Beauty Tip Tuesday- The Kate Middleton

Hello Friends!

Its Beauty Tip Tuesday! I'm really excited about this post...it features a look made famous by one very pretty princess...Kate Middleton The Duchess of Cambridge!

I saw a picture of this look and immediately loved it. Its elegant and beautiful while still being practical and fit for everyday wear. I'm currently working as a waitress at a pub here in Raleigh (Saints and Scholars...come say hi!) saving money for my upcoming move and this hairstyle is PERFECT for work! It keeps my hair away from my face and up enough to keep me cool. I wore this look to work last weekend and I got so many compliments from both co-workers and customers! So without further ado, The Half Up Kate Middleton!

The Half Up Kate Middleton Tutorial

1. Thoroughly wash and condition hair
2. Spray damp hair with a volumizing product (such as Chi brand) and an anti-frizz product (such as John Frieda Frizz Ease)
3. Begin to blow dry hair and about half way through the process flip head over and continue blow drying in this way (this step helps to add volume to the finished look)
4. When hair is almost completely dry, flip head back upright and use a flat brush or paddle brush to dry the top of the hair and smooth down fly-aways. Complete blow dry in this manner
5. Once hair is completely dry, spray with a heat protectant (such as Iron Guard by Chi) and thoroughly comb through hair
6. Use 1" to 1 1/2" hot rollers or curling iron and curl hair. Run fingers through cooled curled hair to create loose, natural looking curls
7. Lightly spray hair all over with a hairspray (such as Chi Natural Hold)
8. LIGHTLY tease hair at the crown of your head (Don't go overboard, you don't want to look like a crazed pageant queen!)
9. Beginning just above the ears, sweep hair back and up and gather together at the crown with the teased portion, lightly brushing over the top of the hair to smooth down any bumps. 
10. Spray hair once more with hairspray (Chi Natural Hold) and enjoy looking like a Princess for the day!

See, with 10 easy steps every woman can look like an elegant Princess! I was able to achieve this look in about 25-30 minutes, so it really isn't time consuming at all! I hope all you ladies out there find this helpful and enjoy wearing this look! 

Love,

Erin 

Workout Wednesday on a Thirsty Thursday

     Oh my goodness, life seems to be moving at an ever quickening pace lately. Its the end of May, but I don't seem to remember most of this month happening at all. I'm sorry for the lapse in posting this week. I was very busy with work and life in general.
     I know that its supposed to be Thirsty Thursday but I really would like to do a Workout Wednesday post instead. So, I'm switching things up today. I haven't been the healthiest of people lately. I haven't been taking care of my body in the best way. I used to get five good, sweat inducing workouts in a week but lately I've been lucky to get in one. I don't like how I feel when I don't exercise. I've also not been eating so well, and that also makes me feel lethargic. Well, yesterday I decided to change things. I'm tired of feeling that way and I'm done with it. I'm eating clean, lean and healthy from here on out, and I'm just starting a new workout routine. I do NOT want to go to Dublin feeling any less than 100%!
     So, my new workout plan is the Couch to 5k(C25K) program. Its a 9 week plan designed to get you from sitting on the couch to running a 5k! I'm very excited about this! 9 weeks from today puts me at July 26....just days before I leave for Ireland! I really encourage anyone who wants to jump start their workouts or train for a race to check this program out here.
     I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! I'll see you tomorrow for Fashion Friday!

Love,
Erin

Fashion Abroad Friday-1st Edition

   

 Since I'll be moving to a country that is notorious for its rainy climate, I've been looking around for some good rainwear. Although a raincoat certainly won't be the only waterproofing item I'll need, I think its a good place to start. I found this raincoat here on Nordstrom's website and I instantly fell in love. I love the tulip-like detail in the front at the bottom and how the back is a little bit longer. It gives it a touch of elegance, and that collar is to die for! The hood only adds to its appeal. To know me is to know that I am sometimes forgetful...meaning there will certainly be times when I forget an umbrella. In these situations that hood will be able to save my hair from utter destruction! 

     I hope everyone had a fabulous week and has some fun planned for the weekend! One of my best friends from high school, Vanessa, has just arrived home from playing professional volleyball in Italy this week and we're getting together with all the girls for lunch tomorrow. I can't wait to see her! She is also a blogger and is wildly talented and hilarious!! Check out her blog, Confessions of a Pro-Athlete here!

Love,

Erin

Thirsty Thursday- 1st Edition

     Thirsty Thursday is upon us! Since I've not arrived in Dublin yet (and won't for a couple more months) my Thirsty Thursday posts will be about fun new drinks I discover in my remaining time here in Raleigh. Without further ado, let me introduce.......

The Pink Lady courtesy of C. Grace on S. Glenwood!

     I had this delicious, crave-worthy cocktail last weekend when I went out with the girls. I was looking for something different from my usual yet delicious "vodka soda with a splash of pineapple"(a la Bethenny Frankel and Sarah Hardin). One of the girls told me that she heard a few of the drinks on the menu were made with egg whites and I was instantly intrigued. I asked our amazingly talented and friendly bartender to tell me about this egg white situation and he described a few of their signature drinks to me. The Pink Lady instantly caught my attention. A pretty pink cocktail mixed perfectly with gin, grenadine, lemon juice and egg white that shares a name with one of my favorite groups of gal pals (um, hello Grease!) seemed like the perfect option for me. This was one of the most tasty cocktails I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. It was sweet and tart all at the same time. Every ingredient was able to shine through without overpowering any of the others. And the egg whites, oh the egg whites! They made the drink so light and frothy! 

     This is probably one of the most perfect summer cocktails. I would most definitely replicate this at home for a summer party or barbecue. I think it stands alone quite well for a dessert cocktail, however it would also pair nicely with a fruit and cheese platter. 

     

** I know that Thirsty Thursday isn't intended to be a bar/restaurant review, but I just have to say a few kind words about C. Grace. This new spot on Glenwood South is SUCH a gem! It looks like a rather small and forgettable place from the outside, but take a moment to walk down the short staircase to C. Grace's red front doors, step inside and find yourself transported from Downtown Raleigh to a elegant speakeasy in the 1920's. No detail has been ignored in its decoration. From the jet black walls to the sexy red velvet curtains and antique furniture you will lose yourself in a time long forgotten. The bartenders wear shirts and ties(some even wear a VEST!) and the cocktail waitresses have adorably elegant skirts, shirts and dainty heels. Every customer receives the attention he or she deserves. Each drink is made with care and never rushed. C. Grace has quickly become my favorite spot to head to on any night of the week! 

     

I hope that everyone is having a fabulous Thursday! 

Love,

Erin 

5 Days a Week

     Since starting this blog last week I have received so many kind words and positive feedback. I would like to say thank you to everyone for commenting and reading. It truly means so much to me.

     I've been trying to think of a creative and fun way to compose my blog. I decided that having a theme for each day, Monday through Friday, would be the best way to do it. Each day's theme will relate to my experiences living in Dublin. I believe each of the themes I've come up with will help me explore all the different facets of this new life I'm about to undertake. So, here are my themes!

Manic Monday-I'll discuss all of the happenings from the weekend, the things I've learned and organize and prioritize my upcoming week

Beauty Tip Tuesday-Each Tuesday I'll give some sort of beauty tip. Once I'm in Dublin, I'll try to have it involve a new beauty product/idea that I've discovered since moving there

Workout Wednesday- I'll discuss the workouts I've been doing throughout the week and share any tips, tricks or new routines I've learned while in Dublin

Thirsty Thursday- Each week I'll try new kinds of drinks and/or cocktails and discuss what kind of food I think pairs well with them

Fashion Abroad Friday- Every Friday I will discuss a fashion item or trend that I've discovered since moving to Dublin. I'll also explore and discuss pieces that I have in my own wardrobe that I find fun and functional for my new life in a new city!

Of course I'll discuss other things as well, but I think this is a really great structure to have for every week. I'm so excited to start my new journey and everything that comes with it! I can't wait to share everything with all of you here! I'll begin with Thirsty Thursday tomorrow. It won't be abroad(obviously...haha) but I think it will be good for me to get into the habit of blogging so frequently before I leave. Plus, it'll be fun to explore these topics in the place where I call home first! I hope all is well for everyone! 

Love,

Erin

"If You Had the Chance to Change Your Fate, Would You?"

     In February, I found out that I was accepted to UCD(University College Dublin) in Dublin, Ireland! I can't even explain how ecstatic I was! It has always been one of my dreams to live in another country, and now its coming true!
     The news could not have come at a better time. My mother passed away after fighting ALS for nearly 6 years in October 2011. We were so close, and her death has been extremely difficult. I truly believe this opportunity could not have been given to me at a better time. Getting this opportunity has been like finding the light at the end of a dark and very long tunnel. I am infinitely thankful for this, and am still in shock that its happening. I wish that my mom could be here for all of this. I know how proud she would be.
     Since I've been accepted, I've just been working on getting all of the paperwork together...and let me tell you is there a lot of paperwork! haha! I think (at least I hope) that I'm coming to the end of all of the paperwork. I'm booking my one-way plane ticket today which is all at once exciting and terrifying. The reality of this great adventure has really started to hit me this past week. I can't wait to get there and start a new life, with new adventures and new people! But, at the same time I'm realizing how difficult it is going to be to leave my family, my best friends and the life that I've built here behind. I know that they will all always be a part of my life, but its just hard to think that I won't get to see them all as frequently as I'm used to. Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime!! :)
     I won't be leaving until August, and my classes won't start until September, but I thought it would be nice to write posts between now and then about all of the preparations I'll be making for leaving.
     Until next time,
            Erin xoxo

                                                     My soon-to-be home! Dublin!