Stuff I Love Winter 2016-2017

Hello friends! This post is a bit overdue, but the last few weeks of winter were uber busy for me, so writing this was kind of on the back burner. Regardless, I still loved some new things this winter that I wanted to share with you:

• Bobble Hats - I have to say, I'm kind of sad this winter was so mild that I rarely got to pull out my bobble hats (you know, the beanies with giant pom poms on the top), but I still loved every minute I got to wear them.
• Tunics with Leggings - This favorite hasn't been put to much use yet, but winter is the perfect time to buy tunics to wear in the spring and summer because they're not that expensive in the off-season. I love them paired with leggings because I have super long legs and quite the bum, so it's hard finding dresses and things that are long enough to cover all of me, and these work great.
• STOK Cold Brew Coffee - Surprise, surprise, I have another coffee favorite. This coffee is a bottles cold brew that's found by the orange juice at my grocery store, and let me tell you, it's delicious. I hate bitter coffee, and this is the "Not Too Sweet" version, so it's super smooth and doesn't need any sweetener. I add a little half and half or milk and I'm good to go.
• Contigo Shake & Go Tumbler Cups - These cups are great because they have a spring-loaded tab on the inside of the lid that only opens with the straw, so when I fill the cup with my coffee and milk, I screw the lid on, shake it up, and then put the straw in. There's no mess, and no need to stir the coffee with anything else. They're also dishwasher-safe, which is a huge plus.
• Oversized Sweaters - In the winter, I like to be as comfy and cozy as possible. Enter the oversized sweater: I look like a box with legs, but I'm warm and comfy, and that's all I really care about.
• The Fosters - The Fosters is a drama on Freeform (formerly ABCFamily) about an adopted family. The second half of season 4 just started back up, and I marathoner the first 3 1/2 in preparation. It was intense, holy cow.
• Chocolate Cupcakes - Guys, I finally found the perfect chocolate cupcake recipe, and it's delicious. That's really all I have to say.
• OKbaby - OKbaby is a YouTube channel that follows a young family, and they had their second child in February. They're just so cute and it's such a sweet channel, I just love watching them.
• Ed Sheehan - Holy cow, this new album is incredible. I know the album came out in March, but the singles released in the beginning of the year had me hooked.
• Jane.com - Jane.com is like a mix of Easy and ModCloth: it's made up up small shops and retailers, but the stock changed daily. Everything is very reasonable priced, and I love that they carry a variety of clothing for women and kids, as well as home decor and accessories. I bought some prints for my bakery (sort of to solidify my goal, I'll talk about that in another post) and a gorgeous watercolor floral skirt, and everything is amazing quality. 10/10, would recommend.

I wish you all the best,

Erin

My Favorite Baby Names

Hello friends! A while back I said I would be posting my Top 100 Baby Names. As it turns out, my favorites change daily, so making a ranked list was near-impossible. I decided instead to just share my running list of favorite names in alphabetical order. Here we go!

Girls:

• Adeleine (said like Adalyn), nickname Addie
• Audrey
• Ayla (I like the long A sound for this spelling, but I've also heard it said like Isla)
• Belle
• Briony
• Brooklyn
• Brynn
• Cambria, nickname Cami
• Carys
• Charlotte
• Cosette
• Delilah, nickname Lila
• Eleanor, nickname Nellie
• Elodie, nickname Elle
• Esme
• Evangeline, nickname Eve
• Flora
• Gemma
• Grace
• Greta
• Hazel
• Ingrid, nickname Indie
• Iris
• Isla
• Ivy
• Kay
• Livia, nickname Liv
• Luna
• Lydia
• Mairi (pronounced MAR-ee), nickname Ari
• Maisie
• Nessa
• Noelle
• Ruby
• Sage
• Scarlett, nickname Scout
• Stella
• Tess
• Waverly
• Wren
• Zoe

Boys:

• Andrew
• Austin
• Beckett, nickname Beck
• Benjamin, nickname Ben
• Calvin
• Clark
• Connor
• Cooper
• Declan
• Eli
• Ezra
• Fletcher
• Ford
• Gavin
• Gray
• Griffin
• Hudson
• Isaac
• James
• Jude
• Knox
• Lachlan
• Landon
• Lincoln, nickname Link
• Michael, nickname Mac
• Oliver
• Parker
• Rowan
• Samuel, nickname Sam
• Scott
• Tristan
• Theo
• William, nickname Will
• Wyatt

It's not quite 100 names, but it's still a lot. Let me know in the comments if any of these are your favorites, names that may make their way onto your list, or any of your favorite names.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Friend Breakups

Hello friends! It's been a long time since I've talked about a more personal topic, but the whole idea of "friend breakups" has been on my mind lately. I've had several friend breakups, but one sticks out in my mind that I would like to talk about and then offer some advice if any of you are going through the same thing.

The Breakup

My best friend and I were inseparable throughout high school, especially during my last two (and her middle two) years. We were in the same choirs and school shows, so most of our time was spent together; we would get ready for shows at my house, she would come over for dinner if her parents were working late, and we considered each other sisters.

When I graduated, I was terrified that we wouldn't be friends anymore, because I knew (maybe subconsciously at that point) that she wouldn't just pick up her phone and call or text me, and I felt bad bothering her because I knew how busy she would be, and I knew if I ever needed her, my problems wouldn't be relatable because she wouldn't have had experienced them. I was right. I can count on one hand the conversations we had that first semester I was away, and they were all revolving around her needing something from me.

That Christmas, I posted a picture of my cousins and me at a family party, and she commented with "I see how it is". A week later, she went on a school trip, and texted me for the first time in months because she couldn't stand living with her roommate and I was her only option who was removed completely from the situation. She came home, and about a month later, she texted me and that sent me into a panic attack, and I decided enough was enough. I was tired of giving and never receiving, and the thought of her sending me into panic attacks was the last straw for me. I blocked her number and deleted her on all my social media.

And then summer came, and I bumped into her at a hair salon. I was so panicked I couldn't form sentences, which probably should've been the first clue to her that I wasn't okay, and I was trembling as she hugged me and I was trying to catch my breath. She asked me why I wasn't answering her texts, and I made up some lie about my phone being broken. I quickly ran back to my stylist's chair and came back down to normal, but not before she told me to call her. I haven't spoken to her or seen her since, but just the thought of her or people I associate with her sends me panicking still.

Yesterday I came across a letter she wrote me for my graduation, where she said how much I mattered to her, how much I had done for her, made her feel heard and like she belonged in this world and what true friendship was. Part of me found a little bit of closure in that letter, but part of me was still angry and scared and wanted to rip that letter to shreds. It's comforting to know that, at least for a period of time, I was that important to her, but looking back, I don't know that I ever felt the same way. Our friendship was very much a one-way street; I gave everything I had and never got anything in return, never got any of the things she said I gave her. I hate that I spent so much time being naïve and blind, but I guess I spent so much of my life without real friends that I thought I found one and just went with it.

So after all that thinking, I logged out of my Twitter and searched her name (I blocked her so that's how I had to find her again) to see of she ever said anything about me. The most recent tweets were along the lines of "people need to stop saying they'll always be there if they're not going to be" and "still waiting for the call that never came" - the call that I never made after that day at the hair salon. I first thought "Whoa, what weird connected timing." and then, stupidly, I felt guilty. I have no reason to feel guilty about this whole situation, and I know that, but sometimes I have a hard time accepting it. I gave all I had and finally quit when I had no more to give. I have battles going on right now that, if she knew, might make her realize that I have good reason for cutting myself out of her life.

I'm still accepting the fact that I called it off, but I called it of for me, not because I wanted to hurt her or teach her a lesson. I needed to get out before I was drowning in a toxic relationship, and I'm glad I did. I don't know where I would be if I didn't.

My Advice

1. Know when it's time to fight or fly - If you know that, in the grand scheme of things,
    whatever's going on can be resolved, fight for it. If you're finding yourself living in
    fear or panic and in a circle of someone's repeated behavior that is harmful to you, I
    think it's time to call it quits.
2. Do what's best for you - Even if it may hurt the other person, do what you need to do
    for your own health and well-being. If you're going to be happier without them in your
    life, then you need to cut them out. Time will heal you both.
3. Looking back is okay, spying is not - Like me with the letter, sometimes looking back
    on your friendship can be helpful in the healing process. You may find something that
    gives you a bit of closure or brings back a happy memory that helps ease the negative
    image of them in your mind. What's not okay is what I did with Twitter - finding them,
    despite the precautions you took to protect yourself, even just to "check" on them. I
    did this, and it wasn't good for me. It left me feeling guilty and I now feel like I took
    a few steps back on my path of healing from this breakup.
4. Don't live in regret - You did this for you, and you need to remember that. You have to
    be selfish sometimes, and in this situation, being selfish is your only option. You can't
    feel bad about calling it off, or think about the what ifs, because that's only going to
    drag you down.
5. Don't relapse - I had a moment yesterday where I thought of unblocking her number,
    just to see of anything would happen, but I didn't. I know what that would do to me: it
    would bring back the anxiety, the living in fear, and it would drain me all over again.
    Toxic people are like drugs; you may think that just one more text or one more look
    through their Twitter feed won't hurt you, but soon enough, you're addicted again and
    all the progress you've made is lost. You can't let yourself go back. It may not hurt you
    at first, but it always has the potential to destroy you.

I'm sorry for the negative post, but I need to get this out there, mainly for me, but I know it could also really help someone else. If you have any questions, advice for people in a similar situation, or are needing more specific advice, please leave a comment below. As always, please be kind and respectful.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Sweet Spot: 4 Quick & Easy Meal Ideas

Hello friends! In today's day and age, we're always on the go and looking for something quick. I've gathered my four favorite quick recipes to share with you, all tried and true, and I'll list them in the *approximate* amounts of time they take to make, starting with the quickest one. Also, none of these recipes have exact measurements, because if you're in a rush, who has the time to measure?

• Garlic Noodles (5 minutes)
• Ingredients: Udon (or similar) noodles, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, cornstarch, crushed garlic, green onions (scallions)
• Instructions: Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package directions (mine took 4 minutes). While water is boiling, mix about 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tsp. sesame oil, 1 tbsp. cornstarch, and pepper to taste in a measuring cup (to help with estimated measurements). In a hot pan, pour sauce, garlic, and green onion and cook 30 seconds. Add noodles and stir. Enjoy!
• English Muffin Pizzas (7 minutes)
• Ingredients: Whole grain English muffin (halved), sauce, cheese, and toppings of choice (my favorites are pesto, mozzarella, and leftover grilled chicken)
• Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Assemble pizzas on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake 5-7 minutes or until warmed. Enjoy!
• Oven Quesadillas (7 minutes)
• Ingredients: Large tortilla, fillings of choice (I like to do hot sauce, some sort of cheese blend, grilled chicken, and green onion // Chihuahua cheese, chorizo, and green onion // scrambled egg, crumbled bacon, some sort of cheese blend, green onion, and hot sauce)
• Instructions: Assemble ingredients on 1/2 of tortilla. Fold other 1/2 over and weave a toothpick through (up then down through both sides of tortilla). Bake 5-7 minutes until warmed through and tortilla is slightly crisp. Enjoy!
• Spinach Artichoke Rice (15-20 minutes)
• Ingredients: Rice pilaf, frozen spinach artichoke dip (Trader Joe's is my favorite)
• Instructions: Prepare rice according to package directions. (If you can find frozen rice pilaf, that will drastically cut down the prep time of this recipe, but I haven't come across any yet.) While rice is cooking, microwave dip according to package directions. Mix desired amount with finished rice (I use about 1/3-1/2 of the TJ's dip for a whole box of rice pilaf). Enjoy!

What are your favorite quick recipes? Tell me in the comments below!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Unique Names of the Top 1000

Hello friends! A factor that plays into many parents' name choices for their babies is the popularity of the name. Lots of people don't want their child to be one of three or four kids by the same name as their child, but at the same time, don't want to venture to more obscure names that fall beyond the Top 1000. Here are my picks of unique names that I don't hear often (my mom is a teacher, so I have a good idea of what's popular), but are still familiar and usable, all within the Top 1000 and listed by popularity.

Girls

• Nicole - #152 - Nicole is such a classic that I haven't heard on a little one, and has some fun nicknames like Nikki, Cole, and even Lola.
• Vivienne - #233 - I've never met a little girl named Vivienne, and this name is a great option for parents who like the names with unique letters like V, X, and Z.
• Noelle - #250 - Noelle, aside from being beautiful, is a great, unexpected way to get the nicknames Elle or Ellie.
• Rosalie - #266 - Roaslie is a gorgeous alternative to Rose or even other popular flower names.
• Gemma - #269 - Gemma is great if you love names like Ruby and Pearl, or even if you like something similar to Jenna or Gina.
• Cheyenne - #347 - Cheyenne is a lovely, underrated place name that fits right in with popular names like Brooklyn and London.
• Sabrina - #355 - Sabrina is s fun, magical name that is an unexpected way to get the nicknames Bri or Bria.
• Sage - #370 - Sage is a gorgeous nature, word, and virtue name, as well as a wonderful alternative to Paige.
• Aspen - #372 - Like Cheyenne, Aspen is a beautiful place name that fits in with trendier place names.
• Zara - #402 - Zara is a wonderfully edgy alternative to the classic Sarah.
• Thea - #464 - Thea feels a little bit exotic to me, but still has a sweet simplicity that makes it very accessible.
• Eve - #476 - Eve is such a sweet name, but has a sophistication that is unmatched in the name world.
• Remi - #501 - Remi has a European flare to it, but couldn't be easier to say or spell, making it extremely usable.
• Kara - #509 - If you don't like Zara, maybe Kara is more your style. It's simple and sweet, and has the same feel as Sarah without the popularity.
• Liana - #527 - The biggest trend I've seen in girls' names today is the "-ana" name. I've seen every variation in the book, but I've never actually met a Liana, so this will still feel fresh amongst all the other "-anas."
• Colette - #531 - If Nicole isn't your style, Colette may be the next best thing. You can still get fun nicknames like Cole, Lettie, Etta, etc., and Colette just has a bit more to it stylistically.
• Greta - #573 - Greta is a gorgeous, whimsical name that I've never heard on a little girl. This is a great option if you like Grace or even Etta.
• Mira - #586 - We are living is the age of the Celtic names, and I feel like Mira is flying under the radar at the moment. There is a gorgeous Irish song called "Out on the Mira," where they say "MY-rah," but I love the pronunciation "MEE-rah" even more.
• Meredith - #590 - Meredith has that old lady chic feel to it, and while I see that trend rising for boys, I haven't seen it as much for girl, and some of those old lady names are just too good not to use.
• Shiloh - #606 - Shiloh has a distinctly Biblical sound to it, and, like Meredith and the old lady names, this name is too good not to use, especially with Biblical boys' names rising so quickly.
• Maisie - #624 - Maisie, like Mira, is a Celtic name flying under the radar, but I see it rising soon, especially thanks to Maisie Williams of Game of Thrones.
• Esme - #682 - Esme has a vintage, old-world feel to it and is beautiful on its own, but can also lend itself to nicknames like Essie or Ezzie.
• Leona - #683 - Names like Leo and Phoenix are rising for boys, and Leona is a gorgeous yet strong way to nickname a little girl Leo.
• Wren - #712 - Wren is a timeless, sweet name that is rising with the popularity of nature names.
• Livia - #723 - Livia is the easiest way to get the feel of Olivia without the popularity, and still has the adorable nickname Liv built right in.
• Lennox - #740 - Lennox is another name with an edgy sound and X factor, and is also a unique way to get the nicknames Lex or Lexi.
• Naya - #784 - Naya is a great alternative to names like Maya and Mia, and has an exotic flare to it that draws people in.
• Brenna - #795 - Brenna is yet another Celtic name yet to be discovered, and is a wonderful alternative to Brianna.
• Marisol - #842 - Marisol has that ever-popular "mar-" sound, so it's a great alternative to many names, including Mary, Marie, Mariana, and even Mary Kate.
• Ingrid - #957 - Indie is a nickname that's on the rise, and Ingrid is a gorgeous way to get the nickname while still having a sophisticated full name to fall back on.

Boys

• Damian - #116 - Damian is a great alternative to popular names like Daniel and Declan.
• Weston - #120 - Weston has the desirable rare letter quality, and fits right in with other W names like William and Wyatt.
• Bennett - #153 - Bennett is a wonderful alternative to Benjamin, especially if you're looking for another way to get the nickname Ben.
• Zane - #233 - Zane has the cool Z initial, and is a nice spin on other Z names like Zachary and Zander.
• Spencer - #252 - Spencer fits perfectly with the occupational name trend, which is one of the biggest trends in boys' names right now.
• Knox - #258 - Knox has the X factor, but it maintains a simplicity to it that keeps the name very accessible.
• Rhett - #274 - I've never met a little boy named Rhett, but it fits right in with more popular one-syllable names like Luke and Jack.
• Phoenix - #307 - Phoenix is such a cool name, from the X factor to the magical and mythological associations, and there's not really another name like it.
• Nash - #344 - A large part of this list is made up of one-syllable names, but Nash manages to still pack a punch in four little letters.
• Daxton - #380 - Nicknames like Dax, Max, and Pax are very desirable, and Daxton gives a handsome full name to fall back on.
• Keith - #425 - Keith is the perfect combination of the classic Kevin and the trendier Heath, and I definitely see this name rising in the future.
• Jonas - #429 - Jonas is a great alternative the classic John and the Biblical Jonah, and doesn't sacrifice anything in terms of style.
• Scott - #457 - Scott is such a classic, and it fits in with other classics like James, as well as popular names that end in "-tt" like Wyatt and Everett.
• Rhys - #513 - If you don't like Rhett, Rhys may be the name for you. Rhys has a cool look to it, but the classic sound keeps this name grounded.
• Hayes - #539 - Hayes is a surname name that's just waiting to be discovered. It's only a matter of time before this name is ranking near Carter and Easton.
• Oakley - #567 - Oakley is an adorable nature name, and is a great alternative to the popular Owen.
• Lennon - #609 - Beatles fans will love this name, and it's a modern spin on classic names like Leonard and Leon.
• Jagger - #657 - Jagger is another name for music lovers, and this name comes pre-loaded with a cool edge any little boy would love.
• Mack - #661 - Mack is a prefix to many surnames, so it fits that trend perfectly, but I actually love this name as an alternative to Michael, which almost always gets shortened to Mike.
• Fletcher - #661 - Fletcher is my favorite occupational name, and there's something satisfying about this name as a whole.
• Callum - #683 - Callum is a great alternative to names like Collin and Calvin, and is another overlooked Celtic name.
• Payton - #693 - I'm shocked Payton isn't much higher on this list, but that makes it much more usable for people who don't want the popularity attached to the name.
• Flynn - #694 - Flynn, like Livia to Olivia, is probably the easiest way to get the feel of Finn without the popularity.
• Alden - #720 - Alden is a wonderful alternative to Aiden in its many forms, and fits right in with the "-dan," "-den," "-don" names that are so popular right now.
• Ford - #741 - I adore Ford, and I think it's a great one-syllable name, as well as a cool alternative to presidential names like Lincoln and Reagan.
• Vance - #759 - Vance is yet another cool letter name, and is a fun spin on the classic Vince.
• Lachlan - #768 - Lachlan is similar to Mira in that it's a discreet nature name, both relating to bodies of water.
• Maxton - #807 - Maxton is a great alternative to many of the Max names like Maxwell and Maximilian.
• Thatcher - #902 - If you don't like Fletcher, Thatcher may be the next best thing. They both have the same style, but are distinctly different at the same time.
• Grey - #916 - Grey is the perfect alternative to Greyson, and is one of the few color names that suits boys.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Sweet Spot: 5 Easy Kitchen Hacks & Tips

Hello friends! As many of you know, I'm always in the kitchen trying new recipes and figuring out how to make things work best for me. I've collected a few hacks and tips to share, and please let me know if you'd like to see more posts like this in the comments.

• Premade Crescent Rolls - These are a fridge staple at my house, and they're good for more than you may think. Some of our favorite uses are:
• Crescent Rings: You can look up Pillsbury's Taco Ring to get the specifics on how to make it, but we like to switch up the fillings, too. The taco version is great, and other popular variations include breakfast (scrambled eggs, crumbled turkey sausage, shredded cheese, green onion, etc.) and chicken pot pie (shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, peas, carrots, etc.). We also like to use the reduced-fat crescents, just to make it a smidgen better for us.
• Nutella Croissants: These are ridiculously easy. Before you roll up the crescents as you normally would, spread Nutella all over the side that will be the inside, leaving the end (about 1/2 in.) plain so it sticks to itself. Bake as directed, and end up with either a decadent weekend breakfast or an impressive dessert that took you no time to make.
• Breakfast Pigs in Blankets: Similar to the Nutella croissants, just roll (or fold)your fillings into the crescents and bake. Some of our favorites are sausage links with cheese, turkey and pesto, and turkey pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. These also make great snacks or appetizers.
• Leftover Barley Soup - This is the easiest soup I've ever made, and one of the tastiest ways to get rid of leftovers. Any time we have something like pot roast and veggies, Swiss steak, or roasted chicken or turkey, I make sure I pack up the leftovers. To make the soup, chop up the meat and any veggies, and throw them in a large pot with any gravy you may have. Add another 6-8 cups of liquid (either chicken stock, beef stock, or water) and 2 bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Add 2/3 cup of barley and simmer for 30 minutes, adding frozen veggies at the end if you like. Take out the bay leaves and enjoy!
• Easy Frosting - Personally, I hate it when traditional buttercream begins to harden and almost crust over as it sets. To solve that, I always make my frosting with 2 sticks of butter, 1 stick of shortening, a splash of vanilla, and 3 cups of powdered sugar. This frosting also takes really well to other flavors, so feel free to add coffee, reduced wine, salted caramel, any kind of nut or cookie butter, or just plain melted chocolate. All the flavor without the crust.
• Drying Herbs - Whether I'm picking herbs from my garden or buying a pack of herbs from the store, I always have more than I can use before they go bad. I like to dry anything that I don't want to waste by tying them in bundles with rubber bands or twine (inside paper bags for tiny herbs like thyme so the leave don't fall everywhere), and tie them to a coat hanger. I let them hang out until they're dry, them take the dried leaves off the stems for storing.
• Leftover Frittata - Another great way to get rid of leftovers is by making a frittata. At my house, we call this "Friday Dump Frittata," because we take a bunch of leftovers and dump them in a pan, then make a frittata out of them. To make a basic frittata, put your ingredients, seasonings, and 6 scrambled eggs in an oven-safe skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the eggs are set. Some of our favorites are:
• Buffalo Chicken: Shredded chicken, hot sauce, diced potatoes seasoned with ranch powdered dressing mix, green onion, and topped with cheese.
• Taco: Taco meat of any variety, green onion, bell peppers, diced potatoes, shredded cheese, and topped with your favorite taco toppings.
• Classic Breakfast: Crumbled sausage or bacon, peppers and onions, potatoes, cheese, topped with hot sauce.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

The Christmas Tag

Hello friends! I'm in full festive mode now, so I thought I'd do The Christmas Tag to spread the joy. Here we go!

1. When do you start getting excited about Christmas?
     Usually late-August to mid-September is when I start thinking about it, and then by my
    birthday in September I'm in full gear. This year it came a bit early, and I may or may
    not be guilty of listening to Christmas music in August...
2. Do you still have Advent calendars?
    Yes. Chocolate every day for 24 days? Count me in.
3. Favorite Christmas film?
    Hands down, Elf. It's a classic. I can quote pretty much the whole thing.
4. Any funny Christmas memories?
    My family has this tradition called The Can, and someone new gets it every year. It's an
    old popcorn tin filled with gag gifts and a whole story to go with the gifts, and when it
    gets passed, the story is read by the giver as the recipient open the gifts accordingly. It
    doesn't matter what's inside, it's always hilarious.
5. Any Christmas traditions?
    Other than The Can, my family gets together on Christmas Eve, and then just my
    immediate family spends Christmas Day together. We also spend December 23rd baking
    cookies, and pretty much eat cookies all day Christmas Day.
6. Favorite Christmas songs?
    I love all of Pentatonix's Christmas songs, but my top three are "Mary Did You Know?,"
    "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Joy to the World." They're great spins on classics that
    everyone loves.
7. Real or fake Christmas tree?
    Fake, my dad loves having a giant (nine foot) tree that doesn't leave needles
    everywhere.
8. Favorite Christmas treat?
     We have our set cookie list every year, and I can't get enough of the potato chip
    cookies (yes, don't judge, they're amazing) and the graham cracker cookies (basically
    the ever-popular Pinterest "crack toffee" on grahams instead of Saltines).
9. Giving or receiving presents?
    Giving. I love picking things out and making things personal, from the gift to the
    wrapping. It's so much fun.
10. Dream place to visit during Christmas?
      Colorado. I adored it in the summer, and I cannot wait to see it in the winter. I may
      not ever leave.
11. Ever had a White Christmas?
      Yes, not recently, though. It usually snows a week or two after Christmas where I
      live. It's kind of sad, really. I love snow.
12. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
       Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph. I didn't
      spend my childhood choir days learning those for nothing!
13. Favorite festive scent?
      I love spicy scents and the smell of baked goods, so my guilty pleasure, I-have-to-
      ration-this-it's-so-good candle is Bath and Body's Cinnamon Sugared Donut. It actually
      smells like heaven.
14.What tops your tree?
      For the longest time it was an angel, but she melted and we could only find stars. So
     it's a star, but it's a cool wire one so the lights reflect off of it. Very pretty.
15. As a kid, what was the one gift you always asked for but never received?
      Like every other kid, a puppy. I finally got one in the summer about seven years ago,
      but he wasn't a puppy. I just want a cute, wiggly little furball.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Sense of Self

Hello friends! This week's post was inspired by a series I watch on YouTube called "Sense of Self." If you're not familiar, it's a series Ingrid Nilsen does where she goes to people's houses and asks them to share something that evokes each of their five senses. I love learning about people and I think the things they pick are interesting ways to get to know them, so I thought I'd do my own "Sense of Self."

Sight - For sight, I'm choosing my scrapbooks. I love making something that is exactly how
          I want it, and of course, I love looking back at the memories made. This picture is
          of the scrapbook I'm working on at the moment, which is a whole book dedicated to
          my Colorado trip, which has been my favorite trip I've ever taken.

Smell - For smell, I have to share my Bath & Body Works Cinnamon Sugared Donut candle.
           I'm the kind of person who associates smells with memories, and to me, this candle
           smells like fall days spent at pumpkin patches with my family, where we would
           stop at the little stand with the cinnamon roasted almonds before we went home.

Sound - My sound object is not the typical pick for this category; most people would pick
            a song or a record player, maybe a music box, but I'm picking the floors of my
            house. I've lived in this house my whole life, and the creaks the floors make are
            the most familiar sounds I know. I can walk through this house with my eyes
            closed and still know exactly where I am by what the sound of the floor is.

Taste - Thanksgiving at my house is a big deal; we go all-out with more food than you can
           imagine, and some of the dishes aren't your typical Thanksgiving food. My favorite
           of these is "Thanksgiving rice," with is rice with bacon and onions. It's the most
           simple thing, but it tastes like home, and I think everyone should have a food that
           takes them back home, no matter how far they may be.

Touch - My touch object is more of a collection of things. I'm choosing my Christmas tree
            and all of its decorations, from garland to skirt to ornaments. We have a fake tree
            because some of us have allergies, so the feeling of the fake needles of the tree
            is so familiar, as are the textures of the ornaments and the cushiness of the tree
            skirt. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I love that I have things that are so
            familiar that make that time of year feel really nostalgic and homey.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Fail-Proof Gift Ideas

Hello friends! With the holidays officially upon us, I wanted to share my tried and true, fail-proof gift ideas with you. These are my go-tos when it comes to buying for people I don't know that well, and perfect for things like grab bags, Secret Santas, or even fun little gifts for people close to you, and you can adjust them to any budget. I hope you can find inspiration within some of these, so let's jump right in!

• The Traditional Movie Bucket - This is probably the most generic of all the gifts, but it's a classic. I like to go to Target's $5 movie section, pick a few classics, then put them in a big popcorn bucket (you can find them at party stores and dollar stores). I stuff tissue in the bottom to lift everything up, then I fill in the space with boxes of candy, bags of microwave popcorn, etc. It's adorable and everyone loves it.
• The Amped Up Movie Bucket - In high school, I was in a small choir that had an overnight trip every Christmas, and we always did Secret Santas. My last year, I had absolutely no idea what to get my person, and then it struck me: the Amped Up Movie Bucket. I took my absolute favorite Christmas classic - Elf - and went with that as my theme. I bought the DVD and ordered a mug with the saying about the elves' main food groups, and then bought one of each of those things (candy [any kind will work], candy canes, candy corn, and syrup [I found a tiny bottle at Target]), and that was the box. It was a hit.
• The Sundae Kit - This is great for anyone who loves ice cream (most people) and is super easy, one-stop shopping. I went to the grocery store and picked up things to make sundaes, such as caramel and fudge sauces, maraschino cherries, sprinkles, brownie bites from the bakery, etc. Of course, you can't really gift ice cream, so I also threw in a gift card to an ice cream place.
• The Warm & Cozy Kit - This was another creation that came out of the Secret Santas I've done. I figured that I couldn't go wrong with a cozy theme, so I picked up a fleece blanket (it was super cheap at Old Navy the day after Black Friday), fuzzy socks, a travel mug, some fancy hot chocolate mix, and peppermint lotion and lip balm. My person loved it, and I think she used everything I gave her on that one overnight trip.
• The Spa Basket - Another traditional gift, but so much fun and you can get so creative with it. I like to choose my favorite things to put in it so I know it's a good basket - a face mask, a sugar scrub, lip balm, hand lotion, nail polish, tea, magazines, etc. There really are no rules with this one.
• The Man Box - For me, the difficulty of buying a gift like these doubles when it's for a guy. I like to make it fun and stereotypically "manly" - the guy always gets a kick out of it. I like to put in things like sports magazines, bacon-flavored snacks, pocket-sized tools or desk games (Kohl's and Target have great selections of these every year) - all practical but fun things.
• The Non-Foodie Box - We all know someone who can't cook to save a life, and this is the perfect box for those people. I like to start with a takeout menu organizer, fill it with menus of places around where they live, and then I'll throw in a few non-perishables like a packet of Ramen noodles and some crackers, and I finish it with some small gift cards to different places like coffee shops, sandwich places, etc. They always love it.
• The Emergency Kit - We all know someone else who is always a mess and isn't prepared for a whole lot. This is a funny take on helping them out, while still being a good gift idea. I like to stock up on essentials (Tide-to-Go, Band-Aids, Kleenex), and then some funnier items (for a new mom: surgical masks for changing diapers, for someone who has a hard time saying "no": a voice recorder with my voice recorded saying "no", etc.), and I like to label each thing with funny descriptions. This gives everything some entertainment value, which is always a bonus.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Stuff I Love Fall 2016

Hello friends! As it is currently snowing outside and I am freezing, even under four layers of clothes and blankets, I figured it's about time to put these fall favorites away and start up a new round for winter. These are the things I've been loving throughout fall:

• Blankets - I recently ordered a new blanket my bed, because the one I had and loved so much was falling apart and I was holding it together with duct tape. I'll link the one I found below, because everyone needs a warm, cozy blanket for winter.
• Sugar Cookie Coffee Creamer - We all know how much I love my coffee, and one of the seasonal creamers that's out right now is sugar cookie flavored, and it's amazing.
• Worst Bakers in America - This is a show on Food Network, and, being a baker, I found it to be the cringiest, but funniest, food show. Those people were so bad, but I couldn't watching it.
• Christmas Music - Honesty hour: I've been listening to Christmas music since August. And I have no shame. My favorite albums at the moment are all the Pentatonix albums, Peter Hollens, Damian McGinty (especially if you like Michael Buble), and Home Free. They're all amazing.
• Target Tumbler Cups - Around September, Target had tumbler cups in their dollar section (technically the cups were $3 each, but still), and I love them for my iced coffee. They're a good size, and didn't cost me an arm and a leg like any other cup would.
• Singing - When I'm not listening to Christmas music, I'm listening to showtunes, and more than likely singing along, loudly. I've been singing and in choirs since I was little, but haven't done it in a while, so it feels great to be back at it again.
• Christmas Shopping - Guess whose Christmas shopping is done! I went hardcore this year, and I love that I don't have to fight crowds or worry about shipments coming in time. I can just enjoy December now.
• Nameberry.com - I recently made an account there, and the forums are just so much fun. I like the advice giving, but I really love it for the tags and games.
• Chestnut Praline Lattes & Hot Chocolate - 'TIS THE SEASON!!! Starbucks' Chestnut Praline flavor is my absolute favorite, and it's back. I love it.
• Christmas Decorations - And of course, I can't do this post without talking about Christmas decorating. My family does it the Friday after Thanksgiving every year, and now my house is festive and I live for it.

My fluffy blanket: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KFZ4GS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

*Sorry for the lack of pictures this time, I only have a few tangible favorites that aren't very exciting to look at.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Sweet Spot: Pistachio Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Hello friends! Recently I was watching Food Network and they were showing how to make Swiss meringue buttercream. My mom asked me to make it to see what all the fuss is about, so I went on the hunt for the perfect recipe as well as the perfect cupcake to pair with it. I ended up adapting a simple vanilla cake recipe and taking general ideas from many buttercream recipes. Here's what I came up with:

The Lineup (Cupcakes):
     2 1/4 cups AP flour
     2 1/2 tsp baking powder
     1/4 tsp salt
     1 box instant pistachio pudding mix
     8 tbsp. butter, softened
     1 3/4 cups sugar
     2 eggs, room temperature
     Splash vanilla
     1 1/4 cups unsweetened almond milk, room temperature

(Buttercream)
     4 oz. (1/2 cup) egg whites
     1 cup sugar
     16 tbsp. butter, cubed and softened
     Seeds from 1 whole vanilla bean

The Play-by-Play:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 cupcake pans.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and dry pudding mix in a small bowl and set aside. Add a splash of vanilla to almond milk and set aside.
3. Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing in between.
4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined and smooth.
5. Evenly distribute batter between 24 cavities, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 16-18 minutes until springy to the touch. Cool completely.
6. Over a double boiler, combine egg whites and sugar until all granules dissolve and whites reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer. Place bowl in an ice bath to bring down to room temperature.
7. Pour egg mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a balloon whisk and beat on medium high for about 10 minutes until soft peaks form. Add vanilla beans.
8. Quickly add butter piece by piece while mixer is still going, mixing until combined and before buttercream starts to break down.
9. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Random Questions Tag

Hello friends! This week I want to do another "get to know me" post, and after seeing Fern (The Fern Life on YouTube, I'll link her video at the end) do this, I want to answer these questions, as well. Here we go!

• How did you get your YouTube (or blog) username?
• I love the term "stream of consciousness" to describe sharing random thoughts, and I love the idea of celebrating little, everyday things, hence the "streamers," so it's a celebration of little random thoughts.
• If you could change your name to anything, what would it be and why?
• I love lots of name, as you probably know, but I think of all of them, Ingrid suits me best. Ingrid is a name that people either love or hate, which is pretty much how people receive me as a person, and I love that. I think it would be very fitting.
• If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice, what would it be?
• There's nothing wrong with being different. Someday you'll love being different, so embrace it now and enjoy it longer.
• How old were you when you learned to blow a bubblegum bubble?
• I distinctly remember watching Dora the Explorer with my brother and accidentally blowing a bubble when I was about five, and I was so proud.
• What did you want to be when you were little?
• A teacher, then I went to work with my mom (a kindergarten teacher), and that changed very quickly.
• What do you order at Starbucks?
• I really only get Starbucks when the holiday flavors are out, so either an iced chestnut praline latte or a chestnut praline hot chocolate. Trust me, it's amazing.
• When's the hardest you've ever laughed?
• I go into hysterics at my own jokes (or bad puns), so much so that I cry and can't breathe. For example, I was driving past a cemetery with my mom and there was a line of geese walking through the grass. My mom said, "Think they're visiting a loved one?" and I replied, "Maybe. Think it was fowl play?" and proceeded to laugh all the way home.
• If you could play any musical instrument, what would it be?
• Piano; I love the classic sound and versatility of. Plus, being a singer, it would be really helpful.
• What's your favorite thing to do when you're upset?
• Watch YouTube videos.
• What's your favorite movie?
• I can't answer this. I have categories I separate movies into, so picking one overall favorite is near impossible.
• What's one food you can't live without?
• I'm going to maybe cheat and say carbs, that way I can encompass all the lovely breads and starches I love.
• What's your favorite dessert?
• Cheesecake, hands down. There's never a bad time for cheesecake.
• What's your favorite pizza topping?
• Traditional topping: pepperoni. Specialty pizza: buffalo chicken. I love anything buffalo.
• Would you rather have the power to read minds or be invisible?
• Read minds. It's rare that people are always honest, so reading their thoughts is a guaranteed way to know if they're being honest. 
• What did you do for your last birthday?
• Not much the day of, but went to a concert to celebrate a few days later.
• If you had one personal "selfish" wish, what would it be?
• I would wish for my dream life: dream house, wonderful husband, my own successful business, ideal number of kids, etc. because not knowing stresses me out, and it'd be nice to know I'd be happy forever.

Fern's video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmSCa1X_OdU

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Sweet Spot: Turkey Swedish Meatballs

Hello friends! It's been a while since I shared a recipe, and I have some knockout Swedish meatballs I want to tell you about. These little guys have amazing texture and flavor, and are super easy to make. Here we go!

The Lineup:
     2 lbs. ground turkey
     1/4 cup dried minced onion
     1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
     2 egg yolks
     1/4 tsp allspice + 1/4 tsp nutmeg
     2 tbsp. parsley, chopped + more for garnish
     salt & pepper, to taste
     1/4 cup butter
     1/3 cup flour
     4 cups beef stock
     3/4 cup sour cream
      Egg noodles, cooked to serve

The Play-by-Play:
     1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, line cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
     2. Combine turkey, onion, Panko, yolks, spices, parsley, salt & pepper in a large bowl.
         Roll meat mixture into 1 1/2 in. balls, place on tray. Bake 20 minutes.
     3. While meatballs are cooking, melt butter in large skillet. Add flour to melted
         butter, whisking 1-2 minutes. Slowly add stock, whisking constantly. Simmer about
         3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add sour cream and whisk to combine.
     4. Take meatballs out of the oven, place directly into sauce. Cover and simmer 10
         minutes.
     5. Serve meatballs over egg noodles, top with extra sauce and parsley. Enjoy!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

The Ultimate Baby Name Tag

Hello friends! Yesterday I saw that Alena and Amelia, two namers on YouTube, created this Ultimate Baby Name Tag, and I had to answer it over here asap. Here we go!

• 1. What is your own name and do you like it?
• My name is Erin, which I don't like because it's so common and plain, and my middle name is Violet, which I love.
• 2. If you have children, what are their names and how did you come up with them?
• N/A
• 3. If you had a baby boy right now what would you name him?
• Declan Oliver - I love so many Irish and Scottish names, and Declan is in that sweet spot of not being too popular yet, but still familiar and easy to pronounce.
• 4. If you had a baby girl right now what would you name her?
• Isla Wren - Just like Declan, Isla is in that popularity sweet spot and is familiar and easy to pronounce.
• 5. What would you name boy/boy twins, boy/girl twins and girl/girl twins?
• BB: Beckett Theo & Calvin Scott
• BG: Gray Caledon & Scarlett Waverly
• GG: Stella Ingrid & Luna Tess
• 6. What would you name your ideal number of children using all names that start with the same letter (or one letter for girls and another for boys)?
• I would have two girls and one boy named Adeleine Grace, Audrey Linnaea, and Andrew Griffin.
• 7. What would you name a boy and a girl using only names from your family tree (or the names of close friends and loved ones)?
• Nathan Theo & Hailey Victoria
• 8. Create a name for your child (You can choose the gender or do one name for each gender) using a.) a combination of your name and your significant other's name or b.) a combination of your parent's names.
• I don't have a significant other, and I can't come up with anything good combining my parents' names.
• 9. You enter a witness protection program and must choose a completely new name for yourself. What name do you choose and is their any special significance as to why you choose it?
• Ingrid Kay - Ingrid is a name I love and (I think) has a bit of mystery to it, which is fitting, and Kay is my grandmother's middle name, and I think I would need her with me because I would be a terrible spy and she would be great.
• 10. If you could create one rule parents had to follow when naming their children, what would it be and why?
• Please choose a name that your child won't be ashamed of telling others as an adult; Rainbow Puff may consider changing her name when she's 18.
• 11. Name a boy and a girl using only nature and place names.
• Hudson Fox & Brooklyn Flora
• 12. Name a boy and a girl using your own first and middle initials. If you don't have a middle name, select an initial of your choosing.
• Eli Vance & Esme Victoria
• 13. Name a boy and girl using names from the most recent data of top 100 baby names in the US.
• Gavin Isaac & Ruby Olivia
• 14. Name a boy and a girl using names from the most recent data of top 100 baby names in the UK.
• Leo James & Emilia Lucy
• 15. Name a boy and a girl using names from your favorite TV shows and movies.
• Larkin Jude (Hairspray, The Fosters) & Nora Wendy (Friends, Full House)
• 16. Name a boy and a girl using names of characters from books and literature.
• Ezra Felix (The Beginning of Everything, Finding Audrey) & Cosette Grace (Les Mis, The Fault in Our Stars)
• 17. Name a boy and a girl using rare letters, Q, X, Y, and Z.
• York Zander & Zara Quinn
• 18. Name a boy and a girl using names that, for whatever reason, you would never use in real life.
• Caledon Michael & Linnaea Wren - I love both Caledon and Linnaea, but I'm not sure people would ever pronounce them correctly, and I don't want to put that on my kids.
• 19. If you could rename a celebrity baby (or celebrity baby sibset), which one would you pick and what would you rename them? Alternative: choose the name of a friend or a friend’s baby that you don’t like or whose name you feel doesn’t suit them and rename them instead.
• I pick the Busby girls; the Busbys are a reality TV family who have one older daughter and one set of all-girl quintuplets. I don't have a particular issue with their names, I just like the challenge of styling a sibset that has quints.(Note: I'm going to challenge myself by keeping their initials and finding new names to fit them.)Their names are Blayke Louise, Olivia Marie, Ava Lane, Hazel Grace, Parker Kate, and Riley Paige. In that same order, I would rename them Bailey Lauren, Oakley Madelyn, Addison Leigh, Harper Gabrielle, Peyton Kara, and Reagan Paisley.
• 20. Any last names? Do you have any names that you didn’t get to mention in this video that you have been liking recently, heard recently, or were reminded of during this post that you didn’t get a chance to mention? If not, what’s the coolest name or the worst name you’ve heard recently?
• I don't want to share any other names I love just yet - I'll be posting my Top 100 Names in a few weeks, so you'll have to wait and see! As far as cool names, I recently watched a name video on YouTube, and the mom had twins named Louis and Linnaea, and Linnaea happens to mean "twinflower;" how cool!

A special thanks to Alena and Amelia for creating this tag; I'll link their videos for you to see their answers.
Tag Questions: https://youtu.be/we5EjhvQ3OQ
Alena's Answers: https://youtu.be/imcyATuV8GM
Amelia's Answers: https://youtu.be/A8Q-rQA8sfQ

Please answer these questions in the comments or leave a link to you answers. I love hearing from you!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Radio In My Head: October 2016

Hello friends! I'm starting a new series of posts that I'm calling Radio In My Head (inspired by an Aaron Tveit album), which is essentially me telling you what I've been loving and listening to all month. More than anything else, my music favorites are always changing. I've been singing for as long as I can remember, and I love all kinds of music, so I think this might be interesting to see what changes over time. I'm going to give three artists/groups that I've been loving in general, and five songs/singles that stand out on their own in my mind. Here we go!

Artists

• Celtic Thunder - Celtic Thunder is a vocal ensemble from Ireland, and they were recently in my city on tour. I went for my birthday, and, as always, they were fantastic. Some of my favorite songs they do are "Now We Are Free," "Caledonia," and "Come by the Hills."

• Kenny Holland - Kenny Holland is a musician I found on YouTube, and he is absolutely incredible. He has several singles, EPs, and an album, most of which I now have, but what I really love is that he does covers on YouTube with his five sisters, and my heart melts every time I watch. He seems like a genuinely good guy, which is so sweet. Some of my favorite songs of his are "This Dance," "The List," and "Matter to You," which is on his EP coming out in November.

• Pentatonix - If you've been here for a while, you know that I adore a cappella music (I was in an a cappella choir for a few years), and I love Pentatonix. They have just released another Christmas album, and it is amazing. Some of my favorite songs from the album are "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The Christmas Sing-Along," and "Hallelujah."

Songs

• "Closer" (The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey) - For the longest time, I didn't know what I thought about this song, but now I can't get enough of it. I love the relaxed vibe and punchy melody, and I sing along every time I hear it.

• "Into You" (Ariana Grande) - I'm not the biggest Ariana Grande fan, but the vocals on this song are ridiculous. Her belt range is incredible, and this song is just so fun.

• "Little Moon" (MacKenzie Bourg) - This song is the opposite of the first two I talked about, with a more acoustic feel, but I absolutely love it. It's such a sweet song, and it makes me wish I had someone to sing it to.

• "Run Away With Me" (Kerrigan-Lowdermilk, cover by Aaron Tveit) - This is the only show tune I have for this month, but I listen to it constantly. It's from the musical The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, which can be found in full on YouTube, and it's another song that has me wishing for someone to sing it to.

• "This Town" (Niall Horan) - This song is very similar to "Little Moon," again rather acoustic and quaint-sounding, but I love the vivid story it tells.

What have you been loving listening to? Tell me in the comments!

I wish you all the best,
Erin