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
Hello friends! It's been a long time since I've done a favorites post, simply because I don't accumulate enough stuff to love within a month. I do love a good favorites post, though, so from here on out I'll be doing seasonal favorites. I'll be keeping track of my loves throughout the season, and write up a post when the season ends, and certainly without specific categories and limits like I had before. So here we go, Stuff I Love Summer 2016.
- Baking - If you've seen anything consistent on this mess of a blog, it's baking posts. Baking is what I absolutely love to do; I love making people happy and bringing them together over something simply and tasty. My dream is to open a bakery exactly for those reasons, so I'm getting all the practice in that I can before that time comes.
- Food Network - I'll be the first to call myself out and say I'm more like a 50's housewife than a young millennial. Because I love everything food, Food Network is like my kryptonite. I can't ever get enough; I have it on in the background all the time, I try the recipes, I cook like I'm talking to a camera... It's just the perfect thing for a foodie like me.
- Dunkin Donuts App - I may have mentioned coffee on here once or twice (or a billion times), and, plain and simple, this app feeds the addict in my like no other. It's a way to pay digitally, so that's good, but I also get points every time I go in and those points get me free drinks. I also always have other perks and rewards waiting for me, so really everybody wins.
- Iced Coffee - Hey look, more coffee! I went from being a no-coffee-ever girl to a two-to-three-cup-a-day girl in a matter of weeks, so this should be no surprise.
- Textured Ponytails - Midwest summers are the creation of Lucifer himself. From mid-May to mid-October, it's hot and sticky and buggy and just gross, and there are only so many socially acceptable ways to keep cool while looking nice. Enter textured ponytails to solve all my problems: I put my hair in French braids after I shower at night, and then wake up with insane texture. I do a little poof at the top of my head, pull the rest back, and then tease for volume and spray with sea salt spray to keep that texture. I finish by pulling out some pieces to frame my face, and then I'm good to go. The humidity will never again claim my straight hair as its victim.
- Harry Potter Weekend - Freeform (formerly ABC Family) does Harry Potter Weekend about four times a year, and I live for it. That said, I'm the biggest baby and can't watch anything after Goblet of Fire because they all give me nightmares, but gosh darn it, I try every time to make it through. It's a life goal. Sad? Nah.
- Wedges - I'll be starting a Story Time series sharing my embarrassing stories and "Why me?" moments shortly after this goes up, but I'll give a sneak peek here: I'm so ungraceful it pains me. Which means walking in heels is actually a huge hurtle for me. Can't do it. However, wedges are a different story. I love wedges, and summer is definitely wedge season. Added bonus: I'm fairly tall, so wedges make me feel like a giant ready to conquer anything. It doesn't get better than that.
- Hairspray - No, not the hair product, but the musical. Specifically the 2007 movie version. It's been my summer soundtrack and the thing I watch when I've run out of videos on YouTube and don't want to restart Friends for the zillionth time on Netflix.
- Summer Dresses - I've never been a dress wearer. Never. Well, maybe before I started dressing myself, but that doesn't count. I've been missing out! I wear them to work all the time, and it's the best thing because dressing for work is the most stressful kind of dressing. I throw it on and I instantly look 1000x more presentable than I did before.
- Colorado - If you ask anyone I've spoken to in the last few weeks, they will tell you that my favorite thing is Colorado because I just won't shut up about it. I miss is every day, and I've already started scouting out the best place to move there when I'm done with school. If I could go back now, I absolutely would.
- Name Videos - I have a slight obsession with names. Maybe a bit more than "slight." Like, I have lists and sibling sets and follow Instagram name accounts, but my favorites are YouTube name vloggers. It's just so interesting learning about names and hoping for the future, hearing other people's choices and learning their tastes. I'm hooked.
- Everything Bagels - Confession time: Until about six months ago, I was convinced that everything bagels are called everything bagels because they're good for everything, toasting, sandwiches, etc. It was only when I said that that my mom looked at me and said, "Are you serious? It's because they put everything on them, like the seeds and the onion and everything." Regardless, I still think they're good for everything, hence I eat them all the time.
Let me know if you have any suggestions on posts you'd like to see in the future, and also be sure to find me on Instagram as streamers.of.consciousness
I wish you all the best,
Erin
Hello friends! Recently Meagan (TulipByAnyName on YouTube) made/is making a series of videos on her channel discussing her top 50 favorite baby names, and I thought I'd follow suit over here. I don't have quite as many favorites as she does, so I'm sharing my top 25 for both boys and girls, so 50 in total (and my favorites at this moment because I change my mind almost daily). I'll list both boys and girls under the same number, girls' names first, with any nicknames I'd want to use following the name.
1. Scarlett (Scout) // Isaac
2. Maisie // Beckett (Beck)
3. Lila // Calvin
4. Stella // Samuel (Sam)
5. Isla // Griffin
6. Ingrid (Indie) // Hudson
7. Eleanor (Nellie) // Connor
8. Wren // Ford
9. Livia (Liv) // Declan
10. Enorah (Norah) // Jude
11. Elodie (Elle) // Oliver
12. Adeleine [pronounced Adalyn] (Addie) // Knox
13. Brooklyn // Fletcher
14. Nessa // Parker
15. Kaila // James
16. Grace // Benjamin (Ben)
17. Esme // Michael (Mac)
18. Audrey // Andrew
19. Charlotte // Caleb
20. Victoria // Rowan
21. Noelle // Gray
22. Sutton // Phoenix
23. Cosette // August
24. Ruby // Indigo
25. Mira // Wyatt
Let me know some of your favorites and any further posts you'd like to see in the comments - I'd love to hear from you!
I wish you all the best,
Erin
Hello friends! The end of the month is once again upon us... Let's jump right in!
- Favorite Store: Bath & Body Works Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, and Bath & Body has all my favorite scents of the season.
- Favorite Article of Clothing: Sweater Leggings These are new for me, but I adore them. They are the coziest things and are essentially socially acceptable, chic pajamas.
- Favorite Shoes: Boots 'Tis the season for boots all the time, and it's a trend I will happily wear.
- Favorite Skincare/Beauty Products: Carmex Ultra Moisturizing Lipbalm (Vanilla) & Covergirl Lashblast Fusion Mascara I'm obsessed with anything that makes my lips soft, and the Carmex lipbalm is a long time favorite. The mascara is just great at adding volume and length without getting clumpy, which is always a plus.
- Favorite Smelly Item: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Perfume I recently ordered a perfume sampler from Sephora, and this is my favorite. It smells incredible.
- Favorite Music: Pentatonix's "That's Christmas to Me" Delux Album / "Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical" Soundtrack Christmas being my favorite season and Pentatonix being my favorite artists, this was a match made in heaven. And I recently saw a production of "Beauty and the Beast" and fell in love with the music.
- Favorite App: Disney World I'm going to Disney in a few weeks, and this app gives wait times for rides, where to find characters, get FastPasses, order tickets, make restaurant reservations, and so much more.
- Favorite Activity: Seeing "Beauty and the Beast" I went with a friend back to our high school to see the show, and it was great.
- Favorite Food & Drink: Keebler Club & Cheddar Sandwich Crackers & Starbucks Chestnut Praline Hot Chocolate I love all cracker snacks and these are tops; I'm sure my love of Starbucks is apparent by now, and I wait all year for the holiday flavors (I put them all in hot chocolate because I don't do hot coffee).
- Bonus Favorite: Thanksgiving & Decorating for Christmas I love the holiday season. My family came over for Thanksgiving (I'd like to add all that food to my favorites, as well), which is always fun, and it's tradition that my immediate family stay home on Black Friday to decorate for Christmas. And then watch "Elf" because it's a classic.
*Again, I apologize for the lack of pictures, but rest assured that I have some fun picture-filled posts coming up.
I wish you all the best,
Erin
Hello friends! It's that time of the month again... Favorites time! Let's get into it!
- Favorite Store: Kohls I love Kohls. That's it. They have everything and there's always some kind of coupon circulating or Kohls Cash going on. Everybody wins.
- Favorite Article of Clothing: Target Military Jacket Because fall is upon us in the Midwest, I have officially broken out all the cold weather clothing. This jacket is perfect for those days where it's cold in the morning but a little warmer in the afternoon. I also love how it adds a little something extra to any outfit.
- Favorite Shoes: Hunter Rain Boots (with inserts) I've loved my Hunters for a long time, but I recently got the inserts (fleece sock-type things that stick out the top of the boots), and they gave my classic favorites new life.
- Favorite Skincare/Beauty Products: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation & Pond's Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes (Chamomile & White Tea) This foundation give nice coverage and looks very natural, and the wipes do a good job of taking it off at the end of a long day. They also smell incredible.
- Favorite Smelly Item: Bath & Body Works A Thousand Wishes Lotion Holy cow, this stuff just smells great. It's a little warm, a little sweet, but not too much. It'll be even better around Christmas.
- Favorite Music: Shawn Mendes' "Handwritten" Album (specifically "Stitches," "Never Be Alone," "Kid in Love," and "Aftertaste") / Kelly Clarkson "The Sun Will Rise" / James Bay "Let It Go" I'm a music junkie, and this was a great music month full of good finds. I also bought the new Pentatonix album, but haven't given it the time to fall in love with it yet because I'm so obsessed with the others.
- Favorite App: Township This is one of those games that sucks you in immediately but has no real point. I don't know why I find it so enjoyable, but I can't stop. If you've ever played HayDay, this is that on steroids.
- Favorite Activity: Getting Ready for Halloween That time of year is upon us at last! I love all things festive, and to me, the holiday season starts with Halloween. I love decorating, planning my costume, baking spooky treats, etc. (Stay tuned for a Halloween post) I'm so excited.
- Favorite Food & Drink: Scones & Starbucks Iced Salted Caramel Mocha Two weeks ago, I posted a recipe for scones, and I'm obsessed. I've been making them all month for everyone I know, and they're delicious. I also love Starbucks all the time, but I recently discovered iced coffee (super late on that bandwagon, I know) and I'm obsessed with this, too.
- Bonus Favorite: Dancing with the Stars The past few season haven't been very good in my opinion, but I'm loving this season. They have some good stars on and, once again, I'm obsessed. My favorites are Alek, Hayes, and Alexa, just in case you were wondering.
*I apologize for the lack of pictures on this post; I landed myself in urgent care this week to get stitches, and long story short, haven't done a whole lot since. Stay tuned for a monster (get it?) Halloween post next week!
I wish you all the best,
Erin
Hello friends! This week marks the end of September, and I thought I'd do a favorites post. I chose some categories that encompass things across the board, so let's get into it!
- Favorite Store: Forever 21 Because I went to private schools up until this point in my life and wore uniforms, I never realized how much clothing a person goes through in a week. Needless to say, I was slightly underprepared for the real world where people wear actual clothes, and I turned to Forever 21 to fix that problem. (Haul post coming soon)
- Favorite Article of Clothing: Infinity Scarves & Statement Necklaces Because I'm in the Midwest, weather is crazy unpredictable, so I need to dress for any possible weather changes. Scarves and necklaces are great ways to dress up my wardrobe of basics, and allow for more outfit options and versatility.
- Favorite Shoes: Hunter Rain Boots & Target Sandals It's been raining like crazy here, so my black Hunters have been lifesavers, and for the warmer days, my Target gold sandals are my go-to shoes.
- Favorite Skincare/Beauty Products: Simple Micellar Water & NYX Butter Glosses The Simple Micellar Water is an absolute must for me- I use it to wash my face in the morning, and to take off my makeup at night (it takes off waterproof mascara, which is huge for me), and the NYX Butter Glosses add a nice pop of color to pull together a simple makeup look.
- Favorite Smelly Item: Bath & Body Works Cinnamon Sugar Donut Candle This smells like the warm, cinnamon roasted nuts you can get at amusement parks and pumpkin patches, and I love it.
- Favorite Music: Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor "Marvin Gaye" / Madilyn Bailey "Coffee" / Pentatonix "Cheerleader" I love music, and these three have been on repeat all month long.
- Favorite App: Color Pop This app lets you turn a picture black and white and then choose the element you'd like to still be in color. I may be late to the bandwagon on this trend, but I'm obsessed regardless.
- Favorite Activity: Starting a Blog This may be cheesy, but I find myself constantly wanting to write and plan new posts, and once again, I'm obsessed.
- Favorite Food & Drink: Quesadillas & Apple White Grape Juice Don't ask me why, but these have been my go-to munchies.
- Bonus Favorite: Free Birthday Treats & Things My birthday was this month, and so many stores and companies will give you great deals or free items for your birthday when you sign up for their email lists. Some of the best included a free Jamba Juice, a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and $10 off from Pink/Victoria's Secret.
I wish you all the best,
Erin
