Pattern Play: Puffer Vests

These days with a high of 60 are the perfect days to add a vest to your outfit. I am a big fan of layering in the fall because I have a bit of a Goldilocks mentality when it comes to temperature. Some people say that vests are pointless, but in reality, a puffer vest actually keeps your core and neck warm which is just what you need on a brisk day. There are dozens of different vendors and vest styles out there to choose from in all sorts of colors and patterns. I don't know about y'all, but my routine of button downs or sweaters can get pretty boring in the fall, so I try to throw in prints here and there to change it up!

Here are some of my favorite patterned vests and how you can style them:

Gap Floral Vest

Herringbone Vest

Old Navy Plaid Vest 

similar Bliss vest

xx,
Erin

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

So Halloween is two days away, meaning tomorrow night is the first night of costumes. Have you picked out what you're going to wear yet? If not, don't sweat it. It is amazing how many things you can do with just a few simple items from your wardrobe and a craft store. Personally, I love getting dressed up for Halloweekend. I already planned out my costumes for this year and I am so excited to make them tonight and tomorrow! If you are looking for a costume idea, this post has some of my favorite, relatively easy costumes to inspire you. 

Costume Ideas:

Rosie the Riveter

Denim Shirt

Red Bandana

Red lipstick

Fantasy Football

Football Jersey

Fairy Wings and maybe a wand

Woody

Yellow shirt

Jeans

Cowboy boots

Cowboy Hat

Tape with "ANDY" written on it

Vest

*you can make a vest by cutting a white t-shirt into one and then sharpie-ing on the cow print*

Pinterest

Board Name Titles

Pictures

T-shirt or actual cork board to display them

Jack-o-Lantern

Orange t-shirt

Black tank top

*cut the face's holes in the orange shirt and layer over the tank*

Minnie/Mickey Mouse

Red skirt/pants

Black shirt

White Gloves

Mouse ears

(Bow for Minnie)

Charlie Brown

Yellow t-shirt

Black paint

*just paint a black zig-zag line on the shirt*

Princess Leia

White Dress

Side Buns

Sheldon and Amy

Sheldon Shirt (buy one or make one)

Jeans

Cardigan

Jean Skirt

Tights

Mary Jane flats

Glasses

Starbucks Barista

White Polo

Green Apron

Black Hat

Starbucks cup (that you can drink out of!)

Hermione

Plaid uniform skirt

Cardigan

Tie

White Button-down

Trophy Wife

Sundress

Apron

Trophy

Big Ring

Olaf

White Shirt

White pants

Black paint

Orange construction paper

twine

*paint 3 dots on the shirt and glue the paper into a cone shape then cut it to fit onto your face and tie with twine*

Holly Golightly

Black Dress

Pearl Necklace with Charm

Black Shoes

High Bun

Bedazzled Comb for Hair

*I actually used an old pair of big earrings as the comb in this picture and I wrapped a bracelet around the necklace for the charm! Bonus if you bring a stuffed cat or croissant with you*

Happy Halloween Desserts

Happy Hallo-week! My apartment is 100% prepared for Halloween...actually, I am a bit worried about our decorations after this weekend because everything down to our shower curtain is Halloween themed. In honor of the holiday on Friday, I decided to create a themed dessert for my Relay For Life meetings tonight, so naturally I consulted Pinterest.

I opted for the super easy Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats, but there are a bunch of other great treats to try at your Halloween parties this week!

Candy Corn Cake 

Halloween Cake Bars

Mummy Oreo Pops 

Oreo Bat Truffles

Witch Cupcakes

Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

xx,
Erin

Cozy, Affordable Blanket Scarves

I love wearing a cozy scarf this time of year. You can bundle it close to your neck when it's especially chilly in the morning and relax it for the afternoon. I have a pretty large collection of scarves that I've amassed over the years, but this one I just got is definitely taking the cake as the coziest yet. 

Everyone seems to have the Zara Blanket Scarf from last year, but of course it isn't in stock right now. I feel like this happens way too frequently, however that actually meant that when I found one, it was for a much better price than the original! There are so many knockoffs on Amazon and eBay for half the original price. (this is the one I got) Of course, if the tartan pattern of this scarf isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other options out there:

links to these scarves

One thing I would recommend is checking the composition of the scarf before ordering it. I specifically made sure to get an acrylic mix scarf because I thought that getting a scarf this large and heavy in a wool blend was a little more than I wanted to deal with.

xx,

Erin

A New Way to Study Snack: Graze Box Review

Study snacks are a necessity for me. I am one of those people who has done the "write a paragraph, get a Swedish Fish" program more times than I can count and there is no indication that the system is going to change. One of the problems with study snacking is that I don't have much willpower and quite frankly, I don't go for the healthiest snacks at Cohn's on a regular basis, though I do get grapes semi-frequently. 

One way to counter this habit is through a great service that is delivered right to your front door. I got my first Graze Box yesterday and immediately knew that it was going to be the perfect thing to bring to the library to write my paper today. The box comes with four individually wrapped snacks that are selected based on preferences that you choose on the site. You can choose how often you want the box delivered to your door, and you can cancel at any time without a fee.

my first box

But it gets even better because you can get your first and fifth boxes for free if you use the code ERINM73XP when you register. And just like with the original deal, if you don't like it after the first one arrives, just don't get anymore...it's actually totally commitment free. When registering, you have the option between the normal or calorie counter box, which I got. The snacks included in mine are the Chili & Lime Pistachios, the Smoky Hot Dog mix, Raspberry & Coconut Muffin, and the Oat, Spelt, & Rasin Dippers with Berry Compote. Also, don't be fooled by the names, they did not actually include a muffin or a hotdog in my mix, but the names are pretty cool! After trying these snacks over the next couple weeks of snacking in the library, I will rank them for preferences for future Graze experiences!

Does anyone else get the Graze Box? What are your favorite snacks in it?

xx,

Erin

I'm Feelin' 22

Well, it's that time of year again...the time that I officially become a year older. Adios, twenty-fun, thanks for a great year. You know you're getting older, when you choose to be responsible and spend your birthday in the library studying for an exam instead of doing what you want. It's amazing to think how much can happen in a year and to realize how much I've grown in that time. This was a great year and I have some pretty high expectations for 22...you know, like getting a full-time job!

thanks for the throwback, Momma

Anyways, I loved doing my 22 by 22 list and it was a great resource to branch out a bit and really focus on accomplishing those things that I always say I am going to do, but never actually get around to doing. I didn't check off all of the items on my list, but I did get almost all of them done. The ones that I didn't do, I am just rolling over to my 23 by 23 list.

If you want to see what last year and this year's list, you can click on this link here, and you can keep up with it through the link at the top of the page! Let me know if you have a list of your own or want to make one too, I love seeing what other people put on their lists! Also, this was based on the 101 in 1001 list that Mackenzie Horan from Design Darling created, which is a great idea if you have some long-term goals.

xx,

Erin

Friday Five: All of Us

Apparently this is my first Friday Five since September...oops. Also, I turn 22 on Sunday. I can't believe it! I still am going to desperately attempt to get as much of that 22 by 22 list done in preparation for my 23 by 23 list that I will be unveiling on Sunday. 

1) 'Drunk J. Crew' is the J. Crew for All of Us

This tumblr is gold. I will probably never look at a J. Crew ad in the same way again and I am totally okay with that. Plus, the last drunk ad in this series is "burrito time" which is eerily similar to "two guys tacos time" that Meghan and I enjoy indulging in.

2) Factory Dotted Gigi Pants

Speaking of J. Crew...these came in yesterday and the second I tried them on, I decided to take that I was going to be wearing them as often as I can. They are so comfortable and cute in an understated way. Admittedly I am really partial to anything with polka dots, but I think these are universally appealing!

3) LeConte Lodge

Seeing as going camping is going to be added to my 23 by 23 list, this seems like a pretty cool trip for the spring or summer. And yes, I actually want to go camping. I don't know exactly why I am adding this to my list, but unless I change my mind in the next 48 hours, I will be needing to find some friends to rope into this outdoor adventure. That being said, this lodge has unbelievable views and I love that you have to hike to get to it, totally removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

4) 18 Things You'll See at Every Basic Girl's House

My roommate shared this with me on Facebook and we have 16/18. We are missing the decorative wine holders and a motivational bathroom message. It is really funny how many of these we have though. We both have cute coffee mugs that we use all the time

5) Think the Kansas City Royals are Named for Kings?

Last night over the course of 20 minutes one of my friends and my dad both told me about this article. I guess people think I like sports? This is really interesting though because I bet most people (including myself) wouldn't know where it came from. Also, in case you don't already know, the Kansas City Royals will be facing off against the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.