Just Because

When I was a little younger, in my early 20s, I used to shun being given flowers by people, particularly men. I always thought "Well, they're just going to die. What's the point?"

As I've entered my 30's, I've realized what the point is. It has nothing to do with the fact that the flowers are "just going to die" in a week or so. It has everything to do with the fact that it doesn't hurt to sometimes do things just because. Today, for example, I went to the grocery store and bought myself a $6 bouquet of flowers simply because they were pretty. They look lovely in my kitchen window.

Source: confettigarden.tumblr.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Buy yourself, or someone you care for a bouquet for no apparent reason. Treat yourself to a massage. Send someone a card when there isn't a holiday to let them know you're thinking about them.
Doing things just because adds a nice surprise, that beautiful touch, the happy ending. It's that little something extra that you should do for yourself because you're worth it, and the sweet notion that will remind someone what they mean to you. Til next time, do something just because. -Erika

Today's Thrifty Style

Today's thrifty style: bridal luncheon meets art student.

I was dressing for a college friend's bridal/birthday party. She's moved to the West Coast, so it's been forever since I've seen her. Its wonderful when you have such good friends, you can go for years without seeing each other and pick up right where you left off. It was like being right back at the Starving Artist lunch table again.

Here's the details for today's style:
Black tank top (under the wine shirt) - free from a friend's closet
Xhiliaration wine off the shoulder sweater - $4 at Goodwill
Gloria Vanderbilt skinny jeans - $5 at Goodwill
Nude heels - $30 at Marshall's

Total for today's outfit: $39.00

Less money spent on outfits for the bridal luncheon means more money to spend on the gifts! Many thanks to my friend Little Miss Arty Pants for her patience while I modeled.

Til next time! -Erika

Today's Thrity Style

Today's look was comfortable, casual Friday with a touch of rockabilly.

Here's the info:

Gap boat neck, 3/4 length t-shirt: free from a friend who gave it to me when she was finished with it (never underestimate what a resource your friends' closets can be!) If you purchase this at second hand, a shirt like this might range from $2-5 depending on the individual store.
Old Navy Jeans - $5.00 at Goodwill
Cherry earrings - $0.97 at Goodwill (I cleaned them really well before I wore them)
Swallow tattoo necklace - I bought this on clearance a million or so years ago at Torrid. It was around $5 if I remember correctly.
Snazzy purple sneakers (which you can't see because I don't have a full length mirror) - $5.00 on clearance somewhere a couple years ago. I forget where though.

Total for the outfit - $16.00!

Simple, casual, but awesome! I love this look! Til next time -Erika

My Weight Loss Journey Begins...Again...V18..3.98.736...Beta

Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows that I have struggled with my weight over the years. At times, losing and maintaining weight loss has kind of felt like this:

Yeah. You know the feeling, too, huh?

I'm going to share something with you. At my heaviest, in 2005, I weighed 250 lbs. That is the absolute most I have ever weighed. My weight has been a roller coaster my entire life.

Over the last 13 years, my weight has fluctuated from 240, down to 170, back up to 250, down to 210, shooting back up to 240.

Over the last year and a half, I have shed some weight again. I have lost 39 lbs and currently weigh 201 lbs, but I've hit a plateau. I haven't gained any weight (yay!)...but I haven't lost any either. It's like seeing the finish line of a race but not being able to get there because a T-rex is gnawing on your foot. You want to keep going but there isn't much you can do til Rexy lets go.

The difference this time is that I want to maintain the weight loss. I want, I need this to be permanent and stable.

This week, I've decided to give Rexy a better bone to gnaw on besides my foot so I can complete my goal of losing another 30 lbs and keeping it off. For the next two weeks, I am planning out my menu for the day in the morning and writing a gym schedule for the week to include at least 4 workouts a week that are 45 minutes long.

Sound scary? Well, it IS October. I'm almost through the first week. I'll check in on Sunday and let you know how I'm doing.

Til next time! -Erika

October's Here! Time for a Pedicure!

October is here and you know what that means! Halloween is around the corner, cooler weather, pumpkin spiced...well, everything really, Halloween...oh I mentioned that already.

I LOVE Halloween. Probably more than I should at my age. Last year, I was a zombie pin-up. This year, looks like I am reprising the role.

I couldn't resist celebrating the beginning of October with a ghoulish pedicure. The work was incredibly simple for the final effect.

A quick side note - all of the products listed below were purchased out of pocket by me. I am not endorsing these products, simply giving a listing to make it easier to find in the event you don't have one of the products or wish to use the same.

Here's what I did:
- Apply a base coat (I used a sampler base I received from Sephora) and once that's dry, put down 1 or 2 coats of an orange polish and let dry. I used L'Oreal nail color in Boozy Brunch and, since I was planning to put the crackle coat on top, I only used one coat.
- Apply a black crackle polish and let dry. I used China Glaze Crackleglaze in Black Mesh.
- Apply a matte top coat. Mine is NYC Color Matte Me Crazy Mattifying Top Coat.
- Once everything is good and dry, use a striper or paint pen in white (Kiss Nail Art Paint in White) to paint the ghost on. To do this, I painted an upside down U shape, then filled in the middle, flicking the striper towards me at the end to create an uneven, ghostly form.
- Use a dotting tool (or a toothpick, pencil point, knitting needle, anything pointy) dipped in some black polish to dot some eyes on the ghost. (NYC Color Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Black Lace Creme)

Oh, in case you're wondering why my pinky toe isn't painted? My nail on that toe is so tiny, I would need a single hair brush to paint it. I have never bothered to paint that toe.

That's it! Super easy, pretty fast and I've gotten some nice compliments on it!

Til next time! -Erika

True Words Against Bullying

I saw this link today on Facebook. Take a couple minutes and watch it. For anyone who has ever experienced bullying, these words will ring deep and true.

Mini Goodwill Score

What can you get for under $5 at Goodwill to wear to work on a Monday?

A plaid cotton Gap shirt and silver earrings. To this, I added a pair of blue  bell bottoms (remember those?), a blue cuff, a hand crafted rummy cube necklace, and patent leather penny loafers.

This shirt is versatile, chic and oh, so comfy (important when you're running around an office like a crazy lady all day.) 

 

Now, to give you some perspective, when I went to the store, I tried on about 6 tops, 2 skirts and a dress. I left with 2 shirts and 2 pairs of earrings. This is just a reminder that editing in the dressing room is vital. 

Til next time! -Erika

Wow!! Thank you!!

I've been publishing this blog since June. In those few short months, I have been welcomed with open arms into your homes through your computers to share my words and experiences.

In return, you have replied with your experiences and feedback through your comments, Facebook messages, and emails. Being able to have these conversations with you is important to me. You've given me tips on new thrift shops to check out, shared your own steals and planted ideas into my brain for what you would like to see next.

Seriously, I could not ask for better people than you to read my blog! So, thank you for reading my blog so far. I am so excited to continue writing and sharing my experiences for you.

Thank you!! Til next time -Erika