DIY Cupcake Toppers

When I made these ombre cupcakes not too long ago, I wanted to decorate them with something fun and sparkly. I had seen some cupcake toppers like this at the store and while they weren't expensive to buy, they only had them in red and blue, which I didn't need. I love that by making them yourself, it's easy to customize and make as many as you want. So cute and easy!

Supplies

Toothpicks

Pom Poms

Scissors

Glue Gun & Glue Stick

1. Cut off the tips of your toothpick

2. Dab some glue to the end of toothpick

3. Attach pom pom to toothpick

**Now go make some cupcakes** 

xoxo erica

Fun & Florals

Dress: Target, Tank: Thrifted, Heels: Steve Madden, Ring: INPINK 

I have to say that this past weekend was full of good times even without the trip to New Orleans. Since we didn't go out of town, we went out for a night full of dancing on Saturday. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I went dancing, but I felt like I never came off the dance floor until it was time to go. I spent Sunday relaxing around in this dress. I've worn this dress countless times and decided to switch up the look by layering a sheer tank over it and knotting it up in the back. Don't you think it has the cutest little floral print?

Happy Monday :)

xoxo erica

Sequins & Stripes

 Cardigan: Thrifted, Tank: Old Navy, Pants: Forever 21, Heels: L.A.M.B., Necklace: Rue 21

You all know by now, that if I'm wearing jeans, I'm finding a way to dress it up. Even if it means wearing sequins way past the holidays. This cardigan is probably my most favorite thrifted find next to my tutu skirt. I just can't help but love the way the sunlight catches the sequins. I was suppose to spend the weekend in New Orleans for a girls trip but with the expected weather, we cancelled at the last minute. I think all the rain we've been having the last few days is moving out that way...so who knows what I'll find myself doing. Whatever it is, I'll probably be wearing this sequin cardigan all weekend...I really do wear it with everything.

Oh here's Scar, we both hope you have a great weekend.

xoxo erica

DIY Enamel Bobby Pins

When I first cut my bangs, bobby pins saved my life. I have that really annoying habit of thinking that "this time" bangs will look good on me and every time I end up hating them. I usually carry a handful of bobby pins in my purse just in case I need them. I thought wouldn't it be fun to have some fun colored bobbies rather than your usual boring black? After two coats of polish these were all done within a matter of minutes. I'm thinking I should try some pretty pastels for spring next. 

Supplies:

Bobby Pins

Nail Polish

Apply one coat, let dry, apply a second, & wear.

Really it's that simple.

xoxo erica

A Sweet Idea: m&m Brownies

One day my co-worker happened to mention to me how her grandmother makes brownies with m&m minis. Since that day, I couldn't get them out of my head and I knew it would be the next thing I baked. I've had m&m cookies before, but brownies...never had I thought of combining the two.  DELICIOUS!! The key is to use the mini m&ms and to just sprinkle them on top rather than mixing them into the batter. Oh and I was making these for a party so I just put them in a cupcake pan that way everyone would already have the perfect size and I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning up a pan...win win.

I like to eat my brownies with ice cream...yum

Want more sweet ideas? Check them out here

xoxo erica

Life Lately

1. Hanging out with Chris Saturday night at a local bar.

2. Valentine's Day cupcakes

3. At the gym wearing a braided braid.

4. Dinner with Chris...loving the way he's been wearing his hair lately.

5. Beautiful floral bouquet from my guy.

6. Cupcake remains...I know I eat a lot of cupcakes.

7. Getting ready to share a 30 oz steak on our Valentine's date.

8. Turning on the tv just in time to catch Justin Timberlake perform at the Grammys.

9. I came home to find my niece Isabella wearing my dress...she picked the pink sequins :)

10. Me and Scar

See more Life Lately posts here 

find me on instagram @ericamarie04

xoxo erica

Red Hot Heart

Top: Target, Skirt: Target, Heels: Rebecca Minkoff, Heart Brooch: DIY

When I got out of work on Valentine's Day, I came home to Chris all dressed up and waiting for me with a bouquet of roses and lilies. We went out for dinner, exchanged gifts, and I got the sweetest cards from my guy (reading what he wrote in them was probably my favorite part of the night). Oh and we watched A Good Day to DIE HARD, yes girls...I'm a lucky lady. I decided not to dress up in pink but I couldn't resist adding a sequin heart to my top...just enough to celebrate a day full of love.

xoxo erica

Ombre Cupcakes

Hey dolls, I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Usually on the weekends I'm out and about doing something with Chris, but this weekend he had to work and I hardly even saw him. Since I couldn't spend the weekend with one of my favorite people, I spent it doing a few other favorite things. I went to the movies with my brother, breakfast with the family after church, did some shopping, had a really good workout, got a manicure, and found a bit of time to bake some cupcakes. 

xoxo erica

What's In My Makeup Bag

Although I don't have a crazy beauty routine, I thought it would be fun to share what I keep in my makeup bag. I'm the kind of girl that when I find a product I like, I stick to it...usually until it's discontinued or I happen to try something new that I love even more. Here's what I'm currently using.

1: Loreal Paris Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, 2: Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen, 3: Revlon Vixen Polish, 4: Elf Blush in Fushia Fusion, 5: Victoria's Secret Noir Tease, 6: Cherry ChapStick, 7: Loreal Paris Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum, 8: Maybelline Lipstick in Red Revival,  9: Victoria's Secret Eyeshadow

I first tried this Telescopic mascara about 3 months ago...now it's my favorite thanks to Carli from the Beauty Bybel. Seriously this girl has some of my favorite makeup tutorials. 

Eyeliner is about the only thing I bounce around on. I've tried everything from liquid to pencil but I'm currently using Revlon Colorstay liquid eye pen. I usually go for a winged look when doing my eyes and this is great for making bold lines.

This lip balm has just enough of a tint for an everyday natural kind of look. This is what I wear most of the time to work...every now and then I'll use my red lipstick. I love wearing red lipstick and over the years I've tried so many always searching for the perfect red. This one by far has been my favorite. 

I like to keep my lips moisturized at all times. Chap stick is always on hand, I even keep an extra one in my car. I usually swipe this on for those lazy kind of days at home or whenever I don't feel like putting on makeup.

My usual makeup routine is: a bit of blush, winged eyeliner, 2 coats of mascara, and lip balm/lipstick. I play around with eyeshadow every now and then but I honestly hardly use it.

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Do you have any great beauty finds I should try? Do tell.

xoxo erica

The Lucky One

I remember when I first started this blog I would use my point and shoot camera to take all of my photos. It was a constant routine of set the 10 second timer, run in front of the camera, and repeat until I got a few shots I liked...which could sometimes take what seemed like forever. For our anniversary last year, I was pretty much the happiest girl when Chris gave me a DSLR camera. Since then, he takes all of my photos of what I'm wearing (and now I feel like one of the luckiest girls to not have to worry about setting a timer). This whole other creative side of him has come out through photography and I always enjoy going back and looking at the photos after a "shoot". Here are a few favorites from not too long ago.

Just for the record, I think he's pretty amazing.

xoxo erica