Tuesday, April 29, 2014

My Besties | Lifestyle

With all of my friends getting married, having babies and even those that are still single and ready to mingle with me I still find myself thinking how weird we are together. I came across this earlier today on Elite Daily and it made me laugh so I figured that I would share it with all of you!! I hope that you love it as much as I did!! 



Whether you’ve known her for more than 10 years or for just a few months, a best girlfriend is practically a sister. You’ve both reached the point where you feel so comfortable with each other that you can get away with saying or doing almost anything. Here are the 13 ways you act only with your best girlfriend(s):

Saying “I Love You” When You Get Off The Phone

Besides your family or boyfriend, you only say some version of “k, love you, bye” when you get off the phone with your best friend. Without even a second thought or bit of hesitation, it just rolls off the tongue. She’s practically like family, anyway.

Peeing In Front Of Each Other

This usually only happens when you are both drunk and there is only one bathroom. There’s a huge line, so you both just go in together and take turns. You might have some deep conversation or use the time to vent about whomever just pissed you off.

Calling Each Other Endearing Names

Only your best friend can do this. If anyone else said such things, it would be extremely rude. Examples: “Love ya, bitch” as a response to something she says or an alternative goodbye. “You’re so crazy” when one of you overanalyzes a guy situation, gets really intense about some diet or fitness regimen or decides to do something really adventurous, like skydiving or a last-minute trip to Vegas. Even though you call her crazy, you’re usually right there next to her. “Don’t be lame” when one of you is suddenly tired and bails on the other. After you try to cancel plans you had to go out, your best friend can say this to you, which usually forces you to get up, get dressed and go out, and you usually end up having more fun than if you had just stayed in.

Cuddling On The Couch Or In Bed

Best friends like to cuddle. We just do. When we’ve had a hard week at work, just ended a relationship, or are hungover, we like to share a blanket on the couch or cuddle in bed and watch movies together. You don’t necessarily have to make physical contact, but just being in close proximity feels good.

Walking Into Each Other’s House Without Knocking

Even if you only see each other a few times a week, when you have plans for her to come over, she knows the door will be unlocked and she can just walk right in. It’s like her second home, anyway.

Using Each Other’s Stuff Without Asking

This isn’t being rude or impolite. If she comes over and wants to borrow an outfit or try out some of your makeup, you know you will say yes anyway, so what’s the difference?

Sending Ugly SnapChats To Each Other

There’s nothing better to make the work day or school day go by faster than by using SnapChat to compete for who can make the uglier face. The more double chins and flared nostrils, the better.

Over-Sharing About Bodily Functions

I’m not really sure why we like to do this, but if it happens and your best friend is there, she is going to hear about it: “Ugh, I seriously have such bad cramps right now,” “Oh my god, I’m totally breaking out,” “Damn, I have to go to the gyno tomorrow.” No boundaries, no problem.

Telling It Like It Is

If the two of you go shopping and she asks for your opinion, you are totally allowed to be honest: “No, I don’t like it; you can find something cuter.” While this could offend non-best friends, your BFF will appreciate your honesty — even if she chooses to buy the item, anyway. If one of you does something to upset the other, you don’t bottle it up inside. You call her out on it, she apologizes and you hug it out. Then, everything is right again in the world.

Rehashing The Same Conversations Over And Over

Best friends like to analyze and analyze again. Whether it’s about dating, school or work, we just like to rehash the same conversations from different perspectives. It’s therapeutic every time.

Laughing At Each Other When One Does Something Embarrassing

If you trip while you’re wearing heels, realize your shirt is on inside out or discover you have toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, your best friend will be the first person to laugh at it with you. This isn’t meant to be mean. She has your back. You both laugh because you don’t take things too seriously in each other’s company.

Eating Outrageous Amounts Of Food Together Without Feeling Judged

You might feel self-conscious about ordering a cheeseburger, fries, a milkshake and then dessert in many situations, but with your best friend, you simply don’t care. With your best friend, you don’t have to pretend to eat a salad to prove you’re being “healthy.” It’s nice to indulge without feeling judged.

Taking Pictures Pretending To Kiss Each Other Or Actually Kissing Each Other On The Lips Or On The Cheek

Best friends love taking pictures together. When having fun, there’s so much love in the air that girls feel required to capture the moment and post the photos to Instagram. This isn’t done for attention, but rather, out of love.


                                             xo, Erica

Friday, April 25, 2014

Mile High Club | Lifestyle


Get your DIRTY.LITTLE minds out of the gutter. I'm not talking about THAT mile high club. I'm talking about those that grew up on airplanes traveling across the country our whole life and still to this day become amazed when I meet someone that has never flown. I can only relate it to finding some type of alien living on Earth. You want to poke it and know where it's from and if there are others like it... Seriously though. I can remember flying somewhere, all alone when I was 5-6. It wasn't strange to me at all, I looked at it like an adventure. I would always change my name and tell the people sitting around me that my name was Emma (I loved the SPICE GIRLS) and I would fake sleep while we landed so I wouldn't have to set my seat forward. WOAH - do I sound like a little brat or what?! I swear I wasn't - I would save my headphones that they used to hand out and I had about 100 pair at one point before my grandma started selling them in garage sales for like $1. They were the best part of flying, getting to listen to the pilot over the radio or finding some random station that played the current hits. It was full of static but amaze because I was 30,000 feet in the air. So it got me thinking as I start to plan my summer trips and adventures that I really love and miss flying. As a kid you could give me a pack of peanuts and I was good to go. Now that's a different story. Now I want my neck pillow, the new COSMO and SELF magazine, something to drink, some type of music and the list goes on and on. These days the voyage across 2 seats and down the isle to the TINY restroom makes me want to pull my hair out so I decided to put together my necessities for flying. It will absolutely include my FAVS for even the worst layovers.

Normally I just include the links at the bottom but this time I wanted to tell you why they are my FAVS and why you should include some of this on your next trip. Trust me >> I speak from experience! First and foremost what you wear and make or brake your entire experience on the plane. I'm all about LAYERS, LAYERS & MORE LAYERS!!! This entire look I found from Hush UK - which I am pretty obsessed with. Everything is so comfy and casual but still put together. Now you might want to rethink the shorts >> I would much rather be cold than hot any day so I like to go with shorts and If I get really cold I can just fold my legs up into the seat underneath me. For the wipes really any kind will do - even baby wipes if you're on a budget. I like these to wipe my hands, maybe my face if I have a cancelled flight and need to take my makeup off. One of the best things I always have with me is my Cetaphil lotion. I have naturally dry skin so when I fly I get even more dry. Especially my hands when I wash them a lot.

Next would be the trust iPad. Normally I would tell you to ditch the electronics and bring a book - witch I always end up liking more than the iPad but in this case go ahead and bring it with you. You might finish your book or end up having to do some business while you away. Just don't use it for online shopping... for the 3rd time this week. OOPS!! Oh how I love you neck pillow. I know they look weird and even weirder when you see someone with one but let me tell you how incredible this little guy is. First it's memory foam, do I need to even continue!? It's the perfect size to just rest on your shoulders and give your neck and head the perfect support to make nap time the best sleep you've ever had. So next would be magazines. I know you have a MILLION shoved in your closet from 5 years ago when you bought the subscriptions for like $5. It's time you threw them out and picked up something a little more current and become OBSESSED with the new tips and tricks of the trade. Now days these 2 favs of mine >> COSMO & SELF cover every topic you could ever think of. Just trust me on this one.

Now it's time to get real. Number seven is a notebook. YES, they are still around. I love carrying mine to scribble down last minute flight changes and spur of the moment creative ideas. Then again I should be using it to give the HOTTIE a couple rows back my number. Eight is a magical number right?! Well it is here. This GORGEOUS weekend traveler is to die for!!! I'm all about bringing a weekend bag as my carry on. Not only can it serve as a large catch all purse/bag but it can also have other necessities in case you end up at your destination and your bags don't. I always carry an extra outfit, toiletries, chargers and other super important stuff in here. PS>> YOU CAN EVEN GET THIS BAG MONOGRAMMED!!! You know why the SUNNIES are on here. Hide those lingering dark puffy under eyes or just shield you from the strange guy who wont leave you along. HELP! Last but not least you need some headphones. GOOD ONES! Plug them in and listen to your fav playlist or just stick them on and enjoy the silence for a little while.

See. That's why I needed to explain everything. Think I missed something?! Tell me, tell me, tell me!!


4. iPad Mini @ your local Apple Store
6. Cosmopolitan &Self Magazine @ your local newsstand

Monday, April 21, 2014

Why I'd Rather via TSC | Health & Fitness

Okay, So I'm sure by now you all know that I LOVE TSC! I mean not only am I a huge fan of her blog and her new book (that you can purchase on on health & fitness tab). I share quite a few of her tips and posts on here so that you all can also benefit from her awesome ways!! I'm a huge STARBUCKS person so when I came across this post I was a little sad but very pleased to find out that my drink was not included in this. Since it's just coffee, milk and ice. HUGE RELIEF!! I still wanted to share this with you so that you would know and have the opportunity to alter your drink order or just give up on it and choose another like mine that doesn't have any of that icky stuff. So I hope this helps and know that It's for the best :) Enjoy the fab Skinny Confidential post below and see the original HERE!


I can’t.
I just…can’t with Frappaccinos.
If you’re a fan, I sincerely apologize in advance ( & maybe you shouldn’t continue reading ).
First off remember circa 2001 when Britney Spears gained all that weight & blamed on Frapps?
Everyone thought it was a cop out? Well, err, ehh I actually believe her.
These blended chemical-filled drinks are so disgusting, I’m surprised they’re even legal.
Like, seriously, WTF?
Anyway let’s get down to it…here’s the real deal on Frappacinos AKA Crappacinos:
First off there’s 81 ( eighty one!!! 8!!! 1!!! 81!!! 8-1!!! ) grams of sugar in a caramel Venti Crapp.
Ok, so 81 grams of sugar is equal to three Snicker bars…hmmm…
& let’s not even talk about the carbs ( 87 grams ) or calories ( 510 cals ) or fat ( 17 grams ).
Yikes!
Ok, so get this caramel coloring equals carcinogen.
Heard of it??
Basically according to this source, “caramel coloring is manufactured by heating ammonia and sulfites under high pressure, which is what creates the carcinogenic compounds. Animal testing has resulted in liver, lung, and thyroid tumors in mice. Coke and Pepsi changed their formulas when it was discovered that caramel coloring could be contributing to thousands of cancer deaths every year because they were using dangerous amounts of it in their sodas. They figured it could be bad for business if they had to include a cancer warning label on the can or bottle. And don’t expect the FDA to protect you because caramel coloring is still on their list of approved additives.”
Annnnddd don’t even start me on Starbucks oatmeal— that’s contains caramel coloring too!!
Fun times.
Oh & you ready for this one? Starbucks admitted here that their strawberry Frappy contains crushed bugs. Yes, bugs.
They say “crushed bugs are harmless.” I say “no thanks.”
& hey, if you have to have a Crappuccino, be smart. Skip the whipped cream, syrup, & at least order a small.
Also, you guys know I’m all about modifying— I’m not big on deprivation, so of course I had to create a DIY version:
The Skinny Confidential Real Deal Frapp:
♡ 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or Suja’s ‘Vanilla Cloud’
♡ 1/2 cup coffee ( this is my favorite brand )
♡ 2-3 tablespoons 100% maple syrup
♡ A few sprinkles of cinnamon & nutmeg
♡ 1 handful ice
+ Blend & enjoy!
Next time you’re at Starbucks opt for organic tea & BYOOC ( AKA bring your own organic coffee- like this one ).
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news- please don’t shoot the messenger!!
Happy Tuesday, xx Lauryn
{ Want more? Read the truth about sickie, disgusting syrups here }.


                                                                                                                      xo, Erica

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Coachella Babes | Lifestyle


Happy Saturday loves! I've been so productive today that It seems like it should be much later in the day. BIG NEWS >> Peaches + Planks is now on Instagram!!! Follow along HERE :) We will be posting of favs daily and of course the posts made here will get a little spotlight when they get posted. Know any awesome accounts I should follow?? List it below & I will check it out. So recently in the news everyone has been talking about Coachella. I mean who doesn't want to spend a week in the CALI desert with all of the hottest celebs and musicians. Plus tons of people watching. I mean sign me up!!! I found some of the best looks from COSMOPOLITAN and decided to share my faves with all of you. I'm sure tons of effort went into picking their look but I love how effortless everything is! Tell me your faves.



                                                             xo, Erica

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Body Bible | Book Club

Hi loves! I hope you're all having a great week! My mind has absolutely been blown by my new book!!! About a month ago I decided to buy THE BODY BOOK by Cameron Diaz. It has completely changed my life and I'm only 5 chapters in. I've been underlining, highlighting, staring so much that has hit home with me. I mean first of all who better to write a book about a woman's body than CD herself. It's so much more than I thought it would be and I'm not even joking. First off the intro is titled KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and let me tell you. I'm sure you've heard that a million times but what do you really know about the food you're eating. The most amazing thing I have learned from this book so far "We are all living in bodies that are overfed and undernourished!"  I MEAN WHOA. Please don't tell me that that didn't totally change everything. I never thought about what I was eating before I ate it. I would walk into a store or restaurant and order something that someone else said was food and I would just go along with it. So now when It's time for me to grab something on the go or when I am grocery shopping I always stop and look at the ingredients or ask myself "Is this something my body can use for fuel?" Most of the time it's chemicals and fillers that cure my hunger but do absolutely nothing to give my body nutrition it was looking for. 



I hope this helps! Love you babes :)
                                                        xo, Erica

Monday, April 14, 2014

Bed Head | Beauty

Hey girly cats!! I hope you're all having a great weekend!! I've been able to have a RELAXING weekend and I needed it. I'm on a beauty with getting more info about the best ways to take care of your skin and what are the best products that all the PROS use. So yesterday I decided to get my brows cleaned up so that I can better maintain them. I'm really loving the big bold brow right now since mine are naturally big. I made an appointment at ULTA'S BROW BAR. It's amaze!! You need to call and make an appointment ASAP. First off they do measurements with your face to find what shape fits best with your face and follow the natural line of your brow. The just remove some of the guys that aren't supposed to be there and fill them in for you. I LOVED it so much that I decided to buy the product she used on me. It's called Brow Zings by Benefit Cosmetics in medium - It was $30 but she told be she has been using hers for 6 months and still has another couple of months to go before she needs to by more. So once I got home I figured I would start looking up some new stuff to do with my hair since I'm a repeat offender of the bun. I found this great tutorial from MASKCARA and thought I would share it with you!! It's just the look I love and it's simple to do once you get it down. I'm sure it will turn out a little different with my long hair so I will test it and let you know :)


                                                xo, Erica

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Home Sweet Home | Lifestyle

Hi SWEET BABES! I hope you're all having a great weekend!! I had a BUSY morning but it feels good to get all of my errands out of the way and be able to relax a little before my plans tonight. SUMMER time is getting close which means time to move again for me! I haven't secured down a place yet but I'm already excited to DECORATE and get my new place set up for the next stage of my life. I'm really into COASTAL COTTAGE and NATURAL looks right now with pops of turquoise and gold. If you didn't know I'm obsessed with NATURAL WOOD. I have it all over my house now and I get compliments on it all of the time. Interiors have always been a huge LOVE of mine so every time a friend or I move I get to become an interior designer for a while. So I decided to put together some of the new stuff I'm looking at and linked everything at the bottom. Hope you love it!!!



                                                                                      xo, Erica

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Drop 10 | Healthy & Fit

Hi love bugs!! It's THURSDAY and you know what that means... hah okay you probs have no clue what I'm talking about but that's okay. Find something to get excited about and have a happy evening. So as I promised > here is all of the AMAZE Self Mag DROP 10 info!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and to prep I need to get some new leggings.

 >> WORKOUT LEGGINGS!! Whoop whoop :)
                                                     xo, Erica

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Sweat a little, eat a lot and still shrink, quickly!

THE WORKOUT

You'll sculpt lean muscle with strength moves three times a week. Then, torch mega calories with two weekly cardio sessions. Your trainer: Astrid McGuire, the fit pro and celebrity secret weapon who helped earn Julianne Hough that bod. So, excuses? There are none.

THE DIET

Think of your 1,600 daily calories as workout fuel. You'll eat about 350 calories at breakfast, 450 at lunch, 500 at dinner and another 300 in snacks and treats. Feel free to mix-and-match, but remember that if you go over a little at dinner, keep a snack on the slimmer side. SELF contributors Stephanie Clarke, R.D., and Willow Jarosh, R.D., planned a full week for you. The combo of protein, carbs and fiber is filling; the dishes, delicious. Just to be clear: Don't skip the treats. Five weeks of deprivation is no way to live.













Monday, April 7, 2014

Drop 10 + SELF MAG | Healthy & Fit

GET OFF THAT HIND END!! It's SELF MAG's Drop 10 Slim Down :) Not have any idea what I'm talking about??! That's okay, we have plenty of time to go over everything. Every spring SELF MAGAZINE comes out with a new and improved series of full body workouts, meal plans, grocery lists and everything else you could possibly need to slim down right before summer or even a special event months from now. Plus they always have the hottest CELEB trainers creating the workouts! Okay enough of me... here you go!!



 You'll sculpt lean muscle with the strength moves three times a week. Then, torch mega calories with two weekly cardio sessions. You have three interval options mapped out for you. Your trainer: Astrid McGuire, the fit pro and celebrity secret weapon who helped earn Julianne Hough that bod. So, excuses? There are none.

&&&

Think of your 1,600 daily calories as workout fuel. You'll eat about 350 calories at breakfast, 450 for lunch, 500 at dinner and another 300 in snacks and treats. SELF contributors Stephanie Clarke, R.D., and Willow Jarosh, R.D., planned a full week of meals, recipes and snacks for you. The combo of protein, carbs and fiber is filling; the dishes, delicious. Just to be clear: Don't skip the treats. Five weeks of deprivation is no way to live.




Here's everything you need to make for your first full week of healthy meals that'll help you slim.

GROCERY
• Sliced almonds
• Slivered almonds
• Balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup barley
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• Bloody Mary mix
• Canola oil
• Capers
• Chia seeds
• Chili powder
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa powder
• Coffee
• Dried cranberries
• Ground cumin
• 1 1/4 oz 70-percent dark
  chocolate
• Dijon mustard
• Freeze-dried edamame
• Ground ginger
• 1 package KIND Healthy
  Grains Vanilla Blueberry
  Clusters with Flax
  Seeds Granola
• Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt
• Maple syrup
• Lowfat mayonnaise
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Peanut butter
• 1 tbsp peanuts
• 1/4 pecans
• 1 peppermint candy
• 4 cups air-popped popcorn
• 1 tbsp raisins
• Red chili flakes
• Red wine vinegar
• 1 rice cake
• 16 oz roasted red pepper-
  tomato soup
• Rice wine vinegar
• Dried rosemary
• Toasted sesame oil
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 package Unreal Gimme
  Ones candy
• 1 package Vietnamese
  spring roll wrappers
• 1/2 cup quinoa
PRODUCE
• 2 apples
• 1 small bunch asparagus
• 1 avocado
• 4 bananas
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 small carton blueberries
• 1 head broccoli
• 1 cup brussels sprouts
• 1 small bag baby carrots
• 2 carrots
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 1 clementine
• 2 cucumbers
• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 garlic bulb
• 2 pints grape tomatoes
• 1 bunch kale
• 3 lemons
• Fresh mint
• 1 small package sliced
  mushrooms
• 2 red onions
• 1 orange
• 1 small bunch radishes
• 1 large red potato
• 1 head romaine
• 1 large russet potato
• 1 bunch scallions
• 1 package baby spinach
• 1 small carton strawberries
• 1 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 sweet potato
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 cup watermelon cubes
• 1 zucchini

MEAT, FISH, DAIRY AND REFRIGERATED
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Butter
• 1 package shredded
  reduced-fat cheddar
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat
  cheese
• 1 tbsp shredded Monterey
  Jack cheese
• Part-skim ricotta
• 2 small boneless, skinless
  chicken thighs
• 6 eggs
• 6 oz filet mignon
• Fresh salsa
• 1 tbsp hummus
• 1 percent milk
• Whole milk
• Orange juice
• 2 pieces pork tenderloin
  (about 4 ounces each)
• Lowfat ranch dressing
• 4 oz salmon fillet
• 2 slices smoked salmon
• 10 oz peeled shrimp
• 3 thick slices deli turkey
  breast
• Chobani Flip Honey
  BeeNana Yogurt
• 10 tbsp plain 2-percent-fat
  Greek yogurt

FROZEN
• Amy's Organic Quarter
  Pound Veggie Burger
• Kashi Indian Tikka Masala
  Personal Pizza
• Sambazon Açai Smoothie Pack
• Stonyfield Organic Greek
  Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
• Whole-grain frozen waffles
• 1 pint lowfat vanilla ice cream

BAKERY
• 2 gingersnaps (2 1/2-inch
  wide)
• 1 whole-wheat bagel
• 1 loaf whole-wheat bread
• 1 whole-wheat bun
• 1 whole-wheat pita (5 inches)
• 1 whole-wheat tortilla (8 inch)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Check back tomorrow for the rest of this AMAZE program :)

                                                              xo, Erica

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Inspiration | Lifestyle







 

All photos are from the blog Bippity Boppity Boo
                                                    xo, Erica

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

THE BB | Book Club

Hi loves! Hopefully your weekend wrapped up and you get to have a little fun!!! I spent the weekend in TEXAS. A good friend of mine recently moved there and it was her birthday so we decided to drive down and have a fun weekend celebrating her. We spent the entire first half of Saturday on the SUNNY BEACHES of Galveston! Walking the beach barefoot, FLIP FLOPS in hand. It was just the thing my soul needed. We then decided to spend the entire day on the pier that was covered in games, rides and carnival food. We skipped the food but made a go at every single ride on the pier. It was so gorgeous and every time we were on a ride that gave us a chance to look at the view we pulled our phones out and took a shot. I mean HELLO surfers! The waves weren't that great but definitely something I could have handled. Maybe next time. Friday night was spent DANCING! I mean, what else are you supposed to do when you go to TEXAS?! Line dancing, two stepping couldn't have capped off a better weekend.

Now that I'm back the month of APRIL has arrived. Which means that there are wedding bells soon approaching. No, I'm not the bride to be but my roommate is!! So I need to be kicking something into gear to make sure my fitness goals are still on track. I've been maybe a little lax the last couple of weeks but that all majorly took a swing back into the right direction last night. If you didn't know, about this time last month I ordered THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL's new amaze book & THE BODY BOOK by the fab Cameron Diaz. I'm slowly working through both books and can't wait to share more about both of them. As I was reading The BB I had a MAJOR FOOD REVELATION... When our bodies are hungry, that means our body needs fuel. Fuel is food. DUH. Wait for it... I couldn't believe how many times I reach for "food" when I hungry. I've been grabbing things that are chemicals and crap that I think will fill me up but they don't because that isn't what my body needed. It needed protein and yummy veggies and fruit. Instead I gave it some crap that has been labeled as food and my body still broke it down and pulled stuff out of it. FATTY GROSS stuff that did absolutely nothing for me. Now I'm reaching for things that I know my body is wanting. I think about it before I eat it and It's completely changed not only how I eat but how I shop for groceries and what I choose when I go out to eat. I know that may sound silly but it's true - I never realized any of that until now. Now things I didn't like I'm giving a chance and I'm coming up with different ways to cook it so that I like it because I know it's something that is really great for my body. I'm beyond excited for the next couple of month and I can't wait to share my progress, ups and downs, recipes and everything else along the way.

                                        xo,
                                                    Erica