What a Week

I have to apologize for the lack of posting lately...I've been a little busy...livin' life!  So much has happened this past week and I don't think there's enough time to explain....so let me sum up.

I've set three goals for myself that I am really pushing myself to keep (hopefully writing it out for the world to see will be a huge motivating factor)!

1.  Work out!  I have been lazy for far too long-- its time to start being/feeling healthier!  I have set up a work out schedule that has been going strong for 2 days! 

2.  Start donating blood!  Its easy, its quick, its a little thing to make a difference!

3.  Try a new recipe every week!  I love food! and I love to cook!  Its time to add some new tools!  

Last week was my first week and I decided to try to make Pesto from scratch!  I loved it!

Ingredients:

2 cups of fresh basil leaves stripped from stem

2 tablespoons of pine nuts

2 garlic cloves

salt and pepper

*Blend these ingredients.  Then slowly add 5-7 tablespoons of olive oil until the desired consistency. Serve on pasta!  Mmmmmmmm!!!!

On Saturday, I headed out to the Fine Art Museum of Houston.  It had an excellent collection of Renaissance art and a wing designed by Mies van der Rohe-- a pioneer of modern design.  You might not know his name but you will certainly recognize this beautiful and popular little design of his: Barcelona Chair.  

On Sunday, the family headed to the beach.... Click here to see Adrienne's awesome post about our day.  

On Tuesday, a coworker and myself headed to the Decorative Center of Houston to attend a panel discussion about interior designers and social media (a huge part of my job!).  The panel was comprised of several of the industries most popular bloggers who gave excellent advice on how social media can be used to connect to just about everyone.  Of course after this, my 'to do' list grew exponentially!  

Chelsea (my coworker from By Design), Jillian St. Charles from HGTV.com and myself!  Meeting Jillian was so exciting; Cindy and Peggy from By Design have been posting items to HGTV.com and love how easy and involved the site it.  We immediately get feedback from people all over the country who just love design.

Chelsea and I with Ronda Carman from AlltheBestBlog.com

Ronda's blog follows all aspects of amazing design; from interviews to awesome products, AlltheBestBlog.com includes all that is awesome style.  The panel also included Brad Ford of DesignTherapy.com, Joni Webb of CotedeTexas.blogspot.com and Sophie Donelson and Julia Noran of The Editor at Large. 

I think one of the things said throughout the discussion was by Sophie, "Until you start defining yourself online, other people are doing it for you!"  Its better to control what is going to pop up when people Google your name!

After the panel discussion, we headed to a Greater Houston Builders Association networking event at Lighting Unlimited.  

Some of the women of By Design!

Me, Peggy, Chelsea, Cindy, Katie, and Kimberly.....a bevy of blondes!

Whew! Its only Wednesday night!

Subscribe via Email

I have recently added a new 'widget' to my blog..... if you look to the left side of the screen, there is a new box that says, "Subscribe via Email."  If you would like to receive an email every time I post a new blog, all you have to do is enter your email address into the box, click "subscribe."  A new window will pop up that asks you to type in the crazy code they provide. You will receive an email almost immediately.  Open the email and click on the link that is provided and done!  Every time I publish a new post, you will get an email!

100 Things about Erika

100 things about ME!

This is my 100th blog post and I thought it would be fun to celebrate it with 100 fun facts about....E!

1. I have a strange attraction towards elephants.  I'm not sure what it is about them....but I love them!
2. Ramon noodles might be my favorite food. Don't judge me, I've eaten them since I was 4!
3. I love to cook and bake
4. I can’t wait to go to Costa Rica, whenever that may be, hopefully soon!
5. Christmas music is my favorite music of all time.  You can't help but feel good when listening to it.
6. Smores and rice crispee treats are my favorite sweets
7. Cherrie Lime-aid slushes from Sonic are SO good
8. I am incredibly thankful for everything I am and everything I have.
9. I hope to pet a tiger sometime in my life
10. I have fallen in love with country dancing, but not country music :)
11. Ultimate Frisbee might be one of the greatest games ever invented and I thank my dad for teaching me how to throw a Frisbee! Flatter platter J
12. I think I am becoming more and more eclectic every day
13. Dresses are amazing, one outfit all at once
14. I have learned my ‘love language’ is acts of service.  (I show love by doing things for other people)
15. My receiving love language is ‘words of praise’ (I feel the most loved when I am verbally praised)
16. I could watch Princess Bride any day all day.  And if I can't watch it, I could quote the entire thing.
17. As cliché as it may be, I think butterflies are just beautiful—don't worry, I will never get a tattoo of one.
18. If I had a magical power, I would want to fly.
19. Sometimes I argue with myself that laughing a lot counts as a good workout
20. I have always loved flowers and would not be opposed to being a florist someday.
21. I hate being tickled which is tricky because I am ticklish almost everywhere!.
22. I hate mustard
23. I couldn’t live without my camera- it is always in my purse and yes, I have taken pictures while driving.  My favorite one was of a man with a sign that read “Family abducted by aliens. Please help!”
24. Homemade Bloody Marys are my favorite drink- Thank you Uncle Steve!
25. After much debate with myself, strawberries are my favorite fruit
26. People who are passionate about what they do inspire me.
27. I think hugs are one of the best ways to say ‘I love you’
28. I love my car and am pretty set on never getting rid of Winston
29. I do use chocolate as a vice sometimes
30. I hate beans with a passion.   They make me gag, I learned that the hard way.
31. I wish we still had a trampoline.
32. I want to try surfing at least once in my life
33. I am not much of a reader
34. I love Martha Stewart, becoming her was my #1 career choice.
35. I don’t like medicures or pedicures
36. Calla lilies are my favorite flower, any color!
37. I really want a blood hound someday- might name her Petunia
38. I have a scar on my butt crack from landing on trampoline springs, I don't think anyone knows that about me!  Please don't ask to see it!
39. The Sound of Music might just be my all-time favorite movie
40. I cried twice during the movie “Up”
41. “Hi” was my first word followed closely with “homework”
42. I am definitely  a dog person, but cats seem to like me.
43. I made a New Year’s resolution to not buy any clothes, shoes or accessories for 6 months—going strong with 3 months to go!
44. Bosch is one of my favorite meals, thank you grandma B!
45. I would eat cold pizza over hot pizza any day.
46. I want to travel....a lot. The world is pretty amazing! Australia, Thailand, Africa, Peru, Sicily, New Zealand, Figi, etc.... Here I come!
47. I currently like Lady Gaga, maybe a little bit too much
48. I love to laugh…a lot!
49. I love to make other people laugh…a lot! 
50. I think I’m pretty tough.  Most of the time.
51. I love colors.
52. I will never have a favorite color because it is always changing.
53. Because of the tv show “Are you Afraid of the Dark” I am scared of open water.
54. Because of having to do a bug collection in 9^th grade, I hate bugs.
55. I think Mark Twain has some of the best quotes of all time.  "Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand." MT
56. Amy Butler is my favorite fabric designer, followed closely by Joel Dewberry and Anna Maria Horner.
57. I am  slowly trying to learn how to sew.
58. I know what I am good at, and tennis is not one of those things.
59. Surprisingly, I am a really indecisive person but I'm learning not to be.
60. I would like to thank Tivo for allowing me to watch as much of the Olympics as I want.
61. Mittens are my favorite item of clothing.
62. I believe in confidence.
63. As simple as they are, bubbles are one of the greatest toys.
64. The Office is my favorite TV show and I dance to the opening song every time I hear it!
65. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of Capris.
66. I don’t believe in booing, its mean.
67. I believe everything works itself out, somehow, someway.
68. Cheetos and pretzels are so delicious.
69. Lucky Charms are my favorite cereal.
70. Even though you always smell bad after having one, bonfire parties are perfect. Maybe because there are always smores.
71. I think the stars are strangely magical, thank you Vincent Van Gogh- my favorite artist.
72. I love watching thunderstorms and wanted to be a storm chaser when I grew up. That was before I found out they don’t get paid.
73. I don’t know anything about cars and I am perfectly ok with that.
74. I have only mowed the lawn once in my life, thank you Adrienne :) .
75. I have considered going cage diving with sharks.
76. I am constantly figeting. I will choose smiling over frowning any day/any time.  
77. “Little Miss Sunshine” made me realize how important/loving/amazing family is, even if they are a little cooky.
78. I don’t like baseball I can't make it past the 5th inning without being bored out of my mind.
79. MarioKart was/is the only video game I can play decently and even that statement is questionable.
80. I like pillows.  There are 10 on my bed right now!
81. I really like poetry and wish I spend more time reading and writing some.
82. I remember when Miss America was something my mom, sister and I sat down to watch every year.
83. I love love!
84. I love getting compliments and now try to give as many as I can.
85. My computer and I have a love-hate relationship.  That's probably describing it too nicely....I need it, it hates me....I hate that I need it! 
86. Underwater basket weaving is a class I would be interested in taking. 
87. I love Uncrustables- PP&J is classic.
88. I love quoting stupid movies- they can narrate our lives.
89. As much as I hate it, I cry when I get frustrated.  Hell, I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad....maybe I have overactive tear ducts!
90. I only remember getting spanked once, which led me to run down the hallway crying and directly into a wall.
91. I wish I were better at photography.
92. Homemade chex mix is one of my all-time favorite snack foods.  Once I started choking while eating some, prepared to give myself the Heimlich by clearing off my desk, but started breathing again and proceeded to eat more chex mix. 
93. When I first heard of blogging, I thought it was stupid…now look at me J
94. I am so proud of what each member of my family has done and accomplished.  I love how life has a crazy and mysterious way of leading people to what they want and are good at.
95. I can’t wink or whistle or roll my r's.
96. I have eaten a cheese that has killed people.  Its illegal to sell in the US.  Now I'm obsessed with cheese....stinky gooey cheese!  The perfect bite of food: all at once- a buttery salty cracker, warm brie, a cashew and a dried cherry on top!
97. I thank God that I grew out of my awkward phase.  That was a rough patch :)
98. My sister and I have begun reading each others’ minds.
99. I will always be a  kid at heart.  I have a feeling that I am becoming more childish the older I get.
100. I am really loving life!

I would like to thank everyone in my life for being a  positive force and for constantly loving me!

Its a Small World

Every time I think work has gotten as crazy as it can possibly be....its gets a little crazier.  But being busy is fantastic!  I love having a long to do list that takes up my entire day...not only does the day go faster but I feel like I accomplish so much.

I have been driving around town a lot more as well!  And for all of you who know me well, you know that I get lost rather easily...in a paper bag as my dad says.  So having to drive myself around is helping me figure out this crazy place.  Instead of being a grid, Houston is more like a bulls eye overlapping a target.  I have to make sure that I have excellent directions every time I head out, but so far so good!

Another thing that I have loved is running into people from Michigan, which has been happening a lot lately!  Almost everyday last week, I met someone who was either from Michigan or had close ties to people from Michigan.  On Thursday, I discovered that one of our clients is from Monroe and had actually had just vacationed there last week.  On Friday, another client's son-in-law went to Michigan State University and that's where their daughter met him.  Its amazing how small this world is!

EASTER EGGS!!

When I was 12, my family stopped doing the whole 'Easter Egg hunt' thing and I was crushed.  I know Easter isn't about bunnies or eggs, but I love crafts and making things.  And I love hunting for things even more!  So when Adrienne bought an egg dying kit.....I was SO excited!  Brenner isn't really up for hunting for eggs yet, even when we try to entice him with food inside of them, but the "adults" can get into the spirit.

Everyone got involved in the festivities!

The kit included 12 different colors and instructions on how to make.....

Marbleized eggs!!!

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter!