If You Want Something Do It Yourself: Savings

I've always been pretty good at saving money. As long as I have a goal I'm strict with making sure I don't spend it on splurges. One time in high school I saved up about $1800 in a biology text book that I kept in my room. Trust me, my biology text book literally put me to sleep after reading a few pages so I would never mess with it...unless I couldn't sleep at night lol. Anyway I've always like the idea of being able to see my goal and know how much I've collected. I decided a chalkboard piggy bank would be a fun way to save up for a few items I've been dreaming about. Once I've collected enough for one thing I can always write down the next item on my wish list and be reminded of my goal.

If you want one too, here's how to do it yourself:

What I'm currently saving for:

Hope you all enjoyed this :)

xoxo erica

Interior Design Turned Fashion: Make a Statement

 I haven't done one of these in awhile and almost forgotten how fun it was to create a look based off of a beautiful room. This room really caught my attention with the color palette...I love the green with fun black and white print pillows and bright pops of color. 

The Fashion Look

A statement skirt worn high on the waist and a basic tee knotted up would make a fun look with bright accessories and jewelry that's simple but pretty.

xoxo erica

Get the fashion look here

Interior pic via

Baby I'm Ready

Top: Bebe, Skirt: Made by me, Belt: Thrifted, Heels: Steve Madden

I feel like it hasn't gotten as cold yet as it has years before. To be honest with you I'm not even sure I miss the freezing cold. I'm in full gear, ready for spring which is pretty evident in what I'm wearing today. This skirt is actually the first skirt I've ever sewn and I'm happy to start wearing it again and I love the neon green color of my sweater top. Which by the way some bright colored skinny jeans are now on my current wish list. What's on your wish list?

Life Lately

1. Me in my new favorite shade of red

2. Scar on Chris' truck

3. Jewelry

4. Cupcake from my niece's birthday

5. After all the rain the other day

6. Glamour-the only magazine I read everything in

7. Sketches from last night's homework

8. Blizzard :)

Bold Brights

Top: Target, Sweater: Thrifted, Belt: Thrifted, Skirt: Rue 21, Boots: Charlotte Russe

Since the new year has started most of my time has been spent working long hours and sleeping. I had the morning off today and felt that I needed something to add some life to my mood. Doing floor sets until 3 in the morning and then going back to work at 7:30 really messed me up and I've been so tired lately. I thought this top was perfect to cure a sluggish mood. I love the bright stripes and how it reminds me that spring is not too far away.

A Look Back at 2011

I just thought I would share a few photos and highlights I liked from 2011.

January

This blog was still pretty new in January. I rang in the new year at my sister's house, started wearing Christmas presents like this purple blouse for outfit posts, and discovered that the boyfriend's ranch is a beautiful place to take photos.

February

Roses for Valentine's day is always the best. The weather is always a bit funny, it's still cold enough to wear tights and a sweater but then warm enough to wear fun spring prints. I also bought this cute cat ring...which is now lost :( This is also the last month I had my natural hair color...I'm not too sure if I'm going back to black but maybe soon.

March

I almost didn't blog at all during March...I think I only had 3 posts. I went to the beach that month and by the time I shared these photos I had left my job I had for the past 3 years and felt fully inspired for new beginnings. I guess that's what the beach does to you, it's one of my favorite places to be although I don't get the chance to visit that often.

April

I started off the month to a great start with a trip to visit my sis in D.C. While there we celebrated my niece's 2nd birthday, did a photo shoot with the cherry blossoms, and visited a few museums. I happen to love this picture of Julia Child's show kitchen...I had just seen the movie and been gifted one of her cook books. I also shared this photo of the boyfriend and I, it's one of my favorites.

May

This is my birthday month and I didn't even post about my birthday...lol. I did however go to an amazing concert in San Antonio that changed my views on Avenged Sevenfold, sewed my first attempt of a skirt, tried a new hairstyle, and took this photo of Tyson, my brother's dog. He passed away about a week ago but looking back at this pic makes me really happy.

June

On the last day of May I went to go see my favorite band play. By the early hours of June 1st I had met the singer, Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach...I was a happy girl. Oh that photo of the hot rockstar is Jerry Horton, the lead guitarist...love.  I also took photos of my flower rosette heels with pretty little flowers, learned that running in the beauty at my boyfriend's house beats running on a treadmill, and wore white pants for the first time ever...they were for a class project, I added lace inserts.

July

I shared this photo of the 4th of July cake my family makes every year. It seriously tastes as good as it looks. My sis from D.C. came down to visit and we did a little photo shoot, I sewed another skirt after being inspired my other fashion bloggers, and snapped this photo of my bow heels...they were a go to favorite I wore all month.

August

The boyfriend had asked me to be a little creative when baking his mother's birthday cake so I did layers. So far I had made all of the birthday cakes for his family...I was a bit flattered. His sister's birthday is coming up in January...will I be asked again? Do I really impress with my cake baking skills? We will have to see...I also played mixologist and learned how to make a dunk margarita, found this tutu skirt which has become a favorite in my wardrobe, and started being more experimental with clothing...this fun print skirt is really a shirt.

September

It gets rather hot down in Texas so for those too hot to handle days I often cool down with treats like sno cones. This photo was taken at a local favorite. Something to love about Texas...my sis had finally moved back and now I get to see this cutie more often. I ended up seeing Avenged Sevenfold...again...that was 3 times in one year and they were even better than the time before. I also shared these fringe ankle cuffs...my favorite diy. 

October

This happens to be one of my favorite months. The county fair comes which means good music, rides, and delicious foods like corn dogs, cheeseburgers, turkey legs, caramel apples, lemonade, sausage on a stick...really I could keep going on...I eat pretty bad all week. I also visited a pumpkin patch for the first time, shared some love for the Texas Rangers...too bad they didn't win the World Series, and I let the boyfriend play photographer. This is a photo of the early morning behind his house...the sunlight coming up really is gorgeous.

November

This month was all about enjoying some cooler weather. I started wearingmb my leggings again and tights became an almost everyday must. Now that I was working a part time job in the mall, forever 21 was right around the corner which means time to buy more accessories. I also wore a maxi skirt for the first time, I had been wanting to try this trend for some time.

December

Sea of Blooming Dreams turned 1!! I'm still excited about that  and so happy to have you all here :) This birthday photo shoot was something my sis and I did together and I loved the results. I rocked out in sequins to one of the best concerts ever this month. If Rise Against ever comes to your town, you have to see them...trust me they are beyond amazing. I'm also happy to see that after year later of starting this blog I'm still having fun doing outfit posts and sharing them with you all.

See you all in 2012. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

What's In My Bag

I almost never show what bag I'm carrying around when I do outfit posts, so I thought it would be a little fun to show you all what's in my bag. Lately I've been carrying around this Betseyville crossbody...here's what's in it.

1. Car keys-with a California and Tinkerbell keychain

2. Selena cd-I just bought this album although it came out in 1994...still such good music.

3. Revlon's Facets of Fuschia-My current color of choice

4. Accessories-They are just thrown in my purse, probably a good reason why I lose most of my accessories.

5. Chapstick-I can't go anywhere without it.

6. iPhone 4-love it

7. 1st generation iPhone-As you can see it's all cracked but I still use the iPod when I go work out.

8. Sketchbook, Pencil, Pen, & Marker-I'm always jotting down inspiration.

9. Wallet-Currently holding all the essentials, Starbucks gift card, and a photo of the boyfriend and I when we first started dating.

What's in your bag?

Happy Weekend + Dreamer Giveaway

So this is the last giveaway. Thank you all again for being such amazing followers! Next week I'm back with regular postings like daily outfits and diy posts. Hope you all have an amazing weekend filled with lots of love and happiness.

Win these lovelies from my shop.

1. Pink bow clip

2. Floral bloom earrings

3. Winter Bloom Brooch

To enter

1. Be a follower and leave a comment stating so.

Extra Entries:

2. Follow me on twitter

3. Tweet about this giveaway

4. Blog about this giveaway

**Please leave a separate comment for each entry**

Good Luck :) 

Last day to enter is Christmas Eve. Winners announced Christmas Day.

Don't forget to enter the other giveaways!

F21 Accessories here

&

Dream Flag Banner here

&

XL Sponsor Ad here

&

The Frock Star Nail Polish Strips here

Happy Birthday Sea of Blooming Dreams

I can't believe it's already been a year! This little blog is finally 1 year old and I have had an amazing time writing new posts, meeting new people, and being inspired by so much in the blogosphere. About a year ago I was stuck in a job that I really couldn't stand and had even got to the point where I could care less about my appearance because I didn't see anyone while I was at work. I started this blog to record what I was wearing so that I would start to put more effort into getting dressed in the morning and find that place where I could have fun with fashion again. A year later and I'm so happy to see what Sea of Blooming Dreams has become. It's been a great year and I'm looking forward to another. Thank you all my amazing readers for continuing to stop by throughout the year. 

You all are the best :)

                            

  

I just wanted to thank you all again for being such amazing followers.

I really love seeing that you stopped by and enjoy reading all of the comments.

I plan on doing a few giveaways throughout the week to celebrate.

Because I got so many comments about my nails and how much you all loved them, I decided I would giveaway a pair to a lucky reader.

All you have to do to win is:

1. Be a follower of my blog and leave a comment 

For extra entries:

2. Follow me on twitter

3. Blog about this giveaway

**Please leave a separate comment for each entry**

Good Luck :) 

Last day to enter is Christmas Eve. Winners announced Christmas Day.

A special thanks goes out to my sis...She took all of these amazing photos!

Going to New Lengths

Tank: Dressing on the Side, Skirt: Forever 21, Heels: Rebecca Minkoff, 

Bow: Sea of Blooming Dreams, Love Rings: Forever 21, Heart Ring: Treasure Hunter's Boutique

I finally decided to embrace longer lengths, I've been wanting a maxi skirt for quite some time but had always talked myself out of buying one. This skirt is actually meant to be worn as just a normal black maxi, but I decided to pull the lining up to make it sheer at the bottom. I think it's a little more fun that way and because I didn't cut it and only did a few stitches in certain places, I can always let it down to make it black in full length. I didn't want the long length to make me feel to dressed up so I paired it with a simple racerback tank I had that says, I love you more than cupcakes. I'm actually loving this new length and I love the feeling of the fabric flowing in the wind...it makes me feel all girly and pretty :)

Syrup + Ice = A Perfect Match

     

Tank: From Uproar Festival, Jeans: Forever 21, Heels: Target, Clutch: Express

Although I've been wishing for cooler weather, it doesn't seem like that will be happening anytime soon.  After passing by this snow cone stand day after day I finally realized this is exactly what I needed.  Banana snow cones are my favorite, I find it rather hard to try anything else.  What are your favorite flavors? Maybe I'll try it next time :) This has been a crazy week with final projects due next week!!  I'm so glad it's Friday and guess what?? Today is my mom's birthday!!!  We are throwing her a karaoke party...here's what I'm singing:

Nancy Sinatra: These Boots Are Made For Walking

Sheryl Crow: My Favorite Mistake

& 

me and the boyfriend are singing a duet

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton: Islands in the Stream

Wish me luck!! Any fun plans for the weekend?  Do tell :)

        

                                      

Hope you all enjoy the weekend :)

Everyday is a New Beginning

This morning I woke up for the first time without an alarm...on a Tuesday. It felt great :)

Yesterday was my last day at the job that I've had for the past 3 1/2 years.  I put in my two weeks so I could go to school full time during the day (I've been going full time at night).  School starts again next week so I have some time off.  On Thursday I'm headed to D.C. for about a week...I'm so excited for the things to come. :)

This is a pic I took from the beach...more on that to come.

Forgetfulness

So today has been one of those days that just drags by.  Maybe it's my lack of sleep but all day I kept thinking it was Thursday which made me really happy for a few reasons.  

1. Tomorrow would be Friday 

2. Tomorrow would be $pay day$ 

3. I would be done with school for the week

 4. I could finally relax

...but then it hits me after awhile and I realize it's only Tuesday which then makes me kind of sad :( ...see my sad eyes?? I'm really sad.  Update I just tried to take a sip of my green tea and it seems I just finished my bottle...make that #5.  Ok on to happier things...This is what has been making me happy lately.

My new necklace next to the lovely Marilyn...I can't stop wearing it.

This cute tote bag from this etsy shop

so happy fancy rabbit is mine <3

calming morning like these

circus themed tea parties

check out more pics here