfies!

Also, today I was supposed to go to AC with the padre and broski for a little meeting Dylan had.  Well, the agenda also included lunch at a tacky little AC restaurant and obviously, outlet shopping!  Well, that didn't happen because of a leetle car trouble.  But have no fear!  I still got to shop :)  The Lillypulitzer.com New Year Cheer Sale was on!  I told myself, Erin you have $40.  I wasn't optimistic because I was afraid that the internet would crash like it did this summer when I tried to score some cute stuff...but miraculously the Lilly gods were on my side and I got this dress for $39!  Under budget and everything!

Lockwood dress in Get Nauti!

So cute right?!  I think it will be perfect for my New England vacay this year!  I'll probably wear it on the cruise next summer, too.  (And intermittently throughout my life <3)Yes I'm a dork and themey but you all knew that!  (I wore an outfit today to AC that had Dylan muse, "Fern, you look like one of those rich Housewives on those shows you watch!"  Mission Accomplished!  When you go to AC, the theme is always glitter or mobster's girlfriend, amIright?)  I digress.  I thought this dress was also fitting because as we all know Lilly started as a juice stand!  Kinda ties in Jaclyn's juice recipes!  Also, it is about 1 degree here in NJ and I wanted a little summer in my life!

P.S.  If you haven't gone to the Lilly sale:  go.  shop.  prosper!

A huge shout out, thank you, and hug to my precious juicer friend Jaclyn and her yummy recipes!  I can't wait to try them!  If you have any juice recipes please share in the comments section!  

Love love love,

Erin

Black Friday Hopes & Dreams

Hey Loves,

So I think it's safe to say that the holiday season is upon us!  And Black Friday is just two days away!!  EEK!  Who's ready??  Well I'm going to give you some Black Friday tips and tricks to stay sane!  Take it from a Jersey Girl (so you know that this is legit) who has seen more than her fair share of Black Friday FailWhales and Fantasies come true.  My first Black Friday Survival Tip is:

•  Have A Game Plan-Just like in life if you don't know what you're looking for, you will wander aimlessly.  And let's be frank, while I get that not all that wander are lost...MOST are!  You need a plan people!  Here is my plan.  While I love me a deal, I also believe that Thanksgiving is a time to be with the ones you love.  Stores shouldn't be open on Thanksgiving.  It's just not right.  Thanksgiving is for eating with your family and drinking bubbly with your Lovies.  So I will be at the mall at midnight.  So here's my guide for making a plan.

• Know What You Are Going To Buy.  I always buy things for myself on Black Friday.  No, not because I'm self-centered, but because usually I have all of my Christmas ideas for my loves in my head and will pick them up when the sales really increase so I can get more bang for my buck.  Ok, so I want this sweater from Gap.  Isn't it cute, cozy, and cuddly?  Yes, yes, yes. It's being fitted into a fabulous outfit I'm cooking up for an upcoming holiday trip.  I'm gonna do navy blue.

My second buy is going to be this top from Old Navy.  For the same holiday trip but Day 2.

So cute and versatile!  I can wear it by it's self with jeans for a casual day or with work pants for a festive but professional look.  (Also good for public school where you can't wear your beloved Santa Accessories...tears)

My third buy is going to be a leopard print scarf.  GASP! A Jersey Girl without a leopard scarf?  Be still my beating heart.  Just kidding!  I own one, but it's more of an outdoorsy scarf and I need a more drapey every day one.  You know?  I don't have a pic because I'm gonna find a cheap one somewhere.  Maybe Charming Charlie's?

My final buy will be emerald earrings!  Aren't they fab and festive?!!  I love love love emeralds and I realized I don't have any emeralds.  Why?  Oh because last Black Friday they sold out!!  NOT COOL MACY'S NOT COOL!  I'm still looking for a great pair/style/size.  

• Have A Budget.  As a grad student who is working as a sub and saving every penny for her student teaching semester I have about a $100 budget for Black Friday.  I am going to leave the plastic at home on Friday!  By having a budget you will feel more in control of your shopping and life in general.  Take it from a reformed Spendthrift Suzie...budgets are the way to go folks!

• Have A Time Table.  I know that I want to be out of the mall by 2 am because a) I need sleep b) I have a jam packed Friday!  c) I will waste money if I'm wandering around being overstimulated by sales.  Just not a great place for a recovering shopaholic.  

• Have A Game Plan.  I know that I will first hit up the department store to get my earrings.  I will then head down to Gap followed by Old Navy.  I will then probably go look around for my scarf quickly but if I don't find anything I'll go home, sleep, try again in a few hours at an accessories store like Charming Charlie's.  

• Pre-Shop.  I can't stress this enough.  People think I'm crazy for doing this but I do it!  On Wednesday, aka Thanksgiving Eve, I will go to the mall and walk around and get a feel for my size (cuts shopping time 60%), how the item looks (I can't stress how important this is.  Not everything I want looks cute on me.  And that my friends is why God invented dressing rooms.  This way I can know before hand if I want to use my budgeted cash on it or if I want to find something new to buy), and most importantly WHERE THE GOODIES ARE!  I think this is the most important.  Geography!  On Black Friday efficiency is your best friend.  Know where the desired sweater is.  Chances are that if you go to the mall on Wednesday the item will still be in the same place when you return 36 hours later.  On Game Day, you can find it quickly and since you have already tried it on you can just bounce straight to the ever growing check out line.  

• Take Someone Else You Shops On Your Level.  This is probably the fourth most important survival guide (Budget, Plan, Pre-Shop in that order).  This is not Dane Cook's B&E.  Don't take someone who doesn't want to be there.  I love my mom but she is NOT my shopping spirit animal.  She is a great person to take a lovely leisurely Sunday shopping stroll with, not the girl you want in the trenches with you.  Take a friend, take your dad, take a sibling.  Know your people.  Side note, this is probably not the best time to introduce your Significant Other to the wildly combative warrior that is you on Black Friday.  You better be on a whole new level of commitment before you show him this side of your crazy.  I'm talking you've already shown him you sans makeup, you watching sports, you eating wings, you ugly crying because your jeans don't fit, you getting lost, a temper tantrum over something mundane, you during grad school, you in sweats, you with roots...ALL things that are you at your lowest.  Then maybe, after marriage, joint bank accounts, a few kids, and vacations you introduce him to Black Friday you.  Never before!  You're welcome for this little tidbit of advice.  Also, don't take anyone who utters the phrase, "I don't even know why people go Black Friday shopping.  I mean, the best deals aren't even on Black Friday..." This person isn't your Black Friday Significant Shopping Other.  This is a person who you maybe take with you to get your lamp rewired.  Not a shopping buddy.    

• Shopping Outfit.  This is a very important (vain albeit) aspect of your Black Friday shopping experience.  I wear the same thing every year.  Mall outfits are hard because it's -5353646 degrees outside but 10000000 degrees inside.  Add that high temp to the 2000 people at the mall and you are walking into an inferno people.  I suggest this outfit.  Black turtle neck, down vest, jeans, and Uggs.  This way you stay warm but you have mobility.  This is a great combo.  No heels ladies, come on.  We need full foot function to turn on a dime, run, fight someone who stole your deal, wait patiently in line, and remember it is going to be late and you're going to be carrying a few extra lbs from that dalish dinner you just enjoyed--not a stellar heels combo.  

So I hope this helps you enjoy one of my favorite holidays of all time!  Also I want to thank Smartphones because now I can stand in line with my phone and Pin, Tweet, Text, Facebook all my friends and deals!  Curing boredom since 2009!  So happy hunting!  

Do you guys have any cool tricks or tips for surviving Black Friday??!!

Happy Shopping!

Erin

P.S.  Here's a video of me doing my Black Friday shopping!! (Okay, it's not really me, but I think we can all attest that she is my Black Friday spirit animal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wer7b29mreA

http://www.gap.com/browse/productImages.do  (gap sweater)

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/productImages.do (old navy top)