Sweet Spot: Red Velvet Cookies

Hello friends! I have another dessert recipe to share with you, that being red velvet cookies. This is a recipe I kind of threw together myself after looking at so many others in an attempt to find one I liked, and this is what I came up with.

The Lineup:
     1 1/2 cups flour
     2 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
     1 tsp. baking powder
     1/4 tsp. salt
     1/2 cup butter, softened
     2/3 cup brown sugar
     1/4 cup sugar
     1 egg
     2 tbsp. Greek yogurt
     1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
     1 1/2 tsp. red food color gel
     2/3 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

The Play-by-Play:
1. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl, set aside.
2. Cream together butter and sugars. In a small bowl or ramekin, mix together yogurt,
    vanilla, and food color gel, add to butter and sugar. Add egg, mix well.
3. Slowly add flour mix to butter mix in 2 stages, mix until combined. Mix in 1/3 cup
    white chocolate chips.
4. Refrigerate dough at least 30 minutes before rolling into balls. Place remaining
    chocolate chips on top before baking. Depending on size, bake approximately 10
    minutes at 350 degrees.5. Let cool on pans about 2 minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Enjoy!

Alternates & Quick Play:

• Try using things other than white chocolate - dark or milk chocolate, walnuts, etc.
• I used about 1/2 tbsp. of dough per cookie, but more dough will require more cooking time.
• You can also place the remaining chocolate chips on top of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven to avoiding the browning on top.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Colorado Road Trip 2016

Hello friends! As some of you may know, I was recently in Colorado with my family (as vaguely detailed in my "Planning an Epic Summer Road Trip" post from May), so here's the whole big post about the trip that I promised those many months ago.

So let's start with the plan: we had a vague one. We knew we were driving to Glenwood Springs, CO. We knew we were splitting it up into two days. We knew that at some point we would do about the same to come home. Plan set.

Saturday/Sunday - We decided to leave Saturday morning and drive to Kearney, NE (how exciting!), stay overnight, and continue our drive to CO on Sunday. Saturday went off without a hitch: we drove, saw a whole lot of gross gas station bathrooms, saw a lot of corn (Mid America at its finest), and were subjected to the opinions on feral kittens by a woman at Cracker Barrel. We got to the hotel, watched the fourth Harry Potter movie, and got up bright and early to finish the drive. We drove through a lot more nothing, past a manure farm (I still have nightmares), and finally, BAM! mountains. We decided to extend our suffering (jokes) and drive an extra two hours through Estes Park in the mountains, which was both beautiful and terrifying. We finally got to the house in one piece, settled, and went to dinner for my brother's birthday, commemorated by mostly sitting in close proximity to his favorite sister.

Monday - Monday was our settling day/figure out what to do with the next week day. We got up, had a lovely picturesque morning of news and coffee (the only thing we had in the house - priorities), and went shopping. We decided that, because we rented a house for seven adults, it made the most sense to plan on eating most days at the house to save big on food, which can be pretty costly. I had planned meals in advance and made my list, so four of us headed to Target and City Market (one of the grocery chains in CO), one went to the gym, and the kids (not really - 16 and 17 are pretty self-sufficient) explored downtown Glenwood. I did a bit of meal prep for that night (chicken fried rice - yum!), and we decided to go to an amusement park on top of a mountain, aptly names Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, for the afternoon. We drove the five minutes over, and took the gondolas up to the top. We started with a cavern tour, and then our four most adventurous people went on a ride that swings erratically over a cliff. I don't do rides, so I took pictures and laughed a lot (so. much. screaming.), and then they did a few more rides, like the roller coaster, zip ride, mountain cars, and we did a quick game of laser tag when it rained (and got snacks in a restaurant with an awesome view). We finished in the giant maze, and headed back for dinner and board games. The park wasn't that big, but perfect for an afternoon of fun.

Tuesday - Tuesday was our early day, as we were hiking up to Hanging Lake. Everyone told us to get to the lot by eight because it fills up quickly, and they were right. So we all loaded into the van with our pre-prepped breakfast burritos and headed off. It was nice and cool when we arrived and we were all ready and confident on the trail to the mountain, but that quickly ended. This hike is pretty much a vertical incline, and we rested about every 30  feet, not because we're all unhealthy, but because MOUNTAIN AIR IS THINNER THAN TISSUE PAPER. It was so hard to breathe, especially coming from the Midwest, where you drink air like a milkshake because it's so thick. It took us about an hour and a half to climb up the 1.3 mile trail, which is about average. The view was incredible, but I didn't last very long because I have a squirrel bladder and staying hydrated takes its toll on me. So I just about ran back down, but it was beautiful. (I highly recommend going early though, because it gets really hot really quickly. And beware of critters. I don't know what I was expecting, but we saw lots of chipmunks and a snake.) When we got back to the house, we had lunch, showered, and then some went to the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which are a series of pools with water pumped in from the natural hot springs at varying temperatures, and they smell like rotting eggs because of the sulfur. I opted out of this, mainly because I don't like hot tubs or rotting eggs, but also because Bachelor in Paradise  was on. As per usual, the night ended with dinner (crockpot Italian sausage) and games.

Wednesday - Wednesday morning was very relaxed because we were set to go rafting that afternoon. We took our time getting ready, eating baked French toast, watching Lilo & Stitch, and then we went for ice cream around lunch because it was near the rafting shop. Unfortunately, my cousin was sick this day, so we rebooked the rafting for the next day and went to Aspen instead. My mom wanted to go to the John Denver Sanctuary, so we did that, and then walked around downtown. There were lots of dogs and lots of fancy people not working on a Wednesday afternoon. We went home, had dinner, and played the most uncomfortable round of "Cards Against Humanity" I've ever played.

Thursday - Rafting was the thing I was most excited and most nervous for. We had an earlier time slot, which was good, but it was raining, which was also good but not great, because then it was cold. We went through Glenwood Adventure Company, and they ask that you arrive at their store to get fitted with lifejackets, helmets, etc. and hour before your raft time. We did, and then we went through the whole safety lecture and were assigned to our guides. No one in our group had ever rafted before, which was fine, and we were on an intermediate trip, which was also fine. But no one asked my 17 year old cousin and me if we were okay with having the cutest Scottish guide at the company while we looked like weenies in our helmets. It was not fine, but we managed. We boarded a bus to the launch point about 10 miles up the Colorado River. We launched in the rain and drifted a bit, practicing our paddling and following our guide's calls. Not long after, we hit the rapids, and I was immediately soaked and cold. That shock lasted all of 20 seconds before we hit more rapids, and I think that's when we were all hooked. It was the most fun I've had in a long time, and I highly recommend it. We were on the river for about two and a half hours, and we stopped at the real hot springs when we were almost done. They had a photographer stationed in the mountains as we went through the rapids, which calmed down after the first hour or so, and we were able to buy the pictures, which were hilarious. We pulled our raft out of the river at then end and rode back to the store, and then reality set in that we were cold and wet and had to walk back to the house. We ran. Everyone showered, and we got ready for birthday dinner number two of the trip, for my cousin's dad. We did a little souvenir shopping on the way home, and faced the sad reality of packing for the long drive home. (Note: for the photo, I've blurred out everyone except me, only because I don't know if my family wants to be on the Internet in this way, and I will not be making that decision for them. I want you to get a feel for what we did, I just need to respect their privacy in doing so.)

Friday/Saturday - Friday morning, we packed up, and went to Sweet ColoraDough for breakfast (the best sandwiches and donuts I've ever had). We all sadly loaded up and drove 13 hours (you can imagine our pain) to Kansas City, KS to stay the night. Saturday morning, we got up, and headed to the WWI museum in Kansas City. The monuments and displays were very interesting, but honestly, at this point, everyone was done and just wanted to get home. We had about eight hours to home, so we did just that. We arrived home Saturday night, and I've been missing CO ever since. I'll definitely be moving there after school, and we've already decided to go back in 2018.

Until then, CO, I wish you all the best,
Erin

Dear Ex-Best Friend

Hey.

You probably have a lot of questions about why I stopped talking to you. That's understandable, but I ask that you be just as understanding when I explain why. It's been a rough process, and I'm finally ready to tell my half of this story.

When I left for school, I was worried about everything. But one of my biggest fears was losing you. We were so close, and I told you everything. We were like sisters, and I didn't want that to change. And you promised me that it wouldn't. And somehow I never learn not to trust people for their words. That was my first mistake.

I never wanted to tell you how miserable I was, especially because I didn't want to ruin your senior year. Partially my fault, but you know I'm the "don't ask, don't tell" type. I didn't want to bother you; I knew how busy you'd be, and I never wanted to bug you with my little problems. And apparently you never wanted to hear them anyway.

You called me once in the four months I was gone, and texted me a handful of times. I wasn't far, but you never visited me even though you said you wanted to. Distance and little communication became the new normal.

Just after Christmas, you went away for a week. You only talked to me when you needed me, when living with other people was too much. Sound familiar? When you came back, I was at our high school for an event and wanted to meet you to give you your Christmas present. You blew me off. I still have it.

We didn't talk for months after that. The occasional text from you would send me into panic attack. You've seen me in the midst of panic attacks, so my not responding shouldn't be a surprise. Any time I would post pictures with my family or other friends, you would comment things like "I see how it is" or "ouch", and, frankly, it made me feel like crap. I don't need that negativity in my life, and that was the final straw.

Maybe you noticed how weird I was acting when I ran into you at the hair salon. Again, seeing you sent me straight into a panic attack. You accused me of ignoring your texts, which I can imagine only came in the form of group chats when you needed something. You're not totally wrong; I blocked you. I can't live in that panic forever.

Changing is absolutely normal, and we both have. But that change has separated us, and I don't think we can ever go back to the way we were. I don't regret our time spent together, I just don't want to relive it.

"Will you take a moment, promise me this: that you'll stand by me forever, but if, God forbid, fate should step in, and force us into a goodbye, if you have children someday, when they point to the pictures, please tell them my name."

It's been a good run, dear friend, but it's best we left it someplace where it can still be good when we look back on it.

I wish you all the best,
Your Ex-Best Friend

ColourPop First Impressions Haul

Hello friends! Recently I made an order from ColourPop, a makeup brand based in Los Angeles that everyone raves about, particularly their matte liquid lipsticks. I thought I'd see what all the hype is about and order some of their products, so here are my first impressions.

• Satin Finish Blush in Pegacorn - Okay, so I bought this blush mostly because of the name, but also because it's gorgeous. It's a sheer plum blush with a bit of shimmer (not glitter, just glow), and it's perfect for fall, even thought I wear it in the middle of July, too.

• Highlighter in Spoon - This highlight looks amazing online, but it's far too glittery for me. It's a super pretty champagme shade, and I still love it, but I'll probably use it as an eyeshadow.

• Ultra Satin Lip in Lyin' King - Holy moly these things are so worth the hype. I have never worn such a pigmented gloss, and it's absolutely stunning. This shade is a cool-toned berry red, and althought I can't attest to the staying power of it yet, as I don't have many red lip-appropriate occasions, I can't wait to wear it.

• Ultra Matte Lip in Lumiere 2 - This one I have worn for extended periods of time, and I'm in love. Typically I don't like matte lips because I don't like the dry feeling they give, and I do correct that finish with a clear gloss, but I still love the cool neutral purple hue, so I don't mind. The staying power is amazing - I put it on in the morning, blot it a bit so it doesn't transfer to my teeth, and top it with the gloss. The gloss may wear off, but the color stays all day long.

• Lippie Pencil in Lumiere - This pencil doesn't quite match the Matte Lip, but it's still a perfect neutral lip liner that I can wear with anything.

• Mini Gloss in Tokyo Tea - Something I didn't know about ColourPop is that you can get free Mini Glosses with certain dollar amounts of a purchase. I qualified for two, and this is the first one I picked. It's a bright orange-red, and my only complaint is that the applicator is absolutely tiny, so it take multiple dips back into the product to cover my lips.

• Mini Gloss in Finders Keepers - This is my second freebie, and it's the perfect my-lips-but-better shade. My only complaint is the same as the last: the applicator is too tiny.

 

Overall, I am very impressed with the brand as a whole, and will definitely try more things from them in the future. Let me know of any other brands you'd like first impressions on, and let me know if you've tried any of these things.

 

 

*Note: all photos are from ColourPop's website, purely for the reason of wanting the pictures to be as true-to-hue as possible.

 

 

I wish you all the best,

Erin

My Top 50 Favorite Baby Names

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

Sweet Spot: Greek Chicken Pitas with Lemon Garlic Sauce and Roasted Potatoes

Hello friends! I have another recipe for you, and I'm absolutely obsessed. These pitas make for a great weeknight dinner, but also produce amazing leftovers for lunch. Warning: Aside from being addictive, this is mostly to taste and depends on quantity, so I have almost no real measurements. Use your best judgement. It's the most fun way to cook, and makes for way less dishes to do when you're done.

The Lineup:
     About 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts (depending on how many you're serving), cut into 1
     inch cubes
     About 1 cup lemon juice, divided
     Garlic olive oil (or olive oil with minced garlic)
     Oregano
     Salt & pepper
     About 1 1/2 lbs. red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1 inch pieces
     1 cup canola oil
     1 egg white
     6 peeled garlic cloves
     Pita halves
      Lettuce & tomato for topping, if desired

The Play-by-Play:
1. Marinate chicken in 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup garlic olive oil, salt, pepper, and
    oregano to taste. Refrigerate 2-24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss potatoes in about 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup
    garlic olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano to taste. Roast approximately 30 minutes
    until fork-tender.
3. In a blender or small food processor bowl, combine canola oil, 1/3 cup lemon juice,
    egg white, peeled garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Blend until whipped and creamy,
    1-2 minutes.
4. Light grill. Place marinated chicken on soaked bamboo skewers, grill until cooked
    through, about 4 minutes per side.
5. If desired, brush pitas with olive oil and grill until warm.
*6. Assemble pitas with chicken, sauce, and toppings. Serve with potatoes. Enjoy!

Quick Play:
If you don't have access to a grill, the chicken can be cooked on a stovetop. The pitas also don't need to be grilled, just be sure to follow package directions before serving - most need to be microwaved before filling to make them more flexible. This chicken and even the sauce would also be amazing in a Greek salad. The sauce will make about 2 cups, so store the rest in the fridge for your later enjoyment.

The Playmaker: http://www.jocooks.com/main-courses/poultry-main-courses/marinated-chicken-spiedies-with-garlic-sauce/
    
    
I wish you all the best,
Erin

Get to Know Me Tag

Hello friends! There's been quite a bit of traffic to this lovely little internet corner lately (Hello! Welcome!), so I figured I'd do the ever-popular Get to Know Me Tag from YouTube to let you all learn a little more about me.

1. What's your middle name?
     Violet
2. Favorite school subject?
    Conventional subject: English // Nonconventional subject: chorus
3. Favorite drink?
    Iced caramel mochas are what I live on.
4. Favorite song at the moment?
    This is so hard because I have multiple favorites of everything. Right now it's "Hell No"
    by Ingrid Michaelson. It's just a good jam.
5. What would you name your children?
    As some of you may know, I adore names and thinking about my future kids' names. If I
    had my ideal set of kids to name at this exact moment, I would have two girls and a
    boy, and their names would be Scarlett Lila (I would call her Scout - I think it's an
    adorable, unconventional nickname), Maisie Wren, and Beckett Calvin (I would call
    him Beck), so I would have Scout, Maisie, and Beck.
6. Have you played any sports?
    I did dance and cheerleading when I was little, but I'm as graceful as a baby giraffe on
    ice, so that didn't really work out.
7. Favorite book?
    Again, I have a ton of favorites, but right now I really love Me Before You and I'll Give
    You the Sun.
8. Favorite color?
    Purple and gray
9. Favorite animal?
    Domestic animal: dog // Wild animal: otter
10. Favorite perfume?
      Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black (Bonus: My favorite normal scents are vanilla,
      coffee, cherry, and peach.)
11. Favorite holiday?
      Thanksgiving and Christmas
12. On a scale from 1-10, rate your childhood.
      I'd give it a solid 8. It was really great, but school was hard for me. I spent most of
      my time by myself.
13. Have you ever been out of the country?
      Yes, I went to Ireland two and a half years ago. It was amazing. It's definitely my
      favorite place I've ever been.
14. Do you speak any other languages?
      I can understand basic Spanish, but I'd probably have a hard time responding if
      someone spoke to me.
15. Do you have any siblings?
      Yes, I have one younger brother.
16. Favorite store?
      I love Target, and Forever 21 is great for cheap clothes - I love to turn over my closet
      pretty regularly.
17. Favorite restaurant?
      I don't know if I have one. I like to try new places.
18. Do you like school?
      I'm in college right now, and it's okay. I'd rather be done, but it's something I have to
      stick with. I need something to fall back on in case my bakery dream falls through.
19. Favorite YouTubers?
      Oh goodness, there are so many. I love Cupcake Jemma, the Ballinger family (all of
      them), Buzzfeed, and Zoella, just to name a few.
20. Favorite movie?
      Grease is the one I have to watch every time it's on, so I think that makes it my
      favorite.
21. Favorite TV show?
      I love most shows on Food Network and TLC, but I also love any of The Bachelor
      shows, especially Bachelor in Paradise.
22. Mac or PC?
      I have a PC, but I'm thinking about making the switch to Mac just because that's more
      practical for what I do in school.
23. What phone do you have?
      I have an iPhone 6 with a cute pineapple case.
24. How tall are you?
      5'7"
25. Do you have any pets?
      Yes, I have a shih tzu poodle named Darius, even though we barely ever call him by
      his real name.

Please let me know if you have any other questions (within reason, of course), post suggestions, etc., and let me know a little more about you in the comments, I'd love to learn more about you guys!

I wish you all the best,
Erin