Nail Tutorial // Two Toned Holiday Nails

 Hey everyone, are you all excited about the upcoming holidays as much as I am? Everything I do pretty much involves sequins, glitter, or any kind of sparkle these days. I recently tried a marble nail that was a total fail but one of my nails had this pretty split of color that inspired this design. And like I said, sparkles are pretty much swirling in my mind so yeah a thin strip of glitter makes the loveliest festive nail to pair with a full on sequin dress or even a casual jeans and tee.

 1. Paint your nails in a fun bright red base color.

2. Place a piece of scotch tape down the middle of your finger. I alternated sides.

3. Paint your nail in a cute ballerina pink.

4. Once dry, peel off tape carefully. Don't worry if the lines are a little messed up, they will be covered.

5. Using a thin brush, dip into a clear polish and draw a line down the middle.

6. Dip your nail into some extra fine glitter. I poured a bit of glitter into the glitter bottle cap.

7. Blow off excess glitter.

8. Top coat your nails. I top coated each section, the light pink and red on all nails first before going over the glitter on any nails to avoid getting glitter where it shouldn't be. 

All done!

Let me know if you try this on insta by tagging your pic #sobdlife  I would love to see if you try any other color combos!

xoxo erica

Life Lately

1. I've officially caught the Christmas fever! I usually don't like anything Christmas-y until after Thanksgiving, so I don't know what has gotten into me this year. I couldn't help but buy these reindeer glasses from Target the other day...aren't they the cutest?!

2. This photo was literally taken seconds before my sister's cat Theodore attacked my dress.

3. Chris and I taking selfies at Fashion Houston before the show started.

4. I've been painting a lot lately. A top knot kind of day was me over the weekend. I've been thinking of opening an etsy print shop so stay tuned on that!

5. Sequin filled ornaments! Over the weekend Chris and I made a few diy ornaments to hang on the tree.

 6. I like to get creative when decorating cakes...chocolate chip heart for this one.

7. We went to see the Rebecca Minkoff show last week at Fashion Houston. She is one of my top favorite designers so it was really like a dream to see it.

8. These two guys make me the happiest!

9. Pretty flowers to keep me company in my room. Love the color!

10. Fishtailing it!

xoxo erica

Gimmie What I Want // November Wish List

the dress // the shoes // the accessory

What's on your wish list this month?

xoxo erica

A Month of Gifting // 3 Easy DIY Wrapping Paper Ideas

One of my favorite things about buying gifts is knowing that I'm going to be wrapping them. I'm one of those that really cares about the packaging just as much as the gift itself. I've already hunted down some super cute and pretty wrapping papers over the weekend...one has cats! I know, I know but I can't help myself. I have a huge family and I alway like to mix up store bought and home made wrapping. I think there's something nice about adding personal touches...even if they are going to be ripped to shreds lol. I decided to share 3 easy diy wrapping paper patterns with you that anybody can do...you don't need any serious skills for these so go and give it a try.

 I've only seen snow twice in my life.. And to be honest it was maybe like 1/2 an inch at that...I couldn't even make a snow angel :( but I did have a snowball fight with Chris and his brother and make a tiny snowman. A white Christmas has always sounded like a dream so that was my inspiration for this paper. To get a dreamy snowing wrapping paper, simply did a brush into white paint and flick the bristles with your finger.

 For a fun and quirky print draw some swirly frills with a black sharpie. Don't worry about being precise with it. I think the imperfection is what makes it cute.

I wanted to make a wrapping paper that had more a Christmas theme and settled on a forest of Christmas trees! All you have to do is make a set of small triangles going down at angle and a set of large triangles going down at angle. Repeat the pattern and once the paint is dry (I used watercolors and they dried really really fast), trace around with a black sharpie and add a line for a trunk. Too cute, right?

Embellish with cute bows and jingle bells! Let me know if you try these ideas out by tagging your photos #sobdlife

xoxo erica

To the Next Level

 Black and brown have always been one of my favorite color combos...even if I've heard people say that they don't go together. I wore this to a lunch date with my sisters and mom the other day. I got this skirt as a gift last year for Christmas. Every time I wear it, I feel a bit glamourous because of the beautiful embellishment. And usually I'm all about the sparklier the better, but I love the matte finish on these sequins...you know, not all out there in your face. Paired with a black tee it's just a simple casual outfit but with details that take it up a notch.

xoxo erica

A Sweet Idea // Oreo Truffles

For Halloween, one of my co-workers made these Oreo truffles and oh my gosh! They were deliciously amazing! I knew I had to share this with y'all. I love that this kind of dessert works for anytime of the year, you know just switch up the holiday sprinkles for any occasion...plus it's a quick and easy no bake chocolate goodness that everyone is going to love. 

 1. Break 15 oreo cookies into pieces and pulse in a food processor.

2. In a bowl, mix oreo mix with 4 oz. of softened cream cheese. Mix together.

3. Form the oreo and cream cheese mixture into balls. I was able to make 15. Place on a sheet of parchment paper and let freeze for 30 minutes.

4. Heat up chocolate chip morsels in the microwave for about 45 seconds.

5. Dip each truffle into the melted chocolate using a spoon to fully cover it.

6. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles and let freeze for at least 15-30 minutes.

OMG these are so good!

 xoxo erica

Look Cute in Less than 5 Minutes

 Now that the time has changed, are you finding that you are getting out of bed earlier? Nah, me either. I mean I wake up, but I look at Pinterest and Instagram and by the time you know it, I'm scrambling to get ready for work in the morning. If you are anything like me, then quick and easy hairstyles are your go to when getting ready. Here are a few of my fav that I've shared on the blog.

The Pancake Braid

The Hair Bow

Half Up Top Knot

Snake Braid

Mermaid Braid

 xoxo erica

Comfort Zones

Blouse: H&M, Dress: Thrifted, Boots: H&M 

Black and white outfits are my thing, my comfort zone. I was hoping to pick up a few fall things like sweaters, tights, and scarves in maybe a plaid, mustard yellow, or an autumn floral print but yesterday I bought concert tickets instead. I don't mind spending another week with all the good old things from last year if it means going to see Papa Roach again in just a few months.  

 

xoxo erica

Fall Fashion Pinspiration

Every time the season starts to change, I get excited about adding new items to my closet. With the weather slowly changing I'm finding myself wanting to buy a ton of new stuff at the store and online...Target and Nasty Gal get me every time! I can't wait to start wearing layers, tights with everything, chunky knits, and faux furs, and of course a little bit of sparkle...okay maybe a lot of sparkle! What's are you looking forward to wearing this fall? 

Find these images and more inspiration on my pinterest

xoxo erica

Hair Tutorial // Messy Fishtail Pony

It's officially feeling like sweater weather out here. The past few days have felt really nice with breezy afternoons and chilly nights. Last year I got really into scarves and can't wait to pull out some chunky knit ones soon. For some reason with a scarf, I find that I actually like wearing my hair up or pulled away from my face...cue in a messy fishtail pony, way better than your average pony.

 1. Pull hair into a high pony. When going for a messy look, I like to flip my hair over and pull it into a pony so that it doesn't look too neat.

2. Separate pony into two sections and start to braid your hair into a fishtail.

3. Once your pony is fully braided, pull at it to make it messy. You can even use a hairbrush to roughen it up. 

xoxo erica

A Month of Gifting // DIY Fringe Gift Bags

This month is going to be all about gifting. Cute packaging ideas, fun gifts in a box, and simple diy gifts...everything to get you ready for the holiday season. Are you excited for the holidays yet? I actually bought a Christmas decoration over the weekend which isn't like me. I usually don't like starting Christmas stuff until Thanksgiving has passed. I'm not sure what has gotten into my but I actually kinda like it. I've always loved fringe garlands and thought a little fringe would make the cutest festive bags around town. This is an easy diy and if you have a ton of different colors of tissue paper like me, then the color combinations are endless. My favorite always include gold foil.

 Supplies: Bags, Tissue Paper, Double Stick Tape, Scissors

 1. Cut strips of tissue paper the length of the front of the bag and about 1 1/2 inches wide.

2. Use double stick tape or scrapbook adhesive and place to back of the tissue strip.

3. Adhere the tissue strip to the bag and cut fringes about 1 inch into the tissue paper.

4. Once all pieces of tissue paper are on the bag fluff up the fringes with your hands.

So easy...just fill up with an awesome gift!

Let me know if you try this with an instagram pic #sobdamonthofgifting #sobdlife

xoxo erica