C is for Christmas List 2013

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN. Yep, I'm using unnecessary CAPS Lock and yep, I'm making my annual Christmas list. I LOVE Christmas. If you have learned anything from reading this blog and/or talking to me in person, you know that by now. But for emphasis I feel I should reiterate it year after year. It just makes my heart so warm and full. I saw Christmas (Perhaps Halloween, for I have yet to meet someone in Los Angeles who loves Christmas as much as me. But for happiness sake, let's call say Christmas.) lights on an apartment today and my eyes filled with happy tears. Sigh. I am so excited, I just can't deal. Can you tell? EEK.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera In pink, pretty please. I need this camera in my life, for instant pictures are 10x better than digital. ALSO I hate waiting for my pictures to be sent in the mail and I like decorating my new, very bare and sad, bedroom walls. I'd also like some film, please and thank you. (Amazon)

Heart of Gold Screen Printed Poster I have a print of gold lips above my bed and think this would make a PERFECT addition. (Etsy)

Bistro Dress in Ridgestripe I've had my eye on this Madewell dress for MONTHS. That's not an exaggeration of time or an inappropriate use of CAPS Lock. I've seriously been eying it forever. Now that it's on sale, it'd really just be silly NOT to get it. You know? Size 6, please. Or 8, because I guess 6 doesn't exist in the black and white version. Oh well. (Madewell)

Gallerist Ponte Dress Hi, my name is Erin and I'm obsessed with Madewell's dresses. They just fit so well and 9 times out of 10 there are hidden pockets. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR? (Madewell)

Paw Prints Juice Glass(es) I would like 2 of these cat-dorable (Ugh, that was awful. It sounded good in my head. My bad.) glasses. They melt my heart. I have a new-found love for kittens. The fact that I can't have one in my apartment makes me all kinds of sad. So this will have to do. (Anthropologie)

Mairhead Tin - Vanilla & Cedar I know I'm a sucker for pretty much any candle at Anthropologie (Except for the really fruity or mango-y (It's a word) ones. They're yucky.) but this Vanilla & Cedar one is INCREDIBLE. One whiff and I was in love. It reminded me of Christmas and my childhood. (Anthropologie)

Handbag - Golden Brown I've owned a large handful of purses from H&M and out of that large handful, only ONE has broken. Okay, actually two, but the second one was my fault. I put too much crap in it. My bad... (H&M)

Pattern-Weave Skirt This skirt is currently featured in the November issue of Redbook and I gasped at the sight of it. I mean, granted, Hannah Simone is wearing it and she looks gorgeous in everything, but I have faith that I could make it work. And by "make it work" I mean, it looks like a good skirt to twirl in. Size 6. (H&M)

Top in Slub Jersey - Gray I don't know what "slub jersey" is, it sounds like a messy sub sandwich. But I DO know that I love me a basic tee and I love me some gray. Do with that what you will. But do it in a Medium please! (H&M)

Stacking Ring - Crystal Quartz Gemstone in 18K Gold This is so dainty and so dang cute. So, it's pretty much everything I want in a ring. Size 6.5, please. (Etsy)

Vogue US This is one of those obligatory "I should've purchased this months ago, but then rent is due" Christmas list posts. I need to renew my subscription to Vogue. (Vogue)

Metallic Loafers - Gold Ah GAP. How I miss you(r) discount so. I will not miss pretending to fold clothes while flirting with my fellow employee/boyfriend. I will also not miss the mean customers or pretending to offer people GAP cards. I will, however, miss my discount this season. Oh, the discount... Where was I? Yes. Shoes. I like these loafers. Size 8! (GAP)

Two-Tone Cowl Infinity Scarf - Heather Gray I've had a love affair with GAP's infinity scarves way before I became an employee. Oh my gosh, they are the warmest and most comfortable things I've ever worn in my entire 23 years of life. I love this gray one. It looks so cuddly. (GAP)

Starbucks Gift Card I mean, don't even pretend you're surprised by this point. You know? (Starbucks)

Gold iPhone 5s Yep, I'm sticking with a gold theme this year. Blair, my current iPhone, is very slow and sassy. Like, annoyingly slow and sassy. She also is a 16 GB, making her very fragile and weak. I am asking for a gold iPhone 5s (32 GB), pretty please with a cherry (or Apple. Tee hee.) on top. (Apple)

S is for September 2013

1. My life-long (Okay, not life-long, but whatever) dream of seeing a movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery finally came true! I saw "The Breakfast Club" with the girls from work & it was lovely. 2. I will never get sick of "I love you & stuff" flowers from the boyfriend. It's my favorite. 3. Riley came & interned for me one week. It was so much fun to have her there with me. Then we went to dinner because we like each other so! 4. My Mama went to Hong Kong with work, they're opening a church over there, & as sad as I was to see her go, I was 10x more excited for her. She had a blast.//5. Boyfriend & I dancing at my friends' wedding from August. Official pictures came out & I adore them. 6. Boyf surprised me with Backstreet Boys tickets. There were choreographed dance moves & matching outfits. So yeah, we had fun. 7. I went to Lemonade with my friend Sarah for the first time & enjoyed the BIGGEST macaron I've ever seen. Goodness. 8. Bradley Cooper fish is still alive & swimming. Can you believe it?! He's still at my house & I miss him.//9. I was feeling sick, so "Friends" & yummy candles soothed my sickness. 10. I was having a bad day & boyf (Geez, apparently I only Instagram when he's around. I'll work on that.) surprised me by leaving flowers at my door. Then he came in & surprised me with a Starbucks gift card. It's the little things. 11. I may or may not have seen the One Direction movie with the boyfriend. He wanted to see it as bad, if not more, than I did. True story, he doesn't deny it. We sang to their songs & he spoke in bad British accent the rest of the night. As one would expect. 12. My boss surprised me with a macaron wine. I've never been more convinced a product was made exclusively for me until now. CRAZY. I still haven't tasted it yet, I should probably do that.//13. My Mama brought back mailbox magnets from Hong Kong. They're so cute & detailed. I love them. 14. Boyfriend came & helped me put together an Ikea table. Yes, I'm capable alone but it's so cute to see him do things like this for/with me. 15. We had a surprise guest in our apartment! I named this little guy Hugh. Last week I found him again (He was missing for a week, how he survived I'll never know.) & he was set free. I regret it because he was so cute & tiny, but also when he was hiding I was constantly on edge. So I guess it's for the best. 16. Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Kimmel shut down Hollywood Blvd. for a JT performance. I won tickets to go. We were WAY far back & probably not on TV, but it was worth it. Free JT? Yes please, always!//17. Bedazzled collars. Need I say more? So dang cute. 18. Boyf & I found the cutest old diner near my apartment. I'm glad I found a milkshake place close to me. It was becoming an issue. 19. Sister & I were planning on going to dinner, but at the last minute decided California Adventure sounded more fun. Spur of the moment trips are my favorite. She's my favorite too. 20. Boyf (Yes, again. Leave me alone. I have friends, I SWEAR.) witnessed my annual "It's Christmas at Target already!" freakout. He was concerned, I almost cried I got so excited. The best is yet to come...

A is for August 2013

 

1. My sweet Courtney left for college & it makes my heart so confused. I'm so sad that she's gone & no longer 25 minutes away, but I'm so proud of her & excited to hear stories. She had one last sleepover at my house. We saw the Backstreet Boys & had girl talk. It was the best. She's the best. 2. It was a birthday at the office, so ridiculously sugary fatty cupcakes were an obvious must-have. 3. "Sleepless in Seattle" is the best, not only for the love story, "An Affair to Remember" reference or Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks' wonderful chemistry, but Annie's pink kitchen. It's my new dream kitchen. 4. My Mom had a sleepover with me & we played with the "Skyview Free" app. We layed in my bed & watched the stars. Technology is weird & great.//5. Boyf & I roadtripped to Big Bear for one of my closest friends' weddings. Our roadtrip consisted of lots of loud singing. As pictured. 6 - 8. Wedding festivities galore! I love my friends & I love weddings.//9. The cutest little cabin I've ever stayed in. Ever. 10. Vogue. Jennifer Lawrence. September issue. Enough said. 11. Boyfriend & I being cute at the wedding. I missed it. And him. 12. I got to hang out & have sister talk. It was much needed & much loved.//13. I'm still unpacking boxes in my room, I know shut up, & I found an old Polaroid my best friend gave me when she was studying abroad. It's most definitely hanging up on my wall now. 14-15. Sarah & I had an epiphany the other week & thought to ourselves "We should rock climb." It came out of nowhere & after doing some Groupon exploration, we climbed our way up scary rocks. Sarah was a natural, but I struggled. We ended the adventurous day with a pedicure because that's just how we do. 16. I went to my first drive-thru car wash with my Mama. It was magical, colorful & so fun!//17. August 25 marked the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of boyfriend & I. I can't believe it's been 1 year already. I'm very in like with him. (That's all I'm saying on that matter.) 18. Megan & I took a mid-week trip to California Adventure, where I got to hang out with her after her 2 week stay in Rwanda. LOVE. 19. Thanks to a wonderful deal on Snapfish (shoutout!) I got 20 free pictures. I printed out all of my favorite memories as of late. I have such great people surrounding me, I really am so blessed. 20. I ended the month celebrating my Mom & Aunt's birthday. They're my favorite twins. Okay, let's face it. They're just my favorite people in general.

August was fantastic, but let's be real. I'm not in love with this whole "sweat everytime I walk outside" situation. Fall & cold weather could not come any faster.

J is for July 2013

1. Boyf and I being all cute and whatnot on the 4th of July. 2. My Mom and step-family went camping. I did not join them, as I think camping is something one is forced to do for all of eternity in Hell, but I did drive up and go on a bike ride with my Mom. Because hanging out in nature for a few hours is a good thing sometimes. 3. I may or may not have JUST finished my Donkey Balls (Look them up, it's chocolate, not what you may think) and it makes me miss Hawaii (and my family) so incredibly much. 4. I miss the 4th of July already. Or still. Or both?//5. I had a rough week, so my Mom sent me snail mail. Isn't she the cutest? 6. Rite Aid sells their Thrifty ice cream in pints. Seriously the best decision ever. Worst decision ever is eating it in bed on top of my white comforter. Oops. 7. A memorial service was held for my beloved Grandma Bette. She was stunning, I hope to look half as beautiful when I grow up. 8. My boss bought me shoes and I adore them.//9. The roomie and I found a really inexpensive (but not "I'm going to vomit" inexpensive) sushi place right by our apartment. 10. Boyf and I went to the cutest theatre by my house. I adore it. The theatres are so small and have twinkly star lights on the ceiling. Sidenote: We saw "The Way Way Back" and it was definitely the best movie I've seen all year. 11. I AM SO OBSESSED WITH THE ROYAL BABY IT'S ALL I THINK/TWEET/FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM ABOUT. Okay, that's being dramatic but I am really obsessed. 12-15. Two weekends ago my best girlfriends and I celebrated a Bachelorette party for our sweet Alli in Palm Springs. It was the best weekend I've had in awhile. I love them all a stupid amount. 16. To end my perfect Palm Springs weekend, boyf and I saw Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z at the Rose Bowl. It. Was. Everything.

J is for June 2013

1. Back when Bradley Cooper fish (WHO TURNED TWO YEARS OLD ON JUNE 30. Along with my boyf, who turned 20, not 2. But like, who cares about boyf when I have a goldfish living for that long. You know?) lived with me. Those days were great. I had to move him back to the OC in fear of my landlord. 2. E and I walked (drove, whatever) to the Griffith Observatory. I still can't handle the view. It's great. 3. We also decorated our fridge with film strips, inspirational quotes and Jennifer Lawrence because, why not? 4. I swear if she didn't cook for me, I'd be dead. 5. Same goes for boyf. He came and made us breakfast, which makes my heart crumble in a love way. 6. Speaking of love, my Mom sent me snail mail and a gas gift card. I MEAN. 7. Even more love, my sister FINALLY came up to see my new apartment. And of course we went to Umami Burger because it's the best ever. 8. I spent the most perfect Sunday funday with Ali at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

9. AHHH. This sequin vintage dress was only $8 at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I knew if I didn't buy it, I'd regret it for the rest of my living days. 10. When boyf and sister came up (see #6) they stole a Polaroid, which obviously made it onto the fridge. 11. I won Miss USA. You didn't hear? Yep, it was a great time of swimsuit competitions and baton twirling. Okay, JK. A girl named Erin Brady won and I took credit. Nick Jonas Tweeted me along with a bunch of other people who can't read that I live in Los Angeles/wasn't in town for the show. Silly fans, I love them either way. 12. HAWAII. The view from our hotel was ridiculous. 13. This was taken on the plane on the way to Hawaii. Shortly after it was taken I passed out because I can't stay awake on planes, I find it horrible. 14. I heart Hawaii. 15. Oh just Polaroiding at a hidden beach. 16. Seriously, it was stunning. Man I miss it already...

17. Mama and I. 18. & 19. Guys I miss Hawaii so much! 20. More cousin Polaroids on a secret beach. 21. Courtney and I went paddleboarding and didn't fall once! We were freakishly proud and surprised with ourselves and wanted to do it again, but didn't. 22. This is the one part of Kona I remember from my trip 6 years ago. Ugh, I love it. 23. Leis are mandatory in Hawaii, even if we didn't go to a luau. 24. More beaches. I don't even. 

25. I know, more beaches. Leave me alone. 26. We went completely off-roading Indiana Jones style and literally giggled the entire way. It was amazing. 27. Another day of giggles with the cousins, Mama and aunt. 28. Seriously stunning. 29. My favorite humans, I swear. 30. I adore the Place of Refuge. It's so pretty! We saw and swam-ish with turtles. 31. My dream of becoming a mermaid finally came true... 32. I really did not want to go home. So sad. I miss you, Hawaii. I miss you so. You guys, can I go back on vacation yet?!

A is for April & M is for May

My past couple of months have been absolutely crazy, stressful and exciting all at the same time. Since I last checked in, I've turned 23 and I've been living in an apartment in LA with my sweet friend Elizabeth. Like WHAT. It's kind of crazytown but we are doing kind of amazing so far. The whole "we're adults and have bills to pay" thing is going to make a great chapter in our future memoir/Lifetime movie, let me tell you. This weekend we also began "Nashville" because it's summer time and we needed a show. Watching ABC dramas with cute boys and Connie Britton is kind of a dream and the best roomie bonding time ever. (I only added that because we are most definitely watching some episodes right now and I'm mentally planning a trip to Nashville. For sure.)

April 2013  

1. Boyf & I running around parking structures. Naturally. 2. The same day E, Boyf & I went to LA to look at Mario Testino's photos in a museum. 3. I went to the Easter service alone & it was grand. 4. Megan & I bought these weird confetti eggs at Target & threw them all over the street. 5. I took the boyf to a hockey game for Valentine's Day. 6. There is a macaroon store right by work & if you know me, you know how happy that makes my heart & my stomach.

7. Mom & I attended the baby shower/going away party for my God Sister. It's a mix of happy & sad. 8. The girls at work took me to Benihana, where I drank out of a Buddha. It was mandatory. 9. For my birthday I went bowling with some of my favorite humans. 10. For my actual birthday, Riley, Elizabeth & I spent the whole day at Disneyland. 11. More from my birthday bowling extravaganza. 12. E & I had a "WE HAVE AN APARTMENT" celebratory dinner at some random Mexican restaurant. So exciting, I can't deal. 

May 2013

1. I miss living with Courtney. I came home to a belated birthday Funfetti cake. 2. Target may or may not have a hooded Batman towel & we definitely bought it. 3. & 4. I'm officially at the age where my friends are all getting married. It's so weird. 5. Watching the MET Gala at work because it's my job. 6. LA has some real pretty moments. 

7. Court & I spent a Mother's Day breakfast with the aunts & Grandma by taking pictures, as always. 8. We spent Mother's Day at the MV Lake & I didn't have a bathing suit, which just meant snow cones. Ya dig? 9. B Coops getting all ready for our big move. 10. MY NEW ADDRESS. 11. On our first night, E & I went searching for the perfect pizza place because we have priorities. 12. We also went to the Farmer's Market & got fresh flowers for our living room.

13. This is my new view, every morning I can't even believe it. 14. Mandatory Rite Aid ice cream runs with the roomie. 15. My Grandma died this past Monday & Tuesday was the 13th anniversary of my Daddy's death (Memorial Day is the worst), so E took me to brunch at Toast Bakery. It was super cute & delicious. 16. It took me a couple weeks to realize that our last names are on the directory by our mail boxes. Say what?! 17. On Wednesday, I went to 1642, which ended up being THE greatest bar. It was completely hidden & jazz night. I loved it. 18. Riley also brought us peonies. What a great house guest. 

So far, April, May and the 2 days of June so far, have been pretty life changing and great. Here's to more wonderful memories in this new place with all my great friends & family. And more blog posts, because I have priorities. Obviously.

B is for Birthday List

You guys, the time has come. MY BIRTHDAY IS 20 DAYS AWAY. In 20 days, I will no longer connect (On a soul sister level) with Taylor Swift's song, "22." This is something I am most sad about. I have loved being 22 though, a lot of great and absolutely wonderful things have happened in my 22nd year of life. I graduated, I got a real job, I have perfect friends and an almost perfect boyfriend. (That was a joke. I love you, Matt.) So, let's get shopping, friends!

I blame my friend Riley for my obsession with Kate Spade wallets. She has an amazing one. I would like the Cobble Hill Lacey wallet in black, please. (Available on katespade.com)

This gold Ampersand ring from CatbirdNYC is THE BEST. I love it. I love it so much. Size 6.5, please. (Available on Catbird NYC)

I've been dying over this cursive gold name ring from Silver Promo. I want it in gold, in a size 6.5, please. And I mean, obviously saying "Erin." I figured that was a given, but you never know. (Available on Silver Promo)

Henri Bendel's Vanilla Bean fragrance is one of my favorite fragrances. I ADORE it. I would like the Vanilla Bean Signature Reed, please. (Available in stores and online at Henri Bendel)

It upsets me that my dream gold pig is on yet ANOTHER gift list of mine. Like, yeah, I know that I could buy it myself, but principle. You know? I need this Gold Pig Bookend from CB2. I'm looking for an apartment right now and this is very necessary. (Available in stores and online at CB2)

I adore this Silk Maxidress in Laceprint from Madewell. I think I need it? Yep. Yes, I do. In a Medium, please. (Available in stores and online at Madewell)

I have this Shoulder Bag from H&M in black and I think it's mandatory that I have it in white too. It's the most perfect bag. And I believe in having more than one of a favorite item. Yeah? (Available in stores and online at H&M)

I know, I know. I'm asking for TENNIS SHOES PEOPLE. But these Keds + Kate Spade tennis shoes are the cutest ever. I wear a size 8 1/2. (Available on Keds.com)

I'm not sure why I don't have this Macaron stationary from Paper Source already. If you get them for me, I'll write you a pretty little thank you note with one of them. (Available in stores and online at Paper Source)

I'm aware that this is LITERALLY the most boring gift to ask for, but since I'm doing the whole "renting my first apartment" thing, I am having a love affair with Ikea, so this would be a huge help.